That One Time I Married A Crazy Goddess

'The Lysfødt…they're gonna bombard me at random moments until I do what they say? They'll get stronger each time, giving me glimpses of what's to come when they fully descend to Kyrrin. Am I really being selfish? I've never loved anyone before, I never felt true love with anyone either. I'm being selfish with being on Yuuna's side? No…no. Why the hell did I even think that? I truly feel a certain way about her, I do love her. More than anything honestly, why would I even have those thoughts? I'm with Yuuna in freeing the people from their oppression and chained souls to the fleeting worship of those draconic god and goddess bastards. Will we really destroy the world from doing it? If Yuuna dies though, then there I go along with her. Damn it all! I'm trying to push through all of this, there's so much pressure on me, I could give up. Here and now. Yuuna doesn't have any memory of me right now, I could get away with it, right…? I wouldn't have to deal with so much shit. No…why did I think that too…? Yuuna would probably randomly gain her memories back of me, probably would trigger some things in her head, and she'll go berserk. Why would I even do anything that dumb? My mind is all over the place right now? I'm with Yuuna until the end. The Lysfødt..Haldrek…no one can convince me to fuck off and betray her. Her happiness makes me happy. And it's a feeling I craved for years. She actually completes me, and I'll stick with her no matter how many Light Born or draconic deities we face.'

As everyone was standing around Gabriel's Ladder, Illyana was using the light from her grimoire to heal everyone.

Gorran refused her healing magic, stepping away from her, but Illyana forced it on him anyway by giving him a deadly stare.

No one said anything. Mertha, though, was satisfied. Why? She felt like a true leader, she felt she contributed, she felt her commands and her strategy played a big part. But she could feel the unease in everyone else.

Kivorn stayed to himself as well after being healed, Draeven nervously looked at everyone, clearly feeling the tension.

'It's not awkward, just quiet. Sethrak fought brutally, and Zyphira had to keep calming him down. I noticed a lot, Sethrak doesn't care about himself as much as he says he does, in any fight, he's always close to his sister Zyphira. Something must've happened during the fight. And Kivorn…my other bro, he looks distraught. What triggered him…?'

Suddenly, Gunthr and his guildmates were nearby, walking away slowly, then running towards the exit, they didn't even wanna go near the dead remnants of the Lysfødt, and seeing Xyenn and his group.

Gunthr exclaimed, "We'll come back!"

His guild mates said:

"But Gunthr! The Ladder is right there!"

Gunthr nervously replied, "Yeahhhh, you see, they look a little tense right now it seems rude to ju-just HOP in and use the ladder right there in front of them!"

"Ohhhh! Makes sense! You're always thinking things through! You're so smart!"

"Tch! I know I am! Whelps! Follow me!"

Xyenn and his group walked towards Gabriel's Ladder, and the moment they stepped near the glowing spiral of light, a strange force surrounded Xyenn and the Tyrants. Their bodies were lifted effortlessly into the air, as though cradled by unseen hands. The world around them dissolved into radiant streams of light, a vast expanse of swirling stars and shimmering clouds opening beneath their feet. They floated in silence, suspended in a breathtaking void where time and space seemed to blur together.

'It's beautiful…' Xyenn thought.

The ladder itself was no longer visible—only its essence, a quiet, pulsing hum that resonated deep in their souls, guiding them upward. The air was warm but gentle, like a summer breeze brushing against their skin, carrying with it the faint aroma of something nostalgic yet unplaceable. Around them, faint images of continents and worlds danced in the streams of light, as if inviting them to choose.

No one spoke. The beauty of the moment demanded reverence, and even the most talkative among them found themselves awestruck. Then, a voice broke the silence. It was calm, neutral, and genderless, yet it reverberated in their minds as though it came from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Where do you wish to go?"

Xyenn, without hesitation, answered. "Soulcaris. Continent of Soulcaris."

'Who's speaking? Voice sounds weird, and deep..'

The voice seemed to pause, as if considering his words. The swirling lights shifted, colors deepening, and the hum grew louder. Then, in an instant, the light around them began to change direction, pulling them forward.

Xyenn sighed, and finally spoke out loud to everyone, "I'm sorry…everyone."

Everyone looked at him, floating near him.

Xyenn continued, "I should've told you all about this, about the Light Born. And how they came to me. Damn, I feel responsible for all of this."

Mertha asked Xyenn, "You want to kill Yuuna?"

Xyenn immediately answered, "No. Never. We have a child..and stuff." Xyenn blushed.

"Then this isn't your fault. You made a choice, a choice we all would make if we were in your shoes, boy. Though this is a dire situation."

Gorran said, "If Yuuna succeeds with killing the dragon gods of Kyrrin, then we'll be destroying the entire work, is what that Light Born said."

Sethrak added, "We all heard her."

Yuuna said, "I know about this…I always knew about it. Always knew. Gabriel used us to create this so-called radiant and perfect world. Dragon gods are the foundation of it. The pieces that hold it together. But nothing is perfect, people, humans, races of all kinds are used as pawns to keep the dragon gods alive. If anyone is sorry, it should be me. For keeping information from you all. If you all want to leave me, I—."

Xyenn gritted his teeth m, saying, "No one is leaving you at all. I chose this, though..there were times, quick moments of me regretting everything since I met you. That's my human side of me. But deep down, every time I'm around you, I'm motivated again. A feeling I don't want to ever give up. I hate myself for the thoughts that creep in my head, doubting everything I promised to you. I'm in an eternal battle with myself, but I know if I keep going, I'll be alright."

'That sounded manlier in my head.' Xyenn thought.

Kivorn commented, "I..want the joy my own kin took from me back. The Svren Elves were under the dragon god of elves, if not for him, they wouldn't have been driven to do what they did to me. I'll be joyous, once the darkness is purged."

Yuuna said, "Kivorn…"

"I'm gonna be even stronger, to stay alive; I don't wanna die before I get my joy again. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll see where I mess up in fights or training with you guys, I'll work on anything I need. There's..a reason I'm here Yuuna, with you. With all..of you. I think almost dying to the Griffin's really…woke me up again. Even in dire situations…I'll try not to doubt myself in it. So I have no reason to leave."

Gorran wanted to add his own thoughts, but he said nothing. Keeping it all to himself.

'….'

Illyana peacefully said, "I wanna keep us together. I don't trust anyone but you guys. You're the only family I have. Times when we seem like we're gonna separate, times when we're all distraught, I don't like seeing it. I saw these same signs with my husband, the vessel, once he tried to offer me as a sacrifice. Everything shattered, I was distraught, depressed for months and months. It's like a dark space you can't escape. Maybe I even enjoyed it for a while, but still hated it. I will keep us together, so we can get rid of these draconic gods, and maybe find a way to keep the world stable even without them. I will make sure we're all in our right mind, I don't want anyone to be how I was. I know how that dark place is. I'll do everything I can to make sure we're all okay and together."

Xyenn then had remembered when Illyana told Xyenn she hated sadness on the boat.

Sethrak didn't say anything, he had a lot on his mind though, saying, "Yeah. I'm with you."

Zyphira, a lot on her mind as well, kept her thoughts to herself, not really saying anything. The thought that went through both of their minds, and as when the Griffin hovered Zyphira.

Draeven raised his hand slightly, "I-I'm not going anywhere…Yuuna."

Mertha smiled, "You already know where I stand, Yuuna."

Yuuna froze, and she smiled, "G-Great! I'm glad we're all on the same page!"

Xyenn asked Yuuna, "About what Illyana said, do you think it's possible to save this world from destruction even if we kill the dragon gods?"

"Ehhhh, no. I don't think it's possible. But I could be wrong. We just have to see, right?" Yuuna tilted her head and smiled.

And Xyenn smiled back.

Yuuna inspected Xyenn, grinning, "Hmm. I like your smile."

Xyenn frozen, thinking, 'Think, Xyenn! What can I say back that's smooth? Shit, I'm not good at sweet talking, honestly. Think of something cool to say..'

Xyenn gulped, and he said, "You too."

Yuuna replied, "You too?! WHAT KIND OF REPLY IS THAT?!"

'No! I keep thinking I'll sound awkward and weird if I say something all mushy. Crap!' Xyenn thought as he panicked. 'How can I call myself a man?!'

But Yuuna liked seeing Xyenn like that. She thought it was adorable, but Xyenn thought he himself looked ridiculous.

As they were swept along the glowing currents, Xyenn scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "So, uh… I don't really know exactly where we should land in Soulcaris. Kinda forgot to ask for specifics."

The serene silence was shattered as the group collectively groaned.

"Whaaaaaaaat do you mean you don't know where to land?" Zyphira shot him a disbelieving glare, crossing her arms. 

Xyenn nervously replied, gesturing his hands to calm her down, "Relaxxxx—!"

Draeven clutched his head, pacing mid-air as though the floating void had a floor. "We're going t-to end up in the middle of nowhere, aren't we? We're screwed…."

Xyenn said to Draeven, "DON'T LOSE HOPE—!"

Kivorn raised an eyebrow, his usual calm demeanor tinged with sarcasm. "Haha..You didn't think… to threaten Haldrek for more details…? We definitely have the upper hand on him. We have you..and Yuuna.."

Xyenn threw up his hands defensively. "Yeah, well, threatening Haldrek is one thing. Asking him an endless series of follow-up questions? That's just suicidal. The guy's terrifying."

Yuuna, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the argument, suddenly threw her hands in the air and yelled with glee, "Just take us to the entrance of Soulcaris! Who cares where we land? Let's just go already! Woo hoo!" 

A ripple of energy surged around them, and the void responded to her command. The light began to shift again, this time pulling them toward a single point in the distance. The hum grew louder, the currents wrapping around them like a cocoon, and they were carried forward with an almost dreamlike grace.

They emerged from the light as if stepping through a veil, their feet gently touching solid ground. The sun blazed above them, harsh and unrelenting, casting long shadows over a barren wasteland. The air was dry, and the landscape stretched endlessly around them—a scorched, post-apocalyptic kingdom, crumbling under the weight of time.

Ruined towers jutted out of the cracked earth like jagged teeth, their stone facades blackened and scorched. Shattered bridges hung precariously over dried-up rivers, their once-grand arches now crumbling into dust. Rusted remnants of siege weapons lay scattered across the terrain, their wood and metal skeletons a testament to forgotten wars. The horizon was marked by a faint shimmer, as if the heat itself distorted reality.

The group stood in silence, taking in the desolation. There was no sign of life—no birds, no animals, not even the faintest whisper of wind. It was as though the entire continent had been swallowed by death and decay.

"This is…" Draeven trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is Soulcaris?"

"Feels like we stepped into the end of the world," Kivorn said, his voice unusually somber.

Zyphira kicked at a piece of rubble, her lips curling into a frown. "I've seen ruins before, but this? This is something else. Sucks here."

Illyana folded her hands in front of her, her expression unreadable. "There's something... wrong here. It feels heavy, like the air itself is mourning."

Yuuna, however, seemed unfazed. She tilted her head, a faint grin playing on her lips. "The Dragon God of the Sun rules this place. No vessel. Just him, basking in his own glory."

Xyenn said, "This place…I've heard of it, just heard how dangerous the sun is…"

'It's horrible..it smells like ash and sulfur here, and even heat.'

Before Yuuna could say more, a figure appeared in the distance, running toward them at an unnatural speed. The figure was humanoid, though their head was a literal flaming sun, flickering and crackling with intense heat. They waved their arms wildly, their voice frantic as they screamed.

"Cover your eyes! Cover your eyes! Help… help!"

The group tensed immediately, weapons raised. Gorran stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of Xenith, his dark eyes narrowing. "I don't trust it. I'm cutting it down."

"No!" Yuuna shouted, surprising everyone. Gorran turned to her, his expression showing rare shock.

"They're screaming for help," Yuuna said, her tone uncharacteristically serious. "Don't kill them."

Gorran hesitated but kept his hand on his blade, his eyes flicking back to the frantic figure.

'Strange. Because of Xyenn, Yuuna wanted to change and actually help humans as well as helping herself. She's probably confused as to why she's like that, since she doesn't have memories of Xyenn. Wouldn't her lost memories of Xyenn affect her motivations..?'

Before the flaming figure could reach them, the ground erupted beneath its feet. Dark, thorny vines shot up from the earth, writhing like living serpents. They coiled around the figure, binding it tightly. The flames on its head flickered wildly as it thrashed, but the vines held firm. They were black as pitch, pulsing with dark magic.

The group's attention was drawn upward as a shadow passed over them. A massive black crow descended from the sky, its wings outstretched. The bird was blindfolded, its eyes covered by a strip of cloth, and its movements were graceful despite its blindness. On its back sat an old woman clothed in black sackcloth, her long, gray hair flowing in the wind. She, too, was blindfolded, her wrinkled skin marked with faint scars. Despite her age, there was an undeniable beauty to her, a strange, otherworldly elegance.

"Greetings, Tyrants. Goddess of Darkness," the woman said, her voice calm and measured. "You're here for me, aren't you? I am Haelga."

Xyenn stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "How do you know that?"

The witch chuckled softly. "The prophet came to me. Told me you'd be coming. Told me you'd need my help."

Yuuna laughed, "Mannn that prophet is such a tattletale!"

Xyenn asked Yuuna, "Who is the prophet?"

'Even though I've seen and heard of him…no way he is actually important in our situation, right? Impossible..'

Yuuna smiled, "The Prophet is an unknown being, he's so annoying though! He's everywhere! He travels without using Gabriel's Ladder!"

Xyenn glanced back at the group, his expression uncertain. Then looked at the witch, "We do need your help. Can you—"

The witch raised a hand, "Very well. I may have some use for you yet. Follow me."

With that, the crow turned, its massive wings flapping as it began to glide across the desolate landscape. 

The massive crow's wings beat against the thick, sun-scorched air, carrying the group high above the barren landscape of Soulcaris. The bird's feathers shimmered faintly with dark magic, and the blindfold over its eyes gave it an eerie, somber presence. The witch, Haelga, sat at the front on a saddle of twisted black vines, her posture rigid and impatient as she leaned slightly forward, urging the crow to fly faster.

Behind her, the Tyrants clung to whatever they could find. The crow's back was wide, but the occasional gust of wind or sudden shift in direction made staying steady a challenge. Xyenn, in particular, was having the hardest time. He gripped the crow's feathers tightly, his knuckles white as he tried to avoid slipping off its smooth, shifting surface.

"Hold still!" Xyenn barked at the crow, his voice tinged with panic. The bird, of course, didn't respond. "You're definitely doing this on purpose!"

Yuuna, sitting comfortably beside him, glanced over with a smirk. "You're a dragon vessel, Xyenn. You've literally flown before. What's the problem?"

"That was me flying!" Xyenn replied, nearly losing his grip as the crow banked sharply to the left. "This is a giant blind bird! And can't just trigger my wings out that easily! It takes some serious focus! Unless I'm letting the darkness take over and stuff, that's the only way!"

The witch said to Xyenn, "My Salazar is doing that on purpose to those he's fond of. He usually doesn't like outsiders."

"Soooo, he tries to kill the people he likes?"

"Mhm."

Yuuna rolled her eyes, sighed dramatically, and grabbed Xyenn by the back of his collar just as he started to slide dangerously close to the edge. "You're so useless sometimes," she said with a grin, hauling him back upright like he weighed nothing.

"Thanks," Xyenn muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Meanwhile, Haelga's voice cut through the wind, sharp and hurried. "Listen carefully, Tyrants. You're in Soulcaris now. This land isn't like the others. The sun here is alive—aware. It is the draconic deity known as the Sun-Drake, an ancient being whose light once blessed this land with life. But that was long ago."

The group listened intently, though some more than others. Zyphira leaned back casually, her arms crossed, while Sethrak sat beside her with his usual air of detached arrogance. Draeven, on the other hand, was gripping the crow's feathers so tightly his fingers trembled, and he looked like he was trying very hard not to scream.

'I..don't wanna fall either.'

"Once," Haelga continued, "the Sun-Drake's light was a gift. It nurtured the fields, gave warmth to the people, and protected them from darkness. But over time, the Sun-Drake grew restless. It desired more—more worship, more offerings, more power. Its light became a curse."

She gestured down at the wasteland below them. "Everything you see now is the result of its madness. The sun burns too bright, too harsh. Those who gaze upon it for too long are lost. They become Berserkers of the Flame—mindless, savage beings driven by the Sun-Drake's will. Their heads ignite, and they burn with an eternal fire, their sanity consumed."

Kivorn, who looked half-asleep despite the dire explanation, yawned and lazily raised a hand. "So, what you're saying is… don't look at the sun?"

Haelga shot him an irritated glare, though her blindfold made it hard to tell. "It's not that simple, elf. The Sun-Drake is cunning. Its light isn't stationary. The sun moves erratically, shifting where its rays fall. Even those who wear blindfolds are not entirely safe. If you stand in its light for too long, the heat alone can burn away your blindfold, leaving you exposed."

"Wait," Zyphira interjected, leaning toward Sethrak with a smirk. "So you're telling me the sun's basically a giant, angry toddler, throwing tantrums and setting people on fire?"

Sethrak answered, "A rather crude way to put it, but not entirely inaccurate. Though I doubt you'd fare much better against a 'toddler' that can incinerate you with a glance."

"Oh, please," Zyphira shot back. "I'd look fabulous with a flaming head."

"You'd look like roasted chicken," Sethrak said, smirking.

Haelga's voice grew softer, tinged with something that almost sounded like sadness. "There are still settlements in Soulcaris, though their survival is tenuous at best. Some have built their homes underground, hiding in vast tunnel systems where no light can reach. Others cling to the ruins of old cities, using enchanted blindfolds to shield themselves."

She hesitated, then added grimly, "And then there are those who have given up entirely. Cults that worship the Sun-Drake directly, offering themselves as sacrifices to avoid the slow decay of madness. They believe that by surrendering, they will be reborn as something greater."

Ilyana, ever the optimist, clasped her hands together. "That's so sad. Do you think we could help them somehow? Maybe bring them to safety?"

Gorran snorted. "Safety? In this place? They'd be better off throwing themselves into the sun now and saving themselves the trouble."

"That's awful!" Ilyana protested, frowning.

"It's the truth."

Meanwhile, Xyenn was still struggling to hold on, his grip slipping again as the crow hit a patch of turbulence. He let out a startled yelp, flailing wildly as he nearly toppled off the bird's back.

"H-Help! THIS CROW IS TRYING TO THROW ME!" 

"For gods' sake!" Yuuna groaned, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him upright—again. She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly, pressing herself against his back to keep him steady. "There. Problem solved. You're like a big big baby!"

Xyenn's face turned bright red. "Thanks.."

'I'm so spoiled. Why do I let myself be spoiled like this? I gotta be a man. Do I have some weird fetish?'

Yuuna grinned mischievously, resting her chin on his shoulder. "What? You're the one who can't sit still. I'm just making sure you don't fall and embarrass yourself."

The rest of the group immediately pounced on the opportunity.

"Oh, look at the little lovebirds," Zyphira teased, smirking.

"Adorable," Sethrak added dryly. "Truly heartwarming."

Even Draeven managed a nervous laugh. "I-I mean, it's not like you're making it obvious or anything…"

Mertha laughed, "Haha! Xyenn cradled like a baby! Seems I have to toughen you up more."

Xyenn buried his face in his hands, thinking, 'Dammit!'

As the crow flew lower, they spotted movement on the ground below. A group of Berserkers of the Flame was chasing a small cluster of humans, their flaming heads bobbing wildly as they sprinted after their prey. The humans were screaming, barely managing to stay ahead of the monsters. One stumbled, and a Berserker pounced, tearing into them savagely. The others followed, their claws rending flesh as they devoured the body with horrifying speed.

The group watched in grim silence as the Berserkers finished their grisly meal. Then, as if on cue, the remains of the victim dissolved into glowing particles of sunlight. The particles floated upward, disappearing into the sky.

Yuuna broke the silence, her voice uncharacteristically calm. "That's how the Sun-Drake receives worship. The Berserkers kill, eat, and then the energy of the dead is returned to the sun. It's a way of sustaining its worship. Those who sustain the sun enough will turn back to normal. All the draconic gods do it in their own way. They'll do anything to avoid the Cycle of Rebirth."

Xyenn asked Yuuna, "You've been here before..?"

"Not here, but I know HIM. The Sun-Drake."

Suddenly, Xyenn's ears twitched. He heard screaming again—more humans being chased by another group of Berserkers. He leaned forward, his expression darkening. "Yuuna…"

Yuuna's eyes lit up with excitement. "Guys, stay up here! Me and Xyenn are gonna save those humans!"

Haelga turned sharply, her voice urgent. "No! There's no time! We need to—"

But Yuuna was already on the move. She grabbed Xyenn by the hand, her grin turning wild and slightly unhinged. "Come on, Xyenn! Let's go!" Without waiting for a reply, she leapt off the crow, dragging him with her. They plummeted through the air, Yuuna flipping gracefully as Xyenn flailed behind her.

Haelga let out an exasperated sigh. "She's insane."

Zyphira smirked. "Yeah, you probably won't be able to stop her. That's just how she is."

"Psychotic, you mean," Sethrak added with a smirk.

Haelga muttered something under her breath but urged the crow to circle above as Yuuna and Xyenn descended toward the chaos below.