First Demonic Dragon

Chapter 1243: Q&A

For those who had never seen gods before, seeing one suddenly appear in the flesh was about as mystifying as one could guess.

Looking at Abaddon, however, was even more jarring on the senses.

He didn’t even look like a real person.

A figure over nine feet tall, covered in velvety chocolate skin and boasting an incredibly powerful-looking physique that was both mystical and oddly hypnotic.

A mane of crimson red hair floated around his head like a soft cloud. His twin colored eyes were like precious gems, while the eye that sat in the middle of his forehead was strange and profound.

However, many stares were concentrated on Abaddon’s face and body; there were just as many on his horns and tail.

They really did help to hammer home the revelation that he was a mythical creature of destruction and divinity.

Odie feels her friend Zoey nudge her from behind.

“Holy shit… your dad is really-”

’Please don’t.’

“I’m just saying he-”

’I know what you’re going to say and I promise you don’t actually have to say it!’

“…”

“…”

“…Your dad’s hot.”

Odie gags uncontrollably.

Abaddon rests his chin on his fist as he stares out into the crowd.

He rakes his gaze over every one of the boys he’d coached and took in their expressions.

There was some fear. Also a bit of awe.

The air had become tense all of a sudden. Abaddon realizes too late that they were waiting for him to say something.

“…My true name is Abaddon Tathamet. I am… a somewhat unique existence, and the forms you have bore witness to are… something like masks for me.”

“S-So this isn’t what you really look like either?” A boy asks.

Abaddon shakes his head. “I used to look similar to this, long ago, back when I was human. I suppose you could say I keep it around for the nostalgia… although it doesn’t hurt that my lovely wives seem to prefer this appearance too.”

Abaddon shares a slightly flirtatious look with both women and they turn away bashfully.

“Down, boy.” Zahara purs.

’Can you guys not embarrass me in front of everyone for five seconds!’ Odie puffs out her cheeks. ’This is why I never bring anybody over!’

Abaddon coughs into his hand. “A-Anyway… I’m sure you must all be frightened and have many questions. But the first thing I want to assure you of is that you will be just as safe here as you have been until now. You may even see a bit of return to normalcy. The war will not affect you here.”

A low murmuring travels through the crowd.

“When is Earth going back to normal?” A man asked.

“Probably never.” Thrudd shrugs. “The amount of magic the mother goddess used isn’t really something you can just undo on a whim.” She turns to her Ayaana. “Amiright, Ma?”

“Yes… Asherah would probably need to make a duplicate earth if she were so inclined. And I don’t really believe she possesses the power for that anymore.”

It was clear that many people had no idea how to react to such news. Though some seemed to have already accepted the truth and barely blinked.

“Is everyone else on earth… dead?” Zoey asks.

“I don’t believe so.” Abaddon shook his head. “I assume they’re all scattered, like you were. Though I will admit they are in danger. With the natural order upended, the inhumans on earth have no reason to hide their presence or be discreet about how many of you they eat. The outside world is not your friend at the moment.”

“Not to mention we have no idea what the weather will look like in this kind of world…” Zahara added. “Given that Earth is now several times larger than it used to be, and now mana has been injected into the world, it stands to reason that the storms here will be nigh unpredictable. The changing of the seasons as well.”

The knowledge that monsters and inhumans were real was significantly less jarring for the humans than hearing that the Earth had suddenly expanded.

Though perhaps that was due in some small part to the fact that flying telekinetic men and women had saved them from death.

“Long story short… You do not have to stay here. But I don’t really recommend you going either.” Abaddon shrugs casually. “Still. It is your choice.”

“With dragons..?” A man replied sarcastically. “Won’t they eat us?”

Abaddon’s eyes sharpen.

He starts to answer, but Ayaana wisely beats him to it.

“No, they will not… our people eat normal human food, same as anyone. They just… eat a lot more of it.” She laughs.

“…Are they going to be flying overhead like that all the time?”

This time, Abaddon beat Ayaana to answering.

“This is their home for the time being. If they want to fly, they will fly. I will not have my people change their patterns of behavior just to make you or anyone else more comfortable. I have already told you that they will not hurt you. That should be enough.”

’Dad…’ Odie shuffles on her feet uncomfortably.

“…” Abaddon sighs as he brings a hand to his temple.

He takes a moment to calm his annoyance before it turns into something greater.

“…My soldiers are here to fight in a war. Not snack on humans who don’t even know a lick of magic to defend themselves.

Dragons are just like any other race of people you may encounter. You treat them with respect and kindness, then there will be no issues.”

“Small tip. Don’t ask them to fly you around anywhere.” Thrudd said with a sharp-toothed smile. “You can ask them to teach you how to fly if you make friends with one, though.”

Over twenty of the kids Odessa shared classes with suddenly turn to her.

’…I don’t have any magic before you guys even ask.’

The kids look away.

“Can I ask…?”

Abaddon recognized the voice of a young man from his football team. One he had personally driven home on many occasions when his parents didn’t show.

“Why is a mythical dragon or whatever masquerading as a high school football coach..?”

’Because he’s a helicopter parent.’ Odie folds her arms.

“I am not a helicopter parent! I just like to know what you are doing at all times so that I know you’re safe.”

’…’

“…I heard it as soon as I said it.” Abaddon sighs from the depths of his soul and holds his head in his hands.

“…The reason why I was on Earth to begin with is that the mother goddess placed me on assignment. I was supposed to be Earth’s defender in the event that Lucifer attacked the Earth, and subsequently all of you, prematurely.”

Several humans swallowed in fear.

“Y-You’re talking about the devil, right..? You know that guy?”

“Unfortunately.” Abaddon rolls his eyes. “As Odie can no doubt tell you, we have some very interesting family dynamics in our house.”

“S-So.. he’s really evil, right??”

Abaddon thought about his answer for a long time.

As he mulled over the answer, he looked down at little Yggdrasil as she attempted to crawl all over him.

“…I think more than being evil, he is simply prideful. He needs to be right all of the time; he doesn’t easily accept points of view aside from his own, and he doesn’t do well with rejection in any form. That said… he does know remorse. And perhaps in that he proves his father right.”

Abaddon looks toward Ayaana and places his hand over hers.

“No one is irredeemable.”

Pride swells in Ayaana’s chest. Her smile is immensely beautiful and so bright that it is blinding.

“…Except for Auburn fans.”

Ayaana flung her husband’s hand away and rolled her eyes. “And I was so close to giving you a piece…”

’Mom!’ Odessa was mortified.

“Just let it go, sis.” Thrudd waved her hand. “The faster you accept that our parents are tone-deaf, lustful cretins, the easier life will be for you.”

“””We are not cretins!”””

“It’s very telling that that was the only part you all took issue with.” Thea snorts.

“””Hush, girl.”””

Odie silently wanted to cover her face and die.

Another boy raised his hand to ask a question. Abaddon recognized this one as well.

“Should we be like… bowing or something?”

“Not unless you feel like it.”

“So do we still… call you coach?”

Abaddon smiled. “I would be honored if you would.”

Another boy raises his hand. “S-So did we really win all of those games on our own, or did you do some godly stuff?”

The dragon threw his head back in a deep, booming laugh. The marble columns lining the walls shook with a low rumble.

“As if I would waste any of my magic on a simple high school football game! …If you all were in college, that might be a little different.”

Ayaana and Zahara struck their husband with their tails.

“Kidding.”

He was not.

One of the boys abruptly steps forward. Abaddon knew with just one look in the boy’s eyes that his question wasn’t going to be as lighthearted as everyone else’s.

“If Odessa didn’t ask Ms. Cora and her friends to come and save us… were you going to let us all die?”