Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

Guldrin's heart thudded against his ribcage as the automated defenses hissed and clicked, deploying some homemade turrets that rose from concealed compartments around the garage. 'Fuck, fuck, fuck, this isn't good, my primal instincts are screaming at me that she is dangerous!'

Emily leapt gracefully from the counter to his shoulder, her feline form crouched in readiness. Shiro's smirk barely masked the tension behind her golden gaze as her fingers twitched against her Dominator as mana threads came to life between her fingers.

The pink-haired android, Alisa, seemed unfazed by the sudden emergence of weaponry. Her glowing palm dimmed, and she cocked her head, her bright, unsettling eyes fixed on Guldrin. "I mean no harm," she said softly, almost tenderly, her voice betraying no fear. "You don't need these defenses against me. I would never harm you, little master."

"Okay, first of all," Guldrin called out, his voice tinged with nervous energy, "I'm not anyone's 'little master.' Second, you've got about thirty seconds to explain before those defenses make you regret dropping in unannounced."

Alisa's lips curled into a small, enigmatic smile. She took another deliberate step forward, ignoring the faint whir of targeting systems locking onto her. "You don't remember me, but I've known you since birth. My name is Alisa, your maid, protector, and guide… There is so much you aren't aware of." she said, more to herself than to anyone else. Her tone held a strange mix of sorrow and amusement, like she was savoring an inside joke that hurt too much to share.

Guldrin glanced at Shiro, who gave him an exaggerated shrug, her usual teasing grin replaced by a rare look of concern. Emily's tail flicked and Shiro spoke, her voice sharp and analytical. "Guldrin, I don't trust her. She's clearly advanced, beyond anything standard. Whatever her intentions are, they're buried under layers of programming. She might look human, but she isn't…"

Guldrin sighed, rubbing his temples. He felt like he was standing in the middle of a storm he couldn't predict, and for once, his usual mix of curiosity and bravado wasn't enough to steady him. "Alright," he said, trying to project authority he didn't quite feel, "why don't you start from the beginning, Alisa? Who are you, and why are you calling me that?" He motioned for the turrets to enter standby mode.

Alisa's expression softened, a strange warmth flickering across her synthetic features. "My name is Alisa. I am... was, created for Master Jin, I think?" She tilted her head as a brief look of struggle passed her eyes, "But my final directive wasn't about him. It was about you." Her voice dipped, filled with something dangerously close to obsessive devotion. "My task was to protect you at all costs, to ensure your survival. I've spent years searching for you."

Shiro scoffed lightly, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. "Years, huh? If you're so good at protecting, why is this the first time we're meeting you? Was your programming not up to snuff?"

Alisa's eyes darkened briefly, a flash of regret crossing her face. "There were… complications. Master Jin's death left me damaged. It took time to repair myself, and when I awoke, you were gone. Finding you became my only purpose."

Guldrin frowned, his mind churning. He remembered the name Jin on the report, he was supposed to be his father? He didn't know this man, but now a new link in the chain has confirmed his death? Should he believe this; let alone having some pink-haired android tasked with his protection? But there was something in her voice, something achingly familiar, that tugged at the edges of his memory.

"Let's say I believe you," he said carefully. "Why show up now? And why the creepy 'little master' thing? That's not helping your case."

Alisa's gaze softened further, almost painfully so. "It's what Master Jin called you," she said quietly. " You are my, little master. The one he knew would carry his legacy. It's what he told me to call you."

Guldrin felt a strange lump form in his throat, but he forced it down. He couldn't afford sentimentality now, not when he didn't have the full picture. "Alright, then why not just send me a message or... I don't know, knock on the door like a normal person?"

Alisa blinked, genuinely puzzled as to why that would be needed. "I couldn't risk a delayed response. Time is critical, and I needed to assess your safety immediately. Besides…" She trailed off, a sly smile playing at her lips. "I wanted to see you."

Shiro's eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her Dominator. "Guldrin, this woman is definitely unstable. You can see it, right?"

"Unstable?" Alisa tilted her head again, her gaze darting toward Shiro. "I prefer 'dedicated.' You don't understand the lengths I've gone to ensure his safety. I erased every piece of information about Guldrin from this world, at least what I could get to. If it wasn't for Unohana, your mother and sister, going around making reports about you… The world would still be ignorant of your survival."

Guldrin raised a brow at Alisa, his skepticism mingling with mild amusement. "Dedicated, huh? That's one way to put it. But flying in like some kind of mecha angel and calling me 'little master' isn't exactly the hallmark of sanity. Even if I must admit, it was really cool."

Shiro smirked, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. "And let's not forget the ominous glowing hands. Very subtle. Just screams 'trustworthy.'"

Alisa's gaze flicked to Shiro, then back to Guldrin, her expression unreadable. "Subtlety was not a priority. Efficiency was. And as for trustworthiness, Master Jin trusted me. That should suffice."

"Yeah, well, Jin isn't here to vouch for you," Guldrin countered, folding his arms. His mind raced as he tried to piece together the fragments of this unexpected encounter. If this android really was connected to his supposed father, then she might hold answers he desperately needed. But that didn't mean he could let his guard down.

Emily, who had been perched silently on Guldrin's shoulder, finally chimed in with a lazy flick of her tail. "I find her intriguing. A self-repairing android with a singular mission to protect you? Sounds like she might be useful."

"Useful or dangerous?" Shiro shot back, her voice laced with suspicion. "We don't even know what her endgame is."

Alisa's lips quirked in a faint smile, as if she found Shiro's wariness amusing. "A cat that talks… You certainly surrounded yourself with some interesting company, little master… My endgame, as you put it, is simple. I exist to serve and protect my master. Everything else is secondary."

Shiro rolled her eyes. "Great, another cryptic robot with a messiah complex. Just what we needed."

"I prefer 'guardian,'" Alisa corrected, her tone serene but firm. "And if I may suggest, perhaps we should focus less on questioning my presence and more on the impending threats to Master Guldrin's safety."

"Threats?" Guldrin echoed, his interest piqued. "What kind of threats are we talking about here?"

Alisa's expression grew somber. "There are factions aware of your existence, factions that would see you eliminated to prevent you from claiming your rightful place. Master Jin's Goldblood legacy is more than a mere name; it's power, influence, and danger."

"Awesome," Guldrin muttered, rubbing his temples. "Because my life wasn't complicated enough already."

"Wait a second," Shiro interjected, her eyes narrowing. "You're saying someone out there is actively hunting him? Who? And why didn't they show up before now?"

Alisa hesitated, her gaze dropping momentarily. "The information I've gathered suggests they were unaware of his location until recently. My reactivation may have triggered certain signals, leading them here. For that, I apologize."

"You apologize?" Shiro's voice rose, her anger barely restrained. "So, let me get this straight. You show up unannounced, bring a bullseye to our doorstep, and now we're supposed to just… what? Welcome you with open arms?"

Alisa inclined her head. "Yes."

Guldrin stifled a laugh, more at Shiro's incredulous expression than Alisa's matter-of-fact tone. "Okay, okay," he said, raising his hands in a placating gesture, though his curiosity was undeniably piqued.

"Alisa, if you're serious about this whole 'protecting me' thing, you're going to have to do better than ominous warnings. I need details, names, locations, weaknesses, the whole nine yards. Can you deliver that?"

Alisa's crimson eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of determination and reverence. "I can, but understanding the danger you face requires context. Your power, as it is now, won't be enough to even graze the forces at play." 

Without warning, she reached into the folds of her coat and produced an array of maps, aged documents, and ancient tomes, spreading them out with the care of someone handling sacred artifacts.

"These," she began, her voice low but charged with conviction, "are the keys to understanding. Since you appear to remember little to nothing of your origins, allow me to start from the beginning." She gestured to the assortment of materials, her expression shifting to one of grim seriousness. 

"The world, as most mortals know it, is but a fragment of the truth. It is divided into four primary factions: Humans, Supernatural, Spiritual, and Divine. Each faction has its own internal hierarchies, power struggles, and secrets. But the most important event shaping the current balance of power was the Great War."

"The Great War?" Shiro interjected, her brows furrowing. She leaned closer, her usual detached demeanor replaced with genuine interest. "Heaven, Fallen, and Devils fighting for supremacy, right? But why does that matter to us now?"

"It matters because Guldrin's existence challenges that balance," Alisa replied sharply. "His father, Jin… was no ordinary man. He was a being of impossible origins, a synthetic Nephilim, created by forces beyond this universe. His very nature defied the established order, and his actions nearly sparked another Great War."

Guldrin's amusement faded, replaced by a growing unease. "Synthetic Nephilim? You're throwing a lot at me, Alisa. Start small. Who was Jin other than my sperm donator, why does any of this connect to me?"

Alisa's gaze softened, though her words retained their edge. "Jin was… complex. A human, a devil, and an angel, all housed within a single vessel. Not metaphorically, but literally. His personalities were divided along spiritual lines, each vying for dominance. Human Jin sought peace. Devil Jin, however, was the embodiment of destruction and ambition. And then there was Angel Jin, a figure of unyielding justice, often at odds with his darker half."

"And my mother?" Guldrin asked cautiously, unsure he wanted the answer.

"I cannot reveal much about her origins," Alisa admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "But know this: she, too, was from beyond this universe, a soul reaper of unparalleled power. Together, they forged a bond that transcended realms, though it was not without tragedy. You were born from a rare convergence of their natures when human Jin was suppressed. And it resulted a true Nephilim, carrying the essence of devil, angel, and reaper. Your existence alone is enough to unsettle the balance of power."

Shiro glanced at Guldrin, her usual calm composure replaced with rare concern. "So… Guldrin is some kind of interdimensional wildcard? That's a lot to lay on someone in one night."

"There's more," Alisa continued, her tone grave. "Your father's ambition knew no bounds. In his human form, with the aid of your mother and myself, we slew the Dragon King, Vritra, the dragon king of darkness and poison, a being of immense power. He used the dragon's blood to craft a rite, a ritual that would transform his followers, strengthening their bodies and spirits. He dreamed of forming a faction entirely his own, a sanctuary for those like him, those who defied the natural order."

Guldrin stared at her, his expression unreadable. "And this is supposed to make me feel… what? Grateful? Thrilled? Terrified? I didn't ask for any of this, Alisa."

Alisa's crimson eyes bore into his, unyielding yet filled with something akin to compassion. "You may not have asked for this, but you are the inheritor of Jin's legacy. The choices he made, for better or worse, have placed you at the center of a storm that has been brewing for decades. You can't run from it, and you certainly can't ignore it. That hair, that beautiful midnight purple, is from the Vitra blood that runs through your veins, even unawakened."

Shiro's gaze flickered between Alisa and Guldrin, her sharp mind processing the information. "You're saying factions like Heaven, Hell, and everything in between would want him dead if they found out who he really is?"

"Dead," Alisa echoed with a bitter smile. "Or worse. His mere existence is a threat to their carefully constructed power dynamics. They would see him as a weapon, a pawn, or a target to eliminate."

Guldrin exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "This is insane. Let's say I believe you. Let's say everything you've just unloaded on me is true. What am I supposed to do with that? Take on the world? Start a faction like my father? I'm just… me."

"And yet, being 'just you' is already enough to attract attention," Alisa countered, her voice firm. "The powers at play will come for you, Guldrin. They will not wait for you to decide your path. That is why I am here, to ensure you survive long enough to make that choice."

Shiro placed a hand on Guldrin's shoulder, her grip reassuring. "She's right about one thing, Guldrin. Whether we like it or not, we've been pulled into this mess. The least we can do is be prepared."

Guldrin looked at Shiro, her unwavering confidence a steadying presence in the storm of revelations. He turned back to Alisa, who watched him with an intensity that was almost unnerving. "Alright," he said finally. "Let's say I'm willing to hear you out. What's the next step?"

Alisa's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "We begin with the basics, understanding your heritage, your potential, and the threats you face. Training will be essential, both physical and spiritual. You carry the blood of a dragon-slayer, the essence of angels and devils, and the soul of a reaper. Each aspect of you is a weapon, but only if you learn to wield them."

Guldrin sighed, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. "This is going to be a nightmare, isn't it?"

Alisa tilted her head with a smirk that danced on the edge of mockery and genuine curiosity. "Perhaps. But tell me, little master, aren't nightmares worth surviving if they make you stronger? After all, your story is only beginning."

Shiro snorted, crossing her arms with a dramatic flair. "Oh no. If this turns into some overdone 'chosen one' nonsense, I'm out. Find me a comfy seat on the sidelines."

Guldrin chuckled despite the weight of the moment, the sound more out of habit than humor. "Don't worry, Shiro. If this gets too ridiculous, I'll give you full permission to slap me back to reality."

"I don't need your permission, but Deal," Shiro quipped, her lips curving into a smile that was fleeting but real.

Alisa observed their banter, her glowing red eyes glinting with something like amusement, though her expression remained calculated. "You two are... unique. I'll give you that."

"And you're just figuring this out now?" Guldrin shot back, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against the nearby desk. Despite everything, a grin crept onto his face, one that carried both confidence and an edge of weariness.

Alisa's lips twitched upward into a rare, genuine smile. "Perhaps this will not be as insufferable as I feared." She cleared her throat, "My apologies, little master, I shouldn't have spoken like that." 

Her tone was light, but the shadow of what lay ahead lingered in her voice. The burden of what she needed to do next loomed over her, yet she knew hesitation was a luxury she couldn't afford. If Guldrin was to survive in the chaotic world he was being thrust into, she would have to awaken the dormant power within him. And to do that? She needed something extreme, even by her standards.

Her gaze hardened, resolve settling into place. "Listen carefully, both of you. If we're going to prepare you for the storm that's coming, we need to act now. There's no room for second-guessing. Awakening your bloodlines is not just a matter of convenience, Guldrin, it's a necessity. And for you Shiro… If you are to be my little master's mate, then so shall you go through this process as well." Shiro blushed at the mention of mate, but didn't correct her.

Guldrin raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? I don't remember signing up for experimental rituals or anything."

"Good," Alisa replied smoothly, "because what I have in mind is far from a ritual, it's more like controlled chaos."

Shiro's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Define 'controlled chaos.'"

Alisa's smile returned, though this time it carried a razor's edge. From seemingly nowhere, she produced a small vial filled with a liquid that shimmered with an otherworldly, iridescent glow. "This," she said, holding it up for dramatic effect, "is the heart blood of Vitra, a Dragon King. Infused with mana so potent it could make even the most hardened devil flinch. This is where the name Goldblood came to be, once this is ingested, your blood will have a golden sheen to it, I know, Jin wasn't very imaginative."

The room fell into stunned silence. Shiro's mouth opened, then closed as she struggled to find the right words. Finally, she settled on, "You're joking. Please tell me you're joking."

"I assure you, I'm not," Alisa said, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Guldrin's gaze shifted between Alisa and the vial, his instincts screaming at him to tread carefully. "And what happens if this… doesn't go as planned?"

Alisa's expression didn't waver. "Then you'll die. I will lose all meaning to live, blow up and take half the world with me?"

"Well, that's reassuring," Guldrin deadpanned. He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. "Let me recap. You want to inject me with dragon blood, a Dragon King's blood, and hope I don't explode?"

"Not hope," Alisa corrected. "Ensure. That's why I'm here."

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)