Alright, there must be a problem! 20 of you misclicked. I posted the first chapter three days ago, and normally most of my stories never gain much traction. OC-centric stories, or with OCs never go well unless they're minor characters. But 20, twenty, of you clicked the 'Follow Story' button. You weren't under some compulsion, were you?
I guess I should thank you...
Thank you! :)
Now, as a guest pointed out last chapter... I'm a dumb and don't know how to childbirth. I fixed that, they are nine months apart now. Okay? This guest was also worried about me following SO's Canon. I hear you because I don't wanna follow it either. Forgive me for this chapter, but I needed to follow it just so I could get them back to the surface. Furthermore, I want to make sure that I can make a decent plot for this. I have ideas for the next chapter, but I'll need time. In any case, my other DanMachi story—Delicate Balance—has four chapters pre-written. So, that should give me time to make up something halfway decent so I can spin a proper story, you hear me?
Also, the guest was worried about the 'best wingman' comment. I assure you, I do not want cringy moments. Axton is most certainly going to give Bell some hell but also encourage him. He wants his sister happy, yeah? Scaring the shit out of Bell will be pleasing to me.
I did like the 'dense as a neutron star' comment. Imma steal that for later, no takebacks! And I do not plan on forcing the Bell x Ais pairing. I want it to happen as well. I want something to come out of it. On the bright side, I can update the characters and pairings now... I never do them first off because internally it feels like I am jebaiting you all. That's normal, right?
This piece of information that you'll be looking for is the love interest because again, this guest was insightful. It is our resident Thousand Elf, Lefiya Viridis! Axton may have social skills, but is that going to help him stop staring at a pretty elf? I don't know, we'll see eventually. I originally was going to have it be Amid (Airmid) but... they brought up a valid point. Also, I saw at least three suggestions for Lefiya.
It made sense, okay?
To BigBroWTPD: They (I don't know your gender, and I wish not to assume) and I discussed sword styles and how a longsword over the back is a no-no, amongst other things. I plan to remedy that, not to worry. I understand this is a long note, but it needs to be because I did not expect so many of you to follow this idea based on a single fleeting thought in my brain...
Still, my inbox thanks you. (While writing a 21st follower just happened, thanks, making me worry more...)
So chapters will be sporadic and when someone leaves a review, I usually PM my response, but this note is really long. So, you get some insight into how Axton feels in the Dungeon, and how I plan to develop his character.
Also, sibling moment... because I need to. Ais may be slightly OOC (out of character) from her canon counterpart, but if you have a sibling, you should be inclined to at least know how they're feeling, right?
So this note was super long and I'm super sorry, but I needed the chance to explain myself. Enjoy the chapter.
"Speaking"
Personal thoughts
*Ability/Spell*
...
While the carnage that Royalty is doing, it allowed Bete and Tiona to continue on rampages of their own. As for Tione, she was a little… tied up at the moment. "Alright, let's do this!"
"Time to kick some ass," Bete said as he caught up with the Wallenstein siblings. "Yo, gimmie some of that."
Axton took this one, "Let my wind aid you in your quest," he whispered and a line of wind shot up to Bete. Bete himself had pretty fancy footwork, but the weapons on his feet amplified it. They were called Flosvirt, boots made of a metal called mithril, a Superior weapon. They allowed Bete to absorb magic and use its power to increase his own power, but only for a short time. It was like having a small enchantment for a few seconds. Obviously, weapons like Durandal and Superior have their differences, but both types have their merits.
The boots themselves adsorbed the wind like a vacuum and coated the normally silver boots in a light green shimmer. "Aw hell yeah!" he shouted as he put a hole through one of the caterpillar monsters, destroying it instantly.
Tiona, meanwhile, basically drop-kicked a mountain on a decent group of them, laughing in glee all the while. Axton seriously considered what it would take to wipe the smile off her face. His answer was pretty simple: Death. Super morbid, he thought as he slashed another monster, but they were flooding out of the tunnel too quickly. They were going to be overrun.
Remember Tione? Yeah, she was currently tongue-tied, and she had enough, "These disgusting pieces of shit!"
"Tione?" Tiona asked herself, "Oh no." Tione has gone into Berserk mode. Berserk is a skill that allows Tione's damage output to increase when she herself takes damage. A give and take. You have to get hurt to hurt back. The look of rage on her face as she squished one of the tongues holding her should make her eyes glow red. Her hand was burnt, but she didn't care. She landed on top of one of the monsters before driving her hand into the head, gripping a particular object, acid-spitting everywhere like a fountain of monster blood.
When she landed, a majority of her body was covered in burns, making Axton feel slightly unnerved, even as he retreated back to kill another monster. These things definitely did not reside in the Dungeon naturally. Just what were these things?
Tiona ended up back by Lefiya and Riveria, "Look out, she's pissed."
Riveria stepped forward, with a valuable lesson for Lefiya, "This is the mage's duty. We are the support, in some cases the backbone, of a fighting force. We turn tides in battle, we chant the spells. The rest is about trust. The trust you place in your comrades who are here to protect you."
From across the land, Axton couldn't keep this one under wraps, "Preach it, Mama!"
Ignoring him for now, she'd get him later. The area around Riveria started to glow blue, a magic circle appearing under her feet. "Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight…" she paused. "The flame will soon be released…" the magic circle under Riveria shattered like glass before a burning crimson one replaced it. Wisps of fire entered the air, raising the temperature by a few degrees.
"Everyone fall back!" Finn shouted, realizing what spell that Nine Hell was about to unleash.
"Creeping war, unavoidable destruction. The horn of battle sounds aloud, the cruelty of conflict will envelop all. Come, crimson flames, the ruthless inferno. You are the avatar of hellfire. Sweep completely, bring a close to the great war. Burn them through, Sword of Surtr - my name is Alf!"
Axton, Ais, Tione, Tiona, Bete, Lefiya, Gareth, Finn, and all of the Loki Familia witnessed the power of the most powerful sorceress of their time. Magic energy ran through the ground while enraging the monsters, they knew their end was nigh. Axton realized at this moment how much hell he has to pay for the mama comment, but in hindsight, it'd be worth the lecture and probably a smack on the head. Sword Prince or not, he was still sixteen, and on top of that, a child.
*Rea Laevateinn!*
Fire burst out of the ground with fervor, engulfing the monsters in a wild firestorm. The reach of them extended to the walls of the floor, burning all of the caterpillar creatures to ash. Small irony aside, Riveria's spells were no laughing matter. When she cast them, she meant business. Lefiya was left in shock at the sheer power of her mentor. It was no wonder that everyone feared going up against her in a battle of magic.
They'd lose.
The entire floor lit up, burning most of the area, a side effect of using fire in a forest. No matter, the Dungeon has healing properties. As long as it isn't too damaged past its regenerative rate, then nothing bad will ever happen.
Ais stood in awe, even if she didn't show it. Axton was sweating bullets. Finn smiled at a job well done. Bete continued to be indifferent, but internally thankful that she was on their side.
Riveria was not done yet as the blue magic circle appeared under her once more and she continued chanting, "Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters."
*Wynn Fimbulvetr!*
A force opposite of the fire and the flames burst out from the ground, extinguishing the fire to the trees, but the smoke and ash lingered in the air. Axton very wisely chose not to comment anything else as he heard the footsteps behind him.
He slowly turned around to see Riveria looking down at him, "So uh, about that comment…"
Thunk.
"Ow!" Axton said, holding his now bumped head.
"Do not call me 'Mama'." The rest of the familia was doing a terrible job holding in their laughter. Ais just gently set her hand on his head and started gently rubbing, bringing an embarrassed flush to his face.
"So you're telling me we have to abandon the expedition?" Tiona asked, freshly healed from the acid.
Gareth had to answer, "Look around, we've taken too much damage, and with most of us without a weapon, we need to head back.
Finn, Lefiya, and Riveria stood on one side, while Gareth, Ais, Axton, and Tiona were standing opposite them. "Tiona, your weapon literally melted into nothing before your eyes, and while I have confidence in your hands-on capabilities, there is no reason to push forward." Having been healed by other members, one could see a faint trace of blemished skin underneath the armor on his chest. One where Ais's eyes were drawn to, a small clench forming in her own heart.
Tiona turned to Axton with a glint in her eye, "What kinda hands-on are we talking about~?"
Axton backtracked in his mind, then he looked to who he was talking to then stuttered out an apology, "T-That's n-not what I m-meant about hands-on, b-but like-"
"Oh relax, little Princy, I'm just teasing," Tiona giggled, bopping his nose, while Axton turned away flushed, scratching his cheek.
"The point is, we must consider our losses and head back to the surface. The Goibniu Familia will have to wait on their items, once we explain the situation," Finn said, internally already thinking of plans to get to the surface.
"That's a fair point," Axton said, getting a hold over his face which still had a slight red hue to it, but it was definitely manageable. It was a miracle that he didn't die from embarrassment at every confession."So, what are your orders, Captain?" No one responded as Ais continued to pet her little brother's hair, which he finally took notice of, as did everyone else. "Uhm, Ais?"
The Sword Princess finally seemed to snap out of it, pausing mid-head pat before apologizing. She forgot how long it's been since she's done that. The last time was... Finn cleared his throat, breaking Ais out of her thoughts, "Gareth, you will lead the main part of the familia back. Have those that are uninjured carry the remains of the camp, if any are to be found. The rest of us, including Bete, will be going as the second group. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Captain!" Multiple voices said in unison. They all turned to walk away, going to see if they could help clean up.
Axton turned and left the group, heading over to a cliffside not too terribly far from the exit to floor forty-nine. Right now, he was doing his best not to overreact. No one was critically injured, so that was a plus, but it was a matter of people still got hurt. Maybe he's taking his name of Sword Prince too far, having gotten it when he hit level two, the day after Ais hit level two. The desire to defend his allies was an important notion that he sometimes takes too literally.
Is he jealous of his sister? No, definitely not. Is he worried about her getting hurt? All the damn time, but he knows what her goal is, and what she has to do to achieve it. Sadly, that is a major point of contention for the siblings. Their arguments aren't normal arguments. Oftentimes, it leads to a literal brawl between them.
Yet, as many times as they fight, they eventually forgive one another. Only to do it all over again three months later. Furthermore, it is his own shortcomings that he'd worried about. He certainly doesn't want to lose anybody, especially Ais.
So there he sat at the edge of a cliff, Requiem off his back and next to him. He looked to his shoulder, the barren one. No marks, courtesy of a potion, but his armor was gone, his t-shirt definitely needs to be discarded. It was his favorite shirt because it was a black t-shirt. Not that he doesn't have many others like it.
At that time, he thought back to only an hour ago, or was it longer? Nevertheless, when he saw Raul get hurt, and immediately ordered Line and Cruz to move, he was scared. He won't admit it, but he was scared because it reminded him of darker days. Ones that most in the familia are familiar with, but thankfully, never bring up. When they got injured, it wounded his pride. That pride referencing that he wants to protect them. He doesn't want anyone he knows to die. Drip.
Axton paused, then brought his hands to his face. They came away wet. When did he start crying? He hated this feeling, this helplessness that gnawed at his heart. Why does he feel this way? Axton had to learn what emotions were as it seemed like he had forgotten them some time ago. His hand traced Requiem's scabbard, comforted by his weapon. Oh, Gods, I really am hopeless, he thought with a rueful smile.
A lot of his thoughts spiraled from there, scattered about, none of them connecting the way they should. How he should be worried more about everyone else rather than himself. How he should prioritize other's lives other than his own, be a self-sacrifice. That thought stilled him.
The Sword Prince persona shed, and there was Axton Wallenstein, a sixteen-year-old level five adventurer, tears leaking from his yellow-onyx eyes. If anyone came across him, they'd probably pity him. Well, he doesn't want to be pitied, he just wants to become stronger, but for others' protection, not his own. Maybe it was a little naive, but he constantly wonders what would happen if he...
The sound of rustling branches pricked Axton's ears. His gaze turned fearful, he hoped beyond hope that it was anyone but Bete. He'd even take Tiona right now.
On second thought… let's avoid that.
It was a relief and terrifying when it was Ais who emerged from the forest, her eyes somewhat frantic as she finally stopped on Axton, then they softened, but shaped to concern. Add in a small head tilt, and that was a recipe for a feeling in Axton's gut. One he knows very well in a negative light. He turned back around to view the floor again, taking a deep breath of the somehow fresh air.
The steps grew louder and less frequent as she approached. "A-Axton?" Ais gently called. The younger sibling flinched, he didn't like the saddened tone in her voice, the stutter. She's Ais Wallenstein, Sword Princess, of the mighty Loki Familia. She shouldn't have to worry about him, but in a conflicting thought, it was nice to know she worries. Then that turns around into that emotion. Which then circles around, creating a paradox that once started, has no brakes.
"Hey," Oh gods, my voice sounds like I got trampled by a Minotaur. He flinched.
"Look at me, please," Ais asked. He didn't move his head, not even acknowledging he heard her. "Axton, turn to look at me." Again, he ignored her, because he didn't want her to see his face. He wanted to be strong, but strong for his sister most of all.
Her hand grasped his armored shoulder and he quickly reacted, attempting to throw her off, but Ais was expecting this and grabbed his other arm to pin it behind his back. He noticed Desperate was sitting beside Requiem as he sprung up from his sitting position to jump over her. He didn't want her to see him like this, not ever.
Ais, ever the wonderful sibling, let go of him to then counter him. Once he landed, Ais activated Ariel and then pinned him to the forest floor. "Look at me," her golden eyes demanded. Axton looked away, but Ais was persistent, and only with him. Axton closed his eyes and squirmed under his elder sister's hold. "Tell me what's wrong."
"I…" his eyes opened. Ais understood immediately. It was all in his eyes. She let go of him, deactivated Ariel, and sat back on her knees, patting her thighs. Come here, she silently ordered.
Axton saw no other way since she was insistent. He maneuvered himself to lay in his sister's lap, head on her thighs. He closed his eyes and waited for the eventual question, but it never came. The lap pillow began, and he waited… and waited...
Instead, a hand found itself in his hair, for the second time that day. "You feel… upset, don't you?"
"More than that," Axton responded. "I just… it's not…" words failed him. He expresses emotions, but asking him to describe said emotions is another story. Another example would be being able to read the language of the Gods, as difficult as it is, but then being asked to speak it. Axton deals with emotions in the same manner. He can smile, laugh, cry, and be angry. Tell him to express how he feels in words… might as well go test one's luck in the Colosseum on the thirty-seventh floor, the odds favor the player rather than the dealer.
Thankfully, Ais has enough people skills—if one could call them that—to at the very least read her brother's emotions. After all, it's not the first time this has happened. "You feel guilty, don't you?" her hand never ceased petting his head.
"It's not that easy, Ais. Aren't I supposed to protect my familia? My friends? You?" Each question he asked, the blurrier his vision got. "I failed to protect them." A statement that she wants to hit him for, but restrains because, in a way, she understands. While her goal is driven by revenge, her other goal is to have her brother by her side and protect those she cares for. That was the one thing that hadn't—and will never—change was her caring nature toward him.
Ais gently lifted her younger brother up and pulled him into a protective hug. For all the walls he puts up, really only Ais and the upper executives can see through it. Maybe Anakitty, Aki as she's nicknamed as because she's quite perspective. As air-headed as Ais is, she knows. It's that older sibling instinct; for once she gets to put it to use.
Axton couldn't hold back the tears even if he wanted to. He started crying. Yes, he feels guilty of not protecting them. Yes, he acknowledges that they are adventurers too and know the risks. Yes, this has been building for a while. He would bottle it up and he would blow off steam his own way. No, this wasn't something that he can get over easily. Ais began to hum a tune, a gentle lullaby tune that she never forgot, but never needed to use as of late.
That just made the tears flow even harder. At first, they were silent. Then, as she hummed, the grip on her shirt got tighter and a few hiccups escaped him, a couple of hitches in his voice squeezed their way in as well. Tear stains made their way onto Ais's shirt, but she cared not. She continued to hum that tune until he tired himself out, eventually falling asleep on her shoulder.
Throughout all of this, a certain blue-eyed elf was following Ais and watched the scene play out, and her heart broke at the sight. Riveria had mentioned that these two have unique issues of their own. Ais glanced behind her, her eyes leaving a message: Tell no one.
If anyone noticed Axton's puffy eyes and Ais's tear-stained shirt, no one commented on it. The group of adventurers all headed up through the seventeenth floor, passing through Rivira on the eighteenth floor, the Under Resort, as it is so popularly named.
Tiona and Tione were in the front. Bete, Axton, and Ais in the middle. Lefiya, Finn, and Riveria were coming up the rear. While being able to get confirmation that the first group made it up to the eighteenth floor, that was two hours ago. Not bad, not good, but it was to be expected.
The High Elf in the back looked at the two siblings, the blond ones, not the Amazon ones, and could feel the look in his eyes. He's piling guilt upon himself again. Ais cast multiple glances at her brother, a death grip on Requiem's scabbard. He said he had an issue with his swordsmanship but Riveria knew it was something else, and as major as it was, he needed a mental escape.
Lefiya gently walked fast enough to be in stride with Ais, "W-Will you be alright?"
Ais turned with a sharp look, startling Lefiya, but her eyes softened once she realized who asked, "He'll be fine."
Lefiya pursed her lips, she dodged the question, "Miss Ais, I asked about you."
"If he's alright, I'm alright," Ais said, leaving it at that. Once again, Riveria's words floated back in her head. Their situation is unique.
Lefiya saw Axton's side profile and his puffy eyes. Her mind again remembered how upset he was. It was like he was finally his own age. Normally, Axton acts around two to three years older, but considering the circumstances, he had to be. That was the first time she saw him act an age younger than he actually was. Even so, Ais never talks about it, or even brings it up.
Thankfully, the Dungeon seemed to think that it was time for a rave. The conversation about a peculiar magic stone from Tiona, Tione, and Bete halted as around three dozen Minotaurs emerged from the walls. Axton titled his head back, "Permission to go?"
"Save some for the rest of us, okay?" Finn asked, whilst simultaneously giving his consent. Even though he asked, he already knew there wasn't going to be any left, not that the Pallum Captain cares.
"Done," Axton replied apathetically, his persona in place, he moved. To the Minotaurs, it looked like he teleported. To everyone else with keen eyesight, he simply moved that fast. Scabbard in hand, he gripped the hilt where it would come out in a reverse grip, but he had a remedy to that. The first Minotaur didn't stand a chance.
Requiem was pulled out of its sheath with precision. Once Axton made his opening move, he twirled his fingers to properly hold the sword. Disregarding the small amount of blood now on him, he turned to the next Minotaur and began to pick target after target.
Tiona and Tione obviously wanted to join in, and with a nod from Finn, they jumped in, giving devastating blows to a few Minotaurs, like Tiona giving a spinning kick to one's jaw, or Tione who snapped the neck of one by gripping the horns and twisting. Bete rolled his eyes and kept his grumpy personality, staying put. Ais, however, was watching Axton. He certainly didn't look like the boy who cried his heart out not even half a day ago.
Dungeon travel times are long after all.
After a minute of what could aptly be called a slaughterhouse, the Minotaurs who remained alive seemed to realize the amount of trouble they came across. They began to flee. "They're going to the upper floors. If there are any other adventurers up there, they don't stand a chance. Bete, Ais, and Axton pursue and eliminate, understood?"
Only Bete gave a verbal affirmative as the trio launched themselves after the Minotaurs. Swords in their sheathes, the siblings ran ahead using Ariel. The wind enchantment was more than weapon enhancement, it can also be an armor/speed enhancement. Ais took the lead and took out three of them on the fourteenth floor. Axton and Bete passed her by the twelfth floor.
Bete growled but relented when Axton gave him winds for his sails as the duo slaughtered what felt like the rest. "Looks like Finn will be upset, he said to leave him one." The duo was on the eighth floor now, having finally caught up to them all.
"Doesn't matter," Bete said, eyeing Axton. He definitely noticed the slight puffiness in his eyes, but for once, shut his trap. A roar was heard above them, and then a scream. "Well shi-" Bete said before a rush of wind passed them both.
Axton rolled his eyes, that was Ais using Ariel for pure speed before he decided to catch up to her. Sheathing Requiem, and strapping the scabbard securely to his back, he ran full tilt after his sister. "See you later, wolfy!"
"Little shit, come back here!" Bete growled before taking off with a small sonic boom left in his wake.
Axton ran fast, but Ais was faster. It made absolutely no sense, but when she wanted to get to a destination quickly, she did. The roar sounded off again and Axton jumped over a monster that spawned in his way, unsheathing a dagger, stabbing it, turning it into ashes. He didn't have time to sheath it again, so he ran with it in his hand. He skillfully turned it around, didn't want to stab myself while running, unlike that time with a pair of scissors… Riveria was not happy that day.
He finally caught a glimpse of Ais, knocking the Minotaur off balance, giving it a slash. "Down in front!" Axton shouted as he gripped the dagger by the blade and threw it, using Ariel as an assistance tool to give it an edge even if the blade wasn't the first thing to hit its target. Ais moved out of the way, the blade just missing a stray lock of her hair. The trust between these two was ironclad.
The blade sunk right into the Minotaur's magic stone, shattering it, disappearing into ashes. The blade fell to the floor with a clunk and revealed that there was an adventurer covered in blood.
Ais calmly stepped on the blade, the open section of her heel over the hilt, and with a graceful, precise movement, she kicked the blade up, and Axton caught it, a foot away from his chest. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to kill me, sis."
The Sword Princess leaned over and reached her hand out, "Are you alright?"
Axton peered over the shoulder of his sister to see a wide-eyed ruby-eyed adventurer. His hair looked to be naturally white, but the amount of blood covering him certainly painted a different picture. A bloody rabbit, Axton had to withhold his snicker because that perfectly describes the picture in front of him. "Eep… uhm… ahhhh!" The adventurer scrambled up and rushed past Sword Royalty as fast as he could.
Bete just so happened to be right there to witness it, "W-Wait! That dumb tomato brat just got saved by Royalty and…" he laughed even harder, leaning against the wall, "...and then... he up and runs away!" Bete continued to laugh and Axton joined him, but not as intense.
He stopped when Ais pursed her lips and… was that a blush? Axton stood himself upright to really look at his sister. This was the time her aloof nature came into play, he couldn't read her emotions properly. Sometimes, Axton thinks she has the best poker face ever… and Ais doesn't play poker. She doesn't even know what it is.
By that time, the rest of the familia caught up.
"Did you have fun, children?" Finn asked with a teasing smile. Right… Finn's in his forties. The blessing of a God can really throw you for a loop.
Ais seemed off in her own world, while Bete was hiding a smirk. Riveria just calmly kept on walking. The Hiryute twins pestered Axton, asking what happened and other details. He flushed at the attention and stuttered out a negative. It was between the boys, him and Bete, and Ais. Lefiya, however, seemed to be staring intently at Axton. She didn't know why.
When Axton felt a gaze on him, he turned over to Lefiya with a questioning look, the elf turned away with a blush, much to the former's confusion. It was a question for another time.
The best news of all was finally making it to the surface. The fresh air and bustling streets of Orario. Currently, the group stood under Babel, the lid to the Dungeon. Orario is often considered the center of the world because this is the one and only Dungeon. No others exist, and they better not, otherwise that could become a problem. The group got to the top of the stairs before heading northbound, where along the way, the rest of the familia was waiting.
Citizens of Orario watched in awe and probably fear as they saw the battered lower-tier members. But one thing was for certain, Axton was at least happy, a complete turnaround from previously. Lefiya almost believed that he never cried in the first place. "Look, Loki Familia's back!" "Hey, isn't that Sword Royalty?" "How long ago did they depart?"
The words were nice, but Axton kept his composure, but he saw a child looking at them with stars in her eyes. Axton, being soft towards children, strayed away from the group, Ais glancing at him as he went.
The child was a demi-human child, a werewolf child, with adorable jet-colored ears and tail, a small pudgy face—lingering baby fat—and the darkest shade of forest green possible, "Hey, how are you?" Axton smiled at the kid. The kid looked ready to pass out at just being addressed.
"Are you the Sword Prince? You're like super cool! Mom, isn't he cool?" The child asked, pulling on his mother's hand, a werewolf with matching eyes.
"Yes he is, Calan. Tell him what you want to do one day," the mother said, smiling a motherly smile down at the boy named Calan. That smile sent a pang in Axton's chest but didn't let it show.
"I'm going to be an adventurer!" Calan cheered.
With a look to the mother, who nodded, Axton reached his hand out and ruffled Calan's hair, avoiding his ears. "I have no doubt, keep your chin up, you hear me Calan?"
"Yes, Sword Prince!" Calan shouted with glee.
"You just made his day, thank you, Swo-"
Axton gently interrupted, "You can just call me Axton, please."
The mother nodded, giggling, "Alright, Axton, you better go, it seems the Princess is waiting for you…"
A glance over the shoulder showed that Ais stayed slightly behind to watch him. "Heh, yeah, my sister will do that. Well, Calan, behave for your mother, okay?"
"Okay!" Calan chirped, bouncing on his heels.
"I apologize for making your evening difficult, Miss," Axton waved goodbye before he heard the mother's reply. Once he caught up to Ais, "You didn't need to wait."
"Yes, I did," was her immediate response. She thinks I'm going to have an episode.
"Then why is Lefiya standing behind you?" Axton inquired, gaining a squeal from the elf in question. "Never mind the reason, we better head back, otherwise, we'll get swarmed." A glance at the crowd made them all turn and head into the direction of Twilight Manor.
Once they finally passed all the clothing shops, they caught up with the rest. "Hey, little Prince!" Tiona's cheerful voice called out to Axton. Tiona's affectionate nickname for Axton was often joked about, but he didn't like the potential implications. To anyone with a brain… it's the obvious double entendre.
The group paused outside the gates of Twilight Manor, just as the afternoon sun hit the horizon. "My kiddies!" they heard a voice shout. Their patron goddess, Loki. The Trickster herself. She had vermillion hair and eyes to match, more on the lithe side, but wore a tracksuit that exposed her stomach and her legs. There was just one problem…
Loki leaped into the air, aiming for Tione, who moved, then Tiona, who moved, then Riveria, who moved, then Ais, who moved, and then finally, Lefiya, who Axton grabbed gently by the shoulder and moved her. Loki face-planted into the ground.
...she had a thing for groping that bordered on harassment.
"Welcome home! I was sooo bored without you!" The Goddess cheered as she stood up without even missing a beat.
"I'll have a report to you tomorrow by midday, Loki," Finn said.
"Alrighty! You all head inside, I'll join you for a late dinner!"
Finn nodded before leading the group inside, but Lefiya was having a different sort of issue, Axton hasn't let go. Now, some elves have massive aversions to touch, and even then, they only let certain people touch them, one being significant others. Lefiya hailed from Wishe Forest, where this custom wasn't as enforced, but the prolonged contact made her squirm. There were other customs too, but the list would be so long that it would take a page to get to. The Sword Prince realized this custom of touching was probably a no-no and let go, a small dusting of red on his cheeks. Lefiya took off and Axton was going to follow but then his shoulder was grabbed.
"You feeling alright, Axton?" Loki's eyes opened slightly to see her vermillion eyes.
"Perhaps," he said, obviously avoiding the question.
Loki sighed, "Okay, so that's a no. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Perhaps."
"Are you going to say anything other than perhaps?" Loki asked, fully expectin-
"Perhaps…" Axton said before chuckling. Then he signed, "Yeah, I had a minor episode, Ais helped me clear it."
"Aizu?" Loki was intrigued. Not often does her Princess do things like this.
Axton nodded, "Yeah, I found myself needed to vent, but she beat me to it and comforted me. It's been like six-seven years since she last did that…"
Loki let go of his shoulder, nodding alongside him. What he's referencing was the last time that Ais was truly the older sister. Past that and before this, it's always been Axton. He's been the older brother, despite the nine-month difference between them. The Trickster closed her eyes, "Well, accept it for what it was, and keep an eye on her." It's not an order, but a suggestion for him.
Axton laughed, "Loki, bold of you to assume that I wasn't going to anyway."
From a third-story window, one elf was watching him, and she was cursing herself. Her thoughts ran through her head over and over again, but only one came back to her.
When did Axton get so… Ewwww, ew, ew Lefiya! That's so lewd! You'll never get married if you think that way! Lefiya now found herself in a crisis, and she was beginning to feel torn between them. Then a realization came to her, but that means… Do I… have to give up Miss Ais?
Meanwhile, Axton was heading in, unknowingly looking at the same window Lefiya was. Okay, maybe not unknowingly, but with her gaze as intense as she was unintentionally making it, there wouldn't be any difficulty pinpointing her. He entered the manor and headed directly for his room.
Twilight Manor was originally not a Manor. Shocking, really. Axton rolled his eyes, this place used to be nothing more than a simple two-story home. Then, with the addition of a few members, it grew. The Guild, acting 'governing' body of Orario, forbade them from expanding the premises… horizontally.
Vertically, however, was another thing entirely. So, they went in the only direction they could go. Up. all that was missing was something people call… balloons, was it; then they could fly.
Ascending the stairs, Axton looked out the curved window, admiring the architecture, and wishing he got a room on a lower floor. Being level five is great and all, but he does feel fatigued after a time. Walking/running up from the fiftieth floor of the Dungeon was no laughing matter. Slight irony aside, once he finally reached his room, he set down Requiem, took off the remaining armor pieces, and was left in his half-shirt, pants, and socks. He should wash up, but he's so tired.
He'll eat tomorrow. Right now, the comfort of his own bed was far more enticing than food, even if his stomach clearly disagreed, giving off what was considered a Black Rhino's roar.
"Okay, I should probably go ger something to eat before someone bursts into my room, demanding I eat," Axton said to himself.
Knock knock knock. Three taps to his door and he froze… that's some psychic, prophecy-telling crap. Axton gently opened the door and he was quite surprised at who stood on the other side, holding a plate, the smell making his stomach growl even more. It certainly was the last person he expected.
"Hello, Axton."
...
So... how'd I do?