After the talk in the living room was finished, everyone went to work to prepare for the journey of the five. Daphne and Cassandra helped Miach and Nahza to prepare potions, Hestia went to the guild to inform them about the emergency quest, that one of her children was kidnapped. Normally, high leveled adventurers like Bell and Ais needed special permission to leave the city for a longer time, but the emergency situation was different.
Since Mikoto had to wait for Ais to return, she whirled around in the kitchen and prepared travel meals for them. Chigusa would carry the biggest parts of their stuff, but everyone else would also use a backpack.
Bell was inside his room and decided what to use on the journey. Since covert action was their goal, he had no choice but to leave Olympus here, it was just too big and flashy.
"I´m sorry, can´t take you with me."
A short glow appeared in the gems imbedded in the blade, Bell had the image in his head, that the blade was...pouting. And the image of the blade in his head was Ais, but with blue hair...and to see Ais pout...that was something.
The Hestia Knife was the natural choice, due to the dark blade, if they planned to go unseen and maybe even act at night, it would be perfect. He also packed Hakugen just in case it would be needed, but Bell would only use the Hestia Knife if possible. It reminded him a bit of his early time as an adventurer, when he only had one knife.
I...doubt more will be
It wasn´t overconfidence, while there may be a few level two among their enemies and by chance even a level three, Bell was a level six. Yet their enemies might try to kill them, something that Bell wouldn´t do, their plan was rescue Haruhime, not slaughtering everyone else. Also...his heart wouldn´t be ready for this...slaying monsters was one thing, but a human being...
His normal black suit that he wore under his armor would be pretty good, since he didn´t knew how long the journey would take, Bell packed three additional to the one he would wear into his bag and enough underwear. That was also something he didn´t thought about when he wanted to run after Haruhime immediately. It would take a while so they needed food, potions, medical supplies, spare clothes and other things. Since he wouldn´t wear his armor, Bell had to rely on his speed in a fight, but it should be enough.
He didn´t really knew what else he should use as a outfit, but maybe Mikoto could help him. They would leave the next morning, as much as Bell wanted to ran off right away...it just wasn´t possible. Even a high leveled adventurer needed food and water when he went on a long journey...and Bell didn´t knew the direction.
It only took him minutes to pack everything, so he went down the stairs again and waited in the living room, it was like torture for him. He wanted to do something so badly, but no one needed any help.
Though he thought he wouldn't be able to sleep...Bell soon nodded off. The day was exhausting so he was tired, but pictures of Haruhime filled his mind, he would rescue her, no matter what.
Bell wasn´t fully asleep, he heard the main door opening two times, but wasn´t able to open his eyes. He didn't know how much time had passed when he woke up again, but Bell felt very uneasy.
Like his body followed it´s own will, Bell got up to his feet and walked through the Mansion towards Mikoto´s armory. It was a room that was called like that, since Mikoto had quite a lot different fighting outfits...and weapons.
Mikoto didn´t pretended to be a ninja, she lived what it meant to be one, but Bell wasn´t sure if a ninja was supposed to marry her "master", that was what Mikoto had called Takemikazuchi sometimes when she slipped too much into her ninja role.
Bell knocked softly, he only walked into the room of a girl one time without knocking and that was because he was half asleep, he wouldn´t make this mistake again.
"Yes?"
"Ms. Mikoto, is Ais here?"
"Yes, you can come in if you want."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, don´t worry."
He opened the door slowly, it was amazing how big this room was, nearly as big as the living room of the Mansion. One quarter of the Mansion belonged to the Miach Familia, another to the Takemikazuchi Familia and half of the Mansion to Hestia.
Ouka was the captain of the Takemikazuchi Familia, but Mikoto was their heart. One third of the space that belonged to the Familia, was reserved for Takemikazuchi and Mikoto, she had finally moved in with him...and that over half a year after their marriage...
So that she used this big room for her armory was not a waste of space, they had too much space to begin with. Lots of Mannequins filled this room, each equipped with another outfit of her, and with long, black, artifical hair, and every single one had a body that was shaped like Mikoto´s.
While he slowly walked through the darkened room, Bell´s eyes wandered over the different outfits, he didn´t knew why it had to be so dark in here...maybe it was Mikoto´s taste.
"Ms. Mik-"
Bell stopped when he felt something cool at his throat...a blade.
"You would be dead now, Sir Bell..."
Mikoto´s voice was just a faint whisper, so quietly that he didn´t even heard if it came from right or left.
"What are you doing?"
The feeling at his throat vanished, Bell turned his head to the left and suddenly something was pointed at his neck.
"Dead again...Sir Bell..."
"Ms. Mikoto?"
The feeling vanished again, suddenly light filled the room like in the rest of the Mansion, one of the Mannequins was missing. No it wasn´t a Mannequin...Mikoto had just stood there, Bell didn´t noticed her.
"A ninja will strike from the dark when you don´t expect it."
Her voice came from nowhere and everywhere in the room.
"Our enemies will have people that are trained like me...be prepared..."
Mikoto was always a bit off when she was a ninja again. Suddenly a Mannequin to Bell´s right moved...that was actually her.
"I didn´t noticed you!"
"That is the intention behind camouflage."
Bell couldn´t take his eyes from her. "You look amazing!"
"Hehe, thank you, Sir Bell."
The two dominant colors in Mikoto´s outfit were black and red. Her shoes were black with a few dark red stripes at the front, going over into black pants with a dark red border, that was skin tight.
Her thighs were naked, but her butt and crotch were covered by a body suit that went up to her throat, covering her upper body. Her shoulders, upper arms and elbows were uncovered by the cloth, only her forearms and a bit of her hands covered again. On her left arm was a dark red bracer and an extra part to cover her upper arm.
Her right arm looked the same but without the guard parts, a very long, dark red scarf was wrapped around her throat, it covered an extra black cloth mask for her face. Her hair was bound to a long braid and held together by a...ninja star. Bell knew her good enough to notice that this star was an actual weapon.
"Y-You...look really good."
"Thank you."
Bell just had to avert his eyes, he had no romantic feelings for Mikoto but this suit...was really skin tight.
They heard a faint rumble behind them and turned around, there was an open door through which a woman now came.
Who is this?
Bell had never seen her before. The woman wore an outfit that was a bit similar to Mikoto, but not skin tight. The feet were in sandals and in place of socks, she had wrapped bandages around her feet and ankles, leaving the heel free. The suit she wore was in a very dark blue, covering everything from her throat down to her ankles, with a purple, cloth belt around the waist.
The shoulders were covered by the cloth, but the arms were free with dark red bracers and additional bandages. Well that it covered everything was maybe too much...from the waist down...the sides were open and held together with...a net.
Bell could see that the skin under the net was bare...from her hips down to her knees... Her upper arms were also covered by that net stuff and she wore a long, dark red scarf. But what caught Bell´s eyes the most...well except for the naked skin...was the long, black hair of the woman...
her two cat ears on the head...and...two tails...that moved slowly behind her.
What a beauty...
"Bell?"
The cat-girl tilted her head.
That voice...is that...
"Ais?!"
The cat-girl raised her two hands and curled them lightly forward, the right hand a bit higher than the left.
"Nya."
Bell´s heart wanted to stop by this sight. Ais stood in front of him, her golden hair was colored black...she wore a ninja outfit...and had cat ears and two tails!
"A-Ais?!"
"Yes, nya."
He looked shocked to Mikoto, who shrugged her shoulders. "She came here, looking like that."
Mikoto vanished through the door and let them alone for now.
"Why are you looking like that?"
Her golden eyes were a perfect match to the cat-girl like appearance. The ears on her head twitched, as did the tails.
"This was the gift from Loki, the ears and tail...nya."
"But why?!"
"She thought you would like it...do you like it...nya?"
Bell had to cover his nose with a tissue when he got nosebleed, Ais looked too adorable. It was probably also Loki who told her to end her sentences with "nya".
"B-But why now?"
"Disguise."
"Oh...so they are okay that you come with us?"
"Yes, nya. Riveria started to cry at first, I don´t know why."
"What did you tell them?"
"That I would leave Orario together with you, nya. Riveria dropped to her knees and sobbed about "her little girl eloping"...what does that mean?"
"I think...she misunderstood you. So you explained everything to them?"
"Yes, for my disguise, Loki gave me the ears and tails, and a magic item to color my hair for a while."
Bell heard about these items, Ryu had used a similar one for her hair, she was actually blond.
Ais looked down on her body, pulled for a moment on the suit on her back, so the front became skin tight immediately...Bell´s eyes nearly popped out, then she let go and it became loose again.
"Ahm Ais...what is...with these...nets?"
"That is worn under the suit, so told me Ms. Mikoto."
"And...ahm...w-why...can I see no...p...p...p-panties?"
"Hm?" She turned her body and looked at her sides.
"Oh there are special ones worn under this suit, they onlye have a front and back part."
"Why does your suits show so much skin anyway?"
"Ventilation. Ms. Mikoto said, if the suits were fully closed around the body, we would sweat non stop."
"Hm...makes sense...I guess.."
Bell looked at Ais´ twitching cat ears and tails...together with her outfit...she looked really gorgeus.
"But...there is a small problem with this suit."
"What problem?"
"I have less room in the chest area than Ms. Mikoto has."
So...Ais´ chest...is bigger...good...to know?
"But you can wear it?"
"Yes but not everything, look."
Ais pulled down the upper part of the suit, now Bell got a serious nosebleed. Her upper body was only covered by that net...so it wasn´t covered at all...and except for two plaster to cover her nipples...her breasts were naked under the net.
The plaster had an actual use, while the net would keep her breasts from moving too much, the tips could still rub against the cloth from the suit, which would make them raw over time. And also, Mikoto prevented this way that when it was cold outside...
something would be visible.
"A-Ais?!"
She put the suit back on. "See? I can´t wear a brassiere with that."
"You could have just told me!"
"Why are you so flustered? You have seen them often enough." She tilted her head, the ears twitched.
"Do you have any idea how appealing you look right now?! And now I can´t stop imagine how you look under the suit!"
"Hm? Is that so?"
"Yes!"
"So...Loki was right." Her smile was so innocently...
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Late in the night, all preparations were finished, Hestia got the emergency permission for the party of five. Everyone went into their beds, but it was hard to find sleep when they were so worried.
"Bell?"
"Hm?"
"Can´t sleep?"
"No..."
Ais was snuggled up against Bell, but he was restless.
"Bell, I know you are worried, but you need to rest or you can´t help her."
"I know..."
"Then sleep...try to."
"Ais?"
"Hm?"
"Why are you still wearing the ears and tails?"
"Because you like them."
When they got ready to go into bed, Bell saw that the two tails were attached to Ais´ skin on her coccyx. Apparently, the ears and tails reacted to signals of her body when they moved, but he had no idea how that worked.
Lost in thoughts, Bell gently touched the right cat ear.
"It´s so soft."
"So you do like them."
"I won´t say no, but I like more what they are attached too."
Ais blushed lightly and giggled softly, then they kissed lovingly. Having Ais´ soft body snuggled up to him normally helped Bell to calm down and fall asleep soon, but not this night, Ais had even taken her shirt off, but even that didn´t helped.
Since Bell didn´t fell asleep, Ais also got no sleep.
She only whispered. "Bell...still not tired?"
"I´m very tired...but...I can´t fall asleep."
"Hm...Bell...your eyes are closed..right?"
"Yes."
"Good, keep them closed."
"Ais?"
He felt that her body was moving, Ais was crawling backwards...and soon he felt her hands...on his shorts.
"A-Ais?"
"Shhh."
Ais knew Bell very good, and she knew that Bell always got tired after..."that", in that case Bell was really like a rabbit. Since she didn´t wanted to move so much due to being tired, Ais did something for Bell she never did before...something that Tione once suggested.
One could say, she blew Bell´s mind away.
And it helped, soon after they were sleeping.
.
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Smoke and dust filled the air, screams echoed everywhere, together with a deep rumble. Stones flew through the air...not natural ones but bricks...enormous bricks. They didn´t flew like they were thrown or launched with a catapult...but as if something shot them.
Rooftops were crushed when the stones hit them, a woman that ran over a street was thrown to the side, blood filled the air and it was clearly visible that she was dead before her body hit the ground.
More and more dust filled the area, the houses on the other side of the street vanished. For a split second, a horned head was visible over a rooftop, before the dust engulfed him.
Something enormous screamed in rage.
And the ground started to shake...
Something came...
Something...
Titanic...
Orario...Babel...were about to fall.
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With a gasp, Cassandra jerked up in her bed and sweated heavily from her prophetic dream, pressing her white rabbit plushy against her chest.
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The morning came early, while most of the residents in the Mansion didn´t got much sleep, the resting helped a lot. They had a good breakfast and discussed important things during it.
Takemikazuchi explained the important details. "We will travel by carriage a big part of the way, but the last part we have to take a boat. The whole country is surrounded by water and even split in many islands, apart from the main land mass. It may sound strange to you Bell and Ais, but all four different seasons are always there in different parts of the country. One won´t have to travel far if the person want to experience winter or summer."
"Excuse me, lord Takemikazuchi."
"Yes, Bell?"
"You said "we"."
"Yes, I will accompany you, I will use this chance to visit the shrine again, and a friend. The far east is all about hierarchy and relations, while I was at the bottom, I know a few people."
"But...will it..be safe, for you?"
"Don´t worry, you will surely protect me from monsters."
"Monster?"
"Yes, monsters and wars are common in the far east, that´s why there are so many orphans."
For a moment, the god looked over his children lovingly, gently squeezing Mikoto´s hand, who sat next to him.
"Hehe...I wonder what Tsukuyomi will say when she sees us now."
"Mmh!"
Mikoto blushed, Tsukuyomi was a friendly goddess that she knew well...she wondered how she would react that Mikoto was married to Takemikazuchi.
"Back to topic, the land is all about hierarchy, you could say it is a large, nation type Familia, ruled by the royal court, with Amaterasu at the lead goddess.
There are eight noble families that serve the royal court in different matters. Haruhime´s family, the Sanjouno clan, are in charge of divine affairs, mostly related to Amaterasu. There are a few others, but the next important one would be the Gojouno clan."
"Gojouno...I think...I heard...this name...before..."
Miach looked at Bell. "One of Astrea´s children, Gojouno Kaguya."
Bell was once told that in the far east, the last name was spoken first.
"Right! She was the vice-captain of the Familia. Ryu told me about her."
Bell rememberred the time on the 37th Floor, Kaguya was the one who sacrificed first her arm and later her life to save Ryu.
Takemikazuchi continued. "The Gojouno clan is in charge of dark jobs."
"Dark jobs?"
"Assassination, Espionage, sabotage and such things."
"But I thought, lady Amaterasu was a gentle goddess?"
"Oh she is, but sometimes a life has to be taken to save many."
"So...they kill...dangerous people?"
"Sometimes a lord is about to go to war, so they send a ninja to deal with the situation."
"They kill one of their own people?"
"There are enough factions in the Far East that don´t follow the Royal Court. The constant wars and monster attacks are also a reason why there are some very strong people in the far east. The strongest is probably the captain of the Amaterasu Familia."
"But...I thought there aren´t strong adventurers outside of Orario?"
"Level ones are spread all over the world, level two is also quite common, people that achieved level three are already really rare. In countries with many wars and monsters, there are even a few stronger people.
And the absolute top of the far east is Gojouno Win-do, Amaterasu´s captain. A level four...maybe five now."
"Level five?! Outside of Orario?!"
"Yes, she is probably one of the strongest people in the world...oustside of Orario of course."
"But a level five..."
"Win-do is known by many names in the far east, if her alias didn´t changed she is mostly called "The Widow". But she was also called, Man-Slayer, Crimson Flash, Widow-maker and...Dragon-Slayer."
"Are dragons strong in the far east?"
"The only monsters stronger than Youkai, one of the big snake dragons is said to be as strong as the Floor Boss of the 27th Floor."
"The Amphisbaena?! That strong?"
"Yes, according to rumors, she did it alone."
"Okay...she sounds strong."
"Before we left, she was nearly all the time at the side of her goddess, when it comes to Amaterasu´s safety, she doesn´t trust many people. Since she is still a Gojouno, sometimes Amaterasu sends her on a job, but only those "To make something clear"."
"What does that mean?"
"The Royal Court sends Ninjas to deal with things in secret, Win-do is sent when they want to deal with a problem openly, like an announcement. She once went to a fortress of a local lord...and slaughtered every soldier and the lord in there by herself, breaking through the main gate. She spared the civilians, but it is said that she beheaded every soldier and the lord with one slash each."
"How cruel..."
"It would take too long to explain what these soldiers and the lord had done, it may sound cruel, but it was a good thing she did that. Many lives were saved this way, and it was a clear message to everyone else, to don´t do similar things."
It was much to take in, during their journey they would explain more things to Ais and Bell, about the far east.
"My guess so far, and it is only a guess, they will probably bring Haruhime to her father first and then to Amaterasu."
"Will it be a problem when she reaches lady Amaterasu? When she is so gentle, she will let Haruhime go? Or will she force her to join her Familia?"
"That we don´t know, it would be best to prevent this situation. When we arrive there, Ouka, Chigusa and I will stay at the shrine, you three will go on. If it comes down to it, one of you two will fight against Win-do, but even when you are level six...don´t underestimate her."
In secret, everyone doubted that someone from outside of Orario could defeat one of the strongest adventurers of the city...but many adventurers died that underestimated their opponents.
"I have a question." Ais raised her hand.
"Yes?" The god smiled friendly.
"You said something about "Youkai", what are these?"
"Monsters unique to the far east as far as we know. Some resemble animals and not even all of them are hostile, the "Tanuki" just want to be left in peace, sometimes they steal sake, but that´s the worst they do. The strongest of them are the "Oni", they could be compared to Ogres from the dungeon I think, and on top are the dragons. But while they are common, they are not as much as in the dungeon, a group of three monsters is already big."
"Sounds interesting. I wonder...if they have special dropp items..."
Ais was still an adventurer inside.
"Well if you see some, feel free to defeat them, just spare the Tanukis please."
Bell continued now. "Are there other gods that we will have to look out for?"
"I think mostly Amaterasu, maybe Inari. He is a god of fertility and mostly busy with agriculture, he loves rice, there is even a dish with raw fish and rice that is named after him. He also doesn´t look human, he has silver fox ears and a long tail."
"But when he deatls with agriculture...why should we encounter him?"
"Just a guess. There was a rumor back in heaven and on the surface, that he and Amaterasu are good friends, but I don´t know the details. He could be one of the reasons why Amaterasu likes fox-people so much. Also, it is said that he is the only male that is allowed to enter her shrine without special permission."
"I thought friendship between two gods isn´t uncommon?"
"Please remember what I said, Amaterasu is very uncomfortable with men around and not used to them, Inari might be the only one she ever talked to for real."
"Hm."
"Oh an Bell?"
"Yes?"
"There is something important you need to know, and I tell you this only because I heard one or two stories about you..."
"Huh?"
"Whatever happens...even if it is by accident...when you happen to see Amaterasu bathing or without clothes, don´t look at her! Close your eyes immediately, or she will never talk to us again, she is beyond shy. Oh and her captain would probably kill you for that..."
"B-But why are you telling me this?"
"I heard about your "luck"." Takemikazuchi winked.
"Hah...it´s not like I want these things to happen to me..."
.
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"Allright everyone, we are ready to go."
The five people and the god had everything packed and had put on their travel clothes. A special carriage awaited them, not drawn by horses but two...lizards. Hermes had taken care of the carriage, those drawn by those lizards were expensive, but they had nearly endless stamina.
The rest of them waited at the entrance of the Mansion to wish them good bye, Loki and her Familia had already wished Ais save travels at their home...and that they expected souveniers...many souveniers. It was their way to show that they weren´t worried and were convinced that everything would turn out right.
Since they didn´t knew how long the journey would take...and she was still the "Mommy", Riveria gave Ais enough tea powder for a month...just in case.
It was a pretty sweet sight, Takemikazuchi opened the door and offered Mikoto his hand to help her inside, like a true gentleman. Bell and Ouka didn´t wanted to lose and did the same for Ais and Chigusa. No one said anything about Ouka´s and Chigusa´s behaviour...that she was hurt badly and maybe even nearly killed...opened the eyes of the two.
Unnoticed by the others, the last night Ouka eventually confessed to Chigusa...and they had kissed shyly in the moon light.
It could be a funny journey, if the reason wasn´t so serious.
"Make sure to bring Haru-Haru back! Or I will get Aisha and the girls!"
Lena was really worried, just like the others.
"Everyone, make sure to stay safe...and bring Haruhime back to us. Maybe even smack her father on the head."
"Hestia..."
"Let me, Miach."
The six looked at each other and nodded.
"To the east!"
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Haruhime groaned when the carriage finally stopped, it was early evening and they drove the whole day, for nearly twenty-four hours they had driven towards the east...and now she heard...the sea.
Some of the men got out of the carriage and climbed down...thankfully also the old man. Only one guard remained with her, a young man that looked really uneasy.
"I´m sorry for the treatment, young lady."
Unlike the old man, the young one spoke respectfully with Haruhime, but she wasn´t in the mood to talk with one of them...it could be a trick.
A knock came from outside of the carriage. "Bring her out."
"Young lady, please we have to get outside. I don´t dare to touch you...so please, let me open the door for you...I don´t want to see him doing "that" again."
Haruhime looked into the eyes of the young man and he gulped when he saw how sad she looked. "Okay..."
They had arrived at a harbor town, ships of all kinds were there. One of them catched Haruhime´s eyes...a far eastern style...warship. On the main sail, there was the symbol of Amaterasu, the sun.
Master Bell...Mikoto...Chigusa...Ouka...everyone...
Haruhime didn´t knew what to do...she started to lose hope.
.
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Amaterasu walked slowly through her personel temple, alone for now, like always when she visited a certain room. No one lived in this room...at least for now. The room was decorated in the traditional far eastern style, tatami mats made the floor, a closet was on one side, a large window on the other. There was no bed here,
a futon was rolled up at the bottom of the cabinet. In the middle of the room was a clothes rack, with traditional clothes of a Miko. A scarlet Hakama formed like a long skirt and a Kimono shirt with long, wide sleeves.
It were simple clothes...clothes that no one had worn in hundreds of years...
The goddess looked really sad at the clothes and the room.
A small sob came from her, tears shimmered in her eyes.
"Kitsu..."
Like every single time when she was in that room, Amaterasu slowly went down to her knees and started to cry...
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Authors Note1: A bit foreshadowing from Cassandra, a bit showing how close Ais and Bell are. Some may think it feels a bit slow how it progresses, but I will just say, there will be enough fighting in the story later. Especially the ark after this one, but you will see.