Dia's mind was foggy. She was slowly coming back to her senses. Her mind was far from perfect, but her eyes told a different story. They opened, blinked over and over again, trying to regain any of her senses. The smell was the oddest part. She expected to be in a holding cell, but it was the opposite. She was in...a bedroom? Dia tried to stand, but something rattled.
Looking down at her feet, they were chained to a chair, her hands behind her back, and something covering her mouth. Then, she heard a voice. One that was far too familiar to Dia.
"Awake, are we?" The chains rattled even more, "Struggle all you want, Dia, it will not get you anywhere," the voice said sitting opposite of the petite emerald-eyed Goddess. Her eyes were frantic, wondering why she was here.
The last thing that she remembers was in her office, finishing up her children's latest expedition and expenditures. Dia knew they were on top of everything, but she liked making sure. Finances were important after all. She had paused for a moment to stretch and went to the kitchen, but as soon as she closed the door to her office again and walked inside, the door was kicked open, the window opened by a gust of wind and suddenly she was surrounded.
She didn't have time to cry out in shock, surprise, or any other emotion. Even if she did, she doesn't remember it.
Her hands were behind her back and a gag was placed over her mouth and a blindfold over her eyes. Then, to sweeten the pot, something was placed under her nose and she was forced to inhale. Whatever was in the concoction knocked her senses silly. Everything in her mind blurred before she vaguely felt someone talking.
Then, she woke up here.
Looking down, she was relieved to see that her necklace remained with her. The gift from her children was one of her most important possessions. "Mmmhmh mmhmh!" Dia said through the gag, the item in her mouth pushed on her tongue, making all sorts of speech impossible or at least mostly incomprehensible. The real question was why. Her children have avoided hers—as much as possible—for the time being, ever since they were put into Dian Cecht's clinic. Of course, with recent incidents, it was mostly impossible.
"Shh, little Dia. It will all be over soon," the voice said, sounding sensual and calming, but it was proving to have the opposite effect. The person across from her was making a show of crossing one leg over the other, the person's eyes glowed slightly. Dia slammed her eyes shut, but it was the effect of being charmed by a Goddess of Beauty. Dia felt herself getting hot under her collar. She immediately thought of how her children looked in the clinic. "Oh, resisting my charm, are you?" The voice felt like she was right next to her ear, making her shiver.
"Mmh mmu mmhign mis?" Dia asked through her gag. If anything, she was frightened, she didn't know where she was. She was with a Goddess who was hellbent on her children and she was alone with her. Dia tried moving her hands but they felt like the chains were biting into her wrists.
"Why you ask?" the voice said, standing up, moving closer and closer to Dia as she watched fear fill the petite Goddess's eyes. The little light in the room was enough to reveal A woman in an attire that most never see. It looked like formal attire, a full set of light armor, and it wasn't the skimpy kind...Dia connected the dots in her hazy mind that the one standing in front of her was none other than Freya. "I've waited long enough to claim them. You've had them to yourself for ten years. While that amount of time is insignificant to us Goddesses, to them, it's been most of their lives. It's about time for a change of scenery. What is that saying that the lower world has...'Out with the old and in with the new?'" Freya grabbed Dia's chin, making her look into her eyes. "It's time for a replacement."
The very foundation of the building shook.
Freya looked over to the window that overlooked Orario, Babel in the center of the view. With an impish grin, "They're here, right on schedule."
No, Isaac, Irene. Stay away! You're playing right into her hands!
"What was that other mortal saying again?" Frey asked herself rhetorically, hugging her bust to her body. "Ah! 'The night is still young!'"
Only one hour before...
Irene allowed herself to relax in the chair that Ri-Mum gestured to. I guess I'm still trying to adjust to calling her, my mother. The night's events were draining and the young girl was exhausted. "I am never doing that again…"
"Which part? The 'Not telling me' part or 'taking on an entire Familia because of one girl' part?" Riveria said with a little heat in her voice. Irene deserved it. She didn't expect to get out unscathed or at least, mostly unharmed. It was Mikoto she was worried about. The girl had choke marks on her neck. Her windpipe should have been crushed.
Not to mention, the fight that happened in the Dungeon was easily one-sided...in Irene's favor. During their time in Lady Nike's arena, Irene was taught how to fight multiple opponents at the same time. The number of bruises she got before she actually had a grasp on the concept was a lot. Isaac suffered some bruises as well, but not as many as she did.
Back to the point of the fight, she easily could've taken them all, except for Phyrne. One-on-one, maybe, debatable...everyone else though, she could have. Including spells into her fighting style was easier once she had a grasp on Concurrent Chanting. The reason why she couldn't fight at her full potential is that they used an oldie but goodie trick: Hostage-taking.
Mikoto may be a competent level two, but a level three will win ninety-nine percent of the time. The one percent is Bell. Still, she did put up an impressive fight as, during her capture, she noticed some of them rubbing their chests. She must have used palm strikes against their solar plexus.
"Are you even listening?" Riveria asked as she sipped on some herbal tea. Irene acknowledged her mother with a look and leaned forward, grabbing her own cup of tea. However, she hesitated in drinking it, not because she doubts Riveria, but because of an unsettling feeling.
It didn't originate from her.
Isaac? Irene mentally reached out to him. Are you good? Do I need to go home? No response again and that was after she waited thirty seconds after speaking the first time. Emotions normally don't leak through the bond. They usually guess how the other is feeling. They're siblings, they know each others' mannerisms. So, if one managed to leak through, then this is cause for concern.
"S-Sorry, just waiting on Isaac…" Irene trailed off as his connection went static...then full-on swearing in elvish. Irene, thankfully, put the teacup down before that happened because she was startled and probably would have dropped the teacup. "What…"
"Irene, talk to me," The High Elf coaxed, noticing her complexion going pale. Putting a hand to her forehead, she did feel warm, but that could be from the effort exerted tonight. The tea is meant to regulate the body's temperature. Riveria looked into her daughter's eyes, seeing them distant.
The younger Vlahos' hand was resting gently on the seat before her hand clenched with a force hard enough to tear the fabric. Right now, she didn't care. A line has been crossed. Ignoring the look of concern on her mother's face, her eyes hardened in an instant. Riveria was ultimately taken back at seeing the dead look in her eyes. Even Ais never had this look, even when pushed to her limit.
"Riveria," Irene said, standing up, grabbing her staff, and turning to a window. "I will have to break the recent promise because…" she paused, her tone was apathetic at best, haunted at worst. "...I'm clipping wings tonight. They've crossed the line...and they will pay with their lives..."
At the declaration, magic energy funneled into the staff. No, not funneled into the staff...it exploded out of Irene like a dam that broke spontaneously. "What are you-"
"They fucking kidnapped our Goddess from her own home, Riveria! That's grounds for a fucking reality check!"Irene exploded at her mother figure. A magic circle appeared under her feet, "There will be bloodshed tonight…" The amount of intent that followed after the statement made even Riveria pause, and she was two levels above the girl. It reminded Riveria of her mentor's power all those years ago, "I will do anything to get her back. She is one of the two most important pillars in mine and my brother's life. She was the one who took us in, pulled us from a burning building in our village, gave us the very blessing on our back, and brought us together. I can't fathom a life without her."
"What's going on here?" Gareth and Finn opened the door to be on the receiving end of a glare that made Finn's thumb throb with intense pain, enough to make him grimace.
Irene opened the window as she turned, "Freya just made a declaration of war, and we'll see it through."
"You aren't thinking clearly!" Riveria raised her voice, standing behind the girl, fists clenched.
A low chuckle, "You know...I thought I wasn't either, but I think a skill of mine kicked in when I was in a panic. I am thinking as clearly as one can in my situation…" she paused, tilting her head, her eyes dilated. "Understood, brother…"
Riveria tried to reason, "At least let me-"
"NO! You stay out of this! This is not your place. Your familia is taking first priority, as mine takes mine," Irene said with a growl. Without another word, she leaped out the window with the magic energy almost wrapping her in a cocoon. She fell to the ground and uttered one word, a magic circle flashing beneath her.
*Shockwave!*
This chant was different, in terms of power, possibly from her level-up but because of the direction she used it in. Instead of going forward, she sent it towards herself to not exactly stop but slow her descent. Irene ignored the calls of her name as she left the Twilight Manor with a determined mindset. Her Goddess was in trouble.
Minutes before Irene's emotional breakdown.
Isaac's emotions took over and inside his mind, he was swearing up a storm. Externally, he was a stone wall. If someone saw him now, they could argue that his soul was just sucked out of his body. His expression turned from an alerted stance to an indifferent one. The letter on the desk from the Freya Familia stared back at him, teasing him.
It only got worse when he reached out to grab it. He noticed something on the seal of it. Not the Familia symbol, no, but the fact it was SWAK'd or sealed with a kiss. He reached out and opened the letter. What he saw pushed him closer to the edge and left him hanging.
If you want your Goddess alive and well, you'll come to me and surrender yourselves. I've waited long enough. You could try to save her from my familia, but any attempt to save her and she will be killed in front of your very eyes. I know you'll try anyway, so keep me entertained my beloved twins. I'll even give you a hint, she's in my home.
Make up your mind, and quickly, Vlahos twins.
-Your soon-to-be Goddess.
As he read it, his hand was trembling, not out of fear, but out of rage. Like fuck she'll be their new Goddess. He'd rather go to Loki first, Hestia second. He'd put Hestia in danger if he was to convert to her. Loki would at least be understanding, probably; Riveria would want them taken in for their protection. Freya went above and beyond just to get Dia. Sweet, petite Dia was innocent. She didn't deserve this!
The note was written in Freya's handwriting. It could have been a bluff but Isaac didn't want to take that chance, especially with her. That bitch of a Goddess wrote this personally, probably knowing it would set him off. It worked. Irene...we have a problem.
Does it have to do with the fact that you just swore every possible word in the elven language? Mum's ears would be bleeding if she heard this, Irene replied, but he could tell that she was unnerved.
Isaac clenched his free hand, drawing blood, Freya Familia paid a visit. He paused. Dia is not in the Complex, the door was kicked open, the window was forced open, and the office is a mess. She was captured, taken from us.
Y-You can't be s-serious…
I am. I am so angry that I can feel my own bloodlust bristling under my skin. I am a swirling pool of emotion and my target has been chosen: Freya Familia members. There will be someone dying tonight. The line has been crossed. Are you with me? His tone in his mind was deadpan mixed with hidden rage and fury. His own thoughts were getting darker and darker by the minute.
I will meet you by Babel. We're clipping a few Valkyries tonight, Irene responded, her tone matching his. A dead feral smile took over Isaac's features. His eyes were vacant, making the expression even more terrifying. He put the note back in the envelope and put it in his pocket. He was going to rip it up in front of that Goddess to spite her. Once they got Dia back, they were going to the Guild and having her Familia disbanded, and sending her back to Heaven. To hell with the power balance, to hell with Rakia or any other country who thinks they have power.
Isaac, right now, was all for disrupting the power dynamic to get Dia back. You don't just kidnap someone's Goddess like that. That breaks so many rules that Isaac breaking a couple of minor ones in retrospect is null and void. At that point, anything goes. Isaac calmly—far too calm for any sane person—surveyed the room one last time before seeing something on Dia's bedroom nightstand, one of the only spots left untouched, save her bedspread.
Walking over to it, it was a letter with Dia's handwriting addressed to him and Irene, only to be opened in the event…
Isaac averted his eyes immediately and left it there. That was something he never wanted to see. The elder twin was trying to look at this objectively. How long has she known? She had to have known, right? She wouldn't write that unless she knew something was going to happen. Did her intuition warn her? How long has she noticed something was off? Why didn't she tell them? Why didn't she tell me? I should have listened to my feeling...I should've but I was selfish…
Gritting his teeth, he walked out of the room. His bloodlust exuded out of every open pore in his body. He was ready to commit horrible acts just to get her back. He'd do this for anyone he cares for. There would be no stopping him. His weapons were neutral in this regard. Seriously, what are you? Isaac didn't let that deter his line of thought for long. He needed to get things done. The first would be making his way to Babel so they could have an organized plan. Tell me what you're thinking, Irene. We need a plan and we need one fast.
Isaac left the Complex with a heavy heart and a steeled resolve. Tonight, Orario was going to have two more bombshells.
The killing intent was thick in the air. For once, it was not because of them. A person was walking down the path to the Eastern Gate of Orario. The figure had a shroud that covered them from head to toe, some of it dragged behind them. The smoke from the Pleasure District was thick in the air and some of the guards watching the entrance were shocked.
The figure walked ahead unimpeded, their goal was finally within reach. Granted, it took them no time at all to get here, since they move so fast. They were just at the entrance, one step away from entering Orario when the guard, a Ganesha Familia member stopped them, "It's not safe to go in right now. Please wait out here."
"There is no need to worry about a lady like myself," the voice said, identifying as a woman. "I can handle anything that heads my way, now please step aside, I have business with a few adventurers in here."
"Apologies, Madame Adventurer, but we have orders t-" they paused as they felt the aura of a very powerful individual become known.
"As you can feel, that is not necessary. I can handle myself perfectly fine, I came because I wanted to check on my family, I've heard they recently leveled. So please step aside before I throw you across the wall," she said in such a sweet voice that it gave the guard chills to their very souls.
The guard and the silent partner next to them shared a look and waved her onwards, "Please be safe and welcome to Orario."
Once she was past the gates and no one could hear her, she looked up, "I only wish it was under better circumstances."
The tone of voice was one of sorrow, even as she picked up the intent that was rampaging her senses.
Irene sped down North Main without a care in the world. She wanted to burn them to the ground, step on their ashes, and then-
-and then her mind was calm. She really needed to focus. Right now, she needed to get to her brother so that they could deal with the Freya Familia, the disgraceful familia who kidnapped Dia. It angered Irene that she would go to such lengths. She could have just as easily done this to Lady Hestia too. Both of their familias are small, have hidden gems within, and have the potential to be great adventurers.
This was not Irene saying it should've been Lady Hestia. It's just...why Dia? Why someone who doesn't have ties to...oh. She did it because of her connection to the Zeus Familia? "Is that what this is? A power play? A final huzzah?"
Aspis continued to mutter to herself as she entered the Babel courtyard. She then felt an abnormal amount of killing intent from her left, which even put her on edge. Brother?
From her left side, her brother emerged from the side street, ready to go. He needed to relax, as Aspis noted that this was worse than the last time he went off the hinge. The arena helped as much as it didn't. That was something they hid from Riveria. Dia was the only one, besides Lady Nike, who knew about this...condition. If they give in to their anger, it can make for a deadly combination.
"Are we good on our plan?" Harpe asked, his voice not even rising past a whisper.
Aspis, on the other hand, gave a feral grin, but her tone of voice did not change, "Of course." She cleared her throat, channeled magic energy into her staff, and the magic circle under her feet glowed a forest green, almost a hazel if anyone was close enough to pay attention. People realized that they were on a mission and steered clear. "Your humble vessel calls to you, Vishnu, give my allies the spirit to withstand!"
*Living Shield!*
The magic circle faded as the protection washed over the twins. Her staff felt like it was jittering in the joy of being used tonight. She clutched it like a lifeline, as she will be using it a lot tonight. "Is it active?" she finally asked.
Harpe just shook his head, "My emotions are dulled, as I am not in any pain. If I recognize the pain, sure, it could be active, but emotions tend to lead to mistakes and tonight is not the night for them. I've already made one too many." the last part was spoken in elvish.
With a thump to his shoulder, Aspis was looking at him with a glare, "Suck it up, accept it and move on. It happened and now we will rectify it." During his time here, he had thought of where he went wrong, and usually, he would have had the connection from Futago's Maindosukēpu closed. This time, he had them open and Aspis listened to each of his thoughts as he said them.
She figured out that he felt something when they were about to go to the Pleasure Quarter the first time, and he regrets not asking Dia about it. There was no time to have these thoughts now, hence why she hit him.
A sigh, "Let's go, dearest sister."
"Lead the way, brother dearest," she retorted to his deadpan address.
At the Hostess of Fertility.
Ryuu was busy cleaning up the pub, alongside Lunoire, Anya, and Chloe. May was cleaning up her pots and pans, Mama Mia was cleaning the bartop, and Syr was off tonight. The blonde elven warrior just washed up another dish before she felt intent coming from somewhere. It made her drop the dish she was holding back into the sink. This felt like if Mama Mia let out her intent, but then it felt...colder, much more vicious than hers.
She focused on them and found it was not just one, but two adventurers. Their intent matching, swirling together like a deadly dance under the moon. Despite the irony, Ryuu could only guess—and be fairly accurate—as to who they were. After all, the first time they let it out within her presence, she felt it.
It was the same feeling now, only greater.
All at once, the group entered the dining area, looking out into the night sky. They knew of the Red Light district's fall and Ishtar's ascension to Heaven. Everyone in Orario knew that. What they didn't know and what they wanted to know was why the intent was so high. Mia knew it wasn't Ottar and even he couldn't do this. At the mental reminder of her former charge, she muttered something in a language only spoken by dwarves, "She's done it now. From what I heard, nothing will stop them."
No one heard her speak.
Ryuu was the first to turn to Mama Mia, "Let me go help them."
Mia turned to the elf and looked directly into her eyes. In those deep blue eyes, she saw someone who would go against her, even if meant incurring the Proprietress' wrath. Similar looks were cast to the other three girls and the same look was present in their eyes. Only one was hesitant.
Letting out a sigh, "Go on but you'll be working overtime when you get back, got it?"
"Yes./Nyah!/Understood, Mama," the quartet of women said. Mia stopped Anya before she went out the door.
"Are you going to be able to handle it?"
Anya steeled her resolve before nodding, "I will nya let him go through with this, nya!"
Mia just sent her out the door before the Proprietress went over to the bar and poured herself a tall glass of 'Shit's fucked' and a dash of 'wake me when it ends' because with what she plans...people will be sorry.
Minutes later, Ryuu had already changed into her Gale Wind attire, her footsteps light on the rooftops. She was following the sounds of battle, and it was getting worse and worse as she headed south. There was no time to warn anyone else. She tried to get closer, but her senses were warning her.
She stopped on the next rooftop she landed on and observed. No one was in plain sight, but that didn't mean someone was...behind you!
Ryuu's sword was in her hands before she could consciously comprehend what she was doing. "Who are you?"
"We don't take kindly to meddlers in our Goddess's will," the person said. "We will deal with you if you attempt to interfere, otherwise leave this area if you know what's good for you." Behind him were three more people who looked exactly like the first. The Gulliver Brothers were in front of Ryuu and ready to kill her for attempting to interrupt.
However, three more people joined in right next to her. Anya, Chloe, and Lunoire were next to her, "Did you really think we'd let you go it alone? You may be the fastest but you do need backup every now and again."
"You're no fun, Ryuu, nya! Leaving us behind?" Chloe said, readying her weapons, Violetta, and getting into an offensive position. Her knives were coated with poison, and while most adventurers get Abnormal Resistance, it does not make them immune to it. So, she will be fine. Berling, an ax wielder, engaged the black-haired cat first.
Lunoire got her gauntlets ready, facing down targets that she failed to kill nine years ago. She already knew who she was looking at as soon as she joined the fight. Alfrigg looked to Lunoire and scoffed. Twirling his spear in hand, he turned to her and in silent terms, challenged her to a one-on-one fight.
Anya looked ready to kill and considering who her brother was, she was going to use this as an outlet for her anger. As for their outfits, they all just wore sleek blackish-grey clothing to blend in with the night. While not their normal attire, they had to rush to get ready. Dvalinn readied his hammer and charged after the tsundere cat's sister. He just had to hope Allen didn't find out about this.
Ryuu then took the last one on, Grer, who wielded a greatsword. Each female took one male on. Even though the women were at a disadvantage, they made up for it in their faith for one another. The Gulliver brothers were shocked at how easy they would switch targets in the middle of a fight. They weren't using magic only because Ryuu tends to go too far, but also because it would destroy the streets.
"Why aren't you letting us through? This could all be avoided!" Ryuu said, even as she dodged another charge from Grer. Dvalinn was proving to be too much for Chloe and she couldn't reach her.
Lunoire would try and help, but get cut off by Berling then forced into a rude game of pinball. Anya was the only one who could get a hit in, if only because she knows the counter to their fighting style. Anya is scary as a level four and she will use all the points in her status to make that true.
"No one must interfere with our Lady's plan, now get out!" Alfrigg said, speaking for all of his brothers before they all attacked the ladies and sent them across a few rooftops. Anya was the only one who didn't and only because of her relationship with Allen. "Let this be a lesson. She will have the Sword and Shield tonight."
Ryuu barely managed to hold on to her consciousness, and she resolved herself to find the Hestia Familia, they need to know so that they can help. No doubt the Loki Familia already knew.
Aspis and Harpe continued to jog down the street, their objective in their sights. Folkvangr, the Freya Familia home. The place where their Goddess is. The place where Dia is. It was soon to be the place that they would burn to the ground once they got her out of there. As they were running, they both came up with a plan. "We're going to have to blitz through them, you know this, yes?"
"I'm well aware, sister, and I'm prepared to end them if they insist on getting in my way," Harpe said, not pleased with the situation they are coming upon. "Prepare your chant, we'll split up inside the manor and take out anyone in our way."
"I understand, please do try to limit the amount of blood you shed and be mindful of your Mind usage, as unlike myself, you do not have Mage nor Spirit Healing," Aspis countered. "But do you want me to use the spell I did in the Dungeon?"
Harpe looked to his side to see her questioning look, she really wanted his answer for this. All he could offer was, "Only if you have to. Ready to go?"
"Always."
The two ran headlong into the fight as lower leveled members of the Freya Familia came into view. "Let them have it, brother."
"With pleasure."
*Fusion: Fissure Shockwave!*
The rocks appeared first and the shockwave was after, sending the already fast rocks toward his target even faster. Not to mention the fact that it was a cover so Harpe could do this. Something he was very glad for because of the Bronze Key.
*Smokescreen!*
A wave of smoke clouded everyone's vision, except for the twins. It got even better as the two began cutting through them, quite literally in fact. It was like a trade request. The twins receive free passage, and they receive a blade to the body. They didn't exactly aim anywhere but it was enough to get them out of the way. To think, they were only a quarter kilomeder away from Folkvangr and Freya put out her Familia so far away.
Even further still, it all feels like a trap. Trap?
The best thing to do to a trap is spring the trap, and if we know it's a trap, it's not really a trap. The statement was confusing but whatever. Harpe sped forward, using his higher agility to land a sucker punch on the guy who thought he was sneaky. "You will...be in...her embrace."
"Not on your fucking life, buddy," Harpe said, raising his sword to end him, but Aspis stopped him.
She caught his wrist, "Save the sword for someone who deserves it."
A look was shared between them, "Fine. We haven't seen any of the executives, it's concerning."
"I think they're waiting for us, knowing we're walking into a trap."
"Are we prepared to make a decision like this?" he asked simply. The question's true meaning was far deeper than that though. Are they prepared to do something that could get them blacklisted from the Guild? Could they survive being ostracized like that? They'd have to, if not for themselves but for each other.
She sighed as they walked away, "We'd have to be." The magic stone lamps guided the Sword and Shield through the streets, where they met no other resistance. The twins were now looking at the exterior of Folkvangr. The place where they would meet their destiny.
It sounds cliché when it's put like that… she said to him.
He scoffed lightly, Yeah, but it's true, is it not?
The elder twin spoke up to fill the small silence that was created, "So, are we going to be polite and knock or rude as all hell and mess them up?"
"Like you even have to ask," the younger twin said as she started murmuring under her breath, and Harpe grinned. He started to chant a low-level spell that was in the confines of the Bronze Key.
"By the wishes of the Gods, grant me the power to test my enemies in the fires of purity!"
"From the ashes, one will rise, show them true colors!"
*Blazing Meteor!*
*Phoenix's Feather!*
Two separate fireballs appeared, one at the end of the staff in Aspis's hands and a smaller, condensed fireball appeared before Harpe's palms. With one look, they fired off both spells. The difference between them was the tracking capabilities and the power within each one. The speed of Phoenix's Feather and Blazing Meteor were also different, the former leading the latter. Aspis had more power in her spell than Harpe did in his, but their targets were the same but different.
Harpe aimed his spell for the front gate, melting the barred fence, while Aspis aimed for the front door of the Manor. Both spells hit their respective targets and the building itself shook. "Knock knock, bitch. You had my curiosity but now you have my full, undivided attention."
The two entered Folkvangr with a casual stroll, but Aspis was not done. She still had another trick up her sleeve. It was simple, really.
*Shadow Concealment!*
They can't fight if they don't know what hit them.
The Freya Familia executives, excluding a couple of them, were all wondering who was taking out the sentries that they left. No one else was capable of taking them out, and it wasn't the Loki Familia because they've been at their home since this started. Of course, since then, they've mobilized but haven't made contact with any of them.
That would have been the case if they hadn't all been rounded up by a shrouded figure. The four brothers sat hog-tied, and the knights were tied up together while said figure was sitting nonchalantly. "Explain to me what your plan was."
"Who in the hell are you?" Hogni snarled.
"Is that any way to treat a lady, one who has far more experience than you, former Dark Elf King?" The authority in her voice was enough to pacify the four Prums, but the white knight looked closer at this figure and paled. "Ah, I see the former Light Elf King figured it out, so you see how much you've all screwed the pooch on this. You're lucky I don't splatter your remains across this decrepit city. After all, they deserve their ten pounds of flesh."
A look at the person's staff confirmed all Hedin needed, "You're...you're supposed to be dead!" There's no other person who has that staff.
The figure giggled with glee, "No arguments from me but I'm a woman, a stubborn one at that. So you're going to sit back and watch while I go off and be something better than you." If they will accept me.
"Why did you return?" An honest question from Hogni.
The figure turned, and the corners of her mouth could be seen, "What else? My remaining family." The two elves paled as the full presence of the person before they unfolded. "Pray that they make it through, otherwise, Orario will lose six first-class adventurers and I won't give a damn about the power imbalance."
Soon after the smoke cleared, both Harpe and Aspis were coated in darkness, their figures indistinguishable in the cover of night. Even standing under a magic stone lamp, the two couldn't be seen. Their weapons were the only things visible, if barely as they resided under their cloaks. The white and green cloaks of the Dia Familia. They owe their lives to her. It wasn't up for debate. It was a cold, hard fact.
It's been rehashed time and time again, but Dia had saved them that day. They never asked to be let go either. The two siblings are a lifeline to one another. In their travels, both felt extreme loneliness, the fact they couldn't speak to one another since the distance was too great hurt. He missed her teasing, she missed his protective demeanor.
People in Orario noticed that if one of the twins was seen, the other was not far behind. The same logic applies here. Even when they are reflecting light, thanks to the spell, they know they're still close. I'll head left, you head right. Knock them down, and refrain from killing, Aspis said.
I'm still going to shed blood, if only because I want a clearer head before we confront Freya, Harpe responded. Their tones still haven't changed. Still the same blank ones from when this started.
She agreed before they entered and split off from one another. He should still be within her range as this is the first time she's using her level four status. The same applies to him. Not to mention, their shared skill, Tsuinzubatorukurai, is active, meaning their basic stats are about on average for their level four status—like a level four who's been adventuring for thirteen years.
The pure white looks of the place were something they wanted to vomit at. Around every corner was a portrait of Freya, doing various poses, some casual, some risque, and some even lewd. Harpe will have to burn those later, out of spite. More lower-tier familia members entered the hallways, the stairs, everywhere. Harpe didn't stop, couldn't stop, as he plowed through them all. He cast Fissure, Firebolt Fissure, Shockwave, and Smokescreen. His swords were gleeful at being able to fight and get dirty. He also pulled out his throwing knives and lodged them into unsuspecting adventurers. They complained, but who cares? What's the point of fighting fair if your opponent won't? Goddess stealing scum. I hope you burn in Tenkai.
Harpe soon encountered someone who was currently in his way. Despite being invisible, he could still be seen only because of the Prum's eyesight. Harpe didn't care for him and purposefully moved by him.
Wait, he's not a Prum, a Halfling? Great, now I sound like a racist.
"We have business before you leave," the Half-Prum said, eyes following his location.
Seeing that there wasn't a way past him, Harpe spoke, "Out of my way. If your Goddess was captured, would you do anything and everything you could to get her back?"
The insinuation that someone would dare lay a hand on his Goddess didn't sit right with the Prum. "Fair point but I still cannot let you through."
The intent that this Prum felt was nothing short of terrifying. "What is your name?"
"Vanir," the Half-Prum said. It was a male's name that much Harpe knew.
"Good, I know what to put on the gravestone when I'm done with you," he said before launching at him with his sword at his side with intent to kill. The halfling barely dodged the straight-up assault, even crossing his twin swords in an attempt to block the attack almost wasn't enough.
"Didn't you just level up?" Vanir struggled out the words.
A smirk could be felt if the tone meant anything, "Wouldn't you like to know? Right now, all I care about is getting my Goddess back." Harpe sent a punch into Vanir's left side.
To Vanir's credit, he didn't flinch. Then a blow appeared on his right side. This time in the abdomen. Parrying the Sword off his twin swords, Vanir used one to bait the block and the other was going to cut into his side. Vanir, along with other Freya Familia members were told to keep injuries to a minimum if they were to cross paths with either one of her beloveds.
She wants them awake and alive enough to watch what she has planned.
A flicker overcame Harpe's form, then came a scoff, "Hmm, either I'm out of range or too much combat weakens the effect…" that second blow that Vanir planned for?
It never happened.
The sound of steel meeting steel answered the call. "You have two?"
"Unpredictability will win fights," Harpe said, all but sneering at Vanir. The Half-Prum backed off to reassess the situation.
Harpe didn't let him. He chased his prey and he would enact on the fury he's been storing. "You are no normal level four, Isaac Vlahos."
"You're not bad yourself," despite being on opposite sides, in opposing Familias no less, the two swordsmen can agree that if they were to truly fight all out, it was a toss-up.
Vanir felt it the entire time they were exchanging blows. Contrary to his earlier words, Harpe has yet to intentionally kill him, even if he had the opportunity. He truly doesn't want to kill Vanir, not unless he needs to.
*Shockwave!*
A gust of wind took Vanir off his feet and into a wall. As a result, he dropped his swords before feeling a blade nicking his neck. "Do you yield or will I truly have to clip your wings?"
Sucking in a lungful of air, the form of Isaac Vlahos appeared before the halfling and the eyes showed all. A true apathetic monster stood before him. Even his earlier words sounded more lively than the blank stare he was getting.
Instead, he grinned, "You won't get her back. I can see us fighting in the daily baptism a lot."
A throwing knife was pushed into his leg and he slowly twisted, "Pray that isn't true. I will never willingly join this Familia. Bet on it."
Harpe knocked him out, leaving another knife in his arm. Brushing his shoulders, he continued on, waiting for his next opponent.
In another part of Folkvangr.
Aspis was in a similar situation but she had the advantage here. She was slipping through the cracks and took a pound of flesh as she went. Her blade was coated in red and her staff felt like it was shuddering in joy. Is my weapon a sadist, or am I the sadist? She was using her agility to bounce off the walls and zip in between the ignorant and arrogant members before they fell to the floor.
They tried to mob her but she used her magic to send them away and moved in for the kill. She refused to take a life as she rationalized that killing then would get her nowhere except a stain on her conscience. She was more worried about her brother, who would easily fall into it.
It wasn't that she could blame him if he did, after all, she had to remind herself that this was for Dia. She wouldn't want this but it was too late to be considerate. She had to be there for her. For her big sister figure.
They had so much to lose and so much to gain. They had no choice but to play the Goddess's game. If they didn't…
...Their very Familia was on the line.
Freya was watching her two beloveds race to their Goddess's rescue. It was entertaining to watch as they showed off their strength in front of her. Their souls weren't shining as much as normal, and she could understand why, but she wanted them to shine as bright as Bell's soul. Despite the black color in them, they were not founded in hatred, merely as they were born that way. That was what their souls looked like to her.
"Isn't this wonderful, my dear?" Freya said, looking into the crystal orb that was available for her viewing pleasure. Her guest was still struggling in her chair, the chains that bound her clinking on the floor and against each other.
"Mmmh mmh mmm toph!" Dia said through her confinement. Tears were prickling at the corner of her eyes. She was pleading with the Goddess of Beauty to stop this. There had to be some other way for this to end. However, judging by the look she was giving her, there would be no negotiating with her. She looked charmed herself, even though that wasn't possible, she was charmed by her own greed and selfishness. It was ironic as it was tragic. The petite Goddess didn't want any of this to happen, but she wasn't going to give up her children for this.
Freya continued to giggle like a drunk schoolgirl as she and Dia watched the orb and saw them mercilessly tearing through the familia members. Dia figured this was what Isaac meant when he wondered if he would still consider him her child if he had to lower himself to this…
It didn't matter, she was always going to consider them her children, even if they were under a new Familia. The same applied to Irene as well. She will never regret taking them in. Not now, not ever.
Apparently, she wasn't paying attention as the door was kicked open and she heard the voices of her children, ""Lady Dia!""
...
Fissure Shockwave: A combo of Fissure and Shockwave. The former is boosted in speed by the latter, making the rocks much more deadly.
(Since I forgot this one) Firebolt Fissure: A combo of Firebolt and Fissure. Think of a Miniature Blazing Meteor that doesn't have tracking. Still packs a punch.
Phoenix's Feather: A low-grade Fireball. The most basic of Fire-type magic. No tracking, simple chant, and shoot. Agile in close quarters.
...
Ahh yes, another cliffhanger. I did try to incorporate some action in this. I again will say, fight scenes are not my forte. However, This chapter was 7400 words, just barely over. So, this was ~2k words more than I normally write. We have reached the document that I was talking about. The one that was 8k words and it expanded to over 14k and I still have some leftover.
I can at least get the next chapter out sometime this Thursday since I leave for my trip after work on Friday night. So the next chapter will be early. (As if I didn't already say that in the first sentence.)
Counter: 2 (probably three, I'll confirm it later)
For those that follow me for both stories, Tales of Royalty will be getting an update once I scrutinize my work.
Thank you to those that stuck by me with this, yes, even you silent readers.
Until then, we will see how the pieces fall.