I don't own Danmachi
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She couldn't be happier. She had been anticipating this day for a while now but even so, she was still holding a shocked and giddy expression when it happened. It took him long enough mind you. He was brave enough to take on the world's worst evil on his own but couldn't pluck up enough courage to engage with the girl he likes. Oh well, it's finally happened.
Riveria continued to look at the absolutely stunning golden ring that adorned Ais' left ring finger, I mean where else was it going to be, she sighed happily while remembering everything that the now young woman next to her had gone through. Just thinking that Ais is a young woman now and not the little girl from almost 12 years ago was still too much to handle for the high elf.
Riveria remembers finding her alone, crying out for her now captured and deceased parents from over a thousand years ago. How she was swallowed by revenge and fixated on only getting stronger. When she faced the Evilus group at their most prominent power. Riveria still regrets making Ais fight people like that, blooding her hands with a stain that can never be removed.
While Tiona, Tione and Lefiya all helped when they could, it wasn't until over 9 years later that any significant change in the girl's life happened. A fated meeting you could say with her now soon-to-be husband. The training on the walls, the minotaur fight, the Xenos incident (Which she is now very glad they didn't kill as they were a massive help in conquering the dungeon), Knossos, the Freya war Game, the joint expedition between the Loki and Hestia Familia.
"What's the matter, Mom?"
"Hmm, nothing Ais, just remembering the funny little arguments that Lady Hestia and Loki have had over the years., that's all," The high elf replied.
"Oh, hmmm, I guess they can be funny," The blonde-haired girl said with a thinking look on her face, causing Riveria to chuckle even more. Even though Ais was almost 20, she still had the ability to look just as cute as when she was a little girl, and too be just as air-headed. Riveria was certain it would cause a certain white-haired boy to blush even though she knew he had seen…
Riveria quickly shook her head, wanting to change that topic immediately. Though she wasn't her biological daughter, ever since Bell started helping Ais with her emotions and becoming more of a person, in a way, Ais started calling her Mom.
Riveria smiled at the fond memory of when Ais first called her mom. They were simply going about their day, Riveria was brushing Ais' hair, getting her ready for her… was it her third or fourth date with Bell? Riveria couldn't fully remember all the small details but she definitely remembered what happened next.
"Ais, you look very beautiful. I'm sure Bell will agree."
"A-are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm very sure." Of course she was sure, this was Bell Cranel. The boy who faced the impossible and won and then blush at every single woman that looked at him.
"Thanks, mom!" Ais said.
This caused both women to freeze up. Riveria saw Ais's blush rise instantly, clearly not turning to avoid eye contact, even going so far as to look at her feet and not into the mirror. Riveria knew this was a sensitive topic for the girl. They still had to rescue Aria and Riveria knew this was always playing on Ais's mind.
To try and clear the air, Riveria slightly coughed into her hand.
"A-Ais. Don't worry about it, I'll pretend I didn't hear anything. Ok?"
"I-I-It kind of slipped out, sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry about."
"But…"
"But?"
"It…felt kind of nice… to say."
As the girl's voice got quitter, Riveria could only stand in shock at what she had just heard. Was Ais saying she was ok calling her Mom? That can't be right. I mean Riveria had given in trying to hide the fact she saw Ais as a daughter a while ago but she never openly admitted it. But she was a high elf, a level 7 adventurer and the strongest mage in Orario, if you didn't count Bell's cheat no chant, boosted magic, but it was unfair to count him in anything nowadays regarding status. Riveria stood up straight, smiled and re-started her brushing of the beautiful golden hair.
"Ais. It's ok, you can call me whatever you want."
This caused Ais to look up and into the mirror. Though she didn't turn, their eyes locked and everything else was said at that moment.
"Really?"
"Really really."
"Ok. Thank you…. Mom."
The two women then just stayed silent for a while, both basking in each other's company. It wasn't until a full minute later did Riveria realise she needed to clarify something.
"Apart from Old." She whispered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
The memory made Riveria smile. She continued her journey down memory lane. The next big highlight was Bell confessing to Ais and them becoming an official couple. She also remembered the very tremendous force of… she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, but it was something, a mixture of emotions to put it. She could definitely say where it was coming from. A couple of deities, a prum, Renard, an elf, a half-elf, a few humans and half of the population of Amazons.
Riveria's smile saddened a little as she remembered the saddened and defeated looks on most of the poor woman's faces that were unlucky enough to fall for Bell Cranel. Most had tried to prepare for the inevitability but none truly could prepare for the heartbreak it caused. She was especially hurt by the looks of Eina and Ryu, the latter she had come close with, with a trip to a few Elven villages and even a trip to the Alf forest. She did her best to comfort them, as well as a certain Amazon in her Familia who had been the best at hiding her true feelings for the boy. It didn't help that this event caused Finn and Tione to finally become a couple as well, only hurting Tiona more, seeing her sister achieve what she could not.
Riveria grimaced when she remembered walking into Tiona's room to see something horrible. The girl had reclused herself for a few days now, especially from her sister which only hurt Tione more and forced unnecessary guilt upon the older twin. Riveria knocked on her door and with no answer, she slowly entered only to find the young woman unconscious. Her top half was exposed with cuts strewn over her bare chest. They later came to find out that Tiona blamed her lack of breasts for the reason her sister won and she didn't. It was fortunate that with the falna and healing magic no scars remained but no flat jokes were ever made to the younger twin since. It shocked the Familia as a whole that the most open, happiest and joyful person they knew was hiding so much pain and self-deprecation.
Thankfully, most of the girls were able to move on and find new partners. The Prum girl, Lili, started to quickly rise through the ranks, gaining notoriety and surprisingly to everyone, but Freya, got with Alfrigg from the Bringar brothers. It seemed after the defeat at the hands of Hestia Familia and seeing Lili's bravery and intelligence first-hand, the Prum couldn't help but gain interest in the girl. It shocked Lili the most when he came by to check on her after what happened after the Loki/Hestia expecdition incident. While everyone was speechless, to say the least, it seemed Finn understood his reasons, earning a glare from Tione. The Renard surprisingly turned idown the other route and started a very strong relationship with her lifelong friend, Yamato Mikoto. The same thing happened with that girl who proved to everyone that she truly could see the future as she predicted the arrival of the black dragon, ultimately saving Orario. Eina managed to work her way up to deputy head of the guild, dating the man who took over after the retirement of Royman. Riveria has sent letters to Aina, defending the man and saying he was a respectable man who was just right for Eina as he was very down to Earth. Hestia turned from a lover to a proud mother for Bell, the Goddess seemingly being the best at handling the heartbreak. Riveria wasn't sure how Freya truly reacted but she was grateful to her for how she helped Ryu as Syr. The Goddess of beauty, who herself was fighting through the now 100% loss of Bell, was comforting Ryu over and over again.
Ryu, alongside Tiona, dealt with it the worst. The poor girl couldn't handle it properly. She had helped the boy several times. She was then saved by Bell in the dungeon, just thinking about what she learned happened to the two made her shiver. Ryu then travelled outside Orario to find her old Goddess to allow a conversion to Hestia Familia after finding out about the Freya vs Hestia war game. Becoming the vice-captain because of her previous experience, she helped them defeat the strongest Familia in the world at that point. Staying by Bell's side for the next year only increased her feelings for the boy and at one point it almost looked like Bell was going to return those feelings. But Fate had other ideas and it led to Bell saving Ais from herself, driving away the black flame and promising to save her mother. This cemented both of the two's feelings for each other at that moment, with any other choice now becoming obsolete. When the confession finally came, Ryu ran to the Hostess and shut herself in her old room. For 3 days she didn't come out, not even Mia could get her out. It seemed only Syr could go into the room, eventually talking her out of her depression, though the pain is still clear to this day. Riveria saw the slight twitch on Ryu's face after she found out about Bell's proposing to Ais. Tiona had gotten over it as she was still Tiona and didn't want to lose her reading buddies of Bell and Haruhime.
Where was she, oh yes. Now she got to the black dragon fight and the arrival of an Old God. To say Zeus returning didn't stir things up would be an understatement. In fact, it was the furthest way to describe it. Then afterwards claiming Bell as his Grandson and the heir to not only the great Zeus Familia but the even greater Hera Familia as well. To say everyone was shocked would be another great understatement, especially for the boy in question, who turned white, well whiter than usual, and just looked at his grandfather who he had just found out was a God, but to be honest, that is a whole story onto itself. It would probably take like a 300 to 400 page book to sufficiently cover Riveria would guess.
The Black Dragon. The only way she could express it was overwhelming. They thought they were ready for it. Cassandra's prophecy allowed them to prepare a week in advance. It meant very little. As the massive black shadow flew over Orario, everyone single adventurer, citizen and God knew this was going to be all or nothing. Life or death. The world would either become a paradise or the living hell it used to be. She even saw the stoic Boaz level 8 warrior of Ottar shiver as the Black dragon landed on top of the tower of Babel. The fire it spewed was as black as its scales. They took over a week to fully put out. The collapse of Babel still resides in every single person who was there to witness it. The debris and the fire already wiped out a quarter of the population of Orario. The worst part, they had hidden the deities in the tower and the nerve-wracking race to get them to safety all the while trying to fend off the epitome of evil. If it wasn't for Haruhime's level boost, Welf Crozzo's magic swords, Finn and Liliruca's decisive orders, her's, Lefiya's and every other mage's magic and Amid's almost God-like healing they wouldn't have succeeded.
However, it was the heart-wrenching sacrifice of the Goddess Hestia that properly hurt the beast for the first time. Staying in the tower, she threw out her arcanum to attract the dragon and with everything she had, she destroyed the monster's wings, incapacitating its ability to fly, alongside the freeing of the great spirit Aria. This, of course, forced her back to heaven but not without one final goodbye to her son and the rest of her Familia.
Riveria still remembers the first time she had ever seen Bell Cranel mad. It was when Athena had tried to kidnap Haruhime for her magic during a trip to Athens. When they found out, Bell decimated the entire Athena Familia like it was nothing. Anyone else probably would have killed them but he managed to hold back. That was nothing compared to how he was this time. After Zeus blessed his Grandson alongside the rest of the Hestia Familia, they all stood at the front as the new Zeus Familia, ready to do what their predecessors could not. Unleashing everything they could, Bell, Ais, Ryu, Finn, Bete, Gareth, Ottar, Allen, Tiona, Tione, Herself, Lefiya and Aria, all level boosted by Haruhime pelted the beast with everything they had. While the pseudo level 9, 4 level 8s, 4 level 7s, a level 6 a level 5 and a bunch of very powerful Welf magic swords did a lot of damage, it was the now pseudo level 10 that did most of the damage.
Achieving level 5 just before the Freya war game. Level 6 during their joint expedition, taking out the floor 49 Boss alongside the Loki big three, all earning a level up that day. Level 7 came after answering a distress call from up north and taking out the once thought mythical Medusa. Level 8 came after facing off against that black minotaur. The fight shook Orario even though it was fought on floor 18. The remnants of their fated fight still remain as no floor 17 Boss spawned since, the dungeon seeming to not spawn it again after the last one being killed instantly in the two's fighting, shattering the wall of sorrow alongside the Goliath. His final level up came when the ancient Goddess, Gaia, showed up at the gates of Orario, planning to destroy the city in hopes of cleansing the earth of humanity. It was the entire city who pushed the hordes of monsters back but it was Bell who defeated the main threat, the Hydra. With his base stats already making him on power with what can only be seen as a demi-god, the level boost only furthered that. According to Ais herself, he reminded her of her dad but not even the great Albert Waldstein could compete with Bell in that state. With one final push, Ais and Bell jammed the Hestia knife, which had been imbued with one last attack by Hestia herself, and the new and improved desperate into the only lodged scale on the entire body, courtesy to Bell's family 17 years prior.
While celebrations were in order, grieving also surrounded those who had lost. For many, it was friends and family and for Riveria, it was no different. Gareth. Alongside Ottar, the two muscle men of the group charged headfirst at the beast. Their sacrifice was what allowed Ais and Bell to get their final attack. The immense body strength held of the jaws of the Dragon, not even budging after being showered in the black flames. Their bodies still stood standing, even after their souls left for heaven. Their pose would be immortalised in stone at the base of the new tower of Babel with a statue that had every adventurer's name who died etched into it. A beautiful memorial for the fallen heroes.
After the defeat of the one-eyed black dragon, Aria decided to ascend to Heaven in hopes of reuniting with her beloved Albert with Zeus deciding to join her. While this upset Bell and especially Ais who had just got the family member they thought they would never see again now leave once more, they accepted the two's decision about being down on the mortal world for too long. The old Hestia Familia joined various Familia. Haruhime and Mikoto joined Lord Takemikazuchi. Welf Crozzo went back to Hephaistos. Ryu and Lili got Freya's blessing while Bell received Loki's. The only thing left to do was take on and conquer the dungeon, which took almost another year in itself. It's quite a story. All the big Familia's lined up together. Loki, Freya, Ganesha and all the others stood at the entrance to the final floor, ready to face whatever was waiting for them. The first thing that happened was…
"Mom? Hey mom?"
"Hmm. Oh, yes Ais. What is it, sweetie?"
"Are you alright? You were spacing out and you started to cry, is everything alright?"
And it was true. Riveria touched the side of her cheek to feel a bit of dampness from a stray tear. She knew it was from remembering Gareth. Even now that old Dwarf still had an effect on her. It would be annoying if it wasn't so sad.
"Don't worry, It's nothing, just looking at you now brought up some old memories, that's all."
"You sure?"
"Of course but the concern is appreciated," The high elf said, stroking the top of Ais' head. Normally she liked this sign of affection when it was just the two of them. However…
"Hey Mom, stop it. You are ruining my hair."
"Oh dear, sorry. Force of habit I suppose."
As Ais got up and left the room, wanting to show everyone else her engagement ring, someone else came in and took her place.
"Sooooo Mom, are you looking forward to walking her down the Aisle."
"Quiet Finn. Besides, shouldn't that be you or maybe Loki's job?"
"Maybe but I don't think she views us as much as a parent as she does to you," The Prum said with a teasing smirk.
"Would you lay off of that for just one day!"
"No can do I'm afraid, got to make up for two people now."
Both knew who he was referring to. Riveria damn well knew if Gareth was here, it would be the only thing he would talk about.
"Anyway Finn how are things going with you?"
It was now Riveria's turn to tease the Prum about his new family, especially with the ever-growing lump in Tione's belly. The two friends conversed for the next half an hour, letting time slip past them for the brief quiet time that the pair seemed to be sharing less of with each passing day. Riveria did enjoy these talks from time to time.
"Hey, Finn?"
How Riveria missed the talks she had with her old friend. To her, it only seemed like yesterday but to the stone pillar placed into the ground, it was half a lifetime ago. Back then though, Riveria thought she was going to have more time with her ex-captain because of Loki's blessing, which she hadn't felt for almost three decades now. As the high elf stood in the backyard behind a quiet cottage in the middle of almost nowhere, she began to reminisce. It seemed she was doing this more and more every day.
She remembers how the deities started to slowly trickle back into heaven. It started with Ouranos who, after the defeat of the evil in the dungeon, said that he was no longer needed and left the mortal realm for good. Just thinking about the dungeon was almost refreshing for the elf. Better days. Memories that couldn't be replaced and seemed couldn't be topped.
After Ouranos, slowly the others followed. One by one they all began to say their goodbyes. The next major one was Athena, who took Ares back with her after a talks of peace began between their two major cities. This then opened the gates. Known as the month of Revelation. It became common to hear or even see about 5-10 gods shoot back up into heaven each day.
She knew the day was coming. All of her Familia did. To say Riveria was scared about what would happen next was justified because she was. I mean, she was the only reason why they had all met. She was where it all began. The fateful day where she picked up a stray Prum, or a rebellious princess.
As the Goddess Loki, one of the final deities alongside Ganesha and Freya looked across at her massive family, she grinned. The same grin she showed every day to all of them. Riveria stood next to Bell as he consoled his wife and 3-year-old daughter. Tione and Finn held hands, doing their best not to crack as their 10-year-old child burst into tears.
"Thanks for the entertainment, it was really fun. I'll be waiting for ya, See ya in a bit!"
With a final wave and a toothy grin, Loki burst into a giant golden pillar, leaving the mortal realm and back to her original home. To all those that wouldn't have known, it felt like a very quick and bad goodbye. But to those that knew, that had talked or interacted with the Goddess of Mischief, that was the most Loki way of giving a heartfelt goodbye.
It was noted that day that the Prum Hero, The dragon slayers and the High elf princess joined in with their fellow Loki Familia members for one last group activity. But even though it was brief, they all knew that their Goddess would hold her promise and they would one day reunite with her.
"I guess ever since we lost our Falna, we started ageing properly again," Riveria quietly said to the grave, no one around to hear her. Finn had reached the decent age of 100. The 25 years with a blessing, and a high one at that, definitely factored into allowing the small man to live for so long. It had allowed him to watch his daughter grow and he was even around to not only see his granddaughters be born, twins must run in the family, but also see them both find happiness as well. His funeral was a mass gathering of everyone who had known him.
Riviera showed up alongside Lefiya and her human partner. They brought their adoptive son who didn't bring his newly acquired girlfriend, someone Riveria had still yet to meet but it was the wrong time to bring it up. The high elf also couldn't bring up the topic have how Lefiya still looked twenty while Amelia, her wife, looked 65. I mean she would as she was 65, as was Lefiya but Lefiya was an elf.
Raul and Aki were also there, though their child was not around with them for this occasion. Bete and Lena were talking with the couple, about what, Riveria didn't know
She found Bell and Ais together, all three of their children with them, and even a few little ones as well. Their eldest child, Tia, brought her own daughter along but not her son because he was too young to attend a funeral. Tia's first younger brother, Albert, brought his wife with a bump in her stomach and the second brother, Juno, brought his boyfriend. It was quite a shock when he first introduced the elf to everyone. The biggest thing for Riveria that day was apparently Juno was worried about her finding out he was gay. First of all, it was blatantly obvious to everyone and two, why would she care if her grandson was gay? She didn't was the answer, earning a very surprise hug attack from said Grandson.
When she walked over to the family, she noticed a small figure chatting to Bell. As she got closer she realised it was Alfrigg Gulliver. With his marriage to Lili, he had become quite close to the Cranel family and they had met on several occasions. She couldn't see the Prum woman herself though, which she found almost odd.
Riveria would later come to find out Liliruca Gulliver had passed away not long before Finn, only sombring the mood even more, especially for Tia who adored her great aunt. This made her glad Ryu decided not to come. When Riveria asked the elf, she replied that she had been to enough funerals in the last few years, as she was now the only staff of the Hostess group left. Hearing about another friend's death would only bring the poor elf girl down even more. Riveria really hoped that that girl found someone soon. She needed it.
Even though the event was held to mourn the passing of Finn Deimne, and Tione and her children did cry as did everyone else, it brought people together who had begun to lose touch. It turned from grieving for the death of Finn to a celebration of his life and everyone he had brought together under his command.
'How long has it been since I've visited?'
Riveria was currently walking into a village. It was about a week's walk away from Orario, well what was left of it. The earthquake really did a number on the city and then the tsunami afterwards from Melen only added further damage. While Melen did rebuild, as it was an important port town, Orario was left to slowly sink into mother nature. Riveria chuckled at the Irony of how the Goddess of the Earth finally got what she wanted, though it took a lot longer than Gaia probably wanted it to take as there were now no monsters to bring the downfall of humanity.
As Riveria walked further on into the Village, well it was more like a town now, she looked at the buildings that lined the streets. In Orario, there were some buildings still made out of wood. Now, even in a remote town such as this, polished brick buildings adorned the cemented sidewalk. It seemed with the deities leaving and with no magic to rely on, the mind of people went into overdrive and a technological boom occurred. The town itself was calming to walk through. A constant buzz of peace in the air, a nice fountain in the centre, just in front of the town hall and the mayor's office. Stalls of goods and food lined the streets, selling the daily needs of the populace. Crime seemed to be at the lowest possible rate, children ran around playing in a nice, open park area. Truly it represented the times they were living in. And as she passed a very large and well-kept statue, she was reminded why the peace had begun.
"Home of the Dragon slayers"
She got a few looks here and there but they were mostly gentle smiles and even a few waves of hello, some of them were old enough to remember her last visit after all. She didn't mind it and returned the kind gestures and carried on her way. It was only about 10 years since she had last visited after all.
Riveria eventually made her way to her destination. A quaint little cottage on the outskirts of town. When she first visited this house with its first resident and his grandson, it was very… bland to say the least, a woman's touch would have been a welcomed addition. Now though, a nice garden sat out front with a nice pathway leading to the front door. A 3-foot-high fence layered the perimeter of the place with a metal gate that Riveria opened.
Riveria gently knocked on the wooden door, alerting those inside to her presence. Her pointy ears twitched when she heard a woman's voice order someone to get the door, with a much younger voice answering with a quick "Ok".
The door opened to reveal a young girl. She looked no older than 5. Pure white hair that passed just below her shoulders contrasted with the golden eyes that stared up in awe at the high elf. This made Riveria chuckle. Even after so many generations, Bell and Ais' genes always seemed to win.
"Who?"
"Hi little one, I'm a…." Riveria didn't know how to really say what she was to this family.
"Who is it, sweetie?"
Before Riveria could decide on what she would say, a young woman peered around a corner. Riveria knew that she had just come from the kitchen considering how many times she had visited. The woman had pristine black hair that almost touched her hips. Her chestnut eyes met with Riveria's jade ones, both seemingly not knowing what to say. The woman slowly made her way up to the door, just standing behind the young girl.
"Lana?"
"Yes Momma?"
"Why don't you go and talk to your grandmother while I see what this nice lady wants, ok?"
"K"
Riveria watched as the little girl scampered off, skidding around another corner. When both women heard a door close, they once again looked at each other.
"What can I do for you?" The Raven-haired woman asked.
"Oh, hello. My name is Riveria and I'm here to visit some…"
"Wait, Riveria?"
"Y-yes. That is my name." Riveria said, perplexed at the woman's sudden interruption.
"That Riveria?"
"Is there another one?"
Silence washed over the two women as they just looked at each other. Just when Riveria was about to asl was wrong the woman quickly smiled.
"Oh my gods, is it really you? I've heard so much about you from Granny. She mentions you from time to time. I really should have recognised you from the Green hair and dazzling beauty. Honestly, I don't know where my head goes sometimes." The woman giggled after her very quick sentences. It was so quick that Riveria had to take a minute to just go over everything she had heard. She almost missed the invitation to come inside the house.
"Where are my manners? Hello, my name is Julia. Would you like to come in?"
As the two women walked inside the house, the younger of the two began to chat like the two had known each other ever since they were little, it was almost off-putting. She remembered knowing someone like this from when she was part of the Loki Familia all those years ago. She could almost see the resemblance between the woman and the bouncy amazon, well that was until Riveria noticed the two very decent size pieces of fat on the woman's chest.
"Hey Granny, wakie wakie, we have a guest. Granny!"
Riveria heard the young girl's, Lana was it, voice just beyond a door they were about to walk through. As Julie opened the door and the elf walked through, she saw the young girl who had greeted her. She was jumping up and down around an old woman who was sitting in a rocking chair. It seemed she had just woken up by the looks of a blanket almost falling off of her and onto the floor with a book resting in her lap.
"I've been awake this whole time. I was just reading you your favourite storybook before your mother asked you to answer the door, remember."
"Then why were your eyes closed when I came back then?" Lana said with a pout.
"I was just resting my eyes, is all." The old woman said with a snicker, only causing the young girl to pout even more.
"Granny, our guest is here, you will never believe who it is!" Julie said as she brought the two's attention to herself and Riveria. As the old woman turned to face the two women who had just entered, her eyes went wide.
"Grandma Riveria?"
"Hello again," Riveria responded with a bow. "It's been a while."
"Hey, Granny who is?"
"Ellie, I've told you about Grandma Riveria before, haven't I?"
"mmm-mmm," Lana said with a shake of her head.
"I definitely have, I'm sure of it. Well anyway, this is Riveria, she is a Royal Elf Princess."
" A PRINCESS, REALLY! JUST LIKE THE ONE FROM THE BOOK?"
"Yep but more importantly, this woman is the head of our family."
"I wouldn't say that" Riveria tried to say but the woman was having no of it.
"Nonsense, you have been part of the family since the very start."
"Really Tia, don't go that far about it."
"Tia? Who's Tia?" Julie questioned, earning a chuckle from the old woman.
"It really has been a long time, I guess you wouldn't recognise me and I guess I do resemble my grandma." The woman chuckled.
"Wait, you aren't Tia. Then who are you?"
"Granny who is she to us?"
Both Ellie and Riveria asked at the same time.
Instead of answering, the old woman grabbed a wooden cane from behind her chair and slowly stood up.
"Are you here to visit your daughter?"
As Riveria looked on at the Cranel family grave, she contemplated what she had learnt. The old woman she had just talked to, she'd thought was Tia, Ais' daughter. Instead, it was Grace. The last time Riveria had met Grace was when she was just 8 years old. Had she been gone for that long? As Riveria read the list of names on the family grave, she couldn't help but start crying.
Here lies the Cranel Family
Bell Cranel – 95
Ais Cranel – 101
Tia Farrows (Daughter of Bell and Ais Cranel) – 76
John Farrows – 75
Albert Cranel – 82
Taylor Cranel – 80
Tyler Hitchkins– 91
Lili Hitchkins (Daughter of John and Tia Farrows) – 91
Colin Curtis - 78
As Riveria finished reading the names, she tried to fill in where the others were. Tia and John took over the house after Bell and Ais died.
Albert and Taylor came back here in their final years but Riveria wasn't sure where their daughter went until about 10 years ago now.
Juno and his boyfriend almost disappeared, not leaving much of a trace. She hadn't found anything about them after that.
Grace Curtis was the old woman in the house she had just met. Riveria remembered her having Golden hair and red eyes, just like her Grandmother, Tia. She later found out that Grace only had one son, Jason Curtis who was currently away for work. Even now, skilled hunters were needed to help poorer villages. He had met Julie while doing one of these jobs and brought her home.
"Grandma Riveria, are you alright?"
Riveria turned to see Lana looking up at her. Her golden eyes reminded Riveria of Ais in so many ways, it only made her cry even more. She knew time passed quicker for elves, especially for high elves, but she didn't realise she had missed so much. It had only been 70 years.
That number suddenly hit her. Riveria hadn't visited in over 70 years. An entire generation has come and gone since then but for her, it was like being gone for only a few years. As she looked down at her great, great, great, great-granddaughter, she did her best to smile but with the horrible reality check, Riveria couldn't help but think that she would probably never see this young girl again, especially because of what her future entails.
"I'm fine Lana. By the way, that's a very nice name."
"Thanks, my mom gave it to me. Did you know it's short for something?"
"Oh really, do tell."
"Yeah, my real name is Atalanta, but everyone calls me Lana as it's easier."
"Atalanta. That is an even nicer name. Do you know your name has a special meaning to it?"
The young girl looked at Riveria with confusion, puzzlement, thinking and then excitement in a matter of a second.
"Really! What does it mean?"
"It means equal in weight"
Lana just looked confused. "What does that mean?" She asked.
"It means that you carry the ability and strength to show how strong anyone can be, no matter who they are. It means one day you will show the world that everyone can be strong."
"Really! Does that mean one day I can become a hero like Bell Cranel?"
Riveria chuckled as she wiped away the tears. "I'm certain of it," Riveria said as she gently grasped the young girl's hand in her own, knowing that this would be the last time she would ever come here.
"Hey, do wanna listen to the story Granny was reading me?"
"Oh, what was it?"
"It's called the Argonaut, it's really good. It's my favourite!"
"I wonder where Lady Riveria is now?"
"I'm not sure, I hope she was able to find them all."
"Me too."
Two elves were currently talking away in a room. It was quite a large room, it needed to be to hold all the knowledge that the elves had collected over their entire history. The two were currently going through them, trying to find an old story that they had remembered.
"I'm telling you I am right about this one!"
"No, you are not, Lawrence Cranel, and I will prove it!
"This is the third time you have done this Lefiya, and it will be the third time you are wrong."
"I'm telling you, Lefi and Argonaut weren't blood-related! How can they be? Lefi was an elf while Argonaut was human."
"And. I've. Told. You. That Lefi was only a half-elf, meaning that they were half-siblings."
"Well, we will find out when we find the book."
"Why don't you know where it is?"
"Why should I know?"
"You are the chief Librarian of the Alf forest; it is your job to know where everything is!"
"And you are my Hero loving assistant who always has an old hero book in his hands every damn day. You are the one who probably had it last."
As the two bickered away, Lefiya was reminded of how she used to argue with Lawrence's ancestor once upon a time. They looked almost identical too, with white hair and Red eyes. That human's genes were strong. The only thing different was the slightly pointed ears.
Lawrence was Bell's Granddaughter's son. He was a half-elf, his dad being an elf. 10 years ago he had shown up outside the Alf forest asking to speak to Riveria Los Alf. Before any major damage could occur, Riveria and Lefiya showed up to see what was going on. As soon as they saw the white hair and red eyes, they immediately let him in. As they listened to the young man talk of his mother and grandparents and live for heroes, it reminded the two elven women of Bell in so many ways, with Riveria being particularly relived at knowing the whereabouts and history of her family. They obviously let him in and Lefiya took him in as her assistant in the Royal Alf library. When Lawrance found out she was The Lefiya Virdis, who had not only fought alongside his ancestors but also the one who had depicted and written everything down, well it was like meeting your childhood hero. Lefiya wouldn't admit she enjoyed the praise but it wouldn't hurt to hear it now and then.
"Do you really think Grandma Riveria will take the throne?"
Lefiya didn't know how to answer that. For all the years she had known Riveria, and it was a long time considering she was now over 200 years old, every time the ascension to the elf throne came up, Riveria would say she wasn't interested. But ever since the King had begun to fall ill with an incurable disease, old age, everyone turned to the high elf princess. She closed herself off in her room for 3 days, seemingly thinking everything over. After she opened her bedroom door, she walked up to her royal advisors and her father.
"I will become queen, on one condition."
"And what is that my daughter?"
"Let me travel the world once more, I wish to do something."
By now the King did not wish to ask what it was his daughter wanted to do and he let her with his permission, as long as she was back within 5 years.
When Lefiya and Lawrence asked what it was Riveria wished to do, Lefiya almost got down on all fours in hopes of joining her.
"I'm going to find all of them!"
"Them?" Lefiya asked.
"Our old friends and family. I haven't seen them in a while and if I become queen I won't be able to see them again afterwards."
As Riveria started to make her way back home, she thought about the long 3-year journey she had now finished. She opened her notebook to see what she had found.
She never found the Demine Family bloodline but that was a given as they would all be Amazons with new names but she did manage to find his and Tione's gravestone again.
She knew Eina had died about 30 years ago, just after the early death of her mother. Eina's children were in the city of Athen, working as public servants in the city hall.
Lefiya was of course at the Royal Library and had been ever since the passing of her partner over 100 years ago now. Her adoptive son works in the garrison of the Royal Alf army, close to becoming the youngest captain in history.
Ryu died not long after her husband, who was a human. Riveria wasn't that sad because she found out that the elf had lived a very happy life with the one she found. It was thought she died so she could join her husband in heaven, as to not leave him waiting too long. Ryu was always a hidden romantic after all. Her twin daughters were travellers, leading lives of singing and telling stories over the globe. They were quite cheerful but had their mother's cunning along with her blonde hair.
Most of the elves that were in her fairy force had moved back to their villages. Her biggest surprise was hearing about Raul and Aki's legacy. They had both moved to Rakia after Ares left and completely rebuilt the army from the ground up. They were both hailed as heroes and their son joined them as he was the one who oversaw the peace treaty between Athens and Rakia alongside his wife, who was the adoptive daughter of the now prestige smithing family of the city.
And then she made her way here, to where Bell and Ais decided to live. It was where Bell grew up for 14 years and after coming back he helped shape the small village into the thriving trading town it was now.
And so Riveria began her walk back to the Alf forest with a smile. While she was sad at what she had missed and left behind, she was so glad that all of her old friends and family had lived happy lives. She wondered if they would be waiting for her in heaven when she eventually left her body.
Riveria lay on what she knew was her deathbed. Around her were a few doctors, advisors, friends and family. She didn't bother listening to the doctors or advisors and solely focused on the three people to her right. They were the son of Lefiya with his wife and Lawrance's daughter was also there. They seemed to be holding back tears but Riveria told them not to cry. As she had thought of her life so many times, she thought about how the world would remember her. Her time on the throne was almost 300 years long. She felt like she hadn't done much in that time but others told her otherwise. But the more she tried to imagine the stories, the more she realised she didn't care. What was important were the three next to her. Though to the outside, it seemed she had no family as she hadn't married and had no kids, Riveria knew different. Lefiya had gone from a student to a daughter and Lawrence was Ais' great-grandchild.
When Lawrence passed away at the age of 150, with Lefiya following it 50 years later, Riveria was shown to cry over their graves as a mother would. Their children would see Riveria not as their queen but as their Grandma. Just more people calling her Grandma she figured but she was really old by now.
And as Riveria looked on, she smiled at the life she had led, content with herself. So when she closed her eyes for the final time, a small smile graced her lips, looking forward to seeing her family once again.
Riveria Los Alf was seen as one of the greatest heroes to ever walk the mortal realm. She was remembered for a great many things. As part of the great Loki Familia who vanquished the Evil Black Dragon 500 years ago. How she helped conquer the dungeon that had terrorised the world for so long. How she oversaw the peace treaty signings between two great factions of the world, Athens and Rakia. How she was spotted travelling the world, helping out so many people on her journey while staying as humble as the most common man. She was seen as a mother to all, with so many stories about how big her family truly was. Hailed as the greatest monarch of the Elves, even greater than Queen Celdia. How she made sure the Elves would not fall behind the rest of the world in technological advancements. How she prioritised inclusivity and stopped any discrimination towards half-elves. How she got rid of the horrible thinking of the old elves and replaced it with seeing all races as equals and allies. How she helped create many of the world's governments and even personally created the meeting of all, which invited members of every race and country to a meeting to discuss world issues. How she would become the last ever monarch of the Elves, leading way for the great Elven Government that still use the laws and constitution she herself wrote. When she helped command the elven army alongside her grandson when a large force decided to try and conquer the world, only to be vanquished by a world army, led by a white haired, golden eyed girl who never discrimanted a race, allowing anyone to prove their worth.
Riveria Los Alf will be remembered as someone special for the whole world, with some even calling her the final Goddess to ascend.
Riveria opened her eyes and immediately shut them again as a very bright light shone into her Irises. When she re-opened them, a lot slower this time, she began to take in her surroundings. Last she remembered; she was ready to die in her room in the royal palace in the Royal Alf forest. Now though, where exactly was she?
"Took ya long enough, mama!"
Riveria immediately spun around. She knew that voice. No matter how long it had been, she would never forget that voice.
"Loki?"
"In the flesh. We can catch up later, come on," The Goddess said as she waved her hand, signalling for Riveria to follow.
As Riveria followed she tried to speak but Loki spoke before she could.
"Yeah, you're dead. Everyone always asks it so might as well just tell ya. Welcome to Heaven!"
Riveria truly began to take in her surroundings after Loki pointed it out. It was quite bright but her eyes quickly adjusted. All around her were floating islands, each seemed to have a different theme of architecture to them. She spotted large, flowing gardens. She saw massive buildings. She even saw a large coliseum just behind a big temple of some kind.
"What da ya think, pretty impressive aye."
Riveria could only mutely nod, still not being able to find her voice.
"Ya alright. Ya ain't said a word. Anyway, I know what will cheer ya up, they have been waiting for you after all."
"Huh, they?"
"Don't act like you don't know. See, we are almost there, don't tell me you don't recognise them pointy things?"
When Riveria focused in front of her, she saw large spiky spires sticking just over a crest. What a stupid question Loki just asked, of course she recognised those pieces of buildings. She had used them to find her way home for 30 years.
But what Riveria saw as she walked over the crest of the hill was not the twilight mansion, well parts of it was but not all of it. Loki seemed to notice the confused look on her face and smiled.
"It was originally the twilight manor but when Ittie bittie's child came up, we decided to merge her's and mine since ya know, I ain't giving Ais to her."
"Is that… the Hearthstone manor?"
"Correct, surprised ya remember it to be honest!" Loki said, muttering the last part to herself.
"Just wait here a sec, will ya."
And so Riveria stood still as Loki took about three steps in front and cupped her hands around her mouth.
"OI EVERYONE, SHE'S 'ERE!"
Riveria covered her ears at the very loud shout, turning her head away. When she slowly turned her head back round, about to ask what the hell Loki did that for she became stunned. Tears started to slowly fall down her face.
In front of her stood everyone. She saw everyone there. Finn and Gareth were smiling. Lefiya and Lawrance. All of Bell and Ais' children and grandchildren and so on, all looking in their twenties were all waving and smiling at her. She saw Bete, Tione, Tiona and their children and partners and children. All the elves from her fairy group. Raul and Aki and their child. There must have been a few hundred people there. She noticed the Goddess Hestia standing next to Bell, who was waving at her as well. Behind them was a tall, black-haired man holding hands with Aria. But as she continued to cry she also couldn't find the one person she was looking for, the one person she had wanted to see the most. She couldn't find her, not until she felt a force crash into her. She felt slender arms wrap around her, squeezing her for all she was worth. Riveria felt her clothes become wet from something. As she looked down, she saw a silky-smooth bed of golden hair nestled under her neck. The person she had wanted to see again for almost half of millennia looked up at her with tears in her eyes. In 400 years, Jade met Gold once again.
"Welcome home, mom."
"I'm here, Ais."
And as Riveria embraced her daughter, she looked on at the family she had built throughout her life, a smile shone through her tears.
"I'm home."
And that is the first of what I hope to be of many. First of all, have you wiped your tears away, cause I still haven't. I had to stop twice in the last part cause i couldn't see what I was writing.
Anyway, first off I'd like to say, don't bother trying to think of the timelines and the exact ages. The whole point of this is that you aren't meant to be able to keep track of time. Riveria is a high elf, the lingest living mortals. Tiem to them isn't the same as it would be to everyone else.
I hoped you like what I thought happens in the rest of the canon story and Bell's level ups. Most would also recognise references to other stories on this website which I enjoyed. HaruhimexMikoto is canon and is amazing and I will hear nothing else.
What I am looking for in this series is recommendations. What would you like to see be written about. The next story I post will be a previous story I finished that some of you might have already seen and hopefully that will give you an idea of what I wanna write. Not the main charaters story but side characters stories. Like how they get to where they are in the canon story or what happened after everything.
Anyway, I hope all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one, peace.