Now I'm really surprising you, the second chapter in only a few days. Real talk, wrote a majority of this in a day. This was something I wrote partially out of spite, but it actually gave me the motivation to write this. I think it turned out well. And now, I wait in terror.

Also, the reason this is being posted now instead of later is that I'm gone from Tomorrow to Sunday night. Gotta help my brother move some stuff nine hours away. Okay, enough about me. As always:

"Speaking"

Personal thoughts

*Ability/Spell*

...

"Is it still raining?" Lefiya asked herself as she looked out the window from her room in Twilight Manor. She had just come home from visiting Axton in the hospital, and it was pretty late. The next morning, the skies were grey and muggy and the rain continued to pour at a steady rate. It wasn't heavy, but if one stayed outside long enough, it would be uncomfortable, possibly getting a cold.

For some reason, he looked so peaceful when he was sleeping. I really need to stop taking these thoughts out of context. "I hope he's still inside, if he's out in the rain… no, he wouldn't be that stupid, right?"

"Hey, Lefiya?" the young elf heard a knock on her door, "It's me."

Stunned, "Uhm, Loki?" Lefiya wondered why her own Goddess was outside her door, and not peeping for once? Who is she and what has she done with the real Loki?!

"Yeah, I know, but I have something to tell you regarding Axton's condition," Loki's voice carried through the door.

The elf stood from her bed, flattening her clothes before she opened the door. Loki was leaning on the door, eyeing her. "Good, we need privacy for this," she said, her tone meaning that this was for her own pointy ears only. Besides the executives, no one else knew about the true extent of his condition. The door shut and Loki leaned against it, getting her thoughts in order.

"What's this about Axton? I thought he was injured from saving me from those vines…" seeing Loki's posture made her heart freeze in place. Was it worse than I thought...

Some of the rumors that floated around Orario were saying that he was taken out by some monster that was under his level. That statement's aim was to make him seem weak like he was unbefitting of his title, but no one dared say it aloud. The Loki Familia would take action. Mostly Ais… probably. She doesn't take slights against her only blood-related family lightly.

Back to the main topic at hand, "No, Axton'll live, he just needs rest. Since Amid has predicted that he was going to wake up either today or into the next two days, I'm confident in telling you this because he probably won't, for what reason, I don't know." Actually, Loki knows the reason, but she'll see if Lefiya can use that pretty brain of hers to see through the real reason. "My point is, the reason why Axton was as injured as he was is because of a skill, but this skill isn't like every other skill. While it does give benefits, it has a severe drawback. I've called this a Cursed Skill, and it has a passive trigger, so he doesn't have control over it."

"Is that why he moved so fast? Why he looked over at me…?"

I think she might be figuring it out, Loki grinned good-naturedly. "When it was active, he was using it to protect you, unknowingly; because had that vine hit you, it might've impaled you so he took the hit. However, the skill is called a Cursed Skill for a reason. When it's active, any damage he takes is doubled, supposedly. I don't know the true extent of the multiplier, but I've seen a minor hit go to a bruise, a cut to a minor or major scar, and this was the most recent. It was enough to make him comatose, apparently, not for the first time."

"Are you saying that this has happened before?!" Lefiya exclaimed, fists clenched.

Loki nodded, "Now you're understanding what we go through with him. As much as we all love him, Axton is a real hassle sometimes, but that's just who he is. A protector. The one to stand in the face of insurmountable odds, knowing full well that he probably won't return. I just hope it won't come to that, Lefiya. So do me this one favor…"

The elf has never heard Loki speak in such a revered tone before, so naturally, she was suspicious, "It depends on what the description of this favor is, Loki." Internally, she was still compiling all the information that Loki just told her. A Cursed Skill? This isn't the first time? Her poor little elf brain might just overheat from the exposition.

"Simple, just watch over him as he does to the familia. Whether you know it or not, I love all my children no matter what, I just show it in a myriad of ways. Now, if you don't have any questions, I have a meeting to get to."

Regaining her composure, she nodded. Loki returned the nod and opened the door, but before she could leave, Lefiya stopped her Goddess by putting a hand on her shoulder, "How long?"

Loki thought for a moment, not teasing her this time, "Since he was ten. After all, you probably remember the events during that time. It certainly wasn't a bright time, even the history books don't mention the event."

"Thank you. Now, I'm going to see him again. Something tells me that he needs someone by his side," Lefiya said.

"Ouuu, you going to admit your feelings for him?" Loki teased, going back to her Trickster ways.

Lefiya turned cherry red, "Nothing of the sort! I just want to make sure he's alright. After all, you just told me to look after him!"

Loki pacified, "I guess I did, but be careful. You're still recovering, okay?"

Thousand Elf nodded, "I'm aware, now if you'll excuse me, I have a clinic to go to."

However, that plan was derailed as a member arrived to report to Loki, "Lady Loki, I have word from the clinic!"

"And?"

"The Sword Prince is missing!"

Loki facepalmed, "Damn it, Axton, making our lives harder."

Lefiya immediately thought of his health, wondering what drove him to leave the clinic where it was warm and dry.


It got worse from there.

The rain picked up within the past hour. Something that everyone in the Loki Familia noticed. Of course, the knowledge that the Sword Prince was out in the rain worried them greatly. Even so, they also knew that it was not Amid's fault. She would probably be far more upset at herself than him. Or angry.

Lefiya entered the mess hall, the dining room, whatever it is formally called because she was looking for Miss Ais. Thankfully, two sisters answered her call, "Have you seen Miss Ais?"

"Unfortunately not. The last we knew, she was at the clinic with him because she didn't want to be separated from him, which is honestly weird for me to say…" Tione said. "Usually, Ais is a little bit more reserved, so for her to express this much emotion, well, it's throwing everyone for a loop, even if they don't show it."

The younger girl was unaware of how much of an impact this was having. Theories from other members were all over the place. One was saying how he skipped town, another saying how he was hiding underground because of some made-up past crime. Nevertheless, Lefiya knew those were false. After a moment of not responding, Tiona gently waved her hand in front of her face, "Lefiya? Yoo-hoo! Are you still with us? You spaced out there."

Shaking her head lightly, "Yeah, but I'm going to look for him. He's a valued member of the Loki Familia and it's our responsibility to make sure he's safe."

"Looks like little Lefiya is growing up, it almost brings a tear to my eye," Tione joked, patting the girl on the shoulder.

Smiling sheepishly, having fully expected a teasing remark, she strode for the door, grabbing a raincoat for herself, and an extra. Just in case she found him. "I'll check in after three hours."

"Wait! You don't want any company?" Tiona asked.

"Thank you, Miss Tiona, but I don't require company. The rain reminds me of Wishe, I think it may help me clear my mind because I certainly have a lot to think about," Lefiya denied the company of the Hiryute sisters. If she was lucky, she would find him somewhere in her travels. The first place she would check is the clinic. Then, she would check from the Coliseum in the East to the West, heading south. Basically, the lower half of Orario.

Leaving Twilight Manor with a small wave to the poor guards that were out in the rain, Lefiya made a mental note to get them something for toughing it out. Cradling the secondary raincoat under her own, she set off into the rainy streets of Orario. Heading south down North Main Street, the clothing shops were beautiful, dresses for elves lined one shop. Scandalous items for Amazons lined another, and further down, some food stalls like the Jagamarukun stands, and even something called a 'crepe.' It turns out, Demeter Familia has some really interesting connections. Maybe Axton will like one. If it's still open, or when it at least stops raining, I can get him one. For some reason, her mind didn't think of it as lewd or obscene, but… nice. Heartwarming even.

So, people wondered why Thousand Elf was smiling so freely, and it may have gained some potential admirers. Her elven beauty was not contained just because of a raincoat. It snuck out every now and again. Of course, she wasn't as beautiful as Lady Riveria, but she was still young. Her beauty has yet to come out in full.

Her smile dimmed as the clap of thunder brought her back to the present. That flicker of worry was being fanned into a wildfire. If Axton was out here, then he could really get sick. If the damage to his body was as great as Lefiya was led to believe, then this weather could really be bad. "Where could you possibly be?"

"Lefiya?" a soft-spoken voice said.

Turning around, she saw beautiful golden eyes, but some part of her wanted those to have a little bit more onyx in them. "Miss Ais?"

"Have you seen my brother?" the tone of her voice finally came to Lefiya. It was coated with worry.

"No, I'm searching as well, but had I know that I would run into you, I would have brought another extra raincoat," Lefiya said, shuffling said raincoat in her arms.

"No need, I can use Ariel to dry myself off later, right now, my brother takes priority. I want to know how he slipped outside when we were both at his bedside," the blonde-haired swordswoman said, getting more and more distressed by the minute. The young elf raised an eyebrow at that, but quickly composed herself.

"Do you have an idea of where he could have gone? Are there any memories of where he goes when he wants to be alone?" Lefiya questioned.

"I've already checked the wall, and I've spoken to Shakti," Ais said, and despite her social awkwardness, she can hold a conversation when it was super important. "She hasn't seen him since the Hostess incident, but she's sent out patrols to look for him as well, discreetly. Amid is… frustrated, to say the least."

"How bad?"

"Bad enough where she wonders if her magic can be used to inflict curses," Ais mumbled, just barely audible over the rain. Lefiya barely heard her and shivered. She told herself that it was because of the rain.

"On that note, I'm going to check the south end, where will you go, Miss Ais?" Lefiya inquired to her elder. As much as she wanted to go with her, she had something to tell him, mostly to scold, but to inform him of what Loki told her. She wants to understand the Sword Prince. No, not just his persona, but she wants to understand Axton Wallenstein. Everyone knows that beneath the fancy titles, the nicknames, and the rumors that there is a person—demi-human or not—who have their own thoughts, emotions, and fears. Thanks to Loki, Lefiya understands one thing about him.

Not hearing a response, Lefiya turned to see that she already left, the smell of the faint spring breeze lingering for just a moment longer before being washed out by the rain. Another clap of thunder and a flash of lightning made Lefiya move just a bit faster.


Should I leave? He thought as he sat in a nearby tree overlooking the graveyard. Axton thought about the stress he's probably—most definitely—put on his familia. Axton had managed to hide underneath a pretty huge tree, the branches covering him from the rain. However, he wasn't quick enough so he was trying to keep himself warm. If he left, he'd be drenched and while Ariel could dry him off, the lingering cold would nip at his bones. So, he's better off waiting. Not to mention the thunder and lightning going off right now. Another reason he was staying put.

"Sometimes I wonder what goes through everyone's head when I do things like this," Axton said to himself. In reality, he was speaking to the statue of his father. Crying about it made him feel like a small weight was lifted from him. Now, he's gotta face the music. "Hey, Dad? I think I have two potential admirers… you haven't met her, or maybe you have… but I think I have to let one of them down. I'm pretty sure that her heart wouldn't be able to take dealing with me injured all the time. I… she's gorgeous, and something I don't want to do is make her cry. The problem is we have such amazing chemistry, and we bonded over that event… the other is beautiful, like, I didn't see it even though she was right in front of me all the time. Her soft smile, the way her expression lightens up when she's happy… the way her ears twitch..." his hand rested over his heart, "Heh, even now, she's got my heart moving, but I'm afraid… afraid that she doesn't see me that way. Even though I've gotten over five hundred confessions, there's really only one I want… but I'm not confident in myself." When he thought about it further, he was a hypocrite really.

Hell, the people who confessed to him had more confidence than anything. However, there was a tradition that was in the way. "How can I forget about that? I don't know the first thing about courting, but I guess if I ask Riveria, she might help…" or she might tease me about it first.

"Hey!" someone shouted from below, and wouldn't you know it, it was the rabbit.

"Bell? That you?" Axton shouted. To be fair, he wasn't that high in the tree, but he definitely wasn't on the ground. He was maybe about ten meders, give or take two, off the ground, resting on a thick tree branch.

The boy rubbed his neck, "You do realize that half of Orario is looking for you?"

"How bad?"

"The Ganesha Familia has joined the search," he replied reluctantly.

Whispering to himself, "Well, damn." Looking down, he leaped from the tree and landed perfectly. If not for the fact that his body hasn't fully healed, he was all good. Except he felt his skin shift. Oh, she is so going to kill me.

"Are you alright?" Bell's eyes followed to Axton's shirt, seeing the slight discoloration. Ais had thankfully came with a second set before he snuck out. He'll thank her later, hopefully before she gets upset.

"Yeah, I'm…" the smell of iron filled the muggy air, "not fine… you have a potion on you? I'll give you two in return." Axton grimaced at how he sounded, but fortunately—or unfortunately, depending on one's point of view—Bell took that as a painful grimace.

"What did you do?" the genuine concern in his voice almost made the Prince drop the potion.

Downing the potion, he felt his wound stop bleeding, but it wasn't closed. Looks like I have another scar in my near future, possibly more… "It was no big deal, I let my guard down at the wrong moment. I know what you're thinking, 'but you're a first-tier adventurer. If you made a mistake that could mean death.'" Bell just nodded. He felt bad about having to lie to the white-haired boy, but the fewer people who know about his skill, the better. "It very well could, but I was covered."

Bell's ruby red eyes looked him over again, seeing the concern, "I… uh, wanted to ask you something."

"No, I'm not interested in you, I'm straight," Axton replied robotically.

"What?"

Shaking his head, "Sorry, but once you have people confess to you, and you aren't interested, those are the exact words I say. Force of habit." Accompanied with a shrug, he gestured for Bell to continue. Axton looked over his shoulder while waiting for Bell to get his thoughts in order.

Noticing Bell about to speak, he focused on him, "I…" Wow, he's nervous. "I believe I have a crush on your sister. Possibly even more..." his last sentence trailed off in a whisper.

"Okay, and?"

Shocked, "You're not upset? Angry?"

"Why would I be? You got her to blush, okay? If you want my approval to woo her, you already had it," not that he really needed it in the first place. Axton replied like he was discussing what he wanted to eat for lunch. In fact, it would be in her best interest. If it takes away her focus from that damn Dragon, then I'll accept the reprieve.

Bell obviously didn't expect the flippant response, "So, you aren't going to pull the overprotective older brother act?"

"Fun fact, she's actually older than me, but I appreciate the compliment. It means I've been doing a half-decent job at being the elder sibling," Axton revealed. "I'll still be protective, but I'm not interfering with her love life. Ais is her own person, and she's free to make her own decisions." That doesn't mean I can't intervene with her destructive tendencies. "That means you're prime target one for teasing you getting all lovey-dovey with my sister, but you tell me details I don't want to know, I will throw you over the wall." Ah, that may have been too much, but it did get my point across… probably.

Bell laughed nervously, "I'd never do that, honest. I just figured I'd tell you first…"

"Not a problem, Bell. After all, someone's gotta catch her attention." Axton watched as a beaming smile came to Bell's face, a smile that was disarming as well. The Sword Prince didn't think that a smile could be so serene. He knew that something was pure about him. The selflessness in him may lead to manipulation though. He wears his heart on his sleeve. "Wait… how did you find me? If you found me, then how has no one else?"

Bell chuckled nervously, "I actually wanted to explore Orario since I'm so new, but I heard whispers and rumors that you're missing, so it was by pure luck that I found you." That was the truth. As far as Axton knew, Bell was level one, so he didn't have any abilities or skills to show. It really was luck, this time.

Scrutinizing Bell for a moment, "I see. Well, I would have left, but I think I'd catch a cold. It's different in the Dungeon I feel. Sometimes, I wonder what lies at the bottom."

"Do you plan on making it your mission to get to the bottom?" Bell asked, and the young boy noticed the way his shoulders released tension. Timed with yet another thunderclap, the delay longer than the last, Axton inhaled and exhaled.

"I don't know, but I think that's the hidden part of adventuring that everyone glosses over. The unknown and what it could bring. Sure, one could argue the Dungeon is never-ending, but there is something in there. It's just a matter of resolve, perseverance, and grit," Axton said, reaching out a hand towards the sky, clenching his fist soon after. "So, are you heading back?"

Bell's eyes widened, "Oh I forgot to tell the Goddess that I'd be out for so long! Gotta run! Maybe I'll see you around?" His statement got quieter as he ran away.

"Maybe you will, probably sooner than you think, future brother-in-law," Axton allowed himself to smirk. I like that kid, he seems to be the one to put himself on the line to defend those he holds dear.It was also quite refreshing for him to speak normally to me like I was just another adventurer. "You can come out now, Lefiya."

Axton heard a gasp before someone came around the trunk of the tree. Of course, Lefiya Viridis was standing there, eyes wide in surprise, and with a raincoat. The blond swordsman had to withhold his staring as he watched the rain droplets that stuck to her raincoat fall off, reflecting in her eyes. "How long did you know I was here?"

The blond smiled, "Just right after Bell showed up. Not to mention I could feel your animosity against him. You don't approve, do you?"

"Truthfully, no. A human like him isn't worthy of Miss Ais." Not yet, at least.

Axton shot back, "And you are?" It sounded harsh, but he was turning her own statement against her. It internally hurt to say that, but he didn't show it.

Her shoulders slumped, "No, I don't believe anyone is."

"Good, because I was prepared to call you out if you lied, and it's her call anyway. Bell has the power over her, and neither of them knows about it. So, how bad did I escalate the situation?"

Lefiya stood across from him, a mere meder away, "Bad enough to throw Orario into a fuss."

"The one thing I can appreciate, blunt honesty. How mad is Amid?" I need to talk to her.

"In short, furious. Miss Ais is incredibly worried as well," Lefiya said, her blue eyes piercing his onyx-golden ones. "Miss Taesanare wanted to inflict a curse on you with her magic."

Axton turned away, shoulders slumped. "So, what do you know?"

"I'm afraid I don't un-"

His eyes gained a fierce look, "Don't lie to me, Lefiya. Loki told you, right? My Cursed Skill and what it does to me and the person in question?"

The young elf sighed, "Yes, she told me. She also told me to watch over you like how you do for us, which is only part of the reason I came to find you." Then, her eyes got the same fierce look he had, "Why do you throw your life away like this?! You may be on the front line in the vanguard, and it's my job as a mage to protect you, but you keep thinking selfishly! You're not the only one who worries!" She had stepped closer, right into Axton's personal space. Even though she was a few celch shorter than him, she had this dominating presence when she was upset.

He got a great view of her eyes, that burned with a fury few could contain. To his credit, he appeared unfazed. However, he found himself liking that look, but as he had just explained to his own private thoughts, would she reciprocate? Cute? Check. Assertive? Check. Able to put me in my place and give me something to think about? Jury is still out on that one...

Silence was her answer, but she noticed the faintest blush on his cheeks, which in turn, made her back off bashfully, "You're a part of the familia for a reason. We rely on each other, we pick each other up when we're down. You don't have to be this impenetrable wall all the time. It's okay to show a little weakness because if you keep bottling it up, it'll affect you down the road."

"Bete would disagree, but… I see the logic in your words, Lefiya. I know I didn't have to hide the skill, but I just don't want anyone I know to die or to worry about me. It would hurt far more than any sword ever will," Axton said softly, his voice downturned from moments ago. The smile that Lefiya wanted to see was nowhere to be found.

On instinct, Lefiya rushed to close the distance and hugged him, not caring about the rain on her. Her arms gently wrapped around his torso, and she missed the way his eyes widened, just like Bell's earlier. He glanced to the statue, mentally pleading with it to help him. "When will you understand that we will always worry about you?"

When she didn't feel his arms around her, she tried to back away before she was literally pinned to his chest. His arms came around her with a gentle vice-grip. The hood of her raincoat was lowered and she felt his chin on her crown. "Thank you, for attempting to talk some sense into me."

She grinned, "This isn't an attempt, I will talk some sense into you."

His chest rumbled with a few chuckles, making Lefiya's blushing cheeks return with a filthy vengeance. This is so inappropriate! Yet another part of her liked being held like this. She wanted to let go, but the irrational part of her mind wanted to stay.

"So, what's the plan?"

"We're going to the clinic to apologize to Miss Teasanare, then once we find Miss Ais, apologize to her. Actually, you have to apologize to me first!" Lefiya said triumphantly.

"Then, let me," Axton said before breaking the hug, much to his displeasure. He liked having her close. It was warm, even in the rain. Then, he got down on one knee.

Is he proposing?!

"Lefiya, I am truly sorry for making you worry about me. I am also sorry that I hid my skill from you. I was thinking selfishly and I hope that you can accept my apology. I swear to make it up to you. You are far more helpful than you believe," he said. The tone and the way his stare punctured her own made her chest rise up and down faster.

"I-I… I a-accept your apology, but can you stand up? If someone comes here, they'll think you're proposing!" Lefiya said with a cherry-red face.

I don't see the problem with that, Axton thought to himself. However, that may not fly with her customs. Axton stood up, grabbed the back of her head and he kissed her forehead. She wasn't the only one with flushed cheeks now. This was bold of him, abnormally so. He wasn't even paying attention to the beating of his own heart. What he did focus on was the adrenaline in his system. "Now, can I have the extra raincoat, I'm starting to get cold." A shiver ran down his spine as a stray drop of water hit the nape of his neck. A message to watch his step.

Lefiya handed him the raincoat but noticed he struggled with getting it on properly. She frowned, "You're still injured, aren't you?"

"Yeah… just a little. By the way, how did you know where I was? Did you follow Bell or something?"

Lefiya shook her head, shaking off some residual raindrops. This tree was very helpful. Axton can't imagine having this conversation in the midst of a downpour. "Miss Ais went to the Wall where you normally 'brood' as it was put. I agreed to check this half of Orario first, starting from the Coliseum to the Western gate. Something just told me that I'd find you here. Who were you talking to anyway? To clarify, I saw your mouth moving before I got here, but it wasn't to the human."

The sixteen-year-old boy froze momentarily, Did she hear me address him as 'Dad?' If she finds out, that's a problem. A major problem. "Just was talking to whoever was listening out here. I find it peaceful when you can talk to the deadknowing they can't scold you. Er, what's a better way to put this?"

"Lending an ear?" Lefiya said, making her own elven ears twitch, which Axton found mesmerizing.

"Yeah…"

"What are we going to do with you? I know Loki said you're a handful, but I didn't think she meant it literally," Lefiya teased him as she stepped backward with a small smile. She giggled as she watched a tick form on his handsome face. She missed the way she thought of him, whether that be purposeful ignorance or denial, was uncertain.

"I'll have you know that I am the best handful you can get!" he retorted, following after her.

The rain had slowly died down like Orario knew the crisis was slowly being adverted.


The two managed to make it outside of the clinic. In actuality, Lefiya had to drag him there as facing the Saint after 'bouncing' from her care was enough to make sure that he'd stay if she got her hands on him again. He'd rather see Goliath for a friendly chat.

"Get inside, and I swear if you bolt, I will release Wynn Fimbulvtr on you," Lefiya threatened.

Axton narrowed his eyes, "You can't cast it that fast." Not an insult to her, but that spell takes at least thirty seconds to a minute to cast, dependent on the situation.

"Try me," Lefiya responded.

To the outside observer, it looked like they were flirting. They thought nothing of it, really. Two children, in the eyes of many, were having a good-natured argument. There really was nothing to it. At least until they took a second look at who it was, then people started scrambling.

Entering the clinic was another story entirely, but Axton forced his feet forward, one step at a time. As the door opened, he was met with the biggest glare in his life from one Amid Teasanare. "You have a lot to explain. Do you realize how worried I was? My patient comes in half-dead in his sister's arms, enters a brief coma, and then disappears without a trace?! Do you know how that makes me feel?!"

"I do."

"Oh, do you?" Amid's tone was frantic, but her facial expression did not change. Lefiya had to step away because the normally toneless Doctor was not here. She must have been replaced by a very convincing body double. A flimsy excuse to not be there to suffer the Doctor's wrath. "Every time I heal someone, they come back with either the same wound or worse, dead. That almost happened with you, then you up and disappear without a trace. You've sent Orario into a frenzy."

"So I've heard, and I wish to apologize. I acted selfishly because I needed to be alone. This skill hurts me emotionally as it does physically, which is why I need you to be honest with not just me, but with yourself." Because if I read her right, then…

Does he know? Amid thought to herself as she stared down her crush. Yes, she admitted it to herself when she realized that he was gone. It's been building for at least two years now, but she restrained herself because she didn't want to be known as a groomer. Once someone hits sixteen, they are an adult in society's worldview. "I…"

"Listen, I've seen the same thing hundreds of times, Amid," he stepped closer to her, reaching for her hand. "The looks, the concern, overly so in some cases, and I appreciate that, but I can't be that person for you. I think if I was, you'd worry far more than you are now, and while your hair can't be graying, it'd fall out," he chuckled once. "I think that it'd break your heart every time I come in here, and if I'm right, I already have."

His hand made contact with hers, "I…" she said again, looking distinctly bashful. Flushed cheeks and all. "Yes… I have a crush on you."

Axton winced. He hoped he was wrong because he has to do the one thing that he never likes doing: Denying her. "I'm so-"

"You need not apologize for something that is not your fault," Amid cut him off, surprising him. "I know that you are not going to return my feelings, but I can only hope that whoever catches your eye is someone you can stand beside. I know I am not that person."

Axton's jaw dropped, not having expected her to be so understanding of the situation. Aren't women supposed to be a little more emotional? Well, he was basing it on Ais, so anyone is more emotional than her, but that was slowly changing. Closing his mouth and regaining his words, "I also believe that we wouldn't work because of the aforementioned reason, but also because I don't want to come in here, and potentially die in front of you. That would be a regret. One for Orario, but also for you. You deserve to be happy and I am not the source of happiness you crave. I do wish to continue being… are we friends?" Axton asked, trailing off.

Amid used her free hand to wipe away a stray tear from his face. Axton mentally tried to figure out when he started crying. "We are friends and business partners. Now, allow me this one thing."

"As long as it's not a-" she cut him off again, but this time with a hug. Amid Teasanare, Dea Saint, the quote-unquote 'apathetic Doctor' was hugging him.

"Just let me be selfish for once," he heard her whisper.

Wrapping his arms around her, offering comfort in the only way possible now, "You don't even need to ask, if you want a hug, I'll provide it. Thank you for understanding… I didn't really know how to go about this..."

In a rare moment, Amid cracked a joke, "Well, part of my job is to observe the patient, and you're a quick study."

"Hey now…"

"I didn't know you were progressing that fast," Lefiya's voice floated inside. Was that jealousy I'm hearing?

"Lefiya/Miss Viridis," the two guilty people said. Through multiple stutters and speech problems, they explained the situation.

"You have a visitor," she said plainly after getting the explanation. Secretly, in private, she would cheer for joy.

Back to the present, a new figure stepped through the clinic's doors. Her hair was a little damp, but her golden eyes felt like they could scorch the very ground on which she walked.

"Ais…" Axton trailed off.

Her hands landed on his shoulders and squeezed, her glare making Axton consider using Ariel and running. Then, the tension in her hands lessened and brought him into a hug, "You're safe…"

"Why wouldn't I be? After all, Lefiya did a great job at protecting me, and Amid is superb at healing," Axton joked, sending a wink in Lefiya's direction.

"Why did you hide this skill?" Ais asked the most difficult question. Sometimes, in rare occurrences, the hardest questions have the simplest answers. Thankfully, he didn't have to answer as Amid noticed the substance on her sleeve. It smelled like iron, and it originated from Axton.

She pointed to the bed that he previously occupied, "Get on the bed and take off your shirt."

Axton had whiplash from that, "Ex-friggin-cuse me?! Didn't we just agree to be friends?! I'm not into that!"


Over the course of the next two days, Axton would receive multiple lectures from various members of the Familia. One from Loki, one from Finn, Riveria, and Gareth. He'd get a noogie from the Hiryute twins, then a pat on the shoulder from Raul, and a hug from Anakitty—before they both hit him upside the head.

He received Requiem back and he didn't know how much he missed it until it rested in his hands, sharpened to perfection. Ais had received two things, Desperate and a forty-four million valis debt. This debt was for breaking the replacement rapier from Monsterphillia.

So, the Dungeon was the one place to go for this. Thankfully, Finn did not place a 'restricted access' order on him. All Finn wanted—most likely shared by the executives—was for him to recover and be at peak efficiency before the next expedition.

Fast forward to now, a day after leaving the clinic, and Royalty was sitting in a common room. The two of them were relaxing in separate chairs when Tiona brought up a valid point, "When was the last time we entered the Dungeon under the pretense of our own free will? Usually, we go because of expeditions. Plus, I wanna earn some valis for my own debt."

Riveria spoke up, "That's… not a bad idea." Admitting that part was true made Tiona beam. In fairness, it has been a while since Nine Hell entered the Dungeon just as a normal adventurer.

"I don't want to go," Tione said.

"What if I convince the Captain to go?" Tiona asked instantly, knowing her sister's weak spot.

"Then I'll go," Tione said with hearts in her eyes.

Axton snorted, "Okay, assuming I'm not barred from going, I'd like to go. Anything I get will probably go towards paying Ais's debt." Shooting a look at her, she understood that he wasn't going to argue with her.

Tione rounded on him, "You already paid for your repairs?"

The Sword Prince smirked, "I have an account set up to put seventy-five percent of all my valis earned away for the time being. I use the rest to buy food, clothes, stuff that isn't provided here. I've tried to convince others to set one up, but they won't go for it."

"How much have you saved over the past decade?" This was Riveria asked.

"A little personal, don't you think, Riveria?" Axton countered. "However, it is not enough to pay off all of her debt, that is all I can say."

"I'd like to go as well," Ais spoke up. Her not-so concealed glances at her brother didn't go unnoticed. He chose to ignore them. He knows she cares, but she doesn't need to go overboard. Am I being hypocritical… again?

Tiona beamed, "Well, that's five. Lefiya, do you want to go too?" The cheerful Amazon turned to the young elf in the room.

"Wha… I mean, sure, if I can get a valuable experience out of it, then I don't see a problem," Lefiya said, avoiding Axton's inquisitive stare.

Ever since a few days ago, when Lefiya saw Amid and Axton hug, she's avoided him. To Axton, it was a little disheartening. She was still curt around him, but he didn't know what was wrong. The thing was, he was enjoying her presence. She was fun to be around. Shaking his head a little, he turned away with a flush as he remembered their conversation in the rain. He hoped no one noticed, but of course, Riveria noticed with a raised eyebrow and glance at the two. First Ais, now Axton. Are the Wallenstein siblings this dense when it comes to romance?

Riveria out here asking the real questions.


On the eighteenth floor, Rivira, a man was entering a hotel with a woman on his arm. The two were obviously planning on something because the floor displayed all the evidence needed. Their clothes. The man was coming back from a quest, and the woman was a prostitute that resided in Rivira. It wasn't an Amazon either, but a pale-skinned woman with red hair.

They were getting into it, and then after a few minutes of making the bed creak, "What were you after?"

Grunting, "Something on the thirtieth floor. The employer wanted it, but as to what it's used for, I don't know. I had to accept this outside the normal routes. It was weird, but it's paying well."

The woman's tone changed from panting in wanton to devoid of all emotion, "That's a shame." Before the man could react, the woman extended an arm to his throat, crushing the man's windpipe. "It's an even bigger shame, I was actually enjoying your company, but your usefulness is at an end."

Soon enough, the room was covered in a splash of blood. Throwing the body off to the side, "Now, hopefully, this is good enough bait to bring him and her along. I want to test my newfound strength against them."

She ruffled through the now-deceased man's bag before screaming in frustration and turned to the man, grabbing a knife and getting to work. After she was done, she checked the bag again, much more thoroughly, and she was fed up with it. She turned to the man's body and brought her foot down. There was something in the path of her foot, however.

It just so happened to be the man's head. This woman has heard rumors of another woman on the 'surface' crushing a watermelon between her thighs. Well, in this case, the foot was the thighs and the watermelon was the man's head. "Hmph, come to me, spawn of Aria. I'm dying to meet you…" the woman licked her lips before leaving the body alone. Someone will find it and it will generate a rumor.

One that hopes will lure in her prey.

...

An event we know as canon will be changed. I hope that you understand. Again, I need to take deviations from the canon path to get this next section in order. Nothing bad will happen, I swear. Also, RIP Axton x Amid...

I wanted it to happen, but it was not meant to be.