The next time Royalty would see the Vlahos twins, it would not be in their normal armor. They stashed it within the Complex and left under the cover of their spells. They wore basic armor now since theirs was too recognizable if the stories are to be believed. No one knew of their existence yet, possibly only one other Goddess…

…except that theory was dashed when Irene explained that Asfi made an object that changed the color of their souls. Since Freya could see soul orbs and their color, this was the countermeasure. The cloak helps but the masks fixated on their lower jaws made them look intimidating.

Since that point, the twins have discussed how to get home, "…should try to go back through the Grand Waterfall?"

"A solid theory but we don't actually know, and she isn't exactly forthcoming, either."

Hestia and Loki easily accepted their appearances, as did their respective Familias. Bell appeared to be the same one they knew. If history was accurate then they went through the same things. I wonder if Bell still has nightmares from the thirty-seventh…

Both siblings were currently walking around Orario, just absorbing the sights again. They couldn't exactly flaunt themselves. However, Isaac just knew something was going to happen. It's like…literally a thing. Murphy's law or something.

Axton strolled up, having picked them out from the crowd. It was the way they walked, with confidence but under that, he could see the slightly frayed nerves. Ais followed. Today was a day that the twins were waiting for and dreading.

Today would mark the fifth anniversary of Dia's demise, the day of Bittersweet Return. They pointedly avoided the Graveyard and their own backyard. They noticed what was out there and they let a few tears drop.

"You guys ready?" The blond asked. He was staring in concern and for a moment, something flashed in his eye. It looked like a symbol of something that should be vaguely familiar but the twins left it at that. Each time they would inquire, Axton would shrug.

"'Bout as ready as we'll ever be, I mean, she died five years ago for us, no doubt for your version of ourselves, it's been longer," Irene said.

Isaac was casting Shadow Steps on the four of them so sneaking through would be easy. People, of course, noticed Royalty and wondered what they were doing with two unknown people. Any adventurer in the area would think the Vlahos twins were level four or five, while Royalty was sitting pretty at level seven.

The quartet walked back to the Complex, silence above all else. This hit the twins harder. They thought they were over it. They thought they were stronger now. Isaac's fists shook while Irene's whole body trembled. She was barely holding herself together.

So when they were just about to arrive, Isaac stopped, "We're not alone."

"Oh, you too?" Irene said. Royalty looked momentarily confused before they felt the forces of gravity working against them. It caused them to fall to their knees.

"It looks like we have trespassers, on this day. Is nothing sacred anymore?"

Isaac and Irene felt a chill run through their bodies. They were actually still standing but their legs shook. Why do I recognize that voice?

This power…what? It can't be Gran, no way.

"Uhh, well…this is something. Looks like she went there," the male voice said.

A moment later, "So she did."

"The other two must be that Royalty we've heard so much about," the male said.

Of course, for the twins, the voices were recognizable. Despite the slightly deeper pitch to both, it was undoubtedly their voices.

"Isn't this going to cause a paradox?" Irene struggled to speak up but she did.

"No, it won't since you're from a different dimension. It's not time travel." The elder woman spoke.

"Lighten up the spell, because you owe us a few answers," the male said.

Isaac grunted, "Funny…was gonna say the…same thing."

"That's definitely me," the older Isaac said. Presumably, the older Irene stood next to him. "Wow, forgot how beautiful you were."

"Shut up, I always looked that good."

"Never thought I'd meet two different versions of who I wanted to consider my role models," Axton chuckled, shrugging off the effects.

Both of the Isaacs, ""That's a bad idea."" They looked at one another before cracking a grin. The two Irenes rolled their eyes as the elder one let go of the spell.

"This is…a little creepy," Ais admitted.

"I need to learn that spell, it was gravity, right? It wasn't Mikoto's…something else," Irene mused as she dusted herself off.

"I forgot that I was sort of like that when I realized the potential of Keys," the older Irene said with a fondness.

"So you two have been sneaking into Orario for how long?" Axton asked upfront.

"Every year on this day," he answered, flicking his hood off. Isaac stared into his own eyes for a moment and he swore he saw a globe.

I think they also had Gaia with them.

Me too. They don't seem freaked out at seeing a younger version of us.

The two also seemed to be talking. "How long has it been for you?"

The tension lied in the air, making it seem like an interrogation rather than a question. "Five years now."

"I see," the mage said.

"Try seventy-four," the swordsman said. Royalty just watched with keen interest. "Seventy-four years since that bitch took Dia away from us. I assume she did it in the same manner?"

The twins just nodded, the pain lingering in their hearts. "Keep a lid on that intent. Judging by this, you two are level seven. Here we're nine, outmatched. And it took us a long time to make it here."

"So, uh, what can we call you because you're both the same person…" Axton suggested like he was treading on eggshells.

"Call her Ira. Call me Ise, keep it simple," Ise said.

"Yeah, Freya was all for it…she took her from us, the feeling of being so useless…" Irene said. "She…"

"Was a crush, I know," Ira said, knowing exactly how she felt. No one can empathize with someone better than yourself. "But, is there anyone else in your life?"

"Yes, my fiancé," Irene said.

"And you?" Ise inquired. Isaac gained that fatherly smile that answered the man's question. "How is the wife?"

"Halfway, twins."

"Congrats, I have two as well, both just turned seven and they look so much like their mother. Ira just popped another one eight months ago, tieing her with me."

"Isaac! Don't talk about that!" Ira squealed before hitting her brother on the shoulder.

Ais interjected, "Aren't you worried about Lady Freya finding you?" She knew of the story and was concerned. Bell's concern for others had slowly rubbed off on her.

"We'd level Babel before she could lay a hand on us again," Ise said with the intent to back it up. Now the twins knew what it was like to feel their own aura. "Even then, our souls have probably faded out of her limelight over the years. Still, we came prepared and got items to hide them."

"On top of the magic we used to hide ourselves, we're fine. Today is a day that we celebrate that she was in our lives. The most influential of our time," Ira said.

Gesturing to the blonde duo, "You two should probably go before someone spots you, we have something to discuss with our younger doppelgangers."

The serious look in their eyes made the twins be on guard. They huddled closer together. Once Royalty left, begrudgingly, the younger twins faced the elder twins. "Is this about Gaia?"

Ise and Ira smirked, "You catch on quick."

The sets of twins chose to take this inside and they continued speaking. They went over everything they could until they spoke again, a tone of finality. "You need to go back to your own dimension."

"You think we haven't already had this conversation with ourselves?" Small pun and irony aside, "We know that. It's just finding it. I want to say the Grand Waterfall was the entrance but it didn't feel like the exit."

Ira had to consider that, "Do you think you're being used?"

"Right now or all the time?" Isaac countered.

"Touché."

Ise took over, "Well it is, and it works on a cycle. Considering you just came through maybe a month ago, it won't open for another month and a half or so. Best stay low and try not to gather attention, besides the ones who you were on the expedition with."

"Well, they kinda met us before we even had a chance to hide. It wasn't a choice after that, especially when we got called out by the Prince," Isaac remarked.

A chuckle, "True, there's that. But if that bitch catches wind of you being here, then she will try again and force you into her Familia."

Irene tsked, "Not without upsetting Lady Gaia. She did 'mark' us or whatever but we still have it."

"So it stuck around for you, hmm?" Ira said. "Ours left shortly after we lost Dia, so that means you found a new desire that overrides your old ones."

The four continued to lounge around and chat. "So is the entrance truly the same or do we have to fight that deformity we saw?"

""Deformity?""

""Wait, you never saw that thing?!""

Two very confused pairs of shouts rose up and they all paused. Isaac stood and went to the fridge and saw a nice bottle just sitting there. The keen sets of ears all heard the clinking of glasses. He returned and put them all down, robotically, before pouring a generous glass for himself. "After that, we'll need this."

"Good call."

So, after two bottles, the entire thing was cleared up and now there was a plan. The problem is just getting it right. They had a plausible theory. They weren't going to ask Lady Gaia to pull them back unless it became urgent.

As for the elder Vlahos twins, they left silently with words of encouragement. It's not like they can say. It's just that this year's remembrance was a little spicier than intended.

So the twins snuck into Twilight Manor…just because? Truthfully, Isaac just used Shadow Steps and they blended in with the crowd. Also, Ise and Ira left them a soul-bending gem to confuse Freya, or the 'biggest bitch of a Goddess ever to roam Gekai' according to them. Safe to say, they weren't too far off.

Sneaking in was easy, Isaac leading because he's done this so many times.

Are you telling me you leap from this building to the lowest point of the building?! To be fair, they are on a high enough building, but the problem is the gap.

I make it every time, Isaac assured his sister.

That made her reply easy, what if you miss?

I have. That was the first time, why do you think I limped those few days?

She glared at him, you told me you tripped!

Technically, I did but I never said how severe it was. You're the one who believed it! Hestia and Loki were right there! They knew I was lying! I had my pride damn it! Isaac roared in his mind but there was no heat to it. Melodramatic, as usual.

Irene huffed but gestured for him to go first. Isaac was already going as soon as she huffed, latching onto the lowest hanging decor. He pulled himself up and then found his footing. Come on, this is the hard part. The younger twin looked dubiously over the drop. We've literally fallen down two Dungeon Floors and not to mention, dive-bombed through about six before. This is literally a skip in comparison.

She grunted something in elvish before taking a running leap. Her stats may be the same but that does not mean she utilizes them to their fullest.

She almost missed the landing but Isaac grabbed her and pulled her up, You hesitated, don't do that. We've learned better.

Well, if this was how I knew you broke in-

Excuse you, I was checking in on you as the older protective one should.

Even though these two are twenty-two, they still bicker like they're sixteen again. It's more for their own sake than everyone else's. A calming method. It hides it, they're not sure it's working with everyone else but if it's a placebo that works…then why change it?

From there, Isaac ascended without much issue, Irene steadily following. Still, under Shadow Steps, they arrived at the window. They slipped inside and sat on the couch in the room.

To them, it was like normal but they were once again reminded that it's not their Finn, their Riveria, their Gareth, and so on. Even Axton was a whole can of Dungeon Worms on top of that.

So when Finn opened the door, Loki behind him, he paused. The Goddess of Trickery and Mischief looked up from Finn to see them sitting there lazily. She shrugged and walked by without a care.

Finn, however, "How did you get in here?" He was more wondering how rather than being alerted.

"Oh, well, we got bored, had a nice chat with some interesting people, and tried not to think about how it's been five years."

"Five…oh," The Pallum realized.

"Save the apology, it's just that it all came back," Irene stated apologetically. Loki eyed them, narrowing her already closed eyes.

"Loki, stop looking, we'll lie about it just to annoy you. It's a rather delicate situation," Isaac said. "So, where's Axton? I think it's time I give that fight he wanted."

Somewhere in the Manor, that very man was practicing and he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. The blond grinned before going to the most logical place they will be.

"You against the Prince?" Loki asked. She was confident in her child.

"Not to discredit him but if I can match Ais, who is also a level seven, back home, we'll be on level playing fields. She'll win six outta ten but I really fight for that fifth win. Almost pyrrhic in a way," Isaac said.

Finn sat at his desk, eyeing the twins once more before deciding the oncoming headache was not worth it. "Do you sneak everywhere?"

"If we don't want a repeat of what happened to us here, then yeah," Irene rolled her eyes. "Our souls are still much…brighter in her eyes compared to they might have been."

Loki hummed thoughtfully, have they…? Surely not, I'd have known.

"Plus, not everyone knows we're here and that would be a disaster waiting to happen if someone found out. Thanks to a special benefactor, they gave us an item to 'scramble' our souls in the eyes of everyone," Isaac said, leaning forward in the chair.

"So you snuck in here because? For the thrill?" Finn reiterated.

"Oh absolutely," Isaac said. "There is also another piece of news." A moment of silence as the tension built up.

Irene broke it, "We have a way home."

Loki's eyes opened, "How? That anomaly…"

"…is kind of a two-way thing. We'll need to probably defeat Amphisbaena or something and/or do something to open it up and hop back through."

The Goddess then cut to the point, "Because it hurts to see all the familiar people you know but they don't know you."

Neither twin gave way to their shock, "Pretty much. I can't get away with joking about certain things because I know you'll probably get it but I just hold back."

"Plus, we can't call Riveria 'Mum' because of the way your history works, so we can't even get away with it!" Irene said as the door opened again to see Riveria—karma—Ais, Axton, and Lefiya. Tione and Tiona came behind them.

"Hello," Ais waved.

"Yo," Axton greeted.

""Royalty,"" the twins responded.

Everyone was a little creeped out and judging by how the twins chuckled means they needed that. "So, how much did you hear and don't lie to me, level seven hearing is no joke."

Axton smiled, which looked like a crooked smirk, "Well, I wanted to help you get home. You got family there and I'm sure your Lady Hestia is distraught over it," the smile faded a little but the sentiment was there.

Isaac then perked up, "Imagine Gran's reaction when we go home. I'm so expecting training till we drop…"

Irene shivered, "Airmid will not be happy." The twins shivered at that, prompting many questions from the rest of the group.

"What's so bad about training?" Tione asked, nearing Finn's side.

"Grandma goes all in. Level ten to her makes us feel like ants. If you think you're powerful, she's got a platter with fallen pride on it in the form of her spells. And she's become a sort of battle mage as well over the past few years. Even with that change, she puts us on our ass ninety-nine outta one hundred times," Isaac explained.

"The one is a pity point, only after she got the lesson through our heads, did she let us 'win' the fight," Irene added.

"That bruise didn't fade for a week," he emphasized. Irene winced as she knew which one he was talking about. With a falna, healing like that should take a day or two…but a week? Everyone winced alongside Irene.

Finn gently brought the discussion back, "So about you getting home?"

That gained very sharp and surprised looks from Royalty, ""You're going home?!""

The twins didn't expect such a thing, "I mean, did you expect us to stick around?"

Axton admitted without shame, "I did? Even if it's kinda selfish…? In my defense, we heard a lot about you…so is it that hard to imagine?"

"Yes, it is a little selfish but I don't think you or anybody else wants to deal with Freya again…" Irene said diplomatically. "It does humble me that you want us to stay, and as much as I like to, we have lives in our own world and I want to be able to spoil the hell out of my soon-to-be nieces and or nephews."

Ais started to pout, "I wanted you to teach me stuff…"

"Oh?" Riveria asked, eyeing her surrogate daughter, "what kind of stuff?"

This was going to be good, as Irene smirked and Ais almost shot over to stop her, "How to tell when her boyfriend is being all lovey-dovey!"

"Mou…" Ais pouted as she tried to clamber over Irene to get her to stop.

Isaac laughed at the scene as did everyone else before he paused. He looked out towards the window and his intent broke out easily, startling everyone in the room and ergo the Manor. "She's coming."

"What? There's no way she could've seen us!" Irene said. "Concealment and Steps both erase us from her sight!"

"She must have been keeping an eye on Bell and noticed us," Isaac supplied as his sword was in his hand, the runes lighting up slightly.

"Who?" Lefiya asked. Of course, over the years, she kept cool when facing such high intent but that almost shook her.

"Looks like we weren't as stealthy as we thought. It's Freya," Isaac said plainly, devoid of all emotion. His fist was clenched, shaking. "Looks like going home will have to wait. We'll handle it."

"No, you're not."

Isaac turned a hazel eye to Finn who was already gathering up his items. "She knows that doing this will incite a civil war, and even with her numbers, she doesn't have my tactics."

"But she could charm you all, and like Bell, as you've probably noticed, ignores that," Irene said, her tone of voice matching her brother. "If she noticed us, she'll do anything for a second chance."

"And if that happens, then we can bring some…fun," Isaac remarked dryly.

Irene chuckled, "That spell to her home would do nicely."

Axton and Ais shared a look before he commented, "I assume you have backup plans for this?"

"Obviously. We normally don't leave without a plan, even if it is short notice. Then again, most of them don't survive first contact," Isaac explained. He stood up and headed for the window, "Hence why we'll be taking this one."

Freya was intrigued and admittedly, confused as all hell. She had noticed when she was checking in with her Odr through one of her mirrors, she saw them.

It was them but it was not them.

Their souls were just as she remembered them. So bright, so full of life but then they dulled, no thanks to her actions, which took her a long time to get past that regret. She did what she wanted and that resulted in one less Goddess walking Gekai. So she would not sully this second chance.

Whether or not she knew of their origin was uncertain. So with her walking through the streets with all of her level sevens and a few level sixes, it looked like she was going to war. Because she was marching toward Twilight Manor, she might as well be.

The guards at the Manor were terrified that they were approaching them. However, they all stopped. The Freya Familia members were confused as they ran into a barrier. Ottar, Hedin, and Hogni all recognized the barrier from the history books. They tensed as they potentially realized who was here. They took their Lady's word when she said to mobilize.

So imagine the trio's surprise when two figures landed in front of the gate. The cloaks were easily recognizable but when they stood up, there was a fire in their eyes. A fire Freya very much enjoyed, "Oh? So I wasn't mistaken."

"You very much are but that's not the point. This barrier won't let you in or anyone out," Isaac said.

Before they could retort, the barrier shimmered and Isaac appeared in front of Freya with a child-like grin. He may be twenty-two but he still looked nineteen. "However, there are exceptions to every rule."

Freya did not have a chance to react as she was whisked away inside another barrier encased in the first. "Not to worry, we have no plans to harm her but I can confirm she's safe."

The Familia growled in anger, none more so than Ottar. "Release her."

The intent hit them but they remained unfazed before letting out their combined intent. The twins easily felt like upper-level eights to a fresh level nine. They were still nowhere close to what Sofia could do. The Freya Familia were all stupefied. "Shouldn't you realize that we're not the people you're looking for?! If you hadn't realized how much hate we harbor for your Familia and what you did to Dia will never be forgiven," Isaac growled.

Irene swiftly pulled out a necklace, one that they had fashioned for Dia years ago. Splashes of dry blood still remained caked on it. Freya felt the memories come back.

As for the Loki Familia, they could only watch in awe and admittedly, a little fear. Axton kept his eyes focused on the twins and spectated. The Prince was a tad surprised that they locked Freya, Orario's top Goddess in another barrier but that was mostly for her own protection.

Ais wanted to intervene but Finn, out of all people, shot her down, trusting them to handle it.

Riveria was more interested in the barrier. "Iron-willed barrier…"

"Come again?"

The High Elf focused on the voice, her apprentice, "The spell's name is Iron-willed Barrier. A barrier spell specialized for last stands in life or death. A morbid spell but this actually works out."

Lefiya admittedly did not see it yet before it clicked a moment later, "She's determined to keep the barrier up knowing they outnumber and overpower them?"

The jade Elf nodded, "Precisely. As long as her will remains strong, the barrier will hold against all attacks. Depending on how high her magic stat is, and with Mage, the barrier can hold as long as she consciously channels into it."

"Where was that spell when we fought that Demi-Spirit?" Axton inquired.

His fiancée enlightened him/admonished him, "Because the spell isn't elven in nature, meaning even if I could have summoned the spell, I'd still have to chant for Elf Ring."

He chuckled awkwardly, "Right…sorry."

Ais, meanwhile, kept her eyes focused on the crowd of people. The guards had fled the scene, not that the Princess could blame them. If she was at their level, she would be scared shitless.

"You can slam into the barrier, put your highest spell, or blows into it. This will not shatter," Irene declared confidently. She grinned with a feral expression. "Step into my parlor said the spider to the fly…"

"…Please, allow me this request, Lord of Thunder. Bless me with the smiting spirit." The runes in her weapon glowed with glee as the spell finished. Irene gained Double Cannon when she reached level seven. A welcome reprieve.

*Insurmountable Spark!*

Everyone except Ottar's eyes widened as a bolt of lightning crashed down on top of them, sending the current straight through their muscles. Irene had pulled back hard on the power but it still put a decent size crater outside the Manor.

"That's less than I thought it would be," Isaac tilted his head to then look at Freya who was banging on the barrier, worried for her children. He stalked over to her, "Do you understand, Lady Freya? We want nothing to do with you and now thanks to you, all of Orario will know we're here, which is what we wanted to avoid. You just had to make a show of this. A letter works just as well."

"You…he…they said that…decades ago," she said, awed at the strength before her. The souls she had wanted to claim but ruined the chances to do so.

He grabbed her out of the barrier, gently, in contrast to his harsh words. "You…"

"Are not the Isaac and Irene Vlahos you think we are. I mean, look at us. We're certainly not showing our true age but come on, wasn't that obvious?" Isaac said, rolling his eyes, escorting her out of the barrier, placing her on her feet, and swiftly backing away from an angry Boaz.

Freya looked shocked as the ground seemed to repair itself, only to see a piece fly close to her. She looked on in wonder. Irene's robe was fluttering because of the magic circle. She changed another spell under her breath and reversed time to a specific area.

"Now, Lady Freya, please leave. We will not bother you because we plan to be back home in a short while. As my brother stated, we are not the people you think we are."

As the Goddess of Beauty looked into their eyes, sensing nothing but the truth, it was when she saw one of their eyes change into a globe that she backtracked quickly.

This confused the twins as they weren't being hostile. They looked toward each other before seeing the reason. "Shit…that's not good."

Gaia's mark was now a fixture to their eyes. She wasn't talking to them so this must be a side effect.

Irene let the barrier drop, and a hidden tension left her shoulders. Isaac meanwhile approached the downed and paralyzed members of the Freya Familia and chanted a small healing spell that rid them of their paralysis. "Make a move, I will cut off a limb. Now take your Goddess and go."

An order, not a request.

"Well…this is not what I expected," Freya spoke in a small voice. "I…"

"Save the apology for someone who cares," Irene said tersely. "Our Freya tried that and three of her Familia almost died."

The wording was subtle but specific. Freya seemed to finally grasp it, "You're not…"

There was a sardonic and wry smile, ""Took you long enough.""

"But you're still them?"

"Yes," Irene answered, using her brother as support. The magic energy she used was a lot; more than she ever used before. She was teetering on the fringes of a Mind Down.

"You see our eyes, you see who was behind it," Isaac mentioned. They were never supposed to come out. So why can she see them?

I don't know but I feel a conversation is going to come up and we won't like it.

At that, the Loki Familia arrived, deity included, and stared down Freya, "Oi, now scram. One day I'll explain it after they leave." Loki eyed the twins to see them nod. They didn't care as long as they weren't present for the conversation.

Axton and Ais stood close to the twins. The bond they made in the Dungeon was shining through and if Axton was aware, Guardian activated for both of them. Not the first time that's happened but to someone he met less than two weeks ago? He chose to ignore it. Requiem was in hand but not drawn.

Of course, this was drawing a crowd, so Isaac reached into his pouch and pulled out a very unique item. Courtesy of one Asfi Al Andromeda and her Mystery ability, he commissioned her for these. It was a tubular design with a ring-like pin at the top.

Irene saw and smirked, he's been waiting for this for a while. Irene began chanting under her breath, straining herself more as Isaac pulled the pin. A hissing noise occupied people's attention as smoke billowed up from the device. A flash of a magic circle and then when the smoke cleared, the twins were gone.

To make matters even more humorous, the Hestia Familia arrived. Bell, of course, led them all, and seeing Ais safe, he smiled before locking eyes with the Freya Familia. "What just happened?"

Freya, surprising everyone again, spoke, "Power so familiar to those over what you children call elderly…you'd be quaking in your bodies from the raw magic energy."

Mikoto used her ability to scout out others of her falna. She found that he was still in the area. Actually, not far at all. So when she felt a brush on her arm, she grabbed the hand. Only later did she realize that he let her. The movement was concealed by Bell and Welf.

Axton noticed something tucked into his shirt but made no motion to look lest he draws attention to himself. "So, why don't we all go our separate ways and when the Guild comes after us, we can resolve this peacefully, okay?"

"I'd rather not have a war on my front lawn," Loki drawled sarcastically but there was a hint of urgency in her tone.

Freya picked up on it and motioned for her Familia to head home. She had much to think about.

Much to think about indeed.

Once everything was said and done, everyone was brought inside Twilight Manor, where Isaac and Irene were seated next to one another, one hand on their heads, the other tapping their sides. Everything went out of wack, didn't it?

Of course it did, now there will be rumors and they spread far and wide, and only get more exaggerated as time goes on. Pretty sure the us of this dimension are expecting this to happen, Irene countered. Now, our more pressing concern is everyone looking at us like we walked out of the deepest floor of the Dungeon.

To be fair, our eye coming into play is another thing entirely. No one else knows about Gaia except Loki and Hestia. Everyone else doesn't, Isaac said.

"Are they okay?" Lefiya asked out of concern.

"They seem to be fine, even though Irene looked to be on the edge of a Mind Down, considering she was a little tipsy," Tione said.

"Well, that spell sure was something, huh?" Tiona said. "Seeing a literal lightning bolt smite her enemies was pretty cool."

At this point, the twins sat back with their eyes closed, "So how much of that did you see?" Isaac inquired.

"Depends," Axton countered.

"Okay, how much did you see?" Irene stressed.

The blond boy hummed, "Talking about your eyes? That weird symbol?" The rising confusion in the room made Axton continue, "Their eyes had some sort of globe in them."

Loki eyed the twins and silently cursed the Primordial Goddess responsible. "Gaia." The twins snapped their gazes to Loki. The globe present, "What did she do, and I'll ask this time, how did you get here?"

Irene sighed before leaning on her brother, "When Isaac was assigned the mission from the Guild, he brought me along. What we didn't know was who assigned it. Moreover, who was waiting for us."

Isaac picked up the explanation and turned to Royalty, "Just before we arrived, we saw a literal deformity that resembles a chimera who was in twentieths, instead of thirds. A literal abomination and we thought the Juggernaut was a piece of work." He threw an arm around Irene for comfort, as he did notice Bell flinch and hold his arm, Ais noticed immediately as the rest of the Familias gathered shivered. Irene accepted the affection. "That…thing we saw broke the ledge we stood on and we fell, two floors worth."

"Got a map of the Water Capital, and I can sketch what ours looks like, in semi-decent detail," Irene offered. Finn nodded and reached inside his desk for a blank piece of parchment, ink, and quill.

She sat up as Isaac continued, "So when we splashed down at the base of the Grand Waterfall, we checked our surroundings and then were held up by our necks by that very deformed Chimera. Then…we heard her voice…it made Lady Freya feel like a lesser Goddess of Beauty."

That statement caught everyone's attention. Loki found no lies so far. "What did she look like?"

He shrugged, "Her face was blurred to us."

Irene picked up even as she sketched, "Yep, I tried to focus but I received a migraine level pain straight behind my eyes." A sympathetic wince was shared. "We couldn't see her face but she carried grace that surpassed any Goddess we've ever met. Which brings us to another point…"

"…the fact that a God was in the Dungeon?" Ais inquired.

"Exactly, and when she said her name, you best believe that we were fearing for our lives. The legends don't exactly paint Lady Gaia in the greatest light," Isaac clarified. "Still she sent us through the anomaly and voila, we arrived here…after getting thrown into the damn thing."

"You think Grandma is worried?"

The casual mention of the Great Mage made everyone pause. Isaac noticed this pause but continued on as Irene continued to sketch. She was making sure that every stroke of the quill had a purpose. Truthfully, if Irene ever stops adventuring, she could dabble in the arts. "Definitely, I mean…she already had a rough time entering our lives again, especially when it all went down. She probably is waiting for us to jump back through."

Riveria broke the conversation, "You say that as if she is alive."

The quill stopped moving, "So, Gran's dead here?" A small frown, "So many differences, and yet history persists all the same."

"I imagine that ourselves here didn't take that too well…"

Gareth interjected into the conversation now, "Any other peculiar differences?"

The elder Vlahos twin hummed, "None that come to mind right now besides the ones we previously mentioned. Done with the map?"

Irene was concentrating now, the tip of her tongue just poking out of her mouth, "…annnnddd done. The approximate sketch of our Water Capital, scaled-down, of course."

Axton's eyes gained a glint, "You fell down that?" Isaac chuckled, seeing said glint, knowing where that was going. Lefiya immediately scolded him. "Come on, that would be fun!"

Ais tilted her head at the map, "That would be fun…"

Bell looked to his girlfriend with a small glance but huffed. "Alright, so how are you getting home?"

"Well, we have two theories, one being far more preferable than the other…"

Once the twins explained the theories, objections were had and opinions were made, none more so than Bell.

"Alright, Bell?" Irene asked, approaching the boy. "Could you look at me?"

The white-haired rabbit stared up into Irene's eyes. "Y-You can't p-possibly think of…"

"Hence it being called a theory, young Bell…have long have they persisted?" Irene cooed to him. Ais was wondering what she was talking about, what's persisting? The Hestia Familia grimaced, already knowing. To the Loki Familia, they did not.

Bell looked ashamed, hanging his head, "Years…"

"The Juggernaut won't be an option unless it has to be…"

"You mentioned that before," Loki said. "What is it?"

Isaac stood and waltzed over to the desk, "Like everybody, we have antibodies to repel diseases. If the Dungeon is alive…and something begins to attack it…what do you think the response will be?" The adventurers paled at knowing there was a monster like that inside the Dungeon. "Your next question is probably: 'Why don't we see it?' Well, I'll tell you…"

"…if the Dungeon is severely damaged, then it will respond…and bring about a monster that has no magic stone and high magic resistance and repel capabilities, on top of lightning-quick reflexes…an assassin if you will. You remember what happened to the Astrea Familia?"

The pieces fell into place, "Was it responsible?"

"In fact, there is a witness of that day but I'd rather not shed light on their identity. You ask, I lie," Isaac finished. It was a grim reality but it was important to know.

Finn bit his thumb, "So that's the only way it spawns?"

"Yes, thankfully," Irene said, hugging Bell to her chest as he started crying. She gestured Ais over and the Princess obliged readily. A quick shuffle of movement and the couple was together.

"Now, onto a lighter topic. Axton," Isaac looked at the swordsman. "I can finally cash in that rain check. So how about it?"

The Sword Prince stood face to face with the Sword of Orario. "Oh, you're on. I've always wondered which one of us was better while we were in the Dungeon."

A matching set of grins came to the boys' faces, "Not to discredit but if I can tie/win against my Ais, and probably herself. You're about equal in skill, have a different style…I can say that at the very least, we can tie."

Axton huffed, "Then let's go then." He did look over to his sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law. Ais looked up and waved him away. She needed time.

"Isaac, honestly, this couldn't have waited?" Irene scolded him.

"Oh please, you're curious too, you wanted to have a magic fight with Mum," Isaac shot back with a smirk.

Irene huffed and pointedly looked away from Riveria. The High Elf chuckled, "Are you sure you two ever grew up?"

Identical smiles, ""Nope.""

So, the whole entourage followed the two boys to an open courtyard where they stood opposite one another. "So, do you have a preference of how this goes? First Strike? Submission?"

"Usually Submission. The last time Ais and I sparred, I ended up winning, and only just. Next time, she'll beat me I'm sure," Axton replied.

Isaac smirked, "All right, submission it is." He unclasped his cloak and the number of weapons he carried was abnormal. "I may or may not use all of them." He had his two swords, a pair of shortswords on his lower back, visible throwing knives, the daggers in his greaves, and there seemed to be some device on his wrists.

The Sword Prince whistled, "Damn, that many? Is that Weapons Expert's doing?"

"That and Mikoto ensured that I knew how to handle other weapons besides my swords. Hell, I could fight either one of you, Tione, Tiona, bare-handed for a time." The prospect of a fistfight with the two Amazonesses made Isaac regret opening his mouth as the glint was anything but kind. "Not happening as I regretted that…not that they were clear of bruises."

"Would either of our lovely siblings like to give us the cue?" Axton said, unsheathing Requiem. Isaac felt his weapons' anticipation. Irene's staff easily noticed that the boy and his sister were descendants of a Greater Wind Spirit—that being Aria—and was eager to see how they performed.

Irene rolled her eyes but she and Ais easily stood and analyzed the two, seeing the subtle nuances in their stances gazed at one another before nodding. "Begin."

*Tempest.*

The wind swirled around in a pale green glow and covered every celch of Axton. Most of the Loki and Hestia Familias were surprised that he would go this far already. Isaac simply raised an eyebrow, not going for a weapon. He simply was thinking of which one he wanted to use.

Yes, he was indecisive about how he wanted to fight. Axton took this as an offense. "Well? Aren't you going to fight me?"

"I'm trying to figure out which form I want to brush up on. Miko was always insistent, one of many things I love about her, that and I know many forms of fighting. She's also been teaching me ninjitsu and Lord Takemikazuchi has been refining it," Isaac said as the blades on his wrists extended. "Been feeling like I need a good close-quarters fight. And not to worry, these are Durandal, so we can get rough," he finished with a wild glint on his eyes.

The younger sibling huffed, "Great, he's being a battle junkie again. This only happens when he's happy with the fight, whether he wins or loses."

Ais hummed thoughtfully, Bell next to her. He calmed down from moments ago and he deduced that this was for his benefit. Axton's smile returned and rushed forward to make the first move, bringing his longsword into striking distance.

Isaac smiled and laughed himself forward at about the same speed, "Relying on your magic will make you weak, deactivate your mother's magic and really fight me." He brought the hidden blades up to catch Requiem and throw it off-kilter.

Axton narrowed his eyes, "Is this you trying to goad me?"

Irene answered that, "It's how he fights. He calls it trash talking but it's really him pointing out things he notices."

"Really?" Bete asked gruffly.

"Mmhmm, Isaac teaches the younger members how to improve and this is the method he uses. As much as I want to be better, I am not. Sometimes I feel as if I come on too strong but Isaac has this balance between him and his students. The strong teacher side, and the soft caring side that he shows once the lesson is over. He does it because it shows," Irene explained, looking off into the distance, not paying attention to the fight. She was listening, however. The sounds of the blades clashing the deft movements of her fellow level sevens.

The Familias gathered listened to her explanation, watching her expression change. "He also had trained our Bell as well, once for the War Game, and many times after our return. It was a semi-clean training escapade but it definitely could have gone either way."

The two combatants listened as well. Isaac extended his blade and pushed forward, using his free hand to slice Axton's left side. He noticed the fatigue in the boy's body. He whispered to him, "A previous injury healed improperly. Does it not hurt?"

"I've lived through worse," the blond replied, having deactivated Ariel and was now fighting on even ground. Axton blocked another blade and then grabbed Isaac's wrist to give him a kick to his chest.

Isaac absorbed the blow and skidded back, flipping to make more distance as he prepared his next style. Axton took the chance to seize the opportunity to tip the scales in his favor.

So imagine the Sword Prince's surprise when his sword was caught in between Isaac's Daishō, "I bet you have but you never saw what the Juggernaut almost did to me." Irene, having heard this, tensed which did not go unnoticed.

Isaac's tone changed, "Imagine being put against a wall and a hard place. Except that wall had shown up out of nowhere and slammed me into it. Every. Bone. Was. Broken. Some shattered. Irene saved me that day. Had she been a second slower…" Isaac pushed Axton's blade back and gave himself the advantage, "…we'd be very different people. Despite that, we keep going because I want everyone prepared for it so that if it ever happens again…they know what to do. The one that came was from the fortieth floor, unlike the eighteenth floor." A pointed look at Bell, his hazel eyes showing the pain he's gone through.

The younger twin pointedly ignored the questioning looks and instead glared at her brother. He pointedly ignored that as he swiped away Axton's blade to then make superficial cuts on his exposed skin. "Isaac has always shown tenacity when he needs to. That fight was one of them. Even after I healed him, he refused to sit back…" Ais had seen the tears before Irene even recognized them. She was wrapped up in a hug from the Sword Princess. "…A-Ais…"

"You don't need to explain it. We can fill in some of the gaps ourselves," the blonde hugged the mage. Irene relished the contact. Jericho could be seen consoling Dino because he feels a pull towards her. He cannot call it love but damn is he a tad jealous of himself.

As for the boys, they continued to trade blows, Isaac now using his Spatha and Ninjaken, the engravings are lit up in a passionate glow. Isaac slashed, Axton blocked…yet the content smiles meant that they were truly enjoying this.

The whole Familia, at least those that could watch it, saw that they weren't trying nearly as hard. This was a friendly spar.

At least until Axton knocked the blade out of Isaac's hands before the sword hovered close to his throat. "Yield."

Instead of dropping his smile, it only widened. "I don't think that this is the way you wanted it to go," he said as a blade was glinting in the light, a mere celch from Axton's own throat. "We tie, agreed?" One of Isaac's hidden blades was extended on the backside of his neck, hovering over an important artery.

The Sword Prince grunted in amusement before both mutually dropped their guard and stepped back, "Agreed."

Isaac chuckled before retrieving his blade whispering an apology in elvish before gently placing it back in their respective scabbards. "You fight well, all you have to learn is not rely on her wind. You're an excellent swordsman and fighter, and if we ever fought full-on, it would be a short pyrrhic victory."

Loki and Hestia watched and observed, "You're saying…"

"They'd end up killing each other if the worst comes to worst," Irene said, thanking Ais before going to her brother.

His smile dropped as his eyes dilated, It was only to get the point across.

She punched him straight up but his head didn't move, You damn well know that when it happened, I felt your heart stop. You died in front of me and I felt so much rage…

Ignoring the looks and the slight bit of pain that hurts more than the entire spar, Isaac wrapped his sister in a hug. "I won't abandon you until we're old and have great-grandkids running circles around us. So, chin up."

"You're so mean…" she said but there was no heat to it.

Isaac laughed, feeling a twinge of pain in his jaw. "Well, if you want to rub it in, then don't heal me. Let it recover."

Tiona was jumping in place, her child-like demeanor was in full swing. "Okay, we have to fight right now!" Tione reeled in her younger sister rolling her eyes.

"So, the Juggernaut…" Hestia said.

"Is something I hope you never see. We almost had someone lose her life trying to fight it before…" an even more pointed look at Bell to see if he got the message. Isaac really didn't feel like exposing the elf like that.

Bell seemed to have gotten it if his tensing and concerned looks from the Hestia Familia were any indication.

The Vlahos twins sighed. "Come on, we have a long day ahead of us."

...

Next Chapter is the last one. Hope you liked it.