Before I begin...

I think, maybe, there are three more chapters of 'book' left. Just a rough guess on my part, depending on what happens. (The voices in my head you see...)

After that, there will be a couple of side stories, that may run a few chapters in of themselves.

Then The crossover happens. Don't worry, there will be plenty of time, but, when it does, I'll probably mark this story as 'complete' and if Kodori does return, It will be under a new title.

Chapter 60

After dinner and dishes, I went back to translating that book. When Ganesha had lent them to me, He had said, 'If I have a book on what you are looking for, it would be in one of these.' Knowing He only acted like a simpleton, I took His word for it, and got to work. As I translated more of the chapter I had marked out, I was referring less and less to the 'Rosetta Stone' Hestia had made for me, but there were a few things that I didn't understand, even though I'd translated it.

These I marked down as I found them. Some of the things I did know however, sounded... Complicated. I would have to ask Nazza for the right equipment, or have it custom made.

"Kodori-san?" Chigusa whispered from the other side of the couch.

"Hm?" I didn't look up, though my ears turned towards her, my eyes locked on a line of hieroglyph, my pencil scratching down the translation.

"Um... What are you working on?"

As soon as I finished the line, I looked over to her, her eyes glancing at my work and the page, then back to me. "Something..." I thought of the words I could use, "To help remove doubt, from something very important."

My trip into the dungeon, and sneaking around alone, then managing to... sort of... succeed on rescuing Wiene and the other Xenos, had made most of doubts I had vanish. Now however, there was another thing creeping around my every waking thought. And that was when to ask Haruhime... But to do that...

"Kodori-san... You're face is red." Chigusa said.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled, "It is a bit of a personal matter." I swished a tail at her. She didn't reply, but nodded, reached out for my tails, and let them arrange themselves for her to lean on.

"Lady Hestia?" I tapped on Her bedroom door, one of the books and my notes under my arm.

"Come in, Kodori." She said quietly. "It's never locked."

Entering, I closed the door behind me. Seeing she was alone, I locked the door, "I have a few questions..."

"Something important?" She was dressed in her nightgown, the magic stone lamp next to Her bed the only light in the room, and She had a thin book in her hand. "Let me just mark this..."

She put a thin metal bookmark between the pages. Welf had probably beaten a bit of copper paper thin and given it to Her. A good use of an otherwise useless bit of scrap metal. "Yes. I've made progress... And I think I might be ready to start soon... But..." She gave the side of the bed a pat, and I sat down next to Her, opening the tome and putting it between us. "I've translated these words here... But I don't know the meaning."

"Hm..." She looked at the book, wiggling a little closer and taking hold of a couple of my tails as they went to visit. "Let me see..." I pointed to one word, "Oh. Ichor. It's another word used for our blood."

I put a hand to my face and sighed, "Well, crap." My tail swatted the back of my head, "Ow." Hestia giggled and gave the golden fur a pat, "How about this one?"

"Aspect." A pause as she touched a finger to the page to read the rest of the line, "In this context, is means the Ichor, must have the right Aspect, to work with what you are making." Another pause, "And you need... Three different Aspects. Though they don't have to be exact, just related."

"Aha." I smiled, and moved my tails out of the way to give Her a hug. "Almost there then... Kinda..."

"I am a little worried though." Hestia said, petting my ears, "We don't just give our blood away... Especially to Children not in our Familia."

"That's fine." I replied, tucking my notes away and putting the book aside, "Ask Marius, I'm good at making deals."

"Be careful, Kodori." She said, poking my nose, "Debts are something we Gods are good at remembering."

"Even the books back home mentioned that. I have no intention of trying to be unfair, or making demands I can't pay back." It took a moment, but I managed to tell my tails to let Her go so I could stand, "And I would never betray you, my Goddess."

"Good." She smiled, "Now, get some sleep." She sighed, picking up the little dragon memory stone from her nightstand, "We all need to be well rested when the call happens."

"Yes. We will bring her back, safe, to her home, where she belongs." I replied seriously, "Where her Family is."

"Ko-san..." Haruhime called out from the bed as I entered the room.

"Just a moment Love." I put the books down on my reading desk, then got myself ready for bed. "I've got a question for you." I started after I'd stripped everything off and stretched my arms over my head.

"Yes." She said without hesitation.

If I'd been facing her, I'd probably have given everything away, but instead I turned slowly and held out the little gem bag. "Did someone tell you what I had planned for this?"

"Hm? What... No? What's that?"

Carefully I pulled out the brilliant little tear shaped gem. "You and Wiene are the only ones I have left to ask." I let her hold the stone, watching as the moonlight refracted off the stone and lights danced over her face, "Considering why I have it, I was half tempted to throw it away. Or smash it and hope never to hold another. But, I also thought about putting it towards Lady Hestia's debt with Hephaestus."

She looked up at me from the stone, "But... Why ask all of us?" She handed it back to me, and I put it back in the bag.

"Because I'm not going to tell Lady Hestia. Don't want her to go back to staying home all day and eating snacks." I smiled, putting the bag on our tea table, next to my still unread status update.

"Ko-san is mean." She lightly swatted my shoulder with a tail, "But yes. I agree."

"Thank you. Just have to ask Wiene now. All the more reason to try extra hard when we move next."

"Yes." She smiled and tugged at my arm, cuddling up close. "Is it difficult? Being captain? Planning... to fight friends?"

"Mikoto says it best. It's not can, it's must. Yes, it's difficult, but the end result... That's what needs to happen, so, we must make it happen." I played with her ears, carefully scratching the thin furry skin, "And while we are probably going to be fighting Loki Familia, and probably others... We don't have to beat them, just accomplish our goals."

She made an affirmative noise, pressing her back into me and reaching up to take hold of my arm. "But we all have to come home at the end of the day. Right? We have to win, promise?"

"Yes. I promise."

Aisha and Ryuu were standing in front of me as I opened the gate. The lovely Amazon was yawning in the most unladylike fashion, while Ryuu was her usual quiet self, dressed in her green flower shaped cloak. "I dunno how you guys can be so... Awake at this hour." Aisha said, scrubbing her forearm over her eyes, "You and Ears here... And the rest..."

"Ryuu and I clasped forearms and nodded in greeting, then I said to Aisha, "I have something that will wake you up. Tastes horrible, but it's like getting a good night sleep in about five seconds."

"If you have something like that, why don't you sell it?" Aisha asked, following me as I walked back to the training yard, where everyone was already pairing up. "It seems the entire city is talking about how in debt you guys are."

"It tastes REALLY bad." I replied, "But I'm glad you two are here."

"We were worried, after what happened two days ago." Ryuu said, looking up to Aisha, who nodded, "We met on the way here."

"Well... Let me give you the short version." And so, I told them both what our two Familia had done, doing my best to tell it all in the right order, from the point where Bell, myself, Marius and Mikoto had split up after running into the refugees from the eighteenth, to my getting home last, after talking with Hermes. "Speaking of Hermes..."

"Actually, yeah, speaking of Him." Aisha interrupted, "What did you say to him? I mean... After He sent Ikelos back up, He's told us to stay away from you and your Familia."

"Well..." I took a breath, "When our home emptied out, save for Asuka, Lady Hestia, Lord Takemikazuchi and Wiene, Hermes did nothing to stop Ikelos Familia from coming in, attacking and wounding Asuka, forcing Lord Takemikazuchi to defend himself and the orphans, and kidnapping Wiene. He had a watcher in place, and could have helped. But by his own words, he 'wanted to see what would happen'."

Ryuu looked shocked, but Aisha... Her face went white, then red, and she was halfway turned around before I grabbed her wrist.

"Wait the rest of your year, Aisha." I said, "Just be aware, that is the God you work for."

For a moment, I thought she might actually try and take a swing at me, to force me to let her go, but with an effort, she calmed herself, "Yeah... Urg, it's like Ishtar, except He's trying to fuck me from behind..."

I snerked, while Ryuu sighed and shook her head. "Something like that. Anyhow..." I looked over to the others, who were diligently sparring, Haruhime and Asuka were practising with Takemikazuchi, "Ha-chan!" I called over, waving when she looked up at me. "Aisha, for helping keep her, and my home safe while I was hurt, then, while she was hurt, we thought we might do something special for you."

She raised an eyebrow at me, "Oh?"

"Remember, you'd have to ask her for that." I said to the Amazon, adding in an eyebrow waggle, "Love?" I started as Haruhime stopped next to me, "Want to pester Welf, and help him get Aisha measured? I'll be out a good part of the day, so if you could get started on that?"

"Oh! Yes, I'd like that." Haruhime, as usual, was unreserved when she gave Aisha a hug, "Ko-san and I thought you might like a new set of armour."

"Really? Well, I won't say no to that offer." Aisha grinned, "And I might just ask for a little extra."

Again, Ryuu sighed and shook her head, but Haruhime didn't seem to catch the double meaning.

"Would you like me to join you, sister?" Ryuu asked. "I will have to tell the others about Hermes, as well."

"I was planning on doing that, yes. And please, your company would bring comfort. The city seems to not like my Familia much right now." I replied, giving Haruhime a hug, then Aisha. "Have fun you two."

"Sometimes, I don't like having sensitive ears." I said as we got to the main street, fairly close to the Hostess of Fertility. "I mean, it's nice when someone knows how to treat them..."

This got a rare laugh from Ryuu, who replied, "I hear them too, sister. I'm curious, just how much debt is it?"

"You've seen Bell's dagger? The Hestia Knife?" She nodded, "Hephaestus Herself made that. For all intents and purposes, that dagger is alive, and blessed with Falna."

"Oh... That almost sounds like... well, almost like cheating." Ryuu smiled, "Lady Hestia is a truly wonderful Goddess, to care so much for her Children."

"She is. Have I ever told you, what the Gods are like where I'm from?"

"No."

"Gone." I said simply, "Footnotes in the history books. Many of the 'greater' Gods have more about them. Loki, Thor, Odin, Zeus, Hera... But the lesser Gods and Goddesses? The only thing I knew about Lady Hestia before I arrived, was 'Goddess of the Hearth'." I didn't add 'Greek', because I had no idea if that even mattered here in this world. "All that's left of them, are groups of people who, at best, follow the books they supposedly wrote."

"It sounds like a cold place, your home." She said, a little sadly.

"Former home." I corrected, "Would you like to tell the girls? Or should I?" I asked, looking at the Hostess of Fertility sign and glancing into the window. Despite all the chaos out in the streets, where people (mostly civilians) were hurrying from place to place with that frantic 'look over shoulder' mannerism, the popular restaurant remained at its usual level of custom.

Then again, it was no secret that almost all the waitresses were all very capable, if retired, adventerers.

"Welc..." Again, I greeted Syr with a hug, figuring myself (mostly) exempt from the 'hands off the girls' policy. "I'm glad you're safe, Kodori." She said after returning my hug, "Is Bell okay? The... Well..."

"He had some interesting questions, but yes, I think he's fine." I put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Listen, I have something to say to all of you, so if you think Mia won't mind you coming inside for a moment?"

Syr looked to Ryuu, then me, and nodded, and the three of us went inside. "I will tell Mama and Syr." Ryuu said, "Get everyone else into the kitchen."

"Thank you." I said, "Hello Mia." I said as she looked up from her usual spot at the register.

"Good morning Kodori." She said gruffly, "Trouble out in the city... Word is your Familia has a hand in it."

I didn't comment, the patrons all glancing at me as Mia asked, "At best I might know a little more than most, but first I have to chat with the others, very important." I glanced over to Ryuu, who nodded, her and Syr standing opposite Mia.

"Nya?" Arnya sort of appeared next to me as I turned to look for her and Chloe, the hand not holding her empty tray reaching for my tails, "So many choices..." She said, laughing as I shivered at the sudden contact, "Still not used to it?"

"I have simply accepted that I will never be used to it." the other four tails, not getting any attention from Arnya, mobbed her, looping over her arms and back, "And that while I'm not the jealous type, my tails are."

"Ack! Chloe! Help!" Arnya was lifted off the floor and carried by my tails as I made my way to the kitchen. Chloe was there, taking a turn at dish duty, while in a rare case of being awake early, Lunoire was drying and putting them away.

"Nope." Chloe said, half turning and looking at me and the tangled cat girl. "I've learned my lesson, so should you."

"But they are so soft!" Arnya complained.

"Ha-chan takes good care of them." I said, telling my tails to put her down, "Where's... The new girl?"

There was a pause, then Chloe spoke up, "I'll go get her."

I took a deep breath, and tried my best to not think of what had happened before. Chloe returned with the Amazon a moment later, the taller woman spotting me, and instantly trying to hide behind the black haired cat girl. I'd have found it more amusing, the Amazon just a little taller than me, trying to hide behind someone who just barely came up to my shoulder, but the truly terrified look on her face made me feel like a bully.

"No, you're not in trouble." I said to her, "And I consider everything between us settled. Especially here, at my family's home." I offered my hand to her, "Please."

Chloe, Arnya, and Luniore looked at her, and gave the Amazon the smile that every customer of the Hostess loved to see, even if it was the last thing they saw before getting thrown across the street. Stepping out from behind Chloe, she took my hand and shook, "Sharay." She said, "Formerly of Ishtar, and I suppose Ikelos now."

"Kodori, formerly of the Hostess, now with Hestia Familia." We shook, and I let her hand go, "Now, please, relax." I sighed, "Let me tell you what happened..."

So I went over the story, from the eighteenth, editing out a little to keep the Xenos at least a little secret. Then I got to the part with Hermes, "So, from now on, my Familia and I will simply stone wall Hermes. He was in a position to help, and didn't, simply to amuse himself."

"Um..." Sharay raised a hand, "I've told them... About what we were doing down there."

"Yeah... It was hard to believe at first, but..." Lunoire said, "But after what happened two days ago? With all these supposed monsters getting to street level then not actually acting like monsters?"

Both cat girls nodded, "If they were actual monsters, they'd go crazy. But, even though we've had adventurers come in, saying they found them, none of them have seen anyone get hurt, just pushed away." Arnya said, "Not like any monsters I've fought."

"Did Hermes really do that? Let your home get raided, and let your Gods fend for themselves?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah, he did. So now, I get to make sure everyone I care about knows it. Just in case He tries to 'amuse' Himself with someone I care about."

"Kodori!" Mia called from the front, "Let them get back to work!"

All my tails went flagpole straight at Mia's tone, "Yes Ma'am!" Even the new girl laughed, "Be good, Sharay. If you ever want to go back to adventuring, I can recommend you to a couple of Famila."

"Thank you." She replied, bustling back to the kitchen. "Must stir the soup..." She mumbled.

"Be good. I'll come in soon." I gathered the rest of them up for a hug, then left the kitchen.

"Done keeping them from their jobs?" Mia grumbled at me, though she was smiling, "So that's how it is, with Hermes?" She continued when I got to the bar.

"That's how it is." I replied.

"I'll be sure to remember that. Now, you have places to be, don't you? With the city like it is, you should get your errands done as quickly as possible, until this all dies down." Mia lectured, making Ryuu smile, "Make sure to come by for a big dinner when you do what you have to do."

"I'll be sure to bring everyone. Be ready for that." I grinned, leaning over the bar and giving the wide shouldered woman a quick hug, which she returned, then quickly shoo'ed me away with her cleaning cloth. "Sister?"

"I should get to work too." Ryuu said, "Else Mia might give my room away."

"That would be terrible." I said, shocked, "Though if she does, I'd gladly steal you away to my home. Lots of space there."

"Don't you dare." Mia grumbled.

"Then don't give her room away?" I replied helpfully, backing away as Mia reached for her ladle. "Right, places to be."

Pausing only to give Syr another hug, I made my way to the next destination.

Again I did my best to ignore the stares and muttered words, but it was kind of irritating. I suppose, with all the Gods and Familia, it was like some giant school ground, where popularity decided the people's attitude towards you. But this was kind of silly.

As I got closer to the Guild building, the crowd of non adventurers started to thicken. Citizens were milling about near the Guild, most looking panicked, others looking hopeless, and others still, looking at me, and other adventurers, with something close to hate.

As if they blamed us for letting the monsters, the Xenos, get to street level.

If they only knew.

Thankfully, no one was dumb enough to hurl anything other than the occasional insult towards an adventurer. I mean, sure, most of us adventurer types were basically good people. But the tension in the air was setting even my teeth on edge.

"You!" Someone said as I got within a few paces of the Guild building's main doors, "You're with that Hestia Familia!"

I took hold of my golden tail before it could swat me, "Well crap..." I mumbled, "Yes, what of it?" I kept my tone neutral. The man pointing his finger at me looked like one of the merchants along the main street.

"You're part of what happened! Explain yourself! Why did you let monsters into the city? What are we supposed to do if the city isn't safe!?"

"We didn't 'let' anything into the city." I explained, "We might be strong, but we have limits too." I tried to keep walking, but there were a dozen people around me now, starting to clamour for my attention, and apology. "And so long as you don't go near any place Ganesha and Loki have blocked off, you'll be fine."

"What if you're wrong!"

"Yeah! My shop was destroyed last night!"

"Then it proves I'm just as mortal as the rest of you. I'm only a servant of a Goddess, not a Goddess myself." I started to walk forward, using my strength to wade past the people, my tails making sure no one actually fell, but otherwise just tuning the civilians out and making my way into the building.

It was even worse inside. Except the front desk was taking the brunt of the citizen's panic. I suppose, with them being the 'governing body' for the city, it would be natural, but even with all five of the front desk spots filled, Eina her four assistants couldn't keep up. Continuing my 'wading' I made my way to the front desk, brushing off all the dirty looks it got me, and stood in front of Eina. She tried to give me her best smile, but it came off as more plastic than anything else.

"I'm sorry, but the dungeon is closed." She said, "And as you can see, we're having a bit of a crisis."

"I need to speak to Royman." I said, "I know the way, if he's in."

"Go ahead." She replied, her smile trying very hard to stay, though I did notice her hand touching the small silver bunny token I'd made her.

"Wish me luck, and stay strong." I put my hand on hers a moment, then walked around the desk, sighing as the yelling only got louder as I left.

I half expected Royman to throw me out. Figuratively, at least. Instead, he said, "Good. Saves me having to send a messenger." The once obese elf was now just a little overweight now, his clothes fit him better, and as he got up from behind his desk, I noticed a certain ease of motion. He did however, look bone tired. And while his cloths fit better, they looked slept in.

Closing the door behind me, and finding the lock, I replied with as much sincerity as I could, "I'm really sorry for the mess. It's not all our fault, but still..."

"Oh I'm aware." He replied, pulling something from a drawer, "But once again, you and your two Familia are right in the centre."

"It's Hermes." I replied.

"Talk on the way. This way please." He revealed the object in his hand, a long, complex looking skeleton key. This he slid into a well hidden slot next to a bookshelf.

"And I didn't dress up at all..." I mumbled, looking down at myself, wearing my 'out shopping' kimono, shin guards and one gauntlet. I was also carrying a satchel, with all the things I needed for the people I had to visit. I listened to what sounded like clockwork for a moment, before the bookshelf slid backwards, then to the side, revealing a well lit staircase that went down far enough that I couldn't make out the bottom from where I was. "I still think it's odd, the God of the Sky living underground."

"A sad necessity, I'm afraid, you'll see when we arrive." I let him lead the way, the clockwork 'tick tick'ing behind me, and the passage closing behind us as we reached about the tenth step down.

"Half minute timer?"

"Indeed."

"Good work, that. Love to meet the craftsman."

"Sadly, he's been dead for about... six hundred years?"

"Damn." I managed to catch my tail before it swatted me, only for the other four to do it instead.

"You were saying, about Lord Hermes?" Tired or not, Royman was tactfully not commenting on my rebellious anatomy.

"The eighteenth floor. Ishtar Familia and Ishtar's attempt to take over Freya's spot. And us just happening to be there when the Xenos hit street level. He's been involved, directly, every time."

"Really?"

"He said so himself. That smug bastard." Haruhime's tail did not swat me this time. "He came to us right after delivering an item, the Killing Stone, to Ishtar. Ishtar would have used this to sacrifice Haruhime, now of my Familia, for power, to give to her elite squad, the Berbera." He nodded, rubbing his chin, "Hermes knew I'd been seeing her, and the her and my Familia were friends. And, that we would find some way to rescue her."

"I've only seen her from my window." He said, looking sideways at me, "And while I find it unusual, you two make a good pair."

"Thank you."

"So, he deliberately set it up so you and your Familia would be involved..." He shook his head, "Go on."

"As you should know, Hermes had lookouts around the Hestia home." He nodded, "When we left, to go to the dungeon, leaving Wiene behind with Asuka, from Takemikazuchi Familia, a group from Ikelos took advantage of our reduced numbers, and raided our home." I growled quietly, "Asuka was hurt, Lady Hestia was threatened, Lord Takemikazuchi had to step in personally, and Wiene was kidnapped and taken to the Ikelos hide out."

"And Lord Hermes's watchers?"

"Were told to 'just watch'." I said.

"Troubling..." He looked deep in thought. Unhappy too, "Almost there. Now, please be on your best behaviour? Please? Lord Ouranos is literally the pillar of our city."

We had been descending all this time, and I could feel the weight of the city above us. If I had to guess, we were under the tower, around maybe the second level of the dungeon, but, obviously outside of it. "I understand."

"Thank you." The stairs ended, the grey stone of the walls and floor featureless save for a metal door that looked to be made of adamant. Royman took out a second key, this one smaller, but no less complex than the one he used to open the bookcase. With a grunt, he turned the key, then pushed open the heavy door. "Lord Ouranos!" He called into the chamber beyond, his voice echoing oddly to my ears.

"Royman." Deep and commanding was the reply.

"Kodori, of Hestia Familia is here." He called back, stepping into the chamber and making room for me to pass him.

It was... A massive... ... I wasn't sure. To my eyes, which were able to see, despite the lack of magic stone lamps, the grey stone chamber was really big. If I had to guess, this was the foundation of Babel itself. In the middle, like some sort of Aztec pyramid, was a platform. Atop it, surrounded by four tall torches, actual wooden torches, burning actual pine wood and pitch, was a very big stone chair.

And, sitting in that massive stone chair, was a severe looking man. White hair, intense blue eyes I could see from where I was, and wearing a plain set of robes.

"Royman, you are dismissed." He said, his voice clear and booming. "Thank you."

I could see the poor Guildmaster was sweating, just being in His presence. But he still gave me a look, and said, "Best behaviour. Please."

"Thank you for bringing me. Get a nap, you look tired." I replied quietly.

"Approach." Ouranos said.

While I knew, here in the mortal realm, Gods and Goddesses were only as strong as the Familia around them, the tone of Ouranos's voice told me that even if He was just as weak as a mortal, He was in charge. So, I stepped further into the gloom of the room, trying to place the architecture, and the type of stone used in the walls and floor, and to see to the top of the chamber itself. But I couldn't. This place felt truly alien, even in this world I was in.

"I've been wanting to meet you, for a while now, Lord Ouranos." I said as I got to the foot of the steps leading to his chair. If I had to guess, Ouranos himself was a giant of a Man. Two and a half meters tall at least. "But as I'm sure you've heard, my Familia and I have been very busy." I looked up at him from the bottom of stairs that looked like a giant had designed them.

"Yes, I have heard. From many sources." He lifted a hand off one of the stone arms of the throne, "You may come closer."

I started up the steps, my eyes never leaving his face, "I have a lot of questions, about this city, and the Gods, and even the dungeon itself. But I have too much to do to ask them all right now."

"Indeed. For someone who is much like the Xenos, I would expect you would have many questions. But you are correct. There are others matters to deal with first." He looked me over, "I kind of expected you to be taller." He said, "From what I hear of you, the Demon Fox, giant slayer, creator of a flying machine, and a master tactician..."

"And almost able to put my hand into molten iron without harm, and can stand in front of a drake's fire breath." I said, "Though, the molten iron gives me a few blisters, and my hair always burns off." I replied, "And taller? I'm almost the tallest person I know!" I sighed, "Sorry, now that I'm here, I'm trying to figure out where to begin."

"Then I will start." He said, blue eyes narrowing at me, "The Xenos are a problem. It is too soon for them to be known, yet, forces have pushed ahead, and now, there is no clear way to resolve this situation."

I nodded, "Actually. Before that. Here. As the one who keeps the dungeon in check." I opened my satchel and took out Dix's notebook, "Started by the mad inventor Daedalus, and worked on with every generation..." I opened the book to the page with the diagram of 'Gnossis', and offered him the book. "I picked this up from Dix, of the Ikelos Familia."

He looked at the page, thumbed back, scanned the page, thumbed forward, then frowned. "I had... no idea..." He continued for a moment longer, "I will have to look into this further..."

"There is a lot to look into. I've been through some of it, this 'mirror' to the dungeon. It's huge... But now it's just empty space. I know they have finished at least to the eighteenth floor. Though they might have dug as far as the twentieth."

"I remember Daedalus..." Ouranos said, tilting his head back and looking up at the ceiling. "More than once, I considered having him executed. But, he helped build this city."

"Once the Xenos have been put back into the dungeon, we can talk more about that?" I asked hopefully. "Good thinking, about the bounty, by the way."

"It buys time. Though it pains me to have to do it. I must balance the two, else the position of the Guild may falter." He tilted his head forward again, looking at me, "Many have called you wise. What would you do, in this situation?"

"If I thought it would work, I'd call off Loki Familia."

"Hm, yes. But, they were the ones to face the Black Minotaur. Hermes has told me a little about it, and that Loki Familia have taken a hit to their pride, for letting it get away. Even though they managed to cut off one of its arms, and wound it most grievously." He frowned.

"Having only met the Xenos in passing, or being passed out, I haven't had a chance to ask much about them. But, I can guess that this Black Minotaur is somewhat of a wild card, even among the Xenos." I replied, "And I'd guess it's also the biggest reason why the people are so upset."

"Yes. Most of the sightings have been smaller Xenos. More afraid of the people, than the people. I have still not heard from Fels, so I have been relying on Royman, and Hermes."

"I'll be honest, Hermes is on my black list. He's been the instigator of almost every problem my Familia has been involved in. Including letting Wiene get kidnapped."

"Yes. He has told me you and He are... At odds."

I nodded, and pulled my mind back to the original question. "So, Loki will do as Loki will do. We, my Familia and I, know of a few of these locations, where Ikelos Familia has entrances to their dungeon. While it would be tricky, any one of these places could be a path home for them."

"But?" The corners of Ouranos's mouth turned up very slightly, his long square face seeming to resist the motion.

"But. Hermes knows them too, as He's been watching us. Stands to reason Loki might as well." I started to pace, that same one two turn that I did at home. "There are probably a few more we haven't found yet."

"This book may have the locations."

"Possibly. I've only show a little of that book to a couple of people in my Familia. And haven't had time to go over it myself." I admitted, "It's clear, that we have to get them back to the dungeon, off street level, so the people can stop panicking."

"Yes. The Guild is for that purpose. Though, this situation has proven that my position is... not as prepared for this as I thought."

"Perhaps, you should start a Familia. I just happen to know a bunch of good natured people who know the dungeon really well, and are looking for a place in the world." I smiled, half joking. "Though... That's not as crazy as it sounds."

"Something to consider." Ouranos said, "Though, if they were found out, my position would be... worthless. Even more than it is now."

"I understand your position of wanting to rule, without taking a hand in things. But that is precisely why you are having so much trouble now." I said, "I get, that the Guild must be neutral. That it is simply here as the glue that keeps the city together. But, if it weren't for what you do, here in this room..."

"The fox is wise, as much as it pains me that you are correct." He said, "Once this situation is resolved, we will talk more about this. Let it be known however, that while I support the Xenos, too heavy a hand on your part, in returning them to the dungeon, will not be able to save you or your Familia from the will of the people."

I felt a little chill down my back. While Ouranos was the ruler of the city, He was also a puppet of it. If the people, and other Familia, spoke loud enough, my Familia, as well as Takemikazuchi and his Familia, could end up exiled from the city. Or worse. "We will do our best."

"If I uncover anything from the book, I will send a message."

"Do not trust Hermes to deliver it." I said firmly.

"No. I will not. He and I will have a long talk about this."

"Good... Now, how to I get out of here?"

"Royman has told me that the bookshelf opens from this side, if you know the method."

"Thank you."

The bookshelf did in fact open up from the secret passage side. It took a moment to figure out what gear to slide out of place to get the mechanism to release, but it was no problem for someone who could more or less put together a small car engine.

"Ah, expected you would figure that out easily enough." Royman said, not looking up from what ever bit of paperwork he was writing on. "As your first time visiting Him, what was your impression?"

"Aside from being... Very tall. I think He needs more sleep." I was half joking, and the smile on my face told Royman so. "But seriously? Ruling a city like this just by 'existing'... Not the best idea. He and I will chat about that later, provided I survive, and my Familia doesn't get exiled."

"I'm impressed. And a little envious, honestly." He sighed, "Though, I suppose I've earned His... No, scorn is too strong a word..."

"From what I hear." I cleared my throat politely, "You were a money loving, poor excuse for a boss, who liked to belittle people for all the wrong reasons." He looked at me sharply, but then looked away, "But, from what I hear now, you've certainly improved. People have good things to say about you now."

"It's true. My only motivation was either money, or showing off that I had money. But, after a certain fox said it to my face, without any regard about the position I held, I've realized I was not as... important as I thought I was."

"A good humbling can be a great learning experience." I said, "Considering I've nearly been killed... ... Oh that's a depressing thought..." I shook my head, "Anyhow. I've actually got a question for you before I go."

We shared a laugh, and he motioned to the 'guest' chair. Though I declined it, I fished about in my satchel for the book I was going to return to Ganesha. "I understand, you're a man of learning. Do you have any idea what this is?"

I pulled out a note, the one about the hieroglyph and what looked like a signature. "Well, this is hieroglyph, the Gods language."

"Metamorphic concoctions, as done by." I said, "I translated that, but this here? A signature?"

He looked at the scribble, then to me, then back. "If I had to guess, and this is just a guess. I think, that's Amazon. Their writing, the old style, looks kind of like... tangled threads. Not quite elegant, like knot work, but certainly complex." He leaned back, "Interesting topic, and you translated it?"

"Special project." I said with a smile, "I'll have to ask an Amazon about it then." Considering what I was trying to do, it would make sense that an Amazon would have thought of this first.

"Glad to have helped. Please, don't wreck the city." He said as I turned to leave.

"We'll help rebuild it when this is over." I said.

The next stop, after I had waded through the still panicking citizens in the Guild hall, was Ganesha. I had questions, and a book to return. It was strange, walking through the city in such a state. Adventurers were giving me a wary look, or flinging insults at my back. The regular people were fearfully going about their business, or had their windows and doors shut and barred. Not like that would help if a really determined monster wanted in. Even a goblin pack could wreck a house... Though a normal person could kill a goblin with a sharp enough weapon.

"Well well." A half familiar voice said from behind me. "How does it feel, Fox, to be the one people hate?"

Turning slowly, trying to remember where I'd heard that voice, I found myself face to face with the dark skinned, glasses wearing Zanis, of Soma Familia. "Oh. That's who it was." He frowned at me easy reply, and probably my lack of memory. "Honestly? It's like any other day, with less people smiling at me." Not quite true, but it was all I was going to give him for a reply. "Can I help you at all? Or are you just happy you aren't getting all the glares anymore?"

"Hah. I was simply wondering, what it felt like to fall from prominence, like you have. But you don't even care, do you?" He adjusted his faded green coat in what might have been a dignified manner, if it wasn't for how grubby it looked, "I was assuming you'd be out this way like the rest of the scavengers, looking for the monsters."

"Taking a day off." I said easily, though my ears perked a little at the mention of monsters, "Why? Are you going to join one of the parties? Some of those monsters are pretty tough. Sure you're up to it?"

While he fumed at me, I took note of where I was. Off the main street, a few streets down, near the place I usually got my boxers. "Yes, I am up to it. I haven't been idle since I lost my position as captain. That bastard Chandra won't be laughing much longer when I take it back from him."

"Zanis!" Someone, a rough looking man wearing what looked like a fur coat with a bad shave, "Come on! Pretty sure its down this way, through that old cellar!"

"Hmph, I hope you and your Familia rot, Fox." Zanis said as he turned away to follow the ruffian.

"Die in a fire, Zanis." I replied cheerfully. I waited until he was out of sight, before I took out a bit of paper and wrote down the exact address.

Oddly, there wasn't a door guard at I AM GANESHA. Well, actually, considering the state of the city, not that odd. They probably had every available guard out, trying to keep the people from outright rioting. It made my next potential meeting a little harder however, as I (probably) couldn't just walk up to Ganesha's office and knock.

I soon, found out why there was no guard outside. Being 'the Familia of the people' with all of the public services they offered... Well, all those people were inside. It wasn't as bad as the Guild, but there were quite a few citizens sitting out in the main lobby. Wounded. I had no idea it was so bad. The guards, standing just inside the door, moved to either side of me as the smell of 'pain' washed over me, making me dizzy, and bringing on a flash of what had happened in that warehouse.

"Ma'am? Are you well?" A hand touched my back, another my shoulder, and helped me find balance. "Oh, Miss Kodori."

I reached out a hand and put it on his shoulder, looking at them both, "Yes, sorry. So many wounded?"

"Yes. The fight between Loki Familia, and the monster. A good portion of the Daedalus maze is basically a crater now. With all that entails for the people living there." One replied, as the two stepped back to their posts at either side of the door. "What business do you have here today?"

"I've come to return something to Lord Ganesha, from his personal library." I said, tapping my satchel, the tome inside making a dull thumping noise. "And if I'm lucky, a cup of tea. I am a fan of Chai, though I don't know how to make it myself."

The two nodded, though the other replied, "I am surprised you know the name, it is not a common drink in the city." He looked thoughtful, "I'll see about getting you the recipe, on your way out. Lord Ganesha should be at the zoo."

"I know the way, thank you." I was about to turn, then stopped, "Oh, here. A donation." I took a potion bottle from inside my kimono top, "There should be enough in here for about twenty people. Minor wounds and pain only." I still had another, actual potion tucked away, but I figured my 'potion pills' would do better here, among all he wounded.

"Pills? How..." The guard I handed it to squinted at the bottle, holding it to the nearest magic stone lamp.

"Get me that recipe, and I'll give you mine." I gave them a fist-in-palm salute, then made my way to the zoo.

Notes!

Story... more story... setting up for yet more story...

See you in five days. :)