Chapter 76

Lilly knelt at the door and listened while our ghostly fox forms bit into the soldiers carefully and moved them to a corner of the room. "Just a moment, M'lady." I mumbled through a mouthful of shoulder plate.

"I'll get a pillow case." She said helpfully, as if this were just something that happened every Tuesday or something. It was the work of about two minutes to tie them up, gag them, and make sure they wouldn't be able to make too much noise if they woke up.

Getting a good look at the woman, I was actually... not surprised at all really. Almost my height, she was a robust looking woman who wouldn't have looked out of place in the modern military. Almost like a shorter version of Mama Mia. Sandy blond hair, blue eyes and a mildly weathered face made me guess she was in her early forties, maybe, and while queen, hadn't shied away from work when it presented itself. Her clothes were of a finer cloth than what I'd seen on the citizens, but otherwise, it was a light blue nightgown. It was just before sunrise, so we had probably woken her up, though, she didn't seem like she minded.

"Lilly can't hear anyone."

"Good morning." I said, "The one at the door is Lilly, and these two foxes are sort of... ... oh drat, don't know the word for this one." I looked at Haruhime's fox.

"Avatar." Haruhime replied, batting my nose with a paw.

"Yes, an avatar of Haruhime, and myself, Kodori. All of Hestia Familia." I continued, "Marius is in the city with us, as I promised to return him, though, it's a tiny bit early."

"I had heard what happened... Well... Of a sort. My husband," She grumbled the word out, sitting on a reading chair and picking up a metal cup. "He took the news badly. 'Our only son! Lost to those fiends in Orario!' he would rant."

"And your thoughts on it?" I asked, sitting up like a dog, and resisting the urge to scratch my ghostly ear with a hind paw.

"Since I actually listened to that blockhead Ares, I got the impression my boy was being kept as insurance." She sipped the contents of the silver cup and frowned, "But, also that it would be a good opportunity for him, even if you did treat him roughly."

"No rougher than anyone else under my command." I replied, "Any word of Ares? And I assume, since you're so calm, you didn't believe the news of Marius's death?"

"I know a shit eating grin when I see it." She said flatly, "And even if my husband would set himself on fire for any god who might ask, I'm no fool." She looked to Lilly, "Could you be a dear?" She motioned to a pitcher, also silver, on a table next to a large bed. "He locked me up in here when I told him that god was lying to him."

"Did this god have say, a silly looking hat? Or a woman following him around everywhere? Blue hair, sort of resigned look?"

"Yes. Poor girl seems to be stuck with Him."

"Don't swear Ko-san." Haruhime said to me.

"I'm curious, why you aren't here in person?" The queen asked, giving Lilly a pat on the head for bringing the pitcher, but pouring the contents herself.

"Well, we're both close to seven months pregnant." I said, my fox self leaning a little on Haruhime's. "Not exactly made for sneaking about right now."

"Fair." She smiled back at us, "So yes, it's good Marius is here. But what is he up to?"

"I suspect..." I looked out the window as a bell started ringing. Not a deep gong of the bell tower, but a hammering 'clang clang' of an alarm. "Okay. Out of time. Marius is planning to tell his father to step down, so Marius can fix Rakia with what he's learned from Orario."

She sighed, "Well then..." Finishing off what ever it was that was in her cup, she stood and went to a wardrobe. Made of heavy dark wood, it looked a little out of place with all the light reds and whites of the room. "Lilly was it? I don't suppose you could help me put this on?"

Garon put his big hand on my shoulder lightly, snapping my attention away from my ghostly fox. "Lady, it's time to march. You sure you need to be there in person?"

I opened one eye and looked at him, "Just in case." I said, "Besides, Marius will be there." I looked around the shop with my one open eye, "Lord Takemikazuchi. Are you ready?"

"A warrior is always ready." He said seriously, his smile gone. "Is it Hermes then?"

"And Asfi." I replied, lightly shaking Haruhime's shoulder, "Love? Open one eye."

"I think I know why Marius-san is so intelligent." Haruhime said, slowly opening one eye.

"No kidding." I replied.

"We are on the move." I said to Lilly, then to the Queen, who was now dressed in a female version of the Roman Segmentata, complete with a helmet bearing a thin gold band around it. "We even got our equipment."

"Speaking of..." The Queen looked at her weapons, a spear, not quite as tall as she was, with a wickedly sharp point, and a Gladius that reminded me of the one I threw off the cliff when I'd faced Marius the day we met. "I kind of wish Garon wasn't so busy. This needs sharpening."

"I'm sure he'd be happy to look at it, after this is all done." I commented, "Do you know where Ares is?"

"Yes." She said simply, "Though, we'll have to... convince the guards to move aside. Ares Himself is no longer the real ruler anymore. My husband ate the news of Marius's 'death' whole, and Ares is basically locked in a room to update people's status. He's likely rather short of blood."

"How about Hermes?" Haruhime asked, who, even with her near legendary politeness leaving the 'lord' from the God's name.

"He, and that poor girl, have been rooming next to the royal suite." She growled, "Eating our best food, drinking out best wine, and apparently 'waiting for something important' to happen." Lilly looked up to the Queen and gave her a thumbs up, "You're really good at this." the Queen commented.

"Lilly is the Hestia Familia supporter." She replied, "Oh... Lilly doesn't need to look like this anymore..."

Slowly, her features softened, filled out, and shifted back to the adorable round faced Lilly, "Oh.. What of the one you looked like?"

"Safe at Garon's workshop." I said, "fed, bathed, and probably sleeping."

"Good." She replied. "Follow me. Try not to kill anyone, if you can help it."

My body marched with no more than two dozen men. All of them knew me too, as they were part of the force I'd 'dealt with' on my way to Ares. At the news (and proof) of Marius not being dead, they set aside all grudges, and fell into line behind their prince. That might also have been because he was in his new armour now too. All of our equipment had be brought back by the Constable, though, I was told that was what alerted the rest of the city to us.

"Marius." I called out, "Your mother is about to convince the guards to let Ares out. Do you think the new recruits will give us much trouble?"

With the alarm bell still being struck, and new bells sounding out throughout the city, I was a little concerned about just how many people we might have to wade through. Marius chuckled, a hollow metallic noise from inside his helmet, "We have around us, the veterans of the old army. As old as some might be, they are armed, armoured, and about as skilled as I was, before I came under your care."

I didn't doubt it. Some were going grey, or balding. Others bore scars so vivid that I wondered how they might have lived through it. But each was wearing their armour, each had a large rectangle scutum shield, emblazoned with the crest of Rakia. Even if there might not have been a level 2 among them, I could believe they all knew what they were doing.

"See old man?" Welf said from behind me to Garon, "This equipment is much nicer. It's almost criminal to rush you like that."

"Eh. I'm more impressed by Lord Marius's armour." Stuck in the middle of the small formation, he wasn't able to approach Marius in the front, "What's making it glow like that?"

"Wishful thinking." I answered cryptically.

"Ko-san scratched lines into the adamant. Then filled it with Ko-steel. Marius-dono is making it glow by using his will to make the protection magic of the armour work." Haruhime explained dutifully at Garon's puzzled look.

"Secret cookie boxes, and now my enchanting? Have I no secrets?" I pouted.

"Not from me." Haruhime giggled, "Oh... Welf-san, could you hold my elbow... I think the Queen is about to do something... undiplomatic."

"Asuka?" I looked over to Asuka, "Me too please?"

We, the foxes, Lilly and the Queen had been moving through the halls like we owned the place. We had encountered no resistance as we went down stairs, through the side door, and outside, but as soon as we crossed the lawn in front of the grand staircase, we were spotted and were met by a half dozen soldiers. The Queen paid them no mind, and simply ignored them as she walked towards the second tower's side door.

Until one of the young men asked her to stop.

It was here I asked for Asuka to help guide my real body, because I didn't want to miss a second of the Queen looking at the soldier, and kicking him in the groin so hard, he lifted off the ground almost a meter, before falling back down in a heap, not even conscience enough to hold his damaged equipment.

"The next soldier who gets in my way, will get the same." She said, levelling her sword at the downed man, "I am going to see Ares. Now."

Lilly, standing between Haruhime and I, looked at the downed man, then around to the other five, her eyes sharp and making sure they didn't make any sudden moves.

"My Lady." To his credit, the next one to answer her didn't flinch as she turned to face him. "We have been given orders, you are not to leave your room, and no one is to see Ares aside from the military."

"Are you going to try to stop me?" She asked flatly, putting a hand to the hilt of her sword, "And you should know, I AM part of the military. Woman or not."

"Ma'am?" I started, but she met one of my golden eyes and then looked away, so I shrugged and waited.

The boy seemed to struggle with the choice of obeying orders, or walking away from what was probably a severe beating. "I'm sor"

To my eyes, she was simply 'fast'. I could see clearly the sudden tensing of her shoulder, hip, and leg, as she took a half step forward and punched him. Even through the metal of his armour, she hit him firmly in the solar plexus, and he too went down, though, he managed to gasp as the air was smashed out of him, his armour bent inwards around the imprint of a fist.

"You two, get him out of his armour or he will suffocate." She said calmly. "You might be the new line of soldiers for Rakia, but I am Queen, and Commander. You will step aside."

"The Queen is quite the woman." I commented, making Garon laugh quietly.

"HALT!" Some one called out from across the field. With my one open eye, I watched as my ghostly fox walked into the second tower. But that was quite the distance away. Ahead of us, a patrol of soldiers had started to form a line, with others quick marching in from all sides. It wasn't long before we had nearly a hundred soldiers surrounding our two dozen plus Garon, Takemikazuchi, Asuka, Mikoto, Haruhime and myself.

Marius stood in front, dark roman armour with glowing purple channels running over it. Etched dragon scale shield, also glowing faintly, and a full helmet complete with visor on his head. No one in this world would have understood who Guyver was, or maybe Gowkaiser, but I think I had the look down. Expertly, the ones around us turtled up, locking shields together and pointing spears outwards against the rookies.

"I am Marius Victrix Rakia. Prince of Rakia." He shouted in that commanding voice he used when he needed to be heard over a dungeon battle. "Captured by Hestia Familia during the Rakia Orario war. Taken under the care of Takemikazuchi Familia. And now returned after a year and a day to take my rightful place as Captain of Ares Familia. Who DARES stand in my way?"

I recognized Scarface's voice as he called back from atop the only horse there, "All troops! Ready spear! They must not advance further!"

"You are all my people." Marius shouted back over the noise of rattling armour and readied weapons, "But if you insist, I, and those where were there at my capture, will push through you. I will meet my father, and I will end the insanity of a country that continues to go to war!"

"Archers ready!" Scarface called. "Our prince is dead! So said Lord Hermes, messenger God and witness to Lord Marius's fall!"

Without words, the formation around us tightened up a little, shields were raised overhead, and I was suddenly in the near darkness of total cover. Don't worry, Lady Kodori, Lady Haruhime." One of them said to us, "You kept your word, and we will let nothing touch you while we live."

I could hear the deep sound of Marius sighing, then the sound of him putting his sword away. "Very well."

"FIRE!"

A moment later, arrows started to strike the shields around us. From all sides, the rattle and skitter of steel on steel. But I also heard the sudden cacophony of a collection of pots being scattered over the ground. Followed by another, then another, then a scream followed by more orders. Marius, alone, was fighting them all.

The Lord Constable shouted an order, "Expand!"

All at once, the formation around us opened up. Light flooded in as the shields were lowered, arms locking into place, and they all rushed outwards into the soldiers surrounding us. Not quite as impressive as noise Marius had made, the grizzled veterans of the old military slammed into the lesser skilled lines of the new army. Archers panicked and fired wildly, spear men collapsed under the weight of heavy steel shields.

Marius himself, looked to have simply charged forward, using every scrap of his level three status to simply toss people aside like crumpled sheets of paper. With his armour, and skill, nothing could touch him as he finally got a hand on Scarface, and picked up him, AND his horse, heaving them both into the air to land in a pile of broken bones and screams of pain.

The battlefield froze, as Marius drew his sword, and put the horse out of its misery, leaving it as dead weight over Scarface.

"I am Marius Victrix Rakia. And I will see my father." To the rest of the new army, he said, "Go! Tell the people I have returned! Tell them to gather here and within the hour I will address them, not as prince, but King!"

A little bruised, the two dozen men of the old army formed up around us again, as those who were able to, peeled themselves out of the ground, and hobbled away, leaving weapons and shields behind.

"Let us pass." The Queen said to the two soldiers stationed at the door.

We had walked without challenge to the top floor, the Queen getting more irritated with each level we reached. "As if all these stairs would help anyone raise their stats." She had muttered.

The two guards took one look at the angry looking woman, then to the two ghostly foxes behind and to either side, and simply stepped aside. One of them seemed to realize something, and he stepped back, unlocking the door helpfully, before moving aside again.

"No more updates..." I heard a mumble from inside as we entered. "No matter how many times... Nothing will change..."

"Ares." The Queen said simply as light flooded into the room. "You have a duty to perform."

"No... Please?" Gone was the strong golden haired God. Ares, God of War, was weak looking and thin. Once thick muscles were lean and loose. Brilliant hair had turned thin and almost brittle looking. He sat in a chair, hardly able to hold himself up. "I have almost nothing left to give. A thousand updates a day..." He sounded short of breath too.

"Lord Ares." The Queen said, more gently, "There will be no updates today. My son Marius has returned."

"Marius... Yes... I knew he was alive..." Ares said, slumping forward, struggling to even raise his head.

"You two." The Queen looked out into the hallway and spoke to the two guards, "Help your God to His feet. Leave your spears and shields here, you won't need them."

"M'lady... The King gave us..." The two of them looked at Ares, "Right away, M'lady."

"I almost feel like a fifth wheel." I said to Haruhime.

"I would rather that, than plan B." She replied as we fell into step behind Ares and the two soldiers carrying Him over their shoulders. "Poor Lord Ares."

"That voice..." Ares mumbled, "The demon fox? Did you truly return Marius?"

"I did, Lord Ares." I said, "Your new Captain trained hard, learned much, and will help Rakia prosper."

"I tried." He replied, still sounding a little delirious, "But I am a God of war... I know nothing about the land, or the animals."

"Marius-dono knew you might not know." Haruhime replied, "And he wanted to return not just stronger, but as a proper leader, to make his home prosper again."

"Save your strength, Lord Ares." The queen said over her shoulder, "I suspect you will need it for what comes next."

"Mother." Marius said as we met up at the base of the tower.

"Son." She replied, looking up at him, "You look well."

The rest of the soldiers had taken to one knee, heads bowed towards the Queen in all her battle finery. Feeling a little out of place, I didn't take a knee, but that was because it felt like one of my children to be had just elbowed my bladder.

"I am well of body, but... Will you forgive me?" Marius asked.

"If it must be done." She replied quietly.

"Lord Ares." Marius looked away from his mother to the nearly broken God, "I have your approval?"

"It is... Not how I wanted it." Ares said, still being supported by the two guards, "But, yes."

"We cannot perform the transfer yet." Takemikazuchi said, "But I will hold his falna safe."

"Thank you cousin." Ares replied.

"IMPOSTER!" I heard shouted from the top of the steps, followed by the marching rattle of more soldiers falling into line. "I care not who you are! To assume my dead son's name and assault my castle is punishable by DEATH!"

He wasn't hard to spot, way up at the top of the stairs. Tall like Marius, broad shouldered, blond hair with a little grey, he was a vision of Marius twenty years from now. However, his eyes were crazy, the gold crown atop his head a little off centre.

"Father!" Marius snapped his visor open and shouted back, "It does not have to be like this!" He swept a hand behind him, "They all know me! Mother! Ares! I am your son!"

"NO! My son died at the hands of Takemikazuchi Familia and the Demon Fox!" He pointed to the two still manifested foxes, "I see her work walks beside you!"

I shook my head, this was just too much. I couldn't think of any reason for someone to simply refuse the evidence in front of them like this. Unless...

"Don't swear." Haruhime whispered to me.

"Marius-dono." Mikoto said before I could speak, "Would you allow us to step in? I feel... unsatisfied to simply stand here while my God is insulted.

"Can you promise their lives?" Marius asked, snapping his visor shut again and readying his shield.

"Yes." She replied, "Though, the stairs might not fare so well." And she assumed a posture of prayer, mumbling a quiet string of Eastern I actually understood now.

"I will advance. Follow afterwards." Marius said firmly, so all of us could hear.

"I respectfully speak to you, my War God that can break through anything," Above, the troops on the steps, a small circle of purple appeared in the sky, slowly expanding until it was just a little wider than the stairs themselves and covering most of the soldiers, "Lead me from the precious heaven. Give my petty body divine power of your grand body." Some of the rookie soldiers faltered, looking up and seeing a second circle appear, not quite as wide as the first. By now, Marius had started up the steps, his armoured boots heavy upon the red granite. "Rescue them, light of purification, sword of crushing evil." A third, then a forth circle now, Mikoto moving her hands away from her body to splay them out before her, "Sweep sword of suppression, sacred sword of conquest." Takemikazuchi put His hand on her shoulder, and she started to glow the same bright purple of the rings in the sky. The soldiers were only standing their ground now because of the King threatening them with death if they ran. "It arrives here now by my order. Descend from heaven, rule the earth - shinbu tousei!"

Marius was about four steps away from the effect, as a huge blazing sword fell from the sky, piercing the rings exactly in the middle. As each ring was struck, the soldiers under its effect looked like something heavy was being pressed down upon them. Yet even as the weakest among them fell to one knee, Marius kept walking. As the last of the circles was sundered by the ethereal sword, the point burying itself in the white marble of the steps, everyone but Marius was slammed to the ground. The prince however...

Just...

Kept...

Walking...

Like a juggernaut, he kept his slow steady pace. Until he stood in the middle of the field, in front of the glowing blade that had fallen from the sky.

"Are you..." I whispered to Mikoto, who shook her head no, even as she maintained focus on her spell. "That's impressive."

"Our Prince has shown us the way! Forward!" The Lord Constable shouted.

We advanced slowly, and Marius started to move again. Walking through the crackling sword, then towards his father. Over the noise of Mikoto's gravity magic, I could only make out that Marius was talking, but not the words. The King shouted something back, drawing his sword, but instead of confronting Marius, he turned and fled, back through the wide double doors of the white marble palace. Instead of following, Marius shook head head. Then, he turned, and made a throat cutting motion towards us with his thumb.

And the magic winked out, leaving behind the faint smell of ozone, and the groaning of broken soldiers.

"I ask that the old tend to the new." Marius said, "And that my friends from Hestia and Takemikazuchi Familia follow me forth."

"YES SIR!" The soldiers shouted, splitting up efficiently into pairs and marching quickly to the fallen soldiers as the rest of us approached Marius.

Haruhime noticed my distress and chided me as I tried to rub my belly and get who ever it was off my bladder. "You should have gone before we left."

"I did." I mumbled back, though Asuka giggled quietly.

"Problem?" The Queen held back a step and looked at me.

"Just trying to get someone to roll over or something..."

"First try at parenting?"

"Yes." Haruhime and I said together with a smile.

"They aren't..." She looked briefly at Marius's back.

"No." Again in perfect unison.

"*ahem* Well, you want them to move... so you try and make it more comfortable somewhere else." She lightly put a gauntlet on my belly, "Make over here warmer, instead of encouraging them to stay where they are."

"When you are out of armour, I'll hug you." I said, taking her advice and feeling a small shift in my belly. "Oh, that feels so much... lighter."

As it was, one of my tails snaked over and lightly flopped over her arm. "I'd very much like to hear about my son's year in your care." She gave the tail a pat, then paid it no mind.

Marius had slowed slightly, ever aware of the state of the party. But now that our little lesson was over, he half turned, "Ready?"

"Yes." We all said together.

The two foxes set themselves to flank Marius, while Mikoto and Asuka took up a rear guard. This left me in the middle with Takemikazuchi, Ares, the two soldiers who were still supporting him, though He was walking mostly without them now. Lilly was behind Marius, her little crossbow ready, while Welf and the Queen walked side by side.

As we passed under the overhang just before the door, I heard, "ARCHERS, FIRE!" Shouted from inside. Our reaction was smooth and nearly instant. Marius brought up his tower shield, Haruhime and I put our hands on each other's back, and moved our ghostly foxes a little closer to him, and pushed more magic into them, turning them more solid. Everyone else simply got behind them, the three of them nearly taking up the width of the door.

It hurt. And I could tell Haruhime was feeling it too. The sympathetic pain of my fox taking damage, its ghostly body not nearly as tough as my own, or as solid, sent a sharp jab of pain through me where ever it hit on the fox. But, eyes closed and taking comfort in Haruhime's touch, I endured.

"READY!" The King's voice called again, "FIRE!"

Another sheet of arrows, and I could feel Haruhime falter slightly. I was close to my limit as well, but we were through the door now, and through squinted eyes I could see the king, standing in front of a golden throne.

"Lilly." Marius said calmly, his boots snapping arrow shafts as he walked. "Welf, to my left."

"Sir!" Welf replied, moving to replace Haruhime's fox. Haruhime herself let the fox fade, arrows that had stopped inside its body clattering to the polished marble floor.

"I will support you Welf." Haruhime said her body glowing as she put her hands together.

With the black edged golden fox gone, Lilly put a handful of bolts into her mouth and started firing her little crossbow as fast as she could. With all the practice she'd put in, it was nearly as fast as a normal bow.

"AGAIN!" More arrows, though Mikoto moved in front of Haruhime and I and started swatting them out of the air as the more clever of them tried to arc some over our forwards.

There were a few less arrows this time, as Lilly aimed for kneecaps.

"How long will you let your men suffer father!" Marius shouted back, timed perfectly with a little crossbow bolt hitting the soldier directly in front of the King. "Surrender! Or by the Gods I will end your rule by my own hand!"

"Listen to him!" Ares shouted, though a little breathless, "Stand down Martinus!"

Through the haze of pain from my ghostly fox, I could see the conflict in the King's face. But I could also smell something odd in the air. A hint of rubbing alcohol and mint.

"Are you sure, your majesty?" A familiar voice asked, as Hermes stepped out from behind the throne, along with Asfi, who seemed to be releasing a faint vapour into the air from her body. "Your son is dead. You read the letter yourself. It is simply a ploy for the half monster, the Demon Fox, to take your throne, and place this pretender on it."

The soldiers, with no orders, had ceased fire. While the King held the side of his head, "You're right, Lord Hermes..."

"Asfi!" I called out, "What ever you owe that filthy, meddling, worthless excuse for a God, can't be worth the pain you've helped put these people through!" I made to take a step forward, but Hermes met my eyes.

"Now now... To a grown adult, this might cloud the mind, but who knows what it might do to your unborn children." Hermes taunted, my feet locking in place. "I'm surprised... Where is Bell?"

"Bell-dono is at home, recovering our Familia's war chest." Mikoto said.

"All of the problems we've had because of you have pretty much emptied our coffers." Welf continued.

"And he needed to do something productive, now that he knows you were trying to manipulate people to make him look like the hero." I said, "He doesn't want to be 'manufactured'. He wants nothing to do with you, your plans, or being made into a hero by anyone other than himself!"

"HE SHOULD BE GREATFUL!" Hermes replied furiously, taking out his dagger and unceremoniously stabbing the still struggling king in the back. For someone with normal strength, the dagger didn't go far, but He had wedged it between the two bands of metal just under the King's shoulder blades. "All my efforts to make him great! The Greatest! To shine in the eyes of the people, and give him the opportunity to earn more power!"

The soldiers, as well as Marius, were stunned for a moment as the King gasped, trying to get the dagger in his back while Hermes wedged it in a little further, before kicking the monarch in the back of the knee. "Because of me, he has had so many opportunities to overcome! So many chances to be a true hero!" He looked to Asfi as we all glared at Him, "We're leaving." He tried to pull out His dagger, but gave up and turned away from us, Asfi calmly tossing a bottle to the floor, filling the area with white smoke.

"Because of you, so many people have suffered!" I yelled back, losing sight of the throne in the sudden rush of smoke.

"And if You knew Bell at all, You'd know he'd have done the right thing without Your involvement!" Haruhime shouted from beside me, surprising most of us, and urging us into motion.

"Any of you who lay down your arms will not be harmed." Marius shouted, "Any of you who pursue that God will be rewarded." His heavy footsteps stomped forward, "Father!"

"If you would assist me." Takemikazuchi said calmly, though his smile was not present, "I would like to have a word with Hermes."

I felt a chill that went from the base of my neck to the soles of my feet at His words. Mikoto, Asuka, Welf and Lilly, all formed up around him however, and they followed Marius into the smoke.

"Ko-san... Your fox?"

I let the magic of my fox fade, dozens of arrows clattering to the floor as it simply vanished. I summoned another one a moment later, Haruhime doing the same. Together, we made them larger, shocking the soldiers who were helping the fallen or trying to swat away the mist with their shields. Then with poofy tails the size of wagons, we dispelled the smoke around us and the throne. All eyes went to Marius, who was cradling the body of his father, before putting him down and shaking his head.

With the Queen by us, we went to him, "The blade found his heart." Marius said, holding the bloody knife in his hand. "The potion did nothing." I could see a mix of potion and blood leaking from the corner of Martinus's mouth, "Mother?"

"I am here." She said, putting a hand on Marius's shoulder plate.

"He knew me, in the end. I saw it."

"Yes he did."

"I will do better."

"Yes you will."

"I will stand vigil." Ares said, no longer supported by the two soldiers, who were helping pull crossbow bolts from legs. "The people will need to know. Your people."

"My Captain." Marius said, turning his head towards me, "I leave Hermes to you."

"Are you sure?" I asked, rubbing my belly again, trying to get yet another elbow off my bladder. My unborn seemed to have no sense for the mood yet.

"I must lead." He said, closing the eyes of his father and standing.

"Go get them, my Lord." I said, the two of us tapping knuckles.

Of all the things I didn't like about my current condition, 'mobility issues' was the biggest one. I could walk just fine, but anything much faster made my extra dimensions wobble painfully. Haruhime and I supported each other as we walked quickly behind the Queen. "My room, where they were staying is this way."

"Asfi has boots that allow flight." I said, "they would likely try for a big enough window, or the top of a wall."

"Being built for war, there are no windows big enough, without breaking the walls themselves. Not a problem for a strong enough adventurer I suppose... But you would have heard the noise I'm sure."

"Do you think they got away?" Haruhime asked, looking up at me.

"I'm sure I saw Asuka and Mikoto snatch a bow on the way. Asfi is level four, but not very tough, and I know its hard to fly with an arrow stuck in you." My calf started itching as I spoke, an echo of my own experience.

"Then the nearest way to the outer wall then." The Queen changed directions, stopping only long enough to open a door, peer inside, and make a disappointed noise, "Smells terrible in there... It will take weeks to get that smell out."

I caught a whiff of that smell as well, and recognized the scent of some of alchemy ingredients. "Asfi hasn't been idle. I hope the oth"

The ground under my feet shook slightly, followed by a booming roar as something above us exploded. "Second floor! Hurry... well, as much as you can." The Queen said, picking up her pace a little.

"Give up Hermes." I heard Welf say, "I know these walls, and nothing Asfi has will break them. And if she did have something, she'd die in the process."

The five of them were standing in the middle of a long hallway, facing a heavy door. It was iron bound wood, but from the scorch marks along the walls and floors, along with a few random arrows here and there, Asfi had done well in holding off the five of them. Welf himself had a scorched arm and shoulder while Lilly's slave outfit was in tatters. Asuka and Mikoto were covered in soot, but Takemikazuchi had not a mark on him.

"This hardly seems far you know." Hermes said from inside. "But if you open that door, you'll see how well Asfi's potions work.

"Let me." The Queen said, stepping forward, "Lord Hermes." She said, her voice strong and confident. "I would like you to listen very carefully."

"Ah, your highness. So glad you were able to make it out of your room for the occasion."

"Lord Hermes." She repeated, "You stand accused of many things, here in Rakia. The last being the murder of the King. If you give up now, I can promise your life, as well as the life of your assistant."

"I am a God." Hermes said. I could tell by the tone he had that infuriating grin on his face, "No mortal can judge me."

"Hermes." Takemikazuchi said, his tone flat and menacing. "You stand accused of many things, here in Rakia. The last being the murder of the father, of one of my Familia." Takemikazuchi stood beside the Queen, and looked to Welf, who nodded and braced his shoulder quietly to the door, "Asfi. Child. If you can hear me, I promise you safe passage, and exemption from my wrath, and that of all present, if you simply walk away, now."

Even the children inside me were still as the no longer smiling Eastern God of War spoke.

"I understand." we all heard Asfi say, "I owe you, Lord Hermes, but no. Not this much."

A moment later, the door unlatched, and opened, revealing Asfi, who had taken off all her potion belts. Holding them loosely in her two hands, the Queen and Welf took them away quickly and carefully, while Asfi, hands still up, walked away, down the hall. Hermes, when I got close enough to peek into the room, was standing there, shocked, mouth open, trying to form words.

"Some one once told me, Hermes, that if we put all the Gods in a room, with their weapon of choice, only Lord Takemikazuchi would leave." I said, enjoying the sight of all the colour vanishing from Hermes's face, "Except, you left your dagger downstairs."

Takemikazuchi entered then, and Welf helpfully closed the door behind him, the quiet hiss of a katana being drawn the last sound before the 'click' of the door latch.

"Hurry Ko-san." Haruhime urged me, as the sound of people outside the palace got louder. "Marius-dono is about to speak."

"Love... I don't know how you do it, but do you know how long I've been holding it?"

She giggled from the other side of the door, "Your children are thoughtful, just like you."

"They are just waiting for you to let your guard down." I replied, finishing and awkwardly getting my clothes back in place. I used the washbasin and a towel, then stepped out, leaning down and kissing Haruhime's forehead. "I hope we are home before the full moon... Or, alternately, we could stay until just after..."

"It would be a proper vacation then." Haruhime took my hands and put them on her belly, "Let's go. I am pretty sure they are waiting for us..."

"Come on you two." Asuka said from just down the hall, standing at the entrance to the throne room, "The people are waiting."

I walked as smoothly as I could, my tails covering Haruhime's back and flopping over her far shoulder. Her tails wrapped around my hip, and together, we made it to Asuka, who walked just ahead of us. I spotted Welf, talking with the Queen and looking over her sword, while Garon and some of the 'old guard' were still tending the wounded.

Now that I wasn't occupied by trying not to get shot, I took a good look at the throne room itself. Roman pillars in almost glass smooth pure white marble. Gold leaf along the base and top edge of all the walls. Mirror polished red granite floors... I was seriously impressed by just how much high quality stone had been used in this place. It needed more windows though. With only arrow slits and torches letting the light in, it was almost like a well lit tomb, instead of an opulent throne room. The throne itself, with a spot for the Queen and Prince to sit beside the centre chair, still had the body of the King laying before it. Though, it was covered by a white cloth.

"A shame, really." I mumbled.

Haruhime's ear twitched towards my voice, "Hermes will never bother anyone again though."

"True." I replied.

"Hey you two!" Welf called out, "The Prince is waiting outside." He handed the sword back to the Queen and came over to us. "Mikoto and Lord Takemikazuchi are already out there."

"And Lilly?" I asked.

"Helping the Constable with the wagons. It has to be properly put away. The magic stone containers won't last forever, and there are a lot of perishables in there." Welf replied, "She'll be along soon though."

I nodded, and together, we walked into the early afternoon light. Blinking the dazzle from my eyes, I saw... People. Young, old, men, women, soldiers and slaves. A mix of old and new guard were on the steps, shields ready, but weapons away. But around them, at the base of the stairs, were thousands of people. Marius was standing at the top of the steps, Mikoto and Takemikazuchi on either side of him. Still dressed in his new adamant suit of armour, he looked less a prince, and more a conqueror. Mikoto looked at him, her mouth moving, and Marius turned back to look at me.

Face serious, he waved us over. "Line up, please, and stand just behind the line here..." He said quietly, pointing to a line that had been polished just a little more than the rest of the marble around it. "The architects made this spot into an..." He said something I didn't understand.

"Amphitheatre." Takemikazuchi said.

"Very clever." I mumbled, turning to look behind me, and spotting how the walls were tilted just so, and the high roof of the entryway had a peculiar slant on the underside. "Ah, your mother is closing the door..." I was quite impressed by the design, now that I was able to pay attention.

With a echoing rattle and thump, the huge double doors of the palace closed, and the people at the bottom of the stairs stopped milling about and fell silent. My eyes also spotted how the two guard towers out front also had a bit of an odd design. Just like the designer of the secret clockwork door in Royman's office, I'd have loved to meet the person who made this grand stage.

"People of Rakia." Marius started, his voice loud and echoing. "I am Prince Marius Victrix Rakia, and I have returned home." A pause, the people at the foot of the steps stirring, looking confused. The soldiers on the stairs thumped their shields down once, however, and all was quiet again.

"A more than a year ago, I, along with Lord Ares and a great many of our soldiers, turned our spears towards the adventurer town of Orario. It is no secret, that we lost that war. Many returned home without Falna, others returned home wounded, and some did not return at all." Ares was escorted onto the 'stage' at this point, standing behind Marius, and putting a hand on his shoulder. "I was one of those. Captured alongside Lord Ares, I was given a choice. No. An opportunity. Return home in shame, stripped of my Falna. Or to stay a year and a day, under the care of Takemikazuchi Famila."

He was simplifying it a little, but I could see he had the entire crowd's attention. Takemikazuchi put his hand on Marius's other shoulder, and the Prince continued, "The goal of this was simple. I would learn, grow, and return. Made strong and tempered by the dungeon." He looked cross ways at me, "Kodori Haruhime, the Demon Fox, had something else in mind as well."

"Did you really have to use that name here?" I mumbled, watching the people below point at me, or gasp in surprise.

"She didn't just want me to return stronger. But wiser too. And over the past year, we have been learning from each other. With my return, I bring that wisdom home." The shields were slammed down again for silence as the people started to cheer, "New ideas for growing food. Treating sick. Tending livestock. Purifying water. New crops. New trade goods. All of these returned with me."

This time he let the crowd cheer a little, before raising a hand for silence, the shields not needed this time. "I wanted, with all my heart, to return with these gifts, and present them to my father. But the God Hermes had murdered him before I could do so."

Several times, the boom of the shields echoed out, before the people were quiet again. "The light of a God returning to the sky is unmistakable, and Hermes will never again bother the world of mortals. Lord Takemikazuchi, Eastern God of War, my mentor too, has settled the blood debt Hermes owed my family." Marius held up a hand before the people could make much noise, and they fell silent once more, "It is with a heavy heart I announce my ascension to the throne of Rakia. But, with what I have learned over the past year, I intend to make this country prosper!"

"Too long has the outlying territories of Rakia been empty fields and barren rock! Too long have our crops failed, our people going hungry! Too long has our pointless 'grand military' been the sole focus of Rakia! NO LONGER to I want our empire to be a place people point at, and say 'Oh look, it's that warmonger's home'. Or 'People starve while your soldiers eat'. NO! This will not stand!"

I was smiling, even though Marius looked furious. He had the ears of the people though, and not a one looked away as the prince raised his hands in the air.

"With the gifts I have been given for my time in Orario, I will make us a place people will be in AWE of! We have the land! We have the people! And now, we have the knowledge. Rakia will proper. And while we might never have the might of Orario, I will make sure my people want for nothing! This age of pointless war is OVER! It is time to Grow! To Build! And one day, soon, I intend to return to Orario, not as a conqueror, but as a friend. To invite them here, to Rakia, and show them, that they are not the only ones who can shine in the eyes of the Gods. That the gift of the chance they gave to me, was not wasted!" His eyes swept over the people, "In the coming years, I will ask much of you, but no more than what I know you can give. And in the years after that, the return will be worth every drop of sweat you spend. I, King Marius Victrix Rakia, Swear this, before the Gods, and the people!"

Poor Marius was swamped with meetings, paperwork, organization, and other things a sudden monarch needed to do. He made sure however, that our needs were met, and that we were free to roam about as we pleased. Like we had intended before this mess got kicked off.

Both Haruhime and I had to spend three days in seclusion, thankful that the thick stone walls were good for privacy, as well as defence. But afterwards, after soaking and resting in a nice open air sauna, much like the pictures of the Greek Baths you can find, we were ready to discuss our return to Orario.

"Enter." Marius called from inside his new 'office'. Not quite as spacious as Royman's it still had plenty of book shelves, as well as chairs, a nice wide desk, and a slump shouldered man sitting behind it. "Ah good. I suppose it's almost time?"

We were all in the office, wearing Rakia made clothing too, for the full vacation experience. Lilly answered first, "Lilly thinks Marius needs a nap."

"Oh how I'd like that." Marius replied with a tired smile, squaring up the small stack of papers in front of him and setting it aside. "But, the last six months have not been kind to the ledgers. We're swimming in debt, our people are just barely able to feed themselves, and our winters are a lot colder than Orario."

"We could arrange a few relief supplies?" Welf asked, "I mean..."

"No. We must stand on our own two feet." Marius said, "Besides, it would take quite a few wagons to supply a city like this. We have more people in Rakia by far. We will make it, and come spring we will begin with the new field plans, and crop cycles." He grinned, a bit of his usual energy returning, "Now, if you could find a buyer for high quality marble... We have lots."

"We've gotten everything else set then." Asuka said, "Including..."

"Yes. I am very sorry about them. Please, Lord Takemikazuchi, can you find a little more space in your heart for them?" Marius asked, "Maybe try and find their families?"

"You need not ask. I intended to do so from the start." Takemikazuchi said, his usual smile back in place. "We will do all we can for them."

"One more thing on the long list of things our constant warring has done..." He stood, walking around the desk and bowing to us, "Thank you, for everything. I promise to make this a place you would want to visit again. Maybe when they start walking? I'd love to see them." He said to Haruhime and I.

"Look forward to it, My Lord." I grinned, making him wince a little.

"Lady Haruhime, did you hear something? Sounded like someone teasing me..."

"Hm, I heard no such thing." Haruhime subtly kicked me in the shin gently, "Surely no one would tease such a hard working, serious man like yourself."

We all laughed a bit, "Well, if you need anything, send a letter. We'll do our best, just like always." The two shook hands.

"Indeed. It was a great honour to learn and teach you." Mikoto bowed, Marius bowing in return.

"If you don't send at least two letters a year, we're going to drag you back." Asuka bowed as well.

"Lilly will now have to carry all the things again." She pouted, but laughed as Marius ruffled her hair, "Lilly will miss this too."

"Don't worry. All that practise carrying almost all the things, will help me hold Rakia up on my shoulders." He and our supporter shared a fist bump.

"All packed up then?" Garon was checking the horse's feet when we got to the wagons. He gave the horse he was tending to a pat, then walked over to us. "I see you'll have some extra people on the way home."

"They will be seen to, and cared for." I said, "Oh, I have something for you." I turned, "Hey Welf!" He turned from the farthest wagon, giving me a 'what?' look. "Where did you put it?" He looked at me, puzzled, then perked up and hopped up onto the wagon bed, looking through the crates. A moment later, he hopped off, carrying a big glass jar. "Want me to tell you how to mix it? Or do you think you can figure it out on your own?" I teased the Elder Crozzo as Welf came over and handed him the jar.

"I'd be more interested in learning how to hold metal like you do. But I think I'll manage this." He grinned, looking at Welf, "Any luck yet?"

"A fire, a hammer, and burning passion." Welf answered, "And, a little luck." He grinned, "Kick my old man in the knee for me."

"Sure." The two of them shared one of those manly hugs, with lots of heavy slaps on the back. "I might join Ares Familia, if our new King really does have him under control."

"I look forward to seeing what you make next then." I said. I looked at the wagons, one of our two cargo wagons replaced by simple version of our 'living' wagons. "Are they all accounted for?" I asked Garon.

"Once Marius made his second edict, abolishing slavery and offering either a small reward or hard labour to anyone still holding onto one, I think we have them all."

I spotted the head of the one who Lilly 'replaced', peeking her head out from under the heavy cloth. She waved cheerfully at me, then turned inside, then back, a half dozen other little faces popping out and looking at Welf and I.

"Lets get going then." I said, "I am so looking forward to pasta night..."

Before we got to the mountain pass, we said goodbye to some of the older soldiers who were escorting us. We were given words of thanks and well wishes, for returning Marius as promised, and hopefully setting Rakia on the right path.

That night, while I was on watch, just at the mouth of the mountain pass, I got up onto the top of the first living wagon, and opened up one of my potion bottles. It was one of the glowing ones, much like the one I used during the war game. On the top of the wagon, I carefully spread it over the top, spelling out something, and using my boot to try and spread it out properly.

Moments later, with the quiet sound of rushing wind, Asfi landed beside me gracefully.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"Didn't." I replied quietly, "But I'll let you in on a secret." She looked at me, adjusting her glasses with a fingertip, "A lot of me being wise, is making the right guess at the right time. The rest is just being older than I look."

"So why did you signal for me?"

"I'll get right to the point." I replied, "Hermes did a lot of really bad things, and you helped him. I won't even guess at why, but I'm glad I was right about you in the end." She looked away, but one of my tails swished over to her, brushing her hand, "I don't want a reason, or apology. But, if you wanted to try and make things right, go talk to Marius. I'm sure he'd be willing to let you help. I'm no where near your level with alchemy, and I'm sure the notes and recipes Naaza and I made could be improved on."

"Penance then?" She frowned.

"A suggestion. No more, no less." I shrugged, "I'm sure the Hermes Familia will be even more disorganized than usual with Him gone. But, I have an idea for that, if you want to hear it?"

"No... I think you're right, I've been running with Hermes too long, and need to find some place to apply myself." She replied, "I am sorry though, for just... Going along with it."

"We all have our reasons. Come visit some time. I'm sure I'll be asking for ideas after..." I gave my belly a gentle pat.

"Very well. Be well, Fox." She took a step back, though not before patting my stray tail once, making ready to jump into the air again.

"Oh, here." She paused in mid crouch, and I handed her the potion belts she had given up, "I took the explosives off it, just to avoid an accident, but I know how hard it is to make a good potion belt."

"Thank you. I'll visit... sometime..." And with a little 'hup' she was airborne, then gone.

I'm sure someone had noticed Asfi's arrival and departure, or even heard our quiet conversation, but no one bothered me about it. I hoped she wouldn't do something like try and take over Rakia, but I was sure Marius would know what I meant by sending her there.

The only other incident worth mentioning on our way back, involved the ten new orphans we had picked up. They were all in various states of... 'disrepair', I guess you could call it. From lash marks to missing tongues, they all bore some kind of trauma from rough handling. Only the young elf managed to stop them all from panicking every time one of us adults went to check on them. The incident however, was when one of them finally reached a hand out to Takemikazuchi to get his attention.

It only took His smile to finally make them all understand they were safe now, and within moments, He had them all out of the wagon and playing, while we had stopped to make food for the night. From then, until we made it within sight of the city, they slowly became a little more like children, and a less like frightened slaves.

Our return was almost not noticed, among the usual hustle of the city. Suited me fine, as Haruhime and I both, were started to suffer from some of the other discomforts of pregnancy. Thankfully, the rest of the group was kind enough not to tease us about our various complaints, like needing to wrap our chests in towels, just so we didn't get milk everywhere. Or needing to stop for bathroom breaks a dozen times a day.

As we passed customs, getting a welcome back and a raised eyebrow from the Ganesha Familia guard on duty, we navigated our way home without much problem.

Wiene was at the gate, opening it to allow us to drive the wagons in. She was able to hold herself from asking questions until we had actually gotten off the wagons, and sent Welf to lead the borrowed horses back to the post office stables.

"You're back!" She finally allowed all her excitement out, very carefully giving me a hug, then Haruhime, and getting headpats from Asuka and Mikoto, and a (we know she loved it) begrudging hug from Lilly. "How was your trip?"

"We'll tell you about it after dinner." I said, looking towards the last wagon, where Takemikazuchi was ushering out the newest members of our orphanage. "Want to go introduce yourself?"

"Yes!" She was about to go running over, when my tails scooped her up. "What's wrong?"

"Remember when we found you?" She nodded, "They are much the same. Be gentle, be quiet, be friendly." I put her down again, and she nodded, giving me a wide smile before walking towards the new group.

"I hope they get along here." Haruhime said, rubbing her belly, "Oh dear... They are excited I think."

"Elbow?"

"Yes..."

"We can unload later. I really want a hug." We smiled at each other, then turned towards our front entrance, where Hestia had been watching the entire time.

"Welcome home. Did you want a hug now? Or after a bath?" She asked, smiling that familiar smile She had when we had just come home from the dungeon.

"How about both?" I said, putting my tails around her, while Haruhime did the same, lifting Her off the ground.

"I suppose I should have expected this." Hestia said, as we vanished into the Manor.

Notes.

Okay, I just couldn't do it. The wrap up will be next time, THEN I'll dimension hop. Good grief. So many words! Next chapter will be the 'fall out' of Hermes suddenly vanishing. And yes, a mild fast forward to the moment (some? Most?) of you have been waiting for.

Wedding was a blast. My new D&D group killed their first goblins ever. And I managed to get some sleep some where in there.

Going to ice my fingers. x.x

Also, just in case anyone reads this a second time... Added in the line breaks. totally forgot the first time. x.x