Chapter 14 - Two is Better than One
The next day, the gods met at their secret headquarters to consider all of the new information. Everyone agreed that the additional evidence strongly supports the earlier hypothesis. Harvesting of some sort is likely going on. Whether it is Revis or not, there is likely some monster at least at level 8 or 9 and perhaps higher. Based on this disturbing information, they decided to change their strategy. Instead of sending 1 team down with a backup team waiting, both teams will be send down but they will be separated by at least 2000 feet. With Bell and Ais being very mobile with Aerial, the team led by Ottar and Gareth will actually be the lead team. If trouble happens, then Bell and Ais can use Aerial to quickly lend support. Then Finn and the rest of the team can arrive with Riveria and Leifya all chanted up and ready to rumble. To give a potential attacker some pause and uncertainty, half the members in each team will be wearing their Hades Hat. After the decision was made, Freya and Loki immediately headed back to update their familia.
At the Hestia home, Ais found herself in her bed after falling asleep outside with Bell during lap pillow. She checked on Bell, who also just woke up. She sheepishly said sorry to make him take care of her again. He replied that it was all his pleasure, making Ais blush. She then gathered up her courage and asked "Pleasure?" Reflecting some gamesmanship that he learned from Hermes, Bell said he has a lot of fun around Ais. Downstairs, Takemikazuchi was thinking about the potential threat and felt responsible to protecting Bell and Ais as Hestia's substitute. To cheer Takemikazuchi up, Mikoto suggested they go shopping for food, which he gladly agreed to. Lili was also thinking about Bell. She is upset that she cannot help because she is too weak while Haruhime is able to help with the level boosting. In response, Ouka and Chigusa reminded her that she has been doing a lot and almost permanently became a potted plant on her spy mission.
Meanwhile, Hephaestus rang at the front door, which surprised Welf. Apparently she came to check in on her prized student and see how he is doing with the reactive armor. The two then went to the forge together, where Welf showed her the nearly completed armor. He also showed her the beginning of Ais' armor, which caused Hephaestus to ask how he got Ais' measurements. Welf refused to answer, causing Hephaestus to become quiet. Sensing that he managed to get a good reaction, Welf changed the topic and confirmed that each armor piece is limited to one magic charge. The two then spent more time on the forge trying different charging techniques...
At the Loki home, trip preparations were already complete. When Loki returned, she quickly updated everyone with the change in plans. The change also highlighted the potential dangers, and Finn's thumb has not stopped feeling funny. Loki had tea with Riveria that afternoon, and Loki commented whether she herself will be keeping Hestia company in heaven. Riveria replied that heaven is not big enough for the 2 of them...
Back in Ouranos' room, Fels updated Ouranos on the change in plans, leaving Ouranos deep in thought.
At the same time, Freya updated Ottar and his team about the new strategy. Seeing that they have become the lead team, Ottar eagerly looked forward to their role. Freya reminded him that this mostly likely involves a cunning enemy who may well be at level 9 or above. After the discussion, their team started training with all the new items like the Hades Hats and the communication stones. Tomorrow they will head to the secret headquarters for the level boosting...