"L-Lady Freya….is Syr?"
Freya stood in front of a baffled Ryuu. She had always wondered what the elf's reaction would be to finding out about who "Syr" truly was.
Ryuu's face was one of pure bewilderment. It was if she was a child learning how to put words together for the first time. Freya could see the blonde waitress connecting the dots in her head as she continued to look up at the newly revealed Goddess.
Freya couldn't help but be amused at her best friend's current expression.
"Don't worry Ryuu, take all the time you need to sort it out in your head. I'll wait."
Freya snickered as she teased the still distraught elf.
"I-I….I don't know what to say."
Ryuu just continued to stare into the Goddesses beautiful, alluring eyes. Her mouth kept opening and closing. Unsure of what to do next.
"How? I didn't even think Gods could…. I mean, how is this possible?"
Freya looked to the side as she held back a smirk. As much as she would love to explain all the minute details regarding Helun and their contract, she feared it may just confuse the poor elf more.
"Ryuu, I promise that we will explain everything about the logistics as soon as we can. But for now let's just focus on one thing at a time, okay?"
"What do you mean by 'we'?"
"Ah…damn it."
Freya scolded herself as she had accidentally revealed too much already.
"..."
Ryuu was still reeling. She felt like she was gonna be sick. Her stomach did somersaults as she felt the breakfast she had eaten this morning come dangerously close to coming back up.
Freya noticed this and reached out to touch Ryuu. However as her hand got closer to her friend's shoulder, Ryuu flinched and scooted back a few feet.
The person in front of Ryuu was not Syr, and yet she was. She wanted to believe in Freya, she wanted to believe in her best friend. But her elven pride was wounded. Her heart and mind battled it out as she fought with herself internally on whether or not she could trust the Goddess in front of her.
Freya noticed this and felt her heart ache. She wanted to burst into tears as she saw her best friend, the wounded fairy she had found in that alley all those years ago and rescued, back away from her touch.
"Ryuu, listen I wan-."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Ryuu felt tears escaping from her eyes. Of course deep down she understood why Freya wouldn't want "Syr's" true identity revealed to the world. She even understood why she wouldn't tell Anya, Chloe or even Lunor. Those three couldn't keep a secret if a trillion Valis was at stake.
But even so….
'Why couldn't she tell me? I would have died before revealing her secret to anyone.'
Freya paused for a moment before giving her friend a smile of sad acknowledgement.
"Well it's kinda obvious, don't you think? I'm the most beautiful and powerful Goddess in all of Orario, and I spend my days working in a bar, mopping floors, and being hit on by drunk adventurers. It was a pretty good hiding place if I do say so myself. More importantly though..."
Freya reached out and cupped Ryuu's face in her hands. And while Ryuu did shudder at the touch, she did not pull away.
Freya brushed away the tears falling from the elf's confused blue eyes as she continued to speak.
"How can you know if someone truly loves and cares for you, if all they ever see is someone they're supposed to worship or fear? How could I ever be anything less in your eyes than a Goddess? Syr is my only way to truly have a relationship with the people I care about outside of my Familia. She allows me to be treated, and to treat others like we are the same. She is the reason we are able to be together. When I found you, you needed a friend, not a Goddess. You needed peace, not war. "Freya" could never have provided you with those things. But as Syr, as Syr I was able to help ease your pain. Of course, I could never heal the gaping wound in your soul, no matter how hard I tried. I could never replace Astrea, Alise, or anyone else you lost on that horrible day down in the dungeon, nor could I take the blood you spilled in search of revenge off your hands. But as Syr, I could be there for you. I could give you a reason to continue, a reason to live. I could be a shoulder to cry on. I could be a true friend. Syr is not a malicious disguise. She is not a piece of clothing I wear whenever I feel like it. She is me. She is my love for you. My love for everyone back at the Hostess of Fertility. You have a beautiful, luminous soul, Ryuu Lion. I could not simply stand by and let it be extinguished by the cruelties of this world. I'm sorry for keeping this from you, but I did it for both our sakes. You are my best friend and it would shatter my heart if we could no longer be together. I love you Ryuu, and I want us to be okay. Can you forgive me?"
Ryuu closed her eyes as she began to cry. She pushed her face further into Freya's palm. She was choking on her own tears as she was overwhelmed by the love Freya had just shown her. She knew her friend Syr was still with her when she heard the words the Goddess had spoken.
"Can I forgive you? I should be the one asking for your forgiveness."
Freya heard this and embraced her elven friend in her arms. They held onto each other tightly as they both wanted to reassure the other that everything was going to be okay.
Soon though, Ryuu could feel Freya shaking in her arms, and she began to panic.
"Freya! What's wrong?"
"Ha...ahahah...ahhaahahahahahaahhahahahahahahaha!"
Ryuu soon calmed down as she realized that Freya had started laughing.
"Do you know how many times we have asked each other for forgiveness in just the last two days?! Hahahahaha!"
Ryuu thought about it and realized that she was right. Freya and her had asked for each other's forgiveness in the last two days more times than in the last five years. And at the realization of this, Ryuu started to begin chucking as well as the two still held each other tightly in a hug.
"Hahahahahaha! Wow. You're right! But how else are we supposed to apologize to one another?"
"Let's say we're both forgiven, and promise to stop keeping secrets from one another. Sound fair Ryuu?"
Ryuu nodded her head and soon the two of them separated from their hug as their fit of laughter started to calm down.
They both got up and walked over to the balcony and began looking out over the city. The wind was blowing through each of their hair and they stood there enjoying the temporary beauty and serenity of the city in front of them.
"So..."
"So..."
Freya and Ryuu looked at eachother. They both knew what was going to be asked, but were afraid of what would come after the answer was revealed.
"Freya?"
"Yes Ryuu?"
"Why did Allen attack Bell and I?"
"Oh….that."
Freya was dreading having to explain everything to Ryuu. It was not something she really wanted to do, but she owed Ryuu the truth
And so Freya started explaining everything to Ryuu. Her feelings for Bell, her schemes, her plans, her regrets, and her mistakes. And most recently, how she had sent Allen to watch Bell and Ryuu.
"He was never supposed to attack you, he was only ever supposed to observe you. But I was blinded by my jealousy and pride and I didn't even stop to consider that he might act on his own jealousy and pride."
"It's okay Freya, you didn't know. Where is Allen now?"
"Gone. I banished him from my Familia and from the city. He won't cause any more trouble for us."
"Well that is good to hear. Although…"
Ryuu hesitated as she looked at Freya. She didn't want to offend the Goddess of Beauty with what she was about to say.
"Maybe banishment was harsh? I mean, you're all he has ever known. What is he supposed to do without you? More importantly, Bell, Anya and I are all fine. No one was killed or even injured all that ba-"
"You're wrong!"
Ryuu was shocked as she saw Freya's eyes become visibly angry, an intense rage filled the Goddess of Beauty's gaze.
"You didn't see what he did to Anya! He hurt her badly! She's in bed recovering at the tavern as we speak. He crossed a line and was needlessly and recklessly violent. He put you, Bell, and the baby's lives all in danger! It was completely unacceptable, and I will not tolerate it. He needed to be punished!"
Ryuu stood there not knowing what to say. She could see Freya clearly cared about her and Bell and the bab-
"Wait. What did you just say?!"
"Huh?"
Freya was caught off guard by Ryuu's question as she had just been yanked out of her rage filled rant.
"Did you just say 'baby'!?"
Freya's eyes went wide as she realized she had slipped up. She could not believe she had let out the secret so carelessly. She could see Ryuu's face turning a bride shade of crimson as she waited for Freya's response.
"Oh yes well uhm..."
Freya looked at the shocked and blushing face of her best friend as she did her best to give an encouraging smile.
"You're gonna have a baby Ryuu! Congratulations!"
Im back. Sorry everyone. I know it has been over two months. But A. I translated a whole LN. and B. I needed a break from writing. Just a lot of stuff has been going on in my life and I wanted to have a little bit of decompression time seeing as how VOl 17 is right around the corner and I kinda want to translate that as well.
That being said I am excited to finally get this chapter out. I know it's a bit on the short side but I hope it didn't disappoint. I felt these two needed their own chapter. Oh by the way, when Freya and Ryuu were having their laughing/apology talk, it was reference to a Danmemo event where Freya and Demeter had a similar apology/reconciliation moment. And I genuinely think it's something Freya and Ryuu would do in this situation as well. When friends of 5+ years are put in a situation like that, you start laughing at the silly things especially after really serious moments because when your true friends, forgiveness is as easy as breathing. At least in my opinion.
The winner of the poll for my next fanfiction is…(Drumroll please)
Syr/Fryea!
Wasn't even close. Which is fine cause I already had multiple ideas on the scenario for the story. Which I think you all will enjoy.
Another fanfiction I will be working on is a "What If" although I suppose all the ones I'm doing are "What If".
The idea is writing about what would happen if Casandra hadn't been around to steer Hestia Expedition away from floor 27 in Vol 13.
I think anyone who has read the LN will know what it would entail.
So expect to see those two added soon. Along with more regular updates to this story.
Anyways. Thank you for reading as always. Please remember to leave a review telling me what you thought. Constructive Criticism is always appreciated.
Until next time,
CGQ