Welcome back! Uhm, that's all I have to say up here, but at the bottom, I'll have an actual note.
"Speaking"
Individual thoughts/Mindscape talk with the twins
*Ability/Spell*
...
Irene sighed as she put down yet another book claiming it dictated the history of Orario. She looked despondently at the stack of books that claimed the same thing. A bunch of contradictions and he-said-she-said mumbo jumbo. "Any luck?" Isaac asked, putting down a book himself that was about the Dungeon. At least those were accurate. The Orario public library was a great place for adventurers to learn what they needed, but sometimes, they wish there was a more direct way to learn. Located in a side street on Northeastern road, it kept quite the collection of books, some said to date back to the Ancient Times.
It was day two of the twins in the library, Dia was back at their home, having to balance her new real estate job. "Nope, just another contradiction to the pile." They at least learned what some of the terms mean here in Orario. Gag order, calamity, and War Game, just to name a few. There were a lot more terms in the books, but it would take far too long to cover them all.
The twins were wearing the bare minimum for weapons and armor. They left all other large outliers back home. They each carried their throwable items and their daggers on their greaves. They weren't going to be caught off guard. Not again.
Isaac laughed softly, "It seems to me that the only accurate books in this place involve the Dungeon or the Gods. Sometimes, I think the authors have a bias towards one Lady Freya."
"Well, she is a Goddess of Beauty, Ai-Ai," Irene said factually, using a nickname from their days as children. "She can charm anyone just by being in the same room." Even though they should be a lot older, the effects of the falna are what Dia has called a piece of her divinity, slowing the aging process the further they level up. That wasn't important to them, at least, not selfishly.
"You forget that there is Lady Ishtar, who runs the Pleasure Quarter," Isaac countered.
"What? Are Amazons your type?" Irene rolled her eyes, adjusting her posture in her chair, and pulled yet another book off the pile to her left and opened it. What she read in the first few pages proved to be promising compared to the rest. This book actually explained what they wanted to know. The Dungeon. Even though Isaac found some books, he mentioned that they were never in-depth and only covered the upper floors—floors one through twelve.
"Not even close, they'd crush my pelvis before I figure out what happened," Isaac said with a phantom wince. Irene didn't comment on that except for a sympathetic wince.
The book that Irene found covered the middle and deeper floors, thirteen and below. Sure, it seemed some of the details were glossed over, but it was something. Well, this is exactly what she needed to get started. According to the Guild, as level three adventurers they could enter the middle floors with ease. However, they had the knowledge but not the experience. So, they have to dungeon crawl the old-fashioned way. "Do you think we can… borrow this book?"
Of course, they know of the obvious things like the killer ants being the novice killers, or the deadly hornets being the upper-class killers in the middle floors. Isaac insisted on researching for his and his sister's safety, and he knows Irene loves a good search, so it somewhat works out.
The elder elf twin hummed, "Maybe, but don't count on it. For now, just remember the information as it comes up. If you want, I'll help you."
"Not needed, but appreciated," Irene responded as her eyes scanned the page repeatedly. "When we go into the Dungeon, we must be on our guard, anything can happen."
"I know, which is why we only can walk in the Dungeon, as to not rush ahead, and mentally mark our path. Run when we need to. You still have your pouch?" Isaac asked. Surprisingly, they still have some valis left over. When they headed down West street, Syr greeted them and handed them a pouch. It contained two thousand valis. When prompted, she said that Bell came by and paid for his meal last night by himself. He profusely apologized to Mama Mia, and she let him off lightly if a threat to his life was considered lightly. As to why they got their money back, they were unsure.
Another two hours passed, and Isaac asked if Irene wanted anything. She heard of this Jagamarukun stand located close to Babel. Isaac agreed to get some, and he was probably going to get four of them, two for him, two for her. If she doesn't like it, he'll find something else for her. "I shouldn't be long but stay alert."
"Shouldn't I be saying that to you?" The last time you said that was…
"I only have to remind you," Isaac said with a chuckle. I know but remember where we are. Isaac left the library and headed towards Babel with a small frown. The hairs on his neck stood but he couldn't feel any killing intent, so he brushed it off.
Only a few minutes later, he saw the stand, and what made it interesting was the fact that a Goddess was behind the stand. Well, they had to make a living somehow, since they can't use their Arcanum. Her blue eyes were smiling, her twin-tailed hair seemed to react the same way. "Hello, how can I help you?" Her outfit was a white mini dress with a blue ribbon around her neck and one tied under her breasts around her arms, and a pair of white gloves, which were replaced with a different set.
"Good afternoon, Goddess…" Isaac greeted but trailed off, not knowing who this was.
"Hestia," the Goddess giggled.
Recognition flashed in Isaac's hazel eyes, "Oh, so you're Lady Hestia! Dia told me a friend from Tenkai was here!"
Hestia's blue eyes widened, "Dia's in Orario?!"
Isaac nodded, "Yes, along with me and my sister. Would you like me to pass along that you would like to see her?"
"Absolutely!" Hestia cheered, her hair following.
"Of course, Lady Hestia. Now, can I please get four Jagamarukun?" Isaac asked, reaching into his pouch to get out the required valis.
Hestia hummed whilst she made them, and Isaac listened with a smile on his face. Once she handed them to him, he left four hundred valis on the stand. "Wait, it was only one fifty valis!"
"Consider it a gift from a friendly familia," the elder twin said as he walked away with four puffs in hand. They certainly smelled delicious, and his stomach agreed, demonstrating a mating call that would make a whale jealous, much to his embarrassment.
Irene read through the book twice while Isaac was gone and found all the information pertinent to their dungeon crawling. She stood up, and almost face-planted onto the table. Her arms were outstretched, and she halted her descent as she heard a laugh. "Did your legs fall asleep again?" The teasing voice of her brother made her pout before nodding her head.
Her stomach growled as she smelled the Jagamarukun, "Need," was all she said.
Isaac came into view across from her, sliding one across the table and she grabbed it as she sat back down and ate like a ravaging animal. "If someone saw you, they'd question whether or not you've been in the dungeon for too long."
"Shudup," was her muffled reply.
"I met Dia's friend from Tenkai, Lady Hestia at the stand," Isaac started, biting into his own snack and the flavor melted in his mouth. He could see why these were popular snacking items. Swallowing a mouthful, he continued, "She was working the stand and she eventually wants to see Dia."
"Good, but that can wait. Let's go to the Dungeon. I'd like to go to the sixth floor. Post-repairs, we could get some potions, finally," Irene said, wiping her hands from the grease.
Isaac nodded, knowing she'd want to go back in, "Okay, but first, let's clean up these books, get feeling back into your legs, head home, and then head to the Dungeon."
Irene fell silent, and Isaac noticed, and he could tell why. We finally have a home, don't forget that.
The younger twin looked to her elder twin, I know, but… Isaac quickly wrapped her in a hug, one arm around her midsection, one cradling her head. His nose was resting on Irene's crown, his chin close to her forehead. They didn't need to speak, they had each other.
Once they finished eating, they put away all the books, gathered up their notes and belongings, and exited the library. The two didn't converse as they walked by Babel, watching the Ganesha Familia recovery team exit the Dungeon with five stretchers, some of them were stained with red. Isaac looked on, but it didn't seem his eyes were focused. Irene looked away immediately, grabbing Isaac's wrist and pulling him away.
Even after almost stumbling, his eyes still were clouded in remembrance. Only after Irene slapped him clean across the face he reacted. The echoing slap was heard by most bystanders, which caused some concern to rise. Isaac only blinked, rubbed his cheek, before throwing an arm over his sister's shoulder and walking away. The red handprint on his face didn't even sting, but only the twins and Dia knew why she hit him.
After walking down Southwest street, past Amor Square, they arrived back at their familia home. There wasn't exactly a name for it, unlike Twilight Manor of the Loki Familia. The twins ended up calling it 'Dia's Complex'.
The sight they saw brought a smile to both elves' faces. Dia was sitting on a desk, kicking her legs like a pendulum, while looking at some documents. She even had glasses on her face, for some reason. Gods usually have perfect eyesight unless they have been afflicted in some manner beforehand. "Afternoon, Lady Dia," Irene greeted.
Dia quickly looked to her left to see the twins, her children, greet her. Her smile faded slightly when she saw the off look in Isaac's eyes. She quickly set down her papers and went over to him, her bare feet echoing on the floor. She reached her hands up to his face and made him look at her. "Are you being reminded of what you saw?"
Isaac stoically nodded before Dia threw her arms around him and hugged her child. Irene stepped away to let them have this moment. There were still some things that the twins haven't told each other, but they both knew they were hiding something. It comes with their mindscape spell, you just know. It could be compared to a God's divine intuition.
Isaac's arms pulled Dia to him, and she felt the tears impact her head. She pulled back to wipe away his tears, "That wasn't your fault."
"I know, but seeing those adventurers…"
"I understand," Dia said, kissing Isaac's forehead. "Are you planning to go to the Dungeon?"
"We were," Isaac whispered. "However, if you believe that we shouldn't, let me know. It doesn't have to be a divine order, but a recommendation."
"That depends, where did you plan on going?" Dia asked now, backing up slightly.
Irene took the liberty to answer, "The sixth floor."
Dia nodded, "I will only allow you to go to the fourth floor, but no lower. Just… come back to me. I would be a little bit lonely without any children to keep me company."
This statement made them look critically at Dia. Her statement was carefree, but it was also a demand. Well, without familia members, they would then no longer be recognized by the Guild. "It will be done, Lady Dia," the twins said in unison.
This made Dia beam with pride. "Good, I'll walk you both there after you get ready." The reason why she didn't want them going lower was because of Isaac's mental state. Irene would keep an eye on them, and it is only the upper floors. A level three can easily demolish the entire batch of floors.
Ten minutes later, both twins were loaded up on their gear, hoods down. Irene had her staff in hand while Isaac sheathed his longsword and grabbed his short swords and sheathed those on his hip. The look in his eyes was cleared and he was looking like a hardened veteran. Dia was happy and distraught at that look. She would have accepted it had he been older, but to be seventeen and have a look most people don't gain until they are thirty… it worried her.
Irene did a final check over herself and her brother before Dia led the way to Babel, where they would truly enter the depths.
To be fair, the Loki Familia gives off an aura most shy away from in awe. The Dia Familia, however, gives off the aura of mystery, despite the cute Goddess leading the two hooded figures towards the Dungeon. "Alright, come back to me safe."
The two figures walked by her while speaking again, "By your will."
As soon as they were out of sight, "Dia!"
Dia turned to see Hestia running at her with her arms spread wide open, "Hestia! Oh, it's so good to see you again!" The two Goddesses hugged right there in the middle of the plaza.
"I've heard some things that you've got a business going on," Hestia said, her breasts bouncing slightly as she skipped around Dia who shook her head with a smile.
"I do, I've just sent my familia down into the Dungeon for the first time, and I have faith that they will come back to me," Dia said as she turned to walk down Adventurer's Way. Hestia followed the other raven-haired Goddess.
"What level are they?" Hestia asked curiously. "I just sent my Bell down into the Dungeon. He's made it to floor six."
Dia raised an eyebrow at Hestia, "Both of my children are level three, but they have never been inside the Dungeon until today."
The blue-eyed Goddess looked gobsmacked, "Level three but never stepped foot in Orario? What did they level up on?"
"A lot of things, but that is their personal story that I am not liable to say, Hestia," Dia answered her, looking at a cute emerald dress, slightly fancier than what she currently had on. Maybe she could get this eventually. She will need something for Denatus next week.
"Fair, but my Bell is chasing after Wallenwhatsherface and he's trying to prove he's worthy of her, even at level one, he's set his sights high," Hestia commented.
Dia giggled, "Is that jealousy I hear? Hestia, you are one of the three virgin Goddesses, would it happen?"
Hestia flushed, crossing her arms, "I'd like it too, but if Bell's happy, then I'm happy for him."
The two continued to walk in silence as they arrived back at Dia's Complex. Dia invited Hestia inside for a cup of tea. However, there was another reason.
Even better, Hestia beat Dia to the punch, "I need your word on something, and I trust you."
Dia smiled, "I give you my word and if I break it, then I will return to Tenkai." She knew what kind of deal she was making. Hestia is one of Dia's closest friends. Even Loki somehow falls under that list of friends, even after all the teasing. Hestia thought that was steep for what she was going to say. She only wanted to not have this conversation ever be repeated unless they both agreed to it.
"Bell is growing rapidly, at a pace most adventurers hope to achieve, and it's all because of this stupid skill Liaris Freese," Hestia said, and Dia almost spat out her tea.
Dia's whole expression changed to a side that no one sees often, her whole aura changed from playful and carefree to serious, "Hestia, we are discussing this further in my office."
Hestia paused, feeling a sense of whiplash overcoming her. Dia was serious. Dia led Hestia through their house, ascending the stairs to the second floor. A long hallway greeted the two Goddesses, multiple doors on each side: six on the left, seven on the right.
"Follow me," Dia commanded as she stepped into the biggest of the thirteen rooms—the seventh one on the right—it was an office/bedroom. "Even though I offered this room to my children, they insisted that I take it. However, I'm glad they did. It allows me the space to think."
Hestia, in all honesty, was very intimidated by Dia right now. She couldn't see the friend from Tenkai, usually so carefree, the shorter Goddess thinks that descending to Gekai changed her, in a good way. Hestia sat in a chair across from the massive birch-colored desk. Multiple documents were spread out, some about the complex, and others about Familias.
"So, it's not just your child," she said simply.
That gave Hestia pause. So, Dia continued, "Both of my children possess this skill. How and when they developed it, I'm unsure. Their latest updates proved it too. This is the second time they both acquired the same skill at the same time. While their growth wasn't as large, it was larger than normal."
"I give you my word, and if I break it, I will return to Tenkai," Hestia replied. A pact was now formed between the two friends. The two Goddesses had a lot to discuss; this was merely the tip of the spear.
Isaac thrusted the tip of his longsword through three goblins while he threw a throwing knife to a goblin sneaking up on Irene.
"I had that one!" She called casually whilst batting away a goblin with her staff. She plucked the throwing knife from the corpse and put it on a holster on her belt.
The cave structure of the first through fourth floors were stunning for Isaac, as he hasn't seen this yet. The blue atmosphere was a perfect cover for the amount of killing intent he was leaking. Irene, on the other hand, knew it was nice, but assured him that the middle and lower floors were much nicer, and bigger too.
"Sure,' Isaac said, watching the Dungeon walls split and crack open, revealing another batch of Goblins and some Kobolds. Isaac held out his hand at the approaching monsters and activated his magic.
*Fissure!*
At his command, sharpened rocks appeared before him before they launched themselves at the newly spawned monsters. The screams of pain from the goblins and kobolds did not give Isaac satisfaction, it only quelled his feelings. He was taking it out on the Dungeon, he was angry and upset, neither emotion winning out. The monsters had their magic stones cracked and then subsequently disappeared, leaving little stones behind, the size of what would be a normal-sized stone.
Other adventurers had heard the commotion and came to investigate. What they saw was second-class adventurers defeating monsters in the droves. So much so, that the entire fourth floor stopped spawning anything.
How long have we been at this? Isaac asked, choosing to save his voice and oxygen for when he needed it.
Irene twirled her magic staff to knock away a Kobold that was attempting to sneak up on her. Four hours, our pouches are getting full, not to mention the drop items we are getting. I think some blacksmiths would love to get their hands on these.
Should we head back? Isaac was okay with staying another hour or so. He hadn't used much Mind when fighting, his armor suffered no major dents or cracks, and his weapons were holding strong. Irene unsheathed her tanto and slashed another goblin before sheathing it again and the walls were quiet.
"I barely broke a sweat, but Lady Dia will be worried about us. So, let's head out and go get something to eat because I know you're hungry," Irene moved her hair over her shoulder as she stared at her brother.
Isaac nodded with a big huff of breath. They were in the clear until the overwhelming presence of a first-class adventurer entered the area. Irene grabbed three shurikens and Isaac four knives.
Thump. Thump. The footsteps echoed off the walls but the direction they were coming from was all that they needed to feel.
Out from the shadows came the most powerful adventurer Orario has, Ottar. The Boaz's gaze landed on the twins with weapons drawn. Surely, they realize how futile it is to attempt to fight him. "I am only here to speak on behalf of my Goddess."
Do we trust it? Isaac asked, his eyes flicking once to his sister.
Irene stared Ottar down before slowly putting away her shurikens, we hear him out. If he entered the Dungeon for us, there must be a reason.
Isaac frowned, but sheathed his throwing knives and he dropped his stance, "Okay, we'll hear you out."
The corners of Ottar's lips twitched, barely noticeable, but it spoke volumes to the normally stoic behemoth. "Good… because if you didn't, then I would bring you both with me by force."
That sent a bolt of fear down the twin's spines. The sweat visible on their skin glistened in the Dungeon's light. They knew they were outmatched, by sheer presence alone. Maybe that's why monsters stopped spawning; his menacing aura makes the Dungeon fear him.
"Which Goddess could possibly want to speak to us?" Isaac asked. "We literally got here three days ago."
They received no response.
"You not answering is not helping," Irene said, putting her staff on her back, checking to make sure no one else was coming. Isaac was skeptical and for good reason. Now leaning against the wall, confident that no monster would be so ballsy to spawn knowing that two second-class adventurers and the highest first-class adventurer were present. Plus, it seemed like with the hulking boar in front of them, nothing bad should happen.
The Boaz only gazed at the two of them, making the whole scene uncomfortable. Isaac clearly did not want to be there any longer, "Come on sis, we better get to the Guild, turn in the stones, and head home. She's probably worried about us."
The twins slowly approached Ottar to pass him, and as they did, "She demands you two get stronger."
"Who says?" Irene asked, and a part of her did not want to know the answer.
Thankfully, or maybe not, Ottar did not answer them once more.
The Boaz did not move, nor did he turn around. Isaac constantly checked his back to make sure he wouldn't move. Should he move, it will already be over. If Ottar chose to attack, they wouldn't see it coming. He outranked the twins in experience, level, and every aspect that comes to mind.
Once they were out of sight, Irene used some Mind to contact her brother, I don't like this.
Neither do I, keep your guard up. If another God or Goddess has their eyes on us, then we must tread carefully.
The twins locked eyes before throwing their hoods back up and headed for the exit, turmoil festering in their veins. Ottar, meanwhile, now satisfied that his job was complete continued forward for the other matter he came here for. He must descend to the seventeenth floor, and only there would he find what he was looking for, to test the boy.
Irene exited the Dungeon first, followed by Isaac. They didn't admit it, but they may have ran to get out of there. Their magic stones jingled in their pouches, reminding them that they had places to go. "Should we head to Pantheon?"
Isaac looked over to the line at the Exchange, before motioning towards Northwest street. "Yeah, we'll be here for hours otherwise." Neither one of them spoke as they walked side-by-side down the street, their hoods hiding their features except for their mouths. The Dia Familia symbol on their cloaks was the only indicator of who they were.
What they were unaware of was a certain Goddess atop Babel Tower, looking down on them. Their souls mixing and separating like an Amazon's striptease. It brought euphoria for the spectator, who giggled like a madwoman. She had three new favorites all across Orario, not including her familia.
She could see the black and white of their souls flaring in response to one another, the dots that are the opposite of one another remained docile. She thought it strange, but that made it all the more interesting.
At the Pantheon, the Exchange took a few minutes at best, and when they were done, they found their pouches held fifty to fifty-five thousand valis each. With that being done, the twins spoke to Rose briefly to let her know about their progress and she cleared them for floor ten. While they are level three, having no prior knowledge of the floors above could spell disaster.
So, they went home right after that. Once they passed Amor Square, they lowered their hoods and loosened the last remnants of tension from their shoulders. As they did, Isaac noticed Lady Hestia leaving the home with a goodbye and appreciation for the tea and company, "Lady Hestia, great to see you again!"
"Nice to see you too, gotta run home before Bell does, bye!" she said, running off, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake.
"I'm glad you made it home, my children," their Goddess's voice carried from the upper floor. She was relieved as soon as she heard them. Her inner worries were unfounded, she needs to have faith in her children.
"Dia/Lady Dia," the twins said.
"So, how was Dungeon crawling? I want all the details. If you'd like, I can take a look at your statuses," Dia said, descending the staircase in her normal outfit, sans the sandals.
"Well, how about instead of bi-monthly status updates, we get monthly ones, and emergency ones in case something comes up, like us joining an expedition?" Isaac suggested. At this point, he's taken all of his armor off, now in a leather tunic with baggy pants. His greaves were still on. No one questioned it.
"That is fine by me, I like seeing your progress, as I have over… wow, it's been almost nine years…" Dia whispered in astonishment, her eyes peeking out from beneath her bangs.
The elder elf twin smirked, "It's been quite a long ride, full of bumps and hardships, but look where we are now…" he gestured to the room and the girls smiled.
Irene shared a look with Isaac, after taking off her battle armor. She was left in a puffy shirt with leggings, "Now onto more pressing issues. We have some things to discuss, and the fact we may have to watch our backs harder than before."
For the first time in a long while since the twins joined the Familia, Dia's cute expression morphed into a stern frown, "You best have a fantastic explanation for this." The conversation's entire atmosphere changed with a single sentence.
The twins gulped. This long-winded explanation lasted for the next hour and a half, with each twin spearheading pieces of the story. "On the bright side, we got over one hundred thousand valis. So, we plan to buy you something, just as a token of our thanks." Their pouches were meant to hold stones from the middle floors, so having a lot of tinier stones compared to the lumps of stones from the middle floor monsters made it easier to gain a profit. Considering the average five level one adventurers can make is around twenty-five thousand. This was a great improvement for just the two of them.
While this news did please Dia, she still wanted to know what was bugging her children. "That's not getting you out of this, for the record. Tell me what is bothering you."
Isaac sighed, knowing lying is pointless when the Gods can see through it instantly. "Apparently some hulking mass of a man visited us in the Dungeon on the fourth floor and told us he had a message from his Goddess. He said that he wanted us both to get stronger." Dia's mind scrambled to find who matched that vague description. Only one man came to mind immediately. The King. Ottar of the Freya Familia, the captain of the aforementioned familia. Dia hid any expression that she might hint that she knew of this person.
If Freya's captain came to her children, then that means… Dia refused to give up her children. Dia was well aware of Freya's… recruitment methods. Not even a week into them being in Orario and they have already caught the attention of one of the most powerful Familias in all of Orario. Yet even Dia noticed this was out of the norm for Freya. Normally, when she found a person of interest, she scooped them up as soon as possible. To wait, even for a day, was unlike her.
Irene looked away despondently, she reached up and scratched her cheek wondering what to say. Dia spoke before, "Denatus is next week, and I will be careful around Freya. You two, be discreet."
Both twins stood from their positions and bowed at the waist, "Yes, Lady Dia."
The raven-haired Goddess sighed in relief, "Good, now then, onto more pressing matters. Your repairs and acquiring me a dress for Denatus."
"Repairs are our responsibility. However, I've always wanted to get you in a dress, Lady Dia," Irene said through a barely contained squeal. Despite being a battle mage, she loved fashion. It was something that she always had made a priority, second to usefulness.
Isaac cut in, "You best let her have this, Dia. She's dreamed about this once."
Irene scoffed, "I did not!" A pout took place on her face as she denied that horrible accusation.
Dia humored her, "Okay, sure. Well, on the bright side, I know a place that sells fancy dresses and one-piece gowns for cheap but are higher quality than this." As she gestured to her outfit, it struck the twins that she doesn't age, which should have been obvious, but ever since the twins were eight—almost nine—they were with Dia. She looks like she's nineteen and she was that older sister/mother figure that they never knew they wanted or needed.
"Perfect, that's what we're doing tomorrow!" Irene clapped her hands excitedly.
"I'll pass; let you girls have fun. I'll scout around for other important items of interest or just laze around until we go back into the Dungeon."
"If you decide to go around town, stop by Miach's potion shop, I want you to start having those on hand," Dia said as the trio ascended the stairs to their respective room. Obviously, Dia's room is at the end of the hall, but for the twins? They share a room but have separate beds. Those two are inseparable. If they ever did get separated without a way back to each other. I don't think Orario would be prepared for it, Dia thought to herself.
The night passed slowly for Isaac. When he slept, it was restless. His dreams turned to nightmares and all he saw were the horrors he witnessed. All the details were a blur right now, and maybe for a good reason. That time of his life was the time he was fearing the safety of his little sister's life.
"Isaac, wake up," a voice was heard. It sounded worried.
His slumbering form continued to thrash in his bed, unaware of his actions scaring Irene. The younger elven twin tried to shake him awake, but he only subconsciously pulled her into a protective hold, one that Irene recognized, and all the pieces fell into place. Wake up, Isaac, it's only a dream.
He barely withheld the scream that oh so desperately wanted to escape. Isaac's eyes adjusted to the darkness and saw how he was cradling Irene. The color drained from his face, it had to be that dream. "I-"
"Shhh," Irene silenced him. "You don't have to explain…"
He stammered, "But I-I… i-it was th-that…"
Shhh, let me help. Irene's voice floated into his mind. The tone was so caring, so soft, it was a tone he hadn't heard from his sister. She never needed to use it because this hasn't happened before.
Well… not to Irene's memory anyway. On the opposite side of the coin, there was so much that Irene didn't know about her elder twin. "Let me be the strong one tonight." It was only then did he realize that Irene wrapped her arms around Isaac in a slightly clumsy protective hold, and the dam broke.
Isaac cried into his sister's shoulder like he was eight again. His heart was heavy and unbeknownst to them both, Dia was outside the door, peering through a small crack in the open door.
She clutched a hand to her heart, "If only I could take away their pain… Hopefully, tomorrow will be better."
No one knew the interesting events that would transpire within the next week. All because a certain someone shattered a record. It was going to be the talk of Orario for quite a long time.
...
So I know I'm edging canon a lot, but I have a reason for it, one I can't reveal now. However, I don't want to make a rewrite of the LNs or anime. Somehow I feel like it's going to turn into that, but I want to be invested in this world. Does that make sense?
For example, what could I possibly do, well, hence why my characters are from the Far West, not the Far East. This gives me some breathing room and opportunity for a backstory, and as my friend would say some "Proper" character development. Another tidbit I'll mention is that I made them quarter elves because while full and half-elves exist, it was never specified if anything lower existed (to my knowledge, correct me if I'm wrong).
I also don't plan on putting their status sheets at the end of every chapter, unless someone wants to really know. So keep that in mind