ALRIGHT! I skipped the Black Goliath Fight because I knew I wouldn't be able to write that with confidence. It would have been choppy, vague, and not as good as it was in the light novel or the anime. So, please understand I know where my strengths are and where a major weakness is.
With that being said, I have something else in store. It's another DanMachi story, but the idea only came up at work. That's all I can say. Curb your expectations appropriately.
"Speaking"
Individual thoughts/Mindscape talk with the twins
*Ability/Spell*
...
The shroud of night had enveloped Orario by the time the group emerged from the Dungeon. Everyone who wanted to return to the surface did so with haste. The whole group was still in shock at what they witnessed. The group containing Bell, Welf, Lili, Isaac, Irene, Mikoto, Ouka, Chigusa, Ryuu, Hestia, Hermes, and Asfi had finally gotten out of the Dungeon. After an incident in the Dungeon involving a hot spring, they decided to call it quits and go right back to the surface. Before they all departed, both twins turned on Hestia and Hermes, "You two need to tell the Guild you trespassed. No doubt the Guild Head knows about it already." Isaac delivered the rebuke—alluding to Ouranos—and Irene glared at Hermes when it looked like he was going to hightail it out of there.
"Fine, but I'd do it again if it meant protecting my Bell," Hestia said, basically rubbing her breasts into his arm. Lili grabbed the other arm and glared at Hestia. Bell predictably turned red and tried to squirm away.
The twins sighed, as did Asfi. The level four adventurer looked to them, "At least two other people share some of the stress I do."
"Honestly, how do you put up with him? If he were my patron god, I'd send him over a hill over and over until he learned," Irene said with a dopey smile directed at Hermes.
"Alright alright, I get it. Don't mess with the sister…" Hermes paused, "Or the brother…"
"Better," Irene chirped.
"Now, we better head home. Lili, any spoils you still have in there, don't worry, we can figure that out another time. The valis we could care less about, but any claws or horns we have, hold on to those, okay?" Isaac said, pulling Irene away as well. He didn't hear her response.
What happened not even eight hours ago was an Irregular. More specifically, a Black Goliath capable of regening the worst of wounds. The twins, the party, and everyone present on the eighteenth floor all pitched in to take down this monstrosity. Isaac had a good reason to suggest that a God was discovered in the Dungeon—if only he knew of God that he'd seen in the Dungeon prior to that, hmm? So, the Dungeon sent a monster to kill them. With that in mind, they had to fight the damn thing.
No one died, which was a good thing. Yet, Rivira had to be rebuilt… again. Now, the twins had a goal, and that was to see their Goddess. Isaac certainly drew some curious eyes as he was running with a tattered cloak, splattered with dry blood, and some of his scars were visible, but he cared not. Embarrassment could come later. He still felt awed at what Bell accomplished. That was the single best-executed move he's ever seen. The setup was even better.
Irene didn't get to see the action in all of its glory, but she did know that the beast was slain. If someone's name was David, there was certainly a joke to be had. The twins overtook one another, turning it into a race. They ran down Southwest Main and ended up outside Dia's Complex, their home. It didn't look like was occupied as of late, the lights were off, the windows were closed. "Did she run off?"
Clunk!
Turning around at the noise, they saw who they expected—and needed—to see. "Isaac! Irene!" Their Goddess screamed, dropping her items, and ran toward them. Her emerald eyes shedding tears as her arms encased them or tried to. They only made it around one side of their waist. "You two came back! I knew you would!"
"Lady Dia, did you ever doubt us? We're not that incompetent," Isaac joked to lighten the mood. What he didn't expect was for Dia to literally jump into his arms. Dia wasn't heavy by any means, but it certainly made him stumble.
"I feared the worst. I didn't tell Loki, but I felt my blessing fade from you, if only for a moment, but it still scared me," Dia wept. Irene's eyes widened. This was new information to the twins. Isaac especially. Guilt pooled in his gaze as he looked at Irene.
The petite Goddess tightened her hold on him, as if she felt his guilt, "I didn't say it to make you feel guilty, it just worried me. Right now, all three of us are going inside and I'm going to be the older sister for the night." Dia gently had Isaac set her down. "First things first, you two go inside and go get in the bath. You smell like dust, dirt, and dungeon. Isaac, tack on blood with that." Her eyes met his and she was asking a question: Did you freak out?
His irises moved up and down once: Yes.
"First, let me go get the stuff you dropped. I hope none of it was fragile," Irene said, heading to the front gate to pick up the two bags that she was carrying.
Even so, the twins smiled. They were home and that's what mattered to them. Isaac opened the door and he felt the exhaustion seep into his bones. "Man, after that fight, I really need to take a load off."
Irene set the bags on the counter, and then the younger elf twin felt her hand get grabbed and dragged away, "L-Lady Dia!"
Isaac felt the same pull seconds later, "D-Dia!"
Their Goddess pulled them up the stairs and into the bathroom. Now, even though they can get out of her hold with the utmost ease, they thought it best that they do not fight her. After all, her older sister personality was shining.
"Bathroom, I'm treating you like you're ten again!" Dia proclaimed. To add to the effect, "This is an order from your Goddess!"
Isaac and Irene resigned themselves to their fate.
Inside the massive bathtub were the two members of Dia Familia and the patron goddess. The two members were facing away from one another, out of respect. Dia, however, didn't care. She was as naked as the day she was born. She didn't care. Still, she offered to wash their backs. 'Offered' being relative. She demanded to, but she also noticed the new marks on Isaac. The scars were still red and healing. Even with a Deity's Blessing, their healing processes are still the same. The only thing that accelerates that process is potions.
"So, you decided to fight normal Goliath on your own?" Dia asked softly. She wasn't upset, but curious.
Isaac hummed, "Yeah. That, and we had pursuers, so I needed a distraction. Irene, I never apologized to you about that."
Irene chirped, "It's fine, had I believed you, it probably could have been different, but I didn't see that and reacted poorly to it. I wanted to hit you."
"The Dungeon did that for you," Isaac retorted. Dia carefully washed Isaac's back and her hand slid to his lower left-back. "Dia?"
"This was when you were thrown into the wall, right?" Dia's voice was somber, upset.
"Yeah, and I actually almost killed it too, had Freya Familia not shown up. But there was also a chance I-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Dia gently cut him off.
"Sorry," Isaac murmured an apology. Dia's fingers gently traced his other scars, some on his side, some on his upper back, and much to her relief, there were none on his chest. When Dia rounded to his front, Isaac's eyes slammed shut.
"You're not peeking, are you?" Irene giggled.
"Shut up, Irene!" Isaac shot back.
Dia leaned down and gently kissed Isaac's forehead, "Don't worry, I'm just glad you both returned, mostly unharmed. So, as another order from your Goddess, you two are staying in my room tonight."
"Lady Dia, are you sure?" Irene asked, turning around slightly to look her in the eye.
"Only for tonight, and my bed is big enough for all of us," Dia continued. "My last order for the night."
Dia then went to Irene, noticing her lack of injuries, "Did anything happen to you?"
Knowing she couldn't lie, she told her the truth, "Panic attack." Dia paused in her scrubbing, her silent question of who snapped her out of it. "It was Bete Loga who helped me, actually. Usually, he's spouting about not caring about weak members, so it even surprised Riveria."
"I see. My order still stands, both of you." Dia continued to wash her familia members' backs and then stepped out to clean up. They followed after, and both got dressed in their nightwear, before heading to Dia's room.
The master bedroom.
While it doubles as Dia's office, she does have a door that separates the two. The point being, she has this massive king-sized bed that can easily fit six of her. "Come on you two, it's late and I want to sleep as much as you do."
Both twins looked at each other, then at the room, taking in the sights and little knick-knacks that Dia collected over the years. What stood out the most were the pictures of the three of them. One picture that held all three of them, and subsequent pictures from years past. Isaac took the first step towards the backside of the bed before Dia pulled him in. He was then being cuddled by Dia.
Irene almost laughed, but she withheld it for the sake of Isaac, who already looked flustered as is. The younger twin gently eased herself next to Dia, who then turned and cuddled her. "Thank you."
"Anytime, Lady Dia," they responded in quiet unison before slipping into the realm of sleep. The scroll from Riveria wasn't forgotten from their minds' either. They had more important things to worry about.
The next morning, the twins woke up to see Dia curled up in a ball, making her tiny frame even tinier if that was even possible. A soft smile came to Irene's face, while Isaac rolled his eyes before sneaking out of the room. If he remembered right, the scroll was placed on the… "Counter, right."
Isaac grabbed the rolled-up message before heading up the stairs again. When he opened the door, he didn't expect to see Dia flying at him, "Isaac!" Her legs wrapped around him and he stumbled back into the opposite wall, not expecting to be caught so far off-guard by his Goddess. "You're okay, you're okay!"
"Uhm…" Irene, what happened?
She was worried when she woke and she didn't see you, I tried to tell her, but she wouldn't have it. "Don't worry, she'll be fine after like five minutes of contact," his sister's voice floated through the door. "Oh, and she wants to update our statuses."
"That true, Dia?" Isaac asked, having gently wrapped an arm under her to support her. Isaac felt completely awkward. One, he was holding his Goddess in what could be considered an intimate position for certain activities. Two, supporting his Goddess in what could be considered an intimate position. Three, being in an intimate position with his patron goddess. Four, he was half-naked, wearing only boxers and a shirt. It may be 'clothed' for normal people, but elves work differently. While such relationships are not unfounded and completely acceptable, it still felt awkward for him because he looks up to her as an older sister.
Dia eventually snapped her tear-filled eyes opened and the phrase 'believe it or not, I'm walking on air' came to mind as she leaped out of his arms and stood awkwardly across the hall. "Y-Yeah. I just…"
"I understand."
Dia's eyes snapped to Isaac's, "You do?" she asked in a soft—vulnerable—voice.
"I empathize with you. Remember nine years ago?" Isaac spoke softly to not let Irene hear him. "I was exactly like this with Irene's safety and over these years, you fall into the same category. The people I love and will protect." He crossed the distance and gently kissed her forehead like she does to him and Irene. He stood tall, "Now, how about we clean up, have breakfast, then you update us, okay?"
Dia nodded, "Okay!"
So, that was how both of the twins were in chairs, shirts off, not that they put new ones on in the first place. Their lower halves were covered, Isaac in pants and Irene in a skirt and leggings. Dia had already gotten dressed, and they saw the serious expression of a Goddess at work. It's not often they see this expression, only when status updates happen. Irene felt Dia's fingers grasp her shoulders. "Your attack was that bad?"
"You can see that?" Irene whispered back, concerned.
"When I update your statuses, I can read into your experiences, in all parts except for actually being there. I'm surprised Bete did what he did. I've heard he's got an unruly personality. Don't worry, we all know he's a softy," Dia whispered, consoling her child.
Then, she sealed Irene's Falna, holding on to the status sheet for now. Then, she turned to Isaac. The elder twin felt the drop of her blood, her ichor, hit the tip of his neck and slowly trickled down his back, eliciting a shiver.
While his status was exposed, Dia only experienced a piece of what he actually went through. She only saw him fighting Goliath the first time. Then, darkness, and then the deeper floors, and everything that he went through. Isaac had a feeling that Dia hit the Colosseum because tears dripped from her eyes. "You went through all that…"
"Yeah, sorry to worry you, and I'm…"
"Don't be. I'm almost done," Dia cut him off gently. With a final twirl of her wrists, she sealed his Falna and drew out his status sheet in Koine, the universal language. Dia was quite surprised, to say the least. "Okay, you two need to stop getting new skills, especially the same ones at the same time." Dia handed them their status sheets and Isaac was once again surprised by his rate of growth. Two of the stats—Power and Endurance—jumped from Rank D to A. Dexterity went from Rank D to B, one point shy from Rank A. His Magic stat went from G to D. Endurance was only a few points off from being S. Out of his three development skills, only Immunity ranked up, but by two ranks. All in all, it was phenomenal growth. Concerning, if anything.
However, his eyes filtered down to his skills and he felt his heart rate quicken. His stats basically doubled, but that's not why he's freaking out. His private thoughts spat off many questions, but only one took the forefront, did this happen while I was in the Colosseum?
The name of the skill in front of him, Last Rites, made him feel shame. He had a feeling of when that developed, but as he read the skill, it explained his lucid memories of his experience. He did do things that he shouldn't have been able to before, but the bonus was… out of the ordinary.
While he was in his own little world, Irene was in a completely different one, but at the same time, she was in Isaac's boat. This new spell unlocked so much potential. Was Riveria right? Did she have the potential to be a useful and powerful mage? Her Endurance stat also made a considerable jump from Rank D to B. Her Power and Agility stats went from F to D. Her magic stat increased the most, jumping two—almost three—ranks from D to high B, only a few points away from A. Two of her development abilities, Mage and Spirit Healing, went up a rank or two as well.
Her level three status effectively doubled, and as her eyes filtered down to Liaris Freese, she knew that's what caused it. In the grand scheme of their ordeal, Irene didn't do much throughout the Black Goliath, only assisting the wounded, but her desire to make sure that everyone came out safely pushed her through it. Her new skill though, Tsuinzubatorukurai, could come in handy if they get ambushed.
Both twins glanced over their respective shoulders, a look in their eyes. They were eligible to level, but one last hurdle stood in their way. Dia noticed but said nothing to stop them. This new development put her in a pensive state. It seems like Irene is going to be a powerful mage, rivaling Nine Hell and Thousand Elf. She might even surpass them both. Isaac, on the other hand, definitely had swordsmanship laying dormant in his blood. His use of magic, as little as it is, could definitely be useful. While he has the potential to pass the Sword Princess, he needs technique and skill.
Neither one of Dia's children relies on their status, but they also need refinement.
"Now, what was that scroll you brought up here?" Dia questioned, changing the subject completely. It served two purposes. To distract them, and to not have them dwell on what happened. They told her the full story of the Black Goliath, and how it was taken down. A part of their growth came from that, Dia's sure.
"A message from Riveria. She probably wants to talk or invite us out somewhere. Neither one of us has read it yet. Honestly, I'm surprised it made it through the action," Isaac said, setting his status sheet down and putting on a well-worn tunic. Irene gently sat opposite him, looking at the bundled-up scroll.
Dia gently grabbed it, looking to the both of them before they nodded their assent. Dia read aloud, "Dear Vlahos twins, I have been keeping something from you, and I cannot keep it hidden any longer. So, in order to clear the air that I have created, I invite you to join me for the day. We do not have another expedition planned, so within the next week, I shall be available. Come to Twilight Manor and ask for me. I will explain more if you arrive. Sincerely, Riveria Ljos Alf, Executive of Loki Familia."
Irene spoke first, "Well, that makes sense, considering the fact she looked like she wanted to tell us something, but never did. Isaac, did I tell you that Riveria held us once?"
"She did?" Isaac asked incredulously. "Did she elaborate?" Irene shook her head. "Damn, I wonder what went through her head."
"Well, the question remains, are you going to see her? It's still pretty early, just before ten, and it's Sunday, so you decide." Internally, Dia wants them here, but she's not going to order them to stay. That's just cruel.
"Well, if it concerns us, I'd say go for it. I'm curious, and I want her to elaborate on the 'she held us' part," Irene, surprisingly speaking up with conviction.
"What are we waiting for?" Isaac asked. "Will you be alright if we go, Dia?" The twins knew that she was going to be worried for a short time, but this is important. Plus, it gives them an opportunity to find a gift for the Anniversary. They only have about a week, and finding the perfect gift will be difficult.
"Yes, but hurry back, okay?" The twins crossed the distance and picked their Goddess up in a hug.
"We'll be fine," they said in unison.
Once they left, Dia looked at the border of the scroll, and it was from Loki. "Come see me when your kiddies leave. Riveria revealed one thing that makes them more valuable to her, and not in the sense you might be thinking." What exactly do you mean, Trickster?
Only one way to find out.
"So, besides us getting out, what about Dia's gift?" Irene asked as they passed Babel, heading up North street to Twilight Manor. They certainly have visited it enough, or what feels like a lot, that people may begin to talk. They purposely avoided talking about their new skills and spell, respectively.
"That's tomorrow's objective," Isaac said. "You still want a hatchet, correct?" Irene nodded. The two of them left Dia's Complex soon after, having reassured their Goddess that they would stick to the open streets and come back as soon as they were able. "Okay, so would you rather purchase one, or gather the materials for it? We can go to the Dungeon later and get more horns and fangs. Right now, people need to mind their own gods-damn business!" Isaac's voice raised, getting a few people to look away. Irene sighed at them but thanked Isaac mentally. The stares were getting annoying and somewhat lustful. Too lustful, in fact.
As usual, they did not leave their place without having armed themselves. They'll need to speak to Welf soon to sharpen their weapons, Isaac's especially. His little adventure dulled his blades, while still effective, it could get him killed. Isaac will have to find him, most likely at his forge.
"Do you think we should go ask Rose for access to Grandma's records? You think they'd let us in?" Irene asked, curious about something. She needs an answer to her question and her knack for research.
Isaac snorted, "They'd probably laugh at us. Other adventurer's records are sealed and held in high regard. We may be family to her, but this is an adventurer's matter, not a family one." His realist view made sense.
"Would it hurt to try?" Irene asked, grasping at straws.
Isaac shrugged, "I don't see a problem with asking, but you can rub it in if they let us pass, or even give it to us."
The pair walked in silence after that. They didn't bother with their hoods because Isaac's is still shredded to hell and Irene's had a fair bit of blood on it. It wasn't hers, but blood is hard to get out of clothing.
"Hey, look!" Irene grabbed his sleeve, pointing ahead of them.
Isaac pursed his lips, looking for what his younger sister saw. After a solid thirty seconds, he clicked his tongue, "Yeah, I got nothing, whatcha see?"
"It was-"
"There you two are!" A voice said from behind them. Both twins had a hand to their daggers but didn't draw it as they turned and saw the person who they were looking for.
Riveria Ljos Alf. Her standard uniform aside, she had her staff in hand. The question for both of them was where did she come from.
Realizing what they were doing, they sheathed their daggers with embarrassment coating their face, the tips of their ears red. Irene looked at her feet while Isaac gazed anywhere but the woman in front of him. "Hello, Riveria," Irene said.
"I was wondering if you two were ever going to open up that message," one hand went to her temple and rubbed it.
Isaac murmured, "Well, it concerns us, why wouldn't we open it?"
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing! Just wondering why you seemed worried when you handed us the scroll," Isaac covered smoothly, aside from the stutter. That's minor, but Riveria is intimidating when she's like this.
"Follow me, you two. We'll have privacy where we're going," Riveria said, turning and walking down Southeast Main. In other words, that road led to the Pleasure Quarter.
Not questioning it, but definitely on alert, the twins followed. Their ears picked up the chatter, "Woah, Nine Hell with Aspis and Harpe, where are they going?" "Dude, shut up and stop fanboying over it." "Wanna bet that she's going to lecture them on something?"
"Yeesh, you'd think people would mind their business, right?" Isaac asked, coming up on Riveria's left side, walking alongside her.
Riveria glanced over at him, "With you both being named after Titans, you're a hot commodity. Anything you do or say is taken into consideration, so be mindful."
"Ah great, more surveillance," Irene drawled, sarcasm evident as she walked on Riveria's right side. She murmured just loud enough to be heard by Riveria and Isaac, "At least Freya can't do anything while we are in the spotlight. She wouldn't be able to escape consequences."
"That's about the only relief when it comes to her actions," Riveria said, leading them past the entrance to the Pleasure Quarter. The crowd thinned out easily as it wasn't as active, but the twins saw some people leaving with dopey grins on their faces, Amazons with lecherous grins. Irene was slightly concerned when she saw a few women leaving too. Even worse, an Amazoness was eyeing her, giving Irene a wink. A shudder crawled up her spine, which the Amazon misinterpreted, but remained where she was. Either Isaac was glaring at her, or Riveria was.
Turns out, she was wrong on both counts. It was the fact she was with Riveria. "So, that happened."
"Yeah, I had at least fifteen or twenty looking at me. Did I mention Amazons are not my type?" Isaac asked somewhat rhetorically.
"You mentioned it once or twice, but a certain girl with amethyst eyes and a katana certainly is," Irene smirked as she watched her elder brother's ears turn red at the mention of Mikoto. You were thinking about the time you spent on the hill holding her hand, weren't you?
"Private information, I can be interested in who I want," Isaac defended. I will punch you. Irene giggled, knowing she won this time. Wait until you find someone you get enamored with.
"You two remind me of Tione and Tiona, and I don't know whether to be grateful or annoyed," Riveria said, effectively breaking the twin's conversation.
The High Elf led the twins to the entrance of a graveyard. "This is…"
"In Orario, we call this the Adventurer's Graveyard, where all adventurers are laid to rest. I know she wasn't buried here, but a tombstone was still made," Riveria explained. Rows and rows of tombstones lined the area, stretching for what felt like forever. The stone-laid path stretched out in convoluted twists and turns, but it eventually came back together.
The mood turned gloomy at the allusion to their grandmother. "We never did get to attend her funeral," Irene admitted.
Riveria almost lost her composure right there. Her kin didn't even let the blood-related grandchildren attend her funeral. Her grip on her staff creaked, the only expression of her anger. Sighing, "Well, hopefully, this can make up for it, even if it's only a little."
"So, Grandma was 'buried' here, hmm?" Isaac asked, looking at the names of adventurers. One caught his eye and he didn't think much of it, but a similarity crossed his mind.
"Yes, after the One-Eyed Black Dragon expedition, most of the adventures were killed. Those that survived brought back who they could, but it resulted in driving out the Zeus and Hera Familias," Riveria said, gaining sharp looks from the twins. That implied far more than they hoped to hear. "I refused to participate in that, much to Finn and Gareth's confusion. After what Sofia did for me, that was how I was going to repay her familia? No, I sat out, and the power struggle ended in what we have now. I respect Sofia, and what she taught me. Some of those things I have taught Lefiya."
"Might help me now that I have a new spell," Irene said offhandedly.
"What is it called?" Riveria's curiosity seeping into her words, despite looking uninterested.
"Keys to the Kingdom," Irene said slowly.
Riveria turned towards the younger quarter-elf, "That was the same spell Sofia had. The one that allowed her to use any spell she desired. Your value as a mage went up exponentially."
"I'd prefer to keep that a secret, you know? Still don't want to get poached," Irene shot back, slightly unnerved.
"Of course, but I want you to come by Twilight Manor every so often so I can teach you to refine your magic. Have either of you gone to the Guild and ask for her records?" Riveria wanted to know if Irene could learn some of those spells, and find out if she could use them.
"That was a point of contention we have, but I doubt they'd just give us her records, despite being family to her," Isaac said, referencing his point he made not even an hour ago.
"Oh, the Guild would not be so foolish to not give you them, after all, they are your right to have," Riveria said before she continued walking. A small hilltop came into view, where only a few graves were. The twins followed and felt the magic in the air. Isaac shivered, even though he was standing in direct sunlight. Irene shuddered in the face of this power. Even though these adventurers are dead, it was like their magic energy seeped into the ground, blessing the area. It seemed to swirl around her, giving her a comforting embrace.
"I see the area recognizes you both, but I imagine that you, Isaac, are feeling a slightly ominous presence?" Riveria said knowingly. How much does she know? "I have felt both of your reactions once upon a time, and have learned to accept either one." The High Elf walked forward, past them all, to one hidden, and set on a pedestal, above the rest. Yet compared to the other tombstones, this was pretty tame. Riveria let the twins go forward to look as mumbled something under her breath and the writing became visible.
The tombstone was intricate in its design, the Zeus Familia insignia embroidered on it, but it was the writing that caught their eye.
Sofia Vlahos
Zeus Familia Executive
Loving Mother and Grandmother
May Hecate care for her Daughter
XXXX-XXXX
"You know, Irene," Isaac said, his voice on edge. "I really thought it wasn't going to rain today. It looked pretty clear last night."
"It's… not raining," Riveria said, one eye open as she stood a respectful distance away.
Both Irene and Isaac turned around, with tears in their eyes, and said softly, ""Yes… it is."" Tear trails made their way down their cheeks. Riveria understood and took a step forward, her arms slightly spread. An invitation.
The two barreled towards the High Elf and just let their emotions out. It seemed that the magic in the area reacted too, enveloping them in a whirlwind of peace. The trees in the background shuffled slightly with the breeze, the grass weaved an intricate dance beneath their feet, the ground absorbed their tears, washing the worry from them.
Isaac was the first to recover, "So, what was it that you wanted to tell us? You didn't bring us out here for no reason." He felt a little bad that they were getting Riveria's robes damp from their tears. To be fair, he was aiming for the ground, even though he was taller than the High Elf. Irene just didn't care less. An emotional scar was being lifted, and the magic in the air comforted the two who lost someone important to them.
"Well, there is one thing, something I wanted to not tell you, but she can forgive me in the afterlife," Riveria gently said. "Simply put, you are not the only family you both have. Your Grandmother bestowed a blessing on me that can never be replicated by a God."
Both looked at Riveria, confused by her words. Neither twin understood what that meant. As far as they knew, they had each other, and that was it. No other siblings, half-siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles. Their parents were dead, their Grandfather died soon after the twins were born; obviously, their Grandmother…
"Sofia Vlahos had left a message for me, one where she had it all sorted out at your birth. She made me… the Godmother… to both of you."
Both twins tensed, and Riveria expected a remark about withholding this, but all she got was, "Is this true?"
Riveria quickly grabbed the evidence and showed them, and after verifying it, the two looked at Riv—their Godmother now—with an indecipherable look. Irene had one question, "So the time you held us… was when we were first born, right? Grandma wanted you to see your Godchildren and hold them, I mean, us, right?"
Riveria nodded, "I only wish you could've seen the look on your Grandmother's face when I held you both." She chuckled once, "I was afraid of dropping you, but your parents assured me and said it was an honor that I'd even grace their presence. I almost did drop you for that."
The twins laughed softly, looking to each other, having a quick mental conversation. Soon after, Isaac smiled through his tears, then started laughing. "Does… does that mean I can call you our Fairy Godmother?"
That got him a thump on the head from Riveria's staff. Irene quickly dissolved into a fit of giggles before receiving the same treatment as her brother, but Riveria did it with a soft smile, one the twins noticed.
Let the record show: No denial.
Dia was seated in Loki's office, "So, what's important enough to sneak a message written in the language of the Gods to me in a letter addressed to my children?"
"Straight to the point as ever, Lady Dia," Finn Deimne said, sitting in a chair opposite his patron Goddess.
"Dee-Dee, let me put it bluntly, your Familia and mine are related," Loki said, with no context. This threw the conversation in a completely different direction than Dia thought.
"Oh?" Dia raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Riveria revealed something to me on the eighteenth floor, and well, I encouraged her to tell them," Finn said, not in his Braver persona, but a calm collected Prum manner.
"Elaborate, please," Dia asked politely.
"Mama Riveria really is a Mama in some way. It turns out old Hecate blessed Riveria with the privilege of being your children's Godmother, making her family," Loki said with a soft smile. Finn rarely sees this expression and kept his surprise on the down-low. Not often Loki is genuinely happy about something, aside from the perverted grin she gets when she tries something with the other female members of the familia.
Dia was floored at this revelation, "Is that what you meant when you said she was keeping an eye on them?"
"No, Lady Dia. At that time, neither Loki nor I knew the true relationship she held with them, but it does explain why I was able to read Riveria much easier than usual. She was extremely worried about the safety of them," Finn explained. "She also told me what the Freya Familia did to Harpe and parts of what he explained."
Dia grimaced, she had gotten the details from his status update, it wasn't pretty. "I'd rather not discuss that."
"Fair enough, Dia," Loki said. "Now, I'd like to talk about something else." A stack of paper laid in front of her.
"Dare I ask?"
"It's alliance papers, sanctioned from the Guild," Finn said.
If Dia was drinking anything at that moment, she would have done a very unladylike spit take.
When the trio left the graveyard, their hearts were lighter and a new family was found. To others, it looked like nothing changed, but to them, everything changed. The only question that remained was what would this revelation do to their familias?
Isaac was looking around when he eventually saw the Takemikazuchi Familia out and about. One person caught his eye. Mikoto. She looked beautiful, and she was laughing at something that Chigusa said because the corners of her mouth were twisted up. Her eyes sparkled in the light.
Careful loverboy, you might scare her with how hard you're staring, Irene gently said in his head.
He tore his gaze away to acknowledge his twin, I know, but she's…
Your type, I know, Irene said.
Isaac eventually brought his gaze away and turned back down the street, fingers interlocked behind his head. He was calmer and walked with what others noticed like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.
"Sir Isaac!" A voice called out, causing his heart to jump in his chest. Riveria glanced over her shoulder before giving him a nod.
"Irene, please accompany me, I'll escort you home," Riveria said.
Irene knew this Elven tradition, "Shouldn't it be the other way around?" She lowered her voice now, "Plus, we're basically as close as family can get, so should I escort you home, Fairy Godmother?" Irene had a teasing grin which was wiped clean when she tapped her head again with her staff.
"Don't call me that," Riveria chided. Secretly, she'd rather be called 'Mama Riveria' over 'Fairy Godmother' any day of the week.
Isaac watched as the two walked away, laughed at Irene when she got hit, but paled when Riveria glanced at him, he stopped. Isaac turned to see Mikoto in front of him. Da-thump. His heart raced, but he kept a calm face. "Hello, Lady Mikoto," Isaac said, adding the honorific in case.
Mikoto blushed, panting slightly. She had only just seen him and she wanted to say hi. Actually, Ouka pointed him out, but that's beside the point. She hadn't seen him since they all came back up from the Dungeon, but that was only yesterday. The smile she had faded quickly once she noticed his puffy red eyes, "Were you… crying earlier?"
Isaac's eyes widened, but he saw no reason to lie, not to the one who made his heart race faster than the greatest adrenaline rush, "Yeah, but not for the reason you think." His gaze shifted behind him to where he could see the hilltop. When he concentrated hard enough, he could see the magical energy in the air, like a mist or mirage. He would have to visit from time to time.
Mikoto followed his gaze, and nodded in understanding, "Letting it out?"
"Yeah, but we also gained something else. A Godmother," Isaac smiled. It was pretty easy to accept, much to his surprise. Maybe because he knew if Grandma picked her, then they'll be fine. The Far Eastern girl raised an eyebrow, and Isaac found himself enraptured in her gaze, but then her lips were moving and he shook his head, "Sorry, what was that? I was distracted by your beauty," Isaac said freely. Once more, he slapped a hand over his mouth. "Damn, I really do accidentally flirt a lot."
Mikoto blushed intensely, feeling her own heartbeat. She remembered the moment on the hill, where she could freely gaze at him. "It's part of your charm, Sir Isaac, I'm sure." Part of her felt irrationally jealous if he did that to any other woman. No rhyme or reason as to why she felt like that, but it certainly bugged her. "I wonder what would happen if you actually flirted."
"It wouldn't be as impressive, I assure you, Lady Mikoto," Isaac said, cheeks slightly red. "I'd be forcing it at that point. Admittedly, I feel like flirting is a battle, but you have to pick and choose what actions to take, does that make any semblance of sense?" He found himself looking intently into her eyes again. He liked that color, they reflected the light just right, making it look like he was looking into the night sky with the constellations.
"In a way, yes, I can see it," Mikoto replied as she found herself looking into his earthly hazel orbs and saw what she could only describe as a pillar. She felt like she was grounded around him, even through the worst of things. It didn't help her heart was thudding restlessly against its boney prison that was her ribcage. Was it that hot out today?
Isaac decided to take a shot, after all, the worst she can say is no, well, there was a caveat to that... "Do you-"
"Would you-"
Both seemed to have the same idea. They paused, looked each other in the eye, sputtered an apology, and insisted that the other go first. After three minutes of them going back and forth, Mikoto eventually won out, making Isaac take a deep breath, "Lady Mikoto, would you like to…" he lost the words because anything he could say would sound boring, or expected. He wanted to say something better.
A memory tricked into his mind, one about Elven courting. Sighing, he gently took her hand and held it to his heart, "Lady Mikoto, would you allow me the honor of courting you?"
Elves in the immediate area all turned their eyes on him. He just asked the biggest question before marriage. If she rejected him, he'd have to not see, nor speak to her for three months. A harsh punishment, but it allowed time for the heart to move on. Contrary to that, if she accepted him, then standard courting procedures would follow. Even further still, if the courtee initially rejected them, but decided later on that they wish to accept, they'd have to ask them the same question and apologize for breaking the courter's heart. If they say no, then they are not allowed to pursue a courtship with one another.
Elves and other humans and Demi-Humans realized that it was Harpe asking someone else permission to court them. Some even questioned if he was an elf, but his ears were showing, identifying him.
Females glared at Mikoto in jealousy. Even though Isaac had yet to receive any courting confessions, they still acknowledged the guts he had asked her out in public. Some wished they were her. The most hilarious fact—that others would point out—was the location.
Just outside the Pleasure Quarter. It really was fitting for this scenario.
In truth, Isaac knew what he was setting himself up for, but if Mikoto felt the same as he did, then she'd accept. Otherwise, he was a horrible people-reader.
The blush on Mikoto's cheeks flared, her ears bright red, her hand on his chest, feeling the beat accelerate with each passing second. Even though Isaac looked calm on the outside, Mikoto knew better. Moreover, she was unfamiliar with his wording, but she knew one thing:
She was going to say yes.
"Yes, you may... court me," Mikoto whispered, and she saw the most radiant smile that she has ever seen on Isaac's face. One she wanted to see more often.
He was currently three seconds away from jumping with joy, but he instead brought her hand away from his chest and asked, "Can I hug you, please?" Mikoto simply nodded.
Then, she was wrapped in the most comforting embrace she's ever felt before. One hand wrapped around her lower back and one gently cradled her head. It seemed fairly intimate, but it was actually tradition.
Mikoto gently wrapped her arms around his midsection, reaching up towards his shoulder blades.
People gawked at the pair, not expecting that to happen. Some even wolf-whistled, cat-called, and just generally cheered him on. It was only then Isaac realized that he was attracting a crowd, "I can apologize for this later, Lady Mikoto."
"For wha-?"
She was cut off as Isaac scooped her up in a bridal carry and used all of his statuses to leap to a rooftop, out of other people's sight. No doubt he'd be the talk of Orario by tomorrow's daybreak. He could imagine the rumors that will travel around. Each rendition would be more exaggerated from the last.
"Where are we going, Sir Isaac?"
"Anywhere where no one will look at me like I'm crazy!"
While he was running, he sent a thought to Irene.
Hey, sis… I did it.
Isaac Vlahos
Level 3
Power = D520 → A802
Endurance = B702 → A895
Dexterity = D538 → B799
Agility = E485 → C614
Magic = G279 → D584
Hunter = F
Immunity = G → E
Fire Resistance = G
{Magic}
Futago's Maindosukēpu: This allows the user to speak with their twin, an exceptionally rare spell, only works on blood-related twins. Fraternal or Identical, there is no difference. Uses very little Mind, and can be used for long-distance. No chant required; like flexing a muscle, the user thinks, and it activates, helpful in stressful situations.
Meteor Fissure: Swift Strike Magic. Forms sharp earth rocks based on the user's power. Near-instant travel time, unaffected by other elements. Chant: Fissure!
{Skills}
Liaris Freese: Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings. As a side effect, it makes the user immune to charms.
Heat Barrage: Increases all of the user's basic abilities. Dependent on the user's level.
Last Rites: When user is critically injured—physically, emotionally, or mentally—Status is effectively copied and doubled for a short time. Any bonuses and effects applied to user are affected as well.
Tsuinzubatorukurai (Twin's Battlecry): When a user is fighting a battle with a blood-related twin, The basic stats are temporarily increased two ranks for a short time.
...
Irene Vlahos
Level 3
Power = F320 → D571
Endurance = D548 → B721
Dexterity = G268 → C663
Agility = F372 → D504
Magic = D568 → B798
Mage = D → C
Immunity = H → G
Spirit Healing = G → E
{Magic}
Futago's Maindosukēpu: This allows the user to speak with their twin, an exceptionally rare spell, only works on blood-related twins. Fraternal or Identical, there is no difference. Uses very little Mind, and can be used for long-distance. No chant required; like flexing a muscle, the user thinks, and it activates, helpful in stressful situations.
Orb of Divine Healing: Replenishes Mind and heals injuries, while also giving the affected target a small boost to their status. Cannot cast on one's self. However, the user can only cast it once safely without the risk of Mind Down, twice if their magic skill is above Rank E. Chant- Oh humble Goddess, I beseech you. Bless thy vessel with the strength to carry on. Allow this extension of your will to be thrusted into a new age. Heal, I beseech you. Through the stars and sky, I wish the light of day be graced upon those worthy. Heal. Even if I fall, let those who receive live to fight. I beseech you, oh humble Goddess, Heal!
Keys to the Kingdom: This allows the user access to any spell, no matter what the effects of it are. If the User becomes acquainted with a spell, it is added to their magic list.
{Skills}
Liaris Freese: Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings. As a side effect, it makes the user immune to charms.
Fairy Serenade: Increases the effects of Magic Effect rises at night.
Tsuinzubatorukurai (Twin's Battlecry): When a user is fighting a battle with a blood-related twin, The basic stats are temporarily increased two ranks for a short time.