Read if you dare, but I will explain something at the bottom...okay?
Enjoy...if you can.
...
The twins spared no expense at decimating the halls of Folkvangr, after all, the kidnapping of their Goddess was a declaration of fucking war. Harpe calmly walked through the halls, the Shadow Concealment from his sister had only just faded recently. That mattered not as he continued to decimate any lower leveled Freya Familia members that stood in his way.
They didn't know what hit them half the time.
Aspis was in the same boat, coming from a different hallway, destruction in her wake. Hers certainly had a bit more flare to it. She used her staff as a method to throw off the attacks before using their own weapon against them. Never once did she raise her sword. After all, it wasn't hers so that counts, right?
They both ended up by one another, just outside the door. This door was meant to be Freya's room in the building, but since she resided in Babel almost one hundred percent of the time, she never bothered to use it until now. The stage was set. The Freya Familia symbol was adorned all over the door's border. It sickened Aspis. She wanted to wipe it off the face of Orario. Her anger was feeding into her magic. Harpe felt this wave of power.
"Ready?" Aspis asked, her tone dead. That was a farce, underneath that deadpan was a woman scorned. We all know what they say about those…
"Try to be level-headed," Harpe whispered as he kicked the door open. It was mostly for himself even if she had a retort.
What greeted them filled them with a sense of relief, but dread as well.
They saw Dia, tied and gagged as she has been, her eyes blinking to adjust to the sheer amount of light coming in. Once her eyes adjusted, tears flowed down her cheeks. ""Lady Dia!"" the twins shouted. Shadow Concealment drifted from Irene's skin, the duration ended as they kicked open the door.
"Mmmh mhmhm mhhm," Dia tried to say, shaking her head, but they were already running over. Dia shook in her chair, pleading with her children to stop, but it was already too late.
A wall formed in front of Dia, separating the twins from her. The wall itself was see-through, but the material it was made out of was strong. It felt magic resistant, just from touching it. Aspis grit her teeth, almost biting her tongue to focus her anger. Harpe just started slashing it, his blows not making a dent in it. Not even a scratch was produced. His hold on his emotions was slipping at this point, just to be so close, only to have it ripped away.
"You've finally arrived," a seductive voice said. A voice that made Harpe's blood boil. Lady Freya. "Good, now the real show can begin. Ottar, Allen, seize them."
As soon as she spoke, both twins prepared for them, and the elder twin got the short end of the stick as Ottar appeared in front of him. Even so, he sent out another Shockwave in preparation for that. Ottar simply absorbed the blow with ease.
Having expected that, Harpe used Smokescreen to give himself cover. He then pulled an empty glass vial from his pouch and threw it to the ground as he cast another spell. Classic Fissure.
The reason why he smashed a vial was an attempt to throw Ottar off. The rocks zoomed through the air. Much like the time when he used it against Allen, Ottar smashed them all, except one. This one managed to scratch the Boaz's bulging bicep. It was a light scratch at best, and one of Ottar's development abilities, Strong Body, kicking in, it erased the scratch.
Aspis got an even shorter end of the stick as Allen's speed surprised her but she immediately fell into her arena instincts and pushed her staff down, temporarily allowing her to land one hit on him. That hit was a nice fist into his collarbone. Allen grit his teeth at being outplayed and soon turned it around on her, knocking her staff away.
Still, she evaded his next strike, relying on instinct as she kicked the side of his leg, sending out a spell. This one was different in the sense of temperature.
*Frostbolt!*
A small stream...if it can be called that...of ice shot from her hand and aimed for Allen. He wasn't the fastest in the city for nothing. He evaded that, then the next two before he made his move.
He swept her feet out from under her and landed a kick to her stomach, sending her back and into the wall, dazing her. Allen leered over her before wrapping his hands around her neck and squeezed. Not enough to kill her, but enough to make her submit.
Irene's memory flashed as she remembered the alleyway. It felt like so long ago, but that wasn't the case. Freya giggled like a schoolgirl once more. "Perfect. Now, let me look at them." Freya's Discerning Eye was already active and she loved the look of their souls screaming out for each other and their precious Dia. She noticed that their hatred was present, but it did nothing to hinder their color. Even more interesting, the girl's hatred was greater than the boy's. A wicked grin appeared on Freya's face, a small skip in her step. Her heels clicked on the floor in delight.
The elder twin was unaware of his sister's plight as Ottar simply walked forward and grabbed him by the wrist, even when Isaac tried to dodge. Ottar slowly applied pressure to it, making him drop his sword. To his credit, he didn't flinch, even as he brought out the smaller of the two swords to drive into Ottar's abdomen. He couldn't cast magic effectively because his focal point was in his hands, specifically, his palms.
However, Ottar has two hands. He grabbed that wrist and held it down before a knee collided with his chest. Despite the injury, he still stood defiantly, even if he spat out blood onto the Boaz's shirt. On the other side of the glass, Dia could be seen pleading, muffling out 'Stop' repeatedly.
The two first-class adventurers made their moves in response to their moves. Of course, the Freya Familia fights each other more than they do in the Dungeon. Oftentimes, they don't even enter the Dungeon. They level up off of one another, like how Amazons in Telskyura fight each other to the death. In this case, they acted on Freya's orders, and they did not fail. Should they fail, then death would be a mercy. One that Freya would not grant so easily.
"Do not resist, Harpe," Ottar's voice carried power and demanded respect. "She does not wish you harmed."
"Too little too late, that went out the door when you kidnapped her," Harpe's voice was slowly edging out into Isaac as more emotions bled through. The ache in his chest grew worse with each passing second as the full effect of the blow was coming in. Isaac was sure that Ottar held back enough to not knock his unconscious. "I'd rather die first before listening to you."
Meanwhile, Allen put Irene into a chokehold on her knees with one knee resting on top of the part where her leg bends. She can't do anything, at least, not without potentially crippling herself.
Dia could only watch and struggle in abject horror as they were subdued. Tears leaked out of Dia's eyes in fervor. There was no end in sight for her tears. She wanted her children to be safe, and how can Dia not think that this was her fault? She does know somewhat of what was fully going on. One moment, she's in her office, the next she's God-napped, and then she woke tied to a chair, and finally, her children are here.
"So, which one of you wants to go first?" Freya asked. Her eyes went from Irene to Isaac and back again.
"Go to hell," Isaac growled. Ottar didn't like that kind of blasphemy being said about his Goddess. He squeezed Isaac's wrists and he grit his teeth, trying his damndest to not scream. He could have easily crushed his bones into dust but the King was making this hurt. I hate being in such a defenseless position…
You and me both… Irene's voice said before it fizzled out and came back, shooting a chill up Isaac's spine. That is also annoying…
"Feisty, aren't you? You weren't like this at Apollo's ball, it makes me upset," she sighed wistfully, like this was just another day for her, "and here I thought I could have another dance. After all, I thought about it a lot. How your hands glided across my body, and when you dipped me, oh…" Freya noticed Allen being a little too tense, squeezing Irene's windpipe even harder. Her breathing halted for a split second. "Lighten up, Allen. I need her alive." Seems my housecat is a little jealous. He'll have plenty of time to work on it.
The Cat grumbled, but loosened his death grip a fraction, just enough to allow Irene to breathe. She almost passed out. Hence why her voice in Isaac's head fizzled as it did.
"So, why have I done this?" Freya asked aloud. The twins had to admit, that was a question on their minds. "You see, I collect people. People who interest me, and when I saw both of you for the first time...I needed you in my familia, in my collection. Besides the Cranel boy, your two souls were intriguing. If any other Deity saw what I see every time I look at both of you, they'd understand. The wonder I had where you both looked like two halves of the same person. Never before have I seen such wonderful souls. Unlike my beloved Bell, your souls are not transparent like he is but that won't stop me." Her fingertips reached towards Isaac, who flinched away from her touch. He'd rather go fight a Monster Rex solo than to touch Freya ever again. "I will claim what's mine, just think of what happened to Ishtar." The very recent event played in their minds again and the pieces fell into place.
"Why the hell would you do that? You knew damn well that we'd never go to her! Irene even tried to warn her!" Isaac screamed out, feeling his arms going to sleep.
The Goddess of Beauty remained undeterred, gripping his chin and forcing him to look at her, "I wanted to see if you had what it took, to see if you would be my Odr. You were one of three candidates." She went over to Irene and gently caressed her cheek, making the girl in question shiver uncomfortably. Even in a chokehold, she wanted away from this delusional Goddess. "Allen, allow her room to speak. Let her go. If you're smart, you won't make any decisions that you will regret, otherwise...Ottar might just...slip."
The threat from Freya begrudgingly mollified Irene as Allen let her out of the chokehold, which allowed her to breathe properly, her knees were still restrained, so she was on all fours looking up at Freya. "It's true, I did warn Lady Ishtar, we've known that you've been watching us." Coughing again, "In the spare time of my spare time, I researched your methods, and believe me, they were scarce. You waited this time…"
"Correct," Freya admitted easily, twirling a lock of hair idly, looking directly into her eyes. Irene focused on her face, not her eyes.
"Peace was never an option, was it?" she had to ask. The fact she didn't answer answered it for her.
Freya was actually mulling over the information she just received. They've known she was watching them, and for quite a while by the sounds of it. It just made her wonder about her third beloved; if he could tell as well...that was why she didn't answer.
The Goddess of Beauty still had to progress her plan. A cruel grin sprouted on Freya's face, the silver eyes twinkling in the low light, "Thank you for that information. Now, time for the main event." She snapped her fingers and a door opened on the opposite side of the glass wall. Dia froze in her seat as she heard the door open, and then a single breath.
ROOOOOUUUUUAAHH!
The twins froze in fear. Was she crazy? Was she...that feeling of dread flooded their bodies over again. "Why?!" "What do you gain from this?" Both questions had already been answered, and Freya hates repeating herself.
However, "Thanks to my beautiful Captain and Vice-Captain here, they procured me the means of freeing you both. Consider this: Dia is the lock…"
The creature that made the roar soon came into view. It was a monster from the forty-ninth floor. A Fomoire, a goat-like biped creature. There were patches of fur on its legs, chest, and head. The normally red eyes were purple…like how one would look under a Goddess of Beauty's charm.
Did Freya…
...charm a Monster?!The twin's mental conversation split into two parts. The shock was turning into a mind-numbing effect. She would go to these lengths just to acquire the two of them?! They were unaware of Freya's doing in Monsterphillia but that started to make sense.
The answer was yes...yes she would and she has.
The Landform it was-wait...It wasn't holding a landform, a Dungeon-made weapon. It held a freshly-crafted sword, and it spelled only one thing.
Death.
"...and that is the key."
"You said that you wouldn't harm Dia!" Isaac yelled out, his emotions were leaking even more. His back began to burn. "You told me that! Was that a lie?! Is that what you're good at, lying to my face?!" Ottar's grip tightened and Isaac heard something shift.
The silver-haired Goddess turned towards him, walking to him before leaning down to his ear, "I said I wasn't going to hurt her. A monster is a different story."
With the way Isaac froze, Irene had a pretty good idea of what she just said. "She's innocent in this!" Freya did not respond.
They both realized that it was in the room with Dia, completely separate from them. Fear completely shadowed their bodies. If Dia was killed, then their blessing would disappear, making them ready to be claimed by another deity…
And there just so happened to be another one in the room.
Dia didn't want to turn around, but she knew if she did, she was looking at death. Her eyes went to her children, who were watching with building horror. The horror and realization that they were completely powerless in this situation.
Through her tears and through her gag, she smiled. It looked demented, but she was trying to convey the sentiment that she cared and wasn't upset. How could she be? They came to save her, risking their lives just to make sure she would be fine. Freya graciously—if one could call it that—allowed her to hear what was going on on the other side of the see-through wall. Maybe it was to drive the knife in further but Dia only wished she could tell them not to worry.
Their struggles continued, Isaac struggled in Ottar's grasp, trying to drudge the man off him. Irene was going for the classical approach of turning and attempting to kick Allen in the crotch. It almost worked, but his grip tightened again, even as his foot dug into her leg. The nerves tingled in her leg. The blood flow was being cut off.
She felt the presence of the monster before the door opened. Dia knew that her end was coming, knowing that her children would try to save her. It's not that she accepted death, far from it. Gods don't 'die' they just get sent back to Heaven, where they await the souls that they were with before regretfully sending them away to be reborn.
Her chains were then unlocked, probably Freya's doing when she released the monster, and she tore the gag out of her mouth. She limped to the wall separating them. Wow, the drug must still be in my system. Tears flowed from her eyes just as much as her children's. The two of them were trying to reach for her hands, but alas they couldn't.
Many tears would be spilled today.
"What will it take for you to stop?" Isaac asked in near desperation. "What's the cost to spare her?"
Freya halted the commands of the Fomoire, intrigued that he would speak, "Conversion."
Irene could see the gears working in her twin's head, "How do we know you aren't lying to us? If we did convert, how do we know that she'll be spared?" Irene croaked, her emotions were coming to the surface, showing she was just an emotionally terrified girl. She hated that she felt this way.
"Are you calling my Lady a liar?" Allen snarled.
"She hasn't exactly been truthful to us so far," Isaac snapped back, making Ottar's hand tighten on his wrists, feeling the bones shift even more. "Gah!"
"Ara ara, are you thinking about it?" Freya leaned closer to Isaac, her lips brushing his cheek. Even with Liaris Freese, he couldn't deny Freya was gorgeous, making him blush but the anger was still present in his eyes.
You do realize that the decision we make affects not just us, but everyone in Orario, Irene said. Her voice was tight like she was trying to keep her emotions in check.
Isaac replied, The question remains: Are we prepared to make the sacrifice?
Remember: whatever we choose, we could...Irene didn't like what she was implying, but it had to be said.
I know. That would be if we failed...but I can't just let her take us away! Isaac didn't sound confident, but the sheer emotion in his mental voice was overwhelming.
Are we prepared to make a change in our lives? This will destroy us…
Isaac didn't respond to his sister. It wasn't because he didn't want to respond, but it was because he didn't have one. Nothing that'd he say would make the situation better.
After a moment of silence, and one final mental transaction, they made their decisions. ""We're never converting,"" the twins said, rasping it out between the lull of silence that had transpired. It warmed Dia's frozen-in-fear heart to hear that, but she did have more pressing concerns.
Freya sighed, she never wanted to do this, but they forced her hand. Her eyes went to the Fomoire and gave it the command. To kill.
Wide-eyed, Dia felt the foreboding presence come up behind her, and her routes of escape were all cut off. The monster has high agility, and Dia is a God in a Human's skin, relatively weak. Level zero, if one wanted to be specific.
The twins forced their hands to face the wall and began casting spells, Irene had an easier time than Isaac. Sure, Ottar could stop him from trying, but the wall would not break. He tried and even he could barely put a scratch into it. The twins found this out the hard way. Every spell they tried would not work. "I need to use it…"
"Do it!" he shouted. This momentarily confused the two first-class adventurers. At least until Irene started chanting and an electric blue magic circle appeared under her form. Isaac knew what she meant. He knew what this could do.
"Let the spirits hear my call," Irene's voice sounded like a hymn one would hear on a Sunday. "I open my heart and soul to those who still linger. Shine down onto this vessel-"
"What is she doing?" Freya asked calmly. Internally she wasn't. This amount of magic energy was overflowing with power, reminiscent of one other person. She smiled, acting cool, even if she wasn't, she truly is hers.
"What I only wish I could do," Isaac grunted, still casting his magic at the wall. His vision was blurring now. Shit, Mind Down is coming…
Allen couldn't stop her because if he did, then Ignus Fatuus would engulf him too, "-grant me the power needed to smite my enemies. Please, allow me this request, Lord of Thunder. Bless me with the smiting spirit."
*Insurmountable Spark!*
The raw emotion in Irene's voice reached Dia and it made the Goddess's heart clench. Just like the last time—the first time in a majority of people's cases—the circle flashed from blue as the sky to bright as lightning. An electric blue to an electric yellow. It wasn't this massive thunder cloud, but a singular bolt of lightning that crashed into the wall, far off to Dia's left, punching a hole directly into the wall. However, this amount of Mind used blurred her vision and made her slack to the floor. She was conscious but her body felt like mush. The edges of her vision darkened. Spirit Healing was already working but it was a slow process.
The Fomoire recoiled at the amount of power within the spell. Even though it was a monster that was under the charm, it knew now to mess with the one who cast the spell. It also noticed its prey was getting away, so it did what it did best.
Hunted its prey.
The glass shattered perfectly, a full section was missing, wide enough for Ottar to go through. The twins continued to struggle. They wanted to kill the monster, wrap their Goddess in a hug, apologize, and promise to never leave her alone. Dia tried to run but the Fomoire was already in position. Freya had harshly ordered it to do what she originally planned on doing. The glass itself was at least two feet thick. Irene's spell really did a number on the supposed unbreakable glass.
As Dia was trying to cross the threshold, she stopped.
She looked down only to see something that shouldn't be there, then something dribbled down her chin, her hand reached up to wipe it away. Dia couldn't tell, was there something on the end of the sword? Isaac felt like someone just gutted him. Irene felt her heart sink, despite her blurry vision, her eyes were locked on to Dia's form…
...and what protruded from it.
The Fomoire grinned, pleased with its job, appeasing its master. Freya smiled as well, but there was a hidden portion that was sad. In the future, she would regret this day, but that's for another time.
""DIA!""
If there was a visual of the word 'heartbreak' this is the image that would have been shown. This right here.
With that, Isaac's hold on his emotions snapped, and he was so hurt emotionally, part physically, and a little mentally...that his skill activated. Last Rites. With this, his status just doubled. Meaning with this power boost, he easily dislodged the King from him. The elder quarter elf then threw the King into the wall behind him, being able to overpower the Boaz. Isaac did not even react to that. Before Allen could even react himself, he was sent flying into a wall, the same wall as Ottar. Irene was too far into her shock to do anything.
"I'll fucking kill you!" he screamed as he charged at the Fomoire with so much malicious intent, it made every person who could feel it nauseous. In that short time, the Fomoire pulled the sword back, dragging Dia with it, making her lay flat on her back, blood pooling on the floor. A small trail led from the wall to her current position. Her hands covered her wound uselessly. Blood trickled out the wound and it showed no signs of stopping.
The Fomoire tried to defend itself as its instincts told it to fight, but with one hit from the person in front of it, it knew it stood no chance of winning and accepted its fate, knowing it fulfilled its duty.
Isaac pounded his fists into the chest of the defenseless Fomoire over and over. No one noticed the tears that were leaking down his face. The sickening crunch of bones breaking was what brought Irene out of her shock. She shakily moved to Dia, only to be met with a bloody smile. A smile that meant she accepted this.
Irene held her hand out to cast a low-level healing spell to close the wound but a bloody hand covered hers. The breath caught itself in Irene's throat. "N-No... please D-Dia…let me h-help you... l-let me be useful to you. L-Let me repay you! PLEASE!"
Meanwhile, Isaac was only a blur, his hands mercilessly beating on the chest of this monster that committed a heinous act. He couldn't turn his fury to Freya because of the eternal damnation that awaits him as tempting as it was. If he struck down a God, they would wait until his time came and then tortured him for all eternity.
Bones snapped and shattered inside the Fomoire and Isaac took it one step further. He dug his hands into its chest and grasped for the source of its life, the magic stone. The Fomoire dropped its sword and tried to free itself, but it was already too late. Isaac was equivalent to a fresh level eight, far stronger than the monster.
Isaac leaped off the monster. His arms burned with the weight in his hand and also the broken wrists. Chances are he will be crippled in his hand, depending on how severe the injuries are. He was on the floor, standing, stone in hand. The Fomoire disappeared. As an outlet, he threw it as hard as he could against the door where it originally entered. It shattered into dozens of pieces. He watched as the glow overtook Dia, and he felt his back becoming lighter. "No...Dia. No! Please!" He didn't care about the blood on his hands. They were coated up to his biceps, just below the shoulder.
Isaac was by her side, supporting her. Irene spoke, tears flowing like a rainstorm, "D-Don't go please! W-We ha-had many m-mo-more years with you st-still to c-come."
Dia's voice was weak, "Worry not…I'll watch on from Heaven." She coughed, spilling more blood. It got onto their clothes, but they cared not, Isaac really didn't care. He was covered in it. "Your statuses are able to be converted, but only to someone of your choosing. Only then will it activate…I…"
Isaac cried, grabbing her hand. His throat felt tight. There was nothing he could do. He would regret this day for years to come.
Dia shook her head, "It's too late." The glow had faded, and the wound was closed, but there was a drawback. "Use of Arcanum like this is prohibited. Using it is an instant banishment back to Heaven. Ouranos has no choice, even if I pleaded my case. Listen, Isaac, Irene...I love you. Please remember that…I love you like you were my own children...I think your parents would accept that," The word 'children' in this context was not in a Familia sense but a literal sense.
The twins' throats closed, choked up on emotion from the sincere sentiment. Their backs became a faded memory and their bodies were weak from the sudden lack of power.
As they fell to the floor out of exhaustion and emotional trauma, the room suddenly became a lot brighter.
Ryuu limped along the streets, familiar ones at that, as she searched for the Hestia Familia. Her body ached...she hasn't felt like this in a few years at this point. Her body had strained itself to its limits, her vision was blurry, movements sluggish, and just plain exhausted. Fighting someone of higher status is mostly impossible for a reason.
She didn't know where her fellow waitresses were, having been separated like they were. She hoped they were alright, considering Chloe went flying farther than she did. Then again, she did get hit by a hammer.
It didn't matter if she was more skilled than her opponent, the level difference is always a factor. Mr. Cranel is the only one I can think of that has actually achieved that. The War Game…
Ryuu's thoughts paused as her foot misstepped and she prepared herself to hit the floor. That never came. Only a voice, "You should be careful, little Gale." The voice was soothing, almost motherly. The use of her name put a bolt of fear into Ryuu.
"W-Who? A-Are you h-here to kill me?" The fear was valid despite the tough voice that Ryuu tried to put up.
A small chuckle showed that they didn't believe it, "Worry not, for I couldn't let one of my family's friends be harmed more than they were. Where were you headed?"
"H-Hestia Familia… Mr. Cranel is unaware of what's happening," Ryuu's voice was softer, almost lulling off. A light smack on the face brightened her up. Her blue eyes stared up into a hood but she could see her savior's mouth. They were smiling slightly.
A click of their tongue, "They will be informed. Is there someplace you want me to take you?"
"They need to know, I didn't see them enter...but I-" she was cut off as a beam of light exploded into the sky.
An elven curse was heard, one Ryuu recognized and immediately realized that her savior was another elf. "Hold on."
Ryuu's yelp escaped into the night. Whoever this person was...they were fast.
The Hestia Familia of Hestia, Bell, Welf, Lili, and Haruhime—as Mikoto was still in the clinic—and the Loki Familia consisting of Finn, Riveria, Tione, Tiona, Bete, and Ais converged in one place, Babel Courtyard, looking at the smoking Folkvangr, having seen the pillar of light.
Presumably, other Familias were watching as well, as was most of Orario.
Bell was horrified, and he wanted to spring into action, but Ais had held him off. "This isn't our fight," she had said. Hestia was clutching her heart. She had a feeling, her divine intuition was kicking into high gear. A glance at Loki told her the same thing. The Trickster felt it too.
There was another problem. They could be seen as siding with them, and while their alliance was in effect it was, in this case, different but even Finn had made no motion to advance. The Ganesha Familia was on alert and all their members were trying to contain the situation. "What even happened?" Welf asked, mystified at the destruction in front of him.
"The Freya Familia happened. If my guess is correct, we need to help them, but I couldn't get close enough to do anything," Bell picked up on Ryuu's voice as she appeared by their side—out of nowhere—which with five first-class adventurers here, it should be impossible.
She fell beside Bell and leaned on him. He had to support her, trying his best to ignore the glare Ais was sending his way. "Do you know anything else?"
"They were still inside, laying waste. I don't even think I saw them enter…" Ryuu said, stopping as she inclined her head.
"How did you get here, Miss Ryuu?" Lili asked. The attention was on her now, and being in her adventuring attire certainly brought a few eyebrows up. Bete scowled for a moment before catching a faint scent off of her. One he doesn't recognize, but he's smelt something like it before.
She looked embarrassed for a moment before she opened her mouth, "I don't really know...I was about ready to collapse in an alley...after fighting the Gulliver Brothers…"
"You didn't take them all on at once?" Tione asked.
Despite the misplaced context, coming from an Amazon, Ryuu answered, "No, I had help, but they ultimately won, sending us flying. Even if I drank a potion, I don't want to run the risk of an improper heal. My own magic can only do so much."
"Gale Wind," a voice said calmly. Ryuu froze, her eyes looking over to the person responsible. It was none other than Riveria. The young elf's fight or flight kicked in but was left hanging as Riveria brought her close and hugged her, "I've left you alone for so long...I knew you looked familiar...but could never place it...but now I can see it. Cutting your hair could only hide so much"
"But I…"
"Did what you had to do for the sake of your fallen familia, I know...have you tried to contact Lady Astrea?"
Ryuu looked away in shame, especially in front of everyone, mostly Bell and the members of the Loki Familia. Both Loki and Hestia reacted to this in different ways, one in alarm and one in ignorance. "No. I...that's too much right now, right now...I'm worried about the twins…"
Riveria broke the hug, handing off Ryuu to lean on Bell, which he did so gently, ignoring more glares from the Bell fan club. The High Elf lost track of Irene as soon as she left the Manor. Isaac hasn't been seen, so he most likely must be with her. Irene must have cast an agility spell under her breath and launched herself across the City or she was just that fast. The grip on her staff was close to snapping. "We need to move, Finn," she said.
The Prum looked her directly in the eye, not liking the words he was about to say, "Do not let personal feelings interfere in the mission. If we got involved, it could be like the Dark Times all over again. If we entered the fight, people could see this as a war. People will talk if we are capable of keeping Orario safe. Not to mention Rakia, they invade if they catch wind of the civil war. That is something that we don't need. I just know that they are not getting off the hook so easily."
Everyone, except Bell and Hestia, shivered slightly at the reminder. Riveria looked over pleadingly to Loki. With a grimace, "Sorry Mama, but we have to sit this one out. I know that you personally want to, but as the Vice-Captain, you cannot and will not interfere. Whatever happens...you have to accept it."
"You're kidding…"
"Unfortunately not because if I'm right—my intuition is firing off—we may not want to approach them for several days…" Hestia withheld a small cry, but not well enough as Loki put a hand on the loli Goddess's head, "Don't start crying, lil' Shrimp, we have tasks to do…" Finn's thumb throbbed slightly, making him eye the two Goddess curiously.
This statement confused the mortals and Hestia stared resolutely back despite the tears descending down her face, "I understand…"
The pillar of light faded and Dia was nowhere to be found, aside from the blood that stained the floor. The twins' eyes fell to the one item that remained. The necklace...the gift they gave her not so long ago…
Once they regained some sort of consciousness, Irene wept openly and Isaac struggled to guide her into his now broken arms, trying to comfort her, but his own heart felt barren. Right now, he didn't feel any pain, any regret, or any sorrow. He felt nothing. A void has been opened and it was starting to slowly consume him... Their Goddess, their elder sister. She was gone. He failed… Auntie...
"We failed…she's gone..." Irene croaked out, broken. "Isaac!" she cried, clinging to him tighter. She felt so weak, defenseless, worthless, that she wanted nothing more than to crawl in a hole and die.
Freya watched with sadistic glee and she chose to approach the two, to welcome them to her familia but something stopped her. Clink.
A single sound.
No one else was in their home, right? The other members of her familia were out in the streets, preventing other adventurers from investigating. Within this timeframe, Ottar and Allen finally recovered, going to their Lady's side. Their injuries were mild, nothing life-threatening. They tried getting to the twins, but they were also unable to as well. Clink. The sound was getting louder, and closer. It echoed off the silent walls. Clink.
A new voice reverberated in the room, "You have committed a grave sin."
Ottar's ears twitched, his muscles now tense, "It can't be…"
Freya had also frozen in place, that just wasn't possible. That couldn't be true. She was dead. "Ottar, Allen, we need to leave."
A cackle, "You're not going anywhere, oh Goddess of Beauty. You conniving, slippery bitch," The twins weren't registering the voice, they were still in shock and despair. The sounds of Irene's open weeping died down some, and Isaac's sniffles could be heard. "You have done the unspeakable and attempted to poach members from a different familia, going so far as committing second-hand murder of one of the sweetest Goddess on Gekai that I've ever known. I've let this go on for far too long. To make matters worse…the two you've tried poaching..." a figure appeared at the door, draped in a robe that covered and concealed their face. The speaker was a woman, a staff in her hand, with tons of gems, rubies, and made of the finest material. Her outfit covered her entire form and she was decked out beneath it all, "...they're very important to me." A glare could be felt from under the hood, "I've cast a barrier encasing this entire home, you aren't leaving, not until you understand the consequences of your actions." The voice was tooth-rottingingly sweet, and the swirling killing intent formed a shape behind them unnerved Ottar. His body was subtly shaking. "He said you were planning something. I had hoped it wasn't to this scale but even I can be wrong."
"Who's this old hag?" Allen snarled again, clearly ready to take this bitch on who trounced into their home, uninvited for that matter. He was willfully ignorant to his own body shaking.
He was promptly sent into the wall, eyes wide, blood erupted from his mouth. He was the Fastest in the City and even he did not see them move. "Do not call me old. I'm still in my prime, pussy cat," the speaker said, clearly irritated. Their head turned towards Ottar, "I'm glad to see you've made a name for yourself, King. However, the true Queen has arrived. Didn't you hear? Orario is actually a matriarchy…" the cloaked figure said, laughing all the while. "It's a shame too, someone like you could have helped, but you grovel at her feet." Ottar's facial expression hardened. "I wouldn't do anything rash now, or did you not just see the pussycat get flattened into the wall? That'll be you and I might push it too far…even through all of your defensive abilities and then some," the threat was left unsaid.
"How are you alive? I thought after…" Freya trailed off, taking a step back, her fingers shaking. Her whole body trembled, and not in pleasure. In fear. For the first time in a long time, Freya felt genuine fear. Charming her won't work, not that she wasn't trying. She's...that theory...she couldn't have...
"I don't owe you anything, but you owe me everything, after what you did," The figure strolled casually by Freya, not sparing her a glance, ending up by the twins' side. "Come on you two, we're leaving…"
That brought them both out of it. Their vision was blurry from the tears, and it hurt the person's heart to see them like this. They were lethargic in their movements. Irene could be heard saying, "She's gone...she's really gone…" Then, her temper exploded like it did only an hour ago. "It's not fair!" Isaac didn't have an actual reaction, he just held onto Irene, like she was his only lifeline now.
The figure had a moment of shock before they whispered under their breath and a barrier was cast around the two of them. A sleeping/relaxing spell. Isaac didn't struggle, but Irene was still lashing out, only held by her brother.
Freya could only watch as their souls fluctuated. Isaac's was more docile, the black dot not even moving. In comparison, Irene's was a riptide and tsunami mixed into one. She was unhappy, but as the barrier worked its intended effect as the two fell into a deep slumber. The weapons were collected and placed on their person. Even worse, they now had small minute cracks. They were no longer perfect in her eyes. She only thought about that for a second before movement crossed her vision.
The woman walked by Freya once more, and her two attack dogs, "I know you can see their souls, and I hope you realize what you've done. There's no way that you can fully comprehend how you've fundamentally broken them, all because you wanted to…collect them as your beloveds. I should...on second thought, as much as I want to stay and burn your house and Familia to the ground, leaving you with nothing like you once did to me, I'll let the Guild handle it, but if you dare attempt to tamper with the punishment or touch these two or anyone like this again, and if the punishment is too lenient, I will come back and slaughter every single member of your Familia. Your six other executives already received this message and gained a new scar. This is not a threat, but a promise, and you know very well how I can keep my promises. Think of this as retribution for what you did to my and Hera's Familia." Yes, she was still very much pissed about how the aftermath was handled.
The chamber doors opened, and the figure walked out of the door. Clink. The twins were floating in the barrier, still clinging to one another like children. Their bodies felt lighter, but it wasn't because they weren't walking. Clink. It was because their hearts were heavy, their backs felt barren. In between their fingers was the necklace they got for Dia...the only reminder that she was ever in the room.
They no longer had a familia to call home. The balance they once held was now broken. The Dia Familia has been disbanded. News of this would spread throughout the next few days, along with an even bigger piece of news.
Mikoto groggily woke up from her slumber, only because she felt a high concentration of malicious intent. No one else was around her, and all she wanted was the warmth she felt earlier. Groaning, she got up. As she did, the door opened. Amid Teasanare stood in front of her, "You should not be up. You experienced an Ignus Fatuus and fell off an altar, you should be resting."
"Where's Isaac?" Mikoto's throat felt dry.
Amid's tone never changed, even as she spoke in what Mikoto believed was exasperation, "He left you here to come back later, but I assume you felt that?"
'That' was very easy to identify, "I have." Even in her sleep, she could feel that.
"That was most likely him and his sister, after having heard what has happened…and what we all saw..." Amid sighed once more, before looking Mikoto in the eye. "Another Goddess has ascended into Heaven. I don't know which one, but I believe the result is not favorable."
The Far Eastern girl shuddered, suddenly having a bad feeling, "Please let me go see him!" She attempted to bow but winced.
Amid really wanted to refute but upon seeing the frantic gaze of a concerned girlfriend, she agreed, only on the condition that she go through a physical and come back for treatments so Amid could find out what was still injured and give methods to prevent exasperating her injuries further.
Dea Saint is not as heartless as they make her out to be.
Mikoto limped slightly as she exited the clinic and trudged her way down the main drag, and soon came into contact with her familia. Haruhime was the first to notice, "Miss Mikoto!"
Tears welled to her eyes automatically, "Lady Haruhime!" The Renard left Bell's side and engulfed her childhood friend in a shaky hug. One that Mikoto returned just as shakily. She was happy that her childhood friend was alive. "What happened?"
"Assuming you felt the shift in the air?" Welf asked in an almost deadpan. Mikoto nodded.
Riveria took over, "Whatever Irene and Isaac were talking about set them off and she left Twilight Manor in a hurry, exuding the highest intent I've ever felt since...it's been a while." Finn nodded in agreement. He too was a little scared of what he witnessed, not to mention with his heightened instincts, aka his thumb, it throbbed at the mention of the twins.
Clink.
Everyone paused. Bete sniffed again, his eyes widened, his tail stopped swinging idly behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck rose. Everyone noticed the now tense werewolf, the eyes being dilated, his fists clenched in his pockets.
It was still night and the fact that barely any lamps were on made it difficult to see. Bete was the only one who had somewhat of an advantage, but even he couldn't see them. Clink. It was louder than before. Everyone slowly got their weapons at the ready despite the mind-numbing fear.
Clink. "Why are you pointing your weapons at me? I'm not your enemy," a disembodied voice said as they finally came into view. Loki's eyes widened at the voice. How could she forget it?
The hood was still up, but the sheer oppressive force of their level forced Lili, Haruhime, Mikoto, and Welf to their knees. The power she radiated paralyzed them. Bell stumbled from the power. Tione and Tiona held on, as did Ais and Finn. The two top executives were wide-eyed. They had a feeling about who this was. Finn's thumb was throbbing like never before. Only Rivieria stood tall and unflinching, even if her hand was subtly trembling.
"Oops, my apologies, I had to keep that up to dissuade any pursuers." The oppressive feeling dropped and the fallen managed to stand up. They looked intently at Mikoto, which made her want to stay on the ground. "He chose well. I'm sorry for what may transpire in the coming days. None of it will be your fault. It lies on Freya…" the sheer disgust in the name alone spoke volumes.
They waved their staff and a barrier bubble came forward and gently set it on the ground. Encased in the barrier was the passed-out Isaac and Irene Vlahos. '"""Isaac!/Irene!""" Only Mikoto's shout of Isaac was louder than the rest. She limped over to him and gently cupped his face. She noticed the dry tear trails on both his and Irene's faces. He also noticed the blood on his arms, it was drying, but some portions were still caked on him. She cared not about her outfit at this point. "No...she's not…"
"What did you do to them?" Hestia asked, cutting off the next question. She didn't want to hear it but she knew it was coming.
The figure tsked, "Lady Hestia, I saved them from being forcibly converted after they watched their Goddess die in front of them. Freya will suffer the consequences." That statement hit everyone full force. The adventurers were appalled...shocked...speechless. "She protected them after all these years, and I can never repay her."
"So, you're saying?" Bell hesitantly asked.
They sighed, "Unfortunately, Lady Dia is no longer of this world, killed by a Fomoire that Freya charmed to do her bidding. The magic stone was shattered on the floor. I am unaware of how it happened or what happened. By then, it was already too late when I arrived. I dealt with other nuisances before I saw the light..." Their grip on their staff tightened, the metal creaking. "I failed to save my grandkids from such a fate that should have never fallen on them."
Grandkids? Riveria stared intently at this figure, "That's impossible…"
The figure turned, and there was a grin on their face considering the tone of voice, "Nothing is impossible, my student, haven't you retained anything I taught you? To think you even saw them when they were children."
Everyone's jaws hit the floor as they stared between this person and Riveria. Loki and Hestia nodded, but their thoughts went to Dia. Riveria stepped forward, looking straight into the hood, "Take the hood off, I...I need to see you." Her eyes went to the staff they held. It was definitely hers.
Loki spoke up, "Now is not the time to be hiding from us, Hecate, you need to explain yourself."
The hood was pushed down and calm, serene dark green hair appeared—contrasted by Riveria's jade-colored hair—the hazel eyes that everyone came to know, and a rounded face that at first glance, looked like an older Irene, but it was really what Irene would look like when she's older. A more defined and shapely face and her visage showed the levels of maturity that the High Elf possessed. There stood the one person that everyone was convinced was dead, that the twins were convinced was dead.
Sofia Vlahos, High Elf, Hecate, the Great Mage, and Grandmother. Level nine, and the most powerful sorcerer in existence. "Fair, now, let us go. Lady Hestia, Lady Loki, which home are we going to?" Before they answered, "We need to discuss something on the way." The barrier was reapplied, picking up her grandkids, and they started walking. Pausing in her thoughts, "On second thought, we need to go to the clinic, Isaac's wrists are broken and Irene may need assistance breathing."
Everyone else had their eyes on the twins. Their reactions may be delayed but the words finally sunk in. They were without a Goddess. Their wounds and injuries must be excruciatingly painful.
Bell was already looking them over and his fists was clenched. The sounds of little bells tingled in the air. His Argonaut skill subconsciously activated. They hurt his friends, and he didn't—couldn't—stand it.
"I know you're angry, young Cranel, but do not fall into that. You still have an important role in your life," the mage said cryptically.
Tione and Tiona looked at Riveria then at the recently revealed Hecate. "She's the one who taught you?!"
A sigh, "Yes...and I thought she died as well…" A headache was beginning to form. The stress of the night was piling on, and from the looks of things, it wasn't going to let up.
The Hestia Familia watched on in sadness, none more so than Bell and Mikoto. Bell's fist was clenched, tight enough to hear the strain in his gloves. His skill charge dissipated but the anger was clearly present in his ruby eyes.
Ais gently put a hand over his and the tension released, weary all of a sudden. Mikoto's tears flowed without pause. She buried herself into Haruhime's chest. The motherly Renard rubbed her friend's back, silently shedding tears as well. She may not have known Lady Dia, but it was hurting her friend. Haruhime was a sympathetic crier.
Ryuu looked between the woman who saved her and the two passed-out elves. Now that she sees them, the resemblance is uncanny. She whispered in elvish, "Thank you for saving me…"
"Not a problem, Little Gale. Lady Astera is still wondering what became of you," Hecate replied. Ryuu looked shocked and glanced at Riveria who seemed surprised as her.
The two Goddesses glanced at one another before coaxing their familia members along to follow. Even as they walked, there was one thing that both familias noticed: The medallion the twins had given Dia, clutched in their hands. The front of it was completely covered in blood. A metaphor of the night's events.
This day would forever be known as Bittersweet Return. The tales that would come of it would be spun in so many ways that no one really knew the true origin of the story.
But that was a story for another day...
...
Frostbolt: Swift Strike Magic, Ice element. Send out a misty-like ice spray that freezes on contact. Each little misty object is a sharp piece of ice. Temperatures have been reported to be at absolute zero if the user is emotionally charged.
...
So, I was/am nervous about this chapter. Not only is it a lengthier chapter than normal, but the conclusion also hasn't even happened. The next chapter is one that I felt was outside the norm, but I genuinely enjoyed writing a new perspective.
It will retcon something I mentioned in my chapter one notes. And it will bring up a new question. One that I plan on answering.
I will still answer any reviews or PMs, but my answer may come off as short, curt, and unwilling to answer. I don't want to shut myself off. I know there must have been something I missed.
This was the plot point I've waited and warned you about. What happens now? I'll let you guess. Notice the chapter titles. It would have had ellipses (...) in front of it.
So...
The Hardest Part Is...Accepting the Fate...[Next Chapter's Title]
Until then.