A hammer met the forge with precision. The twang reverberated through the air. Speaking of, the air was stiff and sweltering. It almost made Isaac lose his cool but thankfully, Vulcan had another apron that cooled him off somewhat. The Smithing God decided to 'upgrade' their armor, starting with Isaac. Since it was caved in once, Vulcan decided to check it.
If it was any other armor, Isaac would have had to replace it entirely. Seriously, a level four tanking a level seven's knee is damn near impossible and it still was. Sure, Isaac tanked it but not very well.
He wanted to view what it's like to see a blacksmith work. He made himself as small as possible in order to not break the God's concentration. It seemed that he was in a delicate stage of the process. What Isaac did notice was the fact he was adding his own blood, his ichor, to the fire. A silent question came to his mind and it seemed Vulcan caught the inquisitive look, "This allows me to apply the enchantments."
"I see," Isaac whispered, his eyes reflecting the glow of the forge. He was here but mentally was elsewhere. Vulcan noticed and continued working.
As for Irene and Sofia, they were out and about, taking care of some last-minute things before they left for another destination. They had to visit someone, multiple someones, and that's all Sofia would say on the matter.
The two ladies were in the market, searching for food and supplies. Eating rations aren't as fun as one would think, and then there's the off chance that they hunt game from the carriage. Irene kept glancing at her grandmother, wondering what her angle was. It's been pointed out previously that the twins haven't been fighting at full strength.
The younger Vlahos twin noticed it and she thought perhaps that it was because they don't have a reason to truly fight if any monster out here is far weaker than their Dungeon counterpart. She had a feeling on where she was going to go and while she wouldn't fight her on it, there would be no point. She felt as if there was nothing that would benefit them now. "I can feel your doubt, you know?" Sofia's voice brought Irene out of her thoughts.
"What are you, a mind reader?" Irene questioned jokingly.
"Your body language suggests you doubt what I'm doing, as you should. It proves that you know I have something up my sleeve," Sofia admitted. The High Elf cared very much for her family even if the way she's shown it was not in—her opinion—good taste. "I feel you already know where my next destination is."
"It's only a guess but I don't see the point as of yet, I'm trying to get to know you…because you were absent," her voice lowered in shame because of how that can sound.
Sofia smiled softly, "I know and I plan on being around for a while to make up for it. Plus, I want to see my grandkids be happy with their chosen courted."
Irene bit her lip. Well, there is always the first step. "I'm demisexual, Gran."
"Oh?" Progress. Come on, little 'Rene, you can tell me. Sofia has heard of the term but didn't know what it means.
She bit her lip harder, flushed cheeks as she spoke, "It means that I have to have an emotional attachment to someone before I consider them as a romantic partner."
"Okay, so when you find that person who you bond with, don't let him…or her…go." Sofia really isn't all that worried about it because she could see a dark elf looking at the pair very sheepish. It only got even funnier when every time Sofia would glance, the elf would flush. I'm not that intimidating. But I have an idea. "Irene, could you go over to these stands and get these items?" Sofia fished out a list and handed it to her.
The girl took the list and viewed the list, nodding to herself, knowing these were attainable. "Okay, are we meeting back at Lord Vulcan's?"
"Mmhmm, now go." Irene turned before Sofia walked over to the dark elf, "Now's your chance, but hurt her in any way, you'll be dealing with her brother then me."
"Yes, ma'am!" He almost squeaked. Sofia chuckled.
"But in all seriousness, please be attentive," she said before ushering the boy along. Behind him, she noticed a male standing a little bit behind him, snickering. "Something funny?"
"Not at you, Madame Mage, but the way he's been acting for the past week," he laughed. "All he can think about is her, despite the difference in their skin and heritage. I've teased him for the whole week about going to talk to her, and he's given some pretty crappy excuses like 'It's the Great Mage's granddaughter! I just can't waltz up and ask her!'"
Sofia raised an eyebrow at that, "Oh, well, I'm flattered that you think I would be the major obstacle when in fact her twin brother would be the one in his way."
"I've heard," he said. "Where are my manners? My name is Jericho, member of the Anubis Familia."
Sofia looked at Jericho, "Isn't Lady Anubis located in Orario?"
The raccoon nodded, "She is indeed but we're actually on a quest…and now that I think about it, I should have amended it to say that Dino has to pick up a cute girl…" Sofia chuckled.
"Well, shall we hope for the best?" Sofia asked. "I'm not getting any younger, and I do want to see some little ones running around one day."
"When it comes to Dino, take it from experience, prepare for the worst, madame. I have no doubt that she'll think he's lost it."
So to Irene, she was busy over at a vendor's stand, working out getting some food rations that were apparently on this list. What they didn't know is that she heard the conversation between her Grandmother and that man, Jericho. So, it was no surprise to hear footsteps close by. "Can I help you?" She asked with a teasing smile.
Incoherent sputtering, "I…uhm….well, you see, I…"
It was a tad amusing for a girl who was only 5' 5" now, to be looking at a boy who was almost as tall as her brother—at just under six feet tall—sputtering comically. Physically, Irene had to admit that he was easy on the eyes. Again, emotionally, she's nowhere near considering his potential but something inside of her spoke to her. It was not her staff. Something wanted her to entertain this conversation. Curiosity took hold anyway. She had nothing to lose, plus it would allow her to hide the lingering pain…even a month later. Hopefully, the pain isn't reflected in her eyes.
"Not to worry, my brother did the same thing basically the first time he met someone who completely blindsided him," Irene said. A small lie but given the chance, Mikoto would render him speechless. All she had to do was convince her to wear it when she got back.
His accent showed that he was from a different side of the globe but the shocking thing was his appearance. The man in front of her was a dark elf. Now to her, she hasn't seen many, as they prefer to be separate from light elves, so she withheld her surprise.
"O-Okay. Apologies, my name is Dino Ensatra," the man known as Dino introduced.
"A Dark High Elf?" Irene questioned, surprised. She's read about Dark High Elves and Ensatra family was one such family. They have a lot of children, at least eight, which is almost unheard of for Elves, let alone Dark Elves.
Dino smiled, pleased that he's caught her off-guard. Unfortunately, that had to end, "No, just a normal elf. My family is really a branch family to the point of being ostracized." If one looked, there would be a small dash of irony mixed in. Elves. Tree branches…
Moving on…
Irene quickly made up an excuse, "Oh, well, I'd love to chat more but I have to get the times on this list. We need to get moving soon."
Dino, with his slate-red eyes, looked at the list. "Do you want help with it? It wouldn't be right for you to have to carry that." He wanted an excuse to just talk with her.
The number of times that he's almost slipped up are far too many. She can't hear my heartbeat, right? Does she even know how pretty she is?
Until Irene started giggling, "Thank you, not many people have said that to me." Dino gulped. He just said that out loud, didn't he? "You did." With his dark complexion, it was hard to see the blush that formed on his cheeks. Irene spared him, "If you wish to come along, you can, but if my brother sees us, except to be hit with some intent."
"He won't actually do that, will he?"
Irene only smirked at him, "Come on then, you offered, now I want your help."
"S-Sure thing!"
Sofia and Jericho watched with two different smiles. One was serene, the other was holding back the loudest laugh of the century. "N-No offense, M-Madame Mage but he is whipped," Jericho broke into suppressed laughter. "Ahhh, I can't wait to pester him about it."
"Pester who about what?" a voice said, making Sofia snicker now.
The Mage continued, "You may want to ask Irene who her new friend is."
Isaac, having left Vulcan in peace, raised an eyebrow. He then looked to Jericho, "He your friend?" A nod. "How many pieces do you want him back in?"
It was more of a curious question than a threat. Jericho knew that but seeing the seriousness in his eyes, he held up his hand, "Dino isn't that dumb to make moves this soon."
Irene…
I've done nothing. I assume that you know?
Isaac contemplated lying but he doesn't like lying to his sister, at all or ever, Yeah. He makes a false move, I'm flaying him.
Get in line, brother.
Dino shivered for some odd reason, despite the small happy smile on Irene's face.
Shopping with Dino was an interesting experience. Irene found some of his mannerisms oddly comforting. The way she would notice his ears twitch when she spoke, the way he gave his full attention when they conversed.
Isaac always did but for some reason, it felt like it meant more. Obviously, they just met and with how Irene is with her preferences, she can't make any judgments.
"What Familia are you in, Lord Ensatra?"
Dino winced hard, almost flinching away, "I'm not a Lord, Lady Vlahos." Two can play that game.
"Oh, well, I'm not a Goddess but I appreciate the compliment," Irene teased. Conversation flowed easily between them, even as they shopped.
Well, you are…in my eyes, Dino thought to himself, this time. "To answer you, I'm in the Anubis Familia, alongside my brother, Jericho. He and I have been tied at the hip like blood brothers, the most reliable guy I could ever ask for."
"She's-"
"In Orario, yes," he responded, knowing the next question. "Now I can turn it around on you, what Familia?"
"Currently, Loki Familia, but previously…" she trailed off.
Dino didn't react to her answer nor did he push, "If it means anything, I know what it's like."
Irene turned to him, "What?" The two continued through the market, gathering the last bit of supplies as she talked.
The dark elf gave her a sad smile, "I'm aware of what happened and I don't want to bring this topic up but Lady Anubis is not my first deity. I imagine that she was special to you."
Irene held the tears back, and she noticed through her own that he was also holding back tears of his own. Isaac, the wonderful brother he was, sent a silent message and left.
Only Irene had noticed his presence. The message he left made her smile.
I'm starting to like him but if he uses that card to gain empathy points, I'll skin him.
Even with his numbness, he still is fiercely protective of her. Then again, he always has been.
"She was. It's only been a month and I have to say that I miss the bustle of Orario's streets. Then again, these mountains had their own special charm but we have our own agenda out here, as do you, I presume?" Irene asked the elf beside her.
Dino titled his head, "Yeah, Jer and I gotta swing by a little further west of here, more toward Dragon Valley."
"Why would you go there?!" Irene exclaimed before she could help it.
"Woah!" Dino raised his hands, "Relax, I said near, not that we'll be going in it. We won't be back in Orario for at least another few weeks, maybe months. These quests take us pretty much everywhere. Orario is just another pit stop to update our status, rest, maybe go into the Dungeon to brush up, and leave again."
Irene claimed immensely, "Well, we'll be heading out soon, so if we meet in Orario, feel free to flag me down to chat or even swing by Twilight Manor and specifically ask for me."
Dino's smile got even wider as his heart beat faster, "Really?"
Irene nodded, "Sure, it's…nice to talk to someone who treats me normally. The number of times I get called out like 'Aspis! I love you!' Or someone who is desperate asks me out, proclaiming their love to me…"
She trailed off when she saw the look of fury in Dino's eyes. Irene could tell it wasn't directed at her but the thought simmered in her. He's mad for me… The small chuckle she let out betrayed her and just barely hinted at something else.
I think it's a good thing he didn't hear about how some even shouted their fantasies…Isaac looked ready to pull them apart.
Still am, he responded.
Damn you, stop responding! She mentally shouted at him.
He retorted quickly, Stop leaking your thoughts then, learn to form a barrier between you and me. It's been a decade, I learned after five or so years. Haven't you noticed? I only forget when the heat of the moment overtakes my sense of rationality.
Sometimes, she hates when he makes a valid point but she's glad he does. Dino and Irene waved each other good night before they went to their respective people. Jericho wasted no time teasing him about it.
Isaac watched as his sister turned and came walking back, deep in thought, if it was from his words or what Dino might have said remained uncertain.
He kept his thoughts to himself. In that time, he took a majority of the bags off his sister and walked silently back to Sofia, who waited patiently for them. Upon their return, they retreated to Lord Vulcan's residence.
Once they made it inside, Isaac set the bags down and crept back to the forge. He wanted to see what eight hours of progress allowed Vulcan to do. He said he was enhancing the armor again but since he had left his swords there, it wasn't that far of a stretch to find out that Irene left her staff there as well.
Vulcan himself was hovering over the weapons in question. He had some time before they came back after all. The Forge was located slightly away from the main house. If something happened, then it being burned or destroyed was the least of his concerns.
The Roman God spoke softly, "Are they to your specifications?" The weapons' runes faintly glowed green, satisfaction. "Are you positive? Even if they are the same souls who had used your power years ago, are they the same now?" The weapons did not respond but only the feeling of defensiveness came through. Something the three Spirit Forged weapons could agree on. They know the souls of their wielders better than they will ever know themselves.
"What of your elder?" Vulcan was referring to Sofia's staff. One of the other successful variations of the Spirit Forging. Except this one was far different and much more powerful. All other mages who have wielded this one were High Elves. Celdia, the High Elven Queen, was the one who wielded that staff a thousand years ago and managed to send it away for it to fall into the Vlahos line. That one was actually a reject but its own tenacity proved the God's divine will wrong. It was the only time this ever happened in recent memory. Recent being relative.
The weapons had shone a fierce yellow meaning they were uncertain and honestly worried for their 'elder' weapon. Context is slightly different.
So, Hephaistos and Vulcan had made something else before the weapons that were in front of him. It contained Greater Spirits, who were willing to try, of each element. The two worked themselves tirelessly for months…or was it a year? Time was only a mortal construct after all. They created this staff and it only chose people with high magical capability and raw potential. It was on another level of craftsmanship. No mortal could ever make this type of weapon ever in their life.
Weapons like the Hestia Knife were a step above these but the fact that these weapons were made, including the two staffs back in Lenoa's hut still not in use, means that if more people found out about them, it could spell disaster.
Both deities decided that making a weapon of this caliber was not an option anymore and went to lesser spirits which is safer but still had the potential to go wrong, on a lesser scale. Imagine instead of a whole continent disappearing off the face of the planet, it would be a modest size town.
The fact that Sofia owns that staff means it is safe. However, she has no chosen successor, and since a different staff has already chosen the younger twin, Sofia's current staff will remain without an owner, or in this case, a future.
The God heard footsteps and the sound of the door to his forge opening, the weapons fell silent, their runes dissipating down to the steel of the blade and metal of the staff.
As for their armor, it was already repaired, Vulcan just updated the Auto Repair to also alleviate any uncomfortable pain. "Welcome back, Vlahos Family."
"Vulcan," Sofia said, her staff on her back. Her eyes met his from behind the twins. 'I know what you were doing,' is what her body language said. She was already well aware of what transpired. Sofia eased her features back into a neutral set before continuing, "We have some items for you, a small thank you for letting us stay before we head out in two days."
Vulcan laughed exuberantly, "I thank you for this. Now, may I inquire as to where you plan on going to next? The only place I can think of is…"
"We're heading home, Vulcan. It's…an overdue trip."
Vulcan knew it wasn't a lie but it was the tone of which Sofia conveyed it that convinced him to drop the topic. "Fair enough, I shouldn't be questioning children not my own as to where they go on their next adventure."
"Do we owe you anything…for the armor or weapon maintenance?" Isaac asked, his eyes looking longingly at the swords. Then to his armor.
The smithing deity shook his head, "No. all I ask is that you come out every so often, maybe once a year, just to check-in. I can file the paperwork and give you my Familia Seal to allow you permission to leave…" he paused, "…depending on where you three end up settling." Vulcan did not assume such things. Mortals often had their own ways and he chose not to impede on them.
Irene bowed, "Thank you, Lord Vulcan."
Vulcan smiled at the young girl, "Think nothing of it. I believe I did a fine job of this 'hospitality' thing I was supposed to do." That gained two scoffing chuckles and sarcastic eye roll from the two women and man. "Go ahead, pick them up, and rest for the night. I will see you off when you leave."
The twins walked to their weapons immediately and they watched as the runes lit up at their touch, pleased to be back with their respective owners. Sofia idly reached behind her and gripped her staff, the gems and runes lighting up as well. How anyone missed this detail was beyond her.
Next stop, Saumouth Grove.
True to his word, Vulcan saw them off but not without Dino and Jericho showing up because they apparently had something for them. Specifically, Dino had something for Irene.
Isaac appraised the brave dark elf before seeing the small growing smile on her face as she read the contents of the letter. He looked back and said, "Go ahead. Break her, and I break you."
"Isaac!" She said with a pout before smiling and thanking Dino.
He grumbled but didn't respond. Not his fault. He's always been this way.
Sofia then brought up a new point, "Did you ever read through all those letters I wrote for you?" She wouldn't be upset if they didn't. Well, she would slightly be but it cannot be helped.
Irene gently stuffed the letter away and focused on her grandmother. They were the only ones on the carriage as they were the only ones headed in this direction. Of course, it was a desert, as the mountains thinned out around them. So, Sofia used another spell that contained the temperature of her choosing, which covered the whole carriage, something the driver was thankful for. "We read through some of them but not all of them. There was never any time after the War Game. Everything escalated so fast. From being pursued in the Dungeon, to being kidnapped and having Mikoto being held hostage," she said as Isaac tensed and his knuckles turned white, "and then there was their involvement. It only went downhill from there. Obviously, you know the rest."
Sofia nodded and looked to the driver and back, "To sever the tie, coat thy vessel in black."
*Cauldron of Silence.*
A small black, inky aura coated the trio. "Perfect, now I can ask the questions I've wanted and this is the best privacy I can offer. As for my other spell, I can hold it for a good few days. This one allows us to speak freely. A private conversation that you can scream as loud as you want but only those chosen by the caster can be heard; like whispering except you can shout and only you two and myself can hear it. Anyway, tell me what you know about the Xenos."
Isaac whistled, wondering when the topic would be brought up. Sofia just had that aura that she just knew what had happened or she filled in the blanks, "Well, they knew you."
"They better, I saved the first few I found. You might know them as Lyd, Ray, and Gros," Sofia revealed.
Irene strongly reacted to that while Isaac reacted in a much more suitable manner: Glaring. "So, what now?" The girl asked.
"Isaac, please tell me how you met them. I got some of the story from Riveria about how she found you but I want to hear it from the elf's mouth," Sofia directed the question to her grandson. The driver was slightly surprised at how quiet it got but they were more focused on the road.
So, he explained everything that he could. It wasn't that hard to recall all the details since it was only three months ago. He met Lyd, Marie, Ray, Gros, and Fear. Of course, there were others but he focused on them because he wanted to see her reaction to this.
Irene listened aptly to her brother's first encounter with them. She would have screamed if she was in his position. Waking up in a monster's arms would certainly be a frightening experience. When she expressed her concern, he waved her off expressing that it could have been worse. He could've been dead. "After they literally force-fed me Mermaid's blood, I was able to get some information out of them, asking about their origins. Of course, once I mentioned you, they lit up. Everything seems to come back to you…" it wasn't meant as an accusation but the impassive tone Isaac carried made it sound that way. "You and Hermes have their hands in everything."
"That's partially true but Hermes has been around for longer than I ever will be. The Xenos, however, is a new development and I only got to see their beginnings as I had saved them when I noticed their distress. None of my Familia noticed it and they never did. A secret I kept from them but I won't keep from you…Zeus knows I have too many," Sofia lamented. It comes with the territory. She knows things that would shake the world's foundation. "But from what I've gathered, you two have had a positive impact on them, and Ouranos will have certainly noticed."
"Great…" Isaac mumbled sarcastically.
"Just what we need," Irene added.
The elder twin continued with, "Is there anything we can do that isn't in your shadow?" He rolled his eyes for good measure and if Sofia saw it right—which she did—she could see annoyance in his eyes. That meant he was capable of emotion, she just needed to draw them out.
This was only fueling her plans for their trip. She hoped the letter she secretly wrote made it to her before days' end. It was essential to his growth. Irene only needed a good nudge in the right direction. If the letter she slipped Jericho was followed, then they would see the pair again.
"Everything alright back there?" the driver asked, considering that they have been utterly quiet. They don't need their passengers dying back there.
The black inky substance that coated them dispersed and she replied back, "Everything's fine, how much longer until our destination?"
"Bout six hours. Real curious if you don't mind obliging an oldie like me," they responded. "If you're all adventurers, why are you in my carriage?"
"Sightseeing isn't as fun going faster than the speed of sound," Sofia cheekily replied, making the old driver chortle. "But our destination has a different goal in mind."
The twins backed off from their potential questions, as they didn't see a point in drawing out the conversation. Isaac opted to hold his Spatha in his hand, trying to feel for the spirit within.
The information they gained from Vulcan was something they could never share unless it was with their descendants. He was pretty sure that if asked, he would lie to a deity knowing that they know he was lying and continue to do so. He leaned forward in the chair, looking into the runes to see if he could notice anything.
Faster than him blinking, he swore he saw a pair of eyes looking back at him, smiling in content. He blinked again, they were gone. However, he did feel like someone else was with him, hovering over his left shoulder. So that's what she meant.
Irene was very much in the same boat, finding that her staff was very eager to learn spells and especially ones to help her in battle. Sylphs seemed to be very battle-oriented, which was funny because she expected Salamanders to be that way. The staff's runes lit up in an orange glow, beating rapidly, which could mean that they were laughing at her. Or they were upset.
She'd deserve it either way but the fact that the weapon chose her was another thing she could never wrap her head around. The fact that their souls were reincarnated was not surprising, that was common knowledge. According to the Gods, it was called the Well of Souls, where all souls descend from Tenkai to be reborn again.
It was such a point that she was replaying the conversation all over again. Even if the looks from Isaac were humorous, he chose not to intervene unless it was to correct her.
The Great Mage was thinking back to the times she could have been there for them. She shouldn't have left but she did anyway. Then again, this monster was slowly starting to become a bigger problem. There was a point where she considered not intervening at all.
Then the old pervert had to bring up her family. How if that monster got out of control, it would have swamped Orario before they knew what happened. So, she reluctantly went on that decade quest. It didn't even take her a decade! It took her three years!
Which is absurd because the two Great Quests took only seven months!
The truth of the matter was because the Spirit Tortoise only appeared every so often, and finding the pattern was annoying enough. "Gran?" Her granddaughter's voice broke her thoughts.
"Yes, dear?"
"Lower your intent, it's setting me off and I think my heart is racing faster than it should be…" Isaac said plainly. Sofia focused to realize that he was telling the truth but he remained sitting still.
Taking a deep breath, "Sorry…got caught up in an old memory. But while I'm speaking, I might as well express something," she stated, gaining both of her family's attention. "I tried to not give you a reason to despise me. I never wanted to hold my existence over you, ever. The two of you are better than me, easily," Sofia admitted readily with no hesitation. "And I know you want to return to Orario, maybe. That decision falls on you if not because you have someone you want to get back to, and you hope to meet someone.
"Just know that whatever decision that you make, I won't impede. I think after my absence…I lost that right."
"I see…" Isaac started, gaining a fierce fire in his eyes. The identical hazel eyes that Sofia inherited from her father. The fire wasn't at her but who belonged in his heart. Mikoto…I will return.
The Mage's eyes turned to Irene, to the hair that Melissa had, without the patches of green though. "Okay…" she accepted it.
The two of them looked at each other, their eyes dilated for a split second as a strained silence stretched over them. "Gran?"
Sofia turned back to Irene, "What is it, dear?" The maternal instinct came naturally. She knew that tone as well, something her daughter asked when she wanted to know something. "What were Mom and Dad like before we were born?"
A motherly smile bloomed on the Great Mage's visage, the twins blinked as they hadn't seen one like this since…Dia. Riveria counts but there was a small hesitation every time. "Well, this might take a while but we have plenty of time. Do you want me to start when she met your father or after they figured out they got married?"
The confusion turned to realization before Irene blushed while Isaac chuckled but he was also a bit red in the cheeks.
"So it was after a point…"
The story continued the entire way there. Saumouth Grove was just upon them.
The carriage dropped them off just outside the forest. The twins thanked the driver with slightly more exuberance than they would've previously. After learning a bit more about their parents, they felt a bit closer to them, and ergo Sofia.
They knew the gap between them was large. Large but not impossible to bridge. If anything, they wanted it more desperately than her. They've had a distinct lack of family, as Dia was one core of it. Given enough time, the whole Familia in Orario could have been a very extended family.
Sofia thanked the driver one last time before she settled next to the twins. "Ready?"
They didn't respond immediately which prompted her to look at them. Their stances were rigid, stiff, tense, any other word that has a similar meaning.
She immediately wrapped an arm over their shoulders and pulled them close, "Shhh," why she was shushing them, she didn't know but she'll put it down to instinct, "This isn't ten years ago. Just breathe in with me, okay?" Her voice shifted to a whisper, which to the twins, was grounding.
Inhale…
…exhale.
This repeated for a few minutes before Isaac snapped out of it first. His arm landed on Sofia's back and he curled his fingers into her robes. Irene's fingers followed suit and unbeknownst to them, Sofia gained a smile of relief. She truly didn't know if she was getting through. In her long life, she's only mothered one child and that was over forty years ago now.
Thankfully, mothering is like riding a horse, she couldn't forget even if she wanted to. It was ingrained into her DNA. "Let's go."
Isaac breathed in and out once more before looking to the tree, "So, should we move before or after the archers in the trees shoot at us?"
Irene sighed, "You noticed them too?"
Sofia heaved a sigh of agitation, "Come on down before I decide to freeze you all. Messing with a level ten and two level fives is not a smart play."
Realizing the jig was up, one of the brave ones descended from the tree to approach, "Apologies but we had to endure that these scum did-"
"What did you just say?" Sofia cut him off. She heard him perfectly, she just wanted an excuse, something Isaac keenly noted. Irene had gripped her staff to the point where the spirit embedded within 'told' her to back off. Not that it could break but squeezing it like that was probably uncomfortable.
"The two following you, allowing them to touch you, my Lady, it's sickening. Allow us to dispose of them."
Isaac chirped up, feeling his grandmother's intent rising. Non-blessed people didn't feel the killing intent like blessed people. "May I just say that you have completely, utterly, and irreversibly fucked up? I'm pretty sure our Grandmother doesn't like that you've insulted her family, the Vlahos family by the way, twice in the presence of the surviving Matriarch herself." His tone was deadpan and the elf noticed his pronunciation was spot on. The elves in the tree line started sweating at the mere mention of Vlahos.
Irene joined the party, "Plus, she happens to be the only level ten in the world and she's not kidding about freezing you. So, don't bother with apologizing. We know that you won't mean it, and we've dealt with monsters that were friendlier than you."
"If you call an Infant Dragon friendly…then yes," Isaac said.
Sofia calmed down slightly at that, noting that their hearts were still racing. She appreciated their attempts to calm her down and speak with reason, "You best treat me and my grandkids with the respect they deserve. Or do you not recall ten years ago when you all tried to murder them?"
This information did not seem to surprise Isaac, even though internally, it did. Irene widened her eyes and oh how she wanted to chant a fireball under her breath and light their asses on fire. Her brother took over, "Oh. So they did…I thought it was because some rivals wanted to prove superiority…or because they wanted to cleanse the bloodline."
Shing!
Isaac's sword glinted in the light, "Mind if I give them the same courtesy?" The elves in the tree shuddered at seeing his somewhat blank visage. The words were no idle threat.
Sofia put her hand over Isaac, "No, we've only come to pay our respects to my daughter and her husband, their mother and father. If there is a problem, come deal with us directly, is that right, Master of Arms?" Isaac sheathed his sword and reclasped his cloak, gently stroking the symbol on it.
The Master of Arms swallowed thickly, "O-Of course, come along."
A plastic smile, "Thank you. Come, we won't be staying long."
""Yes, Grandma.""
The twins were well aware of some hateful glares. Isaac danced a throwing knife in between his fingers as a scare tactic. Irene spun a shuriken in between her fingers, hidden from view. "They don't like us."
"Of course they don't, the prideful bastards," Sofia hissed under her breath, "I swear if they defiled my baby girl's grave or worse, didn't tend to it…I will need you to hold me back."
"Respectfully, Gran, we can't hold you back even if you weren't even trying…" Irene said. Even as she casually stopped an arrow from reaching her head.
Isaac was much in the same boat as he sliced an arrow in half, grabbed the next snapping it like a twig, and then deflected an arrow off his throwing knife without even looking. "Wow, as if one attempt was bad enough. If you're going to try, subtly goes a long way." In his now signature dead tone did the elves flinch as his stare went to the ones in the trees. "Fire one more and I will retaliate. I'm not one to separate families but…"
Sofia didn't reprimand him because she was pretty close to doing that herself. Prideful snobs, they wouldn't know that the world was ending unless it directly affected them.
They continued along into familiar territory to their old home. Each step they took, their stance became tense again and it wasn't until Gran's intent was fully let out that the twins clung to one another to stabilize each other. They almost fell to the floor really
She was furious.
No…that doesn't even begin to cover it.
What greeted them was nothing short of disrespect. The home was still burnt down, the grass longer than ever, and it looked like no one has touched it in the past ten years. "Could you two stay here while I have a…word with the elder?" The twins just nodded, not trusting their voices at the moment.
As Sofia walked past them, they gulped. Note to self…
…never make Grandma upset.
So, the first impression of being back home after a whopping ten years?
Pretty fucking shitty, if Isaac was being honest.
...
Ah, yes, racism in DanMachi. Here we are. Okay, so the next thing I will upload will be Tales of Royalty. I've gotten distracted and my muse has pulled me in a few directions.
I recently found someone else who plays Scarlet Nexus and I can gush about it with them. Like, do you know how liberating that is?!
So, big hype.
Anyway, we'll be heading back to Orario in about three-ish chapters if I'm planning this right. Periodic checks will be inserted where needed.