Sofia was angry. No, it was more like she was simmering like a slow-roasted pig over the fire. Not only did they attempt to murder her grandchildren years ago, but they also did not properly care for Melissa and Quinn's home. That was the one thing that she asked for before she had left the forest. The elder, Feno Gillan, was also a High Elf. So the fact that he would slight a fellow High Elf makes her intent begin to boil over.

The fact that other elves within the forest noticed her forceful strides and maybe because she is slightly making small holes in the ground should express her anger quite clearly. How dare they disrespect not just me but the Vlahos line period. What spell should I rain down on them?

The mental image of her grandchildren was enough to halt the building magic energy she was subconsciously bringing up. She couldn't get upset because that would be a disgrace to her own self. Being over two hundred now, since it's been so long, she hasn't checked in. She's been with Zeus for the last sixteen or so years. Yes, she would pop into the forest every now and again but never enough time to stay more than a couple of days.

Anyway, back to her stomping her way to Feno's home.

She arrived outside the modest-looking home and saw that he was standing there with that damned smile, oh, how she wanted to level this place! Sofia shifted her expression to remain neutral despite the seething she was doing beneath the surface. Little did she know, her intent was making the twins unable to focus on cleaning up the debris and their hands were on their weapons.

"Lady Vlahos, a pleasure to see you again. Dear me, it seems you haven't aged a day!" This was also a reason she despised most elves and High Elves. This shit right here. The fakeness, the false flattery, even if the statement was true. With her falna, her lifespan has basically extended for the next three hundred years easily. High Elves live to three hundred and fifty years on average. Basically, Sofia would easily be Fels' age when she dies.

"Lord Gillan, a pleasure as always. Why don't we step inside so we can chat about current events?" Sofia's smile was genuine but her eyes spoke of another emotion.

It didn't make it better when Feno started to sweat. Oh, he knows…most likely the one to order the damn thing! Sofia was gestured inside and she passed the male without even looking at him beyond what was considered common courtesy, in elven culture. There were so many things that Sofia detested that she could be considered a radical in said culture. Beyond that, the High Elf known as Feno was by no means unattractive.

With the man's short hair, woven into a small braid that rests above his shoulder blades, deep earthly tan hair and matching eyes, and well-dressed mannerisms, if Sofia was ignorant and not an adventurer, she was sure to be wed to this man. If she had been, then her current family would not exist. "So, Sofia," Feno started the conversation, bringing out tea. He even prepared it right in front of her and any sleight of hand tricks he may try, she will know. "You came with visitors."

The hesitance in the word made her clench her fist as her intent has not dropped. She wanted to be civil but oh that was so difficult.

So, she decided to say 'fuck it' and come right out with it. "Were you the one who ordered my family be killed?" Feno's eye snapped to hers in a panic. "It is a simple question, Lord Gillan. Did you or did you not order your men to kill my grandchildren, my daughter, and her husband?"

"Certainly not," he answered eventually. The tea had spilled onto the tray but neither paid it any mind.

"They don't even have a proper grave, so right now, my grandchildren are most likely finding the remains and they've already experienced hardship far beyond what you could ever hope to do. So, order them to help with the effort and keep it preserved or I will unleash a spell that can blow a hole into the mountains and reduce it to a mere hill," The threat was clear, and judging by the way her staff glowed in response, something that Feno took note of.

"L-Lady Vlahos, that is unnecessary,"

"You will follow my demand, otherwise I will-"

An urgent knock on the door stopped Sofia in her words, raising an eyebrow. She looked back to him as if to say 'this conversation is far from over,' and Feno, almost eagerly, went to answer the door.

When he did all was heard was, "What did you vile creatures do to him?!"

The twins were making the work of fifty men look like a joke. They were constantly moving, as Isaac was lifting more of the heavier items, like burnt logs and various pieces of concrete. Irene, meanwhile, was organizing said pieces. They were cleaning it up fairly well, even as Isaac cast a small Firebolt to burn the grass, and then Irene cast Frostbolt in a mist. All while dodging arrows. Even if they connected, they would grimace, shrug it off and Irene would heal him and herself. Their cloaks were set aside and gently in their line of sight. Anytime an arrow would stray too far, the elven archers would be knocked off their perch.

What really threw the elves for a loop was the fact that the boy had not acted on his threat. In reality, he just doesn't care because it will only enforce the never-ending hatred between pure and non-pure elves—meaning elves and half-elves and so on. Even so, that didn't mean it was annoying. Can I just take their bows? If they think we're so dirty, then that means if I touch them, they won't want them back, right?

Truth be told, that is sound logic. Honestly, Irene wouldn't be surprised if they started a fire to where they walked. She turned her gaze to the burnt house. The foundation was all but gone, the one beam that supported the house was split in two like a 'V' so the roof was folded in on itself like wet tissue paper. There were gaping holes in the side of it, and Irene could barely make out a picture that was stuck inside.

Wordlessly, she entered the burnt home, Isaac doing nothing to stop her—her thoughts leaked again, so he wisely said nothing. She stepped over what looked to be the remnants of a burnt couch, one that held fond memories. The young girl weaved around that and found what she was looking for. Something survived all throughout these past ten years. A photo, which was only in black and white but technology has certainly evolved since then. In the photo, which was in surprisingly great condition, was the family. Minus Sofia. It was their parents, Quinn holding Irene and Melissa holding Isaac. What made her heart melt was the fact she and Isaac were reaching out to hold one another's hand.

"I remember that," Isaac called softly. "One of the better memories."

When she turned, she noticed the building tears in his eyes, the subtle twitching of his hands, and the way he looked like he had seen a ghost. Yet, he still tried to smile.

"Isaac?" her concern for her brother shined through the bittersweet memory. After a moment, realization dawned on her, "This is where…"

"...where I had to take a man's life just to save you…" he finished softly, barely audible to her own ears. "I regret that it had to come to that but I will never regret saving you…"

On instinct, she hugged him, her own tears springing to her eyes. It was a little hard to believe that she once lived around all this and never noticed the death glares she and her brother had received. Back then, she was a child who knew nothing of the world. In times like this, she wanted to turn back the clock to see if she could have done something differently. Her staff glowed red in anger at her line of thought.

"Isaac, how long do we plan to stay here?"

"Not very long, why?" asked Isaac. Something told him that she wanted this particular discussion aloud.

"Because it's apparent that we are not welcome," she said, lazily casting Shockwave to unbalance the archers.

He huffed, "We'll stay as long as Grandmother demands us to. I do not think she is too keen on staying either but do you understand why I was so reluctant on coming back here? Back in Orario, I mean?" His emotions were getting better by the day, which is all well and good…

…except for the fact that they are mostly negative emotions like annoyance, anger, and even bitterness. He calmly chanted Mikoto's name in his head. She was his mantra that he repeated over and over. He released from the hug first before stepping outside. He grabbed his green cloak, caressing the piece of fabric. The memory of when Dia had them made for the twins. It made hiding the value of the armor they wore easier. No one asked questions.

Throwing the cloth over his shoulders and fastening it around his neck, he pinned the bottom open before grabbing his sword, meeting another. The one responsible was the so-called Master of Arms. Their lips were curled into a sneer.

"Who are you?" Isaac asked in fluent elvish.

The Master of Arms spat at him, "You dirty quarters! You befoul these grounds. You are not worthy of being here. We should have had you killed when you were born!"

"That did not answer my question. Who are you? Clearly, you are not of High Elven descent, unless I am mistaken. Your ears show you are a full elf but they seem…more?" Isaac asked, nonplussed. Truthfully, he expected the male before him to try this sooner. In his offhand, he prepared a throwing knife. I would stay back, Irene.

Isaac glanced out of the corner of his eye to see her standing there, staff in hand, the runes glowing a pale red. His level five senses felt the bloodlust radiating from his sister. She was furious despite the calm façade that she had. What made this situation worse was that he could feel his grandmother's intent from across the , his own instincts were heightened, not to mention the adrenaline now flooding his veins.

To the spectators, they saw this vile creature holding back their most powerful warrior with ease. Alre Eljor is the Master of Arms at Saumouth Grove. As with most elves, he is prideful. Hair descended down his back, tied almost haphazardly and what looked like yellow eyes. They were not of a monster, no. They just screamed murderous intent towards the stain before his eyes. For years, that blasted witch, Sofia Vlahos, protected her family from being harmed, under the threat of unimaginable pain. Alre hated the fact that a High Elf was defending them. How he wanted to skewer them upon this sword in front of Lady Vlahos.

A decade ago, he almost had them killed in that 'accident' but it was really just a ploy to get them out of the way. The archers that Alre commanded were given free rein to shoot to kill but even after what seemed like countless attempts, none of them ever was that one arrow needed. Even after basically burning this pathetic house down and killing the halfling and that decrepit human.

The mere fact that a human was allowed here sickened most of the elves here in their home. Solana Trislen, Alre's beloved held a greater disgust to humans and halflings than he did. This is why it angered him greatly that this putrid stain was able to hold his own. They mentioned something like a 'level five' and 'level ten'.

For context, most Elves reject the Gods' blessing because of purity reasons. Some of which are complete and utter bullshit. However, they never forcefully made them join. That was the one thing that they never did.

Alre looked into this 'Isaac's' eyes, only to see a blank visage. The epitome of boredom. However, that's not what got Alre to stop. It was the look of hidden fury in his eyes, "Demon…"

Another thing that annoyed him was the fact that he could speak fluent Elvish. Such unworthy beings speak their sacred tongue. It only made him want to cut out that disgusting organ to watch him bleed out. "Are you done?"

A new fire ignited in the pit of Alre's stomach and he made a move with another blade.

And then he saw black.

Isaac cared not for the scandalized looks from the other elves. He cared not for how some looked at him like he was a bad omen. News flash, you're the ones trying to kill us.

They also seemed to forget we have a falna. We can run circles around all of them, Irene responded back, however, she was just as stone-faced as Isaac. Did you have to knock him out?

He shrugged, He got annoying. Now come on, grandma is literally leaking intent. We should probably go and attempt to stop her. "You may follow as I have no plans to harm him. But seriously, the next one to fire an arrow will have a knife go through their hand. If you wish to test me, then fine but remember," he looked to the treeline, seeing the frightened elves, "I warned you."

These snob nose fuckfaces need a lesson in some humility. So, Isaac carelessly dragged the Master of Arms behind him by an arm. He was not so cruel to drag him by a leg. Irene gave him a pretty good scolding on that front if he did. "Just because he's making them fire arrows does not mean we can be just as rude. We have to show we're better."

He peered behind him, "Riiiggghhhtttt, so you're saying I should have let him stab me, or kill me?"

"Oh no, I wanted to throw him into a tree but I want to be better than them," she replied quickly, maybe a little too quickly.

He grinned, "It can be arranged." The grin left his face a moment later, "But first we should probably stop Gran from throttling the elder."

"Pfft, put quotes around 'stop' and we might get somewhere."

It shouldn't have been as funny as it was but the reactions from the other elves seeing Isaac dragging their strongest warrior like a child does to their favorite doll. It was rather jarring for most and Irene noted that at least three people passed out. The twins continued to walk, feeling the intent rise and rise and they just caught the last of the conversation, "...I will unleash a spell that can blow a hole into the mountains and reduce it to a mere hill," The threat was clear, making the twins whistle lowly in response. She really means it.

Isaac only grimaced, knowing that if she was pushed to that point, this whole forest wouldn't live to see the aftermath.

The voice of what the twins assumed was the elder spoke up, nervous, "L-Lady Vlahos, that is unnecessary."

Their grandmother was quick to respond, "You will follow my demand, otherwise I will-"

Irene beat on the door to silence the next words because they would not be taken lightly. Let's not add another regret to the pile. The door opened a moment later and the look on the man's face changed from pleased, to confusion, to downright contempt, "What did you vile creatures do to him?!"

Isaac blinked while Irene raised an eyebrow, "You mean the fact that we've been shot at with arrows, had to literally go through what is considered our parents' grave, and deal with slurs and verbal attacks? Compared to what we could've done, he should be lucky that he is only knocked out." Irene explained the situation perfectly.

"So, Gran?" Isaac looked to see Sofia standing a few meders behind the elder, "Can I disarm everyone yet?" It was here that he noticed her staff glowing like his swords. He raised an eyebrow but chose not to comment. Instead, he looked towards his sister who was still lashing out at the elder.

"...nd let's not forget the fact that you didn't even clean it up. I was lucky to even find a picture from when we were children. You should be ashamed of yourself, elder," she finished by crossing her arms and looking away. Her stare turned to the spectators, "And you all could have made it easier by turning away and not bothering us at all! We are literally leaving as soon as we can."

Isaac stepped forward when he saw the elder approach his sister. His overprotectiveness kicked in as a knife was hovering over the elder's throat, "What do you fucking think you're doing?" In the elder's hand was a knife, and from what it looked like, a poisonous one. It wouldn't do anything because both twins possess Immunity.

"I had hoped I was wrong, elder Feno, but it seems you indeed are responsible for ten years ago. You had my daughter killed. You had her husband killed, their parents. Do you really expect me to let you continue this?" Sofia said with a calmness that made the twins freeze. This was going to go south real quick.

Every step she took was a step closer to Feno's death. No one else made a move, Alre was still out cold but that was slowly changing.

"W-Wait."

The intent dropped but not altogether, "Oh?"

Isaac pulled away his knife but not before disarming the elder's possession of their poison knife. "They don't have to die, Gran."

"Why shouldn't they?" Sofia asked, playing the villain in this case. "They killed our family, they even tried to kill you and Irene, my only other family I have left, why shouldn't I pursue revenge?"

Silence reigned. The elves paled as they realized that they fucked up, big time. "You won't do it because you would've done it already."

"But as knowledgeable as I am, I didn't have confirmation until he just tried to assassinate you," Sofia replied back, her tone clipped.

Is she playing us?

I can't tell…

Isaac stepped forward towards his grandmother, "And what would you say if I said that this place was dead to me, that I already have most of everything I need?"

Sofia saw the look in his eyes, that same fire from before. The embers were still warm. All she had to do was push this a little further. "And what is this everything you need?"

"My family," Isaac said. He did wince at how cliché it sounded but that was the truth. He couldn't skirt around this. "I have Irene, you, and if everything goes right and I don't absolutely drop the ball, a courted. While we didn't get to spend a full life with Mom and Dad, we have you." Sofia opened her mouth to speak but paused when she saw Isaac raise his hand.

Irene gently took over, "While these elves were vile and stole something irreplaceable, their lives are also irreplaceable. If we want to be better, as you claim we are, then do not kill them."

"If it came to blows?"

A split second of eye contact, ""We would fight, even knowing that we would lose.""

Sofia critically eyed them before sighing and dropping her intent altogether. A condescending smile came to her face as she chastised herself, "Such stubbornness, most likely you inherited it from your mother."

"Which she inherited from you, so what goes around comes around," Irene cheekily replied, doing her best to not sigh in relief.

Isaac had no such qualms and let out a big breath, finally putting away his own knife. The elves around them didn't fully understand why they were so relieved but they did understand that they just dodged a magic missile that was Sofia Vlahos. "Now, if you want us out of here, elder, you can have them help us clean up the remains of our home. We'll be leaving soon after. All we ask is that the surrounding area gets maintained."

Feno grumbled but eventually replied, "It is only fair. Once your business is concluded, do not return."

"They can if they are my guests, or are you going to deny a fellow High Elf that?" Sofia's accent was much more pronounced than either of the twins, and even though they've heard her speak Elvish before, there was a crisp undertone. Her staff was on her back now, in what looked to be its collapsed form.

"I suppose not but do not make it a habit."

With that, the Vlahos trip retreated to their former home.

It hasn't been a long time but it still felt like a long time. No matter what. Bell found himself missing the company of the twins. Not only after learning that his family was partly responsible for what happened to Orario seven, eight, years ago now but to know that Ryuu was the one to stop his aunt hurt a bit.

Okay, a lot. He wanted to be furious with her but he understood that she did what she had to do. It was a shame because he didn't even get to know his family like that. Right now, it was the closest link he had. The white-haired boy could often be found in front of the grave over the past month or so. He would still go into the Dungeon with his Familia and fight with his all but he hasn't had the time to decompress. Everyone tried to reach through to him but this was something that he had to get off himself.

Wandering Orario did nothing. And he knows that Freya was eyeing him from her tower. Their Familia had taken a big hit, however, there were more rumors about the Freya Familia were buying potions more often and searching for materials. Even further, the former King has been pushing himself.

Bell recognized this drive. It was a drive that he himself had. Having heard the final sentences of the trial certainly impacted the world. In that time, Rakia 'invaded' again. Of course, most of the citizens didn't even know it happened and despite being held back, the Loki and Freya Familias fought them off. Bell did not offer to help because it would bring his mind back to this.

He stared at the unnamed, unmarked grave that was pointed out to be Alfia…

That name…Alfia…

Bell vaguely recalled something in the back of his mind. Why did he feel like he met her before? He doesn't have memories of his mother or his father, so family was important to him. Considering the Goddess who blessed him, it was a little ironic. With one last look, he had one more grave to go to.

Silently, he made the trek up the hill, overlooking the entire Graveyard. Bell asked Sofia for everything she knew, almost pleading, of what she knew about his mother. Her statement of revealing that only one person truly knew his father made him guess as to who it was. At first, when he guessed Lord Hermes, she laughed. Apologizing immediately after, she had said that it wasn't him but someone Bell knew. She gave no more than that.

Bell felt the wind brush by him and he half-turned, somewhat expecting Ais, because she has shown up like that before, in a rush of wind. However, she wasn't there, much to his displeasure. What did greet him was a familiar sight. The grave.

"So, you're here too?" a soft voice said.

Bell whirled around comically to see Riveria. The absolute last person he expected. "M-Miss Riveria?"

"As I've said before, Bell, you can call me Riveria," said the jade-haired High Elf. There was a hint of a smile on her face but that was hidden by the pain in her eyes. She couldn't believe that she was staring at the results.

Bell fidgeted under the Elf's stare, "M-Miss…uhm, Riveria?"

She seemed to realize she was staring at him uncomfortably, "My apologies. I am still processing that you're her child…"

Ah…so that's why… Bell realized. "Yet my…aunt…was responsible for so much pain…" he looked away. It frustrated him that he couldn't remember her properly but after getting those details about her, he still was processing himself. This wasn't something that he thought was ever going to come up in his life.

"There's a lot of things I do and don't regret," Riveria started. "One of those regrets is not seeing the obvious resemblance you have to both of the sisters."

"Eh?"

"Long before…the power shift…" she started, skirting around the Silverback in the area to continue, "We were friends…well, Sofia was much closer to them than I but I at least took the time to visit. I don't think I was ever informed of Meteria's pregnancy so I never knew of you. Alfia, on the other hand, was one to never speak much unless it was to complain about some 'noise' but the bond they had was noticeable to anyone with eyes. Alfia would have done anything to help Meteria." Within that statement, a memory came back. Two eyes looking at him, one grey, one green. "The hereditary disease they had shortened their lives immensely and Sofia mentioned that it hadn't passed on to you."

"If it did?"

Riveria grimaced, "I would not like to think about it, Bell." She turned to the grave, "And to think she was really here all along. The twins had thought this was Sofia's grave. They didn't know she was alive and neither did I."

The Little Rookie felt sadness enter his system, "Have we heard from them?" Truthfully, he liked seeing the twins. Isaac would fill a brotherly role that Welf doesn't. The former was the more assertive, stern brother while the latter was the fun, laid-back yet supportive one. Well, Isaac is also supportive but after seeing them in the hospital, seeing them so down—not that he can blame him—after what happened. Irene often checked in with him, and she always seemed to have a smile, big or small but they had felt forced in recent memory.

The jade-haired elf shook her head, "I haven't and I am not seeing myself asking if Lord Hermes has. He wouldn't be able to send Miss Andromeda even with her magic items. Sofia would see through it immediately."

"What was it like being her student?" Bell asked, wanting to change the subject. He looked fondly at the grave, making a silent vow to his deceased mother and aunt. I will be the hero that we need.

Up in Tenkai, the sisters gazed down at their son/nephew—which she wanted to have him call her stepmother—with pride. One even let out a genuine smile. Go Bell, I know you can. Succeed where we failed….

Riveria chuckled, "Safe to say, if you thought Eina's teaching was tough, Sofia amped that by a factor of four, maybe five."

Bell paled at that. Eina was really strict with him! How bad could it really be? To change the subject again, he said, "S-So, what about the alliance? Goddess told me that it was in its final preparations."

The High Elf nodded, "Indeed it is, and it only made it this far because of a request at the behest of two people."

"The twins," he said with finality.

"Mmh," a hum escaped the royal elven princess. "Even though they chose to go to different Familias, they took all the measures needed to ensure they stayed together. I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other much more often."

If only she realized the implications of that statement. It would come back to bite her sooner rather than later.

Even though she was set back, she refused to falter. However, that didn't mean she could squash that feeling she's been feeling for the past month.

Guilt.

Yes, she of all people, was feeling guilty for what she had done. Because of that, she elected that her faithful Captain run her Familia while she attempts to gather herself.

Sitting in her chair, overlooking Orario, sans a glass in her hand, she sighed. Only one other person was allowed inside her chambers. That person was Horn, or Helen—a second name. She stood at her side without pause.

"Helen, am I a terrible Goddess?"

The choked the sound that erupted from the attendant's throat was nothing short of comical but the Goddess needed an answer. "Of course not! You were only doing what you needed to bring in the ones who opposed your love!" The girl's eyes expressed her honesty and conviction in that sentence. The Goddess found no lies.

"Yet, I have done something terrible to two people who have not deserved it," she replied, yet patted her attendant on the head. Have I overstepped my bounds? Surely I have and that would be grounds for banishment but Ouranos did not, stating that he needs me here. While the statement from the Primordial God would usually make her haughtiness appear, she felt it was much more hollow than that. None of her Familia would dare go to another one, even if it was for selfish reasons. They served her with their whole being and for some reason she felt as if she was taking away their choice like she almost did with the Vlahos twins."

"They were rejecting your love, my lady," Helen said softly, enjoying the affection her Goddess granted her. "They reaped the consequences of that decision."

The Goddess did not stop petting Helen's hair but she was wondering where they were, wondering if they truly hated her.

Her eyes flickered out the window to see her Odr, the one who hadn't outright rejected her. She knew where he was and how he's changed. His soul was beginning to cloud, much to her displeasure. She did concede that she brought this on herself but she had Ottar check to see where and who he was visiting.

When he reported back, her heart had stopped, metaphorically. To know that the boy was part of her family and by extension the two previous powerhouses. She had chosen well but to know this was enough to make her back off for now. As such, she had ordered flowers to have them out there.

Speaking of the boy, he was looking up at her, having felt her gaze. She must be projecting her emotions much more or Bell was able to read her better because he let out a timid smile at her. For some reason, she felt relieved in a manner that she has never been before. Truly, a wonderful person, one that she doesn't deserve.

The Goddess known as Freya had to admit that she was in the wrong. It was something that could no longer be denied. If the twins ever come back, she vowed to be better.

After sorting most of their differences, the twins were able to leave their grandmother alone while they went back and finished cleaning up their former home. The elves, while still wary of them, were at least helping move things out of the way.

They evened the grass off, since Isaac's little stunt didn't make it look nice. Some of them had to admit, seeing it look cleaned up made them realize that these two have had it rougher than ever. The pain in their eyes that they hide behind a smile—or a deadpan look—was something that the elves of Saumouth had never had to experience.

While some still held the same vitriol for their hatred, others relented into helping and the entire thing was finished in a matter of hours. Once that was done, the twins thanked the ones who helped and told them they don't have to stay. While some left immediately, others lingered for a few moments before ultimately leaving as well.

In that time, the elder and Master of Arms were scolded heavily by Sofia, who was pleased to see them fully regret it. The female High Elf knew that she should be upset, and she was, but she found that holding onto that anger would get her nowhere. They are better than me, and I'm glad to have been proven right. When she left the two grown men alone, the twins were waiting for her. "So, now that our business here is basically over, where are we going now?"

Sofia hummed, looking to Isaac, then to Irene, "We need to brush up on your combat. The drive you had is gone but that doesn't mean you can't get a new one. I know there is a secondary objective to everything, so, we're going to pay a Goddess a visit."

Isaac smirked lightly while Irene groaned, "We're going to see her?"

Sofia smiled but it was one that made the twins shift to an on-guard state, "It's time to pay Lady Nike a visit. She misses her favorite pupils."

...

That's right, we're going to see Lady Nike, and then potentially go back to Orario. That's the plan and with that, I'll progress to the Xenos Arc. Don't worry, this is just me breaking the timeline lol.