Late Night upload. No A/N this time. Enjoy.
...
One of the easiest parts of travel for some was the return trip. The excitement of the trip made the arrival seem longer. That was something that Irene had noted while they tracked back through Lord Vulcan's town. It was a passing stop, only for about an hour to let the carriage horses rest and drink. There was still a good amount of travel to do.
Vulcan had quickly repaired the weapons once more, noting the wear, and smiled in contentment, knowing the Spirits had good hosts. If they heard him talking to himself, they chose to ignore it.
So, when that break was over, Irene hopped back into the carriage and pulled out a book. It was a book that Auntie gave her. It contained magic phenomena and other world histories. However, Irene noticed that there was a hidden cipher within. It tested her intellect, and when the young mage asked where she got the book, Nike had answered with one word, "Athena."
The Goddess who runs Altena, a city where men aren't allowed, much like Telskyura, for another reason entirely.
Looking through the book, Irene was slowly piecing together the code. Truly fascinating.
While she was absorbed in the land of books, Isaac was looking through the multiple failed letters he didn't send. That time writing was spent wondering how he could word everything and not completely spill his guts. He kept them because of the deep and personal thoughts he wrote. He would stash them somewhere safe once they reached Orario. The return was imminent.
His two Spirit-Forged weapons sat comfortably across his lap. As another parting gift, Nike had given the Vlahos trio blue, white, and silver-colored cloaks, embroidered with obscure markings to hide their identities when they returned. Someone in Nike Familia had Mystery and they had been developing these cloaks for this very purpose by order of Nike after she heard how Freya went off the rails in her attempt to acquire the twins.
While they didn't want to give up the Dia Familia cloaks they've had for the past ten years, they did keep Dia's parting gifts attached to the inside of their clothes, to always remember her.
The elder twin kept thinking of Mikoto, wondering what her reaction to the letter would be. Considering what he wrote and what he sent were two very different things.
Speaking of significant others, both Dino and Irene were chatting a lot before they left. She never smiled so freely or maybe there was just a hint of something more within those smiles. She definitely enjoyed talking to him.
Isaac and Jericho had noticed and formed an alliance of sorts, to push their siblings together. Isaac subtly let Jericho know that Irene had to form emotional attachments in order to consider anything else. It was a friendly warning.
The boys were sure that they might have eloped into the night, as when they were talking it was a full moon. Irene and Dino were thoroughly teased throughout the next few days. She wouldn't reveal what was said but she did have that small skip in her step.
Observing the two very different children, Sofia found herself recalling Nike's words. She was right. She knew that. It didn't make it any better when she knew that they had to move on. How she wished for someone from her old Familia to come in and chat with her. She imagined Sorraco or Maxim and her sitting down in the living room of Hera's estate drinking tea, coffee, or heavens above, alcohol. Elves were susceptible to being lightweights…severe lightweights.
If she drank alcohol with food, sure, she would be tipsy but she wouldn't be blackout drunk. The number of times they tried to get Sofia to drink was…a lot. The one time they did, Guinevere and Alfia made sure the men were black and blue.
Then when Sofia recovered, she froze them in ice for three days. She did make sure to keep their privates exposed from the ice. As malicious as the act was, she didn't want to castrate them. If something else had happened, then there would have been the loss of their prized swords…
Sofia shook her head minutely, "Are both of you fully prepared?"
"The answer I want to give is a lie," Isaac started, stuffing away the letters within the confines of his outfit. Surprisingly, and it's a wonder how he didn't notice, is how little he actually carries. Same with Irene. "However, I can say that I'm better than when I left."
"I feel that with this extra-long informative vacation, I can easily be better than I was, and I did enjoy our time together, Grandma," Irene said.
"So, when are you going to make a move on Dino?" Isaac asked.
"When you or Mikoto makes one," she retorted.
A chortle escaped Isaac's throat, "Haah, well, if she accepts me, then I plan on making the bigger move."
"Oh, so I'll be getting a granddaughter-in-law, then?" Sofia teased her grandson with a half-smirk on her face. The High Elf actually giggled at the flushed look on his face. Irene was full-on laughing.
It was quite the peaceful interaction, where it felt like they had nothing to worry about.
"But wait, which one of you is asking?" Isaac turned to Irene, his blush still present. My face is too warm… he thought idly. Irene paused as she hadn't thought of that. "Is he going to treat you like the princess you always wanted to be?" His teasing smirk made her puff her cheeks and if one was really paying attention, one could almost see smoke rising off her.
"Now now, Isaac, you can't tease her about something that you've both thought of. I will offer you this as free advice: Whomever you choose, you must remain faithful to them. This goes especially for you Isaac, since you're choosing to follow a tradition. If she doesn't accept you, what will you do?"
"Unless she says she will never consider me…then I will do anything to earn her forgiveness. This is not the pride of an elf…but the pride as a man," he articulated specifically. While following this one tradition could make or break him, he is risking it because he believes in it.
Sofia beamed slightly, "Perfect. With determination like that…she would be foolish to reject you, especially since you were cozy while you recovered. She refused to leave your side, you know?"
"Really?" the man asked, he pushed some hair out of the way. I should get it cut…
You know I could, right? Leonie was kind enough to teach me how to properly trim and cut. She does her own. "Well yeah, plus I get to tease her about stuff. Like how romantic you two can get," Irene joked.
Isaac leaned back in his seat, the countryside passed by at a meandering pace but it was just slow enough to truly soak it all in. He really never took in the surroundings here because with his emotions being suppressed by his trauma, he never cared for the beauty of the world. He didn't respond to his sister's retort.
Sofia sighed at their antics but she can't exactly say much different, as her own friends and Familia members did this exact thing when she found her husband. "You two don't know much about your Grandfather, do you?"
This caught their attention immediately. "No…and if you mentioned him in those messages you left for us…we haven't gotten to them."
Sofia waved off their concern for those, "To put it simply, your grandfather was just a normal human. He wasn't in any Familia, and he lived in Orario for generations. He actually worked a business within the Fashion District."
"Grandpa worked in fashion?" Irene asked. She was eager for knowledge and Sofia was willing to provide it.
The driver of the carriage knew that these three were trying to reconnect. It's not often a family like them passes through the world. Even with the knowledge that they are transporting the most powerful sorceress in the entire world, nothing made them happier than hearing the excited murmurings of the two youngsters. What a time to be young again.
Sofia nodded, her eyes expressing happiness and sadness, remorse, joy, and so many other emotions. "I remember meeting him one day while browsing clothes for myself. Guinevere was insistent that I have other clothes that 'showed off my amazing figure' and 'so I could knock men's socks off' and a bunch of other expressions that, at the time, I had no idea what she was talking about."
"Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen you in clothes other than what you wear and whatever that contraption you call a nightgown," Isaac said. Sofia swatted him lightly over the head. Lightly meaning at the speed of a level eight and the power of a level six. "Ow!"
"Don't get any ideas."
"I won't! Damn, that stings more. You used a magic spell, didn't you?"
Sofia hid her grin behind her fingers, "Must be your imagination." Irene smiled at that. "Anyway, I had to get a dress for a celebration. It was someone's shotgun wedding. Adventurers often get married like this, so don't give me those surprised faces," she mock-scolded them as they reset their expressions, "moving on, the dress was supposed to be simple and I honestly couldn't even begin to imagine fitting in anything. That was until a nice gentleman noticed I was struggling. He came over and asked if I needed help and…" Sofia smiled with a silly expression, another new one that the twins haven't seen before.
She really must have loved him, Isaac noted.
Yeah…a shame we never got to meet him, Irene mentally replied.
"...well, his next sentence was that I made Goddesses pale in comparison. If she had heard that, she would have thrown a packet of contraceptive tea at me and then locked us in a room. She never did but I never blushed harder than that. I eventually explained to him that I needed a dress for a wedding and he had such a prideful smile that I always wanted to see it."
"Do you still have the dress?" Irene asked, leaning forward with intrigue.
"Yes, any clothes he ever made or gifted me…I kept…because they are some of the only possessions I have of him," Sofia pulled out a locket that she kept in a secure spot on her person. She opened the locket and gestured for them to flank both of her sides. The twins crossed the small carriage and gazed at the trinket.
In the picture was Sofia, obviously, smiling like a maiden in love. A pair of arms surrounded her waist, cupping her belly, which was very pregnant at the time. The head resting on her shoulder was human. The picture was in black and white so there was no identifying his hair and eye color. Isaac saw a resemblance between himself and Grandpa. The hair had that same wild look to it but the look in his eyes was full of love, affection, and devotion.
"I was six months pregnant with Melissia at this time and he was with me every step of the way. His family was supportive, and it was at this time I questioned why Elves were so…secluded and prejudiced…as the feeling of falling in love was something I wish I could relive; alas, High Elves—and that includes Dark Elves, Elves—all can only take one lover in their lives. Half-Elves and below can choose to follow this tradition or take multiple if allowed. It is not unheard of for an elf to have a harem," Sofia explained.
"Didn't Bell want a harem or something?" Isaac muttered. He swears he heard something like that before.
Sofia chuckled, "He could, as I've noticed multiple ladies completely smitten with him. His Goddess, his Supporter, Little Eina from the Guild, the Renard Princess, the excited Amazon…and so on. It is possible for him. As for Little Gale, she is coming around but is very hesitant, and oddly enough, the Sword Princess; yet she hasn't shown the proper signs."
"Somehow, I'm unsurprised," Irene muttered.
"Now, Grandma…you don't have to answer but-"
"You wish to know how he died, yes?" Sofia said with acceptance. Of course, she has accepted it, otherwise, she would have been lost in grief. First her husband, then her family, then her Familia. She would do anything to protect the last members. "When Evilus attacked Orario years ago, the first time, not seven years ago, they used horrible methods. Methods that still make me sick to my stomach."
The tone she had sent chills down Irene's spine. Isaac reached a hand across Sofia's lap for her. The younger twin took it without hesitation.
"Child suicide bombers…I wanted him to evacuate but he wanted to help the children on the streets have a safe haven whilst they attacked. One of them was…"
"...they bombed it because they knew it would anger you…"
"...yes…" Sofia never sounded so defeated as at that moment. It was one of her greatest failures and she still endured. "...but I knew they counted on that. That I would rage and destroy Orario for them…I never did…and the horrible part of me thinks I should have…but that would make me no better than them…"
The trio remained silent after that. They eventually apologized for bringing up so many bad memories. Sofia just pulled them close for side hugs. If the twins were uncomfortable with her grip, they didn't voice it.
Shakti Varma's job was quite tedious at times. Most people wouldn't last a day in her shoes. They don't understand the amount of time she has to sink into making sure the security of Orario is in tip-top shape. The azure-haired woman was actually on patrol tonight.
She finally pulled an easy shift. Some might think this kind of guard duty was below her—and they would be right—but it gave Shakti that sense of peace, oddly enough. This was how she started.
Shakti most definitely did not become the Captain of Ganesha Familia overnight. The previous Captain was her mentor, almost a father of sorts to her and Ardi.
It's…been a long time since Shakti actually thought about her younger sister. Not out of malicious forgetfulness but because she doesn't want to relive those days.
The woman known as Ankusha remembers when Evilus attacked. Come to think of it, it was a night like this. A multitude of attacks had taken place, some small, some larger that it contained the whole city. Watching her sister be blown to bits by a brainwashed child was the beginning.
Thankfully, there was one person who understood her pain. And her loss.
Sofia Vlahos.
Well not directly.
The azure-haired woman sighed, "Are you alright, Captain?"
She turned her eyes to her subordinate, "Yeah…just remembering the past. It's about the only break I get."
Shakti turned her attention away from the horizon to look at a book she borrowed from the Guild. One doesn't deny Shakti without a good reason. She was curious as the woman known as Sofia Vlahos was shrouded in mystery. Besides the fact that she was known as Hecate's mortal incarnation, and she's the strongest woman alive, and how her two grandchildren were one of many up-and-coming adventurers.
Then the incident with Lady Freya happened. There hasn't been much activity since then, if one counts Rakia invading for the umpteenth time 'activity'. Anyway, back to the book.
It's a book that actually was all about the High Elf. Obviously, it's not a diary or autobiography but more of a…dossier of sorts. The basics of where she hailed from, Familia, and other odds and ends.
One such thing was who she was dating and/or married to. Shakti saw the pain in her eyes when someone's love interest was mentioned. The Captain was not ignorant of the fact that he, whoever he was, is no longer around. That's the answer she was looking for.
And it was the answer that she found.
Shakti began reading the book aloud to herself, "In the fashion district here in Orario, multiple reports showed that Miss Vlahos would enter and exit hours later, with a smile that showed that she was quite possibly falling in love or thinking of retiring'. Both options were possible," Shakti mused.
The next line, "One day, a few weeks later, Sofia Vlahos was spotted walking with one of Orario's greatest fashion designers, Nicolo Armani, hand in hand. Elves of any race, and High Elves, only allow those they find 'worthy' to touch them or hold hands with them, so when her own Familia confronted her, she just smiled with that maiden-in-love smile and that was all she wrote. While Elves were upset with her choice, some may have taken it to extremes…"
"What are you reading, Captain?" The subordinate heard her mumble and asked.
She snapped her eyes up, closing the book with one finger on the page. Night had fully risen and the city had lit up. One section remained dark, and that was the Red Light District. Even though it was being repaired, it wasn't a place that Shakti liked going to. She understood Amazonian nature well enough to see it's a necessary evil.
"Just a history lesson," she lightly fibbed. They accepted that and turned back to their post. Shakti's senses were much higher than a large majority of her Familia. So, if anything is out of place, she would know about it sooner than most.
She opened the book again, mumbling once more, getting to the section that she was looking for, "It wasn't until a while later that tragedy struck, as Evilus had begun their bombings…and there is more on this in a future book…reports were scarce but it was given by Miss Vlahos herself that her husband was taking in children…and then the Armani building was up in flames…there were no survivors."
Shakti closed the book and put it in her jacket, sighing. "After all that, losing your husband, losing your Familia, and almost losing your family, how are you still standing? Many people would be in shambles but not you…" she shivered as she thought how it could have gone wrong. If Sofia had lost it, Orario wouldn't be standing and they would have more problems than just a common thief.
That was when a single light came over the horizon. Shakti narrowed her eyes to focus on that. While she could feel an aura of power, she couldn't get a read. She put the book down and stood and gazed at that light. What's odd is that she felt the stare back and it was almost like she felt the person's relief. "Prepare the gate, I'll greet them personally."
"Yes, Captain."
It was only mere minutes later that she met the carriage at the Western Gate. She stood, weapon in hand, in a non-threatening pose. She didn't want to give off the wrong impression to these people.
The carriage driver stopped as Shakti approached, "You must be Shakti Varma, Captain of the Ganesha Familia, yes?"
"I am," Shakti responded.
The carriage driver's eyes lit up in glee, "Perfect. My passengers would like to speak with you. I assume your inspection will be as usual?"
"Indeed," the woman replied shortly. Shakti had to admit, she was indeed suspicious. She called for two other members to help but found nothing odd. The carriage only seemed to be bringing passengers. "What's the purpose of your visit?"
The carriage driver responded immediately, "Three people asked for a lift to here, even though they are capable of making the journey themselves, they wanted to experience the countryside before coming here."
"Pardon me if this is intrusive but, who are your passengers?" Shakti could feel the auras of the trio.
The carriage driver just chuckled, "I was told that you would know them." She paused as she looked at said passengers. She saw the blue-silver cloaks but when she saw the smirk on one of their faces, she silently gasped. "Ha, there it is. I told you, Madame, she would notice after a good nudge."
A chuckle, "That you did."
"Inspection over, return to your posts," Shakti ordered. The Familia members that surrounded them all acknowledged and left. She turned back to the trio and let out a deep sigh, "I knew you three would return but not this soon."
"Well, little Varma, did you expect anyone else?"
"Sofia…"
"What are we, chopped liver?"
The hoods weren't put down but they looked up for Shakti to see three pairs of similar eyes looking back at her. "Isaac…Irene…"
"Hello, Shakti," Irene said.
"Hi," Isaac said shortly.
Shakti took a long look at their eyes, searching for something. The twins, the Vlahos twins who have been outside Orario for the past two months and some change, finally came back.
Of course, they weren't alone. Their Grandmother, Sofia Vlahos had accompanied them. "I have a lot of questions."
The Great Mage nodded sagely, "I know but those will have to wait. So, is the rumor true?"
Shakti sighed, "Which one?" Sofia only gave her a look. "There are rumors of monsters wearing armor in the Dungeon."
The trio all shared a look but only Isaac seemed to be the most alarmed, "And who was sent to investigate?"
"Just recently, the Hestia Familia-"
"I'm going," Isaac said, standing up and exiting the carriage.
This shocked the azure-haired woman, "What? But I thought you didn't have a Falna."
Isaac smirked but Shakti couldn't see it, "I guess they didn't announce that yet. Irene, are you coming?"
A scoff, "As if you'd leave me behind. I have to make sure that Mikoto doesn't spot you."
"But-"
"Shakti," Sofia gently called, "Let them go. They are close to them so let them have this."
The carriage driver was talking exuberantly with the other members, doing a wonderful job of distracting.
"I also need to ask you another favor," Sofia said, her eyes expressing that she wasn't asking. She was demanding. She let some of her true aura out in a compressed area. When Shakti nodded, a bead of sweat could be seen.
It was pretty cool out right now…
"We never arrived tonight. If Ganesha asks, you may let him know but no one else, not even your Vice-Captain."
Ankusha was faced with a choice, and as much as she didn't want to hide it, she saw that this was important, and if the Vlahos trio didn't want to announce their arrival, it was for a damn good reason. "Fine, and as for you two, the Guild had requested that they go down to the twentieth floor."
Isaac turned to Shakti, stupefied, "They've only made it to the eighteenth last I knew…going a full two floors that quickly is going to lead into a problem." His face tensed up as he thought about if something happened to Bell, Mikoto, Welf, Lili, or Haruhime.
Irene put a hand on her brother's shoulder, "We'll catch up…grandma, could you-"
"I'll wait at the Complex since that'll be the most inconspicuous place for me to be. I can also mute my presence more than I have, thanks to one of your spells," Sofia assured. "Now go save your courted, Isaac. I expect you to have an answer next time I see you," Sofia pointed a finger at him.
"There may not be time," Isaac said.
"Shakti, I'd also like if you do not inform Loki Familia that I have arrived either, I don't think Mum would appreciate that I'll be hiding it but…this will take priority," Irene asked gently.
Neither twin wanted their respective Familias to know that they were coming.
"Fine but you will have to, since no one in Orario seems to know which Familia you both are in. Every God would be scrambling to add you into theirs," Shakti said, rubbing her temple.
She froze as she felt an aura slam into her, "Any deity who tries that again will face me, and neither of my grandchildren can stop me from wiping them out, understood?"
Shakti breathed in and breathed out, "When you talk like that, I shouldn't even allow you inside…but…I won't hold you," she turned and looked up, "Open the gate!"
As soon as it was opened, Sofia looked to the twins, "Now shoo."
The grins that came to their faces were that of excitement for a challenge. The twins reached inside the cloaks and pulled up a mask that covered their mouths and nose. The fabric was breathable.
The cloaks had all sorts of magical properties within them, not even Sofia knew them all. As expected of the name Mystery, the cloaks had their own mysterious properties.
Another property came into action, the cloaks would never flow in the wind, no matter how strong it was.
*Shadow Concealment!*
*Shadow Steps!*
A magic circle flared before disappearing, along with the twins. Sofia was the only one able to still sense them but even she had to actively search for them. "That's a good spell…I definitely should add that to my arsenal…"
"And to think I was just reading a book about you," Shakti mumbled.
Sofia turned to little Varma, raising a forest green eyebrow, "Oh?"
"Walk with me, if you would, at least until the Complex?" Shakti offered.
The High Elf thought about it, "Okay, I do believe it's almost the day…"
Shakti bit her lip, "For Nicolo's-"
The High Elf nodded from beneath her cloak, "Come, let us speak."
Sofia thanked the carriage driver before parting ways. That carriage driver would serve the Vlahos family for generations to come but that's another story.
As soon as the twins took off, they took to the roofs, free running. One of their admittedly favorite things to do since leaving Orario.
The spaces between the buildings were perfect, many jumps were doable if they had the correct amount of momentum, and even if they didn't, they could easily recover.
Auntie wouldn't let them parkour around her arena, not that they couldn't but they were often in the arena, getting the shit beaten out of them.
Their bodies were stronger than when they left. Isaac, your thoughts are running rampant, calm down.
The elder twin huffed as he threw himself across the next gap, rolling to preserve momentum. If anyone heard his footsteps or the sounds of his weapons clinking, well, they must have been drunk. Can't help it, I'm so close to her again…
As much as I want to console you, we can't stick around for long. After all, if the Xenos have been spotted, it will only get worse.
I just wonder if Lyd, Gros, and Ray remember me, after all, they were the ones to save me, Isaac responded to his sister.
She was right and they both knew it. Now was not the time to get wrapped up in an emotional spiral. The Tower of Babel was slowly growing larger and larger as the two siblings approached. Thankfully, there was no one impeding them as they leaped off the final roof and into Babel courtyard. The twins quickly dashed and weaved their way through the adventurers coming up from their daily Dungeon dive.
The realization set in that both Isaac and Irene would be stepping into the Dungeon for the first time in two months, possibly even longer. When things used to be simple.
Irene wasted no time and jumped down the entrance of the Dungeon. Isaac followed a moment later. Okay, so we have to get to the twentieth floor.
Well, I do know a few shortcuts that will take us to the eighteenth floor within the hour, so follow my lead, Irene, Isaac commanded.
That was another thing that Irene noticed. This change in her brother. It was as if he's developed a mindset for situations that required his full attention.
Lead the way, brother. It seems that Irene developed one too.
Next stop, is the eighteenth floor.
After that, searching for the Hestia Familia plus one.
In the lower sections of the Guild, the Founding Father of Orario sat on his throne. He was praying down into the Dungeon as he had sent the order for the Hestia Familia to head to the twentieth floor for the Xenos they had in their possession. The Xenos were aware that a Familia was descending into the Dungeon with one of their own in tow.
What made him pause was the arrival of three familiar presences. The Primordial Deity smiled faintly. "So they have returned…good. They will be needed."
Fels was nowhere in sight nor was he in the room. So, this musing went unheard by everyone except himself. "What fortuitous timing. They shall be able to support the young Cranel."
Ouranos continued to send his prayers towards the Dungeon, secretly praying for safe passage for all parties involved.
Sweating in the Dungeon normally wouldn't be a large problem. However, once they made it past the eighteenth floor, the nineteenth floor was like a forest mixed with a jungle. Even though it's a part of the Great Tree Labyrinth, it still can cause problems.
Mikoto was finding this out firsthand as they fought another Bugbear and Firebird. Not to mention the Battle Boars that had ambushed them when they arrived on the floor. It was just one fight after another. "This is ridiculous! Where does the Guild get off on sending us to a floor we are nowhere ready for. No offense to you, Master Bell, but Lili doesn't see the point when it looks like they are trying to kill us!" Lili hissed out as she reloaded her wrist-mounted crossbow.
Wiene was huddled in the middle of the group. Mikoto was in said middle, her grip tight on her katana. She, and the rest of the Familia, had slept in the living room because they believed that Wiene would berserk in the middle of the night.
The samurai regretfully admits that she was very wary of Lady Wiene. The conditioning that monsters are horrible and will do anything to kill you was something that Mikoto wouldn't be able to get over right away, if at all if she was being truthful. Master Bell would be the only one capable of such things.
He clearly saw the world from a different view than everyone else. Just like the twins…Mikoto shook her head. Getting distracted in the Dungeon is horrible and if Lady Lili gets wind of that, her scoldings make anyone cower.
The Prum doesn't know how much power she truly wields. Mikoto drew her katana as she activated her skill, Yatanokurogarasu, to search for familiar monsters. "Five monsters approaching, three Bugbears and two Battle Boars."
"Ugh," Welf groaned, "Those Boars are annoying." Yet, he still shouldered his greatsword, ready for combat. Bell silently readied his knives, as Lili readied her crossbow and Haruhime stood protectively over Wiene. Lady Haruhime took a great liking to her.
The young Far Easterner knew that her Renard friend had a great maternal instinct, as Mikoto herself can attest to. That feeling of a motherly touch…it's not one to be taken lightly.
As they were about to fight, two blurs raced by them and just…took out the monsters.
"Who was that?" Welf asked.
"Forget that metalhead, Lili wants to know who they are?" The Prum retorted.
Bell was staring directly at two figures, each with a pair of daggers, not ones he recognizes, panting slightly. The cloaks were blue, white, and silver and they covered the entire body from head to toe. One was taller than the other but they both acted the same.
Mikoto immediately tried using her other skill, Yatanoshirogarasu, to discern whether or not these two were Familia or not. When her skill came back negative, she spoke, "We thank you for the help, but who are you?"
They seemed to share a look and the taller one spoke in a low tone, "You'll find out later." Bell, Welf, and Mikoto barely heard that—the former of the three hearing it better than the latter two—and were confused.
The shorter one waved them forward, speaking in a tone similar to the first speaker, "If you don't mind, we will follow you, and assist you from the sideline."
None of the Hestia Familia could make out the voices. What they didn't know was that this was another one of the cloak's properties in effect, voice modulation. It would keep their identities a secret for the time being.
To the Familia, their cloaks did not reveal their faces, even though the hood clearly showed an opening that was wide enough to see their faces. Mikoto turned to the taller one, sensing the stare.
A few seconds of tension passed. Bell was about to answer but Lili answered first, "Master Bell, how can we trust them?"
Wiene, currently hidden behind Haruhime and clad in a Salamander cloak, threw the hood up.
Bell did not have to answer, "We already know that you're dealing with the rumor of the armored monsters…or should I say the Xenos?" the taller one said, almost smugly.
The Familia froze in shock. How could these two possibly know?
The shorter one spoke, "We mean you no harm…but we do want to assist you." She, judging from their kind, caring tone from them, stepped forward. Their hands were upturned and visible with a pair of gloves. Any skin shown could lead to a possible sign of being found out.
When they finally approached, they whispered to themselves, "I'm glad to see you've all grown…and for what it's worth, we're sorry."
Then, they turned and the two started to walk away, "We'll still be with you in the shadows until you arrive at your destination. If you need us, just shout," and then they vanished from sight.
Mikoto blinked as they disappeared. The entire time, throughout the whole conversation, the two of them never dropped 'eye' contact. Their start could have gone on for much longer. Bell, seeing that the immediate danger had passed, said, "Miss Mikoto, could you give us another scan, just to make sure?"
The girl blinked again before complying. When there weren't any more monsters, the mini-expedition continued on. Any questions they have will be answered soon enough.
All they needed was just a bit more time. For once, there would be time to explain.