Hello Everybody! A new chapter for Emerald Promise is out as work begins on another. Hope you all enjoy!

Word Count: 4246

Chapter 5 Common Days

It had been three days since I started training with Bell, my body was sore significantly more then when I explored the dungeon. I groaned as I shifted out of bed at the crack of dawn. A fresh set of bruises spotted my arms and body. They had been very minor and small but still tender all the same, prodding at a particular on my left thigh I winced. But I never complained in front of Bell, if I had he would take it easy and I would be able to raise my stats as well.

Putting on my armor, which seemed to grow slightly lighter each day, my rapier which was still sharp stretching to loosen the straps. Leaving my room I started to prepare a simple breakfast, for today felt special. For the first time in almost a week we were going back into the dungeon. Not only that, but we were planning on heading deeper. So, despite the danger I couldn't help but have a small smile as Goddess Dia was the first one into the room.

"Well, someone is in a pleasant mood." She mentioned as she silently sat at the head seat.

"We are planning on going into the dungeon today. So that means I won't be as sore tomorrow. Plus it gives me a chance to use my magic." A moment after I finished, I placed a plate for the goddess and myself.

Goddess Dia was silent for a moment taking a small bite to buy time. "I understand your excitement, but please be careful. I would rather not have an incident this time as well. Though truth be told I doubt they will act for a few weeks."

Nodding my ascent, "I understand, that was the plan at least. Depending on how today goes, I will probably need some work done on my weapon." The breakfast felt slightly dry, I had probably over cooked it slightly, but still tasted alright.

"I suppose it's about time, perhaps after the dungeon today you and Bell could search for a smith. Though almost anybody in Hephaestus familia should be alright." Taking a drink from a glass, "Though, I would suggest level 2 or 1 as any higher will be expensive."

"Right understood, we'll take a look later." I sat looking at my empty plate for a few seconds before standing and going to clean it in the sink.

"How far in are the two of you planning today?" Goddess Dia asked, placing her now empty plate in the sink as well.

"Not too far, probably floor 6. Though I do need to plan another visit with Eina." I grimaced thinking of the half-elf. "Plan on trying to use more magic on the way back up so I don't exhaust that resource on the way down when I could probably manage with my weapon."

Dia took a few seconds to reply, "I look forward to your return, do you want me to give you an update before you leave or when you return both would be fine."

I looked at the small clock in the kitchen, we had ten minutes before we were leaving. I also noticed the carefully concealed worry, this was probably her way of trying to help. "Sure, we were planning on leaving at the top of the hour."

Dia breathed a sigh of relief, "Once you're done, come to my office." She took her leave a brief moment after that.

Finishing only took a minute, the most annoying part was removing my armor to reveal my back.

…

Name: Roveria Ljos Alf

Race: High-Elf

Age: 74

Strength: I98- H114 Dexterity: H110- H198 Agility: H134- F202 Endurance: H101- H186 Magic: H193

Skills:

Dia's Blessing

Fairy Anthem

Magic:

Frost Nova

…

With my status update completed, I rounded the corner noticing Bell waiting next to the door. "Ah, there you are." I noticed we still had three minutes to go. I could only sigh. "Did Goddess give you an update?"

"She did nothing new besides an increase in my basic stats. Agility went up to F rank." I commented, noticing the empty pouch at his hip.

"Very good, with that you should be alright, we'll just need to be careful of the shooter frogs tongues. But we can chat more once we get into the dungeon. You all ready?" Shifting his weight to be more balanced instead of on one leg.

I bobbed my head in the affirmative, "I am, shall we head out?" I had placed my hand on the door, turning and pushing it out.

.

.

.

The dungeon was disappointingly empty, the morning traffic must have caused most monsters to run and avoid the sections closer to the main path. We didn't encounter anything until floor 3, which had only been a single goblin. A swift jab with my rapier finished it. The thought of killing these monsters still felt off, but not as much as before.

It wasn't until the fourth floor we started to encounter more than a singular monster. Groups of three to five fell beneath my rapier. I did my best to make it instant so they wouldn't suffer. Despite them being monsters, it still felt wrong.

Regardless of my reservations, quick work was made until floor 6. It was my first time on the floor, so I was a little worried, Eina had told me the layout and monsters of the floor. 'War Shadows, I'll need to keep an especially close eye for them.' My mind shifted towards that line of thinking. I almost missed it, but the small slithering sound revealed its presence. A single War Shadow clung to the ceiling of the cavern.

I darted as fast as I could, thrusting towards the shadow before it had a chance to act. The single red eye seemed confused as it tilted its head causing only a miniscule cut along its form.

A quick retaliatory strike glanced off my armor, leaving a couple scratches in the segments. I ignored the pressure of the clawed strike and lashed out with the edge managing to sever the arm of the creature. It was stunned for the briefest of seconds which allowed me a follow up with a slash lopping its head off.

Now that the battle had finished, I could feel the regret of taking its life. But I knew I must move on. Pulling out the knife I kept for digging, with short work I pulled the crystal out as it vanished into a poof of dust. Leaving a single claw behind.

"Oh, lucky find." Bell's voice came from behind. "Those are relatively rare."

"Good to know." I replied placing the claw in a small pouch on my side I used for drop items and placing the crystal in the backpack. It clacked as it fell and assimilated with the rest on the bag.

Looking at a small watch kept in a pocket it revealed it was a little after 2. "Should probably only go for about an hour more if we want to be up before it gets too late."

"... Fair, let's spend half an hour before we start heading back." I could hear the hesitation in his voice.

"Alright…" after a few seconds I continued my thought. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I was just a little disappointed by the time. It's… nice to explore the dungeon with someone else. Now do you want to start using your magic? I have a couple mind potions although I would rather not spend them now." He rambled off and changed the subject quite quickly. But I wasn't going to allow that.

"Yeah, I don't know how it would feel going solo. Not having someone to watch my back, well it's a relief." My mind shifted towards the calculations about my mind and magic potency. "I'll start using magic occasionally then more often as we head up. Truth be told, I am curious how my skill will increase my magic." I felt a little giddy but managed to hold my composure as we continued on floor 6.

.

.

.

I had a throbbing headache by the time we returned to the surface. The overuse of my mind had taken its toll, it wasn't enough for a mind down, but it was close. Looking at a small watch, it revealed it was just a hair past 7. Turning in the magic stone and a couple drop items in exchange for a small pile of Valis.

It was on our way back to our familia home when Bell spoke again, it was the first time since we left the dungeon. "Riveria, I just wanted to say thank you."

"For what?" I could see the outline of the familiar walls up the street.

I could hear the brief hesitation before he replied, "For helping me after I did what I did a few days ago."

My mind flashed to what happened, and more importantly that aftermath. "It was what I thought was right. We're familia members after all." Despite managing to maintain a level tone, I could feel the tips of my ears turning a tinge of red.

He chuckled quickly, "Maybe, but you would be surprised. Ryu wouldn't have done that… and a part of me doubts Goddess would have as well."

We slowed down the pace of our walk, "I think Goddess would have, she seems to care deeply about the members."

"Oh she does, but at the same time she has been burned one too many times by that love. So she would've sat by my side and comforted me. I doubt she would have given me a shoulder to ease onto." He took a deep breath, I could hear the air shifting "So, I thank you again regardless."

I took a second to reply, "I suppose I will accept, but it doesn't feel like enough. When you saved me, you had swooped in like a hero. So I don't think it was enough, I need to get stronger so you won't have to potentially carry another burden like that." With my hearing I heard him stop.

He was looking up towards the sky, towards the stars that had begun revealing their presence. "Hero huh, when was the last time I thought of myself in that light. Or them for that case." He shook his head and looked back towards me who was a few feet ahead. "Let's go, I bet they are starting to get worried."

With that end to the conversation, we walked another minute. We opened the gate then the front door, Goddess Dia stood there in an apron, arms crossed over her chest. "You're late, the food is already starting to get cold." We couldn't help but chuckle, taking off our armor and moving to the table.

.

.

.

It was later that night when I heard a gentle knocking on my door, "Come in." I had been relaxing on my bed reading a book.

Goddess Dia entered and quietly closed the door, before I could say anything Dia spoke, "Bell told me about what you said to him. I wanted to say thank you for that, he… well he really needed to hear it." Her voice was little more than a whisper as she approached as I closed my book.

"Which part? There were a couple things." I had my thoughts, but I kept them to myself.

"The whole thing about being a hero." Dia replied, shifting her hair behind her ear. "To that he had awakened a new skill he already had the potential for, but hearing you must have been the final push."

"Oh, and why tell me this? Normally statuses are kept pretty closed lipped." Though after saying it, I realized it might not be so for familia members.

"Sometimes yes, even in internal members, but not always. I respect if they want to be kept secret or portions kept secret. But most of the time it's open within my familia. Well with the two, sorry three now, it's easy to keep secrets." Dia took a soft breath before continuing, "The skill is called 'Psychi Iroa' or Hero Soul. It's a general skill that enhances aspects of his mind. Like for example being resistant to charmed effects which unfortunately is useful."

With the book I had been reading placed over to the side, I placed a hand on my chin in thought. "So you say 'Resistant' but not immune? So depending on the charm he could still be affected."

"That is correct, though no matter the strength he would be able to break free eventually. It just depends…" I saw her head shifted up towards the sky, belatedly I realized towards the Babel. Not only that but her eyes narrowed slightly. "That's besides the point, I wanted to let you know and to see if you wanted an update on your own status?"

'I need to make sure to ask about this later. But for now…'. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea." My mind was wondering, connecting a small piece of information I heard shortly after I got my blessing. 'You don't want to get to the top, it takes forever.' Bell had said that once to me when I asked him about the tower.

I shifted in my bed so I could raise the back of the shirt I was wearing to reveal my back. Shortly after I felt a warm drop fall onto my back.

…

Name: Roveria Ljos Alf

Race: High-Elf

Age: 74

Strength: H114 - H144 Dexterity: H198 - G239 Agility: F202 - G299 Endurance: H186 - G203 Magic: H193 - F301

Skills:

Dia's Blessing

Fairy Anthem

Magic:

Frost Nova

…

I looked over the sheet but my mind was distracted. "Goddess, what's at the top of Babel?" I asked my question simply, I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer.

I noticed a visible frown form on Dia's face. "Freya, well Goddess Freya watches the city from the throne up high."

Judging from her reaction, she has had a bad history with the goddess. "Who is she?" I knew it was an impertinent question, but I needed to know what goddess knew. "Obviously I had heard of her when I had been looking for Gods and Goddesses to join when I entered the city."

"She is someone who gets what she wants no matter the consequences, whether it be a child from a goddess or a specific and rare item." I noticed her hand shake slightly, but she stood before I could say any more. "Goodnight Riveria, hope you have pleasant dreams. I need to talk to Ryu next before it gets too late."

Without another word, she left my room, closing the door quickly, but quietly. 'I would be willing to place money that Freya had taken a child or two of Goddess Dia.' I shifted my clothes to get more comfortable before laying down, I was too lost in thought to read the book any further.

.

.

.

The morning came too swiftly for comfort, due to the realization with Goddess Freya I hadn't been able to get much sleep. It was a good thing we hadn't planned on going into the dungeon today or my performance would have suffered drastically. Regardless I managed to get out of bed and take a brief shower, after that I felt a bit better.

In the common area, Bell sat with a cup of tea with Dia across from him. I hesitated for a second before pushing through my unease. "Morning. What's the plan today?" Sitting in an open seat I looked between the both of them.

"Well, I was hoping to get some provisions, some more potions and to see the children again. I haven't in a little bit." Bell spoke first, as he seemed to stare at an empty wall.

"Besides the standard things, I would like to accompany Bell today. I need to leave the house." Fia was next to speak. "What are you planning?"

"I hadn't really considered it." There was no point lyying to them, not that I could. "But thinking about it, I should visit Eina and get some more knowledge regarding the dungeon."

"Doesn't sound like a bad idea." Bell responded, he shifted his eyes towards the ground. "Just… be careful yeah." After what I learned, I couldn't blame him for worrying.

"I'll do my best." I gave a very much out of style thumbs up, causing both of them to chuckle. "But regardless I'll be careful. Perhaps after I'm done, I can meet up with you to watch the children?"

I could see Bell visibly relax, "I think that wouldn't be a problem."

We sat and enjoyed the tea for a short period longer, before heading out. Splitting at the main gate as they were heading east and I west. I never noticed anything suspicious as I crossed the border of the guild's doors. I saw Eina sitting looking sorta bored as it was slow, due to the majority of the adventures being inside the dungeon at this point.

So I walked straight towards her, as I reached the counter she looked up and saw who it was, "Lady Riveria! I'm glad you're doing well, how can I help you?"

Her voice was a little louder then I might like but I moved passed that, "I was hoping to learn more today if that was possible." Looking around seeing the empty hall I doubted it would be. There was two others waiting at the counter, and another at the exchange box.

"Of course! Follow me." Her brown hair bobbed as she nodded, leading me towards a back room. "Please wait in here, I'll collect some material."

That material ended up being the information on floor 7 to 10, innumerable facts had been drilled into my already tired mind. I did my best to remember as much as I could, but there was just so much.

It was towards the end of the session, I couldn't help but ask a question, "How far do you think I can get with a rank F score?" I trusted Eina, but I knew the details of my status should be kept a secret.

"If you are talking about alone, I would say no lower than floor 7. But I would hesitate to clear it due to the Killer Ants down there. But if you had help from a certain white haired adventurer, I would say 9 at the deepest." Eina had said that in a teasing manner, but I simply ignored it.

Placing my hand on my chin as I thought it over, "That's good to know. Thank you again Eina."

With a quick bow, "Of course Lady Riveria, is there anything else I can help you with today?"

"I don't think so, but I would prefer it if you dropped the title. I abandoned the Alf forest and my title. I doubt it will be that easy but still." With that I stood and prepared to leave.

"If you want, I can try but won't promise." I heard Eina's voice as I opened the door, I could tell she wanted to ask more but I couldn't deal with that line of questioning right now.

"Thank you." I gave her a soft smile as I turned and left down the guild hall. 'I need to clear this line of thought from my mind.' The memories of my escape had started to take hold. So in response I found a quiet area where I could be alone.

.

.

.

It must have been an hour as I had started to regain a semblance of my mental fortitude back. I realized the sun was past its peak, "Bell is probably starting to get worried." I whispered standing and taking a more detailed look around me.

More civilians have gathered in a small park, it wasn't the one I had run into Bell and the children before. I did notice some small children playing with their parents. This almost hurt more, due to my own lack of that.

But regardless I stood and made my way towards the park I knew Bell would be.

It wasn't a long walk, only a 10 minutes which with my enhanced body thanks to my blessing it was trivial to move and dodge around civilians when the park came into view.

Bell was sitting on one of the swings with 5 children around him, I could see the gentle smile on his face. I ignored the emotions that started to raise as I maneuvered to his side. His eyes flicked up towards me and softened.

"There you are, I was just debating heading over to see if you were still at the guild." As he spoke the children jumped and looked at me with hesitation. "It's alright, she is with me." He spoke and the children immediately started to smile in my direction. "Just remembered, most elves don't like to be touched. So make sure you ask her first."

Speaking as if I wasn't there, taking a deep breath I worked up the willpower to overcome my nature. "Shall we?"

.

.

.

It had been two when I got there, but after interacting and helping Bell to allow the various orphans to enjoy this small piece of freedom, now it was closer to five as the sun was close to cresting the walls of the city. They all knew it was time to stop and head back. With all the children gone, we sat on the bench where we had talked before.

It was Bell who talked first, "Is everything alright? I noticed the slight red tent in your eyes."

"No, not really." I paused, I knew it would probably be better to reveal what was wrong. With a few deep breaths I made my decision. "After the lessons with Eina, I told her that I didn't want her to use my title as I had abandoned it."

I closed my eyes trying to hold the thoughts that echoed in my mind. "That led to unwelcome thoughts and that caused my delay." I was looking to the ground, but towards the sky the purple was just starting to spread across the sky.

There was silence, no civilians around now that the sun had really started to settle for the night. "Riveria, whenever your mind wonders in that direction, I always find company you trust and care for helps. Just remember, Goddess, Ryu and Myself care about you, even if it has been only a short time."

I didn't say anything, I couldn't say anything. All I could do was lean on the support that had been proffered, placing my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes and felt at peace.

.

.

.

It took a little while, but we returned to our familia home, it was lit warmly and dinner had probably already been made and served. I had a shred of guilt remembering the Goddess waiting for us yesterday by the door. But we opened it and no Goddess was standing there waiting. Instead we found Ryu of Goddess Dia eating at the table.

This was surprising, Ryu hadn't eaten at the table once since I joined the familia. "Welcome back, I know you must've had a busy day. So please join us and the food is still warm." Goddess Dia spoke, breaking the atmosphere which I had been thankful for.

"Thank you, sorry for the wait." I responded, truthfully I was ravenous but I held back the urge. Having not eaten anything all day took its toll.

Dinner passed uneventfully, Ryu only had a few bites before excusing herself. Dia, having eaten a bit before we had arrived, didn't eat much, but kept looking at the two of us with a mischievous twinkle in her exposed eye.

"So, you too have been out late twice now, something I should know?" Dia struck the moment I put some food in my mouth.

The sudden question caused me to nearly choke on the food, "Nothing happened Goddess." I managed between a couple coughs. Taking a few drinks I managed to calm the coughing.

The twinkle grew brighter, "Now now Riveria, no need to expunge whatever happened. If you want I would support it."

The implications were obvious, I could feel a blush growing. Looking for Bell for support, I noticed he wasn't there. 'When did he leave?' I managed to take a very deep breath before calming the blush slightly. "Nothing like that happened alright, besides I don't think I would be ready for that sort of relationship."

"But you're not denying that you would if possible?" Dia continued her teasing and prodding.

"I don't know, I…" I stood from the table taking my plate in hand. "I don't know." I said quieter before placing my plate on the counter. "I'll clean them later." I fled from the room.

I didn't head towards her room, instead I headed towards the door exiting the main building I knew better than to leave the relative safety of the walls. So instead I just went around outside to find the grass courtyard.

Finding the small wooden bench and taking a seat. My eyes wandered up towards the sky, star twinkling. Taking a deep breath, I managed to calm my nerves under the cloudless night sky. A simple thought running through my mind. "What is it I want to do? Would such a thing be appropriate or right?" I whispered the thoughts out loud.

Review Responses:

pix25: Thanks!

Vadam: Hopefully the gap between chapters won't be too long.