Hello everybody, I'm back on with another chapter release of Emerald Promise. Honestly, I felt a little down after releasing the last chapter but here is another one. Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think. -EG

P.S. Also, I noticed a couple questions about why Riveria's age changes between updates. That was a mistake on my side for when I was originally typing this story out. My notes on the stats for the various characters where I note down the changes had that mistake.

Chapter 7 Downtime

"Right." I tried to break the silence that had fallen between Eina and myself. Looking around for the 10th time, "This really is a nice apartment."

"It took some effort to procure, but it was worth it. I even have room for when my family visits." Eina spoke softly after taking a sip of the tea she had prepared.

Deciding to get right to the point, "I know you have some questions, feel free to ask away. But I cannot promise to be able to answer everything."

Eina looked at me for a few seconds, her emerald eyes almost the same shade as my own. "Right, Riveria, why did you end up leaving the Alf home forest?"

I couldn't help but sigh, "I couldn't stand living there any longer then I already had. It…." Pausing just for a second, I found the right word almost immediately. "was suffocating to say the least."

I felt like I should add more, but I didn't. "Do you think it will be alright when your presence in the city becomes common knowledge? For now at least, people don't know who you are." She asked, I knew she didn't mean bad by asking.

"It's hard to say, sure an Alf living as an adventurer would not be appropriate. But when that does become public, I do expect at least some backlash. I doubt it will be too much to handle." I responded quickly, truth be told I didn't have a clear idea of what to expect.

"There is that, but almost every more powerful god and goddess will try to get you to convert to the relatively weak Dia Familia. Some will be much more forceful. I have little doubt about it." Her glasses reflected the light as she gently placed them back into place.

"I… I already know to expect that at any moment." Leaning deeply into the curved sofa I had sat on.

"What do you mean, it's almost as if you have already been pressured." Was that a bit of worry in her voice?

"I have heard things from the goddess and Bell. Sorry I cannot say anything else." I noticed the slight change in expression.

"I see…" Was that enough to let her know? I know Bell said she was sharp, but still. "Bell had told me some of the events that had happened before he knew that he shouldn't."

'Ah, alright that would explain it.' I thought, debating on how to bridge to another subject.

I couldn't help but sigh. "Did you always sigh a lot?" A simple question that brought me back to the conversation.

"A lot huh.. but no at least not as much." A second passed before I thought to ask a question I should have asked before. "How is Aina doing? I haven't heard from her in a while. I guess around the time she found your father."

"She is alright, cannot really visit the city too often. She says the air makes her feel sick." She tapped her cheek for a second in thought before her face lit up. "Oh and she is expecting to have another child. I received word about a week ago. She wants to visit before it becomes impossible."

I couldn't help it, I smiled gently. "I see that is good to hear. She deserves to have a happy family." A twinge of loneliness leaked out despite my effort not to.

"Are you alright, you almost sound sad about it." I jolted at her words, quickly thinking of an excuse but couldn't find an acceptable one.

I sighed again, "It just I doubt I could have a truly happy family. I know eventually I will probably have to return home and that removes that possibility." I did my best to skirt around the subject instead of making an excuse.

The way Eina looked at me made me think she knew more than she let on."Well who knows what the future holds. Regardless I was planning on letting you know regardless but mother will be coming here in two weeks."

"That's great news, I hope to be able to see her again. It's been… too long." I could feel the longing linger in the final words.

A moment of silence seemed to pass between us,"Riveria I gotta know. How did you manage to get past the royal military of the Alf Family? I doubt they would've let you leave peacefully."

I did my best to not let the pain show on my face, "I… I won't go into too much detail, but I will say it was thanks to three factors. First, an element of surprise due to my father not thinking I would actually depart. Second, a decent amount of luck."

I took a deep breath and leaned forward to prepare to remember even if only slightly. "Lastly…. an unfortunate amount of Elven Blood." I unconsciously was scratching the back of my hand, the rougher hands of an adventurer, who got their hands dirty constantly, dug grooves. Soon I noticed the slight pain from the friction and forced myself to stop.

Fortunately I had been leaning forward and my hands had been hidden by the small table between us.

Silence passed, I couldn't stand it. "Well regardless, here I am and I plan to make the best of the situation I found myself in."

Looking up at a clock that had been hung up, it was a simple piece with a rough leaf shape, it said it was 10:53. "Wow, time has passed quickly." I stood in an attempt to break the atmosphere that had been created.

"Riveria… why don't you stay the night here, I know you're an adventurer and could probably protect yourself but it would be safer." I knew it was the truth but even so I really didn't want to, I wanted to avoid being asked more questions at the moment. I could feel the warm splotch on the back of my hand, I needed to purge it.

But I couldn't refuse, it was the child of my best friend from ages long past. I gripped the back of my hand behind my back, "If you wouldn't mind, my Goddess did say that as well."

I saw a genuine smile spread across her face, "Great! Here let me show you to the spare room, and to the bathroom. You can clean yourself up if you wish to."

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It was early morning, I actually heard birds beginning to chirp. A sound I didn't realize I missed, it felt nostalgic. From a time before I really started to be shut inside to be taught the proper manners and form befitting of my title. Sitting up and looking around, it took me a moment to remember I was in a spare bedroom. At a glance it was similar enough to what was once my home.

I shifted the memories to the background and grabbed my clothes that had been placed on a small chair. Changing from the borrowed nightwear was quick. All the while I could faintly hear the birds.

Quietly moving down the stairs proved that Eina had not awakened yet. Her guild jacket was still hanging next to the door, as well as her shoes. "Let me try to thank her for letting me stay here for the night."

I moved towards the kitchen, it was bare without anything that wasn't needed. I ignored it and opened what I assumed to be a fridge.

It was nearly empty, "hmm," well regardless it had what I wanted. Thanks to my heightened hearing I could hear the shifting from above me. "Looks like she's awake."

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Then minutes had passed as I cooked, the smell had begun to waft around the apartment. As Eina appeared moving towards the main room, I placed a plate with an omelet for each of us. "You shouldn't have, I would've." she complained.

"Consider it my way of thanking you for letting me stay the night." I could feel the gentle smile on my face, "Plus, if it makes you feel better about it. I am starting to get used to cooking for others. At least twice a week I cook for everyone." It was a simple meal, but I was secretly satisfied with myself. 'It wasn't dry this time, Success!' I mentally cheered.

"Well, thank you. Please excuse me." She had begun to eat politely.

It only took another minute before we both had finished. "Let me take your plate, I'll take care of cleaning them since you cooked." Eina stood and took the plates to the sink before speaking from around the corner. "I am gonna have to leave soon, I usually start pretty early at the guild."

The sound of water trickled through as did a light scrubbing. "Alright, if that's the case I should probably make my exit then. I need to get a new weapon and let my familia know I'm all right." I stood and the oaken chair shifted back a step.

"Thank you again, Riveria. It was… nice to be able to talk." Eina was standing around the corner with a soft smile across her face.

'Hmm,' I gave a small one myself. "And thank you for letting me stay. Let me know when your mother arrives. Let's talk again soon." I quickly made my escape.

With that done, I couldn't help but let my mind wander through the cloud of thoughts. 'She was forcing that smile.' I thought as I turned onto one of the many main roads. It would take a few dozen minutes to get back home, but I wasn't in a major hurry.

Again I shifted to thinking about what needed to be done today. 'A new weapon… What should I get? As much as I find the rapier handy for their quick strikes. I think I would prefer an edged weapon. Do they make rapiers with an actual edge? Probably…' I felt it, for only a second. A set of eyes on me just long enough for my mind to snap from the weapon idea.

I quickly twirled around as if enamored by the stone buildings and glanced towards in the direction I felt the eyes. 'Nothing? No more likely I gave some sort of tail that let them know I had noticed. I need to do better.' Regardless, I couldn't see anything at the moment.

'Which meant two possibilities, first they are stronger than me and skilled at hiding, but let their guard down while watching me. Second, it could've been on purpose to send a message." I finished my twirl as my emerald green hair flared around me, as I continued but at a slightly quicker pace

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As it turns out nothing else happened, the walls of the familia home came into view. With a quick motion I managed to make my way inside, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. 'Right goddess Dia first.' It was quiet, well to be fair it was always quiet.

I knocked on her office door… no response, 'Alright.' I knocked again to the same response, I shifted the door open slightly and it was empty.

'Not too surprising. She is normally on here when there is important business or if she is updating a status. I'll check the kitchen then the library.' I thought, I turned and make my way towards the kitchen, but it was empty.

'Library next.' I moved and quietly opened the door. It took a minute, but eventually I did find her in the back corner and a book half closed on her lap and her revealed eye closed with a soft snore sound coming from her. She wasn't alone, Ryu was sitting next to her on the opposite side of the table.

She noticed my approach and put a single finger up towards her lips in a silent symbol for quiet. Then she stood and gestured for me to follow. I won't lie, the goddess looked adorable sleeping like that. But I shook my head slightly and followed Ryu out the only entrance.

Once we were a few feet away from the door Ryu spoke first. "I heard that you were visiting somebody yesterday. I just want to remind you to be careful."

"Of course, she was a member of the guild so I don't need to worry about that. Also I took Goddess's advice and didn't say almost anything. Despite her already seeming to know more than she should." I took a breath, I couldn't help but feel like I was being interrogated for visiting a friend's daughter. "Though to be fair, on my way back here I did feel like someone was watching me. Well more than normal."

I noticed Ryu had been shaking slightly, she started to nibble on her thumb nail. "Right, I'm glad you noticed. What are your plans for today? I know Bell should be back in soon."

'Bell…' my mind repeated the name. "Right, well I was planning on getting a new weapon. The one I had snapped against a killer ants carapace." Placing my hand on my chin for a second. "Also, I did get a chunk of carapace that didn't turn to dust when I grabbed the stone. Besides that, probably head into the dungeon if it doesn't take too long." I was hoping Ryu might give me some sort of idea what to do with it. 'If not I'll just exchange it next time I'm at the guild.' My mind made its decision.

"Hmmm, interesting. Well you can probably get the piece made into the new weapon but I doubt it would be good. It'll be too rigid for the spine of the weapon. But maybe if it's only the edge? Well regardless I'm not a smith, did Bell ever take you to talk to a smith directly?" The sudden onslaught of rambling surprised me.

I couldn't help but sigh, "No, we were planning on it but things never seemed to align to give us enough time."

"That's a shame, well for now I would advise just getting a new one in one of the cheaper shops. If you can find a weapon worth around 20 thousand it should work until the middle floors if taken care of." She seemed to think for a moment, "I'll go with you. It shouldn't last too long. Give me a minute to prepare."

Before I could respond, Ryu had walked away and went back into the library. I gave another sigh before retreating to my room and grabbing the coin pouch I kept safe there. I also put my armor on, and grabbed the small bag I normally would carry.

By the time I had finished preparing, about 10 minutes had passed. Making my way towards the front door I noticed Ryu wasn't there. 'Hmm,' after only a minute longer the elf came down the hall as well. She didn't change what she was wearing but instead equipped herself with a very short sword not much longer than 2 feet.

She only nodded before we made our way out the door. "I left a message for our Goddess, she was still asleep. But she needs all that she can get."

That seemed reasonable, "Right, understandable." With that said we made our way towards babel, it was a comfortable silence between us. There was no point in trying to force a conversation.

"Have you been able to use Concurrent Casting?" Ryu questioned, blunt and straight to the point.

"Sorta, but not very effectively. It's difficult when it feels like my mind is tearing itself apart when I try." I winced when I had done so while fighting the Killer Ants.

Ryu actually chuckled slightly, "I remember that as well, but over the course of a few months it became almost second nature." She was staring up towards the sky almost wistfully. "I can try to give you some more practice if you want to train again. It would be easier to practice if you had more than one offensive spell. But we can work around it if you want."

I stood there silently for a second, "Of course, I would enjoy that I think." We were only a few hundred feet away from the gleaming tower. "I do wish I had a supportive magic as well, perhaps eventually."

With that said we rapidly returned to silence, entering the tower propper. The elevator waited for anyone's use to our left. With a quick motion the doors opened.

"How much money do you have for a new weapon?" Ryu asked as we waited, slowly moving upwards towards some of the lower floors.

"Hmm, about 16k." A honest reply.

She nodded, "How is your armor holding up? I noticed a few scratches in the leather."

"So far so good, the only reason I got injured last time was due to them attacking my legs which are slightly less protected. Other than that mostly a few bruises and an occasional mark." Ryu nodded in understanding.

The seventh floor door opened showing a massive Hephaestus shop. Everything was up a small percentage compared to one on floor 8.

It took a few minutes of searching before we found the type of weapon I was looking for. A type of straight saber known as a Backsword. Still extremely light, but almost twice the weight of the rapier I had been using.

A plain hilt design, with a single striking edge, gives me more options compared to a rapier. Plus the extra width of the blade would make it more durable.

I raised it showing it to Ryu to get her opinion, after a few practice swings she nodded. "Well balanced, and for the price not a bad deal. Just have to be careful with how rough you cut through the ant's armor."

With her approving opinion, I grabbed it and the sheath, which was an extra 1k, and brought it up to the counter.

"With the sheath the total will be 16,750 valis." The shopkeeper stated. He was a dwarf with a rusty brown colored beard.

'Darn just more than what I have.' I sighed, "How much without the sheath?"

He rubbed his chin for a second, "I'd prefer not to sell a blade without one, but it would be 15,680."

I agreed with his assessment, "I agree, but unfortunately it is necessary. I'll come back for a sheath tomorrow." I handed over the amount.

"Right, just be extremely careful with it until then." He placed the sheath behind the counter and gave a small piece of paper proving purchase.

I noticed that Ryu had seemed distracted, still looking at a section of weapons. I approached, noticing that it was a smaller blade, a straight single edged blade of sorts, I noticed that it was called a Kodachi.

"Everything alright?" I asked softly.

Ryu jolted surprised, "Yes sorry just remembering, you all finished?" She asked, noticing the naked blade in hands.

"Yes, all done for now." She nodded and looked towards the door leading to the elevator.

"Just wait by the door for a minute, I need to pick a couple things up here. Sorry, I got… distracted." The wistful look Ryu still had in her eyes as she spoke to me made me think that she wasn't entirely speaking to me. But regardless I decided it was best to listen for now at least.

I stood by the door for probably ten minutes before Ryu approached holding a bag of things. "Right, sorry for the wait, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, judging by the time I doubt I will be heading to the dungeon regardless." I glanced out the window that revealed the light of the sun. It was already around noon. 'I doubt I could get through much of the dungeon with the remainder of the day. It's probably a good thing honestly, best to get a good grasp of the weapon in relative safety.'

Ryu nodded at that, "I believe that would be wise, when we get back perhaps I could help you train after I check on Goddess."

She said it in a flat tone, but I noticed her left ear twitch slightly. "Sure, I think that would be nice." I managed to give my response with a smile.

"Very well, let's be off." I noticed a relieved smile on Ryu as she turned toward the elevator.

'Was she worried I would say no after what happened a few days ago?' I didn't ask what was on my mind.

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I stared at the elf known as Ryu, she was standing on the opposite side of the 10ft by 10ft grass patch that was commonly used as the training yard. I took a deep breath and charged, the wooden practice blade sang through the air only to be avoided with a slight tilt of her lean body.

I twisted narrowly avoiding a retaliatory strike of a similarly wooden practice sword. I felt a dull pain in the back of my main leg that was used to balance, I immediately collapsed to the ground. I looked up to the elf that held her short sword straight towards me. "Alright Reset." Ryu said softly, allowing me to pick myself up.

I noticed Goddess Dia scribbling something on a page, she had been watching us for the last 2 hours. She gave a little thumbs-up in encouragement and started the count again.

The moment her voice said begin, I started my chant; "I call upon the" Ryu wasn't planning on letting my chant. So I did the best I could to avoid her by moving further away, the moment I thought this and took the first step I could feel my mind straining not to split. I focused my mind and took several more steps. It wasn't enough Ryu moved to my side taking a swing, I could see it coming but my mind was already struggling and she was swinging much faster than the speed of the killer ants before.

Fortunately, I had been planning on using only the minimum amount for the spell. It exploded and I struck with the blade causing the world to go black.

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I could feel the shadows over my face, the soft pillow that sat under my head. But I was groggy and disoriented, deep in my head a small voice was telling me not to move but to rest for a few more minutes.

I obliged, trying to get the grogginess to fade so I could relax. It took a minute but I managed to fall asleep again.

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My eyes shot open, the face of Ryu looked down towards me, "Looks like you're awake," she voiced quietly.

I noticed that I was laying under the tree and my head had been resting on her lap. I couldn't help it, but my ears started to burn slightly.

I sat up with more than a little effort, and looked around quickly. I noticed Goddess was giggling slightly in the distance standing on the step to the main building. She already had a small tray with three cups on it making her way towards us.

"How are you feeling?" Ryu spoke, she was probably trying to ease my embarrassment. I appreciated it.

"Not great, but somewhat rested. My head feels like it was in a vice. Probably from the small explosion." I replied, leaning back towards the tree.

"That is the bane of every person who has magic, if you lose focus on the magic that generally happens." She replied, shifting her head towards the Goddess who was only a couple feet away.

"Well here, I believe you need something to drink." Goddess Dia spoke up as she crossed the last foot into the shade of the tree. Handing both of us a cup of tea and taking her own.

We all just sat there for a minute enjoying the tea, but eventually my nerves began to tingle with frustration at myself. "How do I make sure that doesn't happen again? It's extremely counter productive."

Goddess and Ryu shared a look before the elf spoke, "Calm down, I understand how frustrating it can be. It took me a while before I was able to concurrent chant without much difficulty."

She rubbed at her temples as remembering the phantom pain. "It took me several accidents before I could manage at all. You had said something about killer ants when we had been walking."

"Right, I barely managed to hold onto the magic but they moved slower than your attack, which allowed for me to regain focus. It still felt like my mind was splitting in three different directions but it was manageable if I had an opportunity." I rubbed at my thigh remembering the pain of the mandible piercing through to my leg.

"Right, regardless if you want to be able to reliably cast your magic, you need to practice. The deeper you go the less likely you'll be able to cast without it. Well not without people to help you." I noticed something in Ryu's expression that sank into depression.

"Right!" I spoke without a plan trying to break the line of thought she was beginning. "Well let us continue," I looked up towards the sky looking for the sun. "We still have a couple hours before it starts to get dark."

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The moon shone brightly over the Dia familia home, but I wasn't able to sleep. The moon was a bright white, it reminded me of the other members of our familia. "How long are you going to be gone?" I softly whispered.

I wanted to see his bright smile again, but I could only sigh. "I need to try to sleep, even if its impossible. Tomorrow will be another day of dungeon delving." I spoke somewhat more loudly trying to convince myself but I knew I wasn't going to.

I stood getting out of the chair that was next to the window, crossing the room I collapsed onto the bed. It seemed so soft, almost like a light cloud, I tried to snuggle deeper into the blanket and pillow but it couldn't chase away most of the cold that grabbed at my body nor comfort the piercing headache.

"I'm glad for the falna, if I didn't have it I would certainly have deep bags under my eyes." I chuckled quietly trying and failing to distract myself, but I failed eventually I managed to keep my eyes closed. But sleep would not find me for several hours until I couldn't withstand staying up any later.

JoyBoy One: There are reasons for such things, When having in the mists of a panic attack and being surprised things can happen.

Majin Othinus: Look at the start of the chapter.

pix25: Thanks, questions are always fun to speculate about.