When young Solaris first arrived in Orario, she was practically glowing with pride and joyful expectation. Gone was the frail and shy street rat. Now she was a representative of the greatness of Rakia and Roma alike, a symbol of their future and hope! So naturally she had to act the part too! With her hands on her hips, she stood in the middle of a park, chest puffed out as the radiant sun shined down on her.
"Hear me, y'all! Solaris Crozzo is here and is about to teach all of you what Rakia has to offer! I will accept any Familia!"
However, her expectations were soon dashed. The moment she mentioned the name of her home country, no expressions of awe or want were directed at her. Only…ridicule and even scoffs. As if her home was the enemy. As if her home was a joke. It only served to replaced her joy with rage. Her aggression increased as she began to knock on peoples' doors, demanding to get into their Familia, for she needed access to the dungeon. Yet days passed and she winced as she rubbed her face, a Familia once again rejecting her in a most violent manner after she tried to burn their building down. She spat to the side, eyes narrowing as she hugged her legs in a dark corner as rain began to drop down on her.
It was then that she met her. With an umbrella over her head, Solaris glanced up at the petite goddess, smiling gently at her.
"This isn't a good place to have a nap." The twintailed deity tilted her head, giggling a bit. "Want to get some hot potatoes? My treat."
Solaris at this point was wary. What was the play here? Another joke at her expense, her dreams? But her rumbling stomach pushed her to not give a damn at this point. With a sigh, she followed her, the one called Hestia. She merely wanted to grab a bite and then leave. Leave somewhere that wasn't the rotten place called Orario.
At least that was her plan until she was sitting on a warm couch, with the food filling her stomach. Solaris didn't know what pushed her so, to open her heart as she let out a sniff, head lowered.
"Why does nobody want me…"
She was the pride of Rakia. The future hope for all conquests. And yet…it was as if nothing changed. As if she was still that pathetic useless thing on the streets that nobody wanted. She was strong now, skilled, and yet…
"Now that's not true."
"Huh?"
Hestia looked at Solaris with warm eyes. They reminded her of Welf. Of her adopted grandfather, when they humored her with a good heart, no matter how silly she was being. Solaris choked as the goddess put her hand on her chest before uttering the fateful words.
"I don't really have much to offer but…How about becoming my first child, hm?"
"...Why me?" Solaris whispered, weariness of the past few days showing itself. In that moment, she could've sworn Hestia used her divinity, for there was no way that a normal person could make someone feel so at ease, despite only meeting them for the first time.
"Because I think I'd have a nice home with an energetic girl with you around." Almost sheepishly, she scratched her right cheek. "Also…well, I can't just turn a blind eye to someone having a hard time like this, haha…"
The ego in her heart demanded that Solaris deserved more. To be one of the top Familia right off the bat, like Freya, Ganesha or Loki. But at this moment…she didn't care for any of that. The fame, the prestige, the martial skill.
All she felt was gratitude that there was someone that wanted her outside her home country. Thus, her arms wrapped around the divine, hugging her tightly like a child hugging their long lost mother.
"D'aww…there there."
"I'm not crying!"
Thus, the captain of the Hestia Familia was born within the Stardust Garden.
/
It might come to a surprise for people who have heard or read about Bell's adventurers, but he was someone who did not have much experience riding horses. Or any at all, to be honest. Thus, as much as it hurt his pride, he was clutching to Solaris a bit tighter than veteran riders would. At least she didn't say anything, same with Aiz, who decided to wrap her arms around his hips and…pressing herself against him. With the motions of the horse pushing her back and forth, up and down.
Yes, the ride was stressful in more ways than one, not just to his lower body, Bell decided with a flushed face. He needed to distract himself, now! Clearing his throat, he forced out a laugh, gaining their attention as they rode across the fields outside of Orario.
"I feel kind of bad for those people…"
Solaris' perpetual glare at the horizon softened a bit as she winced. Scratched the back of her head with her left hand, causing Bell and Aiz to tense up a bit at the recklessness of doing so while going full speed with a horse.
"Yeah, maybe I should've been a bit nicer about it." She shrugged before urging the horse to speed up. "Eh, I can just pay them after this!"
"Is money enough for getting punched in the face?" Aiz asked, remembering that scene, as did Bell. Not that there was much to remember. The moment Solaris processed the kidnapping letter and figured out where they took Welf, without anyone noticing somehow, she rushed to the nearest horse stall, kicked the owner in the face, and proceeded to take what was apparently their best horse. Then they crashed through one of Orario's entrances and the rest was history.
If Solaris had any shame or guilt for her actions, she certainly didn't show it as she let out a boisterous laugh.
"Sometimes it is!"
"I didn't know you knew how to ride a horse," Aiz muttered, adjusting herself. Bell tried very much not to squeal as he gulped.
"I didn't know horses could handle three people!"
"You wanna bet on horses, you gotta know how to ride them!" She glanced back at them. "As for the second, some horses have to carry some big guys! People like the King in theory! 'sides, it's not like you two weigh much for obvious reasons!"
Her two travel companions frowned as one at that jab.
"Hey!"
He wasn't that light, right?! His muscles were weighing something, right?!
"...I could be going faster than this," the Wind Princess muttered with a small pout. Solaris' smirk fell as she rolled her shoulders a bit, looking back straight to the front.
"Save your energy for the worst case scenario."
"Err, what is the worst case scenario?" Bell asked, feeling a foreboding pressure build up in his spine. Unfortunately, his fears were proven correct as Solaris let out a heavy, long breath.
"Lord Quirinus sanctioned this and is giving his full support." She licked her lips before smacking them. She glanced back at Aiz, who narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. Solaris chuckled a bit at the aura the Wind Princess radiated. "Soooo yeah, hope you're in the mood to fight one of the strongest men in the world. Maybe."
"I'm prepared." Aiz nodded once. "I have listened to the story of Finn and Riveria at least a hundred times. I won't be going in blind."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Then, at the distance, they started to spot buildings, out of place with the lands around them. Tugging at the reins, Solaris made the horse come to a stop. "Hoo!"
Jumping down from the horse and securing it to a nearby tree, the three tried to make out details of the small village ahead. Yet not even Aiz could tell any details. The only suspicious thing about this area was the lack of monsters. While the surface world was rather safe and free from monsters, that was only relative to the dungeon. Beasts still roamed free and could destroy the homes of people, so not spotting even a single one was a bit concerning. Not only that, but Aiz grimaced for some reason, as if she felt something foul in the air. Bell and Solaris only felt a weird pressure, so they gave her a worried look. She waved them off, but her grip tightened around Desperate. With that, Bell tried to flex his legs a bit, to get the stiffness out as much as he could, but then Solaris put a hand on his shoulder.
"Alright, you stay here."
"What?!" Bell shouted, unable to keep his outrage back. Solaris however remained resolute, shaking her head with a frown.
"You aren't at a hundred percent. I'm not risking that. Honestly, I just brought you out with me on an impulse, so that's on me." She grinned at him, patting his shoulder a few times before winking at him. "Worst comes to worst, you ride back and get help. Got it?"
He wanted to deny those words. Wanted to prove he was able to keep up with ease. Push forward like he always did. And yet…his feet remained rooted in place. Because Bell knew that he would just be baggage. Solaris didn't waste all her time trying to get him up to speed in terms of planning ahead. With a lowered head, he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
"I… Just be careful."
Solaris smirked at that before pointing with her thumb over her shoulder.
"It'll be alright. I got the Wind Princess with me after all."
/
Unlike Aiz, Solaris kept her weapons hooked on the back of her waist. Nevertheless, she was just as vigilant as they kept a slow and steady pace approaching the village. With each step, Solaris felt a heavier and heavier weight on her back, as if the heaviness of Rakia itself was pushing her down. She wiped her brow from sweat, only to have more appear, causing her to click her tongue in irritation. Damn it, this wasn't like her at all…Maybe she should've brought Bell along after all, if just as moral support. She glanced at the Wind Princess. She certainly was reliable, but that was in terms of martial strength. As a social support…
Well, not like she had any alternatives at this point. Clearing her throat, she forced a casual smile on her face, rolling her shoulders a bit.
"...Soooo…Nice weather we're having."
She cringed the moment the words left her mouth and cringed even more when Aiz slowly turned her head at her. A blink. Another one. Solaris felt her face grow heated. To her surprise however, Aiz did not decide to just ignore her like previous times. Instead, she slightly lowered her head as she bit her lip.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Solaris asked, a bit dumbfounded as she tilted her head. Aiz took a deep breath before looking her straight in the eyes.
"For back then. My words were…harsh. I'm sorry."
Solaris flinched, stiffening up as she remembered that day. Hearing about the Sword Princess back then, who wouldn't honestly, and hearing about her chant specifically.
Awaken, Tempest. The wind, stronger than most magic. The similarities were hard to miss, so Solaris tried her hardest to get into contact with her. Which was actually rather easy all things considered. Turned out having a connection to Astraea Familia opened up a lot of doors, who would've thought? However, their first meeting was not the fulfillment of her heartfelt desire as she thought it would be. She didn't get any answers of who she truly was. All she got was…
A look of disappointment. Her wide eyes returning to their emotionless state, followed by a sigh.
"You aren't like me."
Suffice to say, that day hurt a lot. Broken hopes and dreams do be like that. Thinking back on it, it still ached in her chest, but Solaris was a grown up at this point. So scratching the back of her head, she shrugged, smirking ever so slightly.
"Eh. Don't sweat it. I realize now that you're just kinda dumb, not malicious."
Indeed, what many believed was a cool personality was Aiz Wallenstein just having a good pokerface to hide her ineptitude in social skills. She blinked as she processed Solaris' words before pouting a bit.
"...That's mean."
"And with that we're even."
"Fair enough…"
Still, now that they mentioned the topic, the two had a pondering expression on their faces. What was their difference? Their elements were far stronger than most, so some sort of connection had to be there, especially due to their similar chants. But…
"I genuinely wanted you to have all the answers. Where my powers came from." Solaris shook her head, sighing. "But…I guess it wasn't to be so. I feel we have the same sort of 'root' but it's not exactly the same either."
"Hm." Aiz licked her lips as she tightened her grip on her sword. "...It would've been…nice. If we had such a connection. Many don't understand how I…work. So…when you came to me… I was really happy. And…I think we do share some similarities. I…" Aiz blushed, almost shyly as she looked away. "Can we…be friends?"
Solaris couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that. Then she let out a chuckle, shaking her head before snapping her fingers at Aiz.
"You really are dumb, huh? Of course we can be friends." Ignoring her cute pout once more, Solaris let out a laugh. "After all, you get along with Ryuu and Bell. Friends of friends are just more friends."
"Thank you." Aiz smiled softly. "Bell is lucky to have you."
"More like the other way around…" Solaris muttered, before narrowing her eyes. Just outside the village, they had a clear view at the center. For some reason, a massive unlit bonfire was set up. Maybe some sort of festival preparation by the locals? Either way, it was quickly dismissed as she laid her eyes on the all too familiar armor worn by many, as well as the individual kneeling with his arms bound by a rope. Solaris exhaled as she nodded at her brother, who glared at her, as if she was the dumbass. Which was stupid, cause, who was the kidnapped one here? Rolling her shoulders, she glanced at Aiz after noticing the nervousness radiating from the soldiers of spotting them.
"Stay behind."
Aiz frowned at those words.
"That wasn't part of the plan."
"I altered the plan. If they wanted a fight, they would've showed it already." Solaris waved her hand dismissively. "It's a Rakia matter anyway. Just jump in if it looks like they want to throw hands."
The Wind Princess hummed before slowly nodding.
"Be careful."
"No worries, I got this," Solaris said, waving her hand casually before striding forward. She had no idea what she was feeling at the soldiers in front of her, the elite of the elite. But her eyes weren't focusing on them. Instead, they moved to a certain red head, laughing with full joy. It warmed her heart in a way, yet also filled it with dread.
"Ah, the wondrous daughter has returned to her family!" Clapping his hands, Vil Crozzo's gaze was filled with fatherly love as he practically ran up to her and wrapped her in a tight hug. "I knew you were a smart one! You truly were destined to be one of the Crozzo!"
That old man always gave her preferential treatment. In the past, she would preen under all that attention, that love, but now it just felt hollow. She glanced at Welf with a wry smile, who couldn't help but let out a snort himself. Separating from Vil, she crossed her arms before she motioned her head at her brother.
"Looks like Welf's all dandy."
Vil grimaced before letting out a scoff.
"Oh, yes, that unruly talent. Not to worry, we wouldn't hurt our second genius of the generation."
"Y'know, kidnapping is not exactly a great sign."
At her flat tone, her father frowned at her before raising his fist against his chest.
"A necessary act! As always, your brother is in his rebellious phase! But you, you are the one who knows the value of patriotism, of ROMA!"
"ROMA!"
Solaris bit her lip, resisting the urge to shout the word herself. Instead, she steadied herself before she pressed her lips together.
"What is this all about? Why now?" She asked quietly. Her father, for once, nodded at her, just as somber.
"Evilus."
She tensed up at his words.
"The time is now. Orario is in chaos. The world is changing." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Rakia needs you, both of you, to become the foundation of the nation. You have been sharpened and forged in the dungeon. I can see the radiance you exude. Now is the time to offer it up to your home, that which gave you everything."
Right. Orario wasn't the only place dealing with Evilus. They had their grubby hands everywhere. Altena was one that came to mind, given Bell's adventurers. She didn't doubt the ability of Rakia to handle it…but if she could help…help the place that let her grow…shouldn't she…?
"Here I was wondering what this was all about…What a load of bullshit."
Startled by the harsh words, everyone turned towards the kidnapped man, spitting to the side with a glare directed at his father, who bristled up at the defiance.
"Welf, you-"
"Look, I get it, you really love your country. And not to toot my own horn, but my works are pretty good for my level." Welf narrowed his eyes. "But this isn't about Rakia. This is about you, as always, you old fart."
"You dare?!"
Jumping up to his feet, Welf snarled back without hesitation.
"Yes! I dare! I dare because you dare to try and take my own freedom from me! Rakia? Roma? Yes, I'm thankful to Lord Quirinus and everyone else…but I am not their damn property! I am not just some loan you can take back, given out to Orario!" He stomped the ground in demonstration. "I went to Orario on my own volition. For my own dreams and hopes. You say Orario is in chaos?! Well, no shit! That's more reason to stick around!"
"I'm gonna reach the top and beyond in the Hephaestus Familia, something you people can't give me." His eyes glowed with the raging fire of ambition as he showed his teeth."'sides, better gear won't make Rakia into the number one anyway. That's what Lord Quirinus exists for, right?"
"You little…!" Veins were about to burst out of his skin when he turned to the sister of the duo. "Solaris! Talk some sense into him!"
Yet she said nothing, her eyes wide. Each word that Welf uttered burned with a pure flame of determination, piercing through the fog that settled around Solaris' heart and soul.
Yes, she felt loyalty to Rakia. Maybe to an unhealthy degree. But how could one expect otherwise? She was an orphan. One without a name, living in the dregs of the streets. So the moment a hand was offered, she latched onto it. The reason she identified with Rakia was because it was all she had. It was her pride. Her reason to live.
But…that wasn't the case anymore, was it?
"Keep those until we come back."
The seniors that guided her in her early days. The goddess that always waited for her with a warm meal. Her comrades, her brothers and sister in arms, fighting alongside her as they descended the dungeons. The trials and tribulations they went through.
Solaris couldn't help but let out a snort, her eyes glistening just a bit.
It was so simple, wasn't it? Now she felt kind of stupid.
"Solaris?"
"Sorry." She smiled wryly at the dashed hopes in her father's face. "You're asking me to leave behind my Familia. Leave behind everything I've worked up so far."
She put a hand on her chest.
"I love Rakia. I love what you have given me, a worthless street rat." Her hand formed a fist. "But I love my home more. And my home is where Lady Hestia and everyone else is."
Vil was at a loss for words, stammering but unable to let out a noise. Meanwhile Solaris looked at the clear, blue sky, the warm sun shining down on her.
"I've evolved. Grown beyond Rakia." She bowed her head, at Vil and then the soldiers. "I will always feel grateful to you. All of you, for giving me, who had nothing, an identity. The Daughter of Flames, the Fire of Roma."
She straightened up her back, pointing a thumb at herself. "
But…well, I got a new title I'm hella proud of. "Captain of the Hestia Familia. Sorry, but that place is a bit more homey than on your side."
She shook her head as she reached for her chains, unveiling them. The soldiers tensed up around her as she began to whirl her weapon, as her eyes narrowed.
"You're asking me to become their enemy, for they would never leave Orario themselves. And y'know what?" Her voice became a growl. "I already betrayed them once. Never fucking again."
"Solaris…"
"GAH!" She almost dropped her chains when she spun around, her eyes wide when she looked straight at her vice captain. "Shit, how much did you hear, Bell?!"
"That was…" He wiped his eye, sniffing. Since when was he here?! She shot a look at Aiz, who right next to him. She had the audacity to shrug with a blank face as if this wasn't her responsibility whatsoever. Solaris heaved, her face turning bright red. He really heard everything!
"Forget all of it! Forget it for the sake of my street cred!" She shouted, shaking Bell, yet he kept a warm smile on his face, his heart touched, which only fueled the inferno in Solaris' face.
"Pfffhahahahahahahaha!"
As Welf almost doubled over, Vil was hyperventilating at this point, his rage reaching its limit.
"You…you…you two…! You are Crozzo! You are our legacy, our hope! Why won't you return and bring glory to our ancestors?!"
"Sounds like a you problem, old fart."
"Maybe just get good yourself."
"Strong words, children of flames and steel!"
Welf's and Solaris' amusement died instantly at the boisterous voice. Bell tensed up himself, while Aiz immediately pushed him and Solaris back, sword's tip pointed at the front.
"Oh fuck…!"
"Stay behind me."
Radiant golden armor covering tanned skin. A blue mane fluttering in the wind. Each step the weight of civilization itself, as the area was filled with the heavy weight of a hero's mere presence.
"Alas, you have come all this way here, with your own allies and friends." Romulus Quirinus, the Legiones, crossed his arms with a wide smile. "It would be impolite to just send you off like this!"