Hello everyone

Yes, I am still alive and trying to figure out a way to write these chapters. To be honest, it is getting challenging, not from the creative aspect, but the timing aspect. There has been so many changes to my schedule that I sometimes wonder what day or time I am. Just bare with me until this season is over and it will stabilize….I hope.

Now this chapter isn't the longest, but it is the start of the next (looks at notes) three more chapters before the next arc. Get ready to be spoiled at the masked fox man revealed and at the end of this chapter I will explain it all.

Until then, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Danmachi nor the characters

Chapter 15; Aki's Comfort
One day after Bell left
The people of Orario are going on through their regular day. Some are heading to the Dungeon, others are just shopping, and few are talking about Bell's journey with the spear he got out.

"What do you think, Lady Riveria, about Mr. Cranel getting that spear out?" Lefiya asked.

She had a pensive look on her, and responded "I am uncertain to be honest. Some weapons seem to react differently from others. I would assume Mr. Cranel met a criteria that would allow him to lift the weapon out of the crystal like material."

She then asked "Maybe his secret ability helped out."

The older elf thought for a moment and responded "Maybe….It's difficult to say."

Both elves arrived at the magic shop, and began to browse around. They looked around for a while, until they spotted a familiar dark haired elf. She was looking into a book with a green cover.

"Filvis?"

She turned and smiled "Lefiya." and she got a good look at Riveria and bowed her head in respect. She felt self-conscious on seeing her here, as she felt she wasn't still good enough to see her, let alone be near her. "Lady Riveria. It is an honor to see you."

She gave a curt nod "You don't have to call me that. I know it is a custom, but we faroff from home. I also recall Mr. Cranel tells me how the moment I left home and became an adult, we are to decide our own choices in life." She then gave a small smile "You are still one of us, Filvis, and never be ashamed."

She nodded "Thank you." She will keep that in mind.

"Now, I assume you are browsing around. Need any help."

She gave a small smile "I am and I may need your help on giving a gift to someone that I consider more than a….friend."

Riviera and Lefiya were interested. Lefiya said "Okay, let's help you out."

Twilight Manor
Finn was looking through a few paperwork and trying to figure out which possible entrance is where Evilous is.

He is hoping he was correct on his assessment of the part of Daedalus Street that has yet been taken care of. It could be the entrance, but the other possibility is an area that has been already restored. He circled two locations and yet has to investigate later on.

He heard a knock. "Enter."

A member of the familia gave him two letters. "For you, sir."

He smiled, "Thank you."

He nodded and left.

He got a good look at the first letter and it was just the Guild on the taxes that are coming up.

"Will have to let Loki know about it." He knew that she wouldn't be happy about it, but she would think of a plan.

He then opened on the other letter and read it. He frowned reading it.

"The Princess of Nineveh will arrive in three weeks from now. They need me to see if they can show her around and be an escort." He closed his eyes and pondered if that is a good thing or not.

"I know very little of her. I will have to look into how to handle her and in hopes some unity of Orario would be made." He then placed the letter on a small compartment on his desk. He stretched a bit, until another knock was heard.

"Enter."

In came Tione and she had a tray of cookies with tea. "Here you go, captain. I am starting to believe you might be a bit famished."

He had a friendly smile "Thank you Tione."

She placed the tray on the table and sat next to him. She then grabbed a cookie. "Say ah, captain~"

He blinked and a part of him wanted to do it himself. However, he didn't want to see her sad. He opened his mouth and was fed.

Tione giggled. She then grabbed one herself and ate one. She then served some for him and herself. She blushed a little and they both ate it.

Finn was enjoying the cookies, in fact they were really good. "They are pretty good."

She smiled "I made them. I asked someone about making these cookies and did it." "He loves them!"

"That's great."

"I could cook your dinner, if you want, Captain."

"I don't mind at all." He felt her cooking was improving, just hope she keeps the portions in control for now.

For Tione, on the other hand, was overjoyed hearing this. She took the advice of a certain dark haired, short yet busty, goddess and took it at hand on what to do.

"Just remember" Hestia's voice echoed on a memory "You have to slowly woo him, and show how much you changed over the years. Don't chase him, let him chase you."

She knew part of her Amazon blood was screaming to go after him, but she had to squash it down at best, in order to win his heart. It would be an uphill battle, but she knows she could do this.

For now, just watching her captain enjoying the cookie was enough for her.

Finn's thumb had a moment of trembling, but it stopped. He shrugged it off and thought of it as nothing at all.

Next Day
Aki was sitting on a bench staring ahead at the statue of the unknown man. A memory reminder of something simple in life.

Flashback months ago
Raul had a smile on his face. "Aki, I just had a chat with Finn."

"Oh? What happened?" She sat next to him.

"He said he wanted to train me personally for some reason."

She smiled "Maybe you might move up?"

He placed his hand on the back of his head, looking sheepish "Could be. I am nervous though, if I am even good enough to be a leader."

"You are, Raul. I believe in you.

Flashback end

"I wish you were here Raul….I know you have been dead for a while and have to let go…but it is hard to do."

"It's difficult to deal with a loss."

She looked up and saw a young man, with gentle red eyes as well and a smile.

"What would you know of a loss?" she had a bit of a distrust of the man.

He sat next to her and she scooted a little away. "I lost what I considered my father years ago. I learned so much about him, and was an amazing person. Then one day, he was captured and was killed. Seeing it is something that still replays the mind over and over."

Aki noticed how the man seemed to be reminiscing about the memory. Feeling guilty, she then asked "Does it get any better?"

He looked at her "Sometimes. Eventually, it is better to live on their memory than just moping on the 'what ifs'."

She looked down, then felt his fingers lifting her up "Keep your chin up, you still have people that care for you."

She smiled and nodded "Thank you sir."

"Anytime."

He was getting up until he heard the words "Wait!" He turned around and looked at her "I never got your name."

He smiled and replied "My name is Vitteux."

She stuck her hand out "Anakitty, but call me Aki."

"I will remember that. Until then, Aki." He gave it a kiss and then left, leaving Aki feeling better from that man's words and her face flushed.

She did have to move on for him. A part of her still wants revenge, but Raul doesn't want her to always be on the warpath. She has to have a purpose to keep living.

Vitteux walked on and still had that smile which slowly turned into a dark grin. "Don't worry little kitty, you will join your precious friend one of these days."

And he starts to plan how to manipulate her and then making her join the weak man.

Daedalus Street
Loki noticed how the people are just milling their own business. Nothing sinister or out of place. "Guess the old bastard is right, everything looks good."

She kept walking until she reached toward an area that seemed yet to be developed.

"Alright, let's see what we got here."

She looked around and saw some of the buildings are somewhat abandoned or rundown. She looked at each building, looking for something that didn't belong there.

"Hmm….I wish I could see something stand out of it. Welp, time to check on each building carefully."

She went inside one of the buildings and looked around. A four step stool was close to one another and a barrel not far off. She walked over and looked at it.

"Could be playing card games, away from others."

She looked around and noticed a floorboard that was loose. "Hello~"

The goddess of trickster looked into it. She moved it and saw some cards and empty cups. "Huh. Nothing here."

She then left the items and moved on to another building.

The next building had nothing, but she looked around for anything. She touched the walls for anything that looked out of place. She sighed "Nothing here."

She looked to the next building and as she looked around, she noticed that something was meant to go there. She studied it for a while and nodded "What could the item be? A key of sorts? She then left and looked around the place. "Now, get it memorized."

She then left, knowing that Finn would like to know about it, later on.

In Blue Pharmacy
Naaza took a break and went into her room. She laid in the bed and sighed.

"Mmm…..I hope you are doing well, Bell. I do miss holding you and kissing you."

She closed her eyes and tried not to think anything naughty about him. Or the way he would drive her crazy.

The chienthrope had her ears up hearing anything. She then went to open up a small compartment and she pulled out a box. She then opened it and put on the clothes.

It was a nurse's outfit….well the outfit was more lingerie with white stocking. It showed a lot of skin and she then imagined herself wearing this for Bell.

"Oh, my poor Bell. You seem so sick."

"Sorry, just feeling unwell, Naaza." He was on the bed which looked like it had a 'tent'.

She looked over and saw the problem. A big problem.

"Oh, I know what needs to be done. Let me milk it out for you~"

"Will it feel better?" He had an 'innocent' looking eyes, while she had a perverse look.

"Of course my patient. Plus, as a nurse, my duty is to comfort you and healing you~"

She began to giggle. "Come home soon, so I can try this on."

"Naaza, are you alright?"

"Eeek!"

The pharmacy was hearing nothing but an angry yell of a woman, while a certain god was begging for his life.

"Have you ever heard a thing called knocking?!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!"

"Come back here!"

Some of the adults looked at the place in disbelief.

To be continued.

A/N:
Well everyone, there ya go. Sadly updates would be slower as I messed up my hand during work (water pallets are dangerous on an incline when little to no control is there). So apologies for that.

I was originally going to do the reveal on Vitteux on the next arc, but rather do it this way. And for those who don't know who he is, see Astrea Records and Winter Magic Miracle Tales. Yes I know his name is Vito, but I think one or the other one would work out. And yes, it will piss some people off on what will entail next, but it will get interesting.

There are still two more chapters, then the present day and the next arc will play out. Until then, take care,

Next Chapter: Loki's minor misadventure, Aki's outing, and Royman's deal. Don't miss it.