Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

- Author note start-

Well, well ladies, gentlemen and others! Here's the 2nd part of the Aftermath of the first Arc! After this we'll have the intermission chapter! That will transition us to starting the 2nd Arc! The intermission will be mostly in the ULTRA RARE Merlin POV! That's right! Get your tickets now! Totally for free! Cause I don't get paid!

As always reviews, feedback, comments, ideas and suggestions would really boost my motivation and capability to write you guys a story you would enjoy! And...

Thank you for reading, truly! and most importantly... Enjoy!

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-Author note end-

-Story Start-

-Night Time, The Day Following Haruhime's Rescue-

-Twilight Manor-

An office room, decorated with fine handmade lumber furniture, a warm campfire and atmosphere envelops it, creating a sense of comfort and peace of mind.

Quiet and tidy, this office proves to be the ideal work environment for the ever productive Finn Deimne, Captain of the Loki Familia, Pallum and most importantly - Level 6. The Loki Familia being the 2nd strongest Familia and one of the most, if not THE most influential. Their influence superior even to that of the Freya Familia and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to credit said achievement to the very Pallum sitting in this room. His influence and name, brings honor and pride to the whole Pallum race. His cunning, tactical intelligence, composure and most importantly bravery is sang in children's tales, be it Pallum's or any other race. Rightfully being named and given the title of: "Braver". A well respected and powerful man, without the shadow of a doubt.

Said composed and powerful man is currently tearing his hair out, at the unbelievable headache that has seemingly formed from nowhere, without warning.

"This soon?! What did Ishtar do to provoke Freya like this? It's... Impressive really, she already had all the material required to effortlessly destroy Ishtar, and yet she waited for a provocation? Still unsure of it. And what... What was it?! " His thumb twitching, Finn reads through the reports once again, given to him by the goons *Cough* Familia members he sent to investigate the... Sudden chaos that was happening yesterday night. That coupled with the papers sent to him by Riveria's own investigation.

"*Sigh* What a mess... A sudden Power vacuum, a perfect opportunity and whatever I did to capitalize on it, was countered immediately by Freya. We were defeated, plain and simple." Finn sighs to himself in defeat, having been blocked from the possibly advantageous situation. Freya covering all her bases, not allowing anyone to take advantage of her actions. A tone of defeat and raw admiration to the Ancient War Goddess at her cunning.

Images and memories replay through the Pallum's mind. Recalling today's events and Freya's masterful performance, to assist him in forming a final conclusive answer to the gapping Power Vacuum that was swiftly created by Freya and just as swiftly claimed by her.

-Memory 1-

-Early Morning-

-Pleasure Quarter Entrance-

After receiving the reports of the happenings in the Pleasure Quarter and Ishtar's destruction. Finn gathers the Top Executives to make a swift move, in an effort to gather information, territory and prospecting EX-Ishtar Familia adventurers into the Loki Familia. They make their way towards the center stage of yesterday's events.

Finn, Riveria and Gareth arrive at the gates that lead into the Pleasure quarter. Only to be blocked by a few guards stationed there. The peculiar detail though, was that said guards belong to the Freya Familia.

People crowd the guards, Some attempting to enter in necessity, some in curiosity and some for... Carnal purposes early in the morning. They are effortlessly blocked by the guards.

"What's the meaning of this?" Finn questions with a lighthearted tone and smile, yet his eyes carry anything but warmth.

"Braver, We are under orders to not allow anyone entrance into the Pleasure Quarter." The Demi-Human answers simply and stoically, not elaborating - to Finn's veiled annoyance.

"What gives you the right to block access to a public area?" Finn logically questions, an eyebrow raised at their Freya Familia attire, to hint at their lack of stature to possibly enforce these orders.

"This is no longer, Ishtar Familia Public Territory. This has been claimed to be Neutral Territory for the mean time. A thorough guild investigation is taking place, as such no one is allowed in, nor out. Except the Freya Familia of course, the partners in the investigation." The guard states with a curved and victorious smirk, pointed at the narrow eyed Pallum. Holding a guild warrantee, that does not seem to be FAKE.

A moment of silence passes, as the Pallum glares at the man, to probe any lies he may have slid into his dialogue.

Finding nothing, he turns and begins to move towards the opposite direction, as the bewildered Gareth and Riveria blink rapidly at his unusual lack of stubbornness.

They slowly follow him.

"Finn, what have you notic-" Gareth voices out his eager curiosity only to be rudely cut off by Finn's click of the tongue.

"*Tsk* She got us good... Riveria, go fact check the guild and get them to spit out any and all information they have on what's going on, the investigation's origins as well as it's progress. Also include statements in regards to the concrete orders the guild and Freya Familia received, do make sure to check on the validity of the Guards claims and warrantee. Gareth, contact our contacts for any loose Amazons or residents of the Pleasure Quarter that have escaped the locked down quarter. If you find any, question them for information and if their interested in recruitment, and if you believe they are worth it, send them to me." Finn goes full commander mode, ordering his fellow Executives the actions they must take in order to gain something from this abrupt situation.

""Right!/Cya!"" They respond to their Captain's orders without hesitation, not questioning no nothing, indicating the level of trust and respect for Finn and his commands.

'At this rate... if she's done what I believe she has, the miniscule gap between both our Familia's will widen impressively, it's a difference of countless years, perhaps a decade to catch up... How could I have not foreseen this? How... How did this happen?' Finn agonized over his blunder at failing to foresee such an outcome and prepare accordingly. He knew of Ishtar's sour relationship with Freya. But for her to suddenly attack Ishtar and thoroughly crush her without warning? Something must have triggered this event. And such a rash and destructive chess move, would never have been played unless Freya was convinced she'll come out on top in all scenarios. Guild investigation and all.

*Tsk* He clicks his tongue at the multiple thought processes and conclusions he has formed from the available information alone. Not one of them, being to his or his Familia's advantage.

'Not to mention, a partnered investigation with the party that did the crushing? What is Ouranos thinking?' Finn can't piece together how the Freya Familia, the one responsible for the mayhem, was also allocated to the duty of closely participating and even assisting in the very same investigation over aforementioned mayhem.

The situation did nothing but bewilder Finn further and further, as lacking information does not allow him to piece together the events that lead up to this absurd conclusion.

He rushed back to the Twilight Manor, to continue investigating the emergency situation.

-Memory 2-

-Noon-

-Twilight Manor, Finn's Office-

A narrowed eyes Finn, a pile of sketched out and scratched papers lay on his table, Seemingly having calculated and drawn the outcomes to whatever he was agonizing over.

His face was twisted into a truly pathetic expression. A frustrated and nervous frown, eyes narrowed at the paper he is currently occupied with, piercing it with his laser-like glare.

*Knock* *Knock* A knocking is heard at the door into his office. At the knocking, in an Oscar worthy performance, Finn changes his expression perfectly, to get into the role of his persona. The Braver. A composed, fearless and cunning hero. That no situation will wipe the smile and confidence off of him. Or so everyone assumes.

"Come in." Finn states in an authoritative tone.

"Hey, brought you these two girls. They managed to slip past the guards through a lesser known secret passage. I'm telling you! They have so many of those in there! GAHAHHAHAHA! Also! All the others I've managed to investigate came up blank, nothing new I'm afraid. But these two say the hold a great deal of insider information. They want to join the Familia in exchange" Gareth states in his usual jolly tone, guffawing at... Something. Then proceeding to elaborate on the purpose of those two, and their intended exchange.

Finn ignores his companions usual and odd behavior in favor of taking a good look at the Amazons Gareth brought. His eyes scan over them to try and figure out if they have any poorly hidden agendas.

They physically shiver at the short man's laser focused stare. And as quickly as it came, it also left. Finn retracted his creepy stare and switched it out with a warm and usual Braver like look.

"Before you join the Familia, I'd like to ask you some questio-" Finn smiles as he states, only to be interrupted by the taller and probably more courageous of the young amazons.

"No, We'll join and then you can ask the questions. Unless, you have another way to guarantee we won't lose our bargaining chip without joining the Loki Familia?" The taller amazon states with narrowed eyes, fearlessly at the short and dangerous Pallum.

His eyes widen at her initiative and assertiveness. An awkward and suffocating atmosphere forms as a result of this, accompanied by the sudden silence.

"HAHAHAHAH! No need to be so stiff with future comrades! Let them join Finn! I like this one already! HAHHAHAHAHAH!" Gareth's hearty laugh, cuts through the suffocating atmosphere like a knife through butter, his friendly nature keeping the... Negotiations, lukewarm and not downright freezing were he not present.

"*Sigh* Fine... Where's Loki-sama?" Finn sighs and relents at his dear comrade's desires. Questioning the whereabouts of his perverted and whimsical Goddess. The main source of his migraines.

"She should be on her way here, I asked Ais to go get her. She'll listen to her in a jiffy." Gareth states casually, shrugging at the delayed arrival of Loki.

*BANG* The door slams open

"KYAAAA" The shorter amazon jumps like a scared cat, at the sudden slamming of the door.

'Speak of the devil...' Finn thinks to himself in amusement.

A red haired, PETITE goddess is seen standing there proudly... A red handprint on her cheek?

"Heya~! You the new recruits! I'll be with ya in just a second!" Loki introduces? herself quickly as she moves in a dash to Finn.

"Finn~! Where's MAMA?! Ais-tan slapped me!" Crying crocodile tears, Loki grabs Finn's shirt pulling him closer to her, to his dismay.

At Loki's tomfoolery and idiotic act, Finn takes a short glance at her "injury" and then looks at Aiz who has just arrived at the door. The look in his eyes are those of a man in his midlife crisis. Which isn't far off, considering Finn is a 40 Year Old Man.

Golden eyes are met with his. As Ais responds with a short statement of fact.

"She tried to grab my butt." She states with monotone, her expression and look betraying no emotions nor expression, to the average person of course. Finn, being her surrogate father figure, knows how to read the expressions of the expressionless girl. He notices a slight vindication and disgusted look on her face in tandem with her words. An expression more than justified to be directed at the perverted and useless slob called Loki.

"*Sigh* Loki-sama, could you just give these girls your Falna. If you haven't noticed there's an emergency going on..." Finn states with ever dwindling patience, cracks forming in his camouflaged composure. A strained smile on his face.

"Hmm~? Alright! Take off your clothes girls~!" Loki orders with glee, Cheshire grin in place, breaking out into a sprint in the direction of fresh meat.

""Alright/Okay?"" The amazons quickly agree to their new goddess, as they begin to take off their clothes without hesitation in front of 2 men and women.

Finn feels someone grabbing him, nay, dragging him away.

"Peeking, is bad." Aiz states apathetically.

"Yeah, yeah..." Finn responds in exhaustion. This day already having been enough for him.

-Slight Time Skip-

Aiz, having left to train, Gareth as well, having left to continue following Finn's orders. The office is occupied by Finn, the 2 new members of the Loki Familia and Loki herself.

"So... Tell me about what happened yesterday. To the last detail." Finn orders patiently, folding his arms as he readies himself to absorb all the information.

What followed was a thorough 2 hour explanation session, that was interrupted on occasion by Finn and Loki.

"We don't know everything but we'll explain as we know it... And then... However... Little Rookie... Light pierced through the sky... Freya Famila... Guild representatives... That's that" They explained

At the explanation, Finn sat in complete silence, disregarding the uncomfortable situation he placed the others in the room, as he analyzed and formed conclusions regarding the destruction of the Ishtar Familia. A silence that lasted a whole 10 minutes.

"He does that often~" Loki simply states with a teasing grin at the bewildered duo who are observing the weird specimen known as Finn, seemingly frozen in thought. Like a statue.

"Anything else of note you could tell me? Even if it's not related directly to Ishtar herself." Finn forms another, perhaps for the Amazon's relief, the final question.

"Hmm... Can't think of anythin- Oh yeah! There was that one interesting gossip piece we all heard during the first capture of Little Rookie!" The shorter, more enthusiastic and cheerful Amazon thought and stated, her face lighting up, as a metaphorical light bulb turned on in her head.

"Well? Do go on..." Finn cuts off her childish excitement to get back to business and for her to get to the point. His time being on short supply today. Having had to let Loki leave a couple of times to deal with his own problems during the interrogation. Familia future related or not.

"Y-Yeah, Little Rookie apparently has a Mentor! His name was... Merkin? No No it was Marlyn! Yeah!" The enthusiastic amazon stutters as she nervously tries to remember the name of Little Rookie's mystery Mentor. Finally arriving at the final and correct name with regained confidence.

"Merlin. His name's Merlin, or that's what Little Rookie was shouting when he was crying like a baby hoping to escape with his chastity intact. Granted, he managed to do it. Somehow." The taller more serious amazon corrects her enthusiastic partner with a deadpan and monotone statement.

"Ohhhh~! Chibi hired a mentor for her precious child?! I've hired the best of the best for my dear Ais-tan! I've never heard of that Merlin fellow! Finn! Investigate! IMMEDIATELY! NOWWW!" Loki, in a deranged mood swing, barked out orders at her contrastingly mentally sound captain.

'Bell Cranel, Huh... He has a Mentor? T-That might explain his unbelievably swift rank ups. As far as I'm aware, Aiz was the closest individual to be termed a Mentor for the boy... It's worthy of investigating for certain. This may benefit Aiz, especially if this Merlin individual is the source of the boy's growth.' Finn analyzed, taking note of needing to investigate Little Rookie's mysterious mentor, he might be a game changer for them, if he's as important as Finn speculates he is.

"Alright! That'll be all, thank you very much and I'll see you tomorrow for proper placements and introductions... You may take your leave." Finn made an end to their lengthy conversation/introduction/interrogation. Smiling at them warmly, waving them off, as they got up and left the room.

"OI! WHY ARE YOU IGNORING ME?! N-NO DON'T PUSH ME OUT OF THE ROOM?! NOOOOOOOOOO *SLAM*" The perverted rascal was still in the room, complaining and nagging at the Pallum's mind. He had to take care of it, forcefully. Pushing her out of the door and slamming it in her face. Probably knocking her out. But she's a tough cookie, she'll be fine.

-Memory 2 End-

-Back To Present Time-

After analyzing all the information at hand and possible options, the most likely conclusion were forming in Finn's mind, he began to voice them aloud, for the reader's convenience of course.

"Freya was eventually planning on crushing the Ishtar Familia, having gathered sufficient dirt for them to mercilessly and without much collateral damage, to do just that. That explains why the Guild is allowing the Freya Familia to cooperate with them on the investigation... The investigation is likely unrelated to the unannounced Familia war that took place, but rather, illegal and horrible crimes that the Ishtar Familia committed that have been confirmed and reported to the Guild by Freya. This, allows Freya to crush Ishtar without much legal consequences. The brilliancy however comes with how this turns out for Freya herself... By cooperating with the Guild itself in the investigation. The now, unclaimed members of the Ishtar Familia, are practically free pickings for Freya, as only she and the guild are allowed free access to the investigation area for now. Allowing easy and fast recruitment for even veteran members of the former Ishtar Familia, that, on top of resources and infrastructure and information formerly held by Ishtar. All in all...Checkmate, well played..." Finn voices his formed and most likely series of events that occurred here, Freya's brilliancy absolutely shining through, Finn not holding back in his admiration at Freya's ferocity and ruthless efficiency.

However...

"What is still bugging me, is why now? She could of, with more preparation, come out with much better results. Secret paths do indeed exist and a good chunk of Amazons have slipped through. Valis, goods and themselves in tact... Something motivated her... What's the missing link?" Finn thought to himself, agonizing and frustrated at the final missing puzzle piece. The one that will make it all come full circle.

A few minutes of agonizing and smoke coming out of Finn's head. A lightbulb forms in his head.

"Could it be... Bell Cranel?" Finn, manages to find the missing puzzle piece. A critical turning point, an importance, a weakness, that he should NOT KNOW. And yet, he found it nevertheless. A key link that was discovered to be Freya's major Blunder.

To be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

So? How was the Aftermath? Good? Bad? Garbage? Boring? Do tell me! I listen and respond when I can! I'll be happy to discuss with you guys! I also like pro tips and tricks! Cause that way I can write BETTAH!

Again, comments, reviews, ideas, suggestions etc... would provide me more motivation to write and would be a good way to show your appreciation! I'll be happy and thankful to receive them! Constructive criticism would be the most appreciated as I wont be able to improve without knowing what my mistakes are! Goodbye for now my lovely beautiful readers, have a fantastic rest of the week/day!

-Author Note End-