Deep within the dungeon, a battle was occurring that was the first of its kind ever since the fall of the Zeus and Hera Familia.
One brought shadow.
One brought the light.
The two magics clashed with each other within the dungeon. As if time itself was affected by the tumbling of the two echoes, of golden shine and deep darkness, the air distorted and vibrated from the clash. An image that was more suited from the age of heroes, with two completely opposing forces trying to devour each other. Yet time could not halt forever, for one force would prove superior eventually.
The darkness devoured the light, the owner of that power grinning wildly as she completed her swing downwards. That grin vanished immediately when she saw her cut of death soar pass the air and hit nothing but the wall. A sharp pain flared up in her neck and she barely moved her blade in time behind her.
Finn clicked his tongue in annoyance, his body glowing with light, the tip of his spear hitting the steel instead of flesh, shooting Kaguya away instead of piercing through her. She spun on her feet, sliding across the ground and twirled her twin blades. But just as Finn readied his weapon as well, someone whistled through the air.
"Okay, take a breather! Don't want to piss off the dungeon too much!"
Immediately, the two opponents put their weapons away, as if they weren't just trying to annihilate each other. Then, with a friendly smile, they shook each other's hand.
"Good fight," Finn stated wryly. "Your shadow magic is rather annoying to deal with."
Kaguya in response rolled her eyes before letting go of his hand.
"Please, your light boosts you enough that it's hard to hit your scrawny ass."
"That's my ass you are talking about!" Someone shouted from outside the 'ring', causing Kaguya to scoff and look over.
"Yes, yes, you are happy and jolly and in love, shut up, midget!"
The audience laughed, including Bell, before they spread out. Loki Familia naturally converged with Finn, applauding his performance and wanting to see how he was. Kaguya on the other hand walked over to them, with Haruhime having a towel ready for her. The dungeon was not exactly the most suitable location for a big gathering like this…but the dungeon was also the only place where two level seven could test out their skills and get used to their new status. After hearing the stories of what went down on the respective fronts, nobody, including him, had any objections to the newcomers that joined the position of 'Strongest'. It was cause for a little celebration. Not to mention…he glanced at Lyra's left hand, a ring shining on it. Then he looked at Tione's right hand, the very same ring glistening with light.
What a man, Finn Deimne. To ask for the hand of marriage…of two girls, at the same time! He was under the impression that the Braver had the Pallum race in his mind first and foremost, but the fight with the 'Pretender' must have changed his mind. He made it a rather public thing, in the Hostess of Fertility of all places, when he took that knee and asked them. He blushed a bit at how the two girls reacted at the time. He never thought females could look so…hungry. It was a good thing the other executives and high ranking adventurers were around or else they would've been banned for life from the Hostess for…
He blushed.
Public indecency.
Fortunately the two brides to be actually calmed down at this point. Oh, they were positively radiating with happy vibes, giddy in every step, but at least they managed to contain their primal urges. For now anyway.
He laughed awkwardly, shaking his head when his girlfriend and Alise gave him questioning looks.
He prayed for Finn's health when the time came to make a family.
Either way, he seemed genuinely at peace for someone who took down the image of his people's goddess. Compared to Kaguya…his smile fell. She seemed relaxed enough, interacting with them all and being cordial. Yet even someone like him could sense it. The bubbling hatred beneath her. The desire for revenge. And he could not blame her.
From what he heard, Nana was a victim. A kind soul torn apart and tortured only she only saw death as a release. And even in such a state…she thought of others.
Some time after the Astraea Familia returned, Lord Miach met up with them all. Revealing a book of notes hidden in his house that he was not aware of. Kaguya recognized the hand writing immediately, the language of the Far East easy for her. He didn't quite understand the contents…but he could sense the intent. And what a bright soul was taken from them all.
Nana was a genius. Trying to blaze new trails in the area of medicine, all in her lonesome. Her creativity knew no bounds. Wanting to prevent diseases before they could even occur. Creating potions of empowerment without the side effects. And then…
Regrowing limbs. To replace the need of prosthetics, to return the sensation of feeling to those that were crippled by the world. It was clear who she had in mind when working on these things. And now…the research reached a dead end. Notes were notes. Without the creator, it would be difficult to advance that knowledge, as much as the experts in healing would try. A delay by decades, maybe even centuries.
Yes, Kaguya's emotions of hate towards the Night Queen was understandable. He would not look down on them, or preach to her.
He could still worry though. He nodded at her, waving with a smile when she glanced at him. She chuckled, winking at him playfully before downing her drink again. Suddenly, fingers snapped next to his ears, causing him to jump just a bit.
"Hey, hey, if you keep staring at Kaguya like that, someone might get a little jealous~!"
He stammered nervously, but Ryuu put a calm hand on his shoulder.
"He has no interest in her like that." Her smile grew a bit colder as she tilted her head ever so slightly. "Am I correct?"
"Y-yes!"
"Whipped."
"What?" Bell asked, causing Alise to look away.
"Nothing. Ahem." She looked back, with a smirk as if nothing happened. She pointed at his palm, then at the scorch marks he created lately. "So, whaddya think?"
"My flames definitely got stronger but…"
It was nothing compared to the output and heat Solaris could dish out. At least when he wasn't using Argonaut. And his captain didn't need to charge up so much for her powerful flames. He could imagine her preening and puffing her chest out at his 'comments' but she deserved it. When it came to fire…he doubted anyone could top her on that field. Not even Alise. It wasn't even a matter of not trying hard enough on his part. He tried, to increase his output as much as he could, pouring as much mind as he could into his Firebolt…but at some point, he just hit a wall he couldn't surmount. As if the gates to the heavens were closed itself and he needed permission for the keys, or rather, a gatekeeper of sorts to open it up for him. As if a higher output was reserved for serious battles, not mere sparring.
Well, he had a suspicion of how to get that higher output. 'Evolution'. No, not just a mere suspicion. He believed he knew what he had to do to unlock that evolution. He could just utter the words that came to mind, when he saw Solaris, and Aiz. And yet…he held his tongue. It didn't feel right to use the evolution just as a demonstration. Maybe his captain influenced him more than he expected…but the 'reveal' should have some more gravitas. This time, he knew it came from his own heart, not his magic or skills.
He didn't know why he had that impression. Skills and magic weren't 'that' sapient. Then again…he usually surpassed his limits in the midsts of combat, didn't he? So Firebolt and the skills he inherited from Solaris shouldn't be any exception to that. With that explanation satisfying him, his mind wandered to the other skill he received from his captain, one that was often overlooked but was just as important. And since he was next to Alise to begin with…He cleared his throat, getting their attention. They tilted their head in curiosity when he raised his hand with a determined expression.
"Could you please set me on fire?"
"...Uhhhhh, Lion? Your boyfriend has awakened some we-"
"Not like that!" With a blush, he looked down at his palms before clenching them into fists. "I just…want to test something out."
Comprehension dawned on the two. Ryuu stepped back, her hand twitching, ready to heal him. Alise on the other hand, flicked her wrist with her rapier, setting it on fire. The motion caused the chattering around them to stop, looking over…just in time to see the captain of the Astraea Familia blast Bell right in the face with her fire.
He liked to say he took it like a man. That he didn't even flinch. But hundreds of years of evolution, from the simple men of old seeing fire for the first time…well, he flinched like anyone else did and fell down on his butt.
At least the flames weren't…too painful. It was hard to breathe as he patted himself down, he felt the sensation of stinging all over…but no mind numbing agony. Eventually, the fire went out, with Bell just a bit singed and his skin a bit raw all things considered. Alise leaned over him, with Ryuu touching his skin carefully.
"And?" The captain asked, causing Bell to laugh a bit.
"Doesn't hurt too much." He reached to scratch his head, only for Ryuu to gently slap his hand away. "Still have to work on my flinch reflex…"
"Well, people usually don't wanna get set on fire," Alise said, nodding to herself as if she said something profound. Bell chuckled, before he heard rapid footsteps approaching.
"Bell!"
He winced at the worried expressions Aiz and Lefiya had. The former bit her lip, stopping a bit away from him. The latter had no such restraints, practically sliding on her knees to his side with a growl.
"Lie down! Now!"
"I-I already-"
"No backtalk!"
"Why did you attack him like this?" Aiz asked while Lefiya ran her hands all over his body, even trying to take his shirt off, something he resisted. It only earned him more ire from her. Alise chuckled at the sight, while Ryuu stood up, her arms crossed with a calm face. The captain glanced at the Wind Princess before shrugging nonchalantly.
"He asked for it." Aiz raised an eyebrow. Alise nodded, pointing at Bell. "No, really. Literally asked for it."
"Fire resistance?" Lefiya asked in a clipped annoyed tone, finally getting his shirt off against his consent. He nodded with a small blush, causing her to slap him over his head. "Resistance isn't immunity! You of all people should know better!"
"It is better to do this in a controlled environment," Ryuu said, finally taking mercy on his predicament. She gently pulled Lefiya up by the arm, a pointed look directed at her fellow elf. "Now please, stop touching my boyfriend like this. I already checked him over."
"I-I-I am purely professional, I can assure you of that!" She ran a hair through her hand after Ryuu let go, a blush on her face. "But…if you already checked him ou-over, then I suppose I can trust you."
Ryuu nodded in approval, throwing Bell's shirt back to him. Then, to the shock of everyone present, she bowed at them, hands folded together.
"This reminds me…I forgot to thank you two."
"T-thank us?" Lefiya asked, as Aiz tilted her head in confusion- Ryuu chuckled lightly, before putting a hand on her chest.
"While I was gone…Bell went through a lot. And I wasn't there to catch him as he fell. It's a failing on my part." She let out a sigh, but before Bell could say anything, she smiled at the two other girls. "But you two did."
Aiz exhaled slowly, a conflicted expression on her face. She shook her head in the end.
"I-We care for Bell as well. No need for thanks."
"Not as much as I care for him. So please, just accept it."
Bell blinked at the phrasing. He saw Aiz' eyebrow twitch, her eyes narrowing. Ryuu had to be aware how she sounded. And yet, she calmly smiled nevertheless. As if she was testing Aiz for…something. Before he could figure it out, Lefiya coughed, shaking her head with wide eyes.
"I was-"
Ryuu wouldn't have it though, raising her palm with a small frown.
"With him. Supported him during battle and in the end made up with him despite some bad words." She gently raised Lefiya's chin when she was looking down, a soft expression on her face, directed at the younger elf. "Stand proud. You have my gratitude. If there is anything I can do…feel free to ask me. A good soul as you deserves a favor from me."
"...pamperme."
Bell blinked. Ryuu blinked. Aiz blinked. And Lefiya was turning red like a tomato, covering her mouth.
"I'm sorry?" Ryuu asked, causing Lefiya to take a long step back with a nervous laugh.
"Nothing!"
"You just said-"
"You misheard it!"
Aiz frowned at being interrupted, moving forward with Ryuu at the same time. For some reason Lefiya's stammering got worse as she walked backwards, waving her hands frantically.
"Are you sure you are alright?"
"Absolutely! No need to get closer!"
"That just worries me more. We are friends, right?"
"Gaaaaah!"
"Lie down."
"Please no!"
Bell blinked as he saw Lefiya being put to the ground by Aiz and Ryuu, both fussing over her. Weird. For some reason he felt the sensation of…empathy with her. Well, if he was in her place, he'd also be a blushing mess, with two beauties running their hands over his…
…
Bell's eyes widened before nodding slowly.
Huh.
He didn't think Lefiya was interested like this too. Good for her. What did grandpa always say about this? He lowered his gaze, staring at Ryuu coincidentally. It was…
"A man soars forward, straight like an arrow! If there is a nice shape, it has to be given a nice KABOOM!"
Bell choked, shaking his head furiously. He wasn't going to think about that at all! Why-
Ryuu. They may have been together for a while but…they were also separated for a while. So Bell lost his resistance towards her…rear…
He saw grandpa moving his head playfully, a lecherous smirk on his face. Bell turned even more red. Nononono, he shouldn't. He tried to wave grandpa away from his thoughts, focusing on Solaris inste-
"You ever got the urge to slap that bubble butt too, Bell? I sure do, haha sometimes."
The only thing he registered was a flash of red hair in his mind's eye, doing the same circular head motions like grandpa, before a loud smack sound echoed in the dungeon, followed by a high pitched squeak. For some reason his hand felt some weird impact as well…which was also satisfying in some way.
He blinked at the deadly silence around him.
Everyone. Absolutely everyone, stared at him as if he was completely insane. Lefiya from the ground, Aiz from her kneeling position, the others standing further away…and Ryuu, completely frozen, her hands covering her…
…
Oh no.
"B-B-B-B-Bell?!" Haruhime stammered out, dropping the food she was about to give Kaguya. Alise cackled, covering her stomach as tears formed in her eyes.
"Heyooo, nice!"
"Don't encourage him, captain!"
He slapped Ryuu. Not in an abusive way but…he…he…
"RRRRRRROOOOOMANCE!"
"WHOOOOOOOO!"
Bell took a horrified step back, staring at his right palm as if it was the hand of demons itself.
Why did he have to think of Solaris out of all people?! And why did she have to team up with gramps?! He could hear her snicker in his head, highfiving gramps before disappearing like the evil villains they were! No, nevermind that, he had to do damage control!
"I'm very-" Before he could get the apology out, he saw his girlfriend start to…vibrate…? "...Ryuu…?"
Alise's amusement vanished immediately. Her eyes went wide as she raised her hands as if trying to placate a feral animal.
"Liooooon…Imma need you to…not follow your insti-"
Before she could finish her sentence or get close enough, the elf already blurred into motion.
"Dang it!"
Bell was aware that some gasped in horror, it had to be horror, because this was terrifying, but he focused more on his back hitting the ground, hands pushing him down by his shoulders. The pain didn't even register when he saw…
Her face.
Bell froze like a rabbit before a predator.
Ah. He was wrong before.
"Haaa…haaa…haaa~!"
He still didn't know how hungry females could look like. Or thirsty. Bell gulped. Yes, thirsty sounded more accurate. Ryuu was breathing down on him, her fingers digging into his shoulders, as if she was in the desert, the sun burning her, and her throat in terrible agony with how raspy she sounded. And her eyes…he could've sworn he saw hearts in them, but that was literally not possible, so it must have been his fear and…something else riddled mind that made him hallucinate. Yes. That had to be it. She was beginning to drool on him, her breath creating steam as she breathed out each time, her skin glistening with sweat.
He was in danger.
Thankfully, or not, Bell didn't even know what to feel at this point, Astraea Familia was on the case. Well.
They tried.
"Oi, oi, oi!" lyra shouted, trying to drag Ryuu away by the stomach. Alise pulled at her arms, while Kaguya flat out clawed her face.
To no avail.
Ryuu was unmoving. She actually leaned closer over his face, dangerously close, her lips glistening with how we-STOP.
"Lion, your rep, your rep!"
"Do not actually ra-"
Something seemed to snap inside Ryuu. As if awakening, she blinked, her eyes returning to normal. She stared at him. Then at herself.
Then she became even more red than him, shooting away from him. She covered her mouth while playing with her hair, her fingers twirling through it.
"It's…it's way too early…I-I appreciate your enthu-enthusiasm but…! There-there is a time and-and-and a p-p-p-place…ha….haaah…ha…"
Bell felt a switch about to be flipped inside of him. Cute. Too cute. Why was she so cute. Why did she stop-He shook his head frantically. Enough, intrusive thoughts!
His actions at least served to make Ryuu realize they were not alone…and thus…
"Ihavetogo!"
She ran away. Towards the surface, away from them all. Leaving Bell behind, as the sole focus of whatever just happened. He flinched when Kaguya slapped his shoulder, grinning wildly.
"Daaaaamn. Didn't know you had such a gap, Bell."
"That's not an invitation to steal Ryuu's man."
"Who said that?!"
Alise sighed, clapping her hands before Lyra and Kaguya could go at each other.
"Girls, girls, let's catch our little elf before she explodes."
The two nodded. Alise waved everyone goodbye before they rushed after Ryuu. Bell let out a breath, relieved that someone was making sure she was going to be alright. With that in mind, he turned around and-
-almost collapsed by the looks he received, stiffening up as if he was petrified into stone.
"Ah…"
"He is a boy I guess…"
"I forgot he is like this sometimes…"
"Men are always hopeless."
"Hear hear."
Bell wanted to shrivel up and hide into the ground. He knew what he did was shameful, but for all women to look at him as if he was garbage?! Curse grandpa! Curse Solaris! Curse those intrusive thoughts! He looked around, trying to pretend he wasn't feeling those piercing, disappointed stares…and looked into the faces of his fellow men.
All of them, sans one, had perfectly neutral expressions. Not a hint of emotion was behind them. And yet…when he looked at them…they all nodded. Ever so slightly. As if they paid their respects. Even Bete!
And the last one…
"Impressive, young master!"
Kojiro raised his thumb. It was the final blow. He collapsed to his knees and palms, heaving in agony as tears welled up in his eyes.
Where was his mental Hestia?! His mental anyone to serve as the voice of reason?! As much as he respected and loved the late Solaris, she was the least qualified to act as the counterforce to his inner grandpa! Hell, from what just happened, they were encouraging each other! He was never going to recover from this!
And he feared what happened to his relationship with Ryuu! Either it got worse, which was heartbreaking, or…he blushed furiously.
The way she looked at him…well, if not heartbreaking, it might have been hip breaking, as grandpa sometimes called it.
/
"So, were you really about to break his hips in front of everyone?"
Ryuu's head hit the counter once more, with an ice bag on her neck. It was her sole relief that the bar was positively empty, sans a person in the corner, with their hood up. She let out a silent, emotionless groan before she hit the counter again.
"No comment."
"Come now, we all have our phases! And it's your first boyfriend! Emotions can run high!"
Alise' enthusiasm dimmed when Ryuu let out a growl.
"Captain, with all due respect, shut up."
"Hey, you should be glad. I'd be happy if Finn sla-"
"I will murder you all," Ryuu hissed before grabbing the next bag of ice sliding over the counter and putting it down on her lap. Kaguya scoffed, waving her hand dismissively.
"Hey, you were about to eat him alive, not us."
"Ugh."
Why did Bell do that? Ryuu blushed, the ice melting just a bit faster. Well, it was perhaps her fault. She knew his eyes wandered sometimes. It was truly flattering, that he saw her this way, to find her so attractive. It felt…empowering. So she couldn't help but tease him sometimes. Put up a show. Not that she was as confident as she pretended to be. She was lucky Bell was too distracted being a nervous blushing mess himself to realize how she herself was a nervous blushing mess. She just had a good poker face. But for all her teasing, she never expected him to do…that.
It was as if he was possessed by something else. They did say that distance made one more fond of their significant other, but this...having a lover was a truly difficult trial surpassing even Monster Rex. If Bell didn't cease to evolve more and move loveable…she won't be able to hold back like today.
She wanted his children.
She wanted to feel his warmth in the most intimate way possible.
But…she let out a heavy sigh. To take their relationship so far, in these days was…too dangerous.
She felt a hand rub her back.
"One day," Alise said, as if reading her mind. Ryuu scoffed, but smiled at her captain. Yes…one day…when-
"Hah."
It was a mere sigh of satisfaction. One that was frequent after taking a cooling drink. And yet, that mere sigh was enough to awaken the memories of her very cells. Pain of old, fear of the past, resurfaced in an instance, with the snap of a finger. Ryuu, and everyone else, moved before they even realized it.
Their weapons drawn and touching the skin of the hooded figure in the corner. The hood fluttered away, cut apart by their blades…and their eyes widened in shock, before narrowing in determination.
No matter how much they began to sweat nervously, how their steel shook ever so slightly.
At the sight of that silver hair.
"So you really are back…" Alise muttered. The phantom of the past, the strongest being they, the complete Astraea Familia, ever defeated, let out a small scoff before crossing her legs, her head not moving at all due to the blades pointed at her.
"My, you are as naive as always." Alfia touched the rapier with a nonchalant eye. "Not taking the chance, and instead doing…this?"
"Let's say we want to talk," Lyra said dryly, causing her to raise an eyebrow.
"With weapons drawn, at my neck?"
"How else do adventurers talk?" Kaguya asked with narrowed eyes.
"Haha…how else indeed." Alfia gave them all a look over. As if seeing through their very soul. She smiled ever so slightly. "I'm impressed. None of you are broken yet."
"We got better," Ryuu said quietly, analyzing every inch of Alfia in return.
She saw the scales on her skin. How her breathing was just a bit more…relaxed, compared to the past her. Where her lungs seemed to have difficulty keeping up the longer a fight went on. There was still some tension in her muscles, but Ryuu assumed it was more of whatever ailed Hybrids in general. Her eyes were also different. Still differently colored, greenish, the other a dull grey, but with dragonic slits representing them.
Alfia let out a sake, closing her eyes, as if she heard something silly.
"No, you were never broken. Hurt, yes. Damaged, yes. But you have no idea what broken means. If you can return from it, you never were broken."
"Do you take our losses lightly?!" Kaguya snarled, pushing the edge of her blade closer, digging into the neck of hers…without drawing any blood. Her eyebrow twitched at the resistance, but Alfia paid it no heed instead staring into empty space with a tired sigh.
"Not at all. I am just clarifying the difference between us."
"...What are you doing here, Alfia?" Alise asked, her voice quiet. The Silence inhaled through her nose sharply.
"I did not return by my own will. I hoped to reunite with my sister. Alas…a cursed existence as mine was denied even that peace. So, here I am."
"Working with Evilus once more," Ryuu stated, gritting her teeth. To have a second chance and squandering it like…like this? To still take the side who took Ardee from her? Her Familia?
Alfia nodded, as if it was a fact. It only fueled the fire within Ryuu more.
"Of course. It is my fate. There is a reason for my return. And from what I saw…" She let out a weary breath. "The world still requires my services as a 'villain'."
Villain. As if this was a story from Hans' books.
"You think you can just walk out of here, saying that?" Lyra asked, a flat tone filling her voice. Alfia nodded ever so slightly. The motion caused them all to lock their weapons together, to keep her in place. She smiled at the action, opening her grey eye.
"Your souls burn brightly. Your suffering has made you stronger. However…"
Her other eye opened. And a shiver went down their collective spines. Common sense dictated to cut her throat open.
Instead, they all leapt backwards, before she even got to finish her sentence.
It was almost too late. She nodded ever so slightly in approval.
"I, on the other hand, have always been strong. Gospel."
Her chant, so casually added to a normal sentence, announced the ringing of the destructive bell. And thus. the entire bar simply ceased as it was blown into pieces.
Rolling outside, Ryuu gasped in pain. Only the edge of the spell caught them, and even then…! She clutched her left arm as she knelt on the ground. She looked around, checking how the others were. Lyra coughed up blood, clutching her stomach, while Kaguya kicked off debris from herself. Alise on the other hand groaned, rolling off the poor bartender, stammering and looking around frantically in utter shock.
"She even got stronger…?!"
"I hate hybrids so much!"
"You didn't pass out." Lyra and Kaguya snapped their heads at the emerging figure, calmly walking out. They all forced themselves back up to their feet, earning a nod of acknowledgement from them. "I truly am surprised. At this rate, you might actually make it in time."
"In time for what?!"
"Nevermind that." Kaguya growled at the dismissive tone. Alfia grabbed onto a nearby fluttering cloth and wrapped it around her head, as a makeshift covering. "I doubt we will see each other again."
"Oh, I doubt that!" Alise shot forward, her rapier's aim true. Ryuu came from above while Lyra went low, with Kaguya coming from the other side.
Alfia casually moved her body ever so slightly, with her hand brushing the tip of the rapier. The rapier blocked Lyra's attack. A raised foot avoided Kaguya's katana. And Ryuu hit the ground as the Silence spun on her feet…and walked away from them.
Their bodies were shaking. They knew they grew stronger ever since then…that last fight of the Dark Days…and yet…
It felt like the gap never closed to begin with. That realization made them remain rooted in place, even as one of their enemies walked away from them, her voice echoing against the buildings of Orario, even as the commotion caused many onlookers to arrive, to be on their way.
"After the last failure, Evilus has holes that need to be filled. And I am a mere corpse. My place doesn't belong on the surface, unlike you. And you know what they say. Monsters deal with monsters."
Alfia glanced back one last time, a small smile on her face.
"Goodbye, Astraea Familia. I pray that the Last Hero will prevent your fall when the time comes."
Thus, she disappeared. Kaguya slammed her fist against the ground in frustration, a growl forming in her throat.
"What a bitch…"
"Cryptic as always…" Ryuu muttered. What was she talking about? It was like…she was warning them of something.
"..."
They all blinked. Lyra tilted her head as she looked at Alise staring at empty space, eyes wide.
"Alise?"
"...Monsters deal with monsters…?" She muttered. Something clicked in their heads.
"The Xenos?"
"If she is aiming for them…we need to warn Fels."
Lyra let out an annoyed groan. Ryuu agreed.
No rest for the wicked it appeared.