She had to rush back home. She was already late since she got distracted by this new spa. She couldn't stick around but she made a mental note to save some valis in order to enter. They weren't high-end baths but they were still something that was not easily accessible. Baths are her favorite thing to do and take. They soothe her soul.

She was rushing by and accidentally knocked into someone. She heard something clatter to the ground. Immediately, she turned around and spoke, "I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

She reached down and grabbed the stick, which felt as if it was resisting her grip but let go once it was placed back into the owner's hand. She was honorable and would not steal from someone. Her God would not appreciate it. That was when she noticed something.

His eyes.

They were clouded. Not in the metaphorical sense but in a physical sense.

Suddenly, the stick made sense. It wasn't for this man's benefit but for his everyday life. "Uhm, sir? Are you-"

He shook his head before looking in her general direction. Granted he was looking over her head, which only confirmed this girl's initial observation, He's blind. She did not pity him nor scorn him. She spoke to him as if he was any other person.

"Apologies, I was distracted by such a beautiful voice that I lost hold of my senses. May I know your name?" Internally, he did not want to come off as desperate but something in her voice soothed him beyond anything.

The girl blushed at hearing such a genuine yet unique compliment, "Ahh! Where are my manners? I am Yamato Mikoto of Takemikazuchi Familia."

"Far Eastern? No wonder why I heard such a distinct accent," the blind man mused. "I guess in your culture I would be Yamabe Kano, unblessed…Yamato-san? I'm doing that right?"

"There's no need for that…may I call you Kano?"

"You may, as long as I can call you Mikoto."

Neither was aware but they both shivered slightly when they said each other's name.

"Do…you need help?" She eventually asked.

Kano stilled for a moment, feeling his body stiffen before he spoke, "No, Mikoto. I have recognized and remembered the path I need to take to my residence." But I want to hear her voice more…why am I thinking this? I just met her?! How I wish I could just see her…

Mikoto, with all her pride and respectful attitude, and upbringing, could not leave him to walk the streets alone. Especially at this time of night. Drunk adventurers are…less than pleasant. "If you would allow it, may I escort you home? Consider this me making it up to you for me running into you."

The raven-haired swordswoman looked into his eyes, his murky eyes. The whole iris was covered in a white film and she wanted to know what color they were. Little did she know was that Kano could feel her stare but he did not sense pity in her voice. Had he felt that, he would have declined her offer outright but respectfully. "That…would be nice. I don't often get to walk around with others."

Mikoto bit her lip, looking sheepish, "If I get time…could I uhm…walk you around?"

Kano was about to respond when she rushed out another response, "Forgive me if that's too forward!"

A rumble in his chest. Kano never thought he would do this. He was laughing. Not full-on laughing but it was more than a usual chuckle or snicker. "You're not being too forward, Mikoto."

Kano heard a dish crash inside and snapped around at the sound, his guard back up again. Strange, he didn't know he had lowered it.

That was when he heard Anya, "Did nyhe just laugh?"

Mikoto looked awkwardly around him to see the cat girl gaping at Kano. "It's rude of you to eavesdrop, Lady Anya. You know better."

"I nynow, nya, but…"

Ryuu's voice followed along, "That is the first time any of us has heard you laugh, even if you deny it."

Kano sighed, "I'm leaving now. Mikoto, do you wish to still accompany me? I don't wish to hold you up if you have somewhere else to be."

Mikoto shook her head with a forming smile, "I do not, Master Kano."

"Please don't," Kano grimaced, "I am no one's Master, Mikoto. Just 'Kano' is fine." He began walking by her and held his arm out, "Care to guide me?"

"Certainly, and I apologize once more for running into you. I'm usually not that…clumsy."

Kano heard the sincerity in her voice and tone. "Nonsense, a beautiful person like you is far from clumsy."

B-Beautiful?! He doesn't even know what I look like! Mikoto's thoughts expressed whilst her face flushed pink. No one has given her such a genuine compliment, aside from her Familia, in what felt like forever. So instead of denying it, she just mumbled, "If you say so."

With his arm secured in hers, his walking stick lightly scratching the ground, they spoke of light topics, him asking about the Dungeon, her asking about what an 'unblessed' life was like. A smile was left on Mikoto's face as she guided Kano along.

She didn't think of any implications of this. All she saw was her helping a disabled person back home. Yet, she did not pity him. From what Mikoto has gathered about Kano in the short time they've met, he does not care about being blind, has a quick-witted tongue, compliments her on her voice, and always seems to have his head on a swivel.

It was then that she asked one last question, "Did you ever desire to be an adventurer?"

She stood outside the inn that Kano resided in. It wasn't on Daedalus street but the inn is a few blocks from Babel's garden. It must be expensive.

Kano pursed his lips, an action he feels like he's repeated many times tonight. "Maybe at one point but the Gods find an adventurer without eyesight…lacking." His tone wasn't jovial or upset nor angry…

Just blank. Emotionless.

It was that tone that had Mikoto's instincts as a warrior and adventurer on edge. She showed—visibly—no signs of being afraid. He wasn't even looking in her direction but at the sky.

She followed his gaze, "My apologies for bringing i-"

"There's no need to apologize. I've lived in Orario since I was born, blind at birth, and I've had to accept the reality of the world is darker than what I had imagined. It's not your fault, so please, don't blame yourself. I cannot and will not let a maiden cry or be upset over natural curiosity," Kano said softly, almost whispering. Mikoto barely heard him even with her Falna-enhanced hearing.

"You've been saying that a lot, Kano."

"I do not wish to upset any woman, no matter the reason. My parents had instilled that being respectful is better than being bitter at the world," Kano said, now looking at her. He felt her eyes meet his own and the sensation of peace rushed through him.

"Thank you for telling me. Shall we meet again sometime soon?" Mikoto asked with traces of hope sprinkled in her tone.

Kano felt his lips tug upward, shakily, "Sure, I…would very much like that…"

"Until then, Kano," she said and then he heard her footsteps fade away.

"Thank you…Mikoto. Kon'ya wa yukkuri yasunde kudasai." (May you rest peacefully tonight.)

"Anata mo," (You too) her voice floated back to him.

For a reason that he didn't know, his face felt warm...

…and wet.

The innkeeper, who had heard the conversation, silently let him in aside from telling him that the room was clean. Room service and all that.

That night, Kano went to bed, restless. His words from earlier were true. His parents had wanted him to experience the world as much as he can despite being blind. They wanted him to be respectful when others would not be. His mother instilled the need to speak when needed. His father instilled the need to defend himself if speaking was thrown out the window. He had to learn, he had to adapt. They wanted him to express himself in any way possible. The problem was he was bitter.

Oh, so bitter that it doesn't begin to describe how he always felt underneath the surface.

He had so many things taken away from him that almost everyone else can experience. He was never able to see his parents' faces. He was never able to see them smile at him. He was never able to commit anything physical about them to memory. All he had was his senses of touch, hearing, and smell.

Kano remembers the feel of silk, in his mother's hair. It was always so silky that when he held silk-like material, he always said that mommy's hair was softer. His father has a light scruff on his face, and he always seemed to be smiling as Kano felt a dimple on his left cheek every time.

His parents loved him. They always did. Now? He doesn't know where they went. They just up and disappeared one day. To say it was crushing was a vast understatement.

His face felt wet again and this time, he let those come forward. He let those tears out. He let out his sorrows but he would never let out his sorrows over a bottle. For someone like him to drink, he would lose his grasp on his senses, which would be detrimental to him. So for now, as much as the urge comes, he will fight it.

Little did Kano know, someone was watching him.

The very person watching him was looking longingly and sorrowfully in his direction. A glass of wine in hand and easily the most beautiful woman to roam Gekai. She sat at the top of Babel, the Tower overlooking the Dungeon and most of the city.

"Words cannot describe how I sympathize with you," she whispered into her glass. "I don't know how to take away that pain…"

Her silent observer merely raised his eyebrows. Never before has he seen his Lady so…lost and confused. His first instinct was to harm the person responsible but another more rational part of his mind told him to hold off and wait for her word. Finally, he spoke, "Is there anything I can do for you, my Lady?"

The woman's eyes rose from her glass and stared at the reflection of the window, "Not at this time…"

"Do you wish to be alone?" He asked, his voice monotone but the woman picked up his concern.

"Yes, Ottar, please shut the door on your way out," she said, downing the rest of her wine before putting the glass down. She stood and walked to the window, placing her hand on it. "His soul remains clouded but today, I noticed something."

Ottar, the giant Boaz walked silently to the door, wanting to hear what she had to say. He was aware of her Discerning Eyes and what they could do. The ability to see the colors of souls, whether they were pure or not, and how much they shined.

"While his soul is clouded, it does not affect the beauty of it. Something happened today, he met someone, someone that lifted his burdens, even if for a moment." It was that moment that she saw the true brilliance of his soul.

"Are you giving up on him? Is he not worthy of your love?"

The woman did not get angry at that statement. She merely chuckled, "Far from it, I still want him. Him and the other one." Two of the most beautiful souls she had ever seen. "Please have one of the executives watch him, the unblessed one."

Ottar then asked, more for his own sake than anything else, "Do you wish to have him join under your love and care?"

Meaning, do you want him in your Familia?

"No, just under observation, make sure nothing happens to him under any circumstances." Truthfully, she wanted him in her Familia so that he may be under her protection but she would not go against his wishes. She would never cross that line, despite the rumors about her.

"Is that all, Lady Freya?"

She, the goddess known as Freya, looked into the reflection to meet the eyes of her most faithful follower, "No, that will be all." With that, he stepped out of the room.

Freya crossed her arms so that each hand rested on the opposite hip, before sighing, glancing to her left to see a picture, one of the only pictures Freya has in the room. Sure, she bought the rights to reserve the room—being the Top Familia in Orario—but she never personalized it, except for this photo. The moonlight shined just enough to cover the photo's other occupants.

"I made you a promise and I will be sure to keep it. After all, it was you that changed how I view mortals…" she spoke as if the occupant was there in the room with her…

…but alas, she spoke to nothing but empty air.

Kano opened his eyes, greeted by the blackness that was his vision. His eyes felt crusty, dry, and irritated. Great…

It's not often he has emotional breaks, but they have occurred, at least they occur less frequently in the last two years. The Hostess girls have something to do with it. Despite their flaws, they are good girls. Even Syr, bless her little heart.

The air was still cool which signified to Kano that it was still early morning. The Sun hadn't risen above the horizon just yet but this was the perfect time to act.

Kano got up and navigated his room with ease. His walking stick resides in the same place it always does, next to the door. After taking a quick shower slash bath, he dressed himself. He has a system, it's worked, no need to show it all.

Soon after, the Sun was rising, the warm rays reaching his face. He let out a sigh, "Time to get ingredients."

As he had left, he was aware of having an extra passenger per se. Kano decided to not bother because there was no imminent hostile intent. Using his senses, he went to the market district, where Demeter Familia's headquarters and markets were. Kano wanted to do something for the Hostess crew, even if it was against the matron's wishes.

He always felt as if he was taking advantage of them. So, he had this idea. Still, his mind was half distracted as he thought about Mikoto.

It was honestly strange, thinking about a girl—at least be by the sound of her voice—that he just met yesterday. Yet he wished to talk to her more. He felt much more at ease with her than he has ever felt before.

"Ara, are you really spacing out? How rude, Kano," A lovely voice said.

Kano blinked, "Sorry, Lady Demeter…it was an odd night."

The Goddess Demeter—known as the goddess of harvest and agriculture—smirked at the blind boy, letting her voice project her tone, "So I've heard."

"As has half of Orario at this point," Kano deadpanned. "Not my fault, I swear."

A giggle, "Okay, I believe you~"

"I'm here for business, Lady Demeter, do you have specific items for breakfast foods?"

"Oh?" A silent question to continue.

"I'm feeling peckish and I want to do it myself. I'm blind not helpless," Kano deadpanned the goddess again. "I don't ask for pity, nor do I need it, Lady Demeter."

"I wasn't. Mou…are you still set on not joining a Familia?"

The answer was immediate, "I am."

"I see…so, let me help you find those items," Demeter quickly changed the subject, which Kano was grateful for.

One single bag rested in his free hand as he ascended the stairs to the Hostess, left right left. The door was locked, but he took the tip of his walking stick and tapped against the door.

Seconds past before the door opened and a cool voice greeted him, "Mr. Yamabe, what are you doing here?"

That was not asked with malice, merely curiosity and acute surprise, that much he could tell.

"Good morning, Lady Ryuu, I brought something. I am going to need to commandeer the kitchen, may I come in?"

Audible footsteps were heard as the door was opened. "Come in," Ryuu said, wondering why the blind boy came here so early.

Without pause, he swiftly navigated the tavern to the kitchen area, where May—the cat girl cook—was. "Nya? Kano?"

"Good morning, Lady May. I would like to borrow your work area for the next half-hour, unless you want to help me?"

"Nya, what did nya bring?" The cook asked, the sound of her tail swishing behind her, brushing the fabric of her outfit.

Kano's lips curved into a shaky smirk, "Breakfast, courtesy of Demeter Familia, and the patron deity herself."

When the smell reached the other waitresses a mere twenty minutes later, they were dressed and ready, looking toward the kitchen. They were actually more worried about Mama Mia's reaction rather than the delicious food.

"Lady May, please stop trying to eat it. You and the other lovely ladies outside will have some shortly," Kano's voice could be heard, faintly amused yet exasperated.

Said waitresses blushed lightly at his words, knowing he was complimenting them but how did he know they were there?

"What's going on here?" Mia's voice boomed across the tavern. "Who's in the kitchen?"

"Greetings, Mia!" Kano's voice rose to answer.

"The hell are you doing here so early, boy?" Mia walked over to the kitchen door, only to smell something…satisfying. Mia's eyebrows rose as she heard his footsteps coming.

The door was gently pushed open, revealing Kano in an apron, some minor stains on it but nonetheless pristine. "I apologize for usurping your kitchen, Mia, but think of this as a token of my appreciation for putting up with my shit for the past two years."

"This is for last night, isn't it?"

"Nope."

"Didn't know you could cook," Mia crossed her arms, her smile getting a few centimeders too wide, which was scaring the waitresses. May looked unaffected but she was just drooling over the food.

"You never asked."

"What can't you do?" She mumbled under her breath.

His quip was instantaneous, "See." He obviously failed to notice how Mia widened her eyes. Looks shared by the girls told her that they barely managed to hear her. What an interesting kid.

"Stop staring, you'll make me blush," Kano sarcastically quipped. "You can also thank Lady May for assisting me, aka pointing out the appropriate tools and utensils that I needed."

"And some of nya preparations," she called out.

"What is it?" Ryuu asked, idly wondering where her dear friend Syr was. She was missing out truthfully.

"Allow me to answer, Lady Ryuu," Kano spoke up. "I made you each a personalized breakfast dish, something to start your day. Forgive me, Lady Ryuu, but I am not well-versed in elven dishes, so yours is a bit more generic than the rest."

Ryuu waved a hand, "There is no need for you to apologize. I do not expect everyone to suddenly understand my culture in an instant. This gesture is enough, thank you," she ended with a small smile.

Kano felt pride swell in his chest because of the thankfulness in Ryuu's tone. "As for the silly little cat girls, your dishes have some fish in them—which I am not being racist—but I thought you would appreciate something like it."

Anya was the first to shout, "I love it nya!"

Chloe was too busy drooling. Licking her lips, "A serious shame, mrow, that you are nyat younger~"

"Pervert," Kano immediately quipped.

Mia eyed the dishes and noticed one was still covered. She pointed at that one, "Who's this one for."

"Well…since I was unable to decide what to make you…and actually bought more ingredients than necessary…I made a hashbrown casserole. Think of it like an omelet but with hashbrowns on the outside."

Mia quickly uncovered the dish and was greeted with the perfect textures of the dish. Eggs and cheese mixed in perfectly, the spice of peppers and onions, and some meats graciously lathered across the surface. "May, did he really make this?"

The chef cat girl immediately snapped to Mama Mia, "He did nya, I swear on myan job!"

"I'm hurt that you think I didn't," Kano's sarcastic quip cut in idly. "The only meat I was unable to get was bacon." On cue, his stomach grumbled, "Now, can I eat the fruits of my labor?"

It was only about eight in the morning in Orario and the crew of the Hostess of Fertility were just staring at the blind boy. "How did you learn to cook like this?"

"The smells. I've said it before, without my sight, my other senses had to be enhanced without a blessing," Kano drawled.

"But how did you-" Lunoire started to speak but again was cut off curtly.

"Smells, little bit of taste as well," he shuddered, "Some of my earliest attempts were…less than sucessful."

Mia just stared at him, the casserole long devoured. The waitresses loved the dishes that he made. Ryuu, while not the most vocal, was most pleased with her breakfast.

"Yoo-hoo!"

Kano turned his head toward the sound, "Lady Syr, good morning."

"Aww Kano, did you miss me?" Syr arrived in her Hostess attire.

"Hardly," he reached under the bar and put something on it. "Breakfast, for you." His hand rested on his aid, eyes open and staring in her direction.

Syr was touched by the gesture, but immediately looked to Mia to see her shrug and gesture to the food, "Boy knows how to cook."

All the waitresses gleamed at the sight of more food. Kano interjected, feeling the shift in the air…a darker shift, one that he didn't like, "Ladies behave, you had more than your fair share, let Lady Syr have hers. I do want to hear how my cooking is."

While he didn't notice it, Syr sent him a loving smile. So precious.

That of course changed immediately when she ate the food. "Hiss suh guud!"

"Manners, Lady Syr," Kano admonished. "I don't need to hear you having oral with it."

Mia then started chuckling even as the six pure maidens blushed. Kano felt the glares but he was chuckling to himself.

"So what's with the sudden inspiration to cook breakfast?" Lunoire asked as they began cleaning up the tavern for the afternoon rush, even though it was eight in the morning.

"No reason," Kano shrugged or at least did the motion. "If I was an adventurer, I would be in the dungeon. However, I will probably have more pressing matters on my hands."

Ryuu spoke up, "Because of your meddling in the incident last night?"

"I wouldn't call it 'meddling' but an attitude adjustment. Seriously, who trashes a kid who was in a situation completely out of his control?"

Lunoire hummed, "Do you think someone is going to blab?" The human waitress turned to see the blind boy in thought, his fingers drumming on his aid.

"Definitely. It's Orario, a literal rumor mill," Kano mused with certainty. "Wouldn't be surprised if those applications I put in for Familias' got reviewed and approved all of a sudden."

"So what…was that? The thing you did to make Mister Loga stay?" Ryuu's tone was curious but understanding if he didn't want to talk about it.

"Sorry, it's personal," he said with a grimace. "It's not that I don't trust you, please understand, I'm just not ready to share that piece yet."

"I understand. After all, everyone is entitled to their secrets," Ryuu said and only Kano picked it up. The empathy in her voice, while well-hidden, was clear as day to him; prompting him to turn and look in her direction.

A subtle look—in the male's case, he could feel her eyes boring into his—passed between them, acknowledging that they both have heavy secrets. To the rest of the crew, they already knew. Syr looked oblivious to it all, wondering what was happening.

They were all snapped out of it when Kano spoke up with faint traces of amusement, "Well, would you look at that? Here he comes…"

At first, they were confused before they finally heard what he did, "How good is your hearing?" Syr asked, amazed at his ability.

The girls with blessings on their backs were intrigued by this because not even a second later, they heard footsteps. Not many people are up this early and if they are, then they usually don't come this way.

A knock on the door.

Chloe was the one to answer it, "Nya! It's white hair!"

"Uhm, Miss Chloe? You're a little…uh, close?"

"Lady Chloe, give Bell his space. He does not need your perverted hands on him," Kano called out before going behind the counter again and reaching for a smaller platter. This one was wrapped in a neat bento container. "I can guess what you're here for, Bell."

"H-Huh? Mister Kano?"

"Just Kano," the blind boy said blandly. "If you're here about paying Mia, don't worry, this time I covered for you. For all her stubbornness, she allowed me to."

"Money is money boy, don't you forget it," Mia chided him. "Kid, you didn't come back to flirt with my staff, did you? I already have one who has more charismatic charm than some people." Mia huffed, directing that jab to a certain goddess.

"Pft, you think I have a charismatic charm? Far from it," Kano joked as he rounded the counter and put the bento in Bell's hand. "Don't get yourself killed and remember, the world is not fair."

"You shouldn't be so doubtful of the world, Kano," Syr chided him.

Lunoire, Chloe, Ryuu, and Anya all shared glances and then grimaced as they knew for certain that the world is ruthless and will devour you if you let it. However, they wised up and said nothing.

Kano titled his head, "Then you and I will have it out if we go into this."

"You aren't suggesting anything indecent, are you?"

"I don't know, am I?" He asked, his murky irises pointed in the direction of her voice. She took steps toward him, noting that they were loud—considering her footwear—but also sounded elegant, refined, and crisp. Kano frowned but pushed it out of his mind.

What he imagined was Syr in front of him, either with a teasing expression or a puffed up cheeks look. "Is this your way of saying you want to go out with me?"

"Thought you liked short, innocent, white hair over there?" Kano replied, getting an 'Eh' from said short, innocent, and white-haired kid.

"You don't know my type," Syr quipped.

"Don't think I want to know. It's the innocent ones that are freaks in the sheets," Kano said unashamedly. Syr said nothing as she blushed up a storm.

Well played, Kano, she thought to herself. But wait, "Sounds like you know a thing or two."

"I do," his answer came clean but Syr noticed the slightly clipped tone. "Now Bell, aside from dying from embarrassment right now, how are you feeling?"

Bell didn't really have an idea on how to respond, so he just sputtered incoherent words and half-sentences. He was so off his element that nothing could save him here.

"Mister Cranel, I believe you have to go into the Dungeon soon?" Ryuu's voice brought the young adventurer out of his limbo.

"R-Right! Uh, thank you, K-Kano, Miss Ryuu!" With that, he was out the door.

Kano then said he would be back later tonight, his whole being shaken. It wasn't because of Syr's question.

It was the memories associated with it.

Mikoto found herself wondering when she was going to see Kano again. She hadn't heard her native language in so long…so when he told her to rest peacefully last night, it took her a second for her mind to reboot to squeeze out her reply.

Takemikazuchi noticed the change in the girl he saw as his daughter. He wouldn't bring it up just yet. However, he did ask about why she was home later than usual. Mikoto was punctual with most everything, except baths. That was a her thing.

The male god didn't understand it entirely but thought it best to not ask if only because it amused him slightly. Ouka and Chisuga—Mikoto's childhood friends from the Far East—were concerned for her. Overly so. Wondering where she was, who she was with, and if they did anything to her.

Well, it was Ouka who asked those as his upfront demeanor and near no-nonsense attitude were front and center. Chisuga just grabbed Mikoto's hand and asked her one thing, "Where did you go?"

Mikoto apologized profusely, dropping to a dogeza to ensure her sincerity. She looked up and sighed, "There are some things we take for granted…so let me ask you both something. If you lost your sight, would you be upset or accept it?"

"What happened?" Ouka asked, the bulking man kneeled in front of Mikoto. Since they were in their Familia home, it was a traditional building of the Far East, a slice of home.

"Please answer," Mikoto urged. The ravenette had to know.

"I would have to adapt. Sure it would be difficult, but I won't back away," Ouka said with determination. Chisuga was in a similar boat.

"I had run into someone outside the tavern, Hostess of Fertility. I wasn't paying attention, a true lack of foresight, but instead of the person getting mad or upset, they were in shock. That was when I noticed that he was blind."

As she explained, her face got redder and redder. She wasn't looking at them, fidgeting with her fingers. "He's been blind since birth but looked like he never cared. It was something that he accepted. After I ran into him, I offered to walk him home. He accepted…but he kept calling me beautiful even though he doesn't know what I look like! He was basing it off my voice," and Mikoto's face was red as can be. She made apples look dull in comparison.

Ouka looked puzzled while Takemikazuchi listened in with interest. Chisuga had a sparkle in her eyes at this. "He likes you."

"Impossible!" Mikoto exclaimed, the prideful, honorable swordswoman was nowhere to be found, a fair maiden in her place. "I-It doesn't work like that!"

"Why else would…he call your voice…b-beautiful?" Chisuga asked, glancing at Ouka before looking away.

Mikoto truly didn't have an answer for that. The only answer that would satisfy her would be from the man himself.

"Now then, as much as gossip is fun, aren't you supposed to be going to the Dungeon today?" Takemikazuchi asked his Familia. The other three members were already ready but were chatting amongst themselves. "Make me proud, all of you."

Kano left the Hostess with a simple goodbye and to ask him if they want him to cook breakfast another time. The girls took that as a yes while Mia would eventually want to talk to him.

Meanwhile, he continued to walk Orario but there was a problem. Many deities just so happened to hear about his 'run-in' with Loki Familia. Even funnier still, his extra set of eyes was still watching him. They've been following him since this morning yet never made any moves.

Even further still, the deities were surrounding him as he walked, all begging for him to join their Familia. His facial features gave nothing away except annoyance. So, he stopped and turned to some deity that he couldn't remember the name of. Their voice dropped arrogance and certainty that he would join. "Why would I join your Familia when I was rejected at the door for being blind? Suddenly, you all have an interest in me. Wonder why? After all, if I joined any Familia, I would never have peace. War Games would break out over me and as flattering as that is, too much of a hassle."

One arrogant adventurer tried to grab Kano by his shirt but the blind boy moved out of the way and smacked his hand with his aid. "Do not touch me. Isn't this violating some law about not forcing someone into their Familia?"

"But you would be able to see again! The power of the Falna is unknown, even to most of us."

"So I'd be a test subject?" Kano turned to the feminine voice, resisting the urge to flinch. "Furthermore, I do not want to be an adventurer or even a non-combatant. Respect my decision."

Yet, the gods were persistent. "What about what you did to Bete Loga of Loki Familia?"

This stopped Kano from walking and turned to the voice. Intent began to build off the blind boy, giving the adventurers who accompanied their gods—who were either level two or even three—a shiver down their spines. "Me? I told him to sit down, nothing more."

A truth, as far as the gods were concerned but there was something more. All of their intuitions were telling them that this blind mortal was far more than he originally seemed.

"Now, you're interrupting my day. Move along," Kano said bored and with a heavier tone than before. The murmurings of others were grating on his limited patience and nerves.

"You will join our Familia!" Some batch of adventurers yelled out, causing Kano to sigh and to grip his aid with a force that caused it to tremble yet his facial features did not show the signs of anger.

Nay, the signs of wrath.

"Lay a hand on me, you will regret it," his voice a mere whisper but everyone heard it.

The tension in the air increased as something was happening. The mages of the various Familias present felt the wave of magic energy flow. Flow from a very specific point. The stick that the blind boy carried.

"I believe that's enough," a voice that sent shivers of pleasure went down everyones' spines. "If he does not want to join a Familia, then respect that."

Multiple whispers caught Kano's attention. Something about Warlord. Some about how this person does not make many public appearances. Yet what truly had him was the footsteps. The sound of them. The click-clack of their heels meeting the stone. The small swish-swish of fabric rubbing against itself.

His face was set in a frown, "And just who exactly are you?"

A giggle, "Aren't you the interesting one?"

The voice was truly amused, Kano noted. "I'm not joining."

"I didn't ask."

"You were thinking of it, as did every other deity on Gekai. I don't want nor will ever need a blessing. I don't desire to go into the pit known as the Dungeon. I just want to live out my life."

Then, something unexpected happened. A hand touched his cheek. Kano froze, eyes wide but his senses were overflowing with a numbness that set his chest on fire. "A noble wish. If that is what you desire then, I shall leave you be."

"W-Who are you?"

A tither from the mysterious woman in front of him, "My dear Kano, my name is Freya."

Kano mentally recalled the name. When he did, he stepped back in shock, his hand trembling at his side. His voice came out low and shaky, "What?!"

Freya was clad in a purple cloak that covered most of her features but her status and domain as a Goddess of Beauty made her unintentionally leak charm everywhere she went. As such, precautions were taken. The Warlord, Ottar, Orario's only level seven adventurer accompanied her as instructed.

Kano swallowed the lump in his throat, "I…I need to go…"

"Before you do, can you spare the time for one conversation?"

Kano sucked in a breath, feeling his lungs constrict. What the hell has this day come to?

...

Hey, I'm back soon. Happy super late Thanksgiving to anyone in the States.

Quick thing. I apologize if the Kano section of him having his emotional break was too angsty. He's not full of angst I swear, but I would like for you to be in his shoes for just a moment. That's all I ask. Would you not feel the same way?

Hopefully, the Japanese I used within this chapter is accurate. If it is not, please correct me.

Anyway, I wrote a lot of this over the past three days. My next chapter will be Tales of Royalty. After that, I have a project that's been sidelined for a rewrite. I have two more chapters to go on it before I start reposting it.

With that being said, be safe, have a nice whatever time of day it is!