Dungeon Oratoria Online

by asdf1asdf1

DOO is the first game to be created in a long awaited category, a VRMMORPG. Follow Kirito and co as they seek to clear out the depths of the dungeon located beneath the city Orario. However, this game is no mere entertainment, it's a real world, where death in the dungeon means death for your body. The only way they can escape the game is to clear the bottom floor of the dungeon.

18. Chapter 16

Author's Note:

Hello everyone,

Happy new year and welcome to the 20's. I would have liked to have published this last year, but it was a lot longer than I thought it would be.

Anyway, Volume 14 of Danmachi came out recently. Which, if you haven't read yet, I'd highly recommend doing so. Omori continues to get better as an author. It gives me even more information and ideas with which to torture our poor characters with! Muwahaha. Kidding. Maybe.

Before i start to ramble please enjoy this chapter that reads more like the second half of a volume.

-asdf

---

Chapter 16: The Chains of Freedom

Village West of Orario:

"That's the last of them, yes?" Standing in the middle of a field, Bell held his hoe over his shoulder as he stared off into the distance. Black blood dripped from its prongs while light ash floats on the air, suspended by a faint breeze.

A semicircle of villagers stood a way back. Their expressions a mixture of awe, terror, and sorrow. Spread around Bell were mounds disrupting the short wheat. Each one another villager unable to escape from the kobolds. While they'd each turned to ash, the villagers remained behind. A visual reminder of what they'd lost.

Despite his stoic expression, the day's events had shaken Bell. Such a pack of monsters was unheard of. Of course, the villagers would have won eventually. The kobold's, descendants of the ones from the dungeon had been little stronger than a pack of wolves. Mindless brutes throwing themselves forward. It was because of this, that even without a status, Bell had been able to slaughter them. Training from years past affording him a skill far beyond what the others possessed.

"Yes. Will they come back?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Snapping irritably in reply, Bell's discontent manifested. He prided himself on his emotionless expression. The ability to appear completely unaffected. At the sight of his dead friends, well, acquaintances, Bell wanted to feel sorrow, or sadness. He'd known these people. Bertrand over there had repaired a scythe for him last harvest season. That was Altor, the best shoemaker. His current boots were made by him. He could name each of the seven, each of their individual idiosyncrasies, their own talents and personalities.

And yet… None of those emotions came. Only that searing anger that burned away the world. Flames blacker even than the creature that took his family from him. All it took was sight of a monster. Then, the rage would come. Eternally burning flames ordering their deaths. Undiminishing until nothing but ash circled him.

He hated it.

Hated being controlled by these feelings. It was part of the reason why he refused to go to Orario. Bell knew that he'd have to at some point. To confront the source of these flames. But he rejected the chains that the city put on him.

This isolated village should have allowed him to life his insignificant life free from the need to ever fight again. Enjoy the peace that his parents had won with their lives. However, there appeared to be some force that refused to let him be. The monster attacks came with increasing regularity. Like something or someone was forcing them towards the village.

Bell didn't particularly care who or what this force was, or even if they existed. What he did care about is that it became increasingly more difficult to resist the calling in his blood. To deny the bottomless hate within him the sweet release of endless slaughter. Simply thinking about the dungeon swirled the flames in his chest, begging for the chance to execute the infinite masses that his familia had spent their lives preying upon. Reaching levels that were unlikely to ever be seen again.

"You aren't going to stay and help bury them?"

Pausing in confusion, Bell realized that his feet were carrying him East. Back to his farm, and past that, Orario. Considering the Elder's words, Bell shook his head in denial. "I dealt with the monsters. I'll let you do the burials. I'll come tomorrow for the ceremony."

With that Bell forced his feet to carry him back to his fields and the endless work of a farmer that lay there.

---

Kirito:

You're the thief!?

That exclamation of disbelief repeated endlessly through my head. It wasn't even an hour ago that Lili had admitted her crimes to us. The innocent supporter, moonlighting as a thief. No, a thief who used their supporting skills to find high-profile targets. Strangely, the revelation had brought on no anger, from me anyway. No doubt Hestia is still at our home tearing into the small girl.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Smiling at me warmly, I took a moment to appreciate my advisor. Always doing far more for me than required to, I try and smile at Eina. The effort is marred with confusion and indecision. After hearing Lili's confession, I left. She'd wanted some kind of judgment or something, but I had nothing to give her at that moment. My wandering feet brought me here, to Eina. The advisor I always relied on, but never managed to aid in return.

"Is it hard to leave a familia?"

My question clearly catches Eina off guard as she blinks in confusion. Rather than replying, she leans back and thinks over my question for a while. This is what I like most about Eina. Sometimes she acts like an older sister, but she does her best to answer my questions without judgement. Everyone else would have dug into the reason behind the question before answering.

"It depends on the familia," she answers finally.

"What do you mean."

"By accepting a deity's ichor, you seal a contract that's a thousand years old. After this has been done, it requires that deity to either be sent back to heaven or their permission in order to change familias. Therefore, the price to leave a familia is set by the god of the familia. If they are nice, they will ask for nothing. Most likely though, they'll depend large sums of money."

"That's not fair!" I blurt out, surprising both Eina and myself. "That means a child born into a familia is essentially slave to it for their lives?"

A shadow passes over Eina's eyes. "There are reasons that the average adventurer is tolerated, but not appreciated by the citizens. They tend to be louder, noisier, and more destructive than the average person. The power granted by the falna making them arrogant. The top tier adventurers are usually above this and are looked up to as the heroes that the others should aspire to be. That's a conversation for a different time however."

Sighing, Eina briefly rubs her temples before leaning forward, resting her chin on her steepled fingers. "If this was all, then there would be no issue. It is, however, the problem that you bring up that calls the morality of the familia style organization into question. Children. First, there is no rule stating how old one must be to receive a falna. In fact, there's a famous example from not even ten years ago about an eight-year-old receiving a falna and becoming an adventurer!"

"They died quickly?" I ask tonelessly, shocked that any god could be callous enough to sentence a child to death.

"Actually no," Eina smiled, "that's why it's famous, she became the fastest level up in history with a time of one year. Until you people from the other world shattered that record of course."

The second half of Eina's words became faded and indistinct. She, one year, these two worlds circling through my mind. "Is she still alive?"

"No," Eina said, "we lost her a year ago."

The Great Reckoning.

She must have kept levelling up at an insane rate to have affected by it. The depressing topic souring the atmosphere to conversation.

Coughing lightly, Eina continues, trying to appear unaffected by the tale of death that she'd inadvertently brought up. "Anyway, that's merely the first issue. The second, and more notorious one, is when an adventurer has a child. Most aren't stupid enough to birth a child with a partner not in their familia. That's a whole different issue. Anyway, that child, obviously belongs to the same familia as the parents. The deity will inscribe their falna early on the child."

"They make them an adventurer?" Eyes widening in horror, I can't believe Eina's words. What parents would be cruel enough to train a baby to fight?

"No, that's not what I mean!" Eina denies, shaking her head quickly. "It marks them of the familia, but it's a non-combatant status. The prosti… ah nevermind!

"A-Anyway, the real problem here, is when the parents die. Ideally, the child is raised by the members of the familia, cared for as one of their own. These arrogant adventurers however…"

"Don't want to be saddled with other people's children?" I finish drily. I'm still curious about what Eina had stopped herself from saying, but by the blush on her cheeks, I know better than to ask.

"Exactly," Eina agrees, "these children… well they don't live happy lives. The slums in Orario are filled to the bursting pointing point with children like this."

"Why does no one help them?" I ask outraged. The new information from Eina distracting me from my original purpose.

"Some do," she replies softly. "People give them what they can, a couple of gods donate food to the orphanages. The one's with enough money to make a significant change, don't act on their ability. After all, altruism isn't a logical path to follow."

Grinding my teeth, I want to speak out, to denounce the rich that refuse to help their citizens, but… How is it different from our world? How many homeless and orphaned people live in my old prefecture? In Tokyo? Japan? The world? Had I ever given them more than a passing thought? Thinking, 'that must suck,' and moving on with my life?

Of course not.

Only now that I'm confronted directly with one of the products of this system am I indignant over its perpetuation.

"Don't be hard on yourself," Eina says, "the issues we have with poverty and greed are for us to figure out. Just focus on staying alive and returning to your world."

I wish. Containing a snort at Eina's expense, I finally divulge the reason behind my questions. Lili. Soma familia supporter. A girl, a prum girl, with magic that allows her to change forms. Using this to rob people, it was no wonder she'd gone uncaught for this long.

"So… you're wondering if you should turn her over to Ganesha familia?" Eina asks confused once I've finished.

"No. We want to help her get out of her familia."

"Huh?" Eyes widening in shock. Eina seems baffled by my declaration. "You've said yourself that she's a thief. I don't know why she would have told you all of this, by why are you helping her?"

"Because she asked me for it."

My words are soft, yet they carry to Eina. Hearing them she slumps into her chair in defeat.

"I…" Pausing, Eina takes a moment to compose herself. "There is something you can do. If her deity refuses to release her, you can petition the guild. Open an investigation claiming that they've treated a member unfairly. If the girl herself provides testimony, no doubt the guild will demand her release, or at least force them to state an achievable value…"

Eina trails off, hesitant to finish her thought. "And then?" Prodding her gently, I wait in anticipation for the information that will enable us to help the girl.

"The god will probably be upset at losing a member to you. With a parting forced in ill will there are any number of possibilities. Of those, a War Game is most likely."

"War Game?"

"Yes, a high stakes battle between familias. Literally everything is on the line. From members to money, to the deities lives themselves."

Shivering, I try to imagine such an encounter. Two familias pit against each other on a battlefield. By the sound of Eina's description killing is allowed.

"Even worse, however, there may be no War Game declared. Then, even Orario itself may turn into a battlefield."

Staring at her, I fail to keep the horror from showing on my face. Ganesha familia's last game to bring cheer to the residents of Orario is the only thing I can think of to compare it to. Then we'd teamed up to try and trap and take down one member. I'd later heard that the other orbs were contested in a way more akin to what Eina described. Armed forces squaring off against each other. The use of debilitating force to stop anyone from claiming the prize.

"I won't let that happen. Thank you for your help."

Nodding quickly at Eina, I stagger out of the restricting consultation box. I need to get outside. Hopefully the sun will lift the dark cloud that's surrounded me.

---

Hestia's run-down church:

Leafa stood awkwardly off to the side. A distance separated her from her goddess, but it was still close enough to interfere should something happen. That seemed unlikely, however. Lili had admitted her history as a thief with Silica standing beside her.

Kirito had left shortly after that. A few mumbled words about needing to clear his head. Since then Leafa's been forced to listen to Hestia rant about how dare Lili have stolen from them. The yelling was prompted by a single thread: How the theft had prevented Hestia and Kirito getting supper together. Yet, somehow, the tirade had continued for close to ten minutes now. All of Hestia's arguments were circular, leading back to the supper. It was clearly a traumatizing moment for her.

Leafa figured she must be a bad follower. She couldn't bring herself to really care about the theft or Hestia missing her dinner. Her attention kept drifting past the apologetic Lili to where the broken doors allowed the morning sun to illuminate the interior. Out there is where Kirito is.

She'd only got a brief glimpse of his face, but it was enough. Leafa knew that Kirito would help their supporter. He couldn't possibly abandon someone who came to them asking for help. Leafa contained her emotions better, but felt the same way. Even as she leaned against a crumbling pillar, an aloof expression on her face, she was contemplating what they could do.

If Lili was to be believed, then the price her God would demand for her release was around four million valis. There was another method that she'd proffered hesitantly. A guild inquiry. If she sold out her familia's misdeeds to the guild, they may force her familia to release her.

To Leafa, this was by far the best method. Despite the small fortune that Lili had amassed, she was still half a million away from the required amount. It was clear that a good thief could make far more than low level adventurers could dream of. Nevertheless, it didn't address the problem Leafa had with this confession. Why had Lili been so hesitant to offer up the inquiry as a solution? Why hadn't she done it herself?

"Enough already!" Silica cried, throwing herself between Hestia and Lili. "Stop blaming her and let's start planning how to help her!"

"And why should we help her?" Hestia flared in answer, "she's done nothing to help us."

"She saved our lives." Leafa's voice is quiet, but everyone turns towards her. Blushing under the attention she'd inadvertently drawn, Leafa explains her thoughts. "Yesterday down in the dungeon, I think they would have overrun us if she hadn't been there."

This time Hestia had no quick retort, merely turning a baleful eye to the girl. "Do you know why I don't like you, supporter?"

"Huh?" Finally speaking, Lili raised her gaze from the floor. It had stayed there since before she even explained her situation.

"I don't like you because you're taking advantage of my familia's kindness. Whether they'd admit it or not, all three of them are far too nice for their own good. They would have helped you without even knowing you."

"I… That's not!"

"It is true! But more than that, is your attitude. You bow your head in supplication expecting to be beaten for asking for help. I mean, come on, how lame is that? If you're going to inconvenience our familia, at least have the dignity to do it with your head raised!"

Leafa could only stand there open-mouthed during Hestia's tirade. As she continued rambling, the goddess' true feelings became increasingly clear. She wanted to help Lili as much as anyone. She had called the other members kind and naïve, when she could be said to be the epitome of these traits.

The thought brought a small smile to her lips, a line rising in her mind. It was an essay published online while she had done her research about the game called Musings about DOO.

'Reports are scattered and brief about the structure around which this game revolves. The familias sound inherently flawed. With what essentially amounts to guilds where no players have any say over its composition, there is sure to be countless disagreements and infighting. Despite this, every beta tester I talked to admitted to not hating the format. While initially players chaffed under the demands placed on them, resentment quickly faded. In fact, many said it was the like-minded players surrounding them that kept them logging in day after day.'

That article had been dry. Seemingly disconnected paragraphs touching on different aspects of gameplay that struck the author as odd. All of which now make sense to Leafa. For these aspects would have been copied for the real-world version into which the players were eventually sent. It was that one phrase in particular that stood out to her, 'like-minded players'. Was there more going on in the gods' recruitments of familia members than what met the eye?

Leafa wasn't sure about herself, but Kirito and Silica seemed to fit in very well with Hestia's beliefs. A deep kindness that manifested as a willingness to help anyone. She couldn't help but wonder if other familia's were formed along similar lines. One's dedicated to power, or justice, or trading. Murder. The idea floated randomly to the forefront of her mind. The figures that attacked them on the twelfth floor were probably all members of the same familia as well. People brought together under the rule of a like-minded deity.

"So, I guess all that's left is to determine how to get Lili out of her familia?" Silica said next, murmuring in concentration.

"Hold up!" Hestia said, "weren't you listening to me?"

"Thank you, goddess Hestia," Lili murmurs appreciatively. "I don't deserve this."

"You're right, remember that, so you owe me something!"

"W-what?"

"That no matter what he does for you, or how nice he may be, do. Not. Fall. For. Kirito. Understand?"

"Of course?" Lili replies confused. "I'm not looking for anyone right now anyway."

"Good, I'll hold you to that!" Hestia says, her voice far more upbeat now that she's extracted a tentative promise from the supporter.

"So, which method are we thinking?" Silica repeats, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

Giving the exterior and Kirito's disappearance one final glance, Leafa approaches the group. "Why don't we go downstairs and plan around the table?"

"Sure…" Hestia sounded confused at why everyone wanted to plan.

Sitting around the table, talks were unproductive. The only two members who really seemed interested in solving anything were Silica and Leafa. Both of whom were growing increasingly irate as Hestia looked bored and Lili was still in shock that this was actually happening.

"Are you going to participate?" Leafa snapped irritably, fed up with her goddess' laziness. It was the dark side Hestia's kindness. A seemingly vast void of apathy that simply prevented her from performing even the most basic of tasks on random days.

"I just don't see the point," Hestia snapped irritably. "I'm sure Kirito will back shortly with the problem solved."

"I can see why you'd think that…" Silica mumbles in agreement.

The sentiments of helplessness light flames of fury within Leafa's breast. "How can you sit there and leave everything to Kirito to solve? What if he's dealing with something else right now? What if he comes back assuming that we've been busy making plans to free Lili?"

The speech is a little overboard, but it gets the reaction Leafa's searching for. The two sit back abashed.

"So, assuming Kirito doesn't make a plan better than ours, maybe we should write out our various options?"

"I agree," Hestia murmurs, finally contributing. Lili however continues to sit there baffled.

"So, we have two, yes?" Leafa asks tentatively.

"No," Lili interrupts shaking her head. "I still don't fully understand why you're all willing to do this, but… If you are, then I'll summarize things for you."

Taken aback, Leafa and the others could only watch as the small supporter who had barely strung two words together before, asserted her position. Staring them in the eye one by one, Leafa finally got to appreciate the inner strength the girl must have accumulated during her time getting abused by her familia.

"To make things simple, we have three choices. The first, and safest, although it will take the longest, is for me to buy my way out. I have a good starting amount, but it all depends on if Soma will listen to me. The second, and potentially easiest route is a form of ill management. If I testify against my familia, they'll probably get upset, but I should be allowed to leave."

"So why haven't you already done that?" Hestia breaks in.

Leafa and Silica nod in agreement. If the guild has a method in place to prevent familias from abusing their members, then why hadn't she taken advantage of it?

"You don't understand," Lili disagreed, "The first thing the guild would do is send a missive to my familia asking for them to come and answer the accusations. I wouldn't've have survived the night. Even if I did, I would have called off the accusation."

"They'd torture you?" Hestia asks shocked.

Lili's face goes dark at the words. "Not in the way you're thinking. You see, exploring the dungeon is more of a side project for my familia. Our god makes and sells alcohol. What you see on the shelves is a deject."

"Defect?"

"Yes… The perfect brew it… It steals the soul…" Lili's words trailed off, her eyes unfocused and filled with fear, as if reliving horrible memories.

"Steals the soul…" repeating Lili's words blandly, Silica shivers where she sits.

"Can you elaborate?" Leafa pled weakly, sure there was something underneath the explanation.

"Sure, I guess I was being a little dramatic," Lili laughs weakly. Her attempt to lighten the mood only worries the others further. "It isn't addictive, so it isn't dangerous. But while under its spell, the only thing you want, is more Soma."

A stark silence overcomes the room. A vision of how the familia is run beginning to come together.

"So, you think that if you start an investigation, they'll feed you Soma which will bring you under their control?"

"Possibly," Lili agrees with a shrug. "After I give it up and return to the familia I'd probably be beaten and jailed. They only give Soma to members who meet quota after all. If news got out that they were giving it to me just to keep me in line, ever member would try and blackmail Lord Soma."

Lord Soma.

The reverent tone that Lili used when referring to her god sat strangely with Leafa. She had thought that Lili must hate her god for what his lack of attention had wrought upon her life.

"Anyway," Lili continued, focusing the conversation, "the kind of risks inherit in a strategy like this are obvious. An ability to stay safe from my familia is of utmost importance. Which of course brings us onto the third possibility.

"This would essentially consist of a pre-emptive attack on the familia. Either a direct assault on the wine storehouse, or a declaration of a War Game over a fabricated slight."

Lili's strong words left the other in shock. Staring at the Prum girl, they were shocked by the level of intelligence and forethought she displayed. It was no wonder that the girl that accumulated a vast savings of over three million in her short time as a thief.

"What are the benefits of those two different approaches?" Leafa asks with interest, shaking off her shock before the other two.

"Scare them mainly. If they think that your side is far stronger, then they may offer up me up as a way to appease you. However, the risk involved…"

"Doesn't matter," Kirito's voice rings from the stairwell. Descending the stairs, his presence reinvigorates the meeting, all eyes focusing on his arrival. "There's only one thing I need to know."

"And that is?" Lili asks with trepidation.

"What are your plans after leaving your familia. Do you want to join ours, or seek your fortunes somewhere else?"

Lili paused, surprised by the blunt question. "I… well." Glancing towards Silica, something passes between the two of them. "I think I'd like to leave Orario."

"Huh?" Recoiling in shock, Hestia and Leafa seemed unprepared for Lili's intentions. Silica and Kirito just nodded in understanding.

"I've never had a chance to go anywhere else. To be anything else. I think I'd like to see what's out there… At least for awhile."

With these words, an expression of peace comes over Lili's face. During her time in Hestia familia, the others had seen her display a wide range of expressions. This, however, was a new one. An expression of desire that she'd never allowed herself to speak before.

"That's what I thought," Kirito chuckles quietly. "In that case, Hestia would you meet someone with me?"

---

Asuna:

"Floor twelve… Is there something special about it?"

"I doubt it, most likely a random ambush."

"No, you're forgetting something. The twelfth-floor acts as a staging point for the sorties into the middle floors. More than that, many of the Foreign Adventurers are currently on that floor."

"You bring up good points…"

As the voices circled back and forth, I did my best to appear small. Standing in the Familia leaders' room, my eyes tracked their conversation as they fired back and forth. I had just finished reporting on the events of yesterday to them. As long as I make no motion to draw their attention, hopefully they will continue to ignore my presence.

"You bring up a good point Astrid," Goran agreed with a nod, "however, it doesn't answer the question of why. The move seems illogical and pre-emptive."

Goran sits behind his desk, one hand tapping his desk while the other strokes his long beard.

"I concur," Astrid murmurs, "you'd think their first move would be against us and Freya familia. Maybe Ganesha familia…"

As she trails off, I can't help but admire my mentor and friend. Ever since she'd hit level four, a new aura of command surrounds her. Even the other two leaders have been paying more attention to her.

"Bah," Phineas dismisses. "I say ignore them. The more time we spend in the dungeon, the greater our advantage."

"You're just upset that you didn't hit level four!" Goran chuckles deeply, the sound reminds me of stones breaking.

Phineas glares back at him, not finding the jab humorous.

"Asuna," Astrid starts.

"Y-Yes!" Stuttering slightly, I wait for the command to leave.

"Do you think that this incident has invoked a fear of the dungeon among the lower-class adventurers?"

Relieved that I wasn't banished, I think about my interactions until now. "I obviously don't have the best grasp of adventurers overall, but the group I interacted with was undaunted."

"Good, good…"

Eyes flickering nervously, what I left out was that the group I interacted with was Kirito's party. There's no way something like this would slow him down.

"I still think we should investigate the twelfth floor more," Astrid insisted. "Their strategy in suboptimal. If they had used a different route for the pass parade, they could have forced them all deeper into the dungeon. That alone would have killed more than they did."

"There be something to what you're saying," Phineas agreed regretfully. By the tone in his voice, he still didn't respect the threat that these groups poised to us. "However, I'd say that this just shows how incompetent they are."

"Or they had a bolt hole ready," Astrid counters. "After all, Ganesha familia's been watching the entrance of the dungeon since the first adventurers got out. No one from either of the suspected familia's has emerged."

This time Phineas had no answer beyond a bored sigh. The only time he relaxed anymore was when he went to the dungeon. No doubt the strain of falling behind the other two leaders in level had kindled a burning desire to catch back up and prove himself worthy of leading this familia.

"What exactly are you suggesting?" Goran rumbled.

"I'm sure you remember the rumours," Astrid spoke softly. "I wasn't really around that much during that time period… But do you remember the rumours that used to escape from Zeus and Hera familia?"

"How they could never track down the gods running the underground?"

"Exactly," Astrid nods distractedly, her eyes unfocused. "Whispers of a second entrance."

Breath hitching, I can't believe it. A second entrance to the dungeon? How could that be possible. I've never heard of that possibility until now.

"Hehe, so you guys got that far on your own, huh?" Without a care in the world, Loki saunters into the room, her traditional smirk plastered to her face. "Oh, Asuna's here too, eh?"

"Yes goddess," I mutter, trying to keep my voice level despite my irritation at getting called out.

"Oh, so sneaky!" Loki praised, "Standing there like a statue and they talked right over your head, didn't they?"

Going red, I have no reply. She's seen completely through me.

"We're just muttering speculation," Goran laughs, "No secret counsels are being held."

"Well, then I'm here to turn it into one. Hey, Asuna, mind fetching me a glass of wine?"

Back going straight, I can't believe it. Right when everything is happening, Loki shows up and banishes me from the room? Its unfair!

"Yes, Goddess." Forcing my displeasure into every syllable I stalk from the room. Cheeks burning even more as I hear their parting chuckles.

---

Orario Restaurant:

"Kii-bou!"

"Hey Argo."

Holding out his arms, Argo jumps into them. Kirito grunts as he stumbles from her surprising strength.

"You hit level two?" Kirito asks her in surprise.

"Of course," Argo snorts, "can't let you get too far ahead of me."

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" A voice unfamiliar to Kirito asks. Stepping up to him, Kirito infers that this is Hermes, Argo's deity. With well-worn clothes, and a wide-brim hat pulled low over his eyes, the god resembled a traveler. Orange curls poked out from the sides of his hat. A small devious smile on his face perfectly matches the mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Ah yes, Kirito, Hestia, this is my god, Lord Hermes."

"We've met," Hestia cuts in with a sharp voice. A hard look on her face gives away exactly what she thinks about the god.

"Hestia," Hermes declares in false outrage, "what's with the cold reception, especially when you were the ones to invite us here?"

"In…? …Kirito…"

Chuckling nervously at Hestia's ominous words, Kirito led them to a booth where they could talk in private.

"So, what do you need?" Argo asks curiously, "you've never made a request until now."

"Our familia recently recruited a few more members, one of them hired a supporter to teach her."

"Her?" Hermes and Argo ask with interest.

Nodding, Kirito explains, "yes, Silica is her name as well as my sister Leafa."

Hermes gets an evil look in his eye as Kirito talks about his familia members. Glancing over Hestia's upset expression only deepens his smile. "Sister… Would you say she's a Onee-chan type?"

"She's my younger sister…"

"Ah, so a cute imouto you can't help but protect!"

"That's not…"

"Ahh!" Crying out in pain, Hermes topples to the ground clutching his side. A demure Argo sits innocently, her face giving no expression to if she's done anything. Only a slowly retracting elbow and a swishing tail to give evidence.

"So, what exactly do you need Kirito? A background check on the supporter-for-hire?"

"No," Hestia interrupts, tired with all the delays. "we need advice on how to free her from her familia."

"Oh."

"Not quite," Kirito corrects, "what I need is a place she can go outside of Orario."

"You want to sneak someone in a familia out of Orario?" Hermes asks with a smile, "you've certainly come to the right place."

Frowning, Kirito replies, "no, I want to free her from her familia before sending her out of the city."

"One's commitment to a familia is not something easily broken," Hermes warns.

"We have that part figured out," Kirito soothes, "we just need a place outside the city for her to go initially until she decides where she wants to be."

"Her?" Argo askes, eyebrow raised.

"Yes," Hestia grumbles, "in case you haven't noticed, Kirito has a certain… proclivity for attracting women."

"Ah, getting started on a harem at such a young age? Good man! Ahh!"

Crying out in pain again, the twin blows of Argo and Hestia sent the deity to the ground in tears.

"Are harems popular here?" Kirito asks.

Showing more excitement than necessary, Hestia and Argo turn their glares towards him.

"Need I remind you Kirito about your obligations to purity?"

"The boy doesn't need to follow in your virgin footsteps!" Hermes shouts from the ground. "A harem is a man's romance!"

"I didn't take you for a masochist," Argo smiles at her god. "However, here you are, begging for a beating."

Coughing, Kirito tried to interrupt the execution. "So, are they popular?"

"Not really," Hermes shrugs. "People tend to be too cowardly nowadays to take what they want."

"I would have said sharing is a necessity for a functioning society."

"Nah," Hermes denies. "You know what's wrong with all the children nowadays? None of them are crazy enough. They all walk the path they think they should based on what society tells them. That's why they never break their limits. That's why we have no heroes anymore."

Strangely enough, neither Argo nor Hestia deny Hermes' words. They just sit there in contemplation of them.

"So, you're saying forming a harem is crazy and would therefore make me a better adventurer?" Kirito asks in confusion.

"Absolutely not! You know what else will make you a better adventurer? A vow of chastity!"

"Can we focus on this supporter?" Argo moans.

As if her words flip a switch within Hermes, his face becomes serious for the first time. "I actually have the perfect place she can stay for awhile. I'm just wondering if you've truly considered every angle to helping her. Gods can be quite protective of their toys,"

Kirito takes the chance to explain what they know and their decisions so far. As he talks, Hermes and Argo listen patiently, injecting only rarely to ask questions.

"Blackmail."

"What?"

"Blackmail is your best option," Hermes insists. "Attacking is too risky. If you can find dirt on Soma familia, of which I assume there is quite a bit based on what I've heard. Then, instead of going to the guild, you can go straight to the god. Convince him that unless he releases this girl, you'll use your information to come down on him hard."

That's… Blinking, Kirito re-evaluated his opinion of Hermes. Before he'd considered him a good guy, if not a little goofy. This suggestion held a tone of ruthlessness that Kirito didn't expect. It was also a far better idea than any he'd thought off until now.

"So… how much do we owe you?"

"Hehe, that will depend on how things go when I bring the girl to her new home. There are a couple… favors, she can do for me that will reduce the price."

Frowning, Kirito didn't like the sound of that. Nonetheless, he wasn't exactly in the mood to argue with free currently.

"Let's go Argo."

"See ya Kii-bou. Don't wait as long to call me up next time, ya hear?"

Waving goodbye, Kirito sat uneasily, the various pieces of information swirling around in his head.

---

One year ago:

"Wow Grandpa! Is it really that big?"

"It sure is Bell my boy!" the laughed good-naturedly. "Damn quick for its size too!"

"And these numbers…" Bell murmured, tone becoming more serious. "Over one thousand adventurers for a single monster?"

"Haven't you heard your parents' tales about the slaying of Behemoth? Or Leviathan? These beasties don't go down easily."

Standing next to a table filled with figurines and flags of a soon to be battlefield, Bell's wide eyes shook in naïve excitement. For he knew that his undefeatable parents would soon be leading the charge against the last of the three great monsters. Like the first two, Bell had no doubt they would crush it easily.

"Oh ho, correcting our strategy?" Bell's father asks in his deep voice, entering the tent.

"Never father!" Bell replied aghast, "your plans are perfect!"

"If only that were true," he chuckled. "Soon that Braver in Loki familia will be a better strategist."

"No! You're invincible!"

"I guess we shall see," he mutters back with a stormy look. The inevitable deaths already haunting him.

"Have some confidence," Zeus laughs. "The boy is right, it's a good plan, and the creature doesn't have infinite stamina. You can do this."

Snorting, the man turns to face him. "Lord Zeus, we will be heading off soon. Do we have your permission to undertake this mission?"

"You do," their god confirms with a smile.

"Bring me back a souvenir dad, also don't forget your promise!"

"If that's really what you want, then it shall be done."

"I'll see again Bell… I will." The last words are an inaudible whisper. And yet, a pulling at his heart made him doubt his own words. So long in the dungeon, so many level ups, and yet… A deep foreboding. The prophecy about death. Closing his eyes, he assured himself that he'd finish the quest to remove this terror from the land. After that, only the last floor of the dungeon would remain.

Exiting the tent, he left his painfully innocent son behind. Perhaps they'd been too protective of him. Even if they had taught him weapon skills. His pure white soul shone in everything he did. Nonetheless, he wanted to be an adventurer, like his parents.

After the black dragon falls, that was the promise. That was when they'd allow Bell a status granted by Lord Zeus. That was also when adventurers would become pointless if everything went according to plan. Today would mark the dawning of a new era. The end to the age of heroes, and the start of the age of peace.

Convinced of this outcome, Bell's father departed, unaware of the concerned red eyes piercing into his back. Eyes that saw more than perhaps he realized.

"Grawr!" Shaking himself awake, Bell stumbled to the washbasin, pouring the cold water over his body.

"Just a dream, just a dream…"

Cursing is old self, Bell pushed away the memories that were sharply ingrained in his mind. Watching through the divine mirror as events in the battle began deteriorating. How the dragon proved stronger than anyone had dared believe.

The end.

How his world had cracked like a dropped egg.

Every time he thought about how he used to be, Bell hated himself. His foolish naivety about his parents' immortality. Even though they'd hit levels no one else could reach, or would ever reach again most likely, they weren't gods.

Glancing around the hut, the flames of anger made their reappearance. A small, cramped space. All that his grandfather, no, Zeus, left to him after the destruction of their familia.

It was all he could give me before I snapped at him.

Taking a couple breaths, the pulsing in the back of Bell's mind died down. A relentless sensation that informed Bell constantly of the location of Orario. Or more precisely the dungeon. A yearning to slaughter the waves of Evil that his family had spent their lives repelling.

Snapping out of it, Bell looked at the pre-morning mist and sighed. It was only three in the morning. Heading back to bed, Bell searched for another hour of sleep before it would be time to work the fields.

---

Lili:

"Lord Soma, I've come with a request."

Standing, in the god's garden, the bare room was exactly as I remember it. Despite the many years since I'd come, every member comes here at least once. This is where Soma gives people their first taste of the divine wine.

An innocuous bottle of the stuff sits on a shelf, sending shivers done my spine. Tearing my gaze away from it, I stare at the deity working by the noon sun.

With delicate fingers, he goes over each and every plant with a careful eye. Using absolutely no divine power, he regulates every small thing about the plants grown.

As I plead to him, his motions never change. I may as well have said nothing for all the reaction I get from him.

"Lord Soma, I wish to leave the familia!"

"Now now, Lililuka Arde… that just won't do." Another voice tsk's in disappointment.

"Zanis…" Turning my head, I glare at the head of my familia. "I wasn't talking to you."

"I thought I left daily matters to you Zanis?" Finally, Soma spoke. It was the words I'd feared he'd say. Completely ignoring me, he beseeched Zanis to deal with me by himself.

"My deepest apologies Lord Soma. Please continue with your winemaking."

At the obviously mocking tone of his familia's leader, Soma still showed no reaction. His unkempt black hair hid his expression from view. Yet, I know what I'd have seen, if it was visible. It didn't change throughout the whole conversation.

"So, you want to leave the familia? Even after all Lord Soma has done for you?"

"Yes Zanis, will you allow this request?"

"Of course not," he spoke in mock outrage. His eyes twinkled with barely concealed sadism. "He raised you, gave you a house, taught you everything you know. Yet, here you are…" shaking his head at me, I can't meet his eyes anymore. This man is rotten to his core. "It will cost at least… 8 million valis for you to repay Lord Soma's kindness."

"8 million!?" I exclaim in despair. The amount in unfeasible. There's no way I can make that much. I won't steal anymore, and I'm way short of that value. Turning to Soma I beseech him one last time. "Please Lord Soma, allow Lili to leave!"

"Zanis…"

"Apologies my Lord."

Speaking still in his mocking voice, he drags me from the room. Tossing me roughly into the hallway, he speaks to me.

"You really are a fool Arde. I used to like you; you know? That hard gaze in your eyes that allowed you to do whatever necessary for self-preservation. Where did that girl go?"

"I realized the error in my ways." I spit back at him. "You apparently are content to lead this familia into ruin." Turning around I stalk away from him and out of the familia home.

"Hold on…"

Grabbing my arm, I can no longer move. His hand in tight. "That hurts," I growl.

"Lead this familia to ruin… You don't plan on trying to lead a group into freeing you? Seriously? I thought you learnt your lesson from your time with the couple. Damn, Arde, you really are an idiot."

Eyes wide, I stare in terror for half a second before realizing my mistake. Coaching my face into a mask of confusion, I know it's too late. He's figured it out.

Whistling, Zanis calls for another member.

"Whatcha want?" a dwarf asks in a rough voice.

"Just hold her for me," Zanis laughs evilly. "I need to fetch something to drink…"

Turning back to Soma's room, my whole body begins shivering. He's going to force the divine substance on me. Closing my eyes, I send out a prayer while I still have control of my mind.

I'm sorry Silica. I let you in, and now you're going to pay the price for it.

---

Kirito:

"Where is she?" A note of panic entering my voice, I look back and forth between the two awkward girls left behind.

"We didn't even notice…" Silica murmurs in embarrassment.

"She said that she'd clean the upstairs since she was so grateful." Leafa explained, "obviously we declined her help and moved to do it instead…"

Pulling my hair, I can't believe what I'm hearing. "You realize she went to her god, right?"

"Yes!" Leafa snaps back at me, crossing her arms the way she does when she gets pouty. I never realized how cute her face was when she pouted…

No! Focus!

"Calm down Kirito," Hestia sighs. "All we can do is trust the girl and wait for her return."

"You're wrong," I deny her quietly. None of them have traced their minds to the worst possibility. "If Lili wasn't exaggerating about the power of the divine wine, then she'll probably lead their soldiers right to us. We need to leave."

"No, she wouldn't!" Silica yells. "She'll for sure… She won't betray us."

"I'm not saying she will," I say, "her god's creation will. Let's go."

Striding quickly, I grab everything I can think of. Our familia's savings, I don all the armour I can. My salamander wool is with Lisbeth… What else is there. Finding Lili's oversized backpack that she left here before going to beseech her deity and start throwing in things we may need. A couple pots, food reserves, some pillows.

"Do you really think this is necessary?" Hestia asks me quietly, all three of the girls standing around watching me with wide eyes.

"I hope I'm wrong…" I tell them. Stopping for a moment, I look into their eyes. All three of them look terrified. As their leader I needed to act more calmly. I failed them again. "We'll come back after all right? This is just a temporary change. Think of it as a spy mission, and we need to go set up an anonymous hideout."

While it doesn't completely wash away the terror, the girls grab bags and begin packing in their own clothes and small collection of personal items. After a couple of minutes, the church room has been stripped bare. Essentially everything worth taking has been taken. The large items that can't be conveniently carried are left behind.

"Let's go."

Guiding them up and out the stairs, I keep my head on a swivel. Senses primed; I walk on my tiptoes ready to jump into action at a moment's notice.

"So, where are we going?" Hestia asks.

"Syr's, I think," I answer, less confident than I wish I was. "She has a couple free rooms above the restaurant. Lili's never been there, so it should be safe."

"This is so strange," Leafa speaks, "I always thought the monsters would be the problem… That the dungeon was our enemy…"

"It is," I insist.

"Why do people do these things?" Silica asks sadly, clearly agreeing with Leafa. "First the people that attacked us, and now this."

"You're not wrong," Hestia sighs, "the children did great things when they bound together to fight the monsters in the ancient times. Once the gods descended, you fractured due to a lack of a unified threat."

"The dungeon isn't a unified threat?" I ask her dumbly.

Shaking her head, Hestia elaborates. "You've never really seen the Lower world, only Orario. Most of the world barely thinks about the dungeon or monsters. Sure, some remain in the wild. But those are little more than wild beasts. Hardly comparable to the threats they used to pose. Rakia, the Far East, Elven forests, all display traits of selfishness as they focus on themselves and petty conflicts rather than the dungeon."

With that, all of us fall silent. There's nothing else to say into the gap of silence that Hestia's words left behind. As my mind dissects what she's said, part of it grabs my attention.

"What was this world like during the ancient times?"

Frowning, Hestia ponders my question. "Let's see… the ancient times ended about a thousand years ago. During that time, it seemed like the monsters would overwhelm the surface, destroying all the races. After all, can you imagine fighting monsters without a falna?"

All three of us shiver. Even a kobold would be challenging without a status. However, there are monsters like Bloodsauruses on the surface that come from the thirtieth floor. I have no doubt that one of those monsters would slaughter my level two self. How did people fight them with no status?

"Well, anyway, in that time, Heroes rose up. That's what grabbed the attention of the gods in heaven. Got the children to come together and fight as a united force. We watched with bated breath as they forced the monsters back to the entrance of the dungeon.

"At that time, it was just a hole in the ground in an abandoned corner of the continent. They struggled to put a lid on it, failing every time. That was when Ouranos came down with some other gods, destroying the Babel that they had built at the time!"

Hestia reanimates the destruction, laughing cruelly at the people's hard work.

"From then, Ouranos got to work, giving them falna, building Babel, and organizing what became the guild."

"But I've never heard of Ouranos familia," Silica questions.

"That's because for the guild to be neutral, Ouranos stopped giving falna to his followers. That's why the guild relies on the familias for the military strength necessary to keep the city running."

"So, they turned into a government," Leafa muttered thoughtfully. "An interesting decision."

Shrugging, Hestia seemed bored about the ancient deity's decision. "He is what we call a superior god. He exerts his will on dungeon, stopping it from releasing monsters unto the surface and spawning a bunch of irregulars."

The information is news to the three of us. That a god existed whose sole purpose was keeping the dungeon in check. Not only that, but that he built and still leads the guild.

With that, we reached the benevolent Mistress. Lunch was still in full swing despite in being well into the afternoon. Most likely the occupancy would never quite reach zero as the clientele transitioned from lunch to dinner. "Stay out here. I'll go talk to Syr first."

Dumping the excessively large bags on them, I make my way into the restaurant. Syr's easy to find. Her beautiful looks and bright personality make her the center of attention in the pub. Even surly dwarves and proud elves let their guards down around her.

"Oh, Kirito!" Noticing me, Syr dashes over, "your usual spot is free if you want to sit there."

"Actually, I have to ask you for a favor." Explaining the situation in broad-strokes, I get to my request quickly. "Can we have a room or two to use for awhile?"

Her lips pursed in consternation, Syr nods, "follow me."

Walking quickly to the back of the restaurant we draw some stares from patrons, but none that worry me. Taking out a heavy key, Syr unlocks the back door and hands it to me.

"I have a spare in my room. Take this for now to get in and out. I have to continue working, I'll come talk to you later. There are two free rooms upstairs, they're the ones that are unlocked."

Nodding my head graciously, I try and convey my thanks. "This means a lot."

"Hehe, be sure to take me shopping later as thanks!"

"Of course." After all, no matter how much she buys, it would still be cheaper than putting the four of us up in inns. Also, far more comfortable than the hard floors of the library.

"Not even a blush? You really are a lady's man!"

As she walks away, my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. I'd been so focused on finding us accommodations I hadn't really thought about the meaning behind my promise.

Forcing the problem from my mind, I exit through the back and trace my way through the alley to the front of the store. Grabbing my bags, I retrace my steps to the back entrance and head upstairs.

With lodgings secured, an audible sigh escapes my mouth. The anxiety and stress of the past two days leaves me exhausted. Once again, it's hard to keep my thoughts from returning to that chamber, filled with death. I'd thought that with Yuna we'd managed to find some peace.

At least I can function.

Focusing on that positive, I prepare myself to keep going. Putting things in the corner, I clear my throat to get everyone's attention.

"Obviously, this is just a precaution. I'm going to do my best to keep a watch out on our home in case Lili comes back. In the meantime, please stay here. You can go downstairs if you're hungry, but don't wander the streets, all our descriptions are available for public knowledge at the guild."

"I want to come with you."

"So do I."

Facing me with twin stances, Leafa and Silica look like long-lost sisters. The thought brings a smile to my lips despite the danger. "No. Neither of you are strong enough."

"It's okay," Hestia assures them. "While Kirito is out, we can plan for all possible eventualities and how to react to them."

Hestia's words seem to mollify them, despite the hard looks they still give. The surprising one is Silica. Her eyes bore into me with an intensity I hadn't thought the girl could possess. Ever since yesterday, Silica's been far less chipper and innocent. In its place a sort of gritty determination exudes off her. Hopefully it's just nerves from helping Lili.

"Later," Waving a hand at them, I exit before they can drag me into more chatter. Stopping briefly at the exit, I put the key on a dresser.

"Kirito!"

"Yes?" I ask Hestia.

"Just promise me you'll stay safe, alright?"

The worry in her voice hurts. "Of course," I mutter. "I'll just do recon."

This time as I go to leave none of them stop me. However, I can still feel the girls' glares eating into my back. Their anger at being left out is understandable.

The streets seem different from before. During the walk here I'd been distracted by conversation and had my familia around me. Now, walking down those same roads, everything has an aura of malevolence to it. I know it's just my imagination, the fear of being alone, but its hard to ignore.

Striding quickly, I approach my location quickly. Not my own house, but the Hermes Familia office. It's unlikely Argo will be there, but it's the only place I can think of to recruit her valuable services. I need to know where Lili is. Also, if she returns to the church, I need her magic to scout it out without being seen.

"Can we help you?"

"Yes," grabbing a request form, I scribble in the required information. "Is Argo around?"

Rather than answering, the receptionist giggles at me. Frowning at her, I open my mouth to question why she laughs. As she surreptitiously glances behind me, I take the hint and turn around.

"So, whatcha need this time Kii-bou?"

"Argo," sighing her name in relief, I give her a broad smile. For once something's gone right today.

"That sounds like trouble. There's a room in here we can talk quietly."

Following her, she leads me to a soundproof room, similar to the guild's consultation box. Sitting down on the significantly more comfortable couches, I let out another massive sigh. Leaning back, I close my eyes. The pull of sleeping seducing my heavy eyelids.

"Wow, I didn't bring you here to sleep. What happened?"

Stifling a yawn, I tell Argo what Lili did. Releasing a curse, Argo seems to agree with my estimation.

"Do you think she's doing this just to get some of that wine you mentioned?"

"I don't think so…" I explain slowly. "I haven't known her very long, but she seems to hate that wine. Most likely she just thought she'd talk to her god and ask for her release."

"Understandable," Argo murmurs. "It is possible that you are overreacting."

"It's also possible I'm not," I fire back. "Do I have your help?"

Argo doesn't bother replying, just shoots me a look that implies she questions my sanity. "I need to send a letter to my trai… uh, captain, just letting her know that I've taken on a job."

"Of course." Trailing after Argo, she guides me out of the room.

---

Argo:

Nothing.

Shifting subtly, I get blood flowing through my legs without making any noise. The corner of the rooftop is cramped. Its only advantage as the hours tick by is that it's deserted. The small church falling into ruin is straight in front of me. To the sides, I can see far down the street as well as the connecting alleyways.

It was a good thing they left the church; its position is horrible at holding off enemies. Not only is it riddled with holes, it's easy to surround. As another few uneventful minutes pass, I make my decision, nothing is happening here. Either they had been here earlier and found it empty, or they didn't know about it.

I'd tell Kirito the good news later. For now though, there's another destination left to visit. Soma familia home. I have to figure out if and where the supporter is being held.

Standing up, it feels good to move again. Although the hours of watching weren't as painful on my level two body, the sweet relief of moving again makes me want to sing.

Dancing from rooftop to rooftop, I don't bother descending to the street. The feeling of power is incredible. I'd always enjoyed games that gave me this feeling of freedom. Bounding from roof to roof, oblivious citizens below living their mundane lives.

Actually doing it is beyond description. The feel of the wind in my hair as I bound lightly across the stores combined with the sounds and smells of the city makes it intoxicating. I could do this happily every day. Unfortunately, there's more to the job than just traversing the city.

Crossing once over a narrow alley, the 3-metre gap isn't even worth blinking at. Slowing to a halt, I examine the familia home. Despite the two guards at the gate, no activity can be seen. The run-down building doesn't seem capable to hold the vast number of adventurers that belong to this familia. A suspiciously large number.

That in of itself had already brought the familia unto Hermes' radar. Kirito's tale earlier had merely confirmed my god's suspicions. A wine so good that it captured the soul. The ultimate carrot to tempt people with.

Ignoring my teacher's trainings, I hop down off the rooftop. Landing on light feet, nothing gives away my presence. Nothing in my contract states I should do more than observe, but my interest has been piqued. If it just so happens that it indebts Kirito to me at the same time, well… that's just a bonus.

Smirking at the guards bored expressions, I saunter up the wall and jump. A ragged thing made of stone, its as beat up as the house itself. Grabbing the top of the eight-foot fortification, I pull myself easily to the top. Feet hitting the loose rubble on top, I wait in anticipation to see if anyone noticed.

When the guards make no move, I release my anxiety and keep moving. Crossing the small unkempt lawn quickly, I'm shocked by how disordered everything is. For a familia with over a hundred members, they should have more than enough manpower, not to mention pride, to take care of their house.

Unless the familia is at war with itself.

Frowning at the possibility, Hermes' words come to mind. Despite Kirito never having mentioned something like that, it's a very real possibility. It also explains why the supporter hates her familia and wants to leave. Stealing from what essentially amounts to your family members, all to make sure you can afford your deity's wine… It's sick.

Pushing the thoughts away, I have no room for error. Each step is slow and deliberate as I make my route into the building. The front door is probably unlocked, but walking straight in seems overly risky, even with my invisibility.

What would Kirito do.

A voice rings through my head. Pausing to consider it, I tilt my head in thought. Probably the craziest thing that may work or have disastrous consequences.

There!

A third-floor window is open. Below it a crumbling balcony on the second. Path secured; I examine the balcony. I need a point of contact that won't squeak. Thankfully with my enhanced level two vision, I can see the warps in the boards. It's all too easy to pick out which sections are bloated with rainwater. Where the warping of the boards has corroded the structure leaving a squeaky disaster. Picking a section close to the wall that seems to be have been protected, I jump and hang on.

Swinging in anticipation, no noise comes. Letting out an inaudible sigh, I carefully pull myself up. Making full use of my enhanced body, some of the positions I put myself in would make professional gymnasts jealous. Finally, I stand on the railing, absolutely no sign given to betray me.

Smiling from the adrenaline, my heart pounds with excitement. The power granted to me in this world is amazing. My old life seems mundane and pathetic in comparison.

Focusing on the window above, I turn my sensitive ears towards it. Twitching, my golden fox ears rotate in in the desired direction, the motion now second nature. The ears and tail as much a part of me as any other body part.

My dedication pays off as faint voices echo out of the building. Pulling myself to full height, I stretch towards the sill, hoping to hear them better.

Listening, my eyes open wide in surprise. "So that's where everyone is…" Looking further to the east of the city, I can almost convince myself that I can see the building in question.

"Well this is sure to be interesting."

Abandoning the rundown familia home, I dash to my third objective of the night.

---

Lisbeth's Forge:

"Work, damn it!"

Slamming the heavy hammer repeatedly into the glowing metal, drops of sweat flew off Lisbeth's brow in waves. As the hammer connected, the metal shifted. Another strike, more movement. Yet every time it did, the metal drifted away from the conformation Liz desired.

"Grah!"

Screaming in frustration, the next strike drifted wide, sending up sparks as it screeched against the edge of the anvil, sending lines of pain up her arm.

"You alright?"

Approaching the temperamental girl cautiously, Kirito still almost got taken out as Liz whirled around, hammer still gripped tightly in her hand.

"Kirito," like a lost man finding an oasis in a desert, Lisbeth looked at him in relief. Throwing the metal back in the fire, Liz roughly tossed her hammer aside before bounding at him.

"Ach!"

Letting out one pathetic screech, Kirito found himself trapped in Liz's arms. Not letting himself enjoy the situation, Lisbeth's whole body was shaking, small tremors coursing from her toes to her fingertips.

"What's wrong?"

Pulling his head back so that he could look at her, Lisbeth's face flushed red. Not just because of the heat in the room. Instead of answering, she buried her head in his chest.

Rather than pushing, Kirito slowly stroked her back. As the minutes passed, locked in an embrace, the trembling faded. Even as it did, Liz made no motion to leave. Her face pressed soundly to Kirito like it was the only thing keeping her alive. As another few minutes passed, motion finally returned to Lisbeth's body.

"Sorry for that… and thank you."

"No problem, always glad to be of service," Kirito chuckled, doing his best gentleman's bow impersonation.

Snorting, Liz turned slightly away from him. "You should work on that."

"I'll try and remember to do so. So, what's up with you?"

"I'm… trying to complete a test."

"A test?" Kirito inquired interested.

Nodding, Liz grimaced deeply, moving to pick up her hammer again. Glancing at the forge, Liz swears and drops it again, moving instantly to the bellows. Beating the fan like contraption up and down, the heat inside the forge rises, sending another wave of precipitation across their faces.

Once the heat reaches a level that Liz is comfortable with, she collects her discarded tools. "I have to use this metal to make your chest protector."

"Oh," Kirito blinks, "is that hard?"

"No, it's not hard," Liz grumbled, "It's damn impossible!"

"Can I help?" Kirito interjected nervously. "My armour is basically why I came today."

"Of course, it is," Liz continues to grumble, "work faster Liz, where's my gear Liz? Never, how are you today Liz?"

Standing nervously, Kirito wasn't sure what to say. The blacksmith was clearly having a bad time of things. Deciding to stay silent, Kirito reasoned he couldn't say the wrong thing if he said nothing at all.

Eventually, Lisbeth let out a large sigh. Doing so, the tension released from her shoulders. "I'm sorry, it's not your fault. Just a little stressed." Looking at him, Liz squinted like she was looking at the sun. "Are you sure you want to help?"

"Of course," Kirito smiles. "I couldn't just leave you like this!"

"L-Like this? W-what do you mean mister!? Actually, nevermind. Just grab those billows. Pump and keep pumping until I tell you otherwise."

"A-alright."

Confused by her change in personality, Kirito convinced himself the colour in her cheeks was due to the heat of the forge. Although for some reason, as he worked the billows, he could sense where her head had been pressed against him. Almost as if the connection had transferred something between them.

"That's good… Just a little more…" Muttering to herself, a rejuvenated Lisbeth stared in the depths of the fire. Her intense eyes locked on the lump of metal that was steadily changing colours. Reaching a shade of red that she'd struggled to maintain on her own. Working both the bellows and the hammer had left Lisbeth with little time to actually shape.

Using the tongs to pull it quickly from the flames, Liz's hammer connected solidly half a second later. Feeling the power given to her by Kirito's presence, a low chime rang out from the collision. Rather than the deafening impacts from her first attempts, this one was softer. More than that though, the impact felt right. Finally obeying Lisbeth's will, the metal started to flatten out.

Striking it three, four more times, Liz stuck it back into the fire. "Bellows."

"On it."

Working perfectly in tandem, the protector slowly took shape. Faith in her abilities renewed, Liz started on the more complicated parts. Shaping the sides to give better protection. The edges needed to be dulled so that they wouldn't cut into the wearer. Every corner needed a second layer so that the weak point wouldn't shatter.

Working mindlessly, each hit brought the protector closer to completion. No doubts or distractions crossed Liz's mind as she worked with a single-minded determination. Each strike intent on drawing out imperfections in the metal. Kirito could only watch on in awe, his sweat a part of him as he beat the billows intently, the heat of the forge now a constant presence in his life. Cloak discarded; it was the lowest amount of material he'd even worn in public. It didn't help as his shirt stuck to his skin.

"It's finished…"

Sometime later, Liz spoke with a hoarse voice. Stumbling faintly, she searched for what she needed. Straps so that it could be easily attached.

"It's beautiful…" Murmuring to himself, Kirito had to stop himself from running a finger across the still glowing surface. Before his fascinated eyes, the faint red metal cooled to a light grey. Under his eyes, Kirito could find no blemishes on it.

"It really is, isn't it?" Lisbeth agrees, returning from her task. Picking it up, she added the finishing touches with a few deft movements. "Here put it on for me!"

"I don't want to ruin it by throwing it over this sweaty shirt," Kirito rejects her politely. All the while a desire to put it on, burns in his breast.

"You could… Well, I mean, take your shirt off…"

Trailing off, Liz's voice was hardly audible by the end. Intentionally turning away from Kirito, Liz forced her hands to perform other tasks. Packing up for the night, she waited for Kirito's response. A large part of her was baffled at her own suggestion.

"But then I'd be putting it over my bare chest…" Imagining the silly look, Kirito quickly shook his head to display any illusions that he could pull off such a bold style.

Deciding that a little sweat wouldn't hurt, Kirito quickly strapped it over his shirt. Fitting snugly, there was barely any adjustment necessary to get the fit right. "It's perfect…"

This was the difference, Kirito realized, between custom gear and generic ones. Lisbeth had forged this for him and him alone. His previous gear had been good, but this was in a world of its own.

"That's what I was hoping to hear." Hands on her hips, Liz smiled like a proud mother watching her son get ready for his first day of school. "Oh!"

Dashing off, Liz frantically searched through her belongings. "Where did I… here it is!" Pulling out an old, decrepit box, Liz proudly slammed in in front of Kirito.

"What…?" Kirito's question proved unnecessary as he lifted the lid. It was the armour they had discussed just yesterday. Light gauntlets, pauldrons, knee protectors, and greaves. All of it thin enough to worn under other clothing. Hopefully thick enough to protect and important joint from an attack.

Taking a piece out and testing its sturdiness by hand, Kirito was pleasantly surprised. It was all on par if not superior to his sword from Liz. Clearly a step below the chest protector, but Kirito expected that. He could tell that the metal involved with the protector's forging was a step above what she usually used. Probably why it gave her so much trouble.

"Do you like it?"

"Of course," Kirito smiles broadly. Unable to help himself, he strokes his fingers across their surfaces like a child in a store. The cool metal bringing back memories of the video games Kirito used to play. The same feeling of joy at getting upgraded equipment coursed through him. The difference was the intensity. A giant surge of giddiness flowed through him. The events in the workshop driving the gloom of the past days from his mind.

"Thank you so much, Liz. You don't know how much I needed this."

"You know, if you want to thank me for it, you could always buy me supper and tell me about it…"

"I'd like that." Locking gazes, the two smiled at each other. Cheeks still red from the heat of the forge. Definitely.

---

Kirito:

"Clearly neither of you can be trusted!"

"Oh, and you can be?"

Sweating nervously, I open the door to the room we're sharing at the benevolent mistress. "Y-yo."

"Kirito!"

"You're finally back!"

Chuckling nervously, I quickly find the rage that had been in their voices before I entered. It was buried under the temporary excitement of my safe return.

"W-what were you talking about?"

At my question all three girl's fall unnaturally silent. The only one acting a little differently is Silica. Rather than just the apprehension of the other two, she was sulking. As if a decision hadn't gone her way.

"W-well we only have two beds you see," Hestia laughs, "S-so, we need to decide who sleeps with who."

"Oh."

"I-it's obviously my job as your sister!" Leafa states. "A-afterall, it would immoral if anyone else did it…"

"That's the thing!" Hestia erupted again, unwilling to let the argument die, "I think your morals are far more questionable than mine!"

"Bah," Leafa snorts, "You gods don't have any morals!"

"Some of us do!"

"P-please calm down…"

However, my words do nothing as the two women size each other up. Their eyes locked on each other like two rival bears fighting for a mate.

"Let's go."

Looking down at the pull, I realize Silica has made her way over to me.

"It will be morning before they're finished. We should try and sleep."

Knowing it's the coward's way out, I follow Silica from the room anyway. Even as the door softly clicks closed behind us, I can here their debate still raging. Already it's cycled back to whose more trustworthy.

Smiling at their theatrics, I'm glad that they're getting along. "Actually, this is a good opportunity," I say as I open the door to the other room for Silica. "I wanted to talk to you."

"A-about what," Silica stutters nervously.

Staring at her in wonder, I can't believe I'd forgotten how young she is. With her new attitude, she'd easily came off as my age or older. Less than a day and I'd already disregarded the previous week of interaction.

Sitting down at the table, I begin taking my armour off. It was the most convenient way to get it back here. I'd left the old stuff with Lisbeth. She was more likely to find a use for it than I was. "Well, just how your coping. You must be worried about Lili."

"Oh, that." Silica mutters. Her previously high-pitched voice falling flat. "I just can't believe that she did this without talking to us. Doesn't she know how worried we are?"

"Maybe that's exactly why she did it?" I throw out with a shrug. "Because she knows how much you care and wanted to do it herself so that you wouldn't get hurt."

"But it was stupid!" Silica rages. An emotion I'd never seen from her before. "I-I'm so scared that I'll never see her again. I promised I'd help her and then she turns around and runs away!"

Finishing the removal of my armour, I silently move over to the bed where Silica sits, hands pulling at her hair. Sitting down beside her, I stay silent for awhile, thinking over my words.

"You know something, Silica?"

"What?"

"I don't think Lili hates her god."

"Huh? After all that he's done to harm her. How could she not?"

Leaning back on my elbows, I stare at the ceiling, Silica's baffled face in the corner of my vision.

"Because after all is said and done, he's her only family, isn't he? And no matter how things go, it's hard to give up on family. She probably went to him excepting things to be different this time. She expected that this time would be different. That he'd listen…"

By the end, my voice broke, my vision swimming.

"You're not talking about Lili anymore, are you?" Silica's voice is soft, but the new steel is still present underneath.

Slightly shaking my head, I confirm her suspicions. "I don't understand how Sugu… Leafa forgave me. I mean, we talked about it… but it still baffles me. I abandoned and ignored her. Yet she went to such great lengths."

"I think you already know why she did."

Glancing at Silica in confusion, I wait for her to explain.

"It's because you're someone worth chasing Kirito." Sighing contently, Silica lays her head in my lap. "And Lili is as well. I won't give up on her."

Almost instantly, Silica's body begins moving with the rhythm of sleep. Small, cute breaths leaving her mouth at regular intervals.

Laying fully down on my back, I stare at the ceiling. Its pattern is familiar to me. For hours I had nothing better to do than stare at it while I recovered from my fight against the crippler.

"I'm someone worth chasing, huh?"

It sounds hard to believe. But maybe, just maybe it's true. Going through my mind about what makes me worthwhile, the list seems awfully short. I don't think a love for napping and food gets me many points. Basically, no one I cared about has died. Not the best accomplishment. However, if it stays that way, I'll be content. Gilded hero indeed.

Closing my eyes, a peaceful sleep comes easily.

---

Hermes familia home:

Argo's head hurt from the repeated banging. Cocking her head back, she slammed it again into the wall. She couldn't believe her stupidity. How had she forgotten to get Kirito to tell her where they were staying? He'd said they abandoned the church, but where did they go? There's a near infinite number of inns in Orario.

There's no saying how far Kirito would drag them to ensure that they were safe from Soma familia. He has a tenacity about him that allows him to overcome impossible odds. Right now, Argo wanted to scream. She'd left a note at their hiring station, but that was unreliable at best. She had important information for him and no way of getting it to him.

Even worse, Lulune had insisted that Argo join her tomorrow. She'd have no more time to help Kirito out. Whatever he was planning, he'd have to figure it out for himself.

"Is that you making that banging sound Argo?"

"God Hermes?" Shocked she hadn't heard him entering, Argo spun one hundred and eighty degrees to face her deity.

"It is indeed!" He laughs in that unscrupulous manner of his.

It was at times like this that Argo was struck by his divinity. Those piercing eyes that saw through her belonged to no normal person. Argo did her best to not think about how there was an actual god in front of her that just acted like a normal person.

"Hope I'm not interrupting some personal time…"

Normal may be a stretch.

"It was nothing god Hermes. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"You're certainly more polite now than in front of that Kirito boy, my side still hurts…"

Flushing red, Argo keenly remembered how her elbow had acted on its own, spearing her own god in his kidneys. Multiple times. It was like someone else had been guiding her body. Ensuring Hermes was punished for his vulgar actions in their absence.

"I would have thought you'd be on my side though. You don't really have a chance at him outside of a harem…"

Ducking her head, Argo tried pointlessly to hide how much her god's words had affected her. It was worse because similar thoughts had swum through her head before.

"Not quite sure if he's true hero material yet, but he's a good start at any rate."

"Huh?" Caught off guard at the tangent her god had taken, Argo looked up in confusion.

This time it's Hermes turn to sigh and fiddle around. Taking off his hat, he plays with the brim of it. "I- no we, always thought that when the three great quests were finished, a new era would begin. We were proven wrong. Maybe you were called here because the children of this world were simply not strong enough to do this on their own. Whatever the reason, I still search. I still hold out hope for one, but… ah, forgive my pandering. I've become more sentimental this past year."

Putting his hat back on, Hermes dipped the brim to Argo. "I'll bid you good night then."

"W-wait!" Argo cried out, stopping her departing deity. "Why did you come here?"

"Ah, of course!" Hermes cried out in mock exclaim. "How could I have forgotten."

Standing still, Argo wasn't amused by the staged theatrics.

"Here you are my dear. This is a stink bomb. I thought you may find it useful if you continue to disobey familia protocol."

Giving her a big wink, Hermes departed before Argo could start formulating an apology.

"A stink bomb?" fingering the device, Argo found the now familiar logo on it, Hermes familia. It was more than though, an additional crest, so small most wouldn't notice it. "Perseus…"

Twirling the item around in confused fingers, Argo played the conversation over again in her mind. A crossroads before her, Argo settled into her bed, knowing she'd find sleep elusive.

---

The Benevolent Mistress:

"Oh my, what seems to the problem here?"

"Ah!" Twisting at the unusual voice, Leafa and Hestia broke off their arguing to face the person who opened the door, Syr.

"May I ask you to lower your voices, people are trying to sleep."

Bowing their heads in apology, both girls were embarrassed at being chastised by the young pub owner. As they did so, their eyes slowly tracked over the room, noticing two notable absences.

"Where are Kirito and Silica?"

"They appear to be sleeping in the other room," Syr told them instantly, a humorous glint in her eyes.

"WHAT!?"

Raging voices even louder than before, the pair raced past Syr into the hallway. Turning the sharp corner, they slide to a stop before the entrance to the other room; the door still open, they push into it, slamming it all the way open. Despite the commotion, the pair remain asleep, recovering in the time granted to them.

"A lap pil…!" Words muffled. Syr put her hands over their mouths to stop them.

"Please don't wake sleeping guests. Yes?"

"Why did I spend so long arguing?" Leafa moaned, "we didn't even resolve anything."

"I may be divine," Hestia grumbled, "and even I regret the waste of time."

"Then you've learned your lessons?" Syr asks them.

Backing off a step, even as an adventurer Leafa was intimidated by the look on Syr's face. "I'm going to bed then, see you!"

As Syr left, she closed the door behind her.

"She saw right through us, didn't see?" Hestia asked weakly.

"Absolutely," Leafa agreed.

Sharing a glance though, the two knew that they had a plan of attack. With Kirito laying near the foot of the bed, Silica lay perpendicular with her head snugly on his thigh. Walking around Kirito's head, first Hestia, then Leafa also got on the bed. Laying down as well, Hestia put her head on his stomach, and Leafa his chest. Content with their improvised pillow, the two latecomers followed them to sleep.

---

Lili:

"Where the hell did they go?"

Standing in the Church's basements, my eyes search over the stripped room for clues. It seems unlikely that Soma familia found out about them, so what happened?

Moving over to the closet, everything seems to have been taken except some cheap pieces of clothing. It doesn't have the signs of a burglary though. Nothing is broken, no signs of a struggle.

"Was it, because of me…?"

Standing stunned, the one thought combines everything. I left without saying anything. Assuming I went to my god, they must have panicked, thinking I'd sold them out.

They don't trust you.

"No, they were worried that they'd extract information from me. I even offered it as a possibility."

Talking out loud, I try and ignore the voices of doubt, swirling in my head. The problem is where they went now.

"Silica mentioned a library…" Apparently it was where she had spent her night as a member of the familia. Hestia frequented it to refresh her reading supply. Sitting down on the couch, I tap my foot in frustration. The library is probably close to the church, but its past midnight at this point. What's worse, the people from Soma familia may eventually track me here. The power of animal people shouldn't be underestimated.

"But then again, I need to sleep…"

My thought processes are slowed by exhaustion. The whole day had been a game of hide and seek. I still don't know whether that dwarf Chandra let me go on purpose or not. A section of my shirt is missing from where he tore the material due to not holding on to me properly.

The delay in raising the alarm let me escape from the storehouse before anyone thought to stop me. Zanis of course instantly ordered people to pursue me. Only with the confusion of Daedalus street and liberal use of my magic did I manage to escape.

"Maybe just a quick nap…"

Grabbing a threadbare blanket that didn't make the cut for items to bring, I stretch out on the couch, eyes closing already.

---

"I can't believe you talked me into this."

"Come on Lulune, this is better than doing paperwork and digging for information."

"I like digging for information!"

Blinking to clear my eye, the room is still dark, but a shaft of sunlight peers in from where the trapdoor must be open. Two unfamiliar silhouettes cast shadows on the floor.

They found me!

Glancing at the closet, I know it's my only chance. Silently sliding the blanket off me, I use all the dexterity granted to my race to make my way to the closet without making a noise.

"Did you hear something?"

Cursing internally, I can't believe it. Nothing made a single sound!

"You tell me, you're the level three."

Level three!?

Shivering in fright, it takes a second for the words to click. Soma familia doesn't have any level threes. But who then could be here? Fear shrinking a little, I let myself hope that someone friendly is coming down the stairs. Still hidden in the closet, I doubt it will help much.

"Yeah it sounded like cloth sliding along skin."

You can hear that!

The terrifying ability of level threes fully revealed, I realize that it's impossible to hide. They'll hear my breathing in the closet. Taking one deep breath, I step out and face the two girls.

"Look, someone is here!"

"Are you that supporter, Lili?"

Facing them down, I'm shocked to recognize one of them. Maybe I shouldn't be, level three is currently the cream of the crop after all. "Mad Dog Madl… and… do I know you?" Turning my gaze to the Renard girl, I'm surprised she knows my name. I would have assumed she was in Hermes familia along with Madl. Based on that, they're a neutral familia…

Did Zanis hire them to find me?

A level three Chienthrope would have no issues tracking me from the fabric Chandra ripped off. It would have been easy to follow it through the city to here.

"Hey! Not many people know who I am! I'm impressed."

"Also, I'm Argo, Kirito's friend. He asked me to find out what happened to you."

"Ah, yeah, Lili is fine." I tell her with a grateful nod. Slipping once again into my third-person way of speaking. "Do you know where they are?"

Argo's grimace tells me everything I need to know.

"Unfortunately, not." Argo says, scratching her head. "He told me that they left the church under the assumption that Soma had taken you hostage."

"Ah." It was basically what I'd deduced so far. Without knowing where they went though, it wasn't helpful to know why.

"So, what did happen?"

Shrugging, I try to come across as nonchalant. "They were right to be cautious. The familia leader tried to capture me but I escaped."

"Then why did it take you so long to get back here?"

"They were following me," I say. "Had to lay low in Daedalus for most of the day."

"She's telling the truth," Lulune decided. "We should get out of here though. Won't be long until her familia tracks her if they want her found that badly."

"I didn't mean to sleep so long," I mumble pathetically. Compared to a true professional, my actions must be sloppy.

"Where do we bring her then?" Argo asks. "Our home won't work."

Shrugging, Lulune seems unbothered. "You said there's a store nearby that sells a smell canceling item, yeah?"

"Miach familia! Of course!" Slamming the palm of her hand into her forehead, the resounding slap, draws our confused glances. It seems to be an action exclusive to these foreign adventurers.

"That's Rain's and Philia's familia!" It finally clicks for me. "Maybe that's where Kirito went!"

"Doubtful," Lulune denies me. "If you know about it then it's too risky."

"Doesn't matter," Argo says, "we need the item and they may know something."

"Look at you, growing up," Lulune chuckles. "Alright let's go."

Following them along the street, the pace is uncomfortable. Their striding speed is a light jog. Caught somewhere between walking and jogging, the journey is uncomfortable.

"So, why did you come back to the church?"

"I convinced Lulune here to help me track down Kirito." Argo explains.

"And you forgot to do that!?" I exclaim.

"Nah, I have it." The chientrope in question interrupts. "It was the only male scent in there after all."

"But aren't you going to lose it?" I question her.

"I should be alright. I can pick it up again when we visit where he talked to Argo. That's the place we know he visited most recently."

"I see…" Muttering in response, I keep up the annoying and physically draining gait. The other two are aware of my discomfort but don't seem to care. They're on a mission and I can either keep up or get left behind.

Suddenly, Lulune stops. Nose to the air, she looks like an actual dog as she sniffs. Bending down, she sniffs the pavement as well. "He was here."

"When!?" Argo and I press.

"Not long, maybe an hour."

"Let's go then!"

Pace increased; I have to sprint to keep up with the long strides of the other two. Their pace is slow enough to ensure that Lulune can make sure we're on the right track.

Unerringly, it homes in on the blue pharmacy. The shop that Miach familia runs to sell their wares.

"Closed."

"What?"

Senses not as sharp as the other two, I need to get closer before picking out the sign in the doorway.

"Why would they be closed on a Wednesday?" I ask. It makes no sense. For a poor familia, they should spend every second they can open.

Still sniffing, Lulune approaches the door. "He went inside, I'm sure of it."

"What does that mean?" Argo asks.

"That it was open before he got here," Lulune calmly explains. "You two wait here, I'll go see if someone's still around." With no more explanation than that, the girl disappears around the side of the store.

"What do you think happened here?" I ask Argo nervously.

Frowning, the girl seems to be thinking about something. "Kirito may have realized that they'd be in trouble if you were captured. Perhaps he came to warn them this morning?"

Frowning, that explanation seems a little weak. "But if I was captured, this morning is way too late to warn them."

"Better than nothing he may have figured," Argo shrugs. "Probably had other things on his mind yesterday."

"Based on his actions, I'd have said that protecting everyone was the main thing on his mind."

"Possibly," Argo yawns. "What's taking Lulune so long?"

Like the words had been a summons, the Chienthrope showed back up. "No one's inside. No security either, so I grabbed one of these. May as well finish what we came here for."

"Ah, that's why you were gone so long."

"It was barely a minute…" I intone, breaking out into a nervous sweat. These people were crazy. They broke in and stole in no time at all.

"I left money for it," Lulune continues, "so I expect compensation later."

"Sure…" I grumble. Taking the item, I apply it to myself, eliminating the smell I can't even detect.

"You missed a couple of spots," Lulune tells me.

Fixing my application, I wait for her approval.

"Good!" She says, turning around, nose in the air. "May as well see where he went!"

Groaning, I convince my body to take off again. Holding the brutal pace, fear finally grips me. Where will this chase lead us?

---

Outside Soma's Sotrehouse:

"This is where Lili is being held?" Nazha asks, her eyes locked on the heavily guarded fortress.

"That's what Argo's information says," Kirito confirms. The first thing he'd done after waking up was head to the Hermes familia office. There he'd found a note Argo had left to him with the receptionists. It detailed the location of a storehouse owned by Soma familia. Rather than their familia home, this place was the one where the familia gathered and protected.

Looking at it from afar over thirty people were visible despite the hour. Kirito had hoped that more would leave to go to the dungeon, but it seemed unlikely. They probably operated in shifts.

"I know we want to free her, but maybe we should rely on the guild," Philia told him frankly, "there are a lot of people there."

"Well, that's why I asked for help," Kirito laughs back at her.

"Sorry we're late," a voice breaks in.

Turning to meet the newcomers, Kirito smiled happily at the trio. "Thanks for coming Mikoto. You even managed to convince Ouka and Chigusa."

"I can't say I was a fan of endangering our familia for someone we don't know, but…"

"We can't leave our friends in their moment of need, Ouka!" Chigusa berates him.

"I know!" The big man retorts. "I wouldn't be here otherwise."

"So, now we have what, seven level twos?" Rain asks. "A direct approach may be hard."

"Only six," Kirito corrects, "Chigusa is still level one. I would like Argo's help, or maybe some way to negotiate with Asuna, but there's no time for that."

"That is the one question I had," Mikoto asks. "Even if we do break in and rescue her, what does that achieve except bringing the wrath of their familia down on us?"

"That's why we have to force Soma to convert her."

"Hesita!?" Looking in confusion, Hestia and Miach were both there, along with their four level ones.

"W-wait, this is going to be dangerous, you can't come here!" Kirito denied her.

"Now I'm not the biggest fan of this thief we've picked up. But I'm not one to stand around and do nothing while she suffers."

"It seems we are in agreement," Miach adds, that gentle smile on his face. "Oh, and the rest of your familia is on its way," Miach tells Mikoto and the other two, "Take said to start without them though. The surprise of having more troops show up will hopefully destabilize them."

"Well then… let's get started."

Moving as a team, they approached the gates of the storehouse. Whispering a silent prayer, Kirito apologized to Eina that he'd let it come to this.

---

"What is that?" Blinking the weariness from his eyes, Zanis roughly staggers to his feet. Despite the noon sun, he'd been sleeping.

The search for Lili had consumed his focus most of yesterday. After that, he'd drank a lot of Soma to get over his anger at having lost her. Thankfully the drink left no headache as he quickly prepared himself.

With the warning bell ringing through the castle, everyone would be waiting for their leader to command them. But who would attack?

"Could it actually be…? Arde?"

Does the girl really have friends strong enough to lay siege to their stronghold? Speeding up, Zanis made mistakes trying to put his clothes on as the shouts grew louder. Nerves propelling him forward, he could hardly believe it. Attacking a familia, unprovoked, in the middle of the day was unheard of. Who would do something like this?

Arde wasn't even here!

Finally dressed, Zanis rushed out of his room and up the stairs. Heading for Lord Soma's room, he found the god. Once again, he was kneeling in the garden, dealing with the morning plants. It was almost all he did. Care for the plants and then brew them into soma. The repetitive cycle fully consumed his time.

Ignoring the god that didn't look up despite the bells, Zanis walked out onto the balcony. The courtyard was in chaos. No one was ready for an attack. To his level two eyes, the unconscious or dead outlines of the guards at the gate could barely be seen.

"Everyone, fight for Soma!"

It wasn't a particularly original speech, nor was his voice charismatic, but none of that mattered. For the adventurers down there heard the promise of soma. Not to protect their god, but to be rewarded with the divine wine should they win.

With a mighty roar, the disorganized fighting forces came alive. Smiling tightly, Zanis watched with glee as they began to pressure the small group of attackers into an ever-shrinking circle.

---

Argo:

"Just a little more," Lulune promised as she tracked down Kirito's scent. "The building is just… there!"

She pointed at a far eastern style house, one that seemed awfully familiar to me. "Is this…"

"Well he was here anyway," Lulune continues, "he went that way."

"I… Guess… We… Should follow…" Taking deep gulps of breath, the supporter's words came in small clumps.

"Are you going to be okay?" I ask her concerned. I'd been so concerned with tracking down Kirito that I'd completely forgotten that he'll probably be quite angry if I bring the supporter to him half dead.

Rather than wasting her precious breath, Lili just nods in response. Bent double, she was focused on recovering.

"Someone's coming out," Lulune notified me.

Glancing at my teacher I try and convey my gratitude to her. I know that doing this for me is going to force a lot of overtime on her. However, as I look at the sky just past noon, I'm surprised with how long it's taking as well.

"How far behind Kirito do you think we are?"

"Not far now at all. Maybe twenty minutes."

"Good…" Letting the word run out quietly, I focus on the figures exiting the building. Approaching them, I'm surprised to recognize one of them. "Takemikazuchi." I'd never met the god before, but I'd heard from Kirito that he'd worked with their familia before. Using Hermes' resources, I'd briefly looked into their familia history.

Not to protect Kirito.

Just curiosity.

"Do I know you?" The god replied, clearly in a rush to be off.

"No, but…"

"We're looking for Kirito." Lulune broke in, closing distance to the god.

As surprise flitted over his face, it quickly changed into suspicion. "Are you with Soma familia?"

"No," Lili huffed breaking the silence, "but I am."

"Are you the…" Blood drained from Takemikazuchi's face. "We need to hurry. Kirito is currently leading a raid against their storehouse as we speak."

"What?" I curse the boy for his pre-emptive attacks. Needing no direction, I begin to take off when Lulune's hand stops me.

The other's give us strange looks, but with no time to lose, Lili joins up with their group as the eight adventurers follow their god to Soma's storehouse.

"What is it? We don't have time to wait!"

Lulune just tilts her head, giving me a confused look. "We found him. Now it's time for us to return to our jobs. Or have you forgotten you belong to Hermes familia?"

"I didn't forget," I growl back. "I'm trying to help a friend."

"This is exactly why you shouldn't befriend anyone outside of the familia! We are a neutral familia! I can't let you drag our entire familia into a war!"

"And I can't let him die!"

Lulune growls, throwing her hands in the air. I think briefly of running away, but it wouldn't help, she'd catch me.

"So, you'll risk your entire familia on pleasing some male? Does he even like you?"

Blushing, I don't reply instantly. "It's more than that," I say, my words low and forceful. Locking eyes with Lulune, I try and convey why he's so important to me. "When I got injured in the dungeon, he could have left me. No, he should have left me. But he stayed around and saved my life. I need to repay the favour."

Words drained out of me; I wait. Staring into her seemingly uncaring brown eyes, my heart flutters. If she denies me, it is well within her capabilities to drag me back to Hermes.

Finally, her eyes soften, a slight film over her eyes. "I wish I had the chance to do the same. We didn't have many strong enough to be targeted, but I always looked up to our old leader. She was a genius, who did her best to make things easy for us. I try to live up to her legacy, but I know I'm inadequate at it. Even as sub-commander I'm too weak."

"So?"

"We go invisible. No one can know we were there. Even more important, they can't discover our identities, got it?"

"Thank you,"

"We're wasting time, get into the alley and cast your spell."

Emotions high, the words of my spell fly off my lips and in seconds I'm done. Invisible, I race out of the alley and into the street. Tracking my presence, I feel the invisible Lulune running along behind me. Freed from having to slow up, I sprint full speed ahead. As the street becomes busier, I take a moment to get on the roofs.

Once there, the pace is a little slower compared to flat ground. The slopes combined with the jumps making for difficult terrain. It is, however, far faster than sticking to the cramped roads. Unless we are willing to notify citizens that invisible people were running around, this is far safer while remaining quicker.

"Out of the way!"

On the road were people dealing with that exact same problem. Takemikazuchi and his followers are pushing people out of the way, trying to get to the storehouse as quickly as possible. A frantic Lili hard on their tails.

Offering them a silent prayer of luck, I dash past them without slowing. It was clear from the speed they were moving at that none of them were level two. The extra manpower may be of use anyway.

Growing nervous, the minutes pass all too quickly as we run. Lulune following close behind me, I wish that the storehouse was closer. Unfortunately, it's near the eastern end of Orario while Takemikazuchi's house is barely east of Babel.

"There," Pointing although I know it's unnecessary, the building finally comes into view.

"I figured, I can hear the combat," Lulune's disembodied voice comes back. It's strange. Although I'm comfortable talking while invisible, hearing an invisible person talk to me is unsettling.

Forced back onto the streets, I dash around the crowd of people milling around staring towards the storehouse. Shouts of pain and sounds of combat are clear from here. The scared faces of the public make me realize something. They're terrified that this will become a common occurrence. Familias brawling by daylight along the streets of Orario. Thankfully this is contained to a storehouse.

"Wait up," Lulune whispers to me as I dash closer to the building.

Skidding to a halt, I grind my teeth together as I wait for the explanation.

"What exactly is the strategy here?"

Opening my mouth, I realize that that's a good question. We don't even know what Kirito is trying to achieve. Probably to free Lili who isn't there. What can we do to be useful?

Lulune heavily sighs, breaking me out of my thoughts. "You didn't even think this far ahead, how distressed are you?"

Blushing, I'm glad for the invisibility to hide it.

"We need to divide their forces. You sneak in and see if you can pick off individual members. If they find random members unconscious, they'll start panicking. At the same time, I'll find an abandoned corner and start a fire."

Staring in horror, I can scarcely believe the brutality coming out of her mouth. It is true, her words make sense, but the chances of causalities in that scenario are really high.

"Do you want to save him or not?"

"Let's do it." Reaffirming my conviction, we head in tandem for the stone wall protecting the storehouse. It was time to repay my debt to Kirito.

---

Leafa:

Left, right, up. Guard low.

Movement after movement, my sword a blur to my eyes. The chances to counterattack were long since gone. All effort now went into defense. The gods and Silica are behind me. Any mistake could prove fatal not just for me but for them as well.

Yet, as bad as my situation was, being prodded at by three people, Kirito's was infinitely worse. More than six people were attacking him. One of which was level two. It stopped him from making any motions, dragging the fight into a stalemate. It hurt to see his clothes torn, small rivulets of blood pouring down him from a dozen different minor wounds. His face a rictus of concentration to merely stay alive.

I wish that I could help, but my three have me thoroughly trapped. Although I'm holding them off, their statuses are probably as high if not higher than my own. I knew coming in that the people here would be stronger than me. After all, I've been an adventurer for a little more than a week. All of my stats are below average.

But.

I won't let that stop me!

"There's more coming!"

Crying out from his knot of people, the three members of Takemikazuchi familia had been instrumental in us surviving this long. Each member was extremely skilled, and their statuses were high. Even though Chigusa was still level one, she held her ground.

Clenching my hands tighter around my hilt, I can't believe my helplessness. Every motion is necessary to block one of their weapons. We have no more room to give, our backs against a wall. With more coming, we'll be overrun in minutes.

But, I'm better than them!

They may have an equal status, but their attacks are straightforward. They attack me like I'm a monster! Of course!

Way forward settled; I smile at them.

"Huh?"

"Yargh!"

Releasing a war cry, I catch a weapon on my hilt and step into the attacker's area. It exposes Silica but I trust the girl to defend the deities.

"What the he…"

Taking a hand off my hilt I jab it into his stomach, interrupting his words. As he doubles over, I shove him at the other two.

"Whoa! What the…"

Yet again, I don't give them a chance to process the fight, swinging my katana at the second one's neck, they instinctively flinch, weapon coming up to defend themselves. Inverting the attack, I turn completely around at come at the other one. Unprepared for the feint, my sword catches him in the hip, tearing through the leather and skin there.

Clutching his leg, the first one goes down screaming. Two left.

"Why you!"

Recovered from the punch, the two of them attack in tandem, blades carving at me from both sides. With my back at the wall, there's nowhere to go.

Nowhere a monster would go.

Diving forward, I land between as their blades pass behind me. Apologizing silently, I withdraw the knife sheathed on my thigh and bury it in their thigh.

Ignoring his screaming form, I draw my katana back over my crouched form. No sooner had it gotten there before the last one left standing whipped his blade at me. Deflecting noisily off the end of the hilt, my fingers a millimetre away from taking the slash.

Using his broken form, I charge him; the katana too long for this situation. Barrelling into his chest, he crashes against the wall. A sickly crack emanating from the point of impact.

Wincing, I ignore him. The two fallen men have already started to crawl back to the building, will to fight gone.

Readying my blade, I prepare to dive back into the knot of people Kirito is holding off. Locking eyes briefly with him, he reads my intent.

"No! Magic!"

Pausing, my eyes widen. I can't believe I'd forgotten about it.

"Silica, cover me!"

Sheathing the long blade, I stick my hand out in front of me.

"They've got a mage!"

"Where are our archers!"

"They keep getting taken out!"

Thank you Nazha.

The unerring Chienthrope was apparently winning the ranged warfare that was out of my sight.

"Heed my call, traveller of the world, unchained force.

Your name is freedom, granter of wishes."

The words of the spell, a comforting song. An anchor in the middle of the fight. All around me combat swirls as the now frightened defenders do their best to interrupt the chant.

"Underneath the endless sky, I search.

Unbidden to any land, I now seek your power."

"Stop her!"

"No!"

As the words pour from my mouth, the short chant spell over halfway finished, a mace soars towards me. Thrown from an aggravated half dwarf, his face a mottled red. Without a doubt the mace will connect, the only question is it will hit with the metal end. Chant stopped; I watch with morbid fascination at the weapon which may end my life.

"Hiyah!"

Silica.

Gaping at the girl, I wonder where she learned to do that. With a swipe of her dagger, the mace was deflected, clattering uselessly against the wall behind me.

"Finish please," she pleads with an exhausted smile. Nodding at her, I reach the climax of the chant.

"Now at the end of the world, answer this wanderer's prayer.

Grant but one glimpse of the King of Faeries."

Smiling now, the spell is complete. Only the final line and name of the spell remains.

"Get back!"

Kirito's warning spoken; I finish it.

"Dance, Lord of the sky!"

Taking a moment to relish in the power rushing through my body, I unleash it.

Wind Blade!"

Rather than attack the adventurers fall back. Hunkering down behind shields and weapons.

It didn't help.

The elongated pieces of hardened wind gathered and fired. A tunnel of deadly blades. Screeching through the air, the innocuous wind crashed into the wall of steel. With the terrible cry of tearing metal, the results were mixed. High quality weapons displayed their worth versus the cheaper imitations that most possessed.

Pieces flew through the air. Metal, leather, and even blood. In a wild hurricane, the adventurers collapsed, pushed back by the force of my magic.

Pride surging through me, I can't believe it. I did it. I helped Kirito. No. I saved him.

"Let's go Kirito!"

Hestia, breaking out from where she'd been cowering grabs the boy's arm and pulls him towards the open gate. Up above where that voice rang out earlier is likely to be Soma, and hopefully Lili. As long as they manage to capture the God, they should be able to stop the fighting and demand her release.

As they ran past, Kirito met my eyes. Looking grateful, he mouthed one word to me.

Thanks.

"Go." Speaking the inaudible word to him, my heart accompanied him on his journey up the keep.

"They're getting back up!" Philia noted nervously. "Well, most of them are."

Turning back the foes, she's right. My magic, with all my mind behind it, wasn't enough to dispel them. Although they stood back up, their will to fight looked diminished.

"We just need to hold out for Kirito to get to their god," Rain said, trying to boost our morale. "We can do this!"

Whether she meant to sing that finale line like an idol, I don't know. But drawing my katana again, I feel a new burst of energy.

---

Argo:

"Well done," Murmuring appreciatively. I can't help but be impressed by the girl's magic. It turned the tides of the battle, allowing for Kirito to get into the tower. While I desire to pursue him inside, I need to help out with this group of people closing in on Kirito's friends.

They'd chosen a good time to attack. The adventurers inside were lazy, either completely unarmed, or only carrying a weapon. Few of their initial opponents had armour of any sort which put them on the defensive. Now though, the larger number was forming up into groups. Armed with weapons and armour, they'd overpower them quickly. Perhaps more important were their own mages, getting ready near a door to the barracks.

That's where I have to strike.

They stood out of range of Kirito's sniper, probably Nazha; whom was now pinned down by Soma familia's troops.

Jumping down from my vantage point, I land in a corner, my view now blocked. Thankfully, I still know where everything is from my time scouting. Sneaking forward, I approach the unaware mages.

"Lagrel, you use your single target magic on their mage. The rest of us, deal with those far eastern people, got it?"

"Fine."

The mages agreed sulkily. Looking at them in disbelief, I don't get it. They're more upset at being forced to use their mental energy than the fact that their familia members are getting hurt in front of their eyes.

This familia is seriously screwed up.

The man who gave the orders stepped back and gave the four mages an open view to cast with. Happy for the chance, I know how much effort and focus it takes to cast a spell.

Less than a foot away from the unsuspecting person, I leap up, my right hand covering his mouth while my left arm snakes around his throat, crushing his windpipe. Like I thought, none of the mages react, completely oblivious to their leader's demise. Ten, twenty seconds, and the man's unconscious.

My magic may penalize me for killing but knocking him out is perfectly fine. Looking across the line of mages though, I have a problem. Interfering with them will make it obvious that someone invisible is here. Plus, in less than thirty seconds, they all be finished and waiting on their leader's order to fire.

Unless… they're the ones who take each other out.

Backing up, I hope my plan works and throw a dagger. Landing in one of the mage's shoulders, he let's out a cry, the magic disrupted. As he stumbles, I wait breathlessly for the phenomenon I'd only heard about.

Sure enough, the magic circle beneath him pulses red. I have no time to prepare myself.

With a tremendous boom, the man explodes. Magical energy seeping out of his body as dangerous and untamed fire.

Throwing my hands in front of my face, I can tell that I was too close. The skin begins to blister as my world turns red.

---

Kirito:

Boom!

"What was that?"

"I don't know." Replying tersely to Hestia we continue our journey up the keep. It's strangely empty. Every intersection so far has had nobody in it. Hopefully that means everyone they have is out in the courtyard right now.

Besides their leader.

Knowing there was at least one more person ahead of me made our progress slow. Despite our need for speed, I had to check each corner carefully. Hestia is unable to defend herself, one mistake by me and she'd be banished from this realm. That would be swiftly followed by death as my status locks.

Focusing on my scenarios, I lead us up another flight of stairs. The inside is bare and suitably castle like. This main spiral staircase should go from the base level to where that man had spoken from on the highest floor. It was reasonable to assume that the god Soma was also there.

"Shouldn't we hurry up?" Hestia asks nervously.

Shaking my head, I don't reply. My nerves are tense, and I'd like nothing more than to sprint to the end. My familia, my friends, my sister, all will perish unless we get this done. Hurrying and getting caught off guard would make their sacrifices pointless, however.

Each of our movements seem to make a horrendous racket in the silent tower. An ominous sense of danger around each corner makes me want to slow down even more. I can't believe that this is where the Soma adventurers spend so much time.

Suddenly a slamming force rocks into the keep. It sounds like a strong wind is pounding the keep. Although dampened by the stone walls, it clearly came from outside.

"What was that?" Hestia asks, hoping my enhanced hearing allowed me to make it out.

"I don't know, let's go."

Taking off, I ascend the stairs two at a time. Head on a swivel, I try to cover all angles while running. Hestia's pace is slower, but still fast enough to remain reasonably close. Climbing to the highest room, I skid to a halt in front of the open door. Two men stand blocking my way.

One is dwarf, a thick brown beard, he leans against the doorway a scowl on his face. Despite the posture, I can tell he is prepared to use the Warhammer in front of him if need be. The other is a human male. A sneer plastered across his face ruining his scholarly appearance. A pair of wireframed glasses framing his face. When I landed, he drew a rapier from his side and held it aloft in a low stance.

"Before you die, I must know, why did you attack?"

The man's voice is calm. Underneath it is a layer of thinly veiled sadism. He's looking forward to killing me.

"We came to free Lili from you monsters!" Hestia announces in a huffy voice, finally reaching the top of the stairs.

The man simply tilts his head back and laughs. "What idiots, Arde escaped from our grasp. You ran in here swords raised, and for what? For a useless girl that isn't even here."

Chuckling maniacally at us, the man gestures at the dwarf. "Come Chandra. Fight him and determine his strength. I'll finish him off if he proves to be too much."

The words are clearly a taunt, but the dwarf merely snorts derisively. "If you want him dead, do it yourself. I'm getting a drink." With that the dwarf, Chandra, picks up his Warhammer and retreats into the room where his god should be.

"Insolent fool!" the human spits at him. "You'll be going to the barracks for this!"

Perhaps earlier I'd have let the man talk. Rage at his dwarf for disobeying orders. But not now. Not with so many people's lives on the line.

Approaching low, but swiftly, I swing from the lower-right. Despite being completely silent, the man reacts. Level two.

"Ahh!"

Screaming in surprise, his rapier poorly deflects my blade. The intercepted sword only cuts fabric as it crosses his body.

"How dare you!"

So, he's someone who talks while fighting. Focusing fully on the fight, I don't bother replying. Picking up the tempo I unleash another four attacks on him. All heavy swings meant to end the fight.

"Guh! Gah!"

I could do without the narrative.

Despite his backpedaling, I can't end the fight. His skills are top tier. The rapier feels like an extension of his body as he settles into a proper fighting stance.

Having weathered my initial assault, the fight starts to change. Using his agility and minute deflections he begins retaliating. The thrusts are lightning quick and made with unerring precision.

Forced to throw myself backwards out of one, he smirks at me.

"This fight is over. Your swings are too slow and predictable. Lay down your weapon and I'll give you a quick death."

"At least your honest," I mutter back, mind whirring. I can still win this. Using my skill, I can surpass his expectation and achieve victory. The question is if it's worth it. What about the dwarf? Will he really do nothing as we threaten his god? Probably not.

Suddenly, another idea illuminates my eyes. The noises of fighting from outside have increased in tempo. Despite it being muted after that wind, the sounds clearly come in through the open door leading to the overlooking balcony.

That means they survived the magic.

"Rawr!" Releasing a war cry, I charge straight at him, sword drawn back for a mighty stroke.

"Kirito!" Hestia cries out in fear. It's easy to see that my move is foolish. His rapier will hit long before my sword.

"Fool," smirking at me, the man lunges.

I trust you Liz.

Shifting my body slightly over, the tip of the rapier impacts my chest protector. Resting over my heart, if it gives way, I'll die.

Eyes locked on the man; I know that won't happen. Pressing forward through the attack, a stream of sparks is released as the metal cries out. What gives first is neither the protector, nor the rapier.

The man's strength running out, he doesn't have the ability to follow through the strike. Arm giving out, I close the gap. His eyes wide in fear.

One slash and it will be over. He has no defense to stop my blade from passing through his neck.

A vision leaps in front of my mind.

The man from the cave. Missing one arm he held a knife to the injured persons throat. His eyes filling with fear as he realizes that he's dead.

I won't let that be me.

Changing the momentum of the blade, I ram its pommel into his face. Glasses cracking perfectly down the middle, his nose shatters from the impact.

Down on the ground he writhes in pain, both hands covering his face. Not letting him recover to attack me later, I drop the pommel again on his head, knocking him unconscious.

Turning to the other occupants of the room, I'm unconcerned about the human. His level two status should keep him dying from such a paltry blow. Neither of the two people left seem to care about the outcome. The dwarf browses the shelfs, muttering to himself as he searches for a particular brew. In a garden near the balcony, a hunched figure works. Snipping leaves and watering plants with impressive dexterity and focus. A mop of black hair hides their face from view. I don't need it to know however, that this is him. The god Soma.

"Soma."

It's a tone of voice I've never heard from Hestia before. Rather than serious or angry, this is one of command. The voice of a leader who you can't ignore.

Soma, however, ignores it. Like the fight barely twenty feet from him, the god shows no reaction. Merely keeps working on his plants.

"You do realize," Hestia speaks quietly, "that unless you stop working and command the battle to stop, I will push you from this balcony."

"I too ask you to stop it," the dwarf adds, coming back from the shelf emptyhanded.

I keep an eye on him, however, there's no way he'll let Hestia kill his god. Although, he has no reason to believe that Hestia can actually fulfill her promise.

At last this gets a reaction from the god. Standing up slowly, he brushes off his dirt covered robes. Looking at Hestia he tilts his head in confusion. "You are… Hestia…" The voice is soft and quiet. There's no force to it.

Staring at him sends shivers down my back. To me the gods were always eccentric people who sought their own enjoyment. They were tolerated due to their capability to bestow falna, with some good ones thrown in. Staring at their faceoff, I know now how sorely my definition was lacking. These were entities thousands of years old. While they were definitely interested in entertainment, they were also the beings in charge of selecting and purifying souls. For the eyes Soma possessed could not exist on a mortal. A level of resignation that took millennia to cultivate.

There were a thousand things he could do. Even more things he could potentially say. However, he did none of them, merely staring at us instead. A silence born from a deep apathy to other people.

---

Sachi:

"Oh no, oh no, oh no."

Mumbling incoherently to myself, I can't stop my hands from shaking. This hasn't happened since I was saved that one time. Since I learned I could fight. That same terror which had consumed me then came back with a vengeance.

It was a sea of humanity. Screams of orders and pain mixed together into an indecipherable din. Louder even than that were the sounds of combat that had drawn a crowd to surround this building. Under the noon sun sweat covered every person, me included. My slick hands felt like they may drop the spear I hold at any moment.

I can't do it.

I can't enter that brawl. Even to save the man who saved me.

I'm scared.

I never should have logged on.

The others are wrong.

I'm weak.

"Sachi."

The warm voice breaks through the dark thoughts. Spinning around I face my god whose words reached me. Laying his hands on my shoulders, he smiles warmly at me despite the situation.

"You can do this. You can save them."

"What are you saying?"

"That you can do this. The only thing holding you back is yourself. If you've decided you're too weak, you will be. If you go in knowing you'll fail, you will. A hero is someone who rejects their limits and strives to save someone even when it seems impossible. That's what everyone else is doing. Will you let their efforts be for naught?"

Standing still, I look at the one part of me still moving, my hands. It's okay to be scared. What isn't okay is to let your friends die while you stand around doing nothing.

"Thank you." Speaking softly, I turn back to the combat and stride forward.

Unbeknownst to me, my hands stopped shaking.

"Hiyah!" Letting out a cry, I whip the butt of my spear forward. The end taking a Soma familia member in the head. Ringing his helmet like a bell, he collapsed to the ground.

"Good one Sachi!"

Getting cheered on by Keita, I kept moving through the fray. Selecting my next opponent, I move to engage when…

BOOM!

The ground itself seems to shake as a ball of fire erupts form the corner of the courtyard. Near a stocky building where a group of people are gathering.

No. Were gathering.

The stone around the entrance of the building is charred from the blast. The people surrounding it faired no better. None of them are in any condition to get back up again.

"What in the world…"

I have no answer for Keita's shocked question. Fighting has halted momentarily in light of the unexpected explosion. While the explosion seems magical, I can't find anyone who used it. It was certainly no one from my familia.

"T-they blew up Lagrel, get them!"

I want to plead out innocence, that the explosion had nothing to do with us, but as the closest group, the stunned adventurers focus their blades towards us. Besides, we came here as the aggressors anyway.

Preparing my spear, I attack. The words of Takemikazuchi propelling me forward.

"Sachi?" Lili, the supporter asks, "I need to get to that tower. Any ideas?"

"Yes. Get ready to run." I think a part of me knew that this would happen. From beneath my robes I draw the weapon that my familia had bestowed the use of on me.

"That's a…"

"Ready?" Not waiting for her answer, I whip the pale green blade forward. From its tip shoots out a cyclone of wind. The wind howling loudly in my ears, it's powerful enough to sweep adventurers in full armour off their feet. Into that storm, Lili dashes.

I freeze, unsure of the girl's actions, but I keep the cyclone going. Leaning forward, the small Prum is practically flying, carried forward by the immense wind. Rather than fighting the wind, the girl allows its strength to carry het where she wants to go.

Holding the wind, the enemy adventurers are scattered. Lines shattered; the howl drowns out words. Right as Lili reaches the tower unscathed, a loud crack rings out from my blade. The winds stutter and less than a second fades entirely. The dagger disintegrates, the metal making up the blade becoming particles and floating away on the wind.

"S-Sachi?"

The stunned words of my companions reach my ears, but I don't acknowledge them. I can see the desire to fight fading from my opponents' eyes. Rather than feeling more motivated to attack from hearing about their companion, they seem less willing. Occasionally their eyes will flick to the top of the main building where a balcony overlooks the courtyard. Perhaps waiting for someone there to begin giving orders.

Taking advantage of their distraction, I use my god's teachings.

In a battle, you are your own worst enemy. Minimize distractions and capitalize on your opponents.

Surging forward, the steel-tipped spear drew his gaze back to the fight. Yelping, the man tried to jump back and away from the attack. Not letting him retreat, I take a step forward and transition the spear into a vertical slash. With his gaze directed at his stomach my spear soundly impacts the top of his head. The helmetless man drops like a puppet with its strings cut.

"How dare you!"

Jumping over her compatriot, a scantily dressed amazon attacks. Wielding no weapon, her leg flies out at me trying to knock the spear from my hands.

Pulling it back, I prod at the unarmed woman.

Hand flashing like lightning, she grabs the haft before the point connects.

Realizing the flaw in my attacking strategy, I pull back on the spear with all my strength hoping to free it from her grip.

"Aah!" Encountering no resistance, I crumple to the ground behind me. Looking up I barely have time to gape as the amazon takes to the air, leg poised to slam down upon my chest.

Grabbing the spear, I whip it up in front of me. The heel of her foot slams into the haft breaking it in two. Having stopped the attack's momentum, I roll away from her.

"Not so fast darling!"

Eyes wide, I stare in horror at her second kick. Hitting me in the stomach, I groan as it propels me five feet further across the floor.

Clutching my stomach, I stumble to my knees, vision blurry from a film of tears.

"Sachi! Get away from her!"

"No!" Groaning, my word is unclear as I can't generate the wind to pronounce it.

Keita runs at the amazon, training forgotten. Spear held stationary in front of him, it's barely an attack.

Easily sidestepping it, the amazon uppercuts him. Body sent flying in an arc, I'm pretty sure I heard a crack from the impact.

Going to stand up, I hold the half spear in front of me lamely. It's a poor defense against someone whose whole body is a weapon.

"I'll ask you to stop hurting my children."

"Take?" Looking at him curiously, he's stepped into the space between the amazon and I.

"Out of my way deity!" Making a move to grab him, the amazon lunges at him.

Despite not having a status, Take easily grabs her wrist and transitions it into a hold.

"Hey, what the hell?"

Not responding, Take's whole body shifts. Muscles bulging, the amazon lifts off the ground. Still crying obscenities, Take's throw crashes her headfirst into the ground.

Releasing one final groan her body doesn't move again.

"That was amazing…"

"Don't underestimate the importance of skill and strategy," my god replies seriously, "Using them I was able to overcome a serious difference in physical capabilities."

Nodding my understanding, I take a spear from the fallen Keita. It doesn't look like he'll be needing it anytime soon.

Looking around at the group, I see that everyone else is still fighting. The amazon must have been exceptionally strong.

Knowing that everyone is safe, I turn my gaze to the top of the tower that the supporter entered. "Good luck…" Whispering the words, I put my faith in that girl and Kirito. For without a doubt, our fate is tied to their success.

---

Lili:

Skidding across the stone floor, I change directions to enter the final room. Barely glancing at the unconscious form of my familia captain, I run inside to where four figures stand tense.

"Kirito, Hestia!"

"Lili?"

"Supporter!"

Approaching them at a run, I skid to a halt when I see Chandra there as well. Although he's armed, he doesn't appear to be in a fighting mood.

The fourth person sends a small chill up my spine, Soma. The god, for once is not working. He seems to have realized that he can't work and deal with this issue. Like always though, he says nothing upon my arrival, only giving me that deadpanned stare.

"Please my god, stop the fighting below and allow Lili to leave your familia!"

Tilting his head at me, I can tell he's arrived a decision. Walking to the shelf, he pulls down a bottle and cup. "You children are all so weak. If you can drink this and say the same thing, I'll consider it."

Divine wine.

Looking at it in horror, I take a half step back away from the liquid that ruined my life.

"I'll drink it," Kirito offers, stepping in front of me.

"Bah, I can do it," Chandra snorts, "I do it all the time."

"No," Soma denies them. "I want it to be her."

Whether its vindictiveness or something else, he stares only at me. Finally, I think I figure it out. Taking a step forward, I grab the cup with shaking fingers.

"Lili, if you drink that…"

"I need to," I tell them. "I claim that this drink is what ruined my live. Soma wants me to prove that it didn't. Show that it's simply a lack of willpower."

I think I see a glimmer of pride in his eyes. It's faint, but staking my future on it, I down the cup in one big gulp.

The euphoria is indescribable.

A better flavour does not exist as it melts on my tongue. Eyes rolling up into my head, I collapse on the ground. Body shaking, no senses reach me except for the wine.

It seizes control of thoughts and drags me down. Grabbing onto my very soul, I can feel wants and desires melt away. Along with those it takes my pains and worries. Leaving only happiness behind.

Isn't this for the best?

Why shouldn't I sink into this sensation and never return?

Like a faint memory, I see a smile. Not a happy one, nor a sad one. It's merely content. It's the contentment that comes from having done something right. It may cause a lot of pain, it may not have been easy, but it was the right thing to do.

The smile slowly resolves itself into Silica. The catgirl falling to the ground before my eyes, knife lodged in her back.

She saved me.

They all did. They were the first people I met to not treat me as mere baggage. To show desire to stand up against this hierarchal degradation towards supporters.

I want to save them.

Desire flaring within my soul, I push the Soma away. Like a mist, it fades away easily. In the end it was just wine, brewed by a person without any magic. Its hold was, and always had been, an illusion.

Standing up, I reiterate my desire in a clear voice. "Lord Soma, please stop the fighting and let Lili leave this familia!"

Without saying a word, the god took the mostly full bottle of Soma and threw it over the railing. Wine spilling out all the while, Soma walked to the railing.

"Stop fighting."

The words were quiet, too quiet to have been heard above the din of battle. However, there was no battle to obscure them. It had stopped as every eye tracked the bottle's flight. Each member of Soma familia could tell instantly what it was their god had thrown out like junk. All of them stood mutely staring at their god whom had never once issued a single order. Slowly the crowd broke up. Each person stumbling away as if in a stupor.

Turning back around, my god looked at me again. "Why should I let you leave."

"Because Lili has asked to," I explain, drawing myself up to my full, unimpressive height.

"She never met any quotas anyway," Chandra shrugged. "Aren't actually losing money letting her go."

"I see…" Soma spoke softly. "If I say no, you'll go to the guild, won't you?"

"Yes."

"If I let you go, you won't report me to the guild?"

"I'd have no reason to."

Glancing around, Soma appeared deep in thought before his eyes rested on Chandra. "Perhaps with better leadership… Things around here may improve."

"My thoughts exactly," the dwarf smiles for the first time since I'd known him. "Besides, old Zanis over there was stealing from the familia. Do him good to go in the slammer for awhile."

"Come Arde, I will release you."

Turning to Kirito and Hestia, I don't know what to say.

"You know…" Hestia begins slowly. "If you want a familia to join…"

"It would be an honour to have you," Kirito murmurs in completion of his Goddess' words.

"Thank you so much, both of you. But for now… I don't think I'm ready yet."

"Well, I'll be around for awhile hopefully," Hestia laughs. "Now go, you deserve your freedom."

Turning my back on them, I follow my god to a new beginning.

---

Argo:

"W-where am I?"

"This is why we don't get involved," a voice berates me.

"L-lulune?"

"Yes, it's me," the Chienthrope snaps.

As my mind clears, I take in the details of my surroundings. It's my room back in Hermes familia's headquarters.

"How?" I ask, my voice cracking.

"Well, after you set off what appeared to be an ignis fatuus, your arms were entirely blistered. It seemed like your lungs were burned as well. In a word, you were dying. Abandoning my pervious plans, I took you out of there and healed you. Now you're here."

"I… didn't expect the blast to be quite that severe. Did…?"

"Did they die?" Lulune asks.

Nodding, I'm afraid of the answer.

"Only the mage who cast the failed spell. Even he could have been saved if they had an elixir."

Dead.

The word hangs over the room like a shadow. I killed someone because I forced Lulune to let me go there. I never should have been there.

"If you're about to say that you shouldn't have gone, I'll strangle you."

"I… but…" While knowing it's probably an idle threat, she certainly could do it.

"Ask yourself what would have happened if hadn't done that."

"If I hadn't…?" The first consequence would have been the magic going off. Not just the man's I killed, but the other three as well. That probably would have resulted in the deaths of Kirito's friends.

"See?"

Slowly I nod. "It's hard for me to accept that it was justified… but even knowing the consequences… I think I would have done the same thing."

"Good," Lulune says, "the only way to live without regret is to live life to its fullest. Or so Hermes says."

Smiling ruefully, I let the words sink into me. Rather than guilt, a peace settles over me. That I made my decision, and it's one I'm happy with.

"Did anyone see me?" I ask suddenly, remembering the conditions for us going.

"No," Lulune shakes her head. "I tracked you down shortly after the ignis fatuus and dragged you to a corner and healed you. After that, I found a gap in the crowds and escaped."

"Wait," I declare sitting up, "what happened to Kirito?"

"Your crush?" she teases, "he's fine. The god declared a stop to the fighting before I left. None of them died."

"Thank goodness… That also means no one knows we were there?"

"Nope," Lulune confirms, "I even retrieved your knife before leaving. It was a more stylish way of helping than I'd intended, but it worked."

"So, Kirito thinks I abandoned him…" Muttering sadly, I catch the hesitant look in Lulune's eye. "This is for the best, isn't it? Now he knows the limits of what Hermes familia is willing to do. No favours, no breaking neutrality."

"If you really want…"

"No, I'm fine," I insist. "He organized the raid without asking for my help anyway."

"This would get you bonus points with him though…"

"Stop trying to tempt me," I growl. "I'm fine."

"Good that you say that, Hermes has a job for you."

"Huh?"

"That supporter that they were trying to release, it seems like they succeeded. Hermes says he knows a place outside the city she can stay for awhile. You're to drive the carriage out."

"I see…" I murmur, doing nothing of the sort. Why did Hermes need me to drive? There's no doubt he's far better at it. "What time is it?"

"Just before midnight of the same day," Lulune smirks, laughing quietly at my shock. "You leave in about 9 hours, have a good sleep."

"Thanks…" My words fall on an empty room as my mentor leaves. To waste an entire day on me… I really am spoiled. Smiling, sleep consumes me again.

---

Kirito:

"Are you sure about this Lili?" Asking hesitantly, I don't know how to feel about this change of events. To be honest, I'd forgotten about the sum of money she'd collected up until now as a thief.

"Of course," she smiles at me, looking at peace for the first time. "You need it. More than that, you deserve it. But do one thing for me. If you find the familia that captured the egg, can you give a million valis to them?"

"I'll it in reserve for just that time," I tell her. In fact, I think I may know exactly who that was. "You know that…?"

"I thank you for the offer," Lili bows, "but something is telling me that I need to do this. That there's something or someone out there I need to find."

"Oh, a boy?" Silica interrupts, joining in on the conversation.

"Who knows," Lili shrugs.

"You'll come back though, right?" Silica insists.

"I can't just abandon you after all you've done for me," Lili assures her. "I'll try and come back in a couple of weeks. We can finish your supporter training then."

"I'll count the days." Diving forward Silica pulls Lili into a big hug. The short Prum girl even smaller than Silica.

"Are you sure you have enough money?" I ask.

"Yes, Kirito," the Prum sighs, rolling her eyes at me. "You may not be aware, but 100,000 valis is a small fortune outside of Orario."

Even though I know she's right, and she's probably older than me, I can't help but feel protective of her. We fought so hard for her freedom that I want it to last. For her to be able to chase her dreams.

"Well, here's the carriage," Hestia yawns, exiting the church.

Hermes had offered to pick us up outside the church. Having no reason to decline the offer, everyone was just getting up. The girls are exhausted from their struggle. Being level two, I have a hidden well of strength that let's me keep going.

"Thank you, goddess Hestia. I'm indebted to you."

"That's right!" She agrees, with her usual mock seriousness. "You caused my familia a lot of stress!"

Under her words, a remorseful Lili wilts a little. Her guilt at how far we went for her shining through. The difference from the aloof supporter of a few days ago is striking. For once I feel like I'm seeing the real girl.

"That's also why you have to come visit soon, you know? Silica will sulk the whole time you're gone."

"Yes, goddess Hesita…" Lili's voice is choked up. If she were looking up, I'm sure there would be tears in her eyes. Unable to resist, I stick out a hand and ruffle her hair.

"Take care of yourself out there, you hear?"

"Don't you dare take advantage of the emotional girl!" Hestia warns me.

"I'm fine," Lili insists.

"So, is our traveller ready?"

"Hermes?" Hestia asks in surprise. "You're going yourself?"

"Of course," He laughs, in that strange way of his. "I want to talk to the person who will be hosting your young supporter here!"

"Argo?" I interrupt, spotting the figure behind Hermes.

"Ah, hey Kirito." Frowning, her response seems strange, but I can't figure out why. She seems more timid than I'd expect.

"Well, if you're done saying goodbye, let's head out," Hermes says, spreading his hands.

"Bye!" Latching back on to Lili, Silica practically crushed the poor girl in her arms.

"Sil-Silica!" Lili protests, air draining from her body.

Finally getting released, I nod to the supporter in way of goodbye. Ignoring it, Lili steps forward, wrapping her thin arms around my body. Unsure of what to do with my arms, she's released me before I decide. Going over to Hestia, I wonder if it's the most awkward hug I've ever seen. Both of the women seem to respect each other, and yet there's a tension between them that speaks to an innate unreconcilable difference.

Barely touching, they both simultaneously break it off. "I'm ready now."

"You were going to leave without me?" a voice yawns.

"Leafa." I greet my sleepy sister with a smile.

"I didn't want to disturb you," Lili smiles wanly. Stepping forward, Lili also hugs Leafa, whose eyes are still heavy with sleep. She did a lot yesterday.

"Well, I'm off now! Thanks again, for everything!"

"Bye!" Speaking as one, we wave farewell to our temporary member. She may have only been here for a couple of days, but she's made a big impact on me. She's shown me that there are other types of strength than just strength of arms.

Remembering something, I approach Argo who sits in the driver's seat, horse's reins in her hands. "Hey Argo, thank you for your help. This wouldn't have been possible without you."

"It's nothing Kii-bou."

Cheeks turning red, she averts her eyes from me. I want to tease her, but my eyes are drawn to her arms. The long sleeve shirt she wears hides it well, but there are bandages on her arms.

"Argo what…"

"Don't ask Kii-bou, please."

Unexplained explosion took out their mages.

"Did…" Shaking my head, I change my words. "Thank you Argo, for everything."

"You're welcome Kii-bou… Remember, if you need me, I'll be around."

"For a price?" I ask with a smile.

"Of course!" she replies affronted. "Don't you know, good things don't come cheap!"

"Bye Argo…"

"See ya around Kii-bou."

Standing in the street, I watched with my familia as the carriage leaves the short street, turning out of view. As the others retreat back into the church to prepare for the day, I instead turn my gaze up to sky. How many times had the events of the past few days been decided by the whims of a couple of people?

Frowning, I realize that's disrespectful. They weren't whims. They were the actions of determined people. People willing to take risks to make their dreams reality. Determined to follow into their footsteps, I return to the church. It's time to look to the future.

---

Lili:

"We're here," Argo's voice rings from the front. Barely muffled by the cloth divider.

"Ladies first," Hermes proffers me, holding open the curtain.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes at him, I accept his offer. The god's every action seems mocking in some small way. It was helpful as it stopped me from getting drawn in by charisma. He really was a people person. Every line out of his mouth was smooth.

Ignoring him, I step out and get my first look at my new home. Green. Plant life covers everything on the way back. There's not even a road to where we've stopped.

That explains the bumps.

Frowning, I walk around to the front of the carriage where Argo is dealing with the horses. In front of the horses is a small wooden farmhouse. Beyond that is farmland. A shed off to the side houses what I assume are the tools that the owner uses to maintain the farm.

"So, I'm to be a farmer…"

I don't know what I expected, yet somehow it wasn't this.

"What do you think?" Hermes asks.

"I don't know," I reply honestly. "Thank you for setting this up. I don't know how long I'll be here, however."

"I expect you won't be here long either."

"What do you mean by that?" Staring at the god, he has a knowing twinkle in his eyes as he approaches the farmhouse's door.

With the sun sinking low in the evening, the occupant is probably eating supper. My own stomach rumbles in desire. Although Hermes offered me some food at lunch, the energy it gave me has long since faded.

Knocking twice loudly, Hermes doesn't wait for an answer before opening the door. Inside the frontroom, a young man, no boy, sits at the table glaring at whomever had interrupted him. It's gets even deeper as he stares at Hermes.

"What are you doing here?"

"Bell, my boy. Is that any way to greet a god?"

The lack of change in his expression showed how little he cares about what Hermes thinks.

"I am called Lili," I greet the boy stepping besides Hermes. I figure I should at least attempt to make a good impression if I'm staying here. "Thank you for letting me stay here."

"What?"

"You agreed to let me live here for awhile…"

"No, I didn't."

Standing up awkwardly, both of us turn to Hermes.

"Don't look at me that way, you two! Bell, surely you have room for a lone girl. What would your grandfather say if he knew you were turning a young girl away to face the elements?"

"Don't call him that!" Bell's face took on an ugly shade of anger as he snapped at the god. His intense red eyes burning through Hermes. Shivering, I'm glad he didn't look at me that way. The only person I've met with a gaze that intense is Kirito.

"So, you're going to…?"

Ignoring Hermes, the boy stood up from the table and approached me. "You said that you're called Lili. Is that your name?"

"Yes, Lililuka Arde." I reply, impressed by the boy's wit.

Sighing the boy extends a hand in greeting. "Call me Bell. You're probably part of some elaborate trap by Hermes, but whatever. I look forward to our time together, roommate."

Taking his hand, it's warm. Feeling his sincerity through it, I give him a tentative smile. Despite his rough nature so far, a small warmth heats his cheeks.

He probably doesn't see a lot of women out here.

Giggling slightly at him, he scratches his head and turns around. Convinced he's a good person, I bid farewell to Hermes. I don't know how they know each other, or why a boy his age is living by himself as a farmer, but there's time to solve these mysteries.

"Here, have some food, you must be hungry."

"Thank you." Smiling again, I remember Silica's words. Who knows? Maybe a boy is what I was searching for.

"So, how much is Hermes paying you?" The boy asks as we get settled over the food. Following his gesture with his spoon, I track it to my bag, or more exactly, my money purse, currently bulging with funds.

"That's my money," I tell him frowning. "I tried to pay Hermes, but he wouldn't accept."

"You're not… Huh." The boy instinctively believes my story. I'm not sure if he's innocent, or he can see through lies.

"Why come here then?"

"I needed a change," I explain. Although my past is mine alone, I find myself opening up under his earnest rubellite eyes. "I was a supporter, well more of a thief really, in Orario. A familia helped me leave my old familia and I wanted to see some other places."

At the mention of Orario, the boy's eyes sparkle, completely skipping over my mention of being a thief. That light quickly fades to a dull gleam, however. "So, you're like me then?"

"How do you mean?" I ask apprehensively.

"You're now trapped by the chains of freedom. The whole world to explore, but only one place you want to be."

Staring at him, I try not shiver. He instinctively knows what took me a long time to realize. That my path will lead me back to Orario. I may delay it, but my past and my future, my chains, will bring me back.

So, where do his chains lay?

---

Argo:

"What the hell is the purpose of this Hermes?"

Yelling at my deity, I can no longer contain my emotions. Even with my enhanced senses, hunting Kobolds in the dark is a nasty business. Not really hunting them, but their nests.

"Well," he explains, "when you desecrate their nests, Kobolds usually take that as a sign they need to leave the area."

"Leave the area?" I murmur in confusion. I don't know why it's important, I'm too tired to figure it out right now. The injuries from yesterday combined with the long day have left me drained. "Can we sleep now?"

"Yes," Hermes agrees with me, "we can sleep."

Climbing into the back of the carriage, I spread out on the blankets we brought. Why did we have to circle to the south side of the nests though? This one thought floating through my drowsy mind, I fall asleep, sheltered by the surrounding mountains.

---

Post Note:

A lot of this is fairly repetitive from volume six, and I tried writing it a different way, but this seemed to work. At least it did for me.

Hopefully you enjoyed the rollarcoaster of a ride. I always enjoy stories where didn't people have different bits of the knowledge and as the reader you get to overlook them, yelling at them that all they need to do is talk to each other to solve their issues.

Also, next chapter may take awhile, so be warned. They should also be getting shorter again.

Later.