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.

35. Chapter 32

Author's note:

Hello,

Here's a chapter.

I enjoyed writing this one, and back into the dungeon next time.

My writing has slowed down for various reasons, so next update to this story won't be for like 18-20 days, similar to this chapter.

See ya,

-asdf

---

Chapter 32: The Celebration of the gods

Asuna:

"Are they actually coming?"

Crouching on a rooftop, Asuna struggled to fight the sleep from her eyes. The last few days had been a nearly unending sequence of events. From the 'date' with Loki to a sleepless night filled with nightmares of ghosts. Now, the day had been filled with preparations for this.

"Hehe, don't you believe in our captains?"

"Of course," Asuna pouted, not moving her eyes from where they were fixed on the unsuspecting factory. From what she'd heard, the low-slung stone building was used to transform magic stones into other objects. While the processing plant wasn't unique to Orario, it was far easier to process all the upper floor shards here and then sell the larger stones.

"You're not still mad at me, are you?"

"…I haven't forgiven you." Asuna grumbled back to Mirel's question. "I thought that the man I…" Composing herself, Asuna made herself speak the words. "I thought I man I killed had come back to life. Besides, you know I hate ghosts."

"Ha… It wasn't well-timed, was it?"

"Grr…"

"Sorry, sorry!" Mirel hastily apologized in the face of Asuna's glare. "Anyway, I heard Loki talked you into it."

"Yeah," Asuna admitted with a blush. The news had ripped around the familia home this morning. Even Asuna wasn't sure how she should feel about this development. The members were looking at her differently now.

"Level three is different." As Mirel spoke, her voice took on a different tone. She transformed from the happy-go-lucky elf Asuna was familiar with to someone far older, and far wiser. Her eyes were haggard with decades of knowledge. "It proves potential. It shows that someone has the ability to climb past normal limits. It's also the level… That shows you how much higher the mountain goes."

"How much higher the mountain goes?" Asuna repeated the words slowly to herself. She felt like most of the wisdom had been lost on her. The uncharacteristic speech showing her another side of Mirel she hadn't seen before.

"Anyway, congratulations on levelling up Asuna! Now that we're the same level, we're equals, so feel free to call on me whenever! Later!"

"Y-Yes…" Mumbling back a weak answer, Asuna blinked as the girl left, her dark cloak flapping around her. According to the plan, Mirel should have never been here. She was supposed to be on the east side of the building, not here on the North where Asuna was stationed.

"Level three… Huh." Glancing down at her right hand, Asuna flexed it a few times. She couldn't believe how normal she felt. It had always seemed that the high-level adventurers were living in a different world from her. Now that Asuna was one of them, she was shocked by how normal she still felt. "I guess I've caught up to you… Kirito."

"You shouldn't be talking." A shadow admonished her as Astrid landed quietly upon the rooftop.

"Ah, sorry Astrid. I have a lot on my mind."

"Understandable," the girl answered, breaking her own warning. Moving silently, the catgirl crouched beside Asuna with a fluidity that left Asuna speechless. "It will be soon. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"…"

Unable to take the weight in Astrid's eyes, Asuna averted hers to the ground below. She could still feel the weight of Astrid's gaze boring into her.

"I came here to remind you to focus on healing. Don't hesitate, civilian or familia member, just save whomever you can."

Asuna prepared to nod when she understood the reason behind the command. "You don't think I can fight them again, do you?"

"Actually," Astrid smiled. "Loki and I were the two that stuck up for you. You have a strength within you Asuna. A power that lets you overcome things you shouldn't be able to. If your familia was in danger, you'd fight again."

"How are you so sure?" Asking the weak question, Asuna felt her body shake slightly. She herself didn't know whether she could. If she would be able to take a life to save the ones she loved.

"Because I know you," Astrid shrugged easily. "Also… I heard from Lind what your feat was. You caved in the entire Goliath chamber. That requires an absurd amount of magical power. Far more than a level two should be able to produce. But… You did it to save your friends. Am I right?"

"Yes…" Glancing at her staff, Asuna stared at her reflection in the Azure gems. Those moments were a blur in her mind, but Asuna remembered that final desperation. Her inability to let everyone die.

Looking up to thank Astrid, Asuna noticed the change in aura. Holding back any words, she stared at the streets surrounding the factory.

"They're here."

Nodding along to Astrid's hushed words, Asuna didn't trust herself to speak as she stared at the robed figures carefully encircling the factory. Unconsciously, she tried to draw her own black cloak a little tighter around her. The clothing prepared beforehand so as to help them blend in.

Looking at Astrid, Asuna waited for the command. No doubt there were other Loki familia members spread around the surrounding buildings doing the same thing. Since they had no way to communicate, the signal was simply the sound of combat. Only the three leaders had the right to start it. Each one resided on a different side, making their own judgement call about how far they could let evilus advance before attacking.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Asuna asked a question she'd been curious about for a long time now. "What are they planning to achieve here?"

"Chaos." Astrid replied succinctly. "Their god, however, is after most likely one of two things."

"Which are…?"

"Entertainment."

Asuna nodded at the word. She had met many deities that only kept familias to fund their exploits. Spending their children's hard earned valis by gambling or worse.

"By creating an evil familia, it created villains to fight the heroes. That makes entertaining stories for them to witness."

The logic was so alien Asuna couldn't help but shiver. To treat people's lives as playthings for your own joy. It was truly unthinkable.

"The other… The collapse of the guild is the common thought."

Tilting her head, Asuna didn't see an immediate answer as to why anyone would do that.

Catching her expression, Astrid elaborated. "The guild is extremely strict on many things. Without them, things would be a lot rougher around here. As annoying as their taxes are, the guild sells magic stones around the world, enforces rules on familias, dishes out fines, judgement for crimes, the list is endless.

"It isn't an exaggeration to call them Orario's government. And at the head of the guild is the god Ouranos. It is only through his prayers that the dungeon doesn't spit monsters unto the surface."

Swallowing, Asuna tried to imagine a world without the guild. The only image that came to mind was all-out war. Or as Astrid had said earlier: chaos. It would be impossible in that situation to focus on clearing the dungeon and returning home. To stop that from becoming reality, she had to stop evilus.

"That should be far enough. Remember my orders."

With one last smile, Astrid shot off the rooftops and into the night. At the exact same time, combat exploded from the left side of the building. Which would be the east, where Phineas was watching.

Left alone now, Asuna struggled to keep her nerves under wraps. She was hoping that someday soon, the calm, decisive manner of Astrid would rub off on her. Rubbing her hands together, she knew it hadn't yet. Her sensitive elven ears twitched as screams and war cries washed over her. The battle had started on all three fronts at this time.

As an instinctive response, her hand drifted to the small bag she had slung around her waist. In it were multiple mind potions, and a singular healing one. The rest of the healing potions were distributed among the runners in the familia. Animal people whose focus was on speed who would be running from person to person healing them. If the potions weren't enough, they'd call Asuna over to use her magic.

So, as the battle began to rage, and flames tinged the dark sky, she didn't move from her perch. People expected her to be here.

Even as she repeated that line to herself, it didn't ease her anxiety. She felt like she should be doing more. Right now, her familia members were out there fighting, getting hurt, maybe even dying. Instead of helping them, she was crouched on a rooftop safely.

Asuna tried to calm herself, but as she stared at the hellscape that was starting to emerge, she found it increasingly more difficult. To combat Loki familia's higher levels and superior skills, the enemy was throwing everything they could at them. Magic swords, crossbows, magic items. With a chilling certainty, Asuna realized that the enemy was prepared for them. Somehow, they knew that Loki had figured out their plan.

Just as the thought crossed Asuna's mind, she saw a figure walking toward her. On the street below, she held a hand across her bleeding arm. They looked like a regular housewife. Human probably, or maybe an animal person. Watching the figure, Asuna saw as they took another step before slumping against the wall of the nearby building.

Don't hesitate, civilian or familia member, just save whomever you can.

That had been Astrid's order. Jumping down off the roof, Asuna landed easily on the balls of her feet. The three-metre jump presenting no issue at all to her enhanced body. "Are you alright, ma'am?"

"Ah!" Panicking, the woman fell down on her back and stared up in horror. Her eyes large and scared.

"Don't panic. I'm with Loki familia, I'll take care of your wounds."

"Loki… familia?"

"Yes, that's right." Asuna assured the woman with a smile. "Now, let me see that arm of yours."

"Ahaha… I'm sorry girl."

"…What?" Freezing briefly, Asuna's body reacted unconsciously to the danger. Throwing herself around the corner of the building, Asuna gasped as a wave of superheated air engulfed her body.

Landing roughly on the ground, Asuna's fingers scratched uselessly at the stone while her lungs heaved desperately. Long, weak gasps were drawn from her throat as she tried to recover from the blast. Some after, she became aware of her body's condition. Whatever the woman had done, she felt like she was on fire.

Looking down at the lower half that had been slower to get out of the way, Asuna almost retched. Her leather pants were burnt to a crisp, the skin beneath red and raw, in some places black as well. Holding a hand over her mouth, Asuna was glad for the shock. No doubt it was the only thing that stopped waves of pain from crippling her.

"I-I need to heal myself…" Reaching for her pouch, Asuna's fingers fumbled the drawstring. The easy to open bag eluding her numb efforts.

Eventually, her hands paused as she realized there was no way the singular potion would do her any good. She needed her magic. Shakily, she forced her raw throat to speak the words.

"Let it rise within me and heal.

Let my blood grant you life."

The familiar melody of her second spell granting same reprieve to Asuna. The golden magical circle containing her prone body.

"Give your pain to me and find shelter in my song.

Give me your wounds and find harmony in my arms."

With a shaky last line, Asuna brought the magic to a close. It had only been a couple minutes since the explosion, but it felt like a lifetime.

"I am the healer of wounds and arbiter of peace,

Undine's blood!"

Placing her hands on her injuries, a long sigh was drawn from Asuna's throat. Even as the energy she felt in her mind eked away, her body recovered. Placing a hand on the ground, Asuna forced herself up.

Head swirling in circles, Asuna staggered into the wall. She knew that her clothes were a mess right now. But there was still something to do. Turning the corner, Asuna, for the second time in as many minutes was met with the desire to vomit. She had escaped the worst due to quick reactions and the endurance of a level three adventurer.

This woman had neither of those things. The detonation must have gone off near her legs. Walking past the remains of boiled blood and seared flesh, Asuna arrived to where the woman's upper body and been blown. To her surprise, the eyes moved to meet her own.

"So… You survived."

"…Why?" Asuna felt no anger at this woman, only confusion. There was none of the anger, or maniacal sadism that she always expected the bad guys to be filled with. Only the sadness of someone who knew they had done a horrible thing.

"I'm going to… see him again. Jon… I'm coming… Thanatos promised."

With that, her eyes closed and Asuna sensed it, the woman was dead. It did nothing to aid her confusion, however. She had blown herself up, but why? What was it she said?

Thanatos promised.

Thanatos.

Eyes widening, Asuna staggered away in horror as she realized what was happening. She had to warn her familia members. Evilus hadn't just been ready for them, Evilus had been the ones setting the trap.

The revelation came too late as the first explosion rocked the night. "No… Everyone." Tears streaming from her eyes, Asuna could only run as the explosions and screams rang out again and again.

---

Kirito:

"Urgh… That's… quite the list."

Sitting around the main floor of the church, Kirito tried to keep his head up. He had a long day. Between getting up early to train, the training, and finally running into Rain and Philia, he was exhausted. The sun had completely set outside, yet everyone was up and sitting around the table. Strangely, it wasn't just him that looked worn-out. Nearly every single member of their group appeared slightly haggard.

"Indeed, it is," Lili sighed, running a hand through her mossy hair. "As much as I hate to say it, we need to focus on the expedition."

"At a time like this?" Leafa shot back, "how can we? Just write the guild and tell them to go shove their expedition!"

Kirito stayed silent through the exchange. Resting his chin on his steepled fingers, he considered the information they had just finished going over. First, the full moon was coming up at the end of next week. They needed a solid plan for when it was time to try and rescue Haruhime. Second, the attack Lili had informed them about. Hearing that Loki familia were the one's that intercepted the Evilus members had chilled him. Kirito had struggled to control the urge to rush to their home and demand to see Asuna. Somehow, more pressing than both of those, were the two other pieces of information Kirito was just hearing about. The one that Lili was arguing for was the expedition. The guild had given them a reminder today that they needed to complete an expedition in the next two weeks. In a word, their deadline was the day of the full moon. The last was a celebration of the gods that was coming up this weekend, three nights from now.

Mentally, Kirito wanted to strike the party from the list. It was such a minor thing that should require nothing from him. But the way Hestia had smiled at him and told him she would be freeing his schedule had informed him otherwise.

"Why do you think we should do the expedition?" Kirito asked Lili, turning his thoughts back to the present.

"Because I actually had a pretty long talk with Nazha," she explains clearly, "most of the ingredients they need to make elixirs and potions of that quality come from the middle floors, in particular, the colossal tree labyrinth. If we focus on gathering those materials on our expedition, then Nazha can give us an advantage by crafting them into healing supplies."

Kirito nodded along. It made sense. The only issue was timing. It would also eat into his training more than he'd like. "I would say leave the day of the party, but that's not going to happen, is it?"

"Absolutely not!" Hestia agreed with an exaggerated nod.

"If we leave the day after then…"

"We'll still have time," Lili confirms.

"You'll want to give Nazha at least a day," Rain informed them. Both Philia and her had been completely unwilling to let Kirito out of their sights after their altercation at the wall.

"What about a three-day expedition then?" Kirito suggested. "The outlines don't say how long we have to be down there, only that we explore new floors. "One day down, one day there, and the third coming back?"

"We should add a fourth," Bell suggested.

The boy had barely staggered back into the house when they had been starting this meeting. Hestia had told Kirito that Bell was in the dungeon and would probably fine, but… The boy looked a little spacey right now. His red eyes were glazed over with exhaustion.

"Why?"

"Well… The tree area is big… Or so I hear. It could take more than a day to find the ingredients you need. Especially if they are in the deeper regions, closer to the twenty-fourth."

Twenty-fourth.

The number felt astronomically high to Kirito. Or low in this case. The last actual floor he'd cleared was the seventeenth. To consider going six, or seven floors deeper depending on if one counted the eighteenth was an extreme difference.

"Lili?" Kirito beseeched the girl that had talked to Nazha. "Do you have an idea of where all these drops are?"

"Umm… In the colossal tree labyrinth is all I got," the prum admitted hesitantly. "I got the feeling Nazha herself doesn't know. Which…"

"Kind of makes sense," Kirito finished for her. "Ah… I'll have to visit my advisor and study up on this place. Lili, try and get more information about the location of drop items before then."

"Advisor?" Bell asked interested.

"I guess you never got one, huh." Kirito mumbled. "They're a guild worker that helps adventurers out with whatever they need. I think most familias don't use them because they have more senior members that can do the mentoring."

"So, they give you lessons on the dungeon? Like monster weaknesses and stuff!?"

"Uhh, kind of." Kirito scratched his head. "As far as I know, Eina is the only one that gives lectures on stuff. But the others can give you access to the guild archives for private studying."

"Kirito…"

"Yeah?"

"Can I come to this lesson?"

"…I suppose so." Grudgingly admitting to it, Kirito realized he didn't want Bell stealing his time with Eina. Or maybe it was that he didn't want Bell to see how Eina treated him like a little kid.

"Hehe, look at you two, finally starting to get along!" Hestia sighed, her eyes lost in some distant daydream. "Hehe, just wait for the celebration…"

Or maybe not that distant, Kirito realized as his skin crawled beneath her godly gaze.

"Is that everything?" Silica yawned, trying desperately to keep her eyes open. Every few seconds they'd begin to shut before she jerked and they opened again.

"Almost," Kirito assured her with a smile. "About this attack… Do we know what's going to happen? Will the guild deliver missions to hunt them down, or…?"

People's eyes flitted to different places. Hestia for a while as the resident deity, then to Lili. As the girl shrugged, no one seemed to have an answer.

"Don't worry about it," Hestia declared, brushing it off with a wave of her hand. "While I hate to say it, if Loki's kids are on it, there's nothing to worry about. Probably."

Probably.

With that ominous word hanging over their heads, the familia meeting plus two extras was adjourned.

---

Asuna:

Asuna's vision was filled with her own radiant blue eyes. They reminded her of the lake back in the real world. It was out in the forest where her grandparents lived. It was secluded among the trees, far deeper than a child should have gone by themselves. Yet she enjoyed visiting it. Every single one of her visits held a warm place in her heart.

Raising her left hand, Asuna touched it to the amulet that hung around her neck. In reality, it was little more than a present from Loki, however, it was what made her illusion complete. Her brown eyes from the real world were no more, this amulet ensured that.

As she stroked it, her eyes blurred and became distorted. The tea that she was using for a mirror shook as Asuna's singular hand could no longer hold it steady.

With the breaking of her reflection, Asuna's peace shattered as well. The memories of the night came rushing back to her. Her teacup shook violently, forcing Asuna to bring her second hand down to stabilize it. Sitting in the leaders' room, Asuna glanced around at everyone. Only she, Loki, and Mirel were here so far. Astrid, Phineas and Goran would be soon to give them a final update.

Ding, ding, ding!

Glancing briefly over at the magic stone clock, Asuna confirmed what the sound had told her. It was now three o'clock in the morning. The attack had been at midnight. Had it really been only three hours since then? It had felt like at least an entire day.

After the first explosion, Asuna had ran off, following the screaming as she searched for people that needed her aid. It would have been harder to find people that didn't.

The magic swords.

The crossbows.

They were only tools to draw the members of Loki familia in close. Stop them from reloading, stop them from swinging. Once that was done the real bloodbath began. Mercilessly, voices crying out their belief would turn into screams as they gave their flesh to taking out their opponent.

Friends, practically family at this point, were left burning at Asuna's feet. Again and again, Asuna's voice forced the chant out. Giving her energy to them in hopes that they would pull through. Her nose was still filled with the scent of burned flesh. All that drifted through her mind was the repetitions. Every time she finished a chant, someone was at her shoulder, urging her to hurry up. To come to another.

She didn't remember exactly when Loki had dragged her away. Now, here she was, sitting in the room waiting. For once, even Loki had stayed quiet. Shortly, the three familia leaders opened the door and strode in. Phineas and Astrid looked tired, but other than that they were in good shape. Goran was a different matter entirely. He was still wearing his armour, or what was left of it.

"How many?" Loki asked quietly.

"Eight all told," Goran grumbled with a sad look.

Eight second level adventurers.

No level ones had been allowed to come on this mission. It went unsaid, but Asuna could tell every person was thinking the same thing.

"That's just casualties," Goran continued to rumble. "Asuna here was a great help but… we sent six more over to Amid's. There's going to be quite a bill coming our way soon."

"That's fine," Loki answered without batting an eye. "We can always make more money in the dungeon. We can't bring back the dead."

"About that…" Asuna started, the woman's words still ringing in her mind. "Are there some gods that rule over death?"

Loki gave Asuna a curious glance, but otherwise didn't question her. "In a way… We all do. Part of our job in the heavens was to judge the souls of those that died. To be perfectly honest, it was extremely unfair to the souls. Even if you were an upstanding individual, if the god that judged you didn't like you, your soul could be condemned. Anyway, almost every soul was wiped blank before it continued its cycle of reincarnation."

Shivering Asuna couldn't help but wonder if that would happen to her after death. There were no gods back in the old world to tell her what would happen.

"Some deities do indeed have a certain proclivity to the process, but in general, almost no god can choose which souls they judge or where the souls go."

"So… Thanatos is… lying to them? Don't they know this!?"

"Probably," Loki shrugged. "What exactly is he telling them?"

"If I may," Goran interrupted with a cough. "Many of the assailants… Before… Well, before killing themselves, they said something about being promised a reunion with their departed loved ones."

"Bah," Loki spat. "Thanatos can't do that. Nor would he if he could."

"Do you think we can thin their ranks then?" Asuna asked desperately. "Convince them that he's lying and get them to help us against him!"

"Doubtful…" Loki's voice was full of sorrow, "If there was a chance, even a small chance that you could get the person you loved more than life itself back… Wouldn't you? They already know he can't do it most likely. But with one act they have the chance of getting back everything they've lost."

Staring back into her tea, Asuna stopped talking. Loki's words made sense, but she couldn't embrace them. To hurt others just because you hope to get your loved ones back… Why would they still love you, if you were reunited under such circumstances?

"What I don't get…" Mirel asked, her monotone voice breaking the temporary silence. "Is how they do it. They have so many members. They must have lost forty or maybe even more to inflict these casualties on us. How? Where are they coming from?"

"Orario has no lack of sorrow." Loki sighed, rubbing her forehead. "It's always been like that. Adventurers die daily. Those deaths leave holes behind. Thanatos merely snuck in and exploited them."

"Weaklings," Phineas spat, but his words carried no bite. It was clear to everyone present that he was mourning the lives lost today.

"I think that just about wraps everything up. Thank you for your hard work everyone. Especially you Goran, you put your body on the line to save lives."

"That's my duty," the dwarf replied, his voice quiet. "Good night."

Putting the mostly full tea on a table, Asuna stood up and made to depart behind everyone. She doubted that she'd be able to sleep, but she may as well try.

"Oi, Asuna, wait up!"

"Huh?" Stopping, Asuna began to turn around to face Loki again when she felt the deity latch herself to her. "W-What are you doing!?"

"Hehe, cheering you up! So, we got this missive today, another celebration of the gods is coming up. This one though… Is a little special."

"U-Umm, okay?"

"Don't you want to know how it's different?" Loki whispered into her ear from close range.

"Not really? I mean… There's a lot going on."

"That makes it the perfect time!" Loki insisted. "It will help take your mind off all this. You may be one of the stronger familia members now, but you still have less experience than most of them."

"Ergh… So, what's different?"

"Well," Loki informed her with a big smile, "This time the gods can bring a familia member with them."

"I-Is that so…" Asuna repeated weakly. A pair of black eyes flitting across her vision.

"Yep!" Loki answered brightly. "Or two, but I mean, who would do something like that?"

---

Bell:

"I-Is this really necessary goddess?" Speaking awkwardly, Bell struggled to move in the tight clothing.

"Ah, you look amazing Bell! I knew this was the right idea!"

"U-Umm, alright." Looking in the mirror, Bell pulled at the too tight collar. Looking in the reflection, he struggled to see what Hestia meant. His reflection just looked like a child trying too hard to be a man.

"I assure you; this suit is the latest fashion…"

"Latest fashion, huh?" Bell struggled to care. He wished he could have dodged this like Kirito did.

'Sorry, Goddess, I have too much training!'

Those had been Kirito's words before dashing away at full speed. Clothes didn't excite Bell in the slightest. While he stood here dressed up, his goals were slipping away. He needed to be grinding daily in the dungeon. However…

"Ah, we will look so good together!"

Hestia's eyes sparkled with happiness. Bell felt immensely indebted to the goddess. If he had been honest with Lili, Bell was dreading trying to find a familia to join. The fact that she not only had an in with Hestia familia, but that they accepted him was a blessing. The best part was that Hestia was a good goddess. Far too many of the deities were only concerned with entertainment. Despite her quirks, Hestia genuinely cared about her children. That alone was more than enough for Bell to offer a smile (pained grimace) when ordered to dress up for a party.

"Yes, yes, I agree…" The salesman agreed, his eyes twinkling with the promise of a closed sale. "You'll take both the suit and the dress then?"

"Actually…" Hestia informed the man, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "there is one more thing that I'll need… Bell, you're about Kirito's size, right?"

"…Yes." Answering with a sigh, Bell tried to remind himself of the positives. Internally it was hard to not be angry (jealous) of the familia leader that managed to escape Hestia's ministrations.

"Hey Bell, aren't you excited!?" Hestia asked with wide, giddy eyes. "Isn't it like a dream come true, getting to go to fancy parties in cool clothes!?"

"Haha…" Laughing quietly, Bell could only scratch his head. He had to admit, he'd never really fantasized about this part of an adventurer's life. It was only ever the cool moments. When he would sweep in to save a damsel in distress. Those are the parts he liked best when his father had conveyed his own tales.

"Eh? So you aren't excited!?" Hestia pressed.

"N-No, I am… I guess…"

"Oh, right you were a farm boy before, weren't you? Nervous?"

"You could say that…" Bell answered weakly. Seeing that the salesman had left to fulfill Hestia's request, Bell admitted his feelings. "I just feel really out of place…"

"You won't be!" Hestia encouraged him with a huge nod. "We'll look totally awesome!"

"I wonder about that…" Muttering, Bell remained unconvinced that Hestia's shenanigans would result in anything except embarrassment.

---

Kirito:

"I… I thought she was joking." Standing in his room, Kirito stared in horror at his reflection. His outfit was as uncomfortable as the rumours told him it would be. Itchy and tight, yet somehow loose in places as well? What was this torture?

Yet, at the same time, he couldn't help but be impressed by the elegance of the three-piece suit. Its sharp black lines drew his eye. It was amazing, and a little scary that they could tailor a suit to him based on Bell.

"Well… Time to face everyone…" The last three days had passed by in a blur of training. It had consumed Kirito's every waking moment. He had barely seen anyone since the meeting three days ago. Outside of Mikoto and Sachi anyway. Plus the lessons with Eina that Bell had started attended. Everyday he felt the improvement. It was minuscule. A hard slog of endless repetitions, but it was familiar.

Kirito had done multiple similar optimizations in the past with MMOs. Taking a farming routine and perfecting it to enhance chances. Or finding some small frame exploit and mastering it to trivialize a boss fight.

This was the same thing.

It was all about identifying your opponents' attacks and being able to react to them.

Properly.

That was the key that Kirito had been missing. Back when he had fought the previous two amazons, he had no idea what to do. How to respond to their kicks and punches. Their elbow jabs and throws. Each move had been new and foreign to Kirito who had no experience dealing with any of them.

It was gratifying that he could now hold his own against two martial artists without abusing his status difference. Wearing a goofy smile at the thought, Kirito finished descended the stairs.

"Wow…"

"Who knew Onii-chan could look so mature?"

"Look at that goofy grin, he knows it too…"

"Papa's the coolest!"

Blinking, Kirito blushed as he realized the girls were grouped up and staring at him. "Y-Yoo…" The greeting fell a little short as guilt rose inside him. None of them would be getting to go to the party despite deserving it more than him. He knew why Hestia made the selections she did but…

"Tada, we're back!" Bursting through the door, Kirito gulped at the sight of the goddess. His heart missed a beat at the exquisite turquoise dress that she wore. Pulling out a fan, Hestia hid her grin behind it as she fanned herself.

Making a more subtle entrance, Bell came in behind Hestia and stood behind her left shoulder. Kirito had to admit he hadn't seen the boy looking so mature before. The white suit that he wore was the complete opposite of Kirito's black one. Together the two of them would be Hestia's escorts for the night.

To change things up, Gods are required to bring one or two familia members as an escort.

That had been the final line of the invite. The mention of two was strange to Kirito. But… Who was he to judge? "Cart won't wait forever, right?" Walking forward, Kirito took his place behind Hestia's right shoulder and turned to face the girls. Stealing a glance at Bell, Kirito wondered how they looked.

Like two knights guarding the young princess?

Or members from a poor familia trying too hard to fit in?

If Kirito had to choose, he hoped it was the first, as embarrassing as that was.

"Ah, I'm so jealous!" Strea cried out, breaking the temporary silence. "Why is Hestia the one with two good looking escorts going to a party!?"

"Hehe, because I'm the goddess!" Hestia winked. Waving a hand, she turned to leave. "Later!"

"Umm, see ya…"

"Bye…"

Chased out the door by pouting faces, Kirito stepped up to the parked cart and opened the door for Hestia. This is how escorting was done? Right?

"Why thank you." Winking at him as she went by, Kirito couldn't contain a blush as she laid a gloved hand upon his. Her new earrings sparkled majestically. Usually covered by her hair, Hestia was wearing it up today it an elegant bun. The two hair ties Kirito had bought her sparkling on her wrists.

Leaving her there, Kirito walked around to the far side and slid in. With Hestia scooting over slightly, the three of them were shoulder to shoulder in the carriage. It was made for two people to sit comfortably.

"Hehe, we'll be the center of attention!" Hestia gloated, "everyone will be jealous of how cool we are!"

"Haha…" Laughing weakly, Kirito caught Bell's eye for a moment. The fear plain as day in his ruby red eyes.

Practically before Kirito could compose himself, they arrived. The building stretching high into the air. It was fairly close to the center of the city, just in a region he had never explored. Apparently, it was owned by the guild and they rented it out to people who wanted to throw parties.

Getting out of his door, Kirito walked around the cart to where Bell was helping Hestia down. Giving the boy a shared, pained smile, they tailed Hestia as she navigated her way into the party. Showing their invite to the bouncer out front, they were in through the large double doors. Just on the far side of the outer wall was a cavernous ball room. It must have occupied most of the building as Kirito could see windows on two walls.

Quickly, Kirito's eyes fell from the surroundings to the people that were present. The sight made him clam up. He felt like the loser that had just walked into a party for only the popular kids. Flawless, every single one of them. The gods and goddesses shone like the divine beings they are.

As another moment passed, Kirito's eyes found the other half of the occupants. A crowd that was far more his speed. In general, one word encompassed all of them: uncomfortable. These were the familia members. Adventurers, artisans, blacksmiths, healers, and more.

"Oh, food!" Hestia exclaimed without a care in the world. "And look, Take is here already!"

Glad to get away from the entrance, Kirito followed his goddess over to the two familiar faces. Bowing slightly to the god, Kirito shared a conspiratorial smile with Mikoto. He felt a lot closer to the girl after their training sessions. Taking a glance at Bell, Kirito realized the two had never met before.

"This is Bell, he's the newest member of our familia."

"Good to meet you."

"Y-You as well."

"Hestia…" Take spoke in a pained voice, "did you really bring both boys with you?"

"Ob course!" Hestia spat through her stuffed mouth. "Donf de look so cute tugeter!?"

"Well…" Take seemed to be at a loss of words. Like there was something he knew he should say but couldn't figure out how.

"Ah, looks like everyone is here already…"

"Miach!"

"Nazha," greeting the Chienthrope girl with a nod of his head, Kiito didn't need to repeat the introduction of Bell with her. The two exchanging the courteous greeting of acquaintances.

"Rain and Philia have invaded your place by the way," Nazha informed him. "They say they went to do final prep for the expedition tomorrow… I think they went to sulk with the others."

"Sulk?" Kirito asked, tilting his head.

"Of course," Nazha's smile took on a teasing sheen. "After all, none of them get to force you to dance at this party."

"Haha…" Laughing weakly, the pouts and sullen glares that he had received before leaving today crept back into the forefront of his mind. "W-Well I'm sure they'll have fun together…"

"Sometimes I worry about you…"

"Only sometimes?" Bell joked. The words sounding forced.

"Hey!" Kirito protested the joke at his expense. "I can do things right… Sometimes."

"Indeed." Mikoto agreed with a smile, joining their little circle. "You improved at an astounding rate."

Kirito winced as her words reminded him that their training was finished. The scant six days had passed by in the blink of an eye. It would take him a long time yet to master the techniques that Mikoto had shown him the possibility of. Maybe after the full moon had passed, they could organize something later.

If I survive.

Trying not to dwell on the thought, Kirito ignored the chill running down his back and tried to adjust to the atmosphere. Surrounded by a group of friends who had been thrust into the same situation as him, made it surprisingly easy. As conversation began to flow, Kirito even began to forget about the uncomfortable nature of his clothes. As the girls began to question Bell, Kirito's ears picked up on traces on the deities' conversation.

"I must agree with Take here Hestia… Considering who the host is, bringing those two may come off as…"

"Gloating?" The mentioned god finished.

"Apollo…" Hestia murmured the name of the organizing deity. "He does have a thing for boys, doesn't he?"

"That's one way of putting it."

"Hmm… Well, too bad for him! I got them first and he can't have them!"

Kirito contained a chuckle at his Goddess' words. She was right. There was no way he was changing familias, especially into one like Apollo's, where his scant few interactions with them had been negative. The face of the familia leader glaring at him in Rivira came to mind.

"Oh my, I appear to have found quite the crowd over here!"

"Hermes?" Kirito recoiled in shock at sight of the deity. Unlike everyone else in their nice clothes, Hermes was wearing almost the same thing as always. Kirito thought the clothes looked a little nicer, but the familiar feathered hat was extremely out of place.

"Hermes…"

"Ah, still mad Bell? I must say you are looking mighty dapper in that suit. A matched pair with young Kirito here! Why the two of you remind me a pair of first-class adventurers from a while back. Err… Not that you'll end up the same way of course."

Blinking in surprise, Kirito was shocked by Hermes slip-up. The god's tongue was usually silvered and excellent at navigating a conversation. This strange hang-on at the end left an awkward pause.

"But oh my! Look at you Nahza! Miach finally let you out of that run-down store huh? Ah, and Eternal Shadow! I can't believe Take raised you with how well you turned out!"

Almost as if Hermes' words had called them, the respective girls' deities appeared behind their shoulders to glare down the god.

"He certainly knows how to make an entrance, eh Kii-bou?"

"Argo?" Flinching, Kirito turned to stare at the girl that had somehow managed to sneak up behind him. Any further words were taken away as he stared at her in shock. The billowy robes were gone for once. He didn't know how Hermes had managed to convince her, but Argo was wearing a proper dress. Her sleek tail and ears were on display. They matched well with the sunny yellow dress that she wore. If he was being honest though… The style made Argo look even younger.

"Grr… I hate this thing!" Argo answered, catching the look in Kirito's eye. "Everyone looks at me like I'm eight or something!"

"Ha… Sorry. So, Hermes brought you along?"

"And another girl," Argo nodded. "She took off in a different direction as soon as we got through the door."

"I… I see," Kirito answered weakly, doing no such thing. He couldn't imagine the confidence required to set out into the middle of such a place by oneself.

Just as he moved to say something else, the atmosphere of the party shifted. It simultaneously got noisier and quieter at the same time. One word was repeated continuously in a breathless gasp. Freya.

"She actually showed up, huh?" A new voice declared.

"Hephaestus!" Hestia declared happily staring up at the goddess with shining eyes. "It's good to see you! I have someone from my familia that I want you to…"

"Ah, Hestia, it seems you have quite a group over here."

Whatever Hestia had been going to say was washed away as a voice finer than silk made itself known to Kirito. Without even seeing the owner, he felt his cheeks erupt with heat and heart begin to beat erratically in his chest. He could feel a force gripping his body that forced him to turn and look at this new source. Sharing a glimpse with Bell, they both obeyed the force to meet this newcomer.

Gulping, Kirito's black eyes met a pair of silver ones. Like two perfect mirrors, he could feel his soul starting to abandon him for the heaven that he felt must lay in them. Slowly, his body began to shake as his wide eyes began to take in the rest of her body. The silvery dress that matched her hair was tantalizingly sheer. Enough to see the image of skin beneath, but too thick to fully make anything out.

Mouth drying out, Kirito knew he should say something. He didn't want to disappoint the goddess in front of him, but he struggled to recall even his own name.

"Don't look at her Kirito!"

"Ah!" Staggering, Kirito saw only darkness as Hestia jumped on him. "Wait, you neither Bell!"

"Urgh!?"

Bent almost double, Kirito felt Hestia's arm around his head, trapping him against her chest. Kirito wasn't sure, but he felt like Bell was in an identical position on Hestia's other side.

"Oh my, did I upset you Hestia?"

"Yeah! I don't like you Freya! Now you come over here and charm my boys!"

"Ah, well who's fault is it really for keeping such an adorable matching set to yourself? Perhaps I wanted to have some fun with them."

"Get back!" Hestia growled; her voice practically animalistic. "Not even for a second will I allow you to play with them!"

"Hmm, pity. Well, I seem to have made Hestia mad. Later boys."

Finally able to see once again, Kirito caught the goddess' fading wink as she walked away. No, walked was too gangly term for what she did. She slid, or maybe swaggered. Neither captured the grace that she moved with.

Only as she faded from view did Kirito notice the two men following her. Both of them were taller than him by a wide margin. The one behind Freya's right shoulder was an animal person that Kirito knew quite well. Ulfric. The strongest adventurer in Orario. The other, Kirito didn't recognize. Gray hair, borderline silver that fell to his shoulders. Despite the length, it only made him look more dignified.

"So that's Freya…" Argo's mumbled words drifted to Kirito's ear. Glancing around, Kirito saw that he wasn't the only one affected. In fact, everyone except the two goddesses were. All of the mortals, regardless of gender all possessed a dazed look as their eyes tracked her steps.

"Hmm, I'm surprised she would come to this." Hephaestus commented. "Especially with the children here she won't get a moment to herself."

Taken back by the pity in the goddess' voice, Kirito considered it for a moment. With a beauty that literally drew everyone's attention… How hard would it be to form an actual relationship? Wouldn't every single person say whatever she asked them to? Kirito didn't know why Hestia disliked her, but he agreed silently with Liz's goddess. Her life would not be easy.

"Damn boobs for brains stole my entrance!"

"Huh?" Thoughts interrupted by another loud voice making a ruckus, Kirito turned his head closer to the entrance. As Freya's passing was just being forgotten, an immaculate pair stood front and center in the entranceway.

There was a red-haired goddess in a man's suit yelling indignantly. The source of the words Kirito had heard. Beside her…

Gulping, Kirito lost all sense of the rest of the room. Similar to when Freya had enraptured him, Kirito's senses collapsed upon a single target. The girl standing right beside the deity that Kirito now knew to be Loki. Once again, she wore a blue dress. But this one was tinged with green, reminding Kirito of the sea. Her usually loose hair was done up behind her, captured by a net of sapphires which sparkled brightly under the light. On her arms she wore long gloves that matched the colour of her dress, leaving her upper arms and shoulders exposed to the world. It fell straight down to her shoes, loosening at the waist but not billowing out like a Victorian gown.

She looks like a princess.

"Oh."

What do I say!? Do I say anything!?

As Kirito's mind and heart raced a thousand miles an hour he almost missed as his goddess locked eyes with Loki. How they glared at each other with pure hatred. Just as the nerves were coming about that, she looked at him.

As their eyes met, she smiled.

It was small and hesitant. But the expression also sent a surge of hope through Kirito. That their decision hadn't been wrong. That they could actually make this work.

"Eh? What r you doing you doing here, shorty!?"

"Hmph! Can't you see? I'm enjoying a pleasant evening with my familia and friends! Well, less enjoyable now that you're here!"

"Ha! Here I was going to say the same thing! Shouldn't you be by the tables scarfing down scraps!?"

"Ha!" Hestia retaliated triumphantly. "I've moved up in the world you know! Just wait! In no time, I'll be even stronger than your familia! Right Kirito?"

"…"

"Kirito?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah, for sure… What was the question?"

"Unbelievable!" Hestia exploded turning her gaze to Kirito, "why aren't you paying attention to me!?"

"I, uh…"

Following Kirito's gaze, Hestia finally looked past Loki to her follower. "Ah, Asuna."

"Goddess Hestia."

"…"

This is so awkward.

Sweating, Kirito could feel the others that had been close by back off to give them room. At the same time spectators were beginning to gather. When he heard the contents of their whispers, his anxiety only increased.

"This is round two, yeah?"

"My money is Loki, she looks really fired up today!"

"Nah, once Loli-big boobs begins to jiggle Loki will sink into depression!"

W-What the hell happened between them!?

Asuna met his gaze, her eyes were just as confused as his own. Opening his mouth, Kirito's words were cut off by Loki's.

"Oh yeah, you did a quest with them a while back, eh?" Turning her attention away from Hestia, Kirito tried to contain the chills as she examined him. Her matching red eyes narrowed to slits. After she was finished with him, she moved over to Hestia's other side where Bell still stood. "…Nope!"

"W-What!?" Hestia raged.

"Neither of them are nearly as good as my Aa-chan. I really got the best one from that other world!"

"Grr… K-Kirito was the first one to hit level two! And then level three! He can run circles around Asuna!"

"Bah, idiot!" Loki huffed, disregarding Hestia's comments. "He may have hit level two first, but he's slowed down. In fact… Aa-chan has caught up. Haven't you heard?"

Blinking in surprise, Kirito stared at Asuna, asking the question with his eyes. With a small blush, Asuna answered with a small nod. So, it was true, they were both level three now. For some reason, it made Kirito excited. He wanted to congratulate her and talk about it, however… a pair of glaring goddesses made that impossible.

"Bah!" Hestia spat, responding to some comment Kirito had missed. "Both of my boys are cute enough to land a girl far better than yours!"

"Eh!?" Loki raged, an inferno burning in her eyes. "You mean to say these dreary looking twigs are too good for Aa-chan!? Ha! They're lucky to breathe same air as her, pipsqueak!"

They hate each other.

Kirito didn't know why it took him this long to clue in, but it did. The deities weren't rivals. They weren't playacting. This wasn't some dumb tsundere act in a game. They genuinely hated each other. Both of them possessing what the other desired, their personalities clashing on every aspect.

Heart sinking, Kirito stared in horror at Asuna who matched his expression. He could do nothing but watch as Loki dragged her off to another part of the party. Mood ruined; Kirito knew now that he had made a horrible mistake. They should have told their deities already.

---

Bell:

"What the hell was that…?" Whispering to himself, Bell tried to stabilize himself by holding a hand to his head. The conversation, and moreso the venom in it had hit Bell like a physical blow.

It had also been incredibly strange. It seemed like Loki didn't remember him, but Bell had actually seen her before. A conversation between deities that had been extremely different from this one. Back then, it had been Loki who was the underdog. Possessor of the weaker familia but climbing through the ranks.

Now the shoe was on the other foot. Bell had joined the distinctly weaker familia while Loki ruled from the top. It gave Bell a strange view of the situation. It showed the success of a familia that struggled its way to the top. A success he was hoping to help Hestia familia replicate.

Curiosity building, Bell asked Hestia a question from the previous conversation. "Do you have history with Loki's follower? Asuna, I think it was." The elven girl had certainly been

"Well, she was Kirito's… Where did he go?"

"He left when Loki did. It looked like he was heading for a balcony."

"Hmm…" Hestia muttered, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "I guess it's easier to tell you without him here… Kirito saved her life in the dungeon one day. After that, she joined his party as a supporter for a while."

"Supporter?" Bell muttered, interested. He would never have guessed that such an elegant elf would have such a start.

"Yeah," Hestia nodded sourly. "She actually joined us on a quest to help Miach out. Sometime after Kirito hit level two, she left his party. As far as I know, they haven't seen each other since."

"You don't like her?" Bell guessed from the vindictive tone in her voice.

"Of course not!" Hestia replied affronted. "She's Loki's child. Anyone silly enough to join her familia can't be right in the head."

"You know… Uh, never mind." Holding back his words, Bell knew that Hestia didn't want to hear it. How Loki familia had been regarded for having some of the most righteous adventurers in Orario. Not to the same level as Astraea, but nevertheless, Bell had heard quite a bit of praise about the Goddess. It made this confrontation between Loki and Hestia even stranger.

"Now, come on Bell! Let me introduce you!"

"Ah, sure…" Agreeing weakly, Bell let himself get pulled around by Hestia. Their impromptu group had begun splitting up into different areas as well. Bell glared at Hermes who appeared to be trying to woe a pair of goddesses, his irate follower in tow. Approaching the dancefloor was a confident Takemikazuchi, Mikoto blushing profusely the whole time.

Bell didn't have time to even see what happened to the others when Hestia dragged him into his first encounter. Eyes snapping around back to front, Bell felt his mind go blank.

Her breasts are huge!

That was all Bell could think. The goddess was slightly taller than him as well putting them just below eye level. For some reason, he had an image of his old god giving him a thumbs up at his ogling.

Rubbing his eyes to buy time, Bell forced his eyes up. She had honey almond hair and a gentle smile. Instantly, Bell knew she was one of the good ones. A goddess that cared enough about her children to build a healthy environment where they could thrive.

"Demeter! How are you doing?" Hestia greeted the goddess. "This is my child, Bell!"

"Bell?" she replied with a confused frown. "Also… I thought your child had black hair and eyes…"

"Ah, he's well… Somewhere else."

"Oh, you brought two. It's good to meet you Bell." The goddess replied with a warm smile.

"Y-You as well…"

"Hmm… Ah, I can't. I'm too curious!"

"W-What?" Taking a half-step back, Bell was stunned by the goddess' sudden outburst.

"Are the two of you fighting for Hestia's heart!? And you, Hestia, have you finally broken down and accepted a lover!?"

"F-Fighting for her heart!?"

"A-Accepted a lover!?"

As a pair, Bell and Hestia wore stricken faces. The intense questioning gathering the surroundings deities like sharks to blood.

Just as Bell was about to stare at Hestia, the deity turned to him. Her eyes turned up to look at him with a desperate expression. It was apparently on him to get them out here. Something that was far harder than it sounded.

"N-No, Kirito and I get along pretty well…" That's a lie.

"Eh!? Don't you know you can't lie to a god!" Demeter replied with a shake of her head. The warm smile transforming into something more playful. "So that means… You are after Hestia's heart?"

I barely know her!

Bell wanted to scream at the encircling deities. However, one look into Hestia's eyes told him that was probably the wrong answer as well. He was between a rock and a hard place with no way out.

"And Hestia? Tell us, are you going to let him have it!? Is this boy the one that finally brought down your impenetrable fortress?"

"He's like a cute little rabbit!"

"He's not a Hume bunny though…"

"B-Bell!" Hestia yelled grabbing his hand.

"Y-Yes!?"

"We're making a break for it!"

"O-Okay?" Answering Bell wasn't sure how Hestia planned on doing that. Running away from people in a party seemed like a challenge. Especially Hestia in her heels couldn't run from anyone.

"Now!"

As she dashed away and pulled on his hand, the plan went about how Bell expected it to. Mild surprise from their assailants while they slowly turned and watched them try to navigate the swarms of people that were socializing on the outsides of the room.

"Haha! We're free from, oof-!"

"Goddess!?" Stopping beside her prone form, Bell knelt down to offer her a hand up.

"Who put a brick wall in the middle of the room?" Hestia whined as she rubbed the back of her head. Small tears in the corners of her eyes from her head striking the hard ground.

Brick wall?

Confused by the statement, Bell looked up at what Hestia did run into. Standing there was a tall amazon. Her dress barely containing enough fabric to classify it as such. There was no doubt in Bell's mind as he tried to stare past the legs that ran for miles. This was the 'brick wall' Hestia ran into. An upper-class adventurer with a high enough defense stat would most certainly feel like a wall to a goddess with no status.

"My my, already it grates on me. No wonder I never come to these celebrations."

"Don't say that lady Ishtar," The amazon in front of Bell replied with a smirk, "I'd say it has promise."

Ishtar!?

The name shocked Bell, his wide red eyes staring up in horror at the gorgeous amazon in front of him. At the same time, he felt Hestia jerk in surprise. With no further ado, the amazon shifted to the side.

For the second time that day, Bell felt his soul try to abandon him. The goddess he was staring at was beautiful beyond reason. Her dress was fully divided into two pieces, the gossamer violet fabric was see-through and swirled in waves around her legs. A long, elegant pipe was clenched between the goddess' hands. She took a long draw of it, total boredom on her face.

"I-Ishtar!?" Hestia gasped, bounding back to her feet. "Don't you too charm my Bell!"

"Ishtar!?"

"Did someone say Ishtar is here?"

News of the second goddess of beauty's presence was spreading quickly through the party goers. Seeing Hestia's worry, the goddess in question turned her gaze to and beckoned for him to come closer.

"Oh no you don't!"

Even as Hestia tried to stop him, Bell felt no inclination to approach. Maybe it was just because he had experienced standing in front of Freya earlier, but Ishtar's appeal was… weaker, Bell decided. The beauty was there, but the same soul-sucking transcendence just wasn't on the same level as Freya's had been.

"Hmm… Hestia." Ishtar spoke slowly, turning her attention to the goddess. "We haven't spoken before, have we?"

"…No, we haven't had the pleasure."

"I've heard you are one of the virgin goddesses. Really, I find it strange that something so stupid could possibly exist."

"S-Stupid!? J-Just because there are no good men in heaven doesn't mean-"

Hestia cut off abruptly as Ishtar raised a hand. The motion overpowering Hestia in a way Bell hadn't seen the goddess react before. "I've sighted the reason I've come tonight. Goodbye, fool."

"F-Fool!?" Hestia exploded to no one.

Bell took a half step away from her as she seethed. Her entire body shaking as she fumed with anger. Not even Demeter or their other assailants from earlier still pursued them. Perhaps Ishtar's presence had driven them off as well.

"Grr, I hate her! She's even worse than Loki!"

"Ha…" Scratching his head, Bell understood why. The virgin goddess and the queen of prostitutes. Not seeing eye to eye would be putting it mildly.

"Ugh," Hestia complained once again. Then her eyes narrowed as she glanced around the packed ballroom. "We should look for Kirito. I worry about what will happen if he runs into Ishtar."

Bell nodded, agreeing with Hestia's assessment. If he hadn't been so taken aback, he himself would have grilled Ishtar about Haruhime and abusing her familia members. While they didn't get along very well, Hestia was right, Kirito would definitely speak his mind to the goddess.

---

Kirito:

Sighing heavily, I left the balcony behind. My head felt far clearer now than it had five minutes ago. Seeing the goddess of beauty, Freya, in person had been a shock. Before doing so, I would have said that beauty was superficial. A blessing based on good genes and illusions. One of the draws that video games had was that no one knew what you looked like. You got along well or didn't based on personality alone.

After encountering Freya, however, I knew that my understanding had been lacking. There was indeed some pinnacle. Some abstract place where beauty transcended understanding and drew everyone towards it like moths to a flame.

If I was being honest, I left because it terrified me more than a little. Those silver eyes like polished mirrors had transfixed as nothing had before. A desire had risen up to discard my harem and pledge myself to this being that surpassed all others.

While the feeling had faded quickly once she removed her eyes, the guilt hadn't. Finally, out in the chilling night, I felt the panic recede. I needed to return inside and find Hestia again.

Don't think about Asuna.

No doubt she'll want to show me off to her friends. Maybe dance a little. Mundane things.

"Okay." Stepping off the balcony, the change in temperature hit me like a wall. In seconds, the chill of the night was nothing but a distant memory. Glancing around, I searched for a familiar face. All of a sudden, my isolation hit me strongly. With it, the embarrassment of being on my own at a party.

"Oh." Blinking, I was surprised, and not, that the first familiar face I found was possibly the last I wanted to encounter again, Freya. Ulfric standing beside her more like a bodyguard than an escort was glaring straight at me.

Jerking straight, I knew with certainty that Freya was heading straight for me. A small, playful smile touching her lips. Briefly as I considered running away, Freya stopped and changed her gaze.

Another figure had approached.

"Ishtar. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Freya. I just thought that I should come chat with you once. After all, as the two goddesses of beauty in Orario, we have many similarities."

"And what, pray tell, are those Ishtar?" Freya responded with a smile. Her face betraying none of the thoughts beneath.

"Tsk, you think you're so high and mighty. I've changed my mind about what I'm doing here."

Still listening to the paired goddesses go back and forth, I approached. It was a stupid decision. My senses told me it was a bad decision, but I couldn't let this chance pass me by. To talk to Haruhime's goddess. To get her to change her mind.

"Kneel before me."

"…Excuse me?" Freya asked, her expression changing for the first time. Traces of bewilderment twisting her mouth.

"You heard me. If you do so, I'll keep you around as a plaything."

"Grr…" Stepping around his goddess, Ulfric's eyes were on fire. For half a second, I expected the level four adventurer to tear the head off the woman that was stupid enough to insult his goddess.

"Down pup." Meeting his growl with her own stare was Ishtar's companion.

Examining her quickly, I stiffened. I'd met her before in the pleasure district. That's right. This was her. The level four adventurer Aisha 'Antianeira' Belka.

The two level four adventurers stared each other down as their respective goddesses copied them.

With shaky feet, I kept approaching. At the same time, the occupants were quickly clearing space. An adventurer actually bolted away, perhaps fearing the power that was squaring off here.

"Really Ishtar, you always try these things. How many times has it worked?" Freya shook her head slowly, as if scolding a small child that used an inappropriate word. "Here is a counter proposal. Kneel and beg my forgiveness. Then I'll let you keep your little brothel."

"Ha!" Ishtar shot back. Yet, I was pretty sure a flitter of fear crossed her face. Despite Ishtar's posturing and the one that started this encounter, she looked second best compared to Freya. "You've grown complacent this past year! Without Zeus and Hera to chase after, you are lost! I'll prove that by dragging you through the mud."

Just as things were about to escalate, I realized that I had kept walking. With a slow, disbelieving tilt, four pairs of eyes settled upon me. The double brunt from goddesses of beauty was hard to take. Averting my gaze to the floor, I waved a hand. "Yo!"

"…You."

"Leave boy."

"Who the hell do you think you are!?" The final outburst from Ishtar was the opening I needed to get into the conversation.

"Kirito, Hestia familia. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, goddess Ishtar."

"Hmm, another of Hestia's brats, huh? Why don't you scram and give her a good fucking. It would at least help her dour personality." With that Ishtar turned her attention back to Freya, having dismissed me entirely.

Glaring daggers at the goddess, I struggled to keep my jaw clenched. If she wanted to insult me that would be fine. But Hestia!?

"Hmm, so you couldn't resist me boy?"

As Aisha's face entered my vision, I was forced to turn towards her and try and forget her goddess for now. I couldn't help but wonder if she was doing this to help me.

"Something like that." I reply in what I hope is a casual manner. "It took me until now to realize that you are the captain of Ishtar familia, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am." She agrees with a smile. "Recently level four. Just like wolf pup over here."

"Tsk." Ulfric answered with a sour glare. "Don't think a status update makes us equals."

"Oh, I would never. It makes me so much more."

So much more.

The words sent a cold shiver down my spine. The way she delivered them with such a smug aura. She must be referring to the ceremony. Or maybe more particularly, to Haruhime's sorcery, whatever that may be.

"S-So Aisha," I risk opening my mouth between two of the strongest adventurers in Orario. "What did you accomplish to hit level four?"

Both of them sent me a sidelong glance. Each one containing the exact same opinion. Are you an idiot boy?

"The feat is written alongside the notice. I went solo into the lower levels."

"S-Solo… Lower levels…" My disbelieving voice croaked out.

"Yeah," Aisha answered, her eyes glazing over and voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "Almost lost my arm to a bloodsaurus. It was a stupid idea."

"B-Bloodsaurus you say…" Images of the seven-metre dinosaur flashed through my mind. "W-What floor is that exactly?"

"Child," Ulfric dismissed me with a snort.

"25 to 36." Aisha answered directly. "The deep levels start on 37. Bloodsauruses more specifically start on 28 down to 32ish. You looking to go there soon, Black knight?"

"Haha, not yet…" Scratching my head, I realized a very important point. These level four adventurers, while definitely not seeing me as an equal, they accepted me as a fellow adventurer. The realization sent a strange giddy surge through my body. A moment later it turned sour. In front of me was a woman that was willing to sacrifice one of her own familia members just to get stronger. Here I am fawning over her acceptance.

"You eat something bad?" Aisha noticing my sudden grimace. "Also, hey, I heard from Samira that you suck at fighting. Looking at you now though… Seems a bit hard to believe."

"Haha… She made me realize how far I still had to go."

"Oh, been doing some hand-to-hand combat training?" Aisha asked her eyes sparkling.

Without thinking I nodded in answer.

"Well, why don't I take you away from here and give you some… private tutelage?"

"You prostitutes," Ulfric sneered. "Somehow always confusing your position of whore with queen. Know your place."

"Oh, so you can talk," Aisha smiled back at the tall werewolf, spinning a lock of hair in her finger. "I'd invite you… but I've heard you only last five minutes."

"Why you…" For once a comment seemed to have struck Orario's strongest. His gray wolf ears flicking in embarrassment. "You speak of things you nothing of, bitch."

"Ah, yes, bitch. The typical comeback from men with nothing else to say."

Once again, I found myself siding with Aisha in this strange exchange. The amazon emitted such a tantalizing exuberance that it was hard to dislike her. Which confused me even more. The words were getting harder and harder to contain.

Ulfric clearly had no response, as he gave Aisha a disgusted look.

"So boy, I haven't heard your answer yet."

She's serious.

I couldn't believe it took me this long to realize it. She wasn't simply teasing. This wasn't an innocent interaction, if I wanted her body, she would give it to me. No, scratch that, if I let her, she'd take mine.

"I, uh… I'll pass…"

"Can't make your harem too jealous now, can we?" She answered with a wink.

"…" It was too much. "Why?"

"Why what, boy?"

"Why are you doing the sacrifice!? Why!?"

Instantly the aura changed. The two goddesses that had been having their own conversation stopped and stared as well. I'd broken some unspoken rule by bringing it up here. Both groups looked askance.

"You really are a child of Hestia," Ishtar clucked her tongue while shaking her head at me sorrowfully. "So naïve. Familia is absolute. The god of a familia is absolute. Whatever I tell my familia members to do, they obey. Isn't that right, Aisha?"

"…Yes, Lady Ishtar."

Aisha's words were tense. Her lips pursed as she spoke. It was clear that she didn't agree with the sacrifice either. However, in the end it changed nothing. For some reason, she was unwilling to defy Ishtar to save Haruhime. That made her an enemy.

"It's been a pleasant conversation." Unable to stare at them any longer, I turned my back and promptly strode away. Moving quickly, I wanted to be anywhere else. My soul was burning at the indignities of it all. Naïve, maybe. But at least I didn't openly declare that my position in life was more important than someone's entire life.

The burning feeling raged within in as I sauntered to a table. Grabbing a glass of water, the beverage did nothing to soothe me. What was this feeling? After a moment it clicked, helplessness. I hated it. I was standing in front of them as they openly admitted their crimes and there had been nothing that I could do. How pathetic.

"Kirito?"

Whirling around, I faced the girl I was trying to forget was here. "Asuna…"

She's gorgeous.

Her lips were touched to rouge to highlight them. I wanted to know how they tasted. I wanted to walk around with her and sample the foods. I just wanted to talk.

"I saw you talking to Freya and Ishtar… Did something happen?"

"It's nothing…" I try and assure her, though I doubt my weak voice does much on that front. Looking over her shoulder I notice that her goddess has taken my position in the conversation. The two goddesses of beauty forced to acknowledge someone as powerful as Loki.

"…"

"…"

An awkward silence grows between us. There was so much I wanted to ask her before. Now, it seemed irrelevant. Our paths had been growing apart since that time I'd saved her in the dungeon. She was an up and coming part of Loki familia, and I was… not.

"I guess I'll… See you later?" Asuna's voice was sad. Her eyes pleading me to say something.

Opening my mouth, no words came out. There was too much happening. I couldn't handle it all. I didn't even know how to start to solve the issues between us.

"Oh, Asuna! Are you free?"

"Huh?"

"Hermes?" Mumbling the god's name, I wasn't sure what he was doing. Also, where did Argo go? Something told me she wouldn't voluntarily let Hermes run off on his on.

"In that case… May I have this dance?"

"W-Well…"

Asuna glanced at me, but there was nothing I could say. The invitation was harmless. Probably.

"Ah, you are too gracious my lady!" Stepping up to take her hand, Hermes suddenly paused. "Ah no! I can't believe I've forgotten! I have something I must do. Hopefully someone can fulfill my place as your partner, or my honor would be shamed!"

This is the worst acting I've ever seen…

"Oh Kirito, perfect! Take my place, I'm begging you!"

Ignoring Hermes, I stare at Asuna's stricken face. Unlike before, her eyes have changed. There is a small glimmer of hope in them. That's right… If we blame it on Hermes then…

"Of course I will uphold you honour," I say while staring directly at Asuna. The smile that splits her face is priceless. "Umm, Miss Asuna…"

Gods this is embarrassing…

"I, well… I would be honoured if uh… If I could have this dance."

She rolls her eyes at my feeble attempt but still accepts with a smile. "You should practice for next time."

"Haha, I'll be sure to do just that…" Extending my arm, she laid her gloved hand delicately upon it. As we stepped unto the dancefloor, I had another realization. "I've, uh, never danced before…"

"I have," Asuna replied, her eyes still sparkling with joy. "But not this specific dance…"

Taking a glance at her, I couldn't help but compare her to how she looked when she was analyzing a battle. Even when she had been a novice supporter, she often had come up with unique solutions to problems we encountered.

"The rhythm seems easy enough. Besides that, the most important thing in pair dancing to trust your partner."

"To work as a team then." I summarize.

"Exactly."

Meeting her smile, the final bit of fear faded away. Walking hand-in-hand, we entered the dance together, our breaths aligned.

---

Freya:

"Yes, I see…" Mumbling out an answer, Freya's mind was miles away from the conversation circling around her. Ishtar was still threatening something, and Loki was there trying to make sure Freya wasn't about to upset the balance in Orario.

It was a bunch of tedious nonsense that Freya didn't care about. Her mind kept drifting back to the moment she entered the party. Hestia, with her two boys flanking her. Freya understood that only she possessed the ability to see other's souls. However, those two had been practically blinding. The boy from before, his soul looked even softer now.

Freya had wanted to reach out and touch it. Like black velvet, that she could wrap herself up in and be contented. Perhaps more curiously, was the small sparks of light that emitted from the darkness. She hadn't remembered those from that time. Twinkling like stars.

Freya had to give it to Hestia, she knew how to find strange people. The other boy was an enigma to her. At first Freya had assumed his soul was black like the other one. But upon closer examination, she had almost recoiled in disgust. It wasn't a pure black, it was a crust. Almost like a scar that had grown over a wound. A shell, maybe, to prevent further damage. Even as she watched, Freya had seen pieces flake off. As if he was in the process of shaking it off.

That's truly what consumed Freya's thoughts right now. Wondering what was underneath. Or if there was anything there? She was dying to know. An unknown she had yet to see before. Among all of the former first-class adventurers, there had been numerous amazing individuals. Yet this phenomenon was something Freya had never encountered before.

"Are you listening!?" Ishtar demanded angrily. "I won't repeat myself!"

"I'm sure you won't." Freya responded with a small smile. "I'm afraid I've grown bored."

To a pair of stunned faces, Freya walked away. As she left, Ulfric silently followed her. Unable to stay quiet, Freya teased her follower.

"It seemed you were having fun talking to the others."

"Fun?" Ulfric huffed. "Insolent fools, and insulting too…"

The grumbled line got a chuckle from Freya. He'd never admit it, but Freya could tell. He'd enjoyed the chance to put down his burdens as familia captain and her aid if only just for a moment.

"Hmm… Now where did Heathcliff wander off to, I wonder…"

---

Bell:

"Uh oh." The words involuntarily rose to Bell's mouth. Kirito was dancing with Loki's girl, Asuna. If he was being honest, they looked good together. They moved well as partners. However… It was also immediately apparent to anyone watching that the two of them were smitten with each other. As they twirled in circles their eyes never left each other for a moment.

Glancing to his side, Bell wondered how long it would take Hestia to see them. His guess was in three… two… one…

"Huh!? K-Kirito!?"

Hestia's face was stricken. Betrayal clearly written all over it.

"Hey… Goddess?"

"Not right now Bell! I need to stop, hey!"

Grabbing her hand, Bell stopped Hestia from rushing off and making a scene as she interrupted them. "I was wondering umm… If you'd maybe like to dance with me… I know I haven't been in your familia for long… and well…"

Blushing, Bell felt his words begin to fail. He wasn't prepared for this. Asking a beautiful goddess to dance. The words that should have been so easy were so far away. Looking into her eyes while doing it was almost impossible. The heat of her hand in his.

"I well… I want to pay you back…"

"Hehe…" Taking one more look at Kirito, Hestia's eyes turned sorrowful. "He shines so bright, doesn't he?"

"I'll do my best to shine even brighter." Bell assured her with a smile.

"Hmm… I'm looking forward to it. Don't tell anyone else… But watching you children grow… I think its my favorite part of having a familia."

Not having else to say, Bell joined her on the dancefloor. They started slow, along the edges. Neither of them had danced before. This gave Bell the challenge of leading. Head on a swivel, he tried to find a pair that seemed to know what they are doing and copy them.

"Ow!"

"S-Sorry!" He squeaked, stepping on Hestia's toes.

"Geez." Hestia grumbled. "Aren't adventurers supposed to experts at moving their bodies?"

Bell winced at the all too true comment. Fighting at the highest level required an absolute command of balance and precision. Two things needed in dancing as well.

"Look at each other."

"Kirito?" Bell whispered as the boy flitted by.

"Dancing is a partnership," Miach advised as he and Nazha went by moments later.

Last were Takemikazuchi and Mikoto. The pair of them moved flawlessly. The trained warriors working perfectly in sync. "Good luck," Mikoto whispered with a smile.

"Read each other's movements." Take advised with a wink.

"Haha…" Swallowing, Bell tried to use what they had said. Using his eyes, he led Hestia through the first few steps of the pattern. Soon, however, he found himself pulled down into the depths of her gaze. Contained there were memories from years beyond Bell's comprehension. It clicked suddenly that this was no young woman in his arms, but a goddess.

"Bell?"

"N-Nothing!" He replied unconvincingly. As he staggered and halted their smooth movement though, he had no more chance of hiding it. "It's just… you seem happy and sad at the same time…"

"Ah," Hestia smiled back, "that's because I am."

"…Why?" The answer seemed obvious, but he wanted to hear it from her.

"Because I realized now how blind I was. How long I wasted in heaven. I've only been down here for a year or so… But these past months since I started a familia… They're the best I've ever had. So… Thank you Bell."

"B-But I've been here for only… three weeks now?"

"Hehe, and you've already been a big help in that time!" Hestia laughed. "Now, let's finish our dance, shall we?"

"Yes… goddess." Giving her a wide smile, the interaction confirmed everything Bell had initially believed. This goddess truly was special, even among the deusdia. He hoped that he would get to walk by her side as she got to witness her children continue to grow.

Kirito:

"Will I see you again?"

"I'll make sure of it," Asuna smiled back. Her cheeks were flushed from the activity. It somehow made her even more beautiful.

"Well… Later then."

"Later."

I could do nothing but watch as she slipped back into the crowd to find her goddess. I had been too distracted by the dancing to see exactly where Loki had ended up. It was too serendipitous to believe that the goddess hadn't once wondered where Asuna had went and glanced toward the dance floor. Hermes was the most likely explanation.

Kirito assumed it was the strange god's way of making amends for the mess he had dragged them into with Ishtar familia. While Kirito knew that Bell and Lili disliked the god, he had no hard feelings either way. Argo seemed to like him, as much as she complained, and that was enough for Kirito.

Fed up with the hot room, Kirito grabbed another glass of cold water and retreated to the balcony. The previous minutes flitting through his mind like a dream. Leaning against the railing, he stared up into the clear starry sky. He was glad the smoke had broken. The stars truly were beautiful.

Smoke.

Jerking upright, Kirito realized now what he hadn't asked Asuna. Lili had said that Loki familia was the one that dealt with the attacks. There had been another one just yesterday. Sighing, Kirito rubbed his head and wondered how he had overlooked such a major event.

"Ah, this is nice…"

"Bell?" Looking over at the boy, Kirito was surprised to find himself alone with him. Ever after their first conversation, they had never been alone together. They showed up for Eina's lessons at different times even and sat at different tables in the archive, the half-elf advisor switching between them. Then Kirito left before Bell did. Kirito felt that his unconscious gap they established was almost like a safety barrier. Preventing their relationship from getting any worse.

"I can see why you like it out here…"

"Umm…" Scratching his head, Kirito struggled on what to say. He had a feeling Bell's small talk was just build up for what he really wanted to say.

"I'm sorry."

"…What?"

Bell's cheeks turned a red bright enough to be seen in the dim light. "I'm trying to apologize for what I said. I accused you without even knowing what was happening."

"Oh… It's fine. You didn't say anything that wasn't true."

"But I did!" Bell insisted with a frown. "I said that you were endangering the familia. Putting everyone at risk to fulfill your own selfish goals…"

"But…" I am. Kirito wanted to say. He was leading them into disaster against Ishtar familia.

"I've realized lately," Bell continued. His words sounding increasingly premeditated. "That this familia is special because its goddess is special. And so is its captain. I plan on taking that position from you someday."

"W-What?" Jaw dropping, Kirito wasn't sure he had heard Bell properly. He wasn't sure if that was threat or premonition when the boy continued.

"For now, though, I plan on improving. To get strong enough until I can make my goals reality."

Starting to speak, Kirito stopped himself. Standing beside Bell, he took his gaze off the boy and stared with him into the night sky. "The expedition tomorrow will be a good place to start."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."

Sharing one quick glance, the boys arrived at a truce. It wasn't friendship, but it was the beginning of a bond they had discarded earlier.

---

Midori Kirigaya:

Sighing, Midori closed her eyes as the long day came to a close. Even now, she was only able to do half her normal workload. The company understood of course, but she also heard the strain in her bosses voice every time they talked.

With her eyes closed, Midori listened to the sounds of beeping machines and one person breathing. Her son Kazuto. She had stopped thinking of him as a nephew long ago. She may not have born him in her body, but he was her son.

She had come here for some quiet after seeing Suguha. However, in Suguha's room, Midori could never relax. The doctors told her it was probably recency bias the one time she brought it up. Since she wasn't as used yet to seeing her daughter in that condition, it was more shocking.

It made sense.

But Midori couldn't help but feel like something was missing with that explanation. Either way, it couldn't change how she felt. That's why, she always spent her last few minutes with Kazuto, to help calm her down before she left to find sleep at home.

Opening her eyes, Midori stretched and looked out the window. Night had fully fallen, but the city itself was still fully lit. The hospital was deep inside Tokyo and as a result, the countless lights from all around kept the area well lit.

"Well… I guess this is good night Kazuto. I'll be sure to visit you tomorrow."

As her stubborn feet refused to move, Midori gave herself ten more seconds. Eyes closed, just listening to his breathing. The continuous beating of his heart monitor. The hum of the NerveGear that covered his head.

…

Where was the humming?

Eyes shooting open, Midori rushed to the boy's side. Crouching over him, she moved over his peaceful face to the device itself. The ugly black box that she had almost ripped off his head a dozen times that first week.

"No… It can't be…"

Muttering in horror, Midori stared aghast at where the green power light should have been lit up. The familiar glow was gone. The device had fallen silent. Turning to the heartbeat monitor, Midori's horror quickly turned to confusion.

Kazuto was still alive. Nothing seemed to be wrong with him.

"But why…" With shaky hands, Midori undid the chin strap. Then, with jerking motions, she did the deed that she'd been dying to for months. She removed the confining black helmet from her son's head.

"Kazuto…"

As his full face came into view, she couldn't help but start crying. He had come back to her. She didn't know how but he was back! The game must have been cleared.

"You survived son!" Falling on him, Midori wept with gratitude, confident that any second now, he would return to her.

First one minute passed. Then a second.

"Son?"

Releasing his body, Midori had no emotions left. Only confusion racked her now. She couldn't make heads or tails of this. The device she had blamed for months now was gone. But nothing was fixed.

"What on earth is happening…"

Muttering to herself, Midori collapsed to the ground, all thoughts of sleep removed from her mind.