Arc 12: The (Final) Eris Festival
{|} Chapter 1: At Long Last {|}
} Prologue {
(2nd Night of the Eris Festival)
"Time to get to work!"
Chris jumped from the roof of the mansion, sailing gracefully through the cool air of the night sky to make a perfect landing upon the ground. She then makes her way quietly and stealthily to the front gate and quickly lets herself outside.
She then takes a moment to look back at the mansion, wishing she didn't need to go sneaking off now, before closing her eyes and making her way down the road towards Axel.
'Today was a fun day, if somewhat chaotic for everyone. Still, days like these...'
She smiles happily to herself, allowing the memories of the day's events replay in her mind.
It had started out normal, with her having shown up to join the others in having fun on the second day of the Eris Festival. Her festival. Of course, things had to take an unexpected turn when they had stopped off at the guild for a bite to eat at lunch time.
Luna had sent them off on a special quest to help 'thin' the cicada population so they wouldn't be as much of a problem when the fireworks of the final day kicked off, which were known to cause them no small amount of agitation, thus making them swarm Axel and causing no small amount of chaos.
They had split into three teams of two with Chris partnering up with Kazuma, much to Megumin's annoyance. Possibly Yunyun's too? Because of this, Chris and Kazuma had been able to have a nice long chat with one another about certain subjects.
Of course, things just had to go bad in the end, thanks to the explosive temper of a certain mage which caused Axel to be thrown into chaos early. Luckily, they were able to save the day and have a nice little bill to pay off in order to recoup all the damages caused by the cicada's going on their warpath.
"Good times, all things considered!"
Once Chris had reached Axel, she avoids making use of the eastern gate by sneaking in over the outer walls. Once there, she begins making her way to the Erisia Cathedral. As she gets closer, her eyes wander, looking upon the stalls and decorations that littered the streets and buildings of Axel.
Each and every one of them showing clear reverence and praise for the goddess Aqua, not her.
Now, Chris wasn't the kind of goddess to get angry or annoyed at seeing another divine being worshiped, even during what was supposed to be her own special week. Sure, she was sad, but people were free to believe and do as they please.
The issue for her was the fact that it appeared EVERYONE in Axel had gone from being followers of her, or at least neutral in their faith, to now being a hardcore follower of Aqua, even those people whose faith in Eris would be seen as on par with how Axis cultist have faith in their goddess of water.
And what's more, this sudden change had seemingly happened in under a week.
Chris comes to a stop atop a building, looking directly at the Erisia Cathedral and the sight she saw made her eyes narrow. Statues that once depicted her had been torn down and smashed. Many of the stained-glass windows of the cathedral had been shattered, and sacred text from within the cathedral itself now sat in burning piles while banners celebrating Aqua had been put up all over the place.
'No doubt about it. Something is clearly wrong here.'
Chris then quietly makes her way inside, moving with the shadows to keep herself hidden from any patrols walking around. The very fact patrols were out and about alone was strange but when added to all the other mysteries going on both here and in Axel overall. Well...
'I need to return to my throne. I need to find out what's going on to make all this strangeness happen.'
She finally reaches the private office of mother Clerica, head of the Eris faith. She peeks inside, finding it empty before walking inside, locking the door behind her. She then approaches the painting of the goddess Eris, herself, that was on the back wall and allows a moment to look at it.
"Why does the fact these paintings of me never looking like me always bother me? Maybe it's time to descend and actually let someone paint my actual... focus Eris. There will be time enough to consider that thought once all this is over."
Chris shakes her head then extends her hand out to trigger the secret gate that lay hidden within the painting to open the way to the Sacred Vessel which from there it was just a quick trip back to her divine chambers. Her hand gently taps against the painting...
And Chris finds herself being blasted back into the mahogany desk of Clerica as some kind of trap was triggered. Chris collapses onto the ground, her mind thrown into confusion as she tries to process what had just happened.
'Ah... ow, what the hell. That's not supposed to happen. Wait, dammit...'
Chris lifts her head up to look at the painting and it was in that moment she finally saw it; the strange markings that had been etch into the painting's edges. Someone had bobby trapped it in order to do something against her.
Just then, the door to the room is kicked in and several heavily armored guards come running in followed by Clerica herself. Chris tries to pick herself up, in order to stand and explain her reasons for being in here but finds herself unable to move.
'Crap, this is bad. That trap was more than stopping me from heading back above. It was meant to weaken me for... something.'
Chris yelps as one of the guards grabs her by the hair and lifts her into the air while two more guards come up behind her with one of them pulling her arms back behind her while the other locks her wrist within bindings. They then each take a hold of her as Clerica approaches.
"Clerica, what's going on. Why are you... of course..."
Now that she was eye level with Clerica, Chris could see it clearly. Clerica's eyes had this hazy, distant look to them. A clear sign that something was off with her, that there was some sort of darker force at work here, controlling her. Perhaps it was the same for these guards too. Perhaps even all in Axel.
As Chris struggles, in vain, to regain the ability to move and act in order to free herself, a new figure steps into the room. She was a young girl with full golden hair and garbed in the vestments of a priestess who serves the Axis cult. She walks up to Chris and does an ever so polite bow before sending Chris the most forced of smiles.
"So, you finally decided to grace us with your presence... dark goddess Eris."
{|} A-Part {|}
(morning of the first day)
A light ringing sound brings Kazuma back to consciousness. He opens his eyes and after a moment for his vision to focus, he saw that he was looking directly up at the ceiling. Kazuma just lay there unmoving for a few moments as his brain slowly processes this bit of information.
'Huh? Why am I laying on my back. Unless I find myself sharing a bed with someone, I usually like to sleep on my... oh right, I remember now.'
The sound of light purring makes Kazuma remember that he wasn't sleeping alone. Tilting his head up ever so slightly, he smiles at the sight of the sleeping Chomusuke who was currently curled into a little ball while resting on his chest. He reaches out and runs a hand through her fur before he remembers the reason behind the alarm going off.
'Right, today is the first day of the Eris Festival. Furthermore, today is my turn to make breakfast. Well crap baskets. Oh well, guess I have no choice then.'
Kazuma then goes from his caress to lightly poking Chomusuke while saying-
"Sorry girl, it looks like it's time to get up now. Rise and shine Nia... wait, is calling you Nia still OK for me to do, knowing what I know now. Maybe I should start calling you Wolbach. What do you think?"
Not surprisingly, Chomusuke didn't respond verbally to that question. She did however respond by stretching, yawning, then sitting on Kazuma's chest while sending him sleepy eyes.
"Yeah, I know. You look like how I'm feeling right now. After all that's been happening recently, a full night's worth of sleep is nowhere near enough to give proper rest. Anyways, time to get to work."
Kazuma then takes Chomusuke in hand before getting himself out of bed. He then puts her back down before changing into his day clothes. As he goes to collect Chomusuke, she instead jumps up onto his head before curling back into a ball and, as far as Kazuma was aware, going back to sleep.
"You know Wolbach, I really want to ask if you were just as lazy as the fur ball was before you both recombined with each other or if that's one if Nia's personality traits that still maintains dominance with the current you."
Once again, not surprisingly, she didn't offer up an answer.
Not long after, Kazuma was hard at work making breakfast, his mind drifting to thoughts on recent events when...
"Morning Kazuma. Did you sleep well last night?"
Kazuma looks back to see Yunyun walking into the kitchen. Without waiting for his response, Yunyun walks over to join him, quickly getting to work in helping him make breakfast for everyone which was something she often did whenever it was Kazuma's turn to cook anything for the group.
Kazuma allows the silence to linger for a few moments before finally answering Yunyun's question.
"Not even a little. Well, let me rephrase that. Sure, I did sleep last night but I honestly feel like it didn't do anything for me."
"Not surprising, given everything that's happened over the last week and then some."
"No kidding, especially when you think about how I've been on the move a lot recently. Going with you to the Crimson Demon village, then being whisked off with Lynn and old man Ruff to meet the Devil King, then having to come save your butts."
"I'm sorry about that."
"Don't worry about, Yunyun. That last part wasn't your fault. Besides, I think that little party for one Anna had for herself last night didn't help with my getting proper slumber last night either."
"She was being really loud, huh. (both Kazuma and Yunyun laugh) So, were you and miss Wolbach the first to wake up this morning?"
"No, Darkness beat us to the punch. She's out back right now doing her morning routine."
"Ah, that makes sense. So, who do you think will join us next? Megumin, Anna, or Ci..."
"I can answer that question for you both."
Kazuma and Yunyun look back to see Cielo walk into the kitchen who then follows up by saying-
"I don't think we should expect Anna to be joining us for breakfast this morning. I peeked into her room before coming downstairs and what I saw tells me who won't be getting up till at least lunch or later."
"Guess that means she won't be joining us for our trip into Axel here in a bit."
"It's her loss if she misses out, Yunyun. She knew what was happening today."
"I agree with Kazuma. Anyways, do you two need any help with anything?"
"Me and Yunyun are almost finished up here. Can you set up the table for us then let Darkness know we'll be done in a few minutes."
Cielo nods before turning to grab the plates and glasses. A few minutes later, the four of them were sitting at the table alongside Chomusuke, who had already started chowing down on her meal.
"Master Wolbach, we should wait till Megumin gets down here to join..."
"Hey Megumin, breakfast is done. Hurry up before it gets cold."
shouted Darkness who then turns back to her meal and begins to eat. Cielo says as she also begins...
"If she's going to be late, that's on her. I'm not going to let my meal get cold because of her."
"I agree with that."
Kazuma then begins to eat his while Yunyun looks at the three of them for a moment, then sighs as she also begins to eat her meal. After swallowing, Darkness decides to ask the question all the girls had been wanting to ask since getting back from their little trip to the Scarred Lands.
"So Kazuma, how did your meeting with the Devil King go? Is he as scary and dementedly demonic as I hope... heard he is."
Kazuma looks up from his meal, seeing the excited look on Darkness's face. Sure, she was trying her best, for her, to act like she was generally curious and who knows, maybe in a way she was, but it was obvious what her real wanted answer actually was.
"Hate to break it to you Darkness, but he's nothing like the rumors and stories make him out to be. Hell, even the title of Devil King isn't accurate at all. He's actually... let's back up and tell the tale from the beginning."
Kazuma then recounts his trip to what was believed to be the castle fortress of the Devil King and what he learned and experienced within. His trip to the enchanted forest, the Faea village and its people, and the [Riiji] himself.
As he spoke, he wondered if it was OK for him to be saying as much as he was to them but seeing as Lynn and Ruffian hadn't told him to keep quiet about the WHOLE thing, only details on where their forest and home were located at, he figured it would be fine though he still wished Lynn was here so he could differ to her on this one.
Once he was done, Darkness slumps down in her chair, clearly feeling deflated, as she grumbles out-
"So the Devil King... [Riiji] isn't some depraved and sadistic monster after all, nor are his minions. What a total let down."
"There-there, Darkness. I'm sure you'll find you perfect match one of these days."
said Yunyun while patting Darkness on the back. Cielo then says-
"To bad Lynn needed to head back home to talk with her grandfather about whatever as I have a lot more I'd like to ask her."
"You'll get your chance eventually, Cielo. Don't forget she also needed to make sure Hans made it back there safely as well as to make sure the situation with Wolbach is properly explained."
"You think things will be OK, Kazuma. Aren't you worried that the Dev... [Riiji] won't be mad at you for running off like you did to save us?"
asked Yunyun. Kazuma just waves his hand before saying-
"I'm sure it'll be fine. Lynn and her old man are going to speak up for me and defend my actions. Odds are I'll need to head back to have that dinner with Yasaka once the festival is over but I'm sure I'll be OK. The old guy does seem fairly reasonable from my brief interaction with him."
Kazuma then looks at Megumin's still empty spot then to the stairs before shouting out-
"Hey, LEGAL DWARF! Get that ass of yours down here right now or else I'll give your breakfast to the cat. She's already eying it up so I won't stop her if she makes a go for it."
"Kazuma, that's not nice. You know how much Megumin hates being called..."
"That's the point, Yunyun. After all our time together, we've learned that the best way to get Megumin's attention is to say something that will piss her off. Knowing her, we'll be seeing her coming storming down those stairs right about... NOW!"
They all look in the direction of that stairs, waiting for the angry mage to coming running into view, but she didn't appear. They waited and waited and waited and yet, nothing. Megumin didn't even respond verbally to Kazuma's words with her own shout, making them all finally look at each other with worry and concern.
"Something's wrong. I think we should..."
"KA-ZU-MA!"
came Megumin's scream as she finally comes into view, her face red with rage and eyes blood shot with furry. She comes storming up to Kazuma, glaring down at him as he remains sitting.
"Huh, so you aren't dead after all. Hungry?"
He then motions to her meal. Megumin doesn't move though, her focus remaining on Kazuma which makes the other three girls start to sweat. Megumin remains motionless for a few moments more before turning away, grabbing her plate full of food, then turning away and storming back towards the stairs.
She does stop before going out of view and looks back at them before shouting out-
"We're so going to have words later for calling me by THAT name, Kazuma. Be ready!"
Megumin then heads back upstairs, leaving everyone to just sit there dumbfounded by what had just happened. Cielo is the one who finally breaks the silence by saying-
"Huh, that didn't end the way I thought it would."
After breakfast...
"So, everyone ready to go?"
asked Kazuma, getting a nod from the others. Since Megumin gracing them with her presence, even if it was for only a moment, nothing else of interest or worth had happened. Neither Megumin nor Anna had bothered to appear.
Cielo walks up to the steps leading upstairs and shouts out-
"Hey, Megumin. It's time for us to be heading out. You coming with or what?"
After a quick pause, Megumin shouts back down at everyone-
"You guys go on ahead. There's something important I'm working on I want... NEED to finish before I can allow myself to start enjoying the festival."
They look at each other, each sending the others the silent of question on if they might know what she was talking about. Darkness then speaks up as she looks to the top of the stairs-
"Are you sure, Megumin? If you would rather have us wait for you to..."
"It's fine. I'm not going to be done till later this morning. Just go on ahead, all of you. I'll catch up later and meet up with you all during the planned lunch break at the guild."
"Are you sure about..."
Cielo is stopped as Kazuma cuts in and says-
"Well, if that's what you want, alright then. Just don't go doing anything the rest of us wouldn't like while we're out."
"You know me, Kazuma."
was Megumin's reply, making all of them shiver. Kazuma then mumbles to himself-
"I do know you, Megumin. That's kind of the problem..."
Kazuma, Cielo, Darkness, and Yunyun then step outside the mansion. Chomusuke was with them, having taken her new favorite spot atop Kazuma head. Just as they reach the front gate, Darkness looks back at the mansion and says-
"Are we really sure we want to leave Megumin alone here, with only Anna to keep an eye on her."
"Given the state that Anna's in herself..."
adds Cielo. A moment later, Yunyun finally says-
"Actually, you guys go on ahead. I'll hang back and keep an eye on Megumin. Make sure she doesn't do anything crazy while were out."
"Are you sure, Yunyun."
"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, it's only for a few hours. I know I won't be missing much in the grand scheme of things."
"Well, if you're sure. Just be sure to remind her that we are supposed to meet up by lunch at the guild."
"I'll make sure we're both there, Kazuma."
Kazuma nods as he turns to leave, but stops and adds-
"And also, see if either you or Megumin can wake Anna up while you're both here. Knowing her, she'll get all huffy if we just let her sleep all day once she remembers what today actually is."
Yunyun nods before turning and heading back into the mansion. With that, Kazuma, Darkness, and Cielo exit the mansion grounds and begins their walk to Axel.
{|} B-Part {|}
As they walked down the road, the visage of the Axel Amphitheater came into view. Once they had reached the turn off that would lead them to its entrance, Kazuma stops which makes Darkness and Cielo stop as well. Cielo says after a moment-
"Is something wrong, Kazuma?"
"No, not really. I was just thinking that seeing as we're here and all, maybe I should stop in and say high to everyone. If memory serves, Lia has a few papers waiting for me to sign in order for me to become the official co-manager for Idol Hearts."
"Kazuma does have a point. With all that was going on over these last few weeks, you weren't here to meet them when they arrived."
Kazuma nods before he starts to leave the main road, walking towards the Amphitheater but is stopped by Cielo. Kazuma and Darkness look at her as she says-
"Sorry, but you'll need to do a rain check on that."
Kazuma and Darkness look at each other then back at her as Kazuma asks-
"Something wrong?"
"No, not wrong. I actually checked in with them last night before going to bed..."
"So that's where you wondered off to, Cielo."
"(nod) I asked her if I should have Kazuma swing by in the morning, now, but Lia said she and the other girls would be doing some practice work well into the night and likely be having a late start today. Mother Clerica has asked Idol Hearts to put on a special show for the final day of the festival."
"That's get the crowd of locals and pilgrims into the celebratory mood."
"So, did Lia tell you when I should be coming around for the meet and sign?"
"I told her I'd have you come around tonight, bar us having anything that could cause us an unwanted distraction to delay the whole thing."
Kazuma sighs but accepts that as they continue on to Axel. Not long after, once they had passed through the eastern gate and stepped into Axel proper, they were greeted with something none of them expected.
"Welcome friends, would you like to join the Axis cult? Please allow me to tell you of all the benefits that comes from being part of the Axis."
It appeared a follower of the Axis sect was busy harassing some travelers into joining their faith.
"Is this normal; a rival faith trying to convert others during the holy week of their chosen faith?"
asked Kazuma, making Cielo and Darkness let out a sigh.
"Happens every year here in Axel sadly. There's always more than a few followers of the goddess Aqua who shows up during the Eris Festival to try to convert Eris followers over to their faith and way of thinking."
"Well, either that or do as much as they can to disrupt the Eris Festival."
said Darkness and Cielo, making Kazuma let out a sigh.
"Why would they do that? Surely the Axis cult would show at least some degree of respect for others as they would expect for... actually, never mind my words. Any faith that follows Aqua... well, let's just say I can see why they would act like this."
'It must be really hard for Eris, having to endure the chaotic stupidity of her senpai. Makes me wonder why the others allow Aqua to act like she does all the time. I know she has a brother whose part of the upper ranks but still... You don't solve a problem by ignoring it and hoping it'll improve on its own.'
"Wait, isn't that... Aldin?"
Kazuma is drawn from his thoughts by Cielo's sudden question. Before he could say anything, Darkness speaks up and says-
"You're right, Cielo. That is old man Aldin. Why would he of all people be trying to convert someone to the Aqua faith, I thought he was..."
Darkness goes quiet, hand on her chin as she was clearly lost in thought. Kazuma looks at her, then at Cielo then asks-
"So, are either of you going to tell me who this Aldin person is?"
"Aldin is a follower of Eris, a rather hardcore follower of Eris at that. Think how devoted the Axis followers are to goddess Aqua. That's pretty much how Aldin is, just not as obnoxious as he doesn't try to strong arm people into joining the Eris church."
"Then why is he suddenly preaching the greatness of Aqua then?"
"I don't know. Something's off with him. We should... never mind."
The three of them, their attentions diverted when talking, look back to find both Aldin and the person he was harassing both MIA. Most likely scenario was that the poor traveler had managed to run away with Aldin likely giving chase.
After a moment, Cielo then says-
"Should we try looking for Aldin and see if we can find out what's going on with him?"
"I'm afraid you two will need to do that without me. I have somewhere I need to be getting to now."
Both Kazuma and Cielo look at her and Kazuma asks-
"Come again? Have yourself a hot date or something?"
"No, nothing like that. Did you two forget already. I said this last night during dinner. Today, I will be spending time with my father. I'll be spending tomorrow and day three with you all, day four with dad again, day five with you guys, and I'll be splitting my time between dad and you all for the final day."
"Never took you for being such a daddy's girl, Darkness."
said Cielo who then lets out a giggle. Darkness huffs then says-
"That's not it. It's just that... me and father have often spent time together during the Eris Festival. In fact, this is going to be the first year where I won't be spending the whole festival with him."
Kazuma nods, then says-
"So, guess we'll be seeing back home tonight then?"
"(shrugs) Maybe, maybe not. Might stay the night inside the governor's mansion. If that happens, I'll meet up with everyone tomorrow at the guild after breakfast. Also, don't worry about making any dinner for me tonight. I'll be eating with father today."
"Understood. We'll let you head off then. Have fun Darkness."
"And don't do anything anyone one else with common sense would do."
Darkness does a playful raspberry at Kazuma before taking her leave, leaving Kazuma and Cielo alone, save for little Chomusuke to be their chaperone. Once Darkness was out of sight, the now twosome begin to look around with the air between them suddenly becoming weird.
Finally, Kazuma says-
"So, what do we do now? Should we go look for that Aldin guy and see what's going on with him or should we start checking out the sites. Maybe play a game or two?"
Cielo didn't respond immediately. When Kazuma looked at her, really looked at her, he didn't fail to notice she had started to fidget nervously. Just as he was going to ask her what was wrong, Cielo finally speaks up and says-
"Kazuma... I was wondering. Seeing as we're alone at the moment, and won't be meeting up with Yunyun and Megumin till at least lunch, I was wondering if maybe... maybe you'd like to..."
"Lady Cielo... lady Cielo..."
Kazuma and Cielo turn to see a priestess of the Eris faith approaching them, one of her hands waving back and forth in the air to draw their attention her way.
"Huh, guess we should have seen this happening right now."
"(exasperated sigh) Damn it all. So this is what it must feel like to be cock blocked."
"Say what?"
{|} Intermission {|}
After seeing Kazuma and the others off, Yunyun had made her way back into the mansion. Once she had made her way upstairs, she first checks in on Anna to find her still deep in slumber land inside her room, if her obnoxiously loud snoring was any indication.
Yunyun let's out a sigh before saying to herself-
"Guess every family needs someone like her to fill the role of the sad, pathetic drunk. Though if I'm being honest with myself, I can't help but feel that THAT particular role is supposed to be held by someone else."
Yunyun then turns away and walks over to Megumin's room. She stops right outside the door, takes in a deep breath as she prepares to be scolded for hanging back to 'bother' Megumin by Megumin. She then knocks her knuckle against the door.
"Hey, Megumin. Is it alright if I come in for a minute."
There was no reply. Yunyun waits for a few seconds then knocks again.
"Megumin, hey Megumin. Are you in there?"
Like before, there was no reply. Now worried, Yunyun tries turning the handle and finds the door unlocked. She steps inside Megumin's room to find it seriously lacking any Megumin. Yunyun quickly steps inside, panic now coming over here as she begins to speak more loudly.
"Megumin, Megumin. Can you hear me? Say something already."
This was bad, very-very bad. Had something happened to Megumin? Had she been kidnapped or had she gone and ran away from home again. Where could she have gotten off too? Before Yunyun could think to exit the room and run back outside to alert Kazuma and the others of this unexpected happening.
BAM!
The sudden sound, along with the wall to Yunyun's left suddenly shaking violently, makes her jump. She then begins to look around in a panic as another BAM rings out, this time cracks forming on the wall that had shook before.
"What in the world is..."
One final, especially powerful BAM rings out as a decent sized hole appears in the wall, making Yunyun let out a rather loud squeak out aloud. This makes Megumin's face appear from the opposite of the hole.
"Yunyun? What the hell are you doing inside my bedroom?"
"Who cares about that. What are you doing inside Kazuma's room, Megumin? And why are you putting holes in the wall too?"
"Ah... I'm starting up a little renovation and remodeling project!"
Yunyun just stands there, her mind blank as Megumin's words play on repeat in her mind for a few moments before she snaps back to reality. Yunyun then quickly exits Megumin's room and quickly enters Kazuma's room, finding Megumin winding up for another strike against the wall with a giant mallet.
Naturally, Yunyun is quick to grab said mallet and stop Megumin from doing any further damage.
"Yunyun, what are you doing. Let me go already. Can't you see I'm busy doing some important work here."
"What am I doing? What are YOU doing. You can't just go knocking holes into walls like this. What if you cause serious structural problems to the whole mansion?"
"It'll be fine... I think. I'm pretty sure my analysis of the wall revealed expanding our two rooms into one large room won't hurt anything."
"What about Kazuma's opinion. Have you even talked to him about this little project of yours. Has he signed off on it."
"I'll get his permission after the fact. Once Kazuma sees the end result of my little project, and the benefits it will bring him, he'll be sure to be OK with it. In fact, I have no doubt he'll love it. Now, will you hurry up and let go so I can get back to work. I need to have this done before he gets home."
"No, I won't let you, Megumin. Even for you, this is going to far."
For the next few minutes, the two girls thought over the mallet. This led to several more holes in the wall and finally a hole in the floor that got them to stop their struggling. They were now sitting down on the floor, having themselves a little breather while opting to now talk things out.
"Seriously Megumin, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing's wrong with me. It's everyone else that seem to be slow to understand my genius."
"(sigh) Then as someone whose clearly SLOW, please share with this poor and humble soul what exactly you are doing here."
"I would have thought it obvious. I'm taking out this wall to make mine and Kazuma's rooms into one big room."
"I figured that much out on my own, smart ass. What I'm asking to know is the WHY behind you doing this?"
"(sigh) Well, I figured seeing as me and Kazuma have recently taken our relationship to the next level, thanks to the machinations of my mother, I figured the two of us might as well start sharing both a room and a bed together from now on."
"Megumin, you... have you talked about this with Kazuma yet. Are you sure he's ready for things to advance like this between you two?"
"It'll be fine, Yunyun. What guy wouldn't jump at the chance to have a girl join him in his bed on a nightly basis, with all the perks that such a thing would bring included for free. If he does have any issues once he finds out, then as I'm now a mature woman, I know what to do to make him agreeable."
'Seriously Megumin, I don't think that's the right mindset to have for these sorts of things. Also, I can't believe you've turned something you were initially embarrassed about into something your very prideful about. I'll never understand how that mind of your works.'
Megumin then stands. She then picks up the mallet as she says-
"Anyways, enough wasting time. I want to finish this before lunch so I can go meet up with Kazuma and the others. Say Yunyun, seeing as you're here, what do you say you quit your complaining and help me out here. With the two of us together, I'm sure we'll be all finished before lunch with time to spare. There's a hammer over on Kazuma's bed you can use to help me out here."
Megumin then points to said hammer resting Kazuma's bed.
Yunyun gets up, a defiant look on her face, as she says-
"And why would I do that? Go help you do something I know Kazuma wouldn't want us to do without his consent first."
"Well, I was thinking that if you help me out, then I'll be fine with letting you move your move in here with me and Kazuma. Instead of this being mine and Kazuma's room, it can be mine, yours, and Kazuma's... room?"
Megumin finds herself blinking in surprise as she sees Yunyun had already grabbed the hammer and was busy expanding the hole that had already been made.
"What are you just standing around there for, Megumin? There's a LOT we need to do before lunch comes around so stop wasting time and help me already."
'Huh, that was easier than I thought it would be. I wonder what made her change her mind so quickly?'
In Yunyun's mind, she was imagining one large bed with Kazuma laying dead center with Megumin hugging herself against one of his arms while Yunyun was hugging the other.
In Megumin's mind, she and Kazuma were the ones sharing the large bed while Yunyun was off to the side in her own smaller bed, keeping Chomusuke company and keeping her from interrupting the two of them.
'Maybe she misunderstood what I meant when I said I would let her sleep in here with us. Oh well, doesn't matter. I'll let her have her little fantasy if it means she'll help me out. I'll correct her later once we're all done in here.'
And with that, Megumin got back to work herself, making new holes in the wall while Yunyun worked to expand the existing ones. All the while, Anna was starting to wake from all the banging being made by the two.
"Ugh, I don't know whose making that noise but if they don't stop, I'm so going to..."
{|} C-Part {|}
"And here I was thinking my first Eris Festival experience would be a nice change of pace for me to have. Instead, I can't help but feel I'm just reliving almost ALL my past festival experiences back in Japan."
After that priestess from the Eris sect had shown up and had a quick talk with Cielo, said friend had to take off with said priestess in order to meet with mother Clerica for something important. Currently, it was just Kazuma and Chomusuke walking down the somewhat busy streets of Axel with nothing to do.
Kazuma, with his hands resting inside his pants pockets and shoulders slightly slumped, turns his gaze upwards as he says-
"At least you're still here with me, girl. I'll be sure to make you something extra special when I next make dinner for everyone."
Chomusuke mews happily at hearing that, making Kazuma smile. He then thinks back to Cielo and wonders what exactly she was going to say to him before they found themselves being interrupted.
'I have a good idea what she was going to say; I'm not that dense and stupid. Still, it would have been nice to hear her say it all the same. And I wonder what my response would have been.'
He then comes to a stop, making Chomusuke mew out a questioning purr, probably asking him what was wrong. To answer her question his mind was telling him she had asked, Kazuma says-
"Nothing's wrong. Guess I'm just wondering what was so important that Cielo needed to be pulled away?"
(with Cielo)
"I'm sorry, miss Cielo. I didn't mean to interrupt your hot date with mister Kazuma."
Immediately, Cielo's cheeks go red from embarrassment as she quickly blurts out-
"We... me and Kazuma weren't on a date. We were just trying to figure out what we should do to pass the time till lunch came around when we should be meeting up with some of our friends."
The priestess looks back and, taking a moment to act not how she usually presents herself when around others, grins a little as she says-
"Sure, if you say so."
Cielo wanted to argue this point further but decides doing so would be a waste of time so instead, she decides to ask for more detail on why she needed to be pulled away like this.
"So, why does mother Clerica need to see me? You were very vague on the details back there with Kazuma was present."
The priestess doesn't answer immediately, instead taking a few moments to look around at the other people on the street. She then motions for Cielo to come closer so they can keep what was about to be said just between them.
"As I'm sure you've noticed since coming into Axel today, perhaps even have noticed the strangeness going on here in Axel over the last few days. Something weird is going on."
"You mean like how all the festival stalls have a clear theme that can connect them to Aqua the goddess of water instead of lady Eris and that there seem to be a lot of Axis cultist flocking around town too."
"Yeah, that. There's also the fact that many of those cultists trying to convert non-Axis followers into joining their faith were once ardent followers of the Eris faith prior to the start of this festival."
"I've noticed that too. For example, old man Aldin who I had heard hated the Axis cult, is now trying to convert others into being part of that very cult. Does this mean mother Clerica already knows what's going on."
"Sadly no, unless something has changed since I was sent to find you that is."
Cielo is quiet for a moment, then says-
"So what she wants to talk to me about is..."
"We all need to come together and try to figure this mess out before something far worse happens."
"Agreed!"
Cielo then turns her gaze to the sky, wondering how and why this was all happening. And she also worried about just how much worse it was going to be before a solution had been discovered.
'I just hope we can figure this all out before it's too late.'
(back with Kazuma)
Having nothing better to do that he could think of, Kazuma had decides to just go ahead and stop off at the guild. While it would probably be boring, it at least gave him something to do while he waited for someone to show up and the day's activities could finally begin.
As he approaches the entrance, he sees a familiar figure sitting on a bench just outside the guild. This person was currently reading the morning paper and Kazuma decides to walk over and say high before heading into the guild.
"So... anything interesting in today's papers... um... Melissa was it."
The busty, raven-haired beauty turns to look at Kazuma, giving him a confused look before the light of recognition comes into her eyes.
"Ah right, Satou Kazuma I believe. Strange seeing you here."
"Is it really?"
"No, I guess not. I just figured with what's going on here in Axel right now, you'd be out and about enjoying the festival."
"Yeah, that was the plan. Unfortunately, my friends all seem to have other things that keep coming up that's delaying them in some form or another. As such, I decided to come hang out here as I wait to see if any of them are actually going to eventually come join me. What about you, Mel? Why are you just sitting out here reading the paper instead of enjoying the festival?"
Melissa's face sours for a second, likely due to being called Mel. She decides to wave it off though, instead saying-
"There's an annoying brat currently causing trouble inside the guild. Something I didn't want any part of. Besides, I like the outdoors more just as much as I like keeping up with current events in the world. I'm also waiting for Serena and that sad sack of a leader of ours so we can go take care of some important business Serena's been going on about since she and the bum found and recruited me."
'A sad sack... ah, she must be talking about Dust.'
Melissa then drops the paper down enough to send her gaze out across the area, then she looks back at Kazuma and says-
"Have you taken notice of the unusual happenings going on around Axel. For all the talk about this being an Eris Festival, that Axel is the center of the Eris faith, it sure seems more like an Axis party than anything else."
"Oh yeah, I've noticed. Any ideas on what the cause behind all the Aqua love could be that's going around?"
"Only that it can't be anything good. Word of advice, try to avoid interacting with any obvious Axis cultist. Especially if they have long blonde locks, blue eyes, and a cute face."
'That's oddly specific in the description. I wonder if she knows more than she's wanted to say?'
Melissa didn't say anything more, instead turning her attention back to her paper. Kazuma lets the silence linger for a moment more before asking again-
"So, anything of interest in the paper today?"
"(sigh) Nothing noteworthy, except the part about how the mana levels in both the ground and air all across Elroad have started to dip into the danger zones and the fear that whatever is going on could spread into Belzerg in the coming months."
"A dip in the mana levels? Care to elaborate a bit on that part."
Melissa sends Kazuma and dumbfounded look but seems to be ready to answer when-
"Hey Melissa, it's time to get going."
Kazuma and Melissa turn to see Serena standing close by, a tired and in the process of sobering up Dust standing behind her. Melissa sighs again before folding her paper and standing.
"Well, that's my cue. Sorry mister Kazuma, but we'll have to continue this later. Before I go..."
She then leans in close and whispers into his ear.
"Do yourself, and that little family of your's, a favor and leave Axel for a good while. I have it on good authority some bad shit's about to go down here in Axel before too long."
Melissa then walks off to join Serena, leaving Kazuma standing there, wondering what she meant by those words.
'OK, that was random. Seriously, why does everyone always have to be so damn cryptic with their words all the time.'
{|} D-Part {|}
The first thing Kazuma did after entering the guild was look around to see if he could make out any familiar faces inside the guild. After a moment, he concludes that there were no familiar faces, not that the guild appeared to be that packed which made sense seeing as most people would be out enjoying the festival.
Or at least trying their best to enjoy it; what with all the crazy Axis cultist being out and about.
Kazuma then walks over to the Quest board and takes a moment to look at the offerings. He had no intention on taking on any quest this week but seeing as he had time to spare right now, he figured why not check if only for fun.
The sound of cheering catches his attention, making him aware that someone was making whoever was in the guild this day happy.
'I wonder if the one getting the cheers is the crazy person that drove Melissa outside?'
Kazuma takes one last look around, looking to see if he could see Luna anywhere but she was currently MIA. Perhaps she had taken the day, if not the whole week, off. Given the fact he had never seen Luna take a day off since coming to Axel, Kazuma felt that if anyone deserved a vacation, it was Luna.
Kazuma then steps into the main room of the guild and selects an empty table to go sit at as he awaits either Cielo, Megumin, and/or Yunyun arrival. But he wasn't the only one who had the idea of sitting at this particular table as someone else sits opposite him just as he sits down.
He and the other person just sit there in silence for a moment or two, just looking at each other till they both realize who it was they were looking at.
"Ah, it's you... Kazutrash."
"Oh great, the fallen goddess had graced my presence once again. I should have known I'd run into you eventually as you're clearly the mastermind behind all the craziness going on in Axel right now?"
"Fallen... how dare you, you shitty NEET. I have half a mind..."
"Don't you mean 'no mind' don't you because everyone with a brain knows how lacking you are in the intellect department."
Kazuma then cackles at his own roast of Aqua who was fuming while cracking her knuckles.
"That's it, no more miss nice goddess. Today's the day I'm finally going to... wait, what were you talking about before? What's this about me being the mastermind behind something here in Axel."
"Please, don't try to be acting all dumb with me now. It's clear you're somehow responsible for all the Axis cultist here in Axel, mucking up the Eris Festival and somehow converting long time Eris followers over to your hack faith. Probably bullied them into joining."
"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything like that... though now that you've brought it up, that does sound like a rather good idea. I wonder why I never thought of that before. Are my devoted children really here in Axel, bringing more faithful under my loving wings."
"(silence) … You're serious, aren't you. You really haven't noticed? All the stalls are clearly themed in your honor. There are tons of Axis cultist flocking the streets, harassing people with their attempts at getting them to join your sect. How could you have not noticed that, Aqua?"
Aqua cocks her head to one side then her eyes go wide before she reaches under the table and pulls some strange item out from... somewhere on her person. She then glares it the item while saying-
"Damn you, this is all your fault. Distracting me with your shiny self as I passed through Axel earlier."
'Geez, this girl... if nothing else, at least she's consistent. In this case, that's not a good thing though.'
"Well, you know now so why don't you do something useful for once in your life and put a stop to them messing with the Eris Festival already."
"Why would I do that?"
"Seriously, do you not understand how unfair you're being to Eris with not keeping your children in check. They go around bullying others into joining your order. They have no issue with harassing the followers of Eris and being an overall nuisance to society."
"Shows how much you know, you hikki-NEET. My children are just free spirited. They aren't harming anyone so there's no need to worry. As for what they're doing here in Axel, I see no harm in their actions either. Know that for us gods, the number of followers we have is very important for us as much of our power comes from the faith our followers have in us."
"That's all well and good, Aqua. Still, can't they show a little restraint and respect for the followers of Eris during HER holy week. I doubt Eris' followers would do the same with your faithful when your holy week is being held, whenever that it."
"Oh, my followers are always having a festival in my honor. There's at least one every other week held in Arcanretia."
'Of course they would do something like that. Guess that means our trip to Arcanretia in the past happened during a non-festival week then.'
"And besides, having them come to Axel during Eris' week make sense as that's when we have the best chances to get the most additions to my beloved faithful, so I don't see any issue with them doing things this way."
'Like talking to a brick wall. Seriously, what am I doing. There's no way someone as self-absorbed and convinced of her own hype as Aqua is will ever change her tune.'
Kazuma goes to get up and move to another table, or maybe even follow Melissa's example and just wait right outside the guild when a memory plays out inside his mind. Kazuma remembers the interaction had between his and Aqua's counterpart's over in Iris's timeline.
'(sigh) Damn it, why did I have to remember that at a time like this.'
Kazuma then makes himself comfortable again as he looks at Aqua who was waving the item she had pulled out before, now waving it back and forth as her eyes fallow the moment in sheer wonder.
"Aqua, let me run a hypothetical question by you."
"You're a 'hyper pathetic question', Kazuma (laughs)."
Once again, Kazuma finds himself wanting to just get up and leave and once again, that damn memory comes to mind to stop him.
"No moron, I said a hypothetical question. A what-if scenario if you will. Surely you know what that means?"
"Who do you think I am? I understand well enough. Just shoot your question already."
"(mumbles) I wish I could shoot you right now. (to Aqua) How would you feel if Eris followers were obstinate and pushy with the Axis cult when it came to conversion, to the point of harassment. How would you feel if Eris followers went and unleashed physical assaults against your children. And how would you feel if the Eris faith went and vandalized your holy books and sites?"
"How would I feel? I'd be pissed off, of course. I would go to Eris and demand she make her foolish brats stop less I unleash my godly wrath upon them. If that fails, then I would get the higher ups to step in and do something."
"(nods) Right-right. So you agree with me that them doing that is wrong and unfair and needs to be stopped."
"Of course, Kazuma. Why wouldn't I go do that. Why do you ask? Have you seen Eris' followers doing that as of late. Damn that girl, I am so going to..."
"No, I haven't seen that. Remember, that was a hypothetical question which I'm using to establish an important fact for the point I'm trying to make."
"(cocks her head in confusion) And that would be?"
"Simple, you say it would be wrong if Eris' children did that to you and yours and yet you condone and allow your children to do that to her faithful, as well as others who aren't part of either faith, on a daily basis."
"(scoffs) That's a lie. My children have never..."
"There are daily reports ALL across the kingdom of YOUR faithful committing all kinds of crimes, both big and small. Surely even you can see the hypocrisy in your way of thinking."
"I... you're just exaggerating. OK, I'll admit that maybe, JUST MAYBE, my faithful might go a little overboard from time to time. But they are free spirited who don't mean any harm, like I've said before."
"So, when the head priest of your order tries to force himself onto girls who clearly doesn't want him touching them, he's a free spirit who doesn't mean any harm?"
Aqua doesn't respond and Kazuma allows the silence to linger for a moment before adding-
"Aqua, why are you down here to begin with?"
"Because my brother and the other gods are being mean and unfair to me?"
"Maybe, but maybe the reason you were forced down here is because they want you to realize something, to become aware of some greater truth and hop you'll realize it, accept it, and grow from that acceptance; to become a better person. A better goddess too."
Aqua averts her gaze, her eyes cast down at the table. Kazuma then adds-
"Look, I can't believe I'm saying this, given my personal thoughts and feelings towards you. (sigh) I know you have it in you to be a better person. You just need to get out of that whole 'it's all about me' mentality and start thinking about others and acknowledge that their thoughts and feelings are just as important and valid as your own."
Once again, Kazuma allowed silence to exist between them, this time choosing to wait for Aqua to respond. It takes a few moments before Aqua finally says-
"Kazuma, do you really think..."
"Sorry for taking so long, Aqua. So, ready to head out and see what this fest... ival has to..."
Kazuma and Aqua turn to see a girl wearing a light violet dress with pink colored hair done up in pigtails standing beside the table looking at them. This girl and Kazuma lock eyes and stare at each other for a moment before the girl finally speaks.
"Kazuma?"
Kazuma quickly stands, his height greater than the girl's as he continues to look at her wide eyed.
"Erika?"
{|} to be continued... {|}
next time: Two childhood friends, long separated, have finally been reunited and they decide to catch up while doing a quest for the guild... and a certain childish goddess will be coming along for the ride, regardless of if she wants to or not.
AN: And now begins arc 12 of this fic. As you may have noticed, there are several changes that have been made with this arc. For one thing, it's a shorter than previous chapters. In order to make getting these chapters out on a weekly to biweekly basis, I have decided to keep the length of each chapter to being around fifteen pages per chapter (save the first and last chapter of each arc which will I'll try to keep beneath twenty pages). Because of this, each arc going forward will be going from four to six chapters per arc to being eight to twelve chapters instead. Will this remain the same for the remainder of the series run? I'm honestly not as that will depend on how things in my life are going throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.
Also, unlike the previous chapters, I have decided to replace the part 1, part 2, and so on with A-part, B-part, and such. For the remainder of the series, or until I go back to the usual chapter length (whichever happens first), I will be breaking sections up in this manner. Some chapters could just have 2 parts (A-part and B-part) while others will have up to D-part. Also, there will be an Intermission part in some (but not necessarily ALL) chapters. The purpose of the intermission sections is to tell an important part of the story, but I feel it doesn't quite fit into the actual parts in the chapter. Anyways, time to get to work on the next chapter.
Till next time...