Loki sat in her office with a dead look in her eyes. Ais was dead, her head having been sawed off in the middle of the night while she slept.

She didn't even have a chance to fight back. What made it even worse was that Evilus planted her head in her front yard just to show they could.

None of the guards heard anything, meaning the person who snuck in was either very sneaky or they just got rid of their presence.

Riveria was off in her room, drowning in hysterics with Alicia by her side. Aki and Raul had taken control of the familia for the time being. Along with Alfia and Gareth's help, they were running a smooth ship.

With the promised day soon approaching, Loki felt a small sense of dread fill her stomach. The big fight hadn't even started yet, and she was down two first-class adventurers and multiple lower-level ones as well.

Add to that the general unrest in the city wasn't helping anything. Constant bombings and no answers meant the blame fell on the Loki and Freya familia, causing their reputation to fall even more.

The city was at its boiling point, with riots threatening to break out any minute.

Loki perked up as the door to her office was open. Raul hobbled in, still not having his full mobility back, but he did ditch the cane.

"I've doubled the guard and have made sure Ais will get a proper burial," Raul said.

Loki gave him a sad smile. "Thanks, Raul, but I feel terrible losing so many of my children in such a short amount of time."

"That's to be expected. Don't worry, once Bell comes back, he'll give Evilus and the Empire an ass-kicking they won't forget."

Loki slightly smirked. "Hope he's holding up ok. His falna is still burning strong. But where he's trapped, I wonder what he'll be like when we get him back."

"Changed, but I guess we've all changed a little bit since the expedition failed." Raul pointed to his eye. "Case in point."

Loki chuckled. "You know you've been coping with that loss pretty well."

Raul shrugged. "Why waste time over something that's lost? The others here need my help. No need for me to wallow in grief over a missing eye."

Loki's smile grew. "You've grown up since you woke up. You're not that timid boy anymore. I'm proud of you."

Raul slightly blushed. "Oh well, thanks." Raul sputtered.

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Aki and Raul stood over a map of Orario. It was late at night, and the two were alone in Raul's new office as Vice-Captain.

They were working on possible plans and procedures to keep civilian casualties as low as possible for when the promised day arrived.

"We could try housing them in the Hostess. You know Mama Mia would kill anything that got close with hostile intent." Aki pointed out.

Raul nodded as he grabbed a pawn chess piece and placed it on the hostess. "Yes, but it would eventually be overcrowded. We can't house them here as a majority of our fighters will be well fighting, so the manor will be lightly guarded."

"We could try and see if Baldr or Poseidon would allow them on the Education district," Aki suggested.

"That's true, it's big enough to fit thousands of people. But it could get shot out of the sky, or it would become too packed. But it's not a bad idea."

Raul moved another chess piece on the map where the education district was hovering.

"But a good way to minimize civilian casualties would be to hold the Empire and Evilus off at choke points."

"But Evilus is using underhanded tactics to fight against us. Who's to say they'll fight like the Empire when they show up?" Aki added.

"You're right, maybe we can lead them somewhere then. Like a trap of sorts." Raul wondered.

Raul intently studied the map while Aki glanced at him. Raul was almost unrecognizable to her. He had saved her life without a second thought. Didn't care or complain that he lost an eye. He wasn't even timid anymore, not around her or Bete, for that matter.

Something changed within Raul after that arrow, and Aki was liking this more serious Raul. He was stepping into his leadership position really well.

Especially with Rivieria knocked out of the picture for the time being. Raul had to be the one to step up, and he was doing so without complaints.

"Something the matter, Aki?" Raul asked.

Aki snapped out of her stupor. "No, nothing, why do you ask?"

"Because you were staring at me."

"Oh, it's nothing, don't worry about it." Aki sputtered, her face slightly red.

Raul shrugged and went back to the map. Aki looked back to the map as well but kept glancing at Raul from time to time.

She wondered when he had become so manly. But as they were working, Raul's eyes widened in realization.

"I've got it!" He exclaimed.

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Welf hammered away in his forge. He had no idea how many days it had been since he stopped working.

Tsubaki dragged him out at one point and made him eat. Hephaestus wasn't around when she did that. Welf hadn't seen her since he left the hospital.

But right now, that didn't matter to Welf. He kept hammering away at his new weapon. Next to him was a box in the corner full of magic swords.

Welf let out a breath as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He dosed the hot metal in water, cooling it off and inspecting it.

No cracks or chips anywhere. This caused him to smile. His weapon was done. He set the newly made adamantite Warhammer on the wall, and it let sit there.

He was proud of his creation. His mighty Warhammer that would cave in the chests of his enemies armor. The weapon that would lead him to victory.

"Now I just need to train with it. Bell always said technique is better than numbers. Warhammer shouldn't be that hard to use either." Welf thought.

The door to Welf's forge swung open and revealed an angry Tsubaki standing there. Her hair covering her eye. Welf paid her no mind, however, as he started formulating how many more magic swords he would need to make.

"I still have some materials left over from Bell. He might need a new set of armor when he gets back. Could use the rest of the adamantite and make it." Welf thought.

"Hey, dumbass!" Tsubaki called out.

Welf turned his gaze to Tsubaki, who angrily glared at him.

"What do you want, cyclops? Can't you see I'm busy?" Welf said.

Tsubaki leveled her glare at Welf, but the boy did not seem to care.

"It's time to take a break." She growled.

Welf looked to the sun. "It's only noon. No need for a break." Welf answered, walking over to his materials.

Tsubaki sighed and harshly grabbed his shoulder. She spun Welf around and glared at him. Welf stared back.

"Get out of your own ass and take a break! You've been working nonstop for weeks now! Hell, we barely see you anymore because of how much you've been working!"

Welf pulled his shoulder away. "I don't need to take one Tsubaki, and I'm surprised anyone even cares that I'm working. Last I checked, barely anyone gave a shit about me."

Tsubaki scoffed. "Yeah, most didn't like you because you wasted your talent!"

"Oh, so now that I'm making magic swords, everyone suddenly cares about me! Now is when they want to start being my friends?!"

"Welf, you know that's not who I'm talking about."

"What Hephaestus ask you to force me to take a break, is that it?"

"She didn't have to ask. Hell, she's been depressed ever since you got back from the expedition."

Welf felt his heart hurt slightly. But he pushed that feeling down. "Well, I'm sorry for making her feel that way. But we're running out of time."

"You won't be any use if you kill yourself from overworking!" Tsubaki yelled.

"THE ENEMY IS AT OUR GATES TSUBAKI!" Welf screamed.

Tsubaki was slightly taken aback by his anger.

"They are at our gates waiting for the right moment to pass! We don't have time for this stupid squabbling or feeling depressed! I sure as hell am, but am I showing it? No!"

Tsubaki remained silent as Welf continued.

"My best friend is stuck in the dungeon with a bunch of crazy psychopaths and sadists while I'm stuck up here! I can't do anything to help him while he's trapped down there!"

"Welf-

"No! Don't say anything! Just get the hell out and let me continue my work!" Welf demanded.

Tsubaki seemed to have the wind knocked out of her sails. Welf had already turned his back to her and was fishing around for the adamantite to forge Bell's new armor.

Tsubaki watched as he grabbed what he was looking for and paid her no mind. As she watched him work, she wondered if this was the same Welf she used to tease.

She knew it wasn't. But a part of her still hoped he was down there within all that anger.

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A month had passed, and Alfia waited by the gate of Orario. Zald would be here with much-needed reinforcements any day now.

That day was today as Alfia saw a massive caravan of carriages and Zeus familia soldiers marching down the road. Their banner raised high.

But what Alfia didn't expect to see was so many. The army arrived at the gate to the slight horror of the Ganesha familia guards.

"Let them pass, they're cleared by Ouranos," Alfia said.

The guards didn't even think of protesting as they waved the army through. Alfia walked alongside Zald as he rode his horse.

"You look like shit." Zald pointed out.

To those that didn't know Alfia well, nothing would seem to be wrong with her. But for someone like Zald, who had known her for practically her whole life, he could tell.

She had a tell that was visible to him every time Alfia felt this way. Her shoulders sagged slightly, and her eyes seemed hollow.

"Always hate how you could tell," Alfia responded.

"I've known you since you were a girl. You can't hide things from me."

Alfia allowed a small smile. It was a sad one. "He's still down there. I fear I won't see him until after this battle kicks off."

"That will probably be what happens. If he's a spy, it's best he stays where he is." Zald solemnly answered.

The two continued their journey. Silence between the two until Alfia spoke up again.

"Bell won't be the same little boy anymore when he comes back. We'll have to see him as a man now."

"You will, I've seen him as a man the day he left for Orario. You've been the one hyper-concerned for his safety and babying him." Zald joked.

"Maybe if I kept more of an eye on him, he wouldn't be trapped," Alfia responded.

"Maybe, but you can't beat yourself up with what ifs and maybe. Bell will come back, and when he does, you can hold him and never let him go. Despite what his protests will be."

"I plan to give him an earful as well."

"Oh, I bet. You also gonna tuck him in and give him a kiss on the forehead goodnight." Zald teased.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alfia growled.

"Oh, nothing other than you talk all this big talk about punishing him and giving him an earful. But we know for a fact the second he's in your arms again, you'll never let him go."

Alfia remained quiet as the two arrived at the Twilight Manor. Zald dismounted his horse while Alfia realized Zald was right.

Once Bell was back, she was never letting go again.

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Tiona and Lefiya sat outside of Ais's grave. They still couldn't believe that their friend was dead. Killed in her sleep while she could do nothing to defend herself.

Lefiya was heartbroken seeing her idol dead. Add to the fact that she had to see her head on the pike with her own eyes. She was filled with a deep anger.

"Hard to believe she's really gone," Tiona said.

Lefiya remained silent as she looked at the grave. Her eyes filled with a deep sadness with a touch of anger.

"Lefiya, are you alright?" Tiona asked.

Lefiya once again didn't answer. Lost in her own world. Thoughts swirling with revenge and anger.

Her thoughts then turned to Bell. The boy she barely knew who alongside. Cruz had saved her life. The scars on her back would be a reminder to her about what happened.

Tiona, on the other hand, went further into her shell. Thanks to her upbringing in Telskyura, she didn't develop well emotionally. Acting more childlike to not confront the horrors she experienced.

So when she was told what happened to Ais. She retreated further and further into her shell. Yet grief was still plastered on her face. Because no matter how much she tried, the memories were still there.

Not another word was said. Not from Tiona or Lefiya. The two sat in silence by their friend's grave, who was dead.

One thoughts were filled with revenge. The other wanted to forget everything. One would achieve their goals.

The other wouldn't.

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Another two weeks passed in a flash. The promised day was just around the corner, and everyone in the city could feel the tension.

It was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Constant bombings and skirmishes kept breaking out. Casualties were kept to a minimum, however, as these were more scare tactics than anything.

Something to drive absolute fear and despair into the populace.

But not all hope was lost. Remnants of the Zeus familia had returned to provide assistance. However, most people in the city didn't want their return.

These false heroes had failed to kill the one-eyed black dragon. The city didn't want these failures back. Even if they kept Evilus in check before they left.

Nobody thought about that part. But even as the Zeus familia was being demonized, they still remained strong and waited for what was to come.

It was in this situation the goddess Artemis arrived. A city in turmoil and strife.

"Lady Artemis, welcome back. It seems your familia has grown quite a bit." A blue-haired woman said.

"It has Shakti, tell me, how is young Ardee doing?" Artemis asked.

Shakti was a beautiful azure-haired woman with blue eyes. She wore an orange skirt that had tears in it, allowing her to maneuver. She wore black tights under it with silver boots. Attached to her arms were two gauntlets.

"She's grown a bit since you last saw her. She's 15 already, if you can believe it."

"15 already, my such an age. Well, I have some business I need to take care of. Is there any place my familia could stay?" Artemis asked.

"Hmm, I'm not entirely sure. About a thousand Zeus familia members arrived two weeks ago. But I know lord Ganesha will welcome you and your familia at his house. Might have to bunk up, though."

Artemis smiled. "That isn't a problem. Rethusa, can you get everyone situated?" Artemis asked.

"Oh, course, my lady. Go and find your man." Rethusa answered.

"He's not my man, Rethusa!" Artemis protested.

"Whatever you say, my lady. Just expect lots of disbelief from the other gods. I mean, you did drop everything to come and help Bell." Rethusa teased as she rode away. The rest of the familia following behind her.

Artemis rolled her eyes as she looked to the puzzled Shakti. "Can you tell me where I can find Alfia?"

Shakti shook herself out of her stupor. "She's residing at the Twilight Manor, lady Artemis."

"Thank you for your help, Shakti. Stay safe."

Artemis then rode off, leaving Shakti to ponder if what she was seeing was true. There were men in the Artemis familia, and Artemis dropped everything she was doing to help a man.

"Today just got super weird," Shakti muttered.

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Artemis arrived at the Twilight manor a few minutes later. She had deposited her horse at a stable to allow for some rest and relaxation.

As she wandered the streets of Orario. Taking in the sights and sounds as she wandered, she noticed how eerie the air felt.

But she pushed that to the back of her mind. She was here to see Bell and ask what he needed help with. The reason why she asked for Alfia is because where Alfia was, Bell wasn't far behind.

Or it could be where Bell was. Alfia wasn't far behind with how much she doted on the boy.

Arriving at the Twilight Manor, she could sense a deep sadness coming from within. The gate guards let her pass with little trouble. She was a goddess, after all.

Walking into the Manor, it was quiet. But that was alright for her as she made her way upstairs. Her memory served her right, and she soon arrived at Loki's office.

She knocked on the door and heard some bottles clatter on the ground before being told to come in. Artemis opened the door, and Loki's eyes widened slightly.

"Artemis, oh gods, how much did I drink to start hallucinating?" Loki groaned.

"Uh, Loki, I'm real," Artemis replied.

"Oh, well, what are you doing here?" Loki asked.

"I'm here to lend my support with my archers. Bell wrote me a letter and everything. So where are he and Alfia?"

Loki looked sorrowfully at Artemis. Something which Artemis picked up on.

"Take a seat, you have a lot of catching up to do," Loki said.

Artemis took a seat on the couch and began listening as Loki explained what had happened. From five familia's coming together to form a collation for her expedition. To it going completely wrong with Finn and multiple others dying in an ambush.

To Bell going back down to save the woman who was like an older sister to him. Then he was stabbed and kicked off a cliff, then captured by Evilus.

To the Empire mustering its troops for an attack and Bell being trapped in the dungeon with Evilus acting as a spy. What he had to do to become one.

Then, recent events of Ais having her head cut off and displayed in her front yard and the city about to implode on itself.

All the while, Artemis sat and listened. Digesting the information of the person she came to help and her dear friend being trapped with no way out.

Her heart ached for his strife, but she had to steel herself. Bell requested her here for help against the Empire. Help she would willingly give with or without him here.

She could talk to him after the battle ended.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Artemis told Loki.

Loki listened as she grabbed one of the alcohol bottles and peered down it. It was empty, so she set it back down.

"Yeah, well, what can you do? Shit happens." Loki muttered.

"Still, losing a child isn't easy," Artemis responded.

"I know, but thanks for your condolence. I think once this battle is over, I'm just gonna get really drunk."

"Isn't that what you did before?"

Loki shook her head. "Yeah, but I need to get serious. It's almost the promised day. Hopefully, Riveria will be up to speed by now."

"How is she doing?" Artemis asked.

"Better than when she first saw Ais's head. She's more angry than anything. A lot of people are angry. So am I."

"I can understand your anger."

"I know, and thank you for your help. Go and talk to Raul. He'll brief you on the plan, and you can incorporate yourself wherever you think you're needed."

Artemis nodded and stood up. Loki gave her directions to Raul, and she walked out of Loki's office, hearing the goddess muttering about needing to clean up.

Following Loki's instructions, she arrived at a closed door to, which she knocked on. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Alfia was standing on the other side.

"Artemis?" She asked in shock.

Artemis gave her a smile. "Yes, it's me, I'm here to lend a hand and help get Bell back."

Alfia gave her one of her rare smiles and opened the door. "Then come in, your familia will be invaluable to us."

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Bell and Revis lay in their bed. Both were naked and staring up at the ceiling, enjoying the warmth the other gave.

"Tomorrow's the day," Bell said.

"Yeah, it is," Revis responded.

"Are you scared?"

"No, are you?"

"No."

The two sat in silence for a little bit. Bell could feel Revis's chest rising and falling. It was then he spoke.

"Revis, stick close to me tomorrow. I don't want to lose you."

"You're just saying that because the sex is amazing." Revis teased.

"Revis," Bell called out. His tone calm yet serious.

Revis sighed as she leaned into Bell's shoulder. "Ok, I'll stay close to you. But that means you stay close to me as well."

Bell held onto Revis slightly tighter. "I will."

Well, I'm gonna end it here. I know this one is a little short, but its purpose was to mainly get the reinforcements here before the big battle.

Which begins next chapter, so get ready. Place your bets on who's gonna live and who will die.

Anyway later.