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.

15. Chapter 13

Author's note:

Hello again,

Sorry for the lack of a chapter last week, but I really needed to take the time to do other things.

I HOPE I will have a chapter for next week, but it is possible I will not.

I was trying to keep the story 100% in english, but I may change that as having Suguha call Kirito Brother or Big Brother is grating on my typing. It just doesn't flow the same as Onii-chan.

Anyway, this chapter and next Chapter are mostly build up for future events.

As always, hopefully you enjoy it.

Later,

-asdf

---

Chapter 13 – To Expand a Familia

Hermes Familia Home:

Standing in his own private room, Hermes smiled at one of his new favorite followers. The walls of the room were covered with maps. Each one detailing something slightly different, and each marking a place he'd been. The maps covered nearly every corner of the world.

"Well done Argo," Hermes said with a smile. "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's a pleasure," Argo sighed thankfully. A huge pressure had lifted from her after telling her adventure to her God. All of the stress of what to do and how to act were now his problems.

"To hit level two while out there though, were your opponents strong?"

Giving one strong nod in answer, the memories brought a grimace to Argo's face. "The tamed monsters were… terrifying. Even Lulune struggled against some of them."

Hermes laughed in response. "Lulune may be level three, but she's not much of a fighter. Her expertise rests in other areas."

Argo stayed silent. Hermes' words were true. Lulune seemed to have an aversion to fighting. She much preferred stealing and finding things out.

"Go and sleep," Hermes told her gently. "You'll have time to rest up before your next assignment."

"Thank you, my god…"

Bowing deeply, Argo left the room of maps behind.

---

Second-floor Library:

"Still here, eh?" Hestia keeps her words low as she stares down at the pair of sleeping girls. Bundled up together, their innocent faces send a twinge of guilt through her at how she treated them. The excuses she'd thought up seemed like a paltry barrier now.

"Hestia…"

Wincing under Kirito's voice, Hestia was unable to meet the boy's eyes.

"Is someone there?" The voice is filled with sleep. Nonetheless the black-haired girl begins to wake up. Stretching broadly, her eyes flickered open and closed.

Leaning down, Kirito's face broke into a soft smile. Reaching out his finger, he poked her cheek. "Wakey wakey, Sugu… Ah, Leafa."

"Muu…" Making a strange grumbling noise, Hestia looked on in irritation as Kirito focused completely on his sister and her actions. She was hit with a wave of jealousy that Kirito had never woken her up in this manner before.

"Eh? Stop that Brother…"

Her sleepy voice only incited Kirito's desire to tease her more. "Nope, not until you wake up!"

His words finally induced some motion in the previously unresponsive Silica. Yawning loudly, the girl flexed her back like a cat rousing itself from a nap. Similar to one, Silica's large brown eyes opened and stayed that way.

"Oh, hello."

"Good morning Silica," Kirito smiled at her. The girl's childish actions were undeniably cute and generated feelings of protectiveness towards the girl.

"Eh? Why are you here brother!?" Leafa's panicked shout brought everyone's attention to her.

"To induct you into the familia," Kirito responded calmly, expecting this kind of outburst.

"Oh, oh right…" Shuffling her way back from Kirito, Leafa leaned herself against the wall and averted her eyes. Face flaming bright red, she thought she'd have time to wake up first.

"Eh!? Is it time!?" Voice hitting piercing levels, Silica's tail swayed back and forth in obvious excitement.

"Hold on!" Leafa spoke, holding up a hand to stop Silica. "What was with this reception? We barely got any blankets, and the floor was hard."

Naturally Leafa's question was directed to Kirito, but he merely frowned and turned to look at Hestia.

"Yes, I was wondering about that as well…"

"Haha…" Chuckling lightly, Hestia took a tentative step back. "It was a test of course! If you can't survive one night without a pillow, then how do you expect to deal with the dungeon?"

"Goddess…" Kirito's hard voice has a thick line of disappointment in it. "Please leave the creation of tests and improvement for dungeon travels to me as captain of the familia."

"Y-Yes…" Giving up easily, Hestia relented the point.

Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, Kirito knew that this wasn't the end of the event, but the rest should be said in private.

"W-well… I guess we will start the inductions unless you…" Trailing off, Kirito scratched his awkwardly. The question was already stated though. Are they still willing to join after their treatment?

"Of course," Leafa declared confidently. "I'm not leaving you alone again brother."

Smiling at each other, the siblings, shared a special moment of reconnection. After having been separated for two months, the joy of finally being reconnected was infectious.

"I-I want to join too!" Silica declared. "Leafa's really awesome, and umm so are you!"

Watching the children, her children, Hestia corrected mentally, interact, she felt horrible. Having purposefully told the owner of the Library that she would provide them with what they needed; Hestia had conveniently forgotten it. All she had done was sour her relationship with them. Yet Hestia still got a bad feeling looking at them together. A young girl and Kirito's sister, they were the safest pair of girls Hestia could conceive to join their familia and yet… her divine intuition told her something was wrong here. Pushing aside the gut feeling, Hestia set about repairing the relationships she'd already injured.

---

Kirito:

"Amazing…" My voice trailed off as I examined the girls' status sheets. After Hestia had performed the introduction and inscribed their statuses, we'd gone to the Benevolent Mistress for a celebratory brunch. Afterwards, we headed back to the familia home so that we could show them around.

Since they'd both just gotten their falna, both of them had zeros across the board, it was the skills and magic slots I focused on.

Leafa

Level One

Magic:

Wind Blade: Produces and shoots blades of hardened wind in the desired direction.

Silica

Level One

Skills:

Dragon Trainer: Increases the user's ability to tame Dragon-type monsters.

It would be a relief having some magic in addition to my own. It almost seemed to be a wind type variant of Asuna's magic. Yet the differences were apparent. Leafa's could only form blades, also, her chant was shorter. At most it would be twenty seconds. A short-chant spell, but not an ultra-short chant.

Despite how awesome having magic is, my eyes kept getting drawn back to Silica's skill. It just seemed so random to have manifested for this girl. Taming was a rare thing for an adventurer to practice due to how it was done. Essentially, by convincing a monster that you were stronger than it, it would stop attacking you. This was essentially an act of physical domination. That didn't mean it would listen though. In fact, any tamed monster would still attack anyone else except its tamer on sight. This made the practice extraordinarily niche. I'd seen no tamers so far in the dungeon. That didn't mean they don't exist though.

This brought up the next question though. Why on earth did this skill revolving around the physical domination of another creature, develop for this innocent girl? Even now, Silica's tail waved excitedly back and forth while Hestia showed them around the small interior.

Last night I'd been busy rearranging furniture so that everyone would have some place to sleep. Leaving a member of the familia in either the library or an inn felt wrong. Also, I went out and bought a twin futon that currently rested against the wall; as it sat in the kitchen when it was down. Still, looking around the tight space I couldn't help but frown. It was too cramped. No doubt tensions would rise as we banged elbows.

The monumental task of fixing the top floor was frightening. Furthermore, Hestia didn't know if we actually owned this building. If Ganesha familia investigated and found us here would we get evicted as squatters?

Our presence in the basement was hidden by the rubble on the surface. If we fixed it however, it would become instantly apparent that people were living here.

Sighing, I decided that was a problem for later me.

"Is there an issue with my status?" Leafa asked nervously.

Waving off her concern, I shake my head. "Just thinking about future problems."

As she nods uneasily, I can see something is wrong with Leafa. "What's up?" I keep my voice low, so I don't disturb Silica and Hestia who is trying to come off as a mother figure to the girl.

"Just excited…" Leafa claimed. "We're going to the dungeon soon, aren't we?"

"Yeah…" I agree. "We picked out gear yesterday, so we may as well put in half a day of work or so. It won't be quite as bad as the first summoning, but the top floors are going to fill up again for awhile."

"Alright…" Leafa answered slowly.

Despite her words, I see a touch of fear in her eyes. I'm not surprised though. Anyone would be scared realizing that the game they thought they were joining turned out to be its own world.

"We're going then?" Silica was at my side in an instant. Smiling, I take a glance at Hestia. Seeing her nod, I mimic the gesture.

"Yupp. If the two of you are ready, we'll head to the dungeon now."

"Yeah!" With Silica's excited cheer, our afternoon trip was off to a good start.

Walking along the street under the noon sun heading for the dungeon was a strange experience. I had garnered a lot of experience walking around Orario but heading for the dungeon at this time was a first for me. Strangely, we weren't the only ones.

Every now and then we saw a group of adventurers, suited in armour, clearly heading there as well. Whether late starts were becoming more common or if the waves of adventurers had always been staggered, I don't know.

Yet again, I learned something else about adventuring. The thought brings a smile to my face. In what feels like no time at all, we've reached the park just north of babel.

"Can we stop here brother?"

"Huh? Y-yeah of course…" Halting awkwardly in the middle of the serene park, Silica and I stare at Leafa.

"I don't want the two of you to fight."

Blinking, I don't understand her words. I was only going to fight if they needed me and as demonstrations anyway. Doing more would only hurt their growth and learning.

"What I mean is that I want you two to go back to the church."

"You don't want us?" Silica asks, a sad note in her voice.

I understand what my sister is trying to say in her own awkward way. The thought of her trying to protect us is endearing. Stepping forward, I ruffle her hair a little.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but no."

"Why!?" Leafa practically shouts, eyes full of desperation. "I'm the better fighter, leave getting us home to me."

"Do you want to test that?" I tease her.

"If this is what it takes…" Drawing her Katana, Leafa faces me, blade held in front of her.

This is unnecessary… If we just continued into the dungeon, she'd be able to see my power. However… maybe it is best like this. If Leafa thinks she's invincible just because she's good at Kendo, she could get herself into a lot of trouble.

Without answering I draw my blade in response.

"H-hey now…" Stuttering slightly Silica begins backing up to get away from us.

"Don't worry," I assure Silica, "I won't hurt her."

Staying silent, Leafa only gives me a thin smile before charging. Her long blade swings at my neck. Focusing on her, it looks like she's moving in slow motion. I can see the control in the blade, how she'll stop it before it connects. She means this as a demonstration. When I can't react to her attack, it'll prove how much better she is.

Rolling my eyes, I step forward. Before she can react, I've grabbed the handle of her blade and raised my sword to her neck.

"W-what?"

"So fast…"

Holding her there for a moment, I release her and take a step back, sheathing my blade all the while. "This isn't the world we came from," I tell Leafa gently. "This one has different rules. Overturning a status difference requires an impeccable strategy."

"I-I see…"

Knowing she's still reeling from the shock; I decide not to press her more. "Were you paying attention Silica?"

"Y-yes Captain!" Giving me a salute, I chuckle at her actions.

"Then let's go to the dungeon, yes?"

Following along behind me, I led one excited girl and one shocked girl to get their baptism as an adventurer.

---

Hestia's Potato snack stand:

"30 valis…"

"Thank you."

"Have a good day."

Receiving yet another head pat from the happy customer, Hestia couldn't hold in the sigh. In her morose state her hands moved automatically. Preparing orders with a dexterity she never could have achieved when paying attention. As always, her gaze was drawn back to where her familia home resided.

Yet again, Hestia felt that bad decis… er, bad luck plagued her. The 'test' for the new recruits had thankfully been washed away fairly easily. Now though, working at this stand was becoming increasingly more ridiculous. A day's wages couldn't even cover a meal for the four of them.

Nonetheless, quitting was a distant pipe-dream. Hestia had successfully hidden exactly how much the magic stone oven was that she had blown up. Plus the stand had to pay damages to the injured bystanders, and the companies buildings…

There was no way Hestia could foist the two million valis charge unto Kirito. Reducing her pay from 100 to 30 valis an hour was ever so slowly making its way to repaying it.

Math wasn't Hestia's strong suit, but she'd had months to calculate exactly how long it would take for her to pay the damages. At an average of 36 hours a week, six days of six hours, she put 2,520 valis into the debt. Which made 794 weeks to pay it off, or over fourteen and a half years.

Kirito, meanwhile, had most likely crested a total income of half a million valis in two months. This stark contrast highlighted why many people became adventurers in the first place.

Money, women, and power; the three vices that had plagued Orario since time immemorial. Women… That word stuck in Hestia's head. Why did Kirito seem to summon them like flies to honey? Sure, he was great, and very kind, and strong, but still!

Even in the midst of her grumbling, potato snacks continued to be churned out from the stand at an astonishing rate.

"Two potato snacks please."

"Huh?"

This time a voice woke Hestia from her musing. As a result, her hands faltered for the first time in over ten minutes.

"A-Asuna!?" There was no way Hestia wouldn't recognize the blue-haired mage standing in front of her. A couple steps behind her, standing there bored, was her Goddess, Loki.

Narrowing her eyes, Hestia attempted to deduce the reason for their appearance as she went about fulfilling their order. Her relationship with the mage started poorly on the day they went outside of Orario in an effort to help Miach familia. Since then, Hestia's opinion of Asuna had gradually increased. There are two big obstacles preventing Hestia from liking the girl though. The first is her Goddess. The second, and more important, is her fascination with Kirito. Another one of the flies Hestia wished she could swat with her arcanum.

"Here, this is for you."

"What?" Not understanding, Hestia accepted a folded envelope.

"It is an invitation to a Banquet of the Gods following the Denatus on Saturday." Bowing formally, Asuna took the two potato snacks and departed.

Blinking in confusion, all Hestia could do was examine the thick envelope, ignoring the customers coming next.

---

Leafa:

"Hi yah! Yargh!" Swinging my katana, each swing brought down another of the monsters. As the monsters fell, goblins, Kirito called them, their bodies stayed where they fell.

It had taken a long time to get used to it. Honestly, it was still strange, and far too realistic. The sightless eyes staring at nothing as a line of blood trickles from their mouth. Shuddering briefly, I avert my eyes from them.

"They're just so creepy!" Silica complained for what must have been the tenth time today.

Sighing, Kirito massaged his temples. "I know, I know, but you have to get used to this. It's an integral part of being an adventurer."

"Sorry…" Silica instantly apologized.

Rolling my eyes, her constant deference was getting on my nerves. Or maybe it was how my brother, Kirito, smiled happily at her actions. Even now that I had cut down both of the goblins perfectly, he never said anything.

The whole situation was aggravating. I'm not sure what I want exactly though. Praise? An adventure with just the two of us? Why did Silica, a girl who just last night and this morning I found so sweet, make me so angry?

"Graoh!"

The sound of another monster approaching gave me a chance to clear my mind. Drawing my blade with an angry, awkward jerking motion, I stalked towards the beast.

"Hold up for a moment." Suddenly a hand on my arm stopped my forward momentum. "Silica, deal with it please."

"Yes!" Agreeing loudly, she drew a dagger, a pathetic looking thing, and went off to kill it.

My body started shivering with anger. I didn't even want to begin unravelling why. It was just one thing after another that brought me within seconds of screaming.

"Talk to me, please."

"Huh?" Turning towards my brother, I'm shocked by the pleading in his eyes and voice.

"Clearly you're very upset, what happened?"

Bowing my head, I can't meet his eyes. So familiar and yet so different. I can't do it. I can't resolve this man in front of me with the brother I knew. Every day for the past two months I'd imagined myself as his guardian angel. A protector that appeared in his hour of need. A hero.

The duel had destroyed my final delusions. The overwhelming speed and strength. Now the image of my helpless brother I'd sworn to protect was shattering before my eyes. In its place was this powerful leader. Around him was a strange… Aura, yes that's the word. It's what Silica was so entranced by, hanging off his every word.

"I'm just… overwhelmed." Yes, that's the word for it all. Too much had happened too quickly. I needed time to adjust.

"I can see why that would be."

Simultaneously with the soft words, a warm hand played with my hair.

"Big brother…" Leaning forward, I place my forehead against his shoulder. For the the time in a long time, I keenly felt the big part.

"Hmm, do you want to do something really cool?"

I can tell he's trying to cheer me up. The attempt is sweet, and kind of awkward. Going along with it, I nod strongly.

"Sure."

"Alright, Let's just wait for Silica to finish up over there."

Following his gaze, I get to watch the final moments of the fight where the petite girl drives her knife forward with a vicious cry to impale a goblin in the chest. The fact that this scene no longer seems strange to me is a passing worry.

"I did it!"

"Good job, Silica," Kirito smiles. As she hops over to his side, Kirito gives her a good-natured rub on her head. I can practically hear the purring as Silica arches her back into the brief contact.

Once again, I feel the brief flash of anger, but it's not nearly as strong this time. For now, I have a connection with Kirito that's stabilizing me.

"Did you memorize the chant you were given?" Kirito asks.

Nodding, I understand where he's taking this. Magic. The word sends a thrill through me. Almost without fail, the magic in the games I played leading up to DOO was extremely powerful.

"Stick out your hand and concentrate," Kirito instructed. "After that, merely repeat the words in a natural cadence. However you think the spell should sound is correct, don't force the speed or tempo."

Nodding, a bit of fear manifests itself as the previous interviews I read start coming back to me.

Unfair magic system.

More likely to blow yourself up than the monsters.

Hand shaking, I don't begin the cast.

"There's no need to be scared," Kirito assures me. "As long as you stay focused on casting the spell, it will work."

"O-Okay…" Mustering my courage, Kirito's words help drive away that pit of terror within me. Taking another minute, I run through the chant one final time in my head.

Taking a deep breath, I extend my right hand and stabilize it with my left. Feet shoulder-width apart, I recite the words.

Instantly I notice the surge of power, rushing through my body. The torrent brings with it a strange giddy feeling. Moving onto the next line, the power only grows begging for release. Now for the third one… which was?

It was hard to think or even focus beyond the energy. I had to focus purely on the force within me to keep it contained. It drove away all thought and removed the possibility of other actions.

"It's alright," Kirito spoke soothingly. His words cutting through the magics hold on me. "Speak the words and the energy will follow."

I have no idea, what he means, but I trust him. Continuing the chant, I believe in the words of my brother.

"That's it!"

The praise causes my spirits to soar. Finding the motivation, I finish the chant. Line after line falls from my mouth, creating some strange chant. A song of death.

"Dance, Lord of the sky,

Wind Blade!"

Right before my disbelieving eyes, the swirling air seemed to coalesce into tangible objects. Still see-through, but the edges were tinged with a faint green light.

"Oh, a monster, goodie!" Talking like a child, Kirito's voice made my lift my eyes to the passage. Indeed, unbeknownst to me, a stray goblin now tentatively approached our group of three.

Not needing any guidance from me, the blades of air burst forward at the goblin. I could barely track their progress. My reactions built through years of training were all that allowed my eyes to catch the afterimages of the soft green blades shooting off into the distance.

"It didn't do anything!" Upset, I couldn't believe it. The goblin still stood in place, totally uninjured.

"Nah," Kirito rejected with a laugh, "watch."

The stationary creature slowly began listing to one side. After a couple of seconds, the process sped up dramatically as it collapsed to the floor. As it fell, its body separated into five pieces, forming a lifeless mound.

"Amazing! You're so strong Leafa!" Blushing, I duck my head before Silica's boundless enthusiasm. Her eternal innocence and joy a bright spot in this bleak world.

"Good job!" Kirito congratulated me, ruffling my hair again. "Do that a couple more times and it will be second nature."

Nodding strongly, I follow him to find more enemies to practice my magic on. All previous worries have been blown away like the goblin.

---

Argo:

"Go into the dungeon, he says. Get stronger he says. He should try fighting in this infernal place."

Grumping to myself, I continue my solo adventure through the eleventh floor. By myself I don't dare descend any lower, even at level two. My status simply isn't built for fighting enemies head on. They were based around stealth and collecting information.

"Gruh!" Roaring loudly, the Silverback's large fist passed over a foot above my head. Darting around the large creature, I stab my claws into the back of its knee and dart away again. After all, there are other monsters here.

Dodging around the imp pack, I use the Silverback against the creatures as its errant movements hinder the pack's coordination. As the creature crashes to the ground, it takes one of the imps with it. Using the brief pause, I rush the leader.

One swift strike and I'm past them already, another imp gone. With the pack's tactics and mentality shattered, I make easy work of the rest of them.

"Good job."

Flinching, I find the source of the voice. "Lulune."

Giving me that droll smile of hers, I sigh in defeat. It was a game that had risen up between us. As her apprentice, the goal was to surpass her in terms of stealth. As always, Lulune managed to sneak up me while I couldn't get close without her heightened senses picking up on my presence.

"Collect the stones and let's go," the Chienthrope informs me. "We're going to the eighteenth."

Whistling, my eyes widen in surprise with an underlying level of fear.

"It's time for you to learn the route and be able to do it solo," Luluune continues in explanation. "With your magic, it should be easy."

"Lead on then," I sigh. "Let's get this over with."

"Don't be that way," Lulune scolds me. "You should be happy Lord Hermes trusts you so much."

Growling to myself, I stay silent. I can only push my insubordinate words so far. Besides, I find that I don't really want to speak them. A month ago, it would have been easy to laugh at the concept of my god's trust. Now it truly felt the honor Lulune described it as.

Readjusting my pack, I follow Lulune at a light job towards the main route. There was no point in hiding our progress at this point.

"Did something happen?" I ask. Descending the stairs, we enter the deep fog of the twelfth floor. The final obstacle of the upper floors. Compared to where we are headed though, this floor is sunshine and rainbows.

"Yeah," Lulune confirms. "Rumours on the eighteenth of a rare drop. We're to determine if they're true, and if so determine if it's worth buying."

"Buying?" The concept seems very far from the ideals of Hermes whom tries to stay neutral at all times.

"And reselling obviously," Lulune adds on with a smirk.

"Of course," I sigh. Just business as usual for Hermes familia. Make as much money as possible all the while staying inconspicuous. It was the same reason why Hermes had 'forgotten' to notify the guild about my level up.

"Once we get down to the thirteenth, we'll enter an alcove off the right and go dark."

"Gotcha." Even with no one in hearing range, Lulune took no chances. The familia jealously guarded their ability to go invisible. As one of my natural skills, it made me all the more important to them. No one outside a select few knew about my magic, certainly none outside the familia, except… Dismissing the thought, I doubt it will matter. He'd never tell anyone, would he?

Mind wavering, I put the question of whether I should inform Hermes of the fact later on hold. After all, the middle floors are a dangerous place, invisible or not.

"Calm down," Lulune berates me. "You'll be as safe as you can be."

Nodding, I don't trust my mouth. I'm unusually rattled. It's like a sixth sense, telling me that disaster is coming. It could be today, or next week, or even a year from now, but it's coming.

Berating myself internally, I clear my head of such of nonsense. It isn't a sixth sense, it's the logical deduction of what I know. What we learnt in that town, plus the updates Hermes tells me. Anyone would feel the same way.

"Hey Lulune, do you think… you know, is going to happen soon?"

"You know? Oh…"

It was at times like this that I remembered my mentor wasn't much older than me. Sure, she has far more experience as an adventurer, but she still got scared. Her eyes weren't ones of a leader, but a scared girl hoping someone would tell her what to do.

"Don't worry about it."

As soon as she displayed the vulnerabilities, they disappeared again. Behind a thick wall of scars and pain. The substitute she used for experience and confidence.

"We're a strong familia with no enemies. We'll make it out of this in one piece."

"Alright…" It was the only word I had. Catching vision of some monsters in the corner of my eye, I shiver involuntarily. Not out of fear, but pity. We call them mindless beasts, the greatest threat to the races. Yet the greatest opponent is and always has been, us. Greed turned us against each other, fueled by the desires of the gods.

I can only pray that the righteous will triumph in the coming months.

---

Hestia familia home:

"Welcome back!" Greeting with a happy smile and arms spread wide in welcome, Hestia hid her previous mood. As the clock ticked past six in the evening, Hestia had paced a track in the floor. Her two new children, on their first day in the dungeon. Why were they gone this long?

That worry vanished as the three of them trudged down the stairs towards them. Her eyes picked up an irregularity, however.

"Are you alright, Leafa?" The girl was leaning heavily on Kirito, with a supporting arm from Silica thrown in.

"I'm fine," the girl grumbled back.

Her voice betrayed how tired she was. It was thick with exhaustion. As Hestia examined her further, she was relieved to see that her body appeared to be fine at least.

"It was my fault," Kirito admitted in a guilty voice. "We ran out of mind potions and didn't pay close enough attention to how tired she was."

"Kirito!" Hestia berates him lightly. "That's part of your responsibilities as familia captain."

As Kirito ducked his head in shame, a small smile twisted Hestia's lips. He really was so cute.

"Leafa was awesome!" Silica told Hestia jubilantly. "She stuck out her hands and spoke and then whoosh!"

Animating the whole thing, another couple of years fell off of Silica's mannerisms. Bouncing around the room, Silica jumped on the bed and began copying Leafa's spell cast, chant and all.

"Stop it!" Leafa cried in embarrassment. Shaking off her exhaustion, she ran over to physically halt the performance. "Oof!"

Running out of energy, Leafa's legs stopped moving properly, causing the young kendoka to crash into Silica's legs.

"Ahh!" Crying out in surprise, Silica fell forward onto Leafa. Laying there in a pile, the two young girls' situation elicited peals of laughter from Hestia and Kirito.

"It's great the two of you are getting along so well!" Hestia remarks.

"It really is," Kirito agrees instantly. "May I talk to you goddess?"

At her child's words, Hestia's smile disappeared and was replaced by a frown. The serious nature of the question was unlike Kirito. As Hestia nervously nodded, Kirito led her back up the stairs.

This only further served to discomfort the goddess. Now that the familia had other members, would Kirito ask to leave the familia? He wouldn't, would he? Did he know about the Banquet of the Gods invitation?

Trepidation building, all Hestia could do was follow demurely along after her first child. Leading her along, Kirito walked to the middle of the destroyed floor. There he stopped and examined the destroyed interior. The late evening sunlight struck the main statue at an enchanting angle. Let in from the massive hole in one wall.

"So?" Unable to bear the silence any longer, Hestia pressed Kirito for an explanation of his mysteriousness.

"I… I want your advice." Kirito admits shyly.

"Advice?" Blindsided by the question, Hestia had no idea what Kirito was talking about. That tone of asking though… and the desire for privacy… "Is it a girl?"

Taking an involuntary step back, Kirito felt like he could see fire surrounding the goddess, even as her words were spoken in such a chilling tone.

"N-no!" Kirito rebukes her, wildly shaking his head. Putting his hands up like a barrier from the short goddess, Kirito shook them as well, just for good measure.

"Then?" Hestia pressed.

"I'm wondering if I should leave Silica and Leafa to learn the dungeon on their own." Kirito explained. "We don't exactly have a lot of money. The more time I squander on the top floors, the worse it gets. We barely made 3,000 valis today. I can make easily ten times that solo."

Scratching her head, Hestia was at a loss. This was far more Kirito's area of expertise than hers. How was she supposed to know what he was supposed to do? If he'd asked for the best way to read for hours on end, then Hestia could help him. Or how long a potato snack needs to be heated in the oven for. But this?

"I guess I could start up the middle floors again," Kirito muttered contemplatively, "Ask Philia and Rain to help. Then when Leafa and Silica are a little stronger we can party up again."

Sighing, Hestia walked forward and placed her hand on Kirito's shoulder. "Listen to your heart Kirito. You already know what you need to do. Now come on, it's time to celebrate."

Not waiting for Kirito, Hestia left him there to contemplate her words and descended the stairs to join the rest of the familia.

Standing in the midst of the rubble, Kirito eyed his surroundings as he chewed on Hestia's words. This dusty floor, the cramped basement… His familia deserved more. Whether it was excuse or motivation, Kirito knew what he needed to do. To get stronger, to aid his familia, he had to keep moving forward.

Mind made up; Kirito descended the stairs to inform his familia.

"Eh?"

The scene he was greeted with was beyond his wildest imaginations. There on the bed, trapped on both sides, lay Hestia, a peaceful expression on her face. On either side of her were Leafa and Silica, the pair was clearly fast asleep. The long day in the dungeon had worn them out.

"I'm sorry Kirito."

Hestia's words surprised him. Tilting his head in question, Kirito waited for the explanation.

"I was so focused on you, and how great you are, that I selfishly never tried to expand our familia. Even after I agreed to accept these two, I tried to drive them off."

"It's alright goddess." Walking to the side of the bed, Kirito, one by one, rustled their hair. "Have a good sleep goddess." Leaning down, Kirito planted a tender kiss on her forehead. One of devotion.

Heart hammering in her chest, Hestia allowed her eyes to close. It was a challenge to keep the giddy smile off her face. Once her sight was gone however, the warmth pressing in against her, made her aware of her on exhaustion. The stress of the day had drained her. Allowing herself to get lulled to sleep, the trio of women fell asleep on the bed.

For a long time, Kirito merely watched them. The Goddess, the sister, and the young girl. Kirito could easily imagine a world where it was only the three of them that composed the familia. An unlikely trio struggling to make it in an unforgiving city.

The thoughts made Kirito feel unnecessary. A spectator to his own familia. A supporting character whom could be easily replaced.

Telling himself that wasn't true, Kirito focused on the happy feelings the scene induced. Staring a little longer, Kirito got up to make supper. Throwing a couple simple ingredients together, the result was plain, but edible. Taking some for himself, he left the rest for when they woke up. No doubt all three would be starving in the morning.

Lying down on the cold couch, Kirito shivered, despite his status protecting him from such paltry effects. As he closed his eyes, a fierce wave of longing hit him. A desire to have someone to lay down with as well. Knowing the silly thoughts would fade, Kirito sought the sleep his body needed to be able to fully function.

---

Asuna:

"You haven't told me everything, have you?" I ask Loki accusatorily. After delivering invitations to familia homes all morning, Loki had grabbed another and made me walk with her to the North Jyaga Mara Kun stand. The potato snack had been undeniably delicious, as well as getting the delivery to Hestia familia done, but…

Shrugging, Loki continued to sit on the desk, legs swinging back and forth like a child. "I'm just following up on a hunch."

"Expensive hunch," I retort automatically. Loki had rented out one of the guild's halls to hold a banquet of the gods. While having her familia serve as waiters would cut down some costs, it was still a multimillion vali investment.

"Don't worry about it," Loki told me off with a wave of her hand. "Just trying to figure a few things out."

Sighing I rub my temple with my thumb. I'm not sure where the tic came from, but when I do it, a sad smile overcomes Loki's face.

"As you wish…" Following my words, silence consumes the room. Usually I'd just leave, but I'm hesitant to right now. Something holds me back. Maybe it's the expression on Loki's face. It's rare to see her so contemplative. Not once today has she tried to grope me.

"Still hanging around?" Loki notes.

The words are a clear dismissal, but my feet still don't budge.

"Don't you want to update my status?" I ask instead. Usually Loki's eye light up at the prospect of doing a status update. I like to pretend that it's because she gets to see the progress I've made.

"You've only been to the dungeon once since then," Loki denies. "Maybe if you go tomorrow, I'll do it."

Frowning, I decide to forsake the subtle approach, "what's wrong?"

"Wrong?" Loki murmurs, "Oh, nothing is explicitly wrong." Opening her mouth again, Loki cuts herself off with a sigh. "Don't worry about it, I'll get over it soon."

I can barely comprehend what I've just seen. For Loki to act this way in front of me, something must be seriously wrong. I should do what she told me to do, leave. Yet as I go to so, I remember all the times she was there for me. When she made me come eat. Her teasing jokes to cheer me up. All of her gifts to keep me alive.

It took me a long time to see it. The caring mother beneath the trickster's veneer. I can't abandon this person during their time of need.

Mind made up I take swift strides towards her. As I approach, her head snaps towards me and her eyes narrow in suspicion. Reaching her, I grab her left hand in both of mine.

"Please goddess, no, Loki. Tell me what I can do to help."

"Can you rewind time?" Loki asks harshly. "Can you save the children I lost?"

Eyes widening in horror, my hands shake from my presumptive actions.

"And if you can't do that, can you make their sacrifice worth it?"

"I-I don't understand…"

"I know you don't…" There was no anger left in Loki's voice. Removing her hand from mine, she gestured to the door. "Tell Goran and them that I need to talk to them."

"Yes…" Bowing deeply to my waist I obeyed my goddess' command. The taste of defeat was strong in my mouth. Just when I moved up to the next level and left like I'm getting stronger, this happens. Loki doesn't trust me enough to confide in me. No, it isn't that she doesn't trust me. I'm not strong enough to matter.

"I will help you Loki." Whispering my determination back at the closed door, I walk, back straight to the leaders' study.

---

Leafa:

"Hmm, I don't remember my pillow being this soft…" Murmuring softly, I push my head further into the feather softness. Without opening my eyes, I frown. I'm pretty sure I didn't even have a pillow last night.

That doesn't make sense though. I should by in my room right now. It will be time to get up and make breakfast soon. Mother will be sleeping. Also, I need to practice kendo before school and…

Opening my eyes, I gather the motivation to sit up. Placing my hands on the bed… "What is this?"

Below my pillow, my hand encounters a large soft protrusion. Giving it a couple squeezes my confusion only increases. The marshmellow-like texture is divine. The incredible softness is entrancing.

"W-what are you doing?"

A voice from above my head startles me. Flinching backwards, I topple over the edge of the bed. "Oof!" Landing roughly on my backside, the jolt of pain fully awakens me.

Looking back at where I fell, Hestia sits on the bed, arms folded across her chest. Her face was a flaming red as she glared at me.

"I-I don't know what kind of goddess you take me for!" Hestia shouted. "But if you want some floozy to molest, try Loki!"

"I didn't…" Holding my hand in the air, it made a couple more squeezing motions as comprehension set in. The vast lumps on Hestia's chest drew my gaze. "I…"

"Did something happen?"

"Morning…"

Whether it was due to me crashing to the ground, or Hestia's outburst, Kirito and Silica were both waking up.

"Is something wrong goddess?" Waking up with clarity, my brother's eyes immediately found an anomaly. Who was this and what did they do with my brother? He wouldn't have noticed if a bomb went off back in our world.

"Your sister sexually assaulted me," Hestia whined. Already, the outrage was disappearing from her face leaving only annoyance. It seemed like I wouldn't be receiving any punishment at least. "I mean, I wouldn't mind if it was you, but your sister after only two days? It must be a cruel fate!"

What did she say?

Shooting up on my feet, I do the last thing I should in my situation. "My brother won't be touching anyone except me!"

"Sugu?" Shocked, Kirito let out my old name.

"Wait, that's not…"

Face going a deep red, I wish a god would strike me where I stand. The three of them just stare at me in silence. Kirito's face is slowly going more and more red while Hestia's appears to be draining of colour.

Tilting her head, Silica ponders my words. "Is that allowed because you aren't really siblings?" Using the information I'd told her yesterday, Silica drops a bombshell on the conversation.

"HUH!?" Kirito and Hestia exclaim in twin surprise.

"You know?" Kirito asks me aghast.

"Not a real sister," Hestia moans, dropping to the bed in despair.

"Mom told me…" I explain for Kirito. Staring at the floor is the best I can do right now. The series of events this morning was piling one disaster after another.

"I'm, uh, sorry…" Walking forward, Kirito awkwardly held his arms out to his sides. Looking like a scene out of a bad romcom, he shakily wraps his arms around me and pats me on the back.

As I bury my head into his shoulder, the embrace becomes far more natural.

"W-wait," Silica cries. "Is this a familia tradition? Does Kirito give us all hugs in the morning?"

At the words, Kirito quite literally jumped backwards. "Ah, uh, no… It was just a special… Never mind."

With Kirito's words, I finally muster the courage to examine the room. A lot of awkward interactions have been swept under the rug due to further revelations.

Coughing, Hestia stands up on the bed. "The events of this morning have made a couple things plain to me."

Why is she glaring at me?

"From now on, contact between men and woman is forbidden. As a Goddess, I am obviously exempt from this rule."

"Eh?" Protesting silently, both Silica and I gaze at Hestia in confusion.

"Umm Hestia," Kirito begins awkwardly, "I know you're upset about Leafa touching you this morning, but this ban doesn't solve that. Also, it may interfere with dungeon travel."

The sound of my hand hitting my head, echoes through the room. How can he be so smart and yet so dense? Nonetheless, a pulse of happiness rushes through me. He's still my brother.

Despite how much he's changed, he's still that same boy who saved me from drowning. The one whom looked down upon me with fear in his eyes. After that I swore, I'd repay the favor. That when he needed saving, I'd be there for him.

"Y-yes!" Hestia stuttered, grabbing unto Kirito's first point. "Your sister is a groping menace! She needs to learn to keep her hands to herself!"

"If I promise not to do it again, will you not create random rules?"

"That's not a very repentant tone missy!" Hestia roared in response.

Hiding my small smile, I enjoyed the familia's shenanigans. I did feel bad for Hestia. My actions this morning were unacceptable, even in my drowsy state.

"My apologies goddess. My behaviour this morning was out of line. I beg for your forgiveness."

Bowing deeply at the waist, I try to convey my heartfelt repentance. If anyone except Kirito had done that to me… Wait, why was he an exception? I'm glad my face is pointing to the floor as it flushed red again.

"Ah, um, stand up please…" Hestia replied uncertainly. "W-we have more important things to talk about!"

"Like what?" Silica asked interested.

Sighing, I'm glad everything seems settled, at least for now. Glancing at Kirito brings another wave of heat to my face. We'd need to talk at some point, but that could wait.

"I'm glad you asked Silica!" Hestia continues, gaining some momentum. "As much as it hurts to say, we don't have a lot of money. Therefore, I'm afraid that Kirito will be unable to accompany you in the dungeon as he will have to go far lower in order to get more money."

"Eh? Why can't we go with him as supporters?" Silica's excellent question halts Hestia's monologue.

"No reason," Kirito picks up for Hestia. "I just thought that the two of you wanted the chance to get stronger as adventurers. If you come with me, you will be unable to fight the monsters and therefore grow extremely slowly."

"It would be fun to be super strong," Silica admits, obviously torn between not getting to be with Kirito and getting stronger.

Pursing my lips, I stay silent through the exchange. I would like to go with Kirito, but after realizing his power yesterday…

"Moving on," Hestia coughed. "I would like to say again, how thankful I am to you for joining my familia. It feels great to get more members and grow our familia!"

Pausing, Hestia looked at each one of us with a big smile. As she looked at me, I could feel the truth in her eyes. Despite her obsession with my brother, she's a good goddess. Its rare to feel such unconditional kindness from someone you barely know.

Smiling back at her, I'm sure of one thing. My brother chose his familia well.

"Which brings me to my final point!" Hestia declared. "It's a little cramped in here. We need to make a decision on what to do with our home."

The declaration sours the mood somewhat, but it's a valid point. We've hit capacity. Potentially exceeded it somewhat. It was only the exhaustion of yesterday that made it possible for the three of us to sleep together in the single bed.

Coughing, Kirito drew attention to himself. "I see two possible options. The first is to try and repair the first floor. This has the problem in that, we don't technically own this church, it's city property."

"So?" Silica asked, growing bored with the long-winded explanation.

"Theoretically," Kirito sighed, "If someone reports us to Ganesha familia, we'll get kicked out of the church."

"Oh," Silica blinks, frowning as the importance of the decision weighs on her.

I'm no different though. The other option most likely to leave the upstairs the same and work on finding a larger home.

A few seconds later Kirito elaborated on my thoughts. Neither option was ideal. Both had pros and cons.

"My thought is that we try and live down here for now. If that becomes untenable, then we'll make a day out of renovating the first floor. I know quite a few people who will probably be willing to help."

"I agree," Hestia nods. "I'd really rather not have to go to Hephaestus for help again…"

"The blacksmith god?" I ask, unaware of the history between them.

"Goddess," Kirito corrects me with a smile.

"I-I see…" As a fan of mythology, I really didn't. Also, what was that Hestia had said about Loki earlier?

"Seems settled then," Silica shrugs, getting up out of bed. "Into the dungeon then?"

"Close," Kirito smiles. "Eat some breakfast and I'll tell you about Miach familia."

---

Argo:

"Should we help?" My disembodied voice floats faintly through the air. It carries a sick tone as I watch the scene unfold. It's one that's repeated almost every day, in various parts of the dungeon.

A group of adventurers, beset by monsters finds themselves pushed to their limits, and then beyond them. That's when the sacrifices come. It changes for each party. Either the noble warrior or the supporter that tends to be thrown to the wolves first. It's when the monsters catch up again that true panic sets in for the rest of the party.

As the scene plays out before my eyes, a pair on Minotaurs on the seventeenth floor push the party into a dead end.

"No, we shouldn't." Lulune's voice answers back.

With both of us invisible we have a first-class ticket to the slaughter. No one would know if we didn't help; except us. I don't know if I can live with the guilt of not helping. Opening my mouth, I decide to tell Lulune my decision, consequences be damned.

"But we will anyway. I'm not one to leave innocents to monsters. Especially not sadistic ones like Minotaurs."

Happy to have such an understanding teacher, I rush towards the twin creatures. There's no time to make a plan.

"Yah!" Yelling from effort, I turn off my magic just as my claws are about to crash into the back of the beast's knees. Due to its downside, I can't risk trying to kill the monsters in it. I learned that from my previous mistakes adventuring with Kirito.

The claws impact and sink in, perhaps an inch. The thick skin of the beast is more than a match for my claws.

"Shit," swearing loudly, I throw myself backwards just in time. Turning around, its club passes only a few inches from the tip of my nose.

As it takes a step towards me, it limps. Sighing with relief, I'm glad that I hit something important in its knee, even if it isn't the debilitating strike I wanted.

The problem is that the beleaguered party still has one of the beasts closing in on it. Cocking back its club, its eyes shine with a bestial gleam as it bellows at the adventurers. Arm descending, I'm helpless to prevent the sure slaughter.

"So noisy…" Lulune's bored voice rings out from midair.

"Kraa!?" Bellowing in surprise, the minotaurs arm completes its powerful arc and sends blood everywhere. All of it coming from the beast itself. Its hand completely separated; a stump is all that remains of the once powerful appendage.

Level three.

Smiling nastily at the one in front of me, the creature has entered a state of fear. Turning in circles it tried to find not whom injured its companion, but an escape.

Ignoring its injured leg, the creature rears back its arm and throws its nature weapon at me.

"Huh?" Surprised by the strange technique, I barely get out of the way. Rolling twice I come swiftly to my feet.

Down on all fours, the minotaur is charging to get away.

"Don't let it leave!" Lulune barks an order at me, but I'm already after it.

Putting my level two agility to the test, I tear down the passageway. In front of me, the charging beast makes a cacophony of noise. The loud sounds of rocks breaking, and huffing was sure to draw a lot of attention.

"Tsk," Exclaiming in anger, the beast is beginning to pull away from me. On four legs, its animal gait had a superior max speed, especially across the difficult terrain.

Cursing the creature, I draw a knife from my belt. Cueing up the near impossible throw, I let it go in one clean motion. The bloody splotch of skin that my claws left mark a target.

Whipping forward, the knife tumbles end over end. Praying that it will work, the blade lands true. Sinking into the vulnerable area, the minotaur crashes to the ground.

Slowing down, I warily examine the creature as it tries to rise. Attempting to put weight on its injured leg it collapses back to the ground with a roar of pain.

Rushing forward, I take advantage of its error. Jumping on top of it, I stab both of my claws down on its neck. Driven with level two strength plus gravity, even the thick skin of the minotaur isn't up to the task.

Sinking over three inches in, the beast let's out one final cry as it dies.

Sighing, I push myself into motion. Drawing my supporter knife, I begin the laborious process of extracting its stone. After sawing open a hole, I quickly grab the large core and begin retracing my steps.

"I know who you all are, so you will stay silent about this, yes?"

"O-of course!"

"Good. Now go back to the surface."

"Yes!"

Returning just in time for the end of the conversation, the group of adventurers we saved begin running for the stairs back to the sixteenth floor.

"You killed it? Good. Let's keep going."

"Yes." Sharing a brief smile with Lulune, it felt good to be able to help them. She would never admit to it, but Lulune enjoyed it as well.

"Onwards to Rivera."

"Yep!" Excited, we take the rest of the seventeenth quickly. My first visit to the eighteenth and the resort that lies there.

---

The Blue Pharmacy:

"Oh, you picked up more girls, Kirito? When will you learn?"

Nazha's teasing voice makes the black-haired boy wince. "Its not like that Nazha…"

"What is she talking about brother?"

"Do you have a girlfriend Kirito?"

"It's nothing!" Kirito replied instantly, shutting down his familia members questions.

"Oh, Kirito." Emerging from the back, Rain blinked slowly at the boy. "We didn't see you at the recruitment."

"Yeah, we kind of got sidetracked…"

Following his eyes, Rain finally noticed Leafa and Silica. "Are they your new familia members?"

"Yes," Kirito nodded. "We came for potions, also, I was wondering if you and Philia wanted to party up again."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Rain answered hesitantly.

"It's ideal," Nazha grumbled. "We need Philia and you to make more money."

Wincing, Rain didn't rebuke Nazha's words. "Philia's out back training the new recruits, I'll bring them in for you."

With that Rain turned heel and left for the back garden.

"New recruits?" Kirito asks Nazha.

Nodding, a complicated expression came over her face. "Yeah, they're uh, interesting. A boy and a girl. I'll let them introduce themselves."

Surprised, and a bit apprehensive of Nazha's description, Kirito began picking out the potions he needed while Leafa and Silica stared at the shelves wide-eyed.

"Kirito!" Darting in ahead of the group, Philia runs up to him with a big smile on your face. The happy visage of his friend is enough to bring an answering one from Kirito.

"It feels like its been forever, how are you?"

"We wanted to tell you at the recruitment…" Philia begins.

"We leveled up!" Rain finishes, coming in through the back door behind her.

"That's fantastic," Kirito replies with genuine congratulations. The warm words coming easily from his mouth.

"Anyhoo, we should do introductions," Rain continues. "This is Yuna and Nautilus. Yuna and Nautilus, Kirito."

"Nice to meet you," Kirito introduces himself with a small bow. "This is Silica, and Leafa." Kirito introduces them one at a time.

"Good to meet you…"

"You too…"

The greeting had the traditional awkwardness of most first meetings. If they had managed to get into Miach familia then Kirito assumed that they were good people. The boy, Nautilus, seemed to be a werewolf type animal person. Not a very popular choice. Their natural speed and senses were typically inferior to other choices, like cat people. It was the girl, Yuna, that drew Kirito's eye. She was a pure elf, like Asuna.

Moving past that knot in stomach that still hadn't faded from her absence, it was Yuna's pure white hair that truly made her unique. Kirito assumed it had to have been dyed that way. The vibrant colour was too perfect to exist in their old world.

"So, you have something to talk to us about?" Philia asked. There was no reason to be quiet or go somewhere else to discuss their plans. Despite the increased traffic the store had been better, they were the only people there right now.

"Yes," Kirito replied, glad to be getting to the main subject for the day. "I want to resume activities as a three-person cell conquering the middle floors. If they so desire our new members can work together in the top floors."

"Alone?" Philia frowned. "That's a little cruel, no?" Philia distinctively remembered the struggle and multiple close calls while struggling to establish themselves as adventurers.

Shrugging, Kirito wasn't nearly as concerned. "Leafa has enough raw talent to keep them safe on the top three floors."

"I'm strong too!" Nautilus declared, stepping forward to make himself known. "You know that Philia!"

"Are you strong enough to protect Yuna?" Philia asked back. If Kirito hadn't been looking, he'd have missed the faint sparkle of joy in her eyes. Rain also covered her mouth at the back to prevent a giggle. Kirito wondered if he was missing information about the relationship between the two of them.

"I… I will be…" The boy answered in a weak voice. Clearly there was some resolve in him but weathered by a lack of confidence.

"So?" Kirito asks Philia and Rain, pushing for a final decision.

"We'll go with you today," Rain confirms after exchanging a look with Philia. "What are you two going to do then?"

"You can stay here and learn how to make potions!" Nazha proffers as an option.

"I'd like to go the dungeon," Yuna declares. "It will be fun to try out my magic."

Raising an eyebrow at the more advanced adventurers, none of them met Kirito's eye. Deciding he'd do them a favor; Kirito didn't press for details.

"So, it's the four of us then?" Leafa asks, a note of excitement and fear in her voice.

"So, it seems," Kirito answers with a smile, trying to assure her.

"Then let's get to it," she agrees with a strong nod.

Nodding back, Kirito keeps the swell of pride to himself. He'd always known how strong his little sister was. Her determination knew no bounds. But for her to agree to lead three others into the dungeon with death on the line required a confidence Kirito had taken a long time to build.

---

Hestia familia home:

"Is something wrong Goddess?"

Kirito's words barely registered for Hestia as she continued to pace. It was a habit that she had started to pick up more and more nowadays. It had been a few days since Hestia had even opened a book. The thought would have been blasphemous to the goddess a while ago. Now though, her head was filled with things she could do to protect and aid her children.

Hestia would never tell Kirito, but recently she'd even been trying to figure out accounting. As the member with the most free time, Hestia was the logical person to do it. To balance savings versus spending's and figure out the best way forward.

None of this was on Hestia's mind today though. It was Denatus day. That meant a title. All the gods came together and distributed divine titles upon every child that had levelled up. These titles could define a child's future. It should be a happy day, a day when the benevolent gods judge the child's accomplishments and give them a suitable second name. However…

"Oh, right, the denatus," Kirito remembered, not that he'd ever forgotten. As the days crept by, the thought of a divine title had made his eyes sparkle.

That was why Hestia felt so sick to her stomach right now. The gods loved entertainment. As a result, they gave out these grandiose titles that made the child's god weep in agony, however, the child themselves typically like them.

"Well, we're off to the dungeon again Goddess. Later!"

Hoping today wouldn't be a disaster, Hestia waved goodbye to her three children. They were all making quick strides in their growth. Leafa's in particular was impressive. She was on pace for a four-week level up at the pace she was going. It was unlikely to stay there, but it was a fantastic start to her career as an adventurer.

Silica, on the other hand, was growing far slower. Leafa says that it's her fault. She always panics when it looks like Silica's in a bit of trouble and jumps in. Earnest Silica, however, only bows her head and apologizes for not being stronger.

Despite still feeling a bit uneasy about the two of them, Hestia's happy with how they've fit into the familia. She was worried expanding it would feel weird, but they'd managed to fit in seamlessly. Now it was actually the rare moments when Kirito and her were alone at home that it felt strange.

Staring forlornly at the entrance, Hestia lets out a big sigh and falls onto the bed, limbs splayed in all directions. Rather than her usual attire, the children had surprised her with a pale blue dress yesterday. They had clearly had it custom ordered as it fit her unusual dimensions perfectly. While it was more intended for the banquet tonight, Hestia had figured it would be a good idea to appear as presentable as possible for the Denatus as well.

Eyes glazing over, Hestia's head was filled with horrible images of awful names that the gods could bestow upon her favorite child. Before she knew it, the 10 am bell tolled on the magic stone wall clock. Groaning, Hestia forced herself into a sitting position.

Walking to Babel would only take approximately twenty minutes. However, Hestia had a pit stop to make on the way there. Getting off the bed, she began psyching herself up for her visit with Hephaestus.

---

Third floor of the Dungeon:

"Watch out for the Kobold!"

Groaning, Nautilus grit in teeth in anger. Every day was a fresh hell of getting ordered around by an overprotective middle schooler. What was worse, is that Yuna had begun looking up this girl and asking for advice from her. That was what truly grated on Nautilus' nerves the most.

He was supposed to be Yuna's hero, the one whom had spent the first two months practicing with the broken sword he'd found. With the second summoning coming, he had told Yuna that he'd personally save her from this nightmare by joining a familia and clearing the dungeon.

The first problem with this plan was when she'd declared that she'd join as well and adventure alongside him. That was never supposed to happen. Yuna was the damsel in distress Nautilus was trying to woo by saving her.

The next problem, and the biggest hit to ego was with the black-haired swordswoman. The Leafa girl wielded her blade with a familiarity that surpassed his. It got even worse when she tried to correct his form or recommend things. If he wanted to win back Yuna's adoration, he'd have to surpass her first.

This was proving far more challenging than he'd thought it would be. With an athletic background, Nautlus assumed that once he'd pick up the art of being an adventurer quickly and easily become better than this girl, establishing himself as leader of the group of four. Once he caught up to the senior adventurers, Rain and Philia, he'd show himself better than them as well and begin to lead the entire familia.

With only brief conversations with Nazha, Nautilus had already discounted her from his mind. In this plan, everything was going wrong at step one. Lifting the heavy shield, Nautilus successfully turns away the claws of the kobold. Doing so, however, pushes him back and makes it so he is unable to respond.

Lunging back towards the creature, Nautilus executes an awkward stab with his longsword. He'd been warned to start with a shorter blade. All of his practice had been done with a blade of this length. That flimsy thing had been half the weight, however. Also, Nautilus knew that Leafa's brother used a longsword in one-hand. It further incensed him to think that he was probably even stronger than Leafa.

As his muscles gave out, the tip of the blade faltered right and left a gash in the kobold not even an inch deep.

"Careful Naut!" Yuna's cheerful voice chastised him for his careless actions. Before the Kobold can attack his unprotected body, an arrow shaft emerges from its chest, sending it to the ground.

As one final whimper leaks from its mouth, it shatters into ash, the stone in its chest shattered. Watching this spectacle, Nautilus calmly stands up, the roiling sea of emotions inside at complete ends with his calm face.

Calmly, Yuna replaces the strung longbow on her back. "Wow! Nazha's lessons are really coming in handy!"

"Yeah! You were great Yuna!" Silica replied energetically. The young girl was the balm that kept the group together. Her exuberant cheerfulness and willingness to play supporter for them eased the burden on the other three.

"Indeed," Leafa added on with a small smile. "Combining that with your magic will make you a force to be reckoned with."

"Y-you're too kind," Yuna blushed. In an effort to raise the stat and obviously gain practice, Yuna had used her magic a couple times throughout their past week adventuring together.

"How does that work anyway?" Silica asked curiously. The question was far beyond acceptable for members of different familias. Nonetheless, Silica felt comfortable with these two older people from Miach familia. Originally, Silica had been shy in front of them. Now, she kind of thought of them as her fill-in parents, particularly Yuna. The kind elven girl always made sure that Silica ate enough, and that she properly stretched before heading home for the day. It was these small gestures that enraptured the small girl with Yuna.

"Well…" Yuna began.

A sharp glare from Nautilus cut her off from answering. "That's not your concern young lady. Focus on your knife work first."

"Fine," Silica pouts. Even as she gets rejected, Silica doesn't really mind. She's used to hearing no from older people.

"Oh, don't be so mean," Yuna laughs. "I can clarify a bit."

"I'm interested too, to be honest," Leafa admits.

"You see, I was always a bit of musician back in our world…"

"Yuna…" Nautilus warns again.

"Don't be so stingy!" Yuna laughs, unconcerned. "My magic allows me to sing a variety of songs. The song I choose has different effects."

"That's only one spell?" Leafa asked in plain astonishment. Her surprise came from the maximum number of spells one could learn. That number capped out at three. Some had less, but that was the established maximum.

"It is indeed," Yuna laughed lightly. "That's nothing though. I've heard that there's an adventurer known as Thousand Elf due to her ability to use a thousand spells."

"Sounds like a rumour…" Leafa replies, shooting down the tale.

"Wow!" Silica mouthed; eyes filled with wonder. "What familia is she in?"

"I don't know," Yuna shrugs, I'll ask Miach tonight."

"Wait, your god told you this?" Leafa asked confused.

"Yupp!" Yuna confirmed. "Miach told me about her when I asked if a spell like this had ever existed before."

Blinking, Leafa had to revaluate her previous assumptions. All of the posts about this game had claimed that magic was garbage. From her own experience, Leafa know knew that was an obvious overstatement. Based on Yuna's, and this mysterious girl, was magic actually insanely strong?

Leafa decided she'd consult Kirito about it later. As they walked along the hallway, looking for more opponents, that thought rang through her head. Talking to Kirito. She hadn't had a one-on-one conversation with her brother since coming here. From their first conversation to this morning, there was always someone else present.

This had been both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, Leafa wanted some way to get closer to him. To not just be captain and follower, but brother and sister, or even more. The final thought brings the heat back to Leafa's cheeks.

It was just so frustrating!

She couldn't begin to close the distance because there was never a chance. Gritting her teeth, Leafa began imagining scenarios in her head and left the fighting to her partymates.

---

Hephaestus' Store:

"Really?" Hestia asked curiously, holding open the door for the red-haired goddess.

"Yes," Hephaestus sighs, nodding in thanks to Hestia. Exiting the store, they head together for Babel where the Denatus will be held on foot. As the meeting took more time then either anticipated, they finished their conversation on the road. "He almost died in the dungeon the other day."

"Eh?" Hestia shrieked in surprise. "Why is he taking so many risks."

Shaking her head, Hephaestus stared off in the distance, her concern plain on her face. "He's desperate to hit level two," Hephaestus explained. "Once he gets Forge, his life will get easier, even with his last name."

"That's a shame…" Hestia murmured softly. "Why didn't you recommend him for Kirito instead of the other one?"

"Kirito?" Hephaestus murmured in confusion, "Oh, right, your child. No reason really, just a hunch."

"A hunch?"

"Yes," Hephaestus nodded. Turning her face towards Hestia she gave her a rare smile. "That the one's from the other world will work better together."

Mollified, Hestia accepted her friend's words. Thinking over there previous topics, Hestia had a lot to talk to her children about. The first of their topics had been about their house situation. Hephaestus had confirmed all of their misgivings. However, she had offered another solution. Many of the current familias had gigantic mansions spanning large areas. Many of these were built after buying and swallowing the surrounding buildings. Hephaestus proposed something similar. The price of buying the land wasn't enormous and would be a logical first step to familia growth.

The second topic had been far vaguer. Hestia had beseeched Hephaestus to tell her what the Goddess did in her familia. This was harder to answer as it changes for every deity. A large percentage of Hephaestus' day was approving transactions to and from the familia's coffers. Metals needed to be purchased, so did tools, as well as large amounts of food, and other day to day items.

Likewise, a large percentage of any sale on a Ήφαιστος marked item went into the familia account which also needed approval. According to Hephaestus, this was both annoying and wonderful. She wished she could use a forge more but was proud of how much work her familia did with every sheet she signed.

Hestia still wasn't sure how to process all of this information. Now she knew what her friend did to keep her familia running smoothly, but what was needed from her? What was her role in the familia?

"Oi, Phae-Phae!" The sound of the words instinctively grated on Hestia's ears. Turning around with a scowl, she knew the culprit before seeing her.

"Hello Loki," Hephaestus answered calmly.

"Oh, you're with the shrimp."

"Got a problem with that?" Hestia snarled back.

"Hmpf, only thing I got a problem with is how pathetic you are!"

"I always forget what good friends you two are," Hephaestus chimes in with a large smile.

"We are not!" Both of them retort without breaking contact. The pair were primed like live wires, ready to explode into another argument at a moment's notice.

"Hey it's itty-bitty!"

"The loli goddess?"

"When did she get an adventurer to level two?"

As they entered the area around Babel, the other deities swarming towards Babel had caught notice of the trio. As a newcomer, it was Hestia's misfortune to be subjected to their ministrations. A trial by fire.

After hearing their comments, Loki's face lit up into an evil grin. "Good luck on getting a good name for you child, Shortstuff!"

Giving Hestia a farewell wave with the back of her hand, Loki continued on in Babel.

"Don't worry about it…" Hephaestus tried to console her.

It didn't help however as fear was reflected in Hestia's eyes. They both knew it was one in a million that that would actually happen. The only ones whom could get reliably good names were Loki and Freya. Few others had a large enough following to convince the masses of the desired title.

"Hestia."

"Oh, Miach!" Hestia answered, happy to see a friendly face in a similar position to her.

"Am I the last one then?"

"Take!"

"You've built yourself quite a friend group," Hephaesuts comments.

Nodding strongly, the presence of the two gods helps settle her nerves. "Us bottom feeders got to stay together, you know?"

"Shall I leave then?" Hephaesuts asks lightly.

"Of course not!" Hestia declared. Pulling the goddess with flaming hair by the hand, Hestia leads the four of them into the Denatus meeting.

Inside Babel, in the fortieth floor, resided a circular room with tiered benches. Here the Gods and Goddess could gather to discuss serious matters that plagued the world. At least, that was its intention. The deities still gather there… But the solving of serious matters was another matter entirely. They shared important information, but little more than that.

The Denatus had devolved into a bimonthly meeting where bored deities assembled to laugh and joke. The children believed the bestowing of a title to be a momentous occasion. A solemn ceremony where the gods agonize over making the perfect name for each child.

"Settle down! You hear!" As the current presider, Loki yelled at the gods for silence.

"Of course!" A serious of voices rang out in reply. There were few deities whom could silence the room quite as effectively as Loki.

"Now then, I only got one thing to say before the naming ceremony. Irregularities in the dungeon have diminished after the slaying of the Goliath. When Amphisbaena fell, they shrunk even more."

"THANK YOU!" The gods cheered in reply.

"Grr, cocky woman," Hestia growled to herself. The smirk on Loki's face was directed right at her.

"Now, does anyone else have something to bring up?"

"Yeah," A god demanded standing up. "Why did the Jack Bird spawn this year? Will it still spawn next year for the festival?"

The question lit the room up in unhelpful discussion.

"Oh, I hope it does!"

"Ouranos is hiding something!"

"Maybe the dungeon forgot what year it is!"

Hestia and her other first-time compatriots stared around the room in horror. The constant, laid-back bickering accomplished nothing. With not all the voices being heard, and overlapping, it was impossible to track the different threads.

"Shut it!" Loki roared, bringing an end to the ruckus. "Send a memo to Ouranos, got it. Anything else?" Leaving barely a moment for anyone to say something, Loki moved on. "Good, then time for the naming ceremony!"

Licking their lips, the Deities began searching the room with a hungry gaze, waiting for a vulnerable deity to prey on.

"Let's see… Who's first!"

With that the slaughter began. Sitting nervously in her chair, Hestia fidgeted silently, waiting for a name she knew to get drawn. Waiting for Kirito. She wished she had an idea. Knew what kind of nickname would suit him best.

"Poor Philia…"

It wasn't until Miach spoke that Hestia realized the first of his two girls was up to receive their title.

"Aww, what a cute Prum!"

"What sort of things have you taught her Miach?"

As the comments grew more and more vulgar and demeaning in nature, the usually implacable god started to get heated. His neck was scarlet from the effort of keeping his rage contained.

As Hestia looked at Hephaestus with pleading eyes, she simply shook her head in nature. "This is their way," she whispered. "A right of passage."

"But doesn't he have Nazha already?" Hestia replied in confusion.

"More of a welcome back," Hephaestus shrugged. "Look how he isn't reacting; he was prepared for this."

Trying to stay calm, Hestia attempted to follow the other deities' examples.

"Favoured weapon, dagger. I thought you were packing more heat than that Miach!"

"Enough!" Hestia roared, unable to stand anymore of the rude comments. "You should all be ashamed about saying such nasty things about a sweet girl!"

"That's it! Sweety Swordsman!"

"Boo!"

"The Prum's Pride! She'll kill you with a knife or a kiss!"

"Wha… What just happened…" Standing in a daze, Hestia was completely forgotten as titles were thrown back and forth all around her.

Placing a hand over her mouth, Hephaestus struggled not to laugh.

"I appreciate the effort," Miach said sadly, "but I'm afraid you've merely diverted their wrath unto your own child."

The words were like a bucket of cold water on her head. Yet, try as she may, Hestia didn't regret her actions. Looking around the chamber, she knew exactly which deities she didn't want to turn into. Her days of lounging around Hephaestus' home reading a book now felt like days wasted.

"Then it's agreed?"

"Party Saver: The Knife Healer!"

"…I'm so sorry Miach."

The blue-haired deity could do little more than slump forward in defeat. The only upside to this was how fast the adventurers from the other world could level up. Not for next Denatus, but the one after it should be possible to secure her a better title. Praying for Philia to hang on until then, Miach braced himself for Rain's title.

"She doesn't even have healing magic…" Wondering how the gods could screw up so poorly, they waited for the next victim.

"Kirito…" At last it was time. Sitting there, back straight, Hestia stared down at the paper outlining her child. If there was anything that was going to catch the gods' attention it was…

"Six weeks?"

"I mean most of the other word adventurers are fast, but wasn't he the fastest?"

"Oh, yeah! I saw that posting at the guild!"

"How about something like… Speedrunner?"

With that the floor became a mess of suggestions. As conversation flowed, Hestia relaxed somewhat. There was a lot less malice than in previous appellations. Kirito's was somewhere in the middle of Philia's and Loki's level fours. A lot of the deities were interested enough in his growth that they didn't consider ridiculous names.

However, there were still enough of them that just wanted to see Hestia squirm. For that reason, there were still some painful names that Hestia tried to ignore as they were proffered up.

"The Black Fighter of utmost Darkness: Blackie!"

"Yes!" Some of the gods cheered!

Face twisting into a mask of horror, Hestia couldn't believe that… that thing, is what the deities grabbed onto. It was preposterous. The thought of telling Kirito about his title, and having his eyes light up in excitement was terrifying.

"I think it should be something more… gentler. Don't you?" Speaking for the very first time. All eyes went to the goddess of beauty, Freya.

"My deepest apologies!" Wailed the god whom had proffered the name.

"It's of no concern to me," Freya dismissed with a shrug. Standing up she left the room. It wasn't until the door closed behind her that the spell which enslaved the occupants dispersed.

"That vixen…" Hestia mumbled under her breath. She didn't like Freya at the best of times. While she'd saved Kirito from that horrendous title, the interference itself was strange.

"That was odd for Freya…" Hephaestus whispered conspiratorially.

"Agreed," Miach added with a frown. "She has no interest in people outside her familia."

"Besides those she recruits," TakeMikazuchi finishes.

Swallowing nervously, Hestia turned her attention to where a name was being settled upon.

"Is it in agreement then?"

"Yes!"

"Then the adventurer Kirito's title is Black Knight!"

"Huh?" Hestia sputtered in confusion.

"I think it's a reference…" Miach groaned.

"Ah…" Once she heard that, Hestia connected the dots. Apparently, the tale of him rescuing girls in the dungeon had spread. A so-called 'White Knight'. Add in his black attire and it was easy to see where the title had come from.

They'd certainly followed Freya's instructions, it was gentler. Unsure how she felt about it, Hestia waited through the rest of the Denatus in silence.

---

Kirito:

"I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

"Damn right you are Mister!" Lisbeth growled. All the while her hammer slammed repeatedly against the metal she was shaping. "If I wasn't in the middle of making something, it would be your head on this anvil!"

"Ahh, sorry about that…" Replying awkwardly, I scratch my head in dismay. The sad truth was that the appearance of my sister had completely driven thoughts of the blacksmith from my mind. Even as I used her weapon daily in the dungeon, I never thought about it.

"I mean sure, we didn't make plans for after our first day, but still!" Lisbeth began ranting as she put the finishing touches on her most recent creations. "The next day had been the recruitment, so that's fine. Day after, deal with familia issues, whatever. You know, maybe that even takes another day to get sorted. But to not contact me for what, four more days after that?"

"I'm sorry…"

"You know what the most frustrating part was!?" Liz demanded.

"Uh, no?"

"Is that I really couldn't blame you since I have no way of holding you accountable!"

"Huh?"

Growling, Lisbeth stared daggers at me. "I probably shouldn't say anything… but our contract didn't actually include a quota or timeframe."

"I see…" It hurt to think Lisbeth probably assumed I'd ditched her. Signed a contract with no stipulations and left. Then again, I haven't visited Eina this week either. Disgusted by my lack of time management, I turn to Lisbeth. "Lisbeth, I truly am sorry about my actions this week. I'll take any recuperations you deem to be necessary."

"Eh?" Squealing in surprise, Lisbeth backed off waving her hands in front of her. "What's with the serious talk? And enough of this Lisbeth talk, just call me Liz."

"Ah, right…" Flushing, I'm not sure where the previous speech came from. It just seemed right in the moment. Focusing on Lisbeth, there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. She may try to deny it, but she enjoyed the over-the-top apology.

"What are you up to tomorrow?"

"Sunday's my day off," I answer instinctively.

"Not anymore!" Liz declares in a singsong voice. "You're now going to the dungeon with me! I'll meet you here at nine in the morning."

"But…" No doubt Hestia already had plans. Also, I wanted to talk to Sugu, that is Leafa tomorrow. Show her and Silica more of the city…

"You wouldn't turn me down again, would you?"

"Urgh…" As Liz stared up at me with wide, pleading eyes, my defences crumbled. "Fine!"

"Hehe," Giggling, Liz gave me a wink and slightly stuck her tongue out.

While I still felt a little used, the cute gesture from the usually brusque blacksmith was extremely cute. Keeping a stoic expression, I supress the arrythmia that's struck my heart. Nodding, I don't trust myself to manage coherent words anymore.

"See you tomorrow!"

Raising a hand in parting, I keep my head forward as I exit the shop.

---

Banquet of the Gods:

"You know it wasn't personal, right Miach?"

"Yeah, I mean, it's a pretty great name!"

Staying quiet, Miach silently absorbed the superficial words of his fellow deities.

"These no-life's still apologizing to you?" Hestia asked through a mouthful of food.

"Yes," Miach confirmed with a conflicted expression. He wasn't sure which was worse. Enduring their meaningless words or having to witness Hestia's terrible manners.

The Banquet was typically a very formal event. Witnessing someone literally stuff their face with food was extraordinarily traumatizing.

"Seriously Hestia?" Hephaestus asked exasperatedly. As the goddess of the forge entered the conversation, the surrounding gods took a moment to soak in the sight. She'd replaced her usual practical attire with a flowing red dress. Its tight bodice highlighted her breasts which were on a size with Hestia's.

"Hephaestus!" Hestia shouted, crumbs of food shouting out of her mouth.

Nonetheless, Hestia's exuberant mannerisms bring a smile to the forge goddess' face.

"Yo, Phae-Phae, still hanging out with this loser?"

"Loki," Hephaestus greeted politely. "I find her agreeable nowadays."

"Eh?" Loki squealed. "You're cheating on me with Itty-Bitty?"

"You're just mad because yours are itty-bitty," Hestia muttered under her breath.

Catching a piece of the words, Loki turns towards her. "What you say about me!?"

"Hah," Hestia laughs, "Only that you're wearing a suit today to hide the cliff of despair that is your chest!"

"Well at least I have other talents besides having the most disproportioned body ever!"

"Oh yeah? Well at least I don't have to hit on women because no man would ever want me!"

"C-calm down you two!" Take plead.

"My, my, this party got lively before I got here."

"Freya!?"

With her arrival, the fight became a thing of the past. The spectating deities turned their attentions to this infinitely more important development. The silver dress she wore was in a word, divine. On of the few pieces of clothing that are capable of matching the goddess' beauty. Every step she took the partly transparent material shimmered. The enchanting gossamer fabric served to highlight Freya's perfect feminine curves. No one, not even the gods or goddesses could help but be enthralled with her.

"If it isn't the host Loki, thank you for putting this on."

"You are welcome," Loki accepted with a gracious nod of her head. "At least you have some manners unlike other people."

"Ah, and Hestia is here too…"

At Freya's words, Hestia remembered her interference at the Denatus. "I suppose I should thank you Freya…"

"Whatever for Hestia?" Freya asked with her typical innocent smile.

Narrowing her eyes, Hestia felt her anger rise. "See, this is why I don't like you."

"Did I do something?"

"Yes!" Hestia raged. "You helped my child and I want to know why."

"Perhaps I was just being nice." Freya laughed lightly. "I'd like to talk further but I'm afraid I made Hestia upset." With a dainty wave of her hand, Freya bid the group farewell and delved deeper into the banquet hall.

The giant structure was open to the elements. With archways and windows along the wall, the oppressive heat of most parties didn't set in. The banquet hall was owned by the guild and as such possessed the luxurious flair that one would expect. The marble dancefloor looked exquisite and possessed a full orchestral setup from which a band could play.

"It's quite a difference, isn't it?" Miach asked Hestia quietly.

"Yeah…" Hestia smiled. "I can't wait to take Kirito to something like this."

"You really care for your child, don't you?"

"Of course!" Hestia replied immediately. "He's my first child. The one who took the risk on me. I couldn't not care for him."

Miach accepted Hestia's words silently. After a pause, he continued. "I too owe him a lot. He took Rain and Philia under his wing and have turned them into respectable adventurers. Even before that he saved our familia with that quest."

"Hehe," Hestia chuckled quietly. "That's just who he is. A helper!"

Sharing a tender moment, the deities were unaware of the conversation being held on the other side.

"Did you really need such an elaborate plan for us to meet, Loki?"

Nestled in one of the alcoves, off the banquet hall stood three figures. Two of them, Loki and Freya never took their eyes off each other. The other was a god with orange hair. His traveling attire fit in poorly with the banquet garb of the other occupants. His eyes tracked nervously back and forth between the two contestants of the staring contest.

"Tell her what you found Hermes," Loki instructed.

Flinching, Hermes obeys the order. "There are rumours that Thanatos and Ikelos believe themselves powerful enough to seize control of Orario."

"Are they?" Freya asked calmly, not batting an eye.

"It's hard to say…" Hermes said slowly. A dangerous statement to say in front of the self declared rulers of Orario. Their rule had started barely more than year ago when Zeus and Hera had departed on the back of their pyrrhic victory.

"They will stop at nothing to sow chaos in the city," Loki insisted. "Even if they aren't strong enough to stop us, we need to unite to fight them."

"Oh? And what will you give me for my help?" Freya asked with her typical light smile.

"About that…" Hermes interrupts shyly. Taking a step back from the force of Loki's glare, Hermes persists. "Ouranos does know about this. It is likely a mission will be issued if things descend into chaos."

"The guild's dog you are…" Loki insults him. Regardless, it is only beneficial for her. The Great Reckoning had done a lot to level the discrepancies that had previously existed between familias. A great many of them had level three leaders. Only now were level fours starting to reappear.

Freya seemed to comprehend all of this in a second as she shrugs. "I promise nothing. But my children will do everything to protect my rule. If that happens to align with your aims…"

Grimacing, Loki gives one strong nod. "Fine. Enjoy the party."

Breaking up, the three deities part ways. Unbeknownst to the other partygoers, the fate of Orario changed yet again as deals were done in the shadows.