Epilogue:
There was a new kind of energy in the Dungeon City. With Freya Familia officially disbanded, the advent of a new Familia, the return of the old one, and the beginning of a new building project, the city felt alive in a way it hadn't in many years. Obviously, construction was slow, as was the administrative paperwork around such a significant people transfer. However, it was a new adventure, and everyone couldn't wait to see what happened next.
In the newly named Embassy District, Takemikazuchi oversaw the construction of his new home and offices. The shabby little place he had previously lived in was still in use, as his Familia needed somewhere to stay in the meantime. However, they were all excited and ready to start on their new house.
With Lady Amaterasu's financial backing, this home would be extraordinary in beauty. The people would recognize it as a place of power. Getting it done would start a new age of diplomacy and foreign relations in this city.
Along with the embassy's construction, Hecate Familia continued with the replacement of Folkvangr. Lira used her magic to grow a massive tree in the crater of the former castle. The workers then started carving out the home from within. Rooms were made, supports were installed, and the whole thing was made to be more like a home. In the meantime, while the trunk was hollowed, the Familia camped out in the former yard of Freya's land. They hosted dinners, invited Familia from around the city, and built relationships as quickly as possible.
Elwin took all of this in as he sat and drank tea.
Libby carried excess lumber and metal away, and Elwin chewed on a biscuit.
Archi studied building plans, making minor adjustments and reshuffling numbers, and Elwin enjoyed a deliciously homemade cookie.
Of course, if he tried to get up and leave, he was sure Morgana would throw him into the branches. She sat to his left, and Lefiya sat to his right. Riveria, Lira, Hecate, and Bell all sat nearby as well. It was a mandatory tea party. Morgana wanted to meet Bell Cranel, and Lira wanted to spend more time with her future Daughter-In-Law. Of course, that had all quickly gone out the window.
"Really, your father sent you a letter?" asked Lira again.
Riveria nodded. "Yes, news of the city's great Half-Elf mage has spread back home. And he is not entirely happy about it."
"Well, too bad," responded Morgana. "Even if he gathered every elf in his army, we could hold him off."
Lefiya shook her head. "He doesn't want to stop Elwin; he knows it isn't possible, but he does want him to…what did the letter say?"
"Not make such a big show of it," responded Elwin. "Of course, I don't really know what that means. I also refuse to acknowledge myself as a royal elf. The only part I want to talk about is my big sister."
Riveria smiled. "And I say the same to you. However, there are many ways he could make our life difficult." She folded her hands in her lap. "Thankfully, he has invited us to come and discuss his issues. Along with agreeing to host… let's call it a major event." She looked between Lefiya and Elwin.
"Oh God, please don't tell me," replied Morgana.
"What?" asked Elwin.
"Well, I'm happy as long as I'm allowed to go," commented Lira.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe I understand?" said Lefiya.
Hecate laughed. "That's hysterical; tell him we'll do it!"
The young lovers looked between themselves.
"Your father wants to host your wedding," said Filvis, barely containing her laughter. "He wants you in a pompous elvish suit!"
She failed at containing the laughter.
Elwin groaned. "Filvis just explained it." He looked towards Lefiya. "My father wants to host our wedding."
The group broke down into a large argument about what that would mean. Bell, sitting quietly and very confused, felt a foot kick him under the table. He looked up to see the Captain of Hecate Familia, Morgana Le Fay, looking at him. She gestured to the side and got up from the table. Bell followed.
She led him through the Familia camp. Finally, they came upon a large canvas tent. Marcel, the Familia's vice-captain, walked out of the tent. He nodded to the two of them before walking towards some of the gathered adventurers.
Morgana walked inside, and Bell followed. The tent's interior was like one of Hephaestus Familia's weapon shops. Swords, Axes, Hammers and more lined the weapon racks. Most of them looked beautiful, covered with ornate decorations. But Bell barely noticed them. Instead, his gaze was drawn to the wooden desk at the foot of the bed. On top was a lump of stone with the vague shape of a sword. This was accentuated by the metal hilt poking out of the rock.
Walking side to side, Morgana ran her hand across the stone's crumbling surface. There was something deeply melancholic to the action, and Morgana seemed almost on the verge of tears. When she turned her head, Bell saw her violet-coloured eyes. They were sheets of rock; even if he was a level six, Bell stepped back in fear.
"This blade belonged to my brother. Its name is Excalibur, and it is the greatest blade ever forged. I keep it on behalf of my dead brother, Arthur. He had a dream," said Morgana. She picked up the stone and pointed it towards Bell, hilt first. "His dream was to see a united kingdom, where all his people could live in freedom."
There was a silence.
"Because of me, he died," she said. "But as he drew his final breaths, I promised him that his dream would live on. We swore an oath as brother and sister. Excalibur returned to its sheath of stone."
Bell did not know how to respond. So, he stood there in silence. Eventually, Morgana sighed and put the sword back on the desk.
"I have dedicated my life to searching for the Excalibur's next wielder. Every great person of note, I test them." Morgana sat in a chair and began using a knife to clean her nails. "No offence, but unsurprisingly, you didn't make the cut." She looked his way. "But you don't want to be a leader of the people, do you?"
Bell shook his head.
"No, you're a hero. You only want to save people."
Bell nodded.
"Fair enough. So, do you really intend to leave Orario to travel to Atlantis?"
"Yes, my sister says it's our best chance of finding someone to heal my friend," replied Bell. Slowly, he stepped forward. "We leave in a couple of weeks."
Morgana smiled. "Good, Elwin needs to get out of the city. If we're going to start organizing a Royal Elf wedding, it's best if he's not involved. After all, he's an idiot. A lovely boy, but an idiot nonetheless." She made a shooing motion. "That's all I wanted, thank you. Have a nice trip!"
Bell backed out slowly.
The Samurai:
Mikoto was bored, plain and simple. In preparation for this big trip to Atlantis, everyone had a job. Lili was working with Poseidon Familia, Welf was fixing up weapons and armour, and Ryuu and Hestia were busy finalizing the details of everything they had gotten from Freya Familia. Even Haruhime was studying and training her magic.
Usually, Mikoto would train in preparation for such a large expedition. However, all her normal trainers were busy. Lord Takemikazuchi was building his new home, the Hostess Staff were helping people in the streets, and Aisha ran errands for Hermes. So, Mikoto was alone in her training, and it was boring.
"Uuugghhh," moaned Mikoto, slamming her head into a post.
She had hoped to use the Hostess yard for inspiration, but all she found was more boredom.
"My my, that does not sound like the productive sounds of a warrior."
Mikoto whipped around to find the swordsman, Sasaki Kojiro, standing on the other side. His blade hung off his belt at his side.
"I was told that you were supposed to be one of Hestia Familia's hardest workers," he said, gripping the hilt of his sword. "It seems that was a lie."
Mikoto straightened, unsheathing her blade.
"I assure you, it wasn't. I simply lack the right partner."
Sasaki laughed. "Good! I have been looking for someone I can batter and bruise."
His long blade sang as he drew it.
"Show what me you can do, Black Crow."
The Sorceress:
Haruhime focused on her meditation. She sat in what was left of the yard of the Hearthstone manor and meditated. She took her breaths slowly. As she did so, she focused on the sights and sounds around her. The chaos of the last few days had worn her down, but this was her time. Slowly, her mind detached itself from her body. She sorted out her thoughts and put each one where they belonged.
She found this meditation style from a travelling renard during her journeys over a year ago. While the elves preferred to focus on their great tree, it was not the same for renard sorcerers. They had to be in tune with the world, living in the moment. They were not as concerned with the past as the elves were. So, Haruhime breathed. She heard the stones shift, the wind whistle through the ruins, and the piping of the destroyed fountain splutter and splot.
Regarding the battle against Freya Familia, Haruhime could only focus on one moment. When she had given Mikoto a double-level boost. It was beyond her normal magic and did not make sense. She had heard of people breaking limits before, but it was not her.
Haruhime felt the magic power start to gather around her. It started to gather in every hair of her body, making them stand on end. Her beautifully soft tail began to sway in time with the rhythm of the Earth. Energy flowed through her body like the movement of a coursing river. The whole thing helped her put her thoughts in order and helped her use her senses to the full extent. It was how she noticed the approaching footsteps.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation, but we must speak."
Haruhime turned to see Tsuchiyaka Nakamura. The renard bowed her head, deferring to the higher-ranking noble. The lady had first approached Haruhime after the day of judgement in the Tower of Babel. They had spoken briefly, noblewoman to noblewoman, but Haruhime had tried to avoid her since. There was little that she wanted to talk about regarding her former home.
"I know that you have a…rough past with our home, but you really need to start paying attention," said Tsuchiyaka. "Things are starting to change, and as the lost heir of one of the most important houses, you have much to do. Not to mention that you're in the same Familia as the beloved Princess Otohime."
"My father made it very clear that he wants nothing to do with me," replied Haruhime. "I do not believe that I can make as much change as you think."
"I believe otherwise. Your Familia is worth more than an army. Aside from the multiple high-level warriors, you have a Crozzo sword maker, a member of the elven royal family, and a personal student of Athena Familia. You need to be ready. I haven't spoken to my daughter yet, but I fear for Civil War."
The wind stopped. The water dripped and dropped. Haruhime considered the woman's words.
"I wouldn't be able to do anything until Mister Urashima Taro is healed," said Haruhime. "Not to mention that I have a Familia I need to speak to first. I can't drag them into a far-off civil war."
Tsuchiyaka frowned. "Until civil war gets dragged over to them."
The older woman left then, and Haruhime was left with more questions to meditate on.
The Smith and Supporter:
Welf pounded at a new set of armour. He knew they would need new armour since he heard Bell wanting to leave the city. If they were travelling to a city in the seas, they required armour that wouldn't fall apart. He found undine material, treated leather and metals. On top of that, he spoke with Poseidon Familia about what else they needed. They required every bit of gear, clothing, and tools to survive. As he did so, Lili worked industriously at his side. Every once in a while, they fell into their usual bickering.
"Master Bell should have spoken with us beforehand. Planning a large-scale expedition like this takes time! Lili needs to organize and coordinate with so many forces! Getting authorization from the Guild, working with Poseidon, and contracting Goibnu Familia for the new home. Things just keep building up and up!" Lili pulled at her hair. "Not to mention the applications!"
Welf paused mid-swing and frowned. "Applications? What do you mean applications?"
Lili grunted. "Now that our debt is gone and the threat of Freya Familia is removed, we're getting swamped with requests and applications from people wanting to join our Familia. From fresh-faced adventurers arriving in the city to hardened veterans buying their way out of another Familia. Lili is making it her job to be the first screener for these people. Lili will toss out most of them, but a few will be passed on to Lady Hestia, Miss Ryuu, and Master Bell."
Welf nodded and started swinging again. "Let me know if there are any smiths in there. I'm gonna need backup if I'm gonna end up supplying even more of you." He snorted. "Even now, I'm starting to push my limit on what I can do."
Lili clicked her tongue. "That was already under consideration. Lili knew it would be obvious. In the same way, Lili is looking for mages and healers. Elwin and Ryuu need support as well." She rubbed her chin in thought. "Not to mention that this Familia is missing vanguard defenders." She sighed. "The one thing we aren't missing is flexible forward fighters and mid-party guards. Between Miss Mikoto, Miss Otohime, Miss Ryuu, Miss Ais, Master Bell and Mister Urashima, we are more than handled by fast and adaptable fighters."
"You really think we're going to Urashima back?" asked Welf.
Lili looked over. "Lili refuses to think otherwise. As long as Master Bell holds hope, so does Lili. Do you disagree?"
The smith turned back to his armour. He knew what would be needed. Bell was going off to sea, off the edge of the world's known map. There would be monsters, and he would keep his friend armed and armoured.
The Lovers:
In the Hostesses, waitresses scrambled back and forth. They took down old decorations and put up new ones. They moved tables and chairs, all to prepare for a grand reopening. It would be a great big party, a send-off for Hestia Familia before their big expedition.
The reason for that expedition was currently lying in bed. Unconscious and still very comatose, Urashima Taro was non-responsive to the activity around him. Joining him in his stupor was Princess Otohime Nakamura. She rarely left Ura's bedside, taking care to keep him clean. She could hydrate and keep him nourished with some equipment from Dian Cecht Familia. If the situation was better, she would joke about being his nursemaid.
"We're travelling to Atlantis soon," she reported. "We're going to find somebody to help care for whatever is happening to your pretty little head. Iris, who is apparently Bell's brother, says that they have people who specialize in these sorts of head injuries." Otohime gripped Urashima's hand. "I promise I will find some way to fix you. I will not rest until you're better. I love you."
Maybe it was a thing of her imagination, but Otohime could have sworn that she felt him squeeze back.
The Goddess and Vice-Captian:
In the halls of the Guild, Hestia was signing paperwork. Ryuu sat nearby, reviewing notes, reports, and anything else she could find about sea-based monsters. They had been at it for hours now and were days into their reporting reading. Bell had been with them previously, but Hecate Familia and the others had called him away for some talks and discussions.
"Uggghhh, why is there so much of this?" asked Hestia. "I'm not trying to take over the city! I just want to try and take care of my Familia." Her head fell on the desk. She looked over at her vice-captain. "Ryuu, can you take over? You're the Vice-Captain; you should be able to sign this stuff, right?"
Ryuu smiled while tucking some hair behind her long ears.
"You know I cannot do that, Lady Hestia," she replied. "Besides, I doubt you want to read sea-based monster profiles. Not to mention that most of these monsters are…barely known." Ryuu sighed. "This the problem with our city. We've been so Dungeon-focused that we lack basic knowledge about our enemies outside the walls. We rely so much on our brute force that we're losing the information war."
Hestia glanced over. "We're in an information war? Oh great, no one ever told me that."
Ryuu snorted. "Just ask Lili. Spies from Athena Familia, Carien, and the Far East live in our houses. The establishment of the Embassy District is launching us into a battle we aren't ready for." She glanced sideways. "At least, that's what our tactician says. I tend to agree with her. After all, I'm just a meathead adventurer."
Hestia paused in her writing. "The Embassy District is supposed to help us connect with the rest of the world. Orario is supposed to focus on the Dungeon and be left out of worldly politics." She cracked her knuckles. "At least Rakia isn't doing anything. Except for getting their next invasion together." She smiled. "What will the next one be, the tenth invasion?"
Ryuu chuckled.
Two of them kept working. Plans for the next phase of their Familia were underway. They couldn't be more excited, but they were also absolutely terrified.
The Heroes:
Bell left Hecate Familia and made his way to the city walls. He did so as quickly and quietly as possible, hoping to avoid massive attention. Why did he do this? Because, apparently, he was a celebrity again. Everyone wanted to stop and ask him questions or hear stories from the battle. He was possibly the most famous adventurer in Orario and, by extension, the world. He didn't want that attention, though. He only cared about the opinions of a few people.
One of them was waiting on the walls of Orario, where they always met. He found Ais sitting on the ground, hugging her knees. She did not look happy to see him.
"I'm still not talking to you," she said.
Bell sighed and panicked internally. He did not know what to do when he was fighting a girlfriend. Especially with a girl like Ais. When she was upset, she didn't get loud or complain. She got quiet and sulky. He would think she looked unbelievably cute if he wasn't so worried about the fight.
"Ais…we need to go out to sea. That's where the people who can help Ura are," said Bell.
"I don't wanna go to sea," replied Ais. "You know I can't swim, and it scares me. Who's gonna help me if I fall into the water?"
"Ais, obviously I will," answered Bell. "I'm not gonna let you drown. No one in this Familia is going to let this Familia drown."
Ais looked at Bell, and then she looked back out over the wall. She was quiet, and Bell couldn't tell if she was contemplative or continuously sulking. The silence dragged on and on, and Bell scrambled to think of something to say. Just as he was about to give another big speech, pulling on some of his grandfather Zeus's wisdom, Ais opened her mouth.
"I don't know your Familia," said Ais. "I haven't worked with them. They aren't bad people…but I don't know them. How can I trust them if I don't know them?" She perched her chin on the top of her knees. "We're leaving the only home I've ever known, Bell, and I don't know the people we're leaving with. I love you, Bell, but I'm still afraid. I left everything about my old life behind to help you. I would do it again, but it makes me scared, Bell."
"Okay, that's fair," said Bell, sitting next to her on the wall. Well, how about I help you get to know them? We're going to have a big going-away party, so why don't I and you spend the party getting to know them?"
Ais nodded. After another minute of quiet, she offered her hand. Bell took it. The two of them continued to enjoy the peace and quiet. Thankfully, it felt better this time. The fight was over.
The Mortal:
Freya sat on her bed in a dark cell beneath the main hall of the Guild. She did not speak; she did not move. Every once in a while, guild workers gave her food and water. No one had tried to break her out or come and speak with her. At first, she Hestia would, or maybe Bell Cranel. Both those paragons of virtue would seek her out. They would plead with her and tell her it was her responsibility to repent for her sins. They didn't come, though. Then, she thought those girls from the Hostess would come. Mamma Mia would go and berate her, and the girls would cry and demand why she did all those terrible things. Ryuu would go and stare at her in complete silence. Still, they did not come. Finally, she thought that her former Familia would arrive. They would try to break her out of the prison. They, too, did not come.
The former Goddess of Beauty sat alone. She was left there, unable to do anything but focus on her loss of connection to the Heavens. She was left with nothing to do but think about her actions. Maybe she would grow insane, maybe she already was, perhaps it didn't matter. Sitting here in the dark, she would be forgotten to time. She would be forgotten by the people she cares about. The Goddess of Love would forget what it meant to be loved.
The Sister:
Poseidon Familia sat outside the walls of Orario. They kept a large camp stretching out almost to the horizon. Many were on the way to Melen, grabbing ships that had sailed around the continent. It was a forest of white sails in the harbour, with a sense of liveliness and urgency that hadn't been seen for years.
Iris, finally out of bed, walked the deck of her ship. The Wayward Journey sat in the harbour and was closest to the docks. As she walked by, Iris said hello to her crew, patting friends on the shoulder. It was already decided that Bell and his Familia would travel with her on her ship. Occasionally, they would pull along the flagship of Poseidon Familia, The Amphitrite, to discuss strategy and planning. What that meant, though, was that Iris needed to prep the space for her brother's family. Most of them said they would be okay below decks. The only ones sharing her cabin would be Hestia, Bell, and the body of Urashima Taro. Ais Wallenstein would probably end up in the cabin, but only because she was scared of the ocean.
"How the hell are we supposed to handle a level seven with a phobia of the water?" asked Iris' first mate. "I mean, the real question, how are we supposed to handle her? What are we gonna do if she freaks out? We can't really restrain her."
Iris shook her head. "We won't have to. My brother is going to keep his girlfriend in line. They're whipped for each other and refuse to act without the other's blessing. It's really kind of cute."
The two of them finished up their inspection. There wasn't much left to look at, but it was still quite a lot to think about.
"Any news from Atlantis?" asked Iris.
The first mate shook her head. "We don't know what's happened while we were gone, and there's still a good chance that it will be an unhappy return."
Iris sighed. "Well, thank Poseidon for our firepower then."
The Party:
Hestia Familia's going away party was underway in the common room of the newly named Hostess of the Hearth. Unfortunately for everyone else, Hestia Familia wasn't there. They were upstairs, having another meeting.
"I know I sprung this on you all," began Bell. "I didn't consult with you, and I know I should have."
Welf waved him off. "Bell, you've been jumping off on madcap ideas since I've known you. Yeah, you don't always run it by us, and yeah, it often leads us to places we might now want to go. Somehow, though, those places are always where we need to be. Besides, this isn't just about you but about one of our own."
Otohime nodded vigorously. "If you did not suggest we leave, I would have swam there myself…or flown as a dragon."
"One Familia," finished Hestia. "Besides, I think you were right. We need to get out of the city. Too much focus and too many trying to lick our boots. I need a vacation."
Bell looked at the rest of them and was met with smiling faces.
"We do this together, or not at all," said Lili.
"I love you all," finished Bell. "To a new adventure then."
"To a new adventure!"
The New Adventures:
Deep in the sea, at the bottom of the place known as the Trench, a monster stirred from its slumber. As it shook its massive head, entire ocean rock formations fell. Islands would be smashed with massive waves. The great beast growled, and every creature in the sea fled from it. Its tail crashed into the sand. The time was now. The hunt was afoot.
In the nearby city of Atlantis, the Council of Gods schemed. Those in power tried to keep it, and those without fought to steal it. They knew it would not be long before Poseidon Familia returned, so moves began. Political alliances formed, enemies made allies, and the shadows in the streets grew longer and longer. It was no longer an age of exploration but an age of war.
War was not just in far-off places, though; it blossomed in the land of civilization. In one of the world's greatest empires, the Imperial Court played its game of intrigue. Hushed whispers of an aging Emperor reached the people's ears. Houses picked sides as brother was pitted against brother. However, the people and politicians spoke of a missing daughter in the most secluded corners.
If there was one place where battle would always be fought, it would be deep in the bowels of the Dungeon. Sure, the city above it had seen bloodshed recently, but the yawning maw of despair always hungered for more. It called for fresh-faced adventurers to be sacrificed to its never-ending gluttony. Until great heroes rose up, it could not be sated.
Peace was not gone. It existed in the dappled sunlight of the forest glades. Long-eared scholars spoke of a great time for their people. The return of their glory was imminent, and they would be led by those who had once been long gone. First would come the time of union, proclaimed. Then, they would venture out into the world to share their glory.
Then, as this new world took shape, a creature stirred in its nest. A massive beast let out a breath that melted steel. It opened its one good eye and gazed upon its banquet. It only had to choose where to begin.
The End