A/N: Thank you so much for the comments and reviews, everybody! I really appreciate it. I do have a couple topics to discuss with you as well.

So, I've mentioned Torrhen's battle armor a couple times but haven't described it yet. I do have some ideas, but I'm curious what you think. Should it be a combination of vanilla armors? A mod armor? Something from ESO or another elder scrolls game? Let me know what you think his battle armor might look like.

Regarding Torrhen's retirement and when his Level will come out. I already know when and how I want that to happen, but my plan is to have most of the core members of the Hestia Familia established first. I don't want to spoil things so let's just say I'm not opposed to adding more than the ones in canon. For now, any I do add will be canon Danmachi characters, but if you have any guesses or suggestions on who they should or should not be, please let me know.

I haven't shown Ryuu yet, but I was thinking about how to get her name cleared so she could potentially join the Hestia Familia. If that's something you want to see, let me know. If you have any guesses or suggestions for how to have that happen, please leave a review.

This chapter has some magic talk that I hope is satisfying. I tried to keep the magic explanation simple, to avoid it being too confusing or too restrictive. One of my goals is to elevate the magic of the Danmachi world, so I need to make Tamrielic magic accessible to the mages already in the story.

Hearthfire

Chapter 12

Torrhen

Finn turned towards Torrhen. "I know you're Semi-Retired but… do you want to go on the expedition with us? At least until we reach the 18th Floor?" He asked.

That made Torrhen pause. It would be an interesting experience, and an educational one. He would get a chance to see how larger Familia handled expeditions and speak with the members of the Loki Familia. That could be very helpful for the future, and it would give him a chance to see how their potential new allies worked.

Going with them wouldn't jeopardize his retirement either. According to the official Guild rules, expeditions could only be completed by Familia that had at least 5 active members, with at least one member at Level 4. Further, the Familia had to have reached the 18th floor before they could be issued an expedition quest. Because of this rule, the Guild did not consider an expedition to have begun until the Familia set foot on the 19th floor. Thanks to that loophole, he could join the Loki Familia until they reached the 18th floor without compromising his retirement status.
"Why not?" He said, smiling at Finn. "It could be fun."

"Excellent!" Finn exclaimed. "We will be partnering with the Hephaestus Familia for this, so they'll be coming with us."

Torrhen nodded. "Bell and Lili aren't ready to go below the 10th floor just yet, so I don't think they'll be joining. Most likely, they will try to complete their Dungeon run before the expedition sets off and wipes out most of the monsters on the upper floors."

Finn shook his head at that. "No problem," he said. "We usually don't bring Level 1's with us anyway." He sat back in his chair. Ais was sitting at the table next to him, playing with one of the magic bags Torrhen had just given them. "Do you mind if I bring Gareth and Riveria here tomorrow after your training finishes? They both want to meet you, and I know Gareth will request a spar."

Torrhen shook his head, not minding at all. "Go ahead. I was hoping to speak with Riveria anyway. I have a few questions that a mage of her caliber might be able to answer." He'd need to speak with Hestia before that though. The Falna, apparently, limited mages to just 3 spells, but those spell were extremely powerful. On the level of Expert or Master spells from Tamriel. If some of what he'd read was accurate, first-class mages could cast spells on par with Shouts used by non-Dovah.

However, on both his and Bell's Falna, the magic of his home was listed as 'Tamrielic Magic,' with the school of the spell and its progression shown. He was unsure if that meant Bell could learn as many Tamrielic spells as he wanted, or if he was limited. Torrhen had already asked Hestia look at the spell list on his Falna, and it showed every spell he knew under their proper schools. She just kept it hidden because if she didn't, his Falna report would be stupidly long. They would need to look again to see if that was unique to him, or if those native to this world could do it too.

Finn nodded, "No problem. She was curious about the magic you used to heal Lefiya, so she will likely want to ask about it."

"Perfect," Torrhen said. Finn thanked him once again before he and Ais said their goodbyes, making their way back towards the Loki Familia home with their new magic bags and the contract Finn had drawn up with Naaza.

Speaking of Naaza, she was still sitting at the table, going over the list of potions Finn had ordered and by the looks of things, figuring out if she had the ingredients. "Will you need help with the order he placed?" He asked her.

Naaza shook her head. "I will have to pull some all-nighters, and it will use up pretty much all of our ingredients, but I can handle it. It's our first big contract since I lost my arm, so I want to do it all myself."

"I understand," Torrhen said. He wished he could repair her arm but after so long, even the best of healing spells and potions couldn't regrow it. She would have to make do with the prosthetic. Speaking of healing spells, if his conversations with Hestia and Riveria turned out the way he hoped, he should offer to teach Naaza about the School of Restoration. Her Familia was an alchemy and healing one, so knowing the Restoration spells he could teach her would be a huge boon.

Soon enough, Naaza too made her exit and Torrhen headed back into the house to find Hestia. She was sitting at the table in their temporary dining room, going over some paperwork when he found her.

"Do you have a few minutes?" He asked.

"Sure," she set the paperwork aside. "What do you need?"

"I was hoping you could take a look at my Falna again. We need to figure out how it treats Tamrielic magic. I'll be speaking with Riveria, the top mage of the Loki Familia tomorrow, but you're the only one who can properly examine my Falna."

Hestia nodded. "That's probably something we should figure out. It could be helpful in the future if we can teach our magically inclined members a decent number of spells."

Torrhen quickly removed his tunic and sat in front of the goddess. Within moments, he could feel her unlocking his Falna and examining it. Silence reigned for several minutes before Hestia spoke up once again.

"It's difficult to tell," she said. "It seems as though the Falna is registering 'Tamrielic Magic' under the spell category but treating it like a skill. I've gotten good look our normal spells thanks to Lili, and it's definitely different." The glow from his Falna was casting strange shadows around the room as she worked. "I think the best way to describe it is by calling it a 'Magic Skill.' It's not a specific spell, so it doesn't seem to be taking up one of your spell slots, but it's not a normal skill either."

"So, you're saying that someone with filled spell slots, might be able to learn Tamrielic spells? That it's more like giving them a skill?"

"I'm no magic expert, but I think so. We'd have to test it." She said. "The only way to know for sure would be to have someone with maxed spell slots read one of your spell books. If Tamrielic magic uses a spell slot, then nothing will happen. If it doesn't then they should gain access to Tamrielic magic, if only for that school and only through your spell books." Hestia pricked her finger and locked his status once again.

"Riveria, the Level 6 mage of the Loki Familia will be here tomorrow." Torrhen said. "Do we have a copy of Bell's status? We could hide everything but his level and magic to show her and get her opinion."

"I do still have a copy, but are you sure we should trust her? Plus, it would tip Loki off that you're not from this world." Hestia sounded uncertain.

"It's a risk, I agree, but I have met quite a few of the Loki Familia members as well as Loki herself." Torrhen moved to sit at the table as he put his tunic back on. "We are hoping for an alliance with them, and I've never gotten a bad feeling from any of the members I've met. I will make a final judgement tomorrow after I meet Riveria but I think we should trust her. As for Loki, we are planning on telling her about me anyway, so I don't mind her finding out I'm from Tamriel a little early."

"If you say so. Still, the only way to test it is to give a mage with full slots one of your spell books. Are you willing to do that?"

Torrhen nodded. "I have a Lesser Ward book that I'm willing to part with, and I can make more if necessary. Lesser Ward is not an overly powerful spell. While it will block all or most damage from an elemental or magical attack, it requires training to make it block physical attacks at all. Further, it is a very weak ward. Easily blown away after catching a single attack of decent power so if our relationship sours, we won't have handed them a powerful weapon just from that."

"Alright," Hestia sighed. "I'll trust your judgement on this, but I want to meet her before we do the test."

"That sounds perfectly reasonable," Torrhen said with a smile.

Finn

Finn's mind was whirring as he walked up to his office carrying the magic bags Torrhen had given him and his copy of the contract he'd signed with the Captain of the Miach Familia. It was just past 1 in the afternoon, and it had already been a productive and fascinating day.

If the potions he'd bought from Captain Naaza worked as advertised, they would be a massive boon to their upcoming expedition. Judging by the way the stamina potion he'd drank had worked, he was sure they would prove invaluable.

Not as invaluable, however, as the incredible enchanted packs Torrhen had given him. They would change everything about how they would act in the deeper floors. No more leaving drop items behind after a fight. No more leaving crucial equipment behind to save weight. They could make a real attempt at going deeper and actually make some money off of it for a change.

They'd been forced to turn back on their last expedition because of the acidic monsters they'd encountered. More than one of their best fighters had lost their weapons to the monsters acid blood and they'd used most of their elixirs healing the wounded. After returning to the surface they'd had to spend a ridiculous amount of money on repairs and getting indestructible weapons made, which meant they desperately needed to earn a lot of money during the coming expedition.

These magic bags and the new potions would be a game changer and Finn was now totally convinced that they needed to make allies of the Hestia and Miach Familias, no matter the cost. As he approached his office, he spotted Tione standing outside his door.

"Hi Captain!" She said in the usual sweet tone she used to talk to him. "Do you need anything?" While her crush on him was both endearing and occasionally annoying, having her around to help him when he needed it was something he really was grateful for.

"Yes, actually" he said, causing Tione's eyes to light up. "I need you to go get Riveria, Gareth, and Loki. I need to talk to them, and it's pretty important. Make sure the come as soon as they can."

"You got it!" She said before sprinting off down the hall.

Finn entered his office and set the bags on the coffee table that sat between the couches. He placed the contract down on his desk and sat behind it, waiting for the others to arrive. As he waited, his mind drifted back to his spar with Torrhen. The man's speed and strength were incredible and Finn was certain he was Level 8. Over the last few years, Finn had started to worry that he might have peaked but now, with the opportunity to regularly train and spar with someone so much stronger than him, maybe Level 7 wasn't out of his reach. Maybe he could still make it.

"Yo, Finn!" Came Loki's voice as the door flew open. Loki strode in followed quickly by Riveria and Gareth with Tione standing outside the door.

"Thank you, Tione" Finn called to her. "We're going to be here a while, so make sure nobody disturbs us."

"Will do, Captain!" She said, closing the door.

"So, what's this important thing you wanted to talk to us about?" Loki asked, kicking back onto the couch with her feet up on the coffee table.

"Did something happen when you went to speak with the man Ais has been training with?" Riveria asked.

"Yes indeed." Finn said. "First, Loki, have you been brought up to speed on who Ais has been training with?"

"Yup!" Loki nodded. "I gotta admit, I'm eager to hear your assessment of his strength."

"Well, before we get to that," Finn held up the contract, "we should talk about this."

"What is it?" Gareth asked.

"It's a contract. The Captain of the Miach Familia, the one who made the potions we were testing yesterday, was at the Hestia Familia's training grounds this morning. I approached her about procuring more of those potions for our expedition from her Familia." He handed to contract over to Riveria. "Turns out, what we got to test is just the tip of the iceberg. I got to look at their catalogue and decided that we need a lot of what they have available. The Miach Familia will be providing all of our potions for this expedition and despite how unique and effective their potions are, we are still paying less than we would if we had to buy from Dian Cecht."

"Well, I'm certainly all for paying less for a better product, but are you sure the Miach Familia can deliver?" Riveria asked, passing the contract on to Loki.

"I'm certain they can." Finn said. Captain Naaza did not strike him as the kind of person to renege on a deal.

"Those potions certainly were impressive yesterday, so you'll get no argument from me." Gareth said. "I'm more interested in whether or not you got to spar with this Torrhen person."

"I did," Finn admitted. The others leaned forward, very interested. "He sparred with me after he finished wiping the floor with Ais."

"And? How did it go?" Loki asked.

"Is he as strong as Ais says?" Gareth's eyes were shining as he considered the idea.

"Stronger." Finn replied. Gareth's eyes got even brighter, and Loki sat upright. "I didn't stand a chance. He's got to be Level 8, I'm sure of it. Torrhen was holding back during both his fight with me and with Ais, and he didn't look winded after either bout."

Loki whistled, and Gareth looked even more excited. "Did you ask if he would spar with me?" Gareth asked.

"I did," Finn nodded. "He said that we can come by after his Familia finish training tomorrow. He agreed to spar with you, Gareth, and had a few questions about magic for you, Riveria."

"Oh? Fascinating." Riveria said.

"Gah!" Loki yelled. "I wish I hadn't made that deal with Lil Bit! The curiosity is killing me!"

"It's only another month, Loki. You can wait," Finn said. "In any case, I believe that allying ourselves with the Hestia and Miach Familia's is in our best interest. Aside from making a deal with Captain Naaza and sparring with Torrhen, I got one more thing out of my trip today. Something that I am certain will be a massive game changer."

"Well? Don't keep us in suspense, what is it?" Gareth said, impatiently.

"Those," Finn pointed to the leather backpacks on the coffee table.

"Backpacks?" Loki asked. "What's so special about them."

"Open them." Finn said. He couldn't wait to see their reactions.

The others each pulled a bag towards themselves and flipped open the top. Loki's eyes opened wide as she let out an amusing little "eh?" Gareth's grunt of surprise and Riveria's eyebrows disappearing made Finn chuckle.

"Torrhen made those and gave them to me." Finn explained. "They are enchanted. According to Torrhen, they can hold 30 times their actual size but will never weigh more than they do right now. The magical display allows for easy storage, sorting, and removal of anything placed within."

"You're right, Finn. This is a total game changer," Riveria said.

"No more leaving stones, drop items, or equipment behind" Gareth cut in, still examining the bag in his hand.

"They are also small enough to wear while still having a full range of motion in combat." Finn added. "Both of the active members of the Hestia Familia wear them, essentially acting as their own supporters."

"I suppose I should avoid teasing Hestia too much before or at our meeting," Loki said, seriously. "We need her Familia on our side."

"We do indeed." Riveria said. "This, Torrhen, was able to cast multiple powerful spells without chanting, and he is an accomplished warrior, possibly at Level 8. Not only that, but according to Ais, the active members of the Hestia Familia are progressing faster than any adventurer she's ever heard of. The boy looks like he could level up at any time and has only been adventuring for two months."

"Torrhen loves to teach," Finn added. "Ais told us that. If we could make an alliance and have him train with us and the other executives, it could go a long way to improving our overall strength. More than that, I want to befriend him. To that end, I invited him to join our expedition, just until we reach the 18th floor. That way, he can stay retired, and we get a good chance to talk with him and introduce him to our other members."

"That sound like a good plan," Riveria said with Loki and Gareth agreeing.

Torrhen

Torrhen and Ais had just finished for the day when he spotted Finn walking towards them accompanied by a green-haired elf and a dwarf. He knew that the dwarf, Gareth, preferred heavy weapons, so he'd prepared something a little different for their spar that day. As for his talk with Riveria, Hestia would be coming out soon so that they could get her opinion on Tamrielic magic.

"Good morning!" Finn called out to him.

"Morning!" He called back before addressing the newcomers. "Welcome to the Hestia Familia's training ground, I'm Torrhen."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," the elf said. "I'm Riveria Ljos Alf, of the Loki Familia."

"Nice ta meetcha!" the dwarf yelled. "The names Gareth Landrock."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Torrhen nodded to them.

"Thank you again for the magic packs, and for agreeing to this." Finn said.

"My pleasure," Torrhen smiled. He turned to the dwarf, who was wearing armor and carrying a large axe. "Am I right in guessing that you wish to start as soon as possible?"

"You got that right, friend!" Gareth exclaimed. "I've been looking forward to this."

"Then, if the others will excuse us," Finn and Riveria nodded. "We can begin. I just need to grab my gear." Torrhen walked over to the weapon racks. "Ais told me about your preferred choice of weapon, so I thought I'd change things up for this spar. Make it interesting." He picked up the weapon he'd chosen to fight Gareth with.

While he had not forged it himself, the Longhammer was one of his favorite weapons when he wanted to go two-handed. It still held its Orsimer design, but he had modified it extensively over the years to make it perfect for him and enjoyed breaking it out of storage every once in a while.

"Well now," Gareth whistled. "That is one lethal looking war-hammer."

"I acquired it years ago. Do you mind if I use it against you?" Torrhen asked.

"Not at all!" Gareth exclaimed. "It just makes me more excited!"

"Then, let us begin!" Torrhen said, hefting the Longhammer.

Torrhen and Gareth circled each other, weapons ready. Unlike his bouts with Ais or Finn, this was not a contest of speed or skill. This was a test of strength. With a cry, Gareth sprang into action, bringing his axe over his head in a mighty blow. Torrhen sidestepped and thrust the Longhammer towards the axe. The hammer smashed into he flat blade, sending it off to the side and Gareth stumbling.

"Wasn't expecting that!" Gareth yelled as he scrambled away. They began to circle again. Torrhen could easily end the fight, but that wasn't the point. He knew he would win, but just like with Finn, he wanted to see how good Gareth was. They clashed again, Torrhen blocking Gareth's swing with the shaft of the hammer and catching Gareth's shoulder with the butt of his weapon.

They continued in that fashion for some time, engaging and retreating. Gareth constantly trying to outdo Torrhen's strength and failing, while Torrhen assessed Gareth's skill. Finally, Torrhen had had enough so, on Gareth's next big swing, Torrhen used the clawed opening on the head of his hammer to catch the handle of Gareth's axe. With a heave, he pushed the axe away from him, the back of the head slamming into Gareth's helm. Dazed, Gareth stumbled, unable to even try to stop Torrhen from tripping him into the dirt and placing the head of the Longhammer on his chest.

It visibly took Gareth a moment to register what had happened. When it finally clicked, he started to laugh uncontrollably. "Ha! That was fantastic!" He exclaimed when he finally stood. "I haven't had a bout like that in forever! You're quite skilled with that hammer."

"You're no slouch yourself, Gareth, "Torrhen said with a smile. "Any time you feel the need for a bout, just ask. Just… not every day, alright?"

Gareth grinned. "Not to worry! I will be taking you up on that offer though."

"Satisfied?" Riveria asked as they walked back to the tables where Hestia was now sitting with Finn, Riveria, and Ais.

"Very!" Gareth laughed.

"Then perhaps it is time for us to begin our discussion," Riveria said.

"Indeed." Torrhen nodded, "but perhaps we should head inside my workshop?" He gestured over to the nearby building. "There are builders all over our home today, and this is a conversation that's best held with a bit of privacy." Torrhen led them into the workshop, everyone taking seats in a small lounge area he'd set up a while ago.

"Please understand," Hestia began, addressing their guests "The only reason we are doing this is because we need the opinion of a skilled mage, and Torrhen thinks we can trust you. I need to know you won't betray that trust."

"None of us will betray your confidence, Goddess Hestia" Riveria said, with the others adding in their agreement.

"What we have to ask will leave you with a great many questions that cannot be answered until after I have spoken with Loki," Hestia added. "Can you accept that?"

"I can," Riveria nodded.

"In that case, please take a look at this." Hestia handed over Bell's modified status sheet.

Torrhen cut in as Riveria examined the sheet. "I cannot tell you where I learned it or how, but the magic I, and now Bell use is very different to what is most commonly known. Initially, I began learning through the use of spell books."

"Through a grimoire?" Riveria asked.

"Yes and no," Torrhen said. "These spell books are different because there are specific versions tied to different spells. Each one teaches the reader the same spell, every time. I gave Bell a 'Firebolt' spell book, and he learned Firebolt. We knew what he would learn before he ever read the book."

Riveria's eyes had gone very wide. "That's incredible!" she said. "Until now, grimoires have always been random."

Torrhen nodded. "The problem is, that the Falna seems to treat what these books teach as a different type of magic."

"Is that why this sheet says 'Tamrielic magic?'" Riveria asked.

"Yes." Hestia said. "From what I can tell, it is registering as magic, but the Falna is treating it like a skill. What we want to know is, in your opinion as a mage, is it possible that this is actually a 'magic skill?' Not bound by the spell slot limitations of the Falna?"

Riveria paused for a moment. "I have never heard of a skill being registered under the magic section, but there are spells and skills that allow for the use of multiple spells. Lefiya's own 'Elf Ring' for example. It is very possible that this 'Tamrielic magic' allows the user to bypass the spell restrictions. How many spells does it allow you to use, Mr. Torrhen?"

"Dozens," Torrhen said. Riveria's eyes widened and Finn's eyebrows had disappeared.

"If that's the case, then I have to assume that your guess is correct. The only way to know for certain is to test it." Riveria said.

Hestia and Torrhen looked at each other. They'd discussed this already, but it was still a huge show of trust. Finally, Torrhen spoke up. "There are no members of our Familia with filled spell slots," he said, seriously. "We have another spell book that we are willing to give you for this test. It is not a very powerful spell, but it is a 'Tamrielic' spell."

Riveria's jaw had dropped. "Are you sure of this?" she asked.

"We are," Hestia said.

"I… then may I ask, what the spell is?" The curiosity in Riveria's eyes was burning.

Torrhen extended a hand, the fist glowing with magic, and a small shield erupted into life. Riveria stared at it in wonder. "This is the Lesser Ward spell," Torrhen said. "It will nullify nearly all damage from elemental or magical attacks. With training, it can be used to block some physical attacks. If one can concentrate properly, it can even be cast alongside other spells." Riveria reached out, her fingers brushing against the magical barrier. "There are some downsides though. It can, at most, absorb a single attack before breaking and needing to be recast. On top of that, it is a constant drain on the caster's magical reserves, making sustained use impractical."

"Even with those drawbacks, this is a very valuable spell." Riveria said. She paused for a moment. "If you do not mind, I think there is another member of the Loki Familia who could put this spell to better use."

"Oh? Who do you mean?" Hestia asked.

"Lefiya," Riveria answered. "The girl Torrhen healed at Mosnterphilia. She has been having trouble in the Dungeon. She is still learning concurrent chanting, and is stuck in one place while she casts her spells. Just knowing that she has a shield spell that can be cast quickly would boost her confidence and combat ability greatly."

Torrhen considered that for a moment. He did not have any real objections. Looking to Hestia, he could see that she would follow his lead on this. "Very well," he said. "I will send the book with you today, but I want your word that you will give it to Lefiya the moment you return to Twilight Manor. We need to know if this will work."

"Agreed," Riveria said. Finn was nodding as well. "We will have Lefiya read the book and have Loki update her status as soon as we can. If it works, do you mind if we bring her here tomorrow to test the spell?"

"I think I would insist on it," Torrhen said. "I am the only person who can teach her to use it properly."

Riveria nodded. "Thank you," she said, "for trusting me with this. I promise, I will not betray the trust you've shown me."

"You have done a great deal for our Familia in just a few days," Finn added. "We are truly grateful." Hestia smiled and Torrhen nodded his head, respectfully. It was not much longer before their discussion had concluded and the members of the Loki Familia headed home, with Riveria clutching the spell book to herself as if it was the most precious thing she had ever seen.

Welf

Welf Crozzo stood in his forge, glaring at the sword in front of him. He was faced with a dilemma that was more agonizing than any he'd ever encountered. A couple weeks ago, his goddess, Hephaestus, had come into his forge holding this sword and it had changed the way he saw the world. It was also the source of his dilemma.

Flashback:

"What is this?" He asked, staring at the sword Hephaestus had brought him, which was laying on his workbench. Said goddess was leaning against the wall next to the table. He'd spent the last hour testing the sword, waiting for it to break. Finally, the magic had just stopped working, but the blade hadn't broken. It was still a perfectly effective sword. Hephaestus had then used the blade to destroy a magic stone, and suddenly the magic was working again!

"It's an enchanted sword," she said.

"I can see that!" Welf exclaimed, frustrated. "How does it work? Magic swords break, it's a fact of life. How does this thing even exist?"

"You'll have to ask the man who forged it," she smiled. Hephaestus was being unusually coy right now.

"And who is that?" Welf asked. The curiosity was eating him alive.

"He's probably the best mortal smith I've ever met," Hephaestus said, "the only one who's skill rivals my own. Without arcanum, of course."

Shock tore through Welf's body. Someone out there had achieved his goal? A mortal had actually matched the skill of the goddess of the forge?

"Who is he? What Familia is he part of?" Welf had to know!

"I won't tell you his name," she said. "Not yet." She hesitated. "You see, I've already asked him to teach you," Welf's heart soared! The idea of learning from such a master was almost too good to pass up. "There is a catch though," Hephaestus added. Welf's heart sank into his stomach. Catches were never good.

"What's the catch?" He asked, hesitantly.

Hephaestus sighed. "He agreed to teach you, but it is a complicated and time-consuming art to teach. The only way to teach you properly, is to take you on as an apprentice. You would have to leave my Familia and join his." Welf's heart was in his stomach now. Leave the Hephaestus Familia? That was the last thing he wanted to do.

"I… I don't want to leave." He said.

"And I don't want you to go," Hephaestus said, "but this opportunity is one I don't think you should pass up. Besides," she smiled, "once you have learned everything he has to teach, no matter how many years it takes, neither he nor I will stop you from rejoining my Familia."

That made things better. Still, to leave the Familia of the woman he loved for an unknown count of years? It was a hard call to make.

"I have a lot to think about, don't I?" He said, his voice quiet.

"Yes," Hephaestus said, just as quiet, "you do."

Flashback End

Welf sighed as he draped a cloth over the sword. Leaving the Hephaestus Familia was a big downside, but the idea of learning from a master that Hephaestus herself had acknowledged? That was not something he could pass up. He still wasn't quite sure what to do, but the more he thought about it, the more tempting the offer was. Welf sighed again.

"I need a drink," he muttered to himself.

Unknown Eastern Region

Alduin soared over the strange new land. It appeared to be a large island of some kind, that was north of the region where he'd reawakened. Peering at the ground below, he could see a Joor village of some kind. That was good. He had yet to encounter any mortals since his awakening and was itching for a little chaos.

He was Alduin! The destroyer! Killing and enslaving mortals was something he relished in. Tucking his wings, he dove through the air over the unsuspecting Joor and unleashed a devastating Shout.

"YOL TOR SHUL"

The torrent of flame engulfed the buildings below. Alduin could see several mortals scurrying about below him like the pathetic beings they were. He wheeled around for another pass. Conquering could wait. For now, he would have his fun.

Orario

On most nights, even denizens of the Labyrinth City weren't all that concerned with what happened outside the walls. Even the guards who patrolled the wall were only ever focused on the ground below it. It was no wonder then that nobody was looking at the eastern sky when, just for a moment, so far in the distance that it was almost unnoticeable, a golden shaft of light could be seen rising into the heavens.

All those outside the city who caught a glimpse knew what it meant. Those closest were scrambling in a panic or running for their lives, but those within Orario and it's surrounding territories remained blissfully unaware that a god had been forcibly sent back to heaven.

A/N: I did some digging into expeditions, and didn't find much about the Guild's policy, so I just made something up that would work. It does make sense to me that Familia need a certain number of members before an expedition can happen, and Bell never even got a proper quest from the guild until he hit Level 4, so that made sense too.

Answers to a few questions

On FFN

The-Killer40513: I'm not against adding things from ESO, but to tell the truth I haven't played it much. I'll probably stick mostly with Skyrim's magic to keep things simpler, but if it's something really useful I might bring it in.

Christalm: First, I love reading your predictions and ideas. They are really creative and help my though process. To answer your most recent question though, I do have a rough plan for the Apollo war. Not everything is set in stone yet, but it's a ways off. I liked the suggestion about a war between Miach and Dian Cecht. I might not go with an all-out war game though. I feel like there will definitely be some conflict though. As for the Xenos, I'm still working on how I want to handle them.