After the incident with Rudra Familia and Dianna, mages upon mages worked together to put out the fire with their water and ice spells. "It's amazing that we were able to pull through, ugh that woman is nuts, all this just to kill a kid? I can't imagine hating someone that much" said a pink haired prum.
"It doesn't surprise me that she's working with Evilus, but she wasn't so tough after all," said Kaguya as she was helping a woman onto a pram to carry her away. "Still It's kinda sad how that kid's own sister was going to kill him and practically gaslighted him into thinking he's a horrible person. Like a tragic hero's tale." Ryuu said as she was healing a little girl's ankle with a magic spell she acquired upon receiving her falna.
"It's incredible how he was able to fight through all the lies, but what kind of person would be willing to help criminals with hurting a terrorizing people just to make their younger siblings give up on their ambition"? Asked another healer within the group, "Plenty of people are sick in the head like that, it's a lot more common than you think, trust me" Kaguya said with a somber expression. She looked as if she lived through his experiences, "Personally I can't stand people who put others down just because they think they know better" Alise complained.
"Yet you made Kaguya vice captain" Lyra retorts.
"I'm a realist not a narcissist, I only slander you when it's necessary" she claimed as she narrowed her fox-like eyes. "I can understand not wanting your sibling to go into the line of fire, but if you felt like they were going to die I would have stayed with them and made sure they were safe and taken care of." Alise shouts.
"Captain, you fail to understand that the wolf woman doesn't seem to care about him anymore…if she ever has at all. She was literally trying to kill him." Lyra explained poking her cheeks. "I know that Lyra, I was speaking hypothetically, I just feel so terrible for that boy, he just wants to be a hero and help people with the Evilus and she tried to shame him for it, no kid should have to worry about their own sibling trying to end their life…" she halts and noticed Ryuu's face full of soro.
"Leon, are you okay?" she asked the elf.
"I couldn't protect him from her, he ended up saving me in the end, I could barely stall for time, and on top of that I let another adventurer get hurt and he nearly gave himself up to her. It's because I'm too weak; he nearly died,". The red headed girl took her hand.
"Don't say that, you are just starting out here, and because of you he was able to recover enough to beat her, thanks to you both the Evilus didn't do any further damage and most importantly because of you, he didn't give up on himself. Besides you can be proud of the way you were able to touch him without freaking out" Ryuu's face lit up a bit and her insecurities started to die down. "Oh yeah, I didn't really feel like repelling him when he touched me."
She recalled the day they met. Come to think of it, he did take my hand when he was shaking everyone's hands. I didn't hit him, I was thinking that I only had the nerve to touch him because it was a life or death situation but we were just talking that day.
Around the same time, in a dark cold room in Genesha Familia home with a one way mirror giving the other members a view in while no one on the inside could see the outside. Shakti and Craiku along with their god Genesha sat across the table from the now chained up Dianna whose hands were bounded by chains.
"Are you sure you wanna be here Craiku, you already defeated her and no longer have anything to prove" Shakti said resting her hands on his shoulders. "It's okay Shakti, I'm not afraid of her anymore. Besides, I want to see her when she admits to everything she's done to me, my village friends and the entire dojo in the far east she burned down."
Dianna glares at him but he just stares back at her with an even more intense stare. "Now let's get started, from what I've heard from Craiku about you, I already know you're a piece of work, but joining Evilus just to make a point is down right insane. These people are trying to get rid of the guildhall and destroy the Orairo in its entirety they're actual terrorists, so what made you think joining them was a good idea?" She asked.
She made eye contact with Shakti and felt a shiver down her spine, "Because they had eyes all over the world, that father of his was moving so much that I just could not find him. I've heard about sightings of a swordsman with his skin color and his magic son, but each and every time I make it to their location they're already gone. I looked all over the world to catch this boy but he kept alluding me". Craiku's face tensed up.
"You've been following us this entire time, but why, you already ruined my reputation back in the far east and you got everything you wanted, did you hate me so much that you felt the need to finish the job" he asked with a hint of anger in his voice. Shakti grew concerned.
"I know it's painful for you to talk about, but do you mind if you recap everything she had done"
He took a deep breath and began to talk, "She framed me for the destruction of my old dojo. I didn't just leave my village behind to become an adventurer. I left because everyone in that place thinks I'm a violent monster, and because of that, I lost all my friends and my own mother turned against me" he punched the table. I need to remain calm. "Can they come in, I think I need more support," she turned around and signalled inside. The door opens and Clover and Adree come inside and both of them hug Craiku from both sides.
"Did you bring it" Shakti asked Adree who nodded, "Good." She responded.
"Now, I'm going to ask you something, why did you need me to come back home with you, aren't you forgetting that mama hates me, you got what you wanted" he claimed.
"This isn't what I wanted, but weeks without dealing with you were nice while they lasted…at least until your meddling father had to ruin everything for me. We got into an argument and I left the house, despite everything you did she still missed you and I wanted you and her to reconcile"
"Did you forget lying in the presence of a deity is impossible?" said Genesha, she flinched, "Tell the truth now, I wanna know why you tried to hurt my good friend," Clover said, drawing his crossbow before Craiku made him lower it.
"That's what you're going with huh, because I just received a letter from the guild hall that you had been kicked out of our village one year ago and they banished you"! He said holding out a letter, and her eyes widened with shock, "Okay I admit it, but what did you expect, I had to stop you from leaving so mom didn't lose a son"
"As far as I'm concerned she did lose a son, and you didn't care about her feelings, you care about getting back into our village. And did you seriously try to make me believe that I was unhinged when you're the one who hired an assassin to kill people!? The city of Oriaro is not what I'd hoped it would be but I realized that it's where I belong, and if you're hire assassins and killing people who are just living their lives, you're the bad guy here. How could you possibly criticize me when you're literally in an interrogation room, and I never ever EVER…want to see mama again, I used to blame you for my suffering" he paused for a brief moment.
"And…"
"I still do because you are to blame, but mama was supposed to protect me from your psychotic temper tantrums but she just left me alone to suffer with you? I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy…is what I would say if my worst enemy wasn't you!! Your father would be so disappointed in what you turned into"!! Craiku yelled, and she stood up and snarled trying to break her chains.
"You shut your mouth you little disrespectful–" she was kicked at light speed and she crashed into the wall.
Shakti stood over her, "Eh, what happened…" said Dianna full of fear, "You will treat him with respect, that is my Familia's little brother, and no one talks down to him and gets away with it. I'm not sure about your status but I know you're a level 1, and you're no threat to me, I'm a level 2 adventurer, so watch your tone with me, unless you want to me to tear off your limbs one by one, and unlike my kid sister and her little two little buddies, killing others isn't something I want to do but it's not an option that's off the table for me. So you better choose your words wisely, or we may end up visiting the grave yard this evening, do I make myself clear"? All of them were slightly intimidated by her,
"Yes yes I understand now"
"Say yes ma'am or I'll slice your throat right now"
"Yes ma'am" she screamed pleading for her life.
"Did you hear that, because I didn't hear anything" Shakti said looking at Clover.
"I said YES MA'AM" the four of them looked at each other and started laughing, "Did you see the look on her face…'I said yes ma'am' and she was just fearing for her life…and she had the nerve to bark orders when she was taking them…oh yeah…this is justice" Dianna grew more irritated with them laughing at her.
"Not only did you do something illegal…you did something…stupid, but that's enough laughing for now. Craiku…as your captain I'm ordering you to have no further contact with this woman, she's not worth your time." Shakti said pointing at him, "But I still need to get to the bottom of-" he was dragged out by both arms but Craiku breaking their grip momentarily came back. "Oh yeah I almost forgot" he took out the two cursed weapons she was using. And he threw them in the air and cut them down with his spear. "Now we're even," he said. "Tokun let's go or no whipped cream on yours" he yelps as he followed them
"You won, she lost at the end of story…now let's get started on dessert, it's apple pie tonight and Adree was gonna give you her slice out of the kindness of her heart" the young girl puffed her cheeks.
"How about Clover gives you his dessert for the next two weeks since he wants to talk about kindness" she said in a snarky way. "How about you two hug me and we can discuss desert transactions after we get started on dinner…what's for dinner again"? The three left the integration room. "Wait, don't leave me alone with her," she pleaded. But the door was shut.
"Now the door is locked and you have no way out, your family left you alone to suffer for an extended period of time…sounds familiar doesn't it, now I'm gonna get some answers…and for him…some major payment," she took out a whip. Dianna's face went pale, "For the murder of multiple people including Craiku's master, for framing him for murders and slandering his name…I shall unleash my wrath upon you"! She whipped her numerous times, and she cried out in pain as she was struck.
In the kitchen, they were making dinner for everyone and Craiku was sadly seasoning the meat lost in thought. "Something wrong Tokun"? Adree asked, "It's just, earlier when I beat her for the first time, I was so incredibly happy that I finally stood up for myself and for all the people she hurt…but now I feel just a little bit terrible…I know she's a big liar…but I didn't think she'd pull something like this, if Dianna turned into a villain because her of mom, what does that make me"?
He pondered, "It doesn't make you anything, blood doesn't determine what you become, your experiences and heart does, and I know you'd never hurt anyone for your own amusement, it's gonna take time to get past this but I'm gonna keep reminding you that" Clover said with his hands on his shoulders.
"Now help me with a little fire to cook this meat" he requested, "Not a problem"
Back in the interrogation room, Dianna was battered bloody and beaten up, and Shakti was removing her shirt with Genesha turned around to lock the door for no…drama. "You would treat people this way, you're no better than me" she declared as her back was exposed. "Don't try that with me, I'm not gonna fall for your little mind games, and you're the one who went around murdering people. Now let's see who your deity is"
Only those who had the Advanced Ability "Enigma" were able to produce
this item that was created from the ichor in a deity's blood. Its main ingredient
made the substance illegal. Status Thief would never be bought or sold at a
store on the street, but it was occasionally on the market underground. It was
better to assume that the item could be found in Rivira.
Being that it only had one purpose and that the number of chemists who
could create it was extremely limited, the number of bottles on hand at any one
time was quite low. And of course, they were incredibly expensive.
It was normally used to reveal the true identity of assassins and other
criminals. Statuses always displayed an adventurer 's full name as well as the
name of their god or goddess.
She felt the Shakti's fingers spreading on her back and her bare back began to reveal hieroglyphics, "Unfortunately I'm unable to read this, Lord Genesha, please translate this for me"
She walked over to her, and he glanced at her exposed back and then his eyes widened with shock and disbelief. "Impossible, you made a deal with the devil himself"! He yelled in a serious way, but Shakti broke the silence. "Lord Ganesha what's wrong"?
"Your god is Ebrus, but I thought you were contracted with your mother's goddess" he asked, "Keyword being were…he converted so I did the same thing, I was going to join with Rakia since it's known for boosting adventurer's strength outside of Orairo, but on my way their a deity offered me my own cult and I couldn't refuse, he embodies all the ideals you are all too stupid to admire!" she said laughing.
Dianna(LV1 •Strength:C687
•Endurance:C647
•Dexterity:D547
•Agility:B785
•Magic:I88
Skills: Intimate:A skill that gives the user the ability to petrify their opponents if they have a higher status.
Spells:Dark Fire: Swift Strike magic that will leave their opponents with everlasting burns that are difficult to get rid of.)
"Do you know this Lord Ebrus"? Asked Shakti, "Yeah, he was the biggest troublemaker back in the upper world, only saints like Artemis and Astrea could tolerate being around him without punching him in the face. If he's in the lower world…then we're gonna have to remain on our guard," he placed a paper on her back to copy her status. "Tell us where Ebrus is now," she started laughing, "I'm afraid I can't, even if I wanted to I wouldn't even be able to get a general idea of where he is. He's not a fool, he wouldn't stay in one place for too long." Ganesha senses no dishonesty from her.
"Truth hurts doesn't it"? She said smugly,
"We can't even seal up her status without capturing him, so what could we possibly do with her?" she asked him.
"She's only level 1, so even with her status she won't be able to cause much harm where she's going…" he claims.
"And where am I going" she asked, "I'm not scared of being banished" she followed up.
"Banished…no no no, you killed multiple people and framed your kid brother for murder…it's a big girl jail cell for you…we're sending you to prison city Keim-batsu, and they have a way to deal with people like you, thankfully there's already a cart we're gonna use to send you there, and no one is going to break you out, killing you would be too easy, but I prefer to have you live with the consequences of your actions."
An hour later Shakti escorted her outside to a carriage that had a cage on the back and a bunch of people who had their cloaks and cowls taken from them. She got into the carriage. "Don't bother with saying goodbye to him, but before you go I'd just like to say that…he can be rash stubborn and difficult to deal with at times…but he's sweet kind considerate and frankly I never met a boy more kind hearted and selfless than him, and I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt and torment him. You're missing out big time, and I hope you regret pushing him away…get this woman out of my sight Tanaka" he started to drive the carriage away from Genesha Familia's home and she glared at Shakti but she simply turned away from her and went inside. As if she was never there to begin with.
A lot of people are probably wondering why I changed the ending to the first story arc, well after I took a break from writing, I decided to reread it and I realized that…the Craiku vs Dianna fight and ending sucked so I changed it so Craiku can struggle a bit more and not just suddenly decide to end the fight.
Also I want to wait a bit before his dad gets involved, he's been visiting him but I haven't officially introduced him into the story yet, and I'll explain why later. On that note, I started a YouTube channel hoping to turn this fanfiction into something bigger. If you like and want to support this this story click this link right here - https/m./channel/UCTzVqIcKw3Ws5KX010COJVw?sub_confirmation=1 please pretty pretty please.