Chapter 24.
XXX
"Next." Holding back a sigh from escaping her lips the red-haired woman announced the next in line to step forward.
The morning hours were the worst shift by far, countless newbie Adventurers present at the Guild during the early hours of the day. Whatever to file reports, get some Quests, exchange Magic Stones earned the day prior or simply to get tips and advice from the staff, the morning shift was by far the busiest time for the Guild members.
Rose Fannett, the red-haired Werewolf Guild receptionist, disliked the morning shift.
Granted, the twenty-six years old woman grew accustomed to the antics of the newbies but she was not a morning person and having hordes upon hoardes of egoistical Adventurers glare at her, more precisely at her voluptuous chest this early in the morning was no short amount of a pain in the butt to put up with.
"U-Uhh...A-Are there any Quests for the Upper Floors available?" The male Adventurer, an Boaz barely a day older than eighteen asked with a stutter as his eyes went back and forth between looking her in the eyes and then at her chest.
Sigh...Newbies…
"...All Quests can be found on the Quest-board on the wall to your right. Once you find a Quest which interests you you may ask for further information here at the counter."
"O-Oh, I see…"
"Would that be all?"
"O-Oh, yes. Uhh...You are...very pretty."
As if I'm hearing that for the first time...Sigh…
She managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "If that is all, please step aside for the next in line."
"...Oh….Ok." Slightly taken aback by the tough response to his advances The Boaz sighed and moved aside.
Rose was well-known among the more experienced Adventurers for having a rather tough personality, never getting close to any of them nor responding to any of their love confessions.
Ironically enough combined with her stoic expression, this was the reason why many men, and women for that matter, had tried their luck and confessed to her.
Alas, it was all in vain.
Most of you will die in the Dungeon, leaving behind any and all loved ones. I say no thank you…
She closed her eyes and sighed. "Next."
"I require a list of small to barely-known Familia." The voice was youthful yet pragmatic leaving no room for interpretation: he was here for one reason alone, and nothing else mattered.
Opening her eyes Rose looked with a raised eyebrow ahead of her. For some reason she had expected whoever was in front of her to meet her at eye-level, but...she tiled her head downwards and only then did she make eye-contact with the person standing in front of her.
...It's him.
Orario was the centre of the world thanks in no small part to the only Dungeon being located right beneath this thousand years old city. However another reason for it's fame were it's Adventurers, individuals who far surpassed anything mankind could achieve and entered the realm of heroes:
"King" Ottar, Captain of the Freya Familia and one of the two only known Level 7's, who half killed the Balor, the Monster Rex of 49th Floor, by himself.
"Vana Freya" Allen Fromel, Level 6 and by far the fastest Adventurer in the City.
"Ankusha" Shakti Varma, Level 5 of Ganesha Familia, easily the largest Familia inside the Dungeon City and Captain over ten first-class Adventurers.
"Dea Saint" Amid Teasanare, Level 2 of the Dian Cecht Familia and Orario's most valued Doctor and healer.
"Perseus" Asfi al Andromeda, Level 4 and Captain of the Hermes Familia, simultaneously also the most famous item maker in Orario.
And then, of course, the Executives of the Loki Familia, by far the most active Dungeon-diving Familia in the City: Braver, Nine Hells, Elgarm, Vanargand, Amazon, Jormungand and of course, the famed Sword Princess.
All those individuals and more were responsible for feats far beyond even that of other humans blessed with a Falna and their names would surely be remembered for a long time to come because of that.
However, recently another name made it's way into this list of exceptional individuals. A name that belonged to a man, if you could even call him that, which had remained obscured until recently. The name of a former Adventurer who could now shift the balance of power within Orario as he wished depending on which side he decided to side with.
An individual who could, without doubt, lift even a small or medium-sized Familia to the very top of Orario, to a place just below Loki and Freya Familia if he decided to join them.
"Kenshi" Fuzen Katsumi, Level 2 and destroyer of Al-Dale, capital of Altena.
"...Ma'am? My list?"
...Now, what should I do…?
Looking around her Rose finally noticed the silence and stillness inside the Guild as all eyes fell upon the young boy, barely taller than 140 centimetres, only his shoulders and head poking above the counter.
Previously Rose had failed to notice the change of mood within the lobby area, having been busy contemplating her luck for getting so many morning shifts lately but now she was fully awake and at the same time, unsure of what to do.
Like all the other Guild employee and most of Orario and Altena as well, Rose had watched the battle between the boy and Altena unfold and she shuddered, possible for the first time in years. So much power, overwhelmingly so, but in an individual who she could not help but categorize as one of them who would get themselves killed earlier rather than later.
In a way he reminded her of the girl now known as the Sword Princess.
It was Rose, after all, who registered Ais as an Adventurer all those years ago when Riveria brought her to the Guild. She could still remember her face even now: beautiful like a doll's but devoid of any emotions. For her age at the time Ais had been one of the few extreme cases, one of those Adventurers one could do nothing but guess how soon she would die.
And at the moment, looking at the boy in front of her, the receptionist had the same impression she had back then, all those years ago.
Ahh. He's going to get himself killed, too.
While the Sword Princess had been indeed a rare case Kenshi topped even her.
Nothing.
There was absolutely nothing she could see in his eyes: no warmth, no humanity, not even that golden-haired girl's burning obsession.
He was almost like an avatar of pure, unadulterated coldness.
Looking to her side with the corner of her eye Rose noticed her fellow employees staring in her direction. After all, the Guild Head himself informed them that if Kenshi ever made an appearance in Orario again he was to be persuaded into becoming an Adventurer, no matter what.
It was not a surprise, either: Orario had no military of it's own and thus relied on the Adventurers to deal with both internal and external threats. The boy and his almost mythical-like Magic would be a great asset, indeed. "...A list, you say?"
"That is what I said, yes. If it's available I would like to receive a list of small and barely-known Familia within Orario."
...Now that's a problem…
It was a highly unusual request.
After all, most people came here after receiving their Falna.
Searching for a Familia was the would-be Adventurer's duty, after all, not the Guild's. "...Unfortunately we do not have a list of prospect Familia for you to choose from. It is up to the individual to search and get accepted by a Deity and receive their Falna. We can only work with you once that step is concluded."
The boy nodded in response, then..."I see. So there is no list for me to choose from, is there? That is a bummer." He raised his voiced by just a bit, repeating everything she had said in the form of a question.
...The hell is going on? The werewolf asked herself at the unusual change of volume from the boy.
"Then if I may, I wish to leave my address here." Fuzen then procured a piece of paper from within his clothes and laid it on the counter then proceeded to speak even louder than before, if only by a notch or two. "This is my address. If any Deities check up at the Guild in search of members please do inform them of my desire to enter a Familia. Preferably, Deities who have not yet started their Familia or only have one or two members, at most."
"U-Uh, we don't offer that kind of-"
"Thank you very much. Then, I shall be on my way."
"What? Wait, I said we don't offer that kind of-"
"Have a nice day." The boy said as he turned away and walked towards the entrance. "...My apologies, ma'am."
Perking up her ears Rose believed she heard him say something but before she could even try to guess what, it happened.
"I was here first!"
"Get out of the way!"
"Hey, don't push!"
"As if I'm going to let this chance slip!"
All of a sudden the waiting lines from the other receptionists rushed towards her side of the counter, all of them merging into a single long and hectic waiting line.
Rose looked at the war being fought over the first place in front of her.
Then she looked down at the piece of paper with the boy's address.
Then back at the line.
…
…
…
Did...did that boy...just use the Guild to advertise himself…?
Though she kept her composure she could not control herself entirely: her tail flung left and right wildly behind her, the first sign of her inner turmoil.
The second one...was the corner of her mouth, twitching in response to the chaos before her.
That...little brat!
Now outside the Guild the boy in question turned around and listened to the chatter within the Guild for a couple of moments, then he gave a nod of acknowledgment and moved on towards his next destination.
XXX
Eagerness was high, to say the least.
Knowing what succeeding in this next expedition meant for their Familia everyone was in high spirits, already ready to set out and reach yet another milestone.
Naturally, for a race that had the rush of battle engraved into their very being…
"Haaaah!"
"Gah! Why you-!"
"Nghh! Take this!"
"Guuh!"
...the Amazon twin were in a league of their own when it came to being eager.
Now laid out on the ground after punching each other square in the face the twin sisters gasped for air after their intense spar, a spar where no punches had been pulled. No growth without pain, they always told each other.
"...Just a couple more days…" Tione said.
"...Yeah. Then we will finally reach a new Floor."
"Mhm. We can't let the Captain down. Do you understand, Tiona?"
"Geez, why am I getting singled out?"
"Because you're an idiot."
"...Shut it, boobs for brains."
"The hell did you just say to me?!"
"Hehe, wanna go again?!"
Just a couple of seconds into their break the sisters jumped to their feet and slugged each other once again, their display of might intense enough to make all of their lower-Level companions watching the fight unfold from inside the Manor shudder in fear.
They were, after all, in a league of their own.
However it was not simply their high Level which made their spar as brutal as it was. Determination was also a very frightening aspect of their fight.
I want to get stronger!
Each of their strike was backed up by those words, by the desire to go beyond their current selves as befitting of first-class Adventurers. It was however not solely a selfish desire, but also one which manifested for the sake of others.
Two sisters, one similar goal, yet once again two different men as their deepest desire.
Their fight got ever more heated, fists and legs flying in a display of might-filled savagery, when..."Big news!"...Raul came rushing out from the Manor and ran towards them.
"Huh? What is it, Raul?"
"News from around town! He's back!"
"Who is back?" Tiona asked again.
"Who else? Fuzen is back in town!"
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
A sensation Tiona was not used to began to spread in her chest, but she ignored it, now more interested in learning more. "Really? When? How? Where?"
"There's rumour spreading around and some of the others picked up on it. Apparently Fuzen showed up at the Guild around an hour ago, saying something about wanting a list of Familia. This caused an uproar and the Guild is still trying to get it under control. Last he was seen he was heading for the north-west part of town."
Just as Raul ended his short report a gale passed him by almost powerful enough to make him lose his balance and fall down.
North-west, was it? All right!
Tiona darted off, having already reached the gate and the street outside the Manor. Finally, after almost a whole month since he left their Familia she could see him again.
XXX
She took the rapier out of it's scabbard and gave it a few swings to test the sharpness of the blade as it cut through the air. "...Mhm. Thank you." The girl gave a nod then placed the rapier back in it's sheath.
"While it was not as bad as last time, I would suggest you take better care of your weapons." The old-looking smithing God advised with a sigh. "Your expedition is coming up in a couple days, right? If you dull the blade again so soon I won't be able to perform anything else but emergency repairs on it."
"...Got it. Sorry." Ais bowed her head knowing full well the problems she caused for the God on a regular basis. "I'll take better care of it."
"I hope you do. Now off you go, I have work to do."
"Mhm."
Ais fastened the rapier on her belt then left the Goibniu Familia shop, stepping outside onto the street. It was busy, as expected, seeing how many Goibniu blacksmith shops were to be found along the District.
An industrial area, some called it.
With her weapon now in prime condition Ais set out towards the Manor. There were still a couple days left until the expedition towards the 56th Floor and she needed to improve as much as possible until then.
I'll grab my equipment then head for the Dungeon.
Her goal for the day now set, Ais turned around, then froze in place.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"...Oh. Erm...Hi." Ais was first to voice after a long, long time of staring at the boy and vice versa.
Fuzen gave a nod of acknowledgment in return but otherwise made no attempts at a verbal response. Physically he had not changed much. He wore the same eastern outfit Ais remember him always wearing as well as the same nonchalant expression on his face. His two swords were also, as expected, fastened at his hip and ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.
Indeed, physically he had changed little.
But…
He's...stronger.
As an experienced Adventurer and overall highly capable fighter Ais naturally had a talent for gauging the power of people and Monsters alike even without fighting them. Granted, it had not been that long since she last spared with the boy, but even so, his demeanour, his aura, told her that he was stronger than last time she had seen him.
He's...became stronger. Meanwhile I…
Clank!
Just as she began to curse her own inability to grow stronger the boy let the wooden box he carried on his shoulder drop down to the ground, the sharp sound of metal clanking inside reaching Ais's ears.
Weapons, maybe?
Before she could inquire as to what was inside the wooden box Fuzen let his knees touch the ground, followed by the palms of his hands.
"...W-Wait, what?"
The boy did not answer, however, instead bringing his head lower, and lower, and lower, until his forehead touched the ground beneath, uninterested at the people on the street staring at him.
What he was performing was called a dogeza in his homeland, also known as as prostration or a kowtow in Koine translation.
Even Ais knew what this was, thanks in no small part to her Deity, but she was confused as to why he was performing it here in front of her.
"...Fuzen, what is...going on?"
"Fuzen Katsumi of the Lightning Sword Style thanks Ais Wallenstein for saving his life. Please accept my sincere gratitude."
...Wait.
What?
When?
How?
...Huh?
"U-Uhh...I don't...understand..."
"That is fine. You should not understand. You will not understand. It is better for you if you never understand. All I wish is for you to know: you have saved my life and I am thankful for it. Now I can pursue my goal again. You have my gratitude. I am in your debt." Having said everything he needed to say Fuzen rose to his feet again, grabbing the wooden box and placing it on his shoulder before making his way to walk past the confused Ais. "That is all. Thank you for listening to me. Have a continuous good day, Wallenstein-sama."
"...Wait. I don't understand. Does this mean...you have forgiven me?" She reached out to him, Fuzen stopping when he reached her side. He turned his head, hazel eyes meeting golden.
"Hm? Is that the impression I gave? I see, it appears my people skills are still lacking. Allow me to clarify: I will never forgive you for what you have done." The boy's words struck like a hammer, the sincerity traceable in his tone. "Indeed, I will cut you down if you ever try to replicate it again, make no mistake about that."
"…"
"...However. I...Sigh...I can no longer hate you for it. I don't...have that right anymore."
"...You don't...hate me anymore?"
"That is what I just said, was it not? I will not repeat myself simply for your satisfaction." The boy replied with a single twitch of his eye, a sign Ais picked up as she observed his expression.
He no longer hated her.
Without even realizing it herself that knowledge brought a smile to her face along with the feeling of a heavy weight being lifted off her chest. "...I see."
"Mhm." Fuzen nodded, then walked another step past her before stopping in his tracks again, looking over his shoulder at the older girl for a couple of moments. "...Are you...uhh...are you...like, doing well, or something...?"
It was an unexpected question, so unexpected in fact that Ais remained motionless for a couple of seconds. In the one year where he was part of the Familia, she could not remember a single time where he asked someone if they were doing well outside of combat.
What exactly had changed?
Her lack of immediate reply warranted her a frown from the boy."...Tsk. Are you doing well or not?"
"H-Huh? Oh. Yes, I'm doing well."
The boy examined her for a moment then gave her a slow nod. "I...see. Good. That is...good. Mmm."
"M-Mhm."
"Mhm. Are you also...eating well?"
Ok, now this is getting weird…
"Yes…"
"I see. That...is also good. Make sure you eat your carrots."
This was the point where Ais started to question the sudden change in the boy as well as his knowledge of her.
No one knew she disliked carrots expect Finn, Riveria, Loki and Gareth, the people who more or less raised her after she joined the Familia at the age of seven. With that said...why did he specifically mention carrots?
"...Why...mention carrots specifically?"
He looked just as confused as her, tilting his head as he tried to come up with a response. "...I do not know. I had...a hunch, I guess…? Sigh...With that said I need to be on my way now. Again, have a good day."
Leaving no time for the girl to ask another question Fuzen turned around and began walking away, the conversation, in his mind, having come to a close.
But not for Ais.
She reached out to grab him, not yet satisfied with his answers. "Wait-"
Inhale.
Exhale.
"Amble Stride."
The next moment he was half a street away, having walked there before her hand could touch his shoulder. She remembered this Technique well: a Technique where he walked so fast he almost left behind after-images of himself, probably made possible with that mysterious power he possessed.
Ais knew she could reach him with her speed and Magic, but...he had been clear.
The conversation was at an end and there was nothing else to be said.
Guess...there's no point in following him now…
Disheartened at the boy's unwillingness to talk to her anymore Ais dropped her head and went over everything that had happened. It has been weird for her, to say the least. Prostrating himself before her, talking about her saving his life, then the questions…
Are you doing well?
For as long as she had known him Ais came to understand that the boy was a very honest person.
He did not lie, he did not sugar-coat anything.
He was straight to the point, always saying what his exact opinion was whatever it was appropriate or not. Granted, his words were never as harsh as Bete's but even so...Overall, however, she could say one thing for certain: he did not lie.
Ever.
Period.
Thus she already knew that the question had been asked sincerely. He truly wished to know how she was doing.
But that was not all.
His expression, his tone, everything about how he asked the question, it was almost like-
"…! Hey, Ais!" She turned to look behind her, noticing Tiona rushing towards her at full speed.
"Tiona?"
"Hey. Say, have you seen Fuzen? I heard he was seen in this part of town!"
"Oh. I have...seen him."
"Really?! Where?!"
"He was here...until a moment ago. He went down the road…"
"Down the road?! Ok, gotcha! Thanks!" The Amazon then darted off again, not wasting any more time. "Where are you, Fuzen~?"
"...She's...motivated?"
XXX
This is quite refreshing. I should come here more often.
It was noon and the girl's home visits had all been taken care of.
Contrary to what some people believed a Doctor was not an individual who only extended their services to Adventurers alone.
Indeed, ordinary people, civilians and workers, were also in need of medical attention and thus they could reach out to medicinal-type Familia just as well as any Adventurer. Granted, a person who never stepped foot inside the Dungeon would not be at the same risk of receiving wounds and maladies that Adventurers subjected themselves to, but even so all people required medicinal help, old people more so than others.
But for today home visits had been taken care of and as such Amid allowed herself a short break by ordering a cup of tea at a place she had not yet visited until now. It was noon, after all, and this would count as part of her break anyway.
...Someone once told me I work too much...But, I also can't imagine taking it easy like this for an extended period of time…
She liked her work, tragic as it might sometimes be.
Not everyone could be saved, not everyone could be cured. For some she was just a second too later and that gnawed at her heart. But she could not give up because of that, either. For every patient that she failed, many more needed her attention.
...I should get going.
Sipping the last of her tea Amid placed the Valis on the table and grabbed her bag, ready to move on. While home visits were done she still had many things to do back at the shop, potions to brew, books to read-
"Hmm?" From the corner of her eyes Amid saw a long wave of dark hair flowing in the gentle breeze that fell over Orario and turned her head to look in that direction.
He was back, surrounded by a group of four other easterners all much older than him. All four of those men wore the same dark-blue eastern clothes, a katana hanging from each of their hips.
However, despite the fact that he was literally half their size the boy in the middle of the group allowed no misinterpretation to be made: he was the leading figure.
"Fuzen? He's...back?"
Just then his group walked onto a side street and Amid found herself walking towards the same street in a hurried manner. Reaching the entrance into the side street, Amid took a moment to look for the boy through the many crowds of people.
Granted, her small stature did not help her much but she made out the men accompanying Fuzen through a gap between the civilian masses: they had already reached the far side of the street.
She quickly made her way through the crowds when a thought popped in her mind.
Wait. Why am I even following him?
It was not in her nature to follow anyone out of curiosity, so why was she doing so right now? Amid could not understand it herself. Surely he would drop by her shop soon anyhow, seeing how he was back in town.
Yes, there is no need for me to follow him...right?
While the girl had her inner monologue she had already arrived at the next street section, peeking from behind cover to the side where Fuzen and his group went towards.
They had stopped in front of a house, a building which had seen much better days.
The windows had been shattered, probably by stones if the glass scattered on the ground was any indication, and the front door and facade bore signs of burns.
Vandalism?
Or something else?
Amid could not tell, as she lacked too much information for a guess.
In the distance she saw Fuzen knock at the door then another easterner, a man in his late twenties, opening the door and bowing his head before signalling the group of five to enter inside the house.
Amid went over her options after she saw the door close behind the last man.
She could stand and wait a bit more in the hopes that the group would leave the house soon.
Or she could stop her endeavour and go away.
After all, her break was almost over and she would need to be back at the shop soon, anyway.
What am I even doing? It's not like I need to look out for him. He can take care of himself, he has already shown that...But…
Amid was still upset with herself for previously deciding to simply stand on the side and wait, ignoring the boy's...unstable elements. Even when his previous Familia came to her her only advice had been to wait and look for an opportunity to extend their help.
She could no longer do that.
She wanted to help him.
"Hmm?" She shook herself out of her thoughts to notice that while she was contemplating two carriages had stopped before the very house Fuzen had entered. Then the door opened and the men accompanying Fuzen walked out one by one, each holding bags and furniture which they stored within one of the carriages.
…? Are they...helping with moving?
Fuzen and the owner of the house walked out of the house, helping with the task at hand, as well. A couple of minutes later it was all done just as a woman and child were the last to leave the house. What Amid presumed to be a family of three bowed their heads again and again at Fuzen, the boy waving his arms and pointing at the first carriages which they then boarded along with the other four men.
What followed next managed to scare the living spirit out of the Doctor.
While she was observing Fuzen, whose back was turned to her as he looked at the carriages riding down the street, she blinked and then…
"What are you doing here?"
By the time she opened her eyes again, the boy appeared before her his face just inches away from hers.
"Kyaah!"
Surprised at the boy's speed she let out a yelp and fell back on her ass in a less than stellar fashion.
That was...embarrassing…
Fuzen for his part only stared at her with a hawk-like intensity, so intense in fact he managed to intimidate the much older woman. It did not last long however and he slowly extended his hand to her.
One pull later she was standing again and Amid noticed immediately: he had grown.
Not by much of course, maybe two or three centimetres at most, but he had grown. She no longer needed to lower her head quite as much as before to meet his eyes.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes. I apologise for screaming at you."
"It bothered me little. It was very cute-...Mmm...Doesn't matter. I will ask again: What are you doing here?"
"...I'm sorry."
Fuzen raised an eyebrow at her words, tilting his head in confusion just the slightest bit. "An apology is only needed when one has done something which warrants an apology. Have you done something which warrants an apology, Teasanare-sama?"
"That...depends, I guess?"
"...An explanation is required." He replied.
Seeing little escape from the boy now Amid began to explain today's events to Fuzen and how she came to observe him from a distance, the boy simply listening motionlessly throughout the explanation. "I see. I do not understand why you would not simply call out to me but I do not believe your actions require an apology. However I would advice you do not engage in such activities again. You are lucky I realized from the beginning that it was you, but if you had caught me on a less...focused day, I may have injured you."
"…? What do you mean?"
He tilted his head, trying to figure out where the girl lost him then realized that she could not use nor feel the Ki of others and thus was probably certain her strategy had worked until the last second. "...You are a rather clumsy scout, you do realize this, yes? I felt you following me from the moment you made your way through the crowds two streets away from here. I would suggest you do not try to change jobs. You would not survive long as an Adventurer."
"...Well geez, that's motivational."
"Is it?"
"No, of course not."
"I see."
"You have...not changed much, have you?"
"Sigh...More than you would believe, actually."
"Hm?"
"...Nothing. Still, this is a good change of events. I was going to contact you soon but seeing how you are here right now I shall no longer delay. I am in need of your services."
"Hm? Are you hurt?"
"No. Not me, that is. I have a couple of people who should get checked by a professional. I already applied Healing Potions and the likes, but...mayhaps you can spot something I cannot."
She gave a firm nod in response. "Understood. Then, where to?"
Just as she finished her question Amid realized that she was now looking up at the sky, the boy having placed her within his arms faster than she could realize. "East District."
"L-Let's just walk, maybe? This is embarrassing."
"Hm? We will be too fast for anyone to notice us."
"E-Even so, let's just walk."
"Do you...dislike it that much?"
"Yes."
"...I see. Sounds like...you will have it tough, then."
"Wait, what-?"
Whoosh!
The next thing she knew everything around her became a blur as Fuzen jumped from roof to roof at a speed which should have been impossible for a Level 2. In the end her desire had been completely ignored by the boy.
This is...so embarrassing…
A seventeen years old girl being carried around by a boy of only eleven years was indeed not something which was helpful to one's pride, but Fuzen cared little for such things. Efficiency was far more important to him and this route was the most efficient, shaving off as much as ninety percent off from the time needed to arrive to their destination when compared to simply walking there.
And the difference in efficiency could be seen, indeed: the trip which would have taken at least forty minutes on foot had been reduced to a mere five minutes.
"I would really appreciate it if you could hold back from dragging me around whenever you feel like it." The Doctor stated with a sigh as the two arrived in the East District and the boy allowed her feet to touch the ground again.
"...I make no promises." Fuzen replied with a grin Amid failed to noticed, leading the way through the streets. Before long they had arrived at a less narrow part of the District, parks with cherry trees scattered around the large opening. Further down the street was what looked like a stone fence, built in the way of the east, extending far into the back. "We are here."
"Oh? Do you have a friend here who needs my help?"
"Friend, you say? No." Fuzen replied, walking inside through the open double wooden gate without asking for permission. Amid was certainly impressed: beyond the stone fence was a large eastern villa with two stories, the top floor the only part she had seen from beyond the fence. It was built of wood, as expected, with a long road leading from the gates to the entrance sliding doors. "This is my new residence."
…
…
"...Your residence?"
"Mhm. I bought it a couple of weeks ago when I came back to Orario. It belonged to a now deceased merchant. His daughter did not wish to own this villa as apparently they had a...bad relationship, so she put it out for sell. I decided it would be good enough for my plans so I bought it."
"...Oh. I see. How much...does such a villa even cost…?"
"Fifty million Valis."
Fifty millions, he said casually...Naturally, being part of a medicinal-type Familia Amid was no stranger to large sums of money changing hands. Some of their own products cost millions and some materials they bought cost tens of millions.
However, that was all business.
In truth, many Adventurers and Dungeon-related businesses in Orario were not making as much money as people from outside the Dungeon City believed. Granted, her own salary as a Doctor was enough for a very comfortable life, but...she hardly knew anyone who could pull out fifteen million out of their wallet on a whim.
"That's...pretty impressive. Won the lottery, did you?"
"No. From the spoils I was entitled to after defeating Altena in their capital city." Fuzen said with a shrug, sliding the doors open and signalling the girl to follow him inside. Not a second after they took their shoes off hurried steps could be heard making their way towards them from the hallway to the left.
Then a woman wearing an everyday blue kimono appeared from around the corner, coming to a stop and sliding off the wooden floor while still standing thanks to her inertia. "[Young Master, you are back! I just finished cooking! Where would you like to eat, in your room or with the others?! O-Oh, or would you like to take a bath, first?! I can prepare it right away-!]"
"[Riko. Breath.]" Fuzen told the woman in the eastern language then pointed at Amid to his side. "This is Amid Teasanare-sama of the Dian Cecht Familia. She is a Doctor, and here to check on the packages-...on the others at my request. Please inform them of this and have them wait in the large living room. Uhh, except the ones on the second Floor. We will visit them in their rooms right now then come back."
"I-I understand, Young Master! Truly, your kindness knows no bounds!" The young woman then bowed once towards Amid before darting off to complete the task Fuzen had given her.
"...No. I'm not." He said a moment later as he shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing, Teasanare-sama. Please, follow me. The first...patients, are upstairs. I reckoned those who suffered the most would desire some solitude thus I granted them individual rooms."
"I see. If I may, I would like to know what exactly I should except before we proceed." Amid said, and Fuzen turned to look her in the eyes, his expression not changing one bit.
"There are twenty-three women here who require your attention. I only allowed those who suffered the most to stay with me but there are in fact more to be found throughout the East District."
"...And what...did they suffer?"
"In chronological order? Forced debt. Abduction. Slavery. Forced prostitution. Abuse. Rape. Torture. Molestation. In other words, -"
"Stop." Amid placed her hand on his shoulder yanking him the slightest bit to make him stop. It was worse than she expected. The state of her soon-to-be patients, yes, but even more so the state of the boy before her. She doubted he did not understand the meaning behind the words he used.
However, his knowledge aside there was another aspect which managed to frighten even the hardened Doctor: the absolute calm he spoke with. "Just...stop. I understand."
"...-just another savage day under the sun."
XXX
"Small to barely-known Familia, you say?" The red-haired Goddess asked surprised as she sat crossed-legged on her Captain's desk, to the Pallum's dismay.
"Yes. That is what some of the others heard from the Guild." Raul nodded in response.
"Interesting…" Loki had been gone for most of the day, overseeing matters related to the Expedition which would soon begin and thus she had not been present when the news reached the Twilight Manor earlier in the morning, only now being briefed by her Children of what her former swordsman was up to. "I wonder why...Hmm...We Gods have divine intuition, yet even so...I can't figure it out. I mean, everyone would rather join a large Familia, right? Or am I missing something?"
"That boy is...different than us, Loki." The High Elf stated. "Most probably he thinks too differently for us to understand the reason behind his choice."
"That, or maybe…some sort of scheme?" The Goddess added with a smirk, the memory of the excitement brewing inside of her upon the declaration of war by the boy still clear in her mind. Fuzen had pulled a massive Got'cha! On Altena a while back and as the Trickster Goddess, well...Loki was intrigued as to the prospect of future events the boy might put in motion.
"If you take into consideration the honourable part of him we have all come to know while he was part of the Familia, a scheme would seem unlikely." Braver stated as he rubbed his chin, trying to make heads and tails of what the boy was thinking. "However...after what happened in Altena...At the very least, schemes are not beyond his ability. If there is enough justification to use them, that is."
"I know right?" Loki nodded with a smirk. "That's what makes him even more interesting!"
"Oh boy, here we go again…" The Dwarf in the room muttered.
"Finnnn~ I want him~!" The Goddess said as she began to roll around on the Pallum's desk, gaining a couple of sighs in return. "I want him back!"
"Loki, you know we cannot force him. That is not how our Familia work, remember? He is free to choose whatever Familia he wants to join. Though that is not to say I would not desire him to be part of our Familia again."
"Hmm...That is…" Loki jumped to her feet again, looking at her Captain over her shoulder with her eyes open. "...too unambitious, Finn."
The Goddess's change of mood quickly garnered the full attention of her three Top Executives and Raul.
Loki was a Patron Deity who pulled her own weight in the Familia unlike many other Deities who took it slowly and relaxed while only their Children worked hard. However, the Trickster Goddess, hard working as she was, nonetheless always did her work in a relaxed and joking manner.
Thus, any changes in her mood were rare indeed.
"You can't just wait for the fish to jump out of the water into your arms, Finn. You need to prepare a fishing rod, and string, and most importantly, bait."
"...My, my. You sound serious." The Pallum replied.
"What are you saying, Finn? Of course I am! After all…he belongs to me." Loki stated...nay, declared with a sinister smile on her lips before turning and making for the door.
"Where are you going, Loki?"
"Bait." The Goddess replied with a single word then left.
XXX
It wasn't challenging.
Not at all.
As his greatsword cut through the Monsters of the Upper Floors Seiji could not bring himself to laugh as he always did. It was only a couple of weeks that he arrived in Orario but those Monsters...they no longer fulfilled him.
However he was not dumb, either: he knew it was not because he was strong or talented but rather, because his Status was no longer low enough for the first few Floors.
He became sick at the age of three, shortly before his own parents died. He was meant to die, as well.
To follow them into heaven and be reborn again.
But he didn't want to.
Why do I have to die? I want to live!
That is what his thoughts as a three-year old were. He knew there was a world to explore out there and he didn't want to die before he got the chance to see it.
So he fought, painful as it was.
But the pain had been rewarded in the end.
The path of the warrior is one of many paths. You too, are a warrior. You too, are worthy.
His desire to live, to fight, had brought him to the attention of the local God.
Hachiman, the God of Warriors.
The God who gave him his Falna.
The Falna which strengthened his young and sickly body and eased the pain. He was not cured, back then he did not believe he ever would be cured, but he could fight.
And so he did.
Putting up with the pain he picked up the sword as soon as he could lift it.
And then he trained, for as long as he could, before collapsing into a pool of his own sweat, vomit and blood.
Little by little, day after day.
He never managed to train more than a couple minutes each day, but he repeated it nonetheless.
Naturally only a couple of minutes of training per day amounted to almost nothing. But he has done it for ten whole years. His Status was not high, most of his Attributes were only at Rank H, but he was not a beginner either.
He was not someone who was unused to being empowered by a Falna and needed time to adjust himself.
For ten whole years, he had been a warrior.
Thus, these Upper Floors, the beginner Floors, were not challenging for him.
"...If only boss and Cap would understand that, too...Sigh..."
"Grrahh!" Another Kobold jumped at him from the side, however it got cut in half before it's feet could even touch the ground again.
"Geez, pipe down, will you? You aren't worthy enough to be that loud."
He had already arrived at the stairs towards the 6th Floor, the invisible barrier cast upon him by his Familia keeping the boy from going any further down.
He could do it...but he knew his new God would find out somehow that he broke the rule.
"So then...what now?"
He had already sold the Potions for today and he reached the end of the Floors he was allowed on. A couple of hours must have passed since he dived into the Dungeon so it was probably already evening.
"...Guess I'll head back. Not much else to do...Nah, I'll clear this Floor one more time. Some extra Excelia never hurt nobody."
Patience was required however as first he needed the Monsters to respawn. Finding an appropriate stone to sit on Seiji laid his backpack to the side and took out some dried jerky and his water canteen in order to refill his energy while waiting.
...I wonder what that runt is up to now...Hope he's okay.
He had no doubts that the pillar of light, the signal that a Deity went back to Heaven, had been caused by Fuzen.
Of course, he had no proof, but his gut told him that much.
Only he was crazy enough not to care about the consequences.
A Deity might have been reduced to the state of a mortal in the Lower World but they were still Deities to be feared. After all, if one hurt them while in the Lower World they would be at that God's mercy once they died and their soul made it's way to Heaven to be reborn.
Yet a Deity could grab one's soul before they were ready to be reborn and do with them as they wished.
Thus, a lifetime of servitude awaited those who hurt Deities, unable to be reborn ever again. That is why no one was crazy enough to mess with them in any sort of serious manner.
No one but Fuzen, apparently...Shit, dude, what have you done…?
The pillar of light happened three days ago and a day later, Fuzen visited the Blue Pharmacy to get the letter Seiji was entrusted with. Upon being questioned the boy said nothing, simply grabbing the letter and walking away.
The letter...He must be furious by now, seeing who wrote it. Has he even read it or simply tore it apart…?
"...What can I do to help, I wonder…?"
Fuzen was an absolute asshole.
As someone who had known him for most of his life Seiji could say without second thoughts that the boy was simply an asshole.
hat was simply a fact.
However, he also knew that Fuzen was more than that.
He had once been kind, genuinely kind, to a level few people could ever hope to achieve. Coupled with his immense sense of responsibility as well as his tenacity to become stronger the boy had been nothing short of an exemplary individual, someone people could aspire to be like.
Someone Seiji could aspire to be like.
And then, it all just...came crashing down.
Why?
Seiji didn't know.
Not exactly, that is.
They had lived in the same village so of course he knew about...rumours and the likes, but nothing deeper than that. He was neither Fuzen's family nor even a part of his Martial School.
He was not privy to such information.
But his friend had died, long before he had time to be truly born and grow.
If he had to summarize it, then he would probably say that Fuzen lived in the past, while fighting in the present, all while paving the path towards the future, one bloody step at a time.
In another life, he would have been able to become someone great.
A hero or the likes, probably the first one their war-obsessed homeland would have managed to produce.
He once had that potential.
He probably still did, even today, somewhere within him.
But if he still had that potential, he sure as hell buried it as deep as possible, no longer visible to those watching from the outside.
Even I can't see it anymore. Is it still there, I wonder…?
Seiji shook his head and stood up, grabbing his backpack and sword. "There is little I can do as I am now. I can barely take care of myself, let alone help others. I need to get stronger, first."
He heard the screeching of newly-born Monsters in the distance and so he stepped forward.
They would not be enough, far from it.
But they were a start.
"All right, I feel pumped up now! Buhahahaha, Seiji Okita, stepping forward! Have at me!"
XXX
"...It is done." He confirmed to himself as he stood atop the highest point of the world and watched the world down below with cold, analytical eyes.
Back then he had ordered Raiju to wait atop the roof of the Babel Tower simply to show everyone that his dragon was still in Orario.
A dragon waiting at the top of the world was simply impossible to miss, after all.
It has been a good way to send a message, but besides that, he thought little else of the spot.
However now that he was standing here, at the edge of the Babel's highest point, looking down at the Dungeon City, Fuzen felt a strange calmness wash over him.
The perfectly round city confined within it's walls, the lights on the streets, the people now simply the size of ants moving in a strange symphony all throughout the city...It was...calming.
Serene.
Pleasant, even.
He liked this spot. He would probably frequent it more often from now on.
Especially because there were no people to be found nearby.
Granted, just a few dozens of meters beneath him were the floors which the Freya Familia rented out for themselves and their Goddess, but...No one said the roof was forbidden.
There were no signs, either, and Fuzen made good use of this knowledge.
Sigh...Finally, it is done. The groundwork has been laid.
Following his return to Orario after the Altena incident, Fuzen had immediately started his plan, which began by seeking out Yamamoto the sushi chef. Fuzen wasn't born yesterday, after all: he knew the man was good with more than just his hands. One can try to escape their past and change their name, but you can't hide it forever. Sooner or later, it will be resurface again.
Especially when you used to work for the Imperial Court.
Fuzen was smart but he was not all-knowing. Matters involving people and politics were far beyond his grasp. So for his plan to work he needed someone with experience, someone to act as his advisor. The boy thus decided on the man whom he owned a debt.
Next followed a step which Fuzen disliked but understood the importance of: laying his plan bare on the table. If he wanted the man's assistance he needed to give him reasons to stand by his side.
So he told him everything.
Well, everything that he needed to know.
Fuzen had, after all, a strict rule of only giving out information on a need-to-know basis. He had not lied, of course, but he also withheld information which he deemed too important to share with anyone.
And it had worked: the elderly man took a knee and pledges both his loyalty as well as his assistance to his new lord.
Lord...Heh. Disgusting…
The words that night had rolled down his tongue like the vilest of poisons. He hated it, making use of his family's name and reputation even when he knew how important it was for the plan he devised. He had cut all ties with his blood all those years ago and now he was making use of them at the first chance.
"Just like a weasel...Ironic."
He was disgusted by himself.
But it no longer mattered.
He no longer had any honour, after all.
He had dragged it through the mud since he first stepped out to grasp the Heavens. It had been stained and ripped apart, all by his own two hands.
And now, with the civilian deaths resulting from his attack on Al-Dale the last embers of his honour had been snuffed out.
He would of course still adhere by his code but deep down, Fuzen now knew it was all for naught.
Just a pretence, nothing else.
A mask, like the ones he hated so much.
He was now an honourless dog himself, and still, it didn't matter.
His honour may be gone, but he still had a duty.
Death had not kept him from fulfilling his it: neither would a lack of honour.
There was no escape.
No going back.
No compromise.
...Heh. Again, ironic...
Following the strategic use of his blood and title Fuzen discussed the best way forward with Yamamoto for the duration of the night, having gone through all possible scenarios and setbacks which might occur on their endeavour. Then morning came, and Fuzen used his spoils of war to buy every major business, shop and manufactory within the East District.
Normally, this process would usually take a while to bring to completion but once they knew who they were dealing with and what benefits awaited them shall they bend the knee, no owner had refused the terms and immediately handed over their businesses to Fuzen, bending the knee in the process.
The terms were not bad, either.
In exchange for ownership of their individual businesses the owners were granted Fuzen's protection as well as the freedom to proceed as they were while sharing only a small amount of their profit with their new lord as monthly tribute for his protection.
Fuzen had been very clear to them: he was not out to become rich.
He wanted influence and authority, nothing more.
And now he had both in ample supply.
With that, the first step had been completed.
The second step then began with a lock-down of the District.
No one could know Fuzen was in Orario nor that the East District now belonged to him. The reasons were many however it all boiled down to one thing: the civilians.
Orario's East District, filled with the immigrants from the Far East, had existed for a while.
It was the place where those fleeing from the constant wars fought in their homeland had been relocated upon their arrival in the City. However, because the people who tried to make their new start here disliked the conflict they fled from none of them wished to align with a Deity and fight in yet another war that was not theirs. Thus, while it began to flourish as a city within a city, the East District slowly revealed it's one major weakness: it's lack of allies and back-up.
And a lack of allies meant easy money for those willing enough to sell their very mothers for a handful of Valis. This was the start of extortion and forced debt upon the peace seeking easterners by small, almost gang-like Familia.
Naturally there had been forces who tried to help them, like the Ganesha Familia, Orario's policing force.
However they had a whole city to take care of with a limited amount of people and in the end, they could not intervene unless the conflict escalated into one of life or death.
Which helped little as the gang-like Familias had little desire to kill anyone.
Dead men cannot pay protection money, after all.
But Fuzen did not care about that.
He did not care for rules and consequences.
He did not care who he had to pick a fight with.
And thus the District had been placed in lock-down to avoid outsiders from intervening or alarming the policing forces of Orario.
Fuzen shouted for assistance, and brave men stepped forward.
They took upon themselves the task to follow and reveal as much information on those gang-like Familia as possible, especially the Familia's members and numbers as well as their hideouts.
Once the information had been gathered, Fuzen stepped forward, ready to do his part.
What followed was a display of carnage Orario had not seen since the days of Evilus.
No prisoners had been taken, no members left alive.
He had butchered them to the last man, their heads lined up on the floor with a single message written in their blood left behind for their Deity:
Leave Orario and never, ever until the end of times, come back.
Before long, the Dungeon City found itself short three Deities.
Yet another step in the plan had been completed.
But it was not the last.
While the extermination of the gangs of Adventurers were a heavy weight lifted off the District's shoulders it was by far not the most difficult task to accomplish, for there remained one gang even more dangerous than the other three combined.
Gangs who worked as normal Adventures while also engaging in extortion and human trafficking.
Their strategy of using people had been smart, as well.
They only targeted families with daughters, then proceeded to force debt upon the parents by whatever means they could think of. Once the families were unable to pay the unjust debts anymore they would beat and cripple the parents, the proceed to abduct the daughters as collateral until the parents could pay off the debts.
Then they sold the females to various brothels across Orario and nearby cities, making good money in the process.
They had been by far the trickiest: their numbers were high and their connections spread far. Fuzen knew he could not deal with them efficiently by himself.
Thus, he did the only logical thing he could think of.
Using his Advisor Yamamoto as a middleman to conceal his own identity Fuzen reached out to the best information broker Familia in Orario: Hermes Familia.
Yamamoto had been instructed to say that the large payment he was offering was a collective fund by all of the East District meant to help deal with the menace plaguing the East District. Whatever the God Hermes saw through the lie or not he did not seem to care: he agreed to help and soon set out to find the location of every single female abducted.
Four days later they allowed their professionalism and competence to shine. They had found out the location of every single abducted female still alive, numbering sixty-two in total.
Armed with this new information Fuzen's Advisor and the people he allowed into his inner circle, enraged by the years of oppression at the hands of blessed vermin, called out for hasty rescue of the women.
However, Fuzen shot their demands down.
They could not act carelessly for rumours spread quickly within the Dungeon City.
If the adult industry learned that Fuzen was at the core of this operation they would not make the rescue of the women easy. Kenshi was no longer a simple Adventurer: he was now a major player, his power and newly acquired wealth reasons enough for the vultures to try and nib away at him.
Thus, he came up with another plan.
Seeing how rescuing them by force would take time, especially since some of them were located in brothels outside Orario and Fuzen being unable to be in more than two places at once he devised a plan to buy back the women's freedom.
But all sixty-two women needed to be freed simultaneously, to avoid giving time for word to spread across the adult industry and someone putting one and two together and uncovering the greater plan at work.
As such, he reached out to the Hermes Familia again.
Holding an interview of sorts where he tested the District's men's ability to lie and maintain a poker face Fuzen choose twenty men as the major players and forty-two others as secondary players in the plan he devised.
With help from the hired Hermes Familia he then forged fake documents for all the men, giving the twenty false identities as rich individuals: emissaries, human traffickers, businessmen and so forth, while the forty-two were given identities as retainers and aides to the twenty men.
Then he spread rumours on the streets, allowing word of mouth to carry away the men's new identities to all corners of Orario and beyond.
Then came the part where the men's determination would be put to the test: to avoid arousing suspicion they would need to visit the brothers and buy the victims for the night, three days in a row.
That had been, by far, the most strenuous task for Fuzen himself.
After all, it was he who had to decide where each man went. He could not allow those with close relations to the victims to be anywhere near them least they would become slaves to their own emotions and drop their act.
After a sleepless night and much brain wreaking, the boy came with the a good strategy on how to position his players.
The father of victim A had been sent to victim H, while the brother of victim S had been sent to victim Z, all the while the neighbour of victim C had been sent to the brothel containing victim P and so on.
Creating a web of distortion meant to keep away all their enemies from the greater plan and from a mastermind having any sort of connection to it all, the plan was put in action.
Fuzen could not lie, he had his doubts it would work as flawlessly as he imagined it.
After all, sixty-two men being able to remain collected and sixty-two women able to keep quiet about their soon-to-be rescue was something very hard to imagine.
Then three days passed and the men were sent out with Fuzen's own money to buy back the women's freedom, all neatly organized to happen at the same time under the pretence of having fallen madly in love, or buying them for the satisfaction of their masters.
And...it worked.
Somehow, miraculously, to even Fuzen's own surprise, it had worked.
Through a grand scheme created by a single boy the lives of servitude of sixty-two women had been saved, and the East District cheered their new Master's in the quiet of their homes.
Then, a single major task remained, and that was to pulverize the Familia who was responsible for inflicting the most damage on the people, on his people: Rati Familia.
They were a medium-sized Familia, their members numbering twenty-six. Most of their members were Level 1 and only a couple veterans of Level 2, their Captain included.
Officially, they worked as an expedition-type Familia, though their reputation was just as bad as if their hidden activities were made public. They were a bunch of helpless vermin, a gathering of men not deserving of the title of men.
And their disgusting nest of a Home was located just a couple of streets away from the East District, his East District.
That would not be allowed.
Thus, when his scouts reported that the whole Familia had gathered for a party at their Home just a day after he liberated the very women these vermin turned into tainted objects, Fuzen set out, his goal already decided.
No stealthy plans.
No Raiju.
No lightning.
He walked straight through the front door, locked it behind him and drew his sword.
A mindless bloodbath was all they were deserving of.
The Goddess Rati was the Patron Deity of lust, sexual pleasure and carnal desires.
Knowing this Fuzen had prepared himself well and mediated long hours before setting out, believing his mind to be more matured, better prepared than it had been a long time ago.
But, alas, he was wrong.
After quickly beheading the couple of guards on the ground and upper floors of their residence Fuzen followed the smell and noise produced by their so-called party and walked inside their basement.
Then he saw red before his eyes, his focused mind drowning in the memories of the past. He raged and roared and he hacked apart everyone within that basement:
the perpetrators and the victims, the conscious and the unconscious, the males and the females.
He cut and cut, and cut some more until his blade slipped out of his grasp thanks to the blood he was drenched in and then he pummelled them with his fists until their cries were but whispers in the wind.
When he was done only the speechless Goddess remained.
He was angry, and furious and disappointed, but even he knew the sacrilege which was to kill a Deity to be one he could never allow himself to commit.
But he didn't need to kill her.
No, that woman had prepared this basement and all it's tools and equipment already.
He needed only use them and persuade her to go back to Heaven on her own.
And that is what he did.
He gave her a taste of her own medicine, the medicine she had condemned who knows how many people to experience before he came along.
He knew not what the strange machineries and tools were for exactly but he experimented, using the Goddess's cries as his only means of appraising them and their efficiency.
Over and over again, each time a new tool, a new machinery.
Please, stop it! Please! The blackened tainted shard of the fragmented whole pleaded with him as tears by the rivers fell down her cheeks.
But he would not listen, simply turning to look at her and shake his head while a single word came out of his mouth, a word uttered in the coldest tone possible, a tone which a child should not have been able to produce.
No.
That day he had learned yet another sad truth about the world: humans were weak, but Gods were even weaker.
Though she represented the very sins she committed upon others the tainted shard had not managed past three hours of her own medicine before she activated her Arcanum in desperation and was sent back to Heaven with a pillar of magnificent light she was not deserving of.
In the end, humans were weak.
And Gods were weak.
And so were men, and women.
They were all so weak, and fragile and most of all, they were so...so….
Fuzen shook his head, no longer wishing to dwell on the events of that night two days ago.
"...Sigh...Jesus fucking Christ...Where did it all go so wrong, I wonder? Why couldn't I-…? Why can't I ever-…? Sigh...Damn it. Damn it all…"
He felt his breathing getting out of control, the strength in his legs giving away. Before he realized it he fell down on his butt, staring blankly at the city below him.
It no longer had any calming effects, his inner turmoil increasing ever faster.
He then grabbed his knees and pulled them closer to his chest and without even a conscious desire to do, began to wiggle his body back and forth, over and over again as he stared blankly in front of him.
There were three paths he could have chosen in order to arrive at his goal.
Grasping the Heavens had been the only realistic one among the three.
For the first, his life would be not long enough.
For the second, he was...not enough.
Thus, only the third option remained.
The most realistic one, yet just as difficult and nigh-impossible as the others.
However, despite being the most realistic one this path had to be walked in a very specific order, achieving very specific objectives along the way. If it was not done correctly then it was all in vain.
Thus he focused for years on specifics, sacrificing everything in order to achieve them.
He had never been a hopeful individual, but at first, he truly believed he could do it. Agonizing as it was, he pushed on and saw results in the way he needed them to be.
But...that was only in the beginning.
He has not seen the specific results he needed to achieve in a long time.
His circumstances.
The time he had to work with.
His age.
His pace.
The cursed Magic he was granted.
And now…
Now…
Fuzen lowered his head and looked at his hand.
He focused on...something within him, something which had not been there before. He focused and imagined her form in his mind, and then…
Wind began to dance around his hand, enveloping it like a sort of twirling protective armour, responding to his will like a third arm.
He stared at the slightly green wind. "...Pff... Hmhmhm." He then chuckled. "Hypocrisy. Ironic...but unsurprising. Hmhmhm...Hmhm...Hmhm…"
"...I don't understand anything anymore…"
He ordered the wind away then grabbed his head with both hands, once again wiggling back and forth.
Walk away! / Stay your ground!
Get used to it! / Give up!
You can't do it! / Push forward!
Grasp your sword! / Murderer!
Never forget! / Always remember!
"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up..."
Walk on! / Just stop!
You hypocrite! / Focus on the goal!
You walk the path of carnage! / Stop this madness!
I can't do this anymore! / Not one step back!
"Shut up. Shut the hell up already..."
Someone, please…No compromise...
…
…
…
…
…
"No compromise."
Then he stood up again, unmoving.
"...Aha! I knew you would be here!" The female voice called from behind him, having just crossed the last step of the spiral stair leading to the roof of the Babel.
"…"
"You ain't an easy man to find, you know that right?"
"…"
"Still, nice spot you found yourself here. Geez, the city's huge, isn't it?"
"…"
"But damnnn, the wind is cold!"
"…"
"…? Hey, lil' Fuzen? You in there? Earth to Fuzen?"
The boy remained unmoving for a couple of seconds longer then slowly brought his hands to the haori jacket he was wearing and took it off, holding it towards the red haired Goddess.
"...If you would wear less revealing clothes, Loki-sama, then you would not be cold."
"Oww, lending me your jacket? You're a sweetheart!" The Goddess said with a laugh as she quickly put it on, hugging herself while sniffing it. "Ohh, this smells of your daily growth from a boy into a man!"
"...You may keep that haori. I no longer desire it back."
"Yay! Mine!"
"If you are done I would like to have some alone-time, now."
"Hehehe, why so distant? Not even a bit happy at spending some time with a cute, little Goddess like me?"
His eyes twitch as he let out a sigh then turned to look at the Goddess. "You mentioned three attributes. Only one was correct."
"That I'm cute?"
"That Loki-sama is a Goddess."
"Auch! Someone learned how to sharpen their tongue!"
"...I do not wish to join your Familia, no. You may leave now."
"Hey there. Never said I was here to ask you to join my Familia again, now did I?"
"It is the only logical reason why a Goddess I have no connection with would seek me out. I say again: I have no desire to join your Familia."
"I figured as much. Still, why not? Why are you searching for a small Familia?"
"...Why are you asking? What's the catch?"
"…? Geez, you really have issues...No catch, lil' Fuzen. It's just...you've been my Child for more than a year yet I still can't understand why you would choose this path."
"...Good."
"...Sigh…"
Following his reply they simply stood there, at the edge of the Babel, looking over the nightscape of the city.
The sun had already hidden behind the horizon a while ago.
"...Damn it...It's merit, all right? Satisfied now?" He finally answered
"Merit, you say?"
"To reach my goal I need to earn my own merit. If I join Loki Familia then every merit I earn through my feats will be shared with the others. "He's part of the Loki Familia, so it's understandable." "He has the veterans of Loki Familia to rely on, that's why." Annoying stuff like that will begin to shroud every single one of my feats, and this will slow the progress towards my goal down. I don't have time to goof around and play make-believe friends with others, all right? I don't have time for useless crap like! The flame is fading, damn it! I need to grasp the Heavens as soon as possible! I already have the whole world as my adversary so I'm sorry if I don't want slow-pokes to hold me back and share in the merit that is rightfully mine and mine alone! If you finally understand then go back and leave me the fuck alone-!"
Inhale.
Exhale.
"I am...sorry. You did nothing to deserve such words. Please, forgive me."
Loki stared at him for a couple of moments for once showing the boy her serious side. Then she shook her head and drew closer to him. "It's fine. It seems you have a lot on your mind right now. I know you are not someone who opens up to others so I'm actually very happy you decided to open yourself to me."
"…!" Having realized it himself now Fuzen eyes shot wide open before narrowing them and pointing a finger at the Goddess. "I did no such thing!"
"Sure you did, you oaf."
"I did. No. Such. Thing."
"All right, all right. Have it your way."
"...Hmpf."
"…"
"…"
"You know, lil' Fuzen. I don't doubt the reasons you just told me-"
"Good. They are the truth."
"Hey, I wasn't done yet. Rude much?"
"...Grrh…"
"...So anyway, like I said, I don't doubt you actually meant everything you said. But, I also think that is not everything."
"...Hm?"
"I believe the biggest reason why you do not wish to join my Familia again is because you...don't trust us."
The boy looked at her with a raised eyebrow, surprised she only figured that out now. "...Obviously? I trust no one but myself."
"I know, Fuzen." Loki nodded taking another step closer to him, raising her hand and making to touch his face-
"Do not...touch me." However the boy's reaction was lighting fast, and he grabbed her wrist before she could advance.
"...Say, are you aware?" Loki smiled and turned her head to look upwards at the starry sky above them. "When a God is in mortal danger here in the Lower World, our Arcanum kicks in and sends us right back to Heaven."
"...An unrelated question...but yes, I am aware." Fuzen nodded and slowly released his grip on her.
"Mhm. You know, you were a handful."
"…?"
"You were distant, and moody, hard to understand, hard to approach, you did things the way you wanted, you almost killed my Ais-tan…" She began to count his misdeeds, pulling away from him and walking up ahead, stopping at the edge of the Babel.
"...If it is an apology you desire you will receive none from me."
"...But even so, you were my precious Child. And I would not have given you up for the world."
"...Hmpf. I see little point in pleasantries at this moment, Loki-sama. Now, step away from the edge, it is dangerous."
"I do not know if I can ever help you regain your trust in others. But I do know that trust...only works both ways."
"...That is all good and dandy but step away from the edge now." Fuzen replied as he began to walk towards the Goddess.
"You know, I care about all my Children."
"…?"
"All those who are and all those who were. I care about them all. However, recently I figured something new, too." Loki turned around, facing the young boy slowly approaching her. "I care about you too, Fuzen, even though you left me. Hehe. You are my first, you know? So as a man you have to take responsibility, no?"
"...Leave your jokes for another time. Grab my hand."
"Fuzen."
"...Don't you fricking dare-"
Then she smiled, a truly warm smile that managed to shock even Fuzen. "I trust you."
And a moment later she jumped off.
"…! No. Nonononono. NO!"
He darted off using his full speed yet to himself, he felt as if moving like a snail. Time had stopped and he could hear his heartbeat throbbing in his ears once again, invoking no small amount of unpleasant memories.
But it didn't matter.
He ran on, reaching the edge as well then jumped head first after the stupid Goddess.
I am going to murder your scrawny ass you...you….you bitch!
"Myyyy herroooo~!"
"Shut up! Die!" He yelled back.
"Noooo~"
They were falling fast but Loki was in a spread arms position while Fuzen himself was nose-diving after her. The increased speed from his position allowed him to fall faster and before long he reached the Goddess, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him.
"Yay! Caught myself a hero!"
"I'll kill you!"
"Oh no, it was a devil!"
"Gaaah, shut up!"
Switch! Switch now! Switch with Raiju, please!
"...Uhh, Fuzen!"
You two, don't go dark on me now, you-! Raiju! RAIJU!
"Fuzen? Hey, right now would be a good time…"
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit...Raiju! I need you!
"Fuzen...Hey, save meeee!"
"Shut up you moron!"
"I don't wanna die yet!"
"Then don't fucking jump off a fricking tower!"
Switch already, please! Switch now!
…
You little...-! I'll buy you as many Potato Snacks as you want, just switch with Raiju already! I'm dying over here!
...No.
If I die you die too, child!
No. You yelled at me.
Oh for Heaven's sake…! I won't yell at you! I'll never yell at you again! So please, switch with Raiju!
...Promise?
I promise! I promise on whatever you want! I promise on my honour-...on my life!
...Mkay.
Oh, thank the-!Crap, I'm still falling!
Within moments he felt his old energy wash over him, engulfing his body in that same prickly sensation he was more familiar with.
And then he started chanting.
At superspeed no less.
"[IsingtothedistantskybeyondthefloatingcloudsafarovertheseaoverthehorizonoverflowingemotionsburstingoutplaceofdreamsIshallwakeupsomedaythunderousmanifestationofmyambitionawakenandwithyourdefeaningroarshattertheEarthandconquertheSkies: IkazuchiJigenBussei.] Raiju!"
*Roooooooarrrrrr!*
Finally, after what felt like three lifetimes the lizard manifested himself in his dragon form below them and turning himself in mid-air, Fuzen landed on his back while clutching the Goddess tight to his chest.
They were no longer in mortal danger.
"Puff...Puff...Puff...Damn...took you long enough…" Loki said after catching her breath, just as scared as Fuzen himself.
Inhale.
Exhale.
With his telepathic connection to the lizard Fuzen transmitted him the destination at which he should bring them.
With this, his earlier actions of making his return known to Orario by appearing at the Guild proved unnecessary, every single living being in the city now looking skywards at the Dragon flying above his head.
He has returned.
Within mere minutes, everyone would know he had returned.
But that didn't matter now.
All that mattered was…
We are here, Master.
Mhm…
Raiju flew in a circle around the Twilight Mansion then slowly descended in order to fit his immense body within the garden. In mere seconds hoardes upon hoardes of Loki members rushed out of the Mansion and into the garden.
"Haha, nice ride! Thanks, Raiju!" Loki laughed as she jumped down from the back of the Dragon, Fuzen following shortly after.
Inhale.
Exhale.
"Oh. Didn't expect any visitors at this hour…" The Pallum stated as he looked at the group of three with a raised eyebrow. "Not that's it's unwanted, of course."
"Hey, Fuzen! What's up?!"
"Damn, you sure showed Altena, didn't you!"
"Nice job back there!"
One by one, the Loki members cheered him on, but he could not hear them.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
"See, lil' Fuzen? They love you-!"
Before she could finish he grabbed the Goddess by her shoulders, pulling her towards him..."Arrrghhh!"
And then…
*SCRUNCH!*
He smashed his forehead into Loki's face and shattered her nose with such a force that everyone else present cringed in pain, Finn and Riveria included.