Alright so as a story note, in this case; I am going to change cannon regarding Lili.
In this case, Lili will still be a year older than Bell. I intended to do the same thing I did with Bell by aging her up. However given Lili's history, I am making a minor change to cannon on the following ideas.
The Soma Familia will not have started out as bad as it was in main series. It will only be after a Zanis takes over that the familia will become what it was in cannon.
Most other things will be the same.
I really don't see the cannon route working with this story so alterations were necessary.
With that being said let me know what you think. I have couple of scenarios in mind but I felt like this would be the best route.
Alright So that is everything this time.
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As a warning this story is for Mature audiences only.
As Bell was returning to Midnight Garden, he was accompanied by Ryana and Maryuu who had been the ones to accompany him into the Dungeon today. They passed by rows of shops with their charming facades and well-kept displays, but the tranquil atmosphere boke ahead.
Ahead, a small flower stall lay in ruins. Vases were shattered, petals from once vibrant flowers scattered across the street. The scent of crushed blooms hung heavy in the air. In the midst of it all stood a prum girl with chestnut hair, her small frame trembling as she stared at the destruction, her face wet with tears.
An elderly couple loomed over her, their stern glares filled with a cold judgment stared her down. Bell's eyes narrowed as the couple shoved the girl away. She stumbled, her gaze flicking back and forth between them before bolting down the street.
Without a second thought, Bell sprinted after her. "I'll go after her," he called over his shoulder, his feet already pounding against the cobblestones before either Ryana or Maryuu could respond.
"Wait, Bell—" Ryana started, but the words fell away as he disappeared around a corner. She sighed, shaking her head before muttering "Typical. Always running off."
Maryuu cast a glance after Bell but quickly turned her focus back to the scene in front of them. The flower stall was a mess of broken stems and smashed pots, once-lively decorations now wilted and stained with dirt. But more than the wreckage, what drew her attention were the injuries on the elderly couple. The old man, especially, was worse off—his face twisted in pain, the corner of his mouth stained with dried blood that ran down the side of his mouth.
Maryuu stepped forward, her hands already moving as she began the chant for healing. She pressed them against the old man's wounds, the golden glow of her magic stitching together flesh and easing the bruises. The man grunted, his anger not lessened by the relief he was feeling.
Ryana, standing beside her, addressed the couple. "We're from the Astrea familia," she said, her voice calm and steady. "Can you tell us what happened here?"
The old man spat at the ground, the gesture filled with venom. "A bunch of adventurers came through, knocked everything over," he growled, his voice thick with resentment. "Made a mess of our shop."
Ryana's eyes flickered briefly with sympathy, but there was a sharpness in her gaze. "Did you see any familia insignia? Something to identify them?"
The man shook his head angrily. "No, I didn't. I was already being beaten by then. Useless adventurers, all of you. You cause more trouble than you fix."
Maryuu clenched her fists at his words, but she kept her mouth shut. There was no use arguing with people who are the victims. Instead, she focused on the task at hand, her magic soothing the old woman's wounds as well. Despite the bitterness of the frustration in her throat; she swallowed it down.
Ryana nodded slowly, processing the man's words as she promised: "We'll look into it."
As Maryuu finished healing the elderly couple, she straightened up, the warm light of her magic fading.
"We'll get to the bottom of this," she said quietly, her voice tight with restrained emotion. She hated the feeling of helplessness, the way people looked at them as though they were the source of every problem. Ryana gave her a reassuring nod, though her own thoughts mirrored Maryuu's frustration.
"We are terribly sorry this happened to you," Ryana said, her voice steady but soft, holding back the frustration she felt, "Please, if you can recall anything that might help us identify them, it would mean a lot."
The old man scowled, his lips curling "Tch. Fine. If I remember something. Not that you'll actually do anything about it," he spat, his glare cold and unyielding.
Ryanna held her ground, though a faint tightness pulled at her jaw. She and Maryuu both bowed their heads, offering what respect they could to someone who clearly held none for them.
"Thank you," Ryanna said, even though it felt like a hollow gesture. "We'll do our best."
The air between them hung heavy, filled with the unspoken resentment the old man held for all adventurers. Maryuu could feel the weight of it pressing down on her shoulders, but she kept quiet, following Ryanna's lead as they asked a few more questions. It didn't help. Every answer they received was laced with bitterness or disdain.
Finally, they turned to leave, feeling the man's seething gaze bore into their backs as they walked away. Neither of them spoke, the tension lingering like a shadow as they moved through the winding streets in search of Bell.
After several minutes of searching, they found him. He was sitting on the edge of a small fountain, a familiar figure cradled in his arms. The prum girl from earlier. Her tiny frame shook with each sob, her face buried in Bell's chest as he gently patted her back. His voice was low, filled with calm assurance as he whispered words of comfort. The girl clung to him, her sobs ragged and uneven, but slowly growing quieter.
Maryuu's heart softened at the sight. Bell had a way of cutting through the noise, offering kindness when others would simply move on.
Ryanna stepped forward, careful not to startle the girl. "Bell, is she alright?" she asked softly.
Bell glanced up, his expression a mixture of concern and relief. "She's fine now," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "She was scared… thought they were going to hurt her. But it wasn't her fault."
The girl, still sniffling, looked up at Ryanna and Maryuu with wide, tear-filled eyes. There was a flicker of fear in her gaze, but also a glimmer of trust, as though Bell's presence had given her the strength to hope for help rather than more hostility.
Part 2:
As Ryana and Maryuu tended to the elderly couple, Bell chased after the crying girl as he wove through the bustling streets. He didn't let the noise or the crowd slow him down. She was running out of desperation, not knowing where to turn, but Bell had to catch her—he felt that couldn't let her face this alone.
He caught up to her just as she stopped in a secluded alleyway, gasping for breath. Bell slowed his pace as he approached, mindful not to startle her. She flinched when she saw him, her wide eyes filled with fear, expecting the worst—another reprimand, more judgment. Bell, though, only smiled warmly, holding out his hand in a gesture of peace.
"Are you okay? What's wrong? Can I help you?"" he asked gently.
She hesitated, glancing between Bell's extended hand and his face. Her defenses were high, but she was clearly worn down. After a moment, her trembling voice broke the silence.
"I-I'm Lili... the flower stand… it was attacked by my former familia," she stammered.
Bell's expression softened with understanding. "I am Bell. Why did your familia attack the shop?"
"Lili's familia charges a lot of valis to leave. Lili didn't have enough, so she ran away. They came after Lili to make sure she knew… there's nowhere safe," she said, her voice quivering.
Bell's heart sank as he listened. "Can I ask why you wanted to leave?"
Lili bit her lip, looking down at the ground. After a pause, she spoke again, her words filled with quiet pain. "Lili was a supporter for them, but… it was more like being a prisoner. They treated Lili like nothing. I had to run. They beat Lili for being slow. For being weak."
Bell felt a rush of anger—not toward Lili, but toward the people who had done this to her. No one should have to run from their own familia, and no one should feel this much fear.
"Lili," he said softly, "no one should be treated like that. Not by their familia, not by anyone."
Lili's eyes remained downcast, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke. "Why should Lili trust you? You're just another adventurer… no different from them."
Bell knelt beside her, keeping his voice calm, steady. "You're right. I am just another adventurer. But I promise, I'll be better than the ones you've known. You don't have to decide now. You can come with me, and if you ever want to leave, I won't stop you. No one should force you to do anything."
Lili looked at Bell, trying to find some trace of falsehood or deception in his face. But all she saw was kindness. It wasn't something she was used to—certainly not from an adventurer.
"You… you really mean it?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. "You'd protect me? Why?"
Bell nodded, his hand still resting gently on her head. "Because no one deserves to be mistreated by their familia," he said. "And… because I want to be a hero. And heroes don't abandon people who need them."
Lili blinked, surprised by the simple honesty in his words. For so long, she had only known adventurers who saw people like her as tools to be used, as burdens. But Bell was different. He wasn't offering her help in exchange for something—he was just it.
It was all too much for Lili. Her body began to be wrecked by sob and she buried her face in Bell's chest as he gently patted her back. His voice was low, filled with calm assurance as he whispered words of comfort. The girl clung to him, her sobs ragged and uneven, but slowly growing quieter.
"O-okay," she said quietly, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'll come with you."
Bell smiled; "Thank you," he said softly, rising to his feet and offering her his hand. "Let's go find my friends. They'll be happy to meet you."
As Lili's sob subsided, Bell heard the approach of two steps of footsteps and looked up to Maryuu and Ryana looking down at him kindly.
Ryanna stepped forward, careful not to startle the girl. "Bell, is she alright?" she asked softly.
"She's fine now," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "She was scared… thought they were going to hurt her. But it wasn't her fault."
Lili, hearing the new voices raised her head from Bell's chest which is when she saw the two new faces and though she trembled she did not back away.
Maryuu immediately knelt down, meeting Lili at eye level.
"Hello there," she said warmly. "I'm Maryuu, and this is Ryana. What's your name?"
Lili gripped Bell's hand a little tighter, nervous under their attention, but Bell gave her a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay," he said gently. "They're my friends. You can trust them."
Taking a breath, Lili stepped forward slightly. "I-I'm Lili," she murmured, her voice still fragile.
Ryana's expression softened at the sight of her. "It's nice to meet you, Lili," she said. "We heard about what happened. Are you alright?"
Lili nodded, though she kept her gaze on the ground. "Lili's okay. Just… scared."
Maryuu reached out and gently patted Lili's head, offering the same reassurance Bell had. "You don't have to be scared anymore. We'll protect you, and I am sure Bell will too."
Lili looked up, her eyes widening slightly as she took in their kind faces. For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn't feel completely alone. There was still fear, still uncertainty, but there was also a flicker of hope that she had long thought gone.
The group began to make their way toward Bell's home, Midnight Garden, walking side by side. As they neared the entrance, they spotted Alfia, guiding a girl with silver hair and striking purple eyes toward the gates. Bell's pace quickened slightly; his curiosity piqued.
Recruitment Drive:
As Bell descended into the Dungeon, Alfia prepared for the daily training session. The Astraea familia had been grinding away at their combat techniques for hours, pushing their skills to the limit. Today's session had an added sense of urgency. The recent spike in crime had forced them to increase their patrols reducing the free time they had as well as reducing their time for training.
With the others now patrolling, Alfia turned her focus to a crucial task of her own: finding new recruits. This was a responsibility she shared with Zald. Both having served under Zeus and Hera, deities known for their ability to judge mortals. Their years of experience had made them adept at spotting true potential. Yet, since the fall of Zeus and Hera, finding adventurers of genuine skill and bravery had become increasingly difficult. The city was now filled with those driven by greed and a shallow sense of pride, rather than true talent.
Alfia roamed the crowded markets and quiet alleys, searching for any sign of worth among the sea of mediocrity. The streets were lined with
wastrels,
money grubbers,
drunks,
thugs,
and fools—
Individuals who, despite their bravado, lacked the substance she sought. Her persistence paid off when she noticed a head of silver hair standing out from the crowd. Without a second thought, Alfia approached the silver-haired figure.
"You there, girl. What is your name?" Alfia's voice was direct and commanding. The individual turned to face her, revealing striking violet eyes that regarded Alfia with a mix of curiosity and caution.
The girl, with silver hair cascading around her face, met Alfia's gaze and replied, "My name is Amid Teasanare. May I ask who you are?"
"I am Alfia," Alfia said, her eyes scanning Amid;"A member of the Erebus familia. I believe you could be a valuable addition to our familia."
Amid's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why do you think that?"
"Simple. I have the title the Incarnation of Talent for my own abilities and can tell when another possesses similar qualities. As such I have deemed your worthy of joining my familia." Alfia responded as she completed her evaluation of Amid.
Amid's brows knitted together in confusion. "Forgive me, but I am not familiar with that title nor your familia. Could you explain what benefits it entails?"
Alfia nodded, gesturing toward a nearby café. "Of course. Let's discuss this in more detail in the café there. They have private rooms available where we can speak without interruptions."
Amid agreed, and the two walked to Café Wishe, a quaint elven establishment known for its private rooms. The café had a welcoming aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods that filled the air as they entered.
"I would like a private room," Alfia told the waiter at the front counter. The waiter's eyes widened momentarily at the sight of Alfia but quickly recovered, leading them to a small, secluded room. The room was cozy, lined with shelves filled with books and trinkets from around the world. Soft music played in the background, contributing to the comfortable atmosphere.
After receiving the manager's selection for them, Alfia settled into a chair, her gaze fixed on Amid.
"What would you like to know?" Alfia asked, her voice carrying a note of authority.
Amid took a moment to organize her thoughts before speaking. "I want to learn more about the familia you are part of. I was considering joining one of the medicinal familias in the city, like Miach or Dian Cecht. Why should I choose yours instead? What is your familia's focus, and what benefits can I expect? I also aspire to become a healer and item maker. Will your familia support those goals?"
Alfia's expression hardened slightly, but her voice remained steady. "If you truly wish to save people than you need strength to do that. Neither Miach or Dian Cecht have strong adventurers. Their familia members are at best level 2. Both Zald and I are level 7. We are well aware of what it takes to get stronger and we will not tolerate any weaklings in our familia. If you join them you will stagnate after a level up or two. If you join our familia, that will not happen. I have determined that you meet the bare minimum talent for admission to my familia. You will not find anyone better versed in magic than I am and I am certain that with my tutelage, your skills will be polished to perfection."
Amid listened carefully, a mix of excitement and apprehension evident in her eyes. After a moment, she asked, "Will I have the opportunity to use my healing abilities to help others?"
Alfia's eyes softened slightly at Amid's concern. "Yes, that is acceptable. It aligns well with our Captain's approach as well."
Amid's curiosity was piqued. "Captain?"
Alfia's face brightened with a hint of pride. "My nephew Bell is the Captain of our familia. Zald and I serve as trainers, and since Bell is also a new adventurer, you and he will be exploring the Dungeon together."
"I see. That makes sense." She took a thoughtful sip of her tea, her mind working through the implications.
"If joining your familia helps me achieve my dreams, then I gladly accept your offer," Amid declared with renewed confidence.
Alfia nodded with finality. "Very well. I will take you to our familia residence now."
They left the café and made their way through the bustling city streets toward the Midnight Garden, where they found Bell and others returning, a prum girl at his side. Alfia's eyebrows twitched at the sight but quickly regained her composure, leading Amid toward the group. The path ahead was clear, and with Amid's acceptance, the future of the familia promised to be one of growth and challenge. And so the wheel of fate spun.
Part 3:
As Alfia and her group approached the gates of Midnight Garden, her sharp gaze fell upon the prum girl standing beside Bell.
"Well, Bell, who is this?" Alfia's voice cut through.
Lili shivered under the scrutiny and instinctively moved closer to Bell, who stiffened, despite his resolve not wavering under the weight of Alfia's gaze. Bell swallowed hard, his nerves showing despite his best efforts to maintain composure. He took a deep breath and responded:
"This is Lili, Auntie. I want her to stay with us for a while. She's in trouble, and I want to help her."
Alfia studied the girl for a moment, her expression inscrutable. "Very well. It's your decision," she said, her tone softening slightly but still carrying an edge of authority. "By the way, I found someone else while out in the city. These two will complete your party perfectly. Let's go find that God and see what he's up to."
Alfia led the way through the gates of Midnight Garden, with Bell, Amid, and Lili following closely behind. The mansion's grounds were expansive.
As they approached the Midnight Garden's entrance, Rayana's voice called out from behind them. "Oh, Bell. Alise and Lady Astraea will probably want to talk to Lili later about what happened."
Bell turned, giving a quick nod. "Got it. You can come over in a few. It won't take us long to get Lili settled," he said, waving before guiding his new charges toward the manor. Rayana and Maryuu remained at the gates, watching as the group disappeared into the mansion's interior.
Both women sighed as they observed Bell's retreating figure. "Bell is so sweet. How did he end up on Dadelues Street?" Maryuu asked, her voice tinged with admiration.
"I know, he really is the sweetest. Did you see how he ran off to help that girl?" Rayana responded, equally infatuated with Bell's kindness.
As they began to walk away from the gates, Rayana asked, "So, what do you think Alise and Lady Astraea will want to do?"
Maryuu's face grew serious. "That's a tough one. Lili would have to testify against her familia, but even then, the God could claim the adventurers were just being rowdy. It's unlikely we'll be able to punish the entire familia."
"True," Rayana agreed, her expression thoughtful. "We may need to keep a closer watch on the familia to catch them in the act."
The two women entered Stardust Garden, where their familia and Goddess greeted them warmly.
Part 4:
The group moved through the grand manor, their footsteps echoing off the stone floors as they made their way to the library. The library was tucked away at the back of the house, far from the grand entrance. Its thick wooden doors creaked open, revealing a room filled with books amassed from the hidden troves of Zald and Alfia's former familias.
At a large oak desk, Erebus was lost in concentration over a hefty tome. His brow was furrowed as he read through the book. The sound of approaching footsteps made him lift his head, setting the book down with a soft thud. His sharp gaze fell upon Alfia, Bell, and their two new companions, who stood like eager students awaiting permission to enter this realm of knowledge.
"So, what brings you all here?" Erebus's voice was measured, his eyes scanning the group with a mix of curiosity and interest.
Alfia stepped forward and gestured towards Amid; "This girl should join our familia."
Bell added, "I found Lili in trouble and want to offer her my help." He nudged Lili forward, her steps hesitant as she moved closer.
Erebus studied Lili with a critical eye before addressing Amid. "If you have Alfia's approval, then I see no reason to object. Amid, it is my pleasure to welcome you into our familia. I am Erebus. Now, Bell, what are your plans for this girl?"
Bell cleared his throat before replying. "I want her to stay with us for protection and join my party as a supporter. However, she will need to pay a fee to leave her current familia. I want to start by arranging that."
Erebus nodded, acknowledging the practicality of Bell's plan. "Very well. That seems reasonable. Amid, do you have any questions for me about my familia?" His gaze turned to Amid, reflecting genuine interest.
Amid took a deep breath. "I aspire to be a healer and help those beyond our familia. I want to make a positive impact on the citizens of Orario, not just adventurers. Is that an acceptable goal?"
Erebus's expression softened slightly. "That is perfectly fine. I have no objections, and I'm sure Bell agrees." He glanced at Bell, who nodded in agreement.
"Excellent," Amid said, bowing her head respectfully. "Then I would like to receive your blessing."
Erebus gestured towards a nearby alcove, signaling the start of the formalities. "Very well. We will officially welcome you into our familia this evening before dinner. Now, Lili, what do you wish to do?"
Lili's voice was steady, though her nerves were palpable. "I would like to join Bell's Dungeon party and earn enough Valis to leave my current familia."
Erebus's gaze grew more intense. "I see. And which familia are you currently a part of, Lili?"
"The Soma familia," Lili replied, her eyes meeting his with a mix of apprehension and resolve.
"I understand. We will speak with Soma once you have earned the necessary funds," Erebus confirmed, his tone signaling the conclusion of their discussion.
Just then, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation, Zald announced that Goddess Astraea and some her familia where at the front door asking for permission to enter the residence saying that they had business.
"Go let them, Zald. I can guess why they are here." Erebus instructed.
Zald departed and soon the door to the library creaked open, and the group inside turned as Zald entered, accompanied by Alise, Ryuu, and Astraea. Zald settled into one of the couches.
"Good evening, Astraea. I was wondering when you would arrive. I assume this is about Lili?" Erebus inquired
Astraea nodded, her gaze shifting to the girl who had instinctively hid behind Bell. "Yes, Erebus. I wanted to speak with Lili as soon as possible."
Astraea's expression softened as she stepped closer to the trembling girl. "Hello, Lili. I'm Astraea. My daughters, Maryuu and Rayana, informed me of your situation. I'd like to hear your side of the story. Can you tell me what happened?"
Lili took a deep breath, her voice quivering as she began to recount the troubles she had faced. Each member of the group responded to her tale in their own way—Alise's eyes grew heavy with sorrow, Astraea's face became somber as she looked down, Zald's features twisted into a grimace of disgust, Alfia's lip curled with contempt, and Bell's fists clenched in anger, while Ryuu's jaw tightened. As Lili finished her story the room became filled the silence punctuated only by occasional sniffle ordeep sigh.
"We should…" Ryuu started, but Alfia cut him off.
"You should do nothing," Alfia said calmly, her gaze fixed on Ryuu. "Without evidence that the God condoned these actions, any punishment will likely be minimal. Zanis will deny everything and blame a few unruly members. They might face a minor penalty, but that will be the extent of it."
Ryuu's face darkened with anger. "No way…"
"Please don't," Lili interjected, her voice trembling. "If you speak up, they'll force you to hand me over. And then…"
Lili's body quivered with fear. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her hands began to shake uncontrollably, and her heart began to thump in her chest. Astraea, noticing Lili's distress, moved to comfort her. She wrapped her arms around the frightened girl and gently began brushing her hands through Lili's hair in a soothing rhythm.
"Shh, it's alright," Astraea murmured softly, her voice a calming Lili's fears. She continued to stroke Lili's hair until the girl's trembling began to subside.
Lili exhaled a shaky breath and whispered a quiet "thank you," her voice barely audible. Astraea responded with a warm smile and a gentle pat on Lili's head before releasing her from the embrace. Closing her eyes momentarily, Astraea pondered their next steps before speaking.
"We can't ignore this," Astraea said "We'll start investigating the Soma familia without involving you directly, Lili. With a clearer understanding of their actions, we can focus on stopping them. It may take some time, given the current state of the city. But what do you want to do in the meantime? We can't have you wandering the streets alone."
Lili looked up, her voice steadying. "I'd like to stay with Mr. Bell."
"That works for me," Bell said, offering a reassuring smile. "I'd be happy to have you as a supporter, Lili."
Astraea nodded in agreement. "Good. That way, Lili will be safe while we work. It may take some time, but I promise we will put an end to this cruelty."
"Thank you, Goddess Astraea," Lili replied,
The meeting concluded with the decision that Lili would stay in Bell's care while the Astraea familia conducted their investigation into the Soma familia. The group prepared to move forward, each person processing the gravity of the situation and the steps needed to address it.
Hermes' Delivery:
Several days had passed since Goddess Astraea's meeting with Erebus, as Hermes approached the grand entrance, he was met by Erebus, who stood with a practiced air of formality.
"Good morning, Hermes," Erebus greeted, giving a slight nod.
"Morning, Erebus. I have something for Alfia and Zald," Hermes replied, holding up two carefully wrapped packages.
"I see she and the others are out back. They should be going through their training now," Erebus advised, leading Hermes towards the rear of the manor.
The sound of anguished cries grew louder as they neared their destination. Even from a distance, it was clear that the training was severe. The two deities broke into a nervous sweat as they approached, the sounds of their footsteps almost lost amid the noise. As the emerged through the back door of the mansion they were greeted with a responding:
THUD.
Followed by blood-curdling scream split the air followed by the sharp crack of a body hitting the ground.
CRUNCH. CRACK.
Another crash resonated through the manor, accompanied by the sound of shattering masonry. The intensity of the training became even more apparent as Hermes and Erebus continued towards training yard.
The deities looked out over the training ground, their brows furrowed in concern. Amid, the new Familia healer, was casting her magic tirelessly to mend the injuries of the people scattered across the field. A pulsing white magic circle glowed above Amid. The ground was a mess of debris and shattered walls, once solid barriers now reduced to rubble. The pristine lawn was marred by deep gouges and broken remnants, evidence of the sheer force exerted during training.
Zald stood overlooking the chaos, his face a mask of exasperation. He hung his head, covering it with his hands, overwhelmed by the destruction around him.
Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the clamor. "HIYA!" Ais charged forward, flanked by Bell, with Alise and Ryuu closed behind. Bell made an attempt to strike at Alfia, who dodged effortlessly and sent him crashing into Alise. Ais, momentarily caught off guard, was sent flying by Alfia's roundhouse kick into a still charging Ryuu, collapsing into a heap together.
"Well, I thought you all would last longer than that," Alfia sneered, her gaze shifting to Hermes, who flinched under her intense scrutiny.
"Hello, Alfia," Hermes stammered, holding up a set of two small boxes in his hand. "I have something for you and Zald."
"If that's all, you can leave it on the table. I'm busy and this little noise is likely to complain" Alfia snorted dismissively as she turned to glare down at Ryu, who had begun to glare back.
Hermes, feeling the weight of her glare, quickly replied, "Welp. In that case, I'll be on my way. Wouldn't want to overstay my welcome. Good luck, everyone." He hurriedly made his exit.
"Now, back to your training," Alfia called out, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "You're all far too weak. With a healer like Amid now, I'm going to whip you into shape much faster."
Her grin took on a menacing edge, sending a shiver down the spines of those around her. The intensity of the scene was palpable as the everyone braced themselves for the grueling hours ahead.
