Hello good people. Well, it seems you all were quite happy with Freya getting some comeuppance, and with Achilles and Bell becoming father and son, both of which make me quite happy. All that said, it's time for another chapter so we can spend some more quality time with our cast of heroes. So, let's get started.
I do not own Danmachi
He was face down in the dirt, the smell of blood and smoke in the air.
He had given this fight everything he had. All the strength in his body. Every spell in his arsenal. And still, he'd lost. Worse yet, his familia, once the pride and joy of the world, was now obliterated.
He watched every last one of them fall. Some were burned. Others were torn apart, what remained of them being scattered across the battlefield; and still others had been consumed, in piece or whole, leaving behind nothing but a spray of red rain and a feeling of horror and disgust.
That last thought filled him with enough rage to where he was able to pull his head up and glare at the one responsible.
The Dragon, triumphant and proud, glared right back down at him with its one terrible red eye and a row of teeth that were unmistakably arrayed in a smile.
Achilles shot up in his bed, breath ragged and covered head to toe in sweat.
"Hah...hah...hah. That one again," he managed.
He swung his feet over the edge of the bed and grabbed the rag that was on the nightstand before proceeding to wipe the sweat from his face and body.
"Fifteen years and it still has this effect on me," he sighed. "At least I didn't throw up this time."
Gathering himself up, he proceeded to get dressed and, taking enough time to calm himself and put on a smile, he made his way downstairs.
He found everyone was already gathered and eating breakfast.
"Did I sleep in?" he asked, turning to the clock. He found that he indeed had as it was already nine in the morning, four hours later than he normally awoke.
"It's alright," Hestia replied with a smile. "We figured you needed the rest."
"Apparently I did," Achilles said.
He went over to Bell and kissed the top of his head, making everyone smile a bit more brightly.
"Morning, Son," he said.
"Morning, Dad," Bell replied.
"Is this going to be the new morning ritual?" Lili teased.
"You better believe it," Achilles said making his way over to Haruhime who was making breakfast. "Now, how can I help?"
"Oh, I've got it. But thank you, Achilles," she answered with a smile.
"Well I need to do something as a thank you for last night. And to apologize for scaring you all. Besides, I make wickedly good chocolate chip pancakes."
"Wickedly good are they?" Welf asked. "I think we need to test that."
After sharing a look the Hestia familia quickly came to agreement, ending with Haruhime.
"I'll lead you to the pantry," she said happily.
The two walked to the pantry and Haruhime began to search for the ingredients.
"So were you able to dance with Bell?"
She jumped, dropping the bag of chocolate chips.
"I-I," she turned to him. "I was able to. Yes."
"How did it go?"
She stayed silent for a moment, blushing terribly, but eventually replied.
"It was wonderful."
He smiled.
"I'm glad," he reached down and picked up the bag. "Last night you learned what I think of you and Bell," he looked her in the eye. "You are the one who I was talking about. The one I think Bell could intertwine his soul with and, especially now that I've earned the right to call him my son, I'll do whatever I can to ensure not only his happiness, but the greatest happiness possible," he took a knee in front of her. "So whatever you need, Haruhime, just ask. Whatever it is, I will do what I can as I honestly, wholeheartedly want you two to find each other so that I can one day call you my daughter-in-law and see adorable white-haired renards running around."
Haruhime's head was ready to explode, the last bit about white-haired renards being the bursting point as her eyes rolled up and she began to fall.
"Oh no you don't," Achilles said, grabbing her and pinching her nose before shaking her head. "No fainting. If you want Bell, which I know you do, you're going to have to be a little bit more confident Miss Shy and Adorable."
He released her and stood up.
"I'll reiterate that things won't be easy. Bell is quite deeply in love with Aiz, but nothing worth doing is easy. And love is certainly worth doing. At least when done right," he quickly added before grabbing the remaining ingredients and turning to leave.
"Achilles!"
He turned.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
He smiled at her.
"You're welcome."
The two returned and Achilles began his pancakes.
"So," he said as he stirred the batter. "What happened after I went to bed?"
"Not much," Hestia replied. "We talked about what to do about Freya. We agreed that going on the offensive against her was a step too far, but we plan to bolster our cooperation between our familias. I also plan to speak to Ouranos today on the matter. He doesn't normally get involved in the city politics, but given that Freya was close to dominating the city, even he's decided to step in."
Achilles grimaced.
"I apologize again for that. I should have been more prepared."
Everyone gave him sympathetic looks.
"She manipulated you, Achilles-kun. It's what she does," Hestia said gently.
"I know, that's why I should have been more prepared," he said utterly ashamed.
A soft feeling fell on his hand. He turned to see Haruhime smiling at him.
"You're in love, Achilles. If there was ever an excusable reason for letting one's guard down, it would be that. Indeed, I do not think you were in the wrong at all for trusting her to keep her word, I think she was in the wrong for breaking it and hurting you so horribly."
Achilles stared into her eyes for a moment while the others nodded their agreement. Finally, a small smile grew on his lips and he squeezed her hand.
"Thank you."
She smiled brightly at him.
"No need to thank me. I only speak the truth."
The two turned back to their task with Achilles soon creating a stack of pancakes that were then passed around the table.
"So," Achilles began as everyone enjoyed their pancakes. "Are we still on for training today?"
"Yes," Bell replied. "Everyone should be arriving within the hour."
"Hm. Maybe I shouldn't have filled you all up on pancakes then," Achilles joked.
"If you didn't want us to eat so many pancakes you shouldn't have made them so delicious!" Hestia cried, quickly getting sounds of agreement.
Achilles laughed.
"Glad you're enjoying them. But before I forget, how's the recruiting going, Hestia-sama?"
Swallowing her mouthful of syrup covered goodness, Hestia sighed.
"Not great. We got Ryuu of course, which was a major boon, but the few applicants we got were iffy at best. I was hoping that with your stunt with at the Guild we would be able to more effectively recruit, but then Freya's party happened and I'm honestly not sure how things will go now. On one hand, we got you back and Bell was absolutely wonderful!" she said, throwing her arms around the now blushing captain. "But," she said pulling back. "Everyone now knows just how focused Freya is on us. Even worse, things almost turned into a war, which will scare away a lot of people, not that we can really blame them."
Achilles nodded solemnly.
"I suppose we can't."
Bell, not liking the turn in mood, decided to jump in.
"Is there anyone you know who might join our familia, Dad?"
"Anyone I know?" Everyone's eyes turned to him. "Hm. Well, actually...there are a few people I could get in contact with."
"Really?" Bell asked excitedly.
Achilles nodded.
"When Zeus and Hera familia were banished I wasn't the only one who decided to leave Orario. Quite a few lower level familia did likewise. Most, I think, have given up the adventurer's life, but I do know a few who might be willing to come back if I asked them." He quickly continued seeing the eagerness in their eyes. "I can't promise anything, but I'll send some letters and we'll see if anyone bites."
Now everyone was all smiles and Achilles, in spite of his warning, couldn't help but smile in return.
Less than an hour later the bell to the gate rang and Takemikazuchi and Miach familia filed in.
"Glad you could make it," Achilles greeted..
"Thank you for having us," Miach returned.
"Of course. Now," Achilles said clapping his hands. "Why don't we all make our way to the training grounds?"
Everyone nodded, though Cassandra made sure to keep behind Daphne, not that the girl really minded and, in this case, she understood where she was coming from.
Once everyone was gathered Achilles began.
"Alright, so I'm in a bit of a pickle here. I haven't had the opportunity to observe all of you and come up with individual plans. That said, the goal is to have you grow at the fastest rate possible. As such, I have an idea that should work," he withdrew his sword. "Everyone versus me."
More than a few pairs of eyes widened.
"You want all of us to fight you at the same time?" Daphne asked.
"Yep. It seems fair. Two level fours, two level threes, and several level twos and ones. All that versus one level seven. Advantage of numbers and all that goes with it."
Something about the way he explained things made them all uneasy but, they were there to train, so there was little reason to say no.
"Alright," Daphne agreed, followed by the rest of those gathered, even if only with extreme reluctance from some.
"Wonderful," now Achilles turned to the gods. "And you can all make yourselves comfortable and watch if you like."
"I think we'll take you up on that offer," Takemikazuchi replied.
Everyone took their places, Achilles at one end of the training area, everyone else on the other facing him.
Bell and Ryuu took the front, behind them were Daphne, Welf, and Ouka, then followed by Lili, Haruhime, Cassandra, Chigusa, and Asuka of the Takemikazuhi familia. Lastly, guarding the rear were Mikoto and Naaza.
"Alright. Everyone ready? Properly stretched and limber?" Achilles asked.
"He's mocking us," Daphne said with a frown.
"Never underestimate the importance of good stretching Daphne-san," Achilles called.
Bell smiled.
"We're ready whenever you are, Dad."
Achilles returned his smile.
"Then on the count of three," he held up his hand. "One." Everyone got in their respective stances. "Two." They felt a bead of sweat go down their skin. "Three."
Bell and Ryuu rushed forward, intent on keeping Achilles busy while their allies worked together to find openings to exploit. That was the plan, but it wasn't as if Achilles was going to wait for them.
"Lightning Steps."
Before the two could react, a flash of light rushed passed them. They turned, wide-eyed as the light then rushed the preceding two lines of adventurers before appearing next to Mikoto and Naaza.
The two girls only had enough time for their own eyes to widen before Achilles grabbed their heads and slammed them down on the ground.
Lili, Asuka, Chigusa, Cassandra and Haruhime, seeing their rearguard now gone, turned with horror in their eyes as they suddenly found themselves on the front lines.
"Lili! Haruhime!" Bell cried as he tried to rush over to them.
It was too late however as Achilles suddenly appeared before them, and flicked them on the temples, sending them flying backwards and landing on their backs a few feet away.
"Cassandra!" Daphne called.
Achilles would have taken advantage of this distraction, but Bell and Ryuu finally reached him, forcing him onto the defensive.
Bell struck first, slashing at Achilles with the Hestia knife. Achilles quickly blocked it then batted it away before blocking the next attack that came at him from Ryuu with her wooden sword.
He thrust his hand forward and grabbed her by her hood before nonchalantly throwing her aside before focusing back on Bell. However, before he could, Daphne thrust her Fencer Laureate at his head. He easily dodged the blade, then proceeded to grab her arm, pull her to him, lift her over his shoulder, toss her backwards, then kick her away.
Bell, having had enough time to recover, relaunched himself at Achilles intent on keeping his father's focusing on him.
He slashed again at Achilles, only to once again be blocked and batted away so that the ex-captain could proceed to block a slash to his left from Welf, before batting him away so that he could do likewise with Ouka who was coming from his right.
Deciding to go on the offensive before they could regather themselves and properly attack him, Achilles launched forward, grabbed Bell and dragged him some ten meters away, before throwing him away.
His son out of the way, Achilles refocused on the others. They had been able to come up with some level of strategy while he was dealing with Bell as he saw Ryuu launching towards him with Welf behind her while Ouka and Daphne moved to flank him.
Ryuu feinted to his left before aiming a low shot towards his right leg. He quickly blocked it, but as he was about to counter, Ryuu suddenly ducked and a crossbow bolt shot towards his face.
Achilles caught the bolt and tossed it aside, noting that Lili and the others were back on their feet with Naaza readying her bow and Mikoto clearly chanting a spell.
He knew could probably deal with them with little effort, minimizing the risk, but decided to focus on the enemies right before him and see what they had in store.
Ryuu came first, aiming a strike at his chin. He caught her wooden sword, pulled it towards him, dragging her along the way, then backhanded her, causing her to fly away, nearly colliding into Ouka as she did. Following her, Welf struck, throwing down an overhead strike. Achilles blocked the attack, then proceeded to use Welf's momentum against him by pulling the blade down and to the side, in the direct path of the flanking Daphne, causing her to go wide-eyed in shock and freeze, which in turn allowed him to unceremoniously punch her in the face, sending her flying off, before he then proceeded to grab Welf and toss him towards Lili who, wide-eyed, nonetheless was able to dive out of the way of the falling smith.
Achilles was about to move on towards Naaza and Mikoto when a lovely and familia voice called out.
"Uchide no Kozuchi!"
Turning towards Haruhime just as a pillar of gold appeared, he realized he had allowed himself to lose sight of her and lightly reprimanded himself for not taking things more seriously.
"Now, who did she give that to?"
His answer came swiftly as he felt a presence rushing towards him at breakneck speeds.
Blocking the strike from behind, Achilles smiled at the now level five Bell as the boy, eyes firm and determined, began his assault.
One strike towards his head. Then a second towards his neck. Then a feint towards his side. Bell struck out fiercely but with a precision that did credit to his rank as an adventurer and filled Achilles with pride.
"And to think, he got this far without a lick of my help."
But Achilles was someone who took his lessons to heart and as such, was aware that not only was Mikoto about to finish her spell, but that Ryuu already had finished one of her own and that Naaza was prepared to hold him at bay.
"Luminous Wind!" Ryuu cried.
Bell jumped out of the way as the magic shot at Achilles.
Blocking the attack, Achilles found himself being pushed back by the force of the magic.
"Impressive, even for a level four," he noted.
Still, the magic was more inconvenient than damaging and he soon brushed it aside and turned his attention towards Mikoto who he now recognized as their trump card. Before he could attack however, Naaza loosed an arrow at him, which he quickly deflected, only to have a barrage of arrows rain down upon him, courtesy of Lili, though with the same end result.
"Firebolt!"
Achilles turned his head and was met with the sight of a fiery storm heading his way.
"Quite the arsenal they have," he said before bringing his blade up to block the attack.
For most the two magic attacks would have knocked them out of commission or at the very least made them think twice about facing their current opponents, but for Achilles, the man who could take Ottar's worst attack head on, they were more flashy light shows then intimidating attacks and so, like all the other attacks sent his way, he quickly batted it away.
However, enough time had passed and Mikoto had been able to finish her chant.
"Futsunomitama!"
Achilles suddenly found himself surrounded by purple light. However, before he could fully register what this meant, he felt himself being slammed towards the earth.
"Urgh," he groaned as he felt his knees buckling under the sudden pressure.
"Gravity magic. I repeat, quite the arsenal," he thought as his bones creaked underneath him.
The younger adventurers began to circle around him.
"You got him Mikoto-sama?" Lili asked.
"Yes...but," she answered, her voice strained. "He's very strong."
"Just hold him as long as you can," Bell said looking down at his hand.
White light covered it and the sound of bells began to ring through the air.
"That's not good for me," Achilles recognized. "I need to break out of this quickly."
Calling forth his strength, Achilles began to lift his sword.
"Hear me heroes of legend," he began.
"Mikoto," Ouka said, his voice filled with concern.
"I know," she responded, redoubling her efforts to force Achilles down.
He held back a groan as she pushed against him harder.
"Your brother calls you to battle."
Everyone got ready, tightening the grip on their weapons, taking aim, and in Bell's case, pointing his palm towards his father in preparation to launch his attack.
"Let us shake the heavens and the earth!" Achilles cried, twirling his sword so that its blade pointed down.
"Spartan Quake!"
He thrust the sword into the earth.
The earth shattered as tremors shook it apart, tearing away the young adventurers' footing, disrupting their formation and scattering them about while at the same time destroying Mikoto's concentration, thus ending her spell.
Freed from his restraints, Achilles attacked in earnest.
Bell was first. With his Argonaut charged, he was the first priority. Achilles slammed into his, sending him flying. He then turned to Mikoto. Her magic had held him in place which gave them a huge leg up in the fight. Though he doubted she would be able to manage it again, he wasn't going to take any chances and so struck out at her furiously, knocking her to her knees with a strike to her leg before ripping the air from her lungs with a punch to the gut. With her now immobilized, he turned to his last target. Haruhime.
Her level up magic was a wildcard that could turn either of the two level fours into a level five, which could be just enough to hold him down while the rest whittled away at him. That likely would still not have been enough to beat him in a serious fight, but it was a notable issue and Achilles wasn't foolish enough to think that his level seven status made him invincible.
And so, appearing before the renard, he lightly zapped her, his electricity stunning her, causing her to fall down helplessly.
His three main problems out of the way, for now, he turned back to the rest.
Ryuu, not one to give up easily, threw herself at the ex-captain. The two clashed in a flurry of strikes and counter-blows. Welf, Ouka, and Daphne all joined in, hoping to hold him down while Chigusa ran towards Mikoto. Lili and Naaza tried to provide covering fire, but in the chaotic battering of weapons, the few shots they were able to launch at the former leader of the Zeus familia were quickly knocked away or, in the case of one of Naaza's arrows, caught and used to make a jab at Welf before the smith was promptly smacked away.
While this was going on Cassandra ran over to Bell who was slowly getting up, the force of his father's blow having rattled his entire skeleton and leaving him bruised and with limited mobility.
Seeing his state, Cassandra quickly began to chant.
"Soullight!" she cried.
The area filled with light and began to heal Bell's wounds.
He watched his wounds disappeared, relief filling him.
"Thank you," he said before seeing the state she was in. "Are you alright?" he asked in concern.
"I'm sorry I can't be more useful."
Bell smiled.
"You've helped me a lot, Cassandra-san," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you."
His kind words, bright smile, and the hand on her shoulder overrode Cassandra's senses and her cheeks burst with burning color.
"Y-You're welcome," she said, bowing her head.
Turning back to the battle, Bell saw that his comrades were being knocked around by the elder adventurer like a child knocks down their play blocks, and he knew he had to act quickly.
He looked down at his hand. Argonaut was still in effect and he had at least a two minute charge on it.
"I have to use this wisely or else I'll accidentally hit the others."
Thinking quickly he scanned the area. Everyone was scattered in a chaotic formation trying their best just to stay on their feet, let alone come up with a coherent strategy or battle formation against the level seven captain. This meant that every angle was impossible to fire off an Argonaut powered Firebolt without risk to them. All except one.
Achilles had just knocked Ryuu's wooden sword out of her hand, grabbed it and then used it to crack her on the side of the head when the distinct sound of bells returned to his ears. He turned and saw Bell charging at him.
"Everyone get back!" Bell ordered.
Achilles smiled and readied for an attack.
"He can't fire off a Firebolt without risking hitting the others, so he's going to try a direct blast. Maybe an enhanced punch," he reasoned.
But he found himself surprised when, instead of continuing his charge straight at his father and his awaiting sword, he suddenly jumped high into the air and aimed his palm down.
"Firebolt!"
A white torrent of electrified fire shot down towards Achilles like a falling star, slamming into him with just as much force.
Everyone around had to squint or turn away from the blinding light until the attack finished and Bell landed back on the ground.
None of them suspected that the attack, powerful as it was, would be the end of the Olympian, but even so, they found themselves shocked at the sight they were met with.
Achilles was largely unscathed. His clothes were a little burned or destroyed in a few places, but nothing to even bring his modesty into question. Indeed he seemed mostly unharmed, except for one detail. The part of his hand that had been gripping his sword on the side directly facing the attack had had all its skin and muscle burned away, revealing the white bone underneath.
"That was quite something, Bell," Achilles said, tossing his sword to the other hand but otherwise ignoring the damage to his hand. "Had I been anyone else or had a worse weapon that might very well have been a finishing blow."
The ease in which he spoke intimidated those around him. Neither the attack nor his wound seem to phase him and soon, they all came to understand not only the great difference in the strength between them and their elder compatriot, but also the level of personal experience dealing with horrible, painful situations. That he was used to such wounds and viewed them only as inconveniences.
"Now," Achilles continued. "I think it's about time I finish this lesson for to-."
He was cut off when the sound of a blade passing through the air caught his ear.
Quickly turning he found that none other than Mikoto Yamato had snuck up behind him and was now thrusting her blade at him.
Naturally, he was fast enough to move far enough for the attack to miss its intended target but, to his surprise, she had gotten close enough where he wasn't able to entirely dodge the attack and the blade soon cut across his cheek.
"Well I'll be. The girl's got some real skill."
Of course, he still grabbed her, threw her to the ground and placed his foot on top of her.
"Nice try, Mikoto-san. Very nice try, actually. But not quite enough."
The attack had come as a surprise to the rest of the young adventurers, but her quick and unquestionable defeat that promptly followed knocked down any intentions they may have had of continuing the fight as Achilles, though pleased and surprised himself, was clearly now in full control of the situation and his eyes now dared them to continue. A challenge that, after the smashing they had just faced, they were not particularly interested in taking up.
"Alright. Looks like we're done," Achilles said, taking his foot off of Mikoto and helping her up.
Everyone fell down.
"Level sevens are stupid strong," Welf groaned.
A few groans of agreement passed through the air.
Achilles laughed as he approached them.
"To be fair, it takes a lot to get there."
"I don't think I want to know what it takes," Welf said.
"Probably not," Achilles agreed.
"That was...something," Takemikazuchi said, clearly trying to wrap his head around what he'd just seen.
"Indeed," Miach agreed with the same tone.
"Geeze, did you have to beat them up so badly?" Hestia said, looking over her battered and bruised familia.
"I'm trying to make them grow at an accelerated rate. I can't exactly be gentle, and that actually was me going easy on them right now."
Another collection of groans passed through the air.
"Of course it was," Lili whined, knowing full well he wasn't lying.
"Well, I think they've had enough for today. And you need that healed," Hestia said pointing at his hand.
"Oh this?" Achilles said holding up his hand. "Just a flesh wound."
"Even so," Hestia continued, a bit unnerved by how easily he was taking seeing his own bone. "I'd feel better if you were healed."
"Very well," Achilles agreed. "Anyone know healing magic?"
Cassandra was the one who answered, for, even though Achilles unnerved her to no end, she did feel somewhat responsible for his injury given that she had healed Bell who had, in turn, inflicted it.
"Thank you," he said after receiving his healing. He then noticed the terrified and shaking body of the young lady before him and smiled gently. "No need to be so afraid, I know I'm a bit scary but all I really want is for all of you to do the best that you can and to live long, happy lives."
Cassandra looked up at him. She saw the genuineness and kindness in his eyes and, though she wasn't fully at ease, she was naturally a very nervous girl after all, she did feel at ease enough to give him a small smile.
"That's better. Now," he said turning back to the adventurers. "Let's talk about what happened and where you all can improve."
Everyone turned their sole attention to him.
"We'll start with the level ones. Haruhime, Chigusa, Asuka, you all add something to the fight in terms of support, most notably Haruhime's Uchide no Kozuchi, but you're all exceedingly vulnerable yourselves, especially you, Haruhime. You have some level of combat training and experience, but that needs to be ramped up, not only so you can level up, but so that you don't become targets for the more clever opponents." The three nodded. "I'll give you a few suggestions and I'd be more than happy to train you when I can, but I'll entrust your familias to your training for the most part. Now the level twos."
"Lili, as a supporter you're in much the same place as the level ones, but you do have experience. However, you weaponry is medium to long ranged. You don't appear to have much experience in or weaponry, for hand-to-hand. That should change. You don't need to be able to take the front rows during combat, but I don't want you being unable to defend yourself if an enemy manages to slip through the lines." The prum nodded. "Welf, Ouka, you two have a different problem. You both carry heavy weapons and while you both carry them well, they do make you slower, which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that you two seemed so dreadfully opposed to armor. You two are practically naked, defensively speaking, yet carry around weapons that can't easily provide you protection, especially from missiles and magic. You need not only armor, but also a back-up, lighter weapon that you can pull out should you lose your main one, or to switch to closer attacks." The two young men nodded. "Naaza, you expect to be on the backlines, as far from the enemy as possible. You are indeed quite the sniper, but you are unprepared for an enemy that is able to close the gap. You need to learn hand-to-hand combat or, if you'd prefer, I'd suggest setting up traps to, at the very least, warn you of an enemy's approach. Maybe there's someone you can go to for advice on building and setting up such devices."
Naaza toke his words in stride, already thinking of someone she could go to for advice on devices and traps.
"Cassandra," Achilles turned to the nervous girl, and no one failed to notice that Mikoto had been skipped. "You're problem is the same as I've previously mentioned. You act as a supporter, which is all well and good, but as a level three, you should also have enough power to brush aside many, if not most challenges. You need to add some sort of offensive ability to your arsenal, whether it be magic or weaponry, and become comfortable with it." Cassandra had never taken criticism well, due, in no small part, from her time in Apollo familia, but she took it with as much grace as she could. "Daphne, you're skilled at hand to hand combat, and your speed is noteworthy but you don't seem willing to use it to its fullest extent, preferring aggressive frontal attacks instead of using your mobility to your advantage by hitting from different sides. This is especially noticeable when your formation is broken. The moment I got to Cassandra your controlled temperament dropped and you ran straight for me. Which leads me to," he turned to the level fours.
"Ryuu, you are clearly the most experienced here and it shows. Your attacks were powerful and precise. You knew where to strike and when. Had I been a standard level five I would have been hard pressed to defeat you. That said, you do become desperate when things seem to take a turn for the worst, as if you're trying to take the full burden of the fight on your shoulders. Admirable, but dangerous. It doesn't matter how good you are, if you're outmatched without support, you will be defeated, if not crushed. My suggestion is that you use your speed to aid your comrades. Even if you can't get them back on their feet, if you can get them out of immediate danger that should, at least help calm your mind enough to use your skills to their greatest effect." The elf nodded. "And all those criticisms go double for you, Bell," he said pointing at the rabbit-like young man. "Your heroic spirit ensures that you always force your way to the front lines. Noble of you, but you'll exhaust yourself far faster than others by that need to constantly charge at the greatest opponent. Trust your comrades and think. You're intelligent and that last attack clearly showed you have the ability to work out a plan quickly, however, even if I didn't know you, I'd be able to quickly figure out that your heroic nature and need to protect those you care about could be used to lure you into a trap and deal you a knockout blow. But," he quickly added. "Please don't think of this as a criticism of your good heart. It's not. I happily acknowledge that it's something I love about you and don't want it to change. But, speaking from my own experience, I can tell you that there is an inherent danger in that spirit, especially if something happens to your comrades," a deep look of pain filled his face as terrible memories filled his mind.
Bell and the others knew what was replaying in his mind and grew their own looks of sadness. Bell, being who he was, walked over to his newly minted father and hugged him.
The pain eased away as Bell's warmth and comforting smile washed over the older captain and, soon enough, he smiled and stroked his head.
"All in all," he continued, once Bell had returned to his spot. "You all did very well, but the one I want to give most credit towards is Mikoto."
"Me?" Mikoto asked as everyone turned to you.
"Yep. You really shined today. Not only did you use a powerful spell to hold me in a place, which takes remarkable skill and made you absolutely instrumental towards your group's strategy, but you kept to your part with admirable vigor, and that was after I knocked you to the ground. But most noteworthy, you recognized you needed to change strategies and turned to ninjutsu. Not only was your skill quite profound in the area as well, as you were able to sneak all the way up behind me, but, had you been level or two higher, I would have been in quite the state from your attack. Hell, if this had been a serious fight, you might very well have been able to kill me."
Mikoto's eyes widened.
"Y-You give me too much credit," she said, her head bowed in order to hide her red cheeks.
"Not at all. You have exceptional potential, Mikoto-san. With proper time to enhance all your skills and expand your arsenal you will become a real force to be reckoned with. The only real criticism I can say is that you need to work on your confidence. More specifically, you need to be able to always call on that confidence you have when your friends are in danger. Trust them. Trust yourself, and strike true. Learn that and by the time you're a level four, let alone five or six, I will be thinking twice about crossing swords with you."
The praise was too much to bear for Mikoto, who looked ready to explode.
"T-Thank you very much," she said, bowing deeply.
Everyone was smiling now, happy to see their friend being praised.
"Overall," Achilles stated. "You all have extraordinary potential, and I'm not just saying that because I like you all. In time, with the proper care and motivation I truly do think you, all of you, have the capacity to surpass me and my familia."
"Of course they can!" Hestia declared excitedly. "With me and Bell-kun leading them, there's no one we won't!"
"And what exactly do you have to do with this Hestia-sama?" Lili questioned.
"Why you!"
"You've given us quite a lot to think about," Miach said.
"Indeed," Takemikazuchi agreed. "Though I must say I am very glad to see someone recognizing her talent," he said turning his eyes towards his former familia member.
"Takemikazuchi-sama," Mikoto said, her embarrassment growing.
"I do my best to be honest, that's all," Achilles replied.
"Even so, you didn't have to aid our children at all, yet you did. For that, I am very grateful," the eastern god said.
"We adventurers have to help each other, else we won't get very far. In all honesty, my training isn't that great, at least not in comparison to my captain, Chiron. He knew just how to teach you no matter who you were. I miss that old man," he said smiling fondly. "But even so, I'll do my best. Besides, I want to be the cool dad, so helping out my son's friends is a must."
No one could prevent the smiles that came from that, even had they wanted to. The joy that radiated off of both the captains at their newly formed relationship was contagious as they all felt themselves being filled with the genuine joy and hope that radiated off the pair.
"Then you won't mind if I take you up on your offer and ask you for some tips," Ryuu said, stepping forward.
"Not at all."
Achilles made his way towards Twilight Manor with a smile on his face. He'd spent the last few hours working with each of the young adventurers, working out the kinks, teaching them some techniques, and helping to improve their strategy and, overall, things had gone very well. Now however, he had only one adventurer who needed his attention.
He arrived at the gates, fully intent on being a good boy and waiting for them to bring Aiz to him, only to be surprised when, upon spotting him, one of the guards turned to him and said.
"Follow me."
The guard led him through the manor, those they passed either keeping their distance or glaring at him, until they arrived at a garden where Riveria, not Aiz was sitting, reading a book.
"Riveria-sama wished to speak with you," the guard stated.
"I see."
He walked over to where the royal elf was sitting and, upon hearing his approach, she looked up.
"Ah, Achilles. I was wondering when you'd arrive."
"Didn't know I was keeping you waiting."
"I simply wished to talk to you. Come," she said, gesturing him to follow her.
The two walked a short distance until they found a tree where Riveria promptly sat down with Achilles soon after doing likewise on the opposite side.
"So," he said, taking out his pipe. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Aiz," she answered simply.
"What about her?" he inquired further, lighting his pipe.
"It is my hope that she and young Bell Cranel will find each other."
He turned his head.
"And you're mad at me for not approving of their union?"
"No, not mad. I can understand your concern. You want only the best for him. I am the same with Aiz. My hope is that I can convince you that she and Bell would indeed be an excellent match."
"Good luck with that. As far as I'm concerned, I've already found his perfect match," Achilles said.
"Oh? And who's that?"
"You gonna turn her into a frog?" Achilles joked.
Riveria chuckled.
"No. I just want to understand what precisely you're looking for when it comes to your new son."
"Trying to sweet talk me isn't going to work," Achilles stated causing another chuckle to pass Riveria's lips.
"It was worth a shot."
A stream of smoke passed Achilles's lips.
"Aiz seems like a good girl. A bit ditzy and in need of a little bit more of this thing most people call, 'emotion', but I do not doubt that she is worthy of Bell's affections to some degree. Indeed, her and Bell may make each other very happy," Achilles admitted. "But I do not see the inherent spark or chemistry between them like I do with the other young lady. Answer me honestly, if Aiz had not saved him, could you ever see those two coming together? What do they have that connects them? They're both driven, kind people? So are you. What if you had been the one to save him? Should I have jumped on that bandwagon had it played out that way?"
"He's a bit young for me," she joked.
"That excuse isn't going to get you far with me, especially seeing how I'm wondering how you haven't been snatched up in all these years. But I'll get back to that. Now, you tell me, what brings them together? The girl I have in mind may not have quite as much drive as Bell, but she has his kindness and tenderness. She shares his interests and has shown no level of malice to the point I'm almost willing to declare her a saint. And most importantly, nothing else is pulling at her heart which threatens to consume her."
Riveria sighed. She knew this would come up. It had to.
"I don't want her going after the Dragon either, Achilles."
"And yet she persists."
"Can you not understand why? You, of all people?"
She suddenly found herself face to face with the man.
"Don't go there. I lost so much to that thing. I fully understand wanting it dead. I have not had a night that wasn't tormented by nightmares for over fifteen years. Every night I see that thing and what it did to the people I cared about. No one, and I mean no one, wants that thing gone as much as I do, but I will not destroy myself or drag others into my hate. Can you say the same for Aiz Wallenstein?"
He moved away and retook his position on the other side of the tree.
Things were quiet for a moment, the only sound being that of Achilles deeply breathing in smoke to calm himself.
"I'm sorry, Achilles. I shouldn't have said that. I know how much pain you're in," she said, remembering a particularly terrible memory.
"No you don't. And I hope you never do. The last thing in the world I want for you, Riveria, is for you to understand my pain," he said darkly. "But you're forgiven. I don't want to fight with you Riveria. I really don't. Not about this. Not about anything."
"Nor I with you," she returned, a deep sadness in her voice after hearing his words.
A smoke filled sigh passed his lips.
"Aiz would make Bell happy. I do not, nor will ever try to deny that. If they find each other, I'll be happy for both of them. But until they do I will be pushing the one I think will give him what he deserves towards him. You, in turn, will push Aiz towards him. I will respect that and not interfere, except," he turned his head. "If there is a risk she will drag him into her personal war. I will not lose my son to her quest for vengeance."
Riveria nodded solemnly.
"I understand."
"Good. Now, perhaps you'll do me the honor of explaining why your own love life seems so stunted."
She laughed, in spite of everything.
"You're assuming it is."
"No, I know it is. Not only would I have heard something since I've been back, but I also know that if anyone got their hands on you, they'd never let go."
She laughed again, this time without the burden of their previous topic.
"I don't tend to get approached much."
"One: bullshit. Two: you can also do the approaching."
"No ones peaked my interest in a long time."
"What are you looking for?"
"Hm. They'd have to be wise."
"Of course. No idiots for the elven princess."
She laughed again.
"You always did like to tease me about that."
"Still do."
"But, I don't so much mind them not being intelligent. What I mean is, they don't have to be book smart, clever, or witty. I want someone who can take life's lessons to heart and grow from them. It doesn't so much matter to me if they appear foolish to others, in fact they might very well appear as such, but I'll know that they have a deeper understanding than most."
"Hm, interesting qualification. I might even call it wise in its own way."
"Thank you."
"What else?" he pressed.
"He'd have to be brave. Again, not necessarily in terms of battle, but in terms of character. Being always true to himself. Honest, but not cruel, at least not intentionally. Someone who, when pushed, will plant his feet and say, 'no, you move'."
"I believe I told you that saying," Achilles said with a smile.
"Did you? I can't seem to remember," Riveria said with a smile.
"Alright cheeky girl. So wise and brave, huh? Really limiting your options there." She chuckled. "But if you'll find them anywhere, Orario would be the place."
"I know he's here," she said with certainty.
"Oh? Anyone I know?"
She smiled.
"He'd also have to have a good heart."
Achilles blew out smoke.
"Alright Evasive-san. A good heart. Meaning kind?"
"Yes, but more than that. Being kind can be interpreted many ways. Telling your child a white lie may be thought of as kind in certain circumstances, but being honest can also be thought of as such. I want the latter. Kind in a way that allows those around them to grow. The kind of good heart that seeks to help others become the most they could be."
"Another tidbit of philosophy I see."
She chuckled again.
"It's just how I feel."
"Mmhm. You're laughing quite a bit today, I've noticed. Someone slip something into your tea?"
Another chuckle.
"I guess I've just missed our talks."
He was silent for a moment before replying.
"So have I."
The two shared a comfortable silence for a moment before Riveria continued.
"How are you?"
Achilles blew out a ring.
"Is that the general, 'how are you' or is it in reference to last night? If it's the first, generally pretty well. If it's the second," he went quiet for a moment. "I'll live."
"Achilles," she turned to him.
"She got me," he cut in. "I fell for her trick hook line and sinker," he sighed. "Not exactly my finest moment."
"No one blames you," she stated gently.
"Well that's not true. Loki was clearly pissed, as were numerous members of your familia. And I don't blame them. But, you know what's interesting?"
"What?" she asked.
"I'm actually grateful."
That surprised her for a moment, but she soon realized why and smiled.
"Because you got Bell?"
He smiled.
"That's part of it. Though actually it's not the only reason."
"And what's the other reason?"
"For the last few decades I've been in love with Freya. When I think about it in comparison to something, it's been like I've had my head under a blanket for all this time. Originally it was warm, but it became suffocating. Even so, I couldn't manage to pull the blankets off of me. However, after what she pulled, and after what Bell did for me, I think I've finally found the light peeking in from outside the blanket."
Her eyes widened.
"You mean…?"
"I'm not sure yet. Still have to see what happens, but I may, may, be able to finally claw my way out of the blanket now."
Had Achilles been facing Riveria he would have seen a curious twinkle of light enter her eyes.
"I'm...I'm happy to hear that."
"So am I," he said. "Anyway," he got up. "As much as I'd like to continue this conversation, I did come here with a purpose."
She nodded, smiling all the while.
"I'll show you where she is."
The two walked through the manor, the comfortable silence once more falling over them, until they reached the training area where Aiz was currently working with her sword.
"I'll leave you here," Riviera said.
"It was nice talking to you, Riveria. We need to get back into the habit again."
"Agreed," she returned.
The Nine Hells now gone, Achilles walked over to Aiz.
Hearing his approach, she turned.
"Achilles-san. Thank you for coming," she said with a bow.
"All thanks should go to Bell, I'm just fulfilling a favor."
"Then I'll be sure to thank him again the next time I see him," she said with a smile.
"Well, it appears he's bringing out some emotion from her at least," Achilles thought.
"Be sure that you do," he said. "So are you ready to go?"
"I'm ready whenever you are," she said, getting into a stance.
"Not here. This training is just for you, I don't want your other familia learning something about my abilities. Allies though we our, we can't fully trust each other yet."
Aiz nodded in understanding.
"Bell and I tend to train on the walls," she offered.
"That'll do."
The two left, Aiz activating her Tempest due to her eagerness to begin. Achilles followed closely behind, unfazed by her speed.
The two arrived at the spot where Aiz and Bell had trained in the past and she and Achilles took their places.
"Let's see what you can do, Aiz Wallenstein," he said holding up his sword.
She tightened her grip on her sword, then began.
Riviera watched the two disappear with a smile.
"I'm glad to see you're doing so well, Achilles," she thought.
Before she could stop it, her mind flashed back to the last time she'd seen him before his return to Orario.
The news of Zeus and Hera familias' defeat at the hands of the One-Eyed Black Dragon had spread like wildfire. Everyone was terrified. All the optimism and good feelings that they had when they had sent off the adventurers to defeat the last Great Beast had turned to smoke and a sense of foreboding and doom had fallen over the city. But Riviera was not concerned with that, she simply wished to know how Achilles was doing.
"Heard the madman ran to Freya," Loki had told her. "Probably hoping she would save the two big guys from banishment. She won't of course, but guess he'll have to learn the hard way."
This information in mind, Riviera went in search of Achilles, heading for the Freya familia mansion.
She was just about to make it, when a flash of blue light burst before her. She shielded her eyes, before turning back towards the source to find, to her horror, a distraught and crying Achilles looking ready to empty his stomach.
"Achilles," she breathed.
Before she could do anything though, he suddenly flew away, using his Lightning Step to flee at a pace she could never hope to catch.
"Achilles!" she cried.
She later learned what had happened between him and Freya from Hera herself. The goddess had not been the kindest with her wording, which had infuriated Rivieria to the point where she actually had slapped the goddess.
Hera had taken it in stride, seemingly unfazed.
"Perhaps, if you had acted sooner, he wouldn't currently be running to the ends of the earth."
Even now the memory was a painful one. She knew, even back then, that Hera was right, but she couldn't change the past. However, she could influence the future. And she intended to do just that.
Aiz was sweating profusely. Achilles was as well, but not quite to the same extent, nor was he nearly as winded. However, Aiz was not one to quit, so, with eyes as hard as diamonds, she threw herself at Achilles again.
He watched her approach with calm, collected eyes and waited for the right moment.
She thrust forward, intent on quickly striking for his legs after he dodged. Dodge he did, but she was surprised when he moved towards her and proceeded to unceremoniously trip her.
She fell on her face with all the grace of a dropped sack of potatoes.
"What did you do wrong there?" he asked.
She got up, rubbing her nose.
"I'm not focusing enough."
"Actually, the exact opposite." She looked at him confused. "Aiz," he sighed, putting his sword against his shoulder. "You're thinking of me as the Olympian. The legendary captain of the Zeus familia. The man who fought the Great Beasts and survived. You're not thinking of me as an adventurer. You think that I'm going to fight you like some epic hero, smiting my enemies with my legendary sword when I'm just as capable of simple, maybe even dirty tactics, like the one you just fell for." She blushed. "Aiz...I'm just a man. Capable of mistakes like anyone. You saw that quite recently in fact," he pointed out.
"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just…"
He sighed again.
"Aiz, what exactly happened, if I may ask? Why do you have this need to kill the Dragon?"
She went silent, refusing or simply unable to answer for the longest time.
"It killed my father and kidnapped my mother."
"Kidnapped? It took your mother?"
She nodded.
"When I was a child."
"You're still a child, in more ways than one," Achilles thought, but did not voice.
"That's not something I hear often, but it does give me a clearer picture of your mindset. You want to rescue her, correct?"
She nodded again.
"There's no way she's still alive but...I've attacked this girl enough. No need to attack her hopes too."
"I see," he paused rubbing his face. "Aiz, I understand where you're coming from, really I do. I want that thing dead just as much as you. Heavens above, if there's anyone who wants it dead more than you, it's me , but...how old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Sixteen. Gods. Alright. I won't waste my time with the standard platitudes, but let me ask you two questions. Firstly, let's just say, you kill the Dragon. Just for argument's sake. You kill it and save your mother. Then what? What happens after?"
"After?"
"Yes, after its dead and you have your mother again. What then? Are you done being an adventurer? Will you leave Orario with your mother? Do you continue on her with your familia? What happens...after?"
"I...I don't know. I've only ever thought about killing it and rescuing her."
"You might want to start thinking about that, it might give you some perspective and insight. Alright, second question. What would it take to make you drop this quest?"
She stared at him, her eyes turning cold.
"Nothing. I won't drop it."
He sighed.
"Nothing will convince you to stop? There's nothing more important than this quest for vengeance?"
Her cold eyes gave him his answer.
"Then, one more question. What are you willing to lose?"
"I'd be fine dying if it meant killing the Dragon."
"That's not what I asked. I asked," he walked up to her. "What are you willing to lose?"
"I don't understand."
"Then think about this. Let's say that, within a year's time, you reach level seven. I reach level eight, Bell reaches level six, and all of us plus all the high level members of your familia, and Hell, Ottar as well, all go out to fight the Dragon. We find it, and fight. We succeed in killing it, but it comes at a cost. At least one of us is dead. Now, I want you to think about that. Think about someone in our group being dead. You might not mind so much if Ottar or I die, but what about Rivieria?" A tinge of pain entered her eyes. "Tiona? Tione? What if it was both?" The pain grew. "What if you lost them all? Would that be worth it? What about Bell? Would losing him be worth it in your eyes?"
Tears suddenly appeared, surprising him.
"I…," her voice caught. "I don't want them to die. Any of them."
His fist clenched. He knew he'd gone too far, but he needed her to understand.
"It won't be up to you. You can claim that you'll face it alone, but there's no way that your familia will allow that, even if you become a level eight. They'll want to be there right beside you. Bell will as well. He won't be able to stand by while you face that thing, and that will put him in danger. Are you okay with that? Are you willing to risk them for the sake of killing that thing?"
"...I."
He held up his hand.
"Don't answer. Not to me. Go home and think about it, honestly and fully. Figure out just how much you're really willing to give up to that monster. Speaking for myself, I won't sacrifice the new family I've received for the sake of avenging the one I lost."
He turned to leave.
"Go home, Aiz. Think on what I said. And remember that I do understand where you're coming from, but please also understand that I don't want to see yet another person, especially not someone as good and as talented as you, be destroyed by that thing."
With that, he left, leaving behind a confused and distraught Aiz to reconcile what she had just heard.
Achilles entered his room and promptly fell down onto his bed.
"Gods above," he said, rubbing his face in the vain hope that it would rid him of his exhaustion, preferable the mental kind. "That girl's going down a path that she may not be able to come back from," he sighed. "In the end though, that's her choice," he thought on what she'd told him. "Killed her father, took her mother. Not sure I've heard that story before."
He closed his eyes.
"Story?"
His eyes shot open.
"Yes I have."
He sat up and got out of bed.
Quickly rummaging through his belongings he found the item he was looking for. His copy of Dungeon Oratoria.
The book had seen better days, years of reading and rereading had taken its toll on the well-loved book, but Achilles wasn't looking to give his appreciation for the tome, instead he quickly began to shuffle through the pages until he found what he was looking for.
"After some years and many adventures together, the love between Albert and Aria bloomed into a beautiful flower that few have ever or ever will see," he read. "They wed, and soon had a child together, in spite of the fact that Aria was a spirit. How they managed to accomplish this remains a mystery. The child was a beautiful girl. Although her name has been lost to history, what is known is that she took after her mother, looking almost exactly like her mother except that, where Aria's eyes were a deep blue, the daughter's eyes were of the purest gold."
He stopped.
"What the?"
He quickly began flipping the pages.
"Then the day of reckoning came. The Black Dragon appeared and attacked the great heroes. Albert fought bravely, and even succeeded in taking one of the monster's eyes, but it came at the cost of his life. Aria's fate was worse as the beast captured her and flew off into the unknown. The fate of their daughter is unknown for she disappeared during the chaos. Legend has it that she is still chasing after the beast to this day, seeking to avenge her father and rescue her mother."
He stopped again.
"Albert and Aria Waldstein. Aria Waldstein. Aiz Wallenstein," he looked down at the page. "Avenge her father, rescue her mother."
"She thought I was...someone else," he remembered Aiz saying, along with the pained look in her eyes when he'd mention the Sword Hero.
"What the hell?"
Done. Whew! That was fun. Now, I apologize, I did say I was going to pull back from cliffhanger style endings, but I've had this one planned out for so long that I couldn't not do it, so my apologizes. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it and that it was worth the wait. If you did, or even if you didn't please leave me a review so I can know what you think. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. With that, I'll clock out for now and catch you all later. So, until next time, bye for now.