Like a Fairy (rewrite)

by Ventanus

Rewrite of Like a Fairy. After the events on the 37th floor, Bell s feelings start to change, towards a certain fairy. Bell x Ryu, no other lovers for Bell, no harem. Rated M to be sure. Contains spoilers up to LN 15, SO 12 and MS 18 (Ryu s skills, magic and equipment)

13. Spirit festival

Author´s Note: Heyah, everyone.

First things first. Originally the next BloJ! Chapter was supposed to come out, it is already halfway written (around 6.5k words), but I had a bit of trouble continuing it. Since BloJ! was originally meant to be a one shot. Then I just went with my ideas to add more lovers, I now start to get the problem of a huge harem and to create personalities for characters that only have a name and appearance and maybe a small short story, namely Noin, Ryana, and Celty, for Celty it's quite easy to be honest. But letting the characters all do something in chapters can become a bit tiring, plus, BloJ! doesn´t have a deep plot or story like my other stories (while I have a dungeon and later fighting something evil arcs planned)

Something second, I will not respond to any PM or Review messages about offerings to pay someone to make artworks of my stories. I do this for fun and don´t intend to spend money on this.

So, I decided to take a break from BloJ! and write this chapter here first, during that, I got ideas on how to continue the BloJ! Chapter so that it will come the next after this one here.

At the same time, there will be a very small rewrite, I´m taking Heith out of the story. Except for the chapter where she got all feely and Freya let her go for the internship, she´s just...there. I have a deeper, more meaningful plot with her in AymO? Route Freya, so the stuff I had planned for her in BloJ!, fit better in that story anyway. This way I can focus more on the others. A huge harem is pretty hard to write.

Blazeburn: Yeah, some spelling errors, the Grammar Ai I use tends to make some mistakes when it corrects my mistakes, resulting in missing letters or words being pushed together.

I want Ryu to bond more with her familia, I think she deserves that.

About those who still feel the need to tell me they skip parts of the story because it´s about side characters, well do what you like.

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"Ungh...finally some peace..."

Tiona groaned while she let herself sink to her shoulders into the small lake on the 18th floor, it was her favorite one. A few trees grew here directly out of the water, they looked a bit like trees back in Telskyura, mangroves. The roots that came out of the water, before the trunk started, separated the whole lake into smaller areas, which were perfect if someone wanted to be alone.

It had been such an exhausting day! Tione had raged and complained, it took a while for Tiona to find out what had made her sister so mad. Apparently, at first, Tione had seen Bete "flirting" with Lena, which meant, Lena was constantly following him and he was just not shouting at her or kicking her away. It had ticked Tione off, that this rough, unfriendly werewolf was able to get a "girlfriend", while she still didn´t make progress with Finn. And when Tione then went to Finn, to finally get a proper answer, he had rejected her.

Again.

There was just so much that the heart of an Amazon...of a woman, could take. Finn had tried to make things absolutely clear this time, that she just wasn´t the one for him and had to accept this. He thought it would make things easier, that she could accept it and move on. But Tione was an amazon, almost all of them were hot-blooded. Since Tione had interrupted a meeting of Loki, Finn, Riveria, and Gareth, the other three saw her reaction.

Tione had cried, from anger. Tears of anger had rolled down her cheeks, she looked as if she felt betrayed. As much as she normally was into Finn, getting rejected again and again, with a final, complete rejection, could turn around most feelings. Tione had gritted her teeth, and glared at Finn, before she turned around, left the office, and slammed the door so hard that it broke, not listening to the complaints from Riveria behind her, just shouting back at her to shut up. It had hurt her, seriously hurt her. While Loki and Gareth thought it was a mistake, Riveria supported Finn´s decision, in the long sight, it would make things better and easier.

Gareth had stroked his beard. "Might have an effect on her, Tiona, and others during the next Expedition, or when we will face Knossos at some point."

They were all confused about something, they got information about Knossos, and knew that it was probably Evilus´ fortress, but somehow it got sealed and prevented everyone from getting inside, maybe Evilus was trying to lay low for a while.

Finn shook his head. "It is better this way. And...hah...to be honest...it started to get annoying, how often she raged when some woman talked to me, how she followed me through the city and these things."

Riveria nodded. "It had to stop at some point."

Loki´s reaction was a bit unusual from her normal behavior. "Finn...that was a mistake."

"What?"

"Gareth probably has an idea, after Melen. But especially you two should´ve known better, Finn, Ry-Ry."

"Don´t call me by that nickname!"

"Hay hay, Mama."

"Loki!"

"Oh please! You´re totally the mama for more than one member we have! Anyway...you two should know how amazons are, how Tione is. They have pride, Tione has immense pride and fighting spirit, this might cause a serious crack between you."

Finn shook his head. "She will do her part, I´m sure of that."

"And what if not?"

"Loki?"

"Finn, not everyone has such noble goals as you, Tione has comrades in the familia, but only a few friends, heck, I don´t even know if she has any hobbies."

"She likes to shop for clothes."

"Yeah, heard that from Lefiya and Ais. Anyway, Amazons wear their heart on their tongues, and show their emotions openly. Tione had a crush on you ever since you beat her in the past before they entered the familia. For her, you were her man."

Finn still shook his head. "Maybe, but you know my goal, Loki."

"To take a prum wife, then tell me, Finn, how many options are there for you? Astrea´s prum died years ago, and if I remember right, she disliked you for some reason at the end. Hestia´s girl rejected you. I think Hermes´ girl is too young for you and interested in someone else. You want a strong and famous...or at least famous in the future...wife, to be the light for the prum race. A noble goal, since you´re not doing it for yourself, but for your race. But Finn, let me remind you of something."

"That would be?"

Loki sighed while she looked out of the window. "This is a cruel world, many people will never find anyone to genuinely love them in their harsh life. I won´t make your dream small, but it is unlikely that you will find a nice prum girl with the life you´re leading."

"So you´re saying I should give up on my dream?"

"Are your ears just for decoration? I just said I won´t make it small or say that, but you should also face reality. At some point, your facade might crack."

"My facade?"

"We´re here among ourselves, all four of us know what you try to become, for the prum race. But Finn, you´re forty-two now, the age difference between any possible partner and you will be immense."

"So would be the one with Tione."

"Tione is level six, as an Amazon, she would normally already become older than a prum. If you had a partner of let´s say Hestia´s girl´s level, she would die much earlier than you from age. And I know that you don´t love her one bit, it would just be for show, which was why Hestia´s girl was so angry in the end."

"And what should I do in your opinion?"

Loki pointed at his chest. "Don´t just think about others, your race, and the whole world. Think also for yourself for once, do you have no desire to ever have kids? Gareth basically has most of the familia who look up to him like a parent. And I won´t even start on Riveria."

"Loki..."

Loki raised an eyebrow. "Alright, Riveria. Now tell me honestly that you´re not Ais´ foster mother. And basically became a mother figure for Tiona and Tione too?"

"Ngh."

"Thought as much."

Finn shook his head. "I appreciate that you think about me, Loki. But I am who I am. I don´t love Tione."

"Just like you wouldn´t have loved Hestia´s girl. You would´ve used her, as a symbol."

Finn returned Loki´s gaze with a very serious expression. "I will not change my mind on this topic."

Loki nodded. "Alright, just be ready to face a disappointed, rejected, angry Amazon."

"It´s not like Tione would attack me for this."

"No, but she might refuse to ever talk to you again. Which will affect others as well, especially Tiona. And Ais."

"We are a familia."

"Finn...I think you don´t understand amazons..."

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When Tione returned to her shared room with Tiona, she had raged like never before, now their room was mostly damaged. Tiona had a few bruises, as she wouldn´t just take Tione´s anger and fought back, protecting her stuff. It wasn´t rare that the sister had a serious fist and leg fight. They were amazons after all. Eventually, Tione went somewhere in the dungeon to vent her anger onto the monsters. Tiona had been busy cleaning up her part of the room, sister or not, she wouldn´t clean up Tione´s part, her sister had damaged it, so she would clean it alone.

After getting scolded by Riveria, for fighting in the house, which Tiona wasn´t in the mood for, she went to the dungeon too. But not to kill monsters and vent her frustration, but to take a bath, it would help her to cool down. Lefiya had accompanied her, saying she wanted to look for a few things on the 18th floor, and bath in a lake by herself. While Tiona most of the time never had a problem with company, sometimes bathing alone was also nice.

She had stretched out her body and floated around the lake, looking up at the ceiling of the floor, just floating where the water led her. Tiona liked water and loved to swim, it was one of the reasons why she got the Development Ability "Diving", which not only let her swim as easily as a fish, but enhanced her strength in the water, and, together with her high level, allowed her to stay for multiple minutes underwater. Often enough she got called a water rat, which she didn´t mind. She almost dozed as she floated around with closed eyes, Tiona wasn´t worried about her clothes, she had put them on a tree close to the lake, so no monsters or adventurers would stumble upon them.

Her ears caught the sound of monsters wandering in the forest, they weren´t a threat to her, as they were peaceful on the 18th floor, as long as people didn´t bother them. The lake was mostly calm, only very slight movements came from the very soft wind that blew on the 18th floor. In the past, Tiona had wondered if the dungeon produced the wind, but Gareth had explained to her, that caves of this size had air moving and producing slight wind on their own, it was a matter of sheer size. But the plants here did their part too, which was one of the reasons why in the great forest further down, sometimes heavy rain falls happened.

There was also another noise, soft splashing, and slightly stronger waves coming from the side. It were more ripples, but her senses of a level six told her, someone was there. Tiona just kept floating, eventually hearing the voice of a woman. It couldn´t be Lefiya, the voice was different. A stronger ripple in the water was what got Tiona´s attention, something big had to move through the water, too big for a person.

Then there was the voice again.

"Seriously, stop struggling so much, it´s hard enough to wash your hair."

"Ah...Ah."

"Watch your tail, you should have enough space here."

"Ah...feel...funny..."

"Oho, more words. And I guess you mean it tickles?"

"Ah."

"The word you´re looking for is yes."

"Y...es?"

"Exactly."

"Ah?"

"Hah...exactly means yes. I wonder if it´s just your head, or if you´re ticklish in general...let´s find out."

"Ah?! Ah, ah, ah!"

Tiona eventually opened her eyes, the laughter coming from the second voice sounded very strange, as if two voices rang out at the same time, but coming from just one mouth. She tilted her head in the direction of the voices and moved her body a bit so that she wouldn´t sink.

The sight surely was something else, it was two people.

One was a red-haired adult woman, with round burn scars on one side of her body. Her hair was short, she looked quite muscular and strong. But it wasn´t her who caught Tiona´s attention, it was the other person. It was a monster, at least in Tiona´s eyes. Yet, not directly a monster.

A Xenos?

The other woman looked like a Lamia, but a bit different, the parts of her body that weren´t tail and arms, looked like that of a normal human woman, rosy and naked. Between her breasts was something like a crystal visible, only being able to see from the front, from the side, her mounds would cover the crystal...due to their size.

Kuuuuh! Why is everyone having bigger breasts than me?!

The red-haired woman too...

Currently, the Lamia was mostly submerged in the water, only her upper body poked out, while the massive tail moved back and forth underwater. The other woman was washing the Lamia´s hair for her and tickled her out of curiosity here and there. Tiona also saw, that the Lamia had two curled horns, which she had only once seen on a Lamia, which was irregular. When the Lamia tried to protect her sensitive areas from getting tickled, Tiona noticed that the arms went from the normal rosy part into the scaly part a bit below her elbows. To her surprise, the claws that she had at the end of her hands, retracted.

The red-haired woman grinned. "Oho? Learned how to handle your hands? Finally!"

While the Lamia laughed again, Tiona saw her mouth parting further than it should be possible for a humanoid face, and that her teeth now looked very sharp...and her tongue very long, so long that the tip could easily reach the crystal between her breasts.

The Xenos sure are something else.

Eventually, the Lamia noticed Tiona, pointing at her while looking at the other woman. "Ah, ah."

"Hm? Oh..."

The red-haired woman´s expression got a bit cold.

Tiona grinned. "Heyah there, sorry for interrupting you, I just happened to pass by."

The Lamia looked curious at Tiona, while the red-haired woman moved from behind her, to her side, as if to protect her.

Kuuuuuuuh! She has big breasts too!

Tiona was always sensitive about this...the only happiness she had found once, was when she had hugged Bell in the city from behind. He got all red and fidgety, trying to escape her, and even her modest chest made him flustered, was an unfamiliar joy.

The red-haired woman´s and the Lamia´s breasts weren´t as big as Tione´s, but they still were bigger than Tiona´s, which hurt her a bit...

Tiona looked curious again. "Are you one of the Xenos?"

Revis stopped, looking from Tiona to the Lamia. "A...Xenos?"

"Jup, doesn´t look like a normal Lamia, and she talked...hey, you can talk, right?"

"Ah..yes.." The Lamia nodded.

"Hehe, thought so. Do you know Ray, the Siren, and the others?"

Ray was the only Xenos that Tiona knew by name, after the first incident in Knossos, where Ray got injured while she protected Alicia and Riveria, they had brought her to their home, to take care of her wounds. Now she was back in the dungeon, but Tiona had a chance to learn more about the Siren and the Xenos. She was glad that they didn´t kill one of them during the fight in the city.

Revis looked from the Lamia to Tiona, now she remembered where she had seen this Amazon before, from afar.

"Ah, ahm...yes...a Xenos, that´s right."

"Hehe, thought so!~~ Are you one of Argonaut´s friends?"

Revis frowned. "Argonaut?"

"Ah! Ah!" The Lamia perked up for some reason. "Ah...Arg...Ar..."

Tiona smiled. "You might know him as Bell, I tend to call him Argon-"

"Argonaut! Argonaut!" The Lamia looked strangely excited.

"Oh? Have you heard the name Argonaut before?"

"Ah, Argonaut! Ah!"

Tiona looked confused.

Revis sighed. "She has trouble learning how to speak properly."

"Ah, I get that. My sister and I had trouble with Koine in the past too. Reading books helped me a lot, like Argonaut´s novel."

"Ah! Argonaut! I ah Argonaut!"

"You ah?"

"She uses "ah" as a replacement for words she doesn´t know yet, it was the first sound she could make."

Revis didn´t feel any threat coming from the Amazon, and if that were the case, she could easily overpower her. But why wasn´t Tiona on high alert or repelled by Revis? While Ais had fought against Revis, she never heard her name, and Tiona never saw her, only heard that Ais´ opponent had red hair...which wasn´t that rare as a hair color. A few Ganesha familia members had them, the goddess Hephaistos, the smith from Bell´s familia, so Tiona didn´t make the connection.

"I ah Argonaut!"

"Do you mean you like Argonaut?"

The lamia nodded heavily.

"Really?! I love Argonaut!...I mean the story, not Bell."

Revis looked like she was in thought. "Bell...Bell...ah, white hair, red eyes, pretty muscular, and quite packing below the belt?"

"Ahm, I don´t know about the last point, but the rest fits."

"Yeah, saw and talked to him, we took a bath together."

"Really?! Man, when he went into the lake when we took a bath last time, he just ran away."

"He has something about a rabbit on him."

"But he´s also a strong warrior, very strong, just like Argonaut."

The Lamia looked excited again. "Argonaut! I ah...ah..l-..ah...like! I like! Argonaut!"

"Hehe~~ She´s like a child who learns the language. Do you have a name?"

The Lamia now looked confused, then she shook her head.

"She doesn´t have one, or forgot it."

"Hm...Ray said it was similar for her in the beginning, will you name her?"

"I don´t have any ideas."

"Hm."

Tiona sat with the two as if it was the most natural thing to do.

"Maybe just a name, for now, something short? You like Argonaut, right?"

The Lamia nodded.

"Then...how about, Ar?!"

"Ar?..."

"Like in Argonaut, but since you´re a girl, just Ar."

"Ar...Me...Ar...Ar...Ard...Ar...Hm...Ard...Ar...Mh!"

Revis raised an eyebrow. "She seems to like it."

Tiona grinned. "Then nice to meet you, Ar. I´m Tiona."

"Ti...on...ah."

"Almost, and your name is?"

"Revis...I think."

"You think?"

"It´s not easy these days, just call me Revis. What are you doing here, Tiona?"

"Ah, quarreled with my sister, just wanted to take a bath, I like coming down here and taking a bath."

"I too like bathing, and the lakes here are the only place big enough for her."

"I get that."

Tiona looked at Ar again. "What do you like about Argonaut?!"

"Hm...Argonaut...I like...but...forgot."

"You forgot?"

"Read...ah...long ago."

"Oh! Wanna hear about it?"

Ar nodded heavily, Revis raised an eyebrow but didn´t say anything as Tiona started to tell the Lamia about the journey of Argonaut. Ar genuinely smiled, her face looking normal, like her mouth and her teeth. Revis just continued to wash the lamia´s hair, as her eyes sparkled and she hung at Tiona´s lips, the tail moving around excited. Listening to the story, reminded Revis of something, but she didn´t know what it was and had forgotten about it. She still listened, it let her mind become even more troubled, but she felt that it was important.

This wouldn´t be the last time that Tiona and Ar met, both would go along with each other well, and Tiona would even promise to bring a book or two into the dungeon with her, for Ar to keep it. It made Revis feel way more conflicted, Tiona, as a member of the Loki familia, was supposed to be her enemy. But the fact that she helped the Lamia, made her happy...she liked that.

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"It´s wonderful here, don´t you think, Filvis?"

"It is, Lefiya."

"Hah, I needed this. I think, as a forest elf, we just need to bath in a forest lake now and then, even Lady Riveria does it."

"Really?"

"Yes, when she takes solo trips to the dungeon from time to time, or with a few of us, but we bathe somewhere else."

"Then I´m glad that you like it."

"And I´m glad that you came with me.~~"

Filvis and Lefiya didn´t look at each other, both sat with their backs to each other in the shallow water of a different lake. For Filvis, it felt way too bold and early to bathe together with Lefiya, even when they didn´t look at each other's bodies. But she had heard from Revis that she would go to the 18th floor today, with that strange Lamia. And Lefiya would go there too. After Revis "joke" or taunt the other day, Filvis wouldn´t allow anything or anyone to endanger Lefiya, so she went with her, to protect her.

No matter the cost.

Yet, she also wouldn´t dare to look at Lefiya´s body, this innocent angel had to be protected, not lusted after. Not that Filvis was able to lust, when she had used her magic, she had put all her "negative" emotions into Ein, leaving herself as innocent and pure as possible. To feel at least a bit pure, even when she was actually so...dirty.

But being with Lefiya, healed her heart a bit.

"Filvis?"

"Hm?"

"Did I ever tell you about the light spectacle in Wishe?"

"I think you mentioned it once."

"Oh! Then let me tell you about it!"

"I will listen."

Filvis looked up to the ceiling, smiling slightly, such peace with Lefiya was nice.

And again...she couldn´t hear the demi-spirit´s voice in her head, it somehow got blocked when she was close to Lefiya. Or did she ignore it on purpose?

The only thing that troubled her a bit, were the few emotions and impressions she currently got from her other half.

Ein, what are you doing?...

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"Mmmh..ah! F-Filvis...wh-where are you touching?..."

"Oh my...Aura...you´re so cute...how you shiver...let me hear your cute voice more.~~~"

"N-No...w-wait...not there...Eep!"

"Oho, that was a nice reaction.~~~"

When Aura had heard that Filvis would go to the 18th floor, she wanted to accompany her, as a forest elf, she had the same urges as the others, to bathe in a forest lake from time to time. Since Filvis didn´t want her peaceful time with Lefiya interrupted, but she also didn´t want to push Aura away, Ein had helped out. Filvis went first with Aura into the dungeon, then when she turned around a corner, while Aura disposed of a monster, she switched places with Ein, who had waited there. After that, Filvis went back up to the surface, using a magic item that allowed her to become invisible for a while, and met with Lefiya. She knew exactly how deep Ein and Aura were. Like that, she could deepen her connection with Aura again, and have her time with Lefiya.

But there was a problem...

Filvis was deep down attracted to innocence and purity since she didn´t have these things anymore. In her own way, Aura was similar to Lefiya and very beautiful. She admired beauty too, and Aura had become one of the most beautiful elves she knew. Also, there was the mirror image, since Aura had white hair, which represented luck in elven culture.

Normally, Filvis wouldn´t grow closer to Aura, but due to Lefiya´s influence, Filvis opened up more. But even then, she wouldn´t become flirty or even touchy with someone just like that! So why did Ein do it? Because they were two sides of the same coin, yet, separated in a way. Filvis only had all the positive emotions in her, without having them polluted by negative ones.

Ein on the other hand had the more negative and "filthy" ones, like lust. But these didn´t get softened by the positive ones. Ein was a being of desire, and she desired Innocence, Beauty, and Purity, something she knew from the past. If Filvis and Ein had switched places, she would have done the same things to Lefiya now.

Aura shivered while Ein´s hands gently ran over her body, while she pushed her own body against her from behind. The white-haired elf whimpered, but didn´t push Ein away, she even gasped as Ein cupped one of her breasts with her hands.

"You´re so cute, Aura.~~~"

"F-Filvis...a-ahn..."

"I want to devour you.~~~~"

"Hyaaan, n-nooo..."

Aura didn´t struggle as Ein moved even closer, the black-haired elf did things to her that Aura never would´ve imagined.

EIN! Stop that! What are you doing?!

Heh, what? This all comes from your desires.

I don´t desire to do these things to Aura or Lefiya!

Oh, you do, you want to pamper them, want to get pampered by them. I am your lust incarnate, it´s not my fault that I can´t hold back like other elves would.

Still, you s-

Filvis´ mental voice got interrupted when Aura made a noise that most elves would be ashamed of, she moaned.

Loud.

E-EIN!

I can´t and won´t hold back here...so be quiet and let me have my fun.~~~

Both, Filvis and Ein, would notice something on that day, not only did seem Aura to be very sensitive and accept Filvis´ affections and ministrations...it also looked like she was quite the submissive one, accepting Ein´s dominant personality.

You can have your innocent dates with Lefiya, but Aura is mine now.~~~~

Th-These aren´t dates!

Oh please...

Ein cut the mental connection as she focused more on the quivering, moaning elf below her. Licking along one of Aura´s ears and her cheek, letting the white-haired elf whimper again.

"You´re really delicious, Aura.~~~"

"F-Filvis..."

Ein´s eyes almost glew. "I want to taste everything of you.~~~~"

With these words, Ein moved further down.

"Hyaaaaan!"

This would cause a lot of trouble for Filvis in the future since Ein did exactly what she said. But maybe...also become a help...and giving her one more reason for these treacherous thoughts, of betraying Dionysus. Since Ein was pure desire, she didn´t mind betraying Dionysus on a whim at all. While Filvis most of the time wanted to die and stop existing...until she met Lefiya at least...Ein wanted to live at all costs.

And taste the sweet fruits that the world had to offer.

Starting today with Aura.

Filvis would absolutely protect Lefiya from Ein doing these things to her too, even when Aura reacted and sounded very happy. After the incident happened back then, when the whole familia got killed, Aura had to stay home since she had been too weak for the task, which led to her being the only one truly unharmed. She had cared a lot about Filvis, trying to help her, but Filvis had pushed her away and feared what her mutated body might do to Aura. They had grown distant over the years, but Aura deep down still cared about Filvis.

And now that Filvis seemed to return these caring feelings...in a very forward way...Aura couldn´t resist, melted under her touch. The white-haired elf could only whimper and moan as Ein gave her a very special "kiss", looking deep into her eyes while she did so. Claiming the pure, innocent elf for herself.

You´re a pervert, Ein...

Filvis knew that Ein was just this one half of her, without any other kinds of romantic or positive feelings distracting her from her desires. It was as if currently, Ein knew only lust and nothing else.

Filvis was glad that the mental connection between them was severed for now, she didn´t want to see or feel the things that Ein currently did to Aura, even when she would get the memories later anyway. She was now here with her precious Lefiya, this moment wasn´t allowed to be ruined.

The black-haired elf startled slightly when she felt a touch against her back, it was Lefiya´s back.

"L-Lefiya?"

"Th-that much should be alright...right?"

Ah, Lefiya...you sound so innocent...so pure...

"Y-Yes, I guess so."

"Ehehe~~ That makes me happy.~~"

Ah...you´re so good for my heart...

"Lefiya?"

"Yes?"

It really was a nice feeling to sit back-to-back with Lefiya, their bare backs touching.

"You said something about going to Melen soon?"

"Ugh...yes...Loki said the Education District wants me to hold a class for the students since I am a graduate."

"Oh, and you don´t want to?"

"I would rather spend time with yo-I-I mean! G-Go to the dungeon and get stronger! Y-Yes, that´s what I meant!..."

Filvis could almost feel Lefiya´s heavily beating heart through her back, both elves sat there with red cheeks.

"I´m...I´m sure you will be a great teacher for the time being, maybe it will be a good experience?"

"Mh..I have to see that. I know that Loki only does it so that the guild won´t bother her."

"Why would they?"

"Because Loki refuses to take a student from the Education District into the familia, I was the sole exception, and also because the guild bothered her."

"But why?"

"Loki doesn´t like Headmaster Baldr."

"Oh, is this something between gods?"

"Yes."

"Hah."

"Filvis, you know..."

"Hm?"

"Before I came to Orario and joined Loki familia, I didn´t even know what I wanted to become. The Education District was fun, there were so many options. When I met Ms. Alicia and Ms. Anakitty, I was amazed how adult and controlled they were. But it was when Ms. Ais, Ms. Tiona and Ms. Tione saved me and my squad in the dungeon, that I decided to become an adventurer."

"Oh."

"Hehe~~ On some days, I wonder what would´ve happened if I met you earlier, maybe I would´ve become part of your familia if you were the one to save me?"

"Better not."

"Oh...why?"

"Loki familia is way stronger than us, there, you are protected. You know what some things happened to my familia. I...I don´t even want to imagine what would´ve happened if you were among them. I want you to be safe."

"Filvis..."

Filvis felt a gentle touch at her hand, it was Lefiya´s hand. Slowly, finger after finger, did the two elves shyly held hands while they talked about various topics. The black-haired elf decided to enjoy every moment possible with Lefiya and to see where these shy feelings might lead them.

Even if they would lead her astray from Dionysus's plans.

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"Hmmmmmm~~~~ I´m so happy!~~~~"

"Oy, stop struggling."

"Nope!~~~ Can´t do~~~ Won´t do~~~"

"Hah..."

Bete sighed as he leaned back in the shallow lake, partly ignoring the nude amazon who had straddled his waist and snuggled up to his chest. Lena just didn´t want to leave him alone as he went into the dungeon. Things weren´t a problem, not with his level, but a monster parade chased a group of fleeing adventurers, while Bete thought of it as annoying, he went between them to save the weaklings. Telling Lena to stay back, but she didn´t want to listen, demanding to help him, fighting together with him made her happy.

A very unlucky, or lucky depending on the point of view, attack from a minotaur had injured Lena slightly. The beast had used its dungeon weapon to hack at Bete, who evaded it easily. But the weapon hit a part of the wall and let a few rocks burst out, one of them hit Lena´s ankle, letting her yell out in surprise. That´s when Bete´s world turned red, a few seconds later, the whole tunnel was red from monster blood. He had rushed over to Lena, who had hobbled, immediately picking her up and carrying her to the 18th floor, to check if she was seriously wounded. Since there was blood all over her...his fault...he had jumped into a lake with her without thinking. It turned out to only be a slight problem, but Lena was more than just happy.

Since their clothes were now drenched, they had put them on the grass nearby to dry. But Lena had smiled amorous at him, ignoring his warnings and coming closer. Now she got what she wanted, cuddling with Bete.

"I´m really happy that you got angry for my sake, and saved me.~~~"

"Naturally."

"Because a wolf keeps his prey?~~~"

"If you want to call it like that."

"Mmmmhhh~~~~"

"Just let me rest."

"Rest as much as you want! Leave the rest to me!~~~"

"Oy...why are you rubbing yourself against me?"

"No reaction?..."

"I´m not horny, and I won´t get so easily."

"Such a shame~~~ Shall I try harder?! I could use my mouth, you know?"

"No."

Lena decided to just take the moment as it was, closing her eyes, hugging Bete and snuggling up to him. This was already a huge step forward for her! Finally, finally her hubby softened up to her!

"Bete, you know...I want at least four kids!"

"Give me a break..."

"I´m fine with later!"

"Hah..."

When he felt Lena pushing her body more against his, as if seeking him out for a response, and he put his arms a bit tighter around her, Bete eventually opened his eyes, to look into the love-filled ones of Lena.

"You know, Bete...I´m really happy right now.~~"

"Lena...I..."

"I will train to become stronger, so you don´t have to worry about me."

"I will always worry about you."

"Ehehe~~"

When she leaned in for a kiss, Bete didn´t move away. He was afraid of Lena getting hurt or killed, like he was afraid so often in his life, he would protect her.

And when Lena tilted her head slightly to the side after the kiss, offering her his neck, he didn´t resist.

He bit her neck.

Marked her as his mate.

It let her sigh and cry from happiness, cuddling with him afterward for a long time.

.

.

.

Not only in the dungeon did things happen in Orario. Since Hestia didn´t know about the "Great Tsundere Plan", she was currently the only deity at the port of Melen. Hephaistos, Miach and Takemikazuchi didn´t care about the plan, but they were busy and didn´t come to Melen. Finally, the students were allowed to leave Hringhorni, so they swarmed into Melen and further into Orario.

But many spotted Hestia and her followers and immediately swarmed them.

"It´s them!"

"Hestia familia!"

""""Lady Hestia!"""""

"With the record holder!"

"They won this awesome wargame!"

"Where is the record holder?!"

""""""Where is Bell Cranel?!"""""""

It was a good thing that Bell wasn´t in Orario, like this, he didn´t get caught in Hermes´ scheme, and due to that, the students of the district still looked up to him.

"H-He is currently on a quest outside of the city!"

"Aw, such a shame..."

"I wanted to see him..."

"He is my hero..."

"H-He will return in one or two weeks!"

"""""Oooh!""""""

"A-Anyway, welcome to Orario! Even if this is Melen."

Hestia, Welf, Mikoto and Lily were bombarded with questions, and so many students admired Haruhime´s innocent beauty. The Goddess of the Hearth would get asked for more than just one internship later. She had to decide which one she would allow.

And Hestia not knowing about the Great Tsundere plan, wasn´t the only thing that would ruin the fun of the other deities. Since the students would get heavily distracted by news that would shake all of Orario and the whole world.

Since, on that day, in the late afternoon, while the rest of his familia was on the expedition, Ottar returned from the dungeon.

Battered.

Injured.

Most of his equipment was broken, except for the Supreme Black Sword.

Very exhausted.

The tip of his left ear was missing, he had a scar on his cheek too.

But.

Victorious.

And with a few interesting drop items. Freya would be overjoyed, granting Ottar a reward that he could only accept because no one else was at their home, except for a few guards who stood at the gates.

Freya gave Ottar a lap pillow, gently stroking his hair, listening to his heroic story, telling him how well he did. It was one of the rare moments when Ottar let himself go and enjoyed being pampered by her. It was a feeling that only Freya could give him, of coming home...to his mother.

The next morning, the announcement from the guild would let the Loki familia go pale.

.

.

.

.

"Does it fit, Ryu?"

"Mostly, I think."

"Hah, I´m glad that I have this kind of dress too. Seriously, how did you manage to tear almost all of your clothes? Kella does her best sewing them, but it is a lot of work."

"It wasn´t my fault...Euphie got way too wild sometimes."

"I noticed that Bell had to carry you back every day."

"D-Don´t remind me!"

"Didn´t it make you happy?"

"Of course it did! But it was embarrassing!"

"How did Euphie even manage to make you this tired and exhausted?"

"We didn´t only have play fights, it was almost impossible to catch up to him."

"Oh, yes. He likes to play tag."

"I wouldn´t call it that, when I tried to chase and catch him, he usethe d strong wind to push against me, forcing me to use more strength. It is like pushing myself against a hurricane, the wind even came from various directions...Euphie is just so strong...but a bit without control."

"Well, he is an infant after all. An infant greater wind spirit."

"A greater spirit?!"

"Or at least he will grow into one. It has been a while since one came into existence. But for me, it was clear from the moment I met Euphie for the first time, that his strength was different from that of the other spirits, and his anger about Solingen was bigger."

"I never thought I would see a greater spirit in my life even once. It is a great honor."

"And it seems Euphie likes you a lot, he has so much fun playing with you."

"He surely has a rough way to play."

"Euphie is a wind spirit after all, they love to move around, and can´t stand to remain in one place, that´s why he wants to play catch with you so often."

"His physical attacks in stag form are also quite strong."

Astrea helped Ryu to properly put on the white dress that she lent her. It was a good thing that this dress was meant to be worn without a brassiere since even these pieces of cloth from Ryu were quite damaged. Instead of having straps to pull over her shoulders, the upper part of this dress was made of two very long ribbons, meant to be wrapped around her upper body multiple times. So she could cover as much skin as desired while leaving her shoulders and arms bare. It was different from what Mikoto did with the bandages under her kimono, looking way more elegant.

"It is a beautiful dress."

"If you want to keep it, it´s yours, I didn´t use it in a long while."

"I couldn´t..I..."

Astrea gently put her hands on Ryu´s bare shoulders and hugged her child from behind. "Ryu, let me gift this to you, tonight is a special night after all, like this, something from the familia is with you. And I just know, the others will always watch over you from heaven."

"Mmmmmh! D-Don´t say they will watch tonight! That´embarrassingng!"

"Ehe~~ I didn´t mean it like that, but it surely showed the last days."

Ryu´s play dates with Euphie had always gone by in the same way, first, trying to catch Euphie in the forest, he was constantly chirming from joy, while he bombarded her with wind blasts or pushed her away with strong wind. When she eventually managed to catch Euphie, or he let her catch him, or wanted to play something else, she used the wooden sword from Cecil to have a play fight with the spirit. Euphie was so strong that Ryu even could use her new magic, Astrea said Euphie would gladly help her to get used to it.

When she used the magic during the play fights with Euphie, or her morning training with Bell, her familia members and Astrea had noticed something. Something that was part of the magic, or maybe came due to Ryu´s feelings and emotions. At first, it had shown when she had used Alise´s magic. The fire enchantment didn´t only raise her attack strength, let her almost float around or "run through the air", it was also like a shield reacting to attacks, just like Alise´s magic had done in the past.

But the difference was, while Alise´s magic had reacted with a blast of fire to defend her, a scheme appeared now to protect Ryu. The scheme looked roughly like Alise, blocking with a fiery sword the attacks. In reality, it was just a fire blast but always took this form, because deep down, Ryu never stopped wanting to be protected by her familia. Even when she used Kaguya´s magic, one of the four swords that appeared floated close to her, protecting her, being held by a scheme that looked a lot like Kaguya. Sometimes it looked like this scheme was even mocking Ryu with its movements. All of that came originally from Ryu, the memories of Justice that she inherited.

Every form of magic she could use with Astrea Record would be accompanied by a scheme. Be it Lyra throwing the bombs that Ryu summoned, Maryuu standing next to her and raising her club to use the healing magic, Ryana or Celty raising their staffs to shoot their magic, or Neze and Iska appearing behind Ryu, copying the exact movements she did while attacking with their magic forms.

Each and every familia member who had deceased still protected their little one. Their memories did that. And while it was Ryu´s wishes, feelings, emotions and desires that formed the magic in this special way, it made her happy.

"Ehehe~~~ Are you nervous, about tonight?"

"Of course I am!"

Astrea could see from behind that even Ryu´s ears had turned red.

"Then...do you want to look at the book again?"

"N-No...not for now."

The book that Astrea meant, was one of the few she took with her from Orario, from her home. It was from their small library, so it had belonged to Celty. Celty had loved to collect all kinds of books, about various topics. And since she predicted some possible outcomes for the future, she also got some special books for these occasions. Ryu and Celty had both left their home forests at a young age, so young that they never got sexual education from their parents, of course, both got that later in a different way, but Celty had thought about one possibility especially.

What if one of them ever fell in love with a human?

So, she got a book about the possibility of humans having a non-human partner. They were the opposite of amazons. Where amazons could mate with every race and the child would still be an amazon, even when a dwarfish father would maybe let the daughter have more endurance, a prum father better eyesight and so on, humans were the opposite. No matter with which race they coupled, it would either turn into a half-blood, like for dwarves, pallums and elves, or a full-blood, in the case of beast people. When two half-humans of the same origin mated, like two half-dwarves, there was a chance that the child would look pretty much like a human, but at the same time, the same chance that it would look like a dwarf.

And a large chapter in this book was about human-elven relationships. Not only about their chance to have children together, which was higher than between two elves but also about a topic that Ryu didn´t think about so far. But as soon as she read it, it awoke a strong fear in her.

It was about the aging difference. Even if both had a high level, the human would die much earlier than the elven partner. And...

And that part somehow scared Ryu even more iits´s own way.

The elven parent would probably live even longer than their half-elven children...

Later, Celty had stuffed a lot of notes into this chapter, even with some being personally addressed at Ryu, in case she would ever find a human partner. Ryu had cried when she read these notes, Celty had done a lot of research, since maybe it could have something to do with her future too...even when it would never be now.

It was about a special ritual, a deeper form of the pledge of eternal love. About something that Ryu had to do then.

"Ryu, I just want to ask this one time. Are you absolutely sure deep in your heart?"

"I am, Lady Astrea. If Bell...if Bell feels the same way as I do...I am sure. Absolutely."

"And...you will explain it to him?"

"I will."

"You know, there might be a chance...if Bell has feelings for you...that he maybe will hold back, because he fears to burden you, because of the age difference."

"Do you..."

Ryu got red again.

"Do you mean...I...I should confess first?!"

"Ahm..."

"Auuu..."

"Maybe...maybe just show him that you´re there. Make obvious with your reactions and the way you look at him, that there are more feelings of just friendship or companionship for him inside you. That way, he may still confess first."

Astrea of course knew that both were in love with each other. But she wouldn´t take this confession from them, it was important. Ryu was the first of her children who would receive a confession of love, by no means would she ruin this for her!

"Ugh...I...I have to prepare my heart..."

Astrea would like to take the awkward feeling from Ryu, still...she was just too adorable in her current state!

"Then, let us focus on the festival first, alright, Ryu?"

"R-Right, the festival...is it held in the city?"

"Solingen holds a festival, and they go close to the edge of the forest, to ask for forgiveness, give offerings to the forest, and the spirits plant new trees along the edges of the forest that don´t go towards the city, and do other things. But we, we will go deeper into the forest. You surely have noticed how chilly the area where Euphie resides can be?"

"I did."

"That´s because their resentment lingers there the most."

"Will you come with us this time, Lady Astrea?"

"Absolutely, we will all go, as a familia."

"And...Bell?"

"Oh, at this point I already consider him as an honorary member. Since, at least I hope so, he will become your husband anyway."

"L-L-Lady Astrea!"

"Oh, sorry, I mean your partner of course."

"Mmmmmmmh!"

"Hehe, you´re so cute when you´re flustered. I can understand the others a bit, why they teased you now and then."

"Not you now too, Lady Astrea."

"I won´t, don´t worry. So, shall we go?"

"Yes."

"Oh, by the way, do you want to put the other book in your stuff?"

"N-N-N-N-N-N-NO! Never! Or at least not now!"

"Oh my, that was a lot of Ns."

With red ears, Ryu left the room, mumbling. "Why did you have to mention that now..."

Celty had another book that had been bound to the first book. It was called "The Art of Love, elven edition". Of course, they knew how reproduction worked in general, but the elvish ways were a bit special and pretty romantic in Astrea´s eyes. She had read the book once out of curiosity, but this would be something that Ryu would only be ready to read later.

Much later.

.

.

.

While the Astrea familia, and their honorary member, walked into the deep woods, each of them carrying a small lantern, all of them wore complete white. The familia did that anyway, but now, Bell got a fitting shirt and jacket, with the same symbol on his shoulder as the others. Astrea had told him he would be an honorary familia member for her since he was the one to save Ryu. And he had saved her, in more than one way.

"Lady Astrea?"

"Yes, Bell?"

"Is there anything I look out for during this festival? Anything special that I should do?"

"No, just be prepared that some spirits may play a prank on you or us, they are quite playful during this festival. And since Ryu played so much with Euphie, he should have burned a bit of his energy and maybe be a bit calmer."

"Maybe?"

"Well, he is as energetic and free as the wind."

"And what do we have to do?"

"We will ring the bells that we have with us, offer them food and delicious drinks, play with them, spend time with them. Give them the offerings that we made by ourselves."

"I don´t have any offering..."

"You can´t know the custom, that´s why Ryu and you played with Euphie so much. As the forest´s current guardian, he deserves a bit more attention than the others."

"I was honestly surprised how strong Euphie is."

"Well, he is a growing great spirit, but even in this condition, he could´ve destroyed Solingen. Alone."

"Oh."

"It´s good that you two never saw him angry, he didn´t understand why the people of Solingen did what they had done, why they would hurt his home, the place he came to be."

"He was born here?"

"Not born, spirits get born in heaven, then sent down to earth."

"Oh?"

"They are our most beloved children since they are our children."

"Like us?"

"Mh, it´s a tiny bit different. We gods can´t have children on our own, but each spirit got "born" or made by a god. You read the story of Argonaut, right?"

"Yes."

"Jupiter, Argonaut´s companion, was sent down by Zeus."

"Was that why the spirit was the way he was?"

"Absolutely, there are even some very, very rare cases, in which a mortal soul comes from a god too. They are not spirits, nor half-spirits, they are just normal mortals, but loved by a specific god."

"Is it alright to tell us all this?"

"Why not? I see no harm. Or do you intend to use this knowledge for evil purposes or to blackmail me?"

"What?! No!"

"Ehehe~~ I´m just making fun."

"Oh."

The others listened to the story too.

"May I ask, is there a special mortal or spirit for you too?"

"Mh, the first part is a very personal question, Bell, never asked another god this question. But since I didn´t tell you it is too personal, I will answer. No, I didn´t do that, but for a spirit...yes, there are a few that come from me, most of them minor spirits."

"Most?"

"There is a greater one among them."

"Don´t tell me..."

"Ehehe~~ You played with him over the last days."

Bell and Ryu cried out in unison. ""Euphie is your child?!""

"Mh-hm, it´s not like a mother-to-child relationship. Back in heaven, before I came down, I-oh...keep this a secret please, it was my job to rule over justice. The spirits keep the balance in the world and protect important places in some cases. Since a great spirit was missing, someone had to send another one. I only created very few spirits and sent them down over the years, so Odin asked me to do it. Normally, as the leader of our mythology, Zeus or Hera would´ve asked me, but most of the Olympians are down here already. Hestia was one of the last ones...or maybe even the last one?"

Astrea counted on her fingers. "Oh, yes she is. All twelve great Olympians are down on earth. Hehe~~, we surely like to take it easy.~~~"

"Are you not among them?"

"No, believe it or not, I´m just a minor Olympian."

"""""""For us, you´re the number one, Lady Astrea!"""""""

"Ehehe~~~ Thank you, my children. So, while I was the one to "birthed" Euphie, he isn´t my child, nor does he see me as his mother. This relationship is different, we´re friends, we had to become friends. When I got here first, Euphie was even mad at me, since he was mad at everyone. And about a special mortal, as I said, no, because all of my children are equally special to me."

One by one, Astrea´s followers blushed and smiled happily as the goddess patted their heads in no special order.

Then, she even patted Bell´s head. "If you didn´t belong to Hestia, I would´ve invited you, but my Aunt would get mad at me if I did that."

"I could never leave Goddess´ side, she did everything for me, gave me a place, a warm home, and, everything I have is thanks to her."

"Hehe~~ Sounds like Hestia found a good child."

After a while, they arrived in the part of the forest where the spirits´ resentment lingered. Bell was glad that it was quite warm at night, but he was surprised when he looked up. While the treetops moved quite a bit, he didn´t feel any wind at all, only the slightest of all breezes, Ryu seemed to notice it too.

"That´s strange."

"It should be more windy."

Astrea smiled. "That´s Euphie, he keeps the wind away from the glade."

"He can do that?"

"If he wishes for it. Euphie doesn´t have complete control over his strength and powers, he grows into them. So far, he can only do things he wishes f-Kya!"

As always, Euphie showed up in a quite flashy way, as a green, glowing orb, he shot out from between the trees and between Astrea´s feet, before shooting up behind her. The whole time, Euphie made the chirming sound, that the others knew by now as his laughter.

"Euphie, you´re as wild as always."

Euphie shot around, whirled through the air, had fun sliding down Iselina´s and Suumetess´ tails, and even tried to get Ryu´s ears again. But the elf had expected this and evaded all of Euphie´s attempts to touch her ears, only giving up as Astrea used the small bells that she carried with her.

All of her followers used the small bells, then a strange noise filled the glade.

It came from Euphie. The spirit drifted into the middle of the glade, while the Justice familia stood in a circle around him, all using the small bells. Euphie´s sound was almost like a stag making a long sound to call its brethren or family.

One by one, then more at once, came small drifting orbs in various colors. Some acted almost shy, some bold, and some a bit agitated, but they all came. Called by the festival, called by Astrea´s familia.

But mostly, called by Euphie.

While the spirit made this sound, he started to transform into his stag form, the antlers seemed to be a tiny bit longer, maybe two or three centimeters. Euphie lowered his head and snorted softly in Astrea´s direction, she smiled and put a hand on one of his cheeks, gently stroking the spirit.

"You look good, Euphie."

The stag just snorted again and moved his head.

"I brought something for you."

Euphie lowered his head and sniffed at the bag in Astrea´s hand.

Want. Give.

"Ehehe~~ Of course."

She opened the bag and pulled something like a big cracker or maybe a cookie out, made with a bit of honey and nuts. As Euphie took it, his lips brushed along Astrea´s hand, leaving a bit of saliva there, which tickled. Euphie visibly loved the treat that Astrea gave him.

But he wasn´t the only one that would get something, the others opened their bags too, offering snacks and even poured some special drinks into bowls, to place them around the glade. The spirits came closer, it looked a bit strange when floating, glowing orbs went close to the snacks and then a part of these snacks vanished. The spirits drifted happily up and down, enjoying the company, the treats, and playing a bit with the familia members. Not in a rough way like Euphie did, but four of these spirit orbs bounced up and down on Bell´s head, which didn´t hurt, but looked...strange.

Euphie then tilted his head away from Astrea and went to Ryu, eyeing the bag in her hand, demanding a treat.

"Lady Astrea helped me make it for you, Euphie."

Friend! Astrea child, Ryu! Friend! Euphie´s friend!

"Ehe, of course, I´m your friend, Euphie.~~"

Something very strange happened when Ryu offered Euphie the cracker cookies, the whole stag started to glow brightly as he took it from Ryu´s hand. As his lips touched her skin, the glow moved over to her body, her whole hand gleaning for a moment.

"Eh?"

Then the glow vanished...and a part of her back started to glow, visible through her white dress for a moment.

"Oh my!" Astrea cried out when she saw that.

"Lady Astrea? What´s wrong?"

"I can´t believe it..."

All of her followers looked confused at the goddess, Ryu a bit worried.

"Lady...Astrea?"

"I...hah...Ryu...Euphie just blessed you."

"Huh?"

"That glow, Euphie sees you as a close friend, as his playmate, so...I can feel it...he bound himself to you."

"What does that mean?"

"It is like during the Age of Heroes before we gods descended to earth. When some heroes got stronger because they had a spirit´s blessing. Like Argonaut or Albert Waldstein."

"Excuse me?!"

Euphie lowered his head a few times, sniffing at the bag and licking Ryu´s hand.

Friend! Give treat! Give Euphie a treat! Ryu friend!

He nudged his snout one time against Ryu´s cheek, letting her flinch when he playfully licked her ear one time. Doing as he asked, she took another cracker out of the bag and handed it to him, which made him even more happy.

"Lady Astrea...are you telling me...I just got blessed by a spirit? A growing, great spirit?!"

"It seems to be Euphie´s wish...maybe he did that subconsciously. Wanting to keep you safe. Euphie?"

The stag tilted its head and looked at Astrea.

"Do you know what you just did?"

Friend?

"That you blessed Ryu?"

Euphie looked confused, but then eyed the bag in Ryu´s hand again, only looking at Astrea as he munched on another cracker.

Friend! Euphie wants to play more with friend!

"Oh my, he really is still a child."

"What does that mean for me, Lady Astrea?"

While they talked, the glow on Ryu´s back didn´t fully vanish. Slowly, as if it were spirits appearing, the schemes of her deceased familia members appeared, wandering along the glade. The living familia members could see them, as did the spirits. They were just memories of Ryu, but it was her deepest wish to have them here at this moment. The fact that they appeared much sharper now, even acted like they had done while being alive, was due to Euphie making Ryu stronger.

"I can only tell after looking at your status. But...oh my...be prepared Ryu...this isn´t something small."

Ryu noticed how Bell looked at her and Euphie with sparkling eyes. "Wow! That´s impressive, Ryu! A spirit blessing!"

"Eh? Eeeh?! J-Just like that?! B-Bell told me that a spirit blessing is something like a huge happening?!"

Astrea chuckled, still couldn´t believe what she just witnessed. "Well yes, but Euphie is just a child, so he simply did what he wished for."

Euphie eventually managed to sneak up on Ryu, by licking her ear again, as she was startled he moved his snout into the bag in her hands and ate the crackers right from it. Since it just felt right, and she somehow had a connection with him now, Ryu put her free hand on Euphie´s head and gently caressed him. The spirit hummed happily and didn´t move his head away until all the crackers were gone.

Ryu friend! Playmate! Always play with Euphie!

It seemed like in his child-like wish, Euphie had blessed Ryu so that she would last longer in playing with him...

Then...Euphie decided to drop a bomb.

He was now connected to Ryu and felt some emotions and feelings from her, so he looked at Bell.

Ryu partner!

"Huh?" Bell blinked.

Playmate´s lov-!

"Euphie! Stop!" Ryu pressed her hand on Euphie´s snout, her face became crimson.

Thankfully, even when Euphie didn´t speak but communicated mentally, it stopped Euphie. Ryu was fully aware of Bell looking at her, she looked up at the sky. The wind had died down in general, there were no clouds up there...just...

The full moon.

"B-Bell..."

"Yes?"

"Can I...ahm...t-t-talk to you for a moment?"

"Of course."

"Th-then please come with me!"

Astrea put a hand over her mouth, surprised that Ryu was the one to ask Bell to follow her. She saw that Bell seemed to get an idea too, he blushed.

O-Oh my~~ It´s happening!

Ryu clasped her hands in front of her waist, walking into the forest without looking back, while Bell followed her.

Thankfully, Euphie remained there, looking after his new friend, his playmate, then at Astrea.

"I´m sure they will come back soon, do you want to play a bit, Euphie?"

Play! Play with Euphie!

The other familia members had seen how Ryu led Bell into the dark forest, and Cecil seemed to expect something "lewd" again. So, while Ryu and Bell vanished into the forest, to be alone, the Astrea familia spent the spirits company, until they heard steps, and not from Bell or Ryu.

Astrea looked in the direction of the steps, a huge number of spirits came floating, above a group of women, a bit over a dozen. The goddess was surprised who led them. It was another Olympian goddess, a goddess of great beauty.

A goddess...who had great trouble with men...

Who had great skill in...hunting them down.

"Oh? What are you doing here?"

"Astrea, it has been a while. Do you mind if we join you?"

The Goddess of Justice smiled. "Not at all, please be our guests."

.

.

.

.

Ryu was glad that it was quite dark in the forest. Not dark enough so that they had trouble seeing anything, but dark enough that she hoped Bell couldn´t see her red ears from behind.

Auuuu...what am I doing...I´m so bold...

She just followed her instinct as an elf, to find the way and a good spot, a spot where she could see the full moon, this was important.

They heard soft chirming noises in the direction from where they came, it sounded a bit as if the spirits were...singing?

Bell didn´t say anything, he just followed Ryu, admiring her beauty from behind. His heart was racing as fast as hers, he did his best to prepare himself mentally for this moment during the last days. When Ryu spent time with her fellow familia members or went into the forest to play with Euphie, Bell would stay at the house at first and follow later. And only for one reason.

Astrea explained to him more about elven courtship, that normally it would have to be at least five years, but only if it was between elves. He knew what he absolutely shouldn´t try to do during this special night, since it would repell Ryu. And he had learned some special words...now he just needed to gather his courage to get them out...

Spirits drifted slowly through the forest, a few single ones passed them without paying them any attention, it seemed like all of them were drawn to the glade, maybe it was because of the festival, or because of Euphie´s call.

While they walked and listened to the song of the spirits, which slowly drifted through the whole forest, filling it with a soft, pleasant noise, and even a gentle glow, almost looking like moonlight, letting the forest look more and more like a mythical place, both felt almost like they were in a dream. The forest floor felt pleasant under their bare feet and was thankfully warm enough.

Eventually, Ryu hummed softly in the same melody as the spirits did, and her right hand moved slowly backward. For Bell, it felt like the most natural thing to do as he moved his left hand forward and touched her hand. With shy, slow movements, her fingers move a bit toward his. They didn´t hold hands, they just held their fingers together and interlocked. Wherever Ryu would lead him, or ask him to follow her, he would gladly do so.

In the moonlight that filled the forest, Bell could barely see that Ryu´s ears looked a bit dark. And when she turned her head to look at him, her cheeks were equally dark, but she smiled.

Shy. Vulnerable. Sweet. Cute. Beautiful.

She looked shyly down to their connected hands, then into his eyes again. Ryu didn´t let go of him, this time it wasn´t only her body that wanted to be close to him and feel his presence, her heart wanted it even more. And her brain didn´t intervene this time, it wasn´t its time to act or think, now, Heart was in command.

"Bell..."

"Ryu..."

Ryu looked at him while she continued walking, she didn´t bump into anything or stumbled. Her instinct, and maybe the connection with Euphie, guided her to the place she was looking for, without knowing it existed.

It got a bit warmer as they left there where the spirits´ resentment lingered. During the festival, this place got a bit warmer anyway, since all the spirits of the forest gathered there, but the area they were now in, was still warmer.

Bell couldn´t believe how cute Ryu looked when her ears twitched two times, as they caught a noise. The soft splashing of water.

In the middle of the small clearing was a small pond...or rather...a spring. A stone jutted out of the middle of the small body of water, with water gently rippling from the top. The water glowed softly in the light of the full moon, while said full moon was reflected on the surface of the spring.

This was one of the rarest places in the Mortal Realms, Bell had read about it in stories, and Ryu had heard about it from members of her race, but neither had ever seen anything like it before.

It was...

A spirit spring.

"It´s..."

"Beautiful..."

"Mh..."

"Unh..."

Ryu continued to walk slowly, Bell followed her, and at the edge of the spring, she stopped. Looking into the softly glowing water, with the reflection of the full moon, then up into the sky, at the real moon.

Slowly, oh so slowly, turned Ryu her face to Bell, it looked dark from all the blood in her cheeks. She still didn´t let go of his hand, and then she looked at the spring again, Ryu didn´t dare to continue looking into Bell´s eyes, so she looked at his reflection instead.

"B-B-Bell...there...there is something that I-I-I...w-wanted to tell y-y-you..."

"I´m...I´m here...I too...I ahm...I mean...I wanted to tell you..."

In the back of his mind, Bell heard the worst possible voice right now.

His grandfather´s.

Goooooo! Go for it, Bell, my boy!

Grandpa! Not now!

Rrrrrrrrrrromance!

GRANDPA!

And Ryu heard a voice too...multiple voices.

First was Astrea´s gentle voice.

Ryu, I´m rooting for you, have courage.

Next...her familia members.

Come oooon, Leon! We don´t get any younger here!

Heeeeeh, our little one is growing up?

First bringing a guy home, now bringing him into the woods.

Probie surely became a lewd elf.

Oh my, how cute.

Hey Leon, I hope my books helped you.

Leon, go for it!

Go for him!

"""""""""""Don´t let him get away!"""""""""""

B-B-B-Be quiet, everyone! This isn´t helping!

Steam rose from Ryu´s head, Bell felt how her hand twitched.

"Bell...I...auu...I can´t find the courage..."

"Ryu..I...I want to tell you something..."

She looked into his eyes, so open, so vulnerable.

Her voice got so soft and low, it was more of a squeak. "What...is it?..."

The way she blinked at him, was so full of hope, and fear.

Since his heart was hammering so hard, and he didn´t find the courage to start with words, he let his body do the next step. Slowly, very slowly, he stretched out his fingers, pushed the tips against Ryu´s, then moved them slightly upwards. Soon, the palms of their hands touched each other, while they were on the same height as their shoulders. Ryu´s eyes were at first glued to their hands, glued to what Bell did there, then they darted back and forth between his face and their hands.

Ryu knew how a proper confession or pledge of love had to be, at least for her, and after she read Celty´s book, she got even more ideas on how to make it ideal.

And this...this movement of hands...

She blinked shyly again. "Bell..."

Bell clenched his fists in his mind, it was now or never, he absolutely couldn´t make any mistake now! He had trained so hard with Astrea to memorize the words properly.

"Ryu Lyon."

Her eyes widened softly, the way Bell pronounced her name was exactly how an elf would do it.

"My heart longs to speak words of meaning to you."

She was at a loss for words, Bell spoke these words in fluent elvish. He had learned a little, she knew that but was surprised at how well he did now. Ryu couldn´t know this, but he was only able to speak these few sentences since Astrea had helped him. The goddess of course spoke fluent elvish, it had been something she had learned in the past, for the sole reason of sometimes talking with Celty or Ryu in their language.

"I...I will hear your words of meaning, speak."

Ryu´s heart hammered as she answered, and responded properly. She held her other hand up, the fingers pointed to the sky, just like their other hands, waiting for Bell to raise his free hand and push it gently against hers. Now they stood there with both hands pushed against each other.

Until...

It started with the small finger on Ryu´s left and Bell´s right hand. She felt his finger twitch, then it slowly moved along the outside of her finger, the tip resting on her knuckle, her heart tried to burst out of her chest as Ryu did the same on the inside.

Both had entangled a finger! Two fingers if both hands got counted!

Auuu...how...how lewd...

Her heart also started to understand what Bell was beginning to do, she hoped it would be that, but...what else could he do?

"Whenever I am awake...I...think of you."

Bell knew the words, what to say, but actually doing it while his throat tried to strangle him and his heart had an all-out fight with his ribcage...wasn´t easy.

Ryu shivered as he slowly started to move his ring finger, letting it rest between her small and ring finger, on its own, her ring finger moved down too.

Auuu...we´re...we´re entangling fingers...that´s...that´s only for adults...

Her breathing came in gasps, her hands felt warm, almost hot, and just a tiny bit sweaty. Her maiden heart was confused, happy on one side, but extremely embarrassed on the other, since...due to the very, very slight sweating...their body fluids mixed...

Ryu lowered her eyes and glanced up at him shyly.

"I feel the same...whenever I am awake...Bell..."

As he spoke his next words, his middle finger moved...and her finger followed. Now one hand each was interlocked at sixty percent.

Auuu...we´re so daring...

"Whenever I sleep...I dream of you...Ryu..."

As their fingers interlocked, their hands got pushed together more, this was more than just holding hands. This was the adult way of holding hands! Ryu´s breath came way too fast as she panted, her legs felt weak, but it felt just so good!

"Auu...I...I..."

She looked to the side, then at his eyes again. "I...me too..."

Bell moved the tip of his index finger down, gently moving it along the spot where her index and ring finger were next to each other, moving and pushing softly, slowly widening the gap between her fingers.

Hauuuu...he´s...he´s coming in...it´s...the tip...it´s...inside..

He looked deep into her eyes as his index finger moved forward between her fingers until it was fully interlocked, their thumbs followed immediately after. Now, each one had one hand with interlocked fingers.

"I can only picture you in my mind, Ryu...only you..."

It started with his thumb on the other hand, gently caressing her delicate, slender thumb, before coming to rest between her thumb and index finger, while her thumb curled around his.

"I...I see only you...Bell...only you..."

Their faces moved closer to each other while their index fingers interlocked. Ryu´s legs almost gave in as his middle finger, bigger and thicker than his index finger on the other hand, pushed against the opening between her two fingers, gently sliding in between them, widening the gap to have room, making her shiver and gasped, until her middle finger moved too. She felt the warmth, Bell´s sacred warmth.

"You´re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"And you...you´re the most handsome man..."

"When I think about being separated from you...my day becomes dull..."

"I am sad and lonely when you aren´t there, Bell..."

Their ring fingers followed, now only the small fingers remained...would they dare it? To fully interlock all of their fingers? Something like this...was meant for married couples...

Ryu was the one to move her small finger before Bell could, blinking softly at him, waiting...hoping...for the magical words.

"Ryu."

"Bell..there is one thing that you should know..."

Ryu took a deep breath, then it felt like a hand was gently pushing her forward, to give her courage, she smiled softly.

"I have feelings for you."

Bell almost stumbled as she spoke just as he gathered all of his courage.

"E-Eh?!"

Her cheeks were red but she smiled specially, trying her hardest to fight the urge to grin.

"The romantic kind."

As Ryu opened her mouth, Bell did so too.

.

.

.

"I love you."

"I´m in love with you."

.

.

.

Both stood there, under the full moon, in the almost silent forest and just looked at each other after their confession, holding hands in one of the most intimate ways.

No words fell.

No words were needed.

Both just felt happy.

Bell didn´t try to initiate a kiss, Astrea had told him in elven terms that was a strict no-go, since it was meant for the true pledge of love, which would happen a month after the confession. How Ryu saw the world, holding hands after a confession was alright, but kissing was only allowed after a pledge of love...which was basically like a wedding.

Only married couples should kiss!

And for such an important step, Ryu had to prepare her heart. But also, for something else.

.

.

.

Ryu smiled. "Bell...I´m so happy right now."

"As am I, Ryu."

She looked at their interlocked hands, blushing but savoring the feeling.

"Bell..do you know...I mean...since you started the ritual...do you know about...the "sharing" too?"

"I...I do...but I can´t ask that of you..."

Ryu shook her head. "Mh-hm. There is nothing to be asked for. It isn´t possible to stop me from doing this, I want to do this."

"Are you...sure?"

"Absolutely, the more time I can spend with you, the happier I will become."

"But you know what it means to you?"

"Yes, and I´m prepared for that."

The "sharing" was something Ryu only knew about and could do due to Celty´s thirst for knowledge, she had spent four years researching to get this information, this ancient knowledge. Elves were the most magic affine race of all the mortals, they even had magic spells that they could use without a blessing. The effect was much weaker than any adventurer´s magic, but still...the whole race could use magic.

And there was one old magic ritual, that a few elves knew about, about sharing one's life force.

With their chosen partner.

If Ryu did it, she wouldn´t be able to live as long as other elves did, reducing her life span to that of a half-elf, but at the same time...if her chosen partner was human...he would live longer.

Her smile spoke of pure love. "I would rather spend "only" a bit over a hundred years with you, than several hundred years alone."

"Ryu.."

With a high level, they would live longer than most people of their race anyway. If Bell were to reach level six, he could probably become a hundred years old anyway. And with the life span of a half-elf...it could turn into two hundred years, maybe. Ryu wouldn´t have been able to love Bell, her heart wouldn´t been able to bear the pain...if she lived so much longer than him and would survive all of their possible children in the future.

Celty...thank you...for everything.

In a corner of her mind, she saw the smiling girl looking at her.

.

.

.

For over an hour, Bell and Ryu just stood there and enjoyed each other's presence, talking softly about their feelings. While Ryu felt abashed, it felt good to finally get it out, to finally speak openly about her feelings, she even chuckled sometimes. Bell, spoke to her about his different feelings, of what he thought was love for Ais at first, but that his feelings for Ryu were something entirely different. Admiration turned pale against his love for Ryu.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Astrea looked up when Euphie snorted and looked at the forest, with the arrival of the other group, twenty women of different ages stood on the glade, celebrating and playing with the spirits. Eventually, Bell and Ryu returned from the forest, looking insanely happy, yet they didn´t hold hands.

Holding hands was nothing to be done in front of other people after all. No questions were necessary, their expressions told the goddess everything.

Before Astrea could say anything, the other goddess stepped to her side.

"So this is your child..and...him."

"Yes."

Bell and Ryu looked surprised at the other people, especially the goddess.

"You are..."

Bell had heard the description of a goddess, fitting the person in front of him. She was truly a cruel beauty.

Astrea smiled gently. "Ryu, Bell, may I introduce you? This is my other aunt."

The goddess looked at both, while Astrea spoke her name.

.

.

.

"Hera."