A few days later, Orario remained in a state of fear as the Kaisers' actions near Babel caused terror to spread throughout the city. Thalia's brutal assault on the Loki Familia members intensified this fear, as the citizens, reliant on strong Familia for their defense, realized that not even five level 6 first-rate adventurers could defeat one of the Kaiser members. The city was gripped by unease, and citizens went about their days cautiously, wary of the clear sky that signaled the impending thunderstorm when the Kaisers would descend.
Meanwhile, at the Hearth Manor, the Hestia Familia languished in a slump, having withdrawn from their home since Bell's departure. In the living room, Hestia lay on a couch, covered under a blanket, openly crying and mumbling repeatedly, "Bell-kun… I'm sorry... Bell-kun…"
While the goddess grieved and shut herself in, Welf and the others stood by the doorway, showing signs of recovery but still bearing the weight of sadness over their captain's departure.
"Hestia-sama is still not doing well," Haruhime expressed with a worried frown. "She won't eat or drink anything."
"She blames herself for betraying Bell-dono's trust," Mikoto added, looking down with a guilty expression. "But she is half wrong. We also share the burden of betraying Bell-dono."
"Isn't there any way we can put an end to this?" Welf asked, frustrated and sad. "I want to apologize to Bell and cheer up Hestia-sama."
"Bell-sama is under the care of the Kaisers," Lili muttered sadly. "Just like what Hephaestus-sama spoke to us before... Zagreus Kaiser won't allow any type of contact between us."
The group contemplated ways to assist their goddess while seeking reconciliation with Bell after betraying his trust. However, their thoughts were abruptly halted when they heard a roar of thunder from outside.
"Thunder?" Mikoto questioned. "In the day?"
"It's the Kaisers," Lili spoke, listening to the continuous roars of thunder.
As the skies over Orario darkened with clouds and lightning bolts flashed while thunder roared loudly, the Underworld Castle materialized out of thin air and began its descent. The sight of the floating castle struck fear into the hearts of many citizens, prompting screams and panic as they hurriedly fled from the area where the Kaiser's Home loomed overhead.
After a few tense seconds, the Underworld Castle continued to hover in the air, eventually moving to a specific location in the northwestern part of the city. It positioned itself above the Demeter Familia's Home, the Wheat Manor, causing more citizens to witness the ominous event and flee in fear. The castle's bottom chamber soon opened, revealing the pedestal with the crystal glass orb once again.
The orb began to glow white, generating a bluish-white electrical energy barrier in the form of a dome that expanded to cover a one-mile radius, with the Wheat Manor at its center. The unexpected scene left many onlookers bewildered, wondering about the nature of the event unfolding before them.
At the Loki Familia's temporary base home, Finn and Gareth observed the Underworld Castle and the large energy barrier dome it created below. Gareth voiced his curiosity, asking, "What are the Kaisers planning to do there?"
Finn, wearing a perplexed expression, replied, "That area is where the Demeter Familia's Home is located. Why would Zagreus and the others be there?"
Meanwhile, within the Underworld Castle, Zagreus, along with Melinoe, Polemos, Makaria, and Thalia, occupied the dark chamber filled with thrones. Seated at their designated places, they observed a central three-dimensional map of Orario made of pure black metallic sand pulsing at the center of the room. Ploutos was conspicuously absent amongst them.
The five Kaisers directed their attention to the sand map, which transformed into a model scale of the castle floating above the Wheat Manor. A large area of it was surrounded by the barrier deployed by the Home.
"I don't think this is large enough or deep enough," Polemos remarked, his arms crossed and leaning against his seat. "Maggots and cockroaches are known to slip through cracks, after all."
Melinoe agreed, turning to Zagreus. "He's right, Zagreus."
Zagreus' eyes glowed, and the 3D sand map enlarged the scale of the energy barrier in real-time outside the Underworld Castle.
"From what we've gathered, there are at least 70-89 of them in the surrounding area," Makaria reported, snapping her fingers to reveal several sparkling red dots on the map, denoting areas covered under the barrier. "Many pretend to be ordinary citizens, some are Evilus supporters, and a few are merchants who supported and financed the group during the dark days."
"Each one likely has a contingency plan if exposed," Thalia added, legs crossed while her right hand held her Saint Cross at her throne's side. "Some might even resort to suicide out of insane loyalty to keep silent."
"Allow none to escape," Zagreus commanded, his eyes glowing red as his helmet formed upon his head, and blue and red flashes coursed through the visor. "Do not allow death to take their lives... yet."
The other Kaisers nodded in unison, their eyes glowing and flashing red.
"Ploutos-nii, are you there?" Makaria called out, holding her right arm near her face. The Mage Kaiser activated her Halo Ring magic item, directly connected to Ploutos in a call.
Within a dimly lit hallway, Ploutos navigated the path towards a dark metal door at its end. The Iron God Kaiser pressed on, and the door, seemingly unopened for an extended period, began to split open with a cacophony of rumbling, screeching metal, and turning gears.
As the door swung fully open, revealing a torch-lit hallway beyond, Ploutos reached into his pants' pocket and retrieved a Halo Ring.
"I've just reached the door," Ploutos reported as he activated the magical item. The door swung open entirely, exposing another hallway illuminated by newly ignited torches. "I'm entering right now."
"The plan is a go; get them prepared," Makaria's voice came through the Halo Ring, its glowing green gem dimming and turning red.
"Got it," Ploutos replied, returning the magic item to his pocket. He entered the newly revealed corridor, making his way toward an opening at its end.
Upon reaching the opening, Ploutos found himself in a large chamber. The room was adorned with massive gears interconnected, chained hooks, and suspended weapons – shields, swords, spears, axes, crossbows, and more. At the center of the chamber, a large rectangular stage stood, hosting dozens of Skeletal Servants arranged in groups of 50.
Descending a set of stairs, Ploutos approached the stage, where a metal pedestal stood at its bottom.
"Let's get you up and running once more, old friend," Ploutos muttered. He waved his hand over the top of the pedestal, clearing away dust to reveal intricately carved magic runes. "Begin construction." Placing his hand on the top, the Iron God Kaiser activated the runes, causing them to glow yellow. "Code: Hell Knights, activate."
Instantaneously, the large gears started to move and rumble, the chained hooks jingled before being pulled upward, and large mechanical claws descended, moving throughout the chamber. Lights illuminated the previously concealed sections, revealing that the chamber was only a fraction of the factory. Numerous other rooms housed gears, chains, mechanical claws, and countless Skeletal Servants. This was a factory within the Underworld Castle.
The mechanical claws meticulously gathered hanging weapons, while others outfitted the Skeletal Servants with armor pieces from a moving chain belt. This belt transported chunks of metal ores and monster drop items into a large furnace, producing pieces of armor and weaponry. The factory transformed the Skeletal Servants into silver-knight-like figures.
Ploutos observed the factory's intricate work, overseeing the process of preparing Skeletal Servants into Hell Knights. Once fully equipped, the Skeletal Servants with glowing red eyes marched towards a gate at the bottom, which began to open as they approached.
The process repeated itself, with new batches of Skeletal Servants entering the chamber, getting outfitted by the mechanical claws, and joining the ranks of the marching Hell Knights. Ploutos watched with satisfaction as the army of Skeletal Servants transformed into formidable Hell Knights, ready to march to a destination within the Underworld Castle.
Back in Orario, Shakti and dozens of her Familia members were gathered at a part of the barrier that they were inspecting closely. Shakti, the captain of the Familia, was puzzled by the Kaiser's actions.
"Why are the Kaisers shielding this part of the city?" Shakti muttered as she examined the barrier dome. "Rather than shielding, it's like they're blocking it."
A Ganesha Guard approached Shakti, bringing news that their members from other areas couldn't get in, being completely blocked from entering.
"I see," Shakti replied, crossing her arms and contemplating. 'This would mean that the Kaisers plan to do something and created this barrier to block any interferences from the outside.' She turned to look at the barrier again. "Or… to block something from escaping instead?"
As they observed, trap doors at the bottom of the Underworld Castle opened, and Hell Knights descended, landing on streets and building roofs throughout the city.
"Are those... members of the Kaiser Familia?" a guard asked, confused, as Shakti and others witnessed the Hell Knights moving in perfect formation. "That's not possible. The Kaiser Familia only consists of eight members, and those people..."
Shakti watched the Hell Knights moving around with a knightly demeanor.
"They look like knights rather than adventurers." She commented in seeing the knights.
After a minute, the Hell Knights' helmet visors began to glow with red flashes, and they sprang into action, forcefully entering buildings, dragging out citizens, and brutally attacking them.
"What are they doing!?" a guard shouted as screams echoed within the barrier. The Hell Knights barged into buildings, causing chaos and panic.
"Stop!" Shakti shouted, rushing to the barrier, intending to protest the actions of the Hell Knights. To her surprise, her fist went through the barrier, and she stumbled clumsily through it. "Wha!?"
"Captain Shakti!" guards shouted as they tried to pass through the barrier, only to be shocked and repelled. "Aagh!"
Shakti, confused about her ability to enter while others couldn't, turned her attention to a Hell Knight apprehending a woman.
"Stop!" Shakti shouted, wielding her whip and rushing to intervene.
Approaching a Hell Knight, she managed to wrap her whip around its arm just as it was about to strike a woman. However, she soon found herself overpowered as the armored familiar resisted and threw her aside.
"What!?" Shakti exclaimed, surprised at the Hell Knight's strength, crashing into a stack of crates.
"Captain Shakti!" guards called out, but she found herself surrounded by several Hell Knights, outnumbered and outmatched. The Hell Knights raised their weapons, ready to strike.
"Halt."
A commanding voice echoed, freezing the Hell Knights in their places. Shakti, fearing the imminent strike, opened her eyes to find the Hell Knights pulling back their weapons.
Footsteps are heard approaching, and she tensed when she sees someone coming.
Ploutos, the Iron God Kaiser, appeared on the scene, standing before Shakti with crossed arms.
"I've seen you before," Ploutos remarked. "You're the current captain of Ganesha's Familia, aren't you? How did you get inside? Scratch that. I can't deal with this crap right now." He then ordered a nearby Hell Knight, "Disarm her of her weapons and escort her with me to the others."
The Hell Knights promptly moved to carry out Ploutos' command. Shakti had her weapons taken away, and the armored familiars surrounded her. Ploutos gestured for her to follow him.
"Come along," Ploutos said, leading the way with a handwave. Shakti hesitated but ultimately followed when the Hell Knights urged her forward.
Meanwhile, at the Wheat Manor, Demeter stood in front of her home with a worried and confused expression as she observed the barrier dome cutting off a part of Orario from the outside. Thunder roared above, and Zagreus, along with Melinoe and Makaria, descended from their castle, standing before the goddess.
"Z-Zagreus… e-everyone… w-why are you a-all here?" Demeter asked nervously, approaching the group.
"We've heard news that there's been…" Melinoe began, crossing her arms. "Cockroaches, maggots, worms, and most of all rats running around in the Demeter Familia's Home."
"Having such an infestation in a Home that produces food for many could very much lead to a pandemic of diseases spreading in Orario," Thalia added, gripping her Saint Cross. "That is why we came here to check and dispose of the pest."
Demeter nervously responded, "W-well… it's always usual for my F-Familia to have a few pest problems here and there… b-but it's not a big deal that we need the Kaisers for help! I mean, it's just a few rats here and there!"
As Demeter spoke, Zagreus suddenly took off his cape and draped it over her shoulders.
"eh?" Demeter looked surprised as Zagreus placed a hand on her right shoulder. "….Zagreus?"
"It is alright now, Demeter," Zagreus said softly, patting her shoulders. 'You have fought with every ounce of strength you had to keep your Familia safe from them.' He then turned to the side. "Stay here with Thalia and leave the rest to us, alright?"
Demeter looked at Zagreus, who nodded to her before walking towards the Wheat Manor with Melinoe. Thalia joined them, and Melinoe gave Demeter a quick wave and smile before the Blade Kaiser followed the Bloody Kaiser.
"Demeter, come with me," Thalia said, gently escorting the goddess. "It's alright now; you and your Familia will be protected from now on."
Zagreus and Melinoe stood before the Wheat Manor, their eyes glowing as they stared at the large mansion. Melinoe asked, "How many?"
"About 56 or so who are hiding within secret passages underground," Zagreus replied. He snapped his fingers twice, summoning many Hell Knights who surrounded the Wheat Manor. His eyes glowed under his helmet as he commanded, "Ensure that none escape."
Melinoe raised her arm, revealing a black armband with a darkish violet-red diamond-shaped gem attached. "Wingle," she spoke, touching the gem, causing a bright light.
Enveloped in a gust of black wind, she transformed into the Blade Kaiser, her armor resembling a demonic woman with sharp-edged blades and large black bat wings.
Demeter shielded her eyes while holding onto Zagreus' cape from being blown away from the gust of air, Thalia remains still at her side while seeming unfazed.
"go" Zagreus raises his right arm to the side before waving his hand forward in signaling the Hell Knights to go and instantly infiltrates into the Wheat Manor while Melinoe walks to the front door which she kicks down and then enters.
A few minutes later, thunderous sounds and screams emanated from the Wheat Manor as the building shook.
Everyone listens to the sound of the screams as Demeter just looks away while closing her ears and Thalia comforting her. Zagreus however stands and doesn't seem fazed.
After some time, Melinoe emerged from the front door, wiping blood off her blades.
"It's done," Melinoe announced. She walked towards Zagreus and the others, followed by Hell Knights dragging cuffed and chained people.
"How many?" Zagreus asked Melinoe.
"About 14," The Blade Kaiser replied, her face plate sliding open. "Those are the ones who believed they could take me on."
Zagreus sighed and looked at the Hell Knights, some carrying people covered in wounds. "Is that all of them?"
Melinoe nodded as her face plate slid closed. "The rest is on you."
Zagreus nodded, and someone placed a hand on his back. He turned and saw Demeter, her eyes tearful and filled with a mix of joy and sadness.
"T-thank you… thank you!" Demeter cried, leaning against Zagreus and breaking down. "They threatened to hurt them! I-i! I had no choice! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Thalia helped Demeter as she consoled the crying goddess and gently takes her away.
Zagreus watched them leave before he sees Ploutos arriving with Shakti, Hell Knights escorting her.
"Melinoe, help Demeter and take her somewhere safe with Thalia," Zagreus ordered. "I will need more information from her."
Melinoe nodded before she went with Thalia and Demeter. Afterwards, Zagreus turns and faces Ploutos who gestured a hand to Shakti who he had brought with him.
"I don't know whether she was here when we put up the barrier or not." Ploutos stated as he looks at Shakti with a glance. "but she tried to stop the Hell Knights from picking the rats out of the houses,"
Zagreus looked down at Shakti, his eyes glowing. "What is your name, and from which Familia are you from? State your answer now."
Shakti nervously replied, "S-Shakti… Varma… Captain of the Ganesha Familia."
"Ganesha Familia…. Varma…" Zagreus muttered, his glowing eyes intensifying. "I see."
After a minute, Zagreus' eyes stopped glowing. He raised his right hand, signaling two Hell Knights to back away, leaving only one behind.
"Return her weapons and send her back to her Familia," Zagreus commanded, turning his back to Shakti. "Her presence will not be any obstruction to our progress."
"you sure?" Ploutos questioned the decision, but Zagreus nodded and he just shrugs his shoulders afterwards. "if you say so.." he did a finger snap and the remaining Hell knights returned Shakti's weapons.
Afterwards, the Hell knights escorted Shakti who left Ploutos and Zagreus be.
"We will be meeting very soon, Shakti Varma," Zagreus said, his eyes glowing. "Also… you have my condolences for the loss of your little sister."
"eh?" Shakti made a confused noise. "How do you..?" Before she could finish, she was taken away and left the scene.
Sometime later, news spread of the Kaiser Familia's actions at the Wheat Manor and the surrounding one-mile area's radius as many people were subdued and taken away by the Kaisers and the Hell Knights.
At the guild, lots of people gathered there and are shouting non-stop to the guild's staff about what was occurring a few hours ago.
"What the heck was going on?!" 'Was it an attack?!' "I live there!" "they kidnapped my husband!" "Those Kaisers are nothing but monsters!" the people keep on shouting non stop as they are citizens of Orario who are panicking in fear.
"p-please calm down! T-the guild will try our… um!" Eina tried to calm the group, but they were shouting non stop and it was scaring her at how much they were doing it. "w-we! Um! I…."
Eina tries desperately to calm the shouting citizens, but to no avail.
The half elf guild advisor tries to calm the shouting people who soon shuts up when a loud roar of thunder rang out from outside that silence them all in an instant.
Everyone closed their ears and eyes after hearing how loud the roar of thunder was, they soon turn towards the outside as marching footsteps are heard and Zagreus along with Melinoe, Thalia, and a group of Hell Knights who are escorting and guarding Demeter in formation, came into the building.
"I will only say it this once." Zagreus said as his eyes glows menacingly under his helmet's visor. "Get Out."
It didn't take a second as all the people scram out of the guild in a hurry, terrified what would happen to them if they didn't.
After all the previously angry now scared people have run out of the Guild, Zagreus and the others proceeds to walk towards the front desk where Eina stays standing a bit nervous and scared while her guild companions were all hiding.
Zagreus stands in front of Eina, the Bloody Kaiser turns his head slightly to the side in seeing Misha who hides behind a flowerpot with a few other guild staffs before to the other side to find more guild staffs hiding around.
The Bloody Kaiser's eyes glows as he raises his right hand and did a loud finger snap that made one of the Hell Knights accompanying Demeter to move and soon lunges at a female guild staff who was beaten down and subdued.
"w-what are you?!" Eina gasped out loud before she squeaks when Melinoe held her right arm near the half elf's neck as the blade on her forearm shines sharply.
Eina glances at Melinoe who raises her left hand and did a side-to-side finger wave in telling the half elf to not do what she thinks she plans on doing.
Zagreus did another finger snap as the Hell Knight pulled the guild staff that it beat down and is now cuffed behind her back. The armored familiar soon drags the woman out with another one of its kin joining.
After the two Hell Knights leaves with one of the female guild staffs, Zagreus turns towards Eina as Melinoe lowers her blade from her neck.
"close this building and allow none to enter nor leave." Zagreus spoke out while walking to the side and flips open the counter table. "only do otherwise until I say so."
"b-but…" Eina spoke out before Melinoe presses a finger against her lips while shushing. "ughm?!"
"Better do what he says, Eina." Melinoe said to the half elf. "he's your god father after all."
"eh?" Eina looks confused before she sees Zagreus entering the guild with Demeter and two of the Hell Knights escorting her.
"Guard the front with Thalia, Melinoe." Zagreus said as he and his group walks straight for the inner parts. "do not try anything while I am away."
"wouldn't dream of it." Melinoe replied a bit carefree as her faceplate slides open to reveal her amused face.
Zagreus let out a growl as Melinoe chuckles in hearing it before she glances at Eina who looks terribly confused.
Within the inner parts of the guild, there is a hallway that leads to the Room of Prayer; the Domain of Ouranos. The god who founded Orario and has been using his powers to force down the monsters of the Dungeon for centuries.
Ouranos sat upon his throne as he has his eyes closed while his back leaned against his seat, but the god soon opens his eyes while the fire from the torches near him rustles around from a gust.
"Zagreus Kaiser." Ouranos spoke out as he looks down and sees Zagreus standing below his altar. He then glances to the side as Demeter is with the Kaiser. "Demeter, it has been a while."
"Yes." Demeter said with a nod. "yes, it has. Ouranos."
Ouranos nods back before turning back towards Zagreus.
"I have been expecting your arrival ever since your return." Ouranos said while leaning a bit forward on his seat. "tell me, have you completed the task that Zeus and Hera had failed?"
"do not try to act as if you don't know why I am here, Ouranos." Zagreus stated as his eyes glows menacingly under his helmet's visor, the Bloody Kaiser glares at the old god. 'I've done my best to prevent my familia from destroying Orario after what has occurred over the years. They are very much eager to purge this city of every single living being, and I assure you that they will do so if you try to act as a fool.' his glowing eyes started to glow brighter while a dark aura surrounds the Kaiser's body. "Keep that in mind before you speak once again."
Ouranos looks at Zagreus for a moment before he closes his eyes and sighs while leaning back against his throne.
"very well." Ouranos spoke out as he then opens his eyes. "What does your Familia plan on doing now that you all have returned to Orario, Zagreus Kaiser?"
"correction." Zagreus stated while his eyes glows even more menacing. 'it is 'what does my familia plan to do for Orario now that we have returned?'.' The Kaiser's glowing eyes soon burns out vapor that gave a very oppressive and terrifying look to the armored man. "that is a question that would need your full cooperation to be answered, Ouranos."
Ouranos looks at Zagreus as the god and mortal stares upon one another in a very silent stare off.
Sometime later. outside the guild, lots of adventurers gathered there as they look at the building that has its doors closed and being guarded by Thalia along with several Hell Knights and Guild Staffs.
The adventurers whispered to one another as they took glances at Thalia.
"that's the Saint Kaiser?" 'yeah, she's an ex-member of that Hera Familia.' "what is she doing at the guild?" "if there's one Kaiser, the other Kaisers won't be far. Something must be going down." "for an old Familia that has been gone for years, these Kaisers shouldn't get over themselves." "That one is from the dead Hera Familia, so full of herself just because she's a Kaiser." Whispers spread amongst the adventurers as Thalia heard them all and instantly grips hold of her Saint Cross when she heard the last whisper that made her eyes glow menacingly under her blindfold.
"kyaaahh!" a woman suddenly screams as everyone turns and looks in surprise as a random werewolf adventurer is entangled by large thorn filled tree roots that suddenly grows out of the ground and wraps itself around the wolfman.
"h-help me!" the werewolf man screams as his body gets badly scraped and bloodied because of the roots' sharp thorns that presses against his skin. "aaggh!"
"go." Thalia spoke out before she slams the bottom of her staff to the ground that cracks. "fire."
Upon her words, the Hell Knights by her side wields bows and arrows which they soon pulled on the string before firing.
The arrows flew before each one hitting the leg, arm, shoulder, and foot of the werewolf entangled by the large thorny roots. The wolf man screams in pain while the adventurers around him gasps in horror while looking in shock.
"Ready another volley." Thalia stated as the Hell Knights readied their bow and arrow once more. "Aim for that maggot's companions. Ensure they are given pain."
The Hell Knights' eyes flashes under their helmets before the armored familiars pulls their arrows and aimed their bow at some people in the crowd who they soon fired.
Screams of fear and terror rang out as people started to run while a few fell with arrows piercing through parts of their body and limbs.
"w-what are you doing!?" Eina screamed out in seeing the chaos as she soon confronts the Saint Kaiser. "Please stop! You shouldn't!" but before she could speak any further, Thalia wields her Saint Cross and points its cross near the half elf's neck. "iiih?!"
"is that anyway to talk to the person who helped your mother in giving birth to you?" Thalia said as her eyes glows menacingly red under her white blindfold. "as much as it is pleasing for me to know that you've grown from the small infant I once held in my arms, do not try to prevent my actions even with your standing as a guild advisor." The Saint Kaiser then slightly tilts her staff. "I am not as kind as a Saint that my title states."
Eina sweats nervously as she looks at the cross of Thalia's Saint Cross that shines near her neck but is soon pulled away and the half elf suddenly gets pulled to the side by the Saint Kaiser who swings her weapon upwards to deflect an arrow that would've hit the guild advisor if she didn't stop it.
"Maggots just squirms pathetically, huh?" Thalia said as Eina turns and saw that it was a random adventurer who had fired the arrow. "This just goes to show how infested Orario has really become."
Soon enough, a group of adventurers gathered around as they wielded their weapons at hand.
"let's get her! I had enough of these Kaisers!" 'yeah! Let's show them who's the real boss in Orario!' "let's make them pay!" the group shouted furiously as they raise their weapons high. "let's take that bitch down!"
"move aside, Eina." Thalia spoke as she pushes Eina aside and started walking down the stairs while looking at the group of adventurers gathered to face her. 'These maggots and cockroaches need to learn a lesson.' She reaches the bottom of the stairs as her eyes glows and soon burns away to reveal her blind eyes that were glowing a brownish green color. "Why we Kaisers are always to be feared and respected."
At a street in a district, people were running in fear and panic as they were all screaming in fear which made many shop owners look surprised and confused.
Amongst the crowd is Riveria and Gareth who are by a store and sees the running people.
"they came from the direction of the Guild…" Gareth spoke out as he notices that many of them are all seasoned adventurers. "for them to be running like this…"
"the Kaisers.." Riveria stated, knowing that it is the one Familia whose members could cause a panic like what she is seeing.
BANG!
Soon, they heard a loud noise that made them turn only to quickly look up as a body came and crashed to a shop that gets destroyed.
"w-what was…" Gareth spoke as he and many people look at the body that crashed and finds it to be a random dwarf adventurer whose body and limbs were beaten black and blue while bleeding uncontrollably. "t-this is…"
"Thalia…" Riveria whispered as she looks rather taken back to how terribly injured the random dwarf's body is.
"H-Help me! Please! Anyone!" a scream is heard as Riveria and Gareth turns to see an injured amazoness running with a terrified face, the tanned skin woman holding her right arm that looks to be broken because of how it is just flailing around and how black and blue its color is. "h-help! Please! Anyone! please help me!"
The Amazon screams for help, not knowing Thalia is behind and is standing a few miles away from her.
Thalia spins her staff in one hand before she held it over her right shoulder while pressing a foot forward. The Saint Kaiser took a deep breath before blowing it out while vein marks appear all over her right arm up to the hand that grips hold of the Saint Cross' handle.
Before anyone could blink, Thalia went and throws the staff like a javelin, the weapon flew as it went straight for the fleeing amazon.
"look out!" Gareth shouted as the Amazoness turns and saw the incoming object.
Thalia's staff flew and it instantly hits the amazon's stomach before driving her to the ground that gets its marble road destroyed in a large drag mark.
Many citizens standing by looks horrified and shocked at what had occurred, the amazon is now unconscious with a splatter of blood covering her whole mouth and chest while the tip of the Saint Cross pierced through her stomach and is lodged right in.
Thalia walks in as the Saint Kaiser stands near the unconscious and probably dying amazoness. The Saint Kaiser looks down at the tanned woman before she grabs her weapon's handle and pulls it out, not caring about the blood that stains it nor the blood that is pouring out of her victim's torn through stomach.
The Saint Kaiser wields her Saint Cross before she swings it to the side and the blood that covers its cross was swiped off in an instant which soon finds a new place and that is the window of a random house.
Thalia cracks her neck side to side before she tilts her head towards Riveria and Gareth's direction.
"The fuck you lot are here for, huh?" Thalia said in an annoyed and angered voice. The Saint Kaiser slams the bottom of her staff to the ground and caused a short tremor to shake the city. "fuck off, maggots."
Riveria and Gareth didn't respond as they took a step back from Thalia while looking away with tensed expressions on their faces.
The Saint Kaiser huffs and scoffs at the two before she turns and started to walk away.
"The maggots, cockroaches, and the worms in this city are all pathetic beyond words." Thalia said while walking away and soon disappear from everyone's sight.
When the Saint Kaiser disappears, many started to go near the unconscious amazon as they tried to help her.
"Gareth.." Riveria spoke out to Gareth who glances at his high elf companion. "they won't… forgive us, would they?"
Gareth looks at Riveria before he looks down and shakes his head.
"They won't forgive us no matter what." Gareth replied solemnly. "Polemos and Thalia have made that very clear."
Back by the guild, Zagreus along with Demeter exits the building and soon finds a completely destroyed street area as there are many bodies of beaten up adventurers placed everywhere. the guild staffs were hiding at a corner as they huddled up together while looking scared.
"oh my…" Demeter silently gasps while Zagreus stares without a comment of a word.
"Melinoe." Zagreus calls out to the Blade Kaiser who is just sitting by the stairs and seems to be lazing around. "where is Thalia?"
"Hunting down a running rat." Melinoe said in a carefree tone. "She should be back any moment."
Zagreus sighs once again before he hears a noise from his right wrist as a Halo Ring that he wears has its gem glowing repeatedly on a call from someone. The Kaiser placed two fingers on the gem that soon glows from red to green.
"Zagreus, this is Polemos." Polemos' voice called out from the magic item. "I'm done with sealing off every single entrance way in Daedalus street with Makaria, but we left one like you asked. We are also ready to destroy the place."
"Stop for now." Zagreus replied in the call. "we've done enough for today, leave that to be planned for the next few days, but destroy its entrances to the Dungeon. Do not allow those maggots to ever return to Orario nor the dungeon."
"got it." Polemos replied before the Halo Ring deactivates.
Zagreus lowers his arms before he snaps his fingers twice and summons many Hell Knights that comes marching to the guild with Thalia amongst them.
"Thalia, I'm placing you in charge to look after Demeter and her Familia." Zagreus said while snapping his fingers once again as the Underworld Castle came floating and hovering in the sky above their heads. "take as many Hell Knights as you need to ensure that they are safe. Ploutos and Polemos will be joining you afterwards."
"I got it." Thalia replies before the land suddenly rumbles and a loud of roar of thunder rang out from underneath the ground. "I'm guessing Brother Polemos will be joining me very soon."
"Melinoe." Zagreus calls out to the Blade Kaiser who hums in response. "look after my son in their stead."
"I know." Melinoe said while waving a hand to the side before turning her head to look at Zagreus. "and? what about you? What will you be doing?"
"I will be continuing my conversation with Ouranos." Zagreus replies as he turns his body to the side. "for our plan to be a success, it needs his cooperation the most."
"I see." Melinoe stated as she stood up straight while placing a hand to her waist. "the old man didn't agree when you first talk about it?"
"he agreed but is still thinking on how to fully support our actions." Zagreus replied before he fully turns around and walks towards the guild's doors. "Go now."
Melinoe and Thalia nods before the two female Kaisers went to do his orders. The Saint Kaiser left with Demeter as the two are escorted by 20 Hell Knights at their side while Melinoe spreads her armor's large bat wings and then flew to the Underworld Castle.
The two female Kaisers left while Zagreus walks and enters the guild but stops to looks at the destruction that Thalia made outside.
Zagreus waves a hand to the outside as his eyes flashes under his helmet's visor and as if it was magic, all that was destroyed instantly repairs themselves while leaving the beaten up adventurers to be where they were.
The Bloody Kaiser then turns and he enters the guild.
The day became night in Orario, the incidents that occurred around the guild and at one of the district areas made the citizens completely in fear as The Kaisers continues their actions in bringing destruction and fear wherever they go to which caused many people to lock themselves up in their houses and stay with their families who are just as afraid as everyone else.
The Underworld Castle continues to hover in the night sky as the floating castle is now above the Wheat Manor that is in constant protection by many Hell Knights that secures the doors and windows of every floor while maintaining a strict patrol around the street area.
within the Kaiser's Home, Bell can be found in the castle's library as he is engrossed in reading another heroes' story book while being look after by Melinoe who is sitting at the second floor and is drinking wine served by a Skeletal Servant.
Melinoe sips her drink casually before taking a glance at Bell who is very much engrossed in reading his story book.
'like father like son, huh?' Melinoe thought with a smile. 'although, Meteria also loves reading story books like Zagreus. So I guess it's a family trait kind of thing.'
The Blade Kaiser continues to watch over her nephew while sipping her wine that she emptied from her glass before holding it towards the Skeletal Servant that held a wine bottle and then refills her drink.
Melinoe sips her wine once more before she caught sight of her Halo Ring's red gem glowing as she gets a call.
"This is Melinoe." Melinoe said after tapping a finger to her magic bracelet that glows green. "what is it?"
"Melinoe-nee, it's Makaria." The Mage Kaiser's voice replies in the call as Makaria is currently somewhere in the Underworld Castle. "I just got a call from Zagreus, he told me that he along with Thalia, Ploutos-nii, and Polemos-nii won't be returning till they sort things out in Orario. He also told me to conceal the Underworld Castle in the sky and keep on looking after Bell. I'm still busy with my part of the job, think you can do it instead?"
"I'm already babysitting him." Melinoe replied with a glance at her nephew who continues reading before to the magic item. "fine then, I'll look after Bell while you guys keep on with your work."
"thanks." Makaria replied before the Halo Bracelet's glowing green gem dies down and became dull red.
Melinoe takes her glass of wine and then drinks it all in one go before handing the empty glass to the Skeletal Servant to take and then place away to a tray that it soon takes away.
"Bell" Melinoe calls out to her nephew as Bell responded this time by turning his head and looking up to his aunt. 'I just got a call from your father who told me that he along with Polemos, Ploutos, Makaria, and Thalia are currently busy at the moment and won't be coming here till tomorrow.' The Blade Kaiser then raises her hands before shrugging her shoulders while having a smile on her face. "Looks like you have to wait for them to come back if you want to talk with your father."
"i-I see…" Bell replied with a nod. "I understand."
"I can call your father and ask him to come back right now, you know?" Melinoe said while crossing her arms under her chest. "as busy as we Kaisers are getting, I believe Zagreus can spare some hours to talk with you."
"n-no." Bell shakes his head while taking his book and hugs it to his chest. 'I know that the Kaisers are the protectors of Orario and you all must have serious duties and tasks to fulfill. I'll just wait until tomorrow.' He then did a head bow. "I'll be going back to my room now, Aunt Melinoe. Good night."
Melinoe raises an eyebrow as Bell exited the library in a bit of a haste that made her curious and sceptic.
"I wonder what's going on with that boy?" Melinoe said while tilting her head a bit to the side.
Bell walks in the hallways outside as he went straight for the door to his room and entered. The young man now walks to his bed where he sat down while placing away his story book to a table beside it.
The Rabbit boy is looking troubled as it could be seen from his face's expression.
"Should I just ask dad about it?" Bell muttered out as he looks down and takes out the locket his father gave to him then opens it to see his mother's photo but when he pressed the switch once more it reveals a hidden compartment which opens up to reveal another photo but of a white haired infant and a black haired infant sleeping in a crib together. "Who is this?"
Bell believes that the white haired infant is him, but he doesn't have a clue about the black haired infant.
"is this… my brother?" Bell whispered as his mind keeps on thinking on whether or not was, he born with a twin brother that he never met nor knew at all.
'Bell…..'
Suddenly a whispering yet echoing voice was heard as Bell tensed up and looks side to side to find the source of the voice.
"w-who?" Bell muttered as he looks a bit spooked out from hearing the voice from out of nowhere.
'your father will tell you the answer to whatever you ask of him….do not be afraid… do not be troubled.'
The voice continued to speak as Bell couldn't tell where it is coming from.
Outside in the night sky, clouds started to fly by as they formed and blocks the glow of the moon from shining itself into Bell's room.
Before long, Meteria's Spirit appears as she floats behind Bell while holding his shoulders and leans close to the right side of his head.
'remember, Bell….you are our child. Our one and only child. Do not ever feel troubled from your lineage. You are who you want to be. You are our son.'
Bell looks extremely shocked to the floating white woman who appeared out of nowhere. He wanted to scream and get away from the fright, but for some reason; he feels extremely calm and relaxed.
"M-Mom…..?" Bell muttered out as Meteria's Spirit nods her head once before slowly disappearing when the clouds blew away to reveal the moon.
Bell looks surprised to what he was seeing as he reached a hand towards her, but she disappeared before he could even reach her.
"t-that was….." Bell spoke out while a single tear slides down the side of his cheeks. "…Mom…"
Bell stares at where his mother's spirit had appeared as he slowly lowers his hand before slowly looking to his locket and stares upon the two photos stored within.
Meanwhile in the Dungeon's deep floors, there are members of Evilus who are gathered in a big crowd.
Their masked cloaked leader, Enyo stands before them as he soon turns towards Ein who came to the scene.
"Enyo, the entrances and exits of the Daedalus street have all been destroyed by the Kaisers and our members who had been posted upon the Demeter Familia's Home have been captured." Ein reported the events that had occurred upon Orario. "there is a possibility that they along with the goddess Demeter would reveal everything to them about our plan."
"I see." Enyo replied. 'it won't matter if we try to silence them or not, I predict that the Kaisers are going to bait us in coming out.' the cloaked man then turns while walking a few steps away. "we will remain in the Dungeon in secrecy. We are to avoid any possible encounter with the Kaisers; especially Zagreus Kaiser." He stops in front of a stone pedestal that has six Spirit Jewel Fetus placed upon each. "that man is by far the most dangerous and the most troublesome Kaiser that we do not want to face unprepared."
"what are your orders?" Ein asked as Enyo stayed silent for a moment before he looks down.
"for now, stay hidden from the Kaisers and also…" Enyo spoke while looking up to the ceiling. "get some members to retrieve equipment needed for exploration into the deeper floors."
"what do you plan to retrieve in the deeper floors?" Ein said after nodding.
"a certain monster that not even a Kaiser would be able to defeat." Enyo replied as he held up one of the Jewel Fetuses and looks upon the shrewd creature within that slowly opens its eyes. "a monster that I am sure would be able to kill a Kaiser."
That's a wrap!
Bye bye