Time passes on in Orario; the Kaiser's rule over the city continues as many Familias were purged and disbanded while many gods were given severe torture punishment for the misdeeds they have done during the Kaiser's Absence. Their current situation remains unknown.
By a week or so, Orario nearly became deserted as there are only 300-400 people left roaming around.
Pubs, bars, shops, restaurant, cafes, nearly every single type of business available in Orario were shut down and only a few remained open; Mirana's Café being one of them.
At a market district in the city, Mikoto along with Haruhime were walking around the nearly deserted street as there are only a handful of stalls opened and are still selling. The two girls had gone out for grocery shopping but after coming to the market area and find out how little few were still selling, they wondered if Orario's remaining citizens will survive.
"So few people left…" Haruhime whispered as she and Mikoto walks slowly upon the street while checking around to see the people remaining. "Nearly every store is closed…"
"The city is nearly deserted in just a month after the Kaisers came into power…" Mikoto stated as she glanced to the side and sees people hiding from a group of Hell Knights that came marching by. "to think that there were many sinful people who are lurking in the city.."
"Is this really a good way of protecting the city?" Haruhime asked with a sad face. "everyone who we are acquainted with were all captured and taken away..is this really the Kaiser's way of protecting the city?"
"I don't know, Haruhime-dono." Mikoto replied while shaking her head. "all that I know is that we must pray for Ouka-dono and the other's safe return."
Haruhime nods while frowning before the two continue to try shop for their Familia's groceries.
As they were going around and stand before a still opened stall that sells vegetables; the two hears loud thunder from above which made them look up and see the Underworld Castle slowly descending from the sky out of nowhere.
"The Underworld Castle…" Mikoto whispered as she and Haruhime watches the dark castle came floating in the air before it began to move towards the Babel Tower. "The Kaisers are on the move…"
The appearance of the Underworld Castle made the remaining citizens of Orario hide and cower in fear as they believe that the Kaisers would come and inflict more terror upon them.
Many adventurers that were remaining are by the Dungeon, watch in fear upon the Underworld Castle that hovers right near the Babel Tower.
Rumbling noises were soon heard from the Underworld Castle that is opening the large trap door located upon its bottom platform.
The trap door opens until a large hole is present under the castle and a large metal gate that is locked shut with chains all around it came falling and crash upon the ground around the area.
The gate crash landed upon the ground and picked up lots of dust that blew out everywhere.
Many looked upon the large gate as they hear the chains that surround it starts to unlock and fell to the ground.
The gate's door let out a loud creaking noise as it slowly push open its doors and revealed a black swirling energy portal within it.
Many watched in curiosity and in fright as they all thought that it is something bad that is about to happen, but in fact; what came from the portal is just a random person followed by another and then more.
Everyone soon realized that the people who are coming out of the gate are the very people that the Kaisers had arrested and taken away.
"honey~!" a woman cried out as she and two children ran to a man who hugged them while in tears.
Many more alike with the group came as they hugged many people.
By the area are the Takemikazuchi Familia who were just nearby and saw what was going on.
"everyone who were taken away by the Kaisers are returning?" Takemikazuchi said in a bit of confusion and surprise.
"would that mean…?!" Chigusa said before she made a surprise noise and smiles while crying. "OUKA!"
Chigusa runs as Takemikazuchi and the others sees Ouka coming out of the gate with the other people.
"OUKA!" Chigusa cried out as she lunges at Ouka who gawked and then fell with the timid kunoichi girl on top of him. "Ouka~! Ouka~!"
"C-Chigusa… i-it hurts…" Ouka grunted in pain while Chigusa cries onto his chest.
Takemikazuchi and his Familia went to the two as Ouka slowly sits up while still having Chigusa crying on him.
"Ouka, are you alright?" Takemikazuchi asked while offering a hand for Ouka to take.
"y-yes." Ouka nodded as he was pulled up to his feet. "I'm fine, Takemikazuchi-sama."
"what had happened to you, Ouka?" Chigusa asked the big man. "you were gone and then you suddenly came out of that gate. Where were you?"
"I don't…." Ouka spoke while scratching the back of his head. "I can't actually explain where I was for the past few days, but all I know is that I was held in a prison for a few days before being released."
"a prison? Where?" Takemikazuchi asked with a confused face.
"I don't really know where." Ouka replied while shaking his head.
flashback
Days before, Ouka is restrained by a Hell Knight as he is being escorted straight into the portal where Makaria and Thalia are guarding together.
Ouka is pushed to the portal where he disappeared into and now reappeared in a dark stone hallway filled with many heavy metal doors along the sides and are guarded by many Hell Knights.
"where is this?" Ouka asked before the Hell Knight that restrained him, pushed him to move forward to which he did.
Ouka walks in the dark hallway as he looks side to side and sees that there are people already in a few of the metal doors. The Takemikazuchi Familia's captain was then stopped as he stood by a door.
The Hell Knight undid Ouka's restraints while another opened the metal door to which revealed a big room that has a bed, a table, and a bathroom.
"Enter." A Hell Knight spoke in a robotic voice at Ouka who looks at it before into the room to which he walks right in before the door was close and locked from the outside.
Ouka now stands in the prison cell as he looks side to side in checking the room.
"this is my karma, huh?" said Ouka as he frowns before he went to sit upon the bed in the room.
"you were in a prison for an entire week?" Takemikazuchi said as Ouka nodded in response. "what happened next?"
"what happened next is…." Ouka muttered while his mind goes back in time.
Ouka is doing push ups in his prison cell as he had nothing to do but eat when his meal is given, rest when he is tired, and do workout if he is bored.
The Eastern Man sweats as he pushes himself up and down on the floor. He continues to train until he hears a few knocks from his prison cell door that slides open for a Hell Knight that entered.
"Captive F0981; Kashima Ouka. Prepare yourself to be escorted." The Hell Knight spoke in its robotic voice. "You have been summoned by the Kaisers for your trial."
"by the Kaisers?" Ouka muttered as he had stand up and is looking a bit confused yet surprised.
A few moments later, the Masuratakeo is handcuffed and is escorted by two Hell Knights down the hallway.
Ouka glance side to side and sees nor hear anything from the other prisoners who are held within. He thought that they were asleep or just being quiet.
After some more walking, Ouka stops in front of a large black gate decorated with demonic looking flowers and gargoyle like statues while guarded by two large stone statues of wolves.
Ouka looks a bit in awe to the size of the gate before he looks at the Hell Knights who began to hit the floor with their spears in a rhythm that cause rumbling.
"t-this is?" Ouka spoke out in surprise as he thought that it was an earthquake, but it wasn't.
The gate before him began to shake before its doors slowly slides open and light exited from the small gap that grows over time.
Ouka squinted his eyes as he shielded them from the light that was bright.
The Eastern man keeps his eyes closed before he slowly opens them and looks in surprise because he is no longer standing before the gate but is now standing in a dark chamber where he couldn't see anything.
"where?" Ouka looks around before flames ignited upon torches and their light reveals the dark black chamber where the Kaisers are present and sitting upon their thrones. "K-Kaisers?!"
"sit" Zagreus spoke out as his eyes glows under his helmet's visor.
Ouka felt his whole body just tremble in fear as he looks completely pale and weak to the point his legs gave out and he fell back upon a chair that appeared out of nowhere.
"Do you know the reason you were captured by the Hell Knights and taken into Tartarus?" Melinoe spoke out as she has her legs crossed and her face leaned to the right side and against her right fist that has her elbow rested on the arm rest. "do you?"
Ouka couldn't speak a word of a reply to Melinoe because of the dreadful terror that is seeping into his very soul as he is under the menacing yet demonic gaze of Zagreus who sits upon his throne while surrounded by a very dark ominous aura.
"poor kid can't speak with Zagreus glaring him to death." Said Ploutos while leaning against his throne and having his arms crossed over his stomach. "well..i guess it's obvious."
"hey, Zagreus. stop scaring the kid." Melinoe called out to the Bloody Kaiser while glancing at him. 'what's the point of doing a trial if we can't hear this kid's side of the story?' she then leans her face away. "if you want to kill him for what he had done to Bell, you can do it after we finish the trial and judge his punishment, alright? For now, just keep it sated."
Zagreus keeps on staring down at Ouka with his dreadful gaze that soon subsides as the Kaiser leans against his throne and then cross his arms.
Ouka let out a loud gasp as he began to breath heavily while sweating uncontrollably. The Eastern man looks tired and extremely frightened beyond words.
"Name: Kashima Ouka, Alias: Masuratakeo, Race: Human, Origin: Far East, occupation: Adventurer/Captain of the Takemikazuchi Familia." Makaria spoke out as she reads a scroll that appears floating beside her. "subject of crime: initiating a Pass Parade upon a Party that consists of Bell Cranel of the Hestia Familia, Welf Crozzo of the Hephaestus Familia, and Liliruca Arde of the Soma Familia."
"you look like you know why you are in here for now, huh?" said Ploutos as he leans a bit forward. "you learned that Bell is a member of our Family, haven't you?"
Ouka didn't reply as his voice is stuck in his throat and therefore nods a bit shakingly to reply.
"This trial is to determine whether or not you are eligible for a life in Orario." Polemos stated before he nudged his head towards Zagreus' direction. "if you are found uneligible…."
"your Entire Familia will learn first hand why I'm the most feared Kaiser of them all." Zagreus spoke darkly as his eyes glows more menacing under his visor.
Ouka felt terror return as his eyes widen and his body tremble under the ominous pressure that the Bloody Kaiser is unleashing upon him.
The Kaiser's trial on Ouka began as it begins like any trial. Words were spoken amongst the Kaisers who listen to the Eastern man's story on how the incident once happened in the past.
They listened to Ouka's story for at least 10 minutes, understanding every bit of detail that is shared.
"is that all?" said Thalia while a floating opened scroll is near her and a quill pen has been scribbling down words upon the piece of paper.
"y-yes… everything." Ouka replied with a hesitant voice.
The Kaisers soon went silent for an entire minute as they shared glances with one another and then to Ouka.
"you're just a rookie adventurer who doesn't know the rules that all people of Orario knows in the past." Melinoe said as she uncrossed her arms and place her hands on her seat's armrest. She hardens her expression and gaze upon Ouka. "those who dare harm anyone close and dear to the Kaiser Familia, will face impending death in the future."
"What you've did for your Familia was admirable, but still pathetic." Polemos stated while crossing his arms. 'if you had thought carefully, you could've come to Bell's party and asked for assistance.' He then sighs while leaning back against his seat. "but I guess you're cautious because adventurers these days only care for themselves unlike in the past."
"we've judged your actions and carefully checked through with what you've told us." Said Thalia as she waves a hand to the scroll that rolled up before flying towards Zagreus who caught it. "the rest is on Zagreus who will decide whether or not you are allowed to live or not."
Ouka gulped as he instantly has the fear of his life that is literally in the hands of the most scariest man he has ever met.
Zagreus hold the scroll in his hand before he scrunched it and the paper burns in black flames. The Kaiser looks at the ashes in his grasp and then to Ouka who tensed up from his gaze.
"you're from the Far East, right?" Zagreus said as Ouka blinks his eyes twice in confusion before he slowly nods in confirmation. "your birth land is under Amaterasu' domain, right?"
"y-yes…" Ouka replied with a nod.
Zagreus looks at the eastern man for a moment before he sighs and then snaps his fingers once that cause the entire room to brighten with light from the ceiling.
"You are dismissed for the crime you had done upon my son." Zagreus spoke out. 'but you and only you will be given a punishment.' He then flips his right hand up and a card appears in between his two outstretched fingers. "go and work for the person in the card for a week, afterwards you are a free man."
"eh?" Ouka looks confuse but he quickly raise his hands to catch the card that Zagreus threw to him. he checks the card, and it is a small drawn map of Orario with directions to a place. "Mirana Café?"
"that is all." Zagreus stated before he snaps his fingers twice. "take him back to his cell and prepare for his departure in the next few days."
The Hell Knights bowed and went to take Ouka away.
Ouka walks before he takes a glance at the Kaisers who remain on their seats.
flashback
"afterwards….i was released just like they had said." Ouka spoke as he with his Familia are in the Hestia Familia's Home and had told the group of what he had gone through while imprisoned by the Kaisers.
"the Kaisers captured crooks and bad guys, gives them a trial, and then decide whether they go or stay, huh?" Welf said while cupping his chin. "that sounds like law enforcement to me."
"so… you were not treated terribly at all, Ouka-dono?" Mikoto asked Ouka who nodded.
"I was treated rough when they captured me, but when they imprisoned me. I was pretty much given a comfortable living space." Said Ouka while scratching the back of his head. "a large room, a bed, a bathroom, and stomach filling three course meals. I was basically treated like a guest rather than a prisoner."
"is that the same for the others, Ouka?" Takemikazuchi asked. "did you happen to meet Andromeda or Antianera who were imprisoned just like you?"
"not really." Ouka replied while shaking his head once. "the doors were locked shut and I couldn't hear anything from the other side of my room. It is like everything was soundproofed like that."
"so… would this mean that they are still being held prison… for a crime they have committed?" Haruhime asked as everyone looks at the renard for a moment before to each other because they wonder what crime did Aisha and Asfi had done.
As the group ponders, knocking came from the front door as everyone turns to the sound before Haruhime left to answer the door and came back a minute later.
"it is Hephaestus-sama." Haruhime said as the fox maid steps aside for Hephaestus to come in sight.
"looks like Zagreus and the others listened to my advice on letting some people go." Hephaestus said with a smile while crossing her arms under her chest.
"advice?" Hestia muttered out before she looks surprised. "wait! Would that mean that you actually went and talked to the Kaiser, Hephaestus?!"
"yeah." Hephaestus nodded. "I did."
"h-how!?" Takemikazuchi exclaimed in surprise while standing up from his seat.
"I just went and ask for a conversation with Zagreus." Hephaestus said while shrugging her shoulders. "just that."
"just that, you say…." Welf spoke out with a rather baffled yet smiling face. "it must've been more easier because you're familiar with them, right?"
"you can say that in a way….." Hephaestus said before she looks down and smiled sadly bit. "or rather….we are still close even after all these years."
"eh? You're what?" Hestia asked as she thought she misheard the last few sentences from Hephaestus.
"anyway..with Ouka back, I guess it'll take a few more days for the other people that the Kaisers imprisoned to get freedom." Hephaestus said as she quickly spoke while looking at the others. "I suggest you all to just do what you usually do in the day and try your best to not do anything that would be seen as a crime by the Kaisers." She then glanced at Ouka. "but for you, I suggest you begin what Zagreus and the other Kaisers have ordered you to do tomorrow."
"r-right…" Ouka nodded
Hephaestus nods back before thunder roared loudly from outside as everyone looks to the window and saw the Underworld Castle floating higher into the air and just ascends.
"sounds like the Kaisers are doing something." Hephaestus said before she looks at Hestia and the others. "I'll be going to check and make sure that they won't do something considerably drastic. You guys just stay put."
"wait, what?" Hestia said but Hephaestus quickly left for the front door and leaves the Home.
"She left in a hurry." Lili said as Mikoto nodded in agreement.
"Hestia-sama." Welf called out to the Loli goddess. "do you think?"
"yeah, I do, Welf-kun." Hestia said with a nod before she looks down while cupping her chin. "there is definitely something going on in between Hephaestus and the Kaisers."
"but what?" Mikoto asked in hearing their conversation.
The group wonders before they heard another roar of thunder from the Underworld Castle that has bolts of electricity surrounding it in a sphere like form.
A few moments earlier. At the district area by the Dungeon, conflict is on the scene as fireballs, lightning bolts, and gusts of green wind flew bombarding the large Gate where Ouka and many other people had gone out.
Explosions occurred upon the Gate that has its doors closed, the attacks that bombarded it are coming from members of the Freyja Familia who are armed with many weapons.
"Keep on firing!" Allen, the Vana Freyja can be seen on the scene as the cat man is in command. "Make those bastards come to us and we will make then pay for attacking our goddess' sanctuary!"
Their assault on the gate continues as smoke flies everywhere.
In time, Shakti and her guards came into the scene and saw what was going on.
"Vana Freyja! What is the meaning of this!?" Shakti exclaimed at the cat man. "What is your Familia doing!?"
"Shut up! These actions of ours is of our own doing and not our goddess." Allen exclaimed as he growls angrily at the gate and then to the Underworld Castle. "Those bastards will pay for mocking our goddess!"
"you're causing public disturbance!" Shakti exclaimed while pointing a finger at the group. "Cease your actions at once!"
"do not dare to interfere with our actions, Ankusha!" Allen shouted with a sneer at the Ganesha Familia's captain. "or we will make you suffer along with those bastard Kaisers!"
The Freyja Familia continues their attack upon the Gate before they ceased their actions as the mages have run out magic power.
"Prepare another volley!" Allen shouted. "we will attack their castle next!"
"A-Allen-sama! Look!" a random member shouted while pointing a finger forward.
Allen looks at where he is pointing, and he looks surprised because the Gate that they have been bombarding with magic attack is completely unscathed.
"that's impossible!" Allen exclaimed before he hears rumbling from the gate and sees that its doors were slowly opening.
Shakti and the others saw the gate opening and from within its doors came the sound of footsteps.
"It appears that this Familia continues to be very bothersome." a voice spoke out from within the gate as Thalia walks out along with Zagreus and Polemos. "Along with being very annoying too."
"you bastards finally come out of your hiding hole." Allen growls before he wields his spear and points its blade at the three Kaisers. "now is the time for you all to pay with your lives for daring to mock our goddess!"
"Bitch collected more pitiful maggots, huh?" Polemos said while crossing his arms on his chest and having a mocking expression on his face that is directed at Allen and his group. "pathetic as always."
"hey, cat brat!" Thalia called out to Allen. "your goddess of a bitch is hiding in her crap hole while you do her dirty work like always!?"
"you dare mock our goddess!?" Allen shouted before he growls angrily. "you shall face a thousand death for that, bitch!"
"Polemos." Zagreus calls out to the Arc Kaiser who glance at him. "do not harm Shakti Varma and her Familia. they are merely….spectators."
"you plan something for them?" Polemos asked Zagreus who turns his head slightly at the direction of where Shakti and her Familia are at.
"only for her." Zagreus replied before he looks front and spins to turn around while his cape flutters behind him. "deal with them maggots." He began to walk back into the gate. "ensure nothing but utter humiliation for their bitch of a goddess."
"understood." Polemos said while Thalia follows Zagreus in the background.
"Where are you bastards think you are going!?" Allen shouted as he readied his spear that he holds in a tighter grip. "You all shall pay for the mockery of our goddess with your lives!"
"is that supposed to be a threat, cat brat?" Polemos asked as he uncrossed his arms and raise a hand towards Allen while having a smirk. "because all I hear is yapping meows from a small and short pussy cat."
A vein mark appears on Allen's forehead as the cat man became enraged the moment, he hears the word 'short' spoken upon him.
"I'll kill you!" Allen shouted as he lung straight at Polemos who lowers his hand.
"yeah, just meowing from a little pussy cat." The Arc Kaiser replied as he watches the Vana Freyja coming in close to stab him with his spear.
Allen thrust his spear at Polemos, but before the sharp bladed tip could even reach the Arc Kaiser. The weapon instantly crackles with electricity and shatter into pieces.
"what?!" Allen looks in surprise to see his weapon just shattering for no reason, but before he could recollect his bearings, Polemos reaches out his right hand and grabs his neck. "ugh?!"
"I think it's time for a pussycat like you and the maggots following behind you to learn something very important." Polemos said as his body glows in a blue aura while crackles of electricity dance around his arm and in a flash; the Arc Kaiser dons a red and white devil like armor while his eyes glows yellow under his helmet. "i'm the Kaiser who never shows mercy."
"Agh!?" Allen grunts in pain as Polemos tightens the grip on his neck.
"blame yourself for following such a bitch of a goddess," Polemos spoke out as he pulls back his left hand and formed a hard gripped fist that he soon swings forward and made Allen's lights go out.
Meanwhile, at another place in another time. The Loki Familia continues to struggle with their daily lives after the Kaisers return. Their usual activity is now very much hindered with the lack of a Home as their shelter and the lack of fundings needed to rebuilt it. Their younger and junior members are even to scared of going into the city in fear of meeting the monstrous adventurers that caused some of their comrades to leave their Familia a few days back. this terror that spreads in the city is taking its toll in decreasing their productivity.
In the temporary shelter of the Loki Familia, Gareth is presently being seen doing some paperwork that is just bills needed to be paid. The Elgram is currently on duty as Finn and Loki have gone out to meet with Gobiniu Familia to request their Home to be rebuilt.
"Food, weapons, medication, and taxes…" Gareth spoke out as he checks the papers one by one before he sighs while scratching his head a few times. "we are in the deep red and everyone is suffering… what am I to do?"
Gareth began to think on what he could do to help his Familia stabilize their income and budget, but nothing would do anything good because of the Kaisers who will come and destroy all hope that they try to have.
"with how things are going now…" Gareth spoke out as he crosses his arms and looks down before sighing then began scratching his beard while having a grim look. "..it'll only be a matter of time before our Familia collapses from this situation."
Gareth continues to do the needed paperwork as he separates what their Familia really needs to attend to and what they can put aside for later.
As the Elgram did his work, Raul came running to him
"Gareth-san!" Raul exclaimed at Gareth who looks at the frantic looking High Novice. "Gareth-san! I have big news!"
"What is it, Raul?" said Gareth as he put aside the papers and gave his attention to the young adventurer. "Why so frantic?"
"it's the Freyja Familia's Vana Freyja!" Raul exclaimed. "he along with a few other Freyja Familia's adventurers attacked the Kaiser Familia's Home!" he then points a finger up to another direction. "look!"
Gareth turns and looks surprised to see and hear the countless flashes and explosions that are coming from the area near the Babel Tower.
"The Freyja Familia finally went on the offensive, huh?" Gareth whispered as he watches the countless flashes of explosions that are occurring far away.
Before long, a commotion is heard in the area as Gareth and Raul turns towards the source.
"stop, Aiz!" Tiona cried out as the amazon is with her twin older sister, Lefiya, Alicia, and Annakitty. The five female adventurers were surrounding Aiz who they are holding back. "I said stop!"
"let me go! I need to get to them!" Aiz exclaimed as she tried to push them away but with Tione and Tiona being level 6 and Amazons, she couldn't do it so easily. "I need to get stronger! They are the only ones who can help me!"
"didn't you listen to what the captain told you before!?" Tione retorted while grabbing Aiz's right arm with Tiona doing the same with her left side. "you should never confront the Kaisers again! Didn't you learn the last time you tried do that!?"
"I don't care! I have to!" Aiz exclaimed as she tried to fight back against the group.
"Please stop, Aiz-san!" Lefiya cried out.
Aiz keeps on struggling against her friends who are trying to hold her back and stop her from getting herself killed.
As Aiz keeps on fighting against her friends and comrades, Riveria came into the scene.
SLAP!
A loud slapping sound is heard as Riveria had just slapped Aiz on the face, with the most extreme force she could muster in it.
"R-Riveria-sama!?" Lefiya cried out in surprise to what the high elf just did as this was shared amongst everyone nearby.
"don't you dare go and face the Kaisers once again, Aiz!" Riveria stated with a very stern voice and a very serious face. "if you go against my words, you will be punished!"
Aiz and the others look at Riveria and are surprised to see her expression and hear her stern words.
"you have been forbid to go and confront the Kaisers! Do not go against my word!" Riveria exclaimed. "if you go there, you will be killed! And not only that, the Kaisers will come and inflict harm to the others for your actions!"
"B-But.." Aiz stuttered out but Riveria slaps her face once again. "ugh?!"
"no buts!" Riveria exclaimed. "learn to restrain your desire! You're not a child anymore!"
"wait a minute, Riveria!" Gareth called out as the dwarf along with Raul came to the high elf. "even if its to stop Aiz from doing something stupid, you can't just.."
"you're in the same boat as her, Gareth!" Riveria exclaimed as she turns and glares at Gareth who looks surprised while Raul squeaks in fear in the background.
"w-what?" Gareth spoke out in a confused voice.
"I've told you that banishing them would hold terrible consequences…." Riveria spoke out as she glares angrily at Gareth who look surprised at the high elf's unusual behavior. 'I've told you, Finn, and especially to Loki that we shouldn't betray the trust of the Kaisers… that we should've waited for them to return.' Her fists started to tighten as her slightly bruised knuckles began to turn white. "but you went and did the one thing that would be very much be seen as betrayal by them!"
Riveria glares more angrily at Gareth as tears began to spill down her eyes.
"It's all your fault that the Kaisers despise each and every one of us!" Riveria shouted or rather screamed at the top of her lungs. "because of your foolish greed and selfishness, the Kaisers will never give us mercy! it is all your fault!"
"Riveria-sama, what are you saying?" Alicia asked a bit worried and nervous as no one has ever seen the high elf in such an angry mood before.
"Everyone in this Familia are all fools!" Riveria shouted while spilling more tears. "fools who are clouded by greed and fame!"
"What is the old hag spatting out?" Bete spoke with an annoyed growl. The werewolf coming near the area with an annoyed face. "I wake up and hear this crap from her?"
"B-Bete-san! now is not the time!" Raul cried out to the werewolf.
"Riveria, what is wrong with you?" Gareth spoke out as he looks completely confused on why his elven comrade is acting so different. "what's the matter?"
"I knew I was blinded by grief and sadness…" Riveria whispered before she turns her glare at Gareth. 'But it seems that I'm the only one who is blinded in such a way.' She hardens her fists even more. "Polemos was right….you were never a true friend to him."
"What?" Gareth blinked his eyes twice before his eyes widen when Riveria lunges in and then punches his face. "ugh!?"
"Riveria-san!? why?!" Raul cried out as Riveria punches Gareth again but the dwarven man stood strong this time.
"just what in blazes is going on with you!?" Gareth shouted as he caught Riveria's fist. "First you stop Aiz by yelling at her and then you begin punching and crying angrily like crazy! What is the matter with you?!"
"haven't you realized it by now!?" Riveria exclaimed. "Makaria isn't the first Kaiser to have returned to Orario! She was the second!"
"The second?" Gareth spoke with a rather confused yet surprised face. "W-Who is the first?"
"it's Bell Cranel!" Riveria shouted. "he's the child of a Kaiser! He's Zagreus' son!"
"w-what!?" everyone in the area exclaimed in shock as to hear what Riveria had spoken.
"B-Bell is… the son of Zagreus Kaiser?" Aiz muttered out in surprise.
"w-wait!" Gareth spoke while pushing back Riveria's fist as he looks completely shocked. "s-son? Bell Cranel of the Hestia Familia is the c-child of a Kaiser! He's Zagreus' child!? B-But how!?"
"Meteria." Riveria said and Gareth's eyes widen even more. "not only is he Zagreus's son, he's also her son!"
"Bell Cranel is Zagreus and Meteria's child… therefore…" Gareth spoke before he looks extremely shocked and confused. "then that means… the reason why he has such strength is… the reason why he looks so familiar is because…"
"this is why even Zagreus is enraged with us.." Riveria spoke out while wiping away her tears but keeps her angry glare at Gareth. "we caused tragedy and pain upon the mother of his child..that's why they won't forgive us!"
"b-but… that would mean the reason why the Kaisers are…?" Tione whispered before she sees Riveria walking away. "Riveria, where are you?"
"I quit." Riveria spoke out while her eyes began to tear up once more. "I quit being in this Familia."
"w-wait! Quit?!" Annakitty exclaimed as many looked surprised and shocked from hearing the high elf's statement. "Why!?"
"I no longer wish to be with friends who never cared for others who've helped them countless of times." Riveria merely replied before she walks away in an instant.
"w-wait! Riveria-sama!" Alicia cried out as she along with Lefiya and a few other elven members of the Loki Familia quickly chase after the high elf. "wait! Please!"
As Riveria and the others left, Gareth looks down with a hand to his face.
"to think that boy's real identity is…" Gareth whispered before having a grim look. "our Familia….won't ever survive."
Before long thunder roared very loudly from a distance and the entire room rumbles from an earthquake.
"w-what was that?!" Tiona exclaimed in surprise.
"the Kaisers are on the move again." Gareth said as he looks at where he believes the sound had originated and true to his sight, he sees bolts of lightning raining from the sky and charging upon something by the Babel Tower.
At the Babel Tower, the area around the tower is just destroyed.
The marble road shattered, the land burns in flames, and covered with electrical scorch marks.
Shakti and her guards were still standing at where they first arrived at the scene in trying to stop Allen and his group's actions, but they all merely stand in their places with completely terrified and shocked expressions on their faces.
"m-monster…" Shakti whispered as she had witnessed an overpowered one-sided battle of a massacre.
Shakti and the others stand in silence as they look upon the destroyed field that is also littered with the bodies of Allen's subordinates who have lost a few limbs or two and are covered with blood.
At the center of the field is Polemos who stands on top of a pile of bodies while holding up Allen who is brutally beaten up beyond words and has lost his legs that have been cut off from the knee down to the feet.
The Vana Freyja looks to be in complete pain and began to faint in and out because of the heavy amount of blood that oozes out of the cat man's cut off legs.
Polemos held Allen by his neck as the Arc Kaiser looks at him with his eyes glowing yellow in his helmet.
"Just like what Zagreus have said so many years ago…" Polemos spoke as he held up his other hand that wields his large tomahawk in hand. 'Bitch's maggots are nothing but pure maggots….' He raises his weapon into the air and lightning bolts struck its blade that soon charges up. "That are so annoying to get rid of."
"y-you bastard!" Allen grunted out as he glares at Polemos with nothing but pure hatred.
"still conscious after losing your legs and liters of your blood?" Polemos asked before he chuckles. 'amusing.' He held his tomahawk in a tight vice grip as the weapon's blade charge even more from the lightning bolts that began to strike it even more. "let's see if you can stay conscious after eating this."
Polemos' weapon charged its energy that began to coat the blade of the tomahawk in a veil of pure blue lightning that grew large and create pulsing shockwave that cause the land to rumble uncontrollably.
"c-captain! We should run!" a Ganesha guard cried out as they all felt that the Arc Kaiser's attack would blow up the entire area to smithereens if they stayed there.
Shakti didn't speak a word nor did she move as she is frozen in place because of the fearsome power that is pulsing from the Arc Kaiser.
"SHIN! GETTER!" Polemos roared as he raised his weapon even higher and then swung it down. "CUT-!"
"POLEMOS!" Zagreus' voice suddenly roared out of nowhere as this caused the Arc Kaiser to stop his attack just centimeters from hitting his intended target.
"t-this voice?" Shakti spoke out as everyone was pulled out of their terrified fear when the voice roared out.
"tch! Just when it was getting good…" Polemos grumbled under his breath as the electrical energy upon his tomahawk died down and the Arc Kaiser threw away Allen. "what is it, Zagreus?"
Polemos turns and glance to the back to see Zagreus standing behind him.
"I've told you to leave Shakti Varma and her Familia out of this." Zagreus said in a stern voice.
"and I did." Polemos replied. "I didn't lay a finger on them like you told me."
"how can you say that when you nearly killed them with that attack of yours?" Zagreus said as his eyes glows under his helmet's visor. 'if that attack had connected, the blast would've caused an explosion that is powerful enough to kill a level 5-6 adventurer.' His eyes glows more and began to let out colored vapor. "so I ask you… was that following my orders?"
Polemos looks at Zagreus as his eyes began to glow menacingly.
"My Familia was weakened and banished by that bitch and her maggots." Polemos spoke out as his voice is growling and electricity began to crackle around the surface of his tomahawk's blade. "do you really think I'm just letting them go with a few limbs cut off their stinking bodies? They need to pay with their very lives."
"you can punish them all you want." Zagreus replied as he raised his right hand and formed a hard fist that is ignited in black flames. "But leave those who are innocent out of your destruction."
The two Kaisers instantly have a stand-off as they stared menacingly and intensely at one another.
Shakti and the others felt terror resurface in their hearts because the two Kaisers began to unleash ominous auras that began to battle one another for dominance.
'w-what power! What bloodlust!' Shakti looks with shaking eyes. 't-this menacing power is from the Kaisers!?'
Both Zagreus and Polemos continue to stare at one another before their staring competition was broken off when the Arc Kaiser looks away and leans his tomahawk against his right shoulder.
"I got it! I got it! I'll try to tone it down!" Polemos said as his helmet expands and shrinks away to allow the Arc Kaiser's face to come out. "geez, you spoil everything."
"do not try to do it once again." Zagreus spoke out as his eyes stopped glowing and the flames upon his right fist blows away. "be done with what you planned to do with these maggots. We have more work that we need to finish."
"I got it." Polemos replied as he leans his tomahawk down and then spins it by his side before he threw it away.
ZWORSH!
"aaahhh!" Allen's voice screamed out as the cat man who had been thrown away, started to writhe in pain because not only his legs but also his right arm has been cut right off by Polemos' tomahawk. "aaahh!"
"there" Polemos said with an uncaring look to the pain he caused upon Allen. The Arc Kaiser waves a hand towards his tomahawk that flew back into his grasp, he then looks at Zagreus. "done"
Zagreus merely nods in response before he turns his head towards the direction of Shakti.
Shakti stands and merely look horrified at what Polemos done as she couldn't believe that the already beaten up Vana Freyja now had lost both legs and his right arm.
Zagreus raises his right hand and did a loud finger snap that creates a blue shockwave of a pulse which caused anyone around him and Polemos to instantly faint.
"Why you do that?" Polemos said as he sees Shakti and her Familia passing out and falling to the ground.
"to ensure things would be easier later on." Zagreus replied before he turns his head to north of his position and his eyes glows once again. "let's go."
Polemos looks at Zagreus for a moment before he shrugs his shoulders while his helmet reforms upon his head and his eyes flashes yellow.
Zagreus jumps into the air and flies towards the Underworld Castle while black bat like wings spreads out from the back of Polemos' armor that flaps once and made the Arc Kaiser fly.
Both Kaisers returned to the Underworld Castle that began to ascend to the sky above.
They left Orario as it be as the damage remains.
Upon Shakti who is unconscious on the ground, the Ankusha didn't wake up at all after what Zagreus had done.
Unknown to others who are unconscious, a blue glow emanated itself on the back hand of Shakti's right arm for a second and then dies down.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye