Firefly in the Dungeon

「Fragment IX」Tread, Ashen Desire

There was no immediate reply from Alice. Instead, she walk closer toward a slightly dilapidated building.

Confirming it was the right building, the girl nodded to herself and took out a vial of blood she had used previously. Removing the cork, Alice quietly painted a symbol on the building before her, all while Elpis silently observing from behind.

Only after the girl stopped that the Goddess finally decided to speak. "I believe someone like yours is not doing something without a clear reason. . , would you be willing to explain it?"

"A protection, Goddess."

"Protection. . ?"  Elpis inquired. "And this place is. . ?"

"A shelter for children, without true home." Alice answered. "I have noticed, while wandering. There is, many, children, in this, neglected district, and all of them, live, in this place."

Sighing weakly, Alice looks at the mark she just created. Her eyes revealed the worry she had. "It is, too dangerous, to leave them be, on their own. Hence I, placed these marks. Those, with ill will, shall never, find, about this place."

In the next few hour, Alice moved around Daedalus Street with Goddess Elpis. Placing the mark over a few places whilst trying to memorize the layout of these labyrinth district.

After a while, Alice finally took a glimpse of her Goddess.

Since their descent, the God would seal their Arcanum and followed the rule of mortal world, Including their current vessel that could met death―sending them back to Heaven. In this form, they are not far different from ordinary people.

For that understanding, the girl asked, "Have you feel tired, Goddess?"

Elpis stopped her footsteps. A subtle frown appeared as the Goddess looks downward, failing to notice her own condition after being absorbed in observing the girl.

". . . I'm fine, but it seems like I've been walking for too long." Elpis said.

It was Alice that makes her Goddess walks around, following her to every side of Daedalus.

Giving an apologetic smile to the seemingly tired Elpis, Alice says, "Now that, I myself, had, finished, everything, for the night, we should rest. . . Is there any arrangements you have in mind, Goddess?"

"Nothing in particular. Instead, let's follow yours." Elpis replied with smile, decided to follow Alice decision merely because of everything that her children has shown; Every step of this singular girl leave another puzzle for the Goddess of Hope to solve.

Let me see everything you have, Alice.

As if knowing, Alice that walks slightly ahead began to slow down. She turned around, hiding hands behind her back with a thin smile, "In fact, we have arrived, Goddess."

Elpis furrowed her brows, yet before Her confusion was voiced, a thin mist began to envelop the surrounding as her sight was obscured.

It dispersed rather quickly just like its arrival. After her sight recovered in one breath, Elpis find herself in front of an ordinary looking house. Looking behind, she find nothing but an empty street devoid of life.

The Goddess stood there, petrified and rendered speechless despite Alice granting what she had asked for just a minute earlier. Yet different from the outside, Elpis mind had guessed something from the brief show.

A barrier that could hide, even from intuition of the divine. A grand display of skills. But if she could do this much. . ,