No one's POV
In the Soma Familia household, multiple members were currently begging to have Soma's wine, and Soma was currently at his workshop when the leader of the Soma Familia, Zanis entered along with Lili.
Zanis: Lord Soma. It's me Zanis. The missing girl, Liliruca Arde, has returned. She says she'll change her ways and serve the Familia.
Lili: Master Soma! Please let me leave the Familia!
Soma just ignore her and continue on making his wine.
Lili: Master Soma!
Zanis: What nonsense is this? Arde, if you want to leave, you need to pay the price. You know that, right?
Lili: The price?
Zanis: Yes... You need to repay Master Soma for all the good he's done for you. 10 million Valis should do it.
Lili looked completely shocked by the price.
Lili: 10 million?! I don't have that kind of money-
Zanis: That will do, yes, Master Soma?
Soma: I'll leave it all to you.
Lili just stood there completely shocked.
(Timeskip)
Lili was then put in a cell and Zanis just smirk at her.
Zanis: You're such a fool, Arde. That God is only interested in making Alcohol. He won't listen to anything you say. And you didn't say anything about asking to leave, did you?
Lili: You seems to forget about Master Sora's warning? He said that if you went after me again, he will obliterate you along with this whole Familia!
Zanis: Like I care about his warning! What that Flashing bastard can do anyway?! When he is busy for the War Game, he won't have the time to save you!! Your purpose is to serve me for your whole life.
Zanis then laugh maniacally and left Lili alone and she just gritted her teeth.
(Timeskip)
Sora was currently, at the shed where Miach made his potion along with Hestia, Rin, Welf, the Takemikazuchi Familia and and Naza as they were disgussing their plan to rescue Lili.
Hestia: We finally found where Lili is being held. It's a brewery for the Soma Familia, along the canal. They'll be shipping out the next round of Alcohol tomorrow. It's less guarded at night, so we'll attack then.
Ouka: Lady Hestia, may I ask something?
Hestia: what is it, Ouka?
Ouka: The Hestia Familia's priority now should be winning the War Game. Even if you do save Liliruca Arde, people from a different Familia cannot participate. Do you really have time for this?
Sora: That's where your wrong, Ouka. Bell won't be able to win like this. He is currently training hard to get stronger for the War Game. But he won't be able to use his full power if he continues to worry about Lili's safety. He knows how weak you are alone. He knows the strength of having comrades. And I promised him that he could leave Lili to me.
Rin: All of us are connected. Saving Lili will definitely help him get stronger.
Welf: Yeah, that right.
Sora: And to be honest, I could easily win the whole War Game by myself. But knowing that pervert God, he probably will complain about not wanting me in the game due to the vast differences in level, or probably giving me a handicap.
Ouka: I guess your right.
Sora: All right, the operation for rescuing Lili is secured. Let's all do our best. All for One and One for All!
Everyone: Yeah!!
(Timeskip)
At the meeting of the Gods, Apollo was getting impatient due to Hestia not showing up.
Apollo: What is Hestia doing? She's not skipping out again today, is she?
Miach: She's sick. What do you want?
Takemikazuchi: She got a terrible fever after your children chased her all over town.
Loki: She's making it up, of course. I wonder if the Itty-Bitty's preparing to run away.
The Gods just laugh at Loki's joke and Apollo was getting even more irritated.
Apollo: She doesn't know when to give up. I'll have to tell the Guild she forfeited.
Hephaestus: The one that doesn't know how to give up is you. You do realize you have zero chance of winning, with Sora basically just obliterate your whole Familia by himself.
Apollo: Tch...
The door then suddenly opened and everyone saw that it was Hestia.
Hestia: Hey. Kept you waiting, huh?
Hestia then sat across Apollo.
Apollo: If we win the War Game, I'm taking Bell Cranel and Sora Yatagami. I want to make that clear at the start.
Hestia: And if we win?
Apollo: We'll agree to any condition you have. By the way Hestia, that Lightning Flash of yours, isn't he a little to strong to join.
Hestia: Yeah, I only need Sora to win this, since he just destroy your Familia all by himself.
Apollo: That's why I'm saying that your cheating. You can't use someone as strong as him in the War Game.
Hestia: And why is that? A War Game is a game between Familia members, and Sora is a part of my household, so I don't see anything wrong with that. Your just scared that you know that I can win this with ease. That's why if your so scared, Sora is fine with him being given a handicap.
Apollo then had a smirk when he heard that.
Apollo: Very well... Recorder, make sure you've got that done.
Loki: So, how will you fight? It's suppose to be fun now that Sora-chi is limited.
Hestia: Since I only have three members. Why don't we have each side choose three representative to fight?
Apollo: You only have three member because you're lazy. You can't do that as a reason.
Hestia: Says the one that I can't use Sora due to the vast differences in level.
Apollo looked at Hestia annoyed and the rest just laugh by how Hestia just roast Apollo and he looked at the other Gods.
Apollo: Then why don't we hear what everybody else thinks? We can pull from the list of proposals by lottery. And make a different one for the Lighting Flash handicap.
After everyone make their choices, they ask Hermes to be the one to draw the lottery, he first picked the game which was a castle siege to Hestia disappointment and Hermes went to pick for Sora's handicap.
Hermes: And Sora handicap is.... " He must not be allowed to enter the castle from any side of the castle and when he strike, he only got less then 10 minute before he must withdraw from the game... and he must not be allowed to work alongside his Familia members, and which if he does, this will result in an automatic win for the Apollo Familia. Okay... this is not fair at all.
Hestia then looked completely shocked at Sora's handicap.
Hestia: HUH?!?! What the hell, that just basically saying that he is not allow to enter the Game.
Apollo: HAHAHA!!! This is great! It was a fair drawing. And it was his decision that he allow himself to had a Handicap. No complaints, Hestia.
Miach: Out of all the proposal, he drew that.
Takemikazuchi: This just mean that Sora couldn't enter in the first place.
Hermes then raised his hand to get everyone's attention.
Hermes: Excuse me, can I say something? I'm not saying this just because I drew the lots. But this just isn't fair. This is a not a Handicap at all. That's why, how about we let Hestia's side have some help?
Apollo: No. A War Game is a battle between Familia. If you let them have help, the divine rule...
Before he could finished his sentences, Freya spoke up.
Freya: You scared, Apollo? Seeing though your confidence went up when Sora got a severe Handicap, that just basically saying that he is not allow to enter. And the idea of helpers really shook you, huh? And you said that he is not allow to participate due to the vast differences in level... Do you not trust the capabilities in your own children?
Some of the Gods started agreeing with Freya and they all started cheering for the Hestia Familia to get some help and Hestia looked at Freya completely shocked.
Hestia: Freya?
The Gods continue to complaint about giving Hestia some outside help and Apollo looked annoyed.
Apollo: Don't insult me! Fine. They can help a helper. But only two, and from a Familia outside Orario! How about that?
Everyone just stare at Apollo with a deadpan look.
Takemikazuchi: -_- Petty.
Miach: -_- Petty.
Hestia: -_- So petty.
After the meeting was over, Hestia, Miach and Takemikazuchi were currently reviewing the plan for attack.
Hestia: We're at a disadvantage, but knowing Sora, he will find a loophole through his Handicap. He always does.
Miach: Can he really find a loophole from a Handicap like that?
Takemikazuchi: And are there any good adventures outside of Orario?
Hestia: I only have one candidate. So for the second, I don't know? I'll let Hermes handle the negotiations, and as for the second, it seems Sora knows someone from outside of Orario. It's a bit far, but with his speed, he'll manage.
(Timeskip)
Back with Lili and she was still being lock in her cell, when Zanis approached her.
Zanis: How are you feeling, Arde?
Lili just glared at him.
Lili: Terrible. You really haven't hurt Master Bell, Master Sora, Rin and Lady Hestia? But like you can...
Zanis: Of course not. More importantly, I've brought business for you to do. We're going to use your transformation magic to make a fortune.
Lili: I'm not doing it. You came after me out of sheer greed, and just so you know, Master Sora can completely see trough my disguises, so it's pointless.
Zanis then looked at Lili furious and slammed his feet at the cell that Lili was in.
Zanis: What's wrong with Greed?! I want the stuff Master Soma makes. Money, Women, food... I want to enjoy all the pleasures of this world! I love this Familia!! No matter what evil things I do, my God doesn't say a word! I can do whatever I want! This is the greatest environment possible!
Lili: Your true nature is showing.
Zanis: Apologies. Anyway, you're going to help me. Tomorrow morning, we're going to the Dungeon, and...
Before he could finished his sentence, they all heard an explosion and they looked surprised and some of the guards walked in.
???: Some rats have found their way inside. And it's none other than the Lightning Flash.
Zanis then looked completely shocked and Lili looked surprised and smirked at Zanis.
Zanis: Damn him!!! To think he would go this far!!!
Lili: Like I told you, if anyone hurt someone precious to him, he won't stand still and do nothing.
Zanis ignore her and went upstair and Lili looked at him annoyed when the guard throw the keys towards her.
???: I don't like him. I didn't see a thing. So do as you please.
Lili then opened the door cell and went upstair and looked through a pipe hole and saw Welf, Hestia, Rin, Sora, Naza and the rest of the Takemikazuchi Familia.
Lili: Rin...Master Welf...and Lady Mikoto and her groups, too?
Lili then shouted through the pipe hole which Sora overheard.
Lili: Leave! Master Sora! All of you!
Sora: Lili! Are you okay?
Lili: I'm fine! Get out of here!
Sora: You know we can't! We're going to take you back!
Lili: Why? I didn't want to cause any more trouble for you. I didn't want to get you involved. If I don't do this, you and the rest will continue to be targeted.
Sora: Lili! Since when did we become so weak and frail, as to need your protection?
Lili: Huh?
Sora: That you would go to such lengths... is it out of pride? From the very first time we met, you always push people away, more so when this things happens. How long will you it take for you to learn? But somehow, despite all the time you've spent pushing, you've finally learned to pull. When did you learn such tactics?
Lili looked at Sora surprised.
Lili: Master Sora...
Sora: We need you Lili. Bell needs you! Have we ever abandoned you? How do you think we would feel if you disappear from our life? So it's your choice, will you continue to stay here, all by yourself? Or you can come home, to your real, Familia, who is waiting for you? Bell's waiting for you! So come home, Lili!
Lili had tears on her eyes and started running towards Soma's workshop and she thought about Bell and everyone else.
Lili(mind): Master Bell...Master Sora...Rin...Lady Hestia... why would you need someone like me? Why would you need a filthy person like me? Why would you tell me you need me? Why would you tell me it has to be me?
Lili then opened the door and saw Soma making his wine and she walk in front of him and bowed down.
Lili: Master Soma! Please stop the fight that's going on in the courtyard! Please save Lady Hestia! Please!
Soma just ignore her and continue on making his wine.
Lili: Please, Master Soma! I don't care what happens to me! Please...save them!
Sora who was hiding in the balcony just stand there as he watch Lili begging for Soma to stop the fight and Soma just stare at her.
Soma: What meaning is there in words of a shallow child, who drown herself so easily in my wine?
Lili just looked down and Soma pour a wine in a glass and handed it over to Lili.
Lili: That's... the divine wine.
Soma: If you can drink this and say the same thing... I'll hear you out.
Lili just stare at the wine.
Lili(mind): I have to drink it... I have to drink it! For Master Bell!!
Lili then drink the Wine and she was instantly fell to the ground and enjoyed it.
Sora(mind): Is this really going to be your end, Lili?
Lili who was unconscious on the ground and her mind started thinking about Bell, along with everyone else as they smile towards her and she quickly stood up.
Lili: Please...
Soma then looked at Lili surprised and Sora just smile at her and saw that Lili was crying.
Lili: Stop the fight, please! I want to help them!
Zanis then went inside the room and was surprised to see Lili.
Zanis: What are you doing?
Lili ignore him and continued to begged Soma to stop the fight.
Lili: I don't need you to tell me, God! I was born for this moment! All the mistake I made were for this moment! Now it's my turn to stop them! Stop the fight!
Zanis: Don't listen to her, Master Soma! We're being attacked by another Familia.
Soma: Silence, Zanis!
Zanis looked completely shocked that Soma just ordered him, and Soma looked at Lili who had a determined look and he grabbed a vase and throw it at the people who were fighting and they all looked at Soma.
Soma: End the battle!
Everyone then stopped, and Sora just smile at Lili and Zanis looked completely and utterly shocked.
Zanis: No... He never does anything!
Zanis then looked at Lili furiously and drew his sword.
Zanis: At leaset I can take you down!
Zanis then went to lunged at Lili and Sora quickly intercept it and punched Zanis in the face.
Sora: You did a good job, Lili. I'm so proud of you. Well, let's go home...
Lili smile happily and walked towards Soma.
Lili: Master Soma, thank you. Can you do one more thing for me?
Lili then requested Soma for her leave and transfer to the Hestia Familia, and he removed his blessing and Hestia replaced it with her own making Lili an official member of the Hestia Familia.
Lili: Thank you, Lady Hestia. I'm going to go on ahead and thank Master Sora and the others.
Hestia: Yeah, I'll catch up.
Lili then leave Hestia alone with Soma and started thanking everyone and Soma spoke to Hestia.
Soma: Hestia... Is that really the child I gave my blessing to?
Hestia: Yeah. Definitely. One that you were disappointed by and threw out. A little girl, made strong by what you did to her. Think once more about the meaning of her change.
Everyone was outside the Soma Familia Manor as Hestia was thanking everyone that helped them.
Hestia: everyone, thank you for helping us!
Rin: Thank you for helping us rescue Lili!
Miach: But the real thing hasn't even begun yet.
Lili: Yes. I will do my best. My joining won't change how much more powerful the Apollo Familia is due to Sora's handicap.
Takemikazuchi: What about that other member?
Sora: Don't worry! I can go fetch her now. I'll be back tomorrow morning before the War Game.
Welf: See you later, then.
(Timeskip)
With the Takemikazuchi, he was lost in thought on how he was going to help Hestia.
Takemikazuchi(mind): I want to help Hestia, but I can't decide it on my own. What do I do?
Mikoto then approached him.
Mikoto: I have a request, Lord Takemikazuchi. Let me go to Master Sora's Familia.
Takemikazuchi looked at her surprised and saw how determined she was.
(Elsewhere)
With Welf, as he was bowing down his head to Hephaestus, requesting her for changing to the Hestia Familia.
Hephaestus: You want to join the Hestia Familia? You really think I'll let you?
Welf: The Goddess I admire would be infuriated with me if I didn't go.
Hephaestus: Didn't you want to make a weapon superior to the Divine Weapon?
Welf: As long as I have burning passion, I can make weapons anywhere. You're the one that taught me that.
Hephaustus saw how determined he is and knew that anything she said wouldn't change his mind and she just sighed.
Hephaestus: One last question. What are you willing to go so far for?
Welf: My friends.
(Elsewhere)
With Hermes, he was requesting one of the members that Apollo allows and it was none other than Ryuu.
Hermes: Please, Ryuu! You're the only helper who meets the conditions Apollo laid out! I'll make sure nobody finds out who you are.
Syr: Please Ryuu, do it for me!
Ryuu just sighed.
Ryuu: Mama Mia will be mad again.
(Elsewhere)
Bell was still training with Aiz and Asuna as he was clashing and trading blows with Aiz while also dodging and deflecting a magic attack from Asuna, and he managed to deflect one of Asuna's magic attack and and deflect one of Aiz's attack and saw an opening and went for it, but Aiz just counter it.
Aiz: You jumped on that opening, didn't you? Fighting monsters and fighting people is different.
Bell: Yeah, monster are always serious. But humans will see what you do and react. Sora taught me that a lot.
Asuna: Yeah, and sometimes when a person sees an opening, their movement become easy to predict. Just like you back there. This is what we were taught. A finishing blow is the closest thing to letting your guard down.
Aiz: And just when you've almost been beaten is when you truly have a chance. Don't forget that.
Bell: Yes, thank you!
(Elsewhere)
Sora was currently somewhere far away from Orario as he meeting the other helper that's going to help him in the War Game.
Sora: Long time no see.
The figure then looked surprised to see Sora.
???: Sora?! What are you doing here?! Aren't you at Orario?
Sora: Yeah, I need a favor!
???: Let me guess? Help for the War Game against Apollo Familia?
Sora just smiled at the figure.
Sora: How'd you guess?
???: It's going to be broadcast throughout the entire world, so of course I know.
Sora: So would you mind helping me, "Golden SwordsWoman"?