Rinni's POV
Nothing really went our way once Wiene was discovered. It was a mess. We did get her to other talking monsters but it didn't shake the bad feeling I had. Turns out, we should have listened to that bad feeling because the next thing we knew, the Xenos were attacked by Ikelos familia. This caused Bell to be the one to help save them, I tried to go with him but I wasn't allowed to. During this, the rest of the Hestia familia went out to investigate, hiding within the shadows the best we can.
I made an effort to remove suspicion from Bell when I punched him in the face for protecting a fully transformed Wiene in front of the Loki familia. I called him an idiot and made an excuse for him, saying that we need to take the monster back to the dungeon if he lost the taming crystal the Ganesha familia provided. In the end, we were questioned and treated as an enemy. Wiene was killed, but one thing went our way and she was revived by Fels. The next mission of the Hestia familia was to save all Xenos and send them back to the dungeon. Bell fought the giant Xenos minotaur, while I battled to get away from Bette. When I saw an opening, I just ran.
I ran to Bell's aid, and to my luck, I was able to shortly distract the minotaur while he recovered a little bit. Bell and I fought but ultimately it was stronger than both Bell and I's combined strength. I was already weak because of my fight with Bette, so it was no surprise one powerful attack is what caused everything to go dark. I only found out from the rest of my familia that I was knocked out for a few days after that.
It was also obvious that there was a lot of tension between us and other people. Some see us as traitors, some see us as heroes, and some, well some stayed neutral. It was early in the morning and I couldn't really sleep the previous night, there was too much on my mind. The sun's gonna rise soon and I'm still here, sitting in bed. I sighed and finally decided to get up and get changed. Once done I walked out of my room and down the hallways within the house.
"Where do you think you're going?" Hestia asked as I was about to step outside
"Just wanna get some fresh air and go for a walk. I need to clear my head."
"Alright, but don't you dare go to the dungeon. The Ganesha familia is still busy clearing things for everyone."
"Noted. I'll be back in an hour or two, Goddess."
I stepped out and closed the door behind me. I took a deep breath before beginning my walk. I could feel the stares that people gave me but I choose to ignore it. I just aimlessly walked, and didn't really know where I was going. When I stopped I just found myself on top of the giant wall. I sat down on the ledge of one of the stone slabs of the wall and just silently watched the sunrise. Trying my best to clear my mind.
What am I gonna do now? I mean I know I have to ask if something was left behind after I left. So far it's what's bringing me back, and that theory can only be proven after some more tests, meaning I have to go through some of the previous worlds for me to say that this is my way home. Would I even be able to go back home if I found that final item to lead me back? There are honestly a lot of questions in my mind and I can go on and on with just listing them.
I sigh again and just watch the sunrise, trying to forget the questions for now. Just for now. With all the chaos that's happened, I just want some moments of peace. Even if it's just for now. With another sigh, I stood up from my spot and began to walk back home. What's going to happen next? I don't know if I have to be honest. I don't even know what I am really gonna do. I can continue to go into the dungeon when things are okay, but what's to say that we won't run into the Xenos anymore, and to make it worse, the large minotaur we fought. I was lost in thought that I didn't notice I was already home.
"I'm back!"
I walked towards the dining room, knowing that everyone would be there since it was breakfast time. I greeted everyone a good morning before taking my seat as they greeted me back. I sat on my seat and ate in silence, we all did. Don't get us wrong, we are happy that Wiene and the others are safe but we took a huge blow to it. In the back of some people's heads, we will be considered as the enemy.
I looked around me and I could see it in their eyes, we've all been hurt during this. So I decided to lighten the atmosphere by starting to tell them some of my adventures in the two different worlds I went to before returning. That lightened the mood a little bit. I got hit on the head a few times before being called reckless to which I argued that I naturally was.
"Lady Rinni, if I may ask, you said that it was familiar items that were left behind that brought you back here. Correct?" Haruhime asked
"Rinni is just fine, and yes, that is correct. The knife that was handed to me, I had the exact same knife as back in my world. The glasses that I got from those students, were the same pair I would wear. The students also did mention they found it in the area where I had disappeared. So theoretically, it would be items that I own in my world that would bring me back. Which reminds me, was there anything left behind after I disappeared?"
"I noticed a handkerchief on your seat when you disappeared. Last I know is that I gave it to the Goddess" Bell said
"Goddess, may I see it later? I just wanna check if it's familiar or not."
Hestia hesitantly nodded after everyone fell silent. I can understand why honestly. Like in MHA, I just got back and I'm going to leave again. I'm betting that's what's inside their heads right now.
"I understand the hesitance. I just came back and I might leave again. I care about you all, I really do, but you guys know that this isn't my real home. No matter what we all do, yes it will be home but it will never be my real home if that makes sense. I'll stay a little longer but still... There are some things I still need to do back in my world. Like fulfilling my late parents' wish for me to graduate college, find a good job, and enjoy life. And maybe, just maybe, somewhere along that I'd have a family of my own and I'll tell them all my adventures, even ours. And again, maybe, just maybe... I can find a way back here. Again, I really care about you guys and that will never change, but I need to go home"
"Okay, I'll give it to you but promise me that you'll stay longer and if you're leaving tell us. The least we can do is give you a proper goodbye. You suddenly left last time so don't repeat that."
"Of course, I promise Goddess Hestia."
We all finished eating and I helped clean the table and wash the dishes. Afterward, I went to Hestia's room and knocked on the door. I heard a faint come in before I opened the door and went inside the room.
"I don't want you coming into contact with this thing yet so do you have anything you can use to hide it?"
"Actually I found a small box in my room when I was arranging my stuff after moving in. I'll get it, so, be right back."
I went out of the room and jogged towards mine to look for the box I was talking about. I went inside my room and walked to the dresser, and I opened a drawer and grabbed a pine-colored box with a latch on the front of it. I opened it and found it empty just like before. I went back to the Goddess' room and presented the box to her. She grabbed the item I left behind, which was a handkerchief, and placed it in the box.
I thanked Hestia and left the room after she reminded me of my promise. I stayed for some time before I knew I needed to leave. I warned them that within a week's time, I'll be leaving which leaves us to right now. I sat on a block on the top of the wall, waiting for the sunrise.
"So you're leaving again and this time for good?" I heard a voice behind me
I looked and saw Bette. I sadly smiled at him before patting the spot next to me, this time he sat next to me.
"How did you know?"
"I overheard some members of your familia. So where are you going now?"
"Home. I'm going home because I need to. I know the Hestia familia is also home but..."
"Home is home."
"Yeah..."
The both of us stayed silent as the sun began to rise. Once it had risen I closed my eyes and felt the warmth of the sun's rays of this world. I sighed before standing up and going away from the edge of the wall.
"My familia's waiting for me, I have to go now. They're probably wanting to give me a send-off party or something."
"Why couldn't you just stay?"
"Well, you said it yourself, home is home. Nothing changes that. See ya Bette" I heard him scoff
"At least give a more proper goodbye Aragami"
"Nah, that's what you'll get from me. Besides... I've always hated goodbyes."
I walked away and left Bette sitting in the same spot after giving him a smile and a short wave. When I got back to the familia house, Lili was looking for me. Everyone thought I had already left but I told them I left a note on the door of my room saying I was gonna watch the sunrise.
With that, we had a small farewell party before I grabbed the box and opened it. I smiled sadly at them before putting the box down and stretching my arms wide as I could, offering everyone a hug. I embraced them one final time.
"Even if I'm not here, I'm always a part of you all. I'm a child of the Hestia Familia and that will never change. Like I said before, I'm proud to be in this familia. And I promise to remember you guys, I'll get a tattoo of the familia crest when I reach my own world."
I was pinched a bit before telling them to be always careful and not to be too reckless. I let go and saw some of them had tears running down their faces. I quickly wiped away mine and smiled at them once more. Then I touched the handkerchief and I'm off to the world of the Seven Deadly Sins.