No one's POV
Ryuu:......
Ryuu felt tears pooling beneath her eyelids. She frowned, trying not to let them spill over.
Ryuu: Where am I...?
She opened her eyes a little but closed them right away after seeing blinding light. Even a magic-stone lantern was too much for those sky-blue eyes that had grown overly accustomed to the darkness of the labyrinth. As she grimaced, unable even to blink, she heard a surprised voice coming from immediately beside her.
Syr: Ryuu, are you okay?!
She looked up at the form leaning over her. The blurry shape eventually came into focus and the colors become clearer. She made out blue-gray hair and eyes. Ryuu parted her lips as the exhausted face peered down at her.
Ryuu: Syr...
Her voice was terribly hoarse, as if her throat had forgotten how it was like to talk. Nevertheless, as soon as she spoke the name, the face above her lit up with happiness. Seemingly overcome with emotion, the girl fell onto Ryuu.
Syr: Ryuu! Oh, Ryuu!! I'm so glad...!
She buried her face in Ryuu's neck and hugged her softly like a sister or a mother. Ryuu could feel the familiar, kind warmth of her body through the blanket. Her heart was so full she could not speak.
Anya: Meow!! Lyu opened her eyes~nya!
Chloe: Now please tell us how you feel about troubling us by sleeping for three days straight!
Lunoire: Damn, I was worried about you!
Suddenly, Ryuu was surrounded by chaos. Anya threw her hands up and pranced around like a child while Chloe teased her with a smile and Lunoire's happy face contradicted her cross words. Tears spilled from Ryuu's eyes as she took in the smiles adorning the faces of her most treasured friends.
Anya:...I've never seen you cry before~nya.
Ryuu smiled back faintly at the grinning Anya. Her mind was still blank as an untouched sheet of paper, but she whispered the only words that she could think of:
Ryuu: Thank you.
Chloe: You're in such a daze we really ought to explain what's going on. You're in a clinic run by the Guild inside Babel~nya.
Lunoire: You were brought here as soon as you got back to the surface.
Anya: We tried various items and magic on you as we were rushing through the Dungeon but you just wouldn't wake up. We were so worried about you~nya!
As Chloe tugged on the elf's gauze-wrapped ear, Lunoire and Anya finished her explanation. It was a bit hard for Ryuu to make sense of everything since she had just woken up a few minutes earlier, but the distinctive smell of antiseptics and the clean white room helped her to understand. As Syr slapped Chloe's hand away from Ryuu's ear, Anya leaned over her.
Anya: Ryuu, how much do you remember~nya?
Ryuu:...I heard your voices in the deep levels...and I knew I could go home, with them...
She had gotten that far when the image of Sora's face rose in her memory and she opened her eyes wide. A second later the white vision vanished and she leaped up, fully awake.
Ryuu: Where are they?! What about him?! What about Sora and Bell?!
Chloe: Meow! Calm down~nya!
Syr: Ryuu, you'll hurt yourself!
Chloe panicked as Ryuu's face changed color and Syr desperately tried to calm her. Ryuu doubled over, her body screaming in protest at the sudden movement, but she ignored the pain and grabbed Syr's shoulder.
Ryuu: Syr, tell me! Are they okay? Is he all right?!
Syr: Sora is fine! He woke up during your way back from the dungeon! He also already explain everything that happened to us!
Anya: Yes, yes~nya! The gray-haired Hero is alive and well in a room down the hall with the white-haired rabbit! Now calm down and take a nap~nya!
Lunoire: Idiot...!
Ignoring Syr's soothing words, Anya prattled on until she had given away more information than she should have, sending Lunoire into a panic. As she feared, Ryuu leaped out of bed the instant she had learned Sora's whereabouts. With a speed that caught her friends off guard given her injured condition, she flew out of her sickroom.
Syr: Ryuu, Ryuu?! You can't leave dressed like that!
Ignoring Syr's attempts to stop her, Ryuu raced down the white hallway. Glimpses through the windows of the blue sky she had so longed for didn't slow her down, either. An animal person walking toward her—most likely some familia's healer serving at the clinic by request of the Guild—gave her a shocked look, but Ryuu didn't even register her presence.
Ryuu(mind): Sora...Sora!
All she cared about at the moment was her companion's safety. Stumbling now and then, she steadied herself by propping a gauze- wrapped hand against the wall and continued to the end of the hallway. At the place where the path intersected with another hallway, she found the special-care room Anya had been referring to and burst through the door.
Ryuu: Sora! Bell!
Sure enough, those two were there. Bell was sitting up on a bed pushed against the wall, wearing a sleeveless gown as someone palpated his tightly wrapped left arm. A beautiful silver-haired girl was examining him. Sora was sitting on the other side of the bed with his shirt opened. Sitting next to him was a beautiful blue high elf doing some healing on his chest. Hestia and Lili sat on either side of Bell's bed, while Rin and Muller were on Sora's bed. Beside them the god Miach and his follower Naza stood watching.
Ryuu: Sora...
As Sora and Bell looked up in surprise, relief flooded Ryuu's face.
Sora: Pfft! Uh... Ryuu...
Bell: Ms. Ryuu! Wait!
Muller: Uh... Lion.
Hestia: Miss Elf...
Rin: Please try covering up first.
Lili: Because your, uh, outfit...
Asuna:...
Amid:...
Sora and Bell had started to smile back at Ryuu, but then their face flushed. Sora immediately looked away trying to hold back his laugh. She followed their gaze and looked down at her own body—and then she realized.
She wasn't wearing anything that could be properly called clothes. Just very thin pieces of cloth. Frankly speaking, clinic underwear. A pair of white short shorts on the bottom and a midriff-baring shirt on top. The bandages wrapped around her arms and one thigh did a poor job of concealing her supple skin. Ryuu's was standing wide-eyed, her face growing increasingly red, when yet another tragedy befell her.
Perhaps because of her rapid movement, the thin strap tied at her shoulder had come undone... As the top fell to the ground with a rustle, Ryuu shrieked like a little girl.
Ryuu: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!
Hestia, Lili, Muller, and Rin: Don't look!!
Bell: Ouch!
Sora: Bweh!
Ignoring Ryuu as she sank to the ground with her arms crossed over her chest, the blushing Hestia and Lili both slapped Bell's head along with Rin and Muller towards Sora's head at the same time. To add to the uproar, Naza reprimanded her patron deity with a sharp shout of.
Naza: You can't either, Lord Miach!
He whined as she dug her elbow into his side.
Amid: How dare you hit a critically injured patient!!!!!!!!!!
Asuna: Their injuries are SEVERE!!!!!!! Who the hell slaps a patient while they're in the hospital?!
With that, the beautiful silver-haired girl—Amid Teasanare, the Dian Cecht Familia healer, and the beautiful high elf—Asuna Yuuki, Loki Familia healer thundered at the group.
Hestia, Lili, Rin, Muller: We're sorry...
(Timeskip)
After the fuss died down, Amid sent Ryuu back to her room, where she was relegated to strict bed rest. Little by little, she heard the whole story from the visitors who streamed in and out.
Welf: I heard from the Xenos that it was amazing you were still alive.
That she learned from Welf.
Haruhime: Lady Ryuu, we are so happy you made it.
Mikoto: Thank you for saving Sir Bell and Sir Sora.
Rin: We owed you a huge debt.
The smith, who was accompanied on his visit by the fully recovered Rin, Mikoto and Haruhime, recounted his conversation with the lizardman Lido.
Lido: The thought of spending days in a place like that without proper equipment makes even a monster like me shudder.
This was after they had collected Ryuu, Sora and Bell and rushed back to the lower-level safety point to take refuge. Welf had overheard the Xenos saying similar things to what Lido told him.
Four days.
That was how long Sora, Bell and Ryuu had spent wandering the thirty-seventh floor after the wormwell carried them there. It had taken Welf and the rest of their party the same amount of time to fight the Amphisbaena, join up with the Xenos, and make their way down to the thirty-seventh floor.
Lido: Honestly, I thought we were in deep trouble when we got Ouranos's message from Fels telling us to head to the thirty-seventh floor.
While they rested briefly at the safety point and their healer Bella and Cassandra tried to heal Sora, Bell and Ryuu, Muller and Welf met with the Xenos in a place where Bors wouldn't find them.
They had been able to determine what floor Sora, Bell and Ryuu were on thanks to directions from the wizened god, who spoke to them through Lido's oculus. Although even the Dungeon could not control the Skull Reaper, the god had sensed its abnormal behavior, in particular its independent battle cries, and immediately dispatched the rescue team to the thirty-seventh floor.
Lido: On top of the fact that there's nothing to eat down there, that floor is incredibly huge, and our fellow monsters are very violent. We almost never spend time there. Plus, there's no village caretaker like Gryu or Marie down there...
Muller: I can believe it. The passages and walls and everything are all so huge it made me dizzy. I had no idea how we'd ever find Sora, Bell and Lion.
Welf: We can thank Sora, Bell and Ryuu for making it to what you adventurers call the 'main route.' We wouldn't have found them if they'd been lost in that impenetrable maze.
Since the Xenos didn't know where on the thirty-seventh floor Sora, Bell and Ryuu were, all they could do was charge frantically down the main route. That's when they heard the sounds of the titanic struggle against the Skull Reaper and were ultimately able to locate them. In large part, their rescue was the result of Sora, Bell and Ryuu's refusal to give up on returning to the surface.
Muller: Thanks to you guys, we were able to save Sora and Bell. Pass on our thanks to that mermaid, too.
In addition to regular potions, they'd used mermaid lifeblood, a drop item, on an emergency basis. Marie, who was unable to leave the water's edge, had cut herself and collected blood to hand over to Lido's party. She hadn't been able to provide much, since she had recently used her lifeblood to heal Bell during the battle on the twenty-seventh floor—and in fact, Lido had had to stop her from stubbornly trying to give too much when she nearly fainted—but it had nevertheless played a key role in keeping the heavily wounded Sora, Bell and Ryuu alive.
Lido had furtively handed the bottles of lifeblood to Welf, and according to Rin, Lili and Muller, Ryuu's, Sora's and Bell's lives would have been in danger if they hadn't received it during their journey to the surface.
Lido: Don't worry about that...But am I right that some of the humans with you don't know about us? I mean, is everything okay?
Muller: Well, setting aside the head of Rivira and the tavern waitresses, Ouka and the others probably figured it out...But their patron deity is a good guy. I'll leave it up to their familia to decide how to deal with it from here on out. As for we Astrea Familia members, well we already help you guys out at Knossos, remember?
In all likelihood, some party members had noticed monsters helping Hestia Familia starting with the big clash on the twenty-seventh floor. However, it seemed Ouka and his familia members had gotten some hints even before that, starting with Cassandra's mysterious babbling about her prophetic dream around the time of the battle at Daedalus Street. Meanwhile, New Astrea Familia, Aisha and Tsubaki already knew about the Xenos. The main problem would be explaining things to Daphne, but Muller had decided to leave that task to Miach and Takemikazuchi.
All in all, the public seemed unlikely to get wind of the Xenos as a result of the most recent events, so Hestia Familia had little grounds to worry they'd be labeled "enemies of humanity."
Wiene: Um, Welf...the elf, Papa and Bell, will they be all right?
The vouivre Wiene had approached him with deep concern just before leaving the safety point.
Welf:...Yeah. I'll make sure they're healed and your Papa and Bell are able to see you again. And I'll send the elf along as a bodyguard when he does.
It seems Welf was unable to resist making a promise to the gentle dragon girl. After they made it past the twenty-fifth floor, which was still scarred by claw marks, the adventurers had parted ways with the Xenos and rushed to the surface without a single rest, according to the young smith.
Welf: Anyway, she already said it, but...thanks for taking care of Sora and Bell.
Gesturing to Haruhime, Welf expressed his bashful gratitude to Ryuu, who still lay in bed. Hestia and Lili had visited earlier and said the same thing. She tried to protest that she was the one who had gotten those two involved to start with, and that it was they who had saved her, but Welf wouldn't have it.
Welf: You've saved their butt more than once or twice. I've never properly thanked someone like this...so just assume I've taken all that into consideration and accept my gratitude.
It was like he was offering proof of the "justice" within her that Sora had talked about. And so, it was in this way that Welf and the rest of Hestia Familia expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Ryuu.
(Timeskip)
Muller: Jura Harma...and what other survivors of Rudra Familia finally kicked the bucket. And Gale Wind died along with them. That's how the story goes.
Muller visited alone to tell Ryuu how the whole incident shook out on the surface. Muller was the only other Astrea Familia that Ryuu had met.
Muller: Lion. You've been cleared of suspicion for the murder in Rivira. Looks like that was a false accusation to start with... but anyway, everyone seems satisfied with the explanation that the irregularities on the twenty-seventh floor were also the work of the trainer Jura Harma.
Ryuu: Um... Muller... Are my New Familia really here at Orario?
Muller: Not all... Some of the lower members are currently at the Smithing Town of Solingen, along with Lady Astrea of course.
Ryuu: I see. Is she...?
Muller: She's waiting.
Ryuu: Eh...?
Muller: She'll be waiting till the day you would be the one to see her. And till that day comes, she'll continue to watch over you under the night sky. Where the wings of Justice will once again soar.
Ryuu: Lady Astrea... Thank you, Muller...
Ryuu smile at the revelation.
(Elsewhere)
Apparently, there had been a quarrel at the Guild after Ryuu, Sora and Bell were taken to the clinic.
Boris: Listen, Gale Wind showed up! But she tried to protect us, and then she croaked! Gale Wind is really dead this time around!
Eina: Uh, um, can you please explain that more coherently...?!
Misha: What the hell are you talking about?!
The half-healed Boris had charged to the Guild's reception desk, it seems. He'd grabbed hold of a half-elf employee who simply wanted to confirm the safety of her charge, along with her receptionist friend, and blabbed the news so loudly a number of other adventurers at the Guild had overheard.
Boris: A crazy number of my fellow adventurers bought the farm this time around. But it wasn't Gale Wind's fault! It was those pieces of shit from Rudra Familia! The elf tried to protect us to the last!
Boris slammed a piece of Gale Wind's broken wooden sword onto the counter and carried on with his tirade.
According to Muller, this was his unique way of repaying her for saving his life. Apparently, he was trying to protect Ryuu, who still had a bounty on her head, as well as the honor of Gale Wind's name. His words bore more weight than Muller had expected. As a second-tier adventurer and head of Rivira, he seemed to have convinced most of the rogues and hooligans that his story was true. At first, the residents of Rivira and adventurers in general were suspicious of his sudden change of heart, especially since he had led the charge for the issuing of Ryuu's bounty in the first place, but in the end they believed him as one of the few survivors of the incident.
More to the point, adventurers trying to repay their debt couldn't say much about his words or actions since they hinted at a resolution to the whole affair. Plus, it seemed word had gotten out in Rivira that the elf who helped kill the Black Goliath was actually Gale Wind. At this point, Gale Wind was starting to be seen as a friend of justice who had tried to foil the schemes of the Evilus. Lots of people thought it was all an exaggerated tale, but others believed the stories and were grateful.
Ryuu found herself blinking in surprise, but according to Muller that was how things had played out. That wasn't quite the end of the commotion at the Guild, though.
Boris: By the way...she did have a bounty on her head, and I've got some of her property right here. If you take into consideration the prize money for Jura Harma, I'd say a third would be fair. Hey, I'd even be happy with a tenth...
Eina: Um, I would say that is out of the question...
Misha: I agree. Your logic is insane...
Boris: Damn it all!!!!!!!!!
Oddly, Ryuu felt reassured when she heard about Boris's argument with the receptionist over his attempt to slyly squeeze some cash out of the whole affair. The upper echelons of the Guild accepted the convenient report of Gale Wind's death with remarkably few questions, as if the will of the deity in charge of the organization were behind it all. An official announcement was supposed to be made soon. The Guild also placed a strict gag order on anything concerning the Skull Reaper that had killed so many upper-tier adventurers, as well as the Amphisbaena that had appeared without regard for the regular spawn interval. As for the Skull Reaper, few people even knew it existed, and even the adventurers who had been in Rivira when the tragedy occurred had apparently blamed everything on the floor boss.
In any case, this marked the end, by and large, to Ryuu's ties with Gale Wind.
Muller: It all worked out nicely, didn't it, friend of justice? Anyone who still hates you is likely to give up for real this time, and your violent acts of the past have been whitewashed.
Ryuu: I see.
Muller: So when you finally have some free time. Come and meet your new Familia. The lower members were especially hyped to meet their senpai.
Ryuu: I understand...
Since Ryuu had been ordered to avoid all strenuous activities, all she could do in response to the Muller's smile with a smile on her own.
(Timeskip)
And then there was The Hostess of Fertility.
Syr: Mama Mia sure is mad at Anya, Chloe, and Lunoire for taking off to rescue you.
On another day, Syr came to see her. Apparently, the rescue team hadn't had a day off work since they got back, which explained why they hadn't come by the clinic since the day Ryuu woke up. Ryuu felt a little nervous about meeting a similar fate herself not too far into the future.
Syr: Also, I have a message for you.
Ryuu: Wh-What is it?
The girl with the blue-gray hair, who had snuck out while her miserably overworked companions weren't looking, broke into a smile.
Syr: Mama Mia says to tell you we made too much risotto, so you'd better come help us eat it soon.
Ryuu felt a very, very small urge to cry.
Ryuu: I will.
(Elsewhere)
Sora: I see. So Dionysus Familia.
Asuna: Yes. Just like everything you told us. Enyo, Ein, and "That Person". We've figured out all of their identity. Along with their plan to use the 6 Demi-spirit to create a bomb to wipe Orario from the map for good.
Sora, Asuna, and Slyphid were still in their room of the clinic. Asuna had ordered Rin and the others to left them alone because Asuna wanted to do one last check in on Sora's wound. Rin and Asuna as per usual bicker with one another, but with Hestia and the others, Rin was forced out of the room. Finally left alone, Sora, Asuna, and Slyphid finally discuss what they truly want.
Slyphid: Not just that, "That person" had a total of 4 or 5 Inverse Spirit at her disposal. Each of them are at least on par with me.
Sora: Six Demi-Spirit. One Evil Dragon Nidhogg. 5 Inverse Spirit. The Red Tamer. And finally, "That Person". Our odds are not looking in our favor.
Asuna: The final battle is next week.
Sora, Asuna, and Slyphid lower their head. Their gloom attitude was making the entire room fell silent. But in the end, Sora smile.
Sora: But we can't give up. The final battle, the forces of Orario will do everything in their power to make sure we stopped them.
Asuna: And you're the only one that can stand up against that person.
Sora: Yeah. Slyphid.
Slyphid: What is it?
Sora: Tonight. We have no time left. We must contact the other 4 Grand Spirit.
Slyphid:...
Asuna: Well, that can be arranged tonight. For now, you rest.
Sora: Yes Ma'am.
(Timeskip)
To walk under the blue sky. To Ryuu, that simple act seemed like an incredible luxury and joy. Simply to feel the sunshine pour down on her and the wind blow against her skin.
Ryuu: The light of the sun...
Sora: Yes, it feels amazing...and so warm.
As Ryuu shaded her eyes with one hand and looked up at the sky, her companion replied. The hero, who was also looking up at the sky, smiled shyly when she realized she was looking at him. Ryuu was walking through Orario at Sora's side.
It sounded funny to say they had been discharged, but since their treatment was finished, they had been allowed to leave Babel. Given that they had spent some alone together wandering the Dungeon, and given that Sora and Ryuu had a personal history together, Sora's familia and Ryuu's coworkers had thoughtfully decided to give them some space. It only seemed right that the pair that had overcome hardship together should walk on the surface again for the first time together. Ryuu was very happy they had done so. She hoped Sora felt the same.
Sora: Ryuu, are those clothes...?
Ryuu: Yes, they're Syr's...Strange, right?
Sora: Not at all! They look great.
Ryuu: O-of course they do, because they're Syr's.
Syr had been kind enough to leave a change of clothes when she came to visit, since she realized Ryuu probably wouldn't want to leave the clinic wearing her waitress uniform. The simple white dress decorated with flowery lace suited the elf Ryuu well. Ryuu pressed the hem down around her knees as she answered Sora brusquely—although in a high-pitched, excited voice.
Ryuu: Is your your wound on your chest all right?
Sora: Yes. Asuna and Amid was having a hard time, since it's a wound they'd never seen before. But after taking multiple test, they finally cured it. It's like it was never even injured...
Sora slowly rubbed his chest as he walked. What had been a horrible mess before was now back to its original shape. At the very least, it seemed to have healed perfectly as far as Ryuu could tell.
Ryuu: What kind of wound did you actually received at Knossos?
Sora: From what I could tell, its mind depletion. Normally I had a huge reserved if Mind, but ever since I got that wound, its like a bucket filled with water, but there's a hole in the bucket. But thanks to Amid and Asuna, the hole is sealed.
Ryuu recalled Asuna and Amid's face and thought that they weren't called the best healer in the city for nothing.
Ryuu: By the way, how much did it cost?
Sora: Um...there were about eight zeroes in a row...
Ryuu:...!!
Sora: Oh, no, it's fine. Ouranos, covered it because it was an emergency! And Hermes had his familia gather the materials for the brace...!
As Sora hurried to explain the situation to the shocked Ryuu, they continued to walk through the city side by side. The wind brushing against their cheeks felt lovely. The sunlight seemed to be washing their bodies clean after spending so much time in the darkness. The smiles of the children passing by were contagious. The peaceful noises of the street mingled with the gentle atmosphere of the surface.
They took it all in with their whole bodies, wandering wherever their fancy led them. Passing through the tangle of streets, they crossed a bridge spanning a canal and then climbed a back-alley stairway, finally emerging onto a hilltop that overlooked western Orario.
Sora: Ah... The last time we came here...
Ryuu: Yes...When we were with Alise.
Alise Lovell enjoyed high places. She had often taken Sora and Ryuu to hilltops like this or climbed onto the rooftops of buildings where they would talk surrounded by blue sky. Just like Sora and Ryuu were doing now.
Ryuu:...Five years ago, Lady Astrea told me to forget about justice.
Ryuu spoke quietly as she stood by the banister and looked out on the city. She was speaking both to Sora, who listened quietly, and to the endless blue sky, where her voice carried on the wind.
Ryuu: I thought she was excommunicating me. I thought she'd lost hope in me after seeing how consumed I was by vengeance... that she'd only let me keep the mark of her Blessing on my back out of pity.
That was how Ryuu had interpreted it at the time, thinking she was accepting her deity's will. She thought the fact that Astrea had disappeared from the city and only sent her an occasional short letter meant that she, Ryuu, had been stripped of the right to act in the name of justice. Sora leaned forward as if to say something, but Ryuu's next words stopped him.
Ryuu: But...I was wrong.
She stared off into the distance, a smile on her lips.
She was right.
Astrea had not abandoned Ryuu.
She had been watching over her body and soul. That's what Muller had said when she visited her at the hospital.
Vengeance could never be justice. But the will to put an end to vengeance and break the cycle of hatred could become justice.
If Astrea had told Ryuu that vengeance never created anything, however, what would have happened to Ryuu? She would certainly have fallen apart. Unable to claim revenge, unable to forgive herself, she would have given in to the desire to end her miserable life. The goddess must have known that from the beginning. Certainly she understood it better than Ryuu did. And so she had gone so far as to forsake the justice she presided over for the sake of protecting Ryuu.
Ryuu: She told me to forget about justice for my own sake...
The pillar of the familia had turned against her own truth for the sake of her follower. She had carried half the burden of Ryuu's vengeance. But that was not all. The goddess had believed that when the flames of vengeance had burned out and turned to ash, Ryuu would rise again like a fairy spreading her wings as she rose from the dead. She had believed that justice would come to live once again in Ryuu's breast.
Ryuu: I have you to thank for everything.
Sora: Huh?
Ryuu turned slowly from the banister and faced Sora. She narrowed her eyes at the wide-eyed Sora.
Ryuu: You told me I still had justice within me. You showed me the ties to Astrea that still remain inside... and you showed me what my familia left for me.
Sora had helped her realize. The justice that persisted within her still connected her to Astrea and the rest of her familia. He had helped her remember. When the haze of regret cleared from her memories, she recalled that on a certain day five years earlier when they parted ways, her goddess had cried, and smiled. That was how Ryuu knew she was not wrong.
Ryuu: Alise protected me, Syr rescued me...and you opened my eyes.
Alise had led her forward.
Syr had saved her when she was charred by the flames of vengeance and had shown her the future that her familia members had left her.
And Sora...he had given her the courage to face the past she had not been able to cut loose. He had stood by and supported her the whole time. Everything was ongoing.
The people who had taken her hands in theirs were the ones she had to thank for her life. She no longer tried to conceal the feelings of gratitude overflowing from her heart.
Ryuu: There's something I still haven't told you.
Beneath the warm sunlight and the clear blue sky, she turned toward Sora.
Ryuu: Thank you, Sora.
And then she smiled.
Ryuu: You're a human I can respect.
A smile blossomed like a beautiful white flower on her petite lips. Sora stared at her as the elf's smile pulled him in. A wind blew around them, rustling the pure-white hem of her dress and tousling his gray hair. A smile spread over his face. He blushed shyly as kindness filled his eyes.
Sora: When was the last time I see you smile like that?
Ryuu: Huh...?
Sora: A beautiful smile that you always had when you were with Alise. More beautiful than ever before. Much more than that other time.
He was thinking back to the day when Ryuu had stood before the Astrea Familia grave markers, surrounded by forest and crystal. Lost in reminiscence, he smiled like an innocent child.
Sora: It makes me so happy to see you smile like that again.
Sora's words were as pure as snow. He was as happy as if the change had been his own. Ryuu felt her heart leap as she looked at him. Her face grew hot. She looked down, although she was unsure why she did.
Sora:...Ryuu, Ryuu...?
Noticing her strange behavior, Sora leaned toward her and spoke worriedly into her ear. That was enough to make her heart leap again.
Ryuu(mind): Strange. I'm having palpitations. What is going on?
Flustered by her unruly emotions and failing to think clearly, she blurted out the honest truth.
Ryuu: I-I can't look you in the face...
Sora: Huh? Why?! Are you alright?! Your ears are turning red.
Ryuu: Y-Your seeing things... and I don't know...
That was the honest truth. Why did her cheeks grow hot when she looked at him? Why was her heart abuzz? She had no idea why she couldn't look directly at those diamond eyes.
Ryuu: S-Sora! I'll see you later!
Unable to tolerate it any longer, she took off running. It was no good. Even though she ran and ran, pressing both hands to her chest like an innocent girl, she could not hide the excitement rumbling deep in her heart.
Ryuu: What in the world...?!
Ryuu hadn't noticed. When had her lips begun to call his name so longingly? When had her white skin begun to flush so red? What was this feeling blossoming in her heart?
Ryuu: Oh, Alise, what in the world should I do...?!
Her face beet red, she ran with the wind through the busy city streets, begging her beloved friend for advice.
Alise: Don't lose to the other girls!
From beyond the blue sky, she thought she heard the bright voice of a smiling, confident girl answer her.
(Timeskip)
Left behind in a surprise, Sora soon take his leave. He walked around town embodied them into his memories for one last time. With the final battle drawing near, he just had to savor the city of heroes one last time before its destruction.
Sora:...
By the time he returned back to the HeartFire Mansion, it was already night tome. The moment he opened his door, he was greeted by the goddess of justice herself.
Astrea: Welcome back. I've been waiting for you to return~
Sora smile wryly seeing Astrea's true attention to seduce him.
Sora: Uh... I'm home. Lady Astrea... What did I do to deserve the honor of being warmly greeted by a beautiful goddess for my return?
Astrea: Oh... You flattered me. But you already know the answer. It doesn't matter if you're a god or not. One is always welcomed at home. At times like this, for a whole weak, I anxiously wait for you to return to safely like a newlywed wife waiting for her husband to return~
Sora blush and look away. Her saying that made him think the idea of Astrea being a newlywed wife is kind of sexy.
Sora(mind): Geez, I feel guilty just imagining it.
Astrea: Ara~ Ara~. Are you perhaps thinking of me as your newlywed wife~?
Sora: Y-Your imagine it?
Sora's poorly attempt to lie didn't go so well already forgetting that he couldn't lie to a god. Astrea smile seductively.
Astrea: Anyway, you must be tired. Would you like to have something to eat first? Or a bath? Or... Do... You... Want... Me...?
Sora: Can you please stop trying to flirt with me every chance you get!
Sora blush unable to keep his composure at all when he's around her. The time they spent together during their journey has made Astrea even more assertive in getting Sora's attention.
Astrea: Ara~ Ara~ Is that what it looks like? And besides, I like seeing your flustered face. And how annoyed Rin and Muller gets when they do.
Sora: Ugh...
Astrea: Then its called for a feast. It'll be a for a welcomed back party.
Sora: Sounds good... I'll be looking forward to it.
Astrea: Ufufu, glad to hear it, dear~
Sora: Seriously, could you stop...
Before Sora could finish, a frigid wind passed over the two of them, and a voice colder than death interrupted him.
Rin: Lady Astrea, you better not.
Muller: Lady Astrea, when did you... I can't let my guard down around you.
Rin and Muller glared angrily at Astrea. They absolutely wouldn't allow her to marry Sora. This scene had played out numerous times over the past week. Hestia and the others as per usual, ignore the three bickering ladies whom fighting over one man. Astrea's smile didn't waver in the slightest, despite Rin's bloodcurling glare. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking when she smiled like that, which was the reason Sora was still unsure if she was serious about having a relation with him or just playing around.
Sora(mind): Maybe that's just how widows tease people...
In the end, the Hestia Familia, along with the Astrea Familia had a feast at the HeartFire Mansion. Everyone was just talking with one another lively uninterrupted.
Sora: Wait... These are all expensive alcohols. Where did you guys get the money to buy all of this?
Everyone: We stash it from your savings of course!
Sora: 💢 I'M GONNA MURDER YOU....!!!!!!!
Sora's rage filled the room. Once again, it was Sora's money that they had looted to buy all of this fancy drinks and food. The same thing happened before the start of the expedition. They all looted Sora's money to buy all of their equipment. But in the end, this endless laughter made all of Sora's rage go away.
(Timeskip)
Night came by, some of the group had passed out on the floor after drinking too many alcohol. Those who didn't did their best to move them to their rooms and guest rooms. After he was done, Sora went inside his room where Slyphid was waiting for him. Both of them need to have a little conference now.
Sora: Are the other 4 available?
Slyphid: Yup.
With that Sora and Slyphid sat down on Sora's bed. They close their eyes and concentrated. Then when he opened them again, he was no longer in his room but some unknown void. In front of him, there were five girls standing. To his front, it was his beloved Slyphid. His number one partner.
Slyphid: He-He...
To Slyphid's left, was a girl with brown clothes and brown hair with brown eyes. She too posses a pointy elf ear. This person standing was none other than the Earth Grand Spirit Gnomid. Sora's second Spirt Pact. She was currently residing at the Far East working alongside Tsukuyomi's Familia.
Gnomid: Sora! When was the last time I've spoken to you like this.
Then to Slyphid's right was a beautiful woman in a mermaid dress with hair longer than her ankles that swayed like water emerged from the spray. She was none other than the Water Grand Spirit, Undine. Sora's third Spirit Pact. She was currently with Poseidon Familia working at the sea, with a home base island named Regdom.
Undine: For you to suddenly call us face to face like this, must be an emergency.
To Gnomid's left was another Spirit. She was wearing white kimono resembling a goddess's robes from Japanese folklore, with a revealing neckline, a translucent sash. She was none other than the Fire Grand Spirit, Ifrit. Sora's fourth Spirit Pact. She is currently residing at Olympia along with the Orders of Prometheus.
Ifrit: So... What's so urgent anyway? You called us here after so long without any contact.
To Undine's right was the last remaining Spirit. She was wearing a white long dressed and a white beautiful snowy hair and a silver eyes. She was none other than the last of the 5, the Light Grand Spirit, Trya. Sora's last and fifth Spirit Pact. She was currently residing at the Great Spirit Forest Aharthern. A place where the spirits live under the World Tree Yggdrasil. Its whereabouts change over time and can only be found by following rumors of the Great Spirit Forest.
Trya: Oh my... All of us are really here.
All of the 5 Grand Spirit that serve his Mother the Spirit of Origin was together in one place. Though they were still missing the other 3 Spirit, seeing all the girls like this, Sora smile.
Sora: It's been awhile since we got together like this, everyone!
Sora then look at Gnomid.
Sora: Mii...
Gnomid: Mmm-hmm.
Then he look at Undine.
Sora: Dine...
Undine: Heyo!
Then he look at Ifrit,
Sora: Fritah...
Ifrit: Yeah!
Then finally he looked at Trya.
Sora: Trya...
Trya: Nice to see you again. Sora...
The place that Sora and the 5 Spirit is known as the Spirit psychic plane, linked together by their subconscious mind.
Slyphid: We can meet anytime, if we wanted to.
Sora: Well, that's true, but... Each and every one of us has our own lives to follow.
Gnomid, Undine, Ifrit, and Trya: Say that to Slyphid! Why is she the only one who gets to follow you everywhere?! While we're stuck with another god!
Slyphid: Heh...! Since I was his very first Spirit after all! It's only natural for me to be his number one partner!
Sora: Stop fighting! All of you! You guys are sisters here.
Sora sigh at the sight Slyphid and the others quarreling with one another. The way their conversation heated up like this was typical for Slyphid and the girls. Sora just watched on with a grin at such a familiar scene.
Sora: C'mon now! I need to have a serious talk with all of you.
Sora's serious face made Slyphid and the other Spirit drop their conversation and look at Sora seriously.
Undine: It seems like you're really tense about this... Does it have to something to do with what's happening in Orario?
Sora: Yeah. I need everyone's help. So can you all please come to Orario. Mii... Dine... Fritah... Trya...
Gnomid: What problem do you need that needs to involve all of us? With your strength, I think you should be more than able to solve it.
Sora: If only it was that simple.
Sora look down recalling the horrific battle that had occurred in Knossos that had happened a week ago. Then it was Slyphid who spill the bean.
Slyphid: "She" is alive. And she's planning on sucking up every last bit of Sora's Spirit of Origin's power. Me, Sora, and even Asuna got our ass kick the other day.
Gnomid, Undine, Ifrit and Trya: Wha...?!
The other 4 Spirit shout in unison. Ignoring their shock, Sora continue.
Sora: "She" has an army of Corrupted Spirit, One Evil Dragon Nidhogg, and 4 or 5 Inverse Spirit. I can't win by myself. No matter how strong the forces in Orario is, Freya Familia, Loki Familia, they are not strong enough to win against "Her", I know you all know.
Gnomid, Undine, Ifrit, and Trya:...
Sora: I know Mii, Dine, and Fritah, is busy with Tsukuyomi, Poseidon, and Prometheus, and Trya just couldn't easily left Aharthern without preparation. But I'm really desperate right now. Can you all please come? Give me your strength.
Gnomid, Undine, Ifrit, and Trya:...
Astrea: Sora... Hey, Sora...
Then Sora heard Lady Astrea's voice outside of the Spirit psychic plane.
Sora: Sorry girls. I need to go. Please come. I need you.
With that, Sora ended his communication with his beloved Spirits and opened his eyes. He was now back in his room, and saw Astrea cupping his cheeks with both her hands looking worriedly.
Sora: Lady Astrea...
Astrea: Can you please tell me what were you doing? The others might not seen it, but you were trying your best to hide your anxiety.
Sora: I'm just like an open book to you, don't I.
Sora smile sadly. He was trying his best not to look worried knowing that the impending doom was coming near. Sora smile and explain everything to Astrea. Telling her that he was just having a conversation with the 5 Grand Spirit. Telling them about "That Person". And told them that Sora needed their help to win. After he was done, Astrea felt quiet.
Astrea:...
Sora: Sorry... I wasn't planning to make you worry or anything.
Sora laugh exhaustingly. Then without any words of comfort or wisdom from the goddess of justice, she just cupped Sora's cheek forcing him to look at her, then she gently push her lips onto his.
Sora: !!
Sora's eyes widened when she'd done that. He didn't know what to expect. She had caught him completely off guard. Then she part ways, and Sora just stare at her.
Sora: Eh...?!
Astrea: Hehe...
Astrea wipe her lips satisfactorily. Then she smile gently.
Astrea: I know how tough it is for you. You are trying to shoulder the entire world itself. But please don't. No matter how much big your burden is, please share it with us. That's what a Familia and Friends are for.
Sora: Ah...
Astrea: I know that all of us. Every person in this entire world are just weighing you down. Compare to you whom reached a strength that no mortal has ever come to achieve. And the battle that awaits you within the coming weeks, must be stressing you out. But please, no matter how small it is, please share your burden with us. With me.
Touched by Astrea's gentle word, Sora smile.
Sora: Yeah.
Sora and Astrea smile at one another. Her faith in Sora was absolute. Just as the tension from Sora's face began to fade, he once again turned serious and look at the window. He jumped to his feet and stood in front of Astrea in a protective matter.
Astrea: Sora...?
Sora: Step back!
Sora's serious voice made Astrea's face turned serious as well. He opened the curtain. However.
Astrea: Huh......?
There was nobody, nothing outside the window. On the contrary, when Sora opened the curtains, even the ruggedness of the tabnic sweeping the floor was barely audible.
Sora: Just come out already.
Stretching his neck, he opened the window to the balcony. Cold air attacked the body spoiled by the warm and comfortable futon. He looked around the neighborhood. But even then there were no suspicious silhouettes. Then, at that moment.
???: Fufu, fufu.
Sora and Astrea:..?!
While searching for the whereabouts of the laughter, Astrea felt her body tremble.
Astrea: W-Who's there....?
Startled by the sudden sound of laughter, Astea looked around his surroundings again. Following the leader, numerous other voices were heard one after another.
??? 1: Hey, isn't that the goddess of Justice with Sora Hatake?
??? 2: Well..... that's quite ordinary. A bit unexpected.
??? 3: Is that so? She's pretty cute.
Sora: W-What the heck is this.
Sora looked for the source of the voice. However, it was likely that whatever could be seen couldn't be considered people.
Sora: Just come out already?!
Sora could not help but call out as his voice echoed through the night sky. And then, as if to respond to him, laughter filled the surroundings. Then, at that instant. Several pieces of paper fell down from the sky.
Astrea: Paper.......?
Astrea slanted her neck as she went to pick up the piece of paper.
Sora: Don't touch the paper, Lady Astrea!
Astrea...?!
The paper then, a faint light illuminated the balcony-
???: Boo!
A girl came emerging from there.
Astrea: Wha.....!?
As a result of the sudden arrival, Astrea collapsed onto the ground on her backside. Sora immediately stand in front of Astrea and he went into a defensive stance and drew his sword. The girls, who seemingly found this amusing, let out a slight giggle.
??? 1: Haha, was that too surprising?
Sora: Y-You are.
Sora and Astrea were stunned as they saw the girl's face. Hearing the very silly question, Astrea immediately held his breath. Despite being semi-conscious, she still felt greatly flustered by the sight. The impact of the scene was just like suddenly waking up. If the sight she was witnessing was not a dream, nothing would be quite as extraordinary as a girl appearing from a piece of paper. But Sora on the other hand had already knew about the existence of this girl from his first assault at Knossos.
Sora: Nibelcol.
As Sora began shivering, the paper that was scattered about had girls with the same face Jumping out one by one. Faced against a phenomenon that violated the laws and theories of the world, Sora and Astrea was left momentarily speechless.
Nibelcol 1: Huh, do you know about me?
Nibelcol 2: I thought I was concealing my presence well. And you still sensed it.
The girls pouted their mouths with displeasure. However, Sora could not reply back. Then Astrea mutter.
Astrea: Spirit...
Sora: Not quite...
Amidst the myriad of voices coming from all directions, one of the girls uttered something that was difficult to believe.
Nibelcol: Yes, in any case we-can also be considered Spirits.
She had said those words.
Sora: These are Nibelcol. A Spirit created by "That Person".
Nibelcol 1: That's is correct.
Nibelcol 2: Do you want to know why we're here? Hey do you?
Nibelcol 3: Telling you is fine, but there wouldn't be much meaning to it, right?
Nibelcol 4: Yeah, because you-are going to die anyway on the oncoming week.
Then, as if too casually, the <Nibelcol> spewed out those words. The statement bore no malice, not even the slightest faint dust of murderous intent. It was just like a pleasant greeting made when leaving home after accepting a request to go shopping.
Sora: What do you want? The final battle is still next week. I don't think you would just ruined our agreement like that.
Nibelcol 1: Oh no. We are not here to fight.
Nibelcol 2: We are here to offer you a truce.
Sora: In exchange for what?
Nibelcol 3: We will put an end to all of this madness. All of it.
Nibelcol 4: Enyo, Ein, Revis, the six Demi-Spirit and Nidhogg. Our Mother will grant it for you. If you meet her one demand.
Sora and Astrea:...
Nibelcol: You Sora Hatake, surrender yourself. Right here, right now, and come with me to our Mother. If you do, Orario, your precious Familia, and your beloved little sister, Aiz will be spared. But if you don't, then next week during the final battle, we will destroy everything you hold dear.
Sora and Astrea: ?!
Sora and Astrea were shock at Nibelcol's demand. They were asking for Sora to surrender himself just so Orario will be spared. But at the same time, if he did surrender, he will be absorb by "That Person" and die. No longer be able to see the people he loved as they will be toyed at.
Astrea: Don't be ridiculous. Sora will never surrender.
Nibelcol: We're not talking to you, Goddess. So Sora, what it will be?
Sora: You already know the answer. No! I never go back on my words!
Nibelcol: I see. Then we'll see you next week.
Nibelcol said uninterested. With that exchange, she and her clones turned back into papers and burned down, leaving the shudder Hero and Goddess.
(Timeskip)
Time passes by in a blink of an eye. During the weeks that was about to come, Sora spent his time with his Familia and his friends to the best he could. Everyone could tell that Sora was being a bit to tense this past week. But all of that didn't matter anymore. Just as the day of the final battle coming, Sora was preparing himself to go. He had just gotten his status update by Hestia.
Sora Yatagami
Level 7
Strength: F354->B706
Defense: G278-> C688
Dexterity: G289-> C697
Agility: C620-> A899
Magic: F320-> B 702
Divine Luck: F
Regeneration: E
Immunity: G
Enhanced Vision
After he was done, Sora was in his adventurer gear, his swords standing by. Just as he was about to leave, Hestia called him worriedly.
Hestia: Sora... Your going aren't you?
Sora:...
Hestia had already known about Sora and Astrea's exchange with Nibelcol a week ago. Then with a worried voice, she said:
Hestia: You'll come back to me right?
Sora:...
Hestia: Sora! I'm not letting you go until you say you do!
Sora:...
Once again Sora stayed silent. The silent treatment he was giving made Hestia's eyes teared up. Then he took his breath trying to calm himself down before answering.
Sora: Of course I will. Have I ever go back on my words?
Hestia: Sora...
Sora: I'm going to win this. And come back to you. I promised you after all. Since the day I joined this Familia.
Hestia: Ah...
Hestia recalled the day Sora first joined. She begged him to please not leave her and Bell alone. Sora did in fact promised her that. So this fight, and future battles to come, he will return back home to her.
Sora: And besides, I have you fighting alongside me, right here.
Sora said pulling out the Hestia Sword in his right hand and showed it to her. The Hieroglyph shine brightly with Hestia's signature flame. Seeing this, Hestia smile tearfully knowing this was Sora's way to bring her comfort.
Hestia: Sora... Please bend down.
Sora: Of course.
Sora did exactly that without asking any reason why he was asked to. He bend down to Hestia level of height and Hestia cupped his face. Sora close his eyes, without knowing why himself then he felt a smooch on his forehead.
Sora: Thank you...
Sora smile not asking Hestia why she did what she did. Then Hestia pulled Sora's face closer and hug him tightly in her chest.
Hestia: Sora... Next time, you need to be the one to kiss me on the head.
Sora: I will.
With those words to mark his departure, Sora gently pushed Hestia's body away from him.
Hestia: Ah...
Hestia let out a hoarse voice as Sora's warmth left her.
Hestia: You'll come back to me, right?
She put on the biggest smile she could manage as she asked with a trembling voice.
Sora:...Yes, I'll definitely come back to you.
Sora thought a moment before nodding, showing her his gentle smile.
Hestia: Then win this, and come back safely.
Hestia stifled the anxieties whirling in her chest and gave a sad smile.
Sora: Yes... see you later.
Sora replied, then slowly turned on his heel. He took one step, then two, away from Hestia. She felt as though her heart would burst as she watched his retreating back. If she let her guard down, even a little, she would probably end up clinging to his back in tears. But she couldn't. She couldn't cry right now. She had to see Sora off with her head held high, so that she wouldn't hold him back. Hestia chewed at her lip. Without another word, Sora silently left the HeartFire Mansion. The door shut quietly behind him. The dam broke instantly as her tears spilled from her eyes.
Hestia: Uh... Please, win this and come back.
The sounds of Hestia's sniffles continued to echo from her room for a while longer. Only Astrea was there to comfort her with her own tears.
(Timeskip)
Sora walk. All he did was walk in the long hallway of Knossos. He could hear the voices of adventurers fighting. He could hear Finn's commands, Riveria's chanting, Gareth's deadly blow through his oculus.
Finn: All troops, prepare for battle!
Riveria: Incinerate, Sword of Surt! My name is Alf!
Gareth: RAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!!!
The voices of every forces in Orario were currently fighting. But all Sora did was walk in the empty hallway towards his only opponent. He could hear the battlecry of Aiz fighting Revis.
Revis: Now then, Aria. Let's finish this.
Aiz: I will defeat you.
Then he could hear the sound of his lover Asuna fighting 4 0r 5 other people.
Inverse Spirit 1: Have you say your goodbye, to your beloved Sora.
Inverse Spirit 2: Don't worry, you'll be joining him soon.
Inverse Spirit 3: Once our Mother finish with him that is.
Inverse Spirit 4: He will become nothing more than dust. Hehehehe!
Asuna: I believe in Sora. That's why I will win this fight.
Their roars. Their clash. Their chant. All of it, Sora heard. But he did not aid any of those battlefield. Because the only battle lays for him is ahead. Then he finally arrives at his own battlefield. A blindingly white world filled his vision as if he had stepped into a new dimension. Everything around him, as far as he could see, was just pure white. It made gauging distance difficult, and though the floor underneath him was solid ground, it was hard to actually tell when he looked down because it looked no different from the rest of his surroundings. He couldn't shake the feeling that he would start falling endlessly at any second.
???: I congratulate you for coming this far, Sora Hatake.
A voice filled with equal parts joy and anger said. Standing in front of him was a person with purple hair and eyes. Her hair has two triangles connected at the edge of it. She was smiling faintly, her chin resting in her hands as she had her legs crossed. There was something bewitching about that smile.
???: You did well to make it this far.
She was wearing a purple dress that exposed her porcelain-white shoulders and had a very steep neckline that showcased a surprisingly large bosom. It was parted at the bottom to reveal her slender legs as well. And, while she was relatively slender, she still had curves in all the right places.
Sora: Shade...
Sora called out the name of the person that will be his final opponent. Her named was Shade. She was none other than one of the 8 High Ranking Spirit that used to served the Spirit of Origin, Mio Takamiya. The Primeval Spirit of Darkness. Then through her eerie smile, she spoke to him starting their Grand Battle.
Shade: Now... Let's begin our final battle.
The Fight that will decide the Fate of this World, will be Next Time on Sword Oratoria.
A/N: Okay folks. That will be the final chapter of Season 4 of Danmachi. It is truly the longest Season that I've wrote in any other books. A total of 29 chapters. I know this last chapter is a bit confusing. Especially, Gnomid, Undine, Ifrit, and Trya. Well I will create side stories for the other 4 Spirits as well. How Sora met them like he met Slyphid. They will appear in the OVA books. Any problems that weren't explain here, will be explain in Oratoria later on in the stories. And as always, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thank you for reading.