With Idunn's arrival, there was a brief moment of reunion over a light snack. The brevity of this moment was made clear when Shurry's nose picked up on a ridiculously faint, yet familiar scent.
"Hmm, this smell, I remember it, though only faintly… Where have I smelled this one before? I don't associate it with the School District, and I certainly wouldn't fail to recognize something in the city, would I?"
Shurry's words ended the calm, as a pair of twins started sweating, it was obvious they had something to do with that smell, even if they couldn't smell it, the mighty werewolf who'd turned to look at the two of them, would not be fooled by any masks meant to hide scents.
"Shurry, remain calm, and hear out their entire story-"
"No mother, it's fine… I think I placed the scent, It's the scent of my little sister Seldas. And judging by the strength of the scent she's dead."
Shurry's odd calm surprised the twins. However, he wasn't calm, he just knew this was coming… It still didn't hurt any less, family, dying, it reopened far too many recent wounds for him to remain completely calm. And…
The arcanum inside Shurry finally having a chance to go on the offensive, did so, resulting in Shurry purging all of it right up into the sky, nearly enough to look like a god truly did return to Tenkai. This lasted for a few moments until Shurry cracked his neck, and stood up.
"It's you who bears the weight of carrying her into the future. As well as her promise…"
Tiona, and Tione were both crying, confused but relieved, and then they heard those words, and gulped, causing a shift deep within, one strong enough to change the situation entirely…
""We will! For Big Sister Seldas!""
"Hmm, you'd better make good on that, you're starting out with a disadvantage now. So work hard…"
Shurry started leaving, he picked up Al by the back of his shirt, and leapt off into the distance.
"Where's he going?"
"Probably to kill some monsters. There's no way that Arcanum didn't start a huge calamity deep within the dungeon." Hathor's comment made the twins twinge with worry. "Now, let's see about getting you in my familia. I think you'll like it here."
"Really, we can join your familia!"
"So long as you promise to train as hard as you can, and live every single day with love in your heart, and every action you take. And enjoy the life you have, while being willing to use it to protect, and spread happiness."
"I promise!" Tione's response was quick. "Huh? Tiona…"
"Tione, I'll help bear this with you." Tiona balled her fists.
"I know you will, silly."
"Lady Hathor, I promise to do everything you said! I started writing a book too! It's all about the powerful wolf and the maidens captured by the evil king! I also have this one, and this one!"
"Pfft, you'll get along famously here."
And so, Hathor familia accepted Tiona, and Tione. Two brand new level 3s.
…
The Hestia familia, they had a rather decent house, building it in a place that'd been practically destroyed earlier, they were given the land to do with what they pleased. And so now, Hestia was counting stacks of valis…
"Hehehe! This is great! I'm getting a brand new home with a giant bath, and we're even earning money so fast, my children are amazing!"
"I'll always find a deity, counting stacks of money, as a funny sight."
"Huh? Ah! Where'd you come from?"
"Through the door?"
Shurry pointed to the door with a rather confused guard, scratching his head.
"When did he get past me? Rather, when did he open the door?"
"Ugh! Fine! What does a big powerful hero like you need from me?"
"Hero?"
"I thought of all people you would know by now. Anyway, you'll see soon enough. So what do you need?"
Shurry grabbed the book he'd given to Al, and placed it in front of Hestia.
"I want you to put this book, and all of it into Al's soul."
"HUH! Do you even know what you're asking me for!"
"Yes, I was made aware it was possible, just a few moments ago."
"You know I can't use Arcanum, right?"
"Yeah, you'll have to do it the same way you updated his status."
"But you said that would cause an issue of keeping him longer."
"I said it could do that, not that it would. And besides, I'm about to take him down to where he can burn through any excess time, rather quickly."
Hestia, having been outwitted, glared at Shurry, then glanced at the oblivious guard.
"What is your purpose in doing this?"
"To transfer that book across timelines."
"You know that'll make Chaos angry, right?"
"Why? Chaos is who sent him here in the first place, ain't he? That act already deviates the timeline when he returns, the only difference this'll make is ensuring that all of my effort doesn't go wasted."
"You just lied to me, didn't you… Did Chaos actually tell you something?"
"I'm not saying anything more."
"Fine, then I'll do it on the condition you owe me a substantial debt."
"How much?"
Hestia smirked with a snicker.
"500 Million Valis, not a Valis less."
Shurry pulled out a familia Emblem, and wrote the amount down in 5 different languages, along with his signature. Then handed it to Hestia in the very next moment.
"There, 500 Million, you can come to the familia at any time to collect it, and they'll also guard you for the duration of transporting the funds. Now, get to work and put the book in there. While you're at it, might as well use everything he's earned again."
Hestia was still trying to comprehend the freaky amount she now held in her hand.
"That's 2 and a half times what my Hestia Knife cost… I can't pay you back for this…"
"Al, I have what some might refer to as effectively infinite money. So long as the amount is reasonable I'm fine dipping into my money."
"Really? How do you have so much money?"
"By killing a whole lot of Monsters. A lot. You'll see soon enough, now take your shirt off, and get that book in that soul."
"Oh, right!"
Hestia pricked her finger, and updated the future Bell's status once again, as well as putting the book inside his soul with a special seal. She wiped her brow of sweat, and Al checked himself to see if he felt weird at all.
"That's odd, I thought I'd feel more book-like."
"Why? A pouch doesn't change its function depending on the contents. Now, get ready and let's go. There's not a lot of time left for me to deal with those monsters before they breach into the floors Loki and Freya familia can reach. And as much as I can't stand either of them, they still have their uses for the time being."
And then, they left for the dungeon.
"Lady Hestia, is that boy really in our familia?"
"No, they just used me because my flames of purification are the safest method for doing what they needed."
Hestia, answered her child, though her answer was less than good… As anyone would be able to see she was lying.
"Hmm, alright, I thought it was odd. I won't breathe a word of this to anyone."
"Good!" Thankfully he isn't the type to press for information.
…