Months later, Loki familia had finished making all of the necessary changes to their surface structure for the time being, and procured enough resources to support their expedition. The citizens had mixed feelings about this act… On the one hand getting stronger was a good thing since they could protect more people. On the other hand they were worried that this time there would be more death at the hands of Evilus.
Fortunately, there were far more citizens who had a completely different view. These were those who understood that, Hathor familia is actually the strongest familia by far. As a result, they thought it best for the Loki familia to just be gone already.
Then, there were the hardliners, ones who were more furious at the Freya and Loki familias than everyone else… These were those who managed to learn the truth of what happened that fateful day, years ago. Whenever they saw the Freya or Loki familias, they would make it a point to show them a look of great disdain, and disgust.
All in all, the residents of Orario were not happy with their new "heroes". What good had they actually done? So far the only real accomplishment is killing a young man who honorably carried his injured allies home for treatment.
Finn knew this is what the majority of the city thought of them. I'm not scared of them, it's that boy Shurry… He terrifies me. Where's he been these past months? It's rare that there weren't any reports sighting him. Did he leave the city for something? Anyway, let's do this… He pounded his spear upon the stone beneath him, silencing the casual chatter.
"Loki familia, we're going hunting. Evilus has been hiding for too long. We will aim for their base in the dungeon, and search for any leads. Split into your assigned groups, we will rendezvous on the 12th floor. Happy hunting."
…
Reports reached Erebus rather quickly, his sinister lips curled. "Good, Valletta, take a group with you and rough them up a little bit. Make them think they've found our base. Kill another group if you need to, but try to keep their stronger members alive."
"Awe, but I can't get off if they aren't strong." Valletta froze in the face of Erebus' glare. "Fine, but I refuse to leave all of them alive down there."
"That's fine, kill some of their supporters and destroy some of their resources. Make it look like our base truly is down there, but in a way that wastes their time. I never expected moving that much material would take this long."
"Got it, I'll make sure to play a bloody fun game with my man!"
After Valletta left, with a motley crew of randoms… Basically nothing but throw away pawns, some other people arrived, having been guided by an old raccoon man.
"Lord Erebus, I have found, and brought all of our new allies, I'll leave them to you now, and take my leave. I have subjects to study. So many ideas to try out." The old man chuckled, bowed and left.
"Welcome everyone. And thank you for coming to Gekai."
"It's very different down here."
"So what is this major death plan you're talking about?"
"It has indeed been rather boring up there lately. At this death rate, even Ha- Lord Hades, could handle all of the deaths going on with ease."
Thanatos yawned, and nodded in agreement. "Sorry everyone, I did what I could down here on my own. However, it seems I still needed help to kill more people… Not using Arcanum is incredibly inconvenient."
"Indeed, how do mortals live without it? I've even sensed my thought processing slow down considerably upon arrival."
"You too huh? Glad I'm not the only one suffering from that."
"Enough, everyone, allow me to elaborate on the plan…" Erebus began with the end of Zeus and Hera's reign at the top, then continued explaining up to current events, and then further beyond to what the future holds. "And that is why I needed so many of you."
"I was told the plan was utterly insane, but now I think you're just a mad genius. This will topple the world and cause so many more deaths. I'll finally have work to do in Tenkai again."
"From the sounds of it, what you're planning requires some time to work out."
"Exactly, this is why I asked for you to come here early. Getting used to the limits of Arcanum use on the surface will take some time. So, do I have your support?"
"Of course you do. It was boring up there in Tenkai anyways. Killing people sounds like a good way to pass the time."
…
Hathor familia, with most of their members on patrol around the city, Bokhoir and Nernatti relaxed, but stayed ready to fight at a moment's notice. When someone who was on guard duty let a guild visitor come inside.
"Hello, my name is Rose Fannett. I'm here as a representative of the guild, tasked with this mission as a request by the Freya familia. Ottar, the King, is requesting a match with Bokhoir the Bulwark. And is doing so at the behest of his goddess Lady Freya."
"That whore." Hathor said, clicking her tongue. Then let her supposed anger go… She didn't hate Freya, but she also didn't like her, and would rather voice the opinions of her children, for them, when it came to a god. "Hmm, yep, this is signed in her blood ichor. Just what is she up to now?"
"I hate to say it, but the guild has already expedited the announcement of the match in the hopes you'll participate."
"That rat Royman… You tell him he's gonna face my fist after this is over with." Bokhoir sighed. "When's the battle supposed to take place?"
"Two days from now, in the Colosseum."
"Heh, I hope it's big enough. Not for me, but for him and his clumsy ass self. He doesn't understand the reason one should fight. I accept, and find a way to tell him, I'm going to break the king."
"Yes, I will, Sir Bulwark… On another note, where's my pack alpha? Origin Wolf?"
"Heh, he's out there training with his girlfriend's familia. Tryna make good on some demands Lord Ganesha has to allow his girl friend to convert."
"I- I see. Wish it were me, oh well." She said, whispering under her breath.
…
The Astraea familia trained like they'd never been training before, And the additional member Ryuu Lion had arrived in Orario, and joined their familia. Starting from level 1 she was really put through the ringer. But it sure did pay off in major ways.
…