Around the same time that the Astraea familia was finishing up their morning training, in another home in the north of the city, the Twilight Manor, the Loki familia's top brass had learned everything they needed to from the Freya familia to the point they could replicate the intense training whenever, today was their first real break in a long time. The cause of it being a blonde haired girl acting up a storm and creating various problems.
It was Ais, she'd been restless ever since yesterday, as if she could feel something was off. Riveria had kept an eye on her while she fell asleep, and learned that Ais had been calling out for her mother… The difference this time was something difficult to express, but Riveria could tell there was something different going on. So the morning came, and Riveria brought the report to Finn, and Loki.
"What exactly do you mean, Riveria? It doesn't sound like there's been any change." Finn asked with a deep sigh, massaging a cramp he got when he woke up… this was the other reason for the training to grind to a halt. He needed some time to manage the familia, and recover from the injuries he'd been dealt.
"No, something's very different, Finn." Loki grumbled, already drinking. "Those two are back inside the city."
Finn's mind immediately went back to the moment when he was completely humiliated by Ceraunius, and beaten to within an inch of his life. The sensation of left laying in the bottom of a crater, twitching like an ant barely clinging to life. He shrunk, and detracted from reality for a moment, and shivered as a cold sensation crawled up and down his spine many, many times.
"You mean, Ceraunius and Gamelia have returned to the city? Why? They couldn't possibly be here for the sake of leveling up again, right? It's barely been a month…" Gareth wondered, stroking his beard. "But if those two are here, there's a possibility that Ais is reacting to them. After all, she's similar to them in a way."
"It's possible they've already achieved the requirements to level up again. They're spirits, we shouldn't underestimate them." Riveria gulped, gripping her staff tightly. "I wonder if my magic would even be effective against them." She murmured.
Soon there was a knock on the door, and Finn regained some sense of reason… "Come in."
In came a werewolf with a bad attitude. "Finn, this person came from the guild." He said, grumbling, as if unable to handle his own desire to fight some more, and getting a little pride that he managed to injure a level 6 like Finn yesterday.
"Hmm, Eina?"
"Hello, and good morning, Lady Loki, Lady Riveria, Braver, Elgarm. I was requested by the guild to come by and hand this to Finn in person. Along with a warning." Eina said, slightly bowing only to Loki and Riveria, showing that this was serious.
"What's the warning?" Finn asked, curiously, as he received an envelope with a special seal showing that it wasn't just Royman's order, but Ouranos.
"Do not make any active attempt to interfere with them. The guild will not be able to protect you if you begin any hostilities." Eina answered, taking a breath, before relaxing.
"So, Ceraunius and Gamelia really have returned to the city." Finn sighed, shivering.
"Hey, didn't I just tell you that…" Loki drunkenly asked.
"Yes, but I didn't want to believe it. Seriously, who would? I've never been hurt so bad in my life."
"Pfft, you looked worse than I did when Alfia put Riveria and I in a crater she made." Gareth nervously laughed.
"Fortunately, Riveria was able to give me enough healing in time. I'd have died otherwise."
"I was only able to do that because Ceraunius removed my paralysis. He's strong." Riveria stated plainly, making it painfully obvious to everyone that the only reason Finn is still alive is because Ceraunius allowed him to continue living. "Thank you for coming all this way, Eina."
"It was no trouble at all, Lady Riveria. I do have to see Braver, and Lady Loki read the contents before I can leave though."
Finn sighed, and opened the envelope, pulled out the letter clearly written in a recognizable penmanship. His eyes scanned the whole page, leaning forward as he did, and then sat back to slump slightly in his chair… He shifted in his seat handing the letter to Loki, then fixed himself to look more proper, though it was hard as hell right now.
"Tell the guild master that I understand, and we will begin preparations later in the day when the city is less crowded." Finn said, exasperated by the order he just read. "Riveria, Gareth, we're going on an expedition, our target is floor 52, our purpose is to ascertain the path further down."
Loki just finished reading the order herself, and felt conflicted with it, but shrugged. "Alright, but I'm keeping my Aiseepoo behind to protect me while you're gone."
Eina bowed. "Thank you, I will report your response to the guild master." She said, making moves to leave.
"Eina…"
"Yes, Lady Riveria?"
"Take care of your mother, alright?"
"I will, thank you for caring, Lady Riveria." Eina gave a smile and then left, escorted by Bete, the werewolf.
"Well you heard it, we're going on an expedition. I wonder if this is the guild's way of keeping us from clashing with those two." Finn sighed. "How are they even allowed in the city right now?"
"With power like he has, who can force them to do anything?" Gareth asked, clearly curious if there was anyone.
"No matter what, the guild wouldn't go back on us, and allow members of the Zeus and Hera familia to return. Not permanently anyway. They rely on our taxes and strength to keep the city alive…" Finn said.
"That only means one thing… They aren't a part of that familia any longer." Riveria said… "But who took them in? If not us or Freya?"
"Who else?" Loki practically shouted, sloshing her wine. "Obviously there's only two choices. But only one with solid evidence linking them together." She explained, then took a big swig of her wine. "Astraea familia."
…