With the completion of the absolutely horrendous battle in the east, came a flood of first class adventurers, they arrived in the central plaza, and looked around.
"Finn, what's the situation in the other directions?" Ilta demanded a response, going as far as to snap her fingers at him. "Come on, out with it, quickly."
Despite the demands she was making, Finn remained stunned for a few seconds. Leading to Ilta clicking her tongue, which finally brought him out of his confusion.
"The other cardinal directions are stable for the moment, there's no need to assist-"
"No wonder, you don't want this battle to end do you?"
"What do you mean?"
Ilta ignored Finn's words. She turned to the adventurers who'd just fought through the only battle truly worthy of the title, hell.
"You two, reinforce the south east main. You two, South Main." She continued till everyone had finished being moved around, and assigned to new posts. Only then did she address Finn again. "When we came back you should have told us the situation in the other locations immediately, and assigned us to different places accordingly."
"I-"
"No, I don't want to hear any excuses. I need to go see someone now."
Leaving Finn behind, Ilta all but ran to the tower, attempting to follow Shakti to where a certain person was.
…
Shakti found the room where the Astraea familia had been resting after their rather dangerous situation. She couldn't explain how she knew, but she just did… This is where her little sister was. The hinges cried barely keeping the door connected to the wall as she burst into the room.
"ARDEE!"
Seeing Ardee, she froze, slowed down, and walked close giving her a hug. She shook, crying…
"Ardee, I- I- I'm sorry. I should have left someone else there with you too!"
The shock she got in return… Ardee hugged her sister back. And they both cried there for a moment…
"It's not your fault, Vito managed to catch me off guard. He killed the wolf, and the spirit my man gave me. And then our baby…"
"Even so, I should have given you more assistance."
"No, I should have summoned the wolf on my own the moment the fight started. If I'd done that, our old fogies would also still be here with us." Ardee retorted, through tears she had once managed to shut off.
Shakti refused to listen, and kept on insisting upon Ardee blaming her. Ardee insisted on refusing to do so. This went on for a while even when Ilta arrived, who just waited on the side, finally getting the chance to take a break, she ate the freshly made skewer of meat and vegetables. Her body collapsing into the chair, legs trembling from the intensity of the fight.
"Finally, a little break… That was worse than the training he put us through. Hands down."
"I can tell, you leveled up, and went right back into the fight." Iska smirked.
"You're not bad yourself, Iska."
"Of course!"
The two smirked, and snickered for a moment. A spark to end the long crying hug off to the side.
"Alright, Ardee, tell me, where is Vito? I'll go kill him for you."
"No need, I've already killed him."
"Huh? But, your oath?"
"I needed to prove that I still had the strength to avenge my baby."
"I-"
"Besides, my oath is all about just punishment. It's my way of being a heroine. Can someone be called a heroine, if they can't even avenge those they had once failed to protect?"
Shakti couldn't answer, she didn't have one to give.
"Big Sister, have one of these special skewers. There's less meat, but it's good. I'd recommend sitting down first."
So Shakti sat down, and instantly felt her legs crying tears of joy to finally get a break. The women started conversing all about the situation thus far. And mentioned how despite the fact they were, indeed a help, the Loki, Freya familias barely played any major roles in the battle. Sure, destroying three dragons, and a few of the Evilus higher ups is good and all, but compared to what needed to be done, there was far more for them to do.
…
Battle lines were quickly resolved after the arrival of the first class adventurers from the East battle front. It was clear that they were the best of the best. Each a force of nature…
With battle lines having been resolved, came the search for other survivors who hadn't evacuated in time. The fact a dragon had reached the central tower… didn't help convince anyone that it was safe there.
Even so, people having run out of their own resources, reluctantly evacuated just in case the situation worsened, or was dragged out in a more significant way. Despite their efforts, food reserves were already growing low.
The skewers Ilta managed to get were a special gift for the adventurers who fought the dragons. It was the idea of one of the gods of the kitchen, saying something like: "After such a difficult battle, they deserve a little something better than backed bricks." And many others understood that point very well.
Having finished the resolution of the battle lines, completely finishing with the Evilus forces, and their hordes of monsters, adventurers who'd come from the east to reinforce the other locations, returned, and simply sat down wherever they could find a seat. A couple of the young children helping out in the kitchen delivered a skewer to each of them, getting head-pats in return.
"OH YES! IT'S SO GOOD!"
Some of them cried out, thankful there was something good happening right now. No matter how small, it eased their aching bodies.
…
Loki was seen running around frantically looking for someone, or something.
"Where is she? Where is my little Ais!"
"Huh?"
Loki was staring into one of the new level 6s so hard the stare might as well be right at their soul.
"Where is she?!"
"Who?"
"Ais!"
"What does she look like?"
"Short, blond hair."
"Oh! You mean the freaky girl. Well, not as freaky as Origin Wolf… I think she's still on her way back. She refused to accept help to make it back. Some sort of pride or whatever. Regardless, she caused us a few problems. But it's alright, I don't expect anyone to fight like we do."
"So she actually went there. What am I going to do with that girl, damn it."
It was just around then when the little girl, walking back using her scabbard as a cane, sword still drawn. A defiant little girl amidst the chaos, kept walking closer and finally she sat down right next to someone. One who grew redder than a tomato in a matter of .2 seconds.