Once the grace period of rest after the war game was over, the Denatus was summoned to council once more. This time, only the familias with members who'd officially reached level 2 or higher, were allowed to attend the meeting. A reason for this was the added requirement for all gods in attendance to have their familia's captain and one other guard present for the meeting.
Oddly enough, this filled the chamber a little bit more than the day Ouranos had called for the Denatus of all the gods. Not because there were more people present, rather there was just more space in between the groups of three. A little less trust in this particular meeting.
Many of the gods were still partial to Zeus and Hera, holding a greater degree of respect for them than they ever could for the Loki and Freya familias. A feeling that only grew stronger the moment Bell Cranel had announced Ottar was the one responsible for his father's death. Many had the suspicion this may have been the case, but given how strong the Zeus and Hera familia members truly were, it was unheard of that someone could pull it off.
In the rows of seats, sat all of the gods who'd not participated in the war game. They were present to bear witness to all of the demands, and the likely punishment to follow. One of them had a guard not from their familia, purely because her captain was carrying his kid… This goddess was Hephaestus, and she couldn't help but feel disappointment whenever she saw Loki's figure.
"That was unforgivable… I'm shocked she'd even let that happen. Let alone endorse it." She grumbled annoyed.
"I was quite upset as well, I almost killed the lot of them for it." Leon answered her worry. "Since Shurry didn't do it, and Zald told me not to, I couldn't bring myself to do it."
"It's good that you didn't. Even though they definitely deserve it."
"That boy, Bell Cranel, he's the reason those murderers are still alive. Only the son can truly avenge the father." Tsubaki said with a glint in her eye, lightly rubbing her belly.
"Indeed, I think this is the way things should be. Those murderers stole his father from him."
"They will live in constant fear of being targeted by the one they truly harmed. If they can't grow under that kind of pressure, then they've peaked." Hephaestus sighed.
At the table in the center of the chamber Freya sat with Ottar, and Hedin flanking her on either side… Loki sat next to Freya with Finn, and Noir flanking her… all six of them were currently under the gaze of everyone, facing the stares accusing them of being murderers. It was not a comfortable feeling.
Across the table sat; Astraea with Alise & Ryuu, Hathor with Nernatti & Bokhoir, Hera with Meteria & Meda, and lastly Zeus with Zald & Bell… Most of them were calm and steady, well, all except for Bell, he couldn't help but feel fury every time he saw the one who murdered his father in cold blood. It was more than anger, a visceral reaction, one he couldn't explain.
The room had been waiting for everyone to arrive, some expected Shurry to arrive, but he was not going to come by this time. He was… busy… And so, Hermes began the Denatus.
"My kin, and their children, welcome to the post war Denatus. Today, we will all bear witness to the demands Astraea has for Loki and Freya. The goal here is to make sure the demands are fair, and just. Not that I think Astraea would have a hard time being as such."
"May I start first?" Freya asked, then waited a moment before continuing. "I'd like to know, why is Origin Wolf not present?"
"My son is busy at the moment. He has four wives to take care of after all. All of them can demand quite the attention. Attention he gives them in spades, I think right now, they're enjoying a nice hearty, and healthy meal…"
"I see, that explains why Meteria is here instead of Alfia. Now then, what is it that the victors want from my familia?"
"You can't have Ais!!!!" Loki stood up in protest, attempting to make it clear she doesn't want to lose Ais.
"Loki, you can stop that now, you have no room to refuse, not before, and certainly not after your loss." l | l l | l l| l - "What you're going to do is simple, both of your familias will free each and every member to other familias, with the exception of those who participated in the murder 8 years ago, and of course everyone else who wishes to stay with you."
"That can't be all, can it? Such a punishment would only really hurt Loki familia."
"I'm glad you realize the hold your natural charm has on the children, Freya, but no, this isn't the limit. You will sell all of your excess products, and fund the creation of another floating district. The Loki and Freya familias will use it as a base to spread good deeds all over Gekai. In doing so you'll slowly make amends for crimes." Astraea stated as a matter of fact. "Furthermore, Ottar, Finn, and both familias executives are banned from dying to any other force, or enemy. If any of you fall to anyone other than Bell Cranel, both Freya and Loki will be forcibly sent back to Tenkai."
The gods went quiet… the demands were simple yet also quite damning. Finn shook, realizing a few things about this…
"If I may, Lady Astraea, this will stagnate our growth. Without access to the dungeon, we will never be able to level up again."
"If that's what you think then it's all the more important that you leave the city. Or have you not already seen it yourself?" Meteria spoke with a calm fury under her voice. "You've already stagnated."
"Furthermore, I do not care what you say, try or do, Ais will be removed from your familia and join mine. If you refuse this, or any of the terms, both of you can go back to Tenkai right now."
Ottar moved, without thinking. "Lady Freya, we should accept."
"Lady Freya, I agree with Ottar."
"Astraea, my children are fine with this, I'll accept your demands. I do have a request to make though, if it's not too much, could we get some help funding that massive construction?"