The Twilight Manor trembled under its pillars, not from an earthquake this time, but from the wild celebration that had taken over the main hall.
The manor itself stood like a fortress in the northern district of Orario, tall spires of dark stone rising into the night sky, its walls thick and windowless on most sides. Only the great hall at its heart showed any warmth, its arched windows spilling golden light into the courtyard below. It was a place built to withstand the Dungeon's threats, the chaos of Evilus, and the unruly nature of its own residents alike, equal parts sanctuary and stronghold for the Loki Familia.
Loki had found the perfect excuse: the "successful expedition." And her children were more than eager to turn that excuse into a full-blown drinking frenzy, once again transforming her fortress into a gigantic tavern worthy of the Nordic feasts from the myths of another world.
The hall was a chaos of shouts, laughter, and loud music, played by a few people who were either permanent hires or Familia members themselves.
The air was thick with the smell of beer, mead, and roasted meat, blending with the clatter of mugs being slammed together.
In one corner, the main attraction of the night was drawing bets and curious eyes, a fierce arm-wrestling match.
On one side of the table sat Tiona Hiryute, the bronze-skinned Amazon with medium-length black hair cascading lightly over her shoulders. She wore her typical outfit: a tight top revealing her toned abs and a light pareo tied at the waist, accentuating her firm build. Her dark-green eyes gleamed with amusement, and her mischievous grin carried the promise that the outcome was already decided before the match even began.
On the other side sat some muscular adventurer from Loki Familia, determined to impress someone far out of his league.
The man strained with everything he had. Veins bulged on his forearm, neck, and forehead, his face red with effort. Sweat dripped as he gritted his teeth and groaned.
Across from him, Tiona looked like she was merely playing around. Her hand didn't budge an inch.
— Waaah… — She faked a bored yawn, earning a wave of laughter from the onlookers.
— Come on, Zephyro! Your face looks like a squashed tomato! It's just an arm wrestle! — Tiona teased, her tone light and mocking.
— Grr… Y-you're absurdly strong! — he growled through clenched teeth. — There's no way you're that… relaxed!
— Well, if you worked as hard in the Dungeon as you do trying to flirt with me, maybe you'd stand a chance — she shot back, smiling slyly.
With a quick, lazy motion, Tiona decided to end the show. She slammed the man's hand down with overwhelming strength, the sharp crack echoed through the hall.
The pull was so strong Zephyro lost his balance and toppled backward, landing flat on his back in an awkward, humiliating heap.
The hall exploded in cheers and laughter."Ooohs!", "Aaahs!" and applause mixed with the pounding of mugs against tables.
Tiona shrugged, calmly collecting the Valis from the bet.
— See? — she said with a teasing grin. — You should at least win an arm wrestle before trying to win me, Zephyro.
Bete Loga sat at one of the tables, devouring a chunk of barely cooked meat and drinking like there was no tomorrow.
Though infamous for his temper and sharp tongue, the noise didn't bother him, until people started bumping into him.
First an elbow, then a shoulder, then a mug spilled onto the floor.
A low growl rumbled in his throat.
— These idiots ever heard of personal space? — he muttered, slamming his empty mug on the table with a sharp crack that made everyone look his way.
— Hey! Another one! That one on the right!
An adventurer stumbled behind him and bumped hard enough to make the cup hit Bete's gums. The dry sound was followed by another growl.
He jumped up, chair toppling backward. The entire hall fell silent.
— You blind or just stupid?! — he roared, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. — If you can't walk straight, crawl!
The young adventurers who'd bumped into him went pale, stepping back in panic.
Bete glared for a moment, jaw tight, then spat on the floor and sat back down.
No one dared walk near his table for the rest of the night.
In a quieter corner of the hall, where the noise was slightly more bearable, the Familia's top trio occupied a large table. Bottles of mead and leftover meat covered the surface, though only one of them seemed to be enjoying himself.
— Heh, the bunch's really outdoing themselves tonight, huh? — grumbled Gareth Landrock, also known as Elgarm, the "Grand Hammer" of the dwarves. A veteran Level 6 adventurer, master of brute strength and defense.
— If I hadn't gone myself, I'd think they're celebrating the defeat of the Black Dragon. — He wiped the foam from his beard with his forearm.
Riveria Ljos Alf, the "Nine Hells," supreme mage and vice-captain of Loki Familia, sighed and crossed her legs gracefully. The jade-haired elf, sharp-eyed and elegant, wore her green and gold-trimmed robes as perfectly as ever.
— It's impressive how you lot can turn anything into an excuse to get drunk. You're like a pack of monkeys...
— Ah, let them be, Riveria-san... — replied Finn Deimne, the "Braver," captain of Loki Familia and an excellent strategist.
A calm Level 6 warrior with golden hair and piercing blue eyes, dressed far too formally for such a raucous party.
— Things are always like this. After an expedition like that, there's nothing better than blowing off steam and keeping morale high.
— "Morale"? — Riveria raised an eyebrow. — No offense, but after all these years, I still don't understand your definition of "keeping morale high."
— Don't act like you're not enjoying yourself. — Gareth laughed heartily.
Before Riveria could respond, a sharp voice cut through the noise, it was Loki, once again trying to flirt with some innocent girl from her own Familia.
— Hey, cutie! So you're the new archer, right? Emilia, was it? — Loki leaned her chin on her hand, eyes narrowing with mischievous intent. — They say you've got great aim... but up close, I'd say you're the real dangerous target.
The rookie swallowed hard, her face burning. — H-huh?
Loki chuckled low, a husky, amused sound as she leaned closer. — Relax, sweetheart. I'm just curious if your bow's the only thing that knows how to shoot straight...
— I-I trained a lot, Lady Loki, that's all... — The girl tried to laugh, but her nerves showed. Her eyes darted across the hall, searching for an escape.
— Trained a lot, huh? — Loki's grin widened.
— I bet you did... every muscle firm, everything perfectly in place. — She reached out and lightly touched the girl's shoulder, making her flinch.
— Hm... soft, too. — she murmured
Nearby adventurers averted their eyes. Everyone knew about the goddess's peculiar tastes, especially when it came to the women of her own Familia, but no one dared intervene. Loki was... well, Loki.
Or almost no one.
BANG!
— Ow! — Loki yelped, clutching her head. — Riveria! What do you think you're doing?!
— Putting you in your place. Before you performed another "miracle" of indecency in public. — the elf replied coolly, unbothered.
The archer seized the chance to flee, disappearing among the crowd.
Seeing this, Loki rubbed the top of her head, pouting. — Geez… it was just a compliment! Can't I even show appreciation for my children anymore?
— You confuse "appreciation" with "harassment," — Riveria said, arms crossed. — That kind of thing isn't tolerated in this Familia.
— This is My Familia, I'll remind you! — Loki jabbed a thumb at herself. — And I don't recall adding that rule to the charter!
Riveria's eyes narrowed. In one smooth, almost lazy motion, she reached out and placed a hand on the goddess's head.
— Oh, come on, Riveria, what are you gon-? — Loki tried to laugh, but the sound turned into a strangled yelp as a crack echoed through the air.
— O-ow! Ow ow ow! Too hard! Riveria! Riveria! Stop it! I'm a goddess, remember?! This is sacrilege! I mean it! My skull's making weird noises! Riveria!!! — Loki squirmed as the elf's hand tightened.
— If you say you are one, then learn to act like a goddess, — Riveria said coldly, adding just a bit more pressure.
Loki shrieked and flailed while the surrounding adventurers burst out laughing—this scene was far from new.
— O-okay! I'll behave, I promise! I promise!
Seeing the expression of pain on her face, Riveria decided to believe her and let her go, calmly adjusting a strand of her hair.
Loki, still rubbing her scalp, muttered with a pout. — Tsk... no fun allowed in this place...
Then her tearful eyes lit up as she spotted someone passing through the corridor.
A girl with long white hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders, eyes of vivid crimson contrasting her pale skin.
Her face was round, almost angelic, but her body... sinful enough to make most women jealous, especially of her generous bust.
The young girl looked completely out of place amid the chaos, holding a plate of food timidly, unsure where to sit.
Loki's grin sparked back to life.
— Bell-chan! Mama scolded me again!!! — the goddess cried, launching herself like a missile straight toward the girl.
Before Riveria could react, Loki had already latched onto Bell, clinging to her like a child seeking refuge.
— Protect me, Bell-chan! Riveria-mama's gonna kill me!
— E-eh?! L-Loki-sama?! W-what- are you doing?! I-I just came to get food! — Bell blinked rapidly, a tiny, high squeak escaping her as her face flushed the same vivid red as her eyes. She took a small step backward, nearly dropping her plate.
— Shhh! Stay quiet, Bell-chan! If Riveria finds me, she'll exorcise me! — Loki hid behind her, hugging her tightly from behind like a koala, squeezing her as if she were a plush toy.
Bell let out a muffled little gasp and pressed her free hand to her chest, trying to form words that came out in a soft, stammered whisper. — I-I… uh… p-please… — Her knees trembled just a fraction; she swallowed audibly, eyes darting for an escape.
Across the room, Riveria sighed heavily, disappointed in herself for letting it come to this again, then started walking toward them in calm, steady steps.
— Loki... release her... — she began, her voice dangerously calm.
— You're not my mom! — Loki yelled, peeking over Bell's shoulder, the girl still frozen and blushing like a tomato.
— You're using a child as a shield. A child, mind you, you're not even close enough with to pull this kind of shameful stunt. — Riveria's tone sharpened.
— Child? Look at her! So cute, so mature... so huggable! — As she said this, Loki's hands stopped encircling Bell's waist to grip her more firmly, and began to fondle Bell's breasts, which made her blush even more with embarrassment.
— It's practically a crime to let such a treasure wander around alone! — Loki squeezed tighter, grinning while Bell squirmed helplessly, torn between pushing her off or crying for help. A small, involuntary whimper slipped from Bell, half plea, half embarrassment.
— Loki! — Riveria snapped her name like a whip.
— Awn, Riveria, don't tell me you don't find her adorable too? — Loki teased, resting her chin on Bell's shoulder as the poor girl turned scarlet. — I bet even you'd blush if she looked at you like that!
Bell let out a tiny, breathy laugh that sounded more like an exhale of panic than amusement.
— N-no, n-no- — she tried, voice trembling, and then quickly shut her mouth, her face trembled as she bit her lower lip, sensitive because of Loki's affection.
— I am blushing... out of secondhand embarrassment. — Riveria's voice cut through the noise like a blade drawn from ice. Her emerald eyes narrowed, the faintest glimmer of mana flickering behind them as she straightened her posture. — Loki. Release her. Now.
The air seemed to tighten around them. The laughter, the clinking of mugs, even the music in the hall faltered for a moment as the temperature seemed to drop. Bell froze completely, feeling the weight of Riveria's presence pressing against her back like an invisible wall.
Loki's grin faltered. Her hands loosened their grip, and a nervous chuckle escaped her lips.— O-okay, okay, no need for the scary eyes, Riveria... heh... — she muttered, finally letting go of Bell and raising both hands in mock surrender.
Bell quickly stepped away, smoothing her skirt in a futile attempt to compose herself, her cheeks still burning. She risked a quick glance at Riveria, the elf's calm, collected stare made even the goddess of mischief look like a child caught red-handed.
— Hmph, killjoy... — Loki grumbled under her breath, but the way she avoided Riveria's eyes said more than her words ever could.
Bell bowed nervously, her voice a small, shaking murmur. — I-I'm sorry... I didn't know what to do...
— It's fine, dear, — Riveria said gently, then cast a glare sharp enough to pierce stone at Loki. — The fault is entirely hers.
Loki crossed her arms and looked away. — Tsk, no one here appreciates artistic admiration...
— Say one more word — Riveria warned, each syllable measured and devoid of mercy — and I'll hang you upside down in front of the entire Familia.
Loki's smile snapped like a thread. She swallowed, lips pressed together, and the color drained slightly from her cheek. The warning hung in the air like a blade, thin, bright, impossible to ignore. Loki's smile tore free and fell; she swallowed, jaw working as if to force the bravado back down. For a beat she looked as small as anyone else in the hall.
BAAAAAM!
Then the great doors at the far end of the room slammed open with a thunderous crash. A rush of colder air swept through. The music stuttered, mugs stilled, and every head turned as one toward the entrance.
The spell of Riveria's quiet menace shattered. Loki exhaled once, long and audible. Her shoulders slackened and she let out a relieved, shaky laugh that quickly died into a breathless, almost embarrassed grin.
Curiosity snapped across the hall like wildfire. Conversations restarted in hushed, eager bursts as people craned to see who had arrived. Finn's brow rose; Gareth set his mug down more carefully than necessary. Even Riveria's stance shifted, alert but not entirely relaxed.
A figure stepped into the doorway, small and ribboned and impossibly familiar.
Loki's eyes widened. Her voice, when it came, was a whisper that cut through the renewed murmur of the crowd.
— Hestia?! What are you doing here?