Eight years after that day's nightmare.
Step, step—
"....Has it been two months?"
Crossing the gates into the Labyrinth City Orario, Akumo began his steady walk through the familiar streets. The scenery of the city he hadn't seen in weeks looked much the same at a glance, yet subtle, jagged shifts were visible in the periphery.
'The people are more guarded than before... It must be because of Evilus...'
"Recently, ominous signs have been surfacing everywhere..."
Thinking about Zard and Alfia, whose contact had become infrequent lately, Akumo directed his steps toward the Loki Familia home.
"Oh? Akumo-san!"
"Hey, Raul. Anything happen while I was gone?"
"Should I call it... 'anything'?"
"What is it?"
"It's about Ais-san..."
Raul mentioned that Ais had finally achieved a Rank-up to Level 3. Akumo felt a flick of genuine surprise at her growth rate. She was already the Record Holder for the fastest ascent to Level 2; this news would surely set the city ablaze with gossip once more.
"So, she's planning to get some custom armaments forged."
"Custom gear, huh... I happen to have some business with Hephaestus-sama as well."
Leaving the conversation with Raul behind, Akumo entered the manor. The core members of the Familia greeted him as they always did.
"Where the hell have ye been gallivantin' off to before decidin' to crawl back?"
"Akumo, where did you travel this time?"
"Even if it's only in name, you are still a member of our Familia."
Loki, Riveria, and Finn each threw a barb his way, clearly disgruntled by his frequent and prolonged absences.
"Ahaha... I did venture quite a bit further than usual this time."
The door swung open.
"Akumo, you're back?"
Ais entered the room and gave him a characteristically stoic greeting.
"Oh! Ais, I heard you leveled up?"
"Ye heard the news? Our Ais-tan reached Level 3 faster than anyone, I tell ye!"
"Then you'll be getting that custom weapon we talked about before?"
"Aye, exactly! I'm gonna get the best possible weapon made, somethin' truly fittin' for our Ais-tan!"
Beaming with pride, Loki began an animated, long-winded recital of Ais's various exploits over the past two months. Ais, however, slowly started to edge toward the exit, uncomfortable with the fuss. Riveria intervened, cutting Loki's monologue short and seating Akumo down to interrogate him about his latest excursion.
"So, what exactly did you bring back this time?"
"...I traveled toward the Far East. I found something rather interesting there."
Thud—
"This is...?"
Akumo reached into his bag and placed an ore on the table. It pulsed with a brilliant, translucent emerald hue.
"Found it in a certain forest. I'm not entirely sure what it is."
"So, there is no precise information on it..."
"One thing is certain—this isn't your average mineral."
"And why do you say that?"
"I searched for info within a wide radius of where it was discovered, but no one had ever seen or heard of this ore."
"Which means..."
"It's a new discovery."
As Akumo and Riveria discussed the green ore, Riveria quickly deduced why he had brought such a thing back.
"Is this to be the material for your personal weapon?"
"Exactly. I just had a feeling about it."
"Aye... I can see it plain as day. Whatever this stuff is, it ain't some second-rate scrap."