Outside, licking their wounds, was what remained of the conscious members of both Freya, and Loki's familias. Heith, a truly ridiculously powerful healer, was working over time with her magic, chugging down magic potions, one after the other. She was quite pissed, in more ways than one… Both were clearly very visible.
"That went, poorly…"
"That's an understatement. But, that boy, he was able to resist my charms."
"I noticed that. Interesting isn't he?"
Finn, having been healed from the brink of death, got up, coughing. "Loki, What exactly is that kid?"
"A werewolf."
"So… Another answer in the same vein as the dungeon…" Finn noted, putting a hand to his chin. "I'm worried about something he said… Did I hear it right?"
"Yes, he called us Evilus."
Finn clenched his spear, clearly more than a little upset about that comment. "We're going to have our work cut out for us to prove otherwise… I for one refuse to accept such a title."
…
Inside the Zeus & Hera familia home, Shurry stood next to Alfia, he asked Luna to make another fairy, but stopped before doing it…
"Luna, I was happy even where I was born because I had you with me… Is it possible to make more than one right now?"
"Even I can't revive the dead…"
"I-" Shurry cried… "Then make enough for what I want to do."
"I'll be weak for a while. This will use up all of the magic you just got from Balor's crystal."
"I understand."
Luna began the process of soul extension, and splitting. In the end she created a new fairy for Alfia, and also one for Bell, Meda, and Zald. Luna yawned, and went back inside Shurry to sleep.
Meda poked her head out from Hera's bosom, she saw a cute little fairy looking back at her. "Hi there, Meda! Wanna be my friend?"
"Hmm? Mhmm? Cute." She smiled, still crying, but the new fairy formed a contract with Meda, to be friends.
The fairy made for the baby Bell, exchanged smiles, and had a playful time catching and dodging. Then they made a contract together via a different method other than spoken communication.
"Hey there Zald? I'm gonna be hanging with you from now on! Let's have some fun, and get stronger together!" The fairy said entering Zald's soul. Wow, this is amazing. He's got a lot of power here. I'll help him use it to the fullest.
It wasn't much later when Alfia finally woke up, and was immediately hugged by a terribly worried Shurry. Even Meteria didn't have the chance to beat him to the hug.
"I'm so glad you're alright big sister! If I'd lost everyone… I don't know what I'd do!" He trembled.
"Huh? Shurry? This is home? Zald? What happened? I thought I was dead for sure."
Zald explained what happened, bearing the pain in his soul once more. He then left to go see Zeus. Leaving everyone else to cry. I can't cry now… I need to see Zeus about what we do next. I don't think I have it in me to face that dragon a second time…
…
"I understand what you're saying, Zald, but I don't have a good answer for you either. Maxim often struggled with the same things when he was captain. But you're not him, so I can't suggest the same thing. It just won't work." Zeus said, hammering a nail.
"I- I saw what happened to him. I don't know what could possibly stand against that kind of power. There wasn't anything left. I know how hard it is to give him injuries. But that… It was utterly insane. The monsters in Hell don't have that kind of power."
"You're right. But it shouldn't be impossible yet. Mortals can still defeat that kind of power. It won't be easy. But even though I could end it without a thought, a new one would take its place, and it would be stronger too."
"A power of the lower world… Wouldn't that take- No, you can't mean- Zald seemingly thought of something.
"Something like that."
"Then we never stood a chance. Did you know how strong it was before?"
"Nope. I had an estimate, and thought that there was a chance some of you may not come back. But I never thought it was that overwhelmingly mighty."
"It looks like we're going to need something like Albert on our side…"
"No, Zald, YOU, are stronger than Albert was. And what Lyca did in her last ditch effort, surpassed it as well. That dragon has grown immensely over the last 1000 years. Albert would be of no help to you here." Zeus explained, closing the coffin. "And now, the turmoil in your soul, the one that's suppressed your level up for so long, seems to be loosening. Once we move out of Orario, I'll update your status."
"You don't want me to stay around, and help the Hathor familia?"
"No, I'm going to have you be both Bell, and Meda's father figure. Those twins are a mess right now, they're strong, but it will always help to have a strong friend nearby to help share the load."
"This sounds like you're being really unfair to Shurry."
"He has his own familia, and that little girlfriend. I'm sure he'll be fine. Either way, we can't have any of our familia's remnants remain in the city. And, you're my familia's captain now, so you have to come with me."
"I see… I hope you're right about this. Just understand, if anything major happens, where he needs us. You must promise, all of us will return. No empty promises either, I want you to swear upon your Kingdom in Tenkai."
"You really care about that boy."
"I do, he's bright and cheerful. And loves food just as much, if not more than me… Moreover, I'd bet money that he was planning to throw us a feast with everyone's favorite snacks, and delicacies only he can reliably find." He paused… "I don't see how else he wouldn't have come to see us earlier than this morning. I hope he doesn't blame himself for Alraj's demise… Or any of them for that matter."
"Well, we just need to make it clear to him that he is not to blame." … The last nail went in. "I promise you, if something heartwrenching happens while we are gone… We'll return. But while we're away, let's try to live peacefully. With maybe some light training here, and there. Now, will you help me bring Alraj to rest? He deserves a good spot in the graveyard."
Zald, and Zeus lifted Alraj's coffin, but before they could leave, Shurry came running out to help carry it all the way through the city. Ignoring the defeated members of the assault team. He knew that with Alfia awake, if anyone tried anything, they'd be summarily crushed.