Chapter 138- Reconciliation

Chapter 138- Reconciliation

[Keeno POV]

After making it back into the city, we went to the Guild and Fia asked for a private room for us to talk. After securing the door we all sat around a big table. Fia pulled out some drink and several glasses from her ring and poured some for each of us before sliding the glasses to us. Mostima caught hers and downed it one go before sliding it back to Fia. The tension in the room palpable, especially between the two of them.

“Before anything else, Tima, show some respect to Rasu. This conversation won’t go anywhere if you two don’t at least act cordial.” (Fia)

“What does the Sun Goddess have to do with this? I know being her Apostle is important for you, but you’ve never had a problem with how I address before.” (Mostima)

Fia glanced at me, and I nodded, not seeing any point in keeping secrets from a person who knew Fia’s true identity.

“It’s because she’s Rasu’s Fated One. You surely understand what that means, right?” (Fia)

Mostima’s eyes went wide, and she turned her gaze from Fia to me.

“...That...damn...*sigh* Sorry for getting off on the wrong foot this time, Miss Okami. I didn’t mean to offend you or your Fated One, my emotions are just running a bit high since I’ve finally found Fiametta after so long.” (Mostima)

“Wait, you’ve met before?” (Fia)

“Briefly.” (Keeno)

“We shared a campfire for a bit. By the way, was it you who made such a scene in Vanir? When I got there after that night things were strained and that oh so infamous Hunter was all anyone could talk about.” (Mostima)

“Well, at least Red seems to be getting stuff done. I wish she would talk to me sometimes.” (Keeno)

“...Well, this surprising information aside, I should also apologize to you, Mostima. I know it probably doesn’t mean much seeing as I’ve kind of avoided this for...a few thousand years, but it’s all I can really say.” (Fia)

Fia then downed her own glass before refilling both hers and Mostima’s and sliding it back to her. The blue haired fallen angel caught it again and looked down into the amber liquid as she mulled over Fia’s words.

“Can someone please explain what’s happening and some context?” (Freya)

“In the time before the Dead Zones, the world was much different and there was a time then where horrors called Fiends appeared. They started wreaking havoc on the world, corrupting everything they touched, causing mortals to go mad, killing everything indiscriminately. Basically, a time where almost nothing good ever happened.” (Mostima)

“In those times, mortals banded together with the few Gods around at the time to fight and eradicate the Fiends. Still a lot of losses, but we managed to succeed in the end. In one such case was in current day Lokir. To win that battle I as a newly appointed Apostle had to stoop to drastic measures. Those measures being full use of my Soul Weapon.” (Fia)

“That, in turn, caused all of Lokir except the area where the Dead Zone is to become a desert of ash and flames.” (Mostima)

“Hence my title as Eternal Flame.” (Fia)

“At the time, it was an unavoidable outcome, though it also cemented Fiametta’s status as extremely hated by the natives of that land. She also, for lack of a better word, ran after that happened. I did hear that she played a big part in the final battle.” (Mostima)

“It was a very grueling, horrible battle too. I still sometimes see it in my dreams, though it’s been a while since I have after Okami showed up.” (Fia)

“Anyway, after the Fiends were eradicated, I spent all these years looking for Fiametta. You are a very hard phoenix to find. Every now and then I would hear a rumor of you being somewhere only for you to be long gone when I got there. I actually heard you were spotted in Lokir not too long ago and was preparing to head that way when I ran into you here.” (Mostima)

“For my part I was mostly going around making sure the Dead Zones were doing their job, or at least as close as I could get to them in some cases like here in Odeen where I had to be more careful else people get stupid ideas. Then 20 years ago I had to go to Falheim to get Okami. After successfully getting her out, we spent 13 years in Solheim before going separate ways.” (Fia)

“To think I could have found you in Solheim.” (Mostima)

“I actually tried my best to make sure no information about that got out. Not so you couldn’t find me since I actually didn’t know you were still looking for me, but because I didn’t want any people who I’ve made enemies of to find us as well as just treating it like a vacation.” (Fia)

“So, are you done with the Dead Zones? I’ve been around long enough to know Vanir doesn’t have one anymore.” (Mostima)

“That’s where I come in. But first, full introduction seeing as Fia trusts you and you know about my circumstances to a certain extent. I’m Keeno Fafnir Okami, Goddess of the Blue Sun and Death, aspiring Goddess of Runes, and the Fated One of Amaterasu who needs no introduction. And, while you know this, I’d still prefer you call me Okami for now.” (Keeno)

“Honestly Keeno, that stipulation hardly seems necessary seeing as most people who find out your name end up calling you by Keeno nearly as soon as they learn it.” (Pram)

“I know that happens a lot, but I still at least want to try and keep it as a precedent of formality.” (Keeno)

“You’re just being stubborn.” (Freya)

“Anyway, I’m dismantling the Dead Zones so I can fully come into my power as a goddess. Fia has been going around setting things up, so I have a slightly better time doing so, though the only time so far that has actually helped was in Vanir. After that we’ve gotten Falheim’s and we’re on the way to get Odeen’s. We have two contacts inside the capital that are going to help us as well, though only one of them knows this, the other doesn’t.” (Keeno)

“Hoho. Seems like it’s nearing time for the world to change again. If you don’t mind me asking, who are your contacts?” (Mostima)

“Aslan, the new Prime Minister and Eblana the Death Dragon.” (Keeno)

“Pffft.” (Fia)

“That’s gross, Fia.” (Pram)

“When did you meet the Prime Minister?” (Fia)

“He was that noble we befriended on the way to Vanir. Apparently, he inherited the position recently.” (Pram)

“That is a surprise, but the dragon isn’t. I mean, you have some relation to the old Dragon Queen after all.” (Mostima)

“...Eh!? Mum’s the Dragon Queen!? Dragons have a queen!?” (Keeno)

“Pfffft. Mum!!?? She’s your mother!!??? How, she died a thousand years ago!?” (Mostima)

“Pffft.” (Mostima)

At this point I felt like it was time for us to leave the two alone to sort things out themselves. I stood up followed by Pram and Freya.

“We’ll leave the two of you alone for the night. Feel free to reminisce, gaze into each other’s eyes, make out to your heart’s content. We’ll see you two tomorrow if you’re willing.” (Keeno)

With that we fled the room and went back to the inn for the night.

Chaos Realm:

Luna: Well now, talk about an intriguing development.

Tamamo: Definitely.

Atmos: Hmm. Is that the definition of star-crossed lovers?

Luna: No.

*poof!*

Soleil: Eh?

Velvet: What the heck?

Ophidia: Oh, hey Master!

Skadi: It’s been a while since I’ve been here.

Mio: Same nya.

Fenrir: It’s been a while since I’ve seen any of you, Mio excluded.

Luna: Impromptu watch party time! Also, hey everyone! Missed seeing all of you.

Soleil: You saw us a few hours ago.

Velvet: You even told us we’d be coming here soon.

Luna: And? Time here is weird, so it feels like a long time.

Fenrir: So, what’s happened with that fox in a similar situation to you?

Mio: Has she met any cats yet nya? Someone worthy of the Blessing of Nya nya?

Ophidia: Did you know something like this was happening Skadi?

Skadi: I wasn’t. I feel left out now.

Tamamo: It’s not like we didn’t try to reach out to you.

Skadi: For my part, I’m still getting used to taking over for my mother.

Ophidia: And for my part I’m still getting used to becoming a goddess myself.

Luna: That’s fair. Come to think of it, only Soleil and Velvet haven’t become goddesses yet. We need to change that.

Tamamo: Ask if they even want that first.

Soleil: As long as Velvet is fine with it, then it doesn’t matter to me if I’m only an Apostle or a Goddess.

Velvet: I was going to say the same thing.

Luna: Hmmm. Soleil could be a Goddess of Art and Velvet a Goddess of Reason.

Velvet: ...

Soleil: Be serious, big sis.

Tamamo: Goddess of Vampires sounds better.

Luna: Authority of Vampirism...wonder what that would hold power over exactly?

Tamamo: Probably some esoteric something or other. She’d become a subordinate of mine.

Luna: Is that fine, Velvet?

Velvet: Sounds fine to me. Not like I’d be treated like a subordinate anyway. And the Temple of Fluff and Stars no longer needs our full attention, though I wonder how it works, being an Apostle and a God at the same time?

Luna: We can ask that later. For now, we’ll get all of you caught up on recent events in this other world.