In Orario, the pubs, still showing some of the signs of the devastation Evilus had wrought, were filled, packed to the brim with bar goers. Chefs were working non-stop so they could end up watching the whole event. Places like the red-light district had completely shut down their business for the day, opting to watch the war game instead, despite the desire to continue bumping bodies together.
In the central square areas were set up where mirrors could be seen from almost any angle, creating a place where anyone could come, sit, relax, and watch the war game. A feat made much easier with the several food & beverage options for everyone to choose from. There were several other places set up with the mirrors the gods created for everyone.
Of the places within the city limits, the Denatus' room where many gods sat and watched the war game together. They did this in an effort to make sure their kin didn't pull any crazy tricks like; attacking others, or worse yet, fleeing the battle. If anyone were to flee, their deity would be sent back to Tenkai, real quick, and in a hurry.
The god responsible for the arena, Ganesha, set up the whole place as a way to handle a great many people. It was from here that the Announcer managed to have his voice cast all the way to everyone watching, mostly due to Ganesha making it abundantly easy to do so.
"ALRIGHT! THE DAY'S HERE! It's a clash of familia! Going head to head in a castle siege! It's… It's… IT'S A WAR GAME!!!" Excited cheers erupted from all over the city, sending a proud shiver down the announcer's spine. "Today it's Lady Freya's & Lady Loki's familias, jointly taking on the ladies of justice themselves, Lady Astraea's familia!!! Today our ladies of justice fight hand in hand with Lady Hera's youngest member, Meda, and Lord Zeus' youngest member Bell. However, in accordance with the agreements made, Lady Hathor has sent two of her own children, members of the hero's familia, how strong are these two? Donathan, the Arachne Annihilator! Legi, the Night Huntress! And everyone, be sure to pay close attention because we're in for a treat! Both members, after undergoing a grueling training regiment, have pushed themselves to the breaking point and utterly shattered the record! They have both reached level 6, along with Meda, a level 6, and Bell a level 5!!!"
Everyone watching gasped at the notion. They knew that such a fast level up time would mean a training intensity unlike any other they'd ever thought of, and yet as they attempted to imagine it for themselves, cold sweat dripped the length of their spines. Shurry just chuckled as he waited and watched, Neze was not participating despite the fact she really wanted to.
…
Outside of the old Shreme Castle, hidden away for the moment, they waited. And then a signal flare graced the sky. Alise stood up, the rest of her familia did as well, everyone drew weapons.
"Sisters, and brothers, we fight to push forward, and claim victory. Let's become the best aunts for the child in our sister's womb." Alise announced. "Bell, Meda. Thank you for coming here with us. Us sisters will do everything in our power to help avenge our shared family. Alraj is watching you Bell, don't let him down."
"Don't worry about me, big sister Alise. I'm going to beat them up good." Bell said with a degree of confidence beyond that of most adventurers.
"In that case…" Alise confidently smirked. "Everyone, let's tear that castle apart, and show those murderers who's really just."
The Astraea familia group began their assault.
…
On the Freya and Loki side of the battle yet to come, just a few moments before the battle was set to begin, Finn, Ottar, and the executives of both familias, to include all of the members who'd been responsible for attacking the Zeus and Hera familia 8 years ago, were gathered…
"Our members, they aren't following my orders?" Finn spoke with a measured confusion.
"It might have something to do with how we murdered Alraj in cold blood."
"Even so, this is a war game with the familia's honor on the line. They won't be able to join another familia if we lose."
"Then we will just have to win with what we've got available to us." Hedin retorted with a slight disgust towards Finn. All because of him my lady's wish has become even more impossible. She's miserable! Damn it Finn. No, I bear some fault as well, I never expected that the boy was this powerful, I wouldn't have gone along with the plan if I'd have known… Damn it, that still makes me a terrible person… I never should have done it.
"So who do we have that can be counted on to actually fight?" Finn asked, hoping it wasn't as bad as he'd expected… It was made abundantly clear, after no one spoke, that it was just the current captains, and executives of both familias… "If this is really all we can count on… Ottar, are you able to beat Alise?"
"Yes."
"No you aren't." Hedin sighed. "You need support now. With that bit of training they did with Origin Wolf, it's possible that she's reached level 7. She was never a slouch to begin with either."
Finn started reading into the announcement of those who'd leveled up. Every single one of them is the enemy… And all of them have leveled up, except for Alise. If this is right, she is a level 7 right now… But that would be crazy fast… Way too fast, right?
"Let's think about this, they come from a familia with a goddess of justice on their side, there's no way they'd lie about their levels. We should treat her like an unnaturally strong level 6. Do not engage in combat with her alone."
"You forget, Finn… Alise hid her level once before, remember? She was a level 5 during the Evilus attack."
"Even so, the rate of level ups can't be that easy, not for level 7, right Ottar?"
Ottar remained quiet, thinking for a moment. "No…"
"See."
"No, you are wrong, if they already know what I learned last month, they might have level ups stored, just waiting to come to the surface. And Alise… She feels different today than the last time I saw her."
"This is not going to be easy…"
Then the flash of the signal flare shown through the window.
…