Hera waited for a moment before turning to Filyn.

"Take your top off ."

Filyn blinked, a bit caught off guard by the sudden instruction.

"H-Huh? Right now?"

She asked, her voice wavering slightly, cheeks tinged pink.

Hera gave her a flat look, though there was a playful glint in her eyes.

"What, you thought I was joking? Get on with it. You want your falna or not?"

Filyn sighed, muttering something under her breath about how this world was weird. She slowly removed her top, revealing her smooth back. She crossed her arms over her chest, looking away with an embarrassed expression.

"Alright, alright. . . just get it over with."

Hera chuckled as she leaned forward, her fingers glowing faintly as she began engraving the falna into Filyn's back.

"You'll get used to it. Everyone does."

As the divine script formed on Filyn's skin, she felt a faint warmth spreading through her body - a sensation that was both strange and comforting. When Hera finished, she leaned back with a satisfied nod.

"There. Welcome to the Hera Familia."

Filyn let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, face still slightly flushed.

"Thanks. . . I guess."

Hera smiled.

"Don't worry. You'll fit right in."

After completing the falna inscription, Hera took a parchment and pressed it against Filyn's back, causing the falna to transfer onto the parchment. The magical script glowed faintly before stabilizing, revealing Filyn's initial status.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Filyn - Level 1

Strength: I 0

Endurance: I 0

Dexterity: I 0

Agility: I 0

Magic: I 0

Magic:

Skills:

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Hera handed the parchment to Filyn, who took it with a curious yet slightly disappointed look.

"Well. . . that's pretty empty."

Filyn commented, tilting her head.

"Everyone starts somewhere."

Hera smirked.

"Magic and skills come with growth and experience. Besides, you might have some hidden potential. You'll find out in time."

Filyn sighed but nodded, clutching the paper.

"Guess I'll just have to work hard, then."

"Exactly. Welcome to the grind, dear."

Hera leaned back with a smile.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Kaide, Alfia, and Meteria made their way to a quiet corner of the dining area within the Hera Familia manor. The gentle murmur of conversations filled the hall, but this particular corner was more secluded, offering them a bit of privacy.

Kaide pulled out a chair for Meteria, who gave him a small smile before sitting down. Alfia took the seat across from her sister, leaning back with her arms crossed. Kaide settled beside Meteria, resting his three-sectioned staff against the table's edge.

There was a brief silence as they adjusted themselves. Kaide looked at both of them - Alfia's ever-cautious gaze meeting his, while Meteria seemed more relaxed yet curious.

"So. . . what's your decision?"

Kaide asked, his tone gentle but direct.

"About coming with me."

Alfia glanced at Meteria before answering.

"We discussed it a little while you were with Hera,"

Alfia began, her voice calm but firm.

"I'm not someone who accepts things lightly. I don't trust easily. . . but what you've done for my sister and me. . . it's hard to ignore. You're offering us a chance no one else could even dream of."

Meteria nodded softly.

"I. . . want to see more,"

She said quietly.

"I want to live beyond this room, beyond Orario. I don't want to be trapped in sickness and weakness anymore. If you can give me that chance, Kaide. . . I want to go."

Alfia exhaled, her eyes softening slightly as she looked at her sister.

"If she's going, I'm going,"

Alfia said firmly.

"I'll keep her safe - just like always. And. . . I'm curious too. About other worlds. About power and knowledge."

Kaide's lips curled into a small smile.

"Thank you. Both of you."

Alfia narrowed her eyes.

"Don't thank us yet. You've made promises - big ones. I'll hold you to every single word."

Kaide chuckled.

"Fair enough. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Meteria giggled softly, and for a moment, the weight of their burdens seemed lighter.

The three of them sat there in shared understanding - bound by trust, hope, and the desire for something greater.

As they settled into their seats at the corner of the dining area, the faint hum of chatter and clinking dishes filled the room, but their little corner felt somewhat apart from the rest - like a small bubble of privacy in the heart of the Hera Familia manor.

Kaide leaned back in his chair, relaxing for the first time in what felt like hours. Across from him, Meteria sat with a warm smile, looking far healthier than the frail woman he had first met. Her recovery had been remarkable, but it was the light in her eyes that stood out most - the kind of light that belonged to someone who had been given hope after living in the shadows of despair for too long.

"So. . . what was it like, your first time in the dungeon?"

Meteria asked, her voice gentle, carrying a genuine curiosity.

Kaide chuckled softly, glancing briefly at Alfia, who remained composed beside her sister, listening in silence.

"It was. . . eye-opening. Even though I had trained before coming here, facing monsters that could end you in a heartbeat is different from practice swings. It's a reminder that every moment counts. You can't afford to lose focus."

Meteria nodded, her eyes glimmering with intrigue.

"I've read so much about it. . . but I never thought I'd get to hear a firsthand account. I always wondered what it would be like - walking into that world beneath the city."

Kaide smiled at her enthusiasm.

"It's beautiful in its own way. Dangerous, but the thrill of pushing forward. . . it's like nothing else. You can feel yourself growing stronger with each step."

Meteria's gaze softened.

"It sounds. . . free."

"It is,"

Kaide said, his tone gentle.

"And maybe. . . you'll get to experience it for yourself."

Meteria blinked, slightly taken aback by his words, but before she could respond, Alfia shifted in her seat.

Her gaze, sharp and calculating as ever, focused entirely on Kaide. There was an intensity in her crimson eyes that cut through the lighthearted atmosphere.

"I get it now,"

She said, her voice cool but certain.

Kaide tilted his head, sensing the shift. "Get what?"

Alfia leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table as her eyes narrowed.

"You told me once. . . that you would tell me when the time came - when you found a way to travel between worlds."

Her words were measured, her tone edged with knowing.

"Turns out. . . you already had a way, didn't you?"

Kaide's breath hitched briefly, but he didn't flinch. There was no point in denying it - she had figured it out.

He met her gaze directly, giving her a wry laugh.

"Yeah. . . I did."

Meteria's eyes flicked between them, confusion evident on her face. She looked like she wanted to ask something, but she held back, sensing this was something deeper.

Alfia's expression hardened briefly before softening into something more neutral - though Kaide could see the subtle tension in her posture.

"How long?"

She asked, her voice quieter this time.

Kaide sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Since the day I arrived in Orario. The ability to travel between worlds. . . it's been with me right from the start, But I didn't want to rush into it. I needed to understand this world more first and foremost - how things worked here, who I could trust. And more importantly. . . I needed to know I wouldn't put anyone in danger by acting without thinking."

Alfia's lips pressed into a thin line. She processed his words, and for a moment, Kaide wondered if she was angry. But when she spoke again, there was no malice - only understanding.

"So. . . all this time. . . you were planning something bigger,"

She murmured.

Kaide gave a small nod.

"I wanted to tell you sooner. . . but I needed to be sure. I wanted to give you and Meteria a choice - not just to survive, but to live. To see what lies beyond this world. To grow stronger, and maybe. . . find a way to cure what's left of your ailments."

Alfia leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. Her eyes still carried that ever-present sharpness, but there was a flicker of something more - curiosity, perhaps even hope.

"You're a fool,"

She muttered, though her tone lacked venom.

"But. . . I can see why you waited."

Kaide chuckled lightly.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Meteria, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke up, her voice soft.

"So. . . this means. . . We could see other worlds? Places beyond Orario?"

Kaide turned to her with a gentle smile.

"Yeah. Worlds you've never imagined. And each one holds something unique - knowledge, power, and maybe. . . the answers we've been looking for."

Meteria's eyes welled up slightly, but she quickly blinked the moisture away, holding onto the hope his words had ignited.

Alfia's gaze softened as she glanced at her sister. Seeing that glimmer of hope in Meteria's eyes stirred something in her - a reminder of what they had both lost. . . and what could still be reclaimed.

There was a pause before Alfia spoke again, her voice quieter than before.

"You're asking us to leave everything we know. . . to follow you into the unknown."

Kaide nodded.

"I am. But. . . I'm not asking you to abandon Orario. This will always be your home. I just want to give you both the chance to grow beyond it. To see what lies beyond these walls. . . and to heal."

Alfia exchanged a glance with Meteria. No words were needed - the bond between them was stronger than any conversation. Whatever they decided, they would decide together.

Finally, Alfia looked back at Kaide, a faint smirk on her lips.

"You're still an idiot."

Kaide grinned.

"I'm getting that a lot lately."

"But. . ."

Alfia's expression softened.

"I appreciate the offer."

Meteria nodded eagerly.

"Me too."

Kaide exhaled, relief washing over him.

"Take your time. Talk it over. Whatever you decide. . . I'll respect it."

Alfia nodded, but there was a different look in her eyes now - one that told him she was seriously considering his offer.

For the first time in what felt like ages, there was a sense of possibility in the air - a future that stretched beyond the confines of Orario. And for Kaide, that was more than he could have hoped for.

The three of them sat there in comfortable silence, their hearts a little lighter, their futures a little brighter.

As the conversation between Kaide, Alfia, and Meteria settled into a quiet lull, the door to the dining hall creaked open. Their attention shifted as Filyn stepped inside, her posture slightly slouched, her hair a little disheveled. She looked utterly exhausted. Dark circles sat under her eyes, and her usual playful energy had dimmed.

Kaide immediately noticed and rose halfway from his seat.

"Filyn?"

Filyn dragged her feet toward their table, offering a weak wave.

"Ugh. . . never thought getting a falna would be so draining. . ."

She muttered, slumping into the empty seat beside Kaide.

Alfia arched a brow but said nothing. Meteria smiled sympathetically.

Kaide leaned toward her, his voice betraying his concerned look.

"Hera gave you a rough time?"

Filyn let out a dry laugh, her head resting against the back of the chair.

"Let's just say she was. . . thorough. Then she gave me a whole lecture about how I shouldn't waste the power she gave me. And she kept going. . . and going. . .on. . . and on. . . and on. . ."

Her eyes drooped shut for a moment before snapping back open.

"Gods, she's scary when she's serious."

Kaide chuckled softly but couldn't shake his concern.

"Well. . . welcome to the familia."

Filyn smirked, though it was weak.

"Thanks. . . I guess I'm stuck with you now."

"You always were the moment you decided to come with me."

That earned a more genuine smile from her, though her exhaustion dulled it.

Meteria poured a glass of water and slid it over.

"Here, drink this. It'll help."

Filyn gave her a grateful nod, taking a sip before letting out a long breath.

"So,"

She said, glancing around the table.

"What did I miss?"

Alfia glanced at Kaide, giving him a subtle nod to explain.

Kaide leaned back, folding his arms.

"I brought up the idea of traveling. . . to other worlds. I want to bring Alfia and Meteria along, to grow stronger and. . . keep an eye on their health. They're considering it."

Filyn blinked, looking between them, then back to Kaide. Her exhaustion briefly faded as realization dawned on her.

"You really are serious about this. . . taking them with you."

Kaide nodded.

"Yeah. It's not something I can force, but. . . I want to give them the choice."

Filyn was quiet for a moment, her tired gaze softening. She understood him - his desire to help, to protect, to give others a future. It was part of what made him who he was.

"Well. . . whatever you decide,"

Filyn said, looking at the sisters,

"Kaide's a pain sometimes, but. . . he means well. And he won't let you down."

Alfia smirked faintly.

"We've gathered that much."

Meteria gave a small, warm laugh.

Kaide looked around at the people sitting with him - his friends, his newfound family. There was still so much uncertainty ahead, but in this moment, he felt a quiet confidence.

Together, they could face whatever lay beyond.

Kaide leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table as his gaze shifted to Filyn. His tone was gentle but firm.

"While I'm gone. . . I want you to help the Ganesha Familia with their investigation. You've been working with them, and I think you can really make a difference."

Filyn scoffed lightly, though her exhaustion was still evident.

"Obviously. I was already planning to. Someone has to watch Ardee's back - I don't want to see her getting into trouble."

Kaide smirked at her quick response.

"You two have gotten close. You sure you'll be willing to part ways when it's time to go back home?"

Filyn shot him a look, half playful, half exasperated.

"Don't start with that. I'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Right now, I've got more important things to worry about - like getting stronger. I'll be going into the dungeon regularly, so you better not come back and find out you've fallen behind me."

Kaide chuckled, though there was a warmth behind his laugh. He knew she was serious - about all of it. She was going to push herself, not just for her own growth but to support the people she'd come to care about here.

"You better be careful down there,"

He said, his tone softening.

Filyn rolled her eyes, but her small smile betrayed her appreciation.

"I will. Just. . . make sure you come back in one piece too."

Kaide nodded, the weight of their unspoken understanding settling between them. They were walking different paths for now, but their bond would hold strong - no matter what awaited them in the future.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Days turned into a steady rhythm for Kaide and Filyn. Each morning, they would meet up at the Ganesha Familia manor or the Hera Familia residence before setting off towards the dungeon together. Their time spent in the depths of Orario's labyrinth became a routine, yet it never felt repetitive. Every skirmish with goblins, kobolds, and dungeon lizards sharpened their skills bit by bit.

Floor 5 had become their usual hunting ground. The monsters were more aggressive than the upper floors, but still manageable for the two of them even without their full gear. Kaide wielded his three-sectioned staff with increasing confidence, learning to weave magic into his strikes more smoothly. Frosty mist would dance along the staff's segments with every precise blow, freezing the limbs of enemies before shattering them on impact.

Filyn, on the other hand, was adapting to fighting without her preferred weapons. While she had a pair of temporary daggers from Hephaestus's workshop, she often complained about their balance, muttering that she couldn't wait for her custom gauntlets to be finished. Regardless, she proved quick and lethal, her movements becoming more fluid with each passing day.

After their daily dives, the two would often head to the Hostess of Fertility for a meal or lounge around the Ganesha Familia courtyard, chatting about everything and nothing - plans, the future, and stories from Hyperdimension. Sometimes, their conversations drifted toward home, though they quickly changed the subject. Neither of them was ready to confront that reality just yet.

Whenever their bodies ached from combat, Kaide would tap into Avalon's Embrace to heal their bruises and cuts - a process that had become so casual that Filyn often teased him about being her personal medic.

However, in the background of their progress, two questions lingered: When would Filyn's gauntlets be ready, and what would Alfia and Meteria decide?

Each visit to the Hera Familia manor was met with polite welcomes and small conversations, but neither sister had given their answer yet. Alfia's sharp eyes always seemed to hold more questions than answers, while Meteria's gentle smiles hinted at a growing resolve - but nothing definite.

As the days rolled on, that uncertainty lingered like a faint pressure in the air. Yet, Kaide and Filyn continued forward - step by step - pushing toward their goals, together.

The fifth floor of the dungeon was alive with danger - its dimly-lit caverns echoing with the guttural growls of monsters lurking just beyond the shadows. Stalagmites jutted from the ground like jagged teeth, while faint streams of water trickled along cracks in the stone, giving the air a damp chill. The faint green glow from the dungeon walls cast eerie shadows over Kaide and Filyn as they pushed forward.

Kaide gripped his three-sectioned staff, the cool metal resting comfortably in his hands. Every step he took was measured, his senses honed to the faintest sound. Filyn moved beside him, her twin daggers held in reverse grips - though she often complained about their weight distribution, she wielded them with lethal precision. Their teamwork had become natural - fluid - like a well-rehearsed dance.

Suddenly, a guttural snarl broke the stillness.

A kobold leapt from behind a rock, claws outstretched, jaws snapping. Kaide reacted instinctively - he shifted his weight and swung his staff, channeling a pulse of mana into the weapon. As it whirled through the air, a thin veil of frost coated the segments. The staff cracked against the kobold's side with a burst of icy mist, sending the creature tumbling across the ground, its ribs fractured and freezing.

Before the kobold could recover, Filyn darted forward like a blur. Her dagger pierced the monster's throat with a clean thrust. It let out a wet gurgle before its body disintegrated into ash, leaving behind a small magic stone.

"Nice one,"

Kaide muttered, his breath visible in the frosty air left by his attack.

Filyn grinned.