Reflections of Strife and the Nature of Children

With the rest of the Familia venturing out, Althea and Ais found themselves under the watchful eye of their mischievous goddess, Loki.

"Well then, it seems they've gone off. So, what shall we do, Aisuu? Althy? Shall we embrace our youthful spirits and play together?" Loki's voice held a playful tone.

"I will practice my sword swings in the courtyard," Ais replied, her tone resolute.

"No thanks, I want to lose myself in reading storybooks in the library," Althea chimed in, her wit ever present.

"Bah, that won't do!" Loki exclaimed in mock disappointment.

"Please stop calling us with weird names," Ais interjected, her tone firm.

"Yeah, seriously. Stop treating us like toddlers, Loki," Althea retorted, her wit sharpened.

While Ais had started to show more emotion when surrounded by her sister and the rest of the Familia, especially Riveria, she still maintained her usual stiffness and doll-like demeanor.

On the other hand, Althea's wit had become even more dazzling and sharp, yet beneath her clever facade, she hid a complexity of emotions.

Turning their backs on the perverted goddess, the two sisters tried to distance themselves from her. However, Loki could see through their facade.

Ais yearned for the warmth and connection she felt with her sister and the rest of the Familia. She longed to break free from her emotional restraint and embrace a sense of belonging.

Meanwhile, Althea, beneath her witty exterior, concealed vulnerability and sought a deeper bond with her sister. She craved acceptance and understanding.

Both sisters desired independence, eager to be treated as equals and yearning for the freedom to pursue their own interests and make their own choices.

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The next day dawned, and there was Althea, lost in the labyrinth of books in the library, surrounded by a towering stack of ancient tomes.

With each turn of the page, she dove headfirst into a world of forgotten tales and dusty legends, bewitched by the exploits of heroes long gone.

In the midst of those forgotten pages, Althea's insatiable curiosity ran wild, unraveling the tapestry of history and unearthing stories that shaped the very fabric of yesteryears.

Those tales of valor and triumph struck a chord within her, igniting a fire of inspiration and pushing her to find her own niche in this vast realm.

"..."

Unbeknownst to her, the ever-watchful Loki sneaked into the library, spying on Althea from behind a towering bookshelf.

The goddess couldn't help but marvel at the young girl's unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the tranquility that radiated from her as she delved deeper into the pages.

With a knowing smirk, Loki acknowledged the significance of this moment for Althea. She understood the transformative power of stories and knew that within those pages, Althea was forging her own destiny.

Unable to resist, Loki playfully interrupted Althea's immersion. "Well, well, what intriguing book has captured your attention, my dear?"

"Argonaut," Althea replied, her eyes fixated on the pages.

"Hmm, heroes and their extraordinary escapades, I presume? Looks like you're in for quite the adventure," Loki quipped, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Althea glanced up, arching an eyebrow. "Well, it's undoubtedly more exhilarating than the mind-numbing conversations I endure with you."

Loki chuckled, undeterred by Althea's wit. "Touché, Althy. Your clever comebacks never cease to amuse."

"Ah, what can I say? It's a gift," Althea shot back, a smug grin playing on her lips.

"Riveria and the others have mentioned your knack for reading. They were dumbfounded by your comprehension of books beyond their wildest expectations, and yet, you never had a formal tutor," Loki remarked, admiration tinged in her voice.

Althea glanced down at the book in her hands, her thoughts dancing with mischief. She hadn't quite realized the extent of her reading prowess.

The knowledge that could astound Riveria, the one teaching her the basics... Did she truly possess such a remarkable talent?

Memories of someone special, a wise and loving blonde woman, flashed through Althea's mind. In her dreams, she often encountered that enigmatic figure—a beacon of wisdom and knowledge.

"It seems they've managed to resolve the situation. There's still some tidying up to do, but Riveria and the others should be back by evening," Loki shared the news, a sense of relief evident in her voice.

Althea continued to ponder her thoughts as Loki observed her. The goddess detected a flicker of frustration and longing in the young girl's demeanor and decided to playfully alleviate it with a teasing remark.

"Good to hear they're all safe," Loki commented, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, that's great news," Althea responded, her tone slightly aloof.

"Oh? What's this? Someone feeling a bit left out because they weren't invited?" Loki taunted, a hint of amusement lacing her words.

"Who, me? Oh, puh-lease! What on Orario are you blabbering about?!" Althea scoffed, feigning nonchalance as she turned away in a huff.

Loki smiled wanly, understanding Althea's emotions. The young girl had been feeling somewhat excluded since yesterday.

As Althea returned to her book, Loki decided it was time for a change of pace, a mischievous idea forming in her mind.

"Althy, how about we take a little adventure outside these dusty shelves?" Loki suggested, her voice filled with mischief and a hint of excitement.

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Althea diligently proceeded to return the books she had read back to their respective places on the bookshelves.

Despite her wit and sharp tongue, her small stature required her to use a ladder to reach the higher shelves.

Observing this, Loki couldn't help but offer a helping hand, assisting the young girl in returning each book to its proper spot.

After they had finished tidying up the library, Loki absentmindedly remarked, "All right, shall we go find your sister?"

Curiosity sparked in Althea's eyes as she glanced at Loki. "So, why are you taking me with you? Is there a special occasion?"

Loki shrugged playfully. "Oh, it's nothing particularly special. I just think you could use a break from your endless reading."

A mischievous smile played on Althea's lips. "Well, aren't you just full of surprises? Lead the way, Loki. Let's see what adventure awaits us outside these library walls."

Althea and Loki made their way towards the courtyard where Ais was practicing her swings.

As they approached, the mischievous goddess took the lead, stepping forward to engage with Ais while Althea observed from the comfort of the shade beneath a nearby tree.

Loki approached Ais with a playful grin. "Hey, Aisuu! Care to show off your impressive sword skills?"

Ais turned her attention to Loki, her stoic expression softening slightly. "I'm just practicing. It's nothing special."

Loki chuckled, unfazed by the young girl's response. "Well, I'm sure it's more than 'nothing special.' You're always impressive with that sword of yours. Have you managed to defeat any imaginary monsters today?"

Ais glanced down at her sword, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Not today, but soon."

Loki nodded appreciatively. "I have no doubt. You're getting stronger every day, Aisuu."

As Loki and Ais continued their conversation, Althea watched them from her spot beneath the tree. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and admiration for her sister. Ais' determination and unwavering focus in her training were qualities that Althea greatly admired.

With a small smile playing on her lips, Althea silently cheered her sister on, knowing that Ais was destined for greatness.

Once Loki managed to convince Ais to join, the two of them began walking towards Althea.

Loki, with her usual mischievous demeanor, announced their destination. "Alright, time to head towards a place on East Main Street. But first, let's just wander a bit."

And so, they embarked on a leisurely stroll, meandering through countless small side streets, guided solely by the whims of the unpredictable goddess.

Despite the occasional annoyance it caused, Loki persisted in calling them "Aisuu" and "Althy," a habit that neither sister could seem to shake off.

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The city streets they found themselves on were vastly different from the familiar Adventurers Way. Small stalls selling fruits and various sundries dotted the corners, while horse-drawn carts rumbled along the roads at a leisurely pace.

However, what truly caught their attention were the signs of destruction that marred the buildings and roads they passed.

Althea carefully observed the extent of the damage, her analytical mind piecing together the whole puzzle. It became clear to her that these were the remnants of the battles waged against the malevolent adversaries Finn and the others had confronted.

The realization washed over her like a chilling wave, and she finally understood why Riveria had refused to let her participate in the fight.

Fear took hold of Althea's heart as she grasped the true strength and danger of their enemies. The gravity of the situation became all too real, and she couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration for her mentor and a sense of vulnerability within herself.

She knew now that her desire to join the battle had been born out of ignorance, and she silently thanked Riveria for her wisdom and protection.

According to Loki, the crisis had pushed many residents of Orario to contemplate leaving the city. The atmosphere was thick with tension and conflict, leaving a heavy burden on the hearts of the sisters.

"Why are people... fighting each other?" Ais whispered, her voice tinged with confusion and concern.

Loki paused for a moment, allowing the question to hang in the air, before addressing Althea's growing contemplation. The young girl's mind raced to find answers, struggling to grasp the root causes behind such violence.

Intrigued by Althea's troubled expression, Loki couldn't resist interjecting, offering her perspective. "It's not just us gods who bear some responsibility, but it's also inherent in the nature of humanity, especially in their younger years."

""The nature of humanity?"" Ais and Althea echoed, their curiosity piqued.

Loki nodded, her demeanor thoughtful. "Creation and destruction, order and chaos—these are woven into the fabric of human nature. Violence, unfortunately, is one facet that cannot be denied."

Althea silently absorbed Loki's words, her mind now stirring with a new line of inquiry.

She contemplated the deeper meaning behind the goddess's explanation, seeking to understand how her own desires to fight and grow stronger fit within the intricate tapestry of human nature.

This newfound understanding compelled Althea to embark on a personal journey of introspection, seeking to unravel the complexities of her own desires and their connection to the broader tapestry of human existence.