Ceraunius and Gamelia had gone back to the Dragon's Valley. There they hunted down dozens of dragons, luring out some of the more powerful ones. It was an experience they had expected, but it was still harder than they thought it would be, once done with their hunt, injured, and bleeding… Both gathered whatever they could find, even if it was tattered, they would retrieve it. Unlike last time, they were able to retrieve something different.
With their task complete, and preparing to leave, both heard the voice of Aria. It soothed their souls and gave them a little more desire for each other. As thanks for the kind words, Ceraunius and Gamelia gave another large helping of power to the wind barrier…
"Thank you, my kin…"
"Hmm? There's no need for thanks." Ceraunius said, holding Gamelia close.
"Aria, my husband's right. We helped you because we should." Gamelia smiled, leaning her head on Ceraunius' shoulder.
"No, I was really weak a month ago. If not for your interference a few more dragons would have broken through. It's thanks to you my barrier has not gone to waste."
"We are doing everything we can to ensure that monstrosity doesn't escape for real." Ceraunius tried saying.
"If we didn't do this, then we wouldn't have the right to have a child of our own." Gamelia giggled. "I can hardly wait."
"A child… I had a daughter once. I don't know if she's safe. I hope she is. Oh Albert, our Ais, if she's still alive please watch over her."
"Wow… Ais?" Ceraunius said with a slight muttering.
"Ais, I swear I've heard that name somewhere before." Gamelia said.
"You've heard my daughter's name before?!"
"I'm not sure if it's her, but there is an Ais in Orario. She has blonde hair, and gold eyes. She's 11 years old right now, I think? And is level 4." Gamelia explained, hoping this would help.
"That's her! That's my girl!!!! My baby girl! My Ais!"
Ceraunius increased his pressure, this time to attempt to sooth Aria. Gamelia mirrored his actions… Both felt the tears Aria shed.
"Thank… y-you… May I ask something of you two?"
""Hmm?""
"Please watch over her, help her to grow stronger, and into the woman I know she can be." She paused, sniffling, or rather what amounted to that considering she was currently just a massive wind barrier. "I love her, and would do it myself, but… I can't leave this place. I-I-I-I can trust that you'll look after her, even if only from afar, right?"
Gamelia smiled, and nodded. Ceraunius smirked, rubbing his hand up and down Gamelia's side in support of her decision.
"We will do what we can. Though it would be better to have her in our familia. Instead of this watching from afar. We can't raise her if she's not around us."
"I'll mark you as my trusted friends. If she's awakened her magic, she'll sense this mark. I'm afraid this is all I can do to help you."
A small gust of wind came from the barrier, giving Ceraunius and Gamelia a calming feeling. It wasn't a spirit's blessing, but something different. Merely a token of Aria's acknowledgement. A blessing would be impossible for them anyways, given they were both already akin to high spirits, bordering on becoming Grand ones now, plus they had the falna on top of that.
"I wish you good luck, and good fortune. I trust you'll do what you can, and what you think is best for Ais. I'm positive your judgement will be sound."
"We will certainly give it our best shot." Gamelia smiled, feeling a sort of ache and comfort coming from Aria.
"We have to leave now, Aria… We'll be back occasionally to help you recover some more strength. I can not guarantee how often it will be, but we will see each other a few more times over the years." Ceraunius said with a strength his words, one that generated comfort and safety in others.
"That's right, and maybe, we might be able to bring you tales of Ais, or even bring her here herself." Gamelia added with a cheerfulness behind her tone which generated another comfort. "It's hard to get out of Orario when one belongs to a familia there."
"Pfft, thank you. I have something to look forward to now. Go and live your lives my kin. Thank you…" She stopped herself from saying the next part, but all three spirits knew exactly what she was about to say.
With no more words needing to be shared, Ceraunius and Gamelia disappeared in a bolt of lightning once more. Very quickly arriving back at the mountain village. Once they returned, they waited outside the house.
"Hmm." Zeus opened the door and… "You're back… Those banners…" A proud tear fell.
"Morthios, come out." Gamelia called out.
"Euphemia, come out." Ceraunius called out.
The two got up from the nightly reading, and came outside to see the two strongest living people injured, each carrying a banner tattered and torn, but not yet broken. The markings were clear as day, a testament that even the world refused to besmirch the honor of both familias.
"Euphemia, Morthios. When the two of us leave, it will be you two who are left. We've said it many times."
"However, this time means more than any other."
"Step forward, and receive the banner of our familias."
Morthios walked over to stand in front of Gamelia, Euphemia stood before Ceraunius. Both were tested one last time, they were made to understand what it meant to bear the weight of the banner… The past history it carried, and the future desires to rebuild, to reunite their familia even after death.
"Do you dare to take this banner of my Hera familia, and carry on with the mission, Captain Euphemia?" Ceraunius questioned, really laying the pressure on thick this time, more than Hera expected.
Euphemia made eye contact with Ceraunius, and reached for the banner.
"Do you dare to take this banner of my Zeus familia, and carry on with the mission, Captain Morthios?" Gamelia mirrored her husband's question, laying on the pressure just as thick.
Morthios made eye contact with Gamelia, and reached for the banner.
At the same time, the new young captains grasped the banners, and took them to carry for themselves. In a moment where they stepped up to do what they should.
""I accept. I will reunite my fellow reincarnated members!""
…