The next few days were spent with everyone getting more accustomed to their individual new levels, and reunions… The world over was still relaxing from the stressful event they'd just survived, but specifically, in Orario, Shurry was the goal for so many.
Despite his wishing not to be, he wasn't unofficially recognized as a Hero. He was the Hero. Children aspired to be like him when they grew up, causing a slight tinge of pain, paired with a warming sensation. After all, out of everyone alive, he knew what it took better than one and all.
"Many of these children, they'll grow up to lose their aspirations." Luna reminded Shurry, through their internal telepathy.
"I know, but the ones who don't, many of them will die on their path."
"They're still far more likely to survive thanks to the wolves you put in the dungeon just now."
"You're right… They'll stay out of the way, but now, there's a truly safe location on every floor from her to the 18th floor."
"I know why you didn't bother with anything lower, but it still seems odd. There's plenty of good boys willing to live in a constant hunt… They'd love it."
"I'm sure they would, I know I would. It sounds exciting. Though, I have no reason to help save anyone past the 18th floor. If they manage to reach that deep there's already plenty of chances to learn how to fight properly. At that point their lives will be, well, and truly, in their own hands."
"True, but the other wolves want to hunt, like a lot." Luna giggled, looking at the fields within Shurry's soul to see the pack of wolves excited at the thought. "They're even going as far as to do that little dance you do when you get excited."
"They'll get their chance… For now, I need to walk a little. Tonight is the night after all. I don't know if I'm ready yet."
"You mean…"
"Yeah."
Hathor familia after all preparations were finished, became the embodiment of a phrase from a song only Shurry had knowledge of… Turn down? … There wasn't any room for lowering the sounds of the party, nor any reason to calm it down. Seriously, what for? They just held back for nearly a week, and now it was time to celebrate!!!
"The children are really partying up tonight." Astraea smiled, excepting a few results tonight.
"That's right, I don't think there will be anyone not carrying after tonight." Hathor smirked, feeling all giddy as the numerous sensations of motherly desires flooding her now.
"How can you be so sure, Lady Hathor? Even for mortals it's not always a guarantee." Maxim asked, still trying to get used to the new position he had as a god.
"Maxim, you're a god now too, you don't have to bother with such stiff formal addresses." Zeus smirked, with a great deal of pride in his heart. "Though gods like Ouranos, myself, and Odin, you really should keep some honorifics. Grand gods are another level entirely."
"HAHA! I don't even want to know what we would have had to do to reach that high." Empress laughed nervously.
"Yeah, the gap between where we were at the start to a grand spirit was… Well…" Maxim felt a shiver run down the length of his spine. "A lot…"
"Pfft, you're still just as adorable as you were as mortals." Hera giggled, and then grew serious. "But that gap is nothing, if it were compared to levels, it would be Level 1 to Level 2, and low ranking gods to grand gods… Incomparable to levels, no, Level 1 to Shurry's predicted Level 50, maybe?"
"Yeah, something like that." Zeus said. "He could surprise us, and unseal that final seal which binds him. But I don't think he wants to assume godhood anytime soon." He chuckled.
"Hmm? Why's that?" Maxim questioned…
Lyca, dragging Cyal around with her, arrived to drunkenly answer the question. "Because! He wants lots of cute puppies!!!" She said, and then disappeared into a room, with Cyal, howls would come from the room the rest of the night.
"That's as good as a reason can get." Empress said, sipping her drink, though now she was seriously thinking about when she'd see her daughter's daughter.
"It's best to just let those two do it at their own pace." Maxim said, tapping the side of his mug, though he was eyeing Bell with a look of approval.
"Oh, if you're worried about those two?" Hathor giggled… "Don't be. Meda was first in line for one of these." She explained holding up a small vial, shaking it side to side slowly. "With this they'll be fine to start tonight." She was getting far more giddy than before. "Tonight will be a great night!!!! I can feel it!"
"Hey Astraea, it looks like your ladies are going into separate rooms."
"And Shurry's standing outside their rooms…"
"It's happening! It's finally happening!!!!!" Idunn jumped from her seat to her feet, getting dizzy for a moment before stabilizing herself thanks to Baldr, who'd been staying quite opting to enjoy the party.
"He's about to fully conquer that past trauma… An adventure only he has to walk. He was forced to walk." Baldr spoke, and then he couldn't help himself, seeing the ring he was given so many years ago, and then the necklace Idunn was given. "May you bear witness to the light beyond this darkness of which you must tread, my son."
The other gods glanced at Baldr, even Empress and Maxim practically glared at him.
"Seriously, you almost went back to Tenkai for that one." Zeus scolded.
"It was just enough, and not too much. What's wrong with helping my son when he's earned it?"
"Nothing, but that arcanum nearly caused another monster to spawn."
Zald herds that from across the room and found himself nearby the gods. "If a monster spawns, we just have to kill it again. I'll take care of it this time, we can't be solely reliant on one person, regardless of the situation."
Zald walked away, and as he did, Shurry's hands closed into fists, his body trembled slightly, and then he relaxed, taking control over everything again, though not without a small prismatic glow… Shurry opened the door, entered, and closed it behind him…
"I was getting worried, you'd have changed your mind, and that'd put these clothes on for no reason." Iska said with a kind smile, though it kept switching places with an eager grin.
"No, I've already made this promise. I should come to you first. I should thank you for dressing up more. I don't think I'd be able to handle this if I had all of you right away." Shurry said, the familiar sight of a powerful, unshakeable hero fighting tooth and nail against the terror and pain of past trauma.