Kneeling at her grave he pours her a drink on her wooden cross. He then takes a drink.

“Fuck I think this war is making me into an alcoholic? Well, it’s not like I can die of alcohol poisoning or even get seriously drunk…shit we would have a fun time Lydia.”

“….”

Cirrus looks around and see’s several more people grieving and crying.

“…I remember when I first saw you…ah, I just killed my first man…I heard you coming and I ran, you saw my mask and tried to chase me, but I was gone…then I met you again in person. Heh, you really were like Hermes…but kinder…and of course, it is just like you to give Asfi all the work again so you can have fun times…”

“….”

He let the tears come out, he didn't try to hold them back. He knew the only way through this grief was to simply cry.

“I remember you teaching me to ride a horse Sniff! Um and then Lance coming to teach me how to use a sword… Ahem! I uh then kept fucking falling off." He chuckled a bit before taking a swig of his drink.

“….”

Cirrus sits in silence for a moment with tears streaming down his face…but the silence grew too much for him.

“…How about a song to go with the drink huh? A drink always tastes better with a song.”

Cirrus looks around and pulls out his guitar from his shadow and begins to play a melancholic and soft tune.

♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪~~

The song softly flowed through the cemetery.

Many who were they looked at Cirrus as he played for a grave. They could see tears streaming down his face along with them.

The song gradually started to get sadder and sadder, the song then was slowly accompanied by the sounds of many others crying, feeling a deep connection to his song.

After a while, it was silent again. Their pain and grief were lightened just a bit.

“…I’m sure Hermes and Asfi miss you more…Ahem!” Cirrus clears his throat and wipes the tears from his eyes. He takes out a new bottle, opens it, and puts it upside so the drink can slowly go down into the grave. He downs the already open drink and gets up. “I’ll come by again…you raised Asfi well…see you later, Lydia.”

 

Walking out of the cemetery Cirrus was met by a Pallum.

“Seems I didn’t have to look for you inside.” Said Finn.

“I just got done, is there something going on?”

“Yes, seems time is up.”

“I see…” A breeze brushed past them. “Then let’s get going, this dreary mood has lasted far too long.”

 

Later at midnight at Central Park several Familia’s of Orario gathered.

“All right listen up!” said Finn upon a crate. Now we know what our enemy is truly after. A lot has happened since the night of the great feud. But for them, it was all just preparations for a big show.”

Many began to murmur about what they were planning.

“What they’re after is the Nightmare of the Dungeon to be summoned.”

“??” Cirrus’s ears perked up when he heard Nightmare.

‘If it’s like the Nuckelavee then I should handle it.’

“Evilus is going to break the taboo by sending a god into the Labyrinth as a decoy to lure it out the Nightmare into the city.”

“Well shit.”

“What do you mean by summoning the worst kind of monster? Aren’t they like the ordinary monsters?” asked Kaguya.

“I believe I wouldn’t have to explain the summoning part. Researchers that have been sent into the Dungeon had found the target. It is on the 24th floor by noon today. They’re destroying floors as they force their way upward.”

‘Was that why Zald burned the 22nd floor? To make it easier for it to get through?’

“According to the researchers, the target is massive. Judging from their speed and the rate of damage they can cause- The Guild has determined and announced that the monster combat ability of the target is equal or is greater than Monster Rexes.”

“Y-you’re kidding right!?” said Falgar.

“The god is trying to bring a menace into the world by freeing a Floor Boss into the city!?” said Ryuu.

“So that’s what they were after!” shouted Alise.

“Yes. Our enemies are trying to destroy Babel from the surface ground.”

‘Why didn’t you tell me Ouranos…Fels, I could have gone and taken care of it before it became an issue…or was I more needed up here? Tch…I’ll have to ask him some other time.’

“What are we going to do then!?” shouted Lyra. “They have Zald and Alfia on their side too! And now a monster from the Dungeon!? Are we forced to yield now Braver!”

The crowd got anxious.

‘Finn, always the dam schemer.’

“We fight back!!” he shouted quieting everyone. “We’re diving ourselves into 2 teams. One is for counter-attacking Evilus, and one is for slaying the Nightmare. The first will be an alliance of Familia and the latter will be a small team of chosen fighters. Evilus attacking and the summoning of the Nightmare…both are related to the fall of Babel. We’ll be in between but we’ll take them down both down!”

“Of course, we’re in between them but I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as you make it sound.” Said Asfi. “Our enemies are not going to be standing in the front and behind us. Instead, they’ll be coming from above and below.”

“We’re standing on the ground, and we can’t expect reinforcements. Orario is either one of the teams that fail.” Said Shakti.

“Well, I should make this very clear then. I’d say we can do this.”

More concerned murmurs filled the crowd.

“To be more accurate, it’s something that can only be done by us! The power to be unified will be greater since the start of an era of quality before quality!! Without Orario who can handle it? if Orario can’t conquer it then what can? We have a slight chance of winning this battle. In fact that slight chance is far good enough to make it work! Also, I have one question for you all who are unsure if you want to walk away from this as a loser?”

Cirrus could see a fire light in several people’s eyes.

“Admit it!! All of us here are losers!! Were all pathetic losers that got beaten up that night! Look around you! Is your dearest friend still standing beside you?”

Cirrus turns to see Nox on his shoulder.

‘Till the very end!’

“Is the one you love from your heart standing behind you!?”

As Cirrus was about to turn around Ai poked his nose.

“I’m in front silly!”

“Because if not someone’s got to revenge! Who will avenge the dead and restore the honor of the humiliated!! Us!! The chains of devastation are to be broken!! We end this once and for all!! To stop people’s screams!! Don’t let chaos happen again!!”

That fire turned into a blazing furnace.

“Now we know what the taste of defeat looks like! It helps us get stronger! So we must fight back!! Adventures!! Time to show your spirits!! Outlaws are more tenacious and vicious than ever!! The one standing till the last stand is the true conquer!! This is the promised land where heroes are born and it’s the city of adventurers!!”

“URAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Energy filled the crowd in cheers.

“He’s good with his words like a snake,” Cirrus said.

“Hm…he was always a good speaker.” Said Ottar.

“Did you get the swords I made you?”

“Yes…next time I face him I will do it alone.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“What about me? I wanna face Alfia again!” said Ai.

“Who knows, maybe you will.”

“I’m sure I will!”