Spending 4 months gathering information on the Chernobog Familia, Cirrus clearly understands the structure of their operations so much so he could easily dismantle it but since learning that they helped spread some of the fine weapons and armor to Familia’s out in the boonies to help build up their strength and for those who didn’t were… forced to join.

Soon enough, he found he helped a Familia take over a kingdom called Athiopia, even having the royal family, Andromeda under their thumb, much like Ares and Rakia.

Cirrus also got word to Hermes on this matter, and it shocked him they had expanded that much. He also needed Cirrus to come and assist them in dealing with the Vritra Familia. It would seem after taking over Santorio Vega they went to Varga, the biggest merchant city in Israfan the country of merchants.

Cirrus requested he at least get some backup, but sadly, they were spread too thin at the moment.

“It would seem I will not have any backup, Lord Lugh,” Cirrus said, looking out the window and burning the letter from the fire from the forge.

“That is a shame. Seems we are going to have to use the smiths in town for it, huh?” Said Lugh, hammering away.

“S-so I-I have to fight?” Ibic said, scared.

“I rather have people used to fighting,” Cirrus said, getting back to helping Lugh with his hammering.

“Well, you haven’t skipped a day with your spearmanship,” Lugh said with a smile. “I hadn’t had the chance to practice my own spearmanship and shield work since my time in Heaven.”

“You also took time to help me work on them a lot,” Cirrus said, hammering away with a smile.

“If only you’d let me work on your spear, I could make it far better!”

“And you know it’s a slap to my smith’s honor to have another smith improve on it.”

“Aye… wouldn’t want to have a woman’s scorn, so when will you think you get rid of them?”

“In a week, can you help convince the other Familia to help when I start the trouble?”

“Sure thing! There are plenty of gods here who wish to be rid of Chernobog!”

“I-I’ll keep my ear to the ground!” Ibic said.

“Thank you, wait what day is it?” Cirrus said, confused.

“It’s the 15th of the month. Why?” asked Ibic.

“Ah… I turned 8.”

“You're eight!!” shouted Ibic.

One week goes by, and everything was set. Lugh had gotten all the gods in the city to attack when the signal was given.

In a spare room in Lugh’s workshop, Cirrus was gearing himself up when he heard a knock on his door.

“Hey it's me,” said Ibic.

Cirrus opens the door to find him with a black shield with bronze around the edges.

“What’s with the shield?” asked Cirrus.

“W-well you said you turned eight s-so um I asked Lord Lugh if he could help me make you a present.” He then held the shield out.

“So… this is for me?”

“Yes!”

Cirrus picks it up and moves it about.

“… Thank you.” He said with a warm smile. “Be safe and survive the night, because when the sun next comes up, it’ll be a whole new day.”

Placing the shield on his back, he heads out the front of the shop, which was in a dark alley where Lugh was waiting.

“You look good, lad!” he said.

“Thanks, these new armor pieces are very well made, and even the shield.”

“No problem. So long as you deal with Chernobog, everything is golden!”

“Heh… well, then it’s time for me to get to work.” Cirrus’s magic circle appeared behind him. “(Exousía, Adorn: Ceryneian).” As the magic enveloped him, Lugh and Ibic were surprised to see such a sight before Cirrus disappears with a deer mask and golden antlers running across the rooftops.