C4: Third member
Word count = 1514 on 12/21/2023
After a bit of some cut pouting from the pink haired maid, they get up and follow along with the group to the 3rd candidate for the Trifecta Falna. They had originally gone to their neighbor to see if they wanted to join but the 2 for one home/herbal store was closed at the moment which means that they weren't home.
As such the next choice that came up was to visit one of Matsumoto-no-Raikou's friends. A god specifically. While she would have loved to get a third 'immortal', neither of the "dumb oni's" were home. On the other hand, there are some security measures for the trifecta falna if a god is involved as the third member. Now while Raikou herself is the main familia owner over Axel, should anything happen to her or Astolfo-chan, then that god would become the main possessor but she knows this one won't try to double cross her about this or anything as they shared a good relationship back in the Far East.
On the other hand, choosing a god for the third member would also relieve Axel from being their protector as they already have a few members in addition to their own capabilities to defend themselves.
The god in question is named Takemikazuchi. A god who has taken upon himself the path of martial arts which is why he is one of the few who gets along with the immortals. His charitable and humble nature allows him to get along with many others but this is also the very same reason that he is not rich and thus only has a few members as part of his Familia. He also helps out some of the less fortunate gods as well, helping them survive which means he has a large social group but little power.
"Astolfo-chan, do you have any candidates for the third member?" Raikou asks the 2nd member since dismissing them as simply 'man'-power would be rude of her.
The pink haired maid bobs her head back and forth while holding their chin. They get excited for a moment before dissipating again while saying, "I like Jean-chi to join us but i remembered that she was out of town for a guild hunting mission and will be away for another day or two"
Raikou and Illya can only shake their heads in misfortune as Raikou grabs Axel's hand as if he is her child. He doesnt show any signs of aversion to this though looks at her strangely which Raikou found cute and pet his head.
"There, there, we will find a third member soon. " She reassures him to which he just nods and looks around at the various sights and people. He might spot another 'immortal', granted they don't look all that different than other people except one or two special characteristics like Raikou with her purple hair or Astolfo with their pink hair that is split into 2 long twintails that are adorned with various ribbons and cheap but shiny jewelry or even the few friendship bracelets she wears.
The group of four begin to make their way to the south West of Orario they are halted due to a gods entourage traveling in front of them. This belongs to Freya, and she is returning to her home in the tower of Babel. Ottar stands guard by the carriage while a few others are holding the palanquin up. The immortals and guide Illya simply wait for the group to pass until Axel gets another 'soul shiver' and it gets so bad that he even coughs up blood while one of the cuts even encircles his entire arm as if there was a wound there that almost cut his arm completely off. Because this is in the middle of the street, it attracts a lot of attention from the surrounding crowd that has gathered to try to get a peek at the most beautiful goddess.
A scream rings out as someone assumes that there is some sort of assassin or another Evilus attack as they didn't see anyone attack the young blue haired boy but he is still injured. Then he gradually heals once more while Illya begins to clean him up as best she can but she didn't think it would get so severe so quickly and didn't have enough towels/handkerchiefs to clean it all up.
Strangely, the palanquin stops as Ottar hears the whisper of his mother, he commands the group "Down" "Privacy", suddenly the ensemble of familia members begins to usher the civilians and adventurers away with the except of Raikou, Astolfo, Illya and the recovering Axel. Screens are set up surrounding as Raikou brings out a short tanto blade from within her bosom. As she stands ready to defend herself should the goddess seek any trouble. The familia members who set up the screens stand in each corner, ready to defend their goddess should Ottar himself somehow fail.
Strangely enough, they have their eyes closed as Freya herself begins to exit the cover screen of her palanquin. She wears a sultry red dress that outlines her body with small gaps which reveal bits of her erogenous body. Astolfo is busy covering Axel's eyes to protect him from being charmed by the goddess of love and war.
"Hello to you both. It has been a long time since we last met over tea, Astolfo-chan." Freya says and Astolfo almost rubbed the back of their head in embarrassment but quickly remembers Axel and responds by saying, "Wah, Sorry, been so busy at the Coliseum with Ganesha. I will try to visit in a few days when I'm finally available. I've missed you and your tea. It's delicious."
Freya smiles in response to that and 'suddenly' notices Axel, she bends over a bit as she asks, "oh and who is this?"
"Ummmmmmmmm, this is Axel, he is to be part of my shared Familia through the Trifecta Falna." Astolfo introduces but is slightly reluctant to say as she is worried that Freya would steal him away which is another reason why she is covering his eyes.
"I see, then would you like some help with that if you're looking for a third member?"
"Eh" "Wah", "Ahhhh" 3 responses ring out from the confused immortals as they are surprised by the proposition.
"The guild can be the middleman to ensure that I have no interest in stealing your child. Though if possible I'd like to get progress reports every once in a while if it suits you" Freya continues her explanation and the terms of her offer.
Raikou and Astolfo are still a bit confused/wary but they lightly talk amongst themselves while Illya does her best to cover Axel's eyes as he is just a bit taller than her so she has to be on her tiptoes to reach his eyes. Raikou then talks with Illya since she would serve as the mediator on behalf of the guild, Astolfo retakes the eye covering position once again.
The crowd outside the screens begins to increase and more adventurers arrive since they are in fact just outside the dungeon. Many are curious about what is going on and that seems to place pressure on the immortals who finally agree to Freya's proposal since they would rather avoid causing any issue with her or her familia by declining since they are quite zealous.
Freya claps to conclude the agreement as she invites them to follow her towards the tower of Babel before they stop at the Guild to appropriate an office real quick so that the falna could finally be set up.
As Axel takes off his shirt to lie down, the trio witness is scrawny body but also the strange symbol depicted on his back, it is akin to a teardrop tattoo but either sideways or flat, as it in the moment of contact with something that it begins to flatten at the bottom. Freya touches this mark and quickly realizes something but she doesnt proclaim what it is she discovered while the duo of Raikou and Astolfo are confused on what it is. With the desire to prevent Axel's suffering, they get started on the Trifecta Falna ritual.
The central mark is linked to Minamoto-no-Raikou, The secondary position belongs to the maid-like Astolfo and the the Tertiary position belongs to the Goddess Freya. The Triangle like Falna is established with all 3 demarcated parts of Axel's back forming different patterns.
Raikous sides shows a battlefield against demon like figures that share a resemble to herself [1], Astolfo's side shows the image of 12 knights bringing their swords together to defend their land. While the last region which belongs to Freya depicts the side profile of a maiden who is wearing a flower tiara entwined in 2 circles around her…like a cage.
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[1] The fate wiki describes her upbringing and relation to 'Ushi Oni' which was inferred to be an internal struggle that then became external before being 'resealed' back into herself.