Chapter 17: Taking the Outstretched Hand

(3rd Person: POV)

Stirring from her sleep Ryuu opened her eyes.

When she did so she realized she was in an unfamiliar room. However the memories of the previous days events came back to her quickly allowing her to remain calm.

Yesterday after an attack made by the evil organization Evilus she happened to spot Morax, and still upset about what transpired between them a few months before she approached him and then apologized for her actions.

An apology which Morax accepted.

Ryuu felt greatly relieved he did so.

Since she still finds her actions at that time unacceptable.

Because that means she is starting to act like her elven brethren in her home forest. The last thing she wants.

Since it was seeing their behavior that made Ryuu travel to Orario in the first place.

As to not end up like them.

However her progress in that regard is not going like she wanted at all.

Since even after these few months in Orario she still continues to reject people.

"Why?" Ryuu softly spoke. "Why can't I..."

Trailing off Ryuu saw a flash out of the corner of her left eye.

*Boom!*

Hearing the sound of thunder Ryuu looked out the bedroom window and saw it was raining extremely hard.

Seeing this she put a slight frown on her face.

Due to Morax's suggestion and the advice of a well-respected adventurer named Shakti Varma Ryuu had ended up spending the night at the Athena familia home instead of returning to her inn like she intended to after yesterday's attack.

An event which she actually found quite enjoyable.

The members of the Athena familia were near her own age, and she felt comfortable being in their presence.

Even if Gaul did pat her back yesterday, forcing her to punch him in the face.

Though other than that she has not complaints.

Still, Ryuu does not want to overstay her welcome.

Which is why she planned on slipping out as soon as the sun rose. But from the looks of things outside that is no longer possible.

Even so Ryuu is intent to leave the Athena familia home.

She doesn't want her presence to a nuisance to Morax and the others.

Getting out of bed Ryuu quickly got dressed.

She even slipped on a mask that covered the lower-half of her face. A thing she had started doing recently.

The only reason she wasn't wearing it yesterday was because of the commotion caused by the Evilus attack. She didn't want to get accused of something so she removed it.

Good thing to, otherwise Morax might not have been able to recognized her.

Having finished dressing Ryuu quickly cleaned up the room she had been using for the night. Then once that was done she slipped out of it quietly.

Remembering the layout of the home that Gaul showed her the previous day Ryuu quickly made it to the first floor.

She then approached the front door and got ready to open it.

Only for a voice to stop her in her tracks.

"Leaving so soon."

Freezing, Ryuu turned toward the couches and saw the goddess Athena sitting on one of them. Looking at her.

"Ryuu, there is no need for you to leave. Especially when it is raining so hard outside at the moment." Athena told Ryuu.

"No. I shall take my leave." Ryuu said.

"As I said, there is no need." Athena repeated. "Especially when you look so lost."

"What?" Ryuu questioned. Turning towards Athena she looked her directly in the eyes. "What did you just say?"

"I said you look lost." Athena repeated. "I noticed it yesterday, but you have several thins weighing on you right?"

"Shut up." Ryuu said to Athena. "Shut up!" She shouted! "What do you know about me huh?! Absolutely nothing! You know nothing! You, a God can no nothing of my pain, my sorry, my anguish!" She shouted at Athena with fury and anger.

It's as if a damn has been broken inside Ryuu, and everything is finally flooding out.

"Do you think I want to be like this huh?! Not being able to touch others, all because I am a elf?! Well, say something oh perfect goddess from heaven!" Ryuu said sarcastically.

Athena chose to not say a word.

"Nothing to say huh?" Ryuu spat. "Well that's just what I would expect from a god. You all walk around, trying to pretend like your perfect when really your nothing but horrible monsters! I mean, why else would you create something as disgusting and vile as us elves? Huh? Tell me why?!" She shouted at Athena. "Why make us beautiful on the outside, but horrible on the inside?! Tell me!"

Ryuu continued to shout and curse at Athena about being an elf and about the gods.

However as she did so Athena said nothing, and instead just let Ryuu speak out her true feelings.

The ones she has been hiding all this time.

Five minutes passed before Ryuu finally stopped talking.

After she did so she fell to her knees, and tears started streaming out of her eyes. "Why? Why can't I just get close to others?" She said. Not talking to anyone in particular.

"If you want to be close to others then the first step is taking a hand offered to you." Athena spoke.

"What?" Ryuu questioned.

As she did so she noticed a shadow appearing over her.

Looking up she was it was Morax, his hand outstretched in her direction.

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(Morax: POV)

My hand held out I looked Ryuu in the eyes as soon as she looked up.

I was coming down the stairs to get some water, since going to the dungeon today would be a crazy idea given how hard it is raining outside.

That's when I heard her.

Ryuu.

I heard her yelling at Athena. Voicing her frustrations, anger, and just about all the other issues she had been keeping to herself.

And from the sound of her voice she had been doing so for a very long time.

Feeling horrible if I interrupted I stood on the staircase and simply let Ryuu vent.

Then as soon as it got quiet I went down and that's when I saw Ryuu on her knees, crying.

As soon as I did so I felt a pang in my chest.

Despite me and Ryuu not being close, seeing her pretty face marred with such tears is not something I like.

Not at all.

So when Athena motioned for me to come over to Ryuu I did, and now here I am.

Hoping she will take my hand.

"Ryuu listen." I began. "I have no idea what you've been through, nor do I know the pain you are feeling. But if you will let me I want to be your friend." I told her.

Well I want to be more than that, but starting off as friends is best right now.

That way I can learn everything there is about Ryuu.

I can learn her likes, her dislikes, her fears, and even her little quirks. I actually want to learn everything about her. No matter how big or small.

And I know I sound like some shoujo manga protagonist, but I don't care.

Since I truly want to be closer to the girl in front of me right now.

No matter what.

"Ryuu, please join the Athena familia?" I asked her. "If you will let us we will be your allies and comrades as well as your companions. So, what do you say?"

Ryuu said nothing.

Instead she slowly but surely reached for my outstretched hand, and then she took it.

After she did so the two of us simply stayed still. Both of us putting smiles on our faces.

Since we have both just made progress in getting to know one another truly.