No one's POV

It's the 4th day of training and both Aiz and Bell were currently sparring with Aiz knocking Bell again and again and again. And giving lap pillow again and again and again.

Sora: -_- You just want to give him lap pillow, don't you?

Sora just gave Aiz a look while Asuna was holding her head sighing since Aiz had completely forget about their original goal of training and Aiz had a fluster look and quickly denied it.

Aiz: N-No... I-I just can't control my strength properly...

Sora and Asuna: -_- Right...

Both Sora and Asuna completely see through her and Aiz just looked away, but deep down, Aiz was happy. It was fun for her, being surrounded by the people she care. Asuna who she consider as an older sister, Sora who resemble her older brother and finally Bell who made her remember her most important memories. As she was reminiscing all this, Bell started to stir awake and saw that he was on Aiz lap and he panicked.

Bell: I'm sorry... I passed out again.

Aiz: Are you alright? Do you still want to rest?

Aiz then patted her lap. Bell just shook his head refusing, while Sora and Asuna just sweat drops. This was awkward for them since they feel like they had been forgotten.

Asuna(whisper) I guess you were right when you say this would feel like a third wheel.

Sora (whisper): Told you...

As the 4 of them were resting, Aiz took a quick glance at Bell and Sora and thought for a moment.

Aiz(mind): Bell's growth is amazing. However, he's not suited to be an adventurers. It's not a physical one, it's a mental one. Wealth, fame, dream, ambitions. One should be able to risk their life for their own goal. That's how an adventurer is supposed to be. Like the black flame that were inside me. Everyone has some kind of distortion. But, Bell are different. Bell can get flustered easily, get depressed, when he's happy he smile. He's an ordinary boy who should be surrounded by happiness. Some where on the surface where there is no conflict.

Aiz then wandered to Sora.

Aiz(mind): For Sora, he doesn't have any distortion at all. He's flame is pure white. He see things differently, and he also give kindness not just to his allies, but his enemies as well. That's why I don't get it. How are they able to grow so quickly?

As charming as she found the fact, she also found it very strange. Why was it that someone like Bell, a person far from what most adventurers were made of, could have achieved such dramatic growth? And as for Sora, she find it even more strange. He was the same as any adventurers that would risk their lives for the sake of their dreams, but what she didn't understand was his white soul. How could someone who had experienced lost of so many tragic things, still has a heart so pure that it blinds her. He is not captivated by revenge, unlike her.

Aiz: Can I ask you something? Why are the two of you able to get so strong so fast?

Aiz, who had trouble putting even the simplest of things into words, poured everything into that question. Bell stare at Aiz for a moment unsure what to say, while Sora just close his eyes trying to figure out an answer, while Asuna who was listening the whole time just stays quiet. And after long last, they finally spoke.

Bell: I just... well... There's a person I want to catch up to, and a place I want to reach, no matter what. That's why, I think...

Sora: I want to protect those I cared about. And there is someone I want to reach as well...

Aiz's golden eyes widened. Deeped down inside, she felt the words of the oath she had made in the past burn in her heart before quickly growing cold.

Aiz: I see. I understand. It's the same for me.

Asuna who was listening the whole time understood what Sora really meant. Since she was the one who had known Sora the longest and also knew about his past. She knew this person that Sora wants to reach. She just stared at Sora and he had a saddened looked on his face.

Asuna(Whisper): It's alright... I'll be by your side until the end.

Sora just smile at her and he heard the midday chime and he saw that Aiz let out a small yawn and she quickly covered her mouth. Right next to her, was Bell, Sora and Asuna who noticed it and their expression turned into curiosity and surprise.

Aiz(mind): I feel sleepy. I haven't been sleeping that much lately. All because of this early morning training and then Lefiya's training.

Aiz: Okay, let's practice afternoon naps.

Those words was out before she even realized it. Her mouth was running away from her. Sora and Bell and Asuna just looked at her dumbfounded.

Sora: Aren't you just sleepy?

Aiz then had a blushed on her face and she pouted and leaned on to Sora's face. She was found out in an instance. But she refuses to back down and her mouth continue to run. She even refuses to looked at Sora in the eye but she could feel his gaze, even Bell and Asuna just stare at her undoubtedly had seen through her.

Aiz: This is training, for when we are in a dungeon. Wherever the place an adventurer must be able to sleep anywhere.

Sora: -_- Okay...

Sora just sighed and saw that Bell and Aiz were already asleep and he feel something fell towards his right and saw that Asuna was using his shoulder to sleep and he just smiled and rest his head on top of hers as he drifted to sleep.

But as he was about to let his sleep took over, he heard a groan and he opened his eyes and saw that Aiz was sweating bullet. Her hands were shivering as she rolled her body from side to side.

Sora(mind): She's having nightmare...

At first glance he looked at her hesitant. Unsure what to do. Until he grabbed Aiz's hand and hold her tightly while also rubbing her head gently and Aiz started calming down and sleep peacefully and out of nowhere Sora started singing a lullaby.

Sora:...

(Dreamscape)

Aiz could hear someone. A voice reading a story. And as she opened her eyes, she saw that she was resting on her Mother's lap. She would always read her a story and sing her a lullaby.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

She then sat up and saw her father and next to him was a man who was her father's brother, then means he was her Uncle. He has silver hair often oriented to his left-side, dark grey eyes, and typically a relaxed and lazy expression. His left eye was had a vertical scar. And she looked behind her, next to her Mother was a girl who her Mother consider her as a sister, meaning she was Aiz's aunt. She had a very divine look as seeming almost artificial in a way, her beauty leaving a cold and fleeting impression. She had extremely long whiteish-colored hair reaching down her knee and diamon-like eyes of the same color. Aiz was surrounded by her family and the bonds that they share was irreplaceable. But what made her happy the most was him. He had grayish-white hair, almost like Aiz's Uncle and blue eyes. It was her cousin who she consider as an older brother.

???: Aiz...

Such tender moment. An irreplaceable bond. A precious place. But in a single moment, everything change. A black could formed beneath their feet. From a giant rift in the floor came oozing black nightmare, swallowing up the world once so filled with light. Her father held that gleaming silver blade in his hand as he faced the writhing shadow.

Aiz: Father... Uncle...

She ran after him, desperately calling out to them, but they didn't turn around. Just as she turned around to call for help, everyone other than her older brother was gone. In their place were weapons. A multitude of them. Sword, spear, axes, staff, shield. They were all stabbed to the ground. And then came a powerful wind. As she turned around she saw her.

With the same golden hair flowing and peach hair. Her back was to Aiz as she confronted something writhing in the midst of the darkness. Before Aiz could reach her, the shadow flared its gills. It completely swallow them all.

Aiz: Mom... Aunt...

Then out of nowhere, the ground suddenly spilt, separating her from the grayish-white hair boy as she reached out for him.

Aiz: Big Brother...

???: Aiz...!

As her hands was about to reach his, the ground that the boy was standing crumbles as he fell towards the abyss leaving her all alone.

Tears flooded Aiz's golden eyes. She screamed, and suddenly, in front of her appeared a single sword. It was identical to her father's a silver sword covered with cracks. Aiz grabbed the hilt of the sword as her eyes completely changed.

Aiz: Wait for me...

She was no longer a young girl. She was the Sword Princess. As her eyes was filled with rage and black flames.

Aiz: Wait for me! I'll definitely take you back! And I swear I'll find you Big Brother...!!

She vowed to the figure already swallowed by the black vortex. Then she swore to herself. To the young girl left behind, tightly gripping her sword. And then. A brilliant wave of white light slammed down on top of her, obscuring her vision.

(Reality)

Aiz:...

Her golden eyes crack open silently. She blinked a few times to fight off the residual unease of the dream. She went to wiped her tears, but someone was holding her hand. And she could hear someone singing.

Sora: 🎶 And if that Diamond ring turn brass 🎶... 🎶 Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass...🎶...

It was Sora. He was singing the same lullaby that her Mother would often sing for her. Her eyes widened, and she had multiple question.

Aiz(mind): How do you know that song?

Sora: Oh, did I wake you up...? You were having a nightmare. Sorry...

Aiz: No... It's fine. If you don't mind me asking, where did you hear that song?

Sora: Oh... My Mom would always sing to me whenever I feel scare. It gave me comfort... So I thought that I would sing it for you. Did you not like it?

Sora said it with a smile on his face. He was worried about her. And Aiz sat up and sit next to him and she didn't even realized that she was still holding his hand tightly. It felt warm, it's the same when she would hold her older brother's hand.

Aiz: By Mom... You mean, Alfia?

Sora tense a bit, but he still managed to keep his composure so that Aiz wouldn't realized it. He always called Alfia, "Mother" not "Mom", but Aiz didn't know this. So that means this person Sora was referring was his biological Mother.

Sora: Y-Yes... I guess you could say that...

Sora just made up a lie. He didn't want to reveal to much about himself.

Aiz: Thank you... If you don't mind, what does your family like? Your father, mother and little sister like...?

Sora stare at her for a moment, he looked away bitterly as he was conflicted about if he should tell her or not.

Sora: I'm sorry... But, I really don't like to talk about my family that much. It brings me so much pain and sadness.

Sora apologized. He doesn't want to reveal it to her. And Aiz finally realized that he was the same as her. She never told anyone about her past and family. The one that knows the truth was only, Finn, Riveria, Gareth and Loki and Asuna. So she knew that she just touched a subject that she shouldn't touched.

Aiz: I-I'm sorry. I was just really curious. Since 7 years ago, you told me that. And ever since reuniting with you here, I've been wanting to ask about it...

Sora: No... You don't need to apologize. I understand... And I'm sure, that you also don't really want to talk about your past as well. So I get it...

Aiz: Right...

Sora: But when the time is right... I don't mind sharing it with you. If, you would tell me your own story...

Aiz eyes widened. She was surprised by his kindness. It's the same as her older brother, the one she would see in her dream.

Aiz: Thank you, Big Brother...

It was out before she even realized it. And when she realized what she had just said and quickly looked at Sora, to see if he had any reaction or something. But to her surprise.

Sora: Zzzz...

Sora fell asleep on top of Asuna's head.

Aiz: Eh...?

Aiz was surprised for a moment, before her lips form into a smile. Aiz smile like the way she's done so long ago, when she was carefree and young. And that's when she finally realized that she was still holding his hand, but she didn't want to let go. She had just regain her older brother. The time of tenderness she was supposed to have lost so long ago wrapped around her now like comforting blanket beneath the gaze of the blue sky. And before she realized it, sleep took over her once again as she leaned on and slept on his lap.

Sora:...

Sora who was just sleeping saw that Aiz once again fell asleep on his lap and his lip formed into a smile.

Sora: Big Brother... Huh...

(Timeskip)

It was almost nighttime, and Aiz was the first to stir awake. And when she realized that she was sleeping on Sora's lap.she felt his warmth. And after that, Asuna started to stir awake, and then Sora and finally, Bell. The 4 of them deiced to train for a few more minutes before wrapping it up.

Bell: Th... Thank you... again... for... today...

Sora: Are you alright...?

Bell: I'm fine...

Aiz: You did good...

Asuna: I'm impress by how much you've grown in just 5 days of training Bell...

???: Good job, Bell! Sora!

Everyone looked back to see who was calling them and they saw it was Sora and Bell's patron Goddess Hestia.

Sora and Asuna and Aiz recall what happened yesterday about the deal that they made with Hestia.

(Flashback)

Hestia: I get to observe you 4! No calling dibs on my Sora and Bell, got it?! It's never going to happen!

(Present)

Sora and Asuna and Aiz just sweat drops as Hestia continued to hug Bell. The 5 of them then started heading back towards their houses with Sora and Aiz leading the way and Aiz was holding a lantern.

Hestia: By the way Bell, aren't you just getting beaten up? Given Sora always beats you up.

Sora: -_- Just what kind of training do you think we're doing?

Hestia ignores Sora and continued to convinced Bell to stop training with Aiz and Asuna, as they were still talking, Sora, Aiz, and Asuna felt someone was watching them.

Sora: Do you guys feel that...?

Aiz: Yes... and look at the street lamp!

Asuna: It's been destroyed.

Sora, Asuna and Aiz stopped walking and Bell and Hestia looked at them confused.

Hestia: Is something wrong?

Sora: Bell be on your guard!

A figure who looked like a demi-human that had a cat ears, holding a spear and was clad in black. Sora quickly recognized who he is, it was Allen Fromel, "Vana Freya" the vice captain of the Freya Familia. Allen charged at Bell and went to thrust his spear at Bell, but Aiz and Sora managed to deflect it.

Sora(mind): What's the meaning of this...?

Sora then grabbed his Kanshou and Bakuya and both Sora and Allen then charged at one another and started trading blows, with Sora gaining the upper hand in an instant.

Allen was known to be one of the fastest in Orario, but compare to Sora, it was like a fight between a rabbit and a turtle. Sora was overwhelming him in speed much to the other surprised.

Just as before Sora was about to restrain Allen and question him, Sora saw 4 figure descending above him and he looked up and saw it was the Gulliver Brothers.

Sora(mind): Bringar...? They're here too...?

Just as the Gulliver Brothers were about to attack Sora, he leaned back and swing his sword and sent a wind shockwave and sent them flying.

Allen: Tsk what a monsters...

Allen then decided to went after Aiz, since it was his first objective and the two of them were started trading blows, Sora and Asuna were about to rushed in towards Aiz, but Asuna were blocked by the Gulliver Brothers and Sora was blocked by an elf and a dark elf.

Sora(mind): Dianslief and Hildrslief are here too?

Sora: What's the meaning of this, Hogni, Hedin?!!

Sora looked towards the dark elf that's name Hogni and Hedin who was an elf.

Hogni: It's all your fault?

Sora: Huh?

Hogni: It's because you exist, that our beloved are suffering right now!

Sora didn't understand what he was saying. He then heard Allen was talking with Aiz.

Allen: This is a warning, Sword Princess. And tell this to your friend the Berserk Healer! If you get in the way of our... that person, we'll kill you.

Aiz: What do you mean?

Allen: I'm telling you to hurry up and go to an expedition or something, doll girl.

Sora then noticed that one of the Gulliver Brothers did a sneak attacked and attacked Aiz from behind, and he rushed towards her blowing both Hogni and Hedin away with his sword and deflect them along with Asuna who had also defeated the Gulliver Brothers.

Asuna: You seamed to forgot.

Sora: That there are three of us...

Bell: Everyone! Dodge!

All three of them jumped away and Bell sent out a firebolt towards them, but it didn't had any effect. They finally decided to leave and the Gulliver Brothers mutter something that Sora overheard.

Grer: He skipped the chant and directly used magic to attack.

Alfrigg: We'll report this to that person...

Berling: And the other one is far stronger, but might still not using his full power. Let us retreat, we attracted to much attention.

Sora(mind): What does Freya want to achieve by attacking us...?

They soon retreated and Aiz and Asuna sheeted their swords and walked towards them.

Aiz: Are you alright?

Sora: Yeah, those guys were nothing...

Bell: The people who attacked me earlier was level 1 just like me, what about you guys?

Asuna: We're fine...

Bell: Who were those people? They attack us all of a sudden...

Aiz: Surprise attacks are pretty common...

Bell: REALLY?!

Aiz: Yes, though it's rare for it to happen outside of dungeon.

Asuna: I think what she's trying to say is that, when you're a first-class adventurer, surprise attacks are very common. They wanted to see who is stronger. But it's true though, it's rare for it to happen outside of dungeon.

Hestia: Do you have any idea who they were?

Aiz:...

Asuna: There are too many possible choice.

Both Aiz and Asuna didn't tell them who they were even through they knew. They don't want to get them involved. The three of them realized that the Freya Familia weren't fighting seriously, but it seemed to be not related to the expedition.

Asuna(whisper): We need to make sure that this doesn't develop into a dispute...

Aiz(whisper): Right...

Bell: You okay...?

Both of them looked at Bell and saw that Bell was speaking to Sora who was quiet the entire time as he was looking towards Babel. He seemed to noticed a gaze watching over him. Somebody is watching both him and Bell with an arcanum. Both Aiz and Asuna glanced in the same direction Bell and Sora had been so intently staring. Towards the center of the city, where the tall white tower gazed down at the 5 of them, from its spot in the night sky.

Sora: I'm fine... well let's go home...?

Bell: Right!

They all bid farewell as Sora, Bell, and Hestia all went towards their home leaving Aiz and Asuna alone as the two of them went home and started preparing for their expedition that will take place in two days.