No one's POV

Lido: Food! Alcohol! And keep it coming! For our new kin and our first human guests, especially the Light of Hope, today we celebrate!

The monsters erupted with excitement as soon as they heard the lizardman Lido's booming voice the room shook from all the noise. A wide array of food, including fruits, nuts, and herbs found in the Dungeon, was circulating. Barrels of alcohol carved with marks that read Rivira were rolled out. People and Monsters alike sat in a large circle encompassing several bright magic-stone lamps.

Sora(mind): Please stop calling me, Light of Hope! Its embarrassing!

Welf: Is this some kind of dream?

Rin: I wish it was all just a dream.

Lili: Shall I pinch both your cheeks for you?

Welf, Rin, and Lili spoke as though they were in trance. Bell heard their mutter, unable to hide the cold sweat running down his own cheeks. And Sora who was sitting next to Rin just sigh. Even Mikoto and Haruhime were frozen still as the Xenos did the cheers for them.

Wiene: And then Papa saved me!

Rei: Did he? That makes me jealous. Sora truly is strange- I mean... very kind, isn't he?

Sora: Strange huh...

Fia: Wiene, why do you call, Sora Papa?

Wiene: Because it feels like he was my Papa. I feel like, I know him...

The Xenos and Bell and the others all looked confused other than Sora. He continue to stare at Wiene with the sense of deja vu all coming back to him. It truly feels like Wiene is indeed Yui. And that make Sora's heart aches.

Sora:...

Lido: Bell-Chi, Sora-Chi.

Bell: Bell-chi...

Lido: No need to be polite. Eat up! We gathered it all around here. Apparently, this stuff's rare on the surface.

Lido hand Bell and Sora some fruits 🍆 and both Sora and Bell took a bite of it.

Bell: It's delicious!

Sora: Your right!

Lido: Right?

Sora: And um, I'm sorry for destroying parts of the area.

Lido: Don't sweat it. The dungeon will repair itself. And I didn't hold back either. But the rumors about you being the strongest in the surface, is that true?

Sora: Well, I'm not quite sure myself. There are a lot of strong adventurers up there.

Bell and his party was overwhelmed by the monster's hospitality.

Bell: So then this alcohol and equipment... Is all of it from adventurers...?

Their host continued rolling out more food and drinks. Bell watched in awe, glancing at the armor covering Lido's body before cautiously asking. The guild has posted noticed on the bulletin board about monsters seizing adventurers equipment. Bell was pretty sure he was looking at the culprit right now.

Lido: Weeell, yes and no. The alcohol was a gift, but these blades are loot from ignorant adventurers who came and attacked us.

Lido let his gaze fall on the scimitar and longsword lying by his feet as he set his bottle down on the floor.

Lido: But he dropped them and ran away as soon as I started fighting back... Thought I might as well try them out. Adventurers take monsters claw and fangs home after slaying them, right?

Sora: Yes, that's true.

Lido: People seem to want them back even after they're dead. So we try to return what we can... But adventurers get angry at us for carrying their weapons. It's hard to know what to do.

Lido spoke with a nostalgic air, as if remembering a specific incident in the Dungeon.

Lido: Human weapons really are amazing. They cut way better than any flower or plant lying around, and they're hard. We can't make stuff like this.

Words excitedly pouring out of his mouth, Lido spoke with tremendous respect for people and their creations. Many other monsters wore some type of battke cloth, Lido included, even if they didn't have armor. A few of them wore normal clothing, like scarf. All of these monsters were trying to imitate people...copying what they saw. Sora felt that each of them had grown fond of the handiwork of surface dwellers for one reason or another.

???: Lido, cease this foolishness.

The speaker hurling venomous words towards them weaved through the banquet's commotion and Sora and the others saw that it was a gargoyle monsters.

Gargoyle: In the end, they are humans. They are not worthy of trust.

Lido: You still saying that, Gros? Sora-chi and the others have been protecting Wiene. That's what Fels told us, right? That Sora Yatagami, The Light of Hope will give hope to everyone. It's because you guys said you still couldn't accept it that we took the rough route back there.

Standing apart from the monsters who had joined Liodo in welcoming the party, there were others who had separated themselves from the group. A gargoyle named Gros, an arachne, and a griffin, among others, were seated atop a nearby cliff. All of them were glaring at Bell and Sora. Gros implored Lido to see reason. Instead, the lizardman turned to Bell and Sora and waved off Gros's words.

Lido: Don't mind him. And sorry about that. We've got a lot going on too. When we heard humans were coming down here, it set everyone on edge.

Sora: No, it's fine.

Lido: I'm pretty sure they know that you guys are different from other adventurers.

Sora: So I was right. You were watching us when we entered the 19th floor.

Lido: That's right. Rei kept an eye on you until your arrival.

Rei: Oh, stop it Lido!

Sora: You were testing us from the very beginning. You trailed us to make sure you could saved Wiene in a worst-case scenario.

Everyone all looked at Sora shocked, and the Xenos all looked at him impressed. Sora noticed every single detail during their way towards the 20th floor. He noticed that they were being watched.

Welf: Hey. More importantly, is it true? The Guild knows about all of you?

Welf had been following their conversation and couldn't hold back anymore.

Lido: Yeah. They take measures to make sure we don't get exposed, and sometimes they send food or weapons. They've been helping us a lot for a long time now.

Rin: It's kind of hard to take your word that the Guild would dirty its hand to keep this secret. The risk of discovery is too great, and the benefit... What benefits could there be?

Rei: We are not simply parasites that rely on the Guild's charity. We accepts their request to investigate situations or strange incidents while suppressing uprising in the shadow... Our relationship is give and take, as they say on the surface.

Sora(mind): Wait, that means. The MonsterPhilia incident. Those rigged colored magic stones. Around 7 un-identified monsters deep in the sewer of Daedalus Street. The murderer of Hasharna Dorlia. The pantry on the floor 24th quest and 30th floor. The reason why Lord Ouranus was so informed was thanks to this Xenos!

Sora couldn't believe what he had just figured out. That means Lord Ouranus had known about the Xenos for a long period of time. And not only that, the Ganesha Familia also know about this Xenos as well.

Lido: We got similar goals, that's all. More than the Guild, its the God Ouranus, really. Apparently, the people at teh Guild don't know about us, either.

Lili: Then, the mission we accepted to come down here, was exactly like Master Sora predicted. It was all Lord Ouranus's plan.

Lido: Lord Ouranus and his people brought it to us, and we agreed to it. To see what the people sheltering one of our kin are really like, and also what would the Light of Hope do, in a desperate situation like this. But, after hearing all about Sora-chi and the others, I couldn't help hoping a little. I thought, maybe, something might change.

Just as Bell was about to ask clarification, a booming sound came from the other side of the makeshift magic stone campfire.

Xenos 1: REI SING!!!!

Xenos: OOOOOOOOO!!!!!

A couple of drunken monsters started demanding a song and more howled in approval. The siren, still seated close to Sora, sighed and looked up at Lido. He nodded, eyes twinkling with expectation. Rei grinned and stood.

Rei: I suppose I must. I shall sing and add some color to this banquet.

Taking a few step forwards. And one flap of her wings and Rei landed on top of the tallest Magic stone lamp with the grace of a feather. She turned on her heel to face, Wiene, Sora and the others, wearing a delicate smile.

Rei: A new comrade and guests from the surface are here. Let's make this one special.

With that, Rei closed her eyes and drew a breath. Silence hung in the air for a fleeting moment before a beautiful voice replaced it.

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Wiene: Wow...!

Sora: This song...

Rin: What a beautiful voice...

Hearing the song, Wiene suddenly smiled with joy, while Bell and the others reacted with surprise. The siren brought one of her golden wing to her chest, singing happily and enjoying her solo with a smile on her face. A single siren, weaving a song with her eyes closed, ringed by people and monsters sitting side by side. The song reverberated deep into the maze. Bell and the others never heard a song so captivating, so beautiful, and the passage of time left their mind.

Rei: May I have this dance with you, Sora Yatagami.

Sora: Eh? Me...?

Rei outstretched her wings to Sora and he along with the others looked surprised and all the other monsters started cheering.

Sora: Then... With pleasure...

Sora smile and gracefully hold her wings and started walking towards the center of the maze and hold Rei tightly. The siren had a bit of a red cheek on her face when Sora hold her body and the two of them started dancing in the middle of the campfire.

Everyone started to cheer. The siren couldn't hold her red cheeks as she continue to blush and sing and dance with Sora. And then, more and more Xenos started joining.

Lido: Things never get this crazy!

Fia: Indeed. Sora, why don't you try singing and dance too?

Sora: Eh? You want me to sing and dance?

The Xenos cheer. Sora looked at them surprised before smiling.

Sora: Okay... As you all command.

Sora then let go of Rei with her frowning a bit and Sora took a deep breath and he started singing and do a free style dance.

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Sora then jumped back and continue his free style dance, and everyone started looking Sora surprised from his dancing and song.

Fia: Woah!

Lido: Incredible!

Wiene: Papa!

Welf: Damn.

Lili: To think that, Master Sora...

Mikoto: Could have such captivating song.

Haruhime: What a beautiful voice!

Rin: I've known Sora for so long, but I never hear him sing.

Bell: He's a great dancer too!

Lido's eyes were filled with delight and his lips were definitely turned up in a smile. Bell, Rin, Welf, Mikoto, Haruhime, and Lili were convinced they were dreaming and still at a loss for words. But before they realized it, all of them were laughing. Both Sora and Rei song and the echoes of joyful howls serenaded them.

Bell: Lido, what did you mean earlier when you said we got you hopes up a bit...?

Lido: Hmm? Ahh... You gave us hope— that maybe things can change...

(Elsewhere)

Hestia: Coexistence between people and monsters?

Hestia wasn't sure how many jolt of surprise shot through her body after what Ouranos had just said. The elderly deity's face was as stoic as ever. He did not turn away from her stunned expression.

Hestia: Do you know what you're saying, Ouranos?

Ouranos: Of course.

Hestia: Conflict between people and monsters has been destiny since ancient times! Yet you'd still...

Hestia already reached that conclusion, and yet Ouranos responded with a deep nod. He knew what that meant. Those born in the Dungeon were the greatest enemy of the surface-dwellers races. People killed monsters and monsters killed people. With such overwhelming fear and ingrained hatred on both sides, they would like nothing more than to avoid each other. They could not be together. The various races residing in the mortal world were fated to kill and be killed by monsters.

That was their destiny ever since monsters first emerged from the Great Hole back during the Ancient Times. They were doomed to fight for all eternity. Then Ouranos arrived with the divine will to turn that undeniable truth on its head... Hestia frowned, unable to overlook such a desire, from the Guild's Master of all people.

Ouranos: The Xenos do not attack simply based on instinct. They wish for dialogue with people.

Hestia: !!!

Ouranos: And it is not those claws and fangs, but words and reason they bring in their appeals. That they wish to go to the surface... That they wish to know our children... To know humans.

The image of Wiene then flashed into Hestia's mind.

Ouranos: The power of reason dwells within the Xenos. They are attacked even by monsters. They are alienated and ostracized. There is no place for them even within the labyrinth.

Hestia:...

Ouranos: As they are monsters, it is plain that their only choice is to be consigned to oblivion. But they have gathered their will, and they have the skill to express it, just as our children do. To watch as they are destroyed, unmoved by their lamentations, I fear that is no longer something which I am able to do.

Hestia(mind): Someone sure is diligent.

Hestia also had Wiene. She couldn't bring herself to abandon her. Could she become a treacherous and deceitful Goddess for her Familia sake? Hestia's thoughts swirled, trapping her in a whirlpool of choices and decisions. After a few minutes of heavy silence, she lifted her face and started asking Ouranos another question.

Hestia: You're really planning to strive towards Harmony with monsters?

Ouranos: Yes. But if our aim is co-existence with our children, then we must inquire into the significance of the existence of monsters.

Hestia: So the bridge that will make people acknowledge value in the existence of monsters is Bell and the others? Or to be more precise, Sora, The Light of Hope. You want to see if The Hero of this World is able to change to world or not.

Ouranos: That is what I wish to determine.

Hestia led her head hang limply at the revelation. The elderly deity was so unbelievably open about these secret plans it was almost refreshing. She understood Ouranos reasoning. After getting to know Wiene, she also wanted to help the Xenos find happiness. However, this path put Bell and Sora and her Familia in a very precarious position. Ouranos mentioned alienated and exile. If the fact that Hestia Familia had assisted these "monsters" became public knowledge, not only would their standing in Orario be at risk but their place in the entire world. Just like the Xenos. Perhaps it was impossible, but Hestia preferred to not have their fate hanging in the balance.

Hestia(mind): Even if that means running away.

Ouranos: Everything is being done at my sole discretion.

(Elsewhere)

At Knossos, Dix and the others had returned with a broken bones and blood all over their bodies.

Gran: It really tick me off!! The Lightning Flash is on to us!!

Gran said while holding his broken hand as Dix read a message that was given to him after they were beaten up.

"If you ever follow my Familia again. Or even touched this talking monsters, I will give you more than a broken bone. I will gladly take your life. And I'll gladly tell the Guild about you smuggling monsters. I have all the prove I need right in my hands".

That's what the massage said. And Dix could only gritted his teeth. On their way when they were following Sora and the others. They were suddenly attacked by an unknown forces of wind and lightning. It broke their bones and some of them all lose their armors and multiple cuts on their bodies.

Dix: Damn that Lightning Flash!! He's protecting those talking monsters!!!

(Elsewhere)

Fels: Well, it seems things have once again developed in an unexpected direction.

A serious voice devoid of any shock or mockery reached the banquet, still as lively as ever with singing and dancing. Everyone turned their heads towards the entrance of the room to see where it came from.

Lido: Fels! You came!

What they saw seemed like a living shadow, wearing a long black robe and black gloves adorned with intricate patterns. Other than Sora, Bell and the others were quick to react to this mysterious individual, instantly ready for a fight, but Lido opened his arm and gave the newcomer a friendly wave. Fels seemed interested in watching Sora and Rei dances.

Lido: You're here earlier than I thought you'd be.

Fels: I came as fast as I could. But please, Lido, I could do with a quick explanation. To tell the truth, I'm quite startled.

Lido then brought Fels up to speed about everything that had happened and a light chuckle appeared from the hood.

Fels: Oh ho? You all may be more important than we thought.

Fels looked down towards Bell and the others, offering words that were difficult to discern as praise or ridicule. Then Fels looked towards Sora and bow his head.

Fels: It has been awhile, Sora Yatagami.

Sora: It sure has. 5 months was it, since I've seen you?

The rest, even the Xenos looked surprised that Sora and Fels knew each other and Sora told them everything. About the 24th floor quest to subdue monsters, and Bell remembered once that Sora had got an urgent quest.

Sora: The one who ask me, was him.

Bell: I see.

Sora: You've been watching us, this pass 7 days. Seeing what will we do to Wiene, and you reported back to Lord Ouranos. And you were also the one that gave us this mission, aren't you?

Everyone was stunned.

Fels: *sigh* Good grieve. Even when I concealed my presence to the utmost limit, you still were able to detect me. I'm no match for you, Sora Yatagami. But let's start on the right foot. First, I shall say I am pleased to meet you, Hestia Familia. I am Fels. Conveying communication between Ouranos and Lido and the Xenos is the bulk of my duties. And just like Sora Yatagami told you, for the past 7 days, I have watched over you and the dragon maiden.

Bell: You have...

Lido: Fels has eyes all over the place. With this one, they can contact us at any time.

Those were the only words they needed to hear to put the pieces together. The person in front of them was the Guild's eyes who had taken the liberty of throughly investigating them without their knowledge.

Lili: Fels, are you a monster too?

Lido: Nope, Fels is a human.

Fels: To be more precise, a former human.

Bell: What?

Rin: Huh?

Fels: I shall show you as well.

Fels then pull back her hood. For Bell, Rin, Welf and Lilim time came to a screeching halt. The eyes that were supposed to be there didn't exist, just two pitch black cavities, empty eye sockets. The skin they expected to see was also missing.

Perfectly aligned teeth protruded from the exposed jawbone. The face simply didn't exist. A white skull of death stared back at the adventurers.

Rin: EEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!

Lili: A....A SKELETON?!

Welf: HOLD UP, HOLD UP, HOLD UP...!!!

Bell: A MONSTER?! A SPARTOI?!

Four voices shrieked. There was no doubt that it was a skeleton head. The horrifying personification of death itself was proof enough that this being was no living person.

Fels: I did tell you. A former human.

Bell: Wh-What does that mean?

Sora: It means that he was a person who had died. But still retain its skeleton form. Fels is a human who had live for than hundreds of years. And calm down, Rin.

Everyone was even more stunned than before. Bell and Lili were struggling to speak. Welf clenched his teeth together in a desperate attempt to remain calm but couldn't hide the fear scrawled across his face. Rin was in the verge of passing out due to shocked as she ran towards Sora and hide her face on his shoulder and Sora could only sooth her. Fear was a natural reaction to a voice originated from a skull with no skin or throat to speak of.

Lido: Fels is a sage! A super-amazing mage!

Lili: Sage? You mean... In that one well-known, the great nation os sages... the one that study magic in the school of Hogwarts... The Philosopher's stone... Only one person managed to successfully create it and gain eternal life! That sage?!

Lido: Huh? Yeah... They might be that sage.

The lizardman was unfamiliar with what was consider common sense on the surface, so Lili's outburst caught him off guard.

Fels: That is correct. I am the remaining ruins of one who was once called a sage. In my pursuit of infinite wisdom, I became obsessed with eternal life. I devised a secret formula to become undying and regenerative, and I became a living ghost. Now I am known as Fels the Fool. At Ouranos side. I observe the shifting of the ages.

Pulling the hood back up, Fels spoke as though satisfied with the state of things. As Bell stood frozen in place, he had thought nothing could surpass the shock of encountering Lido and the other Xenos. Now his eyes were spinning from a second knockout blow.

Fels: I first made contact with Lido and the others over 15 years ago. We called them "Xenos", and created a community by the same name.

Sora: A community?

Lido: Yes, others like us are born throughout the Dungeon. We make contact with our comrades to form our own organization.

Rei: Since then, so that other monsters don't find us,  we move through the labyrinth, living together, looking for new kin.

Lili: Living together... Doesn't this room give birth to monsters?

Lido: Hey! That's a good point you've noticed there, Lili-chi!

Lili: Lili-chi...

Lido: This is unexplored territory that adventurers haven't found yet. A place where monsters aren't born. A safe point. We call it a hidden village.

The Xenos frequented undiscovered Frontiers in the middle levels all the way down to the deep levels, places adventurers didn't know existed, using them as a base camps in their search of monsters who shared the same uniqued gift.

Fesl: There are approximately 40 Xenos here. Among them, Lido, Rei, and Gros have been members the longest.

Lido: It has been a long time.

Welf: That would make you the leader, wouldn't it?

Lido: Yeah. And I'm also the strongest too. At least, that's what I'd like to say. But recently, two newcomer who joined us has passed me up.

Welf: Really?

Bell: Um, so, what's this new member like?

Lido: Even now, those two are gone down to the deeper levels alone to train. They probably planning to get even stronger, those two!

Bell: The Deep Floors... Do you think that's okay?

Fels: If anything. This one is so strong that even someone like the King and you, Sora Yatagami, would have troubled defeating it in a one on one fight.

That left everyone shocked. An intelligent monster that surpasses Sora. Sora who couldn't hold his shocked spoke up.

Sora: Eh? Even stronger than me? Now that is a challenge! I would like to face off against him if I could meet him. What his characteristic?

Lido: He is a dragon with the appearance of a large red Western Dragon, with a long neck and green eyes. He also has red and golden spikes throughout his body.

Sora: A dragon huh...

Sora started thinking what kind of monsters that could surpassed him and Ottar. Everyone just sweat drop that Sora was ready to prepare his next challenger. He and Ottar had fought twice. The first was during the 9th floor incident with Sora's victory. And the second was during the Rakia invasion, with a draw as a conclusion.

Lili: But, Mr Fels, why do you and the others support the Xenos? In their position, there is no need to give them aid. Though it is dangerous, they are more than capable of living here in the Dungeon. What is it that the Xenos seek through their connection to you?

Averting her eyes and hesitating for a moment, she made her point. She's kept these misgiving to herself ever since arriving ay the Hidden Village, voicing them only now. Everyone stay silent, with their ears perking. A look of quiet grew on Lido's face.

Rei: To emerge on the surface.

Sora: Rei...

Rei: That is our desire.

Rei with her winged like arms folded around her as if she was hugging her own body. Everyone gazed at the siren's resolute blue eyes in amazement as her words sank in.

Lido: I have this dream... A dream where this crimson light sinks behind giant rocks. A sky that doesn't exist here is dyed red enough to cry red.

Rin: A sunset?

Lido: You may be right.

Welf: Have you ever been to the surface?

Lido: No. Not even once. That's why I think maybe... The last time I lived, I might have been somewhere I could see the sky.

That made everyone freeze.

Lili: In past life...?

Rin: You couldn't mean...

Sora: Reincarnation...?

Lido: Sora-chi... Wiene learned how to speak really quickly, right?

Sora: Yes, that's true...

Sora looked at Wiene who was sitting on his lap as she continue to smile.

Lido: Here, we have both those who can speak and those who can't. The ones who can speak, for some reason, they learn how really fast. It's just like they're remembering that they've spoken before.

Sora: !!!

Lido: Maybe they'd watched people for a long time in the past... Jealous of them, yearning after them.

(Flashback)

It was one of those nights where Wiene would sleep with Sora in his room.

Wiene: Lots of people, just like, Papa... Protect from someone like me. My body grows cold. My chest is empty, as though there was a hole in it. I see those people so clearly...

(Present)

His daughters words, whispered under the covers of a very cramped bed only a few days ago, came to the forefront of Sora's memories. A surge of disbelief accompanied them.

Sora(mind): But what is this feeling of deja vu that keeps happening when I'm with Wiene? Every time I'm with her, I feel like, Yui is really here. Is as if, a part of Yui's soul has merged with Wiene.

Sora hold his chest. Trying to understand this feeling of deja vu. He used to have a daughter named Yui. He, Asuna, and Yui lived together for a few weeks near a mountain village. They had a house there. They lived happily. Until, Yui had to disappear from this world, to resume her duty as a spirit of knowledge.

Sora:...

Fels: An intense, severe longing... The feelings hidden in their hearts are varied. But as intense aspiration towards humanity, or surface, is the sole commonality.

The Xenos remembered their past lives in their various dreams. And each of them possessed an intense desire that gave them a strong reason to keep living.

Lido: I want to see that sunset one more time.

Rei: I want to try spreading my wings in a world of light. In place of these wings, which can embrace no one... I want to be embraced by someone I love.

To be with people in the sunlight. That was their wish. What these men and women desired. They were looking for a way to make it happen, with help from Fels and Ouranos. All to accomplish a goal that would have been so simple of only the Xenos were human. They were also fully aware how difficult it was, how long a road they would have to take. Lido and Rei smile wanly as Sora came to a realization. They are the same as him. He also had a desire that he want to make a reality.

Sora(mind): No wonder I couldn't swing my sword against them. They are not monsters. They are just as much as we humans do.

Lido: We know. We're outcast, meant to live in the shadow. We're neither one thing nor the other, hated by both people and monsters... Even so, we want to keep dreaming.

They wanted to follow those dreams and the permission to do so. Lido cast his gaze at the labyrinth ceiling once again as he spoke.

Lido: Even this place... We think our mom might've prepared it for us.

Welf: Mom?

Rei: The Dungeon which gave birth to us. We were attacked by our own kind, our lives targeted... But at the same time, our existence is permitted by our Mother, the labyrinth. That is what we believe.

Lido and Rei seemed to be asking the Dungeon despite knowing there would be no answer. On top of everything, they still wanted to pursue their desire.

Lido: That's why, see? Why we were so happy to meet you and the others, Sora-chi! It's not about wanting you to help us or anything. It's just the fact that people who can accept us exist. It means the world to us.

Lili and Welf stood motionless with Bell at their side. Along with, Rin, Haruhime, and Mikoto who were with Sora. The Mage watched from underneath the shadowy black robe. The siren smiled. Lastly, the lizardman shyly scratched his nose.

Lido: Sora-chi, The Light of Hope. I truly am glad that I met you and the others! We all hope, that you can give us hope, just like how you give the people in the surface hope 7 years ago!

Sora:...

Sora looked at the other Xenos and saw that they were all smiling at Sora. Hoping that he could also gave them hope. Hope that all of their dreams could be achieved and Sora smile at them

Sora: I don't know anything for sure. But, if I could somehow, someday, I could make all of your wishes come true. Then I'll do the best of my abilities. Just like what I told, Wiene. In a distant future. There will come a time where people, and Xenos, will understand one another and live in peace.

The Xenos all look at Sora surprise. Sora was willing to help them. That alone, already gave the hope as Lido and Rei were aiming and even some of the other Xenos let out a drop of tears.

Rei: Thank you.

(Timeskip)

The banquet at the Xenos hidden village was coming to an end. Bell and the others were making preparations to return home. Lido and the rest of the Xenos were planning to move to another Hidden Village soon after.

Rei: Thank you for today, truly. I am glad to have met you.

Sora: We should be thanking you.

Lido: Sora-chi, Bell-chi, do you know what this is?

Bell: Huh? A monster's magic stone?

Lido nodded as he pinched the purple stone between his claw. Suddenly, he brought it to his open mouth and plopped it inside like candy.

Sora: !!! (Mind): It's just like that Red Tamer!! So these Xenos are all strengthening species too!

Lido: We get attacked by other monsters without a chance to talk. And we too, kill monsters to survive.

Just like mortal who received Falna, and updated them to gain strength. Monsters, eat magic stones to gain strength. But the strengthening of a normal Magic Stone, is nothing compared to the yellowed colored magic stone. With just one yellowed colored Magic Stone, its like they got a sudden rank up, like that Red Tamer.

Lido: We eat magic stones this way and use them to strengthen ourselves.

The Xenos were forced to commit cannibalism every day to survive in the Dungeon. Purely because their lives depend on it.

Lido: So, please, don't hesitate about killing monsters. Don't waver out of consideration for us. If you hesitate, Bell-chi, you will die.

Bell: Lido...

Lido: And even if they can speak, if they attack you, kill them for me.

The den of monsters is already littered with corpses and ash. While he didn't say it directly, the lizardman warrior truly wanted Bell to prioratize his life over anything else.

Lido: Make sure you don't die, okay? I want to see you again.

The Xenos themselves had killed countless other monsters and adventurers and would continue to do so.

Lido: Sora-chi. Let's shake hand.

Lido struck out his right hand. Sora paused for a moment, looking between the lizardman's face and his hand... but then he managed with a grin. Hearing the same words as when they first spoke, Sora smiled at the row of fangs right at eye level. He too the hand offered to him. Sora felt Lido squeeze back, scaly skin rough on his own.

Wiene: Papa! That was fun, wasn't it? Let's go home together!

Wiene immediately broke away from her face, she reached out to take his hand. Sora smiled weekly in returned and was about to grabbed her hand, but Lido got in the way.

Lido: You're with us, Wiene.

Wiene: Huh?

He grabbed a hold of her bluish white arm and dragged her back towards the Xenos group. Shocked, Wiene yelped and started struggling.

Wiene: No! Put me down!

Lido: I can't! You're with us!

Wiene: No! I want to be with my Papa!

Her thin arms stood no chance of breaking Lido's grip. Tears of desperation began forming in her amber eyes. Sora watched unable to speak as the lizardman continue to hold her.

Lido: If you're with them, you're going to make your Papa and the others cry!

Wiene: What?

Rei: They treated you terribly on the surface, didn't they? Next time, all of that will be turned towards your Papa and the others.

All those angry, jeering voices. Cold, hard stones striking her skin and the weapons maliciously pointed her way. Wiene's slim shoulders trembled as memories of that night came to her mind.

Rei: We cannot live on the surface yet. But no one will be cruel to you here. You can live with us.

The siren's voice reached them. The young girl's dragon wing, the feature that clearly identified her as a monsters, quivered as tears started streaming down her face.

Wiene: Papa... I...

Sora then gave her a sad smile.

Sora: Wiene, do you remember what I said, when we watched the stars together?

Wiene's memories then resurface about the day the two of them watched the night sky together and she looked down saddened.

Wiene: That for now, we can't live together.

Sora: Yes... But...

Wiene: In a distant future. There will come a time, where we can live together again. And view the stars together again.

Sora: Yes... That's why. Don't cry...

A large group of intelligent monsters stood directly behind her. Behind Sora was the family he'd gone through so much with up until now. Sora was surrounded by those precious to him, before and behind. All for her daughters happiness. And his Familia's, everyone's, his Goddess.

Lido: See you around, Sora-chi.

Lido said his goodbye before turning his back on the adventurers. Sora couldn't stop him, couldn't even take a step forwards. The monsters began to disappear into a corner of the cavern shrouded in darkness, Wiene with them. She looked at her father one last time.

Wiene: Papa! Papa! Papaaaaaaaaa!!!

He could see her amber eyes glistening with tears. Sora clenched his hands and shouted even as his expression in the verge of breaking.

Sora: THIS ISN'T GOODBYE!!! WE'LL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN!!!

He left her with that reassuring promise, unsure if he could keep it. Wiene sobbed, mouth opening and closing as if trying to tell him something, but she couldn't turn her feelings into words. It wasn't long before every Xenos faded into the darkness.

Sora:...

With his allies watching over from behind. Sora only stared at the spot where he last his daughter. As tears started streaming down his eyes.

Sora: Ah... Ah... Even though... I said... Not to cry...

He too started crying as he fell on his knees. It was the same with Yui. He only get to spend 1 week together in their 2 weeks of holiday. Now it's the same with Wiene. He only get to spend a week with her and now they have to part ways. As tears started streaming even more.

Sora: Ah... AAAAAHHHH!!!!!

He cried, weeping aloud. Praying that his tears would dry up. Praying there would be an end to his sadness. His tears mixed with the white gleam pouring down to become a rain of light. It was unfairly beautiful, held a cruel purity, a rain more precious than anything in the world. Those tears became a song that echoed out and back again.

Bell:...

Rin:...

Welf:...

Lili:...

Mikoto:...

Haruhime:...

Watching on, Haruhime wept quietly. Everyone else was also crying as they all saw the person there cried with all his heart. In the end, he was still her father. And he love every moment he get to spent with her. And Rin walk slowly towards him and wrapped her arm around his back and hugged him tightly while also crying together with him.

Sora:...

Rin: It's alright... Just let it out...

The Hero continue to cry, continue to sing. And he would carry on that song always and forever, a melody of tears that would emerge whenever he thought of his daughter. And as the white light shone down on his arm. Praying that he would be able to always look over his daughter who remained at the dungeon.

(Timeskip)

Morning came. The sun wasn't out yet. Only the smallest traces of light were starting to appear on the horizon. Silence hung over the sleeping city. It was early morning at the base of Babel Tower. Bell's party returned from their mission a little more than a full day after their departure. Fels who accompanied them to the surface, had already disappeared. The party of seven stepped out from beneath the white tower's entrance. Hestia waited for her children outside the gate alone before sunrise. Noticing that Wiene wasn't there, Hestia's shoulders sank in sadness and said with a weak smile.

Hestia: Welcome back... Bell, Sora, everyone...

Bell: Goddess...

Hestia: What is it, Bell...?

The group was completely alone in Central Park. Bell opened his mouth to speak.

Bell: What is the Dungeon?

Welf and his other friends quietly watched as she averted her eyes.

Hestia: The Dungeon is the Dungeon.

She gave him the same response deities had given the children of the world from the beginning. Hestia then looked at Sora, her second child and was heartbroken to see his dull eyes. He had been crying this whole time. He stood there like a statue as if a part of his soul had left his body.

Sora:..

Hestia didn't say anything and walk towards him and hugged him tightly as Sora raised his hand and wrapped his arm around hers.

Hestia:...

Sora:...

Sora continued to hugged her and stared at the ground as if the world itself weighed on his shoulders. Dawn broke on the other side of the city wall, ushering in a blue sky. As Hestia raised her hand and wipes his tears and smile at him.

Hestia: It's alright... we will see her again. I know we will...

Sora: Yeah...