Lilia's Tale: Freyja's Endeavor

Chapter 19: Threat

We both simply stayed silent, watching the sun rise from behind the tree line. I saw Skadi leave, which surprised me, but since she hadn't said a word as I explained myself to Jor, I couldn't tell her anything about it.

"Say, Lilia-sama."

"Yes?"

"Would you mind allowing me a favor?"

"Well, I'll do what I can for you."

"Would you please let me accompany you from this point onwards?"

"...Huh?"

I stared at Jor as he stared back at me as much as he could under his rocky restraints. I was utterly confused, what could he possibly mean? Was he asking to simply tag along, or something else?

"Can I not?"

"I'm sorry I just, I don't know what you mean."

"Oh. My apologies, it is true it may come off as sudden. Would you please allow me to be your familiar?"

"What?"

"Do you perhaps not know what a familiar is? I view it as unlikely since-"

"No, no," I cut him. "I know what a familiar is, that isn't the point. I'm just unsure if I heard you correctly, and if I did, why you'd even wish so?"

"Simply explained, I wish to stay by your side to both confirm the Relic's well-being, but also to help you grow as a person and as a goddess."

"Uhm, I don't want to take that role though."

"I am aware. However, responsibilities will follow you regardless of your wishes. It is best I help you with it. Worry not, I wish not force upon you ways to act as a superior being or any such menial tasks. I wish to instead help you control your overwhelming magic and better use it for others, as the god of Life should. I will also make sure to protect you as necessary so your growth is unhindered."

This already seemed like a better offer than it first did. I thought about it for some time before being interrupted by the sound of horses coming from behind.

"Lilia, is everything settled?"

"Oh, General. Uh, I think? We're out of danger as far as Jor goes at least."

"Great. Then, please follow us. We have Leviathan to deal with."

"Leviathan is here?" Jor asked.

"He is at Terra's port, immobile. We have to deal with him now. Lilia."

"Allow me to follow you," Jor offered.

"We will not allow a hydra into town, especially not one of your size."

"I can shrink as necessary. I believe I may be of help to your endeavor."

"How so?"

"Leviathan and I are acquaintances from old times. He may have had the same wish as I did, though without the inherent uncontrollable rage of us hydrae."

"So you can reason with him?"

"It may be so, yes."

The general thought for a while. I wasn't sure what camp to stand in so I sat awkwardly next to Jor as decisions were made.

"How can I be sure you won't create problems?"

"I am still heavily weakened from what recently happened. Though I can shrink to a far more reasonable size, likely enough to be slightly taller than you, it will require all my energy to simply keep such size. As such, I won't be able to do anything else but walk and talk."