Chapter 1: month one, year ten (part one)
Authors note
Hi, like the title says this is a *mostly* shameless self insert fic… I apologize to the like 10 fans (probably fewer tbh :) ) of my other works, real world stuff and writer's block is a biotch. I of course accept criticism on this work as well as my others. I simply ask anyone reading this to lower their expectations (I know, its a fanfic but I mean lower than that). Now on with the pain XD.
Prologue: meeting a bunny.
As I walked towards the dungeon I reflected on the date, 10 years since I first woke up on this world. I still don't know why, how (if at all) I am meant to get home and for the past 8 or so years the question of whether I wanted to or not wandered through my mind. People stared as I walked past, not surprising in the least. As the newest level 5 in the Loki familia I was sure to attract attention, not as much as the "sword princess". Not as much as the invincible girl, or what I called the warriors three, Riviera, Finn and Gareth. Ironically my relative plainness was what made me most stick out, Loki was known for picking male and female (especially female) children based on their looks. Although I was not unattractive I was nowhere near as pretty as any of the others (Except Gareth but hey). We were prepping our expedition, they usually took a couple weeks now that we were going below the 50th. As I was walking through the markets I saw a potato stand, it was staffed by what appeared to be a small lady with almost comically sized boobs. However looks can be deceiving, I could feel the divine power radiating from her. This lady was a goddess without a doubt. As I was hungry anyway even after breakfast at the manor I decided to purchase one of the fried potatoes. Handing over the valis I smiled brightly enough to even fool myself as I said "thank you…" my voice trailing off to gently imply the question which was 'what is your name?'
"Hestia"
"Shard" I replied. Her eyes did not light up at hearing that, I guessed she was a relatively new goddess. Though not quite an Ottar, or even an Aiz it was rare to find either a god or a child who did not know me at least in passing.
As I walked to babel, and more notably the dungeon, a boy ran into me.
"SORRY!" he shouted out, his face turning blood red to match his adorable red eyes and snow white hair.
Gently grabbing him both to lift him up and keep him from bolting I once again put on my smile as I asked
"Where are you headed in such a hurry kid?"
Unable to flee he mutters "I'm heading to the guild to register."
Noting the guild was in nearly the opposite direction I asked playfully "Do you know where it is?"
Blushing the kid uttered a simple "no."
I smiled more gently, my real smile, as I let go of his arm "It's ok, I have a few minutes to spare, I'll show you"
Though it wasn't the reason I did these things, it helped improve the Loki familia's already positive reputation. It also helped cement myself as a big softie… of course when said softie is one of the prized first string adventurers of Orario (even if literally only as of a week ago) it decreases the risk of troublemakers.
As we got to the building I in my monotone stated "here we are, have a good day kid."
"Thank you sir" The kid shouted before I got out of earshot he yelled "My name is Bell Crannel! What's yours sir?"
Chuckling I answered "Shard Soulspear"
The chorus of roars was deafening. Roaring like a wall of pure sound. A sea of monsters with horns that curled above their heads like mountain goats raced across the terrain. The horse like heads that rose from the creatures' bodies could only be called hideous. They snorted heavily in unison, rolling their bloodshot eyes around to glare at their squirming prey. The immense black mob of massive creatures that were dubbed "monsters" advanced as one, clubs of various shapes and sizes in the grip of their meaty hands. The ones at the front raised their weapons high above their heads, ready to strike.
"Shields, ready—!" Finn ordered, his eyes focused yet weary.
Though not in true synchronization, more of an amatures attempt, the shield wall went up, the sound of metal clanking as it linked.
"Front line, don't break formation! Rear guard, continue attacking!" He shouted again as the lines collided
Trying to withstand the ferocious barrage was a group of humans and demi-humans—a line of stout, muscular dwarves wielding large shields in both arms, protecting groups of elves and animal people equipped with bows and arrows and staffs. The pair of Amazonian twins with wheat-colored skin wove their way among their compatriots' volleys to engage the monsters head on. I joined them, My glaive was perfect for a shieldwall. I cut through them like a hot knife through melted butter. We slowly pushed through, I always hated this part the most. It felt so claustrophobic with dozens of adventurers… as much as I feared 52-58 I at least could appreciate the joy of being able to actually use my status effectively, to really let loose. I never had the courage to ask my seniors whether they felt the same way… and of the deep team I was the most junior so I had none to badger for an answer.
I was taken out of my head by Riviera casting.
"—Soon, the flames shall be loosed."
Silky, jade-colored hair seemed to dance in the air along with her long white mage's robe. She held a long white and silver staff horizontally with both hands at shoulder level. An elegant and refined elf, her leaflike ears pointed outward from her soft, feminine face.
"Creeping flames of war, inevitable destruction. The battle horns sound out on high and the atrocity of conflict will envelop all." Her beauty seemed misplaced on such a chaotic battlefield. Her voice grew steadily louder as she continued her incantation. It was a powerful, yet melodic casting. A ring of jade light emerged from beneath her feet, growing steadily wider as thousands of luminous motes rose high into the air. The elf's beautiful eyebrows sank, her concentration nearing its peak as her eyes locked onto a spot just beyond the front line.
"Come, crimson flames, ruthless inferno!" As the sound of her spell reached the ears of her allies, I knew that she was our last hope.
"—Grooooooooaaaaaah!" On the other side of the shields, the monsters—the Fomoire—howled together. One particularly large one from the middle of the group charged forward, knocking its own allies out of the way in the process. It had taken it upon itself to break the barrier with its own menacing club. Its intimidating shadow fell over the line of dwarves. One of them peeked out from between the small opening between his shields in time to see the club coming straight down. The blow was much more powerful than any before it. Not only did it knock the dwarf clean off his feet, but the impact knocked those around him off balance. The other Fomoire immediately saw the opportunity and rushed in.
"—Bete, close that hole!" "Tch—What the hell're ya doin' over there?!"
I rushed in, closer than Bete by coincidence. As I swung my blade keeping distance, tracking the dozens of strikes moving at me at once I held as best I could until Aiz came in, though we were both technically the same level there was a world between us. She held what I barely could effortlessly
"Incinerate, Sword of Surtr—my name is Alf!"
As I heard that I ran as fast as my legs would carry me.
"Rea Laevateinn!" A wall of flames. From the ground within the magic circle sprang countless columns of flame. The monsters' cries of pain were snuffed out one by one as their forms vanished. No matter how many times I have seen this, it still always blew my mind. One of the nine hells, one of the spells of the poster woman for mage. However good we may be, none of us can turn a horde with only a few short words.
50th floor
Many different noises filled the air. Some people were busy sparring, the sound of their metal blades clashing through the din of conversation. Everyone had a job to do—some carried massive weapons over their shoulders, some pounded iron stakes into the ground, and others trotted here and there carrying messages. I was amongst the sparers. Bete was currently throwing himself at me as I laughed and laughed.
"Come on man, you're faster than me. How can you not hit me." I beamed
His response, eloquent as ever, was another kick. As I redirected it into the ground I laughed out "Stronger than me too. You should have this in the bag"
Though this might seem cruel it was just revenge, back before my most recent level Bete was the one dishing out the one sided beating, with my new level the difference closed enough where I could actually fight him again.
I saw Lefiya harassing Aiz about something… probably trying to flirt without flirting. I felt for that girl, I went through that when I was a teen the first time around.
While I was distracted Bete took advantage and kicked me in the head, just hard enough to hurt but not enough to do damage.
"Focus on the fight" he said entirely to seriously… I began to think while dodging him again 'does he think I have a crush on aiz' everyone knew bete did, and those like me with more experience could tell with lefiya too. Although her beauty was supernatural for some reason I could not find her attractive. However until the second half of puberty "awakened" for her my guess was all of her suitors were S.O.L.
After continuing to (with increasing difficulty as he wore me down) dodge Bete's attacks we both rejoined the camp. As we did Bete saw Tiona on Aiz's back… I walked away from that. Bete and Tiona were oil and water… no that's not quite right… more like francium and water. As I lay in the center of the camp I saw Tione bringing Aiz into the command tent. Probably to chew her out for going full hero mode and saving the frontline at the risk of losing everything… again.
Loki Familia had gathered together to eat around the light of many portable magic-stone lamps. Though this area was relatively safe, everyone was still rightly on guard. Finagle's law: anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Finn began his speech, he was a great public speaker… unlike me. Although I wasn't in the innermost circle entirely Finn long ago learned to be careful with what he said lest I piece things together he would rather be left alone.
"I want to congratulate all of you on a job well done in the Moitra Sands. It's thanks to everyone's individual strengths that we've made it to the fiftieth floor. Allow me to show my appreciation to all of you, thank you." 'especially aiz' I thought
"The forty-ninth floor is always rough. Especially today, with all those Fomoire popping out of nowhere." 'another day, another case of pure Rng bullshit'
"Be grateful the floor boss, Balor, wasn't there." 'else we might have to pull out all the stops then not go down to the hell on earth that is 52-58
"Ha-ha. Anyway, this deserves a toast. We don't have any wine, but all the same—Cheers!" 'good thing I don't drink' glancing at Riviera as I thought that.
I walked over to Aiz before I started eating, once I started I rarely could stop.
"Thanks for bailing me out" I began, looking at her blank face I remembered that there was no bail in this world… first misplaced idiom in over a year "For saving me." I continued before she could do the cute socially awkward *no it was my fault* thing "I hope the captain didn't chew you out too badly."
"It was fine" she replied. A light smile creeping onto her face.
"Now get something to eat, even if you don't want to. You're skinnier than a bone" I said smiling.
The punch hurt but she got up and went to the center pot. As I coughed I smiled as I realized she didn't go coughing up blood hard in her punch. I followed and got SEVERAL bowls (though one at a time of course, im hungry, not sadistic) of the meaty fruit stew. After most people had eaten the cleanup and plan was next… as if on schedule,
"Now would be a good time to go over our plan moving forward." Finn made his way to the center of the group. Everyone except for the lookouts formed a circle around him. He made eye contact with each of them in turn.
"The goal of this expedition is to document new information on the Deep Levels. That has not changed. However, we have a quest to complete before proceeding to the fifty-ninth floor."
"A quest…The one issued by Dian Cecht Familia?" I added.
"Indeed. They would like us to bring back a large amount of water from the Cadmus Springs on the fifty-first floor." Finn acknowledged My question with a nod. Tiona suddenly appeared at her sister's side and was quick to voice her opinion. "Cadmus Springs…Gahhh. Such a pain. Why did you accept that one?"
"The reward they've proposed is worth that pain. Also, they've treated us well in the past, so we couldn't ignore it." "Bastards, sendin' us to do the dirty work…" Riveria stepped forward to answer the question as Bete snarled behind her. Ignoring his allies' misgivings about the content of their mission, Finn started to explain the plan.
"We'll send two small teams to the fifty-first floor. Avoiding combat as much as possible to conserve weapons and items, both teams will quickly secure the water and return to camp. Any questions?"
"Oh! Me, me! Why are we splitting into two parties?" Tione asked
"Because they want a lot of water. One group can only carry back so much. We'll need at least two full containers to fill their order." Gareth supported Finn's plan. "We've got storage problems of our own, with the food an' all. Floor fifty-nine is still ahead of us, so we can't spend too much time on a quest. Splittin' up's faster, more efficient." Expeditions were also a battle against time. It had taken them the better part of five days to reach the fiftieth floor. The trip back to the surface always had to be considered. The schedule was tight, and they couldn't afford to lose any time or supplies getting sidetracked. "Also, a big group like this can't move well in the Cadmus Springs. While it hurts to split our forces, it's for the best…Any other questions? If not, let's figure out party members." Finn looked around again as he asked his question. Since no one responded, he started issuing orders. Without fail, Tiona had her hand wiggling high in the air a moment later. "Oh! Oh! Me—I'll go! Come with me, Aiz!" "Sure." "I mean, if we didn't get to go, then who would? Small groups, top-class adventurers only, you understand?" "That settles it, Tione's with us!" Tiona was quick to snatch her sister's wrist and pull her into their battle party. "Huh? Wait, I should be with the general…!" Finn ordered the familia's strongest magic user to stay behind. "Riveria, please stay with the camp. I want your Mind rested and ready to go once this quest is over. Of course, protect the camp if need be." "…I suppose it cannot be helped." Magic used mental energy—Mind—as a power source. Riveria had already expended a large amount, so she didn't try to argue with the general's decision. Looking outside the circle, Riveria's eyes fell on one girl. "Lefiya, take my place alongside Aiz and the Amazons." "All right…Wait, me?!" "There's no problem with that, is there, Finn?" "Sounds good to me. We're counting on her to be your successor, so now's as good a time as any to get some experience." "G-General?! Lady Riveria?! I-I'm not—!" "Lefiya, over here!" The young elf's objections were quickly silenced as Tiona grabbed her, too, and brought her into the group. "That bein' the case, the other top fighters'll form the second team: Finn, Bete, myself…and…" "Hey, Raul! We need a supporter over here." "Y-you talking to me?!" "Yeah, who else?" The two parties for the quest had been set. They were as follows: Team One: Aiz, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya. Team Two: Finn, Bete, Gareth, and Raul.
"…Hey. Will the ladies be all right?" "Hmmm…" Finn considered as Bete pointed out the imbalance of the other battle party's composition. Being an Amazon, Tiona was a pure berserker in combat. Additionally, Aiz's ferocity in combat was such that she had been given the title "Battle Princess" by the people who knew her best. While Tione appeared cool and collected on the surface, she could be much more destructive than her younger sister and Aiz together. Moreover, Team One's magic user, Lefiya, was at a lower level than the other fighters. There was no way she could keep up. Finn looked at the camp guards, namely Rivera and I. Normally I was kept back at camp due to my lower level, I only passed Raul a couple weeks ago so he instinctively passed over me. "I think the springs could handle a party of five. Shard will join your team Tione. I'm counting on you Tione. I hope my trust isn't misplaced."
"—Leave it to me!" Tione making her infatuation with our prum captain more and more obvious by the moment.
"Here I gooo!" Tiona gleefully charged into battle. The double-bladed sword in her grasp was large enough to make anyone look twice. Both of her hands were on the handle that connected the two blades. The oncoming monsters suddenly fell silent as the Amazon whipped her weapon around like a children's toy. "That's five!" In one great slice, she put all of her weight into a jumping attack and sent the monsters flying. Completely ignoring the corpses piling up around her, the warrior let her instincts kick in. Finding her next target in the blink of an eye, Tiona took off in that direction. "Aiz, cover that moron! Don't let her get out too far ahead!" "Understood."
I chuckled softly. Tione glowered at me, as Tiona was to Bete, Tione was to me.
"You can shut your mouth."
"But it is amusing, didn't you hear. Even Bete figured it out. Without my maturity to shame you this party would never work" I grin at her frown as I go for the verbal kill.
"Don't let it bother you that the captain trusts me more."
Though her anger boiled over she maintained a professional demeanor. 'I pulled the Tien' I said to myself 'at this point if she hits me, I win, and she knows that.'
As we bantered Aiz and Tiona were thoroughly butchering all of the black rhino's ahead of us. As reinforcements piled in I drew my glaive.
"Ok boss" I coyly mocked "I'll go help on the front and you can… manage things… I guess"
"Four more coming in from the right! Reinforcements arriving from the back! Lefiya, signal us when you're ready!" Aiz, Tiona and I engaged the horde of black rhinos directly while Tione supported them from the middle of the formation with throwing knives while shouting orders. In the face of the oncoming onslaught, Lefiya raised her staff at the back of their formation and began to recite her spell. "—Take up your bows to face the marauders. Answer the call of your kin and nock your arrows." "—OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" "?!" Suddenly, the wall right beside Lefiya broke open. Shielding herself from debris, the elf peeked around her arms to see an absolutely terrifying red and purple spider, with eight hairy legs and many menacing eyes—a deformis spider. The monster, born directly from the Dungeon wall, jumped straight toward the vulnerable mage. A perfect ambush. Time seemed to stand still for Lefiya, watching the creature's jaws wide open, fangs glinting in the dim light. At that moment, a blade flashed before her eyes and sliced the beast's head in half. "Eeeek!" "Keep casting, Lefiya." "R-right!" Tione had jumped to Lefiya's aid, long black hair flowing in her wake. She grabbed the handle of her Kukri throwing knife, still embedded in the beast's neck, and gave it a sharp twist before yanking it out. The still-twitching deformis spider split in two pieces as it collapsed to the ground. "Ah, err, um…!" Lefiya had regained her footing, but there was too much adrenaline pulsing through her veins. Try as she might, she couldn't focus. Taking a few moments to concentrate, she inhaled all the way down to the bottom of her lungs and opened her mouth to start the spell over from the beginning. It was at that moment that Aiz and Tiona took down the last of the black rhino horde. The halls were filled with an eerie silence, with all the monsters' lifeless bodies lying at their feet. "I-I'm so sorry…I…" "Nothing to worry about, Lefiya. These things happen to everyone." The blood-streaked Urga over her shoulder, Tiona walked up to the elf with Aiz not far behind. The blond girl sheathed her saber as Lefiya continued to apologize. Tione joined them after a quick sweep of the area. The elf had completely missed her window to attack, missing the opportunity that the frontline had created for her. She had never felt so useless. "I shouldn't have come after all. At Level Three, I'm only holding you back…" "Calm down, Lefiya." Tione placed her hand on Lefiya's trembling shoulder. Slowly, cautiously, the elf raised her face to meet the Amazon's gaze. Tiona jumped up behind her sister and added her own encouragement. "Your Level might be a little low, but your Magic is strong enough to roast anything down here. Riveria chose you herself, yes? Have some confidence."
"What was that Magic power ability of yours again—that thing Loki said a while back…? Oh yeah! The big ka-boom! With a Skill like that, you could wipe out any monster in one hit!" "You see, that's…" Lefiya lost the ability to argue the moment her Skill was brought up. Her golden hair flowed to the side as she looked over her shoulder and down her back. Her Skill increased her Magic power, making her a perfect fit for the rear of the formation as a mage. As Tiona had said, having this Skill meant that, out of this party of four, Lefiya was capable of inflicting the most damage.
"B-but I can't even defend myself. If Tione hadn't been there to protect me, I would've died a pointless death…" However, the rest of the party was Level 5. They were some of the very few adventurers in Orario who were allowed to be called "top class." They were the cream of the crop. In terms of pure strength and skill, Lefiya didn't even come close. In truth, she wouldn't stand a chance if she were to face any of the monsters on this floor on her own. The elf desperately tried to deny everything her allies said to encourage her.
"…Mages do different things than we do." This time, it was Aiz who spoke up. Lefiya couldn't hide her surprise when the stoic blond girl joined the conversation. "Riveria taught me so. We protect mages from monsters, and mages like you protect us…So, um…" Aiz's words began to slow. Not used to being the center of attention, having three pairs of eyes on her at once made her feel so out of place she couldn't string words together. Growing redder by the moment, the girl desperately tried to say what was on her mind, until her gaze drifted away and she said these words: "We will protect you, always…So save us if we get in trouble, okay?"
I smiled at the elf adding "hey, could be worse, you could have a spell with an ultra long cast time with no flashy effect." hoping the self deprecation would help her.
She smiled back.
So… Boss… "Shall we collect these magic stones? We can't expect Lefiya to get all of them by herself."
Tione was pissed at the back seat captaining… but being right has its perks as her only response was to nod.
"Tione, you're leaving behind the drop items? Sure we can let them go to waste?" "All those big horns and pieces of hide would just weigh us down. The spring water takes priority." I laughed internally… forget Bete and I, the sisters were the largest source of conflict after all.
"Almost there…Let's go over a few things before we get to the spring." The wide hallway began to narrow in front of them, signaling to Tione that their destination was just up ahead. The others kept walking as the Amazon reviewed the finer points of their quest. "The only thing we have to do is get the water…but a battle with Cadmus, the Great Dragon, is probably unavoidable." "Cadmus, um, isn't it…?" "Yep, really, really strong…" "In terms of Strength alone, stronger than the floor boss Udaeus, I think."
Interrupting I say "so we kill it, shouldn't be to hard with both Aiz and I here. Not to mention Lefiya's spell power." In truth I was shaking slightly, but it was better to get this out of the way.
"Yes Shard… perceptive as usual"
"Happy to help. Yo Tione"
"WHAT!" She yelled composure finally snapping.
"I forgot, did the captain say I could cast for this or no?"
She sighed knowing what I was getting at "I take full responsibility for your use of magic… now cast your spell on entrance."
"Gladly" I cackled
I was greatly disappointed when there was no boss… only a skeleton and some green goop.
To be continued
That was the first chapter. The First sections of this are going to slowly establish the relationships of the characters (although I am considering flashbacks to the arrival years for this as well) I wanted to make myself on the higher end of the power curve but not stronger than the established cast. If anyone is curious I have a mock status sheet for the character that I can post (minus the spell… its being saved… for reasons). I also realized this one chapter is almost as long as both of my other works in their entirety… welp it is what it is. I'll see y'all when I see y'all.