I do not own Familia Myth or any of the characters.


New Orders

Ethan frowned, right hand raising slightly as it sought to reach for his sword. Beside him, Ryu already had her hand on Alf's Lumina. A hundred feet ahead of them stood Fels.

"I'm here on behalf of Ouranos," Fels said. "Simply to talk."

"Then talk," Ethan said. "I don't plan to spend much time standing around in the Dungeon today, even on the Eighteenth Floor. How'd you get here, anyway?"

"Knossos," Fels said. "It is entirely free of monsters." He paused, seeming to consider for a moment before beginning. "You have a very personal stake in the coexistence between Humans and Xenos. You view Wiene as your daughter, and wish to live with her without worry. Ouranos wished for me to tell you that that coexistence cannot happen until you have cleared the bottom floor of the Dungeon, the very last floor. And the two of you, along with Bell, must be there."

"What's down there?" Ryu asked.

"Mother," Ethan said. "The thing the Xenos call mother, and mistake for the Dungeon itself. That's what's down there, isn't it?"

"We belive so, yes," Fels nodded. "Speak to the Loki Familia executives. Tell them that Ouranos wishes them to tell you about their last expedition. Also, they are to take your Familia on any further expeditions, which they've already been told."

"Why would they want a Level Two on their expeditions?" Ethan asked.

"Your Guardian Heart and Berserk skills give you power well beyond a Level Two," Fels said. "During the fight against Ais, you fought roughly on level with a Level Four to a low Level Five. During the fight against Dix Perdix, you fought on level with an average Level Five."

"What will we find on the Expeditions?" Ryu asked.

"Question," Fels said cryptically yet honestly. "But also, perhaps, some answers, as well. I expect you'll understand what I mean when you speak to the Loki Familia. I can tell you this, though. The Expedition in question, the one that ended with the battle against the Black Goliath, was not simply to go as deep as they could. It was to investigate something specific."

"And I expect you're not going to give us anything more specific than that," Ethan guessed.

"No, I'm not," Fels said. "You'll understand."

Ethan sighed, nodding. "Fine. Now leave."

Fels nodded and turned, throwing a veil over himself and vanishing from sight. Ethan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before Ryu's arms wrapped around him.

"When are we going?" Ryu asked.

"Once we get back," Ethan said. "We'll spend a couple of hours on floor nineteen first, then head up."

Ryu nodded, kissing him before they headed down to the next floor. For the next few hours, they slaughtered any monsters they could find before heading back up to the surface. They dropped their magic crystals off at the Guild before heading to the Loki Familia's mansion. As they reached the gate, Finn, Ais, Riveria, Tiona, and Tione all met them, none looking happy, though none were openly glaring at them.

"Guardian, Gale," Finn said. "Are you here to discuss your place on our expeditions?"

"We were told to ask you about your previous expedition, the one to the Fifty Ninth Floor," Ethan said. "Orders from Ouranos."

Finn was silent for a moment before nodding. "Come with us."

The group led them through the mansion to a rather large office, which Ethan assumed belonged to Finn, as he sat behind the desk.

"Our expedition was in order to investigate the Fifty Ninth Floor itself," Finn said. "We'd been dealing with a particularly powerful and violent creature calling itself Revis. Based off of another, similar creature we met, we believe it was a previously deceased Adventurer who was somehow reanimated as a monster by was of an orange monster core."

"Orange?" Ethan frowned.

"That's right," Finn nodded. "They come from a unique set of plant-type monsters known as Violas, and a caterpillar-like monster filled with acid called Virgas. As I was saying, while we were dealing with Revis, we encountered several crystal spheres with what looked like a fetus inside that, when absorbed by a monster evolved it into a corrupted spirit, what we call a Demi Spirit. During one encounter with Revis, we tried questioning her, but all she would say was that what we were searching for was on floor Fifty Nine. So, when we left on our expedition, we set that as our goal."

"And what did you find?" Ryu asked.

"A much more powerful Demi Spirit," Riveria said. "It had been devouring other monsters for power, and when we fought it, it used a massive variety of powerful magic. We barely defeated it."

"It also called me by my mother's name, Aria," Ais said, frowning. "It claimed to have known her before, and said it wanted to devour me, or rather, her, most of all."

Ethan frowned. "This Demi Spirit, is it the same spirit as the other spheres form when absorbed?"

"We aren't sure," Finn said.

Ethan nodded. "Is it possible that whatever lives in the deepest floor of the Dungeon is this Demi Spirit, and the spheres are just a way for it to possess monsters in order to reach above its floor?"

"It's entirely possible," Finn said. "That was a theory I've been toying with."

Ethan nodded, frowning. If the Demi Spirit was what he suspected, then it could very well be the "Mother" that Lyd and the other Xenos confused with the Dungeon itself. And if that was the case, then it was the one creating monsters to slaughter humanity. It would need to be killed, but would the Xenos even be able to accept that?

Ryu slipped her hand into his, squeezing lightly.

"Your turn," Finn said. "We want information on the intelligent monsters."

"So that you can hunt them down?" Ethan growled.

"So that we can understand a possible threat," Finn said.

Ethan considered for a moment. "They're either humans whose souls were somehow absorbed into the Dungeon and were then reborn as intelligent monsters called Xenos, or they're monsters who were reborn inside of the Dungeon so many times that they wished to become something more than a mindless creature of destruction and willed their souls to change, becoming intelligent and desiring nothing more evil than to be allowed to live on the surface."

"They view the Dungeon as their mother," Ryu said, "and some believe that it wishes for them to be intelligent and live where they want. However, based on what you've told us, Ethan and I believe their mother, the being they mistake as the dungeon, resides on the lowest floor."

Ethan glanced at her in surprise, before nodding in agreement.

"It may either be the true form of the Demi Spirit you faced, or it may be whatever corrupted it in the first place," Ryu said.

"And either way, it needs to die," Ethan said.

"While I agree, it would take more power than even the Zeus and Hera Familias ever possessed to make it to the deepest floor, not counting fighting whatever this being is once we're there," Finn said.

"I know," Finn said. "We'd need multiple Familias that each possess a small army of Level Eights. Probably higher."

"Most likely, everyone would need to be a Level Ten," Finn said, then smirked. "It sounds like we're making a plan for an expedition."

"It has to be done eventually," Ethan shrugged. "We need to go. Our Goddess is waiting for us." He paused by the door, turning back to them. "Oh, and, allow me to make two things very clear. Firstly, if you ever attempt to hunt down the Xenos, I will personally kill you all and then send Loki back to Heaven, potentially not in that order. And secondly, under no circumstance should you ever allow a great deal of damage to be done to the Dungeon, even during a battle. Believe me when I tell you, if you do, you will absolutely die. That's not a threat. It's a warning. If the Dungeon is considered alive, it makes sense that it can defend itself against harm."

"Understood," Finn said. "We'll be careful not to incur the Dungeon's wrath. And for the time being, we have no desire to incur your wrath either."

Ethan nodded, and he and Ryu left, heading back to their own mansion. As soon as they were through the door, Anya was standing in front of them, glaring.

"You didn't take me!" Anya scolded.

"We were more focused on leveling up than making money this time," Ethan said. "And we didn't see them."

"We'll bring you next time," Ryu promised.

Anya sighed. "Fine. You guys are so mean."

"You'll survive," Ethan said, ruffling Anya's hair and making her scowl at him.

"Hey, Ethan, Ryu!" Aisha called out, waving them over. "The new nicknames are out!"

"Damnit," Ethan sighed. "I liked being Guardian."

"You'll be happy, then," Aisha smirked. "Your nickname was upheld by popular vote. Apparently, even though it was Xenos, everyone recognized the fact that you were protecting what mattered to you and decided the nickname still fit. Ryu's, on the other hand..."

"What is it?" Ryu asked in a resigned tone.

"The Guardian's Heart," Aisha grinned. "So romantic."

Ryu shrugged. "I like it. Besides, I've been called worse."

"I like it, too," Ethan smiled. "It's a warning for people to leave you the fuck alone."

Aisha smirked. "Bell's came in, too."

Ethan grinned. "What is it?"

"Rabbit Foot," Aisha smirked.

Ethan snorted, nodding. "Fitting."

Just then, the door opened and Bell and Hestia both walked in, Hestia holding an envelope in her right hand with a broken wax seal bearing the Guild's mark.

"Oh, look," Ethan said. "They finally realized we were qualified to do expeditions."

"To be fair, there was a lot going on," Ryu said.

"You two knew!?" Hestia shrieked.

"I assumed you knew, too," Ethan said.

Hestia groaned. "Well, since you both came from successful Dungeon Familia, what exactly do we have to do?"

"Basically, get as deep as possible and bring back at least ten monster drops or ores common to whatever floor we reach," Ethan said. "As long as we go at least one floor lower than we have before, they'll accept it."

"Damnit!" Hestia swore. "So we can't fake it?"

"No," Ethan said. "As a Familia, we've reached the Twentieth Floor, so Floor Twenty One is the easiest goal. However, between me, Ryu, and our new Level Four cheater-"

"Hey!" Bell said.

"-we can probably make it lower, though I recommend we avoid fighting the Amphisbaena," Ethan continued.

Hestia sighed. "Alright. So...when should we leave?"

"I'd say we take a little over a week to prepare," Ethan said. "I'll register the expedition with the Guild so we don't get fined, and we can update the info if we hire any help."

Hestia nodded. "I'll start asking around for help. Everyone start stocking up on potions and things we'll need." She glanced at Ryu. "How deep have you gotten?"

"The Forty First Floor," Ryu said. "I can help prepare in between work."

Hestia nodded, smiling gratefully. "Okay. We'll start preparing tomorrow."

Everyone agreed and scattered for the night.


Ethan wrapped his arms around Ryu, sighing as her bare skin pressed against his.

"We'll be alright," Ryu said.

"I know," Ethan nodded. "But it's not going to be very easy."

"I'll take an expedition over battling Ais Wallenstein again," Ryu smirked.

Ethan chuckled. "No kidding."

Ryu sighed, smiling and curling into him. "I love my new moniker."

"So do I," Ethan smiled. "It's perfect."

Ryu nodded then reached up, kissing him. "Don't let me forget to stock up on my potions again before we leave."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Expecting a lot of free time for sex in the Lower Levels are you?"

Ryu smirked, shifting to straddle him before sitting up, his erection pressed against him underneath her still-dripping slit. "I doubt either of us would be able to retain our sanity if I was running around in a tight shirt and panties and we didn't get to have sex multiple days in a row. At least, not without a decent distraction."

"And obviously the deadly monsters that far down don't qualify as a decent distraction," Ethan smirked, then groaned as Ryu lifted herself before lowering herself onto him, moaning.

"The distraction would have to be able to make me forget how good it feels to have you inside me," Ryu smiled, leaning down and kissing him. "So no."

Ethan smiled, kissing her before guiding her hips to begin bouncing, Ryu happily complying.


Ethan set the sack of Healing and Mind Potions on the table, glancing around. Welf was out back, finishing up repairs to everyone's weapons as needed, Lily was finalizing the plan for the expedition, Haruhime and Aisha were doing who knows what together somewhere in the mansion, Daphne and Cassandra were definitely having sex in their room, Mikoto, Chigusa, and Ouka were all making sure their gear and weapons were ready, and Hestia was out having a drink with Miach and Take. Ryu was tied up working extra shifts in order to earn time off for the expedition, though Mama Mia had told Ethan that, really, she was just giving Ryu a hard time as her own special way of celebrating Ryu and Ethan's relationship and Ryu beginning to get back out into the world for real. She'd give Ryu the time off regardless, but if Ryu played along and completed the extra work, Mia promised to get her something special while they were on the expedition, then would tell her that she was free to work hours of her choosing without needing permission when she got back.

"Ethan," Naaza said, walking over to him with a sack full of potions. "You still don't have Abnormal Resistance, do you?"

"Not yet, no," Ethan said.

"Here," Naaza said, passing him the sack. "As I'm sure you know, pretty much everything is poisonous in the area you're all heading for, so you might need these."

"Thanks," Ethan smiled. "I appreciate it."

Naaza smiled and nodded. "So, tomorrow's the big day, huh?"

"Yeah," Ethan nodded. "It's about time our Familia started doing expeditions."

"If there hadn't been so much going on, you'd have had to do one sooner," Naaza said.

"True," Ethan nodded. "You're sure you don't want to come?"

Naaza nodded. "I'm sorry, but all the support my Familia can give is in the form of medicine."

Ethan nodded. "Oh well. We really appreciate all the support you can give. Besides, we'll be fine with all the high-level adventurers we have." He glanced at the clock and grimaced. "Speaking of which, I better get going. Ryu's going to be mad if I'm late."

Naaza smiled and nodded. "You'd better get going, then."

Ethan nodded, thanking her again, then left, heading for the Hostess of Fertility. As he arrived, Ryu was standing outside in her Dungeon Diving outfit already.

"Sorry, I'm a little la-"

"We need to go to Daedalus Street!" Ryu said urgently. "Now!"

Ethan frowned. "What happened?"

Ryu took a deep breath to control her impatience, then sighed, nodding. "I was out buying supplies and caught a glimpse of someone from a specific group that I thought was gone. I followed, but they disappeared into Daedalus Street."

"And you didn't follow?" Ethan asked, walking toward the door.

"I did," Ryu nodded. "He disappeared into a specific section of empty wall."

"Knossos," Ethan growled, nodding. "Hold on. Hey, Anya."

"What's up?" Anya smiled.

"Would you mind running a message to Bell for me?" Ethan asked.

"Sure," Anya smiled. "What is it?"

"Let him know me and Ryu have something urgent we need to take care of, but we'll meet up with them inside the Dungeon," Ethan said.

"Something urgent?" Anya asked. "What's going on?"

"Sorry," Ethan said. "No time to explain."

He stepped back outside, nodding to Ryu, and both took off, streaking through the city. Ethan was glad he'd been wearing his armor and sword belt still from training with Bell earlier. After a few minutes, they followed the grinding roar if a door to Knossos opening and landed by a door where Hermes' Familia, as well as a couple others, were just entering.

"Ethan, Ryu," Hermes blinked in surprise. "What are you two doing here?"

"Don't you have an expedition tomorrow?" Asfi asked.

"Can I see your key for a second, Hermes?" Ethan asked.

"Sure," Hermes nodded, tossing it to him.

As soon as he caught it, however, he and Ryu took off, Ryu leading Ethan to the door her target had taken, both ignoring Asfi chasing them. Once the door was open, Asfi landed behind them, only to yelp in surprise and catch the key before Ethan and Ryu raced into Knossos, the door sealing behind them.

"You're sure he was from Evilus?" Ethan asked.

"Positive," Ryu growled. "I'm sorry to drag you into this, but I'm going to need you there if I'm going to keep from falling into darkness again fully."

"Even if we jump in head-first, I'll be right by your side the whole way," Ethan said. "Besides, if we find him alive, we can work information out of him about Evilus. Where there's one cockroach still alive, there's bound to be more."

Ryu nodded in agreement, only for both to skid to a stop, staring. Ahead of them, the tunnel was filled with monstersof every kind imaginable from the middle floors and up, a sea of them. However, beyond them, there was a group of Adventurers. One of them turned, Ethan just barely catching sight of a single, feline ear atop his head, then let out a piercing shriek and fled. A split second later, as the others fled after the first, Ryu exploded forward, eyes wide with fury and radiating bloodlust. Ethan drew his blades and exploded after her, focusing to activate his two skills before catching Ryu as they began to shred their way through the monsters.

"Was that them?" Ethan asked.

"The one with only one ear was from the Rudra Familia!" Ryu snarled. "They were on the Twenty Seventh Floor when my Familia died!"

Eathan nodded, falling silent as they shredded their way after the fleeing Adventurers rapidly.


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A.N.:Finally found an english version of the light novels. I honestly can't believe it took so long to find.