The Story of Two Winds

by Prof. Pancakes

Ais Wallenstein learned how to survive from many throughout her years of growing. But there was one who taught her how to take a life, how to protect their own, to use it to its fullest. Mastery of the wind is something that everyone must learn, but who showed her what the simple breeze was capable of, none other than Minuano, the Brazilian wind, the Jetstream Sam. (One-Shot)

Here is something that I wrote at some point but lost it. Well, since I lost it, I decided to write it again. Just a fun thought when it comes to how some characters share certain attributes of names or skills. For instance, in this one, we have Jetstream Sam "The Minuano" and Ais Wallenstein and her ability with Wind and various other things. Just interesting to see how some things would play out, or other small things that you'll read here. I'm not super invested in DanMachi compared to Metal Gear, but I still enjoy it quite a bit to write about it.

Should mention that Ais will be slightly different then how she is in other works, mostly because of an interaction between characters.

I hope you all enjoy this small One-shot.

P.S: If I butcher Portuguese, then understand that I am sorry. I have no one to really bounce other languages off of besides Mandarin or Tagalog (and English).

P.P.S: The main focus of this is between Sam and Ais, so if anyone seems a bit off, it's mostly because I didn't near the amount of research to confirm them as I did these two.

"Oi… Menina."

Her footsteps stopped for a moment, as Ais turned her head towards the words that seamlessly called for her. Something she didn't quite understand, but nonetheless was for her alone.

"Yea, I'm talking to you kid. Come here for a sec."

Ais glanced around the room and saw that the others were in no rush as of the moment and didn't require her either. The figure that called out to her was sitting at the corner table of the gathering hall and was covered in a large, tattered coat while holding a large scabbard at their waist.

His face was mostly covered by the cloak covering his head, his eyes partially blocked out by what appeared to be cracked glass, only a forming beard covering his face with his hair appearing to be a mess.

Ais's eyes trailed the scabbard with it's odd coloring scheme, though faded by what she could only guess to be time, the paint already falling off revealing the steel that lie beneath.

She swallowed her nervousness and walked towards the figure only to stop the moment a hand fell onto her shoulder. The breath left her lungs in a swift moment before looking up to see a friendly face, Lox, another member of the Loki Familia.

"Don't fall for any of the old man's tricks Ais, he's been here for who knows how long. Always talks about teaching the art of his sword style; 'Uradachi' technique, "Satsujin-Ken" or whatever he called it. Don't know why Loki likes to keep him around, not even part of the Familia." He shook his head in disappointment before patting Ais on the shoulder. "Don't be fooled by his words. No one here has been able to even make sense of his style yet, let alone what he uses. Don't push yourself too hard though, you'll get better in time regardless."

Lox lifted himself up and waved towards Ais before walking back towards a group that was apparently waiting for him before walking off together. She watched them leave before hearing a cough come from the man behind her. Her head swiveled to look at the man who was clearly drinking out of a mug, spilling over himself slightly in the process before setting it back down on the table and wiping his chin.

"Don't listen to that foolish child, what I teach is something unlike anything else. A sword style to rival even gods' themselves" the man chuckled at his own words before coughing once again.

Ais's curiosity got the better of her as she climbed up onto the bench in front of the man before opening her mouth. "What can you teach me?"

The man smiled before straightening up his posture. "There is a familiar feeling that surrounds you at all times child, something not many have come to realize." He traced the air with his hand, before a small waft of dust spun off the table and into a tiny twister before it fell back into nothing. "I know better than most, for I am it." He chuckled slightly before coughing into his fist, this cough sounding much more violent than the last.

Her gaze never left the man, even when he got up from where he was sitting. He rolled his shoulders before tapping the ground with his scabbard, grabbing the attention of a few others in the room. "Come, I will show you what there is to learn."

Ais started to open her mouth to protest; she was supposed to act as a supporter for the next group that was leaving, and the last thing she wanted to do was just abandon her position.

"Don't worry about the task that was previously yours Menina, they know what you have decided upon." He kept walking forward, the stares that were once on him had turned back to their original conversation, and in a way leaving only the man and herself in their own world in this room. She continued to glance around until the sound of a door opening drew her attention to the man standing there motioning towards her.

There was a moment of hesitation before her own feet carried her towards the door, an air of confidence flowing around her.

A Few Years Later

Ais slowly awoke from a deep slumber, the tired feeling from training earlier today still aching throughout her body, the bruises that littered her body slowly healing overtime. Rubbing her eyes, she climbed out of bed and towards the slightly open door, light pouring in through the crack, and the sound of voices trailing along with it.

"What the hell are you doing Sam? You already are considered derelict within Orario amongst the gods, and now you are picking fights with Freya Familia again?" Loki stood as high as she could next to the man before poking a finger into his chest. "And you aren't going anywhere until your end of the agreement is tied up, that or you can join- "

Sam pushed the Goddess back with a single finger on her forehead, making space between the two. "You've already heard my opinion on joining your Familia, Avozinha." His face was flushed with a blush as he brought up a bottle to his lips, but before he could lean his head back to partake in the contents of said bottle, it was swiftly swiped from his hands, making him take a pause and stare at the space where the bottle once was at. Instead, it was a small coin with a smile on it, taunting him. Looking up he saw that the Goddess across from him was partaking in said contents of the bottle that was previously in his grasp. A sigh came out of his mouth as he sat down upon a chair, the creaking of the wood threatening to break under his weight.

"Besides, the fools were merely asking for it when they challenged me down in that dungeon of yours. They spoke of how I was stealing their spotlight of their Goddess." He chuckled before leaning back on the chair, his sword resting on his waist. "Then I told them to go back to their Bitch of a Goddess like the dogs they were."

"So, you killed them, Sam?" Loki questioned the man who was sitting across from her, a grin plastered across his face that held no sign of remorse over his actions.

"What is this news I'm hearing? Are you telling me that they never made it out of the dungeon?"

Loki appeared to be aggravated from his response, her posture in the chair moving towards more of a demeaning nature. "You're avoiding the question Sam. Did you, or did you not, kill those adventures within the dungeon?"

Sam let out a sigh, expecting this conversation to not make any progress until he spoke up about said incident. "No, I did not kill those belonging to the Freya Familia within the Dungeon, Loki. I haven't killed another soul besides those monsters within the dungeon. I would never lie about who I kill- "

The goddess across from him relaxed her posture as he spoke those words, as if she genuinely believed them.

"But I never said I didn't leave them for dead." A malevolent grin stretched across Sam's face, and everyone listening to him had shivers run down their spine. "We got into a scuffle down below, If I seem to recall correctly, it was the 23rd floor I encountered those spineless fodder." He stretched his arms out, as if speaking to a crowd, his voice increasing slightly in volume. "You would think those hailing from the Freya Familia, those who practically act in opposition to your own would have more skill pertaining to their name. I cannot help but wonder how much they struggled in their final moments against the monsters in the deep. Did they die like dogs, or did they put up a struggle like that of a dying wolf"?

Sam now stood up from his chair, keeping his arms out as he continued to talk to the empty hall, as if it were full of fans, all waiting to hear of tales of his adventures down below, and about the duels he's never lost. "You should have seen it Loki, the look on their faces as I left them there. Pure horror was simply painted across all of them; an old co-worker of mine would have called it art with the despair I saw. You would think one would think twice about drawing blades in front of a strong opponent, much greater than any they had ever faced; to think they would do it somewhere that even if they lost, their escape to the surface would be nearly impossible in their state." He sighed as he lowered his arms, the look of a madman was slowly, but surely replaced with one of regret, one that was hiding a past no one knew but himself. "But who am I to judge, when even I have lost to the man that survived my blade."

Before Sam could speak any further, the creaking of a floorboard alerted the two in the hall of a newly third.

Ais wasn't sure of what to think at this moment. Everything that Sam spoke of was directly ingrained in her mind. This wasn't the same man that she trained with day after day, that man was a drunk who only ever yelled at her when she wasn't standing correctly, if her swing didn't have enough force behind it, or if she wasn't fast enough by even a second. This was not the same man at all, and if anything, …it frightened Ais.

Loki was the one to break the silence within the hall, quickly moving from her chair over towards Ais's small frame. "Now what is our lovely Ais doing up at this time of the hour? You should already know the old man Sam doesn't approve of you being late to your morning sessions- "

"Don't worry about it kid." The two turned to look towards Sam who was finally sitting back down, the stolen bottle finally in his possession once more. His hair was back to hanging down in front of his face, hiding his drunken expression, and anything else he might be hiding. "Take a break, go into the dungeon, do whatever you want. I have 'business' to sort out. Shouldn't take more than a day." He waved his hand towards the two, gesturing towards them to leave.

A mischievous smile came across the Goddess face. "You hear that Ais, it's just me and you tonight. Now let's get too- "Ais quickly shut the door on Loki, hearing a draining groan from outside the door. She didn't have time for her games this evening, as for tomorrow, she had to follow her master around. She couldn't accept this, as Sam's actions were appearing stranger and stranger as the days pass. Ais didn't know what to think anymore, and from those thoughts alone she would take it upon herself to figure out exactly what he did besides drinking and mentoring her.

That's exactly what Ais would do in the morning…

Except the morning that came was one that was empty. In her successful attempt to wake up early, she was met with dismay as she exited her room to a silent hall, no longer did her Master sit drunkenly in the corner of the room. The bags on her back began to feel heavier and heavier as each second past. Ais gripped the wooden katana she received from Sam tighter, nearly splintering the wooden handle. What exactly was this feeling that was beginning to overwhelm her? Thoughts began to run through her mind as to anything to where Sam might have gone, or what might have even happened to him.

Ais lifted her feet to carry her forward before the sound of paper falling grabbed her attention and with a twist, she was now looking at a flimsy piece of paper lying on the ground, face down. Her knees began to shake as she kneeled down to grab ahold of the paper, hesitating to flip it over to read its contents. She held it in her hands for a few more seconds before finally gaining the courage to flip it over, only to be greeted to a few lines of writing.

"I've killed more people in my life then I have monsters, and I feel nothing over such things. I don't carry my sword as some plaything for someone to handle, especially by something that calls themselves 'Gods'. I'd give you the same advice to leave behind this petty game, but given that we're worlds apart, I'm quite sure you couldn't follow my path even if you wanted too. I was previously the only heir to the Rodrigues New Shadow School, and now I am proud to pass along that title to you, Ais Wallenstein. Never stop training, never stop improving yourself. If you ever find me, I trust you to clean up whatever mess I had gotten myself in; if you do that, I can promise you, my sword.

P.S. I left a gift for Loki in return, fairly sure she'll like it.

Ais's eyes continued to swim over each word, and every letter time and time again as small droplets of water slowly fell from where her eyes were. The feeling that previously overwhelmed her was taken out by a crash of relief, the thought that her Master would have left her without a single word drove a feeling inside her that she previously never felt before.

The sound of doors opening drew her attention away from the paper as the sound of someone stomping angrily through the hall caught her ears.

"That god damn drunken fool! I swear I'll ******* drag him through the depths of Hel and ******* diminish anything he had left of him to where ******* then absolutely make him wish he were…" Loki paused as the feeling of eyes traced her back, till she slowly turned around to see Ais staring at her blankly.

Loki sighed as she walked over towards Ais while rubbing the back of her head sheepishly, setting a hand on her shoulder while giving her a pained expression. "Well…It seems like your master has gone and caused some trouble…again. I'm pained to say this Ais…but it appears to me that he's not coming back at all, especially with what he's gone and done. Good chance he went and ran off into the Dungeon. Thing is…Doubt he could even see the light of day anymore with the amount of people looking for him now." She patted her shoulder before stepping back and twirling onto a chair.

"Now then, what kind of things did he teach you?" She asked, a grin so wide that shivers trailed through Ais's body.

Years Later

"Oi, Ais."

She quickly opened her eyes once she heard her name. Lifting up her head, she took notice of who called out to her.

Bete Loga, the werewolf executive of the Loki Familia, and what she might consider to be a compatriot, or even that of a friend.

She tilted her head in response to the werewolf's gesture, to which he only let out a sigh.

"Finn called on us to check something out, something about several scouting teams not returning from up ahead. Said it was at least three teams of four, said that it might be serious." He ran a hand through his hair before sighing once more. "Just damn tiring that we don't know why we're still waiting outside of this damned path, floor 60 and were still nowhere. Isn't there supposed to be something here? Just countless corridors that lead right back to here, as if it's just playing with us at this point."

Bete stuck his hands at his sides before walking towards the exit of the camp. He turned around and gestured with his head to follow. "Are you coming or not, or are you gonna keep on sleeping?"

Ais calmly got up from the seat near the campfire before adjusting her equipment and following behind Bete. Thoughts began to run through her mind on what it could be that was preventing the teams from returning, and what the threat might be. Past experiences began to appear as she continued to think of what it might be before she was brought out of a trance once more by Bete.

"What were you dreaming about?"

She tilted her head from his question. Was she seen as someone that was dreaming? She merely nodded her head in agreement to his question before speaking softly. "My master, Sam."

Bete stopped before turning around with a confused look on his face. "That old fool? What was it, two; no, three years you spent learning under him and then what, he just vanished without a single trace? I believe it was around when you hit level three wasn't it?"

He spun back around before continuing forward. "Not even a single word to his only pupil that apparently lasted for more than a few months. Hell, I would have at least expected you to have gotten his fancy sword, or something like it. You use something completely different at that. A rapier compared to his own katana, which I expected there to be different styles as well." He shrugged his shoulders. "To each their own I suppose. Wish I could've fought him a few times, seen what the big deal about him was."

Ais stared at Bete for a few seconds before glancing forwards while thinking about his words all while grasping Desperate. They weren't false in the slightest, and in fact, Ais was taken back by her teachers' actions. She never came to understand the man during those years of tutelage, only that he was different from everyone that ever-entered Orario, at least according to Loki. Even then she hardly spoke about Sam, stating that 'He was never truly an adventurer, more akin to a Drunken Mercenary that even I couldn't keep ahold of' Ais never asked about him again after that, accepting that he was no longer of this world and that he kept his history to himself the entire time he was within Orario, even hiding it from the Gods themselves.

The two continued to walk before hearing a scream rip through the air. A glance was shared between the two before they dashed towards the sound.

They skidded to a halt once they reached an opening to a cave…the cave they were supposed to eventually pass through to get to the next floor. Silence permeated through the cave, but before either of them could get a word out to those who might reside inside, the air itself seemed to be cut, bringing a halt to the words from leaving their mouths.

Ais saw Bete lift his hand up to his face only to touch it with a finger and pull it away. Her eyes could only see a small spot of red on his finger and on his face where he previously touched it too.

"Is this…blood?" He glanced towards Ais only to snap back to the groaning that was emanating from the cave.

"Ohhhh, help…please- "The two sharpened their gazes on the groaning voice before a somewhat familiar face appeared, Alex Foramens, a member of the scouting team. He appeared to be covered in cuts from head to toe, and a splash of blood that slowly trailed from the wounds that appeared from the cuts that lied beneath.

Bete took a step forward to catch the stumbling man, only for them to fall apart in his hands. Alex fell into pieces the moment Bete placed a hand on the man's shoulder, chunks of the body fell into a pile on the ground, a sickening frown started to grow on his face.

"What the fuck? Is this some sort of sick joke?" He took a step back from the piled corpse while looking over himself, clearly bloodstained. "Who did this, no, what did this?" Question after question came out of his mouth, but Ais could only stare in disbelief at what she saw. As if the wounds were cauterized from the inside, there was no spilling of blood outside of pile that sat there, and instead it was only the cuts on the outside that showed any sign of injury.

Footsteps echoed from the cave causing the two of them to draw their weapons in preparation of whatever might reveal itself from the shadows, both of them believing it to be some sort of monster. A red blade shown in the darkness along with a pair of red eyes, the gleam of the pair carrying with it a murderous sensation that drifted through the air.

"Are you going to step forward into a place that you're not wanted just as they did? I did warn them; too bad they didn't listen." A foreign accent traced its voice, one that felt out of place, but familiar to Ais.

Ais hesitated for a second as the voice sent chills down her spine, Bete sharing the same feeling before stepping forward a few steps while calling back towards the voice. "Are you the sick fuck that did this? Come out here!" He gestured with his weapons while pointing towards the darkness.

There was no response except for a single click of an object hitting the ground within the darkness; Ais threw out her arm to grab ahold of Bete by the scruff of his coat, only to throw him back behind where he previously stood while simultaneously turning away from the darkness and covering her ears.

Light enveloped the cave in a split second, a loud ringing sound following with it, then the same sensation of the air being cut apart, this time much closer to Ais then before as she lowered her arms from her ears. A warm heat traced alongside the wind that followed the empty space. She didn't dare move as her back was towards the voice, the footsteps getting closer and closer as each second passed. Ais watched as Bete struggled on the ground while holding onto his ringing ears all while his eyes were shut, a groaning pained sound flowing out of his mouth.

"That was smart Mocinha, you were fast, saved your friends life with that move, only to leave your back open, which is not so smart. I wonder how you knew what it would do. I can say you're the first that I've seen here react in some shape or form besides using a useless shield." The footsteps had stopped, they were only a few steps behind her. She didn't know what that was, or how she even knew what to do in response, only that it saved her from the same fate as Bete. Ais still held Desperate in her hand if she could only-

Her thoughts stopped as a small burning sensation started to radiate mere inches from her neck. She swallowed before letting the blade out of her grip and raising up her hands.

"Much better, now go over to where he is. Don't worry, I'll return this, I don't exactly take what isn't mine." He kicked Desperate over towards Bete who was still struggling to climb to his knees. Ais slowly raised from her crouched position and walked over towards her fallen comrade while picking up blade, then Bete who was curing under his breath. She slung his arm over her shoulder while taking a few steps away from the assailant.

"What the fuck was that? It's burning everywhere…god." He was blinking his eyes as he was clearly struggling to get his eyesight back in order.

Ais got a better look at Bete, his nostrils were leaking, and his eyes were also letting out tears, and after he took down his hands from his ears a small amount of blood could be seen trailing from them as well.

She finally turned around to see the cause of this entire situation and her heart stopped beating, the figure also dropping the smile they previously had to replace it with that of a confused look. Ais didn't know what to think of what she was looking at, it's been years since there was even a sign of him, but here he was unchanged by the curse some call time.

"Master?"

"Look at you, all grown up." He coughed into his hand before rolling his neck in an effort to stretch, only for his mask to unfold itself and slot back into the small slits on each side of his head, revealing his face entirely while black veins traced along his neck began to recede beneath the blackened armor that covered his body as well as the blackened veins that protruded from the corner of his eyes. The scar that ran over his left eye seemed to fairly light, a feature that was shared with the stubble upon his lower face. A smirk graced his lips as he lifted a hand up to his chin before speaking.

"I never thought I'd see you again so soon Ais; was it fun?" He spoke while taking a step back, sheathing his sword in the process.

Ais had stopped thinking since he took off the mask that covered part of his face, a look that she had only ever saw when he was drinking, which was most of the time. As for fun, she didn't understand what he was talking about, what exactly was 'fun' throughout her life when it pertained to Sam.

"Better yet how is that prankster of a God been doing? Still unable to grow up, acting childish and pulling pranks on the others? I always told them that they can't keep doing that kind of thing, it eventually catches up to them." He sighed while resting his forehead into his hand, before tilting his head back, looking at the ceiling. "Just so utterly tiring dealing with that Velha Senhora"

More thoughts racketed her brain as she tried to comprehend the situation. The Sam she knew, the teacher that taught her when she was younger was standing directly in front of her, younger than what he ever appeared to be before. He was also openly mocking Loki, the God that supposedly took care of him during those times, or at least appeared to be somewhat friendly with him.

"What is it Ais, still keeping to yourself, hardly speaking at all? You know you'll never make friends that way. Or did that personality of yours rub off on some and get you a big hairy friend like him over there?" Sam gestured over towards Bete who was finally making his way onto his feet, the dizziness still holding onto him.

"You got a problem with that you fucker?" The first words to come out Bete's mouth after recovering were filled malice towards Sam, Ais could tell that if he was given even the smallest opening, he would lunge towards her Master.

Sam appeared to look hurt by Bete's words as his expression follow them. "Ooooh, Ais. You really have to choose your dog's better for friends, otherwise they'll start biting your family."

Bete practically snarled at Sam as the dizziness finally began to shake off. "What the fuck did you just say to me you murdering scumbag!"

A chuckle was let out by Sam, which seemed to echo in the cave around him. He crosses his arms as he began to walk around. "Me, a murderer… Why of course, what else would I be?" His smile looking more deviant as time passed. "But aren't we all? I am more than sure that everyone here has killed someone in some fashion. No human or beast is free from guilt, let alone the murderous passion that resides inside us all."

Bete began to open his mouth but was cut off by Sam continuing his speech. "There's no reason for me to preach such a baseless monologue once again to those around me while the one who killed me if busy with the winged beast behind me. It's kill or be killed in this world from what I've come to expect, and why should I be the one to be killed once again when I could do the killing…" Sam went silent as his arms fell to his side.

Ais and Bete went quiet as they began to comprehend his words, but more than that, the faint roar that echoed from behind him. The two shared a look while Ais murmured a single name "The Winged Beast…but"

Before she could continue Bete spoke up. "That can't be right. That damned thing doesn't sound like anything but a Dragon, so what nonsense are you trying to spout bastard!"

Sam shook his finger towards Bete while shaking his head. "You really don't understand this whole labyrinth of hell do you Doggy. What's to say what he is fighting in there and that dragon are the same thing? Who's to say that past this cave won't transport you to a wonderland of death and despair?" Sam shrugged. "Why don't you ask those who are all high and mighty about the origins of the dungeon, or do they always direct you to speak with the oh so powerful guild that controls everything, or perhaps feign ignorance as they've always done before."

Ais was still struggling to comprehend what her former Master was going on about, all while Bete clenched his hand into a fist and continuing to yell at Sam.

"What are you even implying! Nothing you say is making any sense!" He took a slight step forward, which in turn made Sam react slightly by grabbing ahold of his scabbard.

He slowly drew his sword out and pointed it towards the two of them, making them take a step backwards. Sam tilted it slightly before swiping it horizontally, causing Bete and Ais to quickly jump back again as dust was thrown up into the air. When the dust finally settled, they could see Sam sheathing his sword, all while a long line trailing from one side of the opening to the other in a straight line.

"I'll make it clear to both of you since I know Ais is one of the more sensible individuals I've met in this world, even more that she was once a disciple of mine." He turned his back before walking over to a large stone and taking a seat upon it while facing the two. "If anyone dares to take a step across that line there, I will kill them."

Bete was taken back while Ais could only stare at Sam, knowing the truth his words carried, and the murderous intent behind them. "Then…then what do you expect us to do then? Just let you sit there as if you didn't just kill members of our Familia?"

Sam shot a curious glance before leaning back on the boulder that rested behind his current seat. "I never said you just had to watch me." He crossed his feet, as if in an attempt to seem as relaxed as possible.

"If anything, how about you be a good dog and go fetch your owners; the rambunctious god and the ever so brilliant leader of yours as well. Maybe bring some refreshments while you're at it friend. A show is bound to happen at some point."

Bete's eye flashed red in anger as he began to dash towards Sam but was stopped by the words coming from his friend that stood next to him.

"His name is Bete Loga, and he is a close friend of mine." While Desperate was still in its scabbard at her side, her hand was beginning to clench into a fist, the anger building up inside of her beginning to bear fruit. She took a few steps forwards, mere inches from the line Sam previously made.

"Even as my Master, I won't allow you to continue to slander him." Her eyes matched with his and a devilish grin began to plaster across his face. She could feel the bloodlust emanating from him, the feeling resonating of Sam wanting to draw his blade the moment she crossed the line.

"Hear that Bete? Your good friend is standing up for you." He leaned forward as he clasped his hands together whilst leaning onto his elbows. "How about you fetch who I asked before things turn ugly." His grin turned back into a cocky smile while still maintaining contact with Ais. Bete began to protest before Ais turned towards him, making him choke on his words. He seemed to swallow anything he would have said before nodding at Ais.

"Don't do anything reckless Ais…Just wait, please." He sheathed his weapons and began to dart back towards those at camp. For what reason Sam wanted to see them, she didn't know.

The movement of stones and shifting of metal on metal drew her attention back towards Sam who was standing up before stretching slightly. "Now that he's finally gone, I don't believe I got to express how happy I am to see my one and only student once again."

Ais tensed up when she saw Sam start to walk towards her. The bloodlust, and even the menacing aura he once had vanished into thin air. The black colored armor he once wore began to return to the color she remembered him wearing, the grey and white armor accented by black though it appeared to be in much better condition than she ever saw before. The veins that once seemed to plague his body were now gone entirely, no sign of them every being on his body like before.

If she wanted to strike at him, now was the time…but she couldn't even begin to think of doing such a thing. Even with the murder of a fellow Familia member directly in front of her, the thought of revenge was but a thought in her mind buried under the rubble of a warm feeling she had now. The joy of seeing her Master once again.

Sam was much closer now, a few feet at best where he finally stopped himself at. Ais could only stare at him while he returned a grin befitting his much younger appearance, where that grin was something, he showed most often after returning from a night of drinking, all while being dragged by Ais.

"You did good kid, after I left that is. I can't even begin to explain why I did what I did…but it's all good though, right? You grew up to be a fine master of the blade." He looked down at Ais's side and took note of her weapon before sighing. "Though I'd have hoped you would have kept using something like myself, but to each their own. I'd hate my teacher as well if they just up and left me." A chuckle following after those words.

He took a few steps closer to Ais, but she didn't react in any way. The part of her that was happy to see her Master just completely took over her senses of danger that would have saved her if anything would arise. "But enough about that, do you ever recall what I mentioned to you on that little letter, about leaving this petty game between gods?"

Ais could faintly recall what was written on the letter she received so many years ago, but even now she didn't understand what her Master meant about the so called 'game' he mentioned rather often. She could only shake her head in dismay, for even now it still made no sense to her.

Sam let out a sigh while resting his hands upon his hips. "So, you still don't realize what all of this even is. Shame really, wanted to see if you could escape it somehow." He started to lift one of his hands towards Ais who promptly reached for her sword, to which made Sam raise his hands in defense.

"Relax there Menina, I was just going for a friendly pat on my former students head. Still kinda hard to believe I'd see you again after all these years." He smiled innocently while still holding his hands up. "I promise I'm not gonna slice you up, couldn't do that to such a wonderful student of mine."

Ais relaxed slightly before letting out all of the worry she had building up inside of her as a large hand fell upon her head. It had a weird feeling, unlike that of armor that many adventurers in the past had done so before to her. Instead, it felt unlike any other before, a dense but unpierceable fabric. Sam's hand brushed across her head slightly as he continued to speak.

"I couldn't help but remember something from long ago, something I would never tell myself since it seemed so repetitive and breached what would feel like common sense."

Ais couldn't understand where he was going with this, but it felt like his lessons from long ago.

"I remember now-" Ais could feel his grip change from the top of her head towards the back, and she didn't have the chance to react to what would come next as it flashed back to her.

"Never let your guard down around someone who's killed before"

In a swift motion, Ais was carried off of her feet and thrown onto the ground into a cloud of dust, the impact slightly cratering the ground beneath her. Memories began to return to her how Sam would often do this to her whenever she seemed too comfortable, though she could recall it was with much less force than now. With a quick recovery, she swiftly jumped from her prone position and back onto her feet all while drawing Desperate from its scabbard.

Sam was standing across from her now, his arms crossed while shaking his head in what appeared to be disappointment. "And here I thought I taught you better. I guess all this time while I was away made you gain some sort of emotions that would make you just trust someone who killed those you would count as family."

His hand fell on his sword before he slowly drew it out, the red gleam that emanated from it pulsed with radiant heat.

"Now I guess I gotta kill you now, seeing on how you crossed the line. Such a shame for a blossoming student of mine." The once familiar armor seemed to become coated in a black ooze, along with the black veins that once plagued his skin returning ever more present than before.

Ais quickly looked down towards the line on the ground and realized that Sam had thrown her across it by more than a few yards. While she didn't show it, her temper began to rise after falling for such a cheap move.

"Ais!"

A shout drew both of their attention away from one another as a handful of individuals began to appear over the hillside.

Ais could see Bete leading others from her Familia over towards her. Finn and Riveria were the ones that were closest behind Bete as he made his way down the hill, Tione and Tiona were following right behind them, and lastly was Lefiya who was already looking somewhat tired.

Sam lowered his weapon slightly to glance over towards the group, his eyes narrowing as he eyed them over with more detail. "Oi-" The group running over to them stopped a few feet before the clear-cut line, hesitant to hear what he had to say.

"I remember asking for the old hag last time I saw the mutt." In a quick flash Ais launched herself towards Sam with blade in hand, but before it could connect, he quickly rolled out of the way deeper into the opening.

When he stood on two feet once again, he gave himself a once over and brushed himself off of any dust that might have landed on himself. He turned to look towards Ais, smiling while bouncing the blunt edge of the sword on his shoulder, taunting her. "Now's not the time to be attacking me Ais; I was trying to have a civil conversation while attempting to find out where that cowardice God was hiding?"

Ais could see a few of her Familia tense, or rather stop themselves from speaking out against Sam who was opening mocking their God. The whole time however, Finn was staying quiet, consistently eyeing down Sam as he walked, the darkness to his back. Ais however noticed that he was holding his hand behind his back, though she could tell that he was holding back the shaking throughout his arm.

"If she won't make her way down here to greet one who did so many wonderful things for her own Familia, I guess the best I can do is kill one she holds so high"

After hearing those words, Ais brought up her weapon against the sudden blow that nearly intersected her torso. It caused her to slide along the ground, but when she brought about her weapon, she could see Sam holding his blade within its scabbard still. Her eyes widened before she dashed away from where she was previously standing, only for that space to be cut about by numerous wind-like blades and tearing apart the air itself.

"Tempest" Ais sped towards Sam as he had his arms spread wide, taunting her once again while imagining stabbing thrusts at any chance she could when she got closer. The moment she drew close, the mask that previously shielded Sam's face appeared once more, this time appearing to be almost entirely blood run in color.

"That's more like it Ais, come at me with all you got!" The smile never faded from his face as he continued to blow and parry each one of her thrusts towards him.

After her final thrust, she recoiled off of his blade only to dodge a kick that swung up in an attempt to catch her blindside. It was Sam's turn to dash towards her.

A simple thrust, but fast enough to almost catch Ais off guard. The two blades connected, and sparks flew in every direction. Sam followed this up with a few more slashes, each one brimming with heat unlike anything she's felt before, the recoil from the clash of blades causing her arm to shudder from each blow.

The two finally separated in a flash of sparks. While Ais began to run towards Sam once again, he spread his stance out before a gathering of air began to surround his blade within its scabbard. She wavered for a mere second and was suddenly face to face with Sam once again, the same wind-like blade revealing themselves as they slashed all around her, Ais struggling to defend against each one. The ones she missed nicking her skin and instantly cauterizing the wound that appeared.

The moment the wind stopped blowing around her, she took notice of Sam charging up to be yet another of the same devastating attacks that he'd unleashed before.

Ais readied herself once again, this time muttering a spell

"Ariel"

A flurry of air surrounded her body like that of a shield as Sam let loose another one of his attacks whilst swinging upwards to break her guard. She was able to defend against the bladed uppercut though the force from the blow sent her recoiling back slightly, but unlike before, her own wind was battling against Sam's and preventing the blades that previously struck her from doing so.

"You're going to have to move faster than that if you want to beat me Ais!" Sam shouted as he readied himself once more by sliding his katana back into its scabbard before the same red energy began to swirl around him.

Ais began to gather her own wind around herself, the greenish hue swirling in the same manner as her Masters. She clasped both hands onto the handle and held it high, the energy from around beginning to gather at the tip of her sword, a shimmering light emanating from it.

"Now!" The two shouted in unison. Wind thrashed those standing nearby as each blow connected against one another's swords. Each thrust was parried by a push of the others blade, and each slash was stepped by as it slashed apart the ground they stood upon. Blood began to splatter upon the ground a few seconds into the two's bout, black and red creating a canvas of battle where they stood. Numerous cuts would suddenly appear upon Ais before being instantly sealed by the heat of the sword, where Sam would sprout black droplets to the ground, revealing the much lighter armor beneath.

Sam attempted to make distance away from Ais, but she gave him no leeway to create such a chance. Lifting her sword in an uppercut slice, dragging her sword up along his right arm, the man was pushed back on his feet, the skid marks clear upon the floor. The sound of a sword stabbing into ground echoed through the cave…

Bete began to walk forward while shouting "You've got this bastard right where you want him Ais, kill this-" Before he could say anything more, a flash of red appeared from the darkness and thrust itself towards Bete, who nearly dodged the sudden strike. Before he could speak, a voice from the darkness spoke up.

"Tsk tsk tsk Sam, and here I thought you could accomplish such a menial task such as this."

Ais glanced towards Sam and noticed that he had a rather intense frown on his face, and that the black ooze that fell to the ground didn't bother to cover his bare arm, or rather the rest of the black upon his body for that matter. The blackened veins started to crawl their way back under the armor once again.

"But who am I to judge the bond one had made between a master and his student, surely not one such as myself?"

Three blacked figures began to appear from the darkness, each of their eyes glowing a similar red to the mask that was upon Sam's face. The figure that was speaking however was thin and strangely jointed. When they were finally out into the light, they understood why they looked so strange.

The figures hand was floated disconnected to the rest of their body, in their hand a sai was twirling while a red stream of what they could only depict to be lightning connecting the limb to the arm. Red lines ran across their bodies for what reason, they didn't understand. The helmet the figure wore left their mouth uncovered but looked to be covered in small red eyes and a devilish grin.

The other two figures were in contrast just as the one leading them. One very large while the other one seemed to be covered in what they could only describe limbs, or rather the arms of monsters, and even had small tripodal creatures following in their stead, the limbs sharing the same look as the one wrapping around the one figure.

The more feminine figure was standing before them all with an impressive height to them, a part of their figure hidden behind a large coat that fell down to their legs, the arms twitching slightly, reacting in the presence of adventurers. The weapon in their hands appeared to a polearm made up of the very arms that coiled around them, bladed tips at each end and red lights blinking along the length of the polearm.

The other figure was massive compared to the others that were there currently, his frame hidden underneath a massive coat that was clearly splattered by blood, a trait that was shared between the others wearing a coat. In their hands were two long blades, each of them clearly being much more than just your average machete's, and much heavier than any blade that could be from around here. A black visor with crimson lines hid the figures eyes.

The figure at the front gave a slight bow before straightening their back, their hand reconnecting back onto arm, still twirling the sai in hand. "The Winds of Destruction at your service Minuano" A devilish smile accompanying the name directed towards Sam.

The man could only sigh as he relaxed his stance and began to walk over towards where his sword impaled the ground. "Such visions finally take form…a temporary replacement at best, but one I won't accept." He took hold of the blades handle and pulled it from the ground. He swung it to the side and the blade was wiped clean from the force, and he slid it back into the scabbard.

The blackened figure kept his smile as their gaze turned back towards Ais as she took a few steps back towards Finn and the others who were checking over her wounds.

"Oh glorious adventures, I see you've finally come seeking your death once and for all. Let us grant this pleasure you want so dearly." The coats that they were previously wearing fell to the ground, and their figures were shown to everyone standing in suspense.

The one standing in front of them all, had his body begin to split apart and float while connected by the same red electricity they saw before. A sai in each hand, the man was nothing but floating body parts to those in front of him.

The woman as she revealed herself began to sprout arms across her body, much more than any normal could possibly have, each of them moving independent of one another, all connected to the woman. More of the creatures skittered around her feet as she rather fiercely stepped on one of them, slightly indenting the ground.

The largest of them all sprouted six large screens with a glimmering red surface on each of them, his swords glowing red along the edges. Each of the screens moved how they wished, ready to block any attack that would come its way.

"Monsoon welcomes the challenge." He bowed once more before them all as his body reconnected once again, a grin gracing his face.

"Mistral stands before you now, and I will gladly accept a dance from such handsome individuals." She followed this up with what could only be described as a blown kiss towards Bete who reacted in an aggressive manner, drawing his weapons.

"The name's Sundowner, and I'm not against killing a couple of children." His toothy grin oozing murderous intent, a blackened tongue appearing to lick his lips, sending shivers down the backs of those standing there.

Ais readied herself to fight the incoming threats. Before a sai nearly came into contact, Bete managed to deflect the weapon into the wall, only for it to remove itself and float back towards Monsoon.

"It's not just you anymore Ais, we have your back in this fight!"

With Bete's back to her, she nodded before retaking her stance from before. Bete let out a toothy grin before running towards the other three. "You're gonna have to try harder than that if you want to kill me you bastards!"

Finn spoke up once more, drawing the battle focused Ais completely out of her situation, perhaps a chance given to her to finally gather the situation going on around her and take a breather seeing on how Sam was only standing there silently.

"Continue to pressure it Ais, we'll handle these other figures." He gestured to the others to follow Bete. "You can do this; we know you can." Before he took off, he reached down and opened the case that Bete was carrying a few minutes earlier. "Loki wanted to give this to you in case you ever met your Master again. This is a better time than never." He opened the box and tossed the lightly shimmering stick over to Ais, who caught it with ease before looking over the newly obtained item.

In her hands was a weapon that she'd hardly ever seen before, yet it held a similar shape to something she used to wield so long ago. After Sam vanished, she practiced more than most would ever consider but a wooden sword can only last so long. Eventually she had to start using the gift Sam gave to her after finally understanding the fundamentals of his style.

She never touched it, always saying that she didn't deserve it since she couldn't do anything more than just the fundamentals, of course this always got a laugh of out her Master. That blade broke eventually as well, but by that point she didn't know where to go with his teachings anymore, since all she had were books, he left behind. The purpose of the blade was gone however, and so was hers to continue the training, leaving it behind, but never forgotten.

Glancing over the weapon once again, she began to take note of its more defined features.

It appeared to be made of mithril, but it was nothing like her own sword that was nearly on the edge of shattering. Designs next to letters she'd never seen before throughout her entire life. Upon giving the handle a pull, the blade that appeared was something similar to that of the exterior, but only in the letters engraved upon the blade. Reaching nearly the same length as Desperate, it shared similar qualities to other Katana's she'd seen before but something felt different about this one.

"Masamune…Something I thought up myself. Planned on giving it to you when you finally ended up breaking the other katana I gave you a while back, but, well you already know the rest."

Ais finally lifted her gaze from the newly obtained weapon to look towards her master who was leaning on his own weapon.

"It seems I've been given some time to myself since your friends there decided to intervene against the others that showed up." The mask that was previously covering his face slid back and revealed his face, the now much brighter complexion that appeared took Ais by surprise. No longer did the blackened veins plague his entire face. "Still, that was unlike what I believe you would react like. Completely away from the battlefield and lost in thought."

He was smiling, not in a demented manor; it was a gentle unlike she had ever seen from him before. A strange feeling that caught her off guard.

"Cut me down Ais and set me free." Hearing this made Ais confused even more than before. The clashing of blades upon one another seemed to dull as Sam continued to speak.

"The mystery of this place is something that the Gods won't understand, or they decide to not acknowledge its true purpose." He held up his arm that was laid bare away from the black ooze that was broken across his body due to Ais's work. "This is what binds me to this eternal dungeon, a place where I don't belong anymore."

Sam grabbed hold the handle of his sword and drew it out of its scabbard. Pulling the blade out slightly, the red glimmer shining through the darkness of the cave, he could only sigh before sheathing it and placing it back at his hip. "I recall promising you my blade once you fixed my issue…but it appears that won't be happening this time. The man who earned it lays beyond, it's his now."

Ais wanted to ask a myriad of questions towards Sam at this point, but before she could open her mouth her Master clutched his hand at his chest before falling to a knee. She began to take a step forward with her hand beginning to reach out towards him before a hand stopped her.

Sam was panting heavily while holding out his hand towards Ais, a pained look upon his face. He coughed and blood was sprayed upon the ground, but unlike the black ooze that spilled from him before, it was clearly crimson like that of humans blood. He brought down his hand and wiped away the blood that still remained near his mouth before standing back on his feet, a smug grin on his face while sweat beads fell from his forehead.

He pulled the scabbard from the ground and hook it on his waist before drawing the sword out and holding it with both hands, a strained look with a smile sat on his face.

"Draw your blade Ais, do what must be done. This is no longer a fight between a monster and an adventurer. This is duel between a Master and his Student. My resolve has been made at this point, and I can already see that yours is made as well."

Ais could feel the air shift in the cave as the others continued to trade blows, but between Master and herself, it felt as if it was a stage set just for them. She matched eyes with Sam and understood what was to come next, but there was a different feeling inside of her than before.

The rage that was building up inside of her was beginning to vanish and was instead replaced with that of courage, of commitment to stop her Master from committing anything worse. No longer did she wish only for his death, but instead wanted to save him. An act that reminded her of a certain adventurer.

Setting down Desperate behind the line that was made what felt so long ago and drawing out Masamune. The scabbard floated near her side as it didn't seem to require anything to stay attached, rather it was some sort of magic that held it close, but still free. The moment her other hand grasped the handle, pictures began to flood her brain, ones that felt so far away and out of this world, but so familiar.

It was a boy and an older man in what she could only guess to be a dojo, but where it was at, she could not tell. They were doing motions she was more than familiar with over and over again as they trained. The visions were broken by Sam's voice, and suddenly she was back in the cave with the sounds of combat going on around them.

"I can't say how this world works but according to the god that crafted that weapon is special. A part of my soul was infused into that sword, my motions are your motions for when I finally leave. A teacher that will remain even when broken. That is my final gift to you Ais."

Ais matched eyes with her Master and swore she could see the man with what many could possibly mistake as tears in his eyes. Even she didn't know what to think, for the last person she ever expected to shed tears would be her Master. Emotions began to build up inside of her but was all tossed aside for when this battle was finally over. The field of battle is a place where emotions should not get the better of her, and that applied more now then ever.

The two matched stances, knees bent, one foot in front of the other, and the sword hilt leveled at their waist.

The two locked glances once more before lunging towards one another.

They clashed blades, sending sparks in every direction. The two continued to throw similar slashes at each other, each one sliding one another's blades. After clashing for the next few strikes, Ais slashed vertically in front of her twice before twirling in the air, creating a multitude of slashes which Sam attempted to block against, struggling to do so.

"Tempest"

The speed behind Ais increased even faster as she began to remove the need to even step foot back onto the ground to continue her assault. The slashes she was connecting onto Sam with was met with resistance of the black ooze with each strike, all while Sam was struggling to defend against the speedy blows.

Before she could connect with her next attack, a foot connected with her abdomen and sent her flying, only for her to skid back on her feet and begin running back towards Sam. Before she got any closer, a blast of rocks was thrown up from behind Sam who was directly in her face now. The sword began to come down onto her, but was blocked as Sam flew on by her, only for the same thing to happen once again from behind. She sloppily blocked the next attack and caused her to stumble from the attack, making her lose the proper stance. A third attack blasted from behind her and connected with her midsection and threw her off to the side and into the wall.

Immense pain shot through her body as she fell to the ground, only to flip back onto her feet, her vision slightly shakier than before. She could feel blood falling from her head and trailing down her face. She took her stance again as Sam was walking towards her and the two clashed blades once again.

"This is more like it Ais, the feeling behind your blade is no longer empty! It has a purpose now!"

Their arms carried the force with blade in hand to continue the scattering of sparks throughout the cave. She could see that the ooze that once covered most of her Master was reduced to a small patch around where his heart would lie. While it felt like she had the advantage, any longer wouldn't benefit her and would eventually cost her more than just a sword.

Ais ducked beneath one of Sam's slashes and slashed horizontally towards his midsection. He skillfully backflipped from the strike and continued the flip before standing a few meters apart from one another.

They each sheathed their swords and held a lower stance; one hand on the scabbard and another near the handle of the blade. They matched eyes, and for a second Ais could see a sort of sadness in the eyes of her Master, only for it to be replaced with prideful look. Each of them held a smile before Sam shouted loud enough to draw the attention of everyone in the cave.

"Now!"

In an instant, Ais casted a spell.

"Tempest-Avenger-Nizel"

The wind that surrounded her was different than anything anyone there had ever seen. The wind surrounding her was no longer the vibrant green, nor the dark black that she had seen before. Even the white wind when Bell had aided her was foreign to her now. A scarlet-colored wind surrounded her, one much like her Masters, but brighter…and clean of any anger of guilt. It was one that was filled with emotion, happiness, trust, and care. It was something that she'd never experienced even when she was under the teachings of her Master.

The two launched towards each other, the winds around them clashed in a split second, creating a typhoon in the small cave, throwing debris in every direction. The violent winds continued to whip those standing even remotely close to the point of contact, that is until it all suddenly ceased and the two could be seen on either side of each other.

Ais was the first one to move, sheathing her sword within its scabbard. Eyes fell onto Sam who collapsed to one knee, a spray of blood splattering the ground before him.

"Tsk…" The audience of the final blow turned their attention back towards the blackened figures who slowly turned away, leaving their backs towards Finn and the others.

"Where do you think you're going you bastards!" Bete stepped forward with his weapons brandished towards then.

Monsoon eerily turned his head towards the combatants and gave a fiendish grin. "We're always watching" The three of them fell into a black puddle of ooze which slowly began to sink in through the cracks of the ground.

Ais turned her attention back towards her Master who was kneeling on the ground, his sword by his side and a nearly lifeless movement. Before she got any closer, Finn called out to her.

"Ais…" The two matched eyes for a second before she nodded her head in agreement. Finn nodded in return and spoke to the rest. "Let's carry on and figure out what's making all that noise ahead. Ais needs this." Before Bete could say anything in protest, Riveria grabbed the scruff of his coat and pulled him along, leaving Ais and Sam alone.

Ais finally made her way over to Sam and knelt by his side while placing a hand on his shoulder. Another cough of blood came from Sam as he finally moved again, or at least an attempt. He began to fall back towards the ground but was caught by Ais who rested his head in her arms.

"This is plenty different than the last time I experienced this feeling." Another cough came erupted from Sam as blood spilled from his mouth. His raised his left hand and placed it on Ais's that was resting on his right shoulder. "The feeling of having it again never felt right, but now that I'm here…I'm happy that I got it back."

Ais wasn't sure what she needed, or even wanted to say to her Master. So much she wanted to ask him, but even she understood she had a small amount of time at best.

Sam's hand fell back his side as he stared up at the ceiling and past Ais. "You were…the were the only disciple I ever had, and perhaps the closest thing to a child I could have ever thought of." His smile vanished as he began to frown. "Some parent I was…leaving you with that old hag, unable to properly watch you grow…"

Ais feverishly shook her head in denial. Not once did Ais hate Sam for leaving her like he did. She was just lost more than anything and saddened that perhaps she wasn't good enough for him to bring her alongside his adventures.

His smile quickly returned after she shook her head, his hand attempting to reach towards her face, but losing all the strength it carried with it. "There's no reason to cry kid, not for a mercenary like myself…not after how I treated you at the start of this-"

"That…wasn't you. I know it wasn't." Ais wasn't sure of how her emotions were affecting her outward appearance, but the evidence was clear as her own tears began to fall down towards Sam. While she was confused with his words at the beginning, she finally understood that it wasn't her Master that was saying those things but rather the force that overwhelmed him from the dungeon itself.

Sam coughed once more, the blood splattering down onto his armor. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you Ais. This is strange even for me, so…it's just a strange feeling." With any strength he could muster, he pocked her once on her breastplate where her heart would be, only for his hand to fall back down. "It's cheesy, but I'll always be here. Just hold it and think of what I taught you…I'll be there learning right beside you…See ya kid."

Ais could feel the body in her hands begin to lose weight. She wiped away the tears that were crowding her eyes and finally took notice of what was happening right in front of her. Her Master was beginning to fade away, something she didn't expect to happen. Any attempt to grab at the fading parts of Sam was met with zero resistance as bits of his body would dissipate into light till there was nothing left of her Master…except for his sword.

She wiped away any last tears that she had and stood up, blade in one hand and the scabbard in the other. She gave it a slash into the air, cleaning the sword, before slowly sheathing the sword back slowly. She sheathed Desperate back where it belongs on the other side of her hip, opposite of Masamune before heading deeper into the cave to catch up with everyone.

The roars began to get louder as time went on, along with the temperature as well. It began to fluctuate rapidly from cold to hot, where it would suddenly rain while in a cave, to snowstorms lasting for mere seconds.

This went on for the next few minutes before everything in front of her began to change, walls would fold in on themselves and create an opening she's never experienced before. As Ais walked through it, everything in front of her was different, but more importantly she saw the rest of her Familia…just standing there.

From what Ais could tell was that they were located within some sort of rocky valley, where it was though, she had no idea. Strange formations were scattered about, along with strange buildings as well. Some foreign, others just completely out of place. This entire environment was just different in so many ways to where she couldn't even begin to describe it.

What stood out more than anything to Ais was what was occurring in front of her. A thunderstorm with strikes of lightning, but besides the few clouds that were in the sky, it was a perfectly sunny day. Beneath the clouds is what had everyone's attention, a beast they could only partially describe from mere words passed down from adventurers of the past.

A massive black beast with wings that stretch wider than some could even imagine, an eye that pierced into the souls around. The fear that everyone must be feeling must be what those in the past felt when they face such a beast…but even worse. The differences were beginning to appear, the glowing metal like armor that sat across the large beast look foreign to any armored beast they'd ever seen. Long glowing lines appeared along the arms of the beast that wrapped around it's entire body, feeding a source of energy they could only guess from the appearance. The large apparatus that sat upon its back however was the strangest bit of all, a large platform that carried long metal beams that glowed orange near the middle of the beams, and the various eyes that accompanied the singular organic one that still sat in its socket.

but that only drew questions the longer they looked at it, and even more as they all curiously watch a sole individual attack the beast.

Everyone watching gapped in awe as the beast began to lift into the air after it tried to step onto the lone figure at the base, only to be lifted up in an awkward manner, different than taking flight. The beast was then slammed down onto the ground, shaking those around Ais even though they stood so far away from the battle. All of this was cut short by a sudden clap in the air, and flash of silver and black flying through the air towards them.

They all quickly dove out of the way of the blur, only for it to collide with the wall, impacting it and cracking it for nearly a mile. The figure quickly fell out of their indention and crawled back onto their feet while brandishing a sword that was closing faintly blue along the edge.

When the dust finally settled, Ais and the others got a better look at the figure and took notice of their strange armor that was colored in silvers, greys, and blacks. What stood out most of all was the metal jaw covering that was sitting at the bottom of their visible face, only for the metal visor that was covering the top to slide back and onto the side of their head. The figure stumbled slightly before rolling his shoulders, a red glare shimmering from their left eye as they stared at those around.

Everyone was starting at them, speechless on what to say about the sudden appearance of whatever was fighting the beast in front of them.

The figure began to walk towards Ais who was holding her master's sword in her arms. The metal clinking of their feet on the ground got louder as they got closer, only for them to stop directly in front of her, the height difference evident as they stood nearly a foot taller than herself.

The figure reached down and took hold of the sword in their hands and unsheathed it slightly while overlooking the blade before sheathing it and hooking the scabbard at their waist. They gave one final glare at the large beast before walking back towards the wall and slamming his fist into it, creating a large indention one somewhat similar to what they crawled out of.

The sounds of mountains moving drew the attention of everyone there watching the mysterious figure back towards the Beast who was now climbing back onto its feet.

Everyone was unsure of what to do until a raspy, somewhat metallic voice hooked the attention of everyone there.

"There's no use in dying here now. We best retreat before any more harm comes onto anyone here. Return from where you came, I'll close the entrance with my partner, then we can talk."

Those standing there could only watch in confusion as the figure spoke, only for Ais to start walking back towards the entrance they came through. Before anyone could protest, she spoke up. "Let's go…" She glanced at the figure before speaking to them. "You'll have answers…won't you?"

They could only nod in agreement before walking out into the open, in front of Finn and the others standing there. Finn shot a look between the beast, the lone figure, and Ais before nodding his head in agreement.

"Whoever they are, they're correct. There's a time and a place for everything, now is not the time to fight whatever this is. We're leaving." They all began to move towards the opening along with Ais, leaving the figure to stare down the beast that easily threw him what seemed like miles away, and possibly contemplating who exactly they could be.

All she could understand, is that this was something that was clearly against the rules of nature itself.

I hope you all enjoyed this piece that I finally got around to finishing. If the ending seemed rushed, well…cause it was. I didn't want to let this go for any longer than I already had it going for.

This was fun for me to write, especially Sam. He's one of my more favorite characters in the entire game, right next to Monsoon personally. Plenty of emotion, but at the same time void of it.

I wanted to go for something different. He didn't have a choice to be a villain this time around, twas the mysterious of the dungeon this time. I'm 100% I could have written this better if I wanted to put more time into this, but I wasted so much more not writing it that I just decided to go with what I got.

This was a first time for me, especially since most of my crossovers are with RWBY where I know the characters and setting rather well.

That's all I've got for this story. Gonna leave it here and not carry it on since that's another project I really don't want to keep up with seeing how lazy I am.

Any comments or criticism are welcome, as I might end up coming back and fixing anything that felt too off about it. I'm pretty sure you have questions possibly, but I don't know until you ask as well.

Nonetheless, have a wonderful evening to all of you, morning, or afternoon. Hope all of you are staying safe and healthy in these times.

This is the Professor, signing off.