The Argonaut and The Child of Light
Hestia
"You all have to listen to me!" Hestia said standing in her seat. "We can't just not respond, please these Fomorians are coming. My familia fought them, Cian killed one, we should send help to Ulster right away!"
It was the third time that Hestia had felt she was repeating the same exact sentiment. When they had first gotten back from Orario a week ago, she was shocked to see that a Denatus had already been called, by Hermes of all people. Hermes, who Hestia wasn't sure if she trusted yet, sat next to her, and while he had been helping back up her points, she still had no idea why and that made her suspicious. Still, she wasn't in any position to reject or question him. Miach was the only other one who could back up her claim, and since he was originally from Ulster, his words could carry weight, and had.
However, the problem didn't seem to be that the others didn't believe her, more so that they simply didn't care.
"Quit wasting our time shrimpy," Loki goaded from the top row, leaning on her hand. "You and Hermes both, we're supposed to just take your word for it?"
Hestia grinded her teeth, she wanted to scream and remind Loki it was hard to believe she was a woman with her flat chest, but she knew this was too important a moment for insults. She had promised Cian she would do all she could to convince the gods. She hadn't counted on Hermes being there to help her, but still, after what he went through, after what she saw, she had to do everything she could.
"I brought proof! Cian killed a Fomorian; he brought back two items dropped as proof!" Hestia yelled, pacing in front of the council. "Miach used to live in Ulster, he can vouch for them!"
"She's right," Miach said from his seat next to Takemikazuchi. Very few times had Hestia ever seen him so pale and worried. "These are bones of a Fomorian. Lord Dian Cecht, you were once a member of the Tuatha Danann, Hestia allowed you to look at them. I'm sure you'll recognized them as well."
The entire council of the gods of Orario turned on Lord Dian Cecht. Hestia was nervous, she hated leaving their plans hinging on Dian Cecht, she knew how eccentric he was. However, in Orario they cared about status. Even if Miach was correct and formerly from Ulster, his familia was only him and one other, while Hestia had even less power. Hermes had been uncharacteristically silent since he set the beginning topic for this meeting, which annoyed Hestia to no end.
Dian Cecht scoffed at his seat and stood, addressing the gods. "The items brought are indeed bones from a Fomorian. Miach is correct, the only way to receive items like these, are indeed… to battle and slay a Fomorian."
"Yes," Hermes said, finally speaking up and stepping next to Hestia. "And we have young Cian Mac Gallagher to thank. He slayed this beast, and I will vouch for the authenticity of this. Hestia has yet another skilled young adventurer in her ranks."
Hestia opened her mouth to ask what Hermes was doing but shut her mouth as the gods started to whisper. She had said of course to the council that Cian had killed the Fomorian, but at first few had seemed to believe her. Hermes held some sway, so his confirmation made a few gods eyes go wide. Hestia bit her lip, this wasn't what she needed, they had already been looking at her closely for Bell.
And there was the fact as well, they had already been trying to pull Cian away from her.
"Another one for Hestia?"
"That's boy is already level 2, he must be skilled."
"Hey! Hestia, have you considered my offer?!"
"Or mine!"
"I'll add another five million valis onto my offer Hestia!"
"I've already told all of you Cian's not for sale! So BACK OFF!" Hestia yelled, slamming her hands against the row the table where her chair was.
That made the hall go quiet, as Hestia's red angry face seemed to be sufficient to quell anymore offers of valis. She had already almost let Cian die once, there was no chance she was going to fail Scathach again by letting him fall into other gods' hands.
Little did they know, Cian was so much more than just a powerful adventurer. She didn't know if any of the gods knew about The Child of Light prophecy, but like Scathach, she wouldn't take any chances.
Dian Cecht cleared his throat. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. Yes, I will admit, these items are indeed the bones of a Fomorian. As a former member of the Tuatha Danann, I can vouch if these beasts have returned, it is indeed grave news."
"That's great! See, I told you all this was serious!" Hestia said, smiling as she looked up at all of them again. "These creatures are dangerous! And if the Tuatha Danann think them a threat-."
"Then the Tuatha Danann can deal with them themselves!" Dian Cecht cut Hestia off again, striding to the middle of the gathering.
"What?!" Hestia screeched, turning to the older god.
"Lord Dian Cecht surely you don't mean that!" Miach said, coming to her defense. "Your former comrades are in the Tuatha Danann. It took an alliance of Orario and Ulster to defeat the Fomorians hundreds of years ago, they stand no chance alone."
"That was true hundreds of years ago," Dian Cecht scoffed. "But one Fomorian does not mean the seal has been broken in Ulster. And even if it has, let the proud fools deal with it themselves! You all know how they are, strutting about as if they are superior to Orario in their backwards ways."
"You used to be one of them how could you say that?!" Hestia demanded.
Dian Cecht shook his head and looked to the gods. "I was, and I left for good reason! Those fools are concerned with nothing but flaunting about their strength. They scrape and claw at one another for so called 'honor', and answer me this my fellow gods, when was the last time Ulster asked us for anything?!"
Hestia had to bite her lip. She wanted to refute Dian Cecht's claim, but everything he said sounded exactly like what Scathach had always told her about the new members of the Tuatha Danann. The others wouldn't believe anything she said over him, even if it was Scathach's words anyway.
The little bit of hope she had started to crumble away as a large number of gods nodded and shouted their agreement.
"He's right, they're nothing but proud fools!"
"Arrogant and foolish, they think their children can rival ours."
"It's been years since they've sent anyone here."
"You're right about that!" Loki yelled down, her legs on the table. "Not since Scathach came to help mop up that situation five years ago. And I don't even think the Tuatha Danann council sent her, she came of her own will."
Hestia hated it when the person she hated most made a good point she couldn't argue.
Dian Cecht nodded again and turned her head to Hestia and Hermes. "You say we should aid them, yet what have they done for us to earn it? They are as arrogant and prideful as when I left to come here. You may all do as you please, but I will let Ulster deal with Ulster's problems."
More shouts of agreement came, and Hestia turned to them, desperate.
I promised Cian I'd do all I could!
"Please, we must be bigger than them even if it is the case! Think of the bigger picture," She pleaded with them. "Even if they could just handle the Fomorians, there's still the Morrigan Familia-."
"This again squirt?!" Loki yelled, standing now. She seemed angry now. "You ain't got no proof the Morrigan familia is still alive. My familia helped wipe them out! Or are you questioning them, and your friend Scathach's skill?"
The room fell silent, and Hestia's head fell. She didn't have any argument that could back up her claims about the Morrigan familia. She remembered that captain who'd shown up, promising to come after Cian again and shivered. That man felt more powerful than any adventurer Hestia had met, there was no way they could face him down now, they needed help.
But while she had bones of the Fomorians to prove that had happened, she had no proof other then her word about the Morrigan familia.
"Hermes!" Loki yelled down from her spot, hand on her hip. "You backed her up about those Fomorians, what about this? You got any proof of the Morrigan familia?"
Hestia turned to Hermes, maybe her last hope, but it crumbled when Hermes met her eyes with an apologetic look.
"I can't say, although I doubt Hestia's lying," He said, looking to the council. "But I urge you all to be on your guard. I don't make these claims of danger lightly."
Loki scoffed and waved her hand. "Yeah, whatever, this was a waste of time. I'm calling for this meeting to end, I don't know about you all, but I got better things to do."
"Wait! Please, we can't do nothing!" Hestia yelled, as they all did murmur their agreement before starting to rise from their seats. "If we don't' do something, it's not just Ulster, but all of us who could be in danger, we need-."
"Hold a moment all of you, if you please would," A voice from the front row said.
Hestia's eyes widened, the shock nearly stopping her heart. "F…Freya?!"
"Why do you look so surprised darling Hestia?" Freya said, her voice as sweet and honeyed as always. She smiled with her hands holding up her chin. "I just thought you'd all like to hear my thoughts on the matter. If you would still like to leave however, I won't stop any of you."
"Yes! What do you think Freya?!"
"Lady Freya of course we'll stay and listen!"
"Hey! Sit back down you bozos!"
Loki scoffed from above. "Well, I suppose this would be interesting."
Of all the gods or goddesses, Freya was the absolute last Hestia expected to come to her aid. She gulped as a terrible thought crossed her mind.
Does she have her eye on Cian as well? Still… if they all listen to her, Hestia thought, as all the gods sat back down and looked at Freya with bated breath.
Freya smirked, as she stood and looked at them. "I for one see no need to dismiss Hestia's claim. Her new child Cian Mac Gallagher was a member of the Scathach familia, this is fact. My child Ottar has confirmed it, stating young Cian carries the weapon of Chu Chulainn. His old rival."
"The Gae Bulg… for it to fall into the hands of a child," Dian Cecht spat, as more murmurs came from the gods around them.
Freya continued. "Scathach was the greatest of the Tuatha Danann we all know this. So, if Morrigan is still in the lower world, it makes sense she'd go after him," she met Hestia's eyes. "Hestia, I can promise I will be on my guard for Morrigan's familia. I will even send my children on expeditions outside Orario, to check for signs of these Fomorians. That is my decision."
Hestia choked, trying to formulate words, what is she playing at? This can't be happening… but still.
"Th…thank you, Freya, I greatly appreciate it," She finally managed to say.
"It's my pleasure my dear Hestia. I also have another idea," She said, turning to the gods again with her smile. "Hestia's second child leveled up did he not? I say we adjourn for a small break, before coming back and giving him a name, how does that sound?"
"Of course Freya!"
"I love that idea Lady Freya!"
"It's as beautiful an idea as you Freya!"
Loki rolled her eyes. "Well… Finn would be interested in knowing his name."
"Then it's settled!" Freya said waving her hands. "Let's take a fifteen-minute recess!"
Hestia stood as Freya turned and smiled at her, before her and the other gods started to stream out of the hall. They seemed rejuvenated by Freya's proposal. When it came to superficial topics like this, they were always ready. Still, despite Hestia being proud and excited to be able to get Cian a name from the gods, she remembered why she came there. In the end, if Freya listened to her, the other gods would at least consider it more, they all wanted to be on her good side after all.
Still… she thought, watching them all leave, staring at the back of Freya, what is it she-.
"So, what do you suppose Freya's reason for taking your side are?" Hermes's voice said, as Hestia turned to see him walking up to her. "I didn't know you two were close."
Hestia wanted to shout at him for being so suspicious. However, she had learned over many, many years this was just how Hermes naturally was, a suspicious pervert.
"We're not, at least I don't think so," Hestia said, before turning to glare at him. "And I know we're not either, so please, cut to the chase. Why did you do this? Why did you back me up?"
Hermes chuckled. "Ha, call it a favor for my dear old friend Hestia! I may not have been there, but I doubt your lying. I stopped by the Hostess of Fertility this last week, and your new boy Cian wasn't working. That I assume is from his battle, so I decided to back up an old friend."
Hestia hated being reminded of Cian's condition. It had been just over a week since they returned to Orario after Cian killed the Fomorian. He'd been resting, Miach and Naaza helping him heal, while of course seeing her and Bell every day. The previous few he'd been up and active, and according to Cian himself, he was ready to get back into action.
There was something different about him now, Hestia could tell. Ever since that night he cried to her for hours before falling asleep in her lap by the lakeside, he'd been changed, and Hestia was proud to be frank. She knew Scathach would be as well.
The next day, Cian, Bell, and their party we're finally heading for the middle floors.
"He was hurt, but he's recovered now. But don't call me old friend, we've barely spoken since being in the lower world," Hestia told Hermes. "Besides, you backed me up with a lie the first time, how come you didn't when I told them about the Morrigan familia?!"
Hermes's eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't tell you that Hestia, and I can't tell you why I can't either."
"Huh?! Why… urgh, dammit Hermes!" She cursed him, frustration mounting.
His look changed quickly as he chuckled. "Haha, that isn't the first time you've said that. Cheer up Hestia, your child's about to be bestowed a name from the gods!"
"But you called this Denatus, why haven't you argued more?!" She demanded.
Hermes shook his head. "I'm not much of an arguer, they know now, which is all I wanted," he said, before reaching into his pocket. "By the way, I wanted to give this to you. I'm sure young Cian would appreciate having it. I found it on my journey out west in Ulster."
"Huh? What is this thing?" Hestia said, taking the red folded cloth from Hermes. It was darker red, and speckled with dirt and grime, it seemed like a thin scarf. "What makes you think Cian would… no… Hermes, how did you get this?!"
As Hestia unfurled the scarf, she looked at the black symbol stitched into the center of it. It was an intricately stitched raven in the center.
The same symbol that had been on Cian's back, the emblem of the Scathach familia.
Hermes tipped his cap forward. "I got it from Lord Nuada, of the Tuatha Danann council. He's the strongest now that Scathach and Aife are gone. He and his familia… visited the site of their defeat and found that. He said Scathach's last child would likely head for Orario and asked me to deliver it should I find him. I knew how close you and Scathach were, so I assumed he'd be with you."
Hestia's heart leapt from his chest. Scathach had told him of Nuada. She had called him the 'only member of the council with honor and dignity'. He sounded like a father figure to Scathach, so if anyone were to know about Cian and where he was, it would be him, so that calmed her nerves. She gripped tight to the scarf and sucked in a breath.
"Thank you Hermes… I'm sure Cian will appreciate it," Hestia told him.
Hermes smiled and tipped his cap. "I hope to mee the lad one day soon. I'm sure that will go very well with his new name from the council!"
With that, Hermes walked away, and Hestia was left alone with that reminder of Scathach.
Hestia let out her breath and held the raven to her chest. "Don't worry Scathach… I'll keep on protecting him, you have my word."
OP: Hello to Dream, DanMachi S1
The Argonaut and The Child of Light
Season 1, Episode 1: Pass Parade
Hermes
Hermes licked his ice cream as he made his way back to his familia's home. The modest size manor was fit for a familia his size. It was inconspicuous which he liked, that was needed for the kind of work his familia did. He moved down a few alleyways and took a few turns others wouldn't take to get there, but eventually he was greeted by Asfi waiting outside.
She bowed. "Lord Hermes, how was the Denatus?"
"About what we expected Asfi," Hermes told his captain, walking towards the door. "Young Cian Mac Gallagher received a name from the gods! The Lancer of Red, quite fitting don't you think?"
"Because of the red spear he carries?" Asfi asked dryly.
Hermes nodded and finished his ice cream, tossing it into a nearby bin. "That and something about making the dungeon run red with the blood of monsters. It's the only name he'll receive, Hestia requested he only be granted one, so that'll be his name for the rest of his life."
"Because in Ulster, adventurers are only granted one name by the gods, and only on the condition of performing an extraordinary feat for Ulster. Its impressive Lady Hestia knows that," Asfi said, as she closed the door behind him.
"Hestia and Scathach were close friends, it makes sense," Hermes said, hanging up his hat, as they made their way through the winding halls to one of the many guest rooms. "So, has she caused any trouble?"
"No, she's been very polite in fact. Her injuries are healed as well, she just needs her strength back," Asfi told him. "She just hasn't talked much."
"Can you blame her? Her entire life has been uprooted," He said, smiling at his captain. "Well, I guess we shouldn't keep her waiting."
Asfi nodded, and opened the door, walking in before him. "Sorry we're late, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," The girl said from her bed. "Strength's coming back."
"Good, Lord Hermes has returned," Asfi said, stepping aside for him.
Hermes smiled at the girl. "Well, well, well Mebd, you certainly look a lot better than when Asfi and I found you!"
Mebd didn't smile, Hermes could see just how broken this girl felt. Her long red hair was still tattered from her fight with Cian Mac Gallagher, small bruises and scars were still left. From what she told them, Ryuu had beaten her quite good. Still, Hermes didn't lie, she looked much better then when he and Asfi had found her stumbling through the gates of Orario half dead.
It was ironic, she had a similar story to the new Lancer of Red now, crawling into Orario half dead from Ulster.
"It's thanks to all of you, I'm very grateful," Mebd said, pulling at the white pajamas Asfi had given her, her green eyes falling to her bed. "I don't wish to impose any further. I'd like to leave soon, in the next day or two when my strength returns fully."
"Oh?" Hermes asked, pulling up a chair. "And go where?"
Mebd paused for a moment. "I… I don't know. Far from here, that's all I know."
"The far east is cold this time of year," Hermes told her. "I think you'd be better off staying here and-."
"I can't!" She said quickly, panic rising in her voice. "If… if I do I may see… him, the Child of Light."
"It's Lancer of Red now actually," Hermes informed her with a smile. "Besides, I don't think, he'll cause you trouble, he's not your worry. I've told you Mebd, Morrigan won't find you here."
"How can you be sure," She shot back. "My… my falna-."
"Exactly, your falna is gone, which means your goddess took back her blessing. If your captain did tell her you died, she clearly didn't believe it, and just took away your blessing," He said to her, slowly to not scare her. "She can't track you anymore, which means-."
"It means she may come after me… for failing," She said, shaking her head and grabbing her hair. "Because I… because I was weak. I… I-."
"I told you, you weren't weak, you were doing what you believed was right," Hermes said, as the girl finally looked up at him. "Have you given anymore thought to my offer?"
Her eyes widened. "You don't want me, believe me you don't. What if Lady Morrigan-."
"She wouldn't attack directly to you, she only cares about the Lancer of Red now," Hermes said, crossing his arms. "True, we may do some intervening, but you won't be her target."
"It'll still put you in the crossfire," She said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I'll be more harm than good for you."
Hermes laughed and shook his head. "I lied to the Denatus today for you Mebd. If you joined, I'll make sure everything is cleared, this could be a new start for you."
"A… a new start… I don't know," She said, looking at her hands, they were shaking. "I don't know if that's possible."
"Of course, it is, just ask Asfi here," Hermes said.
"It's true Mebd," Asfi said, stepping next to the girl's bed. "I'm living a different life now then the one I thought was dealt to me. It's never too late to make-."
"It's never to late to make the right… choice…" Mebd finished slowly, her eyes watering, before she wiped them and looked at Hermes. "If I join… will I run into the Cap… Connla again?"
Hermes gave a grim smile. "If his threat to Cian is true… then I believe you may."
Mebd let out a breath, holding a hand over her chest. "Okay… then I accept your offer, Asfi, Lord Hermes."
Hermes smiled and stood, holding out a hand. "Good choice, I promise you won't regret it. Welcome to the Hermes familia Mebd."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Cian
"Flow like the water, move with the wind, the spear is part of your body," Chu's voice said in Cian's head. "You don't question how your lungs know how to breath, how your legs know how to walk, or how your mouth knows how to chew your food. If you treat your spear as a part of yourself, the kata will become second nature to the point, where you shouldn't even need your eyes."
Sure enough, Cian's eyes were covered. He had pulled the red salamander wool cloak he'd received with Bell from Eina yesterday over his eyes and had been attempting to perform the kata for hours. He had woken up when the sun hadn't even risen yet, unable to properly sleep. It was only a little over a week ago he'd almost died, since he'd unleashed the Gae Bulg's power for the first time, since he finally remembered the name of his spear.
And now, he'd be going back down to the middle floors with his party. His journey to become stronger, to be the hero he had always wanted to be, the one Lady Scathach and the others knew he could be.
The morning sun was muggy and hot, Cian was already sweating from the few hours he'd been out practicing the kata. Chu had told him that even after he became level 7, he practiced the kata every morning, and did until he got it right down to the last detail a hundred times.
If his count was right, he was… a hundred away from 100, since he had decided to try it blindfolded like he always saw Chu doing.
"Okay… this is the one, don't use your eyes, see with your other senses," He told himself, standing in the backyard of The Hostess of Fertility, a wooden broom with the top screwed off.
I need to get this right soon this is Syr's favorite broom, Cian thought, smiling as a cool breeze sent a shiver down his spine from the sweat that came down his forehead and neck.
"Use your other senses… come on Cian," He told himself, gingerly rubbing his hand over the wooden broom handle, before he let out a breath he was holding in. "Now!"
And so, Cian performed the kata. He dropped the broom handle down towards the ground and caught it with the top of his right foot, before kicking it up and imagining it as the red Gae Bulg in his hand. The minute he caught it he spun it around his back, leaping forward and kicking into the air and spinning the wooden broomstick like it was born into his hand. He spun it under his arm, back around his neck, around his back and leapt again.
I'll get this right, I'll do it, I have to perfect it! I need to do it even when I can't see, I need it engraved into my mind so its second nature, Cian thought, approaching the end of the kata.
He had done the kata, the prerequisite that was needed to be done to use the magic power of the Gae Bulg at least a hundred times every morning since he'd gotten out of Naaza and Miach's clinic. He was as close to having it perfected that way as he could get, so he felt he was able to move onto to trying it blindfolded.
Cian had counted, it took him approximately a minute and a half to perform the kata at his current pace. Which was absolutely nothing, since he remembered Chu telling him, he performed it in just under thirty seconds.
In his fight against Mog, the Fomorian had been attacking, but thanks to his friends he was able to perform the kata the correct way and activate its power, but he was far from where he needed to be.
This is it, Cian thought, spinning it around his back, going back above over his shoulder and spinning it around his neck. He was doing it! He was so close; he'd get it for the first-.
"OWWW!" He cried out, when his finger slipped the slightest bit and the broomstick hit him in the back of the head.
The broom clattered to the ground, and Cian sighed, pulling the salamander wool back down over his shoulders. He winced as the sun was harsh on his blue eyes, but after getting used to them he looked down at the broomstick in the dirt.
Sighing he ran a hand through his black hair and shook his head. "I probably have a few minutes before Bell and Lady Hestia get here… I can get one more try in."
I have to get this… I must, I need to be ready. Ready… for when he comes, for when they come for all of us, Cian thought as he got to a knee and ran his hand over the broom. He looked over at the Gae Bulg, it's red metal glinting in the sun as it leaned against the tavern wall. I need to completely master you; it'll be my only chance to win.
Cian had probably seen the intense eyes of Connla every night the last week and a half.
"Do me a favor and prepare yourself, grow stronger. So that when I kill you, I'll face at least some modicum of a challenge."
He heard those words every night. That man, and the Morrigan familia, were prepared to kill him and everyone in Orario, including his familia and party to get the spear, to get Cian.
And I must be ready… Cian said, letting out a breath he'd been holding as he picked up the spear.
"So that's what happened to Syr's broom, she's been looking for it," A serene calm voice said, as Cian's face got red as he jumped and looked to the back door.
"Oh! Tell Syr I said I'm sorry," He said, bowing to the elf, and keeping his head down to hide his red face. "Good morning Ryuu."
"Good morning, Cian," Ryuu said, taking Syr's broomstick back. "You've been out here for a few hours; I saw you from my window before the sun rose."
Cian rubbed his head sheepishly. "Ha, yeah… I've been doing it the last few days; I hope I haven't been waking you up. I try to be quiet."
Ryuu smiled, and Cian's face got red. It normally did when she did that to him.
"It's not a problem, I don't sleep much anyway," She said, meeting Cian's eyes. "You've gotten better at that kata as the days have progressed, you're trying it blindfolded."
Cian eagerly nodded and reached out his hand. The Gae Bulg shot from the wall of the tavern to Cian's waiting hand, and he held it over his shoulder.
"You bet, Chu used to practice it blindfolded every morning even at level 7," Cian said, looking up at the morning sun gleaming off the tip of the spear with Ryuu. "I remember getting up and watching him… he never missed a single step, not once. He told me, that if you do it enough and dedicate yourself to it, your body will remember on its own, and you'll be able to do it even blindfolded!"
Ryuu smiled again. "A smart strategy, it makes sense he was such a powerful adventurer. You talk about him a lot; he must have been a good teacher."
"He was… he was the best of the best, nobody was stronger than him!" Cian said, before a sense of dread washed over him, and he sighed. "Which is why… I need to chase after him, be just as strong as he was, even stronger. So that way I can protect everyone when… well when he comes."
Ryuu knew exactly who Cian was talking about, he knew she did. Of all the people he had become friends with in Orario, even more then Bell and Lady Hestia, he felt most comfortable talking to Ryuu. She just had such a serene sense of calm and confidence to her, that he couldn't help but feel that way himself when he talked.
Not to mention their rooms were in the same hall. He had finally managed to pay off his debt to Mama Mia, but he still needed somewhere to stay, so he continued working and paying to rent the room he'd been in. The church that Bell and Lady Hestia were at was still too small.
Connla's intense eyes came to him again, and Cian shivered from a cool breeze.
"It's noble of you to want to prepare so you can protect everyone. It's good that you want to grow strong," Ryuu told him, before meeting his eyes. "Just remember, when the time does come for you to face him, or the Morrigan familia again, you won't be doing it alone. You-."
"I have everyone with me, don't worry," He told her, smiling at her. "I won't run off to try and do it all myself again, I promise."
Her smile came back. "Good, so long as you remember that…. So, you're waiting for Mr. Cranel, you're all finally heading to the middle floors today, correct?"
"That's right!" Cian said, actually a bit excited at the idea. He stretched out his arms and leaned the spear over his shoulders. "It'll be nice to finally get out again. And since Bell and I are level 2, we should have no problem with-."
"Cian, you need to be careful. I'm not doubting the strength of the monsters you saw and faced in Ulster," Ryuu cut him off, sternly shaking her head. "But the dungeon is different from the forests or mountain you're used to fighting in. It has a mind of its own, it doesn't like being invaded… it will test every bit of your strength, both physical and mental. It will grind you down until you believe you can't go on, and only then… will it bare its true fangs."
Cian heard the seriousness to her tone, but didn't want to worry her, despite those words sending a chill down his spine.
"I know, my guild advisor said something similar, just… not as morbid," He said, rubbing his head again and nodding at Ryuu. "You don't have to worry about me Ryuu, I promise you I'll be back safe and sound with my whole party before you know it!"
She let out a sigh, the sun beaming off her short cropped blonde hair. Eventually, she nodded. "If you're promising, I'll accept it," she said, before meeting his eyes again. "Oh yes, I almost forgot as well. I didn't say it yesterday, but congratulations on receiving your name from the gods."
Cian couldn't help but get giddy. He was already ecstatic when Lady Hestia told him a good number of the gods said they'd keep a look out for the Fomroians, and the Morrigan familia, but then he learned that he finally received a name from all the gods and goddesses in attendance. Back in Ulster, it normally took someone years before they earned their name, and even then, they still needed to perform a great feat, something even greater than what it took to level up.
He was a bit skeptical at first, but Lady Hestia had assured him killing the first Fomorian seen in centuries made it more than appropriate occasion, and Cian chose to believe her.
"Ha, thanks!" He said excitedly, looking up at the red Gae Bulg again. "I kinda feel like I'm copying Diarmuid a bit, but I like it! I actually like it a lot! The-."
"The Lancer of Red!" A new voice said, excited at first, but when Cian and Ryuu turned to Syr she pouted. "So, it was you who's been taking my broom every morning these last few days!"
Finn Mac Comhail had given Cian a bit of advice that he liked to remember every single day. That advice was you should always fear the wrath a gently smiling person. And nobody he knew smiled gentler then Syr, so when she started pouting and narrowing his eyes at him, he dropped the Gae Bulg and bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I was just trying to practice my kata," Cian said, trying to ignore the smirking, amused Ryuu next to him, who handed Syr back the broom as she approached. "If I use the Gae Bulg and practice I could accidentally activate its power!"
Syr laughed at him, which Cian preferred a look more then her pouting. She was very cute obviously, but cute to the point where she was terrifying if she got angry.
"Hahaha, well I suppose I can forgive you," She teased, poking at him and smirking. "If you just let me take an extra fifteen minutes on my break tomorrow night!"
Cian let out a breath but managed to laugh. "Ha… I can do that, I promise."
"Alright!" She said excitedly. Her big grey eyes met Cian's as she smiled. "I never congratulated you yesterday either Cian! Or again should I call you 'Lancer of Red'!"
"Haha… it's no big deal really!" Cian said sheepishly again. "But… I will admit, I do really like that name. I'll have to live up to it in the dungeon now!"
"It's odd however, that it was Lady Freya who came up with it," Ryuu said, meting Cian's eyes. "At least that's what the papers said, she's taking credit for coming up with your name."
Oh man, Lady Hestia can't be happy about that… Cian thought, she knew how protective she got of him and Bell, especially against Goddesses like Lady Freya.
"It is a bit strange," Cian said. "But either way, I'm grateful. I'll have to thank Lady Freya if I ever get a chance to meet her!"
"I'm sure she'd appreciate it! Besides, who cares why, she must have just realized how strong you were Cian," Syr said smiling.
She was probably right, Cian knew that. The word had been spreading about him killing a Fomorian, and with the items they brought back, that was the proof. After that, the offers to 'buy' Cian from Lady Hestia had started coming in again, but according to Hestia, she'd made it quite clear at the Denatus he wasn't for sale.
Cian was thankful for that; he couldn't imagine being with any other goddess now.
Syr smiled at him. "And now that you and Bell are both level 2, you're only going to get even stronger from here!"
Cian nodded, looking at the spear again. "Yeah, we will! And today's the day, I wonder-."
"Oh! That's what I came back here for!" Syr suddenly said, reaching into her pack and pulling out a tiny neatly packed lunch tied in a ribbon. "Bell and Lady Hestia are here for you Cian! I didn't expect them this early."
Cian's eyes widened, and he smiled as he took the lunch. "Bell and I wanted to get going bright and early before everyone else gets down to the dungeon! Thanks again Syr, you too Ryuu!"
"Be careful!" Syr told him. "You and Bell look after each other, and we'll have lunch waiting for you when you all get back!"
"And remember what I said Cian, be careful down there," Ryuu said as well.
"Don't worry I promised didn't I?" Cian said, picking up the Gae Bulg and waving to them as he ran towards the door. "I'll see you guys later wish me luck!"
"Good luck!" Syr said excitedly, waving, as Cian saw Ryuu simply smiling.
And that was all the inspiration he needed.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"You know Cian, I hope you didn't pick that salamander wool just because of the new name you just received," Lady Hestia said, the three of them standing outside The Hostess of Fertility.
Cian chuckled and shook his head, looking to Bell. "It's not that I promise! Bell and I went to Ms. Eina yesterday, and she recommended it."
"He's right! We need to be extra prepared for the middle floors," Bell said, backing him up. "But I will admit, it is a bit flashy."
Cian sighed in relief, he liked to think he was practical, but he did love the way his armor and salamander wool looked. His light armor was in the same design the last one he wore was. Welf had made it black with red trim on the plates, lightweight and easy to move in just like Bell's. He trusted Welf's work with his life, it took almost a dozen hits from a Fomorian to break his last set, plus if Welf had what Cian thought he had waiting… he could almost kiss the smith for having him so prepared for the dungeon.
Lady Hestia pursed her lips, and Cian guessed she was probably thinking about Bell being so close to Ms. Eina. Cian had gotten used to things like that, constant questions about Bell's encounters with other girls.
Cian tried to cover for Bell when he could, but ever since Lady Hestia had caught him lying about Bell training with the sword princess, she'd been brutal dragging the information out of Cian.
Lady Hestia finally sighed and nodded. "Well, if your guild advisor says it'll be of use then I have no complaints."
"Awesome!" Bell said, turning to Cian. "Goddess Hestia is right Cian; you're really living up to your new name! But are you sure you're fully healed?"
"Fully fit and ready to go!" Cian said, patting his arm and picking up the Gae Bulg. "The dungeon isn't ready for the new Hestia familia."
Lady Hestia and Bell both smiled and then nodded at each other. Cian smiled as well, it seemed they had both been worried. That made him happy, really happy.
Lady Hestia nodded and reached into a small pack she'd had slung across her chest. "One more thing before you leave Cian. Now, Hermes gave this to me, he… said he got it in Ulster during his journey, it was retrieved by Lord Nuada."
"Lord Nuada?!" Cian said, his eyes widening. "Lady Scathach talked about him all the time; he was her mentor. But what could… what… how did they get this?"
Cian looked at the scarf with reverence. His hands shook as he reached out to take it from Hestia. The stitching was a little rough, and it had clearly been in the last battle he, Lady Scathach, and everyone else had fought, it had speck and stains of dirt and grime, but the black raven was still clear as day.
And he knew exactly where this had come from.
"Hermes said Lord Nuada retrieved it from the site of your last battle with Scathach," Hestia said, as Cian looked at Bell and handed him the Gae Bulg to hold. She shook her head. "I have no idea though what it's from, what-."
"Chu… it was his," Cian said, gripping tight to the scarf. "Lady Scathach gave this to Chu to wear during battle, it helped distinguish him to other familias as our captain. He would tie it around his arm before every battle…."
So that was what Cian did. The sun continued to rise, sweat dripped down the back of his neck, and his hands shook slightly when he went to tie it around his arm. He pulled it out from underneath the red salamander wool and attempted to tie it again. Still, his hands shook.
He felt guilty as he tried. Here he was, a member of the Hestia familia, was it really right for him to be so desperately clinging to a piece of cloth that belonged to his last familia?
Lady Hestia put his worries at ease, because she came over, smiled at him, and grabbed the scarf himself. She tied the scarf around his arm, so the raven was displayed on his outer arm, and after pulling the knot tight, she smiled up at him.
"There, now you look just like Setanta did!" Hestia said happily, both her hands on her hips as she stepped back.
"That looks great Cian," Bell said with a reassuring smile.
Cian let out a breath and smiled himself. He saw what they were doing. They'd been making sure the last week and a half to make sure he felt at home, and they were doing a fantastic job. As much as he did miss Ulster, and Lady Scathach, Chu, and everyone else of course… this was his home now.
And he was really starting to love it.
"Thank you, Lady Hestia, I'll have to thank Lord Hermes if I ever meet him as well," Cian said, taking the Gae Bulg back from Bell.
Hestia nodded and smiled at them both. "Now you're both ready. Be sure to be extra careful, watch each other's backs. And don't push yourselves too hard just because you're both level 2 now you understand?"
"Don't worry Goddess, we promise," Bell said with a bow.
Cian smiled and did the same. "I promised Ryuu the same thing, don't worry Lady Hestia, we'll be back before you know it with plenty of valis!"
Bell nodded in agreement and looked at Cian. "Okay, we should get going, ready Cian?"
Cian nodded. "You bet I am," he said, before turning to Hestia. "See you later Lady Hestia!"
"We're off, goodbye Goddess Hestia!" Bell said, as he turned and ran.
With one last look down at the scarf on his arm now, that raven displayed, he sucked in a breath and chased after Bell.
To get stronger, to be ready to face him, I need to get stronger, Cian thought as Bell smiled over at him when he caught up.
And to get stronger, to be able to protect everyone, I'll conquer the entire dungeon if I have too!
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"There you both are!" Lillie said with a smile, jumping off the stone wall with her massive backpack at the ready. "I have everything we need, Master Welf just got here!"
"Yeah, here I was worried I'd be late!" Welf joked from next to her. "Good thing even when you guys are late, we're still early as hell."
Bell laughed as they came to a stop. "Ha, sorry you guys, we had to stop and get Cian."
"Yeah, it's my fault," Cian said huffing and puffing from the run, hoisting the Gae Bulg up to his shoulder and smiling over at Bell. "You know, if we ever make enough valis, it'd be nice to actually be able to live with you and Lady Hestia, that way you don't have to make the extra stop."
"And so, you don't have to work as a waiter?" Welf teased.
They all laughed when Cian quickly nodded. It was true. He appreciated everything Mama Mia did for him, and she even said he didn't have to work for her anymore. However, if Cian worked a few nights a week, he could use that money to pay for his room, letting him keep all his dungeon earnings. He was lucky, since the Gae Bulg was a divine weapon, it very rarely needed maintenance, and Cian remembered the very specific ways Chu would sharpen and clean the weapon himself.
If he was going to protect his new familia, he needed to get strong, and make money, so he had to get creative if he could.
The time was still early, only a few sparce adventurers were coming to the dungeon this early. The muggy air of morning was starting to leave, replaced by a nice cool, breezy and sunny day. Back in Ulster, Diarmuid would have called it 'a peach of a day ripe and ready to be plucked of monsters.'.
He didn't know why he had used such specific terminology, but Cian always liked that saying. Welf had his greatsword strapped across his back, and Lillie was ready with her backpack, and as always Bell had his red knife Ushiwakamaru, and the Hestia knife. For a minute, Cian almost felt like he was back with the Scathach familia, he got those familiar prebattle jitters, which felt like butterflies in his chest.
Fergus had told him, even at his large size he had still gotten them, so that gave Cian some solace. He smiled and looked out over his party as they finished laughing.
I won't be useless! I won't let you guys down, you can count on me, Cian thought with a smile.
"Okay! I made sure to restock out potions with Master Miach," Lillie announced proudly. "We'll aim for the fifteenth floor, collect a good number of items and magic stones, let's not push it too far past that. Since it's our first time in the middle floors, we shouldn't push it too far."
"Right!" "Right!" Cian and Bell said at the same time.
Welf smiled and slapped a hand on Cian's shoulder. "Before we head out, Cian… I got something for you buddy."
Cian's heart leapt and he turned to Welf with a massive smile. "Did you finish it in time?!"
"What do I look like an amateur?" The smith said, smirking as he walked over to the wall they'd been sitting on. "Wanted to make sure you had it before we went to the middle floors. Besides, I made Bell a piece of gear, it's only fair I make you one."
"The sword?!" Bell said, walking over with Lillie. "Come on let's see it!"
"He's right," Cian said walking over to Welf as he untied the ribbon around the cloth that the weapon had been wrapped in. "I can't thank you enough for this Welf, seriously!"
"Don't even mention it. Other then the fact you're my friend and a member of my party," Welf said with a wicked smirk as he grabbed the swords hilt, "no smith in Orario has ever worked with a Fomorian bone before…. That thing molded really well, it's a thing of beauty."
Welf pulled the new sword out of the sheath he'd brought for Cian. With a loud, distinct clanging sound he pulled the blade out and held it in the air. Cian's mouth fell open as the sun hit off the weapon, as Bell and Lillie had similar reactions.
"Never forged an Ulster style sword before, how'd I do?" Welf asked, handing the weapon over to Cian.
It was remarkably light the sword. After they'd given the bones of the Fomorian to Lord Dian Cecht to identify, Welf had come up with the idea of making a sword from them. Cian didn't know if it was possible, but his friend had been up to the challenge.
And it worked out tremendously.
Cian was shocked how light it was, considering how massive the bones and Mog had been. The blade was the light tannish color of bones, while the crossguard was a silver half circle, with a black leather grip, and the pommel was silver as well, a half-circle and small circular ball underneath it. His friends took steps back, and he gave it a swing. Cian cut the sword through the air, it swung so easily, and was so perfectly balanced Cian felt giddy.
He didn't stop smiling the whole time as he looked back at Welf. "It's perfect Welf, you're the best damn smith in Orario!"
Welf laughed and handed him the sheath. "HAHA, you flatter me, I'm glad you like it. That thing isn't just a hell of a sword, those Fomorian bones conduct magic like crazy. It'll work really well with your enchantments."
"This is amazing Master Cian!" Lillie said, as Cian slid the sword back into the sheath. "This makes our combat situation so much more versatile!"
"Lillie's right," Bell said with a smile. "You bought a sword before going after the Fomorian didn't you?"
"I did, but it was nothing compared to this! Diarmuid and Chu used to use their spear and a sword at the same time, I hope I'm ready," Cian said, clipping the sword sheath to his belt. "Alright, i think we're all set to go!"
"You bet we are!" Bell said, turning to everyone and taking the first step towards the dungeon with a smile on his face. "Come on, it's time to take on the middle floors!"
Cian smiled as he jogged behind everyone, looking down at the sword on his belt.
This is it, my journey for strength begins here!
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Hestia
Hestia sighed as she tied the string of her uniform and weaved her way through adventurers towards babel tower. Of course, she didn't want to work that day, but ever since she'd received a second child to support, she felt more inclined to work hard. Still, despite being ready for work now, seeing all the adventurers walking past her only made her nerves worse.
Bell, Cian… please, please be safe and don't do anything crazy, she thought, coming to a stop when she heard a familiar voice.
"Above all else, come back alive!" Take's voice said sternly, looking at a group of humans. "Don't push yourselves and be safe before anything!"
"SIR!" They all responded in unison.
"Good," Take said, looking to a girl in the middle. "And Mikoto, don't push yourself now that you've ranked up, understand?"
"Sir!" The girl in the middle said. She had purple eyes and a black ponytail, with a strand of hair looping over her one eye.
"Thank you Lord Takemikazuchi!" The largest of them all said, and Hestia watched as the group of them all headed off towards the dungeon.
She smiled, she had said the exact same thing to Bell and Cian earlier, she was beginning to feel like a proper goddess now. Hestia knew she'd need to be, if she was going to protect Bell from the other gods, and Cian from whatever it was in Ulster that was coming after The Child of Light.
"Take!" Hestia said, weaving through adventurers towards her friend. "Good morning! I take it those are the child of your familia?"
"Hestia, good morning," He said with a smile, before they both looked back at the children heading towards the dungeon. "Yes, they are. Always gets me a little worried sending them off."
"I understand how that feels now," Hestia said. "Are they making their first trip down to the middle floors today?"
"They are," Take said, looking down at her with a smile. "I hear your Little Rookie and new Lancer of Red are heading down there as well."
"That's right," She said, looking at the ground. "They left pretty early this morning… I'm relieved they have each other now, but still…"
Take smiled and put a hand down on her shoulder. "Well, worrying won't do anything! All we can do is trust in their ability now, right?"
Hestia smiled at the reassurance, she had watched Cian kill a Fomorian just over a week ago, and Bell had defeated a minotaur and silverback at level 1, surely they'd be alright. At least she had to hope.
"You're right," She said, smiling back at him. "All we can do is trust in them-."
Hestia was cut off by the ground beneath her shaking. It wasn't a large quake, but still enough to make her and Take pause and look at the ground, small stones jumping about.
"An earthquake…?" Hestia said skeptically.
Take sighed. "We've been getting more and more of them lately."
"Still… that's a bit worrying," She said, looking up at Take. "Oh, I wanted to thank you again Take, for backing me up at the Denatus."
Take nodded, smiling at her again. "Of course, it's the least I can do for a friend. Your Lancer of Red… the boy Cian, he was really Scathach's child wasn't he?"
"You bet!" Hestia said. "And he acts like her to a tee, he even kinda looks like her and Setanta."
"That he does," Take said with a laugh. "Ha, I was surprised to hear it when he'd come. Still… Scathach defeated, I never thought that would be possible. These Fomorians, and Morrigan, it takes a lot for Miach to look so worried."
Hestia's chest thumped and she let out a breath. "I said the same thing. All we can do is be prepared now. Cian and Bell both… they're determined to get stronger."
Take smiled reassuringly. "Well you know you'll have my support Hestia, just like always."
The reassurance worked and Hestia looked to the dungeon entrance. "Thank you Take…. We'll have to have our children meet up together soon! Hopefully they'll be as good of friends as we are."
"I'm sure they will," Take said confidently.
Hestia smiled at that, remember Bell, Cian, don't try to take on the whole challenge yourself."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Cian
"Now!" Bell yelled, throwing the hellhound off his bracer, ducking, and spinning around. "Cian!"
"Here it goes!" Cian yelled, rearing the Gae Bulg back behind his head.
He launched the spear out of his hand. It zipped through the air and impaled the hellhound in the eye, before Cian thrust out his hand and summoned the red spear back to his hand. His eyes widened when another hellhound was already leaping towards him. He went to duck away, but that was when Bell was there.
"FIREBOLT!" Bell yelled, as a blast of fire hit past Cian's head and knocked the hellhound away.
Cian smiled and turned. "Welf you're up!"
"I got it!" Welf yelled, rushing past him, and swinging his massive greatsword to cleave the hellhound clear in half.
Cian didn't have time to congratulate him, as he heard the roar of fire coming from behind him. He spun around and lifted up his new sword that he dual wielded in his left hand. The fire came towards him, and he sliced the sword up into the air. The fire was cut in half, and he looked to see the sword start glowing with the bright flames. The hellhound had leapt through its attack, but Cian ducked and thrusted his new sword upwards into the hellhounds stomach.
He yelled as he sliced the blade outwards and it cut through the monster like it was nothing. It exploded into dust, a blast of fire exploding it from the inside. Cian smiled at the new blade in his hands, when Welf had told him it conducted magic well, Cian had been using that to his full advantage.
"Cian behind you!" Bell yelled, leaping in front of him, as another hound leapt to take a bite out of Cian's back.
Bell let it clamp down on his protected forearm and stabbed it with the Hestia Knife. It exploded to dust just as Welf came up next to them, and for the moment it looked like the fight was over.
"Look out!" Lillie yelled, before a crossbow bolt soared past their head and impaled the last hellhound right in the eye. It fell to the ground and Welf yelled, lunging forward, and stabbing his greatsword into it, finally killing the last of the pack.
Cian smiled with Bell and looked behind him. "Ha, you got a great eye Lillie!"
"And thanks to it, we survived our first middle floor fight!" Welf said, picking up a magic stone from the ground.
Lillie tried to appear serious, she did that often, trying to come off as completely cool, calm and under control, but Cian could tell deep down she was just like them. He saw her smile at the praise, before walking past them towards the stones.
"We did, but we should find a more open area," She said, bending to pick up the magic stones we'd managed to win so far. "If we stay here, it'll be easy for us to get surrounded."
Cian nodded and surveyed the area. The middle floors so far had been just like the upper floors, and he was finally starting to feel the difference in his strength from level one to two. His movements were sharper, more precise, his spells had more power, and so far… he felt a bit safer, especially with Bell who he knew was even further ahead of him. After that, Welf was close to leveling up to two as well, and with Lillie's knowledge of the dungeon, their party was moving efficiently.
He found himself calling out orders seamlessly with Bell, if there was one thing Cian knew from his time with Lady Scathach and her familia, it was the importance of operating well in a group.
"Jeez, always worried aren't you little bit?" Welf said, tossing the stone in his hand. He smirked over at Cian. "Cian! How's the sword treating you?"
"Yeah how is it Cian?" Bell asked as well. "It's seemed effortless for you to swing."
"It is!" Cian said excitedly, looking at the now sheathed sword in his hand, before smiling back up at the two of them. "And Welf you were right, it's absorbing and conducting magic like it's nothing, I'll have to think up new ways to take advantage of it."
"Expect nothing less from yours truly," Welf said, still smirking.
Bell chuckled. "Ha, it's just as good as the knife you made me Welf. So Cian, did you decide to give it a name yet?"
"Oh yeah," Welf said. "I can't understand a lick of that language they speak in Ulster, I figured you'd wanna name it something from there."
Cian laughed and smirked at them. "You're right, Ulster's language is hard to understand, but I learned it from the minute I could talk."
Bell and Welf looked at Cian like he had six heads, which made him burst out laughing. He'd spoken the sentence in Ulsteric, which was the language they still spoke in some older parts of Ulster. Kids growing up there learned that and the common tongue as well. Cian could remember hearing stories growing up in both, and even though the common tongue they spoke in Orario was what most of the world, he was proud he could still speak it.
After he finished laughing he smiled at his two confused friends. "Ha, that was Ulsteric, I said it is hard to understand, but kids in Ulster learn it as well as what we speak in Orario."
Bell's eyes widened with curiosity before he smiled. "Wow, that's awesome Cian! I've never met someone who could speak another language, you'll have to teach me some!"
Welf chuckled, seeming embarrassed. "You can leave me out of that, those words made my head spin, way too many consonants."
"Ha, I don't blame you it is tough to pick up," Cian said to him, before looking at Bell. "And if you wanna learn Bell I'll teach you! Anything for my muintir."
Bell looked confused again, and Cian laughed.
"Haha, that's the word in Ulsteric for familia," He said with a smile. "See? There's your first lesson!"
Bell smiled and laughed. "Haha… muintir. I'll have to remember it, we can even have Goddess Hestia learn."
Welf waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah, learn your language later," he looked at Cian. "So, back to the original question, what did you decide to name the sword."
Cian nodded, and unsheathed the new weapon, holding it up for them both.
"Cruaidin Catutchenn!" Cian said, looking at the light tan color of the blade made from the bones of a Fomorian. He smiled, happy with his declaration, then saw Welf and Bell looking at him to go on, and he realized they didn't know what the words meant.
He chuckled and re-sheathed the sword. "Ha… I'll probably shorten it to cruaidin. It roughly translates to 'sword of light', or 'light sword of judgement'. It's from an old tale they used to tell in Ulster. It was my favorite one, the tale of a hero who saved the first people of Ulster before the gods came down to the mortal world."
He listened to the drip of water, and the clinking of Lillie picking up magic stones, but he closed his eyes, and he could see the elder of his old village telling the story to all the kids around the fire. Cian had never known his parents, but the elder was kind enough to take care of all the orphans, and in that time he learned all the old stories of Ulster.
Bell of course went wide eyed; Cian knew of course how much he loved old hero stories.
"The heroes before the gods came down," Bell said excitedly. "What happens?!"
"The short version, we should get moving soon," Welf added.
Cian chuckled and racked his brain, looking at his new sword. "Well, the short version is that long before the gods came to the real world, was when the first monsters started appearing in Ulster. They were summoned by black magic, and a sorcerer used magic and took over our land. So, the great hero Cian called on the gods for help, and they sent him a sword of light."
"And he used the sword to defeat the sorcerer?" Bell asked.
Cian shook his head. "No… he actually lost. His army and forces were destroyed despite the swords power, with two others he stood against the sorcerer, despite knowing he'd lost. He never gave up, and they say that's when the swords true power activated. It destroyed the army in a wave of light, and then that's when the gods, the first generation of the Tuatha Danann came down to the lower world to help save Ulster."
"Cian huh? That was his name eh?" Welf said. "Your parents name you after him?"
"I guess haha, I never knew who they were, I was raised with the other orphans in my village," Cian told them, turning to see Lillie finished picking up the stones. "But… I guess you could say it became my favorite story because I share a name with that hero. He became the first king of Ulster and joined the familia of Lord Dagda himself. He knew he was defeated, but never stopped fighting for the people he cared so much for. As cheesy as it sounds, I wanna be like that."
He remembered telling that to Lady Scathach the first day he was in her familia. He expected the powerful goddess to chastise him for having silly dreams, or to curb his expectations. But all she'd said was she'd help him get there.
"That's a great story, you'll to tell me the long version when we get back," Bell said excitedly.
Cian laughed. "Ha, I definitely will. The elder used to tell it with real gusto, it's better over dinner and a fire anyway."
"You can count me in for that one then!" Welf said, turning to Lillie. "We all set little bit?"
Lillie nodded and looked up at the three of us. "All the stones are away. Master Cian, why don't you check in with your familiar?"
Cian nodded, he had summoned his fox familiar using his rune magic earlier, and had it scout ahead of them. A group of monster's hellhounds had just attacked them, so he liked to think the chamber ahead was clear.
"Let me check," Cian said, drawing the runes in the air.
Welf smiled. "That thing will come in handy, just like this salamander wool."
"Yeah, the fire attacks from those hellhounds were nothing with these," Bell said sheepishly.
"You got a good fashion advisor," Welf said with a smirk.
Lillie shook her head. "Even with it, we don't want to get caught in such a small area. We need to find a-."
"Oh no…" Cian said, his stomach falling.
He'd seen nothing from his familiars' eyes.
He turned to his party. "My familiar got killed! There's probably-."
The shriek of a monster turned them all around. Cian's hand shot out, and the Gae Bulg floated from the ground up to his waiting hand. His left hand, went to the hilt of cruaidin, and he looked out from next to Bell expecting a massive pack of hellhounds goblins, or maybe bats.
But instead, there was nothing but tiny white rabbits with bright red eyes.
Cian froze, he looked to Lillie, to Welf, and finally up to Bell, who clearly understood what we were all thinking.
And Lillie finally said it. "They… look like you."
Welf scoffed. "Yeah, little Bell bunnies."
"I didn't know you could get any cuter Bell," Cian added in.
Bell's face got red. "They're called almirajs!
Cian almost scoffed, the tiny rabbits were no bigger than Cian's head. He'd faced off against scorpions, killer ants, and plenty of other small monsters like this that looked twice as deadly in the mountains of Ulster. He was beginning to think Ryuu was exaggerating to him, and maybe Eina had been too.
But then, the almiraj shrieked again, and pulled out an axe before leaping towards them, it was followed by two more rushing forward and leaping up as well.
"Oh, Bell's angry," Welf said.
Lillie sighed. "Please tell your little friends to leave us alone."
"They have nothing to do with me!" Bell yelled, leaping forward with the Hestia knife, and slicing clean through the three of them.
Cian's eyes widened. "Wait, I remember Ms. Eina saying they-."
He was cut off by more screeching, and dozens of pairs of red eyes staring at them all from different dungeon tunnels.
Cian gulped. "Traveled in packs…"
"Everyone move!" Lillie yelled, as the white rabbits started pouring into the chamber. "We need to find an open area! Master Cian, start chanting to enhance our weapons!"
"Right!" Welf and Bell shouted at the same time.
Cian's bones started shaking, as he watched the hoard move towards them.
"The dungeon is different from the forests of mountains you've fought in."
Ryuu was right… I should never have doubted it, Cian thought, gulping as he sucked in a breath and twirled the Gae Bulg in his hands. Come on Cian, this is nothing!
But this was the first time he'd truly be tested in a situation like this. Mog of course was stronger then a heard of tiny rabbits with axes, but at least there had only been one of him. He remembered dozens of situations similar to this with Lady Scathach and the others, and he calmed himself by asking a simple question.
What would they all do now? What would Chu be doing?
Chu's knees wouldn't be clacking at the knees, that was for sure. Chu would be the first to rush to the front with Diarmuid, Fergus would secure one flank, while Lady Scathach got the other, in the back Cian would protect Uathach while she buffed everyone's weapons, and Finn would be in the middle of the formation watching over the area and shouting out new orders if needed.
Most importantly, Chu would remain calm. And his calmness would spread to the rest of us, the very definition of a leader.
"Master Cian hurry!" Lillie yelled, and Cian was jolted back to reality.
He looked and saw the massive pack of rabbits closing in, before gritting his teeth and looking at the scarf around his arm. Chu had always said the advice of 'be your own type of warrior' was rubbish.
"Steal from everyone. If you see a tactic, a technique or ability you think would be useful imitate it. Don't be too proud to follow other people's example."
So let me do what you would have done Chu! Cian thought, nodding, and turning to run with the rest of his party.
And while he did, he drew runes in the air.
"Oh great gods of the Tuatha Danann, my allies and I humbly call upon your aid!" Cian started chanting as he drew in the air. He followed Lillie, Welf and Bell around a few turns, the massive back or rabbits close on their heels.
When they finally got to a more open area of the dungeon, he saw Lillie come to a stop, Bell and Welf coming up besides her.
Cian gritted his teeth and finished the rest of his runes, coming to a skidding stop in front of his friends as he pulled out cruaidin and slashed the sword through the runes in the air.
"To save this land and the people we fight so hard to protect, bless me and my comrades now!" He yelled, just as the first wave of four rabbits jumped at him. "Grant us the power of fire! GHABAIL BELTAINE!"
Fire erupted up the blade of cruaidin and Cian slashed it forward with a yell, cutting clean through the four rabbits before their axes could hit him, and then he spun and reared the Gae Bulg-now burning with hot flames over his shoulder.
"Take this!" He yelled, throwing the spear into the group of monsters.
The flames shot out, killing several of them. More importantly it gave Cian's party room to breathe, away from a massive drop waiting for them in the ledge they'd been near. The cavern they'd come out into was massive in terms of how open it was going up, but the ledge would drop them at least three more floors.
Cian shot out his hand, and the flaming Gae Bulg shot back to his right hand. He spun it in his one hand and took a stance with his sword in the other, both full of flames.
"Move forward! Back-to-back, take out as many as you can!" Lillie yelled out, as the group of them all with flaming weapons rushed forward to the center of the cavern.
"Look out, more of them coming from the left!" Welf shouted out, before yelling and slashing away a group of rabbits with his greatsword.
"This way too!" Bell yelled, spinning like a whirlwind and cutting away another four of the monsters.
Lillie's crossbow bolt shot past Cian's head. "Worry about what's in front of you!"
Cian turned and saw one rabbit leap up towards him from the right. He skewered it with the Gae Bulg, before turning and cutting his new sword across another four of them. Sure enough, when he looked into the multiple passages leaking into the area, he saw more sets of eyes, red glowing eyes followed by bats, hellhounds and more of the rabbits coming for them.
Bell yelled next to him, cutting down rabbits left and right, Welf skewered them with his sword while not a single one of Lillie's bolts missed their mark. Cian spun like a red whirlwind, the Gae Bulg created a red storm around him, while the flames around his sword grew thanks to its conductivity of magic. He cut across one and turned with a yell.
"GET AWAY!" Cian he screamed, tossing the flaming sword towards the ground.
It stuck into the dirt and exploded with flames, creating a small gap in the monsters which Cian rushed into, trying to great a bigger opening. He grabbed the sword by the hilt and spun with the Gae Bulg outstretched. Cian moved like a red blur, the point of the Gae Bulg cutting through the rabbits like a knife through butter, but when he finally came to a stop he felt fangs clamp down on his left arm.
"GAHHHH!" Cian yelled, turning to see a hellhound had clamped down on his bracer.
He dropped his sword and tried to bring the Gae Bulg around to stab the hound, but he heard the monsters yell from his right. Another three rabbits had tried to come down with their tiny axes to chop through his arm, but still screaming from the pain of the hellhound latch to his arm he swiped the flaming Gae Bulg through the air, killing the rabbits.
"FIREBOLT!" Bell yelled, and a massive blast of fire came through the air and hit the hellhound.
Cian's blood raced as the beast let go of his arm and he nearly fell from the sharp pain that came. He looked and saw blood dripping from his arm but ignored it as he picked up cruaidin from the ground, the sword still bursting with flames.
He heard Bell yell and looked to see him come around and stab the Hestia knife through the hellhounds eye, before he spun and kicked away a rabbit and looked at Cian.
"You okay?!" He asked, as the two of us slowly retreated back towards Welf and Lillie.
"Yeah… yeah I'm fine," Cian lied as his arm throbbed, blood leaking from it.
He wasn't the only one breathing heavy. Around him, Bell, Lillie and Welf all were covered in muck, their chests heaving as they held up their still flaming weapons. The crowd of monsters inched closer as the pain crept up Cian's arm, and he could see his party was in a similar state.
But instead of his left-hand shaking, he only tightened his grip on his sword, and his spear.
And he did what Chu would have done.
"I thought you guys were in better shape then this!" He teased as they all closed in tighter next to each other. "I'm the one who was half dead a week ago!"
"Now's not a time for jokes Master Cian!" Lillie scolded him. "We have to-."
"Kill the monsters I know!" He said, raising up the Gae Bulg. "For us, that'll be no problem! Because we're tougher than anything this dungeon has, they'll run out of monsters before we fall. Besides, I told Ryuu and Syr we'd be back in time for dinner!"
"Cian's right!" Bell shouted from next to him, pulling out his second knife. "We're going to get out of here, all of us, I'm going to make sure!"
"There's not a chance we fall here!" Cian yelled again, even managing to smile. "The dungeon is gonna have to do a lot better than some rabbits that look like Bell!"
"You're right about that," Welf said through gritted teeth, raising his sword.
Even Lillie scoffed, loading her crossbow again. "I trust in you guys…. Now, Master Bell, Master Cian! Focus on creating us a path! Everyone move together, Master Welf you watch their back, I'll provide cover and call out when I see more!"
"RIGHT!" Cian, Bell and Welf all yelled together.
We're getting out of here, all of us, and I'll make sure of it!
And Cian waded into the monsters like a red maelstrom.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Mikoto
"Mikoto! Don't fall behind!" Ouka yelled from in front of her.
She gritted her teeth, cutting through one hellhound from underneath, leading it into a roll and coming up to thrust her sword through another that came leaping towards her. After it disappeared, her heart continued to race, panic hadn't set in yet, but it was close. She knew however, that she needed to remain calm for her party's sake.
That was hard however, when she saw poor Chigusa injured on Ouka's back.
Focus! Don't let your mind wonder, she told herself, rushing forward back next to Ouka, their legs not stopping for a second. The views of the dungeon shot past them, and Mikoto could hear the snarling of the hellhounds getting closer. In the middle floors, they would spawn even faster now.
"I'm sorry you have to do that!" Ouka yelled, as an exit out into a much larger cavern could be seen in the distance.
Mikoto shook her head, if I was stronger… no, I need to remain calm!
"You have nothing to apologize for Sir Ouka," She told her captain. "A party needs to stick together!"
The growling got closer, and Mikoto pulled herself to a stop. Her boots skidded against the ground, and with a swift turn her sword came from its sheath and cut through a group of the white rabbits who'd come leaping from the hidden parts of the passage. They were cut away, and a that was when a hellhound had finally caught up. She dashed forward and ducked under its jaws, before swinging her sword back around her body and cutting through it again.
She came to a stop and looked down the passage they'd come from. All she saw were more red eyes, and all she could do was grind her teeth and turn around.
Up ahead, she saw that Ouka, and the others had stopped.
"Sir Ouka, they're catching up to us!" Mikoto said, coming up next to him. "We need to find defensible ground and come up with a new strategy to-."
She stopped when she heard even more monsters. The growls and shrieks came from in front of them and her hand instinctively went to her sword, however these monsters weren't attacking her party. She looked out into the much more wide open cavern, and saw a huge hoard of monsters surrounding a party of four. Mikoto's eyes dashed first to the one boy with a red knife and white hair, spinning and cutting his way through a hellhound, followed by a taller man with red hair swinging a greatsword.
A prum supporter shouted out orders and fired bolts from a crossbow at her wrist, and while it was slow progress the hoard of monsters around them was shrinking, but it didn't seem to be without consequence. Each one of them was covered in injuries but kept fighting, and while the three she saw first seemed to be skilled, it was the storm of red that came in next that caught Mikoto's eye and stirred something in her brain.
A boy in black armor spun with a spear and a sword in his hands. His eyes were narrowed, his teeth gritted as he bled from the arm. All of their weapons were alight with fire, and when a group of three hellhounds looked ready to pounce on the supporter she heard him shout.
"LILLIE!" He shouted, spinning, and throwing the spear in his hand with precision. It impaled on hellhound and knocked another away. It gave the supporter time to hit the third with a crossbow bolt, and then the boy sped forward and cut clean through it.
And then, he shot out his hand, and the spear soared through the air back to his hand.
The spear was also red, and that was what made Mikoto remember.
The Lancer of Red, he's the one who just received a name from the gods! She thought, remembering Lord Takemikazuchi mentioning it. That made the white haired boy-who came in to cut away a group of rabbits coming to attack the lancer- the Little Rookie. Her mind was jumbled, but she could swear their god had said something else important about them, but what-.
"We'll have to run through them Mikoto," Ouka said suddenly, and Mikoto's head shot up to him.
"What?!" Mikoto said, even if they weren't people they should know, the idea was repulsive in her mind. "But they're in trouble! If we lead the group that's with us they'll be-."
"I'm much more concerned with the lives of my own party, then those of a group of strangers!" Ouka said, as Mikoto heard Chigusa groan on his back.
She looked at her closest friend, along with the others who were all battered as well. IF she turned, she could see the red eyes getting closer and closer. Her stomach dropped as she looked back out at the group. They had almost been overwhelmed, it took tremendous fortitude, skill and bravery to get to the position they were already in to push back that many monsters.
The Little Rookie and Lancer of Red had almost led their party to victory despite the hoard around them still being massive. If the large group that had been chasing them attacked as well however...
She'd be effectively condemning the four of them.
"Look, I know you don't agree," Ouka said, hauling Chigusa up his back and shaking his head. "But you can yell at me all you want later!"
And when Ouka ran with the rest of her party, Mikoto had no choice. She gritted her teeth and ran after Ouka in to the open, staying in the rear, and not daring to look over at the party they were condemning to death. She heard their yells of battle, their exertion, and the roar of the beasts attacking them.
I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Mikoto thought grinding her teeth. It's for my friends, but still, that doesn't mean it was-.
"GAHHHH!" She yelled, pain suddenly consuming her left shoulder. If not for her red armor guard she could have been crushed by the hellhound leaping off her. She'd been foolish, she hadn't even looked up to make sure no monsters noticed her.
She was brought to the ground and could only raise up her arm to stop the hellhound from biting into her neck. It's red eyes and massive black form trapped her on the ground. She could hear the distant yelling of Ouka, but all she saw were the rows of dagger like teeth coming down for her neck.
It was all Mikoto could do to push it's jaws away, but then it reared its head back, ready to breath fire. The panic finally set in, her eyes went wide as she flailed to reach for her short blade, her own fiery death flashing before her eyes.
But then, a spear came flying through the air.
"Get off!" The voice yelled, as the red spear impaled the hellhound in the neck. Its blood splattered over Mikoto's clothes, but it disappeared into dust.
Mikoto's eyes widened as before the spear could hit the ground, it shot back to the left. She turned and saw the Lancer of Red rushing towards her. He had black hair, and sharp blue eyes which were wide and full of adrenaline. She didn't have time to react before he lunged in front of her, just barely cutting through another hellhound and rabbit before they could pounce on Mikoto again.
And then, he stood above her, The Lancer of Red. His eyes softened for a moment, as he reached down a hand.
"That was close, are you okay?!" He asked, his voice as calm as it could be.
Mikoto's mouth floundered as she looked up at his blue eyes, the concern evident in them. And she could only think one thing.
He… he saved me, and… and I-.
"MIKOTO!" Ouka's voice yelled, and her head spun around.
They had found a passage going upwards, and she saw Ouka coming to run back for her, Chigusa almost slipping from her back.
"Is that your party?!" The Lancer of Red asked. "That's great, let's join together and-."
Mikoto didn't let him finish, the guilt eating, clawing, snapping, and consuming her brain. She didn't look at him either, those soft blue eyes that had just saved her.
She only got up, and ran, her fists clenched, as she tried to hold back the tears from the guilt she felt.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Cian
"Wh…what?" Cian said, watching the girl in the purple kimono turn and run back towards her party.
She didn't look back once, and despite knowing he was in a battle Cian was so confused, he had to stop and just look at her. He had luckily seen the hellhound leap at her out the corner of his eye, if he had been a second later throwing the Gae Bulg she could have been dead. He wasn't expecting the girl to throw her arms around him and weep her thanks, but he'd at least thought she'd take his hand up.
He watched as she disappeared with her party down a corridor, still confused, but he was brought back to the fight by Bell.
"FIREBOLT!" He yelled, and Cian spun around to see the blast of fire explode near his head, saving him from a bat like monster that had dived down from above.
Bell, Welf and Lillie gathered back around him.
"What was that Cian?" Bell frantically asked.
Welf scoffed. "Some way of saying thanks after you saved her damn life."
Cian shook his head. "I don't know," he raised up his sword and the Gae Bulg. "But the pack's wearing out, hold on for just a bit longer, it's almost over-."
"No… no it isn't!" Lillie yelled, as the echoing of growls came from the same passage the girl and her party had come from. All their eyes turned to it, and Lillie put it into words. "THEY PASS PARADED US!"
A chill was sent down Cian's spine, when a massive hoard of white rabbits and more then a dozen hellhounds started pouring out of the passage, and it made sense now.
It wasn't that the girl was ungrateful he saved her. It was that she had felt guilty.
Because her party could have just condemned his own.
"Analyze, improvise and adapt, and above all always try to keep calm when your plans go stray," Finn's advice rang in his head.
Cian gritted his teeth, scanning the still large hoard of monsters that had spawned on them, plus the new massive group that was coming.
He turned to Bell. "Bell! Use the combo attack we talked about, we have to make an opening!"
"Got it!" Bell said, holding out his hand.
Cian did the same, light forming in his hand. "LIGHTNING SPEAR!"
"FIREEEBOLT!"
The two blasts of massive power shot from he and Bell's hands. They had stood close to each other, and when they launched Bell's fire surrounded and engulfed the long rod of lightning and when it slammed into the ground a massive cloud of smoke erupted, killing dozens of monsters just before the new hoard could come and join with them.
"That's the opening we need!" Lillie yelled, pointing towards a passage. "Head for that passage, we need to get out of here!"
Cian saw the narrow passage and an idea sprang into his mind. Something he'd seen Chu do long ago, when the Scathach familia had been pushed back to a narrow space by a hoard of monsters similar to this.
"I have an idea!" Cian yelled, sheathing his sword and holding the Gae Bulg out in front of him. "As we run keep me covered, and I'll be able to seal the passage off, trust me!"
"You got it!" Bell yelled out.
Welf nodded as well. "Show us that fancy spear Cian!"
"GO! MOVE!" Lillie urged them, just as Cian dropped the spear.
Before he started running, he caught it perfectly balanced on his foot then kicking it back into the air. He snatched it just as the monsters all ran towards them, and started running. The entire time he remembered the kata he'd done over a hundred times every morning for the last week. He ducked under rocks, moved around others jutting from the ground, as Bell fell back behind him, and Welf stayed at the front with Lillie.
"FIREBOLT!" Bell yelled, launching his magic back at the sword, as Cian continued the kata to activate the true power of his spear.
Bell yelled and leapt, swung and thrusted his Hestia Knife to keep the monsters who'd broken ahead in the pack. Cian couldn't hope to count how many ran after them, but he kept his eyes forward and on the spear in his hands as it twirled and spun. It didn't come naturally yet, his body didn't automatically know what to do, but he could feel it getting there, if he was like Chu he could have already had the spear fired off by now, but that would have to wait.
"Up here, be careful!" Lillie yelled as they came out to a more wide open area, but crossed a natural stone bridge.
"Bell! Be ready to use the other attack we talked about," Cian yelled to his, coming to a skidding stop as he turned halfway through the bridge and finished the kata.
"Got it! Lillie, Welf, go get behind us!" Bell yelled, urging the other two forward as he turned with Cian.
Cian snapped the Gae Bulg back under his shoulder, before thrusting it out. It exploded with red light, and Cian stood his ground as he waited for the monsters to come. He could see their distant red eyes, heard their roars as he began to chant.
"Oh great spear of the Tuatha Danann, spear of Ulster, spear of mortal death," Cian chanted, as he winced from so much red energy traveling up the spear. It vibrated as if it were alive, the red lightning like energy traveling up his arm. "Lend your power to this mortal body of mine so that I may protect the land and its inhabitants."
"Master Cian! Master Bell!" Lillie yelled from behind them.
Welf's voice came next. "He's got this relax!"
Cian's arm trembled as the Gae Bulg's this time didn't shatter his armor, he was prepared for the pain, prepared for how taxing it was to use its power.
Bell stood next to him, his salamander wool cloak flapping in the breeze that came through this area of the dungeon, his arm out at the ready.
"Fill me with the strength of the gods, let my strength join with your power to fight for a new and free tomorrow!" Cian chanted, as the eyes got closer, and closer. "I call on your power, oh great spear of the gods as your master Cian Mac Gallagher!"
He dropped the spear to the ground, and with his right foot kicked it spinning up into the air, and when he did Bell knew exactly what to do. They'd spoken about and planned out multiple different combination attacks to make use of their skills over the last week and it finally came to fruition.
Cian leapt into the air and snatched the still glowing red spear, just as the monsters leapt from the passage. "Behold the red fangs of Ulster, behold the power of my will and the gods. GAEEE BULGGG!"
"FIREEEEEBOLTTTT!"
The Gae Bulg exploded out of Cian's hand. Fire erupted from Bell's, as they both shot towards the bridge. Cian remembered Chu telling him, you didn't have to use the Gae Bulg's power on a single target, if you visualized where you wanted the spear to land, it would land there no matter what, so Cian, instead of aiming at a single hellhound or rabbit, he aimed right in the middle of that bridge.
It slammed into the stone just as a group of hellhounds and rabbits swarmed onto it. It exploded outwards, and Cian saw a massive swirl or tangling vines, sharp, deadly barbs on each curl and shoot in each direction. It was like a red storm cloud had landed on the bridge itself, and when Bell's firebolt hit it as well, it absorbed the fire and churned in a mass of red barbs and flames.
Cian felt the impact of using the power right away, it was as if everything had been momentarily sucked out of him. When he landed after throwing, his right away thrusted out his hand. When his feet hit the ground he stumbled, but from the tiny red storm the Gae Bulg flew back to Cian's waiting palm, and he used it to not fall over the edge and stay on one knee.
"Cian!" Bell yelled, rushing next to him. "Are you okay?"
No, no I feel like my body's going to shut down at any second, Cian thought, before gritting his teeth and letting Bell pull him to his feet. But… but I can't stop, I won't let it happen again, I won't lose another party!
He had been helpless when Lady Scathach and the others had been killed… would he finally gain strength now, just to let his new friends die? That wasn't an option.
Cian turned with Bell; the massive swarm of barbs now looked like a sort of large bush blocking the middle of the bridge. Thanks to Bell's firebolt it was also set aflame, so it was particularly deadly to the rabbits.
However, Cian had completely forgot about the hellhounds. Three of them leapt, and Bell stepped in front of him, cutting one in half, but the other two got over them.
"Welf, Lillie!" Cian yelled, adrenaline getting him to his feet, as he turned.
"ARGHH DON'T INSULT ME!" Welf yelled angrily, cutting apart one, but the second latched itself onto Lillie's backpack.
Lillie screamed and Cian shot to his feet, but before he could get their Bell beat him to it. He stabbed through the hellhound, before they all moved further down the path. Cian labored to breath and labored to keep up. Still, using the Gae Bulg to support him when he could, Cian eventually caught up to them as Lillie finally collapsed, before quickly getting to a sitting position.
"Lillie are you okay?!" Bell asked, as Cian slowly made his way over to her.
Lillie sighed and nodded. "I… I'm okay. What about you? And Master Cian! Using the spears power almost knocked you out last time!"
"And it almost did then… but don't worry I'm fine," Cian said, pulling out and downing one of Naaza's potions he had in a pouch at his belt. "Welf! What about you?"
"Gahh… ha… I'm alright," Welf said, clearly lying as he pressed down on a massive gash now on his arm from the hellhound. He groaned and shook his head. "I can't believe they did that to us…"
"We don't have time to worry about it now," Cian said, looking to Lillie. "Lillie, you're the dungeon expert, what's our best move?"
Lillie shook her head, as she labored to her feet. "I… I don't know, for now at least-."
"Guys!" Bell yelled, stepping forward, as Cian followed his gaze.
"You've gotta be kidding me…" Welf said, as a massive group of red eyes looked at them from down the passageway in front of them.
Cian's eyes widened as panic almost set in. "Don't worry at least our flank-."
"LOOK OUT!" Lillie yelled, firing a bolt past Cian's head.
An almiraj has leapt up and nearly dug into Cian's shoulder with an axe. He spun around, him looking down one corridor, Bell the other. He raised the Gae Bulg, and his mouth dropped.
"They… they got passed the barbs?!" Cian yelled as his skin began to crawl, the sweat cascading down his forehead and neck.
Lillie shook her head. "No, I bet they just spawned from the walls further in!"
"They flanked us, we're surrounded!" Welf yelled, finally putting it into words.
Cian's heart dropped to his shoes. Both his hands wrapped tighter around the Gae Bulg, as the sets of red eyes snapped and snarled at him. He tried to wrack his brain for a time that Lady Scathach's party had gotten trapped like this but came up empty. The question, 'what would Chu do' was useless for him now because he knew the answer. Chu never would have let his party get into a situation like this.
"The dungeon is different from the forests or mountain you're used to fighting in. It has a mind of its own, it doesn't like being invaded… it will test every bit of your strength, both physical and mental. It will grind you down until you believe you can't go on, and only then… will it bare its true fangs."
Ryuu… you were right, was all Cian could think, as the first group of rabbits leapt at him. We're dead… we'll die here, there's way to many too… no, no, no, no, NO!
"NO!" Cian yelled, his chest exploding as he leapt and spun into the rabbits. The tip of the Gae Bulg cut through them all, and he spun to find another group coming down the corridor. "LIGHTNING SPEAR!"
The lightning crackled in his hand, and he let it loose, blasting away a good amount of the monsters, as he saw Lillie's bolts fire past him. He heard Bell fighting behind him, Welf exerting and yelling as he swung his sword. Cian couldn't stop now, he wasn't going to die here in some dungeon, he wasn't going to let his friends die here. No, not again.
Never again!
It had happened already… but not again, he'd make sure of it.
Chu may never had found himself in this situation, but Cian knew what he would do if he ever had.
He'd fight, Chu would fight, so that's what Cian would do. That was their motto in the Scathach familia, no member was left behind, party safety and survival was the most important thing, even more then the mission. Even at the times Cian had messed up, had led them into danger with childish antics, they still always put themselves on the line for him.
So he needed to be willing to do the same.
"I'm gonna do it again!" Cian yelled over the fighting. "I'm gonna use the Gae Bulg, it'll clear us a-."
He was cut off, when he heard the loud distinct crack of stone breaking.
"ABOVE US!" Bell yelled. "FIREBOLT!"
"LIGHTNING SPEAR!" Cian yelled, turning towards the ceiling above them.
All he saw were red eyes, and his spell explode, before he instinctively reached towards Lillie, and his vision went black.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"M…Master…. Cian…" Lillie's squeaky voice said.
It was like a bolt of lightning had hit Cian's heart. His eyes shot open, and pain course through his back. He groaned and yelled as he pushed himself to his hands and knees, rocks sliding off his back, off his salamander wool cloak. After the debris fell off him, his ears began ringing, but his vision became clear. His mouth tasted like it was full of sand, but when he saw the massive form of Lillie's backpack he panicked and scrambled to her on his hands and knees.
"Lillie!" He croaked out, panicking, but his panic subsided when he saw her moving.
He remembered the rocks falling from above, and managed to push her onto her stomach. A few large stones were resting on her bag, which probably had saved her life by acting as a cushion from the falling debris.
"Ma….Master Cian… Master Bell…" Lillie said, looking up at him.
"Don't talk Lillie, I'll get you out!" He said, going to push the rocks of her but she shook her head.
"Look… help… Master Welf," She croaked before coughing.
"GAHHHH! DAMMIT!" Welf's voice yelled.
"CIAN!" Bell's came next.
Cian spun around, and his eyes widened when he saw Welf. A massive stone had crushed his ankle, and he desperately tried to pull it free. Bell on the other hand had managed to get to his feet. He held the Gae Bulg in his hands and rushed over to Cian when he saw him awake. Bell thrusted the spear into Cian's hands, Cian nodded at him, and Bell helped him to his feet.
"The… the cave collapsed…" Bell croaked out, as the two of them both looked at the damage.
I… I need to move, b…broke leg, apply torniquet and keep them off it in the field, Cian thought, using the Gae Bulg to push him over to Welf as he remembered Fergus's advice on how to treat wounds in the field.
"Bell… Bell cover me," Cian said, dropping the Gae Bulg and falling to his knees next to the boulder that trapped Welf. "Welf… don't move, I'm gonna get you out of here."
"Not… not like I'm going anywhere," Welf chuckled through the pain.
Cian nodded and put both his hands on the boulder. It wasn't massive, but still weighed a lot, and with how little strength he felt like he had now, it felt like it weighed a ton.
"Come on… COME ONNN!" He yelled, pushing, and digging his legs into the ground.
He felt it move a smidge and relief shot through him. He'd need to chug the last of the potions he brought from Naaza, but it would be worth it. If they wanted to get out, he and Bell would need to fight, Welf's leg wouldn't let him walk on his own, and Lillie was in bad shape. Cian's mind started to play out what they could do, he'd only been going into the dungeon for a month now, but still, it was going to come down to him and Bell if they wanted to get everyone out.
And… and I will, Cian thought through gritted teeth, biting down on his tongue to the point it bled as he yelled and pushed at the boulder. I won't let another party die, I can't, I won't I'll never-.
"Ma…Master Bell!" Lillie suddenly yelled.
"Cian!" Welf hissed. "Help Bell!"
Cian turned, and the panic finally set in. His vision was still a bit blurry, so he fumbled for the Gae Bulg as the hellhound reared back its head, roaring and looking down at Bell who seemed absolutely exhausted.
Finally, the fire came, and the back of Cian's throat nearly bled as he screamed.
So… this is why adventurers in Orario are so strong because they fight in this thing every day, we'd always heard rumors and laughed them off. We said those crazy adventurers from Orario were always exaggerating… now I know they weren't, Cian thought as he finally picked up the Gae Bulg, but tripped as he tried to run forward.
This is the dungeon… and these are just the middle floors.
Next Time, Season 1, Episode 2: The Little Rookie and The Lancer of Red: After Bell and Cian's party don't make it back to the surface in time, Hestia and Ryuu hastily assemble all the strength they can to delve into the dungeon to save them. This is helped when the guilt becomes to much for Mikoto…. Meanwhile, with Welf and Lillie hurt, it's up to Bell and Cian to lead their party to safety. They'll see the dungeon bare its true fangs with their own eyes.
AN: Damn, I said last chapter I'd try to shorten these things, but here I go writing damn near 20k words again lol. I wanted to add Hestia and Ryuu gathering the rescue party in this chapter, but I felt it would have dragged on, and I wanted to add the first two scenes of this chapter first. Each chapter will have at least one tiny scene with the Morrigan Familia/Fomorians plot to keep that moving as well, but we're gonna focus mainly on the DanMachi plot for now.
I really had fun getting back into the dungeon. With Cian, this is important, because while he may be strong, he lacks dungeon experience and real combat experience, so this is going to be his true test. Cian is 'the best of all of them' I want him to have a small bit of each member of the Scathach familia, that's why you often see him remembering advice from all of them at different times.
In effect, the Scathach familia was training him to be the best hero they could, and Cian's going to continue to take advice from all of them in future fights.
But first he has to escape the dungeon! Next chapter is going to be chopped full of action. First we'll see Hestia and Ryuu gather a party to go save them, we'll see Mikoto reflect on her mistake, and then finally the treacherous march to Floor 18, I have a BIG moment prepared for next chapter, let's just say we're gonna see the Loki familia for sure!
Honestly, I watched Sword Oratoria AFTER I had planned out this story, I honestly may have picked Lefiya for the pairing if I hadn't had it planned out already xD I LOVE the Loki familia.
Quick note, after this small S1, I'm going to start having small 'Tales From Orario' chapters. These are going to be small, quick, fun adventure/goofy chapters just to flesh out characters and write some funny scenes in between the serious stuff. Basically a bunch of OVAs xD
Oh, and you can be sure I'll be writing all the OVAs xD
OKAY, that's it! Please leave a review if you got time guys! Tell me what's working and what's not, how I can improve, and what you guys are looking forward too, or any questions you have about the story going forward! I love all reviews haha, so please leave them! Alright, so stay safe adventurers, and I'll see you all next time as The Lancer of Red and Little Rookie take on the middle floors!
P.S: Yes, Lancer of Red is straight from Fate Apocrypha xD What do ya'll think?
