I know I said updates would be sporadic, and I know I've been updating every Friday—almost didn't today, by the way—but I'm trying to stay ahead and I haven't written as much this week. The reason being is me wanting to play Destiny 2 for Vault of Glass. I want my Mythoclast back.

Otherwise, Monsterphillia is here! Again, curb expectations. I don't think I did everything right, most likely missed something, but I am pleased with the outcome. Now, when I upload this, I'll probably have a notification in my inbox while I try to post to AO3. I'm excited for the next chapter because I get to reveal something that I hinted at vaguely.

Oh, and there is a reference to a story in here, actually to a character's skill in another DanMachi fanfic. One that I found and binged in two days. If you've read it, you'll see it easily.

As always:

"Speaking"

Personal Thoughts

*Ability/Spell*

...

The next morning, Axton woke up at seven in the morning. His body did not feel fatigued. Truthfully, the request actually took two to three hours, he just got distracted watching the monsters eat from the pantry. As for how they didn't notice him, he hid in an alcove of the pantry above the monsters. From there, he had watched for longer than he needed to.

But that woman, who was she? She wasn't an adventurer, but she was too human to be a monster. Or was that the result of… NOPE! NOT HAPPENING! Axton shot up out of bed with that nightmare-inducing thought.

In other news, Amid was happy that he completed it on the same day but wondered what took him so long. He answered her with a grin and the Doctor noticed what was tomorrow—today in this case. He remembered the way she rolled her eyes and told him to leave. Weird enough that he gets emotion out of Amid. Normally, she's serious, aloof, and dedicated to her job, but she smiles slightly more around him…

Oh please don't tell me… "I'm having a mid-life crisis before my mid-life crisis… I guess that's how this today is going to go…" Axton would rather not talk about it.

So, he got up from his bed, having actually slept this time. The only thing that happened was a quick flash of him running in a dark hallway. Enough to startle him, but not enough to warrant much concern.

Some may find that hard to believe, but after dealing with these for years, he's come to accept that he won't get a peaceful night's sleep for a long time. After cleaning up, getting dressed in his shirt and multi-pocketed pants, exited his room, where Ais did the same thing. She was wearing the outfit Lefiya had gifted her. The two made eye contact and left. While he didn't outwardly show it, he was bummed about not being able to go to Monsterphilia.

Ais easily picked up on this and laid a hand on his shoulder, "I'll see if Loki will let you go early, it is an all-day event."

"Sure, but for now, we should probably go and get her, because she's probably half-sober by now." Ais nodded in agreement, giving him a closed-lip smile.

The siblings went down for breakfast, which was a classic today. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon, the whole breakfast buffet. Ais went light for breakfast, while Axton went moderate for breakfast. Today was a day that he actually needed to eat light.

Tiona pouted, "I thought the five of us were going to cause trouble."

"Trouble follows you wherever you go, and it just so happens that I am the perfect catalyst," Axton replied, gulping down his food. His eyes flicker to Ais to see her eating. He nods approvingly to himself before focusing on the conversation at hand.

The older Hiryute sibling spoke, "Well, there is a chance that we can meet up later throughout the day. After all, the decorations aren't going to be taken down easily."

"True, but have we forgotten that Ganesha's Familia has over five hundred members?" Axton inquired. While they are not the strongest, Ganesha Familia has the largest familia in all of Orario. They are under the God of the Masses, so it would make logical sense. The highest level in their familia is Shakti, at level five, but she is not the only one. More than half are level one. Somewhere in the rest of them are level two or above.

Lefiya spoke, having pushed her dish back, "And the fact that they will be guarding all day, I imagine that they want this over as much as some."

Axton stared at her with a questioning gaze, his heart beating faster… he doesn't know how to deal with this now… Could he… No, that preposterous, she likes my sister, but no offense to a pretty elf like her, I see Ais being with Bell… but isn't this what I wanted to avoid? I want to not force them together, but how can I get them together to talk…

"Axton."

Still, I need to talk to Bell more, I still need to get a good judge of his character. First impressions, he's innocent… almost pure, like he hasn't been tainted as I have. With the starstruck look he had, it was hard not to see. Whether it was infatuation or genuine love at first sight remains to be seen.

"Little Princy!" Tiona's voice snaps Axton out of his thoughts.

"What?" he asked confused.

"You were staring pretty hard at Lefiya here, is there something you want to say?" Tione asked, but upon looking at her, he saw the teasing glint in her eye. Axton narrowed his eyes as he saw Tiona's eyes light up as well. Lefiya, however, was blushing for some reason. Ais merely looked back and forth, not picking up the implications.

Axton kept a calm face, betrayed by his flushing cheeks, "No, I was lost in my thoughts. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable." He looked down to his empty plate, "Are you all done, I'll take over the dishes."

"Aww, he dodged the question," Tiona whined.

Lefiya was unknowingly upset. Why didn't he answer? "Apology accepted, Axton. Would you want to explore later?"

Axton eyed her for a moment before smiling gently, "Sure, once Loki relieves me of guard duty from her today, then I can show you what-"

"Axton, we should get moving. It is eight-fifteen," Ais gently cut him off. The blonde-haired girl did not notice her brother's pout, but the immediate members at the table did. "Loki will be ready soon."

He sighed, "Sure, I'll meet you there…"

The two went their separate ways for now. They would meet up very soon. Axton casually made sure all his armor was in order on its stand. He hopefully wouldn't need it today. Similarly, Ais got prepped, attaching Desperate to her waist.

Loki's quarters were located on a less-traveled half of the Manor, so walking there took a few minutes for both of the siblings and found her ready to go wearing black pants that exposed her ankles, red-strapped sandals, and a white dress shirt which was a little baggy on her. She looked tomboyish but to each their own. "Look at you two, all serious and everything." She reached out to pinch their cheeks, but her hands were slapped away. She acted surprised, but she should be lucky neither one of them had a blade in their hand at the moment.

"Loki, this is how we dress literally all the time…" Axton deadpanned. "Well, in my case usually. Ais's outfit is a gift from Lefiya."

"Stick in the mud, you are…" she ruffled his hair, ignoring his statement. "Come on, our guest awaits."

As the trio left Twilight Manor, both had made sure they had everything. Desperate on her, Requiem on him. The Wallenstein siblings morphed into Sword Royalty and followed after their patron goddess through the streets of Orario.

Today was packed, as the aforementioned event was in full swing. Flags were posted everywhere, signs directing tourists to the Coliseum, not to be confused with the Colosseum on the thirty-seventh floor. Axton let out a small smile as he saw everyone running along.

Loki, in all her godly wisdom, has a sixth sense for this and turned her head around, "After this, you can go, but for now just bear with me, okay?"

"Yes, Loki," Axton said, a beaming smile coming to his face. The Giddy Prince appeared for a moment before letting the smile go down to a normal one. Ais noticed the small pep in his step, so she was happy that he was happy.

The trio walked in silence. While Axton did wave to children who pointed him out, he kept a watchful eye on his surroundings until they reached a small café where Loki spoke, "So this meeting had to happen, since I had to call it, so keep this on the hush-hush, okay?"

""Done.""

They entered the café and the atmosphere was still, not because of fear, but because someone was eye-catching. The reason why Axton knows this…

He's currently got a flushed face for some easily explained reason. We're meeting with her?! Axton immediately wanted to be anywhere but here. Hell, fighting Udaeus sounds like a better time than this. Axton shifted awkwardly as he followed Ais and Loki.

On the balcony was a figure wrapped in a purple robe from head to toe. The purple heels they wore and her nose were the only things noticeable from the side. However, once Loki rounded the table and the siblings flanked her, they saw the full face of one Lady Freya, Goddess of Beauty, and also a Goddess of Fertility and War.

Axton shut his eyes and thought the most morbid of thoughts that made his soul shiver. In fear… not pleasure, let's make that clear. Ais, meanwhile, seemed perfectly fine if fidgeting was the only outlier. They were intimidated by her, and it was because of her looks. She wasn't even trying to charm them. "Fufufu, you brought Royalty?" Even her voice was mellow, soft, full of unsaid promises. The silver-haired, silver-eyed Goddess looked from Ais to Axton. "It seems he's having a little trouble keeping in check, you know how easily I'd-"

"Not what we're here to talk about. Axton, go far enough away where you can still keep an eye on us, alright?" Loki internally felt bad, because he seemed to really be struggling. Axton breathed one of his biggest sighs of relief ever as he literally hooked himself on the railing and put himself on the roof. Knowing she was still there was one thing, but to not be in her line of sight was another. "Now, what do you have planned?"

"Was it not you who called this meeting?" Freya countered. Ais watched as the tension rose between the two. If Loki's side profile was anything to take note of, it would be because she can see her eyes opened.

"Right…" Loki sighed. Royalty was very much paying attention, "So, I hear that someone has caught your eye, a man or a boy, it was unclear, but need I remind you of what happens when you go too low?"

Freya's voice did not change, but it was the slight tone of her voice, "That was one time…"

"In the past century," Loki quipped with an evil smirk. To Loki, there was not much in the terms of 'dirt' on her, but that one was something the Gods will remember if they aren't getting charmed that is. "Nevertheless, what makes this one so special? They strong, noble?"

The Goddess across from the Trickster smiled, looking off into the street, "Actually, he's pretty weak, but that's not what drew me to him. He just happened to cross into my field of view."

Loki obviously didn't believe her but was wise enough to not voice that, "So, they in a rival familia, or just another familia? Or, could it be that you don't know?" Loki sipped the drink that she ordered in the meantime.

Axton was on the roof, listening. And as soon as Freya mentioned weak, there was only one person who fit the bill. Sorry Bell, but as you stand, you are weak, but give time and effort, I could see you surpassing everyone. He froze soon after thinking this.

There he was, running through the crowd with the speed of a rabbit. Axton peered his head down from the roof, "Hey Loki, I think I just saw him. Mind if I go and see him, ask how's he holding up?" He looked to Ais who seemed to have seen the same person. Royalty knew then and there that Freya had described Bell.

"Oh?" Freya's interest piqued. "What happened, was there an incident that I'm unaware of?"

Axton looked at Loki, silently asking permission, and hoped that she didn't answer Freya's question.

Thankfully, Axton's prayers were answered as Loki took over, "Nothing important, just the Prince looking out for an adventurer. To answer you, no. I need ya here, okay?" Not a lie, but not the truth either. Hopefully, Freya will accept that. "Now, let's get to the real reason why we're here. What do you have planned?" Axton frowned but accepted her words.

Freya raised an eyebrow at the interaction but carried on speaking, "Must you always assume that I'm planning something dastardly, my dear?" Freya's velvety voice was not swaying Loki in the slightest. "But in this case, you're right. I'm going to need you to play along for a little while."

"So spill," Loki said.

"If I do that, then how can I have fun?" Freya gave a little shrug that made the cloak around her lift a fraction. Of course, a Goddess is after a form of entertainment. "That, and I want to see him grow."

Ais had moved over to the railing to look up at Axton, "Was it him?" The unsaid meaning was obvious. Her brother nodded. "Do you think I will be able to talk to him?"

"Oh? What for?" This was news to Axton, she needs to talk to him? About what?

Ais nervously tapped the railing, "I need to apologize to him. For the incident in the Dungeon."

As the siblings kept talking, the Goddess said their final remarks, "With that being said, I have an important matter to attend to. I shall talk to you soon, Loki. Royalty?" The Goddess beckoned.

Two sets of eyes turned away from their conversation. One golden set and one onyx-gold set. Their souls shine with the same golden aura, minor differences to the latter, but within both of them, there resides a black flame. The female was much more pronounced than the male. However, the male had a speck of white. What one could call hope. Furthermore, it seemed docile right now, so could it possibly be that the Prince has eyes on someone himself but chooses not to pursue? Is he hoping for them to confess, or is he trying to not build up hope in case of rejection? Ah, mortal drama and romance are so fun to watch and develop.

"Hey hey, stop eyeing them," Loki chastised. Sword Royalty looked ready to burst, in some cases literally. Both of them had red faces and they fidgeted, even if Axton was mostly out of view. Ais was doing her best to not look, but her silver eyes captivated them so easily. It's not that they had a weak will, far from it. It was that Freya's beauty was that overpowering. Axton almost hid on the roof completely because if he didn't get his bearings, he would have fallen to the street.

"Oh Loki, I have no intentions of taking those two, nor any in your familia. If I did, the streets would bear witness to our prowess," Freya said. Even if Loki knew it or not, Freya wasn't referring to both of them when she said 'our'. She looked towards them again and blew them a kiss, which they squirmed uncomfortably, and Axton was sure his heartbeat was rattling the roof.

As soon as Freya left the area, Royalty took a deep breath. Axton swung himself back down to lean against the railing, "Okay, next time you have a meeting with her, I humbly request that you leave me out of it. I seriously th-thought she was going to charm me," his voice stuttered because he was trying to calm down. His flushed face was a stark contrast to his slightly pale complexion. Maybe he should go get a tan. The season's perfect right now.

"Noted," Loki nodded, gently petting Axton's head. He allowed it, knowing that this was Loki's way to apologize. "Now, to Monsterphilia!"

The smile came back to Axton, and unbeknownst to them, Ais smiled as well. Now, where is he?

"Hey! She left me with the check!"

After that, the trio entered the streets and found a Jagamarukun stand. Ais, of course, insisted that they stop. Plus, it's been a while since she had one.

It was actually before the expedition. Did you think it was yesterday? Okay, maybe it was… but that's beside the point. Upon reaching the stand, the gentleman behind the counter spoke up, "What can I get for you?"

"One Sauce flavor, please!" Loki said.

"One Atsuki Cream, please," Ais followed up.

Axton merely grinned at the man, who understood his silent request, which drew the looks from the two women. They didn't get a chance to question it as the man held out two puffs, "One Sauce and one Atsuki Cream." He then held out one in his other hand, "And for the Prince, the 'Spice.'"

"The Spice?" Loki questioned. The snack itself was half the size of their respective snacks, and double the price.

"Only the hottest Jagamarukun snack in all of Orario. Let it be known that I have eaten these every year, and only once a year. Today just so happens to be that day. This is another reason that I like Monsterphilia so much," Axton said as he gently accepted the Spice. He then broke a crumb off it and then gently passed it to them. "You may want a potion for this. Your tongue will despise you for days afterward."

The warning made Ais eye the crumb in her hand warily. She sniffed it and her nose stung, "How?"

"I honestly believe after I ate the first one, I lost my sense of taste for like three months," Axton replied flippantly. "Correction, this was all I tasted."

"Wha…?" Loki just stared at Axton like he was insane.

"That explained why you looked thinner for those months…" Ais said, frowning at her brother, having remembered that period of time.

He awkwardly chuckled, before taking a large bite out of the Spice, groaning at the multitude of spices that he felt. Once he swallowed his bite, he then looked around before activating Ariel and blew out a big breath.

It could have been mistaken for a dragon's breath.

Yes, Axton just breathed fire because of Ariel's assistance… he doesn't know why it does this, but it reacts with his wind this way. It may have unintentional consequences though, considering his sister hates a certain dragon. When he looked to Ais, she was in awe, which allowed him to relax slightly.

Any Gods and people in the area were certainly surprised. Then, Axton followed it up with a small burp which a mini flame came out. Loki just shook her head, "What am I going to do with you, Axton?"

He shrugged, "Let me finish this," he referenced the Spice.

Letting the subject drop, Loki immediately turned to Ais, "Wanna try mine?" She received a blank look before she rejected her. Axton rolled his eyes in the background, coping with his loss of taste… again. This time though, he immediately drank a potion that already worked on restoring his tongue. The first time he had this, he suffered and was unable to speak for weeks. It's a miracle that no one really questioned him. He was really shy back then, despite smiling all the time.

"Come on, all I'm asking for is for you to open your mouth and say 'ah!' You can do that for me, can't you?" Loki whined.

Mouth full, "I said no."

"Well, then can I try yours? A little nibble, that's all. If you do, I'll leave you alone? Please?" little tears dripped off Loki's cheeks.

Axton seriously considered if he had chosen the correct deity to follow as a bead of sweat dripped down his cheek. Ais stared at Loki for a moment before closing her eyes and sighing. "Fine."

Loki perked up faster than a kid on the Solstice. "Ahh!" Loki leaned forward and bit into Ais's Jagamarukun before she squealed, "I just stole an indirect kiss from my precious little Aizu!" Accompanied with a blush, Loki danced in place.

A hand settled on her shoulder, "If you tried to take my sister's first kiss, you'd be singing a different tune."

Loki immediately paled, "I'd never do that."

Axton smiled, "Good because Ais will give up her first kiss when she's ready."

Off to the side, a new voice picked up, "What's wrong, are you upset that I bit into it first?"

A second voice chimed in, one that was familiar, "No, it's just wrong to take food from a Goddess."

Axton dropped the current subject as he looked to Ais, who murmured, "I guess I'm not the only one facing the same problem…" Axton was tempted to slip away, but seeing them now would probably start a fight between Loki and Lady Hestia.

"Anyway, shouldn't we head to the Coliseum? The taming probably started and is almost over. I at least want to see it," Axton said, having finished the Spice and nursed another potion. He really didn't want to have to deal with no taste for three months. If he was lucky, he would get a month. Still… it was delicious at the very least.


On East Main, at the very edge of Orario, there lied the Coliseum, where Monsterphilia was taking place. At this time, the taming event had just started. Members of the Ganesha Familia were taming all sorts of monsters that ranged from the middle floors to the start of the lower floors. They never went to the deeper floors because that was too much of a risk to transport them up to the surface cages.

However, there was a different problem approaching. One of the members called down, "Hey! Send up the next cage already!" That member was one of the rare few in the familia that genuinely enjoyed the festival, despite having to work at said festival. When she got down there, she saw that they had been knocked out… wait…

They had dumbstruck looks on their faces, their tongues lulled out of their mouths, and if it was possible… hearts in their eyes. "Who-"

A hand covered their eyes, and an overwhelming feeling made all their stress wash away. The member was too stunned to even comprehend what was actually happening right now. "Where are the keys to the cages?" a soft voice ghosted over the shell of her ear. It felt like if they flicked their tongue, they would make contact. Deep down, that was what she wanted, to feel pleasure. A pleasure that they were being teased with.

Her hand shakily went to her belt and the sounds of jingling keys echoed in the chamber. Putting them over her shoulder, they were grabbed and they heard a soft, "Thank you," before a kiss was placed on their neck. The Ganesha Familia member's eyes rolled into the back of her head and had the same look as her companions that laid before her.

The figure responsible was none other than Lady Freya. She walked into the center of the area where a multitude of monsters resided under the Coliseum, all ripe for the taking. The eyes of said monsters followed the deity's figure, as her innate appearance—even under the cloak—was enough to ensnare their single-tracked minds. She honestly didn't have to use an ounce of her charming abilities. She merely had to activate it and their instincts told them to obey this mysterious person's every demand.

Freya rounded a few small cages to find the perfect specimen. A Silverback. This monster was bound in chains and had a chain gag that its teeth were on. This specific monster was found and captured on the twelfth floor of the Dungeon. Freya mentally demanded it come closer, and it leaned down to inspect its new master. Freya reached a hand out and pet its snout, "Yes, you will do just perfectly. Now listen closely, I need you to find someone and bring them to me…"

The Silverback grinned or tried to, as it received its directive.


Moments before this, Lefiya, Tione, and Tiona were in the stands as they watched the main event. "Wow, I don't think I could ever do that," Lefiya said, mostly to herself, but also to the Hiryute siblings next to her.

"Yeah, I'd probably kill them before I could tame them," Tiona admitted with a small laugh.

"I do see the flare of this, but I feel like there is a secondary point to all of it," Tione said as her eyes were drawn to the skybox area, where Ganesha himself sat. His back was facing them as he spoke to two members of his familia. "Do you think something happened?"

"Should we go see if we can find Loki?" Lefiya asked.

"No, but we better head outside because otherwise if a panic gets out then we'll be stuck in here," Tione reasoned. The three members of the Loki Familia all rose from their seats as they maneuvered their way to the main entrance of the Coliseum and once outside they ran into Loki who was munching on various snack foods.

"Oh, didn't expect to see you girls so soon," Loki said with her mouth full. She still had a smile on her lips.

"Loki, what's going on?" Tione asked.

Loki leaned in and held a hand to the side of her mouth, like she was whispering a big secret, "Well, according to the Guild and Ganesha's familia, some monsters are running around right now.

"That's bad," Lefiya said.

"It sure is!" Loki said with more food in her mouth.

"Could you at least pretend to care?" Tione chastised her patron goddess.

Loki waved a hand, "Don't worry," she pointed up, "they're already on it." Cut to the top of the Coliseum, and there on one pillar was Sword Royalty. Both had their temporary weapons in their respective sheaths. As to why they are up so high is that they can manipulate the wind to seek out the monsters on the loose.

"You want the left half or the right half?" Axton said, not facing her, his persona in place.

"Whatever allows us to dispose of them quickly," Ais responded back, her tone dead.

The two shared another moment of eye contact, ""Awaken, Tempest.""

The wind certainly picked up with not just one, but two Ariel users. Some even compared them to some adventurer from a long time ago who moved really fast, like the speed of light fast. This adventurer was said to move faster than the Gods.


Axton easily sliced through a Kobold, an Orc, and a Wyvern. He zoomed all around Orario, going in, slicing the monster, and breaking off. He didn't apply Ariel to his blade, out of fear that if he did, he'd break it. Even though he has his daggers on him, they don't have the range needed. Only someone crazy would use knives all the time…

Once he killed a Crystal Mantis, the name implying its appearance, he sheathed his sword and breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that takes care of that." He picked up the magic stone and tossed it to the closest adventurer. "Okay, now I have to find my sister, where can she be?"

The Sword Prince heard a faint roar at the edge of his hearing. At this, his gaze turned and he dashed away, muttering Ariel's chant under his breath and pushing himself as fast as possible. He even left a mini tornado in his wake. Not enough to damage anything, but it was enough to pick up a person a good five feet off the ground. What he failed to notice was the burning on his back.

A skill was active. One he hasn't needed nor used in years.


Once Lefiya looked up, she saw the two of them—just barely—at the edge of her vision. She then turned to follow Tione and Tiona. They had to lead her to the area. "Man, Ais is tearing it up out here. I feel like we aren't even needed." They would act as the forwards, while she would, of course, be the mage of their trio. However, once they got into an open market area, that was when it struck.

A green blob erupted from right under the street. The blob was not a blob, but a monster. One that resembled a certain creepy crawlie on the fiftieth floor, except not really. It resembled more of a Venus Flytrap. "So, any ideas on what to do?"

"Unfortunately, this guy's new, so we have nothing, but don't they look like…" Tiona started.

Tione's voice dropped considerably, "Like those damn freaks in the Dungeon! Come here!" she shouted, making Lefiya flinch.

As the Amazon twins charged, this monster—which would later be dubbed as a Viola—prepared itself. It wasn't self-aware, but it was definitely smarter than the average monster. It raised its vines to block the physical strikes. Both twins pulled back in shock. Not because it blocked the attack, but because its physical resistance was through the roof. If the caterpillars were tough to kill, then these were a step or two above that.

Lefiya did the only thing she could, and that was to cast a spell. Unfortunately, she didn't have Forest Teardrop with her, so she concentrated the magic into the palm of her hand. As soon as her red magic circle appeared, the monsters reacted, making a beeline for her.

"Lefiya!" Tiona shouted.

Her concentration broke just for a moment to see the ground crumbling to her right, a vine shot out the ground, intent on skewering her.

She tried to dodge but that was unnecessary. Someone else dashed in and took the hit. They were so fast that it took the young elf a second to keep track of them.

However, that one-second lapse in her attention allowed another vine to shoot out of the ground and whip the elf away, sending her careening into a cart. The impact made her cough up blood in surprise.

"Axton!" Tione's voice caught Lefiya's attention. The elf turned her vision to see a head of blond hair on his knees, clutching his side as blood leaked between his fingers.

The vines were still not done. If the monsters could grin, they would be doing so. They realized that the elf had magic, which meant food and energy to them. If they killed her, they could harvest that energy. They shot even more vines towards her but those never made it within two meders of her. They were sliced away, and from Lefiya's perspective, she felt the wind before she saw her.

Ais had arrived, and she had to save me again…

"Are you mostly alright?" Her voice reached the elf's sensitive ears. Of course, she knew that Lefiya was most certainly not alright.

"Y-Yes, but Axton…"

"I'm aware," Ais's curt tone was deceived by her grip on her temporary rapier. "Tempest."

The wind enveloped the Sword Princess, launched forward, and tried to stab and kill these monsters. What only one person noticed was the small black flicker in her wind. Don't fall to that… please.

The monsters greedily switched targets, but this one was something more. The Violas all scrambled to try and take down the Sword Princess, even as Tione shouted, "They're attracted to magic! Ais, you have to turn off your wind." The blonde-haired swordswoman acquiesced and shut off Ariel. She attempted to land another blow with her blade, but the strain of her fighting style overextended the blade, shattering it, leaving only the handle. Ais quickly leaped away, landing by Tione.

Tiona had made it to Axton's side and gently moved his hand to see the damage. It was far worse than at first glance. The cut went from under his right pectoral to his hip, obviously shredding his shirt, but the cut seemed wider than a passing glance. This isn't adding up. If I had a potion on me, I would have tried to heal him already!

"Is she alright?"

There are three shes here, Princy, be specific damn it! Tiona shouted mentally. "A second one followed, but she'll be fine. Right now, are you even able to fight?"

He stood with one hand still on his wound, his eyes becoming slightly a bit more golden. He drew his weapon from his sheath. "They hurt her…" he whispered before he used every point in his status to launch forward at the Violas. His fighting style became reckless but somehow organized, like a hidden beauty.

"Wha-Hey!" Tiona shouted as she ran after him.

Off to the side, two Guild associates arrived. Eina Tulle and Misha Flott. They cradled Lefiya as they tried to heal her with a potion, but the young elf rejected it as she stood up. "They're always defending me, and I want to prove that I am more than baggage."

She stood on somewhat shaky legs, held her hands out to balance herself, and started chanting. With the way her spell was worded, it could be considered a prayer or a hymn, "I wish upon the name of Wishe. Ancestors of the forest, proud brethren. Answer my call and come to the plains. Connecting bonds, the pledge of paradise. Turn the circle and dance around. Come, ring of fairies. Please - give me strength." A rainbow-colored magic circle appeared beneath her feet and a ring of light appeared by her hands. This was her magic, the one thing that makes Lefiya who she is.

*Elf Ring!*

"And just like that, the Thousand Elf joins the battle," Tiona cheered.

"Pull back to defend her while she chants!" Tione ordered as two of them followed the Amazonian's orders. Axton, however, was weaving his way in and out of the vines that came like mythril chains, each passing glance becoming worse and worse, until one could see red staining him more. His weapon groaned in his hand, but he needed it to last a moment longer, just to distract. His back was burning as the skill's effects were active. Axton laments this very skill, but it has saved him more than once, and he needs it to save him once more.

Using Ariel, he distracted them while Lefiya built up her magic energy. What no one noticed was the slight white hue in his wind. Not that anyone could, considering that he was in direct sunlight.

Lefiya started chanting, a ring appeared at chest level and a frosted blue magic circle under her feet. Axton continued to take potshots, and since the Violas detected magic energy, they tried to switch focus but they risked being killed if they didn't focus on the Sword Prince.

"Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight. Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf! I call upon…" I am useful and I will save my friends!

*Wynn Fimbulvetr!*

Thankful that she managed to chant without interruption, Axton dodged to a rooftop as the spell erupted from Lefiya's fingertips. The air temperature dropped a significant amount, despite standing in direct sunlight, as the Violas were frozen in place.

Tione, Ais, and Tiona leaped up and smashed the frozen plants. Then clapping was heard. Some from the two Guild receptionists, some from citizens, and some from Loki, who just arrived on the scene. Beside her was a young child, the child that Ais had noticed, but not mentioned.

"Good job, all four of you," Loki started, but once she saw Axton, her eyes opened, "It activated, didn't it?"

Axton had limped over to the group, but stopped at Lefiya, looking her over once before nodding, then he dashed off, having heard another roar.

Loki was quick to dole out orders, "Tione, Tiona, I hate to ask you this, but please check the sewers, don't want anymore to show up. Lefiya, let the Guild medics fix you up. Ais, follow him, I'll meet up with you. Stay close to him." The tone shifted from light-hearted to serious, making Ais's heart jump.

"Yes, Loki," Ais said before activating Ariel followed in the direction that her brother went. "Please don't be reckless." She winced at how hypocritical that statement really was.

Axton was a blur on the rooftops, following the sight and sound of a Silverback. It felt like that his intervention would be needed, but that proved to not be the case as he watched an adventurer leap up, onto a clothesline of all things to slingshot himself back down and slice the Silverback in half, dropping its magic stone.

The Sword Prince smiled, feeling loopy all of a sudden as the threat has passed and the adrenaline left his system all at once. His eyes shut and he fell backward.

But he never hit the ground.

Ais had easily caught up to him. Her golden eyes tracing all over his body. He had cuts and scratches everywhere. They were minor, so how does he look so terrible? "Axton? S-Stay awake," she firmly demanded.

Her heart leaped into her throat as he didn't respond. His breathing was even and showed no signs of stopping—a welcome relief. His clothes were ruined, and he was bleeding all over. Her hands were stained with his blood; more than likely that it was on her clothes.

The Princess gently left the rooftop, where she met Loki and Lefiya, having jogged minutes after Ais ran off just to speak. Once Loki saw Axton up close and inspected him, she reacted, "Ais, to Dian Cecht's, now. Tell the Saint that it happened, and she'll understand. I'll explain it to you, depending on his condition in the coming days."

Lefiya had been healed, a simple potion did it, but she was worried. Her Familia member is in trouble and looks like someone dumped him on death's door.

"What is he hiding from me?" Ais demanded firmly.

Axton had a moment of lucidness, She's safe… I really… despise… this… He passed out soon after.

Loki sighed, "I will tell you after, for now, consider my last statement an order. Now go." She pointed in the direction of the clinic.

"Loki?" Lefiya asked once Royalty was out of sight.

The Trickster put her hand on her temple, "I had hoped that he didn't activate that skill, but it looks like he did. Guess you've made quite the impression on him, Lefiya."

It was safe to say that Thousand Elf was very much confused.

...

I hope you are confused just a little... because once I establish something next chapter, you'll understand Axton's intentions. I can say that there will be a conversation between Amid and Ais, and I have the perfect line for it that gave me the idea.

No, I'm not going to tell you, that'd ruin my fun!