This is what happens when I'm really inspired to not leave you hanging, and since I caused so much confusion. I figured it was time for a rant. So, just skip to the chapter if you wish to ignore this, but I highly implore you to read it. At least read point seven. TL;DR before the chapter starts.

Does this chapter title and the last chapter's title make sense now?

Item the first: I am modifying canon to my will. I am flexing this on you all—not with malicious intent. I am the author. You are welcome to point out mistakes or confusion, no problem. Good, catch me on that. I know DM's canon more than SO's canon, I'll say that. I have reviewed the timeline, and have thought of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. If something doesn't make sense, but leaves a feeling of anticipation, good. It means that I'm doing my job. If not, then feel free to ask me. I'll just tell you it's for later.

Item the one point five: Yes, it feels like I'm speeding through canon and altering events and it potentially made this chapter feel rushed. (It probably is, but I've read over it three times, probs not enough. There will an error, trust me...) Considering where I ended, it set me up well so events can flow a little better, at least I hope. This chapter was 6100 words, so it was nearing my limit of how much I put into one chapter. I don't know how authors can write 10-15k word chapters...I applaud those that do.

Item the second: I'm aware that the flow feels funky, hence why I wrote this chapter to move things along, and I plan on doing something regarding our boy, Axton. You get some insight as to what he's going through. I also know about our tragic backstory of a certain entity, as pointed out. I'm aware of how she formed, but again. I am author, yeah? I also know that Revis's (Revis'?) actions were so far OOC that it raised questions with probably a few of you. Call it experimentation. (I don't intend to sound snippy, but I want to make it perfectly clear. I'm not perfect—IRONY LMAO—but I wanted to tell a story using SO's canon—to my liking—since I have another story, Delicate Balance, that I update on Saturdays, and that deals with DM's canon.)

Item the third: Bell. "What about him?" You may ask. He will get the limelight sometime after this fiasco I've concocted. Bell and Ais moments will happen. I just haven't gotten to the 'training' point. He does show up in this chapter briefly. (More Irony once you hit point five)

Item the fourth: This addresses a review, and I'm not shaming you. Paraphrased: "Axton's getting his ass kicked." Yeah, he's my OC. Sometimes even the best need an ass-kicking. I mean, in the LNs and anime, Ais got her ass handed to her on a silver platter with Revis. So, me being an asshole decided to put Axton through it instead. I think it worked because it allowed Ais to be more emotional, even if it was negative emotions.

Item the fifth: Lefiya and Axton. What do? Well, if I told you, then it would be spoilers...I don't like spoiling you. It hurts me. J̴̒͜u̷͊ͅs̵̺̕t̶̋ͅ ̵̣͛ļ̴̔i̶̮͂k̶̮͑ẻ̵ͅ ̶̨͆t̷̗̍h̴͔̋i̷̬͆š̶̪!̵̫͆ Not to fear though, they will be together, eventually after they have mutual pining and are absolute idiots about it, even though one is a step ahead of the other come this chapter.

Item the sixth: "What made you do this?" Simple, experimentation. Plus, I envisioned Axton getting stabbed for quite a few chapters now. I mean I literally said something in chapter...seven about him needing protection. Didn't mean he was going to get it. I wanted to try and push and break limits. I mean, come on, I added in an OC to a universe I love and I damn well better get to break that canon however I damn well please. If I added in Axton but changed nothing about canon...then why would I add him in the first place? Would you have even clicked follow or favorite if that was the case? If you answer was yes, then I...don't have anything to say except...you'd be better off reading the novels again. I inject OCs into fandom I like because I want to know what I can change or come up with. How does my character interact with X, Y, and Z? What changes about A? Does G play a part? All these questions happen while I'm writing. I mean, my schedule this week has been eat, sleep, work, and write. I do write because I enjoy it, but I also hate when I caused a lot of confusion.

Sorry, had to get that out. (Is this me projecting my stress to you all? Sorry...)

Item the six point five: You probably questioned why Axton's Skill is going to do what it does. That will be explained later. Do not question it. I have reasons for my actions.

Item the seventh: Personal plans. I am going on vacation from the 23rd to August 2nd and that means no updates past this one until then. That doesn't mean I won't be writing it, I just won't be posting it. "Then, what's the point of the vacation?" That...is an excellent question. I'll let you know if I find out the answer. I'll still respond to reviews if they show up during that time. Delicate Balance will receive a similarly worded note. If you follow both, then okay, you get notified twice.

Item the eighth: I have a shameless plug. To those who have played Scarlet Nexus, I have a story in that too. To those who followed me as an author and not the individual works, you know what it is called. To those that don't, it's called Shrouds of White, and I wrote this chapter instead of the second chapter for that. I won't paste the summary here, as this note is hella long. I apologize, but I needed to get this off my chest. You became my metaphorical punching bag. SORRY!

Okay, if you skipped it, here's a TL;DR.

I am the author, I do what I want. Flow is weird, I try to fix it. Axton is OC, he gets his ass kicked by my decree, he'll learn to be better. Bell will have more 'screentime' when I get there. Axton and Lefiya will get together eventually. Again, I am the author, shit gets funky. It should level out after the next chapter. I'll explain/refine Axton's skill at a later date. Me going on vacation from July 23rd to August 2nd, no content from me during that time.

Just read point seven and eight.

Rant over, enjoy the chapter!

"Speaking"

Personal Thoughts

*Ability/Spell*

...

The six members of the Loki Familia came up from the Dungeon in the dead of night, and they saw Bete waiting for them, "There you are! Finally, I've been sitting here all damn day waiting for-"

"Bete," Finn's voice silenced him. It only then did the werewolf notice who was in Tiona's arms and who was missing.

"Where is he, Finn?" Bete's voice dropped, and everyone present noticed Vanargand's tone. Was he...actually worried about him? "Where's the Prince?"

Riveria cut in, "We'll explain the situation once we are back at Twilight Manor. Go and inform Loki and get a meeting together." The High Elf's jade eyes told Bete that there were to be no arguments.

"Answer me this, then I'll go...Is he dead?" Bete asked. He did respect Axton, after all, and if he died, he would honor him...in his own way at least. There certainly be fewer insults, that's for sure.

"Unknown, Bete. You have your orders, now go," Finn's tone offered no chance for a retort. The werewolf saw the grip on his spear, he was angry, even if he didn't outwardly show it. Bete sped off with a speed few could hope to match. The Pallum's eyes fell to Ais. We'll get him back. He looked in the direction of the graveyard, won't we, Albert? He's not ready to join you. Neither is she…

The meeting took place in the mess hall as soon as everyone was assembled, except Ais. Finn sent Raul over to Dian Cecht's to fetch Amid, to make a house call. He explained what they encountered down in the Dungeon, but left details out as they were for the executives' ears only—and Loki needed to be updated on the situation. Everyone rallied and vowed to get him back, but Finn held up a hand.

"You are not to pursue this woman. She is dangerous. She was able to go toe to toe with both of them using Tempest. She is easily level five, possibly six in terms of strength. For that reason, if you are to enter the Dungeon, stick to floors seventeen and above. I know you level fours are upset, but I'm not about to risk this Familia. I understand if you are upset, even angry, but please be careful," Finn said, wrapping up his speech before getting every executive, sans Ais, into Loki's office.

They all filed in, including Lefiya as she was witness to some of these events. It would be unfair to leave her out, "So, what's the plan?" Loki asked, her tone serious, and if one looked closer, jittery.

"Myself, Bete, and Gareth are going into the Dungeon to search for him, I don't believe him to be dead," Finn said, waiting for his thumb to warn him. It was like walking on eggshells with his intuition.

"Didn't you just say this chick was level six in strength?" Bete asked, tail swishing in irritation. The wolf did not feel like getting killed by someone like that.

"Indeed, but the chances of encountering her is low, and the only way we will is by finding out where they are hiding," Finn countered.

Gareth observed, "I need to know all the details, the fight, what the lady used, and any other information you got for me, Finn."

The Pallum nodded and explained everything. Loki watched nervously off to the side and she wanted to know what she could do. "Loki?"

"Hm, y-yes?" the Trickster asked, now paying attention.

"Are you alright?" Loki chose not to answer verbally. "Well, that makes this easier. I'm barring Ais from entering the Dungeon, period. If she was to go in, she would most likely die or be targeted."

A knock on the door halted the conversation, "Captain, it's Raul. I brought Amid as you requested." The level four High Novice was given instruction to bring her here.

"You may enter," he said. The door opened and Finn felt the ire of Amid Teasanare. "Thank you for coming, Amid."

The Doctor glanced around the room, nodding to Loki as a greeting, "Respectfully, spare me the pleasantries, what happened to her? I recognize your magic, Lady Riveria. She had multiple broken bones and fractures, even Axton never had that many." Everyone tensed at his name; something the good Doctor noticed, "Where is he?"

"That is precisely what we wanted to discuss with you," Riveria said, but by Finn's surprised look, he clearly didn't want to. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Doctor-Patient privilege can extend to all matters," Amid replied easily.

Riveria wasted no time, "He was attacked by the same woman who harmed Ais. Worse so, he was stabbed while his skill was active." This made Amid clench her fists, trying to not jump to conclusions. "His current whereabouts are unknown."

"I see…" she paused, "Thank you for letting me know. I will be at my clinic anticipating the news, whether it be good or…"

"There is no need," Riveria cut in, who had a saddened look in her eyes, "I know how much you care for him."

That got the Doctor to widen her eyes, flush, and promptly excuse herself. Her clinic needed her. Martha and Bernadette were by themselves while she had stepped out. "Was she one of…"

"His many admirers, but one of the only two who has gotten anywhere," Riveria said, and Loki, who silently observed, realized the High Elf's ploy. She was trying to distract them from the current situation. With a concealed look to Lefiya, she was blushing, but her eyes held a great sadness. The young elf hasn't spoken the entire time, so she could be considered absent from this meeting.

Props to you, Mama, Loki thought. However, "You know Ais is not going to take that sitting down."

Tiona had to be the one to ask, "So what is the plan if she decides to go off the rails?" Finn, Riveria, Gareth shared a look at their patron Goddess. She wasn't dumb enough to miss that though. "Well? You got a look on your faces and I'm not going to stop pestering you until we know! This is about Royalty, our friends, our comrades, our family! You don't get to keep this from us!" Normally, the cheerful, peppy Amazon is never so outspoken. Well, she is outspoken, but never to this extent that almost could be interpreted as anger.

Loki opened her normally shut eyes, "If she doesn't follow through with the order, I will seal her falna."

""What?!"" the Hiryute sisters exclaimed.

"Damn, that's cold," Bete said surprised, his wolf features twitching.

"That seems a little harsh," Lefiya spoke her first words since she entered.

Loki put her foot down, "If she falls to revenge, then that would be a dark day for us, but we need her here, grounded, in a sense. She'll need someone to care for her, because if this is the same as when she first joined…" a pleading look to Riveria.

"...her health will decline and it will be on us, the remaining members, to help her as best we can," she finished. "After all, I did watch the two of them grow up, and they were never usually far apart."

Bete inclined his head, "So when we leaving, Finn? Right now? In a few hours?"

The Captain looked outside, seeing it was still pitch black, save for the magic stone lamps lining the streets. "I believe we should rest. Running headlong into the Dungeon would not prove fruitful."

"But he could be…" Tiona started but was silenced by Tione, screeching at her to not say that kind of crap around the Captain.

"Objections?" the blond Pallum asked. A look to Loki signified that she had none either. "Get some rest, everyone. Tomorrow and the days following are going to be some of the longest in our Familia's history."

Everyone filed out, except for Lefiya. The elf was too deep in her thoughts to notice. Loki, Finn, and Gareth left her with Riveria. After a few minutes of silence, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Lefiya finally came back to the land of the living—poor choice of words—and looked to the High Elf, "Not particularly, Lady Riveria."

"A shame, I was hoping to talk to you," Riveria said, strongarming her.

"What do you want me to say?!" Lefiya snapped, and her mentor waited patiently. She knew that the build-up of emotions was finally coming out. "How am I supposed to feel after the boy I've got feelings for is missing? Will I ever get the chance to tell him? Have I already missed it? What if he's dead? It's not fair! I know life is full of hardships, and I know we're adventurers and that's the life we live, but we... but we…" her rant died there as she broke down into loud, ugly sobs.

Riveria gently guided both of them to the couch and the High Elf brought her student close and offered comfort. There were no words that she could say to make it better. Lefiya continued to cry until she passed out hours later. She didn't see Riveria shedding tears of her own.

It hurt far too much to admit.


His consciousness was slowly returning to him. He hated this feeling of being useless, weak. Bete would be giving him a helluva lecture at the moment if he could see him now. The boy could barely pick up anything around him. His senses were dull.

After getting stabbed, almost bleeding out, and given a potion, Axton tried to figure out his surroundings. It was too green for his tastes. Not to mention, he was strung up like a sacrificial lamb. The vines that held him were ironclad. Yes, vines, were restricting him. They were almost cutting off his circulation.

"Oh good, you're awake, spawn" the very same woman who stabbed him appeared in his line of vision. Her emotionless green eyes stared into his golden-onyx eyes. "You should be thrilled you're alive."

"I thought when we were fighting, you said you were going to kill me, so excuse me for being more shocked than thrilled," Axton couldn't help but retort. He truthfully expected to die, so his statement was completely true. She should've killed him. Physically, his voice was basically gone, probably from the internal damage he suffered from the fight. That cliff wasn't like the cartoons...and she probably broke a rib or two.

"Lucky you, spawn, you have a use after all," the woman said before walking away.

"Can I at least get your name? I'd like to know the person who will one day be killed by me," Axton cheekily asked.

However, that cheekiness disappeared as he felt an oppressive presence behind him, and he looked behind him or tried to. What was down and what was up? "Time to begin the test. Bring out a Seed."

Axton tensed, the stretching of the vines could be heard. That thing?! Oh boy, this won't be fun. Note my sarcasm… He didn't know what would happen and right now, the unknown in the Dungeon was far from the worst thing he could experience.

The Seed was brought forward by the woman, and she held it in her hand, "Use your Wind, spawn. Let's see it happen."

He didn't want to, but that presence behind him felt like they were suffocating him, and it got even worse when he felt fingers dancing along his neck, "Do it. Or we can make you, and you'll never see your Familia again. I think we'll start by going for Aria first, then…that little elf you seem to be smitten with…"

His anger flared but he didn't rise to the bait. The woman looked nonplussed, but her eyebrow raised as a sign of impatience.

The Seed looked like the last one, a fetus enclosed in glass. Its eyes were closed and it was inactive. "Use it…" they demanded, the pressure becoming tighter on his neck.

I have no other choice but this thing will be the death of me if I don't comply.

*Tempest!*

The wind surrounded him, but only at a fraction of the strength he had. It proves one thing, he was definitely not okay, "Good."

The Seed reacted instantly, opening its eyes and glaring right at Axton. That feeling of unadulterated fear came back. "Get that thing away from me!" It was like a different person was saying it, but he felt like it was him. He didn't know how to feel with this, but he knew to avoid contact with that thing.

"Oh, so it does react to his wind. At first, I thought it was a fluke," the woman said.

"Enough Revis," the figure behind Axton said. "We still need that one, but bring out the good stuff."

"You really want him to die, don't you? Fine, but as long as I can settle matters with Aria, then consider me a free mercenary of sorts."

"Done, but if my Master summons you, you are to follow or I'll be the one after you," it was said in such a sweet voice, Axton could have gotten diabetes. "You need not worry, spirit of the Wind, your true home is almost upon you."

"What if I don't want your version of a home?" Axton said, breathing through the fear.

A laugh—no, a cackle—rang out behind him, "Oh, who said consent was a factor?"

The woman, who Axton now knows is Revis, returned with something in her hand. "Best place?"

Axton's head was encompassed by someone and tilted up, "Right in his neck."

The Sword Prince squirmed as he tried to do something, anything. But that was in another life, probably. The needle was injected, not nicely either, and plunged the contents into his body.

"I can't believe you even tried this. He has a better chance of expiring than being converted."

"You'll find that people like him have a chance of overturning the odds," the figure responded to Revis.

The effect was immediate. He began thrashing violently, silent screams escaping his mouth. Everything hurt. Everything felt like he was burning up and cooling down all at the same time, his nerves were fried.

"Hmm…"

Axton thrashed so violently, he snapped the vines and fell to the floor convulsing, tears leaked freely from his eyes. He was doing his best to hold on, but for all he knew, everything was transparent. There was nothing solid to hold on to and it showed. This pain was nothing like he's ever experienced before.

He vomited on the floor, feeling the liquid exit his body. Coughing, he laid there, "Ugh…ow…"

Both figures above him were impressed and unimpressed. Impressed that he survived—no, resisted the contents of the syringe. Unimpressed at his action of vomiting, oddly enough. He looked around through blurry eyes and noticed a pillar of red. Is that…

With seeing this, he knew where he was. They didn't really go far but this place needed some privacy. What better place than...

The twenty-fourth floor! Axton allowed himself to smile looking at the floor. Now that I think I know where I am, I can worry about escaping later.

"Get up," Revis growled and yanked the boy up and aggressively put him against the wall. "Any idea how he resisted the conversion, Ein?"

"Not at the moment, but you may begin your interrogation, I have much to think on."

Revis' feral smirk would join in his future nightmares.


The party consisting of Finn, Gareth, and Bete left early in the morning, just as the sun was rising in Orario. "Was it wise to leave so early?"

"We need a head start if we're to have any chance of finding him. The first forty-eight are critical. After that…who knows," Finn finished in a whisper.

Onlookers noticed three out of the four top men of the Loki Familia entering the Dungeon. It wasn't an expedition, but they moved with a purpose. They immediately wanted to know what was going on and who better to know than the Hermes Familia. They, of course, were curious too, but they had their own agenda to deal with.

The trio of men made it down to the eighteenth in record time. After checking in with Bors on the rebuilding of Rivira, they went to the sight of where they fought the Demi-Spirit abomination. The blood was still fresh.

"Lad, can you detect his scent?" Gareth asked, noticing a small trail going towards the Great Tree Labyrinth.

Bete inhaled and sniffed deeply. "I got Ais's scent. It's all over the place. I have an unknown scent, she reeks of death…and…" he sniffed once more and his amber eyes gained a glint. "I have his scent, but it's faint, like…"

"His life is fading away?" Finn asked.

The ashen werewolf snorted, "Not exactly…it feels like it changed or it's being masked by something."

Finn's thumb tingled as Bete said this, "Hmm…"

"Your thumb, Finn?" Gareth questioned, shouldering his ax, a behemoth of a weapon.

"Yes, it seems that Axton's scent is being purposefully masked. Follow it, but be cautious, you don't know what lies beyond Rivira," Finn ordered.

The wolf sniffed again before going off on the trail. He found blood. Combine the words and we have a blood trail. In other words, a clue to where Axton could be. They continued through the twenty-fourth floor when they noticed the monsters were in a frenzy.

Curious, Finn recalled his knowledge of the Dungeon and this floor. This floor had two pantries, one in the northern end and one in the southern end. The entrance lies in the west and the exit is in the east. The path to get there, however, was a tad difficult to traverse.

Nothing made sense at what they saw, "They don't look concerned with us," Gareth noted, a tense tone in his voice. The dwarf knew something was amiss here and it was only a hint of the monstrosity brewing under the surface, metaphorically speaking.

"For once, I fully agree with the old man, and it only gets worse," Bete said, glaring at the beginnings of a monster parade moving to the south. "Axton's scent is coming from where they're leaving."

Both elder executives turned to the wolf, "Are you positive?"

"Does it look like I'm joking? I may be an ass, but I do worry about the Prince in my own way," Bete said, crossing his arms and looking away, knowing that there were teasing grins on the elder mens' faces. "The real question is are we going in to bust him out?"

Finn's thumb ached at the suggestion, "My thumb disagrees with your question. We can't right now, but now that we have a location, we can plan around it."

"What about Ais?" Bete asked. "I know you threatened for Loki to seal her falna, but she'd still go in, falna or not."

"Lad, that's a conversation for another time, but should we head to the Manor and report this in?"

Finn was having conflicting thoughts, I don't want to leave him to suffer…but even though we are high-level adventurers, we can't risk it, but recon…

"No, but we can at least see what has the monster so spooked. Once we encounter a single Viola, we retreat, understood?"

"Yep/Yes, Captain."

Their recon proved valuable in the coming days.


Two days later, inside Twilight Manor, inside a room, housed one individual. Ais Wallenstein. She has refused to come out of her room, she refused to even speak to Riveria after she told her what the ramifications were if she went out and searched.

The High Elf explained everything to her, not leaving a single detail out, and it hurt to hear, and it hurt even worse when Requiem was right next to Desperate in her room. After calmly telling Riveria to leave, she stared at the pair of weapons for hours...and that was after she found out that Finn, Bete, and Gareth went into the Dungeon to look for him.

I have to apologize to Finn for my outburst...and everyone else. But how can I do that? It won't sound sincere…

Ais's thoughts were spiraling, and no emotions were 'clicking' into place. She couldn't identify them, but maybe Ax-

Oh…

She didn't realize how much she relied on him. It hurts to think that she'll be left alone. First, the Dragon took their parents, and now the Dungeon is potentially going to take him; no...that woman took him. Her anger surged, fists clenched. Her hands went to her hair and she gripped her golden locks wanting to feel something, anything than this anguish.

She needed to do something. Since Loki had threatened to seal her Falna—heard second hand from Riveria, of course—there wasn't much she could do but worry, cry, and scream. Huffing, she climbed out of bed and started getting dressed. She didn't worry about the armor, but she did want to take both weapons. Sure, she would look awkward wielding two weapons, but they held sentimental value damn it!

Once she opened the door, she looked both ways before heading for the exit. Thankfully, no one was around to find her.

Or so she thought.

She left the Manor by jumping over the fence, the guards were unaware and they would not be to blame. The swords at her sides felt clunky, but she looked badass as she walked down the street. Though they tried to get her attention, she didn't respond. Old nicknames were whispered, but she paid them no mind. Once she was getting close to her destination, she veered off into a side street.

She waited patiently, and once Ais heard footsteps, she pounced. "Mmmh!"

Golden eyes locked with wide blue ones. Ais took a look at their face. Orange hair, pointed ears, a startled expression on her face, "Lefiya?"

"Mmm Ees!" the identified pursuer said, muffled by her hands.

"What are you doing?" she asked emotionlessly, removing her hands from her mouth. Lefiya had no time to be excited because she was hurting.

The elf sighed, "What are you doing outside the Manor? I was lucky to see you jump the fence and I thought you were about to disobey Finn and Loki's order. I didn't want you to risk yourself like that!"

Ais took a step back, "I wasn't heading to the Dungeon, I need to go somewhere...else."

Lefiya wasn't buying it, "You were taking all the paths around to the Dungeon, Miss Ais. I know you want to go, I do too, but we can't."

The young elf cried for most of the night, and her slightly puffy eyes were evidence of that. After getting thoroughly teased by Riveria for finally admitting her crush—it was only two questions—she was given an order to keep by Ais's side just in case. When asked if Miss Tione or Miss Tiona should watch her, she reiterated the answers she provided to those two questions.

She was the closest person to Ais, aside from Axton and Riveria. The former being first, the latter being second. She would be the one to talk some sense into the blonde beauty. "I've admitted my feelings to myself about how I feel, but I also want to make sure that you are alright, so if you need to talk, I'm here," Lefiya said as she hugged the girl.

Ais didn't know how to respond, but she did reciprocate the hug, more tears leaking out of her golden eyes. "I just want him back...it hurts so much."

"I know…"

The two girls did not have dry eyes before they decided to separate. Ais and Lefiya both ended up outside of Babel, looking at the Dungeon entrance. A look of longing entered her eyes. She wanted so bad to go inside, but without her status, it would be pointless. I just want to not be so...useless!

"I know that look, Miss Ais," Lefiya said softly. Shocked, Ais turned to her, "It's the same look of frustration I get when I feel useless and a bother."

"But you're…"

"Then you're not either," the elf countered with a watery smile. She looked to see Requiem on her waist. "I know what he'll probably say if he was here. 'Come on cheer up, you worry to much!' or something to that effect."

A beautiful sound came from the elf's left, and it was Miss Ais giggling bashfully. I can see what they mean when they say that a girl's giggle is often sought after. However, with her admitted feelings, she wants to see him hold back a laugh, chuckle, snicker, or just be himself. A hand rested over her heart, come back to us.

As soon as the sound was heard, it disappeared as the thought of her brother made her smile go to a frown. Lefiya wondered if she had done something irreversible. "He probably would…" her hand rested on Requiem's hilt, gripping it tight.

"Let's go home, Miss Ais," Lefiya's voice was noticeably downtrodden. When she didn't respond, the young elf dragged the girl back home.

This process repeated over the next two days, but something happened on the third day.


Ais found herself outside of Babel, looking at the entrance. Citizens of Orario noticed the lack of the Sword Prince at the Sword Princess's side. So, names like Lone Royal happened. Of course, she carried the Durandal weapons on her, but she just stood there looking longingly at the entrance.

Even one Goddess of Beauty took notice of her soul, how the blemish in it was smaller and a larger piece of hope was emerging. The Sword Princess was in flux. She wasn't interested in her but was interested in the fact she was changing so frequently over the past few days. She only made a note to observe further.

Her mental health was getting worse, hopeful thoughts were plundered by darker ones. Nightmares constantly plagued her over these last few days, resulting in hours of sleep lost. The only things she could do now was wait and train, sometimes both, sometimes none. It was an odd period. Lefiya was doing her best to keep her company, and all she could do was accept it.

She almost lost full control of her appearance. After Riveria and Lefiya had to speak to her about her hygiene, she made herself presentable and formally apologized. She managed to track down the Hiryute twins and apologize to them too. Accompanied with a bow, she went to apologize to Loki for her behavior, which Loki accepted, then tried to fondle her. Ais rolled her eyes at her antics, but it let the girl know that she was forgiven.

Her heart clenched when a wolf demi-human stopped her. It was Calan, the child that Axton had complimented a while back; he asked where Axton was, and she had given a sad excuse of he was in the Dungeon. It wasn't wrong, but it hurt to lie to him. Calan didn't care and hugged the Sword Princess. She didn't realize how much she needed affection. I won't take it for granted ever again.

After that, she ended up at Babel. She was just wandering, but she must have subconsciously walked herself to the Dungeon. She was so lost in thought that she failed to notice who walked up alongside her.

"Miss Ais?"

It was not Lefiya's voice, but a voice she found herself missing just as much as her brother's.

"Are you alright?"

Bell Cranel was next to her, dressed in light armor with a predominately white color scheme; red accents highlighted the armor. A green brace rested on his left forearm, "Bell…I..."

"D-Don't answer if y-you don't want to, I j-just saw you and wanted to ask you how you're doing," the boy stuttered.

"Not well…" she admitted.

"Is there anything I can do?" Bell asked, his ruby eyes shining with determination to help. If he was to admit it to himself, he wanted to help her in any way possible.

She wanted to ask directly, but she decided to go about it a different way, "Are you headed into the Dungeon?"

Confused at the topic change, but he wouldn't press the issue, "Y-Yeah. Myself and Lili, the supporter I hired. She's really dependable." Ais looked over to where Bell pointed to see a girl in a cream-colored hood with a backpack three times her size. "We're headed to the ninth floor."

The ninth floor already?! Ais thought in her head. "Okay, be safe down there, Bell…"

He flushed, for a reason that the air-headed girl didn't understand, before replying, "I will, I still have to catch up to my idol." He ran off to the supporter before both of them entered the Dungeon. Shoot, I forgot to apologize to him about the Minotaur. Who's his idol?

Ais found herself sitting on a fountain's edge, looking up into the sky, wondering how she could pass the time. She could go get a Jagamarukun, but she remembered Monsterphillia and the...what was it called? The Spice! That's right. He ate that then breathed fire...it was nice to see him so carefree...

Not even fifteen minutes passed when Finn, Bete, and Gareth emerged from the Dungeon. Ais was quick to approach them. Bete was the first to notice. "Did you find him?"

Finn quickly answered, "A possible location, nothing solid, thanks to Bete."

Ais quickly looked to Bete, expectantly. "Jeez calm down, I sniffed out his scent down to the twenty-fourth-" She was already moving past them, but a dwarf stood in the way.

"Listen, little lass, you can't just run down there and expect results. We will come up with a plan at the Manor, you hear?" Gareth said, using his strength to hold her back.

Ais struggled in the burly dwarf's arms and pouted. She expected as such, but there was hope. Hope that he was alive. Hope that her brother could come back to her.

"Let's head back and inform Loki. She won't admit it, but she's terrified," Finn said. She keeps checking the connections to us, her children, and hoping that the number stays the same. The four of them headed up North Main, one of them reluctantly, with frequent glances to Babel.

Above them, a bird was flying, but this bird was special. It was a white owl with two different eyes, one of them was relaying information back to its master. "Return to me, I need time to form a plan."


It looked like there was no hope.

Revis got to interrogating Axton. However, 'interrogating' was subjective. It was more that she was beating him within an inch of his life, to heal, to then repeat the process. Every time she did, he would attempt to dodge, but his sluggish movements made it easier for her.

"Are we having fun yet?" Despite the bruised and bloodied form that was Axton, he wouldn't let this get to him. He's been scarred enough already and he's already had nightmares. This was his life over the next few days.

Revis snarled, "Resilient, are you, spawn?"

A half-assed shrug through a bloody smile, a beaten body, but a determined spirit, "I do my best."

Off to the side, the figure named Ein watched, "Such tenacity…" it almost sounded like a mixture of scorn, contempt, and a smidge of impressed. The plan was to whittle him down since he resisted the conversion, but Revis wanted an excuse to beat him up, so it allowed Ein space to think. He was actually very annoying with his quips.

Revis wanted to use him to get to Aria, by converting him in front of her eyes.

Thankfully, they would never get the chance.


Ais felt better over the past three days. She had comfort knowing that she would be joining them on a rescue trip that would head out tomorrow. Finn moves fast with his plans. Everyone had tension release from their shoulders, Loki especially.

So, it was only the middle of the afternoon, and Ais was heading towards Babel again...for what reason...even she didn't know, but she thought it brought her some level of comfort. Most would think of her as weird, but she is a weird child, considering her origin.

As she was walking in the door, a Guild advisor called her name, "Oh, Lady Wallenstein, a moment of your time?" Ais turned to see an attractive half-elf. Her rounded glasses fit her face perfectly. Her green orbs gave off an essence of serenity.

"How can I help you?" the blonde beauty asked.

"My name is Eina Tulle, Bell's advisor, and-"

Before the receptionist could explain the two of them heard a conversation, "Is she going to do it tonight?"

"Yeah, she's going to rob that white-haired kid blind and leave him," the second replied.

The third snickered, "Are we ready?"

A scowl from behind her glasses, "...Normally, I would go through official means, but this is important." She bowed, "Please save Bell Cranel!"

A head tilt, but internally, she was concerned and her guard was up. He just left a few hours ago. I think I can at least apologize. "What happened?"

"His supporter is from Soma Familia and recently, their activity has gotten rougher. You are aware of Soma's fine wine, correct?" A nod. "Well, his supporter that he hired is planning something and I in good conscience, cannot leave him like that. She plans on leaving him behind, possibly getting him killed."

The way her fingers tightened on the papers she was carrying proved how desperate she was for her help. Even though I am still barred from going inside...I am prepared for the punishment. "I'll head out now."

Ais took off for the Dungeon, speeding down the stairs into the first floor. She had to make it quick though.

*Tempest!*

Her wind, her mother's wind, enveloped her form. She made great time through the first five floors, then the next three, and that was when she ran into a group of adventurers struggling with Killer Ants. She unsheathed Desperate and killed all the remaining ones in a few swings before turning to the adventurers.

"Woah, Sword Princess!" they exclaimed

"Have you seen a boy with white hair, red eyes, around this tall?" she held a hand just at her height, maybe a celch taller than herself.

They all thought about it before replying, "Yeah, he was headed for the tenth floor with his supporter. He went down this hall and turned left at the fifth intersection," the leader of the group replied.

"Thank you. Tempest!" she called again, running full tilt through the remainder of the ninth floor.

The tenth through the twelfth floor were all foggy, making visibility terrible. Ais only followed the sounds of fighting. Using her wind, she found the source, and before she engaged, she noticed the item on the ground.

"A monster lure? She was right, she was trying to kill him…" Ais brought out Desperate once more and shut off her wind. Her natural level five speed will be enough to deal with the enemy.

Running headlong into the fight, she wiped out the trash mobs with ease. Bell didn't know who saved him, but he ran off, thanking her. She pouted when she realized that she wasn't able to apologize...again. She was about to turn back when she noticed a green sparkle in this field of white fog. "This is...the brace he was wearing…"

A chilling presence focused on her, "Who's there?"

Creepily enough, a voice responded, "You spotted me...your perception is higher than I originally thought." The veil dropped and a person in black robes, no identifiable face could be seen and their hands were long, but they looked like claws.

Ais still didn't know who they were or what their intentions were. Best to ere on the side of caution…

However, their next words had her full attention, "I have a request for you, Sword Princess. It involves the Sword Prince and his predicament. Will you hear me out?"

Sorry Finn, Loki, Riveria, Lefiya...everyone. "Yes."

...

I apologize too much, but I want the least amount of confusion possible.