Royalty could be seen jogging up the upper floors. The entire time, they've been quiet. Ais was carrying the boy who did the impossible. Bell Cranel, the boy who fought a Minotaur—a monster from the middle floors—and won. Tiona affectionately named him 'Argonaut-kun' or 'Argo-kun' or just 'Mister Argonaut' because she based the fight on her favorite story aptly named Argonaut.
Axton was carrying the supporter, Lili, in his arms. She hadn't spoken much but her eyes strayed to his sister, more specifically, to the boy who was unconscious on her back. This silence allowed Axton to fully process what he witnessed. He knew that the Dungeon wouldn't be this stupid to send monsters after them. He and his sister could easily just punch the damn Goblins and Kobolds if they did show up.
Anyway, the processing.
The blond swordsman wondered what was really going through Bell's mind as he was fighting the Minotaur. How was he able to keep such a cool head? He didn't seem to be shaking at all. Bell was truly as composed as one could be facing insurmountable odds. That Minotaur should have easily crushed him. The training that he and Ais provided was probably one of the reasons that he adapted so well.
He still remembers a little bit of what he suffered under Revis. That woman scarred him, whether he admits it or not, whether or not he acknowledges that. It happened and now he's trying to see past it. He knew that if he saw her again he would freeze. He was certain. It wasn't something he could just forget. Nothing worked that way. It affects them for the rest of their lives. Even if he forced himself to forget, that would be counter-intuitive. By forcing oneself to forget, it only heightens the memory.
Sure, the situations he's comparing aren't the best examples. A monster versus a…humanoid-looking monster…okay…never mind. The situations are similar but the fact that she went through all of that just to brutally beat him hasn't left his mind.
Why didn't she kill him? Why didn't he die like he should have? What did Revis truly want? With Guardian active, taking a wound like that should have been fatal. There was no other way around it. That was what the skill did, it allowed him to be fully in tune with his status but the drawback was being much more susceptible to injury. So, why was I alive?
A feeling pushed on his back, one that has come up in recent days. It was his skill, telling him to not question it and be thankful he's alive. With his skill, he's gotten better at discerning what feelings were his and what were his skills. Even after all this, my endurance jumping up to S like that…that kind of growth should be impossible. Yet, Bell killing that Minotaur should have been impossible as well, yet here we are.
Everything in the past two weeks has been one wild carriage ride that had no brakes, or in this case, the horse went loose and caused a stir. Such a drastic change in one's life, they should consider taking a break…but that will never happen. Right now, there was a lot more going on with the expedition than meets the eye. The public doesn't know about the Violas, Olivas, Revis, or Evilus emerging from the shadows again. They don't know what is truly below Babel. They don't know how fragile this lid really is…
…and for the betterment of society, it should stay that way.
Axton fell completely silent, pushing those thoughts aside as the first floor was upon them. He blinked and looked back, wondering where the hell time went. This was not normal. What Axton missed was the way that Ais was looking at him. With concern in her gaze.
She knew he was thinking about it. Granted, she was too but it was kinda hard when soft, fluffy hair was constantly rubbing against her cheek. Don't get her started on how it smells because even though he was half-naked, he didn't smell horrible. He still smelled pure…as there was no other way to describe it.
As they approached the surface, Ais brushed against Axton, getting him to focus on the task at hand. Using their higher speed, in order to not raise questions, the Sword Princess led the way to Dian Cecht's, and surprise surprise, Amid was not happy to see Royalty like this, well, maybe she was still upset at Axton for being in the hospital a few weeks ago. Maybe it was because they also had some dried blood on their clothes. So then, she had to find where the wounds were. Not very difficult as there were only minor wounds.
"Lay him here, please notify Lady Hestia. She should be in Babel, working one of the shops," the violet-eyes healer said.
Axton nodded and slipped out the door, running full tilt back to Babel. He'd rather not spend any time with an irate healer who could probably curse him if given enough time to read up on those. He still had a lot on his mind, so once he arrived at Babel, he slipped on an elevator with two other adventurers.
"Woah, it's the Sword Prince!"
"Aren't you on an expedition?" The second one asked. An elf and a dark elf, who look pretty chummy if their conjoined hands were any indicator.
The blond nodded, "Yeah, but maybe you can help. Have you seen a Goddess with twin tails, dark hair, blue eyes…and a very modest chest?"
The elves blushed but the dark elf nodded, "Seventh floor, sixth door, you'll find Lady Hestia…I believe her name was."
Axton smiled, "Perfect, thank you." The elevator ended at the seventh floor and Axton darted out. He was pressed for time and he needed to find her. The boy dodged through the multiple crowds of newbie adventurers, ignoring the multiple surprised calls of his moniker until he ended up right by the door the elf told him. Carrying his scabbard in hand made it that much easier to dodge people.
He raised his hand to knock but the door opened, speckled gold meeting crystal blue, "Lady Hestia?"
"Wallenwhatshisface?" She exclaimed.
A twitch of Axton's eyebrow. Get my name right, at the very least…it's not my fault that he has a massive crush on my sister. He took a deep breath, No time to be petty… "Can you please follow me, and if Lady Hephaestus wrings you out, blame me. This is about Bell."
"What about my cute little Bell-kun?" Her eyes screamed in concern. If it was any other situation, Axton would've laughed at the bipolar attitude radiating off the goddess.
"Please follow me and I will explain everything. This is confidential information and I wish to do so on the way," he stressed.
Sensing no lies and the serious note in his voice, she threw off the apron she was wearing and looked him in the eye, "Sword Prince, I am in your care."
The serious Hestia had emerged.
Momentarily taken off-guard, he didn't let it show on his face as he stepped to the side and offered his arm. "Lady Hestia, may I carry you to make the trip faster once we arrive on the bottom floor."
Looks like a serious change happened to me as well, can't complain.
While they stared at one another, Axton saw the flicker in her eyes, the worry. What he didn't know was that she saw the phantoms in his eyes. The pair entered the elevator in silence.
Little did they both know, Hephaestus had heard the entire exchange and smirked to herself, "She may be my mooch but she is definitely growing into the Goddess she should be."
Upon arriving outside Babel, Axton put the Goddess on his back, telling her to hold on as he put his level six speed to the test.
The yelp was heard across the courtyard but that mattered not. In mere minutes, they were outside the clinic. Axton explained in an organized fashion, making sure the Goddess does not blurt out information like that. Axton knows that if a God gets wind of this, they will attempt to…obtain…Bell. That won't fly with Axton. Who cares if they are in different Familias? If they don't want to leave their Familia, then they should leave it be, not stir up more trouble.
Axton gently set Hestia down before opening the clinic door. She was still clinging to his arm to preserve her balance as she seemed a bit dizzy, "Apologies for the jostled ride but my sister and I are needed for our expedition. Will you be alright?"
The concern was heartwarming, "The question is, will you?" Hestia murmured but Axton heard it.
"Sure," he said, which made her blue eyes snap to him. He chose not to look at her. He lied.What happened…no he's not my child, he's with that flat-boarded witch. Hestia scrutinized him as he called for Ais. She appeared a moment later. "His supporter is with him, Lady Hestia."
"Thank you, both of you," Hestia bowed to them, which was returned before Royalty sped off to the Dungeon again.
Once they entered again and were alone, Ais had something to say, "You're not really alright, are you?"
"Of course I am, I have to be," he said but there was a strain in his voice.
Ais pursed her lips, not liking how her baby brother is acting. "You're still scared of that woman." It's not a question but a statement. Maybe a hint of an accusation if one read into it far enough.
He took a deep breath as they passed the sixth floor, "How can I not? She stabbed me, then beat on me for that whole time. Ais, my endurance jumped all the way to S rank from C." He didn't see her eyes widen. To have that kind of stat jump meant… "I'm terrified."
She pushed ahead of him to stop him and he did so. Her hands landed on his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. One that stunned him. "If she comes around, I'll be around."
"But if you get hurt…"
"She'll have to deal with both of us, this time, it will be different," she comforted her brother.
Axton didn't want to admit it but tears fell down his face. Again, he and his sister are only sixteen almost seventeen—in Ais's case. They are putting more weight on their shoulders than should ever be placed there. "Can we…talk about what we witnessed?"
"What about it?" She said as she wiped a tear from his eye. It hurt to know her brother felt like this.
Ais is air-headed, that's pretty clear. However, she can see her brother better than anyone because she grew up with him before their thousand-year 'nap'. The Sword Princess knew there was something else to it. It was a very subtle thing. His eyes were shining, yes but there was something else mixed in.
Axton pulled himself away as he sighed, "How he got over his fear…"
She would later recognize this as admiration. In the sense of looking at someone heroic. Or for even further simplicity: Hope.
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh. He fought a monster that by all means was—and no offense to him—superior. The reason why I'm stumped is that I know I can't scrounge up that kind of courage like that. I hate how weak I feel about it."
Their pace was a decent fast walk now, not wanting anyone to overhear.
"Don't listen to Bete," Ais said with a frown. "You're not weak."
"So why does it feel that way, Ais?" Axton lamented. "He took it out and I…" he looked down to his hand to see it tremble. "…I want that courage…I can't let her get the upper hand again. If I was given the chance to do it over, I wouldn't change a thing. Even still…"
Ais took a moment to formulate her response, "And we'll have it. Axton, I promise you that I will be there for you at any moment that you need me. If it lets me be the big sister again, then all you have to do is ask. I will not and never will judge you for it."
Axton let a breath leave his chest feeling somewhat absolved. The mediocrity that swelled within his soul lessened but did not disappear. Not until that woman was brought to justice.
Even if it was at the business end of Requiem.
"I'm glad the training was put to good use," Axton commented on the eighth floor. Their trip from the second floor was taken in mostly silence, aside from their heart-to-heart. The silence was not uncomfortable nor awkward. Instead, it was calm.
But like everything, there was only the impending storm. Royalty knew that going forward, so it was no surprise that when they met with their teams on the ninth floor, Finn, Riveria, and notably Gareth took notice of Axton's eyes. Since their eyesight is greater at their level—Finn's more so because of the Pallum trait to see in the dark, or darker areas—they saw the red-rimmed eyes of their Prince.
"Is something bothering you, Axton?" Finn called out once he was close enough.
The Prince snapped his eyes forward, slightly robotic in movement. He cleared his throat, "Nothing relevant to the current objective, Captain." His respectful way to tell his captain to fuck off, mind his own business, and not to worry about him. Just like his sister, he can become a Doll Prince but only in the Dungeon. It doesn't come out often and that's how Finn knew something was up.
His thumb ached and he had a pretty good idea as to what it was.
"I will explain post-expedition," he amended as an afterthought. He strode forward to reconvene with his team, completely missing the gaze of one concerned elven maiden.
Bete normally would have said something but the sharp glare from Ais told him that it wasn't a good idea. Despite that, he walked over to Axton and looked him in the eyes.
The blond swordsman returned the stare. "Still going to fight?"
"With everything," he responded.
A hint of a smile and a glint came to Vanargand's eyes. "Good, now don't fall behind," he walked away with his hands in his pockets.
Dino and Jericho were at his side instantly. The two often see Royalty as younger siblings. They try to bring Ais out of her shell and the only one that can really do that is Axton. The offer remains, however. "Are you really good?"
Axton replied with a nod, his serious persona taking a firm hold. Normally, he'd be more relaxed but now he must gather the courage that Bell did. A glance at his sister showed that she would be there and for now, that was enough. "Not to worry, we have places to be, monsters to kill, and uncharted territory with our names on it."
The dark elf raised an eyebrow, vowing to bring it up later. The raccoon shared the same look, clearly not believing the façade that Axton is putting up. The two males know that bringing it up would only further drive him away, as they learned once eight years ago. That was not their brightest moment.
Caterina was about to make a comment but the deadpan look Axton sent her persuaded her from opening her mouth. He nodded thankfully before taking the rest of his group and directing them to scout ahead, saying that he'll jump in if and when they need help. "Put aside your pride in here. Again, I'd rather you injured over dead."
Off to the side, that elven mage stepped closer to the other mage, "Is this about-"
"Most likely, Lefiya," Riveria responded as she started walking forward. Her 'Fairy Force' as they are dubbed, consisted of all elves who could wield different kinds of magic. From offense, defense, support, and healing. Lefiya was there because she was her chosen successor. Loki allows the top three to view the statuses of promising adventurers of their familia, provided that permission is given, to discern where they would fit in most. Lefiya, upon receiving Elf Ring, was almost immediately put under Riveria's care. "It would be wise to not bring it up. From the looks the two shared, it was a private matter and conversation that we have no business being a part of. Only when they asked for help or our opinion is when we give it."
Getting back to the point, the High Elf did want to know as well. Something was bothering him. However, she did see the look the two siblings shared and knew that they would have one another's back.
With no other snags, the Loki Familia finally made it to the fiftieth floor. Despite having reconvened sooner than they wanted, they all went down into the depths. They easily passed the eighteenth floor, then the twenty-seventh, then the thirty-seventh. All without any major problems. It still took six days to get there.
Once again, people really really really really really underestimate how big the Dungeon is. Seriously, it's like a whole other world down here.
Of course, it wouldn't be the Dungeon if it didn't invite guests to the party. Monsters did indeed spawn but they didn't have to worry about Monster Rexes this time. On the way up to the surface, that may be a different story. The camp was bustling with activity but even without saying anything, the second-class adventurers, notably Aki, Raul, Cruz, Dino, and Jericho all noticed that the first-class adventurers were in some sort of trance.
They all deduced that it had to do with the ninth floor. Axton was off looking at the ceiling of the floor, puffing his cheeks and blowing them out before repeating the process. Tione was spinning her Kukri knives around., and her sister was pacing with excitement. How could she not?! She literally witnessed a story come to life!
Bete was busy hounding Tsubaki about his Flosvirt, making sure it was repaired. Fighting those Violas previously did a number on them, so even after she fixed them, he made sure she did. Tsubaki almost took offense to that. She wasn't one of the renowned High Smiths of the Hephaestus Familia for nothing, you know?
As for the young Princess, she was replaying the whole thing over and over again. Watching her charge, Bell Cranel, fight with such power and determination. For a moment, she thought she saw him. The man who she wanted to be her hero but was told, "You'll have to find your own hero, as your mother is mine."
In that moment, she thought she saw the back of her father. Axton didn't know that because he was wrapped up in his own mind.
Even as they got here, he quickly helped set up base camp, his assigned section, and then he plopped down at the base of a tree and just gazed over the safe area. And that is where he sat. Not even other members could get him out of his trance.
As they descended, they spared no monster. They were a ferocity in the first-class members that was unprecedented from previous expeditions. The rumors slowly flew about what lit the fire in them. That was part of the reason why they got down here so fast. For most, this is where they would stop as their current status would not be enough for the lower floors. This is indeed the last safest place for them, relatively speaking.
Even as Finn gathered them all and explained who was going down to the fifty-ninth floor, Tsubaki then revealed the Roland Durandal set of weapons. There was a bundle for Finn, Gareth, Bete, Tione, and Tiona.
Axton idly noticed them testing it out and gave a light smile at feeling how the Superior weapons would work in their loadouts. Requiem sat in between his legs, the hilt resting against the tree. He ran a hand through his blond hair, chuckling at his self-deprecating thoughts. I can't let that shake my focus. Once this is over, I may request a temporary leave…but would that be admitting defeat? His hand tightened on his hair for a second before dropping it.
It would have to wait.
Ais, meanwhile, was having thoughts about the woman who harmed her brother. They didn't see her on the way down but that didn't mean she wasn't around. For all she knew, she could be watching.
Soft footsteps entered her hearing and she looked over to see Lefiya slowly approaching Axton. He still looked out of it, probably deep in thought. Ais let out a soft smile at the scene. If she could sneak up on him, it would be humorous and she would randomly remind him at different intervals.
"Hello, Lefiya," she heard her brother's voice greet her warmly, at least as well as he could manage. The tone still felt a tad flat. Even Ais grimaced at that.
Judging from the small wince he gave meant it wasn't going to convince her. She stood and moved away silently, letting the young mage have the moment to herself. At least until Tsubaki called for her.
"Axton, what is going on with you?" Lefiya asked point-blank before her residual shyness cropped up. "You're…"
"Becoming a Doll?" He asked on her behalf. He chuckled humorlessly, "It's okay, I won't take offense. "Just thinking, which might be dangerous for me, might cause an Ignis Fatuus," he attempted to joke but Lefiya wasn't having it.
Her blue eyes solidified as she met his speckled gold, "Are you ready?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
"Stop avoiding the question!" She exclaimed.
He sighed, putting his head in his hand, not bothering to look at her. Look at me, being such a coward, can't even look her in the eye…looking real good in front of your crush, Axton. "Truthfully, we're never ready."
"Huh?"
She didn't expect the response but as he spoke, he gathered the courage to, at the very least, look her in the eye, "Every time we enter the Dungeon, we are essentially offering our lives as tribute. If you ask me if I'm ready again, my answer will remain the same, Lefiya. We, no I, are never ready. I'm only hoping I'm ready enough to face what lies below. This isn't something you or I can hesitate on. Are you ready and willing to give up your life in the name of adventuring?"
He didn't mean to sound so harsh but what Axton didn't know is that he had unintentionally given everyone a wake-up call. Adventuring isn't something one can decide on a whim. Adventuring isn't something you can just pick up and drop off.
"Because Lefiya, Adventuring is a lifestyle. We live and breathe the adventuring life. So, Lefiya…are you ready?" If anyone else noticed the light of life come into his eyes, no one commented but was thankful. Having their Sword Prince be all glum and monotone certainly wasn't helping morale. The most pleased was a Dark Elf and Raccoon. They smirked to each other and shared a fist bump.
They knew if someone was going to get anything out of him, it was either Ais or Lefiya.
"I just wanted to know if you need help, you can rely on me…"
Axton chuckled before standing and fully turning to face her, "Lefiya, I've always relied on you, because believe it or not, you have far greater potential that you don't see yet. Riveria chose well for her successor."
Lefiya blushed under the honest praise, "Y-You don't-I…uhm…"
He smirked, "Now, what have you been up to in the past few days? I've heard you've been spending time with a certain elf." He knew exactly who as well, and he doesn't believe the rumors surrounding her.
It still didn't stop the irrational feeling in his chest. He knew what it was off the top of his head. He read a story once about it. The feeling was jealousy.
The mention of what she's done over the past few days made her smile in delight, "Oh, Miss Filvis was teaching me how to Concurrently Chant. She guided me through figuring out how to balance the magic energy as you move. Since as mages, our connection to the earth or the floor, in this case, is what allows us to conjure the energy needed. She taught me a lot in such a little time and maybe with more practice, I'll be able to be an even bigger help!" She exclaimed with joy, her hands together, peering up at Axton in happiness.
The expression she had was precious and he found himself getting red in the face from it. Lefiya quickly noticed he was looking away awkwardly. He did give her genuine congrats for learning and adapting as much as she did. Yet, that feeling of jealousy came up again and he did his best to squash it down. The Dungeon was no place for such emotions.
With a half-hearted wave, he sat back down and rest against the tree once more, watching as the elven mage headed back into the center of the camp.
"Gods, I really am hopeless, aren't I?"
"Maybe a little bit."
Axton turned sharply to see Dino. The dark elf had an expression that he's seen too many times: smug. "Do I need to wipe that look off your face?"
The level four male chuckled, "No but in all seriousness, you need to figure yourself out, Axton."
"Which isn't easy with my disposition," he lamented. And it's for more reasons than you're seeing, Dino. As much as he wanted to spill what's been going on…it's not the right time nor the right place.
Dino patted the Prince on the shoulder, "Don't worry, you'll have a chance once we all return up top." He walked away before Axton's mind caught up with the double meaning.
"The hells that supposed to mean?!"
Even as night encroached the entire Loki Familia camp, there were plenty of adventurers who still stayed up in anticipation. An adrenaline rush would keep anyone awake. However, there were cases such as Raul.
The spiky-haired level four was thinking…far too deeply to the point of it was possible, steam would be coming out of his ears.
Even though Dino and Jericho had assured him that they'd be fine, he still had doubts. The doubts from the last time they were here. It didn't seem that long ago, was it a month? Maybe longer? He didn't really keep track.
The High Novice clutched his forearm as he recalled that acid spilling onto his skin, feeling it burn away and the smell…
It made Raul lose his appetite just thinking about it. If it wasn't for Axton, the acidic wounds could have been much worse.
Speaking of the Sword Prince, Raul was taking mental notes. He noted that he felt or at least looked like he was somewhere else. He's been that way since the aforementioned ninth floor. Whatever they saw must have been quite the show.
Yeah, not knowing what happened on floor nine was biting the curiosity bug. If something cool happened, he wanted to know! Is that so bad?
Well, if he found out the truth, he could potentially understand why they haven't said anything about it. No doubt when they returned to the surface, he would get his answer.
Anyway, back to Raul's note-taking.
The twenty-one-year-old male noted that Ais was fretting over Axton now, which in recent years hasn't happened. So he thought there was potential for what he dubbed the 'sibling hierarchy' to be right again. Even so, he noticed the small hesitation for Axton picking up his sword. He put it down to what he recently went through. If he didn't admit that he has PTS, there would be cause for concern.
It's not a knock to Axton but even he wouldn't be able to keep up his normal attitude, so Raul wasn't as surprised at how it affected him. He was surprised at how quick it came. "Raul, are you alright?"
The man blinked before looking up at the curious eyes of one Anakitty Autumn, his fellow level four, and current crush slash maybe girlfriend. Their relationship isn't solidified as of yet. "Hmm?"
"You've been staring off for the past fifteen minutes, are you alright?" she asked again.
Raul seemed to notice multiple people looking at him and he flushed slightly, "Just note-taking."
Aki—Anakitty—nodded at that. Whenever he was note-taking, it was always for a good reason. She could usually identify the reason as well. This one was obvious as it was on everyone's minds. The Loki Familia always took care of their own. There are exceptions to that rule. Her tail waved idly behind her as she glanced around the camp. The plan was to move out towards the next floors. Their big push.
They were going to make history but once again, there is a lot more riding on this expedition than ever before. Aki knows that the higher-ups know something that they're not sharing.
Of course, while she could fall into the stereotypical 'curiosity killed the cat' shtick, she elected against that. If they wanted to let them know, they will. Obviously, she knows that it has something to do with Royalty considering the small glances that Mama Riveria is giving them.
Upon thinking that, Aki's tail froze in place as she felt a very familiar yet terrifying glare from one Nine Hell. Aki made herself scarce for the time being. Raul, obviously worried that he'll be next, followed after her.
"Are you absolutely sure that this is the best course of action?" Riveria asked Finn.
The Pallum nodded with determination, "Yes, we'll have to rely on them to skip most of the floors. Since it will just be the nine of us down there, we'll need to be quick. It would take far too much time to make it down there."
The trio of Loki Familia's top executives were in their tent, speaking in hushed ones to prevent anyone from overhearing. Sensitive things needed to be discussed and with the nature of them, they allowed no one close to the tent. One's sense of hearing increased as they leveled up, and those with animal features often have far better hearing than most.
Gareth looked over the maps of the floors again, and since they were the only ones that came down here, they were only partially filled in. The dwarf hummed as he stroked his beard. "What about Royalty?" With the mention of their affectionately called problem children, the mood shifted. "From what Loki told us, they are after Ais and after what happened to the young lad, it's not out of the question what they want…"
Finn sighed, "While I wish we could spare them the pain, this is the only lead we have on her. We all know their drive to see her again…" two nods of agreement, "...we still don't really know what happened to him."
"His jump in Endurance was enough to get him Strong Body, a development ability is about as rare as my Spirit Healing," Riveria chimed in. "We don't even know what it does, and along with his Cursed Skill…"
Finn and Gareth waived off the motherly concern because it was a concern for them as well. If the name of the development ability is to be believed then he could technically take more damage while it works in healing his body. Factor in Guardian's detriment…it could lead to some unpleasant consequences, and they don't start with him.
Strong Body does what it implies. It strengthens the body, allowing it to most likely take more hits before medical attention was needed. There was also the theory that it bolstered the excelia gain for one's Endurance stat in their basic abilities. There aren't many people who have it, and for all they know, Axton could be the first to have this. If it wasn't obvious, the mortals of Gekai are not knowledgeable about the Falna. Not entirely. Some scholars dedicate or have dedicated their lives into researching the Falna. Even some of the Gods admitted that they didn't know how it worked.
The first Falna was given by Ouranos, according to the Gods. Do we see the pattern? It is speculated that even he does not its true extent either. The Gods usually avoid talking about the Falna unless it is regarding updating their childrens' status. Maybe they find it as entertaining to watch them struggle.
It wouldn't be surprising.
"Yes, Guardian indeed is one such elusive skill that has its drawbacks," a voice said, walking into the tent without so much as a care. Predictably, someone followed behind the voice. That was Royalty. "It hurts to know you're talking about me and my skill without me, you know, the one who has it. How would you feel if you were discussing something sensitive like this over a cup of tea, hmm?" A feeling from within told him to back down but for once, he ignored it.
Okay, maybe Axton was a little upset to have picked it up as he walked by. The executives did not react to that statement. Ais trailed awkwardly behind him. However, internally, she didn't like the casual conversation about his skill. It obviously was a sore spot. There was a reason why Axton never brought it up since he had thought it was normal to be as injured as he gets because of the situations he found himself in. To then have the revelation that this skill was responsible for his grievous injuries, it hurt to have it casually mentioned.
"Well? Nothing to say? I came because I wanted to be here to support us all and it would make the vanguard easier. I said it before and I'll say it again, I chose this life and I choose it every time I step foot in the Dungeon. After seeing that I have all the more reasons why I came," he said, speaking calmly as he regarded the three figures that came into his life that supported him when he was only a child. "If you didn't want me here, then why did you allow me to come along? You had the power to stop me but you didn't. Injuries or not, I will stand beside you all, and no one can tell me differently."
Ais put a hand on her brother's shoulder, telling him to cool it and leave. He stared at her then back at them, heaved a sigh, and left without another word. When he did, Ais turned back around and narrowed her golden eyes, "Do you understand why he's upset?" She asked as they heard him muttering about apologizing for it tomorrow.
"Ais…" Riveria tried.
"No, Riveria. This skill had come into his life because of me…so I shall be the one to help him if he needs it," Ais said with less force in her voice. It made her realize that she still had a long way to climb up the sibling ladder. "If you wish to talk about it, then ask for us tomorrow. Right now, none of us are prepared for this.".
Once Ais bowed and left, Gareth chuckled, "About time they started acting their respective ages again."
Finn let out a wry smile at that, "He was not wrong though. This conversation should wait until we return home, so it is my fault and I shall take the blame. If anything happens, the goal is to get them out of here."
The other two nodded as Finn adjourned the impromptu meeting. Tomorrow was the hardest part of the expedition. To the fifty-ninth floor where the 'quest' Revis laid out for Ais would be answered.
At least in part.
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Welcome to the first ToR chapter of 2022. Now, an explanation.
I have retconned Guardian. It now no longer talks and will instead give Axton a 'feeling' that is outside himself.
Zantarak had told me that he stopped caring past understanding what was there (paraphrasing) but I also had zero idea where I wanted to go with it. I actually had a whole thing with it talking to him on the way up in this chapter but I scrapped it.
So what does that mean?
Fear not, I have retconned—hopefully, call me out if I didn't—all the instances that Guardian talked. Again, it was an idea that did not pan out and I couldn't keep that up. So, please understand that this story evolves along with my time as a writer. I am not perfect, obviously.
The affected chapters are 7, 9 through 17. Not much really changed but it isn't necessary to read back. Feel free if you want but you'll find that not much changed.
It was for consistency's sake.
By the time this is public, the changes should be in effect.
Thank you.
