After hearing that statement, both siblings seized, their eyes wide and irises quivering. Everyone else was too shocked to notice the reaction. The top trio looked worriedly at Royalty, knowing that this would be difficult for them. It didn't seem anyone caught the words of whatever that was.

Cautiously, the group moved forward at Finn's behest and came upon a barren clearing. However, it wasn't entirely empty. There was one large abnormality, and it was surrounded by many of the new species. It got even worse from there. The sounds kept getting louder and louder.

Raul noticed that it seemed to be…feeding. The small extended tentacles reached inside the Virga and scooped out the stone. A large pile of ash surrounding the monstrosity. The thing had the lower half of a flower.

Gareth gruffly made an observation, "Is it one of those crystal-orb monsters?"

Axton grimaced, "Please don't mention those, considering that she threatened me with one…I think. All I remember is that paralyzing fear or dread…"

Ais easily nodded, "When I held one of them, I felt…wrong. Like something was reaching inside me, metaphorically."

The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place, at least for the upper trio. As for everyone else, they were confused with the cryptic message that Royalty was spinning. Lefiya was the only one to understand it but she was still trying to grasp the sight in front of her.

Violas and Virgas were extending out their abnormal magic stones with their tongues and/or their vines to the… "Is that a Titan Alm?" Riveria asked. "It must have absorbed it a while ago."

An infected Titan Alm turned into whatever this was. Something that got even the siblings to grimace. They knew but it couldn't possibly be that, right?

"…aaaaaaAHHHHH!"

The sound of a pleasure-filled moan pierced the atmosphere and it was about to get even worse. The flower bloomed. The plant creature then extended skyward and out came a beautiful woman. Her back extended to the sky and her bountiful breasts drooped with gravity. Long glossy hair, the color matching the scenery of the jungle, reached the curvature of her back. She was green and not a single thing of her was any different. The only difference was the shades of green. The only thing not green were her eyes. Eyes that matched Ais.

Axton's own eyes were in disbelief. He vaguely heard the tip of Requiem hitting the ground but it remained in his hand. His free hand was coiled up, and if he wasn't wearing gloves, his hands would be bleeding. In fact, the force he's exerting would be enough to turn a non-blessed person's bones into dust. His mouth opened and closed, no sign of either winning out. The sounds of someone hyperventilating reached his ears and he turned slightly to find out the source.

Only to realize that it was himself. In the name of self-preservation, Guardian poured the feeling of serenity into his mind, forcing the Sword Prince to calm down. It worked as his breathing stabilized. Reaching blindly, his now unclenched free hand grasped the Sword Princess's free hand, as a show of support.

Ais merely turned her head to meet his eyes, silently thanking him.

However, the show wasn't over. Not by a long shot. The creature in the middle completed its transformation as the lower half transformed from tentacles to petals. The cries that escaped the transformed plant were enough to make the group cover their ears.

Jericho was one who covered his ears upon hearing the first cry. His hearing was much more sensitive than that of everyone else. Elves may have better hearing but none more so than literally any species of demi-human. Raccoons have better hearing than most, exceptions being those of the cat variety. His tail coiled around his waist as a curling defense mechanism. He hated this sight, he prayed for it to be over soon so they could move on. He glanced at Dino and was happy to see him covering his ears but his look of annoyance was somewhat refreshing, if a little misplaced at the moment.

The cries of the plant continued, and with each passing cry, Royalty could feel their hearts in their chests. They could feel the blood rushing through their veins, they could feel their heritage—that of their demi-spirit blood—rushing through their veins, teeming with anticipation. Oddly enough, it wanted to show who was better but the human side of them was currently going through fight or flight.

In other words, there was a resonance floating through the air. "She" couldn't possibly be feeling this too, right?

That was proven false. "She" turned her soulless golden eyes onto Royalty, "Aria! You finally came! And you brought more than one! Come…" it beckoned.

"What is that thing?" Tiona cried, shouting over the sounds of the continued cries.

The cries paused as the Wallenstein siblings licked their lips, ""A…spirit? Here?!""

Tione jumped in, "That thing is a spirit?! You have to be joking! I thought they would look…not like that!"

Axton gulped, "I would know…" Another glance behind him to see the confusion in the eyes of the Familia. This was not good. Any more breadcrumbs and they'll find out. The blond boy did not look at Lefiya and that hurt to force himself to do. He knew it would but followed through anyway. He looked to see the elven maiden staring right at him, lips parted, her stance hesitant to reach out.

He wanted to but he turned away and Guardian once more soothed his mental state, forcing him to focus on the here and now. He didn't notice but his eye changed once more, feeling the pressure around him.

This Spirit giggled, reaching her arms out and wiggling her fingers, like a child would when they want to be picked up, "Come play with me. I've missed you both so much!"

Beads of sweat poured down everyone's faces. Riveria had her grip set on her staff, not taking her eyes off the Spirit. Gareth's hands wandered to his ax, ready to draw at a moment's notice. The supporters were fidgety.

Then, the Spirit smiled, it was the kind of smile that one would see in a person reminiscing. Those solid golden orbs glistened in the night, "Won't you let me devour you whole, Aria? Fufufu, and the boy…she's missed you."

Both Ais and Axton had different responses. Ais tensed while Axton trembled violently, not even Guardian's feelings were helping. In fact, it could be argued that it was making it worse. His fear rising, only to be soothed, only to rise even higher. Ais didn't like this Spirit knowing their mother's name.

At the end of her words, the Violas and Virgas still alive squealed and charged at the Loki Familia. "Bring her to me, alive," the spirit ordered. Then another giggle, her hand covering her mouth, "Then, I'll eat her…so you can join us once more, Aria."

"Who the hell is Aria?!" Dino shouted over the screams of the monsters encroaching on their position.

A certain raccoon shouted, "No one gives a flying fuck, Dino, we have incoming!" Jericho shifted his weapon to prepare. This could go a lot of ways and all but one was bad. It sounds slightly familiar, doesn't it?

"That's irrelevant, prepare for battle," Finn said, shifting his spear into place. Royalty had yet to snap out of whatever gaze they were in. Not that he could blame them but time was of the essence. It could only lead to death if they don't pick up their slack. Honestly, they're the last ones to complain about slack…but the point stands.

Ais shook herself, eyes hardening before she turned and shook her brother, "Axton, snap out of it and help!"

The boy blinked and his trance was broken before he was facing his sister's eyes. He blinked owlishly once…twice, before he gained the resolve that he felt from her. Requiem and Desperate raised together and came together with a resounding clink before they tore off to meet the monsters head-on.

"Lefiya, aim for the Spirit. Raul, you cover the rest with those magic swords!" Getting two stuttered answers in return, "Tione, Tiona, go make a distraction to buy time. Bete, support Gareth. Riveria, be ready." Everyone nodded before they all split off. Finn prided himself on battle tactics, as it was his forte.

The Spirit, in the meantime, watched with amusement dancing in her eyes. This was a lot of fun, she thought. It certainly sent tingles down her spine to see the offspring of Aria in her sights. So pretty…and to think that the creature wants the boy. It confused her slightly. Why would she want the boy? Does she not see the potential that lies in front of her? If she eats them, then she gains their power, more accurately, it gets absorbed.

And absorbing Aira's power? There is no greater pleasure than drinking the lifeblood of the greatest Wind Spirit to have walked Gekai. The magic energy, the aforementioned lifeblood, was tantalizing to her senses. Such power at her fingertips was nothing but desirable. To have felt them enter her domain was a pleasant surprise. She's just been down here, amassing power, and she finally gets the payoff she's been looking for.

Her eyebrow shifted upward, the tiny one seems to be making a move, "Hehe." She opened her petals and sent out dozens of attacks to watch these filthy interlopers squirm. To watch the two girls, who wore less clothing than the rest, to which she can't complain, she's wearing nothing; they brushed them off but chuckled softly to herself.

At that moment, Finn's thumb throbbed like nothing else before. It was only because he was so attuned to battle that he managed to call out, "Hold on your spell, Riveria!"

The High Elf listened immediately, knowing that Finn wouldn't call her off if it wasn't for a good purpose.

She smiled devilishly, especially at Royalty, who pulled back some but they were still far ahead in comparison to everyone else. "Ais, Axton, pull back now!" Finn urgently ordered. There was something that made his usual mask crack.

"Arise, flames."

Axton stared at the Demi-Spirit, eyes narrowed, "A spell? This has gone from bad to worse." A familiar feeling washed over him as he pulled Ais back, almost feverishly. As he got closer to everyone, it surged again. His heart started beating in his chest, the blood rushing in his ears, the adrenaline flowing through his very veins, his mother's wind curled within him. The feeling that something foreboding was going to happen. "Come on."

"Axton, your eye…" Ais trailed off.

"Worry about that later, because right now, I don't want us near that damn thing!" The supporters retreated to a point where they should be out of the way of the spell.

Even as Tsubaki wondered what the armored petals were made of, Riveria started chanting a protection spell, and her spells are long. What unnerved her was that the Spirit continued to chant. "Rage, Rage, RAGE! Vortex of fire! The crimson wall! Hellfire's roar! May the ardor of the gale plunge the world into grief and misery! The sky shall burn! The earth shall ignite! The seas shall boil! The fonts shall churn! The mountains shall erupt! All life shall turn to ash! May the lives of the great ones serve as atonement for the coming choler and grief-"

As the spell continued to be cast, the rising power made Axton's stomach churn as if a knife was being inserted into his torso and twisted. The feeling made him sick but he still stood. Lefiya, on the other hand, launched Fusillade Fallarica at it and the damage was null. Not because of Lefiya's level but the defense of the spirit.

Guardian was tearing the boy apart. So many people in danger and only one of him. The protectiveness was high within the boy. Axton felt it but even he knew that his body couldn't withstand the influx of power. This power was his status. It's been mentioned that Guardian, when active, allowed Axton to be 'in tune' with his status, increasing his proficiency. However, that came with this newfound mental strain increase. This increase allowed him to process the view around him faster.

That is a boon as well as a curse.

He realized the potential of the spell was far beyond anything he's ever seen. The spell was more than that. It was a song. A song that spelled Loki Familia's doom when—not if—completed. Once Royalty was with the rest of the main force, Riveria's chant finished but unfortunately, so did the Spirit's. It was a little unfair. The Spirit was able to chant at a pace that even the greatest mages hope to achieve. Riveria immediately thought of Sofia Vlahos, the one who could have rivaled this Spirit. However, that was not important as of now.

The protection covered the group as the final words were spoken, "Your envoy beseeches you, Salamander! Incarnate of fire! Queen of flame—!"

The tentacles came once more and the Hiryute sisters slashed as they came. Bete even slashed at a few of them, kicking them down, watching with slight glee as they squealed in pain. That grin was wiped clean at the next words uttered.

*Fire Storm!*

What was that saying again?

Oh, let it burn…


On the surface, Loki was enjoying herself. She had just talked to Hephaestus about business when right before she left, she paused. The fellow Goddess looked up from her desk, "Loki, what's wrong?"

The Trickster turned fearfully back at the Forge Master, "T-They…I…"

Hephaestus' one eye widened, already knowing as she felt it too. "I-Impossible…"

"Phai-Phai…they…no…they can't. They p-promised to come home…" Loki literally could not form a coherent sentence.

Hephaestus immediately stood and wrapped the Trickster in a hug, "I'll be here if you need it."

Her door was knocked on and opened, "Hey, Hephaestus, I just wanted to let you know that my shift is-what the you doing here, flatboard?"

A frown worked its way onto the Forge Master's face, "Hestia! Now is not the time!"

The tone of voice made the loli Goddess pause, seeing the despondent looks, "I…"

"Get out, I'll explain later. Come back when you're scheduled again," the words were terse but laced with a weariness that she had expected herself to have. Hestia left without another word. Loki didn't even register that Hestia was in the room.

It was the feeling that the Gods and Goddesses had to get used to being in Gekai. The loss.

More specifically, the loss of one's Familia members. For the oncoming days, neither Goddess would be seen, causing some rumors but those would be discarded later on. The amount of alcohol consumed would make breweries shiver in fear. Even Soma paused in his mixing for ten seconds before continuing.


As soon as the spell was unleashed, Axton's body surged with power, the want, the need to defend his fellow comrades. The heat of the spell was unlike anything that he's ever felt before. The magic unleashed was that of a Salamander Spirit. Somehow, Axton feels like he knew that magic from somewhere in his memory. It just wasn't coming to him right now.

Easily, it was one of the most devastating attacks ever unleashed. Not even Ottar would stand a chance against something like this. The feeling was so intense that it felt like his skin was melting off and not because of the fire. The barrier Riveria cast was still standing, despite all odds. That led to a new problem.

"Need…to…protect…" he whispered like a prayer. No one heard him over the sounds of literal piles of flames surrounding them.

Due to Axton being in tune with his status, his mind was trying to take it all in. The ways he could protect his comrades led to an overload. So, his body did the only thing it could do; pass out unceremoniously. Ais almost didn't notice at first, until she felt his grip slack on her. "Axton!"

Neither Riveria nor Finn nor Gareth turned to see it as it would break her concentration. Her concentration was the only thing keeping him alive. Via Shilheim was Riveria's third-tier protection spell, and she was regarded as the strongest magic user in the city.

CRACK!

But the Spirit's magic was proving how insignificant that claim was. She smiled watching them feebly trying to hold her off. She had the power of the Spirits on her side, being one herself, so it made this easy. She felt one of Aria's offspring fade a tad. They were not dead but simply less of a blink on her internal radar. The smile on the beautiful woman widened, almost ferally so. "Burn…burn so all that remains is Aria's spawn."

That voice taunted the entire Loki Familia. Dino and Jericho looked on worriedly, which only increased as Ais shouted Axton's name. Lefiya, the poor girl, felt something shift within her. Like her heart just suffered something she can't comprehend at the moment. "Jericho?" Dino asked, his slate eyes widening, "He's not…"

Jericho shook his head, "No, he wasn't hit. But I don't know what caused it. My magic is useless here…I can't provide an escape unless we wrap ourselves in Salamander wool and pray."

The Sword Princess cradled her brother's head so he wasn't resting on the floor. Requiem fell from his hand, simply for the lack of grip. Desperate laid close by as she set her rapier down to check. "He's still breathing…I think it had something to do with…" Ais trailed off.

"Guardian…" Lefiya breathed out, having realized the full situation. He wanted to protect everyone and since everyone present was in danger, he couldn't make a proper decision.

"Princey!" Tiona shouted. "He's going to be okay, right?" The younger twin was worried about him, as was everyone.

Ais sharply looked over to Lefiya, lips parted to speak but…

CRACK!

The sound of the barrier cracked more, becoming akin to shattered glass. "Gareth, protect them! I can't hold it…much…longer!"

Gareth, quick on the uptake, grabbed two shields from Jericho's bag and clashed them together with a resounding clang! The barrier broke as Riveria was engulfed by the flame. "Riveria!" multiple shouts from the other members, none louder than Ais, Lefiya, and surprisingly, Dino.

While Dino is a dark elf, he does respect elven royalty, since his piece of shit king decided to fuck off to lala land and bring his kingdom to ruin, and he just wanted someone to understand him. So, upon joining Loki Familia ages ago, he found Riveria who accepted him into the Familia with open arms alongside Jericho. So, naturally, he'd be concerned for her.

The utter force placed upon the adventurers sent them back, tumbling along the ground. Ais kept ahold of her brother, and his weapon, as they scratched their armor against the floor. If this was the answer she wanted me to see, then I want no part of it. That woman must pay. The idea of revenge was far too good to pass up. But I can't leave him here. I won't leave him. The thought of revenge didn't feel as appetizing anymore. Not when he needed her, just like she needs him to be in her life.

Meanwhile, Gareth tanked the fire blast head-on and it worked…for a time. The heat was intense and no one else got singed because Finn was quick enough to get everyone behind the shield.

It was becoming far too much, Gareth's feet were slowly sliding backward, the trenches made by his feet getting deeper and deeper by the celch. His battle cry roared against the flames, his helmet and the outer layer of the shields melted before his very eyes. Even still, the dwarf did not pause in his defense. He embraced the damn thing. "Rahhhhhh!" he screamed.

The fire consumed him too, without pause and without mercy.

The Fire Storm soon ended and revealed the damage. Riveria lay face down, robes charred, her staff's gem cracked, her face smooth. Gareth fared no better, his armor partially melted, pitch black because of the flames.

Both did not stand back up.

At that moment, Axton stirred. "Wha…" he slurred. He felt like his mind just went through a cosmic dicer, blender, and molder. His skin felt warm, almost blistering. He peered his eyes to the situation around him, and they landed on Riveria, then Gareth. Trepidation settled into the Sword Prince's stomach. "No…"

Ais looked down in relief, "Axton."

"No no no no no…why? Why aren't they getting up?" he whispered. Despair crippled the entire party. Axton turned himself out of Ais's loose hold and stumbled—more accurately, crawled—over to Riveria's body, gently checking for signs of life.

Those that survived watched as Axton tried, desperately, to get her to wake up. To see how much he wished for them to get up. "Finn…"

"Ara, you survived that?" The Spirit taunted, a smile clearly visible on her lips, one hand under her bust, pushing them up, "Then try this… Moan, mighty earth—"

"Again?" Axton inquired and was stunned by the sheer speed of the chant. The familiar sensation of Guardian giving off feelings that expressed something that clearly urged him to do something. "Find any cover!"

The chant came faster than anyone could reply, "Rise, Rise, RISE!. Husk of the earth! Sheen of iron! Hammer of the cosmos! May genesis's pact upheave rock and stone! The sky shall burn! The earth shall split! The bridge shall rise! Heaven and earth shall become one! May the axes of the ether rain down and bring about calamity's ruin! Your envoy beseeches you, Gnome. Incarnate of the land. Queen of the earth—!"

The chant was slightly shorter than the last, which made it come much quicker. Axton couldn't believe his eyes, hearing two stupidly long chants being connected back-to-back like that. The amount of magic energy required would be far beyond any human capacity.

*Meteor Swarm!*

Was there nothing they could do?

That was answered by the now even darker sky full of rocks. All intent on striking down those who coddle around the remnants of Aria.

Axton, however, had other ideas. He pushed through the feeling that was being pressed unto him, and drew Requiem from the ground. "This will probably suck…but after that…I can't just let it stand." Please Mom, please give me the strength. I need you now more than ever.

*Tempest!*

He roared loud enough that the Spirit looked on in curiosity, then in glee. "Have you finally come to play, offspring?"

Axton ignored that before circling the blade in the air. A translucent circle slowly started to appear. He grit his teeth, it needs to be bigger. Thanks to his derivative magic, that being the precise use of Ariel, this was possible. With Guardian allowing him to be as close to his true status as possible without him passing out, this was feasible.

It shouldn't be.

But it is.

The circle grew in size before covering the entire expedition party, even Riveria and Gareth. Just because they were gone doesn't mean Axton doesn't respect their bodies. "Ais!" He turned to have his left eye look directly at her.

The first rocks hit and Axton physically buckled but remained standing.

"Support me. Let us show her why we won't go down so easily!" The words resonated with her and she activated Ariel as well.

The green glow surrounded both siblings and the Spirit was pleased, a genuine pleased, to have seen the remnants of Aria's power. The expression she made was missed by both.

That was probably a good thing as if it was possible, the Spirit may have peaked…yes, like that…

Ais made her wind flow with her brother's and as if they were one, she weaved the wind to strengthen the barrier, allowing the rocks to harmlessly bounce off the shield. The area around them glowed a faint green, highlighting the injuries that everyone has sustained.

Neither of them noticed but their eyes were glowing a faint gold. Axton's left eye shimmered even more as Guardian pushed the feeling of pride in its host. The desire for protection came through Axton's own will, merely acknowledging. There are some serious questions that need to be answered about Guardian.

The meteor shower ended soon after and the wind dispelled, Axton fell to his knees, panting, before coughing. A wad of blood greeted him. On all fours, he coughed again, blood dribbling down his chin.

Jericho was the first to move, limping forward feverishly, pulling two potions out of his bag. One normal potion and a mind potion. Forcing the Prince to sit back, Jericho popped the cap off the potion and forced it down Axton's throat. It would begin repairing any damage that was caused.

He was too far into his own shock to comprehend what he just witnessed because that definitely wasn't normal magic. He had no time for wild, baseless theories. He got him to drink the first potion, and his eyes were somewhat lucid. "Stay with me, Axton. Ais, are you alright?"

She gave a small nod. She obviously wasn't but Jericho didn't push it. Dino had come up and slowly dragged the girl back, she didn't fight it. They really are older sibling figures to Royalty. The second potion quickly made it down Axton's throat. He took deep breaths, not wanting to vomit up the potions, rendering them useless and wastes of valis.

Lefiya wanted to call up a spell to just heal him but the words died in her throat. What did she just witness? That certainly wasn't any magic she's ever studied or examined before. It felt free. Just like the very wind that blows day in and day out. Just who are they really? There was something that the young mage was missing. Her curiosity was curbed for the time being. There were more important things to worry about.

All the other supporters were slack-jawed at this but Raul picked himself up first, getting Narfi and Alicia off their feet, more the former than the latter, her being an elf and all.

The Spirit giggled again, "Playtime is not over yet." And so she spread her arms, letting her petals bloom and there was a shift in the air.

Tione and Tione certainly had their reactions, the former being much more analytical than the latter. Tione saw it and she didn't believe what she saw. There was too much going on to properly process it. Tiona was internally cheering for the display of badassery but was ultimately concerned for Axton. Coughing up blood like that usually meant internal bleeding or a ruptured lung or even a small injury that had gotten worse. He hadn't been hit much but he was using his magic a lot.

Tione murmured aloud, "Overuse of his magic? No, that's not possible, he'd go into Mind Down if that was the case and we thought he did…and he probably should have because of that stunt."

"Uhm, not to interrupt you but is that Spirit absorbing the rocks and remnant flames it just threw at us?" Tiona innocently questioned.

Finn regretfully found out the answer was yes. It was indeed. Even the small particles of Riveria's Via Shilhiem were being absorbed. For Royalty, it was not any better. Ais gently unlatched herself from Dino, thanking him before going to support her brother.

The brother in question was lucid and able to speak, able to stand but fighting was a different story altogether. He felt weak, weaker than ever before. However, someone laid a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he met the eyes of one Bete Loga, "Are you giving up? Are you going to be a weakling or are you going to stand?"

"I already told you what I was going to do," Axton said softly but everyone heard him, "I am ready to give my life if it means you getting out of here. A shame I was too late for them." A clenched fist shook the armor that resided on his arm, "I won't let it happen again."

A smirk, "Good, no-"

"Laaa~!"

Behind the Spirit, there was a massive hole. In that massive hole, there were monsters. Those monsters were Virgas and Violas crawling from the sixtieth floor. Axton stood on shaky legs, slowly grasping his trusty weapon, drawing it. Finn took this opportunity, "This is not the end."

The Pallum Captain was moved at the resolve of the Sword Prince. Now, it was his turn to move the rest of the Familia, and Tsubaki. He walked by with dignified steps, past the excited look of Tione, shared by Tiona, Urga ready and waiting. The Pallum known as Braver took each step with confidence, passing Raul, Lefiya, Dino, and Jericho. The High Novice picked his chin up, Thousand Elf Pushed herself off the ground, Forest Teardrop in hand, her eyes fixed on the back of one blond boy, the one she has lingering feelings for. She knew she might have but was unsure if that was infatuation, hero-worship, or something unrelated entirely.

Now, she was positive that she was falling in love.

Stoic Berserker, Dino's alias, known for his fluid style of hand-to-hand combat, grinned as Braver walked by. Slamming his fists together, he stood up, rolling his shoulders. The dark elf was ready to give it all he's got. The small blue-eyed Pallum walked by Sly Coon who just shook his tail and wiggled his ears, feeling that shift in the air. The magic energy shift was something he was always privy to and since he was always kind of a lurker, his name followed his traits.

Elleaf, Alicia, picked herself off the floor, feeling what Finn was about to say. Her sword in hand, she stood on shaky legs. The rocks may have been diverted but the flames definitely got her somewhere, the burn was being mitigated by adrenaline. That wouldn't last forever. Narfi was still on her knees but awake and ready to move whenever.

"Right now, I need to ask for your courage. Whether it be true or false, I need you to concentrate on that feeling. Tell me, what do you see in front of you?" He stood with his spear implanted in front of him. His impassive stance was impressive for his short stature, "I see an enemy in front of us. And that enemy can be brought to their knees." Finn glanced over to Axton, whose eyes were shimmering with emotion. Thankfulness is the primary one. Determination was another. Loki Familia's Captain finally got a look at Axton's eye, noticing the odd shape. The questions would be stowed for later. A lot of that going around. Looking next to him, Ais was standing tall, right next to her brother.

A confident smile found its way onto his lips, but it shimmered a second later, as he recalled who was not here with them right now. He couldn't bring his eyes over to see them. They deserve better. "An escape route is something for cowards. We are not cowards. We are one of the mightiest Familias in Orario. We have a lot to prove and I'm proud to prove that with all of you. Because I swear to you all, in the name of Phiana, that we. Will. Reign. Victorious!"

A resounding cheer was thrown around, smiles and battle-hungry grins going around. The enemy approaches and this was the equivalent to the last hurrah.

However, Finn has a knack for something else. Stirring the embers into mighty flames, "Or is following Bell Cranel's footsteps too far of a goal to reach?"

"Out of everyone," Axton drawled, "You had to bring him up?" Despite his condition, he still found the opportunity to crack a joke. "Hell, if he can do that…then I don't see a reason why we can't do the same." Requiem was grasped tight in his hand. "I'm ready! How about you?!" he shouted to the enemy.

Ais meanwhile, flashed back to the ninth floor, seeing the image of her father's back, imposed on Bell.

Everyone who could fight rose up in a rage, the fire ignited in their hearts, minds, and souls. If anyone was capable, there would be someone crafting a page out of the epics of old. Certainly, this would be able to join the many exaggerated tales of old.

Tiona summed it up greatly, "Time for an adventure, guys! Let's do it. For Riveria! For Gareth!" she swing her Urga high, a battle grin plastered on her visage. Amazon was all too eager to join the fight.

Softly to himself, Finn averted his eyes, "Is this the end…my old friends?" His eyes never strayed to them, only to the battle in front of him. "My story has yet to find its ending and it will not be here."

The main group of people: Finn, Tione, Bete, Tiona, Ais, Axton, Tsubaki, and Lefiya all went on ahead to meet the fight that awaited them.

Off to the side, two more stirred. Fingers twitched, bodies moved, and two groaned. "That…damn Pallum. Thinking we've kicked the bucket." The dwarf known as Gareth spoke with chagrin in his tone. "And what do you think you're doing, napping on the job, you wench?"

"Quiet, you hair-brained oaf," Riveria said with a smile. Even after facing death, they still bickered.

There was a time that all of that was amplified by fifty thousand. Not a day went by where they weren't at each other's throats. As the two glanced at one another, they grimaced. Blood, soot, sweat, and ash covered their bodies, sticking to their skin. The cold feeling of said blood rolled down their visage, giving off the nitty-gritty feeling.

Raul was the first to notice, "Sir Gareth…Lady Riveria!" The title for them was unnecessary but it was habit. A sigh of relief escaped the twenty-one-year-old man.

"Laddy, give me my ax!" Gareth bellowed.

"All of you, protect me. Let's give them the support they require!"

It seems the fires have been stoked. Now to see what becomes of it. The Loki Familia may have been kicked down but they were most certainly not out. Not by a long shot.

After all, they needed to show up a certain rabbit.


In an unknown location, the bars surrounded her. All she could see were those bars. All she has known for the past thousand years were these bars. The memories still haunt her to this day. She only has two memories of what she once had. The third had died years ago. It hurts to remember. She could still feel them in her hands, how she held them. How she and he cared for them, how much of a surprise the second one was. How grateful that she had a sibling.

Watching them grow up, cling to her and their father was a sight that never got old and never failed to bring a small smile to the woman's face. Her hair never got dirty, despite the condition of the cage. Her clothes never got dirty either, perks of being her.

All because that thing, that beast, decided that it wanted a trophy and it would have had three, had she not prepared for this. That feeling of not knowing what became of them ate at her, ravenously. Guilt.

That was the accurate term. There was no other way to describe that mind-numbing feeling, the pain in her chest. Thankfully, she never has to eat. However, that doesn't mean dry-heaving was nice either.

A rumble stopped her movements. The beast returned. To it, she was the canary, and it was the cat. This beast was different from the rest though. "Are you enjoying yourself, my love?"

There was a teasing tone in its voice, "Enjoyment? That is something that has not existed for me in over a millennia, ever since you slaughtered my husband."

"A shame that the fight ended so quickly, as he was the only one to actually hurt me," the beast rumbled again. The woman gasped as she felt a surge in her latent power. The beast's tail paused in its movements, wondering what its beloved was thinking about that gave her pause.

"They did it…but that's impossible…for them to be able to do that…means…" fresh tears sprouted from the woman's eyes. Eyes that looked very similar to one famous duo. "They're still alive…" A heart-throbbing smile graced the woman's face. The beast paused and looked fondly at her, not that she saw it.

The expression was gone a moment later.

The woman grabbed her clothes and started to cry, "My children, you're alive…" a gasp, and then a moment of silence, "...yes, I'll grant it to you…please survive. Please find me and free me one day…"

"They won't be able to defeat me, my love."

"I am not your love!" The woman reacted, her power poofing her hair, her eyes sharpened to the point where it could almost cut off a scale. "You will never get your hands on them! I want them to have nothing to do with you!"

A smug expression crossed the beast's face, its red eye narrowed into a slit, "That isn't your choice, Aria Waldstein…" a rumble from within its chest emerged and steam blew out its nostrils.

The woman now identified as the Greater Wind Spirit, Aria Waldstein, her golden eyes staring defiantly into the eye of the beast. "We shall see, won't we, you draconic abomination?"

A deep chuckle exited the dragon. The dragon with only one eye. "Careful, I might mistake that as a compliment."

Aria turned away from the dragon, folded her hands together, and prayed, "Please be safe, my spirit children. Please come back to me…Ais…Axton…"


Spectating the fight was a thrill for anyone who could watch. Only two people were important to the entire thing though. Can't believe that the corrupted Spirit actually followed through with the request. After all, only one is needed, and I find myself wanting.

"Must you always lurk when I'm alone?" an irritated voice said.

"You must understand, your…obsession…is getting out of hand."

A scoff, "What I do shouldn't concern you. In the end, your master's plan will be set in motion and will continue on schedule. Right now…I'm looking forward to the outcome. That spawn will be back in my clutches and I have plans for him…"

The tone of the voice changed, almost intrigued, "What do you plan on doing, if you would be so kind as to enlighten me?"

A feral, malicious smile crossed her face, "I plan to break him." You will be mine, spawn, and this time, you won't escape me. Count on it.

...

I'd say something next chapter but Imma clear some things up. Yes, Axton did that. Yes, Ais helped him—they are demi-spirits for gods' sake, that's some powerful shit, so why can't I have them flex their spirit power? Yes, it will raise questions. No, they won't reveal it...yet. Yes, he passed out because of Guardian. Yes, there is a logical explanation that I believe is mentioned within the chapter. No, he didn't stay down because it was merely an overload—think of it like unplugging your internet router and plugging it back in, something like that.

Continuing on... no, Guardian does not give him superpowers and makes him invincible. It increases his mobility in the sense he's closer to his spirit half rather than his human half, does that make sense?

Like Ais with Avenger, there are drawbacks with using it, ergo, the mental strain. He's half-human, half-spirit. Truthfully, as canon shows, Spirits and Deities cannot have children. Was there ever an explanation of how Ais—and in this story, Axton—came to exist? No, there wasn't. Would I be okay with making one up? Sure, when it becomes appropriate in the story.

Yes, the fight is similar to what SO4 depicts. Yes, I showed them, figured it was a good time, notice what was asked and how it was answered... Yes, she's here as well. No, she will not be doing anything sexual to him, even I'm not that cruel to my precious beans that I call OCs.

*The last three do not reference the fight at all.

Also, the aliases, I had some difficulty with making them but hopefully they fit well enough—for Dino and Jericho.

I went back and forth with a friend on this. This, like the minotaur fight in the main canon series and in this story's chapter 17, is a pivotal fight. I can't up and change the whole damn thing because that would have no purpose. My friend said it was fine because of my aforementioned reason, so I won't be taking criticism on it. I had held off from posting this because I wanted to really make sure that I couldn't change anything.

So, if you are disappointed in me, so be it. In the end, it's a story. I never claimed to own the franchise—and I never will—but there are some scenes within the books that are very well done, this being one of them, and the anime put a good visual on it.

So, how does the title of this chapter and last chapter sound? I thought it was creative. Merely setting the stage.

Sorry for making this note so long but I'm preparing for a certain review, trying to answer any potential questions ;)

Also, we hit 100 reviews...like fucking hell, that's the most I have on any story across the site. Thank you for all following, favoriting, reviewing, and lurking. Seriously, I mean it. Means the world.