So, this is my 2021 send-off to the DanMachi Fandom. This contains characters from both Delicate Balance and Tales of Royalty. This is NON-CANON to both of them. This takes place in the future, obviously, so not everything will be accurate to both of my stories' respective canon(s?).

This happened to be a What-If? type of story and then it spiraled out of my control and now it's 30k words...but it did take me a month to write this.

So, if you read this and like the characters I've written (Isaac, Irene, or Axton) then please consider reading one of my other DanMachi stories above. If you follow any of those stories, you'll see elements tied in from both. Again, non-canon because this obviously wouldn't make sense otherwise. I still have plans for both DB and ToR.

As for the title...I'm allowed one of those. Everyone is allowed one of those, maybe two depending on the context. I have another one-shot in my mind but that won't be until 2022.

For now, enjoy the first 8000 or so words.

...

This meeting was so boring. The quarter elf who sat in with the rest of her familia's executives were all discussing their next expedition. Since they had just reached the sixtieth floor on their last one, they had to up the ante again. The quarter elf was level seven. Level seven after having saved two familia members from being killed and killed a tough monster. Her brother also leveled on that same expedition. That was almost nine months ago. Both Loki and Hestia knew they were competing for something but now the Hestia and Loki Familias had a new level seven. Both are formidable in their own right, damn near impossible to fight when they are together.

The only Familia that could rival them was Freya Familia, having seven people be level seven. One was level eight, so that advantage was huge. Loki only has five. Hestia has two. The twins like to avoid them because they still hold resentment for something that happened four years ago. Some of the members present can sometimes see the pain that lingers in their eyes. They've accepted it but don't want to forget her.

Onto a more positive note.

Since the two familias were allies, it was no surprise that the two were inseparable. After all, they were fraternal twins. Having both be experienced level sevens, they could almost challenge their Grandmother.

Pfft, almost in another lifetime. For context, this girl's Grandmother is the only level ten in existence. All across the world, across the planet, there is only one level ten. The reason she didn't consider her was because she still had ties to her old Familia, the Zeus and Hera Familias. Familias that were almost extinct two decades ago. Anyway, she had to listen to her Captain whilst fiddling with her bronze-colored hair. "Am I boring you, Irene?"

"You want my honest opinion?" she asked, her hazel eyes focused. "You were asking about my input of our previous expedition and what I think could be improved in my own squad of mages. Since Mum has her Fairy Force, I have my Mystic Brigade who are more of the battlemages, mind you. I think I need to take them down to floor thirty or so and test them more. They performed as I expected, each one of them promising. Since I can replicate their spells, I am able to teach them, as Gran taught me. Speaking of, I can always ask Gran to help if I am unable; other than that is there anything else…? Oh, and the vanguard could use another member. Past floor fifty-six, there were some moments that could have ended in disaster but we recovered smoothly."

Did you really have to tell them off that much? They're your Familia, sister. A voice spoke in her head. No, Irene is not schizophrenic. That is a magic spell she shares with her brother, Isaac. His appearance about matches hers, except his more roguish appearance was more of human than elven descent but he was her brother. He was older than her by six minutes. Both are now twenty-two.

Indeed. He thought he could catch me not paying attention but I so got this. Finn Deimne looked at Irene stupidifed. The Pallum did not expect a response like that. "Okay," he said simply.

Riveria Ljos Alf, a High Elf, looked at her daughter—in all but blood—with a look that said 'Really?' Irene just smirked. The other executives, two Amazoness, one ashen Werewolf, a burly Dwarf, an Elf, and a Human all just stared. The Elf looked the most shocked. The Human was the most apathetic but Irene did detect a small smile on her lips. In order, Tione and Tiona Hiryute, Bete Loga, Gareth Landrock, Lefiya Viridis, and Ais Wallenstein. Level six for both, level six, level seven, level five, and level seven.

"Do not slander the Captain," Tione said, Irene raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing I said was slandering. He asked, I gave," she shrugged. A presence tickled her instincts but made no motion to acknowledge. Did you really just do what I think you just did?

Maybe but I have something important to tell you…

Irene listened to her brother intently. Riveria took notice of the one tell that she was speaking to her son—in all but blood—because of the dilation of her eyes. She didn't know how she missed it in the past.

Once he was done, Irene stood, "Apologies but Isaac has a mission that requires my presence. I shall submit a report upon my return."

"A mission? There haven't been any missions posted by-"

"It's from Lord Ouranos himself," Irene said. That had everyone's attention.

"Don't you want backup?" Lefiya asked. The auburn-haired elf has proven her worth over the past few years and has matured greatly. Riveria was proud of her chosen successor.

Irene dusted off her robes and used a small wind spell to pluck her staff from the wall, "I appreciate the offer but Gran is meeting us in Rivira. She knows another way in, and before you ask, I don't know where it is, right Loki?" The girl turned toward the silent Goddess of the Familia in the corner.

Loki was wearing a tracksuit that exposed her midriff but accented her washboard chest. She was too busy staring at Irene's chest, which grew a size over the past few years, to properly respond. Rolling her eyes, she formed a small rock in her hand and flicked it gently towards the deity. It hit her square in the head, making her comically swing her arms to balance herself. "Hey!"

"You're lucky that's all I did, my fiancé would not appreciate you looking," Irene said. Her fiancé was a dark elf from another Familia, the Anubis Familia, and he was level four. The sweetest guy she's met, Isaac approves of him, and he appreciates her for her, not her title.

Loki didn't comment except for saying, "She's not lying. If there is another entrance besides Knossos then she doesn't know. Have you asked?" A nod and no lie detected. "So, where's your brother?"

Knock knock. A window was being tapped. Irene smirked as she turned towards the window behind her Captain. A knife slid inside and undid the latch, "Well, hey hey hey!" Isaac said, peeking his head in, "Hope I'm not interrupting?"

Tiona looked at him, "How did you…"

Raul Nord came rushing in, "Captain...Isaac…" he saw him standing on the window sill. "Why can't you use...the front door?"

"It's more fun this way," he replied. "Sorry for the trouble but this kinda got dropped on me."

Finn, diplomatic as ever, "May I ask the contents of this mission?" Isaac grimaced. "I take it's supposed to be a secret?" Isaac nodded apologetically. His hazel eyes narrowed as he spoke to Irene, we better hurry.

"Oh, and Ais," the elder twin said. The Sword Princess focused on him, "Your hubby wanted to know if you're free sometime this week. He's got something planned, asked me to pass along the message."

Everyone heard right, Bell Cranel—known as the Record Holder, and Dawning Hare—is married to the Sword Princess. She wanted to keep her last name publicly as Wallenstein but in private, the blonde beauty loves to be called Ais Cranel. "Okay, I'll seek him out later," the smile she gave was heart-throbbing. Loki was, at first, against their relationship but once she saw her precious little Aizu coming out of her shell, she let it slide.

Irene took this chance, "How's Mikoto?"

The beaming smile and small flush were expected, "She's doing as well as she can with the baby belly. I'm just so excited to be a father, and I know you're even more excited to be an aunt twice over." That was true, Yamato Mikoto was Isaac's wife in both human and elven culture and was currently five months pregnant with twins. The normally shy and well-mannered swordswoman fell hard for her brother as he did her four years ago. News of that broke the hearts of many women, as many more men's hearts were shattered once they realized that Harpe and Aspis were no longer available. They are often called the Sword and Shield of Orario. A name once fitting but it hasn't felt right in the past year.

"Really? Is the bump impeding her in any way? I could-"

Isaac gently cut his sister off, "Hold the baby fever, sister. Right now, mission. We're running late as is. Gran hates it when we're late."

Oh, one more note. Their last name is known throughout time but mostly because of their Grandmother, Sofia Vlahos; also known as Hecate or the Great Mage. The Vlahos name is known for their elven lineage which has diverged from pure elves along the way. Someone must have gotten a skill that allowed the birth of pure High Elves somewhere along the line because well...

Or there were multiple siblings in their ancestry…

The point is, the Vlahos name has only gained reverence throughout time, despite two decades ago where an incident occurred. Easily enough, the twins have shined in their own way. Isaac is a masterful swordsman, due to his development ability, Weapons Expert. He trained with other lower-leveled adventurers to keep them alive in the Dungeon. He is on par with the Princess, in terms of skill. As such, the two are good friends. Irene excelled in magic, under Sofia's and Riveria's guidance. Not to mention her Brigade has males and females in it. They even have their own uniforms, designed by a beautiful human seamstress, Ashley. The reason why Irene was so skilled was because of a skill that she shared with Sofia, Keys to the Kingdom. It allows Irene access to any spell known to man, provided she knows the chant. Loki has stopped writing out all of her status sheets because of the number of spells she knows.

Keys allows one to become 'acquainted with a spell', permanently adding it to her sheet. Irene herself keeps a list and adds to it when necessary.

Back to the main point, Isaac moved aside, "I'll meet you in front of Babel."

"Be safe, you two," Riveria said. Her motherly side coming out.

""We will, Mum. Love you!"" The twins said in sync. Sometimes they do it accidentally but with the smug grins, it was purposeful this time. Riveria has long since accepted the fact she is the 'Mother' of Loki Familia and sometimes the Hestia Familia.

"Race you!" she shouted. Yes, the twenty-two-year-old twins still race each other like children. They both dashed out of the window and were outside the gate of Twilight Manor.

So tell me about this mission, Irene inquired.

The two were on rooftops, casually jumping from roof to roof, their footfalls and landings light to prevent property damage. Their cloaks fluttered with the wind it carried. Most of Orario sees this daily. So when someone looks shocked and sees them but no one else reacts, that's how the twins know who's new here. According to Fels, there's an anomaly in the Water Capital at the base of the Grand Waterfall. The Sage also hinted that the Dungeon was oddly quiet, despite Lord Ouranos' prayers. Its normal spawn rates haven't changed. Isaac leaped across the street with ease, Irene doing the same, high-fiving as they met. A little entertainment for the citizens.

They've learned how to be outgoing and fun externally but internally, they are serious. I can see why for the mission. Did they request for us or did you volunteer? Irene asked. It wouldn't be the first time. Have the Xenos found anything?

Nope, nothing. They've reported back that everything is normal and Ouranos knows that they aren't lying, Isaac informed. I didn't volunteer, we were chosen.

Chosen? Sounds ominous.

Isaac's tone took a sharp dive. Exactly why we're investigating. I'm not letting another threat get near those I hold dear nor to the citizens.

Irene quickly hit him with a small airwave, tiny, not enough to destabilize but to 'knock' some sense into him, Your intent is leaking.

Sorry, he lamented. Suddenly, he burst forward and skidded to a stop, touching Babel tower. "I win."

Irene was also touching the base of the Tower, "No, I won!"

The twins eyed one another before laughing, agreeing that it was a tie…this time. Their overall stats were the same, collectively. Irene obviously had an advantage in her magic stat. Isaac had an advantage in Endurance and Strength, and he knew it wasn't everything. He could really take a beating before everything kicked off.

The twins always carried their weapons on them. Almost too many to count but the weight helped boost their Strength and Endurance. However, Irene's weapons were of a lighter weight.

Entering the Dungeon, the twins shifted into their personas and the mission began. Isaac pulled out a pocket watch and clicked a button, starting a timer. A mission timer. "Let's go."

"I'm with you."

Little did they know, they would see some familiar faces quite soon.

Elsewhere...

"I'm so excited for this expedition!" A blond boy said, next to a very familiar blonde girl. "We're going to the sixty-third floor! The tundras await!"

The girl regarded the boy, "Remember Axton, don't get carried away."

"Ais, ever since we defeated Enyo and…her, we can focus on our goal at a better pace," the boy, Axton said. His golden-onyx eyes met golden eyes.

The blonde placed a hand on his shoulder, "Brother, need I remind you that you were injured during that fight?"

"I still wasn't going to let you fight her alone," Axton said, sternly reminding Ais that she wasn't going to be allowed to abandon him. That woman was part of his inner demons.

For context, this was Ais and Axton Wallenstein, the Sword Princess and Prince, respectfully. Also known as Sword Royalty. These two are siblings exactly nine months apart. Both of them are currently eighteen, and Axton has grown taller. So much so, he was now half a head taller than his older sister. Ais also matured physically and mentally. Her beloved rabbit was her boyfriend.

He was one of the first to congratulate her on her level up to level seven. Axton followed after his sister and leveled up a month later, making him the fifth level seven the Loki Familia has. Tione and Tiona aren't too far behind, Bete as well. Raul and Aki are now level five and officially together. It only took a world-ending event for that relationship to happen. Axton cheered him on from day one.

The catgirl didn't let him go for at least two days. Not too long after that fact...the girl was pregnant. Both of them were twenty-three, well, Aki was slightly older than Raul by about four months. That relationship inspired Axton to make his move as well. Fortunately, his long-time crush thought the same thing.

Lefiya Viridis had confronted Axton after the fight and once she saw him bleeding, limping, one eye closed, she rushed to him and hugged him for dear life. She had taken the death of her friend hard and she almost lost the boy she loved. The boy was the one to comfort her in her time of despair. He often just stuck around and said nothing, giving silent support. He was about to speak but she cut him off, speaking the phrase that filled his heart with joy.

"Axton Wallenstein, you've become so important to me that I cannot help it. Will you grant me the honor of courting you?"

The boy never said yes faster than that, and he even asked her in Elvish, as was tradition. Lefiya was impressed with how his pronunciation was near perfect. His smile never failed to set her heart aflutter. Her heart was decided after another event but she hadn't gathered the courage until right then. The two spent a lot of time together after that. They haven't progressed to the bedroom, especially after that. Even for him, it would be too soon. So, they were boyfriend and girlfriend, under his definition. Under her definition, he was her finacé. Elves only take one lover in their life and since he accepted, he was constantly looking up elven courting norms. She was never one for over the top but there were basics that he absolutely had to follow.

Axton started crushing on her, subconsciously, for years. His little skill in the back of his mind was keeping track. Guardian often chimed in with inappropriate comments when his thoughts strayed. The young mage matured over the past two years, her child-like beauty was nothing compared to now. She held her head high, walked with confidence, and was not afraid to put someone in their place, even him.

Something was alluring about that.

A voice was heard behind the siblings, "Glad you two are so excited but lad, aren't you still recovering?" The two turned to see Gareth approaching them. The dwarf was the one who had to carry Axton after the fiasco that was the Knossos liberation and subsequent eleventh-floor fight. The wounds he had were severely life-threatening. If it wasn't for Lefiya using Riveria's and Airmid's magic, Axton could have very well lost his life.

It was a startling realization, and from then on, he vowed to be more careful. Well, as careful as one can be as a level seven adventurer. "No, Airmid cleared me after making me swallow a pill and potion." He showed a gash on his arm that looked like it would've cut his arm in half, parallel to his forearm…only for it to be a long scar now. "Her medicine works wonders. Now that she and Naaza are working together, I'm able to keep my arm."

The dwarf chuckled, "In any case, the expedition isn't for another few days, are you prepared?"

"That was all done the first night," Axton replied. Expeditions provide the adrenaline rush that he likes. In truth, he's worried he's become addicted to high-stakes combat. Even so, he's learned how to tone it down and take a day to relax. For example, a day to spend cuddling his girlfriend after she stayed up all night studying? He would take that over the Dungeon easily. "Dino and Jericho helped immensely. Caterina was helpful as well."

The dwarf mockingly admonished, "Remember to-"

"-take it easy, I know, gramps," Axton said teasingly. The man chuckled before turning, as the running gag was that Axton was always in the hospital, hence being told he needs time to recover. Ais was watching him with veiled concern. Well, her eyes were on his arm. Axton knows his sister well enough to see her tells. "I still have full function. I'll be getting another slow-acting potion overnight. Now, go spend time with my future brother-in-law. You'll be wanting to test him later."

The Sword Princess flushed a little. Ever since she grew older, she started understanding the hidden meanings behind some words and phrases. The girl's mind could now only think of the dirty things first. However, there were moments where she kept her doll-like innocence. No, Axton did not teach her that. That'd be pretty messed up. "We haven't made it there yet…"

"You'll make it before me, the next full moon isn't for another two weeks…" Axton said. His tension with Lefiya has reached a fever pitch, where every makeout session has become heated, the burning desire to do more, but he's held back. He noticed the small lingering disappointment in her eyes but in front of that was understanding and love.

At first, the elf was only content with a few touches and kisses. Despite being fine with normal touch, it was the more intimate touches that she was nervous about. So, Axton let her go at her own pace. He was happy that he was hers. A dopey smile came to his face as he thought about it, the first time she wanted more. Her flushed face, the stuttering, and her faux anger when he chuckled at her before finally giving in.

"Daydreaming?" Ais teased.

The younger brother sighed, "Yeah, thinking how lucky I am. Then again, you got even luckier. Remember when we both saved him and it was that day I knew he caught a case of the feels for you. He was quite obvious about it."

"Like you have room to talk," Ais retorted. "You pined for Lefiya for years."

"At first unknowingly, then she started to grow on me. Then I started taking in more details when she did something. She's cute, well, beautiful now and always has been…" his face flushed when he started to realize he was rambling.

"Come on, we need to sleep, the expedition is soon," Ais said. Of course, she never went anywhere without Desperate, her prized rapier. Like his sister, Axton never went anywhere without Requiem, his prized longsword.

Sleep came easy that night, especially when both Wallenstein siblings were sleeping with their respective significant other.

The expedition.

Everything was going as normal, of course, Axton's team blitzed through the first eighteen floors, being careful as well. That was just in case that other adventurers were inside the Dungeon. Avoiding trampling them was a given. Ais's team was close behind, and Lefiya's behind her. The Loki Familia had increased its members since two years ago, as did Hestia, now at about eighty members. Compared to the five she had…that's a jump.

Once they all met up, they waited for their top executives and their respective teams. In order to take some of the stress off them, Axton offered to take a couple of new members, converted and not, along with him because he was capable of protecting them all.

A raccoon demi-human named Jericho appeared at his side. The guy was older than Axton and he was like a brother to him. Same thing with Dino, a dark elf. The elder brothers that he never had. "So, we good?"

"Sure but I'm feeling something on a lower floor," the raccoon said. He could sometimes feel magical fluctuations in the Dungeon. It was part of his lineage to sense this kind of stuff. Jericho never did go into full detail on it.

"Really?" Axton asked but it wasn't in doubt but surprise. "That must be close if you can pick it up now…stay vigilant."

"Understood, Lieutenant," Jericho said with a smirk, knowing that it makes Axton get heated.

The joke for this was because he knows how to lead, not as well as Raul can now, but about to the level he was two years ago if that was a baseline. The Sword Prince brought his group to the rendezvous point and set up the beginnings of a base camp. The eighteenth floor hasn't changed a bit. Besides that fact, Rivira has been rebuilt another dozen times now. Axton lost track of the number.

A few moments passed and he was sitting on a tree branch, watching over the camp. Once he saw the flag of his familia, did he call down, "Everyone prepare, the rest of them are here!"

Minutes after that, the rest of the expedition group, plus members of the Hephaestus Familia were coming as well, Tsubaki Collbrande, the Captain of the aforementioned familia greeted the Prince how she always did...by shoving his face into her chest. Attempting to anyway, since he's far past her in terms of strength. The Hestia Alliance was also present, so it was no surprise that Ais went to greet Bell.

Axton exchanged nods with the core Hestia Familia, that being Bell Cranel, Welf Crozzo, Liliruca Arde, Yamato Mikoto, and Sanjouno Haruhime. Axton was on friendly terms with them and he was happy to see Haruhime wielding a katana/magic staff. Her being level two, almost three now, was a huge boost to her confidence. She could concurrently chant now, thanks to Riveria, Lefiya, and Alicia. The whole Fairy Force helped teach the Renard the movements. Her magic was still a secret and those that break it are immediately expelled from their familia. Some may try to make a power play...as a certain silver-haired Goddess comes to mind.

Once everyone got settled, he immediately sought out Lefiya, who seemed to be doing the same thing. "Hey."

"Hey, yourself. Ready?" she asked.

"Always, and especially when I know my fiancée is watching my back," he said sincerely and his eyes expressed what he wanted to say but couldn't right now.

Dino chimed in, "Eww, flirt elsewhere, otherwise, I don't want a live demonstration of how half-elves are made. Well, they'd be quarter spirit, quarter human, and half-elf...so he's not wrong. Lefiya blushed but still held onto his hand. He then smiled genuinely, "I'm glad you finally got your head out of your ass man."

Axton used his free hand to punch his shoulder with no effort. To Dino, he felt that. "It was half in, get it right."

"Axton, a word?" Finn's voice called. The Prince turned to Braver with a questioning eyebrow raised. Then he saw Jericho next to him. Understanding dawned on him.

"Back in a few, beautiful," Axton parted, giving her a chaste kiss.

Lefiya sputtered something incoherent, clutching her heart, feeling it burst out of her chest. Little does he know, I have a surprise for him when we get back. This time, she vowed to herself, I'll make him sputter like this. Dino, still present by the way, chuckled but once he saw the glint in Lefiya's eye, he prayed for his little brother.

The blond approached and Finn motioned him to come closer, "Jericho mentioned a magic reading. Please explain."

"No offense but Jericho, why didn't you explain?" he turned to the raccoon.

Said raccoon shrugged, "Sounds more believable coming from you." Axton narrowed his eyes.

"Training hall post-expedition." That got Jericho to move.

"Fine fine, anything but that man. I've felt something once we arrived. I know it's not here but somewhere on our journey down to the lower floors," Jericho said, watching Axton beam at him, pleased.

Axton wiped the smile off his face, "I believe him. He hasn't been wrong before, Captain, and I'm not about to start. He's saved my life on two separate occasions during the fight in Knossos."

"Bro…" Jericho whispered as this was new information to the raccoon.

Finn sifted through the information he just received. "Then would you mind taking a small group and scouting forward?"

"Can I take the usual group?" was his immediate question. A nod. "Yo, Ais, Tione, Tiona, Lefiya, Dino, Bell, and Mikoto, can I see you all please?" He raised his voice across the entire camp. "Jericho, you're coming too. Since it'll help pinpoint the source. With Mikoto's skill, she can tell us if it's a monster she's seen before or not. Then, we can tell if it's a trap or not."

Sound logic, Axton, Finn thought, you've grown up from that shy boy to a man.

The aforementioned people stood in front of him. His sister stood beside him, Bell adjacent to her, Mikoto adjacent to him. Tiona and Tione stood close by, and Dino bumped fists with Jericho. "We're going to scout for a feeling that Jericho got. We'll scour floor by floor until he gets a better read. Mikoto, your skills-"

"I understand, Sword Prince," the well-mannered samurai said, already knowing his plan.

Tiona raised her hand, making Axton crack a small smile. Gesturing to her, she spoke, "Why do you need all of us? Not complaining but I don't think we need three level sevens, two sixes, three level fives, and a level four…"

Axton had a simple explanation to this, "It's the Dungeon. I've learned not to trust anything we've seen before. Call it paranoia if you wish but I'm not having a repeat of that thing." Everyone shivered at the mention of the Dungeon's secret—one of many—because of its power and raw destructive ability.

"Point taken."

"Let's go."

The search was fruitless from floors nineteen to twenty-four but once they entered the Water Capital, Jericho's tail violently twitched. Axton paused, and of course, Ais and Lefiya noticed. Once that happened, it became a train. Everyone paused down to Mikoto, who backtracked to stay with the group. "Is it here?"

Jericho flinched, "It's here alright. I believe it's on the twenty-seventh, considering the magic energy, er, anomaly, I guess."

"General area?" Ais asked.

The raccoon simply pointed down at the Grand Waterfall below him. "Down there...shit...it's something alright."

Axton turned to Bell, Ais, and Mikoto, "You three, go investigate, cautiously. We'll follow up. Take the shortcut." Ais was the only one who got it, as indicated by her smile.

When the Sword Princess took Bell and Mikoto's hands with her own and started trotting towards the edge, they tried to reason with her. When that didn't work, they looked to Axton who just waved them off. Dino was too busy holding back a laugh. Lefiya only sighed at her boyfriend/fiancé's antics.

What awaited the trio was a slide. Yes, a slide...in the Dungeon...because...why not? Axton didn't understand it either. Eighteen months ago was a long time, and he found it on accident after being thrown down the stairs by an Irregular Metal Rabbit. The thing was an enhanced species...making it worse than it already was. Not to mention it knew strategy, so a double pain in the ass. A story for another time.

Lefiya sighed, "Did you have to make them take that? It only goes down to the middle of the twenty-sixth."

"Well...I had a better-"

"We're not white water rafting down the Grand Waterfall, Axton Wallenstein!" Lefiya exclaimed. Dino and Jericho kindly stepped away with Tione and Tiona following suit.

Axton deflated slightly, "One day…"

"Never," she refuted.

Tiona leaned over to Dino, "Are they always like that?"

The dark elf ran a hand through his dusty-colored hair, "Hit or miss."

The two were bickering like they were already married but no one noticed the small growing smiles on their faces. Axton loved trading words and little jabs, playfully, with her. She's not afraid to tell him off. He's not scared of her magic—that's a lie. Her magic is scary…especially when it's aimed at him.

The two were now face-to-face...well, Axton was a tad taller than Lefiya, even in her heels. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, then her nose. "Melin le, Lefiya," he said in elvish, knowing that it had more meaning than saying it in Koine, the common language.

"Melin le, Axton," she responded before kissing him.

Dino cleared his throat, "Come on, save it for the full moon. Let's go."

Axton straightened up, swapping to his persona just like that. "I'll take point. Jericho, behind me. Lefiya in the middle, Tione, Tiona, rearguard, move swiftly."

The group ran through the twenty-fifth floor with ease, only encountering a few Raider Fish who wanted to play. The twenty-sixth was no different. They met up with Mikoto first, having been told to stay put. "I'm not detecting anything new, everything here is something I've seen and fought before."

Amphisbaena is not slated to spawn. The Monster Rex was killed three days prior, and it's a shame. It's a good experience for the other members of the Familia to learn what they did when they were at their level.

Bell and Ais came back, the boy looking flushed. Axton shot a deadpan stare at his sister. She only smirked mischievously and shrugged. Lefiya almost wanted to call him out but she couldn't. Whether she liked it or not, that boy was her soon-to-be brother-in-law. Axton urged her to be nice to him because he pointed out that sometimes he didn't deserve her critique.

"Find anything?"

Ais shook her head, "Nothing out of the ordinary."

Meanwhile, Jericho started to look pale. Tiona, in her always compassionate nature, asked, "Jer? Are you alright?"

"It's coming from the base…" he said, pointing towards the bottom of the Grand Waterfall.

Everyone rushed along to get to the base of the Grand Waterfall and got prepared. Lefiya possessed the skill Double Cannon, so she was holding onto an ice spell to freeze whatever came out. She was chanting a fire spell in order to super freeze then superheat them. Rapid temperature changes were more effective than one might think.

What they didn't expect was the Waterfall to spew out like a geyser straight up, sending something with it. Whatever it was, they weren't monsters. Royalty used their level seven eyesight, their vision better than most beastmen, to find that it was a person. Not one but two.

They latched to the wall looking around for a moment before spotting the group. One male, one female. The male spoke, "Hey uhm, sis? Am I going nuts or is that…"

"Nope, for once, I can see what you see and I'm so confused…I thought they were at Twilight and Hearthfire...especially her..." The two seemed to have an entire conversation in seconds. They expressed wariness before pulling themselves to higher ground. The sword that ended up being stabbed into the wall was left behind before he turned, leaped to the adjacent wall, pulled the sword and the girl assisted him, giving him a small platform to land on before they were situated above them.

The male found his eyes going to Mikoto, who bristled at his stare. He looked heartbroken at that, pain visible in his eyes. The female patted him on the shoulder. Their cloaks were soaked and it did nothing to hide the weapons on them. They were ready for a fight.

Then the woman locked eyes with Dino and she tensed, making the latter confused. "This can't be happening…"

Axton looked at the newcomers, eyeing them before his eyes widened. "Lefiya, deactivate your spell, everyone stay on guard…"

"What?!"

"Jericho?"

The raccoon shook his head, "They aren't the anomaly. Whatever they just got spewed out of was it...the feeling is still there but...I just can't explain it."

Axton felt like he knew these people. But where? Well not knew as in knew personally. Knew as in the sense that he's read about them somewhere once upon a time. Loki had told him a story about them. Their pictures were once posted in their archives... "Holy shit, it's Isaac and Irene Vlahos!"

Safe to say, there needs to be an explanation.

Backtracking to the twins.

The mission was simply scouting, seeing what they could find out about this. The Water Capital had been...remodeled over the past few years. Someone decided to go on a rampage and destroy the Dungeon and have it collapse on itself.

Yeah...no one was allowed past Rivira while they waited a few days for it to fix itself. When they entered it for the first time after that, the whole route changed. It was still the Water Capital but it was different. The Guild paid the Hermes Familia to scout the place again and update the Guild maps.

The twins took multiple shortcuts to make it to the Under Resort as fast as possible. With their level seven agility, it took them a half hour. They even went the long way on most of the floors, despite the shortcuts. They really only saved a couple of minutes at most. However, they learned that being tardy for Sofia's lessons was not fun. They never wanted to do that again.

Isaac continued to brief Irene on the situation on the way down. The twins paused at the Great Wall of Sorrow to watch a group of fifteen adventurers take down Goliath. "Remember our level up to level four?"

"Where we two-manned Goliath? Yeah...good times...when…"

"Don't go down that path."

"You brought it up…"

A defeated sigh, "Good point." Isaac and Irene agreed to slip by unnoticed, at least until Irene turned around and saw a blow coming for an unsuspecting adventurer.

*Shockwave.*

She whispered it, sending a small stream of wind to the unaware adventurer. It pushed them out of the way, allowing the rest of the group to take advantage of the now embedded weapon of the Goliath. Cheers of victory were heard a few minutes later. Their high-level hearing was the reason. Isaac smirked but said nothing.

They quickly went across the floor, pausing at the entrance to the nineteenth floor. "Grandma?"

Sofia Vlahos casually emerged from behind a rock. Her deep forest green hair and matching eyes were one of the many definitions of beauty, but she's always been sort of a 'you can look but don't touch' kind of person. She looked like she was in her thirties, but was easily almost two hundred…yeah Elves have weird aging cycles.

The twins did not approach. Irene casually made a fireball and sent it to her left, a hair's breadth away from impacting Isaac. He didn't react, instead, he grabbed his sword and slashed the icicle coming for him.

"Very good...except you're late…"

The twins did not bother with an excuse. Isaac just sheathed his sword and started walking, "We made good time."

"Indeed. Brief me on this mission that Ouranos assigned you." Isaac explained everything again, even as they passed the twenty-third floor, casually dispelling Sword Stags and Deadly Hornets.

Isaac finished with a thought, "If Fels sensed this, then you must have sensed it as well."

"...I have."

"Then why did we come?" Irene asked. She looked genuinely angry but both Isaac and Sofia knew she wasn't. The eldest of the trio laughed.

"I did want to check on you. I was finishing up something important."

"Like what? Is Zeus making a comeback of the millennia?"

Sofia smirked, "Something like that..."

Irene chose not to call her out because she'd be a fool if she did. Grandma has gotten better at hiding her tells, and I don't know if she's lying.

Figured. It's a fifty-fifty shot either way, and it wouldn't be the worst thing. "If he does come back and attempts to do anything, I don't care, my foot will meet his ass."

"He'll meet my strongest spell first," Sofia predatorily grinned. The twins shivered at the meaning behind her words. The twins were scary but she was far scarier than anything they could fight—with certain exceptions.

With that, the trio continued down into the Water Capital. Isaac led the group and that was because Sofia had a question for Irene, "How's my granddaughter-in-law?"

Irene side-eyed her grandmother, "Very pregnant. Please do not distract me here."

Sofia countered easily, even as she realized the irony in her next words, "Don't let yourself be distracted. He has been very hush-hush with me about her."

"Because he knows that you'll get baby fever, and the fact you don't visit often is associative to his withholding," Irene said, making a jab at her maternal grandmother. That means show up more and he'll let you in.

Isaac wasn't sure he was meant to hear that but he did. I appreciate the thought.

Her head turned forward and walked past the Great Mage, "Plus, I can't wait to be an aunt. He already knows what to name one of them." Sofia took interest but figured this line of conversation was gone.

Their relationship was strange if not a tad strained. The twins are actively trying to get over that hurdle with her. Sofia just doesn't like being in Orario, the memories were sometimes a bit much. They understand but she wouldn't get a place in Melen, because she didn't want to smell like fish…which is a fair point. Moving on…

"Got something," Isaac said. He was currently crouching over the top of the Grand Waterfall, looking down. "Irene, you see that?"

"What are you talking a-" she cut herself off, "Right…that's definitely something. Gran? Your professional opinion?"

Unfortunately, Sofia didn't know what the hell she was looking at. "Proceed with caution. I'm feeling something residing there…not a monster."

"You hear that?" Irene asked, straining her ears. Sofia was put on guard. If she, the level ten, couldn't hear what Irene, a level seven, was hearing then this was a red flag.

"N- wait…yeah. It isn't a Siren, and the Xenos aren't in the area. It's like a faint calling."

Sofia idly listened to the area around her, the Mage not liking this. Why would they be the ones to hear it? There aren't any monsters in the area. The only possible one could be…

A splash perked up the three pairs of ears. However, the ledge where the twins were standing was only a ruse. It shifted beneath them. "Oh shit!" Isaac cursed.

Despite the situation, both females glared at him. He shrugged off his sister's glare but his Grandma's? Not a chance. "Is it Amphisbaena?"

"Worse. If I can't hear it, then there is a problem."

Isaac countered immediately, "Nothing can be worse than the Juggernaut. Well…except that but we know it's not here."

Sofia conceded on that point but that didn't mean they were safe. "When was the last time an Irregular Monster Rex showed up?"

"Five months ago, Balor. Easily one of the more difficult fights." It took hours to injure the damn thing and it took almost two days of constant fighting to kill it. Another time then.

Sofia didn't get a chance to explain as the monster made its appearance. It could be described as a chimera but worse. Instead of being the normal three animals, it was at least fifteen. Its skin was constantly shifting and its faces were staring intently at the twins. Once it saw them, it roared.

Isaac drew his weapons and Irene drew her battle staff. She had slightly modified the one she received years ago to fit her new style. The two would be frontline fighters. Sofia defaulted to being what she is best, a mage. A protection spell was weaved in seconds, coating the twins in a pale yellow glow.

However, when the monster moved, it disappeared from their sight. Yes, even Sofia's. When it appeared again, they heard a heartbreaking sound.

Crunch!

The rock was separated and the twins were sent falling down the entirety of the Grand Waterfall. "Kids!" Sofia shouted. When she turned around the deformity was gone. What in Zeus almighty was that?! I've never seen it before!

As for the twins, they were not screaming for their lives but we're currently falling down the rapids. So, while we plummet to the bottom, what the fuck was that?!

The anomaly, most likely, Isaac supplied, calm as ever. Even Irene has a skill that was the definition of this couldn't get this calm.

Irene readjusted herself, getting next to him, her robes flapping in the breeze. She was also getting wet from the waterfall's random paths. So, what are we supposed to do?

Try and figure out what it is. Can you get a spell that allows us water breathing? Drowning is not the way I wanna die…

So, while they were falling, Irene channeled magic into her staff, "Spirits of the Undine, grant me access to your realm, allow me to tread as you do."

*Speech of the Undine!*

An atmospheric, almost ethereal, glow took over both of their forms as the bottom of the Falls came into sight. Isaac changed from spread eagle to a straight nose dive. Irene followed along.

Since the redesign of the Water Capital, it was now possible to make it from the top of the twenty-fifth floor to the almost bottom of the twenty-seventh floor via this method. It's only effective for small groups. And the foolish ones. Or the ones who get knocked down there.

The two splashed into the water with grace, barely disturbing the water's surface layer. They opened their eyes, it was blurry as they gazed at one another. No injuries, thankfully…and no monsters. They pushed off the pond's bottom, sucking in a breath since they just could. The cold of the water was enough of a shock to exhale upon contact. They emerged from the water with a forced calmness. Isaac climbed out first and then offered his hand to his sister. She accepted it and he yanked her out.

They spent the next few minutes wringing out their clothes to get the excess water out. It's a slog to wear water-logged clothes. "So, now what?"

"According to Fels, this is the spot," Isaac said. "At least we took the express path, one-time use."

Irene snorted at his attempt at humor. She appreciated it, knowing that he was just trying to lighten the mood.

They had about a moment of peace before heavy footfalls appeared behind them, along with the sound they heard earlier. The deformity was here. Before they could even react, something coiled around their necks.

On instinct, Isaac cast a spell, one that should be effective against anything on this floor considering it was its opposing element.

*Firebolt!*

Thanks to something that Isaac has called the Bronze Key—which was recently upgraded to the Silver Key—he can use most spells but only a limited number, around six, maybe seven if he tried hard enough. So imagine his shock when it failed to do anything.

"That's enough, my pet," a voice said. "Release them please, after all, I wanted them here in the first place."

The voice was revealed to be a woman wearing a white wispy dress. It flowed behind her and she had unparalleled grace in every motion, beating Freya! Her…ahem…modest chest was concealed by more of these wispy white wraps and her long legs were mostly on display. She wore no coverings on her feet and walked with confidence like the ground was in tune with her. Isaac forced himself to look away. Out of respect for his wife, and himself, he refuses to be that guy. The twins were set down but their tense stances never let up. What made it even worse was who was in front of them. The very presence. It's not hard to notice when it wasn't supposed to be here.

A Goddess. In. The. Dungeon. That was the combined thought of the twins. Her aura was unrestrained, almost overbearingly so; there was no chance of mistaking it.

"Who…"

"Am I?" The woman's face was concealed, no. That's not accurate. Her face was blurred to them. Irene tried to focus out the blur but received a massive headache as a result. Isaac noted this and focused on the area around where her face would be. "Well, the answer is long and we don't have the time." The woman stroked the deformity and it cooed but it sounded like a grating screech.

The twins covered their ears. "How about the short answer?"

"Gaia," the woman said and both twins scrambled back in fear of their lives. She expected this and let them. They weren't going to be able to leave the area. "Relax, please."

"Why should we? Aren't you the-"

"I am but now is not the time, Irene Vlahos. And you Isaac Vlahos, please listen. This anomaly is unknown to me and I asked Ouranos to send those he trusts."

What? Ouranos trusts us?

Doesn't Ouranos fear her?! I'm more freaked out than facing the Juggernaut! Isn't she his wife?!

I think?

"You learned, did you not?" The woman's tone suggested that she raised an eyebrow at them. "There are far worse things to face but my darling husband did send you to me."

The twins started to calm down but their guard did not. They just figured out that she can tap into their private conversations and they didn't even notice when she did.

"Ara, ara. You mortals are so amusing…now, I need you to investigate this. I don't know where it leads, so it is a risk." The twins shared a look that expressed their hesitance. "You are 'adventurers', are you not?"

"Well, being in front of the Primordial Goddess of the Planet has us on edge…so what do you expect?" Isaac muttered.

Gaia took one step forward, pouring her aura out, "I expected you to come alone."

Grimacing, Irene intervened, "What about Grandma?"

"The one known as Sofia Vlahos will not be harmed, since she is your family. I have sent a messenger to explain the basics of the situation, my dears. Now, before you go…" she approached the twins—faster than they could comprehend—before her hand gently touched their foreheads. Her soft voice was a mere whisper, "My blessing that can tether you here, so wherever you may go, you will return. Now go, my brave adventurers."

She sent a signal to her pet who then launched them into the water before they could gather their bearings. She ignored their protests and watched as they flipped into the air and dived back into the water.

Once she felt them leave this plane, she sighed, "You two have grown since I last laid eyes on you…"

...

I feel like there is a distinct lack of mentioning Gaia, so I did. She is meant to be mysterious. If there is a small inconsistency, do not fret, I am one man. This was meant for fun. I enjoyed writing it. Considering the Document was made December 1st at 10 PM and was finished December 27th at like 2 AM... yeah.

Hope you enjoyed.