And back, with improved Chapter 15.

Gotta say, out of all the Chapters so far, including the ones I posted before the re-upload, this one is the one I feel the most pride in.

Not necessary because it is extraordinary or anything like that, but because it is the exact opposite of what I usually write.

With that said, hope you enjoy reading it.

Kay bye.

XXX

It was disheartening, to say the least.

Her once peerless, undefeated and unflinching idol, brought to such a state…

It hurt to watch.

Five days had passed since the incident between her idol and the boy. Five long, strenuous days. It's not just the two that were affected by what happened that day. Everyone within the Familia had been affected by it, in one way or another.

Loki herself had been affected, as shown by her rather quiet and greatly reduced lecherous advances towards the females in the Familia. Finn himself had also been affected, and was now caught in-between, going over the possible outcomes while awaiting Loki's final verdict on the matter. Gareth, the twins and Bete had also been less energetic than usual.

Apparently, Riveria herself went to see the boy some three days ago and had a talk with him. However, as for the outcome of that conversation most likely only Finn, Loki and Gareth were informed by the High Elf.

The Second Group had also been greatly affected by the incident and called off the expedition they had scheduled and planned to embark on two days after Fuzen's highly unanticipated outburst. She doubted their plans were cancelled simply because they were down one party member. They had launched expeditions on their own as a Group long before she or Fuzen even joined the Familia.

Naturally, however, the most affected of them all was Ais herself.

Her idol.

Lefiya had not been at the Manor on the day it happened as she was out getting her staff checked for any faults with the crystal. Upon coming back home and hearing of what had transpired, she felt the world around her slowly shatter into pieces.

The unbeatable Ais, brought to the brink of death by a...kid?

To her great shame, that thought crossed her mind before even worrying about Ais. It was not comprehensible. Yes, she lost during sparring sessions, but during said sessions, she also did not use her Magic which boosted her abilities many times over. There was no way Ais could lose if she was being serious!

And yet, she lost.

Not just a fight but almost her life, too, by what Riveria told her.

The High Elf had to use her own Healing Magic besides High-Tier potions, so Lefiya could only imagine the extend of Ais's wounds and what would have happened if Finn had not been nearby to intervene.

It was all just too hard to believe, yet she had no other choice than to believe it.

It happened, after all.

And that is why, rare as it was, Lefiya found herself angry.

She wasn't even angry at Fuzen himself, but rather, at Loki, Finn and all the other Executives.

"...He goes around trying to kill someone and they have to think about what to do? He deserves nothing short of being thrown out of the Familia, for Heaven's sake! What else is there to think about?!"

She couldn't find it within herself to forgive that boy.

Sure, she knew he wasn't all bad.

She could still remember the limited days he had acted as her trainer. He was strict, but fair. The training she had done with him had helped her greatly, after all. In a way, it was also like he desired for her to get stronger even more so than herself, always pushing her to overcome her limits when she was about to quit. She truly felt like his attention was solely directed on her during that time, the boy focusing on helping her to the full extend of his abilities.

But even so, his actions were simply unforgivable.

Trying to kill a comrade?

Whatever could be a greater crime than that, especially when he himself came and asked to join the Familia? Did he think he could simply do whatever he wanted without repercussions?

Loki and the others certainly gave him reasons to think so, with their hesitation to come to a decision.

"...Truly, what are they thinking, contemplating so long? Just banish him already…"

Lefiya was not wrong.

Having Fuzen leave the Familia was the best decision.

Loki Familia stood at the top of Orario alongside Freya Familia.

Their unity, their high-Level members and their reputation allowed them to reach this spot. Then, if others were to hear that a low-Level boy actually tried to kill an Executive, a person as well-known as Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess…

Only one thing would happen: they would lose their reputation, and their credibility. Who would ever think again of assigning important Quests to a Familia who could not even keep it's own members under control?

This was how severe the boy's actions were.

It wasn't something which only extended to himself and Ais: it could affect the very standing of their Familia.

So then why, despite all that, were the Captain and the others so hesitant to make the decision of having him leave for good?

Lefiya could not understand. It also didn't really matter at the moment. Her own focus was on Ais and helping her idol get better.

For five days now she had been in her room, rarely getting out to eat or do anything else. Two days ago, she had left for the Dungeon but came back only four hours later, probably not feeling like fighting.

Thus, it fell upon the Elf to bring her food, stay by her side and help however she could.

Even now as she was pondering on why the Executives were having such a hard time coming to a decision Lefiya walked up the stairs of the Manor, a tray of food in her hands.

Once again, Ais had not shown up for neither breakfast nor lunch.

Tiona and Tione still have their own duties as Executives, just like Riveria. It's up to me to be there for Ais.

She had arrived at Ais's room and stopped in front of it. With a nod of determination, she knocked. "Ais, it's Lefiya. May I come in?"

No response came back, and she knocked again.

Again, no response.

Is she perhaps sleeping? I doubt she would have gone to the Dungeon in her state…

She grabbed the door knob, and slowly opened the door. By the time it was half-opened, the tray with food she held fell down to the floor.

XXX

"Thank you for the quick response. We were short on the materials needed for the medicine, this will help us greatly." The silver-haired girl said with a bow of her head, the counter before her full with herbs and other materials found in the Dungeon brought by no other than Fuzen himself.

"It is no problem. As per our contract, I am always at your disposal." Fuzen replied. "I do have a question, however."

"What is it?"

"Do you not have spare materials stored away? Truth be told, I am slightly confused as to why a respectable establishment like yours does not have a greater storage of materials, taking in consideration your great number of patients and patrons."

"Ah, well...That's a bit complicated." Amid informed with a sigh. "Firstly, though our shop might appear large, many rooms are there for the patients. We always find ourselves short on space for storage. However, even if we were to have the space, many materials like herbs or organic Drop Items have a short life-span so simply storing them would not work. We would need special equipment to keep them usable for long periods of time, however Dian Cecht...well, he does not fancy the cost of purchasing such equipment."

"So...it's a matter of greed?"

"...Yes, but not completely. Though we are a medicinal-Type Familia, we are nonetheless a Familia and answer to the Guild. They would also not appreciate it if we were to disregard the city's economical situation. By hiring Adventurers to go on gathering Quests for us, said Adventurers receive money, then they can buy better equipment to go deeper into the Dungeon, which in return brings more profit to the Guild." Amid informed with a frown. She was not very big on the whole situation as this system put at risk the lives of people who could be saved by thinking more about people and less about profit. "...Long story short, it is all a cycle that the Guild would like to maintain."

"Hmm...I see." He nodded, now having a greater understanding on this matter. "I learned something new from you, Teasanare-sama. I am grateful."

"Think nothing of it. I would have a question of my own, however."

"By all means."

"Don't you have any expeditions to go on?" She asked. "You have been coming here daily, despite being part of your Familia's Second Group. Don't you launch small-scale expeditions frequently?"

"Ah, yes. That has been...cancelled for me, I would presume." He took a moment to think on how much he would be allowed to tell the girl, but seeing as how their two Familia worked rather close together, he believed telling him about the incident would not be harmful. "Something happened in our Familia. Internal matter, I cannot disclose what. Since then, I have been staying at an inn."

"What? Why?" She asked, obviously worried upon hearing this.

"As I said, I cannot disclose the exact information. I do not have the Captain's permission to do so, after all. However, there is one matter I wished to inform you about. In my...less than ideal state of mind the last couple of days, I have forgotten to do so."

"What is it?"

"You might want to look for another Adventurer to fill my current role. More probably than not, I will be thrown out of the Loki Familia soon and I doubt our contract will be in effect anymore. Uhh...unless it will? I am not quite sure on the terms, seeing how our Deities decided it."

"…! W-What? Thrown out of the Familia?!"

He gave a small nod. "That is what I said, yes."

"Then why are you so casual about it?" Amid asked, confused. "Shouldn't you go and discuss it with Finn?"

"We already discussed it and I have said everything I had to say. I left the end decision up to Lady Loki and Captain Finn while deciding to stay away from the Manor until then."

"…"

"…"

"You did something, didn't you?" The girl asked after a couple of moments of thinking. She had known Fuzen for almost a year now and paid close attention to him, mostly because of how reckless he could become. Through this observation, she had began to understand the boy if only slightly better than with other customers of hers. She could tell something was up, and that he stood at the centre of that something.

"It's done, so does it matter anymore?" Fuzen replied with a question of his own and a shrug. "As I said, the decision is not up to me. I leave it all in the capable hands of my Captain. With that I have informed you of my nigh certain removal from the Familia. Please do take that in consideration when deciding whatever you wish to look for another Adventurer to fill my current role. It's up to you, however." Once he informed her of that he bowed his head before turning on his heels and making for the door. "Have a continuous good day, Teasanare-sama. If you have further need of me, I can be found at the Rusty Traveller Inn. Farewell."

Not waiting for a reply back Fuzen left the shop, his duty fulfilled and thus no more reason left to stay longer than needed.

"...It would be nice if he could open up a bit more. It's not like we are strangers anymore…" Amid sighed, and pondered on what could have happened.

Only a few things were consequential enough to warrant expulsion from a Familia. The boy had a few screws loose, sure, but she doubted he would ever do something grave enough to be thrown out of his Familia.

Yes, I doubt he actually understands how it works. Surely he has not done anything dangerous enough to be thrown out…

Right?

XXX

She had been naive.

She had thought that maybe, just maybe, her own circumstances would become slightly better, given what she had done to escape the darkness. But she had been naive.

It always caught up to her, without fail.

No matter the time, it would always catch up to her. Wherever she ran, whoever far, however obscure she remained, it didn't matter.

It never mattered.

And now, being surrounded by the darkness once again, only one question remained:

She...or him?

XXX

"Now...what should I do?" The boy asked himself as he walked down the busy streets of Orario.

What could he do, indeed?

His Supporter had asked to take the day off so he was not burdened by the restrictions that came with having her around. He could dwell deep in the Dungeon without having to look out for another.

But, was that really his only option?

Well...I can't train. The inn room is too small, and the last time I tried to train in the park, those Ganesha members came to tell me I was disturbing the locals. Whatever that means...

He also couldn't simply train anywhere.

It needed to be somewhere hidden, at least halfway hidden, like the park.

Why?

To avoid another Ais incident.

He had been truly naive, training his Sword Style in plain sight of his Familia comrades, if he could even call them that. So many people there could try to steal his Sword Style again. Their numbers were truly great and there was no shortage of people who took up the path of the sword. Nonetheless, the westerners did not have the same view of what path of the sword meant, but still, many sword fighters could be found among his Familia's ranks.

It was too risky.

He could not allow himself to be naive again.

He could also not train in the Dungeon because of the Monsters popping up every few minutes. Naturally, he could simply cut them all up and resume training but that went against what training was. Getting disrupted every few minutes would hardly be efficient, as he would need to re-focus after each fight.

It was too much a hassle, with too little reward behind it.

Should I meditate, then?...No, I already went through many meditations to calm my mind after...that incident.

Lastly, he could go into the Dungeon but instead of fighting, he could try and focus on finding out more about that voice he was hearing was. He could mostly only hear it while inside the Dungeon.

And if he were to be honest, it pissed him off.

That hindrance is trying to make me lose my focus. Whatever is it, wherever it is, I will find it and I will cut it.

"...It's decided, then." He nodded to himself, and made his way back to his room at the inn. He only had his chisa katana, Utegiri, with him while his katana, Eisatsu, was back at the inn as well as his pouch with potions, which he would need to go anywhere past the 18th Floor. He disliked his own need for anti-poison potions but he could hardly do anything against it. He was one of the few Adventurers without the [Abnormal Resistance] Ability, after all.

Before long, he could see the inn in the distance across the plaza. Yes, he would grab his things, buy some rations, and go to the Dungeon for a day or two-

"Fuzen!"

Of course…

With the slightest twitch of his eyebrow, Fuzen looked to his side and saw Lefiya running towards him at full speed, well beyond her limit, if her gasping for air was any indication.

"Yes?"

"I-It's...Puff...Ais. S-She...puff...She's not well." Lefiya informed, just barely managing to get her breathing under control.

"Not well, you say?" Fuzen asked before brining a hand to his chin. If Lefiya came looking for him, that could only mean one thing: potions and healing magic had no effect. That, in turn could only mean another thing, something he had in actually predicted would happen.

She truly is strong and talented. Taking this long for the repercussions to take effect…

"Let me guess: she's white as milk, coughs blood, has become thinner, has immense fever, is sweating profoundly and is writhing in pain besides the fact that potions and Healing Magic have no effect on her?" he asked, and Lefiya's eyes shot wide open, a glimpse of hope in them.

"Y-Yes! Do you know what happened?! Is there a cure?!"

"Forget it, she's dead." Fuzen answered nonchalantly as ever. "The best you could do for her is put her out of her misery."

"...S-She's...dead?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"And we should...put her out of her misery?"

"Yes." He nodded again. "Unless you wish for her suffering to be prolonged. Either way, she's a lost cause-"

SLAP!

...I am pretty certain I was not facing this direction…

As he was pondering on why his head had suddenly turned to his right Lefiya grabbed him by the collar and pulled him closer to her, using her Level 2 Strength to lift Fuzen off the ground, their eyes meeting again. Yet this time a fiery anger was burning within her dark blue eyes, and it was all directed at him.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" If the loud, sharp sound of her palm striking his face had not drawn the attention of the many Adventurers across the plaza, then her angry shout most certainly did.

"...Whatever may you mean?"

"How can you be so...unconcerned?!"

"...Why should I be?" He asked in return.

"...What?"

"I asked...Why should I? Be concerned?"

A short moment of silence fell over them as both of observed the other. It was then that Lefiya had finally, after almost a year, noticed it: A deep, cold and bottomless disregard for...everything, all visible in the boy's eyes, in the way he looked at her. Those were the eyes of someone who could watch their very family die in front of them all without batting an eye in return.

He was truly...frigid.

Ice-cold.

Bitter.

Unsympathetic.

And above all, unaffectionate.

Having come to this realization Lefiya felt like she had lost a battle against him, a battle of determination, for no other reason than the fact he made her shudder while she herself was nothing more than the current point of focus for him until something else would come up and draw his attention away.

...No.

"Why…?" Lefiya asked, biting her lip in frustration at the boy's question. Why, he asked? "Because...we are comrades, for Heaven's sake!"

"...A predictable answer, as I have come to realize in this city of Adventurers. Sigh...Very well, then. Put me down."

"H-Huh?"

"I said put me down. Preferably soon." Slowly he looked to his lower right side, and Lefiya followed his trail with her eyes. At his side, tightly secured in his grasp, was his sword, drawn and ready to be used at a moment's notice.

Just when...did he draw it…?

"…" Without further delay Lefiya did just that, and Fuzen's feet touched the ground again, the boy sheathing his sword a moment later. "Then, about Ais-"

"There is one thing I can try, however I am uncertain about the chances. I can promise no success."

"It's better than nothing!" The girl said, determined.

"...Very well. Follow me."

Lefiya quickly followed as Fuzen walked back to the inn and into his room. From there he had grabbed a metal box and an old book wrapped in many layers of cloth, which he hid safely behind the wardrobe. Then they left the inn and Lefiya found herself flung over his shoulder before she could even realize it. "W-What are you doing?"

"You are as slow as a snail. Be quiet." In but a second he used Lightning Driving, the world becoming a blur for the Elf girl as the boy ran forward, jumping onto the first building and then from roof to roof in order to shave off time trying to avoid the many people out on the streets.

The distance Lefiya had needed more than fifteen minutes to cross while running, from the Manor to the plaza, Fuzen had crossed in four minutes using the roofs and high ground to skip past many nuisances. Once at the gates to their Familia's Manor he let Lefiya down and made for Ais's room.

Outside the Sword Princess's door a large number of members were gathered, whispering among themselves as to what could have happened. Ignoring them completely Fuzen walked straight through their ranks and flung the door.

Finn, Riveria and the other Executives were already there, as well as Loki, all while the High Elf was using her healing Magic on the golden haired girl.

"You're here." The Captain acknowledged his presence with a nod. It had been five days since the two saw each other, but that didn't matter now. Nothing which happened mattered.

Only the present mattered.

Fuzen nodded in return and approached Ais, who was whimpering in pain in her bed, droplets of blood spilling out with each of her cough. Had it not been for Tione holding her head higher up she would have probably chocked by now. He inhaled, then exhaled, repeating the steps a couple of times all the while focusing all his senses on the girl in front of him.

He felt it, and his assumptions were confirmed.

Ki as an energy was not something tangible nor was it something visible. At most, a user could feel it in another person, though only faintly for those who only had the regular amount of Ki which every single living being, from human to animal and even insects, possessed.

However, Ais's own life force, her own Ki, was no longer faintly pulsing as it did before, showing her good health and great physical state, but rather it was violently...expanding and shrinking, her own physical body getting damaged in the process.

The reason for her current state was a simple one: through her own raw talent, she had managed to replicate, albeit only partly, the Lighting Sword Style which heavily relied on Ki usage, and through her time practicing that half-correct Style she had increased her own quantity of Ki unconsciously, far beyond what her unawakened body could handle.

The closest comparison Fuzen could think of was trying to fit ten litres of water in a bucket with a maximum capacity of five. In the real physical world, the excess five litres would simply flow over the bucket and all was good and as it should be, no laws of nature being broken.

However, Ki was an energy, and her seven vital chakra points were intangible things, unlike a physical bucket.

Unfortunately for Ais, her Ki just so happened to create room for the extra five litres of water in that bucket, which resulted in the extra Ki trying to flow out of the chakra points damaging her body in the process.

Sigh...And this is why I dislike talented people. Even when you barely did any training, even when you barely put in a fraction of the effort I myself put in, your Ki grew to these heights...At the very least, the Lighting Sword Style is not kind enough to allow this transgression to go unpunished.

"Fuzen, what can you tell us?" Finn asked, noticing how the boy opened his eyes and sighed.

"She's an idiot."

"...I meant something helpful."

"She's dying. She will expire soon."

"...Can you help?" Finn asked, rubbing the pinch of his nose. As much as he respected the boy's individuality it managed to anger him in no small way at the current moment.

"Mayhaps?" He shrugged, by now having managed to rub everyone else within the room the wrong way with his attitude, his Goddess included. "I make no promises. All I can say is that I can try to...fix it."

"Is it related to your Sword Style's secrets?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"Then how can we help?"

"You can't. Get out." Fuzen informed, pointing towards the door. "I need to concentrate. I only need Alf-sama and one other...hmm...Loki-sama will do."

"...Very well, then. We will leave you to it." Finn said as he gestured for everyone else to follow him out of the room. "And Fuzen?"

"Hm?"

"...Please do your best to help her. You might have your reasons to dislike Ais, but she means something to us. To all of us."

"...I can try my best. More than that, I cannot promise."

Finn nodded and then left the room like all the others. Now only Fuzen, Riveria and Loki remained. A moment of silence followed before the boy sighed.

"What's wrong, lil' Fuzen?"

"Nothing. Just...memories. It doesn't matter." He shook his head and took out the metal box and his book from within it's layer of clothes, laying them next to Ais. "I am not a healer. Nor have I ever performed what I am about to do. All I did was hear and read about it. It's all...theoretical. It would be best if you all would stop putting so much faith in me." He muttered with a distant look in his eyes. "All I'm good at is that which I have trained for: cutting people down. So stop looking at me with hope-filled eyes."

"Fuzen." Riveria called, drawing the boy's attention to her. "You can do it."

"...We shall see about that. I will now begin." He nodded and pulled the blanket off Ais before proceeding to take off her shirt as well, to the two women's shock.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing?" Loki asked.

"Trying to save her." He replied just as he pulled the shirt over Ais's head, her upper body now bare to the three.

"...Ais is not going to be happy about being seen naked by you..." The Goddess said with a sigh, directed at the boy's lack of tact.

"Hm? It's just bare skin, what does it matter?" He replied as he grabbed the metal box and opened it, revealing the six silver needles within. Grabbing Ais by the shoulders, he pulled her forward, keeping her in a hunched position. "Alf-sama, keep her like this."

Once Riveria took over he grabbed the first needle and slowly inserted it at the base of her spine, having just the slightest trouble getting the right spot while doing this on another person. Once that was done he had Ais lay again on her back before grabbing he next needle.

...Those needles stimulate the chakra points and allow for easier flow and control of the Ki. Though Wallenstein is both unconscious and unable to freely control the flow of Ki, this should at least regulate her wild and fluctuating excess Ki to a more manageable degree.

In theory, that is.

With the last needle inserted between her brows Fuzen took a moment to focus his senses. Luckily enough her energy seemed to calm down, if only slightly. This meant the needles did their part.

Now it was up to him to do his part.

There is no seventh needle for Sahasrara, the last chakra point located in the crown of the head which is responsible for the flow of Ki throughout the body. This is because a Ki user must control his energy with his own mind and cannot rely on external, physical stimuli to do so. However, the girl is neither a Ki user, nor is she even awake to try and follow my instructions…

He sighed, yet again.

This Familia was the sole reason for his new habit of sighing daily. They would kill him with pressure and stress before any Monster or rival swordsman could hope to do so.

Grabbing the old book Fuzen opened it and went straight to the page which held the possible solution to save Wallenstein's life.

However, the chances of it working were slim, to say the least.

There were seven Ki Awakenings an individual could perform in his or her life.

His Sword Style was also built around this system of awakening, which the exalted Founder discovered and built up from scratch. The first four awakenings were regarded as the safe ones, despite the chances of failing to survive the ritual being sky high. As for the fifth, sixth and seventh awakenings...well, only the Founder herself managed to survive them all.

It is why she held the rank of Grandmaster of the Lighting Sword Style. Everyone else who came after her, no matter their achievements, would only ever receive the rank of Master.

It was a matter of honour and respect, and even if Fuzen would ever manage to become the strongest he also had no desire to call himself Grandmaster. That rank was solely for the Founder and her alone.

In the six hundred years of history since her time, only four individuals had managed to survive their sixth awakening. As for the fifth awakening...well, the individuals who survived it, excluding those who survived the sixth, could be counted on one's two hands.

What he was about to try and do was a risky move:

The step to awaken from the fifth state to the sixth was a strenuous endeavour, which could take as long as two weeks.

Two weeks of pure hell.

Because of the long period it took the few individuals who attempted it found themselves in a coma-like state, their bodies and minds shutting down in an effort to save one's life. This was, of course, a dangerous misstep when dealing with energy which required absolute control and focus.

If left to themselves for too long those comatose individuals would die as their energy would run rampant.

Because of this, the individuals who reached the fifth state decided to try and link their own energy to that of the comatose individual and regulate their Ki flow for them.

It was a foolish move, born from desperation.

It was, in short, like pouring coffee and milk in a cup, while somehow trying to keep both fluids from merging together. Trying to keep them separate.

He read through the lines of what his predecessors wrote on this highly-risky process and sighed yet again. "...Great."

"What is it?"

The boy lowered the book and sighed. "...Nothing. Except that what I am about to try and perform for the sake of Wallenstein could kill her just as much as it could kill me. Sigh...Comrades, was it...?" He muttered the foreign word which the Elf girl used earlier as he looked at Ais's pale face and the pain that was visible on her face.

Shaking his head he handed the book to Loki, the open side facing him. "Hold that still, I need the instructions. I am also aware that Deities can speak and read every language. Do not look at it, Loki-sama."

"Sure thing, Lil' Fuzen." Loki nodded, her usual goofy side replaced with one of determination to help Ais however she could.

Fuzen then walked up to the headboard of the bed and exhaled, readying himself for what was to come. "Alf-sama."

"What can I do?"

"I will proceed to try and...hmm...link my mind to that of Wallenstein. Most probably she will try to subconsciously keep me out, if for no other reason than my own animosity towards her. Grab her hand and try to speak to her in your mind. Try to...gosh, this is hard to explain...Uhh...Try to direct your goodwill towards her. Your presence, as someone who was known her since childhood should, in theory that is, help in getting her to open herself to you. Dishonourable as it is, I will try and exploit that chance."

"...I understand." Riveria said with a determined nod. "Is that all?"

"You might experience a prickling sensation all over your body once I start. Please do try and ignore it. You might also experience something akin to...hmm...being pulled into something. Please do not try to resist it. That will be my doing." He glanced over to the book Loki kept open for him, quickly reading through the lines. "Apparently."

Though that last work he spoke did little to ease her mind, Riveria nodded nonetheless. "Understood."

"...Sigh...Ok, then…" He slowly reached with both hands for Ais's head only to stop before touching her, his head turning towards Loki. "If I do cease here please send my Raiju no Yoki back to Hachiman-sama in the Far East. It's back at my inn room, first floor, last door on the right. I will be counting on you."

Loki's frowned, not pleased at the thought of two of her children dying before her. Still, they have tried everything they could and only Fuzen remained. All she could do was have hope now. "...Say. If there's a chance of you dying doing...whatever it is you are trying to do, then...why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do it anyway? Don't you hate Ais?"

"...I am neither self-righteous nor infallible, Loki-sama. Not to that extend, anyway. Sigh." He shook his head, getting rid of the unnecessary emotions and feelings, his mind now clear. "...It doesn't matter. The girl's head belongs to me. I will decide when she dies. Not you. Not the world. Not society. Not anyone.I will. Even if I have to go to hell myself and drag her back myself..."

Wasting no more time dilly-dallying around, Fuzen touched Ais's temples with his hands and slowly but surely, began the process of trying to link himself to her all the while reading the instructions from his book.

This is going to be a pain in my backside…

XXX

It was barren, and cold.

She felt weak and draining away, her very being slipping away from her grasp.

Thinking was hard. Troublesome. Unnecessary.

Why think, anyway?

She was sitting...somewhere. Nowhere?

It was truly dark, and truly barren.

It was cold. So very cold

She tried to pull her knees to her chest, to protect herself.

It helped little.

It was cold, and getting colder.

Only a bit of warmth comforted her.

It was a...energy. Aura?

A golden aura, surrounding her small body.

It was warm, but it was fading.

Each time it's shine got dimmer, she got colder.

The little golden-haired girl hated it.

The coldness, the darkness.

Everything.

She just wanted to go back home!

...Home?

What was home?

She tried to remember, but it was hard.

She remembered...something golden.

A person? A...woman?

She tried to remember, she truly did, but...

Only blurry images were left.

Her aura got dimmer, and she felt colder.

She pulled her knees closer to her and closed her eyes.

How long did she sit there? Hours? Days? Weeks?

The girl, little more than a child, did not know.

The darkness began to close in on her. She could feel it.

Did it even matter anymore?

She stood there, eyes closed, knees pulled to her chest for what seemed like an eternity.

A..s

Ai...s

Ais…

She heard whispers, and looked up.

Ais…

Ais.

She was not familiar with the word. Ais?

What did it mean?

She looked around, to her left, to her right.

The whisper persisted, but where was it coming from?

Her child-like curiosity getting the better of her, the girl stood up.

She was frightened, but also curious.

Was she, after all, not alone?

Ais.

H-Hello?

She replied. It wasn't through her mouth, however. She couldn't use her mouth.

Instead, it felt like her...thoughts echoes around her and not only inside her mind.

Hello…?

Ais.

W-Who is it?

Ais.

Slowly, she began to follow the voice.

It was a warm voice, which gave her comfort.

It also felt...familiar?

Ais.

W-Where are you?

Ais.

She walked, and walked, and walked, always following the voice.

She felt cold, but her aura did not get any dimmer anymore.

Ais.

After a short yet long, long time, she finally began to see something in the distance.

A...form? Silhouette?

It was faint, and transparent.

But it was also beautiful.

Green.

Emerald.

Ais.

She walked on, always towards the emerald light.

As she drew nearer, she could make up a bit more of what it was.

The form was tall and lithe, and though it was transparent and without a face, it radiated kindness and acceptance.

...Mama?

Ais.

M-Mama!

Her short legs began to move faster and faster, running towards the form.

Towards hope.

She knew, deep down, that the form was not her Mama.

But it was close enough.

So very close enough…

Ais.

Mama!

She had reached the emerald form.

Warmth and kindness radiated from it, and it felt...good.

Comforting.

Safe.

The tall, graceful form extended it's hand towards her, and the golden-haired child grabbed it.

Mama-! Kyaaaaa!

In a single moment, the beautiful, warm, emerald form dispersed into nothing, not unlike someone blowing a candle, the smoke replacing the warm flame.

In the emerald form's place, a...thing appeared, a thing most frightening.

It was short, though still taller than her.

Patches of what was once long, black hair covered some of it's head.

It's clothes were black and foreign, more tatters than actual clothes.

It was thin, and hunched over.

Repulsive.

Sick.

It only radiated sickness.

It was a carcass, decaying and ripped apart, many pieces of it simply...missing.

The girl looked up, at where it's face should have been.

It too was decayed, dead, tired.

No more than a carcass, like the rest of it's body.

Most frightening for her, however, were it's blurry, milky-white eyes, replacing what little hazel remained, starring down at her.

Let me go! Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!

She screamed, and tried to jerk herself away from it's grasp.

She was scared, and wanted to run.

Let me go! Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!

As she screamed and cried, her golden aura extended up the creature's arm and soon enveloped it, too.

The creature's skin began to sizzle and burn and it hissed in pain.

But it did not let go of her.

She continued to scream, and cry, and try to break free.

Over and over again.

For how long she continued, she did not know.

Time was insignificant here, she was somehow aware of that fact.

Only when her throat hurt from screaming, when her eyes dried and no more more tears came out, when all her aura disappeared in an attempt to burn away the creature, did she fall down to her knees.

Her aura had gotten dimmer, much dimmer, and now it was unbearably cold.

The creature tightened it's grip on her wrist, and she felt her aura being restored.

How, she did not know, but the coldness withered away.

She looked up again, at the creature.

Her golden eyes met it's sickly, milky-white ones.

He frightened her, so very much.

But...it felt familiar.

The creature slowly turned it's head, looking to the side.

The girl looked as well, but she only saw the same darkness as everywhere else.

Child.

This time, the voice came from the creature. It was a tired voice, raspy and barely above a whisper.

Follow me.

I-I'm...I'm scared.

I'll protect you.

R-Really?

Yes.

She looked up at the creature.

It was repulsive, and sick, and decaying.

Unlike the emerald form, which radiated warmth and kindness, the creature felt...empty.

Like a void.

However, it radiated genuinity as well as determination.

Something the girl could not muster.

Slowly she nodded, and followed the creature as it held her hand.

They walked, and walked, and walked.

It was dark, it was always dark, but the creature walked on, certain of it's path.

...What are you?

The same as you.

...What am I?

A manifestation. Nothing more. We are nothing more than that.

...What manifestation?

Our own. Your own.

Why...are you like that?

So that others don't have to be.

They walked.

Hours.

Weeks.

Years.

It all felt the same.

Time flew both fast and slow, the difference could not be seen or felt.

Then finally, they had arrived somewhere else, and the girl trembled at the sight before her.

Flames.

Pitch black flames.

Like the flames back then.

The flames which engulfed her home.

The flames which killed her Papa and Mama.

Again, she tried to jerk herself free from the creature's grip, to run away.

It did not let her do so.

Let me go! I'm scared!

It's the black flames! The Monster's black flames!

...No. They are your flames.

W-What?

The black flames of vengeance. Your black flames of vengeance.

V-Vengeance?

Yes. This is the only path forward.

...To where?

...Towards me. You are not awakened. There is no escape from here. Only by reaching me can you get out.

B-But...the flames…

It's fine. You are not awakened. You need not face them by yourself. Not yet.

The creature let go of her and got to one knee in front of her, his back facing her.

I will face your own vengeance for you. I will protect you. This time.

She was scared and hesitant.

She did not want to go anywhere near the black flames.

They had taken away her home, her Mama and Papa.

But...the creature oozed determination.

Too much determination to ignore.

Slowly, the child climbed onto the creature's back, her tiny arms wrapped tightly around his neck, the most decayed part of his body.

The creature grabbed her under the knees and walked on, through the flames.

The flames were not very big.

They reached up only to his ankles.

Nonetheless, the girl heard how his skin sizzled while walking on.

Yet the creature remained unflinching.

Y-You're hurting…

It's fine. I'm used to it.

Slowly, steadily, the creature walked on.

He walked and walked, only black flames around them for as far as the eye could see.

Yet he walked on, never flinching, never backing down.

After a long, long walk, the scenery changed.

It was no longer just burning earth, but rather, a swamp consisting of black flames.

The creature grabbed the child and held her above his head with both arms.

Then he walked on, the flaming swamp coming up to his chest.

It consisted only of black flames, however it was no easier to walk on than through a normal swamp.

Yet, even as he was submerged in blazing flames, even as they licked at his body, the creature walked on, unflinching.

Y-You're burning!

...It's fine. I'm used to it.

In the distance, pillars of black fire danced on the surface of the flaming swamp.

The creature could have survived, but the girl could not.

He walked on, always avoiding the pillars of fire despite the large detour it created.

On and on, an eternity as well as just a single moment, he walked on, never once letting the golden-haired girl come close to the flames.

Finally, they had come out of the swamp, the creature's decaying carcass of a body burned pitch black.

Yet he walked on, unflinching.

Wind began to blow, and the creature let the girl down, taking off his tattered clothes and wrapping her tightly in them.

He then picked her up, cradling her close to his chest and walked on.

The wind blew harder and harder, ever getting stronger.

Before the girl could realize it, the creature was walking right through an endless storm of black flames.

It was wild, untamed and hostile.

She could feel it.

A nigh endless storm of black flames, ever getting stronger, ever getting hotter.

She was not getting burned. The clothes, little more than tattered strips, protected her.

However, the creature was getting torn apart as the flaming winds got stronger. Piece by piece, his rotting carcass of a body began to fall apart.

Y-You're getting torn apart!

It's...grhh

The creature fell to one knee, trying to gasp for air.

His throat was damaged however, and pieces of decaying flesh fell down.

He hunched over.

Damaged.

Burned.

Tired.

Incomplete.

His sickly, milky-white eyes looked at her through the tattered strips of clothes she was wrapped in.

The girl looked back at him, her eyes meeting his own.

It was then she noticed the little hazel left in his eyes overpowering the sickly white colour.

A moment later, he stood up.

...It's fine. I'm used to it.

He tightened his grip on the child, holding her tightly against his chest.

Protecting her.

On and on, not once falling down again, the creature walked on.

After a long, long time, longer than all the other times combined, he walked out of the fiery storm.

He put the golden-haired girl down, and grabbing her hand again, lead her on.

Slowly, but surely, the dark which surrounded them began to fade away, gradually getting replaced by a dirty, unpleasant grey.

As they walked on the dark faded away completely.

They now walked down a single road, just wide enough for the two of them walking side by side.

The ground was grey, the sky was grey, everything was grey.

At the end of this long, straight path was an archway, old and falling apart.

From their side nothing was visible on the other side.

They walked through the archway, and then, from a single straight path, it changed into a large crimson plain.

In the far distance, barely visible, was a...mound?

Mountain?

The girl could not tell.

The creature took the first step forward and the girl followed.

Each of their steps made a splashing sound.

The crimson liquid beneath their feet, just one or two centimetres deep, was warm, thick and sticky and had a metallic smell to it.

The girl did not like it, but she walked on.

As they walked, she noticed figures...moving?

Dancing?

No, they were fighting, all across the crimson plain, as far as the eye could see.

It was always the same battle, between the same individuals.

One was a perfect replica of the creature: thin, rotting, just a decaying carcass.

The other was a boy, a young boy, with hazel eyes and long, dark hair.

These pair of two were spread out all over the crimson plain, the same two individuals, replicated across the horizon.

They all fought and just like pieces of a mirror reflecting back the same thing, there were similarities to be found.

The creature was always calm, composed, determined.

The boy was frightened, scared, trembling.

The sky was grey.

The air was grey.

The ground was crimson.

Yet among it all, spread across the plain, only one thing shined.

In this grey and crimson decaying world, only the sword each boy and each creature held shined brilliantly.

Only the swords looked alive, while everything else was grey.

Tired.

Dead.

The girl looked around, at the fighting happening across the plain.

The creature always won.

The boy always lost.

Even as they held their sword to block, the creature always shattered the blade and cut down the boy.

Some survived the first blow.

They tried to crawl away, whimpering, crying, pleading.

The creature did not listen.

They cut down the boy again and again if necessary, until they were dead.

When the boy was dead, the creature grabbed him by the arm and dragged him towards the mountain in the distance.

Each time a boy died, another crawled his way out through the crimson covered ground.

Each time, another creature would follow shortly after and another fight would ensure.

Over and over and over and over again.

The two neared the mountain, and the girl realized it was not a mountain.

It was a pile.

A pile of dead, hazel eyed boys, all thrown together over one another.

Each creature that won a fight dragged his opponent to the pile and threw him there.

Then the creature would disperse into ash, probably to go and seek another opponent elsewhere across the crimson plain.

The pile was asymmetric, yet at the same time, the countless corpses twisted and bend to create a single, stair-like path all the way to the top, high up in the air.

Above the pile of dead boys, a door-sized tear in the sky could be seen, shining brilliantly as the sun would in the real world.

The creature grabbed the girl as they reached the foot of the pile and held her in his arms as he walked up the straight path of corpses.

Why...are there so many bodies?

...You need not know that.

Why?

Because you are but an unawakened child.

Before long they had reached the summit, still a long, long way off from reaching the door in the sky.

The creature held the child from under her armpit and slowly she began to float, getting drawn to the door.

It is done. You have been calmed down. You will no longer bring suffering to yourself.

...Will I meet you again?

No. You will remain unawakened forever. We will make sure of that. I will make sure of that.

...Come with me.

The girl said, extending her hand towards the creature.

It's rotting lips parted just the slightest big, it's sickly, milky-white eyes widening at the sound of these unthinkable words.

She was suggesting...escape?

Escape…?

Was escape even possible?

He stood motionlessly, staring at the child.

Then he took a step closer to her, his arm raising just a bit towards her.

He was hesitant, barely moving more than an inch every so often.

But maybe, just maybe...

"H-Help...me…"

Another voice spoke, yet this time, it was not like the manifested thoughts of the girl or creature, but rather words spoken by means of the mouth.

The creature looked to it's side, from where the voice came.

A hazel-eyed boy, one who was supposed to be part of the pile, was still alive and crawling his way out from under three other dead boys.

He crawled desperately, towards the girl, his fingers drilling into the soft, young flesh of those beneath him, lunging himself forward as fast as possible. Tears fell down his face all the while he whimpered softly. "Please...No more..."

Reaching the edge of the pile, just beneath the floating girl, he raised his trembling arm, trying to push himself up with his other, damaged arm.

All the while, the creature watched silently as the boy, who should have been dead, tried desperately to cling on to whatever small glimmer of hope presented itself before him.

Grab my hands! Both of you!

The little girl trying to resist the pull of the sky, lunged herself downwards, both arms stretched towards the two.

The hazel-eyed boy reached for her, their finger tips just barely touching each other. He cried, more so than before, then a smile appeared on his lips. "T-Thank...you- Gah!"

...No.

"No compromise."

The last thing the golden-haired girl saw before the sky pulled her towards it was the creature plunging it's sword into the boy's nape and killing him before crumbling away into dust itself.

XXX

Her eyelids felt heavy and her head hurt like never before.

Nonetheless, she realized she was awake and tried her best to open her eyes.

It took some time and a bit of effort, but finally she managed to open them and the familiar sight of her white ceiling greeted her first. She looked to her right, and noticed she was in her room, alone.

Going by the darkness outside she saw through her window, she guessed it was evening already.

What..happened?

She let out a heavy grunt of pain and then realized something was pressing on both of her temples. She looked up with her eyes only, not daring to move her head, and was soon greeted by a pair of hazel-coloured eyes.

"...Hello there." Somewhere in the universe, in a galaxy far, far away, a certain General of a galactic-spanning Republic sneezed as he said the same words at the exact same time.

"...Fuzen?"

"That is my name, yes."

"...What...happened?"

"...Your idiocy happened, that's what."

"...Your nose is bleeding." Ais whispered as she narrowed her eyes, noticing two lines of blood leaking out of the boy's nose.

"Quite so.." He nodded, somehow managing not to spill even one drop of blood on her.

"...I'm sorry…" The girl apologized, her voice coarse and dry. Fuzen simply sighed, walking away from her field of view, a few seconds later coming back with a glass of water. He lifted her head slowly and brought the glass to her dry and cracked lips.

Ais did not need more than a couple of moments to gulp all the water down, it's room-temperature feeling heavenly on her parched throat. "...Thank you."

"...It matters little." He replied with a shrug, putting the glass away. "Don't think this means anything changed between us."

"...What...happened?" She asked again, her memory a blur as far as the last day was concerned. The boy sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"By fooling around and trying to replicate my Sword Style, you almost awakened things unconditioned individuals like you cannot handle. You almost died today. That is the truth."

Ais's eyes widened just the slightest bit at the sound of that. Had it truly...been that severe? She remembered a bit of dizziness and a fever, and then nothing. Did she...really almost die?

"...Sigh...No matter. You survived. Don't ponder on it any longer than necessary." He stated as he got up from the bed's edge and looked at her for a full second. He sighed again, then positioned her pillow in order for the girl to be more comfortable and pulled the blanket up to her chest. "Go to sleep."

"W-wait..."

He placed his hand over her forehead and Ais felt a warm, tingly sensation spread throughout her body. "That wasn't a request, Ais."

The girl's eyes widened. "...You...called me Ais…"

"Go the frick to sleep."

The tingling sensation intensified and before she could say another word, Ais feel asleep against her own will.

His duty here done, Fuzen grabbed his needles which he extracted a while ago after finishing the process and his book and placed them within his clothes. Then he walked towards the door, before looking over his shoulder again at the now sleeping girl.

"You truly piss me off...Tsk…"

Little girls should stay away from the battlefield, damn it.

Fuzen shook his head and left the room.

On the hallway, just opposite of Ais's room, stood roughly thirty Familia members all either leaning on the wall or sitting down on the floor. Not a second after Fuzen came out all of them shot up to their feet, holding their breath.

"...What the frick are you all standing around here for?"

"How's Ais?" Tiona asked first.

"How else? Sleeping peacefully in her bed. It was not easy making her go back to sleep after waking up so you better not think about rushing inside." He informed.

At his words, a round of relief could be heard in the group's simultaneous exhale, finally comforted by the fact that their Ais would not die. "We knew we could count on you, Fuzen!" First to thank Fuzen was Tiona, doing so with a wide smile and two thumps-up.

"Don't misunderstand. I only helped her because her head belongs to me and me alone. I get to decide when she dies. Not her body and not herself, nor anyone else. I am in no need of gratitude."

"...Geez, you just have to be an asshole, don't you?" The younger Amazon asked again, and Fuzen nodded.

"Yes, because that is who I am. You all had some sort of misconception that I was kind or something just as silly. I am not. I am not kind, nor can I relate to any of your troubles or worries, for I have my own stuff to deal with. I do not have time for yours, as well." He informed, just slightly more sternly than usual. "Now, if that is all, I have to...*cough*...have to prepare for...*cough*...tomorrow...*cough*…"

"A-Are you okay…?" Lefiya asked, trying to get closer to him but the boy held up a hand, gesturing for her to keep her distance.

"Peachy. I'll be going now. Tell the Captain I am still awaiting a decision. Good evening." Not waiting for any further delays to come up Fuzen turned around, and within two minutes, he was already outside the Manor's gates limping his way back to the inn.

...Absorbing the excess amount of Ki from Ais-...Wallenstein might not have been the best idea. Her Ki is...not compatible with mine, apparently…

He could contain the foreign Ki now within his body for a time without risking too many complications, however he would need to use up that Ki quickly, and remove any trances of hers from within him.

After all, it burned like hell and he was not a masochist.

Still, he needed to thank her at some point in the future.

He had heard about some gifted Ki users being able to absorb another's Ki into themselves, but these individuals were part of other schools and dojos. From his own school, he might be the first in their long history to manage this feat all without instructions on how to do it.

Comrades, was it…?

No.

"...No compromise."

XXX

As if the events of the day before had not happened, Fuzen prepared himself after waking up and stepped outside into the street. The inn was right before the Dungeon so it took him little time to arrive there.

Though he still had a headache from the day before and he felt like he was burning alive, it would not affect his efficiency in slaying Monsters.

After all, today he would once again help his Supporter, Lili, get better at combat.

As such, they would hardly go to a Floor anywhere close enough to his current level. It would all be a piece of cake.

Arriving at the location he always met his Supporter, inside the Dungeon near the right wall, Fuzen crossed his arms and waited.

He did...not dislike his short trips into the Dungeon with the Pallum girl.

She was learning fast, and did her best to learn. He could respect that, if nothing else. She was also not actively trying to distract him, so that was good, too.

...If I do get thrown out of Loki Familia, I might try to join her Familia. In five...no, in three years, I could help her reach Level 3 if she would keep her current pace without falling behind

As he pondered on that thought the girl in question had also arrived and approached him. "...Master Fuzen."

"Ah, greetings. You are here. Are you ready?"

"...Uhh…"

"What is it?"

"Lili actually...has something to take care off for someone on the 9th Floor. Might we...might we go there first today?"

Her shy attitude did not go unnoticed by Fuzen who raised an eyebrow at her. Nonetheless, the girl simply stared down at the ground and it didn't seem like she wished to go further into details. "...Very well then. The 9th Floor it is. Let us be on our way."

"...Thank you." She bowed once, unusually enough.

"...No problem. It appears this matter is one of urgency so I will clear the way. You simply focus on staying safe."

"Y-Yes…"

"...Let's go." Fuzen said, taking the lead and Lili followed shortly behind him.

One by one, they passed through each Floor, Fuzen cutting down the weak and slow Monsters of the Upper Floors down so fast the Pallum had a hard time following everything with her eyes.

In less than one hour they had reached the 9th Floor and from there on, Fuzen allowed Lili lead the way as she knew best where they needed to go.

On the way down she had talked little, only answering when Fuzen had a question which in itself was a rare sight while inside the Dungeon. This worried the boy, but...it wasn't his business to poke around. He had already offered his ear to her a while ago.

It was up to her take up the offer or not.

With hasty steps Lili led the way through the many hallways of the Floor, taking lefts and right with little hesitation, only stopping when a group of Monsters showed up, at which time Fuzen jumped forward and dealt with them in record time as always.

He followed her, not once questioning as to where they were going. Knowing the layout of this Floors like the back of his hand, he knew the current hallway would lead them into a large clearing.

And then, as they approached said clearing, he felt it.

For a second, he thought nothing of it.

The, he linked Lili's silence today with what he was feeling inside the clearing, and having put one and one together, he slowly shook his head.

...You idiot.

Once they had reached the centre of the round clearing Lili stopped and slowly turned around. "...Master Fuzen-"

"Be silent." He cut her off, a frown on his face. "Just...keep quiet. I don't want to hear one word from you right now."

"…"

"My, my, how nice it is when plans go as planned." A deep, male voice echoed throughout the clearing and one by one, individuals who were hiding behind large boulders and waiting around the corners of the other hallways popped up, numbering eleven in total.

"…"

"Hey there kiddo." The older male, a tall individual roughly in his forties, greeted him smugly as he drew closer, as did the ten others.

"…"

"We're Adventurers from the Soma Familia, just like our...little Supporter over there." The male informed with a grin, his every word sounding as if drenched in poison. Lili flinched the slightest bit as the man's attention fell on her, but although Fuzen noticed this, he...didn't care.

"…"

"You see, we had our eyes her for a while now and after we...questioned her a bit back at home, we found out about your swords, you see?" The man continued, his grin growing ever bigger.

"…"

"I gotta say though, ninety million Valis for those two at your hip? Damn son, you got my respect!" The man voiced with a clad of his hands.

"…"

"The silent treatment, huh? No problem, no problem. I don't mind. Then...kiddo, how about you let us...borrow your swords for a bit? Just for a bit of practice, you see? Not like folks like us could ever get their hands on such swords, you see? We're just eager to see how it feels." By now, all eleven Adventurers had made a complete circle around Fuzen and Lili trying to block any route of escape.

"I don't care about your wishes and desires. Get your own swords if you want them so badly." Fuzen replied for the first time, his voice as nonchalant as always.

"Whoa, whoa, kiddo. No need to be so aggressive. You wouldn't want us grown-ups to think you need one or two disciplinary lessons, now would you?" The man asked, his grin as annoying as before.

Fuzen sighed and then looked up at the ceiling above him, as if looking at the sky outside. "...Be honest: you just want to steal my swords."

"...Bingo." The man, presumably the leader seeing how he was doing all the talking, informed with a smile. "Now, I really don't want to hurt a kid, you see? So it would be best to hand them over peacefully. And before you think anything stupid, myself included, we have four Level 2's here, so think carefully. Give us your swords, we'll let you leave afterwards. Not like anyone would believe a kid no matter what you say, you see?"

"...Your honesty is appreciated." Fuzen replied with a nod, his hand already reaching for the sword at his hip. "There is a misconception, regarding one's code of honour."

"...Huh?"

"People think that because someone follows a code of honour, they must use it at all times, in any situation."

"...What the hell is this kid blabbering about?" One of the other Adventurers asked, by now already confused.

"You see, it is true that one must apply his code in mostly every circumstance. But, that only goes as far as it involves other respectable individuals, who are worthy of respect. That means…" He grabbed the handle of Utegiri, and slowly drew it. "That against verminI am not required to care about fighting in an honourable way."

"...What the hell did you just say, you fucking kid-?"

"Lighting Drive."

In a single moment Fuzen disappeared from his sight, as well as the sight of his comrades, and then appeared in his exact spot again, the dust off the floor rising around him.

"W-What the hell did you-...Gah!" The leader of the group fell down on his back, the action unpredicted. "Grr, what the-…?! ...Ahh...Ahhh...AHHHHH! M-My legs! My legs!"

Within seconds the Adventurers fell down one by one, no longer being able to stand upright, their legs having been cut off just above the knee. Within mere moments, they were all crying and writhing around in pain on the ground, the sudden shock and loss of blood making most of them delirious.

Fuzen in return simply swiped once at the air to get the blood off his sword before sheathing it again. Then he looked to the side and his eyes met Lili's.

The girl was trembling in fear and fell down on her butt.

Fuzen approached her, slowly, and this only intensified her fear. Probably in an attempt to protect herself, the girl threw both of her arms in front of her, already fearing what the boy would cut off from her.

His steps got closer, and her eyes shut even tighter. Then, she heard him walk around her, stopping behind.

Would he cut off her head?

No.

No, he did not.

Instead, he unzipped her large Supporter bag and began to search for something. "Another misconception that people have…" He said, having found what he was searching for. Lili mustered the courage to look over her shoulder and noticed him holding a tightly shut pouch in his hand.

That was a pouch he had bought for her from some less than respectable shop.

Apparently, the substance created by the Dungeon in the Pantries was used in the creation of that item, which came in form of a sticky powder. Once applied to something, like a rock or anything else, it would stick to it and Monsters would be attracted to the smell.

Fuzen had Lili use the substance to draw out individual Monsters in order to improve her aim with the crossbow.

So then, why did he take it out-?

As she came to the realization of what he was about to do, her eyes shot wide open. Surely, he would not…?

"...Is that I am, for some reason, a kind person." He walked around the circle of now legless Adventurers, making sure to throw the sticky, Monster-drawing substance over each and every one of them. "I am in fact, not a kind person. Far from it."

On the leader he threw the whole pouch and what remained of the substance and then walked back up to Lili. "We are leaving."

"…?"

"...Get up. We are done here."

"…"

The girl did not respond and with a sigh, he grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet, dragging her behind him as he made for the way back to the surface. Just as they reached the middle of the hallway leading into the clearing they began to hear the Adventurers shouting for help as they were being eaten alive by the hungry Monsters drawn to the substance Fuzen himself spread on them.

By the time they came out of the hallway, no more screams could be heard.

Silence reigned once again.

"...Why?"

"...I have an unwritten contract with you. I promised I would bring you back to the surface safe and sound. I shall keep to my word, one last time."

With those words uttered the conversation came to an end, and Lili did not ask anything else. Instead, slowly but surely, she started crying all the while repeating the same words, over and over again.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…"

...It mattered little.

After a little over an hour passed the two had reached the surface area of the Dungeon and Fuzen let go of Lili's hand.

The gesture broke her heart beyond what it already.

He stood there, his back turned to her, for a couple of seconds. "...Arde."

"…"

"If your Familia asks you what happened and you see no other way of going around it, you have my direct permission to tell them exactly what happened. You need not lie. Say the truth. However, if you do tell them the truth, you need to tell them this, as well."

"…"

"If they are foolish enough to think about taking revenge on me, tell them that I will, with my own two hands, cut down every single member of the Soma Familia without hesitation." He looked over his shoulder, and their eyes met, his glare alone telling her all she needed to know. "Everyone who is a member of the Soma Familia, Lili. Everyone. I am also breaking off our Adventurer-Supporter contract. That is all."

Having said everything that needed to be said, Fuzen wasted no more time and walked on, away from Lili.

Was it a minute later, or ten?

The girl could not remember.

However, after her only friend she had ever made walked away from her she fell down to her knees and cried louder than she had ever cried.

She had, for once, met someone who shined brightly in her life.

And because of her own cowardice and fear she choose to back-stab that very person instead of keeping true to the lessons he had taught her and fight for what she knew was right until the bitter end.

She truly was, in the end, a despicable person.

And she hated herself for it.

XXX

He looked up, at the sky, and at the annoyingly bright sun.

Roughly two hours had passed, going by the sun's position. For two hours, he had simply sat in the park on a bench and looked up at the sky.

Truly, people, be they from the Far East or the most advanced City in the world, could not be trusted.

It never helped trusting them.

It always backfired, one way or another.

They did not care for honour and keeping true to a good set of moral code.

No, they did not care at all.

All that mattered was themselves.

Was it a bad thing?

No, the desire of self-preservation was only natural.

However, those who truly wished to become better versions of themselves could not simply keep to what was natural. Getting strong was not natural: it was painful and dangerous, the things which were the furthest away from self-preservation.

Yet, every person who could truly claim they were strong, that their experience could benefit others, that their help could make a difference went through painful and dangerous trials and challenges.

They went against what was natural, what was comfortable, what was safe and not challenging and came out stronger.

Better.

Wiser.

Did this mean he hated the Pallum girl because she betrayed him for her own sake?

...No.

No, he did not hate her.

She was weak and he was stronger.

No matter how many times she tried and no matter what method she would use, the weak could never harm the strong. At best, they would be a hindrance. At best.

No, he did not hate her.

Nor was he angry at her.

Not truly, anyway.

If anything, he was...disappointed.

He thought the weak girl, whose real smile shined brightly when it was honest, would allow him to see how an ant tried to move a mountain and how said ant would even succeed in doing so.

He thought...she had potential.

Instead, she had simply confirmed for him what Ais already had a while ago: people could not be trusted.

Not in the Far East, not in Orario, not anywhere.

In the end, one can only trust himself.

Fuzen sighed and stood up.

Through his actions he had cut off his own options. He was aware of this. Despite his lack of interest in these kind of things, he had spent a reasonable amount of time learning about how the Dungeon City worked.

With a nod directed at himself, he made his way to his Familia.

Once he reached the Manor his next destination had been the Captain's office and he ignored the many people who tried to greet him or talk to him on the way.

He knocked a couple of times at the door, and entered the office without first getting a response.

"...Fuzen." Finn looked up, an eyebrow raised. He had not given Fuzen permission to enter, yet the boy, who held rank and protocol in high esteem, entered anyway. This was enough to warrant his attention.

"Captain."

"What can I do for you?"

"I wish to remain in the Familia. At least, for a while longer."

"...Oh?"

"...I have not yet received your decision on the matter involving me and Ais yet, and I do not know if you still wish to have me here. However, I request to be allowed membership a while longer if possible."

"...Oh?" This time Finn grinned faintly, his chin resting on the back of his palms.

"...You desire further elaboration?"

"...If you wouldn't mind."

I have killed eleven members of another Familia and this might be a reason for a Wargame, which would have only come to be because of me. As such, I wish to remain and take on that challenge myself , as I was still a member of the Loki Familia when I have killed said eleven individuals and do not wish to involve anyone else in the consequences that follow my own actions…

Fuzen did not feel like explaining all of that at the moment and shook his head. "I would in fact mind. At the current moment, that is. May I elaborate at a later date if possible?"

"Very well then. I shall wait for your report." Finn nodded, and grabbing his pen went back to his paperwork.

Fuzen stood silently in the middle of the room, observing the blonde-haired Pallum as he worked. "...And?"

"And what?"

"...There must be a catch, for you to agree to my request this...easily."

"No catch, Fuzen."

"...I somehow doubt that. There has to be a catch."

"No, there is not, Fuzen. You may go now. I still have much work to do." Finn said with a wave of his hand and went back to writing.

The boy looked at the Pallum with narrowed eyes, trying to discern any hidden motives the Pallum might have.

He would not be naive.

Not again.

"...Understood." He nodded and left the room, still doubtful about this whole deal. He simply had to be on guard and ready to act at any given moment.

And with that, he was...part of the Familia again.

Would Ais dislike this thought?

Would the others?

Maybe.

He was prepared to be given the cold shoulder. It would not be anything new, after all.

It also didn't matter.

He had done something which could lead to his Familia being attacked by the Soma Familia. And he would be there to cut them all down even if the others didn't want him around.

Before long, Fuzen found himself back to his old training spot without his own realization. Why his legs brought him here, he could not say.

...Should I train? Or meditate? Meditation would be better, to avoid the chance of anyone copying my Sword Style again…

He pondered on the thought but for some reason, he instead remembered that one time three days ago when he accompanied Riveria and her words to him about Magic.

...It is likely I will encounter other vermin. Maybe from the Soma Familia, or some other Familia. They are not worthy to be cut down by my Sword Style. They are not worthy of my respect, nor are they honourable…

"...Maybe I can find some use for this Spell of mine without combining it with my Sword Style, after all. I should thank Alf-sama for sharing her wisdom with me."

He nodded and decided to at least try and see what his Spell looked like and from there to try and find out in what situation it could be used.

He was not a mage, nor did he possess the [Mage] Development Ability.

However, he knew that with all things, one needed to focus and find the most natural position for the task at hand. His own position was to stand still, his palms brought together before him.

Though he remembered clearly how angry he had been on the day his Magic manifested, his Goddess made sure to tell him the incantation for the Spell first thing next morning back then.

He knew what he had to say.

He inhaled, then exhaled, focusing his mind.

"...[I sing to the distant sky. Beyond the floating clouds afar. Over the sea, over the horizon. Overflowing emotions bursting out. Place of dreams I shall wake up someday. Thunderous manifestation of my ambition. Awaken, and with your deafening roar, shatter the Earth and conquer the Skies: Ikazuchi Jigen Bussei.]"

The incantation came to an end, and...nothing happened.

No Spell took form, no energy came out of him, no changes to his body...Nothing.

"...Well, this was a waste of time." he shrugged, and having been disappointed twice in a single day, a long sigh left his lips.

What a hoax...Ah, well, whatever. A few practice swings of my sword should help me a bit.

Fuzen grabbed the handle of his sword, and drew it out of it's scabbard.

As the tip left the scabbard and the sword was fully drawn, the blade shattered into fine powder and Fuzen was left only with the handle in his hand.

With eyes wider than that of a fish's he looked down at the handle, his mouth hanging open.

He could feel a sharp pain in his heart caused solely by the nightmarish sound of his sword shattering.

Then he slowly looked up at the colossus which began to manifest before his very eyes.

"…..What."

Grhhh...

"….What…"

Grrrrhhh.

"…...What….."

ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS WITCHERY?!"

XXX

And so we have reached the beginning of countless lizard-related jokes once again.