A/N: Like I said, this chapter'll be a continuation of the second floor exploration. And maybe more~

Okay, let's get on with this! XD

Warning and Disclaimer... *sigh* you know the drill...

Enjoy~

Chronicles of the Drowned City

C.10: Going deeper...

The small group exploring the Labyrinth, having passed by Hypatia, went further into the floor. They continued to map, Chitose keeping a look out for at least dead animal carcasses that are still fresh and can be brought back.

Well, sure, they do have materials gathered from monsters, but those will be sold to the Firm. She needs those body parts there and intact.

They finally mapped out the confusing road, going to the northern edge of it and finding a spot where herbs grow undisturbed.

"Hey, can I take a look at this place for a bit?" asked Guad. Heinrich nodded, letting Guad examine the area while the others stand guard.

After a while, he piped up.

"This place is good for gathering herbs. We might even be able to make some new medicine with these!"

"Er yeah, but...," Chitose mumbled ,"one, I'm not intrested in herbs," she then pointed to the others aside from Guad,"two, we don't know how to harvest these things right. We might actually end up destroying it."

"You have a point...," Guad said, then reached out to one of the herbs,"but all you really have to do is just pluck it off the ground," he then demonstrated it, plucking off a small, herbal flower.

The others then went over and plucked some flowers. Heinrich even climbed up a tree, harvesting some fruits, which Guad later identified as an Anra Fruit. They then stowed the herbs in a seprate space in their bags, so as not to damage it.

"Wow, these are heavy...," Guad mused. Yuki nodded, finally speaking after a while.

"Maybe we should register some more people into the Guild?" Everyone looked at him. He sighed.

"A seperate team. For gathering items."

"Oh. Good idea," said Heinrich. Yuki heaved another sigh before motioning for the others to go, everyone following suit. Chitose then went down from the trees, walking next to Yuki, said-man not startled at all.

"You worried about the little Zodiak?" The ninja asked.

"No, not really. She can take care of herself." That's for certain. "It's just that...," a pause ,"I... haven't been feeling too well lately, is all." At this, Chitose sighed.

"You should go and check up with our resident monk, then." She then jumped back into the trees, leaping from branch to branch. Again, Yuki heaved a sigh.

"You don't have to worry... I'll be fine."

After some mapping and a few battles, they reached the stairs to the second floor.

"Wow, third floor already...," Guad mused. Heinrich then walked in front of the others. "Let's move," he said, motioning for the others to come with him. They all complied.

The thrid floor, at first, isn't really all that different from the other two floors before. But as they walked onwards, they noticed some changes –particularly rivers. Lots of them.

Well, they dubbed this place the "Waterfall Woods" for a reason.

"Hey, guys... you might want to be careful...," everyone turned to the Farmer, who's eyes are locked to the river their walking next to. Inside, they could see schools of fish- the same fish they fought before back in the other floors.

And also, a much more dangerous looking purple one, looking as if it's leading the school of fish.

"Well, now, those look intresing. Now, to find an animal to combine it with...," Chitose mused. Everyone shuddered.

"...Let's move on..." and everyone followed as told. Nothing much happened, aside from finding a patch of blue flowers marking a shortcut that they can't seem to pass right now. They mapped further, until they reached a big room...

With another one of those things in it.

Only this time, it's a Hippopotipus.

And it looked dangerous. That much's for sure.

And it notices them.

"...Let's get out of here." Even Chitose understood the extent of the danger that thing posseses, and decided to bail out of that room.

They got out of the room, just as that thing was about to chase them. They slammed the door shut, knowing that that thing wouldn't be able to pass through.

"Damn... and here I thought that thing would be a good catch...," Chitose mumbled.

"Could you please stop thinking about taxidermy for once?!" said Guad. Really? They nearly got bulldozed by that thing, and mixing up animals is all she could think about?!

"I just can't help it...," answered Chitose. All sighed, as they opened the door and peered inside. It doesn't look like that thing notices them anymore. But then again, it is a huge room. If they were to walk in there, they would get noticed no matter what.

Heinrich took a deep breath, before he spoke.

"Listen, we're going to have to do something risky to get past that thing."

"What?" Yuki asked.

"Make a run for it."

"Are you crazy?!" Guad exclaimed. He clasped his mouth shut, wanting to take back that shout, as it was louder than he wanted.

"We have no choice. There's no way to sneak by it," Heinrich said, before opening the door a bit further.

"Alright, fine. Once we're inside, make a break for it." Yuki repeated. Seems easy enough.

"Alright.." Heinrich took another deep breath, then fully opened the door, before stepping inside, as did the others. The giant, red Hippo doesn't seem to notice them. Yet.

They decided this is a good time to make a break for it, and they did. As they got closer to the Hippo's line of sight, they ran, as fast as the could, to the first door they see, which is the one in the middle end of the room. They pushed it open, just as they reached it, and then closed it just as fast.

Guad sunk to his knees, legs shaking. That was the most terrifying thing in his life.

"Hehe... some explorer I am, huh...?" he muttered weakly.

"Hey... this looks like a safe place to rest," inquired Chitose. Yes, there's very little signs of monsters being in this place. Heinrich nodded, before mapping out what they've seen so far.

He then turned to look at everyone. They all seemed tired, Yuki especially. He sighed. He felt like his own body has reached it's limit as well, especially after their little sprint back there. He then reached out to his bag and fished out an Ariadne Thread.

"I guess this is a good time to stop." He then used the thread to warp everyone back.

Next thing they knew, they're back in the city of Armoroad, just in front of the Labyrinth's entrance.

"I do wonder if the others survived at sea...," muttered Yuki. He wasn't really all too sure of their safety, especially with the Buccaneer being drunk.

"I-I'm sure they're okay! I mean...," Guad stopped for a moment,"Rudollf is a drunk-addict, but when he's not drunk, he's actually quite capable." Yuki sighed. Hopefully that's true...

"Either way, we should head back to the inn. They might be already wating for us there." Heinrich then started walking, motioning for the others to follow him, and they did.

Maybe they should take a little break tomorrow...

-To Be Continued-

A/N: Again, I finished this in one day... sorry if it's short, but I can't keep my eyes open for much longer TTnTT...

Anyway, maybe next chapter'll be a filler? I dunno ^^ we'll see.

And now I shall sleep *creeps into blankets*