(A/N): Well. I actually wrote quite a bit in those days I was gone. Still waiting for some more ladies to get into this thing cause I have such a large number of males in this.

This chapter's gonna be a bit shorter than my usual work but eh, I didn't see how the next chapter would've fit.

Please, if you're reading this and you'd like to be a part of it, feel free to throw a submission up. Don't be shy!

Chapter 4: Danger

The Following Morning- The Cave

"Ugh...what time is it..."

I stirred from my slumber, noticing that it was now daytime.

"Meiryo didn't wake us up...what's going on..."

"You're awake,"

I turned around to see Takashi sitting in front of a small campfire.

"I made you some breakfast...no meat unfortunately because I wasn't able to find anything that didn't want to kill me," he said with a chuckle.

He removed the pan from the fire and emptied its contents into a plate. I saw that he had toasted several pieces of bread with some kind of yellowish substance spread on the top. He also placed some berries beside it before handing it to me.

"It's not the best breakfast ever...but hopefully it'll hold you till we get to Rivira," he said.

I raised an eyebrow.

"What's that on the bread?" I asked.
"Cintoberry paste," he replied.

I sniffed it for a moment.

"It tastes excellent, believe me,"

I turned to see Meiryo sitting on top of a rock formation, looking right at me.

"Even though he's a hunter who's supposed to be only eating whatever he's able to find...he knows how to cook rather well,"
"I'll take your word for it,"

I took a bite of the bread and my eyes widened. Cintoberries were a kind of berry I had only heard of and it was mostly used to make jam or jelly to use in sandwiches but he managed to make a paste using his own two hands. I had to admit, I loved the taste of it...it was a nice mix of sweet and juicy. The berries beside it were also a type I had never seen before; they were an almost sapphire shade of blue.

"What kind of berries are these?" I asked.
"Nistaberries," he replied.

I took one into my mouth and he smiled.

"It's a unique berry that has about 70% water in it so getting a lot of those can keep you hydrated almost as well as a waterskin," he explained.

It was true; each berry indeed felt like a small burst of delicious water. I looked back at him to see that he indeed had gotten better; he didn't seem exhausted in the least and the fact that we was able to run outside and look around for potential game to hunt meant that he was already in prime condition.

"You're looking at lot better since yesterday," I said.
"The potion works well...and I guess I also needed a good night's sleep considering I haven't really gotten one of those in a while," he replied.

He looked at the bedroll and laughed nervously.

"Though...the bed could be softer," he chuckled.

I laughed softly as I finished the food and handed the plate to him.

"I'm glad I prepared this cave in advance; it turned out to be life saving after all," he said.

He then put the plates into a bag and before putting the bag back into the large crevice at the back of the cave.

"You ready to get out of here?" he asked.

I nodded with a smile and rose to my feet.

"Stay close," he said.

Meanwhile- Rivira, The Tavern

"Everyone alright?" asked Matilda.
"Wouldn't mind another stack of pancakes," replied Zekko.

She smiled at him.

"Gimme a minute," she replied.

I looked towards the bar counter to see that Vanna was still there, talking to some guy that's been there since we got here an hour and a half ago. Hanna and Amie were still at the back, eating with the owner of the tavern who for some reason had taken a liking to them. I didn't have a clue where Mira disappeared to...she said something about still being sleepy so she may have gone back to sleep for all I know. Akio sat with me, still eating the omellete that Matilda cooked for him earlier.

"Are we just about ready to head out?" I asked.

Akio shrugged.

"I doubt it would be a good idea to go without Mira and I guess it's better we wait for her; she didn't get much sleep last night," he replied.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Heard her screaming in her room so I guess bad dreams,"

I shook my head.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"About as well as a worried friend can sleep," I replied.

He put a hand on mine.

"We'll find him Nana," he assured.

I sighed deeply.

"I guess when he saved my life and after he helped me with everything concerning that shop I wanted to open...he really rubbed off on me," I said.
"He's a good friend indeed,"

I rose to my feet.

"I'm going to make sure everything is ready for when we head out," I said.
"Where are you going?"

I turned to see that Matilda for some reason had appeared behind me.

"We're going to go look for Takashi," I replied.

Matilda shook her head.

"Hanna and Amie aren't in any condition to be going out there right now and considering that the only person in your entire group who can heal is still exhausted, it wouldn't be smart to go out there now," she said.

I sighed deeply.

"I can't leave him out there; he'd never leave any of us behind," I snapped.

Matilda raised a hand in an attempt to calm me down.

"I didn't say you weren't going out there...I'll go with you and Akio," she said.

I looked at her almost in disbelief.

"Are you insane? What're you going to do out there?" I gasped.

Matilda winked at me.

"I'm quite the healer if I do say so myself," she said.

Akio raised an eyebrow.

"Are you really?" he asked.

Matilda gestured us to follow her and once we reached out into the abandoned hallway, she drew her shirt off. Akio immediately turned away and I could see an intense blush build up within his face. I rolled my eyes.

"Not much for modesty are you?" I asked.

Matilda didn't seem to notice my comment. Shrugging her lack of care for clothes aside, I examined the tattoo on her back.

"You are with Apollo's familia?" I asked.
"Been with that familia for a few years...not really interested in being with them anymore because they take life way too seriously for my tastes," she replied.

I examined the tattoo and much to my surprise, Matilda was level 2. She really knew how to hide it all.

"I was a healer for my party back when I used to run with Apollo...but ever since I lost all my armor about four months ago, my party left me behind and never came back," she explained.

I shook my head in disappointment.

"Adventurers who are good at healing others are so hard to come by nowadays...we were lucky that Mira knew a healing spell of any kind," I said.

Matilda replaced her shirt.

"If Takkun's in danger, you can count on me to help find him; I know the entire layout of the 17th floor like the back of my hand," she explained.

I nodded.

"Alright, let's get going; we have no idea if anything happened to him," said Akio.

The blush on his face had all but vanished. Matilda held up a finger.

"Let me get my armor and rod first,"

One Hour Later- The 17th Floor

"Keep running!"

I panted heavily, trying my best to keep myself from passing out as we continued to flee from the pursuing pair of Lygerfangs. Much to my horror however, I felt a large paw collide with my back.

"Ayame!"

I rolled like ragdoll from the impact of the blow. I heard the whistle of arrows through the air and the loud roar that followed could only mean that Takashi had struck one of our pursuers. He was at my side almost instantly as he picked me up.

"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Winded...but I'm ok I think," I replied.

He took off at a great speed, much faster than I could ever run and even though he was carrying me, it didn't seem to slow him down at all.

"We'll have to get you some new things once we get to Rivira...that last attack unfortunately cost me my bow as well as the entirety of your bag," he said.

I shook my head.

"There wasn't anything important in that bag anyway," I replied with a nervous laugh.

He smiled at me.

"Glad you're seeing the positive side of this even though it's rather likely that we're going to die," he said.
"Don't count us out just yet," I said.

I closed my eyes.

"Get into the trees," I said.

Takashi immediately jumped into one of the tall trees and proceeded to bound to each of them as if it were child's play.

"You're...really fast," I said.
"Years of practice," he replied.

I slowed my breathing, calming my mind so I could chant as clearly as possible.

"Heavens above, shed thy tears upon the land and send my enemies to the wind...RAINSTORM!"

My body suddenly felt drained but thanks to my chant, a tremendous thunderstorm formed above us.

"You...can summon storms?" asked Takashi.
"It takes a lot out of me because I haven't been able to practice a lot...but yes I can," I replied.

He smiled.

"I should introduce you to my friend Vanna, you two would make quite a team," he said.

He continued to leap through the trees as I called out to Meiryo.

"Are they still chasing us?"
"No mistress, they've given up pursuit,"

I sighed in relief.

"How much further is the exit Meiryo?"
"You're coming up towards it now Wolf Tamer...but it's being guarded by three minotaurs,"

"That's not good...I don't have a bow to fight," said Takashi.
"That rainstorm took a lot out of me...I don't think we can win a fight," I said.

He looked down at me and shook his head.

"I'll just have to use Swift again," he said.
"Are you insane? When you used it the last time it strained your body so badly that you couldn't move!" I snapped.
"Better to be strained than dead," he replied.

He closed his eyes and took a breath.

"My body's gonna regret it...but staying here is also just as suicidal so we have no choice," he said.
"Why are you so nice to me?"

He looked down at me, looking confused.

"You don't know me...yet you saved me and now you're risking your life a second time within the space of a day to save me again?!" I growled.

He stopped jumping and looked at me before closing his eyes.

"When I was a child, my father was murdered in front of my eyes and my mother was taken from me and sold into slavery...I've been told numerous times that I can't blame myself for what happened to them but I'm tired of not being strong enough to help others..."

He took a deep breath.

"I've trained my entire life, pushed my body to its limits and beyond in order to never let a grim fate befall someone else who I can stand to help...so if you really must know Ayame..."

His golden eyes locked onto mine.

"It's because it's who I am,"

His tone was serious but for some reason...it wasn't at all harsh. In fact, it felt almost...reassuring.

"If I'm able to help someone through a hard time...or even save their life, I will do everything I can to help even if I don't know them...because my mother always taught me to take care of others and be as great a man as I can be," he continued.

I looked behind me to see the exit in sight, as well as the three minotaurs just as Meiryo said. I felt Takashi's grip loosen slightly.

"Hold on as tight as you can...do not let go for any reason," he instructed.

I braced myself as he softly uttered the name of his skill. In a flash, he began to move at a blinding speed and I had to cling tightly to prevent myself from falling off. I had no idea if my nail were digging into his skin or if my legs locked too tightly around his waist...but it didn't feel like it was enough grip. After a few seconds, we slowed down and appeared on a stone bridge. Takashi collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Takashi turned back to answer me...but then his eyes widened. He gritted his teeth and grabbed me before throwing himself backwards, bringing us both to the ground. I felt a gust of wind go past my head as I realized he had just managed to save my head from being cleaved from my body. He was still panting heavily as he struggled to his feet.

"Keep going...the entrance is just beyond the bridge,"

I started to run but Takashi continued to slow down, still panting heavily. I turned back to help him but he raised his hand.

"Go...I'll buy you some time," he said.
"Are you insane?!" I cried.

He turned back and drew a dagger from his armor and held it in an offensive position. I shook my head and turned back...only to see a Lygerfang jumping at Takashi. He barely managed to get his dagger between him and the massive cat, stabbing it in the chest and burying the full length of the dagger within it. It cried out in pain and dissolved almost instantly, no doubt due to the dagger piercing all the way to the crystal...

I cheered that Takashi had succeeded in slaying one of the pursuers...but I shuddered in terror as I realized what happened during the course of the struggle. Takashi's right shoulder was severely slashed and was bleeding profusely. His left arm appeared to be in a different place, indicating that he had either dislocated it or broken it entirely. Finally, there was a large paw mark on his chest with each claw leaving a hole in his torso. His mouth began to spew blood as he fell to his knees.

"Takashi!" I screamed.

I ran to his side and looked at the coming monsters: two minotaurs and a Lygerfang. I clenched my fists.

"You...you can't stop them...run Ayame..." he groaned.

As much as I hated to admit it...he was right. There was no way I could conjure a storm powerful enough to blow them all aside...not with the level of stamina I had left. I didn't let that deter me however; if I was going to die, I'd do it fighting.

"THROW MY ENEMIES WITH THE TRUE FORCE OF NATURE! WHIRLWIND!"

The force of the whirlwind was great enough to blow the Lygerfang off of the bridge and a minotaur had to grab onto the ledge to stay up. The remaining minotaur however was seemingly unaffected by the wind. I prepared to launch another wind gust...but I immediately began to feel the whiplash. I fell to my knees, panting heavily.

"I...I have to...if I don't..."

I struggled to my feet, looking at the minotaur that was still running towards me. I opened my mouth to yell the chant...but nothing came out...

"No...it can't end like this..."

I collapsed to my knees. I turned back to see that Takashi had already passed out on the ground.

"I...I failed...just as I did...before..."

My thoughts immediately went to Meiryo, who had likely already made it to Rivira.

"...I always knew my road was at an end...it shouldn't be so surprising..."

My thoughts then went to Takashi.

"One night...and he's already the closest friend I've made since Meiryo...and I failed him too..."

I fell flat to the ground, feeling the remainder of my stamina drain away.

...It all became black...