Chapter 62

"You would not believe what Fels told us about..." Bell started, setting down a couple of things, "He told us about a secret storehouse, and how many of the Xenos are with him, and..."

I held up a hand to slow the boy down a bit, watching as everyone started unloading things onto our dining table. "Slow down Bell. From the beginning."

There were a few chuckles as Bell took a deep breath, slapped his cheeks a couple of times, then started over. "While you were out, the owl," He looked at the owl, who ruffled slightly, "came to visit."

"It actually landed on my shoulder." Ouka said, scratching one of his big shoulders, "Got my attention quickly, that's for sure."

"Ouka brought it in, and it showed us the pouches under its wings. It had a letter, and those bottles there." Bell continued.

"Blood?" I asked.

"Yes. Everyone but Gros, a big gargoyle who's all made of stone, and Fels." Bell answered, "The letter told us about a storehouse, where Fels had been putting all his enchanted items."

"The old lady there said... six hundred years?" Marius said, "That her ancestors have been looking after them?"

"Yeah! It's amazing how much was there!" Bell picked up again, "Ow."

I gave him a Karate Chop of Justice, "Less sugar for you."

"Sorry." People around the room chuckled, and I took a moment to run my eyes over the table, now that most of the packs and bundles had been emptied onto it. "But yes... Several sets of Occulus stones. Invisibility cloaks. All kinds of things..." He walked down the table to a rolled up bit of paper, "And this."

Carefully, he undid the string holding the roll closed, and unfurled it. A map. Easily two meters square, it was a map of the city. Very well detailed, with coloured inks for the various buildings and their functions. The first thing I noticed after that, was that the paper itself was inscribed with countless runes and sigil. With ink the exact shade of the paper itself, I only noticed because of the paper's age, and even then, I had to get in close and squint at it. "This is... Incredible. Welf, look, the ink is so well matched. Did the letter say anything about this?" I turned to Bell, who nodded.

"There should be a spot on it, where we put a little blood. He said we'd know why when we did." Mikoto helpfully gathered up the vials of blood and carried them over to the middle of the table where the map was laying. "Let's get this on a better surface..."

"Living room floor?" Ouka suggested.

"We could move the dining tables together?" Asuka countered.

They had a quick rock paper scissor match, and we moved two of the dining room tables together, piling the other magic items on the third. Laying out the map flat, I noticed, on one side, a pair of drawn boxes. Both empty, though one of them had a smudge of brown. Touching it, the smudge came off cleanly, but sniffing my fingertip told me it was blood. "Okay... Mikoto?"

I moved aside, and our samurai woman took the cork off one of the vials and dripped the light pink liquid onto the box. As soon as the drop hit the paper, a small blue dot appeared on the map, just a little outside the chaotic looking mess labelled 'Daedalus maze'. In the second box, a similar blue dot appeared, with a name beside it, 'Wilusine'.

"See Bell? You named her." I mumbled to him, making him blush a little, though he nodded in that determined fashion he had. "This... is amazing." I said, feeling myself grin, "Okay, next?"

With each drop of blood, a new name appeared on the side, with each dot being a different colour. All of them were clumped together, Lido, Rei, Wilusine, Arles, Fear, Laura... A dozen in all, names I didn't know, save for Lido and Wiene.

"Lilly knows that place." Our supporter, sitting in the crook of Marius's arm so she could see the map, said, "Miss Kodori gets her underwear near there."

"She just doesn't want to wear normal undergarments, no matter how hard I try to get her to." Haruhime said, sighing, "She even tried to wear those... boxers? With the maid outfit."

"Try them once, and you'll see, right sister?" I looked to Ryuu, who very calmly put the hood of her cloak up, obscuring her face. "But yes, I ran into Zanis around there. He was bragging about the usual stuff a washed up thug brags about, and was about to join a random group to head into the sewers there." I looked at the map again, "Okay, everyone." Voice serious, I got everyone's attention, "Welf? How are things in the shop?"

"Considering who we are up against, I'd like more time. I've got two magic sword done, but I'd like to make another. Miss Aisha still has to get her armour, and you're still missing a gauntlet and your coat needs... replacing, really." Welf ticked off points on his fingers, looking at me when he was done.

"Food prep?" I looked to Marius, then Mikoto.

"No problems there." Marius said, "Dry rations are hard to get wrong."

"Though the taste is still..." Mikoto shrugged, "But no problems otherwise."

"Aisha? Ryuu? Can we count on you?"

"Stupid question, from the wise fox." Aisha replied, while Ryuu gave me a look that said the same.

"I have to ask. This isn't a trip to the dungeon, or a request to help protect a caravan. We will be confronting the Loki Familia, and who ever else sticks their foot out to trip us up." I replied gravely, "Ouranos Himself told me that if the people demand it, worst case, we are done in this city."

"You make it sound like we didn't know that already." Aisha said with a shrug, "We've broken so many rules, I'm surprised that Bell and the rest of you haven't had fruit thrown at you yet."

A chuckle filtered around the table, "Fair. So, everyone, a drop of blood on the map. Lilly? Write a letter for us. We will take tonight, all day tomorrow, and part of the evening to make ready. At full dark, we get moving."

"Do you have a plan already?" Asuka asked, looking at the map, and the list of names.

"That's part of 'making ready'." I replied, "With the new tools we have available, and all the information we have on hand..." I paused, looked at the pile of magical items, then back to the rest of them, "Tonight, before bed, we will work together on a plan. Tomorrow morning, after a good rest, we clean the plan up. At dusk, we will see how far our preparations have gotten us, and finalize our plan. I expect everyone to offer input, and if anyone can see a problem with any idea put forward, speak up." I got an approving nod from Marius, "I'll say this now. The 'win' isn't beating Loki. It is getting the Xenos back into the dungeon. We are still the good guys. So we will leave no bodies behind. Ours, or theirs."

"Please, come home safe. All of you." Hestia said, Takemikazuchi nodding beside Her.

"You're not going to sit idle, either of you." I said to them, making them blink in surprise, "As Eina taught us, we will use every tool, every bit of information, everything. To 'win'." I looked at the owl, who blinked at me once, before 'hoot'ing quietly. "Let's get you on your way, as soon as we get that letter written."

Owl laden with food and a couple of the magic items we knew they would need, we put our heads together around the map. I even had Chime in my left hand, the little micro-rabbit sitting still though her ears were up and alert. We had done an inventory of the magic items, and what Welf planned to have done before dark tomorrow.

"So, final goal?"

"All the Xenos who are going to the dungeon, back into the dungeon."

"No casualties."

"As little property damage as possible."

"Come home safe, and sleep like it's going out of style?"

"I like that idea."

We all laughed, but I tapped a knuckle on the table to get everyone back on track. "Items?"

"I'll have two, hopefully three, magic sword done. Not fire, but ice. Sis-Ryuu? If I had a little help, I might be able to make a forth."

"Okay."

"We have enough Occulus stones for five teams, as well as the two we sent with the owl." Asuka said, "So, seven."

"We also have four of those cloaks." Continued Ouka, "It's strange how they work... If Lilly uses it, it's Lilly's size. If I use it, it's my size."

"That's good to know." I said, petting Chime's back gently, "It's a shame we couldn't just send them to the Xenos. Would have made this simpler."

"How many entrances do we know of?" Marius asked, "We know of the one by Soma." He placed a little glass bead on the map, near the Soma holdings. "And the one in the Daedalus maze." He put a second bead down.

"We found the two of the warehouses they were using, when they bought all those materials." Two more beads went down, one close to the 'bulk market' and another a little inside the wall near the post office. "Those, however, are probably guarded by Loki, or watched by Hermes." I looked to Chigusa, who had raised a hand, "Hm?"

"What about..." She paused, frowning, before Ouka put a hand on her shoulder, "The place you were captured?"

I blinked, then nodded, "Yes, that could be one. But I don't remember the way exactly." I felt my tails reach out for Haruhime, and the gold fox shuffled just a tiny bit closer to me, "Any others?"

"Lilly might know one." She placed a bead on the table, "Here is where you saved me... And here, Lilly thinks." She placed another one, this one closer to Welf's old home near the artisan quarter. "It is one of the last buildings near there."

"If they needed special alloys..." Welf mused. "Good job Lil-e." He gave her hair a light ruffle, though she responded by trying to dodge away.

"It's on the other side of the city though..." Aisha said, "So are these ones." She pointed to the post office, and the Soma markers. "Though the Soma marker is closest to the Daedalus maze..."

"It's where we came up, and is close enough for the Loki Familia to respond almost instantly." I said, frowning.

"Why not just... Dig? I mean, if this Gnossis place is supposed to be the mirror of the dungeon?" Asuka asked.

"No way." Welf said, shaking his head, "I looked into the metals they used to support the city. It would be nearly impossible to break through. And the things that could break through, would definitely ruin our 'as little property damage' part of the plan."

"Really?" A few people said at once.

"My very best magic sword, maybe. But it would be something made for pure destruction, and I doubt who ever actually used it would survive." Welf shook his head.

I suddenly wished I payed more attention to my chemistry lessons in high school. I was sure I could do better with a few sticks of TNT made into a shaped charge... I shook my head before I got too far into that thought, "Oh, Bell, the Monster festival? Where was it again?"

"Oh! That's right." Bell exclaimed, getting another glass bead. "Loki Familia said there was a breach into the sewers a little south... Over here... kinda..."

"Near Ishtar's former holdings." Aisha said, "I have no idea how far they are in patching that part up. But it was still open a couple of months ago."

A few ideas were floating around my head now. "Any others?"

I waited until everyone shook their heads no.

"So we have 'where', now it's 'how'."

The next morning, we ate a breakfast of dry rations, and put our heads down to make ready for the evening. I helped Welf where I could, Ryuu, Haruhime and myself brushing my tails to get as much fur off them as we could. I got the smelter going, while Welf started working on another magic sword. Ryuu stayed behind as Haruhime and I went to visit Hestia and Takemikazuchi, who were in the dining room with the map. The two of them, being stuck here at home, would the centre of our entire operation.

"Got a handle on the Occulus?" I asked, giving them both a bow.

"Yes." Hestia said, handing me one of the faintly glowing orbs. "You wanted to speak with her?"

"Ah! Miss Kodori?" It was Fels.

"Fels. Owl got through then?"

"A little more tired than he likes to be." He replied, "But everyone who can eat is thankful for it."

I heard a little chorus of agreement in the background, "Figured you'd be hungry. How is the situation otherwise? Wounded? Sick?"

"Thanks to that little bottle of pills you sent, we are all a mobile as we can be. Fear and Rei, the harpy and siren you rescued are missing too many feathers to fly however. Only time and proper food will bring those back."

A louder voice, from Lido, echoed that, "Yeah, proper food! Those biscuits were terrible."

"Tell Fels to get a Roc or something instead of an owl." I said with a grumble, making the two Gods smile, though Haruhime looked puzzled. "Okay, good. We've come up with some simple ideas to get you all home, but it won't be easy."

"Can I talk please?" It was Wiene, using her 'can I have a cookie/hug/pat on head' voice.

"Yes you may." Fels replied.

"Kodori?" Wiene asked, "Is everyone okay?"

"Yes. We are all okay. Bell and the rest are working on how to bring you home, and get the rest of you back to the dungeon safely." I replied, lowering the stone to Haruhime.

"We want to bring you home, Wiene." Haruhime said, "To your Familia, and family."

Lido, in the background, "Told you they wouldn't mind."

A voice I didn't know grumbled, "Bah. Humans are still stupid..."

"Here, thank you." Fels said, his voice coming in clear again, "We will be ready to move as soon as you are. You gave us two Occulus?"

"Yes. We might have to split you guys up a little, before we are done. And communication will be our biggest edge out there."

"What of you? Will you have enough?" Fels asked.

"Unlike some, I can be in six places at once." I replied cryptically, "Lady Hestia and Lord Takemikazuchi will be by the map, handling communication and co-ordination. The rest of us have to get a few more things ready."

"Understood. If anything changes here, we will let you know." Fels replied, the stone going quiet.

Haruhime sighed, her eyes a little watery, "They are still okay..."

I nodded, giving her a quick hug, then turning to Hestia and Takemikazuchi, My Lady, My lord, any problems with the Occulus?"

"We have been working with them since breakfast." Takemikazuchi said, "They are quite amazing, and we have been checking in with the Children to help us both get used to them."

Hestia nodded, her twin tailed hair waving about, "We will work hard and help you all." She grinned, "Just you watch, we won't let you down."

The fact She was able to wake up at sun-up, made me proud of Her. But I smiled back, "I'll make us all cookies later." Then to Haruhime, "Next stop?"

"Aisha." She replied. "Should be with Ouka-san and Marius-san?"

As the sun set, and our preparations came to a close, we made one last check on 'the plan'.

"Lilly hates this."

"Best supporter."

"Still hates this."

"Welf?"

"All set. And one extra." He grinned, holding up a short sword, that was nearly solid blue. "Even have a few other little things." He started handing out bracelets. "For our squad leaders." He pointed to a little indent in the bracelet, "The Occulus will fit here, but remember, don't use that arm to block. They are still made of glass."

Myself, Mikoto, Ouka, Bell and Lilly put on a bracelet.

"Everyone equipped then?" I asked, looking around, "Aisha? New armour okay?"

The Amazon looked down at herself, dressed now in more clothing than I'd ever seen her in. Dark leather boots that went almost to the knee, with each shin covered by a metal guard. Each hand gloved to the elbow, also with metal bracers. Her shapely chest and abs were covered by a plated leather vest, and she was wearing what were basically leather shorts too, belted with the standard 'pouch and potion loop' belt. "Honestly? I feel overdressed." She replied, striking a pose that made every male in the room blush. "Fits like a glove though." She gave Welf a thumbs up.

"Thank Haruhime." Welf said looking away, "I just followed her measurements."

The rest of us were all in our dungeon gear. Full armour and weapons. I was back to my 'backup' armour, the dressy 'battle kimono'. Haruhime had made sure to get all the blood off it, and it was almost as nice looking as when I'd first worn it. I'd also gained back the weight I'd lost, so it fit perfectly too.

"So, what we know." I started. "Loki will be looking out for us. They know we are going to try and help the Xenos. Fine, let them look. Bell and I will probably be the main targets, being the aces of our two Familia." There were a few nods, "So, Lilly, you know what you have to do. Keep in touch with Home, and let us know what happens."

"Still hates this." She grumped.

"Chigusa, Asuka, Ouka." The three looked at me, "Use a cloak, and bring Chime with you to where I was lost that day." I tapped the map, near where I'd been tortured. "Our tiniest member has a nose even better than mine, and unless someone set that building on fire, I'm sure there's enough of me on the walls and floor to find again." Haruhime gave me a sharp look for the joke, but I put a hand on her far shoulder and leaned on her a little. "Report back on what you find. If there is a way down, good, if not, keep scouting."

"The farthest ones, like the artisan quarter and post office." Ouka said, the two of us nodding.

"Long shots, but if we can avoid Loki all together..." More nods. "Aisha, Ryuu, bring Haruhime with you, and when Loki starts to pick up on us, try and slow them down, use a cloak and try and stay hidden until you're needed." They nodded, "Marius, Mokoto, Welf, once we get the Xenos out of cover, you are basically rear guard." The three of them nodded, "Bell, you are on point. Once we find a viable way to get them home..."

"I try and get as much attention away from that way home as I can." He sighed, "And you Miss Kodori?"

"Will start here." I pointed to one of the highest points in the city, save Babel itself, the bell tower Nazzah had used to snipe at Apollo Familia, all those months ago, "Keeping watch, and ready to spring." I looked around the table, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, "Right. One last update before we go? If our Lady and Lord would be so kind?"

The two Gods smiled, and nodded.

Those who were going under the cloaks left first. Getting under the magic sheets while inside, they left by the balcony, where we usually left the door open to keep the place from getting stuffy. Next, Mikoto's group, wearing the usual grey salamander wool cloaks. It was pretty obvious who they were, even at a distance, but it didn't matter.

Last, Bell and I.

"Ready, little brother?" I asked, holding out my fist.

"Yes, big sister." He tapped his knuckles to mine.

The night was clear, with a half full moon in the sky. To my eyes, it was almost daylight, with my adventuring status boosting my body's natural ability. Mikoto's team had split off from me just before I entered the bell tower, dashing off to evade the eyes we knew were watching, and to wait for Lilly to do her work.

The city itself wasn't 'quiet', but even panicking citizens needed to sleep at some point, and the Guild, while always able to extend working hours, had limits. So at least there would be fewer civilians out tonight.

As I entered the bell tower, glad that it was a 'public' building, and empty of civilians, I enacted the first part of my part of the plan, looking towards the ceiling as I slid the simple plank of wood across the door to 'lock' it.

"Wow. You're really not trying very hard." It was Tione, the... more endowed of the Loki Amazon twins. "I mean, with all those tails, and picking such a high spot, you're kind of obvious."

Turning to face them and leaning against the stone of the 'window', I shrugged, the second Amazon sister vaulting over the edge of the window opposite me, and onto the platform just below the bell. "The scenery is rather nice up here. How can I help you two?"

"Well..." Teona said, "We know you and your Familia are trying something tonight."

"I'm actually wondering, you know about them, right? The Xenos? Talking monsters who know reason." Being only level four, I knew I stood no chance against the two of them on my own, and since they were here, and not bugging the others, I was trying to delay them as best I could. "Why are you even trying to stop us from getting them home, and out of the city?"

"Well... Honestly?" Tiona hesitated.

"We're friends, aren't we?" I asked, "Yes honestly."

"Pride." Tione said firmly. "Finn and most of us feel that we are being mocked, with them coming up here, and bothering people. "That black monster especially."

The less busty of the two nodded with her sister, though she didn't look as enthusiastic about it. "Just like us, they aren't all the same. I don't know much about the black minotaur, but I do know a few of the others. Good people, just not as... civil... civil... umm..." I sighed.

"Civilized." They said together, helpfully.

"Yes! Thank you." I smiled, "I don't suppose I could convince you two to just... Ignore me and mine while we go about getting them home?"

"No. Sorry. Even if we are friends, we have our pride, and our orders." Tione said, the two of them advancing a half step, Tione drawing her two long kukri, and Tiona hefting that insane double blade staff of hers.

"Now now. No need to get violent." I raised my hands, "I'm actually wondering something else. May I?" I motioned to reach into my kimono top.

Both curious, probably at my total calm, and passive attitude, they shrugged. Slowly, I withdrew a bit of paper. I offered the little square of paper, "Can you read that?"

On the paper was a copy of the 'signature' from Ganesha's book.

"Is that... Wait, its the wrong way..." Tiona made to grab the paper, but her hand passed through empty air, my entire form blurring slightly as her solid hand passed through my immaterial image. "What the fu..."

Down below, by the rope for the great bell, I opened my eyes and pulled the rope hard, then threw one of the things I had prepared straight up.

With a great silvery 'BONG' the bell rang once, the two Amazons dropping their weapons and clapping their hands over their ears. A much smaller 'CLANK' followed, as the glass jar I'd hurled back up the rope smashed into the bell. The glass of the jar vanishing into dust, the contents exploded outwards with a 'SPLORT'.

Recovering, the two Amazons found themselves covered in a thick, sticky, grey goo. My image, fuzzing yet again as something solid passed through it. "Eww gross... What IS this crap?" Tione fussed, trying to move and rub some of the stuff off, but finding that she could hardly move.

"A mix of a sticky trap bomb, and something called 'oobleck'." My image replied, one eye open now. "In a couple of hours it will dry out a little, and you'll be able to move. If it helps, it doesn't stain, and I made sure to add a minty scent."

"How kind of you." They both said flatly.

"Before I go," Though, I was actually already gone, my real body having hopped through a window and taken off, vanishing under one of the invisibility cloths, "What does it say?"

My image helpfully got a little closer, and turned the paper ninety degrees. "Alcinoe." Tione grunted, trying to move, and doing little more than trapping herself further. "It means 'mighty wisdom'."

"Huh, I'll buy you both drinks on her behalf later." my image replied, before blurring again, shrinking, and turning into a small black and gold fox. "Yip!" It said, before hopping up, then over the opening and off the tower.

"The fox is a wise ass." Tiona said with a sigh, grunting as she tried to move, but only managing to fall over, her rear going 'splat' as it landed in the grey gunk. "This stuff is so gross."

"Well, at least it smells nice?" Tione replied, "Finn is going to be a little upset though..."

"Repeat?" Hestia's voice came over the occulus as I held it to my ear.

"The bell has caught the Amazons." I said, "And who was it that insisted on talking in code?"

"Great news!" Hestia replied. "One moment..."

I was currently at street level, hiding, invisible, between a pair of barrels.

"Chime has found a path, and it's clear." Another pause, "And it's not guarded."

"Good." I started, before I heard a quiet sound of distress through the glowing bead. "Problem?"

Takemikazuchi answered me this time, "Young Bell is being chased by Ais." Another pause, "He sounds quite distressed."

"I would be too. I'll send up the signal. Have the Xenos started moving yet?" I asked, reaching into my kimono.

"Yes, they were found a little early, but have split up. Some of the smaller ones are with the harpy and siren, while Lido and the rest are attempting to evade." A pause..

"Evade who?" I asked, pulling out a green vial, and pushing down the cork, but not shaking it.

The silence lasted another few seconds, "Not Loki." Takemikazuchi replied, "Instructions?"

"Is Lilly available?"

Hestia answered this time, "Yes. Out of breath, but yes."

"Tell her its time."

"She still hates this."

"I'll make it up to her later." I shook the little green vial hard, counted to three, then whipped it into the air, ducking back under the cloak as quickly as I could, and trying to remember which way it was towards the red light district, as a green smoke exploded high in the air above me.

Moments later, I heard Hestia say, "Ryuu has engaged Ais. Haruhime is giving her support."

"Good." I replied, spotting a building I recognized, "I am near the red light district."

"Should I send them your way?"

"Not yet, I don't know if it's clear."

"Understood."

I was glad I convinced the two Gods that talking as they normally would just wouldn't do for a serious mission like this. Saying 'okay', could be misunderstood. Using slang may confuse the person listening in. I wasn't ever in the military, but Marius had put the idea forward, and I backed him up. I did however, nix the idea of saying 'sir yes sir', after every order.

My job now, was to see if this area could be used, then get the hell away from it, in case I had picked up another follower.

"You." I stopped in my tracks, my spine and all my tails locking up, the fur floofing out in a pure fear reaction. Low and harsh, with a subsonic rumble I could feel at the base of my skull, the voice continued, "I know your smell."

A figure appeared at the end of the alleyway. Massive, with the head of a bull, the body of a small titan, and holding what was left of a massive battle worn sword in its only hand, a pair of red eyes glared at me from their spot, over two meters off the ground. "Show yourself." It said, no, commanded.

Even while my logical side was screaming for me to run, to evade, to do anything other than just stand there, the fear was so strong, that my arms lifted the cloak over my head, settling it on my shoulders.

"No... You aren't the battle I seek." It said after taking two lumbering steps forward, and looking at me. In the gloom, as it moved, I could see slick spots over its black skin. Not only was it missing an arm, it was wounded almost all over. The fact it was even moving told me just how insanely tough this monster was. "But... I know you..." It took another step forward, and I reflexively took one back to match it. "If I find my battle, do not interfere. Or I will kill you."

Forcing myself to do... something, anything, instead of just standing there with my heart covered in ice, through chattering teeth I asked, "Why?"

Half turned away from me, about to go down another alley, the black minotaur stopped, looked at me, and replied, "Their dream, is not my dream. So, I am looking for my battle." He started to take a step, then stopped again, "The way down. I cleared it. Their dream, is not my dream, but I am not heartless."

Only after I couldn't feel its heavy footsteps any longer, did my body return to my control. Dimly, I heard someone calling my name, and I quickly shook my head and brought the occulus to my ear. "Kodori! Ais is after Bell again. And some of the smaller ones have been separated from the Harpy and Siren."

Taking a deep breath to try and clear the last of the ice from my heart, I replied, "I will send up a signal in a moment. Relay to all teams, the sewer entrance near the red light district is open. I will join up with Haruhime and Aisha as soon as I get some distance from here."

"Understood." Hestia replied.

Reaching into my kimono top, I pulled out a second small vial, this one red. Before pushing the cork in, I started running towards the main street, towards where I usually bought my underwear.

Notes!

And so the grand melee begins. Pausing it here, because if I started the next bit now, this update would be much bigger, OR, not much bigger, and I'd end at a cliffhanger, and people would make noise at me.

See you in five days. :)