Chapter 16 - Into the Abyss
Next morning, both teams were meeting at the dungeon entrance. To lighten the mood, Bete made a snide remark about Bell, Ais and lap pillows, but Ais commented that Bete probably looks better on Bell's lap. The red-faced wolf had no reply, which made everyone laugh. Finally, after rechecking communications and various equipment, everyone shook hands and were all set to go. Lili, Welf and Mikoto saw them off, along with friends from the Hostess of Fertility, Eina and the kids from the orphanage. With that upbeat send off, they descended into the dungeon. As planned, the Ottar/Gareth team had about a 2000 feet head-start on the Finn team. No one noticed an invisible figure was following the Finn team...
After the send off, Hestia continued to watch and worry. Welf went back to work on the thin plates for Bell's armor. Mokoto and Lili went to the Ganesha magic user joint training event. Eina cried with all the uncertainty requiring the kids to comfort her. Mia, Syr and Ryuu went back to the restaurant wondering what is going to happen.
When Welf got home, he was surprised to see Hephaestus waiting inside. Heptaestus wanted to try to improve on the armor some more while Welf worked on the immediate needs. It was good team work because Welf has a special touch with the armor charging, while Hephaetus was good at forming the thin light-weight plates that would be attached onto the base armor. Her hope was that more than 1 layer can be added to add more charges and safety without affecting significantly weight, flexibility and agility.
The Ottar team was in good spirits. They are still amazed at the gadgets that the Loki and Hermes familias have access to. They started asking Gareth if the Loki cafeteria also had better food.
The Finn team actually cannot physically see the Ottar/Gareth team, but is in regular communications using the communication rocks. As a surprise, Bell brought along several jagumarukuns to share with his team. Their formation is now Ais and Bell, Tione and Finn, Riveria and Leifya and finally Bete and Tiona. Like before, fighters with magic resistance are up front and in the back. When Ais and Bell fly off in Aerial, then Bete and Tiona will move up front while Finn and Tione will shift to the rear. Finally, to add uncertainly for an attacking enemy, half of the group is already wearing their Hades Hat - Bell, Tione, Leifya and Tiona. As an additional benefit for sychronization, Bell is able to hold Ais' hand without anyone teasing them.
At the secret headquarters, Hermes is staying in touch with Ottar and Finn. The level boosting group members were relaxed and enjoying the good food and good service. Takemikazuchi just arrived and he was getting an update from Asfi.
So far, the trip has been very calm. Other than a few minotaurs, most monsters seem to steer clear of both groups. There were still no signs of violas, virgas or any non-traditional monsters.
Both teams would have lunch on floor 18 but still kept their distance and also stayed away from Rivira. After lunch, they kept descending and quickly reached the 24th floor. An enormous swarm of hornets attacked Ottar's team, but they made quick work of the monsters and kept moving on. Ais and Bell thought of going to assist but Ottar said to keep their distance as the hornets were just pests. On the 28th floor, Finn's group ran into some adventurers heading back to the surface. They said it was a pretty normal day in the dungeon. Again, no signs of virgas, violas or anything non-traditional monsters. Also no sign of a lady warrior with red hair. On the 33rd floor, both teams had to handle a significant number of bloodsaurus, but it was handled routinely.
As planned, both parties stopped for the day on the 36th floor to avoid complications from spartoi and obsidian soldiers. The Finn team members did accomplished one other matter. They were able to check on a few of the locations of the vertical holes on the map provided from the merchants. The map did appear to be accurate.
That 'night', Ais and Bell also had the first watch. While alone, they tried to relax as this may be the calm before the storm. Ais has gotten used to her nightly lap pillow before being carried to her tent. It seemed to help her sleep...