Double upload! Since I'm so far ahead, up to chapter 16, I will give you Chapter 12 today the 23rd (it's almost midnight and most likely will show up on the 23rd) and Chapter 13 on Saturday as promised. It's actually perfect because I have something I want to clarify in 13's notes.

Also, small rehash at the beginning, based on the end of chapter 11, but this time from Isaac's view.

"Speaking"

Individual thoughts/Mindscape talk with the twins

*Ability/Spell*

...

The party of five finally made the trek back up to the eighteenth floor. Of course, Tione and Tiona's reactions were lackluster, having visited the floor before on many expeditions. Ais and Riveria found themselves in the same boat. It was Isaac's reaction that made it worth it. "Woah, this floor is beautiful!" He was laughing freely like he didn't just survive a gauntlet in the third circle of hell. Then he started snickering, "I've gone about this all wrong."

"How so, Harpe?" Tiona asked, sliding next to him, arms behind her back, leaning towards him.

"I've gone backward! Going from seventeen to thirty-eight and then back up. I find that hilarious," Isaac said, which Tiona giggled lightly. The Amazon had to give it to him, he did have a point. It was ironic. He had to explore the floors in reverse to make it back up. Riveria, however, believed that he was hiding his pain through humor.

"ISAAC!" a voice shouted from a cliff. Isaac immediately searched for the voice's source, all traces of his humor gone. His true objective has displayed itself.

Isaac's eyes searched until Ais pointed to the cliff in question. Without any sense of direction in this place, he just ran forward. Hearing footfalls next to him, the Hiryute twins guided him on the correct path. It took him under an overhang, which ran alongside the cliff. Visible crystals stuck out from the wall. Isaac even vaulted over one to continue following the Amazon's directions.

"Isaac!" He heard Irene shout, and it spurred him on, pumping his legs faster, his heartbeat rose with each passing moment.

"Irene!" He shouted back with equal fervor. Tione gave him one last direction before she and Tiona backed off, leaving Isaac to slide around the corner and pause just as someone else rounded the corner. In the clear weather, hazel met hazel.

His vision became cloudy, he put a hand to his eyes and it came away wet. When did he start crying? New replaced the old as he wiped them away. Both looked liked they want to speak but the words were not found. At least until she shouted, "You're alive!"

"You're safe!" Isaac felt like he took the first step forward. Irene felt as if she was the one who advanced first. It wasn't individually. They took a step forward. One turned into two. Two into four, and before long, they were running right at each other before Isaac and Irene collided into a long-overdue hug. Isaac picked up Irene and spun her once before they both fell to their knees.

Both of them missed a burn on their backs, something else had manifested, but it wouldn't become clear until later.

The two of them embraced, crying their very souls out.

It felt like years happened, and the first thing that was said was a chiding remark from the little sister. "Isaac, never do anything like that again," Irene whispered, clutching to his tattered cloak even tighter, almost to the point of tearing it even further.

"I won't, but I have the story to tell you and Dia," Isaac's voice trembled, but never broke. It was extremely close.

The two pulled back and wiped the tears from their respective sibling's eyes. Irene finally got a clear look at her brother. "What the hell happened to you?"

A sigh escaped the elder Vlahos twin, "Too much…" his mind and body hit their limits. "Hey, uhm, use your spell…" and Isaac's head rested against Irene's shoulder.

"You idiot," Irene whispered affectionately, one hand stroking his hair as they remained kneeling.

Tione, Tiona, Ais, and Riveria all appeared around the corner, and Irene didn't fail to notice the look of relief that the High Elf let slip. Before they got closer, a magic circle appeared under Irene and she began to chant, even through her tears. She fought to keep her voice level to avoid an Ignus Fatuus.

"Oh, humble Goddess, I beseech you. Bless thy vessel with the strength to carry on. Allow this extension of your will to be thrusted into a new age." A beam of light had already started to form, but with their current setting, it looked like it was coming from the crystal ceiling. "Heal, I beseech you. Through the stars and sky, I wish the light of day be graced upon those worthy. Heal. Even if I fall, let those who receive live to fight. I beseech you, oh humble Goddess, Heal!"

The pillar of light seemed to be wider than last time, Riveria noted. The markings of a powerful mage indeed. The four members of Loki Familia witnessed the power of Irene's spell. Ais took astute note of the sheer size of the magic circle, the edge was almost touching their feet, and they were at least nine to ten meders away. Even if he was healed previously, Irene had to make sure.

The ball of light engulfed Isaac's form and like fog, the magic circle and pillar of light faded from view. Irene felt the aftereffect of her spell and her head dropped on Isaac's opposite shoulder, but she was still awake, but she needed immediate rest.

"I missed you," Isaac said softly.

"I was so gods-damned worried, I had a panic attack," Irene admitted.

This prompted Isaac to lift his head, and hold Irene's head, his fingers resting on the nape of her neck. "How bad?"

Irene saw sincerity, concern, and tinge of regret looking into her twin's eyes. "No vomiting, but I was close."

"Pins and needles, shaking, tunnel vision? Who helped you?"

Irene nodded to all three, "Much to my surprise, it was Bete."

Isaac inclined his head back, knowing the quartet was listening, "That true?"

Riveria's footsteps were loud enough to announce her arrival. The High Elf nodded as she spoke, "It's true. Bete was actually civil for once."

Isaac eventually stood, and Irene came up on shaking legs, but they ended up supporting one another. Together, they were able to function like one to walk back to the camp. As the camp came into view, Isaac was met with the relief-filled smiles of Bell, Welf, and Lili. "Hey!/Welcome back!/Master Isaac!" the three of them said. Isaac let Lili's title of him slide to not ruin the moment.

Isaac reached a hand out to Welf, who helped support him, but the smith didn't expect the hug he received. "I'm glad you guys made it here safely. I was actually pretty worried, even if I never outwardly expressed it."

"Such high praise coming from you," Welf said. "We had it handled."

"Master Welf, you had numerous injuries, not to mention you broke your leg. Lili noticed the limp, even when you were being supported," Lili chided the red-haired man.

"Hey!" Welf complained.

Isaac broke the hug to kneel down to Lili, scooping the Prum up in a hug, "Thank you. For being the best supporter around."

"W-Well, M-Master, Lili, uh… Isaac…" Lili sputtered, not knowing exactly what to do.

"And Bell, you are a gods-damn miracle worker, don't question it, just accept it," Isaac said as he wrapped an arm over the young rabbit's shoulder.

Bell obviously didn't expect the praise, it being so unexpected in general. Riveria gladly provided an explanation, "Dungeon Drunk, a form of shock."

Irene looked at her brother, "And do I even want to know the symptoms? Side effects?"

The High Elf sighed, "After what he experienced, details which I am not privy of, he's hiding it until he can fully unwind. So, expect him to be hyperactive, and once he crashes, everything will come back. So Irene, do not be separate from him."

That was what Irene already planned. In reality, she wanted to rush to the surface to allow Dia to see them. Both twins already knew what Dia was probably going through. Most likely worried, upset, and has gone into a rut. It was jarring the first few times, but after a couple of times, they got used to it.

"No offense meant, but bold of you to assume that I was letting him out of my sight, especially now," Irene commented. She then pulled Isaac off of Bell, who thanked her before getting him into a tent.

Good, now I can tell you, Isaac's voice floated in her head.

You were faking it? Irene didn't seem surprised, but she had to admit, the guts to pull that stunt in front of Riveria, if she found out, it was his funeral.

Yeah, because I'm still reeling over it. Wanna know something? Isaac's eyes focused solely on her. Have you ever heard of an intelligent monster?

Irene rounded on him with a hardened look. Explain everything now.

So during my time in the Dungeon…

Loki finally got Dia to actually get out, and the Trickster took her to the Divine Bathhouse, just like she promised. Dia ended up getting in first with a moan of relief. The bathhouse had a special property.

It was like getting a massage from a master masseuse all over all at once. No, it wasn't like that, but more of a muscle relaxer. It took all of the knots in one's body and manipulated them the right way to relax them. Loki watched with a smug smirk as she entered in right after, sliding right next to Dia. "See Dee-Dee, isn't this nice?"

"Y-Yeah," Dia stuttered, the aftershocks of her muscles relaxing made her melt like putty. Who knew that this existed? Why hasn't she visited before?

"Your back must have been a mess if you reacted like this," Loki leaned back, pulling a vase of wine close that she brought along beforehand. "Now, share a drink with me, for old times sake."

Dia couldn't exactly deny it, her cheeks were already flushed, either from the pleasure or the heat, no one would be able to tell the difference. Dia, with shaky hands, accepted the cup and Loki filled it halfway. "This isn't a ploy to get information from me, is it?" While the two deities are close friends, there was a chance that it was all for show.

Loki opened her eyes, and sighed, "I guess I should've expected that. Dia, this isn't because I want information. Right now, I'm trying to help. At least I'm not Hermes who seems to have a scheme planned for everything, the shifty bastard." Knowing there were other Gods around, they kept their voices low. Dia felt horrible for suggesting such a thing, but Loki continued, "I'm genuinely concerned about you, and what she has planned for them."

Oh, it's one of these discussions, hence the wine, Dia thought, her emerald-green eyes peeking from under her bangs. "I'm not happy about it either."

"I mean, you saw her giggling like a schoolgirl," Loki pointed out, taking a generous sip of her wine. Generous being relative. She just downed an entire tall glass without so much as a drop being missed. If Dia was making a comparison, Loki would be the equivalent of a dog going for the last drop in the water bowl. "She's obviously up to something and she most likely had something to do with your children."

"Please don't put that scenario in my head," Dia pleaded. She was only just calming down.

"Sorry," Loki backtracked. "Anyway, this was just to get you out and about. I want you to be as calm as possible."

At this point, the two Goddesses have been soaking for an hour. They really needed this. Dia even noticed the tension in Loki's shoulders relax. Dia remembered that her children, along with a lot of the High Smiths of the Hephaistos Familia are with them. "So, about your expedition?"

"Haven't heard anything, Dee-Dee, and I admit, while I know they can handle it; they were headed towards the fiftieth-ninth floor. What they found, I hope that they come back, and I'm expecting lingering injuries. With that being said, I'm gonna step out. I'll accompany you for the day," Loki said, being genuine.

"Aww, so you do care!" Dia teased.

"Yeah, yeah. Again, you were the only one who really put up with me," Loki said. The vermillion-haired Goddess chugged her remaining wine before stepping away to get dried off and changed. Dia followed after, but she felt dizzy.

"You didn't spike the wine?" Dia asked.

"Nope, it's just a better Soma, why? Are you feeling it?" Loki asked, towel-clad. Dia nodded. "Good, you'll sleep like a baby tonight."

Once the two finally got dressed and Dia was assured that she wasn't going to hurl, they left the Bathhouse only to run into one of Loki's children, Bete. The werewolf was panting slightly, but not enough to be concerned. "Oi, Loki!"

"Bete?" Loki inquired, and her heart leaped into her throat. "Are you…"

"Nah, everyone's on the eighteenth," he knew how it looked, but assured his Goddess that everyone is fine, "but I need to run to Dian Cecht's pharmacy to grab poison recovery potions," Bete explained. "We ran into a pack of Poison Vermis as we were heading back. Knocked some of the weaklings out." Then, he noticed Dia, "As for you, your familia is safe. One of them apparently had a run-in on the deeper floors. The other three are alive, the dumbasses." Finally, Bete produced a scroll from his pocket. "This is from Finn, read it in private, it's about the fifty-ninth." With that, Vanargand sprinted away up Northwest Main.

Dia felt a weight lifted from her chest, and she was sure she was crying. Loki felt the former, but boasted, "Nothing can keep my kiddies down." The scroll was tucked away in her pocket while she turned to Dia. "Are you going to see Hephaistos to let her know?"

"Yeah, but you don't have to accompany me, I can rest a little easier tonight," Dia smiled, her eyes brightening. This was a smile that Loki hadn't seen in a while, so she shot her a matching one.

"Go on, Dee-Dee. I'll wait here for Bete to get back," Loki waved Dia off. The petite Goddess took off with a little skip in her step, her heart singing in relief that her children are okay, at the very least.

The twins were having their conversation still, after seven hours. Isaac didn't leave a single detail out, but he also took a nap right after. He only got to the first part of his story before he was too tired to continue. After he woke up, he spoke about where he was, who brought him down there, what he experienced, who he met, and explained their explanation in broken verbatim. Some things got lost in translation, as to be expected. "I have a feeling that something is going on behind the scenes. Some things that even the Guild itself doesn't know about."

"What, espionage?" Irene questioned, fretting over her brother. She coaxed him to get his shirt off to look at him. His injuries, judging from his tattered clothes, meant something happened there.

"Espionage is the use of spies, but that's not the point. More just like secrets in general, closely guarded," Isaac said as he felt Irene's gaze on his back.

"You never answered me," Irene said, her fingertips tracing a red scar across his lower right back. Then the one on his lower left where he was impaled on the Wall of Sorrow. That patch of skin healed unevenly, making it seem bumpy. Guilt welled up in Isaac, knowing what she was thinking.

So, he decided to tell her.

"The Colosseum on the thirty-seventh. Monsters spawn, continuously, endlessly. I ended up falling in there and had to scrape by," his voice changed from warm to detached, like he wasn't inhabiting his body anymore. "I almost died on multiple occasions but those friends I told you about, they ended up helping me, much to my confusion. They had no obligation to, they could've left me to die, but they didn't."

"You know, this Ray sounds like someone we both know."

"Pfft, doubtful. I was out from there to the twenty-seventh, met the cutest little mermaid. She was like a child and the floor was her playground. Anyway, you've heard of Mermaid's Blood, yeah?" Isaac said, still detached, despite the kind words. Irene nodded, now gently running her fingers through his hair. "Ingesting that heals injuries, and I was a mess. Without that, I don't think I'd even be standing. Potions were beyond useless and not because of quality, but because my injuries were so severe."

"So, I have a mermaid to find, and thank, eventually," Irene muttered. "Speaking of cute, you should probably meet the people who came down here to save our sorry butts."

Isaac reacted then, his muscles tensed, "Uhm, is she out there?" The one who got Isaac's heart racing. Surely, this was a fluke, but his thoughts went back to the point of where he considered it. What would it be like to go out on a date?

"Oh, you are so whipped and you only saw her once!"

"H-Hey!" Isaac whined, not liking being put in the spotlight. The tips of his ears turned red. Isaac sat up, winced slightly, before pulling on his lower armor. He forgoed the chest piece, for now, his shirt was in tatters, so he'll worry about it after. He moved from the tent and was almost blinded by the light.

He stepped outside, Irene following before she passed him. She was going to get Mikoto. Isaac just stood outside, taking a deep breath, his wounds needed time to air out, being trapped in his clothing and all. So anyone who passed by got an eyeful. Some of the females of Loki Familia certainly took in the sight. Isaac chose to ignore them, despite the numerous catcalls he received.

"Ah, you're awake," a mellow voice said.

Isaac turned to see a single-feathered hat over their eyes, a slender build, and blond locks peeking out from the sides. "And… wow, breaking a rule, I see."

"Oh? And here I thought I was hiding it well. My name is Hermes, and I've been wanting to meet you, Harpe, or should I say, Isaac Vlahos."

"Get to the point, slick," Isaac was well aware of Hermes' sly nature. Dia mentioned in their travels to avoid going to him unless it's a last resort.

"Well, it's not every day I get to meet Hecate's grandchildren, now do I?" Hermes said, standing at Isaac's side, both man and deity looking over at the view.

"No one ever wonders how we're doing, it's how her grandchildren are doing, so spare me the false worry and pity," Isaac's tone was clipped.

Hermes raised his hands, "Fine. I'll tell you. I've been tasked with keeping an eye on you, your sister, and Bell. Even though knowing your heritage, I'm interested in you, not Hecate's grandchildren."

Still, Isaac couldn't take him at his word. Sarcasm was bound to slip in, "Am I supposed to believe you?"

Hermes still had a grin on his face, not offended in the slightest, "You don't have to, but that's the truth. Dia already told you to avoid me?"

Isaac shrugged, "If I wanted to avoid you, you'd be over the hill by now."

"And if you don't go, then that's where you'll find yourself, Lord Hermes," Irene's voice came and Hermes flinched.

"Oh, you angered my sister, she's the more vicious one," Isaac said, grinning gleefully.

Behind Irene was one confused Yamato Mikoto, "Uhm…"

Isaac heard her soft, confused voice and his chest piped up. Okay, why would you do this to me?

She wanted to clear something up, and now's the best time, and she's getting quite the show. Isaac could feel Irene's mental grin, and see the twinkle in her eyes. "So, Lord Hermes, I'd advise you to go find Asfi, because she's a little upset that you keep wandering off."

Hermes' eyes widened before tipping his hat and sprinting off, scared of what his captain was capable of.

"Now that he's out of the way, Mikoto here wanted to speak with you." Yet the Far Eastern girl's eyes were on Isaac's back, the scars, the bumpy skin. Guilt pooled in Mikoto's heart, even if it was not her order, she still was complacent in it.

Isaac raised an eyebrow, half facing her, and Irene smiled at seeing Mikoto blush. It was probably for the wrong reason, but it was progress. Do you enjoy trying to play matchmaker?

Very much so. "Alright, I need to go make sure Asfi doesn't throttle Lord Hermes off the cliff, as much as I want to do it myself," Irene said with a fake cheerful voice.

Next thing you know, I'll be the one playing the matchmaker, Isaac warned before Irene skipped away.

"So, what was it you wanted to ask?" Isaac questioned, but Mikoto wasn't fully paying attention. She was looking at his tone, not bulging extremely, chest. There were some small scratches, a few scars, one looking rough and jagged.

The Far Eastern girl was brought back to alertness by the sound of him laughing. She quickly checked her mouth to make sure she's not drooling, then spoke, "I uhm, wanted to apologize for the-"

"Pass Parade, I know. I also know that you think my injuries are your fault, right?" Isaac inquired, staring into Mikoto's amethyst eyes intently. The faint beginnings of a blush could be seen.

"Y-Yeah, I regretted it when it happened, but I am glad you're alright, Sir Isaac," Mikoto said.

"Right, I forgot you use honorifics a lot in the Far East, do I need to call you anything?" Isaac asked, not wanting to trample on her traditions.

"No, it's out of a sense of respect, so there is no need," Mikoto said, waving her hand. "I just really wanted to apologize to the one I wronged."

"Well, if someone as pretty as you was with me, then I'd be better off," Isaac said and he slapped a hand over his mouth. That came out far more flirtatious than he wanted, but he was speaking what he truly thought.

However, despite the blush on Mikoto's face, she laughed, and Isaac knew it. Well, his heart did, he smiled sheepishly, rubbing his neck. Is this what Bell feels like anytime a girl gives him attention?

Mikoto, during her giggle fit, looked past the scars to see the subtle muscle movements. In order to keep her focus, she asked, "Do you always accidentally flirt with everyone, Sir Isaac?"

"Lady Dia had told me that I do that. I'm just speaking my mind," Isaac put his hand down. "Apology accepted by the way. I know that if the situation wasn't the way it was, it could've been different."

That reminder made Mikoto think, "It could've, but I still feel sorry for what you went through. Your sister didn't exactly explain what she was thinking."

"Yeah… she does that, but that's why I have to be there for. She told you about our spell right?"

"Yes, Futago's Maindosukēpu, Twin's Mindscape. Sounds handy, Sir Isaac," Mikoto noted.

"I'll tell you this, she and I can have two different conversations while we speak with others," Isaac admitted.

Mikoto's lips curled into a teasing grin, "Anything important?"

Isaac blushed, looked away, "No, not really."

Obviously a lie, but Mikoto will let him have this one. "Okay, well, my chest feels lighter. I'll head back, join us when you're ready. We might as well go see the town, and well, the rest of the floor."

Mikoto turned around and started to walk away, but her hand was grabbed. Isaac had reached out and stopped her. The Far Eastern girl's heart jumped for some reason, "Would you stay… to admire the view?" His blush present, he just wanted someone to enjoy the view with. He would have asked Irene, but they'll have other chances.

Mikoto wanted to deny him, but something about him made her want to stay, just for a bit longer. "On one condition, put on a shirt, it's distracting."

"Sure, but the shirt isn't going to cover me much, it's basically a loincloth at this point, but if it'll get you to stay, I can live with that," Isaac dropped her hand—even though he didn't want to—and headed back to grab his shirt.

Mikoto, meanwhile, had a hand in her heart, listening and feeling it beat, much faster than normal. "I thought you were reserved for Lord Take…"

A minute later, footsteps were heard in Mikoto's ears, "So, my brother hasn't done anything yet, has he?"

Mikoto turned to see Irene smirking at her, "N-No, Lady Irene."

"He accidentally flirted with you, already? Wow, I expected it as soon as he saw you. He lasted all of about three minutes," Irene said.

"Could you clarify what you meant when you said I was his type?"

Irene chuckled, "You'll find out, plus it'll be nice to have someone else to tease."

"But, Lady Irene!" Mikoto complained/whined. Mikoto was curious and she wanted to get to the bottom of this. She wanted to know why her heart was racing around him.

"Oh, here he comes, don't worry, he won't try anything, if he does, he deals with me," Irene said with a malicious grin. "Toodles!"

"Wait, Lady Irene!" Mikoto reached out but she was already gone.

"My sister's causing trouble?" Isaac's voice made Mikoto swing around and reach for her katana, merely a reflex. But she stopped when she saw him.

He was right.

The shirt barely covered him, the tattered cloth could barely be called a shirt, but more of a decoration. It was cut in multiple places, coincidently where his new scars were. The hole on his lower left back was visible. "I'm not that imposing, am I?" Isaac asked with a teasing glint in his eye.

"No, just startled," Mikoto played it off, but she was merely hiding the embarrassment she felt. She knew he was coming back, and she momentarily forgot about him.

"Well, I guess 'night' is coming upon us, so, will you stay and watch the view, Mikoto?" Isaac asked.

Feeling words fail her, she just nodded. Her heart contrasted her cool demeanor, thudding in her chest cavity with fervor. And Irene said he accidentally flirts? What happens if he tries to actually flirt?

The pair sat down, a Prum's depth apart, no more than a meder. Isaac let his legs out straight, his hands behind him, supporting his body. Mikoto, on the other hand, was the opposite. She was scrunched into a ball, hands over her knees, chin resting on her forearms.

"So… what happened?" Mikoto asked, wording-wise, it was as blunt as a Minotaur in a magic shop.

Isaac tensed slightly, enough for Mikoto to notice, "A lot. The patch on my back was from Goliath's wall. Everything else, the new scars and all that, was from the lower and deeper floors." Isaac didn't know why he was telling her, when he just as easily could've shut her down, but he felt it wrong to lie to her. Irene knew most of the story, but Mikoto and the others didn't.

"Oh… I-"

"Stop." Isaac was gazing at the girl to his right. "Don't apologize. I already told you, it happened. Leave it at that." He turned back to see the subtle changes in the view. They could see Rivira from here. The taverns and local inns had some lights on, courtesy of magic stone lamps, in the windows.

The rogue town had been destroyed and rebuilt over three hundred and thirty times, and the number would rise as time went on. Still, it was nice.

Mikoto eventually dropped her tense balled up stance, settling for a stance mirroring Isaac, the exception being crossing her legs, her thigh-high heels swishing from the friction.

Isaac chose to feign ignorance as she slid closer to him. Isaac had to admit, it was getting cold out as the night settled in. So, maybe conserving warmth wasn't a bad idea. Isaac slid slightly closer to Mikoto, not very much, but maybe an inch or so.

One of his hands had to move and just as he was about to set it down, "There better not be any illicit activities going on over here!" A shrill voice called out. Isaac's hand hit the ground, but not really.

Mikoto felt warmth encase her left hand and she looked down, to see his hand on hers, but the voice broke her concentration and focus on it as Irene came up, along with Bell, Welf, Lili, Ouka, and Chigusa. Irene's voice floated into Isaac's mind, Hand holding already? You haven't even asked her out yet! A teasing glint could be found in her mental voice.

Shut up! We were moving closer together because it was getting cold, nothing more! Isaac refuted, but the sly glance at Irene told him that she didn't believe him. Mikoto noticed the look and saw Isaac's flushed cheeks.

"So that's what it looks like," Mikoto said out of the blue, confusing the rest of the party.

""""Eh?""""

Mikoto blushed, "That was meant to be a private thought. But you mentioned that you can have two separate conversations while communicating mentally." Isaac's ears were beet red, as was his face. Irene playfully poked his side, before settling up next to him, leaning her head on her shoulder.

The realization finally came to Mikoto that these two have been separated while both suffered. Yet the Far Eastern girl didn't move her left hand. For some reason, she felt like it belonged there, encased in his.

"So, Mikoto-"

"Irene, save it for the surface, but for now let's just enjoy the moment, okay?" Everyone shouted their agreements while the afternoon turned into night on the Under Resort of the Dungeon. Isaac didn't move his hand and Mikoto didn't ask him to. The blush remained on their faces until they slept.

"Alright, pack it up, we're leaving!" Finn Deimne said, hoisting his spear on his shoulder. The rest of Loki Familia got their asses in gear, deconstructing their camp.

The next day had arrived and everyone was in a rush.

Riveria Ljos Alf had already made final preparations but was grasped with indecision. Ais noticed again. The Sword Princess knew something was bothering the High Elf. "Riveria?" The soft-spoken voice of Ais Wallenstein reached her ears.

"Yes, Ais?" Riveria's voice was curt, but not out of hostility, but impatience.

"Are you… good?" Ais's words conveyed a deeper meaning. Are you alright? The golden-haired, golden-eyed swordswoman was concerned for who she considered her mother figure. Circumstances of Ais's real mother aside, when she joined the Loki Familia, Riveria was elected to watch after her the most. Therefore, Riveria was concerned about her safety, ever since she was seven. Fast forward nine years and Ais has matured.

The High Elf felt startled. If Ais of all people, who is socially inept at conveying emotion—not saying Riveria is accusing her, but if she, of all people—noticed her emotional state, then she was slipping.

"It's nothing, Ais. Go see where Finn wants you to be," Riveria deflected. The plan was to have a forward party and a rear party. Finn was finalizing those plans now.

Ais, however, didn't budge, "Something is… troubling you. Can I help?"

Riveria already knew Ais would figure it out eventually, "Another time, Ais. Go on." The High Elf waved off Ais as she focused on getting herself ready.

"Leaving so soon? Without a goodbye as well?"

"I mean, we're not that bad, are we?"

Two separate voices arrived, and it was the people that Riveria was elated and terrified of seeing. Isaac and Irene Vlahos.

Ais's eyes floated back and forth before the pieces clicked in her mind. She left without a word, leaving Riveria to her business. As much as she wanted to but, she wasn't prepared for it. However, she wanted to say farewell to her rabbit.

She didn't notice the mistake her mind made and continued walking.

"Heading to the surface?" Isaac asked, looking better than before. He was at least able to walk on his own, as evident from last night. Irene was right beside him, within arm's length.

"Indeed, and when you both make it back to the surface yourselves, I'd like to speak to you. It's what I have yet to tell you," Riveria vaguely described her intentions.

Irene recognized this, "You mentioned this before…"

A scroll from Riveria's robes was put into their view. This was a fresh scroll, the message contained instructions for the twins once they reached the surface. Of course, she gave them time to be with their Goddess, who was worried to the bone about them, most likely. "Come by Twilight Manor when you are ready. Hopefully, I will not be occupied."

"Okay, is it that important that you can't tell us now?" Irene pushed.

"It will be better if I told you when the time was right, but that's for you two to decide," Riveria said as she walked by the both of them. As a last-minute detail, she added, "Oh, and please be safe. If not for your sake, but mine as well."

That was highly out of character for the High Elf. Both twins noticed this but chose not to comment. There was a secondary reason for this.

Loki Familia finally departed not even an hour later. They were all heading home. Apparently, their expedition was quite the rough journey, if the gossip could be believed.

Back at the hillside where everyone else was, "Should we read it now?" The scroll in Irene's hands contained a mystery.

Isaac shook his head, "Save it for the surface." His hand trembled slightly as he raised it. He narrowed his eyes at the offending limb.

Irene didn't outwardly express it, but she loathed the Freya Familia for what they've done. They didn't know what would happen if they separated them, but if they got the results they wanted, then they should leave them alone, right?

Now, as long as nothing else happens, then they should be fine.

Then the whole Dungeon Floor shook.

...

I will have an explanation for this on Saturday. I have a very valid reason, and some may understand why.

I have also come up with a future plot, and it's only in its ideation stage, but with further refinements, it will be perfect, I hope.