Munching on her dry jerky, Anakitty Autumn, unofficial leader of the level four next to raul, she almost felt her eyes close out of sheer boredom. At first, the outrage of opposing her Familia made her one vigilant guardian cat. But with four days since the start of all this, she was straining. Especially because the Hestia Familia, and Astraea by relation, just didn't do anything. They had their windows covered, but they could still easily see the shadows, hear muffled conversations occasionally. By all means, they were in their right to just demand they keep their windows open…but even she thought that was going overboard.
With the time given, she managed to cool her mind a bit. The sheer rage of their executives affected her more than she thought. Looking back now, it was…out of character. Some might even say it was a bad thing. But now they were set on their course, to find those Xenos, so it wasn't like they had any other choice. If they changed tracks now, the Loki Familia would become hypocrites in the eyes of the public. And hate it or not, they needed the public support. Thus, as tired as she was, she kept watch over the Stardust Garden. Even as mindbreakingly boring it was to see the shadow of who she assumed was Bell Cranel spin for the seventeenth…time…
Anakitty dropped the meat in her mouth as her mouth opened just a little bit. Then she leaned forward, eyes narrowed.
"Wait a minute…"
Leaned left. Leaned right. One spin. At first she thought they were dancing, a way to pass the time…but no. Leaned left. Leaned right. One spin. It was a pattern. Which would've made sense for dancing…if it weren't the only pattern there was. Her eyes snapped wide open and she made a sharp whistle. Immediately, her fellow guards perked up and got into formation as she jumped down. Mentally, she hoped the Astraea Familia wouldn't find out and get too angry as she kicked in the door without warning. A girlish scream filled the hallway but she ignored it and almost dropped her drawn sword…
…at the sight of actual puppets, one of them being hugged by the waist by Hestia, while Astraea was carefully working long strings. The two blinked. Astraea coughed politely while Hestia made a loud, exaggerated laugh.
"Err…would you believe this was a practice tea party?"
Hidden escape route. The level four would've blushed out of embarrassment, for being tricked so easily, if the situation wasn't so dire. Instead, she rushed outside again, her voice practically becoming a snarl as her hunting instincts activated.
"Warn the captain! Now!"
/
"I'm surprised the dolls worked so long."
"Lady Astraea is a woman of many talents."
"How do you know it's not Lady Hestia?"
"Haru, not the time for jokes."
"S-sorry."
"Just stick to the plan. It's time."
Slowly, the group split up, each taking one path into the infamous Daedalus Street, the most lawless district of Orario. To outside observers who could see everything, truth and reality, they would be confused. As if taking a stroll, they walked down their designated streets, only covered in cloaks and hoods. Yet for as openly as they wandered, none of the sentries stationed on the streets or the rooftops reacted to their presence. Even when their shoulders almost touched each other, even when their breath was practically right next to their ears. Silently stepping past them, it was as if they were invisible…which in this case, the three individuals were. Courtesy of perhaps the oldest bearer of the Mystery skill, they were undetectable by vision. Naturally they could still make noise, but the three 'invaders' were all skilled in the art of stealth, of making no noise with their footsteps. By all means, under normal circumstances, they could've strolled around the streets for days without being found.
Alas, high ranking adventurers were anything but normal. Not only did they receive the warning from Anakitty, but their senses were honed and sharpened already, from trying to find anything suspicious, monster or Evilus. A thumb tingled. A nose twitched. A slight itch on the skin. Three adventurers snapped their heads, staring directly at empty space. The invisible ones stopped immediately, realizing they were caught with ease. Finn sighed, tapping his shoulder with his spear before leaping down, standing in the path. Then he pointed the tip of his spear at his opponent. For a moment, nothing was said…before a long sigh escaped the air. One tug later, and the cloak was removed, revealing Kaguya with a blank expression in front of him.
"So you're taking their side too," Finn muttered with an unreadable expression. Not that the Senbonzakura cared, cracking her neck as she put her hands on her hilts
"I'm seriously in a bad mood. So I'll apologize to Lyra later…" She growled as she leaned forward, drawing her swords out in a cross motion. "For breaking your shitty bones, squirt."
Finn narrowed his eyes, tightening his grip on his spear. Before he could make the first move however, one of the adventurers shouted down at him.
"Captain, report! Several hooded figures spotted to appear out of the sewer entrances! They seem to be rushing towards us!"
"Spread out as planned! I'll join up as soon as I can!" Finn shouted, not leaving his eyes from his opponent. Just as expected, the moment he opened his mouth, she leapt at him, swords swung downwards. Swiftly, he turned his spear and redirected the blow down on the ground. With their weapons locked, pressing against rock, they both exhaled, steam escaping their mouths.
"I already told you I'd be breaking your bones."
"You can try. You aren't the only one in a bad mood."
At the same time, Kojiro hummed, discarding his own cloak as well as he observed his opponents. Unlike Kaguya, there were several more people that stood in his path, whether directly in front or from the rooftops. He glanced at the amazon with the…bigger assets, visibly covered in bandages, breathing heavily from exhaustion just by standing. Yet she valiantly stood her ground next to the main threat in the swordsman's eyes. The dwarf rolled his shoulders a few times, slamming his axe into the ground.
"You don't honestly think you can stop all of us."
"What is a hero but someone defying the odds?" Kojiro chuckled as he raised his weapon high above his head, smirking at his opponents. "Besides, I can certainly try."
Kojiro exhaled, and then moved. He felt a lot of satisfaction at the eyes of the dwarf almost bulging out of his skull from the blurring speed Kojiro performed. The axe barely blocked the downwards swing, which came down with such force, it blasted off all the dust around them in a shock wave. The swordsman strained, gritting his teeth with a wide smile, as his initial acceleration vanished. Thus, the dwarf roared and pushed him away with his strength, sending him flying. In mid air, the adventurers on the rooftops managed to grasp the situation at last and set loose their arrows, their aim true. Alas, Kojiro twisted his body in the air, only flinching a bit when a few grazed him as he turned and tumbled in the air. But that was not all the Loki Familia had to offer. Despite her own injuries, Tione roared, arm reared back as she jumped in the air. Kojiro barely managed to touch the ground with his feet when a fist descended down on him. To her complete shock, instead of parrying her strike with his sword…he caught her fist and only let out a grunt as he pulled her and threw her to the side. Gareth took that chance from trying to tackle him from behind, breaking the floor with his power, only for Kojiro to narrowly dodge the assault by a hair breadth's dodge. The man proceeded to dodge the arrows and even magic swords shot at him, only a few brushing or cutting into his flesh, while the two leading adventurers wiped the sweat off their skin.
"Hey, Gareth…"
"I noticed."
Kojiro was too…much. Not in the sense of instilling despair into them. Rather, he was too much for a mere level four. Yes, the Loki Familia recognized that the man was a monster in his own right, more than others. Even then, that was all based on skill. From the War Game they witnessed, his strength and durability were still 'within acceptable ranges'. That wasn't the case here. No way he could've just caught Tiona's fist. No way he could've just overpower Gareth, if only for a moment…unless he was boosted in some way.
"What kinda trick did you pull outta your ass this time?"
"I am a man of many secrets."
"No fucking kidding!"
WIth that last shout, the two entered the fray once more, with Kojiro sweating ever so slightly as more variables entered and literally causing his headache to grow.
Kojiro didn't know how long Haruhime's spell would last, but he had the not so easy task to make the most out of that time…nonlethally at that. Never let it be said that Bell Cranel gave easy tasks!
At the same time, Bete was in the process of from jumping away from his position on the rooftop, to go after the spotted sewer escapees, willing to leave that one smell he picked up to the other weaklings. However, his hair on his neck stood up and he slammed his feet into the ground, only to backflip away…just in time for a bright lightning bolt to smash through the air. For a second, Bete thought he was being attacked by the old granny elf herself, but then he realized how stupid that sounded. With a sigh, he looked to his side when someone leapt up the building and landed on the same rooftop he stood up. With a growl, he leaned forward, hands in his pocket.
"I was being nice ignoring ya." He raised an eyebrow at the combat stance directed at him. "You serious?"
"Yes! I won't let you pass!"
The wolfman clicked his tongue in irritation. Points for bravery, if it weren't for the fact that the Renard was shaking like a leaf. That was almost too pathetic. It was then that her sclera turned red, her limbs were covered by that green fire and he actually had to sway backwards from two fingers that aimed for his fucking eyes. He clicked his tongue as the girl let out a feral scream, her features turning more animalistic. Well, they were doing this then! Just as he thought to retaliate, the girl moved to his side as he was in midway, hand chopping down on his chest. It forced his back on the ground, but not before he flicked his right leg up, kicking her against the head. The girl wasn't feral enough to not dodge it, so there was that. Still, Bete shot up to his legs again, cracking his knuckles. He growled under his breath, resisting the urge to touch his injuries. If he were in his top form, that would have never landed! Stupid fucking bull doing a number on him…! And fuck that green fire, it was already giving him a migraine!
That 'chink' in his armor wasn't one the girl was going to ignore. Exhaling, Haruhime kicked forward, her toes becoming the tip of a spear, while at the same time she reached for something behind her. Bete caught her by her ankle and raised her up in the air. However, before he could slam her through the roof, her right arm flicked forward, revealing a blade held in her hand. He immediately let go and crossed his arms as he jumped backwards, going wit the flow of the fucking explosion going off in his face.
As he coughed from the smoke, his ears twitched. He jumped in the air, spinning, as a claw stabbed forward which aimed for his back. Then he slammed his elbow downwards, right down her neck. Of course instead of being knocked out, the girl turned herself into a limb doll and just went with the force, spinning herself before landing on the ground…only for a vicious roundhouse kick to smash into her abdomen. She spat out blood, before her head was smacked around a few times, before Bete aimed with his fist for her shoulder. She managed to throw him off balance with but a touch, but he wouldn't be worth a damn if that was enough. Slamming his foot on the ground to regain his footing, he shoulder checked her with a roar, sending her flying. He blinked away any dizziness he had, instead touching his cheek. He couldn't help but smirk. Little shit actually landed a punch through all that. Not to mention, his attacks were all thrown as finishers, yet she managed to withstand and redirect the damage to avoid getting k.o'd. However. As good as she was at the whole martial arts deal.
She was no Sasaki Kojiro. She was no Bell Cranel. The gap between them was too large. That short engage, of exchanging blows, was more than enough to have her on her knees, coughing and breathing violently for air, her fingers and eyes twitching as they fought to keep her awake. He could respect that. However, there was a difference between bravery and idiocy. With that in mind, he leaned forward, keeping his distance with a growl.
"Seriously. Just stay down."
Haruhime at last looked him in the eye, Beastification still in place. Then she grit her teeth as she raised both of her palms, creating an empty triangle between them. Bete raised an eyebrow at that.
"Onebi…!"
He felt the surge of magical energy. Logic dictated that he should've interrupted her. Stopped her. But quite frankly? He showed his teeth. Was it a grin? Was it just the act of baring his teeth? It didn't matter. What mattered was that he widened his stance, right leg shifted back, ready to face whatever was thrown at him head on.
"Oh ye who holds demonic fire. Kamaitachi."
The energy gathered in the triangle, glowing within the eerie green fire she possessed.
"Oh ye who holds furious wind. I summon thee, to extract the promise. Great spirits of myth and legends, grant me thy support!"
The power began to swirl, creating a whirlpool of fire. The air distorted, from sheer heat, not from the flames, but the magic tiself.
"Unleash the might of the sun and send down thy searing gust!" Haruhime pushed forward with her palms, screaming her throat sore. "Nichirin no Kaze!"
Bete didn't hesitate as he kicked forward, his Flosvirt, the magic absorbing boots, doing their job. Yet the wolfman gritted his teeth at the incoming storm of superheated air. If it were only that, it wouldn't be so bad. It hurt like a bitch, as the wind also hit his body, his boot unable to catch all of the energy. No, it was the fact that the magic combo'd with the racial trait of the Renard way too much. After all, wind carried fire. In this case, the Foxfire. It drained at his mind, his consciousness. They both screamed, magic against endurance, pushing themselves to the limit, until at last, the wind ceased. Bete collapsed down, on one knee, his eyes almost completely clouded over, weren't it for the blood that flowed from his lips. He bit down hard enough to actually hurt himself. The pain kept him conscious. Still, his head was pounding like crazy. He patted his right foot, unable to hold back a small whistle. That packed a lot of power. No wonder Renard were sometimes called the Eastern Elves. He looked up, to stare at the girl who put him into this condition, him preinjured or not. Only for his eyes to snap wide open, any exhaustion or drained status thrown away.
Haruhime clutched the cloth around her chest, gasping for air as her features returned to 'normal'. Then she fell sideways, choking on something. Bete forced himself up and rushed to her side, only to spit to the side.
"Oh come the fuck on! A heart attack?!"
With that said, he began to push into her chest with both of his palms, yelling out to a random weakling to help him with this idiot, going way too hard for her own good.
At the same time, Kojiro was not having as much of a good time as he wished. He was sweating profusely, his mind killing him with the amount of images he was seeing, making it hard sometimes to recognize what was actually happening and what was happening in another timeline. His eyes flickered as he never ceased his movements, never stopped swinging his sword, never rested in one spot. He grunted as Tione landed a good shot on his side. He felt his ribs crack just a bit from that blow, not enough to cripple him, but enough to impede his focus. An unlucky arrow buckled his knee, giving Gareth an opening for a punch almost taking him out. Having predicted at least that, he spun his head, going with the flow, before using that momentum for a spin attack.
Having an increased status out of nowhere was more jarring than he expected. It was only now that he was used to the level of five…and he was almost at the time limit. He could feel it. And so far, he only managed to take out some stragglers on the rooftops here and there. The main threats, the two level six, were still much too healthy. Much too healthy for the time he had. He chuckled to himself. Might as well then! He sheathed his long blade and put the hilt next to his hip.
"Hiken! Tsubame Gaeshi!"
Almost instantly, every single one of his opponent gaped at him before leaping away or leaping at him.
"Take cover!" Gareth shouted, his fist shooting forward like a rocket, while Tione aimed for his legs with a leg sweep. Alas, it was too late. The cut has already been performed.
"Tengai!"
It was as if reality broke for an instance. Several cuts came into existence at once. The adventurers of the Loki Familia spat out blood as the cuts dug into their bodies. Not completely through like the first time of this attack, just 'glancing' blows at this point. Still, Kojiro laughed at himself. Damn it, he missed vital points to take the top out of the fight entirely. His aim truly was sloppy, he thought, as he sheathed his blade, and the cuts in the air disappeared. Gareth and Tione stumbled, gasping in pain as Kojiro landed on one knee.
It still wasn't perfected,. Maybe it was the forced level up that messed with his skill. Maybe he should've pulled this move at the start. Or train more with his eyes against several opponents at once. Well, nothing to be done now here, he thought, as he collapsed to his knees, the power of Uchide no Kozue finally running its course. All the exhaustion and damage that piled up hit him at once and his face hit the ground. Ah, such ache across his body. What he had to do in order to avoid Bell's tears. He stared up weakly, to look at the cut up figure of Gareth. The man, despite his injuries, smiled ever so slightly as he looked down at him.
"Guess whatever gave you that boost was on a timer…" He groaned as he bend over, one hand on his knee, the other tapping at his back. "Damn, kid, didn't feel that much of a backpain since Pendragon…!"
"I take that…as a…compliment…" Kojiro muttered, before the darkness overtook him.
Kaguya slid backwards, being pushed outside the official border of Daedalus Streets. Unlike her co-conspirators, she and Finn were looking relatively fine. Some cuts here and there, some bruises, but other than their heavy breath, one couldn't say they were at their limits yet. It was only natural, as Kaguya was stalling for time, thus going for an aggressive defensive style. Nevertheless, she noticed the shift in the air, before growling as she saw several figures converging on her position.
"Well, that's just great…!"
It was still part of the plan, that Haruhime and Kojiro would be taken out. As skilled as they were, numbers mattered nevertheless. The level up spell wouldn't last forever, and the less said about Haruhime's odds, the better. At the very least, she felt some pride swell in her heart that they gave a good fight at the very least. Still, that pride was overshadowed with the feeling that this was not going well. After all, the plan was to remain within Daedalus Streets. The fight they were almost outside of it worried her. Any further and Finn might-
"Phase two."
At his words, the adventurers at the front she was facing split up…and left Daedalus Street behind, with only a skeleton crew manning the rooftops. Kaguya chuckled, tilting her head almost coyly.
"Sure to send everyone away like this?"
"Why not? It's not like the Xenos are coming here in the first place."
She didn't even allow a single sweat drop to run down her face. She revealed absolutely no emotion as she shifted her feet before performing her attack, a rain of blows stabbing forward. As if nothing was wrong. As if this entire plan was thrown down the drain. Shit, he did notice! Or maybe he didn't, only felt something was off. Nevertheless, it didn't chang anything about her role here: Tie the elite up. Though that was easier said than done, as she had to stop her assault in favor of not getting crushed by Gareth crashing down, feet first. She analyzed his injuries, same as the mutt and the bigger amazon. Cuts, loss of blood messing with their focus, burn marks…nothing to take them entirely out of the fight, but enough to keep them from engaging in a vanguard position like Finn. Twirling her blades, Kaguya narrowed her eyes. That still meant it was one to fo-
Their ears twitched. Their eyes snapped upwards. And Kaguya couldn't help but grin widely at the idiots falling down from the sky. Two sets of feet crashed down the ground, each on Kaguya's side. Then an exaggerated laugh echoed in the streets before an arm cut through the dust.
"Never fear, for we have arrived!" Alise shouted, smiling brightly. Tione was the first to recover from the sudden reinforcements, a snarl escaping her.
"You even got an idea what the fuck is going on?!"
"I know that villains bullying the weak!" Alise shouted with confidence, puffing out her chest. "I have no idea what the heck is going on, but I know injustice when I see it! Can smell it, even!"
The Loki Familia sent her a glare, which she completely ignored. Ryuu meanwhile dusted herself off, wincing a bit as she flexed her leg a bit before glancing at her friend.
"You good, Kaguya?"
The three words were loaded with concern. About more than just this fight. Kaguya hissed before shaking her head.
"Maybe later." She raised an eyebrow at them. "No Arash or Lyra?"
"Lyra isn't exactly keen on messing with her man."
"Also we were in the middle of an investigation," Ryuu muttered. It sounded like Kaguya was at fault here, she thought with an offended huff. She saw Finn visibly relax just a tiny bit. Any amusement she got from that vanished when she spotted Kojiro and Haruhime on the rooftops. More specifically, spotted them being carried away. She didn't know where they were taking them, Orario being too large, but that direction…if her bad feeling was right about this…
"This is bad…"
"We gotta get them!"
"No." Alise looked at her with a surprised look. Kaguya shook her head, tightening her grip on her blades. "Just follow my lead please, captain."
"Fine." The three girls of the Astraea Familia faced the Loki Familia, their battle spirits rising. "Team battle, let's gooooo!"
As Ryuu drew her blade, same as Alise, she couldn't help but bite her lip in worry. If Kojiro and Haruhime were being taken away, that meant they lost their fights. But it still begged one question.
Where was Bell in all this?
/
"Uhhh, what was the password again…"
Before he could figure it out, the trap door opened in an instance. The small child exploded out of it, hugging him tightly.
"Bell!"
"Wiene! I didn't-"
"I know your voice!"
Bell laughed awkwardly, before patting her head.
"Let's just tell Hans I told you the thing, okay?"
"Promise!"
With that said, Bell carefully stood up with the girl in his arms. Okay, that was Wiene. Everyone else should've been in the sewers, so he had to meet them up there. Remembering the route, he carefully peaked out the window. Seeing that the area was clear, he let out a breath of relief before carefully opening the door with Wiene in his grasp. The air was almost eerily quiet, but that suited Bell just fine, as he adjusted the cloak around himself and Wiene. He bit his lip as he heard battle in the far distance. He hoped they were all alright. Hermes Familia, Kaguya and his own Familia. After all…
Even if they were only bait, he worried what could happen. Nevertheless, they had their task, he had his own. Picking up Wiene was a priority, as Hans apparently had other duties to attend, duties he didn't share with them. With the girl in his arms, he just had to do this one final task before the final push…to the official main entrance of the dungeon. It might have been a plan of audacity, to go for the place that every adventurer went too. However, the Xenos emerged from Daedalus Street. Daedalus Street was the focus of Evilus and everything else. So it was natural to assume that the main entrance near Babel should've had less defenses. At least on paper.
Bell shuddered for some reason before shaking his head. He had to focus. Mentally, he went through the map in his mind before nodding to himself. Just a little more, and then he would be there in no-
He moved before he recognized it. His body threw itself to the side, causing Wiene to scream in surprise. He rolled over the dirt as an explosion or something similiar hit the spot he was in. The wind blew his cloak off, much to his frustration. Quickly, he put Wiene down behind him, shot up to his feet… and almost dropped Homebringer as he saw who found him.
The first thing he saw was the sling, keeping her left arm in place. Then he saw the medical white eyepatch covering her left eye, as well as some bandages here and there. Yet he wouldn't mistake that rapier in her hand. He wouldn't mistake that blonde hair, despite the white tainting it.
"Aiz…!"
The Wind Princess aimed her blade at him…no, at someone behind him. Her eye twitched with a blank expression as Bell widened his arm, trying to cover Wiene with his body. She breathed out quietly before shaking her head slowly.
"Final warning. Step aside."
/
The final sand grain hit the bottom of the glass. Lido hissed as he looked around, no sign of anyone approaching them.
"...Belluchi isn't here yet."
"Something must have gone wrong." Gros shook his head. "No matter, this is why we have planned this out."
"Good, my nose is going to fall off if I stay here any longer," Ranye muttered, a sentiment that everyone agreed with. The filth that created the stench in this underground tunnel was so intense, some of them wondered if it weren't a mercy if they just surrendered to the adventurers. Nevertheless, they preserved, as disgusting as it was, and stayed put until the time was nigh. Which in this case was now. Grabbing their weapons, Lido gestured for Arles to read the map for them.
"Let's get mo-"
Their ears twitched at the rattling chains echoing in the sewer. Gros snarled as he jumped forward, just as the temperature in the area rose for some reason.
"Duck!"
He snarled as he punched a fast moving link of fire smacked against his fist. He grabbed it in pain, before looking ahead at the darkness… lighted up by the figure of a human girl, spinning her weapon like a wheel of death.
"Down the drain. Duh. Obvious if you think about it."