Part XI - The Second Deviation
There within the twenty-fourth floor of the dungeon lay the black fog. A fog so dense that light was not able to pierce it's veil. It's contents poisonous. First weakening, disabling then suffocating. Its sole purpose to pull the hope from it's victims as the strength they worked so hard for dissipates, as if the connection between god and follower were severed.
Hell.
Mikoto and Haruhime slowly backed away from the deep thundering footsteps that just landed on the dungeon floor.
As Mikoto grasped the handle of her sword, she had her free hand on Haruhime's waist ushering her behind her as a shield.
A fact that Haruhime held great disdain over was that dependency she felt on others when it came to combat. In times before she had gone to the dungeon with Lili to train. Determined not to let this sense of hopelessness be permanent.
In this case, there was no escaping that.
If it weren't for Mikoto, surely she would've panicked. The faith in her childhood friend was strong, the faith in her familia too.
But dread gripped her heart as her legs began to feel weak and tremble. This wasn't adrenaline. It was fear. An emotion that surged through her so immense that it overwhelmed her as an unknown element introduced itself.
In the prolonged silence there finally came a sound so seeming out of place that it caused the two to stand still.
A single sudden bark breached the fog, it's voice was coarse, deep as it remained hidden in the darkness. Only to be followed by a curious deep grumble that shook the floor.
In Mikoto's left ear, there was a sole sound. The frantic shallow breathing of her comrade, desperately trying to remain calm.
In a time so brief that it was beyond comprehension, Mikoto tried to quietly reassure her friend, only to hear the sound of something breaking through the air. Through the shadows a displeased groan shook the air.
Suddenly their feet were knocked out from under them, sending them to the floor. Upon reaching the cold floor Mikoto groaned as her forehead hit the floor. Haruhime let out a faint whimper as she rolled on the ground. Their lantern fell to the ground with a loud crack as the lens became uncovered and crack sending rays of light in various directions.
As Haruhime came to, she came to realize what it was that had come their way as a ray of light shot out to the floor past them.
The beast had swiped the pair of legs across the floor.
"Why?" Mikoto's mind raced as she spotted the mangled flesh. "It must have known we were here this entire time. Why was it doing this? Why?"
In the seconds on the floor, she could come up with no answer. It followed no previously established logic of the monsters within the Dungeon who attack on sight.
It couldn't have been blind.
No. It knew. It had to have known both when they were heading down and just now heading up.
It had to.
Racking her brain as tried to roll herself over, her entire body shrieked in pain.
Within, recalling the countless experiences from her time with her previous familia. Betting that there had to be some answer within.
Laying on the entrails and innards of the adventurer, Haruhime gasped as her body froze. Her face trembling with eyes wide in utter shock.
That was when the answer came to her as she laid her eyes upon Haruhime. A rush of anxiety washed over her as she began to reach out her hand.
Mikoto tried to reach out, but it wasn't enough.
"No.. Don't.." Mikoto tried to stop her as she saw her grip loosening.
Haruhime let out a blood curdling scream as the blood of another dripped from her body and face. Her golden hair stained red, clinging together in clumps from the coagulated blood.
That was more than enough for the beast to pinpoint the location of its prey. A deep chuckling bellow pulsed through the air with the sensation of it's footsteps shaking the ground soon following.
Mikoto's eyes darted to the source of the thundering footsteps that raced towards them, then back to Haruhime. Scrambling to her feet, she pulled her friend up.
"Come on, we've got to go!" She shouted trying to control her own panic.
Haruhime, restrained by fear, at first was reluctant but as Mikoto's voice reached her ears some semblance of sanity returned where her feet were willing to move and follow.
"Good. Now come on!"
They ran. As fresh blood began to drip down Mikoto's face from her forehead, she had completely ignored the pain that she was in.
As they raced forward with the beast behind them in the shadows, she could see the flickering of lantern light through the fog straight ahead. Then to their ten-o'-clock, a young man's voice shouted.
"Look out!" Welf shouted.
A streak a red summoned from his magical sword charged and released itself from the blade. The fire ate away at the fog as it raced towards them, like fire eating away at spider webs.
Mikoto had a good guess at what he was thinking and so she ushered themselves faster.
Welf had been aiming where the beast will be, which was exactly where they were. Even if he missed the beast, it'd give them vital seconds. And in a battle, that it is crucial.
The flame raced forward, the two managed to out pace it and cleared it's path. As the flame rushed past their backs, Mikoto could feel the immense heat that singed the sweat off of the back of her neck. Behind them, where she dare not look, the beast let out a shrieking cry as it met the flames that in it's own cry voiced a second higher pitched scream as if it were of a high pitched ringing.
That deep and high painful cry shook their eardrums to the point of aching. Whether or not that led to them bleeding was up to debate as there was no time to assess the damage. The goal here was simple.
Survive.
While the beast came to a halt, the two fleeing had no intention of sharing that idea.
The light that they were racing to seemed at times closer and closer only to get farther away. Never had Mikoto known Lili to be so fast. Perhaps adrenaline was giving her the needed boost she needed. But that begged the question-..
"Where is she going?"
As the chase shifted to a battle, the beast sought out the bearer of flames. Where the sounds of battle and faint disruptions of the fight cause the fog around them to pulse. As if the fog itself were breathing.
With Mikoto's eyes scanning the darkness, their cautious jog turned into a sprint as the sounds of battle and the roaring beast intermingled with one another creating an unsensible and indecipherable noise. As each strike and roar of the beast echoed around them, Mikoto couldn't help but reflexively dodge the sound though no attempt was made upon them in these moments.
Not even a second after, the wind breathed giving the black fog a brief dispersion surrounding the two as a petite figure leapt in front of them with her back towards them.
Ryuu stood on the edge of the lantern's light, as the light diffused through the darkness, only a sephia colored light covered her as she held a lantern of her own. Her white robe already bearing evidence of close calls. It wasn't until she turned to face them did they see her current state.
"Are you injured?" It's voice was cold and calculated and required no introduction. Yet that voice was not reflective of her current state. Blood was spattered across her beautiful face and shirt, her own, an allies, or the beasts? It was truly uncertain. She seemed indifferent to it all as long as it didn't impede her in defeating this beast.
"We're fine." Mikoto hurriedly answered as she readjusted her mask, with a few breaths of the black fog she gave a faint cough.
Ryuu gave Mikoto a once over and nodded.
"Then I urge you both to move." Ryuu said as she turned around. "Fall back to Bell and Welf.. They are just straight ahead. I will cover you."
Mikoto nodded in agreement as Ryuu began an incantation.
"Got it. Come on, just a little bit more." Mikoto ushered Haruhime while trying to conceal the panic in her voice.
As Ryuu stepped aside with vigilant eyes, the two were about to embark into the darkness until the flickering light of Lili's lantern ceased to exist. There lay only silence.
"Lili?" Haruhime weakly said under her breath.
Within the silence was the sound of beating hearts racing within the chests of the three women.
Haruhime took a hesitant step forward and that was when the ground began to tremble. Heavy footsteps raced towards them
"MOVE." Ryuu urged them as she leapt between the two, and without hesitation swung her sword sending blades of wind streaking through the fog. Where within the fog, there was still nothing but silence.
Ryuu flabbergasted, lowered her sword for a second no more. Only for her eyes to widen at the approaching sound from her flank. Reaching for her second sword, she attempted to bring it up in a defensive position to block the attack. But with no sense of depth and no other indication of what the attack was, she had to rely solely on reflexes.
A thick piece of meat swiped through the fog at the three. The beast had swung its tail, sending them all into disarray.
Even then reflexes weren't enough for Ryuu to block such an attack.
Haruhime and Ryuu were nowhere in sight.
Though wherever she landed, there lay a remnant of her friend.
Barely visible through the fog was Lili's backpack at her feet. Her body was nowhere to be found.
There were no words, only the sound of choking on air in pure disbelief.
"Mikoto?!" A desperate plea called out.
Haruhuime's eyes scan the area in a panic searching for her dear friend but to no avail. Coughing as her mask became unsecured from her face.
The panic that Haruhime desperately tried to contain broke free, bursting like a bubble. She scrambled to her feet, and began to search while completely disoriented of her surroundings.
There Mikoto could sense the panic of her friend and desperately tried to reach out to her, as she could hear footsteps. In what direction she couldn't tell. Though to wander aimlessly surely would be a death sentence.
"Mikoto?!" Haruhime's voice was tense, whatever grace in her voice had vanished as the black fog stuck to her lungs.
"Haruhime, please listen to my voice! It's going to be ok, just follow the sound of my voice!"
"Mikoto? Where-?.." Her words paused only to have a series of dry coughs interrupt her. "Gah! I can't breathe, I-!..."
"Haruhime! Put on your mask!" Mikoto shouted as the battle continued to dance around them.
With the black fog surrounding them, Mikoto had no choice but to call out to her friend. Hoping that it would be enough for Haruhime to be guided back.
"I can't! It's gone!"
Mikoto's heart stuttered at the news. Feeling like a cold wave washed over her body.
"No.."
Her mind frantically searched for a solution.
"Lili's bag.."
Not too far away Mikoto reached for the Lili's bag. Hoping that her comrade would surely have had an extra pair. Though on the flipside knowing that she wouldn't dare make any unnecessary expense.
"Follow my voice! Just follow my voice! I'll find you one!" Mikoto desperately shouted as she dug into the bag. Searching only with feel, her chest began to tense up as a faint cough snuck up from her.
"Come on.." She groaned under breath as the tension wrought itself through her being.
She couldn't lose her friend. Not in a place like this. Not this hell. After everything she had been through, Haruhime deserved so much more. Even during their times as children this belief never wavered.
Her fine fingers dug through the bag, reaching deep within but nothing came close. In frustration she dumped everything out onto the floor and brought her face just inches away. The items lightly danced on the ground from the tremors of the beast lurking in the shadows.
Nothing.
Lili's frugalness proved to be the winner.
"No. No. No. Nononononononono.." She whispered under her breath in complete denial. Her hands scrambled through the items, giving into one last desperate attempt to preserve her friends life. "Not like this. Not like this. Not like this."
Her gaze determined to find something. Anything
There in the darkness, Haruhime called out.
"Mikoto, please! Where are you?!"
"Haruhime, I'm sorry I'm here! I'm here!.. Just-.. Just keep following my voice!"
What else could there be to say? Her friend's mask was gone, and in the black fog that had claimed an unknown number of lives she was left with no other choice. Closing her eyes she took a few deep breaths, savoring the breaths. Filling her body with clean air. Trying to calm her racing heart. Combatting the anxiety that began to swell and breathe within her.
This was not the place to lose her composure. Absolutely not.
"Mikoto?" A vague shape waddled through the darkness.
"I'm here, just a little closer, Haruhime!"
Rising to her feet, she untied the mask and folded it carefully to make sure no contaminants entered the user's side. And before her, stepping in a slow pace was none other than Haruhime. In the brief time in the black fog, the cough wrought itself upon this beautiful soul, leaving the faint smear of blood around her lips.
Wrapping the mask around her friend's face, she hid her own face with her collar. At first Haruhime was at ease, having full faith in her friend that she would find her one.
Surely she did.
But as Haruhime opened her bloodshot eyes with the trail of tears breaking the complexion that the black fog gave her skin, Haruhime saw the full pale complexion of her best friend as her collar folded over.
"Whaa-?.. Your mask..? What are you doing Mikoto?" Haruhime weakly tossed up her hands in fuss, trying to stop her.
Though Mikoto said nothing, and looked upon her friend with steeled eyes that too burned from the black fog. Leaving a trail of tears that strolled through the black fog that had settled on her face.
"Mikoto! No! I absolutely will not!" Haruhime began.
There was nothing to say. Every word spoken was a wasted breath. Mikoto's only response was to tightly grip her friends arm. With closed eyes, Mikoto used her ability to search for her allies. They weren't too far away from one of them. Though it wasn't clear who, not anymore.
"No! Mikoto, no!." Haruhime whelped as Mikoto pulled her along through the black fog.
With one hand on her sword that lay sheathed, fully prepared. Her eyes tearing up and becoming red, she let out a few muffled coughs as she scanned the area using her hearing and what sight she could muster.
While the terror of the situation rained down upon them, she wouldn't and absolutely would not allow herself to be compromised by it. They were going to get out alive. They had to. In her heart and mind an unwavering faith in Bell and every other person that he has gathered who she calls her friends.
That's right. She knew.
Bell is their leader. Her leader.
No matter what, in the remaining time with the Hestia familia, there would always be that faith in them, in her friends.
They were going to make it out. She would do her part to secure them safety. Yes, she would.
There in the darkness, a deep rumble quaked as heavy footsteps grew louder and louder.
Immediately Mikoto ushered Haruhime behind her back with sword drawn and struck her stance ready to attack whatever it may be. And despite any and every attempt to calm her racing heart, it's pace grew only faster and faster.
One cough.
Then another.
Her grip on her sword tightened as she acted as sword and shield for her friend.
Her eyes bloodshot and burning remained unflinching. Attentive to any and everything.
Then the black fog began to shift.
Her faith unwavering that they would make it out alive. For Haruhime to live.
Whether it was hope or denial of the fearful odds at hand, both are such damning things.
"△▼△▼△▼△"
-Moments ago-
"Look out!" Welf had shouted in warning. His voice breaking through the density of the black fog.
Bell stood within the darkness with Welf and Ryuu to by his side. Welf had swung his magic sword sending a wave of flames towards the beast of the shadows that pursued their friends. Even at a distance the heat was immense as the flames left the blade.
"Finn, we're under attack! Please tell me that you haven't left yet." Bell directed his restrained voice into the occulus on his gauntlet. There in lays silence.
"Finn, there is something else here! Please respond!" He urged, with tension growing in his voice as his eyes followed the arc of flames streaking through the black fog.
"I'm going." Ryuu gave Bell a quick glance to Bell and then to their allies who were being pursued and another left in the midst of the fog.
Before Ryuu would leap away she hesitated at the sound that had her ears. It was a sound that she had never heard from a monster before.
A pained cry shook the dungeon, bringing the pursuing beast to a standstill as the flames engulfed it. Swatting and stomping, the flames that graced its skin had faded leaving only the flames around it.
In the darkness, lit by the flames stood the massive silhouette of the four legged beast as it turned to face the origin of the attack. The light of the flames licked its skin, giving a vague shape. What stood before them, glaring intently upon them was a hulking beast painted in black. Then again with little light everything was borderline black.
As it glared upon them, a snarl escaped from the beast's muzzle. Even through the black fog the menacing expression of the beast was clear enough to send a cold shiver down Welf's spine.
"Oh shit.." Welf grimaced, as he struck a defensive stance.
It's eyes locked onto the red-haired man, huff it's breath that sent ripples through the flames.
"It really didn't like that."
Bell could feel his stomach sink at the sight.
"Guess it doesn't like fire then.. Ryuu, go now!"
"Don't do anything dangerous.." Ryuu said before departing into the black fog.
Sharing his own thoughts he mirrored Welf, striking his own defensive stance with Hestia knife in hand. There in his voice was not the casual observation of any other monster, but the feigned sense of calmness stricken with anxiety underneath. His words mixed and muddied by the strain in his torso as even now his body wasn't completely recovered from the last battle.
Noticing this, Welf gave Bell a quick glance.
"If it were any other day I'd ask you to sit this one out. But-..."
"We can't afford that right now.." Bell's mind raced as he tried to formulate some sort of plan of attack.
A great distance away, the Beast had left the circle of flames and begun it's stride towards them. Picking up pace, the pounding in the floor were like war drums violently increasing in tempo.
A surge of adrenaline shot through his body, prepping him to fight as his eyes locked onto the beast that had begun its charge.
"Welf, can you make some light?"
With that shot of adrenaline, the pain had faded as all of the other chemicals shoot through his body in this time of fight or flight. A natural sensation normally ignored could be felt through his hands as he tightly gripped his knife. It was his heart beat.
It was only a few short seconds after Ryuu departed them in search of Lili and the others. Parting with the sole explanation of regrouping and then to flee all together.
"We're close.. I know we are.." She had said. "I'll find them, and we all must leave. This isn't an environment for us to do battle in."
She didn't have to say more. To fight in this black fog is the worst case scenario, essentially fighting blind. With Haruhime and Lili, as capable as they are in their own respects, they would be sitting ducks even with both Ryuu, Bell, and Welf on defense.
Thus why he didn't disagree with her assessment. This wasn't an obstacle they could simply overcome by brute force, or luck. If they were to succeed, they'd need to fight on hometurf, some place where they can see their opponent, this beast.
Only then could they rely on such things.
"On it." Welf said as he shifted the weight of his sword, priming his arms.
With hands raised in front of him, he cautiously pulled his occulus to his face as Welf swung his sword.
"Finn, are you there?" There within Bell's voice lay a faint shaking as his eyes peered down range where the Beast charges towards them.
The red flames ate through the silence and black fog with a roar, as the red arc got closer and closer only did the Beast sidestep its forward charge, clearing the path of the flames as it continued unimpeded. Leaving one side of the beast illuminated through the fog, where they see it's claws digging into the dungeon floor with each stride and step, kicking up dirt and rock as it hurled itself towards them.
"Finn, are you there?!" Bell's voice grew louder and tense as the beast came closer. With each step that it came closer, Bell could feel the instinctually priming of his legs. "We are under attack, we need help!"
With each swing, the flames raced to the Beast and then past as it dodged again and again.
"Gah! Stay still you son of a bitch!" Welf groaned in annoyance as he swung his magic sword again.
As if responding to the outrageous demand, the Beast rushed forward towards the flames. It's footsteps shaking their feet against the floor, and it's ragged breath piercing the air. Surely it would dodge at the last second where Welf would swing his sword once more in order to fend it off.
But that was not to be.
For Bell's and Welf's eyes grew wide at the image before them that lay through the haze of fog even with the illumination from Welf's flames. The beast lunged forward striking the flames that rushed towards it with its claws in one fowl swipe. The flames exploded, wrapping itself around the beasts single outstretched arm, further engulfing it as it continued forward. There within the flames it roared in defiance and anger, ignoring the pain that shot through its body.
With mouth left slightly agape, Welf couldn't believe what he saw. "You've got to be kidding me.. The hell is this thing?"
The monster closed in for the kill, aiming solely for Welf. Both dodged, with Bell to the side and Welf darting backwards swinging his sword.
"Back off!" Welf's voice shrieked through the fog as his being became more and more clouded.
Landing off to the side, the Beast raged on after Welf. Bell primed his legs, hunkering himself down. Preparing himself to leap, only to raise his gauntlet to his face.
"Finn! Please answer! We are under attack! We are on the twenty-fourth! We need help!" He furrowed his brow, with a mix of emotions coursing through his veins; frustration, confusion, fear. There was nothing that he could do to control these feelings, except for one thing until help would finally arrive.
Fight.
With tremendous force he leapt through the darkness, where he last saw the Beast following Welf and following the arcs of flames that rush through the fog. As the black fog swept past him, his unprotected eyes began to burn. Guided by the light of the flames that streaked below him, it lit up enough of the area in a few consecutive moments that he could see the faint shape of his target below him.
Then he roared with a clench fist and swung it forward through the darkness.
"FIREBOLT!"
Fire and bolts of electricity shot out and through the black fog. Crackling and roaring it's own warcry with the bolts of electricity reaching out to it in anticipation with the flames just shortly behind. In a split second it reached the Beast engulfing it's back mid swing in its attack on Welf. It ached and roared, as the electricity brought it's body tense to one side. Curving it's long hulking body to it's right.
As Bell fell he bared his teeth at the approaching obstacle. The Beast's elbow stuck out as it writhed in pain, it's movement never static. Flying towards the Beast, he stuck out his free hand, planting it on the dense tissue that was stained both black and grey, and let his momentum be redirected in another short arc forward in a controlled summersault. Midair his eyes made an unnerving contact with a single crimson eye of the Beast. They held no glow like most monsters of the Dungeon, it was simply a solid color full of malice surrounded by darkness. Malice for any and all.
Immediately then in this seemingly still moment, he knew one thing; that Ryuu was right.
This was no place for battle. With a beast that blended into the shadows, utilizing the black fog to its advantage this wasn't just a monster. No, this was a predator.
"-And if we're not careful, we'll be it's prey"
With Bell landing on one knee, he could feel the horizontal momentum carry him further away from the beast as his metal knee pad screeched against the dungeon floor and boots desperately tried to gain traction. Regardless of the forces of the world that rocked his vision from the landing and his own state of health, he was determined to keep his focus solely on the beast before him.
Then there was another, without time for breath for him and the Beast.
"FIREBOLT!"
The blast shot forward, sharing the will of it's caster, occupying the attention of the Beast. It roared at such close range, that air shook and slammed into his chest. For a moment its deep bellow left him breathless as even the roar seized his heart momentarily.
Without thinking he raised his arm in defense of the sound that attacked his body, groaning at its intensity, completely unable to fend it off.
It's roar faded and Bell gasped, clutching his abdomen, coughing faintly. There he felt a warm sensation escape from his lips. Behind his mask, it could've been anything, saliva, or blood. Though he knew surely what it meant. He had already pushed himself too hard.
For a moment no less, he made a judgement call as the Beast backed away from the flames that erupted in front of him.
"Finn?! Aiz?! Is anyone listening! We are under attack! We need hel-!"
"Bell! Look out!" Welf shouted but it was too late.
As breath escaped Bell's grasp, he felt a sudden lonely darkness then nothing.
"△▼△▼△▼△"
"I think you and I have two very different ideas as to what it means to pray. Are you sure that this is going to work?" Jai spoke with mild skepticism but a faint sense of curiosity lingered within. Standing with arms crossed some distance from the exit of the safe point, Rivira, there kneeled the man in the center of a magic circle with a small bag.
The magic circle itself was that of scriptures on the outer layer, with a series of lines and obscure shapes throughout, all written in a white powder. As the man kneeled in the center, the small bag containing the white powder finally ran empty.
"This stuff isn't exactly the same thing needed, but it's close enough.." He said calmly, purely focused on the matter at hand, as tossed the empty bag clear of the magic circle then he began to clean up a few of the characters in the magic circle closest to him only to turn back to Jai noticing his distance from the circle. "But you shouldn't stand so close just in case."
"Huh?" Jai raised an eyebrow as he processed his words. Then finally-.. "Wait a second did you just make a bomb and put yourself in the middle of it, guy?!"
Jai's composure dropped as he immediately went into a fight or flight stance. His expression said it all.
"How do you intend to help if you get blown to bits, huh?! This isn't any time for jokes like that you know!" Jai raised his fist, considering the fact that on the way to this particular location the man had requested a few supplies. The fine white powder, and a knife being just two of them. Fortunately enough, Jai vouched for the man at the one shop that had the white powder. As for the knife? There was no way Jai, a smith, wasn't going to have one not on him. Though there was a third. A robe, something that covered his body.
His reasoning to Jai in front of a shop owner, "It's a little cold out, don't you think?"
Though, surely he wasn't lying with his body still deprived of such a vital resource. Blood. As well as his body in mid-recovery. The only thing he should be doing is laying in bed to rest. But that was something he couldn't afford.
"Hey, hey now. I never said that." The man reached out to Jai, trying to calm him down. "That's the worst case scenario. I've done this plenty of times."
"Plenty of times, yeah? Just how many times did it work?" Jai refuted.
"About three.." The man said under his breath as he brought his attention back to the entrance in front of him. His eyes scanned the darkness that shifted as if it had breath. With the first step completed, he began the second of covering himself with the black robe. It was one of cheap quality, though that doesn't mean it was cheap in Rivira. With everything at an extreme markup, he might as well have used a burlap sack. Taking his right hand, he began to unwrap the medical bandages off and re-wrapped them around his forearm. Taking out the knife on loan, placing the blade on his palm, he closed his hand beginning the third step. "But this is the first time doing it inside of the Dungeon.. I have no idea how it's going to go."
"Ahh shit. There has to be another way.." Jai grumbled in a panic as he gazed around the environment.
"As of right now, there isn't. I just need you to make sure no one else is watching." The man said as he squeezed his hand against the blade. Flinching at the pain, both present and past. "And whatever you do, don't interrupt me or else this will all be for nothing. Then we'll-.."
The man's voice trailed off, his eyes looked as if a memory had been played behind his eyes. Then he began his head in denial at the thought.
"We'll- what?" Jai pried.
"You know what."
Saving the one's who went down there are the primary priority. And if they are anything as impressive as Jai had said, perhaps they had a chance. There lay only the question though, who exactly they were. Rabbit Foot and the Sword Princess? Both of those names seemed out of place.
Whatever the case may be, he needed them. And while he couldn't personally go any further in his current state, he had this available to him.
Opening his right hand, he watched the blood pool into the palm of his hand. As it found a crevice in his hand, he aimed it over one of the white lines of powder.
"Why do you need this stuff of all things? You know this isn't what it's to be used for." The shop owner had said in a grimy and hoarse voice.
"That's a lie." The man had said so matter of factly that the shop owner had lost face, and began her scowl at him. "It's not supposed to be for anything at all."
Therein lies a hidden understanding between the two people that it was taboo to take such a thing, to grind it up, and add such volatile compounds to it that in turn, transformed its state from a purple stone to a coarse white powder. Then again, not many people would know where to obtain such a thing, nonetheless what it truly was.
Ahh yes, for who in their right mind would destroy a source of currency? For what purpose does someone do that to the heart of a monster?
"One last thing.." The man spoke as he watched the blood form at the soft edge of his hand. Taking Jai's silence as acknowledgement, he continued. "Don't ever tell anyone about this."
"Got it.."
As the man's blood fell from the palm of his hand, the white powder absorbed the crimson, settling into clumps as he continued to pour it over the other scriptures. As the white began to turn red, the blood spilled came to a slow stop, but the crimson that lay within in the sand continued to spread and crawl through the white powder.
What happens when you take the heart of a monster in such quantities, and spill forbidden blood upon?
Closing his eyes, he whispered words so quietly that none could hear. An incantation, no. A prayer. Words that even if they carried sound, who would understand?
No one.
Except for one thing the man would hope.
Bowing his head to the dirt just before the magic circle, the lines of white turned red began to glow softly. With the lines began to grow in glow intense, their light streaked even through the daylight.
As Jai scanned the environment behind him keeping close eye, he could feel the warmth of the light against his back, eventually overwhelming the light from the Dungeon. Turning around he stood speechless. With all of this going on, there was one point in particular that stood out as the bright. The hotspot of the event.
As the light continued to grow and grow, there started something that hadn't been heard since this morning.
The Dungeon creaked and groaned, and the floor trembled.
"Holy shit.."
"△▼△▼△▼△"
Sitting across from the fire, Finn's eyes were determined to stay open as he leaned upon his spear. Under normal circumstances, he'd be able to rely on an ability that only he had. The ability to exceed normal capacity for staying awake and alert. Something so vital for his time as a leader, that has allowed him on multiple occasions to consistently monitor necessary events where other leaders would have surely faltered due to fatigue and exhaustion. Yet there he sat, completely oblivious to the conversation going on around him as his consciousness straddled the line of being awake and an unconscious oblivion.
"Hey! What the hell was that Aiz, you trying to kill him?!" A young man growled.
"Don't be silly.." The woman's normally expressionless voice held an odd flair of contempt.
"Don't you dare touch my captain like that!"
There a sudden silence, as if two eyes locked and one held the other in place.
"Let me go." Aiz said clearly, and emphasizing each word in such an eerie calm manner that after a matter of seconds, there begins the sounds of a disgruntled sigh and foots steps beginning to walk off.
"Aiz, regardless of his current state, and what's happening, never do that again.. Even now-.." A calm femine voice spoke in between the lines of thought, flabbergasted at the actions that had just taken place.
"He's lucky to be alive." An old man sounded filling the space where she left off.
These were the voices riddled with tension that swept through his conscious, where they came from he couldn't tell. But somewhere close their origins lay.
"That's not good enough." Aiz's normally expressionless voice lay tainted with anger so subtle it spoke volumes. "It shouldn't have even gotten to this. Why did you let him?"
"Aiz please understand, there was no real way for us to know this was going to happen."
"But you let him-..?"
Though his current state was inevitable, exhaustion and lightheadedness plagued him from blood loss from the attack by that Juggernaut. Mentally berating himself that if he wasn't distracted by the oddity, he would have been able to clear and dodge such an attack.
"It's time to get rid of the thorn in our side."
The words stuck in his mind, as he desperately attempted to stay awake, his eyes focused on the glowing embers deep within the fire.
"That wasn't Bell's voice. No. It surely wasn't.. It made no sense for such a change in tone. One so frantic to one so sinister. After all, he was more concerned about us against the Juggernaut than anyone else. But how?That's not how they work..." In truth, he didn't have a complete understanding of how they work and their limitations. The maximum extent of his knowledge pertained to these two facts. One; they allowed communication without interference across great distances. Two; they can only operate in pairs.
"So how did someone else's voice get through?"
There were only two people who came to mind that he could air this question to. One their creator, reaching out to them meant possibly falling under a certain deities command. Something he couldn't risk. The other being someone with profound knowledge of creating such magical items. Even if they couldn't make such a thing, perhaps though they could have knowledge surrounding it.
In the separate space of the world around him the voices continued.
"You let him lie." This once calm voice proclaimed.
"Finn?! Aiz?! Is anyone listening! We are under attack! We need hel-!"
For once the voices that plagued his conscious subsided at the sudden stop in the panicked voice.
All that remained were the collected silence and the faint flickering of the fire that gave it's life to give him warmth.
"Bell?.." A single voice broke the silence then turned into a shrill shout. "Bell!"
Panic. That was the sole thing that came to his mind when he heard this cry. It seemed out of place, as if it was unnecessary. After all wasn't the Juggernaut slain?
There shouldn't be anything to worry of. Everything that could or should be of concern was down below them. Or at least that's how it should be.
"Finn, wake up!" A sharp commanding voice shot through the air and into his eyes with a sudden jolt going through his body from the sound alone. With eyes wide and a deep breath in, he scanned the area.
Before him was none other than a woman with jade hair and eyes, his vice captain.
"Riveria?.." His voice was groggy, and utterly confused for a split second as he was face to face with her as she wore a grave expression. There he noticed her hand on his shoulder, an act that alone was unusual, if not rare. "What exactly is going on? Did I miss something?"
Practically all eyes bore a strained look on their face and all were trained on him. All but for one's.
As he sat there he noticed an uneven weight on his hip as if something was missing. Reaching down he found the pouch that carried the occulus was missing. As if cut from the strap of his belt.
"Huh?"
"We've got to go.." Riveria looked him dead in the eye. "Aiz had-.."
Her eyes drifted from Finn's as footsteps began to fade.
"Aiz, wait!" Riveria called out over his shoulder. Following her gaze he found Aiz standing at the edge of the small camp, reluctantly still with sword in hand and something else in the other. It was a faintly glistening object, one almost completely smooth, like a fine jew.
In her hand, she tightly gripped the occulus.
"No." A cold heartless voice escaped from the hidden face of the Sword Princess.
A gust of wind enveloped her with such ferocity that the fire lay extinguished. For a brief moment it pulsed with further intensity, then finally it settled. As everyone lowered their guard from the ferocious winds, Finn sat in a profound confusion.
"Bete and Tione please follow her! Go now!" Riveria ordered in rapid succession after watching Aiz vanish. Without hesitation they complied in their own way and applied their masks. Oddly enough Tione made no fuss about leaving her dear Captain's side. The lack of a sentiment that furthered his confusion, but before he could pry Riveria called out once more. "And Bete!"
Coming to a halt, he turned to her with a grimace on his face. "What now?"
Riveria rummaged through her pouch that lay underneath her King's Robe. After finding what she was looking for she tossed it to Bete. "Give that to Aiz when you catch up."
"There's no catching up to her when she's like that, damn it." Bete growled as he stuffed the object into his pocket then followed shortly after Tione.
"Gareth. Tiona. You're with us-.." Riviera continued assuming command.
"Riveria, what happened?" Finn pried, finding the most conscious place to interrupt her.
A sigh of mixed emotions escaped from her breath as she hung her head.
"Do you remember what you said to Bell before he and his team left? And the question that he specifically asked you?" Riveria posed the question to him to his own conclusion.
Finn rattled his fogged mind, attempting to conjure up the memory that for some reason seemed so out of reach. Before he could focus for too long he was interrupted.
"He asked you if there was anything that they needed to know before they left. You told them no."
Finn met Riveria's intense Jade eyes, connecting the dots as she spoke. Giving her an attentive mhmm as he followed along.
"They're under attack as we speak."
Finn's stomach sank within him to a level that he hadn't experienced in so long.
"No." He immediately thought to himself as he recalled the look in Bell's eyes before they left.
"Good luck, I mean that." The cautious rubellite eyes of the fast leveling adventure wrinkled in the corner of his eyes. Though there still remained that fragile trust, yet underneath there was hope.
But how and why everything came to be this way in this moment? His mind raced again and again, replaying the blur of memories trying to make sense of everything that had transpired in the past few hours. Actions, evidence, words shared.
"What am I missing?"
"If you were awake you would've heard this next part, not that I'm blaming ya with blood loss and all-.." A gruff voice said in the space of Riveria's silence. His voice continued with not a vague annoyance, but frustration at the matter at hand. At something that could've been avoided. Perhaps it was blame placed upon himself for not bringing the matter up himself earlier, regardless it was useless to ponder about it now.
"-but Aiz said she found a summoning circle down there. Now you can't summon a bonely monster like that. It's like the Gale Wind said before, the Juggernaut is nothing but the consequence of someone's action against the dungeon. In this case here, Evilus did a summoning of sorts that must've warranted that bastard being birthed. Leaving us with whatever they summoned must be the thing with Bell now."
Gareth finished conveying the information that was amassed while he was out, but that only further confused him. Tightly closing his eyes, he began to shake his head not out of frustration but as the lingering headache came to swell within his cranium.
"It's safe to assume that whatever was summoned is hunting them down, and after Gareth and Bete told the rest of us of your previous discussion during the battle of the Juggernaut, Aiz left because she believes you-..."
Finn struggled to open his eyes as the headache swept over him in waves with each pulse of his heart.
"She believes you lied to Bell, putting him and his team in harm's way."
Riveria's still eyes pierced Finn with the horrid reality at hand.
"I wouldn't do that, Riveria, you know I wouldn't do that. The boy has been a valuable part of this entire mission." Finn said, struggling with words as the headache wrought itself upon him.
"I know that, but Finn you need to understand the situation we are in. After he came to us with a temporary alliance for this mission, you told him we'd cooperate in any and every capacity. You know they are close. You've tested him, you pried about him and his teams abilities, and we lied about Evilus, while he gave us everything he had, and broke a gag order from the Guild for our safety. If the Guild found out, they could be penalized into oblivion. Even worse now, they are under attack potentially by the same monster that had slayed every other adventurer leaving only the man that Aiz found and the smith to survive. This?.. No.. -No matter if Bell somehow survives, it won't be just his trust that was betrayed, you must understand that it is Aiz's as well."
Immense guilt and confusion washed over him in this vulnerable state. With his mind clouded, and body feeling light and weak, he tried to fight such emotions, to regain his focus to put together a plan. Compelled by the guilt of such ill fated events befalling upon him and his team after all that they had done. He knew that this was not something he had intended as Riveria's words spoke clear and true. Bell would not see it that way. No, not at all. If anything happened to his familia at all, there would be no trust in other than Aiz, that Finn is sure of.
He felt compelled to salvage the situation, not for his own interests but for Bell and his team. There had to be something he could do, a plan that he could formulate.
Forcing the cogs of his mind to bear fruit with a plan, a faint ahh escapes from his lips. A plan. Surely, yes, one that could help.
"Over the time we've shared, I know that look, Finn. But unfortunately due to your current state as well as the current state of familia relations and the state of the mission, I will be taking lead until you have completely recovered. Now is no time to push or test your limit. Please understand that this was not an easy choice for us all. You must prioritize recovery above all else. Do you understand? From here on out, we need to be very careful."
Riveria spoke carefully, bearing great mind that this was not such an easy topic to approach. Leaving Finn speechless as he processed everything she had said. The temporary removal of leadership, only to be replaced by his vice-captain. Which meant if things have digressed so far and so quickly it was due to his carelessness in believing he'd be able to operate in the same capacity as before, even after barely surviving an attack that would render most people at the mercy of death.
Here he realized how grave of a mistake he had made at the potential cost of an ally.
"I understand. When the time comes, I'll do everything I can to mend this. I assure you. Is there anything else, Riveria?"
"You're all caught up now, that's the situation. We have to leave, per our previous agreement if anything were to happen to you or anyone of us we are to return to the nearest safepoint, that being Rivira. While either myself or Gareth take temporary lead. Coincidentally enough, Bell's team is on the way. And we will give them our full support, again per our previous agreement."
"Very well. Then shall we waste no more time?"
Finn clung to his spear as he slowly rose to his feet. Despite the lack of strength and headache that plagued his body, he stood as tall as he could.
"We shall." Riveria said where she turned to Gareth and Tiona. "Would one of you kindly offer your assistance to Finn?"
With the fire left as burning embers, the dungeon floor shook and groaned before they could leave. In the space of the floor there awoke a wail that assaulted their ears. Whatever calm air that they had recovered suitable for the circumstances at hand immediately vanished as the dungeon awoke. In its place a great uncertainty hung itself in the forefront of their minds with too many questions. And no answers.
Without words, they came together and left the twenty-seventh floor with great haste. Hoping that the time they had used would not be in vain, and that Aiz along with the others will reach Bell and his team in time.
Hope against such fearful odds.
"△▼△▼△▼△"
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! Thanks for making it this far! This one is a long one, 8K words. There is a lot that happens here. I even triple edited and had it peer reviewed by another writer. So everything that happens is relevant to the story (yes even the amount of exposition via dialogue). I believed that the last part with the Loki familia may have gotten a little confusing considering we are viewing the world from someone who is half awake and asleep. So I tried to clear as much up as possible to avoid confusion.
Before we go any further I wanted you all to know I composed an orchestral song for this fanfiction for both yours and my own enjoyment. I attempted to add some familiar themes into it. So truly I hope you all enjoy it. The link will be in the comments and it is available to listen on Soundcloud.
And finally, we are at the first third mark, more or less. There is a lot to dive into the last two. In saying that, as we approach the end of the first third sections, I ask for your patience as things will get a little dark, things will happen, magic will be cast, and light will finally be shown. So once more, I ask for your patience in order for us to get to that light at the end of the story, we will have to go through hell to get there, but I assure you it will be one wild ride that you all won't forget.
Thank you once more for your time and patience, and stay safe out there.
Perspective break test:
Star
Bold Star
Quotated Star
"***"
Nagatsuki
Quotated Nagatsuki
"△▼△▼△▼△"