Author's Note:
Hey all,
another week another chapter.
Posting a little early so I have more time to do other stuff besides writing this weekend. Hopefully
Anyway, this is the end of the raid and other stuff I guess.
Enjoy the Asuna as next chapter has very little of her.
Later!
Chapter 7 – What it means to fight a Monster Rex
The sound of metal on metal clashes reverberated endlessly through the large chamber. The high ceilings and sheer rock walls payed no mind to the hundreds of combatants shuffling in their midst.
Over and over again metal crashed, and fresh screams rang out, another one who had met their death on the seventeenth floor. Blood ran thick on the floor, making it a treacherous foothold for any whom dared to fight on it. Yet, it ran only a single colour, black. Try as one might, the distinctive red tinge from the blood of the children of the gods could not be found.
The reason for that is singular, none of it was being spilt. Despite the tens of monsters that crowded the chamber and pressed in on the adventurers, the fights all ended only one way, the death of the monster.
"A spear!" Roaring his need, an adventurer stuck out his hand and waited impatiently for me to deliver the weapon to him.
"Right away!" Fumbling slightly, I recover and present the weapon far faster than I would have managed at the beginning of the day.
Trying to hide in the midst of my party, I deliver and change out weapons to any who ask for them. To my surprise the backpack had held a plethora of weapons inside of it. Astrid assured me she had packed it light as to not overwhelm me. Even still just walking with the thing was a struggle. I don't know what had happened to my previous backpack, the one with the magic stones and drop items in it.
"Move it boy!" Eyes drawn by the shout; I see a pair of dwarven adventurers ream into Lind for being too slow to give them the new weapons they want.
No doubt.
I shudder to myself. The speed at which they fought beggared the imagination. In a couple of seconds, the whole scope of the battlefield could change. The encroaching monsters which had been forcing back a line of shields could be mowed down by a spell, or a well-timed charge by the vanguard. Trying to not get run over in the chaos was hard enough. Trying to be helpful was almost impossible.
"My halberd please."
Still somehow retaining her manners and poise, Astrid asks for her weapon before reaching me.
The six-foot weapon which is strapped in a loop on the side was part of what made me so easy to locate in the swarm of humanity.
Grateful to get rid off it, I yank it upwards out of the hole it sits snuggly in. Unbalanced at the awkward angle, the weight of weapon is too much and starts to fall.
"Thank you."
There to save my blunder, Astrid takes the weapon out of my hand at a jog before it can impale anyone.
"Garfor!"
Calling the name of someone at the front, Astrid rushes for him.
The half-dwarf is currently struggling against the 2-metre monster he faced off against.
The bull-headed beast is one I've come to respect during my trip through the middle floors. I understand now why Kirito and Argo hold them in such high esteem.
"Rargh!" Lifting its large stone axe, the nature weapon provided for it by the dungeon, it brings it down with tremendous strength. The power in the swing far surpassed even that man from the market, or Kirito with whatever strength he used to defeat him. This was the strength of a monster not only classified as level 2 but was so confident in its power it tended to roam the dungeon on its own most of the time.
The half-dwarf Garfor met the axe with a perfectly timed raised shield. The collision merely adding to the cacophony of noise.
Into the gap created, Astrid struck. The coordination was impeccable. With its axe stuck high, the minotaur was completely exposed for the blinking thrust. Penetrating the half-bull's chest, a resounding crack signified the end of the monster as it shattered into dust.
Retreating quickly, it was if Astrid was never there to begin with.
Stepping forward another minotaur took the place of its fallen compatriot. This one swung its great stone axe from the right.
It didn't matter though. Like clockwork, Garfor trapped its weapon and Astrid disposed of it.
It was particularly unfair for the monsters. They threw wave after wave of powerful creatures at the adventures. Any of the attacks were powerful enough to shred them to pieces. Yet, it didn't make a difference. The familias showed why they were the strongest in Orario. More than individual talent, it was teamwork and strategy that enabled them to excel against these mindless opponents.
Within another minute, the rest of the monsters were dead. It had started by running into a train of monster likely on their way to a pantry. As fighting got underway, the dungeon had dropped a monster party on us. None of it mattered. The elite adventurers still looked bored. The lower ranking level twos were panting from exertion. That was all it had achieved.
No casualties.
No injuries.
After hearing about the similar event that had wiped out half of the raid in the beta, the difference was night and day. Diavel was wrong. It wasn't manpower they'd been short; it was skill, status, and maybe most importantly, cohesion.
"A meeting please." Shakmi's commanding voice rang around the chamber. Nodding their heads, my three leaders went over instantly. Snorting, a werewolf from Freya familia sauntered over shortly after. He didn't bother bringing anyone else with him.
I'd since learned that he is the one currently designated as the strongest adventurer in the world. Ulfric Brögsson. The beast of a man easily commanded the respect and attention of everyone present. Even when compared with the powerful leaders of Ganesha and my familia, his overshadows theirs.
I understood know why Astrid had laughed when I asked if she was close to his strength. It wasn't simply about numbers; it was about presence. Maybe all together the leaders of our familias could defeat him, but it didn't seem that way. It felt like an unwinnable fight, which is all that really matters.
Wanting to hear the topic I focus my sensitive ears on their direction. I try to drown out the auxiliary noises. The laughs and shuffling of gear. A few people have out whetstones, trying to sharpen any dull edges the blades may have acquired during the fight.
"That was really something, wasn't it?"
Sighing, I discard my attempts to eavesdrop. Turning around I focus on Lind, who is ashen faced. Wearing a smile, no doubt he's trying to stay strong.
Shrugging, I hope I come off as nonchalant. "It was a new experience."
"Eh?"
Based on his tone of voice, it worked. I allow myself a secret personal smile. If I'd been in Goran's party instead of Astrid's I'd probably look as bad if not worse than Lind right now.
"I just, couldn't keep up," Lind complained. "First, they'd ask for a shield, and I go to take one out then they'd yell at me about being slow, and why wasn't a prepping a spear, didn't I know what I was doing. Did you get none of that?"
Blinking slowly, I shake my head. "They asked for stuff and I gave it to them," I explained with a shrug. "I'm sure Goran designed it as a learning experience for you."
"Maybe," Lind grudgingly admits. "I think they're just bullying me though."
"Anyway, I wanted to ask you how you found the middle floors." Ignoring his last statement, I focus on what I wanted to ask him about.
"Terrifying," Lind admits. "I think I almost peed myself when I saw flames coming from the hellhounds' jaws."
Usually I'd make fun of someone for admitting this, but not now. Nodding my agreement, I arrived at the same conclusion. Everything Kirito had been saying was starting to come together for me. The number of monsters, the frequency of spawns, the strength of the monsters, the different traps… It was all on a different scale since the thirteenth floor.
"Are you two ready?" Sauntering over, Goran stops before the pair of us with his hands on his hips. "Please understand what you are about to face is unlike anything you have experienced before. While I know you may be tempted to flee or run away. Absolutely do not. Your party members will protect you. Do you understand?"
Nodding mutely, Lind and I could muster no reply.
What could be so much worse that he needs to warn us now and not before we entered the dungeon?
"Follow closely behind your party when we enter the Goliath's chamber," Goran instructed. "Loki familia will deal with the Goliath's left flank and the passage to the eighteenth floor. Freya familia has demanded the rest of the goliath leaving Ganesha familia the monsters from the seventeenth and support on Goliath."
Saying no more, Goran left, leaving us to fall into our respective positions.
"Good luck," Whispering some words of encouragement to the terrified Lind, I leave him to let him figure his own problems out.
Kirito:
"Rargh!" Roaring my frustrations, the enhanced goblins are blown away under the power of my swing. It just feels so lame… I was supposed to be teaching Asuna about the dungeon and now she's the one killing floor bosses. The whole situation is very… Irksome.
"Amazing…" Rain's soft words do nothing to fill the discontent within me. These things are just weak, I feel like I'm doing practice swings rather than actually pushing my limits. On top of that my status growth rate has taken a sharp nosedive…
"Do you think maybe next time I could fight one?" Philia asks hesitantly.
"Huh?" Distracted from my thoughts, I focus on the girls large, brown eyes. I'm still not used to looking at her head on. Blushing slightly, I instead scan the dungeon floor.
"Well?"
"Uh, what was the question?" Feeling bad I really don't know what it was. She distracted me, then I was looking into her eyes…
"I want to fight!" Punctuating her words with a stomp, Philia was clearly not happy. "How am I supposed to improve with you slaughtering everything we come across!?"
"Have I?... But I always left you at least one each…"
In reply both girls shook their heads in denial.
With Argo focused on the map of the floor she was detailing; it was just the three of us talking.
"When did I stop?"
"A while ago," Rain tells me honestly. "A little after lunch maybe?"
"Oh… sorry." Saying nothing more, my words trail off leaving the room in an awkward silence.
"Is something wrong?" Philia asks. "You seem so distracted and yet so intense when you fight."
Scrunching my hair in my hands, I don't know what to say. Nothing is wrong, and yet I feel like everything is. I should be happy, I'm making rapid strides through the dungeon, and have more friends now than I ever did in the real world. I get to live out my fantasies as a swordsman, and yet, now more than ever, its not enough.
I feel like a second-rate fake. Totally dispensable.
"I-I just feel… weak I guess." The words are out of my mouth before I can even really process them. Or why I said them.
Looking at each other, Rain and Philia don't immediately answer.
"Maybe its because Hestia always encouraged me, telling me how I'm probably one of the top adventurers from our world, but I'd never really considered the NPC ones, you know?"
Why am I still talking?
"Hey, you finally figured out how to use your mouth, Kii-bou!" Coming back from her mapping, Argo slapped me on the back.
"I don't know what you expected to be honest Kirito…" Rain adds softly.
"You can't just expect to be the best from the beginning." Philia finishes.
Looking away again, I'm sure I'm blushing. Why did I say such stupid things to them anyway?
"You went all out to save us Kii-bou, and we appreciate you for that. So, when you aren't strong enough to do everything on your own, we will be here to help."
At Argo's words I let out a long sigh, releasing the building anxieties that have started to plague me.
"I guess all I can do is take it one day at a time, huh?"
My words must have incited some similar emotion in all three of them as they simultaneously reach out and try to ruffle my hair. The presence of three hands causes a lot of banging into each other and very little of its intending goal.
Trying to hide my smile it did do one other thing though. It cheered me up. Something it seems I'm constantly relying on women to accomplish.
"How about you three take point on this floor?" I suggest. "It will help your statuses grow as well as giving you more practice."
"Uh, sure," Rain accepts with a reluctant shrug. Glancing at each other, the girls seem confused why I'm offering.
"You better be ready to help out though!" Philia admonishes me with a finger wag.
"Of course," I assure the girl.
Trailing at the back of our four-man group is a new experience for me. A spot usually reserved for mages and supporters; I'd never really occupied it before. Walking along I find I don't really mind it. With it comes a new perspective and time to think.
Having been calmed down by the girls, I can now fully appreciate just how high strung I've been. Isolating my emotions with a now clear mind, the reason becomes glaringly obvious. Just as I learned about all of these adventurers who are leaps and bounds stronger than me, my growth rate plummeted.
Unable to do anything about the first, my mind produces several possibilities for the second. First, the presence of Rain and Philia is what has significantly slowed down my growth. This seems highly unlikely, especially since lately I've been taking literally all the monsters.
Next that comes to mind is that I've simply outgrown fighting against these monsters. In traditional MMOs one constantly has to fight against new monsters as they level because the old ones just don't give enough experience. This seems plausible, but a little early for the enemies on the ninth floor.
Besides those two, only one more option presents itself: how I view the combat. Something I've heard even since the beta that's stuck around in the back of mind is that it isn't only about the creatures you fight, its how you fight them. If you view it as a chore or maybe, disregard them as weak as I've been doing lately, then just maybe…
"Get it Philia!"
"On it!"
Blocking a Kobold Fighter's claws with her swords, Rain opened a gap for Philia to strike down the beast. Working together well, the pair step over the fallen kobold and move onto their next target a Killer Ant. Their hard carapaces make them a challenging opponent for most people.
"Same plan!" Calling the shots, Rain swings her swords straight into the Ant's pincers. Impacting solidly, it traps the combatants in a battle of strength which Philia quickly brings to a close with a well-placed strike.
"Impressive…" I can't help but mutter congratulations as Argo brings down the last of the few enemies left.
"You think so?" Rain beams with obvious delight.
Nodding, I have to ask, "where did you learn that?"
"Nahza taught us some stuff yesterday!" Quickly filling me in, Philia is just as excited about their battle victory as Rain.
Truth be told, I've never seen anything like it before. Two people working together to defeat enemies. Any group I've been in is kind of a free-for-all. You either deal with the opponents attacking you or you died trying.
"The reason she didn't teach you earlier?" Argo asks in a dry voice. Despite the rough way of asking I can tell; she, like me, is very impressed.
"W-well, I'm not sure to be honest," Philia admits, looking to Rain for help.
"I think I heard mention of us having to figure some stuff out on our own?" Rain further clarifies in a voice with little confidence.
"Well what else did she teach you?" I ask in what I hope is an aloof enough tone to hide my excitement.
"Not much else," they admit, "just enough to begin working together in combat."
Still, with one lesson in the evening… I feel like they've learned more about how to work together in the dungeon than I knew. It was slightly humiliating.
"Shall we keep moving then?" Philia asks excited.
Smiling at their enthusiasm I wave them on. Taking up my new mantel as supporter I follow the girls deeper.
Asuna:
"Oh my god…" Containing my scream of fear, the words are the only thing that I can get out of my throat.
Its huge.
The monster rex of the seventeenth floor.
Goliath.
Standing up its enlarged head sat on a disproportioned body at least seven metres tall. Essentially a naked man with no genitalia, its gray skin shimmered a sickly glow. On its head rested a mop of greasy black hair. The bangs of which hid its eyes from view, leaving only the mouth as its sole feature. A feature that took up far too much of its face.
Stumbling, I'm almost pushed to the ground as my familia shifts into their position. Blushing I run to catch up to Astrid and where I'm meant to be.
"Not bad," Astrid greets me with a smile. "I thought for sure I'd have to carry you into position."
I want to reply, but I can't. For as impressive as the goliath is, another feature of the largest room I've ever been in draws my attention. A flat wall that stretches from one end to the other. I remember it briefly from Diavel's story. "The Great Wall of Sorrows…"
"So, you do know some things," Astrid nods in approval. "Yes, it is quite a sight to behold."
"It's beautiful," I murmur in the last seconds before combat is joined. "Why is it called sorrows?"
"There are a couple stories about that," Astrid laughs wryly. "One says that when people first looked upon it, they felt sorrow knowing that they'd never be able to create anything as perfect as it. Others say that the Goliath wasn't spawned when adventurers first reached this floor. As they gazed in wonder upon this wall, they saw it shatter before their eyes to release one of the dungeons favored children, the goliath."
"Which do you believe?" I ask Astrid's back as she moves forward to join the vanguard.
Turning around she yells one final answer. "Why can't it be both?"
Put in a good mood by the conversation, the endeavour doesn't seem quite as bad as before. Meaning I'm not paralyzed by fear at least.
"Mages on me!"
Hearing a distinctive voice, I look to the left. Peering though a gap in the mass of humanity, there she is, Mirel. It was her voice. Gathering around her were members from all three familias. The only similarity between them all is the weapon they wield, a staff. The magic users of the familias.
"HRRRRRGH!"
The great cry overshadowed every single noise in the room. Even the sounds of hundreds of adventurers and their gear was completely drowned out by the strange echoey noise. It could barely be called organic. Yet, there was only one name for it, a howl.
"Line up on the entrance! Let none past you!" The voice following the howl could be heard from the far side. It too was one I recognized. Shakmi Varna, captain of Ganesha familia.
"Engage!" Overpowering her, is the booming voice of Freya's captain. Giant sword held aloft easily with one hand, he points it at the goliath.
As both of their voices ring out, a new sound takes over the room. Not the clash of adventurers against the goliath. Or even its demonic cry of rage, but another. The sound of hundreds of monsters rushing to the aid of their lord.
"Kree!" The howls of tens of different kinds of monsters blended together into one deafening cacophony. This was the voice of the dungeon. The combined might of all of its children ready to kill any whom have dared to enter its depths.
"Spears ready!" Shakmi cries, "Archers on the hellhounds!"
"Contain its movement! Trap it against the wall!" Goran answers in an equally large voice.
As if not to be outdone, Ulfric raises his voice, "mages begin casting in two minutes!"
Standing there mute, I stare numbly as battle is joined on multiple fronts.
Every time the Goliath tried to move, Loki familia is there to attack its knees. With blows landing on its weight-bearing joints, the giant creature is forced to backpedal, attempt to keep its assailants in front of it. My heart soared seeing my familia do so well.
Roaring its disproval, the Goliath slammed its fists against the ground. Right into the waiting masses of Freya familia. I didn't see how it was possible, but it appeared that the massive fists were completely absorbed by the soldiers in heavy armour. Responding with their own attacks, the Goliath came away the worst in the trade.
At the same time, Ganesha familia got their first taste of battle. A swarm of Minotaurs led the charge out of the multiple tunnels connecting to the rest of the seventeenth floor. Behind them were Liger fangs looking a stray adventurer to jump on. After them came a multitude of hellhounds, muzzles trickling fire in preparation for burning the adventurers.
Despite all of the rage, all of the reinforcements, they crashed against Ganesha familia like water on rock. The initial creatures fell immediately. Behind them, the exposed hellhounds barely had time to widen their eyes in surprise before a hail of arrows brought them down.
HRRRRRGH!" Dismayed that its reinforcements failed to ease the pressure put on it, the Goliath howled again. Barely a minute into the fight and the floor boss was almost pushed into a corner.
Refusing to go easily, the goliath cocked back one of its massive fists. Putting all of its momentum into the swing, it tried to break Freya familia's defensive line. With the strongest attack I've seen, I saw no scenario in which the armoured warriors came out ahead in this encounter.
"Weak."
The condescending word could only be spoken by one who has treaded far deeper and fought against far stronger. A man who has put life and limb on the line time and time again to improve. Compared to him the Goliath was nothing more than an overgrown baby. Annoying, but not worth any particular attention.
Jumping over his line of soldiers, Ulfric's giant sword met the Goliath's fist in a resounding collision. The noise was loud enough to dominate the entire room.
It didn't seem fair. One sword against the massive fist of a floor boss. And as my eyes widened in disbelieve, I realized I was right, it wasn't fair.
Roaring in pain and anger, the Goliath stumbled back from the encounter. Long rivers of black blood flowing from the knuckles unfortunate enough to taste the strongest blade in Orario.
Equally pushed back by the collision, Ulfric's body gracefully traced a long gentle parabola to the middle of his familia's ranks where he landed without even stumbling.
"Go to the mages."
"Huh?" Blinking in surprise Astrid is beside me again.
"Hurry!" she emphasizes waving me on with her hands. "They'll start chanting soon and I want to see the magic Loki is so excited about."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!" Astrid groaned, "Leave your pack here and run. Shoo!"
Listening to my party leader I allow the too heavy backpack to fall to the ground and run to where I last saw Mirel. Pushing my way around some of the reserve and backline fighters, I make it.
"Asuna?"
Opening her eyes questioningly, Mirel inquires into my presence.
"Astrid sent me." I explain swiftly.
"I see," Mirel nods quickly, realising time is short. "Stand beside me and start your chant after me. Don't use your magic until I realise mine."
"Got it." Glad the instructions are easy to follow; I position myself a few feet to Mirel's right and a half step back.
"Barrage!" Continuing to deliver one-word commands, we have our instructions. With the order given, I tense up in preparation. I'd made it with barely a second to spare.
"Let loose the red flames of war.
Burner of all, I call on you."
Mirel's voice is hypnotic. Focusing on her form, standing upright, red staff slightly extended, I can't help but envy her. Possessing a sharp beauty, the elven lady currently resembles some empress of fire.
"Solid Stone. Pounding pebble.
Master of Rock. Lord of earth."
Not missing a beat, Droyman's voice rings out from just behind me. Blushing I'm not sure how I missed him. Caught up in the ringing melodies around me, I try to focus on each individual beautiful song, together weaving a harmony of unstoppable power.
"Oops." Breathing my mistake, I catch a harsh glare from Mirel out of the corner of eye.
Face the color of her robes, I rush to catch up.
Chanting the familiar lines, verse after verse falls from mouth. For some reason, it seems so much easier right now. Glancing down, I think I get my answer.
Mirel's magic circle is entirely consuming my body. Over two metres in diameter, it dwarfs mine which barely extends past my feet. Determined not to make a fool out of myself, I focus my energy into the spell.
"Hold!"
Barely getting the last verse out before Mirel's command, I'm almost the last one to finish. Based on the fact that I was the last to start, some of these spells have very long triggers.
"Retreat!"
Calling the distinctive word, Ulfric orders everyone away from the Goliath who had been hemmed in against the far wall. Over a hundred feet away, its by far the furthest scale I've ever tried to use my magic on.
"Blessing of Surt!"
Needing no word to fire, Mirel lets her magic act as the signal. Flames rise and circle her body before dispersing outwards over us. Trying not to scream, I feel only a slight tingle as the flames wash over me.
Not sure what just happened, I realize that's a question for later. The magic energy begs to be released and I can't hold it for much longer.
Please reach.
Begging my magic to live up to the power I know it has, I point my staff and name it.
"Vannforlengelse!"
Forming the water into long spears, I hope the aerodynamic shape will aid in penetrating the thick skin of the floor boss.
Eyes widening, my breath slightly hitches. For its not the normal water I've become accustomed with. A flickering layer of fire surrounds it.
Mirel's magic.
It must be. Her magic was a buff to empower everyone else's.
No wonder she was so insistent to go first.
I note with a smile.
Tracking my spears, they launch forward with impressive velocity at the pinned floor boss. Not just them, but an array of other magic, all coated in a thin film of dancing red flame.
"Comet Crash."
Naming his magic in an almost lazy tone, a brown magic circle swirls to life over the Goliath's head.
Too busy trying to fend off wave after wave of magic, it doesn't notice the circle until it's too late.
Opening with a grinding finality, giant flaming boulders descend from it. Focused all on the defensive monster rex, it truly is a devastating blow.
Falling on the creatures unprotected back, the flaming boulders do massive damage, scorching the skin black, they knock it to its knees with giant concussive shockwaves.
The barrage lasted less than a minute, but it's more than enough.
The shaking form of the Goliath is trying and failing to rise as it drips black blood in waterfalls from injuries all over its body. The once unmarred gray skin can only be found in stray patches. Otherwise the once proud floor boss has been painted black from its blood with burns and scars adorning it from head to toe.
"Finish it."
Seemingly bored with the whole endeavor, Ulfric sheaths his sword and allows his familia members to finish off the poor beast. Likewise, Ganesha familia looks bored, having abandoned the now quiet tunnels of the seventeenth floor. Even the Loki familia parties that are now jobless look bored with the thing.
"It can all change so fast," I murmur to myself, giving the room another once over. Before the barrage, everyone was still a little on edge, as if disaster could still strike. After it went off though, they all relaxed, the top adventurers anyway. As if the Goliath going down was a sign that it was over.
As cheers rang over the room, I realized with a smile, that it was over now. The Goliath and all its minions are dead.
We won.
I just witnessed the death of a creature that even Kirito hasn't.
Having this one advantage over him causes my heart to soar. It may be cheating, but I can feel it. The gap between us closing.
Kirito:
"Damn! I forgot how much I hate these piece of shit Ant monsters!"
"Oh, they aren't so bad Kanu. Kinda nostalgic after all this time."
Stopping, the loud voices echo strongly form in front of us. By the sounds of it, another party of adventurers is coming toward us. Based on their voices, I pick up on another irregularity: they're native adventurers. A phenomenon I was going to have to get used to.
"How you want to play this Kii-bou?" With a serious face, Argo has stopped our party and asks for my input.
Frowning, I consider my party. Logically, we should have nothing to fear. But if the man from the market is the norm, which is a terrifying thought, then the multiple women may draw us into a fight.
"Do you think you could pass as men until we have passed them?"
"Rude," Rain sniffs. Regardless, she still pulls her cloak around her and the hood as low as it can go. With her slight build though, it makes little difference. Most people would assume it's a woman underneath it.
"Too many people hiding under hoods is suspicious anyway," Argo argues back. "Just let Philia wear hers. She has the most chance of passing off as a half-prum boy."
"I'll try not to be insulted," Philia grumbles. Nonetheless, she dutifully follows the suggestion and dons her cloak around herself.
Satisfied, I nod my approval. "Philia stay at the back and act like a supporter."
"Grr…"
I can practically hear the sound of Philia's teeth grinding together as her palpable anger washed over me.
"It's not permanent," I assure her. "Just until we pass them."
"I know," despite her words, the tone is still a level of sulky I didn't think was possible.
Walking at the front, I lead our party in a roughly diamond formation. Argo to the left, and Rain to the right. Straight behind me is Philia wearing the mantel of supporter.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"
The voice is obnoxious. The man with curly brown hair is an animal person, I think, but their animal ears are covered by their hair. Tapping his longsword against his shoulder, the man has stopped his party on the other side of the straightaway.
Most of the ninth floor is composed of large chambers with ceilings stretching up to four metres. Far higher than the previous floors, it gave it a much more open feeling than the higher floors of the dungeon.
What I'm looking down now is one of the few somewhat narrow passageways. They connected the different sections of the ninth. We were leaving one and him another.
"You cleaned that section?" The man asked in his strange almost nasally voice. The demanding tone set me on edge.
"What do you mean?" Paused on the other end, we're practically yelling at each other across the 20-metre separation.
"Are you an idiot, boy? Did you kill all the monsters in that section?"
Bristling at the idiot comment, I contain my anger. "Obviously." Maybe I didn't fully contain it.
Narrowing his eyes, he leads his party across the passageway to us.
"You're one of them, aren't you? A world-walker."
World-walker.
I'd never heard the term before, but I understood what he meant. I also understood the deeper implications, he is indeed a native adventurer. As I expected.
Nodding sharply, I shift my feet into a more defensible position. The interaction so far hadn't been smooth.
"One month and you can survive the ninth. One month!" This time it wasn't the leader, but one of his subordinates. A smaller fellow with a thin face and short black hair and eyes to boot. Overall, he just looked sulky.
"One month." The leader agreed with a scowl. "In that case, I think you owe us…" Trailing off, I could determine the reason why.
He had finally locked in on Argo and Rain. Slowly his face shifted, pure greed reflected in his eyes.
Frowning, I prepare for a fight. That was an expression I was becoming far more familiar with.
What is it with all of these native adventurers?
"Gonna teach them a lesson Kanu?" The last of their posse asked with a moronic chuckle. The largest of the three, the shirtless man wielded a large club. Based on the slur in his speech, he'd hit himself with it too many times.
"I'll offer you a deal boy. "The leader, Kanu, spoke happily. "Either you can give us all of the magic stones you have right now, or you can give us these girls for the night. After all, you owe us for the time we lost in the dungeon."
"They're on the ninth though Kanu? You sure about this?" Whispering from behind Kanu's back, the small black-haired man's words were audible to all.
"Meh, of course I'm sure," the man spat. "Afterall, how strong can you truly be after one month?" Dismissing the man, he turns back to us and closes the distance to under a few metres. "Well, your decision."
"You'll be getting neither."
Mouth opening, I pause. Argo had spoken before I could. Stepping in front of me, I've lost command of the situation. I've been upstaged.
"Watch this, will you Kirito?"
Stepping beside me, Philia dumps the larger supporter bag beside me. Silently on the other side, Rain does the same.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Voice cracking under the strain, I'm sure I look pathetic mouth open, stuttering my words. Regardless, I can't help it. Spread out in a triangle they act like they're protecting me. But… they're the ones they want.
"Wh-what are you doing!?" Echoing my pathetic stutter, Kanu does the same thing at a shout. Backing up slightly, he puts his blade between himself and them.
Supressing a chuckle, I can't help but wonder what expressions the girls must be making to elicit this reaction.
"If you want your prize, then come get it," Argo snarls, "If not, then run away."
Gaze flickering back and forth between the three of them, Kanu's determination seemed to crack. "Tch, crazy women!"
Yelling one final insult, Kanu waved his party to follow him as he stalked past us in the direction we came from. Following him with our eyes, it seemed like he was trying hard to not run away.
"Dosveydanya!"
Waving goodbye, Rain shouted her traditional Russian goodbye at their departing forms.
"Is that magic!?"
"Run!"
Not recognizing the foreign word, the group of three takes off at a sprint to avoid the incoming magic.
As their forms fade around the corner we break into howls of laughter. The whole situation didn't make sense. What an odd turn of events.
"How did you do that?"
Gathering myself together, I ask the girls. From behind them, I'm unclear exactly what made the men give up.
"They were cowards," Philia shrugs, seemingly bored with the scenario.
Nodding, Rain puts in her two cents. "They were looking for easy spoils, not a fight."
"Bah," Argo huffed, "Based on that sheen in their eyes, they're addicted to something and needed a wake-up call."
"Hmm, I guess I can ask Eina about them… Maybe she'll know something."
"Who is Eina?" the twin voices of Philia and Rain push me back half a step. Facing first me, the surprised girls whirl on Argo. "Well?"
"His guild advisor," she explains with a roll of her eyes. "Seriously, just because Kii-bou's saved you a couple times now, you don't get to the play the role of jealous girlfriend."
"Jealous!?"
"G-girlfriend!?"
Reacting to different things, Rain and Philia seem to think they aren't jealous. I on the hand, am more concerned about Argo's final word.
"You mean, like a girl who is a friend, right?"
The three looks I receive are less than assuring.
"Sure Kii-bou."
"A-alright." Continuing to believe my version of events, I can't help but feel that a schism exists in how the four of us see things.
Picking up the bags, I resign myself to the position of supporter for the rest of the day. Watching the three strong women walk confidently at the front of the party, a smile forms on my face. I really am blessed having friends like them looking after me. Immediately following the thought, a small hole gnaws at my heart. A part of our group is missing. Even with the four of us, I keenly feel Asuna's absence. The last missing member of the party.
Asuna:
"Oh my… It's beautiful…" Gazing upon the eighteenth floor, I felt my breath get taken away by the bright floor and the crystal sun within. Standing barely past the rocky wall and the tunnel entrance that leads to the seventeenth, I spread my arms and close my eyes. Not caring for how I look to the others, I let the wind racing between the trees sweep over my face. The impossible scenery buried eighteen floors deep.
"Welcome to the under resort!"
The name was perfect for what I beheld. Few monsters, and the ones we do see are more concerned with looking for food than fighting. The high arching ceiling more than 20 metres high at the lowest point was completely covered in a clear crystal quartz.
"After we've finished setting up, I'm sure the girls will show you a familia secret you're bound to enjoy."
Smiling at me, I can feel Astrid's warmth. Despite her somewhat harsh teachings from earlier, I feel the budding friendship between us.
"Hehe, ready for the tour, Asuna?"
Staggering under the weight of my assailant, I only barely manage to catch myself after staggering a couple steps. Standing up roughly, Mirel is hanging off me, her arm wrapped around my neck.
"Well, you seem to be in good hands," Astrid laughs. "I'll leave you alone then."
"Not a chance Miss vice-commander!" Denying Astrid's attempt to leave, Mirel hooks her other arm around her neck and drags us both.
Whether caught off guard or simply allowing it to happen, Astrid stumbled along beside me.
"So, what should we go see first?" Mirel asks.
"We need to investigate the remains of Rivira," Astrid sighs, "see what's left behind from the evacuation."
"You got it!" Mirel sings happily. "After that, to the bath!"
"Bath?" Ears perking up, I catch the distinctive word. One of my few guilty pleasures, I can't deny my longings. I love a good bath. Sitting in the warm water as your stress melts away…
"It seems Loki spoke true," Astrid laughs. Away from the group, she seems a little bit different. Not much, but a little freer in what she does and says.
"Yeah, what were her words? Just bribe Asuna with a bath and she'll do anything for you?"
"Hey!" I splutter in retort. "I will not do anything for a bath! Just some things…"
Breaking into laughter, the conversation continues to flow naturally as we follow a path deeper into the eighteenth floor.
"So, where are we going?" I ask after about ten minutes of walking. They'd mentioned something about a Rivira, whatever that is.
"To that rock outcropping right there," Astrid points with her right hand as we summit a small hill. Standing here we get a complete view of the eighteenth floor. There, right in the center of the floor is a gigantic tree. Its humongous trunk must reach close to 50 metres, with the ceiling another 50 or more above it. Standing on the hill, we're barely above its highest branches.
Off to the right of it is the outcropping Astrid mentioned. The jagged rock structure resembling a natural fortress. At its base, a small lake, it's moat I decide with a smile.
"There is usually a town built into that there. It's called Rivira after the adventurer who founded it."
Nodding along with Astrid's words it takes a minute for them to sink it. "A town!"
Screeching the words, I can hardly process them. The dream of this scenery collapses under the memories of the seventeen floors of hell I had to cross to make it here. How was it possible for a town to survive here?
"Jeez, calm down," Mirel berates me with a roll of her eyes. "The eighteenth floor is a safe zone. No monsters spawn here thus making it the perfect spot for a dungeon town."
"Right," Astrid agrees. "It's incredibly useful as it allows you to refresh here and sortie deeper into the dungeon. It saves about a day compared to returning to the surface each time.
"At least," Mirel agrees.
"Deeper…" Eyes wandering I search for where the nineteenth floor would be. I was so focused on the seventeenth and the inevitable eighteenth, the goal from the beta. The deepest anyone from my world knows about. It all seems like a joke now though. The forces in the raid had been severe overkill for what was required. Now I hear that there are enough adventurers strong enough to make runs from the eighteenth to the surface to establish a town down here.
It's happening again. For the umpteenth time today, I can feel the preconceived notions about what the dungeon is get shattered and reformed again. Every time that I finally think I get it, something changes that. How many more times would this happen before my outlook is correct? Or was it possible I'd never be able to fully comprehend this ambling structure that has surpassed my expectations time and time again?
"Hey, Bluey, stop zoning and let's walk. The sooner we get this out of the way the sooner we get to bathe."
"B-bluey?" I protest weakly against Mirel's words.
"That's right," she nods. "Look at you. Blue from your feet to the tips of your hair.
"Not her eyes though," Astrid points out.
"True," Mirel concedes. "Guess we'll need to fix those!"
"F-fix!?" I stutter. In the real world that would involve simply buying colored contacts. Here though?
"She'll need some sort of magic item," Mirel declares. "Like a necklace that turns her eyes blue!"
"Do you honestly think something like that exists?" Astrid inquires with an arched brow. "That a competent item maker wasted their time on something like that?"
"I'm sure they have!" Mirel announces with renewed passion. "After all, the Gods are obsessed with entertainment and whims. Something that can change eye colour is sure to be a hot commodity with the eccentric ones."
"You may actually be right," Astrid concedes with a blink. The pace of her tails swishing picking up pace a little. Surprised to be finding herself actually agreeing with Mirel.
"Tada, we're here. We saw it, can we go yet?"
"No," Astrid chastises the eccentric mage lightly. Flicking her lightly on the back of the head, Astrid proceeds through the rocky outcroppings which come together to form a sort of natural gate.
Crossing the rock is a wooden sign clearly made by people. On it reads, Welcome to Rivira! The 334th.
"The 334th?" I ask in disbelief. They couldn't possibly mean…
"Yupp!" Mirel confirms. "They've had to rebuild this pile of ricks three hundred and thirty-three times. Soon to be three hundred and thirty-four!"
"Why?" My voice is steady but weak. On the verge of entering mental shutdown once again as they continue to pummel me with ridiculous information.
"Well," Astrid smirks, a small smile sitting on her lips, "the rouges that call Rivira home tend to be cowards. It's far easy to grab what you can and run than it is to fight off any monster swarms."
"C-cowards?" I squeak. "B-but, wouldn't they be really strong?"
"Not really," Mirel disagrees, shrugging noncommittedly. "They tend to be adventurers who come to Orario in hopes of becoming a first-class adventurer with all the fame and fortune that comes with it."
"And those dreams get rapidly crushed," Astrid giggles. The vice-commander façade has been entirely stripped away by this time. Instead all that remains is a girl gossiping with friends.
"Or they realize how much work that will take and instead take to selling illegal items in Orario." Mirel agrees with a laugh.
Picturing these people in my mind's eye, I could sympathize with how easy it would be. Without someone or something behind them to continue pushing them forward. Back home, would I have studied so diligently without my mother making me? Probably not.
These people are risking their lives every day. The stress to do that, day in, day out, for years on end… I can't imagine the stress that would pile up. Either you'd adjust to the death or it would destroy.
Or you quit adventuring.
That would be the most logical option. It is what gives rise to these rouges that they mention. People who can no longer handle the stress of venturing deeper into the dungeon and facing the unknown.
"Hey! Wipe that gloomy expression off your face Asuna! This is a time for fun!" Yelling at me, I had to stop walking or I would have walked into Mirel's finger hovering less then one inch from my face.
Rolling her eyes, Astrid grabbed Mirel's hand and removed it from my vision. "She is right you know. Try and not think on things too deeply right now. You have a lot of time to process it all."
I know they mean well, but its impossible to stop the eyeroll. How am I supposed to stop thinking about the impossible things I keep encountering?
"Are we done here yet?" Mirel asks. "Asuna clearly needs her relaxing bath."
"I'm not that desperate." Retorting I can feel my face heat up in clear denial of words.
"We'll just make a quick scan of the town, clear any monsters and see how it looks." Astrid affirmed with a smile.
"Ugh."
Walking alone the forlorn rocky paths that resembled streets, I could see the outline of the town remaining. The dungeon had clearly reclaimed the space though in the time it's been empty.
From the previous conversation, one question comes to mind. "What keeps you two adventuring?" The more I thought I about it, the more these rouges that have quit trying to become stronger make sense. Conversely, these adventurers I'm with are the strange ones. The ones that continue to push for strength, and for what? To make money faster?
"Anakitty…"
"Riveria…"
Speaking two separate names, I'd effectively killed the atmosphere of the group. The tension was so thick, walking was a struggle.
"S-sorry for asking."
Shaking her head, Astrid waves it off. "Don't be. Everyone's lost someone. An idol, a sister, a friend."
Frowning, I process their answers, but it doesn't sit right with me. "I'm sorry if this sounds insensitive, but wouldn't losing them make you want to adventure less?"
"Absolutely not!" Mirel shot down. "I'm not a high elf, I don't ooze grace and pride, I may not have access to nine spells, but I have to try!"
It's the most impassioned speech I've ever heard from Mirel. For once there is no hint of laughter of mirth in her voice. She's revealing her innermost desires to me. The revelation is humbling.
"I'm not special, I know that. That's why I have to keep pushing forward. To get stronger. Help restore some of the lost elven pride."
Reaching out, Astrid places a calming hand on Mirel's shaking body.
"I'm sorry." There's little else I can say. The fun and flowing conversation are distant memories. Destroyed by my desire for information.
"Oh, ease off yourself Asuna," Astrid sighs. "Just ask your questions. They may seem insensitive, but I'll bet your even closer to Mirel after this!"
Glancing at Mirel we both instantly flinch away and begin blushing.
"You know I think I understand what Loki sees in woman after seeing you two like this!"
"We're not doing anything!" Firing back, both Mirel and me unleash on our vice-commander.
"Grarg!?" Coming from around a corner, a confused snort interrupts us telling Astrid off.
Focusing on it, it resembles a bear. However, it stands on its rear legs with glowing red eyes and long brown fur.
"Oh, a bugbear!" Astrid announces calmly as if the previous exchange had never taken place.
"Kill it and let's hurry this up," Mirel grunts. Her eyes flick quickly between Astrid and I, a new nervousness that was never there before. Despite the nonchalant words, it's easy to tell that this conversation has rattled Mirel.
As Astrid steps forward to deal with the Bugbear I place my hand on hers. "Thank you."
Sharply turning her head to look at me, Mirel says nothing in return. However, I can sense a tension flow out of her body. Breaths aligning, I feel the truth of Astrid's words. We are closer now.
Kirito:
"Kirito…"
"Hey Syr." Having returned from the dungeon, I stopped at the benevolent mistress for supper. Standing in front of the bar, our meeting is awkward. The last time I'd seen her Hestia and Shakmi were both in the room. There was no opportunity for us to talk about it.
"You came back…"
Just like that, Syr made words unnecessary. The tangible hope was evident in every word. Hope that I would forgive her. That this wasn't the last time she'd see me.
"Of course." Smiling, I attempt to put all my good will into those two words. "Your food is worth enduring a few broken limbs."
The words are light, but Syr still flinches. "I-I didn't want that to happen, I swear Kirito. I thought he'd grandstand more and… I thought Shakmi was closer."
Reaching across the bar I grab one of Syr's hands. "I would say I forgive you Syr, but there's nothing to forgive. People like him need to be stopped and if I have to suffer a mild injury to do that, then so be it."
"Kirito…"
Swallowing, I continue my impassioned dialogue, "I know I'm not as strong as Shakmi, but I'm getting stronger, so I'll do my best to protect you."
"You've become quite the womanizer, haven't you Kirito?"
At Syr's voice I quickly snatch my hand back. Thinking back, the words I said, while holding her hand… My face lit up. How could I have done that?
Swishing her skirt back and forth, Syr held her hands on her cheeks. "What's a girl to do when you say words like that Kirito?"
"I'm not… I mean I didn't!"
"Huh?" Syr squealed. "Your going to steal my heart like that and pretend nothing happened?"
"N-no, I didn't I mean…" Pausing, I recognize that twinkle in her eyes… "Your teasing me, aren't you?"
"Maybe a little," Syr agrees. Tilting her head, she winks while sticking her tongue out. The act is childish, but also undeniably cute.
Sitting down at my barstool, I wait alone for awhile as Syr runs around serving customers. Fingers repeatedly tapping the same repetitive pattern against the oak countertop. It was the only obvious sign of my discomfort. Strangely enough, I felt like I was the one who owed Syr something now. How does this always happen?
"You alright Kirito? You look like you're getting sick?"
"Oh, Syr!" Looks like I've run out of time. "Yeah, well I was thinking…"
"Yes?" Syr inquired. Leaning over the countertop, her face was little more than half a foot from mine.
"Well, I was thinking, since you were the first to ask…"
"A date?" Syr inquired with a tilt of her head. Her smile morphed into a one I saw rarely. True happiness, not one of the masks she usually hides behind.
"N-no!..." I stutter pathetically, her gray eyes only a few inches form mine now. "I just thought, since you wanted to go shopping… We could umm, go…"
"Now?" Syr asks surprised, her eyes flickering around her half-filled restaurant.
"Why not?" I ask with a shrug. "Surely you must take some time off."
"Yes…" Syr admits. "But the girl who can cover for me isn't here today…"
"I see…" I mumble with disappointment. And I was. I really wanted to walk around with Syr, have fun picking out clothes.
What happened to me?
I don't think I could have imagined a more painful experience even a month ago.
"How about this then," Syr compromises, "Next Friday, we will all go shopping. You, your goddess, your four girls. Anyone else you want to invite. It can be a little apology trip."
"I don't want it to be an apology though…" I fight back.
"Ah, well I'm sure your friends certainly feel like I owe you one. Plus, I'm sure together we'll provide more than enough fun for you."
For some reason her promise of fun freezes me in fear. Hands shaking slightly, I try to swallow my fear. Thinking on it now, walking around with all six girls, at the same time… How could this be anything except a disaster? Also, should I invite Eina? No doubt she'd like a day away from guild work to relax.
"So, what do you want to order?"
Just like that we slipped back into our familiar routine. The events of earlier no more than an interesting memory, no longer a blot on our relationship.
Asuna:
"Finally!" Mirel sighs, stripping off her clothes in one fluid motion. Cloak, dress, underwear, all gone in one practiced motion. "This is what I've been missing these past months!"
With no regard for the rest of the women surrounding the secluded pool, Mirel launches herself in. The water is perfect, a translucent blue that's fed by a waterfall.
Eyes scanning to its source, I find where the water emerges from the crystal wall but can tell no more than that. It seems impossible to have one in the dungeon. After all, wouldn't it continue flowing until it flooded the bottom floors? Keeping my thoughts to myself, I pass over it as just another quirk of the dungeon. An impossibility no doubt solved through an explanation of magic.
"You aren't going in?"
Posing it as a question, Astrid has begun removing her armour as well. Looking around I see that most of the other women in Loki familia have joined Mirel in the pool and are talking to each other. The others have taken up defensive positions around the pool. To stop spies and deal with monsters. It's a huge comfort having them there for me. The thought of bathing defenceless in the dungeon otherwise would be a nightmare.
As Astrid slides off her leather dress, I realize I'm the last person. Everyone whom is getting in right now is already in. "Coming!"
Needlessly declaring my intentions, I set about removing my clothes with a vigor as to not be entirely left behind.
Waiting for me, I feel Astrid's gaze examining me as I finish removing my underclothes. "W-what is it?"
Flushing under her gaze, I feel a brief flash of fear thinking Astrid may have similar intentions to Loki.
Reaching out Astrid pinches one of my upper arms.
"Eep!"
"Going to have to work on that," Astrid declares with a frown. Your body's fitness is independent of your status. Therefore, if your body is in shape, you'll have an advantage over someone with the same status.
"O-oh, right…"
"Eh? Stop feeling up Asuna's body and get in the pool already!" Mirel cried from the center of it.
Doing so of course attracted every single gaze to us.
Apparently unaffected under it, Astrid nonchalantly puts her hands on her hips and talks back. "I'm not Loki Mirel, and I'm coming."
Glowing red under the gazes, both real and imagined, my hands shake as I finish removing the final pieces. Positioning myself behind Astrid, I hope to avoid most of them.
Astrid, unfortunately, reaches her arms up and touches her fingers together. Finishing that she bends over and touches her toes, leaving me awkwardly glancing at the girls from behind her.
"Here I go!" Calling out her intention, Astrid takes one step before leaping into the air and aiming for middle of the pool. Impacting just in front of Mirel, the splash is miniscule as the cat-woman expertly enters the water.
Unable to follow such a performance I dart for the edge so I can sink myself into the water's obscuring presence.
"Why so shy?" Floating over on her back, Mirel's red hair is spooled about her head like a spot of everlasting fire that the water couldn't quench.
"I'm not used to public bathing…"
My weak reply seems to mollify Mirel.
"Don't worry," she answers with a smile, "We're a pretty easy group in Loki familia."
"That's good to know," I laugh in reply.
As I stand there chatting with Mirel, my nerves start to go down. The water is soothing and feels amazing on my aching muscles. Even with minor fighting the chore of walking all this way with a heavy bag was intense. My back and shoulders are tight from strain while the bottom of my feet ached with the pain of a full day's use. Eyes closing, I allowed myself to relax against the stone wall of the pool, my aqua hair blending in perfectly with the surface of the water.
Instincts flaring, my eyes jump open to scan my surroundings. Like a pack of hunting dogs, the other girls had formed a rough semicircle around me and were slowly tightening it.
"So, you're the only girl Loki recruited?"
"Wow! Your skin is perfect, it must be so nice to be an elf."
"U-umm." Stuttering, my eyes flick quickly between the various girls closing in on me.
"Calm down girls," Astrid instructs with an eye roll. "You'll all have plenty of time to get to know her."
"Yeah!" Mirel agrees with an aggressive nod. "To start off you should tell us about this man of yours!"
"EH!" A cry rings from the surrounding girls. An excited gleam enters all of their eyes.
"Is in another familia?"
"Does Loki know?"
The barrage of questions doesn't stop, all started by Mirel. Shooting her a glare, I press my back into the wall. That's all the room I have though. Without getting out, I can't get any further away from the circling girls.
"Actually, I find myself somewhat curious," Astrid admits. "Loki mentioned you were trying to get her to buy a boy."
"Loki said that!" Spluttering I'm unable to get a reply out. I remember having a conversation like that… But still!
"So, how'd you meet?"
Mirel's question finally gets them to settle down. Expectant silence from my familia members. Getting flashbacks to when Rain and Philia did the same thing, the heat in my cheeks rises. From embarrassment yet again, but not because I'm surrounded by naked women, but because of my history with Kirito.
"He's not my man, just a friend."
Snorting and rolling their eyes, none of them seem to believe me.
"It's true!" I insist. What is it about women and not trusting me when I say that?
"Sure, it is," Mirel soothes. "So, the meeting?"
"W-well, I went into the dungeon on my own and not prepared. He found me there."
"So, he saved your life and you fell for him?"
"That's so cliché!"
The chants ringing out are too much. Sinking into the water, I leave only my eyes above the surface. Blowing angry bubbles out of my nose, I wish I had the courage to dispute them. To stick up for myself. But any words to the contrary will only make them more positive in their assertions.
Unfortunately, I can feel the bath and the atmosphere begin to take hold. The relaxing aura of comfort where secrets that shouldn't be shared are. Where taboo topics are freely discussed. A place where half-formed thoughts are expressed as fact. I try to fight against it, but I doubt myself. Its an intangible force, scarping away repeatedly at your willpower. The desire to give the pulse of conversation more gossip to feed its endless desire.
Struggling to keep my mouth closed, all the scenes from the past two weeks that are sure to shock and amaze them keep rising to mind. Eyes scanning once more over the giggling girls, I sense it. What Mirel had told me, what I'd never experienced in the real world. That although they act like normal teenagers, they're adventurers. They know the concept of loyalty and familia. Relaxing I bring my head above water. After all, who can you trust if not family?
Take-Mikazuchi's Home:
"So, how did it go?"
Kneeling in front of the god of martial arts were twelve people, adventurers. They kneeled in two separate groups, divided into six people each.
"We survived Take-Mikazuchi sir." The captain of the familia replied with a serious deep baritone. He kept his eyes respectful on the ground in front of him. "However, the top floors of the dungeon were packed with adventurers. We will have to descend further in order to make the magic stones we require to survive. Yet alone make enough to send back home to Amaterasu."
"I see," His god replied with a long sigh. "Thank you for being so candid with me Ouka. Now that the stipend the guild gave as compensation for the dungeon ban is over, we must work hard to keep our familia aloft. I've done my best at the Jyaga maru kun stand, but still, it does little to cover the expenses of adventurers."
"Our apologies Lord Take-Mikazuchi!" The six kneeling on the right shout out in perfect unity. Some of the others try to copy the statement, but any words are mumbled and slurred with a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief.
"No, don't apologize," the god dismisses good naturedly. "Also please stand up, we're a familia, aren't we?"
"Lord Take-Mikazuchi, I believe I have a solution!" Standing up straight, a girl with long straight hair the colour of midnight spoke. Her voice full of respect and reverence.
Like clockwork, the admiring eyes of the five boys in the left group tracked her.
"Yes, please speak Mikoto." Her god permitted with a smile.
"I think we need to descend in two groups. Our new recruits need more time to learn and get stronger on the upper floors. Meanwhile, we need more money and therefore need some of us to go lower and bring back higher quality stones."
The impassioned words were spoken with the fervor of a kunoichi completely devoted to their lord.
Frowning, Take-Mikazuchi doesn't immediately agree with the words of his favorite disciple. "We are a familia Mikoto, I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with the thought of breaking you into multiple parties."
"I agree with Mikoto," Ouka rumbles in his deep voice. Standing beside Mikoto his large frame gives extra weight to the request. "Just us and Chigusa can easily traverse the tenth and eleventh at this point."
Nodding slowly, Take knew they spoke the truth. Both Ouka and Mikoto were days away from level two. All they needed was one push to get over that barrier. "Actually, I was talking to Miach the other day. His child made a breakthrough, a dual potion that recovers both body and mind."
A rumble passes through the adventurers. The news was certainly noteworthy, but not relevant to the quandary they face.
"One of the ingredients in the potion are blue Papillion wings." Take-Mikazuchi explains further. "If you could find them, I'm sure Nazha will buy them for a high price."
"Isn't that… A little shifty Lord Take-Mikazuchi?" Mikoto replies, clearly uncomfortable disagreeing with her god.
"I don't mean to extort them or anything!" He denies quickly. "I merely meant that they are in need of the ingredient, and it will help our money deficit. Nothing more."
"Forgive me Lord!" Realizing how her words sound, Mikoto's body seems to float in the air for a moment. Gazing upon her in wonder, the other twelve in the room simply stare as she descends and lands in a full-body bow, the dogeza.
Taking a step back, there is little Take-Mikazuchi can do to resist the power of a full-on dogeza. "P-please get up Mikoto. I know you meant no offense."
"I can't do that my Lord!" Mikoto screamed back, face to the floorboards. "I doubted the sincerity in your heart!"
Staggering backwards a bit, the six off the to the side look on with an emotion bordering on fear. After a month of similar experiences though, they were starting to get used to the strange dynamics and multiple personalities of some of the family members. Usually a straightforward and dependable fighter, Mikoto had taught them how to fight with respect and poise. When placed in front of their god however, it all seemed to disappear.
"Should we do something Keita?" Whispering, the shortest of the group, a boy named Ducker asked the pseudo-leader of the six.
"They'll sort it out I'm sure," he answers back with a sigh. "Let's go make supper, I'm sure they'll be here awhile."
"Hai!" Answering him in union, the six enter the kitchen without a backwards glance at the standoff in the entranceway.
"So, what did you guys think of the dungeon?" Asking excitedly, the lean man has a gleam in his eye remembering the day of roaming the dark halls.
"The monsters are scary…" Speaking honestly the lone girl of the six shivers in fear.
"Don't be that way, Sachi!" Keita rebukes her. "A couple more days and you'll think nothing of them!"
"Alright…" Giving up without a fight, Sachi accepts the words of her leader and backs down.
"You fought well…" The quiet words are nearly inaudible to the group. Sneaking in unheard, one of the native adventurers grabbed Sachi's hand. With short black hair, her bangs blocked her eyes from view. Standing next to Sachi the girls were of a height and resembled sisters when standing like this.
"Thanks, Chigusa." Smiling at the girl, Sachi felt some of her fear from the day fade. Having Chigusa and Mikoto in the familia had been very comforting for Sachi. They were girls whom she could confide her fears in. Every day they continued to comfort her and assure her that one day she'll get home to her world.
"May as well start supper," Ouka grumbles walking into the kitchen. "It will be another ten minutes before they're done arguing about whose fault it is."
"Aye Aye Captain!" Replying lightly to Ouka, the adventurers jump to work on preparing the meal.
Snorting, Ouka's stony face breaks into a small smile. "You all did well today for your first time in dungeon. I know you've been steadily getting more upset about not being allowed to enter, but hopefully you now fully appreciate the forms and skills you've been using."
For Ouka, it was a marathon speech. Chigusa looking up at him with admiring eyes only served to further the stoic man's embarrassment.
"Ah, no, yeah… It was helpful…" Mumbling in answer, it was up to Keita to reply to the big man: not an easy feat. After all, the 'getting more upset' that Ouka had mentioned was more severe than how Ouka had phrased it.
Take-Mikazuchi had insisted on them learning battle techniques in the safety of their home before venturing into the dungeon. It had come to a head last week, when they had finally gotten fed up with the training and lack of growth in their status. They wanted to fight monsters. So, they got an offer, if they could beat Take-Mikazuchi, a god with no falna, then they were free to do what they wanted in the dungeon.
It hadn't been close. They were all taken out in one move which was refined to its limit. The raw skill of the god was unparalleled by even top-tier adventurers. The absolute limit for what was achievable.
"Good." Ouka rumbled in reply. "Then we in Take-Mikazuchi familia are glad to have you."
"And we're glad to be here," Sachi informs him with a smile.
The words are true too. Ever since they let go of their anger at not being able to enter the dungeon, they found a strange peace in the home. An atmosphere where they could be themselves.
Making supper they joked and had a good time together. The distance between the twelve adventurers steadily closing.