Weird phenomenon
Here lies the vanguard of Adventurers, deep within the dark place of the world. Its a world that was once engulfed in Chaos and monsters now changed due to the actions of a few heroes who've risen to combat the spawn of the deep. The dungeon, a world unexplored to Mankind. as it came to pass, these children of Humanity slowly uncover the mysteries within the deep. Proving themselves to be worthy of the title: Adventurers!
"Position!"
*Somewhere beneath the surface*
"Form up the line and continue to fire!"
A roar of fire burst through the mages staff as it battles another incoming fire from another.
One by one, the blue fire of the other was stopped at the cost of near exhaustion on the mages part.
Across the distance a few of the surviving vanguard force battled the beast in close quarters, giving the mages time to chant for another round of attack.
"Alicia! mana potions, please!"
"Here"
As she drank the disgusting blue colored water, her conciousness retained its earlier strength and soon, her mental capacity returned to continue the mind nubbing chant.
As minutes went by, the serpent beast was finally beaten. Its body came crashing down as the immense firepower of the mages burst through the thick dark skin, ripping the necks and plunging it towards the fire. Whats left of the remains simply disentegrated to dust , leaving a valuable
Item for the victors to claim. The deepest floor is now open for view.
"Finn, what do you think's down there?" Gareth murmured.
Right beside him is Riveria resting on a rock, drinking a blue vial of mana potion to regain her mana strength.
"Bete's senses said the tunnel reeks of danger, no sound nor air or anything can be heard deep below."
"It's probably deep if that's the case, whatever it may be, we will uncover whatever lies on that floor." Finn followed by a smirk which gave the two confidence and curiosity of whats to come.
After an hour of rest, prep and planning the group was formed in a circle as opposed to the three system rules like they used to. The Advanced force, vanguard force and rearguard force. Finn decided it was best to stay together when dealing with the unknown, 'see it, observe it, then plan' is what best for him.
The group then entered the tunnel, not large compared to every floor they passed from the middle floors to where they are, it is very unusual for this to be narrow, but not too narrow nor too wide.
the loki familia is like a snake, the path keeps getting narrow and narrow and this alerted finn. Before entering, he hesitated on sending bete and cruz alone to uncover the path and deemed it too dangerous, but now regretting that choice he was about to order the group to halt until he glimpsed far ahead. The eyes of Finn's race: the pallum are special in the dark as they can see far beyond compared to other races in that manner. Luckily for finn, he doesn't need to issue orders as the cave gets wider as they pass through.
Behind finn, the group continuously communicates with one another as a form of security and safety. After all, fast communication is key to organize in an event something occurs, just in case. As the front liners walked for minutes, they soon glimpsed a small ray of light from afar. Finn, using his eyes could not tell any difference even with his attribute. The light shines the same way as the others perceived it. But as they get closer and closer the light shines brighter, covering the path itself. It seems like the entrance to the floor is beginning to show.
Finn redirected his gaze on the beast folk knowing their roles, sniffed, listened and smelled everything as they could. No danger, no sound nor smell could ever be detected aside from nature itself. The dungeon is very unusual but not this level.
Feeling motivated and the adrenaline of finding whats over the other side now growing, finn ordered the group to advanced. Its not just finn that is filled with adrenaline. Everyone else is feeling thrilled and anxious of whats to come. Riveria was monitoring ais but remained focused on the light, gareth peeling and trying to see whats beyond the light, bete smirking as if facing a challenge, ais for once had eyes widen to see whats on the other side, the amazon sisters smiling at whats to come and lefiya, feeling nervous and proud of reaching this far with everyone else. At this point, Everyone is on edge, focused on the one thing they are looking at: the Light.
The three leaders first reached the light, followed by the rest and as the group entered, the light shone even brighter than before. Now, everyone is slowly blinded by it. Finn suddenly felt pain in his thumb, another special attribute of his that sensed danger or something to occur.
Finn looks at his surroundings and begins to see white on every angle. Now slowly losing sight of the others, he moved to grab the closest and for a moment he looked at gareth and riveria before they too, disappeared from his sight. Suddenly the light somehow emitted sounds of which is so painful for the elves and the beast folk. even their cries are drowned by the sound of the light... Then suddenly, they feel air. Strong air towards their face. But the air is coming from below. And then for finn, his fears were confirmed.
The rock from where they were standing disappeared. Replaced with air, they are falling.
Everyone is falling. Finn can finally see everyone. On one handz he was glad nothing happened to each and everyone after an intense speculation on each of the members. But on the other hand, they are passing through the clouds and can't see below if its Land or Water.
"Finn!"
Gareths sudden shout alerted finn and everyone else. "Are you alright? Is everyone alright?"
"Aaaaaahhhhh!"
"Crap! I dont wanna die"
Everyones color dried as they soon to realize they are far above the clouds.
Finn was even more confused on how this could've happened? How come the dungeon is capable of creating such an area of immense size? Not even seeing what's below.. the clouds and the sun or light? Finn is bewildered but whats more important for him now is how do they survive this?
"Water. I hope its water below."
Everyone else is confused by the sudden change of landscape. Riveria despite studying magic and the unnatural world that is, could not comprehend such a thing to produce this scale of space in the dungeon. She assessed the situation and slowly lost her confidence and stoic mentality cause of one thing: how far are we falling?
Now fear entered her mind and despite her efforts to contain it, she could only look at others in their helpless situation, everyone including finn and gareth are wide eyed at the height they are at. Still no land or water. "Is this eternity? Was that a trap we fell into? By the Gods!"
Finn thinking and assessing as fast as he could on what to do in this situation have come into one realization. Wind magic!
"AISS!"
Even ais was stuck in fear of height let alone imagining the ground to be water is her worse fear. but hearing finns voice shocked her and everyone which puts her out of the shock state that she was in before.
"Your wind! Use it on everyone!"
At the orders of her captain, she bagan to rapidly release her ariel ability and each and everyone is slowly covered by such elemental power.
And before they knew it, the falling slowly decreased but still falling. Ais felt a sudden mind numb for unleashing that many for her conpanions. Finn then noticed far below the deep blue. Water.
"Water!" Gareth screamed.
Upon hearing that water is below everyone else were glad that there was a chance of survival. Ais simply entered her anxiety phase and riveria in mid air, got close into her to calm her state.
Soon they are close to the water and everyone assumed standing position. But as they reach closer, finn noticed on the other side of the horizon, an entire landscape covered in thick ice.
"Icey region... just like in floors 60-68"
This time, riveria began chanting to give everyone the protection needed for every element.
"Unleash veil breath!"
With the chanting complete, everyone is covered in green aura with the wind that ais used to protect each and everyone. One by one, each impacted the water at huge depths due to the height that they've drop from.
Splashes of water rose far above the surface level and the loki familia managed to survive despite odds.
Surfacing the water, finn and the captains were first. Ais was basically unconscious from exhausting her ability and definetly not the water.
The water current is strong, smashing the adventurers who desperately swam but couldnt due to the strong water that pounce on each and everyone. Riveria despite underwater and leaving ais body to the sisters managed to hold her breathe and chanted a powerful Spell:
"..wynn flymblutr!"
Forming a temporary surface of ice above water, everyone cling on to the sides despite its cold temperature.
In a few minutes it looks like everyone managed to climb with the last few such as riveria and ais.
This time, they are confronted by the reality they are in
"Finn, what do we do now?" Riveria commented.
Finn trying to assess their current situation, speculated every angle of the horizon. Clouds far above, the light that appears to be a sun? And the ocean with the icey region a little farther. What bothered him most is that.. everything seems soo natural. "The light on the sky? How far above is the ceiling from where we came from? How do we get back up?"
Weighting everything and things they could do. It seems impossible to return at the top.
"But.. how is it possible, the scale of space down here? It's a hundred times bigger than orario."
Never before seen of this scale.
All of this to finn, just seemed too natural, its terrifying!.
Finn now looked towards his close companion, and above all, riverias face.
"Riveria.."
"Its just.. Other-worldly here."
"How could the dungeon create such a thing?"
Now everyone after resting heard their conversation and wondered the same. "How do we return?"
Slowly, fear engulfed everyone. The thought of never returning to the surface alone is enough to poison the adventurers trapped far below. But, even deeper? Thats just insanity. Riveria, finn and gareth now looked at each other.
"We need to get to the icey region over there, and then plan our next move." Finn said.
"Agree, lets settle first before doing rash." Riveria replied.
"I will look at the youngsters, riveria! Make a bridge for a path over that ice." Gareth commented.
Riveria once again, chanted and for a minute another ice road is made for the path to the icey region. Facing the amazon sisters behind her, she approached and asked one about ais condition.
"How is ais?"
Tione: she's fine Miss riveria. Just asleep and tired.
"How are you and everyone?"
"..."
"Shocked."
Suddenly raul chimed in.
"Its beautiful in here."
"Indeed, it's beautiful. I can't believe the dungeon is capable of creating such a thing." Anakitty replied.
On riverias left, a golden haired elf joined the conversation.
"Miss riveria, are you alright?"
Assessing herself and her condition, riveria straightened her back and respond to the elf girls concern.
"I'm alright Lefiya, ais is doing fine too."
"I hope we can return soon."
Thinking it may not be possible under their current circumstances but despite the odds against them, riveria choose hope over lost.
"Fear not, we will return up there. As long as we stay together and protect one another."
"Hey raul! Why are you staring all over the place?"
Suddenly disturbed, the young man collected his thoughts after everything that they've been through to get here.
"it's just..everything is just so.. peak."
A few minutes into the ice, the loki familias captain announced new orders for the group.
"We will move forward and venture beyond the ice region. Our most important priority as of now is finding a place to settle! I've seen a few fish as we plunge from earlier, tione and tiona are working hard so assist them as much as possible.
And lastly! After collecting enough fish, we will move!."
Soon everyone dipped below the freezing water.
Except for ais and the executives. Currently the male and female begin to separate as each take off their wet clothes, the men are top naked while the women simply wear their soaked clothing.
"they're so lucky they have no breasts."
"Huh?"
"Erm..what the flip?"
Meanwhile tione and tiona are busy catching fish, their unique amazonian skill allows them to easily navigate the difficult current and swim around like a fish. As the rest of the group could barely last on the freezing water, ais wallenstein slowly arose to see the current situation they are in.
"Riveria?"
"Ais! Are you alright?"
Feeling pain in her back, she points the location of her pain and riveria places her finger tips on the spot which emitted green glow. Soon ais felt much better and managed to stand to be greeted by the setting light over the horizon.
"Are we.. really in the dungeon?"
"It seems so. No matter what it presents, it just seems so wonderful, like the floor 18 ceiling."
Ais processed her words and looked over the edge of her view. She can see the clouds, the sky, the water in the ocean? everything that the surface world of theirs has to offer. Everything seemed natural, and this disturbed her.
"I just.. can't believe it's beautiful."
"Indeed, it reminds me of the port city of meren." Riveria commented.
"Miss ais! Are you feeling well?"
Suddenly a golden haired elf named lefiya appeared.
"I'm alright now lefiya."
"Thank you for the Wind, miss ais. We wouldn't be here without you."
Compliments like that brings a heart warming tickle on the blonde girl's heart, ais wallenstein a level 7 Adventurer and the swords-woman of the loki familia.
"Are you fishing?"
"Yes miss ais! Would you try to div- oh nevermind."
"Yeah.. water isnt her strong suit after all these years. Thanks for the save by the way."
"Anakitty.."
"How are you ais? Feeling good?"
*Nods*
"Alright, make sure to be careful on the ice, it's brittle, rough and slippery."
"Yes miss/Lady Riveria."
"How are they Riveria?"
"They seemed fine finn, i just hope we can move on from here. but I don't see any land or anything from here aside from that Ice region."
"I find it odd to believe that such a thing is right there."
"?"
On careful inspection, the ice itself is slowly cracking, still strong compared to Riverias temporary island berg. But it feels as if it will soon crumble and slowly seperate bits by bits until the water consumes the rest.
"Finn, do you think that ones not natural?"
"Yes."
Processing finns observation of the region, riveria came into a sudden realization of the peril state they are truly in.
"We need to move quickly then if we are to survive here. That ice is our hope if we need a means of travel."
"Precisely! in a few minutes, please call tione and tiona out."
"I understand."
Riveria nods and went back towards the group.
Below the depths, tiona and tione are busy slashing through the waters missing and only cutting a few fish in precise manner that would not cut in half, just enough to make it bled and taken back at the surface. While they are at it a new type of fish appear, except its big, very big.
"Guh!"
"Hrrrhgggmmm!"
Gurgling in the waters, tiona forgot to communicate using hand waves and tione was confused for a split second. But this split second confusion is fatal. The beast rapidly accelerated towards the two and it caught one of them in the leg.
Above the surface, cruz and raul noticed the sudden wave smashing and upon closer inspection, saw tione being dragged from his left to the right.
"Hiryute sisters in danger! Sea beast below!"
"What!?"
"Crap!"
Tiona desperately try to catch up, using all of her strenght and speed, she swam at tremendous speed and for a moment is able to match the speed of the monster dragging her sister. Tione being pulsed by the strong water pressure was forced to bleed as the beast dug its sharp teeth into her leg. Tiona managed to slice the sea beast at its tail finns but it soon dove deep below.
Horrified, tiona screamed while tione was slowly losing her strenght and power until a sudden lightning struck the beast far below the waters.
Electricuting it, the beast simply stopped and was dead in the water. Tiona managed to catch up and retrieve tione, but the beast soon awakened and opened both jaws intending to bite the two until tione managed to pierce the spear at the sea beast jaw. Injuring it, which whirled away from them.
Tione bleeding, fell unconcious while tiona swam her back towards the surface.
They are met by raul and cruz who've dived below to rescue the two.
"Jeez you two, bunch of pathetic scrubs getting caught by their own hunting."
"Shut it bete, How are you two?"
Asked lefiya.
"That things huge! It looks like a snake but fat!"
"That lightning of yours is terrifying you know, lefiya?"
"Im just glad you two are safe."
"Humble as ever."
Across the distance finn and gareth were over the edge and approached the sisters.
"Young lads, careful next time. We dont know a thing on where we are now."
"I'm glad lefiya managed to react so quickly. Well done lefiya, and the two of you for your efforts in fighting that beast."
"Tiona, what strenght do you categorize that sea beast?"
Still shock about what happened, tiona managed to recall the strenght and the speed of the beast that almost made tione its dinner.
"I'd say it is a level 6 beast.
I'm level 7 and yet, i barely hurt that monster. When tione stabbed it with the spear, it felt more annoyed than taking us after that."
Riveria listening towards her input, felt even more serious about this place than she ever had. A dungeon this deep below would trick anyone into thinking this is a new world, a new place to start when the creature is close to that of a monster rex strength on the middle and deep floors.
"Tiona, rest well. i will heal you next after I'm done with tione."
"Yes Lady riveria.. Lefiya!"
Suddenly the golden haired elf looked in her direction.
"Thank you for saving us."
"You're welcome."
"Gareth.."
"What's up finn?"
"Later tonight, we will leave. You take the vanguard force as usual, and riveria the rearguard."
"We're not restin here hmm?"
Finn looked below at his hands, observed the thumb, it seemed to not ache or react or some kind. Whatever he is doing now. Its a better way than waiting until an unexpected occurs.
"We need to move away from here. The ice region, we must traverse and finds a place to settle than we linger here."
"Aye aye then."
"Also, riverias spell wouldn't last long. It would probably melt tomorrow."
"Gotcha!"
Finn looked over the horizon, seeing the orange light setting over the seas. It would only be a few minutes before darkness engulfed them, he feels the need to move now rather than later, but seeing the exhaustion of his familia members, he had no choice but to stay for a few moments until then. What he fears is what the night has to show for them. Winged creatures in this open area would be a death sentence. It does not help that the waters surround them, sea beasts like that will most likely appear making it harder to fight in the waters with no surface to stand. Most of all is the cold. Hypothermia would most be the greatest threat once riveria is exhausted or injured.
Finn faced the group once more to give his last orders.
"Everyone! We will leave in short notice. I understand some of you are exhausted and tired, injured even. But staying here would be dangerous for our condition. Riverias spell wouldn't hold for long and now with night approaching, it's best if we move than we linger here for long."
Slowly, everyone stood up despite the tiredness taking a toll on them, tione was placed on a stretcher as she was unconscious from the amount of blood loss on her leg.
And so, crossing the narrow bridge that riveria had placed the group now slowly begins the journey towards the unknown.
Somewhere in the ice region.
The loki familia group has been walking for the past few hours. Exhausted and cold ridden adventurers forcing themselves to push on, and the few switching places to carry tione unconscious body. The blonde pallum wondered why such peace exists in the region. Nothing at all aside from the thick ice that spans almost all the horizon. Beside him is the vice captain of the familia, Riveria Ljos Alf. A green haired Elf, but not just any normal elf, the princess of the High elves who once was a typical princess now turned into a battle hardened, capable leader under the familia.
Finn noticed her stare over the horizon as he does. Curious of whats in the mind of his Vice captain, finn asked the following.
"Riveria, did you notice the ice formation?"
Riveria upon hearing finns words shot her gaze back over the horizon and processed the details of the ive formation. She begins to form a hypothesis and answered finn.
"The ice, it looks like they're waves. Is that what you're telling me?"
"Quite so. Now do you know what this means?"
Upon the more thought process, the vice captain came into the same conclusion as the captain.
"Something did this."
"Thats, not impossible but such a creature of that caliber could exist would put the rest in danger. Thats even rivaling the One eyed dragons inferno."
"Last floor was 73, with how far we fell, could it be possible we skip a few floors all the way down or we simply moved from floor 73 to 72?"
Riveria replied.
Finn felt a sudden head ache, it appears more questions pop up rather than solutions to the problems. This is a major obstacle that he and his familia will have to overcome to get back up and return back Home.
For now, finn would find a place to settle and from there plan things ahead.
Suddenly, They heard a few noises.
Something slamming into something. the rest with sensitive ears position themselves at each flank of the group, to cover them wahtever means ambush that is ahead. Advance forced under finn taken up positions and each of them slowly turned off the ice burst magic lamp. Finn ordered 4 people with hearing and sense sensitivity to scout ahead and report back of their findings. Cruz, bete, anakitty and Alicia slowly moved ahead to complete the mission.
As the scouts approach the sound of ice getting smash, they would soon found 2 creatures. One that looks to be a mermaid and the other an octopus humanoid creature.
Alicia instructed the usual pattern for the scouting mission, two would approach while the remaining would observe and report whatever may happen during it. As cruz and Anakitty slowly flank the two creatures beside the iced edge, wfor whatever reason the creatures seemed to not noticed the movements of the two.
"What do you think are they doing?"
"I'm not sure Ana, should we approach much closer? Theyre only half above water. I cant make out on what they're doing."
"Alright, hold on."
Anakitty slowly raised her left arm and begin to show hand signals back towards the two.
Alicia noticed the signs and instructed bete to return and report of their findings.
"Thats all bete."
"Screw this crap."
With the speed of which a normal adventurer could'nt even hope to compete, bete disappeared like he was never here.
Alicia continued to observe cryz and anakittys inspection.
Meanwhile the humanoid octopus and the mermaid suddenly felt off about their situation, at last moment the two stalkers managed to hide below as the octopus creature suddenly looked over their direction. Whatever it may have felt at that moment, It and the mermaid suddenly dove deep in the water and disappeared from the stalkers sights.
Alarmed by what occurred, anakitty and cruz immediately approached where those creatures once are and found nothing on the ice aside from a few scrapes to the edge.
"Did they notice us?"
"I sure hope not. let's return, shall we?
Back at the group.
"Ha! Freaking imbeciles, if you only made me approach it, i could have caught them before they have a chance on taking off."
"Bete! calm down."
This certainly is gonna be a problem, we lost two unknowns and who knows what would've occurred if those creatures reported back towards its group.
Finn took a glance at the rest of the group, exhaustion and fatigue is now engulfing the familia. He noticed riverias eye, so dampened by the stress and fatigue and he himself is plagued by one but still, due to his experience, he can still perform a few more things if needed. But he soon realized that resting for a moment is the best course then to move forward once again, at each time.
"Alright, we will rest here for an hour. After that, we will continue the move."
"Uhh finally.."
"I never saw or heard an octopus humanoid looking creature before."
Riveria commented.
"Such a peculiar section of the floor we are at, How are you feeling Gareth?"
"Ehh not much finn. Still can do more walking and carrying ha ha."
"Cant say the same for our members" finn replied.
*Hahahah*
"Well ye they still lacking the muscle and stamina. They gotta eat more and drink some milk!"
"Oh quiet down you muscled mass of a bag."
"Oi elf, ya better quit killing the fun mood with ya silly words."
Suddenly the lower members stared at the high executives, plainly joking and bantering with one another despite the grim situation they are currently in.
"Its cold, but not as cold as the icey hell from floors 60." Cruz comented.
"Sigh, i wish we would be as high as them one day."
"If you live long enough Raul, you would." Cruz replied with an elbow to rauls side.
"Ouch. Falna truly does wonders. I wonder what our goddess is doing up there at the moment?"
"Probably grabbing some random girl and doing some weird foreplay on her." Alicia commented.
"Ermm... maybe i should've not asked that." Raul replied.
"Alicia! Your weird things are surfacing again."
"Hehe, sorry anakitty."
"Gods.. the elves are truly special with their closeted thoughts of perversion." Cruz commented.
Suddenly, tione awakened.
"How are you doing tione?"
"Hmm good. Not bad like before."
"Alright, if you need help just ask for me."
"Will do, Miss riveria."
"Ais, how are you feeling?"
"Hmm i miss the surface, Home, and the bunny."
"Would you like to adopt him- erh i mean adopt one?"
"Yes."
'so innocent and sweet.'
"Rest well here or you can talk with them to lighten your mood."
"Yes, riveria."
"Do ya remember when The princess elf was running away from the hare attack at the Early floors?"
"Oh, that! Those bunnies sure are cute but deadly."
"Haha! She barely began doing her thing and would flee and leave us behind back then, a crazy elf princess."
"You're not better yourself when you almost got flung by that minotaur thinking you could beat it with your thick headed skull."
"Hey hey hey, the topic is about you first!"
"Being dodgy now riveria?"
Finn commented.
"Whatever, not like you trying to ask a girl with half of your age compared to hers."
"I... Sigh. Gareth is right, you are lousy at times."
"Ha! Bout time you agreed after all those years of being in a neutral stance now eh? Take that mommy elf."
"Oh for heavens sake, could you stop that name calling you gutless turd."
"Oh?"
"Crap"
"Wow who would've thought our Mommy elf is capable of saying such words."
"I think that's enough jokes now gareth. riveria, hopefully you accept the apology of a turd."
"Hahaha. Good one finn."
Riveria in her state was both annoyed but felt a warmth of friendship with these two, no doubt if it was her old self, she would've attempted chanting. Luckily her experiences coupled by her battles with the three of them managed to develop a stoic type personality with a few exceptions of it breaking by her own close companions.
Elves in general are a bit, self preaching superiority complex problem and it would take one a few experiences and outside world travel just to break the barrier.
"Heh you fools."
Soon she begins to smile with the rest and a few like alicia, lefiya and ais witnessed such rare moments of the High elfs hidden personality.
But unbeknowns to them, their banter and rest lasted for more than an hour and finn now realizing their mistake, ordered to prep and begin the movement once more.
It was now midnight, or so what the light shone from above is perceived. The loki familia couldn't believe their eyes that such a dungeon is capable of cycles. the light on the ceiling is similarly close to the moon itself, beast folk even felt more strenght than they are normally in the previous floors. But this alone alerted one of the strongest of its kind to the moon.
"Hey finn."
"Whats up bete?"
"I dont think whatever up there is some sort of light alone. Its literally the moon. I can feel my strenght growing just bathing on the moonlight."
Finn stopped, prompting everyone to turn or confused at what occured.
"Finn?"
Riveria muttered.
Finn began to process everything that just happened ever since they found the light.
At that moment, their scenery changed. They began to fall and welcomed by all things that's natural.
But now something, just behind his head is telling him something wrong has happened ever since they landed here.
everything just seemed so real. Or what if it is? The sun, the moon and whatever present in the near future. Bete can feel his hidden beast power due to the moonlight, strange things like the light acting as a sun and now the other one similarly to the moon.
Is the dungeon playing tricks on us or are we even here in the first place?
Soon, finn begins to hyperventilate but luckily his quick thinking pulled himself for such act, barely noticed by bete who for a moment felt fear in that small glimpse on finns face.
Riveria knew something was wrong and so told bete the following.
"It may have borrowed the power of the moon, maybe or somehow the surface of orario is under moonlight and the dungeon can somehow... Replicate it."
"Weird crap again old hag."
"..."
"Whatever..."
Bete comment after riverias explanation.
"Sorry riveria, we should keep moving. Watch tione and tiona well, ill handle things here."
"What was that Lady Riveria?"
Lefiya seen finn and her mentor stopped for a few paces a while ago just as bete asked and now suddenly, they are on the move with riveria back again on the rear.
"It seemed finn is a bit tired, im afraid."
"Oh."
"Keep an eye out lefiya, you'll do well under here."
"Yes, i will."
"Hows tione, Tiona?"
"Shes fine Miss riveria."
With the elf girl left to think of what occured, she seemed to get that one detail right that somethings wrong on where they are, rather than finn. She knew something was up but could not puzzle on what would it be. Does captain finn feel the same way as i? Everything seems so natural that it feels so real down here. Are we even still in the dungeon?
Now that question only confused lefiya more questions than ever and if hypothetically, what shes saying is true, how would even it be possible for them to be outside of the dungeon? That kind of trap to transport us outside and where outside?
Or could it be that we are thrown back in time where the world was not ruined by the dungeon or calamity monsters? Before even the Monsters roamed across the world?
With each question piling up in her mind, she felt ill just thinking too much about it, added the stress, fatigue and the cold she was undergoing.
So instead, she simply tried to forget it or by thinking about something else.
"Arhh! That rabbit bell cranel, i wonder what he is doing up there. Or maybe hunting more bunnies? That's such a weird question."
"Land Ho!"
"What?"
"Really? Nice find cruz."
"Hey cruz, you sound like a pirate."
"I don't know, i simply got it from an old man."
"An island?"
"There!"
Finn speculated the size of the land, its pretty dark, nothing there it seems from his view. Its just like the islands from the surface, its simply your standard island, except this one is uniquely long.
"Alright, head on as soon as possible. We'll rest on the shore. Gather everyone, its close!"
As the group approached the shore, they are suddenly alarmed by the strange figure at the shoreline.
"What is that?"
"Its the sea beast that we encountered!" Tiona shouted.
"Quiet down tiona, someone could've heard that.!"
"Thats one big fish, or snake monster." Raul commented.
Finn analyzed the beast, and was surprised by how preserved it looked beneath the ice.
"It looks alive but dead at the same time."
Then he noticed the mark of the ice. Where it may have originally come from. Out of every angle, this one part of the thick ice is in position and the perfect window to launch an ice spell.
"That part is where the ice may have come from, the angle and position to launch one is perfectly placed. The result is the scale of the ice over the horizon, this power is.. unbelievable."
Riveria muttered.
"can you ever replicate such a thing riveria?" Finn commented.
"If I could, I would've soloed the one eyed dragon."
"quite confident, I see.."
Reaching the shore, the loki familia noticed a few wooden planks and materials on the shoreline. A few ice and grass ruined by whoever was here. There are footprints too.
"Bete! Can you track down the smell?"
"*Sigh* make way fools.!"
Sniffing the footprints and the air, bete looked almost at all angles and commented the following.
"Crap i got nothing, it seems it went on the water and disappeared. Cant tell where really."
"Its alright bete. How about this one?"
After a whole lot of sniffing.
"None, either they jump on the water or travel on one."
Finn observed the surrounding area and approached gareth.
"Wusup finn?"
"Gareth, it appears there are Creatures here. they have planks here. What creature could possibly have something on this level aside from humans?"
"I got nothing finn, closest i know are goblins but they mostly ransack someone and they lived underground."
"Wooden planks?"
"Quite so riveria, could people live down here and who?"
Finn entered the state he was in before, now more questions keep piling up on his desk, only this time in his brain.
"Lets rest today, think and plan tomorow instead."
Riveria commented.
Finn abruptly stopped his thoughts and upon hearing the words, agreed to take a rest and do things tomorrow when the light shines over.
"Yes, i agree. We are a bit too tired at this point."
"Everyone! Set up camp, find some wood and create a campfire for everyone to use."
"Finally, bed time." Raul who went head first on the make shift bed.
"Do you think no creature would appear over us?"
Finn looked over his thumb and felt nothing. "It should be alright, the sky is mostly empty until we fell in it. So feel free to rest for the remainder of the night."
"Alright, ill go on ahead."
"Good night riveria."
"Good night you two."
"Hey finn, rest some will ya?"
"Of course i will, gareth."
"Ill follow then."
"Good night to you."
As riveria went to her camp and gareth on his, finn is about to head in until a question pops up in his mind.
"Are we still in the dungeon, or something occurred inside the dungeon while we're at it?"
*Sigh* "im sorry, you two. I have to think this through first."
Now that everyone seems asleep with the exception of guards being shifted to observe the area, finn is now alone to think for himself with no disturbance.
First he wondered about the state they are in.
"Our situation is at stake. Not now but someday, tomorrow, a few hours or days? They also lack any supplies to last long so foraging tomorrow is vital such as taking precautionary measures in gathering fish again and hunting down whatever meat is found on the island."
Second, his options on where to go. Currently, the place is dark with the moon being covered by the dense clouds high above the heavens. Such a thing like clouds only confused finn. He does not know how clouds form in detail but it needed a wide space for one to work and this is just another level of scale. He cannot or would even bother to continue to comprehend what this floor had presented as his options as of now is to stay self sufficient as long as possible for them to find a way back.
And lastly... He asked himself. "Is there Life here.?"
Finn is not asking whether there are monsters or not but rather, similar to them: Humans, or civilization perhaps? A bunch of tribes or groups who've survived for so long ever since the dungeon was formed. But that's the thing that bothered him, how did the dungeon form in the first place?
"Gods loved to hide details of history when you asked them such questions. *Sigh*"
Now another terrifying question pops up. "Who was responsible for creating such a massive scale of ice just a few meters from their camp?"
"Is it perhaps the monster rex boss of this level? Is that how you pass a level or return by defeating it?"
Then suddenly, finn heard footsteps approaching the back of the camp. It seems someone is coming towards him.
As the figure approaches him, he can see a thin slender looking shadow with long hair flowing behind. It was none other than the sword princess.
"Oh! Ais, trouble with sleep?"
"Yes.."
Ais approached finn and sat behind finn, wondering what he was doing and getting curious. The reason why she couldn't sleep in the first place.
"What do you think of everything Ais.?"
"Everything?"
"Yes, the lands, the seas, even the air, skies and that supposed moon."
The blonde woman processed everything and simply answered.
"I think it reminds me of the surface world outside orario. Like when we went to port meren."
"I see, everything in here reminds us of Home." Finn replied.
"Captain finn, how long do you think we can stay in here?"
Now with a pause, finn asked himself again and again. Can they even survive here? Could they return home? What about loki their goddess? A possibility settles in on finn. His supposed plan for his race?
Now the women was intently staring into his eyes as he think of the situation. The braver usually remained stoic most of the time with a poker face to show and mask behind his true intent, but due to the experiences with the oddity of a few individuals recently, finn slowly dropped the façade of an artificial hero into a more Natural hero as flawed as he was.
With seconds passing by he simply reply with hopeful words
"Dont worry ais, we will find a way starting tomorrow."
The girl half satisfied with the answer, simply bid a good night sleep and went back towards her camp.
With the skies darkening further, finn could now barely see the surrounding landscape as everything turned into darkness. He took this as a sign of rest and went inside to take a nap.
Before the light shone over the horizon, the first to awake is Bete. Despite the short sleep he felt surprisingly comfortable compared to the top floors of the dungeon. He walked away from the campsite and saw beyond the light brimming of orange at the edge of the horizon.
Bete alone began to question the things surrounding him, the moonlight last few hours gave him the strength to even transform into beastification and now over the horizon, it can even perform the same as the sun rising?
"This is bullsh*t."
Is all bete could mutter early in the morning light.
The next to arose was the green haired elf, Riveria. Not even looking at the horizon itself but sets her eyes at the beautiful landscape of the icey region in front of her. Approaching the shoreline, she took a closer look at the sea beast who was caught by the ice itself, remaining trapped until it melts.
"Such beauty and magnificent power this is.."
Riveria noticed bete walking off the distance, sensing it is best to Ignore him than rile up the wolf cat that would've just alarmed the rest asleep.
Soon the rest woke up with the light shining above the edge of the horizon.
"Hows your sleep ana?"
"Good, but... *yawn* not enough *yawns*"
Raul could feel the tiredness and neck pain due to his positioning of the night. The pain was aching and this only made his day worse as it pass by.
"*Sigh* this is such a drag."
Raul looked at others who is still sleeping well, Cruz was close at the tents entrance napping. He probably got tired after guarding shift. while lefiya far back is curled to the side holding on to her wand like always in expeditions.
Feeling a groan and another yawn sound, raul looked behind to see alicia waking up just a few meters away.
"Good morning, Alicia. How's the nap?"
"Hmm, it's alright."
"I see."
"Hey peeps! Look over here.!"
Raul, hearing anakittys call, approached her as she pointed her finger at the horizon's direction.
"Ahh. It's just like yesterday, looks like we are at the surface too." Raul commented.
"That's weird, why does it feel too real.?"
Anakitty was bewildered at such a phenomenon that it may have been the dungeon playing tricks, but ever since yesterday, the light from above is somehow capable of heat, even now with the light shining over them.
This alone dispelled any notion that it may just be a simple light, when it's the sun itself.
"Oh it's Lady riveria!"
Alicia commented before dashing off to her Royal elf.
"Hey raul.."
"What's up ana?"
"What do you know of foreplay?"
"Erm...what the flip?"
"Good morning, Lady riveria. How was your sleep?."
"Good morning, Alicia. It's alright."
"To think this scale feels never ending yesterday, it's just so big just looking over in this view."
"Indeed, whoever displayed this power may have been a monster rex or possibly just nature itself."
Suddenly at riverias eye corner, she saw a straight line of grass torn and dirt showing at the shoreline.
"Did Finn and others not notice this?"
"What's that Lady riveria?"
"A trail."
"Oh.? Interesting."
It appears some sort of straight line is formed which carved a line up to the edge of the shoreline. This could've been the monster who is capable of such. So it is a sea type monster? But the strange thing is the carved line is too thin. Its size is merely as small as a snake to form. Is the monster small or am I just wrong?
Riveria looked over the island and observed the other untouched water with no ice.
But why create this ice? For what purpose does it serve? Could it just be nature itself suddenly changing? It is possible at this level of floor.
I'm honestly thinking too deeply of things with no evidence.
'I'll have to talk to Finn about this if he is awake.' Riveria thought.
*Meanwhile deep into the Islands*
"Gah! Never ending wood crap!"
Bete enraged by the weirdness that is happening ever since they fell down. His annoyance reached a boiling point. He launched a powerful kick on a tree which the blow alone sent the now half carved wood flying across other trees. The sound shook engulfing the area with. It feels as if a random explosion occurred deep in the forest.
"Crap."
"What was that sound?"
Alicia commented.
Riveria looked over the direction where the sound came from, the sound itself was heard many times on her journey with a certain wolf cat.
"It's probably bete doing something stupid. Alicia, dispatch two people on your team thats awake."
"Yes, your grace."
"We have discussed this, Alicia."
"Im sorry, lady riveria."
*Sigh* "i do hope bete doesn't attract something."
As riveria approached finns tent, she could see the small pallum faced down on the makeshift bed. Riveria almost chuckled at the sight, never before seen until now.
"That's what happens if you're lying finn."
'Did i just.. nevermind' riveria commented.
"Cmon raul!"
"Oh why bring me with you guys? Isnt it too dangerous to explore here?"
"We need to look for bete." Alicia commented. "He may have gone off here and that puppy has anger issues as you know."
"I know but, what if it's not him.?"
"Lady Riveria told me she saw him headed in this direction. Just to be safe, that's why I brought you guys."
"Ah ok."
Man, I'm too tired. My necks gonna snap with the amount of pain.'
Soon bete managed to reach an open field.
"No more trees, this is good."
Suddenly at distance, bete saw one of the most unusual things he'd seen of his lifetime.
"What the hell?"
Over the distance, bete was confused if he was seeing things right. The creature is the same as his but this one is covered in all furs and is incredibly Long! Quite long in fact that it could be mistaken as a snake!
Bete approached the mysterious creature and as he got closer, the more his brain shook at what he's witnessing.
Up close is a creature in white. Similar to a dog but quite a Looong dog.
Bete could only see the dog's head and the body that stretches further back.
"What the dogs are you?"
*Woof woof!*
The dog simply barked a few and continued its walk, bete was simply Flabbergasted as the body passed through. This strange dog is somehow able to support its own weight, just two limbs in front and the furthest it goes, the longer the body goes! Then at last, bete could finally see the tail end of the dog and saw two limbs carrying its end tail as if it was nothing.
This whole thing ever since he fell from the sky and experienced weird phenomenons, the moonlight and the morning sunrise. What broke him was this simple dog that's quite… long.
of the things he's seeing, bete simply for the first time, was petrified. No words to tell of what he'd just seen.
"What the!"
"What is it alicia?" Anakitty commented.
"I think ive seen a humanoid creature over there."
Suddenly alarmed by what Alicia said, Raul begins sweating nervously of the sudden encounter.
"oh are you.. sure it's not bete?" Raul replied.
"absolutely, let's get a closer look.!" Alicia replied.
As the three of them continued tracking down the humanoid creature, suddenly they went into a vaccum of space in the dense trees and saw the creature up close.
White fur, fluffy and above all is walking like a person!
The creature simply stared at them for the few seconds, the three looked the same and the humanoid beast simply resumed its journey to wherever it's going.
"What the hell is that?"
Anakitty said in absolute confusion.
"It looks really weird. I've never seen bears as tall as that one." Alicia added.
"Tall? It looks quite long and it's walking like a person with its arms swaying!" Raul in shock replies.
"I think we need to find bete as soon as possible." Alicia added.
Bete noticed the sudden change of terrain from where he came from. Before exiting the trees, the land was simply rocky and a mix of grass. Now it's pure flat land, completely praire like.
Just after seeing the strange dog creature, he noticed bamboo as high as the clouds. Its top can't be seen thanks to the long length of the bamboo.
Bete kept eyeing the horizon and saw how wide the island really was. Everything is quite long and even the creatures he encountered are the same.
After experiencing a sudden breakdown, bete simply tried to forget he saw such a creature exist and resumed his usual exploration.
"That's some weird crap."
Feeling the warmth of the air surrounding him, his senses Instantly alarmed for he had overslept. Finn blaze himself, waking up with wide eyes staring at the outside and noticing a commotion from the familia.
"That's a ship!"
"What the heck! A ship?"
Commanding the group with its captain absent, the vice captain took the role to assess the situation. A sudden ship appeared over the horizon, sailing west from the famillias point of view.
"Lady riveria, what do we do when there's a ship sailing past us?" asked Lefiya.
"We'll simply greet them, learn about them of course."
But deep inside her thoughts, riveria is absolutely bewildered of such a thing to exist under the dungeon. Sure the space is huge but definitely not that huge right? But that's not the point, the main problem that's circling on her head is: "how could there be people down here?"
Shaking her head to better think of the situation, she sent orders for preperation to move but at the last moment she hesitated.
"Why not Lady riveria?"
"We don't know who's sailing it. It may have been like ours from the surface or could be a trap to lure us into a false sense of security."
"Ah I see." Lefiya replied.
Finn then came out of the tent with a few running adventurers passing by noticing him and greeted him on the morning day.
Approaching riveria who is in deep thoughts didn't noticed the captain approaching on her left.
"Good morning riveria, what's the situation?"
"Oh Finn, Good morning. There's a ship over the horizon, I first ordered that we moved to intercept it to noticed us but I cancelled the order on fear of being a trap or any unknowns we may not know of"
"ah, I understand."
'She's right, but with no major progress made ever since we fell here, I think this is one of Fate's important details being ignored because of fear. When it shows, always seize it. I guess only a few can sense it just like the help of my little thumb aching.' Finn thought.
"send the signal Riveria."
"alrigh- wait. Are you sure?"
Suddenly an approval from the captain to signal their location was confusing to riveria at first. She wondered why? 'Does he want to learn about the state of this level?' Thinking of possibilities she came into the same idea as he did earlier.
An opportunity presented itself right in front of her. The best way to proceed is undergoing the risk too. Without it, we simply can't move forward or we move too slow and prolong our terrible situation at the moment.
"Ah, I understand finn. I apologized."
"It's no problem riveria, some just take time and others just didn't have the special third eye for one. And you seem too strained in the morning already."
The elf nodded, suddenly orders were sent to resume the prep of their equipment.
"Use the best of yer flames you silly elf!" Gareth shouted from a distance.
riveria casted a powerful spell which unleashed a burst of fire from her staff.
Ancient words and letters appeared over her circle as the flames continued to errupt.
Soon the sky was disturbed by the sudden flash of fire which anyone from afar would've noticed. With the signal now sent, the ship in a minute didn't do anything.
In two minutes, it itself stayed on its course, and in the third it simply went on and on in its own journey.
"Maybe they don't want to deal with us?" Lefiya commented.
'That sure is good. Whoever is commanding it maybe feared of such display of power. That's Nine hells title is no mere title alone. With such a decision, it means they either hope to steer away or didn't notice us..
The latter one would surely be the odd one out.'
Finn instantly felt a chance like this is slipping away. Suddenly his mood change and the usual leadership role is back at full swing, even surprising riveria at the speed of his sudden mind going ballistic.
"We must not let that ship get away, whatever is inside of it. Good or Bad we will have to ride on it and find a way."
Suddenly the events that occurred earlier returned to her mind, riveria immediately told finn of the details.
"bete and anakitty still haven't returned?"
"i'm afraid so."
"do not fret, im sure that signal of yours would've been noticed by them."
"ah.."
"Riveria… prepare a strong ice magic and capture that ship in good shape." Finn replied.
The high elf nodded and compiled as she began sprinting at the other edge of the coast with the absence of ice on the horizon.
"lefiya! I need your aid."
"Yes, Maam!"
There she begins to chant which would take longer due to the immense scale of her magic while the golden haired elf followed suit.
"What the hell are you looking at?"
Said bete at the strange snow leopard with a stretched widened face.
"sh*t! This crap is getting weirder and weirder. What the hell are you some long schlong?"
*meow!*
"F*ck off!"
"Ah bete there you are!" said by raul.
"and what are you sh*theads doing here?"
The three upon hearing the words immediately turned around to discuss something.
"we need him to calm down, tanter tantrums you know.." Alicia whispered.
"yes but how can we convince him to return?" Anakitty replied.
"maybe just talk to him." Raul commented.
Suddenly a strange glow of flash appeared behind them. The flash of fire then exploded mid air, sending strong shockwaves all over the far reaches of the island.
"Sh*t that's probably the old hag. I wonder what she is doing."
"That's lady riverias! Bete! Guys! We need to go back!" alicia said before sprinting and leaving the rest.
"alicia! Hey wait! Urgh let's go raul."
"I wonder what that was… hey bete! Let's go back"
"tsk!"
Bete simply passed throught everyone at ridiculous speed. Even Alicia, who was ahead of them, was simply speed blitzed by betes speed and power.
"Finn, can you make out what the ship is like?"
Finn used his specialty. Eyes of superior sight in darkness that are capable of penetrating even far distances compared to normal eyes. The superior eyes of the pallum race is truly essential in times of need such as this.
"hmm. I see a normal galleon ship." Finn peered much further to see what the ship's details entailed then he was greeted by its banner that hangs on top.
"Skull and helmet horns.. they're pirates!"
Riveria was shocked to learn such a thing even exists down here. And out of everything they could find, its first possible human contact are pirates.
"they have a banner of pirates.. which means some countries…"
"groups, organizations, states, nations, or even empires.. it could be anything." Finn continued.
"I still cannot believe there are civilization here." Riveria commented.
"this could pose a risk to our own. Is this what the Gods mean for the Hidden treasure below?"
"if that's the case finn, it's a Far greater than any treasures of Gold."
"would it be possible for our two worlds to be connected? What would this one have to offer hmm." Finn replied.
Finn noticed the ground engulfing in a big circle of text. Words and symbols appear indicating the spell on stand by.
"The spell is ready, Finn, just give the order to fire."
"hold on you two. We need bete."
One of the rare circumstances of abilities that the Nine hells possess is the ability to pause a chant. Such ability is unique and essential, having achieved one after leveling up recently to 8. And another great component is for Lefiya viridis elf ring for copying such skill!
"Bete is here, launch it!"
".. wynn flymbtr!"
".. wynn flymbtr!"
A roar of Ice is dispelled and launched towards the far away ship. The current on its path is instantly stopped and forms a beautiful landscape of ice. But the power grows as it moves. Swallowing the waves in its path and the air suddenly cold. The ship and its crew are alarmed by the sudden natural of power approaching them
"Captain! What is that?"
"What the hell? Take evasive action!"
"it's too late!"
Suddenly the ship is stopped dead on its track. The momentum caused a minor damage to the bow. The bottom section from the bow all the way to the stern is completely covered in ice. Such ability in open seas is vital for one.
"bete! gareth! and tiona!"
"Bruisin time!"
"weeee!"
"heh!"
A dwarf, an amazon woman and a wolf, released to Investigate the ship. Bete with his ferocity in speed and kicking, coupled by the silver boots that adds a deadly combination to his attack power. tiona a powerful multirole warrior wielding an Urga. Its blade parallel on top and bottom added with the grip on the center. and finally a dwarf warrior whose strenght and power is unmatched by anyone. Full body armour with an axe capable of bending the strongest mineral made wall.
These two level 7s and a level 8 are capable of taking on anyone.
The first to reach the deck was the wolf. As he approached the galleon, he noticed the banner from the top was that of a dark skull. The other finer details were simply ignored by bete and decided to massacre everyone for being a pirate.
"Scum bastards!"
First he strikes a blow towards the side of the ship, sending a powerful shockwave that startled everyone.
"What the hell was that?"
"intruder intruder!"
"sh*t the ice is too strong, let's fight em boys!"
Before the men even cheered, one of them on the deck was simply kicked out, sending that fodder away from the ship.
"!"
The next in line was simply kicked and mercilessly thrown off towards the ice.
"Who dares attack me will pay tenfold!"
Bete, noticing what appears to be their captain, immediately approached the individual above the deck. He wears a helmet with two horns at its top sides. An armor and shorts. Bete eyed on what seemed to be a strange tube like stick on his waist. Bete with his speed and power decided a kick to the neck is the way and proceeded with the momentum.
The next to arrive is the amazon woman.
"gah! Pirates? Save some for us bete!"
"tsk"
Bete, now at close view and about to kick his opponent, felt a sudden pain on his foot as it made contact. The momentum threw bete across the deck ricocheting himself because of his speed and sudden uncontrolled crash. The pirate captain with the speed and power of the wolf was thrown opposite of him and crashed on the ship's mast. Luckily, the wood held on.
"urghh that hurt a bit. What the hell are you?" the pirate captain said.
"what the hell… urghhh!"
The pain was just too strong and for the first time, it was surreal to see a fellow level 7 in pain.
"Bete!" tiona screamed!
Suddenly, she was parried by another man. Long yellow hair, light brown skin with white eyes, wearing the same helmet as the captain and using just a thin fencing blade against her powerful urga. Confused by the opponent, she kept smashing and swinging and the opponent struggled for a bit. But despite that, her opponent's form was just good and managed to outperform her in every move. She launched another strike at his left but fully knowing her moves, he countered via a mid spin kick to her rib. Tiona felt a strong wind pressure knocked her air but compared to everything, this was nothing. taking advantage of his opponent's opening, she let go of her urga and grabbed the foot of the guy then smashed him towards the deck.
"urgh!"
Now the pirate captain stumbled as he stood to see his fellow first mate in pain. He descended the stairs and sighted both the amazon woman who is standing above the helmet guy and bete in physical pain on his foot.
"What did he do to hurt you?"
"sh*t his neck feels like Durandal sh*t!"
Confused by his comment, tiona was alarmed that the captain is now below with them. While the guy she smashed was coughing at the deck puking a few blood and ultimately went unconscious.
Suddenly, a strong wind blows past them. The axe landed just at the middle between the two level 7s and the captain. Next was the dwarf with his mass landing over the edge of the deck with care to not damage the wooden frame.
The pirate captain viewed the dwarf, confused by his size and mass he simply laughed at the matter despite his crew's condition.
"Hahaha fellow warrior! Why don't we test to see whose armour and fist are stronger?"
"heh ye wee lass will be outmatched." Gareth replied.
Suddenly, tiona backs away with both bete and the yellow haired pirate in her hands. "Good luck Gareth!"
"let go you sh*t head!" bete said in annoyance.
"keep an eye out for the other guy. I'll take care of him."
"heh! It's a shame that you attacked us! We could've been warriors and brothers!" the pirate captain commented.
"sadly I do not make friends with pirates and scums such as you."
Gareth replied.
"So be it."
The two warriors both in armour positioned themselves on the deck. The first to launch with its fist ready was the pirate.
Gareth, noticing the fragility of the ship, decided to counter the pirates fist by catching it in mid air and throwing he and him towards the ice. Both slid and faced off with the ice as their arena.
Back at the island. Finn is growing concerned at the sudden delay of taking the ship. He ordered ais to follow suit but was too frightened by the waters around the ice.
"riveria, you managed things here. Lefiya! Come with me!"
"umm.. yes sir!"
Now Finn is off with Lefiya following behind as best as she could.
"Lady riveria!"
Suddenly a voice rang out from behind the trees.
"Alicia! There is a ship across the distance, I want you to go there and support them. Take raul and anakitty."
"Raaah!"
Both warriors are equally matched in speed. The pirate dodged every attack as best as he could but as time went on, his moves began to slow and Gareth landed a powerful fist on the pirate. Which surprisingly only sent him a few meters away almost falling at the edge of the ice.
"you pack a strong punch!. The strongest I've encountered."
Gareth noticed a strange feeling at his opponent. The fist he threw was no ordinary one but not his best either and when it made contact at the shoulders, the opponent's skin felt much tougher and stronger.
Gareth blocked the incoming fist with his hands. A small shockwave is created coupled by a heavy power behind the blow.
Managing to stop the pirates fist, he took advantage of his form and replied with an uppercut. Sending the pirate flying with his helmet. Gareth could see the person's light skin face but the details are not what matters to him. it's the skin itself changing into a stone-like texture. Surprisingly, he looks the same as the other guy that tiona had faced.
"what the!?" gareth in shocked
"What is that?" tiona bewildered.
Finn arrived at close, noticing the three people on the ice. Tiona, bete and a strange guy pinned down by tiona.
"Tiona! What's the situation?"
"oh! Captain finn."
*splash!*
Hearing a noise of water, Finn eyed out towards gareth. Gareth for one was completely unprepared at his opponents facial look of stone like features. Never had he ever seen a person that can turn his skin into stone. Perhaps a rare ability if that person has a falna? But are there even Gods down here? Suddenly Gareth saw the body disappearing below the waters.
Nevertheless what matters is securing the ship. He was surprised to meet an enemy that is capable of tanking his blows. No doubt the enemy is simply human but with power and abilities unknown to him.
Eyeing the pirate captain from before, he felt as if he was facing an opponent with no falna but despite that, he was strong but not as strong as the first class adventurers. Probably around 2nd class.
"Gareth, I presume it's over now?"
"ya finn."
"Argh! F*ck off with your hands"
"Jeez bete, at least be nice." Tiona replied.
"We surrender! Please spare us!"
Suddenly voices rang above decks on what appears to be the ship's surviving crew from betes rampage.
The last to arrive is lefiya, coughing and panting at the distance that she traveled. She then looked at the ship and noticed the galleon's wonderful architecture.
"Wow, this is a beautiful looking ship."
"It's called the Viking cruise! Our captain named it after his land.!"
Finn assessed the situation, observing the state the ship is in, it's in good condition to sail. He followed up with orders to secure the ship and detain the remaining pirates at the deck.
"tiona! And Gareth secured the ship and the inside. Bete detain the rest."
"Yes sir." "Tsk"
First to move is bete, reaching the deck and surprising the rest of the crew who were in absolute fear because of what he did from earlier. Bete proceeded to tie the wrist of the men at the ship's mast , binding them altogether while tiona and gareth swooped in to clear below decks. What surprised them was what followed was a roar of sound and a sudden fire with smoke engulfing the side of the ship. What follows next is a strange ball in black approaching finn. Finn's senses immediately fired up as the ball in pitched black is steadily approaching him. At the last moment, Finn barely dodged the incoming attack that whipped past him and the ball ricocheted over the ice and plunging itself over the side disappearing below the waters.
Everyone was suddenly alarmed by the noise and followed with bete kicking and harassing the pirates who were binded at the ship's mast.
"Please! Don't kill us please!"
"You piece of sh*ts! What was that? Do you have something left?"
Bete commented.
"It's canon! It's below deck! Someone could've fired it!"
"finn! Are you fine?"
Finn in absolute horror of what just occurred processed the following in his thoughts.
'I barely reacted at that moment, if I was too slow my body would've been torn or worse, destroyed.'
Finn looked back towards Gareth to signal he was alright. Gareth confirmed the following and proceeded to carry the two remaining crew below responsible.
Bringing them back at the top decks, the two were completely beaten and full of bruises and black eyes from Gareth's fist. Soon they are binded together at the ship's mast and with Alicia and the rest arriving the ship is now under control of the hands of the Loki familia.
Executives: level 8s
Finn
Riveria
Gareth
Vice executives: level 7s
Ais
Bete
Tione
Tiona
2nd stringers:
Anakitty (level 6)
Raul (level 6)
Cruz (level 6)
Lefiya (level 5)
Alicia (level 5)
There were only the high ranking members due to the deep floors restriction of taking low level adventurers. As deep as the floor 70 and below, they need the best of the best to explore and map out the floors. The remaining level 4s and below were camped out at floor 69 where no monsters spawn and could be used as a base of operations for supplies and deep expeditions.
The last time the high level adventurers of the loki familia were located was at the end of floor 78 monster rex chamber.
Back at the deck, the group of pirates are murmuring with one another.
"That bastard!"
"Hans, calm down!"
"He killed Timmy!"
"I know, but we lost!"
One of the binded pirates is steaming at the fact that bete had mercilessly kicked timmy. Timmy was a simple piratee and had made a journey with Hans for 3 months.
"I'm gonna skewer that filth!"
"Calm down! There's more of them now!"
Suddenly they are approached by what appears to look like a child. A blonde looking little boy wears a yellow shirt coupled with dark purple pants, wielding a long golden spear twice the lenght of his. Appearance may fool the rest but for Hans, this is no ordinary boy. His eyes are that of an adult and every detail of his demeanor screams of experience. This only confirmed his suspicion as the rest of the group called him "captain."
Suddenly, the binded pirates are greeted by the boy.
"Greetings gentlemen, as you all know, pirates roaming the seas with the skull banner at its top is quite a show of confidence but ultimately it is very alarming to the innocent civilians and people under attack and pillaged by the likes of you."
Finn observed the rest of the pirates, some reacted , some simply looked down, and others didn't think too much and wanted to get to the details on what he was doing.
"Let me ask you this, have you ever raided a port, merchant or civilian ships?"
The pirates looked at each other confused at such a question. Ultimately, one decided to speak.
"Of course ya silly child. What even the likes of you are doing here acting like a general or a captain?"
"May i ask what your role is on this ship?" Finn replied.
"My role is to loot, take and kill! those with treasure!"
"Very well. Take him below the brig."
"A little bastard should've stayed milking your momma."
"Shut up!" Tiona commanded.
The man was taken down below continuing to bully Finn with words containing foul language. Curiously reminded Finn of a certain wolf.
"Are there any navigators of this ship?" Finn asked.
"I am."
Finn eyed where the voice came from. The adult appears to be light skinned. Brown eyes, an average look plus an average height. thinly muscular and wears a tucked in shirt with shorts. No foot wear for one and hair as black.
"What's your name?" Finn asked.
"Thomas."
A hooded figure approached Thomas, the person carried a knife and unbind the ropes around his wrist. At closer look, Thomas eyed the individual and noticed two holes at the head hood. Confused at its length Thomas asked the person if those are their ears and the person in the hood appears to have nodded.
"Thomas, would you kindly follow me?"
The young man nodded.
Back at the pirate group, murmuring is as usual.
"What do you think of that one?"
"The almost naked one?"
"Yeah, she's beautiful. I wished they weren't our enemies though."
"Yeah, her strength is crazy. I saw her fighting the vice captain Doggo and defeated him."
"Yeah she can smash me everyday."
"Ermm.. what the flip?"
"Why are they in hoods? Except for that big man and the wolf?"
"Quiet down you puny bastards!"
Bete shouted.
Opening the captain's room, Finn entered and as Thomas followed is greeted by 2 more individuals inside of the late captain's room.
The one hooded with the same holes like one from earlier but this figure is twice the height. This time Thomas noticed the difference, the ears of this individual are much longer and very pointy.
The dark colored green robed with the hood masked the individual's face and is hard to identify. The lamp on the table shines bright and couldn't even make out the face. The other individual is the armored man who battled the late captain.
"Thomas, may I ask where we are on this map?" Finn asked.
On the table, Finn has two maps. One of the destinations of islands and cities they passed and the other the map of the continent.
Thomas understood where they are currently but one notion appeared in his thoughts. 'Are they lost or something?'
Seconds passed and Thomas kept thinking of the possibilities on why they were attacked.
"What do you want from us?" Thomas asked.
"We want your ship and want to know where we are." Finn replied.
"Over here."
Thomas pointed his finger at the spot of islands. The circular islands appear to have been located inside of the line. This gave curiosity to Finn and the others who are containing such questions by remaining stoic or acting like they belong here.
"Thomas, where is the nearest island with a population here?" Finn asked.
"Right there west, we were headed there before you attacked us. It's called, water seven." Thomas answered.
'water seven huh...' finn processed the name while riveria in the hood was containing such shock expression to learn such vast area of the world on its own exist down here.
'by the Gods... This is too much.'
Finns expression is already hidden, but earlier when he found the maps with riveria, he was totally shocked. never before had he ever displayed such expression. But now contained, his only problem is battling the inner turmoil of his thoughts with questions at every second, such possibilities of stumbling into this vast world never explored by anyone above ground. Finn has complete control of his emotions on the outside in display.
Thomas was simply confused by the whole ordeal. He was a simple navigator of the Viks pirates and had disliked the treatment of him by the late captain. 'The rest of the group weren't so bad before this, but what matters is my survival.' Thomas thought.
"The distance is close, would it take a few days?" Finn asked.
"Yes.." thomas replied.
Sensing the tension rising on riveria, Gareth's constant widening eyes at the map and his hidden turmoil rising told thomas of the following.
"Thank you thomas, please return to the deck. You will be treated in good care."
"Um, Thank you."
As thomas leaves and with the door shut. Riveria instantly removed the hood to analyze the entire map in front of her.
"...How?"
Are the words she could only bring to surface.
END OF CHAPTER