Chapter 68: Round three
Sachi:
"Do you think they're okay…?" Whispering to Mikoto, Sachi still felt that her words were echoing off the cavernous walls.
Mikoto likewise cast wary glances at the wall. "I don't know. But can you feel it? They aren't the only ones in danger. Philia's attention is flagging, and we don't have a good grasp of the architecture of Knossos yet."
"Urgh…" Sachi flinched. "I don't need more negativity, Mikoto."
"Sorry… But I think it's time we turn back. I feel bad for Bell and them but…"
"But nothing," a rough voice cut in.
Whirling to face the voice, Sachi stared up fearfully at Cyclops as she glared at the pair of them.
"We are making good progress through the place. We will find them soon."
Sachi shared a disbelieving look with Mikoto. For four hours they had wandered the hallways, dutifully filling in the map. It was only half an hour ago or so when they descended once.
They were theoretically on the same floor as Bell and them, but had been unable to find the intersection that lined up with the pit trap.
That had the horrible implications that they had to descend another staircase to find where they had ended up.
"M-Ms. Tsubaki," Sachi stammered, "your voice is too loud."
"Eh? Why's that? There's nothing in these endless hallways!"
Tsubaki's rage was understandable. Bowing her head, Sachi listened timidly to the first-tier adventurer's rant.
"Damn assholes think they can hide in side rooms and be safe! Well fuck you all! I'll pull this whole stupid place down around you!"
W-Who is she talking to?
The level five's rant went unanswered for only a moment. Then their scout turned around and growled back into the raid group. "Can you shut up please? Seriously, your pity parties aren't helping anyone."
"HUH? What did you say to me?"
Sachi stuck out a cautious hand but quickly recalled it. She could only watch terrified as Tsubaki glared down into Philia's glowing blue eyes.
"You heard me, Cyclops. This whole place is a giant trap. We've already lost people in my familia. We need a plan and you're too stupid to think of one. Maybe Lili could but she ran after Bell."
"Why you…" Despite Sachi's fears, the first-tier adventurer did not strike Philia. Instead, she just sighed and rubbed her hair. "You think I don't know that? I'm an idiot that forges weapons and tests them on monsters…"
"This is bad…" Mikoto whispered in Sachi's ear. "If Tsubaki gives up command this group could fracture…"
Following Mikoto's frightful looks, Sachi glanced around at the various adventurers on the fringes of the group. Some of those with a copy of the map were taking meaningful glances at the way back to the first floor.
"Umm, can we do something to help?" Sachi whispered back, fearfully. Hugging herself, she hated the tight enclosed corridors. She wished Kirito was here. His steady back and calming smile were things she definitely wanted at the moment.
"I… I don't think so," Mikoto said frustrated. "Adding more voices is not going to help. It will only… Do you hear that?"
Sachi had no time to reply as Tsubaki's voice roared through the hallway. "We got beasties coming! Look sharp."
Sachi turned to their back while Tsubaki and them looked forward. "Ehh?" Sachi looked back and forth between the two directions.
"They caught us in a pincer," Mikoto hissed, "look sharp."
"S-Sure…"
Holding her spear in wavering hands, Sachi squinted into the darkness in the midst of a muddled group. There was no unity to be found as small groups congregated around themselves. Sachi and Mikoto were no different, eschewing larger lines to guard each other.
"H-Holy shit!"
An unknown voice swore as the darkness quivered and broke to reveal green plants like snakes, the bulbous flower on their makeshift head opening like the maw of a beast.
"I will stop it," Mikoto declared. "Your magic."
S-Sure!" Taking have a step behind her partner, Sachi took a calming breath and settled into the first spear stance that she had ever learned. The short chant for her magic was finished by the time that the monsters clashed with the front line.
Screaming and chaos erupted in an instant as the various groups struggled to navigate each other, rogue swings threatening friendly fire.
"Hragh!" With a roar, Mikoto struck forward, blade sliding out its sheath as she struck one of the creatures. It left only a thin slice along the hide, but it did draw the creatures attention.
"Very hard," Mikoto grumbled. "I am afraid I am too weak to kill these monsters."
Sachi nodded and waited as it turned to face Mikoto. With its gaping maw now in sight, Sachi focused on the back of its throat and lunged. "Distorted Thrust!"
As the plant slithered forward in answer, it impaled itself deeply on the spear tip where it had shown up, some meters further ahead than it should have been.
After a short struggle, a loud crack signified its end. Her magic faded and the monster began sloughing off in chunks, beginning to disintegrate as its core was destroyed.
"Whoa…"
"Did you see her magic?"
"That's the great twister of Dimensions for ya…"
Blushing from the praise, Sachi ducked her head while still resetting for another lunge. She had no target, but that didn't stop her from beginning to mumble the chant again.
"Break through my fear, my terror; Shatter my delusions and consume me…"
"There's a big one at the back, aim for it Sachi!"
Unable to respond as she was casting her magic, Sachi peered into the darkness, waiting for the creature to resolve itself. When it did, she gasped, her chant almost failing.
"Spear of agony, spear of hate; Let this one last wish carry on and connect!"
"KYAAAA!" The extra-large sized plant snake screamed loudly; unnatural roar deafeningly loud as it echoed brutally in the cramped tunnels. The groups of adventurers panicking and retreating ahead of it. Even the other snakes were backing up and slithering up the walls, getting out of its way.
"Sachi now!"
Frozen she could not execute the second round. She could feel the magic ready, pulsing within her, a rhythm building as it demanded release.
The pressure on her to move was restricted by the paralyzing fear that contained her like a straitjacket. The other adventurers were no different. Only a small few had the wherewithal to stagger backwards and call for magic weapons.
"SACHI!"
Staggering from the slap, Sachi fell to one knee, the magic bucking against its restraints.
As her vision cleared from the slap, her eyes bulged. The creature had reached the front lines. Its bulk crushing a pair of dwarves against the wall, taking only mild scratches in response.
"I missed my chance," Sachi whispered, horrified.
"I'll get you another one."
"Mikoto!?" Calling out after her best friend, Sachi could do nothing as she darted forward. Her low level two stats leaving her one of the weakest adventurers here.
No, don't! Sachi could do nothing as Mikoto leapt into the air, katana held in a downwards position to try and drive it straight into the monster from above.
With a dismissive flick of its head, the monster met Mikoto halfway through her jump, slamming her body against the roof. The loud crack that she created sent a wave of fear through Sachi.
Unable to let it be, she darted forward herself, taking careful aim. As the head returned to center, its jaw opened briefly, giving Sachi an angle. With no hesitation, her spear darted forward with blurring speed. "Distorted Thrust!"
The strike landed true, Sachi's spear penetrated deeply into the soft fleshy bits of its upper mouth. Letting out an agonized screech, the monster flailed backwards, in pain but very much alive.
With her buying the time, lines reformed and more spells were chanted. Sachi could not have cared less. She had frozen and Mikoto had paid for it.
"Damn it! I thought I was past this!" Berating herself, Sachi ran over to where Mikoto's body had fallen. There was a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Taking out a health potion, Sachi quickly poured it into Mikoto's mouth before scooping up her body.
Sachi could only mouth apologies that she was moving her, but there was nothing for it. Mikoto was in the way on the front lines. Rushing back, her mouth twisted to call for aid, but the raid was a mess, particularly over here. Carrying Mikoto, she approached the front of the raid. Unlike the back, the other side was a massacre. With Tsubaki leading the way, the monsters were getting destroyed. As she watched, the last shape she could see was rent into halves by a mighty vertical slash.
"Hey…" Realizing what had happened, Sachi felt a strange emotion overcoming her despair. Vision turning red, Sachi advanced with Mikoto. "Why? Why are all of our strongest adventurers at the front?"
Lyu:
"Nothing but trash…" It was odd to say that a fight left one disappointed. Lyu had a very realistic view of combat. You entered with a purpose and should strive your hardest to fulfill that objective. Any less and you risked sudden death.
Yet, looking around at the cleared-out cavern, Lyu still felt a weird sense that it was all too easy. Her wooden blade was horrible against the plant snake's iron hard skin, but it was a simple matter for her to hit them against walls for Kaguya to dispatch.
"Ah, just that odd pillar left now. Do you think I should try and cut it?"
"You are asking me?" Lyu replied surprised. Kaguya and asking for input were not on friendly terms.
"Right, that was a stupid thing to do. Thinking I'd get useful advice from you. Ah well, guess I'll just hope that there isn't too much rock beneath that green stuff."
Lyu sent her a brief glare but went back to observing the room. There was still a menacing aura in the air similar to the far deep floors. Each second that passed she thought that the oppression was lightening a little.
Does that mean Revis is defeated? Lyu looked over at the second exit where loud bangs had echoed from a little earlier. She wanted to dart over, but they all had their own roles to play.
"Well, here I go…"
Taking the cue, Lyu jumped back and out of range of any unpredictable side effects. Even as her feet were settling back on the ground, Kaguya burst into action. Her single strike 'Issen', a flash of light that even Lyu struggled to follow.
Its speed far surpassed anything that she herself could produce. In exchange, it left Kaguya vulnerable, blade extended, all of her pent-up energy released in a single violent burst.
KYAA! An inhuman cry sounded out from the pillar of green. Suddenly, it was not a pillar but two gigantic snake monsters on a completely different scale that were falling down, their tails cut cleanly off by Kaguya's blade.
"In the sky of a now distant forest. Infinite stars scattered in the endless night sky." Without waiting for the ultra large-class monsters to crash to the ground, Lyu began her chant. Mentally, she berated herself for not having it prepared ahead of time. No, she should have used her magic against the pillar.
"Shit!" Kaguya staggered to the side, doing her best to duck under chunks off rock ripped off the roof that her falling toward her.
In the midst of the storm of activities, Lyu's chant continued unabated, her voice only increasing in tempo as she had no need to move. The injured monsters landed with giant crashes, plant debris and rock shards getting shot into the air.
Their large masses were writhing, driving Kaguya further away. As Lyu's chant was coming to an end, her familia member landed beside her, glaring angrily.
"You could have helped me!"
Finishing the chant, Lyu gave her a flat stare. "I am. Luminous Wind!"
Her motes formed and darted forward, exploding as they came into contact with the hard green skin. Each explosion erupting with a burst of light and blood as they tore the monsters apart.
In the silence that followed, only corpses remained of the two monsters. Luminous Wind had carved through almost half of the bulk looking more like there had only been one monster that they'd cut in half.
"Nice," Kaguya nodded happily. "Anyway, look at this. Almost fell on my head."
"Hmm?" Sticking out her hand, Lyu accepted a fist sized orb from Kaguya. It looked like it was made of green glass. However, the perfect sphere shape was something that even the most proficient glass blower would struggle to replicate. "Is there… something inside?"
Peering into its depths, Lyu gasped and almost dropped it. Obscured through the glass was a slightly darker green shape that looked a newborn babe or maybe earlier. A creature still in the womb.
"Yeah, creepy," Kaguya agreed. "I guess this place was giving birth to this?"
Lyu looked around and shuddered. The green growth was starting to recede and die. Whatever they had done had broken the hold that the green monsters had over the pantry.
The likely reason was the broken pillar in the middle of the chamber. The core of what the monsters had been surrounding "A pantry crystal…"
"Ahh," Kaguya agreed, pocketing the sphere. "They were feeding off the dungeon's provisions. Clever… we rarely come to panties because of how many monsters there are and how aggressive they become. What possibilities has this blinded us to?"
Lyu could not comment on her assistant captain's mutterings, instead approaching the second exit to the cavern. Just as she expected, two figures entered from the other side. Bruised and battered, Alise and Ais limped into the cavern.
"Alise!" Screaming out her captain's name, Lyu rushed over, the words for her healing magic forming and falling from her mouth. Her heart was so disoriented that the magic almost went rouge on her. Restraining the surges, she finished promptly. Noah Heal!"
"Ahaha, thanks Lyu. I've had a rough time of it."
"What happened with Revis?" Lyu asked.
Ais followed up, biting her words. "She fled. I couldn't leave Alise in her injured state."
"I am sorry about that Ais…" Alise apologized; her voice serious. "I got cocky and failed."
"It is fine." Ais smiled gently, oddly expressive at the moment. "I would have been defeated by myself. I need to be stronger."
Lyu's gaze drifted back and forth between the two women. Was there a bond now? It was reminiscent of Lyu's own bond with Alise. She could now look back fondly on the times in her wild youth where only this crazy red-headed beauty had been able to control her.
"We should go check on Lyra. Also, check this thing out. Seems to be what they are trying to create."
As soon as Kaguya presented them the sphere, Ais stumbled back, a pained look on her face.
"What is—" Kaguya's question was met with no answer as the sphere leapt from Kaguya's hand straight towards Ais. Stunned as she was, Lyu could not move, but Alise could. Her sword leapt from its sheath, splitting the orb in two. The pieces crashed to the ground leaking green blood.
"W-What?" Alise's words spoke for all of them.
It was a silent group that marched back to the exit, observing the quickly fading growths. It would not be long before monsters were being born to replenish this area of the dungeon.
"There you all are!" Lyra greeted them with a relieved voice. "I got a little worried when Revis ran out, but the green stuff started to die, so I figured you all won."
"Revis!" Ais spoke urgently, "What happened to her!?"
"See for yourself." Grabbing something off the ground, Lyra tossed a still bleeding arm to Ais. The whole appendage was blistered and filled with shrapnel; large chunks almost blown off.
"I-Is she dead?" Alise asked with a lump in her throat.
Putting a comforting hand on her captain's back, Lyu waited with her for an answer from their prum.
"Course not," Lyra tsked. "I tried to close on her while she was injured but those bullets are hard to deal with. There's a blood trail, but she is healing like a floor boss. I doubt she has a scratch remaining on her body."
"But healing like that is hard," Kaguya proposed. "Even floor bosses don't heal forever."
Stretching, Alise let out a long, upbeat exhale. "Alright then! Pack up Lyra, we're dropping Ais back off at the raid and then heading for the surface. I want to update Astraea before we sojourn forth once more."
"Sojourn?" Lyra drawled. "You tryna mimic that elven king?"
"No! Alise's greatness is all her own!"
Sighing at the over-the-top narcissistic declaration, Lyu poked her. "Come on, we need to get moving."
"Hai, hai!" With a weirdly upbeat mood, they retread their steps to return to Loki familia.
Kirito:
Dumping the water from his boots, Kirito continued to take glances at the pool of water, hoping that the mermaid would come back. Her mastery of language was an oddity that needed investigating.
"Is she just unique or…?" Kirito had the strange sense that she wasn't. There was no need for her to get so scared and leave if she was. It indicated secrets intentionally protected.
Finishing the act of drying himself off, Kirito took one more look at the water before heading back to meet up with the others.
Kirito by no means had a map in his head like he heard some adventurers did, but the path was straightforward enough to find the central cavern. After all, it was the source of all water on this floor. Killing a few monsters, Kirito arrived back and then made his way into the designated hunting location.
"Kirito!"
"Y-You survived!?"
Kirito ignored their greetings, his gaze drawn to the nets next to the wagon. A form was struggling haplessly within them.
"You caught one?" Kirito asked sharply.
"Ah, yeah…" Gregory scratched his head. "Thought about getting started but the thought of you out there…"
Again, Kirito did not reply, instead approaching the monster. Kneeling down, Kirito watched the monster, wondering what emotions would stir within him.
The mermaid was ugly, completely unlike the one that had saved him. Its blue skin was pulled and wrinkled, teeth like saw teeth snapping uselessly against the mithril. There was no physical beauty in it at all.
Is that why I feel no pity? Because it's ugly? What if it was Mari?
"Ki…Rito?"
He could hear the doubt and concern in Gregory's voice. He's worried I'll kill the monster.
Standing up, Kirito sighed, wiping a hand through his wet hair. "I still don't understand the point of this."
"Huh? But I told ya last night that—"
"I understood your reasonings," Kirito sighed. "But I still don't understand how you can get joy from this. Look into its eyes. There is no thought there, only primal instincts. It doesn't understand what you are doing to it. You aren't disgracing it, only yourselves."
"…"
There was none of the outpouring of anger that Kirito expected his statement to illicit. Indeed, he was prepared for them to lash out physically at him. What he got was a trio of downturned, embarrassed and pensive faces.
"You know… thinking of you being dead under the waves and then pulling this up, I wanted to start on it immediately but…"
"But doing so would not have brought you back," one of the twins finished.
Kirito nodded in agreement. "I don't want to force you to do anything but… if we were voting, I want you to kill it."
The three men shared only a single look and a nod. With smooth motions, three weapons pierced the monster, killing it.
Kirito took one last look back at its helpless form gasping for its last breath before turning for the exit. "Come on, I'm needed on the surface."
"You got it boss!" With a resounding cheer, they packed up to leave.
Looking upwards, Kirito made a fervent wish. Just a few more hours. I'm sorry this took me so long.
Bell:
"Firebolt!" Killing another of the spider monsters, Bell panted from the exertion. His vision going momentarily black from the strain he'd placed on himself.
I can't… fall here. There were seemingly infinite waves of the things. Haruhime had collapsed into Lili's arms nearly a quarter of an hour ago. Lisbeth had only a few emergency blades in reserve and Leafa's mind was as low as his own.
The person in the best condition was Silica. Her magic was unnecessary, and she only cleaned up small groups.
"Firebolt!" Firing out another blast, Bell staggered a step, falling to one knee. Panting heavily, he stared warily through the smoke, waiting for more monsters to rush out at him. When enough time passed, he regained his feet.
"We need to wake up Haruhime," Leafa said, rushing over to the prone supporter.
"Lili knows that," Lili tsked, getting out a dual potion. Propping open Haruhime mouth, she poured the entirety of the contents down her mouth.
"Hmm? What is happening?"
"We are progressing," Lisbeth said, clapping the Renart on her shoulder. "Come on, we need that map of yours."
"I-I will do my best to deliver." Bowed her head demurely. "Umm, by the way… did I pass out from mind down?"
"Just noticing?" Lili berated her.
"…My most humble apologies. I thought… I thought I would stronger after levelling up."
"It isn't your fault," Bell spoke up strongly, extending a hand to the girl. "It's because I'm too weak to efficiently kill these monsters!"
"I thought it was just Onii-chan that talked that way," Leafa muttered. "Is it actually all men?"
"No," Silica sighed. "I think these two are just a special kind of stupid."
I'm not Kirito though! Bell complained mentally. After all… Kirito would not have gotten his family trapped in such a deadly place.
Looking over the battered and bruised party, Bell could not control himself. Falling to all fours, he slammed his head against the hard metal floor. "I'm so sorry! This is all… This is my fault!"
"Uhh, you just realizing that?"
"Obviously!"
Groaning under the onslaught of accusations, Bell could feel his weakness welling up. Tears that he had never grown out of swelling and threatening to fall to the floor.
"But Bell… We followed you into willingly."
"Lili knew that whatever happens, Bell will rescue us."
"Huh?" Looking up at them, Bell tried and failed to blink away the tears. Resorting to wiping his face, he was confused by the smiling faces of the two supporters.
Both of which ignored his confusion and placed a chaste kiss on his cheeks. Overheated by the sudden swings in emotion, Bell swayed in place, ready to collapse.
"Oh my, it looks like you have your own harem forming there."
"Oh no, Lisbeth, a sullied person like myself could never be anything more than a mistress."
"A-As if I'd subject myself to a boy that would cheat on me!"
Chuckling, Bell sniffled and wiped his eyes once more. "Thank you both. I'll do my best to lead us—"
Clap, clap, clap.
Slow clapping pierced the chamber. "Congratulations adventurers, you've done well to survive so long. But now, shall we say… It's showtime!"
Whirling around, Bell's instincts instantly brought him fight mode, the Hestia Knife flying into his hand. "You three!"
Freezing up, Bell felt a hard hand on his shoulder. "Stay back Bell, this is our fight."
"L-Leafa?" Bell said in surprise, but looking around, it wasn't just her. Silica and Liz were also glaring at the three with true hatred.
Bell was not prepared to be upstaged though. "They took Welf. I am not sitting by and watching!"
"I wasn't asking."
Glaring at each other, the man that had taunted them just laughed. "Bring it! As I said. It is… SHOWTIME!"
Leafa:
Leafa was darting forward before the final syllable of showtime finished sounding. As she ran, she started concurrent casting. "I am the daughter of wind, protector of Sylvain. Let my blessed wings bear me to new heights."
It was a long cast that would not be finished until well after she had landed her first swing. I just have to figure it out! Already the strain of concurrent casting in her tired condition had sweat springing to her forehead.
"So naïve, girl!" The leader, PoH, laughed in her face. She was still a dozen meters distant when he pulled something from beneath his robe, keeping it hidden under the fold.
Bang!
"Guh!" Grunting from the sudden pain, Leafa staggered to a halt as a large force shoved against her chestplate.
"One ain't enough, huh?"
PoH pulled out the gun into clear vision, revealing it to her stunned senses. That's not just a gun… it's a revolver! She was far from knowledgeable about the workings of firarms, but the man held a shape that all grade-schoolers would know. The distinctive six-chambers that changed position every time it fired.
That means…
Diving to the side likely saved her life as more incredibly loud bangs completely consumed the tunnel.
"Careful boss. Bullets will bounce in here."
"Tsk, true. These lame blacksmiths lack the ability to add rifling to the guns and the bullets are all second rate."
"Ahaha, boss! You say that as if they aren't a million times more accurate than the third-rate—"
"If you finish that statement, I'll kill you Johnny."
"A-Aye, you got it!"
Utilizing that strange exchange, Leafa staggered backwards towards her allies. The hallway was less than five meters across. It made it a nightmare to fight against ranged weapons and magic.
"Leafa!" Silica was suddenly there, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Are you hurt? Get behind me!"
"You? I'm the only one sensible enough in this deranged familia to use a shield!"
"Liz!" Leafa let out a grateful gasp.
"Close enough you think?" One of the cloaked figures rumbled.
"I'd say so." PoH answered. Smiling widely, the leader of them pocketed his gun. "Then all I'll say is that I hope some of you survive this."
Leafa tensed up at the ominous dialogue from the evilus members. She didn't have long to wonder about what tricks lay up their sleeves as the center man pulled out a red longsword from beneath his cloak.
It shimmered with a magic power that Leafa had long since grown acquainted to being Liz's friend.
"That blade…" Liz gasped.
"Oh? So you know his style? Very nice."
"Run." Liz's was harsh and flat. "Welf's blades are powerful."
"Hehe, good to hear that! Let's test it out!"
"As if!" Liz countered, pulling out one of her final blades, a slender blue katana with a single cutting edge.
"Scarlet moon!"
"Niflheim!"
A wave of fire met ice halfway between the two groups. Leafa could feel the metal around them heat up and cool down before heating up again as the blades fought for supremacy.
Leafa tensed, waiting for the sign that Liz had lost and would drag her away forcefully. The war raged on for another couple of seconds before the changes in temperature ceased, a lukewarm water soaking the floor.
"Oi oi oi! Some setting fire to the sea that was!" PoH raged. "Some girl like you can match his blades!? What the hell was the point of abducting him then!?"
"Heh," Lisbeth smirked. "You think a second-rate magic blade smith like Welf can match someone who forges them with her all? …Not that that blade is close to his best though…"
Idiot! Leafa screamed in her head, hoping that the evilus members would be too wrapped up in emotion to dissect the meaning.
"Oh…? So this isn't his best work…? Hey boy, I have a deal for you. Cut off two fingers and toss them over here. If you do that, I'll let you continue to wander the grand halls of Knossos until you die."
"M-My fingers?" Bell responded with obvious confusion.
"Don't bother," Liz smirked again. "He's fleeing because he's out of tricks. His gun, his blades, none of them can defeat us."
"Uh oh, it seems I've been seen through!"
That tone… Tensing again, Leafa prepared to act. Her mind trying to dissect the various possibilities of attack. There were simultaneously too many and too few. The obvious route was to finish her magic but Lady of the Sky ate mind and was only marginally useful in the close confines of Knossos. Her other magic, Wind Scythe, would be preferred.
I'm so far from the sky here… The stifling air, the thick scent of rot that permeated the halls. Leafa had struggled casting it each time. Now, with her head aching, she doubted that she'd remain upright after firing another blast off.
"Firebolt!"
Leafa was as shocked by the sudden magic as the three evilus members were. Darting back around the corner they had come from, a gap was created between the two groups.
"Lili thinks we should run."
"Run, why!?" Liz growled. "Didn't you just see that we can beat them?"
"They will lead us straight to Welf!" Bell agreed.
"Ahh, idiots!" Lili ranted. "Can none of you see the bait? This is obviously a trap!"
"Sorry Lili, but that doesn't matter." Placing a hand on the supporter's shoulder, Leafa made a decision for everyone. "They are our only path to Welf and our only path out. We have no choice but to bite."
"Tsk." Lili grumbled but offered no direct opposition.
"Then let's move." Liz growled.
Getting nods from everyone, Haruhime included they set off, mapping forgotten in exchange to trusting in the evilus members' cockiness.