A/N: I know this is being released much sooner than my other recent ones were. What can I say? I was inspired and had some time, so I wrote!
Ok, so Warning! A lot of this chapter conforms to Oratoria canon. The reason being, I haven't done enough to change that canon much. I've set up showing these scenes though, so I wanted to show them despite how close they are to canon. There are some differences, but not enough that I would consider it a deviation from the story. They will be important later on though, which is why I want them here.
We do get to see more of my plan for Take and his people in this chapter though, so it's a bit of a mix between overly canon and me changing things. I hope that's ok with you! I promise not to get this close to canon again if I can help it.
On to a question! I will be having Miach recruit members soon, but they won't be very prominent. Likely just in the background and occasionally mentioned. They are extremely unlikely to get any story bits told through their point of view. Do you have any suggestions for characters to join them? Maybe even OC suggestions? This is just for Miach right now, but if you do, please leave a review.
Thank you so much for the comments and reviews! Please leave some on this chapter if you have any questions or comments.
Hearthfire
Chapter 17
Torrhen
"So, there are potions that can amplify the enchanting skill?" Torrhen's new apprentice, Welf asked, staring at the bottle in his hand.
"Yes," Naaza replied. "And there are enchantments that can strengthen alchemy. Theoretically you can do this in an infinite loop."
"It's been attempted several times," Torrhen cut in. "But it is extremely difficult, time consuming, and highly impractical. You get good returns the first two or three times, but after that it just isn't worth the miniscule difference. All you are doing is wasting resources. Besides, the enchanted gear I gave you is already the best that we can make. Relying on potions will not increase your skill with enchanting. Just as relying on an enchantment won't make you a better alchemist. You need to hone your skills before you start trying to enhance them magically." Naaza and Welf both nodded in understanding.
After Welf's first successful attempt at enchanting, Torrhen had brought him to Hestia to have his Status updated. Sure enough, Welf was now the proud owner of the 'Apprentice Enchanter' skill. The skill was similar to Torrhens own 'Master Enchanter' and essentially made it easier for Welf to recall, create, and recreate enchantments.
"So, you sold a bunch of these new potions to the Loki Familia, right?" Welf asked. Torrhen had been showing him how a few armor enchantments worked when Naaza had arrived, hoping to ask for Torrhen's advice about a new recipe. The two had hit it off as only two dedicated craftsmen could.
"Yes," Naaza replied. "I had to use up pretty much all of the ingredients I had on hand, but thankfully what they paid was more than enough to replenish our stocks. Now that we have some money, Lord Miach and I have been discussing the possibility of moving to a nicer house. Maybe even starting to recruit new members."
"Since your goal is to compete with Dian Cecht, you should probably start recruiting soon. If the Loki Familia comes back singing your praises, the orders will start flooding in. You won't be able to keep up without help." Torrhen said.
"I don't think they'll be raving about them, but I hope that they at least get the word out about how effective they are." Naaza smiled. "If nothing else, it would be nice if they became regular customers. That alone would bring in others."
Finn
"Fire potions!" Finn called as the group barreled through the 57th floor. The last round of fire resist potions hadn't quite worn off yet, but they were about to hit the 58th floor. They couldn't risk the effect running out while surrounded by Valgang Dragons.
The group quickly popped the corks on their vials and downed the potions, never slowing their pace. After Lefiya had been knocked into one of the shafts created by the dragons, the group had been running as fast as they could, hoping to reach her in time. The amazon twins had jumped in after her but it was safer for the rest to make their way through the levels, outright ignoring every monster that wasn't directly blocking their path.
To Finn's right, he could hear Riveria chanting under her breath as they began to descend the stairs. "Once we reach the bottom, Riveria will release her spell!" He called to the group. "Our job is to mop up any of the monsters that aren't caught in the blast! Tsubaki! Raul! Get to Lefiya and the twins as fast as you can! They may need medical attention and you have most of the healing potions!"
"Right, boss!"
"You got it Finn!"
"Everybody get ready!" Finn shouted as they neared the opening at the bottom of the stairs. Passing through the entry arch at a full sprint, the group skidded to a halt just on the other side. "Now, Riveria!"
"Wynn Fimbulvetr!" Riveria's voice rose up over the noise of the monsters. A massive burst of icy wind swirled into life and barreled across the open volcanic area that made up the 58th floor. Valgang Dragons, Virga, and Wyverns were caught up in the blast, frozen solid despite the heat of the floor.
"Charge!" The group sprinted forward with Finn himself, Bete, and Riveria smashing the frozen monsters in their way. Finn could see Lefiya and the twins a small distance away, still fighting the monsters that had avoided the blast. Ais, Gareth, Tsubaki, and Raul dashed around the frozen monsters and made a beeline for the other group.
Upon reaching them Ais, Tsubaki, and Gareth began to engage the monsters while Lefiya and the twins fell back, receiving potions and aid from Raul. Making quick work of the frozen monsters, Finn's group joined up with Gareth's. In short order, they had finished off all the monsters in their vicinity, making things temporarily quiet. Peace in the Dungeon never lasted for long.
"Take a few, everyone." Finn said. "We'll get some rest and then continue on. Raul, Tsubaki, do you mind picking up the drops and magic stones?"
"No problem!" Raul responded.
"Ooh, dragon scales!" Tsubaki wasn't even listening. She was already sifting through the drop items. While the two of them gathered the drops and stones, the rest collapsed to the floor trying to catch their breath.
"Are you alright, Lefiya?" Riveria asked. The girl was covered in soot, and her clothes were burned in several places. The twins weren't much better off.
"I'm fine, Ms. Riveria" Lefiya answered. "It was a bit overwhelming, but we managed to hold them off.
"Lefiya really held her own!" Tiona added, which drew a smile from the elven girl. "That shield spell of hers really helped us avoid the worst of the blasts.
"Too bad our fire potions didn't last the whole time," Tione spoke up. "Their effect stopped working partway through the fight and we didn't have any opportunities to drink more. We got pretty burned up."
"The healing potions that Raul gave us fixed that though!" Tiona said. "We should have drunk our potions during the fall, we just didn't think about it."
"True."
"Well, I'm glad you're all doing alright, despite what happened." Finn told them. "I'm proud of you for holding your own like that, especially in a bad situation. You did well." The three girls offered him smiles at that, with Tione practically glowing.
"Since everyone is healed, we should prep for the next floor," Gareth cut in. "We don't want to linger here for long."
"Agreed," Finn said. They were heading into uncharted territory. What lay below them hadn't been explored since the Zeus and Hera Familia's had been wiped out. "According to what records we have, the 59th floor is supposed to be a winter area. Extreme cold and covered in ice, with monsters to match it so we'll need frost resist potions easily on hand."
"I've got them," Raul said as he came over, having finished collecting the magic stones and drops he could find. Setting his bag down, the young human started pulling out potions and distributing them amongst the others, replenishing their healing and stamina potions as he went. Finn saw both Riveria and Lefiya grab a few extra replenish-magicka potions, which they immediately drank. Raul spoke up as he worked. "I'm running out of space in here, Captain" he said. "I've got a ton of stones and drops but even these Adventurer Packs have a limit."
"Same here, Finn." Tsubaki said, sitting down. "The drops and stones on these floors are a lot bigger than the higher floors. They take up a lot of space."
"Mine still has a decent amount of room," Lefiya said. "I should be able to get most of what we pick up on the next floor in it, but I don't know if the empty space will last beyond that."
"The sheer fact that we made it this far without worrying about storage space or carrying capacity is a miracle unto itself," Finn said. "But I don't think we will continue much beyond floor 59. Just exploring it will take us some time, and I'm not comfortable leaving the others alone up on the 50th for much longer."
Takemikazuchi
Take sighed as he wandered down the street. The letter he had received from Susanoo was weighing heavily on his mind. He hadn't told the members of his Familia about the letter yet, although he had told them that they would be having an important meeting soon. He wasn't sure how to break the news to them, and wanted to at least have some idea of a solution before telling them anything.
Take had no choice but to leave Orario if he wanted to save his shrine and the orphans who lived there, but if he and his Familia left the city, then the shrine would be bankrupt in a month and close down anyway. The best case scenario was for some of Take's members to stay in Orario, but without him there they would have no support. They would be unable to update their Status' and eventually would be denied entry to the Dungeon, because they didn't have a god in the city. His pondering of the situation was interrupted by an arm being thrown around his shoulder.
"Take! Why the long face?" Turning his head to look a the person who was manhandling him, Take suppressed a groan.
"What do you want, Hermes?" He asked. Hermes was a trickster and Take hadn't had many pleasant experiences with the god.
"Why do I have to want something? Can't a god just catch up with an old friend who's looking glum?"
"Friend? Hermes, I can't remember the last time we spoke without you teasing or insulting me."
"Those were just jokes! Come on, Take, I know you love me. I'll even apologize if that's what you want!"
"Hermes!" Take growled. He was in no mood to deal with the man or his antics today!
"Fine, fine." Hermes backed off, removing his arm from Take's shoulder. "I've been out of the city for a while. I just got back a couple days ago and have been hearing all kinds of rumors. I was hoping you'd be able to clarify some things for me."
"Me?" Take was confused. "Why would I be able to help you with rumors?"
"Because they all center around Hestia and her Familia, and I know you two are close." Hermes gave him a winning smile. "Come on, Take. Help me out."
Take glared at the god. "No." He said with finality. "If you want information on Hestia's children, you should ask her yourself. I'm not telling you anything." Pushing past Hermes, Take continued down the street. As he rounded the corner, he quickly changed direction, and headed for Hestia's manor. If Hermes was back and asking about her Familia, Hestia needed to know.
Finn
They had rested for perhaps 15 minutes, before the group rallied at the entrance to the stairs leading down to floor 59. Those with less physical stamina like Raul, Lefiya, and Riveria quickly downed stamina potions to compensate for the short amount of rest. They gathered in formation, with Finn and Ais in the front. Riveria, Lefiya, and Raul were in the center of the column with Bete and Tsubaki on one side and the twins on the other. Gareth took up the rear as they descended into the depths.
The stairs were not particularly deep and the reached the bottom quickly. What they encountered however, was not the wintery landscape that had been described in the journals of the Zeus Familia. Stretching before them was a massive forest, covered in vines and thick foliage. Instead of artic blasts, the air was stagnant and oppressively hot.
"This… is not what I was expecting," Tsubaki said.
"Nor I," Finn muttered. "Stay in formation, keep an eye out. We're going exploring."
The team wandered through the forest following a rough path that seemed to wind its way forward, hacking away at vines and vegetation that occasionally hung in their way. The floor seemed strangely calm, but in an almost eerie kind of way.
"Why haven't we seen any monsters yet?" Bete asked.
"Maybe this floor has become a safe zone?" Tiona said.
"No," Riveria cut in. "There would not be a safe zone here. Not so close to the one on the 50th. There's something else going on here."
The group continued on their trek through the dense forest until they emerged into a desolate, ash covered clearing. Towering above them was a strange plant-like creature. Surrounding it were the caterpillar like Virga and the plant-like Viola monsters, all offering up magic stones to the creature.
They watched as part of the monster seemed to move away, revealing a roughly female shape extending from a bulbous, plant-like lower half which seized the magic stones being offered, feasting on them in a gluttonous frenzy.
"Since when do monsters eat other monsters?" Tiona whispered.
"They usually don't." Gareth said at the back. "This ash must be the remains of all the monsters that thing has eaten."
"It looks like that monster we saw on the 18th floor!" Lefiya gasped. "The one that came out of that weird crystal orb."
"Except this one appears to have absorbed a Titan Alm and evolved" Riveria said. Ais was standing, transfixed and staring at the creature. Before anything else could be said, a wailing moan echoed through the clearing.
"aaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The moan was so loud that the team was forced to put their hands over their ears to block out the sound.
"What's it doing?!" Tione tried to shout over the moan. They watched as the outer shell of the creature shattered, revealing an exquisitely beautiful, female, humanoid form that extended from a base that was covered in gorgeous, blooming flower petals.
"AAAAAAAAAAh… Aria." The monster spoke! It was staring intensely at Ais.
"Wait, Aria?!" That was Ais' mother's name!
"A Spirit…" Ais whispered, her voice trembling.
"That thing is a Spirit?!" Bete exclaimed.
"Are they usually that creepy?" Tiona added.
"Ah, Aria. I've missed you…" The thing stared silent for a moment, its mouth widening into a sickening grin. "Let me devour you." The Spirit picked up one of the Virga and shoved its hand into the monsters back, ripping out its magic stone and swallowing it. The ground began to rumble, the plants beginning to writhe all around them.
"The path is gone!" Raul cried out.
"Prepare for combat!" Finn called to the others. He was not about to lose his people to any damn Spirit!
"Finn, I'm taking the front!" Gareth said, moving forward.
"This bitch is going down!" Bete agreed.
Ais simply nodded to Finn and stepped up to join them alongside the twins. The Spirit laughed, its vines whipping forward and the monsters at its feet charging. With a wild battle cry the members of Finn's party charged forward to meet them.
"Lefiya, aim for the woman! Raul, back up the others with your magic sword!" Finn assumed his command position, treating the encounter as he would a campaign against a floor boss. It was their best chance at survival. Lefiya's chant began as the magic sword Raul had brought sent volleys of magic into the mass of monsters. Tsubaki too charged into the fray, drawing her sword.
As the combatants clashed, Finn raised a hand to Riveria, stopping her from beginning her own chant. "Wait!" He called to her. His thumb was throbbing. Whenever Finn's thumb throbbed like that it meant something was wrong. Something dangerous. "Somethings wrong!"
"Arise, flames." The Spirit said.
"A chant?!"
"It's casting a spell!"
"Fire potions!" Finn cried out. "Riveria, cast a barrier! Everyone else, stop that chant! Hit her with everything you got!" The members of the team quickly downed their resistance potions and let loose against the Spirit and the surrounding monsters.
"Take this!"
"Orrraaaa!"
"Fusillade Fallarica!" Lefiya's spell mixed with the attacks of the others, bathing the world in a golden light. Sadly, when it cleared, the spirit monster still stood, chanting.
"Rage, rage, RAGE! Vortex of Fire!"
"Dance, spirits of the air, keepers of the light!" Riveria was chanting as fast as she could, trying to beat the Spirit to the finish. If Finn was right, judging by the length of the chant, the Spirit was trying to cast a Greater Incantation. A powerful spell, that would require Riveria's full might to block it, if she even could.
"Retreat! Pull back to Riveria's barrier!" Finn called to the others. They ran as fast as they could, covering each other from the attacks of the surrounding monsters as they went.
As the members of their party gathered around her, Riveria finished her ultimate protection spell. "Materialize, mighty barrier of the forest's light, and lend us your protection! My name is Alf! Via Shilheim!"
A massive jade magic circle spread from Riveria's feet and a golden dome formed itself around the party. Almost at the same instant the dome was formed; the Spirit finished its chant.
"Fire Storm!"
The world turned red as a massive wall of flames erupted into being. An inferno from hell rose from the deep red magic circle that surrounded the Spirit. The flames incinerated everything nearby, monster and plant alike, and slammed into Riveria's barrier.
"Ugh!" Riveria grunted, almost losing her balance as she tried to hold the shield. It was to no avail. Cracks began to run throughout the golden barrier, the red light of the flames flickering through them. "Gareth! Protect the others!"
"Right!" Gareth stepped forward, grabbing a pair of great-shields off of his back, and stood before the rest of the group. "You're not getting through me!"
Lefiya rushed forward. She stood just behind the dwarf and, placing her hands on either side of Gareth's head, summoned her shield spell, the magic overlapping the great-shields. With a sound like breaking glass and rushing wind, Riveria's barrier shattered, her body engulfed by the flames.
The fire surged forward, battering into Lefiya and Gareth's shields. Finn could see Lefiya hold for a second, before her shield too shattered, sending her flying back. Gareth stood alone, the fire wrapping around his shields and moving to either side of the group. But it was not to last. The great-shields quickly began to melt in the dwarf's hands, so he flung them away, using his own body to block the fire even as his armor began to melt.
"GRAAAAAGHHH!" At last, the force of the inferno threw Gareth aside and crashed into the other members of the team. Finn was sent flying, the flames singing his clothes and overwhelming the fire resistance potion he had consumed. Finn could feel the skin on his chest, arms, and face burning as he tumbled through the air. The world turned black as he crashed into the ground.
Takemikazuchi
Take weaved his way through Orario's crowded streets, headed towards Hearthfire Hall, the home of the Hestia Familia. He'd been stopped earlier by Hermes and needed to warn Hestia about the tricky god's interest in her Familia. Perhaps he should speak with her about the letter he'd received as well. Hestia could be quite wise when she put her mind to it, and he could really use some advice right now.
"Take?" Once again, was pulled from his thoughts by a voice in the street. At least this one hadn't grabbed him. Turning towards the voice, Take grinned when he saw who was speaking.
"Hestia! I was just on my way to see you."
"You were?" She asked, confused. "Why?"
"Perhaps we should speak at your home? I have some news, and I need your advice."
"Sure, Take. I was just about finished anyway." Hestia turned and led him in the direction of her home.
"What were you doing out here, Hestia?" Take asked.
"There has been a bit of a supply shortage with one of my food stalls, so I was speaking with the manager, trying to figure out what to do until the supplies come in. We came up with a few good ideas, so I don't think it will be a huge problem."
The two walked swiftly, exchanging small talk and bits of news until they reached the gates of Hearthfire Hall. According to Hestia, the impressive manor house was almost finished, with only the completion of the outer wall, gate, and a few interior details to go.
"The Hall should be finished in a week or two," Hestia said as they walked through the front doors and up the stairs. "I'll be inviting a few people over for a party once it is." She led him into a circular room lined with bookshelves. A drinks cabinet sat in one corner and the room was filled with couches, tables, and chairs. Four doors led off the room, though what they were for, Take couldn't guess.
Lounging on one of the couches, book in hand, was an older human man with long, greying black hair, a close cropped beard, and piercing silver eyes. "Take, this is Torrhen. He's in charge of training for members of my Familia. Torrhen, this is Takemikazuchi, Shinto God of Thunder and Swords."
The man stood, placing his book on one of the low tables and stood. He was slightly taller than Take, and possessed a warriors build. "Lord Takemikazuchi," He said, extending his hand.
"No need for formalities," Take said, shaking the man's hand. Hestia had mentioned this man, and Bell Cranel to him several times, although this was the first time they had met. Hestia sat in one of the nearby armchairs, gesturing for Take to take a seat opposite her while Torrhen returned to his place on the couch.
"What did you want to talk about, Take?" Hestia asked as they settled in.
"In truth, I actually came here with a warning. I do need advice, but perhaps I should get to that in a minute."
"A warning?" Torrhen and Hestia both asked.
"Yes." Take nodded. "In fact, it's probably good that you're here, Torrhen. Considering your role in Hestia's Familia, you'll need to know about this as well. You see, I had a rather unpleasant encounter in the streets a little less than an hour ago, and I thought I should give you a heads up."
"Who did you run into?" Hestia asked.
"Hermes," Take said with a grimace. "He's back in the city and wanted me to talk to him about several rumors he'd heard on his return. Rumors surrounding your Familia."
Hestia's gaze was thoughtful, while Torrhen's turned hard. "Who is Hermes?" He asked, his already deep voice even lower.
"My nephew." Hestia said, still thoughtful. "He's the Olympian god of Travelers and Messages."
"And Thieves." Take added.
"And Thieves," Hestia nodded. "But why would he be asking you? He should have known you wouldn't tell him anything and that you'd come straight to me."
"I don't know," Take said. "But even if this is what he was expecting, you needed to know."
"Could this, Hermes person, be dangerous?" Torrhen asked.
"No," Hestia shook her head. "He's very mischievous, but I don't think he's a danger to us. He might prove to be annoying, but I wouldn't consider him an enemy." Torrhen hummed at that, looking skeptical.
"Well, whatever Hermes wants, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough," Hestia sighed. "But enough about him. You said you needed advice, Take. What's wrong?"
Take also sighed and handed over Susanoo's letter. "A few weeks ago, the Far East was attacked by the One-Eyed Black Dragon." Torrhen sat up straight, staring at Take. "The area where my shrine is located was one of the ones hit, and sadly Tsukuyomi, my partner, was killed and sent back to Tenkai. Lady Amaterasu is demanding my return or my shrine will be shut down, and the orphans it houses made homeless."
"Does the dragon often attack like this?" Torrhen asked, his intensity confusing for Take.
"I suppose," he said. "In the past, it would show up in a random location every decade or so and destroy something but this is the first time it has appeared since Zeus and Hera went after it. My guess is that it's returning to its old pattern, and we won't see it again for another ten to fifteen years." Torrhen sat back, his expression thoughtful.
"So, what advice do you need from me?" Hestia cut in.
"The destruction has orphaned dozens of children, who are all looking to my shrine for shelter." Take started. "I was barely making enough money to support the shrine and the few orphans we housed before the attack, which is why I came to Orario in the first place. My Familia members are all orphans who resided there. We send half of our total income back to the Far East to support the shrine. If I leave, and my Familia stays, they will not be able to advance and will eventually be denied entry to the Dungeon. I also need experienced hands to help run the shrine, but if they go with me, then there is still the problem of money. We just don't have the means to support the Shrine without remaining in Orario."
"Hmm…" Hestia hummed in thought as she read the letter again.
"Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated, Hestia." Take looked down at his hands.
"Have you spoken with your members about this?"
Take shook his head. "No. I have called a meeting with them tonight, but I was hoping to come up with a solution before I said anything."
Hestia sighed and set the letter aside. "I do have one idea," she said. Take looked up at her, a small beacon of hope springing to life in his chest. "But I'm not sure you'll like it."
"Even if I don't, it's still better than not having any clue what to do." Take meant it. A bad idea was always better than no idea.
Hestia sighed again. "You could divide the Familia. Have some of your members stay here, in Orario and join another Familia. That would allow them to continue working in the Dungeon without penalty and keep sending money back to the shrine. The other members would return with you, to help you run the shrine."
Take was stumped. Theoretically, it could work but there were all kinds of issues. "What Familia would take them under those conditions?" He asked. "I don't know many gods that would accept their members sending money to another god for nothing in return. Especially if it was money that could be contributed to the Familia. That's not even mentioning the issue of divided loyalty. Who would accept that?"
Hestia looked uncomfortable for a moment before saying, "I would."
Take stared at her, dumbfounded. "What?" He asked, softly.
"Take," Hestia shifted, leaning against the arm of her chair. "Nobody understands family like I do. It's part of my sphere. Those orphans consider you and everybody who lives at that shrine family, right?" Take nodded.
"Then how could I blame them for wanting to help their family?" Hestia continued. "My members contribute 10% of their earnings in the Dungeon to the Familia Fund. I'm willing to cut that in half, maybe even waive it entirely if I can get my treasurer to agree. Instead, they can send that money, and whatever else they wish to add back to you in the Far East."
"You could even send others from the shrine here if they wish to come. So long as you give them a letter of introduction, I'll accept them." Hestia shifted in her seat again. "My only conditions are that they don't bankrupt themselves trying to help you, and that they be loyal to my Familia while in the city. I have no problem with them being loyal to you as well, you're their family, so long as they don't allow that division to put my other members in danger."
"I can't imagine that happening if he's not even in the city." Torrhen added from the couch. "I would add an addendum though." Take gulped. "Our current members need to agree, as do Takemikazuchi's. We can't force this on them. They need to agree to it. We also need to meet. If your members are to join the Hestia Familia, then they should meet its members. Especially our Captain and Hestia herself."
Take nodded. "I can agree to all of that, but are you sure you're ok with all of this?" He smiled as the two nodded. Their offer was the answer Take had been searching for. Now he just needed to convince his members that this would be a good idea.
Finn
Groaning in agony, Finn desperately struggled to his feet, his body screaming in pain, searching for his companions. They lay on the ground, scattered around him, burned and battered. What was once a forest was now a barren wasteland of ash and smoldering flames with only the Spirit at its center, laughing.
"Potions!" Finn tried to shout, his voice hoarse. "Get up! It's not over!" A few of the scattered bodies began to move, trying to pick themselves up off of the ground. The front of Finn's armor was singed beyond recognition and his skin was blackened, but his weapon, the indestructible spear made by Tsubaki, was fine. As was his satchel, which was slung on his back.
Reaching into his satchel, Finn pulled out one of only a small number of Ultimate Healing potions that he had bought from the Miach Familia. One had been given to each member of the deep-dive party, just in case. Popping the cork, Finn raised the vial to his lips and guzzled the potion. A cool feeling spread through his body as the burns healed themselves, leaving only fresh, slightly red skin behind. Unbidden, a sigh of relief escaped Finn's mouth.
Looking around again, Finn could see the other members of the party doing the same, their wounds healing as they struggled to their feet. All except for two. Riveria's body lay where she had stood, burned beyond recognition. Her clothes, made from holy fabrics, lay in charred tatters around her. The silvery white staff, Manga Alfs still rested in her hands, one of the gems at the top cracked. Gareth lay a small distance from Riveria's body, his armor blackened and melted. His features unrecognizable. The unbreakable axe Tsubaki had forged for him lay just out of the reach of his burned, lifeless hands.
"Riveria… Gareth…" Ais' horse voice whispered over the silence. Finn closed his eyes. They were gone. He could hear footsteps as a few of the others rushed towards the downed pair, desperately calling their names.
"Laa…" Finn opened his eyes as the Spirit moaned, breathing in as it drew the magic particles that remained in the air towards itself. The monster was absorbing magic!
"No." Finn thought. He would not allow that creature to live! "We're going to destroy that thing!" The others stared at him. Some in disbelief, others in despair or hopelessness. "What do you see before you? Despair? Ruin? Our inevitable end?" He asked them. "I see only an enemy that must be destroyed!"
Finn stabbed his spear into the ground, standing as tall as his body would allow and staring down the monster, moaning in the distance. "Think of our friends, waiting for us on the 50th floor! Think of Loki! Our annoyingly lovable goddess! Think of Torrhen, the man who showed us all that it is truly possible to reach the pinnacle of strength! Think of Bell Cranel! The young boy, desperate to be a hero, who stood against insurmountable odds and won! Think of them!
Finn raised his spear and pointed at the monster before them. The others continued to stare at him, their bodies trembling. "Is following in their footsteps too much for you? Is returning to our friends more than you can handle? Not for me. I swear by the Loki Familia! I swear by the name of the Pallum goddess Phaiana! We will have victory!"
"Like hell I'd lose to this piece of shit!" Bete cried. Around him, the others voiced their affirmation as well, grabbing their weapons and turning to face their foe.
"Hell yeah!"
"This is what being adventurer is supposed to be all about!"
The group stood together, facing the Spirit, weapons drawn and bodies taught, waiting for the signal. "Riveria. Gareth. If this is truly the end for you, then rest my friends. I will ensure that your stories are heard. And that those of the living, continue to be written." Finn stared down the Spirit, and flung his spear out to the side. "Charge!"
With a battle cry and a burst of speed, the party charged the Spirit with Finn in the lead. As they rushed forward, Finn called out commands to his team. "Ais, gather your strength! You're going to be the one to finish this! The rest of us will create an opening for you!" An affirmative cry sounded from his team. "I'll be hitting it with everything I have!" Finn shouted, before beginning his chant. "Demonic spear, pierce my brow and take this blood offering! Hell Finegas!"
Finn's trump card, a spell that would fully awaken the Pallum's savage warrior spirit. A power boost that would draw out a savage, bloodthirsty passion in the normally calm and calculating leader. Finn's eyes glowed an angry red as the spell activated. With a savage roar, he charged forward, his sole focus being the enemy before him.
"Let's do this!"
"Follow the boss!"
"Arise, flames." The Spirit began to chant again.
"GRRRRAAAAAAGH!" Finn let out another savage roar, hurling his spear towards the towering Spirit. Despite its own speed, the monster was not able to block the attack in time. The spear slammed into the Spirit's jaw, interrupting its chant. Despite the injury, the plant quickly regenerated and began another chant.
Through his savage rage, Finn was aware of Lefiya dashing to the front, throwing a potion vial away and summoning a massive version of her shield spell. The ward was erected none too soon as the Spirit's much shorter chant unleashed a 'Thunder Ray' spell which crashed into the shield. Lefiya screamed with effort and pain, digging her feet and begin held up by the twins who stood behind her. The lighting and ward spells cancelled each other out, causing a massive shockwave that threw the three girls back. The others prepared to charge again, when a voice cut through the air.
"Scorch them, Sword of Surtur! My name is Alf! Rea Laevateinn!" Riveria's voice rang out from behind them. Her ultimate fire spell surged forward, engulfing the Spirit which cried out in pain. Before it could even begin to recover, another voice was heard ringing out.
"Don't you go finishin this without me!" Gareth soared through the air above them, his armor still melted but his skin fresh and clear. A shattered bottle lay on the behind them, where Gareth had lain. Riveria stood there, her body healed, surrounded by a magic circle and another bottle at her feet. Gareth slammed into the Spirit, knocking it back, his axe leaving a huge gash in its bulbous body, before coming to land next to Bete.
Vines surged from the base of the Spirit, trying to swat and crush the party, but that was exactly what they wanted. The Spirit's attention was completely on the team on the ground, not noticing the figure high above it, riding on a bed of wind as it plunged to the earth.
The Spirit suddenly looked up, seeing Ais plummeting towards it. "Lil Rafaga!" Ais roared as her sword came down onto the Spirit. A massive explosion of dust covered the area, obstructing their view before a sudden wind picked up, blowing the cover away. Ais stood alone, in the center of what had once been the clearing. The Spirit was gone. They had won.
Loki
Loki hummed to herself as she wandered through the halls of the Hephaestus Familia store. Stopping next to one of the doors, she hip-checked it open and strode into the room. "Phai-Phai!" She called as she entered the office/forge. Hephaestus, the redheaded, eyepatch-wearing goddess of the forge looked up from her work as Loki sauntered in.
"Loki?" She asked. "What brings you here?"
"I'm bored!" Loki replied, honestly as she flopped into a chair. "So, I was hoping to catch up, since our kiddies are working together right now."
"We can't exactly talk about the expedition," Hephaestus said. "They aren't back yet, and we have no idea how it's going."
"True. I had a weird feeling earlier, but it passes so I guess everything's alright. Still, there are some things we can talk about!" Loki grinned. "I know Finn lent Tsubaki one of those neat little magic bags, and I'm certain you tried examining it. What did you think?"
"What was there to think about?" Hephaestus asked, nonchalantly. "At this point, it was just a classic example of Torrhen's work."
"You've seen his work before?" Loki sat up, surprised. Hephaestus nodded.
"A few times. He's a damn good smith, probably the best I've ever seen. Actually, I just let one of my favorites go, so that he could apprentice under Torrhen."
"Woah, seriously?" A god or goddess letting one of their favorites leave the Familia was an extremely rare thing. Especially if it was to join another Familia.
Hephaestus nodded. "Welf, the one I let go, was floundering in my Familia. He's fairly new, only at an apprentice level, but he refuses to use his gifts."
"Welf? You mean the Crozzo boy?" Loki knew about him. Finn had initially hoped to buy magic swords from him for the expedition, but Tsubaki had shut them down, saying that the kid refused to make them.
Hephaestus nodded and sighed. "Welf despises magic swords because of how easily they break. On the other hand, Torrhen's enchanted weapons never break just because the magic is depleted. They're rechargeable. So long as the metal itself doesn't break, you can keep recharging the weapon forever. He can even enchant armor and things like those bags, which is something our method can't do. His enchanted armor doesn't even need to be recharged, like the weapons do. Welf could benefit massively from learning Torrhen's style, so I let him go."
"Torrhen's style… you mean the Tamrielic method, right?" Loki asked, her eyes calculating. Maybe she could get some information out of Hephaestus.
The other goddess sighed. "Yes, the Tamrielic method. Didn't you promise Hestia you'd wait two months until you started prying?"
"That time limit is over in two weeks! I've been good!" Loki protested. "Besides they let that one slip. Torrhen worked with several of my members and gave Lil Lefiya a Tamrielic grimoire. It was kinda obvious after that."
"He did? I wasn't aware that he had any grimoires."
"According to Riveria, the guy knows how to make them! Considering how damn good the spell he gave Lefiya is, despite it being for Novices, I'm really hoping he'll be willing to make a few for my other members. Not to mention his strength and his enchanting skills."
"He's not likely to give you any more, especially not cheaply, unless you're in an alliance." Hephaestus remarked. "You might be able to hire him to smith or enchant some gear though, even if you aren't allied."
"Finn and the others were pushing for an alliance with Hestia before they left," Loki admitted. They'd had the conversation several times in the evenings during the lead up to the expedition. "Considering how much he and Hestia have done for the expedition, not to mention the potential benefits of working together, I'm leaning towards pushing for an alliance as well. I get the feeling that's one of the things Hestia wants to talk to me about, anyway."
Hephaestus nodded. "It wouldn't surprise me. I know she has a small alliance with Miach, and you know I'd help her. Even without a formal alliance. I doubt she'd seek a formal, public, political alliance with you right off the bat, though."
"Nor would I agree to one." Loki said, seriously. "My Familia is one of the best in Orario. I can't make alliances with a Familia as small and politically weak as Hestia's. Even if Torrhen is likely a Dragonborn who's more powerful than any adventurer in history. She doesn't have the political clout or reputation to merit an open alliance."
"Torrhen is Dragonborn?" Hephaestus asked, intrigued.
"I'm almost certain of it." Loki nodded. She'd given it a fair bit of thought, and nothing else made sense.
"Political power will come as Hestia's Familia grows," Hephaestus said, getting back on topic. "She will likely want passive protection from you while they do just that. In return, they help your Familia with first pick on enchantments, potions, and other things."
Loki nodded. "That's what I was thinking as well. That's part of why I defended her and her kid at Denatus. Having a record holder is a big boost to her reputation."
"As interesting as this is though, you won't know anything until Hestia asks to meet."
"Urgh." Loki groaned and leaned her head back. "I know. I just hate waiting!"
A/N: I mention events from Sword Oratoria in this chapter that haven't been shown in this series. Specifically, Ais and the others encountering a Spirit on the 18th floor. For anybody who doesn't understand or hasn't read/watched it, I will be recapping those events later on. Hopefully they will make sense then.
For those curious, I have not introduced Filvis yet and I'm not certain that I will in any important capacity for a bit, so I did not include an encounter from the Sword Oratoria books during the 59th floor arc. I also haven't mentioned Revis yet. I'm not saying I won't, just that it didn't fit with how I want to do things with the parts of Sword Oratoria I want to include. It would have made things way too long and would have required a lot of explaining, so it will wait for later.
On the other hand, Hermes! He's been introduced. He's kinda weird to write, and I'm still trying to figure things out but hopefully he was in character.
For anybody who asks, it was a Fortify Restoration potion that Lefiya drank for that last shield.
Answers to questions
On FFN:
Christalm: No worries about that first review. I was kinda confused, but I figured I'd explain in this chapter. Your reviews are always a blast to read
Visual Bliss: You would be correct. I hope you kept reading and saw what happened. Did you like it?
TheBigBrotherWTPD: Torrhen's travel armor is a combination of the black Dawnguard chestpiece (no pauldrons), with the bandolier, gauntlets, and boots from the Thieves Guild Master set with gloves on his hands and a duster thrown over the top.
Toiladaeri: Good idea. Might happen, we'll see.