Hey guys, Striker777 here with the next chapter of Loki's Renard. No omake this week.
I know this should have been out a bit sooner, but I had a uni presentation of Friday, and the chapter wasn't done by then. NGL, the presentation went absolutely insane, I don't think I've ever been praised more for my work in my life before, felt amazing.
BrimazKing: Hopefully you can forgive this slower update. I want to make each scene as real as possible, so I'm glad you think they're natural, and I hope you're having a good day too!
But anyway, onto the story!
It was on Floor 18 that the Loki Familia had stopped to rest after their latest expedition to Floor 58. With a collection of rare dragon drop items from Dragon Valley, the Loki Familia would be in the green again for a couple of months, not including the next lot of expeditions that they were planning on going on. However, at the current time, not a single member of the Loki Familia was worried about that, as (with the exception of Bete Loga), everyone was simply eating their dinner and enjoying the company of their fellow members of the Familia, and had even started a story sharing game.
"And then, he tripped over a rock and fell flat on his face!" yelled out a slightly tipsy, but not drunk Anakitty Autumn, causing Raul Nord to place his head in his hands and groan. "But, his sword slipped out of his hands and landed blade first into the Goblin's head, killing it! When he realised what he did, he was so excited he didn't even notice his own nose was bleeding everywhere!" she called out, getting hearty laughs out of everyone present. With that, the level 5 adventurer put down her mug and smirked at the group. "And that was the story about our first time in the Dungeon."
There were cheers and laughs, applauding Anakitty for the amazing story, and Raul for his own embarrassment. Gareth let out a hearty laugh, as he stood up, drink in hand. "I think Anakitty has it, unless someone else has a better story~" he said, turning to two people with an expectant look in his eye.
Akihide Okami and Ais Wallenstein looked at each other confused, the level 6 and level 5 wondering what it was Gareth was talking about exactly, before a memory flashed into Akihide's mind. "Oh! The Hachiman incident?" he asked the dwarf, causing the man to laugh and nod, whilst Ais began to shrink back from Akihide and blush furiously. The 15 year old girl was trying as desperately as she possibly could to sink into herself and escape from the approaching story.
"The what now?" asked Tiona, looking over at Ais from next to her sister.
"Hachiman?" asked Tione looking to the girl, only for Ais to shy away more.
Akihide laughed, before standing up. "Alright, alright, I'll tell you all the story." he said, smirking at the rapidly shaking head of Ais, and her eyes of promising vengeance. Akihide simply smirked. "We all know that Ais is terrified of deep water, but do you know why that is?" asked Akihide, with a few of the older members nodding, remembering the time when Ais was 8 and called Riveria an old hag for not letting her do another of her stupid ideas, which ended in Riveria tying a rock around her and throwing her into a river, calling it swim training. "Well, it all started with me, and my first genuine attempt to kill Ais." he said, before he began telling the tale.
Ais had been facing an occurring issue in the Dungeon, in the form of the shattered blade of a sword on the ground and the remaining hilt in her hand. Like all the others before it, the blade had shattered into nothingness, leaving her with nothing but her hilt and her tight armour. Her equipment simply couldn't keep up with her, and it was becoming an increasingly annoying issue for the young girl to face. Even if she could defeat these monsters with her bare hands, it was much more efficient to do it with a sword, and allowed her to gain more Excilia to become stronger. So she could eventually defeat the monster that took her family.
Gareth, who had been accompanying her, had ordered that the two of them return in light of the broken weapon. Whilst he usually gave her space to make mistakes and learn from them, when her sword broke, it was game over for the day. No amount of cute pestering or haggling, no stubbornness or grit, could convince Gareth to allow her to continue, or to try and 'make up' for what happened by allowing her to go deeper. They had apparently learnt their lesson after what happened with Akihide.
Now that name pissed her off. Akihide was some big shot, despite only being a year older than her. He was a level 2, and yet he kept finding himself in situations well above his station, such as the constant Evilus incidents he had become a part of with the Astraea Familia, or the Blood Minotaur or Thunder Hellhound incidents in the Dungeon. He always seemed to get preferential treatment from Finn and Riveria, even Gareth to a certain extent. When Akihide was her age, he had gone down to Floor 10, and yet she had been unable to due to the overbearing rules forced upon her by Riveria and Finn.
It pissed her off to no end.
As the two began walking back, her mind also drifted to his equipment. It was amazing, she would give him that, as she had seen the sword he used slice through metal and monsters like they were nothing. No matter how strong the monster was, or how tough the hide, the blade cut through it like butter.
Ais got an idea. All she had to do was finish off the swords she still had at home.
"I want a sturdier sword."
Riveria sighed as she looked down at the girl. "Those are the first words out of your mouth right after you come back?" she muttered, pissed at the girl. "Ais, that's enough! Your behavious has been intolerable lately!"
"No it hasn't." shot back Ais to the elf. "I do my studies. I listen to what Finn and Gareth say too." she said, not even bothering to mention Riveria's name as she knew she had been constantly disobedient to the woman.
"That's not what I'm talking about!" responded Riveria with a raised voice. "You need to take better care of yourself!"
"More importantly, my sword-" began Ais, pissing Riveria off even more as she interrupted her with a hand slamming down to the desk.
"What do you mean, 'More importantly'?! You think I'll let that slide?! Fool!" demanded the elven princess to the young girl. "Don't think it's fine just because you're improving! This is exactly how adventurers get themselves killed! And you went and used your skill despite what we said! Even after we told you not to rely on it and use your normal Status to fight!"
It had been the same conversation she had with Akihide with his new skill, to never use it unless he had no choice, as the dangers that came with it were exponential, such as his first expedition with the Loki Familia. If he hadn't have been lucky enough to have damaged the surroundings and block the entrance to the room where he had slept, he would have died, no questions asked. So both children were forbidden to use their skills, unless in a life or death situation, which rarely came up for them since they had allies with them, whether that was Kiddy Party or one of the executives to chaperone them.
Ais looked down, not wanting to meet the eyes of the older woman, but had enough courage to mutter "Stupid elf." under her breath.
And with that, the room dropped a few degrees.
"What?!" demanded Riveria, glaring at the blonde girl.
"Calm down, Riveria." said Gareth, trying to cool the flames in his friend's heart.
Riveria took a breath and calmed herself. "I apologize." she said, before turning back to Ais. "Ais, you've been so focused on training that you haven't been eating properly." said the woman, getting a startled gasp from Ais. "Even for a child, you're far too scrawny. You're too young to be refining your muscles to such a degree. It's true that fatigue will strengthen your body. And yes Ais, you have become stronger. But at this rate..." she said, her voice soaked in concern for the young girl.
"I can fight. So it's okay. More importantly..." said the girl, getting a frustrated sigh from the three adults. "I want a weapon that won't break. A weapon that can fight more. If money is a problem... I have enough, right? Use all of it... if you need to."
Gareth stroked his beard as he spoke, "You've made quite a bit by selling what you've gotten from the monsters. If you use all of it I'm sure you can get a fairly good weapon."
"Then..." said the young girl, hopeful at Gareths words.
"But Ais... I'm in agreement with Riveria." said Finn, stamping those hopes before they could blossom. "We can't give you a strong weapon when you're in this state."
"But why?" demanded Ais.
"Right now you can't even notice when the people right in front of you are worried." responded Finn, nodding towards Riveria and Gareth, with Riveria being clearly unsettled by Ais' behaviour.
"Why don't you get it?" demanded Ais, looking between them. 'They know how hard I'm working to fulfil my wish.' she thought to herself, before she bolted from the room. She could briefly hear Gareth calling out to her, but she continued to run, running towards her room. 'Finn never listens, Gareth's a cheapskate, and Riveria's a bully! Who needs them?! I'll get a weapon myself!' she thought as she ran.
And just like that, fate was on her side.
She passed by Akihide's room, and stopped. She remembered that Akihide was out helping the Dian Cecht Familia at Airmid's request, since there was a nasty cold going around their familia and many of their healers were sick. Ais checked the door, unlocked, and opened it, showing the boy's room. Her eyes darted around for a few minutes before landing on what she was looking for.
Breath of Hachiman.
'If I can't get my own, I'll just borrow one in the meantime.'
Akihide sighed as he looked over the clinic area of the Dian Cecht Familia. It was still occupied by people of all races and ages, but it had emptied considerably from when he first entered. "We really appreciate this, Akihide." said Airmid, sitting next to him and looking utterly exhausted. "I don't think we could have survived today without you."
"That's alright." said the boy, smiling at his party member. "We need to help each other out from time to time, that's what friends do!"
Airmid smiled at the boy, affectionately rubbing his head. "Akihide, you're too precious. Come on, I'll walk you home." said the girl, as the two of them waved goodbye to the Dian Cecht Captain and left for the Twilight Manor.
The road there was paved in discussions on various things, such as their new supporter, their new monetary situation, and a discussion of using their next day of exploring the Dungeon to get some new equipment instead. Akihide had been looking to replace his current tantÅ with newer ones to go further in the Dungeon, whilst the other girls were looking at new armoured clothes, as well as maybe a few things for Lili, as she didn't seem to be able to save much money. They young pallum called it a tax for her Familia, which went to better amenities and general fixing-up the home, but Akihide and Airmid couldn't help but be concerned about any underlying issues that would cause Lili to lie to them.
Eventually, the two made it closer to home, but could hear a commotion from the house. The two increased their pace, fearing a possible Evilus attack, but were surprised to see no attack, but almost every member of the Loki Familia running around like headless chickens in a desperate attempt to find something, but just looked like a bunch of idiots running around.
The two children looked at each other in confusion before approaching Kalos. "Kalos, what's happening?"
Kalos looked at the two as if he was staring at death. "Ais is missing, and Riveria's pissed! We're looking for any clues there are around here!"
Akihide sighed. "Dungeon?" he asked, knowing it was the first place anyone should check when Ais went AWOL.
"Gareth, Riveria and Finn have gone down to check, they think she's gone down to Floor 10." said the elf, looking at the two children. "We're here to see if there's any clues in case she went anywhere else. You know what Riveria can be like when something like this happens."
Yes he could, from both the perspective of the spectator and the one in trouble. He knew Ais was in for absolute hell when she got back from wherever she was, be it the Dungeon or anywhere else. Riveria was going to punish her to hell and back, and even if he hated her, Gods have mercy on the girl for whatever scheme Riveria came up with, for it would be one of the most entertaining punishment Akihide had seen. He had this gut feeling he was going to enjoy it.
Kalos looked around. "We've had no luck looking for her, so we just have to pray Finn, Riveria and Gareth find her in the Du-" he said, before his voice became still and he looked down the street. Akihide and Airmid followed his gaze, and were shocked to see Ais walking up to the Twilight Manor, completely alone, from the direction of Babel and the Dungeon. If she was in the Dungeon, the three executives of the Loki Familia had completely missed her.
Akihide sighed. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused everyone? I expect an apology for each of them." he said to the young girl, who wasn't so much as acknowledging his existence. "Hey! I'm taking to you here Ais!"
Then he noticed what she had in her hand. A broken sword, with only a small amount of blade left and the hilt. "Did you break another of your swords? Well I guess it's good you came home after it broke, but you need to take better care of your equipment, or it'll keep happening." said the boy, lecturing the girl only a year younger than him. "Honestly, this is why Riveria doesn't tru-"
Then, he stopped dead in his tracks, as the sword's remnants became clearer as she got closer. The familiar silvery blue of the blade, the golden guard, and the black and red hilt. His eyes and brain refused to believe it as he stared at Ais and the broken sword.
His sword.
Ais eventually made it up to him, and threw the sword at his in a casual manner, Akihide catching the hilt on pure instinct. "It lasted longer than my other ones, but you need a sturdier sword." said the girl, who turned around and began walking into the Twilight Manor, muttering to herself. "Worthless... just like he is..."
Airmid looked at the young child in befuddlement. This was the first time she had actually met the girl, and it was true what Akihide said about her whenever he complained about her. She looked at the retreating figure, shocked at the audacity, even if she was a child. Airmid turned her attention to Akihide, hoping to console the boy she called her closest friend.
Only to take a step back in fear.
Akihide was gnawing at his teeth, his tail and ears standing fully erect and their fur standing on end. His hair and fur was becoming stained with blotches of red, as were his eyes. His canines grew and he looked at the young girl with the eyes of a predator.
He screamed out at the top of his lungs, drawing everyone's attention, as the pseudo level 3 ran at the girl, who turned around to look at what he was going on about, only for her eyes to widen in fear.
At that moment, Ais realised she was the prey, and Akihide was going to stop at nothing until she was totally under his boot.
Finn sighed as the trio returned from the Dungeon. "Well, she was there all right, and made it down to Floor 11 too..." he recounted from the exploration and investigation, trying desperately to break the uncomfortable silence, Gareth far too scared to do so.
For if one were to look at Riveria, they would see the green haired woman holding the broken top end of Breath of Hachiman in her hands, glaring at it. Not only had this girl disobeyed her, Finn and Gareth by going into the Dungeon, AGAIN might she add, after their talk about taking care of herself, but this girl had the AUDACITY to take Breath of Hachiman from Akihide's room when he wasn't home, use it in the Dungeon, and then break it and leave half of it behind!
'When I get my hands on this fucking girl, it's over...' stewed Riveria, already trying to come up with a suitable punishment, and neither Finn nor Gareth was going to stop her. Not that they wanted to, they knew she had to be punished for what she did, and they weren't coming to her rescue this time, not after what she pulled.
However, all their thoughts came to a halt when they heard the scream of Akihide, which travelled all the way from the Twilight Manor to Babel. The three quickly looked at each other before they began their mad rush to their home. They passed people in the streets as fast as they could, arriving at the Twilight Manor a little over 5 minutes since they heard the scream.
Only to find absolute chaos.
The members of the Loki Familia were all bawled out on the front yard, grasping at their stomachs, faces and other body parts, groaning on the ground in pain. Airmid was crying over near the entrance to the Twilight Manor.
And as for Akihide and Ais...
"Yeah... I was drowning Ais after I beat the ever loving shit out of her..." said Akihide, getting a shocked gasp from the group. "I picked her up by her hair and dragged her to the fountain we have out front, and laid her face down in it, holding her head down."
"I actually thought you were going to kill me." muttered Ais, glaring at her older brother.
"I was, that skill was dangerous back then." said the Far Eastern boy, remembering how hard he had to work after that to learn to control himself under the influence of his skill. "But anyway, Gareth dragged me off her, and then I teleported back and started doing it again!" he called out, getting a hearty laugh from Gareth at the memory. "Then Finn knocked me out. Riveria was far from happy with either of us."
"No, I wasn't." said the Vice Captain, walking over with Finn to the eating area. "But then again, it's not like I'm any better, so I can't judge now."
Akihide smiled. "I still love you, mama!" he called out, a warm smile plastered on his lips.
Ais smiled with him. "Yeah... love you, mama."
"Who are you calling 'mama'?" demanded Riveria, chuckling at the two.
"Anyway, to finish the story, after I woke up, there was a disciplinary meeting between the two of us and our Big Three." said Akihide, looking at Ais. "Young miss thief over here had to pay me for not only the materials and construction of Hachiman, but also for my replacement. When a certain teacher of mine found out, she demanded Ais pay her to supply top-tier materials to Tsubaki from all the way down on Floor 58, which was way too expensive for Ais. Riveria was kind to her and only made her pay 10%, which took her two years to pay off. She was also banned from the Dungeon for a month after that, much to her horror."
Ais stood up, clearly with a plan in mind. "What our dear Akihide here fails to mention is that he was banned for a month as well for beating me and the rest of the Familia up, as well as pulling shifts at the Dian Cecht Familia for two weeks unpaid for making Airmid cry." responded the blonde girl with a toothy grin.
Akihide shrugged. "Meh, I think I got the better deal out of the two of us, all things considered." he said, grinning at the girl who had become his younger sister. The two laughed, as did the others.
This was how the Loki Familia was. Even though some of their members, (Ais and Bete) were introverts and loners by nature, the right people had dragged them out of their shells. For Ais, as it was for many others, Akihide was to blame.
And, as his sister, she would forever love him for it.
I hope you guys enjoyed. Be sure to vote and comment, but for now, Striker777 over and out.