Hello everybody, not much to say again this time around. So, I simply will wish you a good day. Also, after this chapter the word counts will begin to increase. -EG

Word Count: 2724

Chapter 3

Ryu and Bell waited, quietly for almost a full hour, listening to the various doors open and close in the hall. "Seems like Welf will be working late tonight like usual." Bell commented, counting and not hearing the appropriate door count.

"Shouldn't it be two people? From the door count." Ryu commented, but she knew Bell would know better.

"No, Mikoto and Haruhime sleep in the same room." Bell's mind shot to what he knew about the pair.

"Well how long do you think until Welf goes to sleep, I don't think they will want to wait too long." Ryu commented, keeping track of time by a melody in her own head.

Bell held up his hand with all five fingers extended, he slowly began to decrease the number of fingers held out. The moment the last finger lowered Ryu could barely hear the slight clang of a hammer striking an anvil. She only raised her eyebrow in surprise, "How would you have known?"

"He's been working on making me new armor at night and working on new weapons during the day. Since we haven't been in the dungeon again since… well you know." Bell commented, adjusting the position of the dagger on his hip slightly to fit more comfortably. "If we move now, we should be alright."

Ryu nodded and shifted her own short swords she had received from her room after Bell had agreed to assist. She had missed the familiar weight of Alf's Lumina, but she didn't let that bother her.
Bell watched for a second, before moving and opening the window waving Ryu out.

.

.

.

The city seemed abnormally quiet, the noise of the city had dropped dramatically since Freya had destroyed the red-light district, but the pair didn't mind. Bell followed closely behind Ryu who had a map leading to where they were going. They darted left and right down several small alleys until eventually they found themselves in a small, deserted courtyard.

It was a small courtyard with paving stones covering the ground. There were several pillars supporting the surrounding buildings. A moderate sized oak tree filled the center of the courtyard yard with a handful of white benches wrapped around the tree.

They waited for about a minute when a shadow seemed to depart from the near full moon glow. As a black cloaked individual that both recognized, it raised a gauntleted hand in the universal sign of wait. "Follow me." It said in its metallic grinding voice as it tossed a small ball.

A giant cloud of smoke formed in under a second obscuring the entire courtyard. Bell felt the gauntlet grab his arm, out of reflex Bell grabbed Ryu's hand so she could easily follow.

The pair were blinded for a second, then the smoke seemed to vanish as they entered a stone hallway. Bell couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "Really Fels is this necessary? All of this…" He waved towards the smoke.

"Yes, can never be too safe. You never know who might be watching." Fels glanced upward towards a tower that seemed to pierce the heavens.

Ryu stood there for a moment, "Well, what's going on?"

"I'm glad you decided to bring Cranel Gale. We received information that he might be necessary. But to answer your question… well why don't we talk as we walk." Fels started taking a few steps forward making almost no noise.

Ryu silently hated the mention of her nickname, "Can you please not call me that? It's marred by a bloody history."

Fels seemed to observe through the shadowed hood but nodded. "Of course, Lion, regardless we need your help, we have received news that a Xenos had been sold on the surface. It seemed Ikolas Familia managed to actually start the process before they were taken down."

Ryu felt Bell's hand tighten significantly, it actually began to hurt for a split second. He must have realized that he had still been holding her hand as he let go with a slight apology. She could already feel the warmth leaking away from the grasp.

"Do you know what type of Xenos?" Bell commented, not noticing the slight disappointment in Ryu.

Fels's hood shifted slightly, "A Wendigo, much like Weine they seem to be very humanoid."

Bell tilted his head sideways in confusion, "Wendigo? I've never heard of them."

Ryu spoke up, "That's not very surprising, they are extremely rare, probably equivalent to the Jack Bird on floor 1. Their horns are extremely valuable, but they are normally very dangerous. Spawning on the 40th floor, though I have never heard of a confirmation."

"You're right, Lion. They are extremely valuable, if they are ever found the horns alone could be worth twenty million valis each." Fels spoke, but remained silent for a second to let that information sink in.

"Normally we would ask Hermes Familia for assistance, but after recent events. We just cannot trust them with anything dealing with the Xenos." Fels paused but spoke again quickly, "So we turned to you and Bell, as you both already know of their existence and Bell has a positive relationship with the Xenos. Plus, if the entire Hestia went on the move again, it would draw too much attention. The both of you are extremely quick and will be able to move more quietly."

Ryu didn't like the sound of that. "Bell I can understand, but why me? I might have helped him, but I had also attacked the black bull when he went on a rampage on floor 18."

Bell looked at her slightly surprised, "Did you really attack Asterius?"

"I did, it was close to killing several members of Ganesha Familia. It happened almost immediately after I gave you, my pack." Ryu thought for a second, "Although to be fair, I only drew enough attention for about a minute when it seemed some sort of signal was alarmed, it had its blade basically against my neck at that point."

They walked in silence for a few seconds, but Fels knew they would be arriving in less than two minutes. "We know, but there are two reasons. The main one is that the amount of people who even know of their existence is shallow. The amount that might be able to actually help is less than five, the rest of Hestia Familia put up a mighty resistance against Loki Familia, but they are generally low leveled." Fels paused but decided to continue, "The second reason is your history in the city."

He didn't need to explain more, "So basically you want my help due to the violence I had brought upon those that were involved with Evilus?"

Fels nodded seeing the end of the tunnel they had been traveling down, before Ryu could say anything else he spoke. "Looks like we have arrived."

The entire time they had been traveling, the tunnel seemed to be roughly cut stone dotted with softly glowing crystals. Only the occasional smooth patch had proved that it was man made.

The tunnel led to a blank wall almost perfectly smooth. The pair watched as Fels' gauntlet began to give off an ominous blue glow as he tapped a couple spots on the wall as a web of light shot out from each spot until the entire wall was glowing like a luminescent strands of gossamer covered it. A second later the wall slid into the wall revealing a massive chamber.

The only thing of note in the chamber was a tiered platform that led to a throne-like chair with a standing torch burning in each corner of the square base. Ouranos, the first descended god, sat upon the chair watching them enter. "Thank you both Lion and Cranel for coming on such short notice. I hope Fels has already explained the majority of the situation." He glanced over at his aid and nodded.

"He has, thank you." Bell gave a small bow, to which Ryu followed a split second later.

The old god sat upon his throne impassively, the flickering light doing little to make him seem friendly, but Bell knew otherwise.

Ouranos nodded, "I have a quest for the both of you. It won't be an official quest from the guild, but one from myself. You're free to refuse, and I won't blame you if you should." He waited until their heads raised before continuing, "The only thing I can offer you is information as a reward. Information that might be important to the both of you. So, do you accept it?"

Truth be told there was no doubt as to whether they would accept or not, it was nothing but a formality and a test. Ouranos's divine power, much like every other deity, was limited; he had enough to accomplish his mission.

Bell bowed again, "I have told Fels before and through Fels you, that I will do whatever is in my abilities to help the Xenos."

Ouranos nodded in acceptance and looked over towards Ryu who stood silently for a second. She took a deep breath and spoke calmly, but confidently. "I accept as well, although I might have no loyalty towards the Xenos, I find the act of selling another truly intelligent creature to another abhorrent. This isn't something that I could let continue, even if you barred me."

Ouranos took a second, absorbing the elf's words and nodding slowly. "Good. Sorry, but I had to make sure. Fels if you would continue."

Fels picked up the conversation immediately, "Of course, from the limited information I have received is that the Xenos is being held in a manor about three days north near the city of Myferios. It's a human-dominated city with a handful of beast people. As you will essentially be smuggling a Xenos back into the city, we will need to use the Knossos as a route in and out of the city. We will need to be careful as it is not completely cleared, and Loki Familia is set to begin exploring it more extensively. I will wait for seven days. Three days there and three back plus an extra day, then I will guide you to the rest of the Xenos."

Ryu hesitated for a second, Bell spoke up quickly, "If I remember correctly, Myferios is located on the fringe of Ryumilua Forest. I have vague memories of my grandfather talking about the forest." Bell rubbed his head in thought, glanced at Ryu and began to speak again. "He said, there are a couple elven civilizations living there, and a Sacred Tree that is heavily guarded near the center of the forest."

Ryu paused for a second, "That shouldn't be possible, I know… or knew…" She amended, "The forest better than almost anyone, there was no city. The elves never would allow it."

Bell looked at the clearly shaken Elf, "Are you absolutely sure?"

Ryu nodded, although hesitantly. "Y… yes I am, I was raised in that forest and saw the hatred the elves had towards the other races especially Humans, I can say with… at least some confidence that wouldn't have changed. They don't change, that's the exact reason I had left originally, their hatred and how ugly they were."

Bell could see a thin sheen of sweat on Ryu's forehead, he had to say something. "Maybe… maybe after we are done, we can investigate the specifics." Giving the best reassuring smile he could, "I'll be there to help you investigate, even if I'm hated there."

"Bell…" Ryu whispered but didn't get the chance to continue.

As much as Fels didn't want to interrupt the pair, he coughed despite not having a throat. "Sorry to interrupt, but time is of the importance. I would suggest you both get moving as fast as possible. I would also suggest going through the main dungeon entrance and entering through the 18th floor. As I have said before, Knossos is an unexplored danger that would take too much time to navigate properly."

They both knew Fels was right, so they agreed. "I will follow invisibly until you get to the 18th floor, I cannot be identified for as long as possible. I'll help where I can, but you shouldn't have a problem."

It was only common sense, both Bell and Ryu were high level 4, they could realistically almost sleep through the first 15 floors easily.

"Good, now are there any other questions?" Ouranos' deep voice seemed to boom outward in the confined space.

Both of the adventures shook their heads in the negative, "Good, now get going and I wish you luck."

With a quick bow, Bell and Ryu made their departure with Fels following about a dozen yards behind them.

.

.

.

Ryu glanced at Bell who had an expression of resentment at the massive wall that hid the doors that blocked their paths. Just as expected the pair defeat the monsters easily, neither even had a scratch on them. It almost seemed too easy for the pair, but the monsters had a semblance of a survival instinct and could tell that they stood no chance against the pair.

"Right, you both move quickly." Fels appeared after half a minute. "Before you both leave, I have some objects you can borrow until you return." He held out a pair of packages.

"First, is the invisibility cloak, second, two smoke bombs, and lastly a high potion." Fels looked at the pair and felt like he should do more but knew he couldn't. "That's it for each package. I would give you more if we had more time."

Bell smiled slightly, "No, this is more than enough. Thank you. We will see you in a week's time."

Fels nodded and looked at Ryu then back to Bell. "Last thing…" he held out a key to Knossos, the round object slipped into Bell's hand, as well as a small map. "I look forward to your return, just remember one thing. The both of you are too important to die. So don't take any unnecessary risks."

As he spoke a bit of light pierced the veil of darkness that was his hood, the bone-white of a skull peered back. Before anything else could be said, Fels shifted his own cloak back on, turning invisible once again. His voice echoed out once more, "Be careful, we'll make sure your Goddess knows so you don't have to worry about that."

Silence reigned supreme for a full minute until Bell let out a soft chuckle. "We won't hear the end of this when we get back." He looked directly at Ryu's sky-blue eyes, "Are you ready?"

Ryu let out a deep breath, "I believe so." She watched Bell's kind and hopeful smile turn towards the door as he held the orb up. As a loud cracking filled the air as a pair of doors forced their way open, breaking the layer of stone. A void opened into the unknown.

One thought crossed Ryu's mind; one she wouldn't verbalize. 'I'm happy. Happy to have another chance to spend time with him. With my hero.'

X

"What!" Hestia shouted first thing in the morning. Everyone in the Hearth Manor could hear the shout.

They all rushed in worry, only to see Hestia hold a note she had reread a dozen times.

"Lady Hestia, what's wrong!?" Mikoto shouted in panic. The expression was mirrored on every face, Mikoto also had noticed that neither Bell nor Ryu had shown up at the sound.

"Fels' owl delivered a letter, saying that Bell and Ryu had left the city upon the request of Ouranos. They had received a mission to retrieve a Xenos that had been sold." Hestia groaned in irritation, both at the fact that Bell had left without saying anything but also because he had left with the elf without saying anything.

Welf, Mikoto and Haruhime slowly backed away from the seething goddess and prum. They eventually slowly escaped from the room without either noticing, Haruhime was the first to speak. "I hope they will be alright."

"With Ryu, well I'm sure everything will be alright. I just wish they would've waited; I had just finished putting the final touches on his armor this morning." Welf sighed in exasperation.

Mikoto had faith in the pair, Ryu expertise in concurrent casting was a goal she wanted to match. She had seen her expertise in the massive battle against the Black Goliath. "I agree, they'll be alright. After whatever they went through… this will be nothing in comparison."

Mikoto had wanted to get back into the dungeon and practice her own concurrent chanting; she had made major progress, but she was far from even proficient.

Haruhime gave an obviously false smile, "I suppose you're right."

Review Responses:

Lestat719: I'm glad to hear it, expect more soon.

pix25: Same to you.