"Seems like that medium-sized adventurer party made it past the Violas." The shirtless man quipped. "Very formidable it seems."
Revis turned a lazy eye to the magic sphere in the wall. Using the flowers that littered the wall as eyes all around their homemade labyrinth.
She didn't really care what her companion had to say. If they got past the Violas she could easily kill them. But her eyes widened less than half an inch when she saw who was a part of the party.
Front and center was The Sword Princess. Aria, leading them with her sword drawn and eyes hard. Further back in the middle of the formation, dressed in dark orange armor grafted on steel. His red eyes strained as he looked into the shadows.
"Aria, and the one blessed by Caduceus," Revis said.
She stood up from resting her back against the rock. Her leotard hugged against her body as she made her way to the sphere.
The shirtless man glanced back at her. And despite his eyes being covered she knew they were wide.
"Sword Princess is Aria, absurd. Even more absurd is that brat being blessed by Caduceus."
"No mistaking it, I've seen both of them in action myself. I will draw Aria away, you will deal with the rest. Make sure the Caduceus boy dies."
Revis then walked off, preparing her trap as the shirtless man just sighed. He looked back at the sphere lazily. Burning the image of Bell into his mind before he too set off.
"Kill the Caduceus boy. What a pain in the ass that will be."
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Minutes passed as the party moved further and further into the unknown. Their hearts steadily beat in tandem with their breathing. But the scent of danger hung in the air like a thick miasma. Wafting through their bodies and senses like mead going down someone's throat.
Bell's throat felt dry. His palms were clammy and sweat creased his brow. But he kept his face stone-like. Focusing and watching the shadows in the corner of his eye. Swearing to himself that it was just one of those strange glowing flowers that moved and not a monster.
Nothing moved in the shadows. Just the flowers fluttering open and close.
He couldn't freak out, he was the healer and it was his job to stay calm. It was his job along with Asfi's to keep a level head. If either of them lost their nerve it would spell doom for the rest of the party. People would die and it would be their fault.
"You holding up ok doc?" Keaks teased.
Bell regarded the man, noticing the crease of his brow which spoke of his fear. But Keaks still had a wayward smile on his face. His hands mimicking a motion of him dealing cards.
"I'm fine," Bell answered after a second of silence. "More thirsty than anything else."
Keaks chuckled. "I hear ya there. What I wouldn't give for a quick shot of scotch, you a drinker?"
Bell shook his head. "Not particularly, no. Had a few sips of my Grandpa's bourbon, but didn't really like the taste. Then a few nights ago I tried champagne for the first time, wasn't really a fan of that either."
"Ah I see, just haven't found your drink yet." Keaks gave the party a quick once over before leaning closer. "Tell ya what, after this is all over I can introduce you to the wonders of scotch and we'll see how your opinion changes then."
Bell smirked and nodded. "That sounds nice, but I'll have to bring Airmid along. I'm her bodyguard and it would be poor manners to leave her unguarded."
Keaks quirked a brow before a teasing grin painted his features. "Oh, the Dea Saint huh? Now I heard quite an interesting rumor about the two of you."
'Oh no.' Bell mentally groaned. 'What did I get her into?'
He knew of the unflattering rumors about himself. He was also aware of the sneers and muttered insults as he walked down the road. That was not something he wanted for Airmid. She didn't deserve to have her name dragged through the mud like that.
He let out a sigh before leaving his eyes to Keaks's gaze. "I hope it's nothing bad."
Bell really hoped it was nothing bad.
But Keaks wasn't able to answer Bell as the party came to another fork in the road. Two branching fleshly paths went right and left. Lulune looked at both paths, quill and paper in hand ready to map.
"Asfi, which way this time?" She asked.
"Neither," Asfi said as she unsheathed her dagger. "They're here."
As if on cue dozens of Violas flooded out of both pathways. Seeing to float in the sky as they slithered toward the party.
Lulune clicked her tongue and pressed her back against Jose's. "Oh, great, two sides at once."
"Hmm not exactly." Jose hummed. "They're behind us as well."
Lulune glanced behind her, face morphing into one of a grimace as the party was encircled.
Asfi remained calm, however. Her bespectacled gaze turning to Ais who eyed the Violas with anger.
"Sword Princess, I leave one side to you."
"Copy."
"Same plan as last time! Break into groups and deal with them from there. Let's go!" Asfi ordered.
The formation broke apart as Ais went left. Many Violas targeted her but she dealt with them quickly. A single slash of her sword was all they could handle.
As she dodged a wayward vine and went further into the left tunnel. She was taken aback as six hard and thick vines cut her off from the rest of the party.
Leaving her alone in an empty fleshy tunnel that smelled like mildew.
'I've been singled out?' She thought while crouched.
"You coming to me makes things a lot easier," Revis said.
Ais's head whirled around upon hearing the redheaded woman's voice. Watching as she took confident strides towards her.
The two had met briefly in Rivera. But during that time Revis had kept calling Ais Aria. Then she seemed to disappear as the battle really reached its crescendo.
"It's you, so you are connected to this." Ais breathed out.
"And what does it matter if I am Aria?"
"Did you make this dungeon?"
"You don't need to know," Revis said resolutely. Resting a hand on her neck as she craned it. "All you need to know is that someone wants to meet you. So you'll be coming with me Aria."
Revis's voice was cold and calculating. Her stride was calm and confident. So confident in fact she didn't have a weapon.
But Ais frowned at her words. "I'm not Aria, Aria is my mother."
"Liar." Revis sneered. "There's no way Aria had a child." She closed her hand into a fist and raised it. "Aria, Aria. I want to see Aria."
Revis slammed her fist into the ground and grabbed it tightly. "Over and over again that's all I ever hear. All that annoying voice wants is to see you."
The ground around Revis's fist formed into a pink liquid and began to take shape. "So I'm taking you to her so I can finally get some quiet."
She pulled her hand back and the goop formed itself into a longsword. The outside of the blade is red with the inside being a pure black that soaked up all light. But alongside it were pulsing red veins making the sword seem alive.
"So get ready because here I come," Revis growled.
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Bell jumped to the side. Avoiding the head of a Viola as he withdrew his knife.
Around him, the Hermes familia was fighting. Broken into groups of two or three fighting the onslaught of Violas.
Bell wasn't in one of those groups, however. He fired a small burst of his healing magic and every Viola turned to him.
The Hermes familia jumped at the opportunity and made quick work of half a dozen.
Bell turned his magic off as he slid under a Viola. Jumping up he shoved his hand into another one's mouth and shattered its monster stone with the tip of his blade.
It turned to dust and Bell landed on his feet and shot out another burst of magic.
Again all the Violas' attention was on him. Leading to another half dozen casualties on their side.
"More incoming!" Someone yelled.
Bell glanced back the way they came. Noting another four dozen Violas heading his way.
'Not good.' He thought to himself.
Further back he could hear someone yelling. Their voice filled with panic as they called after Ais.
'Why are you worried about her? She can take care of herself.' Bell admitted. Though such an admission tasted like bile on his tongue.
He was quick to dodge another vine. Slashing down with his knife and cutting it away. The Viola screeched in pain as blood bathed the tunnel purple.
Another Viola swiped at him and this blow struck. Bell was sent flying back but maneuvered to where he landed on his feet. He slid right next to Asfi who grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.
"We're falling back!" Asfi yelled.
"What!" Lulune shrieked. "We can't just leave Ais!"
"She'll be fine on her own," Bell answered. He wanted to vomit at the praise.
"Bell's right, once a path is clear we book it to the pantry. Lulune, how far between us and the pantry."
Lulune gave it a quick thought before answering. "About 500 meters according to the old maps."
"More monsters coming from the front!"
"I count fifteen more approaching the back as well!"
Asfi grit her teeth and took a breath. Gathering all the air she could into her lungs before shouting. "ALL UNITS, THROW MAGIC STONES AND MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PATRY!"
The Hermes familia didn't hesitate. Grabbing bags full of the monster stones they had gathered on their way to the pantry they threw them in all directions.
More than 90 percent of the monsters took the bait. Leaving an opening big enough for the sixteen of them to make their way through.
"EVERYONE MOVE IT!" Asfi yelled. "IF YOU DON'T YOU'LL GET EATEN!"
The familia plus one rushed to the opening. Not sparing a glance back as the Violas at the bait.
But still, a few followed. Quickly taken care of by Asfi's orders and a Burst Oil along with a magic sword from Nelly.
"Lulune, we don't have the luxury of mapping. Avoid combat and fully commit yourself to memorizing our route. Falgar you take point." She ordered. "The rear is mine."
Asfi turned around and frowned. Some had made it through the explosion, and she knew time was limited with those monster stones.
With her dagger in hand, Asfi slashed and cut many of the vines that got near her. All the while moving back and dodging the ones she couldn't cut.
Her thoughts were running wild. Fear, stress, a sense of duty. All ran through Asfi's mind. But she kept herself calm and level.
She knew it was only she who could hold the rear. With Falgar upfront that left her as the only other level four. With Ais gone and Falgar leading the formation, it was her job to cover the rear. She was lucky the monsters weren't any stronger.
But that's when another problem arose.
'There's too many.' She thought. Watching as more and more Violas encroached. Having finished their snack and continuing the chase.
Asfi could do nothing but watch as twenty-odd vines came her way. A surge of panic thrummed through her chest.
This was it. These plants were going to kill her. She was going to die and her body would be nothing more than another meal to be devoured.
Keaks had another thought on the matter. Without hesitation or second thought, he jumped in front of Asfi. Dozens of vines pierced through him as he shielded her.
Blood immediately pooled and dripped onto the fleshy ground as the vines retracted. Asfi caught Keaks, his blood soaking her clothes and she threw him over her back.
Bell had taken her place at the rear. Smoke bombs in each hand as he threw them at the Violas. Followed up with a stink bomb and a few throwing knives.
It bought the group some time. But a gaseous smell filled the cavern making the air unpleasant to breathe. But Asfi would rather take unpleasant air than death.
"Keaks, why did you do that? My defenses wouldn't have let the wounds get that deep!" Asfi yelled.
She came up upon Dodon as Keaks weakly groaned. "C-cause Asfi, even if I don't make it through this. It doesn't matter, without you our familia would crumble."
Keaks coughed up blood as Asfi passed him to Dodon. The large man took his friend in his arms. "Y-you're our rock after all."
Another series of coughs and more blood. "All of us...would die if you fell. You're our-my most valuable treasure."
Asfi was stunned into silence. But her thoughts were pushed aside as Bell brushed past her. Not in a mean-spirited way but one that showed urgency.
"Give me room!" He yelled.
He went to activate his magic but Asfi quickly grabbed his arm. "Not here, your magic could draw them to us making your smokescreen useless."
Bell clicked his tongue knowing she was right. But he was a healer and it was his job to heal people. If he couldn't do something as simple as that what could was he?
"Don't worry doc...just a scratch." Keaks spit some blood out his mouth. "Ugh-nasty taste."
The group came to a stop and Asfi wasted no time shoving a potion into Keaks mouth. The small man let out a grunt of shock but quickly drank it down.
"It's a high potion. Stop making quips and drink it."
Keaks sputtered but downed half of it. After taking a breath he downed the other half and held the bottle up.
"Asfi did you-
"I modified it, should be much more effective than a normal one. More potent as well but that's just a given."
Keaks took it and held it up in the air. "Then I'll treasure it forever!"
His wound opened up one more and a geyser of blood gushed out.
"Use it already!" Asfi snapped.
While Asfi was yelling at Keaks Falgar's eyes widened in shock.
"More coming from the front!" He yelled.
Asfi spun on her heel and ordered. "ALL TROOPS PUSH THROUGH! DO NOT STOP UNTIL WE REACH THE OTHER SIDE!"
The order was followed and the group moved on. While Asfi prayed she wouldn't have to make the choice to leave anyone behind.
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On the surface, night was beginning to fall and Airmid was doing one last inventory for the night.
Beside her, leaning on one of the shelves was Dick. A teasing grin on his face which Airmid had ignored all day.
"So...you and Bell." He began causing her to roll her eyes. "You two seemed pretty close a few nights ago. Was it a date?"
Airmid smirked as she jotted down some numbers. "And what if it was?"
The smirk on Dicks face grew wider and more infectious. "Oooh, tell me more. Was he a gentleman?"
Airmid playfully rolled her eyes noting that the delivery for more potions would be here soon. "As much as he could be."
Dick quirked a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Airmid held back a giggle as she remembered the night. "Oh, he was so nervous. He couldn't even finish his sentences."
Dick snorted as he didn't bother to hide his laugh. "Oh, I wished I could've seen that."
"Oh don't make too much fun of him. He was really sweet and I could tell he was making an effort when I sprung it on him."
Dick's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "Wait, you sprung it on him?! Explain, now."
Airmid blissfully sighed, finishing one section of the inventory as she moved on to another. She noted that the supplies from the Miach familia should arrive soon.
"Well, he never specified if it was or wasn't a date. Knowing him he probably didn't think it was. But it was such an easy opportunity to tease him I just had to take it."
"Oh my, that doesn't sound very saint like Airmid."
This time Airmid sighed. A somber sound Dick noted. "Well, I worry for him...a lot. He's always rushing headfirst into danger. Never an ounce of thought for himself, and yet he always hides it from me. Turning it into some joke or comedy routine."
She gave Dick a knowing look and the man glanced away. He knew what conversation she was referring to. It was the first time he met Bell after all.
"He says he wants to spare me from the bad stuff. And while it's noble I'm not a fragile girl. So I simply took a little harmless payback for making me worry so much."
Dick nodded in understanding. "Oh I see, well you have to tell me what happened after you two left the casino."
Airmid paused for a moment. Trying to recall the memories but drawing a blank. "Hmm, I can't really remember. I know he took me home, but afterward, I'm drawing a blank."
Dick just shrugged. "Eh, it was a hectic night near the end. Plus you were a little tipsy when I found you two."
Airmid merely hummed in acknowledgment as she finished up her work. But now that her work no longer distracted her Airmid couldn't help the pit of worry that gnawed in her stomach.
She held the clipboard to her chest and looked down at the floor. Knowing the dungeon was beneath her feet, and that somewhere in that dungeon Bell was down there.
Dick noticing the tension in her shoulders, stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on one.
"Hey, don't worry too much. Bell's tough, unnaturally so. He'll be fine and back before you know it."
"I know, but he's my friend. I can't help but worry." She softly whispered. A sound as sweet as a field of flowers.
Dick looked down at the ground as well. Knowing Bell was deep below the city. Probably kicking ass to anything that got in his way. While healing any injury given to him.
"You want to know a little trick Bruce taught me whenever I was worried for him when he would be gone for days at a time?"
Airmid looked from the ground and up at Dick. Her eyes had a soft begging to them. "I would."
"Well, he told me to make a list. Of all the things I wanted to do with him when he got back. Now since I was a kid it was mostly training or new gymnastics equipment. But it put my mind to something other than worrying."
Airmid gave the thought a once over. Then thought about it again, and again. Noting that it wasn't that bad of an idea.
"So when I go home I should make a list of things I want to do with him and make him do them with me?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
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Bell didn't know how much time had passed since he started running. But he knew that the party had successfully pushed through the Violas.
Yet for some odd reason, the monsters had stopped their pursuit. Noticing this as well Asfi ordered the party to stop and catch their breaths.
Further down the hall, however, Bell noticed an eerily red light at the end of the tunnel.
"Nelly, Dodon. Hand out potions to everyone. Drink one to regain your strength and confirm that everyone has three potions on hand."
The two began handing them out. And everyone except for Bell began to drink them down. He had declined any potions because he didn't need them.
"Damn Doc, you didn't even break out into a sweat." Keaks quipped.
"How much stamina do you have?" Lulune added.
Bell recounted the multiple times Rose had made him run up and down the mountain he lived at. Before that, it was a hundred laps around the village in the morning and right before dinner.
"A lot," Bell answered with a shrug.
"Looks like someone never skipped out on cardio," Lulune muttered.
Bell nervously chuckled knowing that if he did Rose would give him the beating of a lifetime.
"Anyone else creeped out by that glowing red light and the fact we're not being pursued anymore?" Tabitha asked. Her cat ears strained to hear anything approaching.
"Could the quartz pillar be making that glow?" Elilly asked.
"If that's the case." Asfi began before turning to Lulune. "Lulune map, how close are we?"
Lulune gestured her head forward. "Should be right there."
A sense of foreboding washed amongst the party. Grimaces marred their faces along with apprehension and slight exhaustion.
It had been a slog to get this far, and they hadn't even gotten to the center of the problem. Now, with their goal right in front of them. The party couldn't help but feel hesitant.
But with a resolution only a leader could possess. Asfi glanced back at her party. Giving them a firm look and watching as that hesitation was washed away.
"Let's go." She declared.
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The northern pantry of the 24th floor looked like a valley with many small hills littered throughout. The same flesh that coated the tunnel coated the pantry walls but not the ground. And in the center was a giant quartz pillar standing over two hundred feet tall.
Attached to it were two long plant monsters that looked like parasites. Wrapped around the pillar like a python wrapping around its prey.
"What the hell are those things?" Falgar muttered. "Are they monsters?"
"Is it sucking the nutrients directly from it?" Elilly asked.
"Looks like we found out what's throwing the dungeon out of whack," Keaks added.
Bell just looked at the sight. Morbid curiosity entranced by the eldritch beauty of it all. He didn't notice the goosebumps marring his skin. Or how his index finger twitched.
A sound of squelching broke his stupor. Bell was quick to turn his head and look over to a far-off wall. Watching with abject horror and fascination as a Viola came out of it.
"The wall gave birth to that flower monster. This has to be their breeding ground." Asfi muttered under her breath.
But as she watched them she noted they weren't an immediate threat. The monster seemed docile and slightly dazed. But she saw something else as well.
'Cages?'
"L-look there." Lulune sputtered. Pointing to a mass of flesh in the middle of the pantry. And in the mound of flesh, was a small orb.
One very similar to the one Hashana had given to Lulune. The very thing that had cost him his life. The very thing that had started the battle on floor 18. And the very thing that sent Bell down this path.
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"Hmm, so they made it this far." The shirtless man mused on a nearby cliff. "As expected, but all of them should be running close to exhaustion."
His gaze turned to Bell. "Well, almost all of them."
Next to the shirtless man another man, this one dressed in white robes and a face scarf clicked his tongue.
The shirtless man didn't even spare the other a glance. Only regarding him with a cold commanding voice. "Become her shield, fulfill your purpose, remnants of Evilus."
"We would, even without your bidding." The cloaked man sneered. Looking down upon the dozen of followers with him.
He took out a dagger and held it up in the air. "BRETHREN, UPHOLD YOUR DUTY AND DRAW YOUR BALDES! BRING DEATH UNTO THE FOOLISH INTRUDERS!"
"DEATH!!"
"DEATH!!"
"DEATH!!"
"DEATH!!"
They chanted that word over and over again. Like a practiced prayer or mantra. Eyes filled with madness as they chanted over and over again.
"W-woah, those guys seem pretty serious," Lulune said. A small tinge of fear in her voice.
"We will face them head-on. Make sure to capture one of them so we can find out what's going on here." Asfi ordered.
She glanced back at her party before turning and barking orders. "Frontline, keep an eye on those flowers as you advance. They may seem docile now but that can change at any moment. Once a foothold has been established, drop behind the middle ranks. Middle ranks will engage the enemy directly once combat has begun. Try and capture one if possible but if you need to kill do it. Backline hold off on any magic swords or spells and have recovery items on standby."
The group nodded and Bell already knew he'd be a part of the backline. He had a nagging feeling in his chest. Like he wasn't doing enough, but if he activated his magic he'd ring the dinner Bell for those Violas. So all he could do was wait.
"Asfi," Thane said, stepping forward. His voice sounded eerily similar to Hermes. Such a thing made Bell's skin crawl. "Allow me to lead the middle ranks. Ol lover boy was right, you're our rock. And I couldn't face Lord Hermes if you died. Besides, as our commander you should observe the entire battle to make needed changes. Our enemy is quite the mystery after all."
Asfi nodded as he made a good point. "Very well you make a good point. Also, stop copying Hermes's mannerisms and voice. It's like having him down here with us."
Thane just stuck his arms out shrugging and laughing. "Ha ha ha, I have no idea what you mean."
Asfi pushed her glasses up and her pinky covered her smirk. Before taking a deep breath and throwing her hand forward.
"ADVANCE!!" She yelled.
"KILL THEM!!" The robed man yelled back.
The two groups ran at each other. The frontline had their shields raised and ready to absorb the attacks.
The middle ranks wasted no time jumping over them. Consisting of Thane, Tabitha, and Keaks they landed in front of the shields and started taking down the strange-robed members left and right.
Tabitha using her whip and Keaks using stones. Thane stayed behind them and landed in front of a wayward member.
"Wha-what?"
Thane merely smirked as he jumped back from a knife slash. "Sorry about this, but you and I are going to have a little chat."
"DIE!!" The man yelled.
Thane moved his head back and watched the knife fly harmlessly past him.
"My god once pissed off a god of war." Thane reached out and grabbed the man's collar. "He taught me this little trick...here!"
Thane pulled the man forward over his shoulder and threw him down on the ground.
All the man in the man's lungs left him. And Thane didn't waste the opportunity to pin him down with his knee between his shoulder blades.
"A mere imitation but does the trick no?" Thane joked. He then looked to Lulune who was marching her way over. "Lulune, be a dear and get the status thief please."
"Heh heh heh heh heh. With pleasure." The girl giggled.
The man under Thane seemed to go rigid upon hearing the name of the tool. A potion of sorts where a single drop unlocks a person's Falna and reveals what's on it.
The man could not let this happen. No matter what they couldn't find out who his god was.
"Alright cult guy, let's see whose familia you're a part of." Lulune laughed.
The man closed his eyes and took a breath. "My lord, I shall uphold the pact." He muttered.
"Huh?" Thane said. His brows knitted in confusion. But then he heard shuffling inside the man's robes and his eyes widened in terror. His sense of danger was screaming at him to move. To run away, to get to safety.
But Thane didn't do any of that. His body moved on its own. He didn't even think about his own safety as his arm shot forward.
"LULUNE GET BACK!" He yelled. His palm impacted her stomach and pushed her back. The status thief spilled on the ground in the process.
"MY LIFE FOR IRIS!"
A click was heard, and then an explosion. The flames engulfed Thane and licked his pale skin.
Lulune was sent flying back. Both from Thane pushing her and the force of the explosion. All she had seen was a fiery tornado.
She slammed harshly into the stone ground. Almost knocking the air from her lungs but she managed to hold it.
Lulune felt her body shaking as she sat up. She had nearly died, and to a suicide bomber of all things.
"S-shit, h-he blew himself up." She muttered. Before her eyes widened with fear and tears stung her eyes.
"Thane." She softly called out. Noticing her friend lying motionless, covered in third-degree burns with his hat gone in the wind. "THANE!" She yelled.
"An explosion!?" Tabitha exclaimed.
"What are they? Fucking insane? What are they carrying around?!" Keaks added.
One of the robed figures opened their robes. Revealing a black undershirt underneath and along with a suicide vest filled with inferno stones.
"These-these guys are zealots!" Elilly figured out.
Laughter filled the air as tears streamed down the zealot's faces. Their dragged withdrawn and suicide vests shown.
One rushed at Tabitha, Keaks, Jose, and Silla. Even though his face was covered the four could tell there was a manic smile under his mask.
"MAY THIS UNWORTHY VESSEL FIND SALVATION!!"
He jumped and pushed down on his det pack. Everyone near him dodged as the bomb went off. Sending fire and shrapnel everywhere along with meaty cubes of flesh.
"Ya gotta be kidding me!" Keaks groaned. He and Tabitha had landed together.
Three more zealots rushed forward. Deranged devotion in their eyes. The type people had when they no longer valued their lives.
"Forgive me Sofia!"
"Reina I shall atone!"
"Alas, Julius!"
"You guys nuts!" Keaks yelled.
"They're fucking deranged!" Tabitha answered.
"DO NOT FEAR DEATH MY BRETHREN OUR VISION LIES BEYOND DEATH! PROVE YOUR DEVOTION TO OUR LORD!" The leader chanted.
More explosions rang out as the backline plus Asfi watched in horror. Her mind immediately churned out orders.
"Nelly, take all the high potions to Thane. Dodon, you take Meryl and heal anyone without potions!" She ordered. Remaining calm despite the chaos.
The three followed her orders and Bell went to jump down as well. But Asfi grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
"No!" She exclaimed. "We can't risk the plant monsters coming to us."
Bell snarled and pointed to the battlefield. "In case you can't see what's going on. We're way past the point of worrying about some stupid plants!"
Off in the distance the shirtless man watched. A satisfied smirk on his face as he watched the chaos unfold.
"Ah, what fools. Promised to a deity, how disgusting. Violas...kill the others, isolate the one blessed by Caduceus."
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Asfi watched in horror as the Violas approached the party. Bell looked at her, anger and begging in his eyes for her to let him to. To let him help, to let him fight.
She acquiesced to his request. Knowing they no longer had the option of playing it safe.
Bell wasted no time and jumped down. Breaking into a full sprint as he made his way to Thane.
Asfi jumped after him. Calling out to Falgar to dodge a Viola heading straight for him. Falgar, who was preoccupied with the zealots heeded her warning and jumped back.
Watching as a Viola drifted right past him and into the zealot. Grabbing the man in its jaws and biting down.
But the zealot didn't seem to care. As the Viola dove down to the part. He still blew himself up all the same.
Lulune, Thane, and Tabitha all dodged. With Elilly jumping forward and shielding Lulune from the blast. But that one incident made something very clear to everyone.
The Violas didn't care who got hit, and the zealots would accept casualties as long as the party got hurt.
Asfi pieced all this together as she ran. Watching as her familia dodged as best they could. How their potions were dwindling fast. She came to a startling realization.
They weren't going to last. In addition to the suicide bombers. The Violas' indiscriminate aggression had their formation in shambles.
Even retreating in this chaos. Nearly surrounded on all sides would spell the deaths of everyone here. They'd be wiped out as soon as they turned their backs.
Which left her with only one option.
'The shirtless man.' She noted. Having seen weird hand movements out of the corner of her eye. And then the Violas attacked seconds later.
She deduced that he was a tamer. The robed man commanded the zealots and he commanded the monsters.
He needed to die.
Asfi wasted no time as she pushed past her party and threw three burst oils onto the zealots below.
Her bombs had the desired effect of causing a chain reaction which blew anyone close to them up as well.
"Falgar, take command!" She bellowed, rushing past him. "Form ranks and hold strong!"
Asfi ran into the smoke the explosions had caused. Her objective was clear, she was going to kill the tamer.
"Asfi!" Keaks yelled. "I've got your back! Let me come with you!"
She glanced back and nodded. "Cover me Keaks."
The man perked up and smiled. "You got it!"
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.
Nelly held Thane with a single arm. His body was badly burned with blisters and blood everywhere. Blood from his mouth went down his chin and his ears were slightly singed.
"Is he breathing?!" Bell asked sliding next to him.
"Barely," Nelly answered.
Bell took the elf out of her arm and laid him down. Listening as the sounds of battle seemed to scream all around him.
His hand reached up and felt Thane's burned chest. Searching for any internal damage and finding a lot.
"Several broken ribs, along with internal bleeding." Bell diagnosed.
He put two fingers along the pulse point on his neck and counted. "Pulse weak, breathing shallow. But he's still alive. Buy me time."
He turned his healing magic on and began to glow green. Drawing the attention of the Violas. But he placed his trust in the Hermes familia he had to.
His job was to figure out the puzzle that was Thane and put him back together. First starting with his ribs.
He poured as much focus as he could into healing. Putting Thane's ribs back together piece by piece.
But his heart wouldn't stop racing. Blood was rushing to his ears and it was taking everything he had not to hyperventilate.
He had been battle-tested before. Both by Rose and Rivera. But those two paled in comparison to whatever this was.
This was madness.
Pure madness and pandemonium unleashed. The worst of humanity taken form.
'Focus! Focus Bell!' He chanted to himself.
Now was the time to step up. He needed to push his fear down and work. Do what he was meant to do.
Minutes passed, maybe even hours. Or perhaps it was seconds. Bell didn't know, his focus was on saving Thane's life.
Four of his ribs were broken. Bell had already repaired two. Figuring out the puzzle earlier than he had expected. The internal bleeding had stopped as well. So that was also good news.
His nerves started to harden and he was getting a grip on himself. But all that progress died as Asfi's shrill scream pierced through the air.
Bell's head whipped around. As did everyone else's. The battle seemed to stop for only a moment. As all anyone could see was Asfi being held in the air by the shirtless man. Her own dagger in his hand and stabbing through her.
Falgar and Lulune tried to get to her. But were blocked by a sea of Zealots. Asfi screamed again as the man twisted the blade. Seeming to enjoy her screams.
"HEY!" Keaks yelled. "GET YOUR DAMN HANDS OFF HER!"
He reeled his arm back and threw a tiny pellet. It hit the man in the face and exploded into smoke. The man flinched and dropped Asfi. Coughing as he inhaled the smoke.
Asfi weakly raised her head. Her eyes focused on Keaks. Seeing the potion she gave him in his hand.
"Here!" He yelled getting ready to throw. "Use this!"
A surge of hope filled everyone as his arm drew further back. He would get the potion to her. Keaks would save Asfi. He could do it.
"Violas." The man said.
A vine pierced through Keaks's back and shot out his chest. Everyone watched in horror as his body was bent back and then thrown roughly against a wall.
He slid and landed on the ground. Pain filling every nerve in his body. It hurt so much. Everything hurt, Keaks had never felt anything like it before. Oh gods how he wanted it to stop.
But as he raised his head and saw Asfi. Blood filled his lungs with each breath he took. He could hear her heavenly voice.
"Ke-keaks." Asfi choked out.
'I can hear you.' He thought. 'How could I not hear and hang onto every word you say? Cos I'm only out here for you.' Keaks pushed himself up. Blood pooled beneath him and dribbled down his chin. 'I don't give a damn about adventure. I just...wanted to be by your side.'
"Ke...aks. Use that...potion." Asfi choked out. Blood pooled beneath her and down her chin as well. "Don't...worry about...me. Quickly!"
"Who you trying to kid?" Keaks laughed. It was an action that shot tremendous pain through his body. "This potion can only save one of us."
Another wave of pain shot through Keaks and he felt like passing out. But he willed himself to stay awake.
'I can't pass out now!!! What better way to go out is there...dying to save the woman that I love.'
Keaks reeled his arm back and got ready to throw. Feeling the shirtless man getting closer behind him.
'Never could tell her how I feel...but I'm going to get this potion to her. Even if it's the last goddamned thing I do.'
"Die." The man said.
Keaks threw the potion. And then his head was caved in a second later.
.
.
.
.
Asfi could do nothing but watch in horror as Keaks's blood and brain matter painted the floor. She didn't register the potion in the air until it bounced.
It flew up into the air slightly before bouncing again and rolling. Landing just out of her reach.
"K-Keaks?" Lulune breathed out. Watching in disbelief as her friend just died.
She was so focused on them that she didn't notice the zealot behind her until it was too late. But she was quickly rescued by Falgar, killing the man.
"You idiot! Focus!" He yelled.
"B-but Keaks...and Asfi." She shakily pointed.
"WE'LL DIE TOO IF YOU KEEP THAT UP!" Falgar shouted. But as he gazed back onto the battlefield. Watching as dozens of zealots and Violas drew closer.
He drew a blank, and he didn't know what to do. Or how to get everyone out of this.
Back with Asfi. She tried to crawl to the potion. It was right there, just out of her reach. So close she could almost taste it.
But the shirtless man drew closer. Not even regarding Keak's corpse. The man was dead, he didn't matter anymore.
"Your turn." He said.
Asfi felt panic fill her chest. She could do nothing but watch as her familia fought on. Desperation and fear painted all their faces. More explosions and more deaths. The situation was so desperate even Thane was fighting.
Lulune was saying that someone would come. But Asfi couldn't hear who. But Lulune sounded so certain.
"Be at ease Perseus. I'll sever every last trace of life from your body."
He smirked as he walked behind her next to her sandals. Stepping on her rainbow-colored wings she had used to get up to him.
"The Sword Princess will not come. And you will not escape. No allies, no reinforcements, no gods."
He broke her other set of wings on her other sandal. "No one is going to save you. When what you cherish most is gone. Recognize your foolishness for siding with the gods."
The man put his boot on her head. "And die."
"AETHER'S WHIP!"
A golden rope wrapped around the man's neck. Causing him to pause in confusion as Bell landed behind him. The rope pulled taut before Bell raised his fist and slammed down.
The rope bent and the sudden pull sent the man flying away.
Well, that's it for this chapter. Sorry, it took so long. Wattpad had a glitch where the keyboard wouldn't move down so it blocked the words. And I can't write it somewhere else because if I try to copy and paste it all the words just become tiny and black making it impossible to read. But I think I figured out a way around it, so good news there.
Anyway, Keaks is dead. Yes, I know very sad. He was fun to write and was a somewhat good influence on Bell. Don't worry about Airmid too much. She doesn't know what happened later in the night. So whether you believe her or not is up to you. Also sorry if everything seemed all over the place. I wanted to cover all aspects of the fight using Lulune, Asfi, and Bell. Using their POVS since each individual is in a different part of the fight. Hope it wasn't too messy. Oh, and all the big capital words. Hope that wasn't too much as well.
In other news updates should be back to normal pretty soon. Oh, and my birthday is in two days as well so that's fun.
With all that being said, I hope you enjoyed and I'll catch you all later.
