No ownership of Danmachi here!

"Alright, now that everyone is here, let's continue from where we left off," Finn Deimne claimed. Now that Nathan had entered his office, they could continue with the preparations for the two-scale attack on Knossos. This was to be the third meeting which included everyone who would be taking part.

"Actually, 'bout that Finn, we 'ave a new ally."

Finn looked at his Goddess who had flopped her head backwards to look at him from on top of his desk.

"What do you mean by that Loki?"

"It means tha' we 'ave a new ally. Dionysus and 'is lot," the half-drunk Goddess shared with the room.

"Are they meant to be joining us?" Riveria asked.

"Dunno? You wan'em 'ere?"

"No"

Everyone turned to the corner where the half-elf was leaning against the wall.

"Why's that lad?" Gareth asked the boy.

"I've already told enough people about myself. If they come, I'm gone."

Nathan knew he didn't need to elaborate more. They all knew what he meant by those words, even Tiona. They all also knew this meant that the new allies wouldn't join them in the meetings. As much as they all hate to admit it, the half-elf was one of the most vital parts of the operation. His information on traps, their whereabouts and the general layout of the large enemy base were proof enough that he wasn't lying when he has introduced to the meeting a week ago.

"Guess we will just have to inform the Dionysus Familia another time then," Finn concluded that very brief conversation. He was the one who knew the most how important the half-elf was. It was the reason why he chose to work with him. Much like all the others who lived through the dark ages of Orario only a few years prior, he too was slightly uncomfortable working with an enemy, especially one of Nathan's abilities. But after witnessing the fight between the Black minotaur and Bell Cranel, a new Finn Deimne was born that night and he wouldn't let a 7-year-old grudge stop him from saving the city. It seemed Riveria and Gareth also shared this sentiment and Loki was seemingly convinced by the boy's current Goddess when she arrived alongside him. However, the others, especially Bete and Shakti, were very hard to persuade. That was to be expected because while Raul, Ais and Aki were there when Evilus launched their attacks, Bete and especially Shakti were more at the front of the battlefield and saw a lot more of the destruction and death. The main reason that a footing was found was that they both trusted Finn, as a captain and as a friend. As Finn turned his attention away from the half-elf and back to the matter at hand, he reviewed the past week and all that had transpired in this office.

"Oi Finn, what's shrimp and one of 'er brats doin 'ere?" Loki asked the Prum. Just as she described, following him through the Twilight manor's maze-like corridors was the Goddess Hestia and the masked half-elf who had grown a level of infamy thanks to herself and the other deities.

"I invited Skias Alf here today for reasons you will find out. He brought his Goddess along as apparently she wished to speak to you personally."

"Aye!, What you want shrimp?"

"Loki, just as your child said, I wish to talk to you. Privately would be preferred."

Finn noticed this took Loki off guard. From the brief interaction he had seen between the two, they always through insulting names at each other. He could only assume that Loki realised that the Goddess Hestia was being serious when she referred to her by her name.

"If you two wish to use Loki's room while I go and introduce Skias Alf to everyone else."

"S'fine by me. Ok then shrimp, follow me then!"

As Finn watched the two deities walk towards Loki's room, he began to walk down another corridor until he was stopped by a quiet voice.

"Braver"

"What is it?"

"Firstly, stop calling me by my new Alias. I don't really care but you have elves here, plus Nine Hells."

"I can understand that, what would you prefer instead?"

"Nathan is fine."

"Understood. What else?"

"What do you mean by…. Introduce to others. Nine Hells and Elgarm already know."

"By others, I mean the rest of the Loki executives."

"We didn't agree on that." The half-elf stated quickly.

"You didn't specify who I could or couldn't tell. I am still hiding your identity from everyone else, which I do not like doing mind you, so there shouldn't be a problem."

"Except from the fact one is a blood-hungry wolf, two stupid amazons who either want to rip me to shreds or want to blab to everyone about anything without thinking first and a brain-dead girl who doesn't know her rights from her lefts."

Before Nathan could continue his barrage of insults any longer, Finn turned around so quick it took the half-elf by surprise, something he wasn't used to, with a glare that shut the boy up.

"I would like very much for you to not insult my Familia." The Prum captain said in an icy tone. "Did you really think I wasn't going to tell the people who are going to be risking their lives while under the information you will be sharing? I don't like this just as much as I know you don't but we have realised there is a greater threat than our petty rivalries and insignificant views of each other. Do you understand!"

Finn could tell his words had struck the half-elf. The Prum knew how to fight with words better than anyone and he could tell when someone was trying to take charge through them. While better than most, the half-elf was still a young teenager and Finn would not allow anyone but himself to be in charge of such a high-scale, high-staked mission. The two continued their little staring contest before Nathan relented, knowing that Finn had valid reasons.

"Fine," Was all Nathan could say. He wasn't going to throw out any petty threats or say he wouldn't help anymore if others were told. Nathan finally had his opportunity to take down Evilus once and for all. He wasn't about to let it slide.

"Good, let's be going. Oh, I should probably mention that also Ankusha of the Ganesha Familia will also be involved and possibly also Perseus of Hermes Familia will be joining us, well Shakti has said she will be joining us but we haven't had any proper confirmation from Asfi nor God Hermes."

"Then that means they ain't going to be joining us and if you can make Vanargand work with me in secret then I can trust Ankusha will be fine."

The two men spoke of nothing after that, silence accompanying them until they made it to Finn's office door. As it was his room, Finn simply walked up and pushed the door open, striding in with all the confidence of the man who was the captain of the strongest dungeon diving Familia's. Nathan was a lot more hesitant.

While his declaration for working together with the big three of the Loki Familia was definitely a major step in trying to overcome his past, this next step would be the one where there would be no turning back no matter what. As soon as he stepped into that room, his identity and everything that he had been involved in would come to light in front of some of the strongest and most influential people in the city.

"Thank you for waiting everyone. As it seems Hermes Familia won't be joining us, everyone is here for our first meeting on taking on Knossos."

Nathan heard Finn begin talking to all the occupants of the office that he was standing just outside of. He could only see Riveria and Gareth from where he was standing but he could hear the breathing of 8 other people. As he did the quick math in his head, he realised two more people were there aside from the Loki execs and Shakti. This already made him even more nervous than before. He had to keep telling himself over and over again in his head that this was it. It was now or never and he couldn't let this opportunity go.

"Quickly, I would like to introduce someone who will also be helping us with our invasion."

Nathan saw Finn walk to his desk and sit down in his seat. Now facing the doorway he had previously walked through; he reached his hand out towards Nathan.

"If you would like to introduce yourself."

Nathan couldn't respond to the voice for a few seconds. His instinct was telling him that the area he was about to walk into was being heavily surveyed by powerful opponents. In any other circumstances, he would have already run away. But now he had only one direction to move in and that was straight into the lion's den. With a gulp and a small grasp of his right sword handle for comfort, making sure it was still there, he walked forward.

As Nathan stepped into the room, he immediately felt the eyes on him. What everyone couldn't see was the half-elf's eyes because of his mask but if they could see them, they would see Jade darting around the entire room constantly. Nathan was doing a complete sweep of the room. He noted down everyone in the room. The two extra breaths had come from Raul and Aki, which Nathan didn't have much issue with, he could deal with them. It was everyone else. Bete, Tiona and especially Tione were staring him down. The first with a look of suspicion, the second with utter puzzlement and confusion while the third was staring death straight back at his nervous glare. He also saw that he would have to run past them plus Elgarm to make it to the window in which he has hidden beneath many times.

On the other side of the room, he saw Raul and Aki look at him with puzzlement, the second adopting a very tense posture after she spotted the half-elf. She had seen him more times than she had wished in too few days. Nearer Riveria and Finn's desk was Ais who tilted her slightly in confusion. Nathan knew he wouldn't even be able to touch her or even get near her. More worryingly, Shakti was closest to the door he had just walked through, making any chance at escape decrease. He could feel the eagle-eyes of the level 5 on his face.

'Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.'

Nathan's hands were constantly clenching and unclenching, getting sweatier as the seconds ticked by but he always kept them by his sides, right next to his weapons. He noted that any shadows he could dart into were being obstructed by people, all of who were stronger than him. His only possible chance of escape was back the way he came. He thought he could maybe beat Shakti if he caught her off guard and rush through the door before she could close it or get in his way.

"Why is that guy here? Are Argonaut's Familia joining us as well?"

"Well, they were buddy-buddy with those monsters."

Nathan vaguely computed the words from Tiona and Bete, not giving them much thought. He was still doing his best to not jump for any chance for escape, Nathan started to take short, quick breaths. His mental fortification was doing its best to stop a disaster from happening. The other side of his brain was deducing that if he jumped at Raul and Aki, he could take out one of them and hold the other one as a hostage. Then he would slowly move towards the shadow near them and just after breaking his hostage's neck, he would ignite his skill and immerse himself in the shadow. After everyone is distracted and in panic, someone will inevitably jump at his position in anger, making a massive hole in the wall in which he could use to run out. But what about Shakti, and Ais would probably be able to react and get to him before he can do anything. She was two levels above him plus her enhancement magic. It could still work but he had to think fast.

"Is he… ok?"

Nathan didn't hear the quiet voice of the Sword Princess; his mind was too busy going back and forth. He didn't know what to do next. He had been in this kind of situation before and managed to escape but that wasn't as bad as this time and unlike this time, his mind was on the same wavelength.

"Oi lad, You alright?"

"Huh?"

Nathan was snapped out of his trance as he looked up and saw a bearded face just in front of him, a look of concern on its face.

"Tione, stop staring like that at the poor boy," Riveria stated at the amazon, most had noticed her hostile gaze at the half-elf.

"But…" Tione tried to explain herself but she was quickly stopped when the person whom she would never go against spoke up.

"Tione, calm down. Nathan, are you all right?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," Nathan said in a very small quiet voice followed by a small gulp to try and help compose himself.

"Good. Do you mind if I introduce you?" Finn earned a small nod from the boy he could clearly tell was struggling. He thought the boy would be slightly uncomfortable but he hadn't accounted for it being this bad. Was he really that frightened of them? Well, they had basically hunted him for the better of 7 years.

"Ok then, well as most of you know, this is Nathan of the Hestia Familia. Alias, Skias Alf. I would just like to say, no the Hestia Familia itself will not be joining our alliance, it will just be Nathan. The reason for that though I believe is best said by the person themselves."

With the few seconds Finn had given him, Nathan was able to control his thoughts and emotion. He had relaxed his hands. With a final breath to fully calm himself down, Nathan took the step that stopped any possibility of turning back.

"I used to be a part of the group Evilus for 7 years and have a lot of experience traversing Knossos."

That was all he needed to say to cause all the breathing in the room to hitch. The three who already knew held their breaths at the other's reactions while the others tried to process the statement.

"Aye!" Bete said, a small growl in his voice as he stretched his claws slightly.

Ais, Aki and Raul's eyes went wide in shock. The number of years stated immediately brought back memories. Bad memories that they had tried to forget and this person just claimed to be the reason for those memories and nightmares.

"Finn is this some bad joke," Shakti quietly spoke, the small clink of metal making Nathan's ears twitch. He already knew what kind of weapon the Ankusha preferred to carry around. He also knew that she knew had to use it effectively and viciously.

"He ain't lyin, I can vouch for it, though I don't see why you'd wan' me to," Loki said as she entered the room. All eyes turned to vermillion haired Goddess as she strode into the room. She plonked her bosom on top of Finn's desk, clearly showing experience in the motion as she positioned herself in a way that stopped Finn from losing any visibility of the room.

"This isn't funny Loki. This isn't the time for one of your jokes!" Bete lashed out.

"I am not lying Bete!" Loki shot back, opening her eyes to meet Bete's. This told all those who knew her that she was not lying and that the claim the half-elf had made was true.

*Clank!* *Thunk!*

"If what he said is to be taken as true, then I have no choice."

Nathan turned round to see Shakti having unravelled her metal whip. While not as long as most normal whips, this one wasn't for calming down animals or slightly tapping horses to make them go faster. This one is made for one purpose and one purpose only and that is to inflict as much damage as the weapon user intends.

"Shakti, please calm down. We will explain..."

"I would like to ask for you to be quiet Nine Hells. I wish to ask this boy a question."

Nathan looked back at the blue-haired woman.

"You said you were part of Evilus for 7 Years," The captain of the largest Familia said as she point the edge of her whip at Nathan, who gave her a nod. "Then does that mean you were there when…" Shakti didn't finish her sentence. Everyone knew what she was talking about. For some, they saw old friends and mentors sacrifice themselves. Others remember the screams of terror and all the damage and carnage that afflicted the city. The twins who weren't in Orario during then and had only heard of the horrors that had happened and even they were shaken by the claim from the boy. For Shakti, she remembers her sister being blown up by an attack that she shouldn't have even been anywhere near.

"Yes. I took part in the attack on Orario 7 years ago."

Shakti's normally composed face suddenly seized up in anger.

"FINN! How could you!"

This was the part that Finn had been dreading and the reason why Nathan didn't want to reveal himself as he knew it would be too difficult to work together.

"Do you realise?" Shakti's attention was back on the half-elf, anger searing in her eyes. "Do you realise the kind of stuff you lot did? The things you put the people of Orario through."

Nathan clenched his fists, not in nervousness but in frustration. He didn't like being affiliated with the group at any point but it was impossible to pretend he wasn't anymore.

'Of course I do, I saw it all happen.' Nathan thought, not trusting himself to speak right now as he knew it would stop any possibility of progressing this meeting in any meaningful direction.

Everyone could only watch as the two stared each other down. The main three could see that the boy had quickly been isolated, which was something that they wanted to avoid in hopes of his co-operation. Finn wanted to interject but a part of himself couldn't. He hated to admit it but there was still a part of himself that was still hurting from the events that took place and he wanted to see some form of justice, no matter how petty.

"Do you know how many people you… you… monsters hurt."

The images of Ardi flooded Shakti's mind as she couldn't control her mouth anymore. If she stopped talking, then a new form of action would take place with immediate effect.

"What about you?"

The voice from the boy shut the blue-haired woman up as a pure rage took over her.

"What do you mean by that," She said in a cold voice.

"I said do you know how many people you hurt? How many people did you kill during that time, Ankusha? I didn't see you throughout the entire thing but I vividly remember seeing you use that very whip to slam at least 20 people into a wall."

Now it was Nathan's turn. The main reason why he hated all these top families so much. How they acted like heroes after condemning and stopping people from killing and hurting others when they did the exact same.

"I saw you use that very whip to push a person who had been forced to have a bomb strapped to his chest into a pile of other unwilling people, killing all of them."

Shakti's grip on her whip tightened as she could only look at the boy in shock and anger. All the others in the room shared the same expression.

"Are you… Are you trying to defend the horrors of what Evilus did by using the excuse that we fought back?"

"Of course not but you weren't the only ones who lost people. You weren't the only side to get hurt. I mean, you lot won and look at how bad you suffered so try and think about what happened to the losers of that battle. You think you know what suffering is, you have no idea."

"You got what you deserved!" Bete shouted at the boy, causing the boy to turn towards the wolf.

"No. The people like Vellata and the disgusting deities got what they deserved; they just dragged the rest of us with them. And none of you supposed heroes didn't even blink or care as thousands of people were forced into hiding just because they were manipulated and tricked into doing stuff they didn't understand."

Nathan had bottled this up for too long and now he was unable to keep it down.

"Because of your victory, so many people were forced into Knossos, never being able to see daylight again. Every day was a struggle for survival. It was common to go 3 days without food and you never knew when your next meal would be. The only clean water available was that of the middle floors with the great falls, meaning people always died when they tried to collect water to just sate their thirst. All the while the leaders kept pathetically trying to mount a stupid and irrelevant counterattack, wasting life after life."

Nathan swung himself back round to face Shakti once more, returning the glare she had given him previously.

"Let me tell you this Ankusha. From my perspective, you lot are just as bad as the ones I was forced to follow only that they were a bit sicker and more twisted and more open about who they really were." Nathan stated as he pointed a finger at the now silent woman.

"I'm sorry Braver but this isn't going to work. I can't…"

"Nathan!"

Now, Nathan wasn't someone who was easily swayed. He had been on his own for over a year and a half and did his best to stay as independent as possible. He had promised himself that he wouldn't let anyone get control of him as Goddess Hel had. But that crumbled apart when he heard the voice of the person who walked into the room. He had no defence against her as she was someone who he had come to revere. She was the only one he believed deserved to be worshipped. She was the only one he considered should be seen as an actual Goddess.

"L-lady Hestia?" The half-elf watched as the petite Goddess walked up to him. He felt all his anger seep out of him as the warmth of her hand touched his, releasing all the tension that had built up. The others also saw the profound effect the goddess had on the boy. As she slowly calmed the half-elf down, it also calmed down the others in the room, mainly Shakti and Bete.

"Nathan. Could you please tell them what you told me when you first told the Familia about who you were?"

Nathan remembered what he had said when he discussed this topic when Welf and Lili brought it up after he had exposed himself to the Familia. He didn't want to; he hated that part of who he was.

"Please. I promise it will make this easier."

However, he couldn't beat that smile and the comforting presence of his Goddess. Nathan gave a heavy sigh as he looked down at his feet.

"*mumble, mumble*"

"I'm sorry but we couldn't catch that," Fin stated.

"I was 8."

"What?" Shakti said, not understanding what the boy meant.

"I was 8 when the attacks started. I was only a level 1 and I just remember running around scared. I didn't know where or what to do."

The tension in Shakti's hand completely disappeared as she finally realised what the boy was talking about. How hadn't she realised it sooner? The boy in front of her couldn't be older than a middle-aged teenager. Why didn't she think of how old he would have been 7 years ago?

"I saw people who were the only ones who had shown me any kindness die right in front of me. I saw all the damage my side inflicted. I saw people having bombs strapped to themselves and being ordered to blow themselves up because of some stupid delusions. I didn't understand what was happening until a few years later. I… I did hurt people. They wouldn't stop attacking me so I…" Nathan didn't want to finish himself.

The half-elf had slowly closed in on himself as he recounted the memories of 7 years ago. He hated that part of himself. The part that was too terrified to do anything. Who watched and let so many people die while he lived. How he didn't do anything to stop the two people who showed him the first bit of kindness he had been given while in Orario. A kind act that wouldn't be repeated until 7 years later when Hestia allowed him to live with the rest of her Familia.

As everyone heard the boy get quieter until he ceased talking, they began to see his previous point. Both sides were hurt and even though they won, they had done some bad things to achieve that victory. And now, 7 years later, a victim of their victory was standing in the same room as them, willing to help them finish off the side he had been with those many years ago.

Hestia saw the mood change in the room and saw it as a good time to address everyone.

"Everyone. I wasn't there 7 years ago and I have only heard very brief things about it and quite frankly I don't wish to hear anymore. I know it might be a hard thing to ask you to look past what happened and I'm not asking you to just forget and forgive as that is probably impossible, for both sides." The Goddess was now the centre of the room. "But all I ask is that you give Nathan, my child, a chance. I don't know who he was during those attacks but I know he regrets not being able to do anything. But he is able to do something now and he wants to help. So please, just this once, look past who you were back then and focus on who you want to be now."

Hestia finished her speech with a smile as she looked at her child. She couldn't see but Nathan was giving her the biggest look of gratitude and awe he could give. He had never regretted joining the Hestia Familia but now he was happy that he was able to have such a wonderful Goddess.

"Thank you, Goddess Hestia, your words are much appreciated," Finn said, he too grateful for the goddess.

"Aye. She speaks the truth. I know it hurts what 'appened Shakti but we can do somethin abou' it now. What ya say lass?" Gareth asked the woman

Shakti contemplated Hestia's words. It didn't take long for her to come to a decision.

"Ok then, I am willing to work with you, Nathan," Shakti replied

"And what about you lad?" Gareth said, motioning towards the half-elf.

Nathan looked at Shakti, then down to his Goddess who gave him a smile and a nod, then back up to Shakti.

"Ok. I will stay."

"Great! Now everyone's 'appy let's get this crap under way," Loki stuttered out. "By the way shrimp, how the 'ell you get 'ere. I thought you left."

Hestia gave a slight chuckle and scratched the side of her cheek while looking away, reminding Nathan of something Bell normally does. " I kinda got lost on the way back, so I tried to retrace my steps and came across everyone in here," Hestia said as a slight blush of embarrassment settled on her cheeks.

This earned a small chuckle out of Finn who then turned his head towards Raul and Aki. " Could you two accompany the Goddess Hestia and see that she safely returns to her home please."

"O-ok, Captain," Aki managed as Raul was still in a bit of shock trying to process all the information he had just heard to speak. Grabbing his wrist she dragged him out of the room and motioned for Hestia to follow her. Before the Goddess left, she turned to her child and gave him a big smile.

"Do your best Nathan and do what you think is right and me and the others will support you, kay!"

"I will, Lady Hestia and thank you," the half-elf replied as he watched his Goddess walk out of the door, her hand waving in the air as she followed Aki and Raul.

After the three had left and had closed the door behind them, the first meeting could finally get underway.

As the topic of Knossos quickly came up, Nathan became a big source of information and the others were becoming very grateful for him being there, especially for the Loki Familia who had dealt with first-hand how cruel Knossos could be.

He consulted the maps they had attempted to make and completely re-drew some of them. He put an X on places where he knew there were traps and said what kind of trap they were. Whether it was a falling pit that randomly opened or a wave of arrows shot out from the walls.

"How did you avoid all these?" Tiona asked as she dizzily saw how many traps were situated on the lower floors.

"We didn't really. Basically, you found out about a trap when someone set it off and you then knew to avoid it."

"Where would you say the leaders and heads of the group would reside?" Riveria asked.

"Well Barca will most likely be here," He said pointing to a spot on the map of floor 13. " I only managed to sneak in there once and I saw he has some sort of… well it's kind of like the divine mirrors that you see when a war game occurs."

"So he has an ability to see over all of Knossos?" Shakti said.

"That's not going to be fun to deal with," Bete added.

"From what I remember it doesn't cover everywhere. Like I said, it is like the divine mirrors so it can swap in between different places but he only has... I think 3 of them, so he can only view different places at once."

"Ok, that isn't so bad," Tiona said as the optimist.

"Nathan, Lefiya found this symbol the last time we were there. Do you know what it is or means?" Riveria asked, pulling out a piece of scrap paper with a symbol on it. Nathan quickly looked at it.

"I remember seeing them but it was only a recent thing. Starting to just appear about 3 years ago. I never saw anyone make them and I have no idea what they mean, sorry."

"Do you know how many there are?" Finn asked.

"No idea. The last time I was in Knossos, before a few days ago, was almost 2 years ago. I don't know how many have been made since. I only ever remember seeing 4 of them."

And so the meetings went on. As Finn recalled these meetings, he realised that mutual respect had come about between the people here and Nathan, especially the ones that were there 7 years ago. They all went through the same thing and now they were trying to finish off what was started those 7 years ago. Even though he couldn't see Shakti and Nathan getting along outside this room, they had come to tolerate each other in the sense that no animosity could be sensed between the two. Bete and Tione still were very wary of the half-elf and Raul and Aki still showed signs of being uncomfortable in his presence but they were dealing with it better each time.

And the day draws closer and closer until they finally began stage one of their attack on Knossos. Finn, Gareth, Riveria and Shakti would lead the main forces. Dionysus Familia would mingle with the other groups while the Hermes Familia had their own mission to deal with. They had gotten Dea Saint to join them which would be a massive help.

When Finn was deciding where to put Nathan, he had initially thought the half-elf would want to be with the Xenos.

"No, I don't want to be attached to any specific group."

"I'm not sure I quite understand," Finn pondered at the half-elf's statement.

"I mean… I know the layout of Knossos completely unless they have made some drastic changes which I doubt. I therefore won't need any map and I think it would be a waste to tie me down with a single group. If necessary, I can lead a small group of people to important places but they would need to be able to keep up with me. The only people who can do that are too important to waste following me. Let me do my thing, we have the Oculus from Fels and if you want me anywhere, I will go there."

Finn accepted this and began to see it as an advantage. He could use Nathan as a surprise flank attack from anywhere and if any group was in trouble then the boy could run to them. And so Finn decided that Nathan would be their wild card, making him glad he had kept him a secret.

Loki watched on as her kids and the two others conversed with each other. Her slitted eyes landed on the half-elf again, each time it happened she remembered the stuff Hestia had told her.

"You're telling me to let someone like that work with my kids! Why would I do that shrimp?"

"He has good in him and he wants to do the right thing but he has trouble showing it. He isn't a bad person even with his past so just give him the chance and I know he will do his best to do the right thing."

3 days later

The force of almost 500 had finally settled into place in their designated areas. All looked towards one thing and that was the massive Orichalcum doors that towered over them, daring them to infiltrate whatever they housed.

On the surface stood Finn Deimne and Shakti Varma, leading the main forces of their respective Familia's. At the bottom were Fels and the Xenos who waited on the 18th floor for the signal to attack and avenge their fallen brethren. Just recently they had been reunited with Rei, who had been guided down to the 18th floor by a friendly masked half-elf.

There were bunches of groups all waiting in front of a door, with Bete Loga's group being one of them near the 8th floor. He was currently standing a bit away from his group and had been counting the seconds in his head for when the attack would start. He had gotten to 3 minutes left when Nathan walked up beside him.

"You had better be right about all the crap you said!" Bete said at the boy.

"Just do your job and I'll do mine; I won't get in your way if you stay out of mine," the boy responded.

"Fine by me."

And just like he had appeared out of nowhere, Nathan faded back into the shadows to make sure none of the Loki Familia spotted him. With an Oculus on his wrist and a Key in his pocket, his two swords on his sides, Nathan prepared himself. As he realised that far below him his Familia was currently doing their best to complete their expedition and get stronger, Nathan confirmed within himself that he would also try his best and not let them or the people who had put trust in him down.

That's a wrap.

And so we finally get to the first attack on Knossos and I'm sure everything will turn out fine (Quickly hides SO LN 11)

Hoped you liked the taster fo how Nathan viewed the events from 7 years ago as that is only a fraction of what I want to say about it, including the 27 floor incident 5 years from canon with the Astrea Familia death.

I also want to show that Nathan isn't this badass killing machine that can do and deal with anything. He is a a 15 year old boy who has gone through some major shit and struggles to deal with it, who knows where he would be without his mental fortification ability.

Anyway, enough said for now.

Reviews:

LegcaySpellsword - Imma be honest, no idea who that was until I looked them up. They look god damn cool but a bit too much for the Danmachi world tho those weapons would be sick to see in action ngl.

jank7457 - Gonna be honest m8, no idea how i came up with it as well. I just start thinking and adding parts to the world that never existed and use other stuff that I've heard but can't source cause I can't remember it. I'm glad you like it cause it took over an hour of straight thinking to come up with it and its backstory, with many a rewrites of the chapter.

Anyway, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed and I'll see ya next time, peace.