Small double update, split more to make reading easier than anything. Note that the chapter previous to this also came out same time as this.

So, here is a Shakti chapter. I will state here that I just like Shakti despite her and the Ganesha familia basically being super side-characters. Her and Tsubaki are two of my faves. So, she will be a somewhat consistent POV. This is mainly to set up her part. I do have to create a few OC's for any Ganesha family appearances and obviously expand on Shakti herself, but I hope to keep it from anything egregious...since, you know, I started this chapter saying straight out that I was hoping to shine a light on canon characters.

This chapter is built a bit off a scene in the original piece I wrote as opposed to the pieces I put in the Prologue, but I don't think it will be hard to follow. Ottar levels up. Many people get motivated. Ganesha familia gets nervous. They want Shakti to level up as a Level 6 is more intimidating than yet another Level 5.

Shakti came to without any call or noise drawing her from sleep.

Just the same silence she had been forced to get used to.

She still woke seamlessly. Years of routine and rigorous discipline making her shake off sleep in moments. She stood and started moving her morning preparations. Made herself food without a word spoken, and eating it the same way. The usual meal she made, since she had no reason to vary what she made. Afterwards she washed herself, dressed, and groomed herself.

She walked through the empty apartments the Varma line had lived in for six generations since coming with Ganesha to the City of Adventurers three hundred years ago.

She only stopped at the entryway. There, she paused to look over nine pictures she had placed in the alcove there. She moved silently and seamlessly to light the candles placed before each one, and then offered a prayer to none in particular since Ganesha was still in the mortal lands.

It was just rote action by this point.

They were already gone and in the cycle of reincarnation.

That over, she turned and walked out of the silent family apartments.

As always, the Ganesha familia home was anything but silent.

Ganesha always made sure of it, like now as he was standing on the center platform of the meeting hall. Flexing in different poses, he was also calling out with each one, "Fight! Burn bright! The day is young! Your lives are still beginning! Use it to the fullest! Play a song. Confess a love. Lie in the sun. Have a good cry. Represent all of Orario! For you are…GANESHA!"

A few members moving rapidly around the area called out with him, but most merely continued on.

As bombastic as he was, even Ganesha was often mere background scenery for the familia since this was just…him.

"Big sis," Ilta called as soon as she saw Shakti arrive.

"Aha, the spear of Ganesha has arrived. Now we just need to set our hearts alight!"

"Quiet," Ilta said at that, unamused. "You're annoying."

"I am Ganesha!"

"How did the rest of yesterday go?" Shakti immediately asked, ready for business. The familia had decided – at Ganesha's urging - that Shakti should take half of yesterday to rest and relax for the expedition since she was the center point of their goal. She understood the point, but if anything it had only made her feel more apathetic on this whole affair. Ganesha playing music out her window hadn't changed that either. "Have the potions been procured?"

"Yes, yes," Ilta said in a voice that made clear she didn't much care for the topic. Shakti knew she at least felt responsible enough to not blow it off entirely. Ilta was not much of what one often wanted in a vice-captain, but Shakti would not have hesitated to remove her if she didn't meet some standard. "Loki familia finally stopped haggling against us with Dian Cecht, but no doubt Braver is going to try to frame it as some favor later."

"An issue if we need to keep buying from them," Shakti noted. "Loki familia are far more consistent customers, and Dian Cecht won't forget it."

"Managed to work that out too, big sis. Well, someone else did, but what does it matter?" Ilta claimed, shrugging. "We shifted a few things around. Tamanna gave up making the lesser antidotes like she usually does, and we switched our usual order from the Dian Cecht. Potions and mind potions to high versions. Former means we'll have to buy basic antidotes and latter is the same alongside a bit more expensive, but it should keep us well-stocked with super antidotes as well as make Dian Cecht want to keep us happy."

"And what about basic potions?" Shakti asked, eyes serious. "We still have plenty of Level 1 and 2's that you shouldn't forget."

"Eh, we managed to make some contracts with some lesser familias," Ilta explained once again. "The…damn, Tamanna! Who did we contract again for the basics?"

One of the women nearby looked away from her conversation, answering shortly, "Miach and Ausrine. I've told you like half a dozen times!"

"They're so small time, it hardly matters, right?" Ilta said even as she turned back to Shakti. "They'll give us the basic stuff as we use harder sources for the hard stuff."

Shakti told her immediately, "The basics matter. Make sure to check up on them in the future. Small familias tend to be vulnerable."

"Didn't Miach's familia used to be big though? Remember them from the feud. Old news, but they have the reputation for trust," Ilta pointed out.

"True. Miach is an upstanding god," Shakti conceded, far too used to other gods to not acknowledge that. "I think the Ausrine familia is considered off limits in Daedalus Streets. Don't know why, but it ensures a robbery won't put them in dire straits. Still, I want you to assure the product since you did this."

"Sure, big sis. Sure."

Shakti wasn't sure she could trust Ilta to do that, especially with both of them heading into the Dungeon, but that would be an issue to check on later.

"Okay, and what about the gear for the Dragon's Cauldron?"

"Here, I'll shot yo-"

The two moved to walk out of the room.

Ganesha had kept up the routine while they were there, but paused once they moved and cut them off by calling, "Shakti! We should update your blessing, and I am Ganesha!"

She paused at that reminder, and conceded that point.

She did a bit more work to ensure the preparations were in their final stages, but then met up with Ganesha.

Just minutes later, she was adjusting her clothes after the update while commenting, "Don't expect much of a difference. It's been a good month, but our last expedition was canceled."

"It matters not. This is a record of your life as a member of my familia. It is precious on its own," Ganesha said, all but shoving the paper in her face despite speaking softer now.

She sighed, but was used to it and merely took it.

Shakti Varma

Level 5

Basic Abilities:

Strength: D599

Endurance: D599

Dexterity: B746 = B749

Agility: B749

Magic: D590 = D592

Developmental Abilities:

Tamer: F

Abnormal Resistance: E

Spearman: G

Healing Power: H

Magic

Darpana Avimutta

Skills

Ganapati Blood

Anurakti Varad-

Shakti immediately tossed the sheet into the fire when she saw the final bit, saying sternly while looking at her god, "You shouldn't have put that down."

"Ha, do you think someone would see it here?" Ganesha said, crossing his arms and laughing boldly.

"It's about the principle," she replied, although she soon lost any heat. "You know better, my Lord."

"Hmmmm," Ganesha said, arms still crossed. A hint of dissatisfaction in it.

Shakti ignored it, just shaking her head and commenting, "So, I just need to focus on magic and high-class excelia. Former is simple enough so long as I am in the Dungeon. The latter…"

She had far from sought any. Now, some was unavoidable. She'd never had issues in confronting whatever challenges came before her, and the familia delved deeply enough that she'd often been forced to stem the tide for everyone's sake.

She could not remember the last time she actually sought to level up, however.

"You can do it, Shakti. I know you can," Ganesha said, voice settled in a way that made her look at him. "It is elsewhere that I worry you-"

"This is fine," Shakti said, looking away and ignoring that she cut him off. She also stood and dusred off her clothes. "I shall manage, if the familia needs me to."

She didn't give Ganesha much of a chance to respond further, walking out the door.

Ganesha stayed there for a moment, arms crossed. Eventually, he gave a deep sigh to release the worry and tension. He then straightened again, mouth curved in a smile. He also pulled out a violin as he stood, already playing as he left the door.

"I am Ganesha, and I shall prepare the celebratory departure!"

"So, it looks like we are ready?" Shakti said as she looked over the two lines arrayed before her. The rest of the familia was arrayed in other lines along the courtyard, but this was the group about to head in. "No one has any concerns or issues to raise?"

"We are ready, captain," Ilta said, saluting and actually using her title again. "Vana Freya and the rest of the Freya familia came back three days ago, and the Guild announced they'd reached the 59th floor. Ahhhh, it irritates me. That bunch!"

Shakti was unimpressed by her vice-captain's frustrated display. Or her words. Especially when many others set for the expedition seemed to share the same sentiment, if more controlled about it.

"You are irritated they reached the Glacier Territory first?" she asked, face stoic. "Do not get ahead of yourselves. Loki familia can be irritated their rivals got excited and risked themselves out of pride. We are not rivals to either of them. We are the shields of Orario."

"""Yes, captain!"""

They all shouted that, but Ilta couldn't help herself as she said, "Doesn't mean we can't also be the spear of Orario too."

"Sometimes a person must decide what they are," Shakti merely warned.

Honestly, she was irritated. This expedition that had been forced on her felt half pointless. Shakti's job was to save lives. Both the lives of the civilians on the surface, but also those of her familia members from unnecessary pride and foolishness. She had little patience for grandstanding or unnecessary displays.

3rd strongest familia in Orario or not, to compete was never her goal.

Only to do what was necessary.

It was why she had reluctantly agreed to this expedition. She recognized their point. She did not care about Ottar reaching Level 8. If her own familia believed however the building chaos that was a rush of adventurers trying to level up and push further due to that was not something they could handle as they were, she…could not entirely disagree. If Shakti reaching Level 6 and Ganesha familia making a strong statement in their expedition was what might reassert their authority as a deterrence and calm the chaos even a slight bit, she would do so.

She would do as she had to, even if she had little to no interest in this.

What was level 6 but a number?

She could not deny either – at least to herself – that the expedition before her still made her hearty beat wildly too. Not in fear for herself. Shakti could handle herself. That wasn't the same for the others around her, however, and she had already seen how this was likely to end.

This was necessary.

Necessary.

Repeating that to herself and hiding any such feelings from her face, she spoke coolly, "Still, to the 59th floor we shall go."

To risk life and limb of her comrades for a tick in the number of the guild's register.

She had to wonder if any before her shared any such sentiment as they snapped to and yelled in unison, "Yes, Captain Shakti."

She nodded at them. Then looked them over again. Eight Level 5's, including herself and Ilta, and eight level 4's. A mere sixteen felt like it could hardly count as an expedition, but this was the best setup they could have. Anyone less would slow them down more than the numbers helped. The Dragon's Cauldron was too dangerous for those weaker, and they couldn't spare the Level 4's or 5's to defend a camp on the 50th floor.

"Then pick up your bags and prepare to go," she ordered.

They all nodded. The Level 4's all picked up large packs, acting as the dedicated supporters even if they were also armed and armored for the inevitable conflict. Even the Level 5's were picking up smaller ones. Only Shakti and Ilta were spared from such duties, the sole two dedicated vanguard and combatants allowed with such a small group.

They had to survive on what they could carry, no wagons this time, so they were carrying as much as possible.

As they did so, Shakti turned to the surrounding familia and announced, "We leave Orario in your hands. Most are too distracted to make trouble and the Loki familia shall be available for a time as they are preparing a larger expedition to the Glacier Territory, but you must still do your part. Chaos and disorder can create trouble as much as ill-will."

They saluted together.

"Don't worry. We'll survive without you, captain," a man said as he approached, winking. "Orario is a stubborn one, I've found."

"Except when it is weak and vulnerable," Shakti said, even as she relaxed slightly at the man's approach.

"Guess that's true. Even the strongest and most stubborn among us still need support at times, even if we try to pretend otherwise," he declared, laughing in good nature.

Shakti did not laugh, but she relaxed as she shot him a nod and told him, "I'm leaving things in your hands, Ando"

"I promise that I'll devote my being to not fumbling it," he replied, nodding back.

Ando was one of the familia's level 5.

Although, few would be impressed at the sight of him. He didn't give the impression of it. Despite being but three years older than Shakti's own thirty-eight years, the life-rejuvenating aspects of the falna certainly hadn't served him as well. He looked every year, with some extra. His brown hair was faded and already turning gray, and the wrinkles of his face spoke of a hard life.

Yet, he still retained a calming smile of a reliable figure.

Ando was not someone who some would consider a 'true' member of the familia. Once a member of the School District, he leveled up to 2 there before traveling the world. In his decades, he had served an array of familia. A wandering knight, he had often claimed himself. Combating monsters where there were few adventurers. He had only infrequently dropped by Orario for some training in the Dungeon, and each level had been dearly earned.

Shakti had valued him highly though, as Ganesha did. Even if he typically had only stayed for a year or so every four, she had welcomed him. To Orario, he was an underwhelming adventurer in strength and quality. Yet, he had a strong heart. Shakti was fond of him. When he had clearly plateaued like so many others at Level 4, she had started ensuring he accompanied her into the Dungeon. Three months of that had allowed him to level up to 5 three years ago. He still traveled, but he was a valued comrade.

In Orario, Ando was among the least impressive of Level 5's. Yet outside, he had years of traveling and helping others. It had made him an easy choice for her to leave in charge during the expedition, despite the other two Level 5's staying being stronger. Only Shakti and Ilta likely had the person reputations anyway to serve as deterrents. Anyone remaining would only have the reputation of the entire familia, so best make it a person who had experience in talking others down and earning trust.

"Orario isn't going to blow up as soon as you leave anyways," a new voice said, a man coming and wrapping an arm around Ando's shoulder. This one with a scar over his left eye. He was also older, but wore it better than Ando. His grin was wider too. "We'll handle it, so don't worry, Shakti."

"Please do your best, Hashana," she answered back, nodding stoically.

Hashana she was less fond off. Not only because he had a certain reputation and tried to use the moves that earned him said reputation on her either. He was still a trusted member of the familia though. Looked up to by the second-strong members of the familia.

Rather expected though. Hashana was one that had also plateaued at Level 4, but Shakti had little desire to go out of her way to try and change it. Not that he wanted to much either. Hashana was seemingly satisfied in standing over most adventurers as a reliable second-class adventurer than stepping in as among the least of the first-class. He rarely served among the expeditions, preferring to lead smaller groups of their weaker members.

Still, he would be invaluable in helping Ando coordinate the wider familia with the other leaders she was leaving behind.

"I trust you all," she finally said, giving a deeper bow of her head to make it clear.

After a few more words, she turned to see the expedition group was ready. Packs ready. Ilta's attire meaning she didn't have much to check. Shakti did a last-minute check of her own.

She finally could only take a deep breath to try and delay it further.

She then announced, "Open the gates. We are set to leave."

"What about Lord Ganesha?" one member asked, noting the lack of their god.

"I am sure he shall meet us on the way," she answered.

Ganesha was many things, but he rarely dropped the ball when it came to being there for his familia or the people.

She also proved right.

"Haha, there they are," Lord Ganesha declared loudly, violin still playing. "My darling children. I am going to play them a song. A song encouraging them to fight with all their hearts, but also to serve as a command! A command that they must return! Everyone join in!"

"Haha, this guy."

"It is Lord Ganesha."

"He's loud."

"Very loud…but it is Ganesha."

"Yeah, hard to be worried too when he gets like this."

The reason for Lord Ganesha to have set out early was also clear. His music had drawn in numerous people on the road leading to Babel, listening to the music of the gods. It had all but created an audience when the expedition started down that road.

The group suddenly found themselves the center of attention, receiving wished of luck and celebratory sendoffs.

It made some of them shuffle in embarrassment, but Shakti could only sigh and continue forward with stoic expression on.

In the midst of all this, Ganesha let out, "Shakti!"

She looked.

"I'll be waiting for you. You can do it," he declared, sending her a thumbs up. "I'll always be waiting."

She paused, but finally gave him a bow of her head as she said, "By your Divine Will. We shall return, and I shall succeed here."

Level 6.

Although, she didn't need to be told that such wasn't quite what her god meant.

Less Fun Fact of the Chapter

Shakti: Not the type to get hyped up by the thought of leveling up.

Next POV from Shakti will have them in the Dungeon. More cooperative than Ottar's stuff, and also much less exploratory since it's more canon Dungeon. Mainly to show off how most people traverse the Labyrinth Floors from the 51st to 58th floors, since Ottar is unique in that regard. Ganesha familia also doesn't have the Bete or Gareth level talents (besides Shakti, maybe) to pull more risky stunts.

Hopefully a dive I can actually properly skim.