The sounds of combat echoed nearby and far away. Within the makeshift tent, build up on the fly, each and every single captain and important figure of Orario could hear the malice of the Behemoth trying to break out of the encirclement the adventurers created.
They could hear it succeeding too, as they became fully aware in this very moment how bad the situation has become.
"We got new information from the Hringhorni. It's just as we feared." Finn had his hands folded underneath his chin, frowning deeply. "The expansion rate of Behemoth Alter's poison…is exponential."
Murmurs and whispers ran their course within the meeting spot. Bell covered his mouth with a grimace. Yet there was one who merely had a look of confusion. Tiona raised her hand, wiggling in place. Finn didn't even bother looking at the girl before opening his mouth.
"Its poison spreads faster and faster over time. At the moment, we are facing a nation. If this goes on, in a couple of hours, the entire continent might be covered."
The amazon slowly lowered her arm, eyes wide with shock. It was mindboggling to say the least. Most adventurers didn't exactly have the context, to understand what a "continent" was. But someone like Bell for example, one who had travelled a lot before arriving in Orario, it sent a shiver down his spine. Morale was plummeting with each new fact that was emerging.
Shaking her head, Kaguya leaned forward, tapping the table with a pointed eyebrow raised.
"The nerds got anything more than that? Like if the fucker is actually in the middle or something?"
Unfortunately Finn shook his head with a weary sigh.
"They were unable to figure out more before having to retreat, as they were getting bombarded by the clones." He gestured with his palm at the round. "This is an open discussion. If anyone has any ideas to get to our target without evaporating into dust, I am all ears."
At first, only silence reigned. After all, this was far beyond anything anyone had expected. If the circumstances were like at the beginning of their march, many believed the good old brute force method would've worked. But now the distance to traverse, through the deadly mist, made such an idea…unfeasible. Bell's mind raced, trying to come up with something. The first thought he had was magic, but looking at the experts, he realized that it would not work.
Brunhilde was already drawing blood with how hard she bit her thumb, muttering under her breath, doing calculations and not finding the numbers she wanted. Riveria as well had her eyes closed, not in thought but in resignation, one of the greatest mages realizing she would not be able to hit a large enough area to matter.
Which meant, the next idea Bell came up with, was that they had to send in people with the greatest resistance. But would poison resistance be enough? Would an item be enough? After all, the "original" Behemoth had to be much stronger, much more potent than its clones.
Could they take the risk to just wal-?
"I believe I can kill it."
Bell's head snapped to the side. He was not the only one, as the audacious declaration was audible to anyone in the tent. Arash rubbed his chin thoughtfully, not bothered at all by the full attention he was getting. Asfi adjusted her glasses as if she wasn't seeing right through them.
"Through a nation wide poison fog."
At the woman's skeptical tone, Arash nodded carefully as he started to get up from his own seat.
"Well, I-"
Before he could even utter a single word, several hands grabbed his shoulder and forced him back down. He turned around in confusion only to wince at the deadly glares he was receiving, from his own Familia to boot. Bell winced at the ferocity in Ryuu's grip on his own hand, as her eyes started to glisten with frustrated tears. She was not alone, as Alise's gaze was filled with disappointment, Kaguya's teeth were digging in her lips and Lyra's arm began to twitch with fury.
"Absolutely not."
"Don't even think about it."
"Shut the fuck up."
"Hell no."
Surprisingly enough, it was not only Arash's familia that gave their comments. From Bell's side, Kojiro leaned forward, eyebrow raised, not with concern but with surprise.
"We aren't that desperate yet, are we?"
Meanwhile Hans out of all people scoffed, crossing his arms with a sneer.
"Don't blow your load already, you just woke up, you bum."
With six objections raised, Arash grimaced. Wisely enough, he decided to remain quiet as he allowed himself to be pushed down the seat again. Naturally this little scene caused nothing but confusion for the rest of the attendees.
"Anything to share?" Finn asked calmly, raising an eyebrow. Arash cleared his throat in turn.
"Well, it is a spell-"
"-that kills him when using it, so no, we are not killing Arash!" Ryuu roared, stomping on the ground. As they were in a desert of decayed and evaporated remains, it caused a massive dust cloud to explode. Coughs echoed before a sudden gust of wind carried all of the particles out with ease. The elf blushed a bit under her mask, especially with the flat look she was receiving from Aiz. But her anger still remained, causing Aiz to slowly lower her hand without another comment.
Still, it was a shocking revelation to hear. A suicide spell? Considering that spells were all personalized by the falna, relying on one's image and idea how their path to victory manifested, it did not bode well for the mindset of Arash. Finn gave the archer a long look before shaking his head slowly.
"...I see. We keep this in the back then."
"Can't we just punch our way through? Not with our fists, but with kaboom boom magic?" Tiona suggested, giving a look at Riveria. The mage already started to shake her head, but before she could comment, it was Allen Frommel of the Freya Familia of all people that spoke up.
"Not gonna work." He spat to the side with distaste, glaring at the massive figure just slightly before him. "Our 'King' tried to cut through. Shit just filled itself back up too fast."
Ottar nodded slowly, standing tall and his arms crossed, a rare grimace on his face.
"The technique I utilized cannot be used in rapid succession."
"And there lies the core of the problem." Riveria closed her eyes. "It is theoretically possible with our abilities, but the rate of fire to be sustained…is not going to last for more than thirty percent of the way to the center before we run out of Mind and potions."
"So it's a suicide mission then. Send people in and hope they just don't…die," Shakti muttered under her breath. However, her voice carried through the air, putting words to the endless pit everyone was starting to feel in their stomach.
"Hey, I was hit by the poison and it wasn't-!"
"The real deal is worse." One of the Gulliver Brothers declared before Tiona could even finish her sentence. Throwing his thumb over his shoulder, he pointed at the King. "After his cut, Ottar allowed the poison to touch him."
"My regeneration could not fight it back. I had to cut off my afflicted flesh," he elaborated at the shocked gazes he received. Everyone stiffened up at that new fact. They remembered the fight in the arena just well, how fast he regenerated the hole Kojiro blew into him. If even he couldn't tank the poison head on…
"So anyone else would just instantly…disappear," Bell whispered. He grit his teeth before shaking his head, fighting back the growing sensation of despair. He turned towards Brunhilde's direction. "Can't the blacksmiths and Mystery users…make something up?"
She smirked ever so slightly, maybe touched by his confidence in her abilities. Yet it wavered all the same as she ran a hand through her hair.
"We've been working on it, but inventions aren't made in a day or two. Even with us helping you meatheads out, it's going to take a while." She raised five fingers in demonstration, slowly counting them off as if representing minutes. "Most we can do is something temporary but it will be REALLY temporary."
"So a dead end in that area." Finn took a deep breath, leaning back on his chair. He glanced at a newcomer entering the tent with a frantic pace, leaning in. A whisper later and the Braver clicked his tongue in irritation before dismissing the messenger. "We also need to deal with its clones. I'm getting reports that the other fronts are getting overwhelmed." He snapped his fingers at the group. "We need to move fast. I want a list of adventurers who managed to protect themselves from the poison with their own abilities."
Kaguya was the first to raise her hand, pressing her lips together.
"I could, with my shadow magic. But…well, that's not meant to last long. I'm supposed to release it." She let out a dry laugh."If I don't, I will literally keel over before the poison even touches me. And I doubt the actual Behemoth is that easy to kill."
"Hm. And my light magic could protect me too, but it's meant for bursts…" Finn added. Which meant two level seven were already out for the count. It was only natural after all. As one could not choose the magic they would receive, the odds of someone having magic that fit a scenario perfectly was low. Bell ran his brain through every adventurer he could think of-
"You stupid or what?"
Solaris' voice shook him out of the spiral he was going through. Wait, why would he be chiding himself…His eyes widened with realization, followed with a faint blush.
Oh. Right. Himself.
He raised his hand. He was not alone however, as Aiz and Lefiya raised their hands as well. The motion caused the murmurs and chatter to die out, eyes wide as they stared at the three individuals. Alise snapped her fingers at Bell with a wide grin.
"Hm yeah, your stuff covers everything, not just a few parts like with me! Totally forgot about it!"
"Haha…" He scratched his right cheek awkwardly. "M-Morgenglocke and Inferno-Bolt combined should protect me, and I can maintain it relatively long…"
"Even if your purification doesn't work, it's still the best we got! And Lefiya can just trace your spells with her Funky Veil!"
"Ether Veil, b-but yes, in theory, it is possible…" The elf blinked after Lyra's words before frowning a bit. "Purification?"
"And Aiz' can control all winds around her," Ryuu stated, moving on without answering the mage's question. She narrowed her eyes with worry, her hand squeezing Bell's hand tightly as she looked into Aiz' eyes with worry. "Still that's only…three people. That's too dangerous."
"We might have to," Finn stated with a heavy tone. However Aiz shook her head as she stepped forward, a hand on her chest
"I can go in alone. If I don't have to worry about anyone else, I can-"
""Absolutely not!""
She flinched at the shouts Lefiya and Bell unleashed on her.
"This is too reckless, Aiz! This is a Monster Rex to beat all Monster Rex! Y-You're amazing but…"
"I could never live with myself if I let you walk in there alone! I promised to be by your side, no matter what!"
The elf's righteous anger was replaced by an incredulous gaze. She was not alone, as everyone stared at his proclamation. Aiz coughed, red color filling her cheeks as she covered her mouth, looking away.
"B-Bell, not now…"
"You seriously fli-?!"
"Not now." Finn shut Bete down. He shook his head in disappointment at Aiz. "We are not sending you in alone, Aiz."
"What's the alternative, huh?" Allen challenged the Braver with a sneer. A challenge that was unanswered as Finn's fists tightened. Surprisingly, it was Aiz that raised her hand after a look of contemplation.
"I…have an alternative idea."
"This oughta be good."
Alise jabbed her elbow into her friend's side.
"Kaguya, be nice."
Ignoring the comment, Aiz took a deep breath before nodding her head with confidence.
"I could escort people inside."
"Define escort, Aiz," Riveria asked. The Wind Princess proceeded to clear her throat before creating a small twirling sphere in her hand in demonstration.
"I have been working on my fine control. If I dedicated myself not to fighting but to my magic, I could create a…safety bubble, in which other adventurers could act freely. Once we are close to the Behemoth, I can manipulate its output directly, funneling it away for engagement."
Dead silence reigned in the meeting area. It was difficult to remember that Aiz Wallenstein was no longer 'just a beatstick' these days. That her Tempest had evolved in ways none could ever imagine. Still, despite the growing hope in their chest, the captains knew better than jump on the idea. Riveria put a hand on her protege's shoulder, her visage marred with concern.
"You'd need to prevent every single speck of poison. One slip and it could cripple any of you."
"As long as the others do their jobs, I can do it," Aiz stated confidently. Finn searched her eyes for any sign of doubt.
He found none.
Thus, he finally allowed a grin to form.
"Alright, that opens up more possibilities." He clapped his hands together before standing up. "Still, we can't send in everyone. We need to create a parameter and make sure as few copies get outside that storm as possible."
"I want Bell and Lefiya in the team. In the worst case scenario, they can protect themselves enough to get out of there." Riveria turned towards her student, a warm and proud smile on her face. "Not to mention Lefiya has numerous spells in her arsenal thanks to her Skill. She can respond to any situation."
Lefiya blushed profusely, but nodded with determination. Bell hit his chest with his fist in recognition. Ryuu looked like she was about to say something, but she refrained, instead giving him a tight hug before letting go. Meanwhile Finn was already looking towards the Strongest of Orario.
"Ottar, you are our heaviest hitter. Take it down fast."
"I was intending to." He turned behind him. "I recommend Hedin to join us. The more magic we have the better and he is swift on the battlefield."
"Hmph. I was just about to volunteer myself." The elf adjusted his glasses before looking at the rest of the Freya Familia. "You idiots better listen to the Braver's orders when I'm not around."
"Asshole, we don't even listen to you when you are around!"
Bell considered the squad they were taking at this point. A team of five, led by a level eight to boot…small, but it made up with quality. It should be enough, he thought with a nod-
"I'm joining in too."
Blinking in surprise, Bell turned towards the source of the voice like everyone else. Alise had her hand raised, a smile on her face. But that smile, usually easy going, appeared rather strained. As if forced.
"Alise?" Kaguya asked in confusion. Chuckling to herself, Alise pointed at herself with a thumb.
"Got plenty of firepower myself and I'm not level seven, so technically expendable compared to you guys!"
"Alise!" Ryuu chided their captain immediately. She raised her hands defensively, smirk still in place.
"Sorry, sorry, just kidding." She winked at the elf. "But hey, someone's gotta protect Lion's love, right?"
"That's your reason?!"
"C'mon, your magic doesn't-"
"Girls, I wasn't asking."
Lyra and Ryuu were shut up by the sudden shift in tone. Alise's smile was nowhere to be found.
"Captain?"
The Scarlet Harnel took a deep breath as she put a palm against her beating heart. She shook her head slowly, not breaking eye contact with her Familia.
"This is my adventure. Don't take this away from me. You gals…you've been growing so much, after everything the world threw at you. I could not be more proud." Her palm formed a fist, shaking as she clenched it. "Which is all the more reason I need to be there. To represent our Familia…to represent myself."
She stared upwards, as if trying to pierce the tent with her gaze.
"I may be getting in over my head…I might be forcing it, ignoring the facts but…that doesn't matter."
She turned towards Bell with a knowing smile, nodding at him.
"After all…Limits may exist, but they exist to be broken too."
"Alise…" Bell muttered, touched that she remembered their idle talk from before. He couldn't help but feel encouraged, witnessing Alise pushing forward like this. He smiled back at her, sharing the warmth she was partaking in.
Of course, that moment did not last long.
"Pss, Lion, I think captain is cucking you."
The mood immediately shifted. Alise gaped openly as Bell choked on air.
"She's not!" Bell shouted, but the damage was already done. Ryuu's head hung low, as if she was stabbed in the back, while Aiz was puffing up her cheeks enough that he feared they'd explode.
"How could you…"
"Another danger…"
"Oi, this is slander and y'all know it!" Alise shouted, throwing her arms up in the air. Laughter filled the air, raising the mood with ease.
"Alright, that's our team then." Finn shook his head before exiting the tent. The many adventurers followed suit, looking over the horizon towards the black wall twisting and turning before them. "Time to open up a path for you all. The question is where our entry point is…"
"Over there."
Everyone turned towards the finger that was extended towards a certain spot. It was the owner of said finger that was surprising.
"Tiona?" Tione askedin confusion. The smaller twin scratched the back of her head before shrugging nonchalantly.
"Eh, just a gut feeling but…y'know."
A knowing look was shared between the Loki Familia. Then Finn nodded before extending his fist into the air.
"We will hold the line here! Take as much time as you need, for we will stand for all eternity if we have to! It is up to you to slay the beast! This burden and glory is all yours! Do not make us regret this decision, to rest this weight onto your shoulders!"
The attack squad let out a roar, even Ottar. The adventures outside, positioned across the land, roared in response, excited and hopeful for this mission, this plan. Then they all went into position around the Behemoth's territory, having to cover large amounts of ground to cover as much area as possible.
Before splitting up however, the Hestia and Astraea Familia were huddled together one last time. Kojiro was the first to utter his words, patting Bell on the shoulder before squeezing it reassuringly.
"Ah, I truly am jealous." He shook his head with a wry smile. "Alas, this is my limit for now."
Bell raised his fist and bumped it against Kojiro's.
"Keep everyone safe, okay?"
"Of course, young master." He bowed gracefully only to be lightly shoved by another arm.
"Hey, that's our line." Kaguya gave Bell a pointed look. "Better keep our captain out of trouble!"
"I'm the senior here!" Alise shouted in outrage.
"Then act like it." Ryuu proceeded to hug her boyfriend and gave him a short kiss on the lips. Her voice turned into a whisper. "Protect each other."
"I swear on the sword and wings of justice," he whispered back before releasing the hug. He looked towards Haruhime, opening his mouth. But she raised her hand for some reason, a serious look on her face.
Bell grew even more confused when they had to split up, meeting with their prospective squad. Ottar raised an eyebrow at the Renard still present. She bowed politely before turning towards Bell and Alise.
"I'm going to use it."
It. The two captains knew immediately what she was referring to. Alise stepped forward, opening her mouth.
"Haruhime-!"
Yet the martial artist shook her head in denial. Her eyes burned with determination.
"Now is not the time to hold back and keep secrets. The world is at stake."
Bell bit his lip. But in the end, he lowered his head in acceptance. It was her spell after all. Her choice.
"What are you talking about?" Hedin asked, impatience growing in his voice. Haruhime did not delay any further as she put a palm against her chest.
"I can grant temporary level ups."
Lefiya gaped openly. Aiz' eyes widened. Hedin blinked, as if he was mishearing things. But it was Ottar that responded first, resolute and swift.
"I refuse."
Haruhime flinched at the blunt rejection. However, he was not the only one, as Aiz shook her head after recovering from her own shock.
"Me too."
"W-why?!" The Renard shouted in outrage. The Wind Princess grimaced as she let a bit of wind form in her palm.
"It will mess with my control. I…can't afford that."
"I do not trust in strength I have not mastered," Ottar stated for himself. Haruhime's ears drooped, for they were all fair points.
Nevertheless, it was only these two that objected to this spell. Lefiya practically shoved her face right up into Haruhime's, her eyes glimmering with excitement.
"Well, I'm taking it!"
"Ditto!" Alise hollered, slapping the renard on the back. Hedin was a bit more hesitant but he sighed and nodded in the end.
"Every advantage should be used."
Bell chuckled at his friend's increasingly blushing face. At her smile, he raised his fist towards her.
"Thanks, Haruhime."
She squirmed but managed to laugh back, raising her own fist.
"Just come back."
Soon enough…
Several spells were being cast at the same time. Haruhime already formed several tails on her back. In her kneeling position, her breath was raspy, strained, as she pushed more magic into the magic she already created. Chained together, the cost rose exponentially, yet she pushed on nevertheless.
At the same time, Riveria chanted alongside dozens of elves at her side. Summoning forth as much power as she could, her eyes snapped open, the preparations complete.
"Rea Laevateinn!"
"Uchide no Kozuchi!"
Flames of destruction carved open a path into the endless abyss of the poison mist.
Four tails touched on their designated targets. Alise shivered while Lefiya yelped at the surge of power they felt. Hedin grimaced, having to adjust mentally to the sudden change, while Bell let out a roar that echoed in the area, like a dragon declaring its own victory already.
"TIME TO BURN THIS BITCH!" He heard in his head, the savage grin of Solaris mirroring his mouth in reality.
The winds formed around them already, as the muscles on their legs tensed up…and exploded into motion the second the flames died out.
"GOGOGOGOGOGO!"
Following Alise' proclamation, the elite team entered the maw of the beast and disappeared behind the closing gap of the poison.