121Author's note:
Please enjoy.
I don't know when the next chapter will be out. I'll try and do a fun interlude sometime soon to break up the pace a little.
Chapter 21: A Group Decision Pt. 2
Folkvangr:
"My my, making use of your skill so soon, are we Heathcliff?"
Coughing violently, the man couldn't rise from the floor. The experience had shaken him. Smiling gently at one of newest members, Freya waited patiently for the man to recover.
"That was… a lot more jarring than I thought it would be."
"Jarring?" Freya teased, a small smile playing across her lips. "Your soul was just released from it's mortal chains. Before it could move onto the next stage, it was collected back into a new container forged from arcanum, in my chambers. I'd say jarring is a fair description."
"It sounds… almost impossible when you put it that way," Heathcliff mutters. "You say the skill makes me a new body. Does that mean my old one is still in the dungeon?"
"I would very much doubt it," Freya explains, "most likely it gets absorbed by the same energy that filters your soul back here to forge you anew."
"You haven't told anyone about this, have you?" Heathcliff asks, a small hint of fear in his voice. Right now, he desired to appear as nothing more than a normal adventurer. Having people learn about his immortally would be a problem.
"Not a word will pass my lips," Freya assures him. However, with that teasing glint that constantly present in her eyes, the man could never be sure with her. "However…" Freya continues, practically confirming Heathcliff's expectations, "if you die at an inconvenient time, then anyone present will pretty easily figure it out."
"A fair point," Heathcliff consented. One he hadn't thought about when he'd designed the skill.
"So, what did happen to you?" Freya asked curiously.
"A minotaur," Heathcliff replies heavily crashing into one of the nearby chairs. Exhaustion preventing him from forgetting to ask Freya first. As always however, his posture was perfect, not a hint on his face betrayed it.
"Oh, tangling with one of those at level one is pretty brave. I think your stats need a bit more work before you can take one." Freya replies lightly, finding humour in her familia member's death.
Taking a moment to compose himself, Heathcliff prevented any signs of discomfort from showing. "It wasn't intentional. I got wrapped up in a quest that went first to the twelfth, then sixteenth floor."
"Continue."
"On the sixteenth floor, the group I was with was attacked by a masked figure. They threw something called inferno stones into the air and then detonated them with a magic sword."
For once Freya didn't reply. Her eyes open slightly wider than usual in surprise.
"I followed them to a corner of the sixteenth. I thought for sure they had a base there, but I ran into a solid wall. Something seemed strange about it, but before I could investigate it, a minotaur attacked."
"A solid wall…" Freya murmured, "could it be?"
Lost in thought, Freya continued to murmur to herself, Heathcliff forgotten for the time being. Standing up, Freya walked over to her massive bookshelves. Scanning the shelves briefly, she settled in upon an old tome. Scanning through the pages quickly, she stopped as she found what she was looking for.
"Could you locate this wall on a map of the sixteenth floor?"
"Probably," Heathcliff conceded, reluctantly hoisting himself out of the chair. The additional weight of his armour and weapons felt immense. Luckily, his skill brings everything on him back to the surface when he respawns. Err, reincarnates.
Walking over to Freya's side however, he was surprised to not see a map on the table. The book simply contained lengthy paragraphs written in a cramped hand. Leaning closer, he was shocked to find he couldn't read it.
"It's Elvish," Freya explains. "Although everyone tends to speak common nowadays, there was once a time when every race and country spoke a different language."
"Before Babel…"
"Before Babel," Freya agrees. "Elvish is still used in many of the forest homes, it isn't one of the forgotten languages."
"While that is interesting," Heathcliff was forced to say in order to keep the conversation moving forward, "I don't see how it's relevant to showing you where I followed the figure to."
"Oh, yes," Freya laughs lightly. "I wasn't around back when this tome was written, but I did keep a close eye on the dungeon and the proceedings at that time. After all, it was where all the best children went, and I had to be prepared to add their souls to me collection should anything go amiss."
"And?"
"There was one in particular, that really got us deities going. Absolutely mental that one was. Designed the sewer system as well as an entire section of Orario…"
"It can't be…" Heathcliff muttered under his breath. It had been a little reference. A small nod to one of the most well-known fictional inventors of the ancient times.
"Daedalus, his name was," Freya continued unaware to Heathcliff's turmoil. "This is an account of his final years."
"The whole book?" Heathcliff asked disbelievingly, staring at the giant tome.
"Indeed. The man didn't stop working." Freya confirmed. "It does also contain lengthy descriptions and measurements on many of the works. Nor to mention pictures and the like."
"So why are you reading?" Heathcliff was forced to ask, finally a note of exhaustion seeping into his voice.
"Are you getting bored?" Freya asks playfully. "Do you know how many of your fellow familia members would love to take your place? For even a fraction of the time you've received?"
"I would like to rest is all." Heathcliff finally admits. The admission drawing a girlish laugh from Freya.
"So, you do get tired. Interesting. To wrap things up then, I'll grab a map of that floor for you to mark." Beginning to do so, Freya continues to explain about the book. "That page contains a rather peculiar passage. Rather late in his life, Daedalus began to seek out a woman to bear his child."
Raising his eyebrow, Heathcliff was sure that Freya was joking with him. After all, her words had no meaning to them.
"I'm not kidding," Freya laughs yet again. "He sought a child, after apparently being drove mad in the dungeon."
"How is this relevant?"
"It's probably not," Freya agrees with a sigh, unfurling the map for Heathcliff. "After all, no one is crazy enough to think they could possibly outdo the dungeon. To perhaps add on to it."
Speechless, Heathcliff went stock still at the words. There certainly hadn't been any extension on the dungeon he'd designed. But then again… Frowning, Heathcliff realized he couldn't remember how many floors the dungeon was supposed to have. But he was supposed to be the final boss? Or was that for something else? Grabbing his head, the room span in front of Heathcliff's eyes. Staggering slightly from the dizzy spell, it soon dissipated, and the thoughts with them.
"Oh my, I truly have kept you too long. Just mark the map and you're free to leave."
"Yes…" Heathcliff muttered. Relying on his near perfect memory, he traced their path through the floor, to the cavern, out the western exit. Finding the dead end at last, right on the very edge of the map, Heathcliff marked it with an X. "Right here."
"Thank you for your aid," Freya smiles sweetly, patting him on the cheek. "I'll make Ulfric check it out when he gets back."
Slightly rejuvenated from Freya's slight touch, Heathcliff stumbled from her chambers and headed back to his own room. As he left, he could have sworn he'd forgotten to mention something, but couldn't remember what it was.
Klein:
"Grargh!" Roaring senselessly again, I throw my blade back the other direction. It takes every ounce of energy I have to keep it moving at all. The once immaculate swirl of flames that graced me had dissipated. Only small, frail chunks protected me from the wrath of the monsters. Likewise, my helmet had lost its form, the monster's attacks ripping holes in it. The only intact magic remaining coated my sword. That continual tornado of heat.
It was all I could feel anymore, heat. It had encroached my entire body until I glowed with it. Sweat poured off me in waves only to be instantly vaporized. It was the second edge of my magic. It enforced a time limit that prevented me from having it on at all times.
Gritting my teeth, I try to push through it for awhile more. I'll need every second of my magic I can get if we want to survive this.
"Krah!"
"Gruuh!" Answering the monsters' cries with my own, I throw my blade forth once again, cutting down a pair of liger fangs as they pounce on me together. I've lost track of how many monsters I've killed. Time blends together as I stagger into the wall.
Stepping forward into the space left behind is the last thing I want to see. The minotaur takes up most of the corridor with its girth. Ignoring me, the minotaur swings at Welf.
Heaving myself off the wall, I'm too slow to stop the swing. Thankfully, I don't have to as Welf neatly sidesteps it. Turning to look at me, he flashes an exhausted grin.
"Klein!" Welf yells, fear corrupting his smile.
"I see…" Cutting off my reply, my senses kick in at the last moment, informing me of another monster. Pivoting, my blade barely comes up in time to cut down the Al-miraj inches from my face.
Off-balance, I crash to the floor in a heap. Groaning from the heat and pain, I lose focus on the room. Through hazy vision, I watch as the Minotaur continues to bear down on Welf. Each attack brings the blacksmith closer to his death.
He may not be a maiden, but… "I won't let you die!" Roaring the words, I explode off the floor at the last possible second. There's no time to attack the minotaur itself. Lunging forward, all I can do it place my katana in the path of the attack.
With horrible force, and an ear-splitting screech, the weapons explode. My magic torn apart; I'm forced to my knees. Likewise, the minotaur falls over backwards, it's hands empty.
Looking down at my likewise vacant hands, I remember my familia's warning when I requested a katana to fight with. These weapons aren't meant for long drawn out battles. They are the perfect example of a one hit kill. While the cutting edge is unmatched, they're fragile and prone to breaking.
Sighing, I stare up the corridor to where the monsters are still coming. Without my magic, I no longer have the energy to get back up. The minotaur has no such issues as the angry monster roars with displeasure.
"Here," Welf proffers, offering up his great sword. "It will do more in your hands, anyway."
"I don't know dude," I mutter as the creature hauls itself back to its feet. "I'm beat."
"Tch, no wonder you can't get a girlfriend," Welf scoffs at me. "You can't even stand up and kill a stupid cow."
Anger flaring inside me, I want to yell at him. Tell him how awesome I was. How many monsters I cut down while he cowered behind me. As I make to do so, I find myself speechless. The words won't come out.
"You know…" Welf adds on slowly as he eyes up his foe. "I bet that Kirito guy would never sit on the sidelines and watch as someone fights a monster…"
"Damn it! Give me that weapon!" Strolling forward, I take his blade and push Welf out of the way. It's heavier than I'm used to, but I'll be damned if that stops me. I may lose to that knucklehead in popularity, but I'll be damned if I let him make a better hero than me!
Throwing myself back into combat, the surge of anger gives me a new wave of energy. I don't know if it'll be enough. But all I can do is keep swinging this blade.
Kirito:
This blade is heavier than I'm used to.
Strangely, that's the only thought in my mind as I lay into the foremost monsters. Trying to move with the blade's momentum, I find my usual fighting pattern insufficient to maximize its utility. My whole perspective on fighting shifts again as I learn how to wield a two-handed sword.
What better time than surrounded by limitless monsters!
The dark humour does little to help as I find myself moving far too slowly. With all the mind I've expended today, I'm on an extremely short timer. My skill grants me incredible power, but I need to use it!
"Raaa!" Screaming at the monsters, I throw myself forward. Into the scream, I pour every emotion. The fear that bogged me down earlier, the rage at myself for letting others bleed for me, and finally the love that I've only begun to appreciate. The love that surrounds me from morning until night everyday. From a wide variety of special people.
Like gears clicking into place, the new sword style begins to manifest. Stepping with the blade, the large circular attacks do wonders at holding the monsters off. It's strange being unable to stab, but the extra reach helps in compensation.
Dropping low, I fell an entire pack of al-miraj with one swing. My heightened skills putting the speed of the blade above their perception. Rotating out of it, I down a Liger fang with a vertical chop. The two halves of the beast flowing to either side of me before disintegrating into ash. Beginning to feel the thrill of combat rise in me, I move unto my next opponents.
A pair of hellhounds leap at me, trying rip out my throat while my guard is down. Too slow! Smirking at them, only ash is left as I step forward again. Another hell hound is attempting to breath fire. Removing a hand from the handle, I take the shot on my salamander wool and keep moving. It and its allies die shortly after.
Despite the slaughter that I'd have described as insanely fast before, it feels slow. Each second is a lifetime as my precious mind drains away. Each little bit powering up my body continually.
"Fire!'
Danger senses rising, I duck. Not half a second later, a swarm of arrows impales the monsters. Whipping around, I find that Take-mikazuchi has switched to their bows. Each member is trained in various methods of combat.
"We'll support you!" Ouka calls. "Your sister is readying another spell."
Nodding quickly, I turn back to the injured monsters. With the ranged aid coming through, my forward pace increases to almost a steady walk. I'd never partied with an expert at a bow before. My experience was limited to Nazha shooting a bloodsaurus. Getting a firsthand taste to the devastation a team of well-trained archers can wreak, I was planning on changing that.
"Groah!"
In front of a pair of angry minotaur, I'm finally forced to halt. Raising one arm, the arrows barely scratch the thick hide. With coordinated attacks, the beasts prevent me from counterattacking.
"Grr…" Growling at them, my hands go numb from an impact as I'm forced to block an attack head on. Their slightly superior reach and small space prevents me from making use of my superior agility to cut them down.
!?
Trusting my instincts, I dodge to side. A hairsbreadth away, a thrown tomahawk soars past my face. The al-miraj concealed behind the minotaurs. Not letting the opportunity go to waste, both minotaurs charge, swinging with fury born strength.
Am I really going to fail them again?
No.
Glaring at the minotaurs, my blade blurs in front of me. The gigantic blade that once seemed so heavy almost light now.
Catching both attacks on it, I sweep them harmlessly to the side and counterattack. A pair of heavy swings later and the cow monsters are no more.
Staring remorselessly at their fallen corpses, I feel my skill run out. Staggering slightly, I drag myself back towards the group. All that's left is to pray that after Leafa's magic goes off again, there'll only be a couple left.
One more step and I'm there. Collapsing against the wall, I find two familiar faces above me. "This is… a good blade Strea."
The girl blushes happily. Hopefully she's forgiven me my previous transgressions. Turning to Silica, I ask her the question I've been trying not to think about. "Sachi, is she…?"
"She'll live," Silica tells me with a smile. "She needs healing, but she's stable."
"That's good," I murmur. "I'm sorry you two had to do that to open my eyes."
"You're forgiven," Strea sings happily.
"Don't you want to watch your sister's magic?" Silica asks instead of answering the question.
Lolling my head to the side, I watch as Leafa's magic fires again in as many minutes. She must be running low on mind. The magic is far more effective against the smaller monsters like Al-miraj and Hellhounds. The big ones resist the blades better small cuts the trace of its passing.
"Don't let them regroup!" Ouka commands, "fire!"
After all the destruction we wrought, the waves of monsters were finally breaking. Arrow after arrow continued to penetrate their soft spots, killing in one blow. Tracing them to their shooter, I expect it to be Mikoto.
"Chigusa?" Murmuring her name, I can't believe it. But as I continue watching, I'm sure of it. She's the best archer among them. Every shot she takes, her lips move. I can't make out the words, but they appear to be the same every time. A mantra maybe? Whatever it is, I feel my respect for the shy girl rise. It always seems to be Mikoto between the two of them that stands out.
Using the sword, I heave myself back to my feet. I almost collapse back down instantly. It was been a very, very long day. "Here you go Strea," not trusting myself to even lift the blade at this point, I offer the handle to her.
"Thanks!" She accepts it. "I'm going to help them finish up."
"Thank you," I mutter back as she dashes off past me. Stumbling slightly, I fall in beside Silica as we head towards Leafa. "How are you doing?"
"I've been better," she answers honestly. "It's been a really rough day."
"Not made any easier by me," I sigh unhappily. "I know it doesn't mean anything, but I'd give anything to have fought beside you the first time."
"Sometimes, you just need time to grow," Silica replies mystically.
Arching an eyebrow at her, I can't help but be surprised and mildly impressed by her words. "When did you become so wise?"
Blushing slightly from my words, I can tell that she's struggling hard to maintain the aura. "I went through something very similar today."
"You'll have to tell me about it after."
"Will do!" Silica answers with a smile just as we meet up with a doubled over Leafa.
"Are you alright?" I ask, placing a concerned hand on her back.
"I'm… Just a little… tired… Onii-chan."
"Alright," I murmur softly, stroking her back.
"We're going to move forward when you're able to."
Nodding, Leafa doesn't answer as she conserves her strength. I can sympathize strongly with her on the effects of multiple spell casts. Mine is still wearing on me.
"Let's go…"
With Leafa moving again, I move to her left side as Silica takes up her right. Together we walk her to where Strea and Take-mikazuchi are currently finishing off the rest of the monsters. Even as they do though, my stomach sinks with the realization that this fight isn't finished yet.
Reaching the T-intersection that Ganesha familia fled down, we get a glimpse into the main fight. This corridor is flooded with monsters trying to enter an even small area. A continual surge in that direction tells me that Shakmi and Ganesha familia must be holed up in there. Sighing, I appreciate exactly how much is left to do.
Klein:
"Urgh!" Taking a blow from the liger fang across the chest, I fall to my knees. The remnants of my light breastplate fall to the ground. My armour served me well, but in the end, it wasn't enough. None of my efforts were enough.
"Groah!" Forcing my blade up, I catch the blow that would have ended my life. Putting more effort into the swing, I push the monster to the side and climb unsteadily to my feet. Taking an uneasy step backwards, I keep my sword pointed at the beast.
"Kraa!" Ignoring the blade, it lunges at me, mouth open wide in preparation to crush my skull. Falling backwards, the point of Welf's sword connects with the center of its chest and digs in. Crashing on top of me, I feel fresh blood rise to the surface as its suicide attack cuts me.
Groaning heavily, I force the sword down, seeking the magic stone in its chest. After a long second, a small crack finally sounds. As the weight fades, I push off the ground, getting back to my feet. My next opponent is… another Liger fang. Joining it as backup is a hell hound! Lovely.
Finding the energy from somewhere, I lift the blade in front of me as blood runs into my right eye. Shutting it, I stare one-eyed at the opponents. Feet locked in place; I've lost all manoeuvrability.
"Raa!"
Drawing from deep inside myself, I throw the blade horizontally at both creatures. The agile Liger fang steps backwards out of it and it glances pathetically off the hell hound's muzzle. Ineffective swing dragging me off balance, I stumble. Staring at the Liger fang that's prepared to end me, all I can do is stare, exhausted into the jaws of death.
"I won't let you!"
Diving forward, Welf collides with the Liger Fang mid pounce. Knocked off course, the pair collapse roughly to the ground. Given the time to recover, I take out the Hell hound that was half a second behind the Liger Fang.
"Gaah!" Welf cries out in pain as I look on in horror at the arm stuck in the mouth of the beast. Drawing back the massive blade, I swing once, twice, and a third time for good measure. Arm finally released, Welf's head lolls to the side, hie eyes blank. Collapsing to the ground behind him, I feel the last of my reserves run out.
Glancing to the side one final time, I manage one more look at the pack of Al-miraj surrounding us. Eyes closing, my conscious fades as certain death approaches.
Ganesha familia:
"Hiyah!"
Throwing his spear, Huck watched confident as it skewered a pair of Al-miraj about to jump on the unconscious adventurers. Leaping forward, the Ganesha familia follower that was the unofficial second in command in this party picked the thrown projectile back up.
Leaving the rest of the confused rabbit monsters to his comrades, he rotated back to the direction of the monsters and ran to support Shakmi. She had left defense of the fallen adventurers to them, and Huck made sure they were safe. During his brief glance at them, he'd confirmed that they still breathed.
Today was turning out to be far more work than he thought it would be. Upon hearing the first reports of the outbreak, he'd accepted Shakmi's request to accompany her to check it out. Dashing out with barely any supplies, his only thought had been what a drag this was. A day ruined to clean up after a bunch of rookies that got panicked by high floor monsters.
Smiling ruefully, Huck could only shake his head at his naïve preconceptions. Now, after running through the dungeon for hours, watching his leader almost die, and assaulting a horde of monsters, Huck could feel the exhaustion building to unbearable levels. He may be level two, but there's no way he'd be able to keep this up for another hour.
Focusing back on the present situation, Huck neatly impaled a Hell hound and stepped up beside Shakmi. While he was used to fighting beside her, Huck rarely had seen her like this. Despite her aloof face still betraying no emotions, her pace had slowed considerably. Each blow she delivered was a kill shot. Controlled and quick, no energy was wasted.
"On your left!" Calling out to her, it was probably unnecessary, but Huck wanted to be sure that he didn't interfere with her killing. Jabbing forward, he took down another Hell hound with one precise strike. Retreating, Shakmi dealt with the next wave.
"This is insane!" Makoto called out as he stepped up to turn it into a three-person line. He received only grunts of confirmation from the other two. A couple more seconds ticked by, the press of monsters only increasing as the dent they left in the path when forging through was closed back up again.
"Just hold on," Shakmi assures them, "we'll get through this."
"What about the one's we left behind?" Huck panted, wiping his brow after striking down another foe.
"I have faith in some of them," Shakmi answers assuredly. "They'll step up to the challenge and meet us halfway."
"If you say so…" Huck sighs. Raising his spear, he stepped back into the endless battle.
Asuna:
We are not going to die.
We are not going to die.
We are not going to die.
Running the mantra through my head time after time, it was all that kept me from collapsing to the ground. I had doomed everyone by trying to help those five guys. Whatever Yuna and Rain had done to them, it was starting to wear off. Their pace was slowing, and the sounds of the monsters were getting closer.
But wait…
Ears straining, I frown at the confusing signals. Is that… combat ahead of us? Continuing to run forward, I could only hope it is. That means someone here is alive and putting up a fight against the creatures that passed this direction.
Picking up the pace slightly, I was sure of it. Another group was killing off this column! Praying that they'd be able to help up, I start to pull away from the slower members in my desire to reach them.
Turning another corner, my jaw dropped. An ungodly amount of ash and corpses lined the ground. Drop items galore left behind. Locating the sounds that had now transcended the one's following, I enter the final intersection and view the group that wreaked so much slaughter.
"Kirito!?" Shouting his name in confusion, I'm sure it's the boy. Between him and another girl that I vaguely remember is suspended a girl that doesn't seem able to walk.
As he turns and looks at me, my heart flutters despite the circumstances. I'm hard pressed not to jump and throw myself into his arms.
"Thank goodness you're here!" He replies, leaving the girls to fend for themselves. Kirito's pace to me is slow and unsteady. He looks like he needs someone to lean on. "Can you and Loki familia lead the charge to finish off this final group? We're running out of energy here…"
Gazing at him silently, I appraise the situation here one more time. This isn't the heroic slaughter I'd briefly imagined. This is a long hard grind against overwhelming numbers. It's clear from the number of bodies leaning against the wall, groaning in pain that they're out of healing items. The front line almost collapses as I watch.
"I'm so sorry…"
"For…" But Kirito's words trail off into oblivion as he finally hears the sound of the approaching hordes. "Oh god…"
The despair in his voice is heartbreaking. To think that aid had come only to realize that it was actually a death knell.
"No! We will make it out of this!"
"How Asuna?" Kirito asks sorrowfully. "I expended the last of my energy holding off the column on my own for a short time. I can barely stand up now."
"I." Pointing my finger at his chest, I close the distance between us until our faces are inches apart. "Will not let us die. Not until I've caught up to you. Not until… Not until I know what this fluttering in my heart means every time, I look at you. Stay here and make sure no one dies over there. I'll deal with the one's we brought."
Turning away from him, I saunter back to my group that has barely arrived and is mulling around confused, unsure of where to go. The words I almost said, the confession I almost made is heating my cheeks as I forcefully prevent myself from looking back at Kirito.
"Form up across the side they are coming from!" I order loudly, forced to shout over the din. Running back to the entrance, I position them so that Rain and I will have the longest hallway possible to shoot down. The width is an issue, but hopefully they'll be able to hold the line.
"Rain with me, start the chant." Pushing through the headache that I can still feel sending lancing probes into my brain, I hold my staff loosely in one hand, and begin chanting. It's probably not the most regal pose possible, but it was the first that Mirel taught me. It works wonders when there is the possibility that you'll have to lean on your staff afterwards.
"Wait a sec Asuna," Rain whispers just for me. "I realize that I umm, I don't have my swords anymore. They broke…"
"So?" I query angrily. "You can still use your magic, can't you?"
"I'm not sure…"
"Ugh," grabbing her shoulders I shake her hard. "You have to do this. Stand here." Plopping here beside me, she's standing where my magic circle would reach. That will at least make the cast easier for her. Unable to wait any longer, I start the chant.
"Rise and flow. I am the Master of Water, servant of Neptune.
"Rise and obey. Destroy those who obstruct."
I want to groan from the pain assaulting me. As I pour more and more of my remaining magical energy into the magical circle I'm producing, it only grows more intense. My advanced ability recovers mind over time, it's the only reason I'm able to generate as much as I can currently.
"By my will, I give you life. By your will, I wield it.
"Chosen not given, I call. Answer my prayer and heed your duty."
The monsters reach my familia and the clash begins. Thankfully there are no minotaurs among the first wave. Still I wince for the members that take the blows. Each monster doing it's best to tear through them. Even Nautilus as joined in. His shield adding another bulwark of defense to the line that's been stretched thin.
"Wash away the rabble and purify the streets.
"Put out the fires and drown the nonbelievers."
So close…
Yet, too far. The right side of the defensive line collapses. A stray tomahawk catching my party member in the shoulder. Going down, the monsters swarm the gap in the formation.
"Let's go men!"
"For Modi familia!"
Gasping, I don't know where they get the energy from, but my heart leaps in response. The three uninjured ones charge forward again, stemming the tide and keeping the monsters at bay.
"Blessed of the Undine.
"My name is Necksa!"
Spell primed, I lift my gaze up to the ceiling as I feel the power swirl within me, ready to be unleashed.
"I'm ready," Rain confirms from beside me.
Nodding, I yell at our front line. "Break into the tunnel!" Giving them only a second to respond, I summon my magic.
"Vannforlengelse!"
I'm not sure where the inspiration comes from, but the water coalesces into saw blades. Spinning saw blades. I promised you I'd get us out of this, Kirito… Doing my best to make good on my promise I send my magic forward with a roar. During the delay, the monsters were rushing forward. A Liger fang, mere feet away was shredded as the magic took it apart at point blank range.
Aiming not for the area in front of me, I try to focus the magic upon the farthest point I can see. The end of this corridor some 100 metres distant. It's unlikely it will reach that far, but all I can do is hope.
As the magic fades so does my strength, collapsing to all fours, the staff clatters from my hands. My vision condenses to a single point, my peripheries turned black.
Mind down.
The now familiar effect is only moments away.
Now's not the time!
Roaring internally, I try to grit my death and bear it. I can hear as Rain's spell goes off behind mine. The more precise nature of it allowing her to clean up groups I may have missed. As it fades, she collapses next to me. Suddenly, footsteps echo beside my head. I want to look, but all my concentration remains focused on simply staying conscious.
"Well, here goes nothing…"
Yuna?
"Solo Sonata!"
The song that follows is peaceful. Rather than rock floor, my vision is filled with old memories of a pine forest, secluded in the mountains. A time when I was able to be a child, if only for a short while. Running beneath the tranquil boughs, laughing as my grandparents watched.
Breathes coming easy once again, I lift my head and take my staff back up as I rise. As I do, the song stops. Level two reflexes activating, my left arm sweeps out to catch a collapsing Yuna. "Thank you," I murmur to her unconscious body as Nautilus comes and collects her. Dragging her into the tunnel, I can only hope that she'll be alright. Looking over, I see Rain too, is rising from where she'd fallen.
"Amazing," Rain murmurs, "she recovered my mind…"
"Our minds," I remind her with a small smile. "At the cost of hers. Everyone! Reform your lines, round two is about to begin."
Trying to inspire the soldiers, I start casting my spell for a second time as fresh monsters begin assaulting our position.
Argo:
Panting heavily, my breaths were labored as I tore across the plains of the eleventh floor. The upper floors had blurred in front of me. The near hour journey normally disappears quickly. Yet, despite the speed, it still feels slow. Each step I take is far too short, too slow. I'm too slow.
After an eternity, I finally reach the ramp to the twelfth floor and almost face plant straight into a group climbing back up.
"Ahh!" Shouting slightly, I throw myself to the side. For the purpose of saving mind, I wasn't planning on going invis until the middle floors.
"Oh, sorry." A blue-haired man apologizes, walking over. As he sees me already back up and beginning to move again, a frown overtakes his expression. Why is he so familiar?
As an info broker, or ex-info broker, I pride myself on my ability to remember faces and people. The ones you help, the ones you con… These are important things to remember! The pride of not quite knowing slowed my feet as I got moving again.
If I had to guess…
"Do you know Kirito?"
"Kirito!?" The man all but explodes. "Yes! Well… I mean, we aren't close, but I know of him."
"I see…" Murmuring, it didn't exactly help me pin him down.
"Come on Diavel," One of the men in the back sigh, we need to be going to the surface.
"That's it!" Snapping one hand, the memories finally come to me. "You were the group that almost died to that enhanced Wall shadow with Asuna!"
At my words most of the men's faces blanched as the bad memories swarmed back through them.
"That was a trying day," Diavel admits awkwardly. "You were with Kirito then?"
"Aye," I agree. Flashing a teasing smile, "I'm surprised you boys don't remember me for my beautiful looks."
Hiding my triumph, I get the reactions I want. A bunch of embarrassed and awkward faces as they don't know how to respond. Ah if only Kirito was…
Blanching, I can't believe I let myself get distracted form my goal! "Nice to see you but I gotta go!" Taking a step backward, I wave and turn to run further into the dungeon."
"Wait!" Diavel cries, grabbing my hand.
Turning to look at him, I glare at his touch until he blushed and recoils the appendage.
"Where are you running off to? Do you need aid?"
Almost unanimously his party groans behind him. They must be used to Diavel pulling stunts like this.
"Thanks, but unless you can live on the sixteenth, it would be better for you to stay behind."
Leaving it there, I say nothing more as I walk past the group. Hearing a rustling behind me, I'm shocked as three of them follow me and the others continue up to the surface.
"Are you sure?" I prod the man. "This better not be one of those masculine things where your pride means you can't let a woman go alone."
"We're sure," Diavel nods. "The sixteenth is a little low for us but based off your urgency you need all the help you can get."
"I hope you're wrong." Leaving the conversation there, I take off along the twelfth floor. I may be slower getting to the sixteenth with them, but somehow, I think I'll appreciate the backup once we arrive.
Silica:
"What's wrong?" Staring into Kirito's face as he returned from talking to Asuna, it was obvious that he wasn't in a good mood.
"They brought more monsters with them," he sighed in reply. "We'll have to hope they can hold them off while we finish up with this batch."
"Finish up!?" I reply flabbergasted. Turning my gaze to where the battle is occurring, I can't believe his words. There are still at least a couple dozen monsters. Probably more. Depending on the number down the adjacent corridor, it could be easily double that.
"Yeah," Kirito smiles, "compared to what we've dealt with already, this last part will be easy."
"If you say so…"
"Are you alright Leafa?" Turning his gaze from me, Kirito focused on his sister who was cradling her head against the wall still.
"Y-yes…"
The answer is immensely unconvincing. Taking it at face value, Kirito merely fluffs her hair and stands back up. "I'm going to go support them in combat. I can't do much right now, but any little bit will help."
As his gaze trails over me, I smile back at him. "I'll join you then!" Falling in behind him, I realize our equipment is now nearly identical. Only a singular small blade to wield in our right hands.
Our pace is not fast, I could probably still go faster than this. For the first time, I think I may be stronger than Kirito. That skill of his must have excessively sapped his energy. However… The sight of him fighting an entire corridor of monsters alone was awe-inspiring. He was a veritable hurricane. A force of nature that no beast could stand in front of.
"On your left, Strea!" Calling out to the girl in front of him, Kirito switches the knife to his left hand and dips his right down to his waist. As his hand rises again, it snaps forward, a piece of metal blurring towards the target.
It's hard to see how it would do any damage, but a minotaur roars in pain, covering its face with its free hand.
He hit the eye!
"Nice throw!" I compliment him. Despite the circumstances, I feel my heart flutter with pride and longing. This is my familia leader. This is the man I swore to do everything in my power to catch up to. I'm still not sure what happened to him before, but he's recovered.
Slotting in behind Kirito, I try to stay out of his way as he in turn fights behind Strea. Once again, I get to watch Take-Mikazuchi familia and am blown away by how flawlessly they all work together. It extends beyond just their top members. This is probably why Kirito brought us to back up Strea. It leaves us out of the way and not interfering with their hard-earned teamwork.
"On the right Silica!"
"Yes!" Answering Kirito's command, I dash right. Kirito is stepping forward and to the left to try and stem up a monster breach there. With the injured minotaur currently blocking Strea's attacks, I need to stop anything else from overrunning us.
Knife shaking slightly in my hands, I realize how unprepared I am for all of this. The time I've spent adventuring suddenly seems far from sufficient.
Hopping up to face me, an Al-miraj is my opponent. Wielding that stone tomahawk of theirs, I take a half-step back. A pair of these almost killed me last time. I would have dies if Sachi hadn't jumped in and dealt with them. In the process she took a grave wound that still left her out of the fight.
Licking my lips, I suddenly find the sweat on my brow very distracted. Blinking rapidly, I try to clear it from my eyes. I almost miss the attack as I do so.
"Ahh!" Screaming slightly, I instinctively raise my right arm. The collision sends shivers through the baselard. My hand feels numb from just the one attack.
Those red eyes…
Taking another half step back, I block another attack from its horn through luck more than skill.
Oh god, this is only one monster…
Panic rising, I take another half-step backwards as it cocks its arm back. Recognizing the motion for a throw all I can do is stare in horror at it.
The arm goes forward and the tomahawk with it. Flinching, a screech of metal on stone rings out inches from my face.
"Look alive Sachi!" Kirito berates me. "We'll need more from you yet."
"Y-yes…" I murmur in answer as he dashes back to the left. Looking at what he's dealing with, I see the error in his actions. He needed me to deal with the al-miraj because…
"Ahh!" Strea let's out a scream of pain as her body tumbles past me. Tumbling over a full rotation, she lands facedown, her head toward me.
"Groah!" Letting out a triumphant roar, the minotaur's howl is responded to by the other tens of monsters in the corridor. A surge of energy reinvigorating our foes, I shiver in fright.
Despite Kirito's words, I can't do it. Not this time. I was naïve before. I should have seen how inevitable it was. I should have given up.
…Like Kirito did.
As I see the fight in a new light, his actions to not fight no longer seem strange and surprising. They were logical. He was right, we should have fled.
"Why do you still fight?"
I thought the words were inaudible, but his head flicks quickly towards me then back to his opponents.
"Why? Because as long you're fighting, there's still hope. No matter how dire it gets, I can promise you this! I will never let my familia die before me!"
His words are a shout that echoes through the corridor, almost as if overpowering the monsters' aura, I find my hand is no longer shaking. Even Take-mikazuchi familia beside me have firmed up again. Their eyes containing a hard, determined glint. Only now do I realize how much fear and inevitability was in their motions and expressions.
"Hehe, well spoken Kirito." The words are Strea's. Half standing, she leans on that massive sword of hers that plunged point first into the rock. "Now please back up so I can slaughter these naughty children."
Gaping at the girl, I can't believe anyone could say that. Her voice never changed tone at all. Every word was spoken happily like she was out on the town. As she stands up, I get another shock. Her normal violet eyes have changed to black pits. The entire eyehole appearing to suck light from the room.
As she takes a step forward, the same darkness also coats her blade. Growing from the handle up, shadows consume the length of the metal. Prancing forward, she brings the blade vertically down upon the encroaching monsters. As it passes through the monsters, their very essence seems to get absorbed into the blade. As it does, the shadows darken.
Taking another step forward, the minotaur that had once denied her gets torn through with a single hit. Now it's the monsters' turn to cower in fear. This girl that had previously been dealt a serious blow to had not only recovered. But she came back wielding a strange power. Following her on her assault, I find myself with little to do. None of the monsters want to approach and Kirito is dealing easily with any spares that try to pull their dying corpses past her.
"Don't push yourself Strea," Kirito warns her.
Looking at him in confusion, I want to tell her the opposite. She's doing it! She's going to kill them all!
"Hehe, they should have thought about that before they misbehaved!"
True to my thoughts, and Strea's words, she continued to wade forward like an unstoppable force. Her blade flew back and forth, sowing the soul of any monster unfortunate enough to get in her path.
"Strea!" Kirito called again, more urgently. Seeing something I clearly didn't.
Mere seconds later, that once unstoppable assault, just stopped. Blade falling from her hands, Strea let out a groan as she tumbled backwards.
Kirito moved before I could, catching Strea as she fell. "Take her back Silica!" Yelling at me, I Squeak as I find Strea's rather large body tossed into my arms. Grunting instinctively, I stagger slightly, but the weight isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Locking my arms under hers, I drag her backwards away from the monsters that no longer mindlessly flee the black blade.
Now Kirito is trying to wield it. Unlike last time he used it, or when Strea was wielding it, the sword looks incredibly awkward in his hands. Each swing appears to drag him around and send him off balance.
"Go."
"Huh?" Looking down in surprise, I see Strea's eyes on me. In spite of her state they're clear and lucid.
"Help him. I didn't listen… I failed," the whisper cuts off as Strea coughs, blood running down her lip. "Go."
"Yes!" Answering Strea's plea, I allow her to fall to the ground and run for Kirito. Legs reawakening with power, I dash forward at where a pack of Al-miraj have regrouped and are darting in and out of his awkward swings. Each time the monsters get a little closer to him as the swings are ineffective at keeping them at bay.
I can't do it.
I can't fight on this floor.
I can't save him.
Strea was our last hope. With her down, we have nothing left anymore. No magic, no energy, no hope.
As if sensing my helplessness, Kirito's head turns to me. Ignoring the monsters surrounding him, he simply smiles, those dark pools of his that are somehow so warm.
As long as you're fighting, there's hope. Remember?
I can hear his past words come back to me. Holding my gaze for another half a second, he turns back to the monsters and continues his unwinnable fight.
Isn't this what I promised Leafa I would do? That I'd become helpful to Kirito?
Isn't this what Strea asked me to do? To help him?
Body shaking, I take a step forward. My pace is slow, but I'm moving again. That's right. One step at a time. That's all you have to do to survive. To improve. Just keep moving.
Those red eyes still terrify me. That bizarre unhuman intelligence that lurks inside them.
But!
I grit my teeth and keep moving forward. The distance between the monsters and I shrinks to a couple of feet in the blink of an eye.
Did I start running?
Pushing the distractions from my mind, I lunge forward, my baselard aimed at the nearest Al-miraj. With all of its attention of Kirito, all it has time to do is squeak once before my blade finds the stone residing inside of it. Going still, the monster disintegrates into ash as the magic holding it together breaks.
"Nice one Silica!" Kirito praises me.
Knowing what I have to do, I back up a step to allow Kirito room to swing again. The pack is in disarray now, their net formation breaking.
Darting around to Kirito's other side, I repeat the same maneuver there. Not expecting me to show up, the surprise attack takes it down.
My second kill!
Confidence rising, I finally feel like I have a chance here. I may still only be level one. My status may not be great. None of that matters though if I hit the magic stone!
Using my distraction, Kirito finally manages to take out another one. With only two remaining, they hop back and cock back their arms.
"Behind me!" Kirito calls out.
Following instructions, I duck behind him, as Kirito takes up a defensive position. The tomahawks collide with two metallic screeches, evidence of Kirito's blocking.
"Huh?" Muttering in confusion, the edges of my vision turn red. The heat on my face is overpowering. Taking a step back, I have no doubt about it. If it hadn't hit Kirito, I would have died. What was that?
Kirito!
Waiting with bated breath, I'm shocked he's still standing. How did he survive that heat?
"Kruu!"
Gasping, I realize I forgot about the al-miraj. Even without their tomahawks the creatures can still be deadly with the needle-sharp horn on their heads. Throwing themselves at Kirito, I'm far too slow to get there in time.
Both creatures collide solidly with the center of Kirito's chest. "Kirito!" Screaming his name, I dash forward, my baselard instinctively moving as I cut the Al-miraj down.
But…
"You're okay?" Looking at him, in confusion, I don't understand how he's still standing.
"Of course," he coughs in reply. "Take more than that to bring me down."
Looking at him from the front, I can see the two distinctive dents that the al-miraj left. A third in the center of his chest that I believe was from the fight with Soma familia. Why isn't he burnt though?
"Salamander wool," Kirito explains seeing my confusion. "It's this fancy red material" Showing me the inside of his cloak I spy the red material he's talking about. Surprised I never noticed it before, I look back up towards the end of the cave. Even if the number of monsters is visibly smaller than before, I don't see a way out.
Regardless, I force myself to stand straight before Kirito as we wait for more monsters to come. "I'm proud of you Silica."
"What do you mean?"
"You've grown so much since that first day I found you running around with my sister. Even compared to yesterday, I barely recognize you."
Nodding once, I don't know what to say. In any other circumstance, I'd be ecstatic. Right now, though, they sound like a goodbye
"So, when we get back to the surface… You'll give me a reward?"
"A reward?" Kirito mumbled, confused by the word reward. "Sure, whatever you want."
"Then I guess we have to survive first, right?"
"Yes, we do," Kirito confirmed with a laugh.
Like they were waiting for our conversation to finish, another swarm of monsters approach us. The Hell hounds that must have breathed the fire are leading the charge, embers still licking at their maws.
Dropping back behind Kirito, he unleashes another large horizontal swing with that great blade of Strea's. The timing is slightly off, passing in front of the first dog but colliding with the second. Dashing forward again, I intercept the leap with my blade.
Up close, I get a view I never wanted of the large, sharp teeth ready to cut me to pieces. Collapsing to the ground together with it, I grunt as its weight presses down upon me. Putting more pressure on my weapon, I try and stop it from biting me. Going stiff, the body collapses beside me as the life drains out of it.
"Thank you,' Kirito pants, as he finishes up the last one.
"No problem." Struggling to get back up, I stagger slightly, but find my feet again.
"Only a couple more…" Kirito mutters. "I'm not sure if he's trying to convince me or himself, but I see a lot more than a couple monsters left in front of us.
"Uh oh."
"Wha…" My question is unnecessary as I see the object of Kirito's worries. A minotaur, head lowered is charging straight toward us. "Dodge!" I yell at Kirito. Taking my own advice, I throw my body to the side, hitting the ground roughly.
Looking back at Kirito, my heart is in my throat as he stands resolute in front of the charging creature. Taking off himself, he rushes forward to meet it.
"No…"
Watching fearfully, the collision is massive. A great rending of metal as sparks galore emanate from the intersection of steel and horn.
Kirito's body is blasted back to where he started, right beside me. The sword lays on the ground him. Rushing over to me, my fear decreases slightly as he groans in pain.
Turning to the minotaur, it is picking itself up off the ground. One of its horns is missing and blood runs down the side of its face. Besides that, though, it looks only angered.
"As long as you keep fighting, there's still hope, right Kirito?"
Murmuring his line back to him, I stand up. The blade in my hand is pitifully small when compared to the beast in front of me. And yet, I step forward. It may be bigger, it may be stronger, but forward is the only direction I can go.
"Need help?"
"Leafa!?" Crying out in surprise, I'm shocked to find my familia member beside me. "You're better?"
"A little," she murmurs. "Yuna sang a song. I could only vaguely hear it, but it helped clear my mind a little."
Sharing a glance, I give her an uninhibited smile. If this is the end, I want my last memory with her to be happy. "You ready?"
"You know it," Leafa answers, her eyes hardening as she focuses on her opponent.
We split as the minotaur approaches howling, its fist crashes to the ground between us. Taking a slash at its leg, my baselard simply slides along it. Maybe a papercut, but nothing serious.
Leafa must have done better with her Katana as the rage in its voice turns into pain. Turning away from me, its next strike is against an isolated Leafa. Trusting her to dodge it, I take advantage of my position.
Taking my baselard in a two-handed grip above my head, I bring it down hard on the back of its leg.
This time my blade does recognizable damage. Sinking in through the skin, I've done something! Leaping back, my action is barely in time as a large meaty fist passes inches in front of my face.
So fast!
The blow was a blur to my eyes. Taking a hesitant half step back I search out Leafa with my eyes to figure out our next move. Meeting her eyes, I see the same disbelief and uncertainty that I'm feeling. It's repelled our strongest attacks easily. The streaks of blood running down the two areas we hit are scarce bigger than the one Kirito left when he stopped the charge.
Changing its tactics, the minotaur leaps forward, smashing its hooves into the ground. Sending up a spray of rock fragments, I'm forced to guard my face as I get pelted. The force behind the shards is immense. I can feel my clothes and skin get shredded under the assault. A now constant source of pain and irritation as I gasp from the blow.
Taking another faltering step backwards, the minotaur spies my defenseless state. Lust replacing the anger it swings its hand forward at me. An undefended blow from a level two monster will certainly be a deadly one.
"No!" Crying out, Leafa tries to intercept the fist with her katana. The collision rings out a single pure and clear note. The deflected fist passes on one side of my while the second half of the blade soars past my other side. "No…" This time Leafa's word is one of dread as her beloved blade is rent in half.
The minotaur casts one annoyed glance at Leafa that she'd block its attack. Evidently deciding it still wants me, it follows me as I awkwardly try to retreat.
Holding the baselard in front of me, I no longer feel fear at my imminent death. I'm just disappointed in myself that I didn't do better. That I wasn't able to save my familia.
"Looks like it's a good thing I came."
A shadow steps in front of me, wielding a shield in their left hand. Lifting it, the minotaur's fist slides off it, not coming close to penetrating their defenses. Stepping forward, the figure drives a weapon into the minotaur's chest. As the beast falls they turn around and I get to look at my saviour.
"Philia!?"
"Long time no see," see smiles back at me. "You two should rest up from awhile. I'll hold on my own for a bit.
"No!" Leafa emphasizes. "Silica, give me your… a dagger. I can keep fighting."
"That's right," I agree with Leafa, dragging myself to my feet. "I'm fighting with you as well!" Drawing my last weapon, I hand it handle first to Leafa. I'll pretend I didn't hear the part about asking for my primary weapon.
"Alright girls," Philia sighs. "Chins up, we've got a hard slog in front of us."
Ganesha familia:
"They're… finally letting up, aren't they?" Seeking confirmation from his leader, Huck panted heavily while getting the words out. He may be one of the stronger members of Ganesha familia, but his stamina was reaching an end.
"I believe so…" Shakmi replied, some holes entering her usually flawless manner. "Something strange is going on out there, we're running out of time to finish this wave off."
"Your magic?" Huck asked desperately. While he knew better than to prod her unnecessarily, the question still had to be asked.
"Too narrow, too many people," Shakmi sighed. "Hopefully I can use it against the others."
"T-the others!?" Makoto shouted, eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Did you forget that this was only half of that column we were following?" Shakmi smiled, as if getting enjoyment from her member's panic. "Also, something tells me it had split before we encountered it."
"W-what!?" The members echoed in horror looking at their leader. The sheer scale of creatures they had to kill was now be held over their heads. Numbers of monsters unprecedented until the deep floors now roaming freely due to a sinister plan coupled with unlucky circumstances.
"We are Ganesha familia, are we not?" Shakmi asked her members. "We keep peace in the city. Now, let's break out of this infernal cubbyhole."
Sauntering forward ahead of them, the Ganesha familia members collected themselves for one final forward charge.
Rain:
"Thousand Sword Rain!"
Magic going off for a second time in barely more minutes, I collapse to my knees again. Panting heavily, I stare at my free hands. My swords, broken from earlier are usually what I use to channel the magic. Now, without them, I struggled to form the magic. Each casting taking far more out of me than it would have otherwise.
"Good… good job." Asuna pants weakly from beside me.
"You… you too." Casting a glance at her, I have to ask. "Your magic circle, does it make it easier to cast magic in?"
Asuna hesitates, but finally nods. "Yes, that's one of its side effects."
"I see… Then I was only able to cast my magic because of you. So, thank you."
"Well," Asuna smiles, some energy coming back to her, "at least you now know that it's possible for you to cast without the weapons."
"True," I answer ruefully. Trying to get to my feet, I take a couple steps before crashing back to the back, my world spinning around me.
That's not good.
Trying again, I half expect Philia to help me, but… did she run off somewhere? Maybe I didn't imagine someone screaming Kirito's name.
"Thank you, both of you." Tracking the voice, I identify the speaker as Lind. Nodding briefly, I can't find the energy to reply. "You should both take a break. You've bought us quite a bit of time."
Quite a bit.
Not, you saved us, or thanks for wiping out that giant train of monsters!
Forcing my head up, I get my body into a standing position by leaning against the wall. Looking down where we came, I see what Lind means. Despite Asuna's and my efforts, there were still some vague forms, mulling around at the edge. We managed to start the second cast early enough that the monsters barely got a chance to attack the front line. Perhaps fearing a third round, the monsters seemed hesitant to approach.
How long will that last?
As soon as the monsters get over their fear and keep coming, we're dead. I don't have any more casts in me, neither does Asuna. With Yuna passed out, we can't get any back either.
Feeling some energy start to flow back into me, I release the wall. Allowing myself to wobble for a couple seconds, I stabilize and start moving forward slowly. Entering the passage that Kirito's party was in, I still don't know what's happening over there. Near the entrance is Yunaher head laying in a depressed Nautilus' lap.
"Who…?" Murmuring to myself, I find an unknown face laying against one of the walls. On the other side, are spread out Take-mikazuchi's younger members. They all look depressed as they sit against the wall, staring at an injured girl laying on the ground. Going another step in, I finally spot Kirito. His face is a grimace of pain as he clutches his stomach.
Panicking a little, I start to shuffle over to him. Ignoring the girl that is strangely close to him for now, and is extremely well-endowed, I kneel in front of Kirito. "Are you alright?"
"In a manner of speaking," Kirito says back, his voice strained. "I think a couple of ribs are broken, but I'll live."
My heart hurts looking at the boy trying to endure his injuries. However, as I check over myself again, I confirm my lack of potions.
"Here let me wrap it at least." After I finish speaking the words, I pause as I consider the dilemma. I don't have anything to use. Except… Blushing, I pick at my salamander wool top. It's not like I'd be indecent without it, but…
Not giving myself a chance to debate it, I rip it off over my head. Underneath I have a piece of leather armour on and wraps around my chest. It's not immodest, but it still feels strange to have my shoulders bared in the dungeon.
"You… didn't have to do that Rain…" Kirito murmurs. Clearly torn over how to respond.
"I think the word you're looking for is thank you," I tease him lightly as I approach him from the side. Moving slowly, I gingerly begin to lift that distinctive black shirt of his up. The inside is lined with salamander wool, a custom order he had done after buying us all some. As the shirt lifts, only his skin is underneath, no armour on his torso besides that chest plate of his. "How irresponsible…"
Kirito must have heard me, as he blushes a little bit. Forcing his shirt up a little further, I run my fingers gently over his stomach, checking for injures. Yes, it's very important that I meticulously check for injuries across his sculpted abs. Very important.
"Thank you." Kirito finally responds after the silence stretches for awhile. "Also… I'm sorry."
Pausing in my ministrations, I look up at his face. With my position, our breaths mingle from only a couple inches away. "For what?"
"For not being strong enough to save you, for being a coward, for everything…"
"Shush," Putting a finger over his lips, I prevent him from saying anything else. "We'll get through this, alright?"
Eventually Kirito's eyes so full pain and sorrow, ease a little bit. Maybe…
"You know, maybe a kiss would make you feel a little bit better, yes?" I tell him with a smile. As my heart flutters wildly, I'm not sure if I'm joking or not right now. Is that taking advantage of him? Does it even matter in these circumstances?
"Maybe," Kirito groans, his head arching against the wall as another fit of pain flows though him. Ditching the idea for now, I head back down for his ribs and easily find the spot as his shirt lifts a little higher. The left side is a splotchy mess of red and black. Only a thin cut is present at the middle, so blood loss is minimal, but Kirito was right, some of them are definitely broken. Wrapping my shirt around his midsection I tie it as tight as I dare. While I try to be careful, he let's out several whimpers of pain as I tie it.
"Is that good?"
"It's brilliant," Kirito groans. Examining him one more time, he doesn't to seem to be faking either. The bandage seems to be holding the bones in place so that the discomfort is a little lower. "Please, check up on Strea."
Following his eyes over to the unconscious girl beside him, I make the connection. Looking over her body, I gasp slightly. Her body is a mess of wounds. Tens of cuts line her body in various locations. Interestingly though, my first assumption of her was correct, they are mostly sealed.
"I… I mean she's clearly been through a hard fight, but nothing is physically wrong with her!"
"Ah," Kirito mumbles as if expecting the answer. "Then it is just her skill. Sachi next?"
Taking Kirito's words at face value, I know who he is referring to this time. Transitioning to the other prone girl, I do my best to ignore the men's stares and examine the girl. The issue is immediately apparent, her chest plate is split in the center. Pulling out some rock fragments, the obvious answer is an Al-miraj tomahawk.
Pursing my lips, I reach behind her and undo the straps keeping the metal plate on. Wincing at the sucking sound as I pull it free, I know the sight isn't going to be good.
Despite my expectations, I'm stunned by the sight of it. The chest plate had fooled them all into thinking it wasn't so bad. However, from the inside the truth was obvious as more than one of the men disgorge their stomachs in the surrounding rocks.
The force of the tomahawk broke the center of her armour almost squarely in the middle of her breasts. The rent metal turned in, its sharp edges cutting through the soft fabric and skin alike. Glaring at the chest plate, improper forging is the only reason something like this should happen. With no time for that though, I turn back to Sachi. I have so little. I know so little.
"She… She'll be okay?" one of the boy's asks.
"I…" Pausing, I don't know what to say. She's their familia member. Turning back to Kirito, I think about what I'd want to hear if he was injured and I couldn't figure out how badly. "She needs healing. I give her another hour."
"No!" The boy cries out, tears welling up. "Sachi please! You can't!"
"Hey!" I yell at him, grabbing his shoulder. "Focus on what you can control. If you can fight, we need you to do that."
"I-I can't just leave her! I mean… she's… I swore I'd protect her…"
"And you will!" I try to assure him. Abandoning my cheerful personality, I try to get across the importance to him. "We need to get back to the surface. To do that, we need to get rid of the monsters attacking us. Can you do that?"
The boy takes a moment and looks down at his hands, then to his familia that has surrounded him. "Honestly, no, I don't think I can. I don't think I'm prepared to fight on this floor. To fight against these monsters.
"But… If that's what Sachi requires…" Standing up, he looks around at his familia members. "For Sachi."
"For Sachi!" They echo as they stampede into battle.
"That was a brave thing you did…" Kirito's voice is still a little hoarse.
Turning my head, I'm surprised to see him crawling toward me. "What are you doing!? You shouldn't be moving!"
"Haha, I'll let you yell at me for as long as you want on the surface," Kirito smiles teasingly. "For know though, we have someone to save."
"You… you're right," I finally agree with a sigh. Taking one last deep breath, I move around her body to clear room for Kirito. "This wound has rock fragments left in it. Some potion was poured on it which helped, but it's too deep and the fragments are ensuring that internal bleeding will continue."
"You really learnt a lot," Kirito mutters, amazement in his voice.
Trying to convince myself that that was true, I dredge up memories of half-forgotten lectures by Nazha. I had the same attitude then that I imagine most adventurers adopt. Either the potions will fix it, or nothing will. Something told me that even Nazha still kind of believed that. More likely than not, she was just telling us these things because Miach told them to her and he expected every member of his familia to know medicinal practices.
"I… I don't know enough," I confess to Kirito. "Hell, I don't even know the proper name for where the injury is! I'm not a doctor…"
"Hey," Kirito soothes me, laying his hand on mine. "We don't need a doctor here. All we need is for you to buy her some time."
"I-I guess so…" Bowing my head, I let Kirito's words sink into me. Don't focus on curing her, focus on giving her time to get back to the surface. I can do that.
I can do this.
"Okay." Strength returning to my voice, I go back to analyzing the wound. "Do you have any clean cloth?" I ask Kirito. "And water?"
"Uhh, actually yes." Pulling a small flask from his coat pocket, Kirito hands it to me before drawing his extracting knife at turning onto his cloak.
Flinching slightly as his distinctive gear starts to get torn, I push the feeling down and nod in thanks. Pouring some water in the wound, I try to clean it out. Get out the fragments that are lodged inside. Working quickly, I flush the wound out and soak up the fluids that come out.
"Another please," I ask Kirito hesitantly.
"Of course."
Taking it, I lay it gently over the hole as sort of a bandage, or gauze. I don't want to push on it for fear of inserting the leftover fragments further into the wound. With that done, I move over the girl's head. Her complexion isn't horrible. A little white, but her breaths are still even. Picking up her wrist, her pulse is steady, if not a little weak.
"You really are good at this…" Kirito murmurs again.
Flushing slightly, I don't let his words get to me. "This is nothing. Just observing her condition. I did nothing for her wound at all."
"Sure," Kirito chuckles, clearly not believing me. "Thank you for helping everyone. For helping me."
At Kirito's words, my eyes widen. "Your ribs are broken! Why are you moving?"
"I thought you needed the help?' He shrugs nonchalantly. "With the wraps I can finally breath again with excruciating pain."
"Idiot…" I mutter, but I don't try and force him to lay down. "Well, maybe I'll see what I can do for that…"
"Graah!"
"Watch out!"
Suddenly sound assaults us from both sides. The Take-mikazuchi members that I sent off to stop worrying about Sachi are now sprawled on the ground near us, the monsters nearly broken through.
Whipping my head back to where Loki familia is fighting, I see that they've retreated into this narrower corridor, abandoning the wider outer one.
"Hmm… Guess we better fight," Kirito mutters standing up.
"Absolutely not!" I reject his proposal. "Trust them to do this."
"Are you serious?" Kirito responds.
"Yes!" I snap back at him. "Do you even have a weapon?"
"I don't need a weapon…" Kirito responds, but his enthusiasm has clearly been dampened.
"Let's make sure they are alright," I offer instead, gesturing towards the fallen Take-mikazuchi members.
"Fine." Kirito accepts, hating the weak position he's found himself in.
Laying a reassuring hand on his, we take off for the closest of the fallen.
Mikoto:
"There's. Too. Many. Of them." Each word was punctuated with another swing of my katana and another kill. The weapon was quickly approaching its limit. My backup was a short sword that would leave me extremely vulnerable. The violet warrior garb that I use in the dungeon is little more than rags at this point.
Each action is slow and onerous. My muscles cry out in pain as the cuts adorning my body continue to leak energy from them. The monsters' numbers are shrinking, but not fast enough.
"Just… hold." Ouka eventually responds.
Gazing at him quickly out the side of my eye, I wonder how he does it. He has maintained the center of the line, taking the brunt of the attacks. Even with his shield out in front of him, he's taken more damage than I have. With that many injuries I'd be on the ground.
"I… I can't." Chigusa pants fatigued. The girl is too new a level two. Having only attained the rank a couple days ago, she's not quite used to her abilities. "Gah!"
"Chigusa!" Ouka howls as the girl takes a direct blow. Rage filling his eyes, he leaps at the monsters in search of revenge.
"Ouka no!" My cry falls on deaf ears as the man rushes forward. There's little I can do as he starts the fight bravely, Downing the Al-miraj whose tomahawk caught her. After that, the fight turns in an instant as his new position is unholdable. Taking blow after blow, I can only watch in horror as his shield reaches its limit and is blown off his arm in two pieces. Body sent backwards; his head strikes the rock next to me with a sickening crack.
Levelling my katana, I know the action is useless, but I have to do it anyway. Looking death in the eye, I step forward and attack.
In the midst of my swing, my momentum falters as a quick glint of gold catches my eye. I can't see the source, yet my instincts tell me it's important. Finishing that monster, I move onto the next. Sending my blade down, it meets the rising claws of a Liger Fang. Giving off one last tortured squeal, the blade shatters.
"Uff," The follow through of the attack catches me in the stomach and sends me to the ground. Body sprawled on all fours; I push myself up. Strength giving out partway, I find myself kneeling in front the beast that broke my blade. I get one glimmer of satisfaction seeing that my attack at least put out its right eye.
"Poof."
"Huh?" Muttering in confusion at the strange noise, I cough slightly as ash gets in my mouth. Lifting my head up, I can't believe the sight in front of me, the hallway is now devoid of monsters. Instead, that woman from before, is still standing straight-backed, coated in ash.
Blinking a couple of times, it seems impossible. It's too much of a coincidence for her to show back up now of all times. It almost doesn't seem fair.
"I'm sorry I took so long," She says softly, glancing at my condition. "Take care of your familia members, your role in this fight is over."
I want to argue as she walks past me, but as my upper body sways, I decide to leave it for now. "Ouka… Chigusa…" Groaning their names, I search my pouches for any potions that I may still have left.
Argo:
Biting my lip, it's hard not to yell at this Ganesha familia party that I have tagging along with me. While their combat prowess is decent, the speed was wearing on me. I had better things to do then wait around for them to carefully finish off a couple of monsters.
At least Diavel stopped them from harvesting magic stones, I'd have ditched them immediately if they tried. As we approached the fifteenth floor, I couldn't help but feel like we were probably too late. We still needed to reach the sixteenth. After that, we'd still have to search for them!
Mashing my teeth in frustration, I was a hairsbreadth away from a panic attack. Kirito, Rain, Philia, Asuna. My party. Would I really lose them all in one day? Based on the visions of a little girl.
Yet, that earnest look in her eye… I believe her. I don't know why, but I do.
"Only one floor left," Diavel tries to comfort me as we begin the fifteenth.
I know he's only trying to cheer me up, but it just makes me feel worse. "If you have energy to talk, maybe we should be moving faster," I snap in reply. Losing control of my temper simply makes me feel even worse.
What a horrible spiral.
"Sorry."
"I understand." Diavel replies. "It's hard not to be worried when the people you care about are in danger."
Casting an appraising eye over him, I hadn't expected such mature words from the blue-haired knight. Our other short encounter previously hadn't done anything to make him stick out in my mind.
"Thank you for… BOOM!"
Stumbling to a halt, the whole dungeon seems to shake under the force of an explosion.
"That was pretty close…" Diavel says, his voice fairly steady.
"Let's… Let's check it out." I decide. More likely than not, I'll find Kirito smiling like a dork at the center of it. Leading my followers onwards, we head towards the source of the noise.
Asuna:
"Oh…" Staring at my right hand, I find it empty. I must have lost my rapier at some point. "Grugh!"
Taking a blow to my armour, I'm sent flying further into the chamber. Vision circling around me, I spy a flash of sliver. Waiting for it to stabilize, it eventually resolves into my lost weapon.
"So that's where you went." I chuckle at the elegant blade. Despite the abuse I've put it through, it's still in remarkably good shape.
Trying to stand up, the motion is beyond my capacities as I crash back to the ground. I had been fighting beside my familia. I tried to cast more magic, but I couldn't. I'd vomited a little way past the first verse.
Retreating back inside the side passage, we were hard pressed to keep holding the line. "They… Need me." Remembering that much, I make another attempt to rise.
Panting heavily, I collapse onto all fours. My vision is fading in and out of focus, my limbs shaking with exhaustion. The day has been too long, too stressful. My body has gone past its limits so many times already. How can I really ask it to do more?
"Just rest child."
"Huh?" Raising my head, I catch streaks of gold and indigo as the form walks past me. Eventually, it resolves into that woman that Kirito fawns over. The one at the duel. The one that led a party to the sixteenth floor and saved us all.
Without effort, she parts my familia still valiantly fighting against the encroaching monsters. I don't see the attack, only the aftermath as a cloud of ash rises from where monsters used to be.
"So strong…"
Like she's a magnetic force, I find myself following her. Somehow staggering back to my feet, I use my staff as a rod to hobble along. I'm barely close enough to hear her final words.
"You should be safe here. Whatever you do, do not turn the corner."
Lind apparently has no more energy to argue as he and the rest of my familia stare mutely as she enters by herself back into the swirling horde of monsters.
Gasping, I don't know what she thinks she'll achieve. It's not like she can lead them away from us or open a hole we can run through. This is suicide, plain and simple.
Hobbling along slightly faster, I hear the last thing I ever expected, a song. A spell being woven as the singer continues to put more distance between us. Even as she fades from view around the corner, memories come rushing back to me.
Kirito's initial question oh so long ago on whether I thought it may be possible to move and cast magic. Then learning from Mirel that Concurrent casting is indeed something that the top mages practiced. That consisted of simply repositioning the spell. Just running and casting.
But this was multiple steps beyond that. She wouldn't just be moving and casting. She was attempting to fight a horde of monsters as well. I couldn't think of something more mentally taxing than fighting. It required your mind to be clear from distractions and your body to react to the slightest changes. Casting while doing that!?
It's Impossible.
Right!?
"I have to see…" Talking more to myself than my familia members, I disobey her final order. I'm not sure if no one says anything, or if her song is all I can hear, I cross in front of my familia members and approach the corner. Staggering around it, I stare in awe.
My whole body feels alight with new energy as I watch her dance. She a literal whirlwind as she moves. Kicking off the walls, the monsters are unable to track her movement. She kills only when necessary, pulling all of the attention to herself. All the while, she moves further and further away.
Closer to the center of the column.
Each beat of her spell rings clearly within my head. I feel like I could sing it alongside her, despite never having heard it before, so entrancing the melody is.
This is why Kirito is obsessed with her.
This is the potential that adventurers can reach.
Suddenly, I understand. That my goal to catch Kirito was short sighted. I don't just have to catch him. I have to keep up with him. For this is where his sights are set.
Peace flowing through me, I close my eyes and listen to the rest of the song. It's been close to a minute since it's started, only a little should be left.
"Come now, Great Divine mother, Supreme Being, Greatest Delusion.
"Through your will is all energy made. Let the final aspect reveal itself upon this undeserving world."
"Oops." Realizing my mistake, I begin shuffling back into the safety of the rock shielded corridor. Something tells me I don't want to be standing out there when she activates her magic.
Faded as it is from so far away, I just catch the name of the spell.
"Mahashakti!"
With a roar and a gigantic explosion, a column of burning golden light, the same colour as the sun flashes in the entrance of the corridor. Knocked backwards, the heat from it is a tangible entity even as far from it as I am. Falling backward, I gape in awe at the magic that puts mine to shame.
It just eviscerated hundreds of monsters. As cracks follow the magic, I sigh as I hear the ceiling begin to cave in. Standing back up, I rush to check it out.
Argo:
"Wow…" I can't help myself, I the floor hasn't caved in. It's been blown out. Looking down at what must be the sixteenth, I see one figure crumpled to the ground, their body steaming.
Leaving the boys behind, I jump dextrously from rock to rock to lower myself down to the sixteenth floor. I can hear voices from the other side of what used to be a corridor. It seems like they're trying to clear out the rocks that have fallen and blocked their way.
Ignoring that for the time being, I turn back to the figure and gasp. I know her! Rushing over to the side of the Ganesha familia captain, I gasp again. Her hands are black and burned. That's on top of the massive burn covering her entire midsection.
What the hell happened here!?
It's slightly different from Ignis fatuus which I have become far too acquainted with. All I can think of is that her injuries must be from magic. Did someone shoot her then?
With no answers forthcoming, I set myself to healing her. Pulling out a hi-potion, I start with the hands that look so horrible. Grabbing the first, I start to apply the potion.
"Ahh!" Shrieking pathetically, I'm shocked to find my wrist locked by her grasp. Her indigo eyes are open and locked on me. A fierce fire burning inside them.
"I… I saved them, right?"
"Y-yes?" I stutter back uncertainly.
"That's good." The woman murmurs, her head laying back down as strength leaves her hand. "You're next… Onee-san."
Baffled by the exchange, and more than a little shaken, I go back to treating her wounds. A few seconds later, Diavel and them catch up.
"Captain!"
Right, they're in the same familia.
"How did this happen!?"
"Don't ask me," I snap back at the shouting boy. "I found her this way and started to heal her."
"R-right, sorry…" I can tell how distraught he is. Most likely he thought of her as an unbeatable force. Seeing her in this state must be shocking.
"If you want to be helpful, go help out whoever is trying to get out of that corridor."
As one they nod in unison and walk dazed over there. Interestingly, I get the feeling that Kirito will be among them. Smiling with anticipation at how much I'll be able to wring out of his poor soul for causing me so much trouble, I continue the healing.
Kirito:
I never would have guessed that what should have been a joyous return to the surface could cause so much stress. After being healed by Argo and Diavel's party, we began a slow methodical trip back to the surface.
Initially, I had thought it would be enjoyable. A walk with friends, both old and new back to the surface, seeing Hestia again and going to sleep. Even Klein and his party were there! I realize now how naïve that was.
Not because monsters attacked. That would have been preferable. Instead, I was constantly jostled and harassed by clever remarks and questions inquiring as to who had been the most useful, where Strea had come from, who had I been fighting to save…
That on its own would have been fine. Some banter back and forth to liven up a journey. A day that even two months ago would have been unthinkable. Now though, my mind was throwing back at me memories from earlier in the day that I had all but forgotten about. Talking to Rain and Philia. Later that conversation with Asuna.
I came into today knowing I would have to make a decision. After awhile I had considered just putting it off. After everything that happened… Now though, I realize I can't. While we don't know how we stand with each other, we can't work together. It's simply causing stress and friction between everyone.
Picking a deserted room on the fifth floor, I stop my steps. As one, my familia and friends swirl around me in confusion. Catching looks from Klein, Diavel and Ouka, I wave them and their familias forward. This doesn't concern them. Likewise, Rain tells Yuna and Nautilus to keep moving. Asuna does the same with her familia.
Looking around the room, I stare silently for a second at each person assembled here. Leafa and Silica, my familia. I'm conflicted about what their presence here means but I can't, and don't want to, send them away. Beside them is Strea, the new girl. Something tells me, I wouldn't be able to send her away if I tried. After her is Rain and Philia. The ones who initially put the idea in my mind. The ones that really started this snowball rolling. After them is Asuna, as imperial as always. An elven queen that I'm never quite sure how to act around. Someone I can never seem to read properly. Interestingly, Lisbeth is still there, beside them. I had been surprised to find her showing up along with Asuna's group. Last is Argo, the shifty Renard is wearing a slight, mischievous smile, perhaps she has already determined what I'm going to say.
Perhaps knowing that I want to address them, the girls form a semicircle around me, waiting patiently for my words. Dear lord, staring down all eight of them at the same time is an immensely dauting task. Working out the words in my head, I give myself a 50%, no, probably closer to 60% chance of instant death. Oh well, they're worth it.
"I'm planning on establishing my own harem."
That final word rings continuously in my head even as the words fade into memory. Even I'm not sure exactly what that entails. It just… seems right. The rage and confusion that has been warring inside of me for over a month at this point, finally settles.
I may be selfish.
I may be an enemy to woman.
But…
I want to be with all of them. Girls that had slowly worn away at the barrier I'd put up around me. The indecision to prevent anyone from getting close to me.
"Oh, fun! I want in!"
Of course, the first person to say anything is Strea. Not letting anyone reply, Strea bounces over to me and consumes my arm again. With her clothes as ruined as they are, she's incredibly close to indecent exposure.
The other seven merely shift side-to-side, various expressions on their faces, most based in some sort of shock or disbelief.
"I know this may be sudden to some of you, but…" Trailing off, I try to pull my courage together for one last statement. The boldest, most arrogant, most self-asserting sentence I've ever said in my life. "I want you all to happy, to be able to enjoy life. I think that this is the best way to achieve that."
"As the one that pushed you toward this…" Rain sighs, "then, I'd like to request that you accept me as well."
Predictably, Philia follows her up. "While I never exactly managed it going quite like this, I can't say I disagree with you." Her face twists into a slightly devious smile that could match Argo. "I've waited a long time to do this."
Skipping over to me, I'm unable to act as she grabs the front of my shirt and lifts herself up. As her face approaches, I finally clue into her intentions.
It's only a quick peck.
It's perfect.
Grinning like an idiot, I find Philia has moved behind me. Maybe hiding from the wrath of the other girls. But no, they have no right to be mad… Right?
"You shouldn't tease them like that," Rain berates Philia, "but I understand why you did it." Approaching me, Rain duplicates Philia but chooses my cheek instead.
I find a strange heat inside me. I realize I want more. I want to kiss her. How long have I repressed these desires inside me?
"I…" Speaking strongly, Asuna brings all attention unto herself. "I appreciate the offer, unfortunately, I need to ask my goddess…"
The way her words trail off, tell me what she thinks will come from that. Perhaps it's from the actions of the other girls, but that awakens a flare of anger inside me. Striding toward her, I stop half a step away. "Asuna… I don't want to be parted from you again…"
Unable to hold my gaze, she demurely bows her head. "I… I don't want to be either…"
"But?"
"But I made a commitment to my familia. Loki has provided everything for me to springboard my path into becoming a powerful adventure. I can't defy her will."
"How can you say that?"
"How can you!" Asuna yells back at me, tears in her eyes. "You think Hestia will just stand by and accept this new path that you've chosen!? She will never accept anything less than complete domination of your life!"
"She's not like that…" I deny, but there's no force to my words. Has she ever given me any indication that she would accept me dating someone? Let alone a harem?
"Asuna's right…" Argo sighs. "While it's a nice thought, I'm with her. I would need to talk to my god first anyway. While I appreciate the offer… You should wait until you get back home. Her most recent shenanigans are… Well, I'll catch you later."
Argo's words are like a bucket of cold water. What shenanigans? I want to shout after her as she dashes away back to the surface.
"Maybe not today… But, please don't give up on me…"
Asuna's words are a nigh imperceptible whisper. Meant only for me. "I won't." Choking the words out, we share one last look before she takes off after Argo heading for the surface.
"I think I'm in the same group as them…" Lisbeth says into the awkward silence. "I'm not really sure if I belong in this group… but, uh, thanks. Getting an invitation… It means a lot."
Leaving it there, a blushing Liz takes off after Asuna. Every few steps taking a not so subtle look back at me.
Clenching a fist, today did not go how I wanted it. However, rather than the crippling doubt and embarrassment that I expect, I only feel determination. I want to make this work. It may not exactly have been the grand coalition that I had hoped would occur but… No one said no. Argo was the closest, but the tone of her voice conveyed a different message. Someday.
That's right.
Today I declared my path. That's enough for now.
"O-Onii-chan…"
Turning I look at Leafa and Silica. Thinking back, they're the only two that haven't said anything. Suddenly I do feel a little bit of fear. Will they reject me?
"By h-harem, do you mean…"
Staying silent, I let Leafa slowly speak her thoughts.
"…that you'll be d-dating all of us."
Both of their faces are extremely embarrassed. Leafa's voice is a little faint.
This is my sister!
Suddenly remembering that, I can't believe I never considered that before.
Cousin!
True, she may know I'm her cousin, but she considers me as a brother. "I-I guess you probably don't want that, huh Leafa?"
I do though.
Memories of us inches apart tear through my mind again. How I desired to hold her close to me, to kiss her. These feelings that awoke within me when I realized she wasn't off limits.
"T-that's not… I mean obviously this isn't ideal… Eep!"
Receiving an elbow in the side from Silica, Leafa flushes in response. Closing her eyes, Leafa seems to stabilize her emotions.
"I love you, Onii-chan."
"Huh?" Caught off guard all I can do is gape at her.
Repeating Philia's actions from earlier, she wraps her arms around my neck and lifts herself up slightly.
When did I become taller than her?
All extraneous thoughts disappear from my mind as her lips seal mine.
This is what I wanted.
The promise that Rain and Philia gave me for the future.
Sinking into the kiss, I'm shocked at how right it seems. There's none of the lingering hesitation I feared might be there from kissing my sister.
After a long second, we break apart, and I know that I want more. I want to do it again. Leafa runs a loving hand down my cheek.
"Thank you for accepting my emotions, Onii-chan."
"I promised you, right?" I find myself saying, somehow stringing words together. "I won't let anything happen to you while I'm still here."
"You did it!" Silica cheers from the side, Throwing herself at Leafa in a celebratory hug.
"Only thanks to you," she murmurs back. "But… what about you?"
"Hehe, I'll just have to work that much harder to steal him from you!"
"Steal me?" I tease Silica. Ruffling her hair, I give her a wink. "I have a harem now; I can't be stolen. Only shared."
"Oh, uh…" Silica goes red in response to the tenuous promise. "T-then, please wait until I'm worthy of you."
"Silica," I chide her lightly. "I barely recognize you from the scared girl we saved from Ganesha familia that day. You're already an amazing, brave adventurer that anyone would be lucky to have beside them."
"That's… That's not fair." The girl murmurs, completely scarlet now. "There'll be twenty of us within a year unless some competition shows up."
"Haha…" Chuckling lightly, I'm not sure how to respond.
"Ki. Ri. To."
"Uh oh…" Going still, Strea's voice is a little too happy.
"I feel like I'm being left out of something…"
"S-strea…" I try to console her, "We did just meet today."
At this point she deflates a little. "True… I just feel like I've known you all for so long at this point…"
"Hey," I offer, "let's say a week to get to know each other."
"You mean for you to get to know me," Strea purrs in return. "What do I get if I seduce you before then?"
"W-well…" I stutter my previous confidence beginning to break back down again. "I guess you get, umm, the result of the seduction?" Gods that was embarrassing.
"Hehe, I suppose that will be enough," Strea decides.
"You know," Rain considers, "this isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be."
"W-what do you mean?" I ask.
"That you just kissed another girl in front of me and… I'm not angry. Silica's right, you are dangerous."
"Ha… ha." Chuckling lightly there's nothing I can say to that. "We should go back to the surface. Will you all accompany me to our house for now? It seems like we'll have to talk to Hestia about something…"
Hestia's Church:
Humming lightly to herself, Hestia sat upstairs, looking at the broken assembly room, dreaming about how it would look a few days later. The deed to the building sitting comfortably locked in her arms. Yui had fallen asleep downstairs. But as the late evening light shone through the broken roof, Hestia knew that Kirito would be home soon. He'd survived his endeavor and would now return stronger than ever.
That more than anything made Hestia ecstatic. To see her precious first child grow and overcome the challenges thrown at him was amazing. This truly was why the deities came to this world. To have fun, to meet the children. To truly live.
Mere seconds later, the broken door creeks as a flood of figures pour in. Far more than the three she'd expected. Blinking Hestia hops down as she observes her unexpected guests. "It's a little late for a party, isn't it?" Hestia asks weakly.
"This isn't a party," Kirito replies, his voice low and toneless.
Growing nervous, Hestia waits for his explanation.
"Argo tells me that you did something. What Hestia?"
"Y-yes I did!" Hestia answers, puffin out her chest. "I recruited another member and I officially bought this building, and I'm getting Goibniu familia to start renovating it starting tomorrow!"
"That's… good news," Kirito blinks in surprise. "Wait… A new member?"
"Uh…" This time Hestia takes a nervous step back. "Just wait until you meet her! She's the most precious little thing. No parents of her own, you know? So… uh…"
As the expressions around her became more suspicious, Hestia began to buckle under the pressure. She had no idea how she was supposed to explain her deal with Yui now.
"We'll meet her later then," Kirito sighs, pushing that matter to the side. Stepping forward, Kirito stands straight-backed feet in front of his goddess and locks eyes with her. "Goddess, I have decided to start a harem. I hope I have your support in this endeavour."
Not for the first time, Hestia feels the flames of anger light within her. She wants to strangle him! To accuse him of cheating. To demand that she is the only woman Kirito should concern himself with.
Yet her divine intuition holds her back.
It tells her that if Hestia does so, she'll lose him. His mind is made up. The only thing she could do know is tear this familia apart before it even really started to get going.
"If I say no?"
"Then I'll be sad, but I'll continue to pursue this."
"With or without your goddess' approval, huh?" Hestia laughs wryly. "I… I'll try and be happy for you…" Hestia murmurs. "Miach gave us permission to stay at his place while our house is being renovated. I'll see you tomorrow."
Those words are the last Hestia can manage as she walks down the stairs in a trance. She wants to run, to scream, to shout. To do something. Yet… she can't find the energy. All of her work today, all her effort. None of it meant anything.
Kirito had grown too fast.
He didn't need her anymore.
Throwing herself on the bed, Hestia consigned herself to the blissful nothingness of sleep, a way to escape this confusion in her life.
Lili:
Working the fields is hard work. I was beginning to respect that as my first week here was coming to a close. Bell insisted I didn't have to help. That simply cleaning the house would be enough. Making the food would be a godsend. That wasn't about to happen.
So, instead, I found myself standing in the field, slowly inserting individual seeds in a line under a blistering sun. This was, of course, after that grueling day yesterday where we had to deal with the Kobolds. Don't forget the weeding that we did beforehand. Now, we have a clear line in which to grow the plants. Following that, nearly everyday, we will have to walk these lines, looking for weeds, watering the seeds, and waiting for things to grow.
The work is so different from anything else I've ever done in my life. It worked muscles I didn't know I had. By the time I collapsed back into the house in the evening, Bell was forced to make supper. That's not even counting the seemingly infinite number of other minor tasks he did around the place. Despite the fact that I fail to contribute as much, Bell does nothing but praise me. The feeling is… good.
I like feeling needed. It's the first time in my life I've ever been needed. Even with Silica, it was just me trying to fool myself into thinking that she needed me to rescue her. Now though, Bell earnestly praised me for each task I accomplished. It didn't even seem like flirting; it was just him being nice.
Which in turn motivated me to try and do more for him. Yet, right now, I felt myself slowing down. Each hour that passed, I moved a little slower. Not from exhaustion, or at least not solely, the work just seemed so… pointless. Were we really going to be here in three months when the plants could be harvested? Would we even be here next week?
Just as these thoughts cross my mind, an ominous feeling creeps up my back. Jerking straight, I look towards the west, towards the village. Something is happening. I have no proof, but I'd swear to it.
"Is something wrong Lili?"
Noticing my lack of work, Bell walks over to me. I'm about to reply when I notice him stiffen as well. He felt it as well. Some dark, feral presence that's heading towards the village right now.
"Get the sword and bring it."
Saying no more, Bell dashes towards the village. With only a hoe in his hand, I want to yell at him for being stupid. Risking his life like this. However, I know I can't stop him. Sending one fervent prayer to the boy to be safe, I dash toward his house, no, our house, to retrieve his blade. Sending one last look at the half-planted field, I got the impression that we wouldn't be finishing it anytime soon.
