Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

An elegant spin, the helm of her dress spread out like a flower blooming in spring.

Three steps to the right, another God glided up to take her hand. Her silver bracelets clinked softly as they spun away.

Two steps forward, he managed to dip her without getting into other’s way.

One step to the left, another spin, and exchange partners again.

Oh for the sake of God Dionysus don’t dance with that weasel—

“You have been glaring at her company all night; why don’t you go ask for a dance?”

The Elf jumped slightly as another presence came up beside her.

“I don’t...” The words slipped out of her mind as soon as she saw who was standing beside her.

Freya chuckled, casually leaning against the pillar the Elf had been hiding behind, the smooth skin of her back completely on display. The deep purple dress she wore for today covered more than her usual outfit, for which the participants of the ball felt both thankful and disappointed.

After the Hestia Familia won the war game and Loki Familia returned from their supposed vacation from Melen, the city decided to re-throw the ball Apollo crashed and invited every Familia with adventurers at or above Lv.3.

Which meant that Dionysus Familia was invited too, and despite Filvis displeasure, her god had decided to come.

And she had spent the last five dance hiding in the shadows.

“You don’t want to dance with her?” Freya turned so that she was facing the Elf directly now. Her purple eyes were almost smothering, in the way they bore into Filvis’s heart and laid everything bare so effortlessly. “Well that’s a bold-face lie.”

“Filvis Challia isn’t it? Dionysus’ captain.”

Filvis nodded stiffly, tearing her eyes away from the goddess of love to search for the splash of golden yellow in the crowd.

“Are you sure you want to stay here with the likes of me, Goddess Freya? Your guard cat is already hissing at me by the corner.”

The silver haired goddess threw her head back and laughed, the bell-like sound caused some traffic accidents on the dance floor near them.

“You are something under all that ice and venom, aren’t you?”

The goddess mused, the corner of her eyes crinkled in amusement. Before Filvis could say anything, Freya turned her head to find what she’d been looking at.

“From the way I see it, you’ll fit perfectly with Loki’s little spitfire.”

Filvis gloves creaked from the pressure of her fists.

“You have been mistaken, Goddess Freya. Even if I want to dance with her, I would not tarnish her reputation with my presence.”

Freya hummed, flicking a stray lock away from her face.

On the dance floor, the younger elf had changed yet another partner, god Miach if Filvis remembered correctly.

“Indeed your soul is shattered, child.”

A gloved finger touched her chin and gently turned her to look into violet eyes.

Somehow, Filvis couldn’t summon the strength to push that hand off.

“But I saw something interesting.” Freya murmured, pressing closer to the Elf. “Your soul was shattered, but someone had stitched parts of it back into place, and that color...”

Suddenly, the captain of Dionysus Familia was seeing through Freya’s eyes. Various shades of light passing around them, making her dizzy and ready to throw the goddess off of her without caring about the consequences.

And then she saw Lefiya Viridis.

Her soul was beautiful. Filvis thought with wide eyes. Bold red and bright gold dancing around her as she glided across the ballroom, sometimes mixed with a hint of pink as Miach said something that made her blush.

She was everything she had ever wanted.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Freya let go and stepped back, a satisfied smile on her lips.

“Beautiful isn’t she? Shame Loki got to her before I did.”

Filvis leaned against the marble pillar for support, still feeling unsteady as Freya’s power left her body.

“Why...” Why did you let me see that?

Freya’s smile widened slightly.

“I’m curious about how this will turn out if you can call up the courage to ask her for a dance. But.”

She started to walk onto the dance floor.

“Since you are still hesitating, I’m going to do it first.”

Before Filvis could say anything, the silver haired beauty had already glided over to the younger elf, easily taking Miach’s place as the crowd parted for her.

From her place, she could see Lefiya blushed bright red as Freya danced with her, the goddess’s bosom literally in her face.

She could also see how the Freya Familia was tracking their goddess’s every partner and thoroughly threatening them after she moved on.

In the other corner of the room, God Dionysus smiled at her and nodded towards Lefiya’s direction.

Filvis exhaled, straightened her clothing, and stepped out into the spotlight.

She would not let that damn cat of Freya’s get close to Lefiya.

And she would really love to dance with her.

If Dionysus knew what his nod will bring in the near future, he wouldn’t had give his approval.

But fate was already changing, and it would end with his fall.

Chapter Text

When Loki announced that she’s taking Riveria and Lefiya to the ball, the young girl had been surprised. These were normally Ais’s and Finn’s scene, why was Loki taking them?

Then her goddess dragged them to buy ten sets of gowns and dresses, and Lefiya got it.

The pervert goddess just wanted to dress them up in whatever she likes.

It took several knocks on the head from Riveria’s staff and Lefiya flipping her into a wall to get the trickster goddess to choose them something decent enough to step out of the Twilight Mansion.

But the too (for elves) exposing clothes still made her slightly uncomfortable as they entered the hall.

“Have a good time Lefiya.” Riveria said, pushing Loki away when she tried to be handsy.

“We seldom have chance to be at these activities, and you are of Loki Familia, no one would try anything with you.” She paused a second when sensing the commotion a certain goddess of beauty caused with her entrance. “If they try, just kick them between the legs, no mercy.”

Lefiya nodded seriously. Anyone with a status over lv.3 has enough moral not to mess with a female adventurer, and anyone who was dumb enough to try all suffered greatly.

She danced with several gods and goddesses. God Hermes complimented her dress, and at a sharp glare from Ms. Asfi, rephrased his words into something more appropriate.

After getting comfortable with the atmosphere, the ball was actually pretty nice. Lefiya mused, laughing at something god Miach said. As long as she doesn’t think of how much her dress was showing.

Though she almost swallowed her tongue when goddess Freya walked over to take Miach’s place.

At least she remembered to bow when it’s time to change partners again.

Lefiya breathed out as the musicians signaled a rest for a few minutes, bending down to rub her ankles.

How come she could be fine after running a mile in the dungeon yet get sore feet from dancing?

She wondered, adjusting the straps of the low heel pumps Loki picked for her.

When she stood back up, the crowd around her stirred, not the kind goddess Freya caused when she passed, but somehow...more malicious?

The crowd whispered with caution and disdain on their faces, then they parted in front of her.

And those people don’t matter anymore, because...

“Ms. Filvis!” “Lefiya.”

The captain of the Dionysus Familia glided over the polished floor and stopped in front of her, a small but gentle smile on her lips.

“Are you enjoying this ball?”

“Yes, actually.” Lefiya grinned at her, happy and still high on the feeling of dancing. “I normally avoid these event, but I find this one pretty enjoyable!”

More so now you’re here.

She didn’t say the last part out loud, she knew it would make Filvis uncomfortable in a situation like this.

Maybe later then?

“What about you, Ms.Filvis? Did you have fun?”

The older girl hesitated, a million emotions flashed through her eyes at once. And Lefiya wanted to bang her own head on the nearest wall for her carelessness.

Of course she will be uncomfortable in these scenes, she’s probably not a fan of crowd either, especially when these people keep judging her for things that was out of her control!

Just when she’s about to take her words back, the black haired elf had apparently decided on something, and held out a gloved hand.

“May... May I have a dance, Lefiya?”

Looking at the offered hand, the golden haired mage could feel the people around them burst into frantic whispers, but she couldn’t care less about them.

This party had just turned into one of the best night of her life.

She felt the grin on her face stretch wider, and she grabbed the hand before Filvis could have second thought. “Yes!”

“Thousand Elf...Banshee...”
“...preposterous...”
“What is she thinking...dangerous...”
“...bad luck...stay away...”
“...disgrace to us Elves...”

Lefiya blocked out the irritating whispers as Filvis guided her back onto the dance floor.

She didn’t need to hear that, and now she would focus on telling that to her current dance partner, because the tension in those slender shoulders was clear as day.

The music had resumed as they spun to the cheerful tune together, just like the training in the Dungeon without their sword and staff.

“I’d never seen you out of your adventurer clothing Ms. Filvis.” Lefiya commented as they danced, feeling the tense hand on her waist. She had to solve that. “You look gorgeous in this.”

And Lefiya was delighted to see a faint blush appear on Filvis’s cheek.

Her usual white getup was replaced by deep purple tunic with a small cape and golden corset, the dark fabric a stark contrast with the pale skin of her face. White fabrics with golden embroidery draped around her legs and spread out like flowers when they spun. It somehow made the Elven warrior seem both sharper and softer than her usual image.

Filvis’s hand relaxed on her waist, and she swallowed a small cry of success.

“Thank you.” The smile on her lips sent sparks of joy to Lefiya’s heart.

Filvis’ next words carried double the force. “You...you look beautiful, too.”

“Really?” As she smiled at the older Elf, Lefiya could feel the hand on her waist relaxing completely, and couldn’t help but grin wider. “Thank you!”

Now she just had to make sure that nobody could upset them until the party ended.

Chapter Text

Their good mood was ruined several minutes later, along with Lefiya’s dress, which now sported a dark stain on the mint green fabric.

She hurriedly tugged a very tense Filvis away after a Genesha Familia adventurer, who had obviously been aiming for the Captain of the Dionysus Familia, spilled his drink on the younger mage instead.

“He was after me!” The pale Elf growled, but didn’t struggle against Lefiya’s grip as she was pulled away from the adventurer, who was somehow intercepted by a very agitated Vana Freya. “He shouldn’t have hit you! I will not let you become the collateral of my—“

“I would take the hit for you again.” The mage of Loki Familia said without pause, squishing them into a small space between two pillars with carvings of God Ganesha.

Its design is...unique enough to keep people away and let them have some privacy for a moment.

Satisfied with the lack of attention on them, Lefiya turned back to her partner for the night only to find the older Elf gaping at her.

“Ms. Filvis?”

The purple clad Elf looked torn, ruby red eyes wide and gloved hands shaking where they were held loosely in Lefiya’s own.

“You...you would do that...for me?”

“Why not?” Lefiya cocked her head in confusion. “You are my friend, and no-one deserves to get attacked in this way.”

She was really tired of seeing unnecessary violence, especially the ones aimed at this awkward but gentle Elf.

“But—“ Filvis gently extracted a hand from the mage’s grip to gesture at the state of Lefiya’s dress. “Your clothes...”

“Loki bought me a whole wardrobe.” Lefiya shook her golden head, making the silver chains decorating her long tresses chime softly. “Seriously, our funds were not supposed to be used this way. But my point is that a dress has nothing on you.”

“You would take a hit for me.” Filvis repeated dumbly, eyes still wide with an unreadable shadow clouding them. “Even though he might be after me because of the death of his comrades? Whom I am their cause of death?”

“We adventurers go into the Dungeon knowing its risks.” Lefiya said firmly. “You are not always responsible for the accidents in the Dungeon. Besides,” At this point, she paused a little. “you didn’t endanger everyone you form a team with.”

The golden mage ducked her head, crimson dusting her cheeks as she added.

“Ms. Filvis kept me alive, didn’t you?”

Filvis stared at the being that was the personification of impossibility.

How could a creature be so beautiful?

How could Lefiya Viridis be so kind, the light to the never-ending darkness that surrounded Filvis, when she knew nothing?

Everything about her was blindingly bright. Her kerria shade hair, those royal blue eyes, the magic that could split the battlefield in half.

And the smile, that outshone even the Banshee’s darkest memories.

Oh, my sweet Lefiya.

A voice crooned inside Filvis’s mind, sweet and heady as the wine in her god’s glass.

Would you still say that if you knew what we’d done? What we will do?

What we want to do to you?

Filvis took the thought and squashed it under the weight of her guilt.

“Here.” She said instead, unclipping her cape and draping it around Lefiya’s shoulders to cover the wine stain. “At least let me cover this up.”

“Um...okay.” The slight blush had developed considerably as gloved fingers gently adjusted the fabric on Lefiya’s slimmer shoulders. “You won’t miss the cape?”

“I rarely wear anything other than my adventuring clothing.” Filvis said, matter-of-factly, and took half a step back as she arranged the cape to her satisfaction. “It would look better on you.”

Lefiya’s face now resembled a tomato, and she smiled, looking up shyly at the older Elf.

“Thank you, Ms. Filvis.”

Royal blue met wine red for a few silent, tranquil moments, before Filvis looked away, her hands falling from Lefiya’s shoulders.

“And what will you think of me, if my actions directly cause their death, Lefiya?” The Elf, who bore the name ‘Banshee,’ asked with a steady voice. “Will I still look beautiful and graceful to you?”

Lefiya blinked, caught off by the suddenly somber question, but brave it like a member of Loki Familia.

“I think, if the deaths were caused by your miscalculation of your teams’ abilities, the best way to go was to try avoid making more mistakes.” She started slowly, carefully choosing the words she was giving to her companion. “I think...what people who had made mistakes need were atonement.”

She glanced at Filvis’s face and found it completely blank.

Lefiya immediately started to stammer.

“I—I mean that. I didn’t go through the same thing as Ms. Filvis so I can’t really—but you asked so I just give the answer...”

A peal of laughter cut off the golden mage’s ramblings.

Filvis Challia was laughing openly, a hand covering her mouth and eyes crinkled with suspicious mist clouding them. She calmed down after a couple of seconds, though a smile still adorned the corner of her lips.

The shadows in her eyes were replaced by a faint glint, reflecting the dazzling light in the great hall.

“You really are something different, Lefiya.”

“Lefiya!” Riveria called just as the young mage was struggling to come up with an answer to that. “Loki’s drunk. We’re leaving.”

“Eh? Oh!” Lefiya glanced at the High Elf’s direction and saw the green-haired adventurer dragging their goddess to the exit like someone towing a heavy cargo.

“Go. God Dionysus should also be leaving soon.” Filvis said with a smile. “I’ll see you around.”

“Good night then, Ms. Filvis.” The young mage aimed one last blinding smile at the older Elf before turning around to catch up to Riveria.

Filvis watched her go, the short train of Lefiya’s dress blowing behind her, oddly harmonious with the purple cape around her shoulders.

Holding a glass of wine, god Dionysus slid up behind her.

“Did you enjoy your night, Filvis?”

The Captain of the Familia didn’t turn to face her god, instead, she continued to watch the exit until the last hint of Kerria shade hair disappeared from her sight.

“Yes.” She answered simply.

“It was good.”

From the other side of the ballroom, Freya watched.

And smiled.

(Allen grumbled unhappily behind her.)

Chapter Text

In the mansion belonged to the Dionysus Familia, a blonde-haired god poked his head out of his room with a frown.

“Aura.” Dionysus called out, and his vice captain immediately appeared in the hallway.

“Yes, God Dionysus?”

“Do you know where Filvis went?”

The white-haired elf’s lips twitched with displeasure and her dark purple-blue eyes narrowed, but answered nonetheless.

“Filvis said she’s going out for a day, and she left guarding duty to me.”

If it’s possible, Dionysus’s frown got deeper.

“Did she say what for?”

The Elf, named Krater by the deities of Orario, shook her head. “No.”

“Curious.” The wine god mused, then shook his head. “Might as well, she deserves a vacation for all the work I had her done these days. You alright with following me around for today?”

Those purple-blue eyes lit up with joy.

“Yes. God Dionysus.”

“Good girl.” Dionysus smiled at his second in command, and wondered what his right-hand woman was doing.

——

Filvis Challia, for the first time in her life, went shopping.

She knew her reputation well, and opted for the smaller shops hidden around the city.

Normal adventurers usually stuck to the main shopping district, only venturing into the complex alleys if absolutely needed. And those were the places where interesting establishments chose to open their business.

Filvis wasn’t sure how she found half of those places, or exactly when she found them, but now she’s glad for their existence if it meant avoiding other adventurers.

And the one mage she’s buying gifts for.

Ducking into a nook between two dwarven-style clothing stores, she mentally constructed the list of things she’d buy for the Thousand Elf of Orario.

She knew what was coming, and if she wanted it to go her way, she needed to be prepared. And Lefiya must live.

The store Filvis stopped in front of was unassuming: plain wooden shop sign with faded words, nothing fancy looking in the slightly dirty window. But there was an air of power radiating from it, grabbing anyone it saw fit to attract to its wares.

Filvis gingerly opened the ancient-looking wooden door, and the silver bell above it chimed softly.

The inside of the establishment was more chaotic than its front. Wooden shelves clustered with accessories and armors, swords and spears decorating the stained walls, a beautifully carved bookcase housing a few dozen dusty tomes. Nothing here would appear a good purchase for adventurers.

“I was wondering when you will come.”

An androgynous voice sounded from behind the counter, and it was due to years of experience that the Elf didn’t immediately draw her sword.

A Renard stood behind the counter, eyeing the magic swordswoman with interest.

“You didn’t buy anything last time, remembered something that caught your mind?”

They’re taller than Filvis, with long black hair tied neatly into a ponytail at the base of their skull, and purple eyes with golden flecks shimmering within them. When they smiled, the flecks seemed to grow brighter.

Filvis averted her eyes.

“The black crystals, and the book about Elven spells. Are they still on sale?”

“Of course.” The Renard walked out from behind the counter and moved to search the disorganized shelves, his silky black tail waving lazily behind them. “I got few customers, and most of them were interested in the weapons. Well,”

Those purple eyes glanced at the spear with a crimson head that took the center place on one wall. “Not that I can fault them, that one is one of a kind.”

They pulled out a drawer from one of the shelves and stared at the compartment filled with papers with strange runes drawn on them, then stuffed it back. “Not this one.” He pulled out the one next to it. “Found it.”

Filvis didn’t speak after they carried the boxes back to the counter. She considered her list and the money she had on hand.

“How much for these and the spear?”

The Renard’s eyes snapped up, black ears flicking in surprise.

“Why do you want that for? Aren’t you a magic swordswoman?”

The Elf didn’t answer immediately, looking down at the black crystals and the book she had asked for.

She had not made this decision lightly, having slaughtered an entire floor of monsters to clear her thoughts. Pros and cons, moral and loyalty, mind and heart, all weighted against each other and carefully measured.

She did what she had done out of desperation for acceptance, the one promising her this had shown that he’s not completely truthful.

Maybe jumping ship like this was unfaithful and cowardly, but this was all she had now.

“Think of it...as a token, of my intention.”

The Renard silently regarded her for a few moments, and for the first time since she entered the store, Filvis didn’t shy away from those eyes.

A few more heartbeats later, the Renard’s lips curled slightly in amusement.

“Very well.” They went to retrieve the weapon and placed it on the counter with the other objects. “If that’s everything, let’s discuss the price.”

With a promise to come back for the spear and providence of some rare materials, Filvis left the store and headed towards Daedalus Street.

Time for the other half of her work.

The Captain of the Dionysus Familia returned to their mansion at nightfall. Avoiding a nasty glare from Aura, she headed straight for her god.

“Ah, Filvis you’re back!”

The god of wine greeted her with a cheerful smile.

“May I inquire your whereabouts today?”

“Lenoa’s place.” Filvis answered, moving a hand to the newly polished hilt of her blade. “I found that it was damaged from the fight down on the 24th floor.”

“Well, I regret to inform you that your vacation days are over for now.”
Dionysus chuckled, sensing no lies from his Familia member. “Aura didn’t take my wandering tendencies well.”

Filvis winced slightly at the teeth-grinding noises coming from the other Elf.

“I will continue to perform my duty, God Dionysus.”

“Good girl.” The god patted Filvis’s head, and went back to his room.

Before Aura could say anything to her, Filvis left too.

The book and the crystals are neatly packaged and lying on her bedside table, waiting to be given to their intended recipient.

Chapter Text

“Finn, leave the weaklings.”

Bete said, staring at the gaping maw of the maze, grey ears twitching and tail swishing in agitation.

“There’s a sickening stink in there. I don’t need them slowing me down.”

The Loki Familia stood at the entrance of Knossos, staring into what might be a death trap ready to decimate all of them.

Bete’s words landed him the spot of getting verbally roasted by the Hiryute sisters, soon joined by the other supporting members, and Finn cut in sternly before the fight could escalate further.

“Enough. We need to form three teams: vanguard, rearguard, and support. I will lead the charge with Gareth in the back. Riveria, you stay here in case of emergency, I need you to gather information on this passage while you wait for us to return.”

“Yes! Captain!”

Having received their orders, the members swiftly started to prepare. Adventurers made the final check on their weapons and supporters sorting through various supplies they needed to carry with them.

Listed in the teams that will be tackling the artificial maze, Lefiya double-checked her pack for Magic Potion and Elixir, plus a spear staff or two. As she slung the long pack over her shoulders and headed towards her teammates for this operation, she was halted by a call of her name.

“Lefiya, are you going in too?”

“Miss. Filvis?”

Like yesterday, the white-clad Elf was moving around with the Loki Familia. And like yesterday, Filvis’ gaze focused solely on the younger Elf.

“Though I despise agreeing with that Werewolf. But I, too, have a bad feeling about this place. You...”

The fair Elf hesitated, seemed to be struggling with her words, before lowering her head and pressing a hand to her chest.

“I am saying that, if you are going, then I will protect you.”

Lefiya blushed furiously at the promise akin to a knight swearing loyalty to her princess, and at the amused glances her fellow Familia members shot her.

She had seen how the Captain of Dionysus Familia only smiled for her and her alone, and this knowledge made Lefiya’s heart skip a beat.

“Thank you, Miss. Filvis.”

Filvis smiled that faint smile again, like the flowers that only bloom in dawn’s heavy mists.

For a very brief moment, only the two of them exist.

Everything went wrong very, very fast.

The first door closed. Raul took an injured Finn and jumped down into a pitfall.

The second door closed. Cutting off Bete and the rest of the group.

Leaving only two Elves and a Creature standing in the bloody hallway.

The emotionless green eyes focused first on the captain of the Dionysus Familia, then after a glance at the younger Elf, Revis turned and walked into a side nook.

Rage boiled inside Lefiya, not only for the blatant slight against her abilities but also for all the damage this monster had caused.

Just when she was about to fire a spell at the nook the Creature walked into, a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back.

“Lefiya wait.”

She turned and looked into crimson eyes.

Eyes that were deathly calm.

“Miss. Filvis! The others, we—we must save them!”

The hands gripping her shoulders didn’t budge, and there was no emotion in Filvis’ voice when she spoke.

“No matter how much you want to help the Braver, the way is blocked. There’ll be no getting through those doors.”

She nodded to the statues lining the hallway.

“The monsters’ eyes, the ornaments, they’re all magic items linked to a central control room. They can monitor this artificial maze from the depths of this trap. If you are not careful, they will kill you.”

“How…”

Lefiya’s cobalt shade eyes widened first at the very specific information, then at the terrible theory that was slowly starting to form in her mind.

But no! It couldn’t be this way!

Lefiya searched those crimson eyes in desperation, trying to find a way out of the hypothesis the adventurer trained by Finn Deimne presented to her.

But she found no evidence arguing against the picture forming in her mind’s eyes, and when she took a shaky step back, Filvis simply loosened her hold and let her go.

Having trained together, Lefiya knew her retreat didn’t mean anything; the magic swordswoman could cross any distance between them if she really tried to run.

“Miss Filvis… and God Dionysus…”

“Yes.” The confirmation came not from the Elf clad in white, but from behind Lefiya, from the masked entity walking out of the side hallway.

Lefiya remembered this person. They appeared on the 24th floor and left with the jewel fetus Revis tossed them. According to Lady Riveria and Finn, they also attacked the expedition on the 53rd floor and managed to dodge Wynn Fimbulvetr.

Lefiya watched, frozen as the being known as Ein walked over to stand beside Filvis, who did not pull out her weapons, further sealing the damning truth.

In slow and deliberate motions, as if trying not to spook a skittish animal, Ein took off their mask.

Hair as black as midnight cascaded down, eyes the color of rubies and abyss looked up, and Lefiya’s staff fell from her lax fingers, hitting the stone floor with a deafening clang.

Her heart thundered against her ribcage, hummingbird-like and threatening to give up at any moment. Her limbs felt like lead and not her own.

She didn’t know how much of these reactions were from fear and how much stemmed from betrayal.

Because there was no denying the scene in front of her now. No matter how much she wanted to protest against this.

“You...were not with us.” Is the only sentence that passed her lips without risking a whole slew of screaming accusations. “You were...never one of us.”

The doors on both sides of the hallway were closed, there were only the three — or was it just two?— of them in this space.

Two Filvis Challia stood before Lefiya Viridis, hands clear of weapons and no magic circles under their boots.

“Yes.” Ein repeated, her voice the exact replica of Filvis.’

“Eyno is Dionysus.”

Chapter Text

Once, when she was only six and still living under the shades of the Wishe Forest, Lefiya fell off the great tree in the middle of her village.

She remembered the way her limbs froze, the way her heart lurched in terror, the way her insides seemed completely out of order as she tumbled to the ground far, far below.

Now, nine years after the healers fixed her dislocated shoulder and fractured ankle, she felt the same falling sensation despite having both of her feet firmly planted on the stone floor.

Ten feet away from Lefiya, Filvis Challia and Ein‘s red gaze fixed firmly on her, but both sets of hands were visibly away from their weapons.

Lefiya had seen Ein on the 24th floor, she knew this was probably just to convince her that she was safe.

“Did you plan this?”

The question cracked through the air between them like a whip, and Lefiya could almost taste blood in her mouth, the phantom smell of copper from when she fell thirty feet down from the tree branch she was clinging to.

“Did you plan this, Ms. Filvis?” She didn’t understand why she could still ask this with a calm voice when all she felt was wind howling in her ears and blood rushing through her veins in the wrong direction.

Ein opened her mouth, but Filvis raised a hand to stop her so fast that she was basically beating her back. When she answered, it was quiet, and not a real answer. “We never wanted to hurt you.”

Something in Lefiya snapped. Amidst the wailing storm in her mind, she recalled the nasty sound of her shoulder dislocating from its joint, of the unnatural way her ankle twisted beneath her, and wondered how this fall was going to break her.

“DID YOU PLAN THIS!”

Stomping on the sharp end of her staff, she caught it as it bounced up and pointed it at the two Elves—Creatures—standing in front of her.

Her hands were shaking, she didn’t think she could fire.

“Was it all a lie?” She demanded, flashes like magic blasts fired behind her eyes, scene after scene of memories brought to the front of her mind. Memories of a night under the crystal sky; strong arms carrying her away from danger; a dance of staffs in the dungeon; a clearing in the quiet forest; gentle fingers wrapping a cape around her. “Protecting me? Saving me and my Familia? Was everything God Dionysus’ order?”

Every accusation carried its own weight, and not entirely the weight of her missing Familia members.

She always did have trouble separating personal betrayal from the bigger picture.

“NO!” Ein slapped away Filvis’ hand on her chest with an agitated shout. Lefiya flinched slightly at the slight crazed edge in her voice, and the creature seemed to notice this too, from the way she faltered and softened her voice. “Everything we did, from the point we met you, is disobeying Dionysus for you.”

“We will save your Familia. Lefiya.” Filvis added, her usually steady voice now trembling slightly. Lefiya wondered what she had to fear. “We just need you to listen. Please.” There was desperation in her eyes, in her and Ein’s eyes, as the Captain of Dionysus Familia pleaded. “Please give us a chance to explain.”

A thousand—ha! A part of the young mage’s mind laughed hysterically—thoughts swirled in her mind. They are standing in hostile territory, with deadly traps lurking after every corner. Her Captain was fatally wounded, her Familia scattered, and the one she had thought of as a dear friend was the general of the mastermind behind all of the scheme.

A general who was…defecting? Because of Lefiya Viridis? A bumbling mage who couldn’t even see past her nose to spot the enemy before her?

(Loki and Finn didn’t see it either. In a corner of her thoughts, the logical voice that sounded suspiciously like Lady Riveria, pointed out. But the wailing storm smothered it under all the rageragebetrayaldisbeliefgrief taking up most of her head.)

But she could listen. She would listen, to save her Familia from this Hell, and to help them with this war.

And to understand how, in the name of Her Royal Highness Lady Celdia, could the beautiful thing she shared with Ms. Filvis come to this.

——

Listening to Filvis and Ein felt like hearing a one-person performance, a disturbing duet with one voice and two tones: Filvis’ quiet resignation and Ein’s snide remarks.

They explained as they promised, and it felt like someone hit her with Wynn Fimbulvetr then shattered everything inside the ice. Though it helpfully dispelled the storm that was clouding her vision

The Corrupted Spirit, Nigghog, the altar.

The Nightmare of the 27th floor.

Dionysus.

Lefiya wanted to take the blunt end of her staff, and rammed it through the blonde bastard’s stomach until he choked on his blood.

She had lowered her weapon during their explanation, and they took it as a sign for them to talk again.

“Now you see?” Ein asked, taking a few steps forward before once again being held back by Filvis’ arm. “Now you see why we have to do this? Now you see why we need to work together to stop this?”

“Now you see it has to be you?”

While yes, Lefiya did see the point in all of this. She was the only one who would not kill her on sight, the only one in this hell hole that Filvis Challia trusted with this revelation.

She was also one of her Familia’s biggest firepower, take her out and they lose a canon. But now she was inclined to believe it wouldn’t happen. Not after every death and murder and suicide—oh sweet heaven how many times had Ms. Filvis died—she had heard during the last minute.

But there was still one problem left to address, one last part that was not consequential to their war, but Lefiya could not for her life understand.

“What if it wasn’t me?” The question tumbled from her tongue with little pretense. “Would you still be here, switching sides, if it had been Ms. Tiona, Ms. Ais, or even Lady Riveria on that bridge with you?”

The answer shouldn’t have been hard to answer, and yet Filvis looked like she had been slapped while Ein laughed, head thrown back as if she had finally broken through her chains.

And if she hadn’t seen it before, Lefiya could now definitely see the difference between the two halves of Filvis Challia, and why the Elf half had been trying to push the Creature half away from her during the entire conversation.

“Sweet Lefiya.” The creature cooed. “If it wasn’t you, if I hadn’t met you on that day, then the training in the Dungeon, and that moment in the woods. You wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

A chill crept down her spine as Ein’s crimson irises—Murky. Lefiya absentmindedly noticed why they looked slightly different—locked onto cobalt-shaded ones with an intensity that burned.

“This I can guarantee you.”

I am Ein, who Filvis pushed all her darkness into.

Lefiya thought about falling, of the one weightless moment before your body hit the ground.

Different from the wailings of betrayal and anger before, there was another storm steadily growing inside her mind, maybe not quite on the level of Ais and whatever Ms. Filvis was constantly feeling, but when she was younger, the storm had kicked up with her anxieties and blown off half her dorm.

If she hadn’t been there. If Loki hadn’t sent her along with Bete to the 24th-floor mission.

“This isn’t right.” Her voice sounded flat and emotionless to her own ears, but emotion was a fickle thing to harness right now. It was either a breakdown or disassociation.

She could visibly see Filvis’ hands tighten as static began to build up in the corridor they were in.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“Everyone has a choice.”

The static accumulated into full-blown lightning as the hallway exploded in white light. Electric currents bounced off the stone walls and floors, but some hit the Occulus embedded in the statues around them and did bigger damage than expected.

“WE DIDN’T KNOW ANY BETTER!”

(“What—“ Barca’s eyes widened as the controls in front of him gave out in a puff of smoke and all the screens turned black. Valleta screeched angrily at a half-opened door blocking her way to a fallen Pallum. Line gathered her companions close and started healing their wounds. They were safe for the moment.)

“DIONYSUS PROMISED US A SAFE HEAVEN!” Filvis roared, her immaculate hair whipping around her as she shook her head wildly. “HE WAS THE ONLY BEING THAT LOVED US. THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL LOOK UPON A WRETCHED THING LIKE ME AND HOLD ME! YOU THINK WE HAD A CHOICE THEN?”

Filvis and Ein’s magic signature felt like a dark storm, the opposite of the pure white shield and lightning Lefiya had seen her wield.

Emotions still out of commission, the young Elf stared blankly at the eye of the storm. So this is what you don’t want me to see?

A bolt whizzed past her, snapping the golden mage out of her trance and rousing the answering power to counter any potential harm.

Filvis Challia’s indignation fried the control system of Knonnos; Thousand Elf’s magic tore a hole in the solid stone trap around them.

That seemed to shock Filvis into silence.

When Lefiya spoke again, it was with resolve.

“Then let me prove him wrong. Let me see what you are hiding.”

(Elsewhere, Ais stepped into a room with seven empty tubes, and Dix contemplated whether he should engage the werewolf when all systems seemed to be malfunctioning.)

Standing in the half-ruined corridor, Filvis was visibly shaking while Ein simply closed their eyes.

“You will be disgusted. It is in your nature to do so.”

“I will be the judge of my own nature.” Lefiya retorted sharply. “And I live to defy expectations.”

Well, at least she hoped to.

At last, the older mage seemed to deflate, then straightened up to stand beside her double. When they started chanting, their voice—because there was really only one when they were not talking as different individuals—echoed strangely in the stone hallway.

“At the end of illusion, the spirit returns. Your bond cannot be broken.”

When their eyes caught hers before it was swallowed by black and white light, they were filled with soul-deep despair.

“Einsel.”

Chapter Text

“Einsel.”

Throwing up an arm to shield her eyes, Lefiya squinted at the center of the storm made up of light and magic currents. Even with the assault on her senses, her Lv.3 eyesight allowed her to perceive the duplication Magic’s effect.

She saw Ein dissolve into light particles which were then absorbed by Filvis; she saw the lengthening of those black tresses until they reached the ground; she saw the magic stone shining eerily in the center of her chest and the red roots that crawled out of it. She saw her porcelain skin turn ghastly pale, and her bright gemstone eyes turned a dim shade of Aegean when they opened again.

The magic currents around them howled one last time, a high and vicious note of agony mixed with despair. Then it blinked out and left Lefiya alone with the entity that vaguely resembled her friend.

After a few heartbeats, the Creature slowly raised their head to look at the young mage.

“…well?” Their voice was devoid of any emotion, no grief from Filvis and no despise from Ein. “You want to see what Dionysus could claim to love. Now you have it.”

A monster.

Lefiya didn’t say that, didn’t think that, but she heard it nonetheless.

ThisisbadthisisbadnotgoodnotgoodwhydoIhavetodothis—

She shoved the thought into a box to deal with later. She may be weak and useless in other situations, but after all she had heard, she refused to hit the ground here and now.

Filvis Challia was a victim and a murderer, she had been a tool and a pawn to a manipulative bastard. She was currently trying to help them and was not going on a murder spree.

She was her friend, her magic was in Lefiya’s arsenal.

Abruptly, she remembered the night at the ball. Filvis’ oddly specific question and her answer to it.

“I think...what people who had made mistakes need were atonement.”

Ignoring personal reasons and the war that was brewing, Filvis Challia deserved a second chance to do right.

And Lefiya Viridis, by sheer force of chance, was the only one able to give her that chance.

She could do this. She had to do this. She Will do this.

Though what she was trying to do might be very stupid and hadn’t been done since Lady Riveria’s father’s time.

Steeling herself, Lefiya pulled off her gloves before marching forward, swiftly reducing the distance between them until she was standing directly in front of the Fallen Elf.

Filvis flinched when she reached up—staff, Dionysus, impalement, noted Lefiya—then froze when the Golden Mage’s naked hands touched her sickly white cheeks.

Lefiya wondered if this was the first time in years anyone had touched her with real kindness.

She took a deep breath, and said the words.

“Timpënatsë Raefast.”

Dew-Glittering-On-Spiderwebs-In-Dawn’s-Light.

Though each Elven village had its own dialect, she thought she got the words right.

Filvis startled so hard to hear her name in Elvish that she nearly pulled away, but stopped herself at the last second. She stared at the younger girl with wide eyes and barely contained shock.

“Lefi—“

Lefiya cut her off. “Can I trust thee with my life and well-being?”

If possible, those Aegean-shade eyes widened even further as the Fallen Elf recognized the words used.

Aside from books about battle strategies, magic theories, and other research-related materials, the library at the Twilight Manor had over two dozen books about the traditions of all mortal races. And half of them were Elven ones.

The half-forgotten rite she was invoking now fell out of practice several centuries ago, when Elves with eye-catching combat abilities were either secluded in their villages or migrated to the rising Dungeon City.

Filvis was now staring at her like she grew a second head, but her lips moved to form an answer.

“Yes.”

Lefiya frowned, and pressed forward. They needed that exchange for this to work.

“Yes what?”

Filvis closed her eyes, and all but sagged into Lefiya’s hands.

“Yes…Húmëloctë…Lairëaurë.”

She shivered at the sound of her name in Filvis’ slightly accented Elvish. Then she pushed past this feeling to go through the next step.

“And where doth thy loyalty lie?”

And this time there was no hesitation between the question and the answer. “With you, Thousand-Blossoms-On-A-Grassy-Plain-Under-The Summer’s-Sun.”

A weight slipped off her shoulders at the same time her stomach fluttered. Lefiya leaned forward and up to touch her forehead against Filvis’.

“Then I name thee Elleth Callonast, and you shall be my knight.”

The vow of Rína Yelca, the vow knights of old swore to their ladies and lords.

Though this was not proper magic, Lefiya thought she could feel something snap into place, binding the two of them together until she renounced or broke this contract.

This should help this situation they had found themselves in. She thought, then yelped when Filvis un-fused with a chant so fast that the words were a blur. Then the two young women fell to their knees in front of her, each clutching one of her hands.

When they looked up, Lefiya could feel herself blushing bright red as she was pinned down by the sheer adoration in those crimson eyes.

(Though Ein’s murky ones might have been a little terrifying when infused with that level of devotion.)

“Húmëloctë—Lefiya, I—we—“

The younger mage cut her off, though not harshly.

“Let’s find my Familia first.”

They blinked.

“Oh, of course. Yes.”

Completely lacking their usual grace, Ein and Filvis rose, stumbling slightly. And they were still holding onto Lefiya’s hands.

Lefiya could feel her blush slowly creeping to her ears. It felt like she would combust on the spot if they didn’t let go in the next five seconds.

Filvis, after an almost invisible flex of her upper arm, let go and stepped back.

“Um. Ms. Filvis?”

(Because in the end, both of them are Filvis Challia. Because Ein was a name Dionysus gave her, and Lefiya refused to use it aside from differentiating them inside her head.)

The double growled, then dropped her hand and turned to the open corridor.

“Follow me at a distance. I’ll pretend not to sense you, and we have something for you later.”

They ran through the artificial maze, through half-opened doors and shattered stones. Throughout the journey, Filvis remained half a step behind Lefiya’s left shoulder.

——

The Loki Familia fled Knonnos without any casualties but too many wounded. Any member with enough strength and mobility was called aside to help transfer the injured to the clinic of Dian Cecht Familia.

Out of all of them, only Lefiya walked out without a single bruise or scrape on her.

She watched Ms. Tiona and Tione bicker, not bothered with being covered head to toe in blood; Ms. Ais was silently tossing back a Mind potion with stark white bandages around her head; Mr. Bete was still swearing at nothing in particular as they hauled him off to treat his shattered hand.

Everywhere she looked, she could see the precious crimson of life outside of her friends and family’s veins. She wanted to claw her skin off.

Ein had slinked away after “leading” them to the exit, and Filvis did the same after making sure Lefiya was safe with her Familia, then she left to report back to Dionysus.

(There was a very vivid image in Lefiya’s mind, featuring the blonde deity on the cobblestone street, her staff in his stomach, and his blood flowing through the gaps between the stones. She wasn’t sure about this before, but now it seemed that the entire Familia all contained some violence in them, even her.)

There were a handful of black crystals in her pocket, an inch-thick book in her pack, and the vital info she now held was burning holes into her mind.

“Lefiya.” The young mage blinked, and Ms. Ais was standing in front of her with concerned golden eyes. “Are you alright?”

Shaking her head slightly to get rid of the slight ringing in her ears, Lefiya sent her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine Ms. Ais. Go and let Ms. Amid check out your head.”

Breathe in, out. Repeat. Don’t let others worry when you are absolutely fine.

The human shot her one last concerned look before going in the direction of the healers, pulling the blood-soaked sisters along as she went.

Breathe in, out. Repeat. She was fine.

When nightfall came and all of the Trickster’s Familia were safe in the Twilight Mansion, Lefiya knocked on the door of her Captain’s office.

“Loki, Finn. I have important information I need to tell you immediately.”

Chapter Text

“What do you think, Riveria?” Was the first thing Finn said after Lefiya’s report. “The vow. Is it binding for your people?”

The fair-haired Pallum still looked slightly battered from his encounter with Revis, but upon hearing that Lefiya had important information that could help them win this war, he had insisted on hearing it immediately.

The High-Elf frowned thoughtfully, fingers flexing where they were curled along the edge of the table she was leaning against.

“The vow of Rína Yelca hadn’t been in use since Orario was built and monsters’ number lowered, but any Elf who wears their name with an ounce of pride knows of its weight and meaning. I will say that it is as close to a real magical binding as it can be.”

“And I’ll say that the lass sounds completely besotted with our little miracle Elf.” Gareth mused, trying to lighten the mood with jest. “She risked bein’ offed by her God to inform Lefiya, an’ by relation, us, of Dionysus’ scheme.”

“But what’s more important is this,” Loki spoke up for the first time since the conversation. Her normally grin-crescent eyes smoothed out and opened slightly as she looked at the Mage who was unnaturally still compared to her usual self. “Lefiya, do you believe her?”

The young girl’s head was lowered, her Kerria-shade bangs covering her eyes. She had not looked up since she finished retelling the events that had happened.

When Loki’s answer reached her and she lifted her head, Riveria twitched, Gareth bit back a curse and Finn sighed silently.

Those normally bright and attentive cobalt irises were dull and distant.

“…Yes. I trust that she will not turn on us.” With mechanical movements, the young girl pulled out a thick book from the folds of her cape and set it on the table in front of Riveria. “She gave me this.”

Riveria reached out to pick up the book and opened it to the first page. Her jade eyes widened upon reading its contents. “This—“ She flipped a few pages and did a quick scan. “These are Spells! Elven Spells!”

“It details the chants, the effects, active triggers, radius, and at least three kinds of variations a Magic has,” Lefiya added quietly, her tone soft and filled with wonder mixed with sadness. “From super short chants to extra long ones that will take up more time than a battle has. Healing, defending, offensive, destruction, scouting, prophetic, supportive.” She paused briefly, her eyes flashed once before going back to that terrible dullness. “Even soul-related and…resurrection.”

“And where did she get this book?” Riveria asked, a crease appearing between her brows as she skimmed the pages. Those eyebrows rose higher with every page she flipped. “Despite the one thousand years lying between the present and when the first Elf received their falna, no magic like these had ever been recorded or even rumored to exist!”

At this, the golden mage leaned forward and silently flipped the book to its last page, where a paragraph was written in a flowery blue script.

We gift this book to our dearest friend Kasai.
These Magic are the fruits of our many years of labor, they have saved us and our family’s lives in countless catastrophes. We hope wherever you go, you can find a suitable receptor for our lives' work.
May the grace of the Forest Mother walk with you, my fox-smiled friend, and may Grandmother Rain bless your paths.

Yours
Calina Áracfanya, Zamya Emurol Batheran

Ps. May the little miracle that can use these spells achieve their goal.

“Spell Creation?” Riveria’s eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. “What—“

“We are getting off-topic.” Finn pulled the High-Elf back from diving into the book headfirst. “Lefiya, you were saying?”

The mage in question hesitated for a moment, seemingly debating whether to speak her heart. But something must have tipped the scale in her mind, and she let the undressed words tumble from her tongue.

“Ms. Filvis gave me this book knowing I can use every single one of these Magic.” The young girl’s body was slightly shaking even though her voice remained steady, but to the trained eyes of three Lv.6s, her devastation over the situation at hand was clear as day. But when she finally made eye contact, a hint of her usual fire returned to that gaze. “She didn’t just give me a gift. She gave me a full arsenal to stand against Dionysus’ forces.”

“I trust her to stand by my side and not betray us”

After her declaration rang clear in the office, Finn stared at his young Familia member for a few heartbeats, and then he nodded decisively.

“And we will use her gift to you well.”

“Go get some rest, lass,” Gareth said gently, walking over to put a steady hand on the young Elf’s slim shoulder. “You need it.”

Loki watched as her charge walked out on unsteady legs, then dropped her gaze to look at the book Riveria had placed on the table, still on the page with the signature.

“Go after her, Mama Riveria.” The Trickster Goddess said. “She’s not taking this as well as she thought.”

——

Magic in this mortal realm was…tricky.

Even after a thousand years, no one had truly figured out the nature of such power besides that Elves had a natural affinity with it, being the only race that could call upon it before the Deities descended.

All they knew was that it was tailored to fit a mortal, to reflect their experience and soul. You needed a chant, or the minimum of the Magic’s name to activate it. It requires a user’s Mind to power it.

Well. Lefiya thought bleakly, eyes trained on the wall of her room but mind elsewhere. Magic came from the mind, it didn’t exclude the possibility of losing yourself in it.

Inside the mind of the successor of Nine Hell lay the ruins of Twilight Mansion, its seven towers all crumbled and the main hall shattered beyond recognition. In the middle of the ruins was the Holy Tree that stood tall in the Wishe Forest, its light dimmed and leaves curled up in a sickly yellow.

Lefiya lay in the cradle of the roots of the great tree, tears slid silently down her cheeks to water the earth beneath her.

DIONYSUS PROMISED US A SAFE HEAVEN!

Ms. Filvis’ enraged roar rang in her mind, surfacing hand in hand with Ein’s unhinged grin, and Lefiya stifled a whimper as she curled up into a tight ball.

Filvis Challia was her friend. She reminded herself.

Her mind replayed the thunderstorm that swept the corridor and singed her clothes; Ein’s dark smile as she said Lefiya was the only reason why the Loki Familia was still standing. And she choked out a sob.

Filvis Challia scared Lefiya even as she promised she would never hurt her. And this knowledge wrapped itself around Lefiya’s heart and twisted until she couldn’t breathe.

She had been falling, and the impact she had been pushing back for a whole day was now rushing up to meet her. She could only hope she wouldn’t shatter beyond repair.

Distantly, she heard somebody calling her name, but she had no strength left to respond now. Hadn’t she done enough today?

The mage curled deeper into the roots’ embrace, and her consciousness sunk deeper into the unsteady flow of her Magic.

Riveria could tell that something was wrong even without almost running into a teary-eyed Elfy halfway to Lefiya’s room, a talent she had spent years cultivating ever since more and more younglings—for God's sake they are all under thirty—joined this Familia.

Still, when she saw the state Lefiya was in, an adventurer’s curse that would have scandalized all of her home forest and a few of her acquaintances slipped past her lips.

“Get me Aiz.” She said to the young girl hovering anxiously behind her shoulder. “Now!”

Elfy bolted out of the room at top speed, and one blonde human skied into the room thirty seconds later, thankfully without her sword.

“A very rare form of Ignis Fatuus,” Riveria explained curtly before she could ask, lifting Lefiya’s prone body from the floor and settling her against the bed frame. “A mage of our caliber can lose their consciousness—and even their whole identity—in their magic if they are not careful, or under too much stress and pressure at once.”

“The second one,” Aiz said with absolution, kneeling down beside her friend and gingerly taking her hand in her more calloused ones. “Lefiya…Lefiya is always careful with her magic.”

“Yes, the results would be disastrous if she doesn’t.” Riveria agreed, carding a hand through sweat-damp kerria shade hair. “And this had been a very distressing day to her.” Without further delay, the princess chanted her healing magic under her breath and opened a small magic circle beneath the three of them.

“Surround us with Ariel, Aiz. I have connected the three of us with my magic, and she will respond to your voice.”

Aiz tilted her head at this. “Magic…can be used like this?”

Riveria grinned wryly. “Maybe not, but this is not the first time Lefiya and I give those theorists an ulcer.”

The human nodded seriously, before clasping the lax hand tighter and closing her eyes.

“Tempest.”

Aiz opened his eyes again to the swirling vortex of deep gold, the shade of Lefiya’s magic circles.

LightFireForestTargetArrowDestructionFriendsFamily. The vortex whispered with the faint voice of her friend, echoing her battlefield chanting. ProtectDestroyAnnihilateTrackSummonPowerPowerPowerPower

“Lefiya!” Aiz called out, and immediately winced as her call echoed back with a thousand of the same words: Her saying the young Elf’s name in countless situations.

Mind fuels Magic. Aiz thought to herself as she steadied herself in the flow of Lefiya’s magic. And memories are a part of people’s minds.

But under the current of chaos and echo, Ais sensed something more tangible than pure Magic stirred.

WindGoldenSwordStormSisterFamilySafeyMissAiz?

In response, the human sent forth a gentle breeze. It briefly twined itself around one part of the golden vortex before rushing deeper into the currents, searching for its intended target.

Soon enough, her wind swirled back to her and gently deposited a small ball of light—golden pink mixed with red—in her hands.

Aiz blinked at it. “…Lefiya?”

The ball flashed once. And Aiz heard the whisper-echo again.

ToomuchTootiredHeavySadRest. Then the short words managed to string themselves together. Can I rest? Ms. Aiz?

“Ignis Fatuus is not resting,” Aiz responded, absentmindedly stroking a finger over the light ball and watching it flare a little. “Come back, Riveria is worried.” She watched the little light in her cupped hands, then added. “I’m worried too.”

Oh. The light that was Lefiya’s consciousness blinked, once, twice.

Then Aiz had an armful of Elf, hanging limply where the swordswoman’s arms were holding her up.

“Thank you, Ms. Aiz.” The mage murmured before Riveria’s emerald magic flared up and dragged them out of Lefiya’s mind space.

Aiz hovered silently behind the vice-captain of Loki Familia as the older Elf fussed over Lefiya more than usual, and got shooed to bed after they made sure the younger girl was alright.

But Aiz’s mind kept going back to the broken images she had accidentally brought back with her wind when she was searching for Lefiya.

Eyes, dark blue instead of red. A flash of a multi-colored magic stone. A storm of black and white.

Along with the images was a bone-deep sadness that tinged these memories in a chilling shade of blue.

What…what was Filvis Challia doing with Lefiya?

Chapter Text

The Ishtar Familia burned, and the entertainment district burned with it.

Although with victory almost in his grasp, Finn had decided to send a small team to search through the wreckage for the key of Knonnos.

“Nothing wrong with some extra resources.” The Pallum explained patiently as Bete and Tione complained about having to be in each other’s company. And just as the small party was about to leave the office, Finn called out. “Oh, and if you see any Evilus members barring Ein and Revis,”

The Hiryute sisters and the Werewolf turned their expectant eyes to him, and the Braver smiled. It was not a nice smile.

(Loki Familia, despite being far mellower than the children of Freya, was not soft.)

“You have my orders to kill on sight, no need to take prisoners for questioning. Tione, you have my permission to eliminate Valleta Grede.”

——

The three executives of Loki Familia painted the ruins of the entertainment district crimson with the blood of Evilus, and the henchmen couldn’t even singe their clothing.

They were even loudly keeping count of their kill.

Valleta slammed her fist down on the table with a frustrated shriek.

“Damn you, Finn! What are you up to THIS TIME!”

Her forces, or what remained of them, coward slightly at her rage.

“Blasted Pallum. Curse that mind of yours! I will see you beaten even if I have to rip your throat out with my teeth!”

She whirled around and pointed at a random robed figure. They flinched at her finger. “You!”

“Sir!”

“Gather your men plus the Sekhmet bunch and dispose of those pesky Ishtar leftovers. And do lay out a red carpet with their blood, will you? I think we shall be entertaining the Loki Familia sometime later.”

“Yes Sir!”

——

“Out of the way!” Riveria snapped at one of the adventurers hanging around the Dian Cecht Familia’s clinic with no noticeable injuries. “Or I will make you.”

The human squeaked and scuttled away as fast as possible in the face of Nine Hells’ irritation.

The clinic was working at top speed, filled to the brim with healers with blood up to their elbows as more and more wounded Amazons were carried in.

Although Bete, Tione, and Toona did their best to slaughter half of the assassins and suicide bombers, there was still enough left to stage a wild hunt for the once-members of the Ishtar Familia.

Thank the gods most of them were not in critical conditions.

“Stop the blood as much as you can!” The vice-captain of the Familia ordered, his hands pressing down on a fair-haired Amazoness’ leg as he commanded his fellow healers. “Bring all the Magic Potions to Airmid, and get the Elixir and Blood Replenishing Potion! I know it won’t work but it will keep them from dying! And, God Dian Cecht? Please kindly fuck off to your office and STOP HINDERING OUR WORK!”

In the middle of the frenzy, Riveria stood beside Airmid as she healed the female warrior with the worst condition. The Elven princess wordlessly passed her a vial of Magic Potion after her healing white light faded and blood no longer seeped through her fingers.

“Right.” Airmid gingerly wiped her mouth with a clean spot on her sleeve. “Where is the next one?”

“Let me up! I can still fight them!”

A young Amazoness shouted, struggling against a human healer’s grip despite the bleeding wound in her gut.

“You are not going anywhere until Ms. Airmid comes to heal this.” Her usual gentle voice hard as steel, Line Arshe pressed another vial of Blood Replenishing potion to the girl’s mouth. “Now please stop moving and upsetting the wound.”

“C’mon!” The girl flailed, and Line cursed softly under her breath as another spout of blood dyed the bandages red. “If I am going to die, I would rather die fighting than bleeding out on a bed!”

“Bleeding out on the street with a knife in your gut doesn’t hold much honor.”

With three Amazoness dying in front of her in the past thirty minutes, with fresh blood on her fingers and caked on her knuckles, the gentle healer of Loki Familia snapped. She kept one hand on the bleeding wound as she rose, with the other hand, she utilized her Lv.2 strength to press her forearm across the girl’s collarbone, efficiently pinning her to the bed.

Ignoring her shocked spluttering, Line lifted her head to scan the room. “Airmid!” She called out when she spotted the white-haired human finishing with another wounded. “Gut wound, already three vials of Blood Potions in!”

She let her Vice-Captain and the Master Healer take over as she lifted her arm and went to wash the blood off. As she walked away, she didn’t notice a pair of wide orange eyes following her every step.

——

In the end, it wasn’t hard for four Lv.6–Ais joining them when the casualties of the Amazoness reached double digits—to root out all the assassins and finally, Valleta herself.

“I will be taking this!” Tiona cheerfully said as she reached into the woman’s pocket to retrieve the Daedalus Orb. Bound and gagged, arms and legs broken by Bete, Arachnia glared at them with tangible hatred.

“Goodbye.” Tione crouched down and drew her blade, her eyes flashing while Jormungand smiled. “The Captain sent his regards.”

——

Filvis inspected the card Lady Riveria had given her when they met on the street with unblinking eyes. Dionysus reading over her shoulders with a wine glass in hand.

Come to the Twilight Mansion tomorrow at two, we’ll discuss what you and Lefiya saw in Knonnos.
Ps. Leave your God behind. I don’t like men in my house other than my children. Loki.

“Well, I guess I will not be accompanying you then.” Dionysus chuckled and drained his glass. “Go forth, my Captain. Do report back to me when you are finished tomorrow.”

“Yes, God Dionysus.”

The young woman waited until he wandered away, then she took out another piece of paper from the folds of her dress.

She had gone to the Renard’s shop after the Knonnos incident, only to find it empty and already gathering dust. The only thing in the space was the wrapped package lying on the wooden counter and the note taped to it.

I trust that you have delivered your “token of intention,” as you have eloquently put it. Though I had hoped to make more bargains with you but alas, my friends had called me away. Here are the other half of your purchases, whoever you gift this to, please make sure they treat it with respect, Zamya’s hot temper had the unfortunate habit of transferring onto any weapon he touched. Sincerely, Yakushiji Kasai

She put the note into her pocket and turned to the package, the weapon’s subtle heat could be felt even through the canvas wrapped around it.

Somehow, Filvis felt that it was impatient and irritated.

“I will deliver you to your new master soon.” She told it. “Please refrain from burning anything.”

She thought she saw light flickered twice under the wrapping, but that might just be a trick of her addled head.

——

Before leaving to assist Airmid, Riveria had staged a group meditation turned slumber party, and she was immensely proud of herself.

Clearing out Evilus and helping her protege took the first step of recovering from earth-shattering trauma. All in a day’s work.

In the middle of the room, Lefiya was buried under three blankets plus Alicia, the latter had curled protectively around her young charge.

After waking up from Ignis Faatus, Lefiya was quiet and reserved, the light usually in her eyes was back, if barely.

The rest of the Elf Force had taken one look at their pale-faced and downtrodden comrade, and started piling blankets and themselves onto her.

Elves were a tight-knit community, and despite not knowing the exact situation, the Elves of Loki Familia were eager to help their kin.

The poor mage was much better after the session. Riveria thought with satisfaction as she sat on an armchair with the mind-boggling Spellbook in hand.

She had been reading one of the most curious magic in the book. One hundred sentences, each could be used on its own, but could also be combined into the strongest annihilation she had ever heard of.

These Magic are the fruits of our many years of labor.

What manner of Mage could create new Magic?

She flipped to the last page, where the gifter’s dedication sat innocently on the yellowed but well-maintained page.

“Calina Áracfanya.” Tracing the blue script, she tested out the name in Elvish, then translated it to Common. “The Dawn Light that Breaks Through Heavy Clouds.”

She couldn’t shake the feeling that the writing was familiar.

Chapter Text

Filvis was greeted by two Lv.2s when she arrived at the front gate of the Twilight Mansion. They cast a curious glance at the long object slung across her back, but let her in once she showed them Goddess Loki’s note.

‘They didn’t announce my previous alignment then.’ Filvis thought wryly as a Chienthrope led her through the mansion. Or else the animosity would have been heavy enough to choke on it.

The large house was quiet at this time, its occupants either in their room or out in the city. The silence made Filvis uneasy, itching to grab her sword or staff.

(Or chant one simple spell to become the strongest thing in the city.)

She shook her head slightly to get rid of unsavory thoughts just as the Chienthrope stopped in front of a door and knocked.

“Captain, Loki. She’s here.”

This was it. Filvis stared at the door. After she went through, there was no going back.

‘Still think it was worth it?’ Ein hissed lowly, but not with venom, in the back of her mind. ‘We could just let things go as they are now.’

Was this worth it?

Filvis thought of Lefiya’s face when she revealed the truth to the young mage. Her apparent betrayal had hurt Lefiya, enough to make her lose control of her destructive Magic.

She would not see her hurt again.

“For Húmëloctë—Lefiya. Always.”

She walked through the door held open by the Chienthrope, ready to face the general of the Dungeon City.

Finn observed the Elf—Creature?—stepping into his office, feeling a bit uneasy at how little tension Filvis Challia seemed to be carrying.

Even if she believed she would be under Lefiya’s protection, this is unusual.

Not to mention that long object on her back.

“Captain Deimne. Goddess Loki.” She bowed politely. “Lady Riveria, Master Landrock.”

“Miss Challia.” Finn greeted, leaning forward in his chair. “I trust that you know the reason for this meeting?”

“Yes.” The young girl straightened herself, and Finn had to give it to her. That emotionless face might as well be carved from marble. “I am to report what Lefiya Viridis and I encountered in the artificial maze.”

And thus the game began anew. Finn thought wryly, but with newfound hope. And one that involved far too much wordplay for his taste.

Riveria listened as Filvis Challia told them—in a headache-inducing roundabout way—about the Corrupted Spirit dwelling on the sixtieth floor, and how it had been using her and Revis to achieve its goal.

She listened to Dionysus’ scheme about wine and Spirit Magic, about how that Saurikumba wanted to bring chaos to the mortal realm.

How Dionysus toyed with an Elf’s devotion and pride.

Unforgivable. Riveria carefully loosened her hand from the edge of Finn’s desk. There were indents of her fingers on the hardwood.

“And Lefiya?” She found herself asking before she could think about it twice. “What is your intention with her?”

The air in the room, for the lack of a better description, froze. And the Captain of Dionysus Familia tensed up until she looked like a breeze could snap her in half.

Riveria Ljos Alf was a few scant months away from her hundredth Springs, the true maturity for the Elven race, and she knew her people’s ways.

They only loved once, and if one perished, the other half often followed.

Lefiya was but fifteen, merely a sapling when thousands of Summers awaited her. Riveria didn’t want her to go down the path of old tragedies, sung only to warn against love.

“I…” Filvis Challia visibly struggled as she tried to voice her thoughts, and the four pillars of Loki Familia waited.

After a few more moments of soundless words and cut-off sentences, the Fallen Elf choked out her answer.

“I will see her happy.”

Her crimson eyes were lit with the kind of fire that would consume all if given the chance. Riveria thought about the vow, and how the girl before them would unleash herself on whatever Lefiya pointed at.

She was thankful that her student was not one to abuse her power.

“I will see her happy,” Filvis repeated, calmer this time. “I will see her safe and at peace, her light untarnished and radiant as she is now.” She swallowed. “I will. Even if I die trying.”

Her declaration rang in the room, not unlike two days ago when Lefiya Viridis stood here and said Filvis Challia would stand with her.

Loki broke the moment with her usual amount of grace, which was none.

“And now that we’re sure of your loyalty and what we will be going against.” The Goddess drawled from her position on Finn’s desk. “What’s that on your back?”

Her lack of tact seemed to shake their guest out of her moment, as she swiftly swung the long package to her front and placed it beside Loki with both hands.

“My token of allegiance.” She said to the Goddess and the Captain. “To Lefiya and Landy Riveria, I will give my vows. And to the Loki Familia, I will give you power.”

With deft fingers, she untied the canvas and revealed the most beautiful spear Finn had ever seen.

Made with Oricalchum and Mithril, it gleamed under the warm light of the room. Shards of Blood Onyx studded along the silver polearm in strange patterns, its spearhead etched with runes of another language, and the handle delicately wrought with iron and leather.

When Finn placed a hand on it, it sent a small pulse of heat up his arm, not unlike a greeting.

The Pallum blinked, looking down at the weapon.

“I purchased this from the same place I found the book. Though the owner had closed down the store when I visited yesterday.” Ignoring how all of them were goggling at the spear, Filvis explained. “He said the spear was not a dead piece of metal. Endless potentials are locked inside it, and will unlock as the wielder grows more powerful.”

“Its name, is Harbinger of Storm.”

“Living weapon…” Gareth murmured as Loki hummed in contemplation. Riveria peered at the Pallum’s expression. “Finn?”

The blonde man didn’t reply, and with one hand still on the spear, he raised his head to look Filvis Challia in the eyes.

“I believe we have an agreement.”

Outside of the office, Ais pushed herself off the wall she was leaning against and went off in search of more answers.

[The fangs of wind, the claws of sunlight; I beseech your help in severing what’s one. The breath of mountains, the blood of oceans; I beseech your help in mending what’s broken. Replace my—]

Lefiya was interrupted in her study of the tome by a knock on the door. Hastily marking her process, she closed the book and called out. “Come in!”

Ms. Ais stormed into her room like the wind she wielded, her steps hurried and lacking her usual steadiness.

The door closed behind the human and Ms. Ais stared unblinkingly at her.

Lefiya felt a shiver travel down her spine at that look.

“Is there something wrong Ms. Ais?”

“I saw something.” The older girl said without pomp, still blank like she usually wasn’t with Lefiya. “When I pulled you out of your Magic. I saw you and Filvis Challia in Knonnos.”

Lefiya felt like she had been hit by Wynn Fimbulvetr.

Ms. Ais barreled onward without pause. “I felt your sadness, and I saw her different eye color. And I just listened to Finn’s meeting with her.”

Her tone turned frosty, Lefiya had only heard her friend talking like this when confronting Revis, and this did not bode well.

The subtle aura of a Lv.6 pushed against her as the Sword Princess asked. “Lefiya. What is she?”

The Mage opened her mouth, but it took a few more tries before anything came out.

“She is an Elf. She died in the Nightmare of the 27th floor trying to save her Familia members, and was planted with a Magic Stone like Revis.” The words felt like ash on her tongue. “She has duplicate magic, so she can appear as Filvis Challia and Ein at the same time.” The official sentences hurt less, somehow. “Two days ago in Knonnos, she swore the vow of Rína Yelca and bound her loyalty to me. She is our ally now.”

“She is a monster.”

“She has a Magic Stone.” Her friend’s words dug into the wound on her heart and twisted, but Lefiya forced herself to respond to them. “She doesn’t want this.”

Ms. Ais’ golden eyes narrowed. “She made you sad, you almost died in my arms.” Her voice wavered as she took a step forward and placed both hands on Lefiya’s shoulders. “I had sworn, to kill any monster that made people cry.”

A sentiment that almost knocked Lefiya over with the power and sincerity behind it, but also chilled her to the bones with the way it was directed.

“Revis is a monster.” She rebuked. “Valleta is a monster, Dionysus is a monster for making Ms. Filvis do those horrible things.” She leaned forward, desperately trying to stress her point. “Ms. Filvis did horrible things, yes. But she wants to make up for her mistakes, she has empathy and regret.”

The Sword Princess was still staring at her with that blank expression, and Lefiya gulped, but soldiered on.

“Monsters would not repent, they couldn’t be remorseful; monsters revel in bloodshed, they chase it for enjoyment. Filvis Challia was torn apart by every death at her hands. She is scared, and ashamed, and will cling to the first straw she sees in the middle of a stormy sea.”

She had spent the entire morning drafting this debate, she never thought Ms. Ais would be the first to hear it.

She had averted her eyes somewhere between her defenses, but now she raised her gaze to meet those blank golden irises.

“Ms. Filvis is a victim, and I want to help her.”

(That is, if she temporarily didn’t think about Ein.)

Ms. Ais’ golden eyes bored into hers for a few more moments, then the older girl lifted the hands on Lefiya’s shoulders and took a step back.

“She is important to you.” At this quiet statement, Lefiya could only nod.

“I need to think.” Was all Ms. Ais said before she stalked out, closing the door—gently—behind her.

Well. Lefiya collapsed into her chair and leaned her forehead against the surprisingly comfortable cover of the tome. This was a disaster.

Chapter Text

“An expedition?!” Aki exclaimed. “With just the three of you?”

“Don’t worry, Aki, we are not that senile to forgo a supporter.” Finn smiled indulgently. “Ais will come with us, and it will only take a week or so. In the meantime, we’ll entrust the Familia to you, Raul, and Tione.”

“But—Why now?” Aki didn’t splutter, but it’s a close thing. The rest of the Familia was either coughing up their meal or gaping at their leader

Finn had—claiming it’s for his personal amusement—chosen to announce the news in the middle of breakfast, then sat back to watch the younger generation silently panic.

Ah, the little pleasures of being in charge.

Sobering up swiftly, Finn cleared his throat and leaned forward in his seat at the head of the long table.

“We now have almost all of the information we need to take down Knonnos. Thus Riveria, Gareth, and I think we should be collecting one of the last pieces we need for this coming war.”

The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

They remembered the artificial maze, they remembered how its traps had almost killed them. They remembered how Finn Deimne almost died.

But now…

“Sir.” Aki, the voice of all the second and lower-tier combatants, recovered her composure and stared up at their fair-haired Captain. “May we ask how you got all the information?”

“We regret to inform you that we cannot.” Riveria answered from Finn’s right, her hands folded neatly on the table in front of her. “Furthermore, this news does not go beyond the walls of the Twilight Mansion until we are ready to lay waste to Knonnos.”

The hall burst into frantic whispers, but Gareth raised his voice at this moment.

“Now don’t you kids worry your heads off.” There was humor in the warrior’s words as he reassured the Familia. “We won’t be tryin’ anythin’ too dangerous. So keep trainin’ while we’re gone, we’ll be back to put your progress to test.”

“That’s all.” Finn concluded, standing up. “We will depart tomorrow morning after breakfast. If you have any questions about how things should operate when we’re away, feel free to knock on my office door.”

“Whyyyyyyyy?” Tione whined loudly as she followed after Ais. “Why did the Captain refuse to bring me along? I can be useful! I can carry supplies and scout ahead and help him take a load—“

“We get it Tione.” Tiona rolled her eyes. “And it’s not just you either, Finn rejected Bete and mine’s offer too. And Alicia is gloomy because Riveria refused to let any Elf tag along.”

Ais was silent as she led them to the pantry they used to store rations, and the twins didn’t press why she got to follow their leaders.

They could sense the small storm rolling behind her quiet facade.

“But I do wonder why they chose to go now.” Tiona hummed as she picked up a bag of dried berries. “Finn and Gareth had just recovered from their injuries, and Riveria is oddly obsessed with that new book of Lefiya’s. Shouldn’t they wait a bit more before going off?”

“Who knows?” Her sister shrugged, throwing a bag of jerky into the pile that will be Finn, Riveria, and Gareth’s supplies. “But Ais, you’ll be bringing back the reasons if you hear them, right?”

“Hnm.” The human nodded absentmindedly, golden eyes unfocused as she stared at the bag she was holding.

The Amazoness exchanged a glance behind her back. Tiona raised an eyebrow, Tione nodded.

With that, they resumed their preparations.

Upstairs, in the Captain’s office, Finn Deimne pondered as he stared at the statue of Phiana and the spear he placed before it.

At this angle, the edge of the blade glinted like frost while the blood onyx on the polearm flashed like fire.

“Harbinger of Storm.” Finn murmured, reaching out to trace the untranslatable runes on the spearhead. “What kind of world do your wielder fight in…”

A knock on the door, then his visitors let themselves in with the ease of having done so for years.

“Finn.” Riveria greeted, stepping into the room with a pack in hand, followed by Gareth with another identical one. “Tiona and Tione packed for us.”

“You can hear her whinin’ all the way from here.” Gareth chuckled as they placed their packs down on the couch against the wall. “An’ Finn, if you stare at that spear any longer you’ll lose those eyes of yours.”

“Ah.” The youngest of the three sighed, leaning back in his seat and rubbing a hand over his face. “Just curious about it.”

“So is that really ‘alive’?” Riveria turned her jade-colored gaze to the weapon, a thoughtful frown on her brows. “And is it hurting you?”

“No no, it’s perfectly friendly with me.” Finn shook his head with a small smile. “And I think it’s indeed ‘alive’ in a way that we can’t understand at the moment.”

“So what has it been tellin’ you to give you that far away look?”

Finn sighed again, reaching over to grasp the spear and place it on his lap. He took a moment to choose his words before he answered.

“It told me I’m a too cautious Chessmaster, and I should get my placid ass into the battlefield before all my muscles wither away.”

Gareth burst out laughing and the corner of Riveria’s lips ticked up.

“Laugh away.” Finn chuckled. “But I’m afraid Harbinger here has a point.”

That sobered up the room fast, and the Braver started his speech.

“The three of us: Riveria and I have three stats above D, Gareth had four. But we have been stuck at Lv.6 for years.”

Finn lifted the spear and experimentally swung it through the air, his jewel-green eyes trained on the glinting head.

“Ever since the Dark Ages, the only time we took risks was against the Demi-Spirit on the 59th floor. Bete, Ais, Tione, and Tiona Leveled up with that battle, even Lefiya has crossed the threshold. But not us.”

“You’re talkin’ about Heroes’ Feat.” Gareth grunted, sitting down across from him, and Riveria walked over to lean against the armrest. “There’s no time to play Hero when we’ve too many lives at stake.”

“Indeed.” Riveria agreed, her eyes following the silver spear’s movement through the air. “But I sense Harbinger has some opinions on that?”

“Quite.” After a final spin, Finn planted the weapon on the carpet between his feet. There’s a wry twist on his lips as a few sparks spilled from the spearhead.

“It showed me fleeting images, of children far younger than us, fighting against foes stronger than any we’d ever seen.” The Braver sighed again, this time wistfully. “It wants that for us. It wants us to take risks again, wants us to fight and fight until nothing can take anything from us.”

“So that’s why you want us to go into the Dungeon.” Riveria mused. “But what will serve as our Feat? Rivira would have cut down Goliath the second they had the chance. Amphisbaena is no match for the three of us, Udaeus has not spawned yet, and Balor is too far down for us to make it back in one week.”

Finn grinned.

Chink!

Riveria raised an eyebrow at the spear point two inches from her nose, then down at Gareth’s vambrace that was blocking Finn’s attack.

“It’s been a while since we've gone toe to toe, isn’t it.”

(“Did your spear really tell you all of that with words?”
“In my head, and with far too many curse words for Riveria’s taste.”)

———

Ais sprinted quietly beside Riveria, following Finn and Gareth down the 21st floor.

‘This was familiar.’

The Sword Princess thought to herself as she listened to the bantering of the two men up ahead.

‘But I’m different now.’

“What’s on your mind?” The High-Elf asked under her breath, the pack on her back and the speed they were running with barely hindering her speech. “You have been quiet.”

She was thinking about Lefiya, crying in the chaos of her own mind but defending the one who caused it.

She was thinking about the spear Finn was using now, slicing through monsters even faster than normal.

She was thinking about that Magic tome that had every mage in the Familia cluster around it.

“Filvis Challia.” She settled on one answer, and viciously slashed through Sword Stag, catching the drop item and jamming it in the side pocket of her pack.

“Ah.” Riveria sighed, reaching up to tuck a stray lock behind her right ear. Her staff blurred through the air and batted away a Gun Libellula with ease. “So it was you out by the office that day.”

“I don’t understand.” Ais’ next opponent was a troll, left behind by Finn and Gareth in their priority of speed. She ran her sword through it without trouble and moved on. “She has a Magic Stone. She had killed people. But Lefiya said she’s not a Monster.”

They passed the Great Tree Labyrinth with ease, only one hour into their little expedition, and continued down into the Water City.

“It is a very complicated matter we have at hand,” The High Elf admitted. “Where we couldn’t judge a person even when we have proof of their wrongdoings.”

“Do you think she’s not a Monster too?”

And Ais couldn’t help the note of accusations in her tone as what was left of the Iguazu horde charged at them.

Riveria ducked the first, then fired up the Magic that had been dormant under her steps for all of their journey. “Wynn Fimbulvetr!”

They left the blocks of ice behind and moved on.

“As I said.” Riveria continued. “It is a complicated matter, and cannot be defined by what I say.” They breezed past the Water City and down into The Swamp that made up the floors from 27th to 36th. “Before you know that Filvis Challia has a Magic Stone, what do you think of her?”

There weren't any monsters in this area that dared to approach them, and Ais had to answer the question.

“She…she cares about Lefiya very strongly.” Ais wrinkled her nose at a particularly smelly area, and sped up to get away from it. “…And I think she’s a little like me.”

And a part of her felt strongly against this notion.

“She is Mortal.” Riveria kept pace with her, though the speed they had been running with would’ve exhausted almost all of their Familia members sans Bete, Tione, and Tiona. “And an Elf. She feels strongly and has a fixed view of the world as most of my people do. What happened to her broke that worldview, and she did what she did trying to compensate for that loss.”

Ahead of them, Ais heard Finn’s laughter and Gareth’s gruff cursing. They were approaching the end of The Swamp.

“I can’t tell you what to think, Ais.” Riveria’s tone was soft, the kind she used when there were only the two of them and a hairbrush between them. “But I can tell you that Lefiya would be sad if Filvis should die.”

They slowed to a stop in front of the stairs that would lead down to the White Palace, where Finn and Gareth were waiting.

“Ais.” The Pallum greeted her with his new spear on his shoulder and a smile on his face. “Feeling any better?”

“…Some.” The girl scruffed her boots against the start of the white stone floors. “I…I still need some time to think.”

“Take the time you need, just don’t be gettin’ lost in your head.” Gareth teased gently. “The sisters asked us to keep an eye on you, and Tiona threatened to feed Finn with Tione’s cooking experiments.”

Finn’s smile turned into a grimace.

“Come on then.” Riveria tapped the end of her staff against the floor and led them down the stairs. “It has been a while since the three of us truly fought against each other, we need to get to Udaeus’ room to have enough space.”

Ais followed after them, trying to remember something Tione said about bringing back the reasons for this expedition.

The White Palace is quiet today, with little monsters and few accidents, as if the whole place was waiting for something big to happen.

Ais thought anything pummeled by Nine Hell, The Braver, and Elgram was big enough an event.

“So how’s the spear?” Gareth asked, eyeing the blood-soaked metal from his place at Finn’s left side.

“Smooth as cutting through butter.” Finn patted the polearm. “Making me wonder even more about our three mystery friends.”

“Yakushiji Kasai, a Renard as Challia said. Calina Áracfanya, clearly an Elf. And Zamya Emurol Batheran, Half-Elf if I have to guess.” Riveria shook her head. “Our history has no words on them, and with their level of achievement, you would think they’d be written down somewhere.”

“Guessing will get us nowhere.” Gareth shrugged. “They are not here, but their work is helping us. That is enough for now.”

“I agree. And we’re here.”

Although Ais missed half of their conversation, still thinking about her and Riveria’s talk, she snapped back into focus as the Elf handed her her pack.

“Keep an eye on those for us.” Her jade-colored eyes crinkled with amusement as Ais took the bag and hesitantly retreated to a corner of the room. “Make sure they survived through this!”

The air stilled as the three most famous Lv.6 in Orario stood in the middle of the room, forming an equilateral triangle.

Ais held her breath as the realization finally dawned on her.

They are attempting to level up…by fighting each other?

“So what’s it gonna be? You snobby Elf?” Gareth grinned, his stance ready and axe held sure.

“You on your savage backside, of course.” Riveria bent her knees slightly, her staff held horizontal against the floor and green fire flashing in her gaze.

“Ignoring the best out of the three of us, as you two always did.” Finn swung Harbinger low and sighed with faux sympathy. “Whoever loses is carrying the loot on our way back.”

““Shut your trap you arrogant Pallum!””

And they charged forward at the same time.

——

Ais was enlightened.

Riveria was her teacher in Dungeon knowledge, Gareth taught her how to take care of weapons, and Finn was the first one to spar with her.

She had been with them for nine years, and she hadn’t known they could fight like this: Going all out and needn’t worry about the rest of the Familia.

Ais would like to see more if they had the chance. She would also have to talk to Lefiya again when they got back.

Gareth had a hand on Finn’s neck; Finn’s spear was resting against Riveria’s stomach; Riveria had produced a dagger out of the folds of her robe and was holding it against Gareth’s throat.

Riveria had multiple lines of blood running down her face and hands, Gareth was sporting a black eye and split lips, Finn’s left shoulder was dislocated. All three were panting, and Finn looked tiny with Gareth and Riveria practically on top of him. None of them moved.

“When did you get that dagger, Riveria?” Finn sounded breathless from his place on the floor.

“Tsubaki insisted I have this spare.” Riveria smiled. “She kept saying that I need to step out of my comfort zone. But I’ll probably never use this again.”

“Ach. Stepping out indeed.” Gareth laughed, careful with the blade near his throat. “You could’ve taken our heads off with this instead of bashing them in!”

As one, the three of them put down their weapons and collapsed onto the ground laughing. Ais scurried over with their packs. “Potions?”

“Ah. Thank you, Ais.” Finn reached up and took a vial, and the others followed suit.

They recovered in comfortable silence, last broken by Finn.

“Riveria, Gareth.”

“Hmm?”

“I think rather than becoming Phiana, I am going to surpass her legacy. I will bring new hope to my people.”

He smiled, bold and bright, reaching up as if to grasp the heavens.

“I will fight, until hope cannot be taken from us again.”

———

Lefiya was meditating when someone knocked on her door.

(Again.)

Before she could answer, Goddess Loki had let herself in.

“Lefiya.” There was a seldom-seen graveness on the Trickster’s face as she addressed the young mage. “About Filvis Challia…”

Lefiya tensed up. “What about her?”

“Ya know that after we deal with the Corrupted Spirit, she’ll die too, right?”

Chapter Text

“Calina!” A soft voice called out from underneath the branch she was sitting on. Leaves rustled, then a head poked up through the greenery to locate her. “Calina, you’ve been at this for hours, what are you working on?”

She sighed, tapping her pen against the paper with squiggles and some of her messiest handwriting.

“Soul Magic.” She said honestly, and the man who found her didn’t seem surprised, climbing up and settling down across from her. “If I am going to save them, this is needed.”

“You still have time.” The man offered, his lilac eyes studying her progress keenly. “What happened to you won’t come to pass for another few years for us.” He squinted at a part of her writings. “You need to add your own element here, the Sun to her Moon.”

“Ah. Thank you, Kasai.”

She added another line into the chant. The worry in her eyes hadn’t faded.

“But the timing is important, it has to happen near the very first Knonnos investigation. That way Filvis Challia will be loyal to m—“

Lefiya woke with a start, lips forming words that she couldn’t understand after waking up.

Her dreams had been like this for days. The mysterious trio haunted her, blurring the lines between dreams and memories with each night they appeared in her head.

Calina, the one who wrote those Magic in the book; Zamya—or Iceflame it seemed, the one who forged the spear; Kasai, the one who allegedly brought the book to them then disappeared without a trace.

They talked of Magic like it was a potion to be mixed and created, they cast small spells without chanting and snatched power from thin air like breathing.

It was terrifying as it was breathtaking.

Lefiya didn’t know where or even when they came from, but now she knew that if these dreams were real, then she had a way to save Filvis from dying alongside the Corrupted Spirit.

Barely close to a mindset that could go back to sleep, she pulled the tome out of her bag and started reading the page she marked.

[The fangs of wind, the claws of sunlight; I beseech your help in severing what’s one. The breath of mountains, the blood of ocean; I beseech your help in mending what’s broken. Replace my beloved’s……]

This was forty days after the first Knonnos investigation,

Twenty days since Lefiya started dreaming about the Elven woman with Kerria-shade tresses and her two friends.

——————

It was midnight in the Lower World, yet the light in the captain’s office of Loki Familia was still lit.

In the room, three newly minted Lv.7 celebrated their success.

“Now this is a real upgrade.” Gareth—hair and beard unbraided—grinned at the status sheets on the table before them. “At the rate you’re goin’ with, Riveria, you’ll be a real Queen by the time we get rid of the Corrupted Spirit!“

Pausing in the middle of brushing her hair, Riveria shuddered at the mental image Gareth’s words brought forth in her head. “Perish the thought, I would find a mountain to hide in if that happens. And I see you finally have too many injuries for your Falna’s taste.”

“Aye, I would say unable to use Magic in exchange for healing is quite useful to me.” Gareth laughed heartily, ignoring that he almost scared half of the Familia to death with the stunts he had pulled to escape Knonnos. “But your ‘Forest Mother’ is goin’ to be the envy of all! Boosting all Familia members’ Experience Gain while in battle? I bet Raul, Aki, and Alicia will be Lv. 5 in no time!”

“You all get to have exciting Skills, and I get permanently saddled with Harbinger’s insults in my head.”

Finn groaned with an arm over his eyes, the stress of planning was starting to weigh on him. Even with the information Filvis Challia brought them, his work was still tiring.

The newest addition to his Skills simply read: Mind Link. With no further explanations.

“He is now judging me for the armor choices of the female adventures.” Finn pressed his arm down harder over his eyes. “Riveria, my friend. You think we can convince Aki to get a breastplate and pauldrons? He is making some really good points about her entire arm being taken off.”

“Like Narvi’s then.” Riveria filed this away for later. She cursed quietly when a tangle wouldn’t come out, Gareth leaned over to help. “The storage should have something for her. And if we ask, she will wear them.”

“Is he tellin’ you anything other than how our world sucks?” Accepting the comb his Elven friend handed him, Gareth eyed the gleaming weapon propped up against the statue of Phiana. It was oddly fitting for an action that would normally be seen as blaspheme.

Surprisingly, with an arm still over his face, Finn smiled.

“The secret of level-up.”

——————

On the 18th floor of the Dungeon, Filvis Challia slashed through a Minotaur almost absentmindedly.

It’s been days since she last saw Lefiya.

She knelt to retrieve the Magic Stone, pocketing it before moving deeper into the forest. The area was almost completely cleared of Monsters due to her habit of hunting here when she needed a distraction.

Two weeks ago Lefiya had tracked her down, cobalt-shaded eyes shining with mithril-like resolve, and told her that she would save her, sack the artificial maze, then they could go about unpacking all the things Filvis had done under Dionysus’ command.

She had taken the older Elf’s hand in hers, like the first time they met. Filvis felt like the skin was still tingling after fourteen days.

“You are too bright for this world.” Filvis muttered. “You are too brilliant for the likes of me.”

In her head, the faint whisper of the damned Spirit continued on.

(Ein had the short straw here, if their cursed sire focused on her despair, she wouldn’t notice Filvis’ betrayal.)

Lefiya had said other things two weeks ago, how Finn had almost finished planning, how he was secretly rallying the other Familias strong enough to charge the Knonnos with them, how Loki was planning to kill Dionysus.

(She saw and heard the naked hatred Lefiya had for the God of Wine. She hoped it wouldn’t destroy her golden mage.)

And Filvis had one task: get Goddess Pania out before she could be sacrificed to the Altar.

Suddenly, the Banshee wanted to laugh.

“You should work without a leash sometimes.”

Revis had told her this when Loki Familia was on their expedition, and now Filvis was going to be free while Revis would fall.

Dionysus had practically handed Lefiya to Filvis without thinking about the consequences.

Sheathing her sword, the Fallen Elf closed her eyes, and just breathed for a few heartbeats.

When she opened her eyes again, the crimson irises were clear and bright.

“I swear to you, Lefiya Viridis, you will have the happiness you deserve.”

——————

Deep inside the Dungeon, a Vouivre fell out of a crack in the stone wall.

“Where…where am I?”

Chapter Text

“That system wasn’t fair, and it never will be.”

Calina said, magic flowing from her hands to the wires she was weaving together. “What counts as a feat? How hard do you have to wish for something to have a skill appear on your back? How much does fate favor you?” The last sentence carried the faintest hint of resignation as she tied the end of the wires, completing the bracelet containing healing magic.

She looked up and smiled at the two sitting across from her, each wearing a piece of her creation that she had embedded different magic in it.

“I like it here, where there’s no limit on how many Magic I can use and how many skills I can learn.”

The Half-Elf with silver hair and a crimson streak on his left temple smirked.

“Then it’s good that you stayed isn’t it?”

——

It was two months after the first Knonnos investigation when the Armed Monster fiasco happened.

And it wasn’t until the city started buzzing about Bell Cranel again did Lefiya realized how long she hadn’t thought of the boy.

She had been on the rooftop with the top executives when it happened.

“This…this Vouivre is my kill!”

The Human had uttered the words with fearful wide eyes.

“So…so none of you…t—touch her!”

Bullocks and ninnyhammers. She thought as she surfaced from her meditation. Cranel would fall boots over head to apologize for something he didn’t do. If that boy was after the Magic Stone and Drop Items of the monster, Lefiya would eat her staff.

She was surprised when her thoughts didn’t rouse the usual anger and resentment that accompanied all Bell-Cranel-related topics.

But what time did she have that could be wasted on a single Human? She needed to master five more Magic in the tome, sharpening her own magic reservoir to perform the ritual for Filvis, and reached Lv.4 before Finn marched on Knonnos.

As long as Cranel hadn’t done anything as severe as Filvis Challia, it wasn’t Lefiya’s problem.

“I owe no one my growth.” She said to herself one of the notes in the tome, the passage was almost like an afterthought scribbled beside the neat script for the Chants. “My path is my own, I carry no other burdens but mine and those I care for.”

Bell Cranel didn’t matter, Lefiya Viridis just had to fight for herself, her familia, and Filvis.

She gathered her thoughts and slipped back into meditation, letting the golden waves of her Magic pass through her and crystallize into something with greater power.

Distantly, she heard a voice singing something in the strange language she only understood in dreams, but the mourning in it was clear as day even without translation.

She hoped Lady Calina would be proud.

——

Days later, when Lefiya ran beside her fellow Elven mages and Lady Riveria, her firepower had visibly increased.

It only took her one shot to obliterate more than fifty Evilus members, leaving only ashes in the air and a Daedalus Orb rolling on the ground. Then she took Revis’ left side and collapsed the entire tunnel the Creature escaped into.

(But she couldn’t attack the Xenos. Not when being like Filvis had been proven to be possible.)

When Finn led them to safety, she heard Ein call back Revis.

“Can you even finish one, simple, task?” She heard Revis hiss, felt the hate aimed at her. “Why is that bug still alive?”

She felt Ein’s gaze, dark and heavy yet contained not a single hint of malice.

She didn’t hear Ein’s response, truth and lie wrapped together that even Dionysus couldn’t tell it was questionable.

“You get to have Aria, and I will have that Elf.”

———————————————

All things must come to an end.

This phrase rang in Ais’ head as she threw the masked adventurer into the wall, pausing only to ensure she was still breathing before continuing on.

All things must come to an end. She forgot on what occasion Riveria had told her this, but she remembered a life lost and a broken sword. And we can only go forward, we don’t have the choice of stagnating.

Ais had hoped…that Bell Cranel’s innocence, and the thing between them, would not be one of the things that end too soon.

Standing here, under the cold moonlight, watching Bell protect the thing Ais had sworn to eliminate was breaking something inside her.

“……So that Vouivre is still alive.”

She couldn’t see them, but she knew they were here, waiting to cross the threshold she was guarding.

“Come out.”

The shimmering cloak fell to the ground, revealing the monster and the Human shielding it.

Ais lowered her gaze, not wanting to see it.

Not wanting to be reminded of a similar sight from another young adventurer.

“I’ve been thinking…why did you ask me that kind of question.”

If monsters have a reason to survive, if they have feelings like we do, what would you do, Ms. Ais?

If you met a “Monster” that could laugh and cry as Humans do, would you still draw your sword?

“Ms. Ais—this girl—”

“My answer,” Ais cut the boy off. Fixing her golden eyes on the quivering Vouivre, she let the Battle Princess take over her voice and body. “Wouldn’t change.”

Her fingers curled around Desperate’s hilt.

“If any monster is the cause of a person’s tears, I will kill them.”

She drew her sword, and tried to steady herself against the devastation on Bell’s face.

This wasn’t Filvis Challia, who was turned against her will, Bell didn’t have the excuse of Dionysus or the Corrupted Spirit.

“Please—please wait! Ms. Ais! This girl isn’t going to do anything bad! She isn’t going to hurt anyone! Not ever! She—Weine isn’t like other monsters!”

But Ais had heard enough of that.

“Can you really say that when it loses control again?”

Because Ais couldn’t, not when lives were at stake and she could save them.

The Vouivre was shaking, and Bell was making incoherent noises while Ais slowly advanced.

Please move away. A part of her mind pleaded even though she knew it was in vain.

Bell drew his pitch-black dagger, and Ais let all emotions bleed out of her face.

“—WHY!” The boy’s scream rang along with the sound of their blades meeting in full force.

————

Ais chased them across the Daedalus Street, landing blow after blow on the boy she had spent months coaching to this height.

All things must come to an end.

Ais thought if she looked back at the way she came from, she would see a long trail of blood dripping from her heart.

“Why.” An overhead slash forced the boy onto one knee, Ais asked in a whisper. “Why do you go to this extent?”

Bell looked shocked at the question, then he shouted at her face.

“I want to save her!”

“Do you really? That is a monster, it’s no human.”

The boy pushed away her sword and charged forward with a rebuttal.

“She isn’t the normal monster! She can talk and understand human speech, she can laugh alongside us and has the same emotions as us!”

“No. It’s different.” Ais batted away his words and dagger, the force almost taking his entire arm off. “Monsters kill, and they will continue to kill a lot of people.”

“But aren’t we adventurers the same?”

In Ais’ mind, the young human’s form flickered, overlapping with an Elf’s visage.

Why. Why were the two of them protecting what Ais had sworn to eliminate at all cost? Why could the monsters have their unwavering loyalty?

The flames on her back were scorching, screaming for blood to be spilled and for debts to be paid.

“Enough of this. Move.”

The boy didn’t deserve her black fire.

So why—

“I won’t!”

Why couldn’t he just move away and let this be over?

Desperate cut through the air and pointed straight at his chest.

“I…I will cut you. It will hurt…so please…”

She didn’t want his blood on her hand, but he gave her no other choice.

She just had to incapacitate him, a deep enough cut on his legs would do, she didn’t have to kill her friend.

She raised her sword—

“——NO!!!”

Silver blue hair flashed into view, a single wing spread wide to shield the human boy from Ais.

“You can’t hurt Bell!”

The boy was screaming something, but none of it reached Ais’ ears as she stared down into amber eyes.

No.

Ais’ blade wavered in the air.

No. Don’t look at me with those too-human eyes of yours. Don’t make me believe I’m wrong.

“…….Why, why does something like you exist?”

Ais shook her head, letting her bangs fall down and obscure the sight.

“What…what do you even want?”

Filvis Challia wanted Lefiya safe, would give her life to do it, what could this monster give Bell?

“I—I want to be with Bell.”

“I won’t allow it.”

She tilted her sword to point at the Vouivre.

“Your claws will hurt people, your wings cast fear upon the land, that stone on your head will be the death of so many.”

Memories surfaced, unbidden. Snow-covered land dyed crimson, the screams and crying of those being slaughtered.

Home ruined, innocence tarnished, loved ones taken from her.

Wrapping her hatred and her pain around herself, Ais steadied her hand, resting the tip of her sword against the pale throat covered in scales.

“I cannot let you live.”

Monsters, all of them. She would kill them all, she would not forgive, she would not forget.

Then—

The monster broke her claws, tore off her one wing, and asked Ais to kill her if she ever lost her mind again.

She said she had been alone and afraid, with no one to save her from the darkness and cold.

But Bell saved her, and now the Vouivre was saving Bell…from Ais.

Ais’ sight distorted, the scene in front of her overlapping with a similar one from a scant few months ago.

In one of the streets of Daedalus, Filvis Challia had pulled Lefiya behind her, shielding the young girl from the threat she perceived in Bell.

Why.

The black flames howled and receded, leaving only ashes of the broken Doll Princess in its wake.

Why could they have their heroes, when nobody had come for Ais?

“I hope you can find someone as wonderful as you.”

“I hope one day you can find your own hero.”

Her parents lied, there hadn’t been, and wouldn’t be any hero for Ais.

Bell belonged to the girl in his arms; Filvis Challia and Lefiya belonged to each other.

Pain wrapped around her like a well-worn cloak, tightened around her neck until every breath she took was colored with grief.

With her last shred of self-control, she pushed away her past and sealed it in the deepest depth of her mind.

“…just go.”

“Ms. Ais…”

She pulled a vial of elixir from her belt and put it on the floor, then she turned her back on the pair.

“I…I can’t help you, please…just leave.”

“…Thank you.”

They left, Ais didn’t look back. From another patch of shadows, having seen the entire confrontation, Bete slinked out.

“Ais.”

“……”

“Is that really fine?”

“…Yes.”

“……”

“……”

“I’ll head back then.”

“…Thank you.”

“Tt. Whatever.”

Alone under the moonlight, Ais raised her face to the night sky. One could mistake the silver shine on her cheeks for tears.

“…please…help me.”

Chapter Text

Usually, no one visited Freya Familia’s stronghold.

There’s absolutely no reason for anyone in the city to enter their base, and all communication from the Guild could be done via the non-combatants with no falna.

So usually, Folkvangr was a lone fortress sitting atop a hill on the southernmost corner of the city.

The lone fortress had a visitor today, though rather than a friendly visit, he was more of a challenger.

Every member under Level 5 was out cold on the ground, even the Andhrímnir and Heith had fallen, taken down when the challenger streaked past the Einherjar and decimated them all in one sweep of his spear.

At the top of the stairs leading down to the courtyard, Freya watched with pursed lips.

“Admirable coordination, but too slow.” With a flash of silver, the Gulliver brothers went down hard. Their prone forms landed beside the unconscious Vana Freya.

Allen Formel had been the first to be defeated, having attacked the challenger when he voiced his desire to test Freya Familia’s mettle. Now only Hedin, Hogni, and Ottar were left standing, and only because Freya ordered them not to engage.

Three of the strongest adventurers in the city stood protectively in front of their goddess, weapons drawn and aimed at the threat to their lady.

The challenger’s beauty was—if you ask anyone outside of the familia—on par with any god or goddess. His silvery white hair looked like tendrils of pale flames under the morning sun, and the streak of red beside his temple made his blood-red irises even more piercing.

He wore no armor, clad only in a simple black robe accented with golden threads at the helm and cuffs. In his hand was a white spear with crimson etchings all over the polearm, as if forged with ice and imbued with fire.

As the challenger stared at the three remaining Einherjar, all of them felt a fear they hadn’t felt since the end of the dark ages of Orario.

“Who are you?” Freya broke the silent staring contest, voice hard as steel as she questioned. “And why are you here?”

The challenger smirked. “A friend asked me to shake up Orario’s top adventurers a bit, she said the Level sixes all need a kick to remind them to move their asses.”

The only two Lv.6s still standing scowled, and the challenger’s smirk took on an even more provoking edge.

“You may call me Batheran.”

As expected, Finn’s announcement about working with the Xenos stirred the familia like poking at a hornet’s nest. But all reluctance was smoothed over once Alicia, Bete, and Tiona voiced their opinion.

Well, all but one.

The next day, Lefiya found Miss Aiz standing in one of the air corridors connecting the main building and the executives’ tower. The older girl didn’t look at her as she approached, her golden gaze fixed on something far away that only she could see.

Lefiya couldn’t help but notice that the miasma of misery Aiz wore like a second skin ever since the Xenos’ chaos had disappeared. And in dawn’s light, the Sword Princess looked like one of the Great Spirits that would fade away once their task was completed.

“Lefiya.”

“…yes?”

“How do you feel about those Xenos?”

Ah.

Even if the Sword Princess didn’t voice it, Lefiya knew this couldn’t just be about the armed monsters. In fact, with the recent development, there might as well be an equal mark drawn between her and Filvis.

So she picked her next words carefully, not just because of the upcoming battle, nor for the delicate situation with Filvis, but because Lefiya knew this was important to the adventurer who hunted down monsters with extreme prejudice.

The words came slowly, but they came out steady and much more confidently than she actually felt.

“If I don’t know the details, I would be afraid of them, because we have been fighting creatures that looked like them for years.” And Lefiya was sure it was much, much more personal for Aiz Wallenstein. “But now I know that they are sentient, that they have feelings and thoughts and hopes, just like we mortals do, it’s hard to blame them for how they were born.”

“Hmm.” The swordswoman made a sound of acknowledgment, then she turned slightly to regard Lefiya with piercing golden eyes.

“And Filvis Challia?”

Lefiya’s heart lurched at the question, the stonewall made a protesting noise as she clenched her fingers.

“I looked into the records,” she stared at the indents made by her hands and forced herself to say the next part out loud. “Thirteen adventurers, that was how many people she killed under Dionysus’ order.”

“People who make mistakes need the chance to make it right, if she can’t bring back all the people she killed, she has to live with the weight of it for the rest of her life. Dying, either by her own hands or by ours, would just mean those victims died for nothing, mere collaterals of Dionysus’ madness.”

This was not a lesson she learned after coming to Orario, but an idea that had been a part of her as an Elf of the Wishe Forest.

But that wasn’t the crux of the matter.

“And—Ms. Aiz,” she raised her eyes to meet the steely gaze of her friend. “I want her to live, I need her to live.”

Because at the end of it, Lefiya Viridis was a selfish Elf; the very idea of losing Filvis Challia was so unbearable, she could barely think about it without panicking.

So the solution was simple: Filvis had committed atrocities, and Lefiya would be right by her side on her path of atonement, for the rest of their lives and beyond.

Aiz’s gaze softened, and she reached out to pull Lefiya into an embrace.

“All right,” the older girl said quietly, a whole world in that one-worded answer.

Lefiya sagged a little into the hug, and the two of them stayed like that until the sun rose properly.

Filvis walked through the mansion of Dionysus Familia alone, feeling like a ghost drifting by her living, breathing familia members.

As the captain, Filvis was required to memorize each and every one under her command; their Skills and Magic, their positions in a battle or in a dungeon party, even their hometown and next of kin. Filvis knew all of these despite having almost no interaction with these eighty people.

She watched Aura lead a few younger members through an inventory check and thought: If she fails, they are all going to die.

‘But we are going to win.’ Ein hissed in her mind, much more determined and stubborn than her. ‘For Lefiya, we will not fail.’

Her double was now in the depth of Knonnos, stealthily moving some of Dionysus’ planned pieces so that Loki Familia’s assault—only five days away—had the best chance of succeeding.

While she did that, Filvis’ job was to keep the god from suspecting anything. And as an adventurer, Filvis had chosen the simplest, brutalist path to that: she gave the god twice the amount of divine wine and watched him pass out.

At least Aura seemed thrilled at the chance to carry him to a bed. The other elf had been slightly more polite to Filvis for the rest of the night.

Filvis had no idea what Aura and the Dionysus Familia would become once the siege was done, and once the truth came out.

‘Goddess Loki offered us a place in her familia.’ Ein pointed out, a bit dismissively. ‘Aura and some of the others are Lv.2s, they won’t be lacking any opportunities.’

Yes, but what about the fact that she would die alongside the Corrupted Spirit?

Ein was silent for a moment.

‘Lefiya said she would take care of that when the siege is over.’

And for better or for worse, they trusted Lefiya Viridis with their lives.

Filvis briefly wondered how it was that after everything, she could give her trust to the young elf so easily. The answer was so simple that Ein laughed at her.

‘Lefiya overcame Elves’ innate revulsion towards monsters the first time she truly saw us. And the next thing she did was to declare us her knight. She was everything Dionysus is not.”

‘She is everything that matters.’

The night before the planned siege, in the tallest tower of the Twilight Mansion, the leaders of Loki Familia went over the battle plan one last time.

The map on the table was detailed: where the six Demi-Spirits and Nidhogg were placed, where the hostages were kept, where enemy forces were gathered, and where the Plants that spawn monsters were located.

Dionysus’ second in command had been very thorough when defecting to them.

“We really dodged a killing blow here.” Looking at the vital information Filvis offered them, Finn shuddered. “With my original plan, we would all be dead.”

“And now we won’t be, so don’t go dwellin’ on that,” Gareth said, polishing one of his battle axes with great care. Beside him, Riveria was meditating, trying to maximize her firepower for tomorrow.

“I’ll do my very best,” Finn replied wryly, leaning back in his chair and sighed. “We’re about to destroy a god’s fifteen years of careful scheming, I can only go two ways: sober or excited. Sober seems a better choice.”

“I’ll take being excited then!” Loki cackled, sitting on a corner of Finn’s desk and swinging her legs like a child. “Excited about kicking his arse and bringing down everything he wants to do.”

The smile on her face was shark-like, more bloodthirsty than any of her children had seen.

“I can’t wait to see his face when I kill him.”

Chapter Text

Loki, Hermes, Hephaestus, Ganesha, and Dian Cecht.

When the morning light barely lit half of Babel Tower, the alliance of five Familias was already assembled at the main entrance of Knossos. Amongst them are some of the best warriors, mages, smiths, and healers of Orario, and they were all ready to obliterate this threat to their beloved city.

Safely stashed away in a nearby house owned by Hermes Familia, three deities waited for their children to return victorious.

“Why do we have to stay here?” Dionysus asked with a cutthroat smile on his lips, and Hermes met his question with an equally dangerous smirk.

“Because we might get assassinated in that madhouse filled with traps?” the god of traveling offered. “Remember, Dionysus, if any of us die, Orario loses. We can’t afford that.”

Having no intention of conversing with Dionysus, Loki stayed by the window with her back to them, fiddling with a black chess piece as she stared at the white tower in the distance.

“And why forbid my children from fighting?” Dionysus bit out, clearly dissatisfied and agitated. “Why only let Filvis join? The rest of them are capable—” Hermes waved away his complaint with a scoff.

“Finn is only letting Level 3 and above into the siege, said he intended to keep the death toll at zero. Would you like to fight him on that decision?”

Dionysus narrowed his glass-like eyes at Hermes, then switched tactics to continue his challenge. “What about the threat of Divine Aura? And dangers to the other gods? Shouldn’t Ganehsa and Hephaestus be here too in that case?”

“My children are guarding them.”

While Loki remained unmoved, both Hermes and Dionysus almost jumped out of their chairs in surprise as another deity walked into the room. Freya smiled serenely at them, closing the door behind her and walking over to sit down in the one remaining seat at the table.

Freya was dressed for stealth today, replacing her usual black garment with an understated dress that covered most of her skin and a voluminous robe on top of that. Even with the subtle power leaking from a deity of her level, it would still be hard to notice her in a busy city like Orario.

“Finn came to me before dawn.” Without her usual flippancy when it came to the affairs of the city, the goddess of beauty wasted no time on pleasantries. “He asked for my cooperation and I granted it. Ottar will join this siege while the others protect the deities above ground.”

She pinned Dionysus with her silver gaze, daring him to object to her involvement. “And as for your first question, Finn told me earlier that he had a plan for any Divine powers that might occur. Any other questions?”

Wordlessly, the wine god shook his head.

“Good.” Freya gracefully crossed her legs and leaned back into the chair, somehow making the ratty furniture feel like a throne. “Then I reckon this will be over before dinner hour.”

She followed her fellow goddess’ example and ignored the other two gods in the room, closing her eyes and focusing on the bright threads that connected her to her Familia. As expected, almost all of them were chomping at the bit after the humiliating defeat they faced a few days before. Freya suspected that Allen and the others only agreed to this so they could search the whole city for the silver-haired stranger.

Finn Deimne’s little speech about heroes and the fate of this city was moving, certainly enough to make her join this alliance, but the deciding factor had been that chilling battle right in her courtyard. Her children, undoubtedly the best warriors in the whole city, were easily mowed down like weeds by one man.

Maybe she had allowed her Familia to keep to themselves for too long. Freya mused. This siege on the artificial maze could help her reintroduce her children to the ecosystem of Orario, and stir up the city a little.

For her part, she couldn’t wait to see how would her collection of beautiful souls further evolve after this stumble.

The last-minute addition of Ottar caused some commotion, but ultimately bolstered the spirit of the alliance. After all, there was no chance of them losing if Freya and her Einherjar were on their side.

“You leveled up,” Ottar said without inflection as he observed Finn adjust their battle plans to accommodate him. “How?”

“I fought Gareth and Riveria,” Finn responded candidly, “It was a riveting experience.”

The warrior’s ears drooped ever so slightly at the answer.

Finn chuckled, the sharp eyes of a Pallum catching the movement easily. “Don’t worry, I believe there’s something in Knossos that might be more than a cakewalk for you. And if it proves to be a disappointment, we can always spar later.”

Ottar’s eyes flashed with surprise, a rare show of emotion on the otherwise aloof Boar. “You would risk an enemy learning how you fight?”

Finn laughed; a bright noise that made a few people look their way. Tione, who was in the middle of helping supporters pack up all their extra weapons, paused to watch her captain with adoration oozing from her entire being.

“Ottar,” Finn said when he finally got his laughter under control, peering up at the towering warrior that seemed a bit confused about the situation. “Contrary to what our goddesses and our Familias think, we are not truly enemies.”

“Rivals? Most certainly. Our rivalry is only surpassed by whatever Lady Hera and Lord Zeus had between them. But when it comes down to it, we do not hate each other, or go into every fight with the intention of obliterating the other.”

Finn tapped the map with his spear. “This is our real enemy: the Dungeon, monsters, people who want to drown Orario in darkness and plunge the world back to the age without Gods. Not to mention the Black Dragon is yet living.”

The Braver locked eyes with the King.

“Compared to these, whether the Freya Familia wants to rip us to pieces seems irrelevant. And even if you learned how to best me in a fight, are you a man who would risk our world for a petty squabble, Ottar?”

Ottar was silent for a few moments, then the captain of Freya Familia lowered his head; the biggest gesture of respect he would ever show to anyone other than his goddess.

First Wallenstein, then Deimne, Ottar wondered if he would be surprised by any more members of Loki Familia in the coming days.

“Hedin always hated that you are hailed as the general of Orario without question,” he said, with what almost sounded like amusement if it were anyone else speaking. “but I see that you are worth the title. I will follow your orders for the duration of this battle.”

Finn smiled at the promise. “Much obliged.”

Finn Deimne gave very good speeches, Filvis thought as the crowd around her roared in agreement with whatever the captain of Loki Familia said to them. It was a shame that she couldn’t take in a word he said.

Her double had done all that she could to ease the alliance’s charge, but there were still risks that might cost these adventurers’ lives. Revis, for one; and Barca, another. Hilariously, Nigghog had been labeled a non-issue the moment Ottar joined in; the bomb Eyno had planned to be his ace was swiftly brushed off without further thought.

Since the six demi-spirits couldn’t use much magic without a sacrifice, and all their allied gods were away from Knossos, Filvis now only had to worry about Lefiya.

She didn’t startle when a warm weight pressed closer to her. In this crowd that feared her, only one would approach.

“It will be fine,” Lefiya said, blue eyes filled with determination and faith befitting a newly promoted Level 4 adventurer. Goddess Loki had updated her status this dawn. “We will survive this.”

And I will save you. The words were heard even if the young elf didn’t speak it.

Urged on by the feelings this reckless and gentle creature always managed to evoke in her, Filvis stepped closer to Lefiya and—with every elf in the vicinity gasping—pressed their foreheads together for a brief moment.

“My blade and my magic, my heart and my soul, yours to command and hold,” she whispered the words that were traditionally said by knights before a great battle. “Do you trust me with your life?”

Lefiya replied without hesitation. “Yes.”

(The elves around them were scandalized. Riviera sighed and muttered something about the hastiness of the youth.)

“Then I will bring you glory.” I will bring you victory. “And I will come back to you alive.” And I will ensure you live through this.

Lefiya’s smile was as bright as her magic.

Thanatos was made aware of the attack when the entire maze seemed to shake around them. The identities of the attackers were made clear when a water screen showed Thousand Elf and Nine Hell jamming their staffs into a surveillance orb, then all visuals were lost as their magic shorted out the entire network.

Oh, and there went little Revis, chasing after that flash of the golden Sword Princess.

“I didn’t know they could do that,” the god commented lightly as his followers descended into panic. “Barca, do you know they can do that?”

The last scion of Daedalus stared at the now useless screens, his scowl thunderous. “No.”

“They have six Keys!!!” One woman ran into the control room screaming. “All the doors are open! Dea Saint is neutralizing all our cursed weapons! Thousand Elf can blast through the walls! We can’t hold the line!”

“Armed monsters are coming up from below!” Another one rushed in, white as a sheet and bleeding from several deep gashes on his limbs. “Sir! We are losing!”

With more than twenty followers running around him like headless chickens, Thanatos could almost hear Valleta laughing.

‘Here comes that bastard Braver! We failed to kill him then, and now we are all going to die by his hands! With or without those blasted spirits!’

Faced with the unplacatable chaos, Thanatos had to infuse his words with the fraction of power permitted Below.

“Calm, my children.”

The effect was immediate, the executives quieted down and looked at him with madness and desperation warring in their expressions. Standing on the pedestal his followers carved out for him, the god of death felt what the other deities would call “the weight of responsibility” for the first time since he descended to this realm.

Fighting was not an option here, since first-class adventurers could cut down his children with ease. So, should they flee? Slinking into other parts of the city to regroup and start again? As Thanatos considered these, he couldn’t help but wonder where Eyno was. Shouldn’t the god that started all of this be here, taking care of things when they got ugly?

He searched the room and found Ein lurking in the shadows behind him.

“Where’s your master?” he asked the masked entity. “What is Eyno’s doing that is more important than this city’s fate?”

“My master is…indisposed, he regrets that he could not join us today.” Thanatos raised a brow at this. He detected no lie, but there was something off about the usually stone-cold aide of Eyno. “I was instructed to ensure you are not killed.” Truth, without any subterfuge. Well, at least he had a promise.

“I will honor my agreement with all of you,” he settled on saying to the rest of the room. “Go forth and die well in any way you wish. I shall clear the path for you to be reunited with your beloved.” His children cheered and praised him, then rushed out of the room with a burst of newfound energy, leaving only one man behind.

Thanatos patted Barca’s head when he walked past the man still staring at the black water screens. “You may do whatever you like, Barca, just don’t bring down the entire place before I get out, alright?”

And with that, the god walked into a side passage and beckoned the masked entity to follow. “Come, little Ein, I will require an escort.”

Ein followed without a word.

When Barca’s enhanced hearing caught the faint ‘thump’ that came from the passage, it was already too late for him.

It was very easy to get to the 10th floor when they had the map and the key.

The host of adventurers advanced almost without hindrance, with the might of the Gashesha Familia bolstering their ranks, the remaining Evilus members hardly posed a threat to them. Not three hours into the siege, the six legions cut down the last suicide bomber and reached the hallways leading to the demi-spirits.

It was then one of Finn’s Occulus lit up to deliver good news.

“Thanatos and Barca are dealt with.”

Filvis Challia’s modified voice reported, and Finn was momentarily glad he sent the Hermes Familia on another task. It wouldn’t be ideal if her presence disturbed the allied forces now.

“Good work, keep helping where you can.”

“Received.” Her line went dark, and Finn switched to the orb connected to the other five battalions.

“The way is clear!” This announcement garnered a wave of deafening cheer from the troops. “Now we face our true enemy, the fallen spirits that used to be the heroes’ guidance. But be not afraid!” Finn could almost taste the emotions bubbling around him, the excitement for the upcoming battle, the fear of death, the determination for their victory. He gave these emotions one final push to ignite the adventurers. “We may not be the heroes of old, inscribed in stones and sung after a thousand years have passed, but those legends are no longer here. We are now this city’s heroes! And evil shall never take Orario as long as we stand!”

He raised his spear high. “FORWARD!”

His command was echoed vigorously several times on six different battlefields, and the largest alliance since the Dark Days surged into the corridors like torrents cleaving through a mountain. Nothing could stop their advance.

In another battlefield, Ottar stared up at the pitch-black dragon that occupied most of the roughly carved space. He was slightly surprised by this monster’s size, but the surprise was short-lived as the dragon roared at him.

“You’ll do,” Ottar told the monster.

The entire cavern shook when his first slash struck true.