Just as Yoruichi reaches the girls, panic had already spread among the spectators of the Monsterphilia because some monsters apparently escaped from their cages and were now wreaking havoc among different parts of Orario.
"What's going on?" Sona asked Yoruichi.
But she only shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know." Although she had an idea that this was probably what Kisuke was talking about when he said that Freya was planning something, she didn't say it as it was not really that important, "What do you want to do?" She asked the girls.
Sona looked around before deciding, "Let's go around. Maybe we could help with something."
Yoruichi nodded in agreement, "Good. Let's separate into two groups. Sona, Aika, and I will go to the eastern part while Medusa, Kuroka, and Koneko will go to the opposite side. If you notice something amiss or weird, don't hesitate to contact others using the communication devices Kisuke gave you."
" " " " "Yes!" " " " " Everyone answered enthusiastically before separating into two groups.
Yoruichi, Sona, and Aika jogged around but didn't see any monsters, only some piles of ashes. A few minutes later, they heard a large explosion and immediately went to that side, of course, without revealing their real abilities.
Once they arrived, they saw the Amazon sisters and the Elf Mage of the Loki Familia fighting a monster that looked like a green snake. However, they also noticed that the snake didn't have any orifices and became wary of its other 'heads' that might be lurking around.
Their guess of more 'heads' gained more traction when they suddenly felt a tremor underground that didn't match what is happening on the surface. And just as they expected, another 'head' appeared beside the Elf Mage who was trying to cast magic, "Elf-san! On your right! Watch out!" Aika shouted to the oblivious Elf.
However, her warning was already too late as the Elf wasn't able to dodge and got tackled on her right before flying away and landing on some wooden boxes on the side, coughing blood.
The monster finally fully came out of the ground and revealed its true form which was of multiple giant carnivorous plant monsters. Aika immediately went to the Elf's side to give her some assistance while Sona and Yoruichi chose not to move and watch the situation for now as it seemed that the Amazon sisters were not in any real danger.
Arriving at her side, Aika checked her condition. Although she was in a slight stupor, only a few of her ribs were broken and it wasn't something serious. As the monster was about to bear down on them, Aika took out her nodachi while also grabbing the injured Elf, ready to use Flash Step or counter at any moment.
However, the monster's grotesque mouth suddenly stopped from approaching them and looked towards her companions. Aika did the same and saw that Sona had manifested a ball of water using magic and was observing the monster silently, 'Did she figure something out?'
Aika was about to move away when she felt the wind suddenly getting rustled and a golden-haired girl arrived, severing the monster's head. Aika returned her attention to the Elf who had already woken up from her stupor and started crying.
Even though she didn't know the real reason, Aika could at least tell those were tears of frustration and slapped the poor Elf's back, making her wince in pain, "Ahhh!"
The Elf glared at her with teary eyes but Aika ignored it and just said, "You're hurt, but not dead. It's not like you can't fight anymore just because you're hurt, so stop whining and do something if you want to do so."
At the same moment, Sona shouted towards them, "This monster is attracted to magic! You may use that as leverage!"
Without Aika noticing, Yoruichi already disappeared from Sona's side and arrived next to the struggling Ais, trying to block the monsters' heads that just came out of the ground, "I got the kid." Yoruichi grabbed a little girl from one of the boxes. It turned out that Ais didn't dodge because there was a kid behind her.
Aika turned back to the Elf, "Heard that? Your cue."
The Elf, Lefiya, heard what Sona had just said and understood Aika's words, 'True... I'm hurt. But that doesn't mean I can't fight. I can't hold them back any longer! I have to do my part!'
Standing up with a new resolute face, Lefiya faced Aika and said, "Thank you."
"Don't worry about it. Just finish this thing already. Its mouth is gross."
Lefiya nodded at her and took a deep breath. Deep inside, she was still very much afraid of pain, of death. But she also knew that it couldn't always be the case when everyone else was putting their lives on the line and leaving their backs to her.
Biting her lips, Lefiya psyched herself up by muttering, "I... I am... Lefiya Viridis. An Elf of the Wishe Forest. I swore myself to the Goddess Loki. I am a member of the strongest, proudest Familia!!" Jumping towards an open area, Lefiya started casting her magic.
Since her wand was blown away, she had to use her hands as a catalyst for magic. Raising both of her arms, she started writing in mid-air, leaving a trail of light with her fingertips while singing the incantation along, "I beseech the name of Wishe. Ancestors of the forest, proud brethren. Answer my call and descend on the plains."
"Connecting bonds, the pledge of paradise. Turn the wheel and dance."
"Come, the ring of fairies... Please give me strength. Elf Ring!"
While vast amounts of Mana started gathering on the ring of light around Lefiya, all the plant monsters turned their attention to her. In turn, the Amazon sisters and Ais became free to easily intercept them and gathered around Lefiya to guard her.
"That's..." Sona muttered as Yoruichi and Aika already returned to her side along with one other person, "Elf Ring. As long as the user knows the incantation for the Elf magic, she'll be able to cast it herself. It's the magic that gave her the nickname 'Thousand Elf'." Loki answered, clearing her confusion.
Aika and Sona only glanced at her while Yoruichi didn't even give her an eye and said, "Is it alright for you to tell us that?"
Loki only shrugged her shoulders and said, "It was already public information when the top Familias figured it out. By the way, thanks for assisting them~."
Sona shook her head, "It's nothing. They would have figured it out themselves once they noticed those monster chased after Wallenstein-san. And you would have rescued that little girl yourself even without Yoruichi-san doing anything."
Loki opened her eyes slightly and looked towards Sona, "Oh? You noticed?"
Sona nodded, "Of course. It's my job after all. Only when I'm watching everyone's back can they focus on their task."
"Hoh~. I see. So you're the strategist of your group."
"Compared to others, my abilities are lacking, so that's one of the few things I can do for everyone."
Yoruichi and Aika's hand suddenly dropped on each of Sona's shoulders, "Don't put yourself down, Kaichou~. You're very hardworking, and it won't take long for you to catch up... Although I say this, I'm actually the weakest in our group."
"Aika is right. It's just around the corner that you can discover a new path for yourself."
Sona couldn't help but smile at their words and Loki could only silently watch them, 'Should I expect this in a harem? They're a very tightly knit group."
Editors:
28th00
Alexander
Ashe Candy