Please read the author's notes. (Examples and explanation of moves and appearance+ Monster Sources)
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CHAPTER START------
---Day 4 of Yang's training on floor 18, Dungeon, Floor 27, Loki Familia Main Team...
A group of adventurers could be seen resting on the shore of a large lake drying off at a fire. They were thoroughly soaked and some were talking this change to check their gear whilst others made a fire to dry off that much faster.
Finn: "That could have gone badly, good move back there Bete."
Bete: "Thanks, that thing is always annoying."
Riveria: "Yes well fighting a hydra is annoying much less in water, we managed to get away unharmed at least."
Tiona: "Stupid thing almost drowned me, ugh I hate fighting in water."
Tione: "Yeah same here. These floors are always annoying."
Lefiya: "At least the Boss monster didn't show up so we just need to rest quickly and move. Honestly, I wish we could all just walk on water, if we can stand out there then Ais can just cut it up."
Tione: "Yeah well too bad your boyfriend isn't here."
Lefiya: "Mmm, he isn't my boyfriend."
Tione: "Sure sure."
Finn: "Focus on drying and checking your gear, I'd rather not stay on the shores of this lake. Everything down here is stronger so far so we need to move, not to mention we don't know what new monsters are down there and if someone gets dragged in, well, there isn't much we can do without skills down there. Besides, we've wasted far too long here, 4 days, and we aren't even done with floor 27."
Hearing these words from their leader everyone took a few steps away from the shore and moved closer to the fire to dry off and continue their journey.
---Sword Smithing City Zolingham...
Throughout the streets of this large city, many people could be seen walking the crowded streets. As the preoccupied citizens and adventurers alike were shopping they were blissfully unaware of the young woman hiding in the alleyway with a cloak covering her body and a hood converting her head. This person's red hair could be seen peeking out of their hood as their tanned hands were nervously interlocked. Across the street, a group of large men can be seen knocking on the door of a 2-floor smiths shop. The sign above the door had, in bold letters 'Thalie's forge'.
Moments after the men received no answer they quickly broke down the door and proceeded to sack the building. Some of the people walking the streets stopped to wonder what was going on but nobody intervened as it wasn't their business.
Across the street, in the alley, the young woman quickly turned around and walked away as she lifts her hand to her mouth and the small black and gold ring subtly glows as the Hephaestus familia crest shines dimly.
The person lifts the ring to her mouth and begins to speak.
?????: "Hephaestus, I need help. I'm trapped in the city and can't get out, they want 'IT'. What should I do?"
Hephaestus: "Calm down Thalie, do you think you can get it out of the city on your own, or do you need help?"
Thalie: "Moving the core is easy but the rest of it, not alone. I still need to wait a few days for the last piece but I won't be able to get past the walls alone."
Hephaestus: "How long?"
Thalie: "13 days and I'll have them, can you send help?"
Hephaestus: "Of course, just, wait somewhere quiet, and keep your message ring on standby. I think I have a way to get you out without a fight. Do they know you work for me?"
Thalie: "No, nobody knows, I really hope this item is worth it."
Hephaestus: "It's the only idea I have to solve a personal problem, just stay safe above everything else."
Thalie: "Yes Hephaestus, please keep me informed."
Hephaestus: "Don't worry Thalie, help will be on the way soon."
Thalie: "Yeah I hope so."
The woman quickly leaves the alley and disappears into the crowds of another street as she walks into the city.
---Dungeon, Floor 18, Town of Rivira...
At the town of Rivira, which is set atop a sheer cliff, small groups of people could be seen gathered at the edge of the cliff overwatching the lake. Some had their gear set aside whilst others were sitting and resting after the journey to the 18th floor from the lower or upper floors. The main attraction as it had been for the past few nights would be the large torrents of flames firing above the far shore of the lake. Eventually, wind and lightning could be seen being fired off the same way or in other patterns.
During the day small pillars of stone would be erected in the water and jets of water would slowly carve through the pillars repeatedly. By now the antics of Yang's training on the far shore had gathered quite a few audiences as everyone had seen either intentional or not, witnessed the effects of his magic.
One individual however decided to get a closer look. Camping closer towards Yang's training site was a young man with an athletic build and cat ears, with his bowstrung on his back as he looked through his spyglass and wrote in his book at his side whenever he noticed anything particularly interesting. On the chest of his breastplate, the sigil of the Freya familia could be seen as the man closed his book to rest as the night was getting late. 'The goddess will love this, no wonder they call him Elementalist' the man thought as he entered his tent and went to bed, preparing to venture to the surface the next morning.
---The city of Orario, Hephaestus's Office...
Hephaestus: "Tsubaki, how long would you say it takes to get to the sword city where Thalie is?"
Tsubaki: "Uh, why do you ask, something wrong?"
Hephaestus: "I asked Thalie to acquire some, items, to make a potion for me. Some complications occurred and she needs backup but I'd rather not send anyone who would start a fight. So what do you think?"
Tsubaki: "Hmm, walking, at least 1 week. By cart maybe a week and a day or 2. But there is a faster way."
Hephaestus: "Hmm?"
Tsubaki: "Well, if one could fly, like a certain individual we know."
Hephaestus: "Hmmm, that's not a bad idea. I think that's our best bet, if, subtlety was possible from him. Clearly, it's not. I'd rather you form a quiet team and head over to Thalie immediately. you know the drill. Keep your message ring on hand and don't let anyone identify you. Stay hidden and covered. Use lower-ranking members of our familia so they won't be recognized but avoid fighting unless you absolutely don't have a choice."
Tsubaki: "I'll be gone for a while, do you think there will be any trouble here." Tsubaki gives Hephaestus a wary glance
Hephaestus: "Unless I read 'Him' wrong, he should run right back into the dungeon excited at the thought of getting his gear. That should keep him out of that woman's reach at least until you get back. Worst case scenario is she tries some underhanded nonsense and Uranos has to step in or the threat of being banned from my forges puts her in her place. If she decides to start a war, however, Ottar will be a problem. But she is smarter than biting the hand that arms her."
Tsubaki: "I'll be as quick as I can." Tsubaki quietly notices the message ring on her finger. "Maybe you should give him one of these Hephaestus."
Hephaestus: "Hmmm, you know these only communicate in pairs and cost quite a bit of valis to make Tsubaki. Giving one to a level 3 can raise eyebrows."
Tsubaki: "At the rate that he's going, doubt he'll be level 3 for long anyway. Besides if she tries anything it's best to have it and not need it as they say."
Hephaestus: "Mm, alright just keep your ring on standby when you leave, I'll also have to give you Thalie's so you can communicate with her. Get prepared to leave immediately and come see me to collect her ring(Ring Hephaestus has that is linked to Thalie's). I'm gonna ask her some more questions while you prepare."
Tsubaki: "Alright Hephaestus I'll go get ready." she says while leaving the room.
Hephaestus: "Hmm, if people see him with a message ring they might definitely target him. Ugh, whatever he's already brought the spotlight himself so it shouldn't change much, he really is such a headache, can't say it hasn't been paying off at least."
END CHAPTER---