The sun neared its apex in the sky as Shay walked down West Main street. He had been sparring with Van for the past few hours, since neither were allowed to formally partake in Folkvangr's daily combat due to being the familia's elites. The reasoning behind this rule was so that Freya familia's members would never see their superiors fall, but in Shay's opinion it just weakened the familia's strength. Most of the familia's elites had been at their Level for several years, since the only way for them to Level up was through significant challenge, and the only way for them to find that outside of Folkvangr was usually in an inefficient trip to the Dungeon.
Speaking of Freya familia's missteps, they had just been punished by the Guild for their assault on Ishtar familia, and the subsequent destruction of the Pleasure District. The familia had paid a large fine, and had been warned to avoid causing issues for a while under the threat of further sanctions.
In the month and a half since that incident, Haruhime had adjusted to her new familia, with Shay and the rest of Také familia catching up with her at Také's landing celebration. This celebration commemorated the anniversary of Také's arrival on Gekai, and at it Haruhime had a chance to recover lost bonds and hear about everyone's adventures. Towards the end of the event however, Shay overheard some rather disappointing news. Apparently the renard was disheartened because it had somehow become obvious that Bell was completely infatuated with another woman. It was soon suggested that Shay invite the boy to his usual trips to Maria's orphanage, where he was able to tease out that this woman was most likely none other than the Sword Princess.
This new routine also helped Shay keep an eye on the boy, as he wasn't sure when or how Freya would make her move. As Shay tried to puzzle through his options should his Goddess try something, the Sixth Orario Invasion began, which was a recurring and mostly pathetic invasion attempt by the kingdom of Rakia. As a Freya familia elite Shay would usually be asked to participate, but in the interest of efficiency only a couple of Freya's elites were sent to the battlefield.
As he remembered Ottarl's sudden trip to the Deep Levels in order to fight Udaeus, Shay thought he needed to find himself a rival. Just as he was thinking that, he was brought back to the real world by the clanging of the city's warning bells, followed by the panicked voice of a female announcer.
"—Emergency! Emergency! Attention all familias residing in Orario! The Guild will soon issue a mission!"
The common people stopping on the street, Shay ducked into an alley before jumping onto the nearest roof in order to check his surroundings. Not seeing anything obviously out of place, he wondered what could be happening.
No way Freya did something, right…?
"Monsters equipped with armor and weapons have destroyed Rivira on the eighteenth floor of the Dungeon! Large numbers of them have been confirmed to be on the move!"
…! Armor and weapons? …Large numbers!? What the hell kind of Irregular is that?
Shay had been involved with the worst Irregular in recent memory, but he was still shaken to the core at this unbelievable news. The Bloodstained Troll was just a single monster with a weapon, and it had claimed the lives of an untold multitude of adventurers before crippling his own teammate. Imagining what could come of 'large numbers' of these such monsters was enough to send chills down his spine.
"The Guild is ordering the immediate deployment of all available adventurers to exterminate—What? A-are you certain?...U-understood."
What…! Why did they stop her!?
There was clearly something amiss. If the monsters had taken over Rivira, there was almost nothing in the way of a stronghold to prevent them from rushing through the Upper Levels and emerging straight onto the surface. Failing to send adventurers to hold them back was basically calling for the destruction of the city.
"All citizens, including adventurers, are hereby forbidden from entering the Dungeon! The Guild will contact familias directly. Please stand by at your respective homes! Once again, all citizens and adventurers are forbidden from entering the Dungeon!"
With this, Shay's thoughts were sent spinning. Were the monsters organized? Was it like that tamer? What does the Guild know? No matter where his thoughts took him, it was clear that the city was in the midst of a massive Irregular, the likes of which had never been seen before.
~
Having returned to Folkvangr to ask his Goddess's opinion, Shay was walking the massive fields where his blood had been spilled countless times. The fields were strangely peaceful, the combat having stopped due to Freya putting the familia on standby as per the Guild's orders. As he admired the beautiful rings of flowers, Shay's First Tier senses allowed him to pick up on a distant scream of panic coming from the northeast, probably halfway across the city.
Is that around Daedalus Street? But…
Recognizing that Freya familia would certainly be punished again if he disobeyed the Guild's orders to stay put, Shay ran up to his room before changing out of his battle cloth and into common clothes. Pairing the clothes with a cheap hood, Shay was hoping to avoid getting recognized, choosing to rely on plausible deniability if necessary. Apologizing to the Goddess in his head Shay rushed past the gates, jumping from rooftop to rooftop in the direction of the scream.
Following the sound of a substantial impact to Daedalus Street, Shay was faced with an impossible scene. Having to do a double take, he looked on in shock as Bell stood in front of a wounded vouivre, seemingly protecting it. The serpentine, dragon-like monster was struggling halfway through a building, its hand pinned down by a gold tipped spear as it watched the boy's back.
Gazing down on them was the owner of the spear, Finn Deimne, surrounded on either side by the elites of Loki familia. Wondering what exactly was going on, Shay noticed the desperate look on Bell's face.
How does he always get himself into these situations…and what is he doing…?
Reminded of Bell's heroic visage facing down the Berbera to save Haruhime, Shay couldn't reconcile the boy in front of him with his past self. As the boy raised his hand to the sky, Shay's mind was sent reeling.
"FIREBOLT!"
The townspeople covering their ears and shrinking away, every pair of eyes was fixated on that white haired boy. After a moment, Bell confirmed his intent with eyes that searched desperately for a way out.
"...this… This one's mine! …I saw it first, so…hands off!"
He's really protecting it…! That monster… Why is he saving it…!?
Unbelievably perplexed by the boy's actions, Shay's mind went back to a scene from his favorite collection of ancient stories, the Tales of Berk. Written by the lesser poet Hiccup, his favorite tale was about a warrior taming a dragon. The scene in front of Shay was a mirror image of one from the story, the hero protecting a dragon from certain death.
Bell's arm still up to ward off anyone who would dare approach, the vouivre began to struggle violently. Ripping the spear out of its flesh, the monster let out a scream before rushing past its protector, heading into the twisted alleyways of Daedalus Street as the boy sprinted to follow. Wondering what he should do as Loki familia made to pursue them, Shay thought of the trust he'd put in the boy. Concluding that there must be a good reason for his actions, Shay resolved to catch up to the rampaging monster and somehow delay Loki familia.
—OOOOOOOOOOooooo!
As he began to move, a massive roar erupted out of the sewers, an entourage of at least 20 armed monsters rapidly rushing out onto the street. The monsters seemed much more capable than normal ones, moving as a group and holding their weapons like a moderately trained militia.
They're blocking Loki familia?
His head spinning at the indecipherable turn of events, Shay rushed to keep the new arrivals away from civilians.
I'll have to leave Bell to it for now! So much for plausible deniability…!
As Shay used his kunai to parry the greataxe swipe of an armored goblin, he was utterly shocked by its strength and speed.
This goblin… is around Level Four!?
Parrying once again as the red-capped goblin swung its almost comically large weapon in a sweeping arc, Shay stepped in and landed a kick to the back of its neck, incapacitating it. Noticing the subtle glow of magic, Shay looked up to see a large transparent dome of magic energy. Standing atop a building to his west, Loki familia's high elf poured her mind into the barrier as she noticed the hooded adventurer tearing through the battlefield.
His senses suddenly assaulted by a terrible screeching noise, Shay looked up to see a siren flying above the crowd, unleashing sonic attacks on the adventurers below. As his head started to spin Shay pushed through it, jumping to build momentum and launching himself off the side of a building towards the wailing siren. Reacting at the last moment to the human projectile, the wide eyed siren ducked just barely out of Shay's reach.
Ah, damn! I could only bring kunai in these clothes…!
Cursing his lack of reach, Shay soared in a high arc before landing on a far away rooftop, using his Dexterity to land delicately enough to not break his footing. His target now weary of attack, he leapt between rooftops before disappearing into the complicated alleyways characteristic of Daedalus Street. Emerging ninety degrees to the side he leapt up once again, this time with significantly more speed due to the run up. Unable to get completely out of the way of the Level Five projectile a second time, the siren squealed as it took a kick to the side, slamming down into the street as Shay landed on top of it.
This one's even stronger…!
That kick would've knocked out nearly anything below Shay's own Level, but the siren was still able to resist, albeit weakly. His opponent pinned under his leg, Shay was now able to get a good look at the monster.
It's… pretty? Wait, don't tell me this is why Bell saved that vouivre…
Though its face had been smeared with blood, its feminine features were still obvious from this distance. With symmetrical features and eyes more blue than Shay's own, the face would have been quite stunning on a human body. Looking up at her attacker the siren's eyes seemed sad, almost as if she wanted to plead with him. Perplexed by the strange development, Shay was caught off guard by a loud roar, funneled at him through the narrow alleyway.
Bringing his guard up just in time to block the swipe of stone claws, Shay was knocked into a nearby building, breaking through the wall with his back as he got a better look at his attacker through the debris. The owner of the claws was an ash gray gargoyle, usually found in the Deep Levels and around Level Five. Cursing his luck at the second flying opponent, Shay watched the gargoyle as it put itself between him and the siren.
It's protecting her? There's definitely something up with these things…!
His eyes widening as the gargoyle turned and picked up the injured siren, Shay felt a pang of guilt. Shaking it off as the gargoyle flew high into the air, he gave chase while they tried to regroup with the rest of the monsters. As they arrived at the main battle, Shay was hit with yet another surprise.
The citizens having finally evacuated, Loki familia had finished subduing most of the Irregular monsters. Just as they turned their sights on the newly arrived gargoyle, Shay felt a burst of magic energy before a rumbling began in the ground. Magical white light seeping from an alleyway, the rumbling reached a crescendo before ceasing abruptly. Everyone's eyes on that alleyway, a massive creature emerged, its body a deep, shiny black.
Is that a mutated obsidian soldier? …No, a golem!?
Briefly confusing the new arrival for another kind of monster, Shay realized it was a type of magic apparatus that must've been summoned somehow. Wondering who would have the insane magic expertise necessary to support the monsters in this way, Shay watched as Tiona, Loki familia's flat chested Amazon berserker, perked up.
"—Oh-ho-ho! That's what I'm talkin' about!"
Rushing towards the magically animated mass of shining black metal, Tiona leaped high into the air as her familia watched nervously. Twirling her massive double bladed sword like it was nothing as she spun wildly, she flashed a brilliantly innocent smile.
"Here I come!"
Bringing the weapon she'd named Urga down with all the momentum she could muster, she slashed straight through the three meder tall golem, landing beneath it as her weapon wedged itself into the cobblestone paving.
"You idiot! The captain said to take them alive!"
"...Ah."
Her sister's reminder hitting her like a lightning bolt, Tiona stood rooted to the spot. As the golem crumpled to the ground before them, Shay was slightly disappointed that the incredible magic had been defeated by pure, berserker instinct. Not having time to grieve the loss of the incredible device, a low rumbling began to dominate the air. Rising in volume to a piercing roar, Shay felt a paralyzing fear take root in his gut.
—oooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo!
Everybody immediately stopped their fighting, all eyes trying to find the source of the massive howl. The rhythmic thudding of the large footfalls that followed were enough to strike fear into the hearts of everybody present. Reminded of the Bull Spirit, Shay quickly jumped to a nearby roof in an attempt to spot the incoming threat. Emerging from the smoke of an earlier clash, the new arrival walked with purpose onto the scene.
Nearly as large as the earlier golem, the monster looked to be something between a minotaur and a black rhino subspecies. With skin so black it must've come from the Dungeon's deepest recesses and muscles bulging menacingly in the spaces between its stolen full plate armor, the beast looked to Shay like a pure blooded warrior. With one massive axe in its hand and another on its back, the red horned minotaur roared with all its might.
The lower Level fighters of Loki familia immediately crumpled to the ground, with most of the second string members needing to lean on their swords for support. The wave of pure fear that the roar inspired left only the worthy still standing on the Bull's battlefield.
That's insane…!
Somewhat reeling as well, Shay watched as the bull charged forward, its head down as it barreled down on a determined Tione. Finn yelled at her to dodge and she obeyed at the last second, catching a glancing blow and being sent across the battlefield and into the side of a building. Blanching at the speed and might of the new enemy, Shay estimated that it was likely around Level Seven.
Okay, we're gonna have to work together on this one…!
Removing his hood, Shay jumped down in front of the Bull at the same time as Tiona and Bete. Tiona's eyes lit up for a brief second as she exclaimed in surprise, while Bete commented on Shay's lack of combat gear and also fashion sense. Teaming up as the Bull stared them down Tiona rushed in with her Urga, getting parried by the Bull's horns as Bete struck the back of the minotaur's leg to take it off balance for Shay's strike. With the minotaur somewhat occupied Shay rushed in with his kunai, opening up a small gash on its side as his weapon snapped.
"Why am I the damage dealer here!?"
Yelling at his teammates as he barely dodged a retaliatory swipe of the Bull's greataxe, Shay got about the response he was expecting.
"Cause our dumbass Amazon just rushed in, that's why!"
"Hey!"
Keeping his use of magic to a minimum since he had no potions on him, Shay was able to somewhat keep up with the high Level fight while providing support. Their teamwork gradually improving, the three adventurers were able to get a few hits in, with Bete able to take off some of the Bull's armor and Tiona slashing deep into its arm. Tione soon getting back into the fight, the four adventurers were beginning to put their opponent on the back foot. Staying back and providing support, Shay was tasked with keeping a complete overview of the battle. Because of this, he was the first to notice the change in the Bull's demeanor.
Is it…smiling?
The corners of its mouth raised seemingly in excitement, the Bull looked like one of the Einherjar relishing in an especially difficult challenge. Raising its arm to the second greataxe on its back as the adventurers regrouped, the Bull roared to the heavens once again. As he watched the monster raise the golden weapon aloft, Shay realized too late that it was a magic weapon. Bete reaching the same conclusion, the two charged in front of the Amazons as a thin sheath of bright yellow lightning began to form around the weapon.
I have to absorb it…!
~
As the white-blue hue of Shay's enchantment prepared to take on the burgeoning bright yellow, a strange sound invaded the space. Assaulted by what sounded like a chorus of panicked whistling, he felt like the sound was reverberating directly inside of his head.
…Is that the lightning?
Never having heard a sound like that before, Shay's instincts screamed at him as the whistling grew in intensity. Reflecting in all directions off the complex layout of Daedalus Street, it was nearly impossible to find the sound's direction. The sound rising in pitch as the minotaur prepared to swing down its blade of lightning at the group, Shay put his enchantment on full blast as the whistling reached a crescendo.
For a brief moment as his vision spun, Shay was confused as his left arm began to burn.
Ah…! …W-what the hell…!? From the side!?
Crashing through a wall as he realized he'd been struck by something else, Shay noticed the left side of his shirt was on fire. Laying on his back in the rubble of someone's home, Shay forced open his eyes and was awestruck at the sight before them. The golden magic weapon seemed to be pulling thunder down from the heavens, and squinting at the flashing clouds above Shay began to make out a terrifying silhouette.
In front of the sporadic flickering of the clouds, Shay was able to make out a pair of wide, bat-like wings. As the minotaur's attack finally landed, Shay's vision went white as he protected himself using his enchantment. As the flash subsided amid the cacophony of thunder and screams, Shay forced his eyes open once again, just in time to see a pitch black, bat-winged dragon diving straight towards him like an arrow of the night.
Bracing himself as he struggled to recover, the adventurer was reminded of his first encounter with a wyvern. This time was far more terrifying. Realizing he wouldn't escape in time, Shay put everything he could into Defense in the moment before they collided.
Pouncing on him at an angle like a terrifying, eight meder long supersonic cat, the monster drove Shay through a few more buildings as they slid along the ground. Hoping to the Gods that Daedalus Street had been evacuated, Shay looked up at the dragon, his bare back now leaving blood on the pavement as the beast roared in what could only be described as raw fury.
Flapping its thin, bat-like wings the monster added speed as it continued dragging Shay through Daedalus Street. The beast's four claws digging into his skin, Shay struggled to push himself off the ground in a desperate attempt to spare the city. Roaring in response, the dragon flapped its wings as the pair were yanked skyward. Blanching at the sight of the ground rapidly falling away from him, Shay marveled at the gash they had left in the city.
T-this thing! It's even faster than the minotaur!?
With the intention of avoiding a Mind Down, Shay had limited his use of magic in the battle against the minotaur. Being carried over a kirlo into the air in only a moment, Shay realized he would not have that luxury any longer. Briefly releasing his Defense as he concentrated his magic into his palm, he unleashed an Ignis Fatuus into the claws holding him. Flying backwards away from the beast as the smoke cleared instantly due to their speed, Shay tumbled through the air before calling upon his ice magic to stabilize himself. In the moment where he hopped off the first ice floe, Shay finally was able to get a good look at his attacker.
…!?
Shay was awestruck. Staring into his soul as it flapped its menacing wings, the dragon before him was the spitting image of the Night Fury from the Tales of Berk. With black skin and blacker, marble-like scales, the beast was almost exactly as his younger self had imagined. Its tail ending in a smaller pair of wings and its underside equipped with four menacingly clawed legs, Shay recognized his opponent as a true dragon, ripped straight from the pages of an Oratoria. With green, catlike eyes that somewhat reminded him of Chloe, the eight meder beast returned his gaze, seemingly intrigued by his mid-air capabilities. The distinguishing feature of the monster's green eyes was that they were warped into vertical slits, emanating the aura of a predator solely focused on its prey.
As it roared again, Shay sensed it building up magic energy in its jaws. A purple glow emanating from inside the beast outlining its rows of intimidating teeth, he prepared to dodge with Deucalion. Changing his mind at the last moment, he formed the ice into a shield in front of him. The purple glow shooting out of the dragon's mouth with a whistling burst, Shay focused his enchantment on Defense as the ice shattered. The plasma dispersing in the cloud of ice and snow, he was enveloped by its searing heat as the force sent him spiraling through the air.
Damn…! No wonder it burned me the first time!
Deducing that this had been the attack that blindsided him earlier, Shay stabilized himself once again, evaluating his options as he put out his smoldering clothes.
This thing must be at least Level Seven, maybe closer to eight since it can fly… What the hell should I do!?
As the beast tucked its wings in diving towards Shay with the force of a meteor, the unnerved adventurer used Deucalion to narrowly dodge the beast before jumping between two more ice floes, chasing it down as it banked with incredible agility. His fatigue already building, Shay realized he had no choice.
I'm on a time limit, I need to pressure it…!
The magically reinforced ice breaking under the pressure of Shay's steps, a jagged streak of lightning flashed through the sky as he rapidly zigzagged towards the turning dragon. Coming up on its back as he formed a spear of ice, Shay sent his enchantment to the spear, throwing it with all the speed he could muster as the beast looked back at him. Opening its wings as wide as possible, the dragon killed its speed as quickly as it could, tendrils of lightning licking its wings as the spear passed by it with a crack.
Shit! I'm running out of Mind fast! Fighting on the ground would be easier, but then the city would be in danger…!
Having used his magic quite a bit already, Shay continued towards the beast as it turned to intercept the bounding adventurer. Opening its jaws in an intimidating roar, the beast watched as Shay's white-blue lightning came back to life, the adventurer aiming his fingers out towards the beast as he closed the last few meders.
Green eyes widening as lightning shot out from the adventurer's hand, Shay rejoiced as his magic enveloped the beast. Twitching as they made contact, the dragon roared as Shay thrust a lightning-coated hand towards its face.
I've gotta hit a weak spot…!
Aiming for the beast's right eye, Shay thrust his arm forward as he bet everything on his Strength. Focused on the strike, Shay failed to notice a critical detail until it was too late.
N-no way…!
The lightning still dancing across its scales, the beast moved its head freely upwards, opening its jaws and clamping down on Shay's arm.
"Ahhh!"
Exclaiming more in panic than in pain given the adrenaline in his system, Shay had the image of those green eyes burned into his memory as he unleashed a panicked Ignis Fatuus inside its mouth. The beast holding on for a moment as its prey struggled, Shay felt a sharp tug, teeth tearing through bone and sinew as his eyes widened.
Feeling the beast's claws digging into his chest as they pushed him away Shay was in shock as he tumbled, a trail of blood flowing through the sky as his opponent looked down on him like the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself.