A month back. The 27th floor of the Dungeon.
"Ugh…I can’t wait to sleep in." said an exhausted Lyra.
"Yeah. We do need to get out of this floor." said Neze. "After what happened last year, I really don’t wanna stay around as much as I need to."
"You’re talking about the 27th-floor Nightmare?" said Ryuu.
"Yes, I’m talking about that! I was in Rivira when the news happened! The carnage it-it was like if Cirrus went on another bloody—"
"Neze." Kaguya cuts her off. "That’s enough talking about that incident. Please also use another analogy."
"That is the only thing that came to mind when I saw it. I’m sorry." She slightly bowed her head.
"It’s fine but…Haa…As much as I hate to admit this, having Cirrus around would make dealing with the rats that escaped in the turmoil two years agoa lot more easier."
"Lady Astraea did say she didn’t wish for him to come back unless it was of his own volition." said Ryana.
"What do you think, Alise?"
Everyone turned to their captain.
"Mmm…I think we can handle it on our own! I, of course, am a high level 4!"
"So?" said Kaguya. "Me, Ryuu, Neze, Iska, Noin, Asta, and Celty are level 4, and after this expedition, Ryuu is the most likely to level up."
"Yeah, we might as well call her captain!" Lyra said in a teasing tone.
"W-what! I am not fit to-"
"That is right!" Alise cuts Ryuu off. "I! Your perfect and beautiful captain is the only one to lead you all!!"
"…" They all just ignored her.
"Hey come on!! At least say—!?"
"!?"
They all stopped in their tracks. Through the series of passageways on the 27th floor, the sound of adventurers screaming for help reached them.
"Dammit!!" shouted Neze as every one of the Astraea Familia quickly rushed towards the sound. "What did I say! This floor is cursed!!"
They quickly move through the floor's complex passages to the source of the sound, but along the way, they came across several blocked-off pathways.
"Another one." said Kaguya.
"I can smell the Kaenseki in the air the moment we reach this part of the floor." said Neze.
"Evilus…" Ryuu clenched her fists tightly. "It is just like the start of the Great Feud. They laid out a trap we can’t refuse."
"Tch!" Kaguya said. "Everyone! Weapons are at the ready!! We only take the leader!! If they die, we wipe them all out!!"
"Yes!! Captain!!"
"Hey, I’m the captain!!" Alise shouted. "And as your captain, I order you this! If there are victims, save them and escape!! If not, do as Kaguya said!!"
"Yes, vice-captain!!"
"I’m going to eat all your desserts when we come back!! Now let’s move out!!"
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They all carried out their duties with their weapons and the mindset that this was going to be an ambush.
When they finally reached the source of the sound, they entered a very open area with several elevated places. Then, there were only two people, one a human who was very bloody and the other a Cat Person who was in a much better condition. Both were, from what they could see, knocked out.
The Astraea Familia moved with great caution, keeping an eye on the surroundings as they approached the two people.
"Psst! Hey, are you alright?" Alise whispered, slightly poking the Cat Person.
"H-huh?-!" The moment the Cat Person opened his eyes and looked at the Astraea Familia, his eyes widen. "PLEASE HELP!! EVILUS CAPTURED US!!"
Instantly from the elevated places, Evilus appeared from the shadows.
"Well, well, well look what we have here?" Out from one of the elevated places came out a tall, dark-haired man with burn marks on the side of his face.
The Astraea Familia instantly knew who he was.
"Shri Rudram!! Level 5 Captain of the Rudra Familia!!" shouted Alise. "So you were part of Evilus!!"
"I’m very touched. You know me?" He jumped down to their level. "Kill them!! We will parade their bodies to the city!!!"
"Ryuu take the two and—"
"—Stab!!"
"!?"
The most injured one had stabbed Alise on her right side as she was trying to untie them.
"You bastard!!!" Kaguya sliced off his head and cut off the ties.
"Ryuu!! Take him and go!! You are the fastest of all of us!! Go to Rivira and bring help! Now!!!"
"What about-"
"Don’t fucking question back!!" Alise yelled as she applied a potion to her wound. "Go!! Now!! Everyone else cut them all down!!! I will deal with their captain!!!"
"Yes!!!" They all shouted.
"I will be back!!" She picked up the Cat Person and quickly ran like the wind.
"No, you don’t!! Set them off!!!" Shri ordered.
Boom!!!
Boom!!!
They remotely detonated the Kaenseki over the path the Astraea Family took.
Ryu began to run even faster as she began to chant.
"(In the sky of a now distant forest. Infinite stars scattered in the endless night sky. Respond to my foolish voice, give me now divine protection of star fire. Give the mercy of light to the one that abandoned you. Come, wandering wind, the wandering traveler. Cross the sky and run through the wilderness, run faster than anything else. Imbue the light of stardust and destroy the enemy.)!! [Luminous Wind]!!"
Her magic destroyed the falling debris, allowing her to escape.
As she runs, the sounds of battle slowly fade away.
"Grr!! I’ll be back!!"