Chapter 230 – Activation

----------

---No other differences other than the dungeon locater being added. Just showing it for the sake of showing it, I guess.

https://i.ibb.co/Y2JJF4c/Maladonia-v3.jpg

----------

[]

Literally the second we're about to enter the dungeon housing the Gods we aim to kill; Aesa comes out with something like this!? Talk about picking a moment!

All eight of us were already prepared for what's inside the little brick structure and unexpectedly like with how dungeons normally work, the wasn't anything outside or inside the entrance. It literally is just a single fountain. Do you really want to hear about the fact I audibly sighed when seeing this poxy thing and Zeki scoffed? You've seen enough moaning for a lifetime by this point… and more now apparently.

"Really Aesa? Couldn't this have been done at a better time? Sorry everyone, but we'll have to wait a minute"

Saying that out loud purposely to get a reaction, only Zeki really seems to care about being delayed a little longer. It's not like we'd have enjoyed what's on the other side of this fountain anyways, put it off as long as possible since all fountains are terrible. Like father's wyvern hatred, I'm going to become a fountain racist! All those damn fountains coming over and stealing our jobs, they can fuck right off. Beight serious though, we don't have the greatest of luck when it comes to these things.

"Erk, is your voice trying to make us wait even longer orangey!? Let's get to the stabbing! We've spent enough time doing this shit already!"

[]

As much as that last suggestion 'fixed' the other system voices, by fixed I mean I gave Petra something she can't be trusted with, should we really be listening to those lot? It's not like the last ability was that great anyways… even though I'm all for looking after the phoenix fam.

'Why are they even helping me anyways? They're not expecting something in return, right?"

I mean, what would beings of immense power want anyways? I doubt there's anything I can give them… it's not a matter of them wanting a little phoenix booty, is it? That's a thought that needs to be buried.

[]

Already knowing Aesa is trying to keep the conversation short, I'm not going to bother asking more than needed. Everyone has already sat down and expects us to take a while, I'd say it's rude if Petra didn't take a seat first. She's knows how long it can take getting through to the robotic wife and with my constant internal monologuing… see? I recognize what I'm doing… bet I'm boring the life out of you right now, ain't I?

[]

'Then let's get this done with and move on then. Time's a ticking Aesa'

As much as it may sound like I'm annoyed, being able to double my stats past the limit is definitely appealing, just unfortunately it had to come right at the time we're about to dungeon delve. Oh well, better late than never I suppose. I really would be pissed if I were about to cut down Zeus and then Aesa chimes in with 'user needs to purchase ability immediately'.

[Name: Ikarus | Species: Phoenix (Demon Lord) | Level: 1000]

[Health 166,666/166,666]

[Stamina 164,902/166,666]

[Magicka 166,666/166,666]

[You currently have 50001 unassigned points]

[]

And so, it's now time to take a drink. Wish us luck? We should be alright considering this crystal thing I have hanging from my neck, but you never know with phoenix hating hags like that.

Taking the lead like usual, I'm the first to take a handful of the fountain fluid, swallowing it all and not letting a sip go to waste… I know exactly what I'm doing so don't ask. The liquid has an off white colour and I can't help myself but making sure to guzzle it down quickly, making sure not to spit but swallow… I'm done, I'm done.

The other's quickly follow suit and indulge in the fountain water, now we all await to fall into the endless slumber that happens with these places. Unless it's broken or completed, we'll be entering any second now…

"See you on the other side Petra… love ya"

"Heh, you too Ikarus. Love you too"

(Asmodeus) "Heh, any final words brother?"

(Dermakvar) "Hmph… don't get in my way"

'Right, father's dragon body was too big to fit into this small building'

(Charlotte) "Nat… please know that meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me"

(Nathan) "Please don't do that Lotte. We're all going to be fine, aren't we?"

"Erk… when we get inside, stay behind me brother… just to be safe. I'll kill you myself if you get killed again"

"Uh huh Zeki… you're such a tsundere at times"

…

We wait… and wait, then wait a little more. But no amount of waiting will put our sorry hides in the final dungeon.

(Ikarus) "Erm… da fuck? Is this one completed then?"

(Petra) "Definitely feel like it's done something but not sure on what"

(Zeki) "Erk, we just had to get another shithole! Even though they suck ass, at least those other places actually worked!"

(Ariza) "Uh… are we sure it's not working? Maybe waiting a little longer might help?"

(Charlotte) "You've been dungeon diving as well, Ariza-sama. It's never taken this long before"

(Nathan) "We should all still stay alert… just in case"

(Asmodeus) "Heh, don't start looking to me. Even I don't have the answers for when an absorption portal refuses to work"

All of us look annoyed or concerned when absolutely nothing happens, even waiting over ten minutes does nothing. No drowsiness or restoration effect, I really have no idea how the others are feeling anything because I feel the exact same… annoyed. And no, this isn't when I start to feel lightheaded proving we're all impatient.

…

See? We're still here and I'm getting bored now. Strangely enough, the only person among us who isn't looking bored or confused is our resident edge lord, aka father. That human form has always suited him after all.

(Dermakvar) "Hmph… sometimes I forget all of you haven't experienced all I have. I've seen something like this once before, oddly enough on my first encounter with the yellow bird. This irritating place is working, just you need to look at it through a different lens. Follow me outside and you'll see"

Following the old dinosaur, we all head back outside to the land of the dinosaur ribcage and expect absolutely nothing. You should always set your expectations low because everything can be good if you let it be so. Pointless life advice for ya, I guess.

'Just… wow. How the hell is this supposed to work? The fountains are supposed to be similar to portals… we're technically in the same place, right Aesa?'

[]

'Right…'

Ahead and all around us, an Olympian city stands proud, hidden within the gigantic ribcage that surrounds our every direction. I'm exaggerating when I say proud though, this city is as ruined as the residential district back in Olympus. Huh… that's strange. That building we entered appears to have turned into a skull as well.

----------

---Just imagine gigantic ribs in the background of both images because AI isn't perfect and I suck at editing.

https://i.ibb.co/sHh82NS/Greek-Ribcage.png

----------

For the most part, the surroundings look the exact same if you remove the newly added ruins. Guess father was right about the fountain working, it's just we're now in a carbon copy of the place we we're just in. Something does feels a little off though, like we're not in the right time or something? That doesn't make sense Ikarus… how can we not be in the right time?

(Dermakvar) "Hmph, figures. Even when coming down here, we still can't escape these accursed buildings"

(Ikarus) "So, this is it then. All we have to do is fin-"

"Intruders! It's them, the malakas who dared to defy the all-powerful Gods and their rulership!"

It takes not even a minute before a patrol of Olympian Gods discovers us. Surprisingly, all of them are unknown to us. I heard malaka and my mind went instantly to Plutus… I wonder what he's up to now?

Putting my wondering mind aside, all of us get ready to strike down the fleeing scouts and it just so happens father is able to get there first. He's destroyed the clothes he was wearing in the process of changing form but damn, the dragon speed can't be beaten.

"Yeah yeah dinosaur, shut up and let's deal with them quickly. We're really in the hornet's nest here"

Crashing into them like a bat out of hell, heh, I'm here to back him up by slashing at the few knocked over but not crushed. His tendency of going full battering ram on our foes definitely provide a different style of battling, I must say I do worry for his old bones, but my father still can't hide that grin when he gets to act like a bowling ball. Guess we've all got that inner child within us.

"What's going on over here… that shouting wasn't false, we're under attack!"

"Surround and subdue them until the leaders arrive! That way, we can garner favour and maybe receive a promotion!"

"Bring them down! Start with the dragon or we'll end up in right trouble"

Unfortunately, any attempt of remaining undiscovered falters and an even bigger group of Gods notices the disturbance. The place might as well light up with all the attention we're getting.

Before we even get the chance to acknowledge what's going on, another group appears behind some rocks and some more pops out of that destroyed temple with the skeletal snake. I kid you not when I say, we're surrounded on all sides. This is a perfect time for a nuking… but I can't be wasting stuff like that just yet. Not until the three of our targets are in sight at least.

'Let's get ready and use some of my abilities for now, not on the level of nuking but close enough. Aesa?'

[<…>]

'Da fuck? You there?

[<…>]

 How am I supposed to activate stuff manually then?'

Right when I need my system, she disappears without a trace. I swear if those creators have done something with her, I will cast my anger on them. No idea how if I can't use abilities but I will find a way.

"Erk, are the rest of you having any problems with the idiots inside of us? He ain't responding"

"Uh huh, same Zeki. What about you Petra?"

"Heh, think the Ikarus inside my head is sleeping for now"

'Sighhh… pain in the arse Petra. Happy wife, happy life I guess'

All four of us phoenixes appear to be screwed as a large part of our systems refuse to work. I really should've had Aesa teach me how to use things manually because this is a huge problem, trying to fight Zeus without a single ability sounds next to impossible.

Surprisingly, my worries change drastically when a voice beckons for all to hear and not because even Asmodeus looks concerned. I guess even he couldn't see everything that was going to go down inside this place.

'Aesa? Everyone can hear you right now'