Sandbox

Shay took in the full majesty of the hallowed space once more as he entered the Hall of Warriors on Folkvangr's top floor. Thinking about the past month and a half, he walked through the center of the dark chapel up towards the stage.

The Xenos incident ended just about as well as it could have, with Toothless escaping back into the Dungeon through Knossos and getting its wing fixed by the Xenos' allies. Recently, when they'd heard that Bell's party was having a rough time on an expedition, Shay had actually teamed up with Toothless to help rescue Bell and Ryu, who by a stroke of incredible unluck had been taken down an extra ten floors and had barely managed to survive. Shay and the dragon had become a decent duo, with him riding the beast during a crisis in their final raid on Knossos, and subsequently defeating the final demi-spirit of the day.

That fight against Nidhogg had been the first time Shay had used Haruhime's magic, and now he was almost able to understand the hubris it took for Ishtar to oppose his familia. Even with the boost they wouldn't have stood a chance, but Haruhime's magic was undoubtedly incredible, basically increasing an adventurer's strength by an entire Level.

The ever passive and easily strung along renard had also begun to get along with Bete of all people, with Shay noticing as she supported him during one of the many confrontations in the manmade labyrinth. At first he was surprised, but given Bete's M.O. lining up perfectly with Haruhime's, both roughly speaking to gather strength from 'weaklings', he had to admit it wasn't as preposterous as he'd initially thought.

Freya familia as a whole had also participated in the raid, the warriors galvanized by their Goddess's infatuation with the Little Rookie, and they used the battleground in an attempt to prove their worth. The entire event came together under Finn's leadership, and Shay couldn't imagine the competence required to pull off such an operation. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Finn had been the crucial factor in uniting the Heroes of Knossos, and Shay's respect for the prum had increased even more since the incident.

For some reason when he'd killed Nidhogg Shay hadn't passed out, only feeling light headed instead. Perhaps he was getting used to it? Or maybe the beast hadn't been developed enough? Otherwise, it was an indication that his body was changing in response to the Spirits, and that wasn't a thought Shay was necessarily happy to entertain. Sitting down on the dark stage once more, he made an attempt to meditate, in the hopes of experiencing whatever the newest demi-spirit had to offer.

~

As the mad howl of the King rang out, I could only watch in horror. The Rain still streaming down the grand palace windows, the man's pained moan eventually faded, giving way to a stillness only broken by the rhythmic pattering of the Blighted downpour.

My blessed Knight was still. Standing over the King, he watched in silence as the hated man laid in a pool of his own blood. If anyone was asked, they would surely give no sympathy for the dead man. This King had neglected his people in the pursuit of his ambition, and many of his subjects had cursed him in their final moments. A drop of moisture fell from my Knight's eye, silently impacting the King's face, forever frozen in a pained expression. The crimson tear sliding down the corpse's still visage, I wept for my fallen Knight.

Julius had been valiant, once. He had a drive like no other, an ambition to rise to Knighthood, and to earn the right to my guidance. We fought together, pushing back waves of monsters and saving the common people wherever we went. We had been called the saviors of our Kingdom. We had treaded a righteous path. Once.

As I contemplated my role in this, what was left of Julius turned to me, his eyes red with madness and his flesh deteriorating with Blight.

How did it come to this?

As I watched him remove the sword he'd used to kill his father, I couldn't help but see him as a victim as well. He was a bastard son, neglected by the King and left to die on the streets, as if he'd never been born. All he wanted was for his father to look at him. As he earned the gazes of the people, his father looked away, seeking out greater power. How ironic that the one to end that man's vile reign would be his own son.

~

His mind returning to the world around him, Shay surrendered to the somber atmosphere for a while. Letting out a heavy sigh, he reflected on the path he'd taken to get to this moment.

That could've easily been me.

Shay's first instinct after experiencing tragedy had been to seek revenge. If his father had been a king like that one of antiquity, he could've easily followed a dark path himself. Even after being raised by a good family, Shay had almost stayed on the path of revenge. It was only due to those that gathered around him that he was able to temper his lust for vengeance. Mulling this over in the moonlit chapel, Shay looked to the stained glass in the ceiling, solidifying his resolve.

Someone like me was entrusted with so much. I… have a duty to fulfill. To my father, to my Spirit, to everyone that's still supporting me. To the Heroes of this generation, as they face their trials.

Thinking of the prophecy that was passed down by his ancestors and trusted in by his Spirit, Shay pledged himself to his aim.

I must see this story to completion,

This Elurian Myth.

~

It was the third day of the Goddess Festival, and the streets of Orario were full of lively celebrants. Paying a Guild employee and securing two food badges, Shay turned to Chloe.

"It's kind of hard to get the mind off of yesterday, huh?"

"You can say that again, meow…"

Accepting her badge, Chloe responded with a slightly worried tone. After a somewhat nervous chuckle from Shay, she continued in a lighter tone.

"Thanks for taking me out, though. I had a lot of fun."

"Of course. And, ha, sorry about my familia."

The night before, Shay and Chloe had wrapped up their day at the festival with a dinner at Spoon Aqua. The two had enjoyed their night splendidly until they spotted Bell and Syr at the restaurant, and were subsequently interrupted by Freya familia attacking out of the blue. Shay was able to barter with Van to get him to leave them alone, and took over Syr's protection detail in his friend's place to buy them all some peace for the night.

"We both know there's no reeling them in, especially now that meowr Goddess is finally making a move. The fact that she basically forced you away from Bell today is purretty suspicious, too."

As he agreed, Shay's senses caught something.

We're being watched? Looks like the person's damn good as well. Okay, that's not a good sign…

"...Yeah…especially now of all times. It's like she's explicitly telling me to not get involved. But, to be honest, I don't know how I'd help even if I was involved. Both Freya and her attendant will lose their wager, but I don't know if I can stop what comes after."

Freya really is abnormally obsessed with Bell. It's a given he'll reject both the Goddess and Hörn, but I honestly don't see a scenario where Bell stays in Hestia familia. Freya seems kind of scary recently, too. She'll probably try and strongarm his Goddess into letting him join… I only hope they won't hold too much of a grudge…

—CRACK!

Shay and Chloe stopped immediately as thunder pierced the air over the city. Looking back and catching the fading trail of yellow lightning magic, Shay's feelings about the situation immediately worsened.

A signal from Hedin! They're acting now? I know she doesn't care about consequences, but out in the open like this!?

Leaping up to the nearest rooftop, Shay was met with a sight that made his stomach drop. Also startled, Chloe shouted up to him.

"What's going on, meow!? Oi, Shay! …?"

"..."

I could tell they were good, but I had no idea…!

For a moment, Shay couldn't move. This was because before him stood the peak of adventuring prowess, the absolute pinnacle. His hulking frame made Shay look like a prum in comparison, the boaz warrior standing silently between him and the chaos that was beginning to take shape. Warlord.

"...Ottarl."

His expression unmoving, the massive boar wasted no time on greetings.

"Stay here."

Hearing the deep, stoic voice, Chloe immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. Running off towards the distant clashing, she was stopped in her tracks by a primal fear as she caught the rust colored eyes of Orario's strongest.

"You too. Don't interfere."

Shay's lightning briefly flashing on his hand as a show of intent, the eyes of the massive boar followed it, unmoved.

They shouldn't need much force…! Something's very wrong!

Trying to figure out the appropriate level of urgency, Shay stared down his superior, unsure of what to do next. Fighting against his captain's aura of superiority, he tried to get some answers.

"What is Freya doing?"

"The boy will be taken into our familia."

His panic rising as clashes rang out in the distance, Shay continued to his main concerns.

"...This is too much! All we need to do is intimidate them, right? Why are we fighting? …What will happen to Hestia familia?"

His body shifting slightly, the boaz responded dispassionately.

"They will survive."

…! …We're going that far!?

Glancing to Chloe still waiting below as the civilians rushed to leave the area, Shay was reminded of the Goddess's recent change in behavior. After several more questions and many more minutes of this standoff, Shay looked Ottarl in the eyes, asking the question that had been wanting to surface since the beginning.

"Surely you don't expect Bell to cede to the Goddess's whims right? After the Ishtar incident, we already know the boy has a resistance to charm. What happens when he resents Freya for all this?"

"We are all pledged to the will of the Goddess. The boy is nothing in comparison."

Having been recruited in a much more delicate manner, Shay was only now beginning to see the true cruelty of his Goddess. His regret rising at the thought, Shay grasped at straws.

"...! And… What of the Guild? Causing chaos like this so soon after demolishing the Pleasure Quarter?"

"As you are now, surely you understand. The Guild has no choice but to allow it."

…The Guild can't do anything against the might of Freya familia! So we truly don't care about the consequences this time…!

As he looked back on the situation, Shay wondered if there wasn't a better outcome. There was no world where a confrontation could be avoided. At the very least, that much was clear.

Is there…really nothing to be done?

Contemplating his uselessness at this crucial juncture, Shay was surprised to hear a beautiful soprano voice wash over him, seemingly from all directions.

"This will be a bit of a boring story."

…!?

Hearing the Goddess's voice echoing through the city, Shay felt a sudden foreboding. As Ottarl's eyes widened ever so slightly, Shay realized a disastrous possibility.

She wouldn't, would she…?

The soprano monologue continuing, Shay couldn't help but notice something unsettling about his Goddess's tone.

"Traditionally, there should be one more goddess of the harvest here. Ishtar, a goddess of beauty like myself… I returned her to the heavens. Consumed by meaningless wroth, she lowered herself to the level of a beast, abandoning all sense of character. Her unsightliness was unbearable. That's why I erased her—to get her out of sight."

It was strange to hear Freya like this. Her words seemed to have been dragged through sludge, the Goddess's pristine voice sullied by a hint of self deprecation. Even Ottarl seemed affected.

"And now I'm going to become the same sort of hideous being."

She's going this far…!? I…I have to do something!

White-blue lightning flaring to life in broad daylight, Shay dropped down from the roof, a decent ways away from Chloe.

"Unexplored boundary, the forbidden wall!"

"Shay!?"

The boaz grabbing one of his broadswords from his back, he jumped down to follow as Shay began his panicked chant. Shay had no idea what had pushed his Goddess so far so suddenly, but the Falna on his back told him all he needed to know in the moment. It had become unnervingly clear that the Goddess who had helped him grow so much was about to commit a transgression against the very fabric of the mortal realm.

Making sweeping strikes with his greatsword, Ottarl pressured Shay in an attempt to stop him from chanting. Shay didn't think the details of his magic had been leaked, but even so Ottarl seemed to have an abnormal sense of urgency. Relying on the incredible maneuverability given by his downforce technique, Shay narrowly dodged the Warlord's strikes, continuing to chant his magic as his Goddess's voice seemed to glide through the chaotic noise.

"I accept any scorn or denunciation that may come my way. But I will not apologize. I have made my choice. Because I know what I want. Because I found something that I wouldn't trade for the world. Because I'm content to have that and nothing more."

Continuing his chant as he leapt desperately backwards, Shay attempted to create as much distance as possible between him and his pursuer. Ottarl nearly catching him with a sideways swipe of his massive weapon, he continued to increase the pressure as Shay continued to duck and bound away.

I knew he was strong, but this is crazy! I'd be totally outclassed without my extra speed!

Chloe trailing the battle in a confused panic as she watched Shay get nicked by the massive weapon, the Goddess continued to address the city.

"I may finally be able to know something other than love. There's something I want to find out. I won't give up, and I won't let go."

Completing the first half of his chant as his torso was cut once again by the tip of Ottarl's blade, Shay drew his kunai and marked it with the spell.

"And so I will violate you all."

Throwing the glowing kunai with a sharp crack at an upwards angle to the east, Shay watched it shoot over the city's outer wall as his opponent's eyes widened in surprise. Chloe watching as Shay was slashed once again by the massive blade, this time a shallow cut across the stomach, she despaired at her inability to help.

Ducking under a swipe liable to take his head off Shay continued his chant, using his downforce technique to race around his opponent and get a clear line of sight to Chloe. An urgency in his eyes, Shay signaled for her to come closer as he matched his Goddess to the finish of their verbal race.

"Prostrate thyself."

"Flying Raijin, Blink!"

Sensing the crucial moment, Ottarl threw his greatsword vertically on a course to intercept Shay, who was sprinting at the catgirl with a speed he'd only seen from Allen. Shay's vision was engulfed by a flashing white-blue as he embraced Chloe, feeling an impact on the right side of his back as he was transported away.

~

Emerging from the flash of lightning, Shay felt the soft comfort of Orario's eastern plains under his hands and feet. Breathing heavily, he gently separated from Chloe, who he'd accidentally pinned in the fields, helping her up as he looked back to the city. Sensing what felt like a glimmering silver dome descending on Orario, Shay couldn't help but be reminded of the coup that had kick-started his journey.

Reflecting on what he could feel through his Falna, he thought that this time the motivation wasn't sheer greed, either. It was something more, something almost indescribable. Looking back to Chloe, Shay decided to focus on what could be done.

"Are you okay?"

Looking back at him incredulously, Chloe responded with vigor.

"Me!? You're bleeding like crazy! Look at yourself, mew nutcase! Taking on Warlord like a crazy purrson!"

Chloe's animal people vernacular coming out in her stress, Shay raised his eyebrow as he looked himself over, noticing a growing spot of red beneath his feet and feeling a hot sensation on his back.

Oh, at that last moment…

A sharp pain coursing through him as he felt the wound, Shay realized he'd need a pitstop soon.

"It's fine, if we stop the bleeding we can make it easily to the next town. It's what we'll do after, that's what we need to worry about. That and making sure we're not followed."

Looking back up to the city as they started running to the nearest town, Shay noticed a slowly growing dark spot in the sky. Pointing it out to Chloe as he dressed his wound, they realized it was Asfi who was heading down to meet them. Carrying a bleeding and unconscious Ryu, Hermes familia's blue haired captain was initially suspicious of Shay, but given his wounds and Chloe's vote of confidence she reluctantly invited them to take refuge with her in the nearby town of Agris as they made a plan of action.

Over the next few days, the group of unlikely allies had mostly recovered from their wounds, infiltrating Orario and gathering information about the state of things. The entire city had been charmed by Freya, with everyone pretending that Bell Cranell had always been a part of Freya familia. Actually, it was more than pretending, as if they'd been completely brainwashed. Shay couldn't help but think it was quite sad, seeing the Goddess of love fail to properly seduce what was clearly her most desired partner.

During the time spent planning and gathering information, Shay also made sure to practice his newest magic. In his brief scuffle with Ottarl he'd chanted the whole spell, but in truth he could've shortened it quite a bit. With his Spirit's help he'd gotten used to the flow of magic and was able to conjure parts of his transportation spell without words, but he didn't want to show off considering he might truly be going up against his own familia sometime soon.

While practicing his magic he'd asked Asfi about magical items that could help him in the coming confrontation, and after some convincing she'd made a brilliant suggestion. There was an item called Ricorus paper that was quite difficult to manufacture, but it had the incredible property of sealing magic energy inside it. She'd had a small piece on hand and Shay tested it with his magic. To his giddy amazement, the Flying Raijin mark stayed on the paper, not fading noticeably with time or use. Of course there was probably a limit to this, but they had only been testing for a day or so. After a few days the team hatched their plan, with Shay resolving himself to finally betray his Goddess.

~

The extravagant window shattered explosively as a kunai sailed into the floor beneath it. Landing in the newly opened moonlit room, Shay set Bell's Goddess down as she rushed to her wide eyed follower in a flurry of apologies. Solemnly taking in Folkvangr's top floor once again, Shay made eye contact with his Goddess.

She had a rare anger about her, seemingly directed not at Shay, but inward instead. Not sure of what to say to her, Shay was silent as Hestia berated Freya about her actions with Bell and the city. After a bit of this, she responded with a chill, dissatisfied tone.

"Unleashing your divine might to the full limit… Using ichor and flames, you recreated your temple from the heavens. So you still had a move to make, Hestia."

Using Hermes familia's duties as an excuse to set up ichor laden fires around the city, they had created a city wide temple dedicated to Hestia. With her divine might and essence as a virgin Goddess, she freed the city's inhabitants from Freya's charm from her perch at the top of Babel tower before being brought here by Shay. As the discussion progressed, the small Goddess touched on a question of import.

"I mean, I kind of get it, but why are you so obsessed with my Bell, anyways? You have your own followers, you bimbo!"

Not having addressed Freya yet, Shay stood in silence, his actions having spoken for themselves. As Freya gave a non-answer, Shay couldn't help but wonder if she even knew the reason herself.

The moment she learned she could charm me, she completely lost interest. She could get any man on the planet on no more than a whim. It's obvious what she's looking for…

It must've been that. Even the powerful, city wide charm Freya had used hadn't been able to corrupt that boy. Bell was the only one who could give Freya what she wanted. And because of this, Freya could not lose him.

"So what now, Freya? No matter what you say, this is your loss. The spell you cast on Orario is broken, and Bell won't become yours!"

Her arms hanging limply, Shay's Goddess was expressionless. For a moment, the room was silent. As they waited, the clashing of disgruntled adventurers could be heard below, around Folkvangr's front gate. Suddenly, Freya spoke.

"Hestia—I challenge you to a war game."

""...!""

As the others' eyes widened, Shay's narrowed. He'd heard bits and pieces of Freya's story, and had put them together as the situation changed. In the past few days, Shay realized why Freya's love for the boy was far more intense than he'd initially thought. Freya had found someone with the possibility of rejecting her, someone worth hundreds of thousands of normal followers. She had been searching for all her time on Gekai, and would not give up now that she had found her destined one, her Odr. Under the looming threat of losing him forever, the situation was destined to escalate.

"If I lose, then I'll do as you say. I'll even accept being sent back to the heavens…And if I win, I'll take Bell."

"Don't screw with me, Freya. You really think I'll accept a challenge in this situation? You've already lost, and you're going to be judged for what happened."

Leaning into her regal persona, Freya high-handedly explained the situation to the small Goddess.

"Freya familia will suffer a heavy penalty from the Guild…but that is all."

"...!"

"The Guild's main goal is to complete the Three Great Quests. They cannot afford to break up the most powerful familia. And, once the heat of the moment has cooled sufficiently, my hand may slip again... Can you really live in peace with that thought looming over you?"

The diminutive Goddess now on the backfoot, Shay decided that this was his time to speak up. He felt horrible for trying to deny his Goddess her most ardent wish, but she had gone about it in an unforgivable manner. In her attempts to take Bell for herself, she had made enemies of him and everyone else outside the familia. Only her truest followers, those who had been charmed in both body and soul, would remain loyal. Shay, for better or worse, was not one of them.

"Lady Freya…I won't help you with this... I'm extremely grateful for all you've given me, but…you've gone much too far this time."

As someone who carried forth the wishes of others Shay had a duty to at the very least follow his conscience, and throughout this whole ordeal it had been screaming at him. Meeting his haughty Goddess with resolve, Shay couldn't help but remember the past. Early on in his time with the familia, his Goddess had told him something that was now resurfacing in the back of his mind.

'In addition to love, I preside over heroism and bravery as well. They are some of my most valued things.'

Freya wasn't just a Goddess of beauty, she was a Goddess of valor. Banking on that, Shay continued.

"You've trampled over the will of everyone in Orario, crushing their dignity underfoot. Should you start a wargame…I will oppose you."

Her expression subtly shifting to a mix between sadness, anger, and distaste, Freya's voice betrayed nothing, sounding entirely unaffected.

"That's quite the monumental betrayal, then... Fine. Hestia, use all the cooperators you want, any familia within the city. I will face them all, with only my own. As for my own follower… perhaps I should keep you under watch?"

The Goddess's eyes briefly flashing silver, Shay stood his ground.

"...You know you've lost your chance to do that. I'll leave until the battle, as I did when you charmed the city."

Responding bluntly, Shay reminded her of his escape when this all began. The Goddess's expression faltering for a moment, her eyes aimed down before her expression slowly shifted to that of a devious parent.

"Yes, that mistake gave poor Ottarl quite some grief. He apologized many times, feeling that he's failed me… He deserves an opportunity to fix his blunder."

Her devilish eyes meeting Shay's as her lips turned up in a wide grin, the arrogant Goddess of beauty gave her decree.

"Whatever the rules of the wargame, he will be allowed to correct his mistake. Shay, if you should betray me… you will face Ottarl."

~

"Yeah, that won't work against Allen, it's just not possible. Your best bet is to make some kind of fortification, but even then…"

Hearing Shay's deliberate voice echoing through the halls of Hearthstone manor, Finn politely closed the grand doors behind him. Hestia familia's prum strategist, a girl by the name of Liliruka who Finn had tried to woo in the past, was diligently taking notes on whatever information Shay could give about his familia's abilities. As they noticed Finn entering the planning area, Shay spoke up with a barely noticeable annoyance.

"I thought Loki familia wasn't participating?"

"We're not, at least not directly. Before the wargame however…we'd like to help as much as possible."

"...?"

"Even I'm furious. Your Goddess broke a taboo…ground the dignity of us mortals under her heel. Let me be blunt… I'd like to do anything I can to make Freya, Ottarl, and the rest of her familia squirm."

Ending with a small grin, what was probably the most powerful prum in the world clearly gave his intent. Looking at the prum captain with a complicated expression, Shay glanced back to Lili, seemingly making up his mind after a few moments of consideration.

"Finn, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you. Could you join me in another room?"

He probably intends to win Loki familia over completely… Well, there's no harm, I suppose…

Following Shay down the hall and into a storage room under the tense gazes of Liliruka and her small Goddess, Finn knew the adventurer would likely try to make some kind of deal.

What could he possibly offer? Now that he's betrayed his familia, does he not take issue with going against the Guild as well? Or, does he actually just intend to ask for a small favor?

Closing the door, Shay got down to business.

"'The wargame would become Loki vs Freya'. That's the argument given to the public, right? Freya wronged all of Orario, and Hestia familia is just one in a very long list. Surely nobody is satisfied with the Guild's ridiculous excuses."

Responding candidly given their working relationship, Finn had no choice but to agree.

"Yes, my familia especially is quite dissatisfied. Some members are taking their frustrations out on the Dungeon as we speak."

"They why cooperate? Did the Guild make you some kind of offer?"

Pausing for a moment, the prum responded coolly.

"...Do you intend to make a better one?"

"...Well… That would be difficult without understanding the original."

So he really does intend to win us over… Unfortunately, I don't think he's in a position to give us anything valuable enough…

With a sigh, Finn gave the details he could. Ordinarily there was no reason to give out important information like this, but Shay had been a fantastic ally in the past against the demi-spirits. Given that the threat of the corrupted Spirits was likely still alive in the depths of the Dungeon, Finn wanted to give him every reason to continue helping.

"In exchange for Loki familia not participating in the wargame, the Guild is giving us crucial information about the deep areas of the Dungeon."

"...Information you couldn't possibly get yourself?"

"That remains to be seen. However, I doubt the Guild would risk ruining their relationship with my familia in such a foolish way."

"...I see."

Now…what do you have?

After a moment of contemplation, Shay looked as if he was resigning himself to something. Speaking up again, Shay did his best impression of a salesman-type like Hermes.

"I'm largely a solo adventurer, so you'll have to humor me a little. What's the most inefficient part about Dungeon exploration for a familia like yours?"

He's giving me a whole pitch? Haha… I didn't expect that.

"That would have to be lugging supplies and manpower up and down the Floors."

"Perfect. Hypothetically, if I could give you an elevator to and from any floor you've ever achieved, would that be more valuable than the information offered by the Guild?"

"...!?"

What a ridiculous thing to propose…! Did he find yet another entrance to the Dungeon? No, that's not what this sounds like… Even given his history of unpredictability, there's simply no way what he's saying is possible…

Getting over his disbelief, Finn gave Shay some advice.

"...You know, in negotiations like these you shouldn't lead with an example that dwarfs your own offer. Hypotheticals are all well and good, but please get to your proposal."

Smiling at the prum's reaction, Shay reached into his pouch and pulled out a kunai, tossing it onto the floor as he began to build up magic energy.

"Unexplored boundary, the forbidden wall."

Magic…? …wait, was he serious!?

Shay's elegant chant sounding entirely out of place in the dusty storage room, Finn was reminded of who he was dealing with. He had thought that Shay's negotiation skills were sorely lacking, but if this power move went how the situation implied, he would have to completely rescind that notion.

"On this day, I disobey the laws of heaven and earth alike. Faithful custodian, protect this mind as it confronts the primordial chaos. Loving mother, embrace this body as it crosses into the unknown. Graceful father, entrust this soul with your will as it begins to transcend the limits of this physical realm."

Sensing the magic energy building as Shay continued his chant, Finn had to at least appreciate the spectacle. As he chuckled in disbelieving amusement, Finn analyzed the spell and watched Shay extend his hand to him.

"Your envoy beseeches thee, arbiter of destiny. Respond to the one that seeks your knowledge and allow me a seat on your chariot. Cross the sky, faster than anything else, reaching towards that blinding light. Even if thou art scorched, let the malice born of thine tragedy be tempered by the blaze into the paragon's will. Forthrightly gaze into the abyss, for your progeny wishes to peer into the realm of possibility."

'A seat on your chariot', 'faster than anything else'? ...Is this really what it seems!?

Responding to Shay's gesturing as his mind raced, Finn took the adventurer's hand as if striking a deal.

"Oh, I do not look back, Flying raijin, Blink."

His vision engulfed by lightning for a moment, Finn adjusted his eyes as the magic energy dissipated around them.

…! Wh…!

Looking around him at the dark blue rocks as the burbling of a stream reached his ears, Finn could not believe his eyes. Looking every which way, the prum's gaze eventually returned to Shay's confidently smiling visage. Forcing his mind to catch up, Finn's expression betrayed absolute disbelief.

"Shay…where are we?"

Chuckling at the state of the normally composed leader, he responded.

"This is the 26th Floor of the Dungeon. The middle of the Water Capital."

Taking a few moments and muttering to himself, Finn couldn't make sense of what was happening.

"This…this is ridiculous…!"

Seeing as Finn was almost never on the backfoot like this, Shay seized the opportunity.

"You know, if this wargame goes well, I'll be out of a familia… Whoever gets their hands on me will be set up for the best chance in history of conquering the Dungeon."

His head still spinning, Finn steadied himself with his hand as Shay continued.

"In exchange for Loki familia's active participation in the coming wargame, I would like to humbly offer my services."

This…isn't just an offer, is it? Showing me an ability like this… I couldn't possibly risk making him an enemy! He can teleport, for Phiana's sake!

An aggressive grunt reaching their ears before the sound of a massive impact, Finn turned his head towards the source of the sound, peering down a long corridor running along a small stream. As a group of mermen sprinted in a panicked frenzy towards Shay and Finn, an agitated voice pierced the air.

"Aaaggghhh! That stupid fuckin' fat fuckin' Guild pig!"

Turning the corner and tearing through the fleeing monsters as if they were tissue paper, an enraged werewolf slammed his boot down on the merman leader's neck as its arms twitched for the last time. Raising his eyes to find his next target, the wolf's expression switched from fury to confusion.

"...Finn? Oi, what the hell are you doin' down here with him!? If we've got time for that stupid shit, we should be out there killing those fuckin' simps!"

It took a moment for the situation to truly sink in for the storied prum. When his mind finally caught up, his expression shifted from shock to amusement.

"...hah…Hahaha!"

Shay looking on with a slightly worried expression as the prum captain broke into childish laughter, Finn took a moment to gather himself under the confused yet agitated gaze of his subordinate.

"-hah… You're in luck, Bete! It seems we're in for a fight after all! Please go and tell Loki we're participating, and give Riveria my apologies."

Shay and Finn gathering themselves once again as Bete excitedly sprinted back, they discussed the details of the coming battle. After Shay brought them back to the mansion, Finn found out about his agreement with Freya.

"So, you have to defeat Ottarl alone before helping anywhere else? …Is that realistic?"

Contemplating for a moment, Shay puzzled through his options. He had been preparing for the fight for the past week, improving his magic as much as possible and deciding on a strategy. Looking the prum in the eyes, he gave as honest an answer as he could.

"I'm not sure, and I definitely can't promise a victory, but…at the very least… I think I can get one good hit in."