Danmachi: Westward Cloud [Complete]

[Vol.3] Quest 259- Knossos, Part 3- Bait

Running through the Knossos, they heard the sounds of battle.

“Seems they began.” Said Gareth.

“Then we have to—jump back!!”

They quickly jumped back as a massive pillar of water passes through the corridor.

“Dam! And here I thought I managed to get some of you!”

They look around the corner to see Thetis.

“It's her again.” Said Riveria.

“Hm? is that you, high-elf! Tell me, is Nox with you? I don’t feel her existence nearby.”

Riveria turned to the rest of her Familia.

“It’s a Demi-Spirit. She can use water magic. Beta, Ais, I need you two to quickly pin her down, Tiona. You are with Gareth. Everyone else! Keep your guard up!! now go!!”

“Right!!”

Ais and Beta quickly rushed out from the corner.

“Dammit! Aria and that dam wolf!!” she quickly jumped back and moved through the water.

“[Tempest]!!!”

All the water began to be pushed back till it even sent Thetis into a large room.

“Argh! Dammit! Revis, I brought them!!” she got up and next to her.

“Good.” She readied her sinister weapon.

When Beta and Ais arrive, they found them standing. Riveria and the rest came in.

“Aria… it's good to see you again.”

“… Revis.” Her eyes trained on her.

“Guess I'll take the slippery one then.” Beta said.

“You won't be so lucky, wolf. Without Nox, you lot are around my strength when I was born,” Thetis said.

“And I don’t see that human either.” Revis grips her sword tightly.

“Riveria.” Said Ais.

“(Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight. Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf)! [Wynn Fimbulvetr]!!”

A thick wall of ice covers the exits.

“And you longer have a exist.” Beta said.

“That’s fine. One-eyed human!!! Open up the doors! Let our plants fight them!!” shouted Thetis.

They waited a few seconds, but nothing.

“Well, why do you look at that,” said Gareth with a grin. “It's been 12 minutes since the battle started. I’m sure they're already making progress.”

“!?” both Revis and Thetis squint their eyes in anger.

“We should have listened to Neze and just leave.” Revis said.

“!!!”

Instantly, Riveria and Gareth froze.

‘N-Neze!?’ they thought.

‘But if it isn’t… how are they going to react?’ Thought Riveria.

“Ais, we need to finish this quickly; we will back you and Beta up.”

“Then come.” Said Thetis as a magic circle appear before her. “Let's see you try not to drown!!”

3rd group, two minutes ago.

“It's time.” Said Asfi. “Let’s move!!!!”

Everyone got up and quickly went down the Knossos.

“Lion!!” shouted Asfi.

“On it!”

Ryuu took the lead and held up the key.

“Open!!”

The walls in front of them opened wide open and the 3rd group dove in. they go further and further into the Knossos extraordinarily quickly.

“… Hm? odd?” said Barca. “Who is moving through—!!” his eye widened as far as they could. “Valletta!!!” Barca shouted. “They have a key!!! They're coming straight here!!”

“Hah!?!? HOW!!! WE NEVER GAVE ISHTAR A KEY!!” Valletta shouted.

“Then it seems we let one slip through our fingers.” Said Thanatos. “Neze, can you deal with them?”

Neze got up from her chair of earth and looked dissatisfied.

“Very well. If my fellow kin are fighting, then I shall as well.”

‘Even if I suggested we leave, Thetis, why do you want to fight?’

“Hold up, I’m coming too! I wanna kill that bitch that took my arm and leg!” Valletta said following Neze.

Back to Group 2.

“Whoosh!! Whoosh!!”

Ais attacks Revis with unrelenting speed and force.

Clang!!

Clang!!

Clang!!

“You have gotten stronger, Aria,” Revis said as she blocks each attack.

“You as well, but I have faced faster people than you!”

Ais speed up her attacks and started to cut Revis.

“Your fast wolf!” shouted Thetis.

“And you’re a damn coward!! Riveria!!”

“[Wynn Fimbulvetr]!!”

They were trying to corner Thetis, but she was as slippery as she was beautiful.

Down on in the depth of the Knossos.

A fateful meeting eventually happened.

“They are coming,” Neze said as turns to the sudden opening of a door.

Old and long bygone bonds…

“Were—!!”

Will come together in such cruel ways.

“Hello, you fox ear cunt!!” she shouted with visceral rage.

Ai looks at Valletta the same way she looked at her. Utter disgust and fury.

“Oh look. A shit stain.” Ai gets into her drawing stance. “I’ll cut it out… of the… floor.”

Walking out beside Valletta was Neze.

“So the elf blessed by the wind in my dreams has come,” Neze said as the slightest of smiles appeared on her face. “Your name is Ryuu Lion, correct?”

“N-Neze…”

Ryuu’s heart cracks. The black embers flicker.