Deep underground, in the Knossos labyrinth, Evilus was finishing up their final bits of preparations. Of their members, they had no level 6 members, but they did have a slew of level 5s: Valletta Grede the Arachnia, Dina Dis & Vena Dis the Dis sisters, Basaram's Spirit Soldiers number not 4, but 24 thanks to the gifts he'd been given by some the evil gods who'd arrived to aid in the big plan, there was a surprise level up from both Vito, and Barca, adding to the total of level 5s… 29 level 5s. The danger they represented was clear, and obvious, however…
"Erebus, if we are to truly reach the floor we need support."
"I know, that's why I had Basarm make so many additional level 5 spirit soldiers. You'll be taking them with you. Basaram, hand over the control unit to them for whatever 20 you wish to send with them." Erebus explained in a totally unbothered expression.
"As you wish Lord Erebus." Basaram snickered, pulling out a small orb like thing, and went to explain how it worked, in way too much detail, however, the gods ate it all up. "And that's how it works. Do you Lords and Ladies have any questions?" He asked, continuing to snicker, eagerly wringing his hands together.
"No, I think I can handle it. You've done some interesting work with this, Basaram."
"Yeah, our gifts didn't go to waste."
"Kekeke, but of course, only the best of killing machines for you." He continued snickering.
The random evil gods left, their spirit soldier protectors all going with them. Of the 20, 10 of them carried 3 gods, one in each arm, and one via piggy back. The other ten were to guard the rest as they all traversed the dungeon in rapid succession.
Thanatos sighed, not wanting to bring up the obvious issue as the Shurry elimination team left. "Erebus, there's an issue here. How are we to combat the city with only 9 level 5s? You have something else up your sleeve don't you?"
Erebus smirked, leaned back all relaxed, yet in a form indicative of fully displaying that he was the undisputed leader. "Of course I do. Now that the day has finally come, I plan on sending some of the weaker dragon young I collected from an interesting friend. There's a handful of level 7 dragons. With their current forces they'll need to send all their level 6s, and a sizable number of their 5s just to defeat one."
"How many exactly? Freya's children can handle 1 for certain. Loki's children are probably the same. Ganesha might be able to handle 2 depending on how they play things. But Hathor's children-"
"That's enough, I've already given the orders, now all that's left is to see them through."
"With them on their way, it'll take about a day or two before they reach the required destination. So just do some small skirmishing for now. Do not reveal our hand just yet. We launch the moment we receive that signal from them."
It was that very night after a stock shortage was found, specifically of triggers… Olivas had launched an attack on a factory, to steal these items. He was successful, but most of his crew had been wiped out by the Hathor familia…
"That was too dangerous." Olivas said… "I almost got caught, by a damn she-devil."
"Oh? This, she-devil, did this much damage to you?" Erebus stated with a vacant expression. "Maybe I should have sent Vito instead."
"Lord-"
"No, no, it's fine, even if this causes us some issues, it won't be enough to cause any real issues…"
…
A day of peace passed on the surface, one the familias on the surface used to their absolute advantage. Healer familias were brought into bable tower, and fully set up to constantly be making potions. Some were making elixirs, others were tasked with making high potions, then others were tasked with watering those down into regular potions. As it was far more efficient than going through the brewing process multiple times for a small batch of potions.
Smithy's were constantly forging weapons, and armor. All of it was basic and standardized, with the exception of a few others who simply needed a different size, and those would be crafted by blacksmiths of the same race to help limit any over, or under sizes.
Chefs from all over the city were brought in to make as many simple meals with resources provided, enmasse, by the Demeter familia. Stock piles were already forming.
Familias had reorganized and began to stock up on resources for the eventual fight to come. They didn't know just how bad it was going to be, but once they noticed that the familias were gathering production in, bable tower… It was pretty obvious to those paying attention that something big was about to go down.
Some citizens didn't bother worrying about it, thinking it was just a drill, or that some people were over reacting. Though, the citizens who headed all of the warning signs, packed up, and moved towards the inner city.
Gods had even willingly opened up their own babel residencies to some people other places in the tower also opened up. The men, who had no other skills than working in a factory that was now gone, did what they could to help out, keeping the fires going and even learning some simple forgery work to help keep things like kitchen knives sharp. Women would help in the cooking, and even dilution of potions. Children, seeing their parents work so hard, used their own hands to help cut up the rations into equal portions, or make cute drawings to lift the spirits of the tired.
…
Then the night came… And a single magic item, giving a simple response of a flash before breaking…
Erebus smirked, stood, and turned on the spot, in an overly joyous mood… Almost like the Dis sisters had rubbed off on him. "Tonight we begin! I want death in the streets! Fear in their hearts! Tonight you must kill at least 100k lives. Target the innocent, target the guilty, target adventurers, or target civilians, it doesn't matter. Just kill, the more the better." He glanced towards Vito. "And you, don't fail me tonight, your mission is crucial."
"I won't fail you. I'm eager to see what color that type of blood runs. What hue will it take on? OH! I can hardly bear it!" Vito expressed barely able to contain his excitement.
"Lord Erebus." Two girlish voices cheerfully called out in unison, dancing side to side with their fingers inter locked. "We can go and love people now, right, right?"
"Spread your love with everything you have. Spread it to all regardless of their age, gender, or race. Actually… do your best to make sure you split families apart. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yep, yep!"
"Yay, yay, hehe. I can't wait, Sister!"
"Me too sister! I want to love them all!"
"Let's love them so they love too!"
And so with the order given, a single sound announced the descent of hell, and elimination of peace. A sound that gave everyone a chill down their spines.