"No matter how many times I see it, it always amazes me." Alise chirped, seeing the big waterfall.
"Yes, but we should not let our guard down; the monsters here are not something to take lightly," Ryuu spoke, her eyes scanning the area in case any monster might spring on us.
"Yes, especially the monster rex, who knows when it decided to rear its ugly head," Kaguya added her own thoughts, and I was conversing with the girl, when I noticed Ais, being way quieter than she normally is, and not just that, I could feel her shivering slightly as well.
Seeing her like that, I decided to have some words with her, "Ais, is something the matter?" I spoke gently not to startle her, but Ais still jumped slightly, and the moment her eyes landed on me, she clutched a fistful of my cloak.
"H-Hey, what happe—Ah," I was starting to get worried, but then I remembered her fear of water, which she developed because of Riveria's punishment. I thought it was exaggerated a bit too much, but seeing her like this, that doesn't seem to be the case.
Now, how do I deal with this... I glanced at Ais, who was still clutching my cloak like it was her lifeline, then at the massive waterfall behind us. Right, the great Sword Princess, slayer of monsters, terror of the dungeon... defeated by H2O.
"Ais," I said carefully, keeping my voice gentle. "You know the water can't actually hurt you, right? It's just... water."
"I know that," she replied quietly, her grip on my cloak tightening even more. Her golden eyes were fixed firmly on the ground, deliberately avoiding the sight of the Great Fall.
"Then why are you trying to strangle my cloak to death? It never did anything to you."
"...It's between me and the water," she mumbled, which was possibly the most Ais-like response I could have gotten.
I couldn't help but chuckle at that. "You know what? That's fair." An idea struck me then—probably not my best one, but definitely entertaining. "Hey, how about this? If any water tries to attack you, I'll blast it away with my magic. I'll be your official water bodyguard."
Ais finally looked up at me, her expression serious. "You can't fight water, Arin."
"Watch me. I'll tornado it right back up the waterfall."
"That's... not how things work."
"Since when do you care about things working? You literally turn into air during fights."
A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "That's different."
"Sure it is," I said, gently patting her head, "Come on, Sword Princess. We've got three floors to clear, and I promise I won't let the scary water get you."
"It's not scary," she protested weakly, though she still hadn't released my cloak.
"Uh-huh. And I'm not in debt."
"You are in debt."
"Exactly my point."
From ahead of us, I heard Riveria's exasperated sigh. "Arin, stop teasing Ais and get moving. We don't have all day."
"I'm not teasing! I'm providing emotional support for the trauma you inflicted on the poor child!" I called back, which earned me a glare from the high elf.
"I did no such thing," The proud high elf princess lied with conviction.
"Yes, you did."
"I did not."
"Yes, you did," I replied, seeing us banter like that brought a smile to Ais' face, Riveria and I gave a subtle smile to each other in an affirmation of our little plan working. But the lighthearted atmosphere did not last long, as the howling of the monster fell into our ears, before the monster started attacking.
The combined might of the three familia was easily able to cut through the hordes of monsters, leaving behind nothing but ashes and magic stones.
Navigated through a series of passageways varying in elevation around the waterfall to reach the passageway at the end. Before long, we were able to traverse two floors and started making our way to the twenty-seventh floor. Just as we were about to enter the twenty-seventh floor, Finn stopped and turned to address us all.
"We are most likely to encounter the Monster rex, Amphisbaena, on this floor. Riveria, Gareth, and I won't be participating in the upcoming battle until necessary." Riveria stepped forward to explain further.
"I will be freezing the lake to create a foothold for all of you. Since it's the first time all three of our familia are going on the expedition, it is a good chance for us to learn how we can better coordinate with each other."
"This is our first time fighting a monster rex from these floors, isn't it, girls?" Just after Finn and Riveria ended their talk, all of us were looking over the conditions of our gears since we won't get the chance once we enter the floor. And that's when Alise's voice chimed in.
"Yes, I am glad we didn't fight it before; that thing is just too strong for a handful of level 3s and 4s," Lyra complained, giving a look over at the explosive she carried with her.
"Really? But didn't you girls go down to the forty-first floor?" I asked, since if they have gone that deep, then shouldn't they have fought one of the two monster rex in between?"
"We just run away whenever we encounter the monster rex," Noin answered in Lyra's stead.
"So, are you going to start using that magic of yours?" Kaguya's question was valid since, until this point, I haven't used my Astrum Cordis magic yet.
"I am debating on that. I think for now I will just try to see how far I can go without the magic, though if things start to turn dangerous, then I will use it."
"How about you, Lion? Are you going to use your Virtue Nexes?" Alise, after giving a final check to her equipment, stood up and asked Ryuu.
Ryuu gave a thoughtful look before answering, "I would like to save that until we encounter the next monster rex, though, like Arin-san, I would use it if the situation calls for it."
"I highly doubt that a situation like that would come to pass, even without the three highest-ranking members of our group; we still have quite the lineup of warriors." Asta gave her thoughts just as Gareth called us out.
"You ready, young ones?!"
We gave each other a final look and nodded, making our way down the passage, emerging on the twenty-seventh floor.
"Wow…" was the only response I had looking at the falling waterfall meeting with the lake filled with blue-ish, clear water. Creating a mesmerizing scene, all those who had been to this floor for the first time stood rooted to the spot, which included just me.
"It's here!" I was brought out of my stupor by Ryuu's voice as I felt the water and ground shake beneath my feet, "Everyone! Fan Out!" Lydia gave the instruction, and all of us started spreading out across the floor.
"SHAAAAAA!!!" The water parted at the back of the Amphisbaena emerged from the water. Before long, two heads resembling a dragon emerged as well. The monster let out a bestial cry, shaking the very mostire in the air.
"Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf! Wynn Fimbulvetr!" Riveria let out her ice magic, freezing the lake in a similar way Welf had done in the canon, but I could tell she held back significantly so as not to freeze the monster accidentally.
"Yosh! Vanguards after me!" Lydia let out a cry as she ran on the now frozen lake. With me, Alise, Ryuu, Ais, Kaguya, as well as Asta, Iska, and other members of Astrea familia that are part of the Vanguards, while Asfi took a flight in the dungeon sky to provide support and distract the monster rex as necessary, even Raul and Anakitty took part in the battle as well.
"SHAAAAA!" The red head of the monster let out a red smoke on the ice, which started to melt the frozen lake around the monster, freeing itself from the ice. This time, the blue head spat the same blue colored flames towards us.
"Keep going, I will contain the flames!" I manipulated the air tornado and fire tornado that was smaller in scale than when I took out the troll monster and released it towards the monster's fire breath.
BOOOOMMM!
The meeting of two different flames created a big blast in the middle, which I stopped from spreading by using my wind to create a shield.
"Nice work, Arin!" Alise called out cheerfully as she charged forward. "Now it's time for the great Captain Alise to show you how it's done! Watch and learn, everyone!"
"You mean watch and take cover from your recklessness?" Kaguya quipped, her blade already in motion as she moved with practiced grace.
Ryuu and the others seized the chance and lunged at the monster. The red head of the monster tried to spread more smoke, but Asfi swooped down from above. "I won't let you!" She threw a volley of knives enhanced with magical explosives toward its face.
"Hehe! Take this, you overgrown lizard!" Lyra added her own contribution, hurling bombs with practiced precision. Arrows rained down from behind us courtesy of the rear guard supports, and the monster was unable to use either smoke or fire effectively.
The dragon head was now between a pincer attack with Alise, Ryuu on the left side, and Lydia, Ais on the right side of it, with Kaguya and Asfi behind its head.
"Lion! Your left!" Alise called out as she swung her sword in a wide arc, her movements bold and confident.
"I see it," Ryuu replied calmly, as her nimble body went around the monster's defenses like she was literally flying. "Arin-san's opening is holding. We must press our advantage."
"Then let's not waste it!" Ais said, as she attacked the monster, her blade becoming a blur.
"As expected of the Sword Princess!" Lydia praised her blade work, complementing Ais' attacks. "Let's maintain this pressure!"
SHYAAAAA!!"
Seeing no other choice, the two heads started to swing in circles. I quickly created an air of foothold beneath everyone's feet as they all jumped back to avoid getting hit.
"Tch, that's annoying!" Kaguya clicked her tongue in frustration as she landed gracefully on my air platform. "We almost had a clean shot at its neck."
"Don't worry, an attack like this won't stop the beautiful and perfect Captain!" Alise spoke with her usual confidence, but…
"Yes, sure, but for that the monster needs to remain outside the water, no?"
"Hm? What do you mean, Arin—wait! Where did the monster go?!" Alise turned to see no sign of the giant monster.
"It went underwater." Asfi landed near us on the ground, giving the report.
"Does that mean we need to wait for it to come out?"
"No, we will think of something else…"
I heard them talking among themselves, but my attention was still on the lake. This moment reminds me of something… No wait! My eyes widened in realization as I remembered the monster did a similar thing in the anime. I looked up at the falling water and saw a silhouette of a giant monster climbing up the stream. Fu*k!
"Hm? What is that?" the other noticed as well, and their expression froze in the same realization as mine.
"Everyone behind me now!" I cried as the monster did a somersault and launched itself towards the lake. Everyone sprinted behind me as I raised a massive shield of air.
SPLAAAAASSSHHH!!
The size and weight of the giant monster raised massive waves, which destroyed the frozen water. The massive waves collided with my shield of air.
"Guuuhh!!" Fu*k, it's like I am trying to stop a freaking tsunami! The force behind the massive waves pushed me back, along with the shield, my feet digging into the ground, as I ground my teeth to muster as much force as I could.
Finally, after a few seconds, the waves went down, only to reveal the fire-breathing attack heading our way.
"Celty with me!"
Ryana let loose her spell along with Celty's fire and lightning mixed in as they passed through the air shield, colliding with the blue flames, but this time, instead of stopping, the combined magic pushed through the flames, heading straight towards the monster. The red head of the monster desperately let out its breath, barely diffusing the magic moments before it collided with the monster.
But Ryanan and Celty's attack bought us enough time to reposition ourselves around the battlefield as we got ready for the next and final round.
I knew the monster itself was not that strong. I am sure with proper preparation, I, or even Ryuu, could take it down by herself, but the way it used its surroundings, and especially the lake, like a weapon, was what truly made it dangerous.
But now I have gauged its strength and its attack pattern enough that the second round won't be difficult… or so I thought.
"Ugh! Other smaller monsters are appearing from the lake!" Neze cried as she killed a monster with just a kick.
"So annoying!" Kaguya complained, being surrounded by the smaller monsters from all sides, as she stood on the broken ice, floating on water.
"Guess this monster is more annoying than dangerous," I muttered under my breath as I formed in my head what action we should take next.