章節 8: Green - 8
The days passed by in a quiet symphony. There was a certain monotony about them, each took a similar route. One of two. Maybe the day would consist of training. Lessons etched deep into my mind. Maybe she would teach the intricacies of movement or the depth of accuracy I had yet to reach.
Or maybe my mind would fall to violence, where I would test myself, test the lessons given. My feet didn't fall against the fifth floor, but the general chaos of dozens of goblins and kobolds charging at me, with faces twisted into gangly snarls… It gave plenty of practice. And in the end I would… well I would indulge in a guilty pleasure of mine.
My gaze played against the darkened roof, with silver shadows illuminating the small cabinet faced against me. Was it greedy of me… Maybe.
But I took pleasure in growing the little nest egg one coin at a time. It was easy to accumulate when all my other expenditures, save essentials for the dungeon, were cared for.
And then like that… like someone had snapped and brought me back to reality, the seventh day had come. The warmth of dusk as people roamed about the streets looking for a bar to drown their worries in. I held tightly to Atalanta's hand. She led me towards the meeting place.
So that when the door opened - when I checked the letter one last time to confirm - I stepped over the stairs and into the quiet bar. There were several seats already taken, and several more that stood naked with naught but the dust to keep them company.
I turned my gaze, over and over, until she came into view. An excitable cat who waved with a grand grin on her face. "Over here!" One hand on the side of her mouth and another to wave us towards her.
There were three seated there. The cat who took Ais away from me, Ais herself, and a man. He had spiky black hair, a stern expression that stayed blankly over my own. I sat and like clockwork Ais scooted to my side, pressing herself into my shoulder as she ate the food in front of her.
Just when I had finally settled in and felt comfortable in the silence. There they were, the excitable cat wagging her tail and shifting in her seat. She waved her hand over herself and the man. "I'm Aki, this is Raul."
I blinked and nodded. "Inari." That was all the greeting they would get out of me. And when they turned to Atalanta, her response was about the same. Just a little bit more of an introduction than mine. "Atalanta, this one's… mother." She finally settled.
Aki looked from me to Atalanta, then back to me, then back to her. "I can see." She mimed cat ears and smiled from ear to ear. "The color gave it away~" That was definitely sarcasm. Even I knew the great similarities between the two of us. It was either siblings or mother and son. No in between.
But take into account the slight wrinkles of maturity that echoed over Atalanta's terse smile. The pat over my head as I leaned into her embrace… was there any question of the relationship between us two? I would think not.
Aki leaned her face forward, settling her chin over her stretched palm. Her eyes took in the closeness of Ais and I. Then flickered back to Raul who sighed and nodded, as if to acquiesce the cat's desire.
"If you don't mind then I would like to propose a tentative alliance…" Ais tilted her head, blinking as if to say she didn't understand where this was going. And neither did I. Though whereas Ais, I would imagine, only thought of how her words would bring her back to the slaughter of monsters… mine was different. Wondering why an alliance in the first place.
Couldn't she just let Ais and I go on our own… were we not strong enough, even as a pair?
Aki gestured at Raul. "...We've been tasked with acclimating Ais to the dungeon, taking her as a supporter but you-" Her eyes shone with delight. "-You've ignited a fire we'd thought was burnt out."
"A fire…" I muttered.
Aki nodded. "Yeah, it was… well Ais can tell you more about that it's not our place to say… though suffice it to say that we had to curb her more violent tendencies so that she can be more effective in the dungeon."
"But a fire… why put it out in the first place, isn't raw aggression needed?"
I looked to Atalanta for support but her eyes were half closed, nursing a drink as she watched passively. I didn't understand. No, I just don't understand why they were trying to curb that aggression. Sure I had seen those hateful glares given to the monsters but so what… they were monsters, they deserved the hate… right?
Aki looked to Atalanta, her eyes pleading in a certain way. Something I couldn't quite understand yet… yet Atalanta seemed to be all too sure. She… there was something going on. Something deeper than just monsters.
"I-" Aki stuttered, a terse smile on her face. "Either way I'm sure that your Mom has shown you many things in the dungeon but… well…" She looked to Atalanta again, sweat pouring down her forehead, like some innate instinct had been called.
So I shook my head. "No… she just lets me go down there. All on my own." I was quite proud of that. I had made a lot of progress just by mimicking her skills whether that be of the bow or the grace of her posture. And so I preened. In expectation of the praise I would receive.
But Raul… But Aki… they just blinked and looked horrified. "You… he's n- No… I-" Aki stuttered, again and again until she gave up, her ears fading into the black of her hair. "We've come to offer that you-" She pointed her gaze to me. "Become a supporter with Ais. We'll take you further into the dungeon and help acclimatize you to the deeper monsters."
I considered the offer. For a moment I thought to search Atalanta for any help that she may give but… I- Ah- I just gave up. She was quite adamant in giving me choice and so… with all the intellect I had, I spoke.
"What do I do then?"
Aki snorted.
"You'll follow us and collect the cores and any drop items that we come across."
Ais's eyes shone with eager anticipation, as if hoping that I would accept. "Does that mean that we can hunt together again?" Aki turned to Ais, then to me. But it wasn't her that spoke.
It was the gruff voice of the young man. "As long as you stick to the upper floors, we don't mind."
"We don't…?" Aki growled a little. But Raul just nodded.
"They'll delve either way, they've done it once before, and being in communion far more often will only make it easier, better for us to at least supervise their preparation and set boundaries."
Aki just nodded tersely. "What he said."
I looked at Ais, then to Atalanta. She said nothing, left no nascent expression on her face. Likely to give me the free will of choice. So… I rubbed my fingers through Ais's hair. Her smile quite brilliant.
"I accept."
She smiled. So brilliantly, with emotion that surpassed her usual deadpan. And so the doll whose purpose came more to slaughter than life… she leaned into warmth, and found herself wanting. Whether that was for more… or merely a companion on her lonely destiny… well that was surely for the future to behold.\
/./
The dark halls illuminated themselves with tiny crystals of light. Each twist and turn was taken with the caution of a mother hen. As if the eggs she cared for would break at the slightest shake… the tiniest movement of the wind.
Ais stood at my side. Her hand held taut against the rough pommel of her sword, her eyes swayed from side to side, searching for an enemy that would come soon. Me…? Well I held tight to the small dagger I was given, furrowed brows that questioned its existence and wanted for nothing more than to take the bow and discard the dagger.
But her wisdom was of countless deaths before her. Instructed by a senior employee that had compiled the knowledge and failures of a thousand adventurers and a thousand more. Ones that wished they had one more weapon, who knew they would've survived had they prepared for this eventuality.
I did fine on my own. My arrows found their mark with speed and accuracy, my legs took me out of danger with utmost swiftness… and my eyes and instincts warned me of every danger. So how could they even think to come close. Those clumsy monsters.
Regardless of my feelings… I didn't scoff, I didn't turn my nose at their supposed 'wisdom'. No, I took it in stride and improved myself. I refused to give them any more fuel to their mental image. The two stared at me like a child scorned.
Their eyes furrowed with worry as they watched for my safety, they cooed at my actions and patted my head when I did something 'cute'. Oh and don't get me started on the other stuff they found quote un quote cute. Anything that involved the two of us - Ais and I - was immediately deemed 'the little couple' doing something cute.
And because I scowled, not wanting them to touch me so freely, it just made them even more enthusiastic in their affection. Hah-
The stairs to the fifth floor appeared in my vision, and to the sight of the others. Aki turned around and crouched near the two of us. Raul did the same, except that he stood watch, his eyes searching for what I assumed to be monsters.
"The fifth floor" Aki began, still keeping that light smile. "This'll be the first time I take you… either of you here. So there's a few things I need you to be aware of."
I tilted my head. Wasn't it just different monsters? Right? But when I voiced those thoughts Aki rolled her eyes and chuckled.
"No… well sort of. But the difference is that both goblins and kobolds spawn more frequently and in higher numbers. So here-" She pointed to the group of three kobolds that had spawned and were currently in combat with Raul. "We only really see group of up to five at the rarest. But down there… well there'll be a ton more."
"And the new monsters?" Ais held onto those words, looking at her sword and the goblins.
"There aren't any new ones. Not on the fifth floor. The sixth…" She smiled, quite tersely at that. "Though we'll see a lot more monsters. Like the dungeon lizard. You probably haven't seen many of them, if any at all. And that's cause they don't spawn too often, not on these floors at least."
I furrowed my brows and tried to remember. Yeah- She was right. I hadn't seen anything by that description which was… well it was weird. "Really? Is… are the dungeon lizards just that rare or are they hunted for their items… I heard that some are?"
Aki flickered a finger to her chin. "Ah- Maybe. But it could just be because you went after other adventurers. Some of the higher levels like to clear out familiar monsters like goblins, kobolds, dungeon lizards- and a lot more. Something about a development ability?" Aki just shrugged and continued on.
"Either way it'll be a lot more dangerous after we pass this floor. More monsters, more variety, etc… so stay by each other and help us if you think you can. But you probably won't-" She posed, her smile upturned and her hand on her sword as she looked down at us. "We've been down to the eleventh floor. So we're quite experienced."
"Ok…" I muttered. I took a moment to check my arrows, counting them to make sure they were all there. Then I looked to Ais, she nodded and we were off.
It wasn't until we exited the stairs that our first beasts appeared, as if to celebrate the beginning of a new hunt. "Convenient." Raul muttered. I could see his arm shake… with anticipation? Probably.
But Aki stood in front of him, made Raul put his sword back into its sheath. "Don't. Let the two of them handle it, we can critique afterwards and help them if they need it."
Aki smiled and gave both of us the thumbs up. "You can do it!" She cheered.
I nocked an arrow and sent it flying. The goblins in front of me roared their preferred battle cries, charging. One fell, then another and another. Any that crossed my sight would die. Their heads being pierced by a sharp arrow.
And should they be outside of my view, well- that was where Ais came in. She pummeled them with the sharp edge of her sword. Trying to cut their heads off but… ah- she wasn't quite that accurate.
Either way she smiled, however small it was. Letting her excitement get to her, Ais took each and every enemy that she could. Only leaving small openings for me to maneuver around her and take potshots at the enemy.
"Ais!" I shouted. Something flickered at the edge of my vision. Was that the lizard they were talking about? A brown thing clinging to the side of the dungeon.
Either way Ais dodged out of the way and cut the limb threatening to disembowel her. I took the opportunity and shot the damned thing in the eye. It thrashed around for a moment but only a moment. 'Cause moments later it died. And the ambush was done.
With more than ten goblins lying dead, either bludgeoned to death, or with arrows sticking from their throats. And on the edge of the battlefield lay a lizard. Its length twice that of the goblins, maybe more, with the ferocity to match it.
Though to us, it was nothing more than an afterthought. Just another monster to the slaughter.
I looked to Aki and Raul. They… well they stood with stern expressions. Analyzing the fight if I read them right. Raul kept his expression, his hand on his chin as if to imitate some grand strategist. But Aki smiled and scooped both of us into a hug. Ais rubbed some of the blood she doused herself in onto both Aki and I.
Out. I want out. "You stink." I deadpanned. Ais tilted her head.
"Oh. Sorry."
"Daw~ You two are just the cutest little murder twins there are."
I bet that if Raul hadn't interrupted - "Aki… can you come here for a moment?" - then she would've continued that hug forever. Trying to suffocate us with her arms.
But I took it for what it was, an opportunity. I parted from Ais and sniffed my nose elsewhere. The potent stink of sweat and blood mixed in my sensitive nose. It wasn't that bad… No, maybe it was but… well- I could still feel the adrenaline course through my veins, and with it a desire to hunt more. Was that masking the stink? Maybe.
I turned to Ais, leaning my back against the wall. She stood close to me, but as if scorned, not too close as to touch our shoulders.
"It's nice to hunt again."
She startled at the noise but nodded again.
"Yes."
I shook my head. Ais misunderstood me, I could see that as clear as day. The slight glare against the monster's dead bodies, how her mouth opened just a tad bit in that tiny snarl she bore.
"No… I meant hunting with you again… it was nice, to trust my back to someone else… to you."
Her eyes widened. Noticeably too. That- that doll-like expression… it was gone. Replaced by the eyes of one who thought herself alone, who took for granted the lonely perception of the world, and the hate.
That incorrigible… absolutely horrid disgust… her expression softened and turned to me with eyes filled with hope. "Really…?" She… our child-like minds connected. One so wrought by pity and despair… the boy taken from his world far too soon, given ailments greater than an adult could handle without an ultimate price. And the girl, she who savagely took the lives of those responsible for her ultimate sadness. She who slaughtered and slaughtered then slaughtered some more. All in that rightful hate.
"Yeah…" Bashful in nature, a child in mind. I couldn't comprehend the wellspring of emotions that bloomed in my chest. And so - like a child would - I looked to the roof, avoiding eye contact at all costs. But I still spoke. "I've hunted and hunted. Trained with… trained. But when I hunt, I remember the companionship…? No, I think…"
She looked at me. A queer look that gave nothing and everything at the same time.
"I think your presence just reminded me of how lonely I am."
Ah- and there was the bashfulness of childish thought. The straightening of my spine, the wrought force of my legs as I dashed against the ground and slaughtered the incoming beasts. They died to claws hardened by embarrassment, and arrows pushed by rightful - again - bashfulness.
And when I looked back. Ais had her finger to her lip. Brilliant gold watching my tail swish this way and that. Slaughtering the enemies that came, one by one. She stood, stretched her arms, and with a smile both hungry and content, joined the battle.
All with the watchful eyes of two far more experienced than her or I.
/./
Our journey ended far sooner than either Ais or I were happy with. Their words tried to placate us, saying that they needed a better measure of our abilities… whether we could go further than the fifth floor, whether we could keep our current level in the endlessly more difficult battles that would come. And how they weren't confident keeping the two of us alive should we delve deeper.
Of course those words were countered by my own. Ais had her own protests but just stood beside me, her hand clenching the other in want of more battle. She… I was forced to speak her own wants and desires, and even then it wasn't enough.
Thus we were forced to the surface, wary and careful of the other teams who delved deeper than us. I could count on my fingers the amount of people who passed us. Was that a sign? Was it much later than I expected… mid-day maybe? Or even the afternoon. I tilted my head as the light glared into my sensitive eyes. There was a certain monotony about Aki's actions. She took to the line and soon excised the loot from our hands and into the guilds. They gave back coins that were quickly distributed amongst the two of them - Raul and Aki - then, like an afterthought, she turned to Ais and I. She gave a scant few coins, a smile on her face.
"Sorry if it isn't much but it's the standard supporter rate. About five to ten percent of the total and even then…" She turned to Ais then back to me. "I had to split it between the two of you."
I looked at the coins, then back to Aki. "I guess that's fine. Just, take me further next time. Yeah?"
She nodded.
"We will. I doubt Ais'll be happy if I don't." She waved to the both of us, as if they weren't taking Ais with them… were they not? I tilted my head, ears perked towards them to try and divine their intentions. Nothing. Not a single whisper of intention rather a hand that pointed towards the streets.
"We'll be off. Take care of Ais."
I blinked.
"Huh-"
That was… that was really- really irresponsible of them. Despite our power we were just two children. And they just up and left. My head tilted further. Why? It seemed…
I don't even know how to say it. Rather the words for their incompetence were probably just too out of reach. Far deeper than my childish brain could think of. I sighed and took Ais's hand. She clutched it gently and followed.
"Are…" I began.
"Mm…" She hummed. "I wanted… to… stay with you? For the night?"
I blinked. "Really?"
"Mm…"
"Why?"
The streets grew sparse. Tiny lights lit the illuminated parts of the city, an unnecessary measure construed to bad timing on the part of city planners? Expanders? Whatever they were, it was obvious that the day had gone far longer than they had planned for.
Lights that should've come on at the brink of night to illuminate the path… instead of their intended purpose, they just led me further and further until I reached that unfamiliar house. Rummaged through my pockets for a key, then with all the grace of a cat, I turned the lock and with it the door.
Atalanta was there to greet me, her form lounging upon one of the center seats, as if she had sensed my arrival.
"This is…" Ais began. "Your familia home?"
I blinked.
"Familia…"
It was… well- an unfamiliar word. Though it sounded kind of like family… so maybe it had to do with that.
"No, just our home. Though…" Atalanta stalked next to me, taking my hand and leading me into the kitchen. There she sat me down and brought food. Of which I devoured with gusto. Hey- I was hungry, and that was reason enough.
"Just your home? Then you live away from your Familia, bad blood? Something like that?"
She was unusually talkative, and quite assertive that this- I waved my hand- Familia thingy… quite certain that I was a part of it. Whatever it was.
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