Authors Notes:
So yeah... I kinda forgot that this chapter starts out with smut. So for those that don't want to read smut, you've been warned. I'll mark where it ends for you.

The morning started in the relic tomb as it had for the last few days. Camp fires burned as the smells of different foods were cooked for breakfast filled the air. However in Arthur and Tess' stone cottage, the smells were quite different.

Arthur was sitting up in bed naked as Tess' hips moved up and down on his member, their arms wrapped around one another as they ferociously made out. The two broke their lips apart for air, both breathing heavily. Instead of going back to making out Arthur lowered his head and began sucking and gently biting on her left breast.

"Ohhhh," Tess moaned, as Arthur did one of her favorite things to her.

She grinded her hips with him still inside her as she continued to move them up and down, increasing the pleasure for them.

"A-A-Art, let's finish in a different position," Tess requested after nearly a minute, feeling herself near her peak.

"Alright, lay on your side, back to me," Arthur instructed.

Tess slid off his member and laid on her right side. Arthur laid on his side as well, and raised her left leg a bit. Before he could grab his member to put it in, Tess reached down and grabbed it. She rubbed his wet, hard member and rubbed it at her pussy, causing them both to shudder a bit with excitement, then pushed it in. Arthur began thrusting his hips slowly as his left arm wrapped around her and began massaging her left breast as he began biting and sucking on her neck. Tess' left hand went down and she began rubbing her pussy right by where Arthur was penetrating her.

Blissful moans left her mouth and filled the room, but didn't go any further due to the noise canceling spell Arthur cast.

Tess could feel it, this was it, she was about to peak. Suddenly without warning Arthur rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Her back was on his chest, head at his right shoulder, and somehow his member still inside her.

"Art?"

He didn't respond, but instead locked lips with her, started massaging both of her breasts, and resumed thrusting. Tess continued to moan into the kiss as one of her hands moved back down and rubbed herself as Arthur thrusted. They both could feel it coming, they were both about to climax. Arthur started to gently pinch her nipples, driving Tess even more crazy and breaking their kissing.

"Aaaarrrt," she moaned loudly, causing Arthur to snap.

His thrusts became erratic and hearing her moan his name pushed him over the edge, and warm feeling in her lower abdomen of Arthur releasing himself was all she needed. As Arthur continued thrusting while still shooting off his load, Tess' walls tightened around him as her own fluids erupted and covered his member. The two just laid there panting in the afterglow.

SMUT ENDS HERE!

"Well that was a fun way to start the day," Arthur commented then gently kissed her neck.

The one biggest thing Arthur never anticipated was how much time they were going to be spending on the first floor, or that he and Tess would actually have time alone like this. So obviously they had been having sex at least one a day as a result, since time alone was going to become a lot harder after the dive really started.

"Same. I still can't believe I'm enjoying it so much. My mother told me she and my father only did it on their wedding night, their anniversary, and when they were trying to have me because it hurt so much."

"Like I've said, I need to write a book about this stuff. I could improve so many couples' relationships."

Tess rolled off of him and laid on her side next to and facing him. "You'll need a pen name then. I feel like you might be seen like a pervert for publishing something like that."

"Of course," he replied as he turned his head and the two kissed. "But who's the bigger pervert between us? Lately you've been wanting to have sex quite often." Arthur gave an over exaggerated hurt expression. "I'm starting to feel you're seeing me as some kind of sex toy."

Tess pinched his side.

"And I'm in an abusive relationship on top of that," he faked crying.

"Seriously?" Tess climbed back on top of him and placed her hands on his cheeks. "You may be a sex toy, but you're my sex toy. As well as my husband, and the love of my life."

She leaned down and began kissing him lovingly. Arthur returned the kiss as he snaked his arms around her, grabbing her butt.

"Eek." She squeaked for the grab. "You think you're a sex toy?"

"Hey, I've got a ton of pent up sexual frustration and knowledge here. There are still things I want to try with you that I wouldn't have ever considered in my past life."

"Why not?"

"Because I felt they were too intimate. Things I would only want to do with someone I loved."

She began kissing him again, this time a little more aggressively. Her breasts were pressed against his chest, his hands on her ass, and his member was becoming erect again.

Knock knock knock

"Seriously?" Arthur groaned as they broke the kiss.

"Maybe if we be quiet they'll walk away," Tess whispered.

Knock knock knock

"Art, are you in there?" Jasmine asked.

"Maybe you should see what she wants," Tess stated and climbed off.

He got up frustrated, thinking how they may have done it again if not for the knocking.

"I'll be there in a minute, let me get decent."

Two minutes later Arthur was wearing a black tunic with matching pants, and Tess had most of her clothes on and was tightening her belt. With a nod from Tess Arthur approached the door.

"Alright Jasmine," Arthur started to open the door. "What can I do for..."

"ART!" Angela cried as she burst into the cottage, immediately grabbing Arthur and taking him into her signature hug as she swung him from side to side and tears flowed freely.

"No! You have a wife to do that with! Get your face out from between those glorious titties!" Regis shouted angrily.

"It's not like I'm doing this willingly," Arthur replied. "And since when do you care about Angela, I thought you were hung up on Aya."

"I'm a wolf of culture. Angela is my giant breast goddess, while Aya is my sexy freaky elf goddess. There is plenty of Regis to go around for all the ladies."

"Angela," Durden solemnly.

She released Arthur, causing him to stumble backwards. Tess caught him, and when he looked up to thank her he saw she was staring confused back towards Angela. He looked to see her just in the doorway with tears still pouring from her eyes as she sobbed, even Durdens eyes looked red from crying.

"Are you ok? Come in," Arthur said with a worried tone.

They both walked in with Jasmine and Helen following behind them. Jasmine kept her head down so her eyes couldn't be seen, but he could see a sad look in Helen's as she looked at him. Arthur conjured some chairs and gestured for them to take a seat.

"I'm sorry," Jasmine blurted out after sitting down.

"What?"

"Before...the last time. I wasn't strong enough to help you," she explained as her body shook.

"Sorry, I'm still not following," Arthur stated.

"Helen told us what you went through. About how you managed to go back in time," Durden explained.

Arthur's eyes shot right to Helen.

"Does classified mean nothing to you?"

"It means plenty, but as far as I'm concerned it doesn't mean to keep secrets from family, about another family members suffering," she replied.

Arthur opened his mouth to reply, but stopped. This went right back to the same situation with his mother and sister.

He leaned back in his chair and smiled smugly. "Well don't worry about me. Clearly I'm ok now, and history won't repeat itself."

"We can't just forget all of this," Durden said as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs. "Helen told us you were tortured, cut up and put back together. If things go wrong, if any mistakes are made, you could end up there again."

"I'll return to the sanctuary and train with my uncle. I'll train like hell until I reach the white core stage, until I can be strong enough to help you" Jasmine stated with determination.

"I'm sorry Jasmine, but that won't help," Arthur stated flatly. "This time I've surpassed the scythes and retainers, and this will only end with me taking Agrona's head. That's a fight no white core mage should be anywhere close to."

"So what? We just sit back and let everything happen?" Helen asked angrily. "What if you do get captured? What if we do lose the war? Do we just keep back with our heads down because it won't make a difference?"

"No of course not," Arthur replied dismissively. "Do you honestly think I came all this way without a plan?"

"What..," Angela sniffed. "Is the plan?" Tess handed her a handkerchief.

"We're in the middle of it. The ore mined will give the lances improved weapons and allow them to go all out, and me gaining fate will allow me to defeat Agrona."

"But you showed us, you've already tried this," Helen stated. "What if the sanctuary is attacked again?"

Arthur smiled confidently. "Then plan B takes effect."

"Plan B?" Tess asked, as this was the first time she had even heard of it. "What's plan B?"

"Sorry, but only Commander Virion and I know that."

"Why?" Jasmine asked.

"Because some people may object to it."

"If people would object to it, doesn't that mean it's not necessarily a good idea?" Durden pointed out.

"People may feel that way, but this plan was made from my experience in the previous timeline. So no one can really see things the same way I do."

"Well can you at least enlighten us to the plan?" Helen asked. "We'll trust you."

"Sorry but no. This needs to be kept as quiet as possible."

—————————————————————-

Plan B, devised by Arthur with the cooperation of Virion. In the event that the sanctuary were to become compromised, the relic tomb would be cut off from the surface. With the cooperation of Gideon, a series of explosives were built using fire salt and attached to the gate to the relic tomb, and in theory was strong enough to blow the gate up twice. The plan was always to build an outpost in the relic tomb, not only to allow for the openly stated purpose as someplace for people to live and support the mining operation, but also to be a refuge in case the war were to be lost and ensure the survival of the three races in Dicathen.

In the event the sanctuary were to be comprised and under attack, a five minute timer would be activated on the explosives, and non combat personnel would evacuate to the relic tomb. In the event that the enemy forces could be defeated in time, the timer would be deactivated, and proper evacuation would be conducted before the timer would be set again as they left. If the enemy couldn't be defeated, the gate would be destroyed and the people in the relic tomb would be cut off, but also safe.

This was the reason why nearly everyone Arthur cared about was on the relic tomb mission, or was in the sanctuary, to ensure they had the best chance of survival possible. Really the only person Arthur wanted in the sanctuary in case of an evacuation was Gideon and Emily, but the old artifactor refused to have to establish a new lab in the sanctuary when he had so many important projects happening. Arthur suspected he could have gained his cooperation if he explained his plan, but at this point he couldn't reveal that much of it.

A second event that could put this plan into effect would be if Arthur were to ever be declared dead or missing. The difference with this event would be that there would be more time to prepare. Currently the council was gathering materials to properly build up the outpost in the relic tomb, however if plan B were to be activated, the build up in both materials and personnel would become a top priority, so that the outpost would become completely self sufficient as soon as possible, but still wouldn't be cut off until the sanctuary were to be attacked or the threat of attack was obvious.

This plan was made with not only the knowledge that the sanctuary was discovered and attacked in the previous timeline, but also the fact that the Asura were preparing to declare open war against the Virita. When that happened, regardless of who would win, both continents would be made uninhabitable for generations, and not even the sanctuary would be safe. Only in the relic tomb could a lesser survive this war. The plan was that the survivors would be able to get stronger and hopefully gain insight into aether, so that when they eventually emerged, they would be strong enough to hold their own against whoever won the war.

—————————————————————-

"And what makes you think your plan B would be successful?" Jasmine asked.

"Simple," Arthur said confidently. "The Asura and Vritia have been at war for centuries, essentially playing a game of chess with the citizens of both continents being their pawns. But they made a miscalculation, Agrona and Kezess have been moving their pieces like chess, but this isn't chess. I just became a third player in their game, and I've been moving pieces on both sides and they don't even realize it. Unlike them, my objective is different, it's the survival of my loved ones. Yes my plan is to end this war, but that isn't needed for me to win. I've made my moves very carefully and prepared accordingly, no matter how things go, no matter what happens, I win."

—————————————————————

At the exit to the camp Arthur's team was gathering with nervous excitement. This was a feeling they were all familiar with, it was the same feeling they all felt the first few times they entered a dungeon. Thomas and Jerry were wishing Claire and Theo good luck when Kaspian walked over.

"Claire, a word before you leave?"

"Of course," she replied, and he led her to the side away from everyone.

Considering he was in charge and had an image to maintain it wouldn't surprise her that he wanted to say a heartfelt goodbye to his niece.

Once out of ear shot he erected a sound dampening spell.

He looked down at his niece, young, full of ambition and potential to even surpass him one day, and sighed in disappointment. Not at her, but himself. She being sent on a mission that could potentially be more dangerous than any dungeon he had ever experienced, and he was forced to stay behind and watch her go.

Memories of her death Arthur shared with him from the previous timeline flashed through his mind. He had wished that it was him going instead, even if it meant his death. He had asked Arthur why his team wasn't completing the dive with him despite being stronger, but was only told that everyone had a role to play, and that he was needed at the camp.

"Uncle Kaspian?" Claire said as he wasn't taking, and broke him from his thoughts.

"I'm sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts." He smiled warmly. "You've grown so much since your father and I started training you." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you."

Claire smiled as she looked up to him. "Thank you."

"With that said, please be careful."

"Uncle," Claire said with an eye roll.

"I'm serious. Don't be a hero and do something stupid."

Claire looked up at him with disbelief. This didn't sound like the uncle who trained her. He taught about honor, courage, self sacrifice, basically the honor of fighting for a cause bigger than one's self, and if needed to die for it. To her if her sacrificing her life could mean the the survival of her team, she would do it, but here her uncle, her teacher, roll model, and mentor was telling her to forget some of his own lessons.

"I don't understand, it sounds like you're telling me to forget your own lessons?"

"You didn't see what Arthur showed me, so please just listen to me, and make sure you come back home."

—————————————————————-

Arthur and Tess were arriving at the exit to the camp after their talk with the twin horns. He didn't exactly appreciate that Helen told them everything he showed her, but he wasn't mad either. Like she said, secrets about family shouldn't be kept from family, and he saw them as family. As they approached they noticed Claire talking with her uncle off to the side, no doubt him wishing her luck. Arthur also saw Ellie and his mother, who he thought were only there to see them off.

"Mom, Ellie," Arthur greeted. "I guess this is it. While we're gone feel free to move into the cottage I built. I know you wouldn't let me build you one, but it's just taking up space otherwise."

"Pfft no way," Ellie replied with a disgusted expression.

"No thank you Art," Alice said in a much nicer tone.

"Why not? I put a lot of work into it," Arthur replied, unable to understand.

"I'm sure you two did put a lot of work into it," Ellie replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Arthur asked. He looked to Tess, but she just shrugged as she was just as clueless.

"Umm, I think I should explain what she means," Curtis said as he walked over. "I believe what she's talking about are the, bodily fluids that have no doubt soaked into everything." Arthur and Tess blushed the brightest red possible. "Don't be embarrassed, you two haven't even been married a month yet. If you two aren't doing it every day then you're doing something wrong."

Arthur and Tess were left speechless, as their love life was essentially blurted out for all to hear.

"And on that note," Alice said as she faced Tess, right before she added to the awkwardness. "I need to check you before the dive."

"Check me?" Tess asked, then her eyes lit up in realization. "Are you kidding me?"

"Sorry," Alice apologized. "The council's order."

"The council? Don't you mean my grandfather or parents?" Tess replied.

"No," Lilia said, looking rather embarrassed. "Aunt Alice checked Kathyln and I too."

Tess looked over at Kathyln as she had her face burried in Lunaris' chest, but her ears could be seen through her hair and were bright red.

"Can you even tell if she's pregnant by this point?" Arthur asked out of genuine curiosity.

"This is the earliest, and only if a child was conceived in the first day or two of your honeymoon," Alice replied.

"Fine," Tess replied as she took a step closer.

It wasn't that she would argue about it if she was pregnant, or that she didn't want to be. She often found herself fantasizing about being pregnant with their first child. She had just wished Alice had come to her sooner and not in front of everyone.

Alice placed her right hand on Tess' lower abdomen and her hand glowed green.

"Nope, you're not pregnant," Alice stated as she removed her hand.

Arthur looked a little frustrated by this, as he wouldn't have minded keeping her out of danger like that.

"Now that that is settled." Arthur looked at Ellie as he removed the metal sphere he used to open portals to the relic tombs, as well as an envelope from his storge rune and held them out to Ellie. "Take these."

"What are they?" Ellie asked as she looked the two items over.

"The sphere is an ancient mage artifact that allows portals to be made in and out of the relic tomb. The envelope has instructions on how to use it. Since you're the only other one here who can use aether, I figured it might be a good idea for you to hold onto this incase anything were to happen," Arthur explained.

"As in happened...do you mean...." Ellie started to ask, but was shaking as she had trouble getting out the words.

Arthur took her into a tight hug. "Nothings going to happen to me, but I also can't help but plan for the worst." He pushed her away so he could look her in the eyes. "Don't bother opening the envelope now. You're control over aether is too weak to use the artifact yet, so keep up your training. Once you manage to get the seed out, you'll be strong enough to use it."

"Does this training really work?" She asked.

"It worked for me. It took me about a month to get it out," he then smirked. "So I dare you to do better."

Ellie smiled then moved forward and hugged him again. "Be careful, and good luck."

Upon being released Arthur looked at his mother as she released Tess from a hug.

"Mom."

Alice took Arthur into a warm motherly hug as she held back the tears.

"You just be careful, and make sure that you and Tess look out for one another."

"I will mom."

"And you better come back to us," she said as tears finally started to escape her eyes.

Arthur released his mother and smiled. "Come on, you know me, I always come back. I might not come back on time or in the best condition, but I always come back."

"Yeah mom," Ellie said with a mocking smirk. "Art's like a cockroach, can survive just about anything and shows up when you least expect him."

Everyone but Arthur got a good laugh out of that comment. Even Alice felt happier as if some of her worry melted away, to such a degree she had one last thing to say.

"Art, Tess, take good care of and look out for one another. When this is all over I'm looking forward to relaxing and spending time with my grandchildren."

This was so out of character for Alice, that both Arthur and Tess couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

"Mom! Don't encourage them!" Ellie said in a panic. "I'm way too young and poor to be an aunt yet."

"You know Eleanor," Feyrith chimmed in. "The Ivysaur family is quite rich, and my little brother is rather smitten with you."

"Feyfey," Arthur called out as he laced his voice with mana, and gave a smile that sent chills down everyone's spines. "Are you trying to become an only child?"

"Arthur!" Alice scolded.

"Come on brother, you were so relaxed at the wedding I thought you were past this."

"Not until you're thirty, or have been confirmed dead for three days. And by confirmed I mean there's a body."

"Ughhh," Ellie groaned.

Arthur laughed at her frustration.

"Alright everyone, let's move out," Arthur announced.

"Good luck General," Kaspian said as he and Claire approached and he bowed.

"Thanks." Arthur then pulled an envelope from his storage rune. "Here. These are orders if things start getting crazy out there while we're gone. They've already been approved by the Commander, I just figured it would be best for you to have all the information in case the Commander doesn't have time to fill you in."

"And how would you define crazy?"

"Oh you'll know. Just use your best judgment and don't open those orders earlier."

"Yes Sir!"

With that Arthur and his team exited the camp and began the hour walk to the gate. The walk was uneventful with them seeing a herd of the buffalo like beasts they had seen in abundance since arriving, but also small rodents that were peaking out of the ground, as well as birds flying in the air. Before wiping out the reptilian predators, most of these beasts haven't been seen before by them, as if they knew it was now safe to come out.

They entered the gate just as easily as any other, but the exit felt more smooth than any of them had ever experienced from the teleportation gates in Dicathen. Contrary to the previous floor, this one made them feel as though they had emerged into the beast glades. They had entered into a green forest with all of the foliage looking familiar. If not for a group of four eyed green gorillas with mushrooms growing out of their backs, they might have thought they actually did. There were about six of the beasts, varying in size, with the smallest clinging to another as if it were a child clinging to its mother. One looked at them, but seemed to pay them no mind and continued walking. The team had stopped and admired the scene, only for it to end brutally.

Out of nowhere a large bird like beast swooped down and snatched the mother and it's young. The beast was mostly black, with the head and wings of a massive crow, but it had four clawed legs, and a short set of clawed arms that were just big enough to carry its prey away. The team immediately took a defensive stance as they tracked the beast as it flew, only to see it was part of a flock, and another was heading right down to them.

"Get ready!" Arthur shouted as they drew their weapons. "Feyrith prepare a defensive spell, Kathyln, Lilia, offensive, just get it to the ground!"

Kathyln fired a series of ice spears, as Lilia fired a series of wind blades. The beast dropped down to avoid the spells, and continued to fly only a few feet off the ground towards them. Arthur and the other augmenters prepared to face it head on, but Regis jumped out of Arthur, and tackled the beast to the ground before ripping out its throat.

"Hell yeah! I missed this shit!"