Last time Leo, Pyra, and the members of of their Adventuring Party stopped in at the Hostess of Fertility to celebrate their mapping of the Fifth Floor. There Leo reconnected with Mia Grand and Ryu Lion, two people he has been close with since his early days as an Adventurer. However their journey to the Eighth Floor continues, what awaits them as they journey deeper?

It had been two days since the visit to the Hostess of Fertility, in that time Leo and Pyra with the help of Riveria, Narvi, and Lefiya managed to map out the Sixth and Seventh Floors. Leo was rather pleased with how rapidly he had been progressing deeper and deeper into the Dungeon. Of course he wasn't ready to celebrate just yet as the next step was traversing the Eighth Floor and hopefully locating the door to the next Ancient Corridor. Leo and Pyra were both seen walking through the streets of Orario, their destination the Dungeon. Walking with them was Riveria, who followed close behind the Driver and Blade.

Pyra: Its a shame that Lefiya and Narvi won't be joining us this time, they helped us get this far, it feels wrong that they won't be with us when we find the next Ancient Corridor.

Leo: They were offered positions on an Expedition Party to the middle floors. I doubt they would pass up such an opportunity. Besides we will most likely be moving at a slower pace today due to our lower party numbers. We'll be lucky if we map most of the Eighth Floor today, much less find the entrance to the next Ancient Corridor.

Riveria listened to the Driver and Blade converse with each other, a knowing smirk on her face.

Riveria's Thoughts: Leo you vastly underestimate how dedicated Lady Loki is to aiding you on this personal quest of yours.

As the trio continue to walk through the street they heard footsteps rapidly approaching them as a voice called out to them.

Bell: Leo!

The trio stopped and turned around to see Bell running up to them while waving. The young Adventurer ran up to the group, he however was dressed in new adventuring clothes. A black shirt, black pants, his standard boots. Simple white armor pieces adorned various parts of his body.

Leo: Bell! It's been a spell since we last spoke, hasn't it?

Bell stopped a few feet in front of Leo, shooting his friend a smile before nodding his head in agreement.

Bell: It has, looks like we both improved since then, thank you for the gift. I honestly don't know if I deserve it.

Leo: Nonsense, you were brave enough to enter the Ancient Corridor with me that day we stumbled upon it. It would be selfish of me not to grant you one of the treasures hidden within it.

Leo shot his friend a thankful smile who in return scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

Pyra: Have you resonated with the Core Crystal yet?

Bell turned his attention towards Pyra after she asked that question, shaking his head in denial of her words.

Bell: Not yet, I wanna get a bit stronger before I try. I know it's about being worthy, but I don't know if I'm quite there yet.

Pyra nodded her head in understanding as she knew the prospect of resonating with a Core Crystal could be daunting. While the Driver and Blade conversed with Bell, Riveria found herself studying the white haired Adventurer closely.

Riveria: So you are young Bell Cranel, I owe you a debt for assisting Leo in the Ancient Corridor. I imagine if he braved it alone, he may not have been as lucky as he was.

Riveria bowed to Bell, who blushed in embarrassment before frantically waving off Riveria's praise.

Bell: There's no need to thank me. Leo is my friend, I wouldn't let him go into unknown territory all by himself!

Riveria merely smirked at the young Adventurer's earnest and kind nature. Relieved the boy Ais took such an interest in was in fact a good person. However before the conversation could continue, another set of footsteps were heard approaching the group accompanied by the sound of materials rustling around.

????: Master Bell, we can't afford to waste time if you wish to reach the Eighth Floor today.

The trio looked behind Bell and saw a Pallum girl dressed in a tan hooded coat. She had short chestnut hair and chestnut eyes. Strapped to her back was a giant green backpack almost bursting at the seems with supplies.

This young lady was Liliruca Arde or Lili for short, she was Bell's traveling companion and Supporter while in the Dungeon.

Leo: Oh, did you and Lady Hestia manage to recruit a new member Bell?

Leo looked Lili over with curiosity in his eyes, the Pallum girl shot the blonde Adventurer a glare in return.

Bell: No, this is Lili, she's my Supporter. I've been able to travel to the lower floors thanks to her help. Lili, this is Leo Barclay the friend I told you I would party with before I met you.

Lili's eyes widened in surprise as the glare melted off her face and was replaced with a more calm expression.

Lili: You are Sir Leo? Thank you for making sure Master Bell returned safely that day!

Lili bowed to Leo who nervously chuckled and scratched the back of his head at the girl's reaction.

Leo: There's no need to thank me, we saved each other that day truthfully. If anything Pyra was the real hero of that dangerous spelunking endeavor.

Lili then turned her attention towards Pyra who gave the Pallum girl a friendly smile.

Lili: You must be Lady Pyra, Master Bell mentioned when you work together with Sir Leo you have incredible power.

Pyra: That is the primary purpose of a Blade, giving our Driver the power to cut down any foe that threatens them.

Lili smiled at Pyra appreciatively before turning to look at Bell with an annoyed expression plastered across her face.

Lili: We need to get moving Master Bell, you know it takes us a bit longer to traverse floors than proper Adventuring Parties!

Bell: Right, we can talk later Leo. Let me know if you find anything else strange within the Dungeon. Maybe I can help you out with looking into it!

Bell and Lili then ran off towards the Dungeon as the trio watch them disappear down the street.

Riveria: We best get moving as well if we wish to reach the Eighth Floor in a timely manner.

Leo and Pyra nodded before they once again got moving, wanting to arrive at the Dungeon as soon as possible so they could reach the Eighth Floor and begin the search for the next Ancient Corridor.

Dungeon Entrance
The trio arrived at the entrance of the Dungeon, however Leo and Pyra were surprised to find two people waiting for them. Those two people in question were Ais and Bete.

Bete: Took you three long enough! Seriously we've been waiting here for like fifteen minutes!

Ais: The others should be joining us shortly, with any luck we should find the Ancient Corridor on the Eighth Floor.

Pyra: Ais, Bete, what are you two doing here?

Bete let out a frustrated growl before shooting a glare at Pyra.

Bete: Ain't it obvious? We're helping you find that damned Corridor! One Expedition Party is helping with that while the other is being led by Gareth to the Eighteenth Floor.

Leo took this information in, he had heard two Expedition Parties had been formed for an important large scale project. However Ais's earlier statement finally registered in his head.

Leo: I'm sorry, but did you say others?

????: She's talking about us! This whole Ancient Corridor thing sounds exciting!

Leo turned to see a tan skinned young woman with short brown hair dressed in traditional Amazon clothing. Strapped to her back was a double bladed glaive weapon.

This young woman was Tiona Hiryute, an Amazon and member of the Loki Familia. Tiona shot Leo a friendly smiled before walking up to the group.

Tiona: Gotta say you really took us all by surprise when you found a hidden section of the Dungeon. It honestly sounds like something out of a story about a Legendary Hero! You even pulled a magic sword out of stone!

Leo blushed slightly in embarrassment at Tiona's words, he truthfully didn't think what had happened was at all that grandiose or worthy of such high praise.

????: Tiona you are making him uncomfortable.

Leo and Tiona turned to see another ten skinned girl with long dark hair. She also wore traditional Amazon clothing and had two kukris sheathed on the back of her waist.

This young woman was Tione Hiryute, Tiona's older twin sister, an Amazon, and another member of the Loki Familia. Tione approached her sister and the blonde haired Adventurer, shooting the young man an apologetic look.

Tione: Sorry about my sister, stories of Legendary Heroes get her all excited.

Leo: It's quite alright, a close friend of mine has a similar passion for the stories of heroes. You two are the Hiryute Twins correct? I'm surprised Adventurers of your caliber would take time out of your schedules to assist with locating the next Ancient Corridor.

Finn: That's because Lady Loki wishes to send an even larger Expedition Party into the next Ancient Corridor after she informs the other Gods of this unforeseen development at the next banquet. All of us assisting you in locating the next Corridor is to give you a chance to adapt to working alongside us.

Leo and Pyra turned to see Finn walking up to them, a golden spear clutched in his right hand.

Pyra: Captain Deimne, you will be accompanying us as well?

Finn: Yes, Lady Loki does not want another close call like during the last Expedition. Myself and Riveria will be members of the Expedition into the next Corridor. Gareth will take care of preparations for a larger scale expedition we have planned for the future.

Leo: I suppose the last Expedition was a rather close call, very well the greater our numbers, the less likely that will be repeated.

Finn and Riveria both nodded their heads in agreement. Despite the Loki Familia being considered one of the strongest Familias, the loss of any members was a significant blow to morale.

Bete: Well, the hell are we doing standing around wasting time? Let's get a move on before the damn sun sets!

Bete growled in annoyance as he turned on his heel and began walking towards the entrance to the Dungeon. The rest of the group collectively rolled their eyes at werewolf's usual impatient attitude before quickly following after him.

Eighth Floor
With the help of many of the Loki Familia's stronger members, reaching the Eighth Floor was a rather quick endeavor. Only taking the group roughly under an hour to do so. The Eighth Floor looked similar to the Fifth to Seventh Floors, the major difference being the moss growing on the walls and the patches of grass growing across the floor. The party marched on through the Eighth Floor, Leo and Pyra standing in the center of the group. Leo had out his journal and charcoal pencil. Sketching out the map of the Eighth Floor as they traveled through it. Tiona however walked up next to Leo on the side of the blonde Adventurer opposite to Pyra.

Tiona: Why do you go through all the trouble anyway? I get you wanna help people, but the Dungeon kind of does whatever it wants. Some notes and maps can't exactly save them from something that can make its own decisions.

Leo looked up from his journal and turned to look at Tiona, the Amazon wasn't looking at him as if he were foolish for going through all the work of his journals, rather she was curious as to why.

Tione: I apologize, Tiona can sometimes be a little too blunt for her own good.

Leo: No, it's quite alright. Tiona, I know my journals can't prepare people for every possible scenario. However it can be a guideline, give them an idea of what to expect so they can properly plan around said dangers.

Tiona remained silent for a moment, contemplating Leo's words before letting out a defeated sigh.

Tiona: That's way too much thinking, personally I think the best way to handle things is the most straightforward way. Monsters blocking your path? Cut them down and keep moving, nice and simple. No need for elaborate plans or fancy thinking, just smash on through whatever stands in your way.

Tiona shot Leo a confident smile as Pyra looked at the Amazon girl with a concerned expression on her face.

Pyra: That seems like a rather dangerous mentality to have in a place like the Dungeon. With dangers lurking around every corner, being prepared could save your life.

Tione: Tiona is one for stopping and thinking, she tends to think everything can be solved if you simply face it head on.

Tiona shot her twin an annoyed glare, it wasn't the first time someone made fun of how she approached things. Leo however contemplated Tiona's methodology to Adventuring.

Leo: Actually, I believe there is a certain brilliance to a simple and straightforward approach to the Dungeon.

Tiona looked at Leo in surprise, not expecting the studious Adventurer to think her way of doing things was smart.

Tiona: Really? My way of doing things is smart?!

Leo: Yes, just in a different way. There are many forms of intelligence, what is "Smart" and what is "Foolish" are not black and white, rather a gray area. After all one cannot learn if they do not make a few mistakes. Your logic Tiona, while not tactical allows for room to grow. I imagine you rarely make the same mistake twice after making them. Therefore your abilities to "Smash Through" a given problem improves as you make mistakes and learn from them. Sometimes tackling a problem head on can prove more effective than meticulously planning out your approach.

Tiona smiled at Leo, it was nice for someone to appreciate her way of thinking for a change. Finn and Riveria both cast a glance at Leo, both Veteran Adventurers surprised and impressed with the teenager's maturity when it came to what he considered intelligent. Pyra however smiled at her Driver, this was one of the things she adored most about Leo, he saw the value in all ways of thinking. Bete however suddenly stopped as he sniffed the air and snarled.

Bete: Something is up ahead......

Finn: Proceed with caution everyone, regardless of all of us being rather strong for this floor, we should not underestimate what lays ahead.

The Party all nodded their heads as they slowly crept towards the opening at the end of the hallway. Once the group arrived they found a pack of monsters, there were around ten of them. The monsters were giant red ants that were oddly standing completely still, not moving even their antenna.

Ais: Killer Ants, and a decent group of them.

Bete: These pests are always damn annoying, but ten should be no problem for us.

Finn: It's rather odd, they don't seem to notice us. In fact it almost appears as if they are frozen in place. Finn took a cautious step into the opening, Bete and Ais following behind him. Leo and Pyra stepped forward next, Tiona and Tione flanking them as they did, Riveria brought up the rear of the Party. Finn, Ais, and Bete were now a decent way into the opening, yet the Killer Ants still didn't move a muscle.

Finn: How strange, I am certain they can see us from this distance.

Bete: You think they're sleeping? I mean they can't be this dumb right? Even for a bunch of Ants that's pathetic.

Leo however began scanning the area around them, something was definitely off about this. Monsters always attacked Adventurers on sight, yet these Killer Ants seemingly didn't acknowledge their presence.

Pyra: Leo, look at the walls....

Leo turned his head to look at Pyra, confused as to why his Blade wanted him to look at the walls. The blonde Adventurer however turned his eyes towards the walls, only for them to widen in a silent terror. The walls were beginning to crack open, that could only mean one thing.

Leo: Captain Deimne, it's an ambush!

Leo words however were spoke a moment too late as more Killer Ants began crawling out of the large holes forming in the walls of the Dungeon. The monster numbers had increased from a mere ten to thirty in an instant. All of the Killer Ants' eyes shined a malicious red as they all started letting out hissing sounds before scuttling towards the Adventuring Party.

Finn: Tiona, Tione, both of you fight alongside Leo and Pyra! Make sure they don't get overwhelmed! Ais, hang back and defend Riveria while she casts her spell, slay any Killer Ants that slip by us! Bete, you're with me, we thin their numbers as much as possible!

All the members of the Adventuring Party nodded their heads before drawing their weapons. Finn and Bete were the first to charge in and engaged the monsters. Bete kicked off the ground, propelling himself into the air. The Werewolf twisted his body around before delivering a flying kick to a Killer Ant'a head. The Insect Monster's body was sent flying backwards, crashing through four of its brethren in the process. All five of the Killer Ants exploded into dark mist as Bete landed back on the ground.

Bete: As if numbers will give these pests a chance of winning, bring thirty more I say!

Fun lunged past Bete, thrusting his spear towards a Killer Ant, piercing its skull causing it to explode into dark mist. Finn twirled his spear above his head rapidly thrusting it seven times in front of him, punching holes in the bodies of seven more Killers Ants, causing them all to explode into dark mist. The Pallum Adventurer then backflipped over two more Killer Ants that attempted to attack him from behind. Finn landed on the ground behind the two monsters before swiftly thrusting his spear at the two monsters, punching holes through their bodies, causing them to explode as well.

Finn: Even for Killer Ants, the birth rate of monsters is far too rapid for the Eighth Floor.

Finn noticed cracks opening up in the walls again, another batch of Killer Ants would be on the way soon.

Finn: Something is definitely wrong here.....

While Finn contemplates what could be the cause of this strange scenario, Tiona leaps into the air and slams her glaive down on top of a Killer Ant, crushing the monster while cleaving its body in half. The Amazon then swiftly swung her glaive in a horizontal arc in front of her, slicing another three Killer Ants in half.

Tiona: I was hoping the larger group numbers would make things more exciting, guess not.

A disappointed expression spread across Tiona's face as three more Killer Ants attempted to ambush her from behind. However the three monsters were quickly decapitated as Tione landed next to her sister, brandishing both her kukris. Tione then lunged forward before leaping into the air, the kukri in her left hand raised above her head. Tione stabbed a Killer Ant through its skull before swiftly throwing the kukri in her right hand at another Killer Ant, piercing its skull as well. Tione then lunges at the other Killer Ant, ripping her kukri from its skull before swiftly twirling around and decapitating another Killer Ant with both her blades.

Tione: It still doesn't make any sense, why would this many monsters be born this quick on one of the earlier floors?

Three more Killer Ants stalked towards the Amazon twins from behind, their mandibles poised to strike. However a sword blade cleaved one of the Killer Ant's heads off, the second one's body was hit with a ball of fire, causing it to burst into flames. The third Killer Ant turned to face Leo, who swung his sword down, the blade digging into the Monster's head. The Killer Ant attempted to bite down on Leo with its mandibles, only for Pyra to lob a fireball at it, causing it to burn to death. Tiona and Tione looked at the blonde Adventurer and Blade in surprise.

Tiona: We are the ones that are supposed to be watching your backs.

Leo: I hardly see how that's important. We are apart of the same Familia, therefore we look out for each other.

Tiona and Tione smirked at Leo's statement before they all turned to face the next group of Killer Ants approaching them. Meanwhile, Riveria was in the process of chanting her spell, five Killer Ants stalked towards her.

Ais: Tempest Aerial!

Ais suddenly lunged forward at blinding speeds, green winds propelling her forward as she swiftly sliced off all five Killer Ants' heads with a single swing of her sword, the monsters' bodies exploding into dark mist as they died. Riveria raised her staff as the gems in it shined brightly.

Riveria: Wynn Fimbulvetr!

A powerful blizzard shot out of Riveria's staff as the snow and ice washed over fifteen of the Killer Ants, crushing the monsters and freezing them to death. However despite the large blow to their numbers, more Killer Ants had been born, twenty of them still remaining.

Finn: The rate of their birth rivals the speeds of the lower floors, something is very wrong here.

Riveria: I will start casting again, all of you do your best to hold them off.

The rest of the party nodded and were prepared to continue the fight only for Leo to step forward, sheathing his sword back on his back.

Finn: Leo, what are you doing?

Leo: Something is clearly wrong Captain Deimne, if we continue at this pace we may just give them more time to bolster their numbers.

Leo the gripped the Aegis's handle before drawing it from the back of his waist, Pyra positioned herself behind Leo, raising her right arm in front of her.

Riveria: Leo, you can't possibly take them all on by yourself, even with Pyra's assistance.

Finn was about to intervene, but was stopped by Ais and Bete.

Ais: Captain, Riveria, let Leo and Pyra handle this, they are more capable than you give them credit for.

Bete: Besides if they used that attack that let us be that metal behemoth, you don't wanna be anywhere near them.

Finn and Riveria looked at Ais and Bete in surprise, not expecting the duo to vouch for Leo and Pyra's capabilities. However the Captain and Vice Captain both nodded their heads in agreement, knowing they could step in if everything went south. A blue aura surrounded Pyra as a stream of Ether was projected from her hand and connected to Leo. The Aegis opened up as a blade of intense green fire ejected from the weapon. Finn and Riveria's eyes widened in shock while Tiona and Tione looked on in amazement.

Tiona: It's blade is made of pure fire!

Tione: So what Ais said was true, that sword is like nothing Orario has ever seen.

The Killer Ants' eyes shined a malicious red as all twenty lunged towards the Leo, the blonde Adventurer readied the Aegis before lunging at the horde of monsters. Three Killer Ants mashed their mandibles together as they prepared to rip Leo limb from limb. However the blonde Adventurer dug his boots into the ground before readying the Aegis. Leo swung the Aegis in a horizontal arc in front of him, the blade of fire cleaving through the Killer Ants' bodies effortlessly as their bodies were incinerated instantly. Leo reeled the Aegis back before thrusting it forward, the blade piercing the skull of another Killer Ant as two more attempted to pounce on him. In one swift motion, Leo swung the Aegis in a horizontal arc at a diagonal angle above him, slicing the other two Killer Ants in half as all three of their bodies were incinerated.

Finn: It makes quick work of monsters, for a Level One to slay multiple with a single attack is unheard of.

Riveria: I can sense a form of magical energy radiating from the blade itself, it appears whatever Blades are, they are a perfect marriage of weaponry and magical power.

Finn looked at Riveria surprised, not expecting such a thing to be possible. Magic Weapons existed, but they required some form of charge up time to utilize their power. The Aegis however seemed instantaneous. While the two Veteran Adventurers discussed this, Leo leaped backwards, narrowly avoiding the pincers of a Killer Ant.

Pyra's Thoughts: Only four minutes left, yet there are still so many of them.

Leo readied the Aegis again before lunging forward, swinging the weapon vertically, cutting another Killer Ant in half as its body incinerated. Leo twirled around and swung the Aegis diagonally to the left, slicing another two Killer Ants in half. Leo pulled the Aegis back before thrusting it forward, its blade extending as it pierced through three more Killer Ants' bodies, incinerating them. The Ether stream connecting Leo and Pyra turned golden as Leo once again readied the Aegis.

Pyra's Thoughts: Three Minutes left, but more are still being born.

Tiona watched the fight with a look of awe on her face.

Tiona: He wiped out half of them in no time! Leo and Pyra are seriously strong!

Tione: Yes, but the Dungeon keeps birthing more monsters, they will be overwhelmed at this rate.

As Tione said that more Killer Ants crawled out of the openings in the Dungeon's walls, bolstering the monster numbers back up to fifteen. Leo grit his teeth in frustration at the sight of this, the Dungeon should've slowed down birthing monsters long ago.

Leo's Thoughts: This is getting us nowhere, we need to wipe them all out at once!

Leo turned to look at Pyra over his shoulder, a determined glint in his eyes.

Leo: Pyra, we need to use Burning Sword!

Pyra nodded before running up to Leo as the Killer Ants charged at them. Pyra grabbed onto the Aegis's handle, her hand next to Leo's before they both leaped into the air. Leo and Pyra raised the Aegis above their heads as its blade exploded into a giant raging vortex of fire.

Leo & Pyra: BURNING SWORD!!!!!!

Leo and Pyra swung the Aegis down towards the horde of Killer Ants, the raging vortex of fire engulfing them as it quickly spread into the cracks in the Dungeon walls, incinerating anything within. The rest of the Adventuring party had to shield their eyes as an intense white light engulfed the room, they all felt scorching air blow over them as the fire continued to rage.

When the fire died down, the rest of the Party saw Leo and Pyra standing there, both panting in slight exhaustion from the attack. Littering the ground all around them were magic stones. However the most shocking part was that the ground and walls of the Dungeon around the Driver and Blade was scorched charcoal black, the fire seemingly forcing the cracks in the walls shut.

Finn: Unbelievable, that attack forced the opening in the walls shut, stopping all monster births.

Riveria: Not only that, the destructive power of that attack was on par with a high tier spell.

The Party looked at Riveria in shock, she was their best Mage and she said that attack could almost be compared to her magic. Leo let out a relieved sigh as he sheathed the Aegis back on his waist as he turned to look at Pyra, giving the Blade a quick smile.

Leo: Well done Pyra, we managed to force them back.

Pyra: Thankfully, but why was the Dungeon birthing monsters at such a quick rate? It's never done that on any of the Floors we've been to so far.

A grimace spread across Leo's face, he had been contemplating that as well and he already believed he had a theory as to why. However he hoped for everyone's sake he was wrong. Before anyone else could speak however, the sounds of footsteps approaching their location could be heard echoing from one of the passageways.

Finn: Everyone on your guard, we may have attracted more monsters with that battle.

The Adventuring Party all readied their weapons, their attention trained on the passageway ahead. The echoing sounds of footsteps grew closer and closer as they all tensed up, something was definitely wrong in the Dungeon.

So Leo and Pyra finally reached the Eighth Floor! However for some unknown reason the Dungeon started spawning monsters at an alarming rate, far faster than what it usually does on the higher floors. Now another potential threat approaches their location. As always please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! What danger is approaching the Adventuring Party's location? Why did the Dungeon spawn so many monsters so rapidly? What theory does Leo have on the topic? Will they find the next Ancient Corridor? Find out in the next Quest of Danmachi: Master of the Aegis!