Last time Leo and Pyra debriefed Loki and the three strongest members of the Loki Familia on the expedition into the Ancient Corridor of the Second Floor. The young Adventurer and Blade now set their sights on the Eighth Floor to find the next Ancient Corridor.

The sun was shining over the city of Orario as a new day had once again begun. Leo and Pyra were seen walking through the streets of the city towards the Dungeon. Leo was dressed in his adventuring armor, had his two handed sword sheathed on his back and the Aegis sheathed to the back of his waist.

Leo: I should've expected Lady Loki would pull a stunt like this, honestly making an announcement about my journals.

Leo grimaced as he couldn't believe Gareth had borrowed one of his journals so he could show it to Loki, Finn, and Riveria. Pyra let out a nervous giggle as she gave her Driver a supportive smile.

Pyra: At least he didn't try to take credit for your work, he just sold the rest of the Familia on your personal goal a little too well.

Leo let out a frustrated groan, now the entire Familia knew about his journals and Lady Loki made helping him complete them a goal alongside the usual expeditions they performed.

Leo: Honestly, while I would appreciate help with my research from time to time, making it a goal for the Familia is ludicrous!

Leo let out another exasperated sigh as he and Pyra continued to walk through the streets of Orario. They were nearing the Dungeon at this point in their journey. Pyra grimaced at the sight of her Driver's frustration, while she thought what Lady Loki did was a sweet gesture, she could also tell Leo was not fond of others potentially being forced into assisting him with it.

Pyra: Look on the bright side, no one stopped us on our way out of the Twilight Manor. Maybe no one is interested in mapping the lower floors?

Leo looked over at Pyra, a small smile returning to his face as he nodded his head in agreement.

Leo: You are most likely right, I imagine most Adventurers would prefer traveling to the middle floors and tackling jobs that are worthy of their abilities.

Leo and Pyra finally found themselves standing before the Dungeon, they were about to enter when they spotted a familiar face. Standing near the entrance to the Dungeon was Lefiya. The orange haired elf spotted Leo and Pyra before waving to them. The Driver and Blade walked up to the Lefiya, who smiled at the duo.

Lefiya: Leo, Pyra good morning! Are both of you ready to go?

Pyra: Good morning Lefiya, yes we were planning on starting our exploration of the Third Floor.

Leo: What plans do you have for the day? Are you meeting up with Ais, Bete, and the Twins to explore the Middle Floors?

Lefiya's smile was quickly replaced with a look of annoyance as she pouted at Leo before whacking him on the top of his head with her staff.

Pyra: Lefiya! What was that for?!

Lefiya: For him being dense! Obviously I'm here to help you two explore the floors of the Dungeon leading up to the Eighth Floor!

Leo stopped rubbing the sore spot on his head and shot Lefiya a confused look. Pyra looked at the elf with an equally confused look, neither of them expecting her to want to help them.

Leo: You wish to assist us? Please tell me Lady Loki's ridiculous announcement didn't convince you this was worth your time. Someone of your abilities should be taking on the dangers of the Middle Floors.

Lefiya's glare only grew more intense as she grabbed Leo's right ear with her right hand and began to pull on it.

Lefiya: Those journals you're making could be incredibly useful to rookie Adventurers, however it won't be useful to anyone if it takes you twenty years to make any significant progress!

Lefiya released Leo's ear as the young man gently rubbed the sore appendage.

Leo: While you are certainly correct, it will still take us potentially a week to map out Floor Three and Floor Four.

A confident smirk spreads across Lefiya's face as she adjusts the strap securing her magic staff to her back.

Lefiya: Are you forgetting I am of a higher level? I wager with me helping the two of you, we will get the next two floors completely mapped out in a few days time!

Leo and Pyra looked at each other before looking back at Lefiya, not sure if they believed the Elf's bold claim.

Pyra: We could use all the help we could get, it will make getting to the Eighth Floor faster at the very least.

Leo: If you are willing to spare a few days of your time to assist us, I will not turn you away Lefiya.

The Elf girl smiled and nodded her head before she turned to face the entrance to the Dungeon.

Lefiya: Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get moving!

Lefiya led the way into the Dungeon as Leo and Pyra followed behind her, wondering how this would go for them.

Four Days Later
True to her word, Lefiya managed to help Leo and Pyra completely map out the entirety of the Third and Fourth Floors of the Dungeon. To say Leo was impressed by the rate at which they managed to map out two entire floors. Going from months of work to a mere two days per floor was a staggering increase in productivity. Another surprising turn of events was just how well they worked with Lefiya, the Elf being a great source of both power and healing, allowing them to stay within the Dungeon longer then if they were going solo.

Pyra: Today we set foot on the Fifth Floor correct?

Leo: Yes, this is where I believe we will see a noticeable spike in difficulty. New Monsters start appearing on the Fifth Floor.

Pyra looked at her Driver, worry evident in her eyes. While the monsters of the Dungeon were by no means a major threat, not knowing the capabilities of your enemy was a major disadvantage.

Pyra: Should we be worried? You've only ever fought the monsters found on the First to Fourth Floors, which are mostly the same.

Leo: We should be fine, Lefiya has traveled far past the Fifth Floor, I imagine she can give us a basic overview on what to expect.

Pyra still looked worried but ultimately nodded her head in agreement, Lefiya had been a big help to them for the last four days, the Blade didn't doubt she would be able to help them once again. The Driver and Blade duo arrived at the Dungeon where they usually met up with Lefiya, only for their eyes to widen in shock at the sight of Riveria standing next to the younger Elf, a staff clutched in her hand.

Riveria spotted Leo and Pyra as a gentle smirk spread across her face.

Riveria: Good morning Leo, Pyra.

Pyra: Miss Alf? What are you doing here?

Riveria turned to face Pyra, a stern yet affectionate expression was on the elder Elf's face.

Riveria: Lefiya mentioned that you three would be embarking to the Fifth Floor today. Lady Loki has stated that Leo reaching the Eighth Floor to uncover the next Ancient Corridor is a top priority. I wish to help in that endeavor, truthfully my curiosity is peaked.

Leo: While I appreciate the sentiment Miss Alf, as one of the three strongest executives of the Loki Familia, should you not focus your efforts into Expeditions to the deeper floors?

Riveria turned her attention towards Leo, her expression becoming more stern, similar to that of a mother's as she grabbed the right side of Leo's face and began pulling on it.

Riveria: I figured you would refuse to capitalize on Lady Loki's announcement, you seem to have an aversion to asking for help. Therefore I will be helping you for the foreseeable future, you need to learn how to properly work in a party.

Leo let out a gentle pained whine as Pyra covered her mouth with her hand, attempting to stifle a giggle.

Pyra: It appears you aren't winning this argument Leo. We appreciate your help Miss Alf.

Riveria released Leo's face and turned to smile at Pyra.

Riveria: Myself and Lefiya will not be the only members accompanying you. Seems another member of our Familia has taken an interest in Leo's work.

Leo and Pyra looked at Riveria in confusion before she and Lefiya stepped aside to reveal a third girl with them. She was human, had short red hair and red eyes. She wore pink adventuring clothes with white armor pieces, and had two swords sheathed on her hips.

This young lady was Narvi Roll, another member of the Loki Familia who had travelled deep into the Middle Floors of the Dungeon.

Narvi: A pleasure to finally meet you Leo, Pyra. I hope both of you are willing to accept my help in charting Fifth to Eighth Floors of the Dungeon.

Leo: The pleasure is ours, any help members of the Familia are willing to give is more than I could ever ask for.

Narvi smiled at Leo, appreciating how welcoming he was of her to the party. Riveria then cleared her throat and tapped her staff on the ground.

Riveria: Right then, we best get moving, we have a lot of ground to cover if we wish to completely map the Fifth Floor in a timely manner.

The group nodded their heads before they all made their way towards the entrance of the Dungeon, ready to embark to the Fifth Floor.

Fifth Floor
After roughly an hour and a half of walking, the group found themselves on the Fifth Floor of the Dungeon. Leo immediately noticed that unlike the previous floors, which were bathed in a blue light, this floor was illuminated by a green light.

Leo reached into the pouch on his left hip before pulling out a fresh traveling journal he had packed for the trip to this floor. Leo reached into another pouch which contained a charcoal pencil before he began jotting down a few quick notes.

Pyra: You already found something?

Leo: The lighting on this floor is different, merely making a note of it. It could possibly relevant to a later discovery.

Pyra nodded her head as she continued to watch her Driver jot down notes in his journal. Riveria and Narvi however turned to look at Lefiya.

Narvi: Is he always this quick on the uptake?

Lefiya: Yes, he's surprisingly perceptive of the world around him. Some of the things he pointed out to me on the Third and Fourth Floors I never noticed myself. Despite traveling through them countless times.

Riveria: Finn said Leo was rather studious, I imagine his natural curiosity also plays a major part in his perception of the world around him.

Narvi looked at Leo before a small smile spread across her face.

Narvi: I bet he would make a great lookout for Expedition Parties to the lower floors if he's this quick to notice things.

Lefiya and Riveria nodded their heads in agreement however Leo and Pyra stopped, the young man quickly closed his journal before stashing it away along with his pencil. Leo's hand left immediately shot up and grabbed the handle of his sword.

Leo: We're not alone.....

Lefiya, Riveria, and Narvi all stopped and looked around, only to notice tall shadowy figures watching them from around a few corners. The figures darted out of their hiding places and confronted the group. The figures were vaguely humanoid, stood at around eight feet tall and appeared to be made entirely out of shadows. In total there appeared to be eight of them.

Riveria: War Shadows, they were most likely hoping to ambush us before you took notice of them Leo.

Leo grit his teeth before drawing his sword from his back. Narvi ran up and stood next to Leo, drawing both her swords, sinking into a fighting stance. Lefiya and Riveria readied their staffs as they began chanting. The War Shadows lunged at the Adventuring party with their claws at the ready. Two of the War Shadows pounced at Narvi, but Leo quickly lunged in front of her and blocked their claws with his sword. Narvi quickly lunged forward and slashed one of the War Shadows across the torso twice diagonally with her swords. The monster howled in pain as it stumbled backwards.

Narvi: Leo! Take care of that one, I got this one!

Leo nodded before Narvi lunged at the disoriented War Shadow. The monster clumsily raised its right claw above its head before swiping at the young adventurer. Narvi however swiftly lunged to the left, dodging the attack before swinging both her swords horizontally. Narvi sliced the War Shadow twice across its left leg causing it to howl in pain as it dropped down onto its knees. Narvi lunged towards the downed War Shadow before stabbing the sword in her right hand through its torso and the sword in her left hand through its head. The monster's body exploded into dark mist as a magic stone dropped to the ground.

Narvi: One down, seven to go!

Narvi quickly turned her attention towards another War Shadow charging at it with her swords ready to strike. Meanwhile, Leo was being pushed back by the War Shadow he was defending against.

Leo: Certainly stronger than the monsters on the first four floors......

The War Shadow continues to push against Leo, the young man's legs started to buckle slightly. However a fireball slammed into the War Shadow's back causing it to let out a howl of pain as it stumbled away from Leo. Standing there was Pyra, fire dancing across the palm of her right hand.

Pyra: Leo now!

Leo nodded before lunging towards the burning War Shadow. Leo raises his sword above his head before swinging it diagonally in front of himself. The War Shadow is sliced from its right shoulder to its left hip as it weakly stumbles backwards before collapsing onto its back. The monster explodes into black mist as a magic stone left on the ground.

Leo: Your assistance is appreciated as always Pyra.

Pyra: I'm your Blade, it's my job to keep you safe.

Leo and Pyra smiled at each other before moving to engage the next War Shadow. Lefiya was surrounded by a magic circle as she was just about to finish up the chant for her spell.

Lefiya: Arcs Ray!

A beam of magic was fired from Lefiya's staff as it curved to the right, striking two of the War Shadows, completely vaporizing them as two magic stones clattered to the ground. Riveria meanwhile was finishing up the chant for her spell as icy winds began to howl around her.

Riveria: Wynn Fimbulvetr!

A powerful blizzard shot towards the remaining four War Shadows in the form of a wave of ice and snow. The monsters were engulfed by the magic, their bodies frozen solid in a block of ice. Leo and Narvi sheathed their swords while Pyra extinguished the flames in her hands, the entire party regrouped.

Lefiya: Rather poor luck to be attacked by such a large group of War Shadows on only the Fifth Floor.

Riveria: There's no telling how long they had been stalking this area. Another Adventuring Party potentially passed through here before us and stirred them.

While Riveria and Lefiya discussed the monster attack, Narvi looked at Leo and Pyra in confusion.

Narvi: Why didn't you use that Aegis Weapon? Ais and Bete said in was incredibly powerful, why risk using your normal sword against monsters you've never fought?

Riveria and Lefiya turned to look at Leo and Pyra as well, equally confused by this behavior as well.

Riveria: It does seem rather odd to put yourself at a disadvantage in unfamiliar territory against unknown foes. I can appreciate wishing to test your limits, but you should not be so fool heartedly reckless Leo.

Lefiya: Now that I think about it, over the last few days of us mapping the Third and Fourth Floors, you never used the Aegis, are you afraid of using its power?

Leo and Pyra exchanged looks with one another before turning to face the trio once again.

Leo: Pyra can only supply me with Ether for a short period of time, five minutes to be exact.

Pyra: Despite us Blades being weapons, we can still experience things such as exhaustion. Once I've drained my Ether, it's takes roughly an hour or a little more for me to regain it to supply Leo with power once again.

The trio's eyes widened in realization, despite how powerful Pyra and the Aegis were, they were on a strict time limit in regard to its power.

Narvi: So you can't just go swinging that sword around recklessly, you got to make every attack with it count.

Lefiya: That explains why you two couldn't defend yourselves after that powerful attack you dealt to the Sovereign. You were out of usable energy.

Riveria studied Leo and Pyra closely, concerned look spreading across the Veteran Adventurer's face. That was a rather glaring weakness to an otherwise incredibly powerful weapon. However another thought did occur to the Elf.

Riveria: Perhaps that time limit can be increased?

Leo and Pyra looked at Riveria with a mixture of surprise and confusion.

Pyra: What do you mean Miss Alf?

Riveria: I mean as Adventurers our physical and magical abilities grow through the application of such traits. This is represented through the stats, levels, skills, and developmental abilities we receive when Lady Loki reviews our abilities. Perhaps this time limit can be increased through continued use of the Aegis's power, potentially allowing Leo to use the weapon for longer.

Leo and Pyra looked at each other, completely dumbfounded, Riveria's statement made perfect sense.

Leo: Logically speaking that is a possibility, the time limit itself could be considered a statistic in its own right. Something that would definitely be worth looking into.

Narvi: We can worry about potential what ifs later, we still have an entire floor to map out!

The Adventuring Party nodded their heads in agreement before they all continued on their way, deeper into the Fifth Floor.

Six Hours Later
It had been six hours since the Adventuring Party arrived on the Fifth Floor, so far their progress had been rather rapid. With each encounter against more War Shadows, Leo's ability to combat them improved. Narvi even gave the young man a few pointers on how to improve his form. Riveria and Lefiya could take out large groups of monsters with their magic, provided they had the time to say the full chant of the spell in question. The Party was currently seen sitting down taking a short rest as Leo frantically jotted down notes in his journal.

Leo: The resources on the Fifth Floor are of a slightly higher quality than those found on the previous four floors. However there doesn't appear to be any new raw materials on this floor.

Leo continued to mumble to himself as he continued to write down notes of everything he had learned so far about the Fifth Floor. Pyra sat next to her Driver, gently leaning against his left side, her body radiating a gentle warmth. A small smile was on her face as she followed the rapid scribbling of Leo's pencil across the page.

Narvi: I don't get how you fill an entire journal with info on a single floor. Sure that journal you're writing in is small, but I would've assumed that you could write about two to three floors in a single one.

The movement of the pencil stopped as Leo looked up from his journal, locking eyes with Narvi. A mildly proud smile spread across the young man's face as he looked his companion over.

Leo: I do not simply write down factual information Narvi, I also write down my own personal experiences traversing a floor. What I found helpful and the mistakes I made that got me into a spot of trouble.

Narvi looked at Leo surprised that he would record is own mistakes in those journals.

Narvi: Really? You write down all your mistakes? Isn't that a little embarrassing? I mean you do plan on handing these journals over to the Guild right? If they publish them into a guide book for the Dungeon, wouldn't it be embarrassing having everyone know about that stuff?

Leo paused and looked at Narvi for a second, contemplating her question before letting out a soft chuckle.

Leo: Hardly, I think including my mistakes and shortcomings adds a bit of humanity to my journals. It lets the people who will read it know that the person who gathered this information was far from perfect. I would hazard a guess that might provide new Adventurers with a degree of comfort.

Narvi looked at Leo completely stunned, Lefiya was impressed, and Riveria looked rather proud of Leo for his reasoning in including his own failures in his journals.

Riveria: Wise men do not hide their failures, they embrace them and learn from them. Let that be an important lesson to both of you.

Narvi and Lefiya turned to look at Riveria before nodding their heads in understanding. Lefiya however let out a tiny yawn as she attempted to muffle it with her hand.

Lefiya: Perhaps we should return to Orario for the day?

Leo closed his journal before putting it and his pencil away within one of the pouches hanging from his belt. The blonde Adventurer stood up before offering his hand to Pyra, the Blade took her Driver's hand before being pulled back onto her feet.

Leo: I thank you all for your assistance today, we managed to completely map out the Fifth Floor in a single expedition. I would say returning to the Twilight Manor is certainly our best course of action.

Riveria, Lefiya, and Narvi all looked at Leo in confusion.

Narvi: Return to the Manor?

Lefiya: Shouldn't we go out and celebrate a job well done?

Leo cocked his head to the side in confusion, he wasn't exactly sure why they would suggest such a thing. Riveria however let out a soft giggle before walking up to Leo and gently patting him on the back.

Riveria: This is your first lesson in working with a Party, celebrating each successful trip to the Dungeon is the norm. Come now, there is a wonderful bar back in Orario where we could certainly unwind at after today's events.

Narvi and Lefiya smiled as they began following Riveria who started the journey back through the Fifth Floor. Leo watched them go, a stunned look of surprise on his face.

Pyra: Leo?

Leo was snapped out of his stupor by Pyra, who was looking at him with concern evident in her eyes. The blonde Adventurer let a smile spread across his face, it appears even he could still be surprised at times.

Leo: Shall we go Pyra? We shouldn't keep the others waiting.

Leo offered his hand to Pyra who smiled before gently taking Leo's hand in her own. The Driver and Blade followed after their traveling companions. Perhaps things really were changing for the unassuming Adventurer of the Loki Familia.

So Leo and Pyra with the help of some of their Familia members have managed to reach up until the Fifth Floor! Just as a note, yes I will be skipping over floors of the Dungeon as not every floor was featured in the manga or anime. Also these Dungeon traversal Chapters will have varying levels of action. Some will have a lot of monster fighting, others will be more heavily focused on character interaction. As always please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! Where exactly are Leo's Familia members taking him and Pyra to celebrate? What awaits them on Eighth Floor? What will be the fate of the Third Core Crystal? Find out in the next Chapter of Danmachi: The Master of the Aegis!