No one's POV

The white shadow—Bell—swung the great ax in his hands with every drop of strength he had left in him and brought it down on the massive whip. The blade struck with a jarring jolt.

Lefiya: ?!

Impact sending it off course, the rushing tentacle missed Lefiya's body by a mere celch's width. Lefiya held her breath, shocked by the fact that she was still alive, as she felt the shock waves from the point-blank attack. Bell touched ground for only a moment before leaping back up with his ax flying. He sank the blade into the thick tentacle curled around Lefiya's wrist, blood gushing from the wound as he severed it whole.

Lefiya: H-Hot! That boy is...?!

Free from the creature's grasp and having fallen to the pit's floor, Lefiya looked up at the boy standing before her. His back was to her, as though he was placing himself between the enemy and her. A thin white mist rose from his body as the acid continued to eat at his skin, the large mythril ax, a nameless weapon of dwarven use, clenched tightly in his hands. Blood from the wound on his head stained his back and shoulders, but even still, his eyes never left the creature staring down at them from above.

Bell: !!

A creature that appeared very angry now, its one eye bloodshot and glowering as its severed tentacle squirmed like a decapitated snake. The glow returned to its crown. This time it was going in for the kill.

Lefiya(mind): NOT good!

Lefiya's heart screamed at her as the monster howled anew. Bell, however, wasn't about to let it happen. Raising his right arm—he fired his own blast.

Bell: Firebolt!!

Scarlet tendrils of lightning—no, of fire—shot forth from his hand. For just a moment, time seemed to stop. As Lefiya watched, the blinding- fast bolt of sparkling flames shot toward the creature, shattering its crown of light before it even had a chance to unleash its cry.

Lefiya: Gngh?!

Again and again the fiery tendrils hit, nine in total. Every single one of them was a direct hit, completely disintegrating the trap monster's crown. The crown exploded in a flurry of sparks, abruptly halting its high-pitched scream.

Lefiya(mind): Just now...He...he didn't even have to chant?! An instant spell?! I've never heard of something like that!

Lefiya couldn't believe her eyes. She'd never seen such a thing, never even heard of such a thing. A chant-less, instant spell. And not only that, but he could fire them one after another.

Lefiya(mind): Is this some kind of joke?!

She almost found herself screaming, in complete disbelief as a mage.

Bell: Miss Lefiya! Your spell!! My magic won't hold it off...!

Bell howled in between haggard breaths. Lefiya shook herself from her daze, head snapping up to see that vibrantly colored creature right above her, flames raking its body in a fiery inferno. Its crown continued to blaze, but even through its anguished cries, its one great eye was still pointed at Lefiya and Bell. It was enraged.

Bell readied himself as the trap monster's fury swelled in tangible waves around them. His own magic might not have been powerful enough to defeat that thing, but he was going to protect Lefiya and give her all the time it took for her to pull off her own spell. That much was clear from his stance. Even if his fingers were crushed beneath their shield, even if his body was rent limb from limb, he was going to keep swinging that ax, and he was going to protect her.

Lefiya: I...really do hate you...

It happened without warning. The words simply fell from her mouth.

Lefiya(mind): Despite being a lower level. How could he be so cool? How could he cheat with magic like that? How could he monopolize Aiz, have her waiting on him, completely ignorant of his own place?!

And yet.

Lefiya: But...I'll believe in you.

He was an adventurer. And she—she was a mage. She had faith in those rubellite eyes gazing at her from over his shoulder.

Legfiya: Let's do this!

Raising her staff, Forest's Teardrop, she called forth a giant magic circle beneath her feet.

Lefiya: It responds to magic, so I'll act as a decoy.

Bell:...! Got it!

The trap monster responded immediately and started moving toward Lefiya, drawn in by the colossal source of magic. Their last stand had begun. The boy with his ax and the girl with her song.

Lefiya: Unleashed beam of light, limbs of the holy tree.

The moment Lefiya took off running, chant on her lips, the two tentacles gave chase. Bell, however, quickly closed in on the elephantine whips, reading the enemy's movements and leaping forward to bash them from the side as they came in for their attack. He gave it everything he had, gritting his teeth as he chopped away, feet never faltering.

Lefiya: You are the master archer.

The trap monster had made one grave mistake. No, perhaps mistake wasn't the proper word, for it had only allowed an innate weakness to be exposed. Its tendency to react immediately to any and all magic no matter the circumstances.

Bell and Lefiya(mind): I understand!

Lefiya(mind): That boy's...

Bell (mind): Miss Lefiya's...

Bell and Lefiya(mind): Next moves...

Had the creature thought to focus its efforts on Bell, currently barely hanging on for dear life, rather than Lefiya and her chanting, the battle would have been over before it started. And once her human shield, Bell, was gone, Lefiya would be quick to follow. By acting as a decoy to cast her spell, Lefiya allowed Bell plenty of chances to counter. Together, they could take down this new species using its innate weakness.

But they've known each other for so long. This plan should only work between longtime teammates. Despite this, they were working perfectly in sync. It was the same defensive method the Sword Princess, and Berserk Healer had hammered into her—that she should deflect the enemy's attacks to the side. Though Bell couldn't hope to take that creature head-on, what with their difference in potential, he could sneak in some attacks so long as Lefiya distracted its tentacles. Again and again he gave chase, using his lightning- fast feet and mighty ax to forcibly direct the tentacles' path away from the mage.

It was a feat made possible only by both his evasive skills and Lefiya's Concurrent Chanting. There in that hole in the earth, the labors and toils of those two adventurers both trained by the same girl came together and bore fruit.

Lefiya: Loose your arrows, fairy archers—!

The words came between the relentless attacks. As she neared the end of her chant, her magic power rising sharply, the trap monster increased its efforts, throwing everything it had at the mage to stop her song. But Bell held it back, ax flying as he kept the two flailing tentacles in check.

Bell(mind): Two at once?! But... I managed to buy enough time!

He launched himself at the swinging tendril. Though his attack came from the side, the shock was still enough to send his body flying, mythril ax drawing an arc across the air as it sailed away. Still, however, he had managed to protect her. The strike that had previously been heading straight toward Lefiya instead grazed her long golden hair, colliding with the fleshy wall behind her. As the world shook with a ferocious tremor around her, Lefiya's voice rose to meet the cacophony head-on.

Lefiya: Pierce, arrow of accuracy!

The chant was complete. In the center of that great hole, directly below the trap monster, Lefiya thrust her staff to the sky. And in that moment, the red world around them shone a brilliant, vivid gold. She cried out the name of the spell, magic circle overtaking the entirety of the hole.

Lefiya: Arcs Ray!!

There was a burst of light. Then the gleaming flash shot straight upward at a blinding speed. The trap monster attempted to flee, withdrawing its tentacles and wedging itself into the passage above, but it was no use. Its fate was sealed. The phenomenal Mind built up within that single blast tore through its tentacles before landing a direct hit on the creature's main body.

Monster: Gguuwwwwaahhh!!

Its lower half, partially assimilated into the wall itself, writhed and squirmed like a snake as the blinding flash propelled its body upward. Then, it collided with the lid of the hole, still closed tight above them, with an absolutely deafening crash. The pillar of light, however, was brought to a screeching halt.

Lefiya: It stopped the attack?! This truly is an adventurer prison.

The creature's upper half remained with the stubs of its arms outstretched. The hole's red lid was worn down from the incoming magic light but still very much intact. That thing had absorbed the brunt of the attack, keeping it from bursting through the top of the pitfall. Lefiya was shocked at what she was seeing. A strangely colored monster above their heads and its two-part body, each with its own separate function.

The lengths it took to keep their sole way out from being opened. And the specialized magic resistance it took to do so— Her thoughts ran wild at the attributes the creature must have possessed— attributes that made it every bit the "trap monster" it was.

Lefiya(mind): No matter what... I need to keep pushing through!!!

It was a competition between monster and magic—erupting with light. The creature's greenish-yellow skin curled and burned as it absorbed the incoming magic, its scream of anguish swallowed up by the roar of her light blast. The magic stone at the tip of her Forest's Teardrop glowed with a brilliant pale blue, infusing her spell with more and more of her Mind.

As Lefiya increased her output, injecting everything she had into that beam of energy, the giant charred eye of the beast turned toward her in incensed fury. Not more than an instant later, the entire hole roared.

Lefiya: Wha—?!

The walls of flesh began to swell. Like tumors, almost, one after another, giant lumps began to billow out from the pink surface with a ghastly bubbling hiss, closing in on Lefiya from all four sides. They pushed the pool of acid with them, the liquid forming a wave that yanked and swirled at her feet.

Lefiya(mind): The walls are coming closer?! It aims to crush us?!

Knowing its own demise was only a matter of time, it had decided to take them down with it—by setting loose its own body. It would destroy itself, and the hole around them, crushing them in the process. Lefiya's body grew hot. Blazingly hot. All the magic power she'd accumulated inside her in her attempt to blast the creature (and the lid) out of the way was now, all of a sudden, getting forced back onto her as the thing overhead let out a crazed roar of cataclysmic obliteration.

The walls quickly swallowed up the carcasses of the other adventurers around them. Lefiya's features contorted into something unrecognizable. When suddenly...an entirely out-of-place chime tickled her eardrums.

*Ching Ching*

Lefiya: —Huh?

Unable to resist, she turned around, only to see the boy, wounds and all, rising to his feet. His right hand glowed with a pale-white light, building and building as he summoned the particles to him.

Lefiya: Gngh!

He was limping toward her, dragging his battered body as he waded through the pool of acid, already up to his knees.He didn't stop until he was right next to her. Lefiya was still directing her magic skyward even through her shock, and then he extended his hand, glowing white ball joining her staff, still raised high.

Bell: I'll...join you...!

He gritted his teeth, left hand coming up to support his wrist. His cannon was primed and ready, and Lefiya's eyes widened before she turned her gaze upward. Together with the boy, she directed a glare of death at the enemy overhead before calling forth her magic power with everything she had.

Lefiya: We're not going down here!

Her light gleamed brighter. Before being joined by the pure-white brilliance of the boy's collected particles. A bell chimed. Then, twenty seconds later, he pulled the trigger.

Bell: I'll shoot now! FireBolt!!

Lefiya: Full power magic attack!!!

The brilliant white light burst from his hand. The massive, crackling fire tore through the white particles. Above them, the trap monster's body went white, bathed in the radiance of this second attack. And this time, as the two gleams overlapped, as the fiery lightning tore into the creature's body, the imprisoning lid of the hole overhead shattered. The trap monster dissolved into the blinding flash, leaving no trace behind.

Monster: Gnh!!

As the monster's agonizing death cry melded noiselessly into the din, the pillar of lightning shot all the way up toward the sky. It blasted through the crust of the earth, through the roof of trees, filling Lefiya's eyes with the breathtaking view of the crystalline night sky overhead. The path had been opened. At the same time, the sheet of rock that made up the Dungeon's floor convulsed with a mighty jolt as it began to collapse without the monster that had been parasitizing it.

Lefiya picked up the spent boy's body from the ground, bent her knees as far as they would bend, then leaped out of the hole. Her Level-3 leg strength propelling her up the great height, she sprang off the falling rocks to send her the rest of the way, escaping back into the Under Resort above.

(Elsewhere)

Tiona: What the hell was that—?!

Tione: Is that magic?!

The two Amazons shouted as all of Loki Familia sprang to its feet. The sudden beacon of light that shot out of the forest quickly drew the attention of everyone on the eighteenth floor. The single column of radiant light was visible from the great tree in the center of the plains, from Rivira on its island in the lake, and even from Loki Familia's camp.

The group was just finishing up their dinner when the spectacle unfolded, Tiona's and Tione's shouts leading them to leap into the trees for a better view. As the brilliant white flash of entangled beams struck the crystal-coated ceiling, the resulting explosion sent the monsters below it into a frenzy. The cacophonous array of frightened squawks echoed all throughout the eighteenth floor.

Tione: It came from the forest...to the east? What's over there?

Tione murmured beneath her breath.

Tiona: You don't think it could be Lefiya...do you?

Tiona posed as her eyes scanned the scene from above. She saw Finn and the other elites emerge from their tent, eyes narrowing at the giant column of light; she saw Loki Familia's lower-level members bustling and clamoring; and she even saw Hestia and the others in her group, dumbfounded as to what was going on, but nowhere in all that commotion did she see Lefiya.

And certainly, that kind of magic power did seem compatible with the elven mage. In fact, she was the first person who came to mind, especially given how they hadn't seen her since she'd run off chasing that white-haired boy not too long ago.

Sora: Damn it!! GodSpeed Speed of Lightning!!

Sora suddenly took off, dashing from the camp without warning.

Asuna: Sora!!

But Asuna's voice fell on deaf ears. The swordsman was already well out of sight. The pillar of light had faded. In its place, giant chunks of crystal fell from the ceiling like glimmering blue rain. It was toward the source of that crystal rain that Sora ran—his sword at the ready. With Aiz following him not far from behind.

Aiz: Guh! Too fast!!

Even Aiz's enchantment was nowhere near Sora's current speed as she saw the swordsman was already gone in a flash.

(Elsewhere)

Smoke billowed upward in great, heavy clouds. Deep within that mighty forest, it looked almost as though lightning had struck. Many of the crystal pillars that had made up the stone circle were cracked or toppled to the side, evidence of the terrific shock that had shaken the earth around them. Directly above the scene, hidden by the forest's mesh of trees and branches, a giant round hole had formed in the ceiling, one crystalline chunk after another dropping to the ground below and shattering like glass.

Lefiya: Haah...haah...Hey, are you all right?!

Bell:...Y-yeah...

They were pressed shoulder to shoulder, breath haggard as the blue- crystal snow fell down around them. Having barely escaped with their lives, they were now kneeling down in the grass a short distance from the collapsed hole. Though both appeared considerably worse for wear, the boy's body was more visibly fatigued than Lefiya's, the mage still having some fight left in her despite her ragged breathing.

Lefiya(mind): That final attack was something else, but... It left you in such a sorry state. You really push yourself too much.

That final attack had seemingly consumed the last of Bell's strength, and his wounds were many—the reopened gash on the back of his head, as well as the burns all over his skin from its exposure to the acid. In fact, the only part of him not charred was his salamander-wool linens, still remarkably unscathed.

Lefiya had left her pouch of potions back at camp—an apparent lapse of judgment on her part—so she had no choice but to simply hoist the boy up by his shoulder and attempt to drag him away.

Evilus 1: What's going on here?!

It was then that the voice called out from behind her. She turned around with a start, only to see a pair of men racing out of the forest toward her from the direction of the Dungeon's easternmost wall. They wore large robes, head protectors adorning their foreheads, and hoods covering the better part of their faces. It was the very same Evils associates Lefiya and Bell had been trailing before they'd gotten into this mess. As they caught sight of Lefiya and Bell in the middle of the crumbling Crystal Grove, their surprise was evident.

Evilus 1: Thousand Elf? Then you're...Loki Familia?!

Evilus 2: You defeated Venenthes?!

It didn't take more than a single look for them to ascertain the situation— that the two adventurers had followed them, fallen into their trap, and then taken down the trap monster waiting for them inside. Their surprise turned quickly to irritation, scowls tangible even from within their heavy robes.

Evlus 1: However, if its just the two of you... Violas!

The situation could not have gotten any worse. Someone somewhere was laughing at them. Even Bell had tensed next to her. The dire turn their escape had taken was obvious. As if on cue, one greenish tentacle after another began poking itself out of the surrounding greenery, crawling toward them fast.

Lefiya(mind): 20 plant monster at about level3 or 4 each...! Honestly, this situation could not be worse...But...

Lefiya heard the metallic sound of first one cage, then another, then another being opened, and soon, she and Bell were completely surrounded. Their faces paled at the circle of carnivorous flowers caging them in. There were so many of them. Twenty, at least. They lifted their great crooked necks, tentacles writhing and squirming like snakes and effectively cutting off their every escape route.

Evilus 1: This is where you die, adventurer scum!

Shouted the robed figures as they quickly vacated the premises to keep from getting caught up in the mix. The moment they left, the violas opened their buds in sync, revealing their vibrantly colored petals and ghastly jaws. Heaping gobs of saliva dripped from their fangs onto the scattered bits of crystal littering the grass below.

Lefiya(mind): Trust in me. No matter the enemy... I will protect him...!!

Lefiya was already well past spent from their earlier fight against the trap monster, and she still had Bell to worry about. The boy was scarcely able to move next to her. The situation was truly dire, to the point where her own life was starting to flash before her eyes. If she could just get Bell away from here. Somehow. She was the one who'd gotten him mixed up in this, after all.

She made the decision right then and there that she wasn't going to go down quietly. As the ring of man-eating flowers slowly closed in on her, liable to pounce at a moment's notice, she tightened her grip on her beloved staff, still holding Bell aloft to her side.

Violas: Uuuuuuoooooooooooowwwwwwaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!

One of the flowers roared, preparing to launch itself upon them. Until a sudden whirling storm and a lightning bolt howled its way onto the battlefield.

Violas: Gwwuooogh?!

Lefiya: What?!

The flower was cut off mid-leap, quickly mowed down by the gale and streaks and flying sideways into the surrounding flowers. One thunderous boom after another shook the environs. Lefiya and Bell could only look on in stupefied wonder, still primed and ready for their own attacks, as this new assailant landed on the ground in front of them.

Lefiya: Mister Sora?! And Miss Aiz?!

It was Sora and another adventurer. Lefiya thought it was Aiz. But no, the figure that appeared before them was not Lefiya's beloved swordswoman—but a long-caped figure, fabric rustling in the storm's wake.

Ryuu: I thought I heard something... Are these the new species?

Sora: Yes, they are all monsters that the remnants of Evilus had tamed.

Barely a few minutes passed since both Lefiya and Bell had fired their shots, but here he was already standing in front of them protecting them. Sora who was a few miles away from where they currently were had arrived in less then a few minutes with another adventurer. Lefiya's pupils dilated in surprise. Lefiya was sure she'd seen this person before. Last night. Among those in the rescue party.

Lefiya: Mister Sora and The masked...adventurer?

Her lips parted with the words just as Bell, next to her, spoke up with a raspy voice.

Bell: Sora... Miss Ryuu...

Lefiya: You know her?!

Their reinforcement, who'd dashed in gallantly to save them, now stood facing the swarm of carnivorous flowers head-on, an impenetrable fortress. Sora with his Kanshou blade and the masked adventurer flourished her wooden sword, the same one that had sent the mighty creatures flying only moments earlier, with a warrior's will.

Sora: Stay there, Lefiya. Please protect, Bell.

Lefiya quickly nodded.

Lefiya: O-Okay!

Sora and the masked adventurer continue to stay sharp and look towards the new species.

Sora: 10 each!

Ryuu: On it!

No sooner had the words left their lips than the wind picked up with a sudden whoosh. The two figure were gone in an instant, kicking off the ground with an audible slash that cut through the grass—the flower that had been in front of them bucked.

With a single slash with his Kanshou blade wrapped around in lightning, Sora instantly cut each and every last of the plant monsters on his side. While the other figure. With that single wooden sword, she sent the colossal beast flying, the same as she had earlier. Lefiya didn't even have time to act surprised. The masked adventurer drew a giant circle with her sword that uprooted every single one of the flowers in her immediate surroundings. The resulting crystal-clear sheeeen rang in her ears.

The throng of abominable flowers that had been pressing in on Lefiya and Bell from all sides was launched away in one fell swoop.

Lefiya: So... So fast!!

Lefiya found herself rooted to the spot as she watched the figure dance like a hurricane. Even Lefiya's Level-3 vision wasn't enough to keep up with her. The flowers, too, were at a loss, squealing in agony as the figure slipped deftly through the swarm of countless flying tentacles and landed another direct hit. They crashed into the crystal pillars still scattered about the area, their large bodies taking beating after beating against the hard rock. Only Sora was able to keep up with her movement. She was so fast. So intense. Both Lefiya and Bell found themselves at a loss for words.

Ryuu: This is...

Again and again the masked adventurer slammed the flowers with everything she had, but no matter how many times they flew backward, they'd just give angered roars and pick themselves up, charging at her for another round.

Sora: Just hitting them won't do nothing! You have to cut them! Also, they react to magic!!

The effects were immediate. The adventurer pulled out a small tachi, using it to cut through the flowers' tentacles, then narrowed her clear blue eyes beginning her chant.

Ryuu: Distant sky above the forest. Limitless stars set into an eternal night.

She was Concurrent Chanting. Lefiya's eyes widened as wide as they would go. The high-level magic power quickly drew the attention of all ten violas.They came at her all at once in a storm of roars and tentacles. But she parried every one of them, cutting them down, flinging them back, continuing her mad dash, never once letting her sonorous voice falter as it continued its song.

Ryuu: Listen to my feeble voice and grant the protection of starlight. Bestow the light of mercy upon those who have abandoned you.

Lefiya: Concurrent Chanting...! And a long one at that?!

Attack, move, evade, chant. Together with her defensive maneuvers, which made for five different actions, each of them carried out with the utmost of celerity. Which was the most impressive part of all—that despite the chant, her astounding speed never slowed in the slightest. The shock Lefiya felt was immeasurable. The first person she could think of who even came close to this level of skill as a magic swordswoman was Filvis. But even Filvis's spells were short, not more than a single phrase, and quite unlike the long chant this girl was performing now. Even despite the lack of a magic circle, Lefiya could tell she was planning something big—a high-powered blast that would take everything out.

Lefiya: And yet, she isn't slowing down... This couldn't be Miss Filvis could it...? And she's more mobile than someone like Lady Riveria!! As mobile as Miss Asuna!!

There was a difference when it came to Concurrent Casters and magic swordsmen. Mostly in the form of the level of magic they could produce, something that mostly came down to the presence of a magic circle.

Concurrent Casters lived in the advanced or mid-guard, and their magic was their sole weapon. Magic swordsmen, on the other hand, were fighters specialized in magic to the point where they could take on a number of mages' abilities and command the front lines single-handedly. Mages like Lefiya and Riveria both belonged to the former group—back-line mages who'd learned the art of Concurrent Casting, making them mobile fortresses.

All of this meant that, strictly speaking, the adventurer in front of her now was not a magic swordswoman. In fact, she was another entity entirely, different from those like Lefiya who lived on the back lines—an elven warrior.

Lefiya: Then...then that would make her even stronger than Miss Filvis. Th-than Lady Riveria even...!!

Sora: She's as fast as ever...

Lefiya: Is she an acquaintance of yours, Mister Sora?

Sora: Yeah, I've known her for 7 years now.

It was simply that this elf was more used to this sort of chanting. There was no telling how many times she'd practiced. While on the front line with no one to protect her, her song the only path to victory, she flourished her sword as she sang her omnipotent melody.

Ryuu: Come, wind of winds, wandering traveler of the ages.

While so much of this elf reminded Lefiya of Aiz, there was still one outstanding difference between them. The difference of sheer magic firepower, the ability to annihilate all enemies in a single instant, rather than simply taking them on one by one in hand-to-hand combat. The scale of the magic she was casting now, the length of the chant she rattled off like nothing, was entirely unsuited for use in the advanced guard and could easily rival the magic of any upper-class mage. It was almost as though someone had taken Lefiya and Aiz and merged them together to make a mobile fortress specialized in pure speed.

Ryuu: Across the skies, through the fields, faster than any, farther than all.

Lefiya found herself at a complete and total loss for words. Truly, even a first-tier adventurer would find themselves taken aback by the Concurrent Casting taking place here. The elven warrior was single-handedly gathering the entire swarm of enemies together in front of her as if it was nothing. In fact, even Bell was beyond impressed, not a single hitch in her song as her dance of storms continued.

Ryuu: Light of stardust, tear my enemies asunder!

And like that, the spell was complete. With those final words, the masked adventurer jumped backward, putting distance between the flowers and herself. Pointing her wooden sword at the giant swarm, she began summoning hundreds of thousands of massive light particles, all of them surrounding her, all of them heeding her call.

Ryuu: Luminous Wind!!

The stardust erupted in a brilliant green storm. It was an image not unlike one of Lefiya's own spells, Fusillade Fallarica —a mass collection of particles all launched at once, incinerating everything along their wide path. The teeming throng of man-eating flowers still coming at the girl was quick to get swallowed up by the burst of light.

Lefiya(mind): That concurrent chanting... That wasn't simply talent nor skill... She looks used to this... Seamlessly fighting off the front line without anyone protecting her. She's the same like Miss Asuna.

One explosion. Then another. Then ten, twenty, thirty, too many to count. It was a direct hit. The searing volley carved into their bodies and detonated with a brilliant flash and an explosion of petals and tentacles. Not even their vibrantly colored magic stones survived the blast, shattering instantly and turning the monsters' flesh to ash.

Lefiya(mind): With the lack of magic circle, she isn't quite a Magical Swordsman like Miss Asuna nor a regular Mage. No she's more beautiful, and more intense... and a bit lonely. It should be appropriate to call this person... An Elven Warrior.

The horrific ground-shaking eruption, the mountain of piled-up corpses, the gallons of smoke rising from the ashes—Lefiya and Bell had to hold on to each other for support as their faces twitched in horror.

Ryuu: Perhaps, that was a bit too much...

Sora: No, you did great. After all this time, you still hadn't gotten rusty one bit.

The two of them high-five. And after that, her sky-blue eyes narrowed in on where the two hidden Evilus associates were frantically attempting to make their escape. It would seem they were all out of tricks. The battle, then, had come to an end. Cape still fluttering, the girl sheathed her small wooden sword and tachi.

Sora: I know you've got something to do. Leave them to me.

Ryuu: Then, I'll take my leave.

Sora sensed what was bothering the elven warrior and he gave her a nodded. With a nod as a respond, the elven warrior disappear in the direction where the two hidden Evilus had escaped. While the swordsman made his way to Bell and Lefiya.

Lefiya: Ah! Th-Thank you so much for saving us... Mister Sora.

Sora: Don't worry about it. First we need to treat your...

Sora stopped mid sentenced and his face turned red in an instant much to Lefiya's confusion and look away.

Sora: Actually, you should probably cover up.

Lefiya: Huh?

Lefiya finally realized what Sora meant as she looked towards her clothes that had melted due to the acid they were just in. She turned red in an instant. Sora had seen her chest and he quickly look away in a heartbeat while also taking his hoodie off and throwing them to Lefiya.

Lefiya: KYAAA!!! Don't look at me, Mister Sora!!

Sora: Um... Sorry...

Lefiya quickly push Bell away from her back and grabbed Sora's jacket and put it own in an instant and she look at Sora blushing.

Lefiya: D-Did you see...?

Sora:...

Sora didn't say anything, but his face was red. Lefiya couldn't contain her scarlet cheeks as she shout out.

Lefiya: Mister Sora!! You pervert!! Shameless whore!! You idiotic Hero!!

Sora: Oh don't give me that excuse!! It was your fault in the first place for disappearing!!

After that, Sora immediately went to work healing them both. He sat Bell down first. The boy didn't fight it, letting himself drop to the grass, though keeping his mouth strangely quiet, almost as though unsure whether or not he should say the girl's name out loud with Lefiya present.

Sora: Here, I brought some healing potions and elixir!

He opened the vial as he pour all over Bell's wounds. His wound beginning to dry up and close. He also did the same for Lefiya, and bring out some bandages to heal her injured leg that had been sprained. Soon, both adventurers were free from injury, and their melted, charred skin was as good as new. Once he'd been given a bit of magic potion to complete the treatment, Bell got to his feet with a wobble, still slightly light-headed. Lefiya, too, followed suit, but was unable, due to her injured leg, so, Sora grabbed her and carried her on his back making her cheeks red scarlet.

Lefiya: U-Um, Thank you...

Sora: Don't mention it. And also, Bell, I thought I told you, not to wander during the night in this place.

Bell: Oh...

Bell mumbled, wincing at the stern glare directed at him.

Sora: I delivered you safely back to camp not more than a few hours ago, yes? When you were running around lost in the forest.

Bell: I...I'm sorry...!!

Sora: I had hoped you would have learned how dangerous the forest is at night.

Sora continued, lecturing him now on the perils of wandering around the forest alone. Bell, in turn, let his head hang with a shrug, looking very much like a young boy being scolded by an older brother. A single glance was all it took to understand how close their relationship is. How deeply care Sora is for his Familia members. And for everyone he cherish.

Lefiya: W-wait! Please!

But then. Lefiya quickly interjected. The Elven mage who had been quiet this whole time stops him.

Lefiya: It's my fault. Everything...everything is my fault! I was the one who... who dragged him into this mess!

Sora:...

Lefiya: Your Familia member has done nothing wrong, so...so please, Mister Sora. Don't misunderstand.

She continued, looking straight past Bell in his surprise to meet the gaze of the Hero's eyes. And then, despite considerable hesitation, despite her struggle to say it...

Lefiya:...He saved me...

She finished, the words ringing clear and true. It went without saying that she was at fault for involving him in her investigation of the two Evilus associates, and if it hadn't been for Bell, she wasn't even sure she'd have escaped from that trap monster with her life. As much as she didn't want to admit it, he'd saved her...and she was thankful for his protection. Holding back her urge to grit her teeth, she admitted her own fault—and appealed on his behalf.

It was quiet for a moment as the Hero swordsman simply listened in silence. Then a small "Heh" sounded from the Hero's lips as he smile at the elf he was carrying behind him.

Sora: Well... If you accepted your mistake and learn from them, then I have no reason to get mad at either of you.

Sora responded, voice filled with delight. The ability to lay down one's pride and admit one's own faults was something that Sora would do. Lefiya felt her cheeks grow warm at the sincere praise. After a moment, Sora turned toward Bell, lightly nodding.

Sora: I'm sorry, Bell. I spoke to soon.

Bell: N-no, it's, uh...I-I mean, it's still partly my fault...

Bell brought a hand to the back of his head sheepishly at the adventurer's apology. Lefiya, on the other hand, was relieved that the misunderstanding had been cleared up. Just as they were about to head back, they heard a sudden swish of branches from behind her—and a certain golden-haired, golden-eyed, and a blue-haired, diamond-eyed swordswomen dropped down from the trees above.

Aiz: Lefiya!

Asuna: Sora!

Lefiya: Miss Aiz?! Miss Asuna?!

Lefiya whirled around in surprise at the two girl's entrance. Aiz's gaze softened with relief at seeing both Lefiya and Bell unharmed. While Asuna quickly do her healing magic to heal Lefiya's legs.

Sora: Can you walk now...

Lefiya: U-Um, yeah...

Slowly but gently, Sora lay Lefiya down on her feat as she started standing on her own.

Aiz: Are you two...all right? Something...happened, didn't it?

Aiz finally asked, concern tinting her voice as she surveyed the two in front of her.

Lefiya: Indeed.

Lefiya started, fully prepared to explain the eye-opening experience, when suddenly—two Amazonian voices called out as Tione and Tiona dropped onto the ground nearby, the same as Aiz and Asuna had done moments earlier. The four elites now gathered, Lefiya began to relay everything that had happened, as well as her conjectures—though only after they were out of Bell's earshot, of course.

Tione: Riveria! Over here!

Tiona: Mr Argonaut's here, too!

By the time Riveria showed up, she'd already finished her story, Sora, Aiz, Asuna, Tiona, and Tione all sporting curious expressions as they mulled over the situation in their minds.

Asuna:...Thanks for filling us in. Riveria and the rest of us will stay here and investigate a bit. Aiz, you take these two back to camp for now.

Lefiya: But...but Miss Asuna, I—?!

Lefiya started, feeling very much as though she, having witnessed everything directly, should be part of the investigation. Asuna, however, stopped her short.

Asuna: You're to do as you're told, Lefiya. Besides, you're the only one capable of explaining the situation to everyone back at camp. Right, Riveria?

Riveria: Quite right. Depending on how things play out, Finn may need to rally the rest of the party. The faster we can fill him in, the better.

Riveria concurred, making her way toward the group with long silver staff in hand.

Lefiya: Oh...

Lefiya let her voice fall, knowing she'd been soundly beaten. Tiona beamed at the elf, her own Urga primed and ready in her arms.

Tiona: You guys look beat! Get some rest, yeah? No need to push yourselves! Mr Argonaut especially.

Surprised, Lefiya turned around to see Bell standing a short distance away. While his wounds had been fully healed, he looked, indeed, just as tired as Tiona had suggested. The final blow, so to speak, that neither healing magic nor potions could mend, was the fatigue left over from battle—a fatigue now peeking through the strong front he was attempting to maintain.

To up and leave him now, after being the one to get him into this mess, would simply be cruel—not from a perspective of reasonableness but simply from her as an elf. A feeling of awkwardness creeping up under her collar, she obediently nodded.

Lefiya: All right.

Riveria: Take care of them, Aiz. And Sora, we might need your help here.

Riveria said as she handed Aiz her portable magic-stone lantern. Before whispering to the swordsman asking for his help.

Aiz: Of course.

Sora: Sure, I'll stay...

Then, Tiona and the others throwing them a wave, they said their short good-byes and began the trek back to camp.

Aiz: You're sure you're all right?

Aiz asked once the three had made it a short way into the dark woods, worry coloring her voice.

Bell: Ah-ha-ha...I-I'm fine! Really. Already got healed and everything, yeah?

Bell forced a laugh, his energy nothing but a facade as he let his gaze wander down by his feet.

Aiz: But your shoes, they're...awful...

Aiz shone the lantern in the direction of said boots, so ragged at this point that they scarcely resembled foot attire. In fact, both Lefiya's and Bell's battle clothes were littered with rips and holes where the acid had melted them away, but their shoes were, by far, the worst victims, having been submerged so long in the acid.

Lefiya: I need to return this jacket back to Mister Sora once he returned.

Bell: And I have a set of greaves back at camp...

Bell murmured. Lefiya shot him a sidelong glance before asserting herself none too subtly.

Lefiya: I'll give you a new pair of boots once we get back. If I'm unable to find any, I'll buy you some from Rivira.

Bell: R-really? I-I mean...are you sure?

Lefiya: Yeah, it's fine!

She replied equally as bluntly as he whirled around to look at her.

Lefiya: Don't...don't misunderstand me. I simply... feel as though I need to make up for involving you in this entire affair. That's it!!

She hissed the last part through gritted teeth. Bell blinked once, twice, then gave her a somewhat awkward, somewhat sheepish grin. Lefiya, in turn, jerked her head away with a harrumph, attempting to disguise her own embarrassment.

Aiz:...

Aiz stared at them in silence, jaw slack.

Aiz: You two...are getting along now?

Lefiya: What?!

Lefiya practically screamed, whirling around.

Lefiya: Y-you have it all wrong, Miss Aiz! Truly! T-to think something like that would ever happen in the history of the entire world would...would...!

Bell: Ha-ha-ha...

Bell laughed, a smile rising to his face.

Lefiya: Yooooooooooooooou! Stop that right now! Get over here! Explain to her how that can't possibly happen!!

Aiz: Yep, you're getting along now...

Lefiya: No, Miss Aiz! Listen to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

But Lefiya could only wail in vain as Bell feigned laughter at her beloved swordswoman's entirely off-base observation, the swordswoman herself nodding in her own self-directed affirmation. Far up above them, the crystalline night sky glittered as it watched over their return.