No one's POV
The Loki Familia are currently making their way back towards the surface and they all had reached the 17th floor and Tiona is frowning sue to them leaving their expedition.
Tiona: Even though I can still fight~ I haven't gone enough on a rampage yet~
Tione: You're nagging to much. It should be time for you to stop.
Tiona: Even though we suffered many hardships and finally reached the 50th floor!!
The Loki Familia decided to give up their expedition's original goal to reached the 59th floor. A place where the whole Loki Familia other than Asuna who had never been there, an uncharted territory. So they decided to return to the surface after the battle on the 50th floor.
Tiona: All because of that monster! In the end, what on earth was that monster?!
Tione: We can only call it as an unidentified monster. Really there are many strange places.
Tione then brought out a Magic stone and Tiona saw it.
Tiona: Eh that!
Tione: This is one of their Magic Stone.
Tiona: How did you get one of those?
Tione: I ripped it out of one of them with my hands!
Everyone shiver when they heard that. Every one of the monsters had been destroyed including the magic stones, but Tione managed to grabbed one by using her bare hand.
Tiona: What a strange color...
(Timeskip)
After awhile of walking, some of the supporters of the Loki Familia went to their knees due to their exhaustion, and both Aiz and Asuna went towards them.
Asuna: Line, Elfy, do you need help?
Line: Eh?
Elfy: Ah... N...No problem!!
Line: How could we let a first-class adventurer to carry luggage!!
Elfy: This is the work of us supporters!
Aiz: But...
Bete: Don't say anymore, Aiz, Asuna.
The two of them then looked at Bete. Bete kicked the supporter lightly on the side of Line's hip as a way to shoo her away before coming next to Aiz and Asuna.
Aiz: Bete!
Bete: Don't waste any time regarding the troubling matters of this trashes. Even if it is not wrong, do not let a helping hand. Just keep looking down on them. It is fine if the both of you, who are this strong continue to remain strong. Especially you, blue elf!
Asuna:...
Bete then walked passed them and Asuna looked at him. Even though he said those harsh words, Asuna understand what he actually meant, he told them to stopped helping the lower adventurers, the reason is because they might become to dependable on them and Asuna just sigh.
Asuna: Typical Bete....
Aiz(mind): So his attitude towards us, who is the same first-class adventurer is different than other member. But... Although the other member the other member have not reached the same level as Bete, but they have concern towards me inside their heart...
Asuna then saw that Aiz was in thought.
Asuna: Is something wrong?
Aiz: Could it be that I'm very scary...?
Asuna(mind): -_- She is such an airhead...
Everyone then heard a roar in front of them. Roars that were strong enough to shake the rock under their feet. It was a horde of Minotaurs. A massive man-shaped beast with bull-like heads that embodied the terms monster.
Cruz: In front of us! There is a large group of Minotaurs!!
Tiona: You see? It is because Bete was to loud!
Bete: This is unrelated. Grouping together like idiots.
Tione: Riveria, if there is that many, it should be fine if we go out, right?
Riveria: It's fine. Raul, this is Finn's order. Just treat it as accumulating experience, so you will command.
Raul: Y-Yes!
After they all reached the 18th floor, the Loki Familia split into two groups so they don't cause an uproar on the middle floor and the surface. Riveria is currently leading her group and Finn had told Riveria to let Raul handle the command.
Raul: Supporters, step down! Use the concentrated formation to reduce the burden of the equipment!
Loki Familia Lower members: Roger that!
Raul then looked at Bete, Tiona, and Tione and saw that they were releasing a very large killing aura and Raul looked at them terrified.
Raul: Please look at the Atmosphere!
Tiona: No problem, No problem~
Tione: I know...
Bete: I will not use weapons. I should give at least that much handicap.
One Minotaur must have noticed that unfathomable differences in power between themselves and their supposedly so called "Prey" and turned it's back to the battle. It caused a chained reaction to the other Minotaurs as they all turned away from the adventurers and took off in all direction at the same time as the great escape begun.
Tiona: Ehhh?! You're joking, they all escaped?!
Bete: Oii?! Aren't you guys monsters?!
The thunderous retreat caught them off guard. More and more beast were disappearing from the room, running for their lives. Aiz's golden eyes widened as she watched in disbelief.
Riveria: After them all of you!
Asuna: There's no telling what a monsters who is in a confused state will do! They are all reaching the upper floor which adventurers might just be level 1!
Riveria and Asuna's shrill voices cut through the chaos. Top class adventures were frozen in place only for a moment before launching themselves in pursuit of the Minotaurs.
Tiona: And we're almost home...!
Lefiya: Um, I'm not good with hand-to-hand combat!
Bete: Whack' em really hard with that stick you got! Do it!
Lefiya: S-Sure...!
And so every first and second class adventurer went to chase the rampaging horde of Minotaurs from the 17th floor towards the upper floor, and currently there is still one Minotaur left who made it all it's way towards the 5th floor.
Aiz: Where is the last one?!
Asuna: In front of us!
Bete: This is bad, a rookie!
Bete, Asuna, and Aiz who made it all their way towards the 5th floor to pursue the last Minotaur saw a rookie adventurer around the age of 14 were being attack and Aiz speed blitzed and went to cut the last one with just a swing of her sword.
The Minotaur's blood shot out in all directions, like a fountain breaking apart from too much water pressure. Then their eyes met.
Aiz: Are you alright? Eh...
At first what Aiz's saw was her younger self as she looked at her in awe. But coming to a realized that the boy she saved had white hair and a red ruby eyes. He was just sitting there as if frozen in time.
Aiz:... Um, are you alright? Can you stand?
Aiz leaned down to him, but the boy didn't even flinch. He just look at her as if he'd forgotten how to speak. Aiz didn't know how to react, so she tried asking again.
Aiz: Um... Are you sure you're okay?
No reaction. His lip lips were frozen in the middle of the word. His ears and neck and everything else were turning redder by the second.
Kid: Da-
Aiz: Da?
Aiz didn't even have time to tilt her head as the boy suddenly woke up from his trance. And without warning.
Kid: DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!
Aiz:?!
The boy ran away from Aiz as fast as his legs could carry him. She was stunned. Her eyes flew opened as she watched him disappear into the distance. The echoes of his scream dying off, Aiz's face morphed into an expression no one had seen before: At a lost for words.
Aiz: Eh...?
Bete: Kh...hh...kahah!
Aiz turned around to see Bete and Asuna who were watching the whole scene, saw that Bete laughing his hard out. While Asuna was lost for words as she looked towards the direction of the boy that ran away.
Bete: AHAHAHAHA!!! The person that was saved ran away crying. As expected from Aiz! Right, Asuna?!
Aiz:...
Aiz's face turned pink, blushing like that of a girl her age. The werewolf could only stare at her while the elf continue to looked at the direction that the boy ran. Asuna felt a similarity when she saw his white hair.
Asuna(mind): Meteria? No... she's gone.
Asuna then remembered the words of a certain swordsman that she haven't seen for awhile that Meteria had a child and she finally remember the name.
Asuna(mind): Bell?
(Timeskip)
After 2 weeks of their expedition. The Loki Familia has finally made their way back to the surface. The Labyrinth City, Orario. A city filled with unknown adventurers.
Tiona: We're finally back...!
The Loki Familia has finally made their way towards their Home, the Twilight Manor.
Finn: We're home. Please open the gate.
The guards nodded their heads and pulled the door opened and Finn led his allies through the gate when suddenly...
???: Welcome hoooooome!!
A figure rushed out of the building to greet the adventurers as if it was waiting for them. She had short vermilion hair with a slight masculine woman who charged headlong towards Aiz and the other girls were chatting. It was Loki their patron Goddess.
Loki: Didja make it back safe?!
She practically threw herself at them with her arms open wide, but Asuna, Aiz, Tione, and Tiona easily dodge the oncoming hug. Lefiya didn't realized what was happening until it is to late.
Lefiya: Eh? Huh? Wha? Eeeekkkkk!!
Lefiya then was trapped in the embrace and fell to the ground and Loki started fondling her breast.
Loki: I've been so lonely, Lefiya!
Finn: Loki! There were no victims in this time's expedition. However the furthest achieved floor also did not increase. I should still report the more specific details about the situation through a written report.
Loki: Nnnn! I understand. Welcome home, Finn!
Finn: Ah, I'm back, Loki!
Asuna: Loki! Let go of Lefiya!
Loki: Oh no, sorry Lefiya!
Lefiya: N... No...
Loki: Speaking of which, kufufufu.... Did your boobs become slightly bigger?
Lefiya started blushing and cover her boobs.
Lefiya: It didn't become bigger!!
Loki started harassing Tione and the other girls and Asuna and Aiz just watched at the scene and smile. Aiz felt a comfortable feeling when she saw everyone smiling and having fun, while Asuna felt a bit different, she feel a bit sad. This excitement and joyous laugh reminded her when she was still apart of the Hera Familia that is now extinct, leaving her alone as the only survivor.
Loki: Aiz and Asuna too, welcome hime...
Aiz: We're back, Loki...
Loki then tapped both their shoulder and both Aiz and Asuna looked confused and Loki dropped her perverted act and look at them worried.
Loki: NNN, Various part of your body must be in pain, Aiz. Did you rest well?
Aiz looked at Loki shocked, she had noticed the aches in Aiz's body and Aiz just nodded her head and Loki looked at Asuna.
Loki: What's with that sad look? Doesn't suit a young noble elf like you! Your family is right here you know that!
Asuna:...
Asuna smile at Loki and she just walked away towards Riveria and the others. The other Loki Familia members that didn't join the expedition greeted the one that did join and started helping them with their bags and luggage.
Tiona: Aiz, Asuna, let's shower!
(Timeskip)
Aiz, Asuna, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya then went into the shower to clean off the dirt and blood of monsters in their body and Asuna noticed that Aiz is a bit depressed.
Asuna: Come on! Stop it with that depressed look! You've been like that ever since that boy ran away.
Aiz then looked at her hand that had blood when she had cut through that Minotaur.
Aiz: Am I... really that scary to others...?
After both Asuna and Aiz finished their shower, the two of them took a dip bath at the bathtub.
Asuna: What are you saying? Indeed that the attitude of other people when contacting with us first class adventurer are a bit strange. To them that you are a monster that is stronger than a Minotaur.
Aiz: Yes that's true, but... being strong means being feared by others.. even though I already knew this... but still...
Asuna: That's not what I meant...
Aiz: Eh?
Aiz looked at her older sister figure and saw that she was smiling at her.
Asuna: It's true that the others saw you differently. But not because they are scared of you. It's because they admire you.
Aiz: But... there must be Adventurers that are afraid of me. Like that boy...
Asuna: I don't think that the boy is afraid of you. I think he is just embarrassed by looking at your pretty face.
Asuna jokingly try to ease the mood by teasing her and Aiz looked at Asuna embarrassed and started blushing.
Asuna: Then why don't you just talk to him when you see him again?
Aiz: What if he is afraid and run away again?
Asuna: Then do it the next time. No matter how many times he escaped!! Why would he be afraid of you when everyone here loves you? And that includes me, I love you a lot! Your like a little sister to me.
Aiz then looked at Asuna surprised and started blushing and smile at her.
Aiz: Thank you, Big Sis.
Asuna nodded her head and Aiz lay her head on Asuna's shoulder as the two of them enjoyed the bath and Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya came towards them and Tiona looked at them with an envy look.
Tiona: Wah! You two are so close! Aiz would never lay her head on my shoulder!
Tione: What's the secret you two? For you to be that close with each other?!
Lefiya: Miss Aiz and Miss Asuna, together!
Tiona: And Lefiya, you traitor! Your boobs haven't shrunk at all!
Lefiya: Eh?!
Tione: Ignore her, Lefiya.
The tone of Tiona's groan turned to jealousy, eyes jumping between her own flat chest and Lefiya's feminine form. And suddenly, the door of the shower room slid open, revealing Loki on the other side.
Loki8: No worried Tiona!! I will help you rub it big!!
Aiz, Asuna, Tione, and Tiona easily dodge the oncoming hug but when Lefiya noticed Loki, she was already to late.
Lefiya: Eh? KYAAAAAA!!!
Aiz, Asuna, Tiona and Tione went to leave Lefiya and Loki in the bath and before they go, Loki told them want to get their status update it would be for the first 10 people that arrive after dinner and everyone nodded their head.
(Timeskip)
After dinner, Aiz and Asuna went towards Loki's room which was on the highest floor of the middle tower and the two of them knocked the door.
Loki: Come in.
Both Aiz and Asuna stepped inside and was greeted by Loki.
Loki: As expected, both Aiz-tan and Asuna-chan is the most motivated. Okay, Aiz you go first and Asuna your next.
Aiz then take a sit in front of Loki and took off her cloths and pull her long hair and guided it over her shoulder.
Loki: Fufu. This is bad. I am slightly drunk later my hand might possibly slip to a slightly strange location...!
Sensing the immediate danger, Asuna grabbed a small knife that she had slip on her left shoe pocket and point them at Loki's face with a heavenly piercing glare.
Asuna: Loki...
Loki and even Aiz shiver by how deadly Asuna's voice is and Loki quickly back away.
Loki: Ah... I already sobered up, no need to worry.
Aiz: Please get on with it.
Loki: Ah.. Alright.
Loki then update both their status.
Loki: Alright done, her's both of your status paper!
Aiz Wallenstien Level 5:
Strength: D 549-> 555
Vitality: D540->547
Dexterity: A823-> 825
Agility: A821-> 822
Magic: A899
Hunter: G
Immunity:G
Knight: I
Asuna Yuuki Level: 6
Strength: C 609->615
Vitality: D 540-> 545
Dexterity: D 505-> 507
Agility: A818-> 820
Magic:S989-> S990
•Mage: E
•Treatment: G
•Abnormal Resistance: G
•Spirit Healing: H
•Magic Resistance: H
Aiz and Asuna then looked at their status papers and saw how much it has increased but not much.
Loki: Aiz, your expression is extremely serious.
Aiz(mind): To low! Even though I have already defeated many enemies in this time's expedition. But my abilities didn't increase a lot...!
Asuna(mind): She felt like this must be her limit...
Both Asuna and Aiz then went to their room. The two of them shared room with each other and Aiz lay on her bed frustrated by her current strength and Asuna just sat next to her.
Asuna: Come on... cheer up! My abilities didn't rise up as much as you!
Aiz: Asuna... is this really my limit? It has already been 3 years since I become level 5. Since from then on, I did not have any significant growth...
Asuna:...
Aiz: How long have you been since you've reach level 6?
Asuna: It's already been 5 years since I've reached level 6. And not a significant growth on my end either.
Asuna(mind): And for Sora to reached level 6 in just a year and a half! How does he do that? My status used to be better than his!
Aiz: I want to become stronger...!!
Asuna then was brought out of his thought and look at Aiz as she raised her hand into the air and curled it up into a fist.
Aiz: More stronger... An insatiable power... what is necessary? Is the increase in level... The rising of a higher rank vessel.
Asuna: Aiz... If you try to desperately run at full strength without giving your body a rest, then one day there will be a day where you fall.
Aiz: Even if it's like that, I also want to surpass the current me!!
Asuna; I know that... but you need to be prepare for the unexpected. If you're in such a hurry to improve yourself, you'll just make more mistake than improving. That's why... you need to slow down and keep doing our best there is. Don't worry about the rest... and you can become stronger.
Aiz: How can you be so sure...?
Asuna: I know a certain someone who is a lot like you. It happen to him once. He was so focus on rushing to get stronger that he didn't realized what he did wrong until it was to late.
Aiz: What did he do?
Asuna: That something I couldn't say. I promise that I won't reveal about his past. After that, he had decided to take it slow and take the steps one by one, until before I realized it, he is already pass surpassed me.
Aiz looked at Asuna surprised, Asuna is known throughout Orario to be the strongest rapier user and a mage that is on par with Riveria. For her to say that there is someone that surpasses her in that completely shocked Aiz.
Asuna: The black determination that I saw inside him vanish without a trace. And instead was replace by a white flame that shine so bright that it blinds me. That's why...
Asuna then looked at Aiz and patted her head.
Asuna: Don't forget, you're not alone anymore. You will always have me and everyone else right there with you. And I'm sure, that one day... we will be able to surpass our current strength and reached to the unknown place.
Aiz then smile at Asuna and nodded her head and Asuna stood up and went towards her bed.
Asuna: Well, let's go get some sleep. And have fun tomorrow.
Aiz: Um... Can we sleep together? Just for one night?
Asuna then smile at her.
Asuna: Sure thing...
Asuna then climbed on Aiz's bed and lay down next to her and slowly fell asleep together.