Loki's Renard

Acr 3 Chapter 4 - The Cave Labyrinth

Hey guys, Striker777 here. Been a while, hasn't it. I missed you guys. Luckily, this massive break around, there were no major catastrophes, except when I fucked my knee up during weightlifting. Word of advice kids. Apparently 150kg (330lbs) is completely fine, but 160 (352lbs) is not without some knee support. Keep that in mind. But that was a while ago, and with no uni, I'm much more free to do the things I love, like play video games and write.

Anyway, some exciting news, someone is now qualified forklift operator! Work offered a course last week, and I apparently get like 2 dollars extra an hour for having my license, so an extra $40 a week certainly isn't going to hurt me. Other than that, I have my very first weightlifting competition at the end of the month! Hoping to hit a few personal bests on my three major lifts, 170kg (374lbs) for deadlift and squat, and 120kg (264lbs) for bench press. I'll be sure to let you know how I go in the update following the comp.

But anyway, you're here to read about Akihide, not listen to me brag about my weightlifting journey. Onto the story!

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Akihide took point as Kiddy Party made their way down the stairs the joined Floor 12 and Floor 13. Behind him was Ardee, her new sword sheathed at her hip, but her hand on the hilt, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. Airmid was next, their new main support and magic caster, whilst Ryuu was their vanguard, with her attack magic as well as her power with a sword, she was perfect for the role.

The four children, draped in cloaks of Salamander Wool provided by Ganesha himself as a small birthday and apology present for Akihide, made their way down further than most of them had ever been before. For Ryuu, the experience was uncommon but not new, as she had helped her senior Familia members fight on Floor 13 and 14, but acted as a pure supporter with Lyra going down further into the Dungeon. Now she was level 2, she was sure her Familia would let her fight with them on the front lines when on their occasional trip to Rivira, maybe even all the way down to Floor 17.

Bu that was for then and not now. The other three were going to step down into the Cave Labyrinth for the first time, so she had to be the one who was in command again. She was the party leader, so it was up to her to make sure everyone here got home safely at the end of the day. She looked ahead, noticing that Airmid was playing with a loose strand of her hair, Ardee was bouncing on the balls of her feet as they continued their descent, and Akihide's tail had been swinging around like a puppy about to get a bone from his owner.

The three of them were excited that they were going to Floor 13, which was understandable. Ryuu had been excited on her first trip to Rivira as well, she barely slept a wink the night before, but she had seen wonders of the Dungeon, such as the Wall of Grief, which was a beautiful sight to behold on Floor 17. She knew how horrible it was and what tremendous damage it was capable of when Goliath spawned, but when at times of peace, it was a beautiful crystal wall that lit up the otherwise soul wrenching environment of the Dungeon.

But that wasn't what was important at the moment. Right now, the only thing Ryuu should be focused on is making sure the three of them completed their job properly. Their little Denateus Day celebration in the Dungeon was no different than any other venture they took. They were going to play it safe, retreat from any abnormalities and ensure that at the end of the day, they all got home with all their limbs intact. It was a heavy responsibility, but as the leader of the party, it was her responsibility to bear. For the sake of those she called her friends, she would ensure their safety before her own.

She let those thoughts go as they made it to the bottom of the stairs and to a familiar (at least for her) location. With a collection of black and grey stones making up the walls, floor and ceiling, they knew for certain they had reached beyond what they had ever done before. "Floor 13..." muttered Akihide, taking in the sights. They were greeted by a large room that had several tunnels branching off in all different directions. Without a map or experience in this region of the Dungeon, it would be very easy for aspiring adventurers to find themselves lost in the mazes of this land.