3rd person pov
Elsewhere
Hestia was running to the guild looking for Akira and the others due to not returning and when she arrived she asked Eina if Akira had returned, but Eina had told her that she hasn't seem. Hestia then issued a request to come and save Akira's party and heard someone called out to her.
??: Hestia!
Hestia looked back saw that it was Takemikazuchi and some of his Familia members looking down.
Hestia: Take?
Back to Akira and his clone who were holding Welf on his side due to getting his feet dislocated, while Lili was giving them elixir and healing potions, and as they were walking Welf grunted in pain.
Akira:*worried* You okay there Welf?
Welf:*chuckles* Yeah, sorry. Man our luck is crap. Seems like we fell down two floors down.
Akira: Lili, how's our equipment doing?
Lili: Let's see, we got 10 elixirs and 6 potions... and thank you for looking out for us master Akira, if you weren't here, we might not have made it.
Akira: Hey, there no need to thank me, though I also got to give thanks to the wool we're wearing. It's a good thing miss Eina recommended them, but anyway I think it time we continue on.
Welf/Lili: Right!
As they continued to walk, they had reached a dead end. They then heard more monsters spawning and Akira turned his attention to Welf and Lili and saw that they were completely exhausted.
Welf: Akira, Lili. I think it's best if you leave me behind.
They looked completely shocked.
Akira: Welf there no way I-
Welf: Look either way, with my leg, I'm only going to slow you down. And it thanks to your help that I'm mange-
Akira: Sorry Welf, but I'm not one for abandoning party members!
Lili: I think I have an idea.
Akira and Welf look at her.
Lili: If we...if we want to survive, we can also try going down to the 18th floor.
Welf: That would mean we go further down.
Akira: We means the enemies will be stronger.
Welf: Dont forget the floor boss-
Akira: Yeah, but I think Lili plan could actually work.
Welf and Lili both look at Akira.
Akira: The 18th floor is one of the several safe zones in the dungeon. Monster don't appear on that floor. We could heal up there.
Welf: But how will we get there?
Lili: If I remember correctly there should be hole like pits in the dungeon, and if we go through them we could go down much faster.
Welf: Okay, but what about the floor boss? That thing should be on the 17th floor.
Akira: Leave that part to me, but I think the Loki familia should have dealt with it along their way down, and given the time it takes to respawn, if we go now, we should get through first. Is there anything else that need to be discussed?
Welf and Lili shook their heads.
Akira:*nods* Okay, then let's get moving.
Elsewhere
Back with Hestia and the rest of the Takemikazuchi familia. They had just finished explaining the situation to Hestia. The tension was heavy as Takemikazuchi lowered his head in deep apology.
Takemikazuchi: "I'm truly sorry, Hestia."
Miach: "So... you're saying those adventurers dumped their monsters on Akira's party to save themselves?"
Takemikazuchi: "...They panicked. It wasn’t right—but yes. I take full responsibility."
Mikoto and her party stood behind him, heads bowed in shame. Mikoto's shoulders trembled, guilt etched into every line of her face.
Hestia: "...If Akira doesn't make it back alive... I’ll never forgive myself for letting him go down there. But know this—"
She stepped forward, her small frame radiating an intense emotional strength. Raising her hand, she gave them a gentle, trembling smile.
Hestia: "I won’t hate you. I promise. So please—bring my Aki back home."
The Takemikazuchi Familia looked up, stunned by the kindness in her voice. Without hesitation, they dropped to one knee.
Takemikazuchi Familia: "As you command!"
Hephaestus: (sighing, arms crossed) "Hmph... It’s a good thing I didn’t bring Kotori."
Hestia: "Yeah, if she heard what your Familia did, Take, there might not be any survivors."
Takemikazuchi: (sweat dropping) "Y-You’re joking, right?"
Hestia: (deadpan) "Nope. Kotori’s terrifying when it comes to Akira. If he’s hurt…? You’d better hope for divine intervention."
The Takemikazuchi Familia gulped audibly.
Hephaestus: "As much as I’d like to send help, most of my top-level smiths are with Loki’s team. Kotori's staying behind too—says her weapon would cause too much destruction in the confined Dungeon floors."
Takemikazuchi: "The only ones I can send are Ouka, Mikoto, and Chigusa as a supporter. The others... wouldn't last."
Miach: "But just three people—against potential monster waves?"
??: "Make that four. I’ll go too, Hestia."
Everyone turned to see Hermes walking toward them, Asfi trailing reluctantly behind. Gasps of surprise filled the room.
Hestia: "Hermes?!"
Takemikazuchi: "When did you get back?! What are you doing here?"
Hermes: (smiling charmingly) "I heard one of my favorite goddesses was in trouble. Naturally, I came flying."
Hephaestus: (flat tone) "‘Favorite’? Last I checked, you barely acknowledged Hestia when you came down from Heaven."
Takemikazuchi: "That’s right."
Miach: "Some ‘dear friend’ you are."
Hermes: (laughs nervously) "You wound me, all of you. But truly, I do want to help."
Takemikazuchi: "Hestia, the choice is yours."
Hestia: "We need all the help we can get. Akira and the others are down there, and every second counts. Hermes… if you're serious, then I’ll take it."
Hermes: (smiling with a hand over his heart) "Well, alrighty then."
Preparations began quickly. Hermes turned to Asfi with a grin.
Hermes: "Asfi, ready your gear. You're coming too."
Asfi: (shocked) "E-Excuse me?! Absolutely not! I’m not getting dragged into this suicidal rescue mission—"
Hestia: (popping up behind Asfi with a devilish glint in her eyes) "Oh? But didn’t Hermes just say you’d be fine?"
Hermes: (nervously backing away) "W-Wait, Hestia, don’t twist my words—"
Hestia: "I'm not! I’m just saying exactly what you said. Asfi, you’re going."
Asfi: (groaning with a dramatic sigh) "...Why me...?"
As the preparations wrapped up, Hermes looked to the group.
Hermes: "I’ll recruit one more person for this mission. Someone... special."
The gods and adventurers glanced at him with curiosity and concern.
To be continued...
