Danmachi: Master of the Aegis

Quest 11: Awakening! Burning Heart of a Hero!

Last time Leo and Pyra reached the Eighth Floor of the Dungeon where the next Ancient Corridor was located with the help of their Familia. However Killer Ants were being spawned at an alarmingly rapid rate, seemingly in an attempt to wear the Party down. Thanks to Leo and Pyra that was prevented, however something approaches their location.

Leo tightly gripped his sword in his hands, gently panting as he was still slightly exhausted from using Burning Sword alongside Pyra to dispatch the Killer Ants.

Finn: All of you be on your guards, we have no idea what could be coming our way.....

All the members of the Loki Familia tensed up as the approaching footsteps only grew closer and closer to their location. Bete spotted a figure down the passageway as he let out an aggressive snarl.

Bete: Get ready, whatever that thing is it's getting closer!

The members of the Loki Familia all readied their weapons as they prepared for the fight ahead of them. However the tension in their bodies drained almost instantly when the injured form of Lili collapsed face first onto the ground in front of them upon setting foot in the opening.

Leo & Pyra: LILI!

The Driver and Blade ran up to the Pallum girl, Leo gently rolled the girl over onto her back while Pyra rested her head on her lap. Blood ran down the side of Lili's face as she shakily breathed, seemingly trying to get her bearings.

Pyra: Lili, can you hear us?

Lili: Y-Yes.....

The Pallum girl manage to weakly mumble out as she seemed half dazed. Riveria approached the trio as she crouched down next to Leo, examining Lili's injuries closely.

Riveria: Her injuries are nothing fatal, from what I can see she must've suffered a grazing blow to the head. That combined with her walking for who knows how long, I imagine her body is clinging to whatever little strength she can muster.

Leo and Pyra exchanged concerned looks with one another before refocusing on Lili, she was in rough shape and needed medical attention.

Leo: Lili, what happened? Why are you wandering through the Dungeon alone?

When Leo asked that question, for a brief moment Lili seemed to snap out of her daze as a panicked look spread across her face.

Lili: S-Sir Leo! You need to hurry, Master Bell is in danger!

When the Pallum girl said that Leo's expression went from concerned to slightly panicked at the mention of his friend being in danger. He however wasn't the only one, it was subtle, but Ais's grip on her sword tightened.

Leo: What do you mean Bell is in danger? What happened?!

Lili did her best to calm her breathing slightly before she attempted speaking again.

Lili: W-We were ambushed by a Minotaur! M-Master Bell is fighting it right now, I did my best to find help.....

After those words left Lili's mouth, the Pallum girl fainted, her body too weak from the injuries for her to stay conscious. Riveria gently took Lili from Pyra as she began casting healing magic to heal the small girl. A grim expression spread across Finn's face, something was certainly wrong here.

Finn: A Minotaur shouldn't be anywhere near the Eighth Floor, first the rapid birth rates of monsters now a displaced monster from the lower floors? What in the name of the Goddess is going on here?

Riveria: We can concern ourselves with the reason later Finn, right now there is a young Adventurer facing off against a monster far to strong for his current abilities.