Danmachi Familia from Hell

2

- T-that... That's more or less how it happened - said the blond pallum standing beside his vice-captain, his voice trembling.

- I see - Vlood replied without even turning toward his subordinate. - So Ürs joined the fight to protect you, and Henry because he was attacked first?

- Exactly, exactly! - the blond nodded nervously.

Teepashtee was far more terrifying to him than the captain or even Lord Hades, and it wasn't Vlood's race that inspired that fear. His god was caring and gentle toward his followers, punishing them at most with extra kitchen shifts or guard duty. Belakher acted in a similar way, but unfortunately the vampire did not follow the example of his superiors.
It wasn't that he was cruel to others, or even particularly cold. Quite the opposite. The white-haired man cared deeply for the lives and well-being of the other members of the familia. However, when someone truly angered him with a serious offense, their penance consisted of a sparring session with him. And that threatened far more than a few bruises or scrapes. Vlood would never try to take a comrade's life or permanently maim them, but he still managed to knock some sense into them in a very painful manner.

- However, that little brawl started because of you, and only you, since you were the one who threw the first punch.

The vampire's voice created an invisible yet palpable pressure around the blond, while his crimson eyes gleamed ominously.

- B-B-But they were provoking us! - he stammered in panic.

- I know, I know. You already told me about the stupid rumors they were spreading about us among themselves. But you see... if you had attacked because you couldn't stand hearing them insult our lord and the other members of our familia, I might have forgiven you. However, you raised your fist because you couldn't tolerate a foolish insult directed at yourself.

- Vlood, I... You know I hate it when someone calls me...

- When we return to the castle, I'll submit a report on our mission to Lord Hades. Meanwhile, you'll unpack your belongings and prepare for training at the practice grounds. Any objections? - he asked calmly, though his voice concealed deep dissatisfaction with the pallum.

- N-None - the blond replied immediately, bowing his head.

He was fully aware that arguing further would only make matters worse. He could only hope that Belakher had once again accidentally created a healing elixir during one of his experiments-something that would ease the pain and help his wounds heal faster.
Even if he had wanted to argue, circumstances made it impossible. From the coal-black tunnel stretching out before them came the sound of a mass of footsteps, growing faster with each passing moment. The vampire and the blond could hear both the heavy thuds of massive legs and the lighter steps of smaller creatures.
The pallum raised the lantern in his left hand higher, and its light revealed his werewolf friend fleeing on all fours before a horde of monsters composed of countless different species.

- Boss! I brought them just like you told me to! - shouted the navy-eyed werewolf known as Ürs.

- Good work, - Teepashtee replied calmly. - You know what to do - he said before transforming into a swarm of bats and flying over the approaching monstrous mob, effortlessly avoiding the claws and rusted weapons thrust upward toward him.

- You got it! - the werewolf shouted enthusiastically.

- Of course - the pallum confirmed, a confident smile spreading across his face.

The short adventurer pulled the first of many short javelins from the sack hanging at his belt and hurled it without a moment's hesitation, killing the orc closest to Ürs in an instant.