It wasn't a normal day in the Hathor familia, everyone felt like something was off. Every member, falna bearing, and regular people looked at the sight that threw them for a loop. It was the third day after Shurry's return, from his most recent dungeon dive. And he was still on the surface, for him this was incredibly rare.
"What do you think happened?"
"I don't know. But whispering so he doesn't hear you isn't going to help."
"I think it's something related to the falna. That or it's related to them…"
"Yeah, he probably got a letter or something."
One of the dancers in the familia, fed up with waiting for an answer, sat down right across the table from Shurry. She saw that he was reading… Or maybe he was just holding the book. She couldn't quite tell.
"What's up Moon Pup? Usually you're alright prowling the dungeon by now." The dancer's curious expression showed her actual worry.
Shurry looked up and blinked. "Nothing's wrong. I promised Mother that I wouldn't go back into the dungeon for a little while. Bokhoir made a request, and I agreed to let him do it. It's their turn to hunt in the dungeon."
The dancer, completely blown away by the response, stood up, and leaned over the table, her dancer's top not nearly strong enough to keep form under the hanging weight. She reached out hand to Shurry's forehead. "Hmm? You don't seem to have a fever… This is weird… Shurry, do you still have fun hunting?"
"Huh?" I- I never thought about it that way before. Do I still have fun hunting?... "Yes, I still love hunting. It's just different now. I- I-" He gulped hard… "I miss hunting with my aunty… But, I'm not going to let it keep me from getting strong." The faint tears of a truly deep pain flowed down the outside of his cheeks.
"I see-" She walked around, gently placing her hands on his cheeks. Wiping the tears, she smiled. "I didn't know her well, but I'm sure she would have wanted you to grow as strong as you possibly could…" She paused. "And then go beyond even that. Show us, show the world, and show her, just how strong-" She poked his chest, a firm but gentle finger. "This heart truly is." Then she giggled. "You can start by showing the love you have for someone else, you know I mean right?"
Shurry's tears stopped, and he smiled. "Yeah, I know who you mean."
A little bit later and all of the remaining prep work for their dungeon expedition had been completed. Bokhoir, and the rest of the dungeon expedition team gathered at the door, and looked to their goddess.
"My children, I wish you all good luck, and good fortune. Come back home to me, safely. This home will be here, waiting for all of you to return to its halls." Hathor said.
"And we're off!"
They left, their goal this time, to clear Udaeus. And push further than that if at all possible. Bokhoir's goals weren't exactly the clearest right now, but everyone understood that they had to be. With Evilus on the move everyday, so for security reasons, no one was told squat until they were past the 27th floor. Which wouldn't be for a couple days, so they advanced with the common understanding they were just looking for cool items. An easy way to prevent any nonsense.
…
"Lord Thanatos, the entire Hathor familia has gone into the dungeon. We can take them out now, if we can get rid of Lady Hathor. Will you come with us?"
"You know, that sounds like it might be a good idea. There'd be more people dying, when the big event finally rolls around. But, I'm too lazy to walk that far."
"I'll carry you, let's go!"
…
Hathor familia home, it was truly a huge place. And while emptied out of almost all of their combatant members, there were still some lower level members guarding the home. Shurry waited for Hathor to get ready for their walk around the city… Even in dangerous times like these they still have to show they aren't afraid of the evil looming in the darkness. And then he heard the sound of fighting at the gate.
Shurry ran out, looking for the enemy. When two people tried attacking him from the sides, he spiraled in mid air, touched the ground with his fingers, pushed up to one side kicking the evil guy's face in so hard the head went pop. Quickly shifting gears Shurry went to the second person, and with a twirling side kick to the gut, split the other evil guy in half.
The sheer ferocity in how brutally efficient he had been, scared the ones attacking the guards so much, the guards managed to turn the tables on them, leaving only a few more evils left.
"Wow, you really have a wonderful monster within you, boy. It's incredible, how would you like to work for me?"
"NEVER! YOU EVIL SCUMBAG!" Shurry shouted, in mid leap.
"Shurry, Stop! You can't kill him." Hathor called out, the power of her order prevented Shurry from continuing, though he did resist for a bit.
"Evil people die. That's the way it should be, why can't I kill him?"
"Because that is Thanatos, one of the gods of death."
"Looks more like a demon wearing human skin to me."
Thanatos chuckled. "Interesting insult, I hadn't heard that one before. You said no to my offer, but what if I told you, I could let you see all of them again."
"IS YOUR MOUTH A HORSE'S ASS!?" Shurry's rage flared to an even greater height. Every last focal stood on end, as if they were soldiers ready to charge the line.
Hathor had a forced spit take after hearing what Shurry just said. Ha, that's an amazing way to call him out on his verbal shit. "What's this about trying to recruit my son? Maybe I shouldn't have stopped him from sending you back where you belong… I'm sure HE is more than eager for your return."
Thanatos cringed. "Nope, I wasn't doing that at all, just testing your familia's resolve. Good bye."
The remaining evilus members left in a plume of smoke. Which only made Shurry even more furious, it was like something deep in his biology just couldn't tolerate them leaving.
"Cowards, they can't even see a hunt through to the end." Shurry clenched his fist.
"How about we take a look at your status before we head out."
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Shurry
Hathor Familia
Level : 5 -> 6
STR : (SSS -> I) : (2000 -> 0)
VIT : (SSS -> I) : (2000 -> 0)
DEX : (SSS -> I) : (2000 -> 0)
AGI : (SSS -> I) : (2000 -> 0)
MAG: (SSS -> I) : (2000 -> 0)
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Development Abilities :
Agile Body : C -> B : 685 -> 776
Pursuit : D -> D : 501 -> 586
Sorcerer : G -> F: 207 -> 398
Warrior : I -> H: 0 -> 198
Healing Power : I : 0
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