Today was the day our allied familia would traverse the dungeon. I was walking towards Finn's office, located in the northwestern tower, when I saw Riveria, Gareth, Alise, and Lydia approaching from the other side.
That's weird, it seems all the captains were asked to attend this meeting. So, why was I invited? I thought as Gareth called out.
"Oh! You are here as well, Lad?" Gareth's voice boomed through the hallway as we stood in front of Finn's office.
"Yes, I am, old man, but—" "Let's enter then." Before I could say anything else, Gareth opened the Office doors.
Just when the door opened, we found Finn on his knees, praying in front of a large picture of a woman hung on the wall, depicting Fiana, whom all the prum worship as their goddess.
"You up, Finn…. Oops, didn't mean to interrupt." Seeing him praying, Gareth promptly apologized and started closing the door, but before we could retreat, Finn spoke up.
"No, it's fine, I finished." Concluding his prayers, Finn opened his eyes and stood up.
"Prep work finished, and everyone is ready to go."
"Understood, thank you, Gareth, and have a seat, everyone." Following his words, everyone sat down, but before the next subject came up, I spoke up about my doubts.
"Um… can I know why I am here? These meeting seems like only the captains and the Executives are invited to." As those words left my lips, everyone wore a slightly surprised expression.
"Oh, you are right, since you were involved in pretty much all the meetings, I kind of forgot you are not an executive yet," Finn explained further, "Oh, well, it's not like a secret meeting or anything, so now that you are here, have a seat as well."
"You don't have to stress the word 'yet'..." I sighed and took a seat as well.
"We were hoping to have a final meeting before heading out. We need to organize everyone into 2 parties, we will maintain until the eighteenth floor," said Riveria.
The meeting was not so much a meeting, but rather everyone just confirming everything is fine and ready to go.
"How is everyone doing, Riveria, Miss Alise, and Miss Lydia as well?" Finn asked, since it's the first time our three familias are going on an expedition, it is important to know if there is any internal conflict.
"Everyone is in top condition and ready to go," Lydia said.
"Yes, my familia members are also roaring to go; we are all quite excited to explore the unknown!" said Alise with her usual happy-go-lucky voice.
"I worry for the constitution since everyone has been training a lot lately, but they are all in good condition." Reported Reveria.
Finn looked up with his expression slowly changing as he heard the entire report.
"The day has finally come, today, we will take on the unexplored depth left to us by Zeus and Hera familia… If we succeeded, our names would be known across the world once more."
"You haven't had enough yet? There is not a prum around that doesn't know your name, Finn." Riveria commented.
Finn, however, just closed his eyes and shook his head. "As far as famous prum in Orario goes, I only know of Bringers from Freya familia, but for all my brothers who lived outside the city, I have very little renown."
He continued, "Prums needs a chance to shine, to have the opportunity, to raise our banner of courage; we had that hope personified in the form of Fiana, and we will spare nothing, no matter the sacrifice, as long as it's for the sake of that hope."
I find that line of thought to be very dangerous, and it's solidified in my heart that at some point Finn and I will have a clash. Especially when the existence of Xenos comes intothe picture. I buried that thought in my heart, not voicing it out loud, as I focused back on the meeting.
"That's a really big ambition you have, Finn-san! Just try not to lose yourself in it!" Yes, how could I forget there is a girl present at this place with no filter on her thoughts? I looked up to see Alise, puffing out her modest chest, a proud expression donning her face.
"HAHAHA! Well said, Lass! She is right, Finn." Gareth supported Alise, words making Finn heave a sigh at them.
"Yes, I will be careful." He said, but was interrupted by Gareth again. "Yes, let's do 'that'," he said, bringing his hand forward, leaving me, Alise, and Lydia confused as to what 'that' is.
Finn and Riveira, with weary smiles, brought their hands forward as well.
"Um… Mind explaining us newbies what this is?" Lydia asked impatiently.
"Oh, it's nothing much, just an old ritual Loki made us perform when we were all new comrades and used to bicker a lot," Riveria explained, which made me remember, Riveria once told me that story. "You should join us as well. We will just take an oath so we do not forget our goals or inspirations."
"Oh, sounds fun, I'm in!" Alise skipped forward, putting her hand over theirs, followed by Lydia.
I stood rooted in my spot, hearing their chatter, but my body didn't move to join them. My heart felt empty hearing those words.
Goals? Inspiration? Is there anything that I Inspire to be or something that I aspire to do?
Sure, there was my goal and heartfelt wish to make Riveria and other girls happy, protecting them and their smiles, but is there anything that 'I' aspire to do? Nor for someone else but for myself?
I thought long and hard, but nothing came to mind.
Is my being that hollow? I thought, my breathing felt heavy as that thought came forward, or was I always this empty?
Right now, I don't think I have anything that I could answer and take an oath towards other than something that I wish to do for these girls.
Maybe the others sensed the change in me, as Riveria called out, "It's fine, Arin. If you can't think of something right now, after all, no one had it figured out from the start."
"Yes, Arin, for now, just join us for fun!" Alise laughed heartily, bringing the atmosphere back up with her cheerful presence. I looked in their direction, seeing their hands joined together.
They are right, I have plenty of time to figure this out, and I should not lose focus on such an important day.
"Thanks, I will do that," I said, forcing a smile on my face and stepping forward, I put my hand atop theirs.
"Let's start then." Announced Finn.
"To a heated battle!"
"To the unknown world."
"To to revival of my race."
"To bring Justice!"
"To have fun!"
In turn from Gareth, Riveria, Finn, Alise, and Lydia spoke, completing the ritual.
"Ais and others must be waiting, shall we go?" said Finn, to which all of us nodded and left the room.
"Speaking of… Finn, how goes that uh that other objective of yours?"
"Yes, your successor… a bride who can produce an heir."
"Unfortunately, I am not exactly blessed when it comes to romance. If any of you happen to find someone nice, do introduce me."
"Give me a break, man, Tione almost killed me when she got to know about Lili, I am not sticking out my neck again."
""Same here"" Gareth and Riveira spoke simultaneously.
"Oh, I know someone! How about Lyra!" Alise tried to be the wing woman for her friend, but Finn shook his head rapidly, denying any romantic involvement with Lyra.
"Hm? Why so adamant about it? I have spoken to her a few times, and she seems like someone who can help you achieve your goal. She also has a strategic mind like you."
"See, even Lydia knows Lyra will be perfect for you." Alise again tried to put forth her friend as a potential bride to Finn, only for him to deny again.
"No, I have already explained my reason to her, but to repeat it… It just felt like…" he stopped mid-sentence, averting his eyes.
"Felt like what?" Lydia asked again.
"It just gives me a feeling that in our previous life I was subordinate to her, and she kind of ruled over me," he concluded.
"That's such a stupid reason," I said flatly, and even Riveria and others gave Finn a side-eye.
"Maybe, but that's just how I feel, end of the story," he said, walking ahead of us.
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Sunlight poured down on Central Park from the clear blue sky above.
It was the intersection of Orario's eight main streets, making it a hub for adventurers even in the early morning hours.
Armored men and women alike passed through the square on their way to the dungeon, their supporters trailing behind them. In the midst of the swarm of races to the great white towers. Our allied force also made its way towards the great skyscraper.
"All of you! The expedition begins now!" Finn called out from in front of the assemblage.
Everyone turned to face the Alliance Familia captain.
"We will be splitting into two parties as we enter the dungeon! Riveria, Alise, Asfi, and I will lead the first, while Gareth and Lydia will lead the second! We'll rendezvous on the eighteenth floor! Our goal? To Venture into the unknown depths of the Fifty-fifth Floor!"
Everyone's ears buzzed with Finn's proclamation.
"You are adventurers! Warriors no less brave than the heroes of old! Conquer the vast unknown and return with fame and fortune!"
From the main streets, the square, in every corner and window, citizens' adventures, and everyone else in Orario watched over us, eager to see the allied familia's departure.
"Sacrifices will lead to nothing but false honor! Everyone, pray with me now! Make an oath to the light of the surface—you will come back alive!"
As the members of our allied familia raised their fists, Finn sucked in his breath. Then, as though communing their short departure with the blue sky stretched out above our heads, he gave the order.
"Expedition team—move out!"
Their battle cry shook the very heavens.
I stared at the sky overhead, surrounded but the shouting cries of the members. But even among all these battle cries, I was still able to distinguish the real cry of a girl, shouting my name.
"Arin-san!" Lefiya made her way towards me through the group of adventurers, her eyes gleaming with tears as she choked on her words. "Please help me! They put me in the rear group! How am I going to show them my usefulness?! Please help me!"
"Haa…" I could only sigh at this, but nonetheless, I did train her, so in a way, it also won't be a good use of my time if she is not the one fighting the Goliath. "Okay, calm down, I will go and let Finn know you are joining us." I gave her a pet on her head and made my way towards Finn.