Chapter 28

That morning, the atmosphere at the camp on the 50th floor was filled with new energy. After the meeting the night before, all members of the Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia knew they had to be ready to face the significant challenges in the lower floors. Tsubaki Collbrande, the captain of Hephaestus Familia, had worked tirelessly throughout the night to ensure that the weapons prepared for the Loki Familia fighters were in their best condition.

As the sun began to shine on the camp, Finn, Gareth, Bete, Tiona, and Tione gathered around Tsubaki, who was waiting for them with a broad smile. Before her lay five new weapons that glistened in the morning light.

"Good morning, everyone," Tsubaki greeted with enthusiasm. "I have something special for you today."

They all looked at the weapons with keen interest. Tsubaki lifted a large sword that appeared heavy and strong and handed it to Gareth.

"This is for you, Gareth," Tsubaki said with a smile. "This weapon has the properties of Durandal, meaning it won't break easily. You'll need this durability in the lower floors."

Gareth nodded with satisfaction, feeling the balance and power of the weapon in his hands. "Thank you, Tsubaki. This will be very useful."

Tsubaki then handed twin swords to Tiona and Tione. "For the two of you, with your fast and powerful fighting style, these weapons will be extensions of your hands. The Durandal properties will ensure you can strike without worrying about them breaking."

Tiona grinned widely, swinging her swords with enthusiasm. "Wow, this is amazing! Thank you, Tsubaki! With these, we'll crush everything in our path!"

Tione also felt the strength of her new weapon, nodding appreciatively. "This is perfect. You truly know how to forge weapons that suit us."

Bete, who was a bit quieter that morning, received his new weapon—a pair of spiked gloves with Durandal properties. He didn't say much, but his eyes gleamed with determination as he tried them on. "These are good. I'll make sure they feel it," he said in a flat tone but clearly appreciating Tsubaki's work.

Finally, Tsubaki handed a spear to Finn. "Finn, as the leader, you need a weapon that you can rely on in any situation. This spear will be your mainstay on the lower floors. With the Durandal properties, you can fight without fear of it breaking."

Finn received the spear with a grateful nod. "This is the perfect weapon, Tsubaki. I'll make good use of it."

While all the members received their new weapons, Aiz approached Tsubaki. Even though Aiz hadn't asked for a new weapon, she felt the need to speak with Tsubaki, who had helped her so much in the past.

"Tsubaki," Aiz said softly, "thank you for everything you've done for us."

Tsubaki smiled broadly and patted Aiz's shoulder. "No need to thank me, Aiz. You're all like family to me." She then looked at Aiz more closely, her smile becoming warmer. "You know, Aiz, I still remember the first time I met you. Back then, you were like a sword always drawn, always ready to fight, as if you had no other purpose than to become stronger."

Aiz looked at Tsubaki attentively, recalling those times. "Yes... I felt that by fighting, I could find the strength I was looking for," Aiz replied softly.

Tsubaki nodded. "That's true, but you've changed, Aiz. Now, I see you're calmer, happier. It's as if you've found your sheath—a place where you can rest, where you feel comfortable."

Aiz fell silent for a moment, pondering Tsubaki's words. Indeed, since meeting Bell and the members of Loki Familia, her feelings had changed. She was no longer just a fighter seeking strength but someone who had also found other meanings in life—friendship, protection, and perhaps, hope.

"Maybe you're right," Aiz finally said, with a faint smile on her face. "I feel… more complete now."

Tsubaki chuckled and patted Aiz's shoulder again. "That's what I want for you, Aiz. A sword always drawn will quickly dull. But a sword that knows when to be sheathed will remain sharp for a long time."

Aiz nodded slowly, feeling relieved by the conversation. She knew her journey wasn't over, but with her friends by her side, she felt stronger and more prepared to face whatever came next.

That morning, with new weapons and renewed spirit, the Loki Familia prepared to continue their expedition down to the 51st floor. They knew that the challenges ahead would not be easy, but with these preparations, they were ready to face whatever awaited in the depths of the Dungeon.

With their new weapons in hand and spirits blazing, Bete and Tiona took the lead, guiding the group on their expedition to the 51st floor. Bete, with his new spiked gloves, seemed more aggressive than usual. Every step was filled with energy, as if he couldn't wait to unleash his strength on the enemies they would face.

Tiona was equally enthusiastic, moving swiftly with her twin swords, ready to face any threat that appeared. They moved quickly, traversing the dark corridors of the Dungeon with confidence. The other members of the Loki Familia, including Shirou, followed closely, maintaining their formation tightly.

It didn't take long before the first threat appeared. Black Rhinos, large monsters with thick skin and sharp horns, emerged from the Dungeon walls in a narrow corridor. These monsters were known for their incredible physical strength and brutal attacking capabilities.

"They're coming! Don't let them get close!" Finn shouted, directing his spear forward.

Bete immediately leaped towards one of the Black Rhinos with incredible speed, striking it with his new spiked gloves. "You think you can block my path?!" he shouted energetically. The hard horn of the Rhino cracked under Bete's punch, and with a series of strikes, he managed to bring the monster down.

Tiona wasn't far behind, attacking with her twin swords, slashing the legs of one of the Black Rhinos with swift and precise strikes. "Come on, let's destroy them all!" she exclaimed with excitement.

While they were fighting the Black Rhinos, Virgas—monsters capable of shooting acidic liquid—began emerging from the ceiling and walls. Their acid was dangerous, capable of injuring anyone it touched, as well as damaging weapons and armor.

Shirou, positioned in the middle of the formation, quickly recognized the threat. "Virgas above! Keep your distance and avoid their acid!" he shouted as he drew his bow.

With full focus, Shirou called upon his black arrows and fired them one by one at the Virgas lurking in the darkness. His black arrows flew swiftly, striking each Virga with precision, making them fall to the ground before they could unleash their acid attack.

"Great job, Shirou!" Lefiya called from the rear, impressed by his accuracy.

But the threat was far from over. Deformis Spiders—large, terrifying monsters with long legs—began crawling along the walls and ceiling. They were notorious for their strong webs, capable of capturing unwary adventurers.

"Deformis Spiders above us!" Finn shouted, warning everyone to be alert.

Shirou spotted one of the large spiders moving to launch an attack. Without hesitation, he shot another black arrow at the spider, hitting it squarely in the body and causing it to fall to the ground with a loud thud.

However, another spider managed to launch its web, quickly shooting its strands toward Tione, who was at the front line. Shirou acted quickly, gripping Kanshou and Bakuya, and calling upon the power of Reinforcement to strengthen the blades.

"Kanshou, Bakuya!" Shirou shouted as he leaped forward, slashing the incoming web aimed at Tione with both swords. The web was easily cut by Shirou's swift slash, saving Tione from danger.

Tione turned and smiled at Shirou. "Thanks, Shirou. You arrived just in time."

Shirou nodded while remaining vigilant. "No problem. We need to stay focused. There are still many of them around us."

Finn and Riveria led with calm precision, providing guidance as they continued to advance. Gareth used his massive axe to smash the remaining Black Rhinos, while Aiz quickly cut down any monsters brave enough to come close.

The battle in the narrow corridor was intense, but with good teamwork, Loki Familia managed to handle every threat that came their way. Bete seemed to grow more aggressive with every strike, smashing the foes with full force. Tiona and Tione moved like shadows, attacking with speed beyond the naked eye's ability to follow.

Shirou remained in the center, ready to provide support from a distance with his black arrows or engage in close combat with Kanshou and Bakuya when necessary. Every attack he made was precise, ensuring that no enemy could get near his companions.

After some time, they managed to clear the corridor of the monsters. Heavy breaths could be heard from the members of Loki Familia, but they all felt satisfied with the result. Though the path ahead was still long, they had proven they were ready to face whatever awaited them on the lower floors of the Dungeon.

Finn raised his hand, signaling for a brief halt. "Good job, everyone. We managed to handle this attack well. Let's continue with more caution. Stay alert."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and with their spirits still high, they pressed on, drawing ever closer to their destination. Shirou felt the weight on his shoulders growing heavier, but he knew he could handle it. With his friends by his side, he was ready to show his true strength if things got tougher.

Loki Familia continued their journey at a fast pace on the 52nd floor. Finn, always vigilant and thinking of the best strategies, ordered his team to avoid unnecessary confrontations with monsters and focus on advancing as quickly as possible.

"We don't have time to fight every monster we come across," Finn commanded firmly. "Stay focused on our goal and avoid battles whenever possible!"

All the members nodded in agreement, moving swiftly through the Dungeon's corridors. Shirou, positioned in the middle of the group, remained alert, ready to respond to whatever might happen. However, no one could predict the sudden danger that appeared from below them.

Suddenly, a loud rumbling sound echoed from beneath the floor. A giant blast of fire shot up from below, creating a hole in the 52nd floor with tremendous force. A Valgang Dragon, one of the most powerful monsters residing on the 58th floor, had unleashed a massive fire blast directly toward them.

"What is that?!" Tiona shouted, her eyes wide as she saw the enormous hole suddenly appear beneath them.

Raul, positioned at the rear, didn't realize the danger. Unknowingly, a large web shot toward him, attempting to pull him into the hole created by the fire blast. But before the web could reach him, Lefiya quickly moved, pushing Raul out of harm's way.

"Raul, watch out!" Lefiya yelled, pushing him with all her strength.

However, Lefiya's action had serious consequences. The web caught her instead, rapidly pulling her into the deep, dark hole.

"Lefiya!" Raul shouted in panic, realizing what had just happened.

Seeing Lefiya being pulled into the hole, Shirou didn't think twice. He instantly channeled Reinforcement magic to his legs, enhancing his muscles for an extraordinary leap. With incredible speed, Shirou jumped into the gaping hole, chasing after Lefiya, who was falling rapidly.

"Lefiya, I'm coming!" Shirou shouted as he dived downward.

In the darkness, Shirou approached the helplessly falling Lefiya. With quick movements, he managed to catch Lefiya tightly, pulling her into his embrace to shield her from further falling. However, the danger was not over yet. They were still in the path of a potential fire attack from the Valgang Dragon below.

"You're safe with me, Lefiya!" Shirou declared firmly.

With Lefiya in his arms, Shirou used his Projection ability, creating a powerful anti-fire shield to protect them from any possible fire blasts. The next fire breath from the Valgang Dragon hit the shield hard, but Shirou ensured it remained sturdy, shielding them from the deadly heat.

Lefiya, still shaken, looked at Shirou with eyes full of gratitude. "Shirou... thank you...," she said in a trembling voice, even as they continued to fall.

"It's okay, Lefiya. I won't let you get hurt," Shirou replied with a voice full of confidence.

They continued falling deeper, passing through the lower floors. Finally, with a small explosion below, they landed hard on the 58th floor. However, thanks to Shirou's Reinforcement and the projected anti-fire shield, they managed to land safely, albeit slightly shaken.

As the dust began to settle, Shirou held Lefiya tightly, ensuring she wasn't seriously injured. "Are you okay, Lefiya?" he asked gently, looking at her pale face.

Lefiya nodded slowly, though still trembling. "Yes, I... I'm fine. Thank you, Shirou... without you, I would've..."

"No need to thank me," Shirou interrupted softly. "It's our duty to protect each other. What's important now is that we find a way back to the others."

But before they could plan anything, a loud rumbling sound came from another direction. The Valgang Dragon, which had fired from below earlier, now emerged from the darkness, its red eyes glaring at them menacingly.

"We need to move now, Lefiya," Shirou said firmly, preparing himself for the worst. "I'll protect you from here. Stay behind me."

Lefiya nodded, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Together, they had to find a way to survive the looming danger on the 58th floor and find a path back to their friends above. Shirou knew this challenge wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to protect Lefiya with all the strength he had.

As Shirou and Lefiya prepared to face the Valgang Dragon emerging from the darkness on the 58th floor, they heard loud sounds from above. Through the hole they had fallen through earlier, Bete, Tiona, Tione, and Gareth suddenly appeared, their expressions battle-ready.

"You didn't think we'd let you fight alone, did you?" Tiona shouted with a wide grin as she landed with an acrobatic leap, joining the frontline.

Bete, with incredible speed, dashed forward, attacking the Valgang Dragon with his fists, reinforced by spiked gloves. "Let's smash them!" he roared with enthusiasm, striking the dragon with tremendous force.

Tione quickly followed behind her sister, slashing with her twin swords, moving swiftly to wound the massive legs of the Valgang Dragon. "Don't let them catch their breath!" she yelled, attacking with deadly precision.

Gareth, arriving last, immediately demonstrated his immense physical strength. With a booming voice, he grabbed one of the Valgang Dragons and, with great power, slammed it into the ground with his bare hands. "Take that, you big lizard!" Gareth shouted with a deep, confident voice.

While her companions fought on the front lines, Lefiya prepared her magic at the back, gathering a great amount of magical power. "Arcs Ray!" she shouted loudly, unleashing a burst of light that pierced through the air and struck one of the Valgang Dragons, forcing it to retreat.

Shirou, positioned at the back, used this opportunity to provide support from a distance. With a projected Magic Arrow, he targeted another Valgang Dragon. Keeping his distance, he concentrated his magic into the arrow ready to be fired.

"Inferno Arrow!" Shirou yelled as he fired his arrow toward the mouth of one of the Valgang Dragons that was preparing to breathe fire. The arrow hit its mark right in the dragon's mouth, causing a massive explosion that blew its face apart, scattering flames in all directions.

Another Valgang Dragon tried to approach, but Shirou quickly switched and prepared his next arrow. "Frostbite Arrow!" With a cold, precise shot, the ice arrow struck one of the Valgang Dragon's legs, freezing its massive legs and immobilizing it.

In the air, another Valgang Dragon attempted to escape, flying high to avoid the attacks. Shirou aimed his bow upward, this time with a different arrow.

"Gale Arrow!" The arrow spiraled with tremendous wind power, hitting the flying dragon hard, breaking its wings and causing it to crash back to the ground with a loud thud.

Tiona and Tione quickly seized the opportunity to attack the fallen dragon, slashing its massive body with their twin swords. Bete launched a flurry of strikes at the dragon frozen by Shirou's Frostbite Arrow, shattering its icy legs and bringing the beast down.

Gareth, with a loud laugh, continued to punch and hold down the Valgang Dragon he had first slammed, making sure it couldn't get back up. "They're not as tough as they think they are!" he shouted with enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Lefiya unleashed her final magic attack, a stronger "Arcs Ray!" striking the Valgang Dragon that was trying to get back up after the first hit. The magic beam pierced through the dragon's body, causing it to collapse to the ground, no longer moving.

The battle on the 58th floor was fierce, but with incredible teamwork, Loki Familia managed to defeat all the Valgang Dragons that had appeared. Shirou, even from the backline, played a key role with his long-range magic, ensuring that none of the dragons could launch a fatal attack.

After all the dragons had fallen, they all stood in the middle of the battlefield, breathing heavily but satisfied with the outcome.

"Great job, everyone," Finn said as he arrived on the scene, ensuring everyone was okay. "We managed to handle this attack without any losses. Shirou, you really showed your strength this time."

Shirou gave a slight smile, sighing in relief. "Thank you, Finn. It was all because of our teamwork. Without you all at the front, I couldn't have done it."

Lefiya, still a bit shaken but smiling with relief, looked at Shirou with deep gratitude. "Shirou... you truly saved me. I don't know what to say."

Shirou shook his head gently. "No need to thank me, Lefiya. You did an amazing job, too. We're here to protect each other."

Gareth, still chuckling, gave Shirou a hearty pat on the back. "You did a good job, kid. You're someone we can rely on in situations like this."

Bete, though not saying much, nodded in agreement. "Not bad. But next time, don't make me have to jump down a hole just to save you," he said in a teasing tone, though it was clear he acknowledged Shirou's abilities.

Tiona and Tione grinned widely, with Tiona shouting, "I knew you were awesome, Shirou! We all knew it!"

They all shared a small laugh, feeling closer after going through this intense battle together. With their spirits still high, they prepared to continue their journey within the Dungeon, getting closer to their goal. However, they also knew that greater challenges might still lie ahead.

After the fierce battle on the 58th floor, Finn led Loki Familia toward their current expedition goal: the 59th floor. They all knew that this floor was one of the most dangerous in the Dungeon, and the Guild's information indicated that it should be filled with biting cold.

However, when Finn checked the steps leading down to the 59th floor, he felt something strange. There was no cold greeting them, only an eerie and unnatural silence.

"This is strange...," Finn murmured, his expression serious. He looked around, trying to sense if he had missed something. "According to the Guild's report, this floor should be cold, but I don't feel anything. We need to stay alert."

Gareth nodded, agreeing with Finn's warning. "You're right, Finn. If something doesn't match the information, we might be facing something we've never seen before."

Finn then turned to the other members of Loki Familia. "Everyone, get ready. There might be something unexpected down there. Stay close and stay alert. Let's not get separated."

With a cautious spirit, they all began to descend the stairs to the 59th floor. When they arrived, they were greeted by a sight that was completely unexpected.

Instead of the icy or cold terrain they had anticipated, the 59th floor was filled with a dense green forest, something that had never been reported before. Strange light filtered from above, giving the area an almost magical atmosphere, but also stirring an unsettling feeling in the adventurers' hearts.

"This... isn't what I imagined," Tiona said in a surprised tone, her eyes scanning the strange forest around them.

Tione nodded, her eyes filled with suspicion. "It's too quiet. No monsters in sight, and this doesn't match what we know about this floor."

They proceeded cautiously, staying in a tight formation. In the middle of the 59th floor, they saw something striking—a monster resembling a large flower stalk growing from the ground. The creature was consuming Magic Stones provided by Virga wandering around the forest.

Finn raised his hand, signaling them to stop. "Wait, look at that," he whispered to the others, his eyes fixed on the strange monster.

Slowly, the large flower began to bloom, its petals opening with a slow yet ominous motion. From within the flower, a figure of a woman with long black hair emerged, connected to the monster by roots that spread from her body. Her face appeared human, but there was something sinister in her gaze.

Aiz stared at the woman in shock, her eyes widening as the realization began to dawn on her. "That... that is a Spirit," she whispered in a voice barely audible, recognizing the figure as something similar to her mother, Aria.

However, the woman's form was no longer entirely human. A dark aura surrounded her, indicating she had been corrupted by the Dungeon's power. A sudden burst of mad laughter came from the woman, haunting the air around them.

"Aria... Aria...," the voice whispered, calling Aiz's mother's name with a disturbing tone. The mad laughter grew louder, while her empty eyes stared directly at Aiz.

"Aria...! You are here, Aria!" she screamed, filled with madness. The woman laughed again, this time even louder, filling the air with darkness and unimaginable sorrow.

Aiz stood still, her body trembling slightly as she heard her name being called. Her emotions were a mix of fear, sadness, and confusion. "This can't be...," she murmured, still unable to believe what she was seeing.

Finn, sensing the tension Aiz was experiencing, quickly gave an order. "Everyone, prepare for battle! We don't know how strong this Spirit is, but she's clearly not just an ordinary monster."

Bete stepped forward, his fists ready for a fight. "Whatever it is, we have to destroy it before it attacks us!" he shouted with high spirits.

Tiona and Tione also prepared themselves, though they could feel that something was very wrong with this situation. "Aiz, are you okay?" Tiona asked with a worried tone.

Aiz simply nodded, trying to calm herself. "I... I'll be fine," she replied, though it was clear she was still shaken by what she had just seen.

Shirou, positioned in the middle of the formation, sensed the tension flowing through the entire team. He knew that whatever happened, they had to act quickly before the situation worsened.

"We need to destroy that flower before it gathers more strength," Shirou spoke firmly, readying an arrow on his bow. "I'll support you from the back."

Finn nodded in agreement. "Aiz, if you're not ready, fall back. We'll handle this."

But Aiz gripped her sword tightly, determination returning to her eyes. "No. I will fight. This... this is a battle I have to face."

With that decision, Loki Familia prepared to face the Corrupted Spirit in front of them. This battle would be a significant test for all of them, especially for Aiz, who had to confront the shadow of her past now appearing in a distorted, dark form.

As the Virga and the long tendrils of the Corrupted Spirit began to attack, the tension on the 59th floor rose drastically. The tendrils moved quickly, trying to reach the members of Loki Familia who were dodging the strikes. Finn, with his sharp leadership instincts, immediately sensed that something more dangerous was happening.

"Riveria! Start chanting! My thumb is twitching; that's a bad sign!" Finn commanded with a firm tone, realizing they might be facing more than just a regular physical attack.

Riveria, already sensing the tension in the air, immediately began chanting, quickly gathering her magic. She knew something was wrong and had to be ready with defensive spells to protect them.

While they all fought against the Virga and the attacking tendrils, the Corrupted Spirit behind them suddenly began chanting a spell. An eerie, frightening magical chant echoed throughout the floor, startling all the members of Loki Familia.

"Magic?!" Tiona shouted, her eyes widening at the sound of the chant. "How can a monster use magic like this?"

Finn, remaining calm despite the worsening situation, quickly gave another order. "Everyone, attack the Corrupted Spirit before she finishes her spell! Hit her with everything we've got!"

Without hesitation, the Supporters aimed their Magic Swords at the Corrupted Spirit. Lefiya, standing at the back, quickly prepared her magic with a strong resolve. "Fusillade Fallarica!" she shouted, releasing a powerful magic attack with blazing flames rushing swiftly towards the Corrupted Spirit.

At the same time, Shirou aimed his bow and prepared an Inferno Arrow in a Broken Arrow state. He knew that this attack might be the key to stopping the Corrupted Spirit. "Inferno Arrow!" he shouted, releasing a bright, blazing arrow towards the target.

Their combined attacks hit the Corrupted Spirit hard. However, just before the attacks landed, the large petals of the flower-like monster closed around the woman inside, shielding her from most of the damage. The flames from Shirou's Inferno Arrow only managed to burn a small part of the petals, not causing any significant impact.

"Impossible... she managed to withstand all of that!" Finn said with a serious expression.

But before they could react further, the Corrupted Spirit finished her chant. "Firestorm!" she screamed with a voice filled with hatred, unleashing a massive, deadly firestorm. The flames engulfed the entire area, rushing with incredible speed towards Loki Familia.

Riveria, who had just finished chanting Via Shilheim, quickly created a powerful protective barrier around them. "Via Shilheim!" she shouted, conjuring a large shield surrounding the team to protect them from the approaching flames.

However, as the Firestorm struck the barrier, the flames easily penetrated the strong magical protection. Riveria was shocked as she felt the almost unbearable heat of the fire.

"It can't be... my shield isn't strong enough!" Riveria exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.

Seeing the danger drawing closer, Shirou stepped forward without hesitation, positioning himself between Riveria and the approaching flames. With a determined look, he began chanting a mantra that was deeply familiar to him.

"My body is made of blades," Shirou murmured, his voice filled with conviction as he summoned the hidden power within himself.

In a loud voice, he called forth Rho Aias, the legendary shield made of seven petals. "Rho Aias!" he shouted, as the great shield appeared before him, protecting them from the oncoming firestorm.

Three petals of Rho Aias shattered instantly under the force of the Firestorm, causing excruciating pain to surge through Shirou's body. However, he stood firm, ensuring the flames did not reach the others.

Riveria looked at Shirou with concerned eyes. "Shirou! You can't hold this on your own!" she yelled, seeing the immense burden Shirou was bearing.

Despite his body trembling from the pain, Shirou remained focused. "I... I must protect you all...," he replied in a hoarse voice, holding the shield with all his strength.

But the threat was not over. The Corrupted Spirit began chanting another spell, one more terrifying than the last. "Meteor Swarm!" it cried, causing the sky above them to fill with massive meteors hurtling towards them with deadly speed.

Shirou, already enduring unbearable pain from Rho Aias, knew he could not retreat now. With unwavering determination, he raised Rho Aias above, ready to face the next attack.

"I won't let this... destroy us all!" Shirou shouted, channeling all his strength into the shield.

The large meteors struck Rho Aias with tremendous force. One by one, the petals of the shield shattered, absorbing the deadly blows. Shirou's body shook violently, the unbearable pain attacking him, but he did not retreat. He knew that if he failed, they would all be annihilated.

Finally, with one last explosion, Rho Aias was completely destroyed, but the meteors were also shattered along with the shield. They all were spared from total destruction, but Shirou fell to his knees, his body filled with unimaginable pain.

"Shirou!" Riveria cried out, rushing towards him to help.

Aiz and the others also moved closer, seeing how hard Shirou had fought to protect them.

"You did an incredible thing, Shirou," Finn said with a tone full of appreciation. "Without you, we might not have survived this attack."

Shirou tried to smile, though his face was pale from exhaustion and pain. "I... just did what I had to do...," he replied softly.

Even though the Corrupted Spirit still stood in the distance, laughing with the same madness as before, Loki Familia knew they could not give up now. With Shirou severely wounded, they needed to find a way to defeat this formidable enemy and protect each other from the ever-present threat.

Shirou staggered, his body covered in wounds, and blood flowing from various parts of his body. Despite having managed to withstand the Corrupted Spirit's deadly attack, his body was now in a very weakened state. The Supporters of Loki Familia quickly moved to assist him.

"Shirou! You need a potion, let me—" Raul said anxiously, trying to hand a potion bottle to Shirou.

Riveria, seeing how severe Shirou's condition was, also prepared to cast a Healing Spell. "Shirou, I'll heal you now. You can't continue like this."

But before they could do anything, Shirou weakly yet firmly held up his hand to stop them. "No... wait..." he murmured with a raspy voice. He knew there was something more urgent than healing himself at that moment.

With blurred vision, Shirou saw the Corrupted Spirit consuming another Magic Stone given by Virga. He knew that if the creature recovered and began chanting again, they would not have enough time to stop it.

"He... he's going to start again..." Shirou struggled to speak, his breath ragged. "We... have to stop him now... before he can recover his energy."

Despite his body trembling from the immense pain, Shirou gritted his teeth, refusing to give up. With a shaking hand, he reached out and summoned the bow belonging to the Heroic Spirit Atalante—a bow filled with legendary power.

Aiz, standing nearby, realized what Shirou was about to do, but she didn't stop him. She knew Shirou was their only hope to stop the Corrupted Spirit before it was too late.

With heavy breaths, Shirou nocked an arrow on the bow, his gaze fixed on the sky above them. Despite the excruciating pain, he remained focused, channeling the power embedded within the bow.

"Phoebus Catastrophe," Shirou whispered, his voice filled with deep power. As he drew the bow, green energy began to flow into the arrow, filling it with Atalante's legendary might.

The arrow, brimming with shimmering energy, was fired into the sky at an incredible speed. Moments after reaching its peak, the arrow burst into hundreds—no, thousands—of smaller arrows, all coated in a destructive green energy.

"His attack... it's incredible," Finn murmured, watching in awe as the arrows turned into a deadly rain aimed at their enemy.

The shower of arrows struck down the Virga around the Corrupted Spirit, destroying them all in an instant. Not a single one could withstand the deadly assault. But the rain of arrows didn't stop there. The arrows continued towards the flower petals protecting the body of the Corrupted Spirit, piercing through the previously impenetrable defenses.

With a rumbling sound, the petals began to break apart, burning and tearing in various places due to Shirou's attack. The female figure within was revealed once more, now exposed and more vulnerable than before.

But the success came at a cost. Shirou, having sacrificed his remaining energy for this attack, could no longer support his body. As he saw the petals crumble, he felt his legs weaken, and his vision began to darken.

"We... did it...," Shirou whispered, his voice barely audible before finally his body gave out, collapsing helplessly to the ground.

Riveria immediately ran towards Shirou, worry etched on her face. "Shirou! You can't fall now!" she shouted as she began her healing incantation, her hands trembling slightly from the tension.

Aiz also rushed over, her gaze full of concern. "Shirou, hold on... we're not done yet."

Finn, maintaining his composure, looked at the Corrupted Spirit, now exposed and vulnerable. "This is our chance," he said firmly. "We need to finish the Corrupted Spirit before it can recover again. Everyone, attack with all your might!"

With renewed vigor, the members of the Loki Familia prepared to launch their final assault. Though Shirou had sacrificed himself to give them this opportunity, they knew they had to end this fight as quickly as possible—to save Shirou and to ensure the Corrupted Spirit would no longer threaten them.

They all advanced with courage and determination, ready to end this battle with victory. However, even on the brink of destruction, the Corrupted Spirit remained a formidable foe, and they had to give everything they had to defeat it before it was too late.

Seeing Shirou fall after unleashing an incredible attack, Finn realized this was their chance to end the battle. With eyes full of resolve, he took a deep breath and focused his power. At that moment, Finn decided to use his legendary ability—Hell Finegas.

"Now... is the time to end this," Finn muttered, his voice filled with determination.

With a force that shook the ground beneath him, Finn activated Hell Finegas. An intense aura of fury radiated from him, causing his entire body to tremble with an almost uncontrollable energy. With incredible speed, Finn charged forward, cutting through the tendrils of the Corrupted Spirit that tried to block his path. The tendrils were easily severed, unable to withstand Finn's attacks fueled by rage and power.

"Nothing will stand in our way!" Finn shouted as he surged forward, breaking every tendril that approached. Each swing of his spear destroyed everything in its path.

With one swift motion, Finn raised his spear high and hurled it with tremendous force. The spear flew at a speed no ordinary eye could follow, heading straight for the head of the Corrupted Spirit. The spear struck hard, piercing the Corrupted Spirit's skull, causing blood and dark energy to splatter around.

"Is it over...?" Tiona asked, her eyes still fixed on the body of the Corrupted Spirit, which appeared limp.

However, the face of the Corrupted Spirit began regenerating rapidly, showing that this creature could not be stopped so easily. Even after Finn's powerful attack, the Corrupted Spirit still persisted, and their time was running out.

Finn gritted his teeth, realizing this wasn't over. "I've cleared the way! Bete, Tiona, Tione, Gareth—now it's your turn! Aiz, prepare for the final strike!" he commanded firmly.

Bete dashed forward at incredible speed, destroying the remaining tendrils that still tried to attack. "I'll destroy all of this!" he shouted, his fists slamming into the ground and tendrils with brutal force.

Tiona and Tione were not idle either. "Let's crush them!" Tiona shouted, a wide grin on her face, moving with lightning speed while slicing through the remaining tendrils.

Tione followed with deadly precision, cutting down the tendrils trying to block their path. "You won't escape, monster!" she shouted as she slashed with fury.

Gareth, with immense strength, destroyed the thickest tendrils with his massive axe, clearing the way for the others. "The path is clear, Aiz!" he shouted, directing Aiz to advance.

With the tendrils now destroyed, Aiz saw the path that had been cleared. Without hesitation, she surged forward at the speed of wind, her sword glowing with a powerful wind energy. In her heart, Aiz knew this was a battle she had to finish, not just for the Loki Familia, but for herself as well.

"Lil Rafaga!" Aiz shouted with all her might, unleashing a devastating wind attack. Her sword shot straight towards the chest of the Corrupted Spirit, piercing directly to where the Magic Stone was located. The wind from the strike was so strong that it tore through the body of the Corrupted Spirit, causing the remaining dark energy within it to dissipate and scatter in all directions.

As Aiz's sword pierced the Magic Stone, time seemed to stop for a moment. The Corrupted Spirit's eyes, filled with madness, stared at Aiz, its voice almost resembling a wail of pain.

"Aria...," whispered the Corrupted Spirit, its voice now full of anguish, before its body crumbled into dust. The Magic Stone shattered, releasing its final light before going out forever.

With that, the body of the Corrupted Spirit fell to the ground, no longer moving. The tendrils that had been attacking them disintegrated into fragments, and the once threatening forest now felt silent.

Finn breathed a sigh of relief, though his body was still filled with the energy of Hell Finegas, which was beginning to subside. "Well done, Aiz. You did it," he said softly, his voice full of appreciation.

Aiz was silent for a moment, staring at the shattered body of the Corrupted Spirit. She knew she had done the right thing, but in her heart, there was a mix of emotions—between sadness, relief, and a sense of loss. "Yes... it's over," she finally replied, bowing her head slightly to honor the Spirit that had been corrupted.

Bete, Tiona, Tione, and Gareth gathered again, all feeling relieved and satisfied with the outcome, even though they knew this battle was not easy.

Riveria, who had finished administering emergency care to Shirou, looked at them all with pride. "We did it... we all made it through together."

Shirou, though still weak, opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "Good... you all were amazing...," he murmured softly, relieved that they had defeated such a powerful enemy.

With the Corrupted Spirit now defeated, the Loki Familia could feel a sense of relief, even though the challenges they faced were so great. However, they knew that every step in the Dungeon was filled with unexpected dangers, and they had to be always ready for whatever lay ahead. But for now, they could savor the victory they had achieved together.

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