Chapter 4: First Defeat

Two weeks have gone by and Xeos stats look like this.

Xeos Yoshimori: Level 1

STR: E-425

END: E-455

DEX: E-460

AGI: D-500

MAG: D-525

After getting his Falna updated recently. He has been training with Afton outside the dungeon. The two were already close but now they are more like brothers and treat each other like so. Afton belong to the Miach Familia. Thanks to Xeos help, they prevented the tragedy that would of put the familia in debt and Miach is eternally grateful. He still lost some children that day but not as much as it could have been. Naaza is especially grateful because she knew if he didn't show up that she might have died.

That was a few days ago and Afton and him are always in the dungeon getting stronger. That's why today they are on the 15th floor fighting against all sorts of monsters from the previous floors. After fighting for a while they decided to head out but suddenly they were loud noises like feet stomping coming towards them.

They saw a group of adventurers running with the soma familia emblem displayed on their armor. They were being chased by a horde of minotaurs and when the soma familia saw them, they grinned maliciously and threw dungeon bait at them as they pass paraded to them leaving the surrounded by monsters.

"SHIT, THOSE BASTARDS SCREWED US OVER" Afton yelled out loud. "Shit" Xeos cursed under his breathe. Within seconds, the whole tavern they were in was filled with minotaurs and other monsters and they were hungry. Afton and Xeos knew that they had no choice but to fight. Xeos activated his Sharingan and covered himself in void. This will not be easy. He immediately ran towards the enemy monsters and started slaying them left and right while avoiding the minotaurs since they will be the biggest problem.

AFTON'S POV

Afton as well got ready and started jabbing his spear into the monsters heads killing them. He didn't worry about Xeos since he was stronger and besides he was here to watch his back for him. The two of them were formidable together that they got a title among the level 1 Adventurer's called "The Deathly Duo". They were known for being able to take down horses of monsters on the first floor. The only exception this time is that they were fighting for over 12 hours and were exhausted and about to head back. Now that's no longer an option.

He was slowing down and getting more exhausted. He started to collect cuts and bruises but he didn't falter or even thought to run away to preserve his life. They had already took care of the dungeon bait but the damage was already done. No matter how many they cut down. They just keep on coming and coming. They were lucky that the minotaurs are in the back or they would of probably been done in by now.

He took out a health potion and stamina potion and down them quickly. He felt his strength getting back a little but this is still not a good thing. They will die at this rate. He ducked under a swing of an orc and sidestepped the other orc's attack and shoved his spear into the orcs neck and killing it. Before he could celebrate he was slashed across the back and flung into a wall by a surprise attack of a minotaur. His head started bleeding and his vision blurry. He saw Xeos was doing better but was struggling. He heard someone scream his name but darkness overcame his senses and that was the last thing he heard.

XEOS'S POV

I saw Afton was getting started and I joined him as well. I decided to target the impa first since they were cowardly and hid behind the orcs so with speed and technique. He was able to slaughter a few orcs and eradicated the imps. He is keeping an eye on the minotaurs in case they get closer. Xeos threw arc after arc of void magic from his sword and he killed quite a bit but these guys keep coming. He beheaded another monster when in the corner of his eye he saw the his friend getting attacked by a minotaur. He saw his best friend, his brother killed before his very eyes. Suddenly he was soo overcome with rage, he didn't realize that his eyes had changed into mangekyou Sharingan. Due to the stress and horror at seeing his brother killed. Blood leaked out of his new eyes as he slashed and slashed at the enemy. Not caring if he was getting hurt or not. His only objective was to kill every monster in front of him. Sadly, he lost the void magic he had on himself and was fighting recklessly that he didn't hear his sword sakurai trying to help him and warn him.

It was too late, he was impaled in the stomach by a minotaur horn. That didn't stop Xeos. He subconsciously used amaterasu on the minotaur and burned it into ashes. Luckily the horn stayed lodged into him so he won't bleed it quickly. He ran out of strength and walked/dragged his body to his friends body to protect it from being eaten. He turned around facing the significantly smaller horde and cursed himself and cursed the soma familia for setting them up.

He fell to his knees coughing up blood. He finally managed to calm down and was hearing his sakurai yelling at him in concern. She explained what happened and he nodded absentmindedly. He learned he unlocked his mangekyou but at such a cost. That was until he heard a slight cough to his left. He immediately looked towards Afton slowly opening his eyes, though he was struggling. "AFTON" Xeos turned Afton around and saw him looking at Xeos with an apologetic smile. The monsters were warily watching them until one of them got bold and attacked them.

Xeos shot a void ball at it and watched it disintegrate. Afton saw Xeos's condition and was shocked in horror. Xeos coughed out even more blood and was starting to lose consciousness.

AFTON POV

"Don't pass out on me Xeos, stay with me brother." Afton saw his words were working and just like him they knew they were in trouble but Xeos suddenly whispered "Susanno" and all of the sudden they were surrounded but a giant Ribcage that was glowing white. He heard Xeos say that he'll explain later if they survive. Afton trusted Xeos with his life so he accepted the answer. 10 minutes passed and Xeos wasn't looking that good. Neither was he since he has a gash on his back. Plus his head hurts from hitting the wall. He just hoped help will come soon.

HESTIA'S POV

"Where is he, he usually is home by now. Don't tell me something happened in the dungeon. No Xeos is reasonable and smart enough to retreat if something happens. Plus he has Afton with him they should be fine right". Hestia was pacing outside the dungeon waiting for Xeos to show up. Suddenly a group of adventurers came up running and breathing heavily. She noticed that they were from the Soma familia and she heard them say "We made it and better yet we even got rid of the "Deathly Duo" by pass parading them." They didn't think anyone listen but Hestia was and what she heard scared her and enraged her. She'll deal with them and soma later, right now she must look for someone to help.

Luckily she saw her friend Hephaestus and her captain walking back to their home and rushed to them. Hestia screamed just loudly enough for the two of them to hear her.

Hephaestus POV

Hephaestus was surprised to her someone telling her name and turned and saw Hestia was running toward her. Hephaestus was slightly annoyed because she assumed that Hestia was her to annoy her but she saw the tears in the corner of her eyes and knew something was wrong.

Hestia POV

"Hephaestus please I need your help, I'm willing to pay whatever it is to have your help". Hephaestus was surprised about what she said but decided to hear her out. After hearing everything the atmosphere was serious and she agreed to send Tsubaki to rescue her familia. Hestia hugged Hephaestus hard and promised she'll repay her someday.

Afton POV

Another 15 minutes went by and we are out of potions and Xeos was barely hanging on. The sheer will to survive was inspiring but we are at our limit now. Just as I was gonna accept death I heard footsteps coming towards us and I saw Tsubaki from the Hephaestus familia coming over to us. She noticed the Ribcage and I said "Xeos used some magic for it or something to protect us".

Tsubaki nodded her head and when she accessed their situation, she knew it was grave. She immediately executed the rest of the monsters in the area. I saw a relived expression on Xeos's face and he passed out. The Ribcage disappeared and Tsubaki approached us. She asked how we were holding up and I got to admit we're not in the greatest condition obviously.

Just then a few more adventurers appeared from the Hephaestus familia. Tsubaki started issuing commands as I left everything to her and fell into unconsciousness.

Word Count 1576