"So... this Corrupted Spirit has retreated from Floor Fifty-Nine?" Hedin asked.
Finn nodded. "Yes. But we have no idea when it plans to return to it. Not only that, we have reasons to think that it will strike us."
"Strike? Really... that is quite odd, is it not?" Hedin's pale eyebrows rose slightly.
"Odd? Oh, you have no clue. We also have reasons to think that it is from a deeper floor coming up to the surface. It has a weird obsession with Ais. That is why I think it will strike, by the way."
"Hmm... then we strike first. You have not managed to find a weakness, and from what I understand, the last time you fought was only to buy time. So I think this time we will try to strike it directly and see how it goes."
Finn crossed his arms. "I think we should wait for Damien to heal up. Without him, it will be extremely difficult, or maybe even impossible."
Hedin let out a short laugh. "Oh, please. You do not expect me to think the rookie will be the game changer."
"Hedin, I respect you for being a formidable leader and planner of Freya Familia. But make no mistakes. From my calculations, Damien is our greatest asset. Officially, he is recorded as a Level Four at the Guild. But I can tell you from being a firsthand witness of the kid, he is the strongest adventurer of our current era." Finn's voice was firm. "I would be lying to myself to deny it. I see him as already on the level of Alfia or even Maxim from Hera and Zeus Familias."
"Look, Finn. I respect you as well. But do you not think you are exaggerating a bit?"
The tent entrance ruffled. Leon and Fels entered the meeting tent.
Leon spoke first. "Hedin, my friend... you, I, and everyone have our theories about what happened at Floor Forty-Nine with Balor. But why don't you confirm it for us, Finn?"
Finn nodded. "It is as you may have already figured. Damien soloed Balor as we moved to Floor Fifty. Not only that, he has turned him into a shadow. A servant of his." He met Hedin's eyes. "So, once again, Hedin, I am not exaggerating. He is our greatest asset. Not only is he strong, he is a walking army. Challenging the Corrupted Spirit without him is a fool's errand."
Hedin grinned. "Well, think what you will. But it will not matter. It is an order."
"Excuse me?" Finn's voice went cold.
Hedin gestured to the robed figure beside him. "Fels... why do you not tell him."
Fels moved forward, his dark robes whispering against the floor. "Lord Ouranos has given Hedin leadership of the Corrupted Spirit's Subjugation. Effective immediately."
"Excuse me. This is the Loki Familia Expedition. Not the Freya or Ouranos Expedition."
"And so it remains. However, the Quest is to be led by Hedin. Lord Ouranos has reasons to believe that you are not emotionally stable enough to lead the subjugation after the hardships you and your expedition have gone through." Fels paused. "Hedin has been appointed the leader. After the subjugation, you may lead your expedition as you wish." His voice hardened slightly. "Let me remind you that you sent for our help. This is now in the Guild's authority, per the rules."
Hedin smiled. "And as the new leader of the subjugation, we will strike tomorrow. Use all that you can to recover and prepare. I am not letting this drag on any longer." He looked at Finn. "Sorry, Finn. But if your friend does not recover by tomorrow... we will leave without him."
He turned and left. Fels followed.
Finn stood in silence. He could not exactly complain. He knew this would place the Loki Familia in a difficult position.
Leon sighed and leaned against the table. "I had no idea that little shit would get rattled like this by the damn Balor thing. Nor did I expect Lord Ouranos to make such a..." He stopped himself from saying anything further.
Finn finished it. "A foolish decision."
He left the tent in anger.
Leon leaned on the table, his massive frame sagging. "Fuck... that little shit is leading us to doom."
...
Airmid finally finished casting a long healing spell. Sweat dotted her brow, and her hands trembled slightly as she lowered her staff.
"This corruption is something ancient and powerful," she said, her voice tired. "I am sorry to say, I cannot do much more than this. I have managed to slow it from rotting his entire body. But healing it outright will require more testing and treatments." She looked at Riveria. "I cannot do that here."
Before Riveria could ask more, the tent's entrance moved. Finn peaked inside, his expression unreadable.
"Riveria... I need you. Now."
He left.
Riveria had a puzzled look on her face. She turned to the girls surrounding Damien—Ais, Tiona, and Tione, all watching over him with worried eyes.
"Watch over him for me. I will be back."
She walked out to join Finn and Gareth.
...
"WHAT... THIS IS RIDICULOUS!" Riveria's voice rose in anger as Finn explained what had happened with Fels and Hedin. "They cannot just come in and assume leadership immediately! And moving now... without Damien..." She shook her head. "Is he crazy?!"
"Foolish man," Gareth muttered.
"I will talk to him." Riveria straightened her shoulders. "Hedin has respect for me. He should understand."
"Do not bother, lass." Gareth's voice was grim. "That man is a greedy bastard. I think he feels jealous about losing the Balor solo hunt. And he is doing this on purpose."
"Regardless, I have to. This is foolish."
"Do not bother." Mia Grande walked toward the trio, her massive cleaver resting against her shoulder. "Hedin is such a man. Even you, Miss Riveria... a high elf... he will ignore you if it means he can bring glory to Freya."
She paused, her expression apologetic.
"I apologize for his actions. But I can assure you, Hedin has made his mind. No matter what, he will not change it."
Riveria stood in silence for a moment. Then, from her lips, came a word none of them would have expected to hear from Riveria Ljos Alf.
"Fuck."
She turned and walked back toward Damien's tent.
Mia turned to Finn. "It would be for the best, for all of us, to try and save this subjugation. Because I do not think Hedin will lead us to victory at this rate."
....
Meanwhile, Hedin walked toward his ally Hogni, his self-proclaimed rival. The two black elves stood apart from the rest of the camp, their pale features illuminated by the dim glow of magic crystals.
"Hogni," Hedin spoke quietly. "Do me a favor. Or rather... do this for our goddess."
Hogni's hand rested on his sword hilt. "Anything for her."
"Once we leave for battle tomorrow, sneak out. And assassinate Damien Ardent." Hedin's voice was cold, matter-of-fact. "He is too much of a threat to our goddess's plans. He must die."
Hogni's eyes narrowed. "Our goddess needs him. She asked for him to be left alone."
"I know that." Hedin's jaw tightened. "But she does not know about the information we have now. Ottar is too honorable to do what is necessary. His love is not as pure as ours, Hogni." He stepped closer. "Damien is a threat to our goddess. Even if she does not realize it, we must do it. For her."
Hogni was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded.
"For Freya," he said. "I understand. I shall do as you ask."
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