5 A Demon in the Dungeon: A New Skill.

WELL. THAT SUCKED.

DAY 5.

Tyler opened his eyes and felt refreshed and well-rested. He looked beside him to see Hestia asleep beside him and smiled at that. He sat up and she was bolt awake as well.

"Tyler, how you feel? Anything hurt?"

HE hugged her warmly.

"I feel good, Hestia. I'm sorry for scaring you. AGAIN."

She sighed as she looked at him.

"It's okay. Loki came and apologized personally for her party's mistake. She's even paid for the replacement gear you lost in the fight."

"I'll buy her a drink then."

Hestia smiled at that then he looked at her.

"Are YOU okay?"

She nodded.

"YEah. I am. You're okay. That's all that matters."

HE then laid on his belly.

"I wonder where I'm at today?"

She laughed at that.

"Let's find out."

He relaxed as she straddled his back nad looked at his stats.

"Well. Your defense exploded."

"To what?"

"1000."

"Sounds about right."

"Huh?"

"Something up?"

He felt her shock and she blinked.

"You got a skill."

He blinked.

"Ehhh, what?"

She looekd at the fine print.

"Its called realiais Frey'

"Realize fate."

She blinked again.

"You understand the language of the gods?"

"Not like you're thinking. But it sounded a lot like a language I studied back in my old home."

"I see. It says here that it is based off feelings and increases based on how strong they are. Lasts as long as you can maintain them."

"Sounds like a growth skill."

"Bell has the same skill, but I didn't tell him as it'll just make him sought after. YOU."

"ME you can tell as I can handle the truth and take care of myself."

"Exactly. YOU killed a minotaur at level 1. Most adventurers never see a minotuar till level two. Let that sink in."

"I'm awesome. I know."

She laughed with the relief knowing her friend was okay. The goddess finished her touch up and he got up.

"So how long was I a dead man?"

She sighed.

"about 18 hours. You have an insane healing rate."

He stood and felt the strength in his body, and found he was indeed ready for the next raid.

"I'm used to getting wrecked. That one? SECOND time."

She hugged him.

"Look. Please. Be careful. I can't handle losing you or Bell, Tyler. I just can't."

He grabbed her in a warm, hard hug.

"You WILL NOT lose me, Hestia. bell either. I'm going to get strong enough to make sure it never happens. So, please. Have some faith in me."

She sniffed and hugged him harder.

"Okay. I'll always have your back, Tyler. I'm your goddess after all."

He smiled at that.

"And I'm proud you are. Now. I got a resupply to do."

She smiled as he geared up.

"The stones were turned in. Wanna guess how much?"

He looked at her curiously.

"Don't leave a guy hanging."

She grinned.

"15,000. PER."

"HOLY HELL. Yup. I WILL hunt those things. later Hestia."

She waved as he ran up the stairs. Tyler was in fine spirits as he ran along the street headed for the dungeon. I got fucking WRECKED. Now I'm pissed. He smiled as he went to Miock's shop first and found the god at the counter. He smiled as the boy walked up.

"Tyler, it's good to see you're okay."

He smiled.

"I'm glad I'm made of rubber. Sadly I lost all my potions."

Miock smiled as he placed the lost amount on the counter.

"Loki already came by. She likes you."

"Now I'm terrified."

He laughed as Tyler put the healing agents into his pack before heading to see a smith about some armor. Tyler smiled as he rode the lift up. I like getting high! The lift opened and he went to see Wulf. He found his smith in the alcove and he laughed.

"Well. Looks like YOU had some problems if Loki coming here to pay for a mistake is anything to go by."

Tyler chuckled as he passed his blade over.

"A couple of big ass cows wanted a word with me. Sad to say I lost the argument. One got the point though."

Wulf cracked up laughing at that one.

"I've never heard it put like that before. Ha."

Tyler buckled his fresh gear on and nodded.

"Let's TRY this again."

Wulf waved as Tyler ran off to see Aina and let her know he WASN'T a corpse. He walked into the guild and saw her at her counter.

"Hey, Aina! I'm back from the dead! Again."

She smiled as he walked up.

"Tyler! I'm happy to see you on your feet again. how are you feeling?"

"Stupid."

She shook her head smiling.

"Floor five?"

"without the mad cow."

She laughed.

"Just don't get killed."

"Just cause I like you."

He ran out as she blushed a litte,

"Hey Aina! That's twice!"

Tyler laughed at the comment as he ran up the steps to the dungeon and dropped righ the floor five. He ran as he drew his battleblade and crashed into a group of ape looking things that made him grin.

"Fresh prey!"

As he soaked in the blood of his hunt, a single thought came into his head.

"Hestia took me in when I escaped. She gave me a home. A hope."

He split a werewolf clean in half as his newfound creed exploded inside his soul.

"I can never repay her for this. BUT DAMMIT I AM GOING TO TRY!"

With a roar of rageful determination he surged into a pack of twenty giant ants and was moving like a madman as his massive blade howled and sung with the blood as the creatures died in droves. He collected the stones and found he'd filled them.

"I need more space."

He ran out and Aina was a little intimidated by the resolve in his eyes now as he made the dropoff.

"8500 vallace. have a nice day."

Tyler headed for Miock's shop and the god blinked as he walked in.

"Something wrong?""

The fired up adventurer picked up two leg pouches as he explained.

"Just got a new goal. And to hell with anything that gets in the way."

He nodded approvingly.

"Go."

Tyler dropped back to floor five and was back on a rageful rampage ashe tore through goblins, werewolves, war shadows, those ape things, and the giant ants until he'd filled all his pouches. He relaxed his white knuckle grip on his battleblade as he headed back up to the surface. He emptied the stones,

"12,000 vallace. Have a nice day."

He grinned.

"That's better."

He looked at the sky as he calaculated how long it took his to fill his pouches.

"Hmm. I made more less pouches. Odd."

He headed back to Hestia's church for a deposit and found her giving Bell a status touch up. he chuckled as he emptied the pouch into the Familia pot and waited his turn. Though he had to fight a laugh as Hestia was caught off guard by his growth out of nowhere. Tyler passed the time cleaning his 6 foot greatsword as Hestia talked to Bell about his sudden growth. Thne she looked at Tyler.

"Your turn!"

He laid under her and she brought his stats up.

"So, Hestia. I got a crusade."

She laughed.

"And that is?"

"Well. I'd like to repay your kindness for taking me in. I know I can't, but damn if I'm not gonna try!"

He felt her smile proudly.

"Just don't push it. Okay?"

"Well. Just cause my GODDESS asked to not to."

He felt her shiver at that one as she looked at his numbers.

"Woah."

"How bad?"

"Your strength hit 250! ALL your numbers exploded!"

Bell was pulling his coat on when she said this.

"How much Goddess?"

She was in shock.

"A 100 points PER STAT. That's not supposed to be possible!"

Tyler chucckled.

"When I get serious, watch out."

Bell blinked.

"Aparently."

His status touched up he pulled the 12k from the coffer and she smiled.

"I guess you earned a little fun."

"I got wrecked by a cow. Now I just wanna get wrecked."

She laughed as he hugged her and headed out. Bell was walking to talk to hestia as the taller boy headed for the Hostess of Fertility. He walked in and Seer smiled.

"Tyler! You came back!"

he took a spot at the bar as he smiled at the cheerful girl.

"Just cause I liked it."

Mia laughed at that as a plate of fish was placed in front of him.

"I heard you had a mite of trouble!"

Tyler chuckled as he got a mug.

"A couple a cows wanted a word with me. One saw my point and the other? Well i lost that one."

She laughed as the burly matron thumped him on the arm.

"Eat up kid. And try not to get killed or I'll be very disappointed."

"I think I'm more in danger in this freakin tavern then the damn dungeon! The monsters just want to kill me!"

The rowdy place laughed at that as Seer got excited as she spotted someone outside. Tyler wasn't really paying attention as he found he was STARVING. I haven't eaten in close to a full day! How the hell that happen? He'd grabbed an extra 6k from the coffer as he felt he was in need of a good time. He saw Seer walk by and chuckled.

"Does she even know what a frown IS?"

Mia laughed at that.

"Her? Not really."

"Lucky."

He was letting his stomach settle before the next round when the tavern went silent,

"The big party with the reservation just arrived! Nya!"

Tyler chuckled as he heard that. He looked to see Loki leading her party in,

"Well. there goes the night."

They laughed as they spotted the man at the bar. Loki came over and he just slid a mug to her.

"Well. Sorry for the mess."

"Pff. Shut up and drink."

She busted up laughing as they banged mugs and downed them. Tyler got invited to the table and he was once again next to Riveria as Tark rubbed his head ruefully.

"Last time. Sorry."

"YOU. Beer. NOW."

The table cracked up again as Loki thumped him.

"On us. Since one. We nearly got ya killed, two, you're fun."

"Hey. the third's we're all insane!"

The goddess laughed at that as he had a thought.

"Hey, Riveria, what spell was that?"

She smiled as she explained.

"It's my healing spell restorative touch. It's very potent."

"Nifty. I'm hoping I got some magic in me, but am kinda scared to find out."

Bett snorted.

"Knowing your crazy ass you'll blow up an entire floor."

Tyler chuckled at that.

"Sad thing? You're not wrong!"

Aiz smiled.

"I'm just happy you're alright."

"They got me once, there ain't gon be a second time! Thanks for the heroics Aiz."

She smiled again as the group banged mugs together. Tyler was laughing it up as Tia came siddling over.

"Well, mister hero, you're MY hero!"

"Oh shit."

They lost it at his scared tone as the busty girl latched onto him for a hug. Tark sighed.

"You get used to her."

Tyler chuckled as he patted her head like a dog, making her bawl.

"She's fun."

Her sister Tima laughed as Tia took her seat chargined.

"Well, sis, looks like YOU got out done."

The adventurer chuckled as he got another plate.

"I got a few tricks."

Riveria smiled now as she drank from her mug.

"Intrigung."

"Sounds like an excuse for an investigation. Wouldn't you agree?"

She laughed.

"Never heard put like that before."

He slid another drink her way.

"Like I said, I got ways."

The elven lady had a knowing smile now.

"I'll admit to some curiosity."

"Oh I BEEN curious, Riveria."

The table was watching the exchange like hawks as the elven lady set her mug down.

"What type of curiousity we talking about?"

Tyler smirked.

"Well. I HAVE been wondering what you do when NOT putting idiots that picked a fight with cows back together."

She looekd at him mildly bemused.

"That it?"

"Well. I can't very well ask you to do something without having an idea of something to do, can I?"

She dropped her fork! Loki busted up laughing at Riveria's shocked expression.

"Wow! Rivi! How long has it been ANYTHING caught you by surprise! ya got balls kid!"

Tyler chuckled as the elven lady processed that one.

"Can you blame me?"

The goddess was wheezing at this most cocky of adventurers as Tyler felt a subtle poke with a steakknife from behind him where Aiz sat.

"Understood."

He brought the pile of mugs to the counter to give the lady a chance to recover. Mia just laughed at that ploy.

"You got guts kid, going after one of the best healers in the city like that."

He smiled.

"I know quality when I see it dammit."

She laughed again as Tyler looked over and saw a under-the-table hand flick from Aiz for safe to return. Ha. I know a few girls that could learn a thing or two from Aiz on how to winggirl! He sat back down and Riveria looked at him.

"I do hope you're not looking for marriage."

He sighed now.

"No. I've never seen it work and in my expereince? All i got from the marriages that were in my life was pain times two. So. I gave up on that one a long time ago."

She breathed a sad sigh of relief.

"I understand. So. A companion then."

" Sure. And to see where it goes."

She took a drink at that.

"We're in different familias."

"Well. I've always been a loner. It can just be a when we got time kinda deal."

Loki chuckled from a bar stool.

"Man thinks ahead."

Riveria looked at him.

"I'm an elf."

He blinked.

"You're point?"

She smirked at his two-way retort.

"I'm immortal."

"Yeesh. Tough break."

That got her by surprise.

"I don't think i follow you."

He sighed.

"With the exception of the diosday, as long as you don't fall to the troubles of the world, Riveria, you're going to outlive everyone in this town. Seems sad to me."

She, and every elf in the tavern for that matter, blinked at that one. Then she sighed.

"Yes. Yes I could. And it's oddly refreshing knowing you understand that."

"Eternity. After a point life's not worth living. But that's just my take."

She nodded sadly.

"And I agree. It's an elven fear as well. living for too long and watching those you come to love and respect fall to the times while you yet live on."

They sighed at that.

"Well. That's a tomorrow problem. What about right now?"

She smiled at that wisdom.

"And that again is another Elven sentiment. As for right now? Sadly, I'm afraid you're a little TOO wild for my heart."

He chuckled as she said this.

"I can see that. I'm a freaking berserker and you're healer. Not exactly the best mix for a couple. Well. Least I tried."

She nodded smiling.

"Friends is fine though."

He raised mug.

"And ya can't get enough good ones!"

They banged them again as Loki snorted as she laughed.

"That was awesome! I was actually expecting her to say yes!"

Tark just shook his head smiling.

"I was too to be honest."

Tyler shrugged as he poked at the leftover fish.

"Worth a shot!"

Bett snorted.

"Ya got balls rookie. Even i have to admit that."

Aiz smiled as Tyler satback in his seat.

"I'd like to be friends too."

He looked at her slightly bemused.

"I thought we already were?"

That got a laugh from the party as Aiz got her own drink.

"I like to have it said."

"Aiz is a little old-fashioned that way."

"Better an assuming, Tia. I've met girls that will ACT like they're your best friend, yet get utterly offended when you say as much."

Loki came over and hit on Aiz and got wack for her effort, then she latched onto Tyler.

"See what she did to me? How mean!"

Tyler smiled as he rubbed her sore head like a dog.

"Did you learn anything?"

The table lost it as their goddess went beat red at his petting her hair like a dog. Tyler added the extra effect of patting her like one before turning back to the table. Poor Loki went and sat on her barstool in defeat as Aiz smiled.

"Thanks for that. Usually it's three times."

Tyler shrugged.

"Least she's consistent."

That got a soft laugh.

"I suppose. it is mildly amusing."

the full adventurer was now relaxing with good friends as Bett slammed his last mug down.

"So whatever happened to that tomato jackass?"

Tyler looked at him confused.

"Tomato jackass?"

Bett busted up laughing.

"That kid Aiz saved from the minotaur before she got to you. Kid runs around like a chicken with it's head cut off getting chased by this thing and Aiz swoops in and cuts it to pieces! The jackass gets covered in blood! Then he up and runs away from the one that saved him!"

Tyler snorted.

"Oh. that guy. He's the other guy in my familia. He's a good guy. A bit skiddish and all, but that's an experience thing."

Tark tilted his head.

"We've only met you, Tyler. what's he like?"

"Bell? Pff. Kid doesn't know what a lie is. Both how to tell one or see one. Lucky bastard let me tell you. He works hard and fights with a knife of all things. He's a decent enough dude and just needs the right kick in the ass to take off."

Bett snorted.

"YOU have potential. He ran from the minotaur while you stood to fight TWO. Sounds like a pathetic jackass."

Tyler sighed.

"To be fair bett? I'm used to it. Bell hasn't had to live like I did so as a rule I'm both stronger and more willing to put my life on the line. I'm more ghost then person. At least Bell still has that light in his heart I long lost."

That got a sigh from the wolf guy.

"I can see that. Hey, how freakin hilarious would it be if he walked up to Aiz and asked to be HER partner?"

Tyler snorted laughing at the thought.

"Oh I HOPE he does! That'd be freaking priceless! Yo, he does that he got balls."

Bett laughed.

"I can give him credit there, but come on! You really thing he'd actually go for it?"

Tyler shrugged.

"No clue. Bell's the type of guy that if he gets an idea in his head he gets tunnel vision. Odds are he'd try to at least have a leg to stand on first."

Aiz was silent the whole time as Bett laughed.

"Now I kinda wanna see him try! It's freakin hilarious he ran though!"

Tyler laughed at that image.

"I can so see him doing that too! Poor bastard. I'll have to talk to him about that. Ha."

Bett downed another tankard and laughed hard.

"I heard he ran around town like that! Screaming his freakin head off!"

"Oh for fucks sake, Bell. He's LUCKY I just found out or I'd have had a field day ragging on yo ass! I bet poor Aina had a freakin heart attack as when he ran up to her."

riveria bulked.

"You find making fun of your friends failures funny?"

He smiled.

"Not like you think. More good ribbing. I like Bell. So, it's in good fun."

Tia leaned in now.

"I bet YOU like to tease."

He smiled as she tabled her bust.

"It weird I'm suddenly jealous of the tabletop?"

She blinked, then laughed hard as she felt WHAT was pressing into the tabletop.

"Ha. Nice one."

Tyler shrugged at that as Bett snorted.

"You really think he's got a shot with THE Aiz Wallenstein?"

Tyler shrugged.

"Not really my call is it, Aiz?"

She blinked at that name drop, then nodded.

"I suppose not."

Bett looked at her.

"You really thinking of it, Aiz? A snot nosed brat as YOUR partner? You're WAAYYY too good for that loser!"

"Oi! I try dammit!"

The table lost it at Tyler's offended tone as Bett had to fiht his laughter as well.

"Okay. YOU? maybe. HIM? Not in a million years."

There was the sound of a stool getting knocked over as Seer ran out after a fleeing boy.

"We got a dine and dash."

Tyler shrugged.

"Eh. hey, Seer. Anyone I know?"

Mia blinked.

"Ummm. It was bell. You didn't notice?"

Tyler blinked.

"I can't see through people. Hey, Heads up."

He tossed his pouch of coin over.

"I got enough for us both."

The lady smiled.

"Appreciated."

Then Tyler looked out the door as Aiz came back in.

"He gone?"

She nodded.

"Yes. It seems he ran for the dungeon."

Tyler sighed hard.

"Great. I can probably bet WHY. I'll go have a chat with Hestia. Thanks guys. Was fun."

He headed out as Loki laughed.

"You're always welcome to party with us!"

"Ohn now i got a great idea!"

She laughed as he headed out. He wasn't tipsy this time dispite the mugs he'd downed as he headed for the church. He found Hestia in her coat on the steps of the church with a sad look on her face and he sat beside her.

"You okay?"

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"It hurts again."

He wrapped her in his arm.

"I got ya."

She smiled at that.

"Thanks. Did you have fun?"

"I think I know why."

He told her about the run out and she sighed.

"It explains the skill."

"Yup. He's got a dreamgirl and is willing to die to get to her."

She sighed hard as he hugged her.

"And YOUR dreamgirl?"

"I got shot down."

He explained and she laughed.

"I can't believe you actually went for it!"

"I want something I go for it dammit!"

She hugged him harder.

"You okay?"

He smiled.

"I wasn't really expecting her to say yes, Hestia. If she had, great. Flying high. If not, no biggee as at least I have a solid answer."

She nodded as she cuddled.

"I guess. It doesn't hurt?"

He thought about it.

"Not really. I went into it without hopes or feelings beyond looking for something more."

She pulled her legs up to her chest.

"I'm happy you at least tried."

He smiled at her as he wrapped her in a hug.

"Are you okay, hestia?"

She sniffed.

"I'm just sad bell chose another."

He said nothing as he held her. Then he smiled.

"Come on. Even a goddess can get sick in the cold."

She smiled as he took her hand to lead her inside.

"Thanks, Tyler."

He patted her warmly.

"I got your back, Hestia."

She looked at him,

"Stay with me?"

"Sure. As long as you need me."

They got in bed and she rested her head on his chest.

"I think. I just might have another."

He smiled as he rubbed her cheek.

"Lucky bastard. He's on my shitlist now!"

She laughed at that as they drifted off together.