We return to the first room with the Necrofire, and with barely time to breath, two Skeleton knights leap out the flames in a sudden attack, both dual-wielding hand axes.

"The twins again!" Jeanette shouts.

Kiku draws her swords, but in a surge, Fortinbras flies past her and intercepts the two before they get far, his kite shield smashing one of the massive skeleton knights backwards with a clang.

The other looks about to slam into his side, but then, three arrows smack into it, and then a roaring wave of honest to goodness shining liquid quicksilver crashes into it, forming suddenly into Esraye's shape, scythe already swinging, with which she splits the things skull in half in an explosion of blue liquid. It topples in a pile of bones.

Then, before the shield-bashed one can stop staggering, it seems to systematically split straight up the middle in a roaring crack noise. My hair and clothes suddenly billow, and I squint, as if all the air suddenly rushed in that direction. The bones and another blue spurt all explode upwards like a macabre fountain.

Holy gods.

Fortinbras didn't even draw his sword.

I look back and the girls all seem gobsmacked as well. They've just prepared to fight and it’s over.

Seria closes her fist in a gesture, and the magic circle around her shatters. She looks up to Jeanette, whose circle has just faded, and whose long blonde curls are billowing.

"Fufufu... Impressive, girl. A Vacuum Slash? I still truly envy how quick and obedient Wind Spirits are."

Jeanette's hair settles and she shrugs. "Master Faris did always say they're quick to come, but equally quick to leave. It is good for fast attacks, for sure, but in a sustained battle, it is nigh impossible to hold their interest. Holding on to them is extremely draining." She sighs.

"Wind spirits live life in the fast lane." I chortle.

Seria rolls her eyes.

"You must get used to the boy's pointless anecdotes. What does that even mean?" She cocks her head.

Kiku is frozen in a strange pose and starts chittering to herself whilst blinking and holding both her swords out. Kali also looks rather distressed.

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"Are you two ok?" I question.

"Um... I... still have a way to go." She sighs.

"Hah! Stronger always someone. Mother correctness." Kali grins.

I rub both of their heads in consolation.

"This... I did wonder why you four didn't have a Cleric, Fortinbras-sama. I imagine they would feel quite useless..." Rishya comments.

He clanks back over.

"We did, at one point, a few years back, when I was the only S-rank babysitting these three, an old and dignified gent who was my friend." He grins. "But yes, Manato felt his talents would be better served teaching new clerics."

"Master Manato!? He was...!? He taught me and Yuuzu!" Rishya jumps.

"Mm, I thought so. The way you hold a staff is very much like his method." He smiles. "Honestly, though, whilst we specialise in fast strikes, there are times when I truly regret not having his enchantments and barriers."

"Err... you mentioned 'the twins' before, right?" I query Jeanette.

She blinks.

"Hah... yep. It's hard to see it when you've not come as often as us, but each skeleton here is a bit of an acquaintance to us, I guess. Like annoying relatives you can't get rid of." She laughs.

"Hmmm? So, they are the same souls, eternally resurrected here? I wasn't aware of that." Seria says.

"Many troubles some gave us. Cutting teeth ever painful." Esraye sighs wistfully.

"In any case, we should proceed. Our destination is the chasm beyond the rest area."

"Ugh... why does it have to be so far from the entrance in this layout?" Darion moans.

"Oh… stop whining, you baby." Jeanette cusses him, and he sulks.

We carry on moving, passing through several other places we remember from before.

"The void as a whole seems less oppressive now, does it not, Seria-sama?" Rishya comments.

"I doubtless say it was the influence of the Skull Beast." Seria says. "But whilst it is no longer directly snuffing your light, it is still higher than I would expect... mn..." she ponders.

"That is what we are here to investigate, is it not?" Aria says.

"Quite so, Princess, fufufu..."

"It's a shame Yuuzu and Kurono couldn't come." Rishya laments.

"This moment Kali's replacement surely they be looking for. But Kali understands." Kali adds.

"I imagine they will at least have an easier time, with their rank upgrade." Aria adds.

"Very much so's! Everyone realises surely that Yuuzu's more than beauty!" Kali nods.

"Hah... yeah, I guess she'll be fine. Well... maybe Yuuzu will even find a man she likes, hee-hee." Rishya giggles.

"Not if Kurono can help it." I snicker. Kali and Aria laugh as well, but Rishya goes wide-eyed and gapes as if she has just realised something shocking.

Sometimes she can be adorably slow when it comes to realising innuendo. It’s quite endearing how pure she is.

We reach what used to be the rest stop without further incident. The place is still covered in splatters of dried blood, but at least it’s no longer a slaughterhouse. I don't envy the jobs of that clean-up team, for sure.

"Are we going single-file down the rope again?" I ask.

"Nope. Ha! This big brute would snap it. It's what I'm really here for." Jeanette comments, going over to the ledge.

She glows blue for a second, magic symbols rushing around her, and with a roar of air, shimmering translucent stairs appear, apparently made out of densely packed wind. How does that even work?

I guess this kind of thing will also be our ticket to the lower levels, right?

The depths await...