Luna was given a new spell as well. Shadow Strike. It's a very quick chant like Ragnar spell she only has to say. The night protects me 'shadow strike' and boom some kind of shadow spear attacks the enemy. Mine was called Hurricane. A defense boost and speed boost and it had no chant. We ended up going to the dungeon just us and Kelly over the next few days. I was pushing Kelly to level up. Ragnar was making us new equipment again so he stayed back. I wasn't sure what the others were up to though. It took us about two weeks to get Kelly to level 3. All of our adventures were able to push her to the next level her stats were just lacking. Hence the training we put her thru. Her new advanced ability was life essence which helped with her healing and she learned a new spell. Complete healing which could save someone from even a fatal injury if she got to them fast enough. It was an incredible, over powered spell.
It was a week later when Mikoto went missing. I had the party out frantically searching when we got word from Diana to go back to Aphrodite she heard where she is.
"For some reason Mikoto was searching around goddess Ishtar's familia home. She has been captured and Ishtar sent me a randsom for the child back."
"I await your orders. I will burn down everything in my path and bring her home to you if that's your wish."
"Josh don't be so dramatic. You will all take me there I will discuss this with her face to face."
With Dormul and Ragnar out front and Luna guarding the rear with Diana we moved thru the pleasure quarters Ishtar calls home. I'm right next to Aphrodite with Kelly. Aphrodite got dressed up to go provoke Ishtar apparently. She is in a white dress that is so short it barely covers her butt. She has white lingerie leggings that have the strap that goes up to her waist and is hidden in the dress. The back of the gown is completely open showing most of her back. Her boobs are all but hanging out of the dress. Man I could hardly concentrate right now.
"Josh get yourself together and maybe I'll play with you later" I get reprimanded from Aphrodite.
"Sorry my lady I was so captivated by you I can't think."
"I need you focused right now please protect me." Instead of answering I got my head in the game. Nobody tried to stop us all the way to Ishtar's palace. It's like a knock off of the Tower of Babel you can tell she is conceited. As we arrive I call out "Lady Aphrodite is here to meet goddesss Ishtar" some Amazon women bring us inside and lead just Kelly myself and Aphrodite to a private room. Everyone else is left in a different reception room. I'm a little nervous I don't have any power with me but I guess with Kelly I can get brought back to full. I am the strongest we have anyway. The hosts are nice and bring wine to our goddess as we wait. They tried flirting with me but they were sent away by Aphrodite. I was surprised they listened to be honest. It wasn't long after that Ishtar came in she brought a handsome man with her and the ugliest toad of a woman I had every seen.
"You charmed the ladies I sent to keep you company explain yourself Aphrodite."
"You sent whores to seduce my child so I disciplined yours."
"Is that jealousy I see it doesn't look good on you. It can't be for the pet I have locked up. It must be this man here. Is he the famous Knight of Roses he looks delicious."
"Watch yourself Ishtar."
"Why isint he charmed? You would dare to bring him in front of me like this?"
"Unlike a whore like yourself I have no need to charm him he has already given me all of his love."
"You would mock me like this yet I have seen your familia they are all charmed. As a goddess of beauty our very presence charms our children. The stronger ones can free themselves while away from us but in our presence they are helpless. Truly he is different here we both are and he has his free will. Exciting I will take him."
Aphrodite slapped her in the face
"I see so this man has your heart. Fantastic I'll trade the girl for him."
"I'm here to challenge you to a war game Ishtar"
Fuck I knew it. We are screwed they have a ton of members and are ranked close to the top. Only Freya and Thor stand above them.
An evil smile appears on Ishtar's face
"Fine if I win I want these two children. You might not love the elf like the boy, but you still gave her the name 'Dove' which is a symbol of your divinity. It will be wonderful to steal them from you."
"Fine if I win I will take everything from you and send you back to heaven myself."
"Bold words I guess the loser goes back to heaven. I hope you had fun your few months you spent down here because it was all you will get. Now I'll make a bet with you if I can charm your man he can't fight in the game. If I can't you can have the prisoner back."
"Bring her here then I will play this game."
After a short time the man with Ishtar brought in Mikoto. Man this girl brought us a lot of shit. "She's here now let your knight come here for a second." I looked towards Aphrodite and she nodded. So I'm shit out of luck and walked towards Ishtar. She puts her hands to my face and runs me gently.
"Sir Knight I want you to make that prisoner pay." She takes both my hands and rests them on her breast. "Attack her" she whispered in my ear then bit it playfully with her lips.
I stepped away from Ishtar and drew my sword a wicked smile on my lips "Hurricane" I buried my sword in the stomach of the man following Ishtar around.
"How dare you"
I open him up by slashing the sword out instead of pulling. "I'm not a pet like this one" a level 4 and he died in the spot.
"Now I believe I can leave with Mikoto right since you couldn't charm Josh."
"Why he doesn't seem charmed like the rest why can't I charm him?" Ishtar is furious
"Well obviously your not beautiful enough to move his heart."
"I'll kill you"
"We shall see what happens after the war game." Amazingly we were able to walk out of there alive and made it home with no incident.
"Explain yourself!" I'm literally screaming at Mikoto. "I'm sorry I heard a old friend was sold as a sex slave to lady Ishtar. I was trying to find her and I was caught by the Barbara. (elite Amazon battle party)
"And you didn't think to tell us what was up. Or to ask for our help? Now we have no choice but to fight all of Ishtar familia!"
"Josh calm down" Luna is trying to calm me down
"Yeah it seems like this was inevitable based on how they talked to one another" Kelly added
"yeah what did they say" Diana wanted to know.
"It's funny I can only remember some of it Aphrodite and Ishtar were to intense. I feel like Josh killed someone though he may have a better grasp on what happened." Oh shit I can't tell them everyone is charmed can I. Well Aphrodite never said anything to me.
"Well I'm not sure if you all know but looking at a goddess of beauty will charm you. Their smell, their touch anything will put you under their spell. So Ishtar bet Aphrodite she could charm me for Mikoto's freedom. She couldn't. so I got mad the goddess' were toying with me and killed Ishtar's boy toy."
"The fuck and they just let us walk out of there" Ragnar was shocked
"how come she couldn't charm you?" Diana wanted to know.
"I couldn't tell you it was all weird. Ishtar said how dare Aphrodite bring me in front of her not charmed and made the bet. I would have just thought Aphrodite's charm was stronger but they both acted like I wasn't."
"I see that's why I don't remember Aphrodite must have had me charmed." Kelly seems disappointed.
"I know it seems intense but Aphrodite has never controlled us I'm certain. I'm sure when she does our status and physically touches us we are totally under her spell. But she only ever asks us to do thing never forces. What we need to worry about is Ishtar familia. They have a level 5 and level 4. I killed the other level 4 while we were there. They also have at least 20 level 3s." "We don't even know how the fight will happen we don't have enough information wait for Aphrodite to go to denatus.
Well the gods decided it to be a castle siege. Aphrodite tried to get us outside help but it was banned. No gods wanted to get between two goddess' of beauty. Ishtar defends the castle we siege it. We have 3 days to defeat Ishtar familia's captain. If I am defeated we lose. The week leading up to it we trained for 5 days in the dungeon. I sparred with Luna and Mikoto. We also talked about strategy. Ragnar spent the whole time in his forge so I would go inform him of the strategy we worked up. He gave me two new daggers. One made from the unicorn horn, one made from a dragon-kin horn. I got a set of dragon leather armor to wear under the new light armor he made me. Luna got the same dragon leather armor and dragon-kin daggers. Dormul was kitted out in new armor and weapons, as was Mikoto. Diana got a Goliath robe and dragon leather armor, and Kelly got the dragon leather also. Ragnar made us 4 magic swords and gave me a magic dagger. Dormul got a replacement magic ax like he had when we fought in the previous war game. Aphrodite wasn't messing around and gave both Ragnar and Dormul a grimoire. Dormul got a spell named group protection. It summons a shield in a radius of 50 feet. It only prevents ranged attacks and anyone can enter but it's still pretty cool. Ragnar got fire mastery, he can cast any fire type magic anyone in his familia has. So he basically got my fire bolt and Diana's fire storm. She was so jealous. I would still take my magic over any I have seen so far. We all got our status updated and headed to the war game site.
The game was once again played on mirrors for all to see. Anyone in Orario could see it. Some gods went to bars to watch and set up the mirrors. There we some in front of the Tower of Babel. There were some in the guild. Freya was sitting in her room on the top floor of Babel. Watching the two other goddess' of beauty fight each other. Whatever happened it was a win win for her. She had a cruel expression on her face.
We attacked almost immediately. We waited about a hour to make them think we weren't coming and jumped into motion. We figured if it's a three day siege most would test the defenses a couple times before the official siege. With our lack of people we have no advantage except surprise. So we jumped on them immediately with full force. Ragnar and Diana rained fire on them with fire storm. I sent a few fire bolts. And we kept up the attack until we broke down a wall. Dormul kept us safe from long range attacks with the help from Ragnar who intercepted some magic with his spell. As soon as the wall came down we got into formation and battled our way in the castle grounds. It seems the elite troops are up in the castle because we beat a good 50 people in the first two hours and lost nobody. We were slowing down as we ran out of magic. I was forced to hold back on magic because my goal is the lvl 5. Luna used her stealth and disappeared about a hour ago we are waiting for her to scout the place. All of a sudden a group of amazons stormed out of the castle. We had entirely taken the grounds and were resting before enetering. "It's the Barbara"
"I don't see their leader" we had found out the level 4 leads the Barbara and the level 5 captain is more of a solo person.
"We take them down here and now" I shout. Kelly draws a magic sword and fires right into them. It's not long after I'm fighting three at once. My speed is already fast enough I don't need magic. But they are very coordinated I block one and an attack comes from behind or the side. I get knocked around a little but nothing major. We lost Diana and Dormul in the fight. Diana got mind down and while Mikoto was trying to defend her and Kelly, Diana took a nasty hit while she was down. Dormul got blasted by some magic right in the back and was unconscious. Both ruled out for the rest of the game. Some of the Barbara escaped. We took the grand hall of the castle after that. I had the rest guard here while I met up with Luna. She expertly took care of everyone in our way with her blink spell so I could stay fresh. We made our way to a sky bridge on top of the castle that leads to a shelter. That's where we think the captain is. "Josh run ahead I'll hold them here" Luna shoots off a flare to call Ragnar and the rest up to her.
"Okay Luna stay safe for me. Hurricane" there was at least 20 warriors here but I ran right past them and climbed the stairs. There was a long hallway and behind that was a throne room type place.
"Well you sure got here fast" it's the level 4 Aisha and what I assume is her best Barbara, 5 in total "stop him ladies but Ishtar wants him alive." The four of them rush me. I put my sword away and draw two daggers, My new ones. In a few seconds I put all these level 3s down and turn to Aisha "get out of my way"
"I will admit you are strong. Do you know about Amazons?"
"No what does it have to do with anything?" "You see we are a race of all women any Amazon will give birth to an Amazon woman. We are warriors when we meet a strong man we dominate them. Conquer them. Make them submit to us. We love arrogant men like you the most. So there is absolutely no way I will let you go before you submit to me." "Hurricane"
In 2 seconds I have her pinned to the wall. My right arm has her by the neck. My left has her right arm keeping it away from her weapon. My legs and hips pressed up against hers to keep her from kicking.
"Submit to you how laughable. I'll tell you what." *ring
My hand starts glowing white. *ring
"I'll show you how arrogant and strong I really am" *ring "and then I'll make you submit to me." *ring "doesn't this sound more fun?" *ring since I'm choking her she can't respond. *ring "no opinion now huh how strange." *ring "I'll take your silence as agreement" *booom I punched her right in the stomach.
I walked into the throne room and only saw the ugly toad woman.
"Found you. Want to just give up? I bet Aisha wishes she accepted when I asked her that." "Aisha is pathetic I'll show you the strength of a level 5" at least I didn't get a whole history lesson from this one. She wields two axes so I can't stop them with daggers. I choose my sword in this fight. We go blow for blow and I'm astonished. I can't figure out how I'm equal to a level 5. The truth is her strength was way beyond me but I had better speed. "Wind nova" and I had magic. "Lightning bolt" we fought for an eternity neither gaining an advantage.
"You fight well I heard you are only level 3. But you fight beyond that. At least a level 4. Do it Roxy." Roxy the name of Mikoto's friend. A fox-girl she knew from Japan. "Grow. That power and that vessel. Tower of riches and a Tower of wishes. Until the bell tolls, bring forth glory and illusion. -Grow. Confine divine offerings within this body. This golden light bestowed from above. Into the hammer and into the ground, may it bestow good fortune upon you. -Grow" I couldn't get close to her this fat bitch kept me away. A golden light shoots from Roxy into the toad. "Fuck" I knew it was some kind of buff.
"I didn't think we would need this. Still I'm glad I can destroy you myself. Feel the power of a level 6" she instantly appeared in my face. 'The speed difference is insane now.' *boom that was all I could think before I hit the wall. *thud
I had a ax buried in my chest and shook as she stood pinning me to the wall. "Ha ha ha ha ha" all I could do is laugh hysterically. "What's so funny weak man" YOU FUCKING COW" all I could think of was that Minotaur that had me pinned in a similar position.
"Fire bolt" I blast her with magic "fire bolt" I'm using my fucked up arm for magic. She grabbed my wrist with her hand. "What did you call m" with my good arm I stabbed my dagger in her side. "Ooouuuhhh" I pull out my dragon dagger and stab her in chest. "Fucking Cow" I stab an ox slayer in her stomach.
*DONG * DONG * DONG
I charge for over 3 mins while she bleeds
"And this is poetic justice" I pull another ox slayer out and behead her.
"Aphrodite wins" "the Knight of Roses isint to be underestimated. We all thought he was done for."
"Killed a level 5 with some kind of support magic" it wasn't long before I had Aphrodite and Ishtar in front of me.
"Aphrodite you know I was just teasing you right? You won't really send me back to heaven?" "Josh" "yes my lady" "send this woman home" apparently now I have to kill a goddess. I still have a giant gash in my shoulder and chest. Blood pouring out of it. But truthfully all I thought at that moment was if that's what you want then I'll make it happen, my queen. "Hurricane" I made myself as fast as possible so nobody could stop me. I didn't know what would happen but I was told to do this so I will. As soon as my blade entered her neck it was pushed away. A giant pillar of light connected heaven and earth. I was blinded by the majestic event that happened before my eyes.
I woke up two days later sore as a bitch. I was in my room in our mansion. Kelly was asleep in a chair next to the bed with her head resting on my bed. Apparently she never left my side."Kelly leave us" I didn't notice Aphrodite at all. "Josh!" Kelly threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. "I'll come right back when our lady is done" she left quickly.
"You were magnificent what reward would you like" before I realized what I was saying "the only thing I want is you my lady" fuck why can't I lie to her. That got a giggle in response. "You have my love already. Anymore and I would drive you mad. My power is to intense. Our falna brings you closer to us gods. Maybe one day you could climb high enough to reach me. For now I'll give you this." She bent down and kissed me.
Another day later when I was feeling better I got my status updated.
Josh level 4
Advanced abilities
Luck C
Hunter D
Chain Attacks E
Skill
Rampage - can ignore pain and damage for a short while and continue fighting. Loss of reason during this state
All of my stats were over 1,500 Aphrodite told me. I even got a new skill. She said it was probably from pushing thru even when I was in a near death state. She apologized she didn't realize when she asked me to kill Ishtar or she would have gotten me help first. She just didn't have the nerve to strike a goddess down and needed my strength. I asked if I would get in trouble for killing a goddess but the rules of the war game is winner take all and all the gods knew they bet on the loser returning to heaven.
We became extremely famous after that. Two war games where we overcome the odds. We had a lot of people join our familia in the coming weeks. Aphrodite put together a whole battle team of 'mid characters' none of them seemed good enough for our main battle party. Well they will make us money by going to the labyrinth. The next to come was Roxy and Aisha. They passed Aphrodite and she sent them to me. "Why are you here?" I didn't want to deal with this woman.
"You asked me to submit to you so I came." You got to be kidding me.
"I learned Mikoto was here and was trying to find me so I wanted to join your familia." Was Roxy's answer.
"Truthfully since that day all I can think about was you. I never wanted a man to lead before but now I just want you to conquer me." I can't deal with this woman.
"I only have love for Aphrodite so keep dreaming."
"It's strange you know. I was in Ishtar familia since I was young. I know enough about charm to know your not charmed by your goddess. I also heard Ishtar couldn't charm you and you killed her man. Yet here you are with all this devotion to her."
"She's the only woman who saw me when I was nothing of course I'll use all the strength I aquire for her."
"You know I understand more then you about a goddess of beauty and sex. Their falna brings out our desires as mortals. It will slowly drive you crazy if you can't have sex. You don't notice at first but it gets worse over time. Also I'm not sure if you know but if Aphrodite were to do anything with you, you would go mad. Just know I'm always here if you need to let of steam. I mean it's only fair to be conquered by a man that could even conquer a goddess of beauty"
"Who said I would let you join?"
"Didn't Aphrodite say we were good?"
"She wouldn't have sent you to me if she let you join."
"Well even if you don't let us join I'll be your whore." I'm just gonna ignore this for now. "Aisha" Roxy couldn't believe her words. "What kind of magic did you use at the end of that battle Roxy?"
"It's a level boost she wasn't lying saying she was now a level 6."
"That's awesome Aisha I noticed your scimitar can you fight with my vanguard?" "I'm a level 4 I can handle myself. I'm not a tank though but I can certainly help hold the front. Amazon women don't wear much armor when we fight. So taking the brunt of an assault isint my style"
"I'll give you two a chance to join my battle party. Piss me off and you will lead the mid team Aisha."
"What about my Barbara? Can they join?"
"If they pass Aphrodite fine but they will be a mid team by themselves and have rooms on the second floor. Only you two are elites who get suites upstairs. Again piss me off and you will just go to the dungeon with the Barbara and live downstairs." With that I got another fighter and supporter. Along with another team of amazons to farm the dungeon for the familia.
We told the Barbara to start to farm the great tree labyrinth and the other mid team to start to work towards the 18th floor together. Since the mid team would be were we made it to last time I told the team my plan.
"I want to fight the floor boss at the great falls." The 25th thru 27th floors are connected thru a giant waterfall and river system. There also is the second monster Rex .
"Are you kidding we haven't even been to the great falls." Diana doesn't like my idea.
"I'm with you captain." Ragnar is itching for a good fight.
"Well in that case obviously we have to go on a expedition to those floors and get used to them. After that we will attack the floor boss to push you all towards level 4. Roxy can level boost up to 5 of us right now. With Diana, Aisha, and myself all level 4 I think we can do it" well anyway I had no disagreements on a expedition to the great falls. Since our mid team can handle the tree labyrinth we should go further. I told Ragnar it being a water world on those floors we need ice magic swords. I had to go buy everyone new Undine cloth that protects against the water attribute just to be safe. Unfortunately we need to bring the fire one as well. We continued in this manner for awhile