Ch 32 -part 2 - Floorboss

I wondered if it was at last time to throw a point into Paramore’s mending, and see what its upgrade path might look like. But that was a question to consider together, not one to make on the spur of the moment. 

“Ding! Level twelve!” Jennie said. 

“Ding! Fourteen!” Ravale did a little skip. 

“Well done, everyone!” Hera said. “And congrats to our Levelers!” 

“What are you?” I asked, from the ground. 

“Sixteen.” She answered. “Nyke too.” 

“Please don't share my Animus.” Nyke grumbled. 

“It's just your LEVEL! Trust people, baby!” Hera coaxed. 

I blinked, registering the term of endearment. I wondered if there was something between them, or if Hera was just one of those girls who called everyone babe and honey and stuff. 

A golden chest materialized as the last wisp of the boss vanished. 

Inside was the best loot any of us had yet seen. 

Three trinkets with excellent enchantments. One coral sword, that none of us could use but that would sell for a pile of tokens. A chestplate that might be good for Nyke or Serenity. And last– 

Jennie whistled. “Those vows really paid off, huh…!” 

“You crazy bitch!” Hera whispered at me, awed. 

A sphere that looked like the last rays of sunset had been folded in on themselves. A catalyst. A legendary rarity Catalyst. 

“I can identify it, if that is agreeable.” Lorna offered, floating up to the chest. 

“Wait.” Nyke barked. 

Lorna stopped. 

Everyone turned to the upset tank. 

She crossed her arms defensively. “I'm just saying, it's team loot.” 

“Obviously.” I nodded, confused. 

“I don't want you claiming we have to give it to you, because you took some stupid vows that have nothing to do with us.” Nyke said. 

Ohhhh. 

“The vows only apply to catalysts I loot, myself.” I said, relieved that was all it was. 

“Fuck that, it's obviously for you.” Hera snorted. “Babyyy,” She turned to Nyke. “she took that vow and the very next day we find a LEGENDARY catalyst?! That's not a coincidence.” 

Nyke stood her ground scowling. “So if I take a vow that I will take all loot from all of my dives? My team just has to give it to me?” 

“No.” I shook my head. “You're right, that would be crazy. It belongs to all of us. Lorna was just going to identify it. But we can just take it to the school and they'll take care of all that.” 

“I also think Eir should get it.” Jennie said. 

“Of course you do.” Nyke rolled her eyes. “You're part of her little harem.” 

I winced, and Jennie bristled. 

“Let's just take a step back!” Ravale piped up. 

Like many quiet people, Ravale tended to command attention when she did speak. That, and she regularly held everyone's lives in her hands, when they needed healing. 

“We aren't going to be one of those teams that turns on each other over some stupid loot.” She said, “Nyke is right that everyone should get a say in how all loot is distributed.” 

Nyke nodded, sullen but appeased. 

“Hera and Jennie are also right.” Ravale continued. 

Nyke made to speak, but thought better of it, under Ravale’s raised eyebrow. 

“Eir.” She said, turning to me. 

“I want the team to have it.” I threw my hands up. 

“What are the exact terms of your Catalyst vow?” She asked. 

“I just have to use any that I personally loot. And I can't use any others.”  I said. “So as long as I'm not literally the one to pull it out the chest, I'm pretty sure we are good.” 

“We constructed the vow this way to avoid conflicts such as this.” Lorna added, calmly. 

Ravale nodded. “So the decision what to do with this is with us. Either Eir picks it up, and uses it, or one of us does, and it's off the table for her forever.” 

“So then?” Nyke took a step toward the chest. 

Hera wrapped her arms around her guardian’s waist and arrested her. “We haven't decided yet, big dog, just wait a second.” 

She planted several kisses on the sullen tank’s cheek. 

Definitely something going on there, then! 

I tried not to feel the little thread of disappointment. Hera was pretty great. As a teammate. That's all. 

“Eir. Please identify the stone.” Ravale ordered. 

“I really don't want–” I started. 

“Eir.” Ravale scolded. I froze. “This is a team decision. Please identify the stone for us.” 

I looked to Lorna, who nodded and placed her hands over the chest and performed the same brief ritual she had when we’d found Jennie’s catalyst, that first day in the dungeon. 

“Catalyst of…” she murmured. 

Hera did a little drum roll on Nyke’s breastplate, getting a reluctant smile from the grouchy girl. 

“Chaos.” Lorna announced. 

Lucy clasped my hand and gasped. 

…Fuck. 

I squeezed her, but couldn't match her happiness. 

My patron was not being subtle. That was more than a little bit of a coincidence. One of the rarest Catalysts in the world. Probably not another on the market on the continent. Not exactly a subtle hint, either. 

“So?” Nyke scoffed. 

“See?” Hera cheered. “It's basically destiny!” 

Jennie crossed her arms smugly. “It’s literally made for her.”

“What does it being a Chaos catalyst have to do with giving it to Eir?!” Nyke demanded, looking frustrated and baffled. 

“Eir.” Ravale prompted. “Do you have anything you'd like to tell us?” 

I paused. Hera and Ravale were both looking at me shrewdly. Jennie was tilting her head expectantly. 

From the way they'd reacted…did Hera and Ravale know my secret?!

I looked at my Familiars, checking in with them through our bonds. They seemed ready to follow my lead, which was touching but unhelpful. 

“I'll go first, then.” Hera offered. “My Class is Skybreaker and I’m the Herald of Death.”