Dungeon of Niflheim

“Ahhhhhhh! Kiba stoppppppp!” Frost quickly roared out, but it was too late. Kiba had already begun his approach and wasn’t skilled enough to stop his momentum or alter his trajectory in time, not that he wanted to anyway. His leaping into Frost’s arms was a sign of affection, bonding skin ship that he did with Druakai and Ruby.

Booomm!

A loud boom resounded throughout the area when the two made contact and vast plumes of ice, snow and dirt exploded outwards, temporarily obscuring the two.

A few seconds later when the dust settled Kiba could be seen with a happy smile on his face, his eyes upturned into crescent moons as he affectionately rubbed his massive head against Frost’s chest.

Frost however portrayed a mixed expression, anger, affection, frustration and even some pain. The young dungeon core realising his partner’s feelings braced himself for the impact, refusing to cower. His feet dug deep into ground so as to withstand the force that was coming.

As a result the ground fiercely shook and even cracked outwards from the soles of his feet. His nearly 2 metre frame sinking down 30cm as he redirected the majority of Kiba’s flying force into the ground. The remainder however was taken by his legs and boy did they hurt right now, he could have sworn he heard something crack at his kneecaps, the pain was quite uncomfortable.

But on seeing Kiba’s happy expression he really couldn’t get mad at him, the big kitten that he was.

“Haaaaaaaaa” Frost let out a deep sigh before rubbing Kiba’s fur.

.....

“You do realise that you weigh over a ton right?” He asked with a slightly disgruntled tone causing the big tiger’s face to twitch a little, the consequences of his actions finally donning on him.

Kiba looked at Frost’s face then at his own body before tilting his head to the side using the soul bond between the two of them to communicate.

“No I didn’t just call you fat!” Frost’s expression darkened.

‘This damn tiger’s messing with me isn’t he.’ Frost proceeded to place his knuckles on the side of Kiba’s head and twist, the same action he had seen Daki do to punish her brother.

“You’re not a little cub, you can’t just launch yourself at people, if it wasn’t me or Maya you’d crush them to death.” Frost exerted a little more strength causing Kiba to whine and beg for forgiveness, yet a playful smile still adorned his lips, his inner thoughts unable to be hidden from his master.

‘You’re stronger than I am and you’re fine so what’s the big deal, are you really not going to praise my flying ability?’ Kiba wanted to be praised, he worked hard and deserved a reward.

“You...tch!” Seeing as Kiba wasn’t reflecting and even blamed him for overreacting Frost couldn’t help but sigh and click his tongue. The pressure from his knuckles dramatically increasing for a second before letting him go.

“Fine I can see you’ve worked hard on your flying abilities and have improved greatly over the past week, well done.” Frost petted Kiba’s head softly, praising him as Kiba wished.

“Chufff” Kiba chuffed which basically translated as ‘I know right, praise me more.’ This got him a forehead flick.

“Don’t get cocky, you’ve still got a long way to go before you can be considered an aerial combatant besides your training ends here, there’s actual work to be done.” Frost showed a wild smile. It was time for Kiba and his bestial corps to finally get some action.

The coeurl pups and ice wolves arrived on the scene at this time and happened to overhear Frost words. Wild expressions adorned each of their faces, they bared their fangs and tensed their limbs at the prospect of battle.

Kiba was no different, his aura swiftly changed.

“Roar?” Kiba asked for confirmation.

“Yes the mid stages have now arrived, you and your bestial corps are free to go wild to your hearts content, decimate the intruders without mercy.” A cold and vicious look appeared in Kiba’s eyes, his monster instincts coming to the forefront before he let out a loud roar, too which his subordinates roared back. Like Frost, Kiba was giving his men and women a rousing speech before leading his team to the first floor where the battle would be held. Each of them moved with great speed, clearly displaying their eagerness to fight.

“Looks like I don’t need to worry about the first few days.” Frost felt at ease watching Kiba and his team rush off. Their combined strength would at the very least double the aggregate power held at the dungeon’s entrance. Even if a C-rank monster shows up Kiba and Findlay would be able to take care of it even without his aid.

“Guess I’ll go and see Maya and the kids next; the tremors may have gotten them worried.” Frost shook his head before teleporting to the private space. The kids were quite alarmed by the first set of tremors as it brought back some traumatic memories. He needed to make sure they were alright first of all before informing them of the situation.

Nanna and Loki would be taking on the roles of commanders, utilising the Dungeon menu to direct and control the battlefield that was a bit too demanding for a single person especially when said person was dying to fight on the front lines and test out his new and improved magic abilities.

Frost’s study of the high earth rank cold flame had resulted in a dynamic change in not just his mana veins and spells but also his chakra. Thankfully he wasn’t like Maya who was incompatible with cold flames, he could quite easily alter his chakra’s form into something non-physical, he just needed some live practise.

“I was wondering when you’d come back, I take it the mid stages are starting.” Maya spoke up from the sofa the moment he arrived. Nanna and Loki were sitting on the floor at the coffee table focusing on their work, but it was clear they were a little shaken.

Frost gave Maya a look too which she nodded, indicating that they were fine, just a little shocked, nothing to worry about. Frost let out a thankful sigh, relieved that was the case before walking towards the two of them.

“Nanna, Loki what Maya said is true, the mid stages have started, and you know what that means.” He showed another wild smile too which the two phoenix kin looked at one another before showing similar expressions. Finally they would also be able to take part in the battle, fighting and helping their master. Of course they wouldn’t be on the front lines like Kiba and Findlay. God no Frost and Maya would never allow that, but they would be in charge of directing just as they did during the war with Gobuske. Frost even assigned each of them special squads which were solely under their charge, something they were very much grateful for.

“Battle maniacs the lot of you.” Maya complained and shook her head, not knowing where she went wrong in teaching these three.

Frost, Nanna and Loki all turned to face the mighty fenrir woman, confusion clear in their eyes.

‘What’s this lady talking about she’s the most battle crazed one here.’ The three then looked at one another and giggled, irritating Maya as she felt made fun of for some reason.

As predicted around an hour later the first wave of the mid stages arrived and the moment it did Frost teleported to the entrance and stood on the bottom wall, Findlay loyally standing by his side.

“Roar!” Kiba roared out loud drawing Frost’s gaze, he was there too hovering in the air so he could see over the wall, his bestial corps dotted around the area, fangs baring, and claws outstretched in anticipation.

“Looks like everyone is accounted for then.” Frost’s eyes glittered with fire as he refocused his gaze towards the entrance, the faint sounds of maddened howls could almost be heard.

Frost brought up the dungeon menu to see what was about to arrive, Findlay peered over his shoulder also eager to see, his axe already primed and sharpened.

“Hoh the mid stages certainly are at another level.” Frost’s lips turned upwards as he witnessed the horde through the menu.

“Well everyone it seems as though this wave will be much more numerous and contain far worthier foes.” Frost spoke in a booming voice drawing everyone’s attention.

“By my count there’s close to a hundred enemies, almost double the usual amount and stock full of F, E and even several D-ranks. They should make for an appetising starting course don’t you think?” The monsters present on the ice walls chuckled, amused by their master’s interpretation of these intruders. So what if there was a hundred enemies without a single G-rank in sight. Their prepared forces were nothing like it was for the early stages. Not a single monster present was beneath E-rank, this wave would find only death here today.