This domain of mine didn't include my RCT which was to say over half my arsenal currently. I wasn't too terribly upset about this as I'd need to be able to use both normal cursed energy and positive energy simultaneously in order to fuse it into the domain. Beyond that the domain itself was exceptionally simple and unrefined and would require time and inspiration to tweak. -

'Before that though I need to get back topside.' I thought with a chuckle as I lay prone on the platform of ice that was just drifting across the lake.

The potion I drank was still working as my cursed energy slowly refilled itself as I lay there motionlessly. I only ended up getting to a quarter capacity before the effects wore off and I had to actually put in the effort to get up. I was tempted to use my flames to blast myself up the great fall until I got back to the twenty fifth floor but I simply didn't have the energy for that. Groaning at my own short sightedness I could only look for a passage that would lead up as I formed a paddle out of ice to row the ice platform across the lake.-

Thankfully my vision was pretty good so I spotted one such passage pretty easily and paddled over towards that shore of the lake. A few Raider fish came to harass me as I paddled but I killed them easily by bonking them on the heads with the paddle. By that I mean I swung the damn thing like it was a war hammer and smashed the ever loving fuck out of the things. I didn't even bother collecting the corpses or stones that sank to the lakes bottom as at this point I frankly didn't care enough to do so.-

If this causes a variant of some sort to show up so be it but I was tired as hell and just wanted nothing more than to sleep. Domain expansion use was both physically and mentally draining so I was fresh out of fucks to give. Don't get me wrong I'll totally hunt down any variant that shows up down here as a result but I couldn't bother with preventing one at this time. Besides if anything more variants is better for me anyways as it means new materials to work with.-

Ironically in that same vein I was totally stocked up on materials that I'll need to figure out what the fuck to do with from the Amphisbaena. The stone was slated for my barrier project but the rest was frankly not something I had thought about taking beyond maybe the hide, crystals, fangs and bones. Even the usual guaranteed drop of the monster rex, it's dragon liver, was slated for the Blue pharmacy beforehand as it was an expensive alchemical ingredient. All the meat, brains, eyes, lungs and other organs however were not things I had originally thought of taking but ended up with anyways because of my domain.-

I was nothing if not adaptable though and already had some ideas about what some of them may be used for. Once I finally stepped onto solid ground again I sighed in relief as the uneven wobbling of the ice platform was not pleasant at all. I didn't get motion sickness or anything but the rocking was annoying to say the least. It also didn't help that have monster infested waters under you made traversal across the lake EXTRA unpleasant. -

Now that I was on solid ground though I no longer needed to worry about that. To no surprise the tunnel heading up looked like the rest of the tunnels with stone walls and floors and crystals lining it's length. I finally took a moment now that I didn't need to be worried about ambush from below to dig out my last mana potion and down it to restore my cursed energy faster. Tired or not the monsters ahead wouldn't be pulling any punches and I needed my energy to deal with them. As I walked however I found an odd lack of monsters as none seemed to be around.-

I soon found out why that was when I rounded a bend and came across a very odd scene. A black skinned and red furred minotaur was sitting on a stone near the waters edge while a mermaid was carefully dripping blood onto it's wounds. Once I saw the souls within both monsters however I understood what was going on.

"Yo!" I called out with a wave causing both Xenos to stiffen and tense as they looked at me with the minotaur in particular looking rather unfriendly(murderous). 

I raised my hands to show I meant no harm "Easy there big guy, I'm on your side." I said honestly.

"Identify yourself." a deep voice came from the minotaurs throat as it's gaze remained as intense as ever.

"Alexander Drake, Captain of the Hestia familia and an ally of Fels and Ouranos in regards to your kind. Your turn." I said calmly.

Both Xenos visibly relax after I speak which told me that they recognized who I said I was and were much less openly tense as a result.

"Asterius." the minotaur says gruffly.

"I'm Marie! You made the sky orb right!? Can you make me one too!?" the mermaid said with a bright excited smile that was honestly adorable.

I took off my helm/mask and smiled at her "I can do even better. How's about a bracelet that would let you live with the others?" I asked.

"REALLY!?" she exclaimed in surprise and joy.

I nod "You probably need to stay be in water to move about which means you can't live with the others without slowing them down. I can make a bracelet that will create a sort of bubble that you can use to move about on dry land with your mind. I already have a ring that creates water so that is also not a problem." I said honestly.

"Please!" she said with big bright blue eyes.

I nodded and under their gazes started digging through my bag to pull out a glowing blue crystal chunk that came off Amphisbaena. I activated my technique and began to refine the material slowly while shaping it into a smooth jade-like bracelet big enough to go over Marie's hand but small enough not to accidentally fall off. I then create the cursed technique that I imbue into the bracelet but frown as I realize I didn't have a cursed stone on hand.