Danmachi: Heroic Will
Rated; M (Blood/Gore)
Disclaimer; I do not own Danmachi or anything created by the author Fujino Ōmori, all rights go to him
Summary: 8 Years after Bell Cranel becomes an adventurer, everything he has built as well as love has fallen after the mysterious awakening across the globe. As a final resort he managed to travel back in time to right before he started his march to the great city of Orario to become an adventurer. Follow Bell Cranel as he fights for a future where everything that he holds dear may survive and faces supposedly impossible odds to achieve his goals.
22: The Knossos
Normal POV
=Babel Tower, Top Floor=
"Lady Freya, Bell Cranel seems to be heading towards the entertainment district according to recent reports from Allen. The reason is yet unknown" The Executive Elf, Hedin Selland reported to Freya on the top floor of Babel. Ottar, who stood next to his goddess, nodded to the Elf.
"Ara ara, what does he want with that place? Thank you and well done Hedin" The Elf shuddered and blushed as Freya glanced at him.
"Thank you Lady Freya" Said Elf tried to compose himself but simply couldn't. To the usual mortal, being complimented by a goddess of beauty is simply incomprehensible to them and could cause them to have a major shutdown in brain activity for a couple of seconds, up to an entire minute.
"You have been oddly patient with the boy for the last week" The Boaz commented
"It's per your request, dear. Bell Cranel proved more capable than I initially predicted. He not only noticed my gaze, but also deduced that I was behind the release of the monsters at the Monsterphilia" Ottar nodded
"Indeed, It is odd that he is that effective, but it was an important lesson for us all" Freya smiled, as she shifted her gaze to the pure, starfire soul, jumping between rooftops, heading towards the Entertainment district.
"I wonder what his business is with Ishtar" Freya looked at Ottar "Tell Allen and the Gulliver brothers to keep an eye on him" The Boaz nodded and immediately left, pulling the still stunned Elf with him.
Freya wasn't going to let Ishtar get her dirty claws into him, that boy was hers, and hers alone and nobody had the right to play with him except her.
Bell's POV
=Traveler's Inn=
On the way towards the Entertainment District, I stopped at Hermes household. I simply walked inside as Hermes had told everyone that I was welcome there at all times.
I quickly headed upstairs towards Hermes personal room. Once I was there I simply knocked twice before opening the door. Hermes looked up from his desk and smiled, obviously happy with a distraction from the work he had to do.
"Bell! Are you already done?" I nodded "Yeah, I was going to head to the entertainment district after I give you this key" I put it in his hand "Don't lose it alright, It's incredibly impor-" Hermes completely cut me off with a dirty grin
"Entertainment District ey? Here" He opened a drawer and grabbed something before slamming it into my palm "You will find need for this. Have fun for the both of us" He pushed me out of the room and locked the door behind me. Why do I get a sense of Deja vu?
I looked down and groaned, it was the damn Aphrodisiac that haunted me last time around. I am soooooo not keeping this, I don't need it. I already got someone I like and I don't want to fool around like some kind of crazy hooligan.
I threw the Aphrodisiac out the window with everything I had, sending it half way across Orario. I think the glass was reinforced on the bottle so whoever finds it. I hope you use it well.
I quickly left Hermes Familia's home and started heading towards the Entertainment district to ease my nerves. I wanted to at least see Haruhime one time before I'll deal with that asshole, Dix.
Within the hour, I managed to get to the entertainment district. I looked for the Brothel where they kept Haruhime, but before I knew it, I got lost. How the hell did that even happen? I have memorized the entirety of Orario from every meter to centimeter.
It simply made no sense, it's not like Orario was blown up between the ti- Wait, didn't Freya blow up half the entertainment district last time to protect me from Ishtar?
Right, That's why I got lost. I memorized the 'new' Entertainment district. Not the one that is in front of me.
"Hey there cutie! Want to have some fun?" I snapped my head to the right to a white haired amazoness. Oh god, the prostitutes are starting to notice me.
"This one's cute" Another Amazoness leaned in right in my face "How about you spend a night with me?" My face immediately burned, this is just embarrassing. This body is 14 years old! These amazoness were 20-25 years old easily! That's simply molesting, but it's Orario. Normal standards don't really apply here.
I tried to gain my composure, but more and more amazoness started showing up and my escape path was getting smaller by the second, so instead I opted for the plan that no one has ever done before.
I ran, and ran and ran. I knocked into multiple people on my path to escape the prostitutes. I turned a corner and within a single millisecond, skin was so barely scraping my face, I could pretty much feel it touch the tip of my skin.
I jumped backwards, landing on my bum. I looked up, making sure who it was before I did anything out of the ordinary.
Who I saw made my face go pale. In front of me was Aisha, currently under the charm of Ishtar which made her my biggest nightmare.
I started backing up as she looked at me with a smirk that grew by the second. If there was one thing in this world that I couldn't handle, it was Aisha Belka, the extremely forward Amazoness who wanted to 'Mate' with me like a dog chased it's mate. It was scary and any man that experienced anything similar was either scarred for life or hiding.
"A new face? Young too, seems strong with the speed you were moving at" I audibly gulped as she grabbed a hold of me. I struggled before breaking free of her grip, I backed away again, before realizing that I was cornered.
Aisha on the other hand was wide eyed. Someone that managed to break free from her grip. An advanced level 3, almost level 4. This was something that never happened for her, so to meet a male that had the strength to do that was eye opening for her.
Just looking at her as her gaze changed into a predatory one made me gulp. I didn't want to hurt her since she eventually became a valued Ally to me, but that would mean surrendering myself to them which would lead me right to Ishtar.
It struck me now that this was exactly how everything happened to me last time around. Just the circumstances were different.
Aisha leaned into my face "Mind paying for a night with me?" I backed up once again, just to be grabbed by Lena, who was behind me.
Aisha took over the hold but had me in a grip that suppressed my strength. Lena, Who had let go, took a good look at me before recognition flashed in her eyes. I already knew what that meant.
"Isn't that the Little Rookie? The Captain of the Hestia Familia who beat Apollo?" Aisha let go and grabbed my face to take a look.
All of the amazoness started smirking, thinking they were going to 'suck me dry'.
I quickly swatted her hand away from my face, and dodge rolled to Aisha's side.
"Sorry, I don't got time to play around" I quickly dashed forwards at full speed. I gently heard Aisha's scream of 'GET HIM' from behind.
One thing that I knew is that Aisha can't keep up with me. Phryne is probably the only one that had a chance right now but it was very slim, but thankfully, she was not here.
I quickly got away from the Amazoness and stopped, sighing in relief before looking around. I spotted a building down the street that looked like my destination. Good, Let's just hope Haruhime is there.
I got right in front of the building… actually more like a far eastern mansion, before I jumped over the wall. I quickly headed inside and went to the room that I remembered was Haruhime's room. I heard voices nearby so I entered the room and closed it behind me.
I turned around to be greeted by a blond renart in a red kimono, kneeling on the ground.
"I have been waiting for you, sir" A small pause "I will be your companion for the night" another small pause "My name is Haruhime" This awoke memories, I was completely flabbergasted the last time I was here. I couldn't even speak.
She stood up and grabbed my hand, just like last time around. It was probably best to let her do her thing, she will pass out the moment she sees my collarbone.
"Please, Come this way" I obeyed the order. She laid me down on a futon and proceeded to straddle my lap. I went completely red in the face at the prospect of what this entire scenario would seem like for anyone walking into the room.
"Let me handle… e-everything" She stuttered. She proceeded to lean down really close to my lips "Please relax" She started taking off my black coat, spotting my collarbone. At that moment, I knew it was over.
"A man… A man's collarbone?" Aaaand she was gone, completely passed out, sprawled out over me. Great, I forgot that I was stuck like this for 15 minutes.
*Knock Knock*
"Haruhime, are you okay in there?" The door opened to reveal 2 amazoness who immediately went wide eyed once they spotted me.
"A- sorry, please continue" The closed the door as they muttered words as they left
"Never thought that Haruhime would manage to pin down a man"
I sighed, and waited, and waited, and waited. It felt like hours before Haruhime finally woke up and released me from her death grip after she passed out.
She was passed out for around 45 minutes before waking up, which again felt like hours. Once she got up, she kept apologizing to me enthusiastically over and over again.
"It's okay, by the way, I am not here for a night with you. I am here to hide out from some rampaging Amazoness that chased me" Her eyes widened in concern?
"Does one of them happen to be called 'Aisha'?" I nodded
"I see, I'm sorry she put you through some trouble. She has always been really nice to me since I got here" My eyes saddened knowing that Aisha wasn't her usual self, well, usual, usual self. She was still just as hotheaded and painstakingly aggressive sexualy.
"It's alright, I completely understand"
"Thank you for understanding, I will take you to a shortcut out of the city once they calm down. She seems to have alerted the others in the Familia" I looked outside where she was focusing her gaze. It did indeed seem that most of the free familia members were running around, looking for me.
"Thank you Haruhime" She smiled at me before sitting down in a seiza position on a small Futon.
"Not to be rude, but I would like to get your name mister" I blinked, right, I hadn't given her my name. I chuckled and scratched the back of my head.
"Sorry, my name is Bell Cranel" she nodded while smiling "Also, while we wait. How about we talk a little?" She nodded before asking her why I came to Orario. At first I thought about me coming here to be an adventurer, it was kind of funny how pure my goal was originally. Becoming an adventurer, meetings cute girls in the dungeon and making a Harem. How times change.
I looked up to Haruhime as I exited my thoughts "I came to Orario mostly to become an adventurer, but I also have the goal of becoming strong enough to protect the people I love"
"That's very heroic of you. It reminds me of the stories that I read in my homeland of adventurers coming to Orario, seeking fame, wealth or as one of them did, searched the dungeon for the grail" I smiled and chuckled while muttering 'The Adventures of Garlad'
"You know of it?"
"Yeah, growing up, I read a lot of stories of adventurers. The Majority of them spoke of Orario where they took place. It was actually one of the major reasons I was inspired to come to Orario. In order to live up to the legends among other things" Reminiscing of events that happened a long time ago for me is really nostalgic. Also watching Haruhimes ecstatic face is satisfying too.
"I also wanted to come to Orario when I was little because of the stories and plays in the Far East"
"Is that why you came to Orario?" Even though I already knew, I needed to ask so that I could talk about it freely.
"The reason I wanted to go here? Yes. The reason that I managed to get here? No. I was actually disowned by my parents. It was because I drowsily ate an offering which angered my Father. A Pallum took me away, but he abandoned me on the road after we were attacked by monsters" Here eyes were sad throughout the story. This had really left an emotional scar on her.
"Once the monsters left, I was found by a group of bandits who sold me to Ishtar here in Orario, which led me to where I am now"
"Wow, That is really sad. You definitely deserve better than from what you said. I mean, I have known you for about an hour and you are probably the most well mannered girl that I have ever met" Haruhime blushed and peeked down at the ground.
"T-thank you" She smiled. We continued to talk about differing subjects, but we usually always came back to the stories of Heroes. Before we knew it, it was morning and she led me to the edge of the entertainment district where we said our goodbyes.
Once I was an acceptable distance away, I looked back before shifting my gaze to the ground.
"To think that if I won't get involved. She will die in 2 days now" I shook my head and decided to focus on the task ahead. The Xenos on the 18th floor. I jumped up on a roof before peeking around, before knowing exactly which direction my home is at.
I started traversing the city, heading home to prepare to sneak inside the dungeon. Let's just hope that it's the Ganesha Familia once again that Ganesha is supposed to be handling it.
Normal POV
=Babel Plaza, Morning After=
"Our mission is to TAME the monsters on the 18th floor, NOT kill them. Got it?" Groans were heard at Ganesha's once in a lifetime understandable explanation.
"Why aren't we just killing them? They destroyed Rivira, and who knows how many of the inhabitants have been killed so far" Agreement was rippling all the way through the Ganesha familia except for one misfit in the bunch. A hooded adventurer with white hair and red eyes. Nobody except for Ganesha, Hermes, Ouranos, Fels and my Familia knew that Bell was here.
"We are taming them because of the uniqueness of these monsters. They are monsters actually wearing armor and using battle techniques instead of just swinging and hoping mindlessly. It would help us tremendously in our understanding of the monsters themselves" The murmurs were calming down after that. Ganesha had a point that was irrefutable.
"Alright, it's time for you guys to head out. Do it like Shakti planned. Group one will be led by shakti through the route E-105 while Ilta will lead group 2 through route D-101 to minimize the distance between each other"
""""Yes!""""
"Alright, Head out and Good Luck!" everyone started to march. Bell was assigned to Shakti's group since she knew who he was as well as his involvement with the Xenos. She was the perfect choice.
Shakti was at the front while Bell in the back, wearing some support equipment. He was currently under the Alias, Adrian Vixtrix.
"Hey, Adrian. You alright back there with all that baggage? You're a new adventurer after all" Bell peeked up just enough for them just to see his eyes.
"I'm alright, It isn't that heavy compared to what I used to carry at the farm"
"You used to farm huh? Why did you want to become an adventurer?"
"Oh, you know. The usual, just wanted a better source of income, a little more luxurious than a farmer" It was a good reason to become an adventurer, but this was just for his Alias, Valis hasn't really been a motivator for him… like ever.
"Heh, I get ya kid, Just keep working hard and you will get there one day" Bell nodded and tried to melt into the crowd more in order to be less noticeable.
Most of the trip was uneventful except a few Killer ants or imps and orcs ambushing them. They quickly got down to the 13th floor within 2 hours. It was very quiet, most probably because of the massive outflow of adventurers after Rivera was destroyed.
The only monsters that were spotted were an almiraj here and there and maybe a couple of Lygerfangs. There were no Minotaurs or any hellhound. The Goliath was also killed by a scheduled expedition of the Soma Familia half a week ago.
By the time they reached the 18th floor, they were greeted with a view that Bell had seen too many times to count. Half the forest had burned down from badly aimed magic, as well as from missed miniature fire bombs. There were people still running away from Riveria, but a very small amount. This view was one that he saw constantly during his 2 years after the Fall of Orario.
Bell looked down at the fire as the Ganesha Familia started moving. He nodded at Shakti who glanced at him in silent questioning.
He quickly melted into the crowd and slowly fell behind before he was at the very back. Once he was there, he dropped the bags he was carrying and headed into the forest, quickly sprinting past the Ganesha Familia and arriving near Rivira. The Xenos were basically torturing some people but left others alone unless provoked. The people they were torturing were members of the Ikelos Familia. Bell watched as they pierced one man's shoulder with a spear as he squealed in pain.
"WHERE DID YOU TAKE OUR COMRADES?"
"I don't know… I DON'T KNOW! PLEASE STOP!" This went on and on. Eventually Bell decided to start heading towards the Knossos once the Ganesha Familia had made their move, but by then, the Xenos already had what they wanted.
Bell quickly maneuvered through the forest, dodging monsters from the 19th and 17th floor that had walked between floors. Once he reached the wall of the floor, he looked at it before spotting the crevice where the entrance should be. Unfortunately, The dungeon had covered it up. The only piece of good news is that he managed to squeeze in the time in the morning to visit Hermes and get their Key. The only question is where Fels is now, he should be down here, monitoring the situation.
"Fels! Are you out there?" Bell looked behind him, waiting for an answer. Nothing
"Fels, the entrance to the knossos is behind this wall. Here" I lifted my hand while muttering 'Heat Tempest'. I focused the fire into the same blast that is Firebolt and blew the wall open.
Behind said wall was a giant Durandal Door. Unbreakable, unless melted, but that would be a waste of mind so he just used the key.
Bell walked forward as the door opened automatically, recognizing the key strapped to his belt. He moved to enter the Knossos, getting ready since Dix was most likely in here
"ROARRRRRRRRRR" Bell looked behind him, recognizing that roar.
"Asterius" He whispered under his breath while smirking. Well, well, He was alive alright! Bell had guessed that the dungeon had sped the spawning of Xenos as well as variants by a massive degree but with this, it was basically confirmed. Every key Xenos was born months before they should have been.
Whatever, he needed to focus on the task at hand. Before Bell turned around, he spotted a dark cloak, slowly walking towards his position.
"Fels, I was wondering when you would show yourself"
"We don't have time for the pleasantries, the Xenos are almost here so we need to enter and free the others quickly" Bell nodded, sighing since he knew it wouldn't be that easy.
They walked inside together, doors opening over and over again before closing behind them. Eventually, they started hearing strange noises, almost like moaning.
Once they got closer Bell already knew it was the Xenos, moaning out in agony since their strength was basically no existent after a long dose of brutal torture.
Once they managed to find the room and enter, there were cages, hanging from the ceiling, built into the walls or placed against them. Some were even in random places around the room. There was not a single cage that was empty.
Bell looked around, spotting a few familiar faces, before looking up and spotting the one he was looking for.
"Wiene" He whispered. The sounds of walking entered Fels and Bell's ears. Multiple at that, too many for how many they were supposed to be.
From the shadows, an adult man with dark blue hair and eyes walked forth, flashing his red jacket alongside the goggles on his head.
"Well, Well what do we have here? Another torture participant?" Bell's eyes narrowed at the cruel man.
"Dix Perdix"
"Ohh, you know who I am? Well, that's surprising since I thought that by now, rumors of my death would have spread and passed"
"Oh, Believe me, I never thought of you as a dead man" Behind him came other members of the Ikelos familia, only level 2's and 1's.
*CLANG* *CLANG*
Bell's eyes widened as something akin to a bowling ball equipped with heavy duty armor walked from the darkness.
"A youngster eyy" The bowling ball headed adventurer lifted the eyeguard on her helmet to reveal Phryne Jamil of the Ishtar Familia. Why the hell is she here? Bell couldn't handle two level 5 adventurers at once. He hasn't fought Phryne or Dix long enough to know their fighting style! On top of that there are multiple level 1's and 2's to handle. This will just be impossible unless he makes use of Argonaut and Heat Tempe-
"Magia obstructionum!" The voice caught Bell off guard as a dark light engulfed me before disappearing. The location from where the voice came from was completely engulfed in darkness, making it impossible to see where the person is.
Something felt off to Bell, he tried to figure it out but before that, Phryne got her giant battle axe ready as Dix muttered something.
"Phobetor Daedalus" The red light Bell remembered from last time flew towards him at a blinding speed. It wasn't like the last time where he spread it out. Dix was specifically focusing on one point, increasing the speed at which the magic travels.
Bell's mind went out of focus, he could barely see straight as he could hear voices in his head.
"Ohh? You can actually resist the curse? It was a good thing we brought Sharay then" Bell tried to focus and managed to squeeze out 2 words
"Heat Tempest"
"..."
"..."
Nothing, not fire, absolutely nothing. Bell realized why Dix mentioned that it was good that they brought someone. That voice, 'Magia Obstructionum' Could it be latin for Magic Obstruction?
Bell Cursed, things were getting worse by the second
"You seem to have realized, your magic is sealed. You can't use it. I knew that you would come here eventually after you stole the key from Ikelos, just not this fast. It was a good thing we brought Ishtar Familia with us then" Dix was grinning. This was the worst possible combination of events that could have occurred. Not only can't Bell think straight but his magic, his biggest trump card is sealed.
Fels who was behind seemed to be getting nervous. He was steadily taking steps back. Through a lot of effort, Bell managed to pull out a coherent sentence to him.
"Fel-s… Please… Leave…" Fels seemed to understand and went invisible before leaving the area.
"Saving you friend huh? You're a level 3, we are two level 5 adventurers and your magic is sealed as well as there is strain on your mind. You have no chance of winning" Dix pulled out his sword before he and Phryne charged at him at full speed
That is the end of chapter 22, I hope you enjoyed it. It took a while to write but it's finally done.
Let's dive right into the reviews
1995hzq: Bell starts things Ablaze! I can't wait for the next chapter!
Author: Yeah, It's kind of weird but in the novel and anime. Bell really likes to start fights with his firebolt or finish them with it. It's almost as if he has a fixation on fire xD
Ca1Piggy: This Story is severely lacking in lap pillows!
Author: Well, Lap pillows aren't everything ya know and if I indulged the lap pillows instead of the actual story, then the fanfiction would be wayyyyy to long
Guest: This is good. Story is at a good pace and there is good grammar. Keep up the good work
Author: Well, that is also a point to the last review. The pacing would be off with lap pillows everywhere. Also I wouldn't say that my grammar is good. You have no Idea how many mistakes I make while writing the chapter. It's to the point it's really embarrassing :)
Guest: This is a very excellent work,I wish you will continue your story,I really love you
Author: Thank you, I do try my best to write a good story although I really don't know how to respond to the 'declaration of love' xD
JintoLin: There is so much to unpack here that i don't even know what is canon and what is Heroic Will.
Biggest stand out that i kept in the back of my mind was Ai's comment on "Her Rabbit" which is nice she is starting to understand training is not everything there is to living and maybe even understanding the concept of friends
While I was sad to see Weine leave, I still say Bell made the right choice with the info he had but in the end it seemed like there was not winning :(
Hermes i wonder if he is a carefree good or really good at acting but either was that Familia would crumble without Andromeda. Poor girl is going to die of stress before the dungeon has a chance.
I think both Andromeda and Eina needs to have a discussion on coping with trying to Distress after dealing with both of their antics :P
Author: Yeah, Since it's a fanfiction I wanted to make changes to the cannon. I of course won't say the changes since that would spoil things. Ais is definitely enjoying her time sparring. It's a new sensation for her to fight somebody that can actually keep up with her since no one in their familia can except for the executives but they are always busy. Because of this, she quite realises the joys of enjoying her time with others as she knows it wouldn't be the same without Bell which in turn changes her.
Hermes is honestly a giant mystery in Danmachi. He can be really goofy sometimes, especially while drunk, but also seems to act a lot. It's not a secret what his goal is, but his personality is kind of wack.
Yeah, The Hermes familia would completely crumble without andromeda, she honestly is the only reason they are afloat while their god is the reason they are almost always either in debt or trouble.
That conversation idea would be a fun idea to include in a one shot of some kind related to the story, but I can't really indulge in a lot of small events since that would make this fanfiction wayyy too long (already made this point earlier).
Tetan01: Wonder if you can add some more 'ancient' lore…
Author: That will actually be included later on. I am planning to write a prequel story once I am done with this one that focuses on Bell's discovery of the time traveling spell and its connection to the past. That will explore a lot of the ancient lore and connections but it won't be for quite a while. Not until i'm done with this one and gotten a small break (around a week to two weeks).
That's all the Reviews and I thank you all for them! I hope I see you next chapter!