Disclaimer: I do not own Danmachi or make profits off this fanfiction. AN- I've commissioned a cover on fiverr for this story. It'll feature Aphrodite, Bell and Raphtalia.
Aphrodite sighed as she looked at Bells' status. He didn't level up from the battle, but he was astonishing her none the less. All her children were really.
Bell was looking over his sheet with wonder and gasping. Aphrodite had explained to him that while Adventurers could cap at 999-S for a Basic Ability. Heroes could go beyond that. Especially if the Basic Ability corresponded with their Legendary Weapon.
Bell Cranel Race: Hume Bunny. Occupation: Hero. Level: 1. Alias: -. Previous Alias: -.
Exilia: 45,765/65,000
Strength: 626-C, Defense: 1007-SS, Dexterity: 685-C, Agility: 762-B and Magic: 345-F.
Magic
None
Skill
Rabbit's Foot - The racial skill that most Hume Bunny's have once bestowed with a Falna. This increases their battle prowess and speed. Their Agility greatly increases dramatically.
Superior Defense - The Shield Hero's Defense Stat will increase dramatically from every battle. The Shield Hero will also be able to have 3-I Defense as a baseline of each Level-up. The Shield Hero can only use a Shield.
Fire's Favor- increases all abilities when fighting fire-type monsters and fire type magic users, potentially making the user stronger than his actual level when fighting them. The user can use any Fire-type Magic that they've observed. Members of the user's Familia benefit by gaining Flame Enchantment, a skill that bathes their weapons in fire.
Ravishing Rage- the user's Strength, Defense and Magic are drastically increased when in an rage. The user's Strength and Defense will increase by 50-I every minute they are raging. And their Magic will increase by 150-H for 1 Quick Chant Magic usage. As a side effect it makes the user immune to charms even when outside a rage.
Equipment
Legendary Shield- This Shield gains unique properties and forms based on the Hero's experiences. The Shield Inventory shows the variety of forms that the shield can change into at the Hero's desire. These forms can use quick chant magic without adding to their Magic. Current Shield Magic: Ember Bolt and Dark Sun.
Eina was rather impressed with her increase. Thinking that she had peaked a long time ago. But, realized that she could still grow.
Eina Tulle Race: Half Elf. Occupation: Supporter. Level: 2. Alias: The Bard of Beauty. Previous Alias: -.
Exilia: 24,125/195,000
Lvl II - Strength: 102-H, Defense: 65-I, Dexterity: 185-H, Agility: 175-H, Magic: 276-G and Magic Resistance-I.
Lvl I - Strength: 299-G, Defense: 167-H, Dexterity: 502-D, Agility: 485-E and Magic: 776-B.
Magic
{Arrows of Sound} "Strum the strings of my lyre. Nock my song of harmony and let lose the sound of arrows." (For five minutes, each chord played on the castor's lyre will summon a wind-magic made arrow. The arrows of wind do not disrupt fire-magic, but will dispel water-magic.)
{Lyrics of Loss} "Let your strings be cut. Your voice silent as your ears fall deaf to my song. For your time is not long." (anti-magic gale that forces an Ignis Fatuus on others trying to use magic. Other magic users will experience mind down if they try to cast a second spell. This magic stun has a three minute duration)
Skill
Minstrel- Improves basic abilities of Familia members when playing a musical instrument.
Raphtalia looked over the status update with pride. She could hardly believe how much it increased over the past few weeks.
Raphtalia Race: Tanuki. Occupation: Maid/Adventurer. Level: 1. Alias: -. Previous Alias: -.
Exilia: 4,670/195,000
Strength: 201-G, Defense: 102-H, Dexterity: 102-H, Agility: 97-I and Magic: 4-I.
Magic
{First Light Slash} "The gleam of my sword is as bright as my heart's light. This maiden is the Sword of the Shield bearer. Be blinded by my sword and let spill your Agility. So, I may pierce you. (Anti-agility light that forces an enemy cut by this mana made sword to lose 50-I Agility with each slash. This mana blade has a two minute duration. It can not cause physical damage or parry magic.)
Skill
Liaris Freese - Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings. As a side effect it makes the user immune to charms.
Leicester Dame - When armed with a sword, the user gains an additional 5-I to all Basic Abilities. One Sword can have a special bond placed on it allowing it to return to the user's hand with but a call of it's name. (Requirement: Sword must have a name) [AN: inspired by Petronilla de Grandmesnil, Countess of Leicester history. Dame being the equivalent to a Knighthood being bestowed.]
Aphrodite said to the new Dame, "We'll need to get you a proper sword then. If we want to see that new skill in action."
Aphrodite then turned to Bell presenting the Grimoire she purchased, "Bell, as congratulations on your first successful quest completion. I give you this Grimoire. An expensive and rare item that will grant the reader one Magic. So, I want you to read it when you feel like you're ready to take on such a responsibility."
Xxxxxxxx
Outside Edas Village laid across the fields and forests many monsters. The majority could be found on the Dungeon's first ten floors. A trivial manner for any Adventurer of Level 2 or higher. Even a level 1 with B as the average of their Badic Abilities would consider most of these monsters as trivial.
Blue eyes looked across the battlefield at slain Goblins, Imps, Killer Ants and War Shadows. Finn the Braver was surveying the various monsters for any survivors. And observing some of his Familia's lower level members.
Ultimately, his task was to protect and guide the Familia. He let the slaying of the Dungeon Core Infant to the Loki Familia's Book Hero. And the stronger monsters such as Kelpies and Black Rhinos and Fomoires were left to Bete Loga and the Amazoness Sisters Tiona and Tione Hyrute. All three of them, Level 5 Adventurers that were chosen as companions of Riveria Ljos Alf.
The Dungeon Core Infant was a bronze colored Harpy with topaz made feathers. It had lightning swim through the air, all around it.
Riveria was tall with jade-colored hair tied in a tail that reached to her waist. Her eyes were of a similar hue of color only they shimmered like refine gemstones. She was of the long lived race, the Elves. She wore a green outfit with yellow borders, a white cloak over it, a black belt, a yellow sash, black leggings, and long brown boots. She was exceptionally beautiful, drawing all eyes to her snow white skin, jade colored eyes and hair.
In her left hand she held a rather large white book with a jade colored Gemstone sphere in the middle. The Legendary Book was the weapon that selected the beautiful Elf. It boosted her Magic Basic Ability and was the weapon of the greatest living Hero.
Riveria was a Level 8 Hero, being only equal in level to Aisha Belka. The Level 8 Sword Hero of the Ishtar Familia.
Bete, Tione and Tiona kept several monsters away from Riveria. The Book Hero held up a hand as her book formed into a black book with bat wings along the spine. She spoke as shadow enveloped the Bronze Harpy, "Shadow Prison."
The Bronze Harpy opened it's maw and unleashed a bright light. The light held the prison open long enough for a Killer Hornet to attack the now tangible shadow. Send cracks all along the prison, leaving it to fall like shattered ice.
Riveria changed her book again to look white with rabbit ears. Her speed greatly increased as she hopped through the air from pillar to pillar. With a final hop she reached the Bronze Harpy's back.
Her book changed a third time, looking to be made of silver. And sharp on all sides. She spoke as she pointed the open book at the Bronzr Harpy, "Dagger Rain."
Dozens of daggers flew out and skewered the Dungeon Core Infant. Ending it's mission to evolve.
Xxxxxxxx
Bell sat in his room and looked over the Grimoire. He had held it for four days. Pondering on the responsibility that he would need to under take.
Eina and Raphtalia were just doing the first five floors of the Dungeon. To gain Excelcia and valis, while Bell clarity.
He finally furrowed his brows in determination at the thought of Raphtalia being on the ground. Injured and in danger of death. He couldn't let his rage consume him again. Sure, it saved Raphtalia from a monster last time. But, what about next time when it's possibly a person?
A Hero was supposed to protect everyone. All people deserved protection. Even, the bad ones.
Bell cracked open the book and began looking at it's pages. It's writing was in the language of Spirit, written and spoken by few. It was incomprehensible to a person of the Common. But, with it being a Grimoire. That didn't matter. It would grant him the Magic he sought.
Bell saw in his mind a memory of his Grandfather. A burly gray haired man of old age, but a smile full of youth. A joyous voice came from him, "Remember, a Hero must protect every girl-I mean person. It is their duty to not see them cry or hurt."
He saw Aiz race past him. Using her rapier to skewer the Goblins that first overwhelmed him during his rescue attempt of Raphtalia.
Aiz turned to him, looking at his shield, "Defense is the specialty of the Shield Hero. You must keep your eyes on any potential attack. And you will be a Hero, but not if you learn that. I believe in you."
A light rained down as Bell looked up at his Goddess. She looked down at who he was before getting the Legendary Shield.
She smiled at him with a mix of pride, envy and lust, "A girl mustn't cry is that it? You must protect all the maiden's from fright and sadness? A White Knight if I've ever seen one."
The young Bell blushed at the Goddess's words. But, did not deny them. With a drop of her blood she said dripping to his back, "Then I, Aphrodite, grant you a Falna to succeed in your quest."
The younger Bell looked at the current Bell, "So, what's magic to you?"
Xxxxxx
Raphtalia was armed in new armor. She looked high and low for someone that she knew would make better. Finally, she found Aiz standing at a fashion store window.
Xxxxxxxxxx
She looked at all the girls admiring Legendary Spear ornamented necklaces and chokers. Aiz knew that it was every girl's dream to want to marry a Hero. Aiz knew that even Riveria Ljos Alf wanted to marry a Hero, even though she was a Hero herself.
But, the choker that Aiz was eyeing in the store window was a red skill band with a silver shield. The gemstone was red...just like his ruby eyes. Pools of crimson that one could just lose themselves in if you stared at them long enough.
Aiz was was brought out of her fantasies by a familiar voice, "La-la-lady Aiz, please train me."
Xxxxxxxxxx
Raphtalia was bowed to the Sword Princess. She asked with conviction as she looked up at Aiz, "Lady Aiz, please train me. I wish to be Mr. Bell's sword. And I can no longer be dull. I need to be sharp."
Aiz nodded as she replied to the maiden, "Very well."
Xxxxxxxx
The looked at his younger self as he listened, "So, what's magic to you?"
Bell thought about his answer as he then looked down at his shield. He raised his arm to level the shield. And gaze at the gemstone.
Bell spoke almost absentmindedly, "Magic is the greatest power granted to an Adventurer. But, more than that. It's a tool that a Hero can use when his weapon isn't enough."
The young Bell asked with disappointment in his eyes, "So, the Shield isn't good enough for you?"
Realization donned on Bell. The Legendary Weapons were the most powerful weapons in existence. They could used Quick Chant Magic. They had an unlimited amount of forms. And put any regular weapon or magic weapon to shame. The Legendary Weapon was enough, he just wasn't enough yet. He had to learn how to use it more properly. The weapon weapon was only as good as the user.
Bell looked away from his shield and back to the young Bell. Conviction in his eyes and heroic determination in his voice, "No, the Shield is perfect for me. I promise to make full use of it."
The younger Bell looked at the current Bell with a smile now, "So, what's magic to you?"
Bell crossed his shield arm across his chest with his hand over his heart, "Magic is a tool to help the Hero make better use of his purpose."
Young Bell asked liking where this was going, "And what is the Shield Hero's purpose?"
Bell spoke loudly and proudly, "To protect everyone. To defend all who need it. And stand in the way of any who are in harm's way. To be the impenetrable wall that shields all from danger."
Young Bell began to glow brightly as he smiled at Bell, "I knew I choose right."
Bell awoke hours later as he looked at the now blank pages of the Grimoire. He looked around to see Aphrodite smiling at him, pride in her eyes. She leered at him excitedly, "Shall we see what your new Magic is?"
Bell nodded enthusiastically as he bounced up from his laying on his side position. He hurriedly pulled off his shirt and laid down on his bed. Letting his Goddess sit on his butt as she opened his status with a drop of her blood.
Bell Cranel Race: Hume Bunny. Occupation: Hero. Level: 1. Alias: -. Previous Alias: -.
Exilia: 45,765/65,000
Strength: 626-C, Defense: 1007-SS, Dexterity: 685-C, Agility: 762-B and Magic: 345-F.
Magic
{Shield Wall} "To be the Shield, is to protect the people. Serve as the Keep for those who weep. Rest assured that I will defend all from danger." (The target or targets of the spell become encompassed by four magic shields. Each shield has H-105 Defense. The spell will require a five minute recharge between uses.)
Skill
Rabbit's Foot - The racial skill that most Hume Bunny's have once bestowed with a Falna. This increases their battle prowess and speed. Their Agility greatly increases dramatically.
Superior Defense - The Shield Hero's Defense Stat will increase dramatically from every battle. The Shield Hero will also be able to have 3-I Defense as a baseline of each Level-up. The Shield Hero can only use a Shield.
Fire's Favor- increases all abilities when fighting fire-type monsters and fire type magic users, potentially making the user stronger than his actual level when fighting them. The user can use any Fire-type Magic that they've observed. Members of the user's Familia benefit by gaining Flame Enchantment, a skill that bathes their weapons in fire.
Ravishing Rage- the user's Strength, Defense and Magic are drastically increased when in an rage. The user's Strength and Defense will increase by 50-I every minute they are raging. And their Magic will increase by 150-H for 1 Quick Chant Magic usage. As a side effect it makes the user immune to charms even when outside a rage.
Equipment
Legendary Shield- This Shield gains unique properties and forms based on the Hero's experiences. The Shield Inventory shows the variety of forms that the shield can change into at the Hero's desire. These forms can use quick chant magic without adding to their Magic. Current Shield Magic: Ember Bolt and Dark Sun.