Rivals
- At the Babel -
As the fierce battle between Asterius and Bell continued, Bell had a small advantage with the minotaur already severely injured when they started. As Bell pushed Asterius back, the minotaur was pushed through the outside wall in the dungeon entrance area.
The huge amount of dust and debris blocked the view of many citizens as they did not dare get close to the battle. The adventurers, particularly the high level ones, followed after Bell and Asterius as the battle continued inside.
- In the Dungeon -
As Fel, Finn, Tione, Bete, Raul and Lefiya rushed down the dungeon, the Xenos entered the Knossos entrance on the 12th floor. Going through the passageways, they soon saw a firefight between Riveria's elf squad and Evilus with Revis. It was obvious that Riveria's group was about out of magic.
While Lyd ran towards the elves yelling that Finn had sent them, the other Xenos joined the fight and helped the elves hold off Evilus and Revis.
Riveria did not know what to think about the talking monster, but she was not about to attack the talking monsters that were fighting Evilus...
- Ten Minutes Later at the Babel -
Bell continued to gain the upper hand over Asterius. And a 5 second charge kick knocked Asterius through another wall.
As they fought, Ottar, Ais, Asfi and Tiona continued to follow them inside to monitor the battle. Loki, Freya and Hermes also followed behind the 1st class adventurers who ensured their safety.
Several Ganesha members, including Shakti, also followed them inside the Babel to watch the fight.
Outside, no one else dared enter even though the cheers for the little argonaut continued unabated.
- Inside the Knossos -
Even with the reinforcements, Evilus had the upper hand. With no choice, the elves and the Xenos started to retreat back towards the dungeon. Using the last bit of remaining magic, Riveria launched Rea Laevateinn towards the enemy before the group ran out of the Knossos with the Xenos close behind.
After the flames settled down, Evilus and Revis chased after them into the dungeon while they retreated towards the 11th floor entrance.
In the meantime, Finn and Fels had already reached the 5th floor...
- Inside the Babel -
Bell was clearly winning after another 10 minutes of the slugfest. With a 10 second charge argonaut slash, he finally knocked Asterius down for the count.
As Asterius prepared himself for the finishing blow, Bell instead poured a healing potion on him and lent him a hand to get up. That shocked Ais, Tiona, Ottar and almost everyone except Freya. For Freya, this is simply the same Bell who begged for the Barbelas' safety after they kidnapped him a few weeks ago ...
Freya to Loki "Now you see why my favorite will fullfill his True Calling to be the one to lead the age?"
A visibly shaken Loki admitted "I am not sure I will agree with your new age. But Bell is indeed unique."
Ais and Tiona both had to pinch themselves to believe what they just saw. Bell defeated the monster but healed it instead of killing it. This was the same monster that held her and her entire familia off for a long battle. And then he offered his hand to help the monster get up. Their idea of what is right and what is wrong had just been completely turned upside down.
Shocked Asterius "Why did you heal me, my rival. I lost."
Bell "We are rivals. Rivals don't need to kill each other. We battle to decide the winner, but why does the loser have to die? Let's have our rivalry based on trust and friendship"
Asterius "You have indeed earned my trust."
Bell "It was actually not a fair fight. You are already injured and without the use of one arm. Go get better and train. We will have a better battle when you are recovered."
Asterius "Yes, my rival. I will take my leave and look forward to our next battle. Hopefully the first of many...", then collected himself and headed down the dungeon.
At that point, Hermes raised his arms and screamed in glorious triumph. The ending was better than he could have scripted. In one battle, Bell had actually earned the trust and respect of the most powerful Xenos.
Loki was now at a total loss of words. She did decide that Bell had certainly earned her attention to give his new approach a fair look...
Watching and hearing everything, Ais' mind was spinning. As much as she was incapable of being a true hero, Bell had become that true hero. She could only ponder whether that was her boyfriend's True Calling - to reshape the world based on his strange new ideas of what is right and wrong.
Freya went to check on and congratulate Bell. She also gave him two kisses on the cheeks, which still made Ais extremely jealous.
Despite the euphoric circumstances, Loki suddenly came to her senses after a minute to gather her thoughts.
Loki ordered "Ais and Tiona, don't worry about me. Riveria is still danger in the the dungeon. Try to catch up with Finn. If you cannot, the Knossos entrance is somewhere on the eastern wall of the 12th floor of the dungeon".
Thus Ais activated ariel and move at top speed into the dungeon with Tiona running after her.
Not waiting for an update, Bell immediately raced after Ais and Tiona. As he ran, Ottar followed while carrying a large case of potions. Freya smirked watching Bell catch a healing potion and then a recovery potion thrown from Ottar. Indeed, Ottar looked like a doting parent chasing after a child with diapers and milk bottles. Hermes also wanted to follow them into the dungeon but Asfi stopped him. However, she knew he is going to be insufferable after masterminding this huge victory.
After sending Ais and Tiona, Loki sent message to Gareth to join her at the Babel.
- A Short While Later -
With the action all finished, everyone else went back outside the Babel. The public had mostly went home after being told that the little argonaut had won but had to go on an emergency mission to help the Loki familia. Pleased with the news, Eina and her co-workers also went back inside to do their normal work.
- At a Cafe Near the Babel -
The 3 gods continued to wait for news from the dungeon along with Asfi, Gareth and several Freya executives.
The question was if the help would arrive in time...