Useless.

That's all she felt as she ran away. Naaza hated herself as she ran. There was no way Bell would survive against the Silverback, he was only a Level One with only a week at most of experience under his belt. She who was a Level Two had gone against such monsters before, knew how to take them down efficiently and knew all the weak points and what to look out for, yet she couldn't face it. Since joining up with Bell she thought she could overcome her fear of the Monsters in the Dungeon, but coming face to face with the Silverback had drowned her in that fear.

It was on a floor far above where it spawned, just how come it had come up to the fourth floor? There should have been no logical reason for it surpassing so many floors and coming to one where only rookies would be.

Naaza was running through the tunnels, lost, her mind clouded by fear she hadn't acted rationally and lost her way amidst the maze of tunnels, only keeping the roar of the Silverback behind her. It was clear why no other monsters was about on the Fourth Floor, they were scared of the Silverback and were hiding.

Tears streamed down her face fogging her vision. She was so scared, terrified for both herself and Bell the gut wrenching feeling she had was horrible. Bell had told her to run and she had taken her chance to flee. Bell said he would hold it off, but he wasn't strong enough too. Flashes of memories of her fallen comrades, how she hated the nightmares that plagued her since that fateful day. Bell's smiling face, their time together.

Unfocused, Naaza's foot hit a rock and she was sent sprawling to the ground, her bow sliding out of her hand and several feet in front of her.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She whimpered into the Dungeon Floor, she didn't want Bell to die. She hated this place, hated the monsters for taking everyone away from her. Hadn't it made her suffer enough? How stupid was it that she went out on a whim and asked Bell to take her on an adventure. Had she been so ignorant to her own weakness that she thought she could become an adventurer again as if nothing had happened?

No, what she had wanted was to overcome the trauma she had suffered, deep down she knew Bell could help. She didn't expect it to happen immediately, it might have even taken years to do. But she believed that if she went adventuring with Bell he'd be able to help her through it. There was just something about the white haired teen that made her feel safe and secure. As if everything would be okay. It was Bell who had offered his hand to her, and now she had just run away and left him to die.

"What do I do?" She just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, hide away from the world and never have to deal with this pain again. But this was reality, she had to make a decision. Pushing herself up onto her knees she looked down at her trembling hands, her options were clear run to an upper floor and hope that there was an Adventurer capable of helping, or go herself and try and rescue Bell. If she went up, there was always a chance that none would go to save Bell, she knew adventurers could be selfish, she knew that first hand those of a higher level were even more so and she wasn't in a position to offer them a reward.

There was even a chance that the rookie adventurers would agree but they wouldn't be of any help to Bell or they wouldn't get to him in time. It was to big of a risk to go up, even if they agreed to help Bell was on borrowed time.

The roar of the Silverback could still be heard behind her, the very sound of it sent chills down her spine. There was only one option that would allow Bell to survive this abnormal encounter, that was if she went back. She needed to go back. T save Bell she had to move. But her body wouldn't respond. Clenching her hands into fists she growled to herself.

"Move! Move! Move!" Her words got louder and louder until she was shouting at herself to move. Her eyes were streaming tears as her body refused to co-operate, if she tried to stand her body was trembling so much it wouldn't support her own weight sending her crashing to the ground. Biting her own lip as she pounded the ground, before digging her nails in and smacking her head against the Dungeon floor.

"MOVE!" She screamed, which echoed into the caverns of the fourth floor which soon echoed off into the distance before falling silent. "Please." She begged, her face mattered with dirt and tears as she stared helplessly at her bow. "Bell… I'm so sorry." Clenching her eyes tighter the Dungeon fell silent around her before her ear twitched.

"... ahhhh…." It was Bell's voice, he was still fighting. Her eyes widened before it fixed into a glare, her bow almost in reach. Crawling across to it, she grabbed it, using it to support herself as she got to her feet, her body trembling. Now on her feet she pulled out one of her arrows, before stabbing herself in the leg with it, while not a deep wound or severe in sent a jolt through her body. The pain snapped her nerves into action and her body was no longer trembling. When overwhelmed with an emotion, a sudden destructive stimuli could snap one out of their state of mind.

She didn't know how long the sudden change would last, but she wouldn't stop this opportunity.

"I'm coming Bell!" She declared as she ran back the way she had come, using her sensitive hearing to follow the battle where the boy she wanted to save would be.

Despite his unknown strength boost due to his new skill [Valkyries Gift] Bell was not on the winning side of this fight. His white hair was stained with blood and dirt, half his face covered in his own crimson blood from a wound above his eye. The only reason he was still standing was because of this new skill he didn't know about, if he hadn't have gained it, the first charge of the Silverback would have killed him. That's not to say Bell hadn't fought back, the ict flakes covering the Silverbacks frame was testament to that.

His mind was devoid of fear or thought as he rose his axe up, his shield was heavy on his arm but he refused to lower it. The Silverback let out a howl and reared its arms back, up over it's head. Bell charged forward axe at the ready. Leaping forward he was within range of the silverbacks arms but the large monster was to slow. The leviathan axe dig into it's shoulder sending a current of ice over it making it roar and awkwardly swing it's opposite arm, Bell already had his shield raised up bracing for impact which sent him hurtling across the cavern.

He hit the ground and rolled for several meters, getting to his feet as fast as he could feeling the ground rumble as the Silverback charged once more. He took in the situation and was about to bring up his shield.

"Dodge an attack you can't block." The teaching of the man who had instructed him that day came back to him, instead of raising his shield he let it shrink back into it's device.

Bell sprinted for the charging Silverback, it was only a short distance between them, opening his palm he felt the familiar sensation as the blade of his axe was pulled from the Silverbacks shoulder making it roar, it's shoulder having in the momentum of running and supporting its weight came crash into the ground on it's side, Bell jumping in the air, both hands on the hilt of his axe.

"AHHHH!" He shouted axe reared back above his head only for the Silverback's massive fist to slam into him sending him into a daze as he flew once more across the cavern impacting the wall, coughing up blood as his chest armor crumbled to the ground. He was forced to let go of his axe letting it slump to the ground as his vision began to darken.

"BELL!" It was Naaza's voice that roused him over the thundering roar of the Silverback, he hadn't even realised when he had passed out. The Chienthrope was helping him up, his mouth held the remnants of a recovery potion, his head was dizzy and as he looked passed his friend he saw the Silverback, it's panic stricken state confused Bell before his eyes focused seeing bugs of some kind literally eating away at its arm, the devouring was quick revealing even bone as they ate away through the upper layers of muscle.

Naaza had only told him once of her magic, [Darbh Daol], he only had limited understanding of it. She herself said it wasn't a spell that would be desired by any, its power was to summon a swarm of bugs to devour the flesh of a living being.

"Y-You came back." He grinned a slightly bloody smile at her.

"I couldn't let you be the hero all the time." Fresh tears leaked from her eyes as she hugged him while exchanging the friendly teasing they had become accustomed to, it made things between them feel normal despite the situation. "I'm so sorry Bell, I'll never abandoned you again." Bell gave her an awkward one armed hug back, his other arm limp by his side. The recovery potion wasn't capable of healing everything but he was up, which was better than being unconscious. "We need to go." Naaza told him, getting a nod from Bell, they were hoping to sneak a way while the monster was in turmoil due to Naaza's magic.

However the Silverback roared at them anger cleary written all over its features, the monster completely enraged. There was no way in hell it would just let them escape. Now one arm less than when Bell had been fighting it, the bugs having dispersed now that they had their fill. The bones of the arm lay scattered across the ground blood heavily flowing from the stump.

In rage the Silverback found anything loose and began to throw it at them, it took Naaza all she had to leap out of the way with Bell as massive chucks of rock crashed into the spot they had been, the boy not having the strength to do it himself. Where they had landed was out of sight of the Silverback, it having lost their position. It's howl of anger was mixed with pain.

"We… we have to…" Bell breathed heavily, Naaza keeping an eye on the Silverback from their hidden position as she reached into her pouch to where her recovery potions were. Grabbing the familiar cylinder potion her hand withdrew from the pouch, already flicking the cork out and bringing it to Bell's lips, the teen tilting his head back allowing for easy consumption.

"We have to fight it." Naaza finished Bell's earlier sentence, Bell now able to stand on his own after the potion. "It's the only way." Bell nodded, with how enraged the monster was there was no other possible way. "It's Magic Stone is in the centre of it's chest, my arrows aren't strong enough to get through it's thick hide, at least not with this bow, or I'd need to get really close..." She trailed off softly.

"I'll protect you." Bell's words shocked her as she turned her eyes to him, his red orbs focused solely on the Silverback. "I'll get you close enough, just make sure you don't miss." He turned to her and gave his innocent grin making her cheeks heat up slightly and it made her want to smile back at him, but now wasn't the time.

"Right, I'll look for any opportunity." Bell nodded, taking a breath as Naaza rose a hand to his cheek making him look at her with wide eyes. "It's okay to be afraid."

"I'm terrified." Bell smiled.

"Yeah, me too."

With that Bell leaped over the rock coverage, his shield extending as he ran. He could hear Naaza behind him but didn't turn back to look as the Silverback picked up more rubble and threw it in their direction, raising his shield up to defend. This time the thrown rocks weren't as large as the first and they showered down on the shield and the surrounding area but it didn't have the force behind it allowing Bell to keep running through it. The Silverback let out a roar, crashing it's lone fist into the ground before swinging it up, a wall of dirt and dust being scattered but Bell used his shield to plummet through before spinning and crashing his axe into the monster's forearm and used all his strength and momentum to force it backwards.

The Silver back went in with it's jaws, intending to tear Bell apart with his teeth if necessary. However Bell releasing the handle of his axe, gripping his forearm beneath his shield and swung up with his shield battering the Silverback's head to the side. Calling the axe from the forearm which was covered in ice, Bell crashed his shield down onto the ice shattering the frozen arm sending blood splattering over the ground, it wasn't fully severed but it was hanging loosely from the elbow. The Silverback reared back and howled in pain as Bell grabbed his axe handle with both hands, pushing off the ground he leaped into the air, swinging the axe into the open maw of the silverback. It wasn't a deceivie blow but the Silverback was forced off its feet, teeth clenching down on the blade of the axe as it crashed onto it's back.

"Naaza!" Bell cried, the chienthrope already in the air, bow at the ready as she crashed down onto the Silverback's chest. There were two arrows knocked in the string as she pulled back both arrows she pointed it directly at the spot she knew to be the location of the magic stone and released. Both arrows sank deep into the hide and there was a breath of silence before the Silverback turned to black ash, the magic stone having been penetrated by both arrows.

Naaza fell the few feet to the ground as Bell collapsed to his knees. Naaza ran to Bell's side, hugging him close as she stopped him from collapsing to the ground.

"We did it." He managed to get out, as Naaza nodded frantically, burying her face into his blood stained hair, tears running down her face. "Hey Naaza… thanks, for coming back."

"What! A Silverback on the fourth floor!" Eina's shout caused the guild to fall silent before the half elf composed herself the information had been a massive shock, the adventurer's were curious but no doubt a notice would go out and they'd know soon enough. Naaza was giving the report to Bell's dungeon advisor, having brought the magic stone up as proof.

Bell was currently seated on the waiting benches off to the side, letting Naaza deal with the report while he rested. He was wrapped in bandages and his arm was in a sling, he had been given recovery potions by the guild after they had gotten back to the surface but the doctor still wrapped him in bandages. It was by no means an easy win, the sudden appearance of a Silverback had shaken Bell, to think that a monster like that could ascend from the middle floors, he'd never heard of it happening before. If it wasn't for Naaza he didn't think he would have made it out of there alive.

He had to tell his Goddess what happened too, he had to wonder what she would think of the entire situation, the other Familia members probably dealt with deadlier monsters on a daily basis. Would she be proud of what he had been able to accomplish? He hoped so, he didn't want to be a burden, he wanted to prove himself in her eyes.

Bell would no doubt be out of commision for the next day or two, Loki would remind him to take a break too. Naaza would probably be shaken by the whole ordeal and he hoped that she'd be okay once the mess had settled in her mind, he wanted to give her time to take everything into account. He knew it must have been tough for her to come back to help him and he wouldn't be at all upset if she decided to stop being in a party with him, she had suffered trauma enough and now this was just added onto it. Deep down he honestly wished she stayed but in the end he wouldn't force her too.

The armor he had bought was basically trashed, only a single shinguard had survived and even that was looking in bad shape, he hadn't been able to recover most of his armor it resting on the fourth floor still. It had served its purpose in protecting him but he felt vulnerable now that he wasn't wearing any armor, maybe he could locate the smith and see if he could put in a request for a new set. He had really liked the feel of it and if it was possible he'd like to get something similar, something to think about in the next few days that he'd take off from the Dungeon.

The bodies of the fallen adventurer's that were killed by the Silverback would no doubt need to be reclaimed by a recovery party, their Familia's would need to know what happened. He hated that he hadn't been able to help them, but he wasn't strong enough to protect himself from that monster let alone help someone.

His eyes drifted up to the ceiling as he waited, Naaza wouldn't be much longer she would give the report exchange the large Magic Stone for Valis and return. He was honestly looking forward to going home and taking a long nap. Today had been exhausting.

Just as he expected, Naaza wasn't much longer carrying with her two bags of Valis. She looked worn out too, he was glad she wasn't injured in the fighting. She smiled at him as she approached and Bell got to his feet, struggling slightly but he managed.

"7500 Valis each." She handed him one bag, the young teen placing the bag in his pack. "Miss Eina asked that you come in, in the next few days to give your side of the report." Naaza told him as they headed for the exit of the guild.

"Yeah, I'll do that." Bell nodded as they walked through the growing crowds of Orario. They came to a crossroads where they usually split up, Naaza would be heading back to the Blue Pharmacy, no doubt Miach would be worried after he heard what had happened.

"Bell." Naaza began softly turning to face him. "Can… can I have a few days, to think about my position in the party?" Bell knew it was coming and he nodded as he offered her a smile.

"Of course." He told her. "No matter what, I'll respect your decision." She smiled back at him and nodded before turning and walking away down the street. Bell watched for a time until she stopped and turned on her feet, the same soft smile on her face as she closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side.

"Bell, I love you."

The boy's face went beat read as Naaza giggled and ran off, tail wagging behind her. He knew it was just Naaza's general way of teasing, and she had done it to him many times before just to get a reaction out of him, but this time in struck him and he couldn't get rid of the blush no matter how hard he tried, even when he walked into the house his face was still red.

"Oi! Rabbit!" Loki's voice shouted from the living room he just passed in a daze, still not able to get over Naaza's last words to him. Loki's voice however snapped him out of it and he backtracked only for Loki to almost crash tackle him having hurried to see him after he walked past her. "What happened to you!?" She all but shouted examining his bandaged frame.

"Oh Goddess, I didn't realise you were home." He smiled at her only for Loki to reach up and pinch his nose before pulling him down to her height and staring into his red eyes.

"What happened?"

It took awhile for Bell to explain what had transpired in the Dungeon and she listened intently to him, he thought she'd just wave it off and act like it was no big deal considering she led the second strongest Familia in the city, it made him feel better that she was truly intrigued by what had happened. Eventually it led to Bell getting his status updated once more, Loki saying that there was probably a jump in his stats due to the incident.

Name: Bell Cranel

Age: 14

Alias: none

Familia: Loki Familia

Race: Human

Level - 1

Strength - I - 72 - I - 96 [Valkyrie's Gift +50 - H - 146]

Endurance - I - 98 - H - [116 Valkyrie's Gift +50 - H- 166]

Dexterity - I - 85 H - 100 [Valkyrie's Gift +50 - H - 150]

Agility - H - 101 - H - 145 [Valkyrie's Gift +50 - H - 195]

Magic - I - 0 [Valkyrie's Gift +50 - I - 50]

Skills:

[Valkyrie's Gift]

[While worthy of Valhalla, a boost too all stats is applied, the more worthy of Valhalla the greater the boost]

To say Loki was stunned would be an understatement as she looked on at the stats now revealed before her eyes. She recalled speaking of Valhalla in her drunken haze with Bell while taking a bath with him, had just telling him of the place made him develop this skill? Was that even possible? She'd never heard of a skill like this before, never had she seen it on one of her Familia members before.

Did this mean he would go to Valhalla? How many years had the Hall's great doors been sealed? Would he really be permitted entrance should he keep this skill until the day he dies?

"Bell." Speaking his name made him turn his head and stare at her, it was really one of the only times she hadn't called him Little Rabbit. "When we spoke of Valhalla yesterday, what did you think of it?" Loki asked, her voice oddly quiet as she placed a piece of paper on his back and began to transfer his stats to it.

"It's hard to describe." Bell said, laying his head back down on the pillow. "The way you spoke of it made you sound sad Goddess, that people no longer entered like you said." He told her, her finger stopping slightly as he continued on. "It might sound dumb but I guess I kind of wanted to prove myself worthy of Valhalla in your eyes." Loki let a genuine smile come to her face as she finished tracing the falna. "Even today when I stood off against the Silverback, I hoped that I'd be worthy of Valhalla and you'd take me there like you said."

"Dumbass!" She shouted finally smacking him atop the head making him groan. "You just started adventuring and you were already ready to throw it all away, huh!?" She shouted bringing her fists down in punches upon his back.

"G-Goddess, I'm sorry! Please stop, I'm still sore!" Loki huffed and panted as she brought her onslaught of punches to a halt.

"Dumbass." she growled again as she removed herself from his waist and sat on the side of the bed, as Bell got up she offered him the paper with his Status which he took with a smile. "Congrats Little Rabbit, it seems you're a little worthy of Odin's Great Hall." She smiled as Bell stared with wide eyes at his stats and at his new skill. Loki feeling mischievous leaned in and kissed Bell on the cheek making his face inflame as he buried it in his status.

"G-Goddess!" He cried.

"Keep it up." She grinned. "Oh, I guess I'll have to give you a sponge bath since you've got all those injuries, leave everything up to Nurse Loki!" Bell's face only went redder as he cried out for his Goddess to stop.

Atop Babel Tower

Freya was frowning as she watched Loki tease what was rightfully hers. She was becoming frustrated with her fellow Goddess and it was showing in her features, she should have been toying and playing with the boy not her. Loki was playing a rather unfair game and Freya didn't like it. She would need to step in sooner than she had intended too.

"Lady Freya, are you displeased with the results?" Ottar questioned, Freya turning to face him with a questioning look. "The Chienthrope." He reminded.

"Right." Freya nodded, recalling what had transpired she had been so lost in watching Bell during the event she barely registered what the beast girl had done. "It seems it will be a few days before it's truly decided but I'm hopeful at least, well done Ottar."

"Simply doing as you will, my Lady." Ottar replied.

"Once he returns to the Dungeon, take to instructing him again. Push him, make him grow for me."

"As you command."

"I'll raise him up and have him turn against you Loki, it'll be punishment for teasing me like this."