Desire

by Ignus042

Bell's journey from the Deep floors to the One-Eyed Black Dragon as he seeks to not only unravel the mysteries of the dungeon, but the secrets behind Ais Wallenstein, the Xenos, and the hidden shame of Ouranos.

3. Part III

"Well. Damn."

Bete broke the eerie silence that had settled over the room. Soon after, an excited Tiona and Tione rushed to lift Ais into a big, welcoming hug while Lefiya prowled just out of reach of their flailing limbs awaiting her chance to hug the blonde girl. Riveria and Finn wore small, contented smiles in the back corner of the room while Gareth laughed merrily.

Shock quickly gave way to joy. Ais had told her family about her past and they had accepted her. Most importantly, she didn't feel that accepting their kindness made her weaker. On the contrary, she felt like her family were now even greater allies. Tightly squeezing back the Amazon sisters, then Lefiya, Ais felt much more confident about talking to Bell that afternoon.

While Ais was receiving hugs and acceptance from her friends Bell was receiving lumps from his. Training with Ryuu had been tough enough when he was a lower level. Now they were peers in terms of level she felt he needed humbled when it came to depth of experience. She didn't hold back any strength nor show any concern for his cast arm. Even so, his extra ability points from previous level-ups made him far stronger and faster than her—even lamed, Bell should have been able to mitigate her strategy to some extent. Unfortunately, Syr and Ryuu's very public insistence that Bell be trained caught the attention of the other waitresses. Bell knew from his last adventure the Hostess was a place for women who had lost their way or needed a home. He knew the cat people, Anya and Chloe, had a secret past…and it had been terrifying when they had attacked with knife and spear while he was trying to dodge Ryuu's sword. Picking himself off the ground—again—he checked the gouges in the metal arms of his cast. He was faster and stronger than all of them but three on one and with their years of experience, he found himself face-down or landed on his rump mere seconds after the fighting began. Bell was able to overcome the pain and embarrassment of this by realizing how very much more he had to learn.

Finally getting away when Momma Mia ushered the girls in to start the day, Bell gingerly limped home. After a shower and a change of clothes Bell felt mostly human again and ready to visit Ais. Despite getting the crap knocked out of him all morning he was still riding on a cloud after yesterday's jagamarukun date. Knowing that Ais felt the same way for him was a wonderful feeling; he was excited to see her and find out what she wanted to share. Waving goodbye to Haruhime on his way out the door, he told her he would be back in a few hours.

"Bell-kun!"

His goddess' voice dragged him back inside. "Yes, Kami-sama? What is it?"

Hestia latched onto his good arm as she led him to the sitting room. "I need a favor, Bell." She sat cross-legged on the couch across from him with a big smile plastered on her face. "And I think you may enjoy it as well."

Bell leaned forward. "Okay, what do you need me to do?"

"I know you left a lot of things behind when you left for Orario. Now you're stronger and have friends to help you—I'd like you to go to your old home and bring back the things you left behind."

Bell frowned. "That's a nice thought, but…I made peace with that before I left. There's nothing back there, really. The only things I left were grandpa's old books. They were too heavy to carry all the way here and nobody in the village wanted to buy them." He shook his head. "Why do you want me to go?"

Hestia shrugged with a sheepish grin. "I do have an ulterior motive. I've read my way through Hephaestus' library and half the booksellers in Orario…I'm bored." She flashed a bright smile. "I remember you talking about your grandpa, how he made up stories for you. I know how much those books meant to you and I'd like something fresh as well."

Happy at the thought of bringing back his favorite hero stories—the last bit of his grandfather remaining to him—Bell said he would head out as soon as he finished talking with Ais. Hestia threw up her hands. "Oh, that won't do at all!" She whipped out a sheaf of papers. "I got special gate passes for you and Welf but they're only good if you leave this morning!" Calling for Welf, she shoved bags into his and Bell's hands. "I packed up for you guys; have a fun trip! See you in a few days!" She pranced away, leaning around the corner to peek at them one last time. "No time for Wallenwhatsit, now, Bell-kun! Off you go!"

Looking at each other, Welf grumbled as he shouldered his pack. "So. Where we going?"

Bell thumbed through the papers, handing Welf the ones with his name on them. "Back to where I came from." He frowned, shouldering his own pack and checking the Hestia Knife in its sheath. "Let's go. The faster we do this the quicker we can get back home."

"Agreed."

Hestia watched them stop by the forge for Welf to pick up his sword and lock up, then walk out the gate. She felt bad for keeping him away from that Wallenwhatsit girl—well, not really—but she had the strong sense that very big, potentially very bad things were about to happen in Gekai. While Loki held the advantage in her knowledge of Spirits, Hestia knew the secret of Bell's grandfather—he was the old god Zeus. Zeus had been obsessed with writing down the exploits of his familia and the histories of the larger world. When Loki suggested reading the gods-approved version of Dungeon Oratoria she had…and found nothing that seemed relevant. But given the hint that Loki was on Zeus' trail—something about the race of heroes—then maybe he had kept records different than what was popularly passed around.

Outside the city gates the two boys agreed to run, both for exercise and because they wanted to be back in Orario as soon as possible. Maybe if the girls had been with them they would have been persuaded to slow down and appreciate their time outside the city, but left to their own devices they found the experience trying. Welf wanted to be back at his forge, Bell back to training; both for the same reason. Welf was huffing as night fell. Finally able to rest, the still-energetic Bell set up camp as Welf choked out the first questions of the day.

"So, Bell. What are we doing out here anyway? I gather Hestia wanted something from your old home…but you don't seem excited to be going back." He narrowed his eyes at Bell's grimace. "Want to talk about it?"

Tent set up, Bell rummaged through his pack to find the rations Hestia had packed. Tossing a small bag to Welf, he thought while gathering tinder for a fire. Casting firebolt, he began to speak as the two sat next to the flames.

"It's…" Bell stopped, shaking his head. "I don't…" he shook his head again, looking into the fire. Finally, he took a deep, steadying breath. "My Grandpa raised me. He's the only family I ever knew before meeting Hestia. I left for Orario shortly after he died."

Welf nodded. "I see. It's still fresh, huh?"

Answering in the affirmative, Bell added more wood to the fire. "It's fine. It's only been a few months, but it's okay. He's gone and I do my best to make him proud." He laughed. "You know, the more I think about it, he was kind of a dirty old man. Did you know that when I came to Orario I was actually looking for a harem?"

Roaring with laughter, Welf wiped a tear from his eye. "Seriously? You?"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're just so straight-laced and innocent. Girls can throw themselves at you and you don't even realize what's going on. You can't even handle one girl's attention, let alone a harem."

"Not true!" Bell beamed with pride. "I have a girlfriend!"

Welf dropped his food in the fire. Cursing, he snatched what he could from the edges of the campfire and brushed the ash away before looking wonderingly at Bell. "What?! Who?! When did this happen? I thought you were head over heels for the Sword Princess!"

Bell widened his eyes. "How'd you know about that?"

Remembering they had been sworn to silence, Welf managed to play it off as common knowledge. "You're pretty obvious about it, Bell."

"Really?" Welf nodded. "Oh. Well. She's the one."

It took a minute for his words to compute in Welf's brain. "Wait." He looked at Bell sharply. "You mean..?" Bell grinned. "No." Bell smiled more broadly. "Whoa! Okay, details!"

Laughing, Bell told Welf a little about the past two days. He kept his word to Finn and did not give any more details about his sojourn to the fifty-first floor, simply saying that the thing he had to take care of involved helping Ais and Loki Familia. About the previous day he told Welf everything, except for details about the Hostess of Fertility and Ais' goal. Welf looked faint when he finished.

"Holy. Hell. Bell." Welf was not happy. "Folkvangr? And don't even get me started on Freya throwing herself at you!" Heart given to another, Welf was not at all jealous of the attentions Bell garnered…but as an older brother to the young boy he was extremely concerned. "How can we know Freya is really done messing with you?"

Bell shook his head. "It's over. When Ottar told the others to let us go…" he shuddered at the memory of the Warlord's aura. "It's over."

Frowning, Welf decided he was satisfied. "Well, congratulations! Don't worry; I won't tell Hestia about the jagamarukun date." He clapped Bell on the back. "Can't believe you actually got with Ais Wallenstein!"

Bell shrugged, shy. "Well, we've not actually talked about it officially. We only went out once. I was supposed to see her again today but Hestia…"

Welf nodded. "I get it. I'll help you out, Bell." Acknowledging Bell's thankful nod, he switched gears. "How much further to your old place? Tell me about it."

Bell shrugged. "Not much to tell. It's called Domum. It's a small farming village tucked in the mountains." He thought for a minute. "I recognized some of the landmarks; we're pretty close already. We'll be there tomorrow afternoon if we push it like today." He grinned. "Falna really is amazing! We can run there in two days. When I left it took a week of travel, half of it on the back of a merchant cart!"

The two made small talk until the fire died, when Welf insisted they get some sleep so he wouldn't pass out on the long run ahead of them.

They packed quickly as the sun rose and made it to Domum by the late afternoon. The terrain had begun to rise as they continued into the foothills, Welf's Level 2 status strained by the time they got to the village. Bell had tried to point out certain areas he played in as a young boy but the smith was in no mood for conversation. When they finally stopped he dropped to a knee, thanking Hephaestus it was over.

"Is that…can that be…Bell?!"

Welf rose as a man walked towards them. He was shorter than Welf with dark hair and sun-burnt skin. Weather-worn and swarthy, the farmer was staring at Bell with open amazement. Bell waved in acknowledgement. "Good day, Gei-san. How are things?"

The man, Gei, continued to stare open-mouthed. "My word," he finally said. "Mighty surprised to see you, boy. We all thought you'd be dead by now for sure, if you even made it to Orario in the first place!"

Bells' smile slipped. "Well. Happy to disappoint you."

"Oh, don't be like that!" Gei waved a dismissive hand. "You know what I mean. You were always so determined to be a hero, prancing about with your head in the clouds. You calmed down a bit when your Grandpa died; we all thought you'd finally settle down, be normal. Then you up and sell all your stuff and declare you're going to the city…"

"Speaking of which," Bell forcefully interjected. "Is the house still empty?"

"Oh, yeah," Gei stumbled at being interrupted. "Yeah. Sure, nobody was much interested in anything you left. We bought what we wanted and you donated the rest to the village. Nobody has needed the space so it's been empty since you left."

"Great," Bell said. "We're going to set up in there for tonight. We're not staying long, we'll be leaving in the morning."

"Got somewhere you desperately need to be, eh boy?"

"I have to get back to my familia and keep training."

"Can't believe you actually found a god to take you in. Why, I would have thought…"

"Captain, Sir," Welf intervened. "Lady Hestia entrusted us with a mission. We should rest and continue as quickly as possible."

Gei gaped. "Captain..?"

Welf nodded brusquely. "Indeed. First child of our Lady, Record-Holder of Orario, and War Game Champion."

There were sputters behind them as they walked towards a lonely cabin on the outskirts of the village, followed by hearty laughter as Gei called out behind them "Nice one! You almost had me! Like you could ever be a hero, the kid who ran and left his grandfather to monsters!"

Bell pulled Welf around and continued marching to the cabin. "I appreciate you trying," Bell told Welf, "but people you grow up with have difficulty seeing anything but the kid they knew." They reached the cabin door, Bell pushing it open. "And growing up I was just as he said." He stopped Welf speaking. "It's okay. It doesn't matter. Let's just pack this stuff up and go home."

The cabin had three simple rooms, a living area with two doors in the back and to the sides which Bell explained was his and his Grandpa's old rooms. There were no footprints or disturbances in the fine layer of dust that coated everything. Gei had told the truth—nobody had needed the space so people had left it alone. The living area featured a small, soot-stained fireplace with the grate removed. There was no other furniture aside from a bookshelf with around a dozen books. Bell smiled as he wiped the dust off one of their spines. "Grandpa wrote all these himself. Illustrated them, too."

He flipped through the pages, Welf catching glimpses of richly colored heroes and monsters. "He was pretty talented."

"Yeah." Bell set the book to the side and stacked the others on top. He wanted to dive into one before turning into bed…but something drew him to the rooms in back. Welf followed him as he pushed open the door to his old room. It was empty save for dozens of pictures pasted on the walls, scenes from the heroic tales he loved. He had never had a lot of possessions; the little that used to be here he had either carried to Orario or sold or donated to the villagers before leaving.

"Wow." Welf looked at all the pictures. "You really do love heroes."

Bell smiled as he made to go back to the living room.

"You're not going to check the other room?"

Bell turned back. When Grandpa died, Bell hadn't the heart to enter his room. Maybe some villagers had gone in and rummaged around for things; Bell wasn't sure what to expect. Taking a tentative step forward, he clenched his fist before striding purposefully to the door and pushing it open.

It looked exactly as he remembered. The old bed in the corner was gathering dust, a small chest of clothes at its foot. A large desk dominated an entire side of the room, inkpots and jars of paint in neat rows along the back with neatly arranged quills and stacks of paper. An almost completed book lay in the middle. A handsome black leather cover lay separate from a stack of pages, a glue pot and stick in easy reach. The pages were in two stacks, one filled with neat writing and the other with mostly finished illustrations.

"Looks like he nearly finished a new book for you," Welf said.

"Yeah," Bell replied. "It's weird, though."

"Why's that?"

Bell flipped through the pages slowly. "I recognize this. It's Dungeon Oratoria. We already had a copy…but that's not all. Some parts of these stories are different." He stopped on one page. "Like here. Every book I ever read talked about the heroine Alva having brown hair, but this says she had bright red hair." He flipped a few more pages. "And here. Radet famously killed a giant snake monster with a small dagger, but this says he used a kitchen fork!" He flipped through a few more before straightening them and placing them carefully in the binding. "We'll take this back as well; I want to see what all changes Grandpa made." Closing the cover, he noticed a silver engraving on the front—a shield featuring a mountain with twelve lightning bolts surrounding it. "Welf, you ever see something like this?"

He shook his head. "No. It looks a little like a familia emblem, though."

Bell nodded. What significance did this have to his grandfather?

A noise drew him back through the living area and to the front door. Villagers were running to the village center. Bell noticed for the first time there was a new feature—a wooden palisade surrounded a portion of the village green. A few men with bows stood on rickety platforms as villagers struggled to get in. Bell and Welf recognized the shrieks rapidly approaching the village. A horde of goblins was on the way.

"Doesn't sound like many," Welf said. "A small band, maybe twenty. Goblins are the weakest monsters in the dungeon, and surface-born monsters are far weaker. Formidable to the villagers but either of us could take care of them in a blink."

Placing the incomplete book on the stack of others, Bell flexed his fingers around his knife. "Stay near the palisade in case any come from behind. I'm going to meet the goblin war party."

Welf took his position as Bell calmly walked out to the center of the village. He heard a few mutters from people who recognized the white haired boy, heard claims he was crazy and still had delusions of being a hero. The howls of the war band grew louder before they crested the rise on the far side of the village. The villagers around Welf trembled in fear and swarmed the gate in a frenzy, causing a jam. The shaking caused an archer to fall off the poorly constructed rampart, further clogging the entrance.

Welf knew yelling would only increase their panic. Instead, he drew his sword and slashed through the air. With a terrible screech and a flash of sparks the smith shattered a large stone into pieces. The noise drew the panicked villagers' attention. "Calm yourselves," he said, sticking a thumb over his shoulder. "You'll be fine. You'll want to see this." Slinging his sword over his shoulder Welf turned nonchalantly to watch Bell. He hoped the villagers would remain calm after his example and not hurt themselves, but after hearing more and more of them question his captain's sanity watching him stand immobile in the path of almost two dozen charging goblins, calling him stupid or a wannabe hero, Welf had to grind his teeth and remind himself it was wrong to hate. They knew a different Bell than he did, that was all.

Standing completely still as the goblins ran closer the young boy waited. The villagers began to move fearfully for their makeshift fort again before Welf snapped at them to have a little faith. Finally, when the goblins were only a few feet away from the lone boy, he moved.

And he did move.

"Where did he go?" Murmurs spread around Welf. The smith could only see a blur; flashes of white hair and streaks of violet as his friend carved through monsters. To those behind him without a falna it must have seemed like he disappeared completely. In seconds the entire band was piles of ash and Bell 'reappeared', coming to a stop and sheathing his blade. More murmurs issued forth as Welf grinned. "So fast!" "With one hand!" "Is that really Bell?" "With just a knife!"

More howls sounded in the distance along with a human voice—a man was shouting in fear. Gei was running from the opposite side of the village. "They're coming!" he shouted. "Another band is attacking from the eastern pass!"

Welf felt the air stir beside him as Bell ran at full speed to the other side of the village. The howls were still in the pass, several hundred yards away. Bell didn't wait as long this time. As soon as the entire group—around thirty—was in view, he raised his hand.

"Firebolt!"

Little eddies of ash swirled before settling against the stone of the mountain, the entire party destroyed in a single blast. "Whoa…" Gei and a few others had run after them. He tried to speak more as the boy passed him but was unable to form words, stepping aside as Bell walked back to his old cabin.

Falling in behind him, Welf kept quiet until they were behind closed doors. "You're not acting like yourself, Bell." He put a hand on the boys' shoulder. "What's up?"

Hanging his head quietly, he shook his head. "I don't know. I guess…Gei was right, you know. Grandpa was killed by a goblin. He told me to run, to get help. He was killed while I was gone." Reaching for the bags he pulled out his sleeping mat. "All I wanted was to be a hero, and I ran. And then I ran from here to Orario, and in Orario I ran and ran and ran, always running. Never with direction—just away." A tear rolled down his cheek. "I wanted to make Grandpa proud of me, but I wasn't able to do anything for him or even for myself. Not until I met Ais. Ais, the familia, the Xenos— I still run, but now I have direction. Ever forwards; ever higher; ever stronger. Tonight…" he trailed off, finishing setting up his mat on the floor by the fireplace, quickly throwing some tinder in the grate and lighting it with a spell. "Tonight, I wanted to kill those goblins for Grandpa. I've never wanted to just kill something before; there's always been a goal or an adventure or it was in self-defense. I don't feel guilty," he hastily added. "They were wild monsters attacking a settlement. Still…there was nothing honorable in it." He worked under the blanket and turned his back to Welf. "You should probably set up your mat out here. You can try one of the beds if you want, but after being left alone so long I wouldn't trust the mattress."

Knowing it wouldn't be smart to push, Welf quietly agreed and set up his mat on the other side of the fire. There would be time to talk on the way back home.

A short while later Welf was woken by a rough shake. "Get up!" Bell urgently hissed.

The smith rubbed his eyes, looking around for signs of trouble. Bell had already let go and was packing everything with frantic speed. Everything, including the books, were packed in a flash and he was shaking Welf's shoulders again before he knew it. "Alright, alright, I'm up. What's going on, Bell?"

"Ais is in trouble."

Welf stood, scratching his head. "What are you talking about? How could you possibly know..?"

"No time." Bell already had both his and Welf's packs on his back. "Sorry, Welf. We need to get back fast and you're too slow." Ignoring Welf's roars of protest, Bell slung the redhead over his shoulder with the packs and ran.

They reached Orario early in the morning. Nursing a very sore stomach and even more damaged pride, Welf finally slid off his captain's shoulder in front of the Hearthfire Manor. "Not cool, Bell!" he shouted, but the boy had already rushed inside, dropping the bags along the way. Grumbling as he picked up after the boy, Welf walked inside to find Bell kneeling before a long-faced Hestia. The other girls lined the wall, each very glum. "What happened?"

Bell's jaw tightened and everyone in the room felt his rage as his aura pressed in on them. It didn't calm even as Hestia gently touched the kneeling boy's shoulder. The tiny goddess pursed her lips.

"Ais Wallenstein has been kidnapped."

The morning Bell left, Ais had milled around the garden near the front gate, anxious for Bell's arrival. As the sun passed its zenith and the afternoon wore on, she approached the gate guards to see if a message had been left. There had been…from Lady Hestia. Apparently, she had sent Bell on a mission earlier; he wasn't expected back for days. Put out, she ambled back into the manor. Maybe she could convince Finn to train with her. Finn had radically changed his approach to adventuring, had put his reputation at risk to adhere to his new ideals…and found success. She thought about the feeling of being left behind, watching Bell standing on the wall after his duel with the black bull. She was stronger and far more experienced as an adventurer…yet he had done far more than ever she could hope. He had even inspired Finn, who seemed to understand. She wanted to understand. She wanted to catch up. While Bell's quest was to gain the physical strength to stand by her side, Ais wanted to achieve the emotional growth to earn his affection. And…for herself. She wanted to be more for her mother. It was by far the harder route.

"Oh, Aizu!"

Ais inwardly groaned at the sing-song voice. "Please. Stop calling me weird things."

Loki grinned. "Heard about your boyfriend ditching ya. Shame on him, amiright?"

"B-boyfriend..?!" Had Riveria said something to Loki? And…boyfriend? They hadn't really talked about it, but…her cheeks flushed with warmth. "What do you mean, 'ditched?'"

Loki beamed. "He didn't show! Left ya alone! Didn't come to spend time with ya!" At the girls' frown, the meddlesome goddess relented. "Bah, I'm just messin' with ya. I got the message from Itty Bitty earlier and forgot to tell ya." The goddess frowned in thought. "Don't know how the shrimp finagled passes out of the city, or what she's up to." She shrugged. "Doesn't matter, I guess. I'm proud of ya, Ais, sharing with everyone like that! I wasn't entirely sure ya were there yet."

"Yeah," Ais gave a small smile. "I'm happy everyone took it well. Even Bete came to me for a hug. I thought he was about to attack."

A deep belly laugh rolled out of her goddess. "Oh, Aizu. Ya really are silly sometimes." She pat the girls' head. "We're family, here. There's not a person with my falna who wouldn't do anything for ya or any other member—regardless where they come from." She snickered. "Or how old ya are. Think it humbles Riveria that Momma doesn't have the age advantage?"

"You know it doesn't work like that, Loki."

"Fine, fine." She held up her hands in surrender. "I won't joke about it." She thought for a minute. For some reason Hestia's actions were still bothering her. Maybe her judgement had been wrong—gods and goddesses knew she had been wrong enough, lately—but she had thought Hestia might have been smarter than she looked. After cluing her in to Dungeon Oratoria she had hoped the big-boobed irritation might learn enough independently to become a partner in the future. Was Hestia fooling around…or was this surprise quest something to do with the race of heroes?

"Thanks," Ais said.

"Huh?"

"Thanks for not joking about it. I appreciate it."

"Oh. Oh! Yes, 'course, Ais." Loki grinned. "Sorry, I was thinking about a lot of stuff. What do ya think you're gonna to do today?"

Mentioning training with Finn, she was informed the captain was extremely busy—Loki had him running a number of scenarios she was curious about. That avenue cut off she said "Dungeon, probably. Tiona was begging for help to pay off some of her debt. I thought we could do some prowling together."

Nodding, Loki bade them good luck and told her not to go too deep without more backup. Ais found Tiona quickly but was shot down yet again. Apparently she had found some new books at the market and couldn't be persuaded to part with them before reading them through at least once. Sighing as she gathered her gear, she remembered Loki's advice. She'd go down to the twentieth floor, no farther.

The journey through the upper floors was boring. A short stop in Rivira didn't yield any excitement so she continued down. A few dozen monsters met her blade before she thought about returning. There was no challenge here and the magic stones she got were not worth any significant amount of valis. Without her friends or seeking a challenge, this was idle use of time. She had just decided to go back home and wait for Finn or some of the others when a flash of wings drew her eyes. The ceiling was fairly high on this floor and the monster was as high as it could be, skirting the edges of the room. It was unusual behavior for a monster…particularly since there were others on this floor. Ais saw a small party almost directly beneath it. She shook her head at them for not recognizing the danger, but was more intrigued it was not attacking. Getting closer, she realized something else very odd—it was wearing clothes. She gasped in recognition of Ray the siren. Thinking about Bell and Finn, she decided this may be the opportunity she needed to catch up. She decided to follow.

Ray took several turns, careful to avoid any parties she encountered. On the ground, Ais too kept herself concealed from others. After clearing several rooms with no adventurers and nearing a pantry, Ais decided it was safe to make herself known, calling out the Xenos by name.

The poor thing nearly fell out of the sky with shock before she saw Ais' face. She had last seen the girl sleeping on Bell Cranel…a painful thing to witness, sure, but also rather sweet given the events of the day. There was so much fighting that day and their enemies had been so strong. Ray liked the Loki Familia. They had been kind to her…and for a short time she had seen the sky, if only through a window. Scanning the floor, she landed near the blonde girl. "Miss Ais! I didn't expect to run into you! If any other adventurers saw us..?"

Ais nodded. "I know. It's okay. I wanted to talk to you. I thought maybe…" She choked a bit. She reminded herself that Tione and Alicia had formed an attachment with the siren. Mostly she thought about how far left behind she felt. "I thought maybe we could be friends."

Stunned into silence, the siren was still for a few moments before breaking into a wide smile. "Oh, that would be lovely!" Reaching out tentatively, Ais raised her hand in response. Gently, Ray held her hand. When Ais didn't pull away her smile grew more radiant. "Come on!" she exclaimed. "I was on my way home, if you'd like to see our village?"

Nodding, Ais found herself dragged along a few more rooms before ending in a dead end. The only notable feature was a small stream along one wall. Ray frowned slightly. "I always hate this part," she said. "It never agrees with my feathers." In response to Ais' questioning look, she stepped to the water's edge. "It's a very short swim. Hold your breath and take a few steps forward when your feet hit the bottom. When you reach a wall, push up and you'll be in our village." Her smile returned. "See you on the other side!"

Ais panicked as Ray readied to jump into the stream. "Wait!" Twiddling her thumbs as the other girl cocked her head, she said shyly "I can't swim."

Ray's mouth gaped for a moment. Huh, she thought. Never thought the Sword Princess would be so put off by water. "Oh, that's okay. You're not really swimming; your feet will be touching the bottom the whole time. If you can hold your breath and walk, you can do it! What do you think?" When the blonde didn't answer, she thought how nice it was to have a new friend, a human, hold her hand without fear. "If you like…if you like I can hold your hand on the way through?" Watching the other girl think, she couldn't help a happy squeal when she nodded. "Alright! Let's go!"

She's like a siren version of Tiona, Ais thought. She even wears Amazonian clothes. Accepting her hand, Ais took a deep breath as she was led to the water. Next thing she knew, she was submerged. Panic set in immediately, but a few comforting pumps of Ray's hand helped her keep her head. Ray led her through the dark water and after a few seconds light came from above. Pushing up, Ray and Ais clambered back onto solid ground.

Ray fanned her wings with a light shake. "I hate water."

Ais nodded, wringing her hair out. "Me, too."

Smiling brightly, Ray waved her arm at the cavern extending before them. "Welcome to the Xenos Hidden Village!"

Dozens of Xenos roamed the cavern. There were actual homes built; it looked like they had harvested trees from safe zones and other dungeon landforms to construct their huts and storage sheds. Many were colorfully decorated. Small groups gathered around fires, some telling stories, some preparing food. It was all peaceful…until they caught sight of her. Alarms raised, they were quickly surrounded. In spite of herself Ais was impressed—she had seen excellent teamwork in her own familia and in Hermes, but these Xenos had far higher numbers and still responded as a single unit. She knew from experience they were around Level 4 or weaker and had self-taught skills…still. They had turned their isolation into a strength, learning a level of teamwork most on the surface could only aspire to.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Ray flapped her arms and wings to get attention. "She's okay, everything is fine!" She carefully grabbed Ais' hand again. "She's a friend, see?"

The others were hesitant until another voice joined Ray's. "If she says she's good, she's good." Lowering weapons they began breaking away, many sets of curious eyes lingering on Ais. When they finally cleared Ais saw the speaker who helped them. She recognized the gargoyle who had attacked the half-elf…Eina? This was the one Bell stood in front of before battling the black bull.

"Hello Sword Princess," the gargoyle said. "I am Gros. I lead this village." He looked at Ray, then back. "I am surprised to find you here, of all people. We never believed you could see us as anything other than monsters."

"I…" Ais shut her mouth. Even now she was having a hard time, but she was already starting to like Ray, at least. "It's new. I think…Bell was right. Xenos aren't monsters."

Gros looked satisfied. "Ah, you know Bell?" She nodded. "He's something of a hero to us—the first human to openly work with Xenos. And…" Shame spread across his blunt, stony features. That even Ais could make it out on a face literally made of stone was testament to its honesty. "He saved me from truly becoming a monster. A murderer." Ais remembered Eina. "It was a bad situation all around."

Ray brushed away the morose Gros. "It's all good, Gros! Stop looking so stony!"

"…not funny, Ray."

"Oh, you know what I mean!" The excited siren gestured Ais to follow her. "Come on, I'll show you around!"

It was a short tour. Ais enjoyed seeing the colorful homes they had built. It was a surprisingly warm environment. She was floored by one of the sheds, filled to the brim with drop items from creatures ranging from the twentieth to the mid-forties…and there was more than one shed. It was an unimaginable amount of wealth, though the thought was slightly spoiled by what she saw next. She raised her brow at that storehouse—there were lots of items, weapons and armor put away. Ray explained it was a source of shame that sometimes they were forced to survive by scavenging adventurers corpses. Weapons, armor, and items were as vital for their survival as those on the surface…but they couldn't exactly purchase anything. The dungeon could provide item drops and they could mine just like those on the surface, true…but that was only useful if there was a Xenos skilled at smithing or item creation. They had no metalworkers, and though some dabbled it would take many, many years for them to attain any sort of competency. Even then surface work would still be superior. Ais had to concede the point, though it still made her a little queasy. Understanding, Ray told her though this was the Xenos source of shame, it was a source of pride that they never killed any adventurers unless their home was directly threatened…which hadn't actually happened yet. The Xenos had a simple rule and had not broken it—if it is capable of speech, don't kill it.

Something in one of the piles caught her eye. Pulling out a sword, she examined every detail of it. The work was completely foreign to her as was the engraving near the hilt. It looked like a maker's mark but she had no idea what familia it was. The handle was almost completely disintegrated. Her experience with weapons told her it was very, very old. Asking about it, Ray said "It really is amazing what you can find in the dungeon! Not all of this stuff came from bodies, you know. Especially in the deep floors. Most adventurers fight their way through and only stay in safe zones, and not for long. Very few are actually equipped to adventure, to look around. We Xenos…the dungeon is our life. It's our Mother; our home. Though we have to fight to survive we aren't afraid to explore its depths. When you take your time to actually look around you can find some incredible stuff. Probably some of these are from the first adventurers ever to enter the dungeon!"

Ais was amazed at the idea and impressed with what Ray said. She had never considered the Xenos living situation before. The idea that they were also adventurers at heart…it struck a chord.

A commotion at the entrance drew their attention. "Lyd is back!" They seemed excited, including Ray, so Ais followed to see what was going on. A tall lizardman had returned with a small bunch of other Xenos. Ais could already feel the power difference between these and the ones in the village. Wherever they had come from they were much stronger. The lizardman—Lyd—jumped at seeing the Sword Princess. The situation was quickly explained and he asked the knight for a word. Saying goodbye to Ray, she followed Lyd to a hut near the middle of the village.

Refusing the food and drink he offered, Ais waited as Lyd settled in to talk. "I'm told you spoke to Gros already. He runs this village now; it was my responsibility not too long ago. Asterius—the black bull you encountered on the surface—made a rare visit to tell us he had seen new Xenos being born on lower floors. You probably noticed the Xenos I arrived with; know they're stronger than we are. I went searching and found a new Hidden Village. Some of the new Xenos had found it; I helped them organize and led parties to find more of our brethren. They elected me their leader. Things were going well…until people began disappearing."

Ais raised an eyebrow. "If it's deep enough in the dungeon to spawn Xenos as strong as those you brought then it's not surprising you lost some. The monsters down there are sure to have picked some off."

Lyd shook his head. "That's not it at all. I mean, you're right—we have to defend ourselves from monsters just as surfacers do. But this is not why they've gone missing." He leaned in. "We are being hunted." He leaned back. "Very successfully. I led a party to counter these hunters…I am the only survivor. That's the bad news. The worse news is I know exactly what killed my people. And I believe you are acquainted with the sort."

Ais cocked her head. Knew the sort..? The image of Revis came forcefully to the forefront of her mind. "Plantlike skin? Hybrid creatures, enhanced by eating magic stones?"

Lyd nodded emphatically. "I believe you knew two of them—one named Olivas Act and another, older one. Revis." He sighed deeply, eyes closed in thought. "Whatever they are, they are born of the deepest part of the dungeon. Monsters obey them and they can summon new types of monsters unnatural to the dungeon." He eyes opened with a glare. "These hunters, these…creatures…have decimated the new village already. And they're not going to stop." Anger fizzled to a lost look. "Xenos believe the dungeon is our Mother. It gave birth to us, gave us intelligence...the other monsters attack us, yes, but we can sense the kinship in them; the potential. Their souls are as ours, waiting to be reborn."

Ais started. What did that mean? Lyd continued before she could ask.

"But there is something in its depths that has decided we are a mistake. We do not recognize this. These creatures are not like our Mother—we do not sense anything in them. These creatures are from another source. We need to find it and stop it—though our goal is to one day live peacefully on the surface, that dream is pointless if we're all dead. I ask a favor, Sword Princess." Lyd lifted a small bag. Taking it, Ais discovered it was full of oddly colored magic stones, same as the violas. "Take this to Finn. Ask him for help. We know he is on the path of the stones and their connection to the surface—if he helps stop the hunters, we will aid you in reaching the source."

Thumbing the stones with a deep expression, Ais was unsure what to do. There were connections here to Aria she didn't want to discuss, but the Xenos knew about the demi-spirits—they had already helped in Knossos. Did they know the larger problem of corrupted spirits? And all that about the dungeon-Mother…she had no idea what to make of that.

Lyd clearly thought she could use another verbal push. "I want to be perfectly clear, Sword Princess. Finn will come back down here anyway. If he helps us, then when he leads his people into the deep we'll add to his army."

Clenching the bag of stones, Ais came to a decision. "I can't promise he'll help…but I will deliver your message."

Lyd bowed in thanks. "This takes a great weight off my shoulders, Sword Princess. The new village has been restricted—the hunters have not yet located the entrance, but travel outside has been restricted to ensure they never do. I and a few others run food to them but circumstances are rough. The sooner we can get help the more power we'll have to offer." He stood. "Ray will try to convince you to stay. Please, make haste for the surface…and please do not tell the others of this. For now only I, Gros, and the lower-born Xenos know of this. No need to incite a panic."

Nodding, the girl stood and tucked the stones away. She found Ray quickly. As predicted she tried to get Ais to stay. Politely declining her offer to see Ray's home, she truthfully said she'd love to see it another time. Ray escorted her back to the dead end room, cheerfully waving goodbye before slipping back under the water. Heading out, Ais had hardly entered the next room when her senses kicked into overdrive.

Desperate flew into her hands as she swung high and to the side. She parried the blow and followed with a sharp kick, knocking her opponent into the far wall. He was a small man, and dark—hair; eyes; countenance. His skin was a patchwork of weave-patterned, plantlike skin like Vendetta's lower body had been. A sour smile marred what might have been a handsome face. He was quick, though. No sooner had he hit the wall before he sprung off it in another strike…and he was not the only one. Three more attackers surrounded Ais. Desperate moved so fast it left trails in the air but she still wasn't fast enough.

Ais growled as she was cut one, two, three, four times. "Tempest!" She resumed her defense with renewed vigor…or tried to. Her wind didn't come. The sick feeling in her gut was all too familiar—she had been cursed. It was the same feeling as when Ishtar Familia attacked her in Melen. She was wounded again; blood ran down her back as Sour Smile ripped his blade from her back. Surrounded, wounded, alone and without access to her magic, Ais went on the offensive. She managed to blow through one opponent and put all four in front of her. With a narrowed range of incoming attacks she was able to defend and strike with much greater speed and accuracy.

Then their tactics changed.

They had behaved as individuals before; now they coordinated in such sudden fashion it took Ais by surprise. She had made the mistake of thinking of them as four individual attackers. She should have thought of them as a team. Two split to strike from the sides and a third went up the center. Acting as one, the three trapped Desperate and forced the tip to the ground. The one in the center took over holding her sword while the two on the sides grabbed her arms, sheathing their weapons. The one trapping her sword raised her grip to Ais' wrist and snapped it with a sharp twist. Desperate dropped to the ground but Ais wasn't finished. Pushing off with her legs she delivered a powerful kick to the chest of the one who broke her wrist. As he flew backwards she used the momentum to twist, breaking the grip of the man holding her good arm and smashing the face of the third man before drawing her arm back to break the second man's nose with her elbow. Not letting go, she moved to strike again…then time ran out. She hadn't seen Sour Smile get behind her. She felt the impact on the back of her head, then nothing at all.

She woke a short while later, the jostling of being carried between two people returning her to consciousness. The floor was rushing by, her hair dragging the dirt. Taking quick stock of her condition, she decided she was only moderately hurt. The blow to her head left a throbbing headache and the cuts she suffered were already crusted with dried blood. The stab wound on her back was painful but not deep; Sour Smile hadn't been able to work the blade too deep before she moved. Her broken wrist was swollen and shafing. She couldn't move her arms or legs. She was bound at the wrists and ankles in a depressingly familiar type of knot. It was the same way they tied up Bete when he drank too much. What did Tiona call it? Hogtying? She tried to look at her attackers. Unable to make out any faces, she looked for other information. After a few seconds she recognized they were on the tenth floor. This was another surprise. Why would they be carrying her closer to the surface? Another thing captured her attention. The monsters on the floor were ignoring them entirely. No; that wasn't entirely true. They were actively getting out of their way, behaving almost deferentially.

A terrible roar rent the air.

Ais stiffened; she recognized the battle cry of the black minotaur. Her abductors, however, did not stir. She saw why a moment later. Far, far larger than the average minotaur, the black bull entered the hallway behind them. The person at the rear of their party turned with a smirk, casually twirling his sword as he reached a hand out towards the angry Xenos. Perhaps he thought it was just an irregular monster, perhaps he was supremely confident in his skill. Whatever he thought became immaterial when the bull's fist came down.

Ais was dropped face-first on the dungeon floor. Free from her captors she flipped over to watch them, immediately setting to work on her bindings. She figured she'd have enough time to get her arms free then use her backup knife to cut the bindings on her ankles and escape.

She was wrong.

Two of them skirted around the mass of broken flesh that a moment ago had been their partner. The bull stood, heaving, red eyes gleaming menacingly. Like with Ais, they attacked simultaneously from both sides. Unlike with Ais, their opponent was freakishly, unbelievably strong. He grabbed one in each hand as they struck; their blades struck his body again and again but nothing penetrated his thick hide. A gurgle spewed out its mouth. The bull was laughing. A moment later it closed its fist around one's face; Ais had seen and done many unsavory things to monsters, but the sick crunching noise when the red-eyed Xenos squeezed made her want to retch. The man in his other hand stopped attacking the minotaur's body, instead trying to saw at the wrist of the hand holding him. For his frantic efforts he was rewarded when a single hair fell to the ground. His efforts ceased when the bull slammed him upwards into the ceiling then down into the floor. Red eyes looked behind Ais.

Her arms and legs were sharply drawn backwards as Sour Smile grabbed the rope and slung her over his back. From his pocket he pulled a glass bottle. Throwing it at the minotaur's face, he turned and ran before it landed. The sound of breaking glass and an angry roar rapidly faded in the distance as Sour Smile escaped with Ais. She heard him speaking…no, chanting. His feet began to glow, the light spreading to his footprints behind him. Suddenly they were traveling without sound and made no mark on the dungeon floor. It wasn't much longer after that Ais realized their destination. The hidden door leading to the tenth level of Knossos had been sealed by the Xenos after the second invasion ended. Finn had hypothesized the activation of the altar there and subsequent growth of that strange, pulsing green substance had turned the entire area into some sort of spirit realm, for lack of a better term.

The Xenos had done a great job. Ais had a good eye and she didn't see the entrance when Sour Smile kicked the wall. It seemed to split at the seams, a dank odor pouring out of the newly revealed tunnel. Without losing a step Sour Smile carried Ais deep into an alien green world.

Knossos as she remembered it was gone. Not a hint of stone remained; in fact, it eerily reminded her of the fifty ninth floor. The entire area was a lush, verdant jungle world. Humidity clung to her body like a thick wet blanket, droplets of condensation and sweat making her blink rapidly. Carried to the middle of the floor she was unceremoniously thrown into a cage. It was hastily made but still looked sturdy—it was made of pure adamantine, cast inches thick. With the rough edges and uneven distribution of metal, Ais judged none of her captors had been craftsmen. It looked as if they had mined ore and haphazardly melted it into bars for a cage. Regardless, she wouldn't be able to break through that much pure adamantine even if she got out of the ropes. Throughout these observations and dozens more constantly trying to gauge the situation, Ais had remained calm. Then she heard a very, very unwelcome sound. The disturbing click of something hard on thin crystal.

Sour Smile smiled wider in what may have been genuine pleasure on his part. It only made him more unpleasant. "Ah, you're awake. Good. And I see you recognized your host. Or rather, the one you'll be hosting." He laughed sadistically at his own joke.

Ais' eyes were locked on the ground beside him. A jewel fetus sat in a small divot in the floor. The sick, unnatural pulsing indicating the green substance was alive was, Ais noticed for the first time, directed towards the fetus. It was feeding. Ais realized something else that set her stomach churning. The corrupted spirit in the dungeon wanted her. Unsuccessful attempts must have made it change its strategy. Instead of consuming her directly it wanted to incorporate her into itself by making her a demi-spirit host.

She was going to be turned into an abomination.

Sour Smile seemed to sense her thoughts. "We learned a lesson from Revis. Your Spirit Wind is too useful a tool; we could have still beaten you but it would've been a tougher fight." He sneered. "Why go through the trouble of beating you when we can simply win?" He stared hungrily at the jewel fetus and began to pace restlessly around the prison bars. Rapping his knuckles on them produced a deep, resounding note. "Rough craftsmanship, no doubt...but effective. It would take a dragon to break these bars. More than enough to hold the infamous Aria until the curse wears off." He threw his body against the bars, that sick, sour smile pressed between them to get as close to Ais as possible. "Revis and the other pets made the same mistake. They wanted you beaten." He licked his lips. Ais heard...anticipation? Longing? Something that made her feel extremely uncomfortable was in his voice. "But Aria has never been beaten, not when she had her heroes and not for the past thousand years."

Ais gaped. Not for the past thousand years..?! Did that mean..?! "Tell me what you..!"

Sour Smile slammed the bars violently to shut her up. "They were wrong to try getting you their way. The curse we placed on you will soon dispel. I will take the seed and smash it into your heart. As the crystal shell tears it asunder the seed will enter your body and build you anew. From death you will become a Child of Cel, to be used or consumed as she sees fit."

Ais furrowed her brow. Who—or what—was Cel? The thought flickered across her mind, but Aria was the main attention draw. "Tell me!" she screamed. "What do you mean, 'never been beaten'?" Sour Smile pushed away from the cage as Ais managed to slip a hand from its binding, quickly drawing her knife to cut the rope around her ankles before charging, reaching through to grab at him. "Where is my Mother?!"

She withdrew her arms only after several strikes crushed several more bones in her already broken wrist, knife clattering to the ground. She desperately wanted to be free, to question the creature gloating just a few feet away. But she knew if she kept it up she may lose her sword arm for good. It would do her Mother no good if she lost the ability to use her weapon. She needed a way out. Since that bull monster had taken care of the other three, she stood a real chance. If she could break the lock and grab her knife...

Ais and Sour Smile turned sharply towards an unmistakable sound. The green substance coating the floor, walls and ceiling was several feet thick at least; its soft, dense quality meant it should have absorbed sound very well. Indeed, even Ais screaming at her captor had seemed muted in her own ears. For a noise to reverberate through the entire cavern it must have been very loud...or come from an extremely powerful source.

Sour Smile drew a sinister looking sword. Ais vaguely noted it looked old; almost as old as what she'd seen in the Xenos storehouse. It was jet black and oozed the same sort of sour aura as its wielder's smile, its edge so sharp it was almost painful to look at. He did not look scared as another roar shook the room, bits of green substance falling from the ceiling. He stood confidently as a large shadow spread across the cavern entrance shortly followed by its owner.

The black bull had found them.

Sour Smile grinned as it slowly approached. "My...brothers...were quite often a pain in the ass. Still," he shrugged with feigned regret. "They were someone to talk to." As he smiled the ill aura around his weapon intensified. Ais wondered at the weapon. It was a sick thing used by a sick person. Somehow it had the quality of being in tune with its user's emotions or intent—the weapon gained power from the wielder's resolve. She had never seen such a thing.

It clearly made Sour Smile feel supremely confident. As the bull neared the cage, keeping the same steady walking pace, he charged. He swung the black blade with all his might in a downstroke that could have killed any monster Ais had ever seen. The attack was over in an instant.

And the bull still stood. Raising a hand at the last possible second it had caught the blade on the palm of its hand—the impact had bruised it, perhaps fractured a bone or two, but the minotaur remained uncut. Sour Smile's eyes widened in shock as the bull grabbed the blade and held it before him. Her captor tried pulling the sword back, but the monster's grip refused to give an inch. Arming itself for the first time, the minotaur drew a massive battleaxe, one of two strapped to its back. Holding it aloft, casually rolling it in one hand as he contemplated the man before it, the minotaur took abrupt action. With a single swing it snapped the foul sword in half, its arc continuing to meet the man's neck. Blade and head fell to the ground followed by hilt and body, each going separate directions.

The victor stepped between the broken pieces of his foe. "Disappointing." Snorting, it approached the caged girl. Reaching out, presumably to break the lock, its nostrils flared wide. Sniffing excitedly it spoke again. "You know the white-haired human. Bell."

It was not a question.

Ais was unsure what to do. She was slightly offended he had smelled Bell on her. They had not touched much during the jagamarakun date—yesterday!—and she had bathed and changed clothes. Subconsciously sniffing herself, she decided she wouldn't lie to this monster—Xenos—but she wouldn't give out additional information. "Yes," she said simply.

"It's more than that." The bull shook its head. "I smell his pheromones all over you. He wants you very badly." The Xenos crinkled his nose as Ais' cheeks flushed. "And you him. This is fortuitous." Ais looked up sharply. "My name is Asterius. Your mate is my rival."

...Mate?

"I have been longing for a rematch..."

...Mate?

"...and you are the perfect lure."

...Ma...wait, what? "Lure?"

Asterius nodded. "I have been unable to seek him out. It makes the other Xenos uncomfortable when I venture too high, and though they try my patience it would be wrong—and inconvenient—to have to kill them all. So I have waited in the deep, challenging the unknown and strengthening myself for our next encounter." He smiled. Broad, flat teeth like tombstones gleamed in the green-lit room.

She had to throw him off track. "Bell has no idea where we are or that I am captured. Keeping me here won't do anything for you; you have no way of getting a message to the surface."

It raised a fist to the bars, opening his hand to reveal a small red jewel in his palm. She recognized an oculus—a magic item used for communication given to Finn by Asfi, captain of Hermes Familia. How had he gotten one?

"I already have."

Looking into herself, Ais sagged. She felt Bell rushing closer; she had been absorbed in the fighting before, but now she reflected on it she realized he had probably felt her get hurt and was returning from his quest. Part of her was happy he was so willing to rush to her aid; another part chastised him for giving up on his quest. Mostly, though, she worried for him. Her four attackers had handled her easily and Asterius treated them like a minor nuisance. She didn't want him to return. She didn't want him to face the beast lounging comfortably on the other side of her cage. She gulped heavily. She didn't want him to die.

"Why..?" the words came out softly. The girl steeled herself. "Why Bell? Why is he your rival? He's not weak, but he's not a first class adventurer—not yet. Is this because of your fight on the surface?"

Carefully cleaning the blood from his axe, Asterius considered her. "Our rivalry runs deeper than that." Satisfied his gear was in top shape he returned the massive weapon to its harness. "Attaining awareness is an unusual thing. I am considered unusual among the other Xenos—some say I am 'less advanced' or 'less evolved' than they." He snorted. "Perhaps they are right. They are born fully functional, knowing what they are. Knowing speech. Some have memories. Not I." He sat on the floor, settling in a comfortable position, waiting for Bell to arrive. "My first memory was battle. Facing white hair and red eyes; feeling the rush as my foe and I danced with death. Life, victory hung on the edge of a knife...and I lost. But it was a glorious battle. There was honor there." He snorted again, softer this time. "I came back. My desire for a rematch was strong enough the dungeon re-birthed me as I am. Lyd and the others tried teaching me the ways of the Xenos. Some has been beneficial and I suppose they make decent companions occasionally. But while they are conflicted about their reason for being, creating philosophy about the dungeon-Mother, I know my purpose." He clenched his fist. "I will duel my opponent with everything I have and the better shall win."

The way he spoke...Ais detected no malice. Thinking to their earlier fight, it seemed Bell had wanted that duel as much as the bull. Was it possible this was an honest rivalry? It was a foreign thought to her, but not entirely. Every good adventurer she knew picked a strong rival to compare themselves to, to help drive them forwards. Tiona and Tione had each other. Bete considered Ottar his. For the longest time Riveria had been hers; their relationship had become something far from adversarial, but the thought of Riveria still drove Ais to push herself great lengths. Her emotions diverged again. Part of her was terrified this great beast who had just killed four experienced, high-level hybrid creatures was gunning for Bell. Yet...she was also proud this powerful Xenos esteemed Bell so highly. Though terribly worried, she was oddly proud of her...boyfriend.

She began to feel a little better, the queasiness in the pit of her stomach lightening. The curse was wearing off; she could feel access to her wind being restored. It was game time. Despite her feelings of pride, there was no way she could allow Bell to fight Asterius for her. She stared at the cage lock. The entire construction was extremely solid, but amateur. She would never be able to break the bars, but the lock..? It was made of high-quality adamantine just like the rest of the cage but was a very simple mechanism—it had to be, she reasoned. If the bars had been made so haphazardly then the lock couldn't be more than a simple latch in a metal case. If she used her wind to power the strongest kick she could, she should be able to break it and escape. She knew the route back to the dungeon proper and the onto the surface where the bull could not follow. Going over the plan in her head, she called her Tempest.

A terrifying skittering against crystal came from the jewel fetus next to her, tiny cracks webbing its surface. Asterius gave a low, violent warning growl and the creature inside stopped struggling for a moment. "Let it go," he told Ais.

She released her wind immediately.

Checking the fetus with a disgusted expression he settled back into his old position. He jerked his head towards the fetus. "No need to wake up that seed. It's strong...very strong. Enough to be an exciting challenge to be sure...but you're the only host available and I'd rather that not happen."

Ais was surprised as his knowledge of the jewel fetus. "What do you know about them?"

He shrugged. "Talk to Lyd. He's the one with all the theories. But..." Ais thought the minotaur was grimacing; it was hard to tell. "These things make me sick. They are...unnatural. Corrupted. They're made from the energy that powers this." He pulled up a handful of green substance. Watching it work between his fingers, she couldn't decide if it was more plantlike or more fleshy. "My main goal is dueling the white haired human. When training myself, however, I find targeting these kinds of foes most pleasing." He threw away the clump of green, wiping his hand brusquely. "Now, let us wait. The human will be here soon."

In the Hearthfire Manor, Bell rose from where he knelt. Hestia's hand slipped off his shoulder as he stood. He knew something had happened to Ais and his goddess said she had been kidnapped. He needed more information. "What happened?"

Hestia held out a crimson jewel—the partner oculus to Asterius'. One of the few deities to see the Xenos firsthand, she was also the most compassionate. Like her work with the orphanages on Daedalus Street, she felt the Xenos worthy of compassion. Mostly she left offerings of supplies and gifts with Ganesha's people who would 'lose them' at certain points in the dungeon. She knew her own children—except Lili—would be happy to do it, but they weren't a large enough party to justify carrying large amounts of gear into the dungeon. Before too long they would get caught and their relationship with the Xenos would come to a swift end. The oculus was a way to ensure the supplies had been picked up and to check on their well-being. She wasn't sure how Asterius got a hold of it but now was not the time to find out.

She explained she had asked Fels for it in order to stay in contact with the Xenos in case they needed any help. Asterius' message had been simple: "Knossos, tenth floor, altar room. I will keep your mate until you come." Hestia kept out the mate part. She was worried for the girl's safety and terrified at the prospect of Bell facing the black minotaur...but if everyone made out of this in one piece she was going to bring down the fiery wrath of a scorned goddess on that boy's head.

"Asterius."

Given the rage and fear that had flowed from their captain just moments before, Hestia Familia was surprised at the levelness of his voice. He continued.

"That it's Asterius...this makes things different."

"What do you mean, Master Bell?" Lili shared Hestia's concerns and unhappiness. Right now, however, she was needed as a supporter and a good supporter kept track of their adventurer to give them the best help possible.

Asking Haruhime to please fetch the armor from his room along with his unicorn horn knife, Hakugen, Bell said "I don't believe Asterius kidnapped Ais." A flurry of objections and statements of disbelief assailed him. Putting his hands up for silence, he continued. "It's not his way. Asterius is a strange one. Powerful. Perhaps unique amongst Xenos. But kidnapping..?" He shook his head. "No. I believe he's too honorable for that. Something else is going on here."

Mikoto spoke up. "But, Bell-dono...his message about Lady Wallenstein..?"

He nodded. "He has Ais. No doubt about that." He raised his hands again at the new round of questions. "I just know, okay? I really can't explain it. I just...I feel she is in danger. She's hurt. I know Asterius is involved somehow but I don't think he's the one responsible." He shook his head. "No. This isn't about Ais. This is about me."

Amid the conversations exploding around the room after Bell's last statement, Hestia bowed her head guiltily. She had not told him about his new developmental ability, Spirit Connection. It seemed he had already worked it out on his own—or perhaps not, though the expected pang of jealousy at the thought didn't come. In its place was resolve to care for her children. She had to make this right.

"Enough."

Her children quieted down, standing motionless staring at her except for Bell and Haruhime, just back with his armor. The renart hesitated helping him equip it; she didn't want the boy to go. Bell began dressing himself, fumbling with only one hand—the cast and shoulder brace going up the right side didn't make it easy. Hestia knew she had precious little time.

"Bell has never been wrong about a person before." As the group before her made to open their mouths again she continued. "Never. He was taken in by your antics, Lili, but he knew who you were underneath them. I would never have accepted you if not for his judgement...and I would have been wrong. You are a fine young lady. Bell was the only one to see that." She turned to Haruhime. "You were a prostitute. Your own family cast you out on nothing more than a rumor and your adoptive familia was going to butcher you in exchange for a few magic trinkets. You saw nothing of value in yourself and had no hope of rescue. Underneath all of that Bell saw your character—he threw away the popular image of a hero and dragged himself through the muck for your sake. Because of him and Mikoto you have a real family who loves and honors you. Most importantly, you see value in yourself." She turned to Welf. "You were an angry young man disowned by your blood and disdained by your familia's captain. You kept everything about yourself a secret and lashed out when people got too close because when they discovered your lineage they stopped seeing you—they only saw what you could do for them. Bell never cared about your name or your blood. He had you pegged as a person before he agreed to sign a contract with you and nothing there has changed. You couldn't ask for a truer friend; a better brother." Standing straight, fingers steepled, she closed her eyes. "Bell Cranel is young, idealistic, and does not understand a single thing about women...but he knows the value of people. If he says Asterius didn't kidnap Ais Wallenstein then he didn't; if he says it's about him, it is. If his instincts say he has to go...you each need to decide whether or not you trust your captain and if you will follow his lead. Whatever he decides."

Haruhime secured Hakugen in its place at the small of Bell's back and tightened the straps Bell had incorrectly fastened. Tears streamed down her face at Hestia's speech. She was deeply worried about Bell's safety...but she trusted he would always come back. Always be their captain, their familia member. Their friend. Wiping her face she said "You're missing your leg holster. I'll be right back."

Checking the straps of his armor and gently flexing his fingers around the Hestia Knife, Lili and Mikoto saw what Hestia and Haruhime already had—calm. Collected. Resolved. It shamed them they had needed their goddess to point it out. He was going to go no matter what; however, their behavior towards him, one way or another, would have a marked impact on morale. It would be best if they were all on his side...but he would go regardless.

Only Welf spoke back to their goddess. Hands on his hips, cocky smirk in place he said "Hey! We all know Bell is an idiot. Who else would follow their dream of chasing after the Sword Princess or wind up with a freakishly strong, intelligent minotaur as a rival?" He clapped a hand on his little brother's shoulder and met his eyes. "But like the Argonaut ushered in the Age of Heroes and inspired those around him to fight back against the monster hordes, taking back the surface for all our peoples...sometimes it takes an idiot, a dreamer, to break the boundaries of what's possible and achieve the unimaginable." He squeezed the boy's shoulder tightly for a moment before clapping him again encouragingly. "Keep behind us. We'll escort you to Knossos' entrance so you can save your strength for what's ahead." He smiled widely. "Let's go get your girl, Bell."

Mikoto was the first to move, bowing first to Bell then to Welf as she ran for her equipment. Lili followed shortly afterwards. Haruhime had returned with the leg holster while Welf spoke; she, too, went to grab her staff. Alone with Hestia, Welf said "You know I was going to help him anyway, right? There was no need for dramatically calling me an emo who everyone hates."

"Of course."

"Grr..."

They smiled at each other. There were no hard feelings. Hestia knew Welf was solid and the smith knew she needed to get everyone in action to better protect her first child. Leaving him out would feel like she was picking on the girls and would have placed a sour note on everything. Hestia really was a good goddess when she applied herself.

The others arrived quickly. Surrounded by his family, spirits bolstered, Bell set out to meet Asterius.

In her cage, Ais was pondering everything Asterius had said. Some time had passed since they last spoke. With the strength of the adamantine bars and her wind not being an option, Ais had tried to think of ways to warn Bell to stay away. The oculus was the only sure way to get a message to the surface but there was no way to get to it. She had thought about using her wind anyway. It took at least a few seconds for a jewel fetus to turn its host into a demi-spirit and Asterius was fast; he could kill her before she became one of them. It was worth her life to ensure Bell didn't come down here to meet his end. Thinking about it, though, she realized she had no idea how her magic had worked that way before. Besides, if she was dead her magic would probably end and Bell would still come down only to find her corpse.

She was stuck. Bell was going to arrive soon; she felt him getting closer. There was nothing she could do about it. To distract herself from this she decided to gather as much information as possible. Asterius wasn't too cooperative with her information gathering techniques. Questions about corrupted spirits, demi-spirits, why he called the jewel fetus a seed; he could not be persuaded to discuss anything. "Talk to Lyd" was the only answer she got. Then she remembered him saying something about some Xenos having memories. She decided to ask.

"Talk to..." the bull broke off with a frown. Leaning forward, Ais carefully asked him to continue. "The dungeon is the only thing I remember. The dungeon, and fighting the white haired human. And..."

After a minute of silence, Ais thought he had finished before he reached to his waist. From beneath the hair he pulled a small satchel. Upending it in his palm, a single piece of metal fell out. He held it to the cage. A small piece shaped like a shield with a mountain in the middle surrounded by twelve lightning bolts. It looked like a familia emblem. Ais could tell it was very, very old. She also noticed something peculiar—the indented portion of the engraving was packed with silver-black chalk. Graphite. It was a unique feature of the dungeon she had only seen in one place: the 58th floor, the deepest known safe zone. "What is this?"

Asterius bounced the shield in his palm a few times before holding it tightly. "I told you dueling my rival is my greatest desire. This is true, but...it is not my only connection. The Xenos tried to indoctrinate me into their villages, to follow their ways, to long for the surface. I felt nothing for any of it. I only wanted to fight the white haired human. Delving into the dungeon seeking strength for our next encounter, I discovered a love—challenging the unknown. I take joy in surviving the deep. Something about it..." he struggled for the word, "echoes in me. I began looking around more rather than merely seeking out the next target. I found this near the edge of the spirit realm." He looked at the item again before putting it away, securing the satchel to his waist. "I don't know why, but this...calls...to me. It feels...familiar, somehow."

For his terrific strength and brutish demeanor, at that moment Ais could not help but feel he was very human. The sight of him tugged the edges of her own past. "Do you...do you think the Spirits may have been involved?"

Asterius rocked back in surprise. Then his brow narrowed. "Doesn't matter. All that is beyond me." He gestured to the jewel fetus behind him. "The only spirits in the dungeon I know of are foul, twisted spectres of what they once were."

Ais gripped the bars tightly. "Tell me—what do you know about Aria? Have you heard anything?"

Asterius thought for a moment. "Not much. She's not here." He snorted at Ais' face. "You knew. Why ask?"

She decided to talk. "The demi-spirits want me. They brought me here to become one of them." She took a deep breath. "They think I'm Aria."

He looked at her with a critical eye. "I can see why," he said with a grunt. "That wind of yours is special. But no. Aria is long gone from the dungeon."

Ais leaned against the bars, gripping them tightly. "Do you know where she's gone? Do you know where the One-Eyed Black Dragon is?"

The bull raised an eyebrow. "Quite the name! Never heard of it." Ais tried a few more aliases, none ringing a bell. "No. Though..I seem to...recall..." He pressed the satchel under his hair. Eyes squinted, lips pursed, he looked to be in pain. "The Black Dragon," he breathed.

"Yes!" Ais felt the anticipation rise in her heart. "Where is it? Do you know anything about it?"

But with a shake of its head the bull was done talking. "Talk to Lyd."

Ais slumped to the floor of the cage. She hadn't expected anything going in, but the glimmer of hope that grew near the end had been snuffed. And it hurt. The minotaur was done talking; she wouldn't get anything else from him. There was nothing else to do but wait for..."Bell!"

The young man walked steadily towards the massive bull. Asterius roared in greeting but did not move as Bell advanced. He almost sounded...delighted? Stopping a few feet away from the cage he looked Ais over. "You'll be out soon. How are you?"

"Fine," she said, standing up. She had had plenty of time to think about things. And seeing Bell now—tall, strong, calm, resolved—she knew the path she decided on was the correct one. Asterius and Bell were rivals. There was nothing she could do to prevent the duel and forcing Bell away from the fight would be a terrible mistake in the long run. She wanted him alive, true. But she knew how important it was for a person to be able to look at themselves in the mirror without feeling hatred or regret. She especially didn't want to be the reason Bell might ever feel that way. No, he was going to fight. There was no stopping it...so she would just have to give him her full support. She believed in him fully.

She loved him. "I'm alright, Bell. I'm very happy you're here."

He nodded acknowledgement. He faced the minotaur. "Asterius." The bull nodded in reply. Bell jerked his head towards the cage. "Would you mind letting her out before we begin? I want her out of danger."

Without a word he immediately ripped the lock off the door, allowing it to swing open. Ais carefully stepped out and into Bell's arms. She nestled into his neck for a moment enjoying the comfort before pulling back to look him in the eye. "I know why you have to fight," she said. "Do you remember what I told you when you asked about the deep floors?"

Bell grinned at the memory. "You said 'hold onto hope'." He stepped closer, their toes nearly touching, and took her hands in his. "You also said you sometimes thought about me. That if I was there you'd fight extra hard to make sure I'd come back."

Ais closed her eyes, leaning forward. Bell did the same, lightly resting their foreheads together as they intertwined the fingers of their good hands together. "This is the same," she said. "Remember your training. Trust in your experience. Hold onto hope—hold onto me." She pulled back and placed the lightest kiss on Bell's cheek. "Fight extra hard so you'll come back to me."

Bell would have touched the spot she kissed, but holding her hand was far better. He also felt like melting into a puddle of happiness, but the bull-shaped shadow of death looming behind him kept his mind sharp. Funny how life and death situations inspired maturity. Disengaging from Ais he pulled a vial of health potion from his leg holster and gave it to her. "Here. This should help with the pain and prevent your wrist from getting any worse." He nodded to the exit. "My familia is waiting outside Knossos in the dungeon proper. They can take you to the clinic and inform your familia you're okay."

She knelt to put the potion back in his leg holster. "Don't worry about me, Bell. I've broken plenty of wrists in the past nine years and it will probably happen again. You take every advantage you can get." She smiled. "I'll be over there. A broken wrist doesn't interfere with my feet; I can get out of the way if necessary." I am not leaving you, she thought.

Bell nodded. He thought she wouldn't leave; still, had to try. He knew Asterius wouldn't hurt her on purpose but anything could happen in the middle of a fight. He trusted in her skill as an adventurer. Ais walking away after a final squeeze of his hand, Bell turned to face Asterius again.

The bull was too good to rush or mock their reprieve before the duel. He waited patiently as the only foe he respected concluded his business. Watching them part ways and the white haired human turning fully to him, he grinned widely. Noting the cast he said "The last time we met I had the handicap. Seems fair it's your turn."

Bell nodded amicably. "I have to say; having a cast is better than no arm at all. I guess Fels fixed you up?" Asterius grinned. "Well. This will be a lot more difficult. And last time I lost."

Asterius rumbled with laughter. "Problem?"

"Not at all."

"Good." Asterius charged.

Ais watched from the edge of the battlefield. As Asterius charged he drew both battleaxes as he went on all fours. The ground before him was mulched and churned in a vortex of steel as he closed the distance to the small human in a blink. And then...Bell was gone.

As a Level 6, Ais was very fast; especially with her wind. The fastest she had ever seen anyone go all out, however, was Bete. Bete, whom even as a Level 6 she could still visually track in great detail.

She could see Bell but the detail was blurry. A violet line traced from where he was standing—a spot now occupied by two large axes and several hundred pounds of excited minotaur—several feet to the side as he dodged then counterattacked the bull's unprotected right flank. It succeeded...or so she thought.

Bell managed to land a hit almost immediately. His counterattack was successful in that he managed to dodge and strike. It was unsuccessful in that it did absolutely no damage. A streak of violet light followed the Hestia Knife as he put all his strength into the blow. Rather than pierce the thick hide at the side of the abdomen the blade came to a full stop. Unlike Sour Smile before him, Bell was not convinced of his own immortality. Recovering almost immediately from the surprise he repositioned to reassess his strategy. It saved his life—a heavy blade slammed into the floor where he had been.

Bell had leveled up since their last fight, from Level 3 to Level 4, and had almost reached Level 5. Considering the three levels worth of broken limits on speed and agility and the recent boost received from his adventure on the fifty-first floor, his speed was actually equivalent to a high Level 5. The reason he was so much faster now was his Escape ability. Fighting an opponent rated three levels higher than he, each movement away from an incoming attack enabled this ability to increase his speed and agility stats to ridiculous levels. Unfortunately, this skill only affected speed and agility. His strength was also on par with a high Level 5, but against the black minotaur and its incredibly resistant hide it was moot.

This is not a good situation, Ais thought. Bell's speed amazed her. He was faster than his opponent, but it was the only advantage he had. If his resolve held and he remained vigilant he could keep dodging Asterius' attacks, but not for too long. Maintaining that kind of speed for prolonged periods quickly tired adventurers out. His magic wouldn't work; that he hadn't attempted casting any meant he knew it too. And Asterius' ridiculous hide! Bell had one good arm and one weapon—a knife. A knife that couldn't cut its enemy's flesh. He was woefully underarmed.

In addition to being ill-equipped, Bell had less combat and survival experience. In actuality, Asterius was not much stronger than the last time they fought. Evidenced by his distate for the demi-spirits and the ilk that spawned them, he rejected out of hand the possibility of gaining strength by becoming an enhanced species—by eating the magic stones of other monsters or Xenos. Rather, he elected to get stronger by following the path of hard work and dedication. He was stronger because he spent months killing his way through the deep floors, every exertion building quality, honest muscle. The dungeon was his life. Compared to Bell, he was limited. Bell had a falna. In time, especially given his absurd rate of growth, it was very possible Bell could one day be stronger than Asterius. But that was not today. He was weaker by far and had far less experience. As with the first time they fought, it was Bell's bravery that made the difference. If he wavered at all, he would die.

That he would quickly lose stamina, didn't have a weapon that would actually do damage, and was comparatively weaker and less experienced; none of that was the worst of it.

Asterius was smart.

Bell walked right into the trap. Ais saw it a mile away but was unable to cry out before it was sprung. Bell had been cognizant of the strength difference. He knew that taking a direct blow from one of Asterius' axes would likely be a death sentence. However, Bell did have the strength to parry, pushing the incoming blades down and away. The floor was hacked and hewn deeply, original stone floor showing through in some places. Bell had been trying to plan the battle a few steps ahead...Asterius had planned more than that. Maneuvering at the last instant he forced Bell onto the uneven footing Bell had been trying to box him in. Caught off guard, Bell stumbled. A massive blade whipped towards him; the Hestia Knife in his good left arm wasn't going to make the parry in time.

The boy only lived through pure bravery and sheer dumb luck. Breaking the cast on his right arm at the shoulder he threw his arm up, using the adamantine arm braces on the side to force the axe away. It worked in that he wasn't cut in two. It did, however, leave him completely vulnerable to a backhanded counterstrike from the same axe. The flat of the blade caught him across the chest and Bell went flying through the air, smacking into the far wall with a moist thud. The few rivets holding his brace together popped on impact, bits of metal raining down as the cast broke apart.

Getting his bearings quickly, he cut the remaining bits of cast from his right arm and drew Hakugen. His arm hurt like all Hell, but it was mostly usable. He couldn't say for how long, though. The muscle hadn't fully healed from being torn. Seeing his rival regain his lame arm made Asterius roar with pleasure. It was a better fight now. Charging full-tilt, violet and white streaks met silver as sparks filled the air. Bell noticed some land on the green substance that had been hacked up. It ignited.

It did not burn long, but the boy felt it burned hot. The rest of the floor did not go up in flames; it seemed it had to be chopped up or mixed to be flammable. Looking at the minotaur's hair, Bell saw he was covered in green goop. With a little bit more...

What is he doing, Ais thought. Asterius howled in anger when Bell threw a handful of mulched green substance at him. Again and again Bell used his superior speed to scoop up more and plaster it on the angered bull. Gaining some distance she saw him raise his hand.

"Firebolt!"

Ais was amazed. A bolt of magical fire wouldn't do much to a magic resistant creature like a minotaur; it's hide would just cancel it out. However, magical fire was still fire and whatever it ignited stayed burning. The bull's entire body went up in flame, the moist green mulch sticking to its skin as it burned. The profile of the massive black minotaur on fire was a hellish image neither Ais nor Bell would ever forget. As Bell predicted the fire burned very hot...but not for long.

A rumbling laugh rolled across the cavern. "I thought you were trying to make a joke!" Asterius' hair was mostly gone and parts of his body where the green mulch had been thickest were scarred. A few superficial marks—the Xenos was still completely healthy. "I must admit, that was a good plan. Very interesting." He advanced, swinging. For the first time, Bell didn't bother parrying.

Chimes sounded as white light gathered around his knives. Asterius grinned. He had defeated this attack before. He heard from the other Xenos this attack had killed the Nidhogg—impressive, but only if it had time to charge. If he pressed he could force the small human to unleash it prematurely. Keeping up a heavy offensive, Asterius focused solely on the heroic strike Bell was charging.

Pushed by Asterius back to the center of the room near the cage, Bell gave signs of distress as he made to unleash his attack before it was ready. On the far side of the room Ais prayed Bell knew what he was doing. Blindingly white light shone around both knives the boy raised them high. His opponent mirrored the action, excited to pit his strength against it. When Bell brought his attack down, however, it was not at Asterius—he turned and struck at the cage. Selecting one bar he struck decisively, top and bottom.

The discharge of light and power—not to mention the deep ringing sound from striking pure adamantine— rushed through the air. Having expected to defend from a high strike, Asterius had been blindsided by the move. Axes still in the air and temporarily disoriented by the attack, he doubled over as something heavy crushed a rib.

Bell, holding the bar, was bludgeoning the minotaur.

It was a fair strategy. Asterius' hide reminded him of the Goliath Hide Robes and Muffler Welf had made. Impervious to cutting but blunt force trauma still got through. If Bell couldn't take the minotaur apart he would turn its insides to jelly.

Now he had a weapon and a viable strategy for causing damage, Bell's experience at hit-and-run style combat trumped Asterius' all-monsters-want-nothing-more-than-to-kill-me-face-to-face experience. The bull roared again and again as Bell crushed bones and bruised organs, escaping before he could react.

Getting cautious, Asterius turtled up. Keeping his defenses tight, Bell lost many opportunities for a strike. Seeing another opening Bell charged, raising the heavy bar in an attempt to lame a leg.

His arm gave out with a sickening ripping sound.

Dropping the bar with a scream, Bell barely had the presence of mind to roll away from the flurry of blows Asterius unleashed. Mind on fire from the pain he forced himself to get a grip on the Hestia Knife. Asterius prowled several meters away, still cautious, thinking the situation through to see if it may be a trap. Bell had to come up with a plan, had to act before...

...what was that?

A bright red glint caught his eye. Sharply contrasted against the green backdrop he saw something he thought lost forever—one of his old knives, Ushiwakamarunishiki, lay just on the other side of Asterius. Made from the second half of a minotaur horn, the drop item received from his battle with...

Battle with...

...Asterius.

His mind spun. He wasn't sure if it would work but that horn was once a part of Asterius. At least a previous incarnation of him. Was it possible that something made of Asterius could pierce his hide? Out of options, Bell leapt on the hope.

Ais' heart jumped to her throat when Bell roared. Leaving the Hestia Knife sheathed he charged the black minotaur empty-handed. She watched him successfully feign a jump before sliding between its legs. He grabbed something off the ground, threw his body to the side trying to spin, using momentum to compensate for losing mobility in his right arm. Asterius had already recovered, had turned and was reaching down to grab Bell. Ais moved forward with a cry, about to join the battle when red flashed between the combatants.

With a bloodcurling cry Asterius stumbled back. Between the stumbling minotaur and the prone boy a severed hand arced through the air. Rising, Bell rushed in to follow up the attack. Several more scarlet lines appeared on the bull's body. Ais felt lightheaded watching the battle. It was unbelievable; Bell was really going to win!

Her heart broke an instant later.

Asterius managed to grab Bell's wrist after a hasty strike left him open. Bell had gotten tired and had pushed too hard trying to end the fight. He was thrown against the ground. Hard. Raising his axe high, Asterius roared in triumph as he brought it down. Bell managed to knock the blow to the side...mostly. The bottom edge of the blade sunk itself into his good shoulder. Collarbone shattering and blood spewing, Bell howled as he placed his feet on the bull's belly and kicked.

Asterius pulled his axe with him as he was sent over Bell's head, flying a few feet before hitting the cage. Rolling to the side, he stood up to finish the boy off and on his first step...

...chink.

The sound of shattering crystal terrified Ais and Asterius. The black minotaur raised its foot. Seeing the demi-spirit seed attached there he howled in fear and hatred. Bell, who had used the distraction to pour the health potion from his leg holster over his shoulder, watched in horrified amazement as Asterius repeatedly attempted to hack his leg off with his axe. His skin was so tough even his strength couldn't sever it.

For the first time Bell witnessed the birth of a demi-spirit. The growth was rapid. Asterius' legs fused into a stalk-like support and he shot up several feet. The rest of his body began to change too, but then...

"No!" Asterius roared. The growth had reached his waist. He fumbled for something there; Bell saw him pull out some sort of bag and clench it tightly. "I...will...not become...one of them!"

Ais appeared at Bell's side. She pulled an elixir from a harness under her hip guard and poured half on his left shoulder and told him to drink the rest. "We need to go, now."

"Wait."

Bell knew the situation was bad and that they'd never be able to defeat a strong monster right now let alone another demi-spirit. Something about Asterius held him back. That's when he noticed it—the growth had stopped. Or at least, it had greatly slowed.

Through sheer willpower, Asterius was battling the demi-spirit.

"Bell..." it was the first time Asterius had used his name. "I...refuse...not...one of them. The knife...my horn...please..."

The young man lowered his head at what he was being asked to do. But he understood. Asterius was an honorable man. His rival. He was worthy of respect. To be turned into an abomination like this...he was begging for help.

"I'm sorry," Bell said. "Next time around...next time we meet, let's do this. Just the two of us."

Asterius' fist clenched tighter around the item pulled from his waist as he issued a short, strained laugh. "Good..."

Bell jumped on top of the cage to get closer then again to reach Asterius' torso. He landed blade first. Asterius smiled as Ushiwakamarunishiki pierced through his heart and into the magic stone behind it. The demi-spirit growth, already connected to the Xenos, crumbled to ash with Asterius. Bell fell through the black cloud, landing on his knees in the remains.

The great bull was no more.

Ais stared at Bell unblinkingly for some time as he knelt there. Approaching to kneel beside him she saw a tear track through the soot on his face. Despite everything, she understood. They were all warriors. In his own way, Asterius was honorable. Bell clearly thought so. "He deserved better," she said, putting her arm around him.

"Yeah." Bell tried to wipe the ash from his face, but his clothes were covered in it.

"Here..."

"Thanks..." Bell wiped his face on Ais' proffered sleeve. He turned to her. "I really need a shower. We both need medical attention. Your familia is probably extremely worried; you've been in the dungeon alone for two days, now. My own familia is waiting outside, probably waiting to give me grief.

Ais smiled. "They sound like a good bunch."

"The best." The two stood. Squeezing her hand, Bell said "Hold on a second, please." He went over to the bag Asterius had dropped. Drawing out the small metal shield his eyes widened.

"Do you recognize it? It looks like a familia emblem. Asterius showed it to me while I was in the cage, but we didn't know who it belonged to."

"No. No, I don't know who it belongs to. But I've seen this emblem before."

"Where?"

Bell gripped the emblem tightly, considered Asterius' remains, then met Ais' gaze. "On a very unusual book my grandfather wrote."

Ais watched him try to piece together the mystery. "I'll help however I can," she said. "I'll rope Loki and the others into helping. They'll be happy to."

"Thanks," Bell nodded. "I don't know what's going on, but...but..." he stalled.

Ais stood beside him and wrapped her arm around him. He did the same. I would never be able to do what he did, she thought. He really is leaving me so far beh...

Bell leaned into her for support, head hung as tears flowed. She understood. It was okay. Maybe...maybe I haven't been left behind, she thought. Maybe I'm right where I need to be. She kissed his cheek and stroked his hair, waiting for the storm to pass. They would head for the surface when they were ready.

In the Guild building, down steps into a darkened, cavern-like chamber lies a throne. The old god residing on it has not moved for a thousand years. The sole god in Tenkai or Gekai so reclusive and bound to duty he had never once been embroiled in any sort of scandal.

"Ah," he sighed to the empty room. "What are you doing, Cel?"

The empty room whispered back.