Hello everyone.

Are you surprised I got this chapter? I am as well. Took a while, but it is here now. I have to admit, I am surprised people wanted more of this story, and there is a funny story behind this fanfiction in question that I will tell one day.

However, you are here to read it, so without further ado, let's jump right in.

Disclaimer: I don't own Danmachi, nor the characters.

Chapter 4: A New Familia Member
Business was normal for Miach and Naaza, not letting the lack of customers and debt with Dian Cecht Familia dampen their mood. The door opening got their attention, especially it being Bell, and by his expression he came for a reason. "Let me join your Familia!"

Miach and Naaza were surprised. They didn't expect the white haired teen to even think about joining them. Although grateful he accepted his invitation, Miach wanted to know. "I am humbled you decided to join us, but why?"

Bell explained. "I believe I would have done well with the Loki Familia, but there might be too much favoritism and I didn't want that. Lady Hephaestus offered me a place as well, but even though it's a chance to learn much about weapons and equipment, I feel like I won't grow enough there, and well… I don't want any misunderstandings with her Familia."

The duo continued to listen from behind the counter as Bell continued to explain why he decided on their Familia. "I chose yours because I want to repay you for helping me with the times you've given me potions. It will also allow me to learn from you and find ingredients within the Dungeon for whatever you'd like to make, and assist you in any manner."

Ignoring Naaza's glare on the freebies he gave away, Miach smiled, nodding at the acceptable reason. "Okay. Let's move to another room to begin the process."

Leaving Naaza to the store, Bell and Miach entered the backroom, passing shelves and crates of stock to a desk, a mess with some papers, equipment and materials needed for the Deity's work.

Bell took an offered chair then lifted his shirt to expose his back. Miach found something to prick his finger in order for a drop of blood to land on Bell's back. As it began to glow, the God of health began to work on the Falna transfer.

A silent Bell stared at the wall, thinking of ways to help out his new Familia. A stoic Miach continued to work, his expression turning into surprise before smiling at what appeared, muttering. "You will always be there for him, huh."

After finishing, the Deity had the needed paper to copy his status on, handing it to Bell after completion and became surprised also.

Name: Bell Cranel

Str: E 403

End: H 199

Dex: E 412

Agi: D 521

Mag: I 0

"Never say you're weak, Bell. You are a lot stronger than you look." Miach said in encouragement, a gentle pat on the teens shoulder.

Bell smiled, eyes still on the paper as he muttered. "I will fight in your memory, Hestia. I promise."

As Bell stood up, Miach said. "I have faith you will do well, Bell."

The young Adventurer turned to make eye contact. "Thank you. I'll have to go see Eina about my new Familia and status, Lord Miach."

The man nodded. "Of course. See you later."

"Later." Bell waved as he left the room.

Naaza's head turned at the sound of the door, seeing Bell come out and didn't say anything till he was at the exit. "Good luck Bell!"

"Will do!" He responded, hand grasping the handle.

While still able to, she added. "Love you."

Bell turned red and rushed out the door, making the Chienthrope giggle. "I think he'll be fine."

The Pantheon Guild
Eina was doing some paperwork at her desk till she heard a familiar voice call out. "Miss Eina!"

Her head turned to see a smiling Bell, waving at her once their eyes met. Returning the gesture, Eina got up and walked towards the counter.

"Hello Bell, I'm glad to see you're feeling better. What can I do for you?" She politely asked.

"I'm now part of the Miach Familia, so I wanted to fill out a form and give an update on my status." He said.

Eina nodded, reaching underneath for the needed papers and something to write with. "It's good to see you back, Bell."

"Thank you." He responded while focused on the task.

Seeing he's nearly done, Eina had a thought worth mentioning. "After you're done, there's something important I want to show you before you go into the Dungeon."

"Umm… sure." Wondering what it could be.

After finishing the paperwork, Bell followed her out of the Guild. They walked further down into the Tower of Babel and for once, Bell noticed an elevator. They both went to the elevator. Once inside, Eina pressed a button for a specific floor when someone's voice called out. "Wait!"

Bell caught the door midway for Hephaestus to enter, having a stack of papers in both hands.

"Hello Bell and Eina." She kindly greeted both with a smile.

After returning the gesture, Bell decided to lend a hand to the Goddess. "Let me take those for you."

Hephaestus became surprised at the request.

"My grandfather told me to help a lady if needed." He spoke his reason before given half the stack.

Grateful for his help, Hephaestus spoke. "Thank you."

The Goddess of blacksmith pressed a button then asked. "Eina, can I borrow Bell for a few minutes?"

"Sure." The half elf couldn't refuse a Deity.

After sorting out a place to meet, Hephaestus led Bell to her shop. Going into her office for privacy, she went to grab something after they placed the papers on the desk. Bell was allowed to look at the various weapons on the wall while waiting, some looked rare.

Hephaestus returned holding a black wooden box, a gesture to a chair as she walked to her own. "Please have a seat."

He accepted, sitting down as she did the same. The box she held was placed next to her on the desk. Smiling softly, she said. "I assume you decided on a Familia."

Bell nodded. "I went with Lord Miach's Familia."

Her smile became small. "I see."

Bell's head tilted. "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing. I'm happy you joined Miach."

"I would have joined you, but I don't think I'd be able to fit in. I know I would have gained some drop items, but I don't think I can do that a lot. Plus l wanted to help Lord Miach with his debt in some manner." He explained.

Although disappointed he hadn't chosen hers, Hephaestus was glad to hear Bell wanted to help others, especially a God like Miach. She knew he was somewhat on an uphill issue, but figured he would grow strong on this one.

"I can respect that. There was something I wanted to give you as a welcoming gift. But it can still be a gift regardless." The ignored box became known after she slid it to the boy.

Bell opened it to reveal a sheathed short sword. Gently removing it, the blade had a thin hue of blue, and the handles grip felt good.

"It feels amazing." He said, marveling at its design, wondering how he'll perform using it.

The Goddess of Blacksmith smiled. "I hope it helps you in keeping you alive and well."

Bell re-sheathed his new weapon and bowed his head. "Thank you, Lady Hephaestus."

She stood up, walked round to be next to him on a knee and hugged him, catching Bell by surprise. She caressed his hair, saying softly. "For Hestia's sake, be careful."

He nodded, a response spoken after the hug broke. "I will live for her."

After a small chat he left to go meet Eina, leaving Hephaestus leaned against the desk with folded arms, a sad smile and eye closed. "He cares as much as you do. I will keep an eye on him as best."

Bell found Eina at the meeting spot outside a shop not far from the elevator, waiting patiently. She smiled after noticing his arrival. "Ready?"

"Yes, Miss Eina. Let's go."

She giggled at his enthusiasm before escorting him around, going from one shop window to a couple others to show off the different expensive products. After doing that, Eina took Bell to the correct floor where armor and weapons are affordable, coming to a shop that might have what he'll need.

"Go have a look around."

Bell eagerly nodded with a big smile, immediately browsing. Eina found his smile to be the best thing, praying he is able to keep it going in future.

It didn't take long to find Bell in the back, watching him stop at a row of shelves to look inside wooden boxes containing armor, either being heavy for him or unappealing.

"I'll be back, Bell. I'm going to look for something." Eina said, walking off after a gesture was made to prove he listened.

The young Adventurer kept looking in various boxes, so far nothing caught his eye. However the next one he found had armor pieces that gained attention. They were white and seemed to provide a good amount of protection while giving the wearer mobility, just what he was looking for.

He took out the chest piece and found a name written on it. "Crozzo, huh. Interesting."

He tried it on to test the weight, feeling it easy to move around. He smiled, putting it back in the box as Eina appeared with something in hand, it was a green arm protector. She smirked while holding it out for Bell to see.

"I want you to have this Green Supporter. It'll protect you against whatever you'll be fighting."

He looked at the item, unsure whether or not to accept. "Are you sure about this?"

"Take it. I bought it for you…" Eina replied, cheeks going red and eyes on a stocked shelf instead of Bell.

Touched at the generous gift, he accepted. "Thank you very much, Miss Eina. Can you hold onto it while I go pay for this armor and we'll leave?"

She nodded, watching him walk to the counter, box in hand. It gave her time to be rid of her blush and calm her racing heart.

Tower of Babel

From her place in the tower, Freya noticed Bell's soul slowly returning to its transparent state, making her ponder how to further his healing in order to fix what she has done to the person that captivated her.

She despised being in the Tower, no thanks to Hera. Freya grew petty about it, but became satisfied watching her being thrown out of Orario along with her only remaining member of the fallen Familia, who was pregnant. Hera knew she was weak and for some reason kept her around. It was never understood why she allowed someone that weak to stay by her side.

Either way, it didn't matter.

Eyes still on Bell, Freya swirled her half-filled glass before drinking from it, a plan forming to test Bell further against a stronger monster. When not doing that, she imagined the things she would do to him that made her smirk.

Next Day

Bell was heading to the Dungeon, a determined expression for today's goal in becoming strong as a new member of Miach's Familia. He was in a hurry to get there. He accidentally collided with someone after turning a corner, able to catch the person in time and noticed it was Loki.

"I'm so sorry about that." He said, a bit nervous since it was a Deity. Bell even stepped away to apologetically bow for what he did.

"No harm done, you can relax." Loki waved it off. Noticing him all geared up, she smirked. "You look like you're ready for the Dungeon."

"Yep. Yesterday I joined the Miach Familia." Bell responded, trying not to sound too proud of his choice since Loki invited him to join her Familia.

However she didn't seem to mind cause of the smile made and said. "Glad you've made a decision. I know they're in a bit of a pickle due to financial issues, but I suppose you want a challenge from it."

"Well, it's more than that. They helped me out after I joined Hestia's Familia, so I owe them a lot." Bell explained, not mentioning Hephaestus' debt that'll make it more of a challenge.

Arms folded, the Goddess nodded in understanding. 'Pity, he would have been a perfect member with a lot of drive and determination on bouncing back up. Then again, this might motivate him to work harder.' Now noticing the type of gear he has on, she tilted her head. "Is that light armor?"

He nodded, looking down at himself while answering. "Yes, it is. It'll make it easier for me to move around while I fight."

Arms still folded, a hand went beneath her chin. "Pretty reasonable. I know a few that use the same type of armor. They rarely use it unless they're fighting an enemy that's too dangerous."

"Really?"

Loki nods. "I recall Finn wore light armor seven years ago and fought effortlessly on the battlefield. Now he barely wears any armor at this point."

Hearing that made the white haired teen realize he had a lot of work to do in order to become someone like Finn. "I will work hard and do my best."

She gave a friendly slap on his right shoulder. "That's the spirit!"

Without thinking, he shot forward to hug the surprised turned Goddess. Once done he took off for the Dungeon, yelling back. "Thank you, Lady Loki!"

She blinked for a moment, shaking her head while giggling. "Such a silly rabbit."

Somewhere in the Dungeon

A young girl looked slightly depressed, picking up the last stone before being shoved to the ground by an Adventurer that hired her as a Supporter.

"Stop dawdling!"

Eyes on the ground, she got up and simply said. "Yes, sir."

As he began to walk away, she just smiled, both hands gripping the straps of the huge backpack she was carrying.

To be continued!

A/N:
So that covers a lot of things, nothing new in it. I had to mull over this one, and also thinking of ways how Bell choosing Miach was done for a number of good reasons, which later on will show why, way later on. Plus, it is one of the handful of stories of Bell being in Miach's familia, as I wanted to see how he will do. The debt situation will also play out, and how Bell helps them out would be fun.

We will see how different things will play out and how the gods will be like without Hestia around to keep an eye on Bell. Until then.

Next chapter: Bell saved Lilli and meets her, Loki suspicion on who was involved in the attacks, and Freya lending a hand.