Is It Wrong to be a Just Adventurer Picking Up Girls in a Dungeon?

by F-14 Tomcat Lover

Her entire family was either slain or lost to her. His only family had died. They were both alone. They were never fated to meet. Yet, somehow, they did. And with the course of both fate and history to be written altered, a new entry is made. The Familia Myth between a Goddess and a Human. Together, they fight crime and venture forth to live the adventurers yet to come!

4. Justice Alight

Is It Wrong to be a Just Adventurer Picking up Girls in a Dungeon?

Chapter Four

Justice Alight

XXXX

Standing up to her full height, the Witch turned Dragon released a roar that shook the forest.

Her massive clawed feet tore into the earth, tearing and rending the ground opened wide.

The great wings on her back swept out and then flapped, creating winds of such force that trees fell far and wide.

Opening her great maw, she released a hideous green flame that set the surrounding forest ablaze with such heat that water flashed-evaporate violently into steam.

As explosions ripped around those beneath the dragon fleeing for their lives, the Adventurers sought to fulfill their oaths to their Goddesses.

Just as Bell kicked a burning tree away from the Goddess Astraea, Ardi, and a few of the escaping girls and women Fen had been helping.

"Astraea we need to go, now!" Bell says, his voice over the noise of destruction all about them.

"This way, hurry!" Fen signals to others to follow her.

"Get the injured out!" Stefan says with a yell, trying to keep his group in line and together, "We need to escape and seek vengeance for this night!"

"Protect the Goddesses!" the reddish-haired Samurai said with a shout as he carried Goddess Hestia in his arms, "Get everyone out!"

It was a mess of fear, and confusion as the combatants and civilians fled for their lives.

Explosions occurring all around them as the forest burned a sickly green.

"DO NOT BELIEVE YOU CAN ESCAPE!" the Witch turned Dragon said with a loud voice and a sneer as she turned her head to strike, "I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!"

But a burst of energy suddenly split the air. The feeling of a power that transcendent Mortal energies. A bolt of white light that struck the Dragon in the side of its head. The resulting multicolored explosion of Arcanum against Felled Powers.

"That energy…" Goddess Artemis looked to the dissipating energies, "Could it be?"

Several more bolts of the same energy, fired from far off, flew in and explosions ripped around the Dragon.

"WA-AARGHHHH!"

XXXX

Standing in a line, the row of Second Warriors of Gael revealed their true powers.

Daughters, one and all, of the God Arawn from his time as the Thirteenth Angel of the Twelve Angels.

"Our power will not be enough," one of the young women frowned.

"Her power is far more indirect than ours," another said in agreement as the sisters continued to glow white, "But whereas our power comes from when father was an Angel, she gets her power directly from a Felled Being."

"Have they identified Typhon as a God, Titan, or something else?" a third sister asked, frowning. "I know Set hates being mixed up with Typhon, father never stopped talking about some of the more 'interesting' fights that Set started over being mistaken for Typhon."

"Hard to tell," Morgan responded as she took her place at their lead, "But it does not matter. We have our duty. Sisters! To battle!"

With that shout, the Second Warriors each spread their own black wings, glistening in the pale light their bodies cast. Then, following their leader they ran forward before jumping off the cliff face they stood atop. With their power and wings they took flight and cut through the ash and smoke filled sky towards their target, even as the rain seemed to come down harder to fight the fanning flames.

XXXX

"That power was a Heavenly Servant's power!" Hestia declared. She and the other two Goddesses observed the Dragon trying to regain its bearings after being shot multiple times from afar. "She wouldn't like being hit by that, but the power is not enough to win quite just yet."

"It's reduced in strength," Astraea said in agreement as she observed the Dragon turn to meet the threat, "I would guess that a few Servants had offspring with Mortals. Thus their power and why they can use Arcanum that well."

"But that would mean they know their Servant parent," Artemis pointed out in a mild rage, "Who would do such a thing?! They decreed no Servant would have a Mortal Child!"

Soon the answer to their question shot by overhead. On black wings, aglow with the light of their father's power, the sisters of the Second Order engaged the Dragon in a fierce battle within the air itself.

"Answers that question," Hestia dead panned, "That's Arawn's work."

"Ar-awn!" Artemis said with a shout. Thankfully, the Second Order had the Dragon's complete and undivided attention, "You know the rules!"

"He likely fathered them prior to that rule," Astraea pointed out and she would be one to know that truth.

"LOOK OUT!" one of the Hestia Familia members said in exclamation as a Dragon's claw came close to where they had gathered.

Blasted free of the clawed hand/foot it belonged to, the massive 'drop' came flying in their direction. Everyone ducked or sheltered where they could as the keratin forced over trees or snapped them like twigs. The debris from its passage and its own physical form passed over the large group of Adventurers, Goddesses, and civilians, somehow missing everyone.

The removed claw then slammed into the ground some distance away with considerable force. Also, the ground shaking and trembling with the reverberations of the impact. The crackling of the destruction it brought two more trees causing many to shudder and be thankful it missed them.

It was clear just being in the same forest was a danger. They had to evacuate. Especially Fen and the escapees. They had to be moved to safety, and that was the Familia's priority.

"We need to move!" Artemis heard her Captain shout, "This is way above us!"

Artemis wanted to argue otherwise, but couldn't deny the truth either.

She could see that the Arawn's children were struggling. The power of the Felled Being, Typhon, flowed too strongly through the Dragon. Through the Witch that it had once been, and even be able to revert too.

Angered at being forced to flee, she signaled for her Familia to do so.

At the same time, Hestia oversaw the escapees being escorted out by her Familia. Often being carried by her members. A few from the Artemis Familia helped as well. Artemis herself being carried out by her Captain and Hestia being past to be carried by her own Captain as well.

'This truly is madness,' the short stack (and stacked) Goddess thought, looking around and failing to see Eris or her Dark Familia or the smugglers, 'Hopefully they all escaped. No one deserves to die because of Typhon's plots.'

One mote of light representing one of Arawn's children landed near, revealing itself as a young woman who had landed to take a quick breather.

"Lady Goddess, why are you still here?!" the young woman shouted upon seeing Hestia, "You need to flee as fast as you can!"

"We have innocence with us," Hestia answered back, able to see Arawn's influence not just in the young woman's power and heritage, but in her face. Yet there was also the influence of the mother. As well as another power, mixed within the Arcanum granted by being her father's blood daughter. Ancient, powerful, and nigh forgotten Elven energies, the likes of which current Elves could not even imagine and yet would stumble over one another to have in their bloodlines.

"Make haste as fast as-" the young woman was interrupted.

"Look out!" Astraea said, though it was more like shouted, as the Dragon turned to them as clear as day.

"DO NOT PRESUME THAT I HAVE FORGOTTEN!" the Felled Dragon roared in anger, "YOU SHALL NOT ESCAPE!"

And with that said, the Felled Dragon launched her attack.

Maw wide as to swallow whole those down below.

Screams echoed as the speed was too great. The girls and women and the Adventurers carrying them would not escape!

The maw closed in, ready, Hestia and Astraea seeing their end before them.

A wordless battle cry as an explosion of Arcanum and something else that felt Mortal and yet unlocked struck the Felled Dragon right on her cheek, just below the right eye.

With a scream of pain and a detonation of blood, the Felled Dragon lost an eye.

And her balance as she tumbled abruptly onto her side to crash with enough force to rend the earth with great scars and a crater from her heavy impact.

Air displaced tore away from the crash. Trees, plants, rocks, and soil being ripped from their place and hurled along by the pressure wave.

Those caught in the explosion screamed as they were hurled away even as ground broke and some fell into the depths below.

XXXX

"This is crazy!" the redheaded either very girlish young boy or very boyish young woman shouted at the sight of the fell flames and smoke from far off, "Typhon is going to make a play soon!"

Drinking her wine with finesse, a woman of pearly skin and shimming white hair agreed. Her eyes like the gaze of the moon as she contemplates what could happen and how to counter it. Her figure is that of absolute perfection and clad in a tasteful, if revealing black ensemble with red and white trim that left her stomach and back exposed. Her outfit covered enough of her breasts to be on the right side of decent, if barely, and left one leg exposed.

Her companion had red eyes like her hair and wore hot short shorts with a tight tank top that left her stomach and lower back exposed as well as her shoulders. Also in black with purple trim added in. She also wore flat shoes as opposed to the ethereal woman's high heels and enjoyed a light tanned complexion as well.

Placing her wineglass down, "Ottarl," the woman simply spoke and the massive Beast Man the pair stepped forward. A man best described as chiseled from a mountain itself because of his extremely broad shoulders and muscled form. Clad as he was in black with red and white lining of a full sleeves top and practical trousers and boots. A red headband kept his brown hair clear of his eyes.

"My Lady," the man didn't bow, he was too tense and alert for danger and she knew he would otherwise do so if he could.

"Ottarl," the woman repeated, but with a harden tone. "Prepare all of our forces, leave my Knights, Attendant, and Chariot with a select group of others to guard me. After that, disperse the rest to subdue the Monsters in the Dungeon that are in no doubt a frenzy of panic and to defend Orario, no matter how Typhon moves."

"It will be done, Lady Freya," Ottarl confirmed already figuring who to send where and who to leave and how best to deploy them as he quickly left. He was then replaced by the Freya Familia's Vice Captain Allen Formel, and Freya's Attendant, Horn, both of who were ready to fight to protect their Goddess.

"I suggest you hurry back," Freya turned to her companion, "You'll need to organize your Familia, Loki."

"I know," the redhead was less than pleased as the situation was simply maddening right now, "This is crazy. How did Typhon escape again? Let alone slip by us?"

"No telling," Freya said in agreement before the Goddess decided on something and turned to her Chariot, "Allen take Loki back to her Familia safely and then return as soon as Finn shares the details of his deployment. I will then send a message to Ottarl to better coordinate our differing skills."

"At once!" Allen Formal was never happy to receive orders that took him away from his Goddess in times of danger. Then again, Loki and her Familia would, in the long term, reduce the danger to his Goddess, as much as he hated to admit it.

After all, it was clear, from how Freya was clenching and unclenching her right hand, that she was afraid. Whoever Typhon was, his power terrified his Goddess. If he could, he would remove that fear at once.

Suddenly, the Arcanum Barriers that protected the Great Dungeon City of Orario from rogue attacks by Deities flared to life and all looked to see a being that towered tall over the mountains outside the walls approaching.

"DAMMIT!" Loki cursed, "It's Typhon already!"

"Allen, go!" Freya ordered and the Cat Man didn't hesitate. He grabbed Loki and threw her over his shoulder as he took off running as Horn ran in front of Freya, pushing her back behind her and into the shadows of the Goddess' personal study.

Down below, the God of the Masses, Ganesha ran with Set and a select number of other Deities.

As they ran down the streets, they glowed. Soon they were engulfed in the limited amount of Arcanum they could call upon. Then using that power, they leapt over the Great Walls and Keeps of Orario to land outside, having grown in size to better battle Typhon.

"This is insane," Miach immediately put forth, as he readied to heal his allies, "But it is something we must do."

"Such is the price of our power and standing," Hephaestus said in agreement. She used her power to create new weapons and armors and throw them over her allies and herself like a sheet of bed cloth before it transformed into weapons and armor. "But we must fight here and now."

"No doubt that Zeus is on his way," Set said in agreement as he readied his weapons. "Finally! Typhon and I, on the same battlefield! Now no one may mistake me again for that villainous fiend!"

"Fiend is right," Ogma said in agreement as he took in the soon to be battlefield, "They're going to have to re-chart the entire region after this battle."

"A small price to not have to map a maritime chart," Takemikazuchi responded as he readied his tachi, "But enough chatter, to arms my comrades! Defend the Mortal Realm and the Great City of Orario!"

The other Deities let out a battle-cry before they began their battle with Typhon.

"COME AT ME FOOLISH GODS AND GODDESSES!" Typhon said with a smile that opened a mouth of razor-sharp teeth. "NONE OF YOU CAN CHALLENGE MY POWER!"

"Do not mistake power for strength!" Ganesha declared as he led the charge.

XXXX

Astraea awoke deep in a long forgotten passageway.

She coughed the dust and dirt from her lungs as she shifted. Her healing ability having already kicked in to address her injuries and recover her strength. Unlike before, she was not so badly hurt to require Fen's considerable help again.

The Goddess of Justice looked around her to see what happened.

One of the great rents had dropped her into an ancient and long forgotten underground passageway.

She could see some of what was inside thanks to the greasy green flames, but not much more than that.

As she searched, Astraea noticed a red-orange color near some green. Following it and being mindful where she stepped and realizing her dress was torn, leaving her improperly clad.

While she still had both of her small boots Fen had given her, her top had torn along with her skirt. As such, she discovered her bra was now missing, and she was essentially exposed. She still had her panties and aside from being dirty, they were only frayed and torn in a couple of places that didn't risk her modesty there.

The skirt by contrast, she would need to do something about when she had the time. It was completely torn from covering her left leg and ripped open along her right. It hung loosely from the torn left side, exposing her panties.

Her brown belt was still fashioned into place and she still had all of her pouches and her sword and sheath. Her pouches were still full with the supplies Fen had given her, such as several healing herb mixtures as good as any potion. Which promptly reminded her she also had flint, but for now, she didn't need it as she found the source of the red-orange flame was a lit branch.

"Must have been lit by the attacks from Arawn's children," Astraea theorized as she claimed it and used it to look further within and spot the old and easily accessible torchlights and oil lanterns. "Too easily accessible, this was a fully operated corridor at one point," as she moved the lit branch around, Astraea discovered something dismaying.

"And now it is a Dungeon as well," she huffed in annoyance seeing the Monster tracks and what worried her was the size, "They must have fled someone else because of the battle above."

Which wasn't good.

But she decided it was a risk to stay put. Especially as a piece of arch fell behind her, dropping earth and rock. It was clear that the section she was in would be compromised and about ready to go at any moment at any time. Therefore, it was best to be somewhere else entirely.

Drawing her sword and moving along and nearly tripping over her ruined skirt, Astraea resolved to fix that as soon as possible. The branch wasn't good for long. It would either burn out or burn down to her hand. Therefore, it was best to have a proper torch and so she followed, seeing long disused doors that gave way under the explosion that was the collapse.

"This was definitely no minor corridor," she looked into one door and found a fully furnished room that was in a far advanced state of decay. "We moved uphill twice, if I recall right," Astraea walked on, seeing a bathing room next, one fit for royalty long ago. "It may have been a Dwarven or Human endeavor, but without the time to examine, it is hard to tell," the sound of her own voice in the empty corridor was comfortable.

And it allowed her to be heard.

"Astraea!" it was Hestia and Astraea rounded a corner to find a closed yett gate in the way and Hestia on the other side, "Astraea are you alright?!"

"Aside from my clothes, I am fine," the Goddess of Justice was thankful to find the Goddess of the Hearth, "Are you well?"

"Yep!" Hestia was filthy and had already fixed her torn dress where she was modest again, though her belly was on full display and she was clearly using a torn shirt to cover her lower half decently. "Ryo is hurt, but he could sow together a temporary skirt out of a shirt from the traveling kit of one of my girls."

The Goddess of the Hearth showed off her temporary skirt, "My Child was okay with it. It was that or one of Ryo's shirts and she wouldn't hear of the latter, much to Ryo's relief," she giggled a bit, "He's shy with women like that. Except for his wife."

Astraea shared in Hestia's good humor. The two Goddess' relieved that each other were okay.

"Now to move this thing?" Hestia growled and tried to lift it, despite the fact it swung.

"I'm afraid it cannot be done, Lady Hestia," a young woman approached. "Greetings Lady Astraea, I am Cecil of the Hestia Familia," the young woman introduced herself, a light sandy haired brunette with freckles on her cheeks and purple eyes that stood about Astraea's own height.

"Cecil!" Hestia whined in annoyance, "What do you mean it can't be done?"

Cecil turned to her Goddess, "It's frozen into place. No telling how long it has been locked and more importantly, it appears to be made of strong metals that we just don't have the strength and tools to break. Tomas and Katsu have already tried another and Tomas almost broke both of his wrists when his hammer was repelled."

Both Goddesses winced at that.

"What Level is this Tomas of yours, Hestia?" Astraea inquired and the smaller Goddess winced.

"Level 2, about ready to become Level 3 once he gets his Status up higher," Hestia sighed and then added, "Katsu is Level 3 himself, but isn't built for raw strength like Tomas is. Tomas actually has more Strength as a High End Level 2 then Katsu, a Mid Tier Level 3, does."

The two men were clearly too close in ability to use their Levels as general markers. If a High End Level 2 and a Mid Tier Level 3 couldn't break these yett gates, it was likely that they would remain separate for now.

"I'm so sorry, Astraea," Hestia looked apologetic and the taller Goddess reached out to pat her on the head.

"It's alright," the Goddess of Justice tapped her sword at her side, "I can fight. I can survive until we rejoin."

Hestia smiled at those words, but then pointed to Astraea's destroyed clothing.

"Do you want us to try and put something together for you?" Hestia had to admit that Astraea was well proportioned for a Goddess. Hestia had always hoped she would look like Astraea in figure if she wasn't so short.

Astraea shook her head, "I'll figure something out. Now I need to go and find a way to find you. Hopefully, thereafter, we can see about clothing," the taller Goddess smiled.

"Okay," the shorter Goddess sighed, "Probably couldn't get them through without tearing anyway," the Goddess of the Hearth puffed her cheeks out in annoyance making her look like a petulant child.

Something Astraea giggled at while Cecil merely covered her eyes in annoyance, though she had a smile nonetheless.

"We will meet again soon," Astraea bade them well before departing and disappearing, but not before they handed a good pair of torches to her along with a small thing of water and food.

The torches were Heaven sent. Both were slow burn versions. Now she had proper lighting as she followed the passageway.

Though she nearly tripped on her ruined skirt and dropped into some water. The water in front of her was slowly moving and she could see a rent in the ceiling, one caused by the Felled Dragon and her claws. Only a single rent, but it was enough to let water in, likely from a creek or river or perhaps the rain outside.

It was fresh water, either way. She checked it and smiled. Astraea could drink it and she drank a fair bit, not too much to cause her discomfort or give her issues later.

She also took the time to cut and tear the ruined cloth on her. Eventually, she fashioned something to both hold and cover her exposed breasts in place. She also simply realigned her skirt or rather what little of it she had left.

She simply looped the longest and best pieces over the band and used it to cover her modesty. Of course, she still had her panties on and fixed enough material to cover them as well. In addition, she tied off the two long pieces so they wouldn't be too loose.

The Goddess also covered her elbows and knees and her shins. Not perfect and this was far from armored cloth, but it was better than nothing. Astraea even had a headband to hold back her hair and in the reflection, she couldn't help, but remember a Daughter of Zeus from eons ago.

If she recalled that young woman was dressed similarly to her. Honestly, if not for her skin, Astraea could have passed for a poor Amazon.

A far more cheerful thought than if she thought that the outfit also reminded her of Ishtar and some of the other more scantily clad Goddesses.

Astraea couldn't have finished addressing her clothing and checking her sword and supplies before she heard the low growl.

Turning her head to the passage it came from, she saw the threat that emerged.

A crossbreed of a normal wild cat and a Monster. An offshoot of the Bobcat. The Fangcat.

It looked like a Bobcat, with spotted fur. Yellow and black. Its eyes were a reddish-yellow. And it was as big as a common hunting dog.

It was swift and deadly when it caught its prey. But because of its small size, even common villagers could fight one successfully. Even dogs overpowered them.

The problem was that, despite being classed as a Bobcat, they were more like Lions and lived in a group. And that group was present.

They emerged into her torchlight. About seven in all. Fairly unusual as the numbers were typically closer to three or four. But not beyond Astraea's skill or ability.

"Let's see what you can do then," she took up her stance, just as one more snuck up behind her only to get an arrow through its head.

"Astraea!" it was Artemis, and she looked as bad off as Astraea herself, only she seemed to be in a huge hurry, "Run! Now!"

A roar behind the blue-haired Goddess of the Hunt signaled why the two Goddesses should be fleeing.

"Is that a Minotaur?!" Astraea promptly spun on her heel and fled, the Fangcats scattering to go into hiding, though, little good it did them.

"I only wish!" Artemis responded as the brunette and blunette began running alongside each other, "I ran into Daemons!"

"Daemons!? Here?!" Astraea didn't dare to look back as she could now feel the Felled Energies behind her, "But how?!"

"It looks like this passage belongs to a larger complex," the two Goddesses took a turn, avoiding a pair of Swordfangs, an offshoot of the Sabertooth Tiger. Both Swordfangs noticed the true threat too late and could be heard screaming as they were killed brutally. "It may explain why it became forgotten."

"Someone played with Hellfire and got burned to naught even ash," Astraea responded as both Goddesses ran.

"Unfortunately for us," Artemis agreed, though, she also reached down to keep what was left of her dress to maintain some modesty, "Why did this have to happen!?"

Suddenly the wall directly behind them exploded and tossed both Goddesses down the hallway and covered them in debris and earth.

As both coughed and tried to regain their wits, the five Daemons behind them approached.

The five were of two different types. Vaguely male with four short and one tall. They had two legs and a torso with two arms. But that is where similarities with Mortals and Deities ended.

Three had what amounted to Human skull heads that were just barely covered by skin and with sharp teeth in the mouth. They were bleached white with pink coloring. Their arms ended in four clawed fingered hands and their legs in three clawed toes. Their bodies were very thin and hunched over, actually hiding the fact they were much taller than they now appeared.

The next two were a larger and shorter version of the same type. Horned, single eyed and rows of sharpened teeth in what looked like giant suckers for mouth set just below the single eyes in a head that was somewhat bloated conicals. Their bodies were fat and wide, but incredibly, their legs were unusually reversed-hinged and very thin, but hid a great deal of strength in them. The arms were massive trunks that ended in five fingered hands that helped move the oversized body on those small legs.

The five also had something in common with Mortal men and Gods hanging between their legs, only what they could only describe as a mocking nature to Men and Gods alike.

And they knew that two Goddesses were before them and approached them, ready to victimize them and therefore, did not see a certain rabbit that was now better armed with a sword…

And even armored better than before.

XXXX

Bell…

The newly minted Adventurer, if only temporarily, lay beneath debris and wreckage.

Bell…

He still breathed despite all that collapsed atop him.

Bell…

His body was not severely injured, though, there was blood, it was hard to tell where it came from.

Bell…

His right hand twitched at the repeated use of his name.

Bell…

The white hair boy shifted as his mouth opened, inhaling and exhaling.

Bell…

The left foot found something firm and pushed, sliding the boy slightly forward.

Bell…

Then the right foot found a solid foundation and pushed.

Bell…

The left hand reached out before slapping into the dirt and pulling back until it found purchase on something.

Bell…

The right hand followed that movement and found the base of something to grip ahold and pull.

Bell…

The head, down as the body struggled to free itself, rose.

Bell…

Rise the head did and when it was raised high enough, the back bent as the boy found the strength to pull himself free…

Bell…

Red eyes suddenly snapped open.

Bell…

"RA-ahhhaaah!" The boy pulled himself free of the debris with a swing and into a kneeling position.

Bell…

The legs shook as the arms flexed.

Bell…

But through torn legs of his pants, he could see the muscles forming and slowly, but surely…

Bell…

The boy lifted himself up, but then, he pitched forward, and stumbled.

Bell…

But he stopped himself and adjusted his legs and arms.

Bell…

With another inaudible sound, the boy once more lifted himself up.

Bell Cranel, arise and follow.

First, the right heel and then the left heel slammed downward. The feet spread out by the toes as the young teen raised himself up on his own strength. With a final growl of defiance, Bell Cranel stood up.

Eyes adjusting to the torches, lit and burning, casting light in the long-forgotten passageway. The walls bedecked with ancient tapestries and paintings of long ago. Ancient glory faded, but not defeated.

The right foot picks itself up and moves forward before landing.

The left foot picks itself up and moves forward before landing.

The right foot.

The left foot.

The arms sway to maintain balance.

Left arm with the right foot.

Right arm with the left foot.

A familiar pattern. The forward motion of walking.

Despite bruises. Despite pain. Even despite thirst. And even despite hunger.

Despite all that should stop him, Bell Cranel walks forward.

Bell, follow…

And he follows.

Listening for instructions, Bell follows the distant echo.

Past ancient storage of treasures long forgotten. Ancient artifacts of great power. Weapons of ancient warriors. The equally ancient armor. Great troves of ancient jewels and precious coins.

Past long-forgotten clothes of ancient make by skill and technique are now long forgotten. Books of ancient knowledge and wisdom. Tomes of ancient magicks so powerful and arcane, even the great Elves would be lost to them.

Past long-forgotten places of rest. Even now, ancient baths are still sparkling. Ancient beds still appear to have been made just that morning. Ancient tables with ancient chairs and tableware fit for an ancient feast.

Past ancient soldiers, still in their formation.

Past ancient guards, still at their stations.

Past ancient knights, still ready for battle.

And finally…

Bell, you have arrived…

Before an ancient monarch, likely an emperor, still upon his golden throne, surrounded by elite warriors standing rank upon rank awaiting the command of their liege.

They shall be my finest warriors, these men who give of themselves to me.

The torches exploded into the greatest light, chasing all shadow from within the room and granting it clarity to be seen.

Like clay, I shall mold them and in the furnace of war, I shall forge them.

Ancient banners suddenly came to life, on streams of air willed into existence.

They shall be of iron will and steely sinew. In great armor, I shall clad them and with the mightiest weapons shall they be armed.

Ancient armor and ancient weapons shone despite the copious amounts of dust and dirt and the lack of care and maintenance.

They shall have such tactics, strategies, and tools that no foe will best them in battle.

Far ancient tomes sat in bookcases or were held in hand.

They are my bulwark against the Terrors. They are the Defenders of Humanity.

Ancient armor creaked and weapons clanked once more after a forgotten number of centuries remaining where they stood.

They are my Astartes Legio… and they shall know no fear.

Bell never took his eyes off the ancient monarch upon his throne. So long he had sat there. Waiting. Now, someone has come to him.

Such was my belief. Such was my hubris. And such was my folly.

Bell remained where he stood as he listened to the long-forgotten ruler.

No single group of warriors can alone hold any darkness at bay. Thus, from the beginning, I had cursed my Imperium, my Children, and myself.

The boy stood there, listening. He did not know why, but he felt his heart was being squeezed hearing those words. It was like the pain he often saw on his grandfather's face, and now, he was being hit again by that same feeling and the loss that went with his grandfather's death.

I erred so terribly and allowed the corruption of nearly half of my Children. Half my Astartes Legion. And half of my Imperium.

Bell understood where the emperor was going.

Death and destruction followed. My Children fought. My soldiers fought. Even my people fought. But only each other until all were finally lost with no one the victor.

There is always a winner. That was something his grandfather once told him. They were never where you expected them to be, and sometimes, you did not know they even existed.

Except for the Daemon who attempted to invade, that is. They were the cause, and they were the curse. But, here and now, they were stopped.

Bell knew where this story was going, but he held his tongue. He listened instead. This was once a ruler and knew far more than Bell.

But the seal that holds them back is weakening. Yet one more good strike and it will break, sealing them forever from this entrance and perhaps to never once more threaten our world ever again.

A boy of 14 years he may be, but Bell knew the severity of what was occurring. And the need for action to stop it.

Bell… Take my sword and shield, choose the armor you will wear, and be the one to seal the danger once more, forevermore.

Bell nodded as he stepped forward.

The sword and shield were large, but not something Bell couldn't wield. The sword appeared to be a rather large Arming Sword, and the shield was a more typical, if early, Heater Shield. It surprised Bell at the sight of the pair given how unusual the pair were.

As for the armor, Bell ignored the splendid and powerful-looking armors. Armor that seemed to exalt influence, power, status, and other traits to boast about.

Instead, Bell concentrated on a single suit of armor. Not so glamorous, but no doubt a design in and of itself. And, unlike the other armors, it was simple and only lightly adorned, though even to his untrained eyes, he could tell that they made it of material superior to the other armors.

Bell began removing the destroyed outfit he had been wearing. He had paid no attention to it other than to see what he had been wearing. It had been a black shirt and brown pants with black shoes. Other than the grey socks, he had been wearing a set of grey shorts under his pants.

Now he put on a black suit over his grey shorts, which other than his socks, had survived unharmed if a little dirty from being nearly buried alive.

He was also noticing that some dirt had gotten into places where it shouldn't be.

Ignoring that, he got the black suit on. It was two-piece. Top and bottom, little surprise there.

But what was surprising was that both connected together with the shirt slightly going over his trousers and providing additional coverage down to his thighs. The shirt split like a dove's tail to avoid entangling his legs.

Once he had tied it into place, he took hold of various pieces of armor and applied them.

It was a medium suit of armor. Designed more to combine mobility and defense. Bell found that given its design, it would allow him to be highly agile. Yet he could take a few blows as well.

First, he added the under pieces that would cover his body. Such as the light gambeson that would cover much of his body. It would act as an inner armor over his bodysuit and last means of defense if it came to it.

The next was the mail armor components to cover his limbs where he could. This would be the defense before the gambeson. It would also help stop some attacks. Over the cloth gambeson, the metal mail would protect him.

Over this, the actual outer armor.

First it was the protection for his feet. Segmented plate which led up to a pair of greaves that covered his lower legs. Additional plat for his upper legs locked into position. The skirt armor followed this to protect his hips.

Bell moved his legs once the plate pieces were placed and twisted side to side. The armor fit him, barely, and was more than a little loose in places. But at no time was it at risk of falling off him.

He then began armoring his torso and arms. First was the chest piece. It was fortunately two piece designed for being put on by the user. After it was on, he clasped its locks into place, sealing the armor around body.

Then came the armor for his arms and shoulders. These slid or locked into place, tying into the torso. Small components covered his armpits externally by being mounted on the shoulder armor.

Before Bell finished with his hands, though, he took hold of the helmet. It was neither a simple design or a complex design as near in that he can tell. It was a sallet style helmet of a make he didn't quite know with open sides for his ears to hear, reinforced cheek guards that connected to form a guard around his chin, and a literal faceplate that was a plate of metal as a face.

Bell did not know if it represented some noble hero, legend, or even a God from long ago. But he knew that some ancient kingdoms and empires had created helmets with sculpted faceplates like this. It was a style that had been falling out of favor by the time of Argonaut himself. Bell wasn't sure if the Knights of Fianna had a similar helmet design.

Uniquely, Bell noticed the forehead plate was a bit more built up. There was a crest there too. Like some kind of eagle, in design form he had never seen before. There were also three grooves atop the helmet, no doubt for ornamentation and identification. The helmet also had an expanded back, like a beaver's tail or paddle.

Bell twisted and put the helmet back on its stand before grabbing the cloak he had nearly missed. His arms could slide through it because it easily attached to points on his armor. It too had the same eagle emblem on it. It draped down his body to pool by his feet and yet fluttered out behind him like a cape.

Now Bell put the helmet on and kept the raised faceplate open to see as he put on the gauntlets, which he noted were also emblazoned with the eagle as well.

After finally having the armor all on, Bell secured the sword to his side and found he could actually attach the shield to his forearm. It was something he did at once and found that the shield would rotate as he moved his arm to maintain the best possible protection. It was something he had never heard of before and found it unique even as he closed the faceplate as he drew the sword from its scabbard.

And yet, once Bell had it all on, the armor glowed with ancient magicks long forgotten of a power he could scarcely conceive, let alone understand.

Soon, the Armor had shifted and changed. Shining in this long forgotten domain. The armor and weapons soon redid themselves until…

Bell gazed at the armor that clad him. The shield on his arm. The sword in his hand. Now it all fit him fully.

The chest piece was now an inverted pentagon shape with stylized indentations throughout the piece. Firm underneath was a light scale mail that covered wherever the plate did not. The hip armor was a light, segmented fauld with hinged, segmented guards to protect his hips and thighs.

The greaves now covered up to his knees with protrusions rising higher in a blunt three tongue fork scheme. Scale mail existed to protect his thighs, and the greaves had an armored band that wrapped under the center of his feet like stirrups to protect his ankles and worked with a segmented light sabaton that covered much of his feet from harm.

The gauntlets were much like the greaves, but ended more in blunted small ridges just past his elbows. They flared out somewhat to provide slightly wider protection of his forearms and were thicker on top than on the bottom. Much like the greaves. The gauntlets also held four gems in each one. One each in the back of the hand guard and one each in the actual gauntlets themselves just before the wrists.

The cloak now draped him more like a long coat or rather a surcoat. It had a small cape on the back of it that reached the small of his back and flared out to flutter easily just past his arms. Despite the new design, it was unmistakingly a cloak still and the hood of it slid under the helmet.

The helmet had also changed. The cheek and chin guard had merged with the faceplate to create a sort of metal half mask that covered his lower face. It had grills horizontally in it to allow him to breathe through. The enlarged forehead guard had become a hinged visor that when closed, hid Bell's eyes from the world, but Bell could still see out of.

The top of the helmet had three ridges still, but two now trailed corded adornments while a plume of feathers sat in the center of the helmet, set in a pulled back form.

The neck and shoulder guard was now much smaller, more like a rabbit's tail now, but still provided some protection. Bell also had a throat guard attached to his chest piece, protecting his neck. His ears were also now partially shielded, with the metal attaching to itself providing a continuously unbroken band of metal to protect the side of his head.

The colors were a mix of black, white, and silver with red trim. Unknown to Bell, these would become his signature colors.

But most notably, was that the emblem was not the eagle as was before. But rather, the seal of a certain Goddess inlaid with a bell crossed with a sword and gavel.

"Thank you," Bell knew what he had to do, and it was just not to stop the Daemon alone.

Go forth Bell Cranel and be not only the hero, but the justice that this world calls out for.

"I will," and with that, Bell gave a humble bow before departing, taking a path showed by torches to find his way forward.

The boy will only find his end.

So, you are here.

Of course! But you know as well as I do, only your Blood can seal the entrance. It is a doomed endeavor.

Weak is the gate. So it may yet be destroyed before long.

Grrr! You will not win Emperor of Man!

I am defeated. Now, as I was then. But my Blood has yet to fail. Indeed, it has grown instead. You have failed. TO ARMS, MEN! WE BATTLE OUR LAST!

What was that?! You cannot… IMPOSSI- TO ME MY MINIONS! NOW!

A great gate slammed shut and sealed to hold the evil within as the Emperor and his last forces fought their last battle so long after death.

Such it would be found, some time later by a blue clad, brown hat with a white feather in it God who investigated this place a little further.

XXXX

Bell withdrew his sword, the silvery blade leaving a fiery blaze as the Daemon spun burned from its power.

It was the last of the five. And the biggest of them as well.

"Oh, by Watos in His Realm," Bell opened his helmet as he gulped, "That smell makes me sick."

The essentially Holy energies soon completely engulfed the dead spawn behind Bell.

"Bell!" Astraea was quick to his side as he rested on the sword. The blade was vaguely cross shaped, like most swords. The cross guard was well named and very effective in defense. This one, though, was slightly bent by design with engravings giving it a vaguely twin wing appearance.

Astraea took not only that in, but the shield with, much to her shock, the Seal of the Astraea Familia with a bell and a crossed sword and gavel for a coat of arms.

"Lady Astraea," Bell managed out and honestly, the Goddesses couldn't blame Bell for looking or feeling sick.

Daemons, when they burned, smelled awful at the best of times. No Deity to date was immune. Not even weapon forgers or 'Dark' Deities. The smell was truly bad.

"Bell, where did you get all of this?" Astraea asked as it was obvious that asking if he was alright was not going… Yeah… Bell just lost the last bit of food he had eaten during their flight onto the stonework.

"Breath easy," the Goddess of Justice pulled him close, "The smell is already dissipating. You should feel better shortly thereafter."

Bell did as commanded. And more.

He held Astraea abruptly close to him. His hands went over her. Checking for injuries and bruises. To make sure she was alright.

"I am fine now Bell," the Goddess said, smiling at him favorably, though she didn't leave his embrace either, "My injuries are healing now that I can safely recover."

Shooting the two an annoyed look, Artemis took in the brief fight that had occurred.

The Goddess of the Hunt and Moon followed the evidence. The two of them, alone and vulnerable. Then the boy's sudden arrival. How his first swing had sliced in half one of the smaller Daemons in a single pass. The body catching fire and burning to nothing before the two halves could even hit the ground.

The other four did not notice him fast enough. Nor did they notice they were only four. Not before the boy rebounded off a wall and with the added force, cut the smaller of the second pair in half cleaving from crown to groin.

Spinning from that position, the second of the former trio was cut open. Before it even reacted. The boy's blade had deflected the largest of the five's first attack allowing the boy to stab and spin the fatally wounded Daemon into its brethren before he withdrew the sword to block another attack.

One Daemon died in flames and the other, burning, attempted to fight or put out the flames then engulfing.

The boy gave no quarter as he removed an arm and then a leg and hand. The big brute accidentally crushing its fellow before losing half that arm.

A quick spin had beheaded the dying monster outright while inflicting a pair of deep gashes into the large Daemon.

The Daemon pulled back. It was wounded. The boy exploited, removing a leg and cutting across its back before plunging his sword in and jerking it with a twist before withdrawing it to avoid a desperate counterattack.

Then the boy ducked and charged in, stabbing forward and drawing his blade across the Daemon spawn. Cutting deep until the blade found a hold. Then the boy angled to let the spawn's own weight work against it.

Then, with the blade deep and its body becoming engulfed in flames, it tumbled onto its side, rolling onto its burning back.

The boy pulled his sword free and jumped clear as the Daemon became engulfed in flames and soon, like its companions, was forever gone.

Artemis could hardly believe how easy it was for the boy. She knew first-hand how powerful and dangerous Daemons were. She had, after all, fought in those wars so long ago. Even dying and being reincarnated through the Deities' own reincarnation system. She knew Hestia had fallen, as had Athena.

To her knowledge, few of the Deities had not fallen at all. Mostly the Supreme Deities, the leaders of them all, such as Zeus, Odin, Ra, and Ouranos and Amaterasu, as well as Watos.

And that's something else.

The sword and shield alone are both covered in the feel of Arcanum as the armor hints at magicks of so long ago as to be forgotten by even the Deities, unless they were to look them up or were like Athena, of course.

"Artemis?" Astraea drew the Goddess of the Hunt's attention to her, "Are you well? You look… Distracted."

Artemis shook her head. Then pointed to the boy that Astraea had been embracing a moment before. Which turned out to be a mistake.

She had forgotten about the condition of her clothing. And the fact she was missing a few pieces. Not that it mattered at that moment.

Because her entire ensemble tore, ripped, or simply fell apart in that moment, leaving the boy as the first male to see her naked body.

"Eh?!" the boy managed blushing and immediately averting his eyes by spinning around on his heel and stomping both feet to keep himself from tumbling over, "I'M SORRY!" he shouted at the top of his lungs while Astraea just looked on dumbfounded, well used to Bell's shouts by now.

Artemis just stood there. Her mouth open to say something. Then she let out a, "Huh?" before realizing there was a much greater draft, and she felt chilled before she remembered a detail.

Shakily looking down, she stared dumbly at her own bare breasts. Hanging free for all to see. Her arms were also bare and she could see her bare feet as well.

Then she realized what was happening just as Bell turned his head ever so slightly, trying to keep his eyes high and averted, but he could see the panicked rage in Artemis' eyes.

"KY-YAAAAAA!"

"I'M SOR-"

XXXX

The explosion caught Typhon completely off guard.

Especially as it had been directed against him from near.

A powerful thunderbolt had slammed into him. A direct hit no less.

And had been followed by a meaty fist that plowed his face into the earth and crashing into a mountain.

"Hello there," the massive form of Zeus in all his great glory greeted after he withdrew his fist from Typhon's cheek, "Typhon. Did you miss me? I know the ladies do and I appreciate them doing so. You… Not so much. Glad I didn't miss though! Ha! As it means I still got it! AHAHAHAHAHA!"

Typhon growled as he pulled himself back up, only for Zeus' foot to contact his midsection and send him sailing back to where he had been standing originally.

"In the Upper World or the Underworld, I would draw this fight out to ensure you knew defeat," Zeus was no longer the lecher most people associated him with.

He was now the Supreme God of his Pantheon. Father of more than a few Gods and Goddesses. Wielder of Sacred Lighting and Thunder of the Mid Realms. The only God to defeat Ouranos in combat. And he was angry.

"But here, in the Lower World, I will not take such a risk," Typhon threw one of his fireballs at Zeus, but Zeus merely swatted it away, extinguishing it with one swipe of his lightning crackling fist that he introduced after kick off to Typhon's chest to the sound of Typhon taking both internal and external damage, "You forget Typhon! As a Supreme God, even here in the Lower World, I have greater power than all others beneath that rank!"

"GAHHHH!" Typhon cried out in pain as he hit ground and created a swallow indention as he bounced over a treasured route that once was traveled by the Knights of Fianna, before he collided with another mountain, "ZEUS! I WILL DEFEAT YOU!"

But Zeus was suddenly in Typhon's face and the Fell Being was punched once more and this time out to sea where he landed with a splash that sent out a tidal wave that demolished the coast, but Njord prevented the destruction of all settlements and ports that were endangered with his power.

"My apologies Njord!" Zeus went by the other God, "Please see to the others! I'll deal with Typhon once more!"

"Of course, Zeus!" Njord turned with a wince, having already been burned, batting away some of the stray attacks from the battle previously. His fellow Deities had barely harmed him. Typhon on the other hand…

"Now I know why even Odin feared Typhon so," the God of the Seafarers and Fishermen winced as he moved to go aid the fallen Deities who lay scattered about the battle site, though Miach was at least partially functional himself and Set could still stand, as Zeus had saved him when he had arrived.

They were a mess, though. Not like Njord could say anything himself. Given that he wasn't really a fighting type of God.

Still, he did his best to protect the Children, and he appears to have been largely successful.

Hopefully, that means he should be able to pull Hephaestus out of the hole she found herself buried in. The woman's lower legs and feet were the only thing still sticking out of the ground. And one foot was clearly pointing in the wrong direction and the angle of the other leg showed that the thigh was likely broken.

It meant he would have to dig her out.

"Allow us to assist, Lord Njord," the God looked up to see the Valkyries of Vanir fly down to assist, "We cannot battle today, but we can aid in recovering the injured Deities."

"Thank you, Lady Valkyries," wincing at his own injuries even as two begin to fly about him, their much smaller size very clear, though, their power heals the injured God to some degree to reduce his discomfort to something more tolerable, "Any other further news you may have?"

One with Silver-White Hair and Aqua colored Eyes hovers before him. Her Valkyrie Armor Set comprises a white breastplate with gold and pale blue accents and matching, fingerless gauntlets, boots, hip guards, and wing-shaped hair clips. She also wears a black leotard underneath her breastplate, black thigh-high stockings, and a pale blue cloth wrapped underneath her hip guards, all of which are clad with pink lacing along with her hair clips.

"I am Rossweisse, Lord Njord, and I will report," the young Valkyrie introduces herself and from the crest on her armor, she is a servant of Valhalla, and thus in the service of Odin himself.

"Please report," Njord feels much better now and nods his thanks to the Valkyries still healing him.

"The Daughters of Arawn have engaged the servant of Typhon to the east of here, near the merging of the Tyne and Oise at the Riverport of Tyne-Oise on the borders of the Tyne-Reach-Oise territories," Rossweisse explains to Njord, "This appears to be the only other significant action of this type. There are two smaller incidents concurrently, but those appear to be in hand by local Familias, though Naga were dispatched to assist."

"Causing a reduction in your abilities, lest the Lower World be damaged by simply the backlash," Njord frowned and worried just how much trouble has been occurring.

"That is the truth of the matter My Lord," Rossweisse confirmed as she shifted, her wings flapping slightly to allow her to keep herself aloft and before the face of Njord.

An explosion rung out and Njord and the Valkyries turned to it.

Just in time, Njord brought the surrounding Valkyries in close and shielded them. The pressure arrived quickly, far beyond the Mortal World's ability to contain. The other Valkyries had been swift and taken shelter with the other Deities that still stood or were standing, such as Ganesha who stood once more.

"I think not!" Ganesha gathered his power quickly, having been around for so long, he had a few tricks to still play, and formed a shield that deflected much of the blast up and away.

Someone else had clearly thought the same elsewhere. As did others still. The worst of the displacement of air was shot into the stars where it would travel a short way before some of the Deities still in Heaven grabbed hold and ended it. That would leave the Lower World unharmed and prevent any form of disaster from occurring.

"I believe that far barrier was Prometheus' power," Miach replied, frowning, "It has been some time since I last felt it."

Out at sea, though, the sight was clear.

Typhon was still struggling and Zeus boasted a couple of burns, one actually serious. Still, despite that, Zeus had control mostly.

But even so. Typhon had clearly learned from last time. He got in another good hit, knocking Zeus back, but before he could exploit it, Zeus took hold of Typhon and reminded the Felled Being that Zeus was a skilled wrestler like Takemikazuchi.

Typhon, though, had a tail and that tail struck Zeus more than once. Until Zeus, clearly angered at not being able to just end the fight, summoned his Thunderbolt and Typhon screamed in pain as Zeus removed the tail.

"MY TAIL! MY TAIL!" Typhon screamed as he grasped at the stump of his tail, seeing almost two-thirds of it gone and Zeus standing there, the missing longer part of his tail stabbed through like a piece of sausage, "ZEUS!" Typhon roared in a pained rage at the God before him.

"A fair trade," Zeus responded with a cold demeanor and tone, "Like the time you removed one of Ares arms and used it to slap Athena on her backside and then, well, I seem to recall dislodging one of your eyes in my very understandable response of pure and unadulterated rage."

Oh, how he wished he could forget.

Ares had been too far gone. Zeus had to end Ares that day and wait so long for him to rejoin. The pain never leaving. Never receding. That he had lost a son, that despite all of his faults, he truly treasured.

Athena had been so shaken, she had tossed herself to her end.

Or would have, if not for Hermes being there at the last second.

He had been lucky that Hestia had become so close to Athena. Despite everything, Hestia was no fighter. She hated the whole concept of war. Her powers could be undeniable. Especially if she chooses her Vesta form.

Still, Hestia blamed herself for fleeing. And again when Typhon had returned that one time. Of course, it was another conflict that took both of his daughters from him. No longer to be his daughters. But at least, they were happy still.

Well, as happy as the ever strict Athena could get. To say nothing of Hestia being so bubbly these days. He really should put the effort in to find and visit Athena. Stranger things have happened and perhaps she's mellowed. Maybe even found a man to love and be loved by.

Now, that would make him happy.

But until then. Oh yes. Until after this current issue with Typhon was dealt with.

"THE DAY GROWS SHORT!" Zeus vaporized Typhon's tail as he stepped forward, "Time I end this and you."

"YOU SHALL NOT! ZEUS!" Typhon called upon his power and shot two fireballs at Zeus who destroyed them and dodged away and avoid Typhon's charge.

The whole coastline and some inland areas were going to need to be remapped after this day.

It would also be years before everything fully recovers. Well… Except for a few Gods and Goddesses already planning how to speed things up a bit.

XXXX

Artemis felt her consciousness slowly return to her.

As her eyes fluttered open, she felt a mild headache. One she associated with being struck in the head. By what was the question.

Her eyes opened and upon seeing a mass of blurry white and brown with a hint of green, her mind instantly kicked in as her Divine Healing promptly done something about the leftover effects about her concussion.

"Astraea?" she still inquired as she blinked her eyes and sure enough, there was the Goddess of Justice, still dressed in a way that was very… Amazonian… like…

Her own clothes…

A boy…

She stood there…

Naked…

And…

He saw her.

Astraea had expected when Artemis would bolt upright and so had leaned back. After all, Artemis was just waking up from the accidental concussion caused by the back of Bell's armored hand striking her right in the head's side. Slightly above, forward, and near her right ear.

It would not do for Astraea to suffer a much milder concussion from Artemis slamming her skull into her own. Which could have also once more knocked Artemis out given how she was just now recovering from the first. Not a thrilling thought as she could hear Daemons every so often and Bell was still out cold himself.

Of course, as Artemis looked around frantically for Bell and to discover eventually that, despite everything going on, Astraea had passed the time rather productively.

"Yes, you're… clothed," Astraea could not say she was decent, however. By Artemis' standards, and most people's standards, she was clearly not decent.

Unlike Astraea, Artemis was a bit more covered at the chest. The woman wore light armor under her clothes. Usually made of sterner stuff than the rest of her dress. Something she only wore when she was expecting far more serious trouble, such as the recent battle.

After all, they could pick the scent of metal up. Especially if meticulously cleaned. That and it was difficult to repair and care for so far from a settlement with the proper facilities. So, most of Artemis' clothes comprised armored cloth taken as a bounty from the hides and skins of Monsters or created by specific tailor companies or magic guilds.

Artemis wore the armor under a larger outfit fashioned in the same way as her normal dress with a hidden underdress beneath her armor made of armored thread for added protection and normal cloth for comfort.

But right now… It was at least a lot better than Astraea's meager cover.

Using the remaining extra cloth from her own destroyed dress, Astraea had fashioned an ensemble much the same as her own for Artemis.

Though Artemis' underdress had managed a large enough piece to survive, Artemis could more easily cover up her front. Still left her stomach exposed, along with much of her back, but at least she was better covered.

Artemis' belt had not survived, but there had been a large enough piece of her outer dress to allow for a makeshift band to hold the bottom and top in place. Though the bottom was the same as Astraea, two long cloths to cover her modesty front and back. But Artemis had the benefit of two sizable pieces that covered down to mid-thigh from her hips.

Other than that, Artemis was a better clad version of Astraea who had only created a larger piece for her backside, allowing her not to sit on stone, but a somewhat comfortable piece of cloth. It went down close to her knees as well.

The armor was available, but unfortunately, Astraea was no Armor smith. As such, there wasn't anything she could do with it. Maybe, just maybe tie a few pieces here and there. But that was it.

Artemis appeared to want to ask something, but Astraea preempted her with some water. She was lucky to have found another fresh spring. And a couple of of long disused cups that were clean, which was rather odd.

But it didn't hurt that she channeled some Arcanum just to be safe.

The Goddess of the Hunt had coughed at first. Discovering the hard way her throat had become dry. The cotton in her mouth feeling was not pleasant, as always. No one would say they enjoyed it after all.

As such, the blue-haired, green eyed Goddess drank first. One she was sure her throat was wetted, she turned to the walnut brown with indigo eyed Goddess of Justice.

"How long have I been unconscious?"

Astraea took a moment to figure how long. Then deciding on what she thought was the correct amount of time, she replied.

"About two hours, possibly three," Astraea wasn't quite sure. She tended to a small fire which kept them warm. And had held her sword close just in case, "The Daemons have been getting increasingly restless. I worry we will need to wake Bell soon."

Artemis didn't look enthused. Astraea decided now was not the time. Despite how she respected Artemis' choices and decision regarding her appearance and code.

"Artemis, sister," Astraea began, drawing the Moon Goddess' attention right away, "Daemons are amok in these halls and passages. Hestia and her Familia are in danger. We are in danger. Typhon has returned and gathered followers. Followers capable of suppressing Deities. We can only hope that Father Zeus is fighting Typhon right now. But we do not know."

As though to make a point of a reminder, there was an abrupt slamming noise, and the ceiling cracked over them. Dirt, plant life, and stone rained down upon the pair. Through the crack which now allowed rainwater to seep in, they could also feel the heat and hear the battle above them.

"And we have a witch that turned herself into a dragon above us fighting the Daughters of Arawn," Astraea sighed as she had not expected this at all.

Then she remembered something.

"Ardi!?" Astraea looked frantically around her and even call out before Artemis took hold of her and covered her mouth to quiet her.

"Sister Astraea!" Artemis hissed into Astraea's ear, "The Daemons! If she is still safe, do not make a target of both her and us!"

But Astraea would not listen. She was frantic to find the missing Mortal. The two Goddesses wrestling as Artemis attempted to calm her longtime friend. But it appeared to be to no avail as panic gripped Astraea.

Then, thinking she would need to knock her out, Artemis was suddenly surprised when Astraea calmed abruptly. Much to Artemis' surprise, but she could see why.

The boy had awakened and taken hold of the Goddess of Justice.

"Astraea, please," Bell gently stroked her head, "Please."

Astraea calmed. Leaning into the boy's touch and letting him hold her close.

Artemis watched their closeness. She was so surprised to see how close they were. Tender. Gentle. Pure…

'Pure…' the Goddess thought, before it clicked, 'Pure!'

Their temperance was likely different, but their souls were just so pure and honest. That they naturally sang to one another in a way she couldn't even begin to fathom.

And that ached in her heart.

The boy and Astraea knew intimacy. Artemis did not. She had refused it. They had embraced… No…

Before her eyes, both were… rejecting what they had.

A Mortal and a Goddess.

Even now, even as weak as she was in relationships, she could see it. Clear as day. Clear as a night of a Full Moon.

"Bell, thank you," Astraea was intentionally leaving his embrace.

"You're welcome, Lady Astraea," Bell responded as he also withdrew.

Mortal and Goddess… Both believed they could not be together. Their paths would diverge. Time will pass. Their roads different. Their goals not aligned.

And yet…

Artemis shook her head.

"You need some clothing," Bell observed before noticing Artemis and her… dress.

Which caused him to gulp as he turned red in the face. Artemis being taken aback when he looked like a frightened rabbit about to flee.

"Oh, no you don't Bell Cranel!" Astraea wrapped her arms around one of his arms and, likely unintentionally, trapping his arm between her breasts, "You are most certainly not going to scream and run off to hide!"

"B-b-b-b-b-BUT!" he pointed with his free hand at Artemis clearly about to hyperventilate.

"You already saw her naked," Astraea deadpanned, "Be thankful you're alive after that," the Goddess of Justice sighed as she closed her eyes and shook her head before reopening them to pin the boy in place, "You're already accustomed to my lack of dress and now you have seen the most prized Goddess of Heaven's naked body."

Artemis' face had turned a shade of red that put the color itself to shame as her head dipped forward and her bangs covered her eyes as she made sounds standing and shaking like a leaf in the wind.

"Not even Gods have seen Artemis' body beyond her arms, legs, and shoulders, and here you saw just about everything," Astraea knew how Artemis was feeling, but had to make a point, "You would likely be granted the unheard of achievement of seeing three Goddesses naked if Aphrodite heard of this and approved or she could just hear of it, disapprove, and try to kill you as soon as she finds you."

"Astraea…" Artemis and Bell whimpered in their own ways.

A distant roar and the ground shuddering put a prompt end to all joking.

The two Goddesses stood ready with their respective weapons while Bell looked in the roar's direction, weapon also at the ready.

"We should table this for now," Artemis stated as she looked apprehensive, "Though I wish I had something better to fight Daemons in. No offense intended, Astraea, but I feel like I'm in my underwear."

"None taken, for I feel the same," the Goddess of Justice agreed with the Goddess of the Hunt.

"I think I saw a room that had clothes for women in it," Bell supplied as he kept a steady watch. "We can go see if they fit you?"

"Let us be off then," Astraea replied as Bell started heading in that direction.

While Astraea followed right away, it took a few moments for Artemis to do so herself.

Still, the blue-haired Goddess followed the Mortal and her fellow Deity.

The three walked through the halls with care and caution. They were also feeling the odd shake and rumble. No doubt the Daughters of Arawn were still battling the Dragon Witch. There were also Daemons upset by the fight above, as shown when they ran into the odd Daemon.

Some were closer to Monsters in appearance and form. But that was where the similarities ended. They were always grotesque mockeries. Even Monsters had better appearances and looked more in line with nature around them.

Like what Bell guessed was meant to be a massive two-headed wolf that was head and shoulders taller than his grandfather and he was one of the tallest men in the village!

While it had a body like that of a wolf, including the tail, and two heads like that of a wolf too, the rest of it was not easily identifiable as a wolf.

It was covered in large welts and some kind of puss emitting warts. The smell was awful too. Like burnt bacon wrapped in overdone leather. The things even vomited frequently and as part of their attack.

They were also barely covered in fur. Like someone stitched two halves from a pair of dead, rotting wolves together with some fur here and there. Including two tails with that.

Of course, they had to give it limbs that were also out of place on even a normal wolf. And didn't quite match up either.

The forelegs alone were both misshapen and one was typically longer than the other. Of course, that didn't always hold true. Some had correctly proportioned limbs and were equal in size.

But of course, the claws and teeth were longer and sharper. Able to leave deep grooves in the stone flooring or chew through metal beams. Their skulls were also a little thicker with extra dense bone and their jaws could actually split in two ways. Then there were their tails which were also sharpened and ended in a sharp point with the fur on them razor sharp as well.

Bell's armor and shield as well as the sword he wielded were sufficient to protect him.

The two Goddesses, though, had to stay back. Which unfortunately could leave them vulnerable. Not that they were weak or powerless. Quite the opposite in fact.

Given that these were Daemons, the two Goddesses could and did freely call on their Arcanum. As such, the Daemons could scarcely get close to the pair. Not without losing something in the process.

A strange, vaguely bat-like creation, one that Bell doubted was actually remotely a bat of any kind, had found out the hard way as it try to ambush Goddess Artemis and he had witnessed the power that marked her as the Goddess of the Hunt.

The arrow not only came about and tracked unerringly, but being covered in Arcanum, the Daemon simply ceased to be when the arrow cut through it and then returned, via two of the previous cyclopic Daemons trying to attack her from behind, to its own to park itself in her quill without ever touching it and freeing her up to kill other Daemon much the same way.

Goddess Astraea's sword glowed with her power, which also gave them some light in the darkness, as she cut through the Daemon as well.

One that was rat-like and as hideously deformed as any other Daemon, but the size of a large cat tried to rush her. Followed by a good twenty or so more that were slightly smaller. Astraea had simply swept her sword and sent out a wave of her power and the whole lot had vanished instantly before she waved her sword further and created arcs of dancing light that covered every approach no matter the angle and wiped out the whole host of such Daemons before her blade simply passed through the true leader, another of the deformed rat Daemons the size of a wagon!

The light of Astraea's Arcanum simply went down the Daemon's length and it simply dissolved outward from the length of the cut, leaving nothing.

Bell fought as well. That included against what had to be once Humans, Dwarves, Elves, and others of the 'Human' Races as well. Including Pallums.

Misshapen, deformed, and corrupted forms of once living, breathing people.

Some were clearly once normal people. Others were appeared to have been soldiers, guards, militia, and mercenaries. Some appeared to have been priests and priestesses. There were even children mixed in.

Bell bit back the bile and struck true.

One woman, a former priestess, had even managed a smile and a quiet 'thank you' before she burned from sight.

It was hard, but Bell knew these were the ones who didn't know what was happening or had been cursed before they realized it.

So, it was with a determined look that was far out of place for the boy often mistaken for a rabbit, that when they found a corrupted priest who still maintained his wits and had willingly become one with the Daemons, well…

"So all of this suffering for a mere drop of power!" Bell was irate as he exploded on the Traitor to Humanity.

"BoY iT is nOT mErE POWer," the face smiled far too widely to still be Human, "iT IS powER OVerWHElmiNG! BEyoND YoUr chILDish GRaSP!"

"I stand with two Goddesses and have the Falna of a Goddess that unlocks my potential without any negative corruption," Bell shook with controlled rage, before taking a deep breath and then releasing that rage, "Not that it matters. You never knew true power because you never sought it in and of yourself. Not like the heroes I have read about growing up."

"MWAHAHA! NAme ONE bOY! NaME onE!"

Bell merely began walking forward. The sword in his hand flashed as two Daemons tried to attack him. Both were severed in two as their bodies burst into flame.

But Bell's eyes were locked on his foe before him. One of the ones responsible for this mess. For the fall of a great civilization.

And for what?

"Archo Hills, the Flame of Beginning… The Praying Man drew his sword and became a Hero."

Bell's sudden recital caught all off guard. Though as more Daemon entered the chamber they were in, Bell merely sent waves of Arcanum at them from the sword in his hands. The blasts vaporizing them into nothingness as soon as they were touched.

"Ar…car…num…waves?" Astraea's eyes were wide as Bell commanded the Power of the Divine no differently than she had been doing.

"The army of monsters weren't enough to take him down! He was 'The King that brought Elpis!'"

Bell continued his recital of his most favorite and inspiring hero even as he spun and stepped, as though dancing around the Daemon, leaving arcing trails of Divine Light in his wake that made for a beautiful show, a memory to be immortalized in art and song.

Artemis was sure that this boy Bell had been keenly watching Astraea and had unknowingly copied her patterns and yet, there was his own step. As despite their status' as Mortal and Goddess, both were male and female of different builds and heights. Yet, Bell stepped in a perfection rendition of Astraea's fighting style that he just saw today and that…

"People forgot about Despair. They praised the Braver. The man shed tears, standing on the hill, and smiled."

The Corrupted Human turned Daemon backs up in fear and panic. Bell was simply, and quite literally, slicing through his thralls and beasts. He moved like a God rather than a Mortal! His power was like that of a God!

"The man was proud about protecting priceless smiles."

"WhAT aRe YOU?!" the Daemon Priest withdrew back, knowing that he was about to die, "YoU canNOT bE MoRTaL! YeT YoU APpEr sO!"

"The man deserved to be proud. He planted a seed, for flowers to bloom in the future!"

The fallen priest began to throw his magicks at Bell. But the boy either simply cut the attacks down with his sword or deflected them away with the shield he carried. Some of the attacks were redirected towards the caster who was clearly injured and wounded by his own powers.

"Epimetheus saved a poor unfortunate girl!"

The ex-Human priest called his underlings to join him in raising a barrier. The barrier rapidly formed as the Human turned Daemon laughed.

"Epimetheus reclaimed an exiled country from the demons!"

"YoU CanNOt wIN BoY!"

"O, Epimetheus. You are the True Braver!"

Bell brought the sword down and cut the barrier in twain, causing it to glow briefly as it split in two before shattering like fine colored glass.

And in the distance…

A bell finishes its tolls.

"GHAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Despite the explosion of light caused, both Goddesses did nothing to shield their eyes nor did they move to avert them from the blast before them as the world turned white with black outlines.

Above, the ongoing battle felt the release of power. Streams of light exploded from the ground, ripping through the ancient stonework, to explode into the world. The ground blasting up and away, once more exposing the long forgotten labyrinth hidden below.

The sisters of the Order of the Second Warrior barely escaped being caught in the fallout of the explosion, but yet even they couldn't avoid being hurled across the sky by the sheer displacement of the pressure wave and energy release.

The Dragon Witch screamed as she was scarred by the powers that exploded upwards. Her great bulk and mighty wings are no match for the released energy. Burned and off balance, the ex-Human turned Fell Servant was hurled across the battlefield itself and crashed, crushing the earth and trees beneath it, rocks and timber tearing into the burns, eliciting screams of pain as the beast slows and eventually stops, but weakened and unable to immediately get up.

Within the labyrinth itself, the light engulfs almost every room and corridor in its radiance and energies.

Daemon that the Hestia and Artemis Familias have been fighting against for their very lives were vaporized in an instant. The Divine Holy Powers unleashed with the Will of a single Human in that one moment had cleansed much of the halls of the foul taint that was overrunning them.

Hestia stood firm, seeing into the blast as the Children around her covered and averted their eyes.

Before her, she could see Artemis and Astraea looking at the boy that Astraea had found. The young boy that Hestia could see was a power unto himself. A pillar not so much of power, but of the will to endure and to rise above.

A heart of stout strength and gentle empathy, yet a firm iron will and a sense of honest justice.

She could also see an older version of him. Smiling, dressed in golden armor over black and white clothing. Hands placed atop a sword's pummel.

That image tilts his head to her and speaks words she cannot hear, but she understands, nonetheless.

The Ship of Heroes… Sails once more.

"Zeus… Is this what excited you once, so long ago?" Hestia questions to herself, as she finds herself smiling as the dawn of the Second Age of Heroes appears to be ready to lift its curtain as sails unfold and anchors are weighed.

XXXX

Far removed, Zeus laughs heartily as he trades blows with Typhon.

"HAVE YOU GONE MAD, ZEUS? HAVE I HIT SO HARD AS TO DRIVE YOU INSANE?"

Delivering a vicious hook followed by an attack with his tail, Typhon smashed Zeus back. Then he leaped up and came down to hammer Zeus into the waters they fought in. Right after, Typhon forms a ball of his hideous green fire to smash into Zeus' face.

Only Zeus countered with a bolt of Lightning, blowing Typhon back. Then he rolled over his shoulder to get back on his feet and then leap forward himself to rain blow after blow.

Typhon began to counter, hurling his own punches. Punches so fast and powerful that they became a blur. Something Zeus met with his own punches blurring.

But it was Typhon who was beginning to feel the blows as his head suddenly snapped back.

Zeus then delivered a powerful smash that crashed into Typhon's stomach. The power was so great that the Felled Being was lifted off his feet and well into the sky.

Following with a powerful jump, Zeus grappled with Typhon who tried to defend himself. The pair exchanging a few punches as they tumble in the sky high above, yet for all to see. But Zeus got a mighty hold on him and then spun to hurl Typhon to the waters below with such force, that not only did Typhon bounce back up, the seabed around the impact point exploded upward to form new islands and deep trenches.

Zeus then landed with enough force to lift more landmass to the surface from the impact alone.

Then, with an empowered fist, he punched Typhon right in the stomach, doubling the Felled Being over the length of his arm.

Typhon tried one more attack, using his power to create a series of explosions around Zeus, burning the Supreme God, but Zeus simply grabbed Typhon by the muzzle and smashed him once more into the seabed with force enough to add more islands that would need to be charted later.

Along with the surrounding waters for hazards hidden below.

Zeus backed away, dusting his hands.

"Hardly feeling a thing here, Typhon. I may be old, but not that old. You can stop holding back, you know."

Roaring in anger, Typhon launches forward to bite down on Zeus' throat and rip it out.

Only Zeus slams his hands together, catching Typhon by the throat and closing his mighty grip around it causing Typhon to abruptly try to desperately claw at Zeus' hands to free himself.

"No," Zeus smiles like a proud father, "After so much time and sacrifice. So much sorrow and longing. The ship is ready. The sails unfurl. The anchor is aweigh. The course is appearing and the ship is now once more embarking on its journey. The journey of the Second Age of Heroes is about to begin," feeling the pulse of power and will, "No… It has begun. The New Age of Heroes! True Heroes! Bravers that shame us Deities and unite the Children in hope and song! That Age has begun! AHAHAHAHA! It is not over! Look on! Erebus! Zald! Alfia! The boy has done it! Just as he did once before, the Age of Heroes begins anew! It was not in vain! Rejoice my friends! REJOICE! HAHAHAHA!"

After his declaration and joy, the Supreme God of Thunder took to smiling down at Typhon who is looking more than a little fearful and utterly panicked gets a rather… unfriendly smile from Zeus.

"I think it is back into your prison you go, Typhon."

In a panic, Typhon releases an explosion of energy and light that frees him from Zeus while blinding the Supreme God as Typhon uses the resulting chaos to escape once more.

"I'll have better luck next time, Typhon," Zeus declared as he used his power to clear out the smoke and steam from the explosion, "And that will be the last time we ever meet."

Turning and heading back to shore, his giant strides making the walk from deep in the sea a simple matter. Very shortly, he is not only in sight of land, but just about ready to walk on it again when the Valkyries approach with Miach.

"My gratitude my friend and young ladies," Zeus releases a sigh of relief as they begin to tend to his injuries, "Powerful I may be, but perhaps I am becoming an old man as in my prime, I would have defeated Typhon with just six or seven punches, but today… It took 633 mighty blows. I think I will find a nice, quiet place for the time being and rest. I might be there for a while, so please ask Hermes to take notes. It will be some time before I am free to move again once rested."

"Of course, Zeus," Miach confirms as the Valkyries nod, prepared to pass along the message.

Zeus was not the all powerful God he once was. The wounds are very telling of that. But that said. He was a sight to be seen.

But for now, he was beaten up and burned. He needed rest. And time to recover.

And yet…

He was smiling.

XXXX

"GUrk!"

Astraea had passed judgment.

And death was the penalty.

The Servant of Daemons paid a price for his treason against Heaven and the Lower World. He would pay for many a century in the pits of the Underworld. Such was her verdict. Such was the weight of his crimes.

Bell had been kneeling just behind and to the right of the Goddess of Justice.

The position revealed his acknowledgement of her Divine Authority on the matter of Justice. To fulfill her obligation as the Goddess of Justice. The final Arbiter of righting the wrongs of evil men. Such as the case was.

Bell had defeated the underlings.

But spared the fallen priest for Astraea's ultimate judgment. Such was his sense of justice to allow the Goddess who is the Arbiter of Justice to see the crimes of the offender and find the conclusion by which to judge them. So, that true justice may be served on the weight of the evidence and that the truth of the matter be found.

Sheathing her sword, Goddess Astraea had found wanting the offender. Therefore, her verdict had been Guilty. The punishment, Death.

By her hand, the sentence was carried out with deliberate focus and with controlled emotion.

This was not a vigilante killing. This was the judgment and sentence passed by the Divine. The Mortal had stayed his hand. The trial had been held. Justice… was satisfied.

Artemis had quietly observed the proceedings.

And recognized that Bell Cranel had stayed his hand to let his Goddess to be the final say.

Despite what had been seen. What had been done. What had been argued. What had been said. The deeds done. The crimes made.

Bell Cranel had refused to take matters into his own hands. To allow the Goddess of Justice to serve her role. To fulfill true justice upon the wicked man.

Few had such mental fortitude or such a just sense of right and wrong.

Even now, with the verdict passed and the sentence carried out, Bell showed no elation. Quite the opposite, only solemn sorrow and stoic acknowledgement. Yet, as he looked back to where he had fought some of those who still had some grasp of themselves, relieved that their suffering was over and that they had been properly avenged.

Not with blood, but with justice.

So rare.

And speaking of rare, that of his aim?

So few, even among the Deities, could be so deftly accurate.

This may have been a Mortal Boy, but Artemis must admit that he had many things about him that drew her attention.

How odd that is.

Especially as she could feel it. Just as Astraea had felt it. That pureness in his soul.

"The matter is now at rest," Astraea suddenly spoke as she turned to the boy, "Bell, please rise and know that I am pleased with your restraint, but ask how you decided to be so."

"Yes, Goddess Astraea," Bell rose and then smiled, if weakly, "And thank you. I… wanted to cut him down, but…" the boy drew in a breath, "I could not rob those he had wronged of justice being done upon him just to satisfy my desire to be that justice. To stop him as he offended my sense of morality," he suddenly looked nervous, "Was I… wrong?"

Astraea merely took the boy into a warm embrace and gently rubbed the back of his head with her hand.

"No Bell," she told him, "You were being Human, but then you chose the right path making you Human still."

The boy visibly sagged in relief.

Before he blushed quite suddenly.

"Um… Goddess Astraea?" The boy looked very nervous abruptly and that worried Astraea.

'Now what?' the Goddess thought as she stepped back and held Bell, quite firmly though because she knew him too well now, at the full length of her arms.

"You do feel that breeze, right?" The boy looked ready to overheat and pass out.

Rather than be immediately upset, Astraea only sighs and looks down.

Yep. She was naked, again. She looked around her and saw her temporary outfit had held until just moments ago. Then tore and fell apart, leaving her naked.

And not just her.

Artemis was now realizing she was naked as well and looked just as bad as Bell.

"Honestly," Astraea sighed, "Bell, I wonder about you, but at the same time, I am now left wondering how you and Artemis act almost like siblings or lovers."

"WE DO NOT!" both protested, then blushed as Astraea had a soft giggle at their expense.

"The clothes I saw earlier are right around this bend in the second room on the left!" Bell's voice was a few pitches high, but Astraea only held his arm before reaching over and indicating for Artemis to follow before pulling the poor boy along to get to those clothes he spotted earlier.

It didn't take long for the trio to find the room in question.

Fortunately, Bell tended to have a good memory. Perhaps a little too good, unfortunately.

As he stood watch, his face bright red as the two Goddesses dressed behind him, he wanted to peek. So badly did he want to peek. After all… Well… It was never heard of that two Goddesses as beautiful or famed as Astraea and Artemis would be so close.

He was really just trying to come up with an excuse. Wasn't he?

Bell mentally sighed. He would admit it. So accustomed to seeing Astraea, GODDESS Astraea naked, something no Mortal should see!, that he almost lost himself.

Truthfully, he had heard of Goddess Artemis. And that she had never been seen by even Gods naked. Yet, here he was, having seen her in such a state twice now.

"Bell, turn," Astraea suddenly commanded and Bell obeyed without thinking.

"Astraea! What are- BOY TURN AROUND AGAIN!" Artemis was barely holding a thing of blue cloth to try and cover herself up, but was failing.

The piece of cloth she held only ended up trapped between her exposed breasts and didn't even reach her navel. As such, Bell could see everything that was before him. To the point, he could easily judge the differences between the two Goddesses.

While the Goddess of the Hunt was doing her best, despite having such a small fabric to cover her and thus failing miserably, to hide herself, the Goddess of Justice was doing no such thing.

Quite the opposite, she reached over and snatched the cloth away and tossed it to the side, leaving her counterpart to stand completely uncovered.

Bell realized that despite both being Goddesses, they were built very differently from one another. They were also different in height with Astraea being taller than Goddess Artemis. While not by much, it was also clear that Goddess Artemis was about Bell's height. Perhaps the exact same.

'Would I grow taller than either?' Bell suddenly wondered in his mind.

Aside from their height, there was their figure. Their height played a role, as with anyone, about their body proportioning, but it was clear that Astraea had the fuller and larger breasts to go with thinner waist and wider hips. Bell believed the figure was called an Hourglass Figure.

By contrast, Goddess Artemis was stockier. The Rectangular Figure if he remembered right. Her hips and shoulders were equally sized. Her waist was thinner, though, then both. Her breasts were probably somewhat larger than expected, but she was a Goddess, so maybe that was natural for her?

Bell was unsure and wasn't about to be an idiot and ask.

Still, the heat was in his face and he was a step away from a nervous breakdown.

What was Astraea thinking?! He's a MORTAL! He shouldn't be laying eyes on a pair of naked GODDESSES!?

If not for a distant roar of a Daemon meeting its end, Bell would have fled in a panic like the scared rabbit he can be.

Taking up his sword once more, Bell kept an eye for any danger instead.

"Please, Astraea, Goddess Artemis, hurry and dress," Bell requested of the pair, though, it came out more as an order, "We're not out of danger yet."

"That might be yours and Hestia's Familias in battle, Artemis," Astraea handed back the cloth she had taken and Artemis slipped it over her head and pulled it down, showing it was an undergarment, "We should join hands to have strength."

"And we shall," but Artemis hadn't missed what Bell had said earlier.

Or rather, what he hadn't said.

Mortals always referred to the Deities with a title or their designation. Never by name alone. It was rare, but also a distinction. For the boy Bell to call Astraea simply by her name, meant that the Goddess of Justice had granted leave to do so or the boy merely does not.

But Astraea would have corrected him long ago. Yet she hasn't. Such as now. When he referred to her as 'Astraea' and yet he called Artemis herself 'Goddess Artemis.'

Both Goddesses were soon dressed. The clothes were somewhat ill-fitting. But once they added the armor they found, like Bell's current armor, the outfits glowed and soon correctly fitted both Goddesses.

"This is…" Astraea was amazed as she looked at her new armor and clothing.

"One very lost chapter in history," Artemis agreed as she looked herself over.

For the blue haired Goddess, the armor was predominantly mail armor. Light and flexible with some plate to protect more critical areas like her torso, following much the same pattern as Bell's armor, though shaped to form to her figure. There was also a cloth undercoat and a surcoat over it. She also had literal skirt armor that was plated around her waist and hips, but became mail as it went down.

Her right arm was not as heavily armored. Her fingers were not even covered. That in contrast to her left arm which was fully armored and had a vambrace on. It was not only well armored, but sheathed a baselard and allowed her to quickly draw arrows from docks on the exterior metal.

The right armored sock of mail ran up to her mid thigh while the left only reached her knee. There was a reinforced plate on her right knee as well while her left had a more normal one.

Around her head was a tiara with a reinforced front to protect her forehead and shield her eyes. The front also swept back, protecting much of the front of her head and the immediate sides. Three jewels were inlaid in a triangle in the center of the front.

A veil was attached and wrapped around much of the tiara. Only it left her vision free to let her see, but what was odd was that her eyes were covered and she could feel a guard over her lower face that reconnected to the tiara. In addition, like Bell's helmet, Artemis had a mask over her eyes that could be raised up and yet, the ancient magicks within, allowed her to see the world quite clearly.

To finalize the tiara, four feathers were located to the sides and swept back at the stop. Their lavender with green trim colors complemented her blue hair.

Additionally, Artemis had two belts about her waist which held two quivers and her daggers. The quivers were mounted to her sides and the daggers nestled into the small of her back.

The colors, surprisingly, matched her normal colors accurately. A small mantle had also included her personal crest that marked her as the Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon.

Mail and plate, though, was what covered Astraea. Both of her arms were covered in mail and plate in equal measure. Her torso was sheltered by form fitting plate armor which connected to a mail skirt with plate interwoven at measured points. Her legs were covered in mail that sank into plated guards on her lower legs that went to plated sabatons on her feet.

There was a surcoat over the armor and cloth armor could be see just barely poking out of odd places under the armor itself. Like Bell and Astraea, she had additions on top of that, in her case, a flowing cape that reached her rear and had her crest on it. She also had circular armored guards to protect the vulnerable points of her armpits, which also spotted her crest.

Her coloring most definitely matched her normal colors, but there was a bleed in of green. The same green that Astraea remembered was Ryuu's identifying color. There was even a mix of blue, which she assumed meant Ardi, and black and brown, which she theorized was Bell as she associated the colors with the boy.

Her helmet looked as though someone started with a tiara with a raised front, more like a crown both Goddess and the boy realized and also much the same as Artemis' own tiara, and designed a helmet around it.

Like Artemis and Bell, Astraea had a reinforced front plate. But rather then sweeping back, it appeared to reinforce a sallet helmet of plate that allowed for her long hair to flow out. The tiara base form was kept, but now there were cheek guards that connected to a grill faceguard in the same vein and design as Bell and Artemis.

The armor appeared as plates that were seamlessly connected to the tiara. The armoring went around Astraea's head, giving an overlap appearance. The edges appeared folded in and yet they still went together in that seamless connection. The helmet also didn't fully cover, coming down to just the neck with a slight cut out in the back. It was strange to put it mildly.

To top off the helmet, four feathers flowed out of the helmet two either side and a fifth centered along with a veil hanging from below the helmet itself.

Additionally, Astraea now had a dagger in her belt that had a sizable pack located to the small of her back and several pouches along the length of her belt.

Now armored as well as armed, both Goddesses were also supplied with the surviving supplies. They were as ready as could be for the fight ahead.

Which was just in time as Bell cut down another of the twisted Pallum Daemons.

"Let's go!" Artemis shouted as she exited a bit too hurriedly, but her bow was ever true and faithful.

Bell and Astraea shared a look, shook their heads, and followed.

XXXX

A/N:

Sorry folks.

I meant to wrap this beginning arc up in this chapter. But I ended up tied up trying to come up with something. This ended up in its place.

But I feel like I really hit something nice here. A little something. More taste in this restricted, bland world if I can say.

The world is a stage, treat it as a character. For on it, the play is made, but without it, there is no story to be had.

Trying to balance Bell's luck with women is something of a task to be had. I hope I nailed it in this. Don't worry about the next chapter. It should be done by the end of the month. In fact, I hope to spend as much time as I can devoted to get this arc wrapped up in the next week or following week.

The next arc, I will say now, will not be the group going straight to Orario.

After all, the world is a stage, treat it as a character. Plus, I need to develop Ardi! You really think I will pass that oppotunity up?

Good news, the base outline of THAT arc is nearly complete. I actually have all the elements put together. They merely need to be written out. And so, once I'm done with this arc, expect the next to just write itself and I hope to blast through it before November.

That said, Prince of Rhome is also a priority. Expect that one to be completed here soon. I finally found my copies of the Light Novels. I was using the first to help fill in blanks of what I wanted for the current in work chapter. Now that I have it… I expect to push the next out far sooner.

All elements are completed for that one. It just needs to be written out. I'm stalled at about half way through the chapter. Now that I have it and have cleared this one out, I should have it out shortly, hopefully followed by the final chapter of the Opening Arc.

Expect things to hit a crescendo before completing it.

These two stories will mark my most published worked in all the years since I've started writing. So, I need to be a little more special with them to get them just right. Especially as I owe it to you for the delays as much as I owe it to the source material and its creator, who really put together a great franchise.

Now, it's late for me and I got to be on the bus to work in 8 hours.

So… enjoy.

And yes, I have Danmachi Memoria Freese.

And yes, I've finished the Knights of Fianna chapter.

Dang… That was… wow.

Who knew Lili could be… Well… Spoiler Alert!

XXXX