Disclaimer: I do not own Danmachi or make profits off this fanfiction.

Riveria Ljos Alf had already given a major talking to with Bell. For half a week the Freya Familia stayed on the 18th floor, waiting for Hildr to arrive. The Level 4 would do escort duty to the surface for the Takemikazuchi Familia.

When Mikoto and her Familia were recovered, they went back to the surface under guard from Hedin and Hogni. With the Black and White Knights both being at Level 3. The party of Level 2s had a better chance of reaching the surface. To make sure the whole party was safe, Hildr was also sent with them. It seemed to Bell that Hedin and Hogni would bicker with eachother about who would guard Lady Hildr.

Bell had heard rumors that the two were kings on an island. Fighting over Lady Hildr. Until the two kings nearly ensured the mutual collapse of their kingdoms. Just before the end of the conflict, Freya recruited the two kings along with Lady Hildr. Whom they had been fighting over. But, once recruited by Freya. The two kings became more tame in nature. The former kingdoms became one nation after the departure of the Freya Familia. One experiencing peace unique to it's corner of the world.

Freya Familia was waiting for Hildr, Hedin and Hogni to come back. Riveria Ljos Alf decided that Aiz, Tiona, Cassandra, Bell and Anna would scout the 19th and 20th floors.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dvalinn walked out of his private residence on Floor 18. He had been living in the Dungeon now for almost a month. He had grown acustom to using Excelcia Books to grant him access to his true Level, Level 4. With the hard life he currently was living. He had gained enough Excelcia that when he used an Excelcia Book. That he leveled up, feeling quite powerful.

Thanks to his using Ishtar Familia's Captain Phryne. He had an unlimited source of Excelcia books. Apparently, they had access to a Renard. And one of the Berbera had Mystety. Using Renard hair allowed the production of Excelcia Books.

When he spotted Syr and Bell outside Riveria. He couldn't believe his luck. With a joyous flare of his nostrils he came up with a devious plan.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hörn/Syr woke early one morning and looked at the various flowers. The Dungeon was so beautiful sometimes. It made her wonder why such a beautiful place would hunger to eat up the world.

A voice she had not heard in a long time chimed in. Interrupting her thoughts, "It's been a long time, Lady Syr."

Hörn/Syr looked up with a gasp to see Dvalinn step out from behind a tree. How could he get the jump on her? She scowled as she looked at the cloak he had been wearing.

Hörn/Syr asked him with a glare, "So, this is where you've been. Goddess Freya has been wanting to see you, traitor."

Dvalinn grinned as he opened an Excelcia Book, "This is going to be fun, you whore."

With the Ghost Cloak and Excelcia Book, Dvalinn was invisible to the eyes of Falco. Hörn/Syr panicked as she felt a knee to her gut. She recovered and tried to fight back. However, a yellow haze set in that made her cough. She could tell she was outnumbered by not just Dvalinn. But, other assailants. She was desperate in her attempts. Losing control of her Magic, she changed to her true form. Hörn lay at the feet of a shocked Dvalinn, "Lady Hörn, the Goddess's Attendant?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hörn woke bound to a cave wall. She saw that she was in a lair with Phryne and a Renard that she assumed was the prisoner Ottaria had informed her and Freya about. She felt her bruised lip with her tongue and looked at Dvalinn. Dvalinn glared at her and asked, "While, we wait for our guest to arrive at his soon to be grave site. I have some questions for you. I'm in a bit of a hurry to kill my guest. So, let's make this quick. Who is Syr, really?"

Hörn spat at him with blood. Dvalinn wiped it off as he looked at her, "Fine. You'll tell once I bring his head in here. In the meantime, I'll let you stew for a while."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Aisha looked at Phryne who was plucking hairs from Haruhime's tail. The Renard moaned in pain as she looked at Aisha with broken eyes. Aisha growled at her Captain, "She's had enough. Let her go."

Phryne smacked Aisha with the butt of her greataxe, "She'll have enough when I say she's had enough. Now, go supervise the rest of the Berbera. With their Excelcia books, they shouldn't have a problem with making sure the duel is private."

Aisha looked at Phryne, "You know he's just using you, right?"

Phryne raged at Aisha throwing the Renard in her cage, "How dare you insinuate that Dvalinn-kun would be using me! He loves me!"

Bell raced with a fury that boiled through his veins. He had received a ransom demand. An exchange would be held at the top of the mountain on the 18th floor. Lady Hörn for Bell, from Dvalinn.

Bell now knew what the bastard had been doing. He was a traitor to Freya Familia, not realizing that his dangerous scheme was nothing compared to those of the Deities.

Bell walked up the trail to see four members of the Berbera. He growled internally at the fact that Dvalinn would align himself with Ishtar Familia.

Once he passed them, they closed ranks around him. Escorting him to what was obviously a trap.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lily poked her head inside Bell's tent, "Master Bell, I'm about to make breakfast."

She saw his tent was empty, "Master Bell?"

In the small tent fire was a burning not. Lily retrieved it blowing on her fingers as she winced in pain. While, she couldn't read all of it. She deduced that Bell was going to a meeting, "Master Bell."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Riveria Ljos Alf, Anya and Aiz were currently in a meeting. Hashing out a strategy for how they would tackle the Water City.

The tent flap flung open as Lily ran in, "Master Bell is missing!"

The three looked at her in gasps of their own. Lily held up the remainder of the note, "The letter says something about a Lady Hörn."

Anya stood up with a defensive hiss, "No time to explain. But, Lady Hörn and Lady Syr are one and the same, through magic. If her identity is known on the ransom. Then, the target is most likely Dvalinn Guliver."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Aisha had delivered the message that Bell was arriving to the duel to Phryne. With glee the toad of an Amazon pranced out after telling her to watch the Renard. Stating she was going to watch the match.

Haruhime looked to be in dire straits. Aisha heard the other prisoner speak to her, "If Bell is fighting Dvalinn. Then, he will surely fall. Your friend will not survive once your Captain goes into a rage from the results. What do you plan to do?"

Aisha looked at Hörn after making sure that they were all alone, "What would you have me do? My Goddess controls my fate as well as hers. I can't believe a word you say."

Hörn replied to her, "What about the word of a Goddess?"

Aisha's sadness welled up as tears began to drip, "What are you talking about?"

Hörn took a chance on her information about Aisha. If what Ottaria said was true, then she would be an ally as well.

Hörn spoke her chant casting her magic, "Bless me with her beauty, her lyrical voice and doting eyes. For I am envious of her. If just for one day I could be her. Then, I would know boundless joy. Vana Seith."

Aisha looked on at the image of Goddess Freya. Her mind was so tired that while Hörn/Freya didn't have an ounce of Divinity. She felt the helplessness that she was used to in the presence of a Deity. Her soul ached to be assured, tricking her mind into thinking the true Freya sat before her.

Aisha listened to the Goddess's words, "My child, I promise you sanctuary with my words."

Aisha asked trying to put together her thoughts, "How?"

Freya replied with her benevolent smile, "My Hero is the answer."

AN: Also, I plan on making a new story once I complete my Goal Team on Danmachi Memoria Freese. My entire goal was to make a team with all 80 Hero Ascended characters- Five Girls and One Bell. With six girl assists. Once I get my harem team, then I will make a fanfiction that will be a Bell x Harem with strictly that team of girls. The current line up I got is Bell Cranel (Blazing Freese), Elpis (Full Moon She'll be portrayed as Artemis in his weapon), Shakti Varma (Blue Lotus), Ray (Golden Sweetie), Ryu Lion (Flaring Gale), Aisha Belka (Alluring Dancer), Liliruce Arde (Faithful), Hestia (Goddess of Salvation), Vesta (Eternal Holy Flame) and Ilia (Antiquity Priestess). I just need two more an Adventurer and Assist to be 80 to complete it. Currently, I got Apollo {Spits on his wreath crown} and Hyakinthos Clio {Stomps on the prick's groin}. Makes me sick.