The sun rises up over the horizon. Soon a pair of hands stretches out in relaxation. A long yawn escaped the person's mouth.
-"You are still feeling sleepy?" a black hared boy asked as he look by his companion's side.
-"What can I say… it is time I am going back home," said the albino as a teardrop trailed down from his eyelids.
-"Excitement I see eh… I too am excited to meet your familia. Especially the land of adventurers."
-"I am sure you would like the place, though it has been 3 whole years. I wonder how much did the city might have changed."
-"Well… we will get to know it sooner than later Bell."
-"You are right… and I also want you to meet my familia members Ren."
Bell and boy named Ren were casually sitting near cliffside as they saw the sunrise together. It has been 3 years since the promise he made to his goddess for leaving Orario and seeing the world with his eyes. As he ventured through, he met many people, felt many emotions and found a friend who aids him in his adventure.
Ren, a simple boy who once used to be a farmer just like Bell wanted to be an aspiring adventurer. The moment the two met they felt that they already had a strong bond forged between them. As the time passed, the two have bonded close enough to call themselves brothers. Ren always wanted to know how the land of adventurers would be like instead it was his dream to take a look over that with his own eyes.
Not minding the facts that Bell talked about Orario, Ren wanted to feel how it would be like to be among strong adventurers. He has seen Bell as the only strongest adventurer.
The boys relaxed themselves near cliffside as Bell finish up writing the last letter to his goddess about his arrival and sending it through his pet hawk.
-"Ah… it's the very last letter I wrote to her," he spoke to Ren as he released the Hawk carrying the message.
-"I wonder how they would react when they learn that we will be there by tomorrow."
-"Well… I am pretty sure kami-sama will jump in joy and my familia will be preparing for my homecoming in a whole different level."
-"They really do love you."
-"Yes they do… but yeah honestly I can't believe it has been 3 years. Tomorrow, you will get to see my home Ren."
-"haha… I know. So, shall we take our leave?"
-"Oh yeah… Sir are you ready to leave?"
The albino asked the old man who just finished up loading the stack of hay with help of his workers.
-"Yes… almost done Bell-chan, we will be ready to leave in few minutes."
-"Do you need any help with that?"
-"Oh no worries, it is almost done. You boys better rest after all you are the ones who would do the fighting."
-"Oh are we?" Ren questioned as he looked at Bell, "I thought Eric is joining us too."
-"Well he is…" Bell smiled sheepishly as a hell hound showed up behind him, innocently looking at him, "Well… Eric promise me that you will be staying by my side okay?"
-"Understood Bell-sama," said the hound as it wagged its tail.
-"Oh… yeah," dragging the second word Ren continued, "Orario is a place where they would just go ahead and kill the monster without any question."
-"Though only my familia cares about Xenos."
-"I sometimes question how will you manage to make your ideal world a reality."
The comment made the albino laugh, also making the group laugh at it. After few minutes as said, the group finally left for Orario.
Before the captain of the familia arrives, his last letter arrived at the doorstep of the familia house. The hawk has been received by Mikoto who was doing her sword training, the moment she received the letter she opened and read it first.
A sudden wave of excitement fled through making her get her goddess this message quickly.
-"HESTIA-SAMA! A letter from Bell-dono has arrived," Mikoto said as she slammed opened the door of the new made captain room where Hestia was having a small talk with Lily who was the current captain of the familia.
-"Who there Mikoto-kun, you suddenly seem cheerful."
-"Of course, I bet eve both of you would be cheerful after reading it!"
-"Oh… what does this letter state now?"
-"Bell-dono, he is coming home tomorrow!"
-"Wait really!? Bell-sama is coming back!" Lily stood up as she heard the news, followed by her was Hestia who had a beaming smile on her face.
-"So… its finally time huh. I can't believe it has already been 3 years since he left Orario."
-"And not only that, we are getting another member accompanying him."
-"Another one? Bell-sama sure made it easy for us to get members."
Hearing the sudden commotion, few children entered the captain's room. First entered a cat person who had blue hair and eyes, she wielded a bow, her ears twitched as she heard the news faintly.
-"Pardon but… did I hear that right?"
-"Ah… Shina-san (reference sinon-ALO)," Lily welcomed her.
Followed by Shina showed up another cat person who wields dagger, she had brown hair and eyes(reference Silica-ALO). She also stood there in bafflement after learning who they were talking about.
-"Is Bell-san coming home?" asked the dagger master.
-"Ah Lilith…. Yes, he is coming back," Lily replied back to the girl making her wag her cat tail.
-"Honestly… he finally decided to show up eh."
From the entrance of the room spoke a beast human who just had a smirk on his face.
-"seems like someone is eager to have a rematch… hahaha!"
Along with the beast human stood a buffed bearded dwarf who laughed off at the wolf.
-"Well… Luke can't help but ask him for a rematch, also Rock any plans to have a bout with Bell?" Hestia.
-"Ah… I will pass, kiddo might already be tired as it is after a good ol long journey," replied the dwarf named Rock as he laughed in amusement.
Hestia just felt happy to see the excitement around the house. It's thanks to Bell they were able to get members. Each one of them had their own back stories and one thing in common, 'if it weren't for Bell, we won't be what we are now'.
At first, Hestia was kind of jealous to see females coming to join the familia because of bell but at the same time she realized that this is Bell they are talking about, moreover… more members will make the familia grow even further and grow stronger.
Getting the news about his homecoming, the members started to prepare for a welcome party. Hestia decided to tell this news to her friends and so she departs from home.
Amidst the celebration for their captain's homecoming, they weren't aware of an unpredictable event which is bound to happen the very next day.
Next day
It is noon and Hestia is waiting at the gates for her child to arrive. Not only her but also the prime members of the familia were also present there along with Miach and Takemikazuchi who were also eager to meet the boy.
Taking Shakti by surprised who was stationed at the gate for checking out on travelers making their way towards the land of adventurers. The activities of Evilus has been increasing a lot lately, Loki familia took responsibility to look after the matter so did Ganesha familia.
-"So… Rabbit foot is finally making his return," Shakti asked after hearing from the flame goddess.
-"Yup… he will be here soon. By the way is everything alright?" Hestia sked the child who seemed to be a bit still.
-"Everything is fine, its just we have to keep an eye on people."
-"Evilus again eh… their attacks have been increased recently," Welf added gaining a nod from Lily.
-"True but we ganesha familia are making sure that worst case won't happen."
-"Yeah… A scenario like 7 darkest days would be a total nightmare."
-"If I may… I have to take my leave."
-"Oh… are you not gonna meet him?"
-"Maybe some other time. For now, I got some private matter to handle."
With that said, the lady left them be as the familia waits for their captain and his companion.
The Loki familia had their hands tied on Evilus matter. Because of recent active presence of Evilus they have been busy brushing through the details they recorded. Yet still not able to find out the main moto of Evilus this time.
As the captain room had the tensed environment, the main hall was lively, especially the time when Tiona literally bashed in through the door and announce to her friends that Bell is returning today. Ais, Tione and even Lefiya were eager to see him, Lefiya was only eager to make sure he makes his distance with Ais but at the same time, she can accept him as the guy standing next to Ais.
Forgetting the environment, the girls decided to just head to the gates and meet up with their outside friend. As the commotion ended and learning the fact of Bell Cranel's return, Finn wanted to join them but he still had the matter in hands which has to be resolved quickly.
After few hours as the girls left for the gate. The leaders and their goddess felt the earth shaking.
-"Was that a normal earthquake?"
-"I doubt it, it sounded more like—"
As the elfess was about to complete her statement a huge explosion broke outside, precisely near the Daedalus Street. As the leaders looked from the window, they saw smoke emerging from the area, wasting no time Loki familia moved out to check the situation.
Is this any other plot pulled by Evilus? They wondered.
The largest familia reached the destination only to find civilians in panic as a humongous roar cut through the air paralyzing every low-level member of familia on the ground. A buffed figure emerged as the smoke finally dissolves.
All the familia members saw a jet-black minotaur causing a havoc on the street. The minotaur was the same that they had faced back then but it seemed a bit different. They noticed something was making this monster go wild.
-"Wait… isn't that?"
-"the same minotaur."
The minotaur is usually interested in facing adventurers but this time… it was trying to kill innocent civilians which took the familia off guard.
-"Dammit… Finn it is going after people this time."
-"Cover grounds… save the citizens first!"
Finn's single command was heard by the familia as they rushed to evacuate as the high level members tried to distract it.
-"GRAAAAAAA!"
The roar was as ferocious as the monster brutally swing its axe on Bete who was charging it head on. The beast human got brutally injured as the minotaur cuts his torso and slams him towards the wall. Finn himself then charged at the minotaur, holding only for mere seconds as a single punch on gut threw him far away like a ragdoll.
Gareth made an attempt to tank the minotaur's bashing as long as he could while the civilians were getting evacuated, but the dwarf himself wasn't able to hold strong against the brute force that the minotaur had, bashing and splitting his shield into to the minotaur just punched him out of its way.
Riveria finally came out with her Ice magic and froze the minotaur. The fight might've seem to be the end of it but in mere seconds that monster broke free from the ice, ignoring nine hells, it made a run to kill people who were fretting for their dear lives.
Before it could harm any, Ganesha familia stepped in with ranged attacks to push the monster away from the civilians.
At the gate
It had already been past few hours and yet Bell didn't arrive. The group was eagerly waiting until a huge explosion took their attention.
-"W-What was that?"
-"An explosion… now of all time?"
-"Don't tell me its…"
-"Ais, Tiona, Lefiya. Let's check out."
-"Wait we are also coming!"
-"You guys wait for your captain. Besides… this fight might require high level adventurers."
-"But…"
-"As much as I want to see Bell, looking out for citizens is also must."
Sword princess clenched her fist as she proceeded to check on the explosion site.
-"Awww… guess meeting Argonaut-kun have to wait."
-"Just hurry…"
With a bit of complaint, Tiona and Tione left along with Lefiya. As much as the familia wanted to see their captain, they know it better that their captain would just be angry at them for not looking after others.
They say… its better to have backup even if the case is worst. Taking the permission from their goddess, Hestia familia also marched out towards the explosion site.
The remaining members directly showed up at the site and were helping Loki familia executives to barricade the rampaging monster.
With her archery, Shina blocked the monster's path while Lilith helped in evacuation. Luke used the props as a distraction and made it engaged with him, but it was way riskier to even pull that stunt off. Rock as a tank engaged in a grab war by concealing the minotaur in one place. Thanks to his skill that makes him strong enough to conceal his opponents freely but what costs him was his stamina and energy. The dwarf locked the minotaur at the point where other high level of the familia were making their attempt to make a mark on it, but everything they did turned out to be useless.
The angry mob threw Rock away and it scratch a line of Loki familia adventurers tearing of their foreskin along with their armors.
All of them wailed in pain, this time it went and teared up an adventurer into two halves making every single person over their fear their life against this monster.
Seeing a brutal death in front of their eyes, Hestia familia was shaken but not distracted. They knew one thing about adventuring that…
At any time…
At any second…
At any moment…
WE ARE SURE TO LOSE OUR LIVES!
There is one and only one thing to do…. Face it… face the danger ahead of you.
The brave members kept on making their attempts to distract the monsters, in mere moment a ranging silver line slit through the minotaur making it bleed by its shoulder. A fierce golden eye penetrated through the soul of that monster.
-"Sword Princess?" Luke gawked.
She saw it…
The death of her familia member by the hands of this monster.
-"No more…"
She stated. More like a command to herself. With Avenger activated along with her tempest, she engaged a close combat with the monster. Without wasting the window of opportunity they moved on to save the lives.
The prime members of Hestia familia arrived along with the girls and were completely left with unexpected turn of events.
-"Is that… Asterius?"
-"And did he…"
Haruhime covered her mouth in horror to see the split halves of the adventurer's corpse.
-"Something isn't right… Asterius-sama… never intends to kill anyone."
-"But… he killed…"
-"That monster…. IS GOING TO PAY!"
Tione ranged out and jumped in to help out Ais, so did Tiona while Lefiya could not hold that sight for much longer, almost feeling as if she was about to puke she covered her mouth.
-"L-Lefiya-sama… are you okay?" Lily asked the elf in concern.
-"I… I can't…"
The elfess said as a tear drop trails down her cheeks.
-"Dammit… LUKE DON'T"
Welf takes attention after seeing Luke planning to charge the monster head on, to save his family Welf drew out his fire sword and unleashed a new level of Kazuki which the sword princess dodged along with Hell Fingas (Luke's Alias) destroying the building behind the monster but also causing burns to it.
Ais didn't stop, after Welf's strike she went on a melee strike with the twins this time slightly making an attempt for damage, but minotaur gave them a hard time. The careful sword princess was forced to make openings and was severely injured while the sisters had enough to even put up the fight, she wanted to give up but she can't… no she won't.
Thrusting the blade on the ground and using it to stand up, the gorgeous beautiful face that had now become blood filled starred at the monster as she controlled her breathing.
Seeing this sight made Lefiya feel helpless, even if she assists them, she knows it would be useless. She stopped… unable to do anything for the person she admires… as she could do was stand still and just pray by the sidelines. Nine hells on the other hand did her best to freeze the monster again and again to buy time for Ais to heal but the monster was strong to break through her spell all the time.
The minotaur got ticked off this time and charged at the elven mage. Riveria was already exhausted and gave up on surviving but Finn jumped in and saved her as Asterius bashed its horns on another building collapsing it down completely.
-"I get it… you are old but… can you not afford yourself to get killed?"
-"Says the hobbit… who seemed to have broken bones already…"
Both panted and took support. Ais after seeing Riveria safe put up a scratch behind the monster's back. This time it was severe damage which made her have a smile of achievement for a moment but then the minotaur punched back her gut hard enough to make her spit a good amount of blood as she crashed on the collapsed building on the minotaur's facing direction. Taken by surprise, her Durandal slipped off away from her and she sat helplessly with no energy to get up.
The monster had it enough with these adventurers, by this time all the civilians were evacuated. The only things remained in sight were the adventurers. It was angered, not knowing what to do an immense pain stuck it.
"Kill the sword Princess…"
An order or command was heard by him, again and again as if it was a reminder. The monster roared and made a dash with his pointy horns towards the sword princess.
Finn and Riveria were far from her, Gareth had already been fallen, Bete was knocked out losing amount of blood, Hestia familia members were not fast enough to even make it in time for saving Kenki. Even after using Kazuki for a number of times, the minotaur neither stopped or averted to Welf but kept on its charge towards the sword princess.
Ais being helpless lost hope, she is bleeding so much, she failed to protect her family and friends.
'Am I going to die…'
The girl's eye showed the fear of death, without realization she pressed closed her eyes in reaction equal to that of a little girl who was about to get harmed.
In an instant her life flashed up.
'no… I don't want to…'
All the moments she had spent with her family…
And most of all the time she spent with the three girls.
And finally Bell came up.
'I don't want to die… I want to see my friends again… I want to see…'
The pressed closed eyes slowly opened only to see the minotaur almost closing in on her, she quickly closed her eyes…
'BELL!'
Screaming his name in her mind. She felt a massive wind passing by as a painful groan could be heard, as the grown increased, some sort of liquid splashed up on her face that she could feel. Slowly opening her eyes, it widened as it saw minotaur's jaw high up with both of the arms detached from its body and flying in midair. As the minotaur's hood lowered, she saw nothing but a jet-black coat with a black sword coated with blood.
-"Seriously—"
Tears started to flow as a small smile lit up on her face…
-"What a way of homecoming present…"
Stood in front of her was her close friend.
-"Bell…."
The minotaur looked back at its fated Rival and suddenly, forgetting about Ais it grinned at Bell.
The albino looked at the crying sword princess and gave his own smile.
-"Thanks for holding on… let me handle the rest okay…"
She didn't want to let him fight alone but for some reason she wants to believe in him. Beside her came Ren who quickly princess carried Ais and took her away from the field.
-"Pardon for my action there but Bell told me to do so, Kenki right…. You better take rest for now," Ren bowed down expressing his apology.
-"But… will he be really okay?"
-"He will be… trust me."
Hearing the hobbit of Hestia familia she decides to put her faith in him.
'Yes he will be fine'
Few moments before Bell arrived on the scene
Hestia was moving to and fro non stop while Miach and Take tried to comfort her. She was excited to meet Bell again but at the same time she was also worried about her children.
The wait was finally over as Bell and Ren arrived in their carriage.
-"Kami-sama I am back!"
-"Bell-kun its soo good to see you!" the goddess hugged him tight, after releaving the hug she looked at his companion, "you must be Ren right?"
-"A pleasure to meet you Hestia-sama."
-"Wait its just you? Where are the others."
-"A-About that Bell-kun… the thing is…."
Hestia explain the situation in shortest possible way, Bell even though being exhausted was now worried about his familia.
-"Now I have to go and check it out myself."
-"But you just arrived."
-"It doesn't matter. Just do a normal update and yeah if I seem to rank up just put that on hold for now."
Hestia tilted her head in confusion but respected her child's request. It was then after updating his status she got why he said to hold up the rank up. After update Bell immediately rush to aid his familia while Ren was having his falna transferred.
Current time
Bell locked his eyes with Asterius, every single adventurer present there had their eyes on the two warriors.
Asterius grinned and relentlessly charged at Bell which the albino was able to just sidestep easily. The monster did this for few minutes as Bell just dodged its horn strikes by side stepping. He never intended to drag the fight and wants it done quickly but something was off about Asterius.
After several dodges, Asterius lose his cool and aimlessly charged at him. Bell was finally able to figure out what exactly might've happened to him as he noticed an accessory around his neck.
-"Seriously…"
Bell sheath his sword
-"I won't be even needing my sword to deal with likes of you now… bring it."
Taunting his foe directly, he readied with a upstanding pose. The Minotaur roared and charges at him again.
-"To think…" he clenched his right hand forming a strong fist which started to glow slowly, "you of all monsters would fall for some cheap trick," as he was completing, he bashed Asterius's head which caused the dust to form around. As the dust cleared the monster was seen laying on its belly on the cracked floor.
The audience was left with their jaws dropped. The monster which was having hard time to be dealt with was easily crashed down just by the adventurer who had the record of rapid growth.
-"Grrrrr…."
Again groaning in pain, It used its feet to push from the ground and strike Bell with its horns, the rabbit escaped doing backflips and distancing him away from the minotaur.
Again charging at him like no brains, Bell's hands glew white as he stopped Asterius by grabbing his horns. The impact of stop caused the surroundings to experience shockwaves, both of them gritting their teeth to push each other.
-"Look buddy… I was long waiting to fight you… but not now."
The albino twisted and broke of the horns of the minotaur, as it moved away sensing immense pain, Bell charged his right fist yet again
-"Last time it was me… now it's your turn!" launching the minotaur up in air, he stomped on the ground cracking it a bit on floor to gain momentum for speed as the catch minotaur before it meets the ground.
He made a run and grabbed the monster by its neck, pushing and grinding his back on the stone floor making the friction bleed the monster as with moment he lifts it above his height level.
-"Move it!"
Says the albino as he reached the entrance of Babel which was crowded by adventurers. Taking the minotaur and crashing it against the wall, the boy took a strong leap and threw the monster hard hitting the ground.
-"And for the finish"
He opened up his palm as he charged the energy using his skill, throwing his palm hovering over the minotaur, a big magic circle appeared as he yelled out his spell's name.
-"FIREBOLT!"
Passing through the magic circle, the flames got enhanced to a wider range blowing up the entrance leading to the 2nd floor of the dungeon. As Bell landed on the ground and the smoke caused by his magic was cleared, he had a smirk plastered on his face.
-"Not bad… not bad at all."
Clapping for his Rival who was still alive even after getting massive burns.
-"You withstood my magic… I mean, if you would've failed then it would have been a disappointment of a battle."
-"grrrrr…."
-"Now… I will be taking this."
He reaches out to the accessory on his neck, it was something like a necklace which was now burned due to his magic.
Even if the item seemed burnt, Bell had a hunch of what it might be.
-"Ah… not only people… but Xenos are in danger too…"
He took a look at the mess he just created and just massaged his temple.
-"Can't leave ya here can I?" lifting up the monster single handedly, he marched his way to the deeper floor.
-"Hope I run into Fels early… ugh… this is a drag."
He sighed as he cursed the luck for carrying his rival like a sack.
Aftermath
The elimination of the monster by the hands of the captain of Hestia familia spread like wild fire. While there were those who had hard time believing it, there were also those who witnessed it.
The guild made sure to calm the slight panic. While they were working… Misha saw her best friend smiling.
-"A minotaur went on a rampage and you are smiling!?"
-"Oh… its not about that."
-"the what is that smile about then?"
-"It's just… today I get to see a different result."
-"What?"
-"A-hem… lets not waste time, we still got our roles to do."
-"H-Hey Eina! Don't cut me off like that!"
END
Homecoming