Hey everyone
I am honestly not too proud of this chapter. I suppose it is just a filler than anything. Maybe just to prepare the next part with Artemis. I am contemplating the next part while writing this.
It is one of the reasons why this chapter was delayed, besides work.
I would also look into more ideas on pushing on other pairings here, as I already have an idea on working on it. Considering who would end up dead, injured greatly or alive, the Knossos would be somewhat of a different butterfly effect on the aftermath.
I am going to warn you that there might be a small part, where it will get pretty uncomfortable. Not too bad, just a heads up. Try to find it, but not to worry it is just suggestive, a little graphic but not too graphic. This (*) will be the part.
Until then enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Danmachi, nor the characters.
Chapter 8: Plans and Running
Loki arrived at a freshly painted building, along with a few members of her familia to meet with Bellerophon. She hoped that he might have some more info on any secret entrances.
She was with Ais, Finn, Aki, and Elfy. Once inside, they saw an older gentleman with a mustache with purple eyes. Elfy blushed seeing the older man "Wow….he is good looking." She shook her head and looked around the place.
The room had a large table with a map of Orario, a few books on them, a few placed cards on it, and lastly a few chairs.
"Have a seat Lady Loki."
She sat down as did the others. In came a fox girl, serving them tea and biscuits. Then she left for another room.
"Now that you are here, I assume you are looking into an alternative entrance in Daedelus Street, right?"
"Yep. Got an information that was found in Melen." She slid the envelope to him. He looked at it and looked at the contents. Although the letter gave them Daedelus Street on a secret entrance, it seems to be well hidden.
He already knew about it, and learned the aftermath of it, which made him sad. He would make sure they will survive at least.
He sighed. "There is a way to enter."
Finn smirked, "Good, will you show us?"
He put the paper and slid it back to Loki "No."
This got a confused look on them.
Aki wondered about this and asked "Why?"
"They already know you will go there and will place traps for you, taking each of you one by one."
Aki looked at the older man and was getting frustrated. "How would you know that?"
"I have already sent someone to look into it and confirmed to me it is a trap waiting for you. Plus, I am already planning to reverse their trap on them, but I am trying to find other means to minimize injury and such."
Finn raised his right eyebrow "I see. But what makes you certain they might change things around?"
He smirked "Again, my scout is able to let me know about it. I also need more time before we jump in and take care of them."
Elfy was curious about it "Why the delay? We could get them while they are distracted."
He shook his head "Problem is that they are aware of what you will do. My advice is to wait it out, make them sweat a bit, let them guess where you come from. Once we have an idea where the traps are in each of the locations, then we could strike hard. We also have to consider that I already have my eyes on the place, and own the area."
Finn wanted to take care of the problem sooner rather than later "I have no problem waiting. The issue is that if we keep waiting, they will already amass new members and will start spying on our movements."
Bell smirked, "Let them."
"Huh?" Surprising the Loki Familia.
"Let them keep spying on you, and when they don't expect, my group will go in and pull them off the rug and then your familia will go for the kill. Perfect plan."
Finn shook his head and sighed."Very well….we will follow your plan."
Bell nodded "Thank you. Do enjoy the festival, it is only three days and it is a good moment to calm your weary bodies and souls from all this fighting. Even a good time to have a good memory with happy memories."
He knew he couldn't get what he wanted, but decided to play along for now. He could just grab the correspondents that the older man has, but he stopped himself. Rumors spread that he was able to have an alliance with the Freya Familia somehow, and he didn't want to force his familia to a fight with Freya and the goddess only knows who else is allied with him. For now, he will be patient about it.
"Is there anything else?"
Aki had a disappointed look "I just don't understand you. How could you allow it to happen?"
Bell looked at her and responded "In my past, I had a group of adventurers who pulled a similar stunt like you are. It nearly got their captain killed, a third of their group was taken out by a psychopath and had to escape due to the cavern's odd elements weakening the group. They did got out, but the price was too heavy." He had a somewhat distant look "I can't lose another group of people like that."
Loki looked at him and felt something. It wasn't a lie nor a whole truth. She decided to let it slide as she put her hand on Aki's forearm. The cat girl looked at her goddess, seeing her head shaking. She sighed.
"I know you hunger for vengeance, but it will consume you. Don't let that blind you. Believe me, I wanted to get my hands on the one that destroyed my family once, but kept getting away." Loki could tell he was telling the truth. Elfy was sad hearing this. "However, I am at this point have an idea where he is and I will make sure justice is served."
He then drank his tea and looked at them "Any other questions?"
Loki shook her head "Nothing for now, but let us know when your group is heading out."
"Will do."
They were leaving, except for Elfy. She went up to him and hugged him. He was a bit surprised about it and heard her whisper "If you need anything, talk to me." She gave a small peck on the cheek and left.
He wondered what that was all about.
Hestia came out of the secret wall and said "Finn might try something."
"I know. He kept looking at the correspondents. Not to worry, his hands will be too tied up to even try to do anything." He had a smile. A smile that looked evil, even if it looked normal.
Few hours later
Finn was looking around, all while planning on how to obtain the information he needed. He had to turn down Tione's date for now, but promised to take her on the last day of it.
"Just need to grab the information, and we could figure out how to counter the trap. It's not like this old man knows everything in Orario that well….right?."
His thoughts were stopped when his thumb was going crazy.
"Finn!~"
He was then tackled by a familiar amazoness. Both were rolling on the ground. He was then on the bottom, while seeing Argana on the top. He saw her eyes had hearts on them.
"Mmm….you have no idea how much I want you!~" She licked her lips and she began fumbling on his pants.
Finn held her wrists and moved her aside and began to make a run for it.
"You can't get away from me, my delicious Pallum!~"
He kept running, moving away from her. "I should have had Tione with me!" He jumped over a rail and kept moving. He zigzagged from one alleyway to another.
He found a place to hide. A basket made of hemp that was empty. He got in and waited. "Being a Pallum does give me an advantage of hiding small places like this." He saw her running past the basket.
He sighed in relief. "That was close."
The basket opened and saw Argana "My oh my, I found my husband~"
He jumped out of the basket and ran off.
"I love this chase~" She went right after him.
Finn ran more and more. He noticed he was losing her, and just kept running.
Argana kept running and passed by some people who were gambling.
Finn took the black cloak off and wiped his hands. "And that's how you lose someone." Just as he was walking away, he was pulled into a hug and his ear nimbled.
"Nice try~ I already have your lovely scent~"
He was doing his best to push his strength, but she was stronger in a way. He hated using Hell Finegas, but he had no choice.
Then he felt separated by her. He landed on his feet and was relieved at who it was "Thank the goddess you are here, Tione!"
Tione smiled and gave a headpat to him, much to his embarrassment. She then gazed at Argana. "I don't know how you got here, but I won't allow you to get near my captain."
Argana smirked "Let's fight for him~" She launched right at her and both were rolling around. Finn expected the familiar drag on brawling. What he didn't expect though was the girls just rolling, hair pulling and a few slaps.
One of the men shouted "Cat fight!"
Some men and women were hollering and a bet pool is made on who would lose.
The co-captain of the Kali familia found her opening and knocked Tione down. She rushed right at Finn.
Finn ran immediately as the people just watched on. Tione was hot on her tail.
Not far off, Bell was watching on a rooftop of a building and smirked "That will keep you busy."
"I already moved it."
"Good. He will be too busy running and avoiding her."
"Maybe he needs to let it happen."
He sighed "I know. I wish he would let go of his ideology. It does nothing, but bring more harm than good." He then kisses Hestia "I will figure something out."
Few hours later
Bell and his familia were on the 10th floor. Thus far, they have been tackling it hard, coordinating together as monsters are coming out.
Eli had his bow at the ready. It was a gift given by Naaza, as a way to fight the distance, before switching. Thus far, he was able to take down some of the monsters after a few practice shots.
Just as they stopped for a moment, some monsters were being born.
"Weapons out."
They took out their weapon, and were at the ready. Out came a few orcs and some imps.
"Eli, shoot down the imps, Lilli assisted Eli, Aura and Welf, with me!"
Eli pulled the bow back with his arrow and shot the first one, right at the head of the imp and it was taken out. Lilli went after two of them and threw one of them on the chest, taking it out and slicing the other imp. She then used the fog to disappear as the imps looked around for her.
"Flaming Bird!"
From the tip of the staff, a flaming bird appeared and it consumed one of the orcs, taking it out.
Welf sliced the arm off the orc and then a vertical slice, taking it out as well.
Bell easily dodged the attack and aimed at the face of the creature. "Firebolt!" The creature was taken down. He looked and saw a few more orcs and imps.
"Take them out!"
They push further to stop them, as both Lilli and Eli take out the smaller enemies, while the other three are dealing with the orcs.
They each took down, monster by monster. Until the last one was taken out. Eli was panting a bit. "Wow…."
Lilli patted his head "Good work, Eli." He giggled.
Bell nodded "Alright. Let's keep moving deeper. Trying to get as much as possible."
They nodded and kept moving.
26th Floor (*)
"No please! Ugh-" A man collapsed on his knees and then his head was chopped off by the masked fox man. Watching the blood on the ground made him enjoy the color of it. It's mesmerizing for him.
The others chuckled on the display, as they saw him take out a group of 5 people like nothing.
He then looked at the last person. A Chienthrop girl is left. She is being held down by robed men.
He looked at her for a moment. "I just don't understand. Why is it that humans have to be with these….animals. They should be chained and working to build and picking our farmlands, not working alongside us."
"You will pay for what you did!"
He chuckled and he picked the locket, not far off from the decapitated head. He looked at it and opened it. He saw two names and he looked at the girl again. "Shame of a wasted human blood, just so he can fornicate on you."
One of the robed men asked "What do we do with her?"
He looked at her, and the woman saw him taking his mask off. He then had a sadistic smirk.
"You can do whatever you want with her, kill her, maim her. Heck take her to Muller, I think he would like to know how Chienthrop exists by dissecting them."
Her eyes widened in horror and she struggled to get out of it as she was being dragged. However, she took out her emergency orb and squeezed it. It caused two of the Evilus members to be electrocuted. She got up and took out a dagger, going after him while he was on his back.
He didn't turn and chuckled. He moved away and knocked her down.
He placed his foot on her back hard.
"Such a naughty dog. I suppose I will have to teach you a lesson about what happens when a bitch decides to bite her master."
He took his sword out and all was heard was an agonizing scream.
Few hours later, at the Pantheon
"Wow, you actually did really well with your new group, Bell." Eina gave three large pouches.
Bell smiled, "Thank you, Eina."
Both are in the office, as Bell gave his report and also turned in the various amounts of magic stones they had, along with a few drop items. Welf only needed a few good quality items, as the other items were not needed. He then saw Eina coming toward him and sat on his lap. She starts to kiss him, as he kisses back.
The kiss ended and he smiled "How are you doing?"
"Oh good. Just working hard as always." She caresses his chest. "I do desire you, my love."
He chuckled, "Same here."
She then kisses him more, then stops "I will be free next week. Want to head out on a nice dinner together?~"
"Sure. I would love that, Eina."
"Good. After dinner" she then caresses his crotch "I would like us to test my new bed~"
He nodded eagerly "Sure. Sure."
"Good boy." She kissed him and she got up.
Bell got up "Take care, Eina."
"You too, Bell."
He then left, as she got back to work.
Later that night
Hermes was sitting down, drinking beer while waiting around. He knew the festival was becoming a success, and couldn't wait to unveil the big event to end it.
He then saw the familiar mustached man.
"Ah, Bellerophon!" He got up and shook his hand as it was shaken back. Both sat down. "Care for a drink?"
"No thank you. I rather have my mind focused."
"Very well. Let's get to business."
"Sure." He took out a few papers on his backpack "Now, I know your familia wanted to get involved in dealing with the Evilus problem we all have lately. And I know you are interested in getting in as much as Loki does."
He nodded and gestured to him to continue.
"However, I will tell you my response, just as I gave to the Loki familia: Not yet. I already have someone scouting and trying to obtain which entrance to take."
"Traps?" This intrigued him.
"Definitely."
Hermes tilted his chair back and looked up, thinking for a moment. Then he sat normally "We could wait. I will also ask Asfi to prepare more items for the big fight."
Bell took out a paper and slipped on him. "If you can make some of these items, prior to our ambush, it would be great."
He looked at it and raised his eyebrow "It might take a while. And the funds might be needed." He saw the older man place a large bag and push it. "Perfect."
Bell then asked "And how is the big surprise looking?"
"It is holding out well. It is vibrating more lately, waiting to be chosen."
The man smiled and got up "Good to hear that, Lord Hermes." He then looked at him in the eyes and was close to his face "By the way, Bell sensed you were close by with Ryuu. He advises you to back off."
Hermes was surprised hearing this, and tries to recover.
"He doesn't understand why you do it. But he does ask you to ease off of him." He then squinted his eyes a bit "Unless you are trying to use it as leverage."
"No. None of that. I am ordered by a relative to keep an eye on him."
Of course, Bell played in a bit of surprise "I thought his last relative was dead back then?"
"It's complicated. If you are interested, maybe after the festival we could talk."
"I will think about it."
Bell left, while leaving Hermes unnerved. "Maybe I will back off for a bit."
To be continued
A/N:
When I wrote this, originally it was Finn was going to be more aggressive, but knowing his character, I don't think he is that kind of person. I find him to be more calculative, so I went with Aki, who is losing more of her patients than anything. I also was going to foreshadow a mini event in this chapter, but then I decided to just use the mini event as an omake instead.
And lastly, I was going to add a brutal detail of how this antagonist did to the girl, but I decided to leave it to your imagination what he did to her. I think it is better this way.
Hope you all enjoy it. Just know if it comes late, it is due to work. Until then, take care.
Next chapter: Bellerophon meets with Misha, the spear in the stone event, and Artemis appears. Don't miss it.