Hey everyone. Well, this chapter, well….let's say I had to throw in one more idea for a reason. It was supposed to be in one of my last chapters, but I prefer to do that, after the crazy battle I just wrote down.

You will see what I am talking about.

I will thank the readers for checking this story out, but I know there are others out there that are better than mine, check those out as well. Now, let's move on.

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

Chapter 23: Ego's Fall
Flashback
Bell was putting his pants on, while Hestia looked a bit concerned. "Bell, is it really necessary to push your plans like that, this soon?"

He nodded. "Yes Hestia. I think I explained how if I just allow it to play out normally, with me chasing him into the cave, it might cause more harm than good. I do believe if I manage to expose him to what kind of monster he is early on, then it will be easier for me to put him down."

Her hands were wringing on a cloth she was holding on her hands."You did say he is a higher level than you, right?"

He nodded "Correct. And we are skilled with our weapons. We both, in some manner, have the same amount of years of fighting."

"How would you beat him?" She looked at Bell.

"I got that part covered." He looked at two knives lying on the table. "All I have to do is get him in a hit or so, draw blood and then I will make him pay."

Flashback Ended
Bell rushed right at him with a vertical swing, but the other man pivoted. He then barely avoided a swing of the man's sword.

"Really? Is this your plan? Rushing me?" He then kicked the young man, but he saw he recovered quickly and was near nicking him. "Hmm."

The white haired hero avoided another swing of the man's sword, just barely. He went for a punch, but was blocked. "Damn."

"Get better." He grabbed him and started to punch his stomach a number of times, holding him in place.

For Bell, it was like getting hit with bricks. He was gritting his teeth, before head butting him. He saw a small opening and gave a cut on his left forearm. He saw a bit of blood, and he backed off.

Vito shook his head and smiled maliciously "Not bad…not bad. I suppose I better increase the level a bit." He moved faster and made a slash attack.

Bell winced as he saw the blade making a nasty cut on his forearm. He rolled out of the way of the other attack.

The girls were watching on, while Aki grew frustrated that she should be fighting him, not Bell. She wanted to chop this man's head off or torture him. "I should be facing him! I should be the one that should make him pay!"

"You wouldn't win this."

"Huh?" She saw the elven woman look into the fight.

"Your mind is too clouded with rage. He would take advantage of it and would crush you without any hesitation. I have met fighters like that in the past, and have gotten the best of them before."

She clenched her fist and sighed "He used me…."

"I know" she looked back at her fiance fighting "Knowing Bell, I think he might have a plan up his sleeve."

She looked on as wondering what the plan was. He seems to be struggling in the fight. She saw him avoid another attack.

Another person watching was a brunette man with a ponytail. He looked unimpressed from the fight. He wonders why Apollo wanted him? He had nothing redeeming at him at all. "So weak."

Bell ducked, but then felt a kick in the stomach, sending him flying a few feet. He rolled and got up on his feet.

"What's the matter Bell, is it too tough for you?" He smiled, walking slowly.

"No, not really." Bell wiped his mouth.

"Once I finish playing around with you, I will slowly kill each of your friends" he looked at the girls, then back at Bell "Then I will take care of your god."

He kept himself in check, not to anger himself. He looked at him and went at him. He had to find another opening to him again. "Just need one more hit and then I can beat him."

Far away….
A few men looked around the abandoned temple, for any clues at what happened.

"Looks like a battle occurred here recently, but it was all over.

One of the men grabbed a decayed piece of wood and sniffed it "Must have been something strong and dangerous. However, it seems to be gone, just leaving a residue of the place."

The man had a sober smile. "That's a relief."

"Oi, there is someone that wants to chat with us."

They went over and saw a woman and a little girl.

"What do you want to tell us?"

The woman then said "This whole place was plagued by a dangerous monster, but was taken out by a group of people, that included Lady Artemis."

"Wait, Lady Artemis?" one of the men looked at her. "Who was this group?"

"All I remember was one of them. He had white hair, red eyes, and looked like a rabbit, but young. He seemed to be the leader of the group, while Lady Artemis was guiding the group."

He knew that his goddess had to hear about it "I see. Any idea where they went."

"I heard one of them. A place called Orario. It's a long trip from here though, from what I heard if you were to fly."

"I see. Can you give us an idea of the direction?"

She then had a better idea "I know someone that travels there from time to time."

"Great. Show us." the man was relieved "I have to tell Lady Aphrodite that Lady Artemis was here. It might give us an idea what happened here, and maybe lead her to Orario."

They followed them and had a new lead.

Orario
Bell dodged the kick, but received a nasty cut on his face. He wiped the blood off, while he heard a chuckle from Vito.

"It seems that you did nothing, but dodge and just managed to hit me twice. So much for being a hero. It's why they don't even exist anymore."

Bell looked at the cuts he gave him. The blood stopped dripping as it hardened and the color of it turned into a hue of purple. He threw his knives to the side, making Vito look at him. "Heh…you're pathetic."

"What?" He raised his eyebrow.

"You heard me, Vito. You're pathetic. I know why you are so spiteful, hateful, and bitter. It all comes back to a number of things."

"Like you know any better."

"Oh, I do. And now I am not going to hold back at this point." He then took out Hestia's knife and his secondary weapon "And all it will take for me is to beat you up in….two minutes."

"You? Beat me up? Hahahaha. That's rich." He then got into a stance "No more holding back. I am going to put you down this time."

Bell then had his hand glowing as the sounds of bells were chiming. He went right after with full speed, surprising Vito. He barely dodged the hit, before he was punched in the nose, hearing a crunch. Then a flying roundhouse kick, sending him flying a few feet.

He rolled and was surprised "I got hit?!" He grabbed his nose and fixed it. "Son of a bitch, I am going to-" he just blocked a hit, and felt the force of it.

"Come on, Vito, I guess I can see why Erebus felt sorry for you."

"Shut up!" He went for a vertical slice attack, but Bell dodged it easily.

He then gave him a large cut on his chest, making Vito back off a bit.

"I do feel pity for you" he went for another strike "The reason you despise people is how your colorblindness is affecting your perception, the color red is the only thing you could see. You miss out on the beauty of this world, all for your excuse of your ailment. All anger, just because of your so-called twist of 'justifying my problems'." he said in a mocking tone.

"Shut up!" His attacks were becoming aggressive, but Bell was able to avoid it.

Allen, not far off, was watching on and was surprised how well he was doing. "Was that his plan? To read off his opponents? I heard that red haired man was a level 4 which doesn't add up…..wait." He watched Vito carefully and noticed he was getting slower. That is when it clicked on Allen and smirked "Sneaky bastard. He might have poisoned him or used a cursed knife. Clever bastard."
Hyankinthos watched in disbelief "Impossible. Was he holding back?! No….the other man is getting slower now. He is the same level as that brat! And his footwork is better than I thought…."

He watched on as Bell got punched, but it did have some effect on him, but came back with another headbutt, making Vito stumble.

Flashback
Bell coated the knives with the potion and smiled softly. Hestia saw and asked "What is that?"

"Oh, something that Naaza cooked up. It is meant for monsters, but after testing it with Ais, it seems that it affects people as well."

"You what?"

"Don't worry, I told Ais it was temporary. She said that it felt like she was at level 4, but it only lasted for about two minutes."

She was still in disbelief "I am shocked that she didn't beat you up."

"No. The exchange was to buy her a bunch of potato snacks and a lap pillow.."

She shook her head.

"She did want that potion as well, but I told her it is still an experimental potion. I promised her I would give her a batch if it worked properly."

"What of the Abnormal Resistance?"

Bell smirked and looked at her "While it does deal with poison, it doesn't mean immunity of it. It will resist, until it becomes unbearable or a high level poison. With this though" he looked at the knife "It is above level, but again it has a short period of time. I have to make this count."

Hestia had a sly look "You know Bell, you are really going to cheat this fight."

He had a memory of a certain cat man from the future as he said "Fights are never fair. I learned that early on. You have to show no fairness nor mercy on your enemy. If you show an ounce of mercy, the enemy will use it against you, and your loved ones will be harmed."

Hestia hugged him "Get home in one piece, will you?"

"I will."

Flashback end
Bell then cringed when he felt a slice on his chest, making the girls gasp. However, they saw a smirk on his face, then a kick on the hand, disarming Vito. He went right at him and began to punch him across the face, then a few more times in the stomach.

While Vito was great with a weapon, his hand on hand combat wasn't as great. He never expected to fight on that level at all. He tried blocking it, but each hit is making him stumble.

Bell gave a large punch, sending him flying a few feet and he landed on the ground, rolling. He saw Vito struggling to get up, until he was on his knees. He walked towards him, intending to end him, once and for all.

"I….I yield…."

Bell stopped for a moment

"I….I underestimated you…. I know I have done wrong…."

Bell simply said "No."

"No?"

He then answered "This is a fight to the death. This is justice for the blood you spilled, Vito." He was stepping right towards him "Face your justice!"

Then his eyes widened and his smile turned sadistic. "Then both of you die!" His hands glowed and threw two knives heading right toward him and another right toward Aki, using an ability that he has with him.

Allen saw the knife heading toward Aki very fast. He threw his spear hard and fast.

Aki saw his arm move, but was unable to see what he threw heading toward her. Then a spear appeared close to her, as she heard a klang sound. She saw a knife glowing, surprising her. Anya was even impressed how fast it moved.

However, they noticed Bell was hit on the stomach.

"Bell!" the girls cried in horror.

Vito began to laugh. "Got you."

Bell had enough. He ran fast and went for a swipe.

Vito felt something was off with his right hand. He saw why. It was gone, but left some smoke on it, closing the wound up. He felt no pain at all. "Strange…."

He never felt the few stabs on his stomach. He felt numbed out with everything just happening to him. Was this how defeat felt? Was this how death felt for the blood he spilled into the Dungeon? Was this shock that people talked about?

The white haired man knew the time was almost up and it was time to end this for good. "This is Raul, Mord, Hestia, Welf, my family, everyone that you have killed you bastard!"

Bell then placed his hand on Vito's exposed chest "Firebolt!" He released a very powerful blast.

The blast alerted the Ganesha Familia and ran toward the direction. They arrived and saw a white haired teen, still having a knife on his stomach, bleeding in parts of his body, with his arm stretched out. He was panting and then placed his arm down. He looked over to Aki and the others.

He then went toward Aki and smiled "Justice is done…." He collapsed to the side, bringing a big panic to the others.

Ryuu went over to pull the knife out, but the moment she pulled it out, blood and a small trace of green liquid was coming out "Not good…"

Noelle saw her papa was hurt badly. She knew he was hurting a lot on the inside and needed to save him. She went over and touched her papa and focused on the problem. She had to save him, he promised to hear more bedtime stories. He promised to show her more of Orario. Her hands glowed.

The others watched on as his body was giving a white glow then it was gone. They saw his wound was gone, but he was still out cold. Ryuu then said "We need to take him to see Airmid."

They agreed and it was Aki that volunteered to carry him, while the others were asked questions on what happened.

Hoshana looked around and made a low whistle "Man….the chief went overboard on the guy." He then found something. "Oi, I found the guy's torso!"

The others looked over as one of them vomited. Hoshana was able to see the back of his faulna. "Huh….I am not very good at who it belongs to, but the name says Vito Hamano….wait that name is familiar…."

"That's one of Erebus' former familia members. He was on the list to be released and exiled." Shakti went over to see the faulna. "That's Thanatos' symbol."

"Eh?" He was surprised hearing this

She recalled seeing this tattoo a number of times in the past "Yes. I have seen it a few times. So, he aligned himself with a god. Strange how his last words before his exile were that he was against the gods."

Hoshana jokes "Maybe he had a change of heart?"

Shakti murmured "Or maybe he was waiting for the right moment to take him out."

"Doesn't matter much, we have to gather the rest of him."

The leader of the Ganesha Familia nodded as she looked at the others "Well…..get the clean up!"

The others nodded, much to their disgust. Then again, some were already used to it, seeing adventurer's missing limbs to a body that is still intact, yet dead.

Hoshana looked at the girls from the Hostess of Fertility "Better let them know of phase 2. Knowing the boss is out, they may need to do this as soon as possible."

Hyakinthos saw all of it and left "Those eyes, he has eyes of someone that has battled to the death more times than others. I saw it before with Ottarl a few times." He shivered just seeing those red eyes "I will stay away from him." He headed back home, and found ways to tell his god not to get near that kid.

Allen was surprised by all of it and gave a smile "I can see why Lady Freya is very focused on him only. Once he reaches a higher level, I doubt even Ottarl would stand a chance against him."

He then headed back home himself "I can't wait until you are at my level, Cranel. Then I will ask you to go all out against me."

Twilight Manor
Bete sat in his bedroom and just stared at the door, waiting. He read the message and a part of him wondered if this will help him ease the worry and concern.

He already lost one too many people he actually cared about. He lost his family, he lost the woman he grew to like as well. He read the message numerous times and asked that question each day and this message knew him too well, considering how if he would live in regret that one day something happens, and how far someone is willing to protect them, to keep their sanity.

He then heard a knock on his door.

"Enter."

In came Line, wearing her purple dress. She smiled softly "I am here Bete." She looked a little nervous about what was going on.

"Sit here" He patted next to her in his bed.

She tried to wonder what was going on. He seemed to act very differently, she can't point her finger at him ever inviting inside of his room at all. She sat down and looked at him.

"Line….I don't want you to go to the Knossos with us."

She was surprised to hear this. She looked at him "Bete, why would you like me to-"

"Line. I….I can't lose you in there…."

She has never seen him this way. He would normally talk "Bete….you know that won't happen. We have been in various situations in the past, and nothing will happen at all."

He grabbed her hands, surprising her more. "Line….please…"

She never has seen him like this. HIs eyes look….vulnerable. "Bete?"

A part of him wondered why he was doing this? It made him look weak, but that message was eating him up. He had to do this. "I can't lose someone that…..that….damn it…why is it so hard to tell someone you care the most you don't want them to go."

She was shocked hearing this "Eh?!"

He wasn't good with feelings, in nearly his whole life. However, he had to let it out. If he could face dangerous monsters, this shouldn't hold him back at all. "Line. I do care for you very much….I already lost a sister years back when I was young, I was powerless about it, and it wiped her and my whole family out. Then….there was Selenia….she was a human, just like you. She was strong, but hated it when I protected her or pushed her aside….I knew she loved me, but I didn't know how to….to…"

"To tell your feelings." She smiled softly, while she caressed his hands "You were afraid of falling in love, because if something happened to someone, it would destroy you…." She hugs him "It's part of the package of being an adventure, we face death and uncertainty, but how would an adventure grow strong, if they are always protected."

He sighed hearing this.

"Bete, we live on with their memories. If anything happens to us, we will live for them, to be happy."

She felt the hug end and he pulled away "Bete-Hmph!" She was surprised by what happened. She was being kissed by him. Bete is kissing her. She then closed her eyes and began to kiss back. She then felt being placed on her back on the bed. Then the kiss ended and looked at Bete. "Bete…"

"I have no regrets about what I am about to do to you, Line." His voice was husky.

She wondered what he meant, until her clothes were ripped in one swipe.

Lemon Scene
The only thing that was there was her yellow bra and panties. Bete liked what he saw: her large well shaped breast and flat stomach. He did wonder about something. With one more swipe her breasts were free from the bra and her panties were gone, showing she was trimmed. "Heh…I like my women to have a bit of hair…"

"B-Bete!~" She felt embarrassed.

"No regrets?"

She saw his eyes. They were filled with lust and hunger. She nodded until she moaned as her right breast being sucked as her left nipple was pinched "Bete!~"

"I am going to have no regrets. Her good personality and that body of hers….so perfect." He sucked a bit harder making her moan loudly. "Her moans are music to my ears." He then switched for the other ones. He sucked on it harder.

For Line, this feeling was great. Her lover is just indulging himself, while she is caressing him. She felt him stop and went back to kissing, and she kissed back with more enthusiasm. She moaned, when she felt two fingers going inside of her and feeling his tongue licking her neck and shoulder. "More Bete~"

He went at it for a while, until his hand was soaked wet. He smirked and turned her around on all fours. "I am going to make you mine." He focused on pushing into his transformation.

Line looked back and gasped. His clothes were off, and he grew a little taller. His member grew more "It might rip me in half…."

She then felt it go inside of her slowly "So big…."

"Heh…it isn't all the way in."

He pushed it all the way, and Line grabbed a pillow, muffling her screams. It was too big, yet he stopped.

He then whispered into her ear "I am going to knock you up."

She then felt him move, making her moan. "Bete….Bete…"

"Yes. Keep calling my name, I am going to make sure you remember who my mate is."

He moved faster and faster, making the girl moan. She then felt a bite on her shoulder and moaned "Bete!~" She then felt his tongue licking the wound, but her focus was on his large phallus

He kept going faster and faster, as their skin slapped. Line was hearing him growl and felt his dick pulse, while she was getting close. "Bete….so close…."

"Get ready to take my cubs!"

"I'm going to have his babies….I am so young, but I love him!~"

He held on to her, and kept pumping in and out. With his final thrust, he howled and came hard inside of her.

"Oh gods. His cum is filling me up! So much!~"

The moment he finished, he turned her around. He was still aroused, making Line surprised seeing it. He placed it between her breasts and grabbed her breasts to sandwich it.

"I am going to leave my scent all over you."

She read books of adventurers having higher levels, equally having higher libidos. Knowing Bete was starting, she was going to be out cold by the time he keeps going on and on.

She is thankful she knows a spell or two that can heal her after all of this, and knows a potion to keep her stamina going.

"I am doing it for my love for him."

Line and Bete had a long night of lovemaking, with no regrets.

Lemon end

To be continued

A/N:
Yeah. I had a lot of thoughts on writing this fight and I do believe that is one way to kill him. In the Astraea Record, he survived for years and came back during the Noelle event in the Danmemo game. Knowing that events are non-canon in the main storyline, he survived that encounter with Bell and makes me wonder who is his new god. I do speculate that Thanatos took him in, due to his past affiliation with Evilus.

And of course, adding a nice lemon for Bete and Line is there, as for what happens the next day….Well we will see.

Now with Bell's victory and being out for a while, we will continue with the Knossos event. What will happen this time around, is something I am uncertain to be honest. The last time it happened, a number of people died and Finn was injured. Will it be a repeat or will something else happen.

I will set up a forum for any questions or any thoughts on the series soon, just to keep my mind on what is going on. Until then, take care.

Next Chapter: Bell is out cold, Loki Familia marches on, and Ryuu with Anya head to the floors to deal with something that was written from Bell. Don't miss it.