Bell wanted to enter the dungeon soon. Not only because Matthew had yet to come home, but he was itching to test his new spell, Lighningbolt. He was in the middle of strapping on his armor as Lili burst through the hatch with Pride on her shoulder.
"Caw Caw" Pride screeched at Hestia.
"He WHAT!?" Hestia cried.
"What is it? What did Pride say?" Lili asked worriedly.
"He said Matthew is on the eighteenth floor. And Pride you tell Matthew he's grounded for a year." Hestia growled. That certainly caught Bell's attention though. The eighteenth floor? He knew Matthew-san could be a little bit... overconfident, but he didn't think he would go to such extreme lengths.
"Why is he all the way on the eighteenth floor?" Bell asked as he finished donning his armor.
"Someone attacked him." Hestia responded curtly causing Lili to become alert and shocking Medior.
"Is he alright?" Medior asked in shock.
"Caw" Pride screeched flying over to his shoulders. Bell flinched slightly as Pride's talons scratched at his armor. "Caw Squwwaa"
"Pride! You tell Matthew to stay put!" Hestia snapped as he face began growing more red. She looked like she was about to cry.
"Caw caw"
"I just want him to be safe. Pride please." Hestia sobbed as tears streamed down her face. For a moment Pride remained silent the bird stared at his goddess with beady eyes.
"Caw"
...
"I know. It just hurts, to think I'll lose my child." Hestia said meekly.
"You know how he is goddess." Bell interjected with a smile. He knew how Matthew was. He was the type to face a challenge no matter how daunting. Matthew was going to be making his way back home tonight and the only thing Bell could do was to see him home safely. "I'll meet him half way in the dungeon and make sure he gets home safe, okay goddess"
"Just come home safely." She whimpered wiping tears from her eyes. Bell hated to see Hestia like this but he truly didn't think she had anything to worry about. He's seen Matthew survive things that no other adventurer possibly could. The only concern was whoever attacked him. It probably wasn't urgent as the attacker didn't kill Matthew when he had the chance.
"I won't let anything kill us. We'll be back home Hestia. Promise." He said with a smile. Hestia with red and puffy eyes simply nodded. "Pride you're with me."
"Oh, when you see Matthew please let him know I've finished fashioning supporter bags for our undead." Medior said.
"I'm coming with you." Lili said with determination as he was making his way to the hatch. Bell knew better than to tell her no. The two left with Pride on Bell's shoulders. The night sky was refreshing as Bell made his way towards the dungeon. The atmosphere rather chilly and it was greeted by a dead silence. Lilly was visibly worried so Bell didn't want to insert himself. Before the two could make it to the dungeon they ran into a familiar face.
"It's late." Aiz said as she approached Bell and Lili. She was wearing her armor and had her sword at her side. Rather unkempt he could tell she had only just returned from the dungeon herself. And oddly enough she had a kitten sleeping on top of her head.
"Have you seen Matthew?" Lili asked before Bell could say anything. Aiz tilted her head in that cutesy way she does. He already knew Aiz's answer from the way she responded. He also knew what she wanted to ask.
"Pride says someone attacked him in the dungeon and stranded him on the eighteenth floor for some reason. We're heading into the dungeon now to get him." He explained calmly.
"Do you need help?" She asked softly. Bell didn't really think they would need help. He was confident in Matthew's ability to traverse the dungeon safely, but he wasn't about to reject spending more time with the Sword Princess.
"Yes please help us!" Lili cried before Bell could respond.
"Okay, Let's go." Aiz responded in that cool voice of hers.
With Aiz at their side there was absolutely nothing to worry about. The attacker, the boss monster, or even any of the monsters in the dungeon. Bell never gave it any thought, but Aiz was like Matthew in a way. Self assured, powerful... a hero. Everything he wanted to be. As the three made their way into the dungeon Bell made sure not to let Aiz do all the work. He may not have been as fast or as strong, but for every three monsters Aiz had obliterated, he had managed to kill one, sometimes two. If Aiz was surprised by his sudden step up she didn't show it.
The three of them carved their way into the dungeon fairly quickly. With Aiz at the forefront and Bell right behind her, there was nothing the monsters could really do. It wasn't long before the impromptu party found their way to the eleventh floor where they were interrupted by a large boaz.
"Aiz Wallenstein. I challenge you to a fight to the death." The giant said drawing his greatsword and levying at the sword princess. Bell Drew his knife ready to fight despite knowing who this man was. Ottar, the king of Orario and the cities only level seven. If Ottar was the one behind this then Bell's promise to Hestia would be broken and all of them would die. If he could buy Aiz some time she might be able to get word to Loki about the Freya familia's crimes.
"What about them?" Aiz asked coolly as if the most dangerous man in the world hadn't just say he was going to kill her.
"What about them? We are members of opposing familias, more than enough reason to kill each other. Those runts though?" The man said with a huff. Bell was shocked by his words. Had the king truly only wanted to battle Aiz?
"Go, I'll handle this." Aiz said calmly drawing her own sword to Ottar. Bell was conflicted. He badly wanted to stay and help Aiz, but there was nothing he really could do against an opponent like Ottar. And though he was embarrassed to look up to Aiz, he thought she looked really cool.
"Don't you dare die Aiz. I'm counting on you." He said with a grin as he began walking past Ottar before muttering to himself. "One day I'll be the hero protecting you."
True to his word Ottar didn't impede Bell or Lili as they made their way further into the dungeon. Not long after Ottar and Aiz were out of sight the clash of steel began to reverberate throughout the dungeon. Despite how unnerving the battle behind them was Bell pushed on. Lili wouldn't allow him to stop even if he had wanted too. Not long after the two split ways with Aiz Bell and Lili ran into another group of adventurers. Or rather, those adventurers had run into them.
"Run!" Screamed a female dwarf as she pushed Bell out of her way.
"Minotaur! Another man shouted as he flew past Lili and Bell.
Bell grit his teeth. Even with how strong he's grown he knew he wasn't ready to fight a minotaur. He also knew that Matthew could only use so many spells a day and was likely running out, meaning he wouldn't be able to fight a minotaur either. "Hey Pride, do you think Matthew has enough spell slots to take care of that thing? One caw for yes, two for no."
Immediately the raven cawed twice causing Bells grin to fall. He faltered for a moment, but turning back simply wasn't something he could do. He wouldn't leave his vice-captain to die and he certainly wouldn't give Hestia a reason to cry.
"Lili do you think you could cast Invisibility on the both of us?" He asked hopefully. He knew that Invisibility took a great toll on Lili's mind, but he was hoping she would have just enough so that the both of them could sneak by the monster and confront it later when they had Matthew at their side.
Lili looked unsure of herself but nodded none the less before beginning her chant. Bell figured that she would preform the spell even if it put her into mind down. She may not be a very vocal girl, but it was obvious to him just how hard she clung on to Matthew. He was her hero after all.
Soon after Lili began her chants Bell found himself under the veil of invisibility. It was quite the odd sensation. He could still feel himself and was aware of his position, but he was unable to see himself, or Lili for that matter. Due to the circumstance He had to convince Lili to hold his hand as they walked. She didn't seem comfortable with contact, but didn't argue as the continued into the dungeon.
Minutes after the began walking through the dungeon they saw it. A minotaur. This one however seemed different than the one Bell and Matthew encountered on the fifth floor. Ignoring the fact that the monster was feasting on the remains of some unfortunate adventurer, it had much darker fur, a broken horn and it carried a proper weapon. Not a landform weapon like the minotaur prior, but a real crafted weapon. Bell wasted no time leading Lili past the minotaur. However, as they were crossing the room Bell noticed the minotaur drop the arm of the adventurer it was eating before lifting its head and sniffing. As the minotaur continued to sniff it stood up and grabbed it's weapon before looking dead into Bell's eyes. Lili, watching this happen, eeped out in fear causing the minotaur to let out a echoing roar before charging the two.
Bell drew his Hestia knife immediately and met the minotaur's charge. Though the monster could tell his general location via smell, it still couldn't see Bell causing it to miss its fist attack by a large margin and gave Bell the perfect opportunity to stab the monster. To his surprise the Hestia knife barely put a scratch on the monster. Darting back as the minotaur swiped wide towards him he tried to think of a strategy. Bell wanted to test his new spell, but without testing it first he had no idea how much mind the spell would drain or how effective it would be. Booming blade would be the better alternative, but it would give away his position.
Dodging another wild strike from the minotaur Bell retaliated making a strike towards its ligaments. One thing Aiz taught him during their spars is that he should always target the weakest part of a stronger enemy. With the advantage of invisibility it was easy for Bell to strike the monster under its arm. The knife did dig into the minotaur's arm, though not enough to create a large wound. It seemed like a spell would be necessary to kill this thing. Mentally preparing himself Bell stood ready to dodge as he began his chant. "Let lightning strike my foe. True as blade."
A trickle of electricity began dancing across Bell's blade as the minotaur swung its sword downwards directly towards his head. Dodging out of the way of the giant sword Bell used the Hestia knife to partially deflect the great sword sending sparks of electricity racing down the minotaur's own weapon shocking it. The minotaur for his part managed to hold on to it's weapon in spite of the pain caused by Bell's magic. Bell didn't waste time and capitalized on the monster's distraction plunging his knife into the wound he created prior sending a jolt of magic into it and letting loose an ear shattering boom making the minotaur cry out in pain. Though Bell had managed to make the minotaur drop it's weapon the beast elected to simply strike him with with back of it's hand sending Bell flying across the room.
"Bell!" Lili cried from somewhere across the room before a bolt flew from nowhere to hit the minotaur in its neck. The monster, startled by it's second attacker, picked up its weapon once more charging the direction the crossbow bolt flew from swinging wildly on its way. Bell simply had to trust Lili would be able to avoid the minotaur's attacks as he was too far away at this point. even after all of his attacks the minotaur seemed completely unharmed by his efforts so Bell decided that it was now or never.
"Lili get out of the way!" He shouted before beginning his chant, "From darkened clouds, a flash of light. Blinding bolt, a star at night. My heart beats as a drumming thunder."
As he chanted the minotaur seemed to lose interest in Lili once more facing Bell. Invisibility had done a good job confusing it, but it was useless as he chanted. "Dancing lights command the sky as rain and tears fall. Light of gods burn the unworthy."
The minotaur charged him, sword above it's head ready to bring down the thick slab of metal upon Bell's head. "Wrath of the gods. Lightningbolt!" He screamed in pain as a sharp pain echoed throughout his head and a blinding light accompanied by a deafening explosion were brought into existence. Once his eyes readjusted he saw the minotaur laying on the ground with a plume of smoke rolling off of it. Much to Bell's dismay, his spell didn't seem to kill the minotaur as the creature rose once more. It looked worse for wear sure, but another Lightningbolt would unquestioningly put Bell into mind down.
Bell raised his knife. No matter how desperate the situation became he wouldn't back down. That's not what Aiz would do. That isn't what Matthew would do. If he was going to be a true hero, this minotaur had to be his steppingstone. As it rose Bell charged in before it could prepare itself and used the full weight of his body to plunge the Hestia knife into the creature's ugly bull head. As soon as the knife cut into the monster's head Bell immediately pulled it out and rolled out of the way as it's sword slashed at him.
Staring at the monster Bell couldn't help but chuckle. He had only just thought of it, but Dungeon-chan must have been in a merciful mood today as she hadn't spawned any additional monsters on top of the minotaur. That or she wouldn't spawn more monsters in the presence of a stronger one. At least once he grouped back up with Matthew he could tell him one of Dungeon-chan's rules. Bell had to dodge out of the way of another slash from the minotaur as he chuckled to himself. Looking at the monster it could only glare back at him with hatred.
"You're the first step." Bell muttered as the minotaur prepared another strike. Bell readied himself for the incoming strike of the minotaur, but before either could make their move Bell felt a wave of heat as the minotaur was engulfed in flames. He didn't know what had happened, but he wasn't going to waste a second. running towards the searing monster and forced his knife into the monster's neck as it tried to recover.
"Let lightning strike my for! True as blade!" He cried as sparks danced across the minotaur. The 'boom' of Booming Blade was slightly muffled as it was within it's neck. This however created a small shockwave that tore apart the inside of the monster's neck. The minotaur thrashed and raged against Bell with the last strands of his life, but it was already dead. Bell was just watching it go. It was almost sad in a way. For his first stepping stone to die like that.
"Are you okay Bell?" Lili asked finally coming out of her Invisibility. Bell for all it was worth was feeling pretty alright. He could feel his mind a bit on the empty side and he was rather sore from when the minotaur sent him flying across the room, but he would still be able to keep fighting on.
"I'm fine. Let's go find Matthew." He responded in a huff trying to catch his breath.
"Caw Caw Caw Caw!" Pride began crying in a panic.
"Pride what's happening? Is Matthew alright?" Lili asked with panic in her voice. With Hestia still at home they had no real way to communicate with Pride so Bell opted not to wait. Pride's frantic cries couldn't be a good sign. And so he ran with Lili running right behind him.
As the two ran They noticed a change in the dungeon. As they entered the thirteenth floor one of the things they noticed immediately was the temperature. It was rather cold. Bell knew that Eina said the dungeon would have different climates on the lower floors, but not the thirteenth. Asides from the temperature the dungeon walls also looked notably darker and Dungeon-chan hadn't spawned a single monster as they ran through the halls. Another rule? However Bell quickly found the reason why these strange occurrences had happened. Entering a chamber of the dungeon Bell saw Matthew laying in the center with a strange man wearing leather armor loomed over him with a dagger out and beside the two was the corpse of a dragon with its head caved in and the rest of it's body were in various stages of decay. The room itself was incredibly cold and covered in a thin sheet of ice. Beneath the ice thousands of small lights glimmered beautifully. Upon closer inspection Bell could see the lights were just reflections of hundreds of broken magic stones.
"What a fitting way for you to die." He heard the man say with vitriolic hate. Bell didn't know who the man was. He didn't care, he needed to jump into action.
"From darkened clouds, a flash of light. Blinding bolt, a star at night. My heart beats as a drumming thunder. Dancing lights command the sky as rain and tears fall. Light of gods burn the unworthy. Wrath of the gods. LIGHTNINGBOLT!" He screamed as pain shot throughout his head. Bell felt mind down creep up on him, but he refused to fall. Not until he brought Matthew home safely.
The stranger was hit directly and sent across the room. Bell tried to charge him, but the man pulled out some sort of scroll. Bell watched as the scroll lit up in a strange purple flame before the man disappeared in front of his eyes. Regardless Bell thrust the knife where the man was only for it not to find anything. The man really was gone, not hiding with Invisibility.
Turning Around he saw Lili holding hands with Matthew while he held a goofy smile. It was quite unsettling given the state he was in. Half of his face was severally burnt, was covered in bite marks, and was bleeding profusely. If it were anyone other than Matthew, Bell was certain they would be dead.
"Please don't die." Lili muttered while pouring a potion on Matthew's face. The potion did it's work and quickly. soon enough Matthew didn't even look like he had fought a dragon in the first place. Bell knew simple potions couldn't have done that on their own so it must have been the work of False Life.
"Bell!" He had heard Aiz call out from behind. Looking towards the adventurer he immediately cringed. Aiz's face was bruised and bloody, her eye forced closed and she was bleeding all over.
"Did you beat Ottar?" He asked in shock.
"No, he left." She said turning away. Bell was still impressed. to be able to fight against the King and survive.
"I'm glad." He said simply. Neither said anything as they both sat down to rest. Lili was sitting with Matthew's head resting in her lap.
"You killed a minotaur." Aiz said holding it's magic stone. Bell was shocked for a moment before realizing that they ran past it after they won.
"Yeah." He responded shortly.
"Matthew killed a dragon." She said.
"Seems so." He replied. Bell liked Aiz. He really did, but he had no idea how to talk to her. "You ready to head out?"
"Yeah."
Bell heard Aiz start to say something else, but it didn't register to him as he faded out of consciousness
Rios: Yeah I'm going back to edit that lol. Thanks
Kelaren: Thank you. I'm giving a few characters mixed magic but I'm not going to go too crazy. As for others making their way into Orario... you'll have to wait and see
Giggity Master: Thank you. And yeah I'm fixing that lol. It could have been written better.
Okay I finally went back and changed all instances of flana into the proper falna.
And rereading it I realized the last chapter might be a little confusing. It's told from Matthew's point of view and once he begins using magic without a spell slot he's putting himself into mind down and begins loosing lucidity hopefully that was clear enough on it's own but just in case