Hey, I'm back with a new chapter!

infanteglenn7, it was never dead, I'm just taking more time to actually write them out.

Shinigami200, you have a point about the power scaling. I do admit I didn't do a good job with actually portraying EMIYA's true abilities. When I say Bell is linked to the other Heroic Spirits, I mean it quite literally. He is meant to be the Heir to the Throne of Heroes, if you are familiar with Kamen Rider Zi-O, it is literally like that.

Bell's abilities are not just copies like EMIYA does, it is similar to the Class Cards in Fate/Kaleid, but it takes it a step further. As for the cost, I disagree. Bell would be using energy to take on EMIYA's powers, then using more energy to Project additional Noble Phantasms, as compared to using similar amount of energy to take on the powers of that actual Heroic Spirit and getting the weapon by default.

rider09mk2, Finn isn't necessarily helping the bad guys, I'd say. He's more helping himself, siding with whoever that seems to be in the 'right'.

AnimeFan13579, having the Xenos integrated more into the story is something I am considering. Honestly, it isn't a bad idea.

Guest, honestly, I dread having to write the moment Bell inherits either Arcueid or ORT. That would just be story-breaking. But we'll see.

Axcel Allen, I SAW YOUR REVIEW AND I CANNOT HAVE PEOPLE THINKING THIS IS DEAD! SO HERE! HAVE ANOTHER CHAPTER!

Temsen, in canon, I'd say Finn had more of a clear vision as compared to this one. Here, he is more blinded by his obsession with becoming a hero, especially since Bell is literally destined to become one. Add that to his view of monsters, I'd say it wouldn't be too farfetched for him to become tunnelvisioned.

nbjdawe2001, thanks mate. With Anastasia, it would be a good addition with her ice abilities. Then the Beasts, it would take a situation that breaks his spirit to actually summon a Beast. I'd say it would take one of the people he cares for to die for him to actually get a Beast at this stage.

As for romance, eventually. Ryuu is the default pairing I'm going for, and here she has already sort of kinda realized she likes Bell, just that she is holding off for Syr.

codywhite162, glad you're liking it so far. Yes, if she can, Freya will always side with Bell.

Blood. , I mean that is the point with canon Bell. That is his whole shtick, but I guess its not for everyone. As for the line, I'll try to change it up a bit. It's a bad habit that I never really noticed.


Alright, there's that, and here's the new chapter.

XXX

With Welf, the blacksmith found himself with Mikoto, a mix of most of the Ishtar Familia members and the Hermes Familia members.

The redhead sighed, "So, how do we go about this?"

Asfi looked around, noting that there was no other way except forward, "We keep moving. We don't have a key, so we'll have to try and meet up with any of the others."

Welf nodded, "Ideally some of the Xenos."

The item maker nodded, "Ideally."

She sighed, "We got separated from Lion too."

Lulune smiled dryly, "Shame, huh? Sorry the rest of us can't keep up with you."

Asfi glared at the chienthrope, "Shut it, you."

The younger girl just grinned, before her smile dropped, "We got incoming."

Her nose twitched, and her eyes snapped to the wall behind them, "Oh no…"

Asfi blinked in confusion, "What's wrong, Lulune?"

Before the chienthrope could answer, the wall behind them opened up, revealing a number of hooded men.

On cue, more hooded men appeared on the other side of the corridor.

Lulune drew her knife, something mirrored by everyone with their respective weapons, "We're surrounded, Asfi."

The item maker narrowed her eyes, "An ambush. I suppose we should've seen this coming by now."

Without a word, the hooded men all charged the group.

(Linebreak)


Meanwhile, with Fels, the sage had managed to track down the rest of the Hestia Familia and most of the Xenos thanks to his magic.

Ryuu was also amongst their group.

Lili looked around as they moved along the man-made dungeon, "Fels-sama, can you figure out where Bell-sama and Welf-sama are?"

Fels nodded, "Bell Cranel's orb is in the direction we're heading, and from what I can see… no, wait a minute."

The sage paused, "Welf Crozzo and his group seems to be in this direction."

Fels pointed to the right side of where they were going.

Lyd asked, "What about Asterius? Pretty sure we don't have to worry about him, but I'd rather he be here."

The sage nodded, "Last I checked he was at the entrance. He should be inside already, and he'll be looking for anyone who was separated on their own."

The Xenos all nodded in relief, and Aisha asked, "That's one thing settled, but what do we do now? Should we go find Bell or Welf first?"

Haruhime frowned, "Cranel-sama is with Rei-sama and Wiene-sama, but Welf-sama is with the Hermes Familia and some of the Ishtar Familia, I think we should go look for Cranel-sama first."

Ryuu hummed, "A logical decision…"

Lyd nodded, "I'm okay if you want to do that. Aside from Rei and Wiene, all of us Xenos are here now. Personally I'd prefer if all of us were to be together."

Mikoto nodded, "I worry for Wiene-dono too."

Lili looked at the others, "So we'll head for Bell-sama first then."

"Unfortunately, none of you will be going anywhere."

The group turned to see a red haired woman walking into view.

Fels quickly recognized her, "Creature…"

Revis snorted, "You know me?"

She scoffed, "No matter, it's a pain, but none of you will be leaving here alive."

Daphne narrowed her eyes, "And just what can one person do?"

Revis gained a dark smile, "Indeed, but bold of you to assume I am the only one here."

On cue, a dozen violas appeared behind her.

The Creature's lips thinned, "Well, even if it were only me. It'd be more than enough anyway."

"Enough? Don't make me laugh pissant!"

His voice was their only warning, before Bete's feet crashed into one of the violas.

Fels' eyes widened, "Vanargand?!"

Footsteps reached his ears, and the sage turned to see Riveria with Raul and Annakitty.

Lili blinked in surprise, "Loki Familia?!"

The high elf took a brief headcount, but also quickly noticed the tense and cautious looks from the Xenos, the Hestia Familia and Ishtar Familia members.

Riveria took a deep breath, "Relax, we're not here to fight. Not when she's here."

Lili followed her gaze towards Revis and the violas, "Then why?"

The high elf furrowed her brows, "We came here to find out the truth, but not long after we went in, the walls and floors shifted, and we were all split up."

Fels narrowed his eyes, "Split up?"

Riveria nodded as Bete, Raul and Annakitty joined the others in fending off the violas, "There are four others who came in with us, but we have no idea where they are."

The high elf noticed their skeptical looks, and she sighed, "Look, I know we got a rough start with this… a really rough start. But please believe me when I say we still see Bell as a friend."

Lili scowled, "Hard to believe when you attacked him in the dungeon. Not to mention, Finn-sama all but threatened us in our home."

Riveria grimaced, "... I cannot speak for my other Familia members, but right now, with the Evilus and the Creature involved, we can't afford to have to fight a three-way battle."

The high elf wisely left out the fact that the Freya Familia was keeping an eye on their Familia home, which meant the only members of their Familia that could act were all either in Knossos or in Daedalus Street.

Fels asked, "Is that your decision, or the Braver's?"

The high elf answered firmly, "It is mine, but I can assure you it represents our Familia as a whole."

The sage considered the idea, before he nodded, "Very well, I don't believe we have much of a choice for now. I'd rather not have the Loki Familia actively opposing us at the moment."

Riveria nodded in appreciation, "Glad we are in agreement then."

Lili sighed, "Very well."

She gave the high elf a firm glare, "But don't even think about backstabbing us or the Xenos."

Riveria almost smiled in amusement, but knew better than to take her words lightly, "Noted."

The three quickly joined in with the others in fending off the violas and Revis.


With Bete, the werewolf was unleashing a barrage of kicks at the Creature.

Revis held a blank face as she dodged and blocked the kicks with her sword, "Where is Aria?"

Bete scowled, "You won't live long enough to find her!"

The redhead snorted, "You are a Level 6, but you are nowhere near the likes of the prum and dwarf."

The werewolf growled as he kicked her sword aside, "Oh I know, but it's more than enough for you!"

Bete charged at the Creature again, but before he could, more violas got in his way.

The Level 6 adventurer growled, "For fucks sake!"

Before he could get around to destroying the plant monsters, Aisha, Mikoto and Daphne slashed them down.

Bete scowled, "Piss off, you weaklings! Don't get in my way!"

The redhead furrowed her brows, "We're only trying to help."

The werewolf glowered at her, "Don't need it! Now fuck off! I don't want the rabbit to come after me when you dipshits get hurt!"

Aisha sighed, "We don't have time for this."

The Amazoness drew a small sized magic sword she got from Welf, "Here, you'll need this."

She swung it, and to Bete's surprise, the sword unleashed a wave of flames.

The werewolf smirked, "Don't fucking mind if I do then!"

He leaped up, letting his Flosvirts absorb the flames, and with a grunt, he unleashed a flaming kick at the violas, destroying them in a single hit.

Bete glared at Aisha, "Give me more!"

The Amazoness snorted and simply tossed him the sword, "Here, have fun with it."

The werewolf smirked with bloodlust, "Oh I will, now fuck off!"

Daphne frowned, "A thank you wouldn't hurt…"

Bete ignored her, and instead focused on Revis, "Time for round two, bitch!"

The Creature simply stared at him blankly as she kicked one of the Xenos away, before brandishing her sword once more.

The werewolf smirked dangerously, before he swung the magic sword as he ran at her.

(Linebreak)


Meanwhile, back on Daedalus Street, Ottar still stood before the entrance to Knossos in front of Finn and Gareth.

The boaz spoke, "Braver, I have a question."

Finn raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

Ottar stared him in the eye, "As far as I am aware, you and Bell Cranel have always had a friendly relationship. Why oppose him now?"

Gareth hummed, "True that, you never really did explain why ya set us down this path now, did ya, Finn?"

The prum blinked, before he chuckled, "Am I required to answer that question?"

The dwarf snorted, "Look, I don't really care, but I am curious."

Ottar nodded, "I am curious as well. But, Freya-sama will want to know, and she will want retribution. So depending on the answer, it may help if she hears it from me."

Finn grimaced, "Ahh, I see… Truly, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, huh?"

The boaz nodded, "It is merely because we have fought alongside each other in the past, that I ask."

The prum sighed, "Bell-kun and I… we have made two very distinct choices. However humane they may be, I can never let myself side with monsters, and I can assure you many in our Familia are the same."

He stared at Ottar firmly, "As of now, I don't think I can ever trust myself to call the Xenos our allies."

The boaz hummed, "So you side with the Ikelos Familia, despite knowing they have ties to the Evilus."

Finn shook his head, "We know too little, of Knossos, of the Evilus remnants. Once we find the truth, I will do what is just, and I believe in him. Once everything is over, if it is as I expected, we will do everything to clear Bell-kun's name."

The prum noticed Ottar's pointed stare, and he smiled sheepishly, "Well, I suppose… given Bell-kun's title, I couldn't help but want to put myself against him. As a test for myself, and for him."

The boaz almost sighed, "... You play a very very dangerous game, Braver. I will do what I can to placate my goddess, but be aware that she will want justice for this."

Finn nodded, "That will be appreciated."

Gareth scoffed, "Would be a lot better if you at least told us that, you bloody fool."

The prum smiled sheepishly again, "Well, I couldn't risk Ikelos guessing that we weren't really here to help him. We wouldn't be able to get in if he knew."

Ottar nodded, "I suppose you would need to fool even your allies if you are to fool a god."

Finn nodded, "Besides, as much as I take pride in my Familia, unfortunately all of our stronger members are inside Knossos, and the rest of them have no hope against your Familia members."

There were a number of Level 3 and 4s back at their home, but compared to the likes of Allen Fromel and the Gulliver brothers, without at least the members of their Second Strings, they stood no chance.

Gareth snorted, "That seems to be the case, unfortunately."

Ottar snorted, the ghost of a smirk on his face, "Divide and conquer, that was one of your favorite tactics back in the day, is it not?"

Finn sighed, "It is, well, I suppose I have to stop. It's been biting me in the ass more often than not recently."

The dwarf was about to say more, but before they could continue, the ground started shaking.

The three high tier adventurers immediately turned their attention to the entrance of Knossos.

Gareth's lips thinned, "What's happening?"

Finn tightened his grip on his grip, "Nothing good."

The prum looked at Ottar, "We need to go in."

The boaz hummed, "Very well, but if you attempt to hurt Bell Cranel or his allies, know that I will not hold back."

Finn nodded, "Thank you."

He looked at Gareth, "Let's go."

The dwarf nodded, and the three entered the Knossos.

(Linebreak)


Earlier, with Bell, the boy was clashing blades with Dix over and over again.

The Level 5 adventurer cursed as he deflected yet another slash from Bell's swords.

All of his men were dead, having been killed by either the Xenos or Bell's scythes, and whilst all of the Xenos were badly injured, Dix was still vastly outnumbered.

Not to mention, Bell was faster than he expected, and it was taking all he could to keep the boy at bay.

The man briefly considered using his curse, but he quickly remembered Ikelos' words on Bell's abilities, meaning there was a chance Bell could nullify the effects of his curse.

The risk of his curse not working and reducing his stats to that of a Level 4 was simply not worth it.

Dix was torn out of his musings as Bell sent the scythes from his back at him, forcing the Level 5 to back away.

Bell narrowed his eyes as his scythes danced behind him, "Give up, you've got nowhere to run."

The man smirked angrily, "Give up? You really think just because you killed my men, everything is over?"

The white haired boy pointed his sword at the older adventurer, "No, it's over because I'll kill you. If I leave you be, you'll just do the same thing again."

Dix scoffed, "Hah! Didn't think you'd know me so well!"

The man thrusted his spear at Bell, only for him to redirect it to a side with ease.

Not missing a beat, Bell swung his free sword arm, hitting Dix's spear, but he didn't stop and quickly swung his other sword, landing a giant gash on Dix's chest.

The older man grunted in pain as he backed away, and Bell slowly stalked towards him, hints of Lobo leaking through his voice, "What happened to butchering my face?"

Dix growled as he pulled a potion from his pouch, uncorking it.

But before he could use it, Bell's arms lashed out, and Dix winced as the boy slashed at the potion vial.

The contents burst out as the vial shattered, some of it splashing on him, but not enough to heal him.

Dix growled and tried to stab Bell with his spear, only for the boy to easily disarm him with his swords, sending the spear stabbing into the ground.

The aura of Hessian and Lobo danced around Bell menacingly, and the scythes sticking out of his back added to the look.

Bell stared at the man coldly, "This is the end for you."

He raised his swords, but before he could end the man, a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Bell!"

The boy turned to see Lefiya and Ais running into the chamber, and he noted Dix backing away from him.

The two females quickly noticed the corpses in the chamber, along with the large group of Xenos at the other end of the room.

Lefiya's eyes widened in horror, "Bell, did you do this?"

Bell stared at them, but he also kept track of Dix, who was backing away to a wall.

The man forced out, "He killed all my men with those monsters of his! He's the enemy!"

The elf looked at Dix, noting his wounds, but made no attempt to help him as she could see him using his own potions. Not to mention she was still unsure who to help.

Ais, on the other hand, was more focused on Bell and the Xenos.

The half spirit could see Hessian and Lobo, their vestiges blending in and out of Bell's figure.

Seeing the Xenos and the Heroic Spirits Bell had equipped, Ais gripped her sword, "So you chose the monsters."

Lefiya looked at the blonde, "Ais-san?"

Bell steeled his features, quickly knowing what was to come.

The Sword Princess drew her sword, a hint of conflict in her eyes, only to be buried within a sea of hatred as she laid her eyes on the monsters before her, "I will kill monsters. Bell, if you choose to become a monster, I will kill you too."

Bell fully faced the blonde, and with a flex of his back, one of his scythes stabbed Dix in the stomach, before retracting back, "I won't let you."

Ais' eyes turned cold, "I see. Lefiya, stay back."

The elf blinked in confusion, "Ais-san?"

The blonde brandished her sword, "I'll be fine, find a safe spot."

With that said, Ais dashed forward in a burst of speed, and her sword struck Bell's own.

The two quickly started a dangerous dance, their swords constantly swinging at each other, letting sparks fly each time they collided.

Bell parried Ais' sword with both of his own, but he didn't let the older girl regain her balance, quickly sending his scythes on his back at the blonde.

The Sword Princess narrowed her eyes, "TEMPEST!"

The armor of wind formed around her, redirecting the scythes away from her as she jumped away.

Ais widened her footing, "Tempest."

The wind around her grew stronger, and the blonde dashed forward, clashing blades with Bell once more.

The boy grimaced as the wind cut into his skin and armor, leaving multiple gashes on his body.

Bell growled and flailed his scythes at the blonde, this time more forceful than before to penetrate the wind armor.

The scythes broke through, nicking Ais' cheeks as blood streaked down her face.

But that was all the blonde was going to allow, "TEMPEST!"

The wind around her grew stronger yet again, and Ais dashed forward, her sword poised for a thrust.

Bell parried a few of her thrusts and slashes with his own swords and scythes, but his eyes widened when Ais suddenly swung her scabbard at him.

The boy barely managed to bring his scythes back in front of his chest, blocking the strike.

The moment he did, Bell grimaced from the amount of force behind the swing as he was sent skidding backwards on his feet.

The boy growled as he noticed Ais shifting her gaze at the Xenos behind him, and he quickly broke into a dash.

Ais narrowed her eyes as she parried a slash from Bell, and the two blurred before Lefiya's eyes once more.

The elf glanced at the Xenos behind Bell, and Lefiya almost did a double take.

She had seen Wiene and the other Xenos before, and back then she had been so focused on getting to Bell that she didn't get a good look at the monsters.

Now that she did, she could see the Xenos huddled together despite being wounded.

More importantly, Lefiya saw their expressions. Expressions she never would've thought she would see on the face of a monster.

Expressions that showed fear and vulnerability, not unlike that of a human.

Lefiya was torn out of her musings as a loud clang reached her ears, only to see Bell being blown back as Ais chanted her magic again.

The boy growled as he wiped the blood off his cheek, cut from Ais' wind armor.

Bell bent down, the scythes on his back flexing dangerously, and Ais dashed at him again.

As the boy did his best to fend off the blonde's attacks, his mind raced.

Initially, Bell had easily matched Ais blow for blow, but now that she was using Aerial more, it was getting harder to keep up, making the difference in levels apparent.

The boy narrowed his eyes as he blocked a slash with his scythes, considering if he should switch to a different Heroic Spirit.

The moment he did, time stopped around him.

"You are fighting like a monster. She has dedicated her life to slaying monsters, of course you will find it difficult."

A male voice sounded, his voice deep and firm. Despite having never heard the voice before, his existence was quickly known to the Heir to the Throne of Heroes.

Bell took the time to breathe, if only mentally, "And I plan to swap to a more appropriate style of fighting."

The voice chuckled, "Oh I don't doubt it, but I didn't want to pass up this opportunity either. Not when you have inherited my son's powers."

The white haired boy asked, "You would have me use your powers to defend monsters?"

The voice answered, "There is nothing wrong with that. At this moment, you are fighting for the oppressed minority. This fight is a just one, and how can I call myself a knight if I refuse to help?"

Bell snorted, "I suppose you're not wrong."

The voice spoke again, "Then let us begin. You already bear the shield of the Round Table, the Round Table itself. From this day forward, I am thou…"

Bell's lips moved along with his voice, "Thou art I."

The scythes on his back vanished, but he still kept the powers of Hessian and Lobo in his body.

Ais narrowed her eyes the moment she heard his words, and she dashed forward for a slash.

This time, Bell parried them easily as he chanted, "Thou hast acquired a new vow."

Ais furrowed her brows as she swung her sword at the boy, yet he redirected them to a side with his two swords.

"Thy body shall serve under mine will, and mine fate shall be thy sword."

Bell's mind raced as he chanted while fending off Ais' attacks, as images of the Heroic Spirit flashed in his mind.

"Let an oath be sworn here! I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven! I shall dispose of all evil of Hell!"

A knight of the Round Table, arguably the strongest amongst them after the king, the Knight of the Lake.

"If thou dost accede to this will and reason, then come forth from the rings of restraint, o' Protector of the Balances!"

Up against one called the Sword Princess, it was only fitting that Bell inherited his existence.

The boy pushed the blonde's sword away with his own, "LOAD: LANCELOT!"

The air around Bell gave way, as the twin swords from Hessian and Lobo vanished, replaced with a single broadsword.

But unlike the two nameless scythe swords Bell wielded with Hessian and Lobo, this sword was so much more, and both Ais and Lefiya evidently noticed the difference.

This was no simple sword.

It was a holy sword.

No longer Bell stood lumping forward. No, he stood tall and firm, even his demeanor was a lot calmer.

Ais felt conflict arise in her once more as she saw the tall knight overlapping with Bell's figure.

Noble. There was simply no other word that could describe how Bell felt to her now.

The blonde tightened her grip on her sword, "Tempest!"

The winds around her grew stronger, and Ais dashed forward once more.

But this time, Bell was ready, and he no longer fought like a beast would.

With Arondight in hand, the boy easily parried Ais' swings as Lancelot's memories filled his mind.

Ais grunted in frustration as Bell quickly went on the offensive, Arondight moving as if it were an extension of Bell.

The blonde frowned as Bell easily knocked her sword aside, more so than before, and she was quickly forced to back away to avoid a horizontal slash.

Ais stared at Bell, the vestige of Lancelot flickering over him, and she couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

Bell raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

The blonde frowned again, "Why is a spirit like that helping you? Why is he helping monsters?"

The boy quickly understood, the question wasn't directed at him, but at Lancelot. And now that Bell had inherited Lancelot's existence, he also knew the answer.

Bell let out a breath, "Because it is not wrong. It is not a sin for them to live, and it is not a sin to want to protect them."

The boy reached out with his left hand, "Over-Load: Galahad."

The Around Round Shield appeared in his left hand, and Bell placed it on the ground firmly with a loud clang.

As soon as he did, Ais could see the vestiges of Galahad standing beside Bell, while Lancelot stood on the other side.

He spoke again, "Ais-san, I will protect them. I understand where you're coming from, but they are not just monsters."

The blonde tightened her grip on her sword, also clenching her other fist tightly, but she gave him no answer.

Bell continued, "I said this before, and I'll say it one more time. If you want to kill them, I will stop you."

Ais snarled, not voicing her frustrations and conflict, instead opting to glare at the three figures she saw before her.

She broke into a dash, as streaks of darkness started leaking into her wind armor.

Bell grabbed his shield in left arm, and Arondight in his right.

The instant Ais closed in, he swung the shield down, blocking the thrust.

Not missing a beat, Bell leaped onto the shield and spun down with a slash from Arondight.

Ais growled and brought her scabbard up, her wind armor and the sheath barely blocking the strike from the holy sword.

But Bell wasn't done, as he quickly grabbed the Around Round Shield and slammed it into Ais' abdomen, earning him a silent scream as the blonde was sent flying backwards.

The blonde got to her feet, and she chanted, "TEMPEST!"

The wind raged around her as she dashed forward once more, and in response, Bell dispelled the Around Round Shield to hold Arondight with both hands.

In the blink of an eye, Ais had closed the distance between herself and the boy, but Bell reacted just as quickly.

The two swung their swords, passing each other as they did.

Bell held back a wince as Ais' wind armor had given him a few shallow but very much painful cuts.

Ais, on the other hand, was less hurt, suffering only a shallow cut on her chest armor.

The blonde quickly turned her focus on the Xenos, but before she could move, she heard Bell speak, "Set…"

Ais snapped towards the boy, as he finished his chant, "Arondight… Overload."

The blonde looked confused as Bell had yet to move, but her attention was quickly drawn to the blue glow from her chest armor.

Ais' eyes widened as the glow got brighter, before the cut exploded, sending her crashing into the ground near Lefiya.

The elf rushed to her side in worry, "Ais-san!"

Bell turned to face them, "Don't worry. I held back, she won't die from that."

The blonde swordswoman growled as she pushed herself up, but as she did, Lefiya quickly held on to her with worry, "That's enough, Ais-san!"

Ais scowled, "What are you saying, Lefiya? We have to-"

The elf cut her off, "No. I think… I think I understand why Bell wants to protect them now."

Bell blinked, "Lefiya…"

Lefiya looked at Bell, before at the Xenos at the other end of the chamber, "They… The Xenos, look at them. They're hurt, scared even. They're not just monsters."

Ais gritted her teeth in frustration, "But-"

"Ughh, that's enough of your sappy bullshit!"

The three turned to see Dix struggling to his feet, leaning on the wall that was stained with his blood.

Bell narrowed his eyes, but before he could speak, the Level 5 spat, "To think a Level 6 would lose to a shitty level 3! Guess the Loki Familia ain't all that, huh?"

The white haired boy pointed Arondight at him, "You think you can still talk like that? It's over."

Dix smirked, "I know, but if everything is going to be over, well, it has to be with a bang, yeah?"

He brought out a crystal sphere from his back pouch, and with a smirk, twisted it in his hands.

As soon as he did, the floor started to shake vigorously.

Bell and Lefiya did their best to stay on their feet, and the elf asked, "W-what's going on?!"

Bell grunted as he widened his footing, "What did you do?!"

Dix laughed, but pain shot through his body as he coughed, but the smirk was still plastered on his face, "See this little bad boy here? I made some modifications to the labyrinth. In a few seconds, this whole floor will collapse!"

Ais got to her feet, frowning as Lefiya yelled, "Are you crazy?!"

The Level 5 adventurer smirked, "If I'm not getting out here alive, might as well take you lot with me."

"Bell!"

The boy turned to see Wiene and Rei approaching him, the rest of the Xenos not far behind, but much more cautious.

The siren asked with urgency in her voice, "What do we do? The others are still somewhere in there."

A random harpy asked, "How do we get out? We don't know where the exit is."

Bell looked at the other Xenos, and he was about to say run, when an idea hit him, "... I have an idea… it might work."

The boy looked at Lefiya, "Lefiya, Ais-san… Can I trust you to watch Dix?"

The elf looked surprised at his request, before she nodded, "Alright."

Lefiya looked at Ais, who had her eyes trained on the Xenos, "Ais-san?"

The blonde swordswoman took a deep breath, before she turned to watch Dix.

Bell nodded in satisfaction, before he closed his eyes.

He reached out, or rather, in, towards his back that would always grow warm when he inherited a Heroic Spirit.

The hero he had in mind was of Greece, just like Heracles.

A hero who made his way through the labyrinth to slay the Minatour.

A hero that-

"He… can't… help you… here."

Time froze around Bell, cutting off his line of thought as male's voice rang in his mind.

The boy's eyes widened, "W-what?"

The voice responded, as if struggling to get out each word, "He… can't… But I… can! We… will help… Xenos!"

By now, Bell already knew who had connected to him, and he took a deep breath, "Alright, I trust you."

The voice giggled, "Okay!"

They both spoke in unison, "I am thou…"

"And thou… art I."

Time resumed as Bell continued chanting, "Thou hast acquired a new vow."

Memories flashed through his mind, as he learnt of a story he had already heard from his grandfather as a child.

"Thy body shall serve under mine will. Mine fate shall be thy sword."

A story that involved the same hero he tried to reach out to earlier, but instead, focused on the other side of the story.

"An oath shall be sworn. I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven. I shall dispose of all evil of Hell."

The story of a boy who was born to a queen and a bull, ostracized by the king that was his father.

"Thou shall let chaos blind thine eyes, and I, he who doth hold thy chains!"

The story of a boy that was cast away into a labyrinth.

"If thou dost accede to this will and reason, then answer my call!"

The story of a boy who unwillingly became a monster to be slain by heroes.

"Come forth from the rings of restraint, o' Protector of the Balances!"

A boy who, because of his body of a man with the head of a bull, became known as Minotauros.

His true name was…

"Load: ASTERIOS!"

To the surprise of the Xenos, Bell chanted a name that was very familiar to them, and that surprise extended to Lefiya and Ais when they felt the aura appear around the boy.

Similar to Hessian and Lobo, the aura did not feel human at all, much less heroic.

No, Bell had once again contracted the spirit of a monster.

A pair of giant axes appeared in his hands, and Bell took a deep breath, noting the floor shaking more violently than before.

The boy absently noted Finn, Gareth and Ottar arriving, talking to Lefiya and Ais, but he paid them no heed.

He was more worried about the labyrinth collapsing, and with the new spirit he had, he could stop it.

Unlike the other Noble Phantasms, this was one that barely needed a chant, simply because it was the manifestation of a place Asterios called home.

The boy reached in, and then out towards the labyrinth around him, "SET: CHAOS LABYRINTHOS!"

His body took on a purple glow, before that glow expanded out towards and into the walls of Knossos.

Then, to everyone's shock, the shaking stopped.

Dix gaped, "W-what… What did you do?"

Bell opened his eyes, reining in Asterios' personality from leaking, "I expanded my influence into this labyrinth. Your device won't work anymore."

Finn hummed as he studied the boy, "Is this the power of another hero?"

The boy glanced at him, wary of his presence considering there were plenty of wounded Xenos behind him, "Hardly. But I suppose you could say he's a hero in his own right, he was just unfortunate."

Bell walked to place himself between Finn and the Xenos, "So, Finn-san, Gareth-san, I'm assuming you're both here to kill the Xenos."

Finn spared Ottar a glance, before looking back at Bell, "Unfortunately, or fortunately, I suppose… I don't think we can win against you and Ottar together. As it is, we are pretty outnumbered."

The boy stared at the prum for a moment, before looking at Ottar, who gave him a nod.

Bell sighed, "I'll take that, I suppose."

He turned towards Dix, who was inching away for another corridor.

Gareth asked, "What are you doing, lad?"

The boy raised his ax, "Putting this to an end."

As soon as those words reached his ears, Dix panicked as he quickly turned to see Bell before him, "W-wait! You're all just gonna let him kill me?! He-"

The man was cut short, quite literally as Bell beheaded him in a single stroke.

Lefiya looked away, unable to bear seeing the man's head fall to the floor, while the others just watched somberly.

Bell dispelled the axes, and he turned towards the Xenos, but the moment he did, the ground shook again.

But unlike before, it wasn't the ground itself shaking. Rather, it sounded like heavy footsteps.

Everyone watched, as a giant figure emerged from the corridors, a giant black minotaur.

Rei's eyes lit up with recognition, "Asterius!"

His name did not go unnoticed by the adventurers, and the minotaur Xenos nodded to Rei, before focusing on Bell.

Bell met the stare, and for some weird reason, found him familiar.

Asterius spoke, "You."

Rei asked, "Asterius, what's wrong?"

The minotaur spoke, "All this while, I've dreamt."

His words caught everyone's attention, and Asterius continued, "I dreamt of myself fighting a human. That human was weak in the beginning, but then, he changed, as if he became a different person. His power was overwhelming, and it ended me in an instant."

The minotaur stared at Bell, "You… you are that human. I've longed to meet you. Tell me your name."

Bell suddenly had an inkling as to who the Xenos before him was, "Bell… Bell Cranel."

Asterius nodded, "Thank you, Bell."

Rei's eyes widened as she realized what was happening, "Wait, Asterius! You don't mean the adventurer that killed you before-"

The minotaur nodded, "It is him. The adventurer that wielded lightning."

Asterius looked at his fellow Xenos, "Rei, would you bring everyone to safety?"

The siren nodded, "Of course… What about you?"

She knew the answer, but she wanted to ask anyway, hoping to be wrong.

Alas, that hope would not be answered, as Asterius stepped forward, "Bell, would you grant me a rematch?"

Finn's eyes widened, as he quickly recalled witnessing Bell's first adventurer, "A rematch? Wait… That means…"

Ottar stayed silent, but it didn't change the fact that he was interested.

Gareth and Lefiya were both confused, and as for Ais, she quickly arrived at the same conclusion as Finn.

Bell let out a breath, "Asterius, I see… You're that minotaur from back then."

He shook his head, "I would like to, but we are still in enemy territory. Our allies, including the other Xenos are still within the labyrinth."

Asterius nodded, "I understand, but I have been waiting for this moment my entire life."

Bell closed his eyes, he knew where everyone else was now thanks to his Noble Phantasm.

Against his better judgement, the white haired boy nodded, "Alright."

Bell walked forward and Asterius did the same until they stood in the middle of the chamber.

As they stood before each other, the Xenos all went to the far end of the chamber.

Gareth asked, "Finn, what do we do?"

The prum answered, "Nothing."

The dwarf raised an eyebrow, "Nothing?"

Finn nodded, "I'm not going to lie. If what that minotaur said is true… Then Bell-kun is having a rematch for the fight that made him a Level 2 adventurer."

Gareth's eyes widened in surprise, "What?"

The prum nodded, "This… this has given me a lot to think about."

He glanced at the cages around the chamber, "It is clear that Bell-kun is not at fault here. The Ikelos Familia were using Knossos for monster trafficking."

Finn focused on Bell and Asterius once more, "And well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in seeing this unfold. I'm sure Ottar is of the same mind."

The boaz simply nodded, "Do not interfere."

His words were more directed at Ais, and while no one responded to his words, they knew better than to actually interfere.

Finn's eyes locked onto Bell, and his mind raced, before he nodded to himself as he made his decision.

But for now, he would bear witness to this rematch.

As if on cue, both hero and monster charged, each holding a giant axe in both hands as they clashed whilst the others watched.


XXX

So that's it for this chapter. The next one will probably be the last of the Xenos arc.

Again, I do not know when I can get another chapter out. I've settled my housing issue, but now I'm hit with a VISA issue. So we'll see how it goes.

Hopefully I'll get more time to work on a new chapter soon.

Until then, read and review please.

Cheers.