A.N: I'm trying out a lesser word count for these coming chapters, I think I tried spreading everything out with a higher word count, and it ultimately had the vision spread too thin. With that said, please enjoy, and leave a review if you feel like it.
Chapter 22: To the Battlefield
The sun was just beginning to rise as they made their way to the War Game site—an old, crumbling fortress at the outskirts of Orario. It was a relic from a long-forgotten age, its stone walls worn by time but still formidable.
Apollo Familia had already taken their positions within, banners flying from the towers, soldiers patrolling the perimeter. They stood tall, confident in their numbers.
As Hestia Familia arrived, the crowd gathered along the viewing stands. Gods and adventurers alike had come to witness the battle—some out of curiosity, others to place their bets on the outcome.
From his seat high above, Apollo smirked, lounging with an air of absolute certainty. "So, they actually showed up," he mused, amusement lacing his voice. "How tragic."
Hestia glared up at him but said nothing. Instead, she turned to her Familia, placing a hand on Bell's shoulder. "It's time."
The rules were simple. The first to defeat the enemy commander would win.
Bell would take the lead, aiming straight for Apollo Familia's captain. Meanwhile, Yuu, Welf, and Lili would cause as much disruption as possible outside, creating openings for Bell to slip through.
A horn sounded, signaling the start of the battle.
Bell clenched his fists. "Let's go!"
The moment the signal flared, Apollo Familia sprang into action.
Archers stationed along the fortress walls loosed a volley of arrows. Yuu reacted instantly, pulling Bell aside as the arrows rained down, striking the dirt where they had just stood.
"Damn it," Welf growled. "They were ready for us!"
Lili pulled out a small crossbow, firing back with deadly precision. "Then let's show them we're ready too!"
Bell moved fast, dashing toward the outer walls with Yuu close behind. Apollo's foot soldiers charged forward to intercept, their spears gleaming in the sunlight.
Yuu darted ahead, ducking under a wide swing before delivering a sharp counterstrike. Her short sword cut through the air, meeting resistance against the soldier's armor but still drawing blood.
Beside her, Bell spun, his blade flashing as he deflected an attack before delivering a powerful kick that sent his opponent sprawling.
The battlefield was chaos—steel clashing against steel, shouts echoing through the stone walls, the rhythmic thud of arrows embedding into the dirt.
But they pressed forward.
Bell moved like a ghost, his speed overwhelming his opponents, each strike filled with purpose. Yuu covered his flanks, her strikes calculated, her footwork precise. She didn't need to overpower them—just outmaneuver them, create openings, let Bell push deeper into their defenses.
Welf and Lili held the backline, keeping the reinforcements from overwhelming them.
Reaching the fortress itself was one thing. Getting inside was another.
Bell skidded to a stop at the base of the wall, eyes scanning for an entrance.
"There!" Yuu pointed to a half-crumbled section further down, partially hidden by debris.
Bell nodded, already moving. But as they approached, a new wave of enemies rushed to block their path—three heavily armored soldiers, their weapons at the ready.
Yuu exhaled. "Looks like they're not gonna make this easy."
Bell's grip tightened on his sword. "Then we don't give them the chance."
One of the soldiers lunged at Bell, spear thrusting forward in a deadly arc. Bell dodged, closing the distance in a blink before slamming his knee into the soldier's chest, knocking the wind out of him.
Yuu stepped in before the next soldier could react, her blade slipping past his guard to cut a clean line across his leg, forcing him to his knees.
The final soldier hesitated—just long enough for Bell to take him down with a clean, powerful slash.
Lili fired a quick shot at the archer above them, clearing the last immediate threat.
Bell turned to Yuu, breathless but exhilarated. "We're in!"
The moment Bell and Yuu stepped past the shattered section of the wall, the air inside the fortress changed. The outside had been chaotic, a battlefield full of shifting fronts, but inside was different.
It was controlled. Methodical.
Apollo Familia wasn't panicking. They were waiting.
"Bell, Yuu—move!" Welf's voice rang out just as a heavy iron gate crashed down behind them, sealing the gap they'd slipped through.
Yuu spun just in time to see Apollo's soldiers cutting off their escape route. "Tch. That was fast."
Bell tightened his grip on his sword. "They were ready for us."
From the upper walkways, a voice rang out—smooth, confident, and far too pleased with itself. "Welcome to the heart of our battlefield."
Hyacinthus.
Apollo Familia's captain stood above them, looking down with a smirk. His blue cape billowed slightly as he rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"I expected you to make it this far, Cranel. But don't fool yourself into thinking you've already won."
Bell's expression remained firm, but Yuu could sense the tension in him. This wasn't their first encounter with Hyacinthus. Bell had already suffered at his hands before—humiliatingly so.
But this wasn't the same Bell Cranel.
And Hyacinthus had no idea what was coming.
The structure of the fortress worked against them. Unlike the outer battlefield, where open space allowed movement, the inside was tight, corridors twisting into choke points designed to favor the defenders.
Welf and Lili remained outside, doing their best to keep Apollo Familia's reinforcements from overwhelming them. Bell and Yuu were on their own.
And Hyacinthus had positioned himself right between them and the throne room—the War Game's objective.
"He's baiting you," Yuu murmured, keeping her stance loose but ready. "He wants you to charge in."
Bell exhaled, steadying himself. "I know."
But before they could react, the soldiers moved.
Five of them rushed forward, spears glinting as they attempted to separate Yuu from Bell.
Yuu was faster.
She dropped low, slipping past the first thrust before driving her short sword up under a soldier's arm. The armor took most of the impact, but it was enough to force him back.
Bell countered another attack, his speed overwhelming the soldier's sluggish reactions. His sword moved in clean, precise arcs—each strike calculated, each movement sharper than the last time he'd faced Hyacinthus.
But then—
Clang!
A powerful strike sent Bell skidding backward, his boots scraping against the stone.
Hyacinthus had moved.
The man stood before them now, sword raised, golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Much better than last time," he admitted. "But still not enough."
Bell adjusted his stance, breathing deep.
This was his chance.
Last time, he had been too slow. Too inexperienced. But now, he wasn't just some nameless rookie being beaten into the dirt.
Now, he had Argonaut.
Hyacinthus moved first.
His sword cut through the air like a blur, and Bell barely managed to meet the strike in time. The force behind it sent vibrations up his arms, but he held firm, pushing back against the weight of Hyacinthus' attack.
The captain smirked. "Stronger. But still—"
A second sword swing came, this one lower, aimed to trip Bell's footing. But before it could connect—
Yuu was there.
Her short sword intercepted the strike, redirecting the blade just enough to throw off its trajectory. Hyacinthus' eyes flicked toward her, momentarily caught off guard.
She grinned. "Forgot about me already?"
Bell took advantage of the opening.
He surged forward, blade igniting with the faint glow of Argonaut. His sword struck, meeting Hyacinthus' defense with a powerful impact that sent the older adventurer staggering back.
Hyacinthus' smirk finally faltered.
Hyacinthus straightened, rolling his shoulders before giving them both an appraising look. "Fine. Let's see how long you last."
The battle shifted.
Hyacinthus no longer played around. His strikes came faster, sharper, and his footwork was near-flawless. But Bell—Bell kept up.
Yuu could see the difference.
Bell's movements weren't frantic anymore. They were controlled, deliberate. His training with Ais, his battles in the Dungeon—it was all coming together.
And then, he did something Hyacinthus wasn't expecting.
He smiled.
Yuu smirked as well, catching on. "He's starting to get it."
Hyacinthus frowned. "What are you—"
Bell disappeared.
A burst of Argonaut-enhanced speed sent him right past Hyacinthus' guard.
The captain barely had time to react before Bell struck, his blade cutting a clean line across Hyacinthus' armor.
A hit.
A solid, undeniable hit.
For the first time in this War Game, Hyacinthus stumbled.
And the crowd outside? They saw it.
Gasps rippled through the spectators. Whispers turned into murmurs.
Bell Cranel had just landed a hit on Apollo's captain.
Hyacinthus' golden eyes darkened. He was no longer amused. He was furious.
Hyacinthus' golden aura flared, his divine blessing surging as he forced Yuu and Bell back with a powerful, sweeping strike. The impact sent shockwaves through the stone floor, cracking it beneath their feet.
Yuu landed in a crouch, bracing herself. This bastard still had more left in him. Across from her, Bell was already on his feet, his chest heaving but his expression unshaken. He'd tasted Hyacinthus' strength before—but this time, he wasn't afraid. Hyacinthus rolled his shoulders, his smirk returning. "Impressive. But you're still insects playing at war."
"You talk too much," Yuu muttered, pushing herself up.
Hyacinthus scoffed. "And you're just a shadow in someone else's fight." His eyes flicked back to Bell. "This is between me and the boy."
Yuu's jaw clenched. Shadow?
"Then you're a fool."
She surged forward without hesitation. Hyacinthus barely managed to parry her first strike, the force behind it pushing him back a step. He countered instantly, his sword swinging in a deadly arc—only for Bell to intercept him from the opposite side. The captain barely had time to adjust before both Yuu and Bell attacked in perfect tandem.
Left. Right. Low strike. Parry. Step back. Engage.
Bell moved with fierce determination, his sword flashing as he pressed Hyacinthus harder than before. His speed was increasing. His instincts were sharper. He wasn't just reacting—he was adapting.
Yuu matched him, each successful strike built momentum, her sword moving faster, her strikes hitting harder.
His frustration became evident as he gritted his teeth, his golden aura flaring dangerously. "You think numbers will help you?!"
His footwork shifted. In an instant, he abandoned defense and went fully on the offensive. Bell barely ducked in time as Hyacinthus' blade cleaved through the air, carving a deep gash into the stone pillar behind him. Yuu moved to intercept—but she was a fraction too slow.
Hyacinthus turned on her with blinding speed, his sword arcing toward her ribs. Her instincts screamed. She twisted at the last second, avoiding a fatal hit, but the blade ripped across her side, pain lancing through her body.
"Yuu!" Bell shouted, his eyes flaring with anger.
She stumbled but gritted her teeth, her vision swimming for a moment. The cut wasn't deep—but it was a reminder. Hyacinthus wasn't just strong.
He was trying to kill them.
Bell's grip on his sword tightened. His breathing steadied. The edges of his vision blurred as Argonaut activated, the skill charging his next attack. Hyacinthus noticed it instantly. "Oh? You're trying that again?" He smirked, raising his sword. "I crushed you before, and I'll do it again—"
Bell vanished. One second he was standing still. The next— He was directly in front of Hyacinthus.
The charged attack struck like a thunderclap, Bell's sword slamming into Hyacinthus' blade with such force that the golden-haired captain was sent skidding backward, nearly crashing into the far wall.
Hyacinthus' expression faltered. He looked down. His sword had cracked. The realization made the crowd erupt outside the fortress. Whispers, cheers, shock.
Bell Cranel had damaged Hyacinthus' weapon. Hestia, watching from the stands, clenched her fists with excitement. "That's my Bell!"
Apollo's smirk twitched. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair. "How... unexpected."
Hyacinthus' moment of hesitation was all Yuu needed.
Ignoring the pain in her side, she closed the distance, pivoting low before striking with surgical precision. Her short sword found a gap in his armor, slicing into his unprotected thigh.
A clean hit. Hyacinthus let out a sharp hiss, staggering back, golden light flashing around him in a desperate attempt to reinforce his failing defenses. He was losing ground.
Yuu flicked the blood off her blade, her smirk returning. "Still think I'm just a shadow?"
Hyacinthus glaring at her now—genuinely, furiously. "You little—"
Bell moved first.
Before Hyacinthus could recover, Bell launched a second Argonaut-charged strike, his speed nearly blurring. Hyacinthus tried to parry—but his cracked sword couldn't hold. With a final, deafening impact, Bell's sword shattered Hyacinthus' weapon completely.
The battlefield had fallen silent.
Bell and Yuu stood at the heart of the ruined fortress, the dust settling around them. Hyacinthus knelt before them, his shattered sword lying useless at his side.
Outside, the crowd erupted into chaos. The spectators—gods and adventurers alike—were stunned. The ones who had placed their bets on Apollo Familia shouted in disbelief, while those who had rooted for Hestia Familia cheered so loudly that the ground itself seemed to vibrate.
The official overseeing the War Game raised his hand, his voice ringing out through the arena.
"The battle is decided! The victors of this War Game are—
HESTA FAMILIA!"
The thunderous roar of the crowd swallowed the final words, but there was no mistaking their meaning.
Hestia Familia had won.
And Apollo had lost everything.
Up in the spectator stands, Apollo's once-smug expression had twisted into a mask of rage. His golden eyes burned with disbelief as he gripped the armrest of his seat, his knuckles turning white.
"No… No, this can't be happening…!"
Hestia, who had been practically vibrating with excitement, grinned as she turned toward him, hands on her hips.
"What's wrong, Apollo? Didn't expect my kids to wipe the floor with yours?"
Apollo turned on her, teeth bared, his fury barely contained. "You cheated. There's no way that little rabbit defeated Hyacinthus—"
Hestia cut him off with a triumphant laugh. "Cry harder, loser."
Several gods around them snickered, some whispering amongst themselves.
"Looks like Apollo's famous golden warrior wasn't so invincible after all."
"Bell Cranel, huh? That boy's full of surprises."
"And that girl, Yuu—she fought like a monster. I'd hate to be on her bad side."
Apollo's cheeks burned with humiliation as his fellow gods mocked him. But then, his expression darkened. His lips curled into a snarl.
"This isn't over—!"
But before he could finish, the War Game's officiator stepped forward, his presence alone enough to silence Apollo's rage.
"Apollo, you know the terms of the War Game. Your defeat is absolute. You are now bound by the wager you set."
Hestia's grin widened. "That's right. And that means..."
She turned to the entire coliseum, throwing her arms up.
"Apollo Familia is DISBANDED! And you are to never return Orario!"
A stunned hush fell over the crowd before a wave of cheers erupted once more. Apollo, now visibly trembling, looked to the officiator in desperation. "Surely there's some kind of appeal—!"
The officiator's expression was stone. "The rules of the Gods are absolute. You wagered your Familia's existence and lost."
Apollo's mouth opened—then closed. There was nothing he could do. Hestia savored every second of watching him realize that. She leaned in close, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "And since you were so eager to bet everything, don't forget—your mansion is mine now, too."
Apollo flinched as if struck. His pride, his home, his Familia—gone. His eyes darkened, lips curling in hatred. But he couldn't argue. He couldn't fight. All he could do was accept his defeat. As Apollo sat in stunned silence, down in the fortress courtyard, Hyacinthus remained frozen on his knees.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. Bell. The weak, pathetic rookie he had humiliated before. The boy he had dismissed as a fluke. That boy had just defeated him.
But Hyacinthus did not bother to turn his gaze to Bell or Yuu. His gaze lifted to where Apollo sat—where his god refused to even look at him.
Apollo was done with him. Just like that, the man he had devoted his life to had abandoned him. Something in Hyacinthus' expression shattered. His hands trembled, his once-proud shoulders slumping forward.
And then, without another word… He got up and walked away.
Not toward Apollo. Not toward his fallen comrades. Just… away.
Yuu's eyes narrowed as she watched him disappear through the ruined archway. She had seen that look before. That was the face of a man who had lost everything. But she felt no pity. He had brought this on himself.
With the War Game officially over, the Guild moved quickly to enforce the terms of Apollo's defeat. By sundown, Hestia Familia stood in front of Apollo's now-former mansion—a massive, opulent estate that dwarfed their old hideout in every possible way.
Hestia clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Alright! Time to move in!"
Bell, Yuu, Welf, and Lili all stared up at the mansion.
"…I don't even know where to start," Bell admitted.
"It's so… big," Lili muttered.
Welf let out a low whistle, crossing his arms. "Can't believe it's ours."
Hestia bounced in excitement. "No more sleeping in storage rooms for us! We've got halls! Bedrooms! A kitchen that isn't just a fire hazard!"
Bell chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "It really is a big change..."
Yuu crossed her arms, smirking. "Yeah, yeah. But the important question is—who gets the best room?"
Hestia immediately raised a hand. "ME."
Yuu rolled her eyes. "Of course."
Welf and Lili snickered as Hestia raced inside, already claiming her space.
Bell turned to Yuu, smiling softly. "Guess we really did it."
Yuu met his gaze, feeling something warm settle in her chest. "Yeah. We did." And for the first time in a long time, she felt at home.