Heroes

by The Four Crosses

A powerful figure has returned to Orario seeking Bell. What does this person want? What will happen to Bell and all those around him? How will the gods react, and, more importantly, what will they uncover upon their return? (My not so grand return to Fanfiction is here!)

57. Bell vs Athena

Hello my wonderful readers! Welcome back. Well, it's time to get back to our story and see what happens next, so let's jump right into it, shall we?

Oh, but before we begin, CommanderZer0 made a TV tropes page for this story. I've never had anyone do that for one of my works (as far as I'm aware), and I would be happy if you all were willing to add to it and make it as complete as possible. If you are willing to help out, here's the link: tvtropes pmwiki /pmwiki. php/Fanfic/HeroesDanmachi (Spaces added because Fanfiction doesn't like links). Thank you. Now onto the story.

I do not own Danmachi

---

Agrippina made her way through the palace, smiling gleefully, but with a hint of victory playing in her features.

She's almost there. Athena-sama was right, those flowers did their work, though it did take longer than expected.

The Athena vice-captain shrugged it off. A moment later, she arrived at her destination, Athena's quarters.

"Athena-sama is expecting you," one of the guards said before turning and pushing the button on a communication device attached to the wall.

"What is it?" Athena asked.

"Agrippina-sama is here, Athena-sama."

"Good. Send her in."

The guards opened the doors and Agrippina walked inside.

Athena's quarters were huge and looked more like a library than anything else, with towering bookshelves rising high above the mortal officer.

Agrippina delved down the main aisle until she reached an area filled with the furniture one would expect in a bedroom, though all of it looked exceedingly expensive.

Lounging in her bed in an uncharacteristically immodest nightie, Athena looked over some reports before turning her gaze to Agrippina.

"I take it from that smile you have good news?"

"Yes, Athena-sama. Very good news. The flower is doing its job. It won't be long until Haruhime is fully willing to be ours."

"Very good. Her power will be very useful to us and having one so lovely in our ranks certainly won't be terrible," Athena said, giving her vice-captain a knowing smile.

"N-No...not at all," Agrippina blushed.

"Still, I'm surprised she resisted the flower for so long. We risked giving her a double-dose, and there's little doubt that her sudden change of heart will raise suspicion, but unless Achilles decides to go on a one man war with us, which he would be foolish to do, then there is little to fear."

Though if Dido is correct, it's actually the boy I need to be worried over, Athena thought as she lost her smile. But that's why I'm working on dealing with him, she continued, regaining her smile as she remembered her plan.

"Yes, she has been remarkably resistant, especially when-" Agrippina suddenly stopped, catching her goddess's attention.

"When…?"

"When...Bell Cranel popped up," Agrippina growled.

The report in Athena's hand crumbled as her previous lack grip turned into a fist.

"Bell Cranel."

Athena suddenly threw the reports on her bed aside and jumped out of the sheets, startling Agrippina.

"I am sick of hearing that name. Bell Cranel this. Bell Cranel that. It's infuriating," she snarled, "he's either getting in the way of my goals or I'm being told that he's the most dangerous creature in the world besides the Black Dragon. This...boy! Needs to be removed!"

"Just give the order, Athena-sama, and we will remove him immediately!" her vice-captain declared, taking a knee before her goddess.

"I appreciate the loyalty, Agrippina, I really do, but don't be a fool," Athena said more calmly, "he dealt with the assassins sent after him despite being poisoned. I would have to send half of our entire familia to feel any confidence is success, and we would still have his familia and the other Orario adventurers to deal with."

Agrippina looked down, feeling foolish and disappointed.

"No, I have a plan that should deal with him well enough and without any risk to ourselves."

"Really, Athena-sama?" Agrippina asked, her head shooting back up as her smile returned.

"Yes. It's a simple plan and certainly not fool proof, but it should work well enough," Athena replied before handing her vice-captain a report.

Agrippina took and read it before her eyes widened.

"We've found him."

"Mhmm," Athena confirmed. "We've finally pinned down Ares's location, at least for now. Tomorrow, I will take Bell Cranel aside and give him a 'special secret mission', boys always love the sound of that." Agrippina chuckled darkly. "And tell him where Ares is, but that he must keep it a secret for fear that Rakian spies will discover we know where that fool is and move him. I won't give him time to think and immediately usher him to the battlefield so that he can 'end the war by himself' or whatever will make him feel important." Another dark chuckle from the vice-captain. "Then Bell Cranel will happily rush off to capture Ares. However, what he won't know is that I've already tipped off Ares and told him that a single assassin is being sent his way. Now, Ares or his advisors might decide to just up and leave, which isn't ideal, but not terrible for our purposes. At the very least Bell Cranel will be deep in enemy territory alone. However, knowing that idiot god, he'll be confident he can deal with a single assailant, especially since I'll tell him the assassin is not Achilles. No, Ares will gather his best soldiers and mercenaries and lay a trap for Bell Cranel, which the boy, eager to be a hero, will rush into. From there, if all goes to plan, he'll be overwhelmed and finally be out of our hair."

"That's brilliant, Athena-sama!" Agrippina shouted, jumping to her feet. "And the Hestia familia will have little justification to point the finger at you given it's just a stupid boy acting irrationally."

"Precisely. They'll still suspect I had a part to play, but if they act out against me, they'll be condemned by the other familias."

"You really are a genius, Athena-sama! And once Bell Cranel is out of the way, Haruhime will join our ranks without issue."

"Exactly. Everything will fall into place. Within a few days, this war with Rakia will be over, Haruhime Sanjouno will be a member of our familia, the Orario adventurers will be gone, and Bell Cranel will be dead."

---

Haruhime made her way towards the palace, reciting her lines in her head.

Okay. I can do this. It's not really keeping a secret, it's just fulfilling a friendly request. That's all, even with her mind as foggy and gray as it was, that sounded terrible to her.

She was pulled from her thoughts when something crashed into the ground beside her, causing her to spin around.

"There you are," Achilles said as he walked over to her.

"A-Achilles! W-What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question, Haruhime. You left without telling anyone where you were going or leaving a note," he replied.

"But Agrippina-s-" she covered her mouth.

Achilles's eyes narrowed.

"So it was Agrippina."

"N-No...I-I-"

"What did she want?" Achilles cut her off.

Haruhime did not immediately reply, she could not.

I already broke my promise! How could I?! But...is that really so bad? Isn't my promise to my familia more important? Oh, I don't know anymore!

Haruhime's thoughts stopped when a soft hand fell on her head and began to affectionately stroke her hair.

She turned and found Achilles kneeling before her, all his previous anger gone as he looked at her with nothing but concerned, patient eyes.

"What's going on Haruhime?" he asked gently.

His gentle tone helped soothe her, allowing her to take a deep breath.

"Nothing, Achilles. I promise. Agrippina simply invited me out to see Athens. I guess in my excitement I forgot to write a note or tell anyone. I'm very sorry," she answered, backing up enough to bow.

Achilles's eyes narrowed again, but this time, not in anger, but confusion.

She's lying. But why would she lie about anything, let alone this?

He couldn't think of an answer, no matter how hard he tried.

Something's not right here. No, something's very wrong and I don't know what, his grip on his sword tightened, and I really don't like that.

"Alright," he finally said as he stood back up. "Let's go inside. The others are worried sick about you, especially Bell."

The mention of her beloved's name felt like a knife to the heart.

"I...I'm sorry," she said so weakly it could barely be heard.

"You can apologize and explain when we get back inside. Come on," he said, giving her a smile to try and ease the guilt she was feeling, but also in the hope that it would encourage her to tell the truth.

She managed a small smile back and nodded.

"Yes. Let's."

---

The two entered the Mania apartments where they found Hestia sitting on one of the couches, waiting for everyone's return.

Hearing them enter, she turned and, seeing Haruhime, jumped to her feet and ran over.

"Haruhime! There you are! Where were you?! What happened? Are you alright?"

Each question felt like a needle stabbing her heart. Haruhime practically collapsed on herself as the weight of her guilt bore down on her more and more, making her want to spew out apologies and explain herself.

B-But I can't...I...promised Agrippina.

The fogginess around her mind now felt suffocating. Like it was hiding something from her and pushing her towards a certain end, yet she couldn't resist it.

"I-I-I'm alright," she finally managed, though her throat was so constricted it actually took effort to speak. "I'm t-terribly sorry I w-worried all of you."

"Well what happened? Did Agrippina do something to you? We heard from Rei that she was here earlier."

The fog in her mind grew denser and she felt the sense of being lost grow, yet, once again, the fog, directed by Agrippina's words, pushed her towards a predetermined path.

"N-No...I-I-I mean…"

She was saved from further attempts at speech by Achilles.

"Let's wait for everyone to get back, so she doesn't have to repeat herself," he said.

Both ladies turned to him and while Hestia nodded, Haruhime felt both great relief and absolute terror.

E-Everyone? T-That means...B-B-Bel-

"Haruhime?"

Her heart stopped. She turned.

There he was. Her beloved hero, staring at her with his oh so warm and gentle rubies.

"B-Bell-"

She, once again, was not allowed to finish as, before she could blink, she was wrapped in his arms so tightly it should have been painful. Yet it wasn't. If anything, it was even more gentle than his eyes and far warmer.

"Thank goodness," he whispered into her ear, "thank Heaven you're alright."

The fog grew even denser and her mind fell into such lost disarray that she felt like she would fall over in confusion. She tried to say something, anything, in reply, but she couldn't. This gave Bell the opportunity to pull back, much to her immediate unhappiness, only to then cup her face and stare directly into her eyes.

"What happened, Haruhime?"

"I-I…" she swallowed, "Achilles s-suggested that w-we w-wait for the others to arrive to e-explain."

Impatience burned in his ruby red eyes, which made the weight she felt feel all the worse, but after a moment, he took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yeah, that's probably for the best," the young captain agreed.

Though she still felt tremendously guilty, Haruhime was relieved that she didn't have to explain things at the moment. Yes, she would have to soon, but she now had a little more time to calm herself and nail down her explanation.

But why am I hiding things from them? she asked herself again. For Agrippina-san. Yes! That's right! But… the fog grew heavier, why?

"Why don't we sit down as we wait for everyone?" Bell suggested, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"O-Oh...yes! Let's sit," she replied.

They all sat down, though Achilles, Hestia, and especially Bell eyed the renard with unwavering eyes that made the weight on her soul grow with each passing moment.

"Are you hungry, Haruhime? I'm sure I can find some leftovers from last night," Bell finally said.

"Don't count on that. The Mania familia were ravenous," Hestia joked, smiling for the first time since the fox girl had arrived.

"Oh...right," Bell scratched his cheek in mild embarrassment, though he was also smiling, which eased Haruhime tremendously.

"It's alright, I actually ate while I was out. Agrippina-san took me to lots of tasty places," she stated with a smile.

Instantly, the friendly air was gone as the other three turned to her.

"So it really was Agrippina," Bell all-but growled as his eyes darkened.

Haruhime's relief burned to ash and she wondered what she should do or how she should respond when the doors of the apartments opened and the Hestia, Mania, Loki, Zeus, and Hera familia all walked in.

"Haruhime-sama!" Mikoto cried as she rushed over to renard, pulling her into a tight hug.

"You all have impeccable timing," Achilles stated as the adventurers all congregated.

"Aiz told us she saw you and Haruhime and so gathered us all up," Riveria explained.

Bell turned from Haruhime to his lover and smiled.

"Thank you," he said, immediately getting a smile back from the Sword Princess.

"Happy to help," she replied.

"And thank you all as well," Bell added, turning to the others.

"Of course. You're our friends and I think we can all understand being worried about a missing familia member," Rei replied.

"Speaking of which," Achilles turned to Haruhime, who was still hugging Mikoto, "I think it's time for that explanation."

Haruhime tensed, but after a moment, nodded and pulled away from Mikoto.

"It's all actually quite simple. Embarrassingly so, in fact" the fox girl began, "As you all apparently expected, I did meet with Agrippina-san this morning and she invited me out to see Athens. I was so excited that I forgot to leave you all a note explaining where I was and where I was going. I am terribly sorry!" she said, bowing deeply to them all.

Looks were shared between everyone and the smell of something not adding up was heavy in the air, so much so, that Ajax piped up.

"Haruhime," he said, making her look up, "I don't mean to be rude, but that sounds like total bullshit."

Haruhime blushed and began shaking her head.

"N-N-No! I-It's not! I swear that's a-all that happened!"

"I don't think any of us believe that," Galadriel declared, stepping forward, "in fact, looking at everyone's faces, I know none of us believe you," she continued after looking at everyone. "So why don't you tell us the truth."

"I-I-I-I…"

Haruhime tried. What she was precisely trying to do, she didn't actually know.

Tell them the truth? But they would be breaking my word with Agrippina. But...why is that so important now? Why is her request more important than my promise to my familia? I don't understand why I'm so reluctant!

The fog around her mind grew denser and denser, growing so thick that it actually made it hard to breath and so the room was filled with concern and alarm as her breaths became more ragged and forced. Riveria and Imilce actually stepped forward, prepared to use their magic and knowledge to calm her down or heal whatever was ailing her. Mikoto and the Hestia familia, likewise, stepped forward, terrified by the response they were witnessing and wanting to help her. But none of them, not even Achilles, reacted faster than the renard's hero.

Once more, Haruhime was pulled into a tight hug from her beloved captain.

"It's okay, Haruhime. Just breathe. Close your eyes and breathe," he whispered, his soft breath and words easing her soul so quickly it was as if all her anxiety and confusion had never existed.

Haruhime immediately did as he requested, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent.

I could never say no to him, she thought as she fell into her beloved hero, everything that is me I have already surrendered to him.

Quiet fell over the room, the only sound being made was her breathing and him softly stroking her hair.

Everyone else let them have a quiet moment together, understanding that, if they wanted the truth, the two needed this. Even Aiz, for all her previous jealous behavior, felt not a single stirring of it.

He's just being kind and trying to find out what's going on, she thought as she smiled at him

Finally, tranquility replaced the fog around her mind and Haruhime opened her eyes.

"Better?" Bell asked in a hushed tone, not even needing to see her eyes.

"Yes," she whispered back.

"Good, I'm glad," he pulled back to look her in the eyes again, "now can you tell us what happened?"

Taking one final, deep breath, Haruhime nodded.

"I...I went out with Agrippina-san today, that is the truth, but she told me that she had already told you all her plans and so there was no need for me to leave a note or tell you where I was going," she began, earning nothing but a calm nod from Bell, even as the other members of his familia raged behind him. "It was a generally lovely day. Nothing happened, I swear that's the truth." Again, Bell nodded, though this time he added an encouraging smile. "At...at the end of our day together, she requested that I not tell you all about our day. She said it was because she didn't want all the places she'd taken me to to become well-known, though something felt...off about that."

There's a whole lot off here! many of those in the room thought in a variety of manners.

"I initially wanted to deny her, but after she pleaded with me, I agreed. I'm...I'm very sorry," Haruhime finally confessed.

Bell pulled her back into a hug and softly stroked her hair.

"It's okay, Haruhime. It's okay. I understand," he said.

"Y-You do?"

"Mhmm. You're a good, gentle person who abhors conflict. She understood that and used it against you. That's not your fault."

"I-I...I should have been stronger. I shouldn't have lied to you all."

"You are strong," Bell said before he pulled back from her, his sweet, smiling face filling her eyes. "Stronger than almost anyone. You were manipulated, that's not the same as lying. So please," he took her hands and squeezed them, "don't beat yourself up over this."

"Bell-sama," she looked up at him with starry, tear-filled eyes, before her face burst into a smile and she threw her arms around him.

Unlike their previous, quiet moment together, this did inspire a jealous reaction from the ladies around them, and a wave of hostility was directed towards the fox girl who was too preoccupied with her beloved captain to notice. Unfortunately for Bell, after he got over his surprise, he felt that same wave and began to chuckle and sweat nervously.

"Alright, that's enough hugging!" Hestia declared, pulling back Haruhime who looked absolutely dumbfounded at suddenly being pulled away. "Geez," Hestia continued, "as good as it is that we finally got the truth out of you, there are still a lot of questions and concerns to worry about."

"Namely around Agrippina and the Athena familia," Lili stated.

"Indeed. It appears they haven't stopped their plotting but have simply changed strategies," Riveria added.

"Unfortunately we aren't quite sure what that new strategy is," Achilles growled. "They're influencing Haruhime in some manner, but we don't know what that manner is at the moment."

"Then I'd suggest, for now, making sure there is plenty of distance between Haruhime and that vice-captain," Galadriel offered.

"No."

Everyone turned to the now scowling Bell.

"I'm going to confront Agrippina and the Athena familia directly."

He immediately moved to leave the apartments, only to have his entire familia, Mania, Aiz, Galadriel, and even Ajax move to intercept him. The rest all looked notably alarmed or concerned. Well, all but a certain sly god smiling in the corner.

"Woah there kid, I get that you're upset, but taking on Athena isn't a good idea," Ajax said, with many nodding their agreement.

"They need to know there are repercussions to tricking a member of our familia," Bell shot back.

"And they will Bell-kun," Hestia said, coming to his side, "but threatening or, dare I say, going to war with Athena would be a very bad idea."

Asfi's fists tightened and she shot a quick glare towards her god who was smiling as if he'd just heard a very amusing joke.

"But we can't just leave things as they are!" Bell cried, his voice gaining a desperate edge.

"And no one's suggesting that, we're just saying starting a battle in the middle of her palace is a bad idea," Achilles said.

Bell still seemed very reluctant, but his shoulders soon slumped and his head fell.

"I...guess you're right."

"Hey," Hestia lifted his head so their eyes could meet, "we all understand how you feel, Bell-kun, and don't worry, we aren't just going to leave Haruhime out like bait for the Athena familia to snatch."

"We'll protect Haruhime, Bell-dono," Mikoto vowed, getting nods from the rest of the familia.

That helped a little and Bell managed a small smile and nod.

"Okay."

"Good," Hestia stated, "now, all this craziness has, I'm sure, tuckered everyone out, so why don't we all finally get the rest we were supposed to."

"I'm sorry," Haruhime said, bowing once again.

"None of that either," Hestia ordered, "you were lied to Haruhime-kun and we all know that something weird is going on, we just don't know what yet."

"But we will find out," Achilles vowed, his eyes darkening.

"Yes we will, starting tomorrow though," Hestia continued, "at this moment, rest is what we all need."

No one was willing to argue with that, including Bell, even if there was still a good amount of anxiety in his eyes.

---

Athena waited at the head of the war table with a bit more pep and energy than she tended to have, much to her familia's joy.

And why shouldn't I be in a good mood? The 'intelligence' has already been sent, and assuming Ares has any courage hidden amongst all his idiocy, he'll be setting up an ambush at this very moment. And with Agrippina and I wearing that special perfume, Haruhime should fall into our hands by the evening as well.

"Athena-sama, the adventurers have arrived," Metis informed her, smiling at her goddess.

"Good, let them in. Let's finish all our business today, shall we?"

"Yes, Athena-sama!" her captain eagerly replied.

The doors opened and the adventurers began making their way in and Athena watched them like a hawk, waiting to see her targets. However, more time passed and more adventurers passed by her eyes, yet she did not see either of them.

Where are they? Where are Haruhime and the boy?

Her previous pleasure now completely gone, she turned her gaze to Hestia.

"It seems two of your children are missing," she stated harshly.

"Yes, Bell and Haruhime won't be joining us today," Hestia replied calmly. "Bell is still recovering from the poisonings as well as watching over Haruhime who we believe is the target of a malicious actor here in Athens" the goddess of the hearth finished by meeting the harsh gaze of her fellow goddess with her own fiery gaze.

Athena barely held back a sneer as Agrippina slunk back, knowing just who that 'someone' was.

As enraged as she was at having her plan foiled before it could even really begin, Athena was smart enough not to allow too much to show.

"I must say I'm a tad surprised your young captain is taking so long to recover. I had heard so much about his capacity as an adventurer that I would have figured he would have been back on his feet by now."

The jab was not appreciated by many of the Orario adventurers and more than a few looked ready to make her eat her words. Luckily, Hestia, with complete calm and a smile, jumped in before anyone could do anything.

"You're right, Bell is quite exceptional. Truth is that it's my own paranoia that's restraining him now. I want to be completely sure he's alright before I let him loose again," she chuckled, "he has this terrible, yet wonderful tendency of finding the worst kind of trouble. Honestly, I think he'll turn a few of these black hairs of mine white someday, and yet," her eyes warmed, "he always jumps into trouble for the right reasons. So, as much as I wish he didn't worry me, I can't find it in my heart to scold him," her eyes began to burn again as she stared into Athena's eyes, "but you can be sure that Bell will be back in action very soon. He's not the kind to sit by and let injustice occur."

Something about that felt like a threat and Athena did not like it one bit.

"I see. Well then, I suppose I shall have to look forward to his grand return." The smiles she received from the Orario expedition served to infuriate her more. "Now, let us discuss how to defeat Rakia and finally put an end to this war. Achilles, Ottar, you two will be the spearpoint of our offensive..."

---

The Orario adventurers left, leaving only her familia inside the war room with her.

"I am so sorry, Athena-sama!" Agrippina prostrated herself before her goddess, "I don't know how they found out! There is no way Haruhime-chan would have told them about our date yesterday! Not after all the animus flower she consumed!"

"I do not blame you, Agrippina," the goddess said as calmly as possible.

"Y-You don't?" Agrippina asked, looking up.

"No. If anything, I blame myself. It appears I have underestimated Hestia and her familia." Her own familia tried to object, but she held up her hand. "No, I have only truly considered Achilles a threat, even Bell Cranel I thought more as a nuisance, despite Dido's words and our operatives' failure. I have thoroughly underestimated Hestia and her children. Even Haruhime is apparently more resilient than I thought. However," she smiled at her familia, "that only makes me more determined to claim her."

Her familia, overjoyed that their goddess was so resilient herself, all smiled and stood at attention.

"What would you have of us, Athena-sama?" Metis asked.

"We need to act quickly. With the war about to wrap up, we don't have much time before the Orario expedition departs for home. As such we need to find a way to get Haruhime alone again where the full weight of the animus flower perfume may be utilized. That means getting her away from Hestia, Mania, and most importantly, Bell Cranel," Athena said as she began to ponder. "But the question is, how to do that now that they're suspicious of us?"

The room fell silent, but not for long as a knock at the doors snapped away their attention.

"What is it?" Metis called.

The doors opened revealing one of the guards.

"Dido and Imilce of the Hera familia are here and wish to speak with Athena-sama," she said.

"Oh what do they want now?" Athena growled.

"Shall I send them a-?"

The guard was not able to finish her question as Dido burst in, followed by a much more reserved Imilce.

The Athena familia all pointed their weapons at the two, while Dido and Athena glared at each other.

"You'd better have a good excuse for your incredible rudeness, Dido, I mean it. I am in a particularly foul mood."

"Well it's about to get worse," Dido shot back, reaching into her pocket. The moment she did so the Athena familia moved to attack her, only for Dido to suddenly disappear and send half a dozen of them crashing into the walls. "Be. Still. Girls," Dido demanded.

The rest of the Athena familia, terrified though they were, held their ground, but Athena held up her hand, allowing for Dido to finally pull out what she was reaching for. A small crystal.

"A recording crystal?" Athena asked.

"Yes, with something very interesting on it," Dido replied, "Something about Bell Cranel, you...and talking monsters."

The room froze, except for the eyes of the Athena familia and their goddess.

"What did you say?" Athena asked.

"The Hestia familia has been acting suspiciously for a while, but yesterday they were acting especially so," Dido explained, "I don't like being left in the dark, so we used some old tricks of ours to find out what was transpiring. To put it bluntly, you have a plot on your hands."

Dido tossed the crystal and Athena caught it before using her power to activate it.

She and her familia listened silently to the recording, their rage growing with each passing moment.

"They...dare," Athena hissed. "They all dare move against me!"

Imilce shrunk back, hiding behind Dido.

"These...adventurers! Hestia! Hermes! MANIA! How dare she?! I gave her a home. A place to make a familia in her banishment. How dare she betray me like this!"

Athena, in her rage, activated her Arcanum and sent the table flying, forcing Dido and Imilce to dodge.

"These...filth!" she roared as her Arcanum deactivated. "They move against me like snakes, and for what?! Monsters! These...XENOS! They would undermine me for these talking creatures! Fools! Imbeciles! Nay, villains! Traitors to all mortal and immortal races! They will suffer for this!"

"What would you have of us, Athena-sama?" Metis asked as she and the rest of the familia took a knee before her.

You should think before you act," Dido cut in.

Athena shot her raging eyes towards the Hera captain who actually took a step back at the sight before her. However, after a moment, Athena nodded and took a deep breath.

"You're right, Dido, there is an exceptional opportunity here. This little...plot...is an excellent chance to complete all my goals and ensure Athens is safe and prosperous for years to come," she turned to her vice-captain, "Agrippina. Gather as many of our familia as you can and bring them here, we shall give our guests a little surprise. Oh and drag Apollo here as well. It's time he pays his rent."

"Yes, Athena-sama!" Agrippina cried before bowing and running off.

"Killing Bell Cranel and the others still leaves several high level adventurers to deal with, namely Achilles and Ottar," Dido pointed out.

"The Loki familia won't be a problem. Orario can't afford to have one of its best familias running off to fight me and so will restrain them anyway that they can. Freya won't care about upsetting the Guild, given her apparent love for Bell Cranel and Haruhime. However, we will capture Haruhime and bring her into our familia. Once she's with us, Freya won't risk hurting her in a war with me," Athena explained.

"She won't take any of that lightly and will eventually find a way to take Haruhime and then destroy you," Dido warned.

"You forget, Dido, I am the goddess of wisdom and strategy, planning is what I do," Athena countered, "however, you are right in that it's only a matter of time before she attacks me. Still, Haruhime will give me enough time to come up with a proper response to that promiscuous goddess."

Dido did not look at all convinced of that.

Not that it matters to me, as long as Bell Cranel is gone.

"As for Achilles...that's where you come in," Athena said with a smile.

Dido and Imilce's eyes widened.

"What?" Dido growled.

"You will confront Achilles and either convince him to not attack me or restrain him."

"Are you insane?! Even if we were willing to do that, it's not possible by ourselves!"

"You won't be by yourselves. Metis will aid you, along with my familia. I shall also give Mordred whatever she wants in exchange for helping you. And I seem to recall that Galadriel is here as well. Her strength alone will even the odds tremendously. Combined you all should be enough to stop even someone as powerful as Achilles," Athena replied.

"We don't know if Galadriel will help us though!" Imilce jumped in her fear at the prospect of fighting Achilles overshadowing her usual meekness.

"Why not? She's a member of your familia is she not?" Athena questioned.

"She's...she's always been quite individualistic. Only Alfia and Briseis could ever really get her to do anything. Even Hera-sama found her resistant to orders," Imilce explained.

"That's irritating. Even so, I have every confidence that the captain of the Hera familia and her vice-captain will be able to overcome such a great foe, especially when backed up by my own familia and the legendary Mordred Avalon," the goddess replied condescendingly.

"That still doesn't explain why we should put our necks on the line!" the Hera captain spat.

Athena turned to Dido and smiled venomously.

"Because if you don't, I will inform Achilles that it was you who informed me about this plot and you'll have to face him and all his fatherly rage...by...your...selves," Athena answered.

Imilce began to shake in terror while Dido looked ready to tear out Athena's intestines.

"You bitch."

"Oh don't pretend you haven't been using me too, Dido. You want that boy gone even more than I do. I'm happy to get rid of him for you, especially now, but his removal won't come for free. You owe me something in return. So," she smiled at the mortal, "restrain Achilles for me and I'll call us even. Deal?"

Dido did not respond, instead turning and leaving the room, Imilce following after her, shaking like a leaf in a hurricane as she did so.

Athena's smile grew.

"Appears we have a deal."

---

"Okay, we're off," Achilles said, smiling at Bell and the others. "Take care of each other and be careful. You're going into the belly of the beast and they'll likely be all sorts of security."

"We will," Bell promised.

"Lili will keep them in line," the prum assured him.

"Good," Achilles smiled at the young woman before kissing the top of Bell's head, "then I'll see you when it's all over."

"No going crazy, Tiona. Remember, this mission requires stealth," Riveria ordered.

"Got it!" the amazon declared

"You sure you're up for this, Krysta? I know you tend to like to be a bit more showy," Rei asked the gunslinger.

"Ah, come on, my sleeper rounds are perfect for this kind of thing! I'll put all the guards to sleep and we'll walk in and out lickety-split!" she declared with a smile.

Rei and the other Mania members laughed and nodded.

"I'm holding you to that," the captain said.

Nearby, Aiz was hugging Bell.

"Good luck," she said softly.

"Thank you. Stay safe out there," he replied just as softly.

"I will."

The two pulled back, kissed, and then finally parted.

"Alright, let's finish off Ares and his band of idiots," Achilles said.

The group split, leaving everyone to complete their missions.

"Is everything ready?" Bell asked Asfi.

"Yes," she replied. "All the items are prepared and I have your maps right here," she handed them out.

"Good. Then let's begin," he said with absolute seriousness.

---

"Stay safe out there," Achilles said, smiling down at his lover.

"I will. And don't worry too much about Bell and the others, they'll be fine. They're all very capable," Riveria replied quietly.

He nodded.

"You're right. I just hope that everything goes alright."

"It will," she vowed.

His smile grew and he leant down and kissed her gently.

It was a quick kiss, but when they pulled back, both were smiling even more brightly.

"Give them hell," Achilles said.

"Happy hunting," Riveria returned.

Riveria made her way over to the draconic mounts leaving Achilles to head out himself. Before he could do so, a familiar dark elf appeared by his side.

"I couldn't help but notice we're missing a few people," Galadriel stated, smiling at the former captain.

"I noticed that too. Where's my little nephew and the other kiddos?" Ajax asked as he, Patroclus, Dido, and Imilce approached.

"My familia's got some business to take care of today. Tiona decided to join them because she figured that hanging out with them would be more interesting than cleaning up the rest of the Rakian army. As for Hermes, who knows what's going on in that god's head," Achilles answered.

"What's the business? And more importantly why aren't you with them if it's familia business?" Galadriel asked.

There was more than mere curiosity behind her question, Achilles knew, but he did not detect any malice.

Dido however, his eyes briefly shot to the glaring Hera captain and shaking Imicle before focusing back on Galadriel.

"Sorry, that's a familia secret," he played off, placing a playful finger over his smile, "however, I can say that the reason I'm not joining them is because I don't want Athena yacking my ear off about not being out on the front. She did request me personally, after all. Now, on that note, I should probably head out."

He turned to leave, only to find a hand on his shoulder.

"You can trust us, Achilles," Galadriel said gently.

Guilt filled his eyes before they turned to the ground.

"I do trust all of you," he replied before slowly turning back to them all, "even you, Dido...at least to an extent," he pointed at the glaring captain. "If the situation was any different I would tell you all what's going on. I really would. However there are some secrets not easily shared, even with those you trust. Not because you all are lacking in something, that's not it at all, but because to reveal them to you would shake you all to your cores."

"We can take it," Patroclus immediately proclaimed, "you know we can."

"Perhaps," Achilles responded with far less enthusiasm than the younger man, "but at the moment too much is at stake. If all goes well, perhaps then I can risk telling you all. But if that is the case, you must all be prepared. This secret, and the secrets connected to it are not easily swallowed. In fact, whatever secret you all are no doubt currently trying to conjure up is nowhere near as bad as the ones I know. So please, before you ask me again what I'm hiding, ask yourself if you really want to know."

That was the last thing he said before he jumped into the air towards the battlefield, leaving behind his old companions.

"He doesn't trust us," Patroclus said his voice quiet and heartbroken, as he looked towards the sky.

"Yes he does," Galadriel responded with absolute assurance, "he just doesn't want to hurt us with knowledge we aren't ready for."

"Is there any knowledge that bad?" Ajax asked as he rubbed Patroclus's back.

"Yes. Yes there is," Galadriel answered.

"For once I agree with you," Dido added, earning a look from the dark elf.

"Still...I wish he would tell us," Patroclus said.

"Perhaps he will, when there isn't so much riding on the secret," Galadriel suggested.

"You say that like you know what's going on," Dido asked as her eyes narrowed.

"I have a hunch," her fellow Hera member replied, "one I now wish to verify," she turned to Patroclus and Ajax, "good luck with Ares and his minions. I'm sure you can handle it."

"Wai-!" Dido tried, but Galadriel was already jumping off like Achilles had, leaving only four remaining. "Shit," she growled, turning to the now utterly terrified Imilce.

"W-What now?" the shaking Hera member whispered, "if we don't have her with us-"

"Things will be even worse. I am aware," Dido spat before letting out a final growl, "there's nothing we can do for now beyond heading towards the battlefield, dealing with the Rakians, and praying that Galadriel comes back before all the shit gets flung at us."

With that, Dido turned towards the dragonic mounts, the other three adventurers following after her.

---

The rescue mission, made up of the Hestia familia-minus Achilles-Tiona, Asfi, Aisha, and Krysta, all arrived at the rendezvous point near the secret entrance.

"Okay, there's the entrance," Bell said signaling towards an alley where two thugs were standing, obviously guarding something.

"Then let's get this party started," Welf replied.

"You and I have very different definitions of 'party', Welf-san," Lili replied.

That eased some of the tension in the air as most of the infiltrators chuckled.

"Liliruca Arde is right, this will not be a party," Asfi said seriously, "if we're lucky, we'll be in and out before we're detected and Athena will be able to do nothing more than speculate about our involvement."

"My my, looks like I was right."

Everyone shot around to see Galadriel standing on a ledge above them.

The dark elf dropped down and a few of the younger adventurers took up defensive positions.

"Easy there, I'm not here to fight," Galadriel said, holding up her hands.

"What are you doing here, Galadriel-san?" Bell asked, signally for the others to lower their weapons.

"I sensed that something was going on with you lot and decided to investigate," she answered.

"How did you find us?" Lili questioned.

Her answer came in the form of a fluffy white head popping up from the dark elf's back.

"Nix!" Bell cried, before quickly covering his mouth.

"I went back to your apartments for clues and found this little guy trying desperately to get out. After a quick conversation I realized that we were both trying to find you and so teamed up with him. Evidently he knows exactly where to find you at any given time," Galadriel explained with a smile.

The rabbit, having waited long enough, jumped from Galadriel's shoulder and at Bell, who had to react quickly in order to catch his little friend.

"Nix. You shouldn't be here," he said to the ball of fur.

The rabbit looked up at him with eyes filled with anger, worry, and sadness. This was too much for Bell, and he quickly began petting the rabbit.

"It's not that I don't want you here, it's just that I want you to be safe. We're about to do something very dangerous and it would hurt me so much if something happened to you," he explained.

Nix's response was to cuddle into his chest and look up at his owner with affectionate, but strong eyes. As if to say, 'I'll be alright. I promise. Just let me stay'.

As much as he knew it wasn't exactly wise to bring the snowball along, Bell wasn't able to say no and so, not long after seeing those affectionate eyes, nodded.

"Alright. You can come."

Nix immediately began to snuggle into Bell's chest all the harder, getting a few chuckles from those around him.

"Bell-sama," Lili groaned.

"I know, I'm sorry," he replied.

Lili sighed.

"You're too sweet, Bell-sama," she said before a small smile appeared, "but that's what I love about you." Everyone's eyes shot to Lili who ignored their surprise in order to walk up to her beloved captain. "That said," she grabbed Nix, who froze at suddenly being taken from his master, "Nix is staying with me."

The rabbit, hearing this, immediately tried jumping back to Bell, only to find the hold of the prum to be shockingly strong.

"Oh no you don't," she said sternly, "Bell-sama needs to be completely focused on the mission if it's to go well, and he can't do that if he's worried about or pampering you." Bell scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "Luckily, that won't be a problem for me," Lili continued, staring into the rabbit's eyes, "pampering was never a strong suit of mine."

The bunny froze again, not missing the threat hidden in her words and fully understanding that he needed to be on his best behavior with the pallum.

"Good boy," she said, before gently placing him in the small pack she was carrying.

"Seems like that's all sorted," Galadriel said, pulling attention back to her, "but why don't you tell me now what this 'mission' is."

The anxiety from earlier returned in full force and everyone shared looks before falling on Bell.

It's your call, they all said, trusting his judgment.

He took a deep breath and turned back to the dark elf.

"I want to tell you, Galadriel-san. I really do. You. Uncle Ajax. Patroclus. Imilce. Even Dido. But what we're doing is not easily explained nor is it done so quickly, and unfortunately, time is not on our side. So, please, Galadriel-san, please trust that we're doing the right thing. At least for now."

The two adventurers stared into each others' eyes for a long few moments. The others waited quietly, worrying what would happen, but keeping their faith in Bell.

Finally, Galadriel nodded.

"Alright," she said.

"Alright?" Bell questioned, cocking his head to the side.

"Alright," she repeated, "I understand. We have only known each other for a short time, and while trust is still being built, I think I know you enough to know you'll do the right thing. Besides, as I told you before, I promised your mother to look after you."

"Your mother?" Aisha jumped in.

"Yeah. Galadriel knows my mom, she even sent a letter to her for me recently," Bell responded with a smile.

"Huh, and what's my favorite rabbit's mama like?" Aisha asked as she wrapped around Bell's neck, making him blush.

"Meteria is a wonderful woman," Galadriel answered, "though quite protective of her son, I feel I should say."

"A fiesty mama. Guess I'll have to be on my best behavior when I meet her," the amazon joked.

"As pleasant as this discussion is, we must begin," Asfi cut in.

"She's right," Bell said, getting serious.

"Alright, fine, fine," Aisha agreed, letting him go, "do you have enough of those visor things for Galy here?"

"Lucky for me, I always make sure to be prepared for situations like this, I have extra Hades Head helmets, as well as Styx's Glasses so she'll be able to see us," Asfi replied.

"Good, then let us begin," Bell stated.

---

The two guards stood before the door, glaring at any sign of moment or anyone who passed.

Suddenly, one of the men felt something puncture his neck and, a moment later, his eyes rolled up and he fell over.

"Shit! Who's ther-!"

The second man never finished that cry as a second dart entered his neck and, a moment later, he too was on the ground.

"Nice work, Krysta," Bell said.

"Told you my 'sleeper shots' would be helpful," the young lady replied.

"Now comes the next part," Asfi said as they hid the unconscious guards, "get ready."

Everyone got in positions near the secret door and went quiet as Asfi approached it.

She knocked and not a second later a hatch slid to the side.

"Password."

"τέρατα κρυμμένα από κάτω,"* she responded.

The hatch slid back and the door opened.

"I don't remember you. Are you ne-?"

The doorman was hit by another of Krysta's 'sleeper shots' and promptly fell unconscious.

"Let's get moving," Asfi said.

The Hestia familia and their allies all rushed inside, closing the door behind them and leaving the world above for whatever was hidden below.

---

The adventurers made their way down into the hidden base under the cover of the Hades Head, stopping only when they crossed paths with those underneath.

"More Athena familia," Asfi whispered.

Everyone moved to a place where they wouldn't make contact with the passing adventurers and silently watched as they moved down the hall and out of sight.

"There's a lot of people down here," Bell whispered.

"Yes. Athena has many projects hidden down here, not just the Xenos," Asfi revealed, "but we can't get sidetracked. We must complete this as quickly as possible so as to keep suspicion to a minimum."

"Right," Bell and the others said as they continued further into the belly of the beast.

They travelled through the painfully white halls in almost complete silence until Asfi once more told them to stop.

"What are those idiots doing up there? How hard is it to watch a door, ask for a password, and check in every hour?" a young woman asked as she made her way out of a nearby room.

"I suppose we were asking too much of the 'rougher sex' with such complicated orders," another woman said as she joined the first woman.

The two chuckled and the first nodded.

"I get why Athena-sama brought them on, but really, we could have handled things here," the first said.

"You're probably right, but given the sensitivity of the projects we're working on, I can't blame Athena-sama for wanting to take extra precautions," the second replied.

"Yeah...I mean...can you imagine if people knew there were talking monsters? I've heard those freaky things and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it."

The breath of the Hestia familia caught.

"It is quite shocking. I've been dealing with them for years and I still think it would be best if we just exterminated them and pretended they didn't exist. It would make sleeping a lot easier."

Bell's fists tightened and he bared his teeth.

"But," the second continued, unaware of the danger she had put herself in, "Athena wants to understand them, where they come from, their strength, and all that. I can't say I blame her for that either, even if I wished they would just disappear."

"Still...it's so freaky. I admit I drank a lot the first week after learning about them. I couldn't fall asleep any way else," the first woman revealed.

"Then why don't we go for drinks later?"

"You buying?"

"Hm," the second pretended to ponder for a moment, before a seductive smile appeared on her lips, "for a cutie like you? I'd be happy to."

The first woman blushed and wiggled around a bit.

"It's a date then," she finally said.

"Sounds good. Now, go get that cute little butt of yours upstairs and check on those ingrates. I don't want someone sneaking in just because they're too stupid to do their job properly."

"Yes ma'am!"

The first woman ran towards them while the second woman headed back into the room.

Once the second woman was out of sight, Krysta quickly aimed and shot the first woman in the leg.

"What the...what is-"

The woman's eyes rolled up and she promptly fell over.

"You shouldn't have done that," Asfi said to Krysta.

"She was headed up top. If she discovered the guards were unconscious or missing, she would have raised the alarm," Krysta replied.

"No use arguing now. Now, we just need to find a place to put her," Lili said.

After a quick search, they found an empty room and deposited the woman before quickly moving on.

A few more minutes passed until they reached a larger hallway with a large door and several Athena familia in front of it.

"Is that it?" Bell asked.

"Yes, that's where they're keeping the Xenos. We don't know how many there are, but it's unlikely Athena has been able to gather many. I would guess half a dozen at most," Asfi replied, "even so, sneaking them out won't be easy."

"We'll manage," Bell said immediately and with unwavering conviction.

"I'm guessing 'Xenos' is what you call the talking monsters."

Everyone turned to Galadriel in shock. Despite the earlier conversation, they had actually all-but forgotten about her as she had remained utterly silent the entire way down.

I also wouldn't be surprised if she had an ability that aided her in being inconspicuous, Asfi thought.

"Yes, that's what they're called," Bell answered.

Galadriel nodded.

"Alright, I think I just about understand what's going on now," she said.

"You're not going to question us or why we're doing this?" Lili asked.

"By 'this', I'm guessing you mean, rescuing the Xenos?" Lili just stared at her. Eventually Galadriel shrugged. "I'm sure it's for a good reason," she replied with a smile, "but I do have many questions I'd like answered. However, now is not the time. So, I'll ask them later."

Though a bit unnerved by the nonchalant way the older adventurer responded, the others were happy to put their concern aside for the task at hand.

"I don't think we'll be able to sneak inside, even with the Hades Heads. Even if they don't have some spell or device to detect us, it's unlikely we'll be able to get them to open the door like at the entrance," Asfi informed them.

"Meaning we're going to have to force our way in," Bell replied.

"Yes," she replied.

"Now you're talking my language," Tiona said.

"I would suggest you, Tiona, and Galadriel be the ones to lead the assault into the room, Bell. You're the highest level adventurers we have and, as such, you are the most likely to be able to subdue those inside before an alarm is raised," Asfi suggested.

"I should go too," Krysta said, "my 'sleeper shots' will prove helpful if anyone tries to run."

"Very well. Then you'll leave you four to the room while we deal with the guards out here," Asfi said.

Everyone agreed and quietly got into place, waiting for the door to open again.

As they waited silently for their chance to be given, one of the Athena guards, a dog chienthrope, suddenly lifted her head and began to sniff.

"What is it?" the guard beside her asked.

"I smell something," the dog-girl responded.

"I smell something too. Those monsters stink," a third guard complained.

"No, it's not the monsters, I know their smell. This is different," she took a few steps towards where Lili was hiding, making everyone tense. "It smells like...a rabbit."

"A rabbit?" the fourth guard asked.

"She's lost it," the third said.

"Seriously, it smells like a rabbit," the dog girl swore as she continued towards Lili, "I learned their scent when we visited that pet shop on Owl Street."

"But why would there be a rabbit here?" the second guard asked.

The Orario adventurers held their breaths as the dog girl drew closer and closer to Lili and her bunny passenger. Their hands fell to their weapons as they prepared to fight. However, just as the canine guard was about to discover Lili's hiding place, the door to the room opened, signaling for the Orario adventurers to attack.

The dog girl suddenly found a bunch of sparkling dust thrown at her face.

"What the-!" she cried before her eyes rolled up and she fell over, unconscious.

"Loona!" the second guard cried, intending to rush over to her comrade, only to be suddenly slammed into the wall by an invisible Ryuu.

"What's going on!" the third guard as Asfi, Mikoto, and Welf rushed towards her and the final guard.

As they did so, Galadriel, Tiona, and Krysta rushed after Bell, who had rushed the open door the moment it opened.

Bell had grabbed the woman who had opened the door by her collar and threw her back into the room. The force of his throw was not only enough to startle the dozen or so other Athena familia inside, but also knock the woman out.

"What the?" one of the other women said as she looked at the unconscious body. "What's going on?!"

"We're under attack! Someone press the alarm!" the leader of the guards cried.

Hearing the cry, one of the guards rushed towards the alarm on the wall, only to be body slammed by Bell and sent flying.

"We are they?!"

"They're using invisibility! Quick, use a reveal spell!" the leader cried. This would be her last order as Tiona excitedly knocked her out with a kick not a moment later.

Alarmed though they were, the two mages present began chanting, but did not get far as Krysta used her 'sleep shots' to put them both to sleep before they could finish.

The last of the Athena familia tried to make a run for it, only to have Galadriel and Bell render them unconscious in a matter of seconds.

"Looks like that wraps things up," Galadriel said.

"It appears so, but we shouldn't take things easy yet," Asfi said as she and the others entered, dragging the four guards with them and closing the door.

Now inside the room, they all finally had a chance to inspect it.

It was a mixture of a laboratory and a prison. All kinds of medical and scientific equipment was present, but so were tools that screamed 'cruelty' and 'torture'. But what solidified it as a prison was the row of cells along the wall where the Xenos were held.

There were four in total: a lizardman, an almiraj, a warshadow, and perhaps most interestingly, a mermaid.

"W-What's going on?" the almiraj asked, its voice shaking.

"It'll be okay, Jack, I'll protect you and the others," the lizardman said.

"You don't have to be scared anymore," Bell said as he removed his Hades Head, shocking them by his sudden appearance, "we're here to help."

The Xenos were silent and did nothing more than watch as the others revealed themselves. Finally, once everyone was revealed, the lizardman spoke.

"Help? Why would you help us, human?" he snarled.

"Because you need it," Bell replied with a smile. Then, without any fear he went over to the cage and held his hand out to the lizardman. "My name's Bell. Bell Cranel. What's yours?"

The other Xenos stared in shock at the young man, not believing their eyes. The lizardman, however, only continued to glare before looking down at the outstretched hand and growling.

"Get away from me!" he bellowed as he lashed out with his claws, tearing through Bell's flesh and muscle.

"Ah!" Bell cried as he fell back.

"Bell!" the others cried as they rushed over to him.

"What was that for you, jerk! He was just trying to shake your hand!" Tiona screamed.

"I am not stupid! All you surface dwellers do is hurt and trick us! I will not be deceived by you fiends!" the lizardman roared.

"And how many of us 'surface dwellers' have held out our hands to you?" Lili demanded.

That shut up the lizardman for a moment, but he was soon growling again.

"That's how I knew it was a trick. That's all you surface dwellers know how to do. Trick and hurt us!"

"You-!"

"Lili." Everyone turned back to Bell who was now healed and back on his feet. "He's right to be suspicious."

"He doesn't have the right to hurt you," she countered.

"But it's understandable why he did," he replied calmly, even giving her a smile.

Though she didn't like it, the young woman dropped it, earning an affectionate head pat from the man she adored before he focused back on the lizardman.

"I'm sorry for all that's happened to you, to all of you," he said to the others.

"What do you know of our pain, human?" the lizardman spat.

"I know a bit," Bell responded calmly, but with enough force to silence the lizardman. "A few friends of mine also suffered because of people like the Athena familia," he gestured towards the unconscious women, "that's why I want to get you out of here and bring you to them. So you'll be safe."

"How will we be safe with surface dwellers?!"

"They aren't surface dwellers. They're Xenos, like you."

"You know our name?"

Everyone turned to the mermaid who stared directly into Bell's eyes.

"I do," he answered, "and I'm friends with the ones still in the Dungeon. Lyd, Gros, Ray, they're all my friends, and I'm sure they'll all be happy to see you."

"You...you know Lyd and the others?" she asked, her eyes filling with tears. A moment later she let out a choked laugh as happy tears streamed down her face. "How...how long has it been since I've heard their names," she laughed again before wiping her eyes and turning to the lizardman, "it's alright Salam, he's here to help."

The lizardman's jaw dropped.

"Wha...Are you...are you sure?"

She nodded.

"Yes. I'm sure," she turned to Bell and smiled brightly at him, "he's here to take us home."

---

After a few rounds of introductions between the adventurers and the Xenos, and a quick check up on the Dungeon dwellers' condition they were all set to go.

"Okay, so now we need to make our way down to the sewers?" Bell asked.

"That's right. It won't be easy and it certainly won't smell pleasantly, but that's our best bet. Once we're out in the open, I'll take you all to the safehouse that's been prepared," Asfi answered before turning to the Xenos, "and from there we'll smuggle you back to Orario and into the Dungeon to reunite with the others."

"Thank you," the mermaid, Aqua, said genuinely.

"Right! Then let's get going. I'm sure we'll all want time to take a bath after traipsing through a sewer," Welf said, immediately getting agreements from the others.

The adventurers put their Hades Head helmets back on while their newly freed friends put on some specially made cloaks that Asfi had brought. They served the same point as the Hades Heads and made the monsters invisible, albeit they weren't as powerful as the helmets.

Bell opened the door slowly and checked down the hall. Finding it empty, he signaled for everyone to follow him.

The adventurers and Xenos made their way through the underground fortress as quickly and quietly as possible, stopping only when they came across Athena familia members, which happened surprisingly rarely.

"There seems to be fewer Athena familia than before," Mikoto whispered.

"Yes there does," Ryuu seconded.

"This is a lesser used part of the facility. Many are also busy fighting Rakia," Asfi told them, feeling terrible as she did so.

This is even fewer than I discovered when I scouted before. Something's up, she thought, her fists clenching, what do you have planned, Hermes?

"That makes sense," Bell agreed, "but we should still be careful."

"Right," everyone whispered as they continued on.

Further they delved down into the belly of the base, finding fewer and fewer Athena familia, which only served to grow Asfi's anxiety.

Maybe they really are just busy or maybe they don't like to come down here, she tried to convince herself, only to have her own mind quash her attempt. Shit. We just need to get out of here, Bell most of all. If I can get him out without him seeing what else is here then things will be fine. Hermes's plan will fall apart. I just have to make sure he doesn't see that.

"Are we almost there, Asfi-san?"

She jumped, finding Bell himself before her.

"Let...let me see," she replied, pulling out her map. She looked it over for a moment before nodding. "Yes, we're almost there. Just down this hall," she informed him.

But it also takes us right past what Hermes wants you to find.

"Great," Bell whispered with excitement. He quickly went over to the others. "We're almost there everyone, just down this hall."

"Gotcha. Alright everyone, take a deep breath, it's about to get smelly," Welf joked.

"That'll be a lot funnier when we don't smell like a sewer, Welf-san," Lili chided.

The group rushed down the hall and came to a split hall.

"That way," Asfi stated, pointing down towards the sewers.

"Come on guys, follow me," Tiona called with her usual energy.

The Xenos quickly did just that, running after the smith.

"Bell, why don't you join them at the front," Asfi suggested, "Aisha and I will take the rear guard."

"We will?" the amazon asked, looking at her captain.

"It's okay, Asfi-san, I can guard the rear. I want to make sure everyone gets out safely," Bell responded kindly.

Asfi swallowed.

"Please Bell...go to the front."

Neither he, nor Aisha missed the way she made that request.

"Asfi-san...what's going on? Why are you so desperate to get me to the front?"

Asfi took a deep breath as she prepared her excuse. An excuse she would never be allowed to give.

"AAAAAAH!"

The three turned to the other hall.

"What was that?" Bell asked.

He took a step down the adjacent hall, only for Asfi to grab his arm.

"Please Bell Cranel, don't go down that hall. It will lead you somewhere you shouldn't go," she pleaded.

He stared into her eyes, confusion and a tiny bit of anger hidden in his rubies.

"Asfi Al Andromeda, what's down there?" he demanded.

"Something horrible," she answered.

That was all he needed and he yanked his arm away and ran down the hall, Aisha following after him.

"Shit," Asfi cursed before she followed suit.

---

Bell rushed down the hall, not caring how much noise he was making, until he came across a pair of metal doors guarded by two Athena familia members.

Wasting no time, he rushed the first, smashing her against the wall and knocking her out cold.

"What the hell!" the second cried, getting into a defensive position. However, she was ill-prepared to fight an invisible enemy, let alone two, so when Aisha crashed into her unprotected side, she crumbled to the crowd with nothing more than a groan.

"Aisha, you didn't need to come with me," Bell said.

"Like I was going to leave my favorite rabbit alone to deal with whatever's behind that door," she responded.

Despite the situation, he smiled.

"Thank you."

"You can give me a proper 'thank you' later. Now let's see what's inside," she said, returning his smile.

"Please don't." The two turned to find Asfi had joined them.

"Why are you so adamant about stopping him from seeing what's behind that door?" Aisha asked, getting well and truly irritated with her captain.

Asfi once more met Bell's eyes. His eyes were just as determined as before and she knew she couldn't convince him off this path without the truth.

"Behind that door is another of Athena's special projects. Actually, several projects," Asfi began. "Projects that use captured enemy soldiers, criminals, and political dissidents as test subjects."

"What?" Bell asked, his eyes widening.

"Athens is the center of learning, magic, and experimentation. On the surface it's a safe place for mages and the educationally inclined to learn and grow. Deeper down, in the darkness, that desire for learning is far crueller," Asfi explained, "behind those doors is a prison, one far worse than the one the Xenos suffered in. Their rarity protected them from the worst Athens is prepared to do in order to grow their knowledge and power," she took a deep breath, "I don't know all the projects myself, but I am aware of several. The main project is mana draining. Captured enemies and criminals are sapped of their mana which is turned into potions for the Athena familia and their military. They also have several areas dedicated to testing out new spells, few of which are healing spells. They also study mortal bodies...with live test subjects."

Aisha looked ready to vomit and Bell looked like his soul had been ripped from him.

"W-Why didn't you tell us about this? We could have added rescuing them to the mission," he asked.

"Because Hermes wanted you to discover them on your own," Asfi answered. "He wanted you to discover what Athens has been doing, go to war with Athena, and bring down the 'cruel goddess' in a grand act of heroism."

"Fucking psycho," Aisha spat.

"I don't disagree. That's why I'm telling you this, Bell Cranel. Right now, you haven't seen what's behind that door. You can still pull back if you want-"

"Aisha. Asfi."

The two froze.

"Go. Join the others," the Red Dawn ordered as he removed the Hades Head.

"W-What are you doing?" Asfi asked.

"I'm giving Hermes what he wants," he answered, "I'm going to war with Athena."

Both women's eyes widened.

"No! Please Bell Cranel-!"

"Asfi."

She stopped again and, to her surprise, Bell smiled at her.

"I know why you're worried and I know that Hermes has played me once again, but I can't care about that," he told her. He pointed towards the doors. "There are people in there that need my help and I can't leave them. Whether or not they 'deserve' what's happening to them or not doesn't matter to me. They need my help and I'm going to give it to them. So please, join the others and get them to safety. I'll be fine. I promise."

Asfi didn't know what to do. She was shocked, terrified, and confused out of her mind.

"I-"

A hand on her shoulder stopped her and she turned to find Aisha beside her.

"Let's go."

"Y-You can't be serious," Asfi said.

"Of course I'm serious. My man's showing off his strength again. I know better than most that it's pointless to try and stop him now," the amazon said with a smile as she turned to her favorite rabbit who smiled back, "so let's leave him to his business."

"I...I…"

"Oh come on," Aisha rolled her eyes and picked up Asfi before throwing her over her shoulder, "Bell's got some business with Athena and I, personally, don't want to be around when he shows her what he's got packed away. That said," she pointed at Bell, "you better come back to me and Haruhime in one piece."

"I promise," he vowed.

"Good. Then we'll leave you to it."

Aisha began walking off, Asfi still over her shoulder.

"Bell!" the Perseus cried.

"It'll be alright Asfi, I promise. Just keep everyone safe for me, alright?"

A few moments later, the ladies of the Hermes familia were gone, leaving Bell alone.

The Red Dawn took a deep breath and then, with his eyes transformed draconic slits and his nails transformed into flesh-tearing claws, he turned and pushed open the metal doors.

A terrible wrath filled him the moment he entered.

Everywhere he looked, prisoners were being tortured and experimented on. Men, women, humans, elves, young, old, it didn't matter, all were being subjected to terrible, inhuman treatment.

"Is this what you stand for Athena? Torture and mutilation?" he snarled.

"Do you like it?"

His head shot up.

Above him was Agrippina, hundreds of Athena familia members, as well as the Apollo familia, all pointing their weapons at him. Behind him, he heard the doors slam and lock, but that mattered little to him now.

"Agrippina," he spat.

"Bell Cranel," she spat back, "I see you're alone. The others must be heading towards the sewers. Don't worry, we have a proper welcome waiting for them," Agrippina mocked.

Bell growled.

"Oooh, look girls, he's upset," the vice-captain continued, getting mocking laughter from many of her comrades. After enjoying the laughter for a few moments she turned back to Bell and glared down at him. "You have illegally entered into a restricted area of Athens, released several dangerous monsters, and assaulted dozens of members of the Athena familia."

"I have," he readily confessed.

"Oh good, you aren't wasting our time trying to deny it. Well, just so you know, those crimes carry the penalty of death so," she held up her hand, then cast it down.

Not a second later, hundreds of arrows, bolts, and spells flew towards Bell and slammed into him.

For a couple of minutes the Athena and Apollo familia threw everything they had at him until finally Agrippina held up her hand.

"Well then," she said, looking down at the cloud of dust, "that wasn't too hard."

Many within both familias began laughing, but their joy did not last long.

"Do you really think it's going to be that easy?"

Hundreds of adventurers froze.

With a quick swish of his hand, Bell blew away the dust and revealed himself, in doing so, utterly terrifying his assailants.

"What are you?" Agrippina asked as fear shook her to her core.

Much of Bell's armor and clothing had been burned away or destroyed by the attacks. This was of little consequence to him, but of great and terrible consequence to the Athena and Apollo familia who bore witness to the white scales that now covered his body.

"No," Bell continued, turning his draconic eyes back to Agrippina. "This is just the beginning."

---

"Put me down," Asfi ordered.

"Have you calmed down?" Aisha asked, looking over her shoulder.

"Yes."

"You're not going to go running back to Bell to try and stop him?"

"I doubt I could even if you helped me."

Aisha chuckled, nodded, then slowly put her captain down.

"Yeah, the bunny rabbit's grown into a real dragon," she said.

"Indeed," Asfi replied as she fixed herself. "Let us just return to the others and get the Xenos to safety."

"Yes ma'am."

The two made their way through the empty halls and soon found the other adventurers waiting for them."

"Where's Bell-sama?" Haruhime asked.

"The short version is that he's rescuing some people that Athena wasn't treating very nicely," Aisha said, knowing her captain was still trying to collect herself.

"I think we'll need more than that," Lili stated.

"Athena experiments on captured soldiers and prisoners," Asfi jumped in, "discovering this, Bell decided to free them."

"And what's stopping us from running back to his side?" Ryuu asked.

"Besides the need to get the Xenos to safety before Athena discovers they or we are missing?" Asfi questioned back. "Simple, his skill has activated and I think we are all wise enough to stay out of his way at such a time."

There was no question as to which skill she meant, but that didn't make accepting their captain running off solo much easier.

"Then we'd best leave him to it," Welf finally said.

"But-" Haruhime tried.

"I know how you feel, Haruhime," he quickly said, "we all do," he gestured towards the others, "but Bell can handle himself at the best of times and in that state, it's really best to just leave him to the job of kicking ass." The joke failed to get any laughs, causing Welf to sigh. "We also need to get these guys to safety," he pointed towards the Xenos, who all looked very anxious. "If we can get them to the safehouse quickly enough, we might be able to rush back here and help Bell."

That helped a little bit. Not much, but enough that it allowed Haruhime to nod.

"Alright, then let's get moving," Asfi said.

---

Everyone ran through the sewers as quickly as they could and made sure to breathe with their nose as little as possible. Finally, after what felt like hours in the dark and silence, they reached the sewer grate that led to the outside and their freedom.

"Ooh ooh, I got this!" Tiona cried before she ran up and kicked the grate, sending it flying out towards the beach and ocean beyond.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Tiona-san, but we need to be quiet," Asfi chided as they made their way out into the open air and removed their Hades Heads.

"Hehe, sorry," Tiona said.

"Oh don't be too hard on her."

Everyone spun around, finding dozens of Athena familia members on the cliff above them. Not a moment later, the sewer opening closed, blocking any chance to retreat.

"Being quiet wouldn't have helped," the Athena member continued as she smiled gleefully down at the Orario adventurers.

"They knew we were coming," Aisha growled.

"Of course we knew," an Athena familia officer declared as she and her familia jumped down and surrounded the Orario adventurers, "we simply didn't want you damaging our facilities and so let you 'escape'. Now, hand over the monsters and we will show you mercy, which is more than you treacherous dogs deserve."

"That won't be happening," Mikoto said.

"Nope!" Tiona added, "we're going to kick your butts and get these guys somewhere safe."

The Xenos stared at the adventurers in utter shock. Never before had a surface dweller shown them any sort of kindness, yet not only were these ones rescuing them, but they were willing to fight other surface dwellers to do so.

Perhaps I was wrong, Salam thought.

"Not even to save the life of that white-haired adventurer?" the Athena officer asked, smiling malevolently at them.

Everyone froze.

"W-What?" Haruhime asked.

"That white-haired boy, the one leading this suicide mission. What was his name again...Bell...Cranel? What a stupid name."

"Don't you dare insult him!" Lili roared.

"I can do whatever I like, I hold all the cards. Now, if you don't want him to die, throw down your weapons. He's currently facing down Vice-Captain Agrippina and hundreds of our familia so there's no way he can win. His only chance is if you surrender, hand over the monsters, and come nice and quietly."

The Orario adventurers didn't know what to do. They didn't want to surrender the Xenos, and they trusted Bell's strength, but one versus hundreds was never good odds. Lili and Asfi wondered if they should play the long game and wait for Achilles and the others to return, which would put the ball, firmly back in their court, while Haruhime, Welf, Mikoto, and Tiona wondered if they could get back break their way back into the hidden base and get to Bell. However, a certain cuddling ball of fluff had another idea entirely.

Nix suddenly popped out of Lili's backpack, jumped down, and hopped out in front of everyone, his ruby eyes glaring at the Athena officer.

"A rabbit? You all brought a rabbit with you? Gods you Orario adventurers are stupid."

The Athena familia laughed and began throwing insults at the Orario adventurers. That was, until a beam of light slammed into the officer and sent her flying 40 feet back.

The beach went silent as everyone turned to Galadriel who walked forward and picked up a now very pleased Nix who began snuggling into her.

"If we're stupid, I wonder what that makes you," Galadriel said as she snuggled Nix back. "You seem to think you have the advantage here, but that is ludicrously far from the truth, "she turned to the others and pointed at Welf, "that is the last Crozzo able to make magic weapons, all of which are exceedingly powerful," she pointed at Asfi and Aisha, "those two are level fours of some remarkable quality," she moved to Ryuu. "She is a level five. She is a level six," she continued pointing to Tiona, "and you have threatened someone they all care about deeply. Someone I swore to protect. Luckily for you," the dark elf put the rabbit on her shoulder, "I am completely confident in young Bell's ability to tear through you silly little girls like paper. Had that not been the case, we wouldn't be having this lovely conversation as I would have already turned all of you into ash so that I could go and aid him."

The Athena familia, shocked and terrified by the display, could not muster a response until the previous Athena officer, now healed by her comrades and back on her feet, strode forward.

"Nice bluff you knife-eared bitch!" she spat.

"I am Galadriel Lothlorien of the Hera familia, I do not bluff."

The fear the Athena familia felt grew exponentially at the mention of her familia and many even backed away.

"What are you all doing?! We outnumber them four-to-one and are members of the great Athena familia! Do you wish to shame our great goddess by retreating like worthless cowards?!"

The Athena familia did look ashamed and some even gained heart, but that didn't mean they were suddenly eager to take on a member of the Hera familia.

"Come on!" the officer bellowed, "we'll overwhelm them and return to Athena as heroes! Now atta-!"

Everything stopped when a beam of black energy shot into the sky and exploded high above the city.

The Athena familia were utterly terrified, having never seen anything like it before, but for the Orario adventurers, it was all too familiar.

"Dark Argonaut," Haruhime whispered.

"Looks like I was right, he didn't need my help," Galadriel said, trying to ease the terrible anxiety the sight above her had created.

"What...what the hell was that?" the Athena officers asked. None of her familia had an answer, and so she turned to Galadriel and the others. "What the fuck was that?!"

"That, is the young man you thought your Vice-Captain would so easily defeat," Galadriel informed her.

The officer began to sweat, not knowing what to do and likely being too afraid to do it even if she had known. Luckily, or unluckily, for her, a messenger suddenly arrived.

"We need reinforcements! All Athena familia are to head to the palace!" she cried.

"B-But...But what about them!" the officer managed, pointing towards the Orario adventurers.

"Forget them!" the messenger cried, "the Hestia familia captain is tearing us apart! If we don't get reinforcements Athens itself will fall!"

Shocked and horrified, many of the Athena familia immediately rushed off towards the city while the remaining gave one final look towards the Orario adventures and their Xenos friends.

"This isn't over. We'll make you all pay," the Athena officer vowed, though her voice shook fiercely, before she and the rest of her familia ran off to join their comrades.

"Shit," Welf growled.

"They're all headed for Bell-sama!" Haruhime cried.

"It appears so," Galadriel said, "and while I'm sure we all want to rush to his aid, he would want us to bring the Xenos to safety."

Everyone turned to the Xenos who had worried looks in their eyes. After a moment they nodded.

"Yeah he would," Welf agreed.

"Then let's hurry so we can help Argonaut-kun!" Tiona cried.

"Rushing won't help us right now. Bell might have the Athena familia distracted right now, but we still need to be careful," Galadriel replied calmly.

"But Bell-sama's fighting them on his own!" Lili cried.

"And winning, by the sounds of it," Galadriel pointed out. "That said, I don't think he'll be alone for much longer."

"What makes you say that?" Ryuu questioned.

Galadriel's response was to point towards the sky. Everyone looked up and discovered dark clouds now filled the once bright sky and after a few seconds a bolt of blue lightning descended from the heavens.

---

Achilles was heading back to Athens wondering how things had gone with his familia.

I guess I'll find out soon enough.

He continued jumping across the Athenian landscape, until he noticed a group of people in the distance. Squinting he soon discovered two familiar faces.

Dido? Imilce? What are they doing here? And why are they with so many Athena familia and Mordred of all people?

Deciding to investigate, he pointed himself in their direction and soon landed before the small army of women.

"Achilles," Dido said as she and all the other women tensed.

"Afternoon," he replied cautiously. "What are you two doing out here? And…" he turned his eyes to the others, "when did you get so many friends?"

Imilce began to shake terribly and Dido's fists tightened.

"Unfortunately, we have business with you," Dido stated.

"That business being?" Achilles said as his hand fell to his sword.

"Now!" Metis cried.

Dozens of Athenian mages suddenly cried out.

"μείωση αντοχής!"**

"Minuere celeritatem!"**

"Perdere sollertia!"**

Several more spells were cast and Achilles felt his power being stolen from him.

"Debuff spells," he growled before unsheathing his blade. "Explain yourselves!" he roared.

"Sorry handsome," Mordred cut in, holding up her staff, "but Athena promised me a particular text I've been after for over a century, I hope you'll understand."

"Athena," Achilles turned to her, but it was too late.

"Draig Goch y Rhyfel,"*** Mordred finished calmly.

A magic circle appeared beneath Achilles, who looked down and growled in annoyance.

A pillar of blue fire shot into the heavens, consuming Achilles and blinding many of the Athena familia. Those that weren't blinded began to cheer and congratulate themselves.

"You know, I never understood why it's called the 'Red Dragon of War', given the flames are blue. I suppose it's one of the mysteries of magic," Mordred said as she watched her own spell do its work.

"This isn't over," Dido stated as Imilce's shaking got worse.

"What?" Mordred asked, looking genuinely confused.

"That spell wouldn't have been enough to kill him back when he was a level 7, even with the debuffs, now that he's a level 8, it's likely all we've done is piss him off," Dido informed her.

"That's right."

The Athena familia stopped celebrating and turned their wide, terrified eyes back to the pillar of fire. Not a moment later, electric blue light cut through the pillar, dispersing it and sending a wave of hot air out, knocking over a few of the Athena familia.

There he stood. The Father On High. He'd looked better, that was for sure. A few burns here and there and his clothes would need replacing, but other than that he was painfully unscathed.

"That was my strongest spell," Mordred said in disbelief.

"And that's the world's strongest captain," Dido said as took out her axes and prepared herself for the onslaught to come.

"Second strongest, actually," Achilles replied as he approached them, sword in hand, "but more than strong enough to make you all regret whatever the hell it is you think you're doing."

A few of the Athena familia soiled themselves, a few others fell over because of how terribly their legs were shaking, while a few tried to flee, only for a wall of lightning to block their way.

"Oh no, no one gets to run from this," Achilles stated darkly, "but don't worry, I'll start with all you young ladies, then I'll come to you, Mordred-san," he turned to the mage who was sweating profusely. "I won't be too harsh since you're Riveria's master, but I'm sure she'll want a word or two with you later. Which leaves," he turned to Dido and Imilce, "my old comrades who I'm sure have a very good reason for all this. A reason I very much look forward to hearing."

"P-Prepare yourselves!" Metis cried, doing everything in her power to sound strong. Her facade broke the moment Achilles suddenly appeared before her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you need more time?" he asked.

Not a second later, her face was in his hand as he slammed her, skull first, into the ground, creating a crater 20 feet in diameter in the ground and knocking her out cold.

"Captain Metis!" a few of the young women cried. They should have been more worried about themselves as Achilles zipped around, knocking them all out more easily than one would swat a fly with no wings.

Within moments, the entire force of Athena familia was on the ground, unconscious.

"Alright, next up is-"

The former captain was prevented from finishing by a wave of ice and lightning magic that slammed into him.

"There's tough, and then there's just unfair, handsome," Mordred said.

"It's not unfair if you've earned being this strong," he said from behind her.

She spun around as he moved to deliver a chop to the back of her neck. However, a magic barrier appeared and blocked his path.

"I'm not as defenseless as those little girls," she stated, giving him the best smile she could in the given situation.

"And I would never suggest you are," he replied. "However," he struck the barrier again, this time shattering it into a million pieces, "I'm still leagues ahead."

"My my, handsome and a bit cheeky, a man after my own heart," the mage joked before bringing up her staff.

Achilles wasn't about to let her send another spell his way. While he could take them just fine, that didn't mean they tickled. As such, he tried to knock her out again, only when he threw a chop towards her, his hand disappeared into a portal. Luckily for him, he was experienced and knowledgeable enough to know where his hand went and quickly ducked, allowing his hand to harmlessly fly over his head.

"Nice reflexes," Mordred complimented.

"Nice spell. However," he slammed his foot to the ground, creating a small earthquake, and knocking her off balance, "I really need to get back to Athens."

Lashing out one final time, he finally managed to deliver the chop and knock the mage out, though he did not fail to notice that despite the defeat, she was smiling.

"I hope we can still be friends after this," he said before gently placing her on the ground. That done he turned to the final two. "Alright, do you want to do this the easy way or the-"

Several containers broke around him, sending up a cloud of white dust.

"Shit," he said as he was hit by a tsunami of sleepiness, "Hypnos powder."

He shook his head, trying to ward off the sudden, desperate desire for sleep, but he knew that it was only because of his extraordinary resistances that he wasn't already on the ground.

"It appears the debuffs weren't meant for the Athena familia's benefits," he noted out loud as his eyes grew heavier.

He heard movement behind him and moved just quickly enough to parry a pair of strikes from Dido.

"Of course...you wouldn't fight fair," he complained.

"Who would with you?" she shot back before attacking again.

He managed to block another pair of blows, but the Hypnos power was having too great an effect on him and soon, Dido managed to land a blow, embedding one of her axes into his right shoulder.

"Ah," he growled.

Dido followed this up with a kick to his stomach which sent him flying through the air and crashing a good 30 feet away.

"Thanks for that," he said as he picked himself up, "that woke me up a bit."

Achilles proved this by rushing back to Dido and body slamming her hard enough to make her skip across the landscape and land a good 50 feet away.

"Damn you and your strength," Dido hissed as she got up, "Imilce, more Hypnos powder!"

Hearing the cry, Achilles shot his head around until he found Imilce who prepared to throw another container at him.

"Oh no you don't."

Using his Lightning Steps, Achilles closed the distance just in time and managed to stop Imilce by grabbing her arm.

"A-A-Achilles!" she cried.

"Sorry Imilce, I can't let you throw any more of that stuff. It's still really effective though," he commented as he removed the container from her hand. He then proceeded to throw it as far as he could, which, for him, meant a good mile away. Literally. "Oh, and I'll have to confiscate your other ingredients too," he said as he took her satchel.

Not a second after he did so, Dido reappeared, aiming an axe at his neck. He nonchalantly brought Dragonsbane up to block it before smacking her axe away, turning, and roundhouse kicking her across the field again.

"Now just wait here while I deal with Dido," Achilles told Imilce, giving her a smile before striding off to the downed Hera captain.

Dido had managed to get back to her feet by the time he reached her and attempted to go on the offensive again only for the now thoroughly annoyed ex-captain to bash away her attempts and deliver a sound punch to her stomach.

The wind knocked out of her, Dido fell to her knees and grabbed her stomach.

"Looks like you're finally ready to talk," Achilles said before grabbing Dido by the neck and lifting her up so she was eye-level with him, "do you mind explaining what the fuck you were doing? Why are you here with the Athena familia? Was this an assassination attempt? If it was I'm insulted."

Even had the Hera captain had a response, she would have found it difficult to speak it given the recent blow to her stomach and how tightly Achilles was holding her throat.

"Well?" he asked as he squeezed harder.

Dido tried to pry his hand off her throat and kicked him a few times, but to no avail. It looked like this would be the end of the adventurer, when an unexpected voice called out.

"We're being blackmailed!"

Achilles turned to find Imilce staring at him with desperate pleading eyes.

"Athena is blackmailing you?" he asked.

Having used up her strength for her desperate cry, Imilce just nodded.

"Uh huh," he continued before turning his eyes back to Dido and loosening his grip around her neck. "And what info did she have on you that you would risk fighting me?"

"She…" Dido tried, still having trouble speaking even with the loosened grip, "she had information on the Hera familia that we couldn't risk getting out."

"That information being?" Achilles pressed.

"You...you have your familia secrets...Achilles...so do we," Dido replied, doing her best to sound strong, though she well knew it was of little use.

"Hmm," he hummed angrily, glaring at his former comrade before finally dropping her.

"Dido!" Imilce immediately rushed over to her captain who was coughing violently.

"Fine. I'll leave it at that, given the beating I gave you and the scare I gave Imilce. But I warn you, Dido, you try this shit again and I won't be so merciful," he warned before turning to leave.

"Go to hell, Achilles. Acting so high and mighty. You don't get to grandstand me...not after everything you've done," Dido growled as she rubbed her neck.

Achilles stopped.

"You're right," he admitted, not looking at them, "I don't have any right to grandstand in any fashion. I have done some horrible things and I have also kept some terrible secrets from those I claim to trust," he turned to them, "but here's the difference between you and me, Dido. I keep secrets because I don't want to hurt people. Even without knowing what secrets you're keeping I can tell you're keeping secrets because you do want to hurt someone," he stated.

Dido's frown deepened, but she said nothing.

"That's what I thought," he said. "So yes, I can't grandstand, but I can warn you, Dido. I can warn you to tread very carefully in the future, especially given that I'm about 90% sure at this point that the person you want to hurt is Bell." Both women froze. "Normally, that would be enough to earn my wrath in full, but you're very lucky. You're lucky we're old comrades. That means I'm going to hold onto that 10% uncertainty and hope that I'm wrong. Hell, I'd rather I was your target, at least then I know it would be deserved. However, if your target, for some godforsaken reason, is my son...well...There is no force on Earth or in Heaven that will save you from me."

Unknown to both Dido and Imilce, Achilles had mimicked the voice of the One Eyed Black Dragon when he had made his threat, figuring that if he was going to make a threat, he might as well use the most horrifying voice he knew.

He was about to jump off, when he stopped again and turned to Imilce.

"Oh, and Imilce," he said using his own voice.

"Y-Y-Yes?!"

"Don't let her push you around. You're a good girl and you deserve better," he said, giving her a warm smile.

His enemies defeated, and his warning and advice given Achilles rushed off back to Athens, hoping that Bell and the others were fine.

---

"A-Are you alright, D-Dido?" Imilce asked.

"What an idiotic question. Of course I'm not alright!" Dido bellowed.

Imilce shrunk back.

"But I suppose it's not as bad as it could be. At least I didn't have to use this," the captain continued, pulling out a vile.

"Death's Blood!" Imilce cried. "I gave that to you for emergencies only!"

"And Achilles almost killing me doesn't count as an emergency?" Dido bit back, making Imilce shrink again, "but, luckily I didn't have to use this to save myself. This is now possibly our only means to end that monster."

"Y-You can't mean…"

"Not even that 'Wrath of the Dragon' skill will save him from this," Dido confirmed.

"NO!" Imilce screamed. "I won't be a part of that! He's just a boy, Dido! A good boy who's done nothing wrong! We can't just-"

Imilce was cut off when a hand wrapped around her throat.

"'Done nothing wrong'?" Dido hissed. "Are you blind or stupid? You saw as well as I what he did during the tournament. What he became."

"B-But," Imilce tried, only to have Dido tighten her grip.

"But nothing! That was just a taste of what he might become. We have to kill him, by any means, regardless of what Hera says or Aria's fucking opinion. He dies! Understood?!"

Tears filled Imilce's eyes, making Dido want to gouge out her eyes.

"Did you actually take Achilles's words to heart? You think you're better than me...Queen of Poison?"

"NO!"

Imilce lashed out and actually forced Dido back.

"I hate that name! You know I hate that name!" Imilce wailed as she began to cry.

"But it's not unearned is it?" Dido asked as she held up the vial. "You invented this poison. A poison so deadly that nothing on earth can save you once it's inside you. No antidote. No anti-venom. No medicine. Death in 100% of cases. This is your greatest accomplishment."

"H-Hera...Hera-sama asked me to make it! I d-didn't...I didn't want to!"

"But you did. You did because you wanted to please her. So, next time you think you're a better person to me, remember this. Remember what you did to please your precious goddess. Remember all the 'test subjects' you went through."

"STOP!"

"I'll stop...just so long as you remember what you are and what you've done," Dido sneered before turning towards Athens, "now come. We need to return to Athens and learn how much damage has been done."

Distraught though she was, Imilce followed after her captain. She would cry the entire way back to Athens.

---

Bell stood atop the tower, looking out on Athens with slitted, crimson eyes.

His body carried none of the usual sweetness or adorableness it usually did. Where before was a welcoming smile and cute face, now was a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth. Upon his cheeks one did not find a cute blush, but pale white scales. Where once were warm, calloused hands, there were now terrible, knife-like claws. All in all, the transformation, while not quite as complete as it had been when he had fought Ottar, was uncomfortably similar and there was no one in the world who would not have been terrified by the sight of him at that moment.

Returning to his clawed, scaled hands, one of them was currently busy holding Agrippina's neck, squeezing it hard enough to cut off her air, but not enough to kill her. At least not yet.

Turning his burning orbs to his prey, Bell lifted Agrippina up so her bloody face was level with his, then loosened his grip just enough for her to speak, but only after coughing up a wad of blood.

"W...w-what a-are...y-you?" she whispered as that was all she could manage.

"I am Bell Cranel," he replied with terrible, soul-freezing force, "I am the captain of the Hestia familia, the Red Dawn, and the one who will come running whenever someone needs to be rescued. No matter who they are, I will be their hero, and I will do or become whatever I need to in order to save them."

"Y-You're a...monster."

"Monster...hypocrite...it doesn't matter. If that's what I need to become to save those who need me, I will."

Having said his piece, Bell threw her aside and turned his eyes towards his target. Athena's palace.

"And I will fight whoever I need to in order to save them," he added.

Before he could rush off towards the goddess of wisdom, however, he had one final bit of business to take care of down below.

Jumping down, he landed in front of dozens of former prisoners, half of whom fell on their butts at his sudden appearance.

"I'll keep the Athena familia busy. You all head for the gates and escape."

Most were either too terrified or too eager to escape to respond and so simply began running down the street. However, one man, half-starved and shaking, approached the Red Dawn.

"Thank you...young man. I...I don't know who you are or what this...power is, but you've saved me and so many others today. I swear I will not waste the opportunity you've given me."

For just a moment, all the rage disappeared and Bell's eyes returned as he smiled.

"I'm happy to hear that. That's all I want for you, for all you," he said, signally to the other escapees. "Live as best as you can. That'll be more than enough reward for me."

The man smiled and nodded.

"Then I shall pay you in full. Good luck, young man."

"And good luck to you," Bell returned.

The man bowed then joined the others in their escape, leaving Bell to his task.

Turning back towards the palace, Bell lost his smile and his eyes became slits again.

"Here I come, Athena."

He jumped into the air and soared towards the goddess of wisdom.

---

"Do you think Bell and the others succeeded?" Aiz asked as they flew through the air.

"Bell is a very determined young man. Once he sets his mind to something I'm honestly not sure there's anything he can't do," Riveria answered, giving Aiz a smile over her shoulder.

"Yeah," Aiz replied, growing a dreamy smile, "I think you're right."

Riveria chuckled before turning back around.

"Well, you'll get the chance to ask him soon enough, we're almost back."

Aiz refocused on the real world and found that they were now over Athens and heading straight for the palace.

A bit of excitement filled her as she couldn't wait to hear how everything had gone.

A minute or so later, the Orario adventurers, plus the Mania familia all landed at the palace's landing area.

"Well, that was fun," Ajax said as he and Patroclus dismounted.

"It's just too bad that we couldn't find Ares," Riveria stated.

"Well Achilles isn't back yet, who knows, maybe he's dragging back that greedy conqueror as we speak," Patroclus suggested.

"That would certainly be nice," Geneve joined, "it would be nice to get back to normal."

"That it would," Rei agreed, "but let's head inside for now. Who knows, maybe we'll have a pleasant surprise or two waiting for us."

The smiles and eagerness they all had did not last for long as a beam of dark energy suddenly flew up from the city below, shot into the sky and exploded, nearly sending them all to their knees with its sheer force.

"What by all the gods was that?!" Ajax bellowed.

"Bell," Aiz whispered, immediately recognizing the Dark Argonaut.

"Bell?" Patroclus asked, looking beyond confused. "He did that? But why? And what's he doing out in the city? I thought he was still recovering from being poisoned."

None of the Loki or Mania familia knew how to answer the Zeus familia member or indeed what to say at all, but Riveria knew that something needed to be said as she was painfully aware that, if Bell was unleashing his Dark Argonaut, that meant that something had gone terribly wrong.

"I cannot explain everything to you right now," she began to the two Zeus members, "but for the moment, all you need to know is that, if Bell is using that spell then he's not in his right mind and we must all prepare ourselves for a very difficult next step."

Ajax and Patroclus shared a look between each other and though they were clearly confused and upset that they were so in the dark, they both turned back and nodded.

"Whatever we can do to help the kid, we will. I am his uncle after all," Ajax said.

"Thank you," Riveria responded with unrestrained gratitude.

"Wait," Lefiya suddenly called, snatching their attention. "What's that?"

Everyone turned to where the young elf was pointing and soon they found it, soaring through the air straight towards them.

"Bell!" Aiz cried.

Not a second later, the Red Dawn reached the palace and smashed through its roof so as to continue his onslaught.

Wasting no time, Aiz immediately rushed inside, leaving the others behind.

"Damn it!" Riveria cursed. "Come on!" she called to the others.

Lefiya, Ajax, Patroclus, the Mania familia, and even the Kali familia all rushed in after her, leaving only the Freya familia behind.

"What should we do, big guy?" Gumi asked, looking up at Ottar.

"I will go to Bell Cranel and ensure his safety. The rest of you will find Haruhime," Ottar ordered.

The rest of the Freya familia immediately disappeared, allowing Ottar to grab his sword and head inside.

---

"He's too strong!"

"Do whatever you have to! Stop him from reaching Athena-sa-AAAH!"

Bell cut through the Athena familia like a hot knife through butter. He didn't kill them, even in his rage he wasn't a murderer, but he didn't have time to waste on underlings.

I will make you pay for what you've done, he thought before rushing on.

One hall after another he cut a swath of destruction through, leaving behind dozens of Athena's best and brightest in his wake until he finally reached his destination, the throne room.

Upon his arrival, Bell didn't push open the door and he certainly didn't knock, instead he roared and punched one of the mighty, ornate doors right off its hinges and sent it crashing into the room as those inside cried in alarm.

The Red Dawn strode into the throne room of the Goddess of Wisdom, his crimson eyes burning, his bone white scales shining and his weapons in hand. Before him were the last remaining members of the Athena familia who could put up a fight. A meager force of but a couple dozen, all of them scared and shaking at his terrible visage. Behind them, sitting as calmly as she could upon her throne, was Athena.

"So you've made it all the way here, have you, Bell Cranel? Or should I even call you that now? 'White Dragon' seems more appropriate."

"I don't care what you call me, Athena," he growled. "I care what you've done."

"You mean to those 'Xenos' or do you mean to those villains locked up in my basement?"

"VILLIANS! THERE WERE CHILDREN AMONGST THEM! CHILDREN! AND YOU WERE TORTURING THEM!" he roared with power so great it shattered the windows and caused most of the Athena familia to fall over. Even Athena was stunned silent for a few moments and could not help but shake.

"I was experimenting on them, which is more than any of them deserve. Pillagers. Criminals. Rapists. Murderers. And yes, some children," she admitted, "but all were a threat to my beautiful empire. The nation I built from the ground up and made something great. And now you!" she pointed an accusatory finger at him, "have set them all loose upon the world! The so called innocent, and the guilty. The children and the scum!"

"Do you expect an apology? Well, then you'll be disappointed, Athena. No one deserves what you were doing to them, no matter how guilty," Bell countered, his voice returning to normal, "and I do not judge those who need to be saved."

"Well aren't you heroic," Athena responded as she slow clapped, "but this leaves us at an impasse. You have wrecked terrible havoc upon my familia and my city in order to punish me for what you deem to be crimes. However, you do not have the power to send me back to Heaven, so here I shall remain, and here I shall rebuild. My city, my familia, my strength, all I shall rebuild and make stronger, and then," she rose from her throne, "I shall come after you. You and all those connected to you. Hestia. Your familia. You accursed father. Your lover. I shall come for them all."

The goddess descended the stairs of her throne and drew closer to Bell. Her familia tried to stop her, but she just raised her hand.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll say that it doesn't matter. You're all plenty strong, you'll beat me back, or something like that. And it's true, you are very strong. So are some of the members of your familia, Achilles especially. Your lover, Aiz Wallenstein is also very strong, but here's the problem," she was now before Bell and she stared into his furious ruby eyes before leaning down next to his ear, "you've infuriated me, Bell Cranel. I loathe you now. I don't care how long it takes or what tactics I will have to use, I will destroy you and everyone around you. You will rue the day you challenged me and only when I've taken everything from you and you're on the ground begging me will I-"

She stopped or, more accurately, she was stopped.

Athena looked down and found the Hestia dagger plunged into her heart.

"You," her eyes filled with unquenchable malice, "YOU DARE?!"

She activated her Arcanum and backhanded Bell across the throne room, causing him to crash against the wall with such force it shook the very palace.

"You dare raise a weapon against a goddess?! Against a divine?! I'll rip your heart out, eat it in front of your eyes, then revive you and do it again! I'll-"

"Bell!"

Aiz suddenly burst into the room, followed quickly by the others. Athena, realizing what this meant, quickly deactivated her Arcanum.

If Hestia or Mania appear and send me back to Heaven, I'll never get my revenge!

She cursed, but took a moment to calm herself as more and more people, including said goddesses rushed in.

"Aiz?" Bell said as picked himself up.

"Are you alright?" Aiz asked, helping him.

"I'm fine."

"What happened? We saw your Argonaut," Riveria said as she joined them.

To their shock and horror, Bell's eyes immediately turned back into slits.

"Athena," he growled.

His crimson eyes centered back on the goddess of wisdom.

"She's been torturing hundreds of people below Athens. Experimenting on them and sapping them of their mana to give to her familia!"

"What?" Mania replied, unable to believe her ears.

"Athena...how could you?" Hestia asked her fellow goddess.

"How could I? Are you serious, Hestia?" Athena scoffed. "Rakian soldiers. Marauding pirates. Rapists. Murderers, that's who I was running my experiments on, at least the more...unpleasant ones. Experiments that have borne fruit which have saved thousands, nay tens of thousands of lives! Do you think I feel an ounce of guilt for using such vile creatures for such noble ends?"

"It's cruel!" Hestia screamed.

"This world is cruel. Those people are cruel! If anything I was too kind to them, but rest assured, once I capture them again, my mercy will be a rare thing indeed," Athena vowed.

"You...bitch," Bell cursed as he strode towards the goddess. "You're just using that as an excuse. An excuse for your own malice. To justify yourself."

"I have no need to justify myself, especially not to a monster like you."

"Then why did you fail to mention the children?" he questioned, further horrifying the others behind him. "But you're actually wrong. You see...you do need to justify yourself. Especially...to a monster...like...me."

Their eyes met once again, her cold sapphires to his burning rubies, and the moment they did, an indescribable terror filled the great goddess.

It was as if she was looking into the very eyes of death. As if despair had been birthed from the void and appeared before her to take her very soul. Not for millennia had Athena felt such fear and it may very well have consumed her had she not been rescued by the most unlikely source.

The roof of the throne room caved in as Achilles, clad in his lightning, finally arrived.

"Bell!"

The young man, pulled from his tormenting of Athena, turned to his father.

"Hi Dad," he greeted calmly.

"What's going on? I saw your Argonaut go off above the city and rushed here as soon as I could."

Before Bell could respond, the rescue party burst into the throne room, alongside the Freya familia.

"Bell!" the Hestia familia cried.

He smiled as they rushed over.

"Hi guys. Sorry for leaving you behind," he apologized.

"That can be discussed later," Galadriel said, joining the group, "what precisely is going on here?"

This time, it was Athena herself who interrupted, having collected herself and retreated from the Hestia captain.

"Nothing. Nothing is happening here, because nothing can happen here," she stated viciously, "you are all here on official business from Orario. Business which does not include going to war with me! So you bastards are all going to be good little dogs and sit right there!"

The Orario expedition did not take kindly to that, but Athena did not care, in fact, to their surprise, she suddenly smiled.

"Except for Haruhime, of course."

The room fell silent.

"What?" Bell asked, his eyes turning bone-chillingly cold.

"Come here, Haruhime," Athena said with a smile.

"Haruhime isn't going anyw-" Bell tried to say, only for his words to die as the young renard, his familia member, and the second woman to earn a place in his heart, walked right past him.

"Hello my dear," Athena greeted, wrapping an arm around the young woman.

"H-H-Haruhime? W-What's going on?" Bell asked.

"I-I-I'm...I-I'm not sure," the fox girl answered honestly, "I-I just...f-feel like I should be by A-Athena-sama's side."

For the second time in his life, Achilles had to watch as his son grew a look of utter heartbreak. As if his very soul had been stolen from him, shattered like glass, and left for the wind to carry away.

"You bitch!" Achilles roared, ready to carve the goddess in half.

"What are you going to do, Achilles? Attack me? Force Haruhime back to your familia? Would you really force her to be somewhere she doesn't want to be? You would hurt her like that?" Athena asked smugly.

"She doesn't want to be with you, Athena, anyone with half a brain knows that!" Achilles roared. "You've done something to her!"

"Oh, and what's that?" Athena asked, still smiling smugly as she began to lovingly stroke Haruhime's hair. "What is this 'something', I've done to my Haruhime, hm?"

"The animus flower."

Everyone turned as Ottar and the Freya familia approached.

"That's how you've brought her to your side," the boaz continued, "you placed an extract of the animus flower in those candies that your vice-captain was giving Haruhime."

Eyes wide at having been discovered, Athena was still unprepared to give up the fight for the renard. She had lost so much already and was not about to give up her prize too.

"Do you have any proof?"

Ottar immediately held up one of the chocolates.

"We managed to take one of them from Haruhime yesterday and tested it. That revealed your plot."

Crackling filled and a pale blue glow filled the room.

"You...used...the mind control flower...on Haruhime?" Achilles asked coldly. "You used...the mind control flower...on the sweetest...kindest girl I've ever meant?" his eyes fell upon Athena like a mountain.

"That's...that's not proof. Who would believe the world of Freya's pet pig? You have nothing. Haruhime's here because she want to be-"

Bell's scaled hand grabbed her face and not a second later, the goddess of wisdom was flying across the room and smashing into the base of her throne.

Haruhime, who was beyond confused at the moment, stared at where Athena had been thrown until Bell suddenly approached her.

"P-Please...don't hurt me!" she begged as she threw up her arms.

She waited. Waited for him to strike her. To hurt her like he'd hurt her goddess. Yet, his strike never came. One second turned into three. Then five. Finally, after ten seconds of nothing, she slowly lowered her arms and looked up. What she found wasn't a terrible monster, but a young man. A handsome young man who was smiling at her.

"I would never hurt you," Bell said. He got down on a knee in front of her and gently took one of her hands. "I promise. I will never hurt you, Haruhime."

Slowly, the fog around her mind began to clear and the truth returned to her.

"B-Bell-sama?" she called quietly, her eyes filling with tears.

"Welcome back, Haruhime," he said with a smile.

Haruhime threw herself into his arms and began crying, begging over and over again for his forgiveness, only for him to shush her as he stroked her hair.

The others watched with happy, relieved eyes as the fox girl was comforted by her hero.

"You couldn't have told us about the animus flower before?" Achilles growled at Ottar.

"We wanted to see what precisely Athena planned to do. This was obviously a spur of the moment situation, not what she had in store, so we had to play it safe. Had we warned you and Athena discovered us, who knows what would have happened," Ottar replied calmly.

"Yeah, that totally doesn't sound like utter bullshit," the ex-captain spat.

"YOU FILTH!"

Everyone's head shot back around to Athena who now glared like a madwoman at them all.

"You think you can come to my city, hurt my familia, release my prisoners, and injure ME, and get away with it?!"

"And what are you going to do about it, Athena?" Hestia asked. "Go to war with all of us?"

"You think I won't? You think that, after all you've done, I won't use every means to punish you treacherous, monster-loving, bastards?!"

"You won't if you know what's good for you."

Everyone turned once again and found Hades and his familia entering the throne room.

"Hades? What are you doing here?" Athena questioned, looking confused and uneasy by his appearance.

"I'm here to put an end to this foolishness," he said coolly.

"They attacked me and my familia in my own city! They need to be punished!"

"Are you going to punish me too?"

The question startled everyone and Athena actually had to pause for a moment to collect herself.

"What...what are you talking about?"

"I was the one who gave young Bell here and his familia the mission to rescue the Xenos. If you want to punish anyone, it should be me," Hades answered.

As the Hestia familia and company all shared looks of utter bafflement, Athena stared at the god of the Underworld.

"You…?"

"I did. The creatures are of great interest to me and I did not care for your treatment of them or of those 'criminals' as you so deem them, so I hired young Bell to perform a rescue operation."

"You're lying," she growled.

"Am I? Are you willing to go to war with me to prove that?" he asked as Uriel and the vampire sisters grabbed their weapons.

Part of Athena wanted to do it. To declare war right there, but even in her wrath, she knew how unwise that would be. Going to war with the others would always carrying only so much risk as the worse Hestia, Mania, or Hermes could do was send her back to Heaven, but Hades? He could do much worse than that. Knowing this, there was really only one option left for her.

"GET OUT!" she finally bellowed. "ALL OF YOU! GET! OUT!"

"Gladly," Hades said as he turned around, "come Bell, we have much to discuss."

Shocked and confused as they all were, none of the adventurers or gods were about to pass up the opportunity to exit and so promptly followed after the god, leaving Athena to stew in her rage.

---

And done!

Holy Hell this one was a monster! I am so SO SOOOOO sorry this took so long guys. Things have been...well they haven't gone to plan the last month, which has killed my motivation. But I have troubled you all quite enough with my personal problems, so I won't do it here.

Now, what did you guys think? Did you like the chapter? Did you like having such a monster instead of the usual 6-10,000 words? Share your thoughts with me in the reviews and get ready, because the next chapter is the final chapter of the Athens arc as well as the completion of Cassandra's prophecy of the warrior and the dragon. I hope you're all excited, because I certainly am!

Anyway, that's enough teasing, so I'll bid you all a fine farewell for now, and I'll see you all next time. Ta ta for now.

*Pronounced: térata krymména apó káto. (Google Translate) Greek for: "monsters hidden below".

** In order of appearance: meíosi antochís (Greek) = strength reduction; (Latin) = lessen speed; (Latin) = destroy dexterity.

*** (Welsh) Red Dragon of War.