Hello everyone and welcome back! Well, the great rivalry between Bell and Asterios has ended and though Bell has lost a friend, he has regained his confidence and purpose, which he will need in the trials to come as plenty of the battles are still headed his way. So, let us travel back into the story and see what lies on the path ahead.
I do not own Danmachi
Why? Anya thought as her heart squeezed painfully and her eyes welled up with tears as she watched the scene unfold. Why does he get to be celebrated? After all he's done! After everything he's gotten away with!
"But has he gotten away with anything?" she asked, stopping herself. "He wanted to kill himself because of what happened with Allen, not to mention that Dionysus tortured him. Put him in that "Emperor Monster" thing. It was Dionysus who made him attack us. Maybe…" she turned back to Bell, hoping to see the bright young boy she and the girls used to tease. And she did, or…part of her did, another part could not help but rage as her eyes took in the sight of his bright smile and laughter.
"Why?" Anya asked as her eyes filled with wrathful tears and her fists clenched until her nails drew blood. "Allen's dead and the entire city cheers your name. It's not fair, even if Dionysus did control you! You're here and he's not! It's not fair!" she cried.
Her cry meant nothing though, for no one could hear it over the cheers that celebrated the man who murdered her brother.
"This will not stand. I will make you pay, Bell Cranel, even if it kills me," she vowed before turning away from the horrible sight and retreating into the recesses of Orario.
The cheers were deafening, but Ais didn't care, at least…not about that.
He's so strong now. Stronger than me, but… she watched as the healers used their magic on her lover and Bell drank another potion, he's still in danger. I still nearly lost him, her heart squeezed and her stomach churned at the thought. I couldn't even help him, he just picked me and took me away. That's not right, her fist clenched. I should be stronger than that. I should be able to protect him when he can't protect himself.
"But he can protect himself," a younger Ais said behind her.
"But will he be able to protect himself from the Dragon?" another young Ais asked, her dark eyes burning into the back of the true Ais's skull.
Achilles swore we would all fight the Dragon together.
"And how long will that be? How many dangers will Bell have to face while you remain weak?" the dark Ais asked.
I'll…I'll get stronger, she vowed desperately as her heart thundered.
A soft, breeze-like feeling took her hand, making Ais look down.
"Yes you will," the light Ais assured with a smile, "and your friends will help you."
The true Ais looked at those that surrounded Bell. Riveria. Lefiya. Finn. Tiona and Tione. Gareth. Bete. Alfia. The Zeus and Hera familia. Shakti and her familia. Tsubaki and the Hephaestus familia. And of course, the Hestia familia.
Yes, Ais thought as she stared at the towering father who, even now, smiled down at her lover, they'll help me get stronger, she smiled. I will stand by Bell's side and keep him safe from all harm.
With that vow, she returned to Bell's side, wrapping her arm around him despite the complaints or glares of half a dozen women.
"There it is," he said to himself as the walls of Orario came into view. "Hopefully they'll let me in."
The blonde man made his way down the road until, at last, he was before the gates of the Dungeon City.
There's so many adventurers on the walls, he noted as he looked up, and a few of the towers seem damaged. Did something happen? He wondered as he got into the long line that led into the city. There's a lot of people coming in, but also more than a few leaving. He watched as people, mostly civilians, passed him, some looking frantic. Something definitely happened.
After a half an hour, the blonde young man finally reached the gateway where half a dozen Ganesha familia and several other adventurers stood and eyed the incomers.
Which may not bode well for me.
"Welcome to Orario, traveler!" a Ganesha member greeted enthusiastically, turning him away from his worry.
"Thank you, I'm glad to be here," the man replied.
"Are you here to join a familia or for some other purpose?"
"I'm here on business, I'm afraid, though maybe I'll join a familia after that business is concluded…if I'm lucky," he replied, his voice getting more serious.
The Ganesha familia didn't seem to notice and simply nodded.
"Had a lot of people coming for business lately. Builders mostly."
"Why builders? Is there some sort of large project?"
"You could say that," the adventurer replied sheepishly. "You'll find out soon enough, so I might as well tell you, but Tiamat, the great dragon attacked not too long ago. She did some real damage to the city, which is why so many adventurers are on the walls."
"Tiamat? That's quite shocking to hear," he replied. "Do you mind if I ask what happened?"
"Long story short, Tiamat comes out of nowhere with a huge host of lesser monsters, thousands of them. The lower level adventurers take on the monsters while the high levels take on Tiamat. They battle for what seemed like days, but was probably barely more than an hour, when she and the Red Dawn faced off over Babel."
His eyes narrow.
"The Red Dawn? Bell Cranel?"
"Yeah. They shoot two giant magic beams at each other, which gives the high levels time to come in and kill the dragon, saving the city."
"My, that's quite the tale," he responded.
And makes the likelihood of my survival even less if Bell Cranel can take on a Herald.
"It gets even crazier," the Ganesha member continued. "Not even a week later, the Red Dawn fights this super strong black minotaur in Babel Square. Never seen anything like it. Thing was as tough as Ottar, I swear. Every time they hit each other, gusts of wind shot down the streets. I almost got knocked over three times because of it."
"And did the Red Dawn manage to beat this minotaur?"
"Yes, but just barely. I swear, there were a few times I thought he was done for, but he pulled it off in the end, though he's still recovering, not that I can judge him since that happened all of a day ago."
"It just happened?" he asked.
"Yeah. I actually kind of feel sorry for you, stranger, there was one heck of a party yesterday to celebrate his victory."
He smiled.
"I guess I should have picked up my pace, I hear that Orario has some great parties."
"That we do! Anyway, I've kept you long enough. Welcome to Orario, don't get into too much trouble and enjoy your stay, however long that may be."
"I hope to," the blonde man replied before waving his thanks to the Ganesha member and heading down the street.
The Ganesha member's smile dropped the moment the newcomer was halfway down the street.
"Someone take over for me, I need to speak with Captain Shakti."
With the help of some locals, the visitor finally arrived at his destination; Hearthfire Manor.
It wasn't too surprising to him that there was a line of people at the familia's gate, prospective members was a common occurrence even in Rakia, but it was surprising to see so many carrying what appeared to be gifts.
Chocolates, flowers, some even appeared to be carrying potions and tools. As he drew nearer, he found a pallum, a renard, a young woman in eastern attire, and a young man with red hair that he knew all too well standing just behind the open gate.
Welf.
The smith and his companions appeared to be accepting gifts and well wishes as well as occasionally letting what he guessed were prospective members through.
Better get in line, I suppose though... he eyed the young man, I think my chances of even making it through the door just grew slimmer. Then again, he smiled to himself, it would probably be better for me if I got denied entry.
He joined the line and slowly drew nearer to the front, hoping that things would go well.
Or as well as can be expected for what I'm about to do.
"Please give these to Cranel-sama, with my love," the young woman in front of him pleaded wistfully.
"Uh huh," the prum responded as she handed the box of chocolates over to the golden foxgirl who looked no more happy than the prum at the girl's request.
"Thank you," the young woman said before crying out, "we love you, Bell!"
With that, the girl ran off, allowing him to see the deep frowns of the prum and renard, as well as the barely restrained laughter of Welf and the easterling.
"A week ago they called Bell-sama a monster, now they're giving him chocolates! Lili can't stand it!" the prum declared.
"It is a bit much," the renard replied.
"It is, but we should be happy. Better adoring fans than scornful citizens," the easterling stated.
"You said it. Speaking of which, we've got another-" Welf stopped as he discovered who was next.
"Good morning, Welf. I'm glad to see you're doing well," the visitor greeted.
"Marius," Welf growled as his hand fell to his sword, immediately alerting the others.
"Welf-sama, who is this?" the renard asked.
"This is Marius Victrix Rakia, vice-captain of the Ares familia," the smith answered.
In an instant, the easterling had pulled out her sword and the prum had pulled out a crossbow that looked too large for her, yet one that Marius did not doubt she knew how to use.
"What do you want?" the prum growled.
"I would like to speak to your captain, Bell Cranel."
"Why?" Welf demanded.
"I think you can guess, Welf," Marius replied.
The redhead's hand tightened.
"If you're here for some sort of bullshit revenge then you'd better turn right back around and return to Rakia, because I'm not about to let you through."
"Neither am I," the black-haired swordswoman added.
"Neither is Lili!"
"Wait." They all turned to the renard. "Bell-sama will want to speak with him."
The other three looked at her, stunned.
"Haruhime-sama, but he surely wants to…" the easterner responded.
"I know, but we all know Bell-sama well enough to know that, despite that, he'll want to speak with this man."
The Hestia familia members all turned back to Marius before simultaneously sighing.
"Fine," Welf growled, letting go of his sword, "come on, but don't you dare try anything."
Marius nodded and entered the grounds, Welf and Mikoto on either side of him as Haruhime and Lili watched on.
"Something stupid and crazy is about to happen, isn't it?" Lili asked aloud.
"I don't think you even need to ask that question, Lili-sama. Bell-sama rarely, if ever does what's expected. It's why we love him," Haruhime replied, giving the prum a smile.
"Lili supposes that's true," the elder woman replied, allowing herself a brief smile before calling for the next person in line to step forward.
"This way," Welf ordered once they entered the manor.
The three adventurers headed through the manor until they arrived at a heavily populated dining room where more than a half dozen familias currently ate breakfast, laughed, and happily chatted away.
The first to notice them was Asfi who, upon seeing Marius, tensed, before her shoulders slumped in resignation.
It's going to be a long day.
"Thank you for your application, we'll thoroughly review it and tell you once we've made a decision," Hestia said to the guest before her who thanked the goddess for her time then headed out. "Whew! That's the seventh one today. They seem like nice people and all, though a few were far too flirtatious," she growled, earning a few nods from several of the ladies around the table, "but I'm not sure any of them are the right fit for us."
"The same could have been said about me, Hestia," Bell noted.
"That's not true at all! I knew you were perfect for me the moment I saw you!" Hestia defended, squishing his cheeks and earning a few laughs from around the table. "But that said, I'll take that into consideration."
Bell smiled, then turned, finding Welf, Mikoto, and an oddly familiar blonde man standing at the end of the table.
"Hey guys! Is this another prospective member?" he asked, causing everyone to turn to the three.
"Hardly," Welf snarled, before pushing Marius forward. "This is Marius Victrix Rakia, vice-captain of the Ares familia, and he says he wants to talk to you."
The room immediately fell silent, except for the sound of Achilles, Ais, and Alfia all rising from their seats.
"Does he now?" Achilles questioned.
"Dad," Bell called before turning back to Marius. "Welcome to our home, Marius-san. What did you want to talk about?"
"I think you already know, Bell Cranel," the prince replied, causing a dozen hands to tighten around their weapons. "I had no love for Ares. He was violent, chaotic, and foolish, but he was my god and the ruler of my kingdom. As much as I am loath to do it, and as foolish as I know it is, I am honor-bound to challenge you."
In the blink of an eye there were two swords on either side of his neck, two more at his throat, and the palm of a beautiful white-haired woman pointed at his face.
"That was, indeed, very foolish, boy," Alfia hissed as magic began to pulse through her veins.
"Stop."
The command made Alfia, Welf, Mikoto, Ryuu, and Ais all turn back to Bell, who had risen from his chair and was making his way over.
"But Bell," Alfia tried to say.
"It's okay, Aunt Alfia," he replied, giving her a warm smile, "let him go."
They all hesitated for a moment and it was only after the aunt gave the vice-captain a glare that made his knees nearly give out under him, did they part.
"Thank you," Bell said before returning his gaze to Marius. "If a fight is what you want, it's what you'll get."
"Bell!" Hestia cried.
"It's alright, Hestia, I've fought worse, in case you've all forgotten," he joked, smiling brightly.
"That's more true than you realize, Bell-san," Asfi stepped forward. "Marius, last time we met you were, at best, a level four. Even if you grew another level, that would still put you at a severe disadvantage when against Bell who is now a level seven, and that's assuming you found a new deity to reactivate your status. Have you?"
"I have not," Marius admitted.
"So this is…what? A suicide mission?" Freya demanded, having had more than enough of this foolishness.
"It is an attempt to free myself from Rakia without guilt, something which I believe Bell Cranel understands at least somewhat."
Several people growled.
"You little-" Alfia snarled, before Bell cut in.
"You're right," he confirmed, "I do."
The young man turned around and faced his goddess.
"Hestia, I'd like to ask that you give him a status."
Everyone blinked. Then blinked again.
"I beg your pardon?" Hestia replied.
"It won't be a fair fight until Marius has his status, and neither of us will gain the liberation we need unless we can fight properly."
"You want me to give my status to someone who has just admitted that he wants to fight you, as in, harm or possibly kill you?" the goddess questioned.
"I doubt Marius will wish to go that far, even if he does win, but yes, that's what I'm asking, Hestia," Bell replied.
Marius was floored, he had expected either not to receive a status, and thus be effectively defeated before the battle even began, or to have to beg some random god or goddess to take him in.
For him to ask his own goddess is…unexpected, he thought, though he couldn't help but smile. Unexpected…and extraordinary.
"Bell."
"Please Hestia," he requested, his soft voice melting her heart.
"Grrrr fine! Darn it, I need to learn how to say no to you!" she cried.
Bell smiled.
"Thank you, Hestia-chan."
The 'chan' had the intended effect and Hestia began to blush and fiddle with her hair while saying how it was "no problem" and she was "happy to do it for him."
"That won't be enough though," Bell continued after Hestia had stopped blushing. "A level four against a level seven isn't a fair fight. However, I do know someone who will be willing to join you," his eyes turned to Freya.
It took but a moment for her to realize who he met.
"Bell, she'll calm down in time."
"Please, Freya-sama," he pleaded, "I want to accept her anger. I want her to vent all her pain out. If it allows her to feel better, I can take whatever she throws at him. I promise."
Freya did not want to concede, she truly didn't. The idea of her child fighting her beloved twisted her heart into agonizing knots.
And yet, she sighed, it may be just what they need to free their own hearts.
"Very well," the goddess replied quietly.
"Thank you, Freya-chan."
Once again, the addition eased the bad feelings, though this time it did earn Bell a few glares from Ais and a select few other girls.
"Geez kid, are you going to start using 'chan' with all of us?" Loki questioned, getting a few people to laugh. "I'm not even sure I've heard you call Ais-tan that."
As if to prove this point, Ais appeared at Bell's side, pouting at him.
"Sorry, Ais-chan," he quickly corrected, "I'll use that from now on."
His lover beamed and wrapped her arm around his.
"That's two level fours," Finn stated, joining the conversation. "Which, while better, still isn't a fair fight."
"I think I can help with that."
Everyone turned to the unexpected voice and found a smiling Kali leaning back in a chair, Bache and Argana beside her.
"As you know, Red-Eyes, Bache here wants you badly. It's actually getting kind of annoying," the little goddess explained, "and I'm willing to part with her, but not for free," she leaned forward. "If you can beat both my captains, then I'll allow Bache to join your familia, giving you a level six and saving me a headache. Sound like a deal?"
"You're willing to part with your captain that easily?" Bell asked, stunned.
"Sure. We only except the strongest in Telskyura and Bache's lost her edge due to her infatuation with you." Bell's eyes hardened. "Oh don't give me that look, dragon boy, not all of us want soft familias like the one you got. Besides, if you don't take her, Argana here will kill her one of these days."
"Yes I will," Argana assured, her voice dark as she licked her lips sadistically.
Bell felt a welling up of anger in his heart at he stared at the first Kali captain, but once he turned to the second and saw her hopefully and admittedly afraid eyes, his anger cooled.
Grandpa would never forgive me if I refused to help a woman in distress, he mused.
"I'm fine with that, assuming there are no complaints?" he turned to the others.
Everyone shared looks. There were plenty of mixed feelings on the matter, especially for Hestia, Ryuu, Ais, Cassandra, and Tiona, but even they recognized it would make the fight more fair.
"Two level sixes would certainly even things out," Finn acknowledged, "in fact, in any other case, I would say it would put Bell at a disadvantage," he smiled at his fellow captain.
"Then it looks like we have a plan," Bell said. "Marius, Anya, Bache, and Argana versus me."
"If you're willing to give me that handicap, Bell Cranel, then I shall take it without complaint," Marius replied, hoping his relief was not clear on his face.
"I am. We both need this, as does Anya. Plus," he turned to Bache, "this gives me a chance to strengthen my familia, so there's a lot to be gained with this fight."
Bache smiled underneath her scarf.
"Alright well…this day just got a whole lot more interesting, not that I should be surprised at this point. I'm not sure it's possible for us to have a quiet day here," Hestia bemoaned, making a few people chuckle. "Alright blondie, you're coming with me. I better not hear any complaining about me taking too long or my hands being too cold."
"You shall hear nothing of the sort from me, Hestia-sama," Marius replied.
"Oh it's too late for politeness, pretty boy. Waaaaaay too late."
The two departed and the breakfast was wrapped up as everyone began to head their separate ways, whether that was to prepare for a fight or to find a certain catgirl. Off to the side, however, Ottar's frown deepened as he contemplated doing something he'd never intentionally done before. Upset his goddess.
"Ugh," Achilles groaned as he fell back into his bed, "kid just can't give his old man a break," he sighed, then smiled. "I suppose I wasn't that much different with Chiron."
A knock at the door made him turn his head.
Bell? No, he sniffed the air as he got up, recognizing the familiar scent.
He opened the door and smiled at his unofficial daughter-in-law.
"Need something, Ais?"
"Yes, actually," she said, her eyes like fire. "I was hoping you would train me again."
He blinked.
"Alright, that shouldn't be a problem. Why the sudden intense request though?"
"I need to get stronger."
The firm, yet desperate way she'd said that was not missed on the ex-captain, whose eyes narrowed.
"Does this have to do with our recent lizard friend and her boss?" he asked, his voice stern and commanding.
"No…yes…somewhat," Ais replied as her eyes fell.
She doesn't appear to be reverting back to her Black Dragon obsessed self, but there is definitely something going on here.
"Come on," he stepped to the side, "sit on the bed."
Ais did as she was told and Achilles took a chair to sit in front of her.
"Alright, now what's going on, Ais?"
Ais took a deep breath, then began to explain.
"Bell's gotten so strong. He's easily stronger than me now. When I tried to intervene with Asterius, Bell stopped me without issue. Like I was a child. I didn't even have time to fight back before he put me down next to you all. He's so incredibly strong."
"And that makes you…jealous?" the elder adventurer asked.
"No! Not at all," she assured him. "I'm so proud of him and how far he's come. Seeing his strength, his determination, it makes me fall in love with him all over again," she said wistfully, a lovely smile growing on her lips.
Achilles, knowing she would continue, waited in silence.
"But he still nearly lost against Asterius," she continued, her smile nothing but ash as she met Achilles's eyes again. "And Tiamat was even stronger than Asterius. And the Dragon will be even stronger than her. Bell will need all the help he can get, all that I can give him but," she stared down at her hands, "I'm nowhere near strong enough now."
A moment of silence passed between Achilles spoke again.
"No, you're not," he admitted. "And neither am I. None of us are strong enough yet to face Chaos, even together. I know that, as much as I hate to admit it." Ais's golden orbs met his electric blue ones. "Which is why I'm happy to train you again, Ais," he quickly held up a finger before she could thank him, "but not like this."
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
"You're desperate again, Ais. Desperate to get stronger like you were when we first met. It's for a better cause now, I'll grant you, but that desperation will push you too hard, and yes, that is a thing. You need to calm down, Ais. To realize that there is both no need for this desperation and that it will end up harming you."
"But we don't know when the Dragon will appear!" she yelled.
"True," he conceded, "but being in a state of terror will not help us. We need to be in control of ourselves. Heaven above, you saw how tormented Bell was when he felt like he was out of control. We almost lost him because of that."
Ais's heart felt as if it was stabbed as she remembered how broken her Bell was after returning to the surface.
"He wouldn't want anything even close to that affecting you. So please Ais, for his sake, for your own, for mine, for Riveria's, for everybody's, take some time to stabilize yourself. I know that's not easy…then again, maybe it won't be that hard," he reached out and took her hands. "Go to Bell. Hug him. Kiss him. Make love to him for all I care." Ais blushed. "Let his warmth wash over and calm you. That's why he's good for you. You give him motivation and he gives you stability, and you both give each other warmth. So go to him, Ais. Let his presence soothe you, and when you're calmer, I'll happily start training you again."
Ais stared down at their hands for a long few seconds before nodding and looking up.
"He gives me motivation too," she finally said.
Achilles smiled at her.
"Even more reason why you should go spend some time with him," he said before he leant down and kissed her forehead.
Ais froze as a memory of another man doing the exact same thing flashed before her eyes.
Papa?
"Are you alright, Ais?" Achilles called a little concerned.
"Y-Yes. I'm alright," she responded before slowly getting up. "Thank you, A…Achilles, for the talk."
"Of course. Anytime you need someone to talk to and whenever Riveria's unavailable, I'll be here for you," he joked, hoping to ease whatever was affecting the girl. Instead, she simply nodded and left the room. "I wonder what that was about."
Freya stared down at her catgirl with unflinching eyes.
"I will ask you one more time, Anya, is this truly the path you wish to take?"
"It's the path I need to take, Freya-sama," the young woman replied, her head bowing almost all the way to the floor.
"That's not what I asked, Anya. I asked if this is the path you want to take."
Anya bit her lip. Part of her wanted to cry out 'yes', but another part, the part that liked Bell, that hated feeling as she did and told her to turn away from her path, cried out 'NO!'.
"No," she confessed, "but I need to fight him. For Allen."
Anya's head was lifted by the soft finger of her goddess and, for a moment, the catgirl thought she would be Charmed, instead, Freya's sad eyes simply held hers as the goddess pulled away.
"A want can become a need if desired enough," the silver-haired woman stated. "As for Allen, I suspect he would approve of your path, even if he would criticize you for not being strong enough by yourself to enact it." Anya's head fell again. "But I don't approve, and never will. I will never approve of my child fighting my beloved, no matter what either of you say." Anya's head fell further. "However." Anya looked up as Freya sighed. "I want both of you to be able to move forward with your lives and so have conceded to this fight. That said," her eyes bore into Anya's, "this will be the end of it. Once this fight is over, whether you win or lose, I command that you cease your hostilities and quest for vengeance. Am I understood?"
Anya immediately nodded.
"Good. Then Hogni will take you to the armory and equip you with the best weapons and armor. If you're to fight as a member of my familia, then you will at least look the part."
"Yes, Freya-sama. Thank you, Freya-sama."
Anya and Hogni departed, leaving Freya, Hedin, and the Gulliver brothers behind.
"Forgive me, Freya-sama, but if Anya does manage to win, wouldn't that mean that result in Bell Cranel perishing?" the light elf asked.
"I don't know. I hope not," Freya answered honestly as her hands tightened on her crossed arms.
"We'll intervene if she tries that, Freya-sama," Alfrigg stated.
"No, we must stay out of it if those two are to reconcile," the goddess immediately replied. A few uneasy moments of quiet passed before Freya sighed again. "We can only wait and see, I suppose. Now," she looked around the room, "has anyone seen Ottar? He's nearly always by my side, but ever since we returned home, he's been unusually absent," Freya noted.
"You didn't send him on some task, Freya-sama?" Hedin questioned, legitimately surprised.
"No, at least none that I can remember, and I don't have a tendency of forgetting."
The Freya members shared looks, each equally confused and asking the same question.
Where did you disappear to, Ottar? Freya wondered.
Done.
Okay guys, I'm sorry this one ends so abruptly. This chapter was originally supposed to include the whole fight as well, but, one: it was taking me so long to get it out and it seemed unfair to make you guys wait full two months for a new chapter, and two: I'm having some difficulty with figuring out said fight. It's just not coming out how I want it and I fear that if I try and rush it, you'll get a significantly subpar product, so I'm going to split it here to take some of the burden off and give myself some time to think.
That said, I am so sorry that this chapter is all you've gotten in nearly two months. This is one of those chapters that's kicking my butt. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed what you read, I know that I said we were in the "calm before the storm" section, which in comparison to what's come before, we kind of are, but there's a few things I want to resolve and set-up before we get more romance and relationship stuff.
Anyway, I've blabbered on long enough. I hope you all have a wonderful day, a wonderful summer, and for my American friends, a most happy Father's Day. I'll see you in the next chapter. Bye for now.