Hello everyone and welcome back! I hope my American readers had a most excellent Thanksgiving and that none of you went too crazy during Black Friday. The Holiday season is now fully upon us and my gift to you is…conflict, monsters, and enough trauma to float a boat. The Juggernaut is awake and out for blood and poor Ryuu must now return to the darkest part of her life so that she may put her old nightmares to rest. With that, let's get into it.
I do not own Danmachi.
Ryuu stood before Ouranos, the other gods, and her fellow adventurers, shaking as one phrase repeated over and over and over inside her trembling mind.
It's back.
"Ryuu Lion," Ouranos's booming voice shook her out of her mind, though not out of her terror, "Alise Lovell. Tell us about the Juggernaut."
Ryuu turned to her former captain and found, for once, that the redhead was completely serious as she looked up at the enthroned god.
"It's fast," Alise began coldly. "One of the fastest monsters I've ever seen. Even had we been prepared, it would have been extremely difficult to manage, as it was…" her fist tightened, "the first attack caught us completely unaware. It likes to ambush, at least initially, whether that's to gauge the capabilities of those it attacks or to inspire fear, I'm not sure. Possibly both."
"You believe this creature is intelligent?" Take questioned.
"Not in the way the Xenos are, if that's what you mean, Takemikazuchi-sama. It certainly didn't converse with us, but it wasn't some minotaur charging straight into a fight without restraint. It picked targets, switched tactics, and used its arsenal of abilities to its greatest advantage."
"What are those abilities?" Finn asked.
"It shoots bone projectiles the size of cavalry lances in great quantity at its enemies. It can also create a wall of the sharp bone for either defense or offense," Alise explained.
"It also has an outer shell that repels all magical attacks," Ryuu joined.
"Repels all magic?" Lefiya whispered, stunned by the ability.
"The Juggernaut is not the usual foe of even high-leveled and experienced adventurers," Ouranos stated. "It only appears when the Dungeon itself suffers enough damage to feel threatened."
"When the Dungeon is damaged enough to feel threatened," Bell repeated lowly as a shiver ran down his spine.
"No more no more no more NO MOOAAAAARRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAWR!"
He felt power collecting within his body as he stared at the people he was fighting. His friends, his family, his lover, all arrayed against him in order to save him. And there he was, preparing to destroy them.
"STORM OF ARMAGEDDON!"
He fired his attack at them, at everyone he cared about and watched as it engulfed them, striking their defenses with near overwhelming power. Yet, for all his power, they managed to hold hold and deflect his blow upwards, towards the higher floors of the Dungeon, ripping through five whole levels of the Great Labyrinth.
"It's my fault."
Everyone turned to a horrified and grief-stricken Bell.
"My attack while I was the White Dragon. It damaged the Dungeon so badly that the Juggernaut was summoned. I'm the reason those adventurers are...," he couldn't finish as bile filled his throat, his knees began to shake, and his heart felt ready to burst with self-disgust.
Everyone around him was prepared to rush to his side and reassure him, but one firm voice beat them all.
"Yes," Ouranos confirmed. "That is the only explanation for the Juggernaut's return and the power it now wields. The damage you caused on the lower levels while under Dionysus's control activated the Dungeon's defense and to a degree not seen in many centuries."
"Don't you dare blame him for this!" Ryuu roared, many others joining her with glares and curses.
"I am stating a fact, Ryuu Lion. His actions while under Dionysus's control did cause the Juggernaut's appearance. From what I've been informed, Bell Cranel tore through several floors of the Dungeon, something which has not transpired since the Great Beasts first climbed out of the Labyrinth. Combine that with the fact that the damage occurred on the lowest floors adventurers have ever traversed, and the Juggernaut's current strength is easily understandable."
The elf continued to glare at the god, even if she had no counter to him.
"T-Then," all eyes shifted back to Bell. "Please…let me correct this. Send me to fight the Juggernaut," he pleaded.
The image of Bell, her precious, wonderful Bell, standing against her most feared enemy, filled Ryuu's every inch with a dread that froze her very soul. She could not even scream out her objections, so horrified was she.
"No."
Once more, all eyes shifted to Ouranos and though Ryuu had been glaring at the deity only moments early, she now stared up at him with the greatest relief and gratitude.
"The Juggernaut's goal is to protect the Dungeon and, though I have no proof behind this belief, I suspect that its main target is you, Bell Cranel," he explained.
All Ryuu's relief burned away.
I-It's after Bell?
"Ya think the thing's after bunny boy?" Loki inquired.
"Again, I have no proof, just a feeling, but I'd rather not test my theory by pitting Bell Cranel against the Juggernaut," Ouranos replied stoically.
The other deities eyed him, knowing there was something he wasn't telling them.
Ouranos doesn't base him opinion on hunches, Hades thought. Meaning he knows that the Juggernaut is after Bell, which can only mean grandmother told him. Which means, the god's eyes turned to Bell as fear sank into his heart, father and the others are giving the beast orders.
"I am also forbidding you, Ryuu Lion, and you, Alise Lovell, from participating in the mission to destroy the Juggernaut," Ouranos continued before the other deities could deduce what Hades had. "Though you have experience against it, neither of you are strong enough to face this more powerful version of the Juggernaut. More importantly, I cannot trust your judgment with this creature, given your shared past with it."
The two ladies of the Astraea familia looked aghast and ready to argue, but Astraea and Hestia appeared by their sides and stopped them before they could argue.
"We understand," Astraea assured calmly.
Ouranos eyed her for a moment, before nodding.
"I am assigning the destruction of the Juggernaut to the Loki and Freya familias. You two will move in force against this threat and destroy it before it can attack more adventurers or worse, decides to move towards the surface."
"Gotcha," Loki replied.
"Consider it done," Freya replied, relieved that, for once, Bell wasn't being put in danger.
"Then I will leave you to your preparations. Dismissed," Ouranos boomed.
The Hestia familia and company walked into the Hearthfire Manor silently, but were soon stopped by Hestia and Astraea.
"We understand that you two want to join the expedition against the Juggernaut, but Ouranos is right," Hestia began while Astraea stood quietly beside. "You have too much history with that monster and I can already tell the danger you would put yourself in if it meant destroying it," she continued, eying her elven child.
Astraea remained silent as her eyes moved between Alise and Ryuu.
"So please, let the Loki familia and the Freya familia handle it. You've told them everything they need to know about the monster, warned them of its strength, and they are the two strongest familia in Orario. If anyone can handle a big, bad, scary monster, it's them. Okay?" Hestia finished, her voice a tad pleading as she knew the members of her familia well enough to know the kinds of thoughts and plans going through their heads.
Ryuu couldn't verbally agree to Hestia's plea, but neither could she completely deny her current goddess's request and so, after a long moment, the elf nodded. Alise did so a moment later to Astraea though, once more, all Astraea was eye her captain in silence.
"Alright," Hestia responded, hoping that, for once, her words had sunk in. "And Bell," she turned to her captain who had remained painfully silent as well, "I know you're blaming yourself for the Juggernaut, despite the fact that Dionysus was quite literally in control of you." He did not speak, but the slight lowering of his head was confirmation enough. "I also know that words won't do much to convince you," his goddess continued as she took a step towards him. "I know that only time and constant reassurance from all of us will ease the sense of guilt you're feeling...so," she raised her arms and gently pulled him down into a hug, "whenever you need to talk or a hug or just a shoulder to lean on, I'll be there."
The rest of the Hestia familia nodded, including Ryuu, and their friends added a few words of encouragement.
"Thank you, Hestia," Bell whispered.
"You're welcome," she replied before pulling back. "Now, today's been stressful for all of us, so I think we could all use a little rest."
"I think that is an excellent idea," Mania seconded, her eyes focusing on her grandson as the others nodded.
Everyone began to slowly break up and head their separate ways with Astraea joining Alise while Ryuu headed off by herself to her room.
She had just reached her door when a familiar voice cleared his throat beside her.
"I know how you're feeling Ryuu," Achilles told her stoically. "The rage. The desperation. The fear. I know it all, but Ouranos and Hestia are right. This battle is too personal for you, which will lead to mistakes that may cost you more than you're willing to pay, and don't say you're willing to die for this fight, I know you're not. Not now that Astraea, Alise, Syr, and Bell are in your life."
Ryuu's hand tightened around the doorknob.
"Didn't you promise Bell that you would fight the One-Eyed Black Dragon with him and Ais Wallenstein?"
"I did, but that's because I have to. If tomorrow Albert Waldstein was reborn or some even more powerful adventurer struck down that monster, I'd be relieved, not angry." She turned her eyes towards him, challenging that notion and causing him to sigh. "Mostly," he conceded. "But you need to remember Ryuu, this isn't the same Juggernaut. The Juggernaut who killed your familia was destroyed years ago. Maybe that's small consolation, but it does mean something. You are not facing some ancient evil with intelligence or sadism. It's effectively just a wild beast that the Dungeon spits out when it feels threatened."
"Unless Ouranos is right about it targeting Bell," she countered.
He sighed again.
"Even then, you should trust the others in defeating it. They're strong and they know how much this mission means to you, to Alise, and to Astraea. They won't fail you or your familia. Trust them to do this. Lean on us, your new familia when you have doubts or fears or you just want to rage at the cruelty of the world. We'll listen. We'll fight against all those fears and remind you of the good things in the world. Okay?"
Ryuu's fist clenched as she once again wanted to argue, but wasn't sure how. Instead her head fell, but just for a moment, before Achilles lifted her chin.
"Okay?" he repeated, holding her sky-blue eyes with his own electric blue ones.
"Okay," she finally conceded.
"Thank you," he let go of her chin and turned to leave before stopping. "Bell will need you too," he called over his shoulder. "His guilt has returned and he'll need all of us to remind him that this isn't his fault."
The thought of her beloved captain turned Ryuu's bitterness to dust as she pictured his guilty look in her mind.
"I…I'll help him anyway I can."
Achilles merely nodded and headed down the hall, leaving the young woman to the myriad of thoughts bouncing around in her mind.
Ryuu stood outside her door for a few more, painfully silent moments, before finally entering her room.
The elf closed the door slowly, more on instinct than with conscious intent, for she could not pull herself from the depths of her own turbulent mind.
Is Achilles right?
No! I have to destroy the Juggernaut myself! It's not just another monster! It's evil incarnate and the others won't be able to rest until I destroy it!
The Loki and Freya familia are more than capable of destroying that beast.
They aren't Astraea familia!
But that's exactly why I shouldn't be on this expedition. Because my emotions will overshadow all reason and likely get myself or someone else killed!
It destroyed our family!
Images of her precious sisters flooded her mind and tears pricked at the corner of her eyes as she fell into her bed.
What should I do?
That question echoed inside her mind over and over again until all her energy was depleted and she fell asleep.
Ryuu's eyes blinked open.
When did I fall asleep?
She slowly sat up, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the now darkened room.
She rubbed her face then sighed.
"I should probably get something to eat," she reckoned. However, she didn't feel hungry, if anything, the thought of food repulsed her as the queasiness of her mind reverberated through her body.
Ryuu sighed again then walked over to the window, hoping that some fresh air would make her feel better and clear her mind, at least somewhat. However, all her previous concerns ended when she spotted a certain someone sitting alone in the Hearthfire Manor's backyard.
Why is Bell out there?
A new sick feeling filled her gut as her mind was flooded with memories of that morning.
No. No no no NO! He can't be thinking that again! Not after everything! His despairing look from the meeting presented itself so vividly in her mind that she could see it before her eyes. NO! I WON'T LOSE YOU TOO!
She burst from her room and ran down the hall as fast as the gale of which she was named. She did not descend the stairs, but jumped from the second floor and landed in the entryway of the manor, before turning and shooting through her home until she was last outside again.
"Bell!"
The young man sat up and slowly turned to her.
"Hi Ryuu," he greeted, giving her a smile so sad that her heart stopped for a moment.
"W-What are you doing out here?" she asked as she quickly closed the distance between them.
He turned and stared off into the darkness, not answering her until she was right behind him.
"Thinking."
The stone in her stomach sank deeper for she knew what he meant.
"About…" she couldn't say it. "Your…dark thoughts have returned?" she finally forced out.
He nodded slowly.
"Yeah," a horribly long and silent moment passed between them. "I honestly thought I'd beaten them. That you all had helped me beat them," he turned to her and gave her a more genuine smile, though only for a moment as it soon dropped as his eyes darkened, "I guess that was a bit stupid to think, wasn't it? Those thoughts aren't a minotaur that can be destroyed by a well-aimed knife thrust. They just...go dormant for a while until something calls to them," he turned from her. "Hearing about the Juggernaut. How it was created. I…" his voice caught as his fists tightened. "I know you'll say it's Dionysus's fault, but I will never fully believe that I'm not partly to blame, Ryuu. And if I'm partly to blame when so many people have been killed," he turned back to her, a stream of guilty tears descending down his cheek, "doesn't that make me a murderer all over again?"
"NO!"
Ryuu cried as she leapt forward, pulling him into her arms.
"You are no such thing and don't you ever accuse yourself of that ever again, do you hear me?!"
"But that's what I am!" he bellowed back. "Even if I'm only one tenth responsible, that means there's blood on my hands! And that's not even counting Ares!"
"Don't bring up that bastard! As far as I'm concerned, that you were defending yourself, Mania, and the whole world by ridding existence of his filth. And as for the Dionysus and the Juggernaut, tell me why would you be to blame at all for either of those two monsters?!" she demanded.
"Because I was too weak!" he cried as the bitter tears began to flow freely. "Because I couldn't protect myself from Revis! Because I couldn't escape! Because I couldn't stop Dionysus from turning me into that…THING!"
His head fell as he began to weep as the shame, guilt, and self-loathing overwhelmed him, leaving a stunned Ryuu unable to do anything but hold him as she listened to him cry.
"I am almost killed all of you," he whimpered. "How can I possibly forgive myself when I almost killed all of you?"
"Oh Bell," she finally whispered as she stroked his hair. She continued stroking his hair, hoping to Heaven she could take away his guilt. She wracked her brain, trying to find a way to ease his pain, when an old memory came to mind. "Bell?" He didn't respond, though his crying did lessen enough for him to hear what she had to say. "Do you think I deserve to be punished?"
"What?" He turned his red eyes to her. "No. Why would you deserve punishment?"
"You already know the answer to that. I am a murderer. And I don't have an evil god as explanation for my actions. I willfully murdered people in whatever manner I could manage."
"T-That's…different. They were Evilus and you had just lost your familia. You were hurting."
"And you weren't when Dionysus held you prisoner?" she questioned.
Bell's face scrunched up as he tried to find a way to argue with her, but couldn't. Soon, exhausted and defeated, his head fell into her chest.
"I don't know what to do," he whispered.
"I think there's only one thing we can do," Ryuu whispered back as she pulled him more tightly into her arms. He looked up into her sky blue eyes. "If we are both to be free of this guilt and fear we have to fight the Juggernaut. Fight it, and destroy it."
"Riveria, I'm leaving you and Lefiya behind to manage the familia while the Expedition deals with the Juggernaut," Finn stated.
"Is that wise? The Juggernaut may be immune to magical attacks, but my defensive spells and healing magic would still be helpful," the High Elf pointed out.
"True, but I'm confident we can overwhelm the Juggernaut before it can do any real damage, and we're bringing plenty of potions."
"This Juggernaut does not sound like a monster you should take lightly, Finn. Not if what Alise Lovell and Ryuu Lion had to say was anything to go on," Riveria stated, and if the fear in their eyes was anything to go on.
"Which is why we'll also be careful until we know precisely what we're dealing with and how best to counter it. We should also remember that, while we're on more friendly terms with the Freya familia these days, they're still our rivals and might try to take advantage of the situation if all of us are down there," the Loki captain responded.
"Ah, I doubt that'll be an issue if only because Freya doesn't want Bunny Bell to be mad at her for pulling a stunt like that," Loki popped in.
A few of the Loki adventurers chuckled, though Ais pouted heavily due to the reminder of the goddess's feelings for her lover.
"I suppose you're right," Finn conceded, "either way, we're moving out tomorrow and putting an end to this menace."
Every member of the Loki familia nodded and moved to leave the meeting, when an unexpected knock came at the door.
"Yeah?" Loki called.
The door opened, revealing one of the Loki familia gate guards.
"My apologies for interrupting, Loki-sama, but Bell Cranel and Ryuu Lion are here to speak with you and Finn."
"Oh boy, they've come to beg us to let them join," Loki sighed.
"I can talk to them," Riveria offered.
"No, I should be the one to do it. Ottar and I are in charge of this expedition so I have the authority to deny their request," Finn replied.
"I can talk to them as well," Ais offered.
"I'm pretty sure that would only compel Bell to push harder to join us. Maybe Ryuu-san as well," Finn joked. "No, I'll talk to them, though I doubt either of them are going to make it easy to say no."
The prum headed out the door and followed after the gate guard who led him to where Bell and Ryuu were waiting, very impatiently, for the Loki captain to arrive.
"Good morning Bell-san. Ryuu-san," Finn greeted.
"Finn," Bell moved to speak, but Ryuu beat him to it.
"Please let us join the expedition."
Finn sighed.
"Well at least you're getting straight to the point. In honor of that, I'll reply directly. No."
"Finn," Bell tried to say, only for Finn to hold up his hand.
"I fully understand why you two want to join, I truly do. I'll even admit that part of me wants you two to join," he confessed, "but looking at you two right now," he held Bell's pleading eyes before turning to Ryuu's desperate ones, "I know that I can't."
"We need to do this," Ryuu pressed.
"Precisely. You need to," Finn countered. "And that need will push you, drive you into dangerous situations. I know you two can handle yourselves. By the gods, I wouldn't want to fight you one-on-one, Bell, as I suspect you'd beat me, and possibly more badly than my ego could take," he smiled, doing his best to joke, but finding that his attempt was falling on deaf ears. "However," he continued seriously, "I cannot allow you two to put yourselves and others at risk because of your emotions."
"We would never allow our desire to destroy the Juggernaut to risk the safety of others," Ryuu avowed.
"But you would allow it to put you at risk," Finn threw right back.
"You're right," Bell rejoined, his voice steady, strong, and even a little intimidating. "I am willing to put myself at risk to destroy that monster. Just like I was willing to put myself at risk to stop Tiamat. Just like I was willing when I faced Ares and Athena. Just like I was to save the Xenos. Just like I was when Mikoto and I faced the Ishtar familia to save Haruhime. Just like with the Apollo familia and the Black Goliath, and just like I was all the way back to the Silverback. I will always be willing to put myself at risk if I think it's the right thing to do; whether to save someone I care about or to right a wrong. That's who I am, Finn."
Finn sighed again and shook his head, though he could not help the smile that peeked at the edge of his lips.
"And that makes you an extraordinary person, Bell Cranel. One even I admire, but in a way, you only proved my point. You will put yourself in danger and one day you may find that you are in a kind of danger you can't fight your way out of. I hope that day never comes, for your sake, for your familia's sake, for Ais's sake, for all our sakes. And for that reason, for once, I'm going to prevent you from putting yourself in harm's way. Same to you, Ryuu Lion. You both have done more than enough, let me, my familia, and the Freya familia handle things for once, okay?"
Neither responded, though the prum knew they both had so much they wanted to say.
"Go home and spend some time with your familia and friends, preferably before they find you here with me behind their backs," he finished.
Both their heads fell in shame and defeat.
"Thank you for your time, Finn," Bell said as he and Ryuu turned to leave.
Feeling a tug at his heart, Finn called out, "Guys!" They both stopped and turned back to him. "We'll destroy the Juggernaut. I promise. For both your sakes, we will."
The two held his gaze for a moment longer, before they nodded and headed home.
The two pushed open the gate to the Hearthfire Manor, only to find Hestia, Achilles, Mania, and Alfia, all waiting for them on the steps.
Heads bowed in shame, they slowly approached the group and waiting for one came next.
That proved to be a light chop on the head from Hestia for them both.
"You two aren't exactly masters at sneaking out," the goddess stated.
"At least not to someone with super hearing," Achilles added.
"Two people with super hearing," Mania corrected, wiggling her tiger ears.
"You should be glad you failed. Had you not, I would have dragged you both back from the Dungeon myself," Alfia vowed.
"We just-" Bell tried.
"We know," Hestia cut him off, "and we fully understand. At the same time, we know that you two both understand why you weren't allowed on this expedition."
The two adventurers reluctantly nodded as their fists tightened.
"Oh you two," Mania pulled them both into a hug. "What are we going to do with you? So noble, so determined, yet so unwilling to listen to anyone when you set your minds to it. Reminds me a little of someone," she turned and smiled at Achilles, who smiled back. "It's admirable," she continued, refocusing on the young adventurers in her arms, "but you also need to learn how to trust your friends. The Loki and Freya familia will defeat the Juggernaut and the Dungeon will be made safe…or as safe as it normally is…again. That's what matters. There's no reason to feel guilt or anger or anything bad, do you hear me?"
"Yes Mania-sama," Ryuu answered.
"Yes Grandma," Bell replied.
"Good. Now come inside. The others are waiting for you and I have made my special hot chocolate to cheer you up."
"Did everyone do their final gear check?" Finn asked as the early morning sun bore down upon him, his familia, and the Freya familia.
"Yes Finn!" Tione declared happily.
"Yep!" Tiona seconded.
"Yeah," Bete grunted.
"Yes," Ais joined, though her attention was focused almost entirely on the young man who held her heart that was slowly approaching her.
"Good luck Ais," Bell wished, giving her the best smile he could muster at the moment.
"Thank you," she replied before pulling him into a hug and kissing his cheek. "I'll destroy the Juggernaut and all the dark thoughts you have with it," she whispered into his ear.
Bell's arms tightened around her.
"Thank you," he whispered back. "Stay safe."
"I will," she promised as she pulled back.
The Sword Princess rejoined her familia and, with a signal from Finn, the Loki and Freya familias began their expedition against the Juggernaut all while Bell and Ryuu watched on silently.
The two watched the Expedition until the very last member disappeared into the Dungeon and then for some time after that. How long, they didn't know. It was only when a large, rough hand landed on Bell's head, that he blinked back to the waking world.
"Come on Bell, let's go home," Achilles ushered.
Bell followed without a word, but not without a final glance towards the Dungeon where his redemption lay.
Ryuu had been expecting the knock for some time and opened her door to find Bell with two cups of hot chocolate in his hands.
She moved aside and let him, quietly receiving her hot chocolate before they both sat down on her bed.
Neither of them said anything or even sipped their cooling drinks for a long time, but merely sat on the bed as their individual thoughts echoed in their minds.
"They're right," Bell finally began. "Our emotions would get the better of us."
"Yes," Ryuu agreed emotionlessly.
"And they'll manage to destroy the Juggernaut. As powerful as this new one is, the Loki and Freya familia will defeat it, I'm sure of it."
"I agree."
"So everything will be fine, right?" he asked, though it came out as a plea.
Ryuu turned to him.
"Do you think everything will be alright?" she asked.
Bell's hands tightened around his mug.
"No," he confessed. "I understand logically that the others are right, but not fighting that monster, not being given the chance to make up for my mistake feels…wrong."
Ryuu nodded.
"It's the same for me. I have the chance to lay my familia to rest. To destroy the beast that destroyed my family, and here I am, sitting with a hot chocolate in my hands," she stared contemptuously at the mug. "It's just so…" she turned back to Bell, "wrong."
"So…what should we do?"
Before Ryuu could answer, a knock came at the door.
The two turned to each other, wondering who it could be, when a familiar voice echoed through the door.
"Ryuu?" Astraea called.
"Astraea-sama?"
The elf rose and quickly put down her mug before heading for the door and opening it.
"Alise?" Ryuu blinked, not expecting to see both her goddess and her best friend before her. "What are you two doing here and where have you been? I haven't seen either of you since the meeting with Ouranos."
Alise opened her mouth, only for Astraea to hold up a hand to stop her.
"Do you mind if we come in?"
Ryuu, though still confused, nodded and allowed them both inside.
"Good evening Bell," Astraea greeted.
"Good evening Astraea-sama. Good evening Alise-san. I can leave if you wish to speak to Ryuu," he offered.
"Oh no, we wanted to speak to both of you," the goddess revealed, but instead of elaborating, she pulled out several magical tags and placed them around the room while Ryuu and Bell watched on in confusion. "There, now the others won't be able to eavesdrop."
"Why would they eavesdrop? What's going on Astraea-sama?" Ryuu questioned.
"Do you still want to destroy the Juggernaut and lay our familia to rest?" Astraea asked.
The question caught both Ryuu and Bell so off guard that they didn't answer for a few moments.
"Yes. Of course I do," the Gale answered once she'd regained her wits.
"And what about you, Bell? Do you still wish to destroy the Juggernaut so as to free yourself from the guilt you feel?"
"Yes," he responded without hesitation.
"Good," the goddess replied before turning to her smiling captain who held up two backpacks that Ryuu and Bell had failed to notice before. "Alise and I have been gathering supplies for your expedition, that's why you haven't seen us the last couple of days."
"Our expedition?" Bell repeated.
"Yes," Astraea pulled out Bell's weapons and armor, "the expedition I am assigning you, Ryuu, and Alise to destroy the Juggernaut."
End.
A bit of a short chapter, but I think with enough to get you guys excited. Don't worry, they'll be plenty of Juggernaut violence and mayhem in the next chapter, I swear.
That being said, please tell me what you think. Love it, hate it, share it all.
I'm hoping I'll be able to get the next chapter out before Christmas, but just in case something pulls me away, I bid you all the Merriest of Christmases, the Happiest of Holidays, and all that good stuff. So, until next time, bye for now.