Are you my Odr? Route Freya

by Ventanus

So this is the second route of Are you my Odr? This time with Bell loving Freya, not only Syr. Rating MA

9. Into the dungeon again!

Author´s Note: Hello everyone.

Glad you like the festival Arc and what I did to Freya, she deserves her happiness...and cringing from Bell´s "corruption". And about Bell being mean to Lefiya, I couldn´t resist. Originally it was planned for Riveria to be Loki´s cooking partner, but if Bell bullied Riveria, the elves of Orario might hunt him down.

About BloJ! Currently it is on hold. When I sit in front of the file to write it, nothing comes out, I know what shall happen in the chapter, what shall happen next, but I feel zero motivation to continue, the cast simply became too big. Also, the weather is getting nicer each day and during summer, I want to spend more time outside and with my other hobby (joke, the other thing is actually my entire purpose of existence).

Also, writing four stories at once became exhausting, three is managable.

So, time to go into the next Arc, first it´s dungeon time.

I have to say, writing this sotry always brings me joy, it´s just so much fun writing about Bell and Freya, making them happy, letting her act like a shy maiden with her first crush.

(My grammar Ai has a but trouble at the moment, I will work the chapter over with it later today, so please have mercy in case of misspellings and mistakes)

19k words chapter, have fun.

.

.

.

.

"Bell, I want your promise."

"Of course. We will be as careful as possible, if anything irregular happens, we will retreat immediately."

"Good."

"And I will keep Rose, Lily and Heith safe."

"That´s good, but don´t move without thinking, they all told me you tend to do that and don´t give them time to deal with a siutation themself."

"I will."

"Then...have a safe trip."

"We will be careful."

Freya nodded, she forbade Bell from saying anything similar to "We will be back." or "We will see each other later.", gods were very superstitious, and they strongy believed, if a mortal made such a promise, the dungeon heard it and would do its best to make prey.

The others waited at the gates of Folkvangr, he always went to Freya before he went into the dungeon. Except for the days when she hard to start working early, which happened more often lately. She now got extra training by Mia, which was very important to her, the lunches she made for him only got more delicious each day. On these days, Bell would accompany Syr to work, she would always steal a shy kiss before she went inside. Mia had scolded both to do it at a spot where the others couldn´t see them, while Ryu still almost fainted, the others just got depressed when they saw this lovey dovey behaviour.

At least at the moment, Ryu wouldn´t faint. As she was outside of the city. Two days ago, she finally found the courage, with Syr´s help, to go and see Astrea.

While a certain half elf now showed up more often at the pub, still enchanted by Anya´s singing, and Chloe yearned more and more for Anya´s brother...and even Lunor seemed to get along well with someone from her familia, there were still so many staff members who didn´t have a partner. Freya had decided that if she would notice at the pulse of souls from some guys a strong interest in any staff member, she would maybe drop some hints in an innocent, secret way. The pub was her promised land, her true heaven, she wanted everyone there to be happy. When she had asked Mia if she wasn´t interested in someone, the dwarf had just stared at her without saying a word, so hard that even Freya got nervous...

So, Bell and Freya would always kiss in secret behind the pub, which was very nice in its own way! Even when it let both blush quite strongly, since it felt they did something "naughty" and "forbidden", by kissing in secret, sneaking behind the pub to kiss!

Freya looked at him with a special expression, waiting for something. Bell gently put his hands on her upper arms, as she slightly raised her chin, he gently kissed her.

She sighed from hapiness, this was just the best.

But...both had become pretty lewd and naughty.

The first thing they did each day when they met in the morning, was kissing. When they separated and he went to the dungeon, they kissed. As they saw each other again, they kissed. The last thing in the evening or at night before they went to their rooms to sleep, was kissing.

Freya had squeaked as she realized they had shared their hundredth kiss...and now...they were slowly moving toward a thousand.

If she would tell Ryu this...she might faint standing again...

She looked at Bell with shining eyes. "Go now...my Odr."

Before both would get lost in another kiss, Bell gently took her hand for a second, turned around with a smile and left.

.

.

.

.

His three party members waited patiently for Bell, they were used to the fact that he would see Freya each time before he went to the dungeon. It had been like that for the whole three weeks now since the Monster Philia festival had ended. While Freya was still looking for possible party members, the party had improved quite a lot on their teamwork, and each of them on their own.

Heith was the perfect rear guard, even when she tended to get extremly agitated when a monster dared to sully her clothes with its blood. She always made sure that the backs of the party were protected, while taking a step back and focus on defending and healing, so that the other three would have to do all the fighting. She was level four after all, they needed the Excelia, and combat experience. Which all of them got a lot.

Lily moved in the middle of their formation, but less and less as a supporter, leaving the enormous backpack to Heith. For three weeks now, she got mercilessly trained by the Gulliver brothers, they didn´t beat her to a pulp, but they had enough experience to force her to her body´s limits time and time again, making her sweat without end, letting her body ache in places it never did before. Her status grew quite a lot due to that, but mostly because she was level one and her status wasn´t that high to begin with. Her highest stat was her Agility, at least after her magic status. Her magic didn´t grow at all during these weeks, since she had never used her magic again so far, as it wasn´t necessary. Freya told Lily she had a second magic slot, so at some point she may get another spell.

Grer´s part of the training forced Lily´s strength status to skyrocket, from H 106 so far to H 198! In just three weeks! Sure...his training was inhuman...but he then stated they weren´t human after all, so it was alright.

Dvalinn´s training increased her Endurance, forcing her to train with special weights, delivering blow after blow to her with his great hammer, as this was necessary to increase her endurance. Freya made sure that Ilde, the black-haired human member of the Andhrimnir, would always join their training. She would then sit there, read a book, and heal Lily when it became necessary. The Gullivers only tolerated her presence because Ilde was the smallest member of the Andhrimnir. And getting one in case Lily got hurt, would take time.

Berling forced Lily to evade, or she would get seriously hurt. He sometimes chased her, swinging his great axe with skill and passion, often enough bringing her to tears of panic as he chased her.

And Alfrigg, he was the one to increase Lily´s dexterity and showed her how to wield a spear to perfection. He let her thrust her spear against a special training item, it was made from a drop from the deep levels, coming from a rare kind of monster.

Slime sand bags.

Slimes were rare to begin with in the dungeon, they always were on floors where water was to be found. On the upper floors, they vanished fast, falling prey to other monsters. But the ones from the deep levels, especially the golden ones...their resistance was on a different level. Golden slimes were almost immune to physical attacks.

While the training was harsh, Lily enjoyed it in some ways. She got stronger, she finally learned how to properly use a good weapon. Alfrigg had even genuinely praised her one time, that she was a fast learner and good with a spear. As a side weapon, she had a short sword at first, but Lily was beyond horrible with it. Grer had even stated they needed a new word for it, since comparing her to someone who was "just horrible" with a sword, would be an insult to that person. Lily had snapped when he said that, used her spear to attack him with a rapid series of thrusts. As a level five, he had deflected all of these attacks with ease, but all four of them were satisfied that Lily didn´t just attack blindly, but showed a good technique.

Even though, Lily tended to misunderstand the Gullivers sometimes. As she had knelt panting, her face turned to the ground, Alfrigg had lifted up her chin with his hand, leaning close so that she could understand him over her panting. The other three behaved in a similar way...

Yet, Grer had even thought out loud, they should probably prevent Lily from ever getting a partner, as a Saint had to remain untouched! Freya had heard this and declined, saying as a Goddess of Love, she would strongly encourage Lily to find a partner.

During their training, Lily noticed one thing. While the Gullivers were a perfect unit, the strongest of the five was Alfrigg. Something about him was a bit different, he was more than just the leader of the group.

While she often enough wished for nothing more than to lay down and rest, Lily knew this training was for her own good. Not only to protect herself in the dungeon, as a member of the Freya familia, some people might try to do her harm, namely the Loki familia.

From what she got told, when Freya one time strolled through the city on her own, the familia got in panic because they couldn´t find her, searched everywhere. The Loki familia misunderstood this as being a kind of operation, they went to stop the Freya familia. Freya´s followers wouldn´t accept getting stopped as long as their beloved goddess was missing, so, Loki familia tried to stop them by force.

It resulted in a clash. During this clash, Alfrigg almost managed to kill Riveria...which had then agitated almost all elves in Orario, leading to more attacks on them.

Not that most elves of Orario were any kind of danger for the Freya familia. But if the clash had continued, there would´ve been losses...most likely on Loki familia´s side. Ottar had refused to fight anyone, looking for Freya. While the Gullivers grit their teeth while they said it, they had to acknowledge that Ottar taking part in such a fight would turn the tides in their favor, no doubt.

So, for the Freya familia members, it was obvious that Loki familia were the evil ones here. If Lily was honest, she could see that too, in this specific case. She knew how hot-headed strong adventurers could be.

No one in the familia blamed Freya.

Their motto was after all:

You can love someone and still admit when they´re wrong. They loved Freya but could acknowledge her flaws...which she didn´t have. Hold her accountable for her wrongdoings...not that she ever did anything wrong in her life. And of course, call her out for her actions...which were always correct.

.

.

As for Rose, she became a bit more wild in these three weeks, as usual, she vented all her stress on monsters. Freya had asked one of the Einherjar to help Rose with her training, one who was very good with an axe. This member of the Einherjar was probably the tallest and most buffed member of the familia, after Ottar. He was way more massive than Rose, and of course, a ruffian. But since it was Freya´s request, he would do his best to help Rose.

And it amused the goddess, to see Rose´s reaction to him. She didn´t like him at first of course, since he was a brute, just like everyone else in the familia...well...most of them. But on the other hand...Rose had a thing for a body like he had.

She loved muscles. Big, hard, quivering muscles. If she wanted to or not, her beasty side saw this strong man as a potential mate, yet, she was repelled by his behavior. Freya would say nothing, but continue observing! She knew how sensitive Rose could be, as a reward for helping so much behind the scenes, so that she had a chance to get closer to Bell, Freya had given Rose a great reward.

A full body massage, by Freya´s hands. Rose had made noises that she never did before. Freya didn´t go too far, but Rose grew to wax in her hands.

And now, after her training continued, Rose became more and more Freya´s "wild wolf". She always pushed forward in the dungeon, grinned in a slightly bloodthirsty way as she fought. While her skill made her coolheaded, her blood ran hot, which wasn´t rare for werewolves, and Rose enjoyed this feeling. After spending "ages" in the guild, she could finally let loose.

In a way, this side in Rose, was pretty similar to Heith´s more fanatic side, which was one reason why both got along so well! And had already become friends at this point.

.

.

.

.

While they walked towards Babel, Bell was the one to carry the big backpack. Heith would do it in the dungeon because it was necessary, but he refused to let her carry it outside of the dungeon. All three of his companions thought of it was quite charming.

"Rose?"

"Heith?"

"You finished the study session with Bell and Lily yesterday?"

"Yes, everything is prepared."

Bell´s growth had been exceptional, all three of them knew about the skill that enhanced the Excelia he received from monsters. Freya had even told them that something looked weird about the skill, that there were empty lines in the description. Normally, this meant the skill would be able to change in some ways, but she couldn´t tell in which way. He was now an adventurer for roughly two months, and already got close to level two! Bell was a fast learner, in combat, as well as theory. Since Rose had been one of the best advisors in the guild, it was her job to prepare the party for the deeper floors.

And today, they would dare to go to the 13th floor for the first time. Normally, level one adventurers should stick to the upper floors, never go deeper as the 12th floor. But, their party leader was on the verge of leveling up, all of Bell´s status points were already past 900! And...well they also had a level four as their rear guard. If anything dangerous would happen, they would retreat immediately. And, Lily would take the backpack from Heith, letting her fight at the frontline. If it got necessary, Heith could stop a literal army of monsters from these floors by herself, since they wouldn´t be strong enough to heart her.

And even if they did, Earth Gulveig would constantly heal her.

Her worry didn´t lay with her, but with the party, especially with Bell. He was their vanguard, was always quick to protect Rose or Lily. Rose fought not completly at his side, but a few steps behind him. So that he had enough room for his fighting style, and Rose too.

Heith´s worry for Bell wasn´t just because he was the vanguard. She took the fact that Freya had made her Bell´s "personal healer" extremly seriously. One part because it was Freya who had handed out the order, for another, because she liked Bell. A lot. He was easily her favorite male member of the familia...or person in all of Orario. Which...if she had been honest, was also partly because he didn´t have much competition. Her familia consisted mostly of brutes anyway. But the one eyed person was still king among the blind ones!

But even if there were more nice men, Bell was just...different. Her mood always brightened when she saw him, spent time with him. One time, and that had been a bit embarrassing for her, after a day that had exhausted her very much, Heith had for the first time noticed what kind of special effect Bell could have on her. She had sat on the couch, next to him, swayed slightly as she was tired, eventually leaning slightly against him. It had just happened, her body had hugged Bell before she could stop herself, one hand even gently carressed his white hair.

"Hah..like a soft, warm bunny...can´t resist..."

She had snuggled up to him and fell asleep on the spot. Freya had seen all this and started to chuckle, Rose had grinned and compared Bell with catnip. He had later carried Heith up to her room, as he put her down on her bed, she tried to hug him again in her sleep, but Freya masterfully switched places with Bell. As her playful side came out, the goddess had changed into Syr without thinking, it was always a fascinating sight for Bell when she did this. So, Heith had hugged Syr in her sleep, as she hugged Heith, raising a finger to her lips and winking to Bell, to leave the matter to her. When she woke up in the morning, Heith was overjoyed, yet a bit flustered, her lady´s body was very soft and warm after all.

.

.

On their way, people of course noticed them, while their armor was unique for their familia, at least the ones of Lily, Heith and Rose, their white clothes and crests gave away to which familia they belonged. Especially Rose drew in many eyes, since many adventurers knew her from the past. As they got closer, a familiar man went away from Babel.

"Lord Takemikazuchi, good morning."

"Ah, young Bell and his friends. Good morning."

Bell looked around, wondering why the god was alone.

"My children just went into the dungeon."

"You see them off at Babel?"

"Every time, I want to make sure they will be careful and retreat when it gets dangerous."

"I can understand that. I read at the guild that one of your followers had reached level two a few days ago."

Takemikazuchi nodded smiling. "Yes, my little Mikoto. I´m very proud of her. With two at level two, they will now explore the middle floors."

"We´re heading there too for the first time today."

The god nodded. "Then be very careful, even when you´re not my followers, be careful."

"We will be, oh, and it´s good that I see you here."

"Why that?"

"Goddess asked if you´re still making these rice balls."

"Of course we do! I have to thank Freya a lot for that! Because of her and you during the festival, we sell much of them, on the days off from the dungeon. In fact, I will start to prepare ingredients when I get home, for tomorrows sales."

"Wonderful, I will tell her about it."

"If she wants to place a bigger order, just let me know, I might need a part of the payment in advance then, to purchase the ingredients."

"Alright."

"Now then, have a safe trip, all of you!"

"Thank you."

They continued to walk, Lily smirked for some reason.

"What´s wrong?"

"It looks like you don´t even stop for men..."

"Eh?!"

Rose tapped her chin. "Hm, Bell and a muscular, handsome god...not that bad of a thought."

"Rose?!"

Heith shook her head. "No, no, no. Bell belongs to Lady Freya."

"Oho? You say that while you´re so obviously like Bell? And I heard what Lady Freya said."

"Of course, I like Bell. He´s very nice."

Rose and Lily grinned in the same way. ""Heeeeh...""

"Oh please, as if we all didn´t see the things you do with the Gullivers, Lily."

"That´s just brutal training!"

Then Heith looked at Rose and smirked. "And I see how you look at your training partner, Rose."

"Just at his muscles!"

Rose wasn´t even ashamed to admit it...

Their casual chat only continued until they entered the dungeon, then, they focussed on the task ahead of them. Just like they had done before, they slew the monsters on the upper floor that got in their way, by destroying the magic stones. They used the main route, so there were only very few monsters, until they reached the 7th floor, they didn´t even kill a dozen so far. Things only changed as they went past the 10th floor.

.

.

.

With a small explosion, Bell´s spear dug into the ground, carving a path through the group of monsters that had charged at them. He had trained with the spear, slowly got the hang out of the special ability. He had to focus on it, push his will into the spear. Then, the runes in it would start to glow, and it would simply rip apart all monsters in its path. Two days ago he had managed to do it for the first time more than two times at one day. His current limit was three times, and to his surprise, it consumed mind when he did it.

Aside from the special throwing attack, the arrow-shaped spear was an excellent weapon! Its attack power was much greater than that of his old spear, which still hang at the big backpack. Having more weapons at their disposal could turn out to be essential at some point. Lily couldn´t use it, due to the size. But in case Rose´s spear got destroyed, there was now a spare one. Or, in case they would get charged by many monsters, Bell throwing the spear, but having no chance to get it back.

It still didn´t have a name yet. Artemis had explained with gritted teeth, that the spear´s name was "Orion". Which meant "the one who pierces". Freya had immediately rejected this name, saying she would give it a different one. As Bell had wondered why, Freya explained to him that "Orion" was also the name of Artemis´ fated partner, if she would ever find this man. Bell then agreed with her, this would be unfitting. Freya had thought about naming the spear "Odr", for her, Bell was her Odr, but the name had also a meaning in the language of the gods.

"The one who is ecstasy, inspiration, fury or frenzy."

Bell brought Freya a lot of ecstasy..in a pretty innocent way so far. He was an inspiration for his party and even the familia. Just the part about fury and frenzy was missing. If he would fight like that one day, the spear in his hand might become a symbol, not for Artemis, but for his love and life for Freya. This thought had let her blush fiercly. She also felt a tiny bit bad for Artemis, but only a little. Getting the spear basically as payment for Ottar and Hedin fighting Antares, was only fair. As long as everything went well.

Rose whistled as she followed Bell, casually cleaving the head of an Imp with her axe.

"That blast is always a sight, very impressive."

"Not as impressive as your frost magic, Rose."

"Heh, charmer."

"I didn´t mean it in a flirty way, it looks so cool and awesome!"

"Please don´t say that..."

Rose felt bad when Bell called her magic, appearance or fighting style that. She knew what Bell understood as "cool and awesome"...she had seen him with Hogni after all...and that...just like her goddess...let her cringe.

He went to take the spear up again, a side effect of the impact attack, was that it somehow burned away all the blood and fat from the spear. Since it was completely made of metal, was one piece, it tended to get slippery if he didn´t clean it after fighting for a while. But no matter how much destructive power the spear seemed to have or could have, Bell´s status was most important...and his aim. When he threw the spear for the first time at home, it went way past the sandbag he was supposed to aim at. The balance was different compared to his old spear, due to the different head. Yet, this spear was also meant to be thrown, unlike the other one he had used. Alfrigg took it upon him to drill it into Bell. He would´ve asked Anya at first, but she wasn´t good at throwing a spear, since her weapon was not meant for that. Also, he couldn´t train with it at the Hostess.

Bell got along better and better with his familia, his training now was much different than the baptism before. Hogni found great joy in training with Bell, seeing his star pupil grow. The others would then pretend they didn´t see them, as both would wear the same outfit.

And Hogni would shout things like. "Follow me, my pupil! To the darkest places of the distant infinity!"

And Bell would answer. "Yes, teacher!"

Alfrigg took it upon himself to train Bell with his spear, when his three brothers were busy chasing Lily. While Hedin still trained Bell with his magic. To let him train using his firebolt magic in different ways, shooting out multiple at once or in rapid succession.

He was already curious what Ottar wanted to teach him, his captain said it was one of the most important lessons any warrior could get taught.

Warrior, not adventurer.

.

.

.

Their way continued, Heith only intervened once directly during a fight. On the 12th floor, they got lucky to encounter an Infant Dragon. They had to preserve their strength, but couldn´t let something like this get away. So, Heith showed her strength as a level four, and killed the Infant Dragon in a few moments. The extreme difference in their levels was always a sight to behold. And Bell couldn´t stop himself from praising Heith, how wonderful she looked in her Valkyrie-style armor, and how awesome and cool it looked when she fought...

Unlike Rose and Lily, Heith didn´t have a problem hearing Bell calling her that, it actually made her quite happy.

And since Bell was present...

The Infant dragon left something behind as it died, Heith had made sure to not hit the magic stone, she had just shattered the head and neck of the dragon. It was too valuable to destroy it.

"Woah..." Lily picked up the drop item, it was a large scale.

"An Infant Dragon´s Frill...amazing...Lily never saw this drop item before..."

Rose looked curious, as Lily opened the giant backpack, Heith had put it down before she went to kill the monster. "Is this a rare drop item?"

"Yes, Lily only heard about it. Fangs or Claws are pretty common, if it leaves behind a drop item."

All three looked at Bell, while he blushed.

"D-Don´t say it..."

"Sir Bell really is our lucky rabbit!"

"Absolutely, Bell brings us luck."

Rose nodded to agree with Lily and Heith. "No doubt here."

He didn´t have a skill that spoke of this, but somehow, Bell was pretty lucky when it came to drop items. As if his presence somehow increased the chance and quality.

Lily´s eyes sparkled. "Let us see what we can find further down with you leading us!"

"Lily...your eyes are scaring me..."

"What are you saying? Onwards!"

Heith smirked at Bell, while Rose winked and swung her axe a bit to loosen her muscles.

.

.

.

The thirteenth floor.

.

.

.

.

This floor was known as the "First Line", the start of the so called Cavy Labyrinth, and the Middle Floors. It was an extreme contrasto to the 10th to 12th floors, there wasn´t any fog here, no plants, only bedrock. In the past, Bell thought that most of the dungeon would look like this, but apparently, further down it looked much different.

The air felt moist, a bit suffocating, and Bell noticed at first glance, that this floor was completely different from the ones above. The upper floors were more like a falt, circular maze, while on the Middle Floors, there were intertwining upper and lower tunnels, a true labyrinth. Rose had warned them about the vertical holes that would be here and there, leading to the lower floors. Parties that went deeper used these holes.

They stopped at the entrance to the 13th floor and would rest for at least half an hour, maybe a bit longer. Rose had drilled everything she knew into Bell and Lily...and herself again. Each of the four carried a map of this floor, which was huge, compared to the ones above. They had marked the route they would take on each of the maps, just to be sure. It was the "easiest" route on this floor, with a few empty rooms along the route, where surely monsters would be. But these rooms were also called "Semi safe zones". Adventurers who got in trouble retreated to these rooms, since they only had one entrance. It looked like a trap at first, but having to defend only one entrance, could mean the difference between life and death against a large number of monsters.

While they took a rest, the party discussed their strategy again, so that they wouldn´t miss anything. And they ate lunch, it was time to do that, so, they would rest for an hour in total. Starting to explore the floor right after eating was a bad idea. Bell happily ate the lunch that Freya made for him, as usual, the power of love in it would give him the strength of ten people!

The other three had to be content with eating "only" the lunch made by Heith...

During the rest, they also took their Salamander Wool capes out of the enormous backpack, it was essential in case Hellhounds would show up and they didn´t want to risk damaging them on the upper floors.

They checked everything twice, if all potions were in their pouches, the pouches properly closed and secured. Due to something that Bell read in a story in the past, each potion had a small string bound to it, with a different number of knots. One for healing potions, two for mind, three for stamina. Like this they didn´t have to look down and make sure they drank the right ones. All potions were made by members of the Andhrimnir, Lily couldn´t believe how much money this saved them! And they could keep everything they earned in the dungeon for themselves! There was no rent to be paid! Even their food came without cost! But the cost of equipment repair and new equipment came from what they earned. Freya didn´t want to pamper them too much. But the advantages to belong to the strongest familia of all were enormous!

Before they eventually moved out, Heith took up the word a last time.

"Remember, we will move VERY carefully, the monsters on these floors are much stronger than the ones you faced before. If the need arises, I will intervene."

"""Hay!"""

Having a level four as their backline was as safe as things could currently get for them.

Rose bound her hair back with a leather band, before she put on her helmet. This helmet was formed differently from Bell´s, Heith´s and Lily´s. Heith´s and Lily´s had wings at the sides, but Rose´s wings were at a different spot, to protect her wolf ears. Bell´s helmet didn´t have wings, as there wasn´t such a thing as a male Valkyr. At first he thought his helmet would get horns, as Freya was a northern goddess. But it turned out, horns on a helmet were just things from stories, or for high level adventurers, for someone like Gareth Landrock. Horns may look good, but they were more dangerous for the adventurers than for monsters. No, Bell´s helmet looked exactly like these of the male Einherjar, as did most of his armor. At first, Bell had struggled with the armor, wondering how the Einherjar could even see with these helmets. But it worked surprisingly well. A strong armor was a lifeline in the dungeon, and after the incident with Lily, Freya refused to let them go without proper armor.

Not all Einherjar wore these armors, the ones belonging to Allen´s "Shadow Squad" would all wear dark pants and black jackets, while using mainly spears. Freya had named the squad, so Allen had no way to refuse. They were more flexible and the faster members of the familia. In case the familia would fight together, in the dungeon or a wargame...or a real fight...the Einherjar would form the shieldwall, Freya´s immortal warriors. While the Shadow Squad would move at the flanks, counter attack the opponents and hunt. Allen wasn´t a defender, he was an attacker, a hunter. His strength, agility and dexterity made him a natural hunter, almost an Apex Predator. There were only three living things that would dare to chase and attack Allen.

The cursed Black Dragon.

Ottar.

And...Chloe...but she would have a different form of attack in mind. Yet, she would love to dig her fangs into his body...or booty.

Bell checked his group a last time.

"Let us go."

They managed to get around the first corner, before they got greeted on the Middle Floors.

By a small horde of Bells!

.

.

.

"Rose, more Bells on the left!"

"Understood!"

"They´re not Bells!"

"Lily, more Bells from behind, I keep them away."

"Understood!"

"They´re not Bells!"

Despite the serious situation, Lily, Rose and Heith continued to call the Al´Mirajs Bell. It was faster to speak than Bell´s name...and they did enjoy teasing him a little.

As the one in the vanguard, Bell currently faced three Al´Mirajs. He held his shield up, which was the same type as all Einherjar had, Freya had promised he would get a custom made armor later if she could think of a good design.

Al´Miraj were fast and nimble, they also worked in groups, much better than monsters from the upper floors did. All three jumped at him at the same time, two from the sides, one from the front. How to take all three? If he would block one with the shield, maybe stab another with his spear, it would leave the third Al´Miraj. He could take the hit of the small stone axe with his helmet, but Heith had strictly adviced him not to do that at all cost! A helmet wasn´t meant to directly take hits, but was a safety precaution, against flying debris, splinters, or to protect his head against lucky hits. Even when an Al´Miraj didn´t have the strength to break his helmet, hits again and again could weaken it. And also...give him a concussion. Heith could heal anyone from a near death state, but a fatal blow to the head, damaging the brain...that couldn´t be healed.

Bell´s training took over, it was an advice he got from Ottar. Monsters even on these floors were often taken by surprise when an adventurer behaved in a way they didn´t expect.

So, Bell charged forward, as fast as he could. Raising his shield to block the axe of the Al´Miraj in the middle, while ramming his spear into the small monster. The two monsters behind him failed to hit him, and whirled around to follow him. Bell let his spear fall down and drew Mardöll, already charging at the one that were on his now left side. The other one wanted to charge at him, as Rose´s axe came down from behind and cleaved its head. The movement surprised the third Al´Miraj for a moment, even more as Rose kicked in its back. It stumbled right into Mardöll, getting pierced and then halfed as Bell ripped the sword to the side.

Mardöll was insanely strong and sharp!

Bell could only to such a swift tactic, knowing that Rose would use the opening, because she was what and who she was. Beast people had in general a very high level of awareness for their surroundings, and she swiftly learned to use openings that got created by Bell, while Lily would have Rose´s back. Lily had trouble to fight the monsters on these floors, her status had grown, but in theory someone like her shouldn´t be on these floors. But she only needed to distract monsters, or defend herself against one or two. If Bell or Rose had to fight a few monsters less at once, it would mean they could defeat their share faster, then come to support Lily. And in case something would go bad, Lily knew who was behind her. Heith´s awareness of the surroundings was perfect, as to be expected of a level four. She fought and defeat all monsters that came from behind, while keeping an eye on the group.

Bell, Rose and Lily didn´t fight perfectly, the monsters were just that strong for them. But in case of a wound, Heith would immediately heal them. Their harsh training at Folkvangr also helped in that direction. Each of them got their share of minor or bigger wounds during the training.

Most people were naturally scared of getting wounded, especially when it came from a weapon. Rose froze up the first time an attack went through her defense and had cut into her body. It had been the axe of her training partner. While it wasn´t a deep wound, it had seriously hurt. She had gasped, too shocked to scream. The pain thankfully vanished shortly after, as Lona, the elf of the Andhrimnir, had immediately healed her.

Experiencing wounds in such a controlled and "safe" environment was the best that could happen to any adventurer. Since Rose´s training partner had immediately stopped and let Lona do her work. In the dungeon, monsters or enemies wouldn´t be so kind. Yet, he did so because Freya had strictly ordered it.

For Lily it had been the same. Bell´s beginning was more traumatic during the baptism, but now it was much better. Bell didn´t resent his familia at all for what happened at the beginning. He started to see their kind sites. Bell didn´t know that he was the one pulling out these kind sites.

.

.

.

.

Many things would change in Bell´s life, depending on the choice he made at the beginning. Some things wouldn´t happen, some things would. And of some that would happen, some would happen in a different way.

Maybe it was luck or misfortune, depending on the point of view. But just as Bell, Heith, Rose and Lily reached the furthest point they intended to go to on the 13th floor, fighting in a larger room against a crowd of Al´Mirajs and Hellhounds, another party fled with fast steps from the monsters chasing them. Two of them were wounded, the familia´s captain carried both on his shoulders. They moved as fast as they could, but their rear guard, a raven-haired beauty of a samurai, had to fall back again and again to strike down monsters chasing them.

It was a fateful...maybe even destined point as they spotted the group fighting in the large room. With the perception of upper level adventurers, spotted Ouka a chance for his party to survive. There was a different group...and judging by the clothes and armor they wore, they could handle their situation. Ouka was too much in a hurry to spot the crests each of them wore on their chests.

"Hurry!"

"Sir Ouka, we c-"

"Not now, Mikoto! Hate me if you want, but I won´t let Chigusa and Asuka die here! Or any of us!"

Mikoto would hate herself for what they had to do, she told herself that the others most likely would be able to fall back too...they had promised Takemikazuchi to fall back if it got dangerous, to abandon pride if they had to.

So, while Lily held her ground against a Hellhound, Bell and Rose fighting against Hellhounds and Al´Miraj, while Rose´s weapon was covered in ice, and Heith fought against more monsters at their back, the party of the Takemikazuchi familia ran past them, not having a choice.

As the rearguard, Mikoto´s eyes widened as she looked back...looking straight into Bell´s ruby-colored eyes. She didn´t recognize him at first, due to his helmet...but now she saw his eyes...his expression.

Her self hatred got now accompanied by self disgust.

The monsters immediately went onto the party of the Freya familia.

Was it coincidence that it happened?

Not at all.

The dungeon was intelligent, it knew when to bare its fangs. Its most common tactic was to hold back monsters from spawning for a while, then send them en massé at its picked prey.

A large number of bad bats spawned from the ceiling, blocking the way back after the Takemikazuchi familia had passed the tunnel. The dungeon wasn´t interested in them at all.

Only in the other party.

Only...in Bell.

It had enough children further up to maybe get them too, if not, it would get them at another day. The dungeon hated mortals, especially adventurers.

But one kind more than others.

Potential, future heroes. Not only the gods could feel it when someone had the potential to become a hero, the dungeon did it too. And especially from those with this disgusting smell on their body! Coming from the cursed blood of THAT goddess! The goddess with the strongest mortal child, who dared to dive ALONE into the dephts of the dungeon again and again, challenging and killing its most favorite children!

Oh, the dungeon hated the Freya familia to no end. Even more than the Loki familia, because it at least killed a few of them now and then. But the ones with Freya´s smell were just so damn cocky!

The dungeon now bared more than just its fangs. It hated Bell, hated what he was, what he could become. Wanted him dead. The dungeon could feel the strength of Heith, not one of its children on these floors was a danger in any form for Heith, these disgusting prayers from above stopped the dungeon from spawning stronger children. But it could lure stronger ones up...and spawn a sheer endless amount to make sure it got this disgusting future hero.

For the mortals present, it looked like a normal Pass Parade...for the dungeon...it was a hunting tactic.

As the deep moan of the dungeon echoed through the tunnels, monsters that shouldn´t move up too far, heard the order from their mother. The monsters didn´t care for their own lives, nor did the dungeon. It would send hundreds to their death, to get this possible hero fledgling!

Also...if her children would die again and again...there was a chance that one of them would be reborn as "that".

The plan was laid out, Bad Bats, Al´Mirajs and Hellhounds would swarm them en massé...while something stronger came from below. And even if they killed dozens of her children before the stronger ones arrived...even hundreds...it would only work in the dungeon´s favor.

Yet, the adventurers were "lucky", since on this floor, the dungeon wasn´t able to call for one of its most deadliest children, the prayers didn´t allow this. And even then, "this" child of her could only appear when there was much more damage than just a collapsed ceiling. When the dungeon felt threatened and needed to get rid of the invaders as fast as possible.

.

.

.

The hunt began.

.

.

.

"The way is blocked!" Lily had been the first to check the passage.

Heith was busy fighting off monsters, while Bell covered for Rose, falling back to Heith. Rose was suffering, the noise of the collapse, and the constant shreeking of the Bad Bats hurt her sensitive ears.

More and more monsters came from all sides, some threw themself onto the party, to keep them busy and under pressure, while others swarmed every possible exit. Heith got alarmed because of the deep groaning sound.

The dungeon moan was something very dangerous. Even she had heard about this, whenever this noise rang out, something terrible was about to happen.

The attacks from all sides were terrible enough, but the swarming mass above them made a defense almost impossible, as well as communication. Rose was useless like this, for Bell the shreeks were already painful, but he heard that Werewolves had ears that were at least twice as sensitive. Which meant...for Rose the shreeks were more than twice as loud, she really suffered.

Due to the shreeks, Bell couldn´t shout out to Heith, but he trusted her. Trusted Heith with his life, just as he told her. He knew that he was safe with her. His tactic was more than dangerous, but he didn´t have a choice.

Opening his defense could mean death, but even so, Bell raised the hand with his spear over his head, aiming at the swarm of Bad Bats. There was no time to think, just following Hedin´s teachings.

"Firebolt! Firebolt! Firebolt!"

He fired his magic in rapid succession, trying to block with his shield. Two Al´Mirajs and a Hellhound used the chance for his raised arm. As the two bunny monsters hacked at his side with their stone axes, the Hellhound jumped up and dug it´s fangs into Bell´s forearm. The bracers he wore didn´t enclose his arms completely, the underside was slightly open, since the leather strings to close the bracer were there.

One of the stone axes hit his chestplate from the side. The second dug into his waist right in the gap between his chestplate and the hip protection plates, drawing blood.

And the Hellhound´s fangs, dug into his soft flesh, while putting pressure on the metal.

Bell screamed in pain, he couldn´t use his weapon this way, trying to hammer the edge of his shield into the Al´Mirajs clinging to him, but two additional Al´Mirajs jumped and clung to his shield, while another Hellhound jumped to get his throat.

It turned out to be a blessing that Bad Bats were pretty weak, and his magic got more than one at the same time.

Rose´s spear shot forward, getting rammed into the throat of the jumping Hellhound, as the monster got pulled to the side with its jump, Rose´s spear got ripped out of her hand. A moment later, her axe decapitated the Al´Miraj that had hit Bell´s waist, she had used too much force and hit Bell´s chestplate from the side. There was no time to apologize, she pulled her weapon back, hacking at the second Al´Miraj, while the Hellhound fell down from Bell´s arm.

A bolt stuck in its left eye.

While Lily wore her own set of armor, including her shield and spear, she still had her small crossbow attached to her arm under the shield. Lily had dropped the shield to aim and shoot, her spear stuck in the ground. Now she fired bolt after bolt, covering Bell and Rose, as they struggled to fall back. Rose pushed her ears flat onto her head, giving Bell with his heavily damaged arm time to aim at the Bad Bats again, Lily helped too. He would miss, no chance he would hit them with his arm being mauled like this.

.

.

"Zeo Gullveig!"

.

.

The gentle, golden aura enveloped them, Bell´s wounds closed immediately, never had he felt better than when the pain ended. This had been his tactic, opening his defense to create an opening in the Bad Bats, getting rid of as many as possible, knowing the monsters would attack him. He had hoped for Rose´s and Lily´s support.

And counted on Heith´s healing.

While she told them to rely on her, Heith strictly warned them not to get careless. Too many Einherjar fought this way, not even fearing to lose limbs, since the Andhrimnir would heal them anyway. If it had to be done to win a fight, a real fight with many lives on the line, then it was acceptable, but not in general.

The group fell back together, but this time they turned their formation around. Bell, and Rose moved to the back, while Heith came to the front. Her expression was as frightening as that of the monsters.

"You dare to go against Lady Freya´s divine will?! Dare to attack us?! Dare to hurt my Bell?!"

The first Hellhound that jumped at her got its skull cracked as the hammer part of Heith´s staff came down. Next she caught an Al´Miraj by the neck.

"You´re not one bit as cute as Bell!"

Heith closed her hand, cracked the neck of the monster and threw it at the approaching monsters. With each swing of her weapon or fists, Heith killed more and more monsters. Lily pointed with her spear at a tunnel to their right, there were also monsters there.

"This way! Hurry!"

At least a dozen monsters blocked this way, Bell and Rose ran ahead. Both were chanting again.

"Firebolt! Firebolt!"

If Bell had time to chant his second magic, he might be able to wipe out all monsters at once, but there was no way he would get this time here. Spear first, he rammed into the remaining monsters, piercing the chest of a Hellhound, while Rose rammed an Al´Miraj with her shield into a wall, then splitting its head. While the Al´Miraj was a Middle Floors monster, it was missing the mass to block Rose´s charge.

Bell pulled his spear back and thrusted it forward again, just as he heard Heith´s enraged shout from behind. Lily whirled around and fired bolts to push the monsters back, as she saw what happened.

At least five Hellhounds clung with their maws at Heith´s Salamander Wool cape, another to her staff arm, while an Al´Miraj clung to her left leg, trying to bite her.

Heith snapped.

She opened the cape and let it fall down, ramming her free knee up, cracking the skull of the Al´Miraj, before she slammed her fist with the Hellhound into the ground. As a level four, she held a bloody harvest.

But the five Hellhounds managed to get what they wanted, her cape.

"Run, Lily!"

Lily followed Heith´s order, she saw at least a dozen Hellhounds opening their maws.

"HEITH!"

Heith did what she had to do, she grabbed Lily and threw her with all her strength towards Bell and Rose. As Lily hit the ground, Heith vanished in a tornado of fire, coming from multiple sides.

She didn´t scream, at least not from pain, just from rage.

What came out of the fire was a sight that would haunt the others for a long time...if they would survive.

A part of Heith´s hair was singed, there were open scalds everyhwere on her body. Wherever the metal didn´t cover her skin, it was red and gangrenous, even the cloth had burned away to a large part.

Which meant...the super heated metal scorched her skin...

There wasn´t any cloth left on her body, all had burned off. A single Hellhound wouldn´t be dangerous for her, but the breath attack of a dozen was something different. Bell wanted to scream and cry as he saw her like this, it broke his heart.

"HEITH!"

She should be on the ground and screaming from pain, but even in that state, did Heith kill monsters as they followed them. A golden aura surrounded her as she finished her second chant.

The sight fast fascinating and at the same time nauseating. Her wounds closed, leaving red, then rosy spots...which turned into normal skin again. The only thing that didn´t return was the body hair, her long hair was halfway gone, the rest of her body was now smooth.

She arrived at their side, while Rose pulled Lily up to her feet.

"Keep going, I will protect our backs."

"""Hay!"""

There was no time or place to argue. Bell hated to see Heith in danger like this, knowing she was only in danger because of them. On her own, Heith could easily break the ranks of the monsters and return to the surface.

It was a blessing that Lily especially had insisted on making back-up plans before they went into the dungeon. And had marked their path on the maps, always making sure they knew what was in which direction. The direction that Lily chose, led to one of the semi safe rooms, which had only one entrance. As over a hundred monsters chased them, it was the best option.

For Bell, the situation felt strange, as if he was in a frenzy. His reaction time got shorter and shorter, he switched between Odr and Mardöll, pushing himself to the front. As his status was higher than Rose´s, and his weapons stronger, it was natural that he was the vanguard.

"Bell, left!"

He reacted to Rose´s shout, knowing what she meant with it.

.

.

"Helfrost!"

.

.

A wave...or maybe it would be more fitting to call it a stream...a stream of ice and frost shot forward, turning some of the ground into ice, freezing three Al´Miraj, slowing down a Hellhound. The monsters that came from the right side slipped and fell, before they started to jump over the icy path. It bought them seconds.

And seconds meant to live.

They pushed further and further, forcing their way forward. Bell´s feeling of frenzy rose, he stabbed, thrusted, hacked and sliced, killing, maiming and multilating monsters left and right. It wasn´t necessary to kill all of them, only to slow them down and get more distance.

He was aware what happened here, Ottar and Hogni called it fighting rage. Heith had a more grounded and simple explanation, as she had explained it to them before.

And Adrenaline rush.

It was one hell of an experience, Bell felt as if he could tear monsters apart with his hands, as his body forced him to go all out, beyond normal mortal limits. Rose and Lily were the same.

But he knew what would come at the end of the rush, if his body would get a chance to cool down, he might collapse on the spot. It was the survival instinct of every living being. Pushing himself further than his body would normally allow, so that he wouldn´t hurt himself. Bell had seen this for the first time in his childhood, not knowing what it was. A carriage had broken at a side, tipped over and pushed a child to the ground, which screamed in pain. Before any of the men in the village could move, the mother of the child was there...and started to push up the carriage, far enough to free her child.

Afterwards, she had collapsed with from pain screaming body. His grandfather had explained to him what that was.

That animals fell in two categories. Flee or Fight.

Humans and other mortals were special, since in a dangerous situation like their current one, a body got ready for both, leaving the decision to the brain. Bell couldn´t actively think about their situation, there was only action and reaction.

Bell even had an emergency potion, which would be able to push him into such a state. It was only meant for the absolute worst situation. He knew about the backlash and consequences it would have.

In their rush, they pushed further and further, until they eventually made it to the room. Heith had lost count how many monsters she personally had killed during their charge.

The dungeon wasn´t so nice as if to let them get into a position that was easy to defend. Rose had lost her helmet while they fled. As a single Bad Bat got spawned in the room above them, a rock fell down, hit the side of Rose´s head and knocked her out instantly.

Even when Heith used her magic the next time and would heal Rose´s body, she wouldn´t wake up instantly. As the Bat landed on Rose, getting ready to bite her neck, Lily threw herself with a scream forward, slamming into the monster, which whirled around with her, the tip of her spear dug into it.

With a noise that a body shouldn´t make, Lily got slammed into the wall, as the monster died on top of her.

Only Heith and Bell were left conscious...

.

.

.

The natural choice would be for both to defend the entrance now, but the dungeon wasn´t that kind. With a noise that no adventurer ever wanted to hear, one of the walls at the side started to crack, crumble...and shatter.

A trio of Hard Armored broke through that wall! They didn´t get born from it, they broke through! Bell had heard stories, that a few walls in the dungeon weren´t as thick as one might think, there apparently was even an area with "fake" walls.

Hard Armored meant bad business. They had the highest defense on the upper floors, the 13th was the lowest floor they could appear on. And even here, did they have the highest defense. It was so high that no level one would be able to crack it alone. Magic could work, magic was the ultimate equalizer, since everything looked the same once it got hit by it.

But there were three of them...and now there were two entrances to this room...the second got even bigger as two additional Hard Armored broke through...now it was wider than the one they were standing at.

"Bell, stay here!"

He had never seen her move so fast, Heith sprinted to the second opening, raising her staff, she wouldn´t let these things get to Rose or Lily!

Time slowed down for Bell as he heard a loud cracking noise at the wall behind Rose...the dungeon was about to give birth again...

It didn´t give him any chance to decide in a different way. Bell used the small moment he had before the next monsters would arrive at his opening, to whirl around and hurled his spear. It shone slightly as it smashed into the wall, killing the monster that was about to be born, creating a small crater, and remaining stuck with the head in the wall. He didn´t have time to be relieved, with this, the dungeon couldn´t spawn any new monsters in this room, but...

The attack began.

Bell lowered his stance, raised his shield and held Mardöll up, balancing the blade on the edge of the shield. For a moment he got reminded for a moment of the famous story of King Leonius and his three hundred men, who defended a chokepoint against a large horde of monsters.

If Bell would move away from this spot, he would die...Rose and Lily would die...

This entrance with a width of one meter...became now his world.

In his mind, Bell could hear the words of his Grandpa, as he read the story to him with an awesome voice, doing his best to sound as impressive as King Leonius must´ve sounded.

This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where they die! Remember this day men! It will be yours, for all time!

To remember this story, gave Bell a focus, to remember this hero of old times.

The wave of monsters arrived at the entrance, from Heith´s direction came already fighting sounds. It seemed like she faced a way bigger number than him, but the dungeon put the pressure up.

His shield came up, he pushed himself against it, stabbing with Mardöll, doing his best not to hit any magic stones, so that the monster corpses would remain and block the entrance. Their bloodlust and how they pushed forward worked partly against them. The Al´Mirajs couldnt jump around, which was normally their greatest strength, they got pushed forward, right into Bell´s blade. As Mardöll sunk into the white fur, flesh, organs and burst out at the back, getting pulled back, Bell thanked his love again and again for this gift. He swore he would slay a hundred monsters for her this day! And he wouldn´t move away from here. Not one step back!

Again and again did he thrust Mardöll forward, killing or maiming monsters, a Hellhound tried to get around the shield to bite into his weapon shoulder, Mardöll almost vanished completely in its maw, before Bell had no chance but to fire his magic, letting the Hellhound explode. He turned his head to the side, raising the shield more. His hand and arm were now seriously burned and raw flesh, multiple monsters had found death, the narrow passage made his magic at least four times deadlier.

This was another lecture he got from Hogni and Hedin. Be it for combat or the use of magic, always make sure to use the surroundings to your advantage. He heard Hedin´s voice in his head, telling him to lure the monsters into this narrow trap, before blasting them away with his magic.

His hand was cramped, it hurt so badly, Bell could only scream in pain and rage.

.

.

.

"Zeo Gullveig."

.

.

.

It was the same feeling as back then when Bell had burned his hand on a hot pan, when his grandfather had poured cold water over his hand. The pain slowly vanished, as his wound closed. In his mind, he thanked Heith, renewing his efforts.

Heith was his lifeline...but he knew he had to be careful. Her magic could heal him, take him back from the brink of death. But it couldn´t restore lost blood.

Despite his fine equipment, especially the sword, Bell would´ve lost against these monsters. Even with a high end status for a level one, it would´ve been too much. What gave him the advantage was magic.

Magic could make up a difference from easily two levels. If Bell were to fight any of the level three Einherjar, his magic would give him a chance to win. Even more since it was a super-short-chant. Even Rose´s training partner got pushed back by her at some times! Magic was the great strength, the thing he had longed for to have. A future hero should have magic after all...

Bell knew he had to rely on his magic and his powerful sword, with a normal weapon, he wouldn´t stand a chance.

His environment became somewhat blurry, as Bell lost every sense of time, just keeping stabbing, thrusting and slicing. His training took over, what Hogni and Hedin taught him...what they drilled and beat into him. As so many corpses lay in the narrow passage, that the monsters had trouble getting through, Bell made a step back and hastily gulped down a stamina and a mind potion. He would save the healing potions for later, Heith told him to rely on her enormous mind reserves first.

And kept the "rage potion" for any emergency that might come.

Bell ducked down as a wave of fire rolled over the monster corpses, scorching the ceiling above and behind him, the Hellhounds easily lost patience and tried to burn through. As the breath attack ended, he jumped up to the top of the pile of corpses and raised his hand.

"Firebolt!"

His vision turned red for a moment as the magic exploded out of his hand, cremating a whole dozen Al´Mirajs and two Hellhounds! This was the greatest number of monsters he ever killed in one attack! This passage really made his magic stronger, nothing could escape!

"Bell, here!"

With a clanking sound, Rose´s shield, spear and axe landed on the ground next to the passage, where Bell could reach them. He dared to look over his shoulder for a splitsecond. Heith had left her position at her passage for a moment, had sprinted to Rose and threw her weapons and shield to Bell, before she now returned and struck down all the monsters that came her way. Heith was red from head to toe, the piles of dead monsters next to her were far bigger than Bell´s.

He fell two steps back, Rose´s weapons could become necessary and important for him. A hellhound jumped over the corpse pile, slipping halfway on a dead Al´Miraj, not able to regain its balance in time, it stumbled right into Mardöll, slumping to the ground. Next came an Al´Miraj...its head soon sailed through the air, performing an almost macabre dance, as the head hit Rose´s leg by chance. As a small horde of Al´Miraj charged at Bell, two Hellhounds stopped on top of the pile and opened their maws, he wouldn´t make it in time. Lily´s spear, thrown by Heith, buried itself in the eye of one Hellhound, letting the charged-up energy in its maw detonate, killing the Hellhound next to it. A new wave of fire washed half a meter above Bell´s head through the cave. The Al´Miraj got pushed forward by the explosion, one "jumped" right into Mardöll. Bell ripped the sword to the side, cleaving the bunny monster in half, before he quickly stabbed the other Al´Miraj.

One of them tried to get up...but Bell kicked with his full strength onto its neck. The crack was loud and dry...the monster went limp.

His breath came in gasps and ragged gasps. Bell tried to swallow, but his mouth felt so dry. Even though the Stamina Potion was restoring his stamina, he was losing water immeasurably from his profuse sweating.

He dared to quickly wipe his forehead with the Slamander Wool Cape, then the next wave of monsters came. It was gradually becoming harder and harder to stay in the passage. If he had to retreat one or two more steps, they would manage to flank him...that would be the end.

With a scream to push back his exhaustion and aching muscles, threw Bell himself forward as the next monsters came over the pile of corpses.

.

.

.

How much time had passed already? He couldn´t say it. How many times did he raise or thrust his sword? Bell didn´t know. When got his shield so damaged that he had to let go of it, throwing it at an Hellhound, sadly missing, but making it dodge, just long enough for Bell to pick up Rose´s shield. Whenever he thought his body would give in, enveloped him Heith´s golden light. While she fought a larger horde of monsters, Heith kept a close eye on Bell, she adjusted the strength of her healing magic to his needs. What he currently did was far harsher than any fight in the baptism could ever be. She hated it, hated this situation, she didn´t want Bell to get hurt and mauled like that.

And he was slowly growing weaker, he never lost much blood when he got deeper wounds, but he did lose blood. Also, with her level four perception, Heith noticed the signs at Bell, knowing them from the Einherjar. He was losing himself in the whirlwind of fighting, death, destruction and wounds. She could heal his body, but not his mind. Even when he got healed, getting wounded like this still hurt immensly. Even more since he lost part after part of his armor, but at least the armor kept him alive. If a monster would be able to attack a vital spot, like a Hellhound biting into his neck, if Bell had no chance to get it off, Heith would be forced to move away from her spot...which would mean death for Rose and Lily. In her mind, Heith used the most evil curses she could think of for the Takemikazuchi familia, if they made it out of here, they would pay for everything that Bell had to endure. Freya might destroy the entire familia.

.

.

.

While Heith and Bell fought for their lives, something arrived on this floor that normally didn´t appear so high up. A duo of monsters, growling, baring their fangs, slowly moving in the direction that the dungeon had ordered them. There were dozens of monster corpses on the floor...dozens of magic stones...

They began to feast.

.

.

.

His breath came in rattling gasps, his throat was dry and sore. Pain.

All he felt was pain.

Heith had to heal him more and more often, a part of his mind wondered when her mind would give in. He knew that Heith carried three high mind potions, in a normal situation she would never have to use them. But she never underestimated the dungeon, that´s whe she carried them.

Bell wondered how many of them were empty, how much time had went by. Even if he would try to, he couldn´t even spit anymore, his mind felt hazy. And even Heith started to feel it, while the monsters didn´t deal any significant damage to her, they let her fight without end, letting her sweat.

Lose water.

If only Rose or Lily would wake up, not even both were needed, just one! To carry the other! But Heith knew too well how many hours someone could get knocked out after such a blow to the head. Her first magic spell had made sure that both were fully healed and would make it. But even if one of them would wake up now, they might feel so dizzy that they couldn´t move.

It was natural that something like that was about to happen after they lost their helmets. The dungeon usually didn´t kill in one blow.

It was death by a thousand cuts.

Until...at the height of the desparation, it let loose its exterminators.

Heith heard the growl before Bell could, and the stomping sounds.

What eventually came into view didn´t look like any monster she had ever seen or heard before, only slightly similar.

It resembled a Minotaur, maybe it was an enhanced species...

The short fur was mostly gone, replaced by an even thicker hide than usually, while the legs were dark, the chest was almost pale, lines of deep red went through the upper body, while the hands were white, with additional red lines. The horns were far bigger than normal, a mane of white hair started at the end of the skull and went all the way down to the long tail. This beast held a dungeon weapon in its right hand, it looked like a long staff...with three skulls of Hellhounds on top of it...with fire burning in their eyes and maws. Even its face looked different from a normal Minotaur. Gone was the long snout, the face looking more similar to an Orc now..she wouldn´t dare to call it more human. The horns grew more to the sides, before curling slightly forward at the tips.

What surprised Heith the most were the eyes of this beast...it was clearly intelligent. Not on a level of a thinking being, but way smarter and more cunning than any normal monster. It looked like the red lines in its body pulsed...and as it raised its free hand, Heith was too shocked to move. A wave of fire burst out of the hand...as if this thing was using magic! At the same time, this thing raised the staff and unleashed even more fire at Heith, cremating a dozen lesser monsters around her. The metal of her armor got so hot that she had no chance but to rip them off, having only her staff now, everything else was gone, even more of her hair had burned off, now it only reached her shoulders. Heith got beyond enraged, Freya had praised her long hair and was the one to suggest the twin tails! And even Hestia had claimed that twin tails meant supremacy!

With a cry of sheer anger, Heith lunged at the evolved Minotaur, their staffs collided with a loud bang. The monster seemed to be angry that she was still alive, while her wounds started to close again. She only had around half of her mind left, and this thing just blocked her! Heith was a level four! While not a warrior like others, any Minotaur or even advanced species should easily fall to her!

Normal Minotaurs could be compared to a level two, quite strong level twos on top of that. Those with keen eyes, like Hedin, estimated a Minotaur´s strength of about 1980 points, and the endurance easily at 1700. They were slow, compared to their strength and resiliance, maybe around a thousand points. Their attacks weren´t accurate, but the blows heavy.

But this thing...this thing here was easily at the strength of a mid to upper level three. Since Heith didn´t train much as a warrior, their strength was almost equally matched! What the monster lacked, did it made up for with its breath attack, coming from the hand and staff, as well as the minor monsters.

With a shout that might be a command call, ordered the enhanced Minotaur the other monsters forward. The threat just went up a few levels.

.

.

.

Bell heard the deep growl before he saw the monster, and a slight wave of air from the passage, carried the smell of blood to him. He was busy dealing with two last Al´Mirajs and a Hellhound, his movements came sharp and not elegant at all. Instead of striking the first Al´Miraj down, he brutally murdered it by gutting it and letting it bleed out, screeching from rage and pain. He caught the second Al´Miraj in the air, swung the small body around and smashed its head on the stone floor, letting it twitch and spasm. As the Hellhound jumped him, biting into his shield arm, both went to the ground, Bell screamed and rammed his sword again and again in chest and neck of the monster, but it refused to let go, trying to wound him as much as possible.

As it eventually died, Bell had to open the maw, the teeth slowly leaving his maimed flesh. Panting, aching from pain, he got up as Heith´s golden light enveloped him once more. He didn´t know how often she had healed him.

The final monster...the last he might ever see, came into view.

The dungeon´s exterminator for him had arrived.

Baring its fangs, growling deep as it move forward on four legs, the maw dripping from blood...

It was an enhanced Liger Fang.

Bigger than a normal Liger Fang, the fur looked almost black, the eyes glew red. As it came down from the pile of corpses, moving slowly to the right, while eyeing Bell, he got reminded of another story.

Heracles vs. the Nemean Lion.

Normal Liger Fangs were the counter part to Minotaurs. Where a Minotaur was slow and sturdy, Liger Fangs were fast and agile. They lacked the enormous defense of a Minotaur, but most of the time they didn´t need it.

The jaw of the Liger Fang quivered as it growled. Bell just felt he had mere seconds before it would attack. Against such an opponent, he had no choice. Bell pulled the emergency potion out of his belt, the last one he had left, as his healing potions got destroyed earlier, pulled the cork out with his teeth and gulped the potion down.

For a second, his pupils went wide, before they became dangerously small.

Bell bared his teeth, growling back at the monster. He felt rage! An insane rage and frenzy inside him! His arms hurt so hard did his muscles bulge, this potion forced every ounce of strength out of him, forcing his body to go to its absolute limits. It was a do or die potion after all.

Bell´s world reduced to three things.

The monster. His sword. His shield.

As the monster cowered down and lashed forward, Bell had just enough time to fire his magic one time. It exploded...and did nothing, the enhanced monster took the blast and jumped through the explosion. Bell didn´t lose time, standing still would mean death. And even Heith couldn´t heal him if it ripped his head off...

The fight of his life...of life and death...

Began.

.

.

.

.

"Please! I must see Freya! It is important!"

The guard shouted back at the god in front of him. "Just because you want to see her, doesn´t mean we will let you through!"

"Its about her children! In the dungeon!"

The member of the Andhrimnir who was with the four guards, normally healing them while they killed time fighting each other, went pale.

"What happened?!"

"They´re trapped in the dungeon!"

Before the Andhrimnir could run to Folkvangr, people already came close. The guards and the Andhrimnir went down to one knee as Freya appeared. Someone with very sharp ears had heard the commotion and it sparked her interest, she appeared right at the moment when Takemikazuchi shouted this out.

"Takemikazuchi, explain right now!"

Freya got followed by Hogni and the Gullivers. Allen was close to the pub, as usual.

As Takemikazuchi quickly explained what happened in the dungeon, sinking down to his knees in front of Freya to beg for her mercy, her eyes became dangerously small.

She looked at Ouka.

"You gave the order?"

"I d-"

Her slap echoed all over the place, sending Ouka to the ground, his jaw slightly cracked, but not broken. The strength of a god of war was no joke. The girl with the hair just long enough to cover her eyes seemed to want to move, but she didn´t dare.

Takemikazuchi noticed how Freya´s children were immediately ready to deliver their lady´s revenge.

He bowed down further in Dogeza. "Freya, I beg you! Spare my children! It is my fault as their god! Send me back to heaven if you must, but please, spare their lives!"

The god could see how enraged Freya was, never had he seen such fury on her face.

"Hogni, Gullivers, go."

"Yes, Milady."

""""As you wish!""""

All five immediately ran off in the direction of Babel, Hogni a bit faster than the Brimgar.

Freya leaned closer, towering over all of them, at this moment, none of Takemikazuchi´s children was enchanted by her beauty, they were scared to the depths of their souls.

Her voice was like pure venom.

"If anything happened to them, you will pay..."

There was no mercy in Freya´s voice, the message was clear. If the one she loved so much would die...so would they.

.

.

.

In the pub, Horn gasped loud and grasped her heart, she felt a wave of emotions coming from Freya. Fear, and insane anger.

"Mama Mia!"

"What?"

"I need to go, it´s urgent!"

Mia frowned. "Go."

Anya, Chloe and Lunor looked confused as Syr stormed out of the pub, Allen on the rooftop got alarmed as he noticed Horn running, and noticed Hogni in the distance, running with great speed along the street, the Brimgar not far behind him.

He also noticed a group of the Loki familia, crossing the street, noticing the swift movement towards them, including the Sword Princess, the young elven mage and the two Amazons.

They absolutely misunderstood the situation, as they saw Hogni with a grim expression and his sword in hand running towards them...actually towards Babel. He didn´t put his weapon back as he ran, it was easier this way. The Brimgar also had their weapons in hands, the commotion had interrupted their training.

Mistaking the situation as a sudden attack, the group got ready to fight, the Sword Princess at their front, her two amazon friends at her sides.

Hogni continued to charge, but he didn´t say a word...he just couldn´t. But he reacted to Ais drawing her sword. As did the Brimgar with Tiona and Tione. Freya familia´s side misunderstood their reaction as a sudden attack.

""""Out of the way!""""

Hogni didn´t stop, simply charged right through them as they were in his way. As his sword came closer, Ais made a swift step forward, thrusting Desperate, to try and let Hogni evade to the side. No one of the Loki familia had ever seen what Victim Abyss was capable off. Hogni swung his blade to counter Ais´ sword, but it wasn´t really a counter. As he ran past Ais, her eyes widened in shock and horror, as she got hit by a slash that she never saw coming, that should be impossible, cleaving a wound into her torso, easily opening the wide shirt she wore. It wasn´t a shallow cut, but also not deep enough to endanger her life. She was just in the way.

Tiona and Tione cried out, charging at the Freya familia, as both were unarmend, the Brimgar dealt with both easily...while both Amazons were upper level fives, the Brimgar´s status was equal to them, but they were heavily armed, and had the best teamwork of all adventurers. It was over pretty fast, Tiona and Tione got hammered to the side. But the Freya familia members didn´t stop, they just kept running towards Babel.

Hogni had demonstrated with his light attack what it meant to fight against a very fresh level six, as a high end level six...and being the best sword wielder in Orario. Ais was good, no doubt, but Hogni was just different. His mask and being afraid of losing Bell, let him fight as grim as he did with his magic. And the fact that she had just leveled up to six three days ago, her body still not used to her new level, didn´t help her either.

Allen met the Brimgar´s speed and ran next to them, he knew Hogni wouldn´t answer him in a way he could understand.

"Explain!"

"Bell in danger!"

"In the dungeon!"

"Pass parade!"

"Lady Freya´s order!"

Allen bared his teeth, he didn´t like Bell at all, but he made Freya and Anya happy...that was something. He could help them during their search, but they had just clashed with Loki familia, injured three of their members, there was no high executive at Folkvangr.

Hogni and the Brimgar jumped all the way down to the entrance of the dungeon, kept running towards the 13th floor. As he was faster than them, Hogni would search deeper in the floor, leaving the more complex part to their teamwork. They didn´t need to communicate this, it was obvious.

At Folkvangr, the Takemikazuchi familia feared for their lives as the Einherjar surrounded them, their weapons ready to deliver any order Freya may give in her anger. The Einherjar were enraged because Freya was so angry. The Andhrimnir were enraged because of that too...and because Bell, Lily and Rose were in danger. They weren´t worried about Heith, their leader was something else. All of Folkvangr got mobilized and came to the gate, which was a good thing. Not long after, Allen appeared and put the squirming Horn down, he had carried her on his shoulder not because he cared about her, but what she meant for Freya.

Fifteen minutes later, most of the Loki familia would appear at their gates, with an enraged Loki at the front.

It seemed like Hogni´s slash didn´t only injure Ais, but had bared most of her upper body to everyone´s eyes, something that the familia couldn´t forgive.

Freya shouted at Loki to leave, she wasn´t in the mood for a quarrel, but Loki was furious, and her familia battle ready. Allen got more impressed than ever before by Freya, as she growled at Loki, looking more like a warrior queen than ever before.

"If you want war, Loki, have it! I don´t have time for this right now! My children are in danger!"

The Loki familia knew which of Freya´s children went into the dungeon almost each day, their kept their eyes on their rivals after all.

Weapons were ready on both sides, the situation at Folkvangr was extremly delicate.

Loki only now noticed Takemikazuchi and his children on their knees.

"The fuck are you doin´ here, Freya?!"

Freya was so enraged that she couldn´t even talk, until one of her assistants stepped forward.

"Lady Freya, may I explain the situation to Goddess Loki? You´re agitated and are busy with thinking about him."

Freya just gave a short nod.

So, Remilia turned to the Loki familia. "The Takemikazuchi familia is currently kept in this state, because they came to admit that they performed a pass parade on a dungeon party of us, which had their way back blocked by a cave in, caused by monsters, on the thirteenth floor, three of them are just level one. So, Lady Freya sent Dainslaif and the Brimgar, interrupting their training, to go and help them, they left in a hurry."

"That does give ´em the right to attack ma´ children!" Loki´s accent came out more and more when she got angry.

Allen snorted. "Wasn´t them who attacked yours. It were yours who raised their weapons first and went to attack them. The "Sword Princess" struck first."

The Loki familia cried out in indignation, but Loki remained quiet after hearing Allen´s words. He didn´t lie.

"How did you see all that?!"

"I moved over a rooftop."

"Why?"

"Non of your business, deity." Allen was even more rude to adress Loki than Remilia was.

"Are you telling me my little Ais got severly wounded because she misunderstood you guys charging at them?!"

Allen just looked at Loki as if she was garbage, it was Remilia who answered.

"This wouldn´t be the first time you attacked us without us doing anything to you or the city. In fact, this is the sixth time this happened."

In the distance, a group from the guild came running, including a certain, very fat elf.

.

.

.

"Hrnnngh!"

Bell had to let go of his shield, the Liger Fang had closed its fangs around the edges. As he let go, he stabbed forward with Mardöll, managed to cut off one of the claws at its left front leg, wounding the paw.

All Bell had left now to protect his left side was the shoulder armor and the bracer. They were quite sturdy and a bit bigger than on his right side. It was for this exact reason, in case he lost his shield, or for those Einherjar who fought with two-handed weapons or even two weapons.

The enraged Liger Fang used its right front paw to remove the shield from its maw. Bell never again would get such a chance for an open defense, as it flinched slightly, adjusting its balance to its wounded leg. As dangerous as it was, Bell moved forward and rammed his sword one time into the chest from the side. He was lucky, Mardöll's tip only scraped slightly over the monster's ribs before the blade slid between the ribs and cut through the flesh.

Bell ripped the sword out just as the monster shot around, gracing his cheek with two claws, one of them barely missed his left eye.

Everything seemed to move slower than usual for him, the emergency potion really had some benefits, but he knew it wouldn´t last long. The Liger Fang shot forward again, digging its fangs into Bell´s left shoulder. He turned into this movement on purpose, to protect his weapon arm.

Bell screamed loud as the fangs tore into his flesh, while the left paw scratched along his crotch and thighs, the right leg did the same on his waist. There was no defending here, he just hacked and slashed with his sword, as the Liger Fang tossed him around like a ragdoll. The expression in his eyes was as murderous as that in the Liger Fang´s.

His back hit a wall, as did the back of his head. Only his helmet protected him from getting his skull cracked or knocked out.

He liked his helmet more and more...

Bell hacked and slashed blindly, dealing wounds wherever he could reach.

A lucky hit freed him from the Liger Fang. Mardöll cut through the wrist of the left paw, severing it from the monster´s body. Bell got thrown back, landing with a scream on the ground. His whole body screamed, but he forced himself up. His left arm was useless now, hanging down without control.

He panted and gasped, raised his sword, and moved as best his mangled legs allowed.

Heith's next spell was a balm for his body.

He didn't hear her groan, though...apparently, her seemingly endless mind reserves were nearing their end.

How many times had she healed him now?

He didn't know, as everything blurred in the rapid battle.

But it had already happened over four dozen times. Any other healer would never have lasted this long.

Without Heith, Bell would have died more than forty times...

Heith screamed out while she exchanged heavy staff attacks with the Minotaur.

"One left!"

He knew she didn´t mean the monster.

The Liger Fang bared its fangs. Its mobility was now limited due to the missing paw.

The monster crept slowly from left to right and back, testing its own agility. Bell bent down without taking his eyes off the monster and picked up Rose's axe. He hadn't even noticed that the Liger Fang had thrown him in that direction.

For Bell, it was the fight of his life. He couldn't have known that it was a weak enhanced species, only slightly stronger than a normal Liger Fang, but still deadly for a level one.

The Minotaur had eaten most of the Magic Stones, so he was more changed.

The Liger Fang couldn´t know if Rose´s axe was as dangerous as Bell´s sword, but it also didn´t care. The Liger Fang didn´t want to survive, it wanted to kill. As it jumped at Bell again, he thrusted Mardöll forward, while he hacked with the axe at the remaining front paw. He wasn´t good with two weapons, especially one of them an axe, but it was only to keep the monster at bay.

No one but Heith was there to witness the fight of his life, and even she was busy to fight with the enhanced Minotaur, while fighting in a way that she could keep an eye on Bell. Her mind potions were all empty, but Rose and Lily still had their potions, there was just no time to get them. But even so, Heith felt the headache from using her magic too many times, even after drinking mind potions.

.

.

.

The Liger Fang was bleeding from the wounds Bell had given it, limped because of the missing paw, its eyes still filled with murder. This wasn´t like any heroic fight Bell had ever read, but he also didn´t feel like any hero he ever read about.

He bared his teeth, growling, his muscles were tense to the point of breaking. His mind processed every piece of information faster than it ever had before. The adrenaline rush, the life-and-death struggle, the emergency potion...it was a high and a rush.

His very dangerous rush.

The wounds made the Liger Fang even more aggressive. Deep in his mind, Bell saw an opportunity.

A chance.

He roared at the Liger Fang like an animal and charged forward.

The Killer Rabbit would not be intimidated by the larger predator. Taking the challenge and reacting to Bell´s aggression, the Liger Fang jumped forward. The axe got knocked out of Bell´s hand, only smashing one of the main fangs of the monster. Bell held himself on the side with the missing paw.

He went feral.

As they rolled over the ground, Bell pushed with all the strength that his body had, ramming and stabbing the sword again and again into the Liger Fang. In return, the monster dealt a deep scratch onto Bell´s face, from the left side of his chin, over his nose and the right eye, forcing Bell to keep it shut. Without healing, he was now blind on the right eye. It hurt so much, but it ignited the fire of the fight for survival within him.

An eye for an eye.

Mardöll took the left eye of the Liger Fang, letting the monster roar louder than ever before in pure rage. As the monster´s right claw started to tear apart Bell´s left arm, and bringing its maw to rip out his throat, Bell let his defense go. It was something that Hogni told him, in the moment when a killing blow was possible, many opponents tended to get too hasty and lowered their defense.

He ripped his head to the side, so the Liger Fang´s fangs went into his left shoulder, in a few moments, it would tear his left arm off. Mardöll´s hilt got slippery from all that blood, as he rammed it deeper, pierced one of the lungs, even slightly stabbed the heart. As the Liger Fang gasped because of the collapsing lunge, letting go of Bell´s shoulder, which was halfway teared off, Bell went up with a brutality, his sanity almost gone. The Liger Fang stumbled forward, Bell jumped at it at the side, screaming in rage and pain, ramming his sword again and again and again and again and again into the Liger Fang´s neck.

Even as the monster slumped to the ground, did Bell keep stabbing it, until he saw what gave him "hope". A soft blue shine was on the Liger Fang, Mardöll´s special effect finally happened. As Bell struck this part, the flesh got pushed out by the small explosion that turned to the inside, blowing out a third of the Liger Fang´s neck. He had maimed and opened the flesh so much, that he saw a magic stone of the size of his fist now, halfway embedded in the flesh. As Mardöll got stuck in a bone, Bell let go of the hilt, pushed his hand into the wound...and pulled.

The Liger Fang screamed in never known pain, but its body was multilated so heavily, that it could only lay there. Bell´s right arm glew in a soft white light for a second, as he remembered the description of the fierce fight of Heracles against the Nemean Lion.

Heith´s head shot around to Bell as she heard a soft, chirming sound.

She witnessed how Bell ripped the Magic stone out of the Liger Fang, raising it up to the ceiling, throwing his head back and roaring in primal anger and victory.

This wasn´t the Bell she knew and liked...

.

.

.

As the Magic Stone left the monster, it started to crumble and turn to ash. Bell noticed a movement right next to him, he let go of the magic stone, grabbed the falling Mardöll and swung it with an animalistic howl at the movement, clearly a monster!

.

.

.

Clank!

.

.

.

With a loud noise, his sword collided with a much, much bigger sword.

Grer shouted loud as he blocked Bell´s attack. "What are you doing, Bell Cranel?!"

Bell snarled and went at Grer, striking at him again and again, the Prum deflected all attacks with ease. Grer saw the madness in Bell´s eyes, his right arm flayed around, halfway torn off.

"Stop this at once!"

"Bell Cranel!"

Dvalinn and Berling went from both sides at the howling, screaming Bell, striking the weapon out of his hand. Bell then tried to attack Dvalinn with his bare hand and teeth. Berling and Dvalinn overwhelmed Bell and pushed him to the ground, where he struggled without any strength left, blood leaving his body. Grer went to help Alfrigg quickly getting rid of the Minotaur.

The monster stopped as Alfrigg´s spear exploded out of its chest, then Grer hacked the head off. Heith didn´t have time to thank them, she ran to Bell as she chanted her magic in panic. It was a disgusting sight and noise as Bell´s wounds closed, the arm repairing by itself as it seemed...

Weak, he still tried to fight against the Brimgar.

"Berling, Dvalinn, let go of him."

"Are you sane?!"

"Heith, he turned mad!"

"Let him go, please."

Both did as she asked, Bell weakly went up to his feet. Heith was immediately at him, putting her arms around him and pulling him into a hug.

"Bell! It´s alright! I´m here! I´m here for you!"

He growled, but didn´t have the strength to push her off. Bell didn´t even hit her.

Heith pulled him closer, pushing her soft body against his.

"It´s alright! It´s over...calm down, Bell. You protected them...protected everyone. Calm down...please..."

She saw the pain and madness in him, the potion´s effect and huge stress had overwhelmed his mind for now. While Alfrigg and Dvalinn took care of Rose and Lily, Grer and Berling went to destroy all the magic stones from the lesser monsters, so that no other enhanced species could get born, they only spared the one from the Liger Fang and the Minotaur.

.

.

.

Hogni eventually arrived, he took the whole scene in, in mere moments. Most of the monsters were turned to ash now, the Gullivers quickly picked up the few drop items that got left behind. Hogni saw Heith hugging Bell, while shedding tears, he stared with an empty expression at the ceiling.

He looked at Alfrigg. "Will he live?"

"Turned into a Berzerkyr, Grer saw him killing an enhanced Liger Fang, we counted one hundred and fourty three monsters on his side."

"My pupil is truly blessed."

"Never thought he had something like that in him."

They saw Heith doing her best to comfort Bell, but he had lost consciousness, which was to be expected. His eyes were still open, they even moved slightly around and reacted to movements, but his mind was elsewhere.

Hogni went to Heith, taking off his cape, holding it to her. "For your mortal shell."

She nodded, gently letting go of Bell, while Hogni held him. The Gullivers had the courtesy to look away as the naked woman got up to her feet, picked up the parts of her armor, which would at least cover her most important places, before she wrapped herself in Hogni´s cape. Bell wasn´t in a state to be shown to anyone, so, Hogni crouched down and pulled something from the ground. A black and white Liger Fang fur drop item. It was far larger than any kind he had ever seen or heard about, even the head part was still there.

"A sign of your victory, min pupil."

"Te...a...ch...er..."

"I´m here, min pupil."

Hogni was careful as he let a stamina, health and mind potion flow into Bell´s mouth, making sure to do it slowly and that Bell swallowed. Some of the potions flew out of his mouth and down to his chin. He noticed how Bell´s right hand formed a claw, his fingers were so cramped from using Mardöll so often, that he couldn´t move them anymore.

It would take a lot of treatment to cure Bell completly.

Heith returned to his side, gently putting a hand on Bell´s cheek.

"Bell...*Hic*.."

No one of the other five had ever seen Heith showing her vulnerable side.

Bell´s eyes moved slightly in her direction.

"He...ith..."

"Let us go home..."

He followed her with slow steps. Dvalinn carried Lily on his arms, Berling carried his weapon for him. Hogni sheathed his sword and kept his mask on, as he picked up Rose. Alfrigg and Grer would protect the group from all sides, Berling could only fight with a few problems, due to carrying the extra weapon, and the enormous horns of the Minotaur, which had dropped when it dissolved to ash.

Their didn´t have to fear anything, the dungeon was spent too, the trap had failed.

.

.

.

.

The situation at Folkvangr remained tense, until Allen´s ears twitched, turning to Freya.

"They´re coming."

Freya gasped loud and started to run in the direction Allen pointed at. The surprised Loki familia made way to let the goddess pass...some of them even saw the tears in her eyes. Allen followed his goddess, as did Remilia, and half of the Andhrimnir. Many people on the streets looked at the armed group walking to Folkvangr, Bell and Heith were red from head to toe. But it was obvious which one of them was in the worse state. Bell walked slowly, like a doll missing its core.

"Bell! Bell!"

He blinked slowly, turning his head to Freya. As she threw her arms around him, hugging him, not caring about all the blood, gore and fat ruining her dress, Freya called his name again and again, crying loud. His eyes still looked hazy.

When Freya put her lips on his in her desperation, he finally blinked truly.

It was the most intimate kiss they had ever shared, his arms slowly came up, his body reacting to her presence. Like a prince in a fairy tail, just reversed, kissed Freya her beloved back to becoming awake. As his arms closed around her, hugging her strongly, returning the kiss, Freya cried from relief.

The Loki familia eventually left, after witnessing such a scene...and how Bell and Heith looked. They would talk about the clash at a different day.

Meanwhile, the Andhrimnir swarmed Heith, Rose and Lily, taking care of them. The rest of the familia witnessed the scene, those who still were jealous of Bell, especially when they saw him kissing Freya, also felt a lot of respect for him as a warrior. He looked like he went through hell.

Even Allen felt respect when he heard what had happened on the 13th floor. But that would wait until they brought Bell inside. The Andhrimnir brought Lily and Rose into the small hospital, Lona and Ilde taking care of Heith. All of them were shocked when they heard what happened, and how far their leader had to push herself to protect Bell and the group.

.

.

.

"Bell..."

"Freya..."

They kissed again and again, she refused to leave his side. Both were currently in her private bathroom, she wanted to take it upon herself to wash him, but she was too out of sorts. Horn and Remilia cleaned Bell´s body, some of the marks they saw, that didn´t vanish after the healing, told them a grim story. Bell had a towel around his hips, Freya sat there in the bloody dress. Her eyes were red from crying, both kissed again and again, while Horn and Remilia continued their work in silence. Freya only turned around when they had to remove the towel. Bell could barely move at all, even washing himself would have caused him to ache. Remilia felt absolutely nothing as she washed Bell´s private parts, Horn focused on his backside.

This night, Bell and Freya would sleep together for the first time, snuggled up to each other, cuddling in her bed. Because of his exhaustion, Bell would fall asleep soon, only able to do it because of her calming presence. She would watch him for a long time, her heart aching from the fear she had felt.

.

.

.

.

At morning, the whole familia came together for breakfast, as usual. All of the Einherjar looked at Bell as he entered the room. Then...they slammed their fists on the tables.

Again and again, showing him respect as fellow warriors. They hammered their fists onto the tables seven times in total.

Seven was one of the two important numbers for Freya, as it stood for luck.

Heith had told the Andhrimnir what happened on the 13th floor...thirteen was the other lucky number for Freya...friday the 13th to be exact...was it an omen? Did they make it because it had been the 13th floor? The Andhrimnir had told the Einherjar the story...as well as Lily and Rose.

Freya entered the hall together with Bell, she had hooked her arm through his. Lily and Rose were the first to come to him, thanking him for protecting them. Heith, with her hair now as short as Bell´s...due to almost all of it being burned away...also came to them. Many gasped in shock and jealousy, as Heith hugged Bell gently...then receiving a kiss on the cheek from Freya, which let Heith squeak.

Hugging Bell, as she hugged him after the fight, getting a kiss on the cheek from Freya...it let something happen in Heith that never happened before.

Her heart ached for a second, but not out of jealousy...

Was she getting sick?

As Freya´s partner, Bell would normally sit on the upper floor with the High Executives now, but the Einherjar wanted to hear the story from him, so, everyone sat at the ground floor now, eating their breakfast and listening.

The respect they felt for him only grew, beating an enhanced Liger Fang at level one...that was something impressive. They showed him the cleaned Liger Fang fur, a sign of his victory. Bell looked at it with mixed feelings, before he looked at Freya.

"I would like to gift this to you, Freya."

"To me?"

"Yes...my love."

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""Ack!"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

He couldn´t help but smile wryly, the usual reaction of the Andhrimnir and Einherjar helped him to take things easier again.

"Then, I will accept it, a gift for a gift. It will become a good bedside rug."

It was her way of respecting Bell´s victory. Maybe..just maybe...cuddling and snuggling to each other while being on top of this fur would be nice...but not too much, that would be too soon.

The horns that remained after the Minotaur had died, would be hung up above the entrance to Small Sessrumnir. It was a hall for warriors after all, so it should be decorated with trophies. This was their first worthy trophy.

For the whole day, Freya would spend every minute with Bell...except for bath time of course, and in the evening, updating his status.

.

.

.

"Bell...here."

She handed him the paper, sitting at his side, blushing because of his bare upper body.

.

.

.

Bell Cranel

Belongs to: Freya

Level 1-2

Strength: S 969 to SS 1337

Endurance: S 985 to SS 1295

Agility: S 987 to SS 1215

Dexterity: S 991 to SS 1113

Magic: S 976 to SS 1101 (+50 to +100)

Magic: Firebolt, Genos Ambrosia

Skills:

Heroic Desire (Admirer of Love)

Magical Heritage I to H

Burning Love I to H

Argonaut (new)

Magic: Firebolt, Genos Ambrosia (Heroic Will)

.

.

.

The part of Herois Desire that she couldn´t read before, was now revealed.

"Granting possibility to grow beyond normal limitations"

"Freya..this is...I..."

She leaned against him, her head gently touching his. "I´m surprised as well."

"Have you ever seen something like this before?"

"No, your skill really is something else."

"Fr-"

"Don´t look at me..."

She knew his skill came from his love for her, the stronger his love was, the stronger did the effect get. Her face was bright red, she couldn´t look into his eye right now. So...they kissed with closed eyes.

To calm herself down, she showed him something else.

"You can choose between three Development Abilities: Swordsman, Hunter and Abnormal Resistance."

"Uh...all three are good choices..."

"Indeed, but I would dare to say Hunter is the weakest, the other two are essential."

"What would you recommend?"

"Abnormal Resistance will appear again when you reach level three, Swordsman will too, but it takes longer to level up than Abnormal Resistance...so, I would say Swordsman."

"I will follow your wisdom, my love."

"Mouh..Bell...you actually just want to get better with your sword, right?"

"A hero needs a strong sword arm."

"True. Shall I take it?"

"Yes, please."

Bell´s level up to two, barely two months after he had started as an adventurer, would be revealed at the next Denatus. Not before, just at the Denatus, Freya would enjoy the shocked faces of everyone...

Still, there was something she had to deal with now.

.

.

.

As he had promised on his honor, Takemikazuchi returned to the gates of Folkvangr with his familia, they awaited Freya´s judgement. The dungeon party, as well as many others were with Freya.

"You brought Bell, Heith, Rose and Liliruca into grave danger, by performing a Pass Parade on them. I can understand why you did it to save your lives, but I won´t forgive it. All of them have suffered and you will pay for it. But I will take into account that you came to me to report your crime immediately, letting my other children arrive in time. Takemikazuchi, get up."

The god got up from his Dogeza position.

"You will hereby become my Vassal, if I have a request, you and your familia will fulfill it."

He nodded, becoming another gods Vassal wasn´t a small thing.

"Also, you, get up."

Mikoto did with an uneasy expression. "I won´t take his captain, so, instead you will pay for your crimes directly, by serving Bell and the others with your body."

The young samurai went pale, a few tears appeared in the corner of her eyes as she clutched her body in an unwanted reaction. Takemikazuchi clenched his jaw, but if he would interfere now, Freya might become furious.

Freya saw the pulse of Mikoto´s soul, judging that she came from the Far East, she understood wrong what Freya meant.

"Let me make myself very clear here, girl. If you touch Bell in any way that I would deem inappropriate or lewd, I will not forgive you this time. You will clean Small Sessrumnir, you will serve the party in the dungeon. Your sentence is service for three years at least, and it won´t end before you yourself killed ten times as many monsters as they had because of your actions.

With the numbers of Bell´s monsters, Heith´s and what the party had to defeat, they had slain over four hundred monsters...

Mikoto lowered her head. "I understand, I swear to follow your judgement on my honor."

"Good, now, Takemikazuchi, Mikoto, you will follow me for the ritual of transfer into my familia."

Mikoto looked with desperation in her eyes at her god, but he just nodded to her with a grim expression.

"On days off from the dungeon, when your duties at the home are done, you may visit your original familia."

Freya looked down at Mikoto like a queen, Bell had never seen her so angry before.

"That is all now, come."

Heith had explained to Bell how insanely furious Freya had been. His normally so kind and forgiving nature made it hard for him, especially because he got wounded and nearly killed so often, and Heith had to suffer a lot because of that, as did Freya. Still, as he was still a bit naive, Bell might have forgiven them with a fierce warning. But Heith had explained this wasn´t how Orario´s politics worked. Freya led the strongest familia, the situation had resulted in a clash with the Loki familia.

If she wouldn´t punish Takemikazuchi like that, it would be seen as weak on her side. Which could endanger Orario, if her familia would be seen as weak. At least, Bell found this punishment fair.

It wasn´t the way he had imagined it, but their dungeon party had grown now. And would grow more, something like that happening soon again was unlikely.

But unlikely wasn´t impossible.

Freya would make further plans to strengthen the dungeon party...and she already had the first person in mind. A second healer, to take some burden from Heith.

The elf, Lona.

And one or two Einherjar, someone with attack magic would become necessary in the future...

And...maybe a smith? But her familia didn´t have one.

Wasn´t there a "problem child" that Hephaistos had mentioned?