Bell and the others emerged from the depths of the Dungeon, their bodies weary but their spirits soaring. As they stepped onto the surface of Orario, the city erupted into cheers. Gods and adventurers alike had gathered to welcome them, their victorious return from Hell itself sending waves of celebration through the city. The gods were there—Loki, Freya, and others, clapping and calling out to them. The noise was deafening, a cacophony of excitement, pride, and relief.
But for Bell, the weight of what had transpired still hung heavy. The victory was theirs, yes, but at the cost of great trials and revelations that still churned in his mind. His eyes briefly met Freya's from across the crowd, and he could see the depth of her admiration and desire. He would address that soon enough.
For now, the adventurers waved to the cheering crowd, but without indulging in the celebration too much, they quickly excused themselves. It was time to return to their Familia homes.
Ottar and Bell made their way to the Freya Familia Manor, while the rest of their companions—Ais, Finn, Riveria, and the others—headed to the Loki Familia Manor. The night air was cool, but it carried a palpable sense of change.
Inside Freya's grand manor, the atmosphere was quieter, but no less intense. The silver-eyed goddess awaited Bell in the private chambers, her aura a beacon of power and desire. Bell could feel the growing heat between them but said nothing, simply nodding to Ottar before retreating into his own quarters. He needed rest, but something else stirred within him, something far more ancient and powerful.
That night, as Bell lay in bed, trying to recover from the intensity of their battle, he felt a familiar pull. A tug on his very soul. His eyes snapped open, and he knew the source at once. The aura was unmistakable: Gaia.
"Come to me, Bell," her voice echoed inside his mind. It was not a command, but a gentle summons. He could feel her presence tugging at the edges of his consciousness, pulling him into the divine plane between waking and dreaming.
Without a second thought, Bell let his awareness drift, and soon, he found himself standing in a vast, primordial forest. The air was thick with life—flowers bloomed with unnatural vibrancy, and the ground seemed to pulse with energy. Gaia, the embodiment of the earth itself, stood before him, her eyes glowing with ancient wisdom and power.
"You have done well, Bell Cranel," she said, her voice a blend of warmth and authority. "But slaying a god is no simple feat. It comes with... consequences."
Bell nodded. "I felt it, Gaia. I felt something change in me after Hades fell. What... what has happened?"
Gaia smiled faintly, stepping closer to him. "When a god is slain by mortal hands, their divinity does not simply vanish. It transfers to the one who delivers the final blow." Her eyes glimmered as she looked at Bell. "You now carry the Divinities of Hades within you."
Bell's heart raced. The implications were staggering. "Hades' powers...?"
Gaia nodded. "Yes. You now possess dominion over the Underworld, the power to judge the dead, command its creatures, and control the earth beneath your feet. These are not gifts that come lightly, Bell. They are responsibilities."
Bell felt a surge of power ripple through him at her words. He could feel it now—the ancient weight of the Underworld settling into his bones, the knowledge of death and judgment becoming a part of his very soul.
Gaia continued, her tone softer now. "You also hold powers of resurrection, though they are limited. You may control the wealth of the earth, and even possess the power of invisibility through Hades' Helm of Darkness. But remember, Bell—these powers are a part of the natural order. To disrupt the balance would be to invite disaster."
Bell's mind raced with the possibilities. He had never sought power for its own sake, but now, the might of a god flowed through him. He looked up at Gaia, his heart pounding. "What does this mean for me? Will I... become a god?"
Gaia's smile grew sad. "Perhaps. In time, if you fully embrace the divinities within you, you may transcend mortality. But that is a path you must choose carefully. For now, you are still yourself. Still Bell Cranel."
He let out a slow breath, trying to absorb the enormity of what Gaia was telling him. The power, the responsibility... it was overwhelming. But there was something else he couldn't deny: the thrill of it. The knowledge that he had grown stronger than ever before.
As if sensing his thoughts, Gaia stepped closer. "Do not let these powers consume you, Bell. You have always fought with honor, for the sake of others. That is what makes you strong. Hold onto that."
Bell nodded, resolute. "I will."
As the vision faded and Bell returned to his room, he could still feel the pulse of divinity within him. Hades' powers lingered at the edge of his consciousness, waiting to be called upon. And with that power came the responsibility Gaia had warned him about.
Just then, a soft knock came at his door. Bell looked up as the door opened slightly, and Freya stepped into the room. Her eyes gleamed with something primal, something hungry.
"I felt it," she whispered, stepping closer. "I felt your ascension, Bell."
Bell met her gaze, and for a moment, the tension between them was unbearable. Freya's eyes roamed over him, her desire barely contained. She had always been drawn to his potential, but now, with Hades' divinity pulsing through him, she could feel it—he was something more than mortal.
"You've grown so much," she purred, brushing a hand across his cheek. "And yet, I still desire you."
Bell felt his own pulse quicken, his senses alive with the power coursing through him. And in that moment, the tension broke. Freya closed the distance between them, her lips claiming his in a fiery, passionate kiss.
That night, they were consumed by each other—Bell's newfound divinity amplifying every sensation, every touch. Freya, in turn, reveled in his power, her own divinity melding with his in a dance of overwhelming intensity.
As dawn approached, Bell lay beside Freya, his body and mind both exhausted and exhilarated. He had gained the powers of a god, defeated one of the most feared beings in existence, and now... he felt closer to Freya than ever before.
But there was still much to consider. Hades had been defeated, but the path ahead was uncertain. The powers of the Underworld were now his to command, but Bell knew that his journey was far from over.
As he drifted off to sleep, Freya resting beside him, Bell couldn't help but wonder what the future held.