Bell Cranel stood atop the palace walls, his gaze locked on the horizon where the sun was beginning to set, casting an eerie red glow over the kingdom. The once proud land of King Waldstein was now shrouded in fear, the people mourning the loss of their king and terrified of what would come next. Monsters lurked in the darkness, but more troubling were the whispers of arrogant gods—divine beings who had descended, brandishing their Arcanum, threatening mortal lives, and asserting dominance over the world.
King Waldstein's death weighed heavily on Bell's shoulders, not only as a loss of a friend but also as a stark reminder of the power imbalance between gods and mortals. Bell's blood burned with fury. He had traveled back in time, to a world untouched by the gods' falna, where people had to rely on their own strength to survive. The King had fought valiantly, but Bell knew that, at some point, these divine beings would come down from their heavens with unchecked arrogance, just as they had in the stories of old.
And Bell was determined to stop them.
He turned to Albert, the young king standing beside him. The boy had matured greatly over the past few weeks, but the weight of the crown still hung heavy on his head. Albert was brave, but Bell could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the struggle to lead his people while still grieving his father's death. But Albert wasn't alone—not anymore.
"It's time we take control of our destiny," Bell said, his voice steady and resolute. "The gods think they can descend and rule over mortals as they please, but they've forgotten one thing: Mortals have always been stronger than they realize. And now, we're going to remind them."
Albert nodded, though his face was tense. "But how, Bell? How can we fight against gods? They wield powers far beyond what we can even imagine."
Bell turned to face him fully, his eyes alight with determination. "By becoming stronger. By becoming more than what we are now. There were once mortals who stood against the gods and forced them to seal their Arcanum, to bow before humanity's will. I've read the legends, Albert, and we're standing at the beginning of a new era—an era where mortals will rise once again."
Albert's doubt faded into something stronger: hope. He could feel the conviction in Bell's words, the belief that they could, in fact, rise against those who would see them as mere playthings. Bell had a plan, and Albert trusted him completely.
Bell's attention shifted to the group gathered behind them. These weren't just ordinary people—they were the future heroes of legend. Each of them had potential, greatness buried deep within them, and Bell was going to help them unearth it.
Argonaut, the ambitious and bold human, had already begun to carve a name for himself as a daring and brave soul. He had the heart of a hero, even if he didn't yet know it. His impulsiveness would need to be tempered, but Bell saw the spark that could light the fires of legend.
Yuri, the human warrior with unparalleled combat skills and a keen strategic mind, stood beside Argonaut, her eyes gleaming with excitement at the prospect of battle. She would become a tactical genius, a warrior whose mind and blade worked in perfect harmony.
Galmus, the dwarf, was built like a mountain and had the endurance of one too. His sheer physical strength and resilience would make him a cornerstone of their forces, a shield to protect the others when the time came.
Elmina, the elf, was noble and proud, a skilled fighter with a deep sense of justice. Bell could see in her the makings of a leader, someone who would inspire others to stand and fight for what was right.
Finn, the prum, small but quick-witted, had a sharp mind for battle and an even sharper sense of justice. Though small in stature, his heart and courage were immense, and Bell knew he would soon stand tall among his comrades.
Fianna, the human knight, was known for her duty and courage, never backing down from a fight. She reminded Bell of the heroes he had once read about in his own time, those who had fought and bled for the sake of their people.
And finally, Epimetheus. The human who had surpassed even the strongest of his time, a legend in the making. Bell saw the potential in him—the strength, the raw power, and the drive to become the greatest. He would one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods, but for now, he was still young and eager to learn.
Bell looked at them all, his heart swelling with pride. These were the future heroes of this world, and he was going to help them reach their full potential.
"We're going on a training trip," Bell announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the group. "This isn't just about fighting monsters anymore. We're preparing for something far bigger. The gods are starting to descend, and some of them think they can rule this world. We're going to prove them wrong."
The group exchanged glances, the seriousness of Bell's words settling in. They had all heard of the gods, beings of immense power who could crush entire armies with a flick of their wrist. But Bell's confidence was infectious. If anyone could lead them to victory against the divine, it was him.
Their journey led them to an area thick with magic, where the air itself hummed with energy. The forest they now entered was ancient and alive, the trees whispering secrets of times long past. It was said that deep within these woods lay the entrance to a den of spirits, beings of immense power and knowledge who had existed long before the gods had ever descended to Earth.
It was here that Bell intended to push them to their limits, to unlock the hidden potential within each of them.
As they trained, the forest seemed to watch, and soon enough, the spirits made their presence known. Wisps of light flickered through the trees, and the air grew thick with magic. The group found themselves face to face with beings of pure energy—spirits from the very heart of the world.
Among them, a particular spirit caught Bell's eye. She moved with grace and elegance, her very presence commanding awe. A wind spirit, known to Bell as Aria—the spirit who would one day be tied to Ais Wallenstein, one of the greatest heroines he had ever known.
For weeks, they trained. Under Bell's guidance and with the spirits' help, the group pushed themselves beyond their limits. Their muscles ached, their bodies were bruised, but their hearts burned with a desire for greatness. Bell led by example, showing them not only how to fight but how to think, how to adapt, and how to trust in each other. His divine nature allowed him to grasp magic and combat on a level they had never seen, and in turn, they began to follow suit.
Each of them grew stronger, faster, smarter. Argonaut's recklessness became tempered by Yuri's strategic mind. Elmina's sense of justice sharpened as she sparred with Fianna. Galmus and Finn formed an unlikely partnership, their differences in size and strength creating a unique bond. And Epimetheus—Bell could already see that he was destined for greatness, surpassing even the gods themselves in time.
When the training was finally complete, they stood before Bell as different people. They weren't just warriors anymore—they were heroes in the making, each with the potential to change the world. And now, the time had come to face their greatest challenge yet.
The time for the crusade had arrived. The gods who had descended and wielded their Arcanum as a threat would soon learn what it meant to face mortals who had risen to greatness. Bell's group of heroes was ready to fight, and Bell himself was more than eager to bring the battle to the divine.
"We'll fight for justice," Bell declared, his eyes blazing with determination. "We'll fight for those who can't. The gods have had their way for too long, and it's time they're reminded of what mortals are truly capable of."
The group nodded, their hearts steeled for the coming battles. They had trained hard, and now they were ready to take on the gods themselves.
As they set out on their journey to confront the arrogant gods, Bell couldn't help but smile to himself. He had always loved a good fight, and something told him that this battle against the divine would be one to remember for all time.