The air in Hearth Manor buzzed with excitement as the Hestia Familia prepared for their next Dungeon dive. The entire Familia—now an unstoppable force of strength and skill—had leveled up to match any of the strongest adventurers in Orario. Their training had been relentless, their bonds stronger than ever, and their resolve ironclad.
Bell stood at the head of the group, his white outfit accentuating his presence as the leader. His aura was calm but powerful, his crimson eyes gleaming with the confidence of someone who had already surpassed every challenge thrown his way. The Familia members around him were equally prepared—each one a Level 7, their stats maxed out at 'S 999,' while Bell, the undisputed powerhouse, had long surpassed them at 'X 1500,' unbound by the same limitations.
Hestia stood by Bell's side, her long black battle-kimono slightly swaying as she adjusted the gauntlets on her wrists. She had grown stronger too, now able to utilize a minor amount of her divinity in battle. She wasn't the lazy goddess she once was—Hestia had become a force to be reckoned with, inflicting serious damage when necessary without risking her banishment to Tenkai.
"Ready, everyone?" Bell asked, his voice cutting through the air with ease.
Ryuu, Lili, Welf, Mikoto, Anya and Haruhime all nodded, their expressions determined. They had come a long way under Bell's guidance, each of them now a fearsome warrior capable of holding their own even in the most dangerous parts of the Dungeon.
"We're going lower this time," Bell continued, his tone filled with the anticipation of challenge. "Beyond what Loki Familia has managed so far. Floor 59 is just the beginning. We're pushing ourselves to the limits. Let's get enough excelia to level up again and surpass what Orario thinks is possible."
Haruhime smiled shyly beside Bell, her six golden tails flickering behind her. She had grown closer to him during their training, and their bond was now as solid as the stone walls of the Dungeon itself. "I'll be right by your side, Bell-sama," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with resolve.
Bell patted her head gently, eliciting a soft purr from the fox girl. "I know you will, Haru."
With the plan set, the Hestia Familia geared up and left for the Dungeon. They were a sight to behold, clad in their white uniforms and black battle-kimonos, resembling a well-coordinated squad of unstoppable warriors. They moved swiftly through the city, their presence turning heads as adventurers whispered about the powerful Familia that had surpassed all expectations.
In the Dungeon:
The descent into the Dungeon was swift, as the Hestia Familia tore through the early floors with ease. Monsters that once posed a threat now fell in seconds under the combined might of their weapons and spells. Bell led the way, cutting through creatures with effortless precision, his body glowing with the power of his Level 8 stats.
When they reached the lower floors, the real test began. Powerful monsters surged at them from all sides—giant beasts, dragons, and monsters no other Familia had faced at such depths. But Bell's Familia was no ordinary group.
Hestia unleashed her new-found power, channeling divinity into her strikes. She moved gracefully, every punch sending shockwaves through the monsters. Her magic, augmented by her divine energy, burned away even the toughest of enemies. Ryuu, Anya and Mikoto danced across the battlefield, their blades slicing through the air in perfect harmony. Welf unleashed devastating fire magic, while Lili expertly supported them with her ranged attacks.
Haruhime, with her six tails, cast powerful buffs on the group, strengthening everyone with her magic that amplified their abilities far beyond what was thought possible.
By the time they reached Floor 60, they had obliterated everything in their path. Excelia flowed through them like a river, and Bell could feel the power growing within his body. This was what it meant to be truly powerful, to rise beyond the expectations of even the gods themselves.
Back in Orario:
The news of Hestia Familia's accomplishments spread like wildfire. No one could believe it—an entire Familia reaching Level 7, with Bell already at Level 8, all within such a short time. Whispers of their strength, skill, and teamwork echoed through the city, turning them into symbols of hope and unmatched prowess.
But the Dungeon was only the beginning. The War Game was next.
Dian Cecht Familia had no idea what was coming. The god of healing, greedy and overconfident, had accepted Bell's challenge, putting Airmid Teasanare, the legendary healer, as the stakes. But Bell and the others had no intention of losing. In fact, this War Game would be a cakewalk compared to the horrors they had faced in the depths of the Dungeon.
Hearth Manor - The Day of the War Game:
The day of the War Game had finally arrived, and Hestia had invited some of her closest friends—Freya, Demeter, Hephaestus, and Artemis—to join her at Hearth Manor to watch the event unfold. The goddesses arrived one by one, all curious to see what Bell and his Familia were capable of.
"You've done quite well for yourself, Hestia," Hephaestus said, admiring the newly renovated Hearth Manor. "I almost can't believe this is the same place Apollo once owned."
Hestia beamed proudly. "It's all thanks to my Familia—and Bell."
Freya, always watching Bell with keen interest, said nothing, but her silver eyes never left the young adventurer's image on the projected screen. She could feel it, the pull of his strength, the very reason she had become so fascinated with him.
The goddesses gathered around the pool, where Bell had set up an outdoor screen for them to watch the War Game in style. The water shimmered as the sun cast a golden glow over the scene. The poolside bar was stocked with cool drinks, and they could relax in the water while observing the battle unfold.
Hestia lounged by the pool, dressed in a white bikini that matched her Familia's iconic outfits. She giggled as she offered her guests drinks, the excitement for the coming War Game bubbling within her. "It's going to be fun watching this," she said. "We've trained hard, and now it's time to show Orario what we're capable of!"
Artemis, ever the warrior goddess, nodded. "I have no doubt your Familia will succeed."
Freya, still silent, sipped her wine. Deep down, she was pleased. She knew Bell would triumph, but she couldn't shake the growing intensity of her feelings for him. The desire to see him again, to speak to him, to touch him—it gnawed at her.
As the gods and goddesses settled in, the screen flickered to life, and the War Game began. Hestia Familia was ready, and this time, they were going to prove that they were not only the strongest, but also the most united force in Orario.
Bell's voice echoed across the battlefield, commanding his Familia with ease, confidence radiating from him.
"Let's show them who we are!" Bell's voice carried through the projection.
The goddesses, comfortably seated by the pool, watched with bated breath. They knew that victory was inevitable, but it was how Bell and his Familia would claim that victory that kept them on the edge of their seats.
The War Game had begun, and Hestia Familia was ready to conquer once again.