The Hestia Familia, along with their allies from the Loki Familia, were making their way through the winding paths of the Dungeon once again. Today was a planned meeting with the Xenos—a chance to further their alliance, to figure out the next steps for their coexistence. Bell led the way, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of caution and curiosity.
As they descended into a familiar cavern, Bell suddenly stopped, his senses prickling with something unusual. The air was different, and something caught his eye—a shadow behind a section of the wall that seemed out of place. Moving closer, he studied the stone carefully, noting that it was subtly different from the surrounding rock, more like the entrance to a concealed passage.
"Everyone, over here," Bell called, gesturing for the others to join him. The rest of Hestia Familia, along with Finn, Riveria, Gareth, and Ryuu from Loki Familia, gathered around him.
"It almost looks like an entrance to the Dungeon," Welf said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Except... the stone matches this floor's theme."
Riveria frowned, her elven senses tingling with the feeling of magic. "This is strange. I've walked through these caverns before, but I've never noticed this passage."
"We should investigate," Finn suggested, his eyes narrowed with determination. "If this leads to the Xenos or somewhere dangerous, we need to know."
But before they could take another step, there was a sudden whooshing sound—a projectile launched at them. Instinctively, they all jumped aside, dodging the attack. The object crashed into the ground where they had been standing, exploding in a burst of smoke.
Emerging from the shadows, a group of cloaked figures appeared, their sinister energy unmistakable. Bell's eyes narrowed as he recognized the emblem emblazoned on their robes—the symbol of Evilus.
"Evilus!" Riveria hissed, her eyes widening in disbelief. She, Gareth, and Finn instantly took a defensive stance. The rest of Hestia Familia followed suit, readying their weapons.
"They're supposed to be gone!" Ryuu muttered, her expression darkening as a storm of anger swirled within her chest. The memory of her past and all the suffering Evilus had inflicted on Orario came rushing back, but she forced herself to stay calm. She had people to protect now—her friends, her Familia... and Bell.
Bell's eyes hardened as he stepped forward, his body glowing with a faint magical aura. He drew his weapon, ready to confront the Evilus members.
"You shouldn't have come here," Bell said, his voice low but carrying a menacing edge. The cloaked figures sneered in response.
"We don't believe the rumors about you, Bell Cranel. Your Familia might be strong, but against us, you're nothing," one of them scoffed, raising his staff as dark tendrils of magic began to coil around it.
Bell's gaze sharpened, and in an instant, he vanished from their sight. The next second, he reappeared in front of the Evilus member, disarming him with a single, swift movement. The staff shattered as it hit the ground, the dark magic dissipating instantly.
One after another, Bell moved through the ranks of Evilus, effortlessly disarming and incapacitating each of them. The members of Evilus barely had time to react—Bell's speed and precision were unmatched. It took only moments for all of them to be lying on the ground, groaning in pain.
But even as they lay defeated, Bell noticed a strange glint in the eyes of the fallen Evilus members. His instincts screamed at him—something wasn't right.
"Everyone, get back!" Bell shouted suddenly, his heart pounding. Without hesitation, he used his incredible speed to dash away, grabbing Hestia and pulling her to safety. The others followed his command just in time.
The Evilus members began to laugh—a chilling, maddened sound. Then, in a fraction of a second, their bodies ignited in a bright, blinding light, detonating themselves in a powerful explosion.
Bell shielded Hestia as the shockwave roared through the cavern, debris and dust flying everywhere. When the light faded, nothing remained of the Evilus members but scorch marks on the rocky ground.
Riveria stared at the spot, her eyes filled with shock. "They... they detonated themselves," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Finn clenched his fist, his face set in a grim expression. "This isn't just an isolated attack. Evilus must have planned this carefully. They're trying to send a message."
"They're either threatening Orario itself or..." Bell began, his eyes narrowing as he pieced the clues together, "they've planted explosives in the city."
The weight of his words sank into everyone present. If Evilus had mined Orario with explosives, countless innocent lives were at risk. They had to act fast.
Ryuu's face turned pale, her fists clenching in anger. Despite the fury bubbling within her, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had learned to master her emotions—she was no longer the lone avenger seeking vengeance against Evilus. She had people she needed to protect now.
Turning to Bell, she found strength in his calm yet determined expression. A blush crept across her cheeks as she thought of how strong and dependable he had become—the strongest person she had ever known. The other females noticed her reaction, exchanging knowing glances, but there was no time to tease Ryuu now.
Finn nodded, his expression steely. "We need to reach Orario. If Evilus is planning an attack, we must stop them before they can harm anyone."
Bell turned to his Familia and their allies, his eyes filled with resolve. "Let's go. We have to protect the city."
Without another word, they began running, their feet pounding against the stone floor of the Dungeon. The urgency of their mission drove them forward, their minds focused on one goal—saving Orario from the threat of Evilus.
The Hestia Familia and their allies raced through the Dungeon, moving with a speed and precision that only experienced adventurers could muster. The thought of innocent lives at risk fueled their determination.
This was their city, their home—and they would protect it with everything they had. Evilus had returned, but this time, Orario had heroes who would not back down, who would face whatever darkness came their way.
And at the forefront of them all was Bell Cranel—ready to fight, ready to protect, and ready to prove that hope and strength could outshine even the darkest of threats.