Orario was a city on edge, a hive of activity as preparations for a war unlike any other began in earnest. Word of the Three Great Beasts—the Behemoth, Leviathan, and the One-Eyed Black Dragon's return—had spread like wildfire. The people of Orario had faced monsters before, had ventured into the depths of the Dungeon countless times, but this was different. This was not just a threat to Orario; it was a threat to the entire world.
The Guild had sent out messengers to every corner of the globe, summoning help, seeking the most powerful warriors and adventurers from other nations. This was no time for isolation—every country, every Familia, every adventurer was needed. The gods and goddesses knew it, and they cast aside their rivalries to face this monumental challenge as one.
The world responded in kind. Across the continents, leaders convened with their strongest warriors, each country contributing its own champions. Letters, urgent and commanding, were written by the Guild and sent far and wide, bearing the seal of Orario and the will of the gods.
From the east came a swift response. A small country known for its warrior caste had a single fighter who had reached level 7—a master swordsman named Ayumu, wielding a katana that glowed like the rising sun. His reputation was that of a man with unmatched speed and grace, and he was known for single-handedly defending his homeland from a wave of monster incursions.
To the south, a desert nation responded. Their champion was a warrior-mage named Zara, who wielded fire magic that could turn the sands into glass. She had attained her strength through battles in the brutal desert wastelands, where monsters bred in vast numbers and only the strongest could survive.
From the western kingdoms came Roderick, a towering knight who had reached the strength of a level 7. He wore armor said to be blessed by a god of smithing, and his strength was the foundation upon which his entire kingdom rested. He had the reputation of being the shield of his people, standing tall against any threat, regardless of the cost.
In the northern tundra, a tribal champion named Ylva responded to the call. Known for her power to commune with beasts and her immense physical strength, she had grown up fighting monstrous creatures in a harsh land of ice and snow. Her arrival in Orario was marked by her bringing with her a fearsome white wolf, her constant companion.
Preparing for the Apocalypse:
The world knew what was coming, and they prepared as if the apocalypse itself was on the horizon. The champions from each country arrived in Orario within days, each traveling as fast as possible, driven by a sense of urgency that could not be ignored. They were greeted not just as reinforcements, but as the hope of entire nations.
In Orario, Bell Cranel and the Hestia Familia continued to train harder than they ever had before. Their training sessions had reached a level of intensity that would have seemed unthinkable only months prior. Day after day, they fought mock battles against each other, pushing past their limits, each of them driven by the singular goal of protecting their world.
Hestia herself, with her newfound ability to wield minor amounts of divinity, trained alongside them, her strength growing. She refused to be left behind, knowing her Familia would need her in the battles to come.
The champions from the other nations joined the training regimen, sharing their own skills and learning from those of Orario. Bell found himself sparring with Ayumu, the eastern swordsman, each of them testing their skills. The air between them sparked with energy as their blades clashed, neither holding back, both pushing the other to new heights.
Zara, the desert mage, trained with Welf and Haruhime, her fire magic combining with their techniques, creating destructive spells that could rival even the strongest attacks from the Dungeon's monsters. Their combined magic was tested in mock scenarios, meant to simulate what they might face against the Great Beasts.
Roderick and Aisha exchanged blows in the training grounds, their raw strength shaking the very earth beneath them. They spoke little, their communication done through the language of battle, both recognizing a kindred spirit in the other.
Ylva trained with Mikoto and Lili, her beast companion joining the fray as they worked on new techniques to take down larger foes. Her raw physical power combined with Mikoto's speed and Lili's trickery, creating a formidable team that could adapt to any situation.
The entire city of Orario had transformed. Blacksmiths worked tirelessly to forge new weapons, utilizing the best materials that could be found. Armors were strengthened, and potions were brewed in quantities that could supply an entire army. There was no telling how long the battle would last or how many waves of monsters might come, so preparations were made for the long haul.
The air was filled with the sound of hammering, the clashing of blades, and the incantations of mages. Even the citizens who were not fighters contributed—they cooked food for the adventurers, sewed repairs into armor, and offered words of encouragement. The fear was palpable, but it was matched by a determination to stand and fight.
The gods themselves began to prepare. Loki and Freya, ever the schemers, spoke in hushed tones, planning strategies. Hermes traveled between the other Familias, gathering information and setting plans into motion. Ouranos watched over everything, his presence a constant reminder of the gravity of their situation.
Amidst all this activity, Bell remained focused. He knew that his strength alone would not be enough. The Dungeon had thrown down a challenge that could only be met by uniting the world. He stood in the training grounds, watching as his Familia members worked alongside the champions of other nations.
He saw Haruhime, her six tails glowing as she cast protective spells over Ylva's wolf, strengthening it for the battles to come. He saw Welf, his hands blistered but unwavering as he forged yet another blade, each one sharper and more resilient than the last. He saw Airmid, her face no longer emotionless but filled with a fire that spoke of her determination to protect those she cared for.
And he knew that they could win.
This was not just about defeating monsters. It was about proving that mortals could stand up to whatever the Dungeon sent at them, that they could rise to the occasion no matter how great the challenge. The gods had created the Dungeon, and now it was time for the mortals to show that they could overcome even the darkest of their creations.
Bell turned his gaze towards the horizon, where he knew the Great Beasts waited. He felt no fear—only resolve.
They would fight. They would protect their world. And they would win.
This was not just the endgame of a quest; this was a battle for survival. And Bell Cranel, along with his Familia and allies from across the world, would rise to meet it, whatever it took.
The apocalypse was coming, but they were ready.