The journey had taken Bell Cranel and the allied forces through distant lands and strange cultures, seeking out the next of the three Great Quests—Behemoth. They were in uncharted territory, the kind of wilds rarely visited even by the strongest adventurers. Rumors had pointed them to a region where the Gods and Goddesses of Hindu and Buddhist mythos resided—a land both mystic and eternal.
The terrain around them was vastly different from anything in Orario. Lush jungles, colossal mountains, and tranquil temples filled the horizon. Each place they passed through carried an ancient aura, with powerful deities residing in grand sanctuaries, their presence seeping into the world itself.
Bell and the group, led by his enhanced senses, navigated through the rugged landscape, searching for signs of the Behemoth's presence. While they traveled, they also reached out to the gods of this region, hoping for guidance or information on the monster's whereabouts.
One afternoon, Bell found himself wandering slightly away from the main group, his senses guiding him toward a tranquil grove. He could feel something—no, someone—extraordinary, waiting for him. As he moved, a serene presence enveloped him, almost as if urging him forward.
In the clearing, Bell came face to face with two figures.
One was tall and regal, his skin a blueish hue, with dreadlocked hair tied up high. He held a trident and radiated an aura of destruction and creation simultaneously—Shiva, the Lord of Destruction.
Beside him sat a calm figure in golden robes, sitting cross-legged with a gentle smile, his eyes half-closed in meditation—Buddha, the Enlightened One.
Bell's eyes widened as he took in their presence. He could feel the overwhelming divinity flowing off of them. It was as if the very essence of the universe rippled around them. Yet, despite their power, there was an aura of kindness in both of their gazes.
Shiva spoke first, his voice carrying both authority and warmth. "Bell Cranel, we have been watching you. You possess a potential unlike anything we have seen in a mortal. Your strength, your resolve—there is something within you that reaches towards divinity."
Buddha smiled softly, "And that potential is why we wish to teach you. There are paths yet untrodden by your feet, truths yet undiscovered."
Bell looked at the two, his heart pounding with both excitement and curiosity. "You wish to teach me?" he asked, unsure what to make of this sudden opportunity.
Shiva nodded. "Yes. You have reached heights few mortals have, yet you are still incomplete. There is a form of destruction that you need to understand, a way to wield it that transcends mere strength." His gaze turned intense. "I will teach you the Way of Destruction."
"And I," Buddha added, his tone calm and meditative, "will show you the path to enlightenment. A stage of being where you truly understand what it is to be beyond mortal limitations. It is only when one sees beyond themselves that they can truly grasp the power of a god."
For days, Bell trained under Shiva. The God of Destruction was both patient and demanding, his lessons focusing on using one's inner power to create and destroy in equal measure. Destruction wasn't just about brute strength, Shiva explained—it was an art, a form of rebirth. Every swing of Bell's sword, every pulse of magic, had to carry the essence of creation and destruction in tandem.
Bell found himself fascinated. Under Shiva's guidance, he learned how to condense his energy more finely, focusing on precision rather than sheer force. He learned that true destruction was not wild but a deliberate act, capable of wiping away obstacles while also making room for something new. He discovered a new level of control and power within himself—something deeper, more fundamental.
After training with Shiva, Bell would sit with Buddha. The Enlightened One's lessons were different. There were no forms to practice, no techniques to master—only questions.
"What is your purpose?" Buddha would ask.
"To protect those I care for," Bell would respond.
"And why do you fight?" Buddha would continue.
"To grow stronger, to overcome obstacles," Bell answered again.
Again and again, Buddha asked, and again and again, Bell answered. Yet, there was something elusive in the answers that Bell could not quite grasp. Buddha spoke of detachment, of understanding oneself beyond the confines of desires and ambitions. It was a concept Bell found difficult to internalize. He had always fought for others, for the people he cared for—but could he truly fight if he transcended those desires?
He meditated for hours, repeating quotes of Buddha, trying to find the answers. Yet, true enlightenment escaped him. He was close—closer than most mortals ever were, but there was a distance he could not yet cross.
Despite this, Buddha smiled at him, an expression full of encouragement. "You are on the path, Bell Cranel. Perhaps not today, but one day, you will find it."
Their training was abruptly cut short when Ottar appeared, the aura of urgency surrounding him unmistakable. He bowed respectfully to the two gods, before turning to Bell.
"Bell," Ottar spoke, his deep voice echoing in the grove. "We have found the Behemoth. It lies beyond, in the rocky landscapes eastward. We must move now."
Bell turned back to Shiva and Buddha, bowing deeply. "Thank you for your teachings. I will take them to heart."
Shiva smiled, resting his trident on his shoulder. "Go, young warrior. Show the world what true destruction can be."
Buddha raised his hand in a gesture of blessing, "May you find the answers you seek, Bell Cranel. The path is always open to those who walk with sincerity."
Bell nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude. He turned to follow Ottar, ready for the challenge ahead.
As they walked away, Shiva glanced at Buddha, an expression of curiosity on his face. "He learned quickly, faster than even I expected."
Buddha nodded, his eyes half-closed in contemplation. "Indeed. He is close, so close to reaching a level of understanding that very few ever do. The spark of divinity within him burns brightly. Perhaps, one day, he may truly stand among us."
Shiva chuckled, his eyes glinting with excitement. "I look forward to that day."
The rocky landscape stretched before them, barren and lifeless, a stark contrast to the lush lands they had just left behind. Bell and his companions stood at the edge of a cliff, looking out at the massive form that loomed ahead.
The Behemoth was colossal, a beast of unimaginable proportions. Its body was covered in thick, armor-like scales, and its eyes burned with a deep, primal rage. It was a creature that belonged to the ancient world, a being of pure destruction.
Bell could feel the power radiating from it, a tangible force that shook the very air around them. The ground trembled as the Behemoth let out a deafening roar, challenging all who dared to face it.
The group of champions spread out, each preparing themselves for the battle that was to come. Weapons were drawn, spells prepared, and a determined silence fell over the warriors.
Bell took a deep breath, feeling the energy within him coalesce. He had faced many challenges, but this was different. This was one of the Great Beasts, a being whose very existence was meant to bring destruction.
But Bell Cranel was ready.
He had learned the way of destruction. He had touched upon the path of enlightenment. And now, he would use everything he had to defeat this ancient foe.
With a steady gaze, he raised his hand, channeling his energy, and spoke with unwavering resolve.
"Let's finish this."
And with that, the battle against the Behemoth began, the champions of the world charging forward, their hearts filled with determination, ready to face the impossible.