The natural light faded as the group advanced into the depths of the Dungeon. Bell walked in silence, surrounded by the members of the Loki Familia. Each step echoed in the heavy atmosphere, and the tension was palpable.
For the first time, Bell was able to observe the work of a top-ranking Familia up close. The group was incredibly organized: Finn handed out clear, concise orders, Riveria watched over the group with imposing calm, and Gareth stayed behind to cover their flanks.
For his part, Bell felt a certain nervousness rising. He was no longer the leader of a small group; here, he was only a novice among seasoned veterans.
Tiona approached him, a warm smile on her lips.
"You look tense, Argonaut-kun. This is your first real trip with us, huh?"
Bell nodded, trying to hide his worry.
"Yeah… I just want to make sure I'm not a burden."
Tiona burst out laughing. "Hey, relax! We all started somewhere. Besides, with Aiz here, I'm sure you'll do your best, right?"
Bell felt his face flush and looked away. "I-I'll do my best, that's for sure."
Further ahead, Aiz Wallenstein listened with one ear to the conversation while surveying their surroundings. She showed no visible reaction, but something in her gaze seemed softer.
A few hours later: The 45th floor
The group finally reached one of the deepest floors regularly explored by the Loki Familia. The temperature was dropping noticeably, and a thick fog was beginning to obscure their view. The walls of the Dungeon seemed to breathe, emitting a strange murmur that made Bell feel uneasy.
Finn raised a hand, ordering the group to stop.
"We are entering a dangerous area. Stay alert, and do not stray far from the group. The monsters here are different from those on the upper floors. More intelligent, more vicious."
Bell tightened his grip on his knife. He could feel his heart pounding.
Alright, let's expand on the fight to make it more intense and immersive:
The Cadmus Drake's roar echoed through the dense fog, like a promise of imminent destruction. The creature stood over ten meters tall, massive and imposing, its dark scales glinting with an unhealthy light. Its scarlet eyes stared at the group with deadly intelligence, and a burning breath escaped from its nostrils.
"Battle formation!" Finn ordered, his voice sharp as a whip.
Gareth leapt forward without hesitation, his massive shield raised in front of him. He struck the ground with a mighty rumble, causing a shockwave that immediately caught the Drake's attention.
"This way, you filthy beast! Show me what you're worth!" the dwarf roared, his shield glowing with a magical aura.
The monster responded with a ferocious roar and swung its scaly tail in a destructive arc. The ground exploded from the impact, sending shards of rock in all directions.
Tiona and Tione took advantage of the opening Gareth created to slip onto the Drake's sides.
"Tione, you take the left!" Tiona shouted, her eyes shining with excitement.
The two Amazons began striking at the Drake's massive legs with devastating precision. Each strike was perfectly timed, their dual blades digging into the vulnerable joints of the scales.
The Drake screamed in pain, but instead of giving in, he redoubled his violence. He opened his gaping maw, a red glow appearing in his throat.
"Watch out!" Riveria yelled from the back. "He's preparing a breath attack!"
The group scattered just in time. A torrent of flames engulfed the area, turning the fog into a hellish furnace. Bell, who had moved away to stay behind, felt the burning heat brush his face.
"Bell, stay focused!" Aiz shouted as she rushed towards the Drake.
The Blade Princess cut through the flames with unmatched grace and determination. She leapt high into the air, her sword glowing with a silver aura, and brought her weapon down directly on the beast's skull.
A dull crack sounded, and the Drake staggered under the impact. But he was not yet defeated.
Just then a second monster appeared from the shadows. The Hollow Lurker, a spectral abomination with razor-sharp claws, lunged at Bell.
Bell had only a moment to react. He raised his knife to block the attack, but the monster's force threw him back. He rolled on the ground, his breath taken away, as the Lurker lunged at him again.
"Firebolt!"
A burst of flames shot out from Bell's hand, striking the monster directly. Although injured, the Lurker didn't slow down. Its claws slashed down again, and Bell had to narrowly dodge.
Aiz then intervened, quick as lightning. Her blade split the void and sliced the creature in two. The Lurker evaporated with a shrill scream, leaving behind a trail of black smoke.
She turned to Bell, her face calm but stern. "You can't afford to lose your focus. In these depths, a second of hesitation could cost you your life."
Bell nodded, catching his breath. "Thank you, Aiz-san… I'll do better."
Meanwhile, the fight against the Drake was reaching its climax. Finn had jumped on one of the monster's horns, driving his spear deep into its skull.
"Riveria! Now!"
The powerful elven mage raised her staff, chanting a complex incantation. A series of magic circles appeared around her, illuminating the fog.
"Alf Seiðr: Wrath of Tempest!" »
A storm of raging lightning struck the Drake, electrifying his body and temporarily immobilizing him.
"Tiona, Tione, finish him!"
The two Amazons jumped simultaneously, their blades glowing with a deadly glow. They struck the Drake's neck with combined force, finally severing the beast's head.
The colossal body collapsed with a deafening crash, raising a cloud of dust and debris.
A silence then fell over the battlefield, interrupted only by the heavy breathing of the adventurers.
Bell, covered in sweat and dust, looked at the Drake's corpse with a mixture of awe and relief. It was the first time he had seen a creature of this size taken down.
Finn approached him, a satisfied smile on his face. "Not bad for your first fight with us. You still have a lot to learn, but you held your own."
Bell nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Finn-san. I'll do my best to improve."
Aiz walked past him, her expression impassive, but she gave him a slight nod. It was enough to give him confidence again.
---
As the group caught their breath and tended to their wounds, Bell watched his new companions in awe. Each of them was an elite warrior, and yet they worked as a perfectly synchronized unit.
He clenched his fists in determination. He still had a long way to go, but he knew he was making progress. This expedition was just the beginning of a challenge that would change not only his power level, but also his perception of what it meant to be an adventurer.
After defeating the two monsters, the group found a safe space to rest. Finn gave the order to set up a temporary camp, and everyone settled in.
Bell sat aside, cleaning his knife and thinking about what he had experienced.
"Tired?" Aiz asked as she sat down next to him.
He looked up, surprised by her proximity. "A little… but I'm fine. Thanks for your help, Aiz-san."
She simply nodded. "You're doing well. But there's still a lot to learn."
"I know. That's why I'm here."
Aiz was silent for a moment, staring into the campfire. Then she added softly, "Keep fighting like that. You'll get stronger, Bell. I know it."
His encouragement brought a smile to Bell's face.
As night fell in the depths of the Dungeon, Bell sensed that this journey would be more than just an expedition. It was a test, a step toward realizing his dream of becoming a hero.
To be continued!