Dusk enveloped the ninth floor of Orario's dungeon. A blood-red glow bathed the damp stone walls, as the cries of monsters echoed from the depths. Bell Cranel, a young white-haired adventurer, was cornered, his breath short and his hands shaking as he clutched a chipped dagger. Before him stood a Minotaur, a massive beast several meters tall, its brown fur stained with fresh blood, its eyes glinting with a thirst for carnage.
Bell knew he didn't stand a chance. Every move the monster made made the ground shake. His left arm was already bloodied, his body bruised. His legs refused to move, paralyzed by visceral fear. Yet something inside him refused to give up. "I have to survive... I have to get stronger..." he thought through gritted teeth.
As the Minotaur prepared to bring down his gigantic axe, a powerful and authoritative feminine cry echoed through the corridor.
<<< On your knees, vermin! >>>
The Minotaur stopped his momentum, turning his head slowly. Bell felt a rush of hot, heavy air escape him, as if death itself was retreating. A figure stepped forward into the flickering torchlight: a tanned woman, slender and athletic, clad in light armor that revealed a fearsome sensuality. Her long dark hair flowed behind her, and in her hands gleamed a curved blade, already dripping with blood.
Aisha Belka, captain of the Ishtar Familia, stood there, an expression of anger and contempt on her face.
"What is such a pathetic beast still doing standing?" she asked, adjusting her grip on her weapon.
The Minotaur roared, but Aisha didn't waste a second. She charged at him with feline grace, dodging his heavy blows with disconcerting agility. Every movement was precise, every blow calculated. Her blade sliced through the air, leaving shimmering arcs behind it. Bell, still frozen on the ground, watched in awe and a hint of disbelief.
In a matter of moments, the fight was over. The Minotaur fell heavily, his torso torn apart by a series of clean, deadly blows. Aisha stood still for a moment, her chest heaving in time with her breathing. She then turned her head to Bell, her amber gaze glowing with an almost supernatural intensity.
"Hey, kid. Are you alive?" she asked, her tone dry but tinged with concern.
Bell opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His throat was dry, his mind unable to form a response. All he could see was this woman who had just defied death with an almost unreal elegance. His thoughts were jumbled, his heart pounding. Was it fear? No. It was something else.
<<< Hey! >> Aisha knelt down in front of him, gently grabbing his chin so he would look at her. <<< Breathe, little one. I'm not going to eat you. Not today, anyway. >>>
An amused smile played on his lips, but Bell felt the heat in his cheeks increase.
"T-Thank you…" he finally stammered, looking down.
Aisha straightened up, crossing her arms as she peered at him.
<< Hmph. You've got guts to stand here against this thing, but you're clearly not ready for this level. Go home, kid. You should avoid dying so early. >>>
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. Two adventurers appeared: a young woman with golden hair holding a longsword, and a massive man with gray hair and a gruff look. Aiz Wallenstein and Bete Loga of the Loki Familia had arrived... but too late.
Aiz, out of breath, scanned the scene. She lingered on the dead Minotaur, then on Bell, still sitting on the ground, before setting her eyes on Aisha.
<<< You... killed him? >> she asked.
in a soft but cold voice.
Aisha smirked.
< You wanted to take care of it, princess? Sorry, he couldn't wait. >>>
Bete growled, clenching his fists.
<< Tch. As if we needed your help, woman of joy. >>>
Aisha ignored the taunt, leaning towards Bell again.
<< Kid, you need to go home now. Next time you find yourself in a situation like this, think twice. >>>>
Bell nodded shyly, his eyes fixed on her. At that moment, something was born in his heart. An admiration? No, deeper. A spark of fascination, maybe even love. He wasn't sure, but he knew that this woman had marked his destiny.
Aisha straightened up, giving the Loki Familia members one last look before walking away, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Bell, meanwhile, remained silent, his gaze lost in the direction she had gone.
Thus began a new story, a rewritten destiny, where Bell Cranel was saved not by the silent swordsman, but by a woman of fire and shadow, whose strength and presence would shake his heart and his future.