Danmachi: Bell Gojo

Bell Cranel walked through the bustling streets of Orario, his footsteps light but purposeful. It had only been a few days since the monumental War Game between Freya Familia and Loki Familia, where he had secured his place as the strongest adventurer in Orario. Yet despite the praise, admiration, and the growing legend surrounding him, Bell found his mind unusually quiet. The thrill of battle had subsided, and he now found himself wandering the familiar streets, lost in thought.

He glanced up at the sky, the golden hues of sunset casting long shadows across the stone streets. Orario, with all its grandeur, seemed almost peaceful—an illusion, of course, for the Dungeon still loomed beneath, ever dangerous and alive. But for Bell, this peaceful moment was a brief respite.

That's when he felt it—eyes on him.

The sensation was subtle at first, but as Bell continued to walk, it grew stronger. His instincts, sharpened by countless battles and enhanced by his Six Eyes, warned him that something, or someone, was watching him. Bell paused, his red eyes narrowing as he scanned the street.

He turned sharply toward a narrow alleyway, the feeling growing stronger. Without hesitation, he followed the instinct, his feet guiding him through twisting streets until he reached a secluded part of the city.

Standing there, in the shadow of a crumbling stone building, was a figure shrouded in darkness. The person's features were obscured by a hooded cloak, but Bell could feel their gaze locked onto him, sharp and piercing.

Before Bell could speak, the figure moved with inhuman speed. In a swirl of leaves and a gust of wind, they vanished, leaving only a letter behind, fluttering gently to the ground.

Bell blinked, momentarily surprised. He bent down, picking up the letter. It was sealed with a symbol—a lightning bolt, encircled by an ancient wreath.

Confused but intrigued, Bell pocketed the letter and returned to the Freya Familia manor.

Later that evening, Bell sat comfortably in his room, with Freya nestled in his lap, her arms draped around him possessively. She had grown more affectionate since the War Game, the bond between them deepening as Bell's power grew. Freya, ever the goddess of beauty and desire, seemed content simply to be near him.

"What's that, darling?" she asked, her voice soft and lilting, as her fingers traced idle patterns across his chest.

Bell held up the letter, still sealed. "Someone handed this to me earlier. They disappeared before I could ask anything."

Freya's violet eyes twinkled with curiosity as she sat up slightly, looking at the mysterious envelope. Bell broke the seal and unfolded the parchment inside.

As he read, his eyes widened, and Freya, sensing his sudden tension, leaned in closer, reading the contents over his shoulder.

To my dear grandson, Bell Cranel,

It is with great urgency that I reach out to you, for I have been watching your progress, and it is time for you to know the truth about your origins. I am your grandfather—Zeus, the once-great god of Orario.

I regret that I was forced to leave you when you were young, but the time has come for us to meet. You must also know that your grandmother, Hera, is alive as well. We have been in hiding, but now we need your help.

There is something that requires your strength—something ancient, powerful, and deeply tied to the past of this world. I cannot say more in this letter, but I ask you to come to the village near Dragon Valley. You will understand when you arrive.

This is not just a family matter; it is a threat that could change the fate of Orario and beyond.

We await you, Bell. And know that others await you as well.

With love and respect,

Zeus

Bell's breath caught in his throat as he finished reading the letter. Freya, ever perceptive, sat up fully, her expression growing serious. "Zeus?" she whispered. "The god who once ruled Orario with his Familia?"

Bell nodded, still processing the shock. His thoughts raced—Zeus, his grandfather? The god who had raised him as a child had always been a kindly old man to him, though he had left without a word when Bell was still young. And now, Hera, the legendary goddess who once ruled alongside Zeus, was his grandmother?

Freya's eyes narrowed, her hand resting on Bell's arm. "This could be a trap. Zeus and Hera were exiled from Orario after their failure with the One-Eyed Black Dragon. Why would they surface now, and why do they need you?"

Bell frowned, turning the letter over in his hands. "I don't know... but I need answers. If they really are my family, I can't ignore this. And if something dangerous is happening near Dragon Valley, it could affect all of Orario."

Freya remained quiet for a moment, then sighed, her fingers gripping his arm slightly tighter. "You'll go then." It wasn't a question.

Bell nodded. "I have to."

Her gaze softened, though the concern in her eyes remained. "Then I'll let you go… but promise me you'll come back to me, Bell." She leaned forward, pressing her lips against his in a soft but lingering kiss.

"I promise," Bell whispered against her lips.

The next day, Bell prepared for his journey to the village near Dragon Valley. He packed light, though his nerves were buzzing with anticipation. Freya, despite her usual confidence, seemed unusually quiet as she watched him gather his things.

"I'll come back," Bell reassured her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I know you will," Freya whispered, her hands resting on his chest. "But don't underestimate this. Zeus and Hera are powerful gods, and the Dragon Valley is no ordinary place. Whatever they need from you, it's bound to be dangerous."

Bell smiled faintly. "When is anything ever not dangerous?"

Freya's smile was small but genuine, though her eyes still held a trace of worry. "Just... be careful, darling. I don't want to lose you."

With one last look at her, Bell left the manor and began his journey.

As Bell approached the small village near Dragon Valley, the landscape began to change. The peaceful fields of Orario gave way to more rugged terrain, with jagged mountains looming in the distance. The air felt different here—thicker, more ominous. Bell couldn't shake the feeling that something ancient lurked nearby.

The village itself was quiet, almost eerily so. Few people wandered the streets, and those who did seemed wary, casting nervous glances toward the distant mountains where Dragon Valley lay.

Bell approached a small inn at the edge of the village, his heart racing. He had no idea what to expect, but his instincts told him that whatever lay ahead was more than just a family reunion.

As he pushed open the door to the inn, his senses went on high alert. And there, sitting at a corner table, were two figures—a tall, imposing man with a thick beard and bright, piercing eyes, and a regal woman with long, flowing hair and a gaze as sharp as a blade.

Zeus and Hera.

Bell's breath caught in his throat as he stepped forward, and his heart raced with the weight of the truth. His life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet imagine.