Danmachi: Bell Gojo

The atmosphere in the deep floors of the Dungeon was suffocating. A dark, oppressive air enveloped the group of elite adventurers as they pushed deeper into unknown territory. Every step was cautious, each breath calculated, as the walls of the labyrinthine structure seemed to pulse with a life of their own. The deeper they went, the more it felt like they were delving into something more than just stone and shadows—something ancient and angry.

Suddenly, the distant rumble of deep, guttural growls reached their ears, echoing through the narrow tunnel they traversed. Bell, at the front of the group, came to a halt, his senses going on high alert. The sound wasn't from an ordinary monster—it was something larger, more ominous.

"Stay close," Bell murmured to his companions, his voice firm.

The group of adventurers nodded, spreading out slightly as they continued their descent. Ottar, Finn, Riveria, Ais, and the others prepared themselves for whatever awaited them in the darkness ahead. The roars grew louder, and soon, they could see it.

Emerging from the dim shadows, a monstrous figure slowly came into view—a colossal Cyclops, its rocky body covered in jagged stone-like plates that glistened with a dull, earthen shine. Its single, massive eye glared down at them, filled with an unrestrained fury. It let out a roar that shook the very ground beneath their feet, and then it charged.

Bell's lips curved into a grin. He could feel the thrill of the fight ahead. This was the challenge they had been waiting for. His hand moved slowly to the hilt of his katana, fingers curling around the handle as he took a step forward, assuming the iai stance—the stance of unsheathing.

"Stand back," he whispered, his voice carrying across the group.

And then, in a flash, Bell vanished.

To the others, it was as if he had simply blinked out of existence. For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then, just as quickly, Bell reappeared behind the Cyclops, standing tall, his sword already returning to its sheath. The sharp click of the katana settling back into place echoed.

A second later, the Cyclops froze. A deep gash appeared across both of its legs, and with a heavy groan, the massive creature crumbled, its legs severed at the knees. Dust and debris exploded outward as it fell, the ground trembling beneath the weight of the gigantic monster.

Ottar and Finn wasted no time. With a nod to each other, they rushed forward, their weapons ready. Riveria was behind them, her magic already charged. She extended her staff, her eyes narrowing in concentration as she called out her most powerful incantation.

"Incinerate—Inferno Burst!"

A blast of searing fire magic surged toward the downed Cyclops, the flames colliding with the creature's rocky neck. The intense heat melted a portion of its stone armor, but only slightly. The durability of these monsters was unlike anything they had faced before. Even Riveria's strongest magic could barely leave a mark.

But it was enough. Ottar's mighty axe swung down, followed by Finn's sharp spear, and in a combined effort, they severed the Cyclops' neck. The giant let out one last groan before its head hit the ground, rolling away with a heavy thud.

"Keep moving!" Bell called out, his eyes already scanning the area for the next threat.

The adventurers continued their descent, cutting through countless monsters—Cyclopes, Hecatoncheires, and other behemoths that roamed the deep floors. Each encounter pushed them to their limits, each enemy more formidable than the last. It was as if the Dungeon itself was resisting their advance, determined to stop them from discovering whatever lay at its heart.

After what felt like an eternity of fighting, the group finally found themselves standing in front of an ancient stone tablet. Its surface was worn and cracked, but the symbols etched into it were still visible. The air around it felt different—older, filled with a power that seemed to seep into their very bones.

Bell stepped forward, his eyes scanning the text. The script was strange, but as he focused, he found he could understand it. The name carved into the top of the tablet sent a shiver down his spine: Gaia.

"It's a message," Bell murmured, his voice barely audible.

The others gathered around him, their eyes fixed on the tablet as Bell began to read aloud.

*"The Gods of the heavens were not the first to rule this world. Long before them, there were Titans, children of Ouranos, the primordial sky. They reigned supreme, their power unmatched. But Ouranos, in his fear, ordered their imprisonment—his children, bound by chains forged by his will. Imprisoned beneath the earth, they rotted, their anger festering.

Gaia, their mother, wept for her children. She begged the Gods that came after—the ones known as Olympians—for aid. But they laughed at her plea, dismissing her sorrow as folly. In their arrogance, they sealed her away as well, trapping her in the very structure they called 'The Dungeon'—a place where her rage would fuel the birth of monsters, her children's essence twisted into creatures of chaos."*

Bell paused, his heart pounding in his chest. The words seemed to echo in his mind, triggering a memory—a voice from long ago, telling him stories of the ancient past. He remembered hearing the name Gaia as a small child, though he couldn't remember where or from whom.

"This... This can't be true," Riveria whispered, her eyes wide with shock. "The Dungeon, a prison for Gaia? For the Titans?"

Finn's face was grim. "The monsters we've been facing—Cyclopes, Hecatoncheires—those were creatures tied to the Titans in ancient mythology. It's starting to make sense."

Bell clenched his fists, his mind reeling. All his life, he had thought of the Dungeon as a challenge—a place to grow stronger, to prove himself. But now, it seemed as though it was something much darker—a prison, a tomb for beings whose anger had never subsided.

Ais looked at Bell, her eyes searching his. "What do we do now?"

Bell took a deep breath, steadying himself. The truth was overwhelming, but it didn't change their mission. They had come here to reach the bottom, to confront whatever awaited them.

"We keep going," Bell said, his voice resolute. "We've come too far to turn back now. If the Dungeon is a prison, then we need to know what lies at its heart. And if Gaia's rage is what fuels these monsters... then we need to put an end to it."

The others nodded, determination hardening their expressions. They had faced countless challenges before, and they would face this one as well—together.

As they turned to continue their descent, Bell couldn't shake the feeling that they were no longer just fighting for Orario, or even for the surface world. They were facing something far more profound—a battle against the anger of an ancient world, one that had been forgotten by time but never truly silenced.

And for that, they would need every ounce of strength they had.