Aurelius and Tiona looked at each other, the weight of the situation slowly sinking into their minds as they fully grasped the magnitude of what lay ahead. The air between them felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if the dungeon itself was aware of what was to come.
"Wait… what about the Loki Familia? Aren't they supposed to be the ones dealing with those two Goliaths?" Tiona asked, her brows furrowing in confusion. She couldn't wrap her head around why her Familia wasn't already handling the problem. The thought lingered, bothering her like a thorn under the skin.
The mysterious robed figure, standing quietly nearby, finally broke the silence. "No. They've already departed for the surface. They left beforehand," the robed figure said, voice calm and yet holding an underlying tension as he began to explain the situation. "The Goliaths emerged right after their departure—when Goddess Hestia released her divine power."
Tiona's eyes widened, her expression contorting in disbelief and concern. She turned her gaze towards Aurelius, searching his face for an answer. "Why would the goddess do that? That doesn't make any sense! Do you know why, Aurelius?" she asked, voice almost desperate for clarity, as she looked to the towering titan beside her.
Aurelius turned towards her slowly, his expression just as confused as hers. "She wouldn't do that… unless something truly important happened, something serious enough to push her to release her divine powers," Aurelius muttered, almost to himself, as he tried to connect the pieces in his head.
But deep down, Aurelius already had known the cause of it as a memory of what have forced Hestia's hand. And yet… the consequences weren't what he expected. Not at all. 'Why did it summon two irregular Goliaths this time?' he thought, frowning deeply. 'Did Hestia release too much Arcanum by accident? Or is there another force influencing this? Could Freya be involved somehow? Or… is this the doing of Evilus?' The questions flooded his mind as he stared down the tunnel, contemplating the twisted threads altering the original course of events.
Shaking off the uncertainty clouding his thoughts, Aurelius straightened himself. There was no more time to waste on doubts. He and Tiona stood up at once, their resolve taking hold. The urgency in their steps was clear,
they needed to move. Fast.
They turned to the trio of Xenos standing nearby, all watching them with knowing eyes. Aurelius gave a respectful bow, his tone sincere and filled with regret. "We're sorry… but our time here has to be cut short," he said, his deep voice carrying the weight of urgency. "As you've heard, something serious is happening up above. We need to return to the 18th floor immediately before any casualties occur."
Tiona mirrored Aurelius' gesture, bowing deeply in tandem with him. Her usual energy was replaced with something more solemn, a quiet understanding of what was at stake.
Lyd and Ray exchanged glances before giving them a nod of understanding. They knew, perhaps better than most, what it meant to protect those you cared for.
Ray was the first to speak, her voice soft but resolute. "It's understandable. Leaving behind a comrade… that's something none of us could ever forgive," she said, offering them a calm, supportive smile. Her crimson eyes glimmered in the dim dungeon light, filled with empathy.
Lyd, on the other hand, clenched his fists, his usually composed demeanor replaced with fierce determination. "Yeah!" he said, his voice rising in passion. "Go out there and save your friends! Don't let any of them die, you two! we'll be rooting for you!" His enthusiasm was raw and real, meant to ignite the fire within the two adventurers.
Aurelius and Tiona both nodded firmly, the fire in their hearts reignited by Lyd's words. With a final glance toward the Xenos, they turned and began sprinting toward the path that would lead them back to the 18th floor. Their footsteps echoed behind them, mixing with the howling winds of the deeper levels.
They didn't say thanks to the robed figure. Not out of rudeness, but because time simply didn't allow it. Every second mattered now.
Lyd watched as the two disappeared into the winding darkness of the dungeon's alleyways, swallowed by the maze-like corridors of the 20th floor. A soft silence lingered for a moment, before he turned to the hooded figure still standing beside him.
"Do you think they'll be alright, Fels-cchi?" Lyd asked quietly, his voice stripped of its earlier enthusiasm. What remained was a pure, honest concern.
The robed figure, now clearly identified as Fels, looked toward the direction Aurelius and Tiona had taken. He remained silent for a moment, as if peering beyond the stone and shadows.
Then, finally, he responded. "Yes… they'll be alright," Fels said with quiet confidence. His voice held no hesitation. Only belief.
He then turned his gaze towards Ray and Lyd, and then off into the distance where Gros still lingered, silent and watchful.
"Because," Fels added softly, almost like a whisper meant for the wind, "they are righteous people… after all."
________________________
18TH FLOOR
The two irregular Goliaths were wreaking havoc on the 18th floor as they brought destruction with every step they took and every action they made. Trees around them were blasted away with every movement, shattered and torn apart as if they were nothing more than paper. The ground trembled under their weight, and the very earth cracked open, creating massive craters each time their monstrous fists missed their intended target. The air echoed with the deafening roar of their fury, each bellow shaking the forest to its roots. Dust and debris flew in all directions, clouding the surroundings in a thick haze of chaos. Every motion they made carved more ruin into the land, as though the dungeon itself was groaning under their relentless onslaught. The path they walked became a wasteland of shattered terrain and broken nature, leaving behind only devastation in their wake.
One of the Goliaths started to charge an attack, its massive frame trembling as it let out a low, guttural roar. A pulse of air began to swell within its throat, building with a rumbling pressure. The beast opened its maw, and in an instant, a devastating shockwave of compressed air was piling in its, aimed directly at its target.
The target was none other than Bell Cranel himself.
DING!
DING!
DING!
A clear, resonating sound of a bell echoed sharply from him, ringing out across the battlefield. His hands began to glow as a brilliant, blinding white, shining with an intensity that forced even the charging Goliath to falter for a moment. That glow didn't stop at his hands. It spread. Quickly. Vigorously. In seconds, Bell's entire body was engulfed in that radiant white light.
And still, the bells kept ringing.
DING!
DONG!
DING!
DONG!
From afar, standing at the edge of the battlefield, Hestia's eyes widened in utter disbelief. She could feel it, no, she knew it. That sudden, overwhelming surge of magical energy radiating from Bell, it was unlike anything she had ever felt from him before. The very air around him shimmered and pulsed as if resonating with his heartbeat.
"Limit Off?!" she gasped, her voice trembling in awe and confusion. Her heart skipped a beat as she clutched her chest, staring at the shining white silhouette of Bell Cranel with her mouth slightly parted.
He stood there, glowing like a beacon amidst the chaos, holding one of his swords forward in a wide, solid stance. The energy wrapped around him, dancing like flickers of divine light. It was a stance forged not from fear, but resolve. A stance that told the world that he was ready.
He was charging it, his trump card.
The Argonaut.
A roar echoed from the Goliath again, but Bell didn't flinch. The wind whipped around him, rustling his clothes and tousling his silver-white hair as the magical power continued to swell and grow, now humming like a divine chorus along with the ringing bells. Each note was louder, clearer, sharper than before. His crimson eyes locked onto the monster, unwavering, fearless.
And the battlefield held its breath.
As the Goliath saw the charging attack of the rabbit, its instincts screamed in alarm. The beast, sensing danger from the rabbit's rapidly forming magic, forced its own charged attack to quicken, skipping some of the natural build-up process. It couldn't afford to waste time, not when such a threatening power was being formed right before its eyes. The Goliath's massive frame pulsed with energy, the ominous glow within its mouth becoming brighter and more volatile with each passing second.
But just as the culmination of its charged attack was nearly complete, a sudden blur zipped through the air. Small, yet unmistakably dangerous. A tiny figure, cloaked in momentum and resolve, flew straight towards it.
"[TEMPEST]!" a sharp female voice rang out, cutting through the battlefield's chaos.
Her weapon, a long spear, was enveloped with a wild, green energy. Wind wrapped around it like a living force, swirling and howling as if nature itself was guiding her strike. The spear spun in her grasp, propelled by the very storm she summoned, and the air trembled in her wake.
This person was none other than Liliruca Arde. The same prum whose name had echoed through the halls of the Denatus. The one now known by the title they had bestowed upon her, "Little Juggernaut."
Lili ascended through the air, her figure almost a blur against the smoke and debris of the dungeon floor. Her emerald eyes were locked on the massive beast ahead, and her grip on her spear tightened as she aimed it directly at the Goliath. The giant, which had initially pointed its deadly attack toward Bell, now found itself facing a much more immediate threat. Lili's trajectory placed her right between Bell and the monster's mouth, an act of defiance that reeked of both recklessness and courage.
The Goliath roared in defiance but couldn't stop itself now. The magic had reached its peak as it had to be released.
Lili's eyes narrowed. Her lips moved fast, casting another spell with clarity and speed.
"[GALE WALL]!"
With a sharp motion of her hand, a spiralling shield of wind burst into existence right in front of the Goliath's face. The barrier shimmered with magic, a swirling square-shaped wall of compressed wind that looked fragile but felt like a hurricane condensed into a single plane.
The Goliath had no time to halt its breath attack. The magic energy, now uncontrollable, surged from its throat and collided directly with the wind wall. A deafening blast echoed through the cavern as the two forces clashed.
BOOOOM!
The explosion rocked the area. Debris scattered everywhere. A brilliant flash of light engulfed the Goliath's face as its own attack detonated prematurely. Smoke and wind whipped through the battlefield as the beast recoiled, its roar filled with pain and fury.
"ROARRRRR!"
Its scream echoed across the floor as it staggered backward, its massive body shaking from the force of the explosion it had brought upon itself. Parts of its face were scorched from the blast, blackened by the backlash of its own power. It swayed slightly, clearly stunned.
Meanwhile, Lili began to fall, her body descending after her airborne assault. Her breaths came fast, and her muscles trembled from the strain of casting two spells in quick succession. She had succeeded in halting one of the Goliaths from interfering with Bell's spell. That was all that mattered in the moment.
But her mind barely had time to register her victory before an ominous sensation washed over her.
"?!"
Her eyes widened as she felt it—a sudden, oppressive presence crashing down upon her from above. The very air felt heavier. She twisted her body mid-air, her instincts screaming. A looming shadow stretched over her like a curtain, blotting out the light from the dungeon ceiling's faint glowstones.
Her gaze snapped upward.
A gigantic hand, its fingers thick and stone-like, was already descending toward her at terrifying speed. The second Goliath had moved, its arm raised high to slap her out of the air like a fly. Its intent was clear. Brutal. Final.
The speed was immense. There was no time to dodge.
Lili gritted her teeth. Her arms came up, spear clutched tightly, her entire body coiling as she tried to raise her guard. Her magic reserves were low, her momentum gone as she couldn't cast again in time. She braced herself for the impact, her thoughts racing, her heart pounding in her ears.
'Is this it...? No! I will survive this!' Lili thought.
But just as the hand was about to connect, just as the monstrous force threatened to flatten her completely, a blur streaked in from the side.
A sharp wind tore past her, followed by the sensation of arms wrapping around her small frame. She was yanked out of the air in a flash, and the pressure of the incoming strike vanished in a heartbeat.
The massive hand slammed into empty space, missing her by a breath's width.
A literal hair's breadth.
Lili gasped, her arms instinctively clinging to the figure who had saved her. Her eyes, wide and still trembling with shock, tried to process what had just happened.
The Goliath's hand struck the ground instead, the impact shaking the floor and sending tremors across the battlefield.
But Lili... was safe.
Lili then looked towards her savior as she realized the person carrying her was a blue-haired lady wearing glasses. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Lady Asfi?!" Lili exclaimed, a bit shocked but undoubtedly thankful for her timely rescue.
The two of them landed softly on the ground moments later, Asfi gently placing the small prum onto her feet. Lili immediately bowed, her voice sincere as she said, "Thank you for saving me, Lady Asfi."
Asfi, seeing the genuine gratitude in her expression, gave a slight nod in response. "My sincere welcome, Lili," she said in her usual calm, composed tone. But her gaze then shifted, sharp and alert, as she looked ahead at the looming threat. "Though," she continued, her eyes narrowing toward the two towering Goliaths in front of them, "there's no time for gratitude at this moment."
Lili nodded, her expression hardening with resolve. She quickly steadied her footing and took hold of her weapon once more, preparing to charge back into the fight. Her breathing was heavy, her body sore from the earlier clash, but her determination burned brighter than ever.
However, just as Lili and Asfi were about to leap into battle once again, the sound of wind rushing past them was followed by a graceful figure landing beside them with poise and ease. The sudden presence made both of them turn sharply, only to be met with a calm yet powerful voice. A voice that carried both elegance and authority.
"I don't believe the two of you alone will be enough to hold them back properly," the figure said, her voice firm but not unkind.
Standing beside them was a tall woman dressed in a white suit, adorned with a flowing half-robe that covered part of her head like a hood. Her most defining features were the long, slender ears that peeked through her pale green, dark sea-tinged hair, clear proof of her high elven heritage. Her deep sea-blue eyes shimmered with clarity and strength. She was graceful yet fierce, her presence alone enough to present herself as a true elven warrior.
Asfi and Lili, eyes widening slightly, immediately recognized her identity.
There was no mistaking it.
She was none other than Ryuu Lion, known across Orario as the "Gale Wind."
Asfi turned to her with a composed yet determined look, nodding in acknowledgment of her arrival. "Indeed," Asfi said, her voice steady. "Would you assist us, Miss Ryuu?" she asked, a confident smile forming on her lips, knowing that with Ryuu's help, their chances had just increased significantly.
Ryuu, seeing Asfi's unwavering expression, silently drew her wooden sword from her side. Her grip was firm, her posture refined as she took her stance beside them. "You don't need to tell me twice," she said calmly, her eyes never leaving the Goliaths. Her voice was as steady as a calm breeze before a storm, filled with quiet fury and determination.
She gripped her sword tightly with both hands, a faint aura surrounding her as she prepared herself for battle, ready to unleash the might of her title against the twin monsters.
Asfi and Lili, now with Ryuu by their side, felt a renewed strength coursing through them. With their formation complete, they turned their focus back to the two Goliaths before them. The ground rumbled beneath the monsters' weight, and the atmosphere was thick with tension. But the trio stood firm, unshaken and resolute.
Without hesitation, the three of them charged forward together. Dust and debris kicked up around them as they dashed across the broken battlefield.
Asfi took the lead, shouting over the sound of their rapid footsteps, "Lili! You and I will focus on the Titan that's still in good condition. Miss Ryuu, you take the one that injured itself earlier!" she called out, quickly forming a plan mid-charge.
"Understood!" both Lili and Ryuu replied in unison, their voices clear and full of resolve.
Without missing a beat, they split apart in perfect sync, Lili and Asfi veering left toward the unscathed Goliath, while Ryuu veered right, charging head-on toward the injured beast.
The roar of the Goliaths echoed through the dungeon floor as the three warriors closed the distance. The battle had just begun, but this time, the tide was beginning to shift.
Ryuu rushed in toward the injured Goliath with unwavering determination, her emerald eyes sharp and focused. She leapt high into the air, her body twisting mid-flight with grace only an elf could perform. Then, in a flurry of movements, she began slashing the towering Giant all over as she strikes its limbs, torso, and shoulders, moving with such blistering speed that her form was barely visible to the onlookers below. Each strike only managed to graze the thick, stone-like skin of the Goliath, but even those minor cuts were enough to slow it down, staggering the monstrous creature ever so slightly with each rapid blow. The force behind her attacks, despite their superficial damage, was enough to break its rhythm, giving it no room to retaliate properly.
Despite the limited physical damage, Ryuu's relentless assault proved to be a distraction and one that the Goliath could not afford. As she continued her onslaught, Ryuu began to chant, her voice clear and calm even amidst the storm of her movement.
"In the sky of a now distant forest… Infinite stars scattered in the endless night sky," she began, her tone soft yet powerful, echoing through the battlefield. Her lips moved with absolute clarity, not once stumbling over the complex incantation. She weaved between the Goliath's wide swipes and stomping feet, dodging with such precision that her figure became nothing more than a blur to most who were watching. The mysterious elf warrior, chanting while moving at breakneck speeds, left many in awe. To see someone invoking a long spell without breaking focus in such chaos was akin to watching an elegant phantom dance amidst death itself.
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, at the other front where another Goliath raged, both Lili and Asfi were engaged in a fierce fight of their own. Their teamwork, though unspoken, was impeccable, born from both necessity and sheer determination. They fought valiantly against the hulking beast, evading each of its devastating attacks by a margin so thin it looked like divine intervention. The Goliath's fists pounded the earth, its stomps cracking the stone beneath it, yet neither Lili nor Asfi faltered. Time and again, they slipped past certain doom by what felt like a hair's breadth, each dodge a miracle in its own right.
Lili, small yet unshaken, stood firm in the face of the towering threat. She spammed her [Gale Wall] spell again and again, launching bursts of wind magic at the giant, her spear glowing with an intense green light. The attacks collided with the Goliath's thick hide with loud thuds, causing it to stagger slightly with each hit. The damage was negligible, barely leaving a scratch on the monster's massive frame. Though, it wasn't about hurting it. Lili was restricting its movements, forcing it to pause, to flinch, to re-balance. It was just enough, just barely enough, to stop it from charging after Bell, who was preparing his own decisive blow nearby.
Asfi, on the other hand, zipped through the air with her enchanted gear, her movements swift and calculated. She circled the Goliath, studying it with sharp eyes as she pulled out one of her deadly concoctions. With perfect aim, she threw a potion at its face. The glass shattered upon impact, releasing a volatile alchemical mixture that immediately ignited. Flames burst from its eyes as the potion took hold, searing flesh and blinding the beast.
ROARRR!!
The Goliath let out a thunderous cry of pain, flailing wildly as it tried to put out the fire. Its massive hands swung around in a frenzy, desperately trying to swat the elusive alchemist, but Asfi was nowhere near its reach. Her movements were too fast, too sharp. She dipped down low, maneuvering behind the enraged creature with precision.
Then, she reached for a special vial, one filled with a strange luminescent substance that shimmered with a soft blue glow. The material inside pulsed, almost alive, somewhere between liquid and solid. Without hesitation, she lobbed the vial toward the Goliath's feet. The potion exploded in a contained splash, and the moment it touched the ground, it spread outward rapidly, expanding like a net made of glowing sludge. Within seconds, it enveloped the Goliath's massive feet entirely.
The beast looked down in confusion, only to realize it could no longer move.
ROARRRR!!!
Another guttural roar tore from its throat, this one louder and more furious than the last. It shook with frustration, struggling against the binding potion, but its feet were rooted firmly in place. Despite its size and power, it was stuck, unable to advance. Trapped. Immobile. All the while, Lili and Asfi stood their ground, their combined assault having finally halted the monstrous force, if only for a moment.
And yet, even cornered, the Goliath would not go down quietly. It thrashed in rage, furious that it—this towering monster of raw power, was being toyed with by two small adventurers who wouldn't back down. Its howls echoed through the Dungeon, wild and wrathful.
The tide of battle had not yet turned fully, but now, hope flickered amidst the chaos.
Yamato Mikoto, watching the three adventurers fight valiantly to defend Bell from being disturbed, felt a swell of emotion rise within her chest. Their courage, their selflessness has moved her deeply. Inspired, she clasped her hands together, performing a series of intricate hand signs that resonated with her inner energy. They glowed faintly with the spiritual light of her divinity-bound magic. As her focus intensified, Mikoto began her chant, eyes locking on the massive form of the Goliath that now faced off against the high elf.
"I respectfully speak to you, my War God that can break through anything..." Mikoto said solemnly, her voice steady as she poured her resolve into each word. Sparks of magic swirled around her hands, gathering into a vibrant core of energy. She continued, her voice unwavering, "...Lead me from the precious heaven."
Not far from her, Ryuu had also nearly completed her own chant. Wind energy surged around her form, ethereal and swift, swirling like stardust caught in a whirlwind. With a graceful leap, she launched herself into the air, jumping up on the same level as the towering Goliath. Her sharp eyes glinted with determination as she uttered the final line of her magic.
"...Imbue the light of stardust and destroy the enemy!" she declared, her voice cutting through the battlefield like the wind itself.
"[LUMINOUS WIND]!" Ryuu shouted.
From every direction, emerald orbs of wind-infused mana burst forth like a storm of celestial fireflies, each one colliding with the Goliath in a devastating barrage. The creature staggered, bellowing in frustration, its massive limbs shielding its already damaged face. It tried to protect the lingering pain from earlier wounds, but the force of Ryuu's attack was relentless.
ROAAARRRR!!
The Goliath roared in fury. Then, with a sudden, violent movement, it thrust its enormous hand forward, grabbing Ryuu mid-air. The force of its grip encased her entire body.
"Agghh!" Ryuu cried out, the crushing pressure making her grit her teeth as pain wracked her body. Her wind magic faltered, dispersing in the air like leaves blown from a tree.
From the distance, Mikoto, still in mid-chant, clenched her fists tighter. The magical energy surrounding her surged dramatically as she prepared the final words of her incantation. Her eyes burned with determination.
"...Descend from heaven, rule the earth—War God's Strike!" she roared, her voice echoing with divine might.
"[FUTSUNOMITAMA]!"
A black, transparent circle manifested between her palms, glowing with a power that possess an ominous look. Beneath the Goliath holding Ryuu, a massive magic circle expanded, inscribed with divine runes. Then, like judgment from the heavens, a colossal purple energy blade descended with blinding brilliance.
The Goliath instantly released Ryuu, howling in agony. She fell free from its grasp, barely conscious, her body limp from the strain.
The magical blade didn't stop there. As it plunged, the energy around it condensed into a transparent cylindrical prison of purple light, surrounding and trapping the beast. Mikoto focused all her strength into her magic, pouring every ounce of will and mind into compressing the enormous monster. The Goliath's feet sank deeper into the floor, the earth below cracking and giving way under the tremendous pressure. Unintentionally, the force also drew in the second Goliath nearby, pulling it in toward the growing crater as it starts to crumble beneath it as well.
"Ugh... It... won't... l-last," Mikoto gritted out, sweat dripping down her face as she fought to maintain the containment. Her arms trembled from magical backlash. Then, like shattering glass, her spell cracked and burst apart, its fragments fading into the air.
The Goliath was free once more.
Mikoto staggered backward, nearly collapsing as the recoil from her broken spell surged through her body. Her breathing was ragged, her legs barely holding her upright.
At that moment, nearby, the second Goliath, trapped by Asfi's potion, began to stir. Cracks formed in the hardened substance. Then, with a tremendous roar, it burst free and swung its massive arm wildly, hitting both Asfi and Lili.
"AGGHH!" the two women cried out as they were flung through the air, crashing hard against the rocky floor.
Almost immediately, a voice echoed from behind the weakened Ryuu, who lay on the ground gasping for breath. The voice was loud, brash, and unmistakable.
"Oi! Elf!" the man shouted.
Ryuu, half-conscious, turned her head and saw him approaching fast, red short hair flowing, two swords clutched in his hands with fire blazing in his eyes.
"Get out of my way!" he yelled.
It was none other than Welf Crozzo.
With a battle cry, Welf charged toward the two freed Goliaths, eyes burning with fury. "KAZUKI!" he roared.
He swung both swords down in a powerful arc, igniting an explosive burst of flame magic. The magical fire surged outward in a massive wave, engulfing both Goliaths in blazing infernos. The blast was so intense, the recoil sent Welf flying backward through the air.
Asfi, despite her injuries, pushed through the pain and caught him mid-air, cushioning his fall.
The flames roared violently around the Goliaths, covering them in a curtain of molten light. Their screams echoed across the 18th floor, agonizing and furious. Yet, through the inferno, two towering shadows began to emerge.
From within the blaze, the two Goliaths stood tall, badly burned, but still standing. Their bodies smoked, charred, and blackened, but they were not yet defeated. Instead, their eyes locked directly onto one person.
Bell.
It was too late. The white light that had been enveloping Bell earlier now completely coated both his body and sword. He stood, silent and focused, glowing with holy brilliance.
With a shout, Bell rushed forward, leaping into the air with every ounce of strength he had left. His sword shined with divine might as he descended.
"RAAAGGGHH!" he roared.
The moment his blade struck, it unleashed the full might of his Argonaut, an explosion of pure, blinding white light that engulfed both Goliaths. The impact shook the entire floor, the radiance stretching far beyond the battlefield, as if the light of a new dawn had broken through the cavern ceiling.
When the light faded, silence hung in the air. The 18th floor returned to its natural glow. Bell collapsed onto the ground, panting, utterly drained. He allowed himself a small, tired smile.
But it wasn't over.
"!!"
Gasps echoed across the battlefield. The two Goliaths were still standing. Damaged, yes, but not destroyed. Half of their bodies were intact, their massive, pulsating magic cores now fully exposed. And horrifyingly, the damage was already beginning to reverse itself. Cracked limbs reformed, wounds sealed shut. They were regenerating.
Bell's body refused to move. He tried to lift his sword but couldn't even raise his hand. The others, bloodied and exhausted, could only watch in horror.
From where he lay, Bell stared as the monstrous titans completed their regeneration. One of them stepped forward, glaring down at the helpless rabbit. Its massive hands lifted as it then slams down hard onto the rabbit with intent to squash him.
"BELL!!" Hestia screamed, tears welling up in her eyes as she watched helplessly from afar.
'So this is it, huh?' Bell thought as he stared up at the descending hand, his vision slowing, his breath catching. 'Heh... Sorry, Mister. I guess I'll be going on first.'
The hand fell.
And then, stopped.
"...Huh?" Bell whispered, confused. He opened his eyes, expecting death. Instead, he saw something else entirely.
A massive figure stood between him and the Goliath. A man, larger than a normal size of a human being, one hand casually halting the monster's blow.
"You did great, kid," the man said, smiling down with a voice that was both warm and commanding. "You rest now. Let your captain take care of this."
With golden hair like a lion's mane and a radiant aura of power, the man stood proudly like a myth come to life.
This was Aurelius, the Titanborn.
With a mighty push, Aurelius shoved the Goliath's hand away. The monster stumbled backward, its feet skidding across the floor until it finally fell on its back, the earth rumbling beneath its weight.
The second Goliath roared and lunged.
But then—BAM!—a sudden fist smashed into its jaw, knocking it aside with brutal force.
The attacker?
Tiona Hiryute, landing in a crouch beside Aurelius with a wild grin.
She glanced over her shoulder at Bell and gave a thumbs-up. "Don't worry, Cra Bellnel! We'll take it from here!" she said cheerfully, her voice bright despite the intensity of the moment.
Then she turned, facing the recovering Goliaths, her expression turning sharp.
"Ready, big man?"
Aurelius cracked his knuckles and smirked.
"Heh. Don't need to tell me twice."
And so, side by side, the mighty Titan and the Amazoness stood tall, unshaken, unafraid as they're ready to finish what the others had started.
The final battle was just about to begin.