Danmachi: Rise of a Fallen Hero

The day passed. One evening, in a candlelit room, Bell stood shirtless before Ishtar, arms outstretched and breath held. The goddess was updating her stats, a routine that had become crucial in her ascension.

"Hm… interesting," Ishtar muttered as she examined the blood-soaked scroll displaying her abilities.

Strength: B222

•Endurance: B340

•Dexterity: B245

•Agility: B 311

•Magic: 0

•Intelligence: A

•Luck: C

•Abnormal Resistance: C

•Escape: G

•Chain Attack: I

Special Skill: Ethereal Vision: Allows you to see other people's emotions as colors.

Magic skill:

Bell looked up at her curiously.

"What's interesting?"

A mysterious smile played on the goddess's lips.

"A unique ability has just been revealed. 'Ethereal Vision'. It allows you to see other people's emotions as colors. A rare ability, especially useful for… understanding and manipulating people."

Bell remained silent, pondering the potential of this skill. He remembered every humiliation he had suffered, the disdainful looks of adventurers and gods alike. With this ability, he could not only foresee their intentions, but also turn them to his advantage.

However, his gaze softened when he thought of Aisha.

"I will never use it on her...or on those who helped me."

Ishtar, amused by his expression, leaned down slightly, brushing his shoulder.

"You have a gift, Bell. Use it well, and this city will eat out of your hand."

As he left the temple, he passed Aisha walking past him. He felt his heart clench. He could see the colors around her: a complex mix of passionate red and protective blue. Feelings he didn't want to read.

Later that night, Bell wandered the streets of the pleasure district, his mind troubled. Aisha occupied his thoughts. Since their first meeting, she had been his anchor in this chaos, the only person around whom he could let his guard down. But one question haunted him: was she with another man?

Just thinking about it stirred a jealousy he couldn't seem to ignore. Every time he saw the Amazons taking clients to private rooms, a dull ache settled in his chest.

After asking a few maids, he finally came across Kali, who was drinking at the entrance of a tavern.

"Samira!" he called, approaching quickly.

The Amazon looked at him in surprise before smiling mischievously.

"Well, little hero, what do you want?"

Bell took a breath, trying to hide his anxiety.

"Is Aisha on… duty?"

Samira's smile widened, and she burst out laughing.

"Service? Since you came along, kid, she's changed. Even when she sees a client who would make her a lot of money, she sends them to others."

Bell felt his heart speed up.

"Why?" he asked in an almost inaudible voice.

Samira leaned towards him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Why, huh? Maybe she's interested in you, kid. Maybe she's waiting for you."

Samira's words left Bell speechless. He looked away, but a slight smile formed on his lips.

Determined to see her, Bell continued his search. He finally found her sitting on a terrace, looking at the moon, a drink in her hand.

"Bell?" she said, looking up at him.

He sat beside her, silent for a moment. The gentle wind played with his hair, and the moonlight accentuated the beauty of his face.

"Samira told me you're not taking clients anymore," he began.

Aisha raised an eyebrow, then looked away.

"That's true. So what?"

Bell hesitated before speaking, searching for words.

" For what ? "

She sighed, placing her glass on the table.

"Maybe I'm tired of this kind of life. Maybe I want… something else."

He stared at her, trying to understand her words without using his new skill. He didn't want to read her feelings; he wanted to hear them.

"Or maybe," she continued, a smirk playing on her lips, "I just don't want to sleep with idiots anymore when there's someone else I'd rather see…"

Bell blushed slightly, looking away.

"Are you serious?"

Aisha leaned towards him, her gaze intensely locked with his.

"Why wouldn't I be? You may not be as strong as the others, but you have something they don't."

"What?" he whispered.

She placed a hand on his cheek, her smile turning soft.

"Bell when you look at me you just see a woman, not a prostitute."

Those words struck Bell right in the heart. For a moment, he felt that, despite all the chaos around him, he was not alone.

Chapter 16: Monstrophilia and the Silverback Trial

The sun shone on Orario as Bell stood in front of the gate to the Ishtar district, waiting for Aisha. The Monstrophilia festival was in full swing, and despite his natural wariness, Bell wanted to make the most of it.

Aisha finally arrived, dressed in a more casual outfit, quite different from her usual light armor. Bell, although troubled by her beauty, maintained a relaxed attitude.

"Ready for a day of chaos?" she asked with a smirk.

Bell nodded. "I guess we'll see if the people of Orario know how to have fun."

As they wandered among the stalls and attractions, a hooded figure watched them from the rooftops.

"So, you're in Ishtar's Familia now… No one else should have you. You're mine."

Freya, whose bright eyes were scrutinizing Bell's every move, felt a mixture of fascination and jealousy. Her desire to test the strength and potential of this young man grew stronger.

Bell stopped in front of a stand where a short, dark-haired, bright-eyed woman was selling jagamaru. Her warm smile and energy were contagious.

"You should try it!" she said, handing him a treat.

Bell, intrigued, took a bite. The sweet and salty taste exploded in his mouth, making him smile.

"It's delicious. Thank you, ma'am…?"

She burst out laughing. "No 'ma'am'! I am Hestia, goddess of flame and hearth."

He tilted his head slightly, curious.

"A goddess? You have a stand?"

She shrugged.

"Why not? Not all gods have a thriving Familia… Besides, if you want, you can join mine. I'm looking for someone like you."

Bell was surprised by her direct proposal. He discreetly activated Ethereal Vision to assess her intentions. A soft light, tinged with melancholic blue and protective yellow, emanated from her. He saw a deep loneliness and a sincere desire to protect someone.

This gave him an idea. Bell smiled slightly, politely declining.

"Sorry, I'm already in a Familia… But maybe our paths will cross again."

Hestia looked disappointed but remained smiling. "I'll keep an eye on you, young adventurer."

As they continued their walk, a dull noise was heard. The inhabitants began to flee, screaming: the monsters locked in the Colosseum had just been released!

Bell caught sight of Aiz Wallenstein, her sword shining, cutting down several creatures with surgical precision. Aisha, seeing the monsters approaching, stepped in.

"Bell, fall back! I'll take care of this one!" she shouted, drawing her weapon.

Bell instinctively ran towards the crowd, seeking to help the civilians. He found Hestia, frozen in fear, unable to save herself.

"This way!" he shouted, grabbing her in his arms, carrying her like a princess.

Hestia, red with confusion, whispered, "Why are you doing this?"

Bell smiled slightly.

"I'm not going to leave anyone in danger, even a goddess."

However, their respite was short-lived. A powerful roar sounded behind them. Bell turned his head and saw a massive figure: a Silverback, a monstrous gorilla, heading straight for him.

Bell put Hestia behind a stand.

"Stay here. I'll lure this monster away from the crowd."

"But…!" she protested.

He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Grabbing his knife, he lured the Silverback into a deserted street. The monster, under the influence of a divine charm, seemed focused solely on Bell.

Bell narrowly dodged a punch that shattered the ground. He used his surroundings, climbing crates and throwing projectiles to distract the creature.

"That's not enough…" he muttered, gripping his weapon.

He activated Ethereal Vision, but instead of seeing feelings, he saw a reddish glow surrounding the Silverback, a sign of divine manipulation.

"So, Freya… You're the one behind all this."

The fight seemed hopeless until a familiar figure appeared: Aiz Wallenstein, sword drawn, ready to intervene.

Bell, though exhausted, gritted his teeth.

"No… I'll take care of it."

Aiz hesitated for a moment, but she saw the determination in his eyes. She stepped back slightly, ready to intervene in case of emergency.

To be continued