AN: This is probably going to be the last fic I'm going to be updating in a while because I'm probably in college by the time this gets out. Also I want to let you all know, I'm going to update KR and Garo in a pattern so right now I'm going to update Garo now. I'm going to update Wolf's Den because it is one of the more light-hearted Garo stories compared to the others that I've written. Now…Showtime!
Disclaimer: I do not own DanMachi or Garo.
Chapter 7: Resolve
Bell was rolling on the couch that he was sleeping on after a good Horror Hunt. He was sweating and he face just screamed anxiety even if his eyes weren't opened. Soon sweat appeared on his forehead and he muttered one sentence in his sleep.
"Dad…please no…"
He was dreaming about the night he lost his father.
(4 years ago)
A 10 year old Bell wandered in a ruined forest. Trees were broken down, smoke was everywhere, and rain poured onto the surface and the young boy. The young boy didn't mind that, all he just wanted was his father.
He soon went to the site where a battle seemingly took place. The boy continued moving before he stopped with a shocked face.
"D-Dad?"
He saw his father with body against a puddle mixed with water and blood with Marlow's lifeless face turned to face Bell. His white duster was decorated in blood, dirt, and stab wounds.
Bell approached Marlowe's body as his tears were now mixed in with the rain.
"No…No, this isn't fair…Dad!?" Bell then lifted Marlowe's head and hugged it, mourning over the loss of his father. "DAD!"
Bell got up and roared at the sky with his hands clenched so hard that his fingernails pierced his skin and started bleeding but he didn't care because it doesn't compare to the pain of losing an only parent.
A bunch of Lesser Horrors wandered into the scene and noticed the boy before charging straight for him. Bell kept screaming before the Garoken in Marlowe's hand started glowing, resonating with Bell's soul.
Just as the Lesser Horrors were about to close in, a bright light from the Garoken engulfed Bell and destroyed a couple Horrors.
(Present)
Bell jolted up awake and took deep breaths. He wiped the sweat off of him.
"Are you okay?"
Bell turned to see Hestia sitting up in her bed.
"Lady Hestia, forgive me if I woke you up."
"It's more of you I'm concerned about. Were you having a bad dream?" Hestia asked as she got out of bed before walking over to Bell and checking up on him.
"…" Bell didn't answer.
"Please Bell, I want to help." Hestia said softy as she wanted to make sure Bell was happy.
"Just a memory…of my father's death."
"Your father…his name was Marlowe Cranel, right?' Hestia said, remembering what Bell told her when they first met.
Bell nodded.
"He died a few years ago when I was still a child." Bell said as he remembered what time he had with him. "I miss my father a lot."
"Those two were close. Especially for Marlowe….since his wife Alison died from childbirth." Zaruba said.
"I see." Hestia then hugged Bell. "You're doing your father proud by being the Golden Knight you are now." Hestia said as she recounted Bell's accomplishments and actions as the current Garo.
"I know but it's his death anniversary soon." Bell said, not wanting to remember that night.
Hestia just hugged Bell tighter. She wanted to comfort him from such a sensitive topic.
"Bell, if you need anything, I'm right here." Hestia consoled. Little did Bell know, Hestia actually knew Bell's parents before they were married. She definitely knows that the both of them would be proud of what Bell grew up to be.
'You are so much like your father, Bell…' Hestia thought.
When there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns. Yet by the blade of knights, mankind was given hope.
(Play Savior In The Dark by JAM Project)
[Yuke kaze no gotoku. Sadame no kenshi yo, yami ni magirete.] The song starts with the camera zooming in a dark background before Garo slashed the screen. The scene soon changed to a silhouetted Bell in a combat position.
[Nani yue tatakau no ka? Sore wa ken ni kike.] Garo spends some time doing poses before the camera changes to Bell, without his coat, practicing with two giant pendulums in a training room underneath the church that he lives in.
[Seigi da to ka ai nado ore wa oi-kakenai] The camera soon changes to a white background where Garo and the axe-wielding Makai Knight, Giga, were fighting together.
[Yami ni umare…Yami ni shinobi…Yami wo kiri-saku.] Several demonic hands reach for the light but only to see Garo get in between them and cutting down the hands.
[Haruka na inishie kara uketsuida simei da kara.] The camera sees the wicked smile of a hooded figure before seeing Horrors and Dungeon monsters. The camera soon changes to Garo doing various things such as writing a rune with his sword and fighting a Horror.
[Yuke kaze no gotoku. Makai no kenshi yo] A Horror blasts a dark fire ball but Garo shook off the attack before using his Blazing Armament mode. The camera soon changes to Garo riding Goten and Bell transforming into Garo.
[Tamashoo we kometa. Ikari no yaiba tataki-tsukete. Jidai ni kagayake!] The camera switches between Bell and Garo. Garo was dealing with Horrors while Bell was dealing with Dungeon monsters. The two soon did the same poses, switching in and out.
[GARO!] The camera soon changes view to see the title of the story.
(In the morning at the Guild)
"Level 6?" Bell asked as she recalled what Eina told him. Outside, people were gathered around a notice board to see that the famous Sword Princess leveled up to Level 6. One of the feats that she was known for was that she is the fastest Adventurer to level up. It took her one year to reach Level 2.
"If I recall, it was the 37th Floor. She defeated a deep Dungeon Boss all by herself." Eina recalled, remembering the details given to her by Aiz and Loki.
"All by herself, you say?" Bell recalled with a smile on his face. It's been only a day since Aiz got most of that family consumed by that Horror but he's been helping her cope with training and small talk. He's actually kind of glad that he met her. Aiz can be a good friend.
"Normally, beating one of those things calls for a huge party of skilled adventurers, and it'll still be close." Eina recalled before noticing Bell smiling.
"I wonder how a group of Makai Knights or Priests can do against a Dungeon Boss. Most of our orders just have us avoid or circle around them." Bell said as he looked out the window to see a sketch of Aiz at the notice board. "She really is one of a kind."
"Outside of the Makai Order, I've never heard or seen a person who can do something like that. Imagine what she would be like if she was born to a Makai Order family." Eina asked while Bell recalled the last time he spoke to Aiz.
(Yesterday morning)
The two were sparring as usual but decided to give it their all in every sparring match.
Bell charged with his sheath before it collided with Aiz's. The two moved their arms at such a fast pace but soon Bell did a spinning kick at Aiz, making her fall onto the floor.
"Not bad, it was better than last time."
Aiz got up and faced Bell.
"Let's go one more time." Aiz said before the two adopted a combat pose. Ever since what happened with the Ivy Horror, the two got along better and consider themselves to be close friends. But they didn't talk about the kiss on the cheek as the two didn't have anything to say about it other than it just happened.
As their sheaths became locked in, Bell noticed a smile on Aiz's face.
"What's up?" Bell asked as the two separated.
"Your skill is impressive. You do a good job at defending others from Horrors." Aiz said, a bit envious she couldn't do what Bell can but at the very least, she'll help her friend.
"I just do what I love for a living."
"Which is?"
"Protecting like all the Garos have before me." Bell said as the two then continued their spar.
(Present)
"Anyways…" Eina started. "Other than your search for the Keys to Kallig's Gate, we have a floor for you to clear out. There's a room that Horrors are using for breeding."
"Understood."
"Report to Floor 15 for your assignment but try to look into information on the Keys while you're there." Eina instructed as she gave the instructions to Bell.
"Thanks, I'll check back in later." Bell said as he got up and proceeded to make his way to the Dungeon. As he was walking, Bell dropped his cheerful demeanor as he clenched his fist over what happened to his father.
"Bell…it wasn't your fault." Zaruba said, being the only other person there who witnessed that whole event.
Before Bell can give a response, he was interrupted by…
"Bell!" Syr called before hugging his arm, surprising Bell and making him blush a little from the contact.
"S-Syr?"
Syr looked at him.
"I'm glad I was able to find you…" Syr said.
"Hm?"
(Later at the Hostess of Fertility)
In the kitchen, Bell was looking at stacks of dirty plates and pots from the parties this place usually had.
"You want me to wash dishes?" Bell asked, surprised that Syr would ask this kind of favor from him.
"Sorry, I skipped out on-I mean, took a break from some work that was piling up, and Mama Mia got mad at me. And as a punishment…"
Bell then sighed, realizing that Syr is just using him.
"And you want me to take punishment, meant for you?" Bell asked, making Syr giggle a little.
"Sorry, Bell but I'll make it up to you! Thanks so much!" Syr then left while Bell just sighed.
Bell looked at the dished.
"But it might be nice to not think about anything for a while." Bell said to himself, wanting a distraction. He wasn't even in a rush to complete the assignment he received from Eina. He could always do it tomorrow.
Just then he heard someone approach him from behind so he turned and saw Ryuu.
"Ryuu?"
"A formidable task lies before you." The Elven girl said, looking at the pile of dirty plates and pots. "I'll help you."
The two then started washing the dishes before Zaruba vibrated a little getting Bell's attention.
"Bell, that girl knows I'm a one-of-a-kind ring. You know what that means?" Zaruba quietly asked and Bell nodded before looking at Ryuu.
"Uh, Ryuu…were you a Makai Priestess?" Bell asked.
"Yes, in the past.'
"Well that explains how you know about Zaruba." Bell said.
"It's impossible to mistake an item of the legendary Golden Knight. You're…the son of Marlowe and Alison Cranel, correct?" Ryuu asked, slightly surprising Bell.
"Yes, I am. Did you know them?"
"Not really. I saw your parents once for a brief time during training when I was a child but it was only for a couple of minutes." Ryuu said before looking at Bell. "You have your mother's hair and your father's eyes."
Bell smiled as he had a somewhat good idea of his mother looked like.
"Tell me, how are they?" Ryuu asked, making Bell adopt a sad smile.
"For my father, he died a few years ago. As for my mother, I never met her. I was told she died during childbirth." Bell recounted.
Ryuu looked sad at Bell before continuing washing the dish.
"I thought that would be the case with your father, given that you have Zaruba meaning that you are also the current Knight. As for your mother, I didn't know and you have my sympathies. I also apologize for bringing up such a sensitive topic."
Bell looked at her with that same sad smile.
"It's alright, you have nothing to apologize." Bell said as he looked at his reflection at his now clean plate. "I've had many years to cope with the loss plus I always have Zaruba and Grandpa to watch over me."
"It's good that you can cope but it doesn't look like it to me." Ryuu said, catching Bell's attention.
"Hm?"
"I know you have a sincere cheerful demeanor that means well enough but around this time, you force it upon yourself. You're trying to act tough, when in reality you should be crying. You may have inherited your father's place but you need to make it your own."
"Ryuu…" Bell looked at her speechless and surprised. For such a young woman, she certainly seems wise. It makes him wonder why she isn't a Makai Priestess anymore.
"You're a Makai Knight and there are significant meanings to that name. Your father found his and now you have to find yours."
Bell nodded, getting what Ryuu is saying.
"Ryuu, the only reason I'm acting like this…is because my father's death anniversary is close." Bell explained, wanting to get it off his chest and explaining why he isn't his usual self.
"And because of that, you show your true colors?"
"Something like that, yes."
"I see. You need to let go of his death and think how proud he would be to see what you become." Ryuu said before lightly chuckling to herself. "My intuition can be wrong sometimes, but I feel like I hit my mark on the target."
Unknown to the two, Syr was outside and overheard the part of Bell saying that his father's death anniversary was close, now feeling guilty. She now felt bad that she had Bell doing her work near his father's death anniversary. Syr looked back at Bell and Ryuu working without either of the two noticing.
(The next morning at the city walls)
It was Aiz and Bell's last day of training together as Aiz would have to report back to the Loki Familia for another expedition into the Dungeon. Right now, Aiz was giving Bell a merciless barrage of attacks before Bell blocked an attack
He was trying to look for an opening and mentally scanned Aiz before finding one. Bell then performed a sweep kick, getting Aiz offguard and placing her on the floor. Bell immediately tried shoving his sheath onto Aiz's face but Aiz rolled away at the last second before trying to hit Bell's waist.
Bell dodged it with a good reaction speed before noticing something off with Bell. It's as if he was distracted. Bell jumped back and adopted a combat pose while Aiz just stopped, getting Bell's attention.
"Huh? Why did you stop?" Bell asked.
"It's…there's something off about you." Aiz pointed out as she was unaware that today was the anniversary of Marlowe Cranel's death
"What makes you say that?" Bell asked, trying to hide the fact and not get his friend worried.
Aiz then adopted a serious face.
"Bell, I know when you lie." Aiz said, having experienced something similar before with him.
"There's no way talking out of this, Bell." Zaruba added. Bell wasn't much of a good liar when it comes to his friends.
Bell sighed, knowing that there was no way out of this.
"I'm just a bit down today." Bell answered, earning Aiz's tilt of curiosity.
"Down?"
"Today is the anniversary of my father's death." Bell said while Aiz said nothing for a response. She just walked up to her friend before their eyes could make contact with each other from up close.
"I'm sorry if this is a sensitive topic for you but…how did he pass away?" Aiz asked.
"He died protecting me a long time ago." Bell said before Aiz hugged him. Bell was surprised that someone that was a little clueless like her would do this but Bell accepted it.
"Don't blame yourself for something that already happened. That's what you said to me, right?" Aiz recounted as she recalled the night she accidentally allowed Ivy kill most of the family.
"Yeah, but the memory…it's too strong."
"So was what happened with Ivy and you told me to keep going." Aiz said as she continued holding onto Bell.
"Aiz, I don't think it's going to be easy for me. My dad…was a better Makai Knight than me. I'm trying my best to fulfill his place but-."
"I don't think there is no such thing as 'try' or being a better Knight. My father once told me there is only 'do' and 'don't'." Aiz explained as she looked at Bell's face. "Please Bell, you can't stop being the Golden Knight. Please keep 'doing' your best to be the Makai Knight worthy of being your father's successor. There is no such thing as 'try'. So what would you rather accomplish, 'do' or 'don't'?"
The sun started to rise and Bell saw how stunning that Aiz looked as the sun shined on her.
"Aiz…" Bell then smiled. Even though he was still at conflict with himself, he appreciates Aiz's words and will take them to heart.
Before Bell can give an answer, Aiz broke the hug.
"I have to go soon. The others will be curious as to where I've been or why I'm late." Aiz said before she started to leave. She grabbed her sword and placed it back into the sheath before looking at her reflection in the Garoken's blade. She then looked back at Bell, who didn't look back at her. "I want to hear your answer when I get back from the Dungeon."
Bell finally turned and watched her leave.
"Okay, and Aiz…"
Aiz stopped and looked back at Bell.
"Good luck in the Dungeon and when we see each other again…I'll have my answer ready and let's go all out again like today!" Bell said with a confident smile, the one that cheered Aiz up during the whole Ivy situation.
Aiz smiled softly at the sight of it before leaving. Then, Bell looked at the sun rise as memories came back to him.
(5 years ago)
It was another day of training between father and son. The 9 year old Bell charged at his father while screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Ha!"
Bell's practice sword collided with Marlowe's. Marlowe didn't seem to be interested in Bell and was just observing his son's effort to hit him. Marlowe then found an opening when they locked weapons. He kicked Bell down before Bell groaned a bit in pain as he was covered in dirt, some blood, and scraps.
Bell barely stood on his feet as he looked at his father with a mad look.
"Come on, is this the strength of your resolve?" Marlowe asked as this annoyed the young Bell. He just wants to prove himself to his father like all the other bunch of sparring matches
"Just let me attack and you'll see." Bell said as he clashed again and again against Marlowe's practice sword up to the point where Bell was extremely fatigued.
"I think you're working him to death, Marlowe." Zaruba pointed out, examining Bell's current condition. Marlowe knelt down and looked down so he was face-to-face with Bell's face.
Marlowe then sighed before deciding to allow Bell to catch his breath.
"Alright, we'll take a small break for now." Marlowe said before Bell fell on his back, taking deep breaths of relaxation. He looked up at the dark sky before it started to lit up with the sun.
Marlowe then sat down next to Bell and looked at his face before chuckling.
"You sure are stubborn, aren't you? Just like your mother…"
Bell then sat up and looked at Marlowe.
"You know…you don't really talk about Mom that much. What was she like?" Bell asked. He never met his mother but he remembered being told that she died giving birth to him. Bell always wanted to meet her and bond with her but he can't do anything about that,
"Your mother…was a beautiful woman." Marlowe said with a sad smile as he recalled memories of Alison. "When she found out she was pregnant with you…I've never seen a woman so happy before in my life."
"Would she love me a lot? Can she see me?" Bell asked as he sat up and looked at his father.
"Your mother would've loved you to death. She had a lot of fun things planned for you outside of training. If I was Alison, I would be watching you every opportunity I get." Marlowe said, making his son smile.
Soon the sun started to rise and shined down on both male Cranels. Marlowe sees Bell looking at the sunrise in awe. Marlowe smiled as he too stared at the sunrise.
"You see that, son?" Marlowe asked, making Bell nod.
"That's one of the things that we Makai Knights protect; a new tomorrow." Marlowe said as he held his son close to him. "One where we would live in a peaceful world, just like your mother wanted."
Bell looked even more enchanted as he stared at the sunrise and noted how peaceful it looked. It touched his heart that he would have a chance to protect something as precious once he is older/ Marlowe then examined how injured and tired his young boy was so a much needed break should be in order.
"Maybe that's enough training for one morning. What do you think?"
Bell shook his head, surprising both Zaruba and Marlowe.
"Another hour…" Bell said as he stood up and readied his practice sword.
"Are you sure?" Marlowe asked, worried that Bell would break under more of this intense training. He doesn't want his boy to be forced past his limits but Bell nodded.
The white haired boy insisted on training for a bit longer.
"I wanna see that tomorrow, the same one that Mom wanted." Bell said, now determined and resolved to continue training even if it might break his bones.
Marlowe smiled as he grabbed his practice sword and ran to the other side of the field before facing Bell in a combat pose.
"He definitely has a lot of Alison in him." Zaruba remarked, remembering a certain white haired woman.
"Yeah, I can see a bit of me and her in Bell as well." Marlowe replied before Bell charged at him once more.
(Present at the Hestia Familia)
Bell was gathering supplies for his next trip to the Dungeon with Lili. Hestia was watching him, a little concerned over his mental well-being since today was Marlowe's death anniversary.
"So your sparring sessions with Wallenwhatsit really ended this morning, right?" Hestia asked, earning a nod from Bell.
As much as he loved training with that blonde haired girl, she has a responsibility towards her fellow Familia members and as an Adventurer. Plus the other Loki Familia members will become suspicious of Aiz if she keeps this behavior up and drama is the last thing both Aiz and Bell wanted.
"That's right. As planned, the Loki Familia is going on an expedition today." Bell answered, kind of wishing the sparring would last a little longer.
"I see…it's done, huh?" Hestia sighed with relief as she no longer had to worry about Aiz. "But are you sure you don't want a day off or something, considering today?"
Bell smiled, appreciative of Hestia's kindness but a full day of work is what he needs even if he can't fight at full strength due to a part of his mind focused on his father.
"I'm fine, Lady Hestia. If anything, a good long day of work is what I need to distract myself with. Besides, I really need to get started on the hunt for Kallig's Keys. I haven't started in a very long time. I'll see you later, Lady Hestia!" Bell said as he left despite his Goddess's protest.
"Bell!" Hestia called but no response. She then sighed, giving up and just deciding to wait for Bell while hoping he would be in a better mood.
(At the Dungeon's entrance)
Bell was walking towards to the Dungeon to meet up with Lili before noticing the Loki Familia getting prepped. Bell noticed Aiz among them before deciding to just watch this.
Soon he spotted a blonde, blue-eyed preteen announcing the Loki Familia's plan to his fellow Familia members.
"Zaruba, do you know that person?" Bell whispered before pointing Zaruba at him.
"That is Finn Deimne, he may seem like a child but he is actually over 40 years old." Zaruba whispered.
"So he is a Prum like Lili?" Bell asked, recalling that Prums always look young despite their ages.
"Yeah, he is actually 2nd in command of the Loki Familia with Loki herself being 1st. He's in charge of managing the actual expeditions. He was even around when your mother was about your age." Zaruba said, making Bell recall that his mother was a former member of the Loki Familia.
"You think he knew her?" Bell asked.
"Most likely, but I wouldn't bring her up around them. She was kicked out of the Loki Familia." Zaruba recalled.
"What for?"
"Remind me to tell you some other time." Zaruba said while Bell shrugged and decided to continue watching.
"We will now begin our expedition deep into the Dungeon. Once again, to avoid crowding the upper floors, we'll split into two teams. I'll take Team One." Finn announced. "Gareth will command Team Two." Finn then looked at some hooded men that were packed for the long journey. "Blacksmiths from the Hephaestus Familia will accompany us. We'll meet on the 18th floor. From there, we'll head directly to the 50th floor."
As Finn was talking, Aiz felt a familiar presence behind her. She turned and saw Bell smiling at her. Aiz smiled back, attracting attention of some her fellow Familia members such as the Amazoness twin sisters Tiona and Tione Hiryute. They notice Aiz waving at Bell before Bell waved back.
"Who is that?" Tione wondered.
"Boyfriend?" Tiona guessed, neither of the twins have ever saw Aiz give so much attention to one person outside of their Familia. The two then decided to gossip about this later while Bell allowed Aiz to return to work.
"Our goal is nothing less than the 59th floor, which has never before been reached."
Meanwhile, from her place in Babel tower, Freya was looking down on the Adventurers and Supporters with a glass of wine in her hands. She noticed that
"Preparations are complete but it appears that someone opened the box, and revealed it ahead of schedule, though." Ottar reported but Freya didn't seem fazed by that. She was certain that Bell and the Minotaur will cross paths regardless.
"I see. It's time for that child to show me his true power." Freya said with a Knight of Light book on her stand as Freya was watching Bell wait for Lili at the fountain.
(In the Dungeon)
The hooded woman was adding runes to the Horrified Minotaur's sword while he was eating an Adventurer that she and her husband caught a while ago. Meanwhile the hooded man watched Minotaur eat before giving him a book.
"Use this as bait." The hooded man instructed and the Horrified Minotaur nodded in understanding.
"What are you doing? We haven't even read that yet." The hooded woman said, remembering how hard it was to get that log pertaining to the Garo that participated in the Zeus Familia's battle against Kallig.
"I don't need to read something that contains the same drabble of every Makai Knight." The hooded man then watched the Horrified Minotaur finish the Adventurer. "Besides, if anyone can properly read and understand this is the Golden Knight himself. And if he does die in this battle, I have nothing to lose. After all there's always more that we can find."
"But why give him the chance?" The hooded woman asked as the hooded man skimmed through the book quickly.
"It's no fun, to always be ahead. Sometimes the heat from the competition is what drives us to crush our foes and take away everything." The hooded man answered as the Horrified Horror took the book.
"I…will…accomplish…this, Master." The Horrified Minotaur said as the hooded woman offered the sword back.
"So your intelligence has grown. Good, it means you're fitted well into that body." The hooded woman remarked as the Horrified Minotaur took the newly enchanted and swung it a few times to feel it a bit lighter than usual.
"My name…is…Ragnar." Ragnar answered as he placed his sword back in the makeshift sheath on his back.
"I trust you will not disappoint." The hooded man said as Ragnar bowed.
"I will...not…" Ragnar then left to prepare the trap for Bell while the hooded woman approached her partner/lover and leaned onto his shoulder.
"You have an interesting way of thinking, don't you?"
"Well, isn't it one of the reasons you were so intrigued in me?"
"Maybe~." The hooded woman replied as she soon left. "I'm going to check on our home."
"I'll stay here and watch this. I want to see what this Cranel can do." The hooded man replied as he went to a safe hiding spot.
(Later with Bell and Lili)
The two were walking exploring the 15th Floor while Bell slain another Lesser Horror. He was finally working on the assignment that Eina had given him yesterday. Bell then looked back at Lili who was still trying to get the hang of using a Madou Brush. Bell soon walked up to Lili and checked on her.
"You okay?" Bell asked, making Lili nod in reassurance.
"Yes, sorry if I can't assist you much right now but I'm still learning my way around being a Makai Priestess." Lili said, remembering what she learned from Lana but it wasn't much.
"It's alright, everyone has to learn the long way." Bell cheered up before patting Lili's shoulder and continuing throughout the Floor. Unknown to him, Lili had a little bit of a worried look as she remembered what today was.
(This morning)
"Today is Bell's father's death anniversary?" Lili asked with a surprised face as she was packing up for her trip to the Dungeon with Bell.
The young Prum lived with Lana and Dalton to help with her lessons and try to lay low from the Soma Familia. To Lana, Lili did have a lot of potential but it'll take a while before she could a serious spell with just a Madou Brush.
"Yes, the previous Golden Knight was Marlowe Cranel, Bell's father. He died a few years ago." Lana explained.
"The worst part was that Bell himself was there when he died." Dalton added. "So he might be a little bit down today even if he doesn't show it."
Lili was really surprised. She thought nothing would bring down Bell's cheerful personality but nobody is invincible. But Bell helped her before, maybe it's time to return the favor.
"Is there anything that can cheer him up?" Lili asked but the pair of fiancées shook their heads.
"Not that we know of. Just don't bring it up too often. Bell looked up to his father a lot." Dalton said as he recalled the couple of times that he worked with Marlowe but Bell would be with him as well.
Lili decided to see if she could think of anything to cheer Bell up but right now, she had to help Bell with his assignment regarding the Dungeon and Kallig.
(Present)
"Hey Bell, I have a question." Lili said, catching Bell's attention.
"What is it?"
"Wouldn't it be a better idea to ask the survivors of those who survived the battle against Kallig? I know that the Zeus Familia was wiped out, but there must've been a couple of survivors, right?"
"Other than Zeus himself, there aren't any confirmed survivors." Zaruba said as recalled the battle in his head. "There may have been a couple stragglers, sure but I wouldn't be surprised if they turned out to be deserters."
"Why?"
"That was one of the largest battles I ever saw and one of the more gruesome ones. We lost a lot of good people." Zaruba said. "Not every Knight or Priest would come back sane from something like that."
"I see…"
"Well what happened to Zeus?" Lili asked.
"You didn't hear this from me but…without a Familia to stand with, Loki and Freya, who were Zeus's rivals, managed to get him exiled with their combined efforts." Zaruba recounted. "Don't really know what happened to him then. He delivered me to Bell's family and disappeared ever since."
"No way to contact him?" Bell asked.
"No, definite way." Zaruba said, making Lili sigh in defeat.
"So finding scattered information is the only way, huh?"
"We'll get there." Bell said, trying to put his cheerful face on. Lili smiled and appreciated what Bell was doing but she knows that he probably doesn't want her to worry. Bell then looked at Zaruba. "So Zaruba, any Horrors left on this Floor?"
Zaruba took a few moments of silence to try and detect nearby Inga.
"I think there's only one area left." Zaruba said as he mentally tried searching other areas. "That's odd…"
"What?"
"For some reason, I detect a bunch of Inga in that one area as if there's something of interest there." Zaruba said, making Bell and Lili adopt serious faces.
"There must be something important there." Lili guessed. As far as she knows, Horrors are like cunning feral predators and are only attracted by few things; prey and dark energy. If it was prey, then someone is in deep trouble. "Bell, we should check it out. There could be a lot of people in trouble." Lili suggested.
"I wouldn't be surprised. There was a big expedition among the Loki Famili regarding the 59th Floor, obviously they might've run into something like this along the way." Bell commented, remembering his first encounter with Aiz.
"Then let's check it out!" Lili said, running ahead of Bell.
"Lili, wait up for me!" Bell said before starting to run, trying to catch up to Lili.
As they were running, the Makai Knight and Priestess-in-training heard a monstrous roar. Bell recognized it.
"I know that noise…it's a Minotaur's shout." Bell said.
"That explains the few Dungeon Monsters and Adventurers here but…can a Dungeon Monster become a Horror?" Lili asked, still getting used to the concept of Horrors.
"It's something of a rare occasion, but yes." Bell answered as he finally caught up to Lili. "For some reason, Horrors find that the Dungeon Monsters are sentient, intelligent, and ripe with enough Inga to be overtaken. It's mostly rare to the amount of potential Gates here, but it is a thing we deal with."
The two then saw Ragnar who appeared to be reading the log from the Garo that took part in. Bell and Lili stopped as soon as they noticed the book.
"That book…!" Zaruba recognized it from before the battle when one of Bell's predecessors wrote in it. "That's from the battle against Kallig!"
Ragnar soon noticed Bell and Lili before closing the book, throwing it away, and grabbing his enchanted sword.
"Lili, get behind me." Bell said and Lili did.
"Bell, there's something off about this Horror." Zaruba warned as Ragnar started approaching them.
Bell didn't need to ask. He could see that the Horror was out to kill him and looked prepared. No ordinary Horror was so Bell took out his dagger and began dual-wielding.
"Lili, listen to me." Bell said as LIli paid full attention to him. "I'm going to try to distract him. When I do, make a fun for the book, get it, and get the heck out of here. This is going to be too dangerous…"
Lili reluctantly nodded Ragnar charged with Bell using both weapons to block the Horrified Minotaur's attack. Meanwhile Lili ran towards where the log was and picked it up before running towards the Floor entrance.
Ragnar saw this and kicked bell away before charging his sword with electricity. He then smashed his sword against the ground, sending an electric shockwave at Lili.
"Lili!" Bell tried running after her but the attack already caught up to her. Lili saw this and jumped away in time but the force threw her violently into a wall. Bell stopped and his eyes widened and mouth opened in shock as he remembered something similar happening to Marlowe in the fight he died in.
"Bell, focus!" Zaruba said and bell was snapped out of his thoughts to see Ragnar's sword coming down straight for him.
Bell rolled out of the way before checking on Lili.
"Lili, are you alright!?" Bell asked, examining her before his eyes widened in shock as he saw that not only Lili was unconscious but her forehead was bleeding, the sign of a bad concussion. 'This wound, it's just like…it's just like…'
(4 years ago)
"Dad! Dad!" Bell checked on his father after he was thrown from such an attack.
Marlowe got up and Bell gasped when he saw blood coming from his father's forehead.
"Dad, you're hurt-!" Bell started but the two male Cranels saw a dark figure swing down its sword on them. Marlowe pushed Bell out of the way before rolling in the opposite direction. Bell got up and tried to approach Marlowe sword-fighting with the figure. "Dad!"
"Bell, run and get to your grandfather!" Marlowe said.
"But Dad-!"
"BELL, RUN!" Marlowe shouted and Bell hesitantly ran from the fight.
(Present)
"Bell!"
Bell was snapped out of memory lane to see Ragnar charging with his horn. Bell quickly grabbed Lili and jumped out of the way.
'I'm not going to run. I'm not going to run away this time!' Bell thought as he ran from Ragnar to place Lili in a safe spot. Bell soon turned his head back to see Ragnar charging again and he was really close. "I'm sorry!" Bell shouted to Lili as he tossed her a few feet away from him and Ragnar.
Bell then used both of his weapons as a shield before being rammed into the wall, making a good sizable dent in it. Ragnar then looked at the scratched up Bell but the Makai Knight kept his defensive position.
"Die!' Ragnar shouted he rammed into Bell again and again until Bell's defense fell due to fatigue. Bell was rammed again and bell was force to vomit a little bit of blood. Ragnar soon moved his head to look at Bell.
"Damn…" Bell was on his hands and knees before opening his palm and pointing it at Ragnar. "Firebolt!"
Bell fired his spell but the attack did nothing due to Ragnar's tough armor and thick skin but that didn't stop Bell from trying again.
"Firebolt! Firebolt! Firebolt!" Bell chanted as he fired from his hand. Although the spell didn't do much damage to Ragnar, it did push him back and gave some distance between Makai Knight and Horror.
Bell then got up before raising his sword and cutting the circle of light. His armor fell down and merged with him to become Garo while his weapons transformed as well.
"Garo…" Ragnar recognized as Garo adopted a combat stance with both of his weapons. Ragnar only roared as he placed his hand over the runes of his sword and scanned them, making them glow a bright yellow. Soon his sword was consumed in nothing but electricity.
Garo braced himself as he knew this wasn't going to be a short fight.
(Somewhere else)
"A minotaur appeared?" Bete asked.
Team One of the Loki Familia were following their route before stumbling across an injured Adventurer and Supporter on their way. Turns out they were hit hard by Ragnar.
"Yeah, I'm sure of it but it was unlike any that I've ever seen. It skin was grey but fur was dark as death, it wore armor as stronger than steel, and it wielded an enchanted sword." The Adventurer recounted as he remembered his party being ambushed by Ragnar only with him and his Supporter being the only survivors.
"Could it be a survivor from last time?" Tiona wondered as she remembered the Minotaur incident.
"It couldn't be. None of those Minotaurs that we saw could fit that description." Riveria said as she never heard of a Minotaur having that kind of description.
Aiz wondered if it was a Horror and if it was, she also wondered if Bell was fighting it. Finn then looked at the survivors.
"Either way, I'm glad you guys are safe." He consoled. "Are there any other adventurers on this floor?" Finn asked, wanting to save any person his team could.
"I think there's one under attack in a chamber that's pretty far back." The bandaged man answered. "It was a white haired kid. If you guys are fast enough-."
At the sound of that, Aiz immediately ran towards the location. She has no doubts that this was Bell under attack. Even if she couldn't help, she had to make sure her friend was okay.
"Aiz!" Bete called, wondering what got into her.
" Hey Aiz, this is an expedition, you know!" Tiona said, wondering the same thing before she and Bete ran after her.
"Bete! Tiona!" Tione called before going after them as well.
Finn watched them go before looking at another member of his group.
"Sorry, Raul but can you handle things here?" Finn asked.
"Yes, sir!"
Finn then looked at Riveria.
"Riveria, you're with me." He said and the elf nodded before they left.
(With Garo and Ragnar)
SMASH!
Garo jumped back from Ragnar's electrified sword as it made a huge crater in the floor. Garo dodged all of Ragnar's slashes trying to find an opening to counter.
"Damn, this Horror is good." Garo muttered before trying to find an opening but…
"BELL, RUN!" A very familiar voice in Garo's head echoed.
"What?" Garo wondered before being smacked to the side. He flew a bit before he skidded a bit across the floor. He then stopped himself by stabbing his weapons against the ground.
"Bell, focus!" Zaruba said and Garo nodded as a response. Garo then noticed Lili stirring a bit before she woke up and looked around and saw the fight.
"Bell!"
Garo blocked a hit from Ragnar before feeling himself getting electrocuted a bit from the wandering electric energy from Ragnar's sword.
"Lili, run!" Garo said as he pushed Ragnar against the wall.
"I can't!" Lili said, refusing to abandon her only friend again.
"Lili, listen to me! Run, this is too much for you!" Garo said as he stabbed Ragnar's stomach area with his sword, making him wince a little in pain. He hoped that was the end of it but Ragnar only punched him away.
Lili finally and reluctantly nodded before running back. Garo soon flew through a bunch of beams before his back was hit hard against the wall. The impact was so hard that he reverted back to Bell.
Ragnar approached Bell as he got up. Bell soon looked and saw Garoken still embedded in Ragnar's chest. Bell attempted to run and grab it before dodging another one of Ragnar's attacks. Bell kept dodging, trying to find a good opportunity to grab his sword.
Soon Bell tried flipping over Ragnar but the Horrified Minotaur used his teeth to grab Bell's left arm. He then started to bite down on the arm so hard that it shattered the emerald armguard into pieces before Bell's arm spewed blood.
"Aaaahhh!" Bell screamed in agony before Ragnar tossed him away like a ragdoll. Bell soon landed face first into the dirt and struggled to get up. He soon did and looked at the Horrified Minotaur and just took deep breathes of exhaustion
Bell didn't know why but he was shaking a bit in fear.
'Why am I shaking like a coward?' Bell thought as he struggled to stand up.
"Bell!" A familiar female voice called.
Bell turned to see Aiz and some of her Familia with Lili. At this point, he doesn't care if there were nearby witnesses. What matters is that he slays that Horror and make sure no one other than him gets hurt.
"Are you alright?" Aiz asked.
Bell nodded before looking at his bloodied arm. He managed to move all of his fingers
"I'll live but you shouldn't have come here…" Bell warned.
Aiz and the others then looked at Ragnar who simply growled.
"More food?" Ragnar wondered, and it surprised everybody except Bel, Aiz, and Lili.
"A talking Minotaur!?" Bete said, surprised. "I didn't think they were smart!"
"I must admit that is a first for me." Finn added. "I've never heard about a Dungeon Monster that can talk."
Meanwhile Bell wandered over to Ragnar and held the Garo Dagger in his left hand before eyeing the Garoken still in Ragnar's stomach. The two then charged for each other while Tiona looked at Aiz.
"Aiz, should we do something?" Tiona asked but Aiz didn't respond. "He's a Level 1, right? He'll die."
Aiz couldn't answer that question because she never did find out about Bell's Level. Is he a match for that monster?
"Leave the kid alone, Tiona. He's trying to be a man. You know the rules, we can't steal another person's target in the Dungeon. If I was him and I got saved like that, I'd want to kill myself." Bete said as he and most of the others were unaware of the real reason why Bell is being stubborn about this. The real reason being is that only Bell can destroy Ragnar.
Lili was about to say something but her concussion made her pass out. Riveria caught her and started healing her. Lili barely managed to wake herself up while being healed.
Meanwhile Bell was flipping and dodging, before dodging the sword and cutting the left side of Ragnar's stomach. Ragnar roared in rage.
"I'll kill you!" Ragnar said before Bell turned and was met with a punch to the gut. Ragnar then rammed his forehead into Bell's stomach into a wall. When separating, Bell slid down the wall on his butt, seemingly defeated.
"Bell!" Both Aiz and Lili called out while Bell smiled in defeat.
"I guess I wasn't as worthy as my father after all…" Bell said as he was about to be met Ragnar's blade.
But just then, a figure seemingly blocked the sword and everything around Bell turned white. Bell looked around the white void but one thing was in front of him; Garo. However this Garo's armor looked different to the one that Bell uses. It was a bit simpler looking, it had a cape, and the helmet's eyes were green instead of blue.
"To you who inherits my title…please stand." Garo said and Bell stood.
"It's been a while hasn't it, Marlowe?" Zaruba asked while Bell looked really surprised.
"D-Dad?" Bell asked before Garo dismissed his armor. The figure that replaced Garo had a black outfit with white coat but his face, though older looking, resembled Bell's. They even had the same eye color but his hair was jet black.
Bell's eyes widened at the appearance. There was no mistaking this; the man before Bell is his father.
"Dad!" Bell hugged his father with tears in his eyes while Marlowe hugged his son too.
"You did good, Bell." Marlowe said softly to calm his son.
"Am I? It was my fault that you got killed in the first place!" Bell said before looking at his father straight in the eye. "Every day, ever since your death, I would question myself whether or not if I'm worthy of being your successor and it. It even keeps me up at night." Bell then cried onto Marlowe's chest.
"Bell, you already know the answer to that." Marlowe said as the whole scene around the two changed to a familiar night. Bell separated from his father to see his younger self cry over Marlowe's corpse as the Horrors closed in on him. "I don't think you really remember this night past this point."
Bell tried to remember, only to end up hurting his head a little. He shook his head.
"No, I don't remember much past this part."
The light came and engulfed young Bell and destroyed a few of the Horrors. When the light faded, Garo took Bell's place before opening the eyes, revealing to be a blue color.
"What? Zaruba, you never mentioned anything about this?" Bell said to his ring. He was surprised that he was Garo at this young age.
"I didn't think it was necessary." Zaruba pointed out as they watched Garo slay the Horrors before picking up Marlowe's body and exiting the woods. The whole scene then returned to the white plane.
"The armor recognized you and your heart so it protected you by taking control of your body." Marlowe pointed out. "The armors choose their wielders. Garo recognized your heart and saved it."
Bell still seemed doubtful. Even if he was worthy of being the Golden Knight, does that mean he could be as good as his father was?
"I still sense the doubt in you." Marlowe said, knowing that look on Bell's face.
"Dad…can I be a great Makai Knight like you?"
Marlowe just smiled before ruffling his hand through Bell's hair.
"Bell, remember what I told you years ago?" Marlowe asked, making Bell's eyes widen as memories came back.
(10 years ago)
"Daddy!" A 4 year old Bell called as he entered his working room.
"Yes, Bell?" Marlowe placed down his paper to look at his young son holding a book.
"Today is my birthday, Daddy!"
"Is it now? How old are you now? Three?" Marlowe teased but Bell took it seriously.
"I'm four, Daddy! I'm going to be a big boy!" Bell cheered, making Marlowe chuckle. Marlowe's only regret was that Alison wasn't here to celebrate Bell's birthday right now but he couldn't look sad in front of his son on this special day.
Marlowe chuckled as he picked up his son and placed him on his lap before noticing the book.
"Bell, what's that you got there?" Marlowe asked before Bell looked at the book and smiled.
"Grandpa knows a whole bunch of stories so he made one into a book just for me on this day!" Bell said cheerfully.
"Can I see that book?"
Bell gave to book to Marlowe as he started to skim through it. He then sighed in relief as he finished.
'Good, no dirty stuff…' Marlowe thought before Bell pulled on his outfit.
"Daddy, can you read me the story?" Bell asked, making Marlowe chuckle with a smile.
"Of course, I'd be honored to read to the birthday boy."
Marlowe then looked at the book's title, "Argonaut". Marlowe felt a sense of familiarity before opened the book and started reading the book to Bell.
Bell had an enchanted book as Marlowe read him a tale of a boy who wanted to be a hero. He slayed countless monsters, goes off into several adventures, and does all of this out of selflessness. Bell then looked at his father and saw the same thing in him.
Marlowe soon finished the book and looked at Bell.
"So what do you think, Bell?" Marlowe asked but he got a pretty good idea what his son would say, given the bright smile on his face.
"When I grow up, I want to be a hero like you and Argonaut!" Bell said but Marlowe only chuckled a bit, confusing him. "What's so funny?"
"Son, if you ever want to aspire to be something, then do it because you want to. Don't it because someone else made you to." Marlowe said, wanting his son to have freedom of choice.
Marlowe wanted Bell to be his own person and he won't do that by aspiring to be him. If he wants to be the next Golden Knight, then he has to do it out of his own decision. Marlowe didn't want to put Bell in a position where he can't say no.
"I think I understand, Daddy." Bell said before Marlowe ruffled his hair.
"Now then, how about we go get some lunch together?"
"Yay!" With that, Bell jumped off his father's lap and ran towards the kitchen with Marlowe following him.
(Present)
"Yeah, I remember." Bell said with a sad smile as he cried onto his father's shoulder. Marlowe got Bell off so he could look at him straight in the eye.
"Bell, I'm so proud to call you my son. Truly, I couldn't have asked for a more worthy successor." This made Bell cry more as he always wanted to hear those words from Marlowe. "But you can't try being the Golden Knight like I was. You need to be your own person."
Bell's eyes widened once more as he remembered hearing a similar thing from Ryuu.
"You're a Makai Knight and there are significant meanings to that name. Your father found his and now you have to find yours."
Now he truly gets it. Bell can't move on and become a real Golden Knight if he's too focused on the previous one, his father. He had to aspire to be Garo on his own and only then will he find his own meaning of being a Makai Knight. He couldn't borrow his dad's, he had to find his own.
"It seems our time here is almost gone." Marlowe said and Bell was sad that he wouldn't get to see his father again. Marlowe noticed that look in Bell's eye and smiled before placing his hand on Bell's heart. "I'll always live on through you. Watching over you and protect as I have done now. You…are my living legacy. But Bell…you must stay strong."
Bell looked surprised as he confidently smiled, now knowing that faith his father has in him.
"Right!"
"So Bell did you become what you wanted to be out of the sake of just wanting? What is it?" Marlowe asked one last time before fading away while the white plane faded to back where it was originally, Ragnar swinging his sword on Bell.
"Yes, I am…" Bell quietly said before getting on his feet and running towards Ragnar. "I am…" Bell saw Garoken and grabbed it before making a deep cut.
Ragnar screamed in pain before Bell removed the Garoken.
"I am one who protects. A Makai Knight!" Bell said, confusing the others except Aiz and Lili.
"A Makai Knight?"
Bell raised his sword and cut his circle of light.
"I am the Golden Knight…" Bell started before his armor fell down and merged with him again, becoming the Golden Knight. "GARO!"
(With Freya)
Freya gasped with pleasure as she was watching this fight with her powers. She was amazed at Bell's willpower to not give up and what kind of a battle he could fight. To Freya, Bell was truly a grand prize.
"Beautiful…what a beautiful sight…." Freya got out as she continued watching with anticipation.
(With Garo and the others)
"EEEHHH!" Everybody, except Aiz and Lili, let out as Garo was fighting Ragnar with both of his weapons..
"What kind of armor is that!?" Bete questioned.
"It's well-made, yes." Riveria added before noticing something else. "That's not all."
"It's his own skills." Finn added, seeing what Riveria was seeing.
"He's holding his own." Tiona said as they watched Garo flipped over Ragnar and dodging the sword again. Garo then opened his fingers, not letting go of his sword and dagger.
"Firebolt!" Garo chanted and fired two green bolts of fire at Ragnar. Ragnar screamed in pain as his armor fell off, unable to take the heat.
"He didn't chant anything for that spell!" Tione remarked before remembering something. "Aiz…you said a while ago that you were saved by a person in golden armor…is this him?"
Aiz didn't answer but the serious look in her eye was enough to tell.
"N-No way, he actually exists!?" Bete said, surprised like everyone else.
Ragnar then charged, despite the pain and clashed weapons with Garo. Garo just roared before parts of his armor exhausted green flames which circled the entire area.
"That armor…it can't be something the Hephaestus Familia made! No…it's something that even surpasses them, maybe even surpassing Hephaestus herself!"
Aiz and Lili were just watching in anticipation, hoping their friend will live.
Meanwhile Garo flipped over and stabbed his dagger into Ragnar's sword-wielding arm. He pinned it and the rest of Ragnar on the floor before twisting the dagger. Ragnar screamed before…
CRACK!
Garo disconnected the bones, holding the arm together before removing his dagger and jumping back. Ragnar stood up but due to his broken arm, he dropped his sword. Garo placed his dagger away, imbued his sword with green flames, and grabbed Ragnar's sword. Garo now dual wielded a sword of fire and a sword of electricity.
Garo then started giving a barrage of slashes on Ragnar's chest. Blood gushed out and landed on Garo's armor but it dissolved upon contact. Garo then kicked Ragnar away before the Horrified Minotaur tried charging at him.
Garo blocked the horn with Ragnar's own sword but both shattered upon impact. Garo then used the opportunity to get underneath Ragnar and plunged Garoken deep into Ragnar's abdomen. But it didn't end there…
"FIREBOLT!" Garo chanted and the green bolt of fire, conducted through the Garoken, entered Ragnar's stomach.
Green flames emerged from Ragnar's chest wounds before Ragnar himself vomited blood, feeling his insides burning. Ragnar tried to fight back but…
"FIREBOLT!"
The same thing happened again and Ragnar increased in size lie pumping a balloon with too much air. Everyone was still speechless.
"FIREBOLT!" Garo chanted one last time as Ragnar stomach's increased so much that his body couldn't handle the pressure and exploded in green flames with them seemingly swallowing Garo.
Everyone braced themselves for the aftershock and it came with Bell's duster being blown onto Aiz's feet.
"Bell?" Aiz picked up the duster before seeing the smoke clear.
When it did, they see a badly hurt Bell but alive and conscious. His chest armor was destroyed and there was barely anything left of the shirt underneath it, revealing his scratched up upper body with his pendant perfectly intact.. Bell then sat down while breathing heavily, happy that it was over.
"Bell! Bell!" Lili ran over to Bell and hugged him.
Bell smiled.
"I'm alright. I'm alright, don't worry about me." Bell said as he looked at Zaruba who a bit dusty from the battle.
"A reckless but effective tactic you used." Zaruba whispered so none of the Loki Familia could hear him.
"Sorry but it was the only thing I could think of." Bell said as he struggled to stand up before Lili grabbed his arm and side and helped him walk despite her short height.
The two walked over to Aiz who offered Bell's duster back and he took it.
"Aiz…that is my answer, my resolve." Bell said and Aiz smiled, happy to know that Bell is going to be alright from here on out.
The others looked at Aiz and Bell, wanting to know more about their history but it seemed like they didn't want to talk about it.
"Take care of yourself, Bell." Aiz said and Bell nodded before he and Lili started leaving. When the Loki Familia watched them go, they noticed something that widened their eyes; he had no Stats tattoo. The damaged shirt exposed a scratched up, plain back.
It was impossible, he had to have had stats to take on or something. He had to if he fought a creature like that.
Finn looked at Riveria.
"Riveria, is he using the same magic that Aiz used to hide her tattoo?" Finn asked and Riveria shook her head, confirming it.
"That's stupid, he should've had something!" Bete said before the werewolf looked at the Makai Knight. "You! What's your Level?"
The two just kept moving, not wanting to give away any Makai secrets. Maybe to Aiz later but definitely not to the Loki Familia.
Bete was about to snap due to his impatient attitude but Finn stopped him. Finn looked at Bell.
"You…what's your name?"
That was when Bell and Lili stopped. They could answer that much, besides Aiz would've answered if they didn't.
"My name is Bell. Bell Cranel." Bell said as he and Lili resumed leaving. As they left, Finn felt like he heard the name "Cranel" before.
Now that he thought of it, the old Prum felt a sense of familiarity when looking at Bell's white hair. His eyes then widened as an image came up in his mind. He saw a young girl with blue eyes and white hair tied in a ponytail that resembled a bit like Bell.
'Alison…?' Finn wondered why Bell resembled her but decided to keep it to himself. He and his fellow Familia Members just watched them leave. But one thing is for certain, they're going to have a major talk with Aiz later.
Unknown to them, the hooded male was not far and saw all of this with a wicked smile under his hood.
"Good…he is strong…" The hooded man noted before leaving to meet up with his partner.
(Later at Lana and Dalton's apartment)
"YOU IDIOT!" Hestia scolded Bell as he was being healed and tended to by Lana and Lili.
"Lady Hestia…please calm down." Bell said with a sweatdrop on his forehead, trying to calm Hestia down.
When they arrived back in Orario, Hestia spotted them immediately and quickly noticed Bell's wounds so she immediately took them to Lana, given that she is also a healer. They then told Hestia what happened and she was a bit scared to death, given the intensity of the battle even though Bell was the clear victory.
"If you died, just like that…I'm not going to forgive you…ever!" Hestia said as she then hugged Bell to be grateful that he was alive.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Bell said, his chest still hurting. Hestia broke the hug.
"I'm so sorry!" Hestia said as Lana and Lili then tended to Bell's chest. Lana was also teaching Lili how to use healing magic with a Madou Brush.
"Just hold it like that and don't forget the rune." Lana reminded, making Lili nod in understanding.
"Here, you might need this." Dalton said as he approached Bell with his old armguard which was now polished and looked good as new.
"Thanks, Dalton." Bell said before Lana checked Bell's bitten arm for infections but he seemed to be in the all clear.
"You know, you're lucky to have survived that kind of battle." Lana said.
Bell shook his head.
"It wasn't luck that saved me…it was my dad." Bell smiled as he recalled Marlowe's intervention.
Everybody looked curious but decided to ask Bell later, given what they were doing. Hestia just smiled.
'You always cared about family right, Marlowe?' Hestia thought as she watched Bell wince a little and Lana scolding Bell for not staying still.
AN: And there is my latest chapter of Wolf's Den! Glad I got this done right before my first day of the new semester in college. Anyways, the next thing I might update is either Decade or Faiz, given recent RWBY. Besides that, the next chapter for this story won't be regarding Bell but a young Marlowe. That should be something to look forward to. Responses:
Guest: Yes, I am. I thought I pointed that out in the beginning and the picture I used for this story.
So, you guys know the drill. Be sure to review or message me with questions or comments regarding the story. And don't be afraid to check out my other stories as well. Alright, I'm done, goodnight.