"If I don't stand up here… If I don't reach higher here… When am I ever going to do it?"

The Familia Chronicles

Chapter I

As the Minotaurs charged, Bell grit his teeth. Even at Level 2, this was bad. Time seemed to slow down as the monsters charged towards him and his party. He thought of possible strategies for dealing with all six Minotaurs at once but couldn't think of one where Welf and Lili weren't exposed to overwhelming amounts of danger. There was only one thing he could do at a time like this, though he knew his friends wouldn't necessarily like it. Still, it was the safest option.

"Welf, Lili, help protect the citizens. I'll draw the Minotaurs off!" Bell said, dashing towards the charging monsters. He heard Welf and Lili protest but ignored them. They needed more time in the dungeon together before they could pull off the necessary teamwork to deal with a situation like this.

Drawing his blades, Bell neared the closest Minotaur and ducked underneath a wide swing, using his momentum to carve into the Minotaur's flesh. There was an amount of resistance he wasn't expecting, but his Level 2 status and his Ox Slayer skill meant he overcame the natural toughness that was the Minotaur's flesh, slicing deep into the monster causing it to howl in pain.

Bell didn't stop running, keeping his momentum as he ran through the group of monsters. His reflexes allowed him to dodge every attack before nearing the Enhanced Species that stared at him with a thirst for blood he hadn't felt since being sent back. Making a hard turn right before running into the red and black Minotaur, he took a moment to look back and saw that his one attack had drawn the attention of the other five Minotaurs as they followed behind him.

Without wasting any time, he ran towards the one place he could control the fight without getting too many people involved: Daedalus Street. He knew it better than most people, and when trouble was heard from the maze-like corridors, the residents usually holed up inside until it was over. He had to take care not to run too fast, however, as Minotaurs weren't known for their speed.

"Bell!" He heard Welf yell over the commotion surrounding them. As much as it pained him, he ignored his friend. They couldn't help him right now. The only reason this was happening was because of him and Freya's obsession with him. Dragging them into it wasn't something he was prepared to do, even if they had been able to fight a Minotaur.

As Bell sped away with the Minotaurs in tow, Welf and Lili looked on helplessly. They couldn't help him, and he knew that. They both needed to get stronger to be of any real use in emergencies like this, and they were both aware of that fact.

"Come on, Li'l Lili. We should help where we can." Welf said, looking around the plaza near the Colosseum. The vast numbers of people were quickly dwindling down as they hid indoors from the escaped monsters.

Lili, however, was frozen in place. "But.. Bell-sama..." Welf tapped her on the head, causing her to recoil and look up at him.

"I don't like it any more than you do, but we wouldn't be of any use trying to fight those Minotaurs. Bell knew that, so he entrusted us with dealing with the other monsters and helping people evacuate. He can't do his job properly if we don't do ours." Welf stated. "Besides, it won't always be like this. After all, we just need to get stronger so we can fight by his side."

A more determined look crossed Lili's face. Welf was right. They needed to get stronger, and dealing with the escaped monsters was a good way to start. At the very least, it would help build their teamwork.

Hestia skipped merrily down the street, a long and narrow package bound against her back. Though it was heavy, her good mood lightened the load considerably. She intended to deliver it to Bell once she saw him, but finding him was turning out to be somewhat difficult. He and his party wouldn't be descending into the dungeon for a while yet if they kept to their plans, yet there was no trace of him at the usual locations.

She reflected on Hephaestus's words of warning. "Listen closely, Hestia. This blade is one of a kind. Once you hand it to that boy, it will come alive and grow with him, but I won't make another one for as long as I live. Something like this is the antithesis of what a Blacksmith should be striving for. Don't lose it."

The redheaded Goddess seemed to be surprised once the blade was finished, like it had turned out differently than she intended, and that's when she started telling her about how she wasn't ever going to make another. Hestia didn't quite understand how she could be surprised at her own creation, but as she wasn't a Blacksmith she likely never could.

Lost in thought, Hestia wandered down a street filled with stalls full of goods to be sold, yet there were no people. Once she realized the lack of commotion around her and looked for any sign of people, a bad feeling started welling up inside her. Where was everyone? Then, she heard it. The sounds of battle. Metal clashing against metal. Shouting. Howling.

Monsters. Monsters loose in the city. Despite all rational instinct, she ran towards the noise. Depending on how bad this was, and where Bell was, she might need to get the package to him sooner rather than later.

Daedalus Street. An infamous area known for people getting lost for days. Designed by what could only be described as a mad man, it was a series of twists, turns, dead ends, and areas that looped back in on themselves. Only the poor and infirm lived there, and even residents who had lived there their whole lives needed to keep their wits about them lest they get lost themselves.

Bell had plenty of experience with Daedalus street, as well as the man-made dungeon, Knossos, underneath that connected the poverty-stricken area and the real Dungeon itself. He could lead the Minotaurs deep into the maze of connected buildings and control their ability to attack others, since Daedalus Street residents had a reputation for locking themselves up when danger was near.

As he ran through the narrow streets, he occasionally looked back to ensure he still had the Minotaurs behind him. Sure enough, they continued to chase after him. Yet, he couldn't simply run. Eventually he'd need to fight once he got to a suitable area. But he also had to keep the Minotaur's attention. Still running, Bell swung his arm behind him, his hand open.

"Firebolt!"

Electric fire exploded from the palm of his hand and rocketed towards the closest Minotaur, hitting and billowing out across its skin, blackening the surface with severe burns. Resistant to fire or not, Bell was Level 2 now, and his Firebolt was considerably more powerful. Powerful enough for the Minotaur to howl out in pain.

Bell smiled. He could do this. Rounding another corner, an opening came into view. A small square open area that had clotheslines above it. An area he had been to before under similar circumstances when he was weaker. A lifetime ago. This would be the perfect area to make his stand. He slid to a stop in the middle, turning his entire body to face the oncoming mob of angry, bloodthirsty Minotaurs.

"Firebolt!"

Three more bolts of electric fire exploded outwards in rapid succession, each impacting a different target as they stumbled into the square. One of them, the one he had hit previously with his magic, stumbled and fell to one knee, grasping its weapon, which had been planted into the ground with both hands to stay somewhat upright. The other two howled, yet continued charging him. Quickly drawing both of his weapons, he braced himself for the first attack, the Minotaur's axe-like weapon slamming against the two of his own, which he had brought up in an x-shaped cross-guard to absorb more of the force.

He spun on his heel and roundhouse kicked the axe to the side, into an incoming Minotaur, causing it to stumble and delay its attack, before dashing forward and using his cross-guard stance to impale the first Minotaur before wrenching his arms apart, slicing open the monster's abdomen on two different planes, inflicting critical damage and causing it to explode into a cloud of black smoke and a large magic stone.

He hopped backwards, narrowly dodging a downward strike from the now-recovered Minotaur he had caused to stumble. The others fanned out around him, surrounding him. The red and black one howled, and the others charged all at once, their weapons raised to strike. Though an Enhanced Species, it clearly wasn't a tactician, nor did it have Bell's experience.

Bell shot forward in a burst of speed towards the Enhanced Species, his own weapons poised to make a fatal strike of his own. The distance wasn't far. Yet, when his blades finally did meet the red one's flesh, he realized his mistake.

It wasn't like the one he had faced before with the Hestia Knife. This one had tougher, denser skin. His blades barely scratched the surface of its skin before he felt the Minotaur's large fist slam into his side, sending him flying into one of the brick buildings that surrounded them. At least a few of his ribs were broken, and he could feel that as he stumbled to his feet. One of the regular Minotaurs approached him menacingly, slowly raising its weapon. Yet, the strike never came. The Enhances Species slammed its own axe into the approaching Minotaur's collarbone, almost completely bisecting it before it exploded into a cloud of black smoke. The other Minotaurs seemed to get this unspoken message and each took a step back.

Bell grit his teeth. He didn't have the right equipment to fight that one. Before he could start thinking of a new strategy, he heard the one voice he had hoped he wouldn't in that area.

"Bell-kun?!"

What was she doing here? Now? In this situation? How did she even find me? I glanced at my Goddess, who had once again put herself in harm's way. She stood there, staring at me as the group of Minotaurs all glanced in her direction.

She was a Goddess. Creatures of the Dungeon naturally abhorred the Gods and Goddesses. We – I, had seen just how much the Dungeon hated them before on several occasions.

"Ooooo" One of the regular Minotaurs growled, staring at my Goddess.

"OOOOOOOOO" It howled again, charging at her, fully intent on crushing her with its axe.

I was faster, delivering a flying kick to its head and letting loose two Firebolts after it went tumbling from the impact. "Goddess, you can't be here. You have to run!" I said, taking up a defensive posture. The Enhanced Species hadn't moved since Hestia showed up, but it was only a matter of time. I wouldn't be able to protect her if she stayed.

Gripping my weapons tightly, I remembered that I probably wouldn't be able to protect myself even after she left anyways. The weapons Welf had made for me had barely been able to scratch it. I would be lucky to survive this encounter.

"Bell, I-" My Goddess began, but stopped as she watched with me as the Minotaurs formed a circle around us, backing us into a corner.

I had to act. There were still things I was hiding that my Goddess didn't know about. I hadn't even tried to use my Argonaut skill yet, much less Argo Vesta, and while I doubted that Welf's current weapons would stand up to more than one strike, it would give us an opportunity to escape.

I focused my energy into the sword in my right hand. Using Argo Vesta here on the sword would leave me with the dagger, which Welf had said was the sturdier of the two. I heard the telltale chiming coming from my hand, saw the wisps of light, and this seemed to finally draw the Enhanced Species' attention as it turned to look directly at my hand, and then back at me with what looked like a bloodthirsty smile. Sheathing my dagger, I grabbed Hestia's hand. "Goddess, we're going to run in a moment. Please be ready on my signal."

"Signal? What signal?"

Drawing my sword back, I cast Firebolt into the blade's hilt after a five second charge and swung in a horizontal slash, igniting the tip of my sword and causing the energy to fan out in an explosive arc. By the time the swing was over, I could feel the sword was already shattered, and I was pumping my legs for all they were worth, dragging my Goddess behind me before picking her up to carry her. She wouldn't be able to keep up with my Level 2 status.

I heard the howl of pain as we crossed the threshold and made our escape. I could only hope that at least a few of them had been dealt critical damage. Yet, I could feel the Enhanced Species looking at us. I could hear the heavy steps behind us. At the very least, that one survived. He was too far back from the others to take any damage.

"Bell, that was amazing! You defeated all those monsters in one hit!" My Goddess said, a huge beaming smile on her face. It was unfortunate that I had to break the bad news to her.

"I'm sorry, Goddess, but I'm not that strong. At least one of them is still alive."

She peeked over my shoulder and I felt her shudder in my arms. "How is that one still alive? That cheater!"

If it weren't for the imminent danger, I'd smile at her antics. But, I could tell that it was gaining on us. "Goddess, listen. I'm going to get you to safety and then I'll draw off that one. I don't have the strength to protect you right now."

That seemed to make her remember something, causing her to clutch at the package bound to her back. "You're wrong, Bell. You are strong enough. I'll show you." She said, pulling the cloth package forward and opening it up. For a split moment, the entire world stopped around us as I saw a deep black metal object being drawn out of the cloth.

She had done it again. Like before. In her hands, she held a long and narrow black object. It was longer than before. Now, it was more of a short straight sword. But it was still the same. The same overall shape with a bit of a sturdier handle. The same runic markings. The same feeling of it being the ideal weapon for someone like me.

"This is my – our weapon, Bell. The Hestia Blade. Until that Welf boy can make weapons strong enough, this will make sure you come home safe and sound." She said. I slowed to a stop and put her down, still staring at the weapon in her hands, and then back at her. This is who my Goddess was. I already had a contracted Smith, but she still went out of her way to do something like this. She offered me the handle. As I reached towards it, I could hear slow, heavy steps behind me, with accompanied deep breathing. I drew the Hestia Blade from its sheath for the first time, and the weapon lit up with bright blue runic writing. Closing my eyes, I could feel my entire Level 2 potential within this blade.

Taking a deep breath of my own, I opened my eyes and turned towards our pursuer. There it stood, patiently waiting for me. Like it was anticipating this for some reason. Not that I could blame it. Some part of me knew this would happen. Things were playing out extremely similarly. But I was stronger. I was faster. This time, I'd change the outcome. I'd prevent that horrific day from ever happening, and this was the first step.

For a brief moment, my mind flashed to Asterius. I wondered if I would meet that worthy rival again. For now, the Enhanced Species in front of me would have to be a stand-in to test myself again.

"Ooooo" It growled, signaling that it was clearly ready to start our battle once more. This time, it would be to the death. For a brief moment, I could feel her eyes on me. But I couldn't let my mind wander. The enemy in front of me demanded all of my attention. Our eyes met, and then we both charged forwards.

Welf roared as he swung his oversized sword down onto the monster in front of him, splitting it in half and causing it to explode into black smoke and a sizable magic stone. "All done here, Li'l E. You find out where Bell went yet?"

"Stop calling me that!" Lili snapped, firing off her arm-mounted bow into the eyes of a monster, blinding it before Welf delivered a finishing blow. "Mr. Bell ran off towards Daedalus Street. If he went in, we won't be able to find him."

Welf grunted at that bit of information. They had stuck around the immediate area to clear it of the weaker monsters, like several other Adventurers, but they had a goal of moving towards where they saw Bell run off to. They knew they wouldn't be of much help to him, but at the very least they could provide some support if they could only find him. However, that was turning out more difficult than they had anticipated.

Suddenly, a large explosion could both be seen and heard coming from within the maze-like area of the city. Welf and Lili turned their heads towards the source of the explosion and knew that it must have been Bell. Somehow, he was still alive and fighting. For a split second, Welf's eyes caught a streak of white deep within the entrance to Daedalus Street, followed by that abnormal looking Minotaur from before. Then, they were both gone again, and the street seemed to tighten, making it difficult to tell just how far in and at what cross street he had just seen Bell cross.

Before he could tell Lili what he saw, however, he saw something else. A badly burned and smoking Minotaur came stumbling out of an alleyway within Daedalus Street and immediately locked eyes with Welf. Then, it roared.

"Shit. Li'l E, we've got a problem." He said, raising his sword. She turned towards him, a questioning look on her face, and followed his eyes. Her own eyes nearly bulged out of her head as she watched the Minotaur approach them. However damaged it was, it was still a Minotaur and extremely dangerous for them to face off against alone.

However, they both thought back to Bell's actions and his personality. He had taken the biggest threat on to help save people who couldn't fight against a Minotaur. He was probably fighting right now, and neither of them could bring themselves to run away, however much their instincts screamed at them to do just that.

"If you wanna run, Li'l E, I understand. I'll deal with this one." Welf proclaimed, steeling his resolve. However, Lili stepped forward, no less scared, but also no less sure of her actions.

"What kind of Supporter would Lili be if she left the Adventurer Mr. Bell brought into the party for me to babysit?" She said, reloading her arm-mounted bow with poisoned bolts that might have a chance of doing something against a weakened Minotaur.

Welf could only smile. He hadn't initially pegged her for the brave type, but after spending some time with her, he understood that she was perhaps the braver of the two of them. He could probably survive a hit or two from a weakened Minotaur, but there was no way Lili would have the same kind of experience. Her statement wasn't false, either. Lili had already spent a good amount of time looking out for both him and Bell, but the reverse was also true, and now it was time to see what they could do without Bell around to help. Even if they could just survive and slow it down, it would be a victory.

He was so dazzlingly bright. Every action he took, every move he made, and every bit of struggle he went through made him shine that much brighter. She simply couldn't resist watching him and wanting to see his full potential. That potential of his seemed to be an endless font. Even with this little test of hers that had intended to either push him past his limits or break him, he simply broke through his previous limitations.

If he needed to be faster, or if he needed to be stronger, he would be. The attack he had used to escape those Minotaurs with his Goddess was proof that he could shine even brighter, still. She wanted to help him, but she also wanted to play with him. To see him struggle and succeed. To see him reach heights not even her Ottar could. She wanted him.

However, there was something in the way. Something that would prevent her from simply taking him. Some part of her hesitated to meddle with his life, and it was mystery as to what that was. Did she simply want to draw out this one-sided game she was playing? Did she want to watch him mature and develop first, and then take him when he was at the very peak? Or was it something else?

She didn't know. She simply knew that, as she switched places with Helun and became Syr for a day, every moment was spent waiting for Bell to appear, and every time she reverted back to being Freya, she could feel a bit of herself being left behind as Syr.

Bell could tell, this Minotaur was strong. Stronger than his first encounter with the red Minotaur that later became Asterius. Its tactics and behavior were still that of a Monster, far below what the Xenos were capable of, but its raw strength and durability, even as an Enhanced Species, was incredible. Each cut into its body was too shallow to inflict a critical wound, even with the Hestia Blade, and he could tell the force behind its attacks could very well spell the end for any normal Level 2 Adventurer. However, He was not a normal Level 2 Adventurer.

Like before, in a battle where he could use his speed and agility to his advantage, he had the upper hand. The extra reach of the new Hestia Blade proved invaluable, allowing him greater range to do damage from while also providing a slightly bigger window to escape, but it was still narrow enough that one wrong move could mean a critical injury of his own.

He knew multiple sets of eyes were on him, watching his every move, but he couldn't pay them any mind. This fight demanded his full attention. Not just to avoid injury. Not just to be able to beat the opponent in front of him. But to prove to himself that he had grown. To prove that he could continue to outpace his previous growth. Too much was at risk not to.

Bell roared, diving under the Minotaur's axe, dragging his blade across, into, and eventually through the Enhanced Species' hardened flesh. In return, the Minotaur howled in pain, clutching at its side while pivoting, attempting to catch Bell with a wild swing of its weapon and failing. Before it could turn fully around to face its opponent, Bell was back within striking distance, this time on the other side of it, mirroring the deep cut he had just delivered. The Minotaur, however, learned quickly. Instead of trying to grab Bell as he tore away at its flesh, it simply formed a fist and brought it straight down, finding purchase and sending Bell flying into a nearby building.

Bell wanted to scream, but instead he coughed up blood, the impact of both the building and the Minotaur's fist having been effective at knocking him out of commission temporarily, making it difficult to get to his feet as quickly as he'd like. The Minotaur approached him slowly, menacingly, just like before. It was giving him a limited amount of time to get up and back into the fight. It was enjoying this, and despite the pain, so was Bell.

This was a test. It was meant to be difficult. It was meant to be challenging. Like all tests, however, it was meant to eventually come to an end. As the dust began to settle and the Minotaur got ever closer to the impact site, even it realized that. It had been so engrossed in the battle that it hadn't realized or noticed Bell had been thinking ahead ever since he once again had the Hestia Blade in his hands.

Through the smoke and dust from the partially collapsed wall of the building Bell had impacted, a glowing white light could be seen and chiming could be heard. As the Minotaur watched the silhouette of Bell reach a standing position, the white light that seemed to be in his hand holding the Hestia Blade encompassed the weapon itself.

There, watching the silhouette of Bell become larger and clearer as the dust continued to settle and he walked forward, for the first time, the Minotaur took a step back.

But it was too late. It had been two whole minutes since this fight had begun.

"Argo-Vesta!"

The last thing the Minotaur knew was that white-hot heat. It carried with it to the grave the visage of Bell's fierce expression.

He was so spectacularly bright. Just looking at him for a moment would burn the image of him into her mind for days. She couldn't resist looking at him whenever she had the time, and to resist playing with him would require willpower that even she, as a Goddess, did not have.

The emotions driving him were so very pure that, to her Discerning Eyes, he was as white as snow and as bright or even brighter than the sun. Just looking at him go through everyday life was enough to excite her to levels she hadn't felt for a very long time. Now, watching him fight off her present to him, was better than sex.

Her legs clenched and her body shook at the sight of him valiantly fighting enemies with inadequate weaponry. Watching him run around while trying to think of a plan nearly sent her over the edge. Even seeing his own Goddess arrive and present him with a weapon didn't dull the feelings she had.

Then, when he began to move again, this time with more purpose, she could feel the approaching climax. It had been so long. Yet, merely watching this boy was doing so much for her. To her. He grew even brighter. He was doing something. Something unexpected. Something new.

Then, her vision went completely white when he made his strike. The climax of the battle had come, and so had her own. Her body convulsed and writhed and she moaned out in pleasure.

After coming down from that high, she knew. She wanted him. More than anything. He was so incredibly pure and perfect. She was willing, then and there, to give it all up just to have him. But, some small part of her mind told her to stay her hand. To continue watching. To wait and see what would come next.

That small voice guided her. It would be incredibly difficult to meet him as Syr again, but also so very rewarding. Part of her wanted to stay as Syr for good next time. As Syr, her affection and feelings for him were different, but no less strong. Yet, she also wanted him as Freya. She wanted to cross that line as a Goddess with him. She wanted to give him everything she had.

But the part of her who encouraged her to wait won out. She would have him. He would be hers. But watching him for a little while longer wouldn't be all that bad. Playing with him from a distance could be just as fun, and she had to reward him for passing this little test of hers with flying colors.

Freya walked unsteadily over to the bookcase behind her, still weak in the knees, and ran her fingers across the numerous books in front of her. Grimoires. What else could he show her? How could she help bring him to even greater heights? How could she help him bring her to even greater heights?

Her fingers stopped at one particular book and she smiled.

'This one will do nicely'

"Bell-kun! Bell-kun! That was amazing!" Hestia exclaimed in excitement, having seen the only child of her Familia fight with her own two eyes for the first time. He had used their new weapon, the Hestia Blade, expertly and couldn't possibly be more proud. Yet, she saw that Bell wore a troubled expression on his face, and troubled he was.

After having time to recollect the past events in detail, he realized that he had made a mistake. He had thought he had dealt with all the weaker Minotaurs, but the count in his mind didn't match up to the number he had initially seen. There was one unaccounted for, and it could be anywhere. Minotaurs were already difficult opponents for most Adventurers. It wouldn't be any easier to take one down outside of the Dungeon. In fact, it could be more difficult depending on the situation.

He had to find it before it could hurt anyone. Closing his eyes and focusing his senses, he reached out with his ears and sense of vibration. It didn't take long to figure out the general location of the nearest battle, and he shot off like a rocket, leaving his Goddess in the relative safety of the deserted alleyway with a confused look on her face.

Bell quickly found his way out of Daedalus Street and onto the main avenue bordering the man-made labyrinth, quickly finding his target. Yet, he was unprepared for what he had come across. There, battling the Minotaur, was Welf and Lili. They were a bit worse for wear but were holding their own against the Minotaur as a team. Yet, seeing them in such a state was enough to shatter the thin veneer that had been holding back all the terrible things he had seen before coming back in time. The countless lifeless bodies of the citizens of the city and bodies of his friends scattered about like chaff. Nearly every single person he cared about, dead. And, in his mind, it was about to happen again right in front of him.

Again.

He had to watch this happen again?

No.

He wouldn't. Not this time. This time was going to be different.

Bell's fragile psyche, in that moment, snapped. In his mind and heart, he knew only two emotions in that moment. Fear and rage. Fear of history repeating itself, and rage at the past having happened in the first place. His entire body tensed, coiling up like a spring, before launching himself at the Minotaur that hadn't even been paying attention to him. Before it could even register it suddenly had a third opponent, one of its arms had been sliced off by an impossibly sharp blade.

It howled and tried to turn towards its new attacker, but it was too slow. By the time it had reacted to the sudden lack of one of its limbs, one of its hamstrings had been sliced through, crippling it and bringing it down to one knee. Then, its pain was over when Bell rammed the Hestia Blade through its neck and twisted, killing the Minotaur and causing it to explode into a cloud of black dust and a magic stone.

Bell breathed heavily; his body strained to the absolute limits of his Level 2 ability.

"Bell?" Welf asked carefully, concern in his eyes.

Hearing Welf's voice, Bell's mind slowly shifted back to reality and away from the horrors he had seen. "Welf, Lili.. I'm glad you two are okay." He said, smiling lightly. Then, his world went black.

A/N: Despite the best efforts of the Kung Flu and life itself, I'm still alive and kicking. Hopefully I'll be able to keep my promise of more than one chapter a year this time, or at least post chapters for multiple stories this year. We'll see. As always, thank you for reading & reviewing. If you like this story so far, I encourage you to read some of my other submissions as well as the recommended stories in my bio.