Disclaimer: I do not own DanMachi or any of the characters presented in this story, nor do I make any profit off of my writing.
Author Notes:
I know some are asking if this will be a harem fanfiction, sorry but this will stay strictly Bell x Aiz. I really don't know how to write a realistic romance for a harem, at best I could imagine a love triangle relationship where each individual loves the other two but past that I'd be helpless. Regardless, the relationship of this fanfiction will not change, I will take suggestions for future writing. I currently have a Bell x Ryuu story being planned but due to it being largely AU and having to come up with personalities for Astraea familia members it will be further down the road. Also, sorry to say but I strongly dislike Bell x Lili, Hestia, and Freya, really just don't like them, Lili and Hestia are annoying, and Freya is creepy. Let me know what you think of this chapter, I got a lot of really good feedback on my first chapter and since everybody seemed to like it, I got started on this chapter much quicker than I had planned. I'll include some more notes after the chapter to explain some of my choices, so I don't spoil anything. Bit of a longer chapter than before, hope you enjoy it!
Darkness stretched out endlessly in front of him. He couldn't quite decide whether he was floating in a void of emptiness or if he was enclosed on all sides, he could decide that he didn't like either option. Not one bit.
Okay… if I just rock back and forth I should be able to… why can't I move?
He felt his warm breath tickled his own cheeks as he flushed with the strain of his efforts.
As he continued forcing his muscles to expand and contract in an attempt to move anything at all he could feel himself getting warmer and warmer. As he continued to struggle the breaths that were already shallow from being compacted so tightly grew even shallower.
His eyes darted from side to side looking for something, anything, that wasn't just monotonous darkness. He felt his head-dizzying as his breathing continued to grow more and more frantic. The jerking of his body would have been borderline psychotic had he been able to move at all.
Oh, kami.. I'm going to die, I can't breathe! Somebody! Anybody!
The space around his body felt like it was closing in on him, he couldn't even open his mouth to breathe, scream, anything because the ground was flush against his chin. He was devoid of all sensation except for the feel of the earth closing in around him and the pounding of a heartbeat in his ears.
I need to move! LET ME MOVE!
His breathing began to slow as he slipped in and out of consciousness, yet his heart continued its thunderous pounding, sending what little air he had left throughout his body. The darkness of the void slowly slipped behind the darkness of his eyelids as he felt himself for the last time.
…
A crack that sounded like the shattering of a mountaintop sounded throughout the expanse of the cavern followed shortly by an ear-splitting roar. The creatures of the dungeon bore witness as sleek, black claws ripped their way through the walls. A deep purple liquid dripping off and hissing on the ground where it dropped and rotted its way through the stone. As the beast's shoulders crashed through the walls another bellow splintered throughout the dungeon, sending any of the monsters who stuck around after the first road darting away.
None were left to watch as the rest of the body emerged, glimmering crimson scales speckled across the subtly iridescent white scales of the drake. Grappling its way down the walls of the dungeon, ruby eyes shifted back and forth, observing its surroundings in what little the sparse crystals distributed across the walls and ceiling put out.
The faint light caught in its eyes, displaying a beauty few would wish to get close enough to see. A flame crystallized, shifting rapidly between flames of the hearth which held nothing but warmth and hellfire which held the promise of pain for those who dare challenge it.
A long tongue darted out of the great beast's mouth as it opened to let out another mighty roar, putting its razor-sharp teeth on display. A gaping maw lined with jagged teeth pointed inwards to prevent any who enters from ever leaving.
Two horns sprouted from the back of its head, curling around the drake's ears, and facing forward. Like the claws decorating its feet, the horns seemed to suck the very light away from its surroundings, an obsidian that seemed to convey power, like a crown sprouting naturally from the beats head.
From the spine grew an array of crimson spines tipped in that familiar deep purple that has long since eaten its way through the milky-grey rocks decorating the area. The spines continued from the base of the neck to the hindlegs where they tapered off before the tail sprouted, defending the beast's back from any rather daring thrill-seekers looking for a new bull. The tail alone was dangerous in its own right, sweeping back and forth ready to strike out like a whip, another clump of spikes nestled at the end of the tail, primed to be launched.
Gliding down the cavern wall in the same accordion-esque movement typical of snakes, the fiery eyes snapped onto movement below. A crack spread across the surface and with a final thunk an arm burst through before slowly being drawn back into itself. A few seconds passed before the arm ripped through again, this time powerfully gripping the rough exterior and pulling. The muscles in the arm rippled as the rocks caved away, allowing for another arm to make its way through followed shortly by two broad shoulders and a head.
The newcomer only had enough time to glance up before its head was grabbed by a clawed foot. The rest of the body was soon ripped free from the stone as the two hurtled toward the rapidly approaching floor. With the rock, it was originally holding onto still within its hand the decisively male figure began his assault on the leg of the drake. Smashing relentlessly into the natural armor of the beast until the rock crumbled helplessly in his hands.
The drake remained largely unaffected by the blunt attach, the only proof the attack even connected being the dirtying of the once pristine scales and the indignant squawk of the free-falling reptile.
With no other options the humanoid began grappling with the oversized lizard, face still firmly gripped in its claws, he flung his body weight to the side and used the momentum to flip the two. While situated above the drake he began clawing around, looking for a solid grip. His efforts were rewarded by snaking one of his broad fingers beneath a scale on the soft belly of the beast; however, distracted in his search he didn't notice the tail shifting out the right. As he pushed his fingers further beneath scale, the tail snapped to life, flinging from right to left and once again shifting the positions of the grappling fighters.
The barbarian didn't have any time left to react before he was crushed between a rock and a hard place.
A resounding boom thundered throughout the cavern following the collision, echoing repeatedly off the walls surrounding the fighters.
Pancaked between the ground and the massive beast above nobody could be seen until the peluda slowly raised on its haunches, dazed from the impact. The once pearly underside now painted with a mixture of blood, intestines, and brain matter, the image taking the rough shape of a two-legged creature.
The peluda shook its head in a futile attempt to clear the haze that had settled over its eyes, the raging inferno present in its ruby eyes having dimmer considerably. Just as soon as the beast had raised itself it slumped on its side.
Tucked away in a dark corner of the dungeon, beneath the towering walls of the White Palace, there were no witnesses as the wingless dragon began shrinking. Fore and hindlimbs receding and reorganizing from a quadruped structure, tail all but disappearing into the back of the figure. The smaller figure remained still, the only sign of continued life being the rise and fall of their chest and the slight twitch of their as their body shifted uncomfortably.
…
A soft whistle escaped the nose of the slumbering figure as they exhaled. A few moments passed by before an arm lifted to rub their nose with the back of the arm, successfully smearing a nose full of mucus across the surface.
A groan reverberated through their throat as they rolled from their side to their back, sighing in relief as they regained some feeling in the arm they slept on. Another few seconds passed before they shot upright, eyes wide.
I can move? I can see! Well.. okay I can see a little. Where.. where am I? How did I get here? I thought I was stuck..
They glanced around, taking in their surroundings for the first time. Milky white walls ascending as far as they can see, disappearing into the darkness above. Small, bluish crystals decorating the walls and ground and providing a meager amount of light, just enough to make out faint shapes but not enough for any definition.
They noticed some slight divots in the seemingly solid and flat ground, glancing around they tracked a series of claw marks from just above a small hole in the wall up to a much larger hole in the wall. Looking around their feet again they noticed more of the claw marks surrounding them.
What happened to the thing that made these marks? Was it already gone when I got here? How did I get here?
Glancing up to the holes again.
It couldn't be, could it? I know it felt like I was in the ground, but.. how did I get out? And where did the monster that made those claw marks go then? Surely, I couldn't have made that HUGE hole and my nails aren't nearly sharp enough to gouge out the rock like that.
Knitting their eyebrows in thought before searching for any new information they noticed the twinkle of a round, flat object to their side.
Is that a scale? It has to be bigger than my hand! Did that come from whatever clawed the walls? So, what? A dragon clawed me out of the wall and left me alone? I don't get it..
Realizing this wasn't going anywhere they decided to move on.
Closing their eyes, they focused on their other senses.
Listening in on their surroundings they began making out different sounds. The faint trickle of water, something dragging across the surface of the ground. A low, throaty groan echoed down the halls, coming from multiple directions it was hard to tell where the noise came from, but it was quiet enough it shouldn't be an issue.
Taking a deep breath in through their nose, they sucked in the last of the mucus in their nose and were rewarded with quite possibly the worst smell they've ever had the displeasure of smelling. Which isn't saying much as they really don't remember smelling things before, but it was still gross.
What is that? That is nauseating.
They quickly clamped a hand over their nose and switched to breathing through their mouth. Getting an unpleasant, and unwanted, mouthful of iron they contemplated if it would be better to just not breathe altogether.
A slight breeze moved past them from down a hallway to their right, their body began quaking with slight shivers at the new stimulus. Glancing down they realized why they were so affected by the chill.
I can't say for certain but I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to be red. Or wet. What even is this?
Turns out tasting random, red liquids was not a good idea as they began gagging and coughing to clear out their throat and mouth. Freezing at the noise they made a rattle could be heard down the hall where the breeze came from.
Okay, not putting things in my mouth anymore. Need to find a way to get warmer too.
The rattle sounded again, echoing off the walls toward him - this time slightly closer.
They shifted onto their knees as they began to stand. Pushing off their toes and rising quickly to their feet, black dots rushed into their vision. Waiting a few moments for it to clear they began glancing around again, noticing the red solution they seemingly bathed in was covering the ground beside them. A piece of cloth resting in the center they took a tentative step towards and gingerly picked it up.
Frowning in thought as they flipped it around and eyeing it up like it personally wronged them.
What is this? It's covered in the red stuff, but it seems dry.. looks sort of warm I suppose.
Flipping the cloth over again they noticed a large hole at the top and two smaller holes towards the bottom with a flap in the front and back. Giving their own body a once over they tried to figure it out quickly. Another rattle sounded much closer than before.
Maybe it goes on my head? I could have flipped it upside down, the two smaller holes would fit my horns…
Trying it on, they were disgruntled to find the flaps covering their face so they couldn't see.
So that's a definite no.. but where else?
Looking down they reevaluated themselves.
Huh. That is definitely smaller now than before, right? I could've sworn it was bigger.. and why is it so important to me that it is?
The now inarguably male figure gave a shrug before ducking down and lifting his right leg to slip through the holes in the cloth. As they moved to place the other leg through and ducked down again a high-pitch whistling sound traveled through the air. A rattle sounded close to his right as a pike soared over his head.
His eyes went wide again, well that was lucky. But, more importantly.. if this is how you're supposed to wear this cloth it is WAY too big!
Deciding it may not actually be that important right now, he quickly gripped the excess cloth in his left hand to pull it flush and devised his next best plan.. he took off running in the opposite direction. A clopping sound and rattle following closely behind him as he rounded a corner to the right. Directly into a dead end.
Welp. I suppose I had a good life, even if it was a maximum of 10 minutes, and half of it was spent trying not to vomit from an ill-advised taste testing.
He turned around to face the rattle and prepare for battle. Just in time to see a pike sailing towards his left shoulder, grazing him, he let out a yelp in which a torrent of unnaturally crimson flames spewed forth catching the side of the monster.
Damn it! I need that arm to keep this cloth up! What's this guy's deal?
Either way, it didn't matter as the beast quickly scampered off to nurse its wounds. Deciding not to give away a chance the horned boy slipped away back the way he came and off in the direction the slight breeze came from.
He continued down the path undisturbed for several minutes before his ears caught the faint sound of something dragging across the ground again. A shrill screeching sound this gave him goosebumps met his ears as he ducked into the closest hall. As he did a trio of skeletons materialized from the fog in the distance, one dragging a sword behind them.
Not knowing how to fight well enough nor knowing how to breathe fire at will, the boy held his breath as they shuffled past.
Looks like they're far enough away now to keep moving.
Letting out his breath, he slowly inhaled, successfully being quiet enough to not alert the skeletons. Also, successfully reintroducing that horrendous smell he had apparently gotten used to after seemingly bathing in it. Doing his best not to immediately smash his head into the wall to put himself out of his misery he pushed on.
He continued on down the hall, waiting at a few intersections, and following the slight caress of the breeze too, hopefully, a way to safety he was met with a wide-open space that looks like it went through hell and back. Scorch marks littered the walls and floors, a pile of blackened bones resting in the center with an assortment of seemingly unrelated body parts nestled amongst them. Deciding none of that was important to him in the slightest he continued on.
He only made it about a few more yards before he tripped on something soft and heavy. Landing in a heap on the ground, he glanced back to what his foot struck and could only groan in response.
Is that MORE cloth? And is seriously covered in more red stuff? Honestly, is this floor cursed?
He reached over and grabbed a hold of the new cloth and began standing.
Holy-! Why is it so heavy?
Shrugging and reaching down with both hands he grabbed ahold and straightened out. He observed it for a moment before shrugging again and simply placing it on his shoulders. He took a step, adjusting himself to the added weight before a sharp breeze froze him in place. Glancing down he was greeted by the sight of his first bit of cloth around his ankles after he forgot to keep holding it.
I swear it's not even worth it.
Despite himself, he grabbed a hold of it again and began on his merry way.
Three steps later he kicked something. His eye twitched as he shifted his gaze back to the ground and caught sight of a faint shine rocking back and forth a distance away after he kicked it. Walking over he picked up the object and began studying it. The blade reflected the light from the crystals littered throughout the cavern well. He examined the cloth around the handle and saw some writing on it.
.. Hakugen? What's a hakugen? Is that a name? Did somebody lose their knife? I suppose I could return it.. though what kind of person names something hakugen? Especially a knife!
Deciding again that it really didn't matter, he continued his observations. Tapping his finger on the blade, he watched in amazement as his previously black nails turned white, the color seemingly seeping into the knife.
While it's a neat trick I don't see why somebody would make a knife that could trade colors with your nails.
He examined the knife for a few more moments before having enough and looking for a place to keep it. Looking down at the cloth surroundings his loins he had an idea. Pulling the excess cloth off to his left, he quickly pressed the knife through the layers. The flat of the blade was cold against his skin but he would adapt. The more important part was that his cloth wasn't falling!
…
I can say with confidence that this was more fun when the monsters actually attacked me. How long have I even been walking? If only I was one of those worms, those guys have it made, no walk, just dig.
I mean sure, the desert floors were nice, so warm, and SO bright! I even found an oasis to wash off at, turns out life is much nicer when everything doesn't smell like week-old intestines. Definitely a pro of bathing in the dungeon. A definite con is the sheer amount of sand that stuck inside my loincloth. So! Itchy!
A small figure could be seen wandering through a forested area with trees, punctuating his thoughts with rather aggressive scratches to his rump.
But seriously! Monsters haven't attacked in ages! I only got to figure out my nails were poisonous with one big red iguana before they just started running away!
…
A lone figure wandered into the water capital of the dungeon on the 27th floor, a muffler wrapped around their face and hair, only their eyes showing through the heavy scarf. Crimson, burning eyes scanning their surroundings as if on edge.
Something is wrong I can feel it. I've gone uninterrupted for too long, something is happening.
Despite their feeling of dread, the figure continued on, placing one foot in front of another as they navigated the mazes, ascending slowly through the caves. The thunderous sound of the crashing waterfall drowning out almost all noises throughout the cavern.
Wandering through a low arch, the figure entered a large opening in the cavern.
It looks the same as that battlefield on the 37th.. what exactly happened here? It looks like some sort of plant crashed through the roof? Everything is burnt here too.
As the figure began to navigate the massive tree limbs that engulfed the floor, he continued thinking about what could have done the damage he's seeing. He had noticed severe damage throughout the water capital, he would occasionally notice pieces repairing themselves, but it was slow going. Thinking back on when he entered the floor, he couldn't help the feeling of nausea that overtook him when he smelt the sheer amount of blood coming from one path. He didn't dare get closer, he could smell it perfectly fine from where he was, any closer and he'd be smelling blood for weeks.
Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that something happened here. All the time he's spent in the dungeon and he hasn't encountered anything that could do that kind of damage.
What exactly did this? Was it still out there? All that blood I smelled, could it still be hurting othe-
His internal conversation was cut off by the soft whimper that somehow managed to reach his ears over the waterfall. The dread returned in full force as soon as he heard it.
Whatever did this, it could still be hurting others! I need to stop it!
With new convictions, he let his ears be his guide and took off at a sprint to find the source of the sound. He ducked beneath low hanging branches and shrugged aside the twigs the scarped against his skin. At some point during his run, a branch caught the edge of his headscarf and pulled it down.
He ducked behind a pile of twigs and peaked through to the other side. He scanned the area for the powerful monster he was met with nothing but rocks and branches. Seeing it was clear but not letting his guard down, he began creeping closer to the source.
Catching sight of a small figure curled in on itself he moved closer still, his hand was resting on the handle of the knife, his body coiled ready to strike should he need to.
As he took another step he snapped a twig underfoot and the figure still before turning their eyes on him. Amber eyes met ruby - half-hidden behind silvery-blue hair he saw multiple emotions flash through her eyes.
Sadness.. loss.. hope.. and.. was that recognition?
"…"
".. Bell?"
…
Author's Notes:
So how was that? I really don't know its 3 am and I refuse to proofread, so we're just going to Grammarly it and hope for the best! A few things about this chapter.. yes Bell is a Xenos, he will have both a 'human' and a dragon form just like Wiene. Because he died on the 37th in this I decided to make him a peluda, he won't have full control of his powers immediately and he hasn't begun eating magic stones yet, so he is still relatively weak. Over time he will learn to control his abilities better, including poison claws, spine projectiles, fire breath, and dragon transformation. As for his status, the way I see it statuses are just depictions of a person's strengths, sure if you take away the blessing, they'll be weaker, but it is still representative of them. Welf trained in smithing that's why he got the development ability. Bell was a lucky person that's why he got luck, he wanted to be a hero so badly he got Argonaut, it wasn't the falna that gave him them, but it just enhanced in my mind.
The next few chapters will be focused on Bell and what he has been up to in the six months after his death until the raid on Knossos, I have an idea for an arc before they meet back up with the main cast. Once we get back to Knossos you can expect to see more Bell x Aiz, but until then it's going to be more focused around Bell getting his memories back, Bell being a papa to Wiene, and the Xenos interactions.
Until next time!