Chapter 25.
Our Swords Clashed.
Sparks lying around, forming different types of beautiful shape.
As our blades danced around, we didn't notice how much we're in to our fight. If you can call it THAT way.
The Crimson Order and Regal Force, meeting each other's blows while carrying their master's messages and feelings for each other.
Aki's POV.
I see. All this time, you're holding back because you already know that this would happen. Because you knew us and how captain would react and how we can't act freely like you. We have a reputation to protect and people to please.
" No... I don't think that's exactly correct... But it's something close to that... "
There is nothing I can do about it. There is nothing WE Loki Familia could do about it. Even if we knew that siding to you was the right decision from the start. We or to be precise, Finn don't want to ruin the reputation he earned all this years.
That's why we are slightly wavering except for certain individuals like Bete and Gareth-san.
Well, Gareth-san only wants to settle the score with the black minotaur while Bete on the other hand just want to kill monsters.
But for me, Riveria-san and the others, we're having a difficult time because even though those guys, especially the siren one, Ray might look like a monster, we can feel that they are just like us demi-humans. JUST A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT HUMAN.
CLANG!
Bell's POV.
Why did this happen? I devoted myself on doing what's right, I served the embodiment of justice itself. The women that all of the adventurers and gods admired. The women who's almost a mother to me and the women who taught me to trust a god once again.
So why, why do I have to fight my friends? Especially my loved one?
" Because they have no choice, because in the eye of the people, what they are doing is the RIGHT thing. "
People have different concepts about Justice. Sometimes, 'Revenge', 'Forgiveness', 'Kindness', 'Beauty', Generosity', and many others. That's why Astrea-sama said that "Justice is like the Stars".
There is no real definition of Justice. It varies on people and race or beliefs. There are endless numbers of them. And I do think that's right.
People only fight for the things that they believe in, that's why if they decided that Killing Monsters is Justice, then it is.
That's why I can't blame you nor your Familia, even I can feel that Finn-san is just forced to take actions because of the Justice that the people established.
As their feelings, thoughts and desires finally reached each other, they decided to finally end it with one powerful swing. Knocking each other's weapon out of their hands.
"Ne, what should we do? Bell?" The cat girl asked the boy with a solemn look on her face.
"I already knew what should I do right even before our fight began."
"I see... Then, goodbye... Finn didn't gave me any order aside from engaging you in battle here. and since it ended as a draw, I'll just let you go. But before you head to where the Xenos is, I think you should check about your two friends earlier."
After the boy left, Aki stayed still. Her eyes fixed at the stars above the sky, admiring how it made the supposed to be scary pitch black sky beautiful.
"I wonder, what should I do right now...?"
A person or to be precise, a god slowly walked towards her with an obvious fake smile. The god stopped in front of her and handed out a purple bracelet.
"It looks like I'm a little late, but since you're here can I ask you for a little favor?"
Howls of the Xenos could be heard throughout the Orario, They did this to pinpoint the locations of the others who got separated from them during the chaos earlier.
With the help of the Hestia Familia, they finally got reunited with the others and was now headed towards the Knossos. The second entrance to the dungeon that could only be found at the Daedalus Street.
But before they made their way, they planned out everything first in order to help them return to the dungeon safely, they decided to disrupt the enemy formation and ambush them with magic swords made by Welf.
"Be careful o child of Hestia, you're about to infiltrate the heart of their defense. This is the biggest move we're about to do right now, this will decide the outcome of our operation so we're entrusting everything to you. Liliruca Ardé." The ghost like person said to the pallum
"Don't worry Fels-sama, I've already done this before during the War Game against the Apollo Familia, I won't fail!" She said with eyes full of confidence.
"I know you won't fail us pip-squeek but remember, this is not like that. This is a real battle and you have the highest possibility of getting captured or killed, and we don't want that to happen. We don't want to lose another member..."
All of them went silent after hearing the smith's words. They remembered how Bell left their Familia and his reasons as well as the loss they had.
"That's more the reason we need to be victorious on this operation, not only for our sake but for Bell-dono as well. Because if he's the one who found Wiene back then, I'm sure that he would take the same actions we did. If not a little more extreme." She smiled gently before returning her gaze to the two other members of their familia.
"Alright, let us proceed with caution."
The operation was a huge success thanks to the perfect impersonation that Lily did as well as the ambush that Welf and Mikoto planned.
However, they did not succeed alone on this one since they've received countless helps from their friends and allies.
The only thing left for them to do was to open the Knossos but.
"Kami-Hermes! What is the meaning of this!?""Calm down sage, I did in fact gave Ouranus a fake note and map of the daedalus but I have reasons for that. You see, all the adventurers now except the Hestia Familia knows that Bell-kun was the masked adventurer, and everyone sees him as a disgrace and an enemy to be taken out. That's why I came here, to ask for the help of this monsters."
All of them knew that the boy they trusted and treated as a comrade will become an outcast once the word got out that he helped a group of monsters. No matter the intellegence they had and how human they are deep inside, they are still monsters to be taken out in the eyes of the people. They understood that and asked the god what kind of favor is he asking.
"Will you monsters please just die?"
Daedalus Street. (Guild's Temporary Base)
The adventurers of lower levels have assembled and were guarding the residents of the Daedalus, they stood there in full alertness in case a monster attacks.
Soon after their failed mission, Loki Familia then joined them a long with the guild officers including Eina to take command and to make things comfortable to the people.
"Waaah!!! Mama!!! I'm scared of monsters!!!! Where is the white haired Onii-chan!!?? He said he'll protect us if anything happens but he's not here!!!"
A certain cat girl heard it loud and clear, she knew that the man that the kid mentioned just now was probably her beloved rabbit.
She was already walking towards the child but stopped when she saw the person mentioned making his way to the crying kid.
"Don't cry dear! Look, he's already here so don't be scared now"
"Your mom is right, I'm already here to protect you so please don't cry anymore"
After his arrival, all the adventurers except for the Loki Familia and guild staffs started to talk to each other about his actions.
"That kid... He's already a lost lamb... Siding with the Evilus will only make your life shorter, cuz no matter how strong you are. Gale Wind will hunt you down."
Things continued the way they are. The adventurers continued the task given to them while the Loki Familia acted as a look out for any incoming monsters.
But things became chaotic when that single monster appeared.
A giant Minotaur with black skin and red eyes appeared to be flying to the skies. Soon it landed to the center of the Guild's temporary base. Eyeing everything it sees but as soon as it's eyes landed on a certain cat person that's currently wearing a bracelet made of magic stones. It roared and started to go on a rampage.
"Grrr... RRRAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!"
The monster used it's skill Howl, incapacitating every adventurer with below level 4 status and weak resistance as well as the civilians.
"Him agaim...? EVERYONE!! READY ALL THE WEAPONS WE HAVE-eh...?" Finn stopped when the monster suddenly get pass him, he didn't know why but it seems like it has it's own agenda right now unlike before.
"AKI!!" Right before their eyes, Aki almost got killed again if not for Bell who took the minotaur's attack.
The impact was enough to send him flying and destroy the buildings he made contact. It was so powerful that if anyone with lower status than him got hit by it, they would die in an instant.
Aki's POV.
What just happened?
I asked myself as I looked at the direction where Bell was sent flying by the minotaur that we fought yesterday. The monster appeared out of nowhere and was about to attack me with all of it's power. If not for Bell, I might've died again right now.
"Bell...!" I muttered to myself as I started to walk towards his direction but the minotaur stopped me with it's menacing glare.
Not only me but all of us present were frozen by it's glare, none of us could move and speak.
"Don't interfere, this is a fight between me and him. I only attacked you to get his attention. There is no need for you all to get involved." The monster jumped through the buildings and went to where Bell is. The sound of it's heavy footsteps soon vanished as he disappeared infront of us.
"This is the second time that a monster made me feel fear, well whatever. Everyone, we'll surround both Bell Cranel and that minotaur! We'll attack it from all the sides and block all who'll try to help him. Now move!"
The captain ordered and everyone started to move and position themselves except for me, I'm still terrified by what happened earlier, not because of how I almost died again but at what happened to Bell.
Before I knew it, I started running. Cold sweat dripping down on my face as I fear for the life of the young hero who saved me earlier.
A second later, the ground started to shake and was followed by the sound of weapons colliding to each other. Even from a far, you could feel the force placed into each blow and how fatal it could be if one got hit by it.
"Bell!!"
I ran faster and faster, but no matter what, it felt like the distance between me and him never got close. Instead, it became farther anf farther until the sound of their weapons became weaker and weaker.
"Bell, wait for me... I know how strong you've become...! I think you're even stronger than me right now but it doesn't matter... Because the enemy you're facing right now... Stands on the level that even I could never hope to achieve...!!"
" What the hell is this... I feel so useless...! Even though I became a first class adventurer... Why am I always getting left behind by the ones I want to protect!!?? I thought that it's my time to protect someone already but... But that someone I want to protect was the one protecting me RIGHT NOW!!! "
The sound of their blades clashing got closer and closer and before I noticed it, I was already running towards the plaza. The front of Babel where the Ganesha Familia was standing guard.
As soon as I reached the location, I saw a somewhat familiar looking fight. A fight between a kid who's dream is to become a hero and a very powerful opponent that's impossible to defeat.
"EVERYONE WHO CAN HERE ME, GANESHA FAMILIA MEMBERS OR NOT PLEASE DON'T GET TOO CLOSE TO THEM!! WE CAN'T STOP A FIGHT LIKE THIS WITH NORMAL METHODS!! THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN STOP THIS WERE FIRST CLASS VETERAN ADVENTURERS!! UNTIL THEIR ARRIVAL, DON'T GET INVOLVED!!".
The captain of the Ganesha Familia announced while standing in front of the dungeon entrance.
She's right.
That's what came into me when I saw the two fighting.
They traded blows with great ferocity and power, putting everything they've got into each attack they release. Abandoning all logic and techniques and succumbing to the heat of the battle itself.
Seconds later, civilians and adventurers watching the fight increased, but none of them could utter a single word because of how intense their duel is. There is hardly enough time to breath and if you look away even for a moment, the battle might end.
Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't notice that someone was calling me from behind. Not untill she shook me and looked into my eyes.
"Aki-dono!! Please tell us what's really going on!! And why... WHY IS HE FIGHTING THAT MINOTAUR!!??" She screamed while tears are forming at the corner of her beautiful eyes.
I returned my gaze and noticed how his cloak and armor were gone. Only his black shirt were present which has zero protection and his black pants and boots.
I started to shake slowly as I felt tears slowly falling from my eyes. Because of the realization that he will die if this continues.
Bell's POV.
His attacks were heavy and much more powerful than any opponent I've faced before, right now he's not my own reflection, not everything I've got. Right now, he's my greatest adversary, a monster that I can't ever hope to possibly defeat.
CRASH
" The distance between us is clearly heaven and earth. I can't use any magic because I'm concentrating to much on accepting his blows-no, I had no choice but to fully concentrate on them. If I lose it even for a second, I'll die... And since I can't use my Firebolt. I don't have anything left but my sword...! "
I continued to fight while completely unaware that my identity was already revealed to every single person in Orario.
CLANG
As the fight goes on, I started to feel my arms getting shaky and heavy. It doesn't surprise me though since his attacks were something I didn't thought I could handle, let alone match it. But I have to do this... I know it's illogical and a complete nonsense but I... I want to defeat him with everything I've got.
"YAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!" I swung towards it's left arm with all I've.
"GRAAAAHHH!!!!"
I managed to cut his arm off, I smiled a bit but was soon sent flying by it's kick towards the fountain, destroying it and my equipments in the process.
" This is the first time I took a direct hit but it hurts like I'm about to die... "
I slowly got up and eyed the crowed behind me. Then I noticed one of my former comrade crying while shaking Aki-san.
"Mikoto...-san...?" I asked myself.
Aki-san soon also started crying a long with Lily. Welf on the other hand had this pained expression on his face and was about to step in untill I sent him a signal that I can do this alone.
"As I thought... You are that strong adventurer I've fought during my previous life, the adventurer who never backed down and kept standing no matter how bad and serious his injuries are, the one who kept fighting until his body couldn't move anymore... The one who I wanted to win against the most..!! Bell Cranel... This is a rematch between us... Now stand up and face me!!" Asterius roared, but this time without activating his skill.
"Kuh... I Accept your challenge... Let's settle this once and for all... ASTERIUS-"
"DON'T DIE BEEEEEELLLL!!!!!!!!!!!" Everything even the time seemed to stop when I heard that girl screaming my name.
I looked at her. Her hands wer pressed tightly to each other while kneeling to the ground as if she's praying. She looked at me with a pleading look like begging me to stop.
"You don't have to win... You don't have to keep trying... Just don't get yourself hurt anymore..!!"
Normal POV.
A Bell.
A sound of a giant Bell suddenly errupted in the middle of Orario, as the adventurer fighting the minotaur slowly got enveloped by the blinding light.
The people watching the fight also started to cheer for the hero in front of them. Wishing for his victory.
This made the opposing monster to smile, thinking to himself that he can finally go all out.
"Sorry Asterius... But I can't lose right now... Especially in front of her..." Boy closed his eyes, channeling all of his magic to his sword.
" Firebolt..."
Everyone was shouting his former tittle Little Rookie, rooting for him. Even those who used to hate him also started to scream his name.
"DON'T LOSE BELL CRANEL!!"
"GET HIM LITTLE ROOKIE!!!"
"PLEASE WIN!!"
The sound of the bell grew louder and louder untill it stopped. As the two combatants positioned themselves, ready to launch to each other.
"Let's go..!!"
The two started to run at full speed to strike each other with everything they've got. With the resolve to take down their opponent. But as soon as their weapons met, a conclusion that everyone doesn't want to see happened.
Even after using his Argonaut to the maximum, Bell got sent up in the sky by the Minotaur's powerful attack. Knocking his sword out of his hand in the process.
"No...!!" Aki gasped as she saw him flying and spinning violently in the air.
With one final strike, the minotaur finished the fight. Dragging Bell towards the dungeon to speak to him before finally leaving him out.
"Now the score is equall. But the next time we see each other, one of us has to die... Until then, you keep getting stronger while I also train as hard as I can for our final fight... Don't you dare lose to anyone other than me..."
Bell gulped as the minotaur left him on his own, but since it is just the first floor, he didn't mind since the monsters in this area usially are very weak. Just one cast of his magic were more than enough to eliminate them all. But what bothered him the most is how he lost.
"I'm alive... Ahahahaha-huh...?"
"""Bell!!"""
Aki, Riveria, Line and Mikoto were running towards him followed by Welf, Lily. Bell expected his former comrades to come to him along with Aki but he did not expect to see Riveria and Line. But he then remembered Riveria's confession to him and smiled.
" I guess she's also worried about me... But what about Line-san..? I don't remember being close to her... "
"Line, Riveria-san please..."
""We got this...!""
The Mage and Supporter started to cast their healing magic on him, but Mikoto, Welf and Lily couldn't help but pounce on him.
"Man I thought you were a goner back there...!!" Said the blacksmith.
"Bell-dono... Where have you been..!?" The samurai asked.
"Bell-sama!! I really missed you...!!!" The pallum cried.
The three Hestia Familia members embraced their former comrade and captain tightly, while crying their hearts out on how happy they are to see him again.
Finally after letting go of him, it was Aki's turn. Bell held out his arms, expecting her to also embrace him but.
SLAP
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!!?? I THOUGHT YOU'RE GONNA DIE RIGHT THERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! WHY ARE YOU SMILING!!?? IT'S NOT FUNNY!!! Bell... I'm so happy that you are alive... I'm sorry, I have no guts to step in and help you back then... I'm so sorry... Waaaaaahhh!!!!" Aki couldn't hold herself back anymore and enveloped him in a tight embrace while crying.
Bell also embraced her and started to pat her head sofly, but after a few minutes she finally stopped.
"Bell... How do you feel...?"
"Nothing really... I'm just glad that I'm still alive... I don't really mind losing anyway since it's just a part of my growth... No... Who am I kidding...? Of course... I hate it... Even after giving everything I've got into that fight... I still lost... I'm so pathetic... Even after my intense training... I still couldn't defeat him... DAMN IT!!!"
Now it's his turn to cry, abandoning his mask and laying all of his emotions bare for them to see. How he felt and how much he endured all this time.
Riveria and Line then made their move and placed a hand on his back.
"Bell-san... I can't say that I know how you feel but you shouldn't be ashamed of yourself... You are strong, probably the strongest out of all of us who are here... It's just that the opponent you faced today was just on a completely different level... And also it's all thanks to the strength you posses right now that I-no...The whole Loki Familia was still functioning right now..." Line said gently as she smiled down to the boy who saved her life.
"What am I supposed to say now..? You already said everything Line... Anyway... Bell, I'm just glad that you are alive and well. I know the pain of losing is a lot greater than it looks like but you can always look at it from the other side, it's just like failing at a test with a score of three out of one hundred, you only scored so little but that's because you're just starting to grow... You still have lots of potential Bell... So please treat this as a lesson and not a reason to stop..."
After a little bit of talk, they all came into conclusion that they should already call it a day. After a bit of catching up together, the Hestia Familia bid farewell to Bell and the others. While Riveria and Line also left to report to Finn that Bell is alive and well.
Without any word, the two also started to make their way up to the city walls behind the Twilight Manor, the home of Loki Familia.
Book I
Epilogue
Bell and Aki slowly walked towards a blonde girl. She noticed the two walking towards her and also started to make her way to them.
"Aiz-san/Aiz" The called out.
"Why... Why aren't you angry at me...? Especially you Bell... I killed Aki right in front of you..." The sword princess said weakly.
"What about it..? Aiz, as you can see. I'm alive... You don't need to feel guilty about it-"
"Aki-san... Aki-san and I sure does have a reason to hate you and bring you down but what comes next after that...? Revenge is something that I don't want to do or experience... Revenge only brings sadness and emptiness to the heart of the people... Yes, you will feel slightly releaved after killing someone you've been hunting for a long time but after that... The guild of what you did and the stain of blood on you hands will never leave you alone... Kami-sama said those to me... Aiz-san... Revenge is not everything... People must learn to forgive... Even though it's hard... We must because nothing good comes from hate and vengence..."
Aiz then slowly smiled to herself but it soon vanished when she looked at the two's hands. Holding each other firmly.
"You might be able to forgive me but I still can't forgive myself... Good bye for now... I'll leave you two alone now..." She jumped out of the wall and made her way to their mansion.
The two looked at each other again, after a few seconds, a smile grew on their faces.
"Aki-san... I promise... Next time, I will protect you... Just like how you protected me that time-"
"You can't do that! I don't want you to die in front of me!" The cat girl interupted him with a pout.
"I don't mean it that way... I won't let that happen... That's why I'll train even harder from now on, I'll train endlessly and tirelessly... So I can overcome any obstacle in front of me-no, in front of us..."
"Why are you always like this ever since you left...? You always want to shoulder everything... Atleast let me share the burden you know... Stupid rabbit..."
The two laughed before embracing each other, enjoying each other's warmth and company after so long of being away from each other.
"Bell...?"
"What is it Aki-san...?"
"I love you..."
"I love you too..."
Hi.
This is the end of the book 1.
I probably won't upload the book 2 for the time being, I'm still planning on what's going to happen next anyway...
But please do expect all of this to get revised or get fixed in the near future.
That's all for now, I'll update once I finished planning and writting the Book 2 of this story but for now goodbye.
Stay safe guys! Also, thanks for supporting my other fic!