Hi guys, sorry this one has come out so late. I've been focusing on my second book and absolutely getting destroyed at work. Seriously, don't work for the government, at least not in the United States, you'll lose your freaking soul…(sigh).
Anyway, enough of my complaints. The war is finally here and it's time for our characters to do battle with Rakia while our beloved white rabbit-like captain must contend with the god of the Underworld. So let's hop in (...no pun intended...or was it?).
I do not own Danmachi
The adventurers were at the rendezvous point outside of Athens, where they were supposed to wait for the Athenian and allied forces. Achilles however, did not feel inclined to do so.
"I'm going to head out. Since I'm doing my part solo there's little reason for me to stick around," he said.
"Little reason?" Riveria questioned.
He smiled before kissing her.
"Besides you," he corrected.
"That seems fair," Welf said.
"Indeed. No need for you to wait for the Rakians to do more damage," Ryuu added.
"Good luck, Achilles-dono," Mikoto stated.
"Stay safe," Haruhime joined in.
"I will. Not that Rakia has anything I really need to worry about, even if they have a level five," the Father on High replied.
"Still, don't be foolish," Riveria said.
"If that's what my princess commands."
"She does," the elf replied sultrily as she stared into his eyes and pulled him closer.
"You two can do that when you get back to your room," Lili cut in, glaring at them.
The two pulled back and had the decency to look embarrassed. Their respective embarrassments grew as Tiona began to tease them. However, their embarrassment was still nowhere near as embarrassed as Rei who had still not come even close to recovering from what he had heard the previous night. Even Geneve rubbing his back sympathetically didn't help as he covered his face with his ears.
"Right. Sorry," Achilles said, rubbing the back of his head while avoiding eye contact. "Anyway, I'll head off. Stay safe, and good hunting."
With that, Achilles activated his Lightning Steps and shot off into the distance, intent on finding and destroying the Rakian assassination corps.
Riveria watched him go with a smile. She was, of course, a tad worry, but trusted he'd come back safely.
"There's the Athena familia," Lili called, grabbing everyone's attention.
The Athena familia contingent was larger than the entirety of the expedition sent by Orario, made of dozens, perhaps even a hundred, adventurers.
Leading them, as one would expect, was Metis and Agrippina, both of whom had looks that mixed determination and scorn, written upon their faces.
Alongside the Athena familia were a few other familias, including the Apollo familia, whose captain had a look of pure rage and disgust pointed directly at the Hestia familia.
Finally, there was a large group of Forest Elves, armed with bows, wooden swords, staffs, and other means of combat.
"Good morning, Metis-san. Agrippina-san," Geneve greeted, moving away from Rei.
"I hardly see how this is a 'good morning'," Metis bit back.
"It's an expression, Metis. You'd know that if you pulled the stick out of your butt," Geneve threw at her.
Metis sneered as a few people, including a few Forest Elves, chuckled.
"I will be leading everyone level five and above against the mercenary adventurers," Metis said, brushing past the insult. "The rest of you will head towards the villages near the border and deal with the monsters and monster-tamers," she stated as members of the Athena familia handed out maps to all the female adventurers while giving the males only glares. "Any questions?"
No one spoke up.
"Good. Then let us drive these Rakian barbarians out of this blessed land."
The Athena famila cheered and a few Forest Elves joined them, though not with as much enthusiasm.
"Looks like it's time to part," Ryuu said.
"Yep. I'd say to watch your back, but I don't think you need me to remind you of that," Welf said, smiling.
"I'll be careful. However, I'm much more concerned for all of you," Ryuu said, her eyes turning towards the Apollo familia. "I would not put it past them to try something out there."
The others turned and when Hyakinthos, noting their eyes, turned and glared at them. They, in turn, glared right back.
"Yeah, we'll need to be careful," Welf added.
"We should also look after Cassandra-san," Lili added.
Everyone turned to the shy young woman who stood by herself, staring at the Apollo familia with clear terror.
Haruhime's eyes looked at her fellow shy young woman with sympathy. Suddenly, before even she realized what she was doing, she walked over to the shaking seer.
"Cassandra-san," she called gently, smiling beautifully.
The dark-haired beauty jumped and spun.
"Y-Yes?!"
Haruhime continued to smile.
"Why don't you join us today?"
"W-What?"
"Why don't you join us? You seem very nervous, not that I can blame you, I'm rather scared myself," Haruhime told her, still smiling.
"I-I-."
"That's an excellent idea, Haruhime-sama," Mikoto said, joining her friend. "It would be an honor to have you join us today, Cassandra-dono."
"A-An h-h-honor?" Cassandra replied, surprised.
"Quite," Ryuu said, joining in. "Your skills are quite remarkable and having such a good person with us would certainly be of great benefit."
Cassandra was now blushing at the praise, but had stopped shaking as well, which was instantly noted by the Hestia familia who all smiled.
"Lili agrees. You should join us," the prum added authoritatively.
Practically smothered with praise and smiling faces, there was little Cassandra could do but lower her blushing face and nod.
"Great! Welcome to the team, Cassandra!" Welf said.
"Yes. Welcome, Cassandra-dono."
Cassandra felt like her face was going to burst into flames, when suddenly, she felt soft, warm hands take hers.
She looked up and met Haruhime's emeralds.
"I hope we can get along."
Something about the sweet, innocent way the renard said that burned away all of Cassandra's anxiety and embarrassment.
She's so good. So kind.
Finally, Cassandra smiled.
"I hope so too."
"As do I."
The Hestia familia plus one turned and found Agrippina smiling at them, or more accurately, Haruhime.
"Agrippina-sama?" Haruhime questioned, cocking her head to the side.
A tingle filled Agrippina's body.
Oh goddess! How cute can you be? I thought the Sword Princess was adorable, but this feels like I'm going to drown in cuteness! And 'Agrippina-sama'? Oh, how delightful! I can't wait to get her into bed and have her moan that!
"Good morning," Agrippina said pleasantly. "I was hoping I could join you today as your bodyguard."
"Bodyguard?" Haruhime asked, cocking her head to the side and nearly causing the Athena vice-captain to lose it.
"Why?" Lili quickly asked as the rest of the Hestia familia eyed her suspiciously.
"As a representative of Orario, it's my duty to ensure her safety," Agrippina replied professionally.
"We're from Orario too and I don't see you tripping over yourself to 'guard' us," Lili pointed out.
Agrippina frowned and tried to glare the prum into submission. However, she evidently didn't know who she was dealing with, because all she got was an even more intense glare sent right back at her.
Luckily, or unluckily, depending on your perspective, someone else decided to cut in.
"I'll protect the foxy girl too!"
Everyone turned and was shocked to find Gumi rubbing her cheek affectionately against the now very red cheek of Haruhime.
"Why would a member of the Freya familia want to guard Haruhime-chan?" Agrippina asked.
'Chan'? the entire Hestia familia plus Cassandra thought.
"Because Lady Freya loves Haruhime and told me to protect her," Gumi replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Freya loves Haruhime-chan?"
"Yep, and Achilles and Bell, though I think they sound really mean."
Freya loves all three of them? Athena-sama will want to hear of this, the Athena vice-captain thought.
"And why should we let you anywhere near Haruhime?" Welf demanded.
"What are you doing? Stop me?" Gumi threw back.
"You think that we can't?" Ryuu questioned, her hand falling to her sword.
Gumi pulled away from Haruhime and strode up to Ryuu, looking directly into her eyes.
"I know you can't. When Lady Freya asks something, that something will happen, and if I have to remove you so that I can fulfill Freya-sama's orders, I will."
The rest of the Hestia familia pulled out their weapons while Agrippina backed away a step.
Seems there is tension between the Freya and Hestia familias, she smiled. Athena-sama will want to hear about this as well.
"I accept!"
Everyone turned to Haruhime.
"I accept your protection. And yours as well, Agrippina-sama. But please, no fighting. We're meant to be on the same side."
"Ah, I'm sorry foxy, I didn't want to upset you!" Gumi said, rushing back over to Haruhime and continuing where she left off with rubbing her cheeks.
The Hestia familia shared looks. None of them liked it, but they also understood why Haruhime had agreed and so, reluctantly, let the matter slide.
"Alright, then we should really get going," Welf said, pulling his sword on his back.
"Agreed. Again, stay safe everyone," Ryuu said, eying Agrippina and Gumi one last time.
"We will," Haruhime vowed, even as she eyed the girl that, even now, was latched onto her.
"There's the village," Rei said, pointing to a collection of homes in the distance. "Our scouts reported seeing a large collection of monsters headed this way, no doubt with herders right behind them."
"Then we must hurry," Mikoto said.
"Agreed."
The adventurers quickly made their way to the village, finding its inhabitants coming out to meet them, each with worried looks etched into their faces.
"Rei-Sama. Agrippina-sama, what are you doing here? Are we about to be attacked?" a woman asked, shaking a bit.
"A host of monsters is headed in this direction," Rei answered, his sympathetic eyes meeting the woman's. "Which building here is the sturdiest?"
"That would be the village head's home," the woman replied.
"Alright, start gathering everyone and heading there. Don't worry about your belongings, accept perhaps some food and water. The monsters aren't interested in stealing anything."
The woman, obviously still scared, nonetheless did as Rei instructed and began gathering up the other villagers, starting with her own family.
With her gone and the civilians starting to head towards relative safety, Rei turned back to the others.
"We need someone to stay and guard them," he said.
"I'll stay," Geneve offered. "They know the Mania familia and will likely feel better with us, no offense to you all," she said to the Orario expedition, who signaled none was taken.
"I'll leave behind some of my sisters as well. The Forest Elves should also stay, given that most of them don't have levels," Agrippina added.
"Agreed," Rei said. "Then once everyone's inside the leader's residence we'll head out and meet the monster horde. With any luck and some effort, we'll be able to stop them before they even get close to here."
Everyone nodded, before dispersing to aid the villagers.
The villagers seemed to appreciate the help, even if some were a tad weary of the non-Athena and Mania familia members. Soon enough, most everyone was inside the residence and the guard had been set up outside.
"I don't wanna!"
"Alexander, stop it!"
The adventurers turned and found a boy with a little wooden sword in his hand, fighting to get out of his mother's arms.
"No! I want to fight the Rakians! I'll beat them all!"
"You will do no such thing! Now get inside where it's safe!" his mother ordered, trying even harder to drag him inside.
The adventurers shared some looks. Some were amused, others sympathetic, while many within the Athena familia looked irritated.
"We do not have time for male bravado," Agrippina growled.
"It's a boy who wants to protect his home, Agrippina. No need to inject your personal bias into the matter. Not ever dick is evil," Geneve shot at her.
As Agrippina glared at the Mania vice-captain, Haruhime broke away and made her over to the young boy who, upon seeing her, abruptly stopped as his jaw fell.
"Good morning," Haruhime greeted with a smile.
"G-Good morning," he replied, his cheeks a nice shade of red.
"You are very brave for wanting to help us," she complimented.
His eyes widened, before falling to the ground, his face now burning as he fidgeted in giddiness nervousness.
"T-T-Thank you."
"But, while I'm sure all of us would appreciate the help, we would hate for your mother to be worried," the renard continued.
The boy stopped fidgeting and pouted.
"Are you gonna tell me to stay here too?"
"Yes, but for a different reason. You see, I have a mission for you," she replied.
He looked up, curious.
"A mission?"
"Mhmm. You see all those adventurers around this building?" she asked, pointing to the Athena familia and Forest Elves.
"Yeah."
"They're protecting this building in case some monster slip by. However, as you can see, they're on the outside, so there's no guards on the inside. That's where you will come in. I want you to guard everyone inside."
His pout returned.
"There's no way the monsters will get that far. You just want me to hide."
She shook her head.
"Not at all. While I certainly hope the monsters won't get that far, you never know. We adventurers know that you must be prepared for everything because things can change very quickly and in very unexpected ways. As such, we do, very much need someone brave inside to guard everyone there. You seem to fit that description very well."
Maybe it was the genuineness of her tone, or the compliment, but the boy's pout quickly disappeared as his blush returned.
"I...guess I can do that," he relented.
Haruhime smiled and held up her pinky.
"Promise?"
He looked at it, then her, before nodding and wrapping his pinky in hers.
"I promise."
Her smile grew before, to the boy's shock and extreme joyous embarrassment, she leant down and kissed their entwined fingers.
"Then it's a deal."
The boy, now placated and utterly frazzled, was led inside by his mother who gave Haruhime a look of eternal gratitude, receiving one final smile from the fox girl before she returned to her familia.
Welf whistled.
"Geez Haruhime, those are some killer maternal instincts you've got there," he commented.
Haruhime's face burst into crimson.
"Welf-san!"
The adventurers tightened their grips on their respective weapons and looked at their formation.
It was a standard formation. Hand-to-hand fighters up front, ranged and magic users behind, and finally supporters and healers in the back, with a few guards in case the enemy got through or tried to attack from the rear.
"Here they come," Lili said, her eyes focused on the mass of hunger and rage heading straight for them.
"Alright Haruhime, start chanting," Welf called.
"Grow. That power and that vessel," the renard began.
Agrippina, who had kept herself close to Haruhime, paid subtle attention to the chant, memorizing the words.
"Grow!" Haruhime called.
A moment later, four pillars of light fell from the heavens and fell upon Welf, Mikoto, Rei, and Ivanna.
"Wow, I feel a lot stronger," Rei said, getting a nod of agreement from Ivanna.
"That's Haruhime-sama's magic," Mikoto replied. "But it doesn't last forever, so make good use of it."
"You can bet we will," Ivanna stated as her eyes refocused on the monsters and her tail began to swing in anticipation.
"Archers! Mages! Loose!" Agrippina ordered.
A volley of missiles and spells were unleashed towards the mass of monsters.
The horde, made up of goblins, kobolds, war shadows, needle rabbits, and even a few hellhounds, soon found itself the victim of the barrage, many of monsters being destroyed in an instance and opening up large holes in their ranks. Still, it had hardly destroyed the horde, and they rushed towards the first line of fighters.
"Let's go!" Welf cried.
A battle cry went up as he, Mikoto, the Mania, and Athena familia, all charged at the monsters and, a moment later, smashed against them.
"Raaa!" Welf cried as he used his sword to cut through kobold, before turning and slicing through three goblins that had thought to attack him from behind.
Mikoto cut through her enemies with similar speed, slicing through several war shadows, before killing a hellhound and a pair of needle rabbits.
"This is crazy!" Rei cried out as he easily dispatched a host of monsters. "It's almost like I gained an entire level!"
"Yeah!" Ivanna agreed, obviously pumped. "But we can think about that later, ya know, when we don't have a whole bunch of monsters to fight or people watching us like hawks."
Rei gave a quick look towards Agrippina who, much to his concern, was smiling.
I'll warn Bell about that later, he thought before returning all his focus entirely to the fighting.
Not far away, Agrippina was absolutely giddy.
It seems Athena-sama was right. I level up magic, her eyes turned to Haruhime as the tingles within her amplified.
"Don't even think about it."
She turned and met the gaze of a frowning Lili.
"Lili knows that look all too well," the prum continued. "But it's useless. Haruhime won't join you or your familia."
Agrippina frowned.
"You'd keep her with you against her will?" she questioned.
Her frown deepened when Lili laughed.
"Against her will? You don't seem to understand the situation. We're a family. We won't abandon each other, no matter what's offered to us. Besides that, Haruhime is already in love with Bell-sama and if you think you can defeat him, you'd best reexamine that notion."
"You think you all can defeat a familia of our size?" the Athena vice-captain asked viciously.
"Why not? We did already, in case you forgot," Lili said jabbing a thumb towards where the Apollo familia was fighting. "And that was before Bell-sama was a level six, oh and before Achilles was in our familia."
Agrippina literally growled at that before turning around and refocusing on Haruhime who, by some miracle, had missed their little exchange.
I won't give up. Not only for Athena-sama or even myself, but also for Haruhime-chan, her eyes turned adoring as she smiled at the renard. I'll show you that no man is worth your time and that there's no love greater than that between two women. I promise it to you, my dear.
The fighting continued, the adventurers steadily dispatching the monsters bringing their numbers down until, with a cry and a slash of his zweihander, Kaios destroyed the last one.
"That should do it," the renard said proudly.
"We've dealt with this batch of monsters. There will be more," Agrippina stated harshly.
"Lighten up, Agrippina. We defeated this horde and protected the village, that's not a bad thing," Ivanna threw at her.
Agrippina was about to bite back, when another voice called out from the distance.
"Too bad for you there's more where they came from."
Everyone shot around and found a group of adventurers and Rakian soldiers before them, one of whom was smiling at them.
"Though I suppose I should give you credit where credit is due. Most people just run away when we send monsters their way," the adventurer continued, still smiling in a way that could only be described as 'I'm an asshole'.
"Fiend! You and your Rakian allies will suffer for invading our blessed lands!" Agrippina roared.
"Calm down there, sugar tits."
"Sugar…" Agrippina's teeth started gnashing. "I will cut out your tongue for that!"
She looked ready to charge, but Ivanna got in front of her.
"Calm down, you idiot. He's trying to goad you," she told the vice-captain.
"I suppose I was being too obvious," he admitted. "Still, the fact that I got under your skin that easily really says something."
Agrippina growled, but did nothing else.
"Hey look, the bitch knows how to heel," the adventurer continued, getting a few laughs from his allies.
Agrippina and Athena familia looked ready to combust with rage, but were prevented from acting again by Rei stepping forward.
"Are you just here to talk shit or would you like to put your money where your mouth is?" the Mania captain question.
"Captain Rei, pleasure seeing you here. As to your question, I don't see anything wrong with having a nice chat. In fact, I was hoping you could tell me a little something," the adventurer replied.
"That being?"
The adventurer, still smiling, turned from the captain and honed in on Welf.
"I was hoping you could tell me if that guy is really the only Crozzo left that can produce magic weapons."
All eyes turned to the smith. The Rakians and their adventurers allies looked positively gluttonous as they eyed Welf, while the Athena familia showed the only hostility in the area, glaring at Welf with raging eyes.
"Ares has a huge reward waiting for the person that brings you to him," the adventurer continued while his allies took a step forward, causing their opponents to take up ready positions.
Welf's response was to point his sword at the man.
"Then come and try and claim it."
"Don't mind if I do."
Not a second later, the Rakians and adventurers charged the defenders, all aiming for Welf.
"Charge!" Agrippina ordered.
A battle cry filled the air as the Athenians, Manians, and Orario expedition all counter-charged and soon the cry was replaced with the sound of clashing metal.
The first person to reach Welf was a fast, slimy-looking man holding a knife and short sword. He lunged at the smith's leg, likely hoping to injure him in such a way that he could not flee. However Welf, being an experienced adventurer, merely bashed the weapon away and, as the slimy man's eyes widened, he countered, slashing the man across the chest and leaving him bleeding and in pain on the ground.
Two more attackers were soon upon him, a Rakian soldier and another adventurer, but they were dealt with quickly and left in a similar, wounded state.
"Ah!"
Welf turned and found an adventurer behind him with an arrow in his forearm. He smiled then smashed the man over the head with the blunt side of his sword.
"Thanks Lil' Lili!"
Not far away, Lili rolled her eyes, but was smiling nonetheless.
The monologuing adventurer, despite his intent to claim Welf's reward, had been intercepted by Rei and was currently on the losing end of their fight. Noting this, he tried a new tactic.
"Come on, captain. Why don't you help us out? With a level four like you on our side, we'll capture the Crozzo over there and split the hefty reward fifty-fifty. What do ya say?"
Rei's response came in the form of a pommel to the gut, then to the head, before a slash from shoulder to hip sent the adventurer collapsing to the ground.
"I won't betray my family for anything, and certainly not something as common as money," the rabbit man said before he spat at the adventurer.
A short distance away, Kaios suddenly jumped in the air, his massive sword above his head and now covered in roaring flames.
"Suck on this! Firestorm!"
A tornado of flames rushed from his blade and descended upon the terrified Rakians and mercenaries, smashing into them like a tsunami.
Seeing their ranks decimated and the tide clearly against them, the force began to turn tail and run.
"Don't let them escape! Take them all!" Agrippina roared.
Another battle cry went up as the Athenians charged after their enemies.
The battle now over, the Orario expedition and the Mania familia regrouped, smiling and feeling accomplished.
"All in a day's work," Kaios said, looking quite pleased with himself.
"That should do it," Riveria said, looking over the destroyed camp.
The mercenaries hadn't stood a chance, a fact many of them understood the moment they recognized Aiz, which in turn had caused many of them to try and flee.
"Yeah," Aiz agreed as she put her sword away.
"I guess that means we can head back to Athens and report today's success," the elf continued.
Aiz nodded.
Riveria was about to go and gather the others, when she suddenly heard her surrogate daughter call to her.
"Riveria."
The High Elf turned.
"Yes?"
"Um…" Aiz fidgetted and a bit of red on her cheeks. "Since we're alone right now, I was...I was hoping to get some advice."
"Alright. On what?" Riveria asked, now quite interested.
"Well...you see, after learning about you and Achilles this morning, I began to think that...Bell and I should...you know...also take that step," the young woman continued, now poking her fingers together.
Riveria was confused for a moment, trying to remember what Aiz meant. Of course, given what happened, it didn't take long for her to remember and her cheeks burst into red.
Gods, I don't think I'll ever live that down, the elf thought, mortified. Wait, Aiz was asking for help with something, she refocused on Aiz and began to process her words. 'Also take that step'?
After a moment, it clicked.
"Oh," she said out loud.
Aiz's blush grew.
"Are you sure?" Riveria asked.
Aiz nodded.
"Yes. I want to be his and for him to be mine. I want to-," she stopped before taking a deep breath and saying with absolute conviction. "I want to make love to Bell."
My my, quite the statement. It's a good thing neither Lefiya or Tiona were in earshot of that. Or the Freya familia for that matter, the motherly elf thought.
"Well, I'm not sure what advice I can give, but I'm more than happy to answer any questions once we get back."
Aiz began to beam.
"Thank you, Riveria."
"You're welc-."
An explosion in the distance cut her off and grabbed their attention.
"Goodness, what now?" Riveria said before they rushed off towards where the explosion had gone off.
It did not take long for them to reach the destination, the rest of their party arriving at the same time. What they saw was quite surprising.
It was another Rakian camp, but it was utterly destroyed. However, that wasn't the interesting part. No, the interesting part was, at the very center, atop a mass of defeated Rakians and adventurers, was a small woman wearing a witch's hat. A small woman that Riveria quickly recognized.
"Mordred-sensei?" Riveria called, not believing her eyes.
The woman, a small Light Elf, looked up and seeing who had called her, smiled.
"Well if it isn't my little student, Riveria," the small elf jumped down from the pile of defeated enemies like an excited child jumping out of bed, before striding up to Riveria. "And pray tell, my little student, what are you doing here?"
Little? Aiz questioned as she looked down at the elf who was currently looking up at Riveria.
"Athens called for aid in dealing with Rakia," Riveria informed her.
"Did they? Hm, that doesn't seem like Athena. She usually hates the idea of asking for help, especially from Orario."
Riveria watched her teacher for a while, wondering if the smaller elf knew of Athena's actual intentions for calling upon them.
I'd be shocked if she didn't. She's far too clever.
Whether or not Mordred knew would not be revealed then as the little elf simply shrugged her shoulders.
"She must have really botched things while I was away. I guess I'll have to give that anti-male goddess a stern talking to once we get back, but only after a nice bath and filling my belly."
Riveria smiled and nodded.
"That sounds like a good idea."
"Of course it is, I came up with it! Now come along, you can tell all about what you've been up to on the way back."
After hours of searching, Bell hadn't found anything of real use.
There's quite a lot here on rare and irregular monsters, but nothing on talking or intelligent monsters.
He sat back and sighed. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but he had hoped that somewhere, in the massive collection of knowledge and information that was the Athenian library, he'd find something.
A sudden, soft presence on his hand made him turn his attention down. He found Nix nuzzling his hand before the little rabbit looked up and met his eyes.
No words were shared, but the kind, determined eyes of the ball of fluff got their message across to the human adventurer, who smiled and began to pet his companion.
"You're right, I can't give up just because I haven't found something after so short of time. Thank you, Nix," he said, continuing to pet the rabbit who now seemed to be beaming.
Reinvigorated, Bell dived back into reading, scanning the pages quickly in search of his monster friends.
"My, it's nice to see a young man so dedicated to studying."
Bell jumped and looked up, his eyes widening at what he saw.
Before him were four people. Three women and one man. Two of the women were young, appearing to be teenagers and were clearly twins, given their shared appearance.
The twins had blood red hair with strips of black mixed in and matching blood red, hungry-looking eyes. They were shorter than Bell, but not by much and had paler skin than he'd ever seen on a person. They were so white they almost matched his hair and Nix's fur in color.
In front of them was a much taller woman. While not as tall as his father or Ottar, she was clearly above average and stared down at him with calm, but not unfriendly eyes. Speaking of eyes, hers were a deep violet that made one feel warm and tingly, which coupled with her incredible beauty brought a blush to Bell's cheeks. Her hair was like white silk and flowed all the way down to the middle of her back. Even more interesting than her hair though was the pair of horns on top of her head that were the same color as her locks. They reminded Bell a little bit of a minotaur's horns, but where those were intimidating, hers somehow seemed to only add to her beauty, giving her a special element that captivated as much as her eyes, hair, and beautiful face. However, while these qualities were all quite alluring, it was what was found on her back that really caught the Red Dawn's attention. Two snow-white, feathered wings, the same color as her hair snuggled gently against her clothes, looking both soft and powerful, while also being quite beautiful themselves.
Finally there was the man and here's where Bell's attention was focused.
The man was even taller than the winged woman and would have been able to look Achilles in the eye. And those eyes. Two different, but equally striking eyes bore down onto Bell. One was like fire. Scarlet and orange burned within the eye socket and seemed to twist and turn as if in the midst of battle. Perhaps even more striking was that the sclera was black, creating a menacing look. His other eye however, was quite different. Where the first had been like fire, this one was like ice. Instead of burning red, it was a cold, pale blue, mixed with hints of gray and white. The sudden shift actually came across as quite refreshing, but Bell wondered how long it would take for that icy eye to turn his inside cold.
The man also was handsome himself. With ebony hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and strong jaw it wasn't hard to imagine women approaching him. While he wore baggier clothes, Bell could tell he was no pushover and had the muscle to match his height. The large hands the looked like they could crush a stone certainly added to that opinion.
Bell was pulled from his musings when the man laughed before placing a hand over his heart and bowing.
"My apologies for startling you," he said, his voice merry and friendly, so much so that it startled Bell a bit as it was not the kind of voice he had expected from someone with such intense eyes.
Though I suppose I'm the last person that should be judging on that characteristic.
"No, it's quite alright. I guess I was so focused on reading that I didn't hear you approaching."
"We are a quiet bunch," the man said, gesturing to the ladies. "You certainly aren't the first to say we snuck up on them. Oh, but how rude of me, we haven't introduced ourselves, please allow me to correct that," he said, bowing again, turning to the twins. "This is Laura and Leanna."
"Hello," Laura said.
"Good afternoon," Leanna added.
"Hello," Bell replied.
"And this stunning beauty is Uriel, my dear paramour."
"Hades-sama," Uriel blushed before snuggling up to him and kissing his cheek.
"Hades…" Bell said. A moment later his eyes widened and he jumped to his feet. "I apologize for my rudeness, Hades-sama!"
The god laughed again, before waving his hand.
"Easy there young man, don't forget we're in a library."
Bell looked up and met the god's eye.
"Yes, I am Hades, god of the underworld, big brother of that loveable fool Zeus, and leader of the Hades familia. But now, I'd like to know who you are."
"Of course. My name is Bell Cranel. It's very nice to meet you," the young man replied before bowing again.
"It's nice to meet you as well," Hades responded, still smiling. "And who is that cute ball of fluff currently glaring at me?"
Bell turned and found Nix doing precisely what Hades had said, his ruby orbs staring up at the deity with frightful intensity, or as frightful as such an adorable creature could muster.
"This," Bell picked up his furry friend. "Is Nix."
"Nice to meet you as well, Nix," greeted, getting nothing but a glare back. "He's as cute as he is protective it appears," the god joked.
"I guess so," Bell said, a tad embarrassed.
Hades chuckled.
"Do you mind if we join you?" he continued, gesturing towards the table.
"Oh...um, not at all."
They all sat down with Hades sitting across from Bell with Uriel at his side. However, to Bell's immediate discomfort, the twins sat on either side of him and began eying him like a piece of meat.
Seeing his discomfort, Hades chuckled again.
"I'm sorry for them. They're a bit weary of you. That and they want to eat you."
"E-Eat me?" Bell asked, his eyes shooting back and forth between the two, both of whom licked their lips.
Hades nodded.
"Indeed. You see, they're both vampires."
"Vampires?" Bell asked, shocked. "I thought they were a myth."
"No, just very rare," Hades replied with a shake of his head. "However, I told them not to. I am well aware that you'd slaughter them if they tried."
Everyone looked at Hades with wide-eyes.
"Hades-sama?!" the twins cried, shocked and perhaps a bit hurt by his lack of faith in them.
"No, don't give me those looks, that's precisely what would happen," Hades said seriously before refocusing on Bell. "Level six, correct?"
The vampire twins and Uriel shifted back to Bell, their eyes even wider.
After a moment to regain his footing, Bell nodded.
"Thought so," Hades said. "You see? He would have torn you apart," he added, his voice deadly serious.
The twins looked down, ashamed. However, this lasted but a moment as Hades suddenly smiled and added.
"Either that or Nix there would have gnawed you to death."
Everyone's eyes turned to the rabbit in Bell's arms as it shifted its ferocious eyes back and forth between the sisters, daring them to try anything.
The cuteness of the defensive rabbit was too much and everyone laughed lightly, dispelling the tense air.
"Anyway, I'm sure you're wondering why I suddenly approached you, Bell-san," Hades said.
"I am curious, yes."
"Well you see, I'm a collector of sorts. Rare plants, elements, books, you name it, I like to acquire it. Not too unusual for us deities, but I'm a bit more dedicated and unusual in what I look for. For example, I like to gain rare bits of knowledge. Information that no one else knows. I guess I'm a bit of a smug prick that way."
He laughed while Uriel tried to dispel that notion, earning a kiss to the cheek from her god.
"So, I and my familia spend a great deal of time here, not only searching for said information, but keeping our ears open for those who might know something we don't know or perhaps, we believe they shouldn't know."
Bell's nervousness began to return and he gently put Nix down so that his hands were free in case things turned south.
"So when Laura and Leanna told me you were looking into 'rare and unusual monsters', specifically those who are acquiring weapons and armor, my interest was piqued," Hades continued, leaning in.
Bell's hand fell to his side where the Hestia familia knife was located. This was not unnoticed by the ladies of the Hades familia who began to reach for their own weapons.
"So, pray tell, Bell Cranel, what precisely are you looking for? Are you just trying to prepare for the Dungeon and its surprises or…" he leaned in further so that he and Bell were eye to eye. "Are you looking for talking monsters?"
Bell grabbed his knife, the three women pulling out their weapons. For Uriel this was a beautifully crafted longsword with amethyst gems encrusted into its guard and pommel; and for the twins it was two pairs of scarlet knives that immediately surrounded Bell's neck. Yet, Bell didn't even blink as he focused entirely on Hades who simply waited patiently for a response.
For what felt like hours there was nothing but silence, the two men simply staring at each other. Finally, Bell spoke.
"You seem like a good person, Hades-sama. You're kind, intelligent, and loving, at least as far as I can tell, and I would very much like us to become friends, but," he suddenly lashed out, bashing away both the vampire twins blades, before placing his knife against Leanna's neck and grabbing Laura's. "I don't know you. As such I can't trust you. Maybe in time I will be able to. I hope so. But for now, I will ask that you desist from your current path. Please."
Uriel, sword in hand, looked ready to attack, only for Hades to suddenly raise his hand and lean back before laughing.
"Quite right! Quite right indeed!" he replied as he continued to laugh.
Bell, surprised, released the twins who both began rubbing their necks in response, shocked and a tad angry at how easily he had overcome them.
"I thought I'd like you, Bell Cranel. The things I've heard about you painted you as quite the interesting young man," Hades continued.
"You've heard of me?" Bell asked.
"Of course. I do collect knowledge after all. Speaking of which," the god turned to Uriel who sheathed her longsword before proceeding to pull out a series of books, scrolls, and reports. "These might be of some use to you."
Hades placed the items down before Bell who, after a moment, returned his knife to its sheath and looked at the information. Within moments his eyes widened.
"These are-!"
"Bits of information that may help you with your quest," Hades interjected. "You seem like a noble soul, Bell-san. It would be wrong for me not to help you. No matter who you're trying to save," he finished with a wink.
The god stood up, his ladies quickly surrounding him.
"I'll leave you to your research. However, if you're alright with it, I'd very much like to join you again. Your conversation is quite invigorating."
"I…" Bell wasn't sure how to respond, it was all so much. The god had proven very confusing, being both antagonistic, but also beyond helpful.
This information will help me find and save them. I think I can forgive a bit of odd behavior, he thought before smiling.
"I'd like that very much, Hades-sama," he replied as he stood up and bowed.
"Wonderful! Then I'll leave you to your research. Have an excellent day, Bell-san."
With that, the Hades familia left, leaving a confused, but hopeful Bell, to his work.
Hades and his ladies had not made it far from the Red Dawn when they stopped and the god turned.
"Eavesdropping is generally considered rude, Hermes."
Hermes and Asfi stepped forward, the former smiling while tipping his hat.
"Hello Hades. It's been a while."
"It has indeed. Now, what can I help you with?" Hades replied calmly, but his voice clearly indicating that Hermes should not beat around the bush.
"Well, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Bell," the other god replied, his smile growing.
"We were a bit loud, I admit. But yes, we talked and had a rather enjoyable conversation, knives and sword very much included."
"So you're interested in Bell-kun too?"
"Not in any naughty way. I'm not Apollo after all. Besides, Uriel is more than enough for me," he replied, taking his paramour by the hips and placing kisses along her neck, much to her delight. "But yes," he said upon pulling back. "He seems like a very interesting young man with interesting concerns. I can see why my little brother is fond of him."
Hermes, now radiating excitement, then asked.
"So you wouldn't mind helping me with a little project involving dear little hero, would you?"
Endo.
Another pretty short chapter. I'm sorry for that and the time it took to get this one out. Things really have been quite draining lately with work, and I've been really working on my second book, so I'll hope you'll all find a way to forgive me.
Even if you can't, I do hope you at least enjoyed the chapter. So, as always, please tell me what you thought. Angry it was so short? Desperate to finally see the Aiz X Bell lemon? Want to put Hermes's head on a pike for scheming yet again? Tell me so in the reviews.
Quick note, sorry to everyone who thought I was going to make Hades a villain. Believe me I am well aware that he gets the short end of the stick in modern media, even though he was really the only 'good' god of Olympian deities. At least he did his freaking job and, as far as I know, didn't cause any wars or destroy any cities (feel free to correct me if that's not the case). So yeah, Hades isn't a bad guy, just a bit quirky here.
That said, thank you all so much for reading and continuing to support this work, it really does mean so much to me. I hope you all have a wonderful day and I'll see you all in the next one. Bye for now. :)