00 - Traitor; Not. Betrayal; Loss.
(Orario, Nighttime)
Orario. The Labyrinth City. The city of dreams. It's the center of the world where Gods and Goddesses have descended upon. Wishing to join the mortals of the lower world just so they can have fun. Yes, it was that boring in Heaven.
The city moved about just as always. Even in the night, they were still busy as ever. Everyone's race differed and their purposes varied. From the greedy and common Adventurers to cheap but fulfilled shopkeepers. Second-tier adventurers scuffling about to proper diners and Pubs going along with business. And the proper Adventurers such as the Loki Familia and the Hermes Familia, up to the ends of the Guild. Who were monitoring Adventurer and city business as usual.
There hasn't been much happening in Orario for the past three weeks. Except for one matter, though the Guild did keep that issue to themselves until the time is right. So far, everything has been going smoothly and normally. Nothing out of the ordinary, no one stepping out of line, and everyone seemed pretty okay.
That lasted until a certain Adventurer walked out of the Dungeon entrance.
The Adventurer in focus was a white-haired ruby-eyed teenager. Who looked utterly distressed, as if someone had seen his Goddess torn into bits by Dungeon creatures. He had his light armor on, a large silver breastplate with blaze linings on the side. Two silver gauntlets with a certain stone embedded on it. His silver kneepads and shinguards with the same color scheme as the breastplate.
Usually, this boy would have such happy and naive aura around him. But not today, for he felt withdrawn. Tired.
Angry. Who? He didn't know. Probably at himself.
Adventurers who were near him suddenly stopped. Noticing the boy's presence. Some had begun to whisper amongst themselves, the mumurs spreading. Some Adventurers were somewhat rushing to his whereabouts.
Though Bell did not care for that. He needed to head for the Guild and tell Eina what happened.
He brushed past the curious Adventurers, his only priority is the Pantheon.
Bell opened the door to the Guild. When he did, some Adventurers noticed him again. Though luckily, none of which he knew their faces. It would become a shitshow if someone he knew were to confront him.
The teen walked further into the hall. When some of the Guild Staff noticed him, and noticed him as if he were threat. Some eyes were widened, others began murmuring and talking with their coworkers. Then others rushed into the office rooms, Bell didn't really see this. Because he didn't give two shits about everything right now.
Bell scanned the counters for any familiar face, and fortunately, he found his advisor.
He tiredly headed for the half-Elf advisor, and when he was nearing, the emerald eyes behind the spectacles noticed him.
She looked certainly surprised, and wore an expression that was similar to her coworkers. The other Guild members who hadn't noticed him yet up until now had their guard up. Bell's state however was still ignoring this fact and went on with his main task.
He stood before Eina's lane. Looking tired and dreaded. Silence reigned between them two, wondering who would be the first to speak.
And it was the half-Elf who began.
"Bell-kun. You're here." Eina said less enthusiastically. She saw his current state, blood and wounds all over his face. His armor was bent and damaged, same goes for his Salamander Wool. She couldn't help but voice her concern. "Are you alright?"
The white-haired teen was about to speak. When a different thought made him change his mind.
Bell just sighed and shook his head. "Can I shower first?"
"U-um.. go right ahead." Eina stammered.
If Bell wasn't feeling like he is now, he would've noticed the difference of behavior that his advisor was showing and would've immediately called her out on it.
But again, he wasn't in the mood.
He gave her a curt nod before turning right to the shower room. In truth, he didn't really need to shower, just a small wash from the sink would do.
When Bell was nowhere near Eina's sight, she turned to her coworkers. Who had that look that she knew what they all have to do. Despite her close relationship with Bell, she firmly nodded at them. And immediately, they began calling up the Adventurers they had gathered. When Eina focused back on her counter, she had a somber look on her face. Just thinking how she couldn't believe what would happen to Bell.
And within a few moments, she could hear thundering footsteps from a waiting room.
Bell opened the faucet. He began taking off his gloves and gauntlet, putting them beside the sink. He heaved a sigh, looking down on the sink. Then looking up to the mirror before him. His cute and charming face looked rather worn out and sorrowful. His eyes looked dead, soulless. He had cuts and wounds all over his face. And his neck had been painted with dried blood, looking pretty recent and fresh.
He knew what happened down there. And he couldn't forgive himself for it. For all what happened, he regretted going down there in the first place.
'Why?' Was his thought. 'Why was I the one that walked out of that place last?'
He was tempted to punch something, but doing so would only make things worse.
He stared back at himself, and when he did, he could only remember the events that happened that were fresh in his mind.
Bell flipped over the Xenos Wyvern and immediately took cover from the small pebble-like projectile that the aggravated monsters were shooting.
The teen immediately stood out of cover and prepared his magic.
"Firebolt!" Bell chanted as his outstretched hand shot a medium sized fireball towards the horde of monsters just meters away from them. Hitting at least two of them with it. He went back to cover immediately, as he knew he wouldn't be able to survive from those monsters at this rate. Judging from their barren amount of supplies and consciousness left, their best bet is to flee from this place right now.
So he quickly moved in his cover as he managed to get atop his Wyvern companion. He saw a glimpse of his fellow Adventurer rushing towards him as well. Bell quickly grabbed him with his outreached hand as he and Bell adjusted on their seats. While luckily evading every projectile being fired at them.
"Go!" Bell tapped his heel onto the Xeno.
"We're outta here!" The Wyvern roared as he flapped his wings and immediately flew out of their current spot. All the while tanking the hits being taken from the monsters below.
"Yeah! We did it!" Bell exclaimed in both joy and relief as he turned to his companion. "Ouka! We're gonna get out of here!"
But instead, his ally was only breathing erratically. A bloody hand made it's way to Bell's neck, before being dragged down and placed back onto his stomach.
Which was bleeding heavily.
"Ouka?" Bell looked instantly worried and scared.
"A-gagh.. oh shit!" Ouka groaned as he tried and pressed his hand downward, attempting to stop the bleeding. He was getting paler by the second, and that could mean he could succumb to it any moment...
'No! Don't think about it Bell!' The white-haired teen internally yelled at himself. Before he focused his attention and concern to Ouka.
"No, no, no.. okay Riley?" Bell called out the Wyvern they were riding on. "Get to the 18th Floor, now!"
"I'll try!" The Wyvern replied.
"Don't try, do it!" Bell replied angrily. His primary focus was stopping the bleeding, he ripped a part of his shirt and pressed it down upon his fellow Familia Captain. "It's gonna be okay! Hey, hey. Ju-just hold on!"
Ouka's breathing only got worse, it was getting raggedy by the second. He was losing blood, and fast. He didn't have any healing items left. It was scaring Bell and any moment it can happen. He tried to calm him down and it might miraculously make it better.
"Hey, just think about what everyone's gonna say when we come back up. Hm?" Bell flashed him a calming smile.
But then Ouka's breathing slowed. 'Ouka?'
Ouka spoke in a weak and fading voice.
"I'm sorry..."
Then he stopped breathing.
His eyes went dead, lifeless.
And Bell watched it happen. Disbelief and denial running through him.
The only sounds were his steady breathing and the sounds of wings flapping.
Then the sounds were suddenly tuning out, his mind focusing on his fellow Captain's body.
He suddenly felt something in his hands, when he looked down on it, he found Ouka's bloodied hand handing him a small rolled-up scroll.
Bell didn't move his palm, but Ouka's hand dragged from him and went limp on his stomach.
Bell's palm was slowly getting cleaner. Though he didn't bother to wash up the rest of the dried blood. There wasn't much of a point to it, and he wanted his business done so he can go to Takemikazuchi and Mikoto and tell them...
'No. No need to think about that now.' Bell was right. His priority was to tell Eina what happened.
How three parties of Adventurers died and he was the last one to survive.
Bell gave his palm one last brush, before using both wet hands to rub his eyes. Cleaning up any signs of fatigue that he had. He looked in the mirror one last time. Before he closed up the faucet and gathered his belongings.
When he opened the bathroom door, he saw a tall, largely-muscled Boaz staring him down. Bell was looked at him weirdly and was about to say something.
Until the Boaz grabbed his head and slammed it onto the door frame.
Bell fell to the ground with a grunt, pain immediately registering to him. He was on his knees, a hand on the floor as he groaned heavily. Bell raised his head, and saw the people that were waiting for him. The King, Perseus, the Braver, and the Guild Pig himself. All of them, standing and staring him down.
And they all looked angry.
Disappointed.
Aggressive.
'They're after me..' Was what Bell thought.
He didn't take the time to think of things, he only saw enemies and his primal instinct kicked in.
Self-defense.
The King suddenly saw the Rabbit Foot draw out a black knife from his right sleeve, he immediately stopped him with two hands. His speed overwhelming his reflexes. Bell stood as his left hand also formed a long white knife from his sleeve. Aimed towards the King's head. Which was immediately stopped by the King's other hand.
Bell tried to push his blades, but his Level 4 status was too much for the King's Level 7 status. And even he was surprised when the teen fought back.
And so the King raised his left arm and made the teen trap himself with his limbs. Both his arms crossed and trapping him. The Level 7 Adventurer then shoved the white-haired teen into a wall, and again sent him to the wall. As said wall cracked from the impact. Bell became dazed, and when he thought the King was done, he received a forearm to the face. The massive pain registered to his head.
The King twisted his wrist and locked Bell in a headlock. His free hand with Hakugen couldn't do anything, while his right hand that the King trapped was also useless. The King tightened his muscles, as Bell began choking and losing breath. Perseus, the Braver and the Captain of the Guild watched him, as the last of the group marched and crouched to his level.
Bell didn't know why they were doing this. And so he had to voice his thought.
"Wh-why?! What did.. I.. do..?!"
Royman explained.
"You murdered six Adventurer parties down in the Lower Floors!"
'Wait, six?'
Royman continued, pointing his finger at Bell for emphasis. "They were all massacred in horrible ways, and the evidence we've found led to you!"
Bell really wanted to yell back how he didn't kill any of his fellow comrades—
'No. It's true.' Bell sombered. 'I did lead them to their deaths.'
"We thought you were a good kid, what happened to the real Cranel boy? Murderer!" Royman spat at him and gave the King a small nod.
And immediately, the Level 7 tightened his hold on Bell. Basically squeezing the life out of him. Bell's face was going red, the blood and the pressure coming to his brain. He didn't have any other trick in his sleeve. His vision was blurring, he could even feel trace amounts of water in his eyes. He couldn't do anything else, and so he closed his eyes. Waiting for it to sweep him away.
This was it. He was going to die. This is punishment, for the death he had given to his fellow Adventurers. Ones that he accompanied. Ones that he helped.
And ones that stood by his side. Knowing he did his best to save them all.
Then Ouka's lifeless face flashed before him again.
Would he let himself succumb to death?
'No. This is wrong.' Then something in Bell snapped. 'I have to avenge them. Ouka.. they were murdered by something.'
Bell's eyes opened. A fire of determination streaked through him.
'NO!'
Adrenaline rushed through his veins. As Bell used it to move himself and send the King to the wall. The strength suddenly surprised the Level 7 Adventurer, and didn't brace for the pain to come. His lock on Bell loosened, as Bell used the window of opportunity to flip the King over him. The three others in the room were caught off-guard and were too surprised to do anything.
Bell stood to his feet as the King swung a fist at him. Only for his forearm to get sliced off by the Hestia Knife.
"GAGH!" Ottar yelled in pain as Bell relentlessly continued with a slice towards his hip and a slash to his leg. "Ngh, ARGHH!"
Ottar knelt on the ground, the pain overtaking him as his mind clouded. Bell didn't waste time and immediately stabbed the King through the shoulders. He didn't know if he killed him or not, he had to get out of here fast.
"Finn, Andromeda! DO SOMETHING!" Bell heard Royman yell as the Guild Pig stepped back. Only for him to fall on his ass. The white-haired teen saw Asfi and Finn draw their small weapons. But Bell was faster, as he removed his blades on the King and immediately threw the Hestia Knife to Asfi's shoulders with a flick of a wrist.
"Nrgh!" Asfi cried in pain as she fell on the floor. Bell then focused his attention on Finn. Who swung his knife at him only for Bell to block it. The teen used his right hand to punch Finn in the gut and ribs, knocking the air out of him.
"Ggh!" Finn choked, as Bell grabbed Finn's wrist and stabbed his Hakugen onto Finn's forearm. Getting him stuck on the floor. "Gagh!"
Bell then looked at the last person of the group, Royman. He made his way to him as his fists clenched.
But didn't expect the magic sword he hid behind him as the weapon shot a bolt of lightning at his face.
And suddenly, the world turned black.
When he woke up, he was locked up in a jail cell. Then someone came in and he was told that he was under arrest. He would go on trial and get a hearing soon. Then for two months, he endured the hardship of prison. He suffered, mentally and physically. His mind, darkened with the last thoughts and shit he experienced. He didn't have any plans, he was hopeless in this regard. His friends—no, former friends visited him. He was surprised when most of them, and the ones he was closest to the most, barraged him with insults and curses. And only some were feeling sorry for him, doubting his arrest. While he thanked them for their sympathies, it was overwhelmed by the amount of death threats and witch hunting he received from majority.
And then the judgement came, death row.
He didn't get any hopes up, and when this came, he wasn't really surprised. So then he was to be executed, right in front of a crowd.
That crowd wasn't a crowd, it was an audience. Everyone—though some weren't present in the execution—cheered for his death. Including his closest friends. Ones he didn't expect to have such vulgarity. He didn't have any hopes, and cursing them back wouldn't do him good. So he only hoped for the best. The best was joining his grandfather in the afterlife, and possibly his parents.
Then, the sentence came. Death by his own weapon. Everyone was surprised, but it didn't stop them from cheering any further. So when the executioner held up the Hestia Knife, he accepted his fate.
And so the knife was plunged into his heart.
...
...
...
Bell groaned.
'Am I.. dead?'
He was answered with a jolt of pain through his body. Making him wince.
His vision slowly opened, it blurred. He wanted to rub his eyes so much, but the pain and something else made him paralyzed to his spot. He didn't know what was going on.
But he could confirm something.
'I'm alive...'
Bell managed to open his eyes completely. Though blurred, it slowly became clear. What he saw was the blue sky, one that he didn't expect to see immediately. He moved his eyes, and saw grass and a forest.
'What the..?'
He looked to his right this time, and found the land changed by gravel. A castle in the distance, ruined and destroyed.
Then he heard footsteps come near him. Alert and worry becoming his first instinct. He expected his savior, or a monster to eat him up. The latter could be better.
But instead, a woman's voice greeted him by surprise.
"So, the Little Rookie's awake, hm?" Then to his left, a tall figure wearing brown pants and weird armor stood before him. Her left hand was replaced, mechanical looking. As if it were a prosthetic.
A foot hit Bell on the shoulder. Making him grunt as the pain imploded inside of him. He tried to look to his left, as the figure began to crouch down.
"Get the fuck up. We've got a city to burn."
Then a woman with the reigning presence of a Goddess met his eyes. Raven hair and red eyes meeting him back. A small grin formed on her face.
And from here on out, Bell's life wasn't done yet.
For he had a city to burn.
Author's Notes: This is written within one night. Expect some minor errors here and there. The next chapter of this would come soon and it'll involve more details. And so would the Fallout fanfic.