chapter 1: a pained scream
Summary: Bell's familia is killed as they were attacked at the hearth manor by some strange assassin. Being the only one left alive out of pity, he realises his weakness, he delves into a deep thirst for vengeance and a never ending cycle of self-depreciation as he yearns for strength. How can anyone pull him out of his suffering? Follow Bell joining Loki familia as he walks down a dangerous path, can Ais pull him out of the dark?
Bell had been training with Ais in the walls as always. Over the days his movements had become sharp and precise, his style matched her and countered it, sure he got knocked around but it was way better than when he couldn't even counter her at all. Bell huffed and breathed as he was slowly becoming a bit ownr out from training, Ais aloof as always had a bead of sweat riding across her chin. Bell fought with extreme vigour even while being tired, he ruthlessly attacked and reacted just barely fast enough to defend. His eyes never breaking contact with Ais. They were always impressive to Ais, his eyes were always filled with passion. A desire. A need to close the gaps and become strong to achieve his goal. Perhaps this was the reason why he grew at an alarming rate, maybe it was the passion all along.
But as she later found out the hard way, it wasn't true.
after finishing their training, Ais went back to the Twilight Manor, she had to freshen up a bit, after all, even though Ais was distant she was by no means no conscious about the fact that she was a girl and according to Riveria, a girl with B.O(Body Odour) was a big no-no. She came back to find that she had gotten a letter. She thought it was just another love letter, after all, she had rejected 1000 people already. However, her blood froze, when she found the name was written in blood. Obviously, it was dry, but for it to be written in blood meant that it was most likely not a love confession, and she was right. Inside, there was an A5 size picture of Bell, his level, stats and magic were all written there along with other information about his familia. There was just a single note and it read 'what do you think is happening to him now, sword princess?'
She barged out, not hesitating to activate Ariel to get there, the hearth mansion, something was about to go down. As she was going, people blocked their faces, after all a level 6 going full speed through the streets does kick up quite a lot of dust. She didn't care, she didn't even care that her familia members were calling out to her repeatedly at the mansion. She had to get to him. To Bell. She didn't want to lose someone else again.
As she was approaching the hearth manor, a pillar of light ascended to the heavens, a few hooded figures jumped through the rooftops. She sped up and reached the manor in a minute.
She was shocked, coinciding with her shock a thunder roared in the clouds above. The front was utterly destroyed, right next to the front door, lay a blonde renart, blood coming out of her mouth and nose in contrast to her fair white skin. She had been the first to die huh, she had no choice but to keep moving forward. She then came in front of a girl with black hair, her purple robe stained red as a pillar was erected to skewer her body. 'She didn't even get to unsheathe her weapon'
Ais sped up, worrying for the worst, she saw the corpse of a red haired blacksmith with a great sword presumably his, stuck in his chest and a little prum whose dead eyes were covered by her brown hair.
Ais "Bell," she said with a voice slightly louder than a whisper.
She checked the rooms, almost everything was trashed, the hallways were covered in cut marks. She entered a grand hall, where the rain which had started by now was pouring in through the hole at the roof. In the middle, lay a lone white rabbit. His shirt tore apart, his body covered in bruises. His usually pale skin covered in shades of blue and purple. A massive gash ran from one corner of his shoulder to his waist. She panicked like she never had before, she went up to him and lifted his head. His long white hair covering his eyes, she could only shed a single tear in response to the sight in front of her. She couldn't help but worry. But there was something else gripping her heart, something that was only for monsters: anger. She was angry, at herself. for failing to protect him, for failing to stop him from harm's way.
Ais 'why am I so angry at myself? Bell is by no means weak now, he doesn't need my protection I don't need to stand by him in his every step'
Then a memory flashed past her. Her father and mother talking to her.
Her parents "Ais, there will come a day when you meet someone special. You will want to cry for their sakes, you will want to get angry for their sakes and you will want to fight for their sakes. Once you find them, never let them go, for they will be your hero one day!"
Ais ' is he supposed to be the one?' She broke out of her thoughts, he was dying but had a very faint pulse, he could still live. I need to take him to Riveria immediately.
Back at the Twilight Manor, the executives were quite worried, Ais had gotten a letter and after reading she bolted out of the house.
Finn "so do we know who sent the letter?"
Loki "no, nothing absolutely ghost," she was in disbelief, she was also worried for Ais.
Riveria " well we kind of don't have a choice but to wait until she returns," at that moment Ais burst through the doors, dripping wet. Everyone was shocked to see her appear with such a frantic look in her eyes.
Ais "Riveria quickly, he needs help," Riveria didn't need to ask, something had happened to someone, so she nodded and followed along with Loki and the other executives.
To their shock, there was Bell all battered up.
Tiona " Argonaut-kun?"
Lefiya didn't say anything, she didn't want to, although she never cared much for that human, he was her rival and he was one persistent guy. To see him in this state left her in extreme shock and fear.
Bete "huh? hahahah, what did he encounter another horde of minotaurs?" He said, no one could accept that.
Tiona "what are you saying now?"
Tione "he is hurt, you shouldn't say things like that,"
Bete slightly annoyed at how the two jumped to protect him so readily, "what? I was saying the truth, he does seem to have a thing for minotaurs? I feel so bad for his goddess," Ais snapped at this, she saw what had happened and would not allow Bete to speak that smack about Bell, she instantly moved drawing her desperate and placing just an inch infront of Bete's throat, to everyone's shock.
Ais visibly angered "NOT ANOTHER WORD!" Bete was shocked and kept quiet. Riveria was shocked to see her in this state, she decided to ask her what happened later and chose to heal Bell first.
Riveria ' what the hell happened? there is not a single corner of his body which isn't hurt'
A bit of time later
Bete and Ais had not moved from the awkward position. Her eyes were quite lierally piercing him so he was more or less stuck. He tried looking at the two amazons there but they only shrugged in pity.
Riveria "ok he should be more or less stable now, I don't know when he will wake up but he should do so soon enough, in the mean time Ais stop skewring Bete with your aura and tell us what happened?"
Ais backed off from Bete at that after giving a final look, "let's go to another room before talking about it"
They left the room and went to the one next over and Ais finally began explaining. How she got the letter, she found it suspicious so she went to check only to see a pillar of light going up to heaven and finally the bloodied corpses of his familia.
Finn "so what you are saying is that his familia got decimated and his goddess was killed and sent back to heaven," to which Ais nodded.
Gareth "was there anyone in particular that wanted to get rid of them,"
Bete "who doesn't, I mean he levelled up 4 times in 6 months, no wonder they were targeted I would've done the same," Ais glared at him.
Riveria "either way, I guess we have to wait for him to wake up and see if he knows more." They all collectively agreed.
Tiona "for now let's go check on him," as they all went to where he was staying, it was surprisingly empty.
Loki "oh come on we were gon for like 5 mins,"
Riveria "apparently he woke up in those 5 mins." She stated deadpan.
Ais "for now let's go to the hearth manor, he's probably there,"
They all headed towars the eerily quiet Hearth Manor. The place the Hestia familia had won in a war game looked almost fine from the outside except for the massive hole in the roof, it seemed as if they didn't put up any resistance. But Ais knew this was not the case, the inside looked trashed.
Lefiya "this is a bit too eerie,"
Ais " I should probably warn about what you will see inside... it's gruesome,"
A few of them shuddered at something even Ais would call gruesome but decided to carry on nevertheless.
As they entered they saw a blood trail. Ais was shocked that none of the corpses were where they were supposed to be. The skewered girl was no longer there and the cavity had been broken in half, the red haired blacksmith and supporter were also missing. They all knew this was done by Bell and they proceeded to the hall.
Ais outside the door "this is where he probably is,"
Finn "ok let's go i-" but he couldn't finish as a bloodcurdling and pained shrill came out.
Bell "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," they burst in trough the door, to see the wet patch in the hall where the roof was broken, thunder crackling in the sky, they were wide eyed at what they saw, even Bete. The corpses of his familia side by side.
Bell's POV
It hurt so much. The pain gripping at his heart. For having failed his family once again, watching them die in front of his eyes. Failing his goddess, the only remaining trace being her blue white ribbon.
He could only scream in pain, he felt so alone, so dark. He felt as if he was in a cold, frigid place. The blonde renart that used to always speak for hours of her passion for heroes, the red haired blacksmith who was like a brother Bell never really had. The supporter a cute little sister he would protect. The raven haired socially awkward girl who was madly in love with her previous God. Finally, the Goddess that helped him at his lowest. The one who extended her hand to him when every other person abandoned him, the one who went as far as forsake her honour as a God to get him a good knife, so that he could live to see the next day. He failed them all. He let them die, he was too weak.
Internal voice "you let them die, you didn't protect them, now you get to live how unfair can you be?"
Bell " no, I didn't mean to let them die, it was a mistake,"
internal voice "saying it was a mistake won't bring them back, just accept it, you let them die."
Bell "stop, stop I would apologise if I could," he was tearing up, the guilt was eating him up.
Internal voice "oh but you can, you should just join them, besides you have been pure enough for your life, you can easily make it to heaven, you even sowed monster pity,"
Bell "no, it wasn't pity and they wouldn't want me to die like this," he tired to reason with himself, to no avail.
Internal voice "so you would rather live with this guilt, this pain i your heart that no can ease? Just think how much better you would feel if you just joined them,"
Bell was going over a dangerous path, he had convinced himself that he would feel better if he died.
Bell " should I? I know this pain is terrible but I still have things to do in this world." He was in turmoil, he was tipping over.
Internal voice "What do you have to do? Become stronger so that you can stand beside her? Do you think you deserve happiness after what happened to your family? You want to start another family with her, just to fail to protect it?"
This was the final straw for Bell, he fell into the depths of despair as he realised he could never be her hero. He could never protect her.
Bell "then, what's the point in me being alive?"
Internal voice "there isn't. That's why you should join them."
Finn's POV
When we entered the room all we could see was a lonesome boy. He was crying his heart out, all he could do was sit in front of the corpses of his now dead familia.
Finn 'poor boy..'
No one dared to move, not even the annoying Bete did anything. All we could do was watch as the boy was evidently going through a turmoil. We didn't have the right to go to him. To tell him it will be fine. To tell him what they would've wanted. We could claim to be his friends anymore. We had lost that right, the second we hesitated. I could see the pain in Ais' eyes. She had changed for the better after meeting him, it was all thanks to him. But now he has to change as well.
Suddenly, Bell takes out the Hestia knife.
Tiona "w-what's he going to do?" she said as he slowly held it with both hands, shaking fiercely, he slowly lifted it as he faced upwards.
Loki "oh shi-, someone stop him!"
Finn catching on disappeared from where he was and slapped the knife out of his hands.
Finn "WHAT are you trying to do Bell?" he asked.
Bell just remained motionless, he didn't even bother to look at him. He simply took out his other knife.
Finn 'This stupid boy' he thought as he slapped the other one out of his hands.
Bell finally came back and screamed "STOP HITTING MY WEAPONS AWAY. WHY DO YOU GET IN MY WAY FINN?"
Finn exploding with just as much rage "WHY DO YOU THINK? YOU ARE TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF,"
Bell " What's wrong with that, I don't have the right to live after I watched them die. I let them die, I basically killed them didn't I? So what's wrong with me dying?"
Finn a bit calmer now what happened wasn't your fault Bell, you were attacked unaware," he tried to reason with the boy.
Bell spitefully "wasn't my fault? WHAT DO YOU KNOW, I SAW THEM EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM GET KILLED, RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES AS I COULDN'T EVEN MOVE." He was crying profusely, no one said anything back, they couldn't relate to what he was going through. They didn't have to right to tell him he is wrong.
Finn "so how is dying going to solve things Bell?"
Bell "at least I could go and see them. I could say sorry, I-I don't want to lose my family once again Finn, don't get in my way." He said as he placed his right hand on his heart, Finn was slightly confused but he quickly realised.
Bell "Firebo-" he couldn't finish as he got knocked out by Finn.
Finn "So fucking persistent," he swore to everyone's surprise, "let's take him back to the manor, bind his hands and take his weapons so he doesn't try anything else," everyone was still quiet, they just complied knowing that now was not the time to say things.
*Twilight Manor*
The Loki executives came with Bell being carried by Ais, just in case he woke up midway through, he would see Ais' face and realise his mistakes. Thankfully, he didn't wake up but they had no choice but to tie him up to prevent him from killing himself.
Riveria "poor boy, he couldn't bear to lose his family,"
Lefiya "honestly, I can see why he would try to do such a thing, after his familia's corpses were right in front of him,"
Finn "yeah well, it doesn't mean we let him die, I still think of him as my friend, what he went through is painful but I won't watch him kill himself,"
Bete "tch. So stupid trying to kill himself, doesn't he get its over once he's dead."
Ais "..."
Suddenly a very loud shout came from the room where Bell was in,
Bell "FINNNNN, YOU BETTER COME HERE AND UNTIE ME," they all shuffled inside.
Finn "hey Bell, have you calmed down,"
Bell "why? Why Finn? why does it matter if I die, why do I have to always be the one left alive?" He asked while crying.
Finn "I don't know Bell, but if you died, others will be sad. I will be sad," he stated the truth. Over the past few months, Finn saw the truth of Bell. He managed to change Ais, give Lefiya and the others a rival and he had a kindness, like no other. He was what the prum idolised, a true hero. Something he had been trying to become, to show the others, the prum are not pathetic, they too can be strong like others.
Finn "didn't you hope to be a hero, the city still needs one,"
Bell "what hero?" shocking Ais as she knew how badly he wanted to be one, "I don't have the right to be a hero. How can I save others, when I couldn't save my own family, not once but twice," he quietened near the end, everyone else looked down.
Loki slightly annoyed "ok kid, I am getting pissed off listening to you whine, how bout ya man up a bit,"
Bell annoyed but still looking down "if you need a man, then I don't want to be one, my loss may not be as bad as others, but to me its devastating enough,"
Finn " if you hold this much reason within you, then you should know how pointless it would be to die,"
Loki "Look kid, I don't care if ya want to die, but as much as I hate to admit it, I owed the ittybitty a few favours, so I can't just let you die in vain, so let's strike a deal."
Everyone flinched at that. they all thought along the same lines, is she seriously going to make bets and deals now of all times.
Bell "what is it?"
Loki "Ya want to at least get revenge don'tcha, after all ya saw them kill ya mates," Bell tensed at that.
Finn "Loki, I don't think now is the time to sa-"
Loki "I know what I am doing Finn," she said and then facing back at the tied up Bell "look at you all pathetic, bruised up everywhere, ya think ya can get revenge in that state,"
Bell deadpan "just say what you are trying to say, no one is stopping me from biting off my tongue,"
They were all shocked. They needed to keep his mouth free to talk to him, but they never really expected him to make a threat with his own death.
Loki "now now let's not get crazy, here's ma deal. You join my familia, get stronger and get yer revenge, then if ya still want to die then no one here will stop you,"
Everyone was shocked yet again.
Ais "Loki how could you make that deal, B-Bell don't liste-" She was cut off.
Bell "Fine," they were surprised to finally see his eyes in this entire confrontation. They were slightly puffy from the crying but the main point was his eyes. Gone were the bright ruby eyes, filled with determination. All they could see were two hollow lifeless eyes, that did not even look at them, it seemed distant as if staring at something he had long since abandoned.
Loki giving a small smile "let's get yer falna then, Finn untie him from there," while he was still shocked he just complied. " we are a persistent bunch as well Bell. Don't ya think we will let you die so easily" she said.
Bell dropped down from the pike, he looked at her, his eyes as distant and hollow as ever, with a very dark flame burning in the back. He said in a dark tone "try me... goddess," to which Loki just smiled. While the rest just stood there in shock at how the things had transpired. Bell had entered the Loki familia under a conditional deal and they had only so much time to bring purpose to his life, something besides bloodthirst and revenge as evident by his eyes.
This was going to be a rough ride.
A/N: Well who do we have here, yeah yeah I'm back. Yeah I know you lot might be baffed at why I started a new series, while I am in like 4 chapters in the other series. Its acc quite simple, I was distracted. My country's failure of a government decided to bring the exams forward, so now I have my exams in mid april. FFS, Ik but cuz of this my upload schedule will get sent to shit. But I promise I will update more by may. Anyways, I never really had the time to write so I ended up reading a few more fanfics, I found one where Bell loses his familia, it was set in a point before meeting Haruhime, I forgot the name of it. It kind of rubbed off on me, so I ended up not being able to focus on the other story so now I decided to make this one lol. Hope this works out. For now it's Bell x Ais, but if you want, you could leave a review telling me if I should make it any other couple since I feel like it's quite easy to not make an Ais ship with this. Either way, you could just give me a review telling me which couple you want, since someone gotta pull him out of the dark. Either way, it's a wrap.
