Bell Cranel: Legacies Lost
Disclaimer: I do not own Danmachi, credit for all original works goes to Fujino Omori and Suzuhito Yasuda for illustrations. Any original artwork used in this Fanfic belongs to their respective owners. Please support the official release!
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Chapter 1: Betrayal
In the predawn hours of the early morning, two bruised and battered adventurers can be seen struggling to ascend the spiraling stairs up to the entrance of the dungeon. On this particular day, a gloomy mist had rolled in and hung over the city like an incurable plague, obscuring sight and muffling sounds. Through this oppressive and cloying mist we see our two struggling adventurers. One human boy with white hair and ruby eyes and the other a slender female Elf with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Though both adventurers' equipment (what's left of them) had definitely seen better days and their bodies are riddled with wounds and injuries, the two half dead adventurers supported each other as best they can while making their way through the fog in the hopes that the worst is over and they're finally back in the safety of Orario.
However, whether it was due to exhaustion, injuries or both, they failed to notice the sounds of shuffling feet or the approaching shadows surrounding them. As they clear the threshold of Babel tower, their senses are bombarded by sudden lights focusing on them as multiple spot lights blinds their vision and loud shouting assaulted their hearing as they were tackled to the ground.
"There they are, seize them. Capture the traitors!" said Royman Mardeel, the public head of the Guild.
"Wha-what's going on?" said both Bell and Ryuu.
"Bell Cranel and Ryuu Lion, you are both charged with treason against the great city of Orario and it's good citizens".
"Take them!" ordered Royman as multiple first class adventurers rushed the two and beat them into oblivion. As they're being assaulted and pummeled into oblivion, through blurry vision Bell can see the looks of disgust, rage and hatred on the faces of people he trusted and counted as friends and family. Darkness claims the two as pain and exhaustion overcomes them.
"Armid, give them enough medical attention to keep them alive long enough for their trial"
Ten minutes later, Armid had finally finished tending to the two. Keeping them alive while unconscious. Throughout all this, multiple conversations could be heard as people were casting disparaging remarks towards the two.
"I can't believe they would do such a thing" said a furious Ais
"Bell kun how could you! I gave you my blessing and accepted you into my familia and this is how you repay me!" said a disgusted Hestia
"Lili thought she was the one that led a deceitful life but it turns out that Master Bell was the was truly evil one.." said Lili
"I can't believe i saw you as a brother" said Welf
Now i don't feel so bad about that pass parade thought Mikoto.
"Bell-sama is no hero at all, he was planning on betraying us all along" said a tearful Haruhime.
I knew you were never worthy of Miss Ais you filthy Human. Now you won't get in the way of our love and happiness. thought a sneering Lefiya
Tsch! "i knew you were trash from the start and now you're going to die like the trash you are you dumb rabbit" spat a smug Bete.
"Do you think Argonaut and Galewind could have done all that?" said Tiona to Tione.
"Who knows, the evidence is pretty damning" replied Tione
Gareth could be seen shaking his head and sighing in disappointment.
Riviera and Finn looked on, thinking that Bell's deeds and achievements were too good to be true.
Loki's eyes opened just a peep as a smug look was plastered on her face. Thinking that Bell's rapid growth could have never surpassed Ais' record.
Ottarl just stoically looked on while Allen and the rest of Freya's executives were smugly smiling now that the rabbit would no longer be commanding their goddess' attention.
"Ok are you done yet Armid?, it's been a long night waiting on these two filthy Traitors and some of us need to get some rest" barked Royman.
"All done" said a slightly annoyed Armid.
"Captain Shakti, take them to the holding cells and make sure there's round the clock guards posted. There will be at least 2 first class adventurers guarding them at all times until their trial and subsequent execution"
"Braver, King, Ankusha. I'll leave the handling of the security details up to you three, i'm sure between the 3 of you, the rotation can be easily worked out"
"Yes sir!" replied all three captains.
And so, the two unconscious captives were taken to the guild holding cells and unceremoniously tossed inside, injuries be damned. At the guild, a sad and tearful Eina could be heard quietly saying "this can't be true. I refuse to believe either of them are capable of such heinous actions" while a concerned Misha Flott looks on.
At the entrance of the Hostess of Fertility a crying Syr is breaking down at the thought of losing her friend and love interest while the rest of the staff tries to console her. Mama Mia stands behind them with her arms crossed, shaking her head thinking that the evidence was overwhelming against the two unfortunate souls.
~~3 days later~~
What is this oppressive weight...why is everything hazy...i feel like i'm stuck in mud…Can't move my limbs...is this the end...Am i dead…?
Clink clink..rattle
The audience sees Bell beginning to stir..when suddenly..
"Look he's stirring"
"The cheating bastard is finally awake"
"Now we can begin the process of getting rid of this trash from our city"
"Let's get this trial over with, the sight of them disgusts me"
"ARRRRRGGGHHHHH…." Screams Bell as he regains consciousness and pain explodes all over his body. His eyes open and he sees himself being chained down as he kneels in the middle of the coliseum. His scream startles Ryuu into waking who is also similarly restrained.
"Cranel-san what's going on..why are we being restrained in the middle of the stadium"
"I don't know Ryuu-san...i'm as confused as you are"
The two looked around and sees a crowd gathered in the stadium, a palpable miasma hangs in the air. They could feel the flows of hatred and disgust flowing towards them as if they're being assaulted by crashing waves. Ahead of them, seated on the front row, they can see most of the deities. Front and center were Hestia flanked by Loki to her left and Freya on the right followed by the other gods and goddesses residing in Orario. In front of them all, standing at the podium is none other than the architects of their misery..Royman Mardeel flanked by a sneering Terry Cervantes, the former owner of the resort and casino El Dorado, whom Ryuu had previously exposed as a member of Evilus.
Though some were doubtful of the accusations thrown at the two, they were not going to miss this chance for entertainment. After all, what could be greater than witnessing the rise of a hero when you can get a first hand experience of the fall of said Hero. Some had looks of disappointment, others disgust while some had looks of anticipation on their leering faces. It seems that all of the resident deities with the exception of Ouranos were physically present at the trial of our two heroes.
"Now then, let's begin the trial of betrayers. Bell "Rabbit Foot" Cranel and Ryuu "Galewind" Lion. you two are charged with Treason, sedition and attempted destruction of our fair city of Orario, what says you?" comes the amplified voice of Royman.
"Wha-what treason, what sedition?!" replies a confused and bewildered Bell
"What are you talking about?!" screams Ryuu.
"We have no idea what you're talking about. " said the two simultaneously.
"Still trying to play ignorant i see, Lord Ganesha please present the incriminating evidence"
"I am Ganesha! Lord Ouranos i request permission to utilize my arcanum mirror" asks Ganesha into the air.
"Granted!" said the disembodied voice of the primordial God Ouranos.
And so, arcane mirrors activating across the stadium and all over the various establishments and major residences in Orario. A few seconds later we see…..
A/N: First off, my apologies for leaving this at a cliffhanger as i already had in mind how i wanted the trial to proceed. That being said, this is my first foray into fanfic-dom and i sincerely hope to do the Danmachiverse justice.
I am also looking for a beta reader for the story as i plan on this being a continuous series as inspiration comes to me.
Thank you for taking the time to read my very first story.
~Mephiston75~