Just a quite side-note, I have not been active on this account for years. School had put a burden on my free-time, as exams stacked on and I eventually just lost interest in writing. But now I feel the burdens have been lifted, as I am now out of secondary education. So feel free to rate my story however you seem fit, because I will definitely need some tips after not writing for so long! If you read this far, thank you for listening to my rambles about my personal life, and (hopefully) enjoy the read!
This story will take place after the events of Danmachi S3, since I had just rewatched the entire series.
Sounds of footsteps pounded smoothly on the hard cobble streets. Vendors left and right, crowds were not a rare sight. A boy, donning a brown coat, with a face not so different to a rabbit's, trotted along. His destination was set in stone; the dungeon.
"I must catch up. To Ais. To Asterius."
The little rabbit hopped down into the abyss. Echoes of monsters overshadowed the sounds of footsteps that accompanied him from behind.
"Who's there?!"
The boy rapidly took evasive manoeuvres, quickly spinning around, eyes locked on the individual that stood before his eyes. A woman, one that was wearing a dress outfitted with simple but resilient metal plating. The boots she wore had a speck of glint, emanating from the stars embedded on the fronts.
But what he noticed was not the armour, or any other garments as a matter of fact, but the strands of gold that contrasted the dark, corroded feel of the surrounding dungeon. Her eyes were made of honey, as they glued their sights on the boy with a look of blankness.
"Is that you... Ais?"
The battle princess took one step forward, followed by another step, face still expressionless.
"Bell."
"Y-Yes? Miss Ais?"
She shook her head, flicking her hair as if it was being carried by the wind. The young rabbit could do nothing but revel in her presence, but a look of despair on his face did not convey this. His duel with her not long ago, struck his thoughts like a raging minotaur.
Why would she be here for me? It must be coincidence, I doubt she would want to see me so soon since that incident...
The girl then let out a subtle smile.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Bell."
The calm words that were spoken flew through one ear, out the other. Bell was surprised.
"You came here to get stronger, is that not right?"
She spoke softly, like the sound of birds chirping in the morning.
"Y-Yes. My goals have not changed. I want to catch up to you. And to Asterius."
Bell's eyes lit up as he said this, with his right fist raised to his heart.
"Hm."
The sword princess could tell, the person she once thought of as a small rabbit, had grown into a capable bunny. He was no longer the young boy who ran away from his fears.
"Well then."
She stuck one hand out, fingers held out, towards the boy.
"Join me, in the dungeon."
Bell did not expect this at all. But that did not stop him from accepting her proposal.
"I would be delighted to! But why are you in the dungeon, alone?"
"Well, you could say.. I came here on a whim."
Her thoughts betrayed her calm, calculated appearance.
"And besides, ever since.. that day."
Her glare started to unravel from her once expressionless face. She was thinking hard about that incident, the crimson drops of red that she did not spill. The monster? Why would it do this to itself? She could see the images of the blood gushing out of the monster's fingernails. They were burned into her mind that day.
She then held a firm grip.
"Let us go."
She maintained a firm pace after saying those words, hiding her confused face from the young boy that followed in pursuit.
Why? Why does the dungeon throw such a thing from its walls? A monster.. that can feel? No.. Impossible..
"I never thought that in the end,
..A monster would be the one to change my mind."
The sounds of metal gliding across the sheathe could be heard, as the girl readied her weapon.
SLAASH.