Here's the side story part of this series.

This will only show Bell's side of the story in the first few chapters. Including his turmoil's, Depression, and most of all his drastic change in personality. It will also show parts of his growth in this certain Familia.

You know what would have been a really cool picture or cover for this story. A picture of Bell looking behind him. His entire body broken into pieces almost like a broken mirror. Some parts showing the old Bell, one that still trusted everyone. While most of the other pieces shows the current Bell, eyes flaring with hate and disgust and his white hair much longer. Holding on to his weapons.

Anyways hope you enjoy.

Bold-Talking

Italic-thoughts

Underlined-important

Special story: "Choices: Bell's side"

Chapter 1.5: A Melancholic adventure

Bell's mind

Bell was floating, he felt and knew what it was. "A dream huh. I just wish,... wish that it was all just a dream, a nightmare. But I knew, it was the truth. Yet, where can I still find comfort, where can I find it, "Love".

Somewhere

Bell woke up with a startle, "where,... Am I?"

Looking at his surroundings, he remembered the events that unfolded in Orario. He remembered it, that goddess and her Familia. "Why did I feel so calm with them?" Bell thought. But it quickly left him, when he heard the door creak open and saw it. The goddess and two people behind her, who he could only guess were her Familia's so-called Captain and Vice-Captain.

"Good morning, Bell. How is was your sleep last night?" The goddess in questions spoke. "Her voice, a sweet and soft voice, almost like Velvet, and yet mixed in with a sort of hardness like stone or... pure adamantite." "It was... alright. I guess" Bell spoke with little emotion as he can. "May I ask a question, goddess?"

"You may, Bell Cranel" she spoke with a voice full of kindness. But looking at her Captain and Vice-Captain. He noticed there distaste. "Why do those two look like they hate me a lot. Almost like them"

Bell pushed those thoughts away and decided ask his question. "Why did you people save me? Didn't you and your Familia see and read the news in Orario."

Bell tried to get up, but fell back down with a grunt and finally noticed it. His arms, full of cuts, bruises, and deep scars that went all over his body. Then he looked at his body and legs, the same conditions were there as well. "Damn, they really did me in. Didn't they" Bell thought about the events that transpired over a course of only 2 days.

But the goddess only laughed a hearty laugh and gave him, Bell Cranel a serious look and spoke "because, this situation intrigues me to a splendidly high also, because of how you look so lost, broken-almost like a toy or brain dead, and angry. Yet, behind all of those, there's sadness and grief on top of all of those emotions"

Bell was about to speak up, when she continued her sentence. "I had my best healers here heal you up as nicely as possible. I-" But Bell interrupted her, stating "what are the requirements, to join your Familia? I don't care, what I have to do. I'll do anything, I just..." Bell stopped speaking and put the last of his words in his mind. "To get away from those people, People who he trusted to a deadly degree, and yet. They disregard all of it. Like he was someone kind of toy, an animal that can be easily replaced."

Bell waited and waited for her response, but... nothing came. Finally, after this long ass pause, she spoke up. "Of course, the requirements are simple. Are you ready to hear them?"

"I'll do anything, I just want to leave those people, those bastards behind." Bell spat with little bits rage and disgust.

"Alright then, it's simple" the goddess said. Bell was listening, intently. "You must... become mine, fight for me, earn my love, and become stronger for me"

Bell just froze, completely blindsided by her words. "May I ask why these are the only conditions" Bell tried to ask. But interrupted by her Vice-Captain. "Well, are you going to accept or nah. Bell Cranel" Bell looked at the man. A tall and slender cat person. He knew too well, who he was. Bell looked at the other person. A tall, well built Boaz.

"Alright, I accept those requirements"

Bell spoke, regaining bits of his emotions.

Three months in

Bell fought, and continued to fight. Hoping to get stronger and stronger. Yet he couldn't, not with his opponent being 3 levels higher than him. "Damn it, damn it all!" Bell shouted, eye's flaring with a determined look, a thing people would have called "Dark Determination". But then again, Bell was knocked unconscious by the Boaz. "Fuck man, he's just to fucking stronger." Bell thought through clenched and gritted teeth.

Bells vision began to fade away. Before turning into a dream like state. Seeing the same scene over and over for the last month. A scene of betrayal, bloodshed and carnage. Bell saw it, his past self, being tortured, endlessly killed over and over again by his former friends and allies. Speaking the same phrase over and over again with a smile so pure and happy. "I want to be a hero, a hero of old, a hero, which grandpa can be proud of." Bell couldn't do anything. He could only look on in horror as the scene kept unfolding over and over. "Stop, stop stop stop. Please, just stop. Stop showing me these, please". The people, his friends and family were taunting him over and over. Berating him for all of things he has over his 6 months of being an adventurer.

"A hero?, how can you even be a hero. Your weak, a liar, and most importantly, a fake." one taunted

"How could I ever accept your love. You aren't worthy enough to be with me. You monster loving freak" Bell knew who this was. His idol, the person he one-sidely loved. "Ais Wallenstein"

"I couldn't believe you Bell-Sama, you were my hero, I loved you. Yet, you were never a hero. Just a faker"

"They kept saying the same thing over and over. I, Bell Cranel, being nothing more than a faker"

But Bell knew. It was impossible. Everything about this. Was what his depression has thought up of. Twisting his dreams and ambitions to reflect on what has happened over the course of 1 months time.

3 month ago

"You will start your training to become stronger, right here, right now. You got that?" Bell couldn't care what the cat person was saying but nodded in understanding what he was saying.

"Alright than, the captain will be training you now." The cat person began to walk way, when Bell decided to ask a question. "Why would the captain of your Familia train me personally"

The cat person only looked at Bell with little bits of annoyance. Before stating.

"Ah man, you're really stupid, almost like "her", The "Captain" was requested to personally train you, by the orders of our goddess" The cat person spoke with some annoyance. Bell looked around and saw some of the other members glaring at him. "Why are they so mad?" Bell thought.

But the thought quickly subsided when the Captain, came out. Fully clothed in his adventurers gear. The lower ranked members could only stare in awe at was happening.

"Are you ready yet? Bell Cranel." Spoke the Boaz Captain. Bell didn't give an answer but instead nodded.

Top of Babel tower

"Prepare to give him his new weapons please." The goddess in question asked her attendant. But no answer came for a long time until finally. Her attendant spoke up.

"Of course, madam."

"Very well than, off you go then." as her attendant walked out of the room. The goddess had some thoughts, she wanted answered.

"What's holding you down. Binding you like a farm animal Waiting for your slaughter. But, how would you even feel about your new weapons. Ones that look almost eerily like your previous knives."

But the goddess could only ponder will happen now. She stared into her glass of wine and sighed. "Three months huh. You still have much more too Learn."

Down at the training grounds

Bell couldn't even put a dent into the captain at all. He just too built for defense and offensive. Every time Bell tried to hit him, the captain will always dodge or block and then hit him with enough force to knock out a level one.

*clang*. *clang*

"Shit man." Bell felt it, for the first time, since his training with Ais, he felt tired. He couldn't understand why. Was his opponent that much ruthless and stronger.

*pant*

The weapon Bell was using broke. "Fucking bullshit." Everyone snickered. But they also were in deep thought. "Has he ever used this kind of language before in his perilous Familia or not."

Some of the females of the Familia saw his serious and cool he kind of looked. One blurted out "not going to lie, but Damn is he kind of hot."

Some of the members stared wide eyed at her. While some just... laughed at the statement.

Bell just ignored the comment and continued to strike at him, his opponent, but Bell was knocked to the side, broken weapon in hand. "Ah... *cough* *cough*" Bell tried getting back up but failed. Coughing up more and more blood.

"You're still weak, you haven't gotten stronger in the last three month." The Captain spoke, Bell didn't answer. "Is there something nagging at the back of your mind. Or... is it something else?" Bell still didn't answer him. "Am I really doubting myself here. Or can I really become stronger and change."

Bell got back up and grabbed another weapon. When suddenly. A women with long silver hair walked out of the entrance. "Here are the weapons that you will be using now, Bell Cranel." The silver haired women spoke. Not smiling, eyes almost bleak grabbing the weapons from her hands. But instantly, threw up at the sight of the weapons. 4 medium sized knives. Black from the tip to the handle. Writing in the god's language. Almost like... the Hestia Knife.

"Why..., why do have these blades?" Bell asked the women. But no answer came, she began to walk off stating. "My job here is done."

Bell regained his composure and tried to go after her "answer my fucking question, goddamn bitch." But was stopped by 4 Pallums, who he could only assume were brother's due to the armor that they wore. "We can't allow you to go after her and ask a nonsensical question such as yours."

Bell only grunted a reply. Bell strapped the four sleek knives onto his back and waist. Bell walked over and picked up his armor. Armor created by his ex-blacksmith... Welf Crozzo. He strapped on the armor and stood into a fighting stance. Pulling out 2 of the knives. He felt... alive, he felt like he was the old Bell Cranel. The one that was still happy. He let that thought pass and again spoke out. "I don't give a shit whatever it takes to become stronger and better. I need strength, not for revenge. But to earn her... our goddess respect and love."

The Boaz Captain got into a fighting stance as well. Smiling at his resolve. A dark and terrifying resolve. "Alright than, be prepared for what's to come."

Bell began to charge at him once more. Continuing his fight and training.

Days later

Dungeon: Floor 17

Bell didn't understand it. Why was he back in the dungeon. Suddenly the group stopped. A group made up of the Familia's top executives and a healer and supporter. "Damn, it's almost been 5 months since I've been here." Bell thought. But the captain suddenly spoke up. "You will be defeating the Goliath and other monster Rex's of each that?"

Bell spoke a meekly "yes Captain"

"Oh, and one more thing. You'll be doing this all by your self and no armor as well. Only your 4 knives and your wits."

Now that statement surprised Bell. "What... do you mean by myself. Plus no armor. That's practically suicide." But the Boaz silenced him. Bell only grunted and pulled off his armor and walked up then spawning Goliath.

"Only my carbon copy Hestia knives and my wits and skills huh." Bell didn't care his thoughts. Instead asking another question before head off to face his demise. "What happens if the Loki or other Familia's adventurers arrive?"

Bell was waiting for an answer, but none came. "Well shit, guess I'm on my own then." Bell walked up ready to face it. A heroic story came to his mind. "David and the Goliath, huh. A story of a man, small and almost weak. Defeating a man almost 10x stronger than himself."

Bell began to charge at the Monster Rex, not fearing the outcome to come. Bell threw his knives at the monster, catching the monster attention. Instantly, the knives reappeared in their assigned sheaths. But Bell noticed something. The monster Rex only stared at him, not moving. Bell was confused. Suddenly, it swung its gigantic arms. Knocking bell to the side and causing Bell to cough up blood.

"*cough*cough*. Fucking hell. Should have payed attention to that" Bell said out loud. But he could keep his thoughts in check when the Goliath began to swing his arms over and over, smashing Bell further and further into the ground. After those barrage of attacks. The entire party began to drive the Goliath away.

Bell felt broken ribs, arms, and his leg bones were smashed to bits. His lungs were punctured and collapsed inwards into his chest. Bell was losing conciseness and began to feel tired and cold. Bell also was bleeding out. But felt a warm liquid covering him. "A recovery potion huh."

"Damn, told you, he wasn't ready for this challenge yet, Captain." Bell heard an elf, or more accurately a dark elf say this. "Nonsense, he could have easily took on the Goliath. But was distracted and lost." Bell saw another elf say this. A normal elf with goldish hair color.

Bell only grunted and finally... lost conciseness.

A Dream

Bell was floating there, he tried to look around but saw nothing but darkness. Until suddenly, everything brightened up under the moonlight. Bell got up and looked around. "Is it a dream, or is this the after life." Bell thought. He looked behind him and saw it "What... what the hell is all this" Bell spoke, wide eyed from the sight. All around him, he saw himself, of different ages and personalities. He saw a young version of himself, a starter adventurer. He saw himself, the Bell Cranel when he fought his first ever Minotaur, himself during the war game against the Apollo Familia, and finally, himself, during the protection for the Xenos and his fight with Asterius. All chained up and their eyes lifeless. Almost like a doll.

Bell could only stare in disbelief at the sight. He tried to walk towards them, saw, under him. Were the same chains that chained his other self. Bell tried to grab his knives only to find them gone.

A chill ran down his spin. He turned his head saw it. A Bell he never saw. This Bell was... much more darker and grittier than the other Bell's. His red-ruby like eyes only showed hatred, distaste and disgust, as well as loneliness . His hair, white as a rabbit, was longer and disheveled. All pulled back into a tiny ponytail at the back and some of it braided into tiny strands to his left side of his face.

"You know, don't you, life is hard, it's never easy. Lies, that's what makes up us humans." Bell heard the older Bell speak. "So then, what or who are you?" The older Bell asked. The current Bell tried to speak up. But the Older Bell began talking again. "A figment of my imagination, or the past me. An love-blinded, cheerful, and pure and transparent person, who sought to be stronger to be next her." The older Bell laughed at his own sentence. A dry and sorrow kind of laugh. Almost Melancholic.

Bell's eyes began to turn bleak. "Losing everything is fine, love and hate, sorrow and happiness. Those all don't matter no more to us. To be alone, is a nice bliss." The older Bell had a small smile while saying all of this. "Ah... and also, don't forget. You got to become stronger. Stronger for HER"

"Until next time, see ya later"

The older Bell Cranel waved goodbye. Until the current bell's dimmed.

Dungeon: Floor 18

Bell grunted while getting up. Noticing how quiet it was. Bell felt... refreshed.

"Goddess?" But no answer came. The tent opened up to reveal those 4 Pallums. "Get up, you still got a task to do." One of them spoke. Bell could only guess that he was the oldest. Considering how he stood in front of the rest.

Bell got up and looked down at himself. He noticed all of the bandages that covered and patched his lower body and upper arms. He groaned at the pain.

"You will be redoing the task given, until you either die from the Goliath. Or survive and manage to kill it." The Pallum ordered. But Bell only grunted a response. "Yeah yeah." He walked out of his tent and saw all of the executives have a argument. Bell didn't understand most of it due to him not hearing most of the first half. "I think we should just recall this task, given to us." One of the elves spoke, while the other nodded in agreement. "Are you trying to say that we should disobey our goddess's wishes." The cat person spoke out it loud. The Boaz only looked on at what they were all saying. Still keeping quiet about it all.

We've brought him, Captain." The Pallum spoke out. Interrupting their argument. They all turned and looked at him. "What are your thoughts on the situation, Bell Cranel? Do you want to give up or try over and over again?" The Captain finally spoke up.

"Of course I'll try over and over again." Bell spoke. Surprising all of them. The elves, looked displeased with situation. While the others, the Pallum and Cat person only looked at him with little bits annoyance and bits of respect. Only the Boaz didn't seem to care at his answer. "Very well than, you will try once more. Once you heal fully."

2 months later

Bell began to take off his armor once more. Sighing on how daunting this task would be for the couple of times he has to do this. Trying over and over, but at the same time failing over and over as well. Bell walked up onto the 17th floor of the dungeon. Ready to face the Goliath that defeated him over and over again. "This time for fucking sure, I'll beat it." Bell though with anticipation, waiting for it two spawn.

Bell pulled out his 2 knives, the other pair strapped to his back. Bell didn't have any emotional attachment to said knives. Yet he named all four of them. "Sorrow, hate, distrust, and lastly, love" Bell only stared at the knives from which he named. The others, his Familia's executives laughed at his naming sense. But Bell couldn't care less of what they thought. "They'll break anyway." Bell said out loud once. But no one heard him.

Bell got into a fighting stance. Waiting for the Goliath to spawn. The others, only looked at him with little bits of bounty. Already believe about his upcoming failure.

They heard it. A wall breaking and a terrifying roar. *ROAR* Bell only looked at the Monster are. With bits of courage still left in him. Bell charged at the monster. Throwing three of the four knives at the monster. Piercing it's skin. Due to a 1.5 minute Argonaut charge on each knives.

The monster, unfazed, it began to stomping over. Ready to crush the same opponent over and over again. It swung its arms to hit Bell, only hit nothing but air. Bell dived to his right and fired a spell. "Firebolt" it hit the Goliath straight at the face. Blinding the monster. Elk began to swing his daggers at the Monster Rex. Hit it and slicing up its body, arms, and legs. But it wasn't enough.

"Damn, how tough is this goddamn piece of shit." Bell though but was interrupted, when the Goliath grabbed at Bell. Bell couldn't dodge and instead got grabbed and it began to crush him. "AH FUCK, AH FUCK, AH FUCK!" Bell screamed in pain.

The Goliath dropped him. Bell tried getting back up. But the Goliath smashed his hands at Bell. The only thing Bell could do was block the attack. But... his weapons, those daggers broke from the impact. Each one, "Sorrow", "Hate", and "Distrust" all broke from the impact. Bell tried to grab his last dagger. Only to be knocked to the side. *cough* "shit, is this going to be another defeat?"

Bell looked up. He saw it, a light. In the center of this... warm light, was himself, the older version of "him". "Ah look, are you losing again? Such a pity, don't you think? Bell Cranel." Bell couldn't answer him. Only cough more and more blood. "Your resolve... it's weak. You don't have what it takes to become resolve to become stronger... for what? Revenge, payback, or... something else?" Bell looked at him, wide eyed. Thinking on why he wants to be stronger. "I-II-I," Bell couldn't comprehend why he wanted to become stronger. Until it hit him. "That's right, Bell Cranel, your resolve isn't to become stronger, to become a hero or for revenge. Your resolve, is to find it, a way to become stronger, just so you can be alone. Find some you can trust and love. Well, guess what Bell, you found it." There was a long pause. Before he began to speak again. "Stop lying to yourself," he looked behind him to see, the Freya Familia Captain and Executive's looking at him. "You already found a Family that you can trust, Not the Hestia Familia, not the Loki Familia. But the Freya Familia. Well, will you steel your resolve once more?" The older Bell asked. Before disappearing.

"Steel my resolve, huh." Bell thought before thinking about all of those moments with his previous Familia, the training with Ais Wallenstein. Lastly, those memories of Heartbreak and Lost. "I'll steel it, I won't care no more, I have a new Familia that I try to trust for once. Bell got up, surprising all pf them present. Hogni and Hedin were flabbergasted. While Allen and the Gilliver Brothers were annoyed with his new resolve. Only Ottar stood there, a small smile showing on his usually stoic face. "May I have another chance, Captain?" Bell asked, regain most of his lost emotions these past few months. "Very well, Bell Cranel, show us if you're worth of Freya's love" before throwing one of his great swords on front of Bell. Bell grabbed the weapons. He began thinking all of the hate and betrayal there was in his life. Argonaut began to charge, Grand Bells chiming everywhere. Those who heard the sound, were confused. The Xenos, who were nearby. Knew who it was. It was their... hero. Yet what happened next surprised them all.

The chimes stopped. The blade, glowing white, began to darkened, turning into a withering black. The sounds of Grand Bells being replaced with screams. Agonizing, spiteful, and hateful screams filled the entire dungeon. Scaring those in the dungeon.

"So this is what Freya-Sama said about his skills changing. Reflecting what Bell has become." Ottar thought with bits of curiosity.

Bell slowing and steadily began to walk towards the Goliath. His walking turned into sprinting and then finally, a full on run. "Your mine, you fucking monster!" Bell screamed at the top of his lungs. Bell dodged the Goliaths incoming attack, fueled only by his adrenaline and pure instincts. Bell threw it, his last dagger, charged an Argonaut charged Firebolt. "Argo Vesta" was what it was called. But Bell didn't like the name given to it no more. It flew into the Goliath's eyes, blinding one of it. He lifted the great sword, charged with a demented version of Argonaut. Bringing it down and sliced the Monster. The force blew both away. No effect happened, until it all came crashing down on the monster. A small scar, black and pulsing with power exploding from the inside out.

Crushing and breaking the Monster Rex down into nothing but ashes. Bell stood there. Tired and beaten. He looked behind him, at the surprised faces of his Familia. Bell smiled and said "So... did I finish the Task given to me by Lady Freya?" Ottar, being the first to recover spoke out. "Yes, yes you have. A lady Freya would be proud."

"Great, but man am I tired." Bell spoke out softly before falling onto his back. In his hand, the Knife know as "Love" rested there.

Top of Babel tower

"Did you see it, Horn? Did you see it?" Freya asked with bits of excitement and joy at what Bell Cranel, her Vanadis Odr accomplished.

"Yes, lady Freya, I saw it happen." Horn answer. Face showing no emotion. Until she began to smile at the accomplishment. "Though, you love him as well, since we share sense most of the time." Freya asked Horn. Surprising Horn herself. "I-II don't think I can answer you, lady Freya." Horn answered, blushing and stud seeing at Freya's question. "That's alright, considering howtry to hide your emotions most of the time. You can be Honest with me."

Horn looked at where Bell Cranel's soul radiated with a intensity and power, that intrigued her even more. "I'll try to answer as best as possible, Lady Freya. I believe that I love Bell Cranel, and yet at the same time, despise him at the same time." Horn answer honestly. "Of course, most of the people in this family Despise him." Freya spoke.

Freya and Horn looked at the Dungeon entrance, seeing her Familia's Captain and Executives coming back. On Ottar's back was, an unconscious Bell Cranel, a Helm and Helmet covering his head.

"Oh I do hope that he can show me much more of his soul." Freya thought. Before retiring to her glass of wine.

5 months ago

Hearth Mansion

Hestia felt a tingle in her mind. She couldn't understand this feeling, it felt strange.

"Is something Hestia-Sama?" Lili asked with some concern. "O-Of course, Supporter-Kun. I just felt a small tingle in my mind, that's all." Hestia said with a forced smile. "Okay then, me, Welf, Mikoto, and Haruhime are going to the dungeon." Loki said, with little care about what happened these last few weeks.

As they left, Hestia went around town and arrived at the Hephaestus Familia home, wondering why she had been summoned. Looking inside she saw Hephaestus, Loki, and Ganesha there talking. When Hestia entered. The three noticed her coming in. "Looks like itty-bitty arrived at last. What took you so long?" Loki asked, a smirk appearing on her face.

"Nothing, there was a tiny thought that came to mind while getting here." Hestia answered, a bit annoyed. What was the thought, huh? Itty-Bitty. Still thinking about yer favorite Child, Bell Cranel." Loki said not smiling at all. Hephaestus shut both of them up, before a fight could break out. "Anyway, what was the thought you had, Hestia?" Hephaestus said, also a little intrigued.

"Come on! Can't we just continue this. I have my part-time job to be at. But why are you people so intrigued with my little thought. If your asking, the thought was how I felt a little tingle, almost like a lost of emotion, a sadness washing over me." Hestia answered, not knowing why. But she noticed how all three of them looked kind of shocked.

There was a long pause and silence between the four present. Until finally, someone spoke up

"That means that, someone in your Familia has either died or Left your Familia." Hephaestus spoke up, finally. "Bell Cranel has either died somewhere, or has joined a new Familia, probably pertaining to Evilus."

"But we won't know, until we either find Bell Cranel alive or dead." Ganesha spoke up, without any of its usually happiness.

The three shared the same thought. "Should we report this to the guild or not."

On that day, everyone in Orario heard the news of Bell Cranel, being either dead or alive. Some cheered due to the Chance of Bell Cranel being dead. Others only looked on, being displeased with situation.

Whelp, here is the side chapter that I promised, anyway. I probably post more of these types of stories.

I've finally figured out 1 out of 3 of Bells weapons for this story.

1. A Knife called "Despicable Love"

2. A black Long Sword called "Einherjar"

3. A glaive called "Freya's Melancholy"

The last two weapons will come in the later chapter of this side story. I'll also post Bell's status later and a edited version of this chapter.

There also some comments talking about wanting the story to be BellxFreya. I would have had the pairing as this. But decided against it. Due to some reasons.

1. Being I haven't seen any BellxHorn type fanfics and how technically, the next sentence could be a spoiler, but Horn and Freya could almost be the same person, Horn can transform into Freya, while Freya can transform into a girl called she, or (Horns previous identity).

And 2. I just didn't have any motivation on doing a BellxFreya type Fanfic. But to satisfy these viewers, I'll try and add a arc about Bell's feelings towards both Horn and Freya

Now then some questions I have you the viewers,

1. How was the level of swearing and Turmoil in this side story from a scale from 1-10?

2. Would you want me to change the side stories name or keep it as is?

-Important announcement time-

I'll be really busy this month or so. Due to the fact that I gotta study for driving school. That'll make it so I won't be pumping chapter out that often anymore.

Until then, see ya later

(Finished all of the needed Editing I could find)