The road exploded as more Violas emerged from underground. Sensing their fallen comrades, they searched the surrounding area. With a unified cry, the plant-like monsters descended on the hooded figure. Piercing through and crashing to the ground. The frozen bystanders stared at the scene with worry and fear.
"It's ok now. You'll be safe here," a voice said from behind the two Amazons of the Loki Familia.
'A boy?' The sister's thought. 'He sounds about our age, maybe younger. That can't be right.'
Turning around, they found the hooded figure gently laying their unconscious friend to the side of the building behind them. They were dumbfounded. Everyone was. Some pinched themselves just to make sure that they were not dreaming. While the others tried to rationalize what happened. Turning back to the plant monsters, they saw that indeed, the monsters have pierced the mysterious adventurer. Only to see the image of said adventurer fade before their very eyes.
"An after image?" Tione asked in disbelief.
"Woah!" Tiona said in awe. 'This guy must be really fast!'
The hooded figure stood up and walked past the Amazon sisters. "Tione-san, Tiona-san."
'Huh!?' The two thought in confusion and alarm. 'How does he know us?'
"Please take care of Aiz," the mysterious adventurer requested again.
To most, it just seemed that the stranger was asking them to take care of their comrade; however, they were not in the Loki Familia for nothing. There was a certain depth to his request. No this was not a request. They could feel it. The adventurer was pleading to them. The hidden desperation in his words was a clear indication of it.
'What could it be that you want us to help Aiz with?' Tiona thought in worry.
"Wait!" Tione said as she reached for the boy's cloak. To her surprise and frustration, all her hands managed to grab was the air. Not willing to give up, she asked. "Who are you!?"
"This is not the time," the boy answered cryptically. "Go! Bring her somewhere safe. I'll deal with this."
Everyone could not believe what they were hearing. This stranger was telling the two amazons to stand down and protect their comrade. Why? Because he can deal with them? Monsters that proved troublesome for three level five members of the Loki Familia.
"Are you crazy!?" Tione asked harshly. Clenching her fist so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. She knew he did not mean it as an insult but it still pissed her off.
"Those things are strong," Tiona tried to reason. Trying to defuse the situation before her sister caused an incident. "We should fight together adventurer-san."
"To answer your question, I 'might' be crazy," the stranger answered in amusement, causing the sisters to give him a deadpan look. "Though, what adventurer isn't? Anyways, don't worry about it. Focus on protecting the bystanders and Aiz."
Before the sisters could respond, he was gone. Charging straight to the hole that the plants emerged from, destroying the monsters before jumping in. The ones left behind could only gawk at the mysterious adventurer in awe.
'His moves!' Tiona thought.
'He fights just like Aiz!' Tione thought.
'Who are you!?' Was the unanimous thoughts of all those who witnessed.
Bell charged the monstrous plants. Dodging the attack of the first wave of violas and using one of them as a springboard to attack the others. Jumping into the hole that they came from, he found himself in the sewers. Dark with the barely lit lamps the only source for light. Not to mention a foul odor lingered in the air. Dead carcasses of rats and other stray creatures littered the floor.
Following the rotten smell, he came upon a room covered in green flesh. In the center, was the Viscum. Beside it stood a masked figure.
'Filvis-san,' Bell thought in recognition.
The lonely creature that had befriended Lefiya. The tragic being that was forced to wallow in darkness though she had a kind heart. Normally she would be wearing a white attire that hid her corruption from the eyes of both mortals and gods. As Ein, she wore a long purple robe that covers most of her body except for her face over which she wears a pink and purple mask with an eerie design.
"Who's there!?" Filvis said. Throwing a dagger Bell's way.
He caught the incoming projectile in between his fingers. Unable to stop the smirk that appeared on his face. It felt odd that he could do it now, and so easily too. How he had grown from that naive boy into an adventurer. In the short time that he was in Orario before the calamity, he had become strong. It was both a blessing and a curse. It had gained him friends, new allies, respect and admiration of those around him; however, it had also brought about threats to himself and to those he cared about. He wondered if the turnabout was fair.
Looking at the masked half elf, half monster, a tinge of sadness washed over him. He did not want to face her. In Bell's opinion, she had suffered enough. She did not mean any harm. Only following the wishes of an insane god that was using her.
'This time, we'll find a way,' thought the time traveler. 'This time, you don't have to die.'
"This must be the source of all the monsters that are attacking the surface," Bell said. Flipping the Reverse Veil over. Appearing in front of the elf. "Would you please step aside so no more people get hurt?"
His answer came in the form of a shortsword heading towards his chest. Side stepping the attack. He jumped back as the Viscum sent a few vines crashing down his flight path. A crackling sound alerted Bell to the Dio Thyrsos coming his way.
"Firebolt!" He cried as a combination of fire and lightning shot out from his hand. Intercepting the golden bolt. The force of the blast pushed the two fighters back. "I don't want to fight you. So please! Stand down!"
His plea fell on deaf ears as the masked elf charged. Ducking from a high jump kick, he forced some distance between them by kicking the flat edge of her sword. Sending the girl back. Undeterred the elf once again charged as she chanted. Planning to shoot the rabbit like adventurer point blank. Guessing her intentions, Bell shot forward, grabbed her wrists and aimed her shot at the plant monster causing it to sacrifice some of the Violas that it was growing.
"You don't have to do this you know," Bell said. Though he knew that he would eventually have to release her once the Viscum had regenerated the Violas, he pinned her. "We can find another way."
"What!?" Filvis finally responded. Her voice distorted.
"You don't need to follow him," Bell replied. "Come with me. We can get you help."
"I don't know what you're…" The elf-creature tried to deny.
"Please elf-san," Bell said. It would not do anyone any good if he revealed that he knew her identity. All that would do was make Filvis more vigilant or impulsive which could hasten her demise. "You don't need to hide yourself. Let me lighten your burden."
"What do you know!?" Filvis snapped. Struggling to free herself. "You don't know what it's like to be hated. To be an abomination. To..."
"I don't see you as a monster," Bell interrupted. "First and foremost you never chose for any of it to happen. It's not fair. I know."
"Then you should…" Filvis began. Anger and sadness laced within the altered voice.
"However," Bell interrupted yet again. Releasing his captive and helping her up. "That does not mean that you're no longer you."
The elf stilled. For a good minute, they stood there. Seeming like he was getting through to her, he reached out his hand.
"Please," Bell said. "Let me help you."
Unfortunately, his request was answered with a strike from Filvis' Tear Pain. Seeing that Filvis was not going to stand down, he sighed. He would try again later. Right now he needed to stop the new type monster. Catching the shortsword, he yanked it out of her hands then he jumped back and lowered his stance. Before his opponent could react, he disappeared. Using his famed speed to attack the monster multiple times before reappearing above it. Pushing off the ceiling to add more momentum, he cut the plant monster right in the middle. Finishing it off. With its magic stone destroyed, the plant monster turned to dust.
"I'm sorry elf-san but I could not let your plan succeed," Bell said as he offered Filvis her weapon. "You can leave if you want."
"Why?" Filvis asked. Her modulated voice barely audible.
"Well, this is yours is it not?" Bell replied.
"I meant…" Filvis stuttered.
The elf walked towards him and reluctantly took her sword back. When she took it, he did not let go. Looking directly to where her eyes would be on the mask.
"Because deep down you're actually a good person," Bell said with a smile. He walked past her. "Well, see you later elf-san."
He continued his way towards the only entrance and exit of the room. Hoping that his words had gotten through to her. Before exiting, he turned back to her. In all seriousness, he said. "If you ever need anything, remember that I'll always be there for you. You're not alone. Never again."
Looking at the plant like monster, Filvis pondered why they had to go to such extremes. Dionysus told her once that he loved her but he had been so callous and apathetic lately. She understood their goals but she could not help question his motives. It did not help that the voice of the corrupted spirit was becoming hard to ignore.
Rustling sounds brought her out of her thoughts. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the area. Though she saw no one, she could sense that someone was there. Listening intently as she pretended to let the matter drop. A few moments later, the same rustling sound came again.
"Who's there!?" She said. Throwing a dagger at the direction the sound came from.
Expecting blood, she could not help but be surprised when a hand came out of nowhere and caught the projectile in between the index and middle finger. Even more surprising was the young man that suddenly appeared in front of her. He could not be more than sixteen. His face seemed so innocent and kind. Traits that were not fit for an adventurer.
"This must be the source of all the monsters that are attacking the surface," the boy said. "Would you please step aside so no more people get hurt?"
'There could be no witnesses,' Filvis thought. 'I need to silence him.'
Needing to finish things quickly so she can continue on with her mission, she pulled out Tear Pain and tried to stab his heart. The boy evaded her attack skillfully and was about to restrain her. Fortunately for her, the Viscum had seen the boy as an enemy and attacked. Taking out her Guardian's White Torch.
"Sweep, holy staff of crushing evil!" She chanted. Aiming her wand at him. "Dio Thyrsos!"
Expecting the boy to dodge, she tried to move to the best possible location to attack. What her opponent did next only surprised and confused her even more. Her eyes widened as the boy raised his hand towards her spell.
"Firebolt!" He cried as a combination of fire and lightning shot out from his hand.
'Chantless magic!? Who is he!?' Knowing what would happen, she chanted. "Become a shield, holy grail of crushing evil! Dio Grail!"
The attacks collided and the force of the blast pushed the two fighters back. In the aftermath, she had noticed that her opponent's attack had actually pierced through her spell and hit the wall behind it. Small hairline cracks could be seen.
'His speed, his strength, and his magic, he is dangerous," Filvis thought. 'He's at least a level five. I'm at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, I have to ensure that this mission is a success.'
"I don't want to fight you," her opponent said. "So please! Stand down!"
She was relieved that the mask was bidding her face. The boy did not need to see the distress on her face. Not to mention the panic.
Again she charged, leaping into the air and aimed a kick to his head. He feinted an attack causing her to block. To her surprise, the boy stepped on the flat end of her shortsword and used it as a springboard while pushing her back.
"Sweep, holy staff of crushing evil!" Filvis chanted as she rushed her opponent. Closing in on her target, she pointed her wand towards him.
To her horror, the boy shot forward. Grabbed her wand arm and pointed it at the Viscum. The spell made contact. Obscuring the victim of friendly fire with an explosion. Smoke can be seen coming from the plant like monster. The Violas began to wither as it slowly regenerated.
"You don't have to do this you know," The boy said as he detained her. "We can find another way."
'Another way?' Filvis thought in confusion. She did not know what to make of this adventurer anymore. She had been attacking him relentlessly but he did not fight back. Unaware that she had uttered a question. "What!?"
"You don't need to follow him," Bell replied. "Come with me. We can get you help."
'Does he know who I am!? What I am!?' Filvis thought. Panicking about the repercussions because he knew. 'Wait! Him!? Does he know about Dionysius-sama!?'
"I don't know what you're…" She attempted to deny.
"Please elf-san," he interrupted. As though answering her question. "You don't need to hide yourself. Let me lighten your burden."
Stunned and speechless, Filvis could not believe that there would be someone that would show her compassion despite knowing of her condition. It was surreal and for the first time in a long time, a genuine smile had graced her face. That was... until another feeling overcame her.
"What do you know!?" Filvis snapped. Unable to contain her anger at this presumptuous human. No one would ever know what it was like to be a monster. She tried to overcome his hold but he was too strong for her. "You don't know what it's like to be hated. To be an abomination. To..."
"I don't see you as a monster," the adventurer interrupted. "First and foremost you never chose for any of it to happen. It's not fair."
"Then you should…" Filvis began to despair.
"However," her opponent interrupted yet again. Releasing her and helping her on her feet. "That does not mean that you're no longer you."
Filvis was frozen. Her mind and emotions had gone haywire. Here stood someone that accepted her for who she was. If one could see behind her mask, they would find a look of awe and a slight tint on her cheeks.
"Please," he said. "Let me help you."
Oh, how she wanted to. How she wanted to believe in his words. The strange feeling that was causing her to hesitate. She wanted to believe him but cannot. She is a cursed being. Pained, she closed her eyes and a single tear travelled down her face.
'I'm sorry,' she apologized in her mind.
The adventurer sighed. Catching her sword mid-swing, he disarmed her. Filvis could have sworn she had blinked because after he leapt back, he disappeared. Only to be followed by shrieking from the Viscum. She turned to find that it had been sliced in half magic stone and all.
'I failed,' Filvis thought as the monster disintegrated into nothingness.
"I'm sorry elf-san but I could not let your plan succeed," Her opponent said. Offering her weapon back. "You can leave if you want."
"Why?" Filvis asked. Her modulated voice barely audible.
"Well, this is yours is it not?" He replied.
"I meant…" Filvis stuttered. Unable to comprehend anything at the moment. This man had her mind reeling. Why was he so kind to her? Why would he not fight her? Why not kill her now when she looked so vulnerable? 'Why!?'
Moving towards him cautiously, she reluctantly took her sword back. She could not help the shiver that ran down her spine when their gazes met. Her hand moved to her face checking if her mask was still there. It was. Then why was it that it seemed like he was looking her in the eye? No, it was like he was looking at her very soul.
"Because, deep down you're actually a good person," he said with a smile. Answering the questions she could not ask. "Well, see you later elf-san."
He walked past her and continued towards the only entrance and exit of the room. Her eyes followed him as he moved away. Feeling that the only person who would accept her was abandoning her.
"If you ever need anything, remember that I'll always be there for you. You're not alone. Never again," he said seriously then he left.
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she fell to her knees and wept.
Opening her eyes, Aiz found herself looking at the ceiling of her plain room. She tried to sit up but a hand had pushed her back down.
"It is better if you laid down and rest for now," the voice of the motherly high elf said.
Turning her head, she saw Riveria sitting by her bedside. Her stoic face could have fooled most but Aiz was not most people. The look in her eyes showed worry but also relief. She wondered what was wrong then she remembered the incident.
"Those monsters!" Aiz said sharply. Shooting up from the bed. "I need to go!"
"Shhh," Riveria shushed her. "Everything's fine now.
"But…" Aiz tried to reason.
"It's alright," Riveria asserted. "Someone has dealt with the monsters. Anyways, you need to rest. You were quite battered when Tione and Tiona brought you here."
"Someone has dealt with them?" Aiz thought. Memories then flashed into her mind. The cloaked figure that had saved her, her mother's words, and her father's words. The kind smile on his obscured face. The arms that held her. It made her feel safe. 'He finally appeared.'
Riveria was surprised, in a good way. Taking note of the sudden change in demeanor of her young charge. The hint of red that had appeared and the far away look. That small shy smile on the normally stoic girl. The hand that was hovering over her heart. Her interest had been piqued.
'What happened back there?' Riveria thought.
"Aiz," Riveria called. Bringing the Sword Princess out of her thoughts. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"I went with Loki to a meeting with Freya," Aiz began. She recounted how the meeting had gone, how the guild asked for their aid when some of the monsters held by the Ganesha familia escaped, how she was finishing off the escaped monsters when the plant like monsters appeared, and how she had been saved by this mystery… adventurer?
'Something happened during that attack,' Riveria thought. Feelings of relief and gratitude washing away her worries. She remembered Tione and Tiona's recounting of the incident. 'Whoever this person is, he certainly had an effect on Aiz. Her repressed emotions are beginning to surface.'
"Riveria," Aiz said. Her tone was reflective and soft. A smile that had been lost for a millennium appeared on the girls face. "I hope I meet him again."
"I do too," Riveria agreed.
Outside, a jealous and enraged Loki watched from the small crack of the open door. Her face looked as if she had swallowed something revolting. She was grateful to this person for saving her Aiz-tan; however, he was bringing about emotions within her favorite that she herself could not and he did it so easily, just from their first meeting. What the heck! The fact that Aiz seems to harbor the beginnings of a crush on this mysterious savior was not helping her jealousy.
'Whoever you are I will not lose to you!' Loki promised. Walking away from the room. Thinking of scenarios on how to make the competition disappear if he showed himself again.
Freya opened her eyes to be greeted by the familiar ceiling of her room in Babel. The place she lived in apart from her own familia. The room with the view of all of Orario to which she watched the inhabitants of the city.
"My lady," the voice of Ottar called.
"Ottar," Freya rose. Rubbing her eyes. She found her aide kneeling nearby. "What happened?"
"Um…" Ottar tried to respond. Scratching his reddened cheek. A single bead of sweat flowed down his face. His face carrying an embarrassed expression.
"Ottar, whatever it is, just tell me," Freya said impatiently.
"Well my lady, the boy had met your gaze and smiled. We were quite far to hear and I could not see what he said but you suddenly shivered then fainted." Ottar explained. "You seemed quite happy."
'I love you,' Freya remembered the words she read from Bell's lips. Instantly, her cheeks turned red. The rapture she felt had overloaded her brain causing her body to spasm.
"My lady!" Ottar cried worriedly as he leapt towards her. "Are you alright!?"
"Better than alright," Freya answered with a dazed grin. Her breathing heavy, she held onto the Boaz's shoulder to stabilize herself. "I'm great. Would you mind helping me to my seat?"
"Of course, my lady," Ottar replied. Supporting his beloved goddess to her throne.
Looking out the window, Freya's eyes eagerly searched for Bell. She found him talking to Miach and received two vials of potions. To her surprise, after finishing his conversation with Miach, he turned to her direction, smiled and walked away.
"We will be together," Freya said. Her eyes transfixed on the back of the rookie adventurer. Licking her lips. "My darling Bell."
Author's Notes:
Hello everyone,
I am alive! Mostly anyway... I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. Thank you for your support. If you have comments (not flames), ideas, or just find some errors as you read, feel free to let me know because that would help improve my work.
Questions for if the story continues. How do you guys feel about Aisha joining the Hestia Familia? Would it be better to leave her with Hermes? How about Cassandra? She seemed willing to join them despite the two hundred million valis debt. Daphne just persuaded her to a different course of action. While we're at it, how about Daphne? At the moment, I'm not touching Naaza, Mikoto, Hephaestus and Tione because of the friendship that Bell has with those Gods, Welf and Fin. I'm on the fence about Lena.
NiebieskiLis:
Thank you that is nice to here.
ValiantMaelstrom:
Thank you, it is good to know. Yes, there will be interactions between Bell and the Loki familia. Some will be hostile and others well... less hostile. Yes, there will definitely be a confrontation between Bete and Bell.
0208:
Yes, she will be part of this story chapters down the line. If there is a lot of interest in the story anyway.
David-san:
Thank you that is nice to know. I'll keep that in mind.
Dxrshan:
Yeah, it's one of those it happens along the way thing for the protagonist. True; however, most of what he's been doing has been doing was unintentional flirting. Except for Freya but I do have a reason for that.
OverLordRevan:
Thank you, but the credit for that line goes to Mr. Fujino Ōmori.
Marshall Cross Marian:
Thank you. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
C:
Thank you. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Glory over a new dawn:
Thank you, that is nice to hear. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Kaze:
Thank you, good to know that the flow of the story is at least not throwing people off.
In regards to Bell's knife, it is because his falna is different now and the Hestia Knife adapted to that. I'm pretty sure that I wrote it somewhere in chapter three that the hieroglyphics of the knife changed. Let me reread the chapter and get back to you on that. If it's not there, I apologize. Bell's level one is also equivalent to S stats level six.
Yes, that is true. Hmm...
Aisune:
Thank you, that is good to know that the story is not giving people mental whiplash. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
zubhanwc3:
Sorry that it wasn't what you were expecting. Though, the reason for the plot I believe has been explained in chapter one. In regards of falling head over heels for him, not really. Head over heels would imply that they are already in love with him. At the moment, they are just initial sparks. Except for Hestia and Freya who have a vested interest in Bell since the start of the series. Please remember that it is his second time around so he would have better knowledge and understanding.
Kae:
Thank you.
Orion-Sacred Arrow:
Thank you, that is nice to hear. Yes, the plot did not advance in the last chapter but it did show what Bell was doing during that time. It's ok. Thank you for the effort.
Shin Hyo Joon:
Thank you, that is nice to hear.
It's ok. We all forget sometimes.
He does have all his powers. It just does not show in his falna when it's just Hestia. It would need Hestia, Loki, Freya and Ouranos' blood together to see his entire stats. Even with Status Thief, it would only show the same thing as when you use just Hestia's blood. He also has not used his full capabilities due to the fact that he's trying to avoid gaining more attention that he would already have later on. Nice name though. Don't worry, I have a different skill in mind for him. You'll just have to be patient because it will be a few chapters down the line.
tumraz07:
Thank you. Lol, a perverted tsundere (Because Bell's a man and because he has Aiz's attention) in a harem. That reminds me of Yuzu Kichōgasaki from Love Tyrant. That is interesting. Let me think about it.
Old leaf:
Thank you, that is nice to hear. If the story does continue. I do plan to take her out sooner rather than later. Hmm... I just need to deliberate on which arc that would happen because I do need Ishtar to attack the Hestia familia this time.
natza:
Thank you! I hope you enjoyed it and made the wait worth it.
deathstar1718:
Thank you! It's nice to know that the story was well-received. I hope you enjoyed it and made the wait worth it. Gotta say, that's dedication right there.
togaxdeku1:
The update is here! I hope you enjoyed it and made the wait worth it.
Antonio:
The update is here! I hope you enjoyed it and made the wait worth it.
Guest:
The update is here! I hope you enjoyed it and made the wait worth it.
TerryBlackReaper:
The update is here! I hope you enjoyed it and made the wait worth it.
