He hadn't meant to move. He didn't mean to throw everything into chaos.
But…
But the instant he saw her, he knew he wouldn't be able to stop. His feet moved before he could think, pushing him forward faster than he'd ever moved before; and yet, it wasn't enough.
Damnit… get… up!
As his vision and hearing returned to him, Bell once more opened his eyes. The back of his neck ached with a screaming pain from where Revis had slammed him into the ground. All around him, he could hear the sound of blades clashing along with the shouts and cries of his comrades.
But as he opened his eyes and lifted his head, the world seemed to spin, keeping him down on the ground.
"Wow…. look at you… and you call yourself a man?"
He breathed out as Allen crouched down next to him.
Come on…! Move!
He balled his hand into a fist, regaining control of his arm through sheer will power.
"…ghhh…!"
"Was all that time you spent getting beat by me for nothing? Get off your ass!"
He slammed it into the ground, the impact seemingly shocking his body into moving.
This is nothing…
"There we go…"
Next was his other hand and arm.
This is nothing…!
"No matter how unsightly…"
He continued to move his limbs, making his way down to his legs and feet.
Move…! Now!
"No matter how pathetic you may look…!"
He pressed his feet into the ground and dug his fingers into the dirt.
Come on!
"Never stop getting back up!"
Red filled his vision and black dots danced across his sight. But he did it. As he lifted his head and pulled himself to his hands and knees, he once more grew aware of his surroundings.
Next to him, the image of Allen disappeared with an approving nod. Like a ghostly whisper, he heard him speak one final time.
"Now… what do you have to do…?"
He turned his eyes forward, his gaze locking onto her back.
There you are…
Bell forced himself to move, one step at a time. One foot in front of the other. Again. And again. He breathed out as he began to pick up speed, forcing his joints to bend, forcing his limbs to move.
She's right there…
As he drew closer to her, he continued to move faster and faster. He didn't even realize it, but at this point, he had broken into an all out sprint.
"…you….!"
The tamer turned her head.
"Revviissss!"
He didn't notice her look of surprise. He didn't notice Ais standing next to her. And he didn't notice the gaping pit behind them.
He only saw her - he only saw red.
—
"Come to me! Aria!"
Revis cried out, her eyes wild and glowing with a savage joy.
"That's not my name!"
Ais charged forward, her saber dancing in her hand as their blades made contact again and again. As soon as she saw him collapse, something had snapped inside of her. An overwhelming anger, a burst of fury had come forth, spurring her body into action.
Revis locked her sword against hers, roughly shoving it closer to her face.
"I'm going to enjoy breaking you…!"
Ais moved her free hand up to the flat of her blade, pushing back.
"I'd like to see you try…!"
Her breath began to pick up, her blood boiling, as adrenaline shot through her body.
"Ais!"
They looked up for a second, distracted by an approaching voice.
Bete!?
She knew what to do. They had practiced this countless times together - a combination attack only the two of them could pull off. Ais hopped back, redirecting her wind up and into the air where it got absorbed by the greaves on Bete's legs.
Once he lands his first attack, we'll alternate and overwhelm her with—!
Her train of thought was interrupted by a sharp whistle. Before her, Revis had raised her fingers to her mouth, blowing a sharp note twice.
What is she..?!
Another slight sound of an object whistling through the air sent her to the ground instinctively. Above her, the tail of the Lambton whipped past her head, crashing into the werewolf and sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Bete!"
He made no effort to stand, only lying where he fell - out cold.
Damnit…!
Ais moved to her feet, her focused on the smiling opponent before her. Her golden stare pierced her rotten green eyes like a set of daggers, glaring with such hate and intensity that alone would've withered away any other normal person.
"Heh…. What's with that look?"
But Revis was exceptional.
"You mad I flattened wolfy and the bunny brat?"
Ais bent her knees, digging her feet into the ground as her wind concentrated at her legs.
"What're you gonna do about it?!"
Without a word, Ais prepared to spring forward. She focused her emotion into her blade, steeling her resolve. She would bet everything on one strike, yet again.
"Lil…"
She stopped.
Wait…!
Her eyes shifted to the side, with Revis following her stare.
"REVISS!"
Bell!?
His voice came out as a shrill yet deep growl at the same time. As he spat out her name, Ais felt a chill roll over her at the pure amount of hatred and venom contained in his voice.
Is he…!?
"Bell!"
Revis began to turn to face him, but she was too late. The boy launched himself at her in a full bodied tackle, sending them both flying out over the hole.
"Don't!"
—
Wind whistled through his hair as they fell, their bodies tumbling together in the open space.
"Gah!"
Bell pulled himself up somehow, his dagger in hand.
"Ahahah! Nice to see you too, Argonaut!"
"Shut up!"
He flung his hand down, in a mad attempt to drive the dagger into the woman below him. However, Revis shook him off with ease, instead facing down as she focused on the rapidly approaching end of their free fall.
No…!
"You…!"
He stretched out a hand towards her, ignoring the now visible ground that awaited them below.
"Bell!"
Gold..?
A pair of arms had wrapped around his chest, pulling him close to their owner.
Ais…?
He turned his head to look at her.
What is she doing?!
Her hair flowed madly behind her as her lips moved inaudibly. The tinges of red that had once plagued his vision began to recede.
"You idiot!"
She screamed at the top of her lungs, enveloping them both in her green wind just in time to break their fall. In a jumble of legs and arms, they hit the ground at a significantly slower speed, yet still fast enough to hurt.
"-ack!"
She grabbed his head, tucking it close to her chest and bracing as they hit the ground. She gasped out in pain as the wind was knocked out of her, and her hold on Bell broke, sending them uncontrollably rolling to a stop.
"…hhaa..!"
Bell breathed out underneath her as he gasped for air. Ais felt his elbow painfully poking her ribcage, causing her to wheeze and cough aloud.
"I think… I'm dead…"
"Shut up…"
"Ais… can you… move…"
"Shut up..!"
She rolled off of him, collapsing on her chest as she struggled to breathe. Her eyes fell to Bell facing her on his side, merely inches away from her, in a similar state of agony.
"I… can't... believe you…"
He had the audacity to crack a pained smile.
He seems to have calmed down... good…
"Ais…?"
"Catch your breath…. and get up"
He did as he was told - slowing his breathing and pulling himself to sit against the wall.
"Now…"
Crack.
"—Ack!"
"That's for being stupid."
Crack.
"A-Ais!"
"And that's for making me worry!"
She raised her hand once more, causing him to close his eyes and wince in fear.
Huh?
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder as she fell to the ground next to him.
"You… really are unbelievable… you know that…?"
Bell opened his eyes, wearily looking over her shoulder as he eventually moved a hand up to embrace her.
"I… know…"
Her warmth spread through his body, easing his aching heart, calming his on edge nerves. In that moment, only she remained. All other outside distractions were simply that - distractions. But as much as he would've wished to remain like that, he wouldn't be allowed that luxury.
"How sweet."
Ais lifted her head as she felt Bell tense up beneath her. Without acknowledging the sarcastic voice behind them, she moved to her feet. She kept her eyes on Bell, her hand finding his and helping him up as well.
"Look at me… Bell…"
Her golden eyes were begging him. The fire inside him raged wildly. It burned through his body, it set his blood on fire, it stabbed his heart repeatedly. But she kept a hand on his cheek, keeping him from turning his head, keeping him from looking, keeping him from losing himself.
"Look at me."
He breathed in staggered, uneasy breaths.
"I'm right here, okay?"
Her voice was quiet, it was calm and gentle.
"So please… stay with me, okay….?"
Hestia…. everyone….
He fought back tears, refusing to cry as he began to nod. She smiled at that. That tiny curve of her lips shot fireworks off in his head and in his heart, setting free the caged butterflies in his stomach once more.
"….are you ready…?"
"…yeah…"
"Good."
She removed her hand, instead taking his into a gentle yet firm grip.
"Then let's finish this."
She pressed his dagger into his palm.
"Thank you… Ais…"
—
"Are you two finished?"
Bell turned to face his enemy. As he did, he could feel that burning rage once more creeping through his body. His fist tightened around his dagger as he suppressed the growing wave of hate inside.
"That was disgusting. I almost threw up watching that."
Her lips twisted into a scowl as she raised her blade at the two.
"Don't worry Revis, we won't be your problem anymore in just a moment anyways."
"Is that so…?"
She smiled again.
"Well come on, then."
This is it.
"I'm waiting."
Bell moved first, darting forward in a white flash. His blade moved swiftly, arcing through the air as he slashed and stabbed with an overwhelming ferocity.
"That's more like it!"
Revis let out a chilling laugh as she met his attacks with equal force, parrying each blow, blocking every kick and fist.
She's too strong...! I can't even reach her!
Bell stepped back, raising his dagger to deflect Revis' blade.
But...
As her blade slid off his dagger, Ais stepped into view, using the break in Revis' attacks to swap positions with Bell. In an instant, she began to weave in her own combination of attacks, perfectly timing her entrance to kill their foe's momentum.
I have help...!
It was just like their training. Their bodies moved together, dancing across the ground as they flowed in tandem with each other. The countless hours of their grueling training sessions had beat both of their movement patterns into each other's minds. Without even trying, both of them were able to time their breathing and movements with each other to create a single flow, a single fluid stream of attacks.
The result was devastating. Where Bell faltered, Ais was there to cover for him. As Revis was forced to focus more on Ais, Bell was there to shave off some of that pressure. Their unequal status' would've spelled doom for any other duo, but because it was them, they succeeded.
"On your right!"
Ais shouted out as she twirled to the side, spinning behind Bell and allowing him to swap places with her.
"Left side!"
Ais reached across Bell with her arm, shielding his flank with her blade as he pulled back.
"Firebolt!"
She ducked down, lowering herself as a series of flames shot over her.
"Goddamnit, you're so annoying!"
Revis swore as she raised her arm to block her face. The searing hot flames washed over her skin, burning her sleeve away and charring her skin.
"You son of a —!"
She was cut off as the blast enveloped her, obscuring her vision and burning the words in her throat.
It's working…!
Bell could see it. Revis was spending less time attacking and putting more effort into defending.
If we can keep this up…
Bell crouched down, his leg sweeping out at an angle.
We'll win!
Revis stumbled back as her footing was lost - an opportunity Ais didn't miss. In an instant, she lunged forward, sinking a steel sole in Revis' stomach.
"-grk!"
She was sent falling back, gasping for breath as the pair paused their storm of attacks.
"Y-you two… are pissing me off…!"
Revis brought her hand to her mouth, wiping away a droplet of blood that began to trickle down from her lip.
"I should've done this from the start…"
The tamer raised her hand to her mouth as she spoke.
Is that…?
"Bell! Stop her!"
"I see it!"
The pair rushed forward at the sight of the familiar red jewel in her hand.
We're too slow!
In an instant, they closed the gap in a flash of white and gold. Their blades cut through the air, homing in on their target. With a sickening spray of blood, Revis' body slightly jerked as Bell buried his dagger into her side while Ais drove her saber through her chest. With a metallic clang, Revis' blade fell to the ground. The red gem had disappeared behind her lips.
"…!"
"Ha… ha…."
For a moment they paused and fell silent, breathing heavily as they anxiously waited for what came next.
Did we do it?
"Gah… that hurts… you pieces of shit…!"
Revis lifted her head slowly, wheezing as blood continued to spill from her body. Her green eyes narrowed as her bloody lips curled into a smile.
"Too slow!"
Shit shit shit….!
A shiver of fear ran over Bell's body as he looked into the eyes of his foe, only to see the gaze of a predator who had cornered its prey. Her hands shot up, wrapping around their blades and holding them in place.
"Wai-!"
Beside him, Ais moved in a blur, grabbing his collar and throwing him back while simultaneously shooting her leg up to kick Revis in the head.
Crack.
"—!"
Bell landed roughly on his side before scrambling to his feet and turning his eyes back forward.
"…Ais!?"
"…I'm fine…!"
The girl jumped back to fall in line with him.
"Is she…"
"…."
Revis remained standing, blood pouring from her wounds as the blades remained impaled in her body. But once more, shivers of fear shook his joints as he stared ahead. The Beast Tamer's neck was broken at a sharp 90 degree angle, her head resting on her shoulder, yet she somehow continued to stand. Bell felt his stomach flip as he witnessed the gruesome sight.
"I-I think I'm gonna…"
"Don't look."
Ais moved an arm in front of him.
Crack.
"Wait…"
Crack.
"No way…!"
Crack.
As they stood, watching with horrified eyes, Revis' body began to move. At first, her emotionless face remained still. But then, her arms reached up, grasping her head, and in a series of sickening cracks snapped her head back into place.
"…that's better…"
Revis leaned her head from side to side, her neck popping and cracking as she did so.
"…"
She opened her eyes with a smile.
"Now then… let's have some fun."
—
Revis shot forward, her fists already flying towards them.
She's accelerating?!
Ais barely blocked with her arm, feeling the heavy fist weighing down on her body.
She's… so much stronger..!
Bell swept low once more, only for Revis to lift her leg calmly to avoid it.
There!
She lunged forward, her hand outstretched for the handle of her saber still lodged in her chest.
"As if!"
Revis moved to the side, snatching Ais' wrist and dragging it low to the ground.
"—!"
She continued to pull her in, forcing a gasp of surprise out of the girl as the tamer sank a knee into her side.
"Ais!"
As the girl was sent rolling back, coughing and gasping for air, Bell kneeled down to catch her. His hands pulled her to a seated position, holding her steady as she caught her breath.
"Damnit… she..!"
Her eyes widened as a shadow moved right in front of them.
"Bell!"
"Shi—!"
Her leg shot right past Ais' face with a resounding crunch and a cry of pain. Ais once more fell to the ground as she lost her balance. Behind her, Bell was sent rolling back along the ground.
"You think you have time to chat?!"
"You..!"
Ais stumbled to her feet, throwing a punch towards the smirking tamer's face.
Shfff.
Revis twirled in place, letting the fist sail over her shoulder, before grasping Ais' wrist and pulling, hard.
"—ah!"
In an instant, Ais found herself rolling on the ground once more where Revis had thrown her.
"…can you move…?"
She looked up. Bell was pulling himself to his feet next to her, holding his side as he gasped in pain.
We can't win.
"Yeah…"
"…what… do we do…?"
He turned his eyes to her, his gaze almost pleading, begging, her for guidance.
What do we do…?
Her mind spun as she ignored the pain spreading through her body. Her chest heaved up and down as she panted, out of breath.
"She's coming!"
" —!"
Damnit…!
She stumbled to her feet, preparing to receive the enemy's charge.
If only we had a moment to think…!
Her mind spun in circles as every cell in her body begged her to lay down and die.
I could escape alone, but…
She turned her head to look next to her. A sharp guilty pain struck her heart as she mentally kicked herself for even thinking of running away.
"…Bell…"
He looked up to her, turning to look at her with those eyes she had so come to adore.
Please… listen to me just this once…!
"Run…!"
Without listening to hear his response, Ais turned forward and began to move. If she had waited any longer, she was certain she would've just fallen apart right on the spot. In front of her, Revis' smile grew larger and larger.
"No! Ais!"
Please… go!
Her heart tore in two as she heard his voice cry out behind her. But she had no time to think about that. Her foe wouldn't allow her that luxury.
"Let's finish this, Aria!"
The beast tamer beckoned her forward, her empty hands and smile welcoming her attack.
Forget about him. Forget about everything.
She cleared her mind from all distractions, emptying out the swirl of emotions in her heart, letting them fall behind her.
Focus…
The instant their hands met, she knew she was outmatched.
Focus…!
Every punch she threw was met with a solid block or deflect. In a blur of movement, she lashed out with everything she had. But she could only keep it up for so long.
"You're slowing down, Aria!"
"Shut up!"
She spun, lashing out with her leg in a deadly arc.
Thump.
Revis raised an arm to her head, blocking the kick.
She's… hard…! It's like kicking a boulder!
The tamer wrapped an iron clad grip around her ankle, clamping down and keeping her in place.
That's fine… hold on if you can!
She wound her fist back and swung with every ounce of force she had left in her body.
Crack.
The air around them snapped as her fist travelled through the air.
Fshhhh.
"Was that all you had…?"
Smoke rose from her fist as Revis wrapped her free hand around it, catching it merely inches from her face.
"If so, that's very disappointing."
She smiled from behind their entangled body parts.
I'm not done yet…!
With her other hand, Ais grabbed her saber's hilt from Revis' chest, this time successfully wrapping her hand around the familiar blue hilt.
"This… is mine!"
With a shout Ais hopped up off her free leg and, using Revis as a springboard, leapt backward, ripping herself free from Revis' hold. She landed softly, putting some distance between the two of them.
"Not bad, not bad at all."
Revis clapped sarcastically, her voice brimming with amusement.
Damnit…
Blood flowed from her ankle as an aching pain began to make itself known.
That's not good… broken? No. Just a sprain.
"By the way… it looks like your little pet has run off."
Bell..!?
She had forgotten him in their fierce exchange, but now she turned her head quickly to scan her surroundings.
"…good."
"Is it really?"
Revis began to slowly walk forward.
"He has no way of getting up to your friends unless he plans on making his way up there alone. And this is his first time in the Deep Floors, isn't it? How long do you think he'll last down here?"
"He'll make it."
"Are you sure about that?"
"…"
"Are you really bettin-"
"Shut up."
Ais lifted her blade, pointing it toward her foe. Revis looked surprised for a moment, before smiling once more.
"Alright then."
I'm getting tired… she's stronger, faster, and in better condition than me… I have to—
Revis didn't even let her finish thinking. She disappeared from view in the blink of an eye, reappearing mere inches away from her face.
I-I couldn't even see…!
Ais reacted instantly, slashing her blade in a silver crescent.
Tink.
…what…?
"—akk!"
She gasped out as Revis' hand shot out, wrapping around her throat and lifting her up. Behind them, the top half of Ais' Desperate fell to the ground.
That's… impossible…!
Ais wrapped a hand around Revis', fighting to free herself from the choke.
She broke it…!?
"Don't be surprised, Aria..."
Ais lashed out with the hilt of her blade, driving the fragment up towards Revis' throat.
"After all…"
Damnit… damnit…!
Shrk.
She stopped her blade with ease, catching it with her palm and letting the blade pierce straight through her hand.
She didn't even flinch…!
"After our last meeting, I've done nothing but consume stones for every waking minute…"
Revis grasped the hilt, ripping it from her grip and tossing it aside.
"And now… finally… I have you…!"
This isn't good… I'm... losing… consciousness..!
"Take a nap, Aria… when you wake up, you'll be in a new world… a better one!"
She squeezed down on her throat, sending Ais' mind into a dizzying spiral of pain. Tears began to well up in the corner of her eyes as her breath faded away.
Riveria… Tiona… Tione… Lefiya!
Images of her comrades began to flood her mind as her sight warped into darkness.
I'm sorry… everyone…
Her hands fell to her side as she continued to lose her fight to stay awake.
I… won't be able to see you again…!
She had given up. Her body couldn't take it anymore. Battered and bruised, exhausted and weary, she simply couldn't go on any further. Her eyes fell shut as her thoughts began to die away, as all feeling was relieved from her body.
But it was then, when all was lost, she heard a voice.
"…away… her…!"
What..?
The hold on her throat was released, letting her fall to the ground in a coughing fit.
Who…!?
Her eyes widened as she looked up, her vision and hearing once more returning.
Father…? No…
Like a ghost from the past, he stood in front of her, his back to her as he faced the enemy. She recognized his hair. Recognized his stature, his armor, his flowing scarf. She fought to stand, but the figure turned to her, shaking his head as if to tell her no.
"Stay there."
Then, she heard his voice.
"Ais… one day…"
Her father's words echoed in her mind, reverberating through her very body and soul.
"Someone will appear before you…"
Her lips shook as tears streamed down her face.
"Someone strong… someone who you can call…"
She cried out his name as the room filled with an intense wave of heat and blinding orange light.
"Your hero."
"Bell!"
"Firebolt!"
—
"Ha.. ha… ha…!"
Bell sprinted through the caves as fast as he could, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
I have to do this…!
"Run! Bell!"
Her shout had roused him to his feet, sending him sprinting towards the hole where they had fallen. His fingers pulsed lightly as light continued to swarm around his hand.
As soon as they engaged, he knew that they wouldn't beat her - not alone. And so, with no better plan in mind, he ran. He tore through the winding tunnels, avoiding any growls and snarls he heard along the way.
I know this is pathetic… but I have someone I can't afford to lose!
As soon as he reached the hole, he had fired off several blasts of fire straight into the air - a signal for someone, anyone above.
But that isn't enough.
And so, he continued to run. His mind racing to remember the path taken. Thundering footsteps had begun to follow him, and yet he refused to look back to the monstrosities behind him. The unspeakable terrors of the Deep Floors - they weren't just something you could jump into head first, and he knew that.
More… I need more! Come on!
Every step he took, his heart filled more and more with fear. Not fear of the things that followed him, but fear of the past. Every tunnel he passed, every shadow he tore through contained another flash of memories. With each step he fought through his fear. He conquered his emotions, staring straight into the faces of his lost family as he felt a surge of determination strengthen his body.
I don't want to lose her…
Tears streaked down his face as his eyes set on the path that led back to them.
This time. I won't fail.
Back to her.
I'll never lose anyone I love - never again!
—
His eyes widened and his jaw clenched with rage as he returned to the room only to see Ais - the girl he so loved, hanging limp in the hands of the enemy.
"Get… Get away from her!"
He leapt through the air, his baselard gifted from Lilli flashing before him. With a sudden spurt of blood, he cut through Revis' arm, severing it from her body. Behind him, Ais fell to the ground, limp and barely moving.
"Y-You fucking —!"
"Firebolt!"
The space between them exploded as his two minute charged Hero's Strike fueled his magic, filling the room with fire.
"—urk!"
Bell grimaced and winced in pain as the flames covered his body, reducing most of his shirt to ashes. The great ball of fire burnt the ground, sending ripples through the air as the heat forcibly created a mirage before them.
Revis struggled to fight through the blast, attempting to break through to Bell before failing and getting blown away. Her wailing screams cut off and died out as the flames scorched her throat and seared her flesh.
"Bell!"
Without wasting anymore time, he spun around, ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm as he rushed towards Ais.
We need to move…!
He didn't speak, he barely even looked at her. He only took her into his arms as he circled around the cavern, ignoring the fact that he was carrying her bridal style.
"Huff.. huff… ha…"
His chest heaved up and down as he stopped running. As soon as he had taken Ais into his arms, he knew he had to move to the other side of the cavern.
They should be arriving soon.
"…Bell…"
He looked down for the first time. Ais lifted her face from his shoulder, and as their eyes met, his heart stopped.
For the first time he noticed the touch of her arms around his neck, noticed the way her golden hair seemed to glow in the light, the way her lips trembled as tears streamed from those beautiful eyes.
"Ais… I'm sorry… for leaving… for everything!"
She smiled and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck.
"…It's okay…"
"It's not! I was a complet—"
She stopped him, pulling his head down as she pressed her lips to his.
It was just for a second, and yet it felt like a lifetime had passed. When they broke apart, only then did Bell's heart remember to do its job.
"I said… it's okay…"
"Ah…! Uh…!"
He couldn't speak, but luckily enough, he didn't have to.
"The fire…"
She swung her legs down, climbing out of his arms as she drew his attention back to the fight.
"It's dying down…"
She was right. The flames had started to die away, slowly receding as the fire began to vanish.
Okay. Focus…! The fight and surviving comes first!
"…ghh…gah…..aghhhh!"
Revis arched her back in pain, letting out a bloodcurdling scream as she turned her head to look at them.
"You… I won't… I'll never let you leave here alive!"
Her eyes were wild and crazed, shaking with pure rage as she focused on them.
But this time, Bell wasn't scared.
"That's not up to you."
She blinked in surprise as she finally noticed the noise. In her anger, her senses had completely abandoned her. Her lack of logic and rational thinking had left her exposed - exposed to the stream of creatures charging behind her.
"GUOOOOOHHH!"
With a mighty roar, the beasts leapt onto Revis, claws and fangs bared. Dozens of monsters continued to pile through the tunnel, scales, fur and flesh flying as Revis fought them back desperately with her single arm.
"N-No! Stay back!"
She screamed out as the monsters tore at her, snapping with jaws and slashing with razor sharp claws. Previously, they would've all bowed to the mighty beast tamer. But after being riled up by the tempting rabbit-like morsel running past them, once presented with a weakened target along with the heavy scent of blood, their minds were lost as their bodies betrayed her will and exposed them for what they were - beasts.
Blood continued to spill to the ground as Revis disappeared under a wave of monsters, her screams drowned out by the vicious sound of flesh being torn apart.
"We should go… before they turn on us…"
Ais spoke, her voice barely a whisper.
"Hey… can you…"
She lifted her foot to show him her sprained ankle.
"Yeah, I got you."
Bell pulled her arm over his neck, putting his own around her waist as he lent her his shoulder. Slowly, they began to walk, turning their backs on the massacre behind them as they began to search for the way back above.
—
After a short walk, they found it. The pathway up - it was a gentle slope leading to the 59th floor. Up ahead, he could already see the open arena where they had fought the Demi Spirit.
Just ahead… is safety…
But the sound of footsteps scraping against dirt stopped them. They turned, preparing for the worst.
"What—!?"
His head turned too late. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it. A flash of red.
"Bell!"
"—nngh!"
Ais shoved him roughly to the side, forcing him to the ground.
Crack.
He heard it before he saw it. The sickening clap of a blow landing against exposed skin.
"Move, Princess…"
"You…!"
Bell sprung to his feet, a scowl on his face as he recognized the form of Revis standing over a motionless Ais.
Scarlet and black colored blood dripped from countless wounds all over her body, not all of it her own. Bits and pieces of flesh stuck to her clothes and skin, slices of some unknown bloody tissue were strewn about her already blood red hair. There was even a broken claw or fang of some creature that jutted out of her shoulder, continuously drawing out a stream of blood even as she stood there.
What remained of her clothes was tattered and torn. Her armor was shredded beyond recognition. Her pale skin had been dyed a red and black mixture of both monster's and her own blood. But she was still standing.
Terrifying.
That was the only word he could use to describe the monster in front of him. She looked as if she had walked straight out of a nightmare itself. She was a creature of the night, the monster under the bed, the shadows lingering around the corner. And she had turned her eyes to Bell.
"You know…"
She stepped forward, leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints in her wake.
"…at first, it was all about her."
She gestured to Ais, who was busy clutching the side of her head, disoriented and dizzy as she attempted to lift her head off the ground.
"But right here, right now… I think I want you both."
What the… what is she talking about…!?
He shook that thought aside as he continued to scan the Beast Tamer's wrecked body. His eyes fell to her side, locking onto the obsidian black handle that stuck out from her body.
"…that's mine…"
"Then come and get it."
He moved slowly at first. A step. Then another. Then another, and another. Just like before, he threw away all rationality. He abandoned all of his training, all of his experience, and simply charged forward.
"Your opponent is weak. She's dying. Finish her…!"
He could hear Allen growling in his ear as he began his attack.
In front of him, Revis took a bloody half step back, extending her remaining arm in front of her. She sunk low, guarding her upper body and head the best she could.
Thud.
"—kh!"
He sprinted forward, kicking straight out and connecting with the remains of her chest plate. A splash of blood flew into the air from her open wounds as he slammed her back against the wall.
Don't let up…!
He didn't stop there. He closed the distance, not giving her a second to breathe or react.
Crack. Thud. Snap.
He lashed out in a flurry of blows, using every ounce of energy left in his body to fuel his deadly assault.
"—!"
Revis' head snapped up as his fist connected with her jaw.
"—gah!"
His elbow crashed into her temple, sending her head sprawling to the side.
Die… just die… just… die!
Blood splattered across his face and down to the ground as he continued his ruthless barrage of attacks.
"Die!"
Crack.
He sank his fist into her stomach, doubling her over with a cough of blood. Behind her, the wall cracked as fissures and spider web fractures spread along the rock wall.
"Ha…hah…ha…!"
Bell breathed out heavily as he was once more reminded of the constant, aching pain that flooded his body. He was reaching his limit.
"…hah…hahah…. gotchu…"
What…!?
"Shit—!"
Her hand wrapped around his wrist, holding it tight as she lifted her head to flash him a grim smile.
"You little fucker…!"
Crack.
"—kah!"
Thud.
"—kh!"
He gasped out for air as she grasped his shirt and pulled him close, driving her knee up into his stomach over and over again.
"Was that all you had left?! Huh?!"
"—gah!"
She curled her bloody fingers around his throat, turning and slamming him to the wall, reversing their positions.
"Was that shouting for show, huh?!"
She laughed as she leaned forward, pressing her elbow to his throat and pinning him helplessly to the wall.
"You little shit. I'm gonna fucking gut you like a fish…"
"..khgg…try….it…!"
His hand shot down, grasping the hilt of his knife still embedded in her torso. With a sickening squelch of flesh being slid apart, he raised the knife and drove it up towards Revis' neck.
"Wha—?!"
His world turned upside down in an instant. His knife sliced through thin air as Revis spun, removing her elbow and catching Bell's wrist before tugging hard and throwing him over her hip.
"—Gah!"
He cried out in pain as Revis flipped him onto the ground. Pointed rocks jutted painfully into his back, and Revis kneeled down on his chest, pressing down with her knee.
"—mmph!"
He breathed out hard as she wrapped a hand around his, forcing his fist closed around his dagger.
Shit… shit, shit, shit…!"
"You know what I hate the most about you…?"
"…What's…gah….that…!?"
She snarled and leaned over him, growling in his face like a rabid beast.
"You just don't know how to give up and die!"
Bell's eyes widened as his breath picked up pace. He pressed with all his might against his own hand, but Revis was stronger. She leaned over him, pressing down with all her body weight, slowly inching the tip of his Hestia knife closer and closer to his throat.
"…gh…gah…gah!"
His legs kicked up and flailed helplessly, only to be pinned down by the woman on top of him.
Skk.
He turned his face as the tip of the blade cut across his cheek, drawing a red line down his skin.
"..y-you…. won't…!"
He grunted through gritted teeth as his shaking hand continued to fall closer to his throat.
"Sorry, what was th—ghk!"
Revis was cut off as Ais appeared at their side, slamming her boot into the side of her face.
"Bell!"
The boy let his head fall back against the floor. His arms fell, uselessly to his sides, completely drained of all energy.
"Oh… my… gods…"
His chest rose and fell as he gasped for air, shaking and trembling with every breath. Next to him, Revis hit the ground roughly, rolling down the slope, leaving behind a bloody smear of flesh and dust.
"Ais… you…!"
His head lolled back and forth as she helped him sit up.
"…sorry I was late…"
He looked at her through almost tearful eyes.
"…you saved me… again…"
She shook her head, her dusty golden hair flicking over her shoulder.
"…come on… on your feet…"
Even as he stood, he couldn't take his eyes of her. The way her golden eyes shone through her dirt stained features. The way her lips pressed into that straight, serious line. The way her brow furrowed in concentration as she pulled him up.
Gods, she's beautiful…
"Bell… pay attention…"
"…Right."
Below them, Revis was already crawling to her feet.
"Shit… fuck…! Fuck!"
She screamed out a blood curdling cry. Her eyes shook and trembled. Her body shivered and rippled with blood lust.
"…you… you two…"
She looked at her hand, grasping her fingers into a bloody, shaking fist.
"…Is this… is this still not enough…!? After everything…!?"
She shook her head.
"No… of course not… I need more… more power… more…!"
She turned her eyes to them, baring her teeth like a wild animal. She limped towards them, still clearly intending on continuing the fight.
"…can you move…? One last time…?"
Ais whispered softly to him.
"…yeah… I can do it."
She nodded and stepped in front of him.
"Then follow my lead… end it with one last blow."
He didn't know how he was still standing. He didn't know how he even had the energy to think. But when she moved, so did he.
"Go…"
It didn't even take a minute. Not even 30 seconds. In the first moment, Ais moved quickly, blocking Revis' view with a kick which connected with a sick crack. In the next, she stepped out of the way, letting Bell lunge forward out of her shadow, knife in hand. By the time Revis was able to react, her counter attack was far from on target.
"—urk!"
Bell let his eyes fall shut as his blade hit home. He could feel it.
"…hah…"
A fresh river of warm blood flowed over his hands as his knife sank to its hilt in Revis' chest.
Shff.
Her arm fell, brushing over his hair and falling down his side as her strength finally began to leave her behind. Likewise, Bell's hands fell away from his knife as his head fell forward, barely conscious.
"…Bell…?"
Behind him, Ais supported herself on the wall, watching quietly as they exchanged their final blows.
Bell breathed out slightly, catching his breath before reaching up and brushing Revis' arm away. It took him everything he had left just to stand up straight as the Beast Tamer wobbled and began to fall backwards.
Tap.
Her leg shifted backwards, somehow catching herself adn keeping her from falling.
She's dying.
Her mouth opened to speak, only to let out an incoherent gurgle as blood dribbled from her lips.
"…ghh…"
She didn't need words to say what she was thinking. As she stood there forward, her arms dangling uselessly next to her, her eyes still glimmered with hate and pure rage.
"Yeah… we hear you…"
"Bell…"
Ais' voice drifted down to him, a slight nervous tone in her voice.
"Yeah… I'll be careful."
He waited a second. Revis traced his movements with her eyes, but made no attempt to attack. Bell's voice fell to a silent whisper as he spoke a few words.
"Is this… what awaited me…?"
He reached out, grabbing hold of his dagger, miraculously still impaled in her side. She didn't stop him. He wasn't even sure if she could hear him, but he still spoke.
"…rkk.."
As he pulled it from her body, she once more groaned with an illegible sound.
"…sorry…"
His words surprised him. Before him was the one who had taken everything from him. The one who scarred his body, his heart, his very soul. And yet as he looked at her, as he looked into the mirror displaying the grim future that he had narrowly avoided, he felt nothing but sadness.
He looked down at the dagger secure in his hand. He wiped away a smear of blood that covered the blade, revealing the pulsing blue runes.
Thank you…
"Bell… you don't have to… I can do it."
"No…"
He shook his head and turned to walk back up to Ais.
"Just… leave her…"
She didn't argue. Even as stubborn as the Tamer was, it was clear that this was one battle she wasn't walking away from. Death had finally caught up to her.
"…okay…"
Bell took Ais' side once again, and without a second look back, left that hauntingly grim specter standing in silence. She no longer had any part in his life, in their life. Her only purpose now, was to be forgotten and disappear into the jaws of the dungeon - to be swallowed by the darkness, never to be seen again.
It's over. It's finally over.
—
