Disclaimer:
I do not own DanMachi or any of those series characters. Nor do I make any money off my writing.
Synopsis:
It's been six years since the fall of Zeus and Hera familias and the world has changed. Its a time where civilians and adventurers alike are terrorized by Evilus, a group that seems content to slowly seep the great city into a pool of chaos. And it's at this time that Gareth Landlock, high-executive of the Loki familia, stumbles across a six year old dungeon orphan in the middle of a crowded street.
Ch 2: An Endless Fair
Roots (General)
Three days turned into a week. A week into two. And while starting off as more of a curiosity to the other familia members, the young boy became increasingly a fixture of everyday life in the Loki familia home. Bell's wide bright smile, which became more and more common as days passed, slowly started to lift a general miasma that had unknowingly settled over the household due to the current state of discord in Orario.
When they are young, children are innocent of many troubles in the world and as such seem to have a certain sense of invincibility. It is usually not until they grow older, leaving the net of safety and security made for them, that they start to feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. Bell had obviously been through a traumatic experience. But like they say, time heals all wounds. At least that is what people like to tell themselves. Perhaps it is more apt to say that time heals most wounds. For Bell, the rest was taken care of by the daily attentions of a certain stout dwarf, the other various members of the Loki familia, and their mischievous goddess who were able to fill the absence left by the sudden loss of his grandfather.
For young Bell, living in the Twilight Mansion was like living in an endless fair. He had always loved the annual harvest festivals. Once a year, just after the last haul of crops were taken from the field, Grandpa and him would ride into the village to find the whole town alit as if the sun had come down to settle in the surrounding buildings and trees. Dancing and laughter, good food, bright colors, songs, plays, and games. Wherever Bell turned, there was always something new that took his attention or drew his eye. Similarly, the antics of the Loki Familia ensured that dull days around the Twilight Mansion were a rarity.
By day, Bell would usually follow Gareth, or occasionally Riveria, helping with the thousand small chores that kept the familia running smoothly. The familia executives used this time not only for the extra help, but as a way to ensure that young Bell was doing well in his new environment. Having a child around was as new to them as each new experience was for the boy.
And by night, Bell would sit by the hearthfire in the Twilight Mansion's reception parlor listening to songs, stories, and tales told by the older Adventurers over mugs of cold ale and hot cider until finally Gareth would carry the half exhausted form back to Bell's room. The weary boy always asked if the dwarf would read a story or two before slipping into a sleep filled with the fanciful feats depicted between the leather-clad book's pages.
Gareth collapsed into one of the reception hall's many plush armchairs, causing Riveria, who sat adjacent, to glance up from the small book held in her graceful hands. The lad had finally fallen asleep after starting their third story that night. "Ya know, one thing they never tell ya is how much energy the little ones have. Smoke and ash, someone is giving the lad stamina potions."
Riveria lightly chuckled to herself as she leafed to the next page. "Does he still say you're doing the voices wrong?"
A wry smile crossed Gareth's face. "Haha! Not anymore, but I dare say that lad could read that book to me if e' wanted. E's a sharp one."
"You know..." Riveria started, before she momentarially paused to turn another page of her book. "We should start thinking about how we are going to teach Bell."
Gareth looked at the high-elf out of the corner of one eye. "Bah, what are you on about now? Like sparing lessons? E' doesn't even have a falna."
"No, no. Schooling. He is of the age where that would be appropriate. We can't have him following us forever."
Gareth considered the sub-Captain's words. Lessons... Books... Cursed mines that seemed like a setup for torture. Pouring over countless books until one's eyes fell out seemed to appeal to some like Riveria, but Gareth prefered to experience things first hand. Learn by doing. That's what HE did when he started taking more responsibilities for the familia.
Granted, there were some rough patches when people approached tasks like that, but in his history no one got burned. Well, not too badly at any rate. But that wasn't counting Kalos' tendency to somehow light himself on fire... THAT still confused Gareth to no end.
The boy understood how to read, and he could pick up numbers by hanging around Gareth balancing the familia's accounts. What more could he need? "Ehh why not have the lad find his own way? That's how my Da did it."
"Because the world is bigger than our little corner. If I wasn't-"
"I come looking for you both, only to find you bickering like an old married couple. It's actually quite cute." A blond-haired looking youth set down a small stack of papers he had been reading before folding his arms and considering the two high-executives with mock severity. "So, when's the wedding?"
Gareth's gruff voice resounded with a dangerous gravel like tone as his gaze shifted from Riveria to the newcomer. "Very funny Finn, if I wasn't already tired I'd come over there and kick yer ass."
Finn Diadem, Prume warrior and Captain of the Loki Familia, settled onto a sofa adjacent to his fellow familia members. His blonde-hair, blue-eyed youthful appearance concealing one of the most strategic, veteran fighters in the familia. And perhaps one of the oldest too... but that was still a hypothesis as neither he nor Gareth had ever worked up the courage to ask Riveria and Bara their ages.
Riveria waved away Finn's attempt to tease as she closed and set the book she had been reading upon her lap. "What do you have there Finn?"
"Another report for the latest intel on Evilus movements. Hermes familia has been busy, which means so will we..."
And as both Gareth and Riveria's workload increased with tasks deemed either too dangerous or not friendly enough for a child to tag along, this left Bell with a bit more unsupervised time. They made Bell promise to not leave the Twilight Manion without them or another adult and as such his natural curiosity and inquisitive nature lead him to start following and attempting to help the other familia members with more or less success, watching people in the training area, and exploring the Twilight Mansion and surrounding grounds.
"Hey Kalos!"
Kalos Vanderling, fledgeling pyromancer extraordinaire, was bent over one of the tables in the dining hall when he heard a young voice call out behind him. Straightening and pulling the goggles he wore up and over his eyes, he looked back to see young Bell quickly patter over, climb the bench, and peer wide-eyed at the bubbling concoctions before them.
"What are you making this time?!"
Kalos held up a slim test tube he was about to pour into the mixture, gazing at the teal lightly colored liquid it held. "These, my boy, are going to make me famous! Food-in-a-bottle potions! We'll never have to eat in the dungeon again!"
"Is it going to explode like before?"
Kalos' eye twitched. "No… that's just…" He threw his arms into the air in frustration. "My calculations were just off. It's a lot more stable this time."
"Um… then why did Riveria tell you not to punish the rest of the familia by attempting to mix in the dining room?"
"She just doesn't appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to earn a new skill…" Kalos let out a humph of exasperation at the fruitlessness of trying to explain art to a six year old.
"Here, hold this for a second while I turn down the heat." Kalos held out the teal colored vial to Bell who reverently wrapped both hands around it to keep it safe.
"Does this go next?"
"Yes, I was about to-"
Whoooooosh
Kalos felt a small flash of heat and turned just fast enough to see the tiny mushroom cloud of black smoke roiling from the once boiling ingredients into the rafters above.
"Oh Gods…" The lith man quickly picked up the soot covered child, turning him around only to see a set of rubilett eyes and bright white smile being only things NOT colored black. "Phew… Ehh, let's get you cleaned up before Gareth or Riveria come back…"
The Twilight Mansion came complete with its own array of hidden paths, treasures, and secret places that kept Bell endlessly occupied as he explored the labyrinth-like structure. Yes, there were the usual rooms: reception areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, storage areas, dining hall, kitchens, ... The kitchens were one of Bell's favorites, especially when the dinner meal was being prepared. If Bara was working the shift, she would always let Bell stir one of the cooking pots and help taste test the soup. But while these areas were great, it was the more secluded parts of the mansion that Bell truly sought after.
There was a hidden stair that led to the top of one of the mansion's many peeked rooftops where an owl and her chicks had taken residence among the rafters. In the back of the training area, deep into the overgrowth, a section of the back wall had fallen, exposing a decent size hole to the alleyway outside. Old rooms, still filled with dust and mementos of those that used to live there. The massive Loki familia library which held more books then Bell had ever seen. And up between the second and third spires, one of the walkways between towers had the perfect place for sitting, where it allowed Bell to watch out over the whole city. If Gareth was out late, Bell would wait on the walkway and race down to meet him, and his team, as they reached the front gate. And sometimes, even Lady Loki would sit with him.
Even more mysterious… were the places Bell was NOT able to go. The familia armory looked to Bell's young eyes like a dragon's treasure trove. Gleaming sets of armor and weapons stacked from floor to ceiling. Riveria said he musnt go in there alone as it was dangerous. The girl's bathroom was off limits, but Bell was a-ok with that. People's bedrooms were private, which meant that no one could tell him when to clean his room. And there was a mysterious locked and guarded door in the basement that no one seemed to know much about.
Most of Bell's adventures went unremarked. There was the time when Riviera came back to find her library in complete disarray as Bell had pulled down every hero story he could find, but overall everything was going well… until the day that Riveria returned to the manor and found Bell bringing out mug after mug of ale to Lloyd and Valdor as they tried to see who would pass out first. It was one of the few times, up to that point, when Bell saw a side of Riveria that reminded him of the ancient furies from not-so-nice stories.
She had taken and steered his small form through the mess of corridors until arriving at Gareth's well worn bedroom door. The warrior dwarf answered with bleary eyes as he had once more been out late on patrol.
"What in the…?"
"Gareth! The boy is NOT going to just learn about stories of heroes and how to drink their partner under the table. He is going to have a PROPER education!"
Gareth just stood dumbfounded as the sub-captain turned Bell around and marched him back down the hall. He reached up and lightly rubbed the back of his neck.
"What a mess…"
Moving his neck from side to side elicited a series of pops and cracks. Gareth shambled back inside the room and collapsed into his bed. He was sure that wasn't the end of the conversation, and he would rather face it after a few more hours of sleep.
A Trickster's View (Loki)
Loki eased open the door to Bell's room, quietly entering as she carried the room's young occupant in, his head resting on her one shoulder. This was usually Gareth's role but tonight he had been unfortunately occupied.
Gareth had pulled the short straw and was out on the late patrol again tonight. So late in fact that little Bell had fallen asleep on the upper walkway waiting for the old dwarf, and his team, to make their way back home. Loki had decided the best course of action would be to get the little one to bed. Sleeping under the stars was nice, but she'd rather not see him fall from the walkway with an unlucky roll. If Gareth wanted to see the boy, he'd be able to check in when he got back.
And as she lay the young boy into his bed, pulling the sheets up and around, he stirred slightly. Not even close to being fully awake, the boy's rubilette eyes opened slightly and silently scanned the room before he found Loki's face.
"Loki?"
The goddess brought over the room's single chair, sitting beside the bed before she reached out and lightly ran her hands through Bell's white locks.
"Sh-h-h, sleep now little one."
"Oh… ok…" Bell's heavy eyes closed as he nuzzled deeper into the sheets.
Loki had watched, day after day, as the shy young boy grew more bold and inquisitive with the other familia members. And as much as the boy changed, he had also influenced those around him too. She knew he was undeniably a catalyst, someone that would one day take and shape the world as he saw fit. It was the same feeling Loki got when she knew the card under a dealer's hand, or how a dice roll would land.
She doubted that the boy would ever realize his true importance. Mortals never usually did, but could she blame them? No. Their lives were measured in decades, not millenia or eons. They only had such a short sliver of time to make their mark upon this world…
A tune came to the forefront of Loki's mind. More of a simple melody really. One that she had heard long, long ago. Seemingly before she had even come down to Genkai.
She wasn't blessed with perfect pitch, or creativity in art like mortals could be from the Muses. Her talents lay elsewhere. Even so, she softly breathed into the room's stillness.
How odd to watch a mortal dream
and struggle to find their way.
Souls alight and with delight
burning brighter day by day.
Would I could grant ye boon
by earth, or sun, or star, or moon.
Soon, only Bell's light breathing remained and Loki stood and replaced the chair in its proper place under the desk. And as she left, Loki looked back through a half-closed door toward the single occupied bed.
"That boy is going to be a hassle one day." Loki said to herself as she tilted her head first one way and then the other as if considering something gravely. Then, a wide smirk overtook her face. "Give 'em hell."
Run Rabbit Run (Bell)
Six months came and went for those living in the Twilight Manor.
Hermes familia reports had been instrumental in countering the worst of the Evilus threat. With the proper warning, coalition forces were able to head off many in-progress raids, grinding Evilus' corrupting influence to a stalemate. The coalition forces had yet to win a decisive victory in capturing the group's leaders, but the city seemed safer to both Adventurers and the city's civilians and that was a win at any rate.
And also in that time, the Loki familia celebrated a certain white haired someone's seventh birthday. As they celebrated at the Hostess of Fertility, Mama Mia had been adamant about that point to which Gareth conceded, comments were said about how Bell had grown in both size and attitude from when he first came into the family. The party was a wonderful affair and even Mama Mia surprised Bell with a cake she baked just for the occasion. During the dinner, Finn made a small event of tapping the side of his glass, bringing everyone's attention to himself.
Finn looked at the youth with a twinkle in his eye. "Young Bell, It has come to my attention how you've grown since coming into this familia. We could use someone like you. Are you willing to help?"
It was mostly prompt, but Finn knew his business, especially with those in his familia. And Bell, being the young boy full of dreams, knew of no other answer then yes.
Running messages to and from the familia came with a whole list of benefits. Bell met all sorts of new and interesting people, though some of which he had already met when helping Gareth and Riveria.
Running messages also gave Bell an excuse to spirit away from Riveria's strict teaching lessons…
Bell was the youngest by far of the pupils Riveria had been concocting lessons for. Not all the younger members of the Familia had elected for remedial lessons, but some had asked for, and potentially regretted, the assistance of the familia's high-executive.
While the others were learning how to harness their spells, or about the dungeon and its many monsters. Bell was learning math, a spattering of general sciences, etiquette, and history. He often complained to Gareth who would let out a laugh and ruffle the young boy's hair. It probably didn't help that Riveria was used to teaching much older students.
Today Bell was running to the Hostess of Fertility to pay off the familia's tab. Last night Loki had pushed the young boy in front of Mama Mia when it was discovered that Dain had forgotten to bring the purse. He was the only one the familia knew Mia wouldn't throttle for asking if they could pay later. Mia agreed, but only if Bell brought the payment himself. That evening, when Bell asked Gareth why they couldn't just wait to pay Mia when they were there next. Gareth had simply replied "We keep our promises boy. Don't let anyone tell ya that yur word isn't good."
Though that would be much simpler if it wasn't for the group of older children that was currently chasing Bell through Orario's narrow back alleys.
Bell had also gotten quite good at running away in the last six months. This wasn't the first time he had been chased through the Orario streets by this group, they were the orphans that initially stole his shoes when he first came to the city so long ago. Usually he could evade them, he was light and built for speed. Once or twice they had caught up, but after a light scuffle and the group usually taking whatever Bell had been eating or carrying, Bell would be once more bounding away whilst they gave up their chase. Bell hadn't told Gareth or Riveria about the group. He knew Gareth and Riveria were busy, out fighting and such, and he didn't want them to worry about him. Perhaps there was also a bit of his own fear that they wouldn't let him keep running messages, which would mean more of Riveria's lessons.
Today though, something was different too. The older orphans seemed a LOT faster then in the past. And they were not even getting winded.
The alleyway broke into a straight corridor with few obstacles. A larger boy, the small group's apparent leader, sped up and pushed Bell to the cobblestones. The uneven bricks tore a hole through the knee in Bell's pants, roughing up the skin underneath.
"What do you have this time, runt? Didn't I tell you not to run from us after we caught you the last time?"
The large boy reached down and picked up the small cloth purse that had fallen to the ground when Bell fell. The distinct clink of coins and heavy weight of the small pouch caused the harsh boy's eyes to widen in greed.
"No, that's not yours! I need to give that to Mama Mia!"
"Well, Mama Mia is gonna be very disappointed in you for losing this then." The boy let out a rough laugh into the now still alley. "My guess? You'll be washing dishes for months."
One of the other boys peeked around their leader's back to stare at the bundle of coins in his hand. "Ged! We can ALL get some Soma for what's in there!"
Soma? Wasn't that one of the drinks that Loki was always talking about? Bell had smelled Loki's drinks before. Why would anyone want to drink something that smelled that bad? The young boy's nose crinkled up as he thought about it. Yuck.
While Ged daydreamed about what they would use to buy with the money in his hand, Bell quickly reached out and grabbed ahold of the purse, attempting to snatch it from the boy's grip as his mind was elsewhere. But when Bell yanked, Ged barely moved, and instead Bell was pulled forward with the full force of his 7 year old arms into what was presumably a minor brick wall. Whether by accident or design though, Bell's forehead met the tip of Ged's nose. So while Bell was still reeling, Ged let loose of the bag of coins as his hands came up to hold his now broken and bleeding nose. The sudden lack of force caused Bell to slide back to the cobblestones in a disoriented mess.
"The little runt…" Ged hacked up a wad of blood that had pooled into his mouth. "The little runt actually hit me."
"Ged! Get the money and lets go before someone else comes!" The other member of the group, a girl that looked just a year younger than Ged stepped up and grabbed his elbow to catch the older child's attention. The noise they were making was bound to draw the attention of someone nearby.
"He freakin HIT me!" Ged shrugged off the girl's hand as he stepped up to the fallen Bell. Ged's boot collided with Bell's ribs which elicited a sharp crack and the boy let out a shriek.
Bell was in a world of pain for his just past seven years of life. Dots swam across his vision and breathing was difficult. His mind started to retreat into that old version of himself, of the six year old Bell that had woken up in pain, alone, he could almost smell ash on the wind…
"HIT ME!" In his rage, Ged pulled back his boot to once more strike the defenseless boy huddled in front of him on the cobblestones. Only stopping when he felt a sharp, cold sting along the side of his throat.
A light, silvery voice called from just behind Ged's back. "I must ask that you please desist in your efforts to harm that young one."
Ged gulped, causing the cold steel to cut a fraction deeper into his skin. Slowly he lowered his boot back to the ground.
"Good. Now back away, won't you?"
And as Ged backed a step or two away from Bell, the mystery woman stepped around Ged until she was between the two of them, her short sword lowering but never pointing away from the bully's center of mass. An emerald green cloak billowed gently in the wind, its hood obscuring her face.
Ged regained a small portion of his own bravado. "What do you think you're doing?!"
The group's female member spoke into Ged's ear in a whisper. "Ged that's Lyon. Don't make her angry, you've heard the stories."
Ryu Lyon, level two member of the Astrea Familia, was formally known to other adventurers as Lyon, or better yet by her alias 'Gale'. She had become a mini celebrity in the less than two years she had spent in Orario so far. Though that could be said of all the Astrea Familia members to various degrees. Ryu became known for her decisiveness in dealing with her enemies, whether they were members of Evilus, or monsters of the dungeon.
The Astrea Familia and its various members had been instrumental with keeping the current peace in Orario. A dungeon exploration familia first, they had also taken on additional responsibilities of policing the labyrinth city alongside Ganesha familia.
"Ahh we were just playin with him." Ged reached out to lower Ryu's hold on her sword. "He was just… UGH!" But before he could touch Ryu's bare skin, the 'Gale Wind' shifted, catching the long sleeve of Ged's tunic before she used his own momentum to twist and propel him back into the group.
"... and I ask that you please refrain from touching me."
Most Elfs had a cultural instinct against the contact of their skin with others they deemed 'unworthy', and despite Ryu's best intentions it wasn't something she had been able to shake from growing up in her home forest grove.
The male member caught Ged before he could fall, crying out loud, "Ged! Ged, should we tell Captain Zanis about this?"
"So, I take it you are the new batch of recruits Soma just added to his familia? May I have your names?"
Ged shot a look of frustration at their male companion as the other Soma familia members remained silent.
"No matter, I'll be informing your familia, and the Guild, of what just transpired." A finality in Ryu's tone indicated a close to the interrogation.
And as the trio of Soma familia members vanished back down the alley, Ryu turned toward the huddled form of Bell.
"Hey…" Ryu bent down beside him, fanning out her cloak to get it out of the way as she pulled back its deep hood. Ryu brought one hand to wave in front of the boy's unresponsive face, perhaps that first kick really injured him?
As Bell's mind came back to the present, he felt a lurch as if someone had pulled a hallway rug from under his feet. He reached out, grasping for anything to hold onto and caught a hand. Finally able to focus on the present, Bell looked up to see a beautiful elven face framed by long golden-blonde hair and sky blue eyes. Ryu was only 5 years older than the boy, barely out of childhood herself, but 5 years is a lifetime of a difference when one is that young. Bell didn't, or couldn't see her as another child like himself, but rather as a young lady.
Ryu was dumbfounded at the boy's hand clasped in her own. The elf's aversion to being touched ran so deep that it could very well be classified as an unconscious response. She had never asked to be a pariah. But it was a part of her as sure as her eyes were blue. But, why…? Ryu shook her head, she could figure it all out later. For now there was a young boy infront of her that may or may not be injured. Rot and ruin, he didn't even look to have a falna, why were they beating him in the first place?
As the boy tried to move though, his face suddenly went pale and he quickly brought his hand back to press across his ribs, it was obvious that he was having trouble breathing. Shallow breath, one arm holding around his ribcage… With Ryu's rough field-knowledge of injuries learned from her fellow familia members, it seemed like the boy could have a broken rib. Bah, if only she had access to some healing magic, her Captain, Alise, kept talking about how nice it would be if someone in the familia could heal…
"Um… why are you holding your face like that?"
Even though the boy's face was still ashen white from the pain, almost the color of his hair at this point, his eyes were screwed shut, moist from unshed tears, and his teeth were barred in what could presumably be one of the most awkward grimace/smiles Ryu had ever seen, it looked like the boy was clenching his teeth hard enough to snap molars. Wheezing, quick breaths in and out seemed to be an attempt at… laughter? But every time the boy attempted to 'laugh' he was cut short, presumably by the pain of having a broken rib.
The boy hissed through clenched teeth. "Gareth said an Adventurer should…*wheeze* laugh through the pain… *wheeze* but I don't think I'm doing it right… *wheeze* it still hurts… a lot."
"Oh! You're the boy that came with Gareth when… wait he told you what?! Stop… just stop and try to lay still. I'll see if I can help."
Bell lay back on the cobblestones as Ryu pulled out a red health potion. She then applied a bit of the red fluid to the outside of the boy's now red and inflamed rib cage, and after making sure that Bell didn't have any foreign objects in the wound on his knee she added a drop to that too. Over the course of a minute enough of the potion's effects had diffused into the boy to heal whatever actually ailed him.
"Your name is Bell right? I remember when Gareth and you brought over a missive for our Captain. My name is Ryu, Ryu Lyon." Ryu stood back and gave Bell a small bow.
"Um… can you not tell Gareth or Riveria about this?"
Ryu looked at the young boy in confusion. "Hu? Why?"
"Um… Because Riveria…"
"What's this about Riveria? How about you tell me while we walk, I'll escort you to where you're heading."
Author's Note:
I told myself that I was just going to upload what I had, and to not expect much.
"I do not hope that this will be the one, for hoping is a foolish game. I do not hope. I make new lamps, and take my measurements." - The Name of the Wind, Kilvin
Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to read chapter 1 of this new fic, especially to those that followed, favorited, or reviewed. (You can't see it right now, but I'm raising my third coffee cup of the day in solidarity). I asked, and you all answered, so let's see what winding paths this journey will take us down together.
This chapter is actually only half of the original Ch2 events I had planned / started writing. Not sure if anyone else has this problem, but story creep caused the word count to balloon so I chopped it in half and the second bit (CH3) should be up this next weekend along with the next chapter of Fabric of Fate.
I took a good portion of the last two weeks and thought through where exactly I may want this story to go. This brainstorm of ideas ended up as a series of loose story arc events, starting with where we meet our characters in ch1 and continuing up to the beginning of the MS/SO Vol 1 events. We'll see a version of the 'Astrea Record' event, the 27th floor nightmare, and Astrea familia's run in with the Juggernaut along with other events between and after. However, these events can and probably will deviate from MS/SO cannon material. Apart from me not wanting to re-write what was already done verbatim, throwing our lovable hero into the mix makes for some interesting possibilities that would not be available otherwise.
Which leads me to my final thought. Certain characters' mannerisms will be different then the source material because of our little rabbit's influence and actions. Those changes should all have their reasoning weaved through the story as it's told. (So long as I am able to make a good showing of it. We'll see.)
One thing I want to propose to ask you dear readers:
Would you like to see Bell re-acquire his firebolt spell or perhaps get something different?
How I currently have the story pegged, having firebolt is not a necessity, and I don't plan on ever replacing it with a 'massive-lightning-storm-of-death' or anything like that. Perhaps something small, like a weak 'force push' or another.
Whelp, let me know your thoughts...
Like always, please stay safe out there everyone. Sending good vibes and well wishes.
Review Responses:
haziqsaffari2 chapter 1 . May 1
This is new, and welcoming. Like the story, Bell being found by Gareth and being taken in by Loki Familia during the Evilus war. Did Zeus actually died in the attack by the Dragon? Hope you continue this.
Response: Thanks for the support :) And about Zeus… Yes, he did die from the OEBD attack. That will have its own little bundle of fun fallout throughout the story.
Middleman chapter 1 . May 1
why is bell's hair brown? or was that just the dirt on it,
other than that good premise and storytelling
Response: Thanks for the support :) Yea Bell's hair was just really REALLY dirty. Reading back through ch1 I did notice an error where Riveria mentioned that Bell's hair was white… I need to fix that since he hadn't been cleaned up at that point.
Guest chapter 1 . May 1
Please let Alfia and Zald meet Bell and convince both of them to live.
Response: As they will all be in Orario at the same time, I feel that run-ins are inevitable.
Nitewave chapter 1 . May 1
1 for featuring Gareth, he's too often forgotten by other authors.
Response: Gareth definitely deserves more time in the spotlight.
mistalenny chapter 1 . May 1
please continue this I'm hooked already. Gareth is going to be best dad.
Response: Thanks :)
Guest chapter 1 . May 1
pls continue
Response: Will do *thumbs up*
Troopers of Kher Keep chapter 1 . May 1
Don't forget that's Bell's story book since it's written by Zeus will be different from the normal version of the story circulating in the world.
Response: I like your thinking, and you might be onto something…
NoaRien chapter 1 . May 1
Great job loved it my only question is will Zeus ever appear and what happened to Zeus
Response: Thanks :) Zeus met an unfortunate end at the hands claws of the OEBD.
Guest chapter 1 . May 1
I'm actually looking forward to this having more chapters especially if ryu meets little bell
Response: She (Ryu) and some other members of the Astrea Familia will definitely pop up from time to time.
mairsarmy321 chapter 1 . May 2
interesting idea. Im very intrigued to see how far you will take this story. cannot wait for the next update
Response: Thanks :D. I swear the next chapter of fabric of fate is almost done, it's currently on the editing table. Lol
Hello chapter 1 . May 2
I really like what you have done and I'm very interested in how bell and ais will be rasied up together And if ais will of developed feeling for bell a long time before the current time of the main plot, and also how will this effect Zald and Alfia because they attacked orario for bell to make the world stronger so he would not have to fight does this mean they will not enter fear or will attack orario or the evilus
Response: Ais was supposed to first show up in this chapter… but then story creep got me and I decided it was best to just split chapter 2 into two separate chapters instead. About Zald and Alfia… I don't want to say too much… but I will say that we will see them, and while Alfia knew where Zeus was 'hiding' with Bell, she nor Zald were present for the attack.
NiebieskiLis chapter 1 . May 2
So this happened after Ais joined Loki? Is this after Alfia and Zald joined Erebus or were they killed with Zeus protecting Bell and getring that drop item Must say very nice story
Response: Chapter one actually takes place ~6 months before Ais comes into the Loki familia. Alfia and Zald are definitely still out there and have yet to meet Erebus.
SoarenStrafer chapter 1 . May 2
I'm very curios about the road you're going, especially about moving the time Ais joined the familia. can't wait to see your Ideas
Response: Thanks for the support. :) So long as the timeline of events/character ages I based off the cannon material is correct the only one that should be a different age is Bell. (he's ~2 years older in this fic then he would be in cannon)
Pownbattle chapter 1 . May 2
I don't see very many fanfics for Danmachi set in the time period when Evilus first emerged. Especially ones that have Bell in them (since Bell canonically is even younger than he is in this fic during the time Evilus started out).
In short, I'd love to see more of this.
Response: Thanks for the support. :) Yea I hoped that the Bell/Ais story could help balance the chaos of Evilus.
Guest chapter 1 . May 8
I can't wait for Bell to meet Ais their inreractions will be adorable
Response: Thanks for the support. :) Yea the thought of the two of them fumbling through life together seemed like a story I really wanted to be told. There is a conversation I have in my back-pocket atm, not sure where or how it's going to fit into the story:
"Look at em Riv, they are the only one the other really has."
"They have us…"
"... Ya know what I mean."
Wally991 chapter 1 . May 11
Imma just follow this and wait and see if you update this fic. I just want to see when Bell meets Ais
Response: I think I said this in one of the responses above, but Ais was originally slated to be introduced in this chapter. So probably next week after ch3 gets edited, and notwithstanding a sudden rain of toads. (Sorry, I'm reading back through the Dresden Files again and just started 'Summer Knight'. I couldn't resist.) *thumbs up*
Guest chapter 1 . May 16
Darn this is too cute. Can't wait to see Bell cuddle with Ais
Response: Sooooooon. And for now they will be young, and innocent. Sometimes too innocent.