His two body halves didn't even get to hit the ground before being reduced to dust and ashes. The world became silent around Bell as time crawled to a slow. Kojiro and Haruhime were right behind him, their eyes slowly widening as they took in the situation themselves. The weight of the orb they found, in that very same alley where he met Nana the first time, weighed heavily in Bell's pockets. Previously, it felt light, like a blessing of the heavens. That something was going right for once. But now, it felt like a curse, for forcing him to witness this scene.
He didn't know Shirou well.
He knew of the man, the Xenos that wandered the surface. A handyman for everything, doing deliveries and what not. Somewhat morbid humor really. Other than that, the man was a mystery to Bell. He didn't know what kind of food he liked. What his dreams were. Not even hobbies outside of his jobs. And now he never will.
Bell didn't know him well. Not well enough to feel devastated. He was saddened for sure, but there was this distance that always remained and always will remain now. However…
"Shirou!"
"Let me go! Let me go!"
"Stay in formation, damn it!"
Lido's uncharacteristic rage, his eyes flaring with monstrous killing intent as he tried to push forward, only to be forced back by Nana. Wiene, trying to struggle out of Fia's winged grip, whose tears flowed freely as well. Gros' barely maintained discipline as he barked orders, tearing someone's throat off as he tried to reach for Lido.
Bell didn't know Shirou at all. But what he had known and what he saw in that moment…was more than enough to spur him into action!
"Kojiro! Haruhime!" He roared, tightening his grip on his blades.
"Lead the way!"
"On you!"
"Guess this is happening then!" The Night Queen snarled before stepping backwards, snapping her fingers. At once, the soulless eyes of the slaves turned towards Bell and their group. A part of him felt pity. Agonized by the sight of people being turned into mere puppets. He didn't want to do this. But he knew that he didn't have the means, the time or the strength to save everyone in this man made dungeon. His mind flashed back to the Far East. To Yggdrasil. The Red Light District. The blood that stained his hands. It only served to bare his teeth and a scream of anger escaping his throat.
"Dragon Fang!"
The teeth of the beast chomped through the wall of flesh. Wet noises sounded in the air, as flesh dropped to the ground. With a roar, he swung his twin blades and picked up speed, reaching the Xenos swiftly. Turning his head, he saw Haruhime close by, her fingers and toes hardened like claws as she jabbed them into the throats and sides of their assailants, eyes wide with focus. Meanwhile Kojiro carved his way towards the Night Queen, eyes on the target as his sword moved like a leaf in the wind as it bisected people left and right.
Bell nodded at Gros, who sent back a grateful nod himself. Then Albion spun around, palm facing forward. Seeing that, he slaver clicked her tongue in irritation before raising her fingers and snapping them.
"Right, magic. Special delivery!"
Jagged swords were drawn and swung at them. Immediately, he saw the dark aura shooting out of it. His eyes widened, the wave too fast to dodge as it engulfed them…and did no damage whatsoever. He shared a confused glance with Haruhime, who shrugged. Shaking his head, he growled when he saw that toad woman from the Red Light District barrelling towards him.
"Firebolt!" Instead of a plasma bolt slamming into her face, nothing came out. Bell cursed and dodged the ball of death, held back only by the Formoire and the arachne cooperating with each other. Once more, he aimed his palm at her. "Firebolt!"
Yet nothing happened again. Haruhime grabbed onto Phryne and flipped her just as she jumped in the air.
"A seal?!" Haruhime shouted before slamming the toad's entire weight into the ground, before leaping away. Bell growled before twirling his blades and sharpening up against each other.
"So what?!"
Most other people would be incredibly overwhelmed by the masses that rushed forward, Xenos allies or not. After all, magic was the great equalizer, the tipper of scales, the esoteric card that could upheave the battlefield.
Unfortunately for the Night Queen…none of them were reliant on magic to fight their battles.
Bell's speed and dexterity surpassed most people on his level, reaching even above his station. Ironically enough, he became a phantom of Shirou, who also blurred between the lines, his blades cutting into the bone of his enemies, the Blades of Hestia singing in the air with the supreme edge.
Haruhime may have gained new magic, but she was still primarily an unarmed combatant, something she demonstrated with all her might. Redirected blows into others, breaking bones with her hardened muscles, the Renard's heartbeat were like drums of war as her skin turned scarlet ever so slightly.
Then there was Kojiro. What more was there to say? His swiftness, his precision, remained unchanged as his long sword created a red trail behind him, moving forward without even a single flinch. Then, he raised his sword in a specific stance and exhaled, the instance the Night Queen entered his range. She was in the middle of swaying away, in the middle of dodging, when Kojiro whispered.
"Hiken."
"Wha-" Her eyes almost bulged out of her skull at the impossibility she was seeing.
"Tsubame Gaeshi."
For all Kojiro utilized an effect, a spell of the Kaleidoscope…Tsubame Gaeshi required no magical energy. After all, what need was there to use the exotic power of the world, to manipulate forces of nature, if one merely had to swing a sword so perfectly, that the world would mistake the reflected light as real blades? There was a reason it was called Dimensional Refraction Phenomena. At least that was what some people would theorize in the far future. Whatever the explanation was, one simple fact reminded.
Even with "magic" sealed, Kojiro manifested three strikes in one breath into existence, shocking the Night Queen to her core. It was then that a distorted noise pierced Bell's eardrums, causing him to cover them on instinct. It was like a thousand voices screaming out loud, with no sense or rhyme. The next instance, the three strikes of Kojiro were blocked by invisible swords of wind, pushing them back. Meanwhile Nana, with ringed eyes unlike before, snarled as she pulled the Night Queen back just in time. By doing that, the latter's hood fluttered…and fell off her head.
Bell almost dropped his swords. All movement around them ceased as the slaves gathered around the Night Queen like a protective barrier. A moment to catch his breath, but he was unable to take a single one at what he was seeing. He saw the smile, that smug smile, as if satisfied with something as she looked at something inferior. He saw that smile before. That man, the corpse they passed by entering this man made labyrinth…Bell remembered him. Remembered when he met someone else. Made a deal with-
"Lady Nyx?!" Haruhime shouted, covering her mouth. Immediately, Bell in his gut rejected that name that was assigned to the woman he saw. Yes, it was the same black hair. The same facial features, the same colors of the eyes. And yet…that confidence, that half lidded expression of disdain as she smiled without any good intent…
No. Something was off. Everything was off. There was not a hint of the Nyx Bell knew. Mind control? Could you mind control a goddess at all? Maybe an impostor? His mind raced through the possibilities, through the explanations of what he was seeing, looking at anything…except for accepting that this was indeed Nyx.
"That wasn't necessary, Gojouno."
"We dislike seeing you get hurt," Nana said with a voice backed up by many others, an unnatural echo tainting it. "We honestly need a pay raise for the effort you pull us through."
"Yes, yes, put it on my tab for you." The Night Queen snorted, her features softening up a bit as she patted Nana's shoulder. "I don't even know what you need that money for anyway."
"We have hobbies."
There was no fear aura. That was the next thing Bell noticed. Sure, he felt a sense of wrongness ever since he entered this place, ever since he saw the Night Queen in her hooded disguise…but he didn't feel the existential dread he felt when he first met Nyx. Judging from how the Xenos were mixed in confusion and utter rage, neither did they experience the terror that Nyx could exude.
"Why are you doing this, goddess?!"
The Night Queen (notNyxneverNyx) shuddered before spitting to the side. Her expression distorted as if she smelled something particularly foul.
"Ugh, don't call me goddess."
"Then who are you?" Kojiro asked quietly, pointing his sword at her. The slave queen scoffed and waved her hand dismissively.
"Isn't it obvious?" She bowed dramatically. "But you can continue calling me the Night Queen. As for why?" She hummed to herself as she looked down at a watch, licking her lips before shrugging almost casually."Hmm, I guess we have a bit of time."
She extended her hand out towards them, tilting her head coyly.
"Tell me, what is it that can change the world?"
Bell blinked. What? As nobody responded, only sending the Night Queen an incredulous expression, the woman sighed in exasperation before continuing on.
"Is it ideals? Why yes, ideals are important. But it's not that. Is it compassion? Not at all. Emotions in the first place? Nay, nay, nay."
She wiggled her finger a few times before putting a hand on her chest.
"I need power. Without power, you cannot change anything. Without power, I cannot control anything."
"Control people?" Bell bit out, narrowing his eyes. The Night Queen shrugged, uncaring for the crimes she had committed.
"I'm doing them a favor, really. People can be chained by their own stupidity. Better to use them myself, instead of letting them run wild. Or worse, enslaving themselves to those that aren't worthy." A growl escaped her before she took a deep breath. Then she rolled her shoulders, hissing as she touched her side and shook her head."Gotta compromise."
"You disgusting-"
"Yes, yes, heard it all before," she interrupted Haruhime with a deep sigh. "Same old story. I'm a monster. I'm terrible. Yadda yadda. But at least I'm doing something to better the world."
"In what way are you bettering the world?!" Wiene screamed, her voice hoarse as her face was stained in tears. Narrowing her eyes, the Night Queen regarded her like a piece of trash.
"It's called long term. Unlike you, who prance around in the dungeons, I see who the real enemy is." She closed her eyes and her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. In that instance, Bell thought he was actually seeing that person's true face, a tired one as she muttered under her breath."I've lived a long time, y'know? Trust me... "
Then as quickly as it came, that face disappeared as she clapped her hands together with fake delight.
"But alas, I am not here to discuss philosophy! I am here to make your day very busy~!"
"What are you-"
"Remember when I said we had a little bit of time?" She looked Bell directly in the eyes. "I was talking about the time Barca needed~!"
In that instance, the entirety of Knossos began to rumble. Gears turned, metal screeched. Then, the next moment, the ground shifted, forcefully moving everyone in the area upwards. Falling to their knees from the acceleration, they gritted their teeth at this random action.
"Cranel. Do you know where we are heading right now?" Immediately, Bell brought up the geography of Orario in his head…and paled as he realized where they were going.
"You-"
"Yes, me." The Night Queen yelled as she snapped her fingers. At the same time, Nana and other slaves threw orbs at the Xenos. Bell saw the smoke hit them. Most of them covered their mouths in time, but others, with lesser combat instincts, inhaled some of it. Their eyes began to glow red. Then they came to a stop, reaching the highest level of Knossos.
"Gojouno, if you may?"
Many voices overlapped over each other, creating an unnatural sound before Nana flicked her sword. A wind blast sent them all backwards, towards an exit door that opened without any resistance. Bell and Kojiro rammed their blades into the ground, slowing themselves down as the Xenos flew out with Haruhime. Yet they couldn't stop and slid backwards all the same. The last thing Bell saw was the Night Queen just disappearing in front of his eyes, turning into mist, leaving behind only the Gojouno with the other slaves. Nana giggled with her echoing voice, waving playfully before magic radiated from her. Once more, the nonsensical noise escaped her mouth…and just as the gate to Knossos closed after Kojiro and Bell flew out, earth and rock shifted, covering up the entrance completely. Bell snarled, about to hammer away at the earth, feeling the weight of the key in his pocket, when the screaming started. The screaming of civilians in a panic, accompanied with the roars of monsters.
No, not monsters, Bell realized with wide eyes. Xenos. That smoke.
"Young master!"
Kojiro's voice served as the trigger for the two of them to run as fast as they could. Rushing towards the line between Daedalus Street and the rest of ORario, Bell grit his teeth in frustration at what he was seeing.
Merchants clutching their bleeding arms, desperately crawling away on the ground. The hippogriff barely held back by Gros, who tried to wrestle him to the ground. Lido tackling away the Formoire about to smash several children in a mindless rage. Wiene helplessly pulling at the arachne's legs, while Rei cut any strings aimed for humans with her feathers. Buildings were damaged, streets were crushed and it was pure a utter chaos. He saw Haruhime holding one goblin down, restricting his arms while making it a point to release her Possessing Spirit, to not actually break any bone.
Bell thought this could not get any worse.
"There they are!"
Bell realized he should've known better by now. On the rooftops, through the streets, adventurers assembled. Spears, axes, blades, magic, everything was prepared and drawn to exterminate a great threat in their eyes. The great threat that was mere monsters.
Time slowed down as he saw Loki Familia in the lead, overseeing the situation from the rooftop. He met eyes with them…with Aiz. She looked at him. Confused. Tilting her head with a frown. Her eyes looked at him with expectation.
Expectation to do his job. To kill those that were manipulated, who started to regain their senses as they were wrestled down by their loved ones, to prevent them from making a mistake. Bell clutched his head, his breath starting to become erratic as the noise around him became a dull ringing sound.
What could he do now? He could sense the bloodlust rising in the area. Backed up by ignorance. They didn't know the Xenos weren't a threat. There was no time to explain. And even if he could, would it even matter? He had to come up with something, a smart ploy that would make Lyra jealous. Something to get out of this situ-
A hand landed on his shoulder and gave him a squeeze. Bell snapped his head to his side, seeing Kojiro just…smile at him. No judging. No advice given. Just…trust.
He felt his heart warm up. The ringing noise started to disappear as sound returned, as time resumed its normal flow. He took a deep breath. Right. There wasn't a choice at all. It was almost embarrassing how quickly he fell into despair. Clenching his hands, he knew that this could go south…but at the very least, Bell knew he would be doing the right thing.
Bell decided to live up to his previous title…and moved without hesitation. The murmuring came to a stop immediately, when the super rookie, the celebrity of Orario, stepped in front of the Xenos, arms wide, his words holstered. Many raised an eyebrow at that. Lefiya gaped at the audacity to stand before so many adventurers about to do their jobs. Aiz on the other hand could only look at Bell's determined expression with wide eyes, unable to comprehend what was going on. Why was he standing there…as if he was on the side of monsters? She clutched her head, wincing at the pain that grew. Then there was Finn, taking a deep breath as he saw that the situation was growing more complicated by the second.
"Step aside, Albion. These monsters are a threat to-"
"Xenos."
That single word echoed against the streets, interrupting the Braver himself, who blinked at what he had heard.
"What?"
Perhaps in another life, he would try to come up with a lie. Pretend he was hunting them to get them to safety. But in this life? After seeing the large backs of the heroes that live in this era? No. No lies. He won't hide his true thoughts. He won't pretend this was anything but wrong. If the dream was worth it, that dream of co existence, then it was worth standing up for it, no matter what the world said. Thus, Bell stepped forward. Thus, Bell moved past the Xenos and stopped in front of them.
"They are called Xenos." He drew Homebringer, tips pointed at the ground and took a deep breath before shouting at the heavens. "They are not the enemy!"
One could hear a speck of dust hit the ground, so devoid of sound was the area. The Xenos stared at him with wide eyes. Some shook their heads slowly, as if believing him insane. But others were at the verge of tears, to see a human of all things standing up to them, calling them by their name and not just putting them under the label of monster.
"Belluchi…"
Naturally, that sentiment was not shared at all. Bete snarled, leaning forward with barred teeth.
"Are you drunk, rookie?! Look around you! That look like buddies to you?!"
"It's complicated!" Bell shouted before wincing at how pathetic that sounded. Tione scoffed, shaking her head as she brushed her hair back.
"Seems straightforward to me!"
"Yeah, they attacked us!"
"They also stopped! Stopped each other! Do normal monsters do that?!" Bell screamed and pointed his swords at them. "Look at them, they aren't even doing anything right now!"
Confusion spread among the adventurers' ranks, realization that he was right settling in. The monsters they looked upon almost seemed to cower at their numbers, making it a point to hide their claws, their fangs. Yet doubt, and natural instinct, remained, as one adventurer shouted back.
"T-They might be biding their time! Irregular species and what not!"
Agreement echoed in the district, the tempers rising once more. Bell shook his head desperately before he stomped his foot on the ground, trying to stop the momentum to keep going.
"You're right! They have intelligence! They are smart!" He had to admit that, the truth. It only increased the adventurers' wariness. Then he put his hand against his chest. "They also have feelings! Dreams! A desire to not come into conflict with all of us! They are just like you and me!"
"That's impossible." Bell felt his heart almost tear apart at hearing Aiz' immediate refusal. He looked up at her, only to see her wide eyes, empty stare as she slowly shook her head, hand holding Desperate tightly. It was like she wasn't even seeing him but something else entirely as she muttered under her breath. "You…you're not makin any sense…"
"And even if you speak the truth, it doesn't change they have caused damage to Orario," Finn declared, his voice with authority that silenced all. "We need to get to the bottom of this."
Bell's eyes widened. That was it! He stepped forward once more spreading his arms open.
"I can tell you! This is all a distraction from the real enemy, the Night Queen!"
By the mention of the phantom of the slave trade itself, murmuring resumed. Finn's eyes went wide before they narrowed in contemplation.
"Is that true?"
"Yes! They are just bait sent by the Night Queen! They have nothing to do with her!"
Please, he begged in his mind. They were irrelevant. They didn't need to be focused on. Let them all forget about this. Unfortunately, Finn bit his thumb before shaking his head slowly.
"But they could possess important information."
Imprisonment. It would lead to complications. One overzealous adventurer, or one agent of the Night Queen, and the Xenos could be hurt. No, ironically enough, there was only one safe place for them.
"I swear on my life they don't know more than we do." He swallowed his saliva. "We've proven we're on your side. Would we lie to you? So I ask…letting them go back to the dungeon."
"What? You literally just said-"
"Yes, they are stronger than most, smarter than most, but I almost told you they aren't a threat!" Bell shouted at Tione before dropping down to his knees to the shock of everyone. Pressing his forehead against the ground, his voice shivered.
"Please. I'm not asking to let them live with us or sacrifice yourselves. Just…" A deep breath, refocusing his determination, his wish before he snapped his head up, his piercing red eyes staring right at everyone without flinching. "Just let them go. Please. Let them go, and I-we, the Hestia Familia can share all the information we learned so far. Just don't let a fight break out. None of us need that. Or want that."
"Nobody has to get hurt."
After the one last whisper, he could do nothing but wait. Watch, as uncertain looks were shared. As Finn rubbed his chin, forehead furrowed in thought. Lefiya crossed her arms, biting her lip, before nodding subtly at him. He felt his heart lightening up a bit at that before he turned to Aiz. The emptiness in her eyes began to be filled again, with a small light as she glanced between him and the monsters, like a confused child. Then, slowly, Finn lowered his spear.
For a moment, Bell thought he did it. That he changed the tides, to let the Xenos go without any conflict.
However, Fate was never so kind.
He saw how Finn froze in mid movement. Saw how he, Gareth, Tione, Tiona, Bete and Aiz froze in their tracks. Their eyes went wide, as well as those of other adventurers. Then, Bell heard footsteps. Heavy, footsteps. Not those of people, but like the sound of paws pressing against the ground. Slowly, he turned his head and saw a massive wolf just…manifesting out of nowhere. As if light only decided to be reflected in that moment, the beast made itself visible to all, standing before the Xenos like a protective hound.
Usually, a sudden support out of nowhere was cause to celebrate. One more ally to defend the Xenos with. However. Bell knew something was wrong. First there were the eyes. The lack of light in them, misted over, as if it was in a trance. Then there was the reaction by the Xenos, fearfully stepping away from the beast. Worse of all however, was the shift in atmosphere among the adventurers, the source of it radiating a dark miasma of chaotic emotions. His head snapped towards them.
He saw how Tiona fell down on her knees, hugging herself as she hyperventilated. He saw how Finn's nostrils flared, his face twisting in rage that was unlike him. Bete seemed to become more like a beast as he hunched over, same with Tione whose skin steamed with the boiling anger.
Then there was Aiz, whose shining blonde hair…was starting to grow whiter. The lack of color spreading from the tips of her hair as her hand drew blood from how tightly they were clenched.
"Lobo…?!" Kojiro hissed, his body tense.
He knew that beast. And it was bad news, judging from how he reached for his weapon. But why? Why was that monster here, that caused such terror, such rage in everyone? His eyes moved frantically, trying to find some sort of hint…when he saw it.
He saw her.
Amidst the crowd. Wearing the face of a dear friend, usually shy but supportive, it was distorted into a taunting, ugly expression. The Night Queen looked him right in the eyes and grinned widely, twisted in satisfaction and anger alike. She moved her mouth and he could see every single word she said to him.
Your.
Move.
He.
Ro.
It was the most damning thing the Night Queen could've pulled, Bell realized. The monster she sent out was the spark that lit the barrel. He could see it, as the light disappeared from several, certain adventurers. Their wavering spirits became absolute, burning brightly. Duty was forgotten. Any sort of doubt they might have held in their hearts was gone. Kojiro acted first, holding his blade in a defensive stance. The Xenos and Haruhime as well, rose to their feet, not to attack, but defend their lives. Frustration bubbled up in Bell as he clutched Homebringer tight.
"Damn it…!"
It was the monstrous roar of Tione that acted first, as she barrelled down with eyes blinded red. Followed swiftly, the rest of the elites rushed down, any rationale forgotten as certain other adventurers ran forward, no sense or rhyme in formation, yet united nonetheless.
United in complete, utter, vengeful hatred against the Hound of Rivira.