Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon: The Prophecy (Short Story) Part 1
Introduction:
"Where are we going in such a rush, Goddess Loki?" Ais Wallenstein asked as she followed the Goddess of her Familia down one street and then after turning down another, they continued on. Her Goddess turned her head and smiled.
"A colleague of mine has asked to see you and when Carmenta the Goddess of Prophecy wants to see someone. It has to be important. Generally she has this thing about...she does not usually ask to see anyone." Loki said as she continued to lead Ais further onward. Heading for the Carmenta Familia. She did not show it, but Loki was worried. What she said was true. So whatever Carmenta wanted to tell Ais it had to be life altering or extremely relevant to the young Woman's future. The only saving grace was that the Goddess of Prophecy or any of those within the other Goddesses Familia did not ever tell anyone about when they were going to die or by what method. Something about it not being polite. Nearing their goal, Loki stopped at the Main door and right before she could knock it opened. A hooded Woman bowed slightly towards them.
"Welcome Goddess Loki...Goddess Carmenta has been expecting you." The Dark Clad Woman said, indicating for them to enter. Once inside another in the same Garb, waited within.
"I am to escort the Sword Princess alone to our Goddess." The other Woman said and Loki was about to protest, then decided against it. "Goddess Loki if you would go with Phenobe she will take you someplace comfortable to await the return of the Sword Princess." The Woman gestured and another Woman stepped forward. Loki reluctantly followed the one called Phenobe while Ais was escorted inside. As they climbed some stairs upwards.
"Do you know why your Goddess wants to see me so badly?" Ais asked and the Woman turned and smiled at her.
"Yes and no. It all depends on your point of view. Though I can tell you...it is vastly important. That is if you still want to advance in Rank." The Woman said and Ais was now completely interested. She wanted to get stronger as quickly as she could. She was still trying to discover how Bell Carnell could advance so quickly. Much faster then she had, if he continued to advance as fast as he was. Within a short period of time he would reach Rank Level 6 and perhaps even surpass her. So she needed to learn his secret and soon. "This is where I leave you...Goddess Carmenta awaits you within." The Woman pointed at a large wooden door. It opened by itself and Ais walked inside.
"Please come in Sword Princess and join me at my Fire." A dark haired woman said from within the huge room. Ais looked about and noticed that all four walls were lined with candles and in the center of the almost empty room was a small fire within a Metal Bracket that sat on four legs. There was no furniture in the room just two carpets sitting on two sides of the Fire. Goddess Carmenta sat on one of them. Indicating with her left hand for Ais to sit on the other. Walking in, Ais sat and the Goddess poked at the fire with a long Metal bar. "You probably wonder why I sent for you?" Ais nodded finally able to get a good look at the Goddess of Prophecy. Her almost pitch black hair hung a good four feet behind her and the Goddess had strange silver colored eyes. She also like most of the Goddesses, she was extremely beautiful.
"Yes." Ais replied and Carmenta chuckled. Then stirred the fire again.
"I have had a vision or rather a Prophecy that involves you mostly. Along with another. So I will allow you to ask me three questions, no more and no less. Out of those questions, I may or may not answer them to what you believe will be what you want to know." Carmenta said and then chuckled again. Removing three pieces of Wood from a nearby stack and placed them right in front of her.
"The other Woman that brought me here said something about advancing in Rank and becoming stronger. How do I do that?" Ais asked and Carmenta smiled at her, stirring the fire and it got brighter.
"That my dear Sword Princess involves the other that I mentioned. The two of you are destined to raise your Levels together and become stronger together." Carmenta replied and tossed a piece of wood on the fire. "Two left. So make them count." She told her and Ais inhaled softly.
"Who is this other that you speak of?" Ais asked though she believed she knew who it was. The Goddess laughed and shook her head.
"That was a waste of a question. You already know who it is and for you to ask just tells me that you do not trust that there..." Carmeta poked Ais with the metal rod lightly on the left side of her chest. "But I will answer that as well, even though it was a stupid question. It is Bell Carnell." She said moving the Rob back into the fire. Then tossed another piece of wood onto it. "One left and you better make it a good one." So Ais concentrated on what to ask for her final question. Wanting to make it a good one.
"How does Bell Carnell able to advance so quickly, I have to know?" Ais asked and Carmenta shook her head. Tossing the last piece of wood on the fire.
"Liaris Freese, and that is all I can say about that. For if you want or need to know more..then you will have to inquire that information from your Goddess or perhaps his." Carmenta said and then flipped her own hood over her head. Indicating that the meeting was over. Standing Ais bowed to Carmenta.
"Thank you for...your time, Goddess." With that Ais turned and was about to leave.
"One more minor thing Ais Wallenstein. Be warned, Goddess Freya has a...lets say an interest in Bell Carnell. So be on guard if you decide to pursue...a romantic interest yourself in him." Carmenta said and Ais blushed slightly.
"Thank you for the Warning. But I do not plan on...I...he is...I am not..." Ais stopped speaking, no one could lie to a Goddess or a God. So she shook her head. Silently denying that she even considered having a romantic involvement with Bell. Carmenta laughed loudly.
"My dear, you need to stop lying to yourself. I have seen in my visions that you do indeed have strong feelings for young Bell Carnell. Just be Warned. Freya can..she is dangerous and you need to remember that." Carmenta then lowered her head to stare at the fire as it burned. Ais left and when she arrived back at the Main door, Loki was waiting.
"So what did Carmenta want from you? Did she give you some answers or a whole lot of questions?" Loki asked and Ais looked back upwards towards where she had just come from.
"I will tell you later after I..I need time to think about what she told me." Ais replied and then left the Carmenta Familia with Loki in tow. A few hundred meters away she stopped. "What does Liaris Freese mean?" She asked Loki and the Goddess looked at her with confusion.
"Well it is a skill that basically means, wholehearted aspiration. It is like rapid growth caused by strong feelings of aspiration. The stronger the feelings the faster someone grows. It is also a extremely rare Skill. Why would you want to know that?" Loki asked with keen interest. The skill was so rare that any God or Goddess would do just about anything to have that person in their Familia. Ais started to walk again.
"No reason. I just heard it somewhere and I wondered what it meant." Ais said with a small wry smile. She had not really lied to her Goddess. Though she did have a reason why she wanted to know. With that she began to think about Bell. Wondering if she did have strong feelings towards him. Sure she deeply cared about him and the other day when she threatened to stab him with her Sword to get by him to go after the Vouivre. Who she later learned was called Wiene. It saddened her deeply with the thought of hurting Bell that way. So much so that once back home she had cried. Silently thankful that Wiene was willing to sacrifice herself to keep him from being harmed. Because of her sense of duty that would make her harm him. It still disturbed her that she had come so close to stabbing him with her sword. Knowing once she did, she doubted that she would ever be able to gain his forgiveness. Or her own in herself. She thought back to when she first discovered that she liked and cared about Bell. It was right after helping him on level 10. When she actually saw how much stronger he had become in such a short period of time. But at first she had convinced herself that she only trained him so she could learn his secret. Which she knew was an utter lie. Bell was the first boy she had ever met that really impressed her. "It did help that he is really cute." She whispered.
"What was that?" Loki asked and Ais blushed. Realizing she had whispered too loudly. Shaking her head and silently chastising herself.
"Nothing of importance." Ais replied, deciding to wait until the privacy of her Room to think about everything.
Private Thoughts:
Thinking back to the moment she met Bell Carnell. Ais remembered saving him from that Minotaur. It was a pivotal moment for her since later she decided to apologize to him. Which took time to actually get him to stand still long enough for her to apologize. She had tried on two different occasions and each time he ran off. At first she believed that he was afraid of her, because of her being level 5. Though Riveria told her that it might be because she was a girl and he was a boy. Closing her eyes, she remembered how nice it was with his head on her lap. Lightly stroking his soft white hair. She had enjoyed that so much that during their first training sessions and when she knocked him out, she did that several times. Finding it funny that when he woke up, that he panicked and screamed. "Perhaps that was the moment that I found myself caring about him." Ais whispered. Then something came to her. "When I rose to level 6, was it because of me fighting the Floor Boss or was it because I met Bell." She asked herself completely unsure. He arose so many confusing emotions within her. Such as when they were camping out on Floor 18. When Tiona hugged his arm and was clearly flirting with him. While the Girls twin, Tione clearly flashed her boobs at him. She experienced jealousy for the first time in her life. Even now he caused her to have conflicting emotions within her. Then to be told by a the Goddess of Prophecy that he would be important to her. She already knew that. For one he did not play fair. She gave a soft laugh, then noticed that it was nearing the time for her to meet up with him at their usual spot. So that she could train him again. She was actually really looking forward to spending time with him again. With that thought she decided to go early and wait for him. Though she suspected that he was already there.
0
Ais noticed from the other day and now today that Bell had gotten stronger and was able to hold his own against her for a lot longer. Once more with his head on her lap and he being unconscious from a spin kick she had hit him with. She tenderly ran her fingers through his hair like she had so many times before. She liked this immensely. Running her fingers downward, she caressed his cheek. Then an impulse came over her. Back when she first trained him, she had shown him that it was sometimes necessary to sleep wherever you can. It was part of the training. He had tried to kiss her and at the time she was tempted to let him. Instead she told him not to do it. Leaning slightly downward, she licked her lips and decided why not. Lightly touching her lips onto his, she found she liked it. So she did it again. It sent strange tingling sensations all through her. "So this is what it is like to kiss a boy?" She silently said to herself as she kissed him for a third time. Then straightened not wanting him to awaken to find her kissing him. She smiled again. "Next time...I want you to kiss me back." Ais whispered and began to lightly run her fingers through his hair. Waiting for him to come around. She just remembered that she wanted to ask him about all those different Women that she saw the other day. One patted him on the head, while a dark haired skimpy dressed Woman hugged him inappropriately, at the same time another seemed to become angered about him being hugged and then Eina showing up to confront him about only seeing her when it was convenient. All seemed to point to that he could be a delinquent. He awoke and once more screamed at the position he was in. Bolting upwards and she smiled. "Can we sit and talk a moment?" She asked him as he calmed down, no longer panicking as much. Until she asked him what was on her mind.
"I would like to ask you about something Bell." Ais said and Bell nodded. "The other day when I was on the roof...several Women kept coming and going. I would like to know what that was all about. Are you some type of Womanizer?" She asked him and he blushed a deep shade of red.
"No! Each of them...well they are my friends and they came to help me." Bell blurted out, having a strong impulse to run. He had seen her staring at him oddly each time one of them had arrived and interacted with him. "I need to apologize for...you have always helped me when I need it and I...I...I feel ashamed that I..fought you." He did not know how to word how terrible he felt for actually fighting against her.
"You did want you felt was right and as for fighting me...you proved that I was wrong. So it all worked out." Ais said and Bell shook his head.
"Even so, I should not have...I am sorry about that." Bell said apologizing again. Ais smiled and shook her head.
"No Bell. It is I that should apologize. Because of my stubbornness, I was willing to cut you just so I could kill...your friend. That was a poor reason for me to want to hurt you." Ais reached over and took his right hand in her left. Causing him to stiffen. "If you ever...uhm see that Vouivre again..can you do me a favor?" She asked him and he nodded still slightly in shock that Ais was holding his hand. "Can you thank her for me. That if it was not for her. Then I would...I would have had to...I do not think I could ever forgive myself if I had...cut you." She said and she sadly looked over at him.
"It was alright and...I don't know when I will ever see Wiene again. Not for a long time. Too many will never see her or the others as nothing more then Monsters. I don't think there are anyone besides those in my Familia and a few Gods that will ever change." Bell said sadly and Ais shook her head.
"I have changed Bell and I will have you know that Tiona confided in me that she...well she...trust me, she has changed as well." Ais said thinking about when she had talked to Tiona and found out that the other girl let Wiene go and for what reason. She told her she did the same thing. Then told her about that the Vouivre could speak and had the same emotions as any person has. Tiona did not feel so foolish for doing what she did.
"Thank you...I owe you so much and I have no idea how to repay you for even half of what you have done for me." Bell said and Ais smiled at him.
"We are friends...right?" Ais asked somewhat hoping that he did not say no. She did not know if she could handle it if he said No. He sheepishly smiled.
"Yes Miss...uhm Ais. Of course we are friends." Bell gleefully said feeling once more faint. The Sun began to set and she sighed. They both needed to return to their Familia's. So she decided that it was once more time to do something that she was hesitant to do. Grabbing his shoulders, she pulled him into a hug and he stiffened immensely. Gasped for breath and he wavered slightly feeling faint.
"Good. I...I like having you as a friend." Ais said softly then released him and turned away from him. Not wanting to see that she was blushing. "I will see you tomorrow Bell." With that she left before he could say anything. Not that he was in a condition to. He was still recovering from the hug she had given him. Once down on the street, she stopped and leaned against a nearby wall. Touching her heart with her right hand, she smiled. "Yes he is the one. Goddess Carmenta is right I do have feelings for him." She whispered and then after a moment headed back to the Loki Familia with a spring in her step. Nearing home she made a decision. She wanted to spend more time with Bell, but she knew that Loki and his Goddess Hestia would never allow that. So she needed to find a way for her to be able to spend time with him without occurring problems from either Goddess. To that end she went to talk to Finn Deimine to see if he could come up with a solution. He listened to her with his elbows on his desk, off to one side Riveria Ljos and Gareth Landrock did as well.
"I can foresee only one solution to this problem." Finn said picking up a leather bound book and flipping thru the pages. Then finding the right page, he read it over and then nodded. "We need to Partner our Familia's into one." He looked to Riveria and Gareth who both gave soft chuckles.
"You do realize that Loki and Hestia...are not...they despise each other." Riveria commented and then Gareth and Finn chuckled.
"There is no other way..maybe we can force Loki to accept it." Finn suggested and the three others wondered how they could do that. He smiled. "That is the easy part, getting Goddess Hestia to also agree. Now that is a problem we will leave to Bell Carnell." He said.
"So how do we force Loki to accept it?" Riveria asked and again Finn smiled, looking over at Ais.
"Like I said that is the easy part. Though you Ais will have to be firm in your resolve. TIONE!" Finn called for Tione and within a second the door opened. The well endowed Twin entered. "Could you ask Loki to join us?" He asked her and she smiled. Then went to get their Goddess. At that point he looked back at Ais. "Now when Loki gets here, you need to..." He then laid out what he had in mind, Riveria and Gareth gasped.
"That is a little extreme isn't it?" Riveria asked and Finn simply smiled again.
"Yes but it is the only way I believe will work." Finn said just as Loki entered and Tione shut the door. "Loki I believe Ais has something to say." With that Ais inhaled sharply and bowed slightly. Straightening back up, she stared directly at their Goddess.
"I want to leave the Loki Familia. I wish to join the Hestia Familia." Ais announced and Loki gasped so loudly that it echoed off the walls. She then threw a massive fit. Waiting for the Goddess to stop ranting and raving, Ais remained firm listening to Loki swore in between every word. Finally the other regained herself and glared at Ais.
"It is that Boy! Isn't it? Carmenta said something that convinced you to want to be with that Boy! Didn't she? Is that what you would not tell me after we left her Familia? Well I forbid it! I do not grant you permission to simply leave the my Familia! I do not care what Carmenta told you! You are not leaving!" Loki growled angrily. Then cursed again and even said some profanity about Hestia. Finally Finn raised his right hand ending Loki's angry rants and ravings.
"There is a simple solution. That will stop Ais from leaving and she can if she wishes. She can also join Hestia's Familia if she so desires and there is nothing you can do to stop her. You know that." Finn said calmly and Loki glared at him.
"So what is this simple solution?" Loki asked not willing to let Ais just leave. Not if she could stop her. Finn smiled and gestured with his left hand.
"That we officially Partner our Familia with Hestia's." Finn said and Loki stared at him in utter shock. "We combine Familia's. That way Ais can see Mister Carnell anytime she wants and there will be no repercussions. Not to her and not to him." He smiled as Loki once more went into a tangent. She hated the idea completely, but after some time she realized that Ais would leave and there was not really anything that she could do to stop her. Sitting she thought about it. Bell Carnell for some reason Levels were raising at an accelerated rate. If they Partner with Hestia's Familia then she would have access to learn how he could do that. All secrets had to be divulged between Partnered Familias. Smiling she stood.
"Fine. But I want it in writing that both Familias share all secrets with each other." Loki stated still smiling. This shocked all those there, they actually expected that it would take some more convincing. Though Finn realized why Loki wanted disclosure of Secrets. He too found it interesting on how fast Bell had risen and would not mind learning how. "I will leave it to you Finn to convince that half pint Hestia to agree." With that she left still with a small smile on her lips until she noticed Ais's pleased expression. Suspecting her Favorite had a favorite of her own. Someone that was not her.
"Someone is extremely happy." Riveria commented with a chuckle, gesturing towards Ais and the other two noticed it as well. Ais blushed and lowered her gaze towards the floor. Feeling embarrassed but at the same time elated with the prospect that she could be with Bell. She then realized that she did indeed want to have more then a friendship with him.
"Now all that is left is for us to convince Hestia. Which if Bell Carnell is willing to support this idea then it should not take long. So Ais do you think you could ask him?" Finn said and again she blushed, then nodded. Turning she left to go see her Bell. Deciding that he was indeed hers. Arriving outside the Gate to the Hestia Familia, she stood there for several moments and looked at the Mansion. She felt anxious, beginning to think perhaps Bell would not want to be Partnered up with her. To have his Familia Partnered up with hers. With a steadying breath she jumped over the fence and approached the door. When she was about to knock the door opened and a Renart stared at her in shock.
"Sword Princess?" The Blonde Renart gasped out and Ais shifted from one foot to another.
"I wish to see Bell Carnell...Please." Ais said and the Renart slowly nodded, going inside and then returned with Bell.
"Miss Ais? Is there something wrong?" Bell asked, Ais looked past him and the Renart to see all the others of his Familia including Hestia.
"Can I speak to you alone...it is important." Ais replied and Bell nodded. Stepping outside and the Renart shut the door.
"Thank you Miss Haruhime." Bell said to the Renart and then led Ais off to one side of the Mansion. Where there was a marble bench under a large tree. A good distance from the nearest window. "Do not worry even if any of the others try..they won't be able to easedrop. What is wrong Miss Ais?" He asked again and she smiled slightly. She nervously and anxiously shifted and clasped her hands in front of her. Then slowly told him in her own words about wanting to be his Partner and for the Familias to also Combine through a Partnership. He stood there wide eyed with his mouth gaping open.
"What Finn says we need from you is to help convince Goddess Hestia to agree, along with the others of your Familia." Ais told him and he still stared at her wide eyed, it took several moments for him to even blink.
"Why...Why would you want to...I am not even close to your Level?" Bell finally gasped out and Ais smiled. Then told him about what Goddess Carmenta had told her. Not all of it though,nothing about seeking a Romantic Partnership with him. She was not exactly ready for that aspect yet. He slowly nodded.
"Okay. I will try to convince her. Though you do know my Goddess does not like your Goddess and she also is not going to be too thrilled that you...and me. You do remember her reaction when we ran into at the food cart right and again down at the 18th right?" Bell said with a small smile and Ais chuckled remembering it all to well. "But I should be able to convince her and the others...well the others. My Goddess may take a lot of convincing." He added with another smile and then with her with him went inside.
To be continued
