Is It Wrong to try to pick up Girls in a Dungeon? The unknown (Short Story) Part 1

Characters:

Bell Cranel

Hestia

Ais Wallenstein

Lilliluka Arde

Welf Crozzo

Mikoto Yamato

Haruhime Sanjōno

Loki

Finn Deimne

Bete Loga

Riveria Ljos Alf

Gareth Landrock

Tione Hiryute

Tiona Hiryute

Lefiya Viridis

Eina Tulle

Ryu Lion

The Beginning:

Stumbling through a dark Alley, Bell Carnel clasped his head with his hands. Pain continued to pulse through his head and he had a hard time remaining conscious. The last thing he remembered was a Man dressed in a Dark Cloak had stepped out and then some type of energy struck him. Leaning against a dirty wall he tried to clear his head and remember anything. All he did know for the moment that his name was Bell and that was about it. Other then that, he did not even know where or what he was. Unable to walk any further, he slumped downward to blissful darkness. Passing out as soon as his head hit the dirty ground. Awakening hours later to find someone kneeling next to him. "Are you alright Bell?" The voice said and as he forced his eyes to focus. He found a silver haired pretty Girl kneeling with his head on her lap.

"Do I know you?" Bell asked and the Girl looked at him oddly for several seconds.

"It is me Syr...Syr Flover." She said with concern as she peered down at him. Bell continued to look at her oddly, as he tried to remember her. Then shook his head. He could not even remember if he knew her or not. "Are you saying you do not remember me?" She asked him and he slowly nodded.

"I...I can't remember anything. It is if my memories are gone...I am not even sure who I am." Bell said in response, trying valiantly to remember but nothing came to him. Syr slowly smiled, deciding that perhaps this might be her only chance to be with him.

"Like I said...I am Syr Flover...we are...well we are together." Syr began to feel some regret that she was using Bell's condition for her benefit. But she could not help herself. She had fell head over heals for him and would do anything to be with him. Even lie to him. "We are intended...We were going to get Married." She told him and he closed his eyes and tried to remember if that was true or not. He reopened his eyes and stared at her for several seconds.

"I am sorry Syr...I can't remember you. Though I can feel that you are special to me." Bell said in frustration hoping that he did not upset her. She smiled at him.

"That is something at least. Come my Darling...I will take you home. There you can rest in our bed and perhaps you will remember." Syr helped him up and placed his right arm over her shoulders. Guiding him back to her room at the Hostess of Prosperity. Where she basically sneaked him inside and up to her room. There she had him remove his soiled clothes and laid him down on her bed. "Rest for now Bell...I will come back and check on you later okay." She tucked him in and he passed out as soon as his head was on the Pillow. She went downstairs now really feeling guilty. With some reluctance she quickly wrote a note that detailed everything and sent it to Freya.

The Slums:

"You idiot! I told you to wait until I got there!" Hyakinthos Clio growled angrily at the Man in the Cloak. The Man pulled back his hood to show himself and Hyakinthos winced. The Scarred and disfigured Man before him was in his mind loathsome. "Why did you not wait Viligos?" He demanded.

"The Spell to incapacitate him was beginning to falter. If I did not cast it soon it would have been worthless. In fact it became distorted and it might have had a different effect then I intended." Viligos said as he glared back at Hyakinthos.

"Well you screwed up my Plan for revenge. That boy took everything from me and I wanted to take everything from him. Including his life." Hyakinthos stated with frustration. Since his defeat by Bell Carnel, he had not been able to find another Familia willing to take him in. Not even the Minor ones. Ones that were when he was in the Apollo Familia he would look down on. They all claimed during the War Game, that he had shown his true nature. Calling him a Coward, that he had no Honor and even things worse then that. So in essence he was blackballed from any of the other Familias.

"I care less for your reasons. Only that you paid me to cast my Incapacitation Spell. I cast it and now I am leaving." Viligos flipped his hood back over his disfigured face and walked towards the door.

"Hold on there. Your Spell failed. I did not get my Revenge." Hyakinthos went to grab Iligos but the Man spun and pointed his staff at him.

"You get what you paid for. You only gave me five thousand Valins and claimed that is all you had. You want another Spell...I want more money. So since you claim you are broke...our business is over." With that Viligos left and Hyakinthos considered following him and then killing him. But to do that he would have to catch the Ugly Man from behind and unaware. Otherwise, the Man would cast some extremely dangerous Magic onto him before he had a chance to do anything. With a disgruntled growl, he instead decided to see if he could locate Bell Carnel. Hoping that if nothing else that perhaps the Younger Man was hampered enough that he could kill him. Knowing that he did not have a chance if it came to normal combat.

The Hestia Familia:

"So have you found him?" Hestia asked with deep concern. He had not come home last night and no one had seen him since last night. All of her Familia shook their heads and she began to really become even more concerned.

"Maybe he is down in the Dungeon or maybe he is training with the Sword Princess and lost all track of time." Welf Crozzo suggested and Hestia believed that would be just like him to do that.

"Then you go to the Loki Familia...See if Miss Whatzerhuzit is there. Mikoto and Haruhime go to the Guild...Ask them there if they had seen Bell. Me and Miss Supporter will go to the Wall where he and Miss Wallenintheway is there." Hestia ordered and they all left. Each heading to where she had told them to go. She silently hoped that he was at any of the locations she had said. Deciding when she saw him next, she was going to first hug him a lot and then punish him for making her worry.

After arriving at the Wall, Hestia decided to go to the Loki Familia and find out if Welf had found out anything. In route she looked about as did Lili. In hopes of maybe spotting Bell. But by the time they arrived at the Loki Familia. Ais Wallenstein and the two Twins were coming out. Welf was waiting outside the Gate. He saw Hestia. "They want to help look for him." He told her and Hestia slowly smiled. With more people looking for him, then they might find him sooner. Though she was not exactly pleased that Ais was going to be looking for him. She still feared that someday the Sword Princess might take Bell away from her. Right now she did not care. All she wanted was to find Bell.

Adding to the Untruth:

Freya had switched with Syr. She needed to be there to make sure that everything went according to her plan and she doubted that Syr would be able to be that convincing. At most she would lie and manipulate him into believing everything she told him. She had brought Armor, a Helmet that had a faceshield that would hide his features completely with her and put them in the corner. She had even thought up a whole reason for him to hide himself and go by another name. She knew she needed to get him back to her Familia where she could sway him into believing that she was indeed his Goddess and then after some time seduce him. That they were lovers. Her entire plan hinged on that he would remain having amnesia. That he would not remember truly who he was.

Awakening, Bell clasped his head again with his hands. He could still feel a buzzing pain within his head and every time he tried to sit up. He felt dizzy. So he just remained lying there in an unfamiliar bed. A bed that Syr had said was theirs. He could not remember if that was true or not. Or the fact that she said that they were in a relationship. Closing his eyes he tried to remember anything before whatever happened to him. But he could not even remember anything. Which scared him. It was like all of his past was erased. "Oh good you are awake. Are you hungry or thirsty?" Syr/Freya asked him and he looked at her. Then nodded. She smiled and left briefly returning with a tray of food and a pitcher of water. While he ate, she told him things. Some seemed to be familiar while others he just was not sure.

"So I am a member of the Freya Familia and I go by Carn. Can I ask...why do I wear a Helmet with a face shield?" Bell asked her and Syr/Freya shook her head, frowning. She had already thought up a good explanation for why he had to hide himself.

"You have to my Darling. There are others from other Familia's that want to kill you because you fought against some of their Members that are nothing more then Criminals. You are a Hero Bell. Those others want revenge for what you have done. So Goddess Freya had to fake your death to keep you safe and now you go by Carn." Syr/Freya. She quickly came up with a really good answer. told him and Bell stared at her concentrating. He could remember fighting others. A large brutish like woman and then some man with a spear. But the memories were clouded and for some reason he could not completely remember everything.

"What Familias?" Bell asked and Syr/Freya again tried not to smile.

"The Hestia Famila, The Hermes Familia, the Loki Familia and the Ishtar Familia. But you do not have to worry about that one anymore. With your Familia...you helped bring that one down. There are some survivors that want revenge...though you do not have to worry about them so much." Syr/Freya told him, hoping that this would keep him far away from any of them.

"I keep...there is this Blonde Woman that I just about remember. She is beautiful and has golden eyes. I...I can remember fighting with her...No...Training with her." Bell said as he closed his eyes trying to focus his thoughts onto the strikingly beautiful Woman.

"Oh her. I am sorry Bell. I was hoping you would not remember her." Syr/Freya said sadly or rather pretended to be sad. She inhaled softly and shook her head. "Her name was Ais and she was...those Familias I told you about...she was killed saving you." Forcing small tears to form in her eyes. She exhaled and lowered her gaze. "Not that I was jealous of her or anything. But she was...she was extremely special to you." She tried not to smile as an idea came to her if he should see Ais. "To make matters even harder for you...one of your enemies has disguised herself as your precise Ais and is trying to kill you." Bell bit his bottom lip.

"How special was she to me?" Bell asked sullenly and Syr/Freya pouted.

"Very. In fact before she was killed you and her...you were planning to...be together. She was your beloved." Syr/Freya smiled slightly. "It took you some time to get over your lose and during that time we met and...I love you Bell and I hope that you remember at least that." She said and Bell looked at her.

"I am trying. This is a lot to take in. I am sorry Syr...I really want to remember how special you are to me." Bell said and Syr/Freya smiled.

"Take your time my Darling. In time you will." Syr/Freya said and then suggested he rest some more.

0000

A Week had passed and none of Bell's friends or Familia were able to locate him. Hestia and the rest of her Familia wanted to continue searching. But they needed to go to the Dungeon for they were running out of Money. So with Mikoto taking temporary leadership. She, Haruhime, Welf and Lili went to the twelve Floor. While Hestia was forced to go back to work herself. Leaving only Ais to search for Bell. For she was not about to give up. Refusing to give up even when Finn ordered her to stop. Thankfully Riveria interceded and she was allowed to continue during off times where she was not going on missions to the Dungeon with the rest of her Familia.

0000

At the same time, Bell had recovered enough where he no longer felt ill when he rose out of bed. He still could not remember anything. In fact his memory was so clouded that he feared that he may never remember what was important to him. Now as he walked with Syr towards the Freya Familia (They had Switched roles again. Which is unknown to Bell). It felt odd to him that he was wearing full light blue Armor, a Helmet with a Face Shield and a Red Cape. The Sword at his side also felt strange to him. But he followed Syr's advice and kept the Black Dagger hidden. She claimed it was unique and if any of his enemies saw it they would easily identify him. Entering the Freya Familia, he finally was allowed to remove his Helmet. When he walked in and saw Goddess Freya he immediately knelt. "Ah it is so wonderful to see you again Bell. I had feared that your injury was more severe then what Syr reported." Freya said and moved towards him. Having him rise, she hugged him.

"Do you remember who attacked you Bell Carnel?" Ottar asked and Bell looked over at the larger Man. He shook his head.

"No Sir. I don't. I do not even remember being attacked." Bell said as he stared at Ottar. There was something off about this whole thing. But he was so unsure of what it was, he decided it must be still his amnesia.

"That does not matter anymore. You are safely back in your Familia and the attack seemed to have failed." Freya said with a small smile over at Ottar. Who gave a slight bow. He had not fully agreed with what Freya had ordered him. But he would not disobey her. He would pretend that Bell was in their Familia. That he was the young boy's Captain and Comrade. He had already threatened all those of the Freya Familia to do the same. Failure to do so would result in severe punishment.

"Goddess there is one thing. Syr told me that my Beloved had been killed. She would tell me if I have had revenge for that." Bell said and Freya shook her head. Not expecting him to ask that.

"Yes Bell you have. Actually I took care of the Goddess Ishtar that had ordered the attack on you and Ottar has taken care of Phryne Jameel that had killed Ais. Unfortunately Ottar failed to determine whether she is dead or alive. For he had other important matters to deal with. But he assured me that he did punish her severely." Freya quickly said. She did not want Bell to go on some type of vendetta. For one it would draw too much attention to him.

"These other important Matters were?" Bell asked and Ottar looked over at Freya briefly.

"There were many innocents that needed me and the others to protect them. I should have made sure that Phryne Jameel did indeed perished. But I have heard nothing about her, so I doubt that she is alive." Ottar said and Freya smiled approvingly to him. Though he felt dismayed slightly that he had just lied. He had never been too good a lying. Thankfully it appeared that Bell believed him.

"If it was to save the innocent...then that is fine. Can I ask what I was doing that did not allow me to seek my own revenge? Or at least justice." Bell asked and before Freya could answer.

"You were saving an innocent from being sacrificed, Bell. A Renart that was going to be sacrificed in some barbaric ritual." Syr replied and this time Freya smiled at her approvingly. Bell bowed to Freya.

"I am sorry my Goddess for asking about all that. I just...I wanted to know." Bell said and Freya smiled at him. Then hugged him again.

"That is alright Bell. You deserved to know all about what had happened to your Beloved Ais. Still I suggest that you do not encounter that imposter. She is quite deadly and quite powerful." Freya said and Bell slowly nodded with agreement. "I think for the time being...you should remain here. I know you want to go home...but until you can remember everything. It might be too dangerous for you and for Syr if you return home."

"That makes sense, My Goddess. I will obey and remain." Bell bowed again and Freya smiled. "Will it be safe for Syr to go home?" He asked with concern and Freya nodded.

"It should be. Only those of your Familia know of your relationship. Though she may visit as much as she and you want." Freya said to him and he smiled with relief.

The Loki Familia:

Returning back home, Ais Wallenstein felt tired. She had search the entire Daddelus Area and had not found any sign of Bell. Just as she was about to climb the stairs to go up and take a nice long bath. She noticed someone waiting on the top of the stairs. It was Lefiya Viridis and she was looking down at her with a huge frown. "I do not understand why you are searching for him so much. You are wearing yourself out." The Elvin Girl asked with concern as Ais approached her.

"He is...a friend and I care about him." Ais said as she slowly passed Lefiya. The Elf Girl winced and continued to frown.

"He is not even in our Familia." Lefiya said and Ais shook her head.

"Bell may not be in our Familia. But he still my friend and until I find him. I will not stop looking for him." Ais said with determination. Then made her way to the Bathroom. She had basically heard the same thing from Bete Loga this afternoon after they had returned from the Dungeon. She had left almost immediately to search once more for Bell. Basically going over the same areas that she had prior searched. But like she had said. She would not stop looking for him.

0000

The Bedroom Bell was in was extremely larger then the one he had been in prior with Syr and due to that he felt lonely. For the past week Syr had slept next to him and he sort of missed having her warm body next to him at night. So he ended up staring up at the ceiling, while he waited for sleep to overtake him. Everything he had heard earlier replayed in his mind. It all felt wrong to him. Everything Goddess Freya and Ottar had told him. Even what Syr had told him. Just felt wrong. He was not good at lying himself. He knew that. But what Ottar had said about that ogress Woman that had killed Ais was a lie. He could tell somehow. Sitting up, he looked around the darkened room and even here felt unfamiliar to him. The entire Familia felt unfamiliar to him and he had no idea why. Laying back down, he closed his eyes and tried once more to remember anything. Finding it extremely wrong that he could not remember how Ais had died saving him. He knew he would never want to forget something like that. Not if she was his Beloved.

Sitting with a Glass of her Favorite Wine in her hand, Freya looked out at the City once more. Ottar was standing in his usual place, not saying a word and waiting for his Goddess to speak or give orders. "As much as I know we must be patient. I am concerned that in time Bell will begin to remember his true memories." Freya then looked over at Ottar. "Or unfortunately one of those within our Familia will divulge something that would conflict with what he has been told." Ottar knew that was a possibility. He did not need to tell her that the four Pallum Brothers were basically idiots. Yes they were devoted and obeyed Freya. But they were in essence spoiled children that would probably say something accidentally or worst intentionally to Bell and then her plan would be ruined.

"We could keep him secluded. Claim that due to his lapse in memory, that it would be too dangerous for him to go anywhere or be seen by anyone but yourself." Ottar suggested and Freya slowly shook his head.

"I doubt he would agree to that. A few days yes. Any longer then that and he will begin to want to leave. He will want to travel to the Dungeon and then there would be the possibility that someone would recognize him. Even with him concealed. I cannot chance that occurring." Freya returned to look out at the City lights. "No I need to think of something that ensures that nothing destroys the progress we have made with him." With that she dismissed Ottar so she could ponder over what should be done.

The next morning Bell asked Freya about him going to the Dungeon. She agreed but only if he went with Ottar and a few others. Also that he wore his Armor, Helmet and Face Shield. keeping his face covered and his identity a secret. So as he walked with the four others from the Freya Familia towards the Dungeon. He did not say anything as they neared the Entrance to the Dungeon. They passed a lot of Adventures and Supporters. None of those including Bell noticed when one of them seemed to stare at him.

Possible Encounter:

Heading for the Dungeon, Bete Loga decided he needed to blow off some steam. His argument with Ais did not go as well as he expected. He wanted her to stop looking for that wimp. That boy that she was obsessed to find. He just did not understand her fascination with that boy that she could easily crush without any real problems. So as he walked towards the Dungeon Entrance, he suddenly caught the scent of someone that he had smelled before. Stopping he looked about and sniffed the air, trying to locate the source of the scent. Then he saw or rather smelled the one and he noticed who he was with. Ottar and some of the Freya Familia. He narrowed his eyes onto the Blue Armored Colored Individual. "That is him." He whispered barely audibly. Wondering what was going on and he was tempted to confront the boy. Then decided discretion was needed. So instead of going into the Dungeon, he went back to report to Finn what he had smelled.

To be continued