Otherself
(Twilight Manor)
An enormous structure with multiple overlapping towers and supporting each other with the middle tower being tallest was built on a small area situated in the northern mainstreet of Orario where the shopping area was also located. It was known home owned by the Loki Familia.
The officials of the Loki Familia along with their Goddess had formed a small and brief meeting amongst themselves after witnessing the incident last night. Curious as what was the conflict about and the cause of it and about those two mysterious figures that almost broke into a fight with the other one already identified by Ais as the girl she also saved along with the boy, they started their conversation.
"Are you okay, Bete? It looks like you haven't slept well last night." Their Captain, Finn Deimme, a well-known prum across Orario due to being one of the famous figures in the city asked.
"You damn Prum, can't tell the obvious already? Of course I haven't! That damn lady had messed with my instinct last night. Shit." Bete swore while grunting, arms folded over his chest. "I can't believe I got scared by a nobody…" He mumbled silently.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
"Bete is being denial again." Tiona teased to the wolf. "I think you have finally got your karma, Bete."
"Shut up, flat! No one is asking for your opinion!"
"What was that?!"
"Enough! We have more pressing matters to address with." Riveria scolded the two as she adjusted herself from where she sat, fixing her seat and composure. She was an elf royal that known as a Nine Hell, "You should learn and reflect on your action, Bete, as it appears some people will not take it lightly."
"Hmph." Bete simply looked away. "I was stating that a trash will be trash, what's wrong with that?"
"What's wrong? All of it. And because of that poor wording you stated, you almost got yourself in trouble." Riveria knew that despite Bete's rude attitude, he was a kind and willing to help his fellow familia member if they were in trouble. The problem was, however, was his harsh words.
"As if that girl with a wimpy rabbit as a familia member can scare me. She's just a level 1."
"A level 1 that stood before the Minotaur, along with the rabbit you keep calling weakling and trash, without any doubt and fear and had faced the monster straight." Riveria reminded him. "And apparently, these two newbie adventurers were acquainted with that crimson woman whose identity is a mystery to all of us. She is probably a powerful figure, the one with we had no knowledge about. And that one is clearly not human at all."
"Besides her mysterious aura, the claws and horns are already the giveaway." Tiona commented. "She's probably a cow."
"Cows don't have claws, and horns as long as hers." Her sister clarified. "What do you think, Ais? What do you think about them; especially to the girl you saved?"
"I do not know." Ais answered. "I am unsure what to say. It was like I am seeing a doll?"
"I still don't get it, Ais." Lefiya, an elf who idolized the Sword Princess deeply, said, but for the other elf, Riveria, had something different as she had known Ais for far too long.
Ais was right, the girl was like a doll, barely reacting at all even, under the grasp of that demonic-looking woman. They even saw the woman broke one of her hands, but the girl didn't show any reaction at all, not even a yelp nor wince of pain.
"What about you, Loki?" Riveria began as she looked to their goddess. "What do you think of them?"
"I don't know, but the two intrigues me as I feel really off sensation from them. I even wonder which familia they belong." Loki said, rubbing her chin. "The two are completely different from the other races; they didn't even give me a vibe of one, not even human."
"So, they were possibly something else?"
"Something else indeed…"
XXX
Bell and Hestia were currently sitting on the sofa together with Rock after waking up early in the morning doing several stuffs here and there, waiting for the woman, who stopped Rock before she caused and put the Hestia familia in trouble with another familia, was standing before them with the same usual expression Rock had.
"So… What are you and Rock anyway? I know that both of you are not human at all- err… maybe Rock could pass being one, but due to her unnatural behavior that she have and after reading the Skills, it makes me question her nature. But seeing that another one had occurred, I cannot hold longer to want some answers. What are you two?" Hestia requested- no, it was more of a demand, a righteous authority of a god to know the truth.
"Very well." She slightly shifted her face away from them. "As I promised yesterday, I will explain everything, but first, how about we introduce ourselves properly? I am Black Gold Saw; it's nice to meet you." She bowed her head slightly.
"I am Hestia, Goddess of this familia. It is nice to meet you, Black Gold Saw." Hestia said after she stood from her seat to properly introduce herself before sitting again.
"Hello!" Bell stood up and gave a small wave. "I am Bell Cranel, nice meeting you too, Miss Black Gold Saw!"
Rock, however, was simply looking at her which Black Gold Saw had already expected from her.
"Uh, Rock? Are you not going to greet her?" Rock mimicked Bell and gave a small wave at her.
"That was not needed since we already know each other, Bell." Black Gold Saw said to him. "But, alas, seeing another one like me here in this world was really surprising. Now where do you want me to start?"
"How about starting with what you and Rock are?" Hestia suggested which Black Gold Saw nodded in response.
"I and Black Rock Shooter can be known as Otherselves, born from the thoughts in the Otherworld. Our existence is simple and straightforward – fight, kill and survive, and to carry their pain and emotions, a cycle that we fated to continue in our entire lives. It was what we were made for, to do what is necessary to assure that they will be happy." Hestia was stunned at what she just said, too stunned to speak, but Bell however.
"That." Bell gasped. "-was horrible! You are killing each other just for them? And who are 'they'?"
"Technically speaking, yes, we fight and kill for them. And about 'them'? They are the real us I was referring to."
"I don't really get you at all." Hestia shook her head. "What are this real you and how is it connected to your existence? It just doesn't make sense."
"Think about emotions and metaphors. Imagine they were given life and able to face each other in a world where everything is possible. That is us, Otherselves. Born from the thoughts and emotions of our human counterparts, we Otherselves resolve issues in a fight to the death just to protect those we deemed to be protected and adored. We grief for them just to see them happy, we grief for them just to see them smile and we carry the pain for them just to see them live without a burden, and just for them. And just seeing those things are enough for us because we love them." The last words echoed through their mind as the monotonous tone of Black Gold Saw had struck differently to them. Despite the tone, the two had found themselves in sorrow after knowing the truth of their existence, especially Bell who was on the verge of crying.
Rock saw this and quickly moved to comfort him like what she tried last night. This time, she tried moving a hand over to Bell's face to wipe the tears herself. Bell then looked at same neutral face before grabbing Rock's hand and took a deep breathe.
"Your tears are not needed, Bell."
"I'm sorry." Bell apologized.
"But, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. Thank you."
"An unconditional love." Hestia muttered silently as she too was starting to well up, but before it happened, she had found a way to strengthen herself. A true love almost no one can match; she even doubted that she could be the same as them. However, the length they had to go through was something beyond of her reach which both made it admiring and horrible at the same time. To kill for someone because of love was undoubtedly horrible, indeed, but in the sight of the killer? That was something else. This kind of concept of love had existed way back and in every aspect she could think of, for instance, the soldiers that were fighting for their beloved country.
"S-so, you both had tried to kill each other before?" Hestia continued, slightly stuttering from the emotions she was holding. "That is so… so…"
"So unfair? Cruel? Perhaps evil?" Black Gold Saw assumed. "Remember, Goddess Hestia, we are just figments created from the emotions of our real selves. We are guided by our own instinct; we do not know anything other than our love for our real selves, nothing more, and nothing else."
"I know, it's just… it's too much for us to take it." Hestia made a deep sigh. "I just don't know how I and Bell could help you."
"You do not need to, Goddess Hestia." Black Gold Saw told them. "We do not need help anyway, as our existence is simply like that."
"T-then how come you and Rock had ended up here in our world?" Hestia asked as a glimmer of hope suddenly sparked out of nowhere. "There has to be a reason, right? Surely, you were given another existence, another chance to enjoy life that was not given in your previous world!"
"That…" Black Gold Saw closed her eyes. "I could not tell because I don't know."
"What do you mean, Miss Black Gold Saw?" Bell asked, finally recovering after crying for them.
"I was simply awakened from this world with little to no memories at all. The time I had spent here was something I have never considered as the time in the Otherworld is irrelevant to us, so I do not know if I've been here for months or years. I was simply living my whole life through in the wilderness and only started to gain interest on the surroundings and the world. As time went by, my memories are slowly coming back as I tried to pry more and deeper into it, but still, I was not successful at all, only a little was unveiled. And with these small memories that I have, I used them to guide me and make sense of the new sceneries before my eyes." Black Gold Saw explained. "After that, I began my journey to wander the land."
"Then, what are your plans now, Miss Black Gold Saw?" Bell asked.
"I do not know as of yet."
"So, you're just as lost as Rock?" Hestia inquired as Bell could see a smile forming in her.
"Basically, yes." Black Gold Saw answered. "Although, I have unveiled some important parts of my memories, it was still not enough and they are also some that were too vague for me to understand."
"Then how about joining my familia?!" Hestia suggested as she stood up from her seat.
"Goddess?" Bell muttered to his goddess.
"Okay, joining my familia isn't exactly required, but as a Goddess of Hearth, I cannot just stand and watch you wander alone in the cold world, whether if you are a human, an elf, a prum or none of those at all. You are still living like us even if you are just this figment of your true self. Doesn't it feel lonely to walk alone with no one to lean with? I, Bell and Rock, are always here if you want a family or companions to share your burdens or problems. Actually, you can open to us if you have one right now and I will guarantee that we will listen." Hestia humbly offered to Black Gold Saw.
"I have never entertained such concept and idea before. Even after waking up, it's never brought up to my mind." Black Gold Saw admitted. "But, it is… interesting to feel that someone would actually care for you other than our own real selves since we are rarely noticed by them."
Rock then stood from the sofa and walked to Black Gold Saw, raising and offering a hand to her.
"Hmm…" She simply hummed at Rock as she stared at her hand.
"Even Rock seems to care, don't you see?" Hestia said. "And like I said, you can stay here with us. I know it's a very small home, but it can be comfy too! Also, also, I will not bug you to join my familia, so no need to pressure yourself, okay? After all, it's still up for you to decide for yourself."
"I think I already have." Black Gold Saw said, forming a small smile, accepting Rock's hand. "I will stay here with Black Rock Shooter."
"Really?!" Hestia asked excitedly.
"Yes, and as I sign of my gratitude, I will join your familia, Goddess Hestia."
"Really?!" Hestia repeated, leaning forward to her with sparkling eyes. "Do you want to join my familia?"
"Well, I have nowhere else to go. I will simply wander around like I always do."
"I see, like Rock indeed, but we're lucky to find her first." Hestia muttered, slowly nodding her head. "Let's begin then!"
"This truly great, Goddess!" Bell cheered. "We have another new familia member!"
"Indeed, Bell!" Hestia agreed to his child before looking at Black Gold Saw. "Are you ready?"
"I am, but how does one become a member of a familia?" Black Gold Saw questioned. "Pardon, for I do not know. I have never tried to delve myself into this kind of affairs before."
"It's fine." Hestia shrugged, waving her hands at the small matter. "Basically, in order to become part of my familia, I will have to grant my blessing, the Falna, to you. It's kind of like a contract you see."
"Interesting…" Black Gold Saw muttered. "A blessing from the gods."
"Exactly! Now you can remove your clothes so I can grant you my blessing." Hestia leaned forward to examine her full appearance, even bending closer to examine her further before pulling herself back.
"Is there a problem, Goddess Hestia?" Black Gold Saw asked after noticing how Hestia was looking at her.
"Nothing, really just noticed some things." Hestia said before looking at her skeletal claws. "Would you like us to assist you in removing your claws?"
"They are already attached to me, so it's alright." Hestia raised a brow.
"Eh? Seriously? But, would that get in the way?" She let a sigh. "Guess that Otherselves are just really strange."
"Indeed, we are." Black Gold Saw agreed.
"I think I'll head outside and probably pass by the market to buy some foods." Bell told his Goddess as he stood from the sofa to get his stuffs and head out. But, before heading out, Rock turned to follow him. "You also want to come, Rock?"
"Just bring her along, Bell, so she can help you." Hestia had allowed while gesturing her hands at them.
"Okay. Bye, Goddess. Bye, Miss Black Gold Saw!" Bell and Rock waved.
"Bye!" Hestia said back to bid a farewell while Black Gold Saw simply waved a hand. She then looked at the crimson woman. "Alright, let us begin."
XXX
Black Gold Saw
Level 1
Strength: I-0
Endurance: I-0
Dexterity: I-0
Agility: I-0
Magic: I-0
Magic:
None
Skills:
Otherself: Due to the strange existence of the Otherselves in the Otherworld, they are granted with high physical prowess and attributes unique only to them.
King Saw: Call and summon the spatial sword in different sizes at will.
Eye in the Sky: Allows the user to see from a great distance.
Projection: Allows a user to show their inner thoughts.
Minions: Allows the user to summon armed hooded fodder beings to aid in your battle.
Spatial Gate: Creates a tunnel in reality that allows the user to travel from great distances.
"Like, Rock, you also possess a plethora of super rare, almost unique, Skills already except for one since it was similar to her." Hestia commented after pulling the parchment from Black Gold Saw's back to read the description written on it. Otherself – a skill that had granted them additional attributes aside from physical prowess, and was probably the whole reason why they had these weird skills. Hestia wasn't sure, but she just simply felt like it was probably what the description of the skill was talking about. Moreover, it seemed that Black Gold Saw and Black Rock Shooter both shared the same skill. Having the same skills wasn't that unheard of amongst the adventurer, it was just some were so rare. However, the skill that both her second and new child shares can only be obtained if a person was an Otherself was really strange to say the least somehow, but it was as interesting as it was strange and it was what she suspected.
"My, and I could tell that once someone learned about this, many *ehem* unnecessary attention would flock towards our familia." Hestia let out a nervous chuckle before sighing even more after she had realized it again.
"Is there a problem with that?" Black Gold Saw asked after seeing her Goddess's slightly disturbed face as she wore her clothes back.
"Not really, it's just that I found that your Skills… are, well, really unique." Hestia said which Black Gold Saw didn't consider much. "And, good grace, can you really do this last one?"
"What do you mean?" Hestia handed her the sheet as a response which she took kindly to look what meant. It turned out that Black Gold Saw already knew what her Goddess was talking about. "Is it about the Spatial Gate?"
"Yes!" Hestia affirmed, nodding her head. "Well, all of your skills are strange except for the first two, at least?"
"I see where your dilemma was coming from, Goddess Hestia. No need to concern yourself about it, Goddess Hestia. If ever there is someone would cause a problem, I will address it, thoroughly." Black Gold Saw assured, but to Hestia, it sounded so different. She could swear that she even saw a dangerous glint in Black Gold Saw's crimson eyes.
"Please, no, whatever you have in mind, don't do it. It will only put us in deeper problems." Hestia told her while shaking her hands.
"Ah, I already know how internal affair works in general, Goddess Hestia, so I will not do those things. It is the reason why I had stopped Black Rock Shooter. Though, I made a reckless action at that time. Breaking one of her hands was a bad choice of action." Black Gold Saw admitted.
"What? You broke one of her hands? Why you didn't tell me?" Hestia was infuriated.
"Well, did we not agree to talk about this in the morning last night?" She reminded her Goddess, but Hestia simply puffed her cheeks. "You should not worry to Black Rock Shooter; she is tougher than you thought, as expected of an Otherself. But, it's also to be expected and wary of the Otherselves' nature as they will likely to act only on instinct, so excessive force is necessary sometimes."
"Mhrrmm." Hestia groaned at that. "But isn't it harsh? Also, what do you mean by the last part? I have you met one?"
"No, I haven't met anyone. Black Rock Shooter is the first Otherself I have met. And, it is as I have a fair share of experience in our previous world and like I said; she was the first Otherself I have met. But I think I would refrain now seeing that Black Rock Shooter was already in the process at a rather faster pace." Black Gold Saw explained cryptically.
"What do you mean by 'process', actually?"
"It's just an assumption, but I think we seemed to have inherited the memories of our real counterpart and we are slowly remembering them. Mine is still hazy. Fortunately for me, I have learned some basic concepts based from the fragmented memories I have. The process I was referring to was the 'subsuming' process, a term I simply come up with. Not only because of the memory of my real counterpart is the only one that is slowly being absorbed by my mind, but also a strange essence that I could not discern of." Black Gold Saw explained intricately. "Through this, I was able to feel sensations that I have never felt before, learned many things and know how to weight decisions. I assume that Black Rock Shooter would be the same."
"Is that why she almost attack that wolf person?" Hestia asked, remembering the incident Black Gold Saw had told her last night. "Did she felt bad that someone is making fun of her and Bell?"
"I wouldn't expect for the former, but to the latter however, it is highly likely." Black Gold Saw clarified, though presumably since she doesn't know the real reason fully. However, felt something more than that as her memories of Black Rock Shooter was slowly becoming clear after seeing her. "She acted on behalf of, Bell, Goddess Hestia. Black Rock Shooter can already discern the emotions through the expression. That's why I would consider her process fast."
"I see…" Hestia folded her arms and placed a hand over her chin. "Bell is a kind boy and he has a very soft heart. She probably saw him in a sad state after being mocked."
"Yes, it was likely the reason." Black Gold Saw added before looking at the door of her new home.
"Goddess and Miss Black Gold Saw, we're home!" Bell called out to them after entering their home, carrying various groceries followed by Rock who was also carrying some.
"You seemed to have brought a lot, Bell, Rock. Thank you!" Hestia expressed her appreciation. She placed her hands over her hips and declared. "Bell, let us prepare a small welcoming feast for our two new members, Rock and Black Gold Saw! I'm really sorry; Rock, if we forgot to celebrate your new membership. We're just too broke that time."
She simply nodded at them, not minding the small matter.
"Thank you, Rock. Now, Bell?" Hestia called to her first child.
"Alright, Goddess!" Bell also cheered along with her while Rock tried to mimic Bell's expression awkwardly.
"How jovial." Black Gold Saw commented, looking at her new joyful familia. "But it would be wise if we do it later, Goddess Hestia. There are several things we have to do for today."
"Oh, right. Well, I guess we'll just postpone it for a bit." Hestia agreed. "I still have a job today, so, it's up to you, Bell, to take Black Gold Saw and give her a little tour in the city after we eat and update your status along with Rock."
"I think Rock should go first, Goddess." Bell suggested before walking out. "I'll wait outside."
"'Kay~!" Hestia replied.
"Now this will be interesting." Black Gold Saw said.
Black Rock Shooter
Level 1
Strength: I-0 – I-7
Endurance: I-0 – I-4
Dexterity: I-0 – I-6
Agility: I-0 – I-8
Magic: I-0
Magic:
None
Skills:
Otherself: Due to the strange existence of the Otherselves in the Otherworld, they are granted with high physical prowess and attributes unique only to them.
Weapon Master: Can call and summon upon numerous deadly weapons with high caliber at will.
Flaming Eye: Triggers only when a person experiences a high amount of distress, boosting the person's performance.
Insanity: Triggers only when a person experiences a very high amount of distress, causing the person to transform into an insane, but a more powerful version of themselves.
"It didn't increase that much compare to Bell's first dive in the dungeon." Hestia commented after seeing the sheet.
"How does one even increases their status?" Black Gold Saw asked as she looked over to the sheet.
"By defeating monsters, you can gain Excelia that allows you to increase your status and become strong. The stronger the monsters are, the more your Excelia will increase. For example, if a level 1 was able to miraculously kill a Level 2 monster, your Excelia will increase drastically. It is like it's affiliated with hardship. The more you experience hardship, the more your Excelia will increase." Hestia explained to her.
"Hardship… Does that mean that it might be possible to increase your Excelia by fighting stronger enemies and not only monsters?"
"Yup!" Hestia popped. "I heard some adventurers increase their Excelia through training so it might be, indeed, possible to gain. It's one of the examples I know."
"I see." Black Gold Saw pondered for moment while Hestia called Bell after Rock was done wearing her clothes.
"Bell! Come in now so I could update your status too!"
"I'm here, Goddess." Bell said as he came in and removed his clothes to allow her Goddess to update his status.
"Hmmm?!" Hestia uttered loudly, startling Bell and Rock to stiffen as she her body from the suddenness in the process while Black Gold Saw was simply surprised.
"What is it?" Black Gold saw inquired at the panicked form of the Goddess.
"It's nothing… Hehe." Hestia simply shrugged while Black Gold Saw's eyes slightly narrowed.
Bell Cranel
Level 1
Strength: I-85 – G-240
Endurance: I-20 – H-110
Dexterity: I-98 – H-172
Agility: H-178 – G-263
Magic: I-0
Magic:
None
Skills:
None
"It jumped so big!" Hestia exclaimed.
"Let me see, Goddess!" She handed the sheet over to Bell, who in turn stared in shock after witnessing his status had gone up higher. "Whoa, is this really my status? Or it might be because we're always getting swarmed by monsters."
"Swarmed by monsters?!" Hestia was alarmed after hearing that. "What do you mean?! Bell, explain!"
"Well, me and Rock always seemed to run against a group of monsters every time we enter a spawning area." Bell briefly explained.
"Is there a problem with it?" Black Gold Saw questioned.
"Yes! Because it rarely happens!" Their Goddess ranted. "Muhhmm, Bell, are you alright? Are you not hurt? What about, Rock? Is she hurt?"
"On the contrary, Goddess, the monsters were nothing to her. Rock easily killed them like they were nothing!" Bell told his Goddess.
"Even so! You two still have to be careful! The dungeon is a living entity!" Hestia rubbed her forehead and continued. "Anyways, let's just eat and hope for the best today."
XXX
Bell led Black Gold Saw through the city of Orario while explaining things to her like what he did to Rock, and she on the other hand was following them while doing the same thing yesterday, regarding everything that caught her attention with scrutinizing stare. Black Gold Saw may have been in this world for quite some time now, she was still fascinated by it, especially regarding about the gods that had descended from the heaven aside from the additional races that she also learned from the boy. Though she had known about them before, it was still refreshing to learn more about them.
However, out of all those stuffs, the one that truly attracted her attention was the Dungeon below the Babel Tower. And, so she requested Bell to take her there, but it seemed she needed to have permission by registering in the Guild.
"Miss Eina!" Bell called out while Black Gold Saw and Rock was behind him.
"Oh, Bell, you're back! How was your day?" Eina asked before looking at another new person behind him and beside Rock.
"It's great, Miss Eina. By the way, I am here to register another familia member! This is, Miss- " Black Gold Saw cut him off as she marched forward.
"You may refer to me as Goldsaw." She told Bell.
"Ah, yes, Miss Goldsaw wants to become an adventurer like us. That's why I brought her here."
"My oh, my. Your familia is growing rather fast, Bell." Eina complimented as looked at Goldsaw's strange, ghastly appearance thanks to her skeletal claws and horns. Despite the doll-like face similar to Rock, beautiful, pale while being mysterious, she could not deny that her appearance was slightly scary to say the least. Even the adventurers and other staffs stopped for a moment to gaze at the form of the crimson woman, regarding her with a great stare of curiosity like they did with Rock when they met her.
"Yep, and we're really glad!" Bell replied.
"It's really hard for a starting familia to earn a new member in a span less than a month. But as I see, your familia is getting new member faster. It is quite a record breaking to be honest." Eina said, expressing her opinion before diverting her attention to Goldsaw. "Now let's proceed with your registration, Miss Goldsaw. Kindly follow me, please."
XXX
After the registration and orientation, Bell led the two Otherselves through the street of Orario. As usual like before, the Hestia Familia had earned various stares from the crowd and most were directed to Black Gold Saw. The crimson woman, meanwhile, did not mind them like what Rock had been doing since her arrival. He kind a found it a little confusing when they stare at Rock like that, but to Black Gold Saw, or Goldsaw as she referred to herself, that was plain obvious. Not only the horns were self-evident, but her claws as well, yes, especially her skeletal claws that were disproportionate as it was unnaturally long, almost reaching below knees. It was like the same case as Rock, but multiplied in two or three in terms of the attraction level of the sort. Gladly, none of the two seemed to matter the stares as they walked through.
"This is why I prefer walking under a veil of a cloak." Bell heard Goldsaw muttered.
"Is that why you wore a brown tattered robe before?" He asked for her.
"Yes, as my appearance gives negative views of me that can be a nuisance."
"Then why are you not wearing one now?"
"Movement and sight restriction, a disadvantage that I cannot allow to get in my way. And, since I am in your familia now, I should expose myself in the eyes of the inhabitants so they can get used to my appearance." She explained straightly.
The three continued on to their destination.
XXX
"Damn, that little rabbit got another beauty and a very hot one at that. What a lucky bastard." An old adventurer commented.
"Really? Don't you find her creepy? Look at her claws." Another one said. "Wait, isn't that the rumored woman from the pub?"
"Yeah, it's her. And the woman is giving me the chills for some reason. At least, the one with the twintail is cute." Yet another one said.
It was Bell had heard from the other adventurers. He looked at the two and saw that their gazes remained locked in the dungeon. Their stances were firm and unmoving as if they were preparing an imminent attack at any moment. It was the same reaction Bell had seen in Rock after she had entered the dungeon.
"Well, this is it. Are you guys ready?" Bell asked to them.
"I am." Black Gold Saw answered, flexing her claws while Rock simply nodded.
XXX
The three had reached the fifth floor and along their way, they had met another group of monsters again, only this time they were lesser now, but the numbers of every group that they had encountered seemed to increase a bit compare to when it was only Bell and Rock.
Rock raised her materialized Black Blade while Bell prepared his knife. Black Gold Saw slammed the great sword that she pulled out of thin air, her King Saw – a giant saw blade that had two kinds of edges with the main having a larger tip and colored in gold while the reverse edge possessed many teeth. Its hilt was colored in gold and had numerous teeth like the rear edge of the blade and the guard was colored in red, also bearing numerous teeth. The handle had red grips and skull for a pommel.
As the two fought against the monsters, Black Gold Saw simply swung her sword at the group that was about to attack her from the right side, cutting them in two. She swung it to left, cleaving diagonally to the monsters like a hot knife. Goblins or Kobolds, all were killed indiscriminately and without much effort. She wasn't even exerting much, just simply swinging her King Saw and letting its weight do the job in cutting and cleaving.
"Weaklings." She muttered as she swung her saw blade again killing a pair of Kobolds in half. "These creatures are hardly a threat at all."
"The upper floors are for level 1s so that's why they are this weak." Bell said to her after pulling his knife on a dead body of Goblin after they were done killing the horde. "The deeper we go down, the stronger the monsters will be."
"Then why don't we dive deeper?"
"There are restrictions aside from the lower floors being dangerous to lower level adventurers, especially to us, level 1s, to not dive else there will be penalties we will face." Bell explained as he picked up a magic stone from the corpse of a Goblin that he just killed. "It was made to prevent death of the adventurers. Remember, Hestia Goddess said that the Dungeon is a living entity."
Rock nodded, agreeing with him while she was also picking up magic stones.
"It is really quite intriguing…" Black Gold Saw muttered as she knelt down to pick the magic stones from the corpse of the monsters. She looked and examined it for a moment before placing it in a pouch that Bell had provided for her. According to Bell, these magic stones were used to trade in the guild for valis so he warned her to not use so much force like what Rock did yesterday. "It's no wonder why I feel oppressing sensation and… hatred, it might be the warning that this Dungeon doesn't want us to be inside of it."
"Is that why you and Rock are always alert and focus on the surrounding that much?" Bell had assumed after remembering Rock's odd behavior.
"Yes." She confirmed. "Otherselves always fight for survival so it is to be expected that their instincts would be really high. Even from the first day of our manifestation, it's always like that."
"You always talk about fight and survival. Was it really the only way of your living?"
"Yes, for we are, after all, just emotions from our real selves, our Originals. It is a world of kill or be killed."
"Mhurmm…" Bell mumbled, slightly disturbed by the fact that Otherselves only exist to kill and survive which was not a really strange concept since his world is the same to some degree.
"I've already lost count of Otherselves that I had killed, but they always just kept coming after they died." Goldsaw explained cryptically.
"What do you mean by the last part, Miss Goldsaw?"
"As an emotion manifested from our real selves, Otherselves can't be really killed permanently in our world. They will be gone for a moment, then returns after the emotions of their real selves rekindle again, and the cycle goes on. The only way to stop their existence completely is by killing their real selves in the real world, though of course, because of our nature, we can't do such thing for we are only tied in the Otherworld. If the real self of a particular Otherself died, their existence will simply vanish from our world." Goldsaw then looked at the form of Black Rock Shooter before suddenly snapping a bit as blur images suddenly flooded her mind.
"That… I don't know what to say. It's like you said, it is really strange." Bell tried to make sense of what Black Gold Saw explained to him.
"Making sense of our world is a waste of time, Bell." She told him. "The world itself is a metaphor in contrast to the real world like yours."
"I know, but just one thing. It makes me curious." Bell muttered.
"What is it then?"
"If you will simply vanish in this Otherworld after your real self died, what will happen to you if you die here in our real world?" Bell wasn't fond of asking such question, but he cannot help it, but to be curious to their strange life. It was like they were breaking some laws of the world and common sense already.
"I do not have an answer for that." Black Gold Saw said, admitting that she had no idea what would even happen if an Otherselves die in the real world. By following the strange law of their world, Otherselves would simply come back to life as long as the Original is alive. However, their case was an exception. She doesn't know what would happen to them after if they were to die as the connection to their Originals were already severed, meaning that they had long since gone. So, why she and Rock still existed? "We are just lost beings…"
Black Gold Saw tried to make sense and remember everything after her arrival, but she cannot. She was left lost, alone in the world with no purpose at all.
"I don't think so." She heard the boy spoke. "You are here and alive, Miss Goldsaw. There is probably the reason why you are here and Rock like what Goddess said. I don't know what it was, but I know it is probably to give you a chance or something. If you don't have any purpose after being awakened from our world, then why just not find one, right? Here you can live differently and dream of things you want like me! I want to be Hero like those in my grandfather's stories, so I will do my best to become strong until I reach my dream!"
"It would require blood and sweat." She told the boy.
"I know, that's why I will work harder every day. I don't care how long it takes! I will prove that I can stand and be strong like you and Rock!" She was slightly astounded from Bell's conviction and compassion in becoming a hero that it made her smile a little, an expression she wasn't aware her face was making. She then saw him starting to bawl, but the boy quickly rubbed his eyes off. Goldsaw suspected that he remembered and can't let go of what happened last night. It seemed that the wolf's word had impacted him greatly.
"Such confidence." She said to the incredibly positive boy that is Bell. "Thank you for your kindness, Bell."
"You're welcome, Miss Goldsaw. A family should be helping each other anyway. After all, what's the point of our familia if we don't help and treat each other, right?"
"Indeed." She couldn't agree more. "Then, as a sign of my gratitude, let I and Black Rock Shooter help you. Let us help our familia become great."
"A-are you sure?!" Rock moved to his side and gave him a nod.
"I am." Black Gold Saw reassured to the boy. "Like you said, what's the point of our familia if we don't help and treat each other?"
"Thank you, Miss Goldsaw!" Bell bowed to her and then to Rock. "Thank you too, Rock."
Rock simply nodded at him as she tapped his shoulder. However, for Black Gold Saw, the scene was different from her perspective as she saw images of Black Rock Shooter committing acts that would be considered evil in this real world. She saw behind those neutral blue eyes of hers that she was getting closer and fond to the boy. Black Rock Shooter wasn't probably aware of it as she was still learning to discern those feelings she had.
'I hope it would not repeat again.' She said inwardly. Black Gold Saw wasn't sure, but those short glimpses were enough. Even so, she will watch over her in the future. She then turned her attention to Bell. "How deep have you reached so far, Bell?"
"Well, we have reached down to the ninth floor."
"Then let us dive deeper than that, let us proceed lower than that floor." She suggested after remembering how Excelia works according to their goddess. For them, it would take time as the monsters in the upper floors were hardly considered as threatening to them except for Bell.
"The tenth floor?" Bell sounded like he was hesitating.
"You seem reluctant. How will you grow if you are afraid to risk?" Black Gold Saw reminded him. "The upper floors are hardly a challenge despite seeing you struggle, Bell. So think of how much Excelia you can earn from diving lower. You should not be worried as me and Rock will keep watch on you. Now let's proceed down further. Besides, don't you want to be strong?"
"I want, Miss Goldsaw!" Bell complied, agreeing with Black Gold Saw's logic. If he wanted to be strong, then he must go deeper and fight stronger monsters in order to become strong just like the heroes of the tales. "I will become strong!"
"Good. Lead us down, Bell." The three then continued down to the tenth floor while killing monsters and collecting their magic stones.
XXX
Later, it was already night, after hours of being in the dungeon, the Hestia Familia had resurfaced again and was now carrying many magic stones and other monster drops that had to have high value in the guild. Those they deemed worthy and valuable were only brought back to the surface to be sold like Finger Blades of Warshadows, Moth Wings of Purple Moth and Orc hides from the Orcs they had encountered on the tenth floor. Out of the three of them, Bell was the only person that was dirty and tired, totally worn out from fighting many enemies.
They were now heading to the Guild to exchange what they had gathered today.
"The dungeon seems to not really like us." Black Gold Saw commented while carrying a pouch with her.
"You think so?" Bell sweat dropped at her as he knew what she was referring. "It seems it's getting worse for us. There must be a reason, because it also happened already to us with Rock."
"We will need to ask our Goddess about this, but I have an assumption that I can't tell due to the fact that it will sound conspicuous." She explained to Bell why she cannot tell him.
"But, we did talk about it like earlier in the dungeon."
"That's because I didn't sense any presence near us back there, only the presence of the monsters."
The three traded the magic stones and monster drops once they had reached the Guild while trying to mind the stares, but like again, only Bell was trying as the two Otherselves didn't care at all, not even bothering to look at them.
"That's 48000 valis in total." The guild staff informed after collecting and counting the magic stones and monsters drops.
"Wow, almost again!" Bell complimented, lightly clapping his hand twice before grabbing the pouch filled with valis. He opened and smiled in delight. "Goddess Hestia would surely be glad!"
"She will. Now let's return."
"I think you can go home first, Miss Goldsaw." Bell began. "You see, I need to buy us foods for our small celebration like what Goddess wants."
"I see, but I think it would be preferable if Rock and I will come to help you carry the foods." She offered.
"That doesn't sound so bad, alright." Bell then led the two in the mainstreet of Orario to buy foods and some stuffs along their way. Although the street was busy, that didn't stop the people to look and even slightly making a way for them. Bell nervously chuckled while the two were the same as usual. They bought things that they considered important then head home after that.
The three then went back to the rundown church after exchanging the valis and buying stuffs. As they proceeded, Black Gold Saw observed the odd behavior that Black Rock Shooter was showing. Suffice to say, she wasn't doing anything that she will consider… bad, only truly odd at how she acted differently at a time due to the curiosity she had in the world. It was really nothing, just a small thing she took note of her behavior. This is the part of the process. Black Gold Saw may have been in this world for long a time now; she was still the same as Black Rock Shooter and doesn't fully understand many things like their own emotions fully for example.
"Goddess, we're back!" Bell called out after entering their home.
"Good evening, Goddess Hestia." Black Gold Saw greeted politely.
"Welcome back, everyone! I'm- why you look like that?" Hestia asked.
"It's nothing, Goddess. It's just the day didn't go smoothly as we hoped to be."
"Okay, okay. Clean yourself first, Bell." Hestia told him before turning her gaze down, noticing the stuffs they bought. "Wow! Is this for our celebration?!"
"Yes, Goddess! Just like what you told me!" Bell placed them down to the table and walked to the bathroom. "I'll be in the bathroom for a moment, Goddess."
"Alright~!" Hestia's attention then diverted to Black Gold Saw. "So, how was it?"
"It was fine. However, I find it strange that the dungeon had been spawning many creatures on us, but it was nothing that we can handle."
"You have faced another group again?!"
"Yes, but we did make it through. The monsters in the uppers are nothing, but flies in my eyes, weaklings that I can easily crush." Black Gold Saw clenched her claw, emphasizing the word crush.
"I know that you're strong, Black Gold Saw, but please, be careful all the time. The Dungeon is a living entity! It's unpredictable!" Hestia reminded her child firmly. "You are part of my familia now, you are like my child. Seeing you hurt is hard for me."
"I will take it as an advisement." Black Gold Saw nodded. "And, please just refer to me as Goldsaw, Goddess."
"That's good to hear, Goldsaw." Hestia nodded like she did. "Anyways, I'll be attending a banquet tomorrow, so I might come home late at night."
"Banquet?" Goldsaw repeated.
"It's a party actually, exclusive to us, Gods, held by the God of the Masses, Ganesha."
"I see, so would you like us to help? We have earned so much valis from the dungeon."
"We'll talk about this tomorrow. For now, we are celebrating!" Hestia announced loudly, raising one of her hands in the air. "Help me prepare, Rock and Goldsaw."
The two complied to help their Goddess to prepare the food they had brought for her. Bell came out of the bathroom and volunteered to help them. Once all things were set, Goddess brought up a glass filled juice beverage and proceeded to her so-called welcoming ceremony.
"I know this is a bit late. Anyways, Rock and Goldsaw, I, Goddess Hestia, welcome you warmly to my familia! I am sincerely happy that you two decided to join this small familia of ours. We know that we are still little and poor, but I know one day, with all of you, we will become a great familia in the future!" Hestia proclaimed proudly, puffing her chest while Bell was clapping at her along with Rock who was mimicking Bell. Black Gold Saw simply nodded and formed a smile on her face. "Let us celebrate for our two new members! Cheers!"
"Cheers, Goddess!" Bell cheered, supporting his Goddess by raising his glass.
Rock also raised her own glass in the air.
The familia spent the night having a small, humble celebration on their own despite their clear state. This is just the beginning of the long road they will take to become a great familia.
XXX
To be continued…