Danmachi Emerald Version Arc 3
Chapter 5
Perculi 2: Argonaut promise fulfilled
A/N:
Narration
"Talk"
Monologue
*sfx*
Just before Riveria and the rest left the forest,
"Ais, Lefiya you can go ahead first," Riveria said. "I have things to discuss with Mr. Cranel here."
*nod*
"Very well, we'll wait by the gate then" Ais replied with a nod. "Lefiya, let's go."
Looking at her side, she smile as she started to walk forward.
Yes! Yes! YES! YEEEEESSSSS! Thank you Lady Riveria!
Lefiya snicker as she gave a victorious smile towards the clueless Rabbit adventurer before walking side by side with Ais.
"Now then," Riveria began as soon as they are out of sight. "Congratulations Bell, you've shown a lot of progress."
"T-thank you very much! Ms. Riveria!" Bell replied gleefully.
Too gleeful that it irritates Lily so much. The form of jealousy that did not escape the High Elf.
You truly are one sinful child.
Riveria though as if recalling Ais when she was younger and pats Bell's head much to Bell and Lily's surprise.
"Tomorrow will be our expedition so this means that this is the end of your agreement with Ais." Riveria then look at Lily. "Ely, you are free to decide whether you still want to work as my attendant from here onward."
"Eh?"
Lily tilts her head.
She already know her staying with the high elf is a form of payment for Ais' request but is she offering her a formal job?
"Lady Riveria..."
"The only difference here is that I'll be paying your 'part time' service."
"Isn't that good Lily?" Belll asked.
"I don't mind but... Lord Finn also said something similar earlier."
Eh? Finn did?
"Ely, a word of advice," Riveria said while massaging her temple. "Finn knows. If you don't want to be butchered by a certain Amazon..."
"Eh... Lord Finn did?" Lily look upward trying to recall but she was sure that she was careful of where she transform. "That aside, Lily is quite aware of Lady Tione's affection to Lord Finn," Lily replied as she took a side glance to Bell as her face reddens. "And besides Lily already has..."
"Something wrong Lily?" Bell innocently asked.
Ugh... Master Bell's skull is too thick to take a hint! But Lily will not lose hope.
"In that case, come see me after we return from our expedition if you wish to continue working for me." Riveria said as she readied her self to leave. "Let's go."
"Uhm... Ms. Ri-Riveria" Bell called out as the two walk before him
"Something wrong, Bell?"
Eh?
As she look back, she saw Bell Cranel bowing with a potion held at both hand stretch towards her. "I-I know this is insignificant but please take this potion to your expedition."
"Master Bell..." Lily said as she look closely at a seemingly expensive potion.
"... Bell, what kind of potion is this?"
"T-this is the best potion I can buy," Bell said, still in a bowing position. "It can restore health and mana to a certain degree. I... I. Want you to have this. To h-help you in your expedition a-and as thanks for what you've done to us so far."
*chuckle*
"Very well," Riveria said with a smile. "I'll accept your good will but..." she took the potion with one hand and adjust her hair with her other hand.
"Hiiìiiii!" Bell shriek as he raised his body and see a serious look on the high elf's beautiful face.
"How exactly did you manage to buy this?" Seeing the potion up close, she can tell its quality and knowing how poor their familia is. She began to wonder on how was he persuaded to buy this potion. Even a money hungry Dian Cecht would not do this especially with Armid there to keep him in check so the possible answer here is this potion came from a different familia that focus on making medicine as well.
"In... ent..."
"Master Bell, we can't hear you," Lily said in an irritated manner.
"I'm paying them in installment." Bell answer as he have now two individual looking at him sternly. "I got a deal with Ms. Naza of the Miach familia to pay it in installment.
*sigh*
"WHAT?!"
Riveria sigh while Lily explode.
"Master Bell... how could... why would..." Lily face palm her self as she cant even figure out what to ask first.
Too tired for the day, Riveria let Lily sermon Bell of his impulse buying as they run back to Orario.
I could just reject this and return this to him nicely but with an incoming obstacle ahead, I can't in good conscience put another burden to his psyche. I better keep it with me until we come back from the expedition.
*knock knock*
Opening her eyes, Riveria look at Lily's reflection that is combing her hair.
"Ely, kindly open the door,"
"Yes, Lady Riveria."
*creak*
Lily opened the door and who awaits are.
"Good Evening! Lady Loki, Lord Fin and Lord Gareth."
The day just before the expedition, Loki held an important executive meeting right after updating all of her children's status.
The meeting was held at the second in command's room and the topic is the rare skill Lefiya just earned.
That night, the day before the expedition, at the Twilight Manor, all participating members of the expedition have their anxiety wash away ever so slightly as they herd the high elf's laughter. A loud, uncontrollable laughter they never ever expect.
Eh...
How long was she staring into space?
For the very long life of the Goddess Hestia, what she know is that just a second ago her child just dash off after having his status updated. Nothing wrong with that. He was in such a hurry that she was not even able to tell of his status. It should be fine and yet when she arrive at her work place, she is already an hour late.
"Just what the heck!"
While standing at the armory booth, the Goddess Hestia exploded.
*smack*
That in return was met by a retort from the Goddess Hephaestus with a paper fan who was there lecturing an almost lifeless goddess.
"Don't go yelling at me when I am lecturing you!" Hephaestus exclaim as she massage her temple. It was pretty uncharacteristic of her to do that.
Ninth floor dungeon.
"Is something wrong, Master Bell?" Lily asked as she noticed the restless adventurer as soon as they entered the ninth floor.
"Something is wrong here Lily"
"Eh?"
I don't like this feeling...
Bell continuously look at the almost eerie and silent floor.
Too silent that even Lily finally realized Bell's worries and readied her weapon.
*stomp*
Heave walking sound was heard from one area of the dungeon.
"Wait Lily," Bell said as he stop his movements. Cold sweat droping from his body as he suddenly recalled that incident.
*stomp*
Little by little, the sound grew louder.
*stomp*
This is just like..
*stomp*
Nononono...
*breathe heavily*
*stomp*
As they stood in silence, they wait for whoever it was to appear from the pathway.
*stomp*
"T-that's the..." Lily tremble in fear.
The figure that appeared was something... someone Bell dreaded to face once again.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
The monster howled as he set his sight to his next target. The white haired adventurer.
"Hestia, be honest, did you modify him?"
Inside Hephaestus office, Hephaestus is looking at a piece of paper. the piece of paper that is the result of her friend's tardiness (this time around) and freak out. Though this is not the exact thing, Hestia still showed it to her friend. She would even showed her the real complete thing if not for Hephaestus advice/reminder.
Bell Cranel
LV 1
Strength: S
Endurance: S
Dexterity: S
Agility: SS
Magic: A
"Of course not!" Hestia protest. "I would never do such a thing!"
"But this is... no wonder you were desperate to give him a suitable weapon." Hephaestus said as she lit her forge and threw the piece of paper into it. "I don't know what kind of skill made this possible but be prepared to keep it a secret. The Gods would riot if this gets out."
"So does that mean the knife is free then?" Hestia lights up at such a possible prospect now that her friend has an idea to her worries.
"Don't kid your self," Hephaestus said. "Now go."
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
"..."
"M-master Bell we got to go!" Lily exclaim as she shakes Bell who remain in her position, stiff.
"..."
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
"Damn it!" after loading an arrow to her bow, she quickly distance herself from Bell before attacking the raging Bull with little to no effect.
*grunt*
The Minotaur continued its slow approach to the troubled rabbit.
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
Taking a magic sword from her bag, Lily fired it at the Bull repeatedly until it breaks.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
The attack enrage the Bull but never the less it didn't change its target.
"Master Bell watch out!"
Running with all her might, Lily dove just as Bell was about to be hack by the Minotaur, thus saving his life.
"Arck!" Lily groaned in pain.
"Lily!" Bell exclaim as he regain proper control to his mental faculty. It then dawns to him that Lily was injured from saving him and the Bull seems to be itching for more.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
"Damn it!" Bell said as he run away from Lily and headed towards the bull
"Master Bell!" Lily yelled. "What do you think you're doing?!"
"Lily, get out of here!" Bell yelled.
"B-but... but!"
"Just go!"
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Lily sobs as she unload the now ruined bag and run towards the upper floor.
Calm down... I need to calm down and remembered what Ms. Riveria taught me when we were hunting.
Bell though as he supported his hand wielding the Hestia knife with its other hand just to stop it from trembling.
*breath*
Bell took a deep breath as he focus his attention to the charging bull.
Forest a few days ago,
*swoosh*
From a distance of more than 15 meters, the High Elf Riveria shoot her target from its blind spot.
"There are many ways to hunt," Riveria said to the person fidgeting beside her. "But the very important thing a hunter needs is to have a calm and collected mind. So do you want to try?"
"Yes!"
*thud*
"Keep your voice down," Riveria reprimand as she struck lightly her bow to Bell's head. "Here take this." She gave him the bow she is using and assist him in strapping the quiver onto his side.
From there, she hands on teaches him on how to hold the bow and how to properly fire an arrow. A small blissful moment for the rabbit adventurer as she is very close to him to smell her fragrant scent and at some point he felt her breast touching his back. Than in returned earn him a lecture as it is apparently being shown in his face.
"Now try shooting that bird." Riveria ordered as she points a bird resting on a tree 10m from them.
*swoosh*
*thud*
"Aaaaaahhh! It flew away!"
The arrow miss its target, hit the trunk of the tree and the bird flew away.
"Now then, try attacking that monster," Riveria said as she points a monster that walks in.
"Okay..." Bell whispers as he loaded and shoot at the target.
*swoosh*
*tuck*
Once again, Bell fires an arrow and misses but this time around, the target didn't flee but readies itself.
"Stay there, don't move until I gave you the signal.," Riveria whispered as she took the bow from Bell and two arrows from the quiver.
Silently, she walks away from Bell and shoots an arrow once more. Unlike before it misses the target that made the monster look on a different direction before she fires again her last shot that also misses.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
the monster roared before attacking the defenseless High Elf and before it knew what hit him, Bell stab it from behind using his black knife.
"Bell remember how those target react," Riveria said as she approach him. "At sight of danger, beast often run to preserve themselves. There are cases in which they will fight back unless they knew they are at a disadvantage or cornered just like that monster."
"..."
"You were like that earlier." Riveria said as she give the bow back. "We adventurers are like that as well in the dungeon. We act as the hunter to monster we know we can take and run as a prey to save our life. There will be times that we will fight back even though we know the opponent is way above our capability like a cornered mouse. The difference here between us is we reign in our fears and faces the opponent with all our courage or we act just like that beast who attack its hunter blindly. Remember and apply this to your adventure, do you understand?"
"Yes!"
"Keep a calm mind, analyze the situation and execute."
Right after Finn's epic speech for their expedition, Finn separate the expedition into two group. The heavy hitters from the 15 members of the Loki familia were the vanguards. They consist of Finn, Riveria, Ais, The amazon sisters Tiona and Tione and Bete. Their role is to act as an advance troop and to clear the way for the Main expedition consisting of the rest of Loki Familia's chosen second tier members, supporters and blacksmiths from the Hephaestus familia that are led by Gareth.
"Hey hey, Tione! Did you see the other people from a different famila? Who are they? They don't looked like the supporters we hired." Tiona asked as she clung to Ais' back.
"They're smiths from the Hephaestus famila," Tione explained. "Don't tell me you forgot the problem we encounter in our last expedition."
"Ehehehe..."
"With the exception of Ais' sword, our weapons and armors gave in before we did." Tione said as she quickly walk beside their Pallum leader, Finn. "But I am surprise with this as well captain,"
"Loki negotiate with their goddess." Finn said. "Lady Hephaestus is doing us a favor here so even though they are here, it doesn't mean we need to be careless on our weapons."
"Yeeeeees~" Tiona lazily replied while being drag by Ais.
"What a relief," Bete bellowed. "We don't need to worry of them slowing us up."
"There you go again with your ego Bete,"
Tiona narrowed her eyes at the werewolf's pompous proclamation.
"There's nothing wrong with acting nice, you know," Tione added. "It wont kill you or you get trills on looking down on others? Isn't that despicable Ais?" She then throw a smirk at him before shifting her gaze on the Sword Princess.
"Hmn"
Ais replied with a nod.
"Wha-what? You're wrong !" Bete replied frantically. "Do you think I enjoyed looking down on those bottom feeders? All I do is call them how I see them. You agree with this right, Ais?"
"No... What do you think, Riveria?"
"I hear nothing but arrogance of a strong man looking down his nose at others." Riveria respond.
"See?" Tiona added. "Or have you forgotten that you were once weak too?"
"I am just saying they need to know their place."
Ais suddenly stop her feet and look at the werewolf.
Know your place...
One's place...
A statement made not of pity, nor insult. Just a plain truth someone should know.
Ais stop at her track and wonder what have been running on his mind when he was mocked, when he was cornered and that feeling of hopelessness.
She thought of his white messy hair and ruby red eyes.
So how did overcome being looked down upon, mocked, scorned and spit on by Bete.
He must have hated himself. Letting all that anger and frustration course through his vein to propel him further and higher till he reach his breaking point like when they saw him unconscious in the dungeon.
Wait... didn't he...
After they nap at top of the tower, Ais and Bell continued their skirmish and once again it amaze her of his progress.
"Bell, I have a question,"
"W-what is it Ms. Ais?"
"What motivates you? What keeps you going despite all this?"
And she finally asked him what is bugging her for quite some time ever since the incident with the Minotaur.
"Actually," Seeing Ais's earnest inquiry, Bell cant help but reply in kind. "There is someone that I admired. That person is incredibly strong so I want to get stronger so that I could stand beside that person."
Eh?
"Something wrong Ais?" Tiona asked as the person dragging her stopped.
Don't tell me... his goal... what if Bete is...
For some reason, her knee shook and all strength started to leave her body. She even saw her little self trembles in a fetal position as if rejecting that idea.
"Ais?"
"Nothing... its nothing..."
I better not jump to conclusion and ask him directly when we meet once again...
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh"
Loud yelling instantly snap Ais back to reality.
"Tsk... just as we're speaking about them and here they come."
Four pale faced adventurer came running to their direction.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Tiona called as she detach from Ais and wave her hands onto the incoming adventurer.
"Better leave it be," Bete snarl. "Parties should not interfere with one another in the dungeon. You'll be wasting your time with these trash."
"I-is that the Braver?" one of the four adventurer said.
"The Loki familia!" another one of the quartet added.
"So what's up?" Tiona asked once more.
*huff*
*puff*
*wheeze*
"T-there's a M...a...our." the seemingly leader of the party said.
"Calm down and take a deep breath." Riveria steps forward to see if any of the four were injured.
"There's a Minotaur in the upper floor!" the leader repeats
Ais' hands tremble upon hearing if the bull's name. His image suddenly flash at the back of her mind.
"Can you please give us more detail?" Finn asked the seemingly leader of the party. "Rest in the wall if you need to."
"T-thanks..." the leader said as he begin his story. "We were just doing our normal dungeon exploration when we saw it - the Minotaur in one of the passage way between the room." his voice is coarse and filled with terror. "We hid our presence first until it goes into one of the hallway. There, it started to attack a white haired kid! We wanted to help him but after hearing it howl, we run for our lives."
Riveria tighten her grip on her staff as she look at the pale face of Ais.
"Where? What floor? what area?" Ais asked frantically causing every one to look her way.
*Da-dump*
Time seems to go slow as Ais awaited the reply of the adventurer.
"Hurry up! Where is it?!"
This uncharacteristic behavior of Ais startled even Bete and the Amazon sisters. But considering the description of the adventurer, Finn is not surprise of Ais' action.
"Ninth floor, but-"
*zoom*
Before the adventurer could finish, Ais quickly ran.
"Hey Ais!" Tiona called but their famed Sword Princess didn't look back.
It's attacking him. I need to hurry...
Spurred by emotion, confusion and a sense of impending danger, Ais ignored her comrade and completely even forgot that they are going in an expedition. All that matters right now is for her to reach his side.
As she get entered the ninth floor, her blood began to boil. She needed to reach him quick but she didn't know where to search until she saw a familiar Pallum, injured and covered in blood.
"S-sword princess" The Pallum called out. "P-please help Master Bell."
!
"Please save him!"
"Where is he?"
"Standard route... Room E-16" with trembling hand, Lily pointed where she was.
"I understand," Ais said as she carry the Pallum in her arm.
"Please... save Master Bell," the Pallum continued weakly.
"... Stop,"
As she is to move out, Ais stop. With that single word she stop on her track and look at the source of the voice.
There he saw him. The boaz that hold the title as Orario's strongest.
"King..."
Why is he here?
Not waiting for her to act, the boaz Ottar , drew his sword and pointed it to her.
"I challenge you, Sword Princess."
At the King's challenge, Ais' bewilderment tuned into rage.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Do I need a reason to kill an opponent when I met them in the dungeon?" the King replied back seriously. A serious tone that is a far cry different from the werewolf that is full of air.
Then it dawns to her, during her duel with the Vana Freya,
"You get in her way so die!"
It cant be, it cant be, it cant be..
"Drop the girl and fight." the King continued. "Or do you want her to die as well."
Laying the Pallum on the side, Ais drew her sword.
"Wait there for a bit."
I need to finish this quick
With eyes full of determination, she faced him.
"Don't get in my way!" Ais proclaim. "Tempest!"
Activating her aria, Ais charge at the boaz.
"Lil' La Fraga!"
*zoom*
"Aaaaaaaaargh!"
The king hold his sword with both hand and parried the incoming attack.
*crash*
Eh?
Ais cant believe her eyes, her attack was block.
"Strong but not enough!" Ottar declared followed by a powerful kick at Ais' opening.
*thump*
"Gack!"
Ais spat blood as she landed on the floor.
I must not let it end here!
I need to get through!
I need to save him!
I wont let him die!
With that declaration, she once again attack him with little to no effect.
So this is level 7...
"Is that the best you can offer?" Ottar asked.
*swosh*
*clang*
*thud*
In a swift second, the king block the sneak attack of Tiona with his sword and Bete with his hand.
"Tsk" Bete click his tongue as the two jump backwards and landed in front of Ais. "Bastard! Just what do you think you're doing?!"
"Just what is going on here?!" The third voice said coming from Tione as she assist Ais to her feet.
"Amazon... Vanagrand..." Ottar said as he calmly analyze the opponent before him which included the two from the far back that slowly approach him.
"No wonder my thumb is feeling itchy," Finn calmly said.
"Finn... Nine Hell..."
"Hey Riveria! There's an injured Pallum girl here!" Tiona interupted.
!
"You..." Finn growl as he saw a familiar injured Pallum. "Did you did this?"
"..."
"Finn calm down," Riveria steps forward as she approach the injured Pallum.
"Is this the will of you god?" Finn asked as he slowly regain his composure.
"I am doing this in my own volition." Ottar said lowly as he sheathed his weapon back and starts walking forward. "As long as you have this group, I have no chance if winning."
He walk pass them and show no hostility.
"Wait," Riveria called out as she signal Ais to leave. "Are you fine with this?"
"What do you mean?"
"I am saying are you really fine with letting that thing go,"
The king squint his eyes as he remembered the dark elf's warning to be wary of her.
"Will your god be okay knowing that it is your action that cause his demise"
"..."
Riveria tried batting the King with vague words but he shows no reaction.
"There were sightings of you playing with a Minotaur one after the other." Riveria said as she carry Lily to her arm. "This is the Minotaur you're playing with right?"
"What?!" Tiona exclaim. "Then you should clean up this mess!"
"It is true that I am practicing my sword skills with the Minotaur." Ottar admit. "But it ran away after members of the Ishtar familia attacked me. It is not my fault it reach here and I already lose my interest on it."
"But will your god be okay if he died here," Riveria continue to push the issue.
"Are you really one to talk?"
"Why you stinking pig!"
"Bete hold it," Finn warned. He did not know where Riveria is going on with this but his gut tells him that he should let her push through.
"Tell me, did your god did something to the Minotaur you let lose on the 5th floor?"
"Hey! we defeated them!" Tiona retort. "We fix our mistake and you're not!."
"And did your God apologize?"
"Eh what do you mean...?" Tione asked while the two executive get the meaning of his words.
"You release the bull and kill it so it should be fine right?" Ottar questioned. "Then how do you justify the mockery your familia gave to a new adventurer who only began a week? Who run with all his might to escape the very same Minotaur you release. Or it's no issue just because you defeated it. It is only because the adventurer cling to his life that it gave you time to defeat it on time. The very individual you made fun of for his running and will to live. If he was a few second short, his blood is in your hands."
"Why you..." Bete growl.
"Bete no," Tiona said as she move infront of the werewolf that is ready to attack. More than Bete, it was them, her and her sister, were affected with the King's words. It was their action that cause the incident with the Minotaur in the first place. Which is why attacking the boaz would not justify anything.
So he referring to the tomato boy Bete mentioned.
Finn put his right hand to his chin and analyze the word of Ottar.
"Do you really have the right to lecture me here, Nine Hell?"
Ottar release the leash on his weapon and turn his back on them.
"Fix your own backyard first before you criticize ours," As he ignore the hostility from the other Loki familia member, he looked at Finn. "Remove your shell, renounce all others, and confront the adventure. Focus on nothing but the path ahead."
"Arck!"
The raging bull stab Bell's left arm and fling him meters away.
As I felt the pain, I began to contemplate on escaping.
"It's okay... I'm here," Ais said as she parried the sword of the bull. "You're safe now."
Eh?
I looked up and saw the famed sword princess in front of me. Her presence alone makes the Bull wary of attacking.
This should be fine right?
Bell trembles as an uncomfortable felling stir his gut.
I don't need to...
"You're a coward aren't you?"
Ais words back during their first training followed by the white haired werewolf's mockery flash back to him.
NO... If I let myself be save again.. I will be always be...
But this opponent is too much for me. Isn't it better to leave it to someone like Ms Ais?
"...please do not compare or look away from that adventure. From the meaning of your adventure."
Recalling back Ms. Ryuu's words, I grit my teeth and clench my fist,
The support from Goddess, Lily, Ms. Eina, Ms. Ryuu, Ms. Syr. the training and advice I got from Ms Ais, Ms. Riveria and Ms. Lefiya, I can't let it end here.
"I..." Bell said as he stood up. "I can't let others save my self once again."
Bell temporary cling to Ais' shoulder before walking pass her.
Bell resolves himself. Not of unsightly delusion, vanity or an unattainable dream. He wanted to be a hero. A hero that can beat such monster.
"Ahahaha! he just dump you Ais," Bete said as he took a stop from running. "Hmmmmm..." he first didn't pay attention to the adventurer but after giving a close look, it is the very same white haired kid. "Hah! looks like the tomato kid wants his revenge. Let him have it."
Not listening to a word Bete had said, all Ais can do was watch Bell walk to his death as he sees his image on Bell and beside it was her younger mad self.
No... please don't let anger consume you...
Please don't abandon me as well...
"Please help Master Bell!" walking weakly, Lily plead to the werewolf.
"Please help him..."
she continued as she thug his pants
"Tsk" Bete click his tongue as he look at the pallum begging for help. "Buzz off"
"Don't push your self too much," Finn walks beside her as he assist her trembling body.
"Master Finn, I'll do everything you ask so please help him."
Riveria tap her staff to Finn with a head shake as she signal him to look at the fight before crouching down and casting healing magic on Lily.
Riveria what do you...
Turning his head, the braver opened his eyes wide in shock.
"Bete, were do you think you're going?" Tiona asked as she sees him walking forward.
"Don't get the wrong idea," Bete said. "I hate those bottom feeders but what I hate the most are those that bully the weak. Ais, move aside."
"..."
Ais didn't reply, her eyes is focus on the fight on front of him.
"Oi, didn't you..." Bete said once again only to look at the same direction as Ais.
"Eh? Isn't he a level one adventurer?" Tione asked in bewilderment.
"True, in your eyes, this kid is only a beginner. That was a month ago, I believe." Finn said calmly but his shaking hand betrayed his word.
Right before these 1st class adventurer, they are at a front seat view of a fight that can only be read in story book.
"This is just like the story of Argonaut..." Tiona said in amazement recalling her favorite story of all time.
His movements are indeed crude in their standard but he is definitely doing it.
Slash per slash, the white hair adventurer manage to block or evade the bull's attack followed by a clean counter.
"Something is wrong here..." Tione said as she analyze the scene.
Truth be told, the adventurer's speed is something but that should not be enough to even last long against the red bull with its thick flesh.
He'd also been doing this by how long now before they arrive. With dagger and a baselard at hand it should not be enough.
It was then when they heard Bell shout. The thing that made it possible.
"FIREBOLT!"
As he was once again thrown a meter away,
Bell unleash his spell to temporary keep the beast at bay as he get back on his feet.
"When did he?" Bete asked.
Bell ran westward in a circular motion to the Minotaur while firing one firebolt to another.
"No chant quick trigger spell," Riveria answered.
"But the power is not enough..." Finn added.
Bell then charge at the Minotaur but just as the bull is about to swing his sword, he leap backward but not before activating his spell into his dagger and swing it side wards and then upward. By doing so, he created a whip like effect from the flame that burst from the tip of the dagger.
"If this goes on, he'll be at a disadvantage," Finn said as he noticed the difference in strength and stamina of the two.
*clang*
*break*
Just as things gets dire, the baselard break after blocking the full force swing of the bull.
"Oh no!" Tiona exclaim.
Yet such occurrence did not prevent Bell from using all options he still had. He did not deter from his counter and deliver a slash to the Bull's legs.
"Firebolt!"
Bell again shouted as he took 3 steps back and look at his broken sword then to the sword the bull is using.
All I need is an opportunity.
He then charge at the bull using the same whip like move earlier to distract it from his next action which is by throwing the broken sword to the bull's eyes.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
The Minotaur howl as the broken sword pierced the bull's right eye.
"Amazing! you can do it!" Tiona cheered.
Bell then use the distraction to attack the bull's arm, stab it and use the force of his run to pin him to the ground.
"Haaaaah!"
Bell yelled as he mercilessly twist the pierced dagger and quickly nab the sword once the the bull let it go.
That's right Bell. You need to maintain a calm mind in this situation.
Seeing his action, the high elf can't help but strongly grip her staff and smile.
"What sloppy moves," Bete commented as the rabbit swing the far longer sword in a far crude way than the baselard he used earlier. His words are full of criticism but the shaking of his arm and the repeated open and close movements of his hands convey the excitement he is feeling.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
the monster howl as it prepare for an all out attack. Bell sees his position and decide to sheath the dagger and held the sword in both hands.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
"Haaaaaaah!"
As if saying this is the last, the two gave a loud growl/yell before charging at one another.
"That fool!" Bete spat in irritation knowing what the stance of the Minotaur meant.
Almost everyone expect a tragic result and are prepared to attack once the horn of the bull pierced it target. Almost everyone. Ais still stood still while Riveria sigh and massage his temple.
But the outcome didn't go as expected. Bell's attack shattered the bull's horn as he jump and withdraw his dagger. Upon landing next to the bull, he then proceeds to stab its stomach.
"Firebolt!"
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
the bull cried in pain as the intense heat of the fire invade its body.
"Firebolt!"
"Firebolt!"
"Firebolt!"
Bell continuously chanted.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
the bull gave one last howl before busting to dust.
As its life came to a close an intense feeling burst fort. The feeling of not wanting the fight to end.
"Firebolt!"
and the feeling of wanting to fight him again.
"Firebolt!"
before everything fades to black
it was sure it heard something.
"I am sorry it didn't end up fair to you."
the voice rang.
"Let's meet again, my nemesis. We'll continue this in our next life. A real duel! A battle just between me and you!"
"Firebolt!"
It didn't want it to end here. It wanted to face him once again...
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
After giving once last howl, everything blackens.
Aaaaaaaaaannnnd cut!
A/N:
And with this, the chapter came to a close. Most of canon scenes this time around were taken from Sword Oratoria and the last bit scenario was pretty much inspired by danmemo 2nd anniversary story line. Original ch title was supposed to be Rabbit and the Bull but due to how the Argo story line ended, I opt to use the current ch title and include the last part as an additional foreshadow to Asterios.
This is probably the longest ch of Emerald so far. next will be the epilogue to close the arc but when that would happen is up to air depending on work load.
For the review, likes and follow, thanks!
Made some minor changes. Corrected some grammar and spelling err. v1
