Authors note :
I updated chapter 1, at the bottom of the chapter I explained the timeline in this story for anyone thats confused. With that said, thanks for reading!
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Voices,
Familiar voices.
They belonged to his family.
It was a dream, one he would give anything to make reality. Opening the door to his home, greeted with the sight of his family-his familia, sitting with their backs towards him around the hearth. The boy walked slowly towards them, the smell of iron permeating his nose and the wet squelching beneath his feet. The figures spoke to him:
"Hey what took you so long?"
"Mm! These cookies taste so good! Try one!"
"Aaahhh nothing beats relaxing after a long dive in the dungeon."
"Captain, wanna join us? We about to play some games."
"Yeah! It's going to be so fun!"
The figures turned looked up and faced him. Their faces gone; replaced with a black void. Their bodies marred: limbs missing. Broken armor and weapons equipped. It was a sight he wanted to forget. The hearth's warmth no longer gripped him, looking at his hands he found them drenched in blood: the blood of his family. The hearth's flame no longer burned, its embers burned black, forming the silhouette of a large, black, skeletal prophet of death.
It's claws maimed, It's jaws consumed, Its eyes instilled fear. Such was the only way this nightmare could ever be. The walls turned crimson, in stone and blood. Death looked at the rabbit and smiled, devouring his family. Blood-red leering at ruby. The rabbit collapsed onto its knees and shut its eyes, shielding itself from the bloody banquet. Covering its ears, blocking out the deafening cries. Cold, the black flame held no warmth. Only a bottomless well drowning any and all in fear and despair.
...I'm sorry...Please...no more...
In front of him, atop the mounds of rubble and stone, was a hearth. The symbol of his mother. Her silhouette enveloped in a golden column of light, one he unfortunately became accustomed to from witnessing the countless ascensions of gods during the 'Dark age'. Now his mother joined the many. It was a dream, It had to be. But it was also reality, an unavoidable truth he wanted to escape.
He had nothing left.
No Family.
No Reason.
No Purpose.
.
Voices,
Familiar voices.
They belonged to a woman. One that Bell recognized.
It was reality. His eyes opened, awoken by the gentle noises. The window was wide open, allowing wind to freely enter the room. It was a neutral breeze, not warm nor cold, not gentle nor fierce. He tiredly pushed himself up towards the backboard of the bed and took in his surroundings once more, the room was quite simple, Vesta and his bag leaning on the dresser in the left corner which was right at the foot of the bed, a small desk to his right, and the door which was to the right of the dresser. He heard two voices from the other side of the door.
"Mouh! When is he going to wake up?"
"Alise, he is still sleeping."
"Ahahaha...sorry..."
"Anyways, I will be in the living room. You may stay with Bell but remember to be quiet."
"Okaaay~"
The door swung open. Before he could blink, a red-haired missile shot at him, trapping him in a tight bear-hug. Normally he would have dodged it but his injuries and lack of a god's blessing kept him stuck in that position. Despite all that has happened to Bell, he was still pure at heart. Regardless of whatever he may have experienced, he would always get flustered around women one way or another.
"Irkh! A-Alise c-can't breathe-" Patting the girl's back.
"Oops. I guess I hugged a little too hard teehee." She freed him from the tight embrace, playfully hitting her head while sticking her tongue out.
Looking at her, he saw that she wore a white sleeveless shirt, her usual black shorts and stockings. Still coughing every few seconds, he finally felt the refreshing feeling of air in his lungs once more. "Are we at Dian Cecht's?"
"No, we're in a guest room in the Stardust Garden. I brought you here after I found you in that was-a-church. Ahaha..." Getting quiet towards the end.
"E-eh??? I-is it really alright for me to be here? I mean your entire familia are girls...so..." He looked at the bed, eyes glancing at her own every few seconds.
Unnnggg...it should be illegal for someone to look this cute...
"Ah dont worry about that. I asked Lady Astraea for permission and she said it was alright" Crossing her arms and nodding "And dont act as if we're strangers! We're comrades who fought together against Evilus during the dark age!"
Seeing as he wanted to ask something, and being the older of the two (mentally though is debatable) she took the lead. "Are you hungry? You've been sleeping for a day now."
"A-a day-" He shot up from the bed, his face only a few celches away from her own. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You! Young man need rest!" Putting a finger on his forehead and pushing him back down onto the bed. Before sitting down on the chair adjacent to the bed. "You disappear for a month, and first time I see you since then your body was covered in burns and bruises!"
The memories finally came gushing back in. He shakily grabbed her shoulders, startling her.
"ALISE!!! D-did you see my mom anywhere? Is she safe? Where is she?" She tried to break it to him slowly but it looked like he came to the realization himself.
"Ara, has he woken up Alise?" The two looked at the door, and the goddess standing there.
Long walnut-brown hair framed her face and elegantly flowed down her back. She wore a simple white kirtle that hung from her neck on black ribbons that showed an ample amount of cleavage, and a long skirt that clung tightly to her hourglass figure. Her deep indigo-blue eyes similar to a sea of stars, and a gentle smile adorning her face. This was the Goddess of Justice, Astraea. The patron deity to Alise and the rest of her familia.
"Lady Astraea! I-is mo-Lady Hestia alright? Where is she?" His eyes showed denial.
She found it hard to muster any words and simply walked towards the boy. Alise looked on with a saddened frown, knowing that he wasn't in any mental state to receive the grim news. Astraea took Bell into her arms and hugged him into her bosom, gently stroking his back. "It's okay Bell. It wasn't your fault." The memories of his dream and the previous days replayed in his mind forcing the dam to break.
"No! Sh-she cant! *hic* NO!...She promised! She...promis-*sob* she said she wouldn't leave me..." Gone was the Astrapi, the former captain of the Hestia familia, the adventurer. All that remained was a young boy who had just lost the last of his family. Bell stayed in that position for a while seeking whatever warmth he could from the benevolent deity, until Bell pulled back trying to put up a face to show he was alright. Alise simply looked on with a smile, knowing how effective Lady Astraea's hugs were at comforting people.
"I-i'm sorry for staining your dress Lady Astraea..."
"It's alright Mr Bell." Trying to change the topic she asked the boy. "I'm sure Alise asked you but are you hungry? You have been sleeping for quite a while now."
"Ah n-no...i'm not very hungr-GROOOOWL" He looked back down at the bed slightly embarrassed, earning a light giggle from the redhead.
"Don't worry about it, in the meantime you can catch up with Alise." Waving as she walked out of the room, shutting the door.
Silence, a deafening silence. Neither knew how to start the conversation. It continued for a some time until Bell shook his head a little before looking at the girl, albeit sheepishly.
"So uhh...have you been well recently?" Smiling wryly, not wanting to show his sadness.
Alise looked at the boy trying to put up a tough front, but ultimately going on with the flow. "Of course! You know me! Pure and beautiful, always ready to fight off evildoer's!" Another silence graced the 'conversation'.
"How about you Bell?" This was quite possibly the worst thing she could have asked in the 'conversation', though her choice wasn't relevant...
He looked away from her fearing what she would say next. "...I'm sorry..."
"What for?" She knew how his actions were seen to the public, but she was also aware of how much guilt Bell gave himself for his friends dying.
"I trampled over the justice you fight for, I threatened the peace that we all fought for...the peace Ardi died for..."
Ardi Varma, a level 3 adventurer of the Ganesha familia. She was an all-around cheerful girl that everyone loved, always very forgiving and understanding of people. In the short time Bell knew her, they had became best friends, both sharing a love for Heroic tales such as the Argonaut or Epimetheus. You could've sometimes seen the two cheerful teens strolling around the city or having very 'serious' discussions on the meaning of 'justice'. Though neither could really come to an answer and this process continued repeated itself. This is what would have continued, had she not been killed by a child suicide-bomber brainwashed by Evilus. Bell was shaken, never experiencing the loss of a loved one prior to this.
He wasn't the only one who was greatly effected by her death, Ryuu Lion too had been good friends with the girl. Ardi being the second person who could touch Ryuu. The two young adventurers eventually came to accept her death. Where Ryuu found the strength among her friends to make sure no one else could be hurt, embers of a black flame was ignited in Bell...a chilling flame that would grow with the right fuel.
"...It wasn't your fault Bell, no one could've predicted Evilus would resort to such cowardly attacks."
"...That may be true but I cant help but feel like it should have been me who died that day..." Bell knew this was true, but deep down his thoughts told him that he could have saved her. That it could have been him who took the explosion for her.
The redhead cupped his face in her hands pulling it close to her own, a slight blush forming on his face. "Would Ardi want that?"
"!"
Staring into his eyes she continued. "Bell, we both know that she wouldn't want you to die. Anyone could see that! Heck, I thought the two of you were dating at one point!"
His face turned red as his eyes. Satisfied with the reaction Alise released him.
Good! If he can feel embarrassed then that means he's still in there!
Knock knock* Ah that must be Lady Astraea! Alise got up from the chair and held the door open.
"Are you feeling better Bell?" In her hands was a wooden tray with gray pot with white stripes going around it. "Its stew, there are carrots, potatoes, and rabbit meat inside. I wasn't sure if you had any allergies so I didn't add anything else." Placing down the tray on the desk, she made a realization.
"Ahm...Bell you don't mind eating rabbit meat right?"
He tilted his head to the side confused. "No not really, why do you ask?"
Both women looked at him gasping. "Bell you're a cannibal?"
"Eh?" Slowly piecing together what they were implying. "Please don't tease me Alise!" He pouted.
Cute... Both women thought, but made sure not to voice.
"Alright i'll leave the two of you alone now." Closing the door behind her.
Alise sat down on the chair, watching Bell as he shakily tried to take a bite from the stew.
"Khh- I guess my arm is still weak huh?" Lightly laughing it off.
"*Sigh* It cant be helped."
"Alise?"
"Come on, give me the bowl! Otherwise i'll have to make this even more embarrassing for you! " Holding her hand out to him.
"Right..." Handing the bowl over to Alise.
She picked up the spoon, lightly blowing on it before holding it to his face. "Say 'Aaah'"
If he were in a farm, he would have been mistaken for a tomato for how red his face was. "A-alise! I can feed myself!"
"No! You, mister need to rest! Now be a good rabbit and say 'Aaah'."
"A-aahmMMF-" The spoon flew into his mouth faster than he could react.
"*Cough* It tastes amazing! *Cough*" Choking excitedly.
"Ehe, Of course its good! Lady Astraea is an amazing cook!" She nodded proudly. "Now there's more where that came from!" Sending another spoonful of carrots and potatoes flying into his mouth.
As embarrassed as he was, Bell couldn't deny that it was nice. It reminded him of his childhood growing up with Hestia. Alise continued to spoon-feed Bell, not noticing the far-eastern noble-woman with a smirk on her face.
"Oh my, I didn't know you were married captain. When was the wedding? *Grin*"
PFFFF* Somehow the soup disappeared into thin air...
"Jealous are you? I'm sure you'll find someone too Kaguya! No im sure of it! Isn't that right darling? "
PFFFFFF* "*Cough cough* Alise! *Choke*" Again... where is that soup disappearing to...
"Surely you jest. *Smile*"
Another voice joined the conversation. "Hey, your thoughts are leaking out you twisted princess."
The now identified Kaguya, had long silky black hair that matched perfectly with her violet purple eyes. Her outfit was rather simple, it being an elegant rose-red kimono? He was pretty sure its what the outfit was called at least, Bell wasn't too knowledgeable on far-eastern culture after all. The cynical pallum girl next to her was Lyra and her smug-bored expression.
"Ms Kaguya, Ms Lyra, i'm sorry for having to impose on your familia." Bowing his head.
"Pay it no mind, its not as if you're a stranger." Lyra nodding along with her.
Hearing the commotion, Astraea made her way to the group. "Welcome home, Kaguya, Lyra. Are the others still out?"
"Ah yeah. Ryuu went to get her weapons maintenanced, the others are out on patrol." The goddess nodding in understanding.
"I'm sorry that I have to spring this onto you so soon after you woke up but..." Looking at the boy with a downtrodden expression "We've been ordered to bring you to Ouranos, there is to be a trial for your crimes."
"I...I understand." Bell had long come to accept his fate that once his crusade was over, he would die in some alleyway, but maybe, just maybe, a part of him believed he would be able to start a new life.
"We will wait for you outside, once you get dressed we will escort you to Ouranos' chambers." Motioning for the girls to follow her.
"Do you need help, Bell?" He shook his head giving her a fake smile.
Glancing back towards him once more before closing the door behind her.
"...isn't fair!...shouldn't...!" The boy could hear the two women talking about something down the hall, not that he could make out what they were saying. Bell painfully got out of the bed and took out a spare set of clothing from his bag dressing himself in a slow motion, fastening Vesta to his hip. Exiting the room and walking down the hallway, he found Alise, Kaguya, Lyra, and Astraea having a serious conversation.
"Umm...should we get going?"
The goddess looked slightly startled. "Y-yes, let us get going." Looking at her captain. "If that is what you believe is right, then I will give you my blessings." The redhead looked at her goddess, brightly smiling. "Thank you Lady Astraea!"
"Normally you would have to be put in handcuffs, but since you no longer have a Falna, there's no need." Bell looked at Astraea and nodded.
Bell wondered what it was they were talking about but wasn't his business so he didn't think much of it. Stepping out into broad daylight, he looked up at the clear blue sky and bright sun shining down on the labyrinth city.
"Come on girls, Bell too." They began to walk towards the Pantheon, following behind the goddess of justice. Their group garnering the attention of many passers-by.
"Wow...the Astraea familia..."
"Lady Astraea!"
"I wish I could switch with that rabbit..."
"Hol up ain't that Cranel B?"
"That murderer..."
"Didn't he help get rid of Evilus?"
"But he's a level 5 adventurer on the loose. Who knows what he could do."
"Yeah, its good that we have the Astraea familia watching the streets."
As true what the crowds said, Bell still felt a tug of guilt knowing what he had done. Stop! you know this was going to happen when you decided to get revenge. The four women looked seemingly nervous about something so Bell decided to make small talk..unsuccessfully.
"Nice weather we're having today right?" Ah, he's done it. The most un-subtle way of breaking the ice.
"I guess its fine."
"It is acceptable."
"Umu! Another great day to show off my beauty!"
The three girls answered quickly while avoiding eye contact with the rabbit, not going unnoticed by their goddess. Astraea sighed.
.
It was a normal day at the guild; It was also the first day at work for Eina Tulle. Having graduated from Orario's Educational district, she decided to work at the guild since it paid well and she could also send money back to her family. Orario had been quite hectic as of late. The killings of Evilus members at the hands of a certain record-holder was on the minds of many people, Eina was among that group.
"Stop daydreaming Tulle." The half elf looked up at the red-haired werewolf. "Ah sorry Ms Rose, I'll get to work."
Rose sighed. "Ive told you before to just call me Rose, Eina."
"R-right, Rose." Watching as the werewolf walked off.
"Excuse me, could we get an audience with Ouranos? We've brought Bell Cranel." Eina turned to the voice, seeing the goddess of justice standing across the other side of the stand.
Eh?
"Miss?" Shaking her head she looked back at the goddess. "Ah I-I'm sorry, I dont have that authority. Could you wait for me to confirm with my superiors?"
"Yes that's fine. If you dont mind me asking, are you new here? I don't recall seeing you here before."
"Y-yes I started today. If you'll excuse me, i'll go fetch someone."
.
Was it alright to ask that of Lady Astraea?
"Is something wrong Alise?" Her thoughts were interrupted by the blonde elf standing to her right.
"Worried about me? It's nothing important, Lyra. "
"Well if you say so." There was an awkward silence looming over the group, none knowing if it was appropriate to start a conversation.
"Thank you for waiting Lady Astraea, I will escort you to Ouranos' chambers." The group followed the guild employee, going down a set of stairs and through a long tunnel.
They continued to walk through the dark tunnel, looking at the hieroglyphics and runes engraved into the walls. After a few minutes they came to a stop, a pair of stone doors in front of them.
"Please be respectful to Lord Ouranos and do NOT disobey him!" The guild employee bowed to the goddess and made her way back through the long tunnel.
"Enter." Astraea looked at Bell sympathetically before entering the dimly lit hall; the young women following behind.
.
The Chamber of Prayers. It was where the God of the Sky, Ouranos resided for the past 1000 years. He couldn't leave, having to send prayers to keep the dungeon from spawning hordes of monsters similarly to how it was prior to the 'Age of Gods'.
At the center of the room was a tall rectangular throne illuminated by four flaming goblets, a god sitting on the throne. Despite being the 'ruler' of Orario, he left governing to the guild rather than taking up that position himself. A black hooded cloak covering most of his face, save for his white hair, cerulean-blue eyes, a white robe and sandals.
"Thank you for coming, Astraea."
"Yes, though I wish it would have been under better circumstances." She looked towards the white haired boy.
"Indeed." His eyes falling onto the white haired adventurer. "I take it you are Bell Cranel?"
"Yes sir."
"Step forward."
Bell looked back at his friends, taking a deep breath and walking to the center of the hall, bowing down on his right knee beneath the god of the city. He had long since accepted his fate, leaving his life in the hands of the god above him. Having decided to throw away his dreams for revenge and now he would be punished for it.
"Firstly, I would like to thank you and your late familia for your service during the 'dark age', you have my condolences to Hestia and the rest of your Familia. It is truly a shame she had to go so soon after her familia was formed."
"Thank you."
"Now, do you pledge to answer truthfully?"
"Yes." Bell kept his head low, his eyes shut, at the mercy of the great god.
"Were you behind the killings of Evilus in the past month?"
"Yes, I know it is wrong to take the lives of others but I would do it again without a second thought for what they did to my family."
Ouranos' eyes narrowed. "I see...do you feel no guilt?"
"I do. But I don't believe my actions were wrong."
Ouranos closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. "Normally, you would be given the death penalty. But based on the circumstances, your punishment will be less severe."
"I will accept any punishment you see fitting, but I will never regret my actions."
In truth, Ouranos did not want to do this to the legacy of the Zeus and Hera familia, but he had no choice. "Bell Cranel, your bounty will be voided, but you are hereby banished from Orario." Bell gritted his teeth and looked up, what he saw was not the god, but his friend: Alise Lovell.
.
.
The goddess and three women stepped out of the guest room into the living room and waited for Bell to get dressed, the redhead looking to the goddess. "Lady Astraea."
"Yes Alise?" The three were slightly taken aback by her serious expression, despite having known her for many years, Alise was carefree and humorous.
"...Is Bell going to be given the death penalty?"
Astraea looked to her child. "Yes but-"
"I know that he killed all of those Evilus members but this isn't fair!" Her rant was stopped when the goddess put her index finger over her mouth.
"Alise, let me finish."
"Sorry..." Looking sheepishly at her god.
"It's alright, now normally he would be given the death penalty but given his contributions during the fight against Evilus, and the fact he defeated Alfia along with you girls, he would at best only be banished from Orario."
"So does that mean there's a chance he can be saved?" Her emerald-green eyes glimmering radiantly, fixated on those bearing a sea of stars.
"Yes. Ouranos may seem like a serious god, but he is a very accepting one too so I believe he will understand or at the very least hear you out."
"*Sigh* I cant believe this is how our captain is picking up her first man..." Kaguya shook her head disappointedly.
"You got that right." Lyra joining her.
Astraea looked on, lost in thought. Could it be that...Alise has feelings for him?
.
.
"Lord Ouranos, could I have him?"
Silence.
He raised an eyebrow at the bold claim, the word 'claim' potentially taken literally. "Pardon me, I believe I misheard-"
"Like I said, Lord Ouranos, could I have him?"
Everyone in the chamber was focused on the captain of the Astraea Familia, briefly turning to face the boy giving a thumbs up before continuing. "Leave it to me!"
Astraea giggled at the sight. "Think about your wording, Alise."
"Ah-" Realising her mistake- "What I meant to say is that it would be a waste to banish Bell."
"Elaborate." his attention was caught
She pretended to clear her throat and looked at the god above her. "As of now, Orario has not fully recovered from the great feud that took place 2 years ago and Evilus could still be lurking in the shadows. Orario has One level 7 adventurer, Six level 6 adventurers, and five level 5 adventurers excluding Bell. It would be a great waste if we were to let go of him now. Knowing his abnormal growth-rate, in a handful of years give or take, he could be strong enough to defeat even Ottar!"
"I understand your reasoning, but if he were to stay in Orario, the public will question the authority of the guild. And what of his bounty? I cannot just get rid of it without proper reasoning."
"*Smirk* Huhuhu! I'm glad you asked, for the I have a solution for that!"
"Go on."
"If I recall, you could get rid of bounties by paying that amount of money to the guild correct?" Ouranos nodded back. "Then: The Astraea familia will pay his bounty, and as compensation Bell will join the Astraea familia and pay back his debt to us by devoting his life to Justice! Truly, a brilliant plan made by none other than the pure and beautiful Alise Lovell!"
As relatively well-off the Justice familia was, 180,000,000 valis was no small number. Kaguya and Lyra smiled wryly, a cold sweat breaking out at the statement she made without prior consultation. What they didn't know was how accepting Ouranos was to the idea. No one in the history of the dungeon city had dared to oppose his words so he was quite surprised to say the least.
"What say you, Astraea? Will you accept the boy into your familia?" the god of the sky looked at the goddess of justice waiting for an answer.
"Yes, I do. But since Alise is the one who suggested this idea, I will leave the responsibility with her rather than our familia as a whole."
Stop.
Stop!
Their attention fell onto the white-haired boy.
"...I destroyed twenty-seven organisations. My actions led to four gods returning to Tenkai. My revenge threatened the peace so many died for, the peace they died for."
"I know." Alise stated.
"I...I let my family die! I did nothing but watch as that thing... killed them!"
He laid his heart bare. Trying to convince her that he wasn't worth it; that he shouldn't be given another chance.
"I'm a criminal...one soiled beyond belief..."
She simply listened to the boy.
"The murderer you're trying to help to isn't someone worth saving..."
This was the heart of Bell's anguish. If he were to close his eyes, he could see it as clear as day. His purposeless self. His family, maimed at the hands of sorrow. His mother joining the many above the clouds. The endless nightmare of his dreams eating away at him.
"I know."
"THEN WHY?" His tear-drenched eyes finally regarding her own.
"I wont act as if I know how you feel but,"
But,
"The Bell Cranel I know wouldn't give up! He's someone who picks himself up after every setback! You've saved so many!"
Alise crouched down, looking him in the eyes. "So-"
"You do have justice within you!"
"I-" Her smile pierced through his shell, filling it up with hope.
"Justice exists in you!"
"I...I..!"
"What I see in front of me is no murderer, no criminal. Who I see is a hero braver than all!" Holding right hand out to him.
"...Do...do I really deserve a second chance?"
Taking his hand, she pulled him up. "Of course!"
Astraea, and the two girls looked at Alise, smiling proudly at the girl they called captain.
The ever-stoic Ouranos couldn't help but give the boy a smile, satisfied with these developments. "Very well. Bell Cranel, your banishment will be pardoned. In its stead, you will join the Astraea familia and repay your debt to the Scarlet Harnel."
Bell wiped away his tears and looked determined into Ouranos's. Where his eyes were once a lifeless void, they now shone a brilliant red.
"Yes!"
.
Authors notes :
Holy, I didn't expect this chapter to be this long. The word count is sitting somewhere between 5k-6k so ill try to keep the word count consistent with future chapters. I'll also try spreading the word total out rather than compressing it. Another thing, in the canon timeline, Eina and Misha started working at the guild around the same time when the Astraea familia were massacred.