Bell POV
"100 valis says you can't hit that imp in the eye with an arrow," Welf said pointing to the imp on the roof.
"Lili make sure he pays up," I say as I pull my bowstring back. The mana arrow appeared out of thin air in an instant. I aimed at the imp and waited. I steadied my breathing feeling the world slow down around me. Then loosed the arrow hitting the imp right in the eye. The imp fell down to the floor right in front of us. I then quickly spun on my heel and shot another imp in the eye that was directly behind Lili about to kill her.
I then looked to Welf a smug smile on my face. "I expect 200 now" I joked as I made sure Lili was alright. "Show off" Welf grumbled. It was just the three of us and Regis today as Aisha, Lena, and Haruhime decided to stay back at the pharmacy to help run it as the expansions were done.
"Hey, you made the bet don't be pissed because you lost" I joked as Lili carved the magic stones out of the imps. "Should've known not to challenge the little rookie" Regis teased making fun of my alias.
"I hate that name so much" I groaned. Welf and Lili laughed before we decided to call it a day and started ascending to the 9th floor.
"I think we made a pretty good haul with just the three of us," Lili said feeling the weight of the pouch in her bag. "Probably we did kill a lot of monsters" Welf replied.
"So Lili how ya liking being in our party," Regis asked. "Lili likes being in this party even though the dungeon doesn't like to play nice with master Bell"
"Did I tell you two about the first time I came into the dungeon?" I said starting my story before hearing a sound that made my blood run cold.
Roarrrrr
Quickly turning around I pushed Welf out of the way of a sword that hit the ground right where he was standing. Had I not pushed him when I did Welf would've split in two.
Aisha POV
"Hmm looks like the Astraea familia is going on an expedition," Miach said as he saw the familia walk by our window in their dungeon gear. "Already wasn't their last one a few weeks ago?" Nazha asked.
"Could be one for training. We did it a bunch during our time in the Ishtar familia" I said stacking a shelf.
"Oh yeah, I never liked those. Always had to stay in the dungeon for long periods of time was so not fun" Lena said as she cleaned the counter.
"I hope everyone is alright down there" Haruhime added referring to Bell and the others.
"I'm sure they're fine. Bell knows how to take care of himself and he'd be damned if he let those two die. Besides Regis is with him" Miach said easing our worries.
"I swear trouble always seems to find those two" Nazha added flipping the closed sign to open.
Bell POV
I quickly unsheathed my knife and blocked the side slash of the red Minotaurs sword. The force was strong but I held.
"WELF GRAB LILI AND RUN REGIS MAKE SURE THEY GET OUT SAFE I'LL BE RIGHT BEHIND YOU" I shouted before kicking the Minotaur's knee. The blow caused it to buckle which gave me the leverage to push it back.
Welf didn't even question me. He grabbed Lili who had frozen in fear and started to run. But not before wishing me good luck and swearing to come back with help.
The Minotaur let out another roar as it regained its footing. I snapped my fingers sending a stream of fire and lighting directly into its face. The monster was stunned. Taking this opportunity I ran forward. The Minotaur predicted this and quickly swung his sword.
I brought up my gauntlet just in time to block the sword. I was sent flying to the wall and my back slammed into it. I heard a sicking crunch and saw my arm was broken and hanging limply at my side.
I heard another roar and saw the Minotaur charge at me horns bared. I quickly rolled out of the way just in time to avoid being skewered. Coating my body in lightning I increased my speed and charged again.
I was moving faster than the Minotaur could react and was leaving deep cuts all over its body. The Minotaur then stomped its foot on the ground creating a dust cloud. It limited my visibility and I lost sight of the Minotaur. Using wind magic I dispelled the magic just in time to get a horn into my other arm.
It broke my gauntlet and went right through the flesh and bone and came out the other side. It then bucked and threw me to the ground a few feet away. I heard my knife clatter in front of me as my other arm went limp.
"That ain't good," I thought trying to push myself up with no arms. The Minotaur seeing its chance to strike started to run at me again but stopped. It let out a howl of what sounded like fear and then a familiar redhead appeared.
"You always seem to run into trouble don't you Bell" Alise seriously said. I could tell she was still angry at me for what I did to the Soma captain but I didn't care.
"Here I am getting saved again and by her no less," I thought as I pushed myself up to my feet. I quickly looked behind me and saw Welf and Lili with the Astraea familia. Looks like Welf got help after all.
"Bell I recommend you don't move," Ryu said as she moved towards me. "Yeah let ms Alise handle it," Lefiya said. I scoffed. "I can still fight," I said moving past Alise. "Besides I owe this bastard for my arms," I said as my arms hung limply by my side.
"You're in no condition to fight," Alise said her serious facade breaking just a little. "Alise we barely know each other stop acting like I'm someone you care about," I said kicking my knife up and catching it with my mouth. I then used my lighting once again coating my body with it.
Alise POV
"Alise we barely know each other stop acting like I'm someone you care about," Bell said as he kicked his knife in the air and caught it with his mouth. I saw as he used lighting magic to coat his body adding to his already impressive speed. I reached out to try and grab his shoulder. But he took off before I could grab him. His speed was greater than I could've imagined.
He looked like a lightning bolt with the speed he was going. But I could still see him just fine thanks to my level 6 eyes. Since both his arms were broken he was using his feet and kicking the Minotaur where ever he could.
I then heard the pitter-patter of footsteps coming up next to me. I turned and looked down seeing Regis at my side.
"Yes, I know the kid's a dumbass you'll get used to him," Regis said seemingly unbothered that the person he was bonded to could die at any moment.
"Shouldn't you be helping him?" I asked starting to question their relationship. "When he needs me he'll ask. Can't hold his hand for everything" Regis replied still watching Bell fight.
Bell jumped over the Minotaur. He flipped mid-air and axe kicked the Minotaur in the head forcing him to the ground. Bell then dug his knife into the Minotaur's wrist and turned his head.
A crunch was heard as the Minotaur howled in pain. He threw a punch where Bell was but missed. Bell kicked up the sword the Minotaur was using and kicked it into its leg. The speed and force of the sword severed the leg cashing the Minotaur to fall.
Using its one leg it slowly started to back away. Bell kicked the ground under him and summoned a wall made of earth trapping the Minotaur. Bell then launched at it again. The Minotaur by sheer luck was able to bat Bell away sending him crashing into the wall.
Bell's knife dropped with a clatter on the ground. He slid down the wall coughing as he did so but remained standing.
"I'm getting sick of getting thrown into walls" he growled before slowly walking toward the Minotaur.
"Regis I need you," he said calling to the dog. Regis then took the form of a Will o wisp and went into Bell's body. Bell's right arm glowed purple and he stopped for a second.
"I'll only need one," Bell said before continuing forward once more. The Minotaur swung at the approaching Bell.
But to our surprise, Bell caught the Minotaur's fist and it shattered in his hand. Blood and bone spilled onto the floor while the Minotaur howled in pain. Bell then grabbed the Minotaur's head and crushed it killing the monster. It disappeared into black ash as Regis exited Bell's body. Bell started wobbling as soon as he did so.
He was about to fall down. His body was out of energy from the fight. He started falling forward before Welf caught him and brought him close.
Bell POV
I was tired. The fight had taken more than I thought. Add the power-up Regis gave me and my body was done. Since I was no longer fighting my indomitable spirit skill wasn't active and I started falling forward.
I then felt a strong arm wrap around me and I was pulled into their shoulder. "You always gotta one up yourself don't you buddy" Welf calmly said.
"I call dibs on the sword" I wheezed out. I heard Welf groan. "Oh come on it's not even much of a sword just a giant piece of iron on a stick" he spat.
"If I give it to you will you make me something better" I joked. I heard him laugh a little. "Yeah, I'll make you the best sword ever. As well as whatever the Minotaur horn can make" he promised.
"Oh nice I have new weapons on the way" I weakly said. Welf chuckled. "I bet you're tired aren't you" he joked. "I can't feel my arms and I can already hear Nazha yelling at me"
Welf then turned around and threw me over his back while Lili picked up the sword and the drop item. "Come on buddy let's get you home," Welf said as he began walking with Lili behind him.
"You two go on ahead I'll be there in a minute," Regis said. I wondered why he was staying back but was too tired to care. "Just keep your paws to yourself dog" I joked.
"Hey I believe I'm consent asshole" I heard Regis joke back. I lightly chuckled at that before we were out of earshot.
Alise POV
Did Bell really like just do that? He beat an irregular Minotaur with no hands. "Did I see that right?" Kaguya asked.
"It looks like he beat that thing with just his legs," Laurier said.
"Man, that fight was fucking awesome," Lyra said ignoring the tone that was set in the room. "Alise what do you think," Ryu asked. "He brushed my help aside. It was like I was a bother to him" I quietly said.
"It's cause he's pissed at all of you," Regis said. We all turned to look at the talking dog. "And pray tell why is he pissed at us," Lefiya asked.
"Because when he brought the issue up with Lili you told him to wait" Regis replied. "Yeah we had to get a case together," I said.
"That's not how Bell saw it. He believed his familia was in danger and you simply brushed it aside like it didn't matter. So he didn't see any other option other than taking care of it himself" Regis stated.
We all started at the dog with the same realization plastered on all of our faces. Regis was right. We so easily waved away any of his concerns. Then he really didn't have any other choice. Hell, we didn't even ask him if his familia would like protection during the investigation.
"It seems you all see what you did wrong. Now you all have your own ideals of justice and protocols for what you need to do and Bell understands that. But you so easily waved off his fear of his familia getting hurt that he took matters into his own hands. Now Bell is not a dick. If you apologize he will forgive you since you realized what you did wrong" he said.
It felt like a curtain had been lifted and I felt like I understood Bell better than before. Remembering the look on his face of anger and regret at Soma's manor it made sense now. Bell doesn't like hurting people. Or he doesn't like being that brutal. Because of Bell's dream to be a hero, he's realized he will have to hurt people and does it in a way that doesn't kill them.
"It seems you understand Bell more Alise," Regis said cutting my train of thought. "Bell doesn't like hurting people does he," I asked. "Close he doesn't care for hurting people if he knows they're bad. However, he doesn't like needless brutality like he did a Somas. Sure Zanis deserved what happened to him but someone other than Bell could've done it" Regis explained.
"Thank you for explaining this to us. We'll make sure to apologize to him next time we see him" I said bowing along with the rest of my familia.
"It was no problem. Now I need to catch up with the greenhorns so I can watch Bell get yelled at by Nazha" Regis said as he ran away.
"Well that was insightful," Kaguya said.
"That it was" I clapped my hands together. "Now let's go we need to make it to the 18th floor before nighttime," I said turning and walking towards floor 10.
Bell POV
I could see us getting closer and closer to the Blue pharmacy. "You can feel your demise coming can't you Bell" Revis joked. He had caught up with us on the 8th floor and had not shut up about this.
"Hey maybe she's not there right now and you won't get chewed out," Welf said.
"Lili highly doubts that" Lili deadpanned. We didn't have to wait long for our answer before the door swung open and Nazha was standing there her arms crossed and foot tapping.
"Inside now" Nazha growled. Welf did what she asked and went inside putting me down on a chair before snickering. "Looks like mama bear is rearing her head" Welf joked.
"Honestly Bell I think we shouldn't let you leave the house anymore if you keep getting into trouble," Nazha said as she grabbed potions.
"Now Nazha we're not gonna ground him from doing what he loves. Sure he may be reckless but as long as he's alive it's fine" Miach calmly said.
"Miach there is a hole through his entire arm," Nazha said pointing out my arm. I could see Miach through the hole in it.
"Oh wow that's pretty nasty," I said sticking my finger through the hole. "Bell don't do that" Nazha chided. She then took my finger out of the hole and splashed a potion on it. She then grabbed my other arm and set it back in place before splashing a potion on that arm too.
"Honestly Bell I think you just like getting into trouble," Nazha said as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"No trouble just likes finding me" I replied. "Well anyway Bell I'm glad you're alive" Miach gently said taking Nazha into his arms. "So care to explain what happened," Nazha said as she melted into Miachs embrace.
"I fought an irregular Minotaur on the 9th floor," I said sitting up straighter now that I wasn't in a lot of pain anymore. "Another Minotaur. Jeez, Bell I'm starting to think the dungeon must really hate you" Miach said.
"Yeah but I don't think this one was the dungeon" I could see the confused looks on all their faces. Except for Welf and Lili. "How so," Nazha asked.
"It had a weapon that wasn't landform and it fought like someone trained it" I replied. "Who would train a Minotaur?" Aisha asked moving closer to me.
"Beats me but I took its sword and Welf's gonna make something out of it. Oh and I also got the horn too" I said as Lili showed the items.
"Well I'm gonna head home and get to work are we meeting tomorrow," Welf asked. Before I could answer the door flung open and the girl who told me where to find armor was standing in it. She looked around the room looking at all of us before he eyes landed on Haruhime.
Haruhime's eyes widened in recognition before they ran at each other and hugged. "I'm so glad you're on lady Haruhime" the far eastern woman cried out. Haruhime said nothing but sobbed into her shoulder. Then another much shorter woman shared in the hug as well appearing out of nowhere. Then a man standing about 6 feet tall stood next to the doorway allowing his god to enter.
"Sorry about that Miach I couldn't control them," the god said. "It's alright Take they haven't seen each other in a while" Miach responded gently.
Welf then leaned down and whispered in my ear. "Looks like that's a no," he asked. I shook my head and he patted my shoulder. Then that just gives me more time to make your new weapons" he said before turning around and leaving.
We all sat there and let the girls enjoy their reunion. I watched as they were all on the floor all tangled up. Yet they didn't seem to mind as they cried tears of joy and just enjoyed each other's presence.
My mind then flashed to Anya and Allen. I quickly shook the image out of my head. This was a reunion for Haruhime no need to sully it on a longing I may never get. When they all untangled everyone who was standing sat down and began to introduce each other.
"Everyone this is my friend Takemikzuchi and his familia," Miach said introducing the god. The god stood up as well as his famila and bowed before me.
"Bell on behalf of myself and my familia thank you from the bottom of our hearts for saving Haruhime. On our honor should you ever need help we'll answer the call" Takemikzuchi said.
"Please raise your heads you don't need to bow" I nervously sputtered out. "I only helped because it was the right thing to do not for a reward"
They all raised their heads and I could see their god smiling at me. "Then you are a good man Bell. However our honor demands we repay you in any way possible. So if you're ever in need of help don't hesitate to ask"
Seeing as how I wasn't going to be able to get rid of this reward I accepted it. "Very well should I ever need your help I will not hesitate to ask" I firmly said. The god smiled at my resolute answer before he and his familia sat back down.
"See Nazha Bell can do a lot of good," Miach said pulling the girl on his lap closer to him. "I never said he couldn't I just said he was reckless" she muttered accepting the warmth Miach offered.
"Hear that Prince Charming a god owes you a favor" Regis joked. He was sitting on my right with Aisha on my left. Her hand had intertwined with mine earlier without me realizing. Yet I didn't shy away as I didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Shut up dog," I said to Regis yet I was smiling. I was happy for Haruhime to meet her childhood friends after so long. "Did that dog just talk?" The big man whose name was Ouka asked.
"Yes, he did. He's my bond and a special one at that" I answered. "Hmm, interesting I haven't heard of talking animals before," Takemikzuchi said his hand on his chin.
"We live in a world with magic, gods, and monsters there's bound to be talking animals somewhere," Miach said covering for me.
"I suppose you're right old friend. The mortal world is vast and full of wonders" Takemikzuchi replied. "For your information, I'm a wolf, not a dog," Regis said finally able to get a word in. "Still a dog you mutt" I replied.
"Do they normally act like this?" The woman who helped me find my armor. Whose name I now knew was Mikoto asked.
"Don't worry about that. It's their way of showing care for one another" Miach answered. "Lili thinks it an odd way to show affection" Lili deadpanned. "I guess everyone has a different way to show affection" Miach replied.
"Master Bell" I heard Haruhime's voice call out to me. "Yes, Haruhime" I replied. "Would I be alright if I spent a few days at the Takemikzuchi estate?" she asked. Her ears were pressed onto her head and she had trouble looking me in the eyes. I chuckled at her cute behavior before I answered. "It's fine with me and you don't have to ask. As long as Miach's ok with it so am I" I gently responded. I saw her eyes light up and her tail started wagging. Gone was her shyness and timidness and in its place was excitement. "Thank master Bell, and thank you lord Miach," she said. Even though Miach hasn't said yes we all knew he was gonna agree anyway.
"Just have fun with your childhood friends Haruhime. We'll take a few days off the dungeon so Bell won't get his ass kicked every time he steps out of the house" Miach joked.
"Hey In case you forgot I've won three out of the four major fights I've won" I replied cashing everyone to laugh. "Judging by the state you're In every time it doesn't look like it" Regis replied. Everyone laughed again. We hung out for a little while longer before Haruhime left with the Takemikzuchi familia. We then ate dinner before we all bid each other good night. I shut the door to my room and put my bow against the wall and my knife on the table. I kicked off my boots and laid down on my bed while Regis climbed into his doggie bed.
"So you wanna talk about it," Regis asked. "Talk about what" I replied. "Talk about how you wished that reunion was you, Anya, and Allen"
"While I wish it was I'm not gonna get all depressed just because Haruhime was able to reunite with her childhood friends. That would be unfair to her who doesn't have any idea of those two" I replied.
"Bell we will find them that I promise you. We're in the center of the world now which means we're one step closer to finding them"
"I know. I'm gonna go to sleep now I've had a long day" I said turning on my side and shutting my eyes. "Alright, good night Bell I'll see you in the morning," Regis said before he fell asleep. I felt my body get lighter and lighter before I went into the land of dreams.
I bet you thought this would be Bell and Anya reuniting but it wasn't. Don't worry they see each other soon. Sooner than you may think. So this originally was supposed to be two chapters with the Minotaur fight in one and the reunion in the other but I decided to add them together while I was typing this so a bigger chapter for you hooray.
Now if the romance part seems a little weird or rushed I apologize because love ain't really my strong suit so it may seem a little weird or rushed. But I also don't want the characters dancing around each other for a bunch of chapters.
Anyway, this one was a little bit of a happier chapter than the past two. Sure there still is animosity between Bell and the Astraea familia but it looks like it is on its way to being repaired.
Well, that's all folks I hoped you enjoyed and I'll see you next time.