Disclaimer: DanMachi and its original characters are created and owned by Fujino Omori.
Chapter 9: Burning Heart
There was a dreadful silence. Bell could feel it; like he was alone, in some far-away place. It threatened to swallow him whole.
But the monster's snarl brought him back to reality; the Bloodsaurus snapped its jaws as it paced around. Its sapphire, slitted gaze bore into him.
Then, it spoke again: "You've already confined us to this prison and yet you continue to poke your hands inside. You've already condemned us to this hell but you keep coming here— as if to add fuel to that fire— to kick us down where we're already so low."
Its talons scraped against the floor, making an awful screech. Bell's eyes twitched and he flinched at the sound. However, his arms remained steady, and he never lowered his guard.
"Why? Because you're bored? Because you have nothing better to do? Is that it?"
Even still, the boy did not speak.
"You humans liken my brethren to brutal savages— and yet you humans are no different— no better. Merely conniving and wretched worms hell-bent on justifying your war with nothing but lies and deceit."
Extending its sharp claw outwards, it brandished its wicked point at Bell.
"You blame us for the death and the pain and the destruction and yet you choose to keep coming back as if that was what you truly wanted. You curse us for protecting our home as if we could not even have that liberty as living beings. When we defend ourselves and fight back, it's contemptible; but when you do it, it's honourable and heroic. When we tell you to back off, you keep coming back, as if you couldn't possibly fathom how it'll end… but you do; you do, and you don't care. You'll simply use that as yet another reason to spill blood."
The monster and the boy encircled one another, their muscles tense and their gaze piercing one another. Even as sand, gravel, and dust fell from the ceiling above, collecting around them, they never broke their concentration, always with their weapons out and ready, as if any could explode at any moment.
"You humans can pretend to baselessly follow your morals and your justice however you please, but that is not the truth. And you will never uncover the truth until you confront that monster— that monster that you cannot possibly control or truly make disappear; merely repress and ignore and hope will never awaken and wreak havoc."
His chest coming up and down, Bell gazed forward, his red eyes piercing into the darkness of the cavern.
"It's easy to believe yourself to be good when you cannot possibly fathom how evil and disgusting you can be. It's easy to believe yourself to be harmless when you cannot even recognize and acknowledge your appetite for mayhem and destruction. It's easy to hide and suppress those thoughts— to avoid thinking about such things when no one will be willing to call you out on it. It's easy to lie to yourself… but truth… truth can only be found in filth— in that place where you hope never to have to look—!"
It lunged forward with a powerful kick, bringing its heel down like a guillotine to cleave the boy into two. The ground beneath them broke open, and, sidestepping, Bell deflected and avoided the attack before striking with a counter blow, bringing the Hestia Knife around, carving cleanly into the side of the monster's torso. The Bloodsaurus reeled back from the pain, snarling and bringing its claws around in a horizontal strike.
Bell blocked the blow with the Hakugen but was caught by the monster's bind. Not able to retreat fast enough, the Bloodsaurus drove its heel into the boy's forearm. Both sides traded two more blows as they staggered back and retreated and tended to their wounds. They both collapsed to their knees, grasping and cradling the gashes and trying to stop the blood flow.
"That perception… those lies you tell yourself and the way you believe yourself to be harmless… or, at the very least, harmless compared to the beasts that live below your feet… it makes you more dangerous than you can imagine. If you cannot fathom yourself being a monster, you cannot recognize yourself as one when you are one."
This time, Bell finally responded.
"And can you?— can you do the same?" His grip tightened around the Hakugen and the Hestia Knife. "I cannot pretend to know the reason why you hate me, nor can I judge the life you've lived and the hardships you've faced just as you can't mine. Not yours, but others… not all people are good just as not all monsters are bad. There are people I've met who were evil— they may do it for some purpose they deem to be noble or perhaps simply for the sake of."
As a pained, forced smile came to his face, the monster snarled at his words but did not interrupt, this time, being the one to listen.
"There are also good monsters— the Xenos, the monsters I met— people born from the ground who were deemed to be ugly and evil and worthy of contempt… but I've also seen their ability to be human— to be a part of my family. They have dreams and friends and can show compassion; they care about one another as much as they care about me and my friends. They desire to live on the surface— to be able to bask in the sun, the stars, and the moon— to peacefully coexist—"
"And they will fail in their endeavour… because the humans are not prepared for them— will never be ready for them. As long as we remain contemptible to them, there will always be those who'll try to kill us or deceive us. We'll fall right back down, locked up and killed, just like we have for a millennium."
Bell gritted his teeth. "I don't believe that; I know that with enough time, things will change— I know we are capable of doing that. Fels, Lord Ouranos, and Lord Ganesha, who've worked tirelessly to change that image— to change our perception of monsters—"
"Which will all be in vain—"
"—even more recently… Loki familia and the Xenos, working on the same side to defeat Evilus—"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend; if only the world could always be as simple as that—"
"—and my familia and my Goddess, who've risked their livelihoods to save the monsters from the others who were hunting them down—"
"Liar—!"
Bell raised his knives as the Bloodsaurus pounced and brought down its heel. Sparks flew and a loud ring reverberated throughout the cavern. Pivoting, Bell threw the monster to the side, and the reptile tumbled against the ground before coming to its feet, grinding to a halt against the sandstone tiles.
"It was the gods who betrayed us all those centuries ago—!" A cold fury etched itself onto the Bloodsaurus' maw. "And only now they feel remorse for their actions— only when these Xenos appear do they regret and feel guilt—!? They have no right; they tricked us and trapped us in the Dungeon, and they chose the humans as their champions; they blessed them and gave them the power to hunt us down and destroy us—! Where was that friendship then—!? That compassion and that comradery—!? Are you saying my brethren have suffered for a millennium for nothing—!?"
Spittle flew from the monster's maw as it bared its fangs. Bell watched those slitted eyes narrow, becoming live thin blades.
"And you…" it growled, "you and your ancestors blindly follow: you use those undeserved gifts given by those two-faced schemers and hunt us down and tear us apart and take and take and take and take—! You denounce our savagery and inhumanity and yet you plunder and pillage our homes and encroach on our territory and desecrate the remains of those you kill for your own gain—! What would your world be now if it weren't for what you've taken from us!? What would the surface be like if it were for the things you've stolen from us—!? Can you still call those Fools you admire Heroes—!? Or Villains that'll compromise the lies and hypocrisy they preach when the opportunity arises—!?" A mighty roar came from the monster as if challenging the boy, shaking the cavern, causing the loose rocks from above to tumble down, settling around them.
Snarling as it regained its breath, it slumped forward, seemingly having vented out all of its energy through that bellow. Bell gulped, shuffling backwards slightly, still with his knives raised.
There was an anxious pause as the monster regained its breath, its claws draggings across the floor. Bell tensed us, expecting the monster to approach, but—
"Tell me, human…"
Watching with his ruby red eyes, Bell tilted his eyes up towards the monster, meeting its sapphire blue gaze— a sad blue— one with so much resentment.
"You, who claim to be saving my brethren… tell me… what lengths will you go to achieve that dream?"
"I…" Bell faltered and sucked in a deep breath. Releasing it, his gaze fell to the ground. "I… the Xenos have put their trust in me. When we said our goodbyes, we promised each other we will all do whatever we need to do to make their dream a reality. It might take some time, but things are already looking up. During the battle in Knossos, the Xenos came to help. Yes… it'll take time, but I know it'll happen—"
"And, pray tell, how long must we— they— wait? How much longer will we be hunted down while we hope for something to change?— for you to change?— for humanity to change? Or would you rather say that it is us who have to change? And tell me, human, another thing: do you do this because you feel indebted to them or because of the goodness of your heart? Or some other obligation altogether?"
Bell took a step back, his arms falling with him. His lips parted, and he barely got out a whisper:
"Because I couldn't bear to see them like that."
There was that dreadful silence again, and he felt so small. He took yet another step back, but his eyes came up as the monster spoke again.
"That you have taken the time to speak to me is proof enough that you have at least a good heart. But just as one good monster is not enough for humans to deem every monster as good, one good human is not enough to dispel me of my hatred and resentment— not enough to make up for the millennium my species suffered confined to this hell and condemned even more by the so-called noble adventurers and Heroes. Those fake Heroes who cut and kill with their weapons so they can take even more and deprive us of the little we already have."
His gaze came up just as he saw the monster crouch low, readying its powerful legs. Extending out its arm, it pointed its sharp claw at the boy.
"Raise your blade, adventurer."
A fiery passion burned in Bell's eyes, and his grip tightened on the hilt of his knives. Red and blue clashed, sending showers of sparks flying. The air pricked into his skin and his breathing grew shallow. His lips cracked and sweat rolled down his cheek, but he never averted his eyes.
"On my journey, I do not need pity, rather, only to preach what I believe to be the truth— my truth; mayhaps not yours, but mine, at the very least."
Raising his blades, Bell brandished their edge, unwilling to back down, but listening to what would likely be the final words they share.
"The Xenos… they who are your family and your friends… and mayhaps people that I could have also befriended and considered my own family… they will need you just as much as you will need them."
There was a small pause, and Bell clung to the monster's words, syllable-by-syllable.
"But I don't."
Reaching its arm back, it brought both around defensively, tensing its muscles.
"I don't need a Saviour…"
There was a brief pause and Bell's heart nearly skipped a beat. His knuckles turned white on the hilt of the Hestia Knife and Hakugen.
"All that I need is myself and my Dream. I will dictate my own life and continue forward on my own path. As long as I don't forget that, then nothing else matters—"
Bell lunged forward, bringing the Hestia Knife and Hakugen around in a downwards strike. Both descended, leaving a trail of black and white in their wake as it clashed against the Bloodsaurus' claws, sending a shower of sparks flying.
However, not backing down, the monster met the boy's advance and pressed forward, using its superior strength to push the boy forward, throwing him backwards and sending him tumbling against the floor. It quickly took its advantage and approached, crossing the distance in a blink of an eye.
Nonetheless, Rabbit Foot simply leapt up to meet the attack, swinging both blades sideways to deflect the blow and using the momentum to dive to the other side, getting himself out of danger and resetting their advantage, giving himself a moment to breathe.
That moment was brief, but to the boy and the monster, they were painstakingly long. Both fighters charged once more, their weapons meeting and sending a cacophony of clashing metal reverberating throughout the cavern.
The boy's superior agility won him an early advantage as his blades danced around him in alternating flashes of black and white. The Bloodsaurus, in turn, tried to match the boy's speed, and its body turned into a blur of crimson, silver crescents fluttering through the air, meeting each of the strikes head-on but steadily losing ground with each clash.
It leapt backwards as three thrusts came. The first tore into its right shoulder; the second was deflected, sent away in a brilliant shower of sparks; the third was sidestepped, as the monster stepped back, out of range of its opponent.
However, not allowing it to retreat, Bell chased immediately, lunging forward and continuing his frenzy: a diagonally downwards strike from the Hakugen was followed by a thrust from the Hestia Knife. The monster met both of his attacks despite retreating, though, leaping up and using its talon to deflect the slash and sidestepping the thrust.
Bell pushed forward, leaping after the monster. This time, a black horizontal crescent was followed by a white flash.
Both attacks struck true, too fast for the monster to feasibly avoid. The stygian edge of the Hestia Knife bit into the torso of the Bloodsaurus; the wicked point of the Hakugen tore into the pectoral muscles on the same side.
However, the monster was waiting for this, and its arm coiled around the guard of the Hestia Knife as it brought its right leg up and then down, the heel talon piercing through Bell's calf and the foot itself crushing the knee joint.
Barely holding himself up, Bell gritted his teeth, the muscles of his right leg tightening as it worked to hold up his entire weight. As he pushed forward, he wrenched the Hakugen free from the monster, bringing it back and the around again in a pulverizing swing— but the monster caught the blow, allowing the blade to instead sink into the palm of its hand as it gripped the boy's wrist, squeezing until the boy was forced to loosen his grip, dropping the blade.
Yet, Bell had no plan to lose his advantage, and poured his Mind into the left fist, watching the scarlet spark spring forth—
"Firebolt!"
The Bloodsaurus reeled back in shock, staggering as its entire left side felt the full force of the fire element magic. It held its right side, a chunk of flesh missing and blood seeping out unimpeded, staining the sandstone tiles crimson red.
Bell, on the other hand, wasn't doing much better either as he nearly fell back onto his back, barely managing to keep himself upright on his hands and knees. Blood drained from the large gash on his calf, as well as the many other wounds he had all over, pooling up around him as well.
The monster's bloodshot eyes narrowed into a thin line, its sapphire gaze fixated on the boy.
Likewise, the boy's blood-red eyes stared back with equal intensity.
A snarl escaped from the Bloodsaurus' jaw, followed by a hoarse roar, charging forward towards the immobilized boy.
Bell matched the roar, a bellow arising from deep within his lungs as he thrust the Hestia Knife forward.
The monster swung itself around, its body buzzing as it spun into a powerful kick— the right heel talon whispered as it carved through the air, a pristine crescent that tore through the space between them.
The boy threw his left arm back, chanting his magic once more— "Firebolt!"— and he was propelled forward from the force of the flames, ripping through the air like an arrow— the black blade shrouded in white light went forth, pressing the air around them into an almost suffocating weight.
There was a sudden impact and a shower of sparks as he and his blade broke through. The kick hammered him squarely on the left of his ribcage, but the Hestia Knife sunk deep into the monster's chest, and the both of them tumbled forward.
Flailing against the ground, the Bloodsaurus' claws carved into Bell's shoulders, and even though his jaws locked from the pain, he never let go of his blade. He grabbed hold with both hands, working it deeper and twisting it in, rupturing the muscles in the chest. The monster thrashed around from under him, kicking, driving its heel into his thigh, but Bell held on.
His eyes met the Bloodsaurus', and their gazes clashed for the final time— their last struggle—
Dragging the Hestia Knife across, he leaned forward with his shoulders over the monster and pushed off of the ground, trying to leverage as much strength as possible, and—
Allowing one final guttural scream to be torn from his lips, the boy threw all of the energy to the side, wrenching his blade free, carving out the magic stone.
As he fell to his side, he heard the resounding clink as the crystal fell to the floor, bouncing slightly before settling down on the sandstone tile.
The strength in his arms went out; they grew numb and he turned onto his back, resting with his teeth still rigidly shut and his eyes closed, he groaned as he felt his chest nearly explode. His heart thumped against his ribcage and he could feel something warm soak into his underclothes. Instinctively, he reached for it, but only felt the boiling pain.
He waited anxiously for his heart to calm down— at least a little— before he stirred once more. He slammed his left fist into the ground beside him and clawed his way up, turning onto his stomach.
"I have to get back to the others; some way… somehow…! I… I—!"
Reaching out and digging his hands into the sand and rubble, he grabbed a handful and dragged himself forward before the strength in his arms was washed away once more.
Did he perhaps exert himself because he felt his party needed him? It can be argued for, but is, in ways, also unlikely. He knows the strength of his companions and knows that they would not go down without a fight. He knows that whatever happens, Lyu and Aisha will be there; and so will Mikoto, Ouka, and Chigusa; as well as Daphne and Cassandra; also Welf and Haruhime. They will have each other's backs and will be prepared to do anything to keep themselves and their friends safe. Not only that, but they also have the strength and blessing from their Goddess and the support of all of those deities who've placed their trust in them.
The boy did not exert himself because his party needed him, for it was he who needed them. He wanted to scream, but the voice would not come out of his lips; he wanted to cry, but the tears would not flow from his eyes. He wanted— needed— someone to be there for him.
The pain, but not just the numbing and throbbing pain in his legs, arms, and body, but that pain that seared his heart.
The boy, who was so young, and had experienced, fought, and endured so much in what hasn't even been a year.
And, at that moment, his silent, desperate plea was answered:
"Bell, here. Grab my hand; hold my hand."
He reached out to that voice, almost instinctively. He couldn't recognize exactly who it was. His ears rang, and even then, it echoed and reverberated in his ears.
"I've got you, Bell."
Wiggling his hand forward and summoning whatever strength he had left, he felt a tingling in his fingertips as he touched something smooth and cold, yet, also something warm— a familiar warmth, but one he didn't recognize—
He gasped and collapsed to the ground, finally, his lungs and heart giving out. There was a flash of light that played in his mind— a bright light that consumed all— and then sprung forth a fountain of flames.
The light of the inferno bathed every part of the catacombs in that blinding white tint rushing past everything and anything in its path as if it were water breaking through a dam, engulfing everything— drowning everything in its radiant glow.
xxx
On the other side of the wall, everyone stopped dead in their tracks as the flash of light came.
A split second later, the ground beneath them burst open and the Elf leapt out of the way, carrying the Pallum with her. The Smith chased after her, as did the two Far Easterners.
She led the group down a wide passageway as the world around them seemed to be bleached of colour. Blisters formed on their skin and the distant roar of thunder shook their eardrums. They turned around a corner, and then another, and then another before leaping down into the cavern below. Even still, the light caught up with them, as if following their every step.
The Amazon grabbed the Renart who was close by, tucking the girl under her arm and leapt away. The Samurai broke out into a sprint after them and the Duelist, who carried the Healer on her back, was on their heels.
The heat was upon them and the sweat that evaporated to the surface boiled off. Every pore of their skin stung like acid, and they ran, taking any turn and slope they could find— anywhere that was away from the heat. However, no matter where they went, the light found them, scorching their skin and surrounding them, not allowing them to escape.
Lugging the large metal shield behind him, the Far Easterner hoisted it up over his body. His senses were tingling— he knew: something was coming— and there would be no way to outrun it.
"Ouka!"
There was a distant shout from somewhere but the roar of the inferno drowned out all noise as it did with all light and dark. The hot air brushed past them and they could feel like flesh peeling from their bones. Their last form of protection was the Salamander Wool that they wrapped tightly against themselves, trying to avoid the boiling vapours searing their flesh.
The others weren't faring much better, either. The Amazon stood as upright as she could as she took the brunt of the flames. They kissed her skin and set it ablaze. Behind her, the Samurai had her Wool wrapped around the Renart and the Healer chanted even as her lips cracked and her mouth dried.
She tried, the lush green glow around her tried to fight against the tide of the crimson and white. She tried; tried and tried and tried and tried—
There was a flash of light.
The Elf ran forward, her wind buzzing around her, trying to shield the people behind her.
A moment ago, the Amazon had lost consciousness and the Healer's spell cast a circle around them, protecting them from the flames.
There was another flash of light.
The thunder grew louder in their ears— faster and more fervent like the beating of their hearts—
There was another flash of light—
A white that scorched their eyes and burned their skin. It surrounded them, eliminating the dark and defeating the shadows looming over them.
Almost… like an embrace…
But, just as quickly as it came, the white subsided.
And then…
…there was only black.
"Something smells…"
Was the first thought that entered his mind as he groaned, rolling onto his side, feeling a numbing pain pulsate throughout his body. He stretched his arms wide, planting them firmly against the cold sandstone tiles, trying to hoist himself up on his feet.
He struggled, the almost ticklish sensation of needles pricking into his arm drew bleats of laughter from his mouth.
As such, he settled to sit instead, falling on his back and alleviating the pressure from his knees. He sat there for a while, propped up by his arms, as he took in deep breaths, whisking away the butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
It was only when his ruby red eyes fluttered open a moment later did he get the answer to his musings.
In front of his eyes, reflected against the crimson of his irises was a pool of blood and soot— dust and ash that marked the remnants of something.
Then, as he looked down, he stared at his arms and hands and his exposed legs. Singed patches of skin, peeling off to reveal the raw flesh underneath. He could see the red underneath as his blood rushed past. The muscles of his arms rippled, regenerating at a slow but steady pace, boosted by the effects of his Falna.
Closing his eyes and averting his gaze, he leaned forward, bringing his hands to his face— his shoulders and arms quivering as he cupped them over his cheeks and brushed them through his hair— no longer that pristine white but instead blackened by ash and smoke.
He clawed at his face; his jaw locked tight, creaking as he ground his molars. A mixture of agonizing gasps, pitiful groans, and mumbled nonsense spilled from his lips. His shoulders shook and his legs quivered. That thought came back to him— even though he knew what it was, he couldn't help it—
"Something smells…"
His fingers dragged against his face, falling from his chin and then falling to the floor, limp by his side. Allowing his half-lidded eyes to roll up in his head, they met her golden irises. They stared back at him— those eyes, that void that stared back at him— silently but unendingly.
"It burns my nose; every time I breathe, it stings, like my lungs are filling with acid…"
An incoherent string of words came tumbling out of his mouth as she approached. Her fingers came around his face, wrapping around his cheeks and pulling him up.
"Get it away… get it away from me…"
Her blood red lips came closer… hovering just a millimetre away from his.
"That dirty thing… that dirt… that filth—"
The strong fragrance clung to her and it infiltrated his mind; he could taste the bittersweet aroma of her tongue and lips.
"—get away…"
He felt her pull away, the biting chill of her fingertips leaving him for a mere second before she wrapped her entire body around him, settling herself in his lap and hugging her legs around his waist.
Her cheeks came up to touch his and her breath tickled the lobe of his ear.
"We have to get away…"
Groaning as he shifted himself forward, he propped himself up with his hands and knees. His eyes scanned around, looking for his knives— his two most trusted weapons. However, he did not find them. Rather, his gaze fell upon a pale ivory rod. A peculiar thing that was unsullied by the blood and the ash and the dirt, lying pristinely in that pool of filth. It was gnarled and twisted and misshapen, like a tree branch.
Almost instinctively, he stretched his arms out and laid his hands on it, feeling his fingers wrap around the staff, his fingers fitting impeccably into the natural grooves of the handle. It felt cool to the touch, and it was almost soothing to him, but it also had a familiar weight to it, like he was holding the Hestia Knife.
Taking a moment to study it, his eyes scanned across the wide top: a little bit blackened and frayed; to the narrow, pointed bottom: a wicked spike.
"Away… away…"
He didn't know if that was his voice or if it was hers, but he began crawling forward at its insistence anyway— to nowhere in particular— merely to where his intuition told him. His palms scraped against the glass and sand, bleeding as he dug his fingers into the ground, giving himself the leverage he needed to move forward.
"Let's fly away… fly, fly away…"
And his intuition proved to be right as he collapsed to his knees, his red gaze falling to the sapphire blue gem before him. Still hugging his torso, the girl turned her head at an uncomfortable angle as she watched on, equally entranced by that blue glow.
"Like those beautiful birds…"
His left hand fell to the floor and his fingers came around, clawing at that stone— it glowed with such a pretty light that he was mesmerized, stunned by its beauty. He was bewitched by it, and he felt like he was someplace else; someplace else where he was alone and peaceful.
"...fly away, to the place where no one can find us; the place where everything is happy."
She lifted the cup to her lips, the fragrant aroma washing over her. She could feel the warmth of the tea and she pursed her lips, lifting her gaze to meet his.
"So you are aware as well." There was a brief pause. "It is quite concerning, but at the same time… perhaps, a little bit reassuring, as well."
As she listened, she took a sip from the cup.
"Since you do, I'd like to hear your thoughts. What do you think about it? It's a long and harsh road, perhaps, but I do not believe that will stop him." A smile came to his lips and he watched her carefully, awaiting her words.
"In my eyes, it's a foolish endeavour to worry about such things." She lowered the cup, setting it on the table. "If it happens, then it happens; if it doesn't, then it doesn't. As long as life and humanity proliferate— and it will— then the results are meaningless."
He sighed as he brought his hand to his chin, stroking it thoughtfully and mulling over her words. However—
"Don't mistake my sentiment. I do not believe he cannot achieve great things— he may certainly do exactly as you wish. But I don't care about such things. That long and harsh road— that journey is what I anticipate— to see that story unfold is more important to me than the happily-ever-after."
He leaned back in his seat, his hands falling to the table before him.
Sighing, there was a brief pause as he stared forward vacantly. His gaze bore into her, but it was a few moments later until he spoke again. "I want you to help me."
There was no response for a few moments. She blew the steam from her cup. "With what?"
"He will come to know soon— about his heritage. I wish for him to learn about it."
There was another pause, and her eyes narrowed on the rim of her cup. "Against— his— wishes?"
"It is his right to know. It's his family, after all."
A sigh. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want you to do it. There is more merit if you do it. Because I know you can understand what he feels— can empathize with him—"
"You are mistaken." Her eyes came up, gleaming like gemstones.
There was yet another pause. A dreadful silence as their gazes met.
"Besides, I have already taken an interest in someone else. I cannot help him in the way you want me to." She shifted her hands in her lap. "I have yet to meet him, but I already know that another's guidance is more suited for him. It will only be a matter of time before he finds what he needs. It will come to him sooner or later; there's no point in rushing things."
"But this will be important for him nonetheless. There's also the problem that my relationship with him is still less than ideal." He closed his eyes and averted his gaze. "I ask this of you." He bowed his head, as low as it would go. "Please."
She watched him with a careful eye. Sitting back in her seat, the dim candlelight played off her face, casting deep shadows against her frown. The teacup was set back into place, half-finished.
"I shall consider the offer."
And with that, she stood without another word. Her robes fluttered behind her as she made her way out, disappearing as if dissolving into thin air.
Alone in that room, he leaned his chin against his palm. His gaze fixed on the orange candlelight, he watched it flicker under his scrutiny. Until—
In a swirl of smoke, it was extinguished— the light snuffed from the room.
Trudging forward with their backs together, Aisha led the party through the drear tunnels, navigating through the winding passageways with nothing but her gut instinct.
In the middle of the party, Haruhime and Cassandra marked down their progress on a rudimentary map, tracking their passage through the labyrinthine Desert Ruins.
Mikoto stood behind them, tapping into her skill, keeping an external watch over their surroundings.
Bringing up the rear, Daphne had her sword unsheathed, ready for any burrowing ambush attacks.
"How is it, Eternal Shadow?" Aisha called out from the front, sparing a glance back at the samurai.
Mikoto momentarily broke her concentration on her Yatanokurogarasu, pulling her focus out of her mind. "Nothing; we're alright for now."
Hearing this, Antianeira simply nodded. "And the other one?"
This time, she focused her attention on her second skill, Yatanoshirogarasu. Her silent reply was enough for Aisha to get the message.
"Take a break for now. I'll tell you when I need you to search again."
The group continued in silence until they reached a fork in the path. They turned leftward, scaling a small rocky incline and continuing down the tunnel. As they forged through the narrow passageways and looming caverns, the group stayed on guard for any sudden ambushes.
Once they were far enough out, Aisha stopped the group, asking Mikoto to search with her skills once more. The first came back negative, which was a good sign; and the second did as well, though that wasn't too surprising. Even as a skill with a lot of potential, the search radius of Yatanoshirogarasu was simply not large enough for it to have a substantial effect. It was something worth a try, but certainly not something to completely rely on.
Nonetheless, the group simply carried on, trying to cover as much ground as possible in as little time as possible, hoping that they could find their scattered allies and regroup into a stronger party. It would improve their chances, especially because it would mean they could cover more ground faster to search for an exit and maybe also recover their things. There was a lot they left behind and it would be great if they could retrieve it, but that itself wasn't their priority.
Ascending a gravel dune and advancing, the passageway opened itself up to a larger-than-normal ravine. Aisha turned her eyes around the cavern, making a mental note of all of the tunnels sprouting outwards, she called back to the samurai.
"Eternal Shadow, anything new?"
There was no response back for a while, and Mikoto shifted her hands on her yari, fidgetting slightly.
"There are some monsters nearby. One group is getting closer to our location; the other seems to not have noticed us yet."
Aisha nodded. "Alright, then we have to keep moving; we should avoid fighting as much as possible since our resources are so limited."
However, before they could begin moving again, an irregular sound echoed around the cavern, coming from an adjacent tunnel. Aisha's head snapped back and her eyes narrowed. She recognized the sound; it was—
The snarl of a Sphinx.
"A Sphinx? Here?"
She looked to Mikoto, who activated her skill again.
"Yes, the monster is coming closer; there seems to only be one of them. The other monsters in that direction," she pointed with her polearm, "haven't moved. There's also no other monsters heading in our direction that I saw."
"So the monster here, it's acting alone?" Aisha turned her gaze back towards the darkness. She felt sweat come to her palms.
"Like the monsters from before? But no, it can't be; it's alone. No, the monsters from before, their attack was coordinated; it was smart… they were smart…"
Her heart thundered in her chest, and she watched with bated breath, staring pointedly into the darkness. The echoing of snarls and claws scraping against the ground rang in her ears. Her eyes narrowed, and finally—
"Was it trapped in here? But that makes no sense. Sphinxes wouldn't enter the Ruins unless something was forcing them to." Her hand tightened around the handle of her blade and she scowled, a grimace coming to her face. "Which means that—"
She dashed forward, bringing the blade crashing down, quickly taking off one of the Sphinx's legs. It collapsed to the floor as it snarled, throwing its entire weight forward with its hind legs in a counterattack.
However, Aisha simply spun on her heels as the blade came around in a wide arc, thoroughly crushing the feline's attempt. A large gash was cut through the monster's chest and it staggered backwards from the force of her blow, unable to stop the finishing strike—
Her podao descended, splitting its chest open, shattering the magic stone beneath and turning the Sphinx to dust, collecting in a loose pile by her feet, mixing with the sand and gravel.
Letting out a pent-up breath, Aisha lurched forward, leaning on her greatsword and looking back to Mikoto, getting a slight shake of the head back from Mikoto.
"So that's it, then." Her hands tightening around her greatsword, Aisha returned to the group, having the others gather as she gave out orders.
"Before the monsters decide to investigate, let's get moving. Same formation as before; follow after me."
Scaling the cliff leading up to the cavern, the party trudged down the gentle incline, advancing upwards, a subtle glow growing in the distance. Finally—
As her violet eyes came up towards the light, watching the glow of the crystals from the surface, which entered through a wide opening in the wall, Aisha's heart sank. Her shoulders came down and her chest swelled with dread. Her fingers dug into the palm of her hand and her knuckles turned white as she closed them tight, as if choking the handle of her podao.
"So it's like that… the only reason a Sphinx would be in the Ruin would be because it was close to an entrance."
While to most other adventurers, finally, after many hours and days within the Dungeon, finding the light— that gateway to the surface— would be a saving grace, to Aisha, it was anything but. It only filled her with agony— a woeful discovery.
Finding that light— that way out— now only meant one thing—
It meant that she would have to make a decision she hoped never to have to make.
She breathed out a pent-up breath, raising her voice to those behind her.
Cast into the flames.
"Everyone, let's take a rest here."
Her heart, consumed by those flames.
"Tomorrow will be a long day."
A choice; a crossroad. Down one path, she may be knowingly leading them to ruin. And down the other, she may save them, but receive only their scorn in return— not their gratitude.
Her heart, cast into those flames, shall either be burned and razed, or it shall endure— endure but at a cost unknown to her.
Hestia tapped her hands feverishly against the pages of the novella she held in her arms. Although her sapphire gaze ran through the printed Koine on the page, her mind drifted elsewhere, disengaged as she flipped through the story she had read many times already— much like almost every book in Hestia familia's personal library.
"No, no…" she cooed softly to herself. "It always happens, doesn't it? It always does."
She sat up in her bed, set the book over on her night stand and dragged her fingers through her hair.
"Yes, it always does. Whenever they go on an adventure, I'm always like this. I'm excited for them; I'm worried for them, but I know deep down that they're strong enough for whatever the Dungeon will throw at them as long as they're together."
She fell back against her mattress, her gaze tilting up to the ceiling of her room.
"They're strong. That's right; they've already proven that to me time and time again: against the Irregular Black Goliath; against Apollo; against Ishtar; and against Loki familia too when they were far from ever being able to reach even their feet. Then those stories they told me of the Moss Huge and the Amphisbaena, also Bell's journey through the Deep Floors… I know it for certain; I know it— not because of my intuition but because I trust them— through watching and looking after them."
The dim candlelight around her swam, flickering and casting its soft glow across her room.
"Lili will always have a plan— always many steps ahead, making sure the party is safe. However, she's always been a little bit lonely— as if she feels like she needs to do everything alone. She felt like she needed to do everything alone but she never had the power to do it alone; she looked so happy when she finally levelled up, but I think she knew that she didn't need it— she never needed to prove anything to anyone."
"Welf will always have their back— his weapons giving them the strength to fight and his armour giving them the confidence to keep moving forward. Even still, he's always been a lot like a lovable idiot. Sometimes, he's proud of his work but ends up making some silly mistake. Other times, he's too doubtful of his skills and believes himself to be unworthy. He's scared— I can feel it— that he'll let us down or make an irrevocable mistake, but I know that when push comes to shove, he'll deliver— he always has."
"Mikoto will always be there— a reliable foundation for the party: her resilience and skillset are unmatched. She works hard— so, very hard— and yet she always seems a bit sad, like she feels like she's stuck or like she can't become as strong as those she admires. Then, her skill… to know that she would be willing to go to such lengths; from the bottom of my heart, I was glad that she was part of my familia— proud, even— but it was also terrifying because I know just how much it would hurt the others. But, as long as she has something to fight for, she'll always be able to overcome."
"Haruhime will always smile— an irreplaceable backbone to lift their spirits even in the bleakest of times. Though, whenever I see that brilliant smile she shows the world, I've always wondered: is there anyone who will smile back? Always, always smiling, yet so painfully aware world around her. So much of it is hidden and stuffed away in favour of tending to others, that I worry there will come a day when she can no longer smile— or, even worse— only able to smile. However, I know that as long as everyone is there, together, such a day will never come."
She felt the room go back to normal, no longer a mess of shapes and colours threatening to make her hurl. A confident smile came to her face as if dispelling those thoughts that had invaded her— that had threatened to eat away at her.
"Not only that, but Take's kids are there too. They're strong and independent— just as he taught them to be— always up for any task and will never back down even when the odds are stacked against them. There're also Miach's kids as well: a strong fighter and a capable healer, both of whom are core members of the party. Also, the Amazon, Aisha; and the Elf, Lyu, too. Both of them are experienced, tried-and-true adventurers, able to share their expertise and guide and lead the party when things get rough."
Hestia turned onto her side, and she tucked her arms under her head.
"And, last but not least, Bell…"
The smile on her face simply grew wider as she reminisced about her first child.
"He's determined and it shows. He'd never back down from a fight and he'll always be there to protect his friends— his new family. Even if it means going against the world or even if it means putting himself in danger, he'll find a way forward— his way forward— and he'll tread down that path no matter what obstacles lie in his way— and he'll take us— all of us, unconditionally— there with him."
Her chest heaved up and down rhythmically.
"Argonaut is a testament to that— the courage he needs to forge down his own path no matter the adversity or hardship. It is the skill that allows him to turn the tide— to overcome— when things are bleak and dark, that white light and those bells are the signals of his rise— of when he will finally succeed even after failing. As is Liaris Freese— the true culmination of that drive, passion, and ambition…"
For the first time, the smile faltered.
"...was…"
She sat up from the mattress; what was once comfortable now felt like a bed of needles. She held her head in her hands.
"Is that what it is? But the skill doesn't define him; he's more than it— so much more! Watching him on his journey, I know it, I know it, I know it—"
She grimaced and shut her eyes.
"Was it wrong for me to let them go on the expedition after what had happened? Should I have said something? What if something was really wrong and I didn't say anything? It's my job to take care of them, isn't it!? I'm supposed to help them and reassure them, and I didn't even—"
Her hand came off and she hit herself on the head as if trying to drive those thoughts away.
"No, no, no! It's alright; I trust him. I will always trust him…"
Her sapphire eyes fluttered open, wide.
"Right…?"
She gritted her teeth as soon as that thought came and she groaned.
"What am I saying? I hate this. I hate this!"
Abruptly standing up from her bed, she stormed over to her wardrobe, wrapping herself in a jacket.
"This is absurd; I'm not thinking straight. I just need some fresh air to clear my mind— yes, that's it!"
In the dim light of the room, she dragged her soft fingers across the window pane, poking her piercing silver eyes out into the night skyline.
She shifted her gaze to the colours and shapes below, watching wistfully as they shifted and danced in the moonlight, morphing into those kaleidoscopic, mesmerizing patterns. She observed them quietly, watching their every movement: as they pulsed lightly and rhythmically, as they swirled around gracefully and uncontained like the ocean, and as they blended with the other colours and shapes around them, joining together in a delicate balance— a graceful waltz.
Sweeping her eyes across the city once more, to take in those colours, they were distracted by the girl pacing hurriedly through the streets. Following with her gaze, she watched as the girl shuffled down Southwest Main, stopping to catch her breath before turning onto Northwest Main.
For some odd reason, she was unable to look away, and so she merely observed. The girl's pigtails fluttered behind her as she walked, as did the jacket she wore to protect herself against the gentle breezes of the night. The moonlight illuminated her; her skin glowed and her sapphire eyes shone faintly with a soft radiance which was discernable even from high up.
The lady's silver eyes could not— would not— budge. There was an indescribable look in her irises, almost as if she had just noticed something peculiar. Even still, whatever she saw or whatever she thought, she kept them to herself, merely entertaining those ideas in her mind.
Finally, she blinked; her lashes trembled. And, with those same images she kept hidden, as well as those thoughts confined to her mind, she finally tore herself away from the window. She walked over to her bed and plopped down, sinking into the soft mattress. Taking a deep breath as she swept her hands over her face, she called out: "Ottar."
There was a response back almost immediately. "Yes, my Lady?"
She didn't respond and simply laid there, unmoving, for a few moments.
Finally: "take Hedin with you and head to the Great Desert— the 30th Floor— where my dearests are." Prying her hands away and letting them fall to her side, she turned her gaze back down to the window, peering into the darkness. "Please ensure Bell Cranel and Lyu Leon are safe."
He bowed his head. "It shall be done, my Lady."
Those lights danced and flickered, and she watched their performance.
She, the esteemed audience, had her eyes set on the empty stage— yet also the stage that flourished with such life and energy.
She, the esteemed audience, shall be entertained.
Sooner or later, it will come— the main show. She's sure of it and she'll be sure she'll have the front row seat.
Sitting around as a group, Aisha and the others sat atop a collection of rocks fashioned into stools. With her hands clasped over her chin, the Amazon pointed her violet gaze at the ground. Her shoulders came up and down rhythmically; her knuckles turned white as she strengthened her grip on the hilt of her greatsword.
She surveyed those that were with her. Off to the side, Mikoto and Haruhime sat together, resting; just a few paces away from them, Daphne and Cassandra did the same. Aisha watched them all wistfully before she tore her gaze away. Dragging her fingers across her face and sweeping them through her hair, she pushed up on her seat, hoisting herself and her weapon up.
"Everyone." Her call got everyone's attention and they stood up, gathering their meagre belongings and readying themselves for the journey ahead.
Her lips pressed into a thin line and she grimaced.
"So we can keep on going, I'll need your help."
She couldn't meet their eyes, so she pointed hers at the ground.
"The Floor is vast, and we also don't know where we are so if we move fast, we'll be able to get to the 29th within two days—"
"You can't be serious!" Mikoto nearly exploded from her seat and Aisha was forced to meet her gaze. Their violet irises met and clashed. "Sir Bell and Lady Lyu; Sir Welf and Lady Lili; Sir Ouka and Lady Chigusa, too. You can't be thinking of just leaving them here!"
She samurai's fist closed by her side and she stepped even closer to the Amazon. Mikoto swung her arms around to the darkness behind her. "We can't just abandon them; they need our help—!"
"And how do you suppose we'll help!?" Aisha stepped forward and fired back. "Almost a day now. Even with your skill, we haven't found a single trace of them. By pure chance, we didn't meet those monsters again; by pure chance, we found the exit. How am I supposed to know when our luck will run out!? This is the Dungeon, for Gods' sakes! We can't afford to be overthinking these types of things—!" Spittle flew from her mouth and she furrowed her brows.
"What does that mean for us!? Do we just leave and escape? To save ourselves!?"
A few paces away, Haruhime and Cassandra flinched. The former, with a grimace on her face, looked to the one she had come to call her big sister and also to her dear friend, one who she had known since childhood. The latter, looked to her own friend, watching as the burgundy haired adventurer's face contorted into a scowl. Neither did she like the show in front of her; she gripped the fabric of her pants as if she wanted to stand up to intervene, but she stayed put.
"Haruhime still has her magic; we can go through at least two more rotations of her magic before she can't continue. With the level up, I can surely find them with my skill! It will be strong enough, I know it!" Mikoto's hands curled into fists. "No, we have to find them. If we leave now, that'll only cause more problems for Lili and Bell! If we leave now, they'll keep on searching and keep on searching because they sure as hell won't abandon us and leave us behind—!"
"Yes, yes— we have to find them, but will we—!?" Aisha threw her arms wide, batting them across the air. "If we don't go back, we cause problems; if we do go back, we cause problems; either way, we cause problems, but which option will give us anything— at least something!? If we return to the surface— or even to Rivira, we could get help and prepare more resources and actually do something rather than—!"
Stepping forward, Mikoto's hands wrapped around the Amazon's cloak, yanking it down, hard, and struck their foreheads together. Aisha, in turn, grabbed the Far Easterner's wrist, gripping them tight.
"We're weak—" the samurai spat the words with such disdain in Aisha's face, and yet her voice shook all the same. "The rest of us will just slow you down and burden and cause extra problems for you and Bell and Lili and Lyu— is that it!? Just come out and say it already—!"
Gritting her teeth, Aisha sucked in a deep breath, her mouth opening—
"Absolutely not…"
—was what she wanted to say, and yet, no words came out. Her face lost all energy and she pried Mikoto off, stepping back. She breathed out her pent-up breath and sent her gaze to the ground, unable to meet those of her companions.
Her nails dug into her palms as she closed them into tight fists by her sides. Still with her eyes down: "it was what I signed up for when I decided to come along with you all on these expeditions. Even if you come to hate me… even if you no longer trust me… I will do anything to bring you to safety."
Staggering backwards, Mikoto's arms fell to her side and she averted her gaze.
Everyone held their breaths. Haruhime, Daphne, and Cassandra looked back and forth between the Eternal Shadow and Antianeira, watching as both women stood apart, unmoving.
Finally, it was Mikoto who stirred first, as her shoulders came down and her chest puffed out. Her boots scraped against the ground as she took a step forward— and then another and another. Brushing past Aisha, she stopped as she reached the mouth of the cave.
Tilted her purple gaze back, she spoke, her voice and words cutting like cold steel. "Well…?"
The cold steel ran counter to those scorching flames. The heart that once was consumed by fire was now being withered by ice. Her heart cried out: it screamed and screamed, pleading for a way out, yet there was none.
"Don't just stand there; what are we waiting for?"
This would be a brand she'd wear till the end of time— a mark of her guilt and shame.
Aisha turned, with her greatsword in hand, and a grimace on her face.
And yet, both she and her heart will endure. Because she must. If there is to be any redemption, then she must be able to bear it all and keep on moving forward. She can't regret. If she regrets, then it's all over.
All she can do is keep going. Slowly, slowly; don't stop, don't stop.
As long as you keep moving, then there will always be Hope. And even just the thought of it being there is enough for it to be worth a try.
Resting, the party continued with their preparations, having recovered part of their materials, the most important of which was a small left-over ration of foodstuff and the other was Welf's portable forge. They immediately got to work. Welf began repairing the weapons and armour while Ouka and Chigusa packed their things and scouted around the area. Lili and Lyu sat off to the side, drawing up their plan of action.
Once the weapons were repaired to a usable degree, they gathered together, in formation, and prepared to head off. They had more important priorities. They can fully repair what they need once they've reunited with everyone and made sure everyone was safe.
However, before Lyu could take lead the party forward, her ears twitched and she froze in place for a split second before springing to action, facing the darkness. Her hand flew to her weapon and she drew it, brandishing the longsword.
The others followed suit, coming up behind her and forming a defensive line.
The tension shared between them was unbearable. They heard footsteps echo out from the darkness of the cavern— something scraping across the floor.
As her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword, Lyu felt the magic swirl around her and she began chanting under her breathing, conjuring up her stardust.
The sounds began louder, echoing off the walls and reaching their ears. Even still, they didn't back away and stood their ground until—
The shadows of the cavern gave way to a figure, appearing from that darkness. A white cloak fluttered as they stepped forward. A gleaming polearm was held tightly in their hand, and they swept their coral red eyes, hidden behind a set of spectacles, across the cavern.
Lyu unleashed a pent-up breath, her shoulders relaxing for just a brief moment before they came up again.
Fixing the glasses that sat on his face, the blonde Elf moved forward as soon his gaze was upon her. When he spoke, his voice was icy cold, and it sent a wave of goosebumps up Lyu's arm.
"There was some accident that happened, according to the Guild. I've come to investigate. Do you know anything about it?" He was upon them in mere moments, and he stood before the Gale Wind, peering down from above.
She didn't speak, her mouth was screwed shut and her mind was going blank.
He raised an eyebrow. "Well? Do you have something to say?"
Lyu gulped and she took a step back away from the Elf, lowering her blade. She averted her sky blue eyes. "I think something might've happened, but I don't know exactly what it was. We were split up from the rest of the group because of it, though."
To be fair, she truly didn't know. Though, she could guess it had something to do with that white light.
He studied her for a moment. "I see." He paused. "Then, I will need to escort you out and gather as much information for our investigation."
Lyu's fists tightened, "yes, we will offer as much assistance as possible, however, we would like to stay to find the others who were separated from us."
"I wasn't trying to negotiate."
Finally, for the second time, their gazes met. Sky blue clashed with coral red.
Lyu's grip tightened around the hilt of her blade. She gritted her teeth. "But I am."
However, he never responded. And, turning his back to her, he gestured with his hand, motioning for them to follow. "If you'll kindly follow me."
There was a long silence as he paused at the mouth of the cavern, unmoving. Surely, he was waiting, expectantly, for them to do as they were told. But—
"I'm sorry; I can't."
Turning back, his coral red gaze bore into her as she lifted her sword.
"You have your job, and I have no wish to interfere. However, I have my own job to do, too. There are people that might need my help— someone who is alone and in need of someone to be there for them. If there's someone like that— out there, down there— then that's enough reason for me to at least try—"
Her sword came up instinctively, and she staggered backwards as lightning ripped through the air, slamming into her. Falling to one knee, she felt her legs and arm go numb. Gritting her teeth, she took a big breath into her lungs, beginning her chant.
"Bell and Aisha and the others— they're strong, I know that. They're strong, but not undefeatable— it is for that reason alone that someone needs to be there for them— just like when…"
Her knuckles turned white on the hilt of her blade. Even despite the electricity running through her limbs, she could feel her strength as she extended her blade.
"Just like when I needed someone when I was defeated… defeated… not by the Evilus, most of whom I tracked and hunted down, but defeated… by myself. The repulsion I felt of my own being and of what I've done… when I was defeated, someone was there…"
Her blue eyes burned, glowing like the sky illuminated by the sun's rays.
"Syr…"
The air around her seemed to buzz. The stardust wrapped around her, forming an impenetrable gale—
Yet the encroaching lightning did so, piercing through the barrier, tearing its thunderous path forward.
Her blade came up to meet the attack— the wind and stardust clashed with the thunder— the roaring howl of the gale, drowned out by the steady, galloping rumble of the storm.
Sparks flew and there was a flash of light. Both she and her arm were blown back.
Staggering, she pushed the heel of her boot into the floor, bringing the longsword around, closing her guard. The fading fragments of her stardust danced around her, gathering by her blade.
However, shrouded by that sudden burst of light, he approached, weaving through the fluttering petals of her magic—
Dragging her sword across, she deflected the first blow and took a step back, recovering her guard to deflect the other. Sparks flew and the next attack came, even faster than the last. She was forced to retreat again, her eyes barely keeping pace with the lightning-fast attacks that seemed to speed up in their tempo—
The next one came, and she barely dodged in time. The layer of stardust before her broke apart, only just slightly deflecting the thrust.
And then, the instant after that, that was a sharp shot to her gut, forcing the air from her lungs. Her arms and legs moved sluggishly, trying to break the impact of her fall. Toppling onto her side, the final few petals of her magic wilted away, disappearing into the air.
Gritting her teeth, she drove her fist into the rocks, pushing up from the ground, but found met resistance as his boot stomped down, immobilizing her blade.
As her face contorted into a scowl, her chest heaved up and down. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. She sucked in a shaky breath and tilted her eyes up, meeting his gaze.
"I don't care."
She took in another breath and the words spilled out.
"I don't care what happens…"
Gasping and exhaling, she felt her head drop against the floor. Her gaze waned for a moment, lolling up in her head.
"Whatever happens… I have to be there…"
Her arm and legs went limp, as did her whole body.
"...be there…"
And yet, her hand gripped tightly her blade, never letting it go as if her life depended on it.
Watching as she finally slumped over, he withdrew his blade and reached up, pushing his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose. Then, shifting his hand a little bit down, he pressed his thumb into his cheek, wiping away the drop of blood that trickled out from the thin cut.
Studying the crimson red for a moment, he turned his gaze over to the Elf by his feet before eventually breaking out of his trance. Brushing his hand against his cloak, he crouched down and lifted her, hoisting her over his shoulder.
Then, without another word, he turned, silent."
Lili, looking to the others, gulped before she followed, not wanting to be left behind. Even if she could not fully trust the Elf in front of her, she knew that their lives were in his hands. The others chased after her, shouldering their bags as they descended into the Ruin once more.
Despite his large frame, the big man barreled through the narrow corridors with surprising speed, turning into the twisting and winding passageways. Monsters steered clear of his way— out of sight— not wanting to be the one to meet the two blades strapped to his back.
What would have taken any regular adventurer a couple of days to navigate was done in just mere hours. His heightened senses, far beyond what was sufficient for this Floor, were easily able to pinpoint his target.
Turning around the bend and leaping down the ledge into the ravine below, he made his way forward, eventually coming upon the boy, watching as he stumbled around the cavern, leaning himself against the side of the tunnel, staggering and struggling to even walk forward.
Silently, he crept up to the boy, and once he was beside him, he spoke.
"Bell Cranel."
So a lot of things happened and I want to address some of them. It will be long so if you don't want to read on, then by all means. However, if you plan on leaving a review/feel like the chapter was off, I would ask that you read the note before commenting.
For the reviews on the previous chapter: in hindsight, I can see how I made Bell and co appear not as smart as they should be. However, there comes a point in many stories where an author comes up with an idea and becomes blind to little details that make the idea unfeasible. I knew I wanted to split up the group (to illustrate their dynamics) and also wanted to have that interaction between Bell and the monster without outside interference, and that those scenes could only be possible if the group was backed into a corner, so I had to force it, even if it was at the expense of the details.
For the first part of the chapter: I moved through that interaction at a quick pace, but I felt like it was enough to get my point across. There are two major components to it: one which will be for narrative purposes and the other for character development purposes. I hope both the physical and philosophical clash was interesting and similar ideas certainly will be revisited in near-future and far-future chapters.
For the last part of the chapter:
For Aisha, I think I liked the way it turned out but I can understand if it feels just as weird. It isn't at all consistent with what Hestia familia and co stand for, but I felt it was consistent with her character and the circumstance she was thrust into and she had to come up with a solution to a problem without a clear-cut answer. I tried my best to justify my decision through Aisha and Mikoto's clash. I hope this doesn't detract from her struggle and make her an unlikeable or uninteresting character.
As always, reviews are helpful.