And So, Bell Cranel Became a Hero
DISCLAIMER: Danmachi belongs to its respective owners. Everything that occurs in this story is of my own creation and the characters abide by the fictional laws in the setting
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Chapter 17: And So, The Curtain Closes. [Part 1/4]
Part 22
Legends, stories that transcend time and space, created from a once in a lifetime opportunity and taken advantage of by those Fate deems worthy. It is not something that is plotted, nor is it something that can be artificially manufactured.
Even with all their transcendental power, Gods can't create legends.
Legends belong to mankind.
And even when Gods leave their mark on the earth, their tale is but a myth that pales in comparison to legends.
For Man, born of dirt, molded from the dust of the stars, is the sole creator of their own legends.
And today, a new legend graces Earth.
Man, the vanguard of progress, defiler of mysteries, and desecrator of myths, has once more broken the limits imposed by those above him and reached for the untouchable stars, crossing through the unseen, holding the impossible in his hands and creating a miracle born out of his own free will.
Gods paved the road and closed the gates.
As they always do.
But man found a way.
As they always will.
The mortal world froze and only those watchers untouched by this reality could see the white-haired adventurer break the limits imposed on him.
The Coliseum, a giant amphitheater capable of hosting over fifty thousand mortal and immortal souls, with an arena made entirely of stone and covered with sand to give their warriors the authentic arid battle experience. Two diverse weapon racks at each cardinal and non-cardinal point, for a total of 16, contoured the edge between the arena walls and the spectator's seat.
A crystalized, unseen, magical barrier protects the mortal and immortal souls from the dangers which the valiant adventurers expose themselves for the entertainment of the crowd kept the two apart, a barrier powered by the magic stored inside the very same monster's cores the adventurers triumphed over day and night.
It was this one such magical barrier that kept the panicking and anxious adventurers of the Loki Familia from breaking the rules set by the God, Ganesha, and saving their kin whose head was seconds away from receiving the same treatment as the gaping wound on the side of her stomach.
Toys they were, but that did not mean gods did not have affection for them, as one short, red-haired goddess could attest to.
The feeling that welled up in the goddess petite chest with her sweet Child's inherent demise was something she felt many a times before, but it was never something she could get used to. So, even if it hurt her immortal heart, she would look and memorize the last few seconds her sweet Child had in this unforgiving world.
She knew the rest of her Children, as strong as they were, would never get to her in time. Not without a third party breaking the laws, breaking the barrier, and giving them a chance to act. Even as her current, most important, mature Child screamed, Loki knew, mortal life was unfair.
Perhaps, it was Loki's own fault for putting her in such a position of danger.
Luckily for her, and all her distressed Children, a Hero who had already started threading the path between what was real and the transitional would never let her find out if it was Loki's fault, or another machination of Fate's.
The White-Haired Hero threaded the path between the fictional world and the real world by running through the barrier as if it was never there with heavy steps leaving their mark on the Coliseum arena's. A single thought – no – A single desire, born from his selfishness, encompassed the White-Haired Hero's mind.
To save someone in their time of need.
His desire was selfish as it required someone to be in peril for him to fulfil it.
But was it wrong to have such a selfish desire?
Surely, there would come a time where such a selfish desire would bring nothing but misery to him, and those around him, but just this once.
Just this one time.
Such selfish desire was not wrong.
And this decision from the White-haired Hero was enough to make the three blessings imprinted on his back shine bright like the untouchable stars, fill his body with the determination to create what every man is capable of.
A legend of his own.
The White-haired Hero's steps were heavy but filled with purpose; the weapon forged by his trusted friend felt light in his hand and there was no doubt in his mind that it was up to his self-imposed task.
Bell knew he was too far away to reach the golden-haired elf in time to rescue her from receiving the final blow, but the same couldn't be said for the silver trident.
His left foot dug into the sand, ankle slowing his momentum the slightest bit, as he reared back his right arm all the while reversing the grip on the Silver Trident. His left arm twisted along with his torso, and then, with all the momentum gathered by his body coming to a standstill was taken advantage of and used along with the entirety of his strength to throw the Silver Trident in one powerful swing that made his entire right side of the body lunge forward.
But not fall, as his right boot hit the sand and he forced himself to continue his dash, unbalanced but with purpose.
Bell didn't need to see the Trident's path; he knew for certain it would hit.
All he could worry about as he passed by the frozen in time party members of the golden-haired elf was about reaching and saving her. He had seen her stomach get pierced, had seen the blood spill from the wound when her back hit the ground, and as his steps carried him forward his hands went into his sling bag, searching by feel the distinct shape of the strongest healing potion he owned.
A gift he had yet to return in kind, 'rotting' as the kind blue-haired god had called it, was the only thing Bell could pray to work with how bad her wound was.
The distance between them ceased, and Bell slid to a stop on his knees right beside the dying golden-haired elf. His back covered the sun from her face, and he kneeled further to raise her head from the coarse sand.
Her features, which he knew could be incredibly soft, were distant. Her mouth dribbled blood from both sides and her eyes were closing along with the dulling of the light in them.
He knew, in her state, she wouldn't drink the 'rotten' elixir on her own, and he couldn't waste it by pouring it on the wound because the effects of the attack were no longer just exterior, and the elixir in his hand wasn't potent enough to deal with that kind of punishment.
So, the boy corked open the bottle with his teeth and let the precious red liquid pool in his mouth and brought her head up just the slightest bit more so he could press her parted lips with his own soaked ones. The shock from the wound left her jaw slack and let him blow the liquid from his mouth straight down her throat.
WMWMWMWMWM
Bell felt the telltale sign of the unseen world he traversed about to return to its natural state, and after blowing air one last time down the blonde elf's throat, he withdrew from the life-saving kiss and clutched her head to his chest, moving her upper body so it leaned against him and once the world moved again, gravity and natural selection helped save her.
The sound, akin to an earthquake rumbling the ground, grew in loudness and Bell braced himself.
"ALIIIIICIIIIIAAAAAA"
The world started moving again, the multitude of sensations assaulted the White-haired Hero at once yet only one registered in his mind, and that was a voice he was all too familiar with, screaming the name of the elf in his hands.
He scanned the moving world, not surprised in the least when everyone in the stands, and arena, had stopped with his sudden entrance and rescue of the elf.
"Aghk," Alicia coughed in his arms, and Bell felt Insight supply him with the information about the elixir working overtime to mend the golden-haired elf's fatal wound.
It was working, and Bell thanked whatever deity blessed him for allowing his gamble to pay off.
Insight flared alive again as it registered movement from his back with the intent to kill him.
"Look out!"
Bell didn't hesitate to rub his right hand through Alicia's plump breasts, pushing them aside to reach for the sword resting on her hips and unsheathing it in one perpendicular swing that turned his entire body around.
The ornate sword cut through the green, arrow-tipped, vine that had been coming for him. The limb retracted as if it was in pain to its owner at the far end of the arena that was still working on getting the Trident that had stuck it to the arena wall out of its veiny body.
It didn't take long for it to rip the Trident from its body, nor did it take long for it to glow with the same darkness Bell saw minutes earlier and for what once was a Spartoi grow in size and height, bulking grotesquely with squirming vines and the pumpkin head to inflate and accommodate for its new bulk.
The crowd watched in bated silence as the new monster continued growing until it passed the ten-meter mark, standing far taller than the Arena walls and casting its grotesque shadow over the front row spectators. Green vines grew from its back and struck the magical barrier, a discontent growl echoing from somewhere beneath the dozen vines.
The pumpkin head swiveled, the eye cavities shining an unholy black as it set its sights on something that it could attack.
Bell knew the monster intent, felt Insight warn and confirm it.
"Stand behind me!" Bell roared to the still stunned party members of Alicia just as the monster started moving its arms way too fast, the adventurer jumped back to stand in front of three out of the four level 3 adventurers as numerous pointy vines grew from the monster hand and aimed at them.
Bell felt, more than saw, the last party member throw himself on his stomach to reach the spot behind the other three adventurers. Glad that they had listened, Bell prepared himself and the recovering elf in his hands for the consequences of his interference.
As more and more vines sailed towards them, Bell gripped Alicia's shoulder harder, keeping her upper body pressed as tight as he could with his left arm to himself while he faced the army of green, deathly, vines.
Had he paid more attention, he would've noticed the elf's sword glow in his hand.
The second the first vine entered Insight's range; Bell was already moving the sword to intercept it. Elbow tucked above his head, arm extended and wrist flicking up to cut through the very first vine which fell lifelessly to the sand. The second one came exactly above it, and he continued raising his arm to cut through it too.
The third came from his right side, shoulder and wrist already swiveling to cut it an outside swing, the fourth vine went for Alicia's back and Bell completed the circle with his previous swing to cut through the fourth vine with an inside swing. Fifth, sixth, seventh came from the left and received the same treatment.
Eight, ninth came from below, and Bell backed off slightly before he stabbed both to the ground, the sword pulverizing the feeble vines. The tenth went for his head, and he deflected it by hitting it with the pommel of the sword before cutting it with an upward swing that reversed to cut the next three vines.
The onslaught continued until he cut through the twenty-fifth vine which flew above the stunned party members, and it kept going on, and on. His back burned more and more with every second that passed, and when the thirtieth vine scrapped his forearm before he cut it down Bell knew the odds were against him.
But he couldn't give up just because of that.
The life of the golden-haired elf in his hands depended solely on him, the lives of those behind him depended solely on him, his own life depended solely on him.
As the attack continued, the visage of a fair-skinned blonde knight resting against a tree passed through his thoughts for a second.
The knight's armor was splotched with blood and broken in several places, their face, so incredibly soft, was covered in blood too.
But what seared into Bell's mind wasn't the blood, no. It was the Knight's smile.
The Broken King was smiling.
Such unexpected visage lasted for a split second and disappeared right after the knight nodded at him.
His back burned harsher, like heated iron continuously pressed against his back, and energy filled his entire being. The sword in his hand shone brighter and Bell swung it horizontally; a literal wave of air extended from the attack, cutting a few meters through the vines ahead of him and making the monster reel its limbs back in pain.
Bell breathed heavily, his bleeding forearm a painful reminder that he was still too weak and slow to protect those around him, and himself, at the same time.
"Woah,"
Someone behind him release their breath in awe, and Bell's features contorted angrily as he realized he'd been protecting all of them by his lone self. He spun on the ball of his feet as the monster recovered, trusting in Insight to warm him if it attacked again, and he glared at the four awed party members.
"Head for door, I'll take care of things here," Bell ordered, not trusting them with keeping his back safe anymore.
Insight provided information about Alicia's state again, she was barely conscious but no longer at death's door, and that was enough for Bell to at least trust the four with keeping their leader safe and away from the battle. He shoved the wounded elf into the party's healer arms, a silent order that the healer understood, "Don't walk away from my back."
They didn't know what he meant by that, but the white-haired adventurer's willpower translated it directly for them in the form of the four running in a straight line behind him, towards the border of the arena, towards the gate he had come from, towards the blue-haired Captain of the Ganesha Familia screaming orders to other Familia members.
Insight flared again, warning Bell of the recovered monster who was moving towards him with the intent to squash him.
Bell spun around again, equipping the curved purple dagger in his now free left hand; armed with a weapon in both arms, the boy prepared himself for the next wave of vines the giant monster looming over him, rumbling with evil laughter, attacked with.
The spectators watched with bated breath as the lone figure of the white-haired adventurer stood his ground against the deluge of green vines the enormous monster was attacking him with, disbelief for how he continuously managed to cut through the attack at speeds only first-rate adventurers were known to have, hope for him to prevail against the insurmountable odds he was faced with.
Few of those watching knew he was strong, but not to the extent he was working himself to.
Supposedly, he'd only been adventuring for a month and a couple of days.
Supposedly, he'd only been a level one, recently made level two.
Supposedly, he'd only been raised to fight, but never was in fight.
Such suppositions danced in the mind of those few who knew Bell as he danced a fatal piece with the mutated Spartoi, and their suppositions scratched Fate's itch to correct the unnatural occurrence that had deviated the World's set path.
Unluckily for Fate, Bell had already grasped the impossible in his hands.
Bell couldn't keep up with the attack, one of the numerous vines grazed his side and made him clench his teeth until he tasted blood. Another vine slapped the back of his left hand, slapping the dagger away from his weakening grip.
He needed more strength so the same wouldn't happen to the golden-haired elf's sword he was left with.
And The Broken King granted him Strength. [3218 – 6436]
Another vine he couldn't cut in time went for his right thigh, and Bell moved to the side at the last second, but it still grazed him, leaving behind a long bleeding gash that impaired his mobility.
He needed to be more durable, or he wouldn't last until the attack was over.
And The Broken King granted him Endurance. [3090 – 6180]
More, and more, and more vines rained upon him, threatening to skewer him like a pincushion and the amount was so much he could barely keep up with without being faster.
He needed to be faster so his body could react at the same rate Insight provided information to his brain.
And The Broken King granted him Agility. [3197 – 6394]
The monster roared in anger as Bell had yet to die, the rumbling growl reverberating in the ears of the spectators as it walked forward to overwhelm the white-haired adventurer, its massive steps making the ground tremble beneath his feet.
Bell needed to be nimbler, or the monster's steps alone would make him cause a mistake.
And The Broken King granted him Dexterity. [3322 – 6644]
Another visage fleeted through his mind, a horned blue-haired woman he'd seen in his dreams once, her soft-spoken voice filled his quickly beating heart with renewed determination, "You can't fall here, not when you haven't reached me. My Broken King."
And so, Bell Cranel decided then.
He would not fall here.
The very last vine derailed from its set path, twirling around Bell's sword counter, and hit him. The vine bypassed the reinforced silverback armor, pierced straight through his left shoulder, and teared a chunk of his left deltoid muscle.
Yet Bell did not scream, did not falter, nor did he fall at the pain.
Monster and adventurer stared at one another in defiance, the former with nothing but murder and the later with nothing but courage. The air around them vibrated, something both felt, and when they glanced at what caused the vibrations, a third being from the stands screamed out loud.
"DON'T LET IT, BELL!"
Bell recognized that voice, crimson eyes meeting crimson eyes for a split second before the air between them shimmered, and both Bell and the Pumpkin Monster felt the barrier around the arena come undone.
The monster rumbled in laughter as it knew the White-haired pest would not be able to do anything to protect those around him, and it swiveled its massive arms to the sides from which more pointy vines emerged.
The monster's actions broke the weapon racks on the arena's outer corner, sending the weapons airborne as it attacks loomed closer to the spectators.
Insight went into overdrive, Bell's world coming to a standstill as he saw how almost everyone in the stands hadn't noticed the barrier protecting them come undone, only the Gods and Goddesses in the stand shifted in place to warn their Familias, but it would be too late for most of them to react.
And even if they could react, how many people could they save? – No, how many people would they save?
Their Gods and Goddesses were first and foremost, and if he'd been in their place, he would also prioritize them.
But who would save those around them?
Those who were unprepared, those who couldn't protect themselves, who would save them?
They are first-rate adventurers, not first-rate guardians.
So, for the sake of all those helpless ones, Bell used the impossibility in his hand to create a miracle for them.
"I'M YOUR OPPONENT!" Bell roared his resolve.
Loki and her Familia watched in stunned silence as the young, white-haired adventurer they had been on the lookout for stood his own against the mutated Spartoi, and even the grumpiest one of them all had to silently admit his gratefulness for saving one of their own.
They didn't know how he did it, but it didn't matter.
Bell saved Alicia, and that was all they wanted.
How someone who was not even a level 1 a few weeks back could do what he was doing, they didn't know either, but it was incredible to watch how he countered every action the monster made and even when the attacks did land on him, he skillfully weaved between them to minimize the damage they inflicted.
Until the very last attack took a chunk off his shoulder.
"Bell!" The 'mother' as the Loki Familia affectionally called Riveria, alarmedly shouted out the boy's name.
The first person that gave her a truly, genuine, compliment that was not born out of desire for her royal status, not born of desire for her royal body, not born of desire for her experience.
Riveria felt her normally calm heart tremble erratically as the honest boy's blood traveled down his left arm, dripping into the arena.
Loki Familia wondered what Riveria's connection to the boy was, but such thoughts had to be put on hold as the monster started laughing and then someone in the crowd screamed as the monster attacked again.
Not at the boy, but at them.
Loki Familia instantly moved into formation to protect their Goddess and those closest to them, Riveria being the closest to their Goddess coming to stand in front of Loki and prepared her staff to conjure a barrier that would protect them both from the vine that managed to get through those in front of them.
Only for the White-haired Hero to appear for a split second in front of Riveria, slice through all the vines with an ornamental axe in that single split second, and then disappear again leaving the Loki Familia flabbergasted as to what the hell just happened.
"Look!" The Braver commanded, and the Loki Familia gazed at the impossibility created by the white-haired adventurer.
Said impossibility was the appearance of not one, not two, but over a hundred after-images with a similar situation of the white-haired adventurer cutting through the vines with different weapons all across the arena. The impossibility lasted for a second, but it was enough to sear itself into their minds.
The Takemikazuchi Familia decided to watch this year's Monsterphillia, mostly to learn and understand how other Familias worked and to learn more about the monsters of the lower floors.
Their God had decided against going with them, as he had other matters to attend.
The three adventurers Bell had crossed paths with were standing closer to the edge when the Spartoi started mutating, the meek Chigusa hiding behind Ouka as the golden-haired elf was almost killed.
Only to be surprised as everyone else was with the appearance of Mikoto's crush.
"How?" Another member of the Familia asked but nobody had a response.
And that question was repeated, again, and again, as the White-haired adventurer defied reality and fought something that easily crippled a level 4.
"No!" Mikoto screamed in anguish as the vine pierced Bell's upper arm, and the Familia could only look away from her as it seemed her crush could no longer fight on.
The moment they looked away was the same moment the Pumpkin headed monster attacked the crowd with its vines, only Ouka and Mikoto who had continued looking at the boy noticed the attack towards them, and Ouka, being the captain, moved to the front to protect those behind him.
"Mikoto, Chigusa, behind me!" Ouka shouted but he didn't know if his body would be enough to protect his Familia. Those vines had almost killed the elf, and crippled the boy, so how was he supposed to stand against it when he was weaker?
Thankfully for him, the supposedly crippled white-haired adventurer appeared in front of them for a split second with a flail in his hands. The unorthodox weapon pulverizing the vines that would've most likely taken Ouka's life along with his Familia, before the boy simply disappeared.
The three stared in stunned silence as the impossible numerous appearances of the white-haired adventurer replicated itself all over the arena, protecting the crowd and deflecting every single attack from the monster before the second passed and the impossibility was over.
Her God never stopped talking about him, about the white-haired 'Hero' that would come to Orario and bring with him the wind of promised change.
Every single day, he would say something like 'The hero must be hard at work!' or 'When will the hero become our hero?' or something else.
It was not rare that Hermes was an annoying piece of filth, nor could he ever shut up, but she had to admit she was curious as to who was the person that her God continued talking about every single day.
"Arara! Look Asfi, that's the kid I was talking about!"
Young and looked nothing like Hermes made him out to be, but as she watched him fight the Minotaur and take on the dying monster's attack, she had to admit he was strong, and stupidly reckless.
Great.
Hermes squealed like a rabid fangirl as the boy killed the minotaur, and a good punch to his chin shut him right up. And every time the God started another long rant about how the boy would change the world, Asfi punched him quiet.
Until Hermes went silent out of his own accord as the mutated Spartoi pierced one of Loki's children.
It was not unusual for adventurers to die a painful death, but it was never easy watching their parting.
Asfi almost looked away, almost, but thanks to the unusual blessing on her back, she could see how the 'hero' Hermes never ceased talking about ran into the arena, threw his trident which pierced the monster and created distance between it and the elf, then saved the elf's life with an elixir.
To her, his movements through the unseen world were as clear as the day, but she knew to everyone else that he must've looked either a white streak or simply appeared from out of nowhere.
Asfi couldn't help but stare, mesmerized, as the 'hero' lived up to Hermes's words, she knew he was only level 2, yet his experience was far above her as he defended the Forest Party members with a single hand from the Pumpkin headed monster vine attack.
Hermes, for once, kept quiet but the grin on his lips felt just as loud as his rants.
And then Bell received a crippling wound, Asfi's chest tightened painfully as the hero's blood flowed freely from his wound. A rarity for the normally stoic elf roped into the God's machinations.
Her transfixion on the hero's wound was so much that she did not notice the monster moving to attack them, and she reacted only because Hermes forcefully put her up front and directly towards a pointy vine's attack.
Asfi promised to give Hermes a black eye for putting her in such a situation as she started conjuring a barrier to protect herself, and her God.
In the end, she didn't need to.
Asfi noted how Bell was young, oh so young, as he appeared right beside her, so close that if she extended her fingers, she could've touched him.
Obviously, she didn't.
As the Hero had a longsword in his hands that was moving in an upward swing which Asfi could see made his entire body ripple through the skin-tight clothing he wore.
But there were other things she saw in him that left her worried for his wellbeing, such as the whites of his eyes being completely red and the blood dribbling down his nostrils and ear canals.
Bell completed the swing, cutting through the vine that would've hit Asfi's barrier, and the longsword in his hands shattered as the mortal weapon could not withstand the power Bell held.
Asfi and Bell's eyes met, the hero's crimson eyes held a speck of confusion in them as Asfi eyes continued following his movement through the unseen world until he could no longer afford to continue holding her gaze.
And then he disappeared to the gaze of all those around her, but she could still see him, the Hero that disregarded his body breaking apart to save everyone, the Hero that stumbled when his feet hit the arena again, falling on his bloodied face and crawled to the Silver Trident.
Asfi watched as he pointed the trident at the monster who roared in anger, the trident started glowing crimson while the Hero glowed white.
She knew then that Hermes was not lying.
The gates the Gods had closed years ago were forcefully opened by the young adventurer, and he grasped what no mortal should and with it, the glowing crimson star bearing the promised wind of change decimated the mutated Spartoi.
Asfi recorded the creation of another legend in her soul.
Bell Cranel rose his hand to the skies, signaling his victory.
…
'Ah, it's quiet," Bell thought as he looked around the crowd, meeting the silent gaze of the spectators still processing the last few minutes. He wouldn't blame them as he most likely would react the same way if he was in their shoes.
It was not every day a simple monster mutates into an ungodly abomination and threatens the live of the regular folks nor was it a normal occurrence for a single human to put a stop to such an ungodly abomination.
'Was I… wrong?' Bell thought again as he lowered his hand, 'Was I… supposed to let that happen?'
All adventurers were aware of the dangers they faced by participating in the Monsterphillia Event, regardless of the fact that something obviously was wrong with that Spartoi, it did not change the fact that Bell Cranel had intruded into the event.
'No, I was not wrong.' Bell stumbled, only now becoming aware of how badly he injured himself while trying to keep everyone safe. 'It was not wrong for me to save her.'
The silence continued as Bell stumbled again, his body wobbled while he tried to keep himself standing upright, yet the crowd merely watched.
Why?
"GAHAHAHA! AND THAT IS HOW AN EVENT SHOULD END!" Ganesha's booming voice echoed in the Coliseum, the God clapped his hands as hard as he could, "BRAVO!"
The members of the Ganesha Familia started clapping with their God and the ones in charge of the closing ceremony lit the fireworks meant for the grand closing, the rest started drumming in tune to the fireworks explosions.
"I, Lord Ganesha, call this year's Monsterphillia to a close! Let's bid a warm goodbye to the heroic adventurer that surprised us all!" Ganesha's voice boomed again, and with such booming and colorful approval, the crowd went along with his energy.
Clapping started at the front, then whistles at the back, words and shouts of encouragement filled the Arena.
Bell inhaled sharply, sight blurring not from tears but from pain, the voices grew distant, 'I can't fall here, Ganesha's trying to make it look like it was all part of the event, I can't let him down.'
The young white-haired adventurer forced himself to raise his right arm again, the crowd growing louder with their cheers, and he started walking to the entrance he came from.
His steps were slow, and each left a trail of blood behind him, not that those regular folk on the crowd could see, until he finally crossed the gate to exit the arena, leaving behind the loud cheers, booming fireworks, and voice of the God announcing something he couldn't discern anymore.
'I can't see…' Bell felt with his hands for the wall of the waiting room, sight completely colored red.
His body felt heavier and heavier, and walking felt akin like waddling through water. 'I can't… hear,' Bell realized as his right shoulder hit the wall hard, yet he couldn't hear the smack.
'I…'
Are you giving up, Bell?
'No…' Bell replied to the voice of his Gramps.
Then stand up.
Bell grunted, forcing himself off the wall and started walking forward again.
As long as he could continue feeling the wall with his hand, he knew he was in the right direction. All he had to do was reach the waiting room, someone would find him there, right?
'Just a bit more,' Bell thought to himself, the pressure behind his forehead growing by the second and threatening to leave him unconscious.
A slight tinge of white grazed his red sight, and he knew he was close, oh so close.
Bell stumbled, 'Ah, I was so close…' and fell forward.
"BELL!" Shakti's voice cut through the silence, the pain he expected from hitting the floor never came; instead, the softness he'd come to like enveloped his chest and head.
"Cleric!"
'Soft…' Bell mumbled fighting to stay awake, he couldn't see Shakti's face, but he knew it was her from her smell and softness. "Soft."
"Don't speak, save your energy." Shakti spoke, but her voice felt so distant. "Bell, don't fall asleep!"
…
"His… Not… healing?" A man's voice.
…
"Don't do this to me, Bell!" Shakti pleaded, her softness enveloping his consciousness.
…
"I DON'T CARE!" Shakti's scream cut through the silence for a split second before the world became quiet again.
…
"BELL!" Hestia's voice was distant, but even from so far, he could tell she was worried.
…
His consciousness was surrounded by an ethereal warmth that reminded him of his younger years, and all he could think was of his crimson-haired goddess.
…
"Contract… Descendant." Another's man voice, deep and strong, with a hint of arrogance.
…
…
…
"Come back to me." A silent whisper in his ear that made his heart beat in a frenzy to return to her, to the one that loved him, to the one that he loved.
"Ara, back so soon?"
"…"
"Hm, perhaps I went too far."
"…"
"Ah, that was not me."
"…"
"A black core you say?"
"…"
"It does come from me."
"…"
"Your journey towards me has become a lot harder it seems."
"…"
"Perhaps, a reward is deserved."
"…"
"You'll meet them soon."
"…"
"Heh, amusing as always."
Bell awareness returned to the sight of a wooden ceiling encompassed by darkness barely casted away by a candlelight from his left side, his head tilted there to see said candlelight sitting atop a simple wooden stand and further back a white curtain.
Warmth pressing against his right side made him tilt his head in the other direction, and there he found the red mane of his beloved Werewolf who snuggled his right shoulder in her sleep.
"Rose?" Bell whispered sorely, his awareness expanding to note he was laying on his back in a comfortable bed, under a light white cover with his beloved clinging to his side, he noticed then the numerous bandages covering most of his upper body, and he could feel more covering his thighs and legs underneath the gray pants he wore.
He frowned, trying to recall the jumbled mess of memories after falling in the arms of Shakti in the waiting room but all he could remember were a few words here and there, and the same could be said for his conversation with… the horned one?...
The curtains to his left crinkled and then slid open, Bell tilted his head to the left again and met another red-head's gaze.
"Oya, you're finally awake." The petite woman with extremely showy clothes said, "About time!"
Bell spared a second to take her appearance in, light red-hair done in a ponytail, red eyes, sharp face with a mischievous smile, a tight fitting black long-sleeved shirt which exposed her collarbones and then a blue section that tightly covered her chest, so tight that he could faintly see the two nubs.
Her lithe stomach was bare, bellybutton in a diamond shape and her extremely short black shorts with a gap between them and her thigh-high black, blue socks.
"Hello?" Bell shifted in bed slightly, mindful of his sleeping mate, and sat up as best as he could against the bedframe. "Sorry but, who are you?"
"An extremely grateful Mother," The red-haired replied, eyes softening the slightest bit. "How are you feeling?"
Bell didn't press her for the abrupt switch, "Sore, would you happen to know what happened after I fainted?"
The red-haired shock her head, the ponytail lightly swinging behind her, "About you, no. About the Monsterphillia, Ganesha made everything seem as if it was planned from the very start and the crowd ate it up, he's a very convincing God."
Bell nodded, glad that his guess about the god's intentions after killing the mutated monster were correct.
"What about…" Bell paused a moment to remember the golden-haired elf's name, "Alicia?"
The red-haired smile softened, "There were some… complications, but she's recovered for the most part."
Bell inhaled sharply, not liking how she paused at all, "It was the elixir, wasn't it?"
"You're a sharp one," She smirked, "Yes, but if it wasn't for you, she would be gone."
Bell nodded slowly, he felt Rose suddenly shift in her sleep, her face pressing against his thigh and mumbled his name. Her white uniform shirt crinkled, and the valley of her breast could be seen.
"Where are we?" Bell asked, looking back at the red-haired petite woman.
"My Villa, my children insisted on taking you here because…" She paused for a second, "Let's just say you also had some complications."
Bell sighed, "What about my goddesses?"
"Tits for brain's sleeping in the room next over, as for her," The red-haired pointed beyond the bed, and Bell looked to the right again, without Rose's mane obstructing his view he could see miss Kat sitting on a chair, sleeping with her arms crossed with her regular tri-patterned colored skirt and black blouse.
"Thank you," Bell gave another slow nod, grateful that his Familia was close to him. "Sorry for intruding."
"Don't worry, this way my own payment is reduced," The red-haired waved her hand, then sat on the edge of the bed with her back facing him. She scuttled backwards until her bum touched his resting left arm, there she tilted her head to look at him, "Would you spare me a bit more of your time?"
Bell awkwardly withdrew his arm from her backside, resting it over his lap and nodded.
"I've been looking for you,"
"Ah!" A lightbulb went off in Bell's head, "Sorry for taking so long to recognize you, Lady Loki."
Loki grinned, "So you do know me!"
Bell scratched his cheek, "Only by name."
"That will change in time," Loki insinuation was very much received by Bell who laughed awkwardly, and wondered what he did to get the petite goddess attention, "I'm curious as to how you did what you did in the arena…"
"You're not the only one, Lady Loki," Bell sighed, looking at his fist as he clenched and unclenched it, "All I knew was that I had to do something, so I did it."
Loki hummed, scuttling closer to him until her backside pressed against his hip and he could feel the warmth emanating from her lithe body, "There's no need for formalities between us."
Bell blinked, understanding her continued insinuations, and decided to play her own game, so he moved his left hand to rest on Loki's exposed thigh gap, "If that is your will, Loki."
Loki blinked, "You're very quick on the uptake, I thought you would put more resistance to that."
Bell scratched his cheek again, "I was raised to pay close attention to those around me."
Loki leaned to the side until half her body pressed against his chest, her arms snared around his neck and her sharp chin rested on his collarbone. "And what do yo-"
"Not today, Trickster." Hekate grabbed Loki's ponytail and pulled her face away from Bell.
"Hey!" Loki shouted, shocking her hair free from Hekate's grip, "What was that for!"
"For not knowing proper time and place," Hekate crossed her arms and huffed.
"We had the mood!" Loki childishly pouted, something Bell found adorable from the previously seductive goddess.
"Yeah, and he's still bedridden with people awaiting his awakening, now get off, you can have a go at him another time."
Loki grumbled, turning to Bell who gave her a troubled smile. "Don't forget about me."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Bell replied and knew he chose the right words as Loki's lips blossomed into a smile.
"Riight, enough of that," Hekate pushed Loki off bell, the petite goddess sulked out of the room after giving Hekate one last glare.
"Not five minutes awake after almost dying and you're already seducing a Goddess, as expected of my prodigal Child."
"Please don't tease me, miss Kat" Bell pouted as Hekate sat where Loki had been, except she didn't press or lean onto him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore," Bell gingerly palmed his waist, chest, and lastly the bandage covering his left upper arm where he could feel the muscle that shouldn't be there anymore, "Restorative magic?"
"And lots of elixirs, Loki and Ganesha spent a small fortune healing you. Should've seen their faces when the fifth elixir barely stopped the bleeding from the hole on your arm." Hekate grinned, not showing in the least how worried she had also been for him.
"Perseverance effect drawback huh…" Bell looked down at his lap, "What happened?"
"Your skills turned off after you went unconscious, miss Blue's rushed you to the med bay in the arena and contacted us, some others joined because they knew you and well, everyone was shocked when four healers continuously chanting restorative magic couldn't stabilize you."
"That bad huh…" Bell clenched his fist.
"Yep, you gave everyone quite the scare," Hekate ruffled his hair like she always did, "So, how did it feel?"
Bell tilted his head, "Feel what?"
"Becoming a Hero?"
Bell snorted, "Extremely painful, almost don't want to do it again."
"Almost?" Hekate cheekily grinned, knowing very well if faced with a similar situation, Bell wouldn't doubt becoming a hero again.
"You almost lost me," Bell looked down at Rose who continued rubbing her nose against his thigh in her sleep, "I know if I lost any of you, I wouldn't be the same. I could live on, but never be the same."
Hekate flicked his forehead, "All the more reason to become even stronger, so you never end up like this when you do it again, right?"
Bell determinately nodded, "Hai!"
Hekate smiled, and stretched her arms above her head, "Well, it's time to face the fireworks, my chosen one. You have 5 minutes to deal with Rose, after that, everyone floods in, got it?"
Bell nodded again, "Thank you, Lady Hekate."
Hekate jumped to her feet, not looking back once as she left the room and left Bell alone with his beloved sleeping werewolf.
Bell wiggled in place until he managed to lay back down on his back, shifting so he could be face to face with Rose and admired her peaceful features for a few seconds before gently pecking her lips.
"Mmm~" Rose mumbled in her sleep, a smile formed, and Bell pecked her lips again.
She continued making small noises until her eyes finally snapped open before softening as they recognized him, the last little peck Bell delivered turned into a gentle kiss that lasted for a minute before both withdrew.
"I'm back," Bell whispered as he moved one hand to gently caress her cheek with the back of his fingers.
"Welcome back," Rose whispered, leaning into his touch as her werewolf ears wiggled happily.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Rose instantly replied.
"I heard you," Bell pecked Rose's lips again, "Did I take too long to come back?"
Rose shocked her head, "Three days, you're such a handful."
"I'm your handful," Bell grinned as Rose winced at his comeback.
"Corny," Rose giggled, tracing Bell's jaw with her nails, "There's many people angry with you, you know?"
"Not one of them?" Bell asked and Rose giggled again as she pecked his lips.
"Why waste time being angry when I can spend it rejoicing in your return," Rose kissed him again, deeper and transmitted all her feelings with her tongue before pulling back. "There's so much that has happened, my mate."
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone through all of that," Bell pulled Rose closer, loving the way her body melded against his own.
"Don't be, instead, make it up to me," Rose whispered and kissed him again, her need and longing easing by the second spent savoring's Bell's tongue which would've continued into more had it not been for the various sets of footsteps steadily getting closer.
Rose withdrew from the kiss, pecking his lips one last time, "Ready?"
"No."
Bell and Rose laughed as they sat up, resting their backs against the bedframe, and interlacing their fingers beneath the covers as the door to the left of the bed was thrown wide open.
"Bell!" A white twin-tailed missile impacted the side of the bed, "You're awake!"
Bell smiled as his goddess Hestia climbed on the bed and threw herself into his arms, he caught her and half-returned her hug with his left arm as Hekate walked in again, "Hello Goddess."
"I'm so glad you're awake!" Hestia cried out, unshed tears brimming in her eyes as she looked him up and down.
"I'm glad too," Bell chuckled, and looked to the door to see the 'others' Hekate had mentioned walk in.
Leading at the front was Loki, behind her Riveria and Ais, further behind those was a kid? – no, a Pallum – followed by a dwarf. Behind those two he didn't know at all came someone he knew only by name, and appearance, yet couldn't be mistaken for anyone else with his choice of accessories.
Wearing an elephant mask, Ganesha led someone he knew very well and was glad to see again, Shakti whose face brightened once their eyes met.
"This Ganesha is glad to see you're awake, young man!" Ganesha stepped forward, clasping Bell's left shoulder and pointed his thumb at his own naked chest.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ganesha," Bell bowed his head as best as he could with the koala known as Hestia clinging onto him. "I apologize for disrupting the event."
"Bah, none of that young man," Ganesha roughly tapped Bell's shoulder before crossing his arms, "There were many irregularities during the event, your fight with the Minotaur being one of the many."
Bell glanced at Shakti who held her hands together and seemingly wanted to speak but kept quiet.
"Is there anything you know about the irregularities?" Ganesha asked.
Lie
Bell gave a slow shake of the head, "I only noticed both monsters glowed black before the changes."
The four Gods in the room looked at one another, all feeling the words of the boy being the truth, before Ganesha looked back at Bell, "Nothing else?"
Bell hesitated for a second, "… I felt a strange familiarity with the Black Minotaur, as for the Spartoi, it was… like a spark in the air?"
"Familiarity you say?" Ganesha pressed.
"It had a wound on its eye, something that vaguely reminded me of my first encounter with a Minotaur which, by the way, thank you for saving us back then," Bell tilted his head in Rose direction before bowing in the direction of the Loki Familia.
"Pardon me for intruding, Lord Ganesha, but I must hear from the boy's own mouth," The Pallum stepped forward, an inquisitive posture that made Bell feel the pressure even from far away as the Pallum was from the bed, "How were you able to escape such a powerful monster without a Falna? Moreso, injure it to the point the Sword Princess barely put any effort to slay the monster once they found it."
'He's smart, very smart' Bell realized as the Pallum didn't look at him after asking the question, but focused on the expressions of the Gods faces, using that to judge whether his response would be an honest one or not.
Lie
"It was already injured and tired from running away," Bell lied again, trusting the voice in his head. He was thankful they hadn't asked Rose instead, as the werewolf maintained her professional poker face through the entire back and forth.
The Gods nodded at each other as they registered another truthful statement, and the Pallum nodded along with them.
"I see, yes that makes more sense," The Pallum stepped back, satisfied.
"Seeing as eryone's taking a turn," The dwarf stepped forward, scratching his long brown beard, "Say', what about what you did in the arena? It's been the talk of the city!"
Bell chuckled, "I wish I could tell you, I'm not sure myself. All I knew was that I had to do something, so I did it."
The dwarf chuckled, "Ah yes, I know that feeling all too well. Well, whatever you did, it was great, saved us a lot of trouble too."
Bell nodded as the dwarf continued chuckling and stepped back behind Loki, the white-haired adventurer noted how both Pallum and Dwarf recoiled slightly as the elf with the brilliant eyes glared at them, perhaps she was the senior between the three? Something to take into consideration the next time they spoke.
Ganesha coughed into his fist, "That is true, for that, I, Ganesha, am profoundly grateful. Your actions at the end saved the Ganesha Familia, and Orario as a whole, a lot of face. I believe I speak for everyone when I say that we all were caught off-guard with the Spartoi's mutation, and didn't react properly, or in time, to the occurrence."
Bell shocked his head, "Lady Hekate has already told me how both the Ganesha and the Loki Familias spent a small fortune saving my life, I believe that makes us even?"
Ganesha guffawed, "Hah! Strong and diplomatic, I can see why my Captain has set her eyes on you."
Cue, a high elven glare, and a rosy blush from the captain in question.
"Ahahaha," Bell laughed awkwardly, scratching his cheek, "About that -"
"Nonono," Shakti interrupted, stepping past her God, and covering Bell's mouth with both of her hands, "That's not the topic we're here for!"
"Ah, but I wouldn't mind?" Rose threw more wood to the fire, and her actions paid off in the manner of an otherworldly pressure being released from the green elf in the corner and Shakti's face turning completely red.
"Neither would we, right Hestia?" Hekate joined in, cheekily grinning at her werewolf Child's antics.
"Right!" Hestia giggled, for once joining in on the fun instead of going against it.
"Then I can join too?" A whispery voice made all heads turn to the Sword Princess who had stepped forward with a finger pointing at herself.
"Oh no! You're not taking my Ais away from me!" Loki tried to hug Ais from behind only to have her ponytail be gripped by an extremely twitchy High Elf and pulled back, "My Aiiiis~"
The mortals, and immortals, in the room laughed at the light-hearted banter.
Bell, the subject of all the teasing in a sense, merely watched in content silence as the teasing continued for a few minutes switching between Shakti, Ais and Loki at the receiving end before it finally came to a stop when Bell involuntarily yawned.
Riveria, whose jade eyes never left Bell's, noted the fatigue in his eyes, "I believe that's enough questions, Bell needs to rest," Riveria, the voice of reason, gave the white-haired adventurer a slight nod which he gratefully nodded back.
Hekate hummed, glancing at Rose and Shakti who traded glances between them, then grabbed Hestia by the arm and pulled her off the bed, "Off we go Hestia, Bell needs his rest, and we have things to deal with."
"Fine, but don't you dare go anywhere you hear me, Bell!" Hestia lightly scolded as the two goddesses of the Hestia Familia left the room.
"Yes, I do believe so too. If you have any further information that could help our investigation into the monster's mutations, please drop by the Ganesha's state or leave a report at the Guild." Ganesha formally requested before leaning into Bell's ear and whispered, "My Captain will certainly receive you." Ganesha threw one last jibe and laughed out loud as he left the room along with the top executives of the Loki Familia.
"Loki?" Bell called out the petite Goddess just before she could leave with her children, "Would you listen to my request?"
"Sure, go on kids, I'll see you in the hall." Loki waved at her children who replied in the positive.
Bell, left alone with Rose who made herself comfortable again in the bed, Shakti who moved to Rose's side of the bed and sat where Hekate had been sitting previously, and Loki who sat on the left side of the bed again, realized he was once more surrounded by beautiful women.
"What's your request, young one?"
"Would it be possible to see how she's doing?" Bell didn't need to mention who he referred to.
"She recovered faster than you that's for sure, I'll tell her to drop by in a few minutes…" Loki paused after saying that and a troubled smile adorned her devilish features, "How much do you know of the elven culture?"
Bell blinked twice, "Ah, a fair bit?"
"Good, that'll make things easier then," Loki stood up from the bed, purposefully dusting her short shorts, though it was more of her smacking the supple flesh peeking at the bottom, before leaving the room with the parting words, "I'll be back with her in a while."
Bell thought over what Loki meant with her last question, memories of some of the elven traditions fleeted through his mind and the only one he could think fit the current situation were those related to life-saving debts which varied between the elven families.
"You lied," Rose started in a low whisper once the three were left completely alone in the room.
"I was asked to," Bell whispered back, scratching his cheek and met the curious gaze of both Shakti and Rose at his words. "I think it was miss Kat communicating with me through the Falna, it seems she wants to keep my secrets from them."
Rose hummed, and Shakti, the curious and recently involved into Bell's private life asked, "More secrets?"
Bell nodded, looking up to the ceiling, "I'm sure miss Kat will explain her reasoning once we're back in our home, never know who's listening through the walls."
Both women nodded.
"You know there's space on the other side of the bed," Rose said out loud to the pensive Ankusha.
Bell glanced at Rose's mischievous smile and knew she was up to something. At her words, he couldn't help but look at the blue-haired mature woman he had come to like.
"I…" Shakti hesitated.
"I can see you're wearing his gift too," Rose giggled, presenting her own gift which was the black choker around her neck.
Shakti shuffled in her seat and used the frontal part of her orange cheongsam to hide her right thigh were said gift faintly peeked, "It's a lovely gift."
"Then why the distance? You didn't mind holding our Bell close when he was getting healed," Rose asked again, revealing a tiny bit of information Bell was not aware of.
Shakti looked away, "This and that are different. I know this sounds inconsiderate, but you weren't the one to see his life slowly dwindling away in your arms…"
Bell heart tinged painfully, "I'm sorry for putting you through that."
Rose sat up from the bed again, her entire body facing Shakti in front of her and said, "All the more reason to join us, to relieve all the stress we've been put through by our mate's heroic actions and scold, or reward if you prefer, him for them."
"… You're a crafty one," Shakti met Rose's gaze to which the werewolf giggled and nodded.
There was a knock on the door that interrupted Rose's attempt at breaking Shakti's defenses, and the three looked towards the door as it opened again and Loki stepped in, followed by the golden-haired elf dressed in a light blue gown with minor designs that reached her thighs.
Rose turned to Shakti and held her finger to her lips in a shushing motion, something the Ankusha had no problems following as they both knew what would follow was something extremely important to the golden-haired elf.
Bell sat on the edge of the bed, facing both Loki and Alicia which the later walked forward until she was standing directly in front of Bell all the while holding her arm which pushed up her chest from below.
"Guess neither of us died?" Bell started with a light joke that made Alicia crack a small smile.
"You could say that." Alicia replied, glancing back at Loki for a second before turning back to Bell.
"Are you okay?" Bell asked, leaning forward slightly, "Lady Loki said you had complications."
Alicia gripped the hem of her gown, a sad smile gracing her features, "I'm sorry, even though you went through all the trouble of saving me… I can't…"
Bell tilted his head, concern and curiosity filling him, "You can't?"
Alicia glanced at Loki again who made a 'go on' motion with her hands before the golden-haired elf lifted her gown, completely taking it off and, giving Bell an eyeful of her naked bo-
Scar.
A giant, blackened scar marring her beautiful cream-colored skin.
The black scar covered the entirety of the left side of Alicia's stomach, starting from above the string of her simple white panties up to ribcage, stopping just below her bountiful, naked, left breast. The discoloration between the left side of her stomach and right side was divided by her teardrop shaped bellybutton.
"That-" Bell stopped when Alicia spun in a full circle in place, showing the scar continued all the way around her back, covering the same portion that it did on the front.
What stopped his words were not the scar, but the Familia emblem emblazoned between Alicia's shoulders.
It was the Hestia Familia's emblem.
The golden-haired elf finished her spin, taking one step forward which placed her right between Bell's knees, "I owe you my life, and I intend to repay it by spending the rest of it next to you but I…"
Bell looked up, past Alicia's perky breasts and stared into her honey-colored irises that brimmed with tears.
"… I probably… can't… bear children…" Alicia hiccupped.
Bell wasted no time to pull the golden-haired elf into his lap, bringing her into a reassuring embrace that made her cry harder into his neck bandages, the adventurer glanced at Loki who smiled sadly.
"The elixir you gave her saved her life, but its effects were so diluted that it couldn't stop the monster's special properties from wreaking havoc inside her body," Loki crossed her arms and continued, "By the time the barrier got taken down and she received proper medical aid, the damage was already done and couldn't be fixed."
Bell glanced at the sobbing elf in his arms, not in the least surprised that she no longer had problems being touched by him, the savior of her life and partner dictated by the elven customs Alicia's elven family followed.
"Make no mistake, without that elixir, she would've died," Loki awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck. "Please take loving care of my Child, Soteira."
And so, Bell tightened his embrace on Alicia and gave a resolute nod to Loki.
Bell held the sobbing Alicia for an hour at least before the golden-haired elf fell asleep in his arms after letting out her pent-up emotions, both Rose and Shakti helping Bell dress up the younger woman and laying her down on the bed so she could rest properly.
Loki had left sometime during the hour after she made sure Alicia was really in good hands.
"Did you know?" Bell quietly asked as he sat at the edge of bed, looking over Alicia's sleeping face.
Rose sat beside him, running her fingers through Alicia's hair and knew the question was meant for her, replied pointing at herself and Shakti, "We both did, Lady Hekate and Lady Loki brought us into Alicia's room after she recovered and told us about her situation."
Shakti who continued sitting on the chair with legs crossed continued, "Lady Loki thought it proper that we learn about Alicia's elven family traditions seeing as she would be… involved… with you, like us."
Bell glanced at Shakti, "Then we…?"
Shakti kept her serious mask for a full second before smiling, "Yes, we're still having those dates Cranel."
Bell returned her smile, "Looking forward to them."
Rose giggled beside him, "Someone's changed."
Bell pinched Rose's thigh, "For the better, I hop-" Bell yawned again.
"Sleep, you're still recovering too," Shakti stood up, and pushed Bell until he was laying on his back on the middle of the bed again with the sleeping Alicia to his left. Shakti climbed up, straddling his hips, and then laid herself on top of him. "Much better than the chair."
Rose tittered, "Make that two changed someone's," The werewolf said as she made herself comfortable on Bell's right side, snuggling up to him again.
Bell, literally surrounded by beautiful women in a cramped bed, his beautiful women, grinned stupidly, "I could get used to this…"
"You better," Shakti replied, pecking his lips which surprised him, "Because after almost seeing you die, I'm not planning on holding back anymore."
Bell laughed quietly, fully enjoying the warmth shared between all three women that snuggled closer to him.
And so, the Savior's eyelids grew weary, and he dozed off before he knew it.
- Chapter 17 Part 1/4 END -
Author's Notes: Chapter 17, as the title says, is divided in 4 parts which will bring the first "Volume" end for the AsBBaH story. It's not the end of the story, near is it nowhere near it, it's just a way for me to keep track of "volumes" and "arcs".
Part 23/24 and Volume Epilogue 25 will be released during the week, discord will have access a day earlier. Along with Volume Epilogue, there's 3 more omakes commissioned for the story which will be released with Part 25 so look forward to that!.
Thanks everyone for waiting patiently, I'll strive to release the next few parts over the coming days and I hope to hear/read from you either in discord or through reviews what your thoughts are for this volume so far!.
- Jas / Shiiva