The gods were powerful beings. Their presence helped reshape the entire world. They gave humanity the edge they needed to fight back against the relentless onslaught of monsters that poured out of the Dungeon during ancient times. With the gods in place, mortals managed to keep a lid on the hole and it has now become a dungeon that helps in birthing mighty adventurers. Those same people are then blessed by the gods and they all work together for their own goals.
In his prime, Zeus had once led one of the most powerful Familias to ever walk the lands. However, they were wiped out and only he is the only remnant of a golden age. As of now, that same god was leading a small boy through a field of vegetables that was almost ready to harvest.
Zeus: Don't dawdle, my boy. These babies look like they grew mighty big this time around.
He smiled and rubbed his hands while the little boy caught up to him. The old god wore blue overalls on top of his white shirt along with a farmer's hat. The little boy who couldn't be more than eight years old wore mostly black except for his brown boots and a short sleeved coat of the same color.
Zeus: Hand me a basket, Bell and we can get started.
The little boy smiled and handed him one of the baskets they brought with them.
Bell: *Smiling* Okay!
When they were ready, they began picking their fields clean of all the fresh vegetables. They started bright and early, before the sun had even started rising. Even then, they had picked one of their fields clean before the first rooster crowed.
Once noon had rolled around, they took a break to eat.
Zeus: *Wiping the sweat off his head* Phew! You ok, Bell?
Bell: *Nodding* Mm!
One meal later and they were back at it. By sunset, they had picked everything they needed.
Zeus: And we're done!
Bell: Are we going to go into the market to sell these tomorrow?
Zeus: *Nods* That we are.
He rubbed the boy's head before the two started to clean up. They gathered their baskets and stored them inside before getting ready to end their day. That included reading the boy more tales about heroes.
As Bell lay in his bed, he looked at his Grandfather and wondered if he could be like them too.
Bell: Grandpa, do you think I can be a hero too?
Zeus: Of course. The question is whether you want to or not.
Bell: Then, if I asked, would you help me?
Zeus was no fool. Well, in certain situations as more than a few goddesses would beg to differ but that is a story for another time. The old god knew full well the stakes at risk. Not for Bell, but also the entire world.
After his Familia failed to slay the last of the Great Quests, The One-Eyed Black Dragon, almost all hope was lost. With no one else in the world able to match his Familia's strength, the dragon remained unchallenged to this day. All that remained was keeping the promise to Bell's dead mother and raising the boy like his own.
Still, the world needed a savior and he was Zeus. As much as it pained him, he would be able to accept it if the boy willingly chose to walk down that path and walk it he did.
3 years later...
Now eleven-years-old, Bell had undergone intense training under Zeus' tutelage. Though, due to their current conditions, most of his training was relegated to working the fields and mock training.
Today, Bell was doing the former.
Zeus: All right. The fields are ready once more. We even managed to expand them so you should get a lot from this. You know what to do?
The boy nodded and looked at the fields in front of him.
Bell: I have until noon to harvest everything.
Zeus: Your last record was just over 5 hours. Let's see if you can break that. And... GO!!!
The rabbit hopped away and got to work. Zeus just sat on the side and watched the boy go. Sure enough, Bell shattered his previous record. He sat and dropped his last basket before wiping his sweaty forehead.
Bell: *Panting* How... how'd I do?
Zeus: Impressive. 4 hours flat.
Bell: Hehe!
He gave a bright smile and Zeus allowed him to rest for the time being. About an hour later, they cleaned up a bit before placing all their goods onto a wagon for Bell to wheel.
Bell: Ready, Grandpa?
Zeus: *Thumbs-up* Let's go.
And Bell started pulling. They lived about three hours away from the large market where people went for their produce. Even with the huge wagon, Bell made it there is just around 2 hours. This was also part of Zeus' training but Bell often said this was the easy part.
Upon arriving, the two were given a warm welcome once more. Zeus greeted his friend who was always waiting by the entrance for them.
Zeus: Mark!
Mark was a man of decent build around his 40s. He wore a leather tunic with some dark red pants and his face had a decent amount of hair around the mouth and chin area. He and Zeus had done business together for some time now.
Mark: Mr. Cranel!
They exchanged a manly handshake with each other.
Mark: Good to see you!
Zeus: The same, old friend.
Mark: *Looking to Bell* And I see you're still hard at work. Good to see you, Bell.
Bell: Hello. You want to buy from us again?
Mark: HA!! Of course I do! My buyers are doing everything they can to get their hands on your stuff! Plus, I need to save some for myself.
Zeus: Just the usual then?
The man nodded and they exchanged their goods like they usually did. That made them a hefty amount of Valis and the rest of the market often rushed to get the remaining scraps. By the end of the day, Bell had to wheel an empty wagon back home.
Bell: That went well.
Zeus: That it did.
Bell: I kinda wish I could do this all the time.
Zeus: (Me too, Bell.)
In his heart, Zeus wished this would be Bell's life. However, Zeus knew the path Bell chose. He only needed to keep Bell on it by any means necessary.
Another three years passed. The normally cheerful Bell was now hanging his head down while he sat on his chair. Only a day ago, the others in his town reported his Grandfather had gone missing during a hunt. They couldn't find any sign of him but the only option was to mark him as missing or dead. Still, Bell held out hope he would be fine.
Days turned into weeks and repeated searches with nothing lead to the conclusion the old man was no more. The last three years had done much for Bell's training, but his whole world felt empty once Zeus left. By left, Zeus faked his death so Bell would be forced to pursue his destiny of being a hero.
Almost a month went by now after Zeus' "death" and Bell was close to his normal self. What little motivation he had was spent on the fields he used to tend to together. In his slump, Bell remembered what his Grandfather had said to him about being a hero.
Bell: That's right! I have to go to Orario!
He snapped out of his grief for a brief moment. He had plenty of money and remembered the fees to get in.
Bell: (I'll probably be fine. Though, what about a Familia or gear?)
He figured he would have to cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, he needed to put his belongings together and say goodbye to his old cabin.
SLAM*
Villager A: Bell! Get outside! We have a situation!
Bell: Huh?
Villager A: There are locusts attacking you potato field!
Bell: MY POTATOES!!!
He grabbed the hat Zeus used to wear and rushed outside. The suddenness of the news had overwritten his goal to leave, for the moment.
Several hours later...
Bell and several other villagers were able to save that field. The boy thanked them for their help. Being fourteen, the others thought it was in poor taste to leave the task to him alone so they joined with him. Bell still did most of the work but his great physical ability.
Villager A: Whew! If I didn't live with you, I might mistake you for an adventurer, Bell.
Bell: Thanks. Speaking of, I think I'm finally gonna leave for Orario now.
Villager B: Do you know when?
Bell: I'll pack tonight and leave tomorrow morning.
Villager A: I see.
As sad as it was, they sent him off with positivity. Bell would say his goodbyes tomorrow and leave for new beginnings.
That night...
Bell laid in his bed and wondered how his first day in the City of Legends would be.
Bell: (Tomorrow, my own story begins.)
He shut his eyes and fell asleep. He would need all his energy for what tomorrow would bring.
The next day...
BOOOOM*
Bell: AH!!!
He all but fell out of his bed as a great quake shook his whole house.
Bell: *Rubbing his back* What in the world?
He got into a new set of clothes and rushed outside. Once there, he happened upon something unbelievable. One of his fields was destroyed with a massive dirt trail replacing it.
Bell: NO!!! MY MARIJUANA PATCH!!!
Seeing the damage, he speculated some kind of monster had to be responsible. He rushed inside to find the best weapon he could. That ended up being a plank of wood with a nail stuck in the end of it.
Now armed, he followed the trail and saw a towering black giant laying on the ground. The monster had all black scales and leaked blood everywhere. Though, the immense pressure and dread it exuded left the poor rabbit quaking in his boots. With a gulp, he pressed onward.
Bell: *Inspecting from afar* Wings? Is this some kind of dragon?
He saw several cuts and burns along its body. On top of that, one of its wings was bend in an unnatural way, most likely from the landing.
Even injured, Bell didn't let his guard down. He heard more than enough stories to know what this creature was. The monster spoken of in countless legends and the one the Great Albert was able to injure to drive away.
Bell: The Black Dragon?! Here?! Why?
Hearing a low grumble from the beast, Bell held his "weapon" in front of him only to realize is probably wouldn't do him any good.
Getting even closer, he noticed a strange mist coming from its body. So much that it started getting hard to see.
Bell: What the-?!
Suddenly, it began rising at an accelerating rate before the dragon's body was totally enveloped in it. Bell had to shield his eyes from the sheer volume of it. When he opened them, he was met with an even more peculiar sight.
For some reason, this strange girl had replaced the giant dragon body that was once here. Although, she shared similar characteristics like all black hair and even had some black scales on her body along with a tail of the same color. Bell looked at her, marveled, before his brain started working once more. When it did, he noticed all the injuries she still had.
Bell:
Bell: (SHE NEEDS HELP!!!)
He ran to her side and went to check on her.
Bell: *Shaking her body* Hey! Are you alright?! Say something!
The dragon girl groaned in pain from his touch. He tried to be as gentle as possible after that. She stirred a little before opening her eyes. When she did, her lone draconic eye met his ruby ones. All his human instincts were overwritten upon setting eyes on her and now Bell was treating her as if she were a normal person. Of course, being hurt helped her in that regard.
Bell: You're awake! Good!
Once she got ahold of herself, her face contorted with rage and Bell's survival sense kicked in quick enough to avoid a sluggish swipe from her claws.
Bell: Hey!
Dragon Girl: STAY AWAY!!!
He was surprised more by the fact she could talk.
Bell: You can understand me?
Dragon Girl: Grrr... Ah!
Fires raged inside her mouth before she winced in pain. She brought her arm around her body while Bell rushed to her.
Bell: Let me help.
Dragon Girl: Agh- stay back!
She winced for a moment but that was enough for Bell to get close enough to place a hand on her shoulder.
Bell: Easy. I promise, I'm not going to hurt you.
When she opened her eyes, she felt the gentle hand on her body. True to his words, she sensed no ill will coming from the boy. However, that didn't stop her from giving him a hostile glare that had Bell sweating buckets.
Bell: M-Miss, you're hurt. I'll take you inside so you can get treated.
Dragon Girl: I don't need help from you.
Bell: I may not know exactly what you are, but I know enough to see that you're hurt. You can't stay like that so please, come with me.
She didn't have much of a choice as she felt herself being dragged over there. This surprised her as while she was very weak, she could still fight back enough to give most people trouble.
Dragon Girl: (He can still move resist me?!)
Seeing his intent, she allowed the boy to handle her and Bell threw her arm around him so her could support her body. They made their way back to his cabin where he laid her down on his couch.
Bell: Stay there. I'll get you cleaned.
She grunted in annoyance before he returned with some water and bandages. He was careful to wipe her body as there was still some blood coming out of it. That required him to change the water several times. Eventually, he was able to get her cleaned and wrapped up to stop the bleeding. Since his village had a doctor, he knew the basics of setting up splints, though, a wing proved a bit more challenging than an arm or a leg.
Bell: Whew! All done. How are you feeling?
Dragon Girl: ...
She said nothing and looked away from him in annoyance.
Bell: *Sweatdrop* My name is Bell. I-If you don't mind me asking, can you tell me yours?
Dragon Girl: (Name?)
Her eyes widened at that. In her years, she had been known by many but she never had one of her own.
Dragon Girl: I... don't have one.
As sad as it sounded, Bell offered to give one to her.
Bell: How about... EirÃni? Eiri for short.
Eiri: Whatever.
Truth be told, she didn't really care. The dragon girl went with it in the hopes of getting him to stop talking and leave her alone. A difficult task as Bell did everything he could to keep the conversation alive despite how little she talked to him.
Bell: Say, what happened to you that you ended up like that?
DOOM*
The moment he asked that, the air around him changed and he felt like he was being choked. Eiri had an angry scowl on her face at the memory.
She remembered how it started. 15 years ago, she nearly wiped out the first challengers to her domain in centuries but not before they sealed her in those mountains. Then, only a few days ago, another group attacked her once more. She thought they would be easy pickings as they were even weaker than the last one. However, she was very wrong. With them, they carried strange flutes. The melody they played drove her to madness and allowed them to deal crippling blows to her. They had even forced her to release the hostage she had for nearly a thousand years. Once she was weak enough, they looked to deal the final blow, but not before they let their guard down. She had let out a wave of flames which incinerated some of them before flying off. The barrier that was once up had to be removed so they could enter. She had used that instance to flee but not before someone's voice cursed at her.
Bell: Hey, are you ok?
She blinked when she say Bell looking at her with great concern. Once she got a grip on herself, she huffed and turned her face away.
Eiri: Mind your own business!
She swatted him away lightly, but her light was enough to crash through a wall.
One quick patch-up later, it was getting dark.
Bell: I guess I better put dinner together. *Looks to Eiri* You hungry?
Eiri: No.
A grumbling sound could be heard from her which made her groan in embarrassment. Bell knew her temper and decided not the pay it mind.
Bell: I'll be back.
Some time later, he finished making dinner. It was just a basic pot of stew, well, pots because the meat was going to go bad soon and he forgot to salt it.
Bell: I don't know how we'll finish this, but oh well.
He filled up a bowl and handed it to her along with utensils to use. Naturally, being a dragon, she had no idea how to use them and kept dropping them on the table.
Eiri: *Annoyed* Mmmm...
He noticed and quickly got her attention to show her.
Bell: D-Don't be upset. Here, like this.
He gave a quick demonstration for her and the girl quickly got the technique down. Once she was satisfied, she huffed before starting her meal. After taking her first bite, her eyes widened and stars could be seen in them before she rapidly wolfed the food down. When she finished, she blinked and saw her empty bowl and Bell's slightly amused face. Her own began glowing from embarrassment as she was busy enjoying her first taste of delicious food.
Bell: *Amused* You want more?
She clicked her tongue and handed him the bowl to refill.
After over an hour, Bell no longer had to worry about the food going bad as she had finished all the pots he made. She let out a loud burp as Bell cleaned up.
Bell: How was the food?
Eiri: *Looking away* It was alright.
He carried all the pots to his sink.
Bell: You finished these quick for just an alright.
The dragon girl scowled at him before yelling.
Eiri: Shut it!
She threw a cup his way which he managed to dodge in time, though, the window suffered for that by shattering.
Bell: I-I'd appreciate it if you didn't destroy my house. It's quite literally the only thing I own.
Eiri: I'll keep that in mind. You should be on your best behavior or I must destroy it.
She smirked at him while Bell was sweating because he wasn't sure if she was joking or not. No doubt, things took an interesting turn for him.
The next day, he left her in the house so she could rest while he went out to the village. When he got there, the few he was with wondered why he was still here. They thought he would be leaving for Orario by now.
Bell: I- uh... something came up...
He couldn't exactly say he was keeping this monster girl with him in his house. That, and he had forgotten about Orario but he can't exactly go now because she was still there and needed help.
Bell: (Okay, I'll stay until she's ready to leave and then I'll go to the city.)
That felt realistic enough for him. Sadly, that wouldn't be the case.
For the next several days, he spent his time tending the fields as well as hunting. Eiri ate a lot of food, so he went out to hunt for more meat to feed her. Being a meat eater helped preserve some vegetables and spices weren't that hard to come by. As of right now, he could run over to the market in under an hour to buy anything he needed.
He released the arrow in his hand and shot another boar dead. Bell then went over to tie its legs before hoisting it over his back to join several other boars, a deer and some wild turkeys.
Bell: This should last a day or two. Weird how there's no monsters here. I usually see a goblin or two but this place is empty of them. Ah, look at the time! Better get back to I can drain them!
A week had passed now and Eiri and Bell had gotten used to each other's company. Though, the dragon girl preferred that the boy wasn't around. For reasons unknown to him, she didn't like him much but that was likely from something about his appearance. Speaking of her, she was a total anomaly to Bell. A talking monster was one thing, but this was capable of complex things like emotions. He's seen her angry plenty of times but also instances of her joy from eating his food. There were also brief tales of sadness when he caught her crying in her sleep at night.
For Bell, he was just glad she didn't break his house.
Knock Knock*
Bell: I'm back!
After hanging the animals up to drain their blood, he cleaned himself up a little before heading inside. He came to check on Eiri and he saw her grow curious at some of the books in his home. She couldn't read so she was content to just look at the pictures Zeus had drawn.
Bell: Did you find a book you like?
Eiri: *Startled* Eep!
She quickly slammed it shut and placed it on the table away from her.
Eiri: No!
Bell: *Confused* But weren't you just reading that?
Eiri: I was not!
Bell opened his mouth to argue only for her to flash her sharp teeth and breathe out some fire. That was all Bell needed to shut up.
Bell: Right, so... I'll make some food again.
After a brief dinner, they went to bed like normal. However, Bell could hear what he felt was sniffling when he woke up in the middle of the night for some water. There, he saw Eiri sleeping with tears streaming down her face. She was also talking in her sleep and she sounded afraid.
Eiri: *Asleep* No... stop it... get away!
The moment her breathing got worse, Bell began to shake her awake.
Bell: Eiri! Eiri!
Eiri: Ah- huh? Wha?
She was broken out of her dreams and saw Bell's concerned look aimed at her.
Eiri: Ugh, what do you want?
She tried to play it off like always, but as this was her most severe episode yet, Bell wasn't letting her slip away.
Bell: You were crying in your sleep.
Eiri: *In denial* I was not-
Bell: Again.
She shut up as the boy had her.
Bell: *Sighs* I'm not upset. I'm just worried.
Eiri: I don't need your worry.
Bell: Eiri, please, I want to help you. If there's anything you want to say, you can tell me.
She felt humiliated. He had caught her in a moment of weakness and now she couldn't even escape. The fact he was actually concerned made it sting even more.
Eiri: I was attacked.
Bell: ...
Eiri: Those people used something to make me weaker and they nearly took my life.
Bell: *Shocked* That's-
Eiri: RAAAAAGH!!!
She roared out loudly and shattered all the glass windows in the house. Bell had to cover his ears which were ringing now.
Eiri: It's not fair!! I can't go anywhere without being attacked!! Why?! Why can't I have a home?!
The boy wasn't able to catch the entire rant, but his ears recovered enough to hear the last bit.
Bell: A home?
Eiri: Anytime I find somewhere to settle, humans have always come to drive me away! It never mattered how far I was, teams of them came and resulted in my home being nothing but fire and ash once they were done! I've been so angry I started attacking their towns to make them stop, but they just kept coming! Then, one day, he appeared. The one who took my eye.
She held her left eye which she always had closed and traced the lone slash mark on it.
Eiri: Killing him one enough. I made sure to pay him back by taking that spirit of his but then... then...
She shivered at the memory. Those two golden women cloaked in black winds and their gold eyes taking a darker shade. All their murderous intent was aimed to her that day along with a promise.
???: [I'LL KILL YOU!!! THE NEXT TIME WE MEET, YOU'RE DEAD!!!]
When that unpleasant feeling of fear crept up, she felt it vanish when Bell held her arm.
Bell: It's... it's ok now. No one will hurt you here; I'll make sure of it.
For some reason, it still felt somewhat wrong helping a monster. Not anyone, but the one from legend. However, seeing this weak girl in need of someone sparked another feeling in him. More than anything, he wanted to help her no matter what.
Bell: Eiri, if you want, this can be your home now.
He sat next to her and brought her into a hug. This close contact caused a warm feeling to fill her body. Her addiction to it grew rapidly as she wrapped her tail around him to keep him close though, she kept her annoyed look doing this with a human.
Eiri: Don't go anywhere...
Bell: Hm... *leaning in closer* I won't.
They stayed together that night so she could sleep better and better it was. That was the best rest she had in her life and her mind was finally filled with peaceful dreams as opposed to the dark and torturous ones she's had to endure all her life.
When she woke up, Bell was nowhere to be found. She turned to the kitchen and saw Bell making breakfast. For the first time in a long time, her body felt light as a feather. She watched Bell arrive at the table with his typical warm smile he always showed her.
Bell: Morning!
Eiri: *Smiling* Morning, Bell.
AN: And done! Yes, this will be multiple parts and yes, I will be showing this in UaR and some point. Since we're all going through a drought at the moment, I figured something small like this was needed.
Thank you as always for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Thank you for bearing with me in these times. Feel free to leave your thoughts behind and I'll see you in the next one.