Chapter 4: Revelations

Summary:

Loki who had been twiddling her thumbs getting drunk while waiting for either Bell or the expedition. Sneezed abruptly, unaware of the sister's horrible thoughts. Oh? Loki thought to herself, was someone talking about me? she wondered. Ah well, she hoped Finn would come back soon. For some strange reason she just couldn't figure out what she had forgotten to give Bell. She knew it was important, but after two days the thought escaped the fickle Goddess. Oh well, this wine sure was great! She happily sipped. Unaware that her newest Familia's life was disastrously close to ending.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Tione, now covered in the boys blood was almost flying down the corridors. She was no Bete or Ais, still being level five both amazon's could MOVE when they wanted too. The Amazons were extremely concerned about the poor boy. It was their fault that the minotaur's had escaped from the bottom floor. They especially, had been fooling around, having fun destroying the minotaur's with ease. They were First class adventurers, long past having to take the bull creatures seriously. Their frivolity about the situation may of just caused a Familia to lose one of their family members. If the boys wheezing hacking blood filled breaths were any indication. Unsure if the Boy was fully conscious or even now could be succumbing to his injuries

Obviously level one, the boy had made desperate last stand. The amazons had only seen the very end of the confrontation, Bell jabbing the pointed ends of his gauntlets into the minotaur's flesh. Just before the horrid beast crushed him. Poor kid, Tione thought, he didn't seem to be that much younger then her or her sister. Still, it was just sheer dumb luck that he of all people would get trapped by a creature that had no business being on the fifth floor.

"Hey hey Tione! Is he doing ok? He was just like one of those heroes in the story's! Like David when he fought against Goliath! don't you think? Poor little Hero, getting smushed like that. You think he's going to be ok?" An excited Tiona said, jumping besides Tione as she ran.

"Hush now Tiona, we need to find Riveria, I think she was with those other adventurers we found. The ones who told us that their companion had been missing after being attacked by the Minotaur." Tione chided gently. The red haired youth they had found, had told them about the situation before passing out himself from is injury. Not to mention he loved his sister to bits, yet sometimes she was a bit of air head. The boy on her back, letting out another wheezing breath brought them back to reality. Both Amazon's looking at him quickly before they ran. Determination in their gazes. Damn it where was Riveria?

THERE! Tione said in a mad rush, finally seeing the green haired Elf, with the commander and Gareth. Standing over the very same red haired young man who had warned them. Tiny Chienthrope besides him both obviously injured.

"Riveria! Help, he needs healing! We were too late and he's badly injured!" Tione said, rushing over as she turned the poor boy to her front. Coddling him to her as she tried to set him down gently. Unusual concern in her eyes, or so Loki, Find, and Gareth thought.

"Damn, His ribs are broken, Might be internal bleeding. This is going to need a major recovery spell" Riveria said frown on her face as she looked at the boy.

"Do it Riveria, we owe it to any of the adventurers caught up in our foolish mistake. Tione, Tiona you stay here while we gather up Ais and Bete. They can't of gone far." Finn said in a commanding tone. One that made Tione shiver, she had always had a thing for the captain. Constantly professing her feelings towards the heroic pallum. Yet he had made it very clear he just wasn't interested in her, much to her own heart break. Tiona had been subject to her many tears on the situation, only now being mostly over it. Still the tugs on her heart had been there, At least he was honest she had thought.

"Light of the forest, Great nature surround us, Heal with your flowery grace. Goddess of love, Goddess of life, Guide this one back. My name is ALF! Los Healos!" A warm green light filled the surrounding area. Brining Tione back from her thoughts, as a curious Tiona looked on. The boys pain filled look fading to a more peaceful slumber. Both amazon's couldn't help but a single thought filing their head. Cute...He kinda looked like a rabbit.

"Riveria! is he going to be ok?" Tiona asked.

"At this moment he still needs more healing then I can provide. He might be out of the woods metaphorically but he's still badly wounded. I have neither the spells or healing magic to return him to normal condition." A stern faced Riveria said looking down at the boy. "Regardless we should be bringing these adventurers home."

"Bring them home!? why do we care about these loser little weaklings? it's not our problem anymore" Bete said, just now entering the spot with Ais, Gareth, and FInn.

"Oh shut up you mangey mutt." Tiona said angrily at the brash werewolf.

"Huh? Did I say anything wrong you flat chested air head?" He responded harshly, Only for Tione to appear behind him. Anger very much visible on her face fast cocked back ready to slam home until.

"That's ENOUGH! all of you, Bete I've been very clear on my feelings about this and you will listen. Gareth take him home now, since he can't behave the rest of us will handle things here". Finn said, steely tone in his voice leaving zero room for argument.

"Tsk" Bete said, at least before the strong bulky dwarf form of Garth grabbed the werewolf by the front of his chest and started pulling. Hilariously Bete's tall form was forced to awkwardly follow since the dwarf had and iron strong grip. Not to mention being a full level head of Bete, didn't leave the grey haired man much options.

"Let's go you foul mouthed wolf. I have mead to drink, and need to rest these old bones after our expedition. Shut your trap, I'm not as understandin as Finn" the Boulder like dwarf rumbled towards the werewolf. Bete ears back as he had no choice but to follow.

"Were wasting time here, We need to get the boy over to the Dian Cecht Familia, at least to get him checked out" Finn, said. Riveria you take the boy, I'll take the Chienthrope and Ais take the boy." Finn said swiftly. He didn't think that they all needed help from the legendary healing Familia. Just the boy really, still it was no use staying put. Riveria had done all she could.

"Tione, Tiona you'll cover the front, obviously we don't have much to fear from these lower levels. Still best to ensure that we clear the way."

"Uh, Boss? Mind If I take the boy? He was pretty cool earlier and sides Tione got to carry him so it's my turn!" Tiona said pouting. Ais indifferent about the situation moved to take the front, Tione and her more than ready to lead the charge. Finn, who nodded in agreement at the situation picked up his cargo.

It didn't take long for the first class team to reach the top floor of the dungeon and the guild hall itself. Thankfully besides the three, not too many other adventures had been caught up. A few here or there, nursing minor injuries. As annoying as Bete can be, him and Ais were some of the fastest in all of Orario. Even in the Freya Familia it was unknown if any could actually match their top speeds. So they had managed to catch most of the Minotaurs before anything serious had happened. Only really Bell and his group had such a terrible outcome.

The procession made their way through the main hall, the group only stopping when a beautiful young half elf yelled.

"BELL!? What's wrong, is he ok? Is he hurt? he only started to be adventurer two days ago. What happened!?." Eina said, panic gripping her as she looked at the boy covered in blood. Armor in tatters, worry etched on her features.

"Miss advisor, do you know this boy? He sadly got tangled up with a minotaur on the fifth level. Do you know his Familia?." Finn asked.

"Y-yes, but is he ok? Welf and Lili are here too? Are they going to be alright?." Eina said, strain on her voice.

"These two, are ok. Simply knocked out, if you give them a place to rest they should be fine once they wake up. We used two potions on them." Riveria said pointing towards Welf and Lili.

"I'll let Hephaestus know as Welf is registered under that Familia, Lili, i'm not sure who she's under since she is a supporter. We have a private room you can leave them in. But what about Bell!?"

"I won't lie to you Miss Eina. The boy was in critical condiotion before I was able to heal him. He's still in rough condition but should be out of mortal danger. Now do you know the answer to Finn's question? We need to take him to the Dian Cecht Familia to have his injuries better tended."

"Uh-Um-Well he's apart of the Loki Familia..." Eina said Timidly to the group, stunned expressions all around at the turn of events.

--

Loki who was drunker then a skunk was minding her own business staring out her balcony when she saw Gareth and a Whining Bete being dragged forcibly. Smiling to herself and always down for some amusement at the expense of her famila. She stood and headed towards where they would enter. Deciding to meet the two together, she started to wonder to herself where the others were. Lecherous grin on her face as she imagined fondling the chests of the well endowed Familia she luckily had. Heading down the stairs it wasn't very long before she was close enough to hear the two members of her Familia.

"Gareth, were here, let me go you old fuck." Bete said, petulant voice coming through clearly in Loki's drunk haze.

"So what If I made fun of the adventurers that got injured. Pathetic weaklings they are." He went on. Loki who took a few seconds to understand what he was saying. Hmmm? Was there injuries in her Familia? Bete would never say that about the core group. Still Loki hoped that Raul and Lefiya were ok, and her various other lower leveled family members. Frowning to herself she stumbled towards the door.

"Bete, i'm too old and too tired to listen to your whinging. Finn, was right and it was our responsibility to look after the group since they got caught up in our mess. Bah, if you weren't being such a brat you'd realize that too. No stop your yapping, if I hadn't of yanked you outta there the two Amazonians would whooped your ass up and down that floor. Specially since for what ever reason they were worried about that bunny looking boy. Fair enough too, cause of his injuries." Gareth said gruffly.

What!? Loki thought, no it couldn't be Bell? He would of been no where near the floors that her familia's expedition would of been on. Had to be someone else, just a weird coincidence. She said shaking her head, trying to clear the alcohol out of her system. Finally reaching them after groggily bumbling down the stairs. Loki was about to throw her arms around the two, when Bete continued.

"Look, that kid basically looked like a tomato, covered in blood as he was. All banged up unable to deal even with a simple Minotaur. Yeah sure, your right that maybe we shouldn't of let a few get away. Sides what kind of a dumbass doesn't just retreat the way they came. The dumb goof didn't even have a potion on him, how amateurish can you get. Sides we could use a little less of the dead waste in our way." Bete still seeming to not understand the Dwarfs words continued on petulantly.

"Rabbit looking loser it was too. Probably had no idea what he was doing. He's most likely gonna get himself killed down their anyways. Not like the world would be missing much, him and stupid white hair and ruby eyes." Bete continued.

"Bete, if you don't seriously shut your Yap, I'm gonna give you at ass Whoopin that tione would of? I'm over this... Oh Goddess didn't see you there" Gareth said turning towards Loki. Who had been just standing their mouth open as she heard what her familia was saying. OH fuck, it was Bell, White hair, red eyes? new to the dungeon? How could this of happened, and Bete was here insulting his own Familia. Loki was easy going about most, but this was not one of them she said. Storming over the to oblivious werewolf.

"Oh Loki, didn't see you there, wait until we tell you about the expedition we kicked some major ass down the-"

Slap!

"Goddess Loki?" Bete said, caught off guard by a vicious slap from his goddess. Gareth who had been about to give Bete a swift kick in the ass, looked on in confusion. Loki was many things, yet she didn't really get upset too often. What could of caused her to react this way?

"What happened, is the boy ok? Where is? Tell Me everything!" Loki said now gripping the front of Bete's armor and clothes. Pulling the shocked adventurer to her, Her normally amused and silly expression gone with a fierce and angry one instead. Bete didn't think he'd ever seen his Goddess angry like this.

"We got ambushed by about two dozen Minotaurs. Some escaped as we were cleaning them up. A unlucky adventurer and his party got caught up in it. Bete, being his usual self was insulting the poor boy." Gareth said with a bit of annoyance in his tone at Bete. Still debating that kick, always did loud mouths a world of good. If Bete went through a few walls, Well shit happens.

"The boy, describe him to me. How bad was he injured Gareth?." Loki said now staring at Gareth, Shrugging he went on with a description.

"Young boy, Middle teens, Whit hair and ruby red eyes. Had black and silver amour, and some kind of fist weapon wrapped in ribbon." He said, fingers on his chin as he watched the flickering emotions on Loki's face. Dismay being the most prevalent.

"As for injuries, when Tione and Tiona found him he was in rough shape. Damn boy had fought off a Minotaur from how the amazon's tell it. Still I'm not sure he was the winner of that fight. His armor was destroyed and he was in mortal danger. Luckily Riveria was able to stabilize him, and Finn has decided to bring him to the Dian Cecht for extra healing. Who is this boy? I'm not use to seeing you invested in anyone unless their female with ampule bosoms." Gareth finished.

Mortal danger? Holy shit just how badly was he injured. She knew deep down it wasn't her fault, well besides not having a potion... Ok maybe some of it was her fault. Still the kid was suppose to be fricken lucky. How does that end up working out to him facing a fucking minotaur on his second day into the dungeon. Looking back at things, she knew she should of tried harder to remember what she was forgetting.

Fuck it should of been obvious to her. A god damn potion, Multiple even, was needed to add to his adventurers kit. Meaning to ask Finn what it was, only now to realize it how much it could of cost her. Potions were pretty miraculous things. Able to heal a variety of injuries, obviously there were things you couldn't heal with them. But they were great and providing instant fixes that most often could et out out of tricky situations. They weren't even that expensive. Oh sure the high end ones, were but most adventures could afford a few relatively easily. If Bell had been so critically injured a potion who of certainly come in handy at one point. Damn it, she hadn't worried so much about the situation because of his luck skill. Not to mention it was pretty unusual to have a party of three for the first few floors.

"Goddess?" both adventurers who had been trying to get her attention... glancing now at one another while their good stood motionless. Sure she was drunk but this was not like her at all.

Worry gripping at her chest she rushed off, with Bete and Gareth left staring at her abrupt deparure. Worried on how uncharacteristic this was of their goof ball Goddess. Deciding to see what was wrong they chased after her into the night.

--

Bell who consciousness was returning, groggily he tried to open his eyes. Lying on a incredibly soft mattress, He tried to bolt up. The Dungeon, WELF!? LILI!? were they ok? Fear fully gripping him. Eye only partially open, tired and sore as he was.

"Easy there little Argonaut! Your safe and your friends are safe too." A bubbly excited voice said from somewhere to his side. He struggled to understand the words, in his groggy state, once more trying to sit up until a pair of incredibly strong hand held him down. Looking for the first time at his surroundings the first thing he saw was B-B-B-Boobs!? As the dark skinned gorgeous woman stared down at him. Long hair pooling around her shoulders as her glorious figure stood out in full view.

"Woah, easy there. You've been badly injured. Let's not make things worse until the healers say your safe ok?" The beautiful woman said, Concern on her face.

"Yeah yeah! Little Argonaut! What Tione said! Man you trying so hard to stop that Minotaur was so cool! We only really caught the end but it was pretty awesome!" A second beautiful woman said, shorter hair and similar in appearance.

"Argonaut? I'm just Bell. Do you have me confused with someone?" He asked shakily. It was difficult to speak, yet his pain was no where near what it was before.

"Yeah yeah! Like the heroic stories! You remind me of those stories I heard when I was younger. Seeing you try so hard! Well it was awesome!" Tiona said fist rising in the air unable to control her excitement.

"Your the Beautiful women who saved me! I don't really remember much, but h-how did you defeat the Minotaur so easily? I tried so hard and could barely even hurt the thing till the end. I felt like it was simply toying with me." He said first in wonder, than in a bitterness of remembering his hellish struggle to live. Shuddering at how easily the monster had all but crushed him.

"ah sorry! I'm Tione, and that dunder head over there is my sister Tiona. To be honest, it's our fault you got caught up in things. As too how we were able to defeat the Minotaur? Well I mean, it's not that difficult for level fives..."

"Ya ya! what Tione said!" The amazons chorused.

So this was what a first class adventurer was, Bell thought. Oh he'd heard the term thrown around casually especially since being here to Orario. Yet seeing their grace and power, How Tione was able to send a hulking mass like the Minotaur flying across the room with little to no effort. Then having Tiona, with a casual ease grabbing its horns and almost ripping it's head off. He never would of believed it unless he experienced it first hand. The difference between them was staggering, those two shining beacons on what it means to be an adventurer. If only he could be like the, They were amazing...

"I can't thank you two enough. Honestly you saved me and my friends. There is nothing I can do to repay that. Still, Thank you truly from the bottom of my heart." Tears lightly forming on the edges of his eyes he looked at his two saviors.

Tiona blushed with Tione who was also surprisingly had a little of red on their cheeks. Once again, Couldn't help the first thoughts entering their minds was CUTE!

"Look, don't mention it. Like we said it was our fault anyways. We had been coming home from our expedition and had let a few of those assholes escape. So it's on us, Not to mention were part of the same Familia. It would of been a shame if we had lost you before getting to know you." Tione said, Once again showing more kindness then normal. It's not that she was normally unkind or anything, just she tended to be a lot more aggressive then she let on. In trying to be Finn's ideal woman she had temporarily put on an act a mature and clam woman. Yet ever since he had rejected her, old Tione had come back in force. Easy to provoke and a temper that most couldn't believe.

"Isn't it exciting little Argonaut? Now we can spend a heap of time getting to know one another! Don't you worry me and Tione will show you the ropes. Well... When were not busy! But like we can totally teach you so many things!!" Tiona added in with her usual exuberance.

Bell started to feel warm inside. These amazon's were everything he was hoping to be. Strong, Smart, Powerful, Able to do anything and everything they pleased. He hoped one day that he could stand on equal footing with such amazing people. He sure was lucky to share a Familia with them. Thud-thunk, His heart beating fast? blush obvious on his face as he started at the two girls. Was this... Love? It was certainly admiration, he knew that much. Yet for the first time since coming to Orario, he cared more for being able to stand with these two woman. Or at least to be worthy of the recognition and worthy of the Familia they share. Then he did about becoming a Hero his Grand father had told him about. That wasn't like him... Yet he couldn't bring himself to care and for the first time since waking up he grew a huge happy smile.

"Yes, I look forward to it. I'm in your care." Bell said warmly at his saviors. Unbenounced to him, both Amazon's had their hearts also beat a bit. Looking at this charming boys smile, and his heroic adventure he just had. It couldn't be helped, how could they not feel a warmness in their chest for him. Sharing smiles with one another all three happy at the turn events, were surprised by a loud clunking and bang.

Loki, who had finally made it to the healers. Had rushed past Finn, and Riveria. In her stooper she couldn't keep her balance as he reached the door. Tripping nosily she slid until her nose smacked into the frame. Which, slowly creeped open to reveal the intoxicated Goddess. Limbs akimbo struggling to get up, slurred speech following

"Owwwww!!!" she said rubbing her nose, until she noticed Bell.

"BELL!" Loki now ready to jump at the boy in happiness that he seemed to be healing and well. Didn't notice an extremely angry Riveria, who embarrassed by her goddess silly antics. Grabbed the back of Loki's top, preventing her from going anywhere at the moment the Goddess floundered. Confused and unsure what exactly was going on, at least until she felt a sharp pinching as he ear was twisted. Tears filling her eyes she looked towards the tormentor.

"Riveria!??!" Loki whined. "OW OW OW OW OW OW OW" Doing her best to prevent Riveria twisting it too far. Bell who had in incredulous voice on his face at the turn of events. The rest of the Loki Famila watching on in amusement. It's not like this was unusual after all, sometimes Riveria had too... Well let's just say keep in her check. Ais peering in at the scene, blank expression on her face. Hhmmmm she hummed watching event unfold in front of her.

"Loki, you are acting far too crazily about this situation, You need to keep things down. You can't just come charging through someone else property. Causing a scene and disturbing people no matter how worried you are. Bell is in safe hands here. Tione and Tiona will look after him since them seemed to have taken a likening to him." Finn said tone weary at his Goddess antics.

"Yes and while we do, how about you explain to Gareth, Finn and I how you recruited someone without our knowledge? THEN, you can explain how you let one of your newest Familia members go diving in the dungeon without our training or guides. NOT TO MENTIION, the fact that he obviously did not have any healing potions with him." A cold and angry Riveria now towered over Loki.

'EEEP" Loki said, trying desperately to run into Bell's room to be saved by the Nine hells elf herself. That name wasn't just for show. How many times had she been chastised by the green hair elf

"Bell! save your Goddess! Same meeeee..." she cried after being pulled back.

"Come along everyone, we need to report about the expedition and then the executives need to discuss things with our Goddess." Finn, no mercy in his tone as they dragged a wailing and nails dragging across the floor Loki

Bell not quiet sure what was going on, stood to apologize on Loki's behalf before being pushed back down. He had been wincing trying to sit up during the situation only for Tione to force him back down with her pinky. The Amazon's explaining that it was for his and Loki's own good. The boy still concerned wasn't sure how to act until Tiona started asking him about what kind of hero stories he knew. Gingerly not trying to move much, his thoughts were occupied with the legends his Grandfather told him. Happy to find someone in his Familia who love the stories as much as he did. As the Amazon and him enjoyed each other company. Tione watching her sister and Bell, chat away. Smiling fondly that her sister seemed to have found a new friend. Secretly enjoying their conversation as much as they were.

"WHHHHHYYYYYY!!!!?" Loki complained, as the rest of her first class Familia hung their head at the goddess. Having to resort to dragging her by her heels through the streets of Orario. Ais, who had been stoic at the time looked at the scene with a tilted head. Is that what it means to be a "hot mess" she wondered. At least until Gareth, Bete had joined them. Finn telling the rest of the team, to meet the remaining expedition members at the hostess for drinks and celebration once they got cleaned. The ridiculous group went on their way, as they tried to ignore the incredulous stares of the city following them.

Notes:

Kind of a short chapter! sorry bout that, was struggling with this one. Yet feeling better with how it turned out.