Bell wasn't sure how long he was stuck being in awe and running around like a headless chicken, trying to see everything at once. It was like he was a living, moving plant, trying to catch the last of the sunlight before the moon would reign supreme in the night sky, with day being over. Suffice to say, by now he managed to calm down, trying to hide behind his shoulders as he meekly ate his food. With nutrients filling his body and his body being a bit tired out from running all over the place, his guilt of intentionally dragging Nyx and Kojiro around fully hit him. Thankfully they weren't mad at all, but then again, it just enhanced his guilt. It didn't help that his teacher was resting his chin on his palm, smirking at his student.
"Calmed down, young master?"
The albino avoided his gaze, putting in the steak into his mouth after coughing awkwardly. While he enjoyed the taste, it did nothing to hide his embarrassment. So in the end, he took a sip from the warm drink and scratched the back of his head with a subdued chuckle.
"S-sorry. I was just... overwhelmed."
"I-it's f-fine." Nyx stifled a giggle before slowly waving her hand. "We-we aren't in a h-hurry."
"Your merchant group is very self sufficient," Kojiro noted with an approving nod. The goddess' mouth twitched as she nodded.
"E-easier that-that way. C-can't rely on just on-"
"Ah, punctual as usual!
The jolly voice interrupted whatever Nyx was about to say. The goddess shot up from her seat, turning around with wide eyes. Bell and Kojiro leaned out of their seat to see who it was. One word to describe the god with, for his aura was radiating, was charming. Wearing the same suit as Nyx, his smile seemed to sparkle as he ran his hand through his brown, wavy hair. Spreading his arms, he laughed at the goddess who seemed to brighten up herself as she jogged towards him.
"Nyx, my dear!"
"E-eros... !"
The goddess hugged her fellow god, who proceeded to pat her head as if she was a cute dog. Bell blinked in surprise. Eros. One of the few that Nyx called a friend. He wasn't aware he was in the city. The albino couldn't help but smile at how happy Nyx was. She seemed very relaxed as she began to talk animatedly, as animatedly someone like her could talk, with Eros, who nodded patiently and patted her. After a while, where Kojiro and Bell politely kept quiet and ate their food, Eros at last turned to them, rubbing his hands together with a lighthearted chuckle.
"Guests?"
"Y-yes," Nyx said, nodding a bit nervously. Taking their cue, Kojiro stood up and bowed politely while gesturing towards Bell.
"Sasaki Kojiro. This is Bell Cranel."
"A-An honor to meet you, sir!"
The god waved them off dismissively, chuckling at their actions. Then he ruffled Nyx' hair once more, raising his thumb at them.
"Thanks for taking care of my little Nyx."
The goddess blushed furiously, puffing up her cheeks. Bell laughed awkwardly, waving both of his hands in front of him.
"No need! She took care of us as well!"
Nodding approvingly, Eros rubbed his hands together with a sigh. He turned to Nyx, shrugging in a "what can you do" manner.
"I'm sorry. Love to catch up, but you know the life. The next market calls!"
Bell never saw a person deflate so fast as the goddess herself. Her shoulders slumped, a whine escaped her throat and she lowered her head.
"Ah... y-yes. O-of course." She cleared her throat and raised her head, her hands curling into fists as she held them in front of herself. "I-I'll see you off!"
"Don't worry, everything is prepared just how you like it," Eros said, rubbing her cheek. Then he reached into his pockets and turned to Kojiro and Bell. "Before I forget it... "
He flicked something at them. The swordsman caught them with ease, blinking as he raised them in the air. Two pieces of paper, covered in gold and some numbers on them. Bell tilted his head at the sight.
"What are those?"
"Tickets for tonight's concert." He winked at them before turning his back to them, waving his arm. "Feel free to have some fun! Least I can do for Nyx' guests!"
Nyx looked around, between her guests and her friend. In the end, she turned to Bell, bowed with a cough before awkwardly waving at them as well.
"S-see you around."
"He's... a bit weird?" Bell said, raising an eyebrow at the retreating backs of the gods. The way he treated Nyx didn't jive with him. Then again, who was he to judge how the divine interacted with each other? If nothing else, Kojiro seemed to agree, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Confident too." He glanced at the tickets before shrugging nonchalantly. Pocketing them, he put a hand on Bell's shoulder. "Well then, I suppose we have a concert to catch?"
The young man nodded slowly. Well then. They could always find a tavern or something like that later. Why reject good will and free stuff? Not to mention Bell was a bit excited at what kind of thing a 'concert' was. It didn't sound like an orchestral performance like in Rakia at the very least. It was then that it dawned on Bell and Kojiro that neither knew where this concert was supposed to be held. Fortunately for them, they learned rather quickly, since apparently the 'dome' was one of the main draws of Yggdrasil, ironically enough for a city of magic. Then again, Bell faintly recalled something from the Far East.
Maybe those 'Valkyries' were more popular than he expected? Bell probably should've expected it, if a far away, isolated country like the Far East knew about them. He was starting to get rather interested in how the 'songs' were that the Valkyries would deliver. The dome they arrived at certainly seemed grandiose enough. It almost looked like one of those snow globes he saw occasionally as a souvenir for tourists. Like scales on a wall, it gave it a shimmering feel with the lights due to the symbols around it. What surprised Bell was, once they were inside, that not only was it rather spacious, the seats surrounding and towering over the stage in the middle. It was an open air area as well, the ceiling missing entirely. Certainly not a good idea if it was raining, but Bell fidgeted as they pushed through the masses of people. If it was snowing, he was sure it would be quite the sight.
Anyway, it took a while to find their seats. Weirdly enough they were allowed to keep their weapons. Bell wondered about that. Wasn't it too dangerous? Not that he wanted to try anything, but they seemed rather confident. Either way, for some reason, it was one of the seats that were at the edge of the dome. Only a handful of people were in here. Looking at the numbers over the chairs, he bowed slightly at the man he was going to sit next to.
"Excuse me."
The greyed individual stood out for Bell. Mostly because of his eye patch. The elderly glanced at them with his available left eye. Suddenly his beard seemed to tense up as his eye widened and he quickly looked away, covering his mouth. After sitting down, Bell leaned forward, raising his hand with worry.
"Are you alright, sir?" He wasn't sure if it was his place, but he was a bit worried for this elderly man. Tilting his head, he pointed backwards. "Do you need help to leave?"
"No. I'm just fine," the old man muttered, his voice gravelly. Bell didn't quite believe him, as he seemed rather pale all of a sudden. But it only lasted for a short while, as he took a deep breath and made it a point to look ahead and not look at him. It kind of hurt. Bell wasn't narcissistic, but he didn't believe that his appearance alone could make someone sick like that. He turned to Kojiro, who shrugged before turning back to the front. Still, Bell couldn't help but glance at the trenchcoat wearing man a few times. For some reason, he gave off a familiar feeling. More vague than anything. It reminded him a bit of grandfather, but besides being old and just having this weird aura of wisdom that came with age, he couldn't place where other similarities lied.
His thoughts came to an end when a polite cough echoed in the dome. In the middle, a rather cute girl stood. She seemed to be his age, but Bell couldn't be sure. It was a bit hard to make out from where he sat. Just as he thought that, suddenly light formed in the air, creating weird windows. Immediately after, he revealed a close up to the girl's grinning face. Bell jumped a bit in his seat, leaning back. He heard the chuckles around him, causing the young man to blush a bit. Technology and magic really was advanced in the outside world. Anyway, the girl, dressed in a frilly skirt dress, raised her hand, waving playfully. It caused her blonde bangs and hair to shake, which were tied up at each side of her head, creating a twirly mess that couldn't exactly be called twintails.
"Hey, boys!" She made the peace sign with her hand and raised it up to her eye as she winked. "It's your cutest idol, Hlökk!"
The crowd exploded in cheers, causing Bell to cover his ears. For some reason, he mainly heard male excitement in the air as they stomped to ground and caused the arena to rumble. The young man felt a bit scared by the energy in the air to be honest. One could almost call it fanatic. Hlökk giggled before clapping her hands together a few times.
"Alright, alright, cool it down!" She sighed dramatically as she raised her hands and shook her head. "After all, tonight is not about me for once!"
The audience began to laugh as she bowed dramatically a few times. Then as she put her finger to her lips, the crowd went silent once more.
"The star everyone was waiting for... The most beautiful of ladies! The wisest of mages! And the greatest of entertainers! Your apex of an idol, the Queen of Valkyries!"
She walked to the edge of the stage before jumping off, twirling in the air as she pointed at the middle before disappearing into the dark.
"My big sis, Brunhilde!"
For some reason Kojiro seemed to choke on something. But Bell ignored it as the spectacle continued. The lights focused on the middle, at the empty stage. But then a hole began to form. The next moment, the sound of machines coming to life echoed, as another platform was being raised. With the piano, Bell's breath stopped for a moment.
If Hlökk was cute, this one was... an ideal. Bell didn't know why but it felt like this woman lived in a different world, further away than others. Untouchable but just beautiful to look at. Her red lips curled into a small smile. Her piercing blue eyes looking at every single guest at once with the screens. She folded her hands, her fingerless gloves fitting perfectly to her white dress with blue colors on it. She bowed her head, her smooth black hair fluttering, her feather ornament in it remaining perfectly steady.
"Good evening, everyone." She put a hand on her... chest, causing Bell to blush. She adjusted her feather like skirt, hiding parts of her white pants or stockings. "This humble idol shall sing you a song. Please forgive me for taking your time."
The reaction was imminent. If before they were loud, now they were deaf inducing. Bell couldn't help but cheer too, the pure animalistic emotions in the air catching him in their stream.
"Oooooh!"
"Brun, I love you!"
"Become my wife!"
"Big sis~!"
Ignoring how creepy the men and even some of the women sounded, he could understand the excitement. Brunhilde radiated class and grace. Someone that could lull people in with her mere presence, to create her own personal army, as one could see now. It spoke volumes of her charisma when she sat down and immediately caused silence as she warmed up her fingers above the piano. Everyone waited with baited breath and Bell started to feel dizzy as he began to sweat at the tension.
Then she began to play. With the first sound she sent a shiver down his spine, as if the tones of the instrument was played directly in his body. It was a calm song she started to play, almost like a ballad. For some reason Bell's eyes began to become wet. Sniffing, he wiped his eyes. Was he already getting emotional? It was then that Brunhilde opened her mouth.
Her voice sounded as if it were mourning. Yet there was a strange determination behind them. The words, almost angelic, entered his ears and Bell choked up. A song about honoring someone that passed away. To remember them and carry on their will. Something that was more important than grief itself, to push forward regardless of the loss. He could only think of his grandfather. His warm hand on his head. His gentle smile as he told yet another story, to bring awe into Bell's expression. The memories flowed with each press of the piano, with each verse sung and the young man could only cover his mouth as he tried to hold his crying back. Through the tears, he could see that he wasn't the only one. Scarred, burly men. Proud noble ladies. Intimidating animal people and other warriors. Their eyes shimmered as well, some openly crying, others trying their best to hide their tears. Yet they were all connected by Brunhilde's performance, their sorrows and vulnerability open to each other.
He didn't know how long it took until the Queen of the Valkyries finished her song. All he knew was when she stopped at last and rose, raising her skirt a bit as she bowed to her audience, he shot up like everyone else and joined the thunderous applause. This... this wasn't like in Rakia. Rakia was entertainment. Brunhilde on the other hand was touching his very soul. It was the little things that Bell couldn't really describe. But all he knew was that this place was certainly special as his eyes burned.
However. As the applause started to die down and Brunhilde sat down once more. The air changed. Bell noticed it when Kojiro stood up from his seat. The good mood and the immersion was replaced by tension. The swordsman ignored the indignant stares he received and turned to Bell with a frown.
"Stay here, young master."
"Is something wrong?" Bell whispered as the piano began to play. His ears twitched when he caught the changes in the Valkyrie's playing. It was almost as if she was distracted herself. Kojiro reached for his blade on his back, grasping the handle before sending his student a reassuring smile.
"It might be nothing. But better safe than sorry."
With those words, he left their seats, stalking through the dark with a frown. Bell gulped, tugging at his collar. Nervously, he reached for his blades as well, his eyes wandering around. He realized he and Kojiro weren't the only ones being wary. Brunhilde still sang, but her eyes wandered as well, her smile having become more like a mask than a representation of genuine enjoyment. In the distance, at the other seats, he could see a few ladies and girls wandering around as well. He could've sworn he saw Hlökk as well, next to a tall woman with braided hair and a weird cap that could belong to the military, her large coat resting on her shoulders. Bell gulped. The hair on his neck tingled. He stood up, body tensing up as he slowly drew his blades. He felt a bit embarrassed at the gasps of shock at his actions, but Bell ignored it. He noticed how the old man next to him stared at him with a raised eyebrow. With a nervous chuckle, he tried to straighten up his back.
"It's-It's fine! You just enjoy the concert, gramps!"
"Gramps?"
Bell stiffened up. Ah. How rude of him. Just as he was about to apologize in panic, loud crashes sounded in the distance. Brunhilde stopped immediately, shooting up from her seat with a furious glare.
"What the-"
The screams started before Bell could finish his sentence. He paled as he saw several robed individuals shoot up from their seats, brandishing weapons and raising them into the air.
"For the Endless Night!"
"Ruin the Stars!"
"Freedom for Mortals! Down with the gods!"
By then, Bell lost track of what was happening. He noticed how there were some people quickly dispatching the attackers, in the midst of screaming and panicking spectators trying to push their way out, with a few of the other Valkyries he assumed were trying their best to keep order. It must have been tough on them, because Bell had to be very careful with his blades as his seat spot was not any better off. People yelled at each other, trying to force their way out. THe only different one was the old man, still sitting and actually lightning up some sort of cigar. Feeling determination rise up, he began to draw his blades in case the worst was going to happen.
"Please stay low, sir! It's not good for your age!"
"Pah, I'll be fi-"
Bell was fortunate he was looking at the old man's direction. If he hadn't, he would've missed him. One of the panicking, escaping guests suddenly turning around. In the next moment, the man foaming from his mouth screamed like an animal and leaped at the old man, grabbing him by the shoulder.
"You heathens shall pay for sinning against the Night Queen!"
As the elderly tried to push back to no avail, Bell was already moving on his own. The left blade left its sheath and he rammed it into the enemy's shoulder while he was too focused on the man. It pierced the shoulder of the attacker, causing him to scream violently. The old man ducked away, allowing Bell to fly over him and slam the opponent down to the ground. His right blade was pointed at the enemy's throat. It was then that the blood properly registered to him and he stiffened up, biting his lip.
He could see it. The Far Eastern man's dead eyes overlapping with the bloodshot ones of this one. The skin turning pale as blood would seep out, if Bell would cut his throat. It would be so easy, even if he was blessed or not. The blades were sharp enough. But his hand was shaking. Back then, he acted on instinct, in the middle of combat and had no choice left to save Haruhime. Here? He had his opponent at his mercy. He let out a shivering breath before doing his best to glare at the sneering enemy.
"S-surrender!"
The blades felt heavy in his hands, unlike when he held them before. He started to hyperventilate a bit, but tried his best to focus, to not let this man escape. It was then that he heard the voices echoing through the area, with the escaping guests being fewer and fewer in the dome, making it easier to hear them.
"Oi, where's the damn detonator?!"
"Not here!"
"None here as well!"
"Nope! Just a bomb, no detonator!"
... Detonator? His eyes widened when the man underneath him chuckled. Time seemed to slow down when the man, with his right hand raised some sort of foreign device. He knew what he had to do. Cut his throat. Cut his hand. Cut anything. But a simple thought paralysed him.
It would be another death on his hands.
"Be purified of your sins!"
A click noise. Bell felt his stomach fall, a whimper escaping him. He waited for the world to punish him for his hesitation... yet nothing happened. The enemy's smile began to fall as he glanced at the device in his hand, clicking it once more. Horror filled his expression as he began to panic. Bell tilted his head slowly.
...wasn't that supposed to do something?
"Ahem."
The two glanced behind Bell. There the old man stood, an evil smirk on his face. Raising his hands, he presented some sort of screw or something like that. Bell's eyes widened. He didn't know what the device was but he realized that the old man, in that moment of being grabbed, managed to sabotage it somehow.
"Surprise." Pocketing it, he shook his head chidingly. "Here's a tip. Have more than one trigger, fool."
The enemy stammered. It was then that Bell grit his teeth and rammed his other sword into the other shoulder, causing him to scream in agony. He should've done that before. Being afraid of causing death would've caused even more deaths. He knew that he made a mistake. Yet... yet even now, as the man began to cry, Bell felt dirty. It was like he was the bad guy. The tyrant. Holding the weight of one's life in his own hands.
Luckily, others rushed up the stairs to their position, distracting him from his own thoughts. To his surprise, it was Hlökk, the woman he saw earlier with them and Kojiro. He flinched at the sight of Kojiro being stained in blood, but not looking injured at all. As he took a deep breath, Hlökk waved with a cheeky grin.
"Heya, Big Boss! Rounded them all up!"
"Are you alright, milord?"
The old man shook his head, waving them off dismissively.
"Just fine. This young man protected me. No need to worry, Hrist, Hlökk." He glanced behind them. "Status report?"
Bell blinked, at the sight of the performer from before stepping forward. She wiped some blood off her cheek, smiling politely.
"Everyone dealt with their intruder with ease." She glanced at the enemy Bell had at his mercy and suddenly sneered in a way that made her seem like a totally different person. "This is a damn bait, isn't it?"
"Or a provocation," the old man replied. Brunhilde groaned before tapping Bell's shoulder. He blinked but then stepped back obediently. Suddenly the woman ripped his swords out of the man's shoulders, causing yet another scream of agony. With a casual flick of her hands, she threw his blades back at him, stained in red that made Bell feel squeezy. Then she leaned over the incapacitaed terrorist, a wide smirk on her face.
"What's up, shithead~?"
At the same time, Hrist' expression distorted with fury, forcefully pulling the man up.
"You dare ruin my sister's concert, fucker?!"
Bell was at a loss for words. Was this the same graceful singer that touched his heart before? Was that the shy lady he saw in the audience? Before he could ask however, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he flinched at the glare he received from the one eyed man.
"Nothing leaves this stadium, boy."
"Yessir!"
"Anyway, you have my thanks. Feel free to consider yourself a VIP." He pointed at Kojiro without looking at him. "You too." With a sigh, he reached into his pockets and lit up a cigar once more. "They really do grow audacious. Guess we gotta send Hades a message." He glanced at the Valkyries who straightened up their backs in attention. "You know the drill."
"Yes, God Odin!"
Bell felt his body stiffen up as the ladies left with the struggling prisoner.
... God? As the thought went through his mind, Odin smirked as he exhaled smoke into the air.
"Surprised, child?"
... God?! Since when could they hide their divine presence?! Bell let out a suppressed whine. By the heavens, he treated him like a regular old man! As he felt his cheeks flush, he saw Kojiro clean his blade casually. Deciding to do the same, Bell raised his own blades... and stopped.
They were so red. No longer shining with a silver gleam. The young man shuddered but shook his head, as order was being returned to the dome. He picked up a cloth given to him and began to wipe the blood. Yet no matter how hard he wiped...
It wouldn't come off. From the blades and his hands.