A great flame radiated in the center of the village. Several individuals performed frantic and irregular movements, dancing before the massive fire, exuding so much heat that sweating was inevitable. Many were out of breath and yet they kept moving, never ceasing. Solaris closed her eyes, letting out a wistful breath as she leaned against a wall, seated on a nearby log.
Who would've thought the villagers would be such nice hosts? Then again, they did say they were celebrating a festival today, so maybe it was just good timing to get some free food and fun in. She rolled her shoulders, rubbing her temple a bit. Man, who knew that Lord Quirinus was a prankster like this?
The way he said things, she was sure the Wind Princess and the Legiones were about to come to blows. The air was suffocating, with their auras increasing and increasing. Solaris had no idea how she could've contributed to that fight but she'd have tried, even if it was against her savior. But then, his following words were shocking to say the least.
"After all, you must be hungry! And this humble village is willing to share their bountiful goods with us! Who would we be to deny their hospitality?"
Suffice to say, the expressions everyone had were hilarious. Her own probably too. Wide, bugged eyes. Mouth wide open, to the point where their jaws were strained. The soldiers of Rakia, including her father and grandfather, only let out resignated sighs. As if they knew this was coming. It was Aiz who reacted first, eyes narrowing.
"Who do you-"
Thankfully, Solaris' and Bell's self preservation abilities were perfectly working unlike hers, so they quickly slapped their hands over her mouth, awkward and panicked laughing escaping them.
"Hahahahaha, sure have the munchies, milord!"
"Y-yeah, we came here in a hurry, so that would be nice!"
Romulus chuckled, crossing his arms, his eyes not leaving Aiz'.
"If you wish to spar with me, I am always open. Alas, I am not here to seek out conflict. This is but a favor to young Vil, desiring to unify his family for glory." He snapped his fingers. Welf's bindings were loosened in an instant. "Yet he has lost his chance. Thus, there is no longer a need to restrain Welf Crozzo!"
Aiz, after the hands left her mouth, sheathed her blade, frown still in place. It looked like she was actually tempted to pick a fight with Romulus. Luckily she actually held back for once, despite her minor pout. And that was when the villagers emerged from their homes, from their preparations and invited them with their jolly good nature. The whiplash in atmosphere almost broke Solaris' neck, as she and the others had no choice but be caught up by the flow and help them out in their set up. Cooking, gathering firewood, all the likes. During all that, they learned quite a bit about the village itself, or rather what made it special. Solaris couldn't help but hum when she looked back at the memory.
A small fragment, a mere tiny scale, of the legendary One Eyed Dragon. Said to be the greatest of the great, a monster on the level of the gods itself. Its aura alone enough to scare away most monsters on the surface. The villagers worshipped it, a gift from the heavens itself to protect them from danger. Kinda weird and somewhat uncomfortable, but Solaris saw worse things to be worshipped. Some people just weren't cut out fighting against monsters on their own, so they had to use any tool they could get, even if it was based on another monster entirely. Bell and Welf themselves were also casually interested. Aiz on the other hand…
Solaris shuddered at the memory. She could've sworn her hair color changed ever so slightly, as she barred her teeth, clenching them so hard that she thought they would break. Her grip on her sword was so tight, despite its Adamantite nature, Solaris wasn't sure if it wouldn't shatter under it. Only when Bell touched her shoulder with concern, did she snap out of it. Yikes, whatever must have happened to her in the past must have been really harsh. She saw some of it, of that hidden trauma, during the Xenos incident, but it made her curious what exactly happened.
None of her business though. She'd leave digging the details out to Bell. Back to the present, she couldn't help but smile as she looked at the individuals at the bonfire. Not a hint of the previous darkness was seen, as Aiz giggled, leading Bell carefully in the dance. She wasn't exactly good at it either, but anyone was better than Bell 'Stifflegs' Cranel. Maybe once his glutes were fine, he'd show off his moves properly, but right now, his male pride had to suffer to be the one being led instead of the one leading.
…Though Solaris couldn't exactly imagine him leading ever. She frowned a bit. Maybe she should kick up the captain training a notch. The moment she thought that, she saw Aiz stumble for a moment, only to be caught by Bell. He winced at the pressure on his leg, but he preserved, holding her back before pulling her up, accidentally pulling her close to his face. The two blushed before separating awkwardly, continuing on their dance. Solaris repressed a gag reflex, shaking her head with a shudder.
Ugh. Cooties. The things they did to people.
"How can a man be so smooth…" She muttered under her breath, taking a sip from her juice.
"Some people just have innate charisma, young Solaris."
She almost choked on her own drink, forcefully swallowing it in one go. Wiping her mouth with a small blush, she snapped her head to the right, eyes wide. She lowered her head at the amusement of Romulus.
"M-milord."
He raised an eyebrow at that.
"You are of Orario at this moment. There is no need to call me that."
"Yes, but I want to," she said without hesitation, a soft smile on her face. On different sides or not, years gone by or not. He would always remain the hero of Rakia, pulling it out of eons of shame and weakness. A shining beacon of hope that even the harshest of times could be overcome. That the world could move on.
"Then who am I to deny your desire?" Romulus chuckled, looking at Bell and Aiz twirling awkwardly, with the villagers around them egging them on. "He has grown a lot, that young man."
"Tell me about it."
The two of them turned to Welf approaching them, munching away on some skewers as he smirked. Sitting down next to his sister, he ran his hand through his hair as he shook his head a bit at the sight of Bell.
"Felt like years ago when he was unblessed and definitely weaker than me. Now he left me in the dust, haha…"
"In more ways than one." Solaris licked her lips with a flat look before poking her finger against his temple. "When will I become an aunt, Welfie? You gotta continue the bloodline, man."
He almost spat out his food, causing Solaris to cackle at the sight. Wiping his mouth, he pointed at her forehead, poking it himself.
"What about you?!"
Solaris scoffed in response.
"I want to become an auntie, not a mommy. Also, y'know, adopted. I literally can't continue the bloodline." She raised an eyebrow. "Unless you want to get freaky."
A second passed. Then the two of them had to hold back their gag reflex as they shuddered in disgust at the mere idea.
"Ugh, don't even joke about that."
"Yeaaaah, sounded funnier in my head."
Romulus chuckled at their antics. For a moment, they were back in the past. Two children messing around with each other, with him sometimes visiting and watching them. Closing his eyes, he opened them once more, before rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Are you alright with that? For Bell to surpass you like this?"
"I'm a blacksmith first. I make up for my lack of skill with my sword." Rubbing his nose, Welf's chest swelled with pride. "Heh, I'm pretty confident in my firepower."
"I have heard your words. But let me be sure one more time." Romulus opened his arms. "Are you truly happy in Orario?"
"I feel like I am for once in my life truly free," Welf replied without hesitation, smiling gently. Romulus nodded in approval, ruffling his hair.
"Then keep spreading your wings, and soar through the heavens."
He turned to the sister then, ruffling her hair as well. Solaris almost let out a strange noise, like a pet, as she blushed a bit at the rough, veteran's hand on her head.
"And you, Solaris…you inferno has now the gentleness of Vesta herself." He nodded once in approval. "I am glad. Roma is not just war and destruction."
How he knew about Vesta, she had no idea, but she chalked it up to 'seven' weirdness. She giggled a bit. Sometimes she forgot that Rakia, or Roma, also promoted lots of other things. Art. Culture. Progress. It made her heart warm, to know that even apart from her home, she was still contributing to the ideal that created…her.
"...I suppose I found where I truly belong, milord," she whispered, her eyes shining as Bell had to take a break, with Aiz fussing over him near the bonfire. Romulus saw her gaze, and hummed thoughtfully.
"Would you die for them?"
"Without hesitation."
"Hey, Solaris…!"
She shook her head at the outrage in Welf's twisted expression. Her smile was unchanging as she shrugged casually.
"I'm not saying I want to die. But if it's for them…yeah, I'd be at peace with that."
It truly did not bother her. Sure, it'd sting if she ever lost like that…but if it was because she was giving it her all…protecting those she loved…Solaris licked her lips. Yes, she was certain she'd go out with a smile.
"A true warrior's mentality." Romulus bowed ever so slightly. "Stand proud, Solaris. Not many can manage to have such a resolve. I pray that the tumultuous times ahead will serve as a tribulation, and not as a disaster for you."
Any embarrassment she felt at the Romulus Quirinus bowing to her died out, at the worry she could sense. Welf too blinked before leaning forward with a small frown.
"Milord?"
Raising his head, the man looked at the horizon, towards Orario, as he crossed his arms.
"The Age of Gods is before a turning point. I can feel it in my blood." He put his fist against his chest. "But do not worry. Time is still something we have. So enjoy it to the fullest. Grow. Discover. For Roma is always with you."
Well, if he said it, who were the Crozzo to doubt him? Welf rolled his shoulders, excusing himself before moving towards grandfather. Heh, he was always the favorite. Solaris on the other hand had a different target. If she got the advice to enjoy herself…She grinned like a gremlin, leaping forward with her arms wide open.
"Hey, let your captain show you how to bust a move, hahaha!"
"I just finished up!"
"Too bad, get your ass up and shaking!"
/
Out of all the things Bell expected to wake up with the next day, it was definitely not cramps caused by massive amounts of dancing. He blushed a bit, remembering the night. The gentle smell of Aiz, her warmth pressed against his body. Her supple flesh touching his skin. He frantically shook his head, trying to wave Aiz' innocent and cute inquiries with her tilted head off. Instead he tried to focus on some other memories…which were filled with Solaris forcing him through all sorts of things. Putting on weird hair styles, making moves children would do when playing around, like shaking their butts a lot…
Suffice to say, he preferred those things over 'almost dying to the Legiones'. It was truly fortunate that Romulus was so levelheaded. If it was someone like Penthesilea, he was not certain if they could've avoided a fight. With the rising sun behind them, Romulus saw them off, planning to join his own army once more, before leaving for Rakia completely. Apparently they really only wanted to use Orario as a sparring partner. An idea that would be ludicrous in the past. Rakia only conquered after all and Rakia was a joke. But Romulus himself knew he couldn't take on the entirety of the city himself. One Familia perhaps, but not all of them. With his arms spread wide, he regarded the Crozzo siblings with warmth and joy.
"May your road to Roma be filled with glory and light, my children!"
""ROMA!""
He truly was shining, causing the two of them to have wide grins on their faces. A hero of the ages, pushing forward no matter what, for the sake of his country.
Bell frowned.
The cages. The chains. An image overlapping the past with another past. Slaves, of Rakia, of the Night Queen. He remembered Finn's words, of what he would do and has done for the sake of his people.
Before he knew it, as Solaris was about to get on the horse, with Welf getting on another one, he moved forward.
"Romulus, wait."
Everyone froze.
"Yes?"
Bell took a deep breath, clenching his fist a bit.
"I remember what we talked about, back in Roma. Before we left, Kojiro and I."
Realization dawned on his face. Romulus nodded once, humming to himself.
"Umu. I recall that you were unable to comprehend my beliefs. My acceptance of slaves, to do anything necessary for the glory of Roma."
Solaris grimaced, same as Welf. Aiz' eyes widened before they narrowed. Bell pressed his lips together.
"And I said I didn't like it but I understand you have your reasons."
"Has your answer changed?" Romulus asked, arms crossed. Bell, without hesitation, nodded, his eyes focused on the ground.
"Yes."
He raised his head. Stared the Legiones straight in the eyes. And then, with a fire in his chest, he shook his head slowly.
"I don't just simply dislike what you are doing. I think what you are doing is wrong."
Deadly silence. The soldiers of Rakia covered their gaping mouths. Solaris and Welf paled, at the blatant opposition Bell showed. Aiz reached for her sword already. And Romulus? His smile was gone, replaced by a look of consideration as he refused to look away from the heated gaze of Bell.
"Do you?"
"After what I experienced…the Xenos…the Night Queen…" Bell let out a shivering breath, as he felt his feelings start to boil over. "Taking away the freedom of anyone is something I can never accept. To imagine their goals, their lives, to be under the control of someone else, to never be able to see the sky they wish to see…"
He put a hand on his chest, unable to keep his growl out of his throat.
"No matter how noble your intentions are. How important or good it is that your 'civilization' spreads. I can never accept actions like these."
"You stand by your words? Knowing who I am?" Romulus asked in a dangerous quiet tone. Bell felt a shiver down his spine. His instincts screaming at him to take his words back, to survive no matter what.
He choked those instincts and threw them away, instead keeping eye contact with a determined nod.
"Yes."
Solaris looked ready to choke him for his foolish actions. Welf looked between him and Romulus repeatedly, not sure what to do. Aiz was ready to summon up her wind, as the soldiers took many steps back, to get out of the blast zone. All those considerations…
And they were unnecessary, as Romulus let out a small chuckle.
"Magnificent."
"What?" Bell asked, blinking as he saw the wide smile on the man's face. He spread his arms open before letting out a boisterous laugh.
"Do you think my belief is so fragile that a single young opponent would make me go into a rage? Perish the thought!"
He pointed at the heavens themselves.
"To claim my path is wrong means that you are confident in your own path. And all paths, if properly walked on, lead to Rome. My beloved ideal is not a monolith. Nay, I dare say that the conflict between different viewpoints is a vital component that makes Rome into what it is."
Shaking his head, he turned his back on Bell. The people relaxed a bit, but Bell remained rooted, staring at the back distancing itself from him. The impossibly wide and strong back, that seemed capable to carry civilization itself.
"I stand by my beliefs. You shall do the same. And one day, the world itself shall decide which one of us is right. Until then, sharpen the light in your soul. Strengthen it, and make it into a foundation of history itself." He glanced back, a proud shine in his eyes. "Until we meet again, young Cranel."
Bell couldn't help but laugh himself a bit. Sometimes he wondered…but he wasn't sure why Kojiro and his friends thought so highly of him. Whatever their reason…
It felt nice, to have these expectations of him. And the expectations to live up to them no matter what.