Everyone was tense in the room. On one hand, Bell's friends and even himself want to support the other him, but the problem was the fact that they weren't dealing with the average Xenos anymore. Most were already buckling under the woman's intense pressure while most of the Xenos had gotten on their knees behind her.
Bell(Urano): Eiri, we can talk this out, but only if you're willing to listen to them.
Eiri: *Growling* Trash like them don't know how to listen. They'd much rather swing their weapons at us then talk.
The two parties kept glaring at each other while the two Bell's did what they could to get rid of some of the tension. The Xenos were also sweating nervously while still prostrating on the ground, except Asterius and Wiene.
Lyd: Asterius, get on the ground. She Empress is here!
Asterius: I bow to no one.
He said that, but you could tell his legs were trembling a little and Wiene just felt nervous with the new face. Eventually, Rolan had them break up so the woman could explain herself.
Rolan: I get it. You all see her as this world ending calamity and some of you have even witnessed it first hand. However, I only ask that you listen to both sides of the story first before making your judgment.
He said he was asking, but he knew full well that they would need to be forced regardless. He looked at Eiri and she began her story.
Eiri: All I can remember from my beginning was darkness. Only one was there a calmness before it was replaced by this urge to fight and destroy. If I ever fell, I'd claw out and resume again until there was one time where it was different. I felt more aware and in control than before.
Bell: (That might be when she was reborn as a Xenos, but I thought they didn't appear until recently?)
Eiri: Of course, the other monsters still attacked me. I fought back, but grew weary of it all and broke myself out of that pit. When I saw the sky and sun for the first time, I was enchanted by it. All the different colors besides all the dark, black and red down there. I eventually found a place to land and explored the new world I was in. I found myself a place to stay and I was fine with eating any monsters I came across there.
That grossed some people out, but monsters did need their magic stones.
Eiri: I was fine for I'm not even sure how long, but then...
They felt her anger leaking out again. The other Bell held her close to keep her calm as she went on with her story.
Eiri: Then you creatures appeared. *Looking at the adventurers* I was just resting when I heard a group of you screaming. You said something I didn't understand at the time, but then I knew they called me a monster. It was right after when the arrows and fire came. Naturally, they didn't hurt, but their attacks started destroying everything around me. Eventually, I chased them off, but then more came to challenge me.
Everyone already didn't like where this was going. Ais was barely keeping herself under control and Albert was far behind her.
Eiri: At some point, I knew I didn't belong there, so I left, but you kept following me. Every time, you would attack without hesitation and destroy every place I tried to call home. Even if I destroyed a few of them, more and more would replace them. Then came you! *Pointing to Albert*
Albert: *Glaring*
Eiri: You and those others came to my mountain to kill me like countless others.
Ais: So what?! You killed them anyway!
Eiri: OF COURSE I KILLED THEM! I'VE LIVED ENOUGH YEARS AND MY PATIENCE HAD LONG SINCE RAN OUT! I TURNED THEM ALL INTO ASH AND MADE SURE ALL THEIR HOMES WERE IN RUIN LIKE MINE!
The adventurers were once again overwhelmed by the pressure and the other Bell had to calm her down once again. It took a few minutes, but she eventually kept going.
Eiri: I knew that man was the leader of the group. After I killed some of his people, he ran away like a spineless coward. I chased after him and saw him arrive at a small house where I saw those two with him. *Looking at Ais and Aria* All I could think about was making him suffer, so I was going to attack them first, but then he recklessly attacked me while the little girl ran away. He slashed my eye before I ripped him apart.
Ais and her family grimaced at the memory.
Eiri; Now, here I find myself face to face with them again and with the woman who-
Rolan: Alright, you can leave put that part.
She couldn't utter a word when Aria was the subject, so she moved on from that.
Eiri: It's funny how you call me and others like me monsters. You're kind are prone to attacking anything remotely different to you. Forget me, those poor souls had to live in that pit their whole lives while you treated them like animals to be slaughtered. *Pointing to the Xenos* All these years, and nothing changed.
No one was able to say anything as she continued to insult them.
Eiri: Humans are all the same. Spineless cowards that can brainwash themselves into believing anything is right.
Albert: And what gives you any right to talk after the crimes you've committed?!
Eiri: And what of my life before that?! It was all your kind that did this! Humans are the reason I've never had a place to belong! You're the real monsters!
Bell(Urano): Eiri! Stop!
She was about to lash out again before he held her in place. After taking a few breaths, she calmed down only a little bit.
Eiri: I swear, I will never forgive or forget what you've done.
She held her hand to her slashed eye.
Eiri: I keep this as a reminder of what you all are.
With that, she finished telling her story while everyone had a knot in their stomachs.
Rolan: Now then, I think that will do for her side. What say you all?
Finn: You're seriously asking that?
Zald: You're saying the bane of all mankind was only like that from a misunderstanding. That monster took so much from our world, so excuse me if we're aren't inclined to pity her.
Rolan: I never asked that. Still, I have to ask you all now that you've all been acquainted with the Xenos. Are you able to tell the difference between a monster and other living creatures?
Lefiya: Obviously! They threaten our lives!
Albert: They take away the things were treasure!
Bete: They destroy our homes!
Ais: They take innocent lives!
Rolan: *Nodding* I see. Valid points indeed. If that's the criteria we are working with, then some of you can be classified as monsters.
Bete: Oi. I dare you to repeat that.
Rolan: I said some of you aren't different. I have enough of a brain to know when I stuttered, wolf. *Glaring*
Riveria: Who would you say fits that then?
Rolan: I'm glad you asked. I believe your Captain would be an excellent place to start.
Tione: Huh?! *Angry*
Rolan: I mean, your morals leave the building when it comes to your end goal. What was it called? Ah, the Nightmare on Floor 27.
The prum narrowed his eyes at the god as he spoke.
Rolan: You said a monster takes away innocent lives, so what of the lives of those adventurers? You could have made the choice of saving them, but what did you do instead?
Finn kept his glare on him. He knew full well what the god was aiming for and it infuriated him that he had a valid point.
Rolan: I know, you left them all to die.
Finn: It was to ensure Evilus was destroyed.
Rolan: I never said that was a bad thing. You certainly did a heroic deed by dismantling that evil organizations. The problem is your methods. You seem so ready to sacrifice you allies when the going gets tough.
Finn: There was no other way.
Rolan: A cowards words, Braver. You say that only to comfort the thought of their blood on your hands.
The prum and his Familia grew angrier at the god.
Rolan: Tell me then. Where does the line lay? Where is enough?
Finn: Excuse me?
Rolan: Where do you find yourself in the same situation and choose to save everyone? If you keep killing your allies, what will you do when there's no one left to sacrifice?
Finn: What's you damn point?!
He was growing tired of the insults and Tione would have attacked the god I he wasn't holding her in place where she couldn't move.
Rolan: My point is that each of you has a negative quality among your positive ones. Zeus and Hera used to crush any rivals Familias so they couldn't challenge their positions. Loki is lead by a hypocrite and don't even get me started with Freya.
All of them were glaring at the god.
Rolan: None of you can't talk about these traits that categorize one as a monster when you have your own negative traits. The same goes for everyone's positive traits as the Xenosnare capable of the same things. They know how to laugh, cry and have emotions. They have souls that make them just as human as the rest of you.
Eiri growled at him, but was ignored.
Rolan: At this point, this has now become a matter of discrimination.
Lili: You really expect us to just forget thousands of years of strife? Even Argonaut and his group recall the long past between us and monsters.
Rolan: Accepting reality for what it is will make what comes next much easier. As of this point, only a few knew the entire truth such as Ouranos.
They looked to the old god then back at Rolan.
Loki: You ain't gonna tell us, are you?
Rolan: In your state, it would do more harm then good.
Finn: Does this have to do with that civil war you mentioned before?
Rolan: Sort of, but telling you know would do more harm then good. Until you can accept the Xenos as they are rather than the monsters you want to see them as, the information isn't yours to have.
Most of them frowned at that, but luckily, Bell's Familia was just a but more accepting.
Welf: I still don't know how I should feel about this. The Xenos should have been one thing, but I just don't know if I can't accept it.
Mikoto: I know how you feel. Even I'm having doubts about it all. It is a lot to throw at us at once.
Bell: I can agree with that. I mean, I accepted her being this great monster, but now I'm not so sure.
They turned to the woman who was having her head and chin scratched by the other Bell which was doing very well at calming her temper. Although, many of the girls there were jealous and angry at the attention even if it wasn't their Bell.
Kronos: If this is all you needed Bell for, then you can send me back now. I needed to know where he was before I need him for another mission.
Rolan: I just needed the two to make my point about the Xenos. It will only help everyone when they can be accepted by society, but it has to be done one step at a time. This hard truth is what they need regardless of how they feel about it.
Those like Ais may understand, but they definitely didn't like it.
Rolan: Then again, all of your worlds are paused except this one. It makes little difference for you since he would be back when you realized it.
Kronos: Fair enough. *Looks to his Bell* I'll be waiting.
He nodded and Rolan sent him back while the adventurers and the dragon woman kept their hostilities.
Rolan: So Bell, tell how you feel about this now.
Bell: Huh? Oh, well, I'm not sure. I think I can empathize with everyone when I say that this is hard to accept. I mean, you said yourself I was supposed to kill her.
Rolan: Perhaps, but I also said that I'm responsible for the creations of false worlds by my design. That would include her as well.
Hestia: Wait. What?
Rolan: The truth is, no one knows the truth of that monster. This is just one interpretation I made of it.
Zeus: Why did you make it a girl though?
Rolan: I'm not answering that question if it's coming from you.
Bell: Why did you make it a girl?
Rolan: Well, I'm glad you asked. I wondered how things would differ if the truth was different from what most would expect. Though, to be fair, a woman was the obvious choice.
Artemis: Why?
Rolan: The same reason why your world prioritizes women over men in terms of attention. Money.
Bell: I don't get it.
Rolan: Let's just say, from my perspective and those similar to me, it makes it far more successful if one advertises girls rather than the story itself. It's why Bell is always surrounded by girls and usually finds himself in situations most would kill for.
Some men recalled the bath incident on Floor 18.
Rolan: It just sells better, but that isn't important right now. Your realities are the main topic, so I'd rather stay there. In any case, the main reason I transformed her into a Xenos was to test a question of mine. Would the Lower World be able to live a life of peace with the threat of the Black Dragon gone. Not necessarily dead, but no longer a hostile enemy.
Zeus: And she's succeeded in that?
Bell(Urano): Close enough. She's gotten better.
Aria: I'm sorry, but how can you say better with what happened only a few minutes ago?
Bell(Urano): Well, she didn't kill you right after seeing you. Had this been the old hee, you'd be nothing but a pile of ash, except maybe Bell.
They all shivered at that.
Rolan: By the way, I'm not asking you to voluntarily accept this. It's time you all act your age and learn to face reality.
Loki: Force feeding us a giant pill, aren't you?
Rolan: Perhaps, but I can take your attention away from it if you wish.
Albert: Please do.
Rolan: Good, just refrain from acts of violence moving forward. That goes for both parties.
The adventurers knew he wouldn't budge, so they accepted one by one. The last being Ais and Eiri, who glared at each other before turning their heads away.
Meteria: Oh, I guess I forgot to ask. Other Bell?
Bell(Urano): Hm?
Meteria: What exactly is your relation ship with her?
A spark was sent through the heads of many women in the room when she asked that before they turned their heads from one Bell to the other.
Bell(Urano): Oh, well we're-
He was interrupted when the girl wrapped her tail around his neck and pulled him closer to her.
Eiri: *Smug grin* He is my mate, and as such, he will sire all 8 of my children.
The women glared at the girl while Ais' Avenger was releasing her black wind.
Bell(Urano): *Trying to get loose* I thought you wanted 5?!
Eiri: Hmph! I changed my mind.
Bell: *Blushing* I'm going to make that many?!
Rolan: You had almost ten here earlier. With all the girls out for you, you'll definitely have your work cut out for you in the future.
Bell felt a shiver go up his spine as the other girls stared at him hungrily. Alfia and Hera were barely able to control themselves seeing Bell getting prayed upon.
Meanwhile...
Bell's Dick: [Look alive men! We'll soon be in for the fight of our lives! I don't want to see you standing around, you hear me! That isn't what im paying you for!]
Bell's Balls: [You don't pay us. We aren't even real. We're just clever visual metaphor used to explain the abstract concept of sex.]
Bell's Dick: *Threatening* [One more crack like that and you're out of here!]
Bell's Balls: *Begging on their knees* [NO! PLEASE! WE HAVE CHILDREN!!!]
AN: I'm dubbing his balls, Bell Scranel. If anyone gets that reference, I will be quite happy. Also, feel free to name his penis if you're brave enough.
Back in reality...
Rolan: Speaking of future, now I can go back to my original plan.
Ais and Eiri ceased their catfight and moved away from each other as the god continued. Alfia had also finished bonking all the girls, save Tiona, Haruhime and Artemis.
Bell: What was that, by the way?
Rolan: Actually, I should take care of one thing before I move on.
He snapped his fingers and the sound of a woman screaming was heard. A thud followed as an amazon in orange landed on top of Bete.
Bete: GAH! What the hell?! ?!
He froze when he saw the familiar face of Lena on top of him.
Lena: Oww... what was that about? Hm? AH!
She saw her beloved werewolf under her and threw her arms around him.
Lena: Bete Loga! It's you!
Bete: Get off me!
He was Prying her off when he felt immense bloodlust next to him. He turned around slowly before meeting the dulled eyes of Line staring at him.
Line: *Menacing* Bete, who is this woman?
Bete: U-Uh, she's no one.
Lena: I'm his beloved! He's going to give me children!
Line: Oh, is that right? How nice.
Her smile contradicted the demonic aura around her. Bete's hair's stood up as he feared for his life.
Tiona: Welp, he's dead.
He was thankfully saved when Aisha came and took the girl off of him.
Aisha: Enough of your nonsense. You just got here.
Lena: Woah, Aisha? You're here too?
Aisha: We all are mostly.
Rolan introduced himself and gave the girl the rundown.
Rolan: Now that that's settled, back to Plan A.
Welf: You still haven't told us what that is.
Rolan: Oh, I'm bringing your kids back.
...
Everyone: WHAT?!
Hera: Didn't you just send them away?
Rolan: Yes, but they were the older versions. Remember I said that they were my creations back when I was a novice god. Well, I've since made an improvement of their world and newer versions of them.
Bell: Wow, that's amazing!
Rolan: You're too kind. Don't worry though, their personalities will be mostly the same. I just had to tweak some of their levels. Albert and the older kids will be much weaker, but the scaling will be more balanced than before. Although, you'll all be in for a surprise.
Meteria: My Grandbabies are coming back?!
Hera: You mean, "our?"
Meteria: Wouldn't they be your Great-grandchildren?
Hera: *Waving her hand* Details, details.
They were eager to see their kids again, as it was a joy to have them. Though, some were curious about the surprise Rolan had in store. He opened another portal and similar figures re-emerged from the hole. Albert and Ariel came out along with Eileen, Celdia, Karmi, Masako, Wendi, Wallace, and Haruka. Strangely though, only Alise and Ardi came this time along with some newcomers. Both were amazons, but they each had different characteristics. There was also a small prum with them.
One had grey hair and wore much more clothing that a typical amazon. The other was of normal attire, though her red eyes drew attention. She also had her hair tied to a ponytail as well as wearing similar clothing to someone there as well.
Rolan gave them the same rundown as Lena, and the kids and parents reacquainted themselves. First to Bell, then to their parents.
AN: I'm still using Emb to note children sharing the same name as someone in the room.
Albert and Ariel went to Ais. Alise and Ardi went to Ryuu. Masako went to Mikoto and her group and Haruka went to Haruhime. Wallace and Wendi went to Welf and Hephaestus and Eileen went to Eina and her co-workers. They each went to their respective mothers while Bell had two new kids to meet. The prum and one of the amazons went to greet him.
Prum: I'm still half convinced this is a dream.
Amazon: *Smirking* I could punch you, if you want.
Prum: Hard pass.
Bell: Um, you would be my kids too?
Prum: Yes.
Amazon: Heya, Dad.
Leonard: My name is Leonard. I'm your son, with my mother, Liliruca.
The prum has sparkling eyes at that before snapping to Hestia next to her.
Lili: YES! SUCK IT, GODDESS!
The tiny goddess growled as the amazon took her turn.
Xena: My name is Xena and as you can see, I'm an amazon.
Bell: Nice to meet you both, though, you never said who you mother was.
Xena: Why ruin the fun? I mean, you only have a few choices here.
Bell thought about it for a moment, but recognized her body be of a similar build to another woman he knew.
Bell: *Nervous* Wait, you don't mean...
Some of the other girls froze when they connected the dots. Alfia also grew furious when she realized who the girl was referring to. Xena then rushed to her mother and threw her into a hug.
Xena: Hehehe. Surprise!
Bell's eyes were wide saucer when she embraced Aisha who was equally shocked at first. She then turned to Bell with that look in her eye Bell knew well.
Aisha: *Laughing* Looks like I got my share of rabbit after all.
Haruhime felt happy for her, but Ryuu was livid along with Alfia and Hera.
Hera: I can't believe you and her had a child! She's a prostitute, Bell!
Xena: Was. *Correcting her*
Aisha: What?
Xena: Come on, Mom. You think a normal man would compare to Dad after a night with him?
Bell: Wait, we're married?
Xena: Oh yeah, tied tight.
With Ryuu...
Alise: Uh, Lion? You're making a scary face right now.
Ryuu: I'm perfectly calm.
Her kids hid themselves behind Astraea for safety. They knew what their mother was like when she got like this.
Lyra: Oh yeah, where are the rest of them?
Rolan: I'm evening out the ratio by bringing those two. Besides, kids that young would be rather out of place here.
She could see the logic in that and rolled with it.
Back with Bell, many of his friends surrounded him when they heard he and Aisha were actually married. The idea baffled them.
Haruhime: I'm surprised this happened. I wasnt expecting her to be the type to settle down.
Xena: She wasn't at first.
Zeus: I, for one, happily accept her as part of the family.
Zald: Well, if he's fine with it, I have no complaints.
Hera: What do you have to say, Bell?
Bell: I- uh...
He thought about his words before giving an honest answer.
Bell: I can see why my future self would consider it. I know enough about her that she isn't as bad as you make her out to be.
Alfia: Isn't she a prostitute. She doesn't have the same put as Haruhime.
Be: Yes, but she also suffered a lot for her. You'll see when Mr. Rolan gets there, but she went through a lot for Haruhime when she could've ignored her. I see she has a big enough heart to consider Haruhime her little sister.
He turned to her before Aisha threw his head into her breasts.
Aisha: Oh, you say the sweetest things!
Hestia: AAAAH!
They pried Bell free, but they weren't able to catch the fact that she barely fought away the blush on her face. That and, they couldn't tell how fast her heart was racing after hearing how Bell really thought of her.
Aisha: (He really thinks that way? Maybe marriage isn't the worst idea.)
Bell: Well, Xena, Leonard, I know I just met you two, but let's enjoy our first time together with everyone.
Xena: *Snorts* Kuhuhu. Could've worded that better, Dad.
Bell blushed fiercely and everyone immediately knew she was Aisha's daughter.
With Bete...
The other amazon walked to him and Lena and greeted the two with a smile. The entire time, the Loki Familia watched with wide eyes as the whole scene played out.
Lanette: Hey, Dad, Mom. I'm Lanette and it's great to see you, in the past anyway.
Bete was frozen at that, but Lena was ecstatic to see her daughter with Bete.
Lena: Holy crap, it's our child! Bete, look at how pretty she is!
Bete would have been a little happy if he wasn't sensing even more bloodlust nearby. Line was livid, but everyone else was just shocked the wolf even went that far.
Tione: Guess she meant more to him after all.
Lefiya: Is he still jerk in their world?
She asked her child who answered her.
Celdia: No, Uncle Bete actually mellowed out a lot.
Finn: I guess that didn't change.
Bete: Hang on! How are we so sure she's mine?!
Lanette: I could tell you about the time you left Mom flowers at her grave when you thought she was dead.
His cheeks reddened at the embarrassing memory.
Bete: You brat!
Riveria: *Shocked* You did what?!
Tiona: No way!
Gareth: HAHAHAHA! You've been exposed, lad!
Line had a jealous glare on her face while Bete feared for his life.
Bete: Help me...
He found a helping hand on his shoulder from Ais who gave him a thumbs-up.
Ais: I got you, bro.
She and Tiona dragged Line to Aki and Alicia while Lena was brought to Aisha and her group with Lanette. Everyone was enjoying their "reunion" with the kids. Meanwhile, Eiri stayed to the side with her Bell as the two faded out of the attention of the others while the Xenos went to greet the kids too. The happy atmosphere returned, though, Freya felt jealousy seeing all the kids there while she had none in sight.
Rolan: [If you can grow from this place, you might be rewarded. That goes for your entire Familia unless you want to go back to Tartarus' Kitchen.]
They trembled a bit at that bitter memory while Freya promised she would do her best to change.
Rolan: Okay! Now that that's been settled, let's return to our regular show. I was finally able to fix the projector and we can resume watching Bell's adventure.
Eileen: Out of curiosity, where are you at?
Rolan: The Death March.
The kids were growing excited to see it first hand as was everyone else. They filed into the theater again and Rolan began the show once more.
AN: A shorter chapter, but I didn't need a long one to wrap this up. Now, we can finally move on to the final bits of Season 1.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Leave your thoughts in the comments and I'll see you in the next one.