Bell POV
"You look like shit," Regis said as he sat next to me in my hospital bed.
"I feel fine. Meds helped" I responded. Considering I had been stabbed about four times and had my ass kicked by a rock golem and I had a scar going down my left eye. Safe to say I wasn't in the best shape when Shakti finally got to me.
The reason it had taken her so long was because Agrona had unleashed a mana beast horde at the Ganesha members. Yet it only took them seven minutes to beat them back. Probably helped that Shakti was a white core.
I don't blame her for what happened of course. She was busy dealing with another threat and Agrona was watching us the whole time. There was nothing that could've been done.
Knock knock knock
"Come in," I said hearing the knocking. The door opened to reveal Airmid and my familia. They all had looks of nervousness on their faces except for Miach and Nazha. Those two looked worried about how the others reacted.
"Grab a seat we have a lot to talk about," I said my voice portraying no hint of emotion. Why was I always able to do this? I could so easily shut my emotions off. It was like a switch. Is this the Grey part of me? To be able to shut off my emotion at a moment's notice.
The others funneled in and took a seat or grabbed their seat and moved it in front of my bed. But Welf didn't. Instead, he walked up to me and hugged me.
"I'm glad you're ok," he said. His voice was full of warmth and care. There were no hints of maliciousness or anger. Just genuine care. I didn't respond. Instead, I just hugged him back. After a few moments, he let go and took his seat.
"I'm guessing you all want an explanation?" I asked.
"It would certainly help us wrap our heads around it, sir Bell," Mikoto said. I assumed she was going to act as a mediator since she didn't know me that well.
"I was born 15 years ago. In a cabin in the mountains. My grandpa or as you now know him. Zeus raised me for the first seven years of my life. I awakened my mana core when I was five. When I was seven I was playing in the woods with Regis. I wanted to go deeper but he said no. So I kicked him in a place I knew would hurt him and ran off. I was playing in the trees jumping from one to another. When I came across a camp. I already knew this wasn't an ordinary camp as there was a giant cage in the middle of it on top of a cart. I saw two cat people in them. They were dirty and looked sad. So I saved them. I tricked the slavers and set them free. However, a bandit grabbed me and I used flashbang to escape-
"Master Bell that sounds like the story you told me when we first met" Haruhime timidly said.
"I know. Truth is that story was about me and the one with the leviathan was about my aunt" I told her.
"When I got back to my house Zeus took the two in and got them safe transport to Orario. After they left is when my aunt showed up. She walked in like she owned the place and demeaned we started training. Zeus of course didn't want to as I was still a boy but I insisted" I then looked over to my knife on the bedside table.
"So he went into his room and gave me that knife. He said a friend of his made it. Said they owed him a favor. After that seven years of brutal training happened. During that time I picked up archery at 10 because I thought my grandpa looked cool using a bow. So for my birthday Alfia and Zeus gave me my bow. Everything was well and fine. Except of course for my aunt's sickness. That was slowly killing her. Then I was 13 and things started going downhill. A spider bit me and poisoned my mana core. I of course didn't realize it at that time until I was at death's door. So Zeus seeing as he only had one option left used his arcanum to save me. However, I'm just now finding out he did more. A year after that the sickness finally killed my aunt leaving me all alone. With only Regis at my side"
I then looked away from everyone and looked out the window. "To this day I still think he made the wrong choice. Stupid old man. Damnit why did he have to do that? There could've been another way" I mumbled. I didn't say anything more instead I looked out the window. I couldn't face them with tears going down my cheeks.
Until I felt multiple arms wrap around me.
"You've suffered so much Master Bell," Haruhime said.
"Yeah Lili thinks you're one of the bravest people she knows"
"I know we're not close sir Bell but I don't like seeing a friend cry," Mikoto said.
"Come on boss your story's making me cry," Lena said.
"To be beaten down again and again yet still get back up is amazing," Laurier said. She wasn't hugging me like everyone else but she was off to the side giving emotional support.
"If you think we'd leave you after everything you've done for us you're sorely mistaken," Aisha said squeezing tighter.
"Yeah, we're right there with ya. Besides someone needs to keep an eye on you" Nazha said. After a few more minutes everyone departed and Miach stepped forward.
"The road ahead is now more dangerous than before. What do you plan to do Bell" Miach asked putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Get stronger. Uto had the strength of a high-level five at least. I need to get stronger" I declared.
"I'll update your falna when we're alone," Miach said.
After that everyone mingled around and was happy to know I was ok. Aisha even complimented me on my new scars until Miach spoke.
"Bell I have a question," he said. "What is it?" I asked.
"You said you were 15 when you started your story. Yet you said you were 14 when we met? When was your birthday" he asked.
"Oh it was during my training" I responded.
"We missed your birthday?!" Nazha shrieked.
"It's not a big deal," I said.
"It absolutely is a big deal. We need to celebrate it and our win against the Apollo familia" Nazha declared. All the girls agreed and funneled out of the room shooting off ideas on what to do. But the one thing they agreed on was having it at the hostess.
"Women," Regis said.
"So what happened with Apollo," I asked. I didn't get much news inside the hospital. Even though it's only been two days.
"He was banished and we now own his mansion. I'm getting it furnished now and we should be able to move in later today" Miach explained.
"Hear that Welf we're rich. Although I will miss the old shop" I said.
"Yup we're living the high life. Hot tubs and beer"
Miach chuckled. "They do know I'm not allowed out of the hospital til tomorrow right," I asked referring to the girls who were planning my party. For today.
"Bell I think everyone in this room knows you're gonna break out to go," Miach said. "Yeah if you didn't I'd think you were sick," Welf said.
"You know me so well" I smiled.
Knock knock knock
"Huh, more visitors?" I asked. "Come in," Miach said. The door flew open and Demeter came rushing forward. I held Regis down this time so he couldn't escape.
"You motherfucker!" He yelled in protest. "I'm injured. I'm injured" I panicked as I pushed Regis toward her. She picked him up and squeezed him tightly shoving his face into her tits as she did so.
"Uh, Bell" Welf quirked an eyebrow.
"Overbearing 'Aunt' I said the aunt part in air quotes.
"Ah got it" He nodded.
"Goddamnit put me down woman. I said put me down!" Regis yelled as he tried to break free. "Oh, but I didn't get to see you last time" she cooed.
"I know I hid. Bell help me out here"
"Nope you're on your own"
After a few minutes of watching Regis struggle she finally put him down. Then looked at me.
"How are you feeling Bell? Are you sore anywhere" she asked her worried 'aunt' mode on?
"I'm fine. I was only stabbed like five times. I think. Alfia's stabbed me more" I said.
"Hmm, that woman. Nothing but trouble" Demeter muttered.
"Trust me I'd know"
"I'm glad you're ok Bell. I know you may see me as an annoyance but I really do care for you" she said her voice full of care.
"I know. I'll come by sometime soon. Now that I'm not so busy" I joked.
"That would be wonderful. It'll give me a chance to introduce you to some of my familia, and Regis make sure Bell behaves" she asked.
"That's a tall order. I mean Bell's a fucking idiot" Regis said.
"Hey"
Everyone in the room laughed before Demeter left saying she needed to help tend the fields some more.
"Well, I better head out. I wanna check out the new forge I got" Welf said as he waved goodbye to us.
"How's the leg feel," Miach asked. I looked down at my right leg and saw the scar of a hole that was once there. The cast was removed a while ago as Uto had broken the bone. Which I didn't even realize. Am I becoming this numb to pain already?
"Feels fine. It hurt at first but now it doesn't" I responded.
"Well, it's a shame all those wounds are gonna scar. You're too young to be having this many scars" Miach sadly said.
"Nah. Makes me look badass" I replied.
Knock knock knock
"My aren't you popular" Miachs joked.
"Come in," I said. The door opened and to my surprise, Artemis and her captain came in.
"Uh hello?" I asked.
"Bell I'm glad to see you're ok. You're not in any pain are you" she asked.
"Nah I'm peachy"
"Good. That's good" she responded. I noticed she was fidgeting. "Something the matter Artemis"
"No, it's nothing... It's just... can I see your bow" she asked her hands fidgeting more. "Uh sure go ahead," I said looking toward her captain to get an inkling of what was going on.
However normally her hardass of a captain who looked at me with scorn. Instead looked at me with soft and gentle eyes. No doubt feeling pity for me. I then shot Miach a look for any answers.
"You garnered a lot of attention with Uto telling your secrets to the whole world. Some pity. Some anger. Or in your case a fan club" Miach explained.
"I'm sorry a what?!" I asked him.
"Wait Bell has fans. Ha nerd" Regis said making fun of me.
"You gave quite the display during the wargame. Became even more popular than you already were"
"It is as I suspected," Artemis said bringing our attention to her. She held my bow in her hands tracing the small amounts of green that were in the bow.
"Bell how old were you when you got this bow," she asked setting it back down.
"I was 10?" I responded confused. "Timeline matches up as well" she muttered her hand on her chin.
"Uh, what's going on?" I asked.
"Bell I know this may be hard to believe. But I made this bow five years ago"
"Wait you mean I have a bow made by the goddess of the hunt," I asked. "Yes. These green flecks on your bow are paladin trees. A very hard wood found in the northeast of Athens. It helps fortify a bow to make it less inclined to break. Making it near-invincible" she explained.
"That explains why it didn't break when I landed on it and the Minotaur landing on me" I muttered.
"Well, I'll be off now. I just wanted to check up on you and make sure that bow was what I thought it was" Artemis said walking towards the door. Before she left however her captain walked up to me.
"Bell. I know we haven't exactly been on the best of terms. But I'm glad you're alright" she said.
"Wow, Retusha I think that's the first time you haven't called me boy. But thanks" I joked.
The two then left after their short visit.
"Natural ladies man right here," Regis said.
I said nothing but hit him in the side causing him to yelp.
"Oh haven't had a chance to say this yet but Astraea's kids aren't exactly happy with you," Miach said.
I wasn't surprised. I knew someone had to have been angry with the secrets I was keeping. Let alone they actually fought and nearly died against my aunt.
"So how should I play this then? They know the truth" I asked.
"Play it however you want. If you want to remain friends with them do it. If not, don't. Whatever you choose I'll support you" Miach said.
Knock knock knock
"Again. Seriously. I only know like 20 people" I said exasperated.
"Come in," Miach said. This time when the door opened I felt my blood boil. The entourage was a redheaded woman. A prum and a high elf. A dwarf and two amazons and last but not least a werewolf and a human.
"Bell remain calm," Regis said through our mental link. "Getting angry will serve nothing in the long run"
So following his advice I flipped the switch to turn my emotions off. They shut the door and the prum stepped forward.
"Good afternoon Mr. Leywin. My name is Finn Demine. I'm the captain of the Loki familia" he said sounding like a diplomat. I cringed hearing my last name.
"Just call me Bell. Don't want to hear that name" I replied. "Very well Bell"
"Why are you here," I asked. I didn't want to talk to any of them. "Well it is my understating that you and my familia might not be on the best of terms"
"That's an understatement" I spat. Finn cringed at my tone of voice.
Damnit Bell keep calm. Keep calm.
"Ok you're angry that's understandable. But there is no reason we can't be civil about this and have a conversation" he said.
"We're talking now and I'm not screaming my lungs out at you. Now get to the point and ask the question I know you're wanting to ask the most" I could see the busty Amazon behind him getting mad. Finn sensing this cleared his throat.
"Very well I guess you're not one for small talk. Are you going to be a threat to my familia" he asked his face turning serious.
"Depends you gonna banish me too" I saw Loki and her big three cringe. "Or better yet maybe you'll kill me why else would you bring your executives" At that her executives cringed.
"But I'll answer truthfully. I really don't know what I want to do about you. It's well within my mind to kill you all if I wanted" This put them on guard with each of them getting into a fighting stance. "But that wouldn't do anyone any good. It would just bring about another dark age and that's not what I want"
"Maybe I'll forgive you let bygones be bygones" This put them at ease. "But I don't want to do that either" Again they were on guard again.
"No, I don't want to do that. You got my mother killed in your quest for greed and lust for power. So to answer your question 'Braver' I don't know what I want to do" I answered. "Besides I have more pressing matters that need my attention than fake heroes"
I then turned my head towards Bete who scowled at me. "I don't know what Lena sees in you. You're an arrogant cocky jackass who thinks he's above everyone" I then took a look into his eyes and saw something that surprised me. "No. You've lost people a lot of them. You're scared of people getting close aren't you"
"Don't act like you know me kid" he spat. "Don't have to. I'd recognize that look from anywhere"
"Yeah how so"
"Saw that same look in the mirror every time I looked into it. The difference is I don't push people who want to help me away" He clicked his tongue and looked away. "I will not stop Lena from pursuing you. But you hurt her in any way emotionally cause I know you've already hit her. I'll let that slide since you were Enemies. But if you make her cry I'll kill you without a second thought understand"
"Ha like you could kill me" he defensively said. "Buddy you remember my last name right? I'll find a way. Or I'll let Regis do it he's very protective of the girls in my familia"
With the air tense, a fight could've broken out at any moment. However one would not happen as Loki stepped forward.
"Look kid I get that you're angry and rightly so. What I did was messed up and I regret it. Truly I do. I know nothing I say or do will bring your mother back but I really am sorry" Loki said.
"Like I'd trust words from a trickster. You know I could look past all this even my mother dying if it wasn't a betrayal. They protected you and this city for a thousand years. They took on the three great quests for you they beat two of them for you. But when all was said and done you threw them aside after all they did for you. Which oh need I remind you brought about the dark age. Everything bad that has happened to this city since then is your fault"
"I know ok! It was a shitty thing to do and I regret it! All that blood is on my hands and it will stay on my hands! But I'm trying to be better I'm trying to grow!"
"Congratulations you realized that kicking people out of their homes after they just lost everything was a shitty thing to do aren't you smart," I said rolling my eyes. Loki took a breath to calm herself down.
"Ok, it's obvious you don't want to talk to us kid so we'll leave. But as a step forward to show you I'm sorry I'll tell you this. Hera is in Athens rebuilding her familia. Do what you want with that information. Sorry again" she said as she and her familia left. After they were gone Miach who had been quiet this whole time spoke.
"You ok Bell? I know that must've been tough for you" he said.
"Yeah, I'm fine. More annoyed than anything"
"What are you gonna do?" He asked.
"I don't know. Part of me wants to wipe them out. Another part thinks it's better we just stay away from each other"
"What are you gonna do about Hera?"
"Nothing. She abandoned me when I was a baby. I want nothing to do with her" I growled.
"Alright anything you want to get off your chest"
"Not really"
He didn't say anything and we both just sat there in silence for a while. That was until to my great annoyance another knock on the door.
"Come in," I said in an annoyed tone. The door opened and I could feel she was a god. She had a crimson eye and red hair reaching to the neck. She has a rather sharp face and slender body with an eyepatch over her right eye.
"Oh hello Hephaestus what are you doing here," Miach said. Huh, so this is the woman Welf likes. Not bad Welf not bad at all.
"Hello, Miach. Hello Bell. I've come here for two reasons. One is to check up on you to see how you're doing Miach. I know these past few weeks have been stressful" she said. Miach gave her a gentle smile and said he was alright.
"My second reason is to talk to Bell" I turned towards her and looked her in the eye. "Bell how long have you had your knife," she asked. "About 8 years. But my grandpa said it was made when I was born. I'm guessing you made it" I asked.
"Correct. When Zeus asked me to make a weapon that could grow with the user my head nearly burst. It was like blasphemy to smithing. But he had the material and I owed him a favor so I made it. How has it been holding up"
"Pretty well. It's my go-to if I need something that I know won't break. However, Welf said you helped make my sword to"
"Yes, I did. He came to me with a material found in Epheotus. I was surprised he had it. Do you know how it was acquired"
"Regis and I believe I might have a benefactor who's an asura. Oh that reminds me that I was given a dimension ring before the war game"
"A dimension ring?!" Hephaestus shrieked. "Yeah they threw it at me and I kept it. Haven't used it yet though"
"Why not," Miach asked.
"Because I don't have enough weapons. Sure I could store them all in the dimension ring but what if someone yanks it off? Then I'm stuck without any weapons since they're stuck in the ring. I plan to wait until I have too many weapons to carry them and then use it" I explained.
"Makes sense just make sure the ring doesn't fall into the wrong hands," Miach said.
Hephaestus stayed for a while and asked questions about the knife and how it held up over the years. When she left I was hoping the influx of visitors would stop. My luck said no as there was another knock on the door.
"It's not even funny at this point. Like what the fuck" Regis said.
"Come in," I said a tired sigh leaving my lips. It wasn't even 3 pm yet. The door opened and Astraea came in with a few members of her familia that I knew. Oh, great they look angry and betrayed.
"How do you want to play this," Regis asked.
"Depends on how they treat me" I replied.
I sat there and waited for them to speak. We sat in silence for a little while until Astraea spoke.
"Bell my girls have a few things they want to say to you," she told me. She had an apologetic look on her face. I couldn't blame her she did keep my secret for as long as she could. Alise then stepped forward.
"Is it true? Are you really her nephew" she asked. Her red hair which was normally in a ponytail was down and was also covering her eyes.
"Yup. I'm the boogie woman's nephew. I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner. I mean I look exactly like her. Minus the eyes"
"This isn't the time for your jokes Bell!" She yelled. I sighed and let her continue. "That woman nearly killed us multiple times during the dark ages. She and Erebus brought it about to cause pain and misery" she cried. Tears were streaming down her face as she felt hurt by this so-called betrayal.
"Were you ever planning on telling us?" she asked.
"No. I wasn't going to. I was going to reveal I was a Leywin at some point but that would be the extent my secret sharing would go" I responded.
Alise body racked with sobs as Kaguya pulled her back and Ryu stepped forward. "And when were you gonna tell us you were a Leywin? I mean it feels weird even calling you that. I've just known you as Bell"
"When I felt the time was right. But looks like I was robbed of that chance"
"Don't try and change the subject!" Lyra spat as she stepped forward. I looked down at her and saw the look of hurt in her eyes too. "Was it all a game? Were you just pretending the whole time? Were we ever your friends" she asked. The four looked at me and waited for an answer.
I could answer this one of two ways. Could lie and say yes. Or say no and tell them they're acquaintances that just helped us out.
"Girls I don't think Bell wants to answer that," Astraea said already knowing my answer. However, her plea fell on deaf ears.
"When I first came to this city and walked into the Stardust garden and found out Astraea didn't recruit men. I wanted to run out the door at full speed. How could I trust someone who discriminates against people for something they can't control? To me, that's not a goddess of justice that's a hypocrite. But our paths just kept crossing and crossing. Every time I didn't trust a single one of you. I mean you're part of a familia whose goddess is a man-hater. No offense Astraea. Yet each time I was in trouble you were either the people I had to go to. Or it was you saving my life. It seemed I could never be rid of you" Astraea feeling where this was going turned away a tear going down her cheek.
"So to answer your question Lyra. We were never friends. How could I be friends with people I didn't really trust? I saw you more as acquaintances. Nothing more. Nothing less" I answered truthfully.
"And by the looks on your faces, I'm guessing you don't trust me either. I mean how could you? I lied to your faces for months and I'm also the nephew of the big bad silence. The woman who terrorized the city of Orario. The revengeful member of the Hera familia. Aren't I just a liar" I said as I said their thoughts aloud. I couldn't read minds but it was plastered all over their faces.
"I don't see how you find this funny. We truly saw you as our friend. I mean we housed you and kept you safe from Apollo. We trained your familia and Lyra gave you an elixir to help you break into silver core. So how can you just sit there and treat this like a joke" Kaguya asked anger permeating in her voice.
"Because of all the bad things my aunt did and all the hatred you might feel for her. She still saved you from the juggernaut" I revealed. This news surprised them and they all looked at me in shock.
"You're lying. No, you have to be" Ryu said as she started trembling. I remember that she was the only one who wasn't really injured out of the Astraea familia when the attack happened. Yet she watched her familia get thrown around like they were nothing.
"He's not lying girls," Astraea said she was still looking to the side.
"Why. Why did she save us after trying to kill us!"Alise asked as she moved herself away from Kaguya.
"Can't tell ya I never asked. She just told me what she did one day and never talked about it again"
"I think we should stay away from each other," Alise said. "It seems nothing good will come from us being together if we can't trust each other"
"Alright. If that's what you want redheaded fury" I said not calling her by her name. She flinched and looked at me with regret.
"Astraea can you stay back for a minute after your children leave? If not that's ok" I asked. She said nothing but nodded her head.
"Well if our conversation is done I see no need for strangers to be in my hospital room. Wait no Loki was here never mind" I said. The girls started funneling out of the room one by one until Ryu was the last one at the door. She turned around and took one last look at me.
"Take care of yourself Bell. It'd be a shame if someone as talented as you died so young" she said.
"Thank you for your concern Gale Wind. But I'll be fine" I replied. She flinched slightly and walked away. Once the door shut Astraea wiped her eyes and looked at me.
"I'm sorry about that Bell. I tried to get them to look at it from your point of view but they couldn't" she said.
"It's fine. If they want to be angry they can be angry. I did lie to them for months"
"But that doesn't excuse their behavior. You are not your aunt. They should know that just by looking at you" she said.
"Trauma's a hell of a thing. But I didn't ask you to stay so we could argue. I asked you to stay because I wanted to say I trust you now. You've done a lot for me and I can't thank you enough. So even though I might not be on speaking terms with your familia I hope I can continue to trust you" I said. She was quiet for a moment before a small smile spread on her face.
"You can," she said. After that, she made sure I was ok physically and then left for home.
"You ok Bell" Miach asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I expected someone to be angry at me for the secret keeping. Even though everyone has secrets even them"
"Still it's unfair how they treated you. You're not your aunt you're you. The boy who wants to be a hero"
"Yet the hero's journey is long and perilous full of tragedy and loss. Looks like I've just been dealt another"
.
.
.
.
A few hours had passed and Miach had left to go get ready for the party. I sat there looking out the window as the sun set over the horizon and the moonlight filled the sky. The door to my room opened and Airmid walked in.
"You seem to have a lot of visitors today," she said her face as emotionless as a doll. "Yeah, I didn't know I was so popular. I mean I know like 20 people"
She walked over and checked my vitals before asking how I was feeling.
"How do you feel? Any pain or discomfort" she asked poking specific points of my body. "Nope feel just fine"
"Any emotional trauma. Any flashbacks to the event"
"Oh, Airmid I'm a man. You should know I won't talk about my feelings" I joked. When she gave me a deadpanned look I chuckled.
"Kidding I'm fine. No nightmares or traumatic flashbacks. Nothing of the sort" I said.
She writes down on her notepad and puts it back in her pocket. She then took out a stethoscope and listened to my heartbeat. After a minute she took it off and jotted down more notes.
"Alright Mr. Leywin everything is stable and you look a lot less pale than when you came in here. I'll do another check-up in the morning and you should be free to go. Goodnight Mr. Leywin" she said as she left the room. I waited until I heard her footsteps go down the hallway and then cease. Waiting for a few more minutes and hearing nothing I opened the window and looked down.
It was about a two-story drop so nothing too bad. So after maneuvering myself outside of the window I dropped and landed with a roll. Regis just turned into a will-o-wisp and floated down. Once we were on the street we took off running. After a few minutes, we saw the lights of the hostess and slowed down to a walk.
"You are gonna be in so much trouble once she finds out you broke out" Regis joked. "That's a problem for tomorrow. Tonight we drink" I said. I heard the chatter and cheers coming from the bar. Yet I noticed it was quieter than usual. Did they rent the place out for the night? Once I reached the stairs and walked in I saw the place empty except for my familia. They were all sitting around a table in the middle of the restaurant with food and drinks. I could tell I was supposed to sit at the head of the table since I was the 'birthday boy'. They didn't seem to realize I was here yet so I made my presence known.
"Got room for one more" I called out. Everyone turned their head to face me and cheered. Then I felt something slam into me.
Well, this was a big chapter. I hope it didn't drag on too much. Anyway, it seems Bell had a birthday and didn't tell anyone. Also, he had quite a few heart-to-heart conversations with a few and not-so-pleasant ones with others. Now the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived. Next chapter you know what'll happen. Later nerds.