The Fallen Argonaut
Rated; M (Blood/Gore)
Disclaimer; I do not own Danmachi or anything created by the author Fujino Ōmori, all rights go to him. This chapter may also include dark themes such as rape, torture, extreme gore, and suffering.
Authors: Eli-er01 & ViceroyChalister
Patreon: Elier01
Summary: The will of a hero is strong, yet unwavering but all good things must come to an end, even at the cost of one's Heroic Will. Imprisoned and blamed for a crime he hadn't committed, Bell seeks a way out of his predicament so that he can live without fear of being hunted by the people he once looked up to.
66: The Eye of the Storm
=Orario=
Morning arrived for Ryuu like any other at first, the light shining through her room's window, bathing her smooth elven skin in its rays as her blue eyes opened, and revealed to the world.
But 'normal morning' was thrown out the window the moment it dawned on her that she didn't have to work today… No, she had something else she needed to do.
Not waiting even a moment, she got up and put on some of her casual clothes that she would use if she didn't work. Wearing a white dress that stopped by the knees and sat quite loose on her, she headed down to get some breakfast.
As usual, May had prepared some breakfast for everyone to grab whenever they woke up, a kind gesture that she was immensely grateful for.
Grabbing some bread and adding some butter and other toppings, she headed out, not waiting for anyone else to come down.
She couldn't understand why she felt so compelled to do this. Why did she want to help Bell so much?
She cared for him, which was a given, but at first, she'd thought of it as an extension of her care for Syr, but since his return, that had been proven false.
When he'd told her that she was the person he trusted the most in this city, not including his family… she had been touched to a degree she had never experienced before, even if she hadn't shown it on her face.
Then… when she thought he might die by that calamity like her familia did while she was up here… helpless, she had just… broken down. The thought had left a hole in her chest, that she did not know how to fill until she'd heard of his safe return just a few days ago.
And now… now here she was, jogging through the streets of the labyrinth city towards the Hearth ma- no, Archian Manor, to help him and be there for him when he's hurting.
No matter how much she pondered over it, she never truly concluded, always ending up more confused than before she tried to figure her emotions out.
Arriving at the gate of the manor, she decided that it was for the best if she let these questions go for the moment, and walked inside.
It was quite impressive for such a small familia to manage this amount of ground and still have it look so fresh. She remembered the Stardust Garden and how much work went into the plant life they had on display for them, which gave it its name.
And supposedly from what she knows, this manor is tended to by a single maid…
She knocked on the door loud enough for someone to hear as she reached for the door. Moments passed with no response as she made sure she wasn't too early, but looking at the sun told her that it was almost eleven in the morning so they should be awake.
Just as she was about to knock again, the door clicked and slowly opened, revealing a chienthrope in a maid outfit with beautiful blonde hair and red eyes that accentuated her features and cream-like skin.
"Oh, uhm… can I help you?" Her eyes had hints of redness to them, her posture clear with a form of grief as she leaned against the doorframe as she asked. Ryuu carefully analyzed her features and came to a single conclusion from the name Bell had told her when he mentioned the people he trusts.
'Fina' she figured, Syr had mentioned her as well and given a description, even if she had just been a young child at that point.
"Yes, I came to see Cranel-san. I'm Ryuu Lion, pleasure to make your acquaintance." Fina seemed to analyze her for a second before nodding.
"Oh, I don't know… he's still asleep. Probably because he's not used to sleeping alone…" She whispered the second part, head turning back into the manor as her eyes fell.
"I'm sorry… I know I can't say anything to make any of you feel better, but please. I just want to be there… as a friend." and for whatever he needs. She added at the end in her head.
"I…-" Fina stopped before nodding, stepping to the side.
"He's upstairs. I can take you to his and Elora's room." Fina offered before Ryuu shook her head.
"Yes, the assistance would be much appreciated." Ryuu's acceptance came with a bit of confusion as Fina led her up the stairs. It was strange. She could feel Bache and even the children… but for some reason, she could not feel his presence whatsoever.
Red flags went off in her head within an instant as her heart began to hammer.
Taking a turn and walking close to the end of the hall, passing Baches and the children's rooms, Fina knocked on the door to what Ryuu figured was supposed to be Bell's and Elora's room.
Being in front of it now was… it only caused her fears to intensify as she couldn't help but remember how after Astrea had forsaken her, she hadn't wasted a moment to begin the quest for vengeance.
'Am…" She began a trail of thought as Fina knocked again…. Then again with no response.
"That's strange… he usually answers on the first knock…" Fina frowned, taking a chance and opening the door slightly, peeking her head inside as she called for him.
The chienthrope's tail instantly froze in shock at the empty room, Bell's armor nowhere to be seen on its usual mannequin for when he sleeps.
Pushing the door completely open and walking in, Fina took in as many details as she could. It wasn't just the armor. The spear of Orion was nowhere to be seen alongside the rest of Bell's weaponry.
Ryuu, feeling dread, walked up to one of the drawers on the empty side of the room and opened it, finding empty spots where clothes had been picked.
"Where…-" Fina asked, the beginnings of a panic, cutting her voice off as her breath sped up.
Ryuu, already having a good idea what was going on, silently cursed to herself, something she so rarely does that the only ones who had ever heard her do it were Alise and Astrea.
"I was afraid of this…" Ryuu uttered, Fina, turned to her, silently begging for an explanation.
"I once lost my whole familia… everyone I loved… and vengeance consumed me… every thought and fiber of my being." No more was needed to be said as Fina instantly got the picture of where she was going with that.
"No… Bell wouldn't." Fina said, horrified at the prospect as Ryuu looked at her.
"Can you inform the others?" She asked as the chienthrope nodded before tilting her head.
"W-what will you do?" Fina asked as Ryuu froze. Honestly, what was she even supposed to do in this situation? She had believed she'd be able to talk to him before he ventured down that path…
Before he even left but now… things had gotten so complicated so quickly. One day, everything was fine, and the next, Rakia was invaded, streets filled to the brim, then Elora and Bell…
Taking a deep breath and figuring this was the best thing she could do at the moment, she looked back towards the girl, her eyes meeting red ones, the blue irises revealing conviction.
"I'm going after him… so he doesn't make the same mistake I did."
Fina stared, eyes wide as she was stunned. Yes, Bell had talked about Ryuu, and she had heard about her from sister Syr before her disappearance. How she was headstrong, stubborn in her beliefs, helping anywhere she saw injustice despite her apparent view of her not having any right to be called a warrior of it… but seeing it, and hearing about it are two entirely separate things.
'Or maybe there is something more here…' A thought passed through Fina's head but was quickly squashed out as the girl nodded.
"I will." Nodding, Ryuu took off as Fina set her sights on everyone else's rooms.
As the morning rose, the beginning of a war, more significant than anything in over a thousand years, would begin.
=Western base of Beol Mountains, North West of Orario=
When Ebem had joined the lads as a recruit for the empire, he had imagined glory, conquest, and the thrill of battle.
It had been something he'd always craved ever since he was young. He was no good man by any means and he knew that, but without a doubt, he wasn't necessarily bad. An in-between would be an apt description for it.
Neither good nor bad. Neutral. There were many things he would do that many would frown upon, but that didn't mean he didn't frown upon the practices of some of the others.
For one, things like rape, torture, cannibalism, and genocide were… well, it disgusted him down to his core.
Growing up, he'd lived in an impoverished family, only having a mother and two other siblings. Her mother, earned money by selling herself on the streets, even though she didn't want that, she had done it for them.
It was something he would never take for granted. His hate for two of those things that truly disgust him came from her one day being kidnapped, raped, and tortured for weeks, months even before he had stumbled upon her…
It had been a sight that had broken something in her. Seeing her so… hollow, eyes not even reacting to the sight of him as if there was no one home.
Her missing arm, chains forcing her legs apart…
Ever since, he had been the one to provide for his siblings, working odd jobs in the criminal underworld, killing, and stealing. It wasn't honest, but it kept food in his belly and a roof over his head alongside his siblings.
Then they grew up, split apart and he decided to join the army, seeking something better that also satiated the hunger for that adrenaline high he had gotten so used to.
What he had not expected was to see his own men doing some of the things he so despised.
He sat at the edge of the camp, facing away from the atrocities happening behind his back as he silently cursed his own inaction and-
"No! Please! No more! I can't do it an- NOOOO!" Ebem almost whimpered at the sound as he was instinctively drawn towards it with his gaze. They had recently plundered one of the villages at the edge of the forest at the base of the mountain.
The men were killed or captured for slavery, as per protocol and the women were taken. He'd believed it was for slavery too, but… seeing what the men did before taking them back for selling was…
It made him question why he was even allowing it…
At the center of camp by the fire, the women were being tossed around from one man to another, each having their fun as they coed and laughed at the girl's misery.
Another was lying to the side, covered from head to toe in their… emissions.
Looking back to the leading group, he saw a blonde girl, no older than sixteen, tears in her blue eyes as she was thrown to a guy who pinned her to the ground, the guy forcibly shoving his mouth onto hers as she even from here, he could hear her scream and struggle underneath him.
Turning his head back and closing his eyes, hands running through his reddish brown hair, he mentally chanted to himself that this was for his country… that he just had to look the other way, as long as he didn't participate…
As long as he didn-
"No… get that thing away from me! I can't let my first time be- no! Stop it! NO!" Her screams reached his ears as he rose from his seat and walked away from camp.
Hearing the screams only made him imagine his own mother, how she was most likely forced onto just like that, tossed around like some toy to be used and discarded.
He so desperately wanted to do something but… he couldn't…
"Mom would be so disappointed…" He whispered as a rustle was heard in the bushes behind him.
Rolling his eyes, he moved to turn around as he opened his mouth.
"For the last time, I won't be joining you in this shi-" He froze, his eyes meeting blood red filled with horrifying promises of pain, and quite clearly, not of his unit. He didn't even have time to take note of his white hair before his throat was grabbed with his back slammed into a tree, breath leaving his lungs as he failed to take in any more of it.
"I will ask you one time… state your rank." The man asked as Ebem gurgled out an unintelligible reply. It took a moment for the grip to lighten just enough for a whisper to be let through, but no more.
"C-captain…" He got out as his attacker's red eyes inspected his own green ones, searching for what he could only imagine were lies.
"Lucky you… you get to live-" He said before throwing him towards camp, startling some of the lookouts as the man walked forward, seeing what was going on as the girl with blonde hair and blue eyes was stripped all the way to full nudity, an inch from her virginity being taken.
"Wh-who are-" A lookout started.
Not wasting a second, he threw one of his knives straight into the throat of the man over the young girl, her eyes widening as the blade easily sunk into the skin, and exploded out the adjacent side, blood seeping through the wound and out of the mouth as he grabbed the wound in a desperate attempt to stem the bleeding.
Another knife was thrown straight down, impaling Ebem's hand into the ground as he screamed out in shock and pain.
The next moment, all hell broke loose, the obsidian-clad man disappearing, the stomachs, chests, and limbs of men exploding in pink mists, blood splattering the ground and camp equipment.
Heads seemed to just… shoot off or shatter out of thin air, covering everyone around them in grey matter.
Organs flew out of the wounds as for a split moment, their assailant reappeared, sword drawn as he cut two people in half, reappearing across the camp as a devastating right hook caused the unlucky guy's jaw to dislodge and fly into the woods.
"WHAT THE FU-!" A largely built man called out, the man appearing in front of him, grabbing his head and slamming his head into the ground, skull-crushing into a large splatter, the sound causing multiple men to back up in horror as the blood flew everywhere with the grey matter, staining the mans face as he looked up at them all.
At this point, their unit of thirty-five had been reduced to fifteen in only a few seconds, making it clear that whoever this was… was not someone they had any chance against.
The women around the camp were either too spent or too scared to even move, the blonde had backed up against a log, curled up into a ball as her entire body shook from fear.
"W-who are you!? W-what d-do you want!?" One of the men asked as the red irises of the man responsible for the carnage met the man in question, darkening as he stood straight.
"Information… but some of you-" He motioned for them all "Simply don't deserve to live after what you all did to them." His hand turned towards the girls to his side, and the moment the words were registered in their heads, they could only do one thing.
They ran, sprinting in the opposite direction as the man took chase, spear passing through two of them at once, blowing holes through their chests before he guided its return right into the eye of another as he ran past, grabbing his weapons as the body flew forward from the force as blood splattered across the trees.
Three more went down as their legs were cut off before one after another, they were systematically butchered in a way that could only be described as utter brutality.
Eventually, the only one remaining apart from the three bleeding out from their amputated legs, was the man who had asked him the questions.
He honestly didn't know who the man was, or at least it didn't click at once as he hit between two rocks by a cliff, praying he didn't find him.
He swore that those red eyes and white hair seemed familiar… and that armor from the far east.
It just didn't make sense! How was he so strong!? They had multiple level 3's! And they were slaughtered as if they were ants!
It's almost as if he was-
The man froze, heart freezing as he heard a footstep on the other side of the rock. For a split moment, he thought he didn't notice him right before the mound he was leaning on exploded, hand grabbing the back of his neck and throwing him hard into a tree, breaking it as it collapsed onto the forest floor.
The soldier could swear a few ribs were broken and he could already feel his lung filling with blood.
"Did you think you could hide from me?" The man asked in an eerily low voice, almost as if he honestly didn't care.
"W-what?"
"No matter… you're coming with me." With no hesitation, he was grabbed by his hair and dragged him, kicking and screaming, trying to get free but the man didn't budge.
It didn't take long for him to pass the bodies of his friends, the people he had just a few minutes ago, had a good time with.
How had things turned out this way… Everyone was… they were all dead.
All of them, unrecognizable.
Once they arrived back at camp, he was roughly thrown to the center by the fire, right into a pool of blood, bodies around him alongside a pair of intestines, grey matter, and an exposed damaged lung.
He screamed in horror, trying to get onto his feet but collapsing as blood filled his mouth from his punctured lung, coming up through his trachea and cutting off his ability to breathe whatsoever.
"You better get that blood out or you will suffocate." The white-haired man said "But by all means, don't. I don't care, you'll die either way."
Taking his advice, he spat out as much blood as he could, getting a moment of respite as the footsteps walked away.
Worried at whatever he was going, the man looked in that direction before his eyes widened, seeing his second in command, Captain Ebem stuck to the ground with a knife impaling his hand.
The man had tried his best to get it out of his hand but no matter what he did, it wouldn't budge.
Without a word, the monster in front of him ripped the blade out of his hand before pulling him up into a grip, glaring into his eyes.
"Now, you're going to answer my questions. Am I understood?" He asked as Ebem nodded rapidly.
"Good, what was your purpose here?" He asked as Ebem gulped, trying to find the words.
*SLAM*
All air in his body was forcibly ejected as his back was thrown against the ground, cracking it as he felt a bone break.
"Too slow, now again. What. Is your purpose. Here?" He asked one more time, Ebem was honest to God's terrified like he had never been before. This was not what he had wanted out of the military…
"T-to clear out v-villages a-and capture slaves f-for the Empire." He answered honestly as the man over him hummed.
"Hmm, does that pillaging include treating the women as toys for your own amusement?"
"N-no! I didn't want any part of it! It was them! I didn't do anythi-"
His head was grabbed as it was slammed again into the ground, shaking his entire world as he struggled to keep his consciousness from slipping.
"I didn't ask. Now again! Does that pillaging include treating the women as toys for your amusement?" He reiterated his question, Ebem whimpering before nodding slowly through the vice grip on his head.
"Y-yes… u-usually…"
"Well that seals your fate… now second round of questions. Where is Kaius?"
"R-rakia… Just came back from taking care of Bell Cranel." Ebem answered, expecting another question or another slam to finally end his suffering, but what he didn't expect, was hearing a hollow laugh.
"Take care… huh? Guess that didn't go as planned since I'm still here."
That instant, those words sent Ebem's world to a halt. This… was Bell Cranel? But- there was no way. Kaius had announced his success the moment he returned before sending them out in the middle of the night.
How did…
"All he succeeded in was to put my wife in a permanent coma, one of the few people in this world that has kept me together and sane. So believe me, I will stop at nothing, to burn his entire world to the ground… and that includes his army." There were no more words for him, he gave up. Ebem saw no way out.
If this was truly Bell Cranel, then he could never escape. He was a level 3, with a level 7 out for his life. If Kaius couldn't finish him off then… they stood no chance from the start.
"But to do that, I need to know what he cares about. So tell me, what do you think he finds precious in this world?" Bell asked, pulling Ebem up by the throat.
"H-his…" He stopped for a second as Ebem's eyes closed, tears falling down his cheeks. What was the point… he was going to die anyway.
"Either I can make it painless or painful, your choice," Bell told him as if reading his thoughts. To Ebem, it was no choice. It wasn't as if anyone would know, they would all die so… might as well make it as easy as possible.
"H-his second in command… he seems to like her…" He told him as Bell's eyes widened before a chuckle escaped his lips.
"Of course… an eye for an eye." He uttered before nodding.
"Well, I am a man of my word so…" With a simple squeeze, Bell snapped Ebem's neck, ending his life in an instant with no pain before throwing the body to the side.
Turning back to where the other soldier was, still on the ground and unable to truly get a move on, he glared at him before turning to the girls.
In an instant, his eyes softened as he walked up to them as they backed up apart from those that seemed downright catatonic from what they had been through.
"It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you." He told them, trying to appease their fear as he noticed them glancing between him and the carnage around them.
"Don't worry, I- I promise, I will not lay a hand on you. I only want to get you somewhere safe." He held out his hand towards them, staring straight into their eyes, not even glancing down at their uncovered parts.
A moment passed before one of the girls, a brunette dared to reach out as well, her shaking fingers touching his own as he helped her up.
"There is a village south of here. We can grab some of their spare clothes for you to use before we leave." He suggested as most felt a bit more at ease at the calmer and kinder demeanor than he'd shown against the men that had violated them.
"There should be some in the big ten- whoah!"Bell's hands flew into the air as a soft body hugged his own, arms wrapping around him in as tight an embrace as her small and unblessed frame could muster.
"T-thank you! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" She uttered over and over again, her eyes filled with tears as her face pressed into his chest.
He felt a bit conflicted as the blonde he'd saved from the man trying to force her, hugged him completely in the nude.
He had no idea if he should return it and where he could even place his hands. A moment of contemplation left him clueless before deciding to hell with it.
He warped his arms around her waist and his hands reaching up and rubbing the back of her head.
"It's okay… It's going to be fine." He said, not truly believing it as the image of his wife, pale and helpless in the hospital bed flashed in his mind.
"I- They were going to take my first-" Her throat clogged as he nodded, pushing her away slightly as he noticed the other girls varying between smiling slightly at the interaction and getting spare some clothes for themselves and the non-responsive ones.
The sounds of careful footsteps alerted Bell as his head snapped to the side, eyes locking onto the form of the surviving empiric soldier.
"Where do you think you're going?" The soldier jumped, wincing as he did so from the surge of pain coming from his chest.
"I- If you kill me, the Empire will hunt you down you know!" He frantically uttered, hoping to get some kind of a reaction as Bell quirked his eyebrow, showing a hint of amusement as he let out a mildly entertained 'oh'.
"Y-yeah! That's r-right! I'm a commander- which if you didn't understand, means that I am quite a big sho-" Bell's hand snapped up, wrapping around his mouth, forcing it to shut as panic filled the commander's eyes.
"Commander huh? Good to know, but you know. There is an issue with what you just said. The Empire is already hunting me down… Kaius already tried to kill me so… It won't change anything if I kill one commander, will it?" In an instant, all hope for a way out of his predicament was lost as he closed his eyes, waiting for the man holding his life in his hands, to literally, would end it.
"But let's not make it easy- Hey, girls! Do you want to have the pleasure?" He asked motioning with his head towards the commander in his hands as it took them all a moment to figure out what he meant.
Most of them seemed to become hesitant to a degree, never having inflicted physical pain onto some of them before Bell threw him toward them.
"I mean, he is the reason this all happened to you. They could have captured you and taken you to the Empire without doing anything, correct?" Bell asked as agreement went around.
"But he… gave the order to and I quote 'Have some fun'," Bell said before he walked to the edge of the camp, unlodging one of his daggers from a tree before kicking a sword from the ground towards the girls, stopping in front of the blonde.
She stared at it for a long moment, indecisive but the commander seemed to take it as an opportunity to arm himself as he lunged forward, aiming to grab it, but was too late.
The girl, in a moment of panic, had grabbed the sword and backed up, aiming the tip towards him. He seemed to contemplate his options before Bell grabbed hold of the commander's hair, forcing him onto his knees as he looked towards her.
"It's up to you, I'm going to kill him anyway." His words carried a promise that shook the commander to his core as fear-filled eyes met the blue of the blonde, pleading silently as he breathed heavily.
Glancing from the man and the sword a couple of times, she eventually seemed to come to a decision. Taking a step forward, she placed the tip onto the man's chest, right where his heart was, her entire body shaking.
"You don't have to if you don't want to. I'll do it if it's too much." Bell offered her, knowing that taking a life for the first time was… it was hard. Even if at this point, he felt irredeemable. But that just came with his self-imposed title of 'Fallen Argonaut'.
Shaking her head, before steeling her gaze, she shoved the blade forward with a grunt from the force, the tip breaking the skin as she kept pushing against the defenses of a level 3.
Helping out a bit, Bell grabbed the tip of the blade and gave it a bit of a push, allowing it to slide right in, the man gasping with a cough as his heart was impaled.
"Now, in the last few moments of your life, think upon what you've done…" Bell muttered into his ears before standing up, the commander's body losing color as he collapsed to the side, shallow breaths slowing down before finally, coming to a halt.
"Well… most of you seem clothed so… let's get out of here," Bell said as they all nodded, the blonde holding the sword, the blade leaning on the ground as she wore a conflicted expression.
"Hey, think about it this way. He did horrible things, and now, he won't be able to do any of those things because of you." He told her as she nodded.
"Y-yeah… It's just… I took a human life… It'll take some time to accept that." He nodded at her response before smiling.
"I'm Bell by the way. You?"
"Raella…" He nodded, before carefully leading her alongside the others out of the clearing in the forest, heading south towards the village he mentioned.
Bell took one last moment to glance at the ruined camp, stained in blood, showcasing a complete slaughter.
A sort of guilt entered his heart as the reality of what he had done set in. He had slaughtered them as if they were animals. He had done something that… that he had never thought himself capable of.
But…
It had to be done. He had heard of what the Empire does, but seeing it was… it was so much worse, and it reaffirmed to him what Kaius and the Empire needed.
To be burned to the ground with nothing but ash as proof of their existence.
And with that thought, he aimed his hands before uttering the one word that would symbolize his resolve.
"Firebolt." The flames enveloped the entire camp, the blast shattering and sending rocks flying in all directions before he turned back, leading the now startled women away.
=Shortly Outside the Western Gates of Orario=
Ryuu Lion had found it surprisingly easy to sneak out of the dungeon city. She knew very well that they would never let her go out, especially considering that they'd inspect her for a status, which would undoubtedly lead to them finding out who she was and imprisoning her.
So, that left escaping… and all it took was jumping off the top of the wall. For a city that is supposed to be known for its security, both in and out, it was a little underwhelming.
But she was not the type of person to stare at a gift horse in the mouth, so instead, she took it as is and decided that it was simply good luck.
Within the short hour, she had used to buy some supplies and pack, she had managed to travel about five kilometers out of the city, which admittedly was not a lot, but it was a start, given she did not know where to start her search.
Her best bet is to ask around in villages bordering Rakia, which now is the Empire. If Bell is going on a path of vengeance, she knows that the first thing in order is information. He would undoubtedly have Kaius watch as everything he built was methodically torn to the ground by his own handiwork.
It was a simple, yet effective way of taking vengeance, but that took information. What is important to the person? How do you take that from them? What is the most painful way to do that?
She knew it so well because she had felt those emotions too, had those questions as well.
But all of that needs information and the best way to get information, is to force it out of the mouths that know it, which in this case, are soldiers of the empire, preferably higher-ranking ones.
Given the incoming war, Ryuu figured that Bell had to have gone to border camps, taking one out after another, simultaneously weakening their stance and potential backup for the more fortified locations, he also would gain chances to gather as much information as possible.
Looking at her map, she glanced at some of the villages and picked the closest one.
Barerock village, a little northwest of here but close to the border of the Empire, formerly Rakia.
Judging by the distance, she'd be there in about a day or so, due to the border to the Empire's territory wasn't that far away from the western part of Orario.
Plotting a path, she headed forward toward her destination, but the longer she walked, the more prevalent some hard questions to answer became.
How would she convince Bell in the first place to stop? She knows very well how one-sided one's view can get on the path he's chosen, the one she had chosen once upon a time. Rationalizing every horrific action taken, no matter how inhumane or brutal.
Poisoning, cutting enemies down in their sleep, brutalizing them during battle- it didn't matter. As long as the path to their goal got one step closer.
It came to a point that even if she didn't want to admit it, she would have hurt people she cared for to get them out of the way, and if Bell was that far gone, then she knew there was not much she could do.
She was limited to her level 4 status, nothing to scoff at by any means, but compared to that of a level 7 in their prime, she was equivalent to an ant, especially with his status being as abnormal as it is if the conversations she'd overheard were true (which she figured it was, due to how he had toyed with Allen and the Sword Princess).
What would she do if that was the case? If he was that far gone?
Her gaze shifted, contemplation heavy as she couldn't help but feel a bit silly in her choice to go try to make him see sense. It was… foolish, all things considered.
But despite the rational reasonings to not go, she couldn't find it in herself to just… abandon him to such a fate. To just… give up on him.
Bell had been a bright light in her life when he'd first entered, a smile that could light up anyone's day with the absolute purity of it. She'd even begun to get closer to him to some degree, but- then he was gone for a decade and a half before returning, a changed man.
That purity was still there to some extent, but it was clear that most of it had been replaced by a battle-hardened warrior who had built a family… a life.
And even then, he had been a good friend. Visiting, talking, jokingly teasing… being a friend in the short time he had been back. A type of friend she missed in Syr.
So she couldn't do that, she couldn't abandon him. Even if it risked her life, but also due to the sensation in her chest that pulled her towards this course of action.
She was probably insane, but if that meant helping him, then so be it.
Determination's hardened, Ryuu set forward, intent on doing the one thing she wished she'd had someone do for her back then.
To snap her out of it
=Orario, Twilight Manor=
"The lad's gone?" Gareth blinked at Raul, who nodded at his superior. The news surprised the dwarf greatly, as the lad had just returned with his wife in tow, injured and stuck in bed for the foreseeable future.
He'd have believed without a second though if he'd heard that he was glued to the lass' bed, refusing to leave in fear that something would happen when he wasn't there.
But the lad left? To somewhere unknown? A piece of him saw a piece of logic there, a thirst for vengeance that he had seen many be consumed of, the chief of them being a certain blonde swordswoman, among others.
Rubbing his beard in contemplation, he motioned for Raul to inform Finn. The lad listened without hesitation and took off, leaving the level 7 dwarf to his own thoughts.
He had seen a lot from the lad, how he had grown from that timid boy that had helped Ais come out of her shell, to a battle-hardened warrior he'd have a drink with any day if the lingering guilt of what he'd been a part of wasn't playing a role.
Partly due to him being one of the reasons he had been banished, but also due to him sitting idly, simply drinking away the actions Finn took to get Zeus and Hera banished from the city, the lad's family.
He had never liked that action, had never agreed with it. Finn knew it and had been forced to accept it despite annoyed grumbling back then coming from the damn prum.
Riveria had been a mixed bag, not wanting to go against Finn and deny him his dream, but not seeing what was being done as fair or right. She had been… conflicted was the right word, something he did not like seeing whatsoever.
But now, he found that if there was one other emotion he enjoyed even less on the high elf? It was despair.
He remembered a period when she had been sad, disheartened, and even showed a form of depression, which was a few months after Zeus and Hera were banished.
He hadn't done anything at the time, due to some lingering anger at them for doing that to people who had just lost everything in a quest that had been both figuratively and literally forced on them by the world simply because they were the strongest.
They had lost their family and their loved ones. Their entire lives work to protect others, to save them, and only get contempt and betrayal in return.
He had believed she had been feeling that way due to what they did and had thought… good. Look at what we did.
But now, he saw the same expression on her, the same look of a building depression that he'd turned a blind eye to previously.
The difference is, that this time, he couldn't just ignore it either. Despite their differing opinions and views at times, how they bicker and argue, she was a precious friend to him, one he found irreplaceable.
His dwarven drinking buddied back in the mind would laugh at him seeing that, but it was true. A dwarf and the high elven princess had become close friends, allies, and even in a way, like a family.
So, he grumbled under his breath before heading off towards Riveria's room, where he already knew Ais was. The two had always been closer than both he and Finn had been able to get.
Besides, Ais would want to hear about the lad leaving as well, no matter how badly she'd react.
It didn't take long for him to maneuver his way towards the door into the room of the vice-captain of the familia. Having lived in this manor for almost longer than he can remember, its layout was engraved in his head like the back of his hand.
Giving a light knock on the door, he waited a moment before it slid open, Ais meeting his gaze as he smiled at her.
"Morning, lass. Is Riveria in?" He asked as she gave a nod, turning her head to the side as he followed it, finding a familia green-haired woman, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring right back at him with mournful eyes.
Glancing between the two, he walks into the familia space, a plethora of books littering the walls (to be expected) with some elven decorations around and about.
"Gareth… has something happened?" Riveria asked, putting on the mask he knew as her 'vice-captain' one. A good disguise for how she felt, but he was intimate enough with it to see right past it.
"Riveria, don't ya put tha' mask on in front of me," he told her seriously as she blinked, a small half-relieved, half-disappointed smile slowly growing on her lips.
"That obvious, was it?" She asked as he nodded, Ais shifting her gaze between the two, trying to fully understand whatever dynamic they were having at the moment.
"Look, I won't say that I understand what ya are going through, but Riveria, you've told the lasses and lads many times to not hide their emotions… so why are ya doing the same?" He asked as the high elf stared at Gareth, surprised at his words before a light laugh escaped her lips.
"I never thought I'd see the day that a Dwarf would lecture me on behavior… but… You're right. It would be quite hypocritical of me to do the opposite of what I say, would it not?" The two laughed together at that, a sign of their camaraderie as Ais couldn't help but let a smile of her own spread as well.
She'd been here for hours, since hours before sunrise just talking to Riveria, letting her let her emotions out like she had let her so many times in the past… but she had not managed to get her to laugh.
Something she knew she wasn't the best at period when it came to anyone. At least not intentionally. But it was nice… hearing her laugh after seeing her so heartbroken.
Was this was Riveria felt when she had been the same? When she had thought she had lost Bell forever? To never see him again? When she'd been hung up on her quest for vengeance against the dragon? Granted, she still desired it but was able to control it now.
No wonder she had always smiled, with that look of relief when she laughed. It was strangely fulfilling.
"Aye, I do remember ya mentioning her. Should have known that back then, ya weren't hung up on Zeus and Hera, but on your sister. I'm sorry for not seeing that," He gave Riveria a sideways smile as Ais blinked, realizing she had spaced out, missing a bit of the conversation.
"Sister?" She asked as the two turned to her.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ais, I never told you. I used to have a sister, one who was dear to me and showed me that there was more to the world than the politics of the forest. If it wasn't for her… I most likely would never have been here." Riveria smiled as she explained.
"That sounds nice…" Ais trailed off, thinking about what it would have been like to have a sister of her own, or maybe a brother. Would it be like that? Someone she could hold that dearly? Or would they have only been fuel for her quest for vengeance as well?
"Though… I didn't just come here to talk." Gareth's voice interrupted her thoughts as both eyes turned to him.
"How so?" Riveria asked as the dwarf sighed.
"Well, the lad left." Silence. It took Riveria but a moment to understand who he was talking about, her green eyes widening in surprise, shock then transitioning to worry.
"Left? Why?" She asked as Ais seemed to finally catch on and internally began to panic.
"Beat's me, the guild don't know, but my guess… to get back at that bastard, Kaius,"
"That… would make a strange amount of sense. That man has seen more than anyone should in a lifetime… everyone has a breaking point." Riveria reasoned before looking up towards Ais, her golden Irises shaking, her hands curled up into fists, chalk white under the strain she put while squeezing them.
"Ais…-"
"Tempest…"
"Ais!" Riveria could barely react as the girl sped away, faster than anyone in the manor could ever hope to match. Gareth simply sat there, expecting this, but knowing that keeping the information from her would be an even worse option.
Last time they did that… well, remembering her lashing out at them and needing the lad himself in order to forgive them.
He was not making that mistake again…
Riveria seemed to deflate with a deep sigh, sitting down on the bed, already knowing that by the time she would be able to do anything, she'd be long gone.
"What am I going to do with her?" She asked, mainly to herself.
"I don't know, I am no expert on raisin' people. But what I do know, is that you have to let her make her choices. I remember when I was a wee lad, how my parents forced me into being a miner. I didn't get a choice, so the first option I had out, tha' being Finn, I took. Keeping choice from her… will only lead her away from you." He told her honestly, a rare thing from the dwarf, but a given with his sentimental mood.
That and his age might finally be getting to him.
Gareth chuckled at that though as Riveria pondered his words.
"You know, that might be the most intelligent thing that ever came out of that drunkard's mouth of yours." She teased, giving him a hint of the Riveria he's used to.
"Is that right, ya precious books don't have such simple information, bookworm?" He teased right back as the two continued, bickering with smiles on their faces the entire time.
Sometimes, just having a sense of normalcy, can truly lift one's spirit in ways you'd never imagine.
=Archian Manor=
"What…?" Bache asked, staring at the letter in her hand which Erebus had given her. When she'd learned of Bell's departure… to say she was livid… well, that was like saying a fire was just a little hot.
"That son of a- Did he plan this!? DID HE!?" She lashed out, the god not shaken at all by the loud voice that could wake even a drunkard from a deep sleep.
"No, it was just a happy coincidence. He doesn't even know about it." Erebus answered honestly as the letter in the Amazonian's hands crumpled and her face went completely red.
"That- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHHH!" she crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it at full force through the window, shattering it as it flew off like a bullet.
All three kids were standing to the side, varying emotions on their faces. Jannor with confused anger. He was unable to understand or make sense of it all. Aralaya with heartwrenching fear that would make anyone want to comfort her… and finally Adrienne who was just… lost.
To them, it felt like their entire family was falling apart. First, their mother/aunt gets put into a coma and now their father goes off on his own on a quest for vengeance, something they never thought possible and in a way, had trouble truly believing at this point.
And Bache, clearly was furious to a degree that she'd be likened to an erupting volcano.
"HIS WIFE IS IN A COMA, AND HE LEAVES HER!? WHAT KIND OF A HEARTLESS SON OF A BITCH CAN HE BE!?" There was nothing anyone could do but stay quiet and wait out the storm. Calming her down like this was impossible, they all knew that.
A rage born from frustration, hurt, and disbelief. It was something that needed to run its course or it would only bottle up and explode even worse than it was now, if that was even possible.
A few broken windows later, Bache finally began to calm down enough to at least be conversible, much to everyone's relief, and… well, it showed that she was more hurt than anything.
For the most part, Erebus talked, giving her a lay of the situation, Fina adding in a detail or two with the kids staying quiet.
After that, she took the remaining frustrations and hurt out in training.
Bell leaving like that was… it was a hit to her trust in him. Trust that he would be there, as her friend and as the father of her child… but a calmer mind did give the Amazonian a clearer thought process, even when she sent a flying kick in the air that let out a strong enough wind to be noticeable to the naked eye.
Bell had lost a lot in his life, though that's to say she hadn't either, but… truly looking at it. He was basically a poster boy for tragedy. He never met his mother or father, the former dying during childbirth and the latter abandoning him to his grandfather.
He grew up with said grandfather, who happened to be Zeus, who faked his death at 14 which would shatter most children at that age, especially ones who never had a mother or father.
He became an adventurer, getting stronger and building a new home and family for 5 months before being banished for what was essentially self-defense. Losing that built life and family in the process alongside his hopes and dreams.
Goes on to be forced to kill more to survive, and go to Telskyura only to get forced into having children from a bet that was tailored towards his moral code, putting him in a situation where he couldn't refuse by either saving a small girl or letting them die.
Goes to the Far East with the small girl from the bet and then watches that girl die in his arms, who he had begun to see as a little sister.
That wasn't even all of it, but it was enough to get an idea that he has been through a lot, and suffered more than anyone she knew so… watching what happened to Elora, whatever went down, Bache could somewhat understand that… that might have been too much.
He might have finally snapped from all the strain despite his development ability because no matter how strong one's defenses are, there is always a limit.
Like Erebus likes to say 'Nothing in the universe is unlimited, not even the powers of the gods'.
So… with one last kick, followed up with three hard jabs and an uppercut. She took a deep breath with closed eyes and came to a decision.
She would follow the order from the guild, and act as the temporary captain of the Themis familia, along with all responsibilities that came with it. She would take care of Elora in any way she could so that she would recover as best as possible until Bell returned. And finally, she would make sure nothing happened to their kids.
Not Adrienne. Not Aralaya and not Jannor. Nothing. Because if there is one thing she knows he would never return from, something that would break him to a point of no return… it would be the death of his kids.
That was one line, that if crossed, could create a monster worse than anything Gekai had ever seen, and she would never allow Bell, the man that gave her the most wonderful thing she could ever imagine. Her daughter.
No matter how cruelly she originally was conceived her… he still was there for them, something she could not say a lot of men would do in his situation.
So letting go of whatever hurt and frustration she had towards him for leaving for the moment, she would do everything she could to make sure everything worked out while he was gone.
That didn't mean he wasn't in for a hell of a lashing from her when he did return… and most likely everyone else.
So… coming to that conclusion, she headed back up, intent on making dinner before talking strategy with Finn and Freya…
They thought already exhausted her, but it had to be done.
After that, she'd do one thing she knew would become a daily thing. Visit Elora.
With a plan for the rest of the day, she headed up, intent on getting through the day as well as possible.
=Oxfell Village, South of Beol Mountain's Forest=
Bell felt a bit relieved when the women seemed to calm down once they made it out of the forest. It was clear that as long as they stayed within it, they would feel exposed more than here, where it was more open for them to see any possible threats or people watching them.
It had also been made clear that most of the women knew each other, having grouped up in what he could only describe as already predetermined groups, with the only outlier being Raella who seemed to be sticking closer to him than anyone else.
Perhaps an age gap? She did seem young, not older than sixteen, perhaps even younger than that. She seemed to feel more comfortable near him, which he figured was attributed to her mentally attaching herself to him as her savior.
The one person who helped her when she needed it most, which was something he had gotten used to over the years.
This was by no means the first time he had seen men do this, but never had he seen an actual military do it. It had always been bandits who were, in their words, enjoying their spoils.
Every time the older women seemed to be more on guard and if there were any young and sadly, most of the time, there were, they always attached themselves to him.
I a sort of self-defense mechanism in a way. They see a source of protection when they feel vulnerable and the young are more susceptible to act on it.
He just wished that it didn't make it harder to tell them that he would have to go because that never got any easier on his heart.
After all, he didn't like to see the girls cry or beg for him to stay.
The tip of the village's houses was visible from their location, but there was still a bit of a walk to get there.
And in the meantime, he took the time to go over what he had learned. Firstly, Kaius apparently favored Varede, which would give him a target for his attack.
Getting to Varede would get to Kaius in a way not much else would. But he didn't just want to get to him. He wanted for him to suffer, no matter how much that scared him at times.
So, he would save Varede for last. Better to save the best for last, to keep a semblance of hope before ripping it away.
Instead, he'll slowly destroy his army infrastructure, find the leaders, and take them out while also disrupting their reinforcement efforts.
It was clear that they were still undergoing maintenance to get a more advantageous and defensible position if they were plundering villages in the Rakian territory.
That showed a need for resources and supplies that signified the effort to build and construct. Especially considering that they needed slaves.
Strangely, there weren't any men in the camp, but perhaps they already sent them away but decided to keep the women for one round of enjoyment or whatever inhumane mental gymnastics they did to condone what they did.
So… that begs the question, where to start from here? He had basic information and targets, but where did he start?
Thinking for a moment, he figured the military infrastructure was as good a place as any. But that needed information, which required him to find soldiers or information that knows things.
So… disruption. That's what he would do. Disrupt supply lines. Ambush convoys, free prisoners, take down camps and bases.
It would undoubtedly get Kaius' attention… and all Bell could think on that was… well… good. Let him come.
"Ehm…Bell-san?" He blinked and turned his gaze towards the blond hugging his arm, her blue irises staring up at him with worry.
"Yeah?"
"W-where do I go from here? I- my family is gone. I have no one." She mumbled slightly, unsure of her statement to some degree.
"Well… I can give you some valis to get you started, but you'll need to care for yourself for a while unless someone else can take you in. How old are you?" He asked with a smile, the girl nodding slowly.
"I'm 15… 16 in two months." Ah, so he was right with her age. Younger, but close to sixteen.
Well… can't any of the women here help you?" She shook her head slowly as he frowned. Weren't they all from the same village? So why would they just abandon her?
"I'm uhm… I'm seen as a cursed child." It took a moment for the statement to set in before he blinked.
"What? Why?"
"My father died protecting me from a goblin and… my mother couldn't get enough valis to feed me so… I've been alone for the last year. She blamed me and everyone else believed her…" For a moment, Bell felt a surge of anger, but quickly squashed it. How was it her fault that her father died protecting her from a goblin?
It only meant that he cared for her enough to give his life for her. It was an act of love, something that should be cherished and valued, not spat on by abandoning the person they gave their life for.
"Tell you what, I'll have a word with the chief. I'm in good relations with him, and would gladly help you out in any way he can." He smiled as Raella's eyes lit up in response.
"Really?" She asked as he nodded.
"Yeah, could probably assign you a fitting job that could get you an income and the Valis I can give you should be enough for a home." For a moment, her mouth opened and closed like a fish before she decided on a wide, bashful smile as her gaze fell with a heavy blush.
Bell, seeing this chuckled, amused before he softly rubbed the top of her head, only resulting in a returned pout, making her utterly adorable.
After talking a bit more, they eventually reached the village where Bell took the lead and explained the situation to the chief who was very understanding of what had happened. After all, having had dealings with Bell previously on multiple occasions, he did take everything more seriously than he would with a stranger.
"I see… well, if what you say is true, then we'd be happy to take them in. There are a few jobs that are in need of filling so this is actually fortunate in a way." The man said with a genuine smile as Bell nodded.
Letting the other women get settled a bit with the village after a small tour, Bell gave a bit of a heads up for the chief that one of the girls needed extra attention, with her not even being a full adult yet and being basically ostracised by the rest, he had understood and promised to keep an eye on her to make sure everything went well.
Talking with a seamstress, it wasn't long until Raella was hired as the woman seemed to take a liking to her, and quite frankly, a single test was all it took for her to be accepted. Apparently, the girl had gotten used to sewing her own clothes, which is understandable considering she had been on her own for a year.
After that, he helped her pick out a house before paying for it in full alongside any furniture she needed, and she had said no to anything extravagant, much to Bell's amusement.
All of this took most of the day, and by the end of it, he bid everyone adieu and promised to visit sometime in the future, just to get her to not take his departure too badly.
She still seemed hurt in a way but was accepting. Perhaps her orphan status made her understand better than most her age.
By the time nightfall came, he was long gone, up in the wind and once again with his sights on his vengeance.
This was only the start… and by the end of it, Kaius would beg him to kill him.
That was a promise.
That's it! Chapter 66, done! Managed to get it out on the weekend, and I want to get into a habit of one chapter a week, two at most. Especially considering I'm having a blast writing Bell slowly goes down the dark path he has chosen.
I know I'm going to get a lot of flaming for the inclusion of rape and how cruel it was (mainly . Archive has no chill), so I will say this now. There is literally a disclaimer at the top of the chapter, warning the readers of the contents of what they are about to read.
Not my fault if you don't read it, or ignore it (for those that do and still complain).
Anyway, there isn't much to say, so I'll get right into the reviews.
Dullerlyric: Another brilliant chapter with the good old heart aches and cliff hangers. It's nice to finally get into why this story is called "The Fallen Argonaut".
In another question, since I can't quite remember, didn't you say that there might be an Alfia story in the making l. Just curious on if it has started yet or are we waiting till the "Vengeance" arc is over? Anyway I hope you have a wonderful day
Author: Yes, me and Chalister are working on its planning. It isn't much at the moment, but it's slowly getting there. No chapter is released yet since we don't have a concrete plot yet, only a general layout and starting place for the story. No big bad or the like. Hence the 'Not much at the moment' with the planning.
We want to start it shortly after finishing The Fallen Argonaut, which is still a while as we have four arcs remaining including this one. The Empire Arc, The Einhente Arc (Which is a lot of politics mind you), The All Out War Arc, and finally, The Keepers Arc.
After that, the story will officially come to a conclusion with as many characters finishing their story arcs as possible (I'm no god, so I might miss a few).
White-Ryuu: Can will see Legacy Rebirth for first time?
It there has been there for a time.
I know that probably Elora survives but she loses her memory or she will need a wheelchair. Please let Bell to have the closest to a happy ending.
Author: We've already seen Legacy's Rebirth before, in the Viking arc. Chapter 25 or 26 I think, I can be wrong. But don't worry, it may have been a while, but he will use it, and it will be glorious. Last time he did, he was a level 5. Now he's 8. Chaos will ensue, just they way we like it.
RebornLikeablackPhoenix: Man, I was really looking forward to this update and I was not disappointed at all- I love it
I think I know what's gonna happen now.
1: Bells goes on a rampage and becomes a monster that is the opposite of his usual self
2: After some time before or right when he finally loses it, Kita will knock some sense into him
And sometimes in between and after, we see Haruhime's level-up spell in action
Author: Thanks, we do try xD. As for your prediction well.
1. You're not wrong
2. Can't answer that. Spoilers whether it happens or not.
Basically, you have to wait and see ;)
Ladis11: Bell with his near-9th level stats..
And then Bell with scourge…
Author: I know… The dude is broken.
Kaius will need one hell of a prayer to stay safe… if that will even help xD
BChuggs: Bell for real about to go Joel Mode (Last Of Us reference).
I hope we do get to see a reason why a level 8 (level 9) mustn't be messed with— like an Ottar or Finn flashback when Zeus and Hera Familia were active.
Erebus reaction seemed right…he may not want to revert back to the methods of "The Dark Age," but if it was Bell and his loved ones I don't think he'd hesitate. He's really the grandpa of his kids, and a debatable father figure to the hero.
As for Ryu, I can see moments of BellxRyu if the next chapter, or the one after, goes the way I think it could.
Though…I really hope Ryu isn't the one who helps him on his revenge, or him getting out of it. I feel like someone like a wizen Zard or someone of sort should be the one to help.
Author: Yeah, he does go crazy. Also, the flashback isn't a bad idea. Might include that xD.
Erebus as a god wants to change and be a force of chaotic good, but deep down, he is still the god of malevolence, and when one threatens the people close to him, he wants them hurt. So, despite warning Bell off of it, when he saw there was no point, he let that malevolence show.
As for Ryuu, well… you'll have to see. Also, unfortunately, Zald is dead in TFA, so that can't happen. Though things will get much worse than this chapter (It would have been worse already if Chalister hadn't been the one to censor me this time. Jasmine's server is really corrupting me, lol)
Stevenpiskunov2: You know I know that Bell is going to kill Kaius for vengeance and if that does happen in the next chapter (idk if it will) then well sucks to be Kaius. But if you decided to drag this out for a few more chapters then I can totally see this ending in a similar way like in Assassin's Creed 3 when Connor finally killed Charles Lee, at first he wanted revenge for what happened to his village but then later on when he sees that Charles wasn't responsible he still went through with killing him but it wasn't out of revenge, Lee was master of the Templars so killing him wasn't for Connor, but it was for the people he protected.
In Bell's case Kaius was responsible for what happened to Elora but still I hope you get at what I am trying to say. Maybe you will have something similar happen or maybe not, but in the end we won't know until its written. And if it is out of vengeance then most likely everything he holds dear may be the cost. Vengeance really is an idiot's game no matter the justification.
Author: Oh, this arc isn't that short. Bell isn't going for just a kill, he's going to completely destroy him in any way imaginable. His army, his friends, and loved ones. Nothing is safe… and things are just starting xD.
Though rest assured, consequences will be had at the end of this arc. In more ways than one.
Guest: It's been a while since I last saw you doubling down on breaking him this badly. The series of incoming suffering is gonna taste delicious. Don't hold back. Don't pull your punches. Write with the intention to hurt. Otherwise, it would be half-baked and disappointing.
Author: Yes, this arc is built to go back to the dark roots of the story. Me and the Chalister based the events on the concept that life can't be all good or all bad. Things will always return to the middle. For a long time that was where Bell was. They were good, but not amazing… so, eventually, the scales had to tip one way or the other. In this case… things got really bad.
Anyway, long story short. We won't be pulling out punches, just no… smutty stuff, but making it abundantly clear on how bad things get. As I've said before, this… is just the start.
Welp, that's it for the reviews without stuffing the chapter beyond full with them. There was a lot this time. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, and to see you all next time!