(Why) Him?
Looking at the large monster, all I could see was that day. The blood that it was dragging behind it transformed into my mothers corpse. It's frame became hazy and difficult to understand. Why, why, why, why, why?! This wasn't supposed to happen! I knew I was going to die a horrible death, there's no way I wouldn't with this path I'm on. But this early? Am I truly going to die before I can even come close to paying that bastard back?! Was I really about to die, dragging Lily and Bell with me?! FUCK NO!
"OOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAA!" The blood red Minotaur roared, waking Bell, Lily and I from out fear induced paralysis. Before we could truly recover, the monster held it's sword over its head and was about to strike at Bell. NO!
Faster than I, Lily pushed Bell out of the way and tackled me to the side. The attack hit nothing, fortunately, but the shockwave created by it sent all three of us flying. Lily and I were separated from Bell and fell a good distance apart from him. Dammit! We... we have to run! There's no way we can win against this! It was a minotaur. That monster kills level 3 adventurers! We stand no chance. What a fucking coward. Swallowing my pride, I pulled Lily up with me to stand.
Only to realize that she had somehow been cut on her forehead. Seeing it froze me in my place. Lily could die. She was my precious friend. I can't let her die a horrible death just like everyone else in my life, I promised to protect her after all, and I refuse to break another promise again. "Lily, you're bleeding." Slowly, blood began to fall into her eye. Without even thinking, I ripped a piece of my shirt off and wrapped it around her head. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Where's Bell?" She was lying. She was favoring her right leg over her left and was leaning into me. Putting that aside for now, I looked around only to see the monster walk towards us. It was easily ignoring the constant magic being shot at it's back. "No..."
"FIREBOLT! FIREBOLT!" Each of Bell's spell casts were quivered and tainted in fear. We're going to die here if nothing changes. Bell and Lily's lives will end here if I don't do something. Well... perhaps now is as good a time as any.
Letting go of the small pallum, I ignored her surprised gasp and began to walk towards the menacing monster. "Lily, run."
"But-"
"Just FUCKING GO!" This is the end of the road for me. That's a fact that I can't ignore and that I must accept. Honestly, it's a long time coming. I should have died on that day, at the very least I got an extra year and some change. "Give me the strength to devour my enemies!" Saying that chant for likely the last time, I threw off my precious scarf. "Force Eater!"
Meeting the monster in the middle, it began to swing down its sword faster than I could have interpreted. Luckily for me, my instincts had kicked in and I brought my arm up to block the attack. "!" My mouth opened but no sound escaped me as the pain flooded my brain from the attack. It was a miracle my arm was still attached to my body, but I could feel the bones in my right arm shatter on impact. Forcing my body, I put all of my bodyweight behind the arm and pushed the monster a good way back.
"Viole!"
"Lily, fucking leave or I'll kill you myself!" I wanted to swallow my tongue for saying that, but I had to get her out of here. I didn't mind if the last memory she had of me was threatening her, as long as she was alive to hate me for it. After a hesitant second, I heard her run away. "I'm sorry..."
"OOOOOORRRUUUUUUUU!" The minotaur yelled in anger for one of it's prey escaping, giving me at least that solace. At least I could cause it a small amount of despair. Facing the monster once more, it bolted towards me and-
"FIREBOLT!"
Bell! For a moment, I forgot about him, but his attack landing against the monster head brought his existence back into my attention. Thankfully throwing out the horrible action I just committed from my focus. "Dammit, what the hell are you doing here?!"
"I'm not going to let you die, Viole. At least not alone!" Running towards the monster, Bell sliced at its side before dashing past it and coming to me. "We're friends, remember?"
"No, we're-"
"I know you're trying to save me but it won't work." Getting into a readied stance, Bell flashed me a forced smile. "I'm going to save you."
Tch, this brat really thinks he's a hero. Doesn't he understand what's at stake here? Of course he did. Bell was shaking in fear, and so was I. Yet, he still stood beside me. "Whatever, you dumbass. Just don't die before me."
F-Rank
"Firebolt!" Bell's attack did little against the minotaur, but it did what it was intended to. While it caused no damage, if Bell shot at the monster's face then it would flinch. Buying enough time for me to move and attack.
Taking advantage of the split second I had, I ran towards the blood red bastard and slashed at its abdomen. Dammit! It didn't even scratch it, but it at least made it yell in pain. Unfortunately, that also caused it to throw its arms around in anger, forcing me to jump away. I'm gonna die. Ignoring the thought, I waited for the monster to stop its whining and ran towards it once more. Turning its face at me, the minotaur snarled. I'm gonna die. No, no! I don't want to- "SHUT UP!" Swinging its sword at me, I knew better than to block it so I dodged to the side and dived forward, ending up behind it. Pouring my magic into my foot, I slammed it into the back of its knee and made my escape. "At least it's fucking slow to recover."
While the monster could swing faster than I could think, its running speed was almost as slow as the cows back at home. I'm gonna- Biting my lip, I forced the stupid thought back down. "Viole... what are we gonna do?" My idiot friend asked. Even with the two of us, there wasn't anything we could really do. We're weak. Well... wait. It was then that I took a closer look at the monster. It was blood red and seemed completely unphased by most of our attacks. Except for the slash that Bell had caused. Of course it's weak to physical moves.
"Bell, you have to fight it."
"H-Huh?"
"You've got a stronger STR stat than me, and it seems like that monster can stave off our magic attacks. Don't worry, I'll be there with you."
I wasn't at all surprised when Bell forcibly pumped himself up. "Okay... let's live through this." I wish I could be as strong as him. He and I ran towards the monster, Bell obviously out pacing me. Without much issue, he dashed by the monster and sliced at its chest, leaving a noticeable cut. Before it could retaliate, I kicked at the monster's legs once more. It switched its attention to me only to be stabbed by Bell from behind.
"OUUURRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAA!" After a few of our tag attacks, the Minatour roared and began to mindlessly throw its arms around, forcing the two of us to separate from it. Shit. The moment it let up, Bell and I were back at it. He and I both attacked at the same time, he and I striking at the monster's chest. It was at that moment that something changed. Like it had planned this the whole time, the monster suddenly grabbed my arm and flung me away. What?! My mind screamed at me when my back made contact with the wall behind me. But I couldn't let that get to me. Bell, I have to help Bell! Forcing myself to stand, I used my broken arm to push myself up. "UUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR!" It yelled as it chased Bell.
I'm gonna die. Why can't I stop thinking that? Why am I that afraid? I know it was because I'm a coward. I came to this city, with the goal of killing a god and thought I was all high and mighty. I thought that I wouldn't care about dying but now that I'm faced with it... I'm still just as stupid and weak as that idiot from a year ago. I'm a weakling. I'm gonna die... I don't want to die. "I don't want to die." I admitted. I don't want to be here. I just want my family back and I just want to go back to how everything was before! But, that'll never happen. That bastard took everything away from me, and now this minotaur was going to do it again and kill my friend.
I'm weak. I'm a coward. I'm still that sickly and lonely kid that only wanted his family's attention. I'm nothing but a stupid brat. But, knowing that won't take away this anger and fear in my heart. I'm going to kill Susano'o if it's the last thing I do. As the monster began to catch up with Bell, it raised its weapon above its head. But I fucking refuse to do so throwing away everyone around me! I'M NOT GONNA LET THEM DIE AGAIN! "Ignore the contradictions hidden within our souls! Void Out!" Slamming my foot into the ground, black magic spouted from it in a straight line, clashing with the monster's attack and slowing it down for a moment. It wasn't strong enough to completely stop the attack. But it bought me enough time to put my body between it and Bell.
Swinging down the broad sword, the attack dug into my body. At that moment, my brain couldn't even understand what was going on. All I could see and feel was RED.
E-Rank
Weak, weak, weak. What does NU&HBS even see in you? Was I hallucinating? Was this what you see when you're about to die? I thought you were supposed to see your life flash in front of you. Lucky you, you aren't dead! Aren't you happy? Aren't you sad? How does it feel to be so close to death yet again?
The hell is going on? Why am I hearing this weird voice in my head? It was a strangely smug and at the same time genuine male voice.
Because I want to fuck with you. Seeseh, I expected you to be more fun with since B&(*H wouldn't stop yap yap yapping about cha! Aw well, at least giving you this will get a good reaction out of her.
Suddenly, I felt a strange presence disappear from my head just as my eyes began to flutter open. The fuck was that? Opening my eyes, I was still within the dungeon, and could hear the sounds of iron clashing with iron. "Bell..." Forcing my body up, I didn't even notice that my arm was mostly healed when I had.
I saw Bell, still fighting the monster and seemingly keeping up with it. How? Before I could fully stand up and run back into the fight, I was tackled back into the ground. "Wha-"
"You dummy! Idiot!" Lily, covered in dirt and grime, had been the one to push me back down with a hug. The girls' grip much tighter than any other time we'd shared a hug. "Don't you e-ever do anything like that again!" I swallowed the apology I was about to give and simply patted her on the head. I knew that I'd be lying if I said sorry, because I'd do it again if it meant saving her. As long as it'd protect her. Standing back up, Lily still gripping onto me, I noticed a large chunk of my familia around me. Riveria and Aiz glared at me while Tiona, Tione, Bete and Finn watched the fight before them. They stood by and watched as my friend fought for his life?!
"The hell are you bastards doing! Help him!" Letting go of Lily, I began walking back towards the fight. "Fucking cow-" A firm, almost death-like grip stopped me in my tracks. Literally. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get out of Aiz's grip. "Let go."
"You'll die."
"If I save Bell, then it's fine."
Looking back at the blond, a snarl filled with pure anger formed on her face. In a second, I was once more forced onto the ground, gently this time however. The princess seemed like she was about to yell something only for Riveria's voice to cut between us. "He wanted to do this, Keres. You should respect your friend's decision, given that he was the one keeping you alive." Bete's chuckle at my expense only pissed me off even more. But she was right. I can't just go against Bell like that.
So, I stood up and walked away from my familia, standing away from them, but close enough to hear them. "Psh, fucking brat. Don't get why Loki treats him so well." I ignored the disgusting mutt's words and simply watched Bell's fight. He was amazing to say the least. He seemed even faster than before, dodging and attacking the monster before it could react. Effortlessly parrying each of the strikes that came to close. Bell's strong. So strong. "Wait, this kid looks familiar... Oh shit! Aiz, isn't this the brat that you saved?! PHAHAHA! Does this idiot have a fetish for minatours or something?! This weakling is going to get himself killed!" Weakling? WEAKLING?! Once again, another strong piece of shit spoke his mind. He sees us as beneath him, does he? Just because we're weaker than him? Just because he could easily kill that monster, and by extension, us?
I hate these people. Looking at them, I wanted to hurl in disgust. They must think they're heroes don't they? Sparing a moment of their oh so important lives to save us. That must be it. I was a fool for thinking that Aiz was different from them. She could have killed that monster within a second, before Bell could protest. Yet, she stood there and watched. Toying with us. I despise these bastards! Putting strength above all else, they are no different from him! "Keep your mouth shut, you disgusting mutt." I couldn't help but growl out.
"What the hell did you just-" Of course, he was about to use his strength against me. However, the Minatour's screeching pain interrupted him. Back at the fight, Bell had been able to stab his knife into the monster's sword hand and stole the broadsword from it. Dancing around his opponent, Bell slashed at the monster with its own weapons and created three deep cuts. "How is he-"
Ignoring its wound's, the minotaur dashed at Bell. With the large weapon, Bell created a distraction by breaking it over the monster's single horn and used the small moment of confusion to get underneath it. Stabbing the monster with his knife, he yelled his entire soul out. "FIREBOLT!" Using the knife as a conduit, Bell sent fire magic into the monster. One after another, magic began to fill the monster as it slowly began to expand. "FIREBOLT!" With one last yell, the upper torso of the monster blew up into a bloody mess. With its lower body following when it disappeared into a cloud of white. Bell... did it. He killed that monster, at level 1.
Standing at the center of the battle, a bloody and beaten Bell was unconscious. His precious knife still in his hand and his shirt having been burnt to smithereens. "This kid. Did he really just pass out standing up?!" Bete yelled as the reality of the situation dawned on him. As well as me. He's a prodigy. There's no other way. He's strong. So much stronger than me. He actually overcame his fear and took a step towards his goal. I...
Our familia captain, who was strangely quiet the whole time, walked up to my friend. "Riveria, check his status." It was a blatant invasion of privacy. But, I had to know. I had to know just how far ahead of me my friend was. So, I didn't say a thing as the elf joined her captain near him.
From where I stood, I couldn't see her reaction. All I could hear was a small chuckle. "All of his stats are S."
"..." He's a prodigy. A real one. Not someone who's depending on his status as a capped to get stronger. Bell is strong. Far, far stronger than me. And he always will be. Why? I wanted to be happy for him. I wanted to congratulate him and celebrate his victory. Yet, all I could do was stand there and bite my lip in frustration. Why him? Why is he so strong and I'm just a worthless weakling? I...
I want to die.
D-Rank
The rest of the day was a blur to me. I remember picking up Bell and bringing him to his home. I remember getting yelled at and thanked by his goddess. I remember wanting to stab myself when I heard her say thank you. Don't thank a weakling.
My mind and body didn't return to normal until it was deep into the night. I sat on my chair, in front of the large window of my room as I replayed the fight in my head. Over and over, I tried to think of what I could have done better. Or how I could have killed the monster myself. But every time I thought of a new situation, it ended in the same way. My dead body and Bell standing victorious. I wanted what he had. I wanted that strength, that ability to not allow his fear to control him. It's only a matter of time before Bell becomes like them. He'll notice just how weak I am and leave me alone. I'm sure Lily will follow him when he does.
She'd be right to. The only thing I could think of to save her was to throw myself into danger and threaten her. I'm a joke. Dad would have done better. Perhaps it was because I was capped. No, that's just an excuse. I am weak and I always will be.
Clenching the scarf in my hands, I almost wanted to rip it apart. What a fucking joke I am. I couldn't help my friends and I blamed others for what I lacked. Susano'o should have just killed me that day.
"...dammit. Stop." Unwanted feelings began bubbling up in me and I could feel tears beginning to pool in my eyes. "You promised not to cry." I can't. No matter how much I want to. I didn't survive that day just to feel like this. I'm supposed to simply chase after my vengeance. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't have the right to cry. I don't have the right to regret everything. Nia Khera can't, so I can't either. Stop. Stop. Stop!
I couldn't. Leaning back into the chair, I couldn't stop the tears from falling onto my cheeks. I had to at least be quiet, so as to not wake up Lily who was sleeping just behind me. "Mom, Dad... what am I supposed to do?"
My familia sees me as weak. Loki sees me as weak, and soon so will Lily and Bell. I'll never be able to achieve my revenge, so why the hell should I even try? I'll never be as special and strong as Bell and Aiz. Hell, even as special as Bete. What is the point? Looking down at the scarf in my hand, I brought it up to my face and rubbed it against my cheek. What about her?
A small memory played in my mind. A girl covered in blue and wearing a blue scarf held my hand. Her face was obstructed by the blackness of my spotty memory. "I'll always be there for you. I'll always protect you. No matter what." Who was she? Why was she gone, both from my memories and from my life?
"At least she believed in me..." I'm spiraling. I just need to calm down. Tomorrow is another day. Everything will be fine, Viole. Just calm down. Forcing my eyes closed, I gripped onto the scarf as I fell asleep.
C-Rank
That day flashed in front of my eyes yet again. Faster and faster, that hell repeated within my dream. It was always like this. I don't think I've ever seen anything else in my sleep since that day. That was until suddenly, it stopped. A single person was standing in front of me. A loving smile on their face. Before I realized it, I was laying on their lap, and they were gently playing with my hair. "Oh, sweet child. Don't be so scared. Things will get better. I promise." Their voice was soft and soothing, even though I couldn't recognize it.
"How do you know?" Even if I felt amazingly relaxed, I couldn't get away from that feeling of fear. "What if they leave me?"
Her smile widened. "Do you truly believe that those two would do that? Do you think that goodie two shoes would truly be so cynical as to leave you? Do you think that girl would abandon you after how she's treated you?" Her words made complete sense. She wasn't as fearful and cynical as me. She was right. Of course she was.
Staring at her face, I couldn't truly perceive it. But I knew she was friendly. I knew she had my best intentions in mind. Even if I don't know who she was. "...will I ever be strong?"
A smug giggle came out of her. It was the type of smug that said what I had asked was a ridiculous question. Placing her forehead against mine, the woman spoke once more. "Of course. For you are my pride, and you always will be. I love you, and I know that you will make me proud. I believe in you, and so do those mortals. Do not fear, my pride. All will be well."
My eyes shot open and I sat up in the chair I had slept in. The sun was slowly beginning to rise in front of me. A brand new day was before us. Rubbing my eyes, I got rid of the gunk built up in there and glanced back at Lily. I was an idiot for thinking that about her last night. I'm sorry, Lily. Walking to her, I gently rubbed her head as she slept. "Vi~" She cooed in her sleep and leaned into my touch. She's my friend, and so is Bell. they went so far for me, why do I have to be such a pussy? Things will work out, and I'll reach my goal. No matter what.
Not wanting to wake her up, I stopped my activity and walked away. My mind drifted onto what I had dreamt, only for my memory to come up blank. That's the first time I haven't dreamt of that day in a year. No wonder I feel so relaxed.
AN: Hello everyone. How have you all been? I've been good if anyone is wondering. Small announcement, I am now completely back into writing, my break is over. With the break done, so comes a new update schedule. I will now update once a week, every Monday. However what I update will differ week from week. For now, it will rotated between this story and my Quintuplets story. As I am still not yet ready for the Nep one. So all that matters for Revenge only readers... is that update day switched to Monday. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this update. This arc only has a few chapters left, and with the second arc will come the more original content. I hope you all enjoy it.
Phantom-Zero-V2: Ah, I see. Sorry about that. I'll keep that in mind from now on. As your review shows, the translation of Danmachi has a few different spellings for a few characters/locations. For example Lily or Lili. I must have been confusing the name spellings but I'll be careful from now on. Thank you.
SirAlphonso: There is a specific story reason why Viole is focusing on Magic instead of phys strength. I can't spoil it now but I hope you understand. Thank you for your review.