I am alive.
A/N: This story was inspired by some scenes from "Burning Love!" by Ventanus. No clue what this story is gonna be, or how I'm gonna do it, but I will try…maybe.
DISCLAIMER - Danmachi belongs to its respective owners. Everything that occurs in this story is either my own creation or inspired by other works.
Chapter 1 - A Lost Soul
A young man, not even fifteen years of age, had entered Orario with hopes nearly as high as the tower in the center of it.
He had beautiful snow-white hair, and rubellite eyes that would definitely woo any girl that he may have found in the dungeon. One would say he had looked like a rabbit, so cute and cuddly.
His dream had been to become one of the greatest heroes, like the ones in the story his Grandfather had told him about.
His whole reason for ever going to Orario was because of all the stories he was fed as a child, all the dreams about being someone great, helping others...maybe having a fateful encounter. Possibly in the dungeon that Orario was so famous for.
Of course, to even enter the dungeon 'adventurers' were supposed to obtain a blessing, but to do that one had to find a patron God or Goddess.
For many, this may have been easy, born from a race that had an innate talent or ability. For some, this was not the case, but they still didn't have an issue finding someone to bless them.
Unfortunately for the bunny, Lady Fate was going to intervene at every turn.
Timing was one thing for the poor bunny, maybe it was the direction he chose to travel. There had been many opportunities surrounding him that easily could have resulted in someone granting him a blessing…but such fortune was not in his favor.
He had already spent days looking around Orario, nearly running out of funds that morning…he would barely be able to afford another meal.
Today he was in the main plaza, hoping he would come across a God[dess] that would bless him. The few who had even glanced him over had looked at him in a way that reminded him of how his Grandfather looked at the women in their village. He had gotten away then…
There were various paths the little bunny could have taken at this moment to find the one for him, hell…had he stayed in the plaza for a bit longer a loving Goddess, as overbearing as she was, would have found him and he would have lived a wonderful life.
In the West was a pharmacy with the God Miach, he was a caring God, and his single follower Nazza. She was just as caring as her God, it was possible she may have fallen for the bunny's charm.
North East was the Takemikazuchi familia. They were all caring people, trying to do what they could for the other poor people of their hometown. There were two beauties in this familia, either one could have satisfied the bunny.
South West he would continue to wander around to end up finding the pantheon. For being the guides for adventurers, it was still very possible that he may have found love with one of the many beauties that eternally worked there.
In the East was a colosseum where a blue-haired Goddess would have been the first to notice him, resulting in an eternal love.
If he had gone North West he would have been involved in an attack with Evilus that would have nearly killed him, but a Saint like no other would have saved his life and stolen his heart.
In the South he would have run into one of the most powerful Goddesses in Orario, which could have played out in many different ways. Maybe he would fall in love with the Goddess herself? Maybe one of the many beauties within the familia?
It's even possible he may have stumbled upon a cafe where he would have met many wonderful women, possibly even finding love with one of them…someone would have liked his ass.
Of course, he could have gone towards the tower and he would have been snatched up by a Goddess who had wanted true love for eons. Maybe he would find love with the Goddess and her closest follower…he was sure to die by snu-snu if he went that way.
All it required was one step after the other…He just needed to be decisive.
He was not decisive. He could not choose where to go. He wandered around all day, skipping lunch…skipping dinner.
It was late and Bell had been losing hope for the city he thought could make him great. He no longer wished to walk, he had been doing that all day. So…he decided to do the next best thing.
"Sniff-sniff. Am I just that useless?
"A worthless weakling?"
He was supposed to be alone, wallowing in his own grief and 'his' mistakes.
Orario was filled with Gods and Goddesses who wished for nothing more than their own greed, and their own power. Yet, it was also filled with loving Gods and Goddesses who joined the rest of the mortals to understand them more and grow with them.
Of course, this meant that Orario was filled with evil…the likes of Evilus came to mind.
And there was the good, people like Ouranos who worked in the dungeon in an attempt to tame it as best he could.
There was a sage who worked for the betterment of everyone, working alongside Ouranos. Currently, the sage was trying to work with a group of sentient monsters, so that they could eventually live peacefully.
Several years ago an Elf had disposed of a large portion of the group known as Evilus. She had gone into a blind rage after the death of her familia resulting in a turn for the better at the cost of her own sanity.
Many more legends, some lost to time and others still roaming, graced Orario with protection.
Of course, if you went even further back you would know that Evilus only rose up after the events of Hera and Zeus falling in battle. This would be a story for a different time.
Walking down the main street he? She? It? The sage was looking for a member of the group of monsters they were taking care of. The monster had been involved with an Evilus incident and had yet to return, so it was the sage's responsibility to find them.
Passing by an alley the sage noticed two things. A strong, and strange, presence of a God, and wings…very large wings…
"Ray?"
Looking back, the siren stiffened.
"Uhm, Hello Fels. I was just on my way back to the dungeon."
"Sniffle sniffle"
Fels wasn't exactly worried about the siren, but who she seemed to be with at the moment…a human boy…one who was rather cute –'No stop that Fels'– who was exuding an aura rivaling the oldest of Gods among them currently.
The boy looked up at the robbed figure and shied behind the wing of the siren who had been comforting him, clearly frightened by the figure before him.
Fels turned back towards the siren "Ray, do you understand what this means?" –There was an audible hiss– "A human now knows of your existence…and mine–"
"Are you going to hurt me like the rest?" It was a voice so soft and sweet, yet so fearful. Everyone before then had been so mean, so aggressive…until she began coddling him. Ray had heard the boy crying and being the kind being she was began comforting the child.
Ray had been initially hesitant as well when she passed by, and couldn't hug the poor boy and hid her face since her wings could slice him to mere shreds.
The words the Fels had used, and the attitude behind it wasn't giving him reassurance. His new life may as well end right now with how threatened he felt.
"Oh no sweetie, Fels is just scared…scared that you could mean us harm–"
"I would never harm anyone so beautiful!"
It took but a moment for the boy to sport a blush so velvety red, seen even though he hid his face in his hands.
But the boy could not see the same blush creep across the face of the siren holding him…but Fels had.
Fels had never understood love, it seemed so frivolous to partake in such an act when there was work that could be done…over time the appeal had completely disappeared like the rest of the body she once had. But right now there was no love, only a flustered boy and siren.
"No no, I am not here to harm you, but you have seen things today nobody should have…if anyone else were to know about what has happened you would surely be in danger."
Getting over his flustered state he quickly responded "I can keep a secret."
'If only things were so simple…' "I'm sure you could, but to be sure of such things…and your intentions I will need to bring you to our God so that he may assess you."
The boy shied away once more. "Will they reject me like everyone else?"
Two individuals couldn't help but think. 'Damn, this boy. Who was stupid enough to wrong someone so cute.'
"No, I'm sure God Ouranos will like you!"
"O-O-Ouranos!? The lead God Ouranos? The one who has prayed to the dungeon since the Gods descended?"
Bell was completely mortified, out of every God he could be talking to it had to be him…Demeter had been lovely…a bit too lovely when she had found him, but she was still nice…Ouranos may not be like that "Oh no"
"There is nothing to be scared of child, as Ray was saying Ouranos should like you. Now follow us."
Bell was still quite skeptical, but he trusted Ray enough to follow behind them, far enough for them to whisper to each other without being overheard.
"You best hope he is as great as he seems, this could be a huge risk…"
"But look at him…he's so adorable, like Arles!"
"But we barely know anything about him, for all we know he only likes you because of how you look."
"GASP! Sweetie, can you come up here and walk with us for the rest of the way? We wish to ask you some questions if that's okay with you."
"Uhm…sure. I don't see why not."
"Well, to start, could you tell us your name? You've heard both of ours, but you haven't even told us yours."
"Ohmygosh I'm so sorry, my name is Bell Cranel. You are…Fels, yes?"
"That would indeed be my name, and the one you encountered would be Ray."
Mumbling– "Such a beautiful name"
"I'm sorry did you say something?"
"Uhm no Ms…Mr…Ms? Fels."
"Just Fels is fine…"
"I'm sorry Ms Fels."
"Fine, that is okay Cranel."
Of course, during this interaction neither had looked towards the siren blushing at the comment that she most definitely heard from Bell. 'He is so precious' The cuteness overload was almost too much for her.
"Uhm, so Bell, how long have you been here in Orario, and what brought you here?"
"I arrived around four days ago Ms Ray,"-An arrow shot through the heart–" and my reason for coming here…it's rather childish."
Trying to recover from her brief stupor, Ray responded. "Oh c'mon, did you just wanna pick up girls''– 'with that devilishly handsome face'–" Maybe you wanted to be famous and make money?"
Squirming in between them, Bell only incited more questions.
"What do you think is so childish you rather not share it with us Bell?" While Fels was rather kind, if she found out that Bell was nothing special and was like everyone else she may have had no other choice…"
"I want to be a hero…I know, I know. It's childish. But my grandfather taught me so much about heroes, always reading me stories…My favorite was Argonaut. It inspired me to want to become a hero. My grandpa had fantasies too, always telling me to seek out women, as many as I could, and have a fateful encounter in the dungeon…he was a pervert, but he still raised me."
Both Fels and Ray were quite surprised about what he wanted to do, being a hero was no easy task for sure. But to Fels and Ray that meant he could very well be the bridge between monsters and humans.
There was also an odd feeling that Fels had due to the mention of his grandfather.
"I was once attacked by a goblin, injured pretty badly, but my grandfather had saved me so he was my hero then…Once he died there wasn't much left for me in my village, so I decided to leave…Leave for Orario, try and become a hero. That's how I found myself here four days ago, and now I can't do anything since no God[dess] has taken me in, or even given me a chance."
Oh how Ray was moved by his words, she began nuzzling into him, being careful not to accidentally harm him.
Fels was still feeling odd, a pain in her chest…well, a phantom pain in her chest as she did not have one. The boy was so sweet it must have been that. Yes, he was just a kind soul.
"Oh sweetie, we won't abandon you. You are too sweet for us to do that."
'I could just gobble you up.' Ray was frothing at the mouth, she was gonna need to patiently wait for her piece of the rabbit.
"Ray, you can't make such a promise. While I'm sure Ouranos will like this boy, there is no telling what he may choose to do."
Bell looked downtrodden but was still happy despite such a predicament. He was at least being given a chance towards his goal.
The three had finally arrived at a tunnel…a very long tunnel..a very–
"Woww, this is soooo cooooool!"
"Hehe, it is, isn't it? This tunnel leads us to Ouranos. Unfortunately, that does mean we need to be quiet so as to not disturb him."
"Awwww"
"Ray is correct, this tunnel leads to Ouranos, and as such we need to remain quiet so as not to disturb him."
Bell understood the implications as to why he needed to be quiet, which was surprising to Fels. She was sure Ouranos would discern the reason for his vast knowledge. He could possibly also find out why Bell was exuding such an aura.
This finally led to the three entering the room containing Ouranos. Ouranos was delighted when he initially felt the presence of Bell, mistaking him for someone completely different.
"Zeus, you're back–wait."
"Zeus, was he here?"
"I'm sorry kid, I was mistaken." Ouranos was sure that was the aura of Zeus and judging the strength the aura possessed, he was likely close to him for most of his life.
"This is Bell Cranel, he was a farm boy who lived in the mountains with his Grandfather."
'So this was the project you were gonna work on, huh.'
"How interesting…Why did you bring him here though? I'm sure that he isn't here for no reason, especially since you've brought one of the Xenos."
"Well–"
"I saw him crying in the alley and…well, I couldn't just leave him there. He sounded so lonely, so I did what anyone should have. I comforted him." She dropped her head on top of his wiggling back and forth…
'So close!'
"Well, I can see you've taken a liking to him so I see no immediate issue, but that leads me to the questions I must ask him."
"gulp," With such a powerful God staring him down, he had to prepare himself for anything he may be asked. "Yes, Lord Ouranos?"
"Firstly may I ask what your goal in life is?" He believed this was a good start to the conversation, and would ease him into the rest of the questions that may be asked.
"Well…It is a rather silly dream, childish if you think about it, but I wish to be a hero. I want to be someone who can help others because that's what people should do. Someone like Argonaut and other heroes of old." He continued on about where he got his views from, and how his past shaped his visions of the future, truly appeasing the God.
"Fels, I sense no lie. And Bell, my next question is about the two individuals you traveled here with."
"Ms Ray, and Ms Fels?"
"Yes. Do you know what either of them are? Where they come from? Surely you have looked at Ray and understand she is no human." It was a necessary question, he would either be deemed friendly…someone they could trust, or he would be deemed an enemy…which may spell the end of his life.
"Ms Ray is Ms Ray, she was kind to me and I see no reason to dislike her for that. She may not be human, but she sure acts more human than anyone else I have met thus far. Ms Fels, I may know very little about, but she also treated me kindly. They have given me hope, and a chance."
His resolve was as strong as ever, and he was the person Ouranos, Fels, and the rest of the Xenos had been looking for. Someone who could give them hope, someone who was loving.
"In that case, I have a proposal. If you wanted to help us out you could, you could grow and you would receive my blessing, but you won't be as much of a daylight hero as you wish to be. You will mostly help out in the dungeon and act as a regular citizen on the surface, hiding your level and acting more like a low-class adventurer."
"Are you sure about this Lord?"
"Of course I am Fels, look at the child…" Better left unsaid the aura he emitted, but allude to his need to be a hero.
"I know, but this means you fully trust him, and since you fully trust him he will need to be acquainted with the rest of the Xenos."
"That will be fine, now Bell, would you like to answer us?"
"To be honest Lord, I am not sure. To receive a blessing from you of all people would be a dream come true, but I won't be able to show off my heroism. I will need to be cautious too. But at the same time, I can help many…I will learn the dungeon and maybe one day I will conquer it."
Bell was pondering whether or not he should take the offer being presented to him. The offer was most definitely once in a lifetime, and there was also the chance to change the world, helping the Xenos and all.
"I'll do it!"
"Squeee!" Ray was of course ecstatic about the thought of Bell being closer and rushed to pick him up in her wings. Nuzzling her cheek into his she paid no heed to how his face had begun to warm up.
"RAY!" But just as quickly as she grabbed onto Bell, she let go, clearly fearful that she may have hurt him in her excitement.
"Ahem." Fels was not entirely sure what had come over her, but seeing Ray being so loving provoked her enough to raise her voice…she never raised her voice…but she was at least able to play it off.
"Bell! Are you ok? I didn't cut you at all did I? Oh no, you're bleeding!" The jumpscare Fels had given her was enough to slice a part of Bell's cheek, causing it to start bleeding.
"I will be ok Ms Ray, it was an accident and it doesn't hurt."
"but…but…"
'oh no' "Fels, I think you should at least show Bell what you look like, I will soon give him my blessing." Ouranos thought it best to interrupt the current scene.
"Wah, I mean…must I?" Fels was…blushing? Well, she likely would have been if it was possible.
"Is there something wrong Ms Fels?" Bell was rather curious as to why Fels seemed so hesitant to show herself. Up until now, he had only seen her robes.
"Well…not exactly Bell," –grabbing ahold of her hood with her bony hands– "I am merely a skeleton of my former self. I have lived for so long, and I only exist as a skeleton."
"Woahhh, that's so cool!" Bell, once again, was fascinated by something new in his life.
"Y-you really think so?" Covering her 'face' with her hands she began swaying side to side at the childish praise that Bell kindly gave out.
One Siren was not oblivious to this motion and locked eyes with the Sage. Sparks would have been flying if it were not but a glare of two opponents.
"Ok…so, Bell. Why don't you come over here and take your shirt off so that I may bless you."
"Yes, Lord Ouranos!"
"Ouranos will do just fine, young one…"
"Sorry, Lord Ouranos."
"Hufff…that's fine."
It was from this blessing that they were given Bell's first status.
Bell Cranel
Race: Human-
Level: 1
Familia: Ouranos Familia
Basic Abilities
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Agility: I0
Dexterity: I0
Magic: I0
Development Abilities
Magic
Skills
Old One's Blessing
It was nothing special…for the most part.
"Fels, take a look at this…This is almost confirmation."
"Yes Lord, but maybe we should be certain it was he who took care of him…"
The skill Old One's Blessing pretty much confirmed that Zeus had taken care of Bell all his life…and at some point had clearly meddled where he shouldn't have.
'Dammit Zeus' "Bell…could you tell me a little bit more about your grandfather?" Ouranos had been well aware of many things that had occurred within his walls and therefore knew who the boy's family was, and who he was related to, but nothing about the outside.
"Oh sure, he…"
And so Bell told him everything about his Grandfather, some of the perverse things, some of the great…but the conversation soon led to Bell's family…people he never got to meet. People he wouldn't ever see again.
"Thank you, Bell, now I must ask to be left alone, much work to be done with the dungeon."
At that the three finally left, Fels and Ray had decided to take Bell to the Xenos another day. This meant that Bell needed to be registered with the guild, and since Ray could not come she was sent back into the dungeon with the rest of the Xenos while Fels took care of guild matters.
It was another late night for this particular half-elf, she was down in the dumps from the latest adventurer she had failed. No one ever took her lectures seriously and it always resulted in death.
"Right this way, I believe this will be the perfect advisor for the boy."
A werewolf with a beautiful red mane had led Fels and Bell into a secluded room where the half-elf had hidden for the later parts of her shift.
"An elf!"
"Half-elf…and what are you doing here Rose–GAhhh Fels!? W-What are you doing here? Who is this boy?"
"This boy is named Bell, he now works directly with Ouranos and myself. You will keep this secret. You are to be his advisor from here on out. I hope you will treat him well?"
"Well Eina, you heard Fels, you are to work with this boy and keep him on the right path in the dungeon."
Eina was not incredibly thrilled, it seemed too soon since the last adventurer she had been tasked to advise…to see them brought back a charred mess had messed her up.
"Please take care of me, Miss Eina! I want to learn as much as possible to adventure in the dungeon!"
"Gahhhh…fine. I'll teach him Everything there is to know about the dungeon"
This brings us to the present moment. Today was meant to be the day Bell met the Xenos for the first time, a day filled with excitement for both Bell and many Xenos, especially Ray.
Bell's excitement had been palpable all day as he raced through the first four floors of the dungeon, now finding himself at the steps of the fifth.
Oh, how cruel fate was.
"WHYYYY! All I wanted to do was be a hero, why is there a minotaur on the fifth floor?!
How cruel it was that Bell was confronted with an insurmountable challenge due to a mistake made by a returning familia.
It had started as a wonderful day for him and Orario. Rumors of the Loki familia returning to the surface had ignited enthusiasm. But misfortune struck as a horde of Minotaurs escaped to the upper floors, endangering adventurers.
Fortunately, no one had died...yet.
…
…
…
Ray had been the first to notice, besides the Loki familia…She had been so excited to see Bell she couldn't help but go to the upper floors to see him before everyone else.
Oh, how cruel it was that she passed by the crumbling corpses of Minotaurs as two members of the Loki familia slaughtered all.
Of course, it wasn't the sight of the crumbling monsters that was so cruel, but the uneasy feeling she now had seeing the corpses so high in the dungeon…
Tenth…
Ninth…
Eight…and a werewolf…
Seventh…he was climbing through the floors…
Sixth…A blonde chasing after the last two…
Fifth…
The blonde had witnessed the two minotaurs split from each other. The blonde had chosen to chase the Minotaur on the left, a fateful decision.
Oh, what a mistake it would prove to be.
Staying back so as not to be spotted Ray watched as the blonde quickly caught up to the first minotaur and quickly slaughtered it.
To then hear screams from the right…from a voice so familiar.
Both the Blonde and Ray quickly changed directions so as to see what had happened…
Once the minotaur was visible it became painfully obvious what had happened.
"BELL!"
While the blonde had not heard her or made no motion to suggest it, Bell had.
In that moment time slowed as two individuals raced towards the minotaur and the makeshift club came swinging down from the minotaur.
...
…
…
"Crunch…splat."
In that single moment, so much transpired.
Ray watched as the club struck Bell, sending him crashing into a wall.
The Minotaur met its end at the hands of the blonde.
In another the dungeon roared out, sending various monsters in droves.
In the next, the blonde watched as the mutilated body of the dying adventurer was grabbed by a Siren.
The blonde was not quick enough to react to the Siren and lost sight immediately…turning towards the wall plastered with the blood of the adventurer she had failed to save.
The Siren, being far enough away had grabbed ahold of the orb she carried with her to not get a word out before it spoke to her.
"What happened to Bell!?"
"Minotaurs…'sniffle'...Adventurers…'sniffle'…Upper floors…WHYYY BELL!?"
Ray hadn't been able to properly respond to Ouranos or Fels as to why he had been hit with such a wave of fear and then nothing and everything all at once, but he understood.
"Meet Fels…it may be the only chance."
"WAHHH!"
And so Ray flew, as hard as she could, disregarding anything in her path, flying straight through many things and monsters, clutching tightly to Bell as his blood soaked her wings.
The blood just wouldn't stop, and the more Ray tried to stop it the more it gushed out.
"Grandfather?"
Bell's vision was blurry, everything was so incredibly bright, yet he still smiled up. He grasped Ray's face looking where he thought were his grandfather's eyes.
"Thank you for saving me."
"BELLLLL!" It wasn't so much a name as it was a screech, but through all of it, his name could still be heard.
Ray was rushing to meet Fels, yes Fels. She would be able to save him. She was an all-powerful mage, with skills beyond everything that was human.
Ray had finally reached Fels and collapsed, exhausting herself emotionally and physically trying to reach her in time, but not before setting Bell down gently next to her.
There had been so much blood, it had seeped into her feathers and coated Bell's body, seeping into the ground beneath him.
'gasp' It was almost too much for even Fels to see. Bell's mutilated body, blood pouring out, bones sticking out from places they shouldn't belong. Yet through all that he had on a smile, maybe it was his instincts, maybe it was his body shifting in death, but he was still smiling.
Dozens of wounds marred his body, and blood no longer flowed through his veins. The rest of his body was in tatters.
Ray had arrived too late. Fels had run out of time. Bell was dead.
Dry tears spoke of her anguish, for there was nothing else to show. The noises made it clear how she felt, but there was nothing to show for it.
But…
Even through her tears she still chanted.
Maybe he would be the one.
Dia Orpheus
Please Bell…please…
Nothing. There was nothing. It hadn't worked. Her resurrection magic had not worked, over eight hundred years…and still nothing.
"Just maybe…"
Little hope remained for Bell now. Even if her next attempt succeeded, he might hate her forever. Just as everyone might hate him.
So once again Fels chanted…
Dia Orpheus
A bright, bluish-white light illuminated the area. It had worked.
"Oh, Bell…I'm so sorry."
And for the next while Fels cried…Ouranos would have if he was not preoccupied with fixing his slight mistake…
Bell would surely hate her as everyone would him.
Time had stretched into a never-ending nightmare for Bell. It all began when he encountered a minotaur, his life flashing before his eyes as he saw Ray in his last moments.
That very Siren was currently across from him on another sofa…as he looked across the room, which he now recognized as Fel's workshop, he noticed her fiddling with an object in a chair.
Confusion gripped him. "What happened? How did I get here?" Bell's thirst for answers burned within him. He wouldn't be denied.
Ray's gaze met his, and she spoke softly, "You died. You were dead for several minutes."
Bell's reaction was visceral, a guttural sound escaping his lips…–
"Hughhckck" It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but it was all so real.
Every bone, every drop of blood, every excruciating cut he had felt in that 'nightmare' had been all too real. He remembered Ray's comforting presence as she had flown him towards where he was now. He remembered the eerie sensation of feeling nothing, which must have been when he died.
Regret gnawed at him.
Oh, how unfortunate that he lost his soul, if only temporarily…death by misfortune…if only he had listened to Eina and not traveled to the fifth floor today.
"How am I alive…?"
A word that gave him more questions than answers. Constructed to be as easy to swallow until he could properly be diagnosed and assessed for any further problems…
"You are a hybrid."
A/N - Here is a new story. I will see where I want to take it, currently I only really had the idea for this chapter so I will need to think of more to actually write it.
For anyone worried about NWCT…well I know what I want for the story but the execution is hard. I want it to be as close to perfection in my eyes as possible which requires way too much planning than I do as I keep most stories within my own mind.
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about it and was writing the next chapter until I got this idea. See you next time
Shmuppet