"Yo. It's been a while."
Zald lowered his greatsword and turned around. Astraea's eyes widened in shock, and Haruhime's filled with tears.
Bell was standing before them. His glasses were off, and dried blood was on his face. His hair was disheveled and bloodied, along with his clothes. He was hunched over slightly with a wicked smile on his face.
Astraea stepped away from Zald, who looked at his nephew in astonishment.
"How are you still alive? Don't tell me-
"I figured it out. I figured it out. Once you drove that knife through my throat, I stopped focusing on counterattacking and poured everything I had into my reverse cursed technique. It took so long, but I finally figured it out," Bell laughed.
"He's lost it," Zald thought.
"I don't know why, but it all became clear. I never had a reference, but it was like an epiphany happened, and as I was healing myself, I realized. You should've cut off my head, you dumb son of a bitch"
"Reverse cursed technique or not. I'll defeat you again. This era of adventurers is weak. Just because you hold a special ability doesn't make you strong."
"You're right! You're right! You're right! You're absolutely right! This generation is weak. They're nothing compared to Gramps and the old lady! But I'm the son of both of them! My potential far outshines yours!"
"Don't get cocky, boy. You couldn't defeat me before. What makes you think it'll happen this time?"
"Why?! Why?! It's simple. It's because I finally figured it out! I figured it out!"
"It matters not. Reverse cursed technique or not. I'll simply bring you down again and kill the god-
"Red"
A small red orb shot forth from Bell's finger. Zald quickly raised his sword and blocked it, but the sheer force sent him skidding back.
His back slammed into a wall, cashing it to break under his weight. Lucky for Bell, no one was around. Folkvangr was deemed too volatile of a place to live by.
Which meant Bell didn't have to worry about civilian casualties.
Zald pushed himself up and dusted himself off.
"Alright, that's new. Nothing's broken, but everything hurts. I can still fight."
Zald shot forward and swung his sword at Bell. Bell simply moved out of the way. He didn't counter-attack or even react at all.
Zald attacked again, and Bell easily dodged. Zald got a look at Bell's face and saw a glimpse of enlightenment and euphoria.
Bell easily dodged all of Zald's attacks. He wasn't even really paying attention to the fight as he was drunk off power.
His moments were fast yet slow. He dodged at the last second, watching as the blade harmlessly flew by him.
Zald increased discarded his greatsword and increased in speed. He had the weird-looking dagger out once more as he attacked Bell.
Zald thrusted forward, only for Bell to smack his hand to the side. His foot met Zald's stomach, sending the older man skidding back once again.
"He's stronger. No, it's not just that. He's just reached a higher potential. No matter. If he fails at this test, then our chosen wasn't him."
Astraea and Haruhime watched in astonishment. Zald couldn't land a single hit on Bell, no matter how hard he tried. It was like Bell thought of the attacks before Zald did.
"He's moving so slow," Bell thought before dodging another attack.
Zald landed next to his sword and grabbed it once more. Bell was standing still with his back to him, and Zald took this opportunity.
Reeling his arm back, he threw the greatsword like a spear aimed at Bell's back.
Bell quickly spun around and punched the sword, causing it to shatter on impact. Shards of the sword buried themselves in Bell's hand. Bell merely looked at the wound.
Zald rushed forward again, hoping to capitalize on this distraction. Bell still kept his gaze on his hand but leaned back, avoiding Zald's attack.
Zald stumbled forward, almost over-exerting himself, but was sent flying as Bell kicked him in the back. He slammed headfirst into another wall but quickly got up like it was nothing.
When his gaze landed on Bell again, he was floating above the ground. His gaze was on the sky as limitless granted him the ability to float. Bell's hand was already healed, the small shards of Zald's greatsword hitting the ground.
Zald looked at Bell in confusion as the boy was seemingly paying no mind to his fight. Like it wasn't really something he concerned himself with. The sunlight bathed Bell's body in an ethereal glow, making him look like a god.
"This world is so beautiful. I never stopped to take a look at it. So consumed was I in my rage that I didn't realize what I had."
Images of Bell at the Astraea familia table. Surrounded by the smiling faces of his familia and friends.
"Such a peaceful atmosphere."
Zald jumped up and swung at Bell with a downward thrust. The dagger was inches from Bell's heart before he simply moved out of the way.
Zald landed on the ground while Bell remained floating.
"The world. Just feels so wonderful right now."
Bell straightened himself out and aimed two fingers at Zald. Zald stomped out the ground, causing rubble to shoot up. Zald quickly punched the rocks at Bell, but they were stopped by his infinity.
"Throughout heaven and earth. I alone am the honored one."
Bell pressed his thumb against his index and middle finger. He felt a power surging inside him and knew what was about to happen.
"Take the amplified and the reversal. Red and Blue. Combine them together, and you get purple."
Bell flicked his fingers, and a massive purple sphere shot forth from Bell. It destroyed the rubble floating in front of him and continued its course.
Zald didn't have time to move as the purple sphere hit him directly on his side. The sphere kept moving, going through multiple buildings before fizzling out and coming to a stop.
Bell landed on the ground a few feet in front of Zald. The man was still standing, a testament to his willpower and endurance. He was an ace of the once-famous Zeus familia, after all.
His right arm had been severed and was lying on the ground with half of his body missing. Disintegrated by Bell's attack.
Zald's hand went to the hole in his body. His hand grasped at nothing, only being covered in blood. Zald took his hand away and let it hang limply at his side.
"You did well, Bell," Zald said.
Bell's gaze remained impassive, but Zald could see the anguish in Bell's eyes that he was hiding.
"Where's Alfia?"
"Around. You won't find her til she reveals herself."
"Why did you do this?"
"Orario's weak. Three level sixes couldn't defeat one level seven. In my day three, level sixes could easily take down a level seven. We wanted Orario to be strong for when the promised time came."
"Then why try and kill me?"
Zald wheezed as his life slowly drained from him. "There was a good chance we would fail, and when the promised time finally arrived, we didn't want you living through something like that. But that encounter on the mountain, I made sure you would survive."
"Why?"
"I didn't want you coming here. I wanted you to stay on that mountain with Zeus. I wanted you to stay away."
"But if you knew there was a high probability that you would fail, why spare me on the mountain?"
Blood dribbled down from Zald's mouth. "To be honest. I guess at the time, I couldn't bring myself to kill my nephew."
Bell remained silent as tears so desperately wanted to come out of his eyes.
Zald let out another wheeze. He wouldn't be alive much longer. "In one year, the one-eyed black dragon will leave Dragon Valley. Two years after that, a cult located in the empire will break the king of curses seal. Even now, Orario isn't strong enough to face them. It turns out, in the end, what we didn't want to happen to you is happening anyway. Isn't that funny?"
"So these two monsters will bring an age of strife, and if I weren't here, the world would end?"
"Seems that way. In the end, it looks like the world rests on your shoulders, Bell."
Zald coughed up blood before smiling. "Remember Bell. Even though we were on opposite sides. Your uncle never stopped loving you."
With those final words, Zald drew his final breath. Like the fabled legend he was, he died standing on his feet and with a smile on his face.
.
.
.
.
Bell stood there with a feeling of emptiness. He had completed one of his goals and was one step closer to ending this dark.
So why didn't he feel happy? Zald had caused so much pain and strife for almost two years. Now that Bell had finally killed him, he didn't feel a sense of accomplishment.
He felt sad.
Bell shook his head, snapping himself out of his thoughts.
"I should cover up the body. I don't want the city to get their hands on him." Bell thought.
He turned around and saw Ardee standing behind him. A slash going down her chest. It was healed and no longer bleeding, but Bell could see the impact point on her armor.
Ardee's hands were on her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. Her friend was alive and well. Words couldn't describe the joy she felt.
Bell walked toward her as fresh tears ran down Ardee's cheeks. He stopped next to her and put a hand on her head.
"I have something to take care of. Can you make sure Astraea gets somewhere safe?"
Ardee nodded before Bell walked away and into an abandoned house. Its wall was destroyed by Bell and Zald's fight, so entering it was easy.
Once inside, he took a bedsheet off of a bed and came back outside. Astraea and Haruhime were walking with Ardee as she escorted them away.
Bell was quiet as he passed them, but they knew he'd talk to them when he was ready. He had just killed his uncle, after all.
Bell gently laid Zald's body down, grabbing his severed arm and placing it on top of him. He closed Zald's eyes before tossing the sheet over him.
Once Zald was covered, Bell picked up his body and walked away. He wasn't going to let the city desecrate the corpse of his uncle.
No one would see Bell for the rest of the day.
.
.
.
.
"Ardee, Haruhime. Can you two keep what you heard from Zald a secret? Let Bell tell everyone when he's ready." Astraea asked.
"Don't worry about that, Lady Astraea. His secret's safe with me. I'm just so glad he's alive," Ardee answered.
"Bell saved my life. I owe him a forever debt. Besides, I can't remember exactly what was said. I hit my head pretty hard."
Astraea smiled at the two's answer before joining with everyone else. When her familia saw their goddess, they all ran and hugged her.
They were still injured but not heavily. It was as if Zald wanted them incapacitated and not dead. Her familia wept for joy at their goddess's survival, almost forgetting to ask how she survived.
"Lady Astraea. How are you-how are you alive?" Alise asked, tears of joy running down her face.
Astraea softly smiled. "Bell saved me."
"He's alive!" Kaguya asked, shocked and happy.
"Yes, he is. He found out a way to cheat death, and he saved me."
The familia let out a cheer while two amazons smiled. They were away from the rest of the group, but they were happy Bell was still alive. He would owe them his payment once the bounty was off Astraea.
Ardee, happy to see this reunion, cleared her throat, getting everyone's attention. "While I'm glad we're all back together, we should get moving. Since we no longer have a level seven hunting after us, I propose we head to the Ganesha familia home. We have more than enough room for everyone."
Astraea looked around at her slightly injured but alive children and smiled. "That sounds lovely. Will you be joining us, Argana, Bache?" Astraea asked.
"Of course. Our side of the deal still hasn't been completed yet," Argana answered.
Ardee felt a little jealous hearing those words but nonetheless escorted the group to the Ganesha familia home.
But word was already spreading about Zald's defeat at the hands of Bell, and the city started to celebrate.
.
.
.
.
Bell sat in his room in the Ganesha familia home. He was well aware of the celebrations going on outside, and he couldn't blame them.
Gluttony was dead, and the dark age would soon come to an end. This was a turning point so many in the city desperately wanted.
Yet Bell felt empty. He mindlessly stared at his ceiling, lost in thought, yet no thoughts ran through his mind.
He had buried Zald in the woods close by Orario, but only he knew that. Even if Zald was a monster to the people, Zald still raised Bell like a son.
Bell wouldn't let them desecrate his corpse. Was it selfish of him, yes? But the way he saw it now was that no one could stop him. He was too powerful now for anyone to do anything to him.
He figured out the reverse cursed technique at the cost of his life and Zald's. What a price he had to pay.
A soft knock on his door caught his attention. He could see Ardee's heat signature standing on the other side, waiting to be let in.
"Come in," He said.
Bell sat up as Ardee opened and closed the door. Bell had gotten his sunglasses back from Alise after he buried Zald's body.
"Can I sit down?" Ardee asked, pointing to the spot next to Bell.
"Go ahead," Bell answered.
Ardee took the spot next to Bell and noted how quiet he was. Normally, when they were together, the two would never shut up.
But this time was different, and both knew why.
"I heard what Zald said before he died," Ardee said.
"I'm aware. Do you hate me?" Bell asked.
"No. I just came by to see how you were doing. You holding up, okay?"
Bell chuckled. "I just killed my uncle, and the city's celebrating. Take a guess."
"Right, stupid question. But is there anything I can do for you? You know I'm here for you."
Bell sniffled as he could feel tears welling up in his eyes. "You know Zald wasn't always like that. He raised me and taught me how to fight. I know why he became what he did. But I wish he'd have just stayed with me instead."
Ardee felt her heart hurt as this was the most vulnerable she'd ever seen Bell.
"I remember this one time. We were out hunting. Or it was more like he was, and I was following him since I was only seven. But we were attacked by a few goblins. At that point in my life, I wasn't really used to my infinity, so a goblin hurt me before Zald killed it. I was crying, but he calmed me down and healed my hand. He said as long as he was around, nothing would ever happen to me. What a goddamn liar."
Bell's body began shaking as the emotions he bottled up started to pour out. He went to Ardee for comfort, which surprised her.
She knew Bell was making steps about letting people touch him, but she didn't expect him to latch onto her. She didn't resist wrapping her arms around him as he cried into her shoulder.
He'd been bottling everything up for nearly seven months from his awakening at his mountain cabin to now he hadn't broken once. His emotions were under lock and key as he knew if he hesitated, he'd die.
So he put on an act. Acting cocky and sarcastic around people to hide the pain of what he truly felt took a toll on him.
He nearly cracked after the juggernaut incident yet remained firm in the end. But after killing Zald, the thing Bell had closest to a father.
In the end, it seemed to be too much for Bell to handle. Add on what he felt for his familia and the connections he forged since arriving, and Bell was a mess.
So he cried in the arms of his first friend. The only one whom Bell nearly lost after first arriving. He didn't know what would've happened to him had Ardee died, and he didn't want to think about it.
He didn't want to think about not seeing her again. Not hearing her lovely and cheerful voice. Not seeing her beautiful smile. Not reading new hero stories with her. Not being able to spend time with her.
He loved spending time with Ardee. She was so kind and sweet, even to the people trying to kill her. She didn't hold a grudge against them and instead forgave them.
She made him feel accepted even if she knew the truth. Her soft embrace as she comforted him made him feel safe while he was normally the hero.
The sound of her heartbeat calmed him down, and her gentle touches made his heart flutter. She stayed by his side through thick or thin, and he had done the same.
Every time he saw her blue hair, a smile would spread across his face, knowing he'd get to spend time with her. Knowing he'd see her pretty face and nice smile.
Bell kept pouring out his emotions, but he knew how he felt. He knew he cared for Ardee, more than just a friend, and he assumed she felt the same way. Which is why he felt comfortable enough to have her hold him and let him cry.
She made him feel safe.
.
.
.
.
Once Bell was done crying, he pushed himself away from Ardee. She softly smiled at Bell as her fingers ran through his hair. She liked how soft it felt.
"Are you feeling better now?" She cooed.
"Yeah," Bell breathily answered.
"That's good."
The two stared into each other's eyes. The two were lost in each other's gaze and slowly moved closer as if an invisible force was pushing the two closer together.
Their lips met, and the two kissed each other for the first time. It was messy and sloppy but full of passion.
Bell's hand roamed Ardee's, causing the girl to moan into the kiss. They pulled back and kissed again, this time falling to the bed with Bell getting on top of her.
Ardee ran her fingers through Bell's white hair while Bell's hand remained on her waist. Their mouths opened, and their tongues began wrestling for dominance, with Bell coming out on top.
Ardee moaned into the kids again, feeling Bell grab her ass. She could feel herself getting aroused and could tell Bell was as well.
She felt his member harden and poke the inside of her thigh. Bell pulled away, causing Ardee to her to whimper at the loss of contact. She moaned again when she felt Bell kissing and biting on her neck.
Bell had no idea what he was doing, but something told him to do this. Something was telling him to mark Ardee as his.
Bell pulled back and saw Ardee was a mess. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were a mess, and her face was flushed.
She looked so beautiful to him right now.
The two locked eyes again, and their lips crashed into each other. This time, the kiss was even more passionate than the previous ones.
Ardee let out a moan and grinded her hips against his hard member. Bell pulled back, and the two were panting.
"Lock the door," Ardee breathily said.
Bell got off her and went to the door. He locked it, making sure no one could disturb them. When he turned around, Ardee already had her shirt off.
Bell drank in the sight of her naked breasts on display, as Ardee wasn't wearing a bra. Ardee blushed a little but continued until she had taken her pants off. She quickly discarded her panties and crawled into the bed as Bell took his clothes off.
Ardee examined him and drank in the sight of his muscular chest and abs. She wasn't bothered by his scar. She looked down lower and blushed, seeing Bell's member. She'd never seen one before, but she assumed his was on the larger side.
He got back on top of her and once again drank in the sight of her naked breasts. They weren't too big, nor were they small.
Bell leaned down and began sucking on her nipple while his hand played with her other breast. Ardee moaned and arched her back, loving what Bell was doing to her.
Bell started leaving a trail of kisses down her stomach before capturing her lips in his again. He pulled back and lined himself up with her entrance.
He looked to Ardee, and she nodded, giving him permission. Bell's member slid inside her, breaking her hymen causing her to moan in pain.
"Are you ok?" Bell worriedly asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just give me a minute," Ardee whimpered.
Bell listened and didn't move, waiting for Ardee to get used to him inside her. After a minute, Ardee caught her breath.
"Ok, I'm ready."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
Bell started thrusting in and out of her slowly. Ardee let out soft moans as Bell began to pick up speed. The bed creaked and groaned, and the room was filled with Ardee and Bell's moans.
Bell was thrusting into Ardee faster than before. He captured her lips in his once again and began kissing her. He could feel himself getting close.
Ardee wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.
Bell broke the kiss and leaned down to her ear.
"I love you," He whispered.
Bell and Ardee came together, and Bell collapsed on top of her. The two were a sweaty and panting mess. Bell rolled off Ardee and pulled her to his chest.
"I love you too," Ardee panted.
The two lay there for a few minutes, trying to catch their breaths. Once they did, Bell smiled.
"That was awesome," Bell laughed.
Ardee blushed and buried her face in Bell's chest. "Mmm, don't say things like that."
Bell laughed again. "Oh, come on, don't tell me you didn't enjoy yourself."
Ardee buried her face further into Bell's chest. "Mmm, I did. But are you sure you want to be with me? I'm not like the other girls?"
Bell ran his hair through Ardee's hair. "Of course I do. I find you beautiful with your burns. If I'm honest, they make you look even hotter."
Ardee giggled before kissing Bell on the cheek. "That was a terrible pun."
"It cheered you up a little, so it did its job."
Ardee laid back down on Bell's chest, breathing in his scent. She was so distraught when Zald said he was dead that she got reckless.
Zald easily took her down because she was overcome by her emotions. But Bell was back, and when she saw him, she knew right then and there she loved him.
He had been through so much, yet he remained kind and caring. She didn't buy his sarcasm or uncaring personality for a second. She knew deep down the real Bell was down there, and she was happy to finally see him.
"So what now?" Bell asked.
"I guess we're dating now?" Ardee answered.
"Oh, that's cool. I'd like that."
Ardee giggled. "Oh, and don't worry. I'm on the pill."
"Oh, ok. But if I did get you pregnant, I'd take responsibility."
"I know"
The two lay there for a while until Ardee felt her eyelids grow heavy, and she fell asleep. Bell smiled before leaning down and kissing her forehead.
Ardee smiled in her sleep, and Bell felt a sense of comfort fill him. He felt his eyelids grow heavy as well before he himself fell asleep.
The dark age was almost over.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Part of me feels like I didn't do the purple scene enough justice and that this chapter moved really fast, but I normally get told it's fine.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the Bell and Ardee sex cause this was my first time writing smut. (I know one person who will like it.)
Well, that's all I really have to say. I'll see ya later.
