Bell walked into his new room and saw two beds on opposite sides. On the right of the room was Raul's side. He had a nightstand next to his bed, and his bed had blue sheets. On Raul's nightstand was a picture of a black-haired cat girl along with a chienthrope and elf.
Bell guessed it was his dungeon party. Pressed up against the wall at the end of the bed was his dresser. Bell knew what a dresser did, so he didn't really pay it much mind. But he did see a few spare swords on top of it.
Bell reached up to his belt and unclipped Longclaw from it. He set it at the head of his bed before setting his dagger on the nightstand. He took off his cloak and folded it, putting it inside his dresser for when he needed it.
Leaving him with a light brown jacket with a black short-sleeved shirt underneath. He still wore his black pants and boots he normally wore in the mountains.
He felt Silver wake up and jump off his shoulder, flying over to his nightstand to look out into the courtyard from the window.
Met jumped up on the bed and looked out the window with Silver. The two looked at the vast greenery outside as it was the first time either had seen such green before.
Bell sighed as he crawled into bed and laid down. Met licked him in the face as he did so.
"Oh right, I need to trim your fur. I'll go ask Loki if she has some scissors I can use," Bell said, getting out of bed and petting Met on the head.
Bell grabbed Longclaw and his dagger, reattaching them to his belt. He chuckled to himself as she should've just kept them on. He wasn't gonna leave them in his room unattended. They were too valuable for him to do that.
Silver landed on his shoulder, and Met followed him as he left his room and walked back to Loki's office.
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It took him a few minutes because of how massive the Manor was. But eventually, he was able to find her office again. He knocked on the door and waited for her permission to enter.
"Come in," Loki said.
Bell opened the door and allowed Met to walk in before shutting the door behind him. Silver jumped off Bell's shoulder and landed on Loki's desk, looking at the goddess in intrigue.
Loki scratched the top of Silver's head. "Hey, little guy, how are you?" she cooed.
Silver roared before resting his head on Loki's desk. Bell rolled his eyes at the dragon before walking up to her desk.
"He a lazy one. I'm thinking of calling him Silver the lazy," Bell joked.
Loki laughed before petting Met, who looked at her with excited eyes.
"So what can I do for you, Bell?" Loki asked.
"You have a pair of scissors I can borrow? I need to trim Met's fur so she doesn't overheat," Bell asked.
Loki opened a drawer in her desk and tossed Bell a pair of scissors. They weren't meant for cutting hair but should work nonetheless.
"Trim her fur in here. That way, I can talk to my new child," Loki said, gesturing to her couch.
Bell sat down and called Met over, who happily walked to Bell. She sat down in front of him as Bell began to trim her fur.
"So how'd you even get a dire wolf? Or a dragon, for that matter? You do know the significance of you owning a dragon, right?"
"I found Met when I was around five. I was playing in the woods with Alfia one day, and we came across a dead dire wolf. Whatever killed it tore it apart really wasn't something a five-year-old should've been seeing. Alfia tried to usher me back home, but I walked up to the corpse and grabbed the puppy. Scared the shit out of Alfia when she saw me coming back with a wolf pup almost as big as me."
Bell chuckled, remembering that memory.
"So you walked up to a dead dire wolf and stole its pup?"
"Well, she would've died out there if I didn't bring her back with me, and look at Met. She's too adorable to be left to die like that."
Met barked in agreement and stayed still while Bell continued to trim her fur.
"And the dragon?" Loki asked.
"Found that egg when I was seven. It was in this weird black jar that was warm to the touch. Now I shouldn't have taken it out of there, but I was a dumbass seven-year-old, so I did. Brought it home that let it sit on a fire for five years before it finally hatched."
Loki looked back at the dragon sleeping on her desk. She wondered how big it would get in the later years.
"You do know this thing will be massive as it gets older, right?" Loki asked.
"Yeah, but then I'd get to ride it, and riding dragons is cool."
Loki chuckled at the boy's optimism. But she did have one question on her mind.
"Say, Bell, do you know why you're able to bond with this dragon?"
"Because I have Targaryen blood. But I don't really know much about that. Or how I have it in the first place," Bell answered.
Loki nodded as she looked at the dragonling once more. The first dragon seen in over three hundred years. Well, a dragon that wasn't the OEBD. But that dragon was different. It was born from the dungeon, not birthed from an egg.
"Would you like me to give you some insight into your heritage? Though I don't know why Zeus didn't explain all this to you," Loki asked.
"Well, he could've been busy. Or maybe he forgot. Maybe he didn't think I was old enough to learn. Or I left before he could. But if you're willing to tell me, I'd like to know my heritage."
Loki nodded and turned her chair so she could see Bell better. Bell made Met stand up so he could trim her fur better.
"The Targaryen's come from a place called old Valyria. About 2,400 years ago, it pretty much exploded, and their empire crumbled. But about 40 years before it did, a Targaryen had a vision that Valyria would fall. So the Targaryen's left, and they chilled at a place called Dragonstone for a while until a man named Aegon set forth and conquered Westeros with his dragons and sister wives."
"I'm sorry, did you say sister wives?" Bell asked as Met tilted her head in confusion.
"Hmm, oh yeah, any house from old Valyria did incest. Wanted to keep the bloodline pure. It was actually very common for Targaryen brothers and sisters to marry each other. Or marry their cousins. Or aunt and uncles. Pretty much if they were related, they did it," Loki waved off.
"So their family tree is a circle?"
"Not really. Sure, a lot of them did incest, but some of them didn't. But back then, it was for political marriages, and if you think the incest is weird, wait til you hear some of the stories about the gods. I mean, there's one where I had sex with and gave birth to a horse."
Bell stopped trimming Met's fur, and the two looked at Loki in shock.
"Did you?"
"That's beside the point. You think incest is bad because you were told it was bad. Yet a majority of the gods fucked their siblings all the time. Just ask your Grandpa."
Bell just shook his head. "I'd rather not."
Loki chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. "Suit yourself, although I will say one thing. Hera is Zeus's sister."
Bell dropped the scissors and just stared at Loki, his face pale. "I know you're a trickster, so please tell me, this is a joke."
"Nope," Loki said, popping the P.
Bell just groaned in annoyance. "Alright, can we move on from this topic? I don't wanna talk about incest anymore, and I want to forget about my Grandpa and Grandma being related."
Loki waved him off. "Alright, well anyway, Aegon took over Westeros but never got Dorne as they did guerrilla warfare anytime his dragons showed up, and he left them alone. But he did have a Valyrian steel sword called Blackfyre, which is technically yours since you're related to him."
"Wait, I'm allowed to own more than one Valyrian steel sword?"
"Uh yeah, who said you could only have one?"
"No one. I just thought with how rare they are, it'd be nearly impossible to own two."
Loki shrugged. "Well, I can get that weariness. But you can have as many as you want if you can find them. There's also another one you can own called Dark Sister, although it's made for a woman."
Bell sat in thought for a moment. "I could give it to Alfia if I can find it."
Loki nodded. "You could, but it's not if you find it. It's when," she stated.
Bell picked up the scissors and looked at Loki, confused. "Do you know where they are?" Bell asked.
Loki shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe, but where would the fun be in telling you that?"
Bell rolled his eyes and set the scissors down as he finished trimming Met's fur. "You at least gonna point me in the right direction?"
"Uh-huh. Then you can have a fun job looking for your family's artifacts."
"And give you amusement in the meantime," Bell deadpanned.
"Yup! Since you're such an interesting child, you'll be my second golden child!" Loki cheered.
Bell chuckled before a thought came to his mind. "Wait, Loki. If I'm a Targaryen, why am I here? How come I'm not in Westeros? Also, my last name is Cranel, not Targaryen."
"Hmm, oh, that's because Westeros fell in the second long night 1,990 years ago. They put up a hell of a fight, but eventually, the darkness took over. All that's left is snow and darkness now," Loki grimly explained.
"So all those people-
"Are now part of the army of the dead," Loki finished.
Bell felt a little fear course through him. Was that where his dreams took him? To the ruins of Westeros? If he had seen the army of the dead. Then, he had merely seen a drop in the bucket. Maybe not even a drop.
"To answer your other question, you're most likely descended from a bastard Targaryen that left Westeros before the second long night."
Loki then noticed that Bell's face was pale and his hands were shaking.
"You ok, kid?" Loki asked, getting out of her chair and crouching in front of Bell. She rested her hand on his knee as Met headbutted his leg.
"I have dreams. Ever since I was a little kid, I've seen the army of the dead. Just standing around like they're waiting for something. It's a land covered in snow and darkness. I'm starting to think I've been seeing Westeros all this time."
"Hmm, and you've been having these your whole life," Loki asked.
Bell nodded.
"Alright, you've given me something to think about. Now, I'll give you the first clue in hunting down your family swords. Take your mind off some things," Loki said.
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Bell walked to a shed and knocked on the door. Loki had given him a slip of paper with directions on how to get there. Met and Silver were by his side like always, as they were his loyal protectors.
Loki was talking with Alfia, so Bell was by his lonesome for now. He could hear the sounds of hammering going on inside, so Bell loudly knocked on the door to get the smith's attention.
The hammering stopped, and Bell could hear the footsteps getting closer to the door. The door opened, and a tall, redheaded man stepped out.
"Can I help- is that dragon?"
"Hmm, oh yeah, this is silver. That's my dire wolf Met. I'm Bell," Bell greeted.
"Huh, alright. Well, name's Welf. May I ask why you're at my door?"
"I was told that you could help me find two swords. They're family heirlooms passed down from generations but were lost. I'm trying to track them down and find them," Bell explained.
Welf looked at the dragon again before everything clicked. "Oh, you're looking for Blackfyre and Dark sister, aren't you?"
"You know where they are?" Bell asked.
"I know someone who does. I can take you to see them."
"Just like that? No catch?"
"Look, I'm a blacksmith. I understand the value of family heirlooms like that. Besides, I've always wanted to take an in-depth look at Valyrian steel."
"Well, I can always let you look at this one," Bell said, tapping Longclaw's pommel.
Welf chuckled before closing his forge. "So you already have one and are getting two more. Lucky you"
"Hey, I didn't even know those two swords existed until an hour ago," Bell said.
"Some Targaryen you are," Welf joked.
"Yeah, well, I have a dragon, and you don't."
"Touché"
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Loki and Alfia sat across from each other in Loki's office. The two had gotten their formal greetings out of the way and were onto the serious topics.
"So, I had a conversation with Bell earlier today. He tells me he's been having dreams of the White Walkers."
Alfia hummed. "He has. He's been having them since he was three. Always come running into my arms after one. He stopped it as he grew older, however."
"He thinks he sees the ruins of Westeros. He describes the place as dark and cold, yet he feels no chill. He sees an army of the dead, and they're just waiting. At least that's what he can remember."
"You forgot about the white walker that can see him. You and I know they're not dreams, Loki. They're visions of what's to come," Alfia said.
Loki sighed and leaned back in her chair. "How long do you think we have?"
"10 years at the most. But even then, I don't think we'll be ready. Many mortals don't believe in the white walkers and even less in an army of the dead. If we can't untie them in a common cause like Westeros, we'll be wiped off the map," Alfia explained.
Loki pinched the bridge of her nose. Looks like her work was cut out of her. It would be up to her, Bell, and anyone who would listen to help fight against the army of the dead.
"And how helpful do you think Bell will be?" Loki asked.
"Well, he does have a dragon. That gives me a little hope," Alfia said.
Loki nodded before reaching into her desk and grabbing a bottle of scotch and two glasses. She offered one to Alfia, who declined, causing Loki to put one glass back.
"So we have a clock counting down til the end of this continent, and we're relying on a boy with a wolf and a dragon to save us. Fuck it. I'm placing my money on the kid."
Loki then chugged her glass before pouring another one.
"I see your crippling alcoholism hasn't gone away since we've been done," Alfia lightly joked.
"It's gotten worse since you've been gone. Everything's been boring now, and I can't even get that far down in the dungeon cause I'm lacking in manpower. Lucky for me, you and the kid are here."
"Bell's only a level three. But with time, he'll soon surpass me. It makes me sad he had to pick up a sword in the first place. I never wanted this life for him. I wanted him to just grow up and live a peaceful life in Hearthome. But if Bell is the one who'll save us all. I had to make sure he was ready."
Loki chuckled. "Did raising a child make you grow soft, Alfia?" Loki joked.
Alfia sent a level glare at Loki, causing her to shiver. "Watch it. I still have a bite, Loki."
"Hey, question. Which parent was the Targaryen?" Loki asked.
"His father"
Loki nodded. "Good, good."
Alifa narrowed her eyes. "What did you tell him?"
"Only his family's history, and their practices"
"Is that all you told him?" Alfia asked.
"I also have him a clue on where to find his family heirlooms."
Alfia sighed. "So that's where he's been. You sent him on a goose chase."
Loki waved the comment off. "I wouldn't say a goose chase. More like an errand so you and I can have a serious talk."
Alfia just sighed while Loki continued drinking.
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"So the swords are located in Babel?" Bell asked as the elevator kept rising.
"Yup. You're lucky I'm friends with the person who has them. Otherwise, you'd probably have to wait longer."
"Well, I don't see anything to stop me from breaking in and taking them."
Welf chuckled. "Well, you don't know their exact location. So there's that"
"Yeah, you got me there."
The elevator stopped on Babel's fourth floor, and Welf led Bell and his pets to the office of the person who ran the place. As the four walked, they drew looks from everyone around them. Well, mostly Bell and his pets.
But people were still surprised to be seeing a live dragon. Couple that with a dire wolf and a boy who was no older than 14 being their master, and a recipe for disaster was spelled out. Well, it would be a disaster if it was any other 14-year-old.
Welf knocked on the door and was told to come in. Welf led Bell and his pets inside before shutting the door behind him.
"So, have you found a party to take you in yet, Welf?" A tall, redheaded woman with an eyepatch over her left eye asked.
The woman turned around and saw Bell raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh, who's this? A friend of yours, Welf?"
Welf gestured for Bell to step forward. "Hephaestus, this is Bell. He's here to reclaim Blackfyre and Dark Sister."
Hephaestus looked at Bell's right shoulder and saw his dragon silver sitting there. Silver tilted his head and looked back at the woman.
"So you're a Targaryen, it seems."
"If the dragon isn't proof enough, I don't know what else is."
Hephaestus sensed no lie from the boy and walked in front of her desk. "So you're here for your family's heirlooms, and just how did you come across the knowledge of me having them?"
"Loki told me about them and gave me directions to his forge, and he said you had them, which leads us to here," Bell explained.
Again, Hephaestus sensed no lie. "Hmm, alright. Wait here, and I'll go grab them."
Hephaestus pushed herself off her desk and walked to the leftmost wall. She pushed it, causing the wall to open and reveal a black cloth.
Hephaestus grabbed the black cloth and shut the fake wall. She brought the cloth over to her desk and laid it down before stepping back.
Bell walked up to the desk and opened the piece of cloth, seeing the two ancestral swords of his family. He took a look at the bastard sword and knew it was Blackfyre.
The bastard sword was made from Valyrian steel but had a golden-yellow tint to it. Its hilt was made of dragon leather with a Ruby as its pommel.
He looked at the smaller of the two swords, Dark Sister. Its blade was also made of Valyrian steel. The blade was thin and light, the sword befitting a woman more than a man. Its hilt was also made from dragon leather, and its pommel was a flame.
Bell looked at Blackfyre again and felt as if the sword was calling him to it. He didn't hear any words, but he felt as if this blade should be by his side at all times, just like Longclaw.
He reached down and picked it up, its weight feeling light while the hilt felt like it was made for his hand. He held the sword up and looked at his reflection in the blade before looking at Hephaestus.
"Got a sheathe for it?" Bell asked.
Hephaestus nodded and opened a drawer, taking out two longsword sheaths. She handed them to Bell, who set one with Dark sister. While he attacked the other one to his belt before sheathing Blackfyre.
It was a good thing Alfia trained him in duel wielding. Well, she actually taught him everything she knew about fighting, from his bare hands to axes and swords. But carrying around a bunch of weapons would be a hassle.
Bell rolled the cloth up and put it under his arm. He turned around and looked at the two redheads. "Thank you for your help today. I feel like I know a little more about my family and house. Even if they aren't around anymore."
Hephaestus smiled at the boy. "Not a problem. But tell Loki she owes me a favor for holding onto them for so long."
Bell nodded. "I will."
Welf stretched and headed to the door. "Well, if I'm no longer needed, I'm heading back to my forge. Nice meeting you, Bell."
Before Welf left, Bell called out to him.
"Hey, Welf, you want to go to the dungeon tomorrow?"
Welf stopped and turned around.
"You want me to join you in the dungeon? Why?"
"Because I'm new to the city and don't know anyone besides you. Besides, I want to go and explore the dungeon. Might as well do it with the guy who doesn't have a party."
Welf stood still for a moment as he was thinking. Bell was new to the city, so he didn't know his name. But what would Bell do once he found out his last name? Would he hound him for magic swords?
"Alright, fine with me. But I'm letting you know right now that I'm a Crozzo, and I'm not making you any magic swords," Welf stated.
Bell chuckled. "Don't worry, I already have two of them," he joked, tapping the pommels of Longclaw and Blackfyre.
Welf smiled before he opened the door and walked out with Bell and his pets following.
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Bell arrived back at the Twilight Manor as the sun was setting. He walked down the girl's dormitory wing to Alfia's room and knocked. She had shown him where it was before he left.
"Come in."
Bell opened her door and walked inside, still carrying the cloth under his arm. He shut the door and looked at the room, seeing it with a bright pink wallpaper.
"Pink, huh? It suits you," Bell said, suppressing a laugh.
"Shut up," Alfia growled.
Bell coughed as he suppressed another laugh, looking at Alfia's angry face. "It's your own little princess land," Bell joked before bursting into laughter.
Alfia quickly shot to her feet and bonked Bell on the head. She didn't hit him hard, as it was more of a love tap than anything, but Bell got the message.
Make fun of her for it every chance he got. The reason he found this so funny was because Alfia was more of a gothic type of woman. As shown by her gothic dress. So bright, girly colors were off-putting to her.
"Are you here just to laugh at me?" Alfia spat.
Bell shook his head. "No, I'm here to give you something, actually."
Alfia quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, and just what have you gotten me? You know you didn't have to get me a gift, right?"
"Well, I want to give you this," Bell said, opening the cloth and showing Alfia Dark Sister. Alfia's eyes widened in shock. Loki wasn't playing a trick on Bell when she sent him out to find the swords.
Alfia reached out and ran her finger along the blade. It was smooth but still sharp even though it was made nearly four centuries ago.
"Bell, you don't have to give me this. I'm not even a Targaryen, so I don't need it," Alfia softly said.
Bell walked up behind Alfia and grabbed Dark Sister. He sheathed the sword before putting it into Alfia's hands.
"I don't care if you're not a Targaryen. I barely know what that means, so I'm not gonna enforce some dumbass rules about who can and can't use it. They are my swords, and I want you to have one."
"But I'm a mage. I don't need a sword; I have my magic," Alfia protested.
"Oh please, we both know that's bullshit. You can use a sword almost as well as Zald, and he's a swordsman."
Bell took a breath before he continued. "Look, even though you're a level nine, I still worry about you. The one-eyed bastard who killed my dad and your captain, who was a level nine without even trying. I also know that one day soon, I'll surpass you. You won't have to protect me by then. But it'll also ease my worries if you have an unbreakable sword by your side. Your mind will run out, and your staff can break. This sword can't, and when the White Walker finally come, I want you to be able to defend yourself better. So, can you please take the sword?"
Bell's eyes were silently begging her to take it. He still kept his grip on it and forced it into her hands. All she would have to do is a small pushback and reject the sword.
But Alfia could see the worry and concern in Bell's face. The same look he used to have when he crawled into her bed at night when he'd see the White Walkers.
He'd gotten so tall, and he didn't come to her anymore when he woke up from his nightmares. His swordsmanship was past hers and Zald's. Of course, they would still win in Spars since they had six levels on him. But Alfia was willing to bet if all three of them were falnaless and only used swords. Bell would win, without a doubt.
Alfia felt Bell press the sword closer to her. She still held it in her hands, but she could tell Bell really wanted her to have this sword, and she could never say no to him.
"You've become so bossy," Alfia joked as she accepted the sword. She could see the tension lift from Bell's shoulder, and he sighed in relief.
Bell let go of the sword, and Alfia put one of her hands on Bell's cheek.
"You don't need to worry about me, Bell. I can take care of myself pretty well. I was doing it before you were born. But thanks for the concern."
"Right, the big bad silence needs no one to watch her back. She the incarnation of talent," Bell joked.
Alfia chuckled before putting her hand on the back of Bell's head and bringing it to her shoulder.
"Don't even start with that, Bell, and besides, you've long surpassed me and Zald in terms of swordsmanship, and now you have two of them, you'll be a force to be reckoned with."
"And once my Dragon grows up, I'll be nigh unstoppable," Bell joked.
Alifa left before letting Bell go. "Even when you one day surpass me, I'll still worry for you. But before you do that, can you promise me one thing?"
"What?"
"Can you just remain a child for a little while longer?"
Bell chuckled. Alfia always complained about him growing up and getting bigger.
"I'll see what I can do."
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"Yeah?!!! I'm finally on floor 11?!!!" Welf cheered, jumping up and down.
Met looked at Welf curiously before howling, trying to mimic Welf's cheering.
Bell and Silver just looked at each other, and Bell shrugged.
"You seem excited," Bell commented.
"That's because I've been trying to get down here for ages. There are so many new materials I can access, and I want to get my hands on them! Met gets it, don't ya girl"
Met happily barked in agreement.
"Alright, well, I'll let you kill the monsters. I won't get any good excila from these floors. I'll just make sure nothing sneaks up on you."
Welf nodded before drawing his greatsword and began wandering the floor. Bell and his two companions followed behind him and watched Welf's back.
For the next several hours, Welf killed any monster that crossed their path. From Orcs to Needle Rabbits, nothing was safe from Welf's sword.
Bell let Silver kill the Bad Bats that got near Welf. Silver, of course, ate the Bad Bats but made sure not to eat the magic stones.
"Whew, I think I'm done for the day. Thanks for tagging along. Same time tomorrow?" Welf asked.
Bell nodded as he handed a pouch of magic stones to Welf. He was holding the drop items in his backpack.
"Yeah, that's fine with me. Ready to head back?"
Welf panted as he took the pouch and attached it to his belt. "Yeah, I'm ready. Man, that was a workout. Thanks for having my back."
"Should thank Silver more than me. He was your eye in the sky."
Welf looked to Sliver and scratched the top of the dragon's head. "Well, thank you, little buddy. I'll make sure to buy you a nice and juicy steak as thanks for your help."
Silver let out a happy chirp. It seems both of Bell's pets had taken a liking to Welf.
The two ascended each floor easily. Not many monsters wanted to try their luck against Bell. They'd have to wait another time to get Welf.
"So I hear the Loki familia is coming back tomorrow. Excited to meet the rest of your familia?" Welf asked.
"Eh, sort of. I mean, it'll be great meeting new people, but it's not something I'm dying to do, ya know. Although I'll be glad to meet my roommate. I hope he's a chill guy."
"Yeah, I get ya. I will tell you I'm excited to mess around with those drop items. Can't wait to see what I can make from those Orc hides and Needle Rabbit tusks."
"You could make throwing knives from the tusks, and maybe a gambeson from the hides."
"Maybe, or I could make some daggers out-
"SOMEONE HELP"
Bell and Welf took off running to where the scream was coming from. They could hear struggling coming from around the corner.
The two crossed it and saw white-robed people. There was a struggling far eastern with black hair in the clutches.
Wait, were they trying to kidnap her in the dungeon?
Bell quickly unsheathed his swords and killed two of them in an instant. He blocked one of their swords with Blackfyre before stabbing them in the gut with Longclaw.
Met ran last the last three men and stood guard in front of the far eastern woman. She growled and prepared herself to tear out the throat of any that approached.
Welf slashed downward and left a deep cut against one of their backs. Bell stabbed the other two with his swords.
In less than 30 seconds, but all six of the robed men and women were dead.
Bell sheathed his swords and walked to Met, who had stood down, seeing the situation was safe. He crouched down and offered his hand to the woman.
"It's ok now you're safe. Can you tell me your name?" Bell gently asked.
The far eastern woman looked at Bell in apprehension. But feeling the kind and calming aura that came off him, she took his hand and introduced herself.
"Mikoto Yamato. But everyone just calls me Mikoto," she said as Bell helped her to her feet.
"Well, I'm Bell, that's Welf, and these two are Met and Silver," Bell said, introducing his party.
Welf gave her a small wave while Mikoto looked at the two animals in shock.
"Mind telling us what happened, Mikoto?" Bell asked.
Mikoto gulped and nodded her head. "I came down to the upper floors to get a little training in. I was just gonna do my basics as I didn't want to get rusty with them, and those six jumped out and attacked me. They knocked my sword out of my hand and then held me down. They would've kidnapped me if it weren't for you two."
"Well, we'll get you out of here. Which god do you belong to?" Bell asked as Welf handed Mikoto her sword back.
"Lord Takemikzuchi"
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After Bell and Welf dropped Mikoto off, the two were thanked profusely by her god. The two said it was no problem and were on their way to the guild. Loki had made Belk register in the morning so he could go diving with Welf.
After cashing in the stones, Bell handed the drop items to Welf, and the two parted ways. Neither of them spoke about the incident and how each of them had so easily killed someone.
Neither would be affected by their actions as Bell had been staring an army of dead in the face for years. He's seen every stage of decomposition and the lifeless eyes of a corpse staring at him. He was surrounded by death and had become used to it.
Welf, on the other hand, had to kill to survive when he fled Rakia. It wasn't something he was proud of, but he was done being a slave to his family for any longer. He ran away to pursue his dreams, and that dream was impressing his Goddess.
A simple dream, but a dream nonetheless.
Night had fallen by the time Bell arrived back home. He walked through the front door and saw Alfia waiting for him. Dark Sister attached to her belt. It was a new accessory she got for her black gothic dress to be able to wield Dark Sister.
"So, how'd it go?" Alfia asked.
Bell shrugged. "It went ok til we headed back up. Some weird people in white robes tried to kidnap a girl, so Welf and I saved her."
Alfia immediately shot toward Bell and began checking him for wounds. "You're not hurt, are you?!" She worriedly asked.
Bell grabbed Alfia and pushed her back a little. "Yes, I'm fine. They didn't even have time to react to us being there. They're monster food now."
Alfia nodded before her face paled a little. "Wait, Bell, did you kill them?"
Bell nodded. "Yes, and before you ask how I'm feeling, I feel fine. I've been staring at an army of dead people my whole life. I've kind of become desensitized to it."
Alfia nodded as she hugged Bell. "Alright, but you can talk to me about it if you need to."
Bell hugged her back. "I'm fine, Alfia really. I'm just glad I was able to save her. Who knows what they would've done to her?"
Alfia then pulled back. "Alright, go wash up for dinner. After that, go to sleep at a reasonable time. The rest of the Loki familia returns tomorrow, so you need to look your best."
Bell rolled his eyes. "Yes, in the words of Grandpa, I must look my best when women are around," Bell joked, mimicking Zeus.
Alfia clicked her tongue and smacked the back of his head. "I don't need you acting like him. Now go get washed up."
Bell laughed as he dodged another of Alfia's hits. "You can't stop me. A harem is a man's romance."
Bell laughed as he ran up the stairs, leaving an irate Alfia at the bottom.
"That boy"
"What's this about a harem?" Loki asked.
.
.
.
.
Bell was in the land of darkness and cold. Surrounding him was an army of the dead staring lifelessly ahead of them.
They stood as still as statues with no purpose or free will. But this time, something felt off. The horned White Walker that was normally on his skeletal horse was dismounted.
He still looked at Bell, but this time, he started approaching Bell. Bell stood his ground and let the White Walker get closer.
Once the two were only a few feet apart, the White Walker stopped. Bell felt afraid but still stood his ground. He could only see a few thousand dead, with the rest buried in the darkness.
Bell then looked at the unblinking White Walker, whose horned head reminded Bell of a crown. Both stood unmoving and unspeaking.
The wind around them picked up, yet Bell didn't feel cold. He wasn't really here. Or at least his body isn't.
The White Walker, seeing Bell unmoving, bore a twisted smile that unnerved Bell. But his feet remained planted into the ground.
It could've been out of fear or bravery, but Bell remained planted where he stood. This humanized force of nature crouched down and wrote in the snow.
Bell looked down and saw the number 10 written in the snow. Bell looked back up and saw the White Walkers back as the creature was walking away from him.
He mounted his horse and remained still.
Bell then woke up in a cold sweat and panting.
"Make all the threats you want fucker. I'll be waiting for you," Bell muttered.
Well, I'm gonna end it here. I hope you enjoyed Chapter 2. A few things that happened was Bell made a friend and got new swords.
Also, fun fact Bastard swords are slightly longer than long swords.
Another fun fact for the people who don't know what bastards are. They're babies born out of wedlock, and pretty much what that means is their parents aren't married.
Anyway later