Zeus stood outside his mountainside cabin with a worried look on his face. He strained his eyes and looked toward the woods in hopes of seeing his Grandson.
But to no avail. The foliage was too thick.
"Damnit Regis! How could you lose sight of Bell like that!" Zeus yelled in anger.
Regis, his Grandson's companion and guardian, nervously paced back and forth. Regis was a canine that had bright red eyes and burning purple fur. Sticking out of the top of his head were two small horns.
"I don't know he's sneaky! One second, he was there. The next, he was gone." Regis quickly explained.
Regis can also talk.
Zeus let out an audible groan. "Alright, specifics don't matter right now. Just go find a piece of Bell's clothes and smell them. We'll track him after that, and we are not coming back here until we find him!"
Regis nodded and quickly ran into the house. He went into his and Bell's shared room and found one of the boy's discarded shirts.
Sniffing it a few times, he quickly rushed back outside and saw Zeus hugging Bell tightly while two dirty cat-people stood behind the young boy.
"Oh, thank the gods, you're ok, Bell!" Zeus yelled.
A huge weight had just been lifted off of Zeus's shoulders as he held his adopted Grandson. Relief led to slight anger as Zeus let go.
"What were you thinking running off like that, Bell?! Do you have any idea how worried we were?!"
Bell dropped his head a little. "Sorry, Grandpa, but I liked playing in the trees."
Zeus sighed, allowing his anger to leave his body. "Bell, you can't go doing things like that. What if you got hurt?"
Bell's head further dropped as Zeus acknowledged the two cat-people. One was male, the other female, both in their late teens. One had black hair and black ears, while the other had brown hair and brown ears.
Both were dressed in little more than rags and were severely malnourished. The two looked at Zeus with apprehension and slight fear. Zeus could tell these two had been through a lot.
"Bell, where did you find these two?" Zeus calmly asked. His previous anger having left his body entirely.
Bell glanced back at the two before speaking to his Grandpa. "They were in a cage in the woods. These men were around them and were treating them poorly. So I used my magic and freed them."
Zeus's eyes widened in shock as he stared at his Grandson. Bell had just freed these two from slavers at five years old. He felt like his heart was going to stop.
Zeus took a calming breath. He wasn't going to yell at his Grandson again. Not when he had done the right thing, no matter how stupid it was. He would remain calm and passive.
"I see, and pray tell what you did to free them," Zeus asked, his voice shaking.
Bell placed his finger on his chin. "Well, I used my illusion magic to lure them away. They were kind of stupid to all go chasing after me. Then I climbed down from my tree and used my fire to cut the lock. But one of the men grabbed me after I finished, so I used flashbang and then ran."
Zeus felt his heartbeat quicken hearing the tale. But knowing that his Grandson was safe calmed him down.
"Alright, let's head inside. I can see you two are hungry." Zeus said.
The two looked at Zeus with scared eyes. They didn't trust him that much was obvious. Zeus didn't know what to do to make them trust him.
That was until Bell grabbed both of their hands. "Anya, Allen, come on. Grandpa won't hurt you."
Bell started walking, forcing the two to follow him as he marched inside. Zeus looked to Regis, who had remained quiet this entire time.
"So, how much do you think they'll freak out once I speak?" The dog asked.
Zeus shrugged. "I don't know, but make sure these slavers don't bother us."
Regis nodded and began strutting to the woods. "I'll be done before dinner's ready."
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Zeus walked into their cabin, shutting the door behind him. Bell had taken Allen and Anya to the living room to show them his copy of Sword Oratoria. It was a book with a collection of stories from through time. Zeus was actually the author of said book, but his Grandson didn't need to know that yet.
The living room was comprised of a sofa in front of the fireplace. Two recliners sat on either side of the fireplace with bookshelves on the walls away from the fire.
Behind the couch was a small round dining table with four chairs made of wood. To the left of that and by the front door was the kitchen.
On the other side of the couch was a hallway with multiple doors leading to different rooms in the cabin. There were four of them, as this place was supposed to house more.
But the ones who were supposed to occupy them had made their choice. Along with his wife.
"So then Argonaut was getting ready to die, but the Princess jumped in and saved him, which led to Argonaut defeating the Minotaur and marrying Orna. Although the book doesn't say what happens after." Bell said while the two teens sat and listened.
Zeus smiled, but he knew he needed to break this up. These kids needed to be fed and clothed. After that, Zeus could figure out what to do with them.
"Bell, why don't you go get ready for dinner? I need to talk with our guests alone." Zeus softly spoke.
"Ok, Grandpa," Bell said, standing up and running to the bathroom.
Once Bell was out of the room, Zeus turned his attention to the two teens. He sighed and sat on one of the recliners in the living room. He could see the nervousness still inside them.
"Alright, you two have been through a lot. I promise not to hurt you, and I promise those slavers won't harm you again." Zeus said.
Allen sized Zeus up and, against his better judgment, decided to trust the old man. But he was ready should any harm come to Anya. Even in his malnourished state.
"Look, I know I seem untrustworthy. Some old man in a cabin in the middle of the woods. But my Grandson lives here as well. I won't let any harm come to him, and since he brought you here, that extends to you as well. Now I want you two to stay here for a few weeks. At least until you got some weight back." Zeus said.
Allen didn't get to respond as Bell exited the bathroom. He walked back into the living room, not caring for the tense atmosphere.
"I'm all done, Grandpa. What's for dinner?" Bell asked.
Zeus looked back over to Anya and Allen before standing up.
"Venison, come on, why don't you help me prepare dinner while our guests clean up? Oh, that reminds me."
Zeus pointed down the hall. "The second and third doors on the left are extra rooms. There are spare clothes in there as well. Bathroom's first door on the right. Wash up, then get new clothes and join us for dinner."
Allen and Anya didn't respond. Allen helped Anya up before they went to the rooms. However, in their untrusting state, they stayed together even as they grabbed their new clothes.
When Anya went into the bathroom to shower and bathe, Allen stood guard outside so no harm would come to her.
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Deep in the woods, a gang of slavers stood around a campfire. They were armed with weapons of all magnitudes and a vengeance.
There was about a few dozen of them. All armed and ready to get revenge.
"Alright, the little shits footprints go that way along with the merchandise." The leader said.
"Hey boss, that kid used magic. Someone will pay a fortune for him. I mean, he didn't look older than eight."
"So you're telling me he's younger than the age when most awaken their Mana Cores?" The boss asked.
The man shook his head. "Yup, and it seems like he has quite a few magics as well."
The boss grew a toothy and wicked grin. "Good, that kid will sell nicely."
Regis jumped out of the bushes and bit down on the boss's neck. Blood spurted everywhere as he tore the boss's throat out.
Using his Aether, he stopped the hearts of dozens of them. Some men swung down at him, but Regis turned into his Will-O-Wisp form, and the attacks harmlessly went through him.
Once he went back to his dog form, he spit purple fire at another dozen of them, setting the alight. The men and women screamed in pain as their eyeballs melted and their flesh burned from their skin.
Regis then pounced on another slaver, sinking his teeth into her neck and using Aether to snap the remaining slavers' necks.
After they dropped dead, he ripped the last one's throat out and put his flames to rest as to not burn down the forest.
Once he was done, he used Aether to make a mass grave before disposing of their bodies and leaving no trace of what happened.
"Scum, but Bell's safe, and that's all that matters," Regis muttered as he began walking back home.
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Anya and Allen sat at the dinner table with Bell and Zeus. Both had showered and changed clothes, with Allen wearing some of Bell's dad's old clothes while Anya wore his mom's.
Allen was dressed in a blue flannel, which as was a few sizes too big for him, as well as black pants. Anya was dressed in a green short-sleeved shirt with blue jeans.
"Here, eat up, but eat slowly. Your bodies aren't going to be used to the sudden intake of food." Zeus said.
He handed Anya and Allen a plate of venison with mashed potatoes and some green beans. For a drink, they had orange juice from the orange tree outside.
Allen and Anya stared at the plate, their mouths watering. Once Zeus sat back down, they immediately began eating the food that was available to them.
"Slow down, don't want to get yourself sick now." Zeus heartily chuckled.
Allen and Anya swallowed their food before beginning to eat slowly. Bell meanwhile let out a little laugh.
"See, Grandpa's nice, and his food's good."
Anya nodded while Allen still kept an eye on Zeus. As the group ate, Regis flew through the door in his Will-O-Wisp form.
"Alright, slavers are dealt with. Kids should be fine." Regis said, taking his place next to Bell.
"How did that dog just talk?" Anya asked.
"Because it's a magic dog, Anya," Bell responded as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
Allen stopped eating and looked at Regis, who stood by Bell's side.
"What, never seen a wolf before?"
"No dog, they're just your natural enemy." Bell goaded.
"I'm a wolf."
"Dog."
"Wolf."
"Dog." Anya laughed, joining in.
"Oh, now wait a minute, this is unfair. I'm being tagged team here." Regis fake protested.
Bell and Anya continued to make fun of Regis while Zeus looked over to the still-wary Allen.
"You can relax now. Regis dealt with those slavers. You and your sister will be safe here for as long as you want."
Allen looked over to the old god, then back to his sister, who was having fun with the boy Bell. Seeing Anya laughing and smiling finally made Allen's shoulders drop.
He let out a tired sigh as he finally dropped his guard. Zeus just gave the boy a smile and a strong pat on the back.
"You're safe here. Now eat and drink. Get your strength back."
"Alright," Allen said as he began to eat once more.
The house was slowly filled with joy as the group ate dinner while Regis and Bell continuously bickered. But that was the way the two had shown their love for each other. Ever since Bell could talk, all Zeus could remember him doing was bickering with Regis.
It caused the old god to smile, knowing Bell had a lifelong companion to protect him. It also eased his worries.
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Once night had fallen, Bell was asleep in his bed with Regis lying next to him. The dog didn't need sleep, but he pretended to as Bell slept peacefully in his room.
Zeus sat in the living room and read an old and weathered journal. Its previous owner was Bell's great Grandfather, Arthur Leywin. The man who saved mankind.
Right now, Zeus was currently reading the part about Arthur's stay in Alacryia and him exploring the relic tombs. His eyes brushed over the words and the hardships Arthur had to go through while trapped there.
With no mana core and only Regis by his side.
"That must've been hell. That dog is pretty annoying." Zeus thought, flipping the page.
Zeus continued his reading well into the night. He was learning information that Bell would need to know as he grew older.
Zeus would tell him about his parents and his family. Who he was and where he came from. All of it. But not today, not for a while, as Bell was still too young to fully understand anything.
So Zeus kept his mouth shut and turned the page.
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A few weeks had passed, and Anya and Allen were looking much better than when Bell first saved them.
They were no longer skin and bones. They had gained most of the weight they lost thanks to Zeus's cooking. He had given them three meals a day, along with a snack anytime they asked for one.
Right now, Zeus and Regis sat outside watching Bell play with Anya and Allen. The group was in the backyard, which was a big open area that stretched for miles.
Close by, however, was a small hill with a single tree on the top. Zeus had planted that after Bell's father died. There wasn't a body to recover, and it would be disingenuous to Silver as a person if his grave were left empty.
So Zeus planted a tree to honor his memory, and right beside that tree was Meteria's grave. Bell's mother.
She had died a few months after Bell was born. She was deathly ill her entire life, a sickness she was born with along with her sister. So after little Bell was born, her body slowly got weaker until one day, Zeus found she had died in her sleep.
Bell had been sleeping quietly in his crib next to her when it happened. Zeus still remembered the final thing she said to him.
"Zeus, promise me you'll keep him safe. Promise me he'll grow up big and strong and happy. Promise me you'll give him that life. Please."
Zeus closed his eyes and let out a somber sigh. Regis picked up on this and perked his head up.
"Everything alright, old timer?"
Zeus exhaled and nodded. "Yeah, just remembering Meteria's last words to me."
Regis let out a hum of acknowledgment. "Hmm, I remember the last words she said to me as well."
Zeus quirked an eyebrow. "Oh really? What'd she say to you?"
Regis was quiet for a moment. "Protect him."
Zeus chuckled. "Looks like she had the same wish for the both of us."
Silence filled the air between the two as they watched Bell play.
"I miss her, ya know. Her and that dumbass Silver." Regis stated.
Zeus somberly smiled. "Yeah, you watched Silver grow up. Bell reminds me a lot of him."
Regis chuckled. "Minus the perverted part. He got that from you."
Zeus let out a laugh. "Yeah, he was my best student. How mad do you think Meteria would be if Bell turned out like his dad?"
"Well, if he turns out brave and selfless, she'd be proud. You teach him to be a pervert. She might kick your ass next time you see her." Regis explained.
Zeus smiled. "I don't think she wants Bell to be a warrior like his dad. I think she just wants him to have a peaceful life."
Regis looked to Zeus. "We both know that won't happen. The Dragon's still a big threat. Current Orario can't do shit to match it. They're too cowardly and weak."
Zeus sighed. "I know, and the dragon's not the only threat."
"Agroana knows to stay on his side. Besides, once Bell turns seven, we know what will happen."
Zeus nodded. "I'm aware, I just want him to be a child for a little while longer."
Regis looked back out into the yard as Allen and Anya were walking back with him. It was getting close to lunchtime.
"He will be, we just need to make him have fond memories of this."
Zeus didn't respond. Instead, he smiled and stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. "Alright, come on, you three. It's time for lunch. Today, we're having fish."
Both Anya and Allen's ears perked up, and Bell jumped in excitement.
"Yay, fish, come on, Anya and big brother Allen."
"Woah, what?" Allen asked.
"Hey, how come you didn't call me big sis Anya?!" Anya protested.
"Because that's a mouth full," Bell answered.
"Wha- it is not!"
"Is to."
"Is not."
"Is to."
"Alright enough, you two. Come on, lunch isn't going to eat itself." Zeus called out.
Bell and Anya looked at each other, their eyes narrowing.
"Race- you cheater!" Anya yelled as Bell had already taken off running.
Allen watched as his sister, who was 15 years old, lost in a foot race to a five-year-old. Granted, the five-year-old used mana to reinforce his body she still lost to a child.
Regis laughed as he followed them inside while Allen shook his head. This small family really was something else.
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Deep in the dungeon, a woman with white hair lay covered in burns. She had resigned herself to die. Her vision was going blurry, and her body becoming numb.
"Looks like…I'll see you soon…sister." The woman thought. Her mind felt hazy.
"Found her!" A voice called out.
The woman couldn't open her eyes. Her body to weak and fragile. But as she drifted away, she heard more disembodied voices that sounded panicked.
"Get that potion here now!"
"Come on, stay with us!"
"Fels, she needs your help now!"
The woman heard no more as she passed out. Her eyes remained closed as those around her struggled to keep her alive.
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Back at the cabin, Zeus sat in the living room with Anya and Allen. Night had fallen, and Bell was already asleep with Regis by his side.
The siblings sat on the couch while Zeus sat in a recliner across from them.
"So what is it you two would like to talk about?" Zeus asked, leaning forward slightly.
Allen and Anya looked nervously at each other before Allen spoke.
"First off, we would like to thank you for all you've done for us." Allen began, then paused.
Zeus nodded, signaling him to continue.
Allen swallowed a lump in his throat and continued. "Secondly, we've decided we would like to go to Orario. We want to become adventurers so we can protect people."
Zeus quirked an eyebrow as he nodded. "Alright, if that's what you want to do, you can do that. But I do ask that you wait a few days. I can get you safe transportation to Orario."
Allen and Anya's eyes widened.
"You-you'd do that for us?" Anya asked.
Zeus nodded. "Of course, I want to make sure you two are safe until you get there. So just let me get a letter to someone, and he'll safely escort you two."
Anya quickly shot up from the couch and hugged Zeus. The old god was caught off guard but gently patted the young girl's back.
"Alright, alright, that's enough," Zeus said.
Anya pulled back and did little jumps in the air.
"We're going to Orario Allen! We're going to Orario Allen!" She cheered.
Allen smiled. "Shh, quiet down. We don't want to wake up Bell."
Anya quickly stopped what she was doing and covered her mouth. Everyone was quiet for a minute. After not hearing anything, Anya promptly sat back down.
Zeus let out a quiet chuckle. "Alright, you two go to bed now. I'll send the letter, and you should be heading to Oraio within a few days."
Allen and Anya nodded and went to their rooms. After they were gone, Zeus grabbed a pen and some paper. He quickly wrote the letter before stepping outside and whistling.
A few seconds later, a pigeon landed on his arm, and Zeus carefully tied the letter to its leg.
"You know where to go." Zeus calmly spoke.
Once the letter was tied, the pigeon flew away, and Zeus went back inside.
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A few days later, Bell was outside saying goodbye to Anya and Allen. The messenger, god Hermes, had arrived and would safely escort the siblings to Orario. They weren't aware of who he truly was, however.
Bell was sad to see them go, but he didn't protest or throw a fit. He knew all too well that people couldn't stay sometimes.
"I'm gonna miss you." Bell sniffled as Anya hugged him.
"Oh, we'll miss you too, Bell. But once you come to Orario, come find us ok." Anya said.
Bell didn't notice, but tears were brimming in Anya's eyes. She was sad she wouldn't see Bell anymore. To her, he was adorable.
"I will, I promise," Bell responded as Anya let him go.
Allen walked up and ruffled his hair. "Oh, don't be too sad, Bell. You'll see us again."
"Will you still be my big brother if I do?" Bell asked with wide, beady red eyes.
Allen felt his heart hurt at the look. "Of course, I'll always be your big brother, Bell."
Allen kneeled down and hugged the small child while Zeus talked to Hermes. Who just so happened to be traveling with his new captains
A young blue-haired ex-princess named Asfi Al Andromeda.
"I see he's growing up well," Hermes commented as Allen finished his goodbyes.
Zeus nodded. "He is. He's already reached dark red in his Mana Core."
Asfi's eyes widened. "Dark red already? Isn't he quite young to have a Mana Core?"
Hermes let out a small laugh. "Yes, Asfi, dear young Bell over there is what we call a prodigy."
Asfi looked over to the small boy once more, who now had a purple dog next to him. Asfi knew this dog as the Zeus familia's dangerous mascot. The dog that could level the city.
"He is, but tell me how your Mana Core cultivation goes, Asfi. I also hear you have a skill that allows you to invent things as well. You're quite promising for someone your age." Zeus said.
Asfi slightly blushed at the praise. "Thank you for the compliment, and I'm a light orange core now."
Zeus nodded, a smile on his face. "That's good, that means you're close to yellow core. Who knows, you may become a white core."
Asfi smiled abashedly. "Oh, you think so? Oh, I don't know if I could make it to white core."
Hermes rolled his eyes. "You broke my child Zeus."
"Please, with the whims your familia has to deal with, you already broke them. A little praise goes a long way, you know."
Hermes ignored Zeus and clapped his hands. "Alright, you two, make sure you don't leave anything behind. I wanna get this show on the road before nightfall."
Allen and Anya looked at the weird man while Bell walked over to his Grandpa, who was with Asfi. Hearing Hermes' voice had snapped her out of her stupor. But she was surprised to see Bell staring up at her.
The young boy pointed at her and spoke. "You're pretty."
Asfi's face broke out into a scarlet red as Zeus roared with laughter. Hermes turned back around and yelled at Bell.
"No Bell! Asfi is mine!"
Bell tilted his head in confusion while Zeus kept laughing.
"Come along, Asfi! Don't let his cuteness pull you in!" Hermes yelled as he ran to Asfi and dragged her away.
The group began walking away from the log cabin as Bell and Zeus stood waving goodbye. Once they were out of sight, Zeus looked down at Bell.
"I don't remember teaching you to put the moves on a girl." He teased.
Bell tilted his head once more. "Putting on the moves?"
Zeus sighed and ruffled his hair. "I'll tell ya when you're older."
Zeus and Bell turned around and began heading back inside. As they did, however, the bushes rustled behind them.
Regis was quick to jump in front of Bell as he saw who it was. Zeus quickly spun around as well. His fists were raised, and he was ready to defend Bell.
But when Bell was safely behind him, Zeus stopped and froze in shock.
"Hello, old man." Alfia greeted.
Zeus was caught off guard by the woman in front of him. The woman who was supposed to be dead. So shocked was he that he only managed a single word.
"A-Alfia?"
Well, that's chapter one of the rewrite done. I have nothing much to say other than I had the flu unknowingly, but I'm all better now. Oh, and also there will be some changes to the story as well.
Anyway, let me know what you think of the rewrite, and for those who read the original, I hope you enjoy.