It had been like a nightmare.
I remember running down a path. It lead to a dead end. Something had been chasing me and I was frightened.. no scared for my life. When I reached the end, I turned around and there it was. A minotaur, eyes glowing menacingly. I could do nothing but put my back against the wall, for I was trapped.
It charged me while all I could do was guard my face hoping it would help.
It did not.
The first attack connected, breaking my arms on impact. This was the worst pain I had ever experienced but that wasn't the end result. Just from the force alone, sent my head against the wall cracking both in the process. I slid down the wall unable to move. Everything was blurry, vision red and disoriented. From my perspective there were multiple of the minotaur standing in front of me, preparing for another attack.
Was this truly the end. I wanted to achieve my dreams. Be hero. But I was weak, naive, and stupid. I should have listened to my advisor. I would miss my goddess and she would be lonely again. It would haunt her and Eina forever. For that... I was truly sorry.
The giant fist was slowly approaching.
'I pray and hope one day that they can forgive me for my foolish actions.'
With my final thought I closed my eyes waiting for the minotaur to land the finishing blow. Eventually I was embraced in coldness that seemed to reach all over my being, the pain stopped and everything was dark.
After what seemed like an eternity, a light had penetrated the darkness. It had spread through out the darkness completely engulfing it. When it reached me I felt warm... safe.
My head felt like it was on the world's softest pillow. What took me by surprise was that I felt fingers rummaging through my hair. Opening my eyes, I was greeted with the sight of a beautiful woman staring down at me. She had silver hair and her eyes, they were different one being grey and the other being green. She looked familiar for some reason.
"You are awake I see."
"What happened to me? Where are we?" Bell was stunned by what was happening. The words that left his mouth were not spoken by him. Other than his eyes everything else was moving on its own.
"I knocked you out." She said bluntly. "And for where we are? We are home."
"Did you have to hit me so hard?" Every time she ran her fingers through my hair, I felt the soreness on my head. "It still stings a little."
"Yes. That's what happens when you follow that old bastard." She said looking down with narrowed eyes, making my spine shiver in fear.
"B-but auntie Alfia. I wasn't following grandpa. He dragged me in there with him."
She slowly started to gripping my head. "What did you call me?"
"I-I said m-mom!" Panicking as her grip tightened.
"You're lucky your head is hurt or else I would hit you." Alfia replied. Her grip slowly vanishing.*sigh* "Now back to your lessons. What did you learn?
"Not to follow grandpa into the bathroom."
Alfia lips slightly curved upwards to his answer. "Of course, but that's not the lessons I'm talking about." She continued running her fingers through my hair. "I'm talking about spirits."
"Hmm. I don't know it's really confusing."
"Confusing? How?"
"Mhmm. The great spirits, spirits and demi-spirits I get. But what about souls? Aren't those a type of spirit?" I asked.
"No. Souls are the state of our being. It's what makes people and every living thing unique. Even for us spirits it's very unique." She stopped for moments before conveying her thoughts. "Though I can't speak for monsters. If they had a soul it would likely be as dark as evil doers."
"I think I get it now."
"Really? Then what type of soul do you think I have."
"Hmm. I think it would match the color of eyes maybe. With a little bit blue but with a shiny golden light around it all."
Alfia eyes widened a little. Tears started forming in the corners. "You're so much like her you know. She said the same thing about me once after our..." Alfia stopped, tears slowly slipping away.
My hands reached up and wiped them away. We stayed like this for a while before either of us said anything.
"Bell..."
"Yes mom?"
"Never change... okay?" She said looking elsewhere. "You have kind soul and don't let anything change that. Become the great young man I know you can be.
"Like a hero?" I asked.
She looked down at me a small smile gracing her lips and stared. " ...Mhmm. Like a hero." Soon the silence enveloped us again.
"..."
"..."
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"Will I ever meet someone as pretty and strong as you one day." Sounding so innocent.
Her face gained pink tint. "P-pretty... you think.. I'm pretty."
"And beautiful."
"..."
Her face turned red at that. "Maybe... but only if you stick to my teachings." Her face turned serious. "And you must NEVER. And I mean never follow that old man ways." Alfia looked like she would cave my skull in if I didn't agree. "Do you understand?"
"Y-yes ma'am, I promise!"
"Good..." The features on her face returning softer. "Now. Time for training. Call upon your weapon."
I sat up from her lap and we both stood up. Eyes wondering about, I realized that we were in my old room. Though it looked brighter than I remembered. Suddenly my hand was reaching out. I felt a tug. After a few seconds a sword emerged. It was split blade that curved in and met down at the hilt. From the hilt up, it had to be at least 24-25 inches/2ft in length while each blade was 3 1/2 inches wide and the space between them being 2 inches and a quarter. The tips of the blade curved opposite of each other slightly stretching outward by 3 inch. The blade itself was black with a purple tint/glow if the light hit at a certain angle. It was sharp through and through. The hilt was wooden with a black and silver design spiraling down with wolves chasing the sun and moon towards the pommel. It looked like a bell. Nothing special worth noting other than it being a bell itself.
Eyes moving back towards the blade I noticed some strange writings. It was something only deities could read but... I could understand it somehow. It read "To control thy own fate" Another thing worth mentioning was my reflection. I was younger and my eyes were different. Similar to Alfia, only mine were a beautiful shade of blue that felt familiar and the other being one of the nicest shade of amethyst I had ever seen.
My hand took a hold on the hilt. It felt right in every way like, I had held this sword my entire life.
"Are you prepared?" Alfia voice sounded from behind me.
I replied "I am." And turned around.
"Excellent. Meet me out front." Alfia walked out the room closing the door behind her
I followed her. But when I opened the door, I was embraced by light.
In the light I could see a face of a woman. She had a smile that could rival goddesses. Her lips began moving, but whatever came out fell death to my ears.
She cupped my cheek with one hand as she continued.
"W— - —"
"W— - Be-"
"W— up Bell"
"Wake up Bell. It is not your time to rest just
I shot up in a cold sweat. My breathing was heavy, uneven. Looking around while trying to control myself, I noticed the place around me. I was in goddess Hestia's bed back in the church. But then that would mean...
"Im alive!" Standing up immediately, I was light headed. Deciding to sit, I thought 'Was it all a dream?' But no, it couldn't have been the pain was all too real. And Alfia, was she real or had that been a dream? There was only one way to know for certain.
"Please let this work." I whispered to myself.
Stretching my hand out in front of me. Remember the tugging sensation again or at least hoped so and my mind wasn't playing tricks on me. I prayed that this would work and if it didn't... I would look really stupid. The feeling was still there though but the moment I was ready to quit, there was a faint noise in the air. It continued until there was bell ringing. The bell continued to ring while also getting louder. I clenched my eyes close and covered my ear with my remaining hand.
Then everything went silent.
Opening my eyelids there it was. The black blade in all its glory, floating. It was just like I remembered down to the very minuet detail. It still had "To control thy own fate" inscribed on it. Grabbing the hilt, I was bombarded with memories.
Alfia was indeed real but she passed away from an illness that didn't have a cure. It traumatized me, causing me to forget all my training.
Her lessons.
My promise...
And my grandfather... he was god. Not just any god but ZEUS himself! He took care of me after Alfia's passing. Before vanishing himself. And that other lady holding me, I remember seeing her in a picture with Aflia. It was my mother. She had the same color of blue my eye held before they were ruby red.
This sword belonged to her, she had named it 'FORSAKEN...' what an interesting name. She used it when she was an adventurer, but what made her choose that name..?
As quickly as the memories arrived they were gone. I felt something trailing down my face. They were tears... I had been crying without even realizing it.
Wiping the tears away I had to focus on the present. I would grieve later. Then I remembered something else important.
The Minotaur...
'It's still the fifth floor!'
It had to be stopped before it could kill anyone else. Looking at myself, I was wearing the clothes I used for sleeping. A long sleeved black shirt and black pants. All my gear was still in the dungeon. With no other choice I slipped on the pair of slippers left and rushed out the door.
The shocker was how surprisingly easy it was to run in slippers. One of things I noticed however was my speed. When sprinting I felt light on feet and was much faster. My vision was also better, everything was so clear to me now. It was like seeing the world on a whole different frequency, things were more vibrant than what I was used to seeing. With every step I took, every little sound made, the air rushing past my face. My senses were sharper like becoming one with nature itself.
'This feels amazing. It's surreal, please don't let this be a massive illusion.' I was occupied with thoughts, that I nearly bumped into an elf with blonde-ish green hair. Maneuvering around her, we briefly made eye contact. My eyes locked with sky blue and for a moment it seemed like time froze. 'Wow! She's stunning... Eh! I can't get distracted I have to keep moving.'
Shaking off those thoughts, I moved forward continuing to my destination. Never looking back to admire the elf.
The sun was going to set soon. I rushed through the busy streets of the labyrinth city ignoring all those that were around me. For every person I passed, they probably thought I was some fool that just hopped out of bed, so eager to get in the dungeon that forgot their armor.
Continuing on my trek to the dungeon, I had finally reached it. Making way to the first floor I passed by a few adventurers. The floor was clear and so were the next two. Reaching the fourth floor, the group that warned me about the minotaur were engaged with a group of goblins and kobolds. From their rear, 2 dungeon lizards were prepared to pounce.
Luckily I was able to intervene.
Throwing Forsaken, it nailed down one, instantly killing the lizard. The bell jingled alerting the adventurers and the monster. Calling the sword back, I charged the other lizard sword in hand. When in range I swung it, cleaving through the lizard like a hot knife to butter. Turning to ashes, left nothing but a magic stone dropped. By that time, the group of adventurers had finished off their battle and had focused on me.
"Hey, thanks for th-" The leader eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Wait, you look like the kid we passed by some minutes ago. Are you two related by chance."
"Now that you mention it... he does look similar." Another replied.
"Did he by chance, have red eyes?" I asked.
The leader nodded. "He's on the next floor ."
"Thank you for the information!" I ran off. Waving behind me.
"Hey wait! Be careful there's a minotaur down there as well!" They tried to warn.
'If only they knew what had transpired not too long ago.*sigh*'
Reaching the fifth floor a few monsters spawned here and there. They were defeated with ease. Retracing my steps, I found myself at the turning down the same passage I took previously. Before venturing farther, my ears picked up foot steps. I stayed quiet, listening, trying to pickup the sound direction.
Coming down from the opposing corridors the steps only grew louder. Shifting my attention towards the direction I'm sure it was coming, I stood my ground and put my guard up.
What I didn't expect was another adventurer to appear.
•??? POV•
'There's one remaining. Did it go up another floor?'
With that thought in mind, I headed up to the next floor.
On the way up, there was an adventurer at the split path. They stood there as if waiting for something. The moment I was closer to them, they faced my direction.
'Maybe they're expecting a monster?'
The person in question had white hair. He looked around the same age but...
'Sleeping wear?'
Maybe he's poor. No, the sword he has looked to be made for a first class adventure. Rushed in perhaps and forgot their gear?
"Excuse me. You should be careful there's a minotaur around!" The white haired said.
'Minotaur!' I thought. "Where?"
He stared at me wide eyed. His eyes were strange but they felt... welcoming? There was something about him that seemed familiar. Weird. It took him a second to answer before shaking his head.
"It's down this way." He motioned with his sword. But that led to a dead end. Didn't he know that?
He started to light jog down the path and I followed behind. He seemed sure of himself.
After some time, we reached our target.
The minotaur was standing right in front of us. Waiting to be challenged. Behind it a few meters away, perched against the wall was a dead adventurer. Their face unrecognizable, with white hair that was slightly bloody.
'The hair looks exactly the same as the boy standing next to me. Are they related?'
Out the corner of my eye I could see him trembling. He was gripping his sword so tightly. With the look in his eyes, he looked conflicted.
'He's scared.' I put my hand on his shoulder. It seemed to calm him down.
He looked back at me and smiled. It felt like...
'Mother?' I thought.
Uuaaarrrrr!*
The roar snapped us out of our trance.
"Together?" I heard him ask.
The minotaur charged us. Without any response, we both acted. The boy was slightly ahead while I was close behind. The monster attacked making the boy slide under it, between the legs. With his momentum he managed to cut its ankles and my sword glided through its arm and across the chest.
It roared in pain. It was prepared to attack with its remaining arm but the boy slashed behind one of its knees making it buckle. Slicing off the last arm I was ready to finish it but the boy yelled out so I jumped back ready to attack again.
"Fimble!"
Suddenly the boy sword extended through the minotaurs stomach. Not wasting time, I jumped back in and decapitated it. The fight was over. A magic stone was the only thing left.
pheww*
The white haired adventurer let out a sigh. His hair was completely dyed red from blood. He was sitting down with his sword next to him.
'Did his sword get larger?' I shook my head. "Are you okay?" I asked him.
He looked at me and for a second... I thought his eyes were glowing.
"Yes, thank you!" He replied. "I was scared for my life though... If it weren't for you I don't think I would've been able to fight." He explained. "And you're super strong! The way you cut through it like butter, the way you moved! It was incredible!"
My face was heating up. 'What is this feeling?'
Shaking it off I picked up the stone and offered the boy a hand, which he gladly took.
Helping him up, our hands were interlocked. The feeling of being relaxed washed over me. It was strange. The longer I held his hand the more at peace I felt. It was comforting.
Leaning in closer, our faces were inches away from each other. The only thing I could feel is "safe" the closer we were. It was similar to mother when I was near her. Looking into each other's eyes the feelings increased. We leaned farther in.
Before I knew what was happening, lips locked together.
'...this feeling...'
I felt warm. Really warm. My heart felt like it would beat through my chest. And the feeling in my stomach. What was it? I could feel his tongue with my own rolling around each other similar to a fight but no one was winning.
'I like it. I think?'
Eventually he pulled away. I was slightly disappointed. I wanted to continue.
"I-I-I'm s-sorry! I d-don't know what came over m-me!" He bowed down releasing my hand.
His warmth and the other feelings I received vanished. I still felt warm, my heart slowed down a little and my stomach felt weird as well.
'Maybe I'm hungry? I'll ask Riveria about it.'
I gave him a small smile. "It's okay. I... enjoyed it?" I said still confused.
He straightened up at that. Scratching the back of his head, his face was completely red.
I offered him the magic stone but he refused it. Pouting I took his hand and insisted that he take it. He gave up knowing he couldn't refuse the face I was making.
We walked over to the dead adventurer.
"Do you know him?" I asked.
sigh*"I do but... This might sound crazy." He replied.
"Hmm?" I tilted my head not understanding.
"Can you keep this a secret between us?"
I nodded my head in response.
"Okay so here's what happened..."
"And that leads us to now." He finished his story.
To say it was unbelievable was an understatement. I had never heard of an adventurer dying and coming back. To top it off, he's a spirit.
That was something to think about later. Maybe I could get him to meet my goddess to see if it was the truth.
"Hmm?"
"You don't believe me do you?" He asked
I simply shook my head.
sigh* "Well thank you again. For helping me." He said smiling at me.
I watched him take all the gear off the corpse. The only remaining thing was the shirt and pants. He stuffed everything except for his sword and pouch for stone in backpack.
'The sword shrunk back to normal?'
Standing up he pointed the palm of his hand towards the corpse.
"Santanas Froth." He chanted.
There were mini block shaped bobbles that flew from his hand and clung to the corpse. When it was fully covered he shut his hand causing the magic stop. He held his hand out and backed away, while I followed. When we reached a certain distance he stopped.
"Gospel!" He shouted.
The moment he yelled that out, the body exploded. I had never seen such magic before. Looking at where the body was there was nothing left.
With that done we were ready to leave and go our separate ways until he stopped.
"Wait!? I-I didn't get your name. I'm Bell, Bell Cranel." He held out his hand.
"Ais Wallenstein." I took his hand and shook it.
A small smile was plastered across his face.
"W-well thank you again for helping me." He said. "I'll have to get stronger." Bell whispered to himself.
'Stronger?' I thought. "Would you like to train with me?"
"Ehh! Are y-you sure? I'd hate to waste your time."
"Mhmm. When I have time." I replied.
"I'll see you around Miss Wallenstein." He said ready to take off.
"Ais."
"Hm."
"Just Ais." I told him.
•
•
•
"...Bell?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we.." Taking hold of his hands, those strange feelings came back. I locked my lips with his once more before stopping. "Do this again as well? I enjoyed it." My face seemed like it was on fire.
His face was red as his bloodied hair.
"S-sure w-w-we can." He replied before running off.
A while later Bete appeared.
"Hahaha, did you see that kid. He looked like a tomato."
•Bells POV•
'I can't believe she kissed me! And she wants to do it again!' I thought. 'And the air around her seemed fresher. But also...' My eyebrows forwarding. 'I can feel something dark within her.'
Occupied with thoughts, somehow I ended up on the first floor. Scanning my surroundings, the path ahead lead to the exit. I would've continued if it weren't for a monster I saw in the distance.
"Is that a bird?" I whispered to my self.
The bird it's was facing away from the same direction I was.
'No, that's not any type of bird. That's a Jack Bird. Miss Eina said they have incredible speed and has valuable drop.' Thinking of a way to get the bird, an idea came to be. "If this doesn't work it'll get away."
If this bird had instincts like any prey getting hunted, then it would have sensed a sword flying at it.
"Wait! Let's forget about the Jack Bird for a moment and get some things straight." A lady spoke. "So first; you entered the fifth floor?"
"Mhmm..." Bell said while avoiding eye contact.-
"And then you were chased by a Minotaur, went to a dead end and was killed. Am I correct?"
"Yes..."
sigh* "But you came back to life, summoned that sword, went back into the dungeon, helped some adventurers, ran into the sword princess and fought the minotaur with her. That's completely unbelievable but..." She gritted her teeth. She knew Bell couldn't lie to save his life.
"..."
"BELL, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! This is why we have these lessons! To prevent things like that from happening!"
Bell hung his head in shame. "... I really am sorry Miss Eina. I *sigh*I just wanted to stop the minotaur from causing anymore trouble."
Eina let out another sigh knowing it couldn't be helped. "As your adviser, please console me with your thoughts. I can't stop you from going into the dungeon Bell." Knowing all too well it wouldn't stop him from going. "But if you want to go further in the dungeon, you have to know where you are. I'd hate to lose an adventurer, let alone one that's young as you are. So please be careful."
"I'll try." Bell replied.
"Now how about you-" Bell interrupted her.
"Hold on Miss Eina, you mentioned something about a sword princess?" Bell was curious, cause he didn't remember seeing a sword princess... right?
"Ah yes, you said you encountered her in the dungeon."
Bell had to rack his brain for a moment. "A-are you talking about Ais Wallenstein?"
Eina nodded her head. "Yes, that's her. Why did you ask?" Everyone in Orario knows who she is. But then again, Bell was new.
"I KISSED THE SWORD PRINCESS?!"
"Yes, you k- YOU KISSED THE SWORD PRINCESS?!" She was just as shocked as Bell.
"I didn't know. It was just in the heat of the moment." He tried to explain.
Eina wasn't having any of that. "In the heat of the moment huh?" She looked at Bell with narrowed eyes.
"C-can we just forget about that for now." His face now having a rosy tinge.
"Hmph, fine." She looked to the side.
Facing Eina, she had her pouty face on. Bell had to admit she looked pretty cute. Her brow hair, her green eyes, her pointy ears everything about her was perfect. The way her outfit showed her off.
'The curves she has... Gahh! What am I thinking. Alfia would kill me for sure if she were here.' Bell thought, mentally berating himself. 'Though...'
"Miss Eina how are you glowing?"
"Hm?"
What they didn't know is that Bell developed a new skill.
"You have a faint plant green glow emitting from around you." Unaware only he could see the strange occurrence.
She looked over herself. "Bell are you alright? Maybe you need some rest after everything that has happened today?" She faced Bell.
"Hah. Maybe." He said preparing to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow. Love you Miss Eina!" Leaving out the door waving.
"E-Ehhh!" Eina was completely flustered. 'Bell...'
So? What do you think? I've working on this and some other things and I'm hoping they turn out well.