"I knew I should've had the old man give me a map. Cause I'd at least know where I am." Bell thought to himself, looking out at the sea.
It was a beautiful amalgamation of endless blue that stretched on for miles. Slight waves crashed against the harbor, and the smell of salt filled Bell's nose.
Had this been any other time, Bell would've stopped to admire the view. But as it stood, he was lost with no idea where he was. He had plenty of money on him as well as his father's sword and chestplate.
His sword was a Greek Xiphos made from adamantite with a smoothed pommel with a handle of elven steelbark. Its handle was lightly singed, but a leather wrapping covered it. It had sharpness and durability enchantments, showing excellent craftsmanship.
His chestplate was a highland mithril chestplate with leather straps with a dwarven-made design. The armor was covered in ash and soot that seemed melted into the armor, making it look dirty. The only enhancements on the chestplate were durability and fire resistance.
Which meant Bell stuck out like a sore thumb in a town he didn't know the name of. Looking like a fabled knight out of a storybook.
His finger nervously tapped the pommel of his sword as he looked around the town. Should he ask someone for help? Would they even believe him if he said he was lost?
Bell sighed and looked to the sky. The sun shone brightly in the sky, bathing the town in its light.
"Well, Grandpa, looks like I'm off to a wonderful start." Bell thought.
He sighed and looked to the ground. "I wish you were still here. I don't think I'm ready for this."
A deep pit of loneliness filled Bell's stomach as he once again looks out to the ocean. Such a beautiful blue caused him to smile slightly. The world was so beautiful.
"Excuse me, young man, are you alright?" A woman called out.
Bell turned and saw a woman standing before him. She had long walnut brown hair that was gathered together behind her head in a dignified manner, along with deep indigo eyes that were reminiscent of a sea of stars. She wears a simple kirtle and a long skirt.
Bell was slightly taken aback by her beauty but quickly snapped out of it. "Uh, not really, I'm kind of lost."
The woman nodded. "Oh, I see, and where is it you seem to be going?"
"Orario," Bell answered.
"You're quite far from there."
Bell lightly chuckled. "I can see that, any idea which way I should go?"
The woman placed a finger to her chin. "Hmm, let's see, you'd have to take a carriage going west, but those are quite expensive, so is a ship over there too. Do you have enough for either of those?"
"Doubt it, only have a few thousand valis. Know any good place to buy some supplies?"
"If you only have a few thousand valis, you won't be able to stock up much on supplies." The woman pointed out.
"I'm really good at rationing. Besides, I can walk 36 miles in a day easily. How far is Orario?"
"About 300 miles away. But you shouldn't walk there on your own. What if you get robbed?"
Bell shrugged. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Now, any idea where a good general store is?"
The woman looked at Bell, her face full of worry. "Why are you in such a rush to get to Orario? Why not wait til you're a little older and have some skills under your belt?"
Bell quirked an eyebrow. "Uh, I'm 17 and have been training with a sword since I was 12. I think I'll be fine."
"Well, where do you plan on staying once you get to Orario? Do you have anyone there who is waiting for you? Anyone you can go to if things don't work out?"
Bell frowned, his mood seeming to drop. "Nope, but I'm good with a sword, so I should be useful."
"Most people in familia's use swords. What makes you different from them?"
"Because I'm a swordsman. Not a man with a sword. There's a clear difference."
The woman nodded, but Bell could tell she didn't understand. "Well, I'd feel bad if I let you travel by yourself. Allow me to accompany you to Orario and at least arrange some accommodations for you."
"Um, why? Pardon me if I'm being rude, but you don't know me or anything about me. I don't even know your name."
The woman then did a small curtsy before speaking. "Then allow me to introduce myself. I'm the goddess Astraea."
Bell looked at her, confused. "Who?"
Astraea slightly pouted. "Astraea, you know the goddess of justice."
Bell shook his head. "Sorry, never heard of you."
Astraea bit her lip and grumbled. "That's fine, but come on, let's go find us a carriage and get you to Orario."
Bell, seeing he had no other option, just shrugged his shoulders and followed her. He didn't have anything to pack, and neither did Astraea. It seemed that she was just passing through this town when she ran into him.
He didn't know why she was choosing to help him. His stupidity in going the wrong way was hardly a matter of justice. Besides, he didn't mind walking to Orario, but if she was offering to help him, he wouldn't say no.
His Grandpa always said kindness can come from those you don't expect it from. Even if she was a goddess, he never heard about.
After securing the two transport, Astraea gestured over for Bell to get on the carriage. Being the gentleman his Grandfather raised him to be, Bell helped her in first before sitting next to her.
Once the carriage driver was ready, the two were off to Orario.
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"You know you haven't told me your name yet." Astraea pointed out.
Bell looked away from the window and chuckled. "Sorry about that. I guess I was still in shock that you helped me. Names Bell, Bell Cranel."
"So, Bell, tell me why you want to go to Orario. You know the city isn't as glamorous as it seems. The adventurer's life is hard."
Bell blushed and looked away. "Well, I want to be a hero. I've wanted to be one since I was a boy."
Astraea giggled, causing Bell to nervously scratch his cheek. "A hero, huh? What's your plan to dive into the dungeon and save a damsel in distress?"
Bell nervously swallowed and chuckled. "Uh, how'd you know?"
Astraea shook her head. "Never mind that, why don't you tell me a little about yourself, Bell? I wanna know how you learned to walk 36 miles in a day."
Bell turned back to her and straightened himself. "Well, it was from training. My Grandpa used to give me a pack full of camping equipment and supplies and then drop me off in the middle of nowhere and made me find my way back home. Which is why I find it kind of funny I got lost."
"Your Grandpa sounds like quite the interesting person. Did he teach you how to use a sword as well?"
Bell looked to the sword and lightly patted the pommel. "Yeah, it used to belong to my dad. So did this chestplate. Grandpa gave them to me for my 12th birthday."
"You talk like they aren't here anymore." Astraea pointed out.
Bell sadly sighed before looking back out to the scenery. "They're not, none of my family is. Dad died before I was born, mom died in childbirth. Doubt I have any aunts or uncles cause none of them showed up in the last 17 years. Only person I had was my Grandpa, and the old idiot had to go and die as well."
"How-how did he die? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"It's fine. He was out hunting with some men from our village. When they were near a gorge in the mountain, some rocks broke, and he fell to his death. They couldn't recover the body."
"I'm sorry for your loss. When did he die?"
Bell looked to the ceiling. "A week ago."
"And you decided to go to Orario? That was very quick."
"Didn't see a point in waiting. Old man's dead, and I have no one waiting for me back home. Why stay in a place where I have no one?"
"Then why go to Orario? You wouldn't have anyone there either."
"For a time, yes, but in Orario. I'd join a familia. Have somewhere to belong. Not be stuck in some backwater village where my only family is dead."
Astraea hummed and nodded. "I see, so you're searching for somewhere to belong and headed to the dungeon city but got turned around."
"Yup, so what's a goddess of justice doing all the way out here without a familia?" Bell asked.
Astraea went quiet, and Bell straightened in his seat. "Don't worry about it, forget I asked. No need for you to tell me anything."
Astraea softly spoke. "No, it's only fair, you told me your story. Only fair I tell you mine."
Bell raised his hand up. "Astraea, don't, it's obvious the scars haven't healed. No need to tell reopen old wounds."
Astraea remained quiet and nodded. "Can you tell me stories of your Grandfather? Since we seem to be stuck with each other for the next few days."
Bell smiled. "If I had to describe him, the first word I would use is kind. The second one would be pervert."
Astraea giggled. "A pervert who was kind? Don't hear many of those."
"Well, that's what he was. More times than I can count, my 'stealth training' was just going with him to peep on girls."
"Did you?" Astraea inquired.
"The first time, yes, that's cause I didn't know what we were doing. From then on, no. I mean, I was like 12 or 13, and it just felt wrong."
"Well, good, I'm glad his tendencies didn't pass onto you."
"Doesn't help that they kept inviting me in," Bell muttered.
"What!" Astraea shrieked.
Bell laughed. "I'm kidding. That only happened once, and I'm pretty sure that girl wanted to do more than bathe."
Astraea lightly blushed at the topic. "And why didn't you join here?"
"Because I knew I'd be leaving sooner or later. Wouldn't be fair to her." Bell answered.
Astraea cleared her throat. "I see, well, that's very insightful of you."
"You think so? Grandpa said I should've gone in there and made her sing."
Astraea's blush deepened, and she looked away. "Maybe it's a good thing you didn't listen to your Grandpa all the time then."
"Yeah, probably, though he was a kind old man as well. I remember this one time he rushed into a burning building to save some kid still trapped in there."
"Oh my, that's very brave. How old was your Grandfather at the time?"
Bell was quiet, then furrowed his brow. "I don't know, he never told me his age, but I knew he was old. His hair and beard were grey. But now that I look back on it, he never seemed to age."
"Hmm, your Grandfather must've taken really good care of himself then."
Bell shrugged. "I guess so, he used to be an adventurer."
"Oh really," Astraea said surprised. "Do you know what familia he used to be a part of?"
Bell fidgeted a little before nervously smiling. "He was a part of the Zeus familia. He was one of the only survivors."
Astraea felt a small pang of fear as she remembered the black knight who wreaked havoc during the dark age. But she quickly recomposed herself before Bell could notice.
"Oh my, that's quite a Grandfather. What was his name?" Astraea nervously gulped.
"Everyone just called him Jove. He was pretty old, so he was practically retired by the time of the One-Eyed Black Dragon fight. I still don't know how he was able to go to that grave and recover my father's gear. I'm thankful he did, though."
"I see, so that's why your equipment looks like it was set on fire." Astraea mused.
"Yeah, but I intend to use it and make my father proud. Even if he isn't here himself to tell me."
Astraea smiled. "Another goal, I see. Well, I find it admirable that you have such selfless goals."
"I just want to help people, that's all."
The two then spent the rest of their time making more small talk as the city of Orario grew closer.
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As the carriage grew closer and the Tower of Babel came into view, Bell's eyes were glued to it the whole time. He hung out the window, just gawking at it while Astraea smiled at his child-like wonder.
Bell was just amazed at how a tower could stand that high and not fall over. He could see the massive walls of Orario meant to keep the monsters contained.
But Astraea knew that wasn't the truth. In reality, the walls were meant to keep the adventurers in to stop them from wreaking havoc. Which is why no one is allowed to leave Orario without the guild's permission.
Astraea did notice the city seemed to be more peaceful since she left. There was no smoke rising about the walls, signaling a fire, and the long line to go into the city seemed to show the city wasn't in turmoil.
She slightly smiled and sniffled, knowing her children's sacrifices hadn't been in vain. Bell didn't seem to notice Astraea's inner turmoil as he kept his gaze on the city.
Once reaching the city, the two waited in line, with Bell shaking with excitement while Astraea stood calmly next to him. She enjoyed Bell's childlike wonder at new things. It reminded her of a certain someone.
Once it was their turn at the entrance of Orario, Astraea was quickly let in along with Bell. When asked if she was restarting her familia, she declined and asked that her presence here not be widespread.
The gate guard agreed and sent Bell and Astraea on their way. The whole time Astraea walked the streets, she saw joy and happiness. A far cry from the dark age that plagued the city years ago.
But as she drew closer to her old home, she became nervous. Her palms became sweaty, and her heart beat faster in her chest. Did her old home still stand? Or was it gone blasted into rubble by Evilus looking to get back at her?
If that was the case, what would she tell Bell? She promised him accommodations when he arrived. How would he react without it?
But her worries were put to rest when she saw the Stardust Garden still standing. Her heart swelled inside her chest, and she nearly broke into tears.
Her home was still standing. Sure, it was in disrepair, with vines growing everywhere and dirt covering the once-white pillars. Dead flowers also littered the ground as well. It would need work to look new again.
Work she wouldn't do as she was only here for a few days. Once Bell found a familia, she would be gone. She wasn't ready for a life back in the city. She was ready to restart her familia. But she was ready to help a boy who wanted to be a hero, and she would.
Upon entering the house, Astraea nearly broke down into tears again. All the memories came flooding back of the good times she and her familia had in this place.
The times when Alise would have spiels about justice and what it meant. Or when Kaguya would tease Ryu and make the elf red with rage. The times Lyra built her bombs while listening to everything.
Iska styling everyone and giving those willing makeovers. Nezhe keeping the peace between Kaguya and Ryu before a fight could break out.
More and more memories came flooding back to Astraea. She was barely holding back the tears, and she needed to go somewhere Bell wasn't.
"Well, it's almost dinner time. Let me get started since you've offered me a place to stay for the time being. I'll go buy some things." Bell said.
Astraea kept her back to Bell. "Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you, Bell."
"Anything I could get you?" Bell asked.
"No, thank you."
"Alright, see you in a bit."
Once Astraea heard the door shut, she broke into tears. She quickly moved to her old room, away and out of sight, and began weeping. Everything just became too much for her to handle. She hoped Bell joined a familia soon so she could leave this place.
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Bell returned 30 minutes later with a bag of groceries in his arms. He wandered around the house and eventually made his way to the kitchen. He cleaned all the equipment and made sure it was still safe to use before making a beef stew mixed with vegetables.
After a few hours, it was done and ready to eat, which led Bell to go and find Astraea. He hadn't seen her at all since he got back and was a little worried.
He already had a solid guess as to what had happened to her familia. He may be young and naive to accept a ride from someone he didn't know. But he knew the look of loss in someone's eyes. The look of being absolutely alone.
He'd seen it in his own face. He just didn't want to confront that particular demon just yet. So he pushed everything down and continued on. He would deal with his feelings later.
Luckily for Bell, the rooms were labeled with the names of their once occupants. It didn't take him long to find Astraea's room, as that's where he assumed she'd be.
He raised his hand to knock but stopped when he heard soft sobs coming from inside. He pressed his ear against the door and could hear Astraea crying. His hand quickly reached for the doorknob, but he stopped.
What was he doing? What was his plan right now? To barge into Astraea's room and wrap her in his arms as he whispered comforting words into her ear.
He was nobody to Astraea. Just some dumb kid she decided to take pity on. Some dumb kid who was the reason she was crying right now. All because he got lost and she helped him.
Bell took his hand away from the doorknob and stepped back. He was nobody important, and as such, he shouldn't go rushing in there. No, he should leave her alone and let her cry it out.
So Bell turned around and walked out of the house. Leaving Astraea alone in her room to cry and weep at happy times that were long gone.
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The next morning, when Astraea awoke, she looked like a mess. Her clothes were wrinkled and smelled musty from laying on five-year-old sheets. Her eyes were red and puffy from hours of crying. But she knew she couldn't stay in her room all day. She had to check on Bell and see how he was doing.
So she wiped her tears and, straightened out her clothes as best she could and walked outside. But when she entered the hallway, her eyes widened in shock.
The hallway that had been dusty and dirty was completely clean. Astraea then went into each individual room and saw they were clean as well. She looked outside and saw the overgrown vines cut and discarded. New flowers were planted, giving the old garden its beautiful look back.
She went outside and saw the bricks and pillars were cleaned of the dirt and grime as well. Even her old familia symbol at the top of the doorway was polished and was shining brightly.
Astraea quickly marched back inside toward the living room. The one room where she hadn't been yet and assumed Bell to be. When she entered the living room, it was neatly polished and clean as well.
She looked around the room, not seeing Bell on any of the couches, but she did see a bowl of soup that had grown cold waiting for her. Feeling someone on her right, Astraea quickly looked down and saw Bell propped up against the wall, sleeping with his sword in his grasp.
He was covered in dirt, sweat, and grime, but she noticed his steady breathing. She also noticed light bags under his eyes as he slept. She had easily pieced together that Bell had cleaned this whole place but her room as she slept.
She didn't know whether to be angry or happy that he did so. She was happy because her old house was nice and clean, like the old days. But angry because she didn't want this to happen. She planned to leave soon and not come back for a while, leaving all of Bell's hard work to go to waste.
She was also angry that he was sleeping on the floor and not a bed. He could've at least slept on the couch! Bell, seemingly sensing Astraea's presence, opened his eyes and yawned.
"Good morning, Astraea. Did you sleep well?" Bell asked, standing up. He strapped his sword back to his belt and noticed Astraea just staring at him.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"Why, why did you do this? Do you have any idea what you've done?!" Astraea yelled.
Bell was a little taken aback by her change in behavior but remained calm. "I just cleaned the house. What's wrong with that?"
"Yes, but you also replanted all the flowers and polished the outside clean! Why would you do something like that?! Don't you understand I intend to leave once you find a familia!"
Bell frowned after hearing that. But he kept pushing on. "I'm aware of what you intend to do. It was obvious to me when you said you were a goddess but didn't offer me your falna. I just thought you'd like to stay in a house that wasn't rundown and dirty for the short time you were here. Sorry if I overstepped my bounds."
Bell sighed and shook his head, then began walking away. Astraea's eyes widened, and she called out for Bell.
"Bell, wait! Where are you going?"
"To take a bath. Then go looking for a familia to join so I can get out of your hair as soon as possible." Bell responded.
Astraea sighed and went to reach out for Bell, but he was already gone. She heard a door close from down the hallway and looked down.
She felt terrible for snapping at Bell. He had only tried to do something nice, and she yelled at him. What type of goddess of Justice was she if she snapped at an innocent boy who did nothing wrong?
She walked over to the table and saw the soup with a note next to it. Once Astraea read it, she felt even worse for snapping at Bell.
Hey didn't want to disturb you so I'm just gonna leave this here. If it gets cold you can heat it up cause I got everything in the kitchen to work. Perks of being taught to cook by the old man
Astraea pinched the bridge of her nose. She felt terrible for what she did. Some goddess of Justice she was.
Seeing as her soup was cold, Astraea took it into the kitchen to heat up by the stove. As she did, however, she noticed a receipt in the trash. Confused as to what it was, she fished it out and felt her heart sink.
It was a receipt for the flowers Bell bought to fix up her garden. Its total cost was 5,000 valis, and Astraea knew that was all the money Bell brought with him.
Now, she felt like the universe was getting back at her for what she did to the poor boy with good intentions. She would have to apologize to him once he got out of the bath.
But again, to Astraea's misfortune, she heard the front door open and shut. She quickly rushed to the foyer and saw Bell turn down the corner from the window. She sighed and mentally kicked herself. She didn't expect him to take that quick of a bath, and now she'd have to wait all day for him to come back.
What would she do until then?
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The evening sunset as Astraea waited in the living room. She just sat on a couch and waited for hours for him to come back home. When the clock struck six, the door opened, and Astraea quickly shot to her feet.
She hurried to the front door, where she found Bell taking off his boots. He looked tired and worn out, and by his body language, it seemed he didn't have good news.
"So, how did it go?" Astraea asked.
Bell glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Not well. Got rejected at each and every turn. Said I wasn't the right race or they wanted someone with an already existing falna. So I'll have to try again tomorrow."
Bell kicked his boots off and started walking to the living room but stopped when Astraea called out.
"Bell, wait, I have something I need to say."
Bell turned around and looked Astraea in the eyes. Astraea took a deep breath and spoke.
"I would like to apologize for snapping at you earlier today. You were just trying to do something nice, and I yelled at you, I'm sorry."
Bell was quiet for a moment. Then simply shrugged. "It's fine, I get it. You were planning to leave like the wind once I found someone to let me join them. You didn't plan on staying here long, and you probably didn't want some nobody poking around your old house. Really, I get it, now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna get something to eat."
Astraea watched as Bell walked away, and she felt even worse than before. He accepted her apology but at the same time didn't. It felt like a stab at her pride the way he described her plan. But she couldn't get mad at him because he was right.
She followed Bell into the kitchen and watched as he poured himself a bowl of soup and heated it up. Once it was at the right temperature, he started to eat it like it was his last meal on earth.
Astraea just watched as Bell ate, cleaned his dish, and then took his sword off his belt and held it in his hand. He then moved to his spot by the door and, propped himself against the wall, and got ready to sleep.
"Bell, why don't you sleep in one of the beds? I'm sure that will be more comfortable." Astraea pointed out.
Bell shook his head. "I've read the names on each of the rooms. They're all girl names, and it doesn't feel right using their things. I'm fine right here."
Astraea frowned as Bell made himself more comfortable. "Well, why not sleep on the couch? I can get you a blanket and pillow."
"That's ok, Astraea, I like it here better because if someone breaks in, I can react quicker."
Astraea was starting to grow frustrated as Bell again rejected her help. Before she could even protest more, Bell was already asleep. Astraea sighed and marched off to her room. She'd deal with him tomorrow.
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For the next few days, everything played out the same. Bell would wake up, eat breakfast, and be gone before Astraea woke up. She would laze around the house all day, waiting for his return, only to hear he'd been rejected by everyone once again.
Then Bell would fix himself dinner and eat it while Astraea tried to talk to Bell and offer him help in any way she could. But Bell would always reject her with a smile and kind words before sleeping on the wall.
Rinse and repeat day after day, and it was starting to drive Astraea up a wall. Why was this boy so damn stubborn? Couldn't he see she was trying to help him? Trying to make sure he found someplace safe before she left?
But he didn't. He just kept on moving forward with that damned smile on his face. But Astraea could see it was fake. She saw the emptiness in Bell's eyes.
After a week, Astraea was expecting him to ask for her falna. After a week of harsh rejections, she expected him to eventually come to her and ask. It would be easy for him to do, considering they were temporarily living together.
But he never did, which infuriated her even more. Why was he so hellbent on not asking or accepting any more of her help? He just smiled and kept moving forward.
On the eighth day, when Bell was late coming home, Astraea grew worried. He was normally home by six or seven, but it was well past 7:30, and the sun was setting.
By the time eight rolled around, Astraea had put her sandals on and marched to the front door. She flung it open and was dead set on finding Bell. She didn't care if people recognized her or swarmed her to ask her questions about restarting her familia. As long as she found Bell safe and sound.
That was all that mattered.
She didn't have to look far, however, as when she stepped outside, she saw Bell sitting on the front porch off to the side with his back pressed against the wall.
His right leg was propped up, and his arm was resting on it. He looked to the sky, tired and defeated. He didn't seem to notice her, or he did and didn't care she was there.
But she was.
Astraea straightened out her dress and sat down next to Bell. "I'm guessing today was the same?"
"Yup, been rejected by over 70 familia's. Even smithing and mercantile familia's. Looks like I really am a nobody after all. Heh, I bet this drives you up a wall." Bell joked.
Astraea frowned. "Now, why would it do that?"
Bell rolled his eyes. "Because you're still stuck in this city. Stuck with me and being forced to stay here acting all worried and caring when you'd rather to run off and be alone."
"Why do you believe that?" Astraea softly asked.
"Doesn't take a genius to figure out your familia is dead, Astraea. I figured that out in the carriage on the way over here. I was only proven right when I heard you crying the first night we were here. So I thought, why not do something nice to lift her spirits up a bit? But no! Instead, I get yelled at for trying to do something nice, and the only reason you're trying to help me more now is because you feel guilty! You feel guilty that you're stuck with me and be reminded about what you did! Let's be honest, Astraea, I'm just a burden to you. Just go ahead and leave. I'll be fine on my own."
Astraea was quiet for a moment as Bell calmed down from his rant. Once he did, Astraea softly spoke. "You're not a burden, Bell, and the reason I'm trying to make things right between us is because my behavior was not appropriate for a goddess of Justice. I know you were just trying to make me feel better."
Bell didn't look at her, nor did he answer, so Astraea spoke again, still keeping her voice soft. "Bell, why haven't you asked me for my falna?"
"Because it's obvious you want to leave. Besides, you told the gate guard you had no ambitions to restart your familia. Why ask when I already know the answer."
The two sat in silence, with one thing running through Astraea's mind. Despite how she treated Bell earlier and all the rejections he suffered, he still never asked to join her familia. He knew she didn't want to, and he respected that. Bell truly was a kind person. One you only see once, every thousand years.
"I was serious, you know," Bell said.
"About what?" Astraea asked.
"About leaving, I'll be fine on my own."
"Bell, you don't have any money, how do you plan to earn any?"
"Something dangerous and stupid," Bell answered.
"Bell-
"Don't, this city holds a lot of painful memories for you. Don't let me hold you back from being free of this place."
Astraea was quiet as she heard Bell's silent plea. It all made sense to her now. Why he left his village, it wasn't because he had no one. It was because the memories of what he once had were too painful to remember.
He was like her in a way. Running away from that problem, too scared to confront it. But life had a way of making you confront it anyway. Maybe Bell was her way to confront hers? Or maybe she missed the city and the last child she had left behind more than she thought.
She looked to Bell, who still kept gazing at the stars. The boy who would be alone once more if she left. A boy like him shouldn't be alone, and neither should she. She was a goddess of Justice, and she had put it off long enough.
Pushing herself to her feet, Astraea brushed the dirt off her dress. She knew what she wanted to do.
"Come inside, Bell, I'm going to give you my falna," Astraea stated.
Bell stopped looking at the stars and glanced at her. "You don't need to do that. Don't let me keep you in this city. Just go. I'll be fine on my own."
Astraea frowned. "I'm not letting you keep me in this city. I've made a decision. Now get up and get inside."
Bell sighed but pushed himself to his feet anyway. He followed behind her, and she confidently strode to her bedroom. But as they made their way, Bell spoke.
"What made you change your mind?" He asked.
Astraea lightly hummed as she opened her bedroom door. "I just had a revelation, that's all. I've decided that as a goddess of Justice, I needed to stop running away from my grief. It's time for me to start anew."
Bell shrugged. "Alright, but just know if you want to leave the city, you don't need to concern yourself with me."
"Nonsense Bell, you're my child now, off with your shirt come on now."
Bell rolled his eyes and took off his chestplate, followed by his black shirt. Astraea's face flustered slightly as she wasn't expecting Bell to have a six-pack under his clothes. She tried not to pay attention to it.
Years of hard training had put Bell in excellent physical shape, and farm work helped a little, too. He sat on Astraea's bed with his back facing her.
Astraea looked around for something sharp but found nothing until Bell handed her his sword. Astraea thanked him for it and gave herself a tiny cut on her finger. She reached up, ready to drop her blood on his back, but hesitated.
Memories of the first time she did this to Alise ran through her mind. The image of the happy young girl who wanted to be a paragon of justice and became one before her death. Could she really do this? But then she saw Bell waiting patiently, with excitement running through his body, and she made her decision.
She let the blood drip onto Bell's back, causing Bell to feel a slight burning sensation on his back. He bit his lip but, other than that, showed no outward signs of pain.
Astraea then imprinted her falna on his back, and once she was done, Bell turned around, and she smiled at him.
"Welcome to the Astraea familia, Bell. Are you ready to start your adventure?"
Bell smiled as he put his shirt back on. "Yeah, I am, but let me go get you something for your finger."
Bell then ran off to the kitchen while Astraea smiled. She was nervous to be back, but she realized running away helped no one. Not herself, not justice, and definitely not the child she left behind.
She had a lot of mistakes to make up for, and finding Ryu and welcoming her back with open arms was one of them.
Well, this is another commission based on JL Davenports Rabbit by the Roadside. Obviously, some things are different so as to not plagiarize, but beginnings are similar. Other than that, chapter two onward are gonna be different.
So I hope you enjoy.