Bell laid asleep in his bed. His mind was still jumbled with the guilt of what he had done. But he was trying to move past it. Sleep was a good escape for him as he kept dreaming of time with his Grandfather.
Happier times.
His Grandpa was a light that faded away. Snuffed out within the jaws of death.
But he had a new light now. One burning brightly and lighting the way for him as he kept moving forward. The light was his goddess, giving him purpose and understanding.
Giving him the familial love he was searching for.
Bell tossed in his sleep. His face calm and resting as he laid on his back. The moonlight shone through his room, bathing it in its glory.
But it also highlighted a figure floating above the ground.
She was a pale, ghostly figure. Her body was a translucent green. She floated slightly above the ground with her hair flowing in an ethereal wind.
She looked down at the sleeping Bell. Seeing how calm and peaceful he looked.
She floated forward and brushed the back of her hand against his cheek. Feeling the warmth his body provided.
She stared at him for a few more minutes. Her eyes full of longing and regret. She leaned down and placed a small kiss on his cheek.
Bell stirred slightly but didn't awaken. The woman kept her gaze trained on him. Before removing her hand and disappearing entirely.
Leaving Bell the only remaining occupant in his room.
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Bel awoke the next morning to a cloudy day. The sun was buried beneath dozens of gray clouds. Like any minute, they would open up, and the sky would start weeping.
Bell sat up and stretched, his sheets falling down and resting in his lap. Bell threw the sheets off him and threw his legs over the side.
His feet touched the ground, and he walked over to his dresser for a new pair of clothes. However, something felt odd to Bell.
Two words he had never thought of before floated around inside his brain. He didn't know where they came from as he hadn't read them or heard them before.
Yet there it was, on the tip of his tongue, waiting to spill from his lips.
"Silentium Eden"
Bell felt as if his body was wrapped in an invisible blanket. He didn't feel any weight on him, however, but his mind started to drain.
Bell was confused on what was happening. He assumed this was magic, but he didn't know what it would do.
He also wondered if he got another magic from one of his long-dead familia members. He had so many questions and no answers.
So, with a thought, he turned his new magic off and felt the blanket around his body disappear. He looked into his mirror and sighed.
So much had happened these last few days, and Ryu was still in danger from the woman with brown hair. Bell wanted to help keep her safe, but he didn't know how to.
As it was right now, he was still too weak. But that could change. It would change. He just needed to head back into the dungeon.
With a sigh, Bell grabbed a new pair of clothes from his dresser and saw his face in the mirror once more.
He noticed his hair was getting longer. He hadn't had a haircut since before his Grandpa died. Mainly because he was the only one who ever cut his hair.
"Hmm, it might get in the way soon. Should I cut it or tie it up?" Bell wondered.
He quickly pushed that thought to the side as he put his clothes on. Once that was done, he proceeded to dawn his armor and sword.
Once his gear was equipped, Bell headed out of his room and into the dining room. Astraea was there once more reading a newspaper with Lili, eating buttered toast.
"Good morning, Bell." Astraea warmly greeted.
"Morning Master Bell." Lili waved, eating her toast.
She didn't look as skinny as she did before. Not that Bell would make any comments on that.
"Good morning. Did you two sleep well?" Bell asked.
The two women nodded as Bell took his seat. Astraea had a plate set out for him with bacon and eggs. Bell took a bite out of his bacon as Astraea spoke.
"So, I assume you're heading into the dungeon today?" Astraea asked.
Bell nodded. "Yup, I need to get stronger. Hero and all, remember?"
Astraea smiled and nodded. "Yes, I remember, Lili, would you like to go with Bell today?"
The prum wiped the crumbs off her mouth. "If Master Bell will let me."
Bell shrugged. "I'm fine with it, but don't you think it would be better for you to lay low for a few more days? Just to be safe."
Lili nodded. "I guess, but I want to go back into the dungeon with you eventually. You need someone watching your back, and I want to help you as well."
Bell smiled and nodded. "Alright, let's make a deal. If by the end of the week, the coast is still clear, I'll let you come back in the dungeon with me. Deal?"
Lili nodded. "Deal Master Bell."
Astraea smiled at the two, glad there were no hard feelings between them. The trio kept eating breakfast, enjoying a warm atmosphere despite the cloudy weather outside.
Once breakfast was finished, Bell grabbed the dishes and deposited them into the sink. After that, he grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulders.
"Alright, I'm headed out. I'll see you two for dinner." Bell waved.
Astraea and Lili waved back as he walked to the door.
"Oh, Bell, be careful; it's supposed to rain today," Astraea warned.
"Don't worry, a little water won't hurt me. But it will be good for your flowers."
Astraea quietly giggled as Lili rolled her eyes. Once Bell shut the door, Astraea turned to Lili.
"So what shall we do today?" Astraea asked.
"We could play a game?" Lili suggested.
Astraea smiled. "Very well, let me see what I have around here."
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Bell walked down the street, heading to the dungeon. The clouds looked like they would burst any minute now and cause a torrential downpour that could flood the city.
Not that it actually would, but it did look like a storm was coming. But as he was heading to the dungeon, he decided to take a quick little detour.
He hadn't been to the Hostess in a few days, and he wanted to check up on Ryu and Anya. He considered them to at least be some sort of friend to him after all.
So as, Bell turned around and started heading to the Hostess. Unknowingly avoiding an ambush set by the Soma Familia.
But this action would have far-reaching consequences.
If only Bell didn't change his mind.
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Bell entered the Hostess of Fertility as the rain started to fall. It was a light drizzle, but it would soon pick up.
The tavern was mostly empty, with a lone patron here or there. No one was waiting by the door, so Bell walked over to the bar and sat down.
A few seconds later, Syr exited the kitchen and saw him. She smiled and walked behind the bar, standing across from him.
"Well, hello again, Bell. I haven't seen you for a few days. Everything alright, or are you trying to make my heart grow fonder with your absence?"
Bell chuckled. "Yes, everything is fine, Syr just had some business to take care of. Before you ask, I have a handle on it."
Syr slightly pouted. "Oh, alright, but are you sure you didn't want to make my heart grow fonder with you gone? Absence makes the heart grow fonder after all."
Bell rolled his eyes. "No, that wasn't my intention, Syr. Besides, if I wanted to make your heart grow fonder, I'd save you like in the hero stories my Grandpa used to read me."
"Oh, which one?" Syr asked, leaning forward. She rested her elbows on the bar. Her cheek resting in her hand.
"Well, if I had to pick one, I'd pick the one where the princess is locked in a castle by an evil wizard. I'd ride off to unknown lands to save you after hearing rumors of a captive princess. I'd bust down the door, fight the evil wizard, and free you from the castle. Then we'd ride off into the sunset together."
"You'd really do that for me, Bell? You'd save me from my prison of a tower?" Syr swooned.
"Hypothetically speaking, yeah. Ride in on a great white stallion and defeat the evil wizard."
"How romantic." Syr cooed.
Bell shrugged and smiled. "Yeah, but that'll never happen. Nobody would lock you in a tower."
Syr gasped. "Ugh, what am I not pretty enough to be kidnapped by some evil wizard and locked in the top of a tower with no way out."
Bell chuckled and raised his hands in mock surrender. "No, that's not what I meant. I meant no one would lock you in a tower with Mia around. That woman wouldn't let anything happen to you."
"You're damn right, kid. Where's your scrawny ass been? Pass out from not eating enough?" Mia asked.
She had just come out of the kitchen and stepped behind the bar next to Syr.
Bell chuckled. "No, I've just had something to deal with, and I have been eating enough, Mia."
Mia frowned. "Hmm, not with how skinny you are. But that's beside the point, you headed to the dungeon today?"
Bell nodded. "Yup, I just wanted to pop in to see Ryu and Anya."
Mia narrowed her eyes. "You're not trying to pick up my girls, are you? The name of this place isn't meant to be taken literally."
Bell laughed and shook his head. "No, that's not my intention. I would like to see my well, what I hope to be my friends."
Mia kept her narrowed gaze but nodded. "Alright, they're in the back. Be warned, though, Anya is clingy."
"Clingy?"
Bell didn't get an answer as Anya exited the kitchen and saw Bell sitting at the counter. Her eyes widened in surprise and happiness as she shot forward.
"White hair!"
Her arms wrapped around Bell, catching the boy off guard. He had no idea she knew what he had done. No clue she had overheard Astraea and Ryu's conversation.
So he was shocked at what she was doing. Mia and Syr watched with amusement as Bell tried to get Anya off him. But her grip was too tight, and she smelled good.
Like vanilla.
"Ah, Anya, what are you doing?!" Bell yelled.
"I missed you, nya!"
"I've only been gone for a few days."
"A few days too many nya. Anya was worried you perished in the dungeon, nya."
Bell shook his head and patted her arm. "Well, I didn't, so you can let go now. Besides, the dungeon won't kill me. I won't allow it."
Mia gave Bell a quizzical glance that the boy paid no mind to. The rain outside started to pick up slightly, going from a light drizzle to a slightly heavier rainfall.
"You're kind of underestimating the dungeon there, kid." Mia pointed out.
"I've done anything but. I simply refuse to let the dungeon kill me."
"And what if you bite off more than you can chew?"
"I'll spit it out."
Mia chuckled. "You're confident I'll give you that. Just don't let it get you killed."
"Oh, you almost sounded worried there, Mia. Am I growing on ya?"
Mia let out a hearty laugh. "Ha, in your dreams. Your money is just good, that's all."
Bell laughed as well as Anya still held him. Bell was wondering if she was ever going to let go. He didn't mind her close companionship, but it was drawing attention.
With the situation he was in right now, he didn't need a whole lot of attention on him. He already knew the best way to get her off him.
He'd try and find a peaceful solution first.
"Hey, Anya."
"Yes, white hair, nya."
"Can you let go of me?"
"Hmmm, nope. Not many people are around, nya, and I haven't seen you in a while, nya."
"Well, I tried to be peaceful." Bell thought.
Bell raised his hand and placed his fingers on her shoulder. He then moved his fingers like a spider all over, causing her to shriek and jump off.
Bell smiled at the glaring cat girl, who realized what he had done. She bit her tongue as she marched over to Bell.
Said boy was still smiling as she poked her finger in his chest.
"Not funny white hair, nya! Not funny!" She pouted.
"Hey, I asked if you would let go. I gave you the peaceful option." He laughed.
His laughter was a sound Anya enjoyed. It meant he wasn't troubled by the burden of killing a man. Much less two.
But perhaps there was another reason as well.
"Uh oh, my heart felt weird." Anya thought.
She looked back to Bell, who still laughed at her. She grew a little flustered. Her heart seemed to beat faster.
"Stop laughing, white hair, nya!"
"Alright, alright, I'll stop. But spiders, really?"
Anya looked away as her tail wagged nervously. "They're scary, nya."
"They're tiny."
"Yeah, but they're hairy and have six eyes and too many legs."
"Anya, they're like the size of my fingernail."
"Some are bigger."
Bell sighed and shook his head. He really didn't understand the fear of spiders. Or the fear of anything, really. He had always been taught that fear can limit oneself.
So, he always tried to have a clear mind while fighting. To not allow his emotions to control him. It was one of the many things his Grandpa drilled into his head. Bell could still remember the exact words he used.
"Emotions can hinder you as well as enhance you. Do not let them control you."
Those were some of the words that stuck with him. Words that would be burned into his mind forever.
"Hey, white hair."
Bell snapped out of his thoughts and turned to the cat girl. "Yes, Anya?"
"Did you eat breakfast yet?"
Bell nodded. "Yeah, I ate before coming here. Why?"
Anya shrugged. "Anya just wanted to know, nya. I'll go and tell Ryu you're here, nya."
"Thanks, Anya."
"Nyah, you're welcome, nya."
The cat girl turned and headed back to the kitchen. Syr looked at Bell with a teasing smirk on her face.
"You two seem all buddy-buddy."
Bell spun around on his stool to face her. "You sound jealous, Syr. Don't tell me your feelings are hurt?"
Syr turned her head. "Hmph, maybe you did wound my poor little heart."
"Let me guess, money will heal it?" Bell deadpanned.
Syr's face brightened. "How'd you know?"
"Because I know you."
Syr went to respond, but that's when Ryu made her appearance. She was dressed in her green maid outfit and had her normal stoic look on her face.
But when she saw Bell, her gaze and face softened a tiny bit. She remembered what was said between them a few nights ago. A moment was shared between them, and they had grown closer.
That scared Ryu. To grow close to someone again, the only one who was remotely close to her was Syr. But that was because the girl had some godly perception to always know how Ryu was feeling.
Growing closer to Bell could be dangerous for him. But Astraea had asked Ryu to watch out for him. She was torn on what to do.
Part of her wanted to continue keeping him at arm's length. But another wanted so desperately to go back to her home with him. To live under the same roof as her goddess once more.
But no matter how much it hurt her, she knew what she had to do. She had to keep him safe, after all.
"Mr Cranel, good morning." She greeted. Her face returning to its usual stoic state.
Bell felt a little hurt at Ryu calling him by his last name again. But whether it showed on his face or not, he didn't know. He thought they'd had a moment. Maybe he read things wrong.
But he didn't let it put too much of a damper on his mood. Even if he felt like he had just lost all of the progress he made with Ryu.
"Good morning, Ryu. I just decided to swing by and check up on you."
Ryu was slightly taken aback at the gesture but didn't let it show.
"Thank you for the gesture, Mr Cranel. But you don't need to check on me."
Bell nervously chuckled. "I know, but I consider you and Anya as friends. So I'd like to check up on my friends from time to time."
Ryu looked away. Her mind telling her not to grow closer with the boy. But her heart screamed at her to do so. To accept the kindness being shown to her.
She looked back to Bell and cleared her throat. "Thank you for the concern, Mr Cranel. You have a kind heart."
Bell sighed and nodded. It was clear to him Ryu still wanted him at arm's length. Maybe two, if that were possible.
"Hey, how come I'm not your friend? Haven't I treated you well?" Syr pouted.
Bell chuckled and pushed the negative emotions down. Ryu simply needed more time, and he would give it to her.
"Fine, you're my friend to Sur. Happy?"
Syr threw her arms up and cheered. "Yay, Bell and I are friends."
Bell turned his attention to Syr, and Ryu took her chance to leave. She couldn't bear to see the hurt in Bell's eyes any longer.
"You're doing this to protect them. You're doing this to protect them." She chanted over and over in her head.
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Bell exited the Hostess of Fertility after noticing Ryu had left. The rain was still a heavy drizzle with the possibility of becoming a storm.
Bell felt slightly hurt as he kept walking. He drew closer and closer to the dungeon with each step. He'd make sure his head was clear before he entered, however.
"Well, I think it's time I headed down deeper. The killer ants on floor eight don't really do it for me anymore. It's also been a while since my last status update. I wonder how much I've grown?"
As he walked, he remembered something his Grandfather had told him about the Falna. About a way, it could grow really quickly.
"Now, Bell, I don't expect you to do this. But one-way gods and goddesses have made the Falna grow is by killing another. Telskurya is a good example of this. Death matches are common there."
His Grandpa then went on a long explanation on how the Falna grows and how to cheat it basically. But one thing that always stuck with Bell. Was killing another person could make him grow faster.
Bell had killed two.
"Wonder how much those two made me grow?"
It was something that was on Bell's mind ever since he killed Canoe and Ged. How much he had grown Falna-wise. What type of person did that make him?
"After today, I'll have Astraea check my status. Then I'll know the results."
The rain started to pick up as Bell passed an alleyway. It was now a steady rainfall, and Bell was about to pick up his pace.
But he was suddenly struck in the back of the head with a 2x4. He stumbled forward, but his backpack was grabbed, and he was thrown into an alley.
Bell kept upright, but his head hurt, and his vision was swimming.
A right hook met Bell's nose, and the boy stumbled into a wall. He propped himself up and quickly ducked as a club shattered against the brick wall.
Bell couldn't see, but he could feel. That was all he needed. He moved to his left and felt something swing by him.
It was metallic, and by the wind, it gave off didn't seem sharp. Maybe a pipe?
It didn't matter, however, as Bell couldn't see it. He'd have to be cautious.
Bell heard the person coming and sidestepped as the metal swung past him again. With the guy off balance, Bell threw a punch and connected with the attacker's gut.
The man coughed and fell forward. Bell brought his knee up and smashed it into the man's nose. Bell tossed him to the wall and brought his arms up.
A dagger bounced off his gauntlets, causing his other assailant to stumble back. Bell grabbed their collar and pulled them to him.
He elbowed the assailant in the face over and over again, feeling blood splatter on his face. He kneed them in the gut before throwing them to the other wall. Then stomped on their head, causing a blood stain to splatter on the brick.
Bell finally felt his head stop spinning but was grabbed from behind as he opened his eyes. His arms were pinned by his side as two men approached him from the front. Both carrying pipes.
Two other men laid on the ground, bleeding and unconscious. Bell pushed back and slammed the man holding him into the wall.
He stomped on his foot and slammed his head into his face. The man yelled in pain as his grip loosened.
Bell broke free and picked up a brick. He chucked it full force at one of the men. It slammed into their face, causing their nose to shatter.
The other man swung his pipe down, but Bell blocked it with his gauntlets. His hand grabbed the pipe, and his grip was like iron.
The man tried to pull the pipe away from him but failed. Bell pulled his right hand back and threw his fist forward. The man's head snapped back as blood flew out of his mouth. He staggered back before falling over.
Bell panted heavily as he looked around. His eyes widened as he was suddenly kicked in the back. He rolled forward and spun around to face his last assailant. He was a large man wearing white clothes and a white mask. In his hand, he held a mace.
He didn't speak. He just charged forward. Bell jumped out of the way as the man swung down his mace.
The ground had an indent where the mace impacted. Bell grabbed one of the pipes on the ground and swung down. He aimed for the collarbone, but the pipe broke in half when it made contact.
"Oh, son of a bitch." Bell cursed.
The man's elbow met Bell's chestplate, and the boy stumbled backwards. The man picked up his mace and aimed for Bell's right arm.
Bell jumped back, missing the mace by a hair. The man had lost his footing, and Bell took his opportunity to charge.
He picked up and another brick and jumped. Smashing it against the man's head, which turned the brick to dust.
The man stumbled forward and dropped his mace. Bell grabbed it and struck him in the back with it.
The man fell forward as Bell swung down and slammed it into his knee. A sickening crunch was heard as Bell discarded the mace and grabbed a brick.
He got on top of the man and smashed it on his head over and over again, letting out a yell and causing blood to pool and the brick to explode into dust.
Once the brick was gone, Bell let out a breath and wiped the blood from his nose. The rain was a downpour now, and Bell was soaked.
Bell looked around at the bleeding and broken bodies of his attackers. All of them still alive but might have brain damage thanks to him.
But it was at this moment Bell's brain calmed down, and he realized who these people were and what this meant.
"Shit, Astraea!"
Bell immediately took off running back to the Stardust Garden. His heart racing as he did so.
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Bell arrived back at the Stardust Garden a minute later. He had never run that fast before in his life. He was pretty sure his feet didn't even touch the ground with how fast he was moving.
Way faster than a level one should be able to.
Bell saw the front door busted open, and he ran up the stairs and hurriedly made his way to the front door. Dripping wet from the rain with blood smeared on his face. His hair hanging down in front of his face.
"ASTRAEA!" Bell yelled.
A club slammed into Bell's face, hitting him near his left eye. He yelled in pain and stumbled back. The club then met the side of his knee, where his armor didn't protect.
His knee gave out from under him, and Bell took a knee. His attacker aimed the club at Bell's head. But Bell pushed himself forward and wrapped his arms around the assailant.
He used his momentum and pushed himself forward. Making his attacker's back slam into the wall. He heard a scream as Bell reeled his right hand back.
With his attacker's head pressed against the wall, Bell's fist punched him in the nose. With his attacker's head pressed against the wall, it couldn't lean back, causing an explosion of blood to cover Bell's fist.
Bell then slammed the attacker's head into the wall a few times before dropping them.
"SHIT!" Bell yelled as he felt a dagger enter a gap in his armor.
He jumped back, still feeling the dagger in his left arm. Bell didn't have time to think as he quickly turned his body to the left.
An arrow flew past him and embedded itself in the wall. Thinking quickly, Bell ripped the dagger out of him before throwing it at the archer.
His aim met true, and the dagger embedded itself in the woman's gut. She doubled over, clutching her wound, and fell to the ground.
Bell then turned his attention back to his last attacker, and behind him, he saw Astraea tied up and unconscious on the ground. Her temple cracked open and bleeding. Her white dress slightly ripped open in the chest area.
Bell's entire being filled with a rage he had never felt before. So prevalent was it that his final attacker began to grow scared.
But Bell didn't care. With a warring cry, Bell ran forward and picked the man up. He slammed him down on the dining room table, causing it to break in half.
Bell didn't even waste a second as his left fist struck the man over and over again. Blood filled Bell's vision, but he didn't care.
Again and again, his fist struck the man's face. His knuckles started to break and bleed, and after realizing the man had stopped moving did, Bell stop.
His breathing was shaky, and his hand trembled once he realized what he had done.
The man was still breathing. But his face was all messed up. His left cheekbone was caved in, and a few teeth were in the ground. His lips were blue and swollen. His nose was crooked and bled.
The man was unrecognizable.
But Bell then remembered the state Astraea was in and felt all his sympathy snuff out. He got off the man, still hearing the woman groan in pain with the dagger lodged inside.
He marched over to her as he didn't sense Lili in the house. He needed to make sure she was where he thought.
"Where's Lili?!" Bell demanded, grabbing the woman by her hair.
She yelled out in pain as Bell slammed her back into the wall. Her eyes were filled with fear for the boy in front of her.
His ruby-red eyes ablaze with rage and anger. Her body trembled, and her lip quivered.
"T-t-t-the S-s-soma familia compound." She hastily answered.
Bell dropped her like she was nothing more than a sack of potatoes. Before making his way to Astraea, his dagger in hand.
He untied the rope bounding her hands together and shook her awake.
"Hey, Astraea. Wake up." Bell slightly pleaded.
Astraea's eyes slightly fluttered open. The pain in her head was killing her, and her vision was blurry.
"B-Bell?" She muttered.
"Yeah, it's me, you're safe now."
Bell lifted Astraea up into a sitting position and held her up as her vision swam. She felt like she'd pass out again at any moment.
"Astraea, they have Lili, I need you to update my status so I can rescue her. Can you do that for me?" Bell asked.
If she couldn't, he wouldn't force her. Right now, she needed to be taken somewhere safe. She needed to be taken to Ryu.
Astraea nodded, squinting as the light hurt her eyes. She dabbed her finger on the side of her head. Wincing slightly as, some of the blood stuck to her finger.
Bell had lifted his shirt, and Astraea smeared it on his back, unlocking his falna. Although the numbers were blurry, she could still make them out.
Had she been in her right mind, she would've been shocked. But right now, the only thing she thought about was making Bell stronger to go and save that poor girl.
Bell Cranel
Astraea familia
Level 1
Strength- F435- D620
Endurance- E517- C701
Dexterity- G322- D660
Agility- E550- C720
Magic- I50
Skills:
Jigen-Ryƫ
Spirit Eidolon: %*#!
Magic:
Satanas Verion: Gospel
Once Bell's status was updated, Astraea locked it before passing out again. Bell quickly caught her and gently set her down.
He winced in pain, seeing his messed-up hand. His knuckles were crooked and jagged. His arm also bled from where the dagger was embedded.
Bell grabbed the tablecloth and ripped it. He tied one sheet on his hand to keep it steady. He then tied another sheet around his arm.
He then grabbed a blanket from the living room and draped it over Astraea. He didn't want her to get drenched in the rain, and a blanket was the best he had right now.
Once she was covered up, Bell picked her up in a princess carry. Ignoring the pain in his left hand protesting the action.
The rain had picked up, and it was now storming outside. The streets were empty as many wanted to avoid the rain. But Bell couldn't. He had a mission to do.
So, with a deep breath and one final look at the covered Astraea. He took off running toward the Hostess.
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Ryu swept the floor as the Hostess had closed early today. Mia made the decision to close down for the day, seeing how bad it had gotten outside.
So she gave everyone the rest of the day off after they finished clean up. Ryu had just finished sweeping and was making her way back to the kitchen when the door slammed open.
Ryu jumped and held the broom as a spear, ready to fight her attacker. But stopped seeing Bell's bloody face and him holding someone.
"Bell? Gods, what happened?!" She worriedly asked.
She quickly made her way over to them as Bell pulled the blanket back. Ryu froze when she saw the unconscious Astraea.
He handed her to Ryu, and the elf noticed something different about the boy. Looking into his eyes, all she saw was rage. Rage in its purest form.
"I got attacked, another group then broke into the house and attacked Astraea, kidnapping Lili in the process."
"Who?" Ryu growled.
"The Soma familia, but I'm taking care of it. Astraea will be safe here with you. Besides, you don't need to draw attention to yourself."
"I don't need you telling me what battles I can and can not fight."
"Astraea is injured, and she needs your help. You have healing magic, I don't. You need to stay with her and make sure there isn't a third group that'll still try to come after me or her."
"Anya or Mia could do it. She's safe here." Ryu pointed out.
"And when she wakes up, would you rather she be alone or see you?" Bell asked.
Ryu felt her words catch in her throat as Bell had made a good point. But she was quick to rebuttal.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Ryu, if you go and wipe out the Soma familia, the guild will know and arrest you. They know your tactics and tricks. We don't have a way to get you off the hook yet. Astraea can't do that if she's unconscious right now. You need to stay and protect her." Bell answered.
Ryu went to protest, but she knew Bell made a pretty good point. Sure, she could go and wipe them out. But then the mercy the guild had given her as thanks for ending Evilus would be gone, and she'd be arrested and tried for all the murders she committed.
"You're the only one I can trust to keep her safe, Ryu. I won't be able to fight as well if I don't know she's safe."
Ryu sighed and looked down. Astraea was unconscious in her arms, the side of her head bleeding. The sight filled her with a deep rage, but her hands were tied.
"Alright, Bell, I'll keep her safe. But make the people responsible for this pay."
Bell nodded as he began walking away. So consumed by his rage, he didn't ask Ryu to heal him. Ryu was consumed with self-loathing as she couldn't do anything that she forgot to heal Bell.
Bell didn't say another word as he left, leaving Astraea in Ryu's capable hands. He had to save Lili.
Whether or not he had to kill someone to do it was up to fate, and fate is such a tricky bitch.
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Bell arrived at the Soma familia manor. The storm covered his approach until he was right in front of the gate.
"Hal-
Bell kicked the gate open before the guard could finish his command. He drew his sword and slashed both guards across the chest.
It was shallow, so they wouldn't die if they got treatment. But it got them out of his way, and that's what he wanted.
Bell made his way inside the compound, noticing the glares of those surrounding him. He counted at least 20 people. There was probably more in the darkness of the storm.
It was then that a series of lights cut on and shone down on him. He was bathed in a purple glow as a gray-haired, bespectacled man stood in front of him.
To the man's left was a brown-haired dwarf holding Lili hostage. Bell glanced at her and saw she was unconscious. Her face was bruised, and her wrist appeared bent in an odd way.
"Well, it seems you've met my little surprises." The gray-haired man gloated.
"I took care of them. Just like I'll take care of you. Now let Lili go, coward." Bell coldly responded.
The gray-haired man gritted his teeth in anger. "You dare speak to me that way?! After killing my best friend, you dare speak to me like that?!"
"You hurt my goddess, attacked me in the street, and kidnapped Lili. If your best friend was one of the two, I killed in the dungeon, then too bad. It was them or me, and I chose me. Don't make me kill you as well."
Zanis shook in anger as he drew his sword. It was a Sabre that had a pure black blade with a red handle.
Something was off about this weapon. That much Bell could tell. Perhaps it was a cursed weapon?
"You, a lowly level one, kill someone like me? Please don't make me laugh. If you get on your knees and beg, I might let you live."
"Shut up and fight. Your talking is annoying me." Bell responded.
Zanis yelled in anger as he ran forward and swung down at Bell. The boy was quick to parry and kick Zanis back.
Znais slid back and glared at Bell while the boy glared back.
Their battle had just begun.
Well, I know it's been a while. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as things seem to be heating up. Asteaea was hurt, and Bell's super pissed, so let's see how that goes.
Anyway, I'll catch you guys later, and I hope you enjoyed.
