The city of Orario was bustling with people. More so than usual. Monsterphelia was coming up, which caused many from around the world to come to Orario.
Merchants and outside familia's came to see monsters being treated like a sport. Which meant the already packed streets of Orario were even more packed.
Bell didn't care much for Monsterphelia, but Ardee convinced him to participate in the event. But that was still a few weeks away.
Currently, Bell, Ardee, and Haruhime are in the dungeon. Ardee had just reached level four a few days earlier, and Haruhime had reached level three.
They were on floor 36, and Bell watched how the two worked together. Now, normally, the three of them going this far down by themselves would be stupid.
Incredibly stupid.
But since Bell was a Jedi and could solo this floor when he was 12, they were safe. He hadn't gone further down, however, but he knew that floor 37 wouldn't be a problem for him. He did think that floor 50 would be where he'd stop, as that was a safe zone.
Bell watched as Ardee swiftly cut through any monster they came across. Haruhime was next to him, watching as well.
"She looks like a child who just got a new toy," Bell commented.
Haruhime giggled. "Oh, come on, you can't say much. Remember when you first got your lightsaber."
Bell shrugged. "Fair. But then again, I had Alfia reel me in."
The two watched as Ardee jumped to a wall and bounced off it. She shot forward and decapitated a SpiderMonkey.
Spider monkeys are tall bipedal creatures with four arms. Their fur is black with hints of white on the shoulders. They have eight eyes and four arms and are able to shoot webs, which led to the name SpiderMonkey.
Once she killed the last one, she turned back to Bell and Haruhime with a smile on her face.
"Look at me. I'm so cool now!" Ardee cheered.
Bell gave a mocking clap. "Yes, you are now. Can we go back up? We gotta get ready for Monsterphelia. You and me, especially Ardee." Bell called out.
"Oh, just five more minutes." Ardee pleaded.
"Ardee, you know your sister wanted you back by at least tomorrow morning at the latest. We have to ascend now to meet that goal." Haruhime added.
"Oh, ok. But we have to come back here after Monsterphelia. I wanna test up my level up more," Ardee pouted.
Bell sighed. "Fine, if you do well in Monsterphelia, we'll spend a week in the dungeon, and you can play around to your heart's content."
Ardee gave Bell a bright smile. "Really?! You'll do that for me?!"
"Yes, it'll be like a camping trip." Bell deadpanned.
"Ok!" Ardee cheered, running past the two and toward floor 35.
Haruhime giggled. "She's like a child."
"Yeah, like our child." Bell joked.
Haruhime slightly blushed, but Bell didn't notice as his back was turned to her. Haruhime did imagine what her and Bell's kid would look like.
But she didn't let him know this. It would be way too embarrassing.
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Once the trio arrived at the 18th floor, it was already night. Since it was already nighttime, it meant they would be sleeping in the dungeon tonight. They moved across the grassy plains until they came upon a rock where someone could sit and keep watch.
"Well, you girls get some sleep. I'll take the first watch." Bell said, going to sit on the rock.
But he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Haruhime grabbing him.
"Why don't I take the first watch? You always seem to do so. I think it's time you get some sleep first."
Bell quirked an eyebrow. "You sure?"
Haruhime nodded. "I'm sure. I'll wake you up in four hours."
Bell just shrugged and leaned against the rock. Ardee did the same but snuggled against him.
"Careful, you're gonna give me cooties," Bell said.
"Are you still on that?" Ardee complained.
"Everyone knows girls have cooties." Bell firmly stated.
"So Haruhime just gave you cooties then!" Ardee complained.
"Nah, Haruhime's too pure to have cookies."
Ardee scoffed. "And I'm not."
"Correct."
Ardee grumbled but still didn't let go of Bell. She snuggled into his chest while Bell wrapped his arm around her shoulder. The two quickly fell asleep while Haruhime watched them with a smile on her face.
Her tail slightly wagged as she remembered everything they had been through. It was nothing tragic unless you count the snowball fight with Alfia. Haruhime was glad nothing bad had happened to Bell and Ardee.
She looked at the two as they soundly slept. She opened her mouth to speak, knowing the two wouldn't hear what she had to say. But she had to get it off her chest. She didn't like bottling it up.
"I love you both. More than friends. I think my feelings for the both of you started after you saved me from that cage. A half of my heart is owned by one of you. I don't have the courage to tell either of you while you're awake. But I wanted to get it off my chest. I know we're going to follow Bell to war against the Empire. I pray we all come out ok so we can have our happily ever after."
Silence filled the air as Haruhime poured out her feelings. Both Ardee and Bell didn't react as they were asleep, and Haruhime smiled.
"I'm glad you didn't hear me. Otherwise, I'd be really embarrassed right now. But I imagine it. We're on Demeter's farm. The children are running around and playing while Bell attends to farm work. Ardee sits on a rocking chair, pregnant, and I'm taking care of her. Everything's so calm and peaceful. I'd like something like that."
There were no reactions once more as Bell and Ardee still slept. Haruhime smiled and went back to keeping watch. Her heart was racing a mile a minute, but it felt good to say her feelings aloud.
However, unaware to her, a certain blue-haired girl was still somewhat awake and heard everything. Bell didn't hear a thing as he was actually asleep.
Ardee would have a lot to think about after they left the dungeon. But she had to fight down the blush on her face first.
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The trio arrived back on the surface in the early hours of the morning. The sun was just peeking out above the walls of Orario, bathing the city in its light.
Bell and Haruhime were walking Ardee home. The streets were relatively empty, and vendors and shop clerks began opening their stores.
However, as they were walking, a woman with blonde hair appeared in front of them. The trio stopped walking and got a better look at her.
She was short, and her blonde hair reached down to her shoulders. She had captivating golden eyes that looked like the sun. She wore a simple white dress that accented her curves and pushed out her breasts.
She had a beautiful face which showed no wrinkles or signs of age. Yet, held a maturity to them, Bell only saw in gods. But this woman wasn't a god. He felt no divinity coming from her.
"May I help you?" Bell asked as she was blocking their path.
"Are you Silver's son?" The woman asked.
Bell's eyes widened slightly, and his heart began to speed up. Yet he kept his calm facade while slowly reaching for his lightsaber.
"I am. Is there something I can help you with?" Bell asked.
The woman, sensing his weariness, gave a curt bow. "My apologies for making you unnerved. My name is Aria, and I am the great wind spirit. Your father saved me 16 years ago from the One-Eyed Black Dragon."
Bell slowly took his hand away from his lightsaber and eased up. Aria stopped bowing and looked at him.
"Oh. I never knew someone was being held captive by the Dragon. But why are you coming to me?" Bell asked.
"Well, I was told to seek you out by your Grandfather. Or Zeus, as he is called. May we go to a cafe and get some breakfast while we chat?" Aria asked.
Bell glanced at Haruhime. "You good to get her back on your own? I know she can be a handful."
"Hey!" Ardee protested.
Haruhime giggled. "Yes, I should be able to handle her. Well, I might have some trouble if she finds an ice cream stand. But will you be fine on your own? We can stay if you want."
Bell shook his head. "No, Shakti wanted Ardee home for something, so you better get her there. I want to see why Grandpa told this woman to find me. Scratch that. I know why he did, but I want to see what she has to say."
Ardee and Haruhime nodded and walked off, leaving Bell and Aria alone.
"Follow me. I know a cafe that should be open a few blocks away from here."
"Lead the way."
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Bell and Aria sat on the patio outside the cafe. Aria had a coffee in front of her, and Bell did as well. The steam rose from Bell's cup while Aria drank from hers.
The sun was still rising, and the streets were starting to fill with more merchants and vendors. Bell watched the passing crowd as Aria placed her cup down.
"You'll have to forgive me for springing this on you. Your Grandpa told me about Silver's passing. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Bell rolled his eyes and took a sip of his coffee. "I didn't experience anything. He died before I was born, so I didn't even know him."
"You've experienced a life without a father."
Bell wryly chuckled. "Yeah, you got me there."
"I'm sorry. I mean, no offense. It's just I owe your father everything. Because of him, I was able to spend almost two decades with my daughter. I can't thank him enough for that." Aria solemnly stated.
Bell turned his attention to her. "Is your daughter no longer with us?"
Aria shook her head. "She sadly isn't. She passed away a few months ago from tuberculosis."
Bell felt a little sorry for the woman. He wanted to reach over and grab her hand to offer some comfort. But didn't, as that would be creepy.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Tuberculosis nasty business right there."
Aria sadly smiled and took another sip of her coffee. "Thank you, but it's alright. I always knew I would outlive her. I'm just glad I was able to have more time with her. Who knows, maybe the two of you would've gotten along."
"Maybe. But what brought you to Orario? Were you looking for my dad?"
Aria nodded. "I was. I was unaware of his passing until recently. However, when Zeus said he had a son, I wanted to meet him. He described you and said you were in the dungeon. So I set off to the dungeon entrance to wait for you."
Bell nodded and took another sip of his coffee. "Well, here am I. But why did you want to meet me?"
Aria set her cup down and folded her hands over one another. "I'm here to offer you my services. I know I can't offer you a spirit contract because of your ability to use the force, but I'm thousands of years old and have lots of combat experience. I also know about your desire to fight the Empire."
Bell gulped as he set his cup down. "So you're willing to be another one of my companions?"
"If that is what you want, then yes. I owe your father more than I can ever repay. So, in hopes of paying off some of what I owe him, I will help you in any way I can."
Bell was quiet for a minute. He had a great and powerful spirit offering to help him repay a debt she owed to his long-dead father. A man Bell didn't know
Bell himself could not use her power as the force rejected spirit contracts just like the falna. But there was another way he could use her power.
"Can you still give out spirit contracts?"
Aria nodded. "I can."
"How many can you give out?"
"As many as I want. Why?"
"I have friends. You've already met Ardee and Haruhime. Those two are very dear to me. But Ardee has a sister named Shakti, and we have friends called the Astraea familia. They're a small familia with only four members right now. I want you to make a contract with them so they'll be safer when they fight."
"So you want me to give out seven spirit contracts?" Aria asked.
Bell shook his head. "Only six. One of the Astraea familia, so also a Jedi."
Aria gave Bell a soft smile. "It's very noble about caring for those close to you. Very well, I shall share my power with these six. Do you require anything else?"
"Can you just stay with me? I know this may sound selfish, but when I turn 17, I'm going to the border to fight the Empire. I know Grandpa already told you that, but I was wondering if you would go with me?"
Aria smiled and placed her hand on Bell's. "Of course. I told you my debt, father, is too massive for me to pay off. Besides, it would be irresponsible of me to let you die in the war."
Bell looked at her hand on his before looking back at her. She still smiled and didn't remove her hand.
"Thank you. For helping my friends and listening to my selfish request."
"It's not a problem. Now, tell me a little about Haruhime and Ardee."
Bell's face broke out into a happy smile as he began to talk about Ardee and Haruhime.
"Haruhime is like an angel. She had a rough childhood. Yet she is somehow still so kind and pure. I want to do nothing more than keep her safe. To keep her pureness protected, and Ardee. She's been with me for as long as I can remember. Always by my side no matter what. Always getting up to mischief everywhere we went and causing headaches for everyone. Ardee's really important to me. She's been my day one."
Aria listened with interest as Bell kept listing off things he liked about Ardee and Haruhime.
"You care for those girls a lot, don't you?"
"I do. Which is why I'm glad you're giving them a contract. It'll make me feel safer knowing they're better protected while I'm gone. I have to travel a lot on Jedi business and pass my knight's trials."
"Well, rest assured. I'll look out for them while you're away."
Bell smiled. "Thank you."
Aria squeezed his hand before speaking. "Now I have one more thing to ask. You don't have to answer this if you don't want to. But how did Silver die?"
Bell's smile dropped, and he looked at the table. He remembered the story his Grandpa told him and took a deep breath.
"My dad was with his squad guarding a mountain pass. The pass was narrow, which made for a good choke point. But if the Empire broke through that pass, they could've encircled the allied army. So, one day, the Empire sent an all-out attack into the pass. My dad sent a runner to get reinforcements, and for the next two hours, he held that pass along with his squad. Since there were only six of them, they were quickly overwhelmed. But my dad held the line by himself. By the time they got to him, he had killed 12 dark Jedi or Sith. 700 infantry, along with 400 archers and crossbowmen. In total, he killed 1,112 people before reinforcements arrived. But at that point, it was too late, and since there were so many bodies, his wasn't recovered."
Aria squeezed his hand again to comfort Bell. He looked at the table, not able to look her in the eyes.
"I'm sorry I made you relive that. I should've asked Zeus instead."
Bell shook his head. His other hand was under the table and formed into a fist. His nails were digging so hard into his hand it almost drew blood.
"It's fine. That story just reminds me of why I want to go and fight."
With nothing more said, Bell stood up and paid for their drinks.
"Let's go back to the Wheat Manor. We need to inform everyone of our arrangement."
Aria, saying nothing more, stood up and followed him.
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Bell sat in an open plain not far from the Wheat Manor. It was off the main road but still close by. The sun was high in the sky, lighting up the area for miles.
He sat alone and felt the wind pick up around him, causing his hair to blow in the wind. He kept quiet and just enjoyed the scenery around him.
"I know it's been a while since I last came here. I've been busy getting ready for Monsterphelia and having to do Jedi things. Hope you haven't been lonely."
"Well, I've been fine. Or as fine as I can be. I still feel so much anger whenever the Empire is mentioned. I can feel the pull of the dark side whenever I'm awake. I'm resisting it, but it is quite annoying having to deal with it all the time."
"Oh, I also met a great wind spirit. Apparently, Dad saved her after killing the OEBD. Looks like she'll be sticking with me now. Although she'll be helping my friends more than me."
"Ardee and Haruhime are doing fine as well. Although I've noticed they are starting to become more womanly. Haruhime especially. It's starting to become more and more obvious the more time I spend around them."
Bell nervously swallowed. "I, uh, I care for them a lot. I know most conclaves forbid attachment, but that rule is stupid. How am I supposed to be empathetic to situations if I'm not allowed to grow attached? It doesn't make sense. But I'm starting to ramble now. What I'm trying to say is, I think. No, it doesn't matter."
Bell took a breath and leaned back. "I enjoy our talks. Even if you don't speak, I enjoy them. It feels nice to talk about things. I wonder if you'd be proud? Or maybe you'd be disappointed? I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking things."
Silence once more. Bell sighed and stood up, turning to face the headstone. "Well, I'll try and visit again soon, Mom. If you're watching over me, please continue to do so. I-I'll see you later."
Bell turned and walked away, leaving the headstone by its lonesome. Up in heaven, a woman who looked exactly like Alfia but had blue eyes smiled sadly.
"I love you too, Bell. Stay safe."
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Twenty miles away from Orario, multiple people in dark cloaks walked. Their hoods up and concealing their faces.
"My lord, we're close."
"Good, very good. Soon, I will have a new apprentice."
"My lord, what shall we do?"
"Do what you do best. I want to see how he handles you four."
"As you wish, lord."
The figures kept walking while the leader smiled.
"Soon, apprentice. Very soon."
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A few days passed, and Monsterphelia had finally arrived. The streets were even more packed as our trio walked to the Stardust Garden. Zald and Alfia were off somewhere near Rakia, answering a call for help.
Once they arrived, Ryu immediately hid behind Bell and Ardee.
"Keep her away from me!" She yelled, pointing at Alise.
"Oh, come on, Ryu, everyone knows that touching an elf's thighs is a sign of good luck, and you've got some thick ones," Alise complained.
Bell sighed and shook his head. "Alise, it's like eight in the morning, and you're already doing this?"
"Hey, I need luck for today. We're fighting each other, after all."
Alise, like Bell, was also a Jedi. Her lightsaber was curved, however, giving her more leverage while fighting. Bell didn't know much about her conclave, as whenever he asked, she seemed to dodge the question.
But he did know that she was a fantastic duelist and the captain of the Astraea familia, as well as being the first member.
"Oh, come on, Alise. I'm not that good." Bell groaned.
"Yes, you are! Whenever we fight, I'm always on the back foot with how aggressive you are. Now come here, Ryu. I need to grab your thighs!"
Ryu further hid behind Ardee while Haruhime giggled.
"Alise, you're scaring her. Grab her thighs later. You and Bell are only closing out the opening act this year."
"Fine. But you have to hold her down so I can!" Alise groaned.
"I think that can be arranged," Haruhime said.
"Yeah, and I'll join in as well!" Ardee cheered.
Ryu had a horrified look on her face as she held Bell in front of them.
"Save me!" She pleaded.
"And deal with the three of them when they get up to mischief? No, thank you."
"Bell, please! I'll do anything!"
Bell sighed and turned to Ryu. "Fine, I'll keep them off your back."
Ryu breathed a sigh of relief.
"In return, I wanna have a lap pillow," Bell stated.
Ryu blushed, and her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
"Hey, you said anything, and your thighs look comfortable."
"F-f-fine." Ryu stuttered.
Bell smiled. "Alright, all of you back off! Ryu is my prey now!"
Everyone but Ryu laughed, and the situation seemed to calm down from there. The other two members of the Astraea familia came out soon after with Astraea herself.
"Has she finally calmed down?" Lyra, the pink-haired Pallum asked.
"Yeah, the captain is quite loud when she gets up to her mischief." Kaguya, the far eastern woman added.
Out of the members of the Astraea familia, Alise was the oldest, being 18, while Kaguya and Lyra were 17, with Ryu being the youngest at 16.
She and Bell were treated like the younger siblings of the group. However, they didn't treat Bell like the younger sibling like they did with Ryu.
"And what's this about claiming Ryu as your prey?" Astraea asked, a playful smile adorning her face.
"Figure of speech. Now, let's get going before Shakti gets mad. Ryu, I want my lap pillow after my fight." Bell said, walking away.
The others didn't say anything else and just followed him instead.
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After arriving at the Colosseum Bell, Ardee and Alise broke off from the rest of the group. Since they were participating this year, they were able to sit in a waiting room right outside the area.
"About time you made it. I said to be here at 8:30! It's 8:59. What took you so long!" Shakti demanded.
Ardee nervously shrunk under her sister's glare while Bell and Alise nervously chuckled.
"Well, answer me!"
"Uh, the streets are busy, and it took us longer to get here." Bell quickly said.
Shakti narrowed her eyes at Bell, who looked at her with a nervous grin.
"Well, whatever, you're here. You and Alise will close the opening act of Monsterphelia with a duel this year. After that, Ardee will close the second act, and I will close the final act. Stay here where I can keep my eye on you."
Bell gave a fake salute. "Aye, aye, Captain Shakti."
Shakti slowly reached for her whip, causing Bell's eyes to widen.
"Woah woah, it was a joke! And why do you always carry around a whip? You use that for extracurricular activities we don't know about."
Shakti smacked Bell upside the head while Ardee and Alise snickered.
"That wasn't a denial."
"Keep it up, and I'll use it on you!"
Shakti then walked away while Bell and the others laughed.
"She doesn't realize how bad that sounded, does she." Alise snickered.
"No, she doesn't." Bell chuckled.
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The three sat in their booth, looking into the arena. They had popcorn and drinks and watched the opening spectacle of Monsterphelia.
Illia, a redheaded Amazon of the Ganesha familia, and their vice-captain opened the event up by wrestling a Barbarian.
Barbarians are two-meter-tall monster similar to the Minotaur with two large and curved horns, black skin, red hair, and yellow eyes. Their primary mode of attack is either charging at someone or shooting their tongue at someone.
Since she was a level five, it was an easy fight for her, and she was able to get it to the ground in a headlock while pinning its arms down with her legs. After a few seconds, she ripped the Barbarians head off, and the crowd cheered.
"Damn, Illia kicked that things ass!" Bell commented.
"Hey, never underestimate her and her grappling. Big sis says she wants nothing to do with Illia if she can get her arms around her." Ardee said.
"I wanna fight her." Alise chuckled.
"Alise, you have a lightsaber. It wouldn't be fair." Bell said, eating popcorn.
Alise tossed a piece of popcorn at Bell. "I mean in a fistfight. I wanna see how well I would do."
Bell tossed a piece of popcorn at her. "She'd get you on the ground in five seconds."
Alise threw a handful of popcorn at Bell. "Would not."
Bell threw a handful at her. "Would too."
Ardee leaned back as Alise threw a bigger handful at Bell. Her eyes widened in shock as Bell threw his whole tub at her. Alise threw hers at him, and before the two could fight, Shakti stepped in.
"Hey, 15 minutes til you two get out there. Stop messing around and get ready!" Shakti ordered.
Both Bell and Alise straightened out, and Shakti left. Ardee still sat in her chair, slightly laughing while still eating her popcorn.
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Once the 15 minutes were up and the opening act of Monsterphelia was coming to an end, Bell and Alise stepped out onto the sand. Alise took her place on one side, and Bell took his place on the other.
"Ladies and Gentleman, to close out our starting act for the 13th annual Monsterphelia are two of our resident Jedi! On the left side of the arena, we have the beautiful and charming Alise Lovel!"
The crowd cheered, and Alise waved to her familia. After the cheers died down, the announcer spoke once more.
"And on our right, we have the boy who was a union of the Zeus and Hera familia! The boy who helped take down a calamity-like monster last year! The boy who can kill a monster with just a flick of his wrist! BELLLLL CRANELLL!"
The stadium erupted into cheers so loud that the very walls began to shake. Bell was caught off guard by how loud people were cheering. He didn't expect himself to be this famous. He didn't even know he was famous in the first place.
So, with a nervous grin, he waved to the crowd, which only increased their cheers. Alise tried to speak to him. Most likely teasing his fame, but he couldn't hear her.
After a full minute of cheers and applause from people who loved the Zeus and Hera familia, and in turn Bell finally quieted down.
"Well, it looks like our resident prince has quite the fan base. But enough with introductions, we're here for a fight. Now, the closing of our opening act can begin!"
Alsie and Bell both unclipped their lightsabers. They ignited both of them, and Bell's purple blade nicely complicated each other. Alise's yellow in the fact that yellow was rare, with purple being even more rare.
With a nod, the two then charged. Bell went for an overhead slash while Alise went for a thrust. Bell quickly parried before swinging at her side.
Alise was quick to bring her blade up and block Bell's. She aimed a kick at his stomach, but Bell jumped back. Alise pressed her advantage and started delivering swings and thrusts at Bell's arms.
Bell quickly parried all of these attacks before getting aggressive. He parried her blade away before stepping forward and swinging down.
Alise blocked, and the two were engaged in a saber lock. Bell kept pressing down, making Alise lean back. Bell pressed further down, getting his face closer to Alise's, making her smirk.
"Gonna kiss me, Prince Charming?"
"In your dreams."
Alise kicked him in the shin, and Bell backed up, giving Alise some breathing room. She ran forward again and delivered a series of thrusts and jabs aiming for Bell's arms.
Bell blocked them with expert precision before spinning on his heel and getting away from Alise. But before the two could continue their fight.
Four people dressed in dark robes landed in the arena with them. Sensing the dark side coming from them, Alise and Bell quickly went back to back as four red blades filled the arena.
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"What the! Why are Dark Jedi here?!" Alise asked.
"Doesn't matter. They're here now. I'll take these two you take the others." Bell stated.
The battle began with Bell and Alise running at their targets. By this point, the stadium erupted into chaos, with everyone starting to run out of the arena.
Alise was the first to clash blades with the Dark Jedi. However, she was immediately put on the back foot and had to go on the defensive. The dark Jedi swung his blade down, and Alise jumped back to avoid the swing.
She thrusted her blade at his side, but he parried and aimed a kick at her stomach. Alise sidestepped and aimed at his leg but was again parried.
The other Dark Jedi aimed at her leg, and Alise had to jump back. They both swung at her, and Alise dodged as best she could.
She was able to keep up thanks to her lightsaber style, which was dueling, but she was having trouble. Whenever she'd gain ground with one of them, the other would step in.
But luckily for Alise, she was really good at dueling. She just needed to wait for an opening. One came when she got an idea.
She kicked up sand and tossed it into their faces. The Dark Jedi were temporarily blinded, leading to Alise disarming them and holding them at saber point.
"Give up!" She ordered.
The two Dark Jedi looked at each other. Then, charged at Alise.
She cut them down quickly.
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Bell elbowed one of the Dark Jedi in the face before blocking a slash. He leaned back and dodged another one before force-pushing them away.
Thinking quickly, he slowed one of them down with the force and focused his attention on the other one.
His attacks were fast and aggressive, cutting up the wall and ground around him. The Dark Jedi was having trouble parrying and was stumbling back.
Bell kicked him in the stomach, causing the Dark Jedi to fall down. He kicked him in the face, then blocked another lightsaber.
Bell pushed the Dark Jedi back before swinging his lightsaber down. The Dark Jedi blocked it, but Bell just kept going.
His lightsaber just kept hitting the Dark Jedi over and over again. The Dark Jedi tried to resist but couldn't under the relentless onslaught.
Eventually, his defenses failed, and Bell sliced his hand off. The Dark Jedi screamed and fell to his knees.
Bell quickly spun on his heel and slashed the other across the chest. Bell's eyes widened in horror as the man who was about to kill him fell dead.
But before he could dwell on what he just did, a voice called out to him.
"Very good apprentice. Very good."
Bell's breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in fear as he slowly turned around. His hands were shaking as he saw another man dressed in a black robe standing in front of him.
Alise was kneeling on the ground next to him. Her lightsaber was cut in half, and a red blade at her throat.
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"You did well, apprentice. Taking down my two disciples so easily. Even sparing one of them. Let me fix that."
The cloaked man flicked his wrist, and the last Dark Jedi's neck snapped. He collapsed to the ground, dead at Bell's feet.
"Who are you?" Bell shakily asked.
The cloaked man smiled and took off his hood. Once the hood dropped, Bell could clearly see his face. The man's skin was pure black, like darkness. Covering his face was what Bell assumed to be red tattoos. He had no hair, but his head was covered in small horns.
His teeth were yellow, and he stood at around 5'9. He was taller than Bell and Alise. He held a double-bladed lightsaber in his hand but only had one of the blades on and aimed at Alise's neck.
"My name is Maul. But you can call me your new master."
Bell was even more scared now. He didn't know what type of species Maul was, and he knew that Maul had been whispering in his ear for the past couple of years.
"No. I'll never join you." Bell shakily said.
Maul just shook his head. "I thought you'd say that."
He force-pushed Bell back, and he slammed into the wall. Bell's lightsaber dropped to the ground as well as Bell.
"You see, apprentice. I can feel the dark side in you. So much darkness that you send ripples throughout the force. So much hatred and anger, and yet you bury it. Such a shame."
Bell tried to get up, but Maul kept him down.
"I mean, you limit yourself to this. You have all that power at your fingertips, and you limit yourself. I know why, though."
Maul the raised Alise up in the air with the force. Alise felt the air leave her lungs, and she started clawing at her neck. She was being choked.
"You let all these people hold you back, and for what, so you can remain friends? You don't need friends when you have absolute power!"
Alise kept trying to breathe, clawing at her neck and leaving scratch marks. Her nails started to bleed, and her eyes were bulging and watering.
"You should use the dark side and have these people serve you through fear. I mean, you could have all these women you hang around with at your beck and call to do anything you want to them. Yet you don't. Especially with that fox. She is quite the looker."
"Stop." Bell groaned out.
Maul smirked. "What was that?"
He increased the pressure on Alise's throat.
"Stop," Bell said a little louder. He felt anger coursing through him.
"You need to speak up, apprentice. I can't hear you over your friend choking to death."
"I SAID STOP!!" Bell screamed out.
His hand shot up, and red lightning shot forth from his fingertips. Maul simply blocked it with his lightsaber like it didn't bother him.
Bell quickly got to his feet and used the force to call a lightsaber to him. He ignited it and jumped at Maul, swinging the blade down at his neck.
Maul dropped Alise, and she gasped for air as Bell and Maul engaged in a saberlock. Maul gleefully smiled as a crimson blade clashed against his own.
"Yes, apprentice! Use that anger! That hatred and fight me!" Maul cheered.
Bell didn't seem to care and started giving fast and aggressive attacks to Maul. Maul laughed and jumped back into the stands before running away.
Bell didn't even hesitate to go after him, leaving Alise in the sand. Ardee quickly ran out once Bell and Maul left and dragged Alise out of the sand and to the doctors waiting on standby.
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Bell and Maul landed on top of a roof and continued their duel. Bell swung wildly and with anger, trying to take Maul's head off his shoulders.
Maul effortlessly danced around this and simply batted Bell's strikes away. All the while, he had a giddy smile on his face.
"Yes, apprentice, use that hatred. Try and strike me down."
Bell cut a chimney in half as Maul dodged the slash. Bell ran toward Maul and swung at his torso. Maul blocked and kicked Bell back.
He goaded Bell some more before jumping away again. Bell jumped after him, and the two landed on a roof higher in the sky.
Bell kept up his wild attacks, not sticking to any of his forms. He was attacking like a wild animal lashing out at its surroundings. All the while, Maul smiled.
He was easily parrying Bell's attacks as they were nothing more than a child swinging a stick. Bell sliced another chimney in half as Maul kicked him in the side.
Bell stumbled to the edge but regained his footing and attacked again. He swung at Maul's head, who moved his lightsaber to block.
Before changing his target to Maul's legs, Maul reacted quickly and turned his second blade on, stopping Bell.
He force-pushed Bell back before jumping up to the walls of Orario. Bell followed suit, and now the two were 300 feet in the air.
Their duel continued a symphony of red blades clashing against each other. Maul, the older and more experienced veteran who, wasn't trying.
Bell, the boy who, wanted nothing more than to kill the man in front of him. So lost in his rage that he had thrown all his morals away.
Bell's hand shot up, and he shot more force lightning at Maul. Maul wasn't expecting this and quickly blocked it.
Bell stopped and ran forward, jumping into the air and bringing his Blade down toward Maul's head. Maul parried, and Bell landed behind Maul.
He swung and aimed at Maul's midsection, hoping to cut him in half. But Maul parried and kicked Bell in the face.
He slashed at Bell, but Bell blocked. Maul swung again and hit Bell's lightsaber up before slicing off his right hand.
Bell yelled out in pain as he fell to his knees, grabbing his stump. His hand fell off the wall, leaving Bell defenseless.
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"Good apprentice, very good. Don't worry, we'll fix your hand up."
Bell groaned in pain, feeling his stump burning. He couldn't believe he just lost a hand.
"Oh, I can feel it. So much hatred and anger. You really want to kill me now. Especially since I hurt that pretty redhead of yours. Tell me, is she important to you."
Bell didn't answer, still groaning in pain and holding his stump.
"It doesn't matter. With you by my side, we can take the Empire down together. With you, I can finally have my revenge for what they did to me. Don't you want the same?"
Bell again didn't answer.
"Just think. Me and you. Together we'll kill every last one of the imperial scum. The men, the women, and the children, too. All must die for our revenge to be complete. We can do it together. What do you say."
Maul waited with bated breath for Bell to answer. Bell took a deep, shaky breath, his arm still screaming in pain.
"Go fuck yourself," Bell groaned.
He force-pushed Maul back before jumping off the wall.
Maul watched as he fell and clicked his tongue.
"Just delaying the inevitable apprentice."
Maul jumped after Bell, still in pursuit.
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Bell fell and slammed his back into a roof. He groaned in pain before sliding off and slamming face-first into another one. He didn't have time to groan as he fell once more and slammed his back into another roof.
He landed face-first on the cold, hard stone that was the ground in an alleyway. Lucky for him, he had some cushioning thanks to a small trash pile, but it wasn't much.
Bell's nose was bleeding, and his ears were ringing. His stump still screamed out in pain as he tried to push himself to his feet.
Maul safely landed behind him and began walking to the crawling Bell.
"Stop resisting, apprentice. You've already lost. You're going to come with me, and we're going to eradicate the Empire from the face of the earth. No one will be able to stop us."
"I won't kill innocents. I refuse." Bell groaned as he kept crawling.
"Oh, you will. You will."
Maul stepped on Bell's back, stopping the boy from crawling.
But Bell still tried.
"Now come along, apprentice. We have so much work to do."
A strong gust of wind blew Maul off Bell and sent him slamming into the wall of Orario. Bell looked up, blood starting to fill his vision as his head was cracked open.
Aria was standing at the end of the alleyway, her arm raised and wind shooting from it.
"You will not harm this boy any further!" Aria yelled.
Maul was being pressed even further into the wall as Aria increased the pressure. Eventually, the wall broke, and Maul was sent flying away into the distance.
Luckily, Orario's eastern wall didn't collapse and only had a hole at the bottom. Which Aira quickly patched up using the rubble until repairs could be done.
After her makeshift repairs were done, she quickly made her way over to Bell, who was barely conscious.
"Hang on, Bell, you'll be ok. I'll get you some help. Just rest now."
After hearing those calming words, Bell lost consciousness as Aria easily picked him up and began carrying him away.
Bell would be a different person when he woke up.
Well, gonna end this one here. Lot of stuff happened. Aria showed up, Ais is dead, Haruhime loves Ardee, and Bell wonder how that will play out. Bell used force lightning, and Maul showed up.
Let me know how I did with writing him cause I wanted him to feel kind of menacing but likable, if that's a thing.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see ya later. Also, I have bronchitis, and I'm still updating.
Which is dumb, but who cares? I wrote chapters when suffering from an aneurysm.