Bell did not know how much time had passed as he tried to protect as many civilians as possible, as he fought against the unnatural and deadly winds and its monsters with all his might. The sun was still shining bright above his head when the roars of the beasts started to thin out. Still, neither he nor the girls at his side relaxed, keeping an iron grip on their weapons, or wind in Aiz' case. He couldn't help but grimace at the ruined surroundings. Buildings just recently rebuilt only to be torn down again by the cruelty of the world. The smiles that recovered from the dangers of the past, once more replaced by exhausted looks and tearful expressions.
He shook his head, taking a deep breath. He had to look on the bright side. Many lives were saved. Their homes could be rebuilt. With the help of Arash pulling his hardest right after waking up, the monsters were beaten out of the city, if not killed outright. Still, the air had this suffocating aura. He knew for a fact this wasn't over yet. Aiz seemed to agree, as she exhaled slowly before turning towards the other two with a small nod.
"I need to see my captain and how my Familia is doing." She took Bell's hand and rubbed her cheek against it, before giving it a small kiss. The young man blushed as she winked before allowing the winds to take her upwards. "See you later."
Disappearing into the distance, he couldn't help but stare after her retreating form as he rubbed the back of his hand. He coughed awkwardly when he heard his other girlfriend chuckle at his side. To his surprise, she was smiling softly, while shaking her head just a bit.
"She came a long way from being this stoic girl at the start…"
Bell blinked before rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"What was she like when she was younger?"
Imagining a smaller Aiz…someone with much more innocence and curiosity in her eyes…he couldn't help but let out a small giggle at the thought.
"Hehe. Maybe another time." Ryuu let out a sigh, poking Bell in the side. "But to ask your girlfriend about another woman…"
Realizing his social faux pas, he winced, looking away in embarrassment. At least Ryuu took it in stride, letting out a warm laugh despite the devastation around them. Before they could hurry to meet up with the others or to help out people in need on the way, a presence made itself known. It was no mere sound, for the voice reverberated in their very souls as it spoke across the entire realm of existence. Bell had the urge to kneel right then and there, folding his hands in prayer.
"Hear me, o people of the mortal realm."
"Who is that…?" Bell whispered quietly, while Ryuu exhaled slowly, her body shivering before steadying herself.
"Lord Ouranos…!"
His eyes widened in disbelief. The first god to have descended to the mortal realm?! He thought the being older than even Zeus and Hera was just a myth, or at least has long returned to the heavens!
"A threat that endangers the whole world has emerged. An ancient enemy, reborn by the machinations within darkness itself. Even as I speak, you, who hear my voice, are not alone in this calamity. Other nations, other villages, other people, fight for their life as it multiplies again and again."
He covered his mouth with his palm, his eyes quivering. Orario wasn't the sole target of this attack? What sort of abomination could do this sort of thing, to attack every place at once like this?
"Behemoth, one of the Great Monsters, slain by Zeus and Hera…has returned." A deep breath followed the deafening silence that must have surely grasped the rest of civilization at this revelation. "I call upon every adventurer. Every blessed individual. Every warrior. Rise."
The pressure built up, the authority of the oldest god making itself known in every other god and mortal, his words not a promise, not a threat, but a fact.
"I hereby announce the Grand Quest to save the world: Slay Behemoth."
Bell didn't know at what point his hands threatened to crush the hilts of Homebringer. His heart beat wildly in his chest. But not out of fear. His mouth mimicked the emotion he heard inside his head, a familiar female cackle of delight echoing within it. He shared a look with Ryuu. She was tense herself, but the smile on her face was hard to miss.
"Well, who are we to deny a Divine Mission?" His girlfriend asked, almost playfully. Bell nodded back before rolling his shoulders.
"Let's hurry and meet up with the others!"
/
Arriving in the Stardust Garden, Bell felt a weight drop from his shoulders when he saw the building relatively intact. While the open door was a cause of concern for just a moment, the figures he could spot through the window put him at ease. With a wide grin, he entered the building and spread his arms open with delight.
"You're all okay!"
Haruhime easily embraced him back, a sigh of relief escaping her. After separating, his eyes wandered over the others. Glad he was, that they seemed fine. A big banged up, their celebration clothes a bit dirtied and ruined, but otherwise, perfectly fine. Catching Hestia in her attempt of a surprise hug, he noticed Ryuu moving into the house carefully, as if afraid of something. Afraid that she was going to find something. Or rather, afraid she wouldn't see someone. Her eyes slowly moved around, biting her lip.
"Where is-?"
"Ryuu. You look good."
The other Astraea girls grinned widely as the elf's eyes almost bulged out of her skull. She heard his voice. She saw his power in action, his combat prowess, as he must have saved endless lives. Yet when she heard him this close, saw him leaning against the doorway with crossed arms…the tears began to flow as she rushed forward and crushed Arash in a hug.
"Arash!"
"Easy there, I just woke up, haha…" He patted her head before letting out a small wince as Ryuu proceeded to squeeze harder. "Oof, that certainly is gonna burn tomorrow…"
If Bell was a lesser man, he would've been a bit jealous how his girlfriend buried her face into another male's chest. Instead he wiped a tear that was forming, glad that the elf managed to get some good news for once.
"Never…EVER…do this to me again…understand?"
"I can only promise to try."
"Try harder next time!"
"Haha…Now all we are missing is Solaris and the gang is all back together!"
Ryuu froze in place. She was not the only one as the air, jovial and light, became incredibly dense, making it hard for regular people to even breath. Arash blinked, his smile slowly faltering. He then glanced to the side, at a specific chair. The chair where Bell put the white coat on for the festivities. The archer closed his eyes and nodded slowly as Ryuu finally let go of him and grabbed her own arm in discomfort.
"...She didn't just forget it, did she?" The silence that met him was answer enough. He let out a weary sigh before rubbing his hand against his mouth. He glanced at the rest of his Familia, Kaguya specifically. "...Ryoma?"
Bell didn't know how he connected the fates of Solaris and Ryoma. But there was no point in trying to hide the truth. Everyone knew that. Thus, Kaguya looked away, a response on its own. Arash scratched the back of his head, biting his lip.
"I'm sorry I wasn't better."
Without hesitation, Alise stepped forward, putting her hand on the man's shoulder.
"Heyheyhey, none of that. You did the best you could. If you didn't weaken that ghost yourself, we might not have made it ourselves. So chin up, you are back, and you can make up for it all." Her smile wavered and she choked for a bit before shaking her head, trying to maintain her cheer. "And S-Solaris…she did well herself. Couldn't have asked for a better way to…"
She trailed off, a sniff escaping her. Patting her hand, Arash gently pushed it away from his shoulder.
"Right…Didn't mean to bring down the mood."
"You did just wake up. Nobody's going to blame you, asking for updates," Kaguya muttered, causing everyone else to nod. Alise slapped her cheeks, before rolling her shoulders a bit.
"There will be time to catch you up on everything later. For now…" She pointed her finger towards the ceiling, a wide smirk directed at everyone else. "Time to put on your best dresses and suits, 'cause we gonna go to town on those evildoers!"
"RIGHT!"
Their battle spirits soared. Their teeth showed. Bell grabbed Solaris' coat and flung it over his shoulder, already feeling her encouraging heat pressing against his skin, as if fingers pressed into his shoulders with her grin right next to him. Ryuu hurried upstairs, to get into her own gear. Everyone else was switching out of their comfortable clothing and got into their armor, grabbing their weapons.
With their goddesses at their back, they felt more ready than ever to take on a legendary monster. After all…
Justice awaited. And they had a home to return to.
/
Naturally, any 'Grand Quest' like this required a lot of organization. It would have been more than suicidal for every adventurer rushing out like a swarm of feral flies to try and kill Behemoth first. No, contrary to popular belief, those that dive into the dungeon knew when some things were beyond them and that they needed every advantage they could get. Thus they all gathered, in the streets of Orario, in the plazza of Orario, all ready to move out.
In the meantime however, people like Bell, who was in fact a captain, got to attend the actual strategy meeting to take down the reborn Behemoth. The Hestia Familia was one of the Familia that were allowed to attend in full…mostly because just like Astraea Familia, they weren't even double digit in number. Still, the makeshift war tent to accommodate to the leading figures of Orario was a bit of a squeeze. Bell tugged at his collar, exhaling slowly as he moved towards the war table, as it was his role to be next to Alise as a fellow leader.
His eyes wandered across the war table. He spotted several familiar figures, some more distant than others. Tsubaki from the Hephaestus Familia, winking at him with her one good eye. Asfi the Perseus tugging at her own hair with stress radiating from her, her eyes bloodshot. Shakti rubbing her face, exhausted in her own way, but remaining steady. Then there were others that surprised him a bit more. Like the guests from the other nations, sitting in with crossed arms and radiating a rather calm aura despite everything.
Then his gaze crossed with Aiz, and the blonde immediately smiled softly at him. He waved at her, before he glanced to her left. He choked for a moment, with Alise giggling under her breath, patting his back.
Lefiya made it a point to look fully away from him. Her head was turned towards her left seat neighbor, which happened to be Raul. With the blank look she appeared to have, it was as if she was staring a hole into his skull. Naturally, the poor guy squirmed in his seat, sweating profusely. Bell winced at the sight.
So the elf definitely remembered what happened in the arena too…and definitely was not fond of it, to say the least. He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
He's gotta clear the air in the near future. Maybe not now, maybe not even in a couple hours, but once they defeated Behemoth…He couldn't help but blush at the previous conversation he had with his girlfriends before shaking his head profusely. No, clearing the air first and…anything else after that. Yeah, that sounded like a fine idea.
"Alright, that should be everyone. I will try to keep this brief, but details are nevertheless important." "Now many of us weren't around when Behemoth terrorized the lands. Heck, many of us weren't even born yet. But the Guild came forward with some information, as well as some personal experience from a few adventurers among us."
Just like the others, Bell picked up the papers, his eyes taking in the letters and absorbing the information as much as he could. He gulped when he realized how mighty the reincarnated beast used to be. If any of them thought the poison they experienced was bad enough, reading about how the original Behemoth essentially had an aura that turned most people, even high ranked adventurers, into dust…well, it certainly wouldn't give him any nice dreams any time soon.
He noticed some information was redacted, crossed out with black markers. Rather infuriating all things considered, but nobody was perfect and he assumed the Guild had a reason to censor their information like this. Still, beyond the death aura that was the poison and the general overwhelming physical power and defense it most likely possessed…There was one piece of intel that was definitely missing. He looked up, seeing that everyone else was done with glimpsing through the data. Before Finn could continue the meeting however, it was Kojiro of all people that raised his hand. The Braver blinked before gesturing for the swordsman to continue. Slowly, almost dramatically, Kojiro rose to his feet with a serious frown.
"This Behemoth…" He pointed down at the papers, and his mouth twitched and twisted into a smirk. "Is it truly strong?"
Alise was the first to let out a snort, which caused an avalanches of chuckles and giggles to echo in the tent. Braver glared at Kojiro, but the small smile on his face was unmistakable. Bell meanwhile let out a loud groan with a red face, slapping his forehead, which only was more hilarious to everyone else given how their volume increased.
"Gee, sound more excited, why don't cha?" Lyra teased, rubbing her elbow into Kojiro's side. The swordsman meanwhile was utterly unapologetic and shrugged. Once the mood calmed down a bit, lighter than before, it was Ottar of all people that cleared his throat.
"The only reason it got defeated was because Zard, one of Zeus Familia's level seven, had a specific ability to get through that poison and slay it personally." The Boarz flexed his fingers, his eyes misting over as if remembering something. "And even with his unique skill, it came with a cost."
"Can you get through the poison, King?" Kojiro asked. Said King made eye contact with the man who managed to injure him in the arena, not saying a word. Then, he folded his arms behind his back.
"We will see."
Everyone could feel the sweat form and run down their forehead. Was he actually going to bet his own toughness and regenerative capabilities against the Behemoth's poison? Finn cleared his throat before shoving the papers away.
"Now for the abilities Behemoth did NOT have in the past." He leaned back, crossing his arms with a frown. "Or also known as its ability to multiply."
"Did it perhaps evolve?" Shakti suggested first. However, Alise shook her head, pressing her lips together thoughtfully.
"It was dead. Deader than dead, even. You can't evolve as a corpse."
"Pfff, there's plenty of stories I could tell."
Tiona shot up, her eyes sparkling with excitement, looking straight at Hans.
"Oh, will you?!"
Hans meanwhile waved his hand dismissively with a scoff.
"No. I'm not a zombie author."
"Awww."
Ignoring the deflating amazon, Asfi adjusted her glasses, her forehead furrowed in thought.
"Maybe it managed to absorb some other monster's traits?"
Other traits. Something tickled in the back of Bell's head, but he wasn't sure what it was. For some reason, Haruhime had the same pondering expression, her ears twitching. The two shared a confused look, before they felt hands on their shoulders.
"Young Master, remember the Minotaur you fought?" Kojiro asked quietly before raising an eyebrow at Bell. "Remember Melen?"
Minotaur…Melen…His eyes widened.
"Right, they were modified monsters!"
Bell didn't realize he was on his feet when he was louder than he thought. The stares he received caused him to slowly sit back down again, ears heating up. Alise patting his head did not do his dignity any favors. Fortunately Finn locked in on the relevant information instead, leaning forward.
"Right…the monster for your first level up was different. And then you fought a water serpent that was never before seen, resembling the Leviathan."
"Leviathan?!" Bell believed the enraged cat man was called Allen, as he slammed his fist down the table, cracking it in half with ease. "You dare claim you defeated one of the three Great Monsters?!"
"No, it was not Leviathan, or else we would've never beaten it!" Bell frantically waved his hand before he narrowed his eyes, his arms falling sideways as his mind raced. "So it could be considered a failed attempt to resurrect Leviathan…"
"But this time, the attempt was a success. Maybe because they managed to grab ahold on a vital part of Behemoth, like a core or something. Lending more stability, a better anchor," Hans theorized, using Bell's words as a footstool. Kojiro hummed, nodding in agreement.
"I presume this Behemoth Alter has been granted its soul back by its Night Queen. The soul shapes the body after all."
"And if the core or whatever plus soul was injected into a specific monster…We got this nonsense of it being able to multiply itself." Kaguya crossed her arms and looked Finn straight in the eyes. "Well, that's a fun theory and all, but let's focus on some facts. Like, we have any idea where it is at?"
Finn nodded before snapping his fingers. Tione was at his side immediately, before spreading out a map with her twin's help, having to hold it up because a certain someone just had to break the table they had. The map was already marked, a red circle around a spot far in the East of the continent.
"The School District managed to spot the location for us before they had to retreat, at risk of the offspring landing on the ship itself. It's a large area, so it'll be hard to miss." Finn clapped his hands together. "I propose we split up into groups, and slowly make our way to encircle the area. This way we also ensue we take care of any stragglers or upcoming invaders, protecting Orario and its citizens that way." He raised his finger. "Once we are there, we can discuss the next approach. If, and only if, you have a window of opportunity to crush its core, to kill it, then take it. But only if you are a hundred percent sure you can do it without help. Are we in agreement?"
"No objections from me."
"It is a sound plan."
"No nopes here!"
"Good. Now to decide the teams."
Soon enough, they all emerged from the tent. Maybe half an hour passed at best, but Bell felt it took longer. Now lined up side by side with Finn in the middle, they stood on a makeshift elevated space. The adventurers in the streets hollered and screamed, raising their weapons, ready for battle. The Braver took a step forward and the crowd immediately fell silent. Bell blinked at the power he wielded with just his presence alone.
Could he be like that one day?
"Alright people! We got a plan, we got a goal! Time to be proper adventurers and kill some monsters! I won't bore you speeches, but know this!" Finn raised his fist in the air. "Failure is not an option, so I better see you all on the other side! The gods and our ancestors, the people of past and present, watch over us! So let's live up to their expectations! MOVE OUT!"
With one final roar that shook the skies themselves, the people almost stumbled over each other to get out of the city. Thankfully it was just organized enough to not descend into total chaos. Once outside, the masses began to split up into the teams that were agreed upon.
Bell couldn't help but exhale nervously. To think that "he" was going to be leading the Albion's squad…he wasn't sure what the logic here was, but he just had to accept it. It was a pity that his Familia was split up as well. Not to mention…
"A pity we are in separate squads."
"Finn is mean…"
His girlfriends had a gloomy aura above their heads, even if Ryuu was more professional, her poker face near perfect if not for her drooping ears. He squeezed both of their hands reassuringly and gave them an encouraging nod.
"We'll have plenty of time to be together after this."
The two looked up, visibly brightening up. Then they shared a look. Aiz was the first to nod. Before Bell could ask what was going on, Ryuu leaned forward, pressing her lips against his for a short moment. He let out a small eep, only for Aiz to take advantage and give him a peck herself. Frozen in place, the two girls waved at him before turning their backs to him.
"Hehehe…"
It was then that Bell felt the killing intents directed at him. Tensing up, losing his giddy smirk, he looked around…only to see several adventurers openly glaring at him.
"Damn it, no way I'm gonna die before that bastard!"
"I will find myself some hotties after this, I swear!"
"He better explode where I can see him!"
That was his cue to leave. Still tasting strawberry and sweet potato on his lips, he tried to keep the butterflies in his chest. Coincidentally, his eyes landed on a certain elf, seemingly preparing her own utilities. Well, no time than the present, he thought.
"Lefiya!"
The way the mage tensed up was not a good sign. For a while, she remained motionless. Then, she took a deep breath, her back straightening up. Turning around, Bell winced at the flat look he was receiving. She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as if she was raising a sword.
"...Nothing happened. Got it?"
"S-Sure."
Not the time to broach any changes to their relationship then. Keep it professionally. Ignoring the disappointed sigh from grandpa and the thumbs up from Solaris in his head, he decided to remain silent as he walked at Lefiya's side. Eventually, the elf sighed before glancing towards the front with an uncertain expression.
"I'm not sure what to think of having the King being our leader."
"He is the strongest," Bell pointed out, but he knew it sounded hollow even to him. He didn't hear many stories of Ottar's leadership as opposed to Finn for example. Lefiya agreed as she tightened her grip on her staff.
"That doesn't make him the smartest. I can already see the tension."
"I'm…sure he'll at least consider Alise's advice?"
If nothing else, the red head didn't seem to be deterred by Ottar's aloofness. Though now that he took a closer look, the King seemed to humor the Scarlet Harnel a lot. He wondered what that was about. He did notice the Freya Familia being rather cordial with the Astraea Familia more often than not. Questions for the future then. Before he could think about it further, he heard a cough at his side. Looking towards Lefiya, the elf was looking away, but he could see the faint red at the tip of her ears.
"...I'll be relying on you."
Bell stared at her, before nodding with enthusiasm.
"Let's do our best!"
Lefiya choked suddenly before snapping her head towards him, pointing her finger against his chest.
"Don't ge too cocky!"
"He can get as cocky as he wants to!"
The two of them blinked at the third voice chiming in. They frowned just a bit, as if disappointed their routine was interrupted before it could really get going. Turning their heads at the same time, it was Bell whose eyes widened in recognition.
"Well, if it isn't my genius student!"
"Brunhilde!" He extended his hand in response to her reared back arm and accepted the handshake. He tilted his head with curiosity. "You are still here?"
"What, you think I can book a carriage back home during this shitshow?" Her smirk fell, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Lefiya. "...Elf."
To her credit, Lefiya merely rolled her eyes in exasperation before looking at Bell with a wry smile.
"I'll leave you to it."
"Such arrogance…" The Valkyrie muttered under her breath as Lefiya wandered off. Bell sighed before crossing his arms at one of his first acquaintances he made in the world.
"Could you maybe not?"
"What, you a pointy ear fucker?"
Heat build up in his heart. His voice turned into a growl as he leaned forward.
"Brunhilde."
The idol blinked before raising her hands defensively.
"Fine, fine." Her grin returned before she snapped her fingers at him. "Damn, look at you. Surpassing me with ease. What's your secret?"
"Just luck, I suppose," Bell easily brushed off. It was technically the truth too. His life truly was blessed so far, despite its ups and downs. The Valkyrie scoffed playfully.
"Need some of that for myself." She snapped her fingers, as if just remembering something and reached into her pocket. "Here, take this."
Bell stared at the red scarf, taking it into his hands. It felt somewhat familiar, as he turned it around, taking in all angles. Maybe he spotted it during the festivities?
"What's this?"
A smug chuckle escaped the woman as she puffed up her chest with pride.
"Cobbled together with the Starfall's natural poison resistance, some help from the Perseus, and whatever shit the gods and other nerds shared. Also had to tear apart some museum relics for this for mass production. It's not gonna make you immortal, but it should make sure you can take a couple whiffs before keeling over." She pulled out something else and put it square on her head. "And in case you wonder, we ladies get a head veil."
Bell had a conflicted smile on his face. While artifacts like these were truly helpful…the idea that a historic item had to be dismantled for him somewhat didn't sit right for him. Then again, desperate times, desperate measures…He would just have to live up to the expectations these items were created for. Wrapping it around his neck, he inclined his head just a bit.
"Thanks, I'll treasure it."
"Be the MVP out there! Human magic is the best in the world!" Thus the Valkyrie left, rejoining her fellow Familia members. As they were not directly under the authority of Orario, the guests from foreign lands could move to whatever squad they desired to. Bell looked upon the Odin Familia, gossiping amongst each other even as they did their own preparations.
One wouldn't think they were marching towards a deadly beast. An opinion that was shared, as he heard footsteps approaching. Turning his head, he saw Lefiya bite her lip as she looked at the Valkyries.
"They seem…awfully calm, considering their home countries must be being attacked as well."
Bell couldn't help himself. The sound escaped him before he could help himself.
"Hehe."
Lefiya raised her eyebrow at him, puffing her cheeks up a bit at his audacity.
"Something funny?"
He waved his hand, lowering his head as an apology.
"No, I just…understand where they are coming from."
He could imagine it. Villages that were not so lucky, wiped out by the storms of death. Towns whose walls could not handle the sudden appearance of such mighty monsters. Even capitals having to struggle against something that only the ancients and ancestors of the past had to deal with. Unlike Orario…the rest of the world was weaker, less prepared. That was fact.
And yet…the spirit of mortals would shine, nevertheless. Not to mention…the world had more heroes than just in Orario.
Soldiers marching towards the armies of monsters. The air itself trying to poison them. But their chant never ceased, following their guiding light down the road to glory.
The seas were turbulent. But none of the foreign invaders managed to touch the waters, for the mighty Amazons supported the sailors with their feral might.
A golden shine swiped across the fields, followed by the guardians that protect the border of surface and underworld. Human and monster alike, side by side, tearing through those that dared to taint their lands.
On the isles of starvation, a roar silenced and put the fear of the heavens into the invading monsters. A territory already claimed, and protected at all cost, for it was her territory, her home…her love, alive and dead.
Bell opened his eyes. He looked Lefiya straight into the soul, as a soft smile was on his face as he pointed his thumb at his heart.
"They will win. Just like we will win."
The elf almost seemed mesmerized. No snarky comment. No dismissal. Only awe reflected in her eyes, as she clutched the hem of her shirt.
Then an arm wrapped around Bell's neck and the daze of Lefiya was interrupted.
"We damn well will!"
"Welf? You're here too?"
The blacksmith smirked before slamming his fist against his chest.
"As if I'm gonna miss this! And someone has to make sure your gear is up to the task!"
Bell smirked back and raised his fist, hitting Welf's. He wouldn't have anyone else at his side. The Crozzo let out a wistful sigh before patting Bell's back.
"Honestly though…You really need to have better hold on your Luck. This is getting ridiculous."
How is this his fault whatsoever?! Bell threw his arms up in the air, letting out an annoyed breath. His mouth did twitch a bit as he saw Lefiya clear her throat, covering her mouth with her knuckles as a strangled laugh escaped her.
"Again, not an active skill!" His good mood faltered when he let out a deep sigh, a frown forming on his face. "This has to be the Night Queen's plan again…"
/
This was not the Night Queen's plan whatsoever, but how did the saying go? Don't look a gift horse in the mouth? She shook her arm a bit, shaking off the last bits of poison and melted off flesh, skin and bones. Staring at her mangled skeleton arm, she hummed before inhaling sharply and holding her breath, concentrating.
Then an intact arm replaced her destroyed one. That was her entire body back. She snapped her fingers and wrapped herself in a coat to cover her naked body. Turning her head, she couldn't help but smirk a bit.
To think some random Evilus remnants managed to stumble upon this "treasure". To find a functioning core of the legendary Behemoth that wrecked havoc across the lands for so long in the history of Tenkai, and feed it to another monster, granting one of the Three Greats a rebirth. A rebirth that was perfected with her Grail. After all, a core was fine and all, but the soul would be fragmented, or even flat out gone at times. What she was witnessing now was a much better result than what she attempted with the Leviathan remnants, the bones that lacked the core. So she never blamed-
She flinched, glancing to her side, and remembering that it was empty. She ran her hand through her hair, the wind brushing against her as she stared at the beast she had helped create. Expanding his territory. Expanding his death, the veil of poison that would gently brush against all souls of the mortal realm and bring them down to hell itself. Recreating himself, to spread his cells across the world to ruin it. In the past, the Night Queen would be looking upon this result with glee. A true incarnation of destruction and annihilation to destroy the false hopes of the world.
Yet as she witnessed the roars of the beast, drowning itself with bloodlust…the Night Queen couldn't sense the same malice, the same glee at the manifestation of despair. Instead, all she felt was a memory of a past further beyond her darkest and most pure form.
Black Monsters. Calamities in the old age, of the Age of Heroes. There were more than the Three Greats after all. Each one painstakingly taken down with the sacrifices of generations, of thousands upon thousands of corpses to create miracles the gods refused to grant them. She would know, she partook in quite a few. She glanced down at her right hand, forming a fist with it.
She remembered the tired joy of taking down their prey. To prove that the mortals weren't done yet in this cruel and beautiful world. She remembered the several nights of celebrations, of grief.
Of freedom and life itself, dedicated to the ideals that Argonaut spread to the world.
The Night Queen shook her head with a tired smile, her fingernails digging into her flesh, her own immortality fighting against her self inflicted wounds.
How old she became. How much older would she become until the world was set right? How many setbacks would she suffer? Would this just be another one?
Common sense declared that no, she would win this time. The servants she had summoned were potent, yes. They were powerful, yes. But they were not Behemoth reborn, with abilities he didn't possess in his first life.
Orario had no heroes like Zeus or Hera, like Albert or Argonaut.
At the thought of Argonaut, another image overlapped with her beloved hero. It was the same face. But it was a different person. Oh, they could not be more different.
One brought her joy. The other brought her nothing but misery. One was someone she wholeheartedly supported, no matter how twisted and vile she became…the other was her enemy, an annoying pest she would have disliked even on her best days.
And yet, she was unable to look away, unable to not think about the brat that defeated her hero. She glanced at the horizon, towards the center of the world, the beginning that signaled her end as a hero and created a monster, a monster the gods made for their own amusement.
She exhaled slowly, and brushed her lips with her bloodied thumb. She did not care for the tower that sealed the dungeon. She did not care for any of the adventurers, no many times they managed to beat her, for she would outlast them either way.
She did not care for him either. Nevertheless…she couldn't help but consider him anyway.
"Let's see if you truly aren't a fluke…Cranel."
The Night Queen doubted she would lose this time. But if she did…outlast everyone she could…but maybe…just maybe…if he was worthy after all…
If he truly deserved to inherit the final words of Argonaut…
She looked away, to another horizon, and narrowed her eyes at the blinding, burning light that tainted the world, flickering and twisting since before even her own birth, yearning for the promised end and cleanse the lands. She cracked her neck and began to walk away from her own creation, dismissing the heretical thoughts she was having.
For she would win at the end of the day, no matter what. For she alone was worthy of the honor.