Author`s Note: I have been thinking for a long time about whether I should rewrite Change of Fates or not. But there is more than one thing that I thought about changing, or wished I had written or done differently in the past. Now I decided to do that.
About the major changes, the course of the story will mostly stay the same, but with changes here and there.
For the ships, I will write them so that its obvious with Mikoto, Chigusa, and Ouka from the start, in the original it was confusing.
About Bell´s lovers, I will go with my original concept of three. Haruhime, Tiona, and someone else will get hinted in this chapter already, but it will become obvious soon who is number three.
I didn´t take Lefiya out of the pairing because I don´t like her, I love Lefiya, she is one of my absolute favorites. But in this story, I will do something else with her and let her have a relationship with Bell that no one else has and he didn´t have with anyone else in my other stories. Yet both will become one of the most important people for each other, you will see.
Some will probably dislike or hate the changes, but so be it. I write what brings me the most joy and fun, and maybe some people will like this.
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Sometimes the world can be a cruel place, bad things can happen, and evil things may. War, murder, devastation...all these things and more happen sometimes. But sometimes some of these things happen for a greater good or out of good intentions.
Maybe creating havoc to make other people stronger...to defend themselves against an even greater danger.
Sometimes minor things can happen and don´t change the fate of a person at all, maybe the person used a different kind of boots on that day, and decided to eat something else for breakfast...it wouldn´t matter.
But sometimes...something as small as a simple question or a tiny piece of information could change the fate of many people...
What was meant to be cruel and devastating for one could be prevented, maybe others would suffer then...only time would show.
When the world was done with a single person, that had fulfilled its fate...would it be okay then to do something else? To live a more simple life?
Perhaps it is not directly the question that will change fate, but the tone or the choice of words in which it was asked. Maybe it's just the person asking...or the timing. Or maybe...simply because it was a second question after a first...causing a rupture in the armor of resolve...time would tell.
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It was in an abandoned church somewhere in Orario...where the question was asked. Three people were inside the church, two men and one woman, two mortals and one god.
A sturdy man in massive armor looked at the woman.
"Are you sure you didn´t have to go to see the boy?"
The other man in casual clothes looked a bit surprised.
"Wait. You had a child, Alfia? You absolutely don´t have the figure of a woman who´s given birth to a child."
"No. He´s talking about my sister´s child. He´s in the bloodline of Hera Familia...and at the same time, a descendant of Zeus."
"-Okay? So his father is a Zeus Familia member, huh?"
A few sentences followed and the two mortals explained to the god about the child and his parents.
Erebus smiled. "You two tell all about the power struggle between Zeus and Hera. So what happened to that child? Don´t tell me he´s with Hera, is he?"
Alfia gently shook her head. "No. My sister had him follow Zeus. He´s living somewhere in the mountains."
What she didn´t say, Alfia knew where Zeus went...the perverted, old god had told her...she didn´t know why.
"I see...in fact, Zard has a point. He´s your nephew, a child of your immediate family. Do you not miss him? You did love your sister after all, didn´t you?"
"I had nothing to say as death came near my sister. I didn´t challenge the perverted god so that I could take in her child either. I chose to delay the clock of apocalypse over my sister´s child. I do not deserve the right to take care of him."
Zard crossed his arms, out of consideration for Alfia, he and Erebus talked not very loudly.
"Alfia. I do not believe that blood ties are powerful. At the same time, I do not believe that you need the right to become a family. If there´s a little bit of love within your heart-"
"You´ve got it wrong, Zard. Talking about rights might beautify this whole thing, but it´s meaningless."
She smiled wryly. "I´m just not comfortable with the idea of being called Aunt. It makes me feel older.
Zard started to laugh.
"...Bwaahahahahahahaha! Right! I guess there´s nothing we can do then!"
Erebus chuckled. "How about "Aunty"?"
Zard only laughed louder, while Alfia showed Erebus "that" glare.
And then...came the question that would change the fate of so many people.
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"And what would you do if you survived what follows?"
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"What do you mean, Erebus?"
The god smiled. "Just saying, in case you survive, wouldn´t you like to go to him, when our job is done? Be the mommy or the aunty for the poor boy, who lost his parents so early, that he won´t even remember them? To tell him about his real mother? A young boy needs a mother figure."
"Don´t tempt me, Erebus."
"Erebus is right, Alfia. The boy can´t become a good man when the perverted god is the only one who raises him, he needs a mother figure! Ha! If that happens, you can use my savings in the guild to help that boy!"
Zard wasn´t the type to dote on children, but when he was dead, he had no need for money anyway.
"Except for these of course!"
The bulky man held up a leather pouch.
Erebus looked curious. "What´s in there?"
"Three coins, two for my eyes, one for the tongue. For the ferryman."
Blinking surprised at first, Erebus laughed.
"You want to offer Charon that much? You really do believe that? And that you go down to Hades?"
Zard grinned. "I´m a Zeus Familia member. And do you believe I´m going to heaven? I doubt it."
"Ah right, I forgot for a moment."
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This conversation...the question of Erebus...and the information from Zeus...would change fate. In one way. Would it even be possible to survive these events?
In case Alfia survived these events, maybe she would go and see the boy. It would surely change her fate.
But what...what if she was the one asking someone else a question? A question that would change more than just her fate.
This simple question after Zard made her think, would change the fate of many people.
Just one simple question.
"Zard."
"Yes?"
Both still haven´t decided if they would help Erebus and commit the greatest sin possible.
Alfia had been in thoughts for a while now, Erebus had stepped out of the church to give them time to think.
"Did you mean what you said, about "him"?"
"You mean your nephew? You bet I did."
"Don´t call him my nephew!"
He shook his head, sighing. "Calling him your nephew doesn´t let you sound old, Alfia."
"*sigh* Anyway...you meant that I should go and see Bell? Not fighting with you all?"
Zard shrugged his shoulders slightly, which let his armor clank. "You have someone to visit. Both of us don´t have much time left anyway. So I do this to give Orario a push forward."
Alfia looked to the entrance, Erebus was still outside, the god knew when he had to come inside again.
"Do you think it will work? Pushing them so hard forward? We are talking about Freya and Loki here, both are useless and worthless."
"There are Ganesha and Astrea too."
"Both are too weak to get much out of it, I could wipe out both familias on my own, without breaking a sweat."
Zard grinned slightly. "Well, some call us, especially you, a cheat to the world."
"Who did that?"
"My old man."
"Stupid Zeus..."
"I won´t argue with you on that."
Both went silent again.
"I can see that you´re troubled, Alfia."
"Even if I would decide to go and see Bell, I don´t know if I have the courage."
"Really? You of all people?"
"Don´t make fun of me, Zard."
"I would never, young lady."
Zard knew exactly how to talk to Alfia. But even for him, it was something new to see Alfia like this, so uneasy. For a few minutes, both didn´t say anything.
"Zard."
"Mh?"
"Would you...come with me?"
"Hm?"
She just looked at him, with her usual glare, slightly exhausted due to her illness.
"To see Bell."
"And stay there?"
She shook her head. "Just one look. From afar. That will be enough for me. After that, we can do what is necessary."
For a while Zard just looked at her, he had taken care of Alfia after their familias got kicked out of Orario. Well...what was left of the familias. Both were past the point of survivor´s guilt, it was why they had even listened to Erebus´ plan. With this plan, they could give themself a last purpose.
For Alfia that was because of Bell, if she could give Orario a push forward so that they could face the black dragon and Bell leading a quiet, peaceful life, she would be all in. She owed this to Meteria, for taking all of her strength in their mother´s womb.
For Zard it was a different topic, maybe it was pride or helping with an unfinished task.
He smirked. "To see the single heir of our familias once? The possible future? Hm."
Alfia frowned. "He doesn´t have to take up a sword. But in case he does..."
"He needs the new "heroes" to help him forward, right?"
"Yes..."
"Hm."
Steps came from the entrance, Erebus returned. He smiled his usual smile. "Did you two make a decision?"
"When do you want to start, Erebus?"
"Soon."
When Alfia looked at Zard, he nodded slowly.
"Erebus, we want to go and see Bell. One time."
"Only once? Are you sure you won´t stay there?"
"Seeing him from afar will be enough. I just want to be sure that Meteria´s son is in good hands."
"He is with Zeus..."
She rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."
"I surely do. You will go with her, Zard?"
"Alfia and I are stuck together for a long time now."
Erebus nodded slowly. "I understand and accept these conditions. However, the plan will continue even when you´re not here, I just have to be more cautious."
"You´re absolutely willing to do all this?"
Erebus smirked. "Hey, I´m an evil god, I do evil-god stuff. But honestly, I can´t let the world end, the dragon must be stopped. If that means for me to be the evil guy on the surface, so be it."
Zard nodded. "We will return and help you."
Alfia stood up. "We will return."
Erebus smiled. "I know."
No, you won´t.
As a god, Erebus understood someone like Alfia and Zard far better than they did themself at this point. Both spoke the truth, they intended to come back. But what would happen if they saw Bell? Would they then think the same? That was why Erebus spoke his words, they knew he would continue, and maybe it would make their decision easier.
"So, just in case things go down south while you´re away, I´m happy to have known two such interesting mortals, Alfia, Zard."
Alfia snorted slightly. "You gods, always so above us."
"Hey, I came down to the surface to have fun too. If the dragon wasn´t there, maybe I would´ve killed my time in trying to charm Astrea or you, Alfia."
"In your dreams, Erebus."
"Hey, I´m pretty handsome, and I bet Astrea secretly likes bad boys."
Alfia rolled her eyes again. "Is that all men can think about?"
"This and many other things."
"Anyway...we will go now, Erebus, keep your head down while we are away."
"I won´t promise anything."
The "evil" god watched how the two left the church. So far both didn´t commit any crimes against Orario, they were only banned by Freya and Loki. Erebus already guessed he would never see them again.
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When some things start to change, other things will change too. Alfia and Zard never returned to Orario, yet the dark times still happened, but with a different outcome.
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Zero distance-I can´t move!
The 18th Floor was a blazing inferno, Valetta´s clothes were tattered, as was her body...the Astrea Familia didn´t look any better.
Alise Lovell and Ryu Lyon combined their strength for one last attack.
"Alveria!"
"Luminous Wind!"
It was the strongest and most fearsome combination attack of the Familia of Justice. Valetta didn´t know how things could´ve gone this far out of control. The Astrea familia and especially that blond elf had hunted her like feral beasts! Pure hatred glew in Ryu´s eyes as she shot forward, holding Alf´s Lumina in her right hand, Ardee´s Sacred Oath in her left.
Under enormous pain, and probably only due to their combination and Alise´s skill, they made it through Valetta´s magical trap. She couldn´t back away anymore, Alise´s magic fire hit her, burned away most of her clothes, and scorched her skin, even her hair was on fire.
"Gwah...! Ngh...! CURSE YO-!"
Ryu used Alf´s Lumina to hit away Valetta´s weapon, then she rammed the Sacred Oath into Valetta´s chest and unleashed her wind magic. The effect was similar to a shark knife, the wind had nowhere to go, so it tore Valetta´s body apart. Like a charged explosion, her back burst, blood splattered everywhere, and her spine was visible.
Blood splattered from Valetta´s wound and her mouth...this wound was surely fatal. Yet they weren´t done with Valetta, she wasn´t dead yet.
And someone else would make sure she was dead.
Screaming like a rabid beast, Shakti charged at Valetta, not caring that Ryu already dealt a fatal blow. For once Shakti didn´t use her usual weapon, but a war scythe of the Ganesha familia formed like an elephant´s trunk at the top. Valetta couldn´t even scream anymore as Shakti unleashed her rage, hacked and sliced until Valetta wasn´t even recognizable anymore...
It was the first time in her life that Shakti went so out of control. But she would absolutely make sure that the person who scarred her little sister so badly and sent her into a coma would pay!
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Time continued in Orario, even with a big part of Evilus gone, the evil was still there.
And some things still happened, even when fates started to change. Yet it didn´t happen in the exact same way.
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The Dungeon cried.
This was not the cracking sound of a monster being spawned...this was something else.
Every adventurer present felt it...something was coming.
It was the final trap of the Rudra Familia, a last try to kill the Astrea Familia. They had used around one hundred inferno stones to kill them but it didn´t work...
A loud crack.
A deep, wide, long fissure ran down one of the massive crumbling walls...a strange purple liquid gushed out..
As if the opening were breathing, a scalding steam came out...and something writhed its way out...as if it were crawling free of a womb.
Ryuu´s eyes met the piercing gaze of...something...
In a second...a fierce slash cut through the air..
"-Huh?"
A life ended before one adventurer could react, not even the one herself.
A deep purple claw flashed a second and a girl´s body was cut into three parts.
Head and torso danced through the air...the legs didn´t follow.
"No-Noin?!-Uargh!" The human Ryana had just called out her friend´s name before her chest got pierced by a long razor-sharp claw from behind, no one saw the movement.
Thankfully her death was swift.
Two lives were lost.
That something whirled around with murderous speed...a third body was cleaved in half.
"Celty!"
Warm fluid splashed on Ryu´s face and long, pointy ear.
The noble blood of her friends, which should be flowing through their bodies...now clung to Ryuu´s body instead.
"Aah..."
It took a moment for her to realize what just happened...that she lost three dear friends in a few seconds...
Ryu´s face went white and her pupils became small.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
A wild rage filled her, Ryu flew towards the monster.
"Leon, no!"
Alize´s words didn´t reach her ears, as she brandished her sword against the monster.
Crimson eyes glittering in the dark...giant claws wet from the blood of her friends...a bony body, unlike anything she had ever seen..
Ryu Lyon screamed wordlessly as she struck down her wooden sword...it hit nothing but air.
"Huh?"
The beast kicked the ground and landed on the crumbling ceiling, it didn´t stop there, leap after leap it moved so fast, that Ryu´s brain couldn´t handle the situation.
Whatever it was, its speed was beyond everything they knew, no monster or adventurer they had ever seen was that fast, it completely disoriented Ryu.
It landed behind her, terror filled Ryu instead of fury...she had seen what that thing did to her friends. She managed to dodge the first claw attack, only to be struck by another incredible attack.
Like a third arm, the beast´s tail lashed down on Ryu, who had no chance to evade.
She was smashed to the side, her left arm broken. Ryu rolled a few meters across the floor. The beast´s club-like extension landed directly on Ryu, breaking several ribs and painting her lips red with her own blood.
"Buharg!"
Her mind became hazy and she saw lights flash before her eyes. She didn´t see the second claw coming.
"-Idiot!"
It was Kaguya who saved her, she rammed Ryu out of the way of the crushing claw...but it cost the far eastern girl something.
Kaguya´s right arm flew through the air, more blood rained onto Ryu´s face, as the crash sent both girls flying.
"Kaguya! Ryu!"
Alise screamed helplessly, as she saw Ryu and Kaguya rolling over the ground.
The dungeon had unleashed its mostly deadly offspring...a monster so strong and fast...it only existed for one reason and one reason alone.
The Apostle of Murder had come.
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The Juggernaut.
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And so, death lay aside the scythe and mounted the combine harvester, for slaughter was on.
Would fate recreate itself? Or would something change?
"ISKA!"
Maryuu didn´t see the monster move, she jumped out of instinct, pushing Iska down. A fierce slash happened, Maryuu´s back got cut open, blood spurted through the air, it was only barely shallow enough to rip her lunges and spine out.
Lyra tried to use her explosive against the monster, but just as she raised her right arm, it moved past her and stabbed. When it continued to move, one of Lyra´s eyes hung on the claw.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Lyra pressed her left hand on the hole where her left eye had been.
Not even Alise would stand a chance against this monster.
What saved them...some may call it luck...maybe fate...or the roll of a dice... or perhaps three damaged inferno stones in the ceiling exploded and sent tons of stone crushing down. The "thing" jumped out of the way to evade it. Dust and stones filled
the air, a rock hit Ryu´s leg and broke it with a moist crack.
A new wall separated them from the thing, and they heard screams from the other side...it was captured with the Rudra Familia...and it was still harvest season.
"Get them! RUN! JUST RUN!"
The remaining members of the Astrea Familia rushed over to the wounded, one picked up Ryana...the other dead members just lay in too many places at once...as much as it hurt them...the only things they could take with them from Noin and Celty...were their heads.
"Run!"
As fast as they could the Astrea Familia ran for their lives. Three of them were dead, four heavily wounded, all they could think of now was to run. While they rushed through the tunnels, Alise took potions out of her bag and splashed them onto Kaguya´s shoulder...her arm was cut off right beneath her shoulder. Ryu screamed from the pain of losing her friends and every time
her broken bones moved, never before had she been in a worse state.
Iska carried with tears in her eyes her badly wounded "big sister". Neze helped Lyra.
One may call it luck, but due to the massive damage on the floor, no new monsters spawned before them, the few they came across were struck down by Alise and Neze.
Normally they would take a rest at the stairway to the next floor...but they were filled with such terror and fear, that they just kept running. Tears ran down the cheeks of those that carried the
dead.
It broke their hearts to not avenge their friends, but the number one rule of the dungeon was, if you encounter something irregular and unknown...run...survive...flee...fight another day.
Floor after floor they ran...until they reached the safe point of the 18th floor...they ran until they reached a glade in the forest...they just had to stop now.
Exhausted they broke down to their knees, still shaking from the terror. Immediately they helped Kaguya, Lyra, Maryuu, and Ryu as much as they could.
Thankfully Kaguyas bleeding had stopped...but she had lost consciousness.
"Uuuuh...*hic*"
It started...they had escaped imminent danger ... certain death...now they began to understand what had just happened. Tears ran down their cheeks when they looked at their dead friend.
Ryu clutched her sword "Alf´s Lumina" with her good hand...she stared at Kaguya...her shoulder...she had sacrificed her arm to save Ryuu.
"""Waaaah!"""
The surviving members of the Astrea Familia cried over their dead friends.
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On the other side of the wall, the Juggernaut´s gleaming eyes went to the Rudra familia. A certain beast tamer was the first to lose his head, arms, legs, and lower body. Then the Juggernaut went all out and did what it was born for.
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Hours later...
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The Astrea Familia wrapped the dead in cloaks, they were filled with deep sorrow when they reached the exit to Babel. It wasn´t an unfamiliar scene the people at Babel saw...often enough adventurers
returned like they did know, especially in these dark times.
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The Astrea Familia went over to the already-filled hospital, they needed a real healer. Ryu was carried by Neze, and Iska the amazoness had Kaguya on her back. What happened to them was a huge tragedy...
or maybe luck that nothing worse happened?
On that day the Rudra Familia got wiped out by the Juggernaut.
When the goddess Astrea got the message, she rushed to the hospital to see her beloved children...three had found death in only a few seconds, one had lost an arm, one an eye, and another nearly a leg...but it could have easily become worse.
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Weeks later.
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Knock...knock...knock.
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Far away from Orario, a eight-year-old boy looked up as he heard faint knocking from the door of his grandfather´s house.
"Grandpa!"
"Yes?"
"Someone´s knocking."
"I´m coming."
"You said I shouldn´t just open the door."
"And you did good."
The old man didn´t need long to walk through the living room. The small boy followed his grandfather curiously.
With a slight creak, the door opened. The young boy didn´t see the person due to the legs of his grandfather, only a black travel coat.
"You."
White hair moved slightly as the boy looked up to the back of his grandfather, his tone sounded strange.
"Yes."
"Hey there, old man."
"Why are you here?"
"I...I..."
"Lost your voice?"
"No...I´m sorry...I...shouldn´t have come..."
"Did you come to take him away?"
"No..."
"Then why did you come?"
"I...for him...for my...I don´t know...my sister...I..."
The soft voice of a woman let the boy move closer to his grandfather´s legs, the voice sounded somewhat familiar. He noticed another person standing behind the woman, but this one remained mostly quiet.
"You didn´t say anything, back then."
"I didn´t."
"Then why?"
"Old man.*Hic*..I..."
The boy couldn´t fight his curiosity anymore, he moved around his grandfather´s legs to look at the visitor.
"Grandpa, who is th-"
He stopped, looking up at a woman, who was indeed clad in a dark travel coat. She had her hood pulled back, revealing ash-colored hair, her left eye was grey, her right green. Again...she seemed somewhat familiar to the boy.
And she was crying.
The man behind her was truly a mountain, since he stood in the darkness, Bell couldn´t really see him.
Immediately, all three adults looked at the boy. His grandfather gently put his hand on the boy´s head.
"This is your..."
The lower lip of the woman trembled heavily and she sobbed stronger.
"Bell."
"Huh?
His grandfather continued. "Your aunt."
Bell Cranel looked up perplexed. "My...aunt?"
"Bell!"
He was more surprised, the woman dropped down to her knees in front of him, suddenly hugging him gently and crying heavily.
"Bell, I´m so sorry! For everything!"
For the first time in a long while, Alfia raised her voice to more than a faint mumble.
The young boy was confused when the crying woman hugged him, he looked up to his grandfather.
"Grandfather...did I make her cry?"
"No, Bell...she is just happy to see you."
The old man smiled.
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"*Hic* *Sob* *Sniff*"
Alfia sat in the living room, a cup of tea in front of her. She had stopped crying, seeing Bell broke the dam inside her...while she thought that her first decision was the right one...another part of her hurt very much. She and Zard had arrived around noon and looked at the house and small farm from afar. But seeing Bell running around...it sealed Alfia´s fate and decision, she wasn´t able to go away.
"Aunt Alfia...are you okay?"
Bell sat next to Alfia, looking up at her, he was worried because she had cried so much. But she wasn´t the only one, Bell had small tears in his eyes on his own...while he didn´t remember his mother much...Alfia looked similar to her.
Zard stood behind the couch, he was worried it might break due to the weight of his armor. Taking such a massive armor off always took a while and he would need help from Alfia during their travel. So he had to think whether to take it off or put it on again.
"Yes...Bell...I´m sorry for worrying you."
"You are really pretty...I like your hair."
"Eh?"
Alfia blinked a bit, behind her, Zard blew more air through his nose.
Bell looked to the other side of the table, where his grandfather sat.
"Grandfather said I should praise and cheer a girl up when she is crying...was that wrong?"
"I-"
The old man grinned. "That was perfect, Bell."
When she saw Bell´s pure smile, Alfia swallowed...he really was cute.
"Thank you, Bell. I feel better now."
"Ehehe."
The old man crossed his arms. "What do you plan to do, now that you two came here?"
Alfia looked uneasy. "I...ahm..."
Zard looked at Alfia, he would wait for her to say it.
"Will you stay here?!"
The three adults turned their faces to Bell when he yelled out his excited question. His expression was...precious. He looked so happy, so hopeful...there was no way that his grandfather could refuse his wish.
But Alfia looked also a bit troubled...she really didn´t thought what she would do, once she came here.
"Grandfather! We can let them stay here, right?! We have room for a girl! And him too, I´m sure! I can sleep on the couch!"
"But your bed is too small, Bell."
"Geh!...But we can´t let a girl sleep on the couch. And where...I mean..."
Zard winked. "I´m fine with the carpet."
Is he already deciding that I move in?
Now his grandfather grinned.
"My bed is big enough for tw-!"
He stopped when he felt an icy chill running down his spine and noticed a murderous glare in the corner of Alfia´s eyes...but only for a moment.
"I...We...don´t want to be a burden."
Bell looked at her excitedly. "You won´t be!"
"I...don´t know..."
"Please!"
It pained her heart to see Bell´s expression...her own heart threatened her to never make this boy sad.
Zeus nodded. "We do have enough room when we build two additional to the house."
"You would do that, grandfather?!"
"Of course...when they decide to stay here. And my boy here will surely help."
Zard just shrugged his shoulders, smiling slightly.
"!"
Alfia didn´t need to look in Bell´s direction to feel his intense stare from him. It was more than excitement...there was a very faint shine of fear and sadness in his eyes...this boy longed for his mother...or...a mother figure...
"If you two...are okay...with having me...us.."
Zard smiled. "Looks like we will stay here."
So the household of grandfather and grandson turned into a four-person household.
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And so...the course of the world started to change...