Two Week Recap:
During the past two weeks, Bell had an unexpected encounter with Ais Wallenstein at the Guild. Embarrassed to see his crush and the person who saved him, he initially tried to flee, but Ais quickly stopped him. They ended up talking about his progress in the Dungeon, which led to her curiosity about where he learned to fight. Bell explained that most of his training came from his grandfather and his twin brother, Leo. Intrigued, Ais challenged Bell to a sparring session. Despite his best efforts, Bell lost quickly, but Ais offered to continue sparring with him until her Loki Familia left for their next Dungeon expedition.
Meanwhile, Leo, not wanting to intrude on Bell's time with Ais, went on several solo Dungeon runs. He also spent time studying future floors with Eina, learning about the monsters and traps that awaited them deeper in the Dungeon.
A day after the two weeks, Bell and Leo passed the Guild bulletin board and saw a notice that Ais had single-handedly defeated the floor boss on the 35th floor. Bell was stunned, staring at the paper with wide eyes. Her words from their sparring session—"How did you get strong so fast?"—echoed in his mind. Gritting his teeth, Bell clenched his fist, frustrated by his perceived lack of progress. "It's not fast, and I'm not strong at all..."
Two young men walk along the street of Orario, one lost in thought with a defeated air hung over him while the other worriedly glanced at his brother.
"Don't get so hung up on it little brother. We're making good progress." Leo said trying to cheer him up. Bell didn't respond and kept his eyes on the ground, Leo sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Bell suddenly stopped and clenched his hand into a tight fist, as he was about to open his mouth a feminine voice calls out for them.
"Bell! Leo!"
The brother's turn to see a familiar looking hostess running towards them before she engulfs Bell's arm. The young man was quickly snapped out of his depressing thoughts with a red face.
"S-Syr?" He stutters out, Leo let out a sigh and smirked, finally something had snapped Bell out of his funk.
"I really wanted to find you." She says looking up at Bell with her own blush, this made Bell's face even more red. Leo chuckled and gave his brother a knowing look to which Bell shot him a slight glare.
"So, what'd you need us for?" Leo asked curiously. Syr glanced at him with a smile still on her face.
"Well..." She started but stopped, the two brothers shared a curious glance. It seemed like they teleported and are now faced with a mountain of dirty dishes.
"Washing dishes?!" Bell exclaimed in a disheartened tone, Leo chuckled and threw an arm over around his neck.
"Come on, it's not that bad, Bell. We'll power through this like always." Leo said trying to cheer him up, but Bell gave him a defeated look.
One thing Leo has known is that Bell hates doing dishes, ever since they were little; dishes was the one chore that he despised with a passion.
"Sorry. I skipped out on-I mean, took a break from some work that was piling up, and Mama Mia got mad at me. And as a punishment..." Syr said with an embarrassed blush.
"We've got nothing to do with this at all!" Bell exclaimed not happy about being dragged into the one chore he hates. Syr smiles sweetly at the two while holding a tray full of drinks for some of the customers out in the tavern.
"Sorry, Bell, Leo. Thanks so much!" She said before turning and speed walking back into the tavern. Bell sighed giving in, Leo patted Bell on the back and lightly pushed him towards the door.
"Go on, go clear your head. I'll take care of this." Leo said with a small smile, Bell looks at him surprised.
"Huh? Wait, Leo... I can help, really."
Leo chuckled and ruffled Bell's hair before rolling up his sleeves.
"Come on, little brother. You and I both know you hate doing dishes. Go on, a walk around town could do you some good." Leo said as he got to work. Bell gave a uncertain look towards his brother as he slowly walked towards the door.
"Are you sure?" He asked, Leo glanced over his shoulder and gave him a large smile.
"Bell, it's fine. Really. Now, go out and clear your head."
The young man gave stared at him briefly before nodding and walking out leaving Leo all alone with the mountain of dishes.
Leo quickly begins washing and drying dishes with his mind drifting off, his mind thinks back to the new skill he just unlocked not too long ago.
'Blood Fury of Nenmea... how did I get it? I'm still level one just like Bell. Is it cause we keep growing at an extreme rate? Or was it luck? A gift from the God's?'
His mind races as he slowly completes his task, he fails to notice the presence beside him also helping him wash the dirty dishes. A few minutes go by before he finally snaps out of his thoughts to see Ryuu standing beside him.
"A truly formidable task lies before you. I'll help." She says, Leo glances at her curiously.
"Ryuu? When'd you get here?" He asked, the elven woman lets a small smile grace her face.
"A few minutes ago, I didn't want to startle you so I kept quiet."
Leo hums as they continue the silent task of washing and drying. Leo would soak a dish in soap before rinsing it off in water before handing it off to Ryuu who would dry it. They got into a steady rhythm for a while before Leo broke the comfortable silence.
"Ryuu, you said you were an adventurer; right?" He asked, the elven woman glanced at him and nodded.
"Yes, in the past. Why?"
"What does one have to do to level up? Do we just defeat a lot of monsters?"
"No, that's not enough. You need to do something big. In practice, you must defeat a powerful opponent." Ryuu explains, Leo glanced at her surprised.
"A powerful opponent, huh? Am I strong enough to do that as I am?" Leo questioned quietly; Ryuu heard and glanced at him before speaking.
"With skills and strategy, you can. They make it possible. But sometimes that alone isn't enough, normally, you would form a party. If you really want to be strong, you and Mr. Cranel will eventually need to join one. Even when you couldn't win on your own, members of a party can compensate for each other's weaknesses, and defeat powerful opponents together. In other words, Leo, if you want to go up a level, you need to go on an adventure." Ryuu explained, Leo listened intently absorbing all the information she laid out before him, he knows he and Bell will need more people to explore deeper parts of the dungeon, but deep down; he wants to use his and Bell's strength only.
"It's unfortunate, I was hoping that me and Bell could keep exploring, just us. But, at the same time; I want Bell to grow strong." Leo said with a sad smile on his face, Ryuu picking up in his change of mood tilts her head curiously.
"Is something wrong, Leo?" She asks, the young man sets down the last dish for her to dry and gives her a large smile.
"It's nothing important, just me being stupid." He says.
Ryuu stares at him as she dry's the last dish, she's pretty good at reading people's body language. Deep in Leo's eyes, the young man looks hurt about something, she goes to open her mouth and ask when the door opened revealing Mamma Mia. The large dwarven woman was lugging in a couple crates of produce before her eyes fall on Leo. A large smile graces her face seeing one of her favorite customers but she would never tell him that.
"Oi, kid. You stopping by tonight with your brother?" She asks as she sets the large crates down in the corner. Leo chuckles and nods his head.
"Of course. I'm excided to try tonight's special, any hint on what it'll be?" He asks while fixing his sleeves back to normal. The woman shakes her head with a grin.
"Nope. You'll have to order it and find out. Also, make sure to order a lot; your brother is still too skinny."
"Of course, Mamma. I better go find Bell, we'll drop by later tonight. See you later, Ryuu." Leo says giving the two a wave before leaving through the door.
"Our preparations are complete. A greedy adventurer opened the box, and revealed it ahead of schedule, though." Said Ottaral.
The guard of Freya stood behind his Goddess with a hardened gaze as he looked out the large window that looked over all of Orario. Freya the Goddess of beauty saw his reflection in her glass of wine, a small smile appeared on her face hearing the news.
"I see." She said, she lightly swirled her wine in her hand before taking a sip. "It's time for that child to show me an adventure. I wonder, how his soul and brother's will shine..." She finished as her smile widened.
The air was thick and heavy as Leo, Bell, and Lili descended deeper into the middle floors of the Dungeon. The flickering blue light from the Dungeon walls bathed the passageway in a cold, eerie glow, casting long shadows that danced with every step they took. The ground beneath their feet rumbled occasionally, a constant reminder that the Dungeon was alive, always shifting, always watching.
They had been making good progress. Leo walked at the front, eyes sharp, always scanning for danger. Bell followed close behind, his crimson eyes flickering with caution but his mind is else where still hung up on the fact Ais destroyed a floor boss by herself. Lili stayed at the rear, her crossbow ready in case of any surprise attacks from behind.
Bell suddenly stopped getting his brother and Lili's attention.
"Is something wrong, Bell?" Lili asked. Leo turned to see Bell looking all around them with a confused expression on his face.
"Do you sense anything, Lili? Leo? Like somebody watching us?" He asks unnerved. Leo remained silent as he peered around their surroundings, the young man put a hand around his ear but hears nothing but a ominous silence.
"I couldn't say. But there does seem to be something off about this floor." Lili said as she looked around. The blue gems that light the path, illuminate the area around them to reveal nothing but an empty cave.
"I don't like this... we've barely run into any monsters." Said Leo as his body subconsciously tensed, a sudden chill sent a wave of dread through his body as he thinks back to the day he and Bell ran into the Minotaur.
"Let's go, we gotta get off this floor, quickly." Leo said on edge as he stepped forwards, Bell swallowed a lump that formed in his throat.
"Uh, okay." Lili said as she followed suit, Bell lagged behind as his body started to tremble. The group only took a few steps when they heard it, a monstrous roar reverberated around them putting the two brothers on guard.
"Leo, did you hear that?" Bell asked, his voice tense, his eyes wide with fear.
Leo raised his hand, signaling for silence. His sharp gaze scanned the corridor ahead, listening.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The unmistakable sound of heavy, pounding footsteps echoed down the tunnel.
"Something's coming…" Leo muttered, his voice low. He stepped forward, placing himself protectively in front of Bell and Lili.
The footsteps grew louder, the ground beneath them vibrating with each thundering step. Bell's heartbeat quickened, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He recognized that sound.
It couldn't be…
Suddenly, from the darkness ahead, a massive shape emerged—a hulking figure, towering above them. Its huge, muscular body was covered in thick, matted fur, and in its hand, it held a massive, blood-stained axe.
A Minotaur.
Bell's eyes went wide with terror, his body freezing on the spot as memories surged to the surface. The last time they'd encountered one of these monsters, it had nearly killed him. The same overwhelming fear that had gripped him back then coiled around his heart like a vice.
The Minotaur's red eyes locked onto them, and with a bone-shaking roar, it charged.
Bell couldn't move.
"B-Bell, move!" Lili shouted, panic in her voice as she aimed her arm crossbow, but her voice barely registered in Bell's mind. His legs felt like they were glued to the ground, his breathing quick and shallow.
The Minotaur's thundering footsteps filled the air as it barreled toward them, its axe raised high, ready to cleave through anything in its path.
Bell's body refused to respond. All he could see was the monster's massive form, its red eyes filled with rage, the same crushing fear from their first encounter overwhelming him.
"BELL!" Leo's shout snapped through the air, pulling Bell from the fog of terror just in time to see his brother sprint toward him.
Leo didn't hesitate.
With a burst of speed, he threw himself between Bell and the charging Minotaur, shoving Bell and Lili out of the way with all his strength.
"Get back!"
The Minotaur's axe swung down with terrifying force, but Leo wasn't fast enough to fully evade it. The blade smashed into him, crashing against his side with a sickening thud. The impact sent him flying backward, his body slamming into the stone wall with bone-rattling force.
"LEO!" Bell screamed, his voice breaking as he watched his brother crumple to the ground, blood staining the side of his armor and leaking down the side of his face. Leo's face twisted in pain, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he struggled to push himself up.
The Minotaur roared again, its massive footsteps pounding the ground as it advanced, its bloodthirsty gaze fixed on its next target—Bell.
But Leo wasn't done yet.
His body screamed in pain, his muscles burning from the force of the blow, but he grit his teeth and forced himself to stand. His fists crackled with blue lightning as he staggered back onto his feet, placing himself between the Minotaur and his brother.
"Stay… away… from them…" Leo growled, his voice thick with rage despite the pain surging through his body.
Bell's heart hammered in his chest, fear still gripping him, but now something else clawed its way through the terror—guilt.
Leo was hurt because of him.
Leo, who had always protected him. Who had always stood in front of him, shielding him from danger. Even now, with blood dripping from his side and his body battered, Leo was still standing, still protecting him.
I have to move… I have to help… Bell thought, panic and guilt warring inside him. But his legs felt heavy, his fear still gnawing at him, holding him back.
The Minotaur charged again, its axe swinging down toward Leo, ready to finish him off.
"No…" Bell whispered, his heart racing. "No, I won't let this happen again…"
Leo gritted his teeth, preparing to intercept the blow, but his body was slower now, his vision hazy from the pain.
The Minotaur's axe descended.
Bell's legs finally moved.
With a desperate shout, Bell sprinted forward, his dagger drawn, throwing himself into the path of the Minotaur's attack. He wasn't fast enough to block it, but he was fast enough to push Leo out of the way just as the axe came crashing down again.
The two brothers fell to the ground in a heap, the Minotaur's attack narrowly missing them both as its blade buried itself into the stone floor where they had stood moments before.
Leo's vision blurred, the pain threatening to overwhelm him, but he could feel Bell's arms around him, pulling him to safety.
"Leo… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" Bell's voice trembled, panic and guilt thick in every word as he dragged his brother away from the advancing Minotaur. "I froze… I—"
Leo groaned, his breath shallow as he looked up at his brother, forcing a pained smile. "You're alright… that's what matters…"
Bell shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. "No… you… you got hurt because of me…"
The Minotaur roared again, its fury shaking the air as it prepared to charge once more, but this time, Bell's fear was being drowned out by something else—his need to protect Leo.
Leo coughed, struggling to rise, blood dripping from his side. He reached out, gripping Bell's shoulder, his eyes hard despite the pain. "We're not done yet, Bell… You can do this."
Bell's heart pounded in his chest, his breath shallow, but Leo's words cut through the fog of fear, steadying him. He stood, fists clenched, his mind sharp.
Together, they could win this.
The Minotaur's earth-shattering roars echoed through the middle floors of the Dungeon, shaking the stone beneath their feet. Blood dripped from Leo's side, staining the ground, but his fists crackled with energy, ready for the next strike. Bell stood at his side, panting heavily, his dagger trembling in his hand as sweat dripped down his face.
The beast towered before them, its black hide glistening with sweat and blood. It pounded its chest, snarling, its crimson eyes burning with fury.
We do this together, Bell," Leo panted, his body aching from the earlier blow. "No holding back."
Bell's heart pounded in his chest, fear gnawing at him, but the sight of Leo's battered form standing tall, unyielding, gave him the courage he needed. "Right."
With an earth-shattering roar, the Minotaur charged, its massive axe raised high, the ground trembling under its weight. Bell and Leo moved instinctively, dodging to opposite sides as the blade came crashing down with explosive force, sending chunks of stone flying in all directions.
Bell was the first to strike, darting forward with swift precision, his dagger slashing at the Minotaur's leg. His blade cut deep, but the monster barely flinched, its body trembling with barely-contained power. The Minotaur's eyes burned with rage as it swung its massive fist toward Bell, faster than before.
Before Bell could react, Leo was there. He slammed his shoulder into Bell's side, knocking him out of the way just as the Minotaur's fist came down with terrifying force, grazing Bell's arm.
"Stay focused!" Leo growled through clenched teeth. His body screamed in pain, his side throbbing, but he forced himself to move. He couldn't afford to stop.
The Minotaur's red eyes flicked between the two brothers, a low snarl rumbling from deep within its chest. It moved with unsettling intelligence, each step deliberate, its muscles rippling with power.
Suddenly, the beast's body began to change.
Its black hide pulsed, glowing faintly as the muscles beneath it bulged unnaturally. The fur darkened, shifting to a deep, sinister crimson. The air around it seemed to thicken as its transformation took hold, the blood-red hue gleaming under the flickering light of the Dungeon.
"What the hell…?" Leo muttered, his eyes widening as the Minotaur's body finished its grotesque evolution.
Bell's face paled. "It's… getting stronger…"
The Minotaur let out a guttural roar, its body now pulsating with raw, unbridled power. In an instant, it lunged forward—faster than before, its massive form blurring as it charged at the brothers.
Bell barely had time to react as the Minotaur's fist slammed toward him, faster and deadlier than before. He threw himself to the side, the wind from the creature's blow grazing him as he skidded across the stone floor.
Leo wasn't so lucky.
The Minotaur's fist caught him in the side, and the force of the blow sent him crashing into the stone wall with a sickening thud. The wall cracked under the impact, blood splattering across the floor as Leo collapsed in a heap.
"Leo!" Bell shouted, panic and guilt flooding his chest as he scrambled to his feet.
Leo coughed, spitting blood onto the ground. His body trembled, the pain radiating from his side overwhelming, but he forced himself to stand, gripping the jagged remains of his armor. The metal was mangled, torn apart by the Minotaur's earlier blows, barely hanging on.
With a grunt of frustration, Leo ripped the tattered armor off, the ruined pieces falling to the ground with a metallic clatter. His chest heaved, the blood-soaked remnants of his tunic barely covering the discolored, swollen flesh of his injured side. His skin was a mixture of dark purple bruising and red cuts, the injury far worse than it had looked before.
Bell's breath caught in his throat. "Leo… you—"
"I'm fine," Leo snapped, though his voice betrayed the pain he was in. He clenched his fists, the crackling blue lightning dancing across his knuckles. "I'm not done yet."
The Minotaur, its crimson body gleaming with power, let out another roar, stalking toward them with renewed fury.
Leo stood tall, his muscles bulging, his fists still sparking with electricity despite the injury. He shot Bell a determined look, his face pale but resolute. "We're taking this thing down. You hear me? No one's saving us this time. We do this."
Bell swallowed hard, his heart racing as he nodded. "Together."
The Minotaur charged again, its speed and power even greater than before, but this time, Bell and Leo were ready.
Bell darted forward, faster than before, his strikes more precise as he slashed at the beast's legs, trying to slow it down. His heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he dodged the creature's wild swings. Every movement felt like it was pushing his body to the limit, but he couldn't stop. He wouldn't stop.
Leo followed, landing heavy blows to the Minotaur's side, each punch sending a crackling shockwave of energy through the beast's body. Blood trickled from his side, but he didn't let it slow him down. Every hit was a statement—to Bell, to himself, to the monster that threatened his brother.
The Minotaur, now faster and more vicious, swung its axe with savage precision, aiming to trap them with each blow. Bell barely dodged one swing, his dagger flashing as he cut deep into the creature's tendon. It stumbled, roaring in fury, its red hide glistening with sweat and blood.
Leo gritted his teeth, ignoring the searing pain in his side as he launched himself at the beast again. His fists blazed with lightning as he slammed them into the Minotaur's ribs, the impact shaking the ground beneath them. The Minotaur roared in pain, but it wasn't enough.
Lili's voice rang out from the edge of the battlefield.
"Bell! Leo! I brought help!"
Bell and Leo both turned as the forms of the Loki Familia appeared, emerging from the dark tunnels. Ais Wallenstein stood at the front, her sword drawn, her expression serious. Riveria, Tiona, Tione, Bete, and Finn stood behind her, watching the battle unfold with sharp eyes.
Ais moved forward, her hand tightening on her sword. "I'll—"
"NO!" Bell's shout rang out, his voice raw and desperate. Ais froze, her hand hovering over the hilt of her sword.
Leo, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, his side a mess of blood and bruises, stood tall beside Bell. His eyes burned with fierce determination, even through the pain. "We don't need you to save us again," Leo growled, his voice low but filled with defiance. "Not this time."
The Loki Familia watched in stunned silence as the brothers turned back toward the Minotaur, determination burning in their eyes.
The Minotaur, its crimson hide gleaming with rage, let out a final, guttural roar as it prepared for one last charge.
But this time, Bell and Leo were ready.
With a burst of speed, Bell darted forward, his dagger flashing as he slashed at the Minotaur's leg, cutting deep into its tendon. The beast roared in pain, staggering as its balance faltered.
Leo seized the opportunity.
With a fierce shout, he charged, his fists blazing with blue lightning as he brought them crashing down into the Minotaur's chest. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, cracks forming in the stone beneath them.
The Minotaur staggered, its body trembling, but it wasn't enough.
Bell, his breath coming in ragged gasps, pushed himself forward again. With all his strength, he leaped onto the beast's back, driving his dagger into its side with a desperate shout.
The Minotaur let out a growl as it grabbed Leo and started to squeeze him, the sound of his bones cracking reverberate around the room. The large beasts body was trembling, but it wasn't enough.
Bell, his breath coming in ragged gasps, pushed himself forward again. With all his strength, he leaped onto the beast's back, driving his dagger into its side with a desperate shout.
"FIREBOLT!" He shouted as he fired off his spell point=blank, the fire entered the large cut he had made sending a wave of flames through the Minotaur's body. It's blood began to heat up as it leaked out of the open wounds, but it still kept an iron like grip on Leo.
"FIREBOLT!" Bell shouted again firing off another point-blank spell, vibrant flames exploded out of the Minotaur as it howled in pain, then it was heard again.
"FIREBOLT!"
The large beast let out one last howl before its body exploded into dust, dropping its magic stone and its horn.
Once the dust disappeared, it revealed Bell standing with him staring at the ceiling unmoving. Leo on the other hand, stumbled forwards with a pained smile and gently ruffled Bell's hair.
"You... did it, Bell... I'm proud of... y-you..." He wheezed out, his breathing ragged as he fell forwards landing face first on the stone floor.
For a moment, the cavern was silent, the Loki Familia completely stunned seeing the two rookie adventurers take down a Minotaur. Lili reacted quickly and ran towards her two heroes with a worried expression.
The world around Leo was a blur of shadows and fading light. He felt weightless, floating in an endless sea of darkness. His body was numb, the pain from his injuries nothing more than a distant echo now. He drifted, the ground beneath him unseen, his mind spinning in a haze of exhaustion and confusion.
For a moment, there was nothing. Just silence.
But then, faintly, Leo began to hear something—a low, rhythmic sound. A heartbeat. Steady. Powerful. It pulsed through the darkness, growing louder with every beat, until the sound surrounded him, filling the void.
Where… am I?
The darkness began to shift, swirling around him like smoke. Slowly, the haze parted, and Leo found himself standing in a vast, open field beneath a stormy sky. The ground beneath his feet was covered in golden grass, swaying gently in the wind. In the distance, jagged mountains rose against the horizon, their peaks shrouded in thick clouds. The sky above was a deep, brooding gray, flickers of lightning dancing between the clouds.
Leo blinked, his body still heavy with fatigue, but his mind suddenly sharp. He looked down at himself. His body was whole—uninjured. The bruises, the blood, all gone. But something was off. There was a weight in the air, a presence he couldn't quite place.
And then he saw it.
Across the field, standing tall and regal, was a figure. It was massive—easily towering over anything Leo had ever seen. Its golden mane flowed like fire in the wind, its muscular body powerful and graceful all at once. Its fur was a deep bronze, gleaming like metal in the dim light, and its eyes… its eyes were deep pools of amber, ancient and wise.
It was the Nemean Lion.
For a moment, Leo froze. The stories he'd heard, the tales whispered by adventurers and chronicled in legend, flashed through his mind. The Nemean Lion—a beast of unimaginable power, bloodthirsty, unstoppable, a force of destruction. It had been said that even the gods feared it. A monster, nothing more.
Yet, as Leo stood there, staring at the creature, he didn't feel fear.
The Lion's gaze was calm, almost gentle, as it watched him. There was no malice in those amber eyes. No rage. Just… understanding.
This can't be real.
Leo's breath caught in his throat as the Lion began to move, its massive paws silent as they touched the ground, its powerful frame approaching with measured steps. The ground beneath it didn't shake, the air didn't tremble. It was… peaceful. Controlled.
When the Lion stopped just a few feet away, Leo could feel the sheer presence of the creature, its power like a warm, protective force wrapping around him. And yet, it didn't suffocate him. It didn't overwhelm.
The Lion lowered its head slightly, meeting Leo's eyes. For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then, the Lion spoke—not with words, but with a voice that seemed to echo inside Leo's mind. Deep, calm, and ancient, like the earth itself.
"You have come."
Leo's breath hitched. He took a step back, his body still tense from the battle, his mind racing.
"You… you're the Nemean Lion," Leo stammered, his voice cracking. "I don't understand… Am I dead?"
The Lion's gaze softened, and a low, rumbling chuckle echoed through the air, though it wasn't mocking. It was warm, almost fatherly.
"No, Leo. You are not dead. You are merely resting—your body needs it. You have fought well."
Leo blinked, his heart still racing. "But… the stories. The legends. They said you were—"
"A beast of destruction? A mindless creature of rage and fury?" The Lion's voice rumbled, tinged with a hint of sadness. It lifted its head, looking out over the field, as though remembering something from long ago. "Yes. That is what they say. That I was a monster, a creature born only to kill and destroy. But that is not the truth."
Leo frowned, confusion swirling in his mind. "Then… what's the truth?"
The Lion's amber eyes flicked back to him, warm and wise. "I was never a destroyer, Leo. I was a protector. I fought not out of bloodlust, but to shield those I loved. My strength, my rage—it was a tool, a weapon to defend, never to harm for the sake of harming."
Leo's breath caught in his throat. He remembered the stories, the ones told by adventurers and scholars—about how the Nemean Lion had terrorized the land, how even Hercules, a god in his own right, had been sent to slay it. But here, standing in front of the Lion, he could feel none of that malice. None of that mindless violence.
"You… protected people?"
"Yes," the Lion rumbled, lowering its massive head closer to Leo's level. "But my tale, like many others, was twisted by fear. Those who did not understand me spread stories, tales of terror to make sense of the power they could not control. And when I fell to Hercules, they called it justice. But it was not."
Leo's mind spun. This wasn't the monster he had expected. This was something else—something far deeper, far more complex.
The Lion's voice softened. "The power you carry, Leo, is not a curse. It is not something to fear. It is a gift. My strength is yours, not to destroy, but to protect. To defend those you hold dear, just as I once did."
Leo's hands trembled as he stared up at the Lion. His mind flashed back to the battle, to the moment he had thrown himself in front of Bell to protect him, even when his own body was falling apart. He thought of the times he had shielded his brother from harm, the lengths he had gone to keep him safe.
"You're not just a monster…" Leo whispered, his voice breaking. "You're like me."
The Lion let out a soft breath, and for the first time, Leo noticed the faint scars etched into its fur. Marks of battles long fought, of wounds suffered in the name of protecting those it loved.
"Yes," the Lion said, its voice rich with understanding. "You and I are not so different, Leo. We both carry the weight of protecting others, and that is not an easy burden. But it is one we bear because we must."
The wind swept across the field, carrying with it the scent of rain. Leo felt his heart clench as the truth of the Lion's words sank in. He wasn't alone in his fight to protect Bell, to push him to grow stronger. The strength he carried—the rage, the power—it wasn't mindless. It wasn't born from hatred.
It was born from love. From a desire to protect.
"Why… why me?" Leo asked, his voice barely a whisper.
The Lion's amber eyes shone with a fierce light. "Because, Leo, you understand. You know what it means to stand in front of those you care for, to take the blow meant for them. You know the pain of pushing yourself beyond your limits for the sake of someone else. You and I—we are protectors. And that is why I chose you."
Leo's chest tightened, emotions swirling inside him. He thought of Bell, of all the times he had fought for his brother, of how far he had pushed himself, even when his own body screamed for him to stop.
"I… I don't know if I can keep doing this," Leo admitted, his voice shaky. "I don't know if I'm strong enough."
The Lion lowered its head, its massive paw gently resting on the ground in front of Leo. "Strength does not come from never falling, Leo. It comes from rising again, even when the weight of the world presses down on you. You are strong, because you continue to fight. You are strong, because you do not fight for yourself."
The Lion's gaze bore into Leo's, its voice both gentle and fierce. "Remember this, Leo. My power is yours to wield. But it is your heart that guides it. Do not fear the rage. Let it fuel you. Let it drive you to protect those you love. But never lose sight of why you fight."
Leo swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion. He nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "I understand."
The Lion's eyes softened, and it stepped back, the stormy sky overhead beginning to shift, the clouds parting to reveal a faint light. "I will be with you, always. When you call, I will answer. But remember, Leo—your strength comes from within. You are not alone."
(Sorry for the late chapter, I'll try and be more consistent.. life's been kicking my ass. Also, sorry it's on the shorter side, I hope you all have a blessed day and God Bless :D)