Chapter 1 - "A New Beginning" Part - 2

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the fields as the warm breeze gently rustled through the tall grass. The familiar scent of the earth filled the air, and the rhythm of the land seemed to pulse in time with the steady beat of my heart. It had been years since I had tended to these fields, but the memories were fresh, as if they'd never left. I had come to this place to heal, to raise my grandson, and to pass on everything I knew.

Bell—my Bell—was eager, his small hands trembling slightly as they fumbled with the pouch of seeds I had given him. His bright, curious eyes mirrored the same determination I'd seen when he first arrived here, as if he had always been meant for something greater. The fire in him was as strong as ever, even though his body had not yet known the weight of his future battles.

"Grandpa, how do I know if the seeds are deep enough?" Bell asked, his voice soft but full of earnestness, the innocence of a child still shining through.

I smiled, watching him crouch down, carefully placing the seeds in the furrow he'd just made in the soil. The child was quick to learn, always asking the right questions. It reminded me of when Bell had first come to me, so eager, so full of life. But this—this was different. This was my Bell. The one who had grown into a man of unimaginable strength, and the one who had faced the fiercest battles. It was strange, yet comforting, to see him as a child once more.

I leaned down beside him, taking his small hands into mine. "Not too deep, Bell. The soil should be just enough to cover them, but not bury them completely. You want them to feel the warmth of the sun, but also have the support of the earth. You see, it's not just about planting seeds in the ground. It's about tending to them, nurturing them, and watching them grow."

Bell nodded earnestly, trying again with more care. "Like how you always tell me to take care of the things I care about, right, Grandpa?"

I chuckled softly, ruffling his hair. "Exactly, Bell. You've got it."

The sound of his laughter echoed across the field, and I felt a warmth in my chest that had been absent for far too long. In this moment, it didn't matter that I had once been the head of a powerful Familia, or that I had once been a god. What mattered now was that I was here, teaching Bell the things I had learned over my long life. We were simply grandfather and grandson, connected by the simple but meaningful act of sowing seeds in the earth.

I looked at Bell, watching him as he continued his work. His face, full of concentration, reminded me of a time long past. A time before the One-Eyed Black Dragon. Before the trials of Orario. Before the world had become so cruel.

But now, here in this peaceful moment, I would do everything in my power to protect this young boy. To keep him safe from the world that would come to test him. This was a new chance, a new beginning. And I would make sure it was a better one.

"Grandpa, do you think I can be as strong as you someday?" Bell asked, his voice almost a whisper.

I paused, looking at him. I couldn't help but feel a pang in my heart, a bittersweet feeling knowing what awaited him in the future. But I shook it off, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Stronger than me, Bell," I replied, giving him a wink. "You have more strength in you than you think. Just remember—strength isn't just about fighting. It's about protecting the ones you care about. And with that heart of yours, I know you'll do just fine."

Bell looked up at me, his eyes wide with admiration. I could see the spark of determination in him, the same spark I had seen in him all those years ago. And even though I knew the hardships that awaited him in the future, I couldn't help but feel proud. He would become something incredible, I was sure of it.

"Thanks, Grandpa!" Bell said, his face lighting up with joy.

I nodded, watching as he returned to his work with renewed energy. And for the first time in years, I allowed myself to believe that perhaps, just maybe, things could be different this time.

Zeus and Bell continued to work in the fields, their movements fluid and practiced, the warm sun casting a golden hue over the land. The sound of the wind rustling through the grass was the only noise, save for the occasional call of birds in the distance. For a moment, it was as if the world had slowed down, the calm of the moment taking precedence over everything else. But then, something strange happened.

Both Zeus and Bell froze at once, their senses tingling as an unfamiliar presence made itself known. It wasn't a sudden noise or a disturbance in the air—no, it was something more subtle, but just as undeniable. A feeling of being watched.

Zeus turned instinctively, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword, but what he saw stopped him cold. There, standing just a few paces away, was a young man.

His hair was long and flowing, white as snow, shining under the sun like strands of moonlight. His eyes—ruby red, like the deepest gemstones—pierced through the air, with a strange intensity that seemed to take in everything at once. His beauty was almost otherworldly, but it was something else that caused Zeus's heart to skip a beat.

The man looked exactly like Bell—his grandson. But older. Far older.

Zeus's mouth went dry as he stared at the figure. The realization hit him like a hammer to the chest. This man—this stranger—was an older version of the boy who stood beside him, planting seeds in the fields. It was as if the future had manifested before him, and the shock left him momentarily speechless.

Bell, too, stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief. He couldn't tear his gaze away from the stranger who looked so eerily like him, but with the maturity and presence that came only with age. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. How could this be? Was it a trick of the light? A figment of his imagination?

The man didn't move. He simply stood there, watching them both, and then, with an air of calm finality, he spoke.

"Zeus..." he said, his voice carrying a weight that seemed to reverberate in the air itself.

Zeus blinked in confusion, his brow furrowing as he tried to find his words. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice hoarse, barely able to contain the shock he felt.

The young man's eyes never wavered. "It's me," he said simply, taking a step forward. "I'm Bell."

Zeus's heart skipped again, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. Bell—the young boy standing next to him—looked up at the stranger in stunned silence.

"You're... me?" Bell whispered, his voice barely audible. His confusion mirrored Zeus's, both of them grappling with the impossibility of the situation.

The older Bell gave a small, sad smile. "I know this is hard to understand, but I'm from the future. I've... come back."

Inside the small, humble cabin, the flickering light from the hearth danced across the room, casting long shadows on the wooden walls. The fire crackled softly as Zeus sat across from the older Bell—now referred to as Belle—his expression a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.

After a long silence, Zeus leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared intently at the man before him. The question that had been gnawing at him for what felt like an eternity finally slipped from his lips.

"Who are you?" Zeus asked again, his voice heavy with the weight of confusion and disbelief.

Belle exhaled slowly, his ruby-red eyes distant for a moment as if recalling the very event that had brought him here. His hands gripped the edge of the table as he spoke, his voice steady but laced with the uncertainty of his situation.

"I'm Bell Cranel," he said, his tone quiet but firm. "I don't know how I got here. One moment, I was on my deathbed, feeling the weight of my years... and then, suddenly, I woke up here. In this body. In this time."

Zeus's brow furrowed even deeper. He shook his head, unable to make sense of the words. "This... this is impossible," he muttered under his breath. "Going back in time? That's something not even the gods can do. Could it be... could it be the work of Chaos?"

Belle paused, trying to gather his thoughts, but nothing seemed to fit. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and wonder. Time travel? It sounded like a tale from one of the myths, something fantastical and unimaginable. Yet here he was—alive again, in a body far younger than he had ever expected. It felt like a dream.

Zeus sighed heavily, running his hand through his white hair, his sharp eyes never leaving Belle. "What are you going to do now?" he asked, his voice soft but steady.

Belle's gaze drifted to the fire for a moment as he pondered the question. He had no clear answer, no plan, only the overwhelming sense of uncertainty that had come with his sudden return. "I don't know... I don't want to change things. I don't want to alter anything that might change the reality I came from. The future... the people I loved... they've all moved on, and I've accepted that."

Zeus studied him carefully, sensing the weight of the burden that Belle carried with him. The man was clearly struggling with the responsibility of knowing his future self had lived and died. "I understand," Zeus said thoughtfully, his voice deepening. "But listen carefully, Belle—changing things here, in this moment, wouldn't affect the future you came from. This is a different timeline, a new one entirely. You're not rewriting the history you knew... you're just stepping into an alternate path. A different reality."

Belle's eyes widened as the words sank in. He had never considered that possibility before. A different timeline... he wasn't tampering with the world he had left behind, but rather creating a new thread of existence. It was both a terrifying and relieving thought.

Zeus continued, his voice gentle but firm. "The fact that you're in a new, younger body is proof of that. Your body wasn't simply brought back; it was created for you, a vessel to carry your consciousness here. Your true self, the one you left behind, has already lived its life. This is a second chance, not for your past self, but for you—Belle."

Belle blinked, his mind racing to grasp the implications of Zeus's words. He could still remember his past life, his struggles, his triumphs, his relationships. But this was different. This was a fresh start in a world that he didn't know, and it was terrifying, yet... promising.

Zeus's expression softened as he looked at the man who had once been his grandson's mirror image. "You'll need to stay here for now, Belle. Take time to understand your place in this new world, figure out what you want to do. But for now, rest, and keep your identity safe. It's important that you blend in with the past, so we don't draw unnecessary attention."

Belle nodded, his voice quiet but filled with resolve. "I understand. Thank you, Zeus."

Then, after a brief pause, Belle gave a small smile, his eyes twinkling with a touch of mischief. "And... please, call me Belle. It'll help avoid any confusion with my younger self."

Zeus chuckled softly, a genuine warmth in his expression. "Belle, huh? Well, I suppose that suits you better than just 'Bell' after all."

As Belle and Zeus continued their conversation, they failed to notice the small figure sitting quietly in the corner of the cabin. Bell, the younger version of Belle, had been quietly listening to their exchange, his mind struggling to make sense of the situation.

He could only process one thing clearly: the man in front of him, Belle, was… him. From the future. It was an impossible thought, one that made his head spin with excitement and curiosity.

Unable to contain his thoughts any longer, Bell suddenly stood up, his small form stiff with excitement. His wide eyes locked onto Belle, and he rushed forward, almost stumbling over his feet. "Wait!" Bell exclaimed, his voice high with enthusiasm. "You're me, from the future, right?"

Belle blinked in surprise as the young boy came up to him, his eyes filled with confusion and excitement. He could see the innocence in the boy's face, the wonder of someone who hadn't yet lived through the struggles that Belle had experienced.

Bell looked up at Belle, his eyes glowing with curiosity. "Are you strong? Really strong? Like... how strong?" He asked, his voice filled with childlike wonder. It was clear that Bell didn't yet understand the full weight of what this encounter meant, but the excitement was palpable in his tone.

Belle couldn't help but smile at the young boy's enthusiasm. He knelt down to meet Bell's gaze, his expression soft and patient. "I guess you could say I've gotten pretty strong over the years," Belle said with a modest chuckle. "But strength isn't just about fighting. It's about protecting the ones you care about, and facing the challenges that come your way, no matter how difficult they may be."

Bell's eyes grew even wider. "Protecting people? That's so cool!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up at the thought. He was practically bouncing on his heels with excitement. "I wanna be like you when I'm older! Strong, like you!"

Belle's smile widened, touched by the boy's earnestness. "You will be," he said softly. "You have it in you. Just keep believing in yourself."

But then, Bell's curious nature took over again, and he tilted his head, frowning slightly. "Hey... if you're really me from the future, then why do you call grandpa 'Zeus'?" he asked, pointing at the older man, clearly puzzled.

Zeus chuckled from his seat, a glint of fondness in his eyes as he watched the interaction between his past and future grandsons. "Ah, that's because, in his time, I'm not just your grandfather, kid. I'm a god. And a lot of people just call me Zeus."

Bell blinked at the revelation, trying to process the words. "A god?" he repeated, his voice still filled with disbelief. "But... you're my grandpa!"

Zeus nodded, his smile still warm. "That's right. I've been watching over you since you were born. And even now, though I'm not around as much, you still carry a piece of me with you."

Bell turned back to Belle, his excitement fading slightly as he processed what Zeus had said. "So... you're really me from the future," he said slowly, as though the weight of the realization was starting to settle in. "But you don't look like you're from the future... you look like you're... me, but older!"

Belle smiled again, running a hand through his white hair. "Yeah. I suppose it's a little complicated," he said. "But just know this, Bell: everything you do now will lead you to become the person you'll be in the future. So, don't worry. Just enjoy the time you have."

Bell's eyes shone brightly, his excitement surging once more as he spoke with pure conviction. "I will! I'm gonna be strong, just like you! And I'm gonna be the best hero ever!" He threw his fists into the air dramatically, his small form filled with an unshakable determination.

Belle paused at the word "hero," the weight of it sinking in. He studied the young boy standing before him, who spoke with such unwavering certainty, the same fire that had once burned in him when he was Bell's age. A soft smile crept onto Belle's face, and he nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit, Bell," he said, his voice tinged with warmth. "A true hero isn't defined by power or fame, but by the courage to face any challenge, no matter how great, and protect the ones you love."

Zeus, who had been quietly watching the exchange, chuckled to himself. "A hero, huh? Well, you've got the right idea, kid. I think you're gonna do great things, just like Belle did."

Bell's eyes widened at the praise, his small chest puffing up with pride. "I'll be the best hero ever, Grandpa Zeus! I'll make you proud!"

Belle looked at Zeus, a bittersweet smile crossing his features. "You've already made him proud, Bell. Just keep believing in yourself, and you'll be the hero you're meant to be."