Chapter 4: A New Encounter

It had been two days since Belle's departure, and Bell was already feeling the emptiness left behind. The mornings seemed quieter, the house less lively. Still, Belle's words echoed in his mind, urging him to stay strong and focused. Determined to keep his promise, Bell swung his wooden sword with all the energy he could muster, practicing the techniques Belle had taught him.

His movements were steady, but his form was still a little unrefined. Every swing was an attempt to mimic Belle's grace and precision, and every mistake was a reminder of how much more he had to grow. Bell's breath came in heavy gasps as sweat trickled down his face. The sun was high in the sky, and the heat bore down on him mercilessly.

After what felt like hours of relentless practice, Zeus's voice rang out from the house, breaking his focus. "Bell!"

Bell stopped mid-swing, leaning on his sword for support as he turned toward the sound. "Yes, Grandpa?"

Zeus stood at the doorway, his hand shading his eyes as he looked out toward the yard. "Come here for a moment!"

Bell wiped his face with his sleeve and jogged over. As he reached his grandfather, he noticed the odd expression on Zeus's face. It wasn't his usual teasing grin or the stern look he wore during lessons. Instead, it was something in between, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

"What is it, Grandpa?" Bell asked, tilting his head.

Zeus gestured toward the fields behind the house, his voice casual but with a hint of excitement. "Go to the fields, Bell. There may be some people who want to meet you."

Bell's eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face. "People? Who?"

Zeus only chuckled, his usual playful demeanor returning. "You'll see soon enough. Now go on, and don't keep them waiting."

Though confused, Bell nodded and hurried toward the fields, gripping his wooden sword tightly. His heart raced, not from the exertion of training, but from the mystery of who could possibly be waiting for him.

Bell reached the field, the tall grass swaying gently in the breeze as the midday sun warmed the earth. He looked around, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the "people" his grandfather had mentioned. The field was quiet except for the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Minutes passed, and Bell began to wonder if Zeus had been teasing him. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, gripping his wooden sword nervously. Just as he was about to head back to the house, a faint sound reached his ears—footsteps, faint but growing louder.

Shift in POV

Not far from the field, two figures stood concealed among the trees. The man, Zard, had a formidable presence, his dark armor and scarred face a stark contrast to the tranquil scenery. Beside him, the woman, Alfia, exuded an air of quiet strength, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight. Her heterochromatic eyes, one green and the other gray, were fixed intently on the boy standing in the open field.

"He looks... so small," Alfia murmured, her voice soft but laced with emotion.

Zard crossed his arms, his tone calm but observant. "That's because he is. He's still a child, Alfia."

But Alfia's attention was solely on Bell. Her heart tightened in her chest, a surge of emotion she hadn't expected welling up inside her. Without another word, she broke into a sprint, her usual composure forgotten as she raced toward the boy.

"Alfia, wait!" Zard called after her, but she was already too far gone.

Bell barely had time to react as a blur of silver and white came rushing toward him. Before he could even think to defend himself, he felt a pair of arms wrap tightly around him, pulling him into a sudden embrace.

The force of the hug knocked the breath out of him, and for a moment, he stood frozen in shock. The woman holding him didn't say a word, but the grip she had on him was firm yet gentle, as though she was afraid to let him go. Bell's mind raced with confusion.

"W-Who are you?" he stammered, looking up at her.

Alfia didn't answer immediately, her eyes glistening with an emotion Bell couldn't quite place. All she could do was hold him closer, as though reuniting with something precious she thought she had lost forever.

After what felt like an eternity, Alfia finally released Bell from her embrace, though her hands still rested firmly on his shoulders. She knelt down to his level, her sharp gaze locking onto his crimson eyes. For a moment, she said nothing, her expression unreadable. Then, in a cold, almost detached tone, she murmured, "I really hate those eyes."

Bell blinked, confusion and unease creeping up his spine. "W-What do you mean?" he asked hesitantly.

Her grip on his shoulders tightened slightly, and she leaned in closer, her voice carrying a bitter edge. "They remind me of someone I detest. Sometimes I wish I could just..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she whispered, "...gouge them out."

Bell's face paled, and he instinctively took a small step back, trembling slightly. "W-What? Why would you say that?" he stammered, his fear evident in his voice.

Before Alfia could say more, Zard approached, his heavy footsteps breaking the tense silence. "Alfia," he said firmly, his tone both scolding and gentle. "You're scaring the boy."

She glanced back at him, her expression softening only slightly as she let go of Bell's shoulders. "I didn't mean to," she muttered, though her voice lacked sincerity.

Zard sighed and stepped forward, kneeling to meet Bell's wide, frightened eyes. His scarred face, though intimidating, held a certain calmness as he spoke. "We didn't come here to frighten you, kid. We just need to see your grandfather. Can you take us to him?"

Bell hesitated for a moment, glancing nervously at Alfia, who was now standing quietly, her arms crossed. Then he looked back at Zard and nodded slowly. "O-Okay. Follow me," he said, his voice still shaky.

With that, Bell turned and began leading them toward the house, occasionally glancing over his shoulder at the strange pair who had appeared so suddenly. Zard followed silently, while Alfia walked a step behind, her gaze fixed on the boy, her thoughts unreadable.

Zard leaned forward slightly, his deep voice filling the cabin as he began, "We've been living in the school district, helping maintain the barrier there. It's been a quiet life, though the work never ends."

Zeus chuckled, folding his arms. "Quiet, huh? Hard to imagine you two staying out of trouble for long."

Zard smirked but continued, "We weren't planning on coming here, to be honest. Alfia just wanted to… look at the boy from afar and then go back."

Bell's curiosity got the better of him. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Who are you… really?"

Zeus turned to Bell with a smile and gestured toward Zard. "That's Zard, one of the old warriors from my familia. Back in the day, he was one of the strongest adventurers in Orario, a true legend in his own right."

Zard gave a modest shrug, though the small grin on his face betrayed his pride.

Then Zeus pointed to Alfia. "And this is Alfia—your aunt."

The word struck Bell like a thunderbolt, and his eyes widened in shock. "My… aunt?" he stammered, looking at Alfia in disbelief.

Alfia's expression immediately darkened, her ruby-red eyes narrowing. She scowled and snapped, "Don't call me that."

Bell flinched, his voice shrinking. "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"Just don't," Alfia interrupted coldly, crossing her arms and looking away.

Zeus, ever the instigator, chuckled. "Oh, come on, Alfia. He's just a kid. Lighten up a little."

Her glare snapped toward him, sharp as a blade. "I said don't," she said, her tone final.

Zard cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Don't take it personally, kid," he said with a small smile. "She's like that with everyone. But to answer your question, I was part of Zeus's familia a long time ago. Back then, we fought together against some of the greatest threats to Orario."

Bell's eyes widened further. "You were in Zeus Familia? The one that fought the Behemoth and Leviathan?"

Zard nodded. "That's right. Those days feel like a lifetime ago."

Bell stared at them in awe, feeling a mix of admiration and unease at being in the presence of such powerful figures.

After Zard finished his explanation, Bell looked at Alfia, his curiosity piqued. "Were you also part of Zeus Familia?" he asked hesitantly.

Alfia's piercing gaze shifted to Bell, and she let out a soft scoff. "No," she replied curtly. "I was part of the Hera Familia."

Bell's eyes widened in amazement. "Hera Familia? The same one that fought alongside Zeus Familia against the Behemoth and Leviathan?"

She nodded, her expression cold and unreadable. "Yes. But those days are over. Don't romanticize it."

Zard gave a low chuckle and added, "She may not like to talk about it, but Alfia was one of Hera Familia's strongest members. Her magic and skills were unmatched."

Alfia shot Zard a sharp look. "Enough."

Bell couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and intimidation. The room seemed to hum with the weight of their shared history, and he could hardly believe that he was standing before two figures who had shaped Orario's past in such profound ways.

Zeus, ever the peacemaker, broke the silence with a lighthearted laugh. "Don't mind her, Bell. Alfia may be prickly, but she's family, whether she admits it or not."

Alfia's scowl deepened, but she said nothing, turning her gaze out the window as if to escape the conversation. Bell couldn't help but feel that there was much more to her story—more than she was willing to share.

Zeus leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "So, what are you two planning to do next?"

Zard glanced at Alfia, waiting for her to respond. But she remained silent, her eyes fixed on the wooden floor as if lost in thought. Sighing, Zard shrugged. "Honestly, we don't know. We've been helping the school district maintain the barrier, but beyond that... there's no plan."

Zeus tapped his fingers against the table, a small smile forming on his lips. "Well, if you don't have anywhere specific to go, why not stay here for a while? It's peaceful, and there's plenty of work to keep you busy. Plus," he added with a sly grin, "Bell could use some guidance from strong adventurers like you two."

Bell's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Yeah! You should stay! I'd love to learn from you both!"

Alfia glanced at Zard, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she nodded. "Fine," she said quietly. "But don't expect me to coddle the boy."

Zard chuckled. "Sounds like a plan to me. I could use some rest, and it's been a while since we've had a stable place to stay."

Zeus clapped his hands together, his grin widening. "Great! It's settled, then. Welcome home."

Bell's excitement was palpable, and he looked at Alfia and Zard with admiration. "Thank you! I promise I'll work hard and learn everything I can!"

Alfia closed her eyes, a soft sigh escaping her lips, but she didn't respond, while Zard gave Bell a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The cabin, which had felt quieter since Belle's departure, now buzzed with a renewed energy as the unusual family began to settle into their new dynamic.