...
...
...
Scales of deep shone with an uncharacteristic glimmer
In the deepest chasm of the abyss
Underneath the capital of men
A black dragon laid before him
Felled.
Now crawling on the ground
He drank down that which was what left behind
By the Darkeater.
Mmghrp...
The cold taste of blood assaulted his tongue.
HUAARGH...!
Dark blood and bile mixed into a vile concoction that spewed from his mouth.
A trickle of dark ran from his mouth to his chin, staining his white beard
No...
The knight, with maddening resolve in his eye
The blood stays...
He clawed deep into the dirt
Clutching the crude ball-shaped mass where the blood and bile had been
...
He drank down on that which was his own regurgitation
URrrghHrk...!
The foul slurry reentered his body once more.
AAAAARGHHHH
The knight clutched tightly onto his stomach
His face sickeningly twisted in pain
Dark blood oozed and seeped from every orifice of his body
I...
How foolish was he
...will be consumed.
To think that a non-champion like him could ever hope to...
Forgive me, my lady...
...For I have availed nothing.
...
...
...
...
...
...
" ...Mmhm... " Bell groaned as he opened his eyes. It seemed he had cried himself to sleep, as evidenced by the reddish hue present in his eyes.
He glanced around the room briefly before rising to his feet. He then made his way into the living room.
" ... "
Still no sign of his lady.
He then lowered his gaze to the object coutched in his hand-an ivory talisman adorned with a silver bell.
He drew in a deep breath...before releasing it in a slow, methodical exhale.
...He reflected on his own foolishness-how he had succumbed to a shameful flash of anger-and silently vowed to never let it happen again.
For his lady.
" ... "
Simply thinking of his lady threatened to bring him down to his knees once more.
Yet, the thought that she is enjoying herself amongst her peers washed all of that away.
...Still, he wants-no, needs- to see that she is safe with his own eyes...if only to ease his worries.
" ...How selfish of me. "
A self-deprecating laugh escaped his lips.
" ...That's right... " As if being reminded of something, he made his way back into the kitchen.
Lo and behold, the mess he had created reminded himself of that moment of shame.
" ...The ingredients... "
The sight of the ingredients strewn haphazardly across the floor, made his heart ache. Oh, if his lady were to witness this disgrace...
" ...That is not permissible. "
He would need to clean up after his own messes, as well as procure ingredients anew, later.
And so, before setting out to find his lady, Bell took the time to clean the house, first.
...
...
...
I'm...
...drowning.
Oh...had one such as I...
...been of so little faith...?
...O'...
...simple faith...
Why hast thou forsaken me...?
Bell now found himself wandering the streets of Orario, his feet moving with seemingly no purpose, yet all of his being is currently devoted to finding his lady.
...Yet, it led him no closer to her, still.
" ... "
Frustration welled up within him, but he refused to let it consume him as it had before. However, he can slowly feel his patience being chipped away...
* Rumble *
The sky rumbled with the deafening roar of thunder, yet Bell took no notice of it...
" ...? "
And that was because of the "something" that caught his eye from the corner of his vision.
A luxurious jewellery store stood where his gaze settled. The windows of the shop was adorned with only the finest of ornaments, as if their elegance itself demanded attention from passersby. It's grand windows showcased beyond the glass dazzling displays of gold and silver.
However, neither the store's design nor was it any particularly fancy trinket that had caught his attention.
Rather, the one that had caught his attention, compared to the other fineries that was displayed, some might even deem it to be noticeably lackluster, a mere shadow amidst brilliance.
And, yet...
" ... "
The ornament in question was a silver bell, adorned with white petals along with blue highlights. The same one he has on him. The very same he had gotten for his lady. His very first gift.
Some noticable differences however, would be it's condition. The one before him was in pristine condition, it's ivory hue not yet faded.
He took out the one he has on him.
The one he possessed seemeed lackluster in comparison, it's condition a mere shadow of the one before him. The silver bell had been tarnished, dented, and damaged in several places, while the ivory petals bore stains of dirt and grime.
" ...My lady... "
Yet, the value of the one in his hand was no less significant.
It was a token of his faith, his unyielding devotion towards his lady. The one that had ultimately allowed him to continuously persist and keep on moving.
And so, he clutched the talisman tightly.
...He began to recall-
" Oh? Isn't it you, Bell? "
A voice echoed from behind him.
He turned around to face the owner of the voice-a man with long, dark blue hair and matching eyes. He wore a black robe, a tan-brown stole that draped past his shoulders, and brown shoes.
The man was carrying two paper bags, and by the vegetables sticking out the open top, they seemed to be groceries. However, that was not what caught his attention.
" ... "
" Hm? Is there something on my face? "
Even for someone like Bell, who had gazed upon the lords of Londor, the beauty of the man before him was no less divine than theirs.
Which led him to one conclusion-the one before him is a god.
" Bell? "
He does not let his guard down. For all he knew, the god in front of might be one his lady...did not see eye to eye with.
He contemplated in his head to beat around the bush just as he did with Eina previously... However, the mental fatigue had taken a toll on him, and the sooner he finds his lady the sooner his heart would finally be at rest.
And so, he asked the unfamiliar god.
" ...Who are you? "
" ... "
The god looked at him unblinking, as if appalled by the question before suddenly-
" Fuhahahahaha...! "
" ...! "
-bursting out into a laughter, as if he had just been told a funny joke.
" That's a good one! I wasn't expecting that at all, y'know...!...Haah, Bell, you must've been in quite the mood to be making jokes so early in the morning, eh? " The god wiped away little droplets of tear that had come out at the corner of his eyes.
" ... " In contrast to the man before him, Bell's expression remained deadpan, reminiscent to that of a dead fish.
Seeing the boy's deadpan expression, Miach realized that he was indeed serious and not joking.
" ...Wait a minute, could it be...that you really have no idea who I am...? "
" ... "
He simply nodded to the man's response.
" ...I'm sorry. " Was all that Bell said in return.
" I-It's okay...The name's Miach. "
" ...Miach-sama...is that right...? "
" Yes...that's right. "
' Bell...boy...what could have transpired...? '
Miach had surmised from the way Bell had been looking at him that he indeed had no idea who he is...which should be impossible.
Now, it wasn't as if he regularly flaunted his generosity by handing out free potions to him...If anything, he genuinely wished well for the boy, seeing as how he is the dependent of a friend...
...Yet, if he knew anything about the boy, it would be that such kindness would not so easily be forgotten by him.
" ... "
The boy in question on the other hand, repeatedly tried to recall the name within the deepest parts of his memory...yet all of it seemed to be shrouded by a dark fog, refusing him any entry.
" ... "
Shifting his gaze towards the god's face, he saw worry reflected in his eyes.
...At the very least, it meant that he is not an enemy... to him at least.
Seeing as how it had became a staring tournament between the two of them, Bell decided to change the topic.
Looking at the paper bags in Miach's arms, he decided to point out the most obvious one.
" ...Groceries? "
Bell tried his best to form a coherent sentence in order to communicate properly with the god...Yet it would seem his intent did not match his words, or rather, word.
The god before him did not seem to take it to heart, though.
" ...Umu, I went grocery shopping for dinner, on my own. " Miach regained his smile as he answered the boy's question, if only to mask his worry.
" Is that so... " Bell murmured, acknowledging the man's words.
" Yep, that is so... " Miach said, before trailing off and shifting his gaze towards the jewelry store besides them.
" Ah...were you looking at the accessories inside this store? Hm? " It was then that he noticed the silver bell-shaped ornament on display.
" That's the one you got for Hestia, right? "
" ...Yes. " It might be subtle, some might even say unnoticeable, however slight changes can be seen on the boy's face at the mention of Hestia. Yet, the most visible changes was in his eyes that now contained a Dark that is indescribable.
It was the fog of worry.
' ...Oh, dear. ' Perhaps it's more serious than Miach had previously thought.
" Forgive me...but I must take my leave now. " Miach's words had managed to stir the worry inside him anew...There is no time for dilly-dallying, he must find his lady...He must...
He then walked past the god, his steps slightly more frantic than before.
...Miach's instincts are telling him that the current Bell should not be left well alone.
And so, before the boy's footsteps can take him far away from him, Miach called out to Bell.
" ...Bell, is something wrong? If it's anything I can help with, then feel free to tell me. "
Bell halted his footsteps at the god's words.
" ... "
Should he try his luck here? Yet, if he can get something out of the god then it would do him more good than aimlessly wandering around...and it's not like there is anything for him to lose.
If he can find his lady then he is willing to bear any price.
" ...Well...It is a matter regarding my lady. " He turned around to face the god.
" Perchance...do you know where Hestia-sama could be? She...has not returned ever since she attended the banquet of the gods... " Desperation as well as weariness apparent in his tone.
" Hestia, huh...? " The reason for the boy's worry is starting to become more clear, now.
Miach considered himself as a god of rather humble standing, as such banquets and high-class parties are not ones he would usually frequent. He's afraid that he can provide him no further help than what Bell is already doing.
...However, he knew better than to say it to the boy in front of him, who now bore an exhaustion unbefitting of his age.
' Hmm...Think, Miach...Think... ' He strained his mind, delving deep into thought, searching for anything that might give him a clue on Hestia's whereabouts.
" Ah! That's right! " Had Miach not been holding the two paper bags, he would've gestured a fist being brought onto an open palm.
" ! What is it...?! " Miach's moment of epiphany earned a significant reaction from Bell, who suddenly reappeared in front of Miach faster than he could blink, before grabbing the god by his arms.
" Please...anything, even the slightest hint-if you truly know anything of my lady's whereabouts...I beg of you, tell me! " His voice cracked, desperation teetering on the verge of insanity present in his eyes, the two crimson eyes resembling that of a madman trembled wildly with a frantic plea.
* RUMBLE *
Lightning struck the ground once more, this time with an even greater roar. The brilliant flash illuminated one side of his face, while the other remained shrouded in darkness...revealing only a single, red eye.
The darkness present within the eye sent a chill throughout Miach's entire being.
" O-okay...Calm down, Bell. I'll tell you what I know...just...You're holding on a bit too tightly... "
" Ah...F-Forgive...me... " He let go of his iron grip on the god. The madness in his eyes temporarily subsided, yet Miach knew that the "Dark" behind Bell's eyes are still watching, ready to resurface should he delay what he had to say any longer.
" It's alright...So, a few days ago... "
...
...
" Is this the place...? "
" Yes...If I'm right, then Hestia should be here. "
The pair now found themselves in front of a large shop, where sturdy stone walls stood tall imposingly, as if to deter any non-adventurers from wandering aimlessly into the establishment.
It is not going to stop Bell from looking for his lady, however.
And so, with renewed determination, he stepped inside the shop.
" Good morning! How may I serve you today, sir? " A receptionist greeted him the moment he stepped foot inside the shop, giving him a professional welcome smile.
" ... " Bell merely stared at the receptionist, before making his way towards her, his steps heavy as each of his strides threatened to break the stone floors of the shop.
He stopped a mere few inches away from the lady, who now found herself trembling a little in the boy's presence.
" S-sir...?...Um...H-How...may I help you... " In spite of her years of experience working as a receptionist here at the Hephaestus Familia Northwest branch, she couldn't help but find herself stuttering before the seemingly normal boy.
She had dealt with her own share of a few rowdy adventurers before, and she was all too familiar with the lot of adventurers who seemed to think of themselves as being above non-adventurers like her. Needless to say, those types of people were often promptly kicked out by the more experienced seniors working in the store.
And yet, the boy's eyes before her bore an intensity that told her she will be torn apart should she be careless with her words. It reminded her of the very first day she had just started working here...
" My lady. Where...is she? " Bell said to the trembling receptionist, ignorant of her fear towards him.
" Y-yes...? I'm afraid...I...don't understand...eep... " The receptionist said, almost on the brink of pleading as she held back her tears.
" Bell, that's enough. Sorry about that, miss. " Miach decided to interject between the two, if only out of pity for the poor receptionist who had done no wrong and is now suddenly being pressured by Bell.
" ...Thank you, Miach-sama... " She expressed her most heartfelt gratitude towards the god, who acted like a knight in shining armor that had come to her rescue.
' Ahh...Miach-sama is so heroic...and still handsome too...Gosh, what am I thinking?! '
...It would seem that the receptionist was one of the many admirers of Miach, who, along with Takemikazuchi, are known as the two most attractive male gods in the lower world due to their friendliness towards women.
" Don't worry about it. Actually, miss, I've came here today along with this child- " he gestured towards Bell right besides him, his expression still remains in a deadpan one "-in order to find out regarding the whereabouts of his goddess, Hestia. So...is Hephaestus currently seeing any visitors, perchance? "
" Ahh...I'm afraid that I don't know how the goddess Hestia looks like...although, I'm sorry but Hephaestus-sama currently isn't receiving any visitors. "
" At the very least, could you maybe pass along a message to Hephaestus? That Hestia's child is looking for her(Hestia). "
" I understand...I will make sure to see through your request, Miach-sama. "
" Thank you...Though, why is Hephaestus suddenly not receiving any visitors? "
" Ahh...that's because...Uhm...I'm sorry but I...don't think I should be telling you this... "
" If you're not inclined to, then it is fine. I do not seek to trouble a little miss like you after all. " Miach smiled warmly as he reassured the receptionist.
' Urk! '
Of course, such a surprise attack was deadly towards one such as her, who clutched her chest tightly with her hand, lest her heart threatened to burst out of her chest.
" U-Uhm...If it's you Miach-sama...since you are a friend of Hephaestus-sama...then I suppose that it is fine... "
" ... "
Meanwhile, Bell was watching all of this transpiring from the sidelines.
" Actually...a few days ago, another goddess actually entered Hephaestus-sama's office together with her. Ever since then, there was no longer any sight of her... "
" ...! "
Now, Bell jumped in from the sidelines, immediately grabbing the receptionist by her arms just as he had done with Miach before.
" How...! How does this goddess look like...? " He asked with bated breath.
" U-Um...She...She was wearing a white dress...a-and also she wore a silver...ow...bell on her head...please, let go...it hurts... " The receptionist can feel her arm starting to make strange noises as Bell's grip on her tightened.
Finally...
He had found her...
He had found his lady...!
" The office. Where is it. "
" Bell! That's enough! You're hurting her! " Feeling that the situation is getting out of hand, Miach saw fit to reprimand the boy regarding his use of excessive force against the helpless receptionist.
Even the other employees of the store had begun to take notice of the commotion caused by Bell, with some of them even ready to intervene at a moment's notice should the situation escalate further.
" ... "
" Bell...let go. " Miach placed a gentle hand upon his shoulder, a gentle attempt at persuading the boy.
" ... "
...He released his hold on the lady, who shifted away from him out of the fear that he gets ahold of her again.
" I'm...sorry...But, please...if it is truly my lady that you spoke off...then please- "
He got onto his knees in desperation.
" -allow me to see her. "
" ... "
A flash of reluctance crossed the receptionist's face, before being quickly replaced by anger. He had been the one threatening her just mere moments ago, yet now he expects her to help him?
Just as she was about to refuse the boy's plea-
" Miss, if what you said is true...then, please let this child be reunited with his goddess. " Miach pleaded in Bell's place.
" Ugh... " Refuting Miach, however, would require a lot more willpower from the lady.
" ...Please? " Miach said in the sincerest manner he can muster.
" ...Alright...If it's for you Miach-sama...Understood, I shall lead you to where Hephaestus-sama is. " With a heavy sigh, the receptionist finally relented.
" ...Thank you, Miach-sama...This debt forever shall I remember within my heart. " Bell expressed his most heartfelt gratitude towards the god.
Miach smiled warmly at him.
" Get up, Bell...Come on, let's get you back to your goddess. "
" This is Hephaestus-sama's office...I shall be taking my leave, now. " The receptionist bowed towards the pair, before leaving them in front of a grand wooden door.
" Thank you. "
" Thank you, miss. "
The pair said their thanks to the lady, before turning to the door they were presented.
" This is it, Bell. Hestia should be right behind this door... "
" ... "
" ...Bell? "
Miacb would have expected the boy to immediately swing open the door, yet he remained still as if being held back by something.
...Deep down, there is still that fear eating him up from the inside. The fear that when he opens the door, his lady will not be there...
...
...
...
All of those fears were washed away, the moment her voice rang in his ears.
" I want to grant power to that child! "
" ...! "
It was in that moment, every fear, every worry, every anxiety and all emotions alike...all of them was immediately dispelled.
Just as he was about to reach for the door in order to immediately barge in to see his lady, his hand stopped a mere inches away from the doorknob as he heard her voice once more.
" I've been nothing but dead weight to that child! I've never been able to do anything worthy as his goddess! "
"...What...? My lady...what are you... " Bell muttered underneath his confusion.
" I've never been able to welcome that child home to a warm meal! I've never been able to heal him when he's all beaten up! "
" ...What...are you saying...? "
" Even after being a laughingstock to his fellow adventurers! Even when he told me not to worry! Even when it's all my fault...! "
" ...Stop it...it is not... "
" He...He still comforted me...Even when he's the one hurting inside, he still tried to make me feel better! Even when he had all but given up on his dreams...he never gave up on me! "
" ...I... "
" Hephaestus, please tell me... "
" ... "
" ...What kind of goddess would I even be if I can't return his dreams to him? "
" ... "
...
...
...
...
...
He opened the door.
" Ah. "
Red eyes of Bell's met with Hestia's blue ones.
" Bell...kun...? What...What are you doing here...? You...You shouldn't be here... "
" ... " His gaze fell onto her being, who is currently prostrating on the ground.
He saw his goddess kneel on the ground...
' This is wrong. ' he said to himself, his truest feelings echoed deep within his heart.
Someone of her station...should not be kneeling to anyone, as such a sight reminded Bell of himself.
And so, he started to inch closer towards his lady.
" Bell-kun...? What are you...? " Hestia can feel cold sweat running down her back as her child slowly approached her.
Though the distance between them was not particularly great, for Bell, each step felt as though it spanned countless centuries.
' Someone like you deserves better than to be on the ground like this... '
He began to recall their first meeting, as he completed another step.
' You were the one who reached out your hand to me first. '
He took another step.
' You were the only one to accept me, the one who came from nothing. '
And another step.
' From the moment you embrace my hand with your loving ones...you changed my life forever from then on. '
Until finally, she is now only within an arm's reach from him.
' You are the most important person in my life. '
A lowly slave knight he may be...but a knight, he shall remain.
And it is his duty as a knight to uphold his lady's dignity.
As such, he reached out his arms towards Hestia.
" ...Please, forgive me for this, my lady. " Bell abruptly said to Hestia, shame underlying his tone as he reluctantly, and with all the gentleness his hands could muster, hoists her up and...into his arms, now carrying her in a similar manner as to how a knight would carry a princess.
" Wha...-Kyaa! " Hestia squealed as she suddenly found herself within Bell's embrace.
" W-W-Wha...! Bell-kun! W-What are you doing suddenly...! I mean, I'm happy and all that you're willing to do this for me, but isn't it too soon?! I mean, at the very least let's wait until-! " Hestia, in a state of total panic at her child suddenly princess-carrying her in his arms, turned red.
" Kami-sama. " His voice serene, he gently called out to his lady currently in his arms, who suddenly went silent the moment he met eyes with her.
And yet, within those eyes...it was as if the darkness from before had just been a lie, now it is filled with a great many emotions he bore for his lady...just as he always had, for a long, long time.
" Let's go home. " He said to the goddess in his arms.
" ...Yes. " Was all that she could answer in a daze, as she had surely expected her child to be livid at the thought of her suddenly disappearing for three days straight with no prior warning.
And yet, all that can be heard in the softness of his voice is anything but anger, as he gently cradled her in his arms before turning over to Hephaestus.
" Thank you, goddess Hephaestus, for taking care of my lady. "
" ...Don't worry about it. " Replied the red-haired goddess.
Bell then bowed his head towards the goddess of the forge before bidding her his farewell, and stepped out of the room, all the while Hestia remained in his arms.
" ...Miach-sama. This favor...I will make sure to return it in full, some day. Until then, I will forever be in your debt. " He faced Miach who was waiting outside the room, right besides the door.
" Eh...? Why is Miach here? " Hestia, oblivious to their encounter, questioned why the god was here together with her child. Her question fell on deaf ears, however.
" No. It is only natural for us smaller familias to look after each other. After all, what kind of familia can function without their goddess, right? " Miach smiled kindly at Bell.
" ...Thank you. "
Bell then bowed towards Miach just as he had done to Hephaestus previously, before returning home together with his lady, now in his arms.
...
...
...
It is...
...cold
A soul drifts where the darkness craves
The weight of his sorrow continued to pull him deep
...In the end...
The darkness accumulated atop his chest
...Was it all...
The pressure builds, a crushing pain
...For naught...?
As breath is lost, and hope grows faint
...My...
The non-champion was about to resign himself
To the cruel, yet tempting fate that awaited him
Many, many moons past.
...Godd...ess...
And then, from the Dark
A spark of hope, came
...What...?
A sense of warmth ignites amidst the deep abyss
...Hast thou...
Solace was found amidst the current
...not forsaken me...after all...?
And then the Dark was no more
Lucidity returned to him once more
Where he had pitifully fallen, broken, before...
Ah...
A small...
...All this time...
...Flame was there.
...You were by my side...
The Slave Knight gently cradled the small flame
My guiding Hearthfire
Estus
Undeniable proof of Bell Cranel's deep devotion towards the goddess Hestia.
Creates a gentle flame that restores Estus use upon rest.
" ..And, so long as they(The one favored by the goddess) remains unwavering in body and mind, the end of the world is merely an eternity away. "
Author notes : My girlfriend got me a wasabi flavored chocolate for valentine's. It was pretty good(tho i dont really like wasabi that much but I love her so)Then i found out how much they costed(they were imported directly from japan)and I was like, "Hell naw. " Cuz it literally tasted like someone just dipped a kitkat into some mild wasabi and just called it a day. Idk what the brand is specifically (it's in japanese) but it's basically like white chocolate dipped in a coating of wasabi-chocolate dip.
FYI i dipped a piece of kitkat into one of those cheap wasabi packets, and they tasted quite close. So yeah TLDR do not buy wasabi chocolate if you're not a fan of wasabi.