CHAPTER 12:

Family ties

The afternoon slid by peacefully. That day, the adventurers had returned early after an exhausting day in the dungeon. The goddess, for her part, had decided to take a well-deserved break from her part-time jobs. While Meteria silently read one of the books Hermes had lent her, the goddess shared a cup of green tea with Bell.

They enjoyed a tranquility that was rare for them, but one they certainly knew how to cherish. It hadn't been long since the three of them began living together in that abandoned church, and they were still getting to know one another. That's why the goddess made the most of those calm moments to strengthen her bond with the two new members of her little family.

"How's everything going in the dungeon?" Hestia asked, gently breaking the silence.

"Very well, thank you for asking," Bell replied with his usual kindness.

"Isn't it tough for you?"

"No, luckily… I had—" he paused, correcting himself. "We had a good instructor."

"She was definitely tough…" Meteria muttered under her breath.

Bell nodded silently, swallowing hard as the color drained from his face at the mere memory of their training.

The morning had begun peacefully, as usual within the dome. The sun rose high in the sky, its rays filtering through the treetops, painting mosaics of light and shadow over the forest clearing. It was a landscape worthy of Eden.

But for Bell, that place was far from paradise. It felt as if he were trapped in one of the deepest levels of the underworld. His sweat-soaked body and labored breathing were proof enough of the training's severity—each breath burned in his lungs like fire.

"No slacking off!" Shalltear's firm voice jolted him.

Upon hearing her, Bell straightened immediately and gripped his sword once more. It was a training session like many others. He swung his sword with discipline while she watched closely, arms crossed and crimson eyes locked on his every move. Her intense, calculating gaze gave him no rest.

"Faster, Bell! In a real fight, you'd have lost your head already at that pace," she barked. "Precision, not just strength. Power without control is useless."

Bell nodded with determination, wiping the sweat streaming down his face. His breath was still ragged, but with renewed spirit, he adjusted his grip and swung again with a clean strike, as if trying to cut not only the air—but his own limitations.

In front of him, Shalltear remained still. Her figure, elegant and imposing at once, observed every movement intently. Though her face wore the same cold, stern expression, a hidden spark glowed in her eyes—pride. She wouldn't show it openly, but seeing Bell rise again and again, pushing past exhaustion, lit a silent satisfaction in her. Every strike, every stumble followed by recovery, brought him closer to his true potential.

Despite being confined beneath that dome, cut off from the outside world, Shalltear knew she had to prepare him for anything. She had to forge him for the world beyond.

"You're talking about Shalltear, right?" Hestia asked, snapping Bell out of his daze. "Her mother," she added, referring to Meteria.

"That's right." The goddess nodded.

Meteria's mother remained a mystery to her. She didn't dare ask too much, preferring to wait until they were ready to open that door on their own. Sometimes Meteria's eyes would turn glassy—windows to untold memories.

"She was one of a kind," Bell said, as if describing something magnificent. "Not just because of her strength or skill… she was incomparable. Even in her own world, I doubt there was anyone like her."

Hestia couldn't help her curiosity.

"Did she ever talk to you about that?"

"About what?"

"Her world." Bell nodded.

"She didn't talk much… but she did tell me a bit about the place she came from."

During those endless days beneath the dome, he and Shalltear had shared countless conversations—some as long as moonless nights, others brief but just as intense. The best talks of his life were with her. Even his grandfather had spent hours talking to Shalltear. Over time, she became woven into the village's life, but unquestionably, he and Meteria had known her the most.

The stars adorned the sky with their ancient glow, indifferent to the dome's imprisonment below. Bell stared up at that eternal ceiling, the same every night, like a painting frozen in time. He lowered his gaze—and there she was.

Shalltear, lit by the firelight, also looked skyward with an unchanging expression. He scooted closer, and with his usual blend of nerves and curiosity, dared to ask:

"Shalltear, what was your world like?"

She didn't take her eyes off the sky. Her voice was soft, almost a sigh floating between them.

"Mmm… different, without a doubt. Full of powerful beings and constant conflict. But not everything was chaos. There was the Supreme Being, whom I respect and honor with all my soul. The great Ainz Ooal Gown, my master."

Bell listened like someone hearing a story they never wanted to forget.

"Do you think we'll ever leave this dome?" he asked. "See the world out there?"

Because even though the dome had only appeared recently, for Bell, his village had always been his universe. His own world was a mystery to him.

Shalltear finally lowered her gaze and offered him a smile, faint but sincere.

"I don't know," she said. "But it wouldn't be bad to discover what this world has in store for us."

And in that smile, though still tinged with nostalgia, a spark of new hope shone.

The conversation between the goddess and the young man continued for a while. Their teacups slowly emptied, as if trying to prolong the afternoon. Meteria seemed distant from the conversation, immersed in her book, until she heard her name. With a slow gesture, she closed the volume and set it aside.

"Oh yes… choosing Meteria's name was quite a challenge."

"Really? Sounds like something simple," Hestia commented, intrigued.

Bell shook his head repeatedly.

"Not at all… I remember it like it was yesterday."

They were in the cozy cabin on the hilltop, nestled among trees and surrounded by his grandfather's vegetable garden. The wooden walls were decorated with handwoven tapestries and small warm lights hung from the ceiling. The fireplace was lit, wrapping the room in a serene and nostalgic atmosphere.

Around a rustic wooden table, the three of them debated with comedic seriousness. In front of them, in a polished wooden cradle, was a rosy-cheeked baby—the newest arrival in their lives, still nameless.

"It needs to be a name that commands respect, one that makes enemies tremble just hearing it," Shalltear declared, crossing her arms as if she could already see her daughter as an unstoppable warrior. Her eyes gleamed with pride and expectation. "How about… Peroroncina?"

Bell, still nervous, choked on his own laughter.

"Pero—what? Shalltear, that sounds like an exotic pet, or a tropical bird. I can't even say it without biting my tongue."

"It's a name with history! It was my creator's name—adapted. It has deep meaning."

They both looked at the baby, who at that exact moment burst into a fit of tears. Shalltear frowned and formed a threatening energy orb between her fingers.

"Tsk! Ungrateful from the cradle…"

Zeus, who had been silently watching, let out a booming laugh.

"This is getting interesting…" he muttered to himself. "Let's see, Bell… what've you got?"

Bell, nervous again, unfolded a crumpled piece of paper with trembling, sweaty hands.

"W-well… I thought of something sweet, special… like Little Star… or Little Moon…"

The baby's wailing intensified, now accompanied by a pout. Shalltear ground her teeth and the orb grew in her palm.

"Little Star? Little Moon?" she spat the words with disgust. "Are we naming our daughter or a storybook character? Bell, for all that's holy, say something sensible before I lose my patience!"

Zeus doubled over with laughter.

"Little Star, defender of the skies!" he exclaimed through his cackles. "Adorable… but not exactly intimidating, and not really fit for a future heroine."

"I just wanted her to have a pretty name…" Bell protested, blushing tomato-red and shrinking as if wanting to vanish.

Shalltear sighed with exasperation, dispelling the orb with a snap.

"Fine, fine, maybe something more serious… What about Ninja or Bukubukuchagama? Those are imposing names—very important to me."

The child's crying reached new levels of drama. Zeus raised an eyebrow, unable to keep from laughing again.

"Names that sound like tongue twisters? Why not just call her Met? Easy, short…"

"No!" they both shouted in perfect unison, amusing the god even more.

"Alright, alright," the god raised his hands in surrender. "Bell, what else you got?"

"Well… what if we combine some of our ideas? Maybe Stella or just Luna…"

Shalltear stood up abruptly, knocking over her chair in the process. A terrifying energy flared around her, so much so that little Meteria even stopped crying at the sudden shift in atmosphere.

"This is ridiculous! We're talking about the name of our daughter, not a celestial pet!"

Silence followed for a moment. Zeus scratched his chin thoughtfully until, suddenly, an idea lit up in his mind.

"I got it! What if… we name her Meteria? It's your mother's name, Bell. It carries weight, history, and it sounds beautiful."

The baby, who had done nothing but cry all afternoon, smiled and began to laugh. Shalltear blinked, surprised. Her voice came out soft, almost touched.

"Meteria… it's a beautiful name. Elegant. I like it."

Bell, still in awe, nodded with a warm smile.

"Yes… it's perfect! Thank you, Grandpa."

Zeus raised his cup.

"To Meteria! May her name live on in legend."

They toasted with laughter and relief, filled with pride for the newest addition to their family—little Meteria.

"Seriously, Dad? Little Star?" Meteria said, eyebrows furrowed, her face burning with embarrassment.

"I was a young father. And you were so tiny… and so adorable," Bell replied, shrugging with a sweet smile on his face.

"Sweet, yeah… excessively sweet," murmured Hestia, trying to contain her laughter.

"Thank goodness Grandpa was there with you. I don't even want to imagine being called Peroroncina or Bukubuku-whatever," the girl said with an exaggerated shiver.

"It wouldn't have been that bad… I think," Bell tried to defend himself, but the three of them burst into laughter.

Amid the laughter, Bell felt something stir within him. It was joy—warm, simple—a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. He liked remembering Shalltear, especially with their daughter by his side.

In another memory he cherished deeply, little Meteria was wobbling on her feet for the first time. She took small, unsteady steps, but her face was lit up with determination.

"Come on, Meteria! You can do it!" Bell encouraged her, kneeling just a few feet away with open arms ready to catch her if she fell.

Shalltear stood beside him, watching their child with a maternal smile—rare on her usually expressionless porcelain face, except in moments like these.

"You're strong, little one. It's in your blood," she said warmly.

And then the girl, smiling wide, took the final steps before falling into her father's arms. He hugged her tightly and lifted her up, laughing, as if raising her before the whole world.

But Bell wasn't the only one who cherished memories inside the dome. Meteria kept a whole world in her heart—full of faces and laughter now gone, yet still alive in her soul. Days in the village with her mother, grandfather, and the uncles who made her laugh with wild stories and warm hugs were like little gems she often caressed in her thoughts.

"You okay?" Bell asked gently, drawing Hestia's attention.

Meteria took a moment to answer. Her eyes shimmered with melancholy, but also with a warm spark.

"I hadn't thought of Mom in a while…" she finally said with a faint smile. "It used to hurt just thinking about her, but… lately, it's not just sadness anymore."

Bell frowned slightly, curious.

"And what do you feel now?" It was Hestia who asked.

"Longing. Gratitude," she explained. "It used to hurt so much I avoided thinking about her. But today… I felt happy hearing you talk about her."

Bell nodded slowly, understanding.

"I'm glad. We shouldn't fear the past—we should remember it."

Hestia watched them with a warm smile. These kids were not only strong in body but also in heart.

Speaking aloud about her feelings, Meteria felt more at ease exploring those memories.

The afternoon faded gently, the usual orange sky covering everything like a soft embrace. In Zeus's garden, Bell and Shalltear were picking berries for dessert that evening. Not far away, sitting in the grass near the cabin's entrance, a small girl watched them impatiently.

"I want to go to Mom…" muttered four-year-old Meteria as she slowly stood up.

Before she could move, a soft but firm voice stopped her.

"Be patient, Meteria. Your parents will be back with the berries soon. There's no rush."

The girl turned to look at her Aunt Lucita, who was reading on a wooden stool. Her gray cloak covered her completely, and her skin, as pale as moonlight, contrasted with her chestnut hair that shimmered gold under the afternoon sun. Her aunt lacked her mother's commanding presence, but she radiated a deep stillness that earned respect.

"But I'm bored, Auntie…" the little one said, giving her best pout—the kind that melted her dad or Uncle Adrien without fail.

Lucita barely lifted her red eyes from the book and replied with no emotion in her voice.

"Patience is a virtue you must learn to cultivate." It seemed the pout had no effect on vampire women.

The girl sighed, plotting as she watched her parents.

"Aunt Lucita, I'm going to the bathroom," she murmured. Lucita replied with a distracted mhmm, eyes still glued to her book.

Meteria walked toward the cabin but, instead of heading to the bathroom, she climbed onto a chair placed near a window and slipped out, determined to circle around the house and surprise her parents in the garden.

However, as she neared the garden, she froze. From the forest, figures began to emerge—vaguely humanoid shapes composed of shifting energy, like smoke trapped in glass.

"Lucita, go to the village! Make sure no one's in danger!" shouted Shalltear. Lucita bolted down the hill without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Bell and Shalltear hurried to confront the creatures entering the woods. Meteria, instead of staying behind, stepped forward firmly. It was her mother who noticed her presence first, without even turning.

"Don't stray from us," she ordered.

"Isn't it dangerous?" Bell asked—after all, Meteria was still a child.

"She's my daughter. My lingering magic won't affect her," Shalltear replied with a half-smile as she quickly handed her a small wooden dagger. Meteria stared at her, perplexed. Shalltear simply winked.

They arrived at a clearing surrounded by tall, ancient trees, where more than twenty creatures awaited. Bell stepped forward to confront them, Shalltear remained a short distance behind. She decided it was a good moment to assess her daughter's potential and let her advance with her father.

With a simple sword he always carried, Bell moved among the enemies with feline agility, his blade slicing the air with surprising speed. At his side, Meteria tried to match his pace—imitating every step, every turn like a mirror.

"Duck!" he shouted as a light projectile zoomed past.

She obeyed, rolling on the ground just in time. Bell spun and dismembered a creature, pushing back two others with the same motion. Meteria didn't lag behind. Though her dagger was wooden, she mimicked her father's moves with uncanny accuracy—dodging, jumping, and even releasing a small burst of magic more by instinct than knowledge, enough to push one creature back.

One, the largest of them all, charged at Bell with a roar. Bell met it with a clean thrust to the core, making it explode into a cloud of energy. Shalltear watched in silence—more proud than concerned.

Meteria panted, slightly winded, but her eyes gleamed with excitement. When the last creature fell, she ran to her father.

"Dad, Dad! You were amazing! Did you see my last jump?"

"I saw it! You were awesome!" he replied, laughing as he lifted her into his arms.

Shalltear approached, her expression calm.

"Would you like to learn to fight like your father?"

"Yes! I want to be strong like him! No—stronger!" she yelled, raising her fist.

"That's the spirit," her mother replied.

"Let's head back—we need to make sure no one in the village was hurt," Bell said.

Hand in hand, they returned to the cabin, hoping to find Lucita and Zeus there. The afternoon kept falling, as it always did, but something had changed: a spark had been lit in Meteria's heart. And it would never go out.

The vampire girl was pulled from her daydream when her father began clearing away the cups and teapot. Night had already fallen in the city of Orario. Beside her, Hestia looked at her with a gentle smile.

"You were a very happy child, weren't you?" her cheeks flushed at the question.

"Yes…" she whispered, barely audible.

"Would you like to share a memory with me?"

The question caught her off guard. For some reason, it made her want to cry, yet at the same time, she felt warmth in her chest. Meteria nodded silently and waited for her father to sit back down with them so she could begin.

"I remember my tenth birthday really well…"

The sun shone directly over the small village, and Zeus's family cabin was wrapped in an atmosphere of excitement. Bell and Shalltear were fully immersed in preparations for their daughter's birthday. The little girl was turning ten, and everyone in the family wanted to make the day unforgettable.

With a smile on his face, Bell hung colorful garlands from the wooden ceiling beams, while Shalltear, in her usual elegance, decorated the table with a hand-embroidered tablecloth and porcelain dishes that Zeus only brought out on special occasions—and what could be more special than his great-granddaughter's birthday? The cabin filled with sweet aromas wafting from the kitchen, where a fruit cake was baking slowly.

"Do you think she'll like the cake?" asked Lucita, who had taken on the task of baking it.

"She'll love it. It's made with fruit from her grandfather's garden," Zeus answered proudly.

Meanwhile, Meteria came rushing down the stairs with a young boy by her side. He had pale skin and short black hair, with streaks of white at his temples. The two reached the living room at the same time.

"I won!" they said in unison.

"It was a tie," Shalltear told them, and both grumbled.

"Come on, Uncle Adrien! We need a tiebreaker!" Meteria exclaimed, pretending to head back up the stairs.

"Oh no, no more racing games. You've already dirtied your dress."

The girl wore a puffy golden dress with black lace accents. Unfortunately, it already had dust marks on it.

"Why don't we open the presents before the cake is ready?" suggested Zeus, and everyone agreed.

Zeus and Adrien were the first to give their gifts.

"Happy birthday, little one!" said her grandfather as he handed her a small box wrapped in brown paper. Meteria accepted it with wide, excited eyes and gave him a big hug before opening it.

Inside was a small lightning-shaped pendant, golden like the sun.

"Thank you so much, Grandpa Zeus."

"My turn," said Adrien, stepping forward. From the folds of his large leather coat, he pulled out a neatly wrapped package. "So you can practice and become a great adventurer." He winked one of his red eyes, flashing a white fang in his grin.

Meteria unwrapped the gift to find a steel dagger with an ivory handle. Her eyes sparkled as she held it, switching it from hand to hand.

"This is awesome!" she said, running to hug her uncle.

After Lucita placed the cake on the table, it was her turn to give her present. It was an illustrated book of hero stories and their great feats.

"I'm sure one day your name will be among these pages."

The celebration officially began. Meteria blew out the candles on her cake while everyone sang "Happy Birthday." Then they all sat around the wooden table to enjoy the delicious dessert, courtesy of Zeus's garden and Lucita's cooking skills.

The afternoon passed with stories told by Zeus, games organized by Adrien, and tale readings by Lucita. The cabin filled with joy and love—not just celebrating Meteria's birthday, but the bond and warmth of a family that, despite their uncertainties and differences, always found a reason to smile in each shared moment.

As night fell and the stars began to light up the sky, Bell and Shalltear took Meteria to bed. They waited until she had changed into her pajamas and was tucked under the covers before presenting their gift.

"Happy birthday, Meteria!" Bell exclaimed, handing her a small gift wrapped in silk cloth.

Despite being tired, Meteria's eyes lit up. She eagerly opened the gift to find a handmade bracelet with a small stone set in the center.

"Thank you, Dad, Mom… It's beautiful."

"It's just a small reminder of how much we love you," Shalltear said.

Meteria hugged them both tightly, grateful not just for the gift, but for the special day they had created for her.

"It was the best birthday ever…" she whispered before lying back down and yawning. Bell and Shalltear looked at each other, satisfied, knowing they had created an unforgettable memory in their daughter's heart.

Meteria smiled as her eyes slowly closed from exhaustion. She felt in her heart the warmth and love of her entire family.

When Meteria finished speaking, silence fell over the abandoned church. Hestia gave her a warm smile and placed one of her hands gently over the girl's.

"It's beautiful that you have such lovely memories of your family. Treasure them always." Meteria, eyes glistening, nodded silently.

Bell chose to remain quiet. He didn't want to disturb the calm that had settled.

Meteria smiled as her eyes slowly closed from exhaustion. She felt in her heart the warmth and love of her entire family.