Chapter 16: Lunar Festival Pt.2
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"Time to silence that pretty mouth….. ugggggggh." A tomato cracked the side of the man's face with tremendous strength, sending him to his knee.
"Who the hell….ugggghhh?" The weretiger stared up to see a white haired boy diving down to him. He was too slow to react and the foot impacted him right in the face. He was thrown back into the ground.
"You're gonna die little boy." Both men got to their feet and withdrew a knife. "I don't care if you don't have a weapon either."
"I will not let you defile her nor will I let you offend the gods by tainting their blessing with such acts." I lowered myself into a fighting stance. "Please run ma'am." I quickly turned my head to her.
Aina was stuck in fear and awe. Here was the boy that matched her daughter's description. "Go please." I urged her on not letting my eyes off the men in front of me. She got up and started to run down the alley.
"Like hell I am losing her. Get her." The human ordered the weretiger.
"Firebolt!" I aimed my hand in front of the weretiger. The magic blast was so much stronger than I expected. It slammed into a nearby wall at the speed of lighting and exploded the cement, sealing the alleyway behind the unknown elf woman. The men stared at me alarmed and angry. "You will not touch her!"
"Kill him." The man ordered. Both men charged me with knives drawn. Unable to deflect or parry their attacks, I was for to dodge a flurry of strikes from both of them. My speed was too much for them to land a hit. "Cut him off and surround him." Instead of attacking from the same side they split off and charged me in a pincer attack.
"FIREBOLT!" I hammered the ground with my hand and fired the magic at the same time. The ground splintered all around me sending rock and shrapnel at the two men. Each of them barred their hands. Surprisingly my arm was unharmed by the risky maneuver. "Firebolt." I sent a blast of flame into the weretiger's face before spinning around under the human man's stab. "Firebolt." I exploded my magic into his gut at point blank range sending the man to his back.
*SWISH! BAM! THUD!*
While both men were screaming pain from the fire, I dropped low to knocked the weretiger over with a low kick. Then jumped up on his gut and kicked of landing an axe kick down on the human man's collarbone.
Aina was screaming for help near the western road. Two Ganesha guards came running to her aid. She explained the attack and led them to the street next to the alley. The three were stunned to find a boy bending a steel rod around both men against a lightpost.
"What happened here?" One of the masked Ganesha guards asked me.
"Well I kind of….." I cut myself off. I was speechless, my eyes blinking rapidly as the Riveria look-like approached with the guards.
Aina smiled wide. "This young man saved me from those two." She pointed to the battered and burnt men bound to the lightpost. My face went red and I looked to the ground.
"We will take them into custody." After a few minutes the guards grabbed the two man and led them to prison. "You two get somewhere safe."
"Thank you very much to you and your god Ganesha." Aina bowed her head as the guards picked up the men and escorted them to the prison.
I was still silent. I bowed my head to the unknown high elf. "G-glad y-y-your safe."
Aina bent over and stared me in the eyes. She placed her hands on my face. "Thankyou for saving me." *muah* She kissed my left cheek. I was starting to get dizzy my face burning red.
"He-he-he." Aina chuckled. "You are a cute one, but I am already married to the man of my dreams. Would you happen to be Bell Cranel?"
I snapped out of my daze when I heard my name. "Y-y-yes ma'am… h-how do you know me?"
"My daughter speaks very highly of you. Wanted to meet the my Eina's hero and strayed off the main path looking for you." Aina's warm smile softened to saddening curiosity when she seen my eyes glaze over. "What's wrong?"
I bent to the ground and lowered myself into the dogeza position. "Please forgive me!" Aina was speechless seeing the young boy bowing in front of her. My tears hitting the ground. "I have no right to be treated so warmly. I am no hero. I am the reason Eina was put into that situation. I cost her job and made her feel so much pain. Now I hurt you."
Aina felt like her heart was punched. She knelt to the ground. "Please get up Bell." Her eyes strained seeing my tear-stained cheeks. She gripped me in a deep hug to my surprise. "It was my decision to search for you. It was not your fault, but mine and my stalkers. My daughter doesn't blame you at all. That attack, her losing her job was not your fault. If anything, your bravery has won her heart and mine."
"I don't….."
"Enough." Aina pushed me at arm's length and scolded me. "You can't keep blaming yourself for everything. My daughter adores you and desires you." My eyes widened, my heart rate steadily beating stronger. "I think you love her too don't you."
I shook my head. "Y-yes but…"
"But you don't want to hurt her, because you have a crush on my friend." Aina winks making my face go crimson again. "He-he-he definitely a brave one. As much as you would brighten my friend's smile with that adorable rabbit like features. I have to be a little selfish and hope you will choose my daughter Eina. Could definitely see you two together."
"M-me." I stared at her dumbfounded with my face getting redder.
"Yes." Aina grinned wider. "I won't push you any further, but please consider coming to the festival and take my daughter on a date like you promised." Aina ran her fingers through my hair. "Might want to get cleaned up first, Mr. hero." She chuckled getting to her feet. I escorted her to the main road. "I need to get back before my husband destroys the city looking for me. We will be near the north side of Babel in an hour or two."
"I will."
"Good." Aina waves goodbye and walks east.
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An hour later I was cleaned up and in my only decent pair of clothes which was just brown pants and a black shirt. I started walking down the east road. The sun was nearly gone and the streets were lit up with people of all races celebrating the festivals with food, drinking and shopping. Even a few miles away I noticed the whole bottom of Babel was lit up with scores of people crowded into the event.
"Wow its busy." I nervously walked by myself towards the roaring crowds.
"Bell!"
"Huh." I saw Syr in her uniform charging me. I stopped to wave but Syr didn't slow down. "Syr….ahhhh." *Thud!*
She tackled me to the ground. Syr was squeezing her curvy body against mine. A few whistles rang out from few men walking east. "Get a room."
Syr sat up and spit her tongue out to the men, before staring down at my blushing face. "That can be arranged. I have missed you, Bell."
"Uh, ahh Syr." I was nervous with her straddled-on top of me on the ground with so many watching.
"Syr please get off of him." Ryu stood above us, staring down at Syr with a strained look. "Please act in a respectable manner in public."
"Ah no fun." Syr rolled off me and stood up. I slowly got to my feet.
"Hello Bell." Ryu tilted her head. "Haven't seen you in almost a week. What have you been up too?"
"S-sorry Ryu. I kind of just got out the hospital. I was in a coma until yesterday."
Ryu and Syr's eyes bolted wide open. Syr started checking me over. "What? What happened? Are you okay?"
"I-I am fine now. I don't think you will believe me. The guild didn't when I reported my level up." I shrugged my shoulders.
"YOU LEVELED UP!" Ryu shouted out loud, drawing many stares.
I nodded my head. "Goddess and Airmid said I had low rate to survive until she leveled me up."
"How did you level up already!?" Ryu asked.
"I really don't think you believe me. Eina was there with me and Riveria showed up near the end to save my life." I bowed to Ryu. Her head swayed backwards in surprise. "I do know you're training saved my life and Eina's. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything, Ryu."
"Y-y-your welcome." Ryu was blushing from the embarrassing praise. "You are amazing to put it all to use so quickly. I am VERY glad you're alive."
"What about my fruit training?" Syr pouted.
"You too Syr. Thank you for all your support."
Ryu stared me down. "I am gonna have to ask Eina for answers if I meet her again. I would like to know what happened."
"The reason it happened is a bit sensitive." I glanced at the ground for a second. "But I was kind of lured into a trap and then the dungeon literally threw itself at me. If you want the full details, I am going to go meet Eina at the festival."
"I want to go." Syr replied with a cute voice.
"Like hell you are Syr. I am not running this stand out her for nothing." Loud voice came from Mia at the entrance to the hostess. She was carrying a pan of rice. "Ryu go refill the cakes."
"Yes Mamma." Ryu dipped inside the bar.
Mia looked me over. "Where has your scrawny butt been at lately?"
Syr chuckled. "He's been in a coma mamma."
"Serious." Mia stared on in disbelief. I nodded my head. "You need to eat more. Maybe that won't happen."
"I think it was from blood loss, Momma mia."
"Well…. Shit…" Mia looked genuinely concerned for a brief moment. "Still you need eat more or you won't get stronger. Good thing for me your still alive." She smirked at the nervous grin on my face.
"Momma he did get stronger. Bell leveled up." Syr said with a cheerful voice.
"Don't bullshit us kid." Mia warned me with an annoyed voice as she placed the bowl of rice on the table.
"I-I did."
"Yeah, and I am a fairy princess." Mia rolled her eyes.
"I did level."
"Run Meow." Anya shouted from the stand.
"Don't bruise his booty meow." Chloe stared around a customer at the stall.
"Eh." I felt a chill up my spine.
Mia stomped up towards me. Her huge form towered over me as she clenched her fist. "Alright smartass, if you really leveled dodge my fist or get placed in another coma for lying to me."
"Ahhhhh….. o-okay." Mia eyes flared in surprise. She raised her arm.
*Swish*
Mia suppressed her strength, but still extended her arm with terrifying force. Her massive fist came flying towards my face. Without moving my feet, I leaned out of the way and watched her bulky arm fly through the air harmlessly above my chin. "Huh." Mia pulled back her arm and helped me stand up straight. "Neat. Come bye after Denatus. I want to hear your title." She smacked me on my back.
"Guild didn't really believe me either." I shifted around nervously.
"Could always force them to believe it. Anyways Congratulations." She shook her head and walked back inside the hostess. She winked at Ryu as she passed the shocked elf standing in the doorway.
Ryu snapped out of her daze and walked out of the hostess carrying a tray of mooncakes. She wore a pair of oven mittens. "Wow I don't know why I doubted you."
"It's okay. You're not the first."
Before Ryu turned towards the stand, Syr stuck out her foot in front of Ryu. Ryu vision was blocked by the pan. She was already at the mercy of gravity before she could stop herself. Ryu fell forward throwing the tray at me before tackling me to the ground.
"Oww." Ryu bellowed in pain against something soft. She heard the sound of a drum beating beneath her. Ryu pushed off the ground and realized her head was resting on his abdomen.
I stared into her beautiful blue eyes, ignoring the crumbs from the mooncakes all over my shirt. "Y-you okay, Ryu."
"Y-y-yes." Ryu quickly sat up. Her face as red as mine. "Please forgive me Bell."
"I-I am fine. Momma Mia did tell me to eat more." I picked up a mooncake off my shirt and snapped it in half. I bit down onto the sweet red bean pastry. "These taste really good. Would you like the other half?" I held out the other piece toward Ryu.
Ryu's eyes went wide. "I-I don't know….."
"I will take it." Syr reached out for the other half of the cake. Ryu snatched it out of my hand and ate it whole. "What the heck Ryu?"
*Gulp* Ryu swallowed the pastry. "You hurt me Syr."
"Sorry I just wanted to see you blush red again like you do before training him. He-he-he." Syr giggled.
"Syr!" Ryu shouted holding out her hands to her friend. Ryu's face slowly turned back to stare at my nervous smirk.
"WHAT THE HELL!" The three of us froze in place as Mia shouted from the door. "Get back in here and make some more and clean up that mess you clumsy elf or I will show some red! Inside Syr. Now."
"Yes momma." Ryu bowed to Mia.
"Aweeee." Syr followed the dwarfess inside.
I picked up the pan and collected the remains of the moon cakes and handed it out to Ryu. "Bell isn't that hot. That was fresh out of the oven."
"Little warm."
Chloe came up beside me. "Ryu is just sensitive to touch meow. He-he-he." Chloe mocked Ryu while dipping her finger down to the tray. "Don't be such nah baby Ry…uuuuuuuuuuu. Owie." Chloe shook her hand. She stared at me with a teary-eyed pout. "So mean."
"I swear it's not burning me. Sorry Chloe."
Ryu grabbed the tray with her oven mitts. She looked at my unburnt hands as she felt the warmth through her mittens. "Do you have a skill?"
"I don't know. Goddess didn't have time to tell me."
"Interesting." Ryu stared over at the upset Chloe. "Don't lash out at him again. I believe him."
"Whatever meow!" Chloe stormed off and placed her finger into a glass of water.
"Sorry."
"Its fine go enjoy yourself at the festival Bell." My heart fluttered seeing her smile before she turned to go back inside. I brushed off any crumbs from my shirt and walked toward the loud cheers coming from Babel.
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By the time I made past the crowds blocking the west entrance to the roundabout, the darkness had blanketed the sky. The lights of the moon, the stars and the streets almost made it seem like daytime. Tens of thousands of people surrounded the inconceivably vast tower.
Many crowded around the stage to listen to the singer and the band. The outer sides of streets were lined with people getting drunk and playing board or card games. Food vendors and merchants surrounded the interior of the roundabout selling all manners of pastries and festival foods. There were even unique festival games of chance where you can win prizes.
I walked towards the northside where they said they would meet, until I encountered a huge line pushing out from one of the snack stands. "Geez kenki where do you put all these jaga-maru? This is your third time already."
"I eat them." The blond stared confused at the goddess.
"I met….. Nevermind." Hestia shook her head. "Please enjoy." Ais retrieved her tomato snacks. She turned around to find her group, but noticed a familiar rabbit wondering alone through the crowds
'Maybe I should keep my distance from goddess's stand. She was pretty adamant that I rest at home, but Airmid said to enjoy myself. Miss Airmid would know more about by condition.' I thought to myself as I put distance between myself and the jaga-maru stand. I had a feeling like something was approaching behind me. I turned around noticed nothing but the busy crowds. Then a second later the incredibly beautiful blond popped out of nowhere. "Hi Bell."
"Ais." I held my chest. My body tensed up seeing the godly beauty blonde swordswoman single me out. She was still wearing her armor.
"Sorry! Didn't mean to startle you, Bell."
"I wasn't really expecting anybody, surely not somebody as amazing as you to jump out." A light blush appeared on my face. Ais's emotionless smile curled up a little. "Why are you wearing armor?"
"I just got out the arena." Ais shifted her head to the side. "Surprised you didn't go watch the fights."
"I never been to the festival before. Didn't know there were fights going on today. Did you win?"
"No, the king couldn't be taken down by me, Finn or Bete."
"That's crazy." My mind wondered to the towering man I briefly met a week ago. "How have you been lately, Ais?"
"Just training. We went on a small exploration down to floor twenty-seven to take out a floor boss before the expedition." Ais nonchalantly recalled the last few days, while ignoring stares from passersbys wondering why she is talking to a nobody.
"Small!?" I stared at her dumbfounded. "You make that sound easy. He-he-he."
"It wasn't." Ais shook her head. We actually ran into a bit of trouble this time."
"Glad everything worked out alright."
"Mmmm, I heard you woke up yesterday. I wanted to ask you a few questions. Wondering if we could talk in private." Ais said innocently.
"Like what?" My face was redder than a tomato, as a scenario played out in my head.
"About what I saw during the fight with the dragon. I tried to visit you at the hospital yesterday, but was turned around by Airmid."
I berated myself in my mind for my vulgar thoughts while listening to her. "S-s-sorry I kind of caused an incident yesterday."
"I'd say rabbit." I heard a loud female voice shout behind me.
I turned around to see an agitated Loki and the twitching face of Lefiya. I lurched backwards a little. "L-lady Loki."
"Awe aren't you sweet calling me a Lady. You trying to butter me up in order steal my date rabbit." Loki narrowed her eyes, while Ais rolled hers.
"N-no Goddess Loki. I just ran into Ais." I stared around to the angry Lefiya. I raised my hand to wave at her. "Hello L-Lefiya."
"Huh." Lefiya facial features change from anger to confused.
"I think you have enough problems with elf women, rabbit." Loki stared right through my façade. I bit my bottom lip feeling guilty.
"What did he do?" Lefiya squinted at the chuckling trickster.
My chest sunk. "C-can I at least try to make friends with Lefiya before you get me killed goddess Loki?"
"That's up to you elf lover." Loki winked. "Though I am glad you're out of the hospital."
"Hospital!?" Lefiya face shifted to concern, her ears even dipped a little.
"Rabbit here dealt with Hod for us and saved Eina. Dungeon didn't play nice with him afterwards."
"Only alive because of your familia. Feel like it's my fault Hod was able to get to Eina."
Ais flicked me in the forehead gently. "Not your fault that meanie wanted to kill you. Nor for what he tried to do to Eina."
Loki and Lefiya, could see that I disagreed with Ais with the visible pain in my face. Loki walked up to me and put an arm around my shoulder. "It's all good Bell, I should have picked up on his behavior earlier and never recruited him. None of us blame you, definitely not Eina."
"T-thank you Goddess." My lips curled up into a half smile. "H-have you seen Eina? I was supposed to meet her here."
"Ahhhh, well Eina's failing to catch a fish over there." I looked up to where Loki was pointing to see the brown-haired beauty dressed in a red blouse and white shorts. Eina was scooping a paper net through a pool of water unable to catch a goldfish, getting more agitated by the second. I noticed her mother right away talking to a large human male. Loki smirked evilly. She pulled my head closer to her chest and grinded her knuckles against my scalp.
"L-L-Loki."
"Just playing. I am a trickster after all kid." She shoved me forward. "See you later RABBIT!" Loki shouted before directed Lefiya and Ais away to the east. "Come on Ais-pu." She had to push Ais away until she reluctantly followed the goddess.
Eina's parents looked up when Loki shouted Rabbit. Aina smiled towards me and bent over to talk to Eina. The man stared at me with piercing eyes full of animosity as if he was sizing me up. I could feel a chill down my spine as I stared back at him. Eina looked up from her game, her earlier agitation melted away. Eina jumped up from her chair and ran up to me, wrapping me into a hug to the surprise of parents. "Bell, you made it."
"Ye-yes Eina." My body felt like jelly in her grasp as her body was pressed up against mine. My arms slowly wrapped around to her lower back. "I-I wasn't sure if you still wanted to go out with me after."
"Shhhhhh, keep it a family secret Bell." Eina put a finger to her lips. "Of course, I want to spend the evening with you. Even if you are a dirty rabbit." Eina chuckled at my pouting face.
"I am never gonna shake that title am I."
Aina stepped up behind us. "At least rabbits are cute. Hello Bell."
"Hello Mrs. Tulle. Nice to see you again."
"Again." Eina released her gripped and stared at me suspiciously.
"I ran into your mom, when I was getting groceries." Eina sensed I was holding back information.
"Mom." Eina stared up at mother. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Lucky coincidence that I ran into him. He was nice enough to help me avoid tripping on some rotten tomatoes. He seemed upset over you when we talked. Glad he showed up." Aina played along with the cover story. She stared back to the unknown man clenching his fists. "Don't worry about us. You two go enjoy your date." Aina smiled wide before turning around and walking back over to the large man who I guessed was Eina's father.
*Gulp*
"Don't worry about dad. I will protect you." Eina rocked back and forth. "What would you like to do first Bell?"
"I didn't really eat much. Mind if we grab a bite." I stared above her head at the tower. "N-not jaga-maru."
"He-he-he. I would prefer our date is not that brief. Follow me, I know where we can get a sandwich." Eina led me by the hand away to the south.
Aina leaned up against her husband. "Aren't they so cute together?"
"I don't like him. Way to scrawny to be an adventurer. Let alone a level two."
"The biggest surprises are hidden in the smallest packages."
"Doubtful."
"Oh, I seem to recall meeting a skinny level two over two decades ago." Aina stared up at Ethan with a finger on her chin. "He even snuck into the Zeus and Hera familia party for executives only and guests. He walked right up to me and asked me to a dance."
"That's different I had a powerful familia at my back." Ethan stared up at the tower.
"Oh, I don't think so at all. For one he seems to open hearts wherever he goes." Aina turned around to face Ethan. "Strength maybe a turn on and its nice to feel protected and find stability with your love one. However, strength and money aren't the reasons I married you. If I wanted money, I would have married that merchant from the west. If strength was all I cared about, I would be Supreme's widow."
Ethan's eyes widened in shock. "What!?"
"He-he-he. Who do you think invited me and Riveria? Even he wasn't brave enough to go after Riveria." Ethan was blinking rapidly lost for words. Aina smiled at her cute husband's face and pulled his head down to kiss him passionately, regardless how many seen them.
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*Boom*
A half an hour later we finished our sandwiches on a bench. Eina was explaining the fights in the arena. "Woah, I wished I would have seen the fights. I asked Ais earlier."
"You definitely missed something amazing. Papa had to explain some of the stuff I couldn't see, but even he couldn't follow it all only being a level four."
"Does your father go on expeditions with Loki familia?"
"No, he retired as an adventurer when I was four." Eina shook her head. "Though he is one grand feat away from level five."
"Wow! What made him quit?"
Eina looked to the side. "He just got level four a week after his old familia left to track down some calamitous beast. His whole familia was wiped out by that beast. So he retired and spent the last fifteen years as a part-time sailor for Njord familia."
"That's horrible that he lost his familia. Sorry if I made things uncomfortable."
"It's okay Bell."
Fireworks started shooting off high above us. The crowds cheered. "Woah."
"This is nothing." Eina stared up at the light show. "After the pageant is over their gonna be shooting a barrage off. They are just testing a few."
"Surprised you're not in the pageant, E-Eina."
"I've had enough trouble with wierdos lately. I only want the eyes of one man." Eina cutely confessed in a low voice.
A blush appeared on my cheeks. "T-that's one lucky guy."
Eina smirked. "Almost like its written on his back. Though he's hopelessly in love with someone else." My eyes shot open wide. I was trying to summon the courage to tell Eina, "Wait luck. Let's play a few games."
"O-okay." I nodded my headed up and down. Eina led me away.
A little while later, Eina was smiling ear to ear holding a huge stuffed bear, an moon pendant on a chain, food vouchers and a goldfish in a bag. The people in charge of the carnival games seemed shocked when I beat their games one after the other.
"You're the best Bell." Eina was cuddling her face against the bear.
"Feel like it's cheating." I scratched the back of my head.
"Most of those games are scams anyways." Eina drifted into me. "Want to try a skill-based game to make you feel better? There is an archery competition inside Babel."
"S-sounds like fun."
"Hephaistos familia runs the competition and they usually give away some amazing prizes around nine. Go ahead and signup. I am gonna drop my stuff off with my parents."
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"Alright folks who wants to win the grand prize and have a shot at Silvan's title. "Goddess Hesphaistos was standing on a stage by the west entrance, dressed in black dress with red rose trim that matched her hair. A crowd of over fifty high level competitors were roaring loud in front of her. "Onyx what are the prizes we have for our competitors?"
A dark elf woman stepped forward. "Runner-up will get a quiver of arrows and gambeson made out of orc hide."
"Boooo." A random person shouted out.
"Orc hides! What are we level ones?" A blond elf mocked the prize drawing laughter from others.
'Is this even worth trying if they are upper tier adventurers?' I thought to myself.
"Heh me and Tsubaki made them!" The crowd quieted down. Indril rolled her eyes. "First place is a bow made from bark of a Grand Treant and robe of a skull sheep. If you somehow beat Silvan's record, I will upgrade it to Deformis spider silk after the expedition to make it a first-tier weapon." Cheers rang out through the ranks of the adventurers and onlookers.
Goddess Hesphaistos stepped forward again. "Minimum score for the bow is seventeen reds out of twenty-one targets. Nobody gets the minimum. Then nobody gets the bow. I don't reward bad smiths. I won't reward bad shooters. You have ninety seconds to complete the course. Tsubaki will explain the course."
Some of the men in the crowd started drooling seeing the busty half-dwarf walk up to the front wearing a tight fitting red and white one piece dress. "You're all gonna fail hard if you keep staring. Especially if I run your heads against a grindstone." The crowd quieted out of fear.
Tsubaki smirked before continuing. "The course is pretty easy to follow. Just run up the five hundred stairs on the right marked in red and down on the left marked in blue." Tsubaki pointing to the towering spiraling staircases leading to floor two. "Each side has ten targets ranging in size from a goblin to a child's ball, ranging from fifty to two hundred feet away, each target is moving side to side on a rail system. Speed of the targets is doubled on the blue side. If you want a shot at silvan's record you have to hit the one in the middle." Tsubaki pointed to the whizzing blur in the middle above the hole. "That target is the size of a valis coin and you have to shoot it from five hundred feet away by the starting point. The track system is a lot more complex and moves five times faster." A few adventurers dipped out after the final target was revealed.
Hesphaistos scanned the crowd. "If you are still brave enough to face the course, the entrance fee is ten thousand valis. Make sure you are signed up within the next half hour and watch your fire. Happy hunting." The crowd cheered ready to win the competition. The goddess left the stage, as Tsubaki and Indril kept the crowd orderly during registration and beginning the course.
"Huuuu." I sighed in defeat and started walking toward the exit.
"Bell!" I heard a man shout ahead of me.
I looked up to see the smiling face and fiery hair Welf Crozzo in front of me. "Welf!?"
"You forget me already."
"Not at all." I shook my head side to side.
"Is that right?" Welf scratched the back of his head. "Been looking for you for almost a week. Wondering when you wanted team up for the dungeon."
"I am sorry Welf." I bowed my head. "I ran into some trouble and kind of just got released from the hospital yesterday."
"Oh shit." Welf looked shocked. "Glad you're alright. Want me to check your gear out?"
My lips pursed together into an embarrassed smile. "M-my gear is kind of…. destroyed."
"WHATTTTTTTTTT!?" Welf'w shout alarmed many inside Babel. He lowered his voice. "Please tell me the knives are fine at least." I shook my head side to side. Welf's mouth went agape and his face pale. He found the nearest bench and sat down contemplating his abilities. "How?"
"He-he-he." A cute chuckle rang out behind me from the beautiful smithing goddess. Hesphaistos smiled locking her eye on me. "How indeed, Welf?"
"Goddess." Welf looked like his lifeline was going to detach.
"I heard an interesting story from Gareth about what happened Bell." I suppressed a smile out of embarrassment. "Something about you killing a minotaur and a wyvern."
"Huhhhhhh!" Welf stared back and forth between his goddess and me. "Aren't you level one."
"N-not anymore." I confessed. Welf stared toward the goddess.
"He's not lying nor was Gareth. Seems the fight was beyond what a level one smith can produce, so I won't blame you Welf." Hesphaistos smirked at Welf.
"How though?" Welf stared at us both in disbelief.
"I wouldn't be alive without your gear welf, but the minotaur kind of crushed both knives. The wyvern kind of swallowed the armor."
"Eh." Welf and Hesphaistos just stared at me blinking rapidly.
"Either the armor or me." I stared at the ground to avoid their stares.
"I passed out before that part." I felt Eina's hand on my shoulder. "I couldn't take it when I seen you in its mouth. Apparently, floor nine collapsed again in front of the higher ups and somehow you killed it as they broke through."
"S-s-sorry."
"All good Bell." Eina smiled. "Are you going to try out for the competition?"
"I don't have a bow anymore either and I still want to enjoy the festival with you Eina. Can't really afford too."
Eina smiled wide. "Awe how thoughtful? I was thinking you could actually win with how you snipe those imps so easily."
"I can cover you, Bell." Welf stood up.
"No, I couldn't do that."
"Its fine. Just after you get new gear, I am going into the dungeon with you guys." Welf pointed at my chest.
"Okay."
"If you win, you don't have to pay me back either." Welf smiled wide.
"What about a bow?"
"I think we can find a bow lying around for you Bell." Hesphaistos walked up and placed her hand around my waist. I tensed up nervously under her touch. "Shortbow right!?"
"Y-yes Goddess."
"Go get signed up. I will have Welf go track down a bow and you can get yourself sighted on the practice target, before it's your turn."
I bowed my head. "Thank you very much, Goddess Hesphaistos."
"You're welcome." Hesphaistos released me and grabbed a hold of Welf's hand and walked away with him. "You would do well to set up a contract with him before somebody else swoops in first. Gareth paid a decent amount to buy him new gear."
"Serious."
"Yes, though Bell doesn't know about it yet. See if he will buy your armor and craft him something from his drop items." Hesphaistos released Welf's arm by the elevator. She grabbed his right cheek. "I want to see you grow Welf. I believe you can do better." She waved Welf away and headed back to the competition.
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Swish. Thud.
An hour later, another arrow impacted the bullseye on the practice target a hundred feet away. Welf delivered the bow and went back to stocking the arrows for the competition. Took a little bit to get use to the weight of the bow. Another bullseye and another started happening sequentially. I looked over to the competition course to gage how long until my turn. Eina came up behind me. "I think there are five more before you're up."
I turned around to her. "You sure you don't want to go do something else. I can always quit and go back to the festival."
"No, I think it will be a great experience for you Bell. I genuinely think you have a shot."
I smiled staring into her eyes. "I am going up against experienced level threes and fours. Maybe higher."
"The competition is about speed and accuracy. I think you will do great Bell. Where did all that confidence go? He-he." Eina chuckled
"It usually comes out of necessity." I nervously smiled back. "Surprised you're not shooting too."
"Oh no. no no. I am a horrible shot."
"I doubt that. Let me see." I held the bow out to her.
"I can't really." Eina pushed it away.
"Come on please." I pouted to her.
"Fine, but I am blaming you if I hurt someone." Eina snatched the bow from my hand and strung an arrow. She released a shot. The arrow splintered against the wall ten feet from the target. "See I am very bad."
"D-draw another one and hold." Eina followed my instructions. I went up behind her and tap her elbow upwards. Eina was silent starting to blush. I reached for her fingers. Relax your grip under the sight, I held onto the bow and pushed her fingers up. "T-try firing."
"Mmmhhmm." Eina hummed meekly with a nervous grin on her face.
*Swish.*
The arrow impacted the white of the target. "You hit the target."
"Ha-hah." Eina pouted.
"You improved." I shrugged my shoulders. "I think I have an idea. Draw another and try to square your hips." Eina drew another arrow.
Cheers came from the competition. The dark elf's voice came over the intercom. "Looks like we have a top contender with a score of twenty out of twenty-one. So close."
"That last shot is bull crap. Dam drow scamming me out of a first-tier weapon." The blond elf slung his bow and walked toward the desk. "Guess the prize is mine, Lady Hesphaistos."
"Still have two more Luvis calm down. Is Bell still at the practice range, Welf?"
"Yes goddess."
"I will go get him." Luvis smiled. "I will throw him over here if doesn't hurry. I want to show my future wife my new weapon."
Luvis walked off. Indril stared down at her goddess. "I pity any woman who says yes to him." Hesphaistos shook her head. "Wait Bell."
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I slowly placed my hands on Eina's waste and helped shift her torso. "Eina the arrow has to be parallel to your collarbone and your torso has to be straight." She followed my instructions getting more red by the second. "S-s-sorry I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"I-I d-don't mind." Eina squealed out making a nervous grin appear on my face.
"What are you doing to my woman!?" The blonde elf shouted behind us.
*Swish!*
Eina released the arrow realizing the familiar voice. The arrow bounced high off the stone wall and traveled up the arcing stone leaning up to the next floor. "Eina bow." Eina threw the bow to me. I pulled an arrow back and shot it out of the sky above the elf man. My arrow killed the momentum of the falling arrow. It was cracked in half and fell to the ground harmlessly in front of a dark elf woman while the other imbedded into a wall. "S-s-sorry miss."
"Indril." The dark elf woman smiled staring back into my eyes. "Are you Bell?"
"Y-yes Miss Indril." It took all my willpower to remain calm in front of the dark elf woman, for Goddess Hesphaistos description of her beauty didn't do her a justice. 'You are with Eina.'
"Still want to shoot Bell. Kind of hoping somebody beat's Luvis's score."
"Impossible. I am the best archer in Orario." Luvis crossed his arms. "No way Silvan is able to hit that target. That thing is as fast as an Iguazu and twenty times smaller."
"Stop your crying." Indril stared annoyed at Luvis before facing back to me. "Bell get ready for the course."
"Okay." I followed Indril to the starting location. Swore the dark elf woman was purposely trying make me stare at her butt with the way she moved in front of me.
Luvis turned around to Eina. "My love, why would you let him touch you?"
"Love?" Eina grimaced in pain. "There is nothing between us Luvis. I am with Bell."
"Please stop with this jest. I am clearly the better candidate for you husband. We can be wed tonight under the moon if you wish it."
"No Luvis." Eina walked up to watch Bell. Luvis rejection to Eina's refusal was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd.
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"Alright our final competitor is Bell Cranell a brand-new level two." Hesphaistos shouted. Some of the higher-level adventurers started laughing hard.
"That's cute. Ha-ha-ha. Looks like Luvis wins." Another man in the crowd shouted.
I took a deep breath and blocked out all distractions. I took a minute to scan the course. "You ready Bell. The clock starts as soon as your foot crosses that line."
"Yes Miss Indril."
I gripped the bow in my left hand and ducked down into a lunge. My heart was pounding and my head was full of anxiety. "You can do it Bell." Eina shouted. A huge grin curled up on my face.
*Woosh*
I pushed off the ground with all my strength toward the red staircase. Pulled an arrow out and shot the goblin sized target with ease. The next five went down easily as I rushed upstairs as fast as I could. My legs were burning keeping up the reckless pace up such an incline.
I continued to hit each target eight, nine. I was approaching the tenth at the top. My legs were start to feel weak with the five-hundredth stair in sight. I focused on the small target two hundred feet away, it was the size of a child's ball.
*Swish! Thud!*
My senses were focused on the target. I managed to hit it, but tripped on the last stair and fell flat on my face. "Ow…"
"HA-HA-HA." Laughter rang out below as all the competitors were breaking up laughing. Some were already congratulating Luvis on winning the bow.
"Come on Eina. He's pathetic." Luvis mocked the level two that corrupting his woman.
"Shut up Luvis. You can do it Bell!" Eina cupped her hands together over her lips shouted at the top of her lungs. I gritted my teeth and wiped my bloodied face. I jumped back up and raced toward the blue end.
"Can the little rabbit do it with forty seconds on the clock." Tsubaki shouted out.
I pulled another arrow out of my quiver as I stared at the rail for the descending stairs. "Only choice." I jumped off the second floor down to the railing by the eleventh target. Everyone's eyes were wide seeing the brave jump five hundred feet up. I released the arrow into the goblin target and started skidding down the rail with my feet together. My backside facing all watching from below. The faster targets were easier to focus on as long as I maintained my balance.
Cheers ringing out from below. "Come on little guy."
"You can do it rookie."
"Go Bell." Welf shouted.
Arrows hit the center of each target as I started picking up speed down the rail. "Can he pull out of this reckless dive? We might need a medic."
'Please not miss Airmid!' The thought crossed my head hundred feet up as I released the arrow into the nineteenth target.
"Ten Seconds!" Indril shouted with a glowing smile.
I was rapidly running out of rail in front of me. I squatted low to my knees and pushed off the rail so hard that the stone cracked underneath the pressure. I managed to lesson my forward momentum by jumping into a somersault.
*Crack. Swish*
I released the last arrow with my feet to the sky. Hitting the two-hundred-foot target across the room. I hit the ground at the bottom of the stairs and rolled forward uncontrollably all the way to the finish line.
"Four!" My head shot up to find the twenty-first target in the center of the room.
"Threee!" I reached for my bow and pulled an arrow
"Twooo!"
I knocked the arrow and pulled barely able to trace the moment of the coin. 'I want to be stronger.' I pulled back harder. I felt surprising amount of energy surge to my right arm.
"Oneeeeeeee!" Everybody shouted watching the timer.
*Ching! Swish! Crunch!*
The arrow released from my bow as such tremendous speeds that many could barely see it. "Zerooooooo!" The bow splintered and exploded in my hands. I fell on all fours exhausted and injured.
*Ching!*
The coin fell to the ground with an arrowhead imbedded into it. The crowd exploded in cheers, the noise inside Babel alarmed everybody outside enjoying the festival. Many came into see my battered body being hoisted into the air by the other competitors. After a few minutes they let me down as the goddess and the captains made their way through the group.
Hesphaistos was grinning wide. "That was an amazing comeback Bell. Congratulations.."
"Thank you, Lady Hephaistos." I bowed my head.
Tsubaki replied cheerfully. "That was awesome little rabbit. I will have the bow modified to a shortbow if you want?"
"That would be amazing."
"Crazy that you tied Silvan's record." Indril held one of her bangs looking a little distress. "Can't believe we have to track down a Deformis spider on floor fifty."
"You don't have too." I shook my head.
"Nonsense." Tsubaki ran her hands through my hair. "I will ask Finn to locate one for us during the expedition. A promise is a promise."
"Move. Move Aside." The man named Luvis barged his way forward. "I call cheating. This child was supposed to run down the stairs and I swear he used magic."
Hesphaistos eye found Luvis. "The rules stated to shoot the targets on the way down. Doesn't say you can't ride the rail and arrows are the only thing that impacted the targets." Hesphaistos held up the coin with the arrow head embedded into it.
Indril rolled her eyes. "Just accept the lose gracefully and take your prize." Indril handed the Luvis the green padded gambeson made from orc hid.
Luvis slapped the gambeson away. "Why would I dishonor myself by wearing the hide of an orc? Bullshit." Luvis stormed off.
"Alrighty then. Thane of Hermes Familia." Tsubaki shouted for another blond elven man dressed in dark green garb with a western style brimmed hat. "I guess you win the runner up prize."
Thane tipped his hat. "Let the rabbit keep the prize. I really don't need it and I want to apologize for my brethren's behavior." The man named Thane dipped out of Babel without another word.
"Well, all be. Isn't that nice." Tsubaki smiled. "Bell go ahead and enjoy the festival. When you come pick up your bow. You can pickup the gambeson and the quiver as well.
"Thank you so much."
"Good job." Tsubaki fist bumped my shoulder. I winced in pain. "Woops need a medic."
"No please don't tell Miss Airmid. She will kill me." The Hesphaistos women started laughing around me.
"I can heal him." Eina pushed through the crowd.
Eina started to chant her healing spell. Unlike before the ground beneath me showed a brilliant green magic circle with runes inscribed in a different language emanated from Eina's feet. "Dio Luna." Eina held out her hand and directed her magic into me healing over my scrapes, cuts and bruises. "You really do overdo it, Bell. He-he-he."
"Sorry. You didn't need too."
"Can't let you be all roughed up for the remainder of our date." Eina chuckled.
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Near eleven at night, me and Eina were sitting on stone pavers that blocked in a garden at the north side of Babel in front of the stage. "What was that bright circle by your feet earlier Eina?"
"I leveled up to Bell. That is a magic circle from the development ability mage. Didn't you see Riveria's and Alicia's before."
I scratched my chin. "I may be losing consciousness a lot, lately.
"Ha-ha-ha." Eina's infectious laughter caught the eyes of many to include her parents. "Hopefully with the four of us. You won't ever experience that again."
"That would be p-preferable." I chuckled along with her. "Still have to get new gear yet."
Eina giggled. "You just won an amazing bow and orc hide armor."
"Still need replace my blades and I don't think that orc hide is gonna protect everything. Plus goddess doesn't want me going into the dungeon for a while."
"I mean you did almost died. Oh wait." Eina bend backwards and started digging into her pocket. She pulled out a magic stone and handed to me. "Here."
"Where did you get this Eina?" I stared at the stone in my hands.
"Rose gave it to me." Eina smiled.
"How though they didn't believe me at all?"
"I may have stormed Royman's office and reminded them about the laws." Eina moved back and forth. "Mom might have threatened him after talking to Riveria. He-he-he."
"We should split it."
"No I am not gonna steal your hard work, all I did was exploit an opening to help you. It's yours."
"Thank you so much." My heart was beating like crazy.
"You earned it." Eina stared at the ground, until she heard a shuffling noise.
I scooched closer to Eina until our thighs were almost touching. "E-eina."
"Huh." Eina cheeks reddened as I got closer.
"Eina w-would you like to go somewhere else."
"The festival is still going on for at least another hour. Don't you want to watch the pageant."
"I really don't want see other women." Eina tensed up seeing my nervous face. "Can I talk with you somewhere private. I need to tell you something. Maybe to the wall or your apartment to…..."
"Disgusting pervert." Both of us turned our head to an angry dwarf, that Eina instantly recognized. "I ought to make a new pair of boots out of your puny ass boy."
"Huh." I was as confused at other people turning to watch.
"Dormul you will not hurt Bell." Eina shouted.
"This little boy is trying to corrupt you." Dormul growled.
"No he isn't." Eina stared at me with blushing cheeks. "Bell is my….. my boyfriend." My eyes widened and a nervous smile curled up on my lips.
"Like I believe this runt is worthy of you." Dormul clenched his fists and flexed his arms. "I am the stronger and more reliable than this wee rabbit. I have greater love for ye! Become my bride, Eina."
"Get away from my eternal partner dwarf."
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"Dam it. The second idiot is intervening in their date too." Aina was fuming mad watching the spectacle around their daughter.
"Shouldn't we just let her choose."
"No, I don't want those two stalkers anywhere near her." Aina was failing to pull her husband over to intervene.
Ethan was surprised by the sheer rage affecting his wife. "Eina said it wasn't an issue."
"Those two idiots were stalking me in the marketplace." Aina was breathing hard with anger.
Ethan was practically seething. "What!? Happened!"
"Those two practically cornered me in alleyway when I was trying to get away. They started a fight and I was forced to go deeper. I ran into two other men that were gonna force themselves on me." Ethan was at his breaking point listening to his wife's story. He stomped away fast before Aina could finish the story. Festival goers cleared the way for him.
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"No Luvis I already have a…"
"Stop your lying Eina." Luvis was not amused. "This vile human. Cheating scum is not your boyfriend."
"For once this elf actually makes sense." Dormul muttered.
"Shut up dwarf. You will not infect her either." Luvis sneered at Dormul.
"You want to go for another round dew drinker. Bad enough you were stalking her mum earlier."
"What!?" Eina shouted.
"I was protecting my future mother-in-law from this repulsive fungus sniffing yokel."
Eina's face was twitching with anger. "I don't want either of you. Go away!"
"You don't mean that, Lass." Dormul shoulders sunk.
"I refuse to let it end this way, Eina!" Luvis bet down on his knee. "Marry me."
"No." Eina shouted.
*GRASP!*
"Hmpf." Eina tensed up feeling my hand reach around her back to her right hip. Her eyes widen seeing my grin. She scooted closer to me and cuddled up against my shoulder to the ire of the two men.
My heart was pounding hard trying to focused directly on the dwarf and elf in front of me. "I love Eina. She is my girlfriend. Please leave us alone."
Eina was blushing a deep crimson. "You heard him. He is confessed to me. We are seeing each other."
"Can't be serious, Eina." Luvis stared dumbfounded.
"We are…." Me and Eina's faces starting going pale seeing a huge figure lumber behind Dormul and Luvis. Both noticing something was off, they turned around.
*THUD*
Ethan was full of rage. He gripped both men by the neck and held them into the air. "What did you two do to my wife!"
"We…. Didn't do….." Luvis was unable to breathe.
"anything…Honest…" Dormul finished Luvis sentence.
"The both of you stalkers chased her into a group of men intent on doing bad things to her." Ethan's gripped tightened around their throats. Eina was a loss for words. "You will steer clear of my daughter and wife or I will decorate the dungeon with your entrails."
"Ethan let them down. You're creating a scene and I don't want you getting arrested." Aina commanded.
*THUD*
Ethan dropped both men to the floor. "I had a bad feeling when you said you wanted to stay back. What were you doing Aina?"
"I may of went to the markets to look for Bell. He found me after those two chased me down the alleyway." Ethan started stomping over to me. "Stop Ethan! Bell rescued me. Those men are locked up and I am unharmed because of him."
Ethan was frozen in place with his hand out to grab me. "How do you know he wasn't stalking you too?"
"We never met him before Ethan and he was getting groceries like the note on his door said. I would not be here without him. Apologize to Bell now."
Ethan stood up straight. He took a deep breath staring into the nervous red eyes of the boy holding his daughter. "Sorry."
"I-I-its okay sir. You love them. Its only natural that you would be protective." I dipped my head in embarrassment.
"Go back to your date daughter." Ethan turned back around to Dormul and Luvis. "However, you two need to explain now, because I feel like punching someone."
Luvis and Dormul were on their knees begging. Dormul pleaded first. "I didn't mean too. I was just protecting her."
"You cornered her in the alley dwarf." Luvis begged. "A high elf traveling by themselves is dangerous. I was just protecting her from the shadows like my god told me. I was worried about Eina too."
"Your god told you that." Aina held her temple.
"My god said that same thing." Dormul confessed. "Real men protect from the shadows."
"Your dam idiots!" Ethan shouted down two them. "You protect people because it is the right thing to do. Your stalkerish behavior force her into that situation."
"Sorry sir."
"Looks like I won the bet Modi. Hand it over." The six of us focused on the two gods exchanging money.
"Awe I really didn't think she would ever reject them, Magni. Sorry Luvis sweety."
"Typical gods." Aina rolled his eyes.
"Magni you didn't." Dormul snarled at his god in anger.
"Dormul, I will make it up to you with a feast."
"Luvis bye papa some jaga-maru. I am broke."
"Go to HELLLLL!" Luvis and Dormul lunged forward at their gods. Both deities take off running for their lives away from their captains.
"I am confused."
"Gods." Ethan was trying to quell is anger with breathing exercises. "Their number one purpose down here is entertainment."
"Why!?"
"Who knows?" Aina shook her head with a smile. "Thanks again Bell."
"Just glad your okay, Mrs. Tulle."
Aina walked up to Ethan and grabbed his hand. "Let's go husband."
"Still upset with you lying to me."
"I will make it up to you when we get home." Aina stood on her tippy toes and whispered into Ethan's ear. "However, Riveria did say we could use a room in the manor." Ethan smirked.
"Well, I guess we should ask Loki for a key." Ethan pulled his wife away.
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"Oof."
Eina wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me tight. "Thank you so much Bell." *Muah* Eina kissed my right cheek. "I can't thank you enough. I love you, Bell."
"I l-love you too E-Eina."
"Sorry I caught you up in my lie. I know you don't mean it Bell." Eina pulled away and stared into my eyes.
"Eina!" I took a deep breath, Eina could see the nervousness on my face. ***"I love you."*** My voice was drowned out by the fireworks, the crowds and the speakers. Eina tried to understand what I was trying to say but It was clear the show was starting and we wouldn't be able too have a moment. Eina was confused why I seemed so depressed.
A blond-haired god wearing a feathered cap stood on stage. "Welcome one and all to the lunar festival beauty pageant!(9) I am Hermes your host."
"Shaddup. Show us the pretty ladies!" A drunk shouted out from the front.
"My friend the whole reason the contest is here is to gaze upon the lovely flowers of Orario. Let's start things off with my bodacious co-host and fellow deity, Demeter!" Hermes held out his hand to welcome the bountiful goddess to the stage.
"Thank you, Hermes." The outrageous curvy goddess received many cheers from almost every man in attendance. "Ara. Ara. Don't be such perverts. He-he-he. I am not competing tonight but I hope you all will cheer for the beautiful girls that are all dressed up tonight. Their outfits produced by different gods. Make sure to cheer for your favorite girl. The winner will receive the most cheers tonight."
"No two of these maidenly flowers are the same. I want to see them all!" Hermes was excited to announce the women on the stage. "Let's give a big cheer! For our flowers!" Babel noise level erupted with every man yelling at the top of their lungs
"Such perverts." I heard a group of women shout in front of me.
Eina leaned in close. "You can cheer too Bell."
"W-wouldn't that make you feel bad? W-were on a date."
Eina smiled. "Go ahead. Alicia will be up there and a lot of other women from my familia."
The show continued with the gods introducing many beautiful women from different familias. Many women were flaunting their outfits, hair and bodies to win cheers. One that that peaked my interest was a nervous eastern beauty named Mikoto wearing an eastern style kimono.
"Do you know her Bell?" Eina pouted.
"I have never met her, but Lord Takemikazuchi works at the jaga-maru stand with Goddess. J-Just good to know."
"Uh-huh." *Jiiiiiiiii* She stared at me until I showed signs of distress, then she busted up laughing and placed her hand temporarily on my wrist. "Ha-ha-ha. Kidding with you Bell. Oh that's Alicia." Eina stood up to cheer her friend on extremely loudly. I stood up to cheer her on too.
Alicia was already embarrassed wearing such a risqué yellow dress. Loki got it to match her hair but it amplified her features and showed off too much skin for her liking. She smile wide seeing Eina jump up and down for her. Her cute demeanor earned her extra cheers. Then she saw the Bell cheer for her. 'Bell… Bell….Belll!' Alicia immediately started getting angry focusing on the rabbit, her aura was scaring many applauding for her. The rabbit dipped out of her sight.
"Oh, dear that might hurt your rating dear Silvan." Hermes shouted. "Who could have inspired such animosity?"
Alicia was embarrassed and dipped out of sight early. She was both angry and red in the face. "Dam that perverted Rabbit. I didn't do this for you! I not like I did this so you would see me. Idiot rabbit lucky I don't hurt him."
Aki smirked listening to her friend talk to herself about the rabbit. "Oh my you keep talking about him like your in love."
Alicia went red in the face and directed her anger at the cat girl. "I AM NOT!" Aki giggled hard rushing to the stage.
I sat back down. I sunk in my seat staring at the ground ignoring the rest of the competition. Eina moved up next to me. "What's wrong Bell?"
"I was hoping Alicia wouldn't hate me."
"Oh no." Eina placed her hand on my back. "Sure, it will go away. He-he-he."
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The event started wind down near midnight with the final woman leaving the stage. Demeter stepped forward with a huge smile on her face. " That about wraps it up for all the girls who entered."
"Wait." Loki ran onto the stage.
"Loki what are you doing?" Demeter asked.
"I have a special surprise. He-he-he."
"Wait?! A last-minute entrant." Hermes shouted causing a roar in the crowd.
Loki smirked evilly. "Took to the last second to con her. I mean persuade her. No way we can possibly lose. Come on out miss secret weapon!"
The red current started moving as if the person didn't want to come out. "Hey let go of me you two!"
The twins amazons were the first ones to emerge pulling somebody out to the stage. The skinnier amazon was in a rush. "I want this over quick, so I can go to sleep and kick monster butt tomorrow.
"Just stand their a little and they cheer. Boom it's over." Tione smirked.
"No absolutely not." Riveria pulled back harder.
Tiona had an idea. "Is that a rabbit?"
"Huh." Riveria paused for a second.
"Pfft, kidding." Both amazons pulled Riveria out with one yank.
Riveria found her balance and stood up in front of the speechless crowd. Riveria was wearing an all-white dress with golden embroidery filled in with a dark blue. Purple crystals hung across her body with an ornate golden crown. Her lustrous jade hair hung low and was less restrained than normal. Riveria stood their embarrassed and crossed her arms at her waist as thousands of people stared on at her beauty.(9)
"Woooooaaaaah! At the last second Nine hells herself joins the competition." Hermes shout sent cheers that rattled the city the center of the city.
"The elf vote is as good as mine." Loki celebrated.
"Loki!" Riveria was frustrated with her goddess.
Me and Eina's cheers were drowned out by every other. Hermes stepped forward again. "What a great surprise fore sure? Let's have all the rest of our flowers come to the stage and we can begin the voting." The rest of the women that were admitted funneled onto the stage."
Demeter and Hermes walked down the line and introduced the women one final choice. People shouted for their favorite girl. "And now the final lady of evening. Riv….." Hermes was cut off by an overwhelming aura.
The aura swept through across every person at that festival. Everybody became silent. Then a voice that felt like silk to the eardrums rang out from behind the curtain. "Is it too late for me to enter?"
Everybody became silent when the curtain parted way. The figure walking slowly out to the stage was a goddess of unparalleled beauty. Her very presence inspired feelings of lust and desire, regardless of man or woman. Her skin was white as porcelain and almost had a glow about it. Her white dress with silver embroidery was both tasteful yet revealing enough to display her divine curves and perfect proportions. She had a dark silver gemstone tiara adorning her silver hair with a veil attached to her hair. She raised a gloved hand to her lips. "Heard you were going to decide who the most beautiful woman in Orario was. It wouldn't be right not to include me, would it?"
Hermes seemed lost in his word. "Welcome the goddess of beauty Freya!" The crowd roared even louder chant her name. Man and woman alike. It felt like the city itself was roaring to acknowledge her beauty. Even Eina was red faced and cheering. I was staring around lightly clapping thinking the situation was bizarre. I certainly thought she was beautiful and worthy of praise, but my gaze fell on the elven princess looking agitated.
"Who is the most beautiful in Orario?" Freya grinned wide hearing the city chant her name. " Then who's the winner of the contest."
"Lady Freya!" The city roared once more.
"You heard them. Looks like I win. Sorry. He-he-he." Freya honey words melted the hearts of all that heard it.
The trickster goddess Loki marched up to Freya and leaned over looking annoyed. "That's not fair, Freya! I refuse to accept this!"
"Doesn't the one who gets the most cheers win." Freya giggled at the trickster.
"Its not fair at all for a goddess of beauty to enter. Cheater!" Loki spit her tongue out to Freya and walked forward over to Riveria. "Most beautiful woman in Orario is Riveria. Come on Cheer!"
Nobody responded to Loki pleas. "Woooooooooo!" All eyes turned to the rabbit standing on the pavers, clapping all alone.
Riveria eyes widened to their limits. 'Bell!'