Danmachi ( Fanfiction Volume 18 )

Looking for your path

It was a misty cold morning in Orario .A sheltered silence surrounding the city as if it was  forbidden to make a sound and disturb this peaceful morning. Rays of light penetrated the clouds of mist from the top the brick walls, ending last night darkness and announcing the arrival of a new morning.

Naked trees .With dried leaves , from green to brown they changed.A certain leaf was blown high by the morning breeze. It traveled around the silent streets of the City , aimless yet guided by the changing winds.

Finally it rested on the ground of the grand plaza. a stark contrast to the previous streets , busy people walked in and out of the Babel tower . Parties returning from exploring the labyrinth. Merchants looking to make new profits. While some adventurers were looking for a new start.

In a certain corner of the city a big mansion took place with beautiful front and back garden.A wide path cut through grass and bushes. On top of the front portal a symbol of a flame and a bell. The Hestia familia symbol. The door opened slowly and a hooded elf went out , a wooden sword on her side and green cap covering most of her body. Ryu went out to her usual morning training.

The aftermath of the incident two years ago brought many changes into Orario .the relationships and the way people looked towards  familias and gods . 

 Ryu was one of the most devastated by the loss of bell. She cried for a long time in the her room at the hostess of fertility inn. Until one day the manager Mia came to her threw her outside with one nothing but small advise " don't come back until you find your own path ,you cant stay like that forever"

No matter how harsh she sounded Ryu knew that she was caring about her. It was a relieve of duty for Ryu, so she picked her stuff and went out of Orario , looking for her long forgotten goddess who left orario many years ago after her familia members were wiped out.

She travelled into many villages , for several months , and one day she arrived to a coast line city , it wasn't that big , yet it looked peaceful. She walked on the harbor admiring the beautiful structures of the city. She watched people amending to there jobs fishing , and kids playing adventurers and monsters. It brought peace to her heart , at least she was able to forget a little about her pain.

Albeit , the nightmares that a young adventurer finally made her forget them returned to her ,even darker. She watched him being thrown into a dark pit , while monsters lashed at him.

Yet he laid there on floor covered with a pool of his blood , " why weren't you there?"

She saw him looking back at her despite the monsters tearing his body , " why did I had to die alone in that place?" She heard his desperate hopeless voice. " it was your fault Ryu san"

Ryu screamed in her bed:" NOOOO , Bell!" she rushed trying to catch him with her hand yet , she only catched air , she soon realized that it was just another nightmare. She brought her hand to her cheek , a warm wet stream fell on each side. Tears that never stopped falling after so long.

Ryu held the blanket and rapped it around herself tightly , she remembered clearly those moments in the dungeon , when she felt his warm hands rapped around her small body . How small she felt when he held her , his breath on the back of her neck and hearing his heart beats that close from her.

Back then their only purpose was to survive and get out , yet now she regretted those moments for being short

Ryu's head dropped :" Bell , I am sorry " she kept crying again until she fell asleep, hoping for no more nightmares.

At morning she went down stares to the inn, it was not as big as the hostess of fertility , but the local food was good. A waitress came by to her side and asked :" what can I get for you miss ?"

Ryu :" I want to have a breakfast , what you suggest ?"

The waitress smile grew on her face:" we have fresh fish that had been catched this morning ,how about a fish soup?"

Ryu;" good "

the waitress swiftly disappeared into the kitchen to bring the order , while Ryu looked around the inn. It was early in the morning ,and inn was empty .Except for her , there weren't many people who would travel this place at this time of the year. She noticed that the streets were busy , merchants and fishermen , coming and going.

(this place is really peaceful huh )

she kept gazing outside , without realizing that waitress been calling for her for quite a while now

"...venturer ..... miss adventurer ?"

Ryu shifted her gaze to the waitress " yes ? sorry "

Waitress " you looked like quite lost in thoughts , is something bothering you , if it was someone in this city , I maybe able to help you "

Ryu shifted her look :" no its just ..."

Then she turned again , why not ? she thought , she was out here looking for her goddess she need her to either come back to Orario or remove her falna so she can get another one.

Ryu ;" do you happened to know a goddess who came here or to any nearby village in last few years?"

The waitress tilted her head ,her black short hair and blue eyes made her look cute when she put a finger on her cheek thinking about the question" a goddess , huh , hmmmm , I have to admit , I really don't know , there are many people who come here and go every year do you have any descriptions about her ?"

Ryu :" she has a brown long hair , and Clear blue eyes , she usually wears a fancy white and blue clothes , she would catch attention if she passes by "

Waitress :" hmmm , that narrows the search , I really haven't heard anything about someone like that , but there is a nearby village into the east , in a small hill , it was established just a decade ago , and they provide us with many crops , how about you go check there, because many people goes to live there every year, the conditions there must be good"

Ryu ; "thank you , I will , how did you know I am an adventurer ?"

The waitress smiled again ;" fufu , I have my skills , even If I don't have a blessing , I can tell from your clothes and the way you put yourself together , I have keen eyes you know , you are from orario aren't you ? the land of Heros and gods !" the waitress kept her attack on Ryu he was been pushed back by this endless talking

"milly!! Let our guest eat her breakfast !" a deep famle voice came from the back of the inn followed by a small empty bucket that hitted the waitress milly to the head

" ouch , it hurts it hurts !" milly the waitress complained

The inn keeper ,an old looking woman , with grey hair and black eyes , came from behind the counter with a cooking spoon in her hand.

" please forgive her for that young miss , we dont have adventurers that often  in our humble inn"

Ryu was taken back by the old woman words " its okay , I was just asking her about  somethings"

Milly shouted :" yes ,yes yes , ouch"

The old woman hitted her again :" shut up and go clean the dishes"

Milly:" hai!"and she disappeared again . silence returned to the small inn. As the old innkeeper came forward looking back to her waitress

" what silly girl , forgive her , she has a pure heart "

" its alright "Ryu said .

"so , may I keep you company in your breakfast?"

Ryu :" suite yourself"