Danmachi ( Fanfiction Volume 18 )

reminiscence "1"

He put his cloak back on , quickly disappeared in the darkness of the dungeon. Pain from the amazons sisters last attack  reminded him that he was not strong enough. Not enough to go beyond the deeper floors of the dungeon where he was trapped for the last two years. He looked forward as some monsters approached him , a large group of lizardmen with bloodred eyes. His courage didn't waver , he felt his mind really calm just like back then when he fought side by side with her. ( Aiz ) bell thought. He draw his black sword out and waited for the approaching pack of monsters. Only after defeating the last monster that he realized that he should ve asked the sisters for more food , anything would ve been a luxury compared to what dungeon offered.

Two years ago things didn't go as planned for Bell and Aiz against the chimera , at a last desperate moment , Bell pushed himself beyond limit to save Aiz from the unexpected attack using his nullifying shield. Both Bell and Aiz were thrown away , severe injuries all over their bodies ,bell gave one look to Aiz sent shivers across his body . horrified from the idea of loosing her he roared on Asterius :" ASTERIUS! TAKE HER ! NOW!" . the Minautor wasn't in better condition  either . With nothing but the opportunity that bell gave him by distracting the chimera , he picked Aiz and runned away.

Bell relaxed as he watched Aiz leave that place. It brought a sense of ease and peace to his mind that made him forget the pain of his injuries. He gathered what left of mana in his body to use for a final attack , trying to get the same feeling when the Guliver brothers were pursuing him.the result was a huge explosion that destroyed everything in the cave and pushed outside , Most of the chimera body burned to ashes , while what left became black mud , unlike what normal monsters that returned to ash after dying.

Bell who had reached mind down , with a body in a critical state couldn't bother about anything of that sort he was just laying there bleeding while gazing at the ceiling , he didn't realize why , but the dark room became brighter and the coldness he felt in his body started fading , ( is this my end ?) he thought if this was what death felt like ( goddess , I am sorry for breaking my promise ) , however a melodic voice chirped in his mind :" already giving up young adventurer? Your journey isn't over yet "

That was the last thing he heard before loosing consciousness.

After unknown amount of time passed , bell opened his eyes , he saw a marble ceiling above with archways , an architecture style that could only be found in some temples , his eyes kept roaming around the walls which had many carvings that illustrated some history or stories. He trialed with his gaze until he was unable to see , but he couldn't move his neck nor his body when he tried to inspect the area more ;" where am I ?" with a hoarse voice." You are finally awake, good " a familiar voice resounded in his mind , but bell tried to move his body again to find its source , an attempt in which a sharp pain surged across his whole body , " urgghhhh" he screamed , but he couldn't twist or hold himself

The voice spoke again :" I would advise against moving your body , I barely managed to heal your most severe wounds and also that weird Illness of yours " the voice was calm and gentle yet it carried out a tone of nobleness to it too. It made bell feel a little at ease , " tha—thank you , can you tell me where am I ?" he asked

" we are still in the dungeon , if that's what you wanna know , but we are in a special place "

"what about ... my other companions ?" with hesitant voice , bell was afraid that he might be the only one who survived and he couldn't forgive himself if anything happened to Aiz after he dragged her to his mess , " don't worry young one , the half-spirit girl is alive , you didn't hesitate to risk your life for one of my kin even at the cost of your life , a feat worthy of acknowledgment "

In his try to analyse what he just heard , he realized something , the unknown voice called Aiz half-spirit and she was alive ,so this meant that the one who saved was :" are you perhaps , the fire spirit ?"

" oh , you seemed to know something about me huh? Who told you ? those weird adventurers who visited my place last time ?" with curious voice , she started questioning him intensely, only to realize that bell didn't know about who she was talking about.

:" fine , you really don't know them, they were a bunch of weird people , stronger than the average adventurers that passed by here before , but they didn't stay much "

:" can you , tell me your name ?" bell asked , the voice kept referring to herself in a dignified way , so he thought it would be better to at least give her a propre thank

:" hmm ? you want to know my name ? well you are not worthy of knowing it yet , but I ll tell you who i am , I am a phoenix spirit , my flames are what healed your miserable body , so make sure you don't mess it up again "

Bell closed his eyes and with slow tone :" thank you very much for saving me , phoenix-san" and he slept , it was the last bit of energy that he mustered in his body.

The voice was silent for a while and in  low tone she replied :" you are , the one who probably saved me.... Baka"