The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the village streets. Since the assault on Bell and Alice by the village children, Alfia's stern discipline silenced the tormentors but did little to thaw the twins' isolation.
Her gaze alone sent shivers down the spines of any malicious onlookers, causing them to flee in terror. Despite Alfia's vigilance, the twins couldn't escape the palpable loneliness. The townspeople, once indifferent, now recoiled from Alfia's presence. Fearful whispers and curious eyes followed them.
In the days that followed, Bell and Alice found themselves more isolated than ever. Even the sanctuary of their shared moments, playing games together, couldn't banish the weight of solitude. Their laughter, once vibrant, had dulled into echoes.
A week after the incident, in their dimly lit room, Bell and Alice prepared for bed. Their steps were slow, as if each movement required extra effort. While Alfia's presence quelled the torment, it deepened their isolation.
The adults, sensing the twins' distress, gathered to deliberate in the living room.
"I don't see any alternative except leaving the village," Zues voiced concern, brows furrowed.
Hera nodded "With Alfia and Zald, we can move freely. Asgard should suit the twins well."
Alfia, simmering with rage, cut in; "I refuse to let the twins stay here any longer. We should leave immediately. Those scum are lucky I didn't massacre them."
Zald added, "Asgard will be good, despite its proximity to Dargon Valley."
The weight of the decision bore down on them as Zues emphasized, "Now we just have to see what Bell and Alice want to do."
The room fell into a tense silence. Alfia and Zald, attuned to the slightest sounds, turned towards the hallway.
"You can come out now," Alfia's voice sliced through the quiet.
From the hallway emerged Bell and Alice, clad in pajamas, their hands tightly intertwined. Their eyes met those of the adults.
"We want to leave after the Spring Festival," Bell declared, while Alice nodded.
Zeus raised a brow, a smirk dancing on his lips. Hera sighed, knowing Alfia's likely reaction.
"Why do you want to wait? That festival is nearly a month away," Alfia inquired, her gaze unwavering.
"Aki's coming back. She is our only friend, and we would like to see her again and let her know where we will be," Bell explained
"She? I take it this Aki person is a girl?" Alfia's eyes narrowed, suspicion casting a shadow over her features as she honed on the name of this unfamiliar female hovering around her nephew.
Hera, interjected her tone calm and soothing. "Alfia, you need to relax. Aki is a wonderful and gentle child. She is also one of the few people that is kind to Bell and Alice."
"Uhmp. Fine, but I will be meeting this Aki," Alfia declared
Side story Start:
In a distant city, Aki shivered, feeling as though she was being watched by a great predatory monster. Her fur bristled and she let out an involuntary noise
"Meow!"
Side Story End
"Aki is our friend, Auntie, please be nice to her," Alice pouts, her eyes wide and pleading,
Alfia, her stern countenance immediately softened, couldn't resist the pull of those pleading eyes. "Fine. I will give her a fair chance,"
With the decision made Zeus was the first to speak: "Well, now that is settled, we can start preparing. We can tell Aki where you two will be. Asgard is a huge city. I am sure her family will make stops there. If I recall, after taking out Orario, it is one of the 10 largest cities on the continent. Should be a lot like Orario. Asgard is also on the northern coast, so you will both be able to visit the ocean. I am sure you will like it.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Alice and Bell, hopeful yet uncertain, exchange glances. Their nod reflects a shared determination, the weight of their decision they had made earlier.
"Lord Zeus. Lady Hera. We wish to receive your falna," Bell speaks, his voice carrying a mixture of formality and respect, something that they almost never did when talking to their grandparents.
"Absolutely not. You are too young," Alfia's immediate response cut through the charged atmosphere, her protective instinct flaring.
"They are not. They are both 8. That is old enough to receive a falna," Zeus countered
"Zeus, they are children," Alfia's objection persisted, a maternal concern etched into her voice.
"Alfia, quiet for a minute. Bell. Alice. Why do you want a falna?" Hera interjected
"I want to protect my twin," they responded in unison, their eyes locked onto Alfia. Alfia's expression softened, her resistance yielding to the undeniable determination in their eyes. All the fight has gone but before yielding she issues one last warning:
"If you all go done this path. I will not be letting you rest on your status. I will be training you to be the best. It will be an incredibly harsh path."
"We understand." They respond while looking at Alfia, who merely nods and waves at Zeus and Hera
"All right. So be it. So, should we do it like we did in Orario, Hera? Boys in my familia. Girls in yours?" Zeus suggested.
"Yes, I believe that would work. But if you teach Bell anything perverted, I am taking him," Hera asserted,
"Alright, Bell and Alice, get a seat, turn around. Then take off your shirts. We will give you a falna," Zeus commanded, his voice a blend of authority and warmth.
A new chapter began for Bell and Alice. Zeus and Hera pricked their fingers, the sacred offering of blood marking the beginning of a new chapter for Bell and Alice. The ritual began, the deities inscribing the children's backs with their blessings.
Bell Cranel
Human
Zeus Familia
Lvl 1
Strength: I-0
Endurance: I-0
Dexterity: I-0
Agility: I-0
Magic: I-0
Magic:
Skills:
[Twin's Bond]
(Godly Explanation: The deep love and devotion to alleviate their twin's pain has resulted in the manifestation of the following skill. Mutual devotion and love are necessary. Skill will only manifest if one of the twins is capable of bearing the burden to be place on them)
Grants the user the ability to utilize the same skill and abilities as their sibling. If both twins activate the same skills doubles the effectiveness of the skill. Negative effects can be mitigated through this ability.
Alice Cranel
Human
Hera Familia
Lvl 1
Strength: I-0
Endurance: I-0
Dexterity: I-0
Agility: I-0
Magic: I-0
Magic:
Skills:
[Twin's Bond]
(Godly Explanation: The deep love and devotion to alleviate their twin's pain has resulted in the manifestation of the following skill. Mutual devotion and love are necessary. Skill will only manifest if one of the twins is capable of bearing the burden to be place on them)
Grants the user the ability to utilize the same skill and abilities as their sibling. If both twins activate the same skills doubles the effectiveness of the skill. Negative status effects can be mitigated through this ability.
Several Weeks later
"Ya!" Bell's voice rang out as his sword sliced through the air toward Zald.
"Heya!" Alice's voice joined the fray as her blade arced toward Zald's defenses. Their strikes echoed in the yard, steel meeting steel as they honed their skills against their formidable opponent.
Zald parried their blows effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. Bell's determination burned bright in his eyes, muscles tensing with each swing, each strike fueled by relentless resolve. Alice matched his intensity, her focus unwavering as she danced with grace and agility.
Observing their progress with a critical eye, Zald offered no mercy, pushing them to their limits and beyond. Though only a few weeks had passed, the twins had taken naturally to learning the sword.
Zald had assumed the instruction of the twins for swordplay, while Alfia took charge of magic studies. Mornings saw the twins practicing with Zald until lunch, then Alfia delved into matters of magic and history.
"We will begin by having you memorize the most common monsters found on the surface. Then we will work on rarer ones. You will memorize their weak points and typical behaviors . That will be your starting point." Alfia orders
"Yes, Auntie," the twins chime in response.
"Next, you will learn about the history of Genkai. We will start with the present day and work backward until Ancient Times. Finally, should your progress prove adequate, we will move on to having you memorize the Dungeon. You will learn everything that the Zues and Hera familias know. You will learn everything we have to teach you and I will not tolerate any slacking. Do you understand" Alfia says, her tone firm and resolute.
"Yes, Auntie," the twins repeated
"Now, we will begin," Alfia starts her lecture on the topics at hand.
Thus began Bell and Alice's instruction by Zald and Alfia. Under the watchful eyes of their mentors, the twins took the first step on their journey.