Day was barely breaking over the Passion Quarter, but the atmosphere in Ishtar's palace was already tense. The Amazons, fierce and proud warriors, had gathered around Aisha in one of the great halls.
Phryne Jamil, imposing and intimidating, stood in the center of the room, her eyes filled with contempt staring at Aisha.
"Why is this kid here? He has no business in our sanctuary. Ishtar only takes worthy warriors or those who know how to entertain her!"
Aisha, still calm but ready to retort, crossed her arms.
"That kid's got more potential than most of the guys you drag around here, Phryne. And he survived a minotaur yesterday, which is more than you could do."
A mocking laugh echoed among the other Amazons, which only served to inflame Phryne's anger. She stepped forward, imposing, towards Aisha.
"Who do you think you are, Aisha? You think he's going to make you special in Ishtar's eyes? He's weak. A loser!"
Aisha didn't move, her cold gaze challenging Phryne's.
"Keep talking, Phryne. But remember, Ishtar gave her approval for him to stay. If you have a problem with that, go talk to her directly."
Phryne hesitated, the mention of Ishtar enough to make her flinch slightly. However, she gave Aisha an icy glare.
"This kid won't be here long. Remember my words."
As Phryne left the room in a theatrical move, Aisha sighed, turning to the others.
"Bell may be young, but he has potential. And if he succeeds, Ishtar will be the winner. So stop making a fuss and leave him alone."
Meanwhile, in another corner of Orario, Aiz Wallenstein was walking down the steps of the guild. Curiosity had been nagging at her since her meeting with Bell. Something about him, in his words and his gaze, had intrigued her.
She quickly spotted Eina Tulle, the bespectacled elf who often helped novice adventurers. Aiz approached her, her expression stoic but polite.
" Excuse me. "
Eina looked up, surprised to see the legendary swordsman speaking to her.
"Miss Wallenstein! What can I do for you?"
Aiz hesitated for a moment, then asked in a calm voice:
"Yesterday, I met an adventurer… A white-haired boy. He said his name was Bell Cranel. Can you tell me something about him?"
Eina seemed to think for a moment, her expression becoming more serious.
"Bell Cranel? Yes, I met him a few days ago. He came to the guild to find a Familia. But…"
She paused, searching for words.
"He had a hard time. No Familia wanted him. He's a very determined boy, but he seems to carry a heavy burden."
Aiz frowned slightly. "A heavy burden?"
Eina nodded, looking concerned.
"He comes from a remote village that was attacked by monsters. He lost many loved ones. Since then, he wants to become a hero, but Orario has not been kind to him."
Those words resonated with Aiz. She understood the pain of losing loved ones, but the idea that Orario had rejected someone with such determination troubled her.
"Do you know what Familia he's in now?" she asked.
Eina shook her head.
"No, he hasn't been back to the guild since. But I guess he must have found someone to help him."
Aiz was silent for a moment, then muttered to herself:
"Bell Cranel..."
Back in Ishtar's quarters, Bell, still naive, found himself caught up in the intrigues of the Amazons and the gods. But deep down, he felt a mixture of excitement and doubt.
Aiz, for her part, was increasingly intrigued by the young adventurer, seeking to understand what made him so special.
The paths of the two young people seemed destined to cross again, but in a world as unforgiving as Orario, each step brought them closer to greater danger.
Chapter 12: Shadows of the Past and Temptations of the Present
Bell stood in the silent room Ishtar had given him. The flickering light of the candles danced on the walls as he held in his hands an old lightning bolt pendant, a relic left by his grandfather, Zeus. This piece of jewelry was not just a keepsake; it carried a secret he had discovered by chance while going through his grandfather's belongings before leaving the village.
On the back of the pendant was engraved an inscription in ancient Greek. Bell, through the teachings of Zeus, had deciphered these enigmatic words:
> "He who breaks the chains of thunder will be king of heaven and earth."
Those words resonated with him like a prophecy. Zeus, despite his good-natured ways, had always implied that he had fallen out of favor with the other gods. But Bell had never understood why. This pendant, however, seemed linked to a deeper truth.
He clutched the object in his hand, determined. If he was to become the strongest in Orario, this secret could be a key. But to do so, he first had to survive the challenges of the city and the intrigues of the gods.
In another part of the palace, the Amazons were plotting. Bell had become a source of fascination among them. Young, determined, and carrying an aura of mystery, he represented an irresistible curiosity for these passionate warriors.
In a room decorated with purple hangings, several Amazons were chatting around a low table. Phryne, with her eternal arrogance, growled:
"This kid is a waste of time. Why is Ishtar interested in him?"
One of the other Amazons, younger and more mischievous, smiled mischievously.
"Maybe because he's cute. He has an innocence that makes you want to break it..."
A burst of laughter echoed through the room, but Aisha, sitting back, intervened.
"Enough. If you wish to play with him, remember that he is under my protection. And above all, remember what Ishtar seeks: a hero fashioned in her image."
The others exchanged glances, but Aisha added, a provocative smile on her lips:
"But if any of you think you can seduce him, go for it. Let's see how tough this kid is."
This statement sparked a new interest among the Amazons. They knew that Bell, despite his apparent naivety, was not as fragile as he seemed.
Later that evening, Bell sat in his room, deep in thought. Suddenly, he heard a light scratching at the door. Before he could react, the door opened softly, letting in an Amazon dressed in a simple, light cloth.
She approached him, her feline movements betraying her intention.
"Good evening, Bell. You're very lonely here… Don't you want some company?"
Bell stood up abruptly, feeling uneasy.
"No, I… I'm fine, thank you."
The Amazon stepped forward further, ignoring his attempt to push her away.
"You're so tense. Let me help you relax…"
"No thanks, I promised someone else and I intend to keep my promise," said Bell.
But before she could reach it, the door burst open. Aisha stepped in, her gaze hard and protective.
"Out. Now."
The Amazon growled but complied, giving Bell one last seductive look before disappearing.
Aisha stared at Bell with her arms crossed.
"You're going to have to learn to defend yourself with something other than a sword, kid. Temptations here can be more dangerous than monsters."
Bell looked down, ashamed.
"I didn't know what to do…"
Aisha sighed, softening her tone.
"Listen, I promised to help you get stronger. But to do that, you have to stay focused. These girls just want to have fun with you. I want you to succeed and thank you for keeping your promise."
Bell looked up, blushing, realizing she had heard those words, touched by his confidence.
"Thank you, Aisha. I promise, I won't get distracted."
Aisha smiled slightly, then walked towards the door.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow we're going back to the dungeon."
Once alone, Bell picked up the pendant again, clutching it to his heart. Between his grandfather's secrets, the dangers of Orario, and the intrigues of the Amazons, he felt that his journey was only just beginning.
In a whisper he thought
"How could I avoid this kind of situation with the other Amazons?" before falling into the arms of Morpheus.
To be continued