34 What could have happened

English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.

This chapter has been translated by various means in order to obtain the best result, so you may find some simple or normal wordings.

If you find any grammatical error or misspelled word, please feel free to correct it or write a recommendation to improve the story. Your support would be appreciated.

Enjoy the chapter.

xxxxx

These are mini stories that are not canon. It is as they say what could have happened or another way how the story went with Riku and someone else.

xxxxx

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- Bell Cranel? –

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Dying from a disease was not the most peaceful way to die, I mean I agonized a bit in my last minutes of my life, but I'm not going to complain. From that to dying from a serious injury, I prefer illness.

What I didn't expect was that I woke up in another place. How did I know? Well, the ceiling I see is not the one in the hospital, the structure doesn't remind me of anything and my body is smaller.

I just did a Portal Fantasy to another world... I think.

My body felt weak and for some reason the feeling of being sick was present, I consider that this body was also sick and I somehow got to this place.

When I tried to do something a headache came to me and a lot of memories and emotions fluctuated which made me faint.

.....

The second time I opened my eyes was after my body had many changes or rather my soul. Apparently I was not the only one who died, the boy did too and I got this body.

I am now a new individual because of the combination of two souls, but my otherworldly soul has more influence.

"Bell, I'm so glad you're awake!"

The voice caught my attention and when I blinked several times to get used to it I saw an old man in country clothes looking at me with concern.

"Grandfather..." he was my grandfather.

"It's good that you woke up! You've been bedridden for several days" my grandfather said to me "I thought I would fail to take care of you..."

"N-No" I replied avoiding giving more blame to my grandfather "It was my fault, I... I disobeyed you"

"Don't say that Bell!" my grandfather exclaimed "You are important to me and if anything happened to you I couldn't forgive myself!"

"Grandpa..." I felt happy "Thank you"

"Hahaha!" my grandfather laughed with glee "No need to worry Bell. If you wish I could take you to my special observation spot"

I don't know what that is, but to have someone feel concerned about me is a very nice thing for someone whose life was lonely for the most part.

"What do you say I make you one of my many special stews to brighten your day, Hm?"

At my grandfather's words I was about to happily agree, but something inside me began to bother me.

I am the product of two dying souls who combined to survive, yet I am Bell Cranel. My grandfather has cared for me for as long as I can remember but telling him that I was no longer the Bell Cranel he cared for gives me a knot in my stomach.

I don't care what happens, Bell was a very innocent child, pure is an understatement. Bell was the greatest representation of innocence I have ever witnessed and I don't want to turn him into a nasty child.

Grandfather, no, my grandfather has done too much for me, so I would find it unpleasant to lie to him like that. I don't care what others think of this secret, I can't hide it.

"Grandfather"

"What's going on Bell?"

"There's... there's something I want to say"

"What's wrong? Go on tell me, nothing bad will happen" my grandfather continued with his positive attitude.

"I, um..."

"Is it something bad?" I nodded slowly and my grandfather patted my shoulder "No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you"

For some reason the urge to cry came over me, but I resisted with all I could and wiped my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt.

"In fact..."

"Hm" my grandfather hummed and I screamed internally because it was so hard.

"This... Have you ever heard of two souls combining?"

My grandfather looked at me with a raised eyebrow, but after a few moments his eyes widened, as well as he was dumbfounded by my words.

"What?"

Sigh, this was going to take a while.

.....

"So to sum it up you say that you and Bell died of a disease, but your souls were united and you're here"

"Yes"

"You're Bell, but at the same time you're not completely Bell?"

"Hm, yes and no. I am Bell itself, because the souls unanimously decided to choose how they will live"

"I see... Anything else?"

"My memories as Bell and the other life are fuzzy, but the other soul influenced more because it was from someone older and wiser"

"I understand. What do you think of me?"

"I... I don't want you to hate. I may not be the Bell you cared for, but my emotions for you are pure. Every time I think about lying to you or hating you I feel bad...I don't want that"

The conversation between the grandfather and the boy was a little difficult to carry because Bell didn't want his grandfather to look at him with dislike or hatred and the grandfather because his grandson had died, but he survived in a strange way.

They both did not want to lose the only thing they had left in their lives.

"Fuah" The old man sighed as he rubbed his forehead "You don't have to worry about that Bell. I can see you're still you even though you've been through it"

"R-Really?" asked Bell cheerfully "Do you believe me Grandpa?"

"Of course Bell" the old man nodded "After all you are not the only one who is special in this place"

"Uh, why grandpa?" Bell asked curiously.

"Because you can't lie to a God" the old man said with a smile.

"... What?"

"Hahaha!" the old man began to laugh proudly "Your grandfather is the most amazing among the Gods, Bell!"

"Um, in my other life there were stories of some Gods. I'm not your shy grandson who blushed for praise, but I'm excited to spend time with you"

"Hm, I understand" the cornflower nodded "Then allow me to introduce myself properly"

"Oh?"

"Fuahahahaha!" the old man laughed with glee "I am Zeus! Your amazing grandfather was the God of the Familia of Hero tales! What do you think Bell?"

"..."

"What's wrong, why are you pale?"

Bell's face was still blank and he paled when he heard the name of Zeus. One of the Greek Gods who caused the most chaos and suffering to many mortals.

Bell fainted.

.....

*Crack* *Crack* *Crack*

The sound of wood resounded through the forest where I stood. With an axe in hand I chopped the planks I had collected yesterday.

It has been several years, to put it another way it has been 6 years since I arrived in this world in a strange way, but I have not felt bad since I talked to Zeus, my grandfather, that day I woke up.

It was a shock for me to discover that the former Bell, now me, was cared for by a God. He used to be one of the two Gods with the strongest Familia in the world, but they lost against the black dragon.

I felt bad because when I asked him about it I could see that my grandfather did not want to talk about it. The good thing was that after a few years, when I grew up, he told me the secret of my birth.

I was the son of the two weakest members of the Zeus and Hera Familia.

My father, the most cowardly of the Zeus Familia, the one who fled at the first sign of danger, but was the most persevering in his goals, and my mother, the kindest and purest woman in the Hera Familia.

I consider that I inherited both aspects of my parents because I always ran away from dangers and was very innocent with anything in my life.

Thanks to the death event I became more mature and now I am living a life I never thought I had.

When my grandfather told me my story I decided that I wanted to join a Familia, I was 12 years old at the time when I asked him that.

I am now 14 years old.

The well-trained body showed with the sweat that made my shirt transparent and the baby fat on my face had largely disappeared, however, I still maintained the charm of innocence that I have since I was born.

"Bell! How close are you to having the firewood ready?"

"Just a moment!" keep the cut logs between a tarpaulin and lift it like a bag from its ends "Coming!"

My grandfather accepted me into his Familia and now I am part of the Zeus Familia, his only member to put it simply. The falna has helped me a lot and thanks to that I can carry these logs.

"Umu, as always, you make me proud Bell" Zeus praised me "Who would have thought that I would be able to manage to make you so strong without many battles to break your limit"

"You just need to get the hang of the falna" I replied calmly "For some reason I'm also very talented and a quick learner"

"That would come from your aunt. She was a talent freak, but she always blamed herself for stealing her talent from your mother"

"I would have liked to have met her" I murmured in a dreamy way.

My family is dead. My parents died long ago and those who survived disappeared only to be declared dead.

"Stop being so melancholy" Zeus patted my shoulder "Tomorrow is the big day"

"Of course" I perked up at that.

Tomorrow I would begin my journey to Orario where I would officially become an adventurer.

I only raised one level in these two years, but I took the status I had on my back to the maximum I could with my effort. That means that I managed to reach the S status in my stats.

My grandfather celebrated because I was like his children, someone who did not give up even if I had my difficulties.

"Then get some rest Bell. Tomorrow will be a big day for you and me"

I just nodded, took a bath, and rested as I should.

.....

"Do you have everything with you?"

"Yes" I nodded calmly "Necessary. what about my falna? They won't let me into Orario if I'm part of a Familia"

"You relax Bell" my grandfather patted my shoulder affectionately "When I updated your status last night I took it upon myself to release it so that you would decide to join a Familia"

"As always you were very smart, even if you don't look it grandpa"

"Hey! You should know that I'm highly respected among my acquaintances!"

"Could it be because you're a pervert?" Zeus stumbled "I remember that Goddess who proclaims justice and you spied on her without remorse"

"You wouldn't understand" my grandfather denied, but then perked up "Get a Harem!"

"I refuse"

Zeus snorted "Even if you don't get one remember the harem is a man's romance, Romance!"

"Sure, sure, I have to go"

"Ah, one last thing. If you meet your twin sister, remember to visit me"

"What?"

What did that pervert say?

"Yes" Zeus nodded gravely "When you were born you had a younger sister, but someone else took care of her. You and she went your separate ways"

"... So?" I asked dumbfounded but aware of the situation.

"Unfortunately, I lost contact with that person and I don't know where she is" Zeus finished sadly "However! In Orario you are likely to find her, so say hello to her for me!"

"Sure" I readily agreed because I understood that arguing about it would just take too long and I've waited long enough.

"Start your journey and become a hero"

I laughed as a child would with his family and said goodbye to my only family, or if I find my sister, then my grandfather will no longer be my only family.

Because I wasn't impressed, well, it's simple. I was always serene, so knowing that and my trip to Orario might shake me, but his words instantly calmed me down.

Well, let's get started.

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xxxxx

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- Mama Alfia to the rescue –

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She found it.

After days of despair.

She found it.

At the center of the world, there she was.

His little girl.

The one she loved no matter what sound she disliked from others.

No matter who got in her way, she would push them away.

Not even Zald was able to stop her.

He tried, but the motherly love that Alfia had created was great enough to let her know that nothing and no one mattered and she would rescue her.

That smile and laughter was the greatest gift she received every day.

Alfia knew it.

Her act was very selfish, but she already knew.

The other child was in good hands, so she promised.

No matter who got in the way, she would push him away and hug her little girl.

Zald helped. He contacted a certain God to confirm if the information Alfia had obtained was true and the little girl was being held in a certain place and by a certain Familia.

The information was real.

Alfia didn't even hesitate and set off for Orario arriving in record time. She is a level 7 adventurer, the trip was child's play.

"Stop"

"Step aside"

Without stopping, Alfia continued walking under the gaze of passersby who wished to enter Orario, while the guards tried to stop her.

None were able to do so.

From one moment to the next, the guards were flying as they collided with the structures, being defeated by a single attack imperceptible to the human eye.

Alfia went inside, she looked around to find her way and started jumping from building to building until she reached the home of one of the many Familias working with Evilus off the guild's radar.

Everything ended as it began.

"Lugio"

The entire building was destroyed.

The members of Evilus attacked from all sides, but none were able to stop it. The mages tried but failed miserably as they noticed that their magic was eliminated even before it appeared.

They died.

Alfia had no mercy, they were the enemy and to blame for all her pain.

God was on his knees on the ground watching in disbelief, as all his effort went down the drain.

"Do you know what you've done?!"

"Eliminate the trash" Alfia replied indifferently "Now you're next"

"If you do, you'll have to die!" the God flashed a maniacal grin "You have marked your fate, stupid woman. Killing a God is impossible for a mortal!"

"Do I care?" the God opened his eyes in fear "You Gods should go back to your hole from whence you came"

Alfia raised her arm to finish and return the God to heaven, but someone or several people stood in her way.

"I think you should stop there"

Alfia turned and looked at a yellow-haired Pallum who held a spear in his hand.

"[Braver]" Alfia acknowledged "You brought your entourage. I don't care, my target is close and if they get in the way I will show no mercy"

"Neither will we. We'll stop you"

Alfia looked at him with boredom and observed who was there.

The members of the Loki Familia, the Freya Familia, the Astrea Familia and the Ganesha Familia.

The strongest adventurers were there to stop her.

"[Silence] if you stop we can discuss this" Finn said calmly "Killing a Familia is not a simple crime, it is a serious matter"

"The ones who should lower their weapons would be you" a voice full of authority was heard "If you don't, I will feast on your remains"

A man in black armor with a large sword appeared. His mere presence sent shivers down the spine of those present and the will to fight grew less and less.

In particular, a male boar was watching him as his muscles tensed intensely.

"[Gluttony]"

Although it was a whisper, most people managed to hear it.

Everyone knew that a fight at this point would be disastrous and the chances of stopping the two legends present was almost nil.

Until someone came to their senses.

"Alfia, why don't you better tell me why you're doing this?"

"Goddess Astraea!" a red-haired woman exclaimed "You have to take shelter!"

"Not right now" she said calmly "They wouldn't do this without a reason"

Alfia only opened her eyes and looked at them with disdain.

"Orario has become weak... it disgusts me. You all feel safe refugees in this city, but no one is able to raise their weapon against the present calamity, we were wrong to leave"

Nobody said anything. Everyone knew that the Zeus and Hera Familias had the strongest, but when they lost the Familias expelled them to take their control in Orario.

Sadly, they were only imitations of what was once there.

"The reason is simple" Alfia spoke without emotion, but everyone felt the weight of the words "I am to rescue my little girl. Stand in my way and die"

"Your... daughter?" Astraea blinked incredulously.

"The last memory of my sister and if she dies, Orario will be a mere memory"

Astraea felt a weight fall on her shoulders, yet she did not feel a lie. The adventurers looked to her for the answer and when she nodded in confirmation they were all surprised.

"You heard her. If you want her go through me first" Zald said authoritatively "Mah, even if it's only a vain attempt"

Most of the proud adventurers clicked their teeth but did nothing. Especially the Freya Familia, however, Ottar's order not to attack was serious and they quickly understood their Captain's fear.

"Hm, how nice that they obey. As you should do in our presence"

Without looking back, Alfia walked into the hidden door that led to Evilus' base.

She was close.

.....

Riku didn't know what had happened.

She was waiting there for her Stepmother, but from one moment to the next it was all a blur.

The situation went badly for the little girl.

She had been kidnapped and was tortured by psychopaths. For several days her daily routine was to be insulted, beaten, tortured in different methods, not so brutal but painful, and to cry in a cell far away from everyone.

Little by little her mental stability was crumbling, however....

He was there.

Riku found him warm. When no one else would hold her hand, he was there to help her, to make her smile, to take her away from the pain and give her a feeling of security.

She knew. Riku remembered how she had been kidnapped that day. When she was waiting under the tree with that stone in her hand, they took her away, but now she was resisting in that horrible place with that person.

Riku didn't know if that person was with them, yet her sanity clung to what little security that horrible place could offer her.

Unfortunately, that person was busy and Riku had not seen her for several days. She was hugging her legs in fear, her clothes were tattered and dirt was everywhere.

She cried non-stop.

Riku knew that her happiness would no longer return.

*BOOM*

Nevertheless, it happened.

Several explosions occurred, while the screams of the Evilus members were heard to disappear as quickly as they appeared.

Riku began to shudder at what was coming, she knew that nothing good appeared in that horrible place. She closed her eyes and huddled in the corner with fear growing more and more.

But...

"Riku!"

The girl lifted her face to look at a panting Alfia, who was bending the adamantite bars, something that should be impossible, but at this moment Alfia didn't care if it was hard or not.

Riku began to cry.

Alfia ran and crouched down to wrap her arms around Riku.

"It's all right...I'm here now"

"A-Ah"

"It's okay, I won't walk away from you"

Riku's arms tightened around Alfia.

"Please... tell me you're okay"

"Wahhhh!"

She wept with happiness.

Riku was already safe.

.....

A silver-haired woman and a white-haired girl were sitting under a tree appreciating the sunset as they snuggled closer to each other.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better..." Riku replied sheepishly as she hugged Alfia "I'm glad to be here"

"Hm, that's good" Alfia patted Riku's head affectionately.

Alfia took a deep breath and looked at the sky. She had suffered from her illness due to the high use of magic to rescue Riku, however, that didn't matter to her if Riku's life was at stake.

She was supposed to die at any moment due to her illness that was slowly killing her, but her decision to take care of Riku gave her more strength and she managed to overcome that time gap.

However, there was something more important to do.

"It's bedtime Riku"

"So early?"

"Tomorrow we will meet with the family"

"Family?"

"Your brother" Alfia said bluntly making Riku's eyes widen "You have a twin and after the last thing that happened I think it would be best to get the two of you together"

"I..."

"Don't think too much about that" Alfia patted Riku's head affectionately "Better think about what to do when you see your big brother"

"Hm"

They smiled again.

Alfia had rescued her.

.

xxxxx

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- Is it wrong that my Goddess is so beautiful? –

.

Riku grumbled.

She knew this whole situation was bullshit.

One day suddenly waking up in an unfamiliar place with your whole body hurt and after waking up someone helps you as if their kindness is too great to do so.

Then realizing that you are in another world and another body are not things that people would want to experience. If it weren't for the woman known as Mama Mia accepting Riku into the Hostess of Fertility, who would know where Riku would be.

Riku decided to live this new life and know what things were in store for her, but soon she was terrified. This world had powerful people and she didn't know what to do.

She decided to simply live and stay close to Mama Mia, because in Riku's words that woman was a unique protection.

It wasn't until Riku met Loki that her situation turned against her. The Goddess cornered the girl and asked her for her false name, Riku knew at that point it was a mistake to make an enemy of the Gods.

However, what Riku didn't think of happened.

She literally told Loki to fuck off and stop bothering her with false accusations. The girl ran to Mia and told her that Loki was bothering her, she also pretended to cry.

Needless to say, Loki surrendered in submission to Mia and retreated.

After that event, Riku underwent a moment of resolution to learn how she arrived in that world.

Riku decided to live. It didn't matter if she was different from how she used to be, that was her life and Riku would live it no matter what, however, the incident of the God's murder happened and Riku understood that she had to become strong if she wanted to protect herself.

This led us to the current situation.

Riku went for a walk as she did when she wanted to clear her mind. The last few days have been a bit busy, but thanks to her mature thoughts she is able to overcome the obstacles she comes across.

When Riku was returning she did not notice her footsteps, so she had crossed paths with a person.

This person collided with Riku, but something very strange had happened.

When Riku crashed instead of hurting herself by hitting another person by accident, she felt a very gentle shock that landed her on her butt.

"Ara, sorry about that"

"N-No, don't look where I was going"

"Fufufu, so kind"

Riku stood up and looked at the face of the person she had collided with only to be paralyzed by what she was seeing.

She was beautiful, no, she was perfect.

Riku had gotten caught up in the woman's beauty, wrong, she was a Goddess. No mortal could have a face with such perfect proportions as her.

"Hm" the woman hummed watching the girl who caught her attention. For her the attention from that guy was common "Are you okay?"

"Ah"

The Goddess sighed slightly with a smile "Looking too much is not good for you"

"Huh?" Riku blinked and a blush grew on her face "I'm sorry! I-I just..."

"Fufufu, no problem" the Goddess laughed, but that laugh almost captivated Riku by the soft way it was heard "What are you doing around here?"

"Hm..." Riku looks at the ground and sighs heavily "I don't know who you are and I don't like to share my thoughts with strangers"

"I see" the Goddess murmured sadly and that caused Riku to feel bad for some strange reason.

"You are a Goddess?" Riku asked curiously.

"Yes" she replied sincerely "I was walking around and I noticed you. I was curious to see such a sad little girl, so I came to see if I could help you"

"Pfff" Riku snorted "The Gods only think of themselves. If they truly wished to help mortals, they would not bring their thoughts and impose them on their followers"

The Goddess blinked at the girl's words. She approached because of the unique soul the girl displayed, but also her way of reflecting was special.

She wanted her.

"Tell me. Will you do something for me?"

"What?"

The Goddess's eyes glowed with a unique color as she shared a direct gaze with Riku, however....

'How cool!'

Riku's eyes sparkled with excitement while the Goddess was in disbelief.

Riku was impressed because she had always seen the effect of glowing eyes when fight scenes climaxed, but now that she saw one in person the memories came back and she was impressed by the actual effect.

On the other hand, the Goddess was flabbergasted that a mortal had overcome her charm and was rather excited like a baby with a new toy.

"I decided, you're coming with me"

"Huh?"

"Welcome to my Familia"

Riku blinked.

"Ah?"

.....

Riku did not know how she had arrived at her current situation.

From one moment to the next she was chatting with an unknown Goddess so that for some reason she would take it with her.

Riku is now on the top floor of the Tower of Babel, which was owned by the Freya Familia.

That was the room of the Goddess Freya.

Riku didn't know how she had been convinced, but she reflected on the beauty of it and how it influenced her a bit psychologically or something similar.

"I'm almost done"

"Y-Yes..."

What was going on?

Riku was not wearing a shirt or underwear from the waist up and was instead sitting on a bench while Freya was giving her blessing.

She was becoming part of the Freya Familia and didn't know what to think.

"Ready" the voice of the Goddess echoed with joy "Your status is complete. I knew you were a special girl since I talked to you"

Riku felt a shiver as Freya rubbed her back. It could be said that anything Freya does is enough to make Riku blush. Beauty is a very great power.

"Here it is" Freya extended her status sheet to Riku, who snapped out of her stupor and took it with great interest.

[It's the same as Loki's :v]

"This..."

"Impressive, isn't it?" Riku startled at the voice coming from beside her and there was Freya with a smile "All my children are special"

"Eh" Riku didn't know, but Freya's condescending manner was quite convincing to her and that gave her many thoughts on how to act "W-Well... sure" Riku nodded hesitantly "Thanks for accepting me"

"Fufufu, you don't have to thank me. In fact I would thank you because you found me when you bumped into me"

"Oh" Riku was surprised and nodded slowly.

The situation went very quickly for the girl, who was still analyzing what happened. Needless to say, she was wary of everything that was going on, but the fear was also there.

It was very difficult to remove that which you forgot, but something else did not. Freya frowned slightly because the girl was beginning to feel bad about herself and her soul was wavering at every turn.

Freya would not accept it, she wants her daughter to shine and she will do it even if she has to heal a very severe trauma that was elaborated by a long time of tortures.

"You're safe here" Freya suddenly placed her hand on Riku's head, but Freya's voice this time sounded warm like a mother guarding her child from danger "Whatever they did to you won't happen again"

"A-Ah" Riku was still dumbfounded by those words. She didn't remember anyone hurting her except for that Evilus limb, but there was something she did remember "Huh?"

Tears began to flow from Riku's eyes as she didn't understand why she was crying so suddenly.

Freya let go of her composure and bent down to hug the little girl. Riku was surprised to feel the touch, but Freya's cooing and caress on her head was enough for Riku to snuggle into Freya's chest and cry silently.

Even if a person's mind has forgotten that which hurt us, the body is capable of remembering it and sending warnings if necessary.

Riku suffered and her life was marked by it. Her mind forgot all that, but the body did not and with Freya's words Riku's body began to release those feelings that were forcibly mitigated.

Freya had found a special soul like the others and would care for her with all her might as she always had.

The Goddess of beauty smiled as she cooed even more to the child in her arms, as the child fell asleep like a baby that was held in her mother's arms.

The little girl had been rescued from those unpleasant thoughts and her new life as an adventurer was beginning.

Orario, where any event can happen and the birth of a legend had just occurred.

.

xxxxx

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- Bravery? Survival is what I wish not bravery –

.

Waking up in a cell was not something I would want to experience, I simply opened my eyes again and unfortunately for me I had no choice in that decision.

I was walking home when I suddenly fainted on the way. When I got up I was in a cell in an unknown location and my body was beaten for unknown reasons.

Somehow I became a kind of slave because I was forced to work chopping a cave. I didn't understand what that cave was, but it wasn't a normal cave, that wall regenerated when I was already back the next day.

I wasn't the only one there working non-stop for my captors.

Another thing I learned was that it was another world. I understood it by the clothing of the people and how they used weapons like swords or spears, there was also magic, they killed several people with it for not working.

I thought I would die in that horrible place in solitude while I was locked in my cell, but one day those people moved me to another cell where there was someone else.

Because of the darkness I did not catch a glimpse of that person's appearance because she, if she was a girl by her feminine sound, was in a corner crying all the time.

For someone like me who lived in a quiet environment, the change was brutal, but I managed to adapt leaving behind several thoughts of comfort.

When they brought us food it was a pittance, but it was enough to survive. There was no lack of mockery of us, but we were not the only ones in that pit.

The girl was crawling and eating everything in silence, her sobs were the only thing I heard from her and honestly... I was a little worried, but only that. I didn't know her and I wanted to survive, not make a friendship.

One day I simply threw the leftover piece of bread at her because I didn't feel like eating. The girl lifted her face and slowly approached the bread to take it and return to her corner.

That time I saw her for the first time and it must be said that her appearance was somewhat unique.

White hair, red eyes and shy behavior to extreme levels, she was a person I had not seen before. After giving her the bread, she tried to talk to me about why I did it and I simply replied that I wasn't hungry.

She introduced herself by the name of Riku and I also introduced myself by telling her my name was Gabriel.

Since that day she has not left my side.

I became the anchor that has allowed the girl to feel safe again, so at all times she is holding my hand every time those horrible people show up.

They called themselves Evilus and their goal was to destroy Orario.

I don't know shit about what they were talking about, but destroying something that looked like the name of a city made me worry.

Riku was beaten from time to time because they considered her weak for being a child compared to me who was much older, they showed no mercy.

When I needed to heal they would throw dirty bandages at me and tell me to heal my wounds so I could continue working or else I would die.

I have had open wounds, since several weeks ago because they reopen due to the blows I received.

I would say it's stupid, but the only thing that kept me aware of myself was the girl. Even in this place she was innocent, I put up with all that until I got to her and Riku proved to be something that motivated me to keep going.

It's as if I had adopted her in a strange way because I always told her not to cry or they would come back. Slowly, I was making her more resistant to the abuse we were receiving.

All that until...

*BOOOM*

The place was attacked by a riot of another group of slaves. In the chaos the guard fell hitting my cell and without hesitation I started to hang him through the bars.

What almost made me despair was that the guard had superhuman strength that was escaping my grip and I had to use everything I had, even if my arms were being torn by his fingernails.

When I thought I was about to lose, Riku ran screaming and hurt the guard's eyes making him bewildered and I took advantage of that to choke him to death.

At that moment I would be paralyzed by my action, but instead I felt satisfaction so I grabbed the keys and ran from there.

I lifted Riku with my weak strength because the girl, thanks to malnutrition in her body and hard work, did not have the strength to run or stand for long.

I ran and ran through the chaos until I found the exit. Riku was still holding on to me with all her might, me being the only thing keeping her safe, literally.

In the midst of the chaos I grabbed a sword that had a small faint glow in case I had to defend myself, which fortunately I didn't have to do because I managed to escape with my life.

When I got out of the building that had been attacked, I walked away from there in the middle of the fleeing civilians and hid in an alley away from everyone.

"I-it's over?" Riku asked me fearfully.

"Yes" I hugged her a little tighter as I rubbed her head calmly "We're out, you can rest easy"

Riku began to cry silently into my chest until she fell asleep from releasing all that stress accumulated over several weeks of suffering.

My eyes began to close from exhaustion and I fearfully fell into the world of dreams with the child in my arms.

When I woke up again the sun was just rising and Riku was still asleep in my arms, I thought something was wrong with her because she didn't wake up with my movement, but she was still breathing.

Riku needed help before her condition worsened.

I stood up with great effort using the wall as my backrest and as I was about to begin my journey in this new world and a little girl in my arms, two people appeared in the alley.

A girl with gray hair that she keeps tied with a small knot in a ponytail style, she had a green dress with an apron and a headband.

The other woman sent a shiver through my whole being that screamed at me not to piss her off, but my confidence sent the warnings to hell and I didn't hesitate in her presence.

Comparing her to the girl, the woman had a dark blue dress, however, she did not have a headband. Her hair was long brown and had a small ponytail, but a few strands escaped from both sides of her head.

I didn't know what to do when they became aware of my presence and sent me appraising glances looking all over my body.

"Miss Mia, people are hurt!"

"I'm looking at it" she replied calmly "They probably escaped because of yesterday's incident"

I cautiously kept passing Riku on my back to protect her, she was still asleep, but I was guessing that Riku was unconscious because of the calmness her body found after everything she went through.

"Are you okay?" the girl asked me.

"Sure" I nodded sarcastically "I'm feeling wonderful"

"Tch, an idiot" The woman snorted "Even at a time like this you act stupid"

"The only people I interacted with in this town are some crazy people who called themselves Evilus" the woman's eyes narrowed "I don't know if you are part of them, so I don't care if you see me treat you badly"

"We're not like them!" the girl exclaimed, but then, noticing that we were rolling our eyes at her, she blushed slightly "What I mean is, we were just trying to help"

"Uhu, I don't buy that charade"

"Then Mama Mia here can help you" the girl pointed to the large sized woman standing next to her "She is well known and people could assure you that she is a good person"

Mia snorted "As long as they pay everything will be fine" she watched me carefully and also Riku on my shoulder "She needs help and so do you"

"You think I don't know that?" I grunted in pain.

"Hm, then stop chattering and follow me, I'll help you"

"What?" I looked at her without understanding "You're going to... help me?"

"Mama Mia is someone you can trust" the girl said, but I looked at her expressionless "Oh, that's right. Let me introduce myself I'm Syr Flova, nice to meet you..."

I simply watched her while Syr waited for me to introduce myself. When she saw that I didn't, she pouted and I opened my mouth "Gabriel"

"So Gabriel" Syr smiled "Will you allow us to help you?"

I looked at her with my breathing getting harder and harder. Trusting strangers after going through that hell definitely changed my way of thinking, so it's normal for me to send them to hell.

"That girl is at her limit" Mia mentioned seriously "Your injuries are much worse than her's. You won't resist any longer. Stop being stubborn and just accept, if you don't I'll see to it, but you'll pay the price for that"

She was right. Riku was slowly dying and would if she didn't help her soon.

Call me an idiot, but Riku was all I had left and kept my sanity on the right side. The girl also helped me calm down and continue to endure that place to have the intention to escape.

I wanted to save her.

I clicked my teeth and slowly moved my hand to my waist where my special weapon was, but my body again grew tired and I fell limp.

The last thing I looked at was Syr running towards me.

.....

"So, you mean I have to work here to pay you to help me?"

"Just like that" Mia shrugged "But you'll still have to pay me back for the help I offered you"

"Heh" Gabriel snorted "Helping others for money. I knew there was something in your words"

"Money doesn't come easy brat"

"I'm 19"

"You look 15" Mia laughed and I was surprised by that "I don't care who you are or what you used to do. Right now you work for me and all my workers are important, get that through your head"

*Bam*

I was about to respond, but the door burst open, a little girl ran up to me and gave me a hug while screaming my name.

"You're okay, you're awake, don't leave me again! " she cried into my chest.

"Riku" I widened my eyes at the girl's behavior "W-What are you doing?"

"That brat woke up long before you" Mia replied "She hasn't stopped asking about you and seeing if you were okay. We had to stop her many times when she found out what room you were in"

"Fufufu" a voice was heard and I contemplated Syr, who was laughing mischievously "Big brother took care of his little sister until the end"

"What?" look at Syr like she's dumb "Riku is not my sister. She was my cellmate"

"Hah" Mia sighed harshly as she rubbed her forehead "You're an idiot"

"Idiot" Syr also said it as she shook her head "She chose you as her brother, so it's your duty to take care of her"

I blinked and looked at Riku, who was crying on my chest saying several words that could not be understood, but she had a smile on her face. I felt good, I managed to save her as I had told her long ago.

"I see you're catching on" Mia mentioned "I investigated your incident" I tensed with that "The mutiny made by those who were captured was destroyed"

My eyes widened in disbelief. Did they all die? Did I survive because I escaped from the battlefield?

"The Ganesha Familia took care of arresting all those responsible and Evilus was contained again. There is no one to chase them anymore, but don't take things easy. Those worms could come crawling back"

"I-I understand" I nodded in compression "Now what?"

"You will work here until you pay for the resources we used on you" Mia stated authoritatively "That girl already agreed to work while you were recovering. Riku, there is work to be done"

"No!" Riku yelled as she hugged me tighter "I want to be with Gabriel!"

"We can let them share a moment alone Miss Mia" Syr said calmly "After all they escaped and now they are here"

"Hm" Mia snorted "It's okay. Don't take too long, the more you rest, the more your debt increases, so recover quickly"

Mia retired and so did Syr, but she said goodbye with a smile.

Staying alone with Riku I patted the girl's head while she calmed her sobs.

This is a strange world and I'm not going to let that happen to me again.

I will protect this child even if I have no spatial reason to do so. Simply put, I will do it because I want to and anyone who tells me it's stupid can lick the bottom of my shoes.

It's time to get to work.

.

xxxxx

.

- Bell Cranel? -

This mini story shows what would have happened if instead of Riku it was Bell that our character transmigrated into and combined his soul.

Some time ago I tried to create a story about a guy who transmigrated to Bell's body, but he did know the story of Danmachi, I didn't like it and I deleted it. That's the reason why I wanted to see if it looked good and meh, it looked decent.

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- Mama Alfia to the rescue -

A, What would have happened if...? From Alfia and how she saved Riku.

It is worth mentioning that that Riku did not die because it is long before she died, if some noticed the Astraea Familia was still alive, so the timeline is long before the events of the main story I posted.

Riku survived and Alfia rescued her to take her to her brother.

.

- Is it wrong that my Goddess is so beautiful? -

I thought of many options for Riku to see which Familia she would join. It must be said that the secret of coming from another world is important for transmigrators or reincarnators.

Danmachi Gods can detect lies and I like to use that so I can create special or comical situations in my story. I could say it was stupid of me the chapter where Riku shares her secret to Loki, but I have my excuse.

I didn't know how to generate a relationship between the Goddess and Riku. I like to keep the essence of the characters and although Loki seems kind and smiling, she can also be cold and ruthless.

So I somehow employed the excuse that Riku already had knowledge from Mia, about her commenting on how Loki spent thousands of valis at the bar to drink and her Familia were trusted. Don't judge me, but it was my second story and it was the best idea to join it to a powerful Familia where I could produce chapters with several important or entertaining events.

So yes... it was a bit rushed, but it worked in the long run, however, I let others down by revealing the secret, so sorry if you didn't like it. You have to think about Riku being in an unknown world where she could die without her realizing it.

These are my excuses, to be honest, but it happened.

This short showed Freya's interest in Riku, I tell you once and for all that the only people to overcome the charm of a Goddess were Bell and virgin Goddesses, Riku had no ability that would prevent that, so it was simply something of mine that I wrote.

The Riku of the main story may fall under the charm.

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- Bravery? Survival is what I wish not bravery -

This story shows that instead of my character transmigrating into Riku, he was sent to Orario and kidnapped by Evilus.

Some may have noticed about the age difference, but when I started writing Riku's previous life age I wanted to set it a little big so that Riku's maturity was a given and how age took an important role in development.

In this little story we can see how Riku was still alive and was saved by my character only to have to be rescued by Syr and Mia. Gabriel and Riku were in a critical state, so they could only show caution because they didn't have the strength to defend themselves.

When I was writing the ideas came into my head and I created scenarios where Gabriel created relationships with other characters. Because Gabriel is someone much older than others, there was the opportunity to create a love relationship between him and other characters in the series. For example: Asfi, Riveria and Tsuabki, unique characters in my opinion.

.

xxxxx

.

The Omakes are not part of my main story as many will know. I thought about placing these shorts with the other chapter, but they were over 10 thousand words long and I found it too long for me, so I separated them.

If I feel like it I might do other omake in the future and continue as a side story some of these omake and write a little bit.

Thank you for reading and I'll let you know that the next chapters are close to the timeline of the novel where Bell arrives in Orario and the Loki Familia is on an expedition.