- You heard Bell's voice. You suddenly felt calmer. You were glad there was at least someone on your side. When Vonika betrayed you, everything went dark. Nothing remained but hatred and fear. You felt like you couldn't trust anyone anymore, now you just hope it won't happen again -
"Bell?" You asked. Slowly turning back. Your vision regained, and it made you happy to see Bell with a relieved smile on his face.
"(Y/N)! Thank the Gods. I thought you were going to attack us!" Bell said. Worried that you weren't in control of that beast anymore.
"Who's that?" You asked. Something about him was familiar. But you shrugged it off.
"It's our new party member, Welf Crozzo!" Bell proudly introduced. Welf greeted with a wave. You felt sorrow overwhelm you as your mind goes blank again.
"Crozzo?" You said with a shaky voice. It was the only thing you can muster before you fall on your knees.
- You suddenly feel a splitting headache. As your vision darkens, memories of Vonika flood your mind. From the day you "rescued" her, recruited her in the Familia, trained her... and her betrayal -
"(Y/N)? Are you okay?" Bell asked. Slowly walking towards you. Your head looked up, staring at Welf.
- Bell moves back in terror at your pitch-black eyes. A viscous fiery-yellow liquid flowed out of your them and down your face. He sees you clutch the handle of your scythe -
'Bell is working for a Crozzo!?' You thought in anger, "No, maybe he was manipulated, brainwashed. I need to kill him!" You mumbled. Denying the fact that Bell possibly betrayed you too.
- You dashed for Crozzo, using all your strength to kill him in one swing. But Bell blocks your attack. The power pushes Bell back, he crashed onto Welf, and both of them went rolling on the ground -
"(Y/N) what are you doing! Please stop!" Bell cried. Trying his best to stand up after tanking your full strength. While Crozzo laid unconscious on the ground.
"I'm doing the world a favor." You said, getting on a stance, "Please stand down, Bell. This does not concern you." You continued. But Bell was persistent. He stood up straight, clutching his knife.
"So be it!" You growled, separating your weapon in the middle. You now held a sickle on your left and an axe on your right.
- You dashed at Bell and brought down the axe. Bell blocked it, he was pushed back, but he regained his stance. Using this to your advantage, you swung your scythe towards his stomach. But he grabbed a baselard and parried your it -
"What's gotten into you!?" Bell shouted in worry. But he was determined to knock you out if you don't stop.
"Fear." You said. Bell was distracted by your answer, and you used this to kick him away, "Fear of getting betrayed again." You continued. You dropped your weapons and borrowed Oni's powers.
- You warped beside Bell and caught him off guard. You quickly grabbed his neck and raised him. Bell tried his best to get out of your grip, but he was still too weak -
"Was all that a lie? Manipulating me just so you could catch me off guard and betray me? How long do I have to wait until you stab me in the back!?" You asked. Bell tried to answer, but he couldn't. You loosened your grip.
"What lie!?" He cried. He was scared, confused, and in pain. He wanted to snap you out of it, but he felt your hand tightening its grip again.
- You watched as Bell struggled to breathe. Clawing at your arms to let him go. You were hesitating. This feels like a misunderstanding, but you are too afraid to feel betrayal once more. You didn't mature. You were still that kid who was too scared to let it go since you were scared that something worse will happen if you tried to live peacefully -
"Sorry... Bell. I guess a peaceful life wasn't for me." You said with a demented smile as you continue to watch him die. You felt another presence on the dungeon floor. But it got to you before you could even react.
- Someone punched you. The force made you let go of Bell as you were sent back. It was enough to snap you out of your rage. Your eyes returned to their original color, and the viscous liquid ceased to flow -
"N-No! I-I changed!" You shouted. Watching Arashi guard Bell, who was trying to catch his breath while the Crozzo laid unconscious, "I thought I changed?" You asked yourself, staring at your shaking hands.
- Bell, even though you tried to kill him, tried to run to your side. But Arashi was there to stop him. You reattached your scythe and hung your head low. And closed your eyes, muttering the last words you said. You feared you will change again, so you warped randomly. You didn't care where it takes you. You just wanted to get as far as possible -
"Where did I land?" You asked. Opening your eyes, you saw that you landed at the outer walls of Athello. The gates opened, and Raziel walked out, "So the guards saw me?" You asked. He nodded.
"Yeah, they told me you arrived, so I ran out as fast as I could. The people, even though they are grateful that you are helping us. They are still very much afraid of you." He answered, chuckling a little. You laugh a little bit, but the sorrow can still be seen in your face.
"So, why the long face?" He asked. Noticing the sad look on your face. This is the first time he saw you like this. You're either cheerful, serious, or angry.
"Vonika... Vonika betrayed us. She was a spy all along." You said with anger. Raziel gained a smug look on his face, and you already know what he'll say next.
"Hold it right there! I almost killed my own Familia member. I don't need the I told you so shit right now!" You glared. He quickly backed away and wiped the smug look from his face.
"Alright, calm down before you try to kill me too!" He defended, bringing his arms up in a block position, "Actually, it's perfect that you're here. Something peculiar has happened." He said seriously. You nodded and stood up, walking with him through the gates and the village.
"Remember when you got blinded by that shape-shifting guy and started bleeding that yellow liquid?" He asked, and you nodded. "After a couple of days, these weird-looking plants grew outside where you laid and on the village path where it dripped down when we carried you.
"We decided to not touch or get close to it since we don't know what will happen. We arrested some residents who tried to take it and guarded every plant. But unfortunately, two outsiders we let in took one at night and ate it in hunger. They mutated and are unmoving but alive." He explained further into the issue. You were more intrigued by the people who ate it.
"Show them to me. We'll take care of these plants later." You commanded. Raziel nodded and showed you to their dungeon where they lock up criminals.
- You walked through the dungeon, seeing many cells that housed 2-3 criminals. Their faces showed fear at the sight of you, thinking you were there to execute them. You passed all of them, and after passing 6 empty cells, you saw the last one. It houses 2 people, conjoined twins. Eating the plant made it so that the woman has her chest open while the twin is separated. But nestled deep inside her chest -
"How did they arrive at Athello?" You asked. Taking pity on the two. Raziel looks at them.
"They said they have been branded as freaks in their own village. They were hunted down and are seeking refuge. I let them in even with the reluctance of the chieftains. The twins also managed to eat the plant because the guards were too afraid to touch or even get close." He explained. You grit your teeth in anger.
"I'm going to need to talk with the chieftains. From now on, they will be demoted to councilors, and you will be assigned as the new chief. I don't like how they treated these two, and I don't want any scenario like that happening again, got it!?" You explained with an enraged tone. Raziel just nodded.
- You walked inside the cell, pitying the two. You kneeled and stared. How bad must it felt to be branded as freaks and hunted down while you just try to live a regular life? You put your hands on their forehead, feeling the warmth from their body slowly fade away -
"Don't worry, it's over now. You won't be hunted anymore... you will be the one to hunt." You said. Raziel's eyes widened when their bodies were immediately covered in dark smoke.
- It dissipated, leaving a pendant. You grabbed it and crushed it in your hand. And just like before, it emitted black smoke before entering your body. You stood up, feeling more power as you leveled up once again -
"Show me the plants." You said with a much calmer tone. You still felt guilt for earlier, so you needed a thing to distract you from it.
"Yeah, we need to remove it as fast as possible. Eating it will turn people into your creatures. If I didn't guard it, you'd have a whole army now." He joked. You smiled at this and thought, what would happen if you fed a whole village of these flowers? Would they all turn?
- You and Raziel got out of the dungeon and walked in front of his house. Where the first plant can be seen, around it was three guards sitting down. They immediately stood up and saluted after seeing the both of you -
"Go tell the people eating the plant will cause immediate death. Godkiller and I will handle this." Raziel commanded. The guards quickly left, leaving the plant for the two of you to examine.
"It has the same fiery glow." You said, examining the color of the plant. You tried to think where you've seen it aside from the liquid you secrete in your wounds or your eyes, "I've got it!" You shout, startling Raziel a little bit.
- You summoned Blight and examined him. You were right. On his belt was a pouch full of them. Syringes filled with the yellow liquid, you grabbed an empty one and despawned him. You then injected it in the flower-like thing from the plant and started taking samples of it. Out of the plant came a very similar substance, both in color and viscosity. But the plant died right after you took it -
"What use does it have?" Raziel asks, intrigued by the yellow liquid in the syringe. You smiled at him and pointed it at him.
"Why don't we try it out." You said. Moving the syringe closer to Raziel. He immediately backs away, sweat dripping down his forehead.
"I'm just kidding. But the killer I summoned earlier, Blight. He injects these into his body before he runs and bounces off walls, "I think it's kind of like a source of power for him, maybe why his face is also monstrous." You theorized.
"So can you try injecting it to yourself? I mean, that very same liquid goes out of your body." He explained. You quickly turned his proposal down.
"No, I don't think it's the same. We need to test it out with something, but not humans. That will just be inhumane and cruel." You said, "Follow me, I need to test something out, but I can't do it here. The people might panic." You suggested. Raziel looked wary and decided to ask.
"You're not going to inject it on me, are you?" He asked in fear. You laugh and pat him on the back.
"Don't worry, Raziel. That was just a joke. I wouldn't actually inject it on a human being unless it is necessary." You explained. He sighed in relief, and both of you headed out the village and to the area where you fought.
"There's a thicket of those plants right there." Raziel reported. Pointing at the area where you laid after the fight, it was full of the plant.
"Alright, let's test it out." You said. Summoning Trapper. It stood idly, waiting for your command. You walked closer and injected the syringe full of the yellow liquid into him.
- Both of you backed away as Trapper started to shake and move uncontrollably. His bone mask, shifting into a more demonic form. The permanent cuts and wounds on his body began to glow that same fiery yellow. You can hear his groans and shouts as he continues to endure the pain. He stops and roars. You and Raziel looked in awe and horror -
"Oh hell no! You still have control over that thing, right!?" Raziel asked worriedly. Trapper stared at both of you creepily, its eyes and mouth overflowing from the yellow liquid.
"Don't worry, I still have control." You reassured. You commanded Trapper to use his power to see if there is any difference. He summoned bear traps. They are laced with the yellow liquid.
- You stared at the bear trap, intrigued by what change it has from the others. Picking up a pebble, you threw it on the pressure plate where it can activate it. It closed with 10 times more power than the old one, a shockwave boomed through the area as the trap snapped shut -
"Holy shit! That thing can cut through whatever steps on it!" Raziel exclaimed in awe and surprise. He almost stumbled back from the shockwave.
"This is a big power boost." You said, holding the empty syringe in your hand, "It's just what I need to destroy Rakia and Mercer's mutations." You mutter, the sorrowful look returns as you remembered Vonika.
"Hey, don't look so sad. You just discovered something new from your power. Why don't we go-ahead to the town hall and exert all that anger at the chieftains." He joked, directing you inside the village and onto the town hall.
<Smol Timeskip>
"I was just joking... I didn't actually mean that you should put out all your anger on the chieftains." Raziel mumbled. Watching you berate the chieftains that are shaking in their seats.
"Remember you prideful pricks! Ryuu, Raziel, and I saved you! All of you! From Rakia's attacks. You have no right to turn down those seeking refuge and in need of saving. If you don't like me or my rules, then I suggest you leave before I turn your sorry asses into grounded meat! Understand!?" You scolded, pointing at the Chieftains. They all nod fearfully, shaking in their seats.
"Now. Since I have seen incompetence in all of you. You will all be demoted to council members. Raziel will be the chieftain of Athello now! Your words or opinions won't matter unless he approves them. And If I overhear someone rebelling or just a single squeak of reluctance, well... you know what will happen next." You continued. Pulling Raziel from his seat and making him sit on the chieftain's chair.
- The door immediately busts open, and Hestia walks in, carrying a book. She walks closer to you and hits you with it on the back of the head. The former chieftains yelp in surprise from her actions, thinking that she's just a mortal. You ordered Raziel to make them leave, and he complies, redirecting them out of the room before entering again -
"That was for almost killing Bell and his new party member!" She shouts, "This is for leaving without telling us where and being gone for a couple of days!" She scolded. Hitting you at the stomach with the book, you groan in pain. Hestia drops the book and hugs you.
"This is for staying alive." She sincerely said. Hugging you tightly with no intention of letting go.
"I-I'm sorry, Goddess. I just couldn't control my anger when Vonika betrayed us. And seeing Bell with a Crozzo made me lose it." You explained, with a regretful look.
"I know, (Y/N). We can't do anything for Vonika now, but you have me, you have Bell, Lili to protect. It's Vonika's loss by taking Ares' side. And as for the Crozzo, Bell explained that he left his family and has never continued making magic swords ever since." Hestia comforted, patting you on the back. Raziel stared in shock, seeing the fearful Godkiller being.
(Hey, for my boys out there, don't be afraid to cry or seek comfort. Being a man doesn't mean you have to carry all of it on your own or keep those emotions bottled up. If you need to cry, then do so. No one will judge you.)
"What's with the book?" You asked tearfully. Goddess remembered she borrowed it from Ouranos and silently cursed.
'I borrowed that from Ouranos, it's an important book, and I hit someone with it and dropped it on the floor.' Hestia thought, letting go of the hug and picking up the book.
"These book contains the list of every known Retribution before you. This will tell you what happened in the dungeon and will justify Vonika's actions." She explains, opening the book and finding a page.
"See, you retributions are strong physically, magically but not mentally. All of you have things you fear and want, and once it is provoked. All of you act differently, more aggressive or firm.
"Ah, here. This is Stygian Carcer, a son of an evil noble. His powers allowed him to summon formidable warriors. Ranging from a Crusader, a Vestal, a Doctor of some sorts, and many others." She introduced.
"His power awakened when his father killed his own wife and then him. He killed his father, and his fear was losing loved ones, just like you." She explained, pointing at you.
"You lost your family at an early age, meaning you'd do anything to kill those who wish to harm them. You might think your mad at Vonika for leaving, but you're actually saddened by the fact that you lost her." She continued. You tried to argue, but no words came out of your mouth.
"And as for Vonika. She became a Retribution because her mother didn't want her alive. She wants acceptance, her mother's. She thought that when she betrayed you, she'll finally be accepted as a daughter in her mother's eyes." She explained, you actually felt bad for her now.
"But don't fret, (Y/N). Once Vonika learns that she was tricked. She'll happily join back to our side." Hestia reassured. You smiled at that. You feel a lot better now. And you need to go back to Orario and spend time with your family.
<><><>
Welp, this is chapter 35. Bye!
So yeah, we have the Twins on our roster now, boys! And our power grows once again. I'm going to use the Hallowed Blight skins as power-ups for our beloved killers. Once again, thank you guys for reading and voting on this story.
Especially you, @kizicrafter07, you were reading my story while I was writing this. I jumped in joy when I saw the vote streak in my notifications. I hope you do enjoy this story and continue reading.