Danmachi: The Twin Rabbits

Chapter 8 Meeting A Smith

Leo stirred, the weight of consciousness slowly dragging him back from the depths of sleep. His mind swam through a fog of exhaustion, fragmented memories of the battle against the Minotaur flashing through his head like broken images—Bell's determined face, the Minotaur's roar, the crackling blue lightning surging through his fists.

And then... the Lion.

His body felt heavy, stiff, but there was something different. Something off. He flexed his fingers instinctively, feeling the unfamiliar tightness in his muscles, the way his body seemed to pulse with a deeper strength than before.

Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, and the soft light of the room filtered in through his lashes. He blinked, his vision adjusting, as the familiar scent of herbs and bandages filled the air. He was lying in a bed—one of the rooms in the infirmary at the Guild, from the looks of it.

How long have I been out?

Leo groaned softly, lifting a hand to his head, feeling the dull ache of his muscles protesting. As he did, he noticed his arm—thicker, more defined than it had been before. His eyes widened in surprise.

"What the...?"

He glanced down at himself, confusion swirling in his mind. His body... had changed. He could feel it. His chest, broader and more muscular; his arms, thicker with strength. Even his legs felt stronger, as if every fiber of his being had been reinforced.

Leo shifted, pushing himself up into a sitting position, wincing as his side throbbed with lingering pain. His hand instinctively went to the bandages wrapped tightly around his ribs, a reminder of the brutal battle he had barely survived.

As his feet touched the cold stone floor, he finally realized it—he was taller. Not by much, but the difference was noticeable. His legs stretched longer, his shoulders broader, his entire frame more imposing than it had been before. His reflection in the nearby basin of water confirmed it—he had grown.

"Is this... because of the Lion?" Leo muttered to himself, his voice still hoarse. His mind flashed back to the dream—the meeting with the Nemean Lion, the warmth and power of its presence, the wisdom in its gaze.

I chose you.

The Lion's voice echoed in his mind, and Leo clenched his fists, feeling the familiar crackle of blue lightning briefly spark around his knuckles. The power was still there, still a part of him. But now, it felt deeper, stronger. He wasn't just tapping into the Lion's strength—he was one with it.

As Leo came to his senses, the door creaked open softly. He turned his head, expecting to see Hestia or Lili. Instead, Bell stepped in, his white hair catching the light. His crimson eyes widened the moment he saw Leo awake.

"Leo!" Bell rushed forward, relief flooding his face. "You're finally awake!"

Leo smirked, his voice raspy. "Yeah, I'm back."

Bell sat down at the edge of the bed, his posture relaxing. "You had me worried," he said, his voice softer now. "You've been out for two days."

"Two days?" Leo blinked in surprise. "Guess I pushed a little harder than I thought." He winced slightly as he tried to sit up, his hand instinctively going to his bruised side.

Bell looked over him, guilt briefly flickering in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Leo. I wasn't strong enough to—"

"Don't start that," Leo interrupted, his voice firm but warm. "We fought together, Bell. We survived, and we won. That's all that matters."

Bell's lips tugged into a faint smile, though the worry didn't fully leave his eyes. "I guess..."

Before the conversation could continue, the door to the infirmary swung open again. Hestia burst in, her long black hair flowing behind her as she rushed over, her eyes wide with worry.