Danmachi - The Last Hero

Chapter 3: Lessons and Fate

The sky is draped in hues of dark blue, light blue, yellow and orange as the sun begins to peek over the eastern horizon and the city of Orario still sleeps. Inside the Twilight manor, the dwarf Gareth sleeps in a chair with his feet up and an empty jug of dwarven ale leans just off of the footrest threatening to spill it's last drops on the tile floor. Riveria; having just awoken draws back her curtains to reveal the courtyard below.

"Hmmm......THAT is odd. Aiz is not out in the court yard yet. Usually; she begins training well before the sun begins to rise! Considering everything that has happened during this whirlwind of chaos; these last three weeks.........maybe she just needed a break? Probably just sleeping in after her battle with Udaeus although it would be a first for her to actually have been able to sleep after reaching level 6. The usual excitement she would have upon leveling up was noticeably absent last night and even during the battle, she seemed distracted. Aiz has always had an overwhelming and all-consuming drive to get stronger; until now! Meeting Bell Cranel has changed this aspect of her almost as much as it has improved her ability to process her emotions. I think she may be beginning to understand her feelings for the boy. It might be time to finally have that mother/daughter talk about romance and carnal pleasures. I would be much more comfortable having this discussion with Aiz if I had my copy of The Elven Romance which has served as our guide to love since before the gods descended. I will have to ask Loki about a suitable replacement or a return trip home to retrieve it. I would also love to know what the meaning is behind Aiz's new developmental ability. It reads "Spirit Bond (Phoenix/Reaper/Phaos)" without giving any explanation of what the skill does or why it started ranked at C. It seems to point to a bond with other spirits besides her own anemos (wind spirit) blood but what exactly does it do and why are there three bonded spirits. The boy said his spirit was altered by the Reaper when they met at the banks of the river Styx, and by altered he can only mean that he became a demi-reaper. Did this ability awaken due to her interactions with Bell? Who are the Phoenix and Phaos demi-spirits then?  The Phoenix is a spirit of fire and rebirth while the Phaos is a spirit of light and purification. The Reaper of course is the spirit of death and time which would make that speed magic of Bell's some form of time manipulation........no wonder Bete got put in his place. Still.......that lightning spell of his is Caelum Veil which is spirit magic of a Raiju which is not listed in Aiz's ability. So many questions.........." She thought as she enjoyed the beauty of the sunrise before her. Meanwhile Aiz had indeed slept in and was currently having a nice dream of her past.

"Dad, you are a hero to all of us but do you really have to go?"A seven year old Aiz whined at her father who was preparing for battle. "I am afraid for my hero!" She added

"Aiz........I cannot be your hero for I have your mother. One day you will meet your own hero so do not fret!" Replied the muscular Albert with a warm smile and endearing love in his eyes. "My child; I go to protect those who cannot help themselves. One day, you will understand why it is that I now must go." He stated to his crying child.

"Aiz........" Aria called to her daughter in a gentle voice as Albert set off on his quest into the Valley of Dragons. "Aiz.......I just know that you will one day meet a hero of your own, someone who will awaken many things within you and will make your heart race and your lips sing songs of their heroism. Do not lose heart Aiz. My hero; your father is fighting to make this world a better place for everyone but mostly for you and I! He seeks a world of safety, comfort and happiness especially for you. This world cannot be found however and instead must be earned through struggle. My hero fights for this so you can grow up happy and alive in order for you to meet your true hero" She explained to her intently listening seven year old.

"Mom........you say that I will meet my own hero but how do you know this. How will I know when I meet them?" The confused girl asked.

"Aiz, call it a mother's intuition but I am completely certain that you will meet your hero. Now as far as how you will know........that person will change you. They will make you strive to be more than you are now. You will feel things you have never felt and experience things from an entirely new perspective. You will find yourself happy when they are happy, angered when they are upset and you will be willing to traverse the depths of hell to be near them. Your heart will flutter and pick up speed in their presence in the beginning. You will feel warmth and love both for and from them. You will be willing to fight and to die for each other. You will be compelled beyond reason to be near them long before you understand your feelings. They are someone who will catch your eye and whom you will genuinely cherish in a way more powerful than that of even family. Trust me Aiz........one day you will meet your hero, the person you are destined to love!" Aria replied with love and tenderness explaining as best she could the meaning of meeting one's hero, one's love! Suddenly Aiz is sixteen and facing her mother whilst still dreaming.