Chapter 6: He Must Like Her

"So let me get this straight, snowball over here decided to release a person talking to her through a book just so he could level up?" Gurīn asked, seemingly unconvinced by the story Eina, Ryu and Bell told him.

All three nodded their heads, not even once looking at him straight in the face. This caused Gurīn to sigh as he rubbed a hand against his face then folded his arms.

"Not to mention you never even questioned why someone was inside the book in the first place." He looked directly at Bell.

Bell began to shiver, he could almost feel Gurīn's eyes on him. The thought of what would happen next soon became too much for him as he dropped down on his hands and knees.

"I'm sorry!" He blurted out. "It was stupid of me! Just please…" He looked up at Gurīn. "Please save this world."

Gurīn placed his hands in front of him, trying to get Bell to stop. The situation was just too uncomfortable for him as he slowly backed away from the adventurer.

"Alright, I'll help you." He said. "Just stop doing that. I don't like formalities and such."

Bell soon stood up, surprised by Gurīn's reaction to his apology. Even Ryu and Eina were stunned by the Demon God's informality.

"Umm…" Eina began to speak, catching Gurīn's attention.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Y-You are a Demon God right?"

"What? You don't believe me?" Gurīn asked, causing Eina to blush from embarrassment.

"N-No no no no, it's not that I don't believe you it's just that…"

"What?"

"Y-You're arm." She finally said. "If you're a Demon God then where is your demon arm?"

Gurīn looked at his left arm and examined it before beginning to laugh a little. Both Bell and Ryu remained quiet while Eina seemed to be irritated that she wasn't receiving the response she wanted.

"Why are you laughing?" She asked. "Don't you know this entire world is in danger?"

"Yeah, of course I do." Gurīn laughed. "It's just your history books must really be terrible. The fact you humans think we automatically look like demons is just a stereotype; including us Demon Gods and our sacred arms."

Eina seemed appalled by his response and proceeded to slap him but was held back by a worried Bell.

"Eina-san, you can't." Bell said. "What if he decides to team up with Kiiro?"

"Well then we better make sure this guy is the real deal." Eina said, breaking free from Bell's grasp and swinging her arm back for a slap.

Just as she was about to reach him, Gurīn stuck his arm straight into the air, causing a massive beam of green light to pour down on his arm. All three of them stood silent as the green light began taking effect on Gurīn's arm, causing it to turn black and soon green energy began tracing along his arm. His fingers became longer and sharper as parts of his arms began growing spikes. The sight of the event happening was enough for Bell to recall the same thing Kiiro did after he was released from the book.

After a few minutes of his arm changing, the green light faded away, leaving Gurīn with a demonic arm with a green glow around it. Ryu and Eina were both amazed as was Bell.

"Is this what you wanted to see?" Gurīn asked Eina who could only nod. He soon then looked at Bell. "When you summoned Kiiro, did she have to cause her arm, like this, to appear?"

"Y-Yes." Bell said.

Gurīn seemed relieved by his answer and looked at Ryu, Eina and Bell. "Good, then that means her power hasn't fully been restored yet." He informed the three. "But, if we wait too long she could potentially gain that power back."

"What about you?" Eina asked.

"Me? My power is still being restored but it should be enough to take her on."

"Um, I have a question." Bell asked.

"Yes?" Gurīn said.

"Why are you calling Kiiro a she?"

"Because Kiiro's a girl." Gurīn smiled. "I thought you humans could tell."

"What?!" Eina and Bell simultaneously shouted.

"WHAT?! Bell-kun is going to do what?!" Hestia yelled in shock.

Hours had passed since Bell's interrogation regarding the incident that had happened at Mamma Mia's. Hestia, becoming worried that something had happened to him, was about to head out and search until Eina arrived at their broken down home and informed her of some news.

"I'm sorry." Eina bowed. "I don't want him doing something like this either, but he is one of the few people capable of handling this situation."

Hestia clenched her fists tighter as she angrily stared down the elf.

"W-Why?" Hestia asked. "Why must everything that happens put Bell in danger?"

"W-Well you see…" Eina tried coming up with a reasonable solution but couldn't find the words to say. "So you guys are still living here?" She attempted to change the subject.

"Bell-kun and the others have been working hard to restore it and make it our own." Hestia angrily answered. "Lili lives up in the tower, Welf's room is on the floor under Lili's and Bell-kun and I still live underground where we first started." She tried holding back her tears. "He's even made more rooms for us to be more comfy."

Eina watched as Hestia sat down on one of the benches that were neatly placed in the main room. She could tell Hestia didn't like the idea of Bell having to do something that would put his life in danger.

"If only I could've convinced him." She thought as she remembered Gurīn's orders before taking off with Bell and Ryu.

"I want you two to help me find other capable fighters. The more the merrier but I need strong people, they'll be part of a plan I've already had set. You both seem to be able to withstand some blows." Gurīn said without waiting for Bell or Ryu's response. "And you," He looked at Eina. "Inform whoever is looking out for these two of what they are doing and no one else. Understand?"

"Sheesh, leave me with the explaining to do." Eina sighed.

"So who do you guys have in mind?" Gurīn asked as the walked through the streets of the market area.

"You mean you don't have anyone in mind?" Bell asked.

Gurīn gave him a look of whether the question he asked was meant to be a joke or serious. Either way, the Demon God rubbed his hand through his messy black hair before looking ahead to scout for any tough adventurers.

"I haven't been released from that book in nearly 200 years." Gurīn said. "So anyone I did knew is probably dead."

"Oh." Bell looked at the ground, feeling bad for asking such a stupid question.

As the three continued their search, the hours seemed to pass by. Every person they found was either not up to Gurīn's standards or thought the three were crazy. Bell almost found himself in a fight with a small group of men who were part of some of the gods familia's that despised Hestia's.

"Excuse us, we'll be on our way." Gurīn smiled as he pulled Bell away from the men.

"T-Thanks." Bell let out a sigh of relief.

"No problem, it's not much different than stuff was 200 years ago anyway."

"What do you mean?" Bell asked.

"Familia's never get along." Ryu answered his question, preventing Gurīn from letting out another sigh in disbelief.

"Anyway," Gurīn said. "We should probably continue….what's wrong with him?" He asked as he saw Bell turn immediately red and dive into an open barrel.

Ryu didn't respond but instead pointed in the direction Bell was looking. Near the small stand where a merchant was selling potions, Gurīn could see Aiz Wallenstein and Loki examining the wares.

"Who's she?" Gurīn asked, keeping an eye on Bell.

"Aiz Wallenstein of the Loki familia." Ryu answered. "Like Bell, she is a level 6 adventurer."

"Oh? Really?" Gurīn began to smile. "Is she capable in fights?"

"She's nicknamed the Sword Princess by the gods themselves for slaying 1000 monsters."

Gurīn nearly had a nosebleed after hearing the accomplishment Ryu just told him. Without hesitating, he quickly ran over to Aiz and Loki, forgetting about Bell hiding in the barrel and his reasons.

"Hello there." Gurīn bowed. "I'm the Green Demon God Gurīn and I would like your- WOAH!" He yelled as he nearly dodged Aiz's sword. "You should be more careful with stuff like that." He joked. "You could poke someone's eye out."

"Aiz, is that him?" Loki asked, standing behind her.

Aiz only nodded before charging Gurīn once more. However, Gurīn didn't attempt to dodge her attack as the blade pierced through his chest. Loki seemed pleased and began cheering on Aiz while Aiz stood still with Gurīn standing as though nothing has happened to him.

"You know," He began. "Normal weapons don't really work on a Demon God." He slowly placed his hand on her sword and pulled the blade out from his chest. "Now please put the sword away, I would like to ask you something Ms. Wallenstein." He calmly said.

"And what makes you think we'll listen to you!" Loki shouted, now drawing a crowd around them.

Gurīn could only smile as he motioned Ryu and Bell to join him. But, only Ryu joined him, causing him to look around to still find Bell in the barrel.

"For the love of…."Gurīn grumbled as he walked over and yanked Bell out of the barrel and dragged him next to Ryu. "What is your deal?" He asked a terrified Bell who was face red frozen while he looked at Aiz.

Ryu slowly placed a hand next to his ear a whispered. "Apparently, he likes her."

"Likes her?" Gurīn asked confused before it clicked. "Oh? That thing you humans posses."

"Ryu, why are you siding with an evil creature?" Aiz asked.

Ryu shook her head. "We need to talk...in private."

"I see." Aiz placed her cup of tea on the table. "Alright then, I'll help."

Gurīn and Ryu seemed pleased with her answer while Loki began to argue about the risks and the possibility of never seeing her again. Meanwhile, Bell continued to stay perfectly frozen to the point of Gurīn considering setting him up as a display.

"Hey!" He whispered to Bell as he poured a little hot tea on Bell's lap. "Snap out of it! She's going to be your new comrade so get used to it."

Bell only made out the last part of his sentence before yelling in pain from the hot liquid poured on him. Instead of his lap, the tea landed near his private parts, nearly causing him to scream in a high pitch tone until Gurīn placed his hand over his mouth to prevent him from causing a disturbance.

"Well, I guess it's set then." He smiled, hoping to get the attention away from Bell. "I'm not sure how much time it will take until Kiiro's power is fully restored but we can't be wasting any time. Tomorrow, I have some presents for you three and we'll be training."

"Is the training required?" Aiz asked.

"Yes." Gurīn said in a serious tone. "You'll be facing a Demon God soon so it'd be best you understand how to fight one and know everything about one so be prepared."

Gurīn soon vanished in front of everyone. Checking to make sure he was really gone, Ryu threw some sugar where he was sitting but found it all to fall on the floor.

"Aiz, you can't just do whatever you please!" Loki yelled. "Just think of how lonely I'll be if you died."

"But I'm not going to die." Aiz replied. "I don't plan on dying."

"But…"

"Loki-sama." Ryu interrupted. "If it would make you feel better, I propose your familia and the hestia familia team up and back us up as support. During our training you should try to learn and cooperate with the Hestia familia. Does that sound fair?"

"Of course." Aiz immediately replied.

"Wait! I should get to make the decisions! I'm the head of the house!" Loki began yelling like a small child.

"Will that be alright with you as well, Bell-san?" Ryu turned and asked Bell who had finished trying to wipe up the tea Gurīn spilled on him.

"Huh? Oh, um…" Bell struggled to answer. Just the thought of convincing Hestia to allow him to help is bad enough but to try and partner up with Loki would be a different story.

"Bell, if you're worried that we'll fight, I'm willing to throw in a truce but no funny business with Aiz, understand?" Loki said as she wrapped her arms around Aiz. "After all, she's mine."

There! Happy? This chapter was longer! It's not like I wanted to make it long either...baka! Haha, oh man I feel like I only laugh at my jokes while you guys awkwardly sit there and read... you're still reading, right? Anyway, that certainly was an interesting chapter near the end. Well, with Aiz assisting them, it all comes down to the training and maybe a little AizxBell as well ;). Please leave a review of what you think and don't forget to favorite/follow the story. Next up, "Demon God's!" Heiwa!