Meanwhile.
"Syr do you mind taking this food up to our local layabout".
" Oh, there's no need to be like that mama hes recovering remember".
Syr quickly grabbed the plate of food of the side, and grab some water before heading upstairs.
"That girl is way too cheerful around that boy" crossing her arms she sighed at the empty hostesses.
"I hope things pick up soon".
It didn't take long for Syr to reach bells room. Making sure to place his food to one side she knocked.
"Bell, it's Syr are you awake, I've brought you some food."
She waited for his reply but none came.
'He must be asleep' she thought. 'I'd best put it inside in case he wakes up'.
She slowly opened the door making sure not to make a lot of noise. However, she was surprised when she felt a light breeze hit her face.
"That's strange I'm certain all the windows were closed perhaps Ryu opened it."
She put the food on the side of the dresser by the door. Before she was about to leave she found it awfully quiet.
"I didn't expect Bell to be such quite sleep..er." Her eyes quickly widened as she realised that his bed was empty.
"Why that little sneak he probably got sick of being in bed and head out into town". Syr sighed in defeat.
"why can't he just stay put for two minutes and here I was hoping to talk to him while it's quiet".
She turned to close the window and quickly made the bed. She knew he had his reasons but she also was quite aboard and it was fun to tease him.
" Ryu we've got a runaway!"
She quickly shouted at the top of her lungs and in a very distressed manner. 'Gotta keep up appearances'.
A few minutes later.
"I can't believe that little shit would sneak out under our noses. He could at least tell us".
Ryu was angry. No wrong word furious that Bell had done a runner. He was on deaths door moments ago and hes running around like nothing happened.
Chloe on of the resident cat workers popped her head out.
"Just let him have his fun his falut if he get injured. Besides he's bound to turn up at some point we'll just teach him a lesson when he vet back.
Ryu and Syr both looked at her with angry eyes.
"That's not the point Chloe if hes being targeted then it's not safe for him to be out wandering the streets."
The argument could have gone on for hours however Aiz soon made herself apparent.
"Right now we should be using this time to find him. Like Ryu said Bell was targeted once and they nearly succeeded why shouldn't they try again."
Ryu, Syr and even Mia nodded in agreement. However it was Mia that spoke up first.
"Fine Ryu you and Aiz head to the dungeon hes bound to have gone to train but in case he hasn't."
She turned to Syr.
"Keep an eye on the streets you now them better then most I'm sure hes still the talk of the city so keep an ear to the groud".
"I will good luck everyone".
With that the three of them headed out and quickly split up. Ryu and Aiz quickly headed to the dungeon.
At the same time.
The hestia familia had gathered at the abandon church.
"Bells been missing for a while now are you sure we shouldn't go looking for him."
Lili and Welf were both sat on one of the benches both waiting to see what the goddess was planning however she had been content to mot answer there questions.
"Seriously are even listening your only familia has been gone for days, there's been a massive attack on the Loki familia and your not the least bit worried."
Heat is turned to the two no doubt acknowledging there question.
"Bell does what Bell want hes no doubt with what ever her name is I'm sure he fine"
Hestia had no doubt in her mind that this was the case. He was to cheerful around him no doubt a small flame still existed for blonde haired girl.
"Hestia are you even listening to what we said!?."
Hestia looked to them slightly confused and tried to remember what they had been saying.
"Yeah Bells missing and the like familia was attack... Oh no."
"Quickly we have to act. I'm sure if something bad had happened I'd have been informed however that doesn't mean hes not in danger."
The two stood to attention ready to receive orders.
"Ok lili you and we'll head to the dungeon ill head to the guild and find out if the now where he went after he left".
If you don't find anything meet back here in an hour. However if you do manage to find him or his we're about. Meet at the guildhall.
The three of them nodded in agreement and hurried to their respective location.
"I hope hes alright".
"Don't worry Lili this is Bell were talking about you know our fearless leader in sure he'll be fine."
Lili gave a small smile to the blacksmith.
"I hope your right Welf."
Bell was still sat with Artemis his heart was content with allowing him to sit their forever holding the blue-haired beauty in his arms. He would want nothing more.
Not wanting to wake her right away he made himself comfortable by sitting against the wall and allowing her head to rest on his lap.
'It seems safe enough besides what harm is there to a quick break.'
He relaxed his shoulders and placed a hand onto of the sleeping goddess head. Moving her hair as to not cover her face. Bell couldn't help but be mesmerised by her.
"Is this real?
Bell couldn't help but ask the question to himself. Without knowing this was going to happened be was content with accepting she was gone for good.
More over he didnt even know what to do with the mountain of information he couldn't process all at once.
"I don't care why, i don't care the cost I'm just glad you alive". He spoke allowed however little reaction came from her.
However bell soon felt a painful jolt in his head as his mind quickly turned on him.
Without warning he remembered the moment he had struck her a memory that burned in his memory and haunted his dreams.
But he couldn't just ignore the fact that it did happen it was right for him to remember his weakness got her killed and by some miracle she was alive and well.
"Do i deserve this?"
Bell had pondered on this question before many of times in fact. He killed the one he loved to save her to end her suffering but part of him believed that there was another way and it pained to look at her knowing there might have been a chance.
'When you wake up, you can choose to forgive me or to hate me i don't care I'm just glad your alive.'
Bells eyes began to blur he hadn't noticed that he had started crying. He quickly rubbed his eyes which helped his vision slightly.
Lookly none had fallen on the goddess bellow.
'I shouldn't wake her not here'.
Bell wanted to sit and let her sleep in peace but he knows the dungeon is no place for a goddess. He knows from first hand experience the trouble it will cause.
Deciding that the best cause of action was to leave and get to a safer location. However he still did not want to wake her. So he careful got to his feet while she was still in his arms bridal style.
Bell knew it wasn't a long way to exit so it wasn't a problem and she was surprisingly light which helped.
"I'm sure Hestia will be speechless when she finds out your alive."
Outside the dungeon entrance Ryu and Aiz were bused planning to head on in.
"I hope hes here it might not seem it but it's probably safe that hes wondering the dungeons"
Aiz was quick to comment she knew for a fact that it was maze down there and with the monster at every corner it's uncommon that someone would ambush you. There have been cases but only in large parties.
"Well, we've got a lot of ground to cover and not a lot of time to do it in."
Ryu was worried but confident they find him if hes down there. The question being alive or not.
"He can't have gone past the upper floors and I doubt he'd be content with the first three so it's a question of searching each one till we find him."
The two nodded in agreement however before they could start they heard two others quickly approaching.
"Hey, it's Aiz and Ryu. Hey, have you guys seen Bell?." Welf shouted which got their attention.
Aiz shook her head "no were
Looking for him as well".
"Wait hes not with you we assumed with the recent attack you two were in danger but you'rere saying hes on his own."
Ryu quickly turned to new arrivals.
"Allow me to quickly explain".
Ryu gave the two a quick rundown o about ityou're telling me Bell was attacked by some random hooded person you and Aiz managed to get him out alive and he somehow managed to escape the hostess without anyone noticing.?"
Both Ryu and Aiz nodded in shame. Ryu was careful not to mention them nearly getting themselves killed and to be very careful not to mention a particular goddess.
"Well if I know Bell and me do he's probably in the dungeon training".
Lili spoke up looking somewhat proud of her I observation.
"We guessed the same however we don't have a clue which floors hes on".
"Floor eight".
The three girls turned to Welf.
" What makes you so sure hes on floor 8?"Aiz asked not sure what was so special about that floor or why hed choose it over any other.
"I just remember him mentioning it and I doubt it was by coinsurance had been wanting to get back into the dungeon for some time".
They all looked at one another. They didn't really have a solid lead and this was as good as they could get.
"Fine wellhead to floor eight if nothing else with 4 it should be fast to explore."
It didn't take them long to reach the floor
7 and they were close to their goal.
"We're almost there kind glad I Aiz knows her way around here I still get lost from time to time".
Lili was looking around as she spoke.
"Hmmm, do you guys hear that?"
The four stopped and noticed five voices coming from the next turn.
"Wow that was close can't believe our shit look today".
The group turned a corner to find another group they seemed to be resting and one of them was badly injured.
"Oh great these guys". Lili quickly noticed who they were.
"Hey, Lili you know them?" Welf was curious by Lilis quick comment.
"Yeah, their part of my familia no doubt they been causing trouble."
The four had made there ways towards the group however they were soon noticed.
"Oh, great can this day get any worse first the little rookie and now the sword princess."
They were all quick to pick up on the little rookie comment no doubt referring to Bell.
"Guess you can be of help for once we're looking for someone you've probably run into him."
The four quickly turned to look at Lili.
"Well, what are the chances no doubt you'd be looking for him yeah we've seen your friend to bad you just missed him."
Ryu looked at them.
"What do you mean?".
The leader looked at them but was careful not piss them off.
"Look hes was on the 6th floor no doubt he was wandering the right side passage. That's were we had seen him best check there."
They gave them a glare but they held true to their answer.
"You best be right or we'll be back"
Awhile later.
"No luck, hes gone".
The four had been quick to search but no luck they even sent Welf to check the floor above.
"He's not up there ever guys but there are eyewitnesses to confirm he was down here so their not telling a lie".
"Damn it well no good waiting here didn't you say Hestia was in the guildhall no doubt hed have to go there to trade in so he'd have to go through there."
Bell decided not to head to the guild at this time for many reasons one to avoid questions. Lots of questions. No doubt Artemis being alive after many confirmed reports of her death would send the guild into madness. They hated paperwork. No, it was best to go about this carefully.
"Well, you sure are going to cause some problems".
He was careful not to let he be seen had when you've got white hair and talk of the city. But luckily for him, the streets were quiet and he hasn't run into anyone while leaving the dungeon.
"Well, we're almost back at the church best prepare myself."
Bell wasn't sure how he was going to explain this. He couldn't tell the truth the warning was clear on that but he couldn't lie to her ever.
"I'm sorry goddess but I can't lose her again."
Bell took a deep breath and prepared for the worst he made his way to the doors and opened it.
Despite his initial thoughts, he was surprised it was so quiet.
"Knowing Hestia she's gone to work one of her part-time Jobs".
" I suppose there's not a lot I can do for now." He closed the door behind him and made his ways downstairs.
Bell carefully carried her down and laid her down on the bed.
"Well, what should I do now?"
Bell looked around he was hoping to do some cleaning but from the looks of it, it was spotless.
"I suppose I could do with a wash the dungeon isn't the cleanest of places."
With that bell decide to have a quick wash. Taking off his shirt he made sure that there were no visible injuries. Despite the one, he incurred while he was attacked it seemed most of then had healed nicely.
He filled the sink up with water and gave his face and body a good wash. After he was satisfied he brushed his teeth and dried himself before moving back into the room.
He made his way back over to Artemis how had turned onto her side. Bell couldn't help but feel a cold chill ever because he was shirtless of it was just that cold.
"I hope it not too cold for her?"
Bell decided to get one of the spare covers for her which he placed over her.
'Damn why did she have to be so beautiful. I wonder what's she dreaming about? Wait do gods even have dreams?"
Bell could have stood a pondered that question but decided against it.
Moving over to the sofa he sat down looking back over to the bed.
'I feel so conflicted part of me feels so happy she back in my life but this little part of me worries. Worries about her worries about losing her again.
Bell couldn't help but feel his eyelids losing strength. He moved so he was laying down along the sofa a quickly drifted asleep.
(Dream)
"Hmmm were am I?"
Bell had some weird dreams but this one probably took the cake.
He looked around what was a dark sphere light could be made out but not reached. He could feel his body but not will it to move. He could see but it was nothing at all.
"Tell me, Orion, why did you do it?"
That voice Bell knew it. Strangely close to him but yet not close enough.
"Orion, do you not feel my pain, my suffering."
The more the voice spoke the more he understood. Artemis no doubt his mind play tricks on him.
"Do you feel no remorse no pain for my loss."
Bell was about to reply yet found no words left his mouth he was silent.
"What love did you show was it even love? A lie you told yourself?
Bell suddenly felt a wave of guilt one that seemed wrong. Why should he feel this he did love her? Didn't he?
"And what about her."
A figure emerged from the shadows female, blond hair, gold eyes. It was Aiz.
"Look at her, so beautiful, so strong. You yourself have proven time and time again that she is the apple of your eye.
Bell tried to close his eyes to no avail. He always had a place in his heart for Aiz ever since she saved him it was true he had a crush on her for a time but he soon saw her as a rival nothing more.
"You tell yourself it's not but look at her she's perfect in your eyes perhaps her looks, skills even her body is...
Bell watched as the figure of Aiz slowly appeared despite all his will he watched as her naked form came into sight cover only by her arms and hands.
"Please stop"
The voice of Artemis became silent everything was silent.
"Please stop? No."
Bells eyes lit up in fear, his mind became void of all thoughts but one.
"Why me?"
"Or why you?"
The voice was undoubtedly his.
"Come now let's talk shall we? It's been too long since we've truly bonded"
Why can I hear my own voice better yet why is it asking questions?
"Good question because I can. Because I'm you the other you the part you hide the secrets you keep. The memories you try to forget the anger you don't show. I'm the part of you that you wish was a lie.
Again bell was silent no talking, no thinking he just waited and listened.
"Tell me cause I know but you don't seem to want to admit if you had not found Artemis again what would you have done."
Bell pondered the question he didn't understand, or couldn't understand.
"Let me rephrase if Artemis continued to be dead would you have loved another."
Bell could have answered with no but he himself knows all the answers you couldn't hide the truth from yourself.
"Yes is the answer, you would have done what you would normally live your life and pursued your long-time crush."
Bell had many many question hell his head hurt from the experience alone.
"Now this is the funny part. Tell me does this sound familiar to you."
"No? I'm sure it does. Think back maybe the day before or hell even a week after Artemis's death tell me what did you do?
"Aiz"
Suddenly the image of Aiz fade and flashed and bell saw his memories of the past few days. The fact he spent so much time with Aiz was clear. Hell, he looked forward to it.
"You can't hide from the truth and you can build upon a lie."
"Lie all you want to others but never lie to yourself."
"Now ask yourself, no ask me. The question. Go on ask?"
Bell looked to himself he could see a mirror, see his reflection. And he felt compelled to speak.
Do I deserve her after all I've done?...
Authors notes
Well well isn't this a surprise two in the same week it must be Christmas no wait that was last year. Oh well, let's just say I surprise myself sometimes.
In short yes happy days I'm making up for a time.
So I bet some of you are waiting for the proper reunion of Best couple/pairing. (Now that I've started a small fire below me) no, I'm sorry you're just gonna have to wait... Till the next chapter, I promise. But the better question is what will Bell do now mhhhhhh?
So comment if you have questions and feedback helps me get a better understanding of what you lot enjoy and improve my writing. Till next look forward to it.