Even though she didn't show it, Ais felt her heart sink at his words.

"Hey, human," Lefiya started, "Considering your memory loss and all, I'll warn you beforehand to stay away from Ais."

"... Who?" Bell asked.

Her chest hurt even more.

'Why?' Ais thought, 'Why did this have to happen to him...?'

"Heya, Argonaut-kun!" Tiona greeted. "You remember me?"

"Um... a few bits and pieces," Bell responded.

"Such as...?"

"Meeting you? In a cave, or at least I think it was a cave."

"Oh, the 18th Floor."

Bell wasn't sure what that was, but since it was apparently related to the cave, he nodded. He gazed over to the blonde looking down at her own feet.

"And she's..."

"Oh! I nearly forgot!" Tiona exclaimed. "That's Ais. You'd always train with her on the wall."

"Bell..." Ais started, "Do you remember?"

Bell grimaced when nothing crossed his mind. He couldn't find so much as an accidental glimpse towards her in what memories he had recovered. She noticed the look on his face and it hurt that she already knew what he would say next. It hurt even more to hear it from him.

"I don't."

She walked over to him and sat on the edge of his bed, stroking his hair the way she always had in the past.

"Can you keep trying?" She asked.

'Please remember...' She thought.

"I..." Bell strained.

'Something... anything...'

Bell shut his eyes and Syr appeared to frown while remaining concerned at the same time.

"Don't give up."

'I can't bear being alone...'

Bell's started to hyperventilate.

'Please...!'

Then he gripped his head.

'Remember!'

Bell found himself in that same dark space he first occupied. In front of him was his reflection, sitting on the floor, curled up with his knees to his chest. Behind the reflection was a cloud of static, piecing itself together and deconstructing just as quickly. Bell's reflection showed visible strain and a partial image of black and white showed up within the static, but it looked completely wrong, as if a child forced the pieces of a puzzle together despite knowing they were incorrect. It gave Bell a headache. That image soon vanished in a flurry of static, before the static itself dissipated all together and the glow of a complex rune took it's place. It felt familiar; perhaps he failed to notice it the first time? His reflection finally opened it's eyes, and shook it's head. Bell exhaled and let out a tear. He realized it was likely a memory that he would never see; it had a foreign feeling to it, as if it didn't belong. Even if it did belong to him, it was a memory he would never get back.

"I see... at least we tried."

Bell saw the light appear once more, and feeling the embrace of comfort and peace, he let himself be engulfed, never noticing the Falna that lay on his reflection's back as it stood and turned around.

"I'm... sorry," Bell whispered as he opened his eyes.

Above him, Ais closed her eyes and two teardrops fell to his face. The Bell she knew, that was always friendly and talkative, that cute rabbit boy that had trained with her, danced with her, and fought with her, was now cruelly taken away from her, and the new Bell before her knew nothing but her name. She would be alone with only her memories of him from before to keep. She could start from scratch... but it would only bring other harsh memories along.

"I think Bell-kun needs some time alone," Hestia said. Ais had forgotten she was next to her.

"Try again some other time, Wallenwhatsit. I doubt it'll work, though."

The four members of the Loki Familia reluctantly left the room, with Lefiya taking one last concerned glance at Bell before catching up to Ais.

"Are you okay, Ais?" Lefiya asked.

"What Lady Hestia said... it's not like her."

"... Maybe she's too worried about that human to be complaining about you?"

"No... it all felt like an act."

"Memoria Alter..."

Freya's hand traced the complex rune in the book.

"I never thought I would have to use this. But that just proves his strength and willpower, does it not, Hedin?"

Hedin nodded once.

"He has certainly earned my respect in that regard," Hedin responded. "I detected that he was already starting to bring back memories that Hogni and I erased. I will need to take extra measures and place any unwanted memories in a memory stone, preferably hidden far away from here."

"Hm. Go to the Hostess of Fertility tonight. My daughter will have him ready when you arrive. Do what you must, so long as it doesn't damage my little Bell any further."

"Your wish is my desire, Lady Freya."

Hedin placed his hand to his opposite shoulder and bowed in salute before leaving, taking Hogni along with him.

"He will belong to me... or should I say, us?"

Freya leaned back and gazed out towards the city below.

"Are you sure you'll be fine on your own?" Syr asked.

"I'm doing much better," Bell responded. "And you should rest too."

"Hmm... perhaps I can sleep by your side again?"

Bell promptly turned red as a tomato.

"Is that... not okay?" Syr said.

"You're really giving me no choice in the matter, are you?"

"Ehe, nope."

Bell sighed before scooting over in his bed, making room for Syr as she lay down next to him.

"I'll be right next to you if you feel scared." Syr said.

"Huh? Scared of what?" Bell asked.

"Bedbugs."

Bell laughed a little at that while Syr smiled at him.

"Goodnight, Syr."

"Goodnight, Bell."

He started to doze off as she stroked his hair and scratched his back. Being in her embrace felt safe and comfortable. He felt that he could spend an eternity like this, simply resting and not having to worry about finding lost memories, or relearning everything about the dungeon; it felt good to simply rest like this. Perhaps he could do this on weekends...

He was asleep and in the land of dreams before he knew it. Syr stopped stroking his hair and gently laid him flat on his back, careful not to wake him, and slowly pulled his shirt up and moved the bandages aside while rubbing a white-blue liquid on the exposed skin, revealing several runes on his chest, seemingly fused to his skin.

"He's ready," Syr whispered. "Hogni, Hedin, place the next rune."

The two elves walked in, cautious not to make a sound, before letting their hands hover over Bell's chest and head.

'When all is done...' Syr thought, 'We'll be a happy family... as you have willed, mother."