A/N: AHHHH! This has to be the longest chapter I've written. We are clocking out at 4,420 words. I didn't mean for it to be this long but I just kept writing and I came up with this. I will admit the beginning and ending did feel a little rough and some stuff can really only be explained as plot armor but I like how this turned out. I also did a quick swap from 1st person to 3rd person towards the end.

Also I did make a mistake, Asfi is a level 4 not a level 5. Her wiki said that she was a level 5 then it also said she was a level 4 so I just went with the first one I saw.

Anyways, I'm probably gonna take a break for a few days considering how much I wrote. I will be back sometime within the next week.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you chapter 3 of 'Diamonds Rust.'

I woke up earlier than usual the next morning. One reason was because I wanted to head to the dungeon and try out the Andromeda Blade a little more. The other reason was because I wanted to avoid Goddess Hestia and Lili as much as possible. I knew it probably wasn't the best way to go about it but after what they implied about Miss Asfi yesterday, it just didn't sit right with me.

Something else also dawned on me as well. Whenever I show interest or even bring up a girl they always bombard me either saying that they're a terrible influence, just completely bad-mouthed them, or anything else just to push me away from them. I should have noticed that with Miss Ais since Goddess Hestia could never get her name right.

As I walked down the stone streets, contemplating what I should do about Goddess Hestia and Lili, I ran into Miss Eina, who was carrying a large box out of the guild.

"Good morning, Miss Eina."

"Hey Bell, good morning. What are you doing out so early today?"

"Miss Eina, I was just headed to the dungeon. I sort of need to clear my head."

"Typical Bell. Whenever something bothers you, you always run to the dungeon."

"So what are the boxes for?"

"These are for the upcoming lunar festival. It starts tomorrow but we're starting to set it up now."

"What's the lunar festival?"

"The event is being hosted by the Guild. Basically the festival is to celebrate the first full-moon of the season."

"That sounds interesting."

"Yeah, its a fascinating event. Anyways I have a lot of work to do so I'll see you later."

"Alright, I'll see you later Miss Eina. If you need help I'm willing to."

"I'll be fine. You just be careful in the dungeon."

As I passed by Miss Eina and continued on my way, I started to notice more decorations along the streets. Maybe since I was so lost in thought earlier I didn't notice them.

Most of the decorations were decorated paper lanterns. Even though it was still light how they looked beautiful. I could only imagine what they would look like at night.

It wasn't long until I was stopped again. This time it was Miss Asfi who I ran into.

"Bell, good morning."

"Good morning, Miss Asfi. What are you doing out here?"

"Lord Hermes and I are helping to set up the festival, though I'm sure he's probably somewhere slacking off. So what about you?"

"I'm just headed to the dungeon."

"Don't you think you should take a break every once in a while?"

"I know I should sometimes but if I do then that's a day wasted not getting stronger."

"I see. Well if you ask me, I think you work too hard sometimes. How about this..."

Miss Asfi trailed off for a second and I could see her cheeks start to turn a little red.

"I was wondering if maybe you would want to go to the festival with me tomorrow?"

"Sure, I would love to."

As soon as I agreed I noticed a sparkle in Miss Asfi's eyes.

"Great. Meet me near the fountain in the central plaza around three. I'll be looking forward to it."

"Same here. I'll see you later Miss Asfi."

"Oh and Bell one last thing. You can just call me Asfi from now on, alright?"

"Got it, Asfi."

The whole time that I was in the dungeon I was excited about the festival tomorrow. I've had a recent interest in eastern culture since I've been living with Haruhime and Mikoto for a while now. Then I was also excited because I was going with Asfi.

As soon as that thought crossed my mind my soul left my body. It was only then in that moment that I realized, she basically just asked me out on a date.

How could I have been so dense? It was right there, from the way she was acting when she asked me to her reaction when I agreed. I scolded myself for not paying more attention.

I've never been on a proper date before either. The closest thing I've come to was with Goddess Hestia during Monsterphilia and with Miss Eina when we went shopping. I started to panic, which wasn't the best thing to do in the dungeon. I decided that I should leave for the day and figure out what I should do about tomorrow.

I quickly headed back to Hearth Manor. There was only one person I could talk to that could help my crisis.

"Welf!"

I yelled as I slammed open the door to the forge.

"Gah, damn Bell, don't scare me like that while I'm working."

"I'm sorry but I really need your help right now."

Welf removed his smithing equipment and turned to face me. It was obvious I didn't come at the best time but he was willing to listen.

"Alright, what do you need me for?"

"Well the thing is I was asked out on a date."

"Really? That's great! Who asked you out?"

"Asfi from the Hermes Familia."

"Woah, going after the captain of another Familia. Way to go Bell!"

"Anyways, I agreed but I've never been on an actual date before. Like what should I wear, what should I talk about, what should I do?"

"Alright Bell, calm down, come on."

I told Welf about what Asfi and I already agreed on. He gave me some pointers on what I should and shouldn't do and overall just gave me advice I was in dire need of.

"Then that should about cover it. Do you have any more questions?"

"No, thank you Welf."

"Hey no problem. Just have a good time but don't have too much fun, ya hear me?"

Welf teased and I instantly turned a bright red. I knew exactly what he meant by that. I just walked out of the forge and Welf returned to his smithing.

My heart beat about a thousand miles per hour. I've never been this nervous before in my life. The rest of the day seemed to go by at an agonizingly slow pace.

I was looking forward to tomorrow, despite being so nervous.

I stood in front of the fountain Asfi mentioned the day before. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck, my heart never stopped racing and my hands kept shaking. But, this was technically the first date I've ever been on. I didn't wear anything too fancy and just wore my regular clothes I would wear on days I didn't go to the dungeon. I looked around and also noticed that there were many people who actually dressed up for the festival but it was mostly the woman.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to try and steel my nerves.

'It's alright right Bell. There is no need to be nervous. All you are doing is walking around the festival with Asfi, nothing more, nothing less.'

"Um, Bell."

I opened my eyes to the familiar voice and what I saw was breathtaking.

It was Asfi, but she was wearing a deep blue dress that matched with her eyes. The dress also had decorations of flowers towards the bottom of it. There was a part of the dress that was separated from the rest that made her right leg visible all the way to above her knee. She looked beautiful, but I could tell she was just as nervous as I was.

"A-Asfi, y-you look amazing."

"Do you really think so? I was actually worried about what you would think considering Lord Hermes was the one who told me to wear this."

"It's the truth. I think that you look really beautiful. To be honest I kind of feel underdressed."

"Thank you, I think you look handsome. Now, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I'm ready to go when you are."

I did what Welf said next and I offered Asfi my arm. She entwined her's with mine and we set off for the festival. Having her so close to me strangely calmed my nerves slightly, though it didn't help much since I could feel her chest push against my arm as we walked.

"Is everything alright? Your face is starting to turn a little red."

Asfi asked.

"Y-yeah, everything is fine."

"Good, now let's go look around."

As we walked towards the festival I could feel the eyes of other people stick to us as we walked by. Two captains of different Familia's walking down the street arm in arm, I couldn't really blame them, it's not like something like this happens often.

When we arrived, we both wandered around the festival grounds visiting the various different boths. Trying out the different foods that they had to offer and even played some of the games that were there.

Slowly but surely I started to feel better and I could say the same thing for Asfi as well. The whole time we were together she looked happy and I mirrored those same emotions. Everything was going well.

Night crawled across the sky and the lanterns started to light the streets. I looked over at Asfi, the light made her face glow, she looked beautiful in that moment.

"Is something wrong Bell? Is there something on my face?"

"Oh, no no, I'm sorry. It's just that you look so beautiful that I couldn't help but stare a little."

"Thank you, Bell. I don't mind it if you want to take a look every once in a while."

Asfi and I were staring into each other's eyes. Her sapphire eyes shined in the dim light like actual gems. We were starting to get into the heat of the moment, Asfi's lips were so close and they looked so soft. She closed her eyes and I closed mine, everything seemed perfect. That was until I was stopped by the last two people I wanted to see.

"Bell!"

I turned to see Goddess Hestia standing behind us with the rest of the Familia not far behind her.

"Bell! What do you think you're doing? I've been looking everywhere for you and I find you here with that woman! Is this why you've been avoiding me?"

"Goddess Hestia! What are you-"

She cut me off to get her words in.

"Don't try that with me! Don't think I didn't notice how the two of you have been acting around each other. Looking like a lovey dovey couple."

"Wait, Goddess were you following us?"

I knew that I felt eyes following me and Asfi all day but I didn't expect them to be from Goddess Hestia. As our argument went on I could feel the gazes of a crowd start to gather on us.

"Maybe I was! Why do you have a problem with that? You're my child and I can do whatever the hell I please."

"Just because I'm your child doesn't give you the right to stalk me! You know Goddess I'm starting to get tired of your games!"

"Games? What games? The only thing I'm trying to do is keep you safe from Miss Andromesomething!"

That's what really threw me over the edge. The fact that she had the courage to disrespect someone who I've come to care about and respect right in front of me like it was nothing in a situation like this.

"That's it Goddess Hestia, I'm done. You wanna know the real reason why I avoided you?"

"Yes Bell, please enlighten me!"

Goddess said with a very sarcastic tone.

"You! You are the problem! Everytime I almost get into a relationship you have to ruin it for me. Whenever I show interest in someone you have to disrespect them. Why do you always push people away from me?"

"Because I don't want to end up losing you Bell! Can't you see that? You were my first child and I love you and I just want to make sure you're safe. Besides why would you need another woman when you already have me?"

"Do you think all that really justifies it? All I just heard was you mouthing off about being selfish. Don't follow me, don't look for me, don't even think about me Goddess. Goodbye."

"Bell, you can't do that. Don't walk away from me!"

As I walked away from Goddess, I could tell that she was about to run after me but it was probably Welf or Mikoto who stopped her. I may have said some harsh things to Goddess but I said what needed to be said. Right now I just wanted to be alone.

I stormed away from the festival and I ended up leaving Asfi, which wasn't my intention but maybe it was better that she didn't see me like this. I already regret her having to witness the argument between Goddess and I.

I could tell that someone was following me. I ducked into an alley way and continued down it. That didn't lose whoever was following me. I kept running down the maze until I finally reached a dead-end.

"Aw, looks like the little rabbit has nowhere left to run."

I didn't recognize the voice. I turned to search for the source and out of the darkness walked a cat-person with black hair dark as the night came towards me brandishing a spear. Whoever he was, he gave off a murderous intent. It was clear I wasn't going to leave without a fight.

"Who are you?"

"The names Allen. I'm a child of her beauty, Lady Freya."

Allen, I've heard that name before. He's one of the elites of the Freya Familia and a level 6 adventurer. It was obvious I wasn't going to leave with just a few scratches.

"So I take it she sent you?"

"Yes and no. She told me to just observe you and that woman with the glasses but I was starting to get bored. Then you decided to go off on your own so here I am."

Allen lunged at me with his spear. It was so fast I turned and shifted over to the right, just barely being able to dodge the attack. He thrusted his spear with such force that it made a large indent into the wall. I looked down at my chest to see the damage it caused. There was a large scratch on my chest, blood started to flow out of it.

His strength was beyond my comprehension, way stronger than when I fought Miss Ais.

"Well now I know why Lady Freya has had her eyes on you. Damn, I didn't expect you to dodge so well. Then again I guess it's good you dodged or else that would have killed you and I know my Goddess wouldn't want that."

"If Freya didn't send you here to fight me then why are you attacking me?"

"Like I said, I got bored. Then I can't forgive you for taking so much of Lady Freya's love. I'll never forgive you for toying with her heart you brat."

Allen once again lunged at me and I was once again able to dodge, but he already read my movements and delivered a devastating kick to my stomach. I could hear my ribs break under the pressure as he launched me into a wall.

"Come on kid, I didn't hit you that hard. Now get up and fight me!"

I stood up bearing the pain from Allen's last two attacks. I didn't expect to take so much damage from just two blows, but this was the strength difference between a level 4 and a level 6.

I took hold of the Hestia Knife and Andromeda blade in each hand.

Even if Goddess Hestia and I were fighting, with this knife I knew that she would always help me.

I charged with my two weapons and tried to hit him but he was just too fast. He dodged every thrust with such ease that it seemed impossible to hit him. Then by some twist of luck I was able to scratch his arm with the Andromeda Blade.

"You son of a bitch! You actually managed to get a hit on me."

Allen hit me the opposite side of his spear which flung me into some nearby boxes.

I was dazed from all the damage and not to mention the loss of blood from the wound on my chest. It was then I noticed another, much longer and deeper wound on my chest.

"I'm not quite done with you yet."

Allen crouched down next to me and started to punch my ribs and face. I raised my arms as much as I could to block each of the blows. I could feel my consciousness slipping from me.

Suddenly Allen jumped away from me. My vision was starting to fade but before I blacked out I swore that I saw her sapphire eyes.

-Asfi POV-

All I could do was watch Bell as he ran off. I wanted to help him but I didn't know how I could help him. I wasn't a part of their Familia so I had no business in their personal affairs.

If I never would have asked him out today then maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe it would have been better if we never met in the first place.

"Excuse me, Lady Andromeda?"

I was approached by a blonde renard girl. I remember her from when Bell fought against the Ishtar Familia. I believe her name was Haruhime.

"Yes, Miss Haruhime?"

"I apologize for my Goddess' behavior. She is just very protective of Master Bell."

"No, it's my fault. I should have known that getting close to a member of another Familia would end badly. In a way I kind of expected this."

"It's not your fault. I'm sure that Master Bell doesn't blame you for anything. I think you should go and talk to him."

"Do you really think I'm the right person he wants to see right now?"

"I know so. I'm sure he would never tell you this but yesterday when he got back from the dungeon he was a mess. I overheard his conversation with Master Welf and he was so worried about today. He just wanted to do everything right, he wanted to do his best to make you happy."

"Thank you, Miss Haruhime. I'll go see if I can find Bell."

"I wish you luck. Now, you should go, I'm not sure how much longer we can hold Lady Hestia and Miss Lili back."

That response made me smile a little bit. Familia's are really just a group of people who serve under the same god, but I could tell with them that they were an actual family.

After my conversation with Miss Haruhime I ran in the same direction that Bell had run off. I needed to find him. I ran through the dimly lit streets. I was starting to lose hope that I would find Bell. It was as if he just disappeared into thin air.

"Come on Bell, where are you?"

As soon as I spoke I heard a crash down one of the alleyways. I followed the source through the maze and I finally found him, Bell. However, what I saw was close to something that could only be described as a slaughter.

Allen Fromel of the Freya Familia stood over Bell striking him repeatedly. I could tell from where I was standing that Bell was bleeding a lot.

Since I wasn't expecting anything like this to happen I didn't have any of my weapons except for my dagger, which I strapped to my leg.

"Bell!"

I shouted to try and get some response from him but there was nothing. Allen, stopped his attack on Bell and focused his attention on me.

"Oh, you're here too. Well guess that makes things easier for me. Now I won't have to hunt you down."

He charged at me with his spear in hand. Bloodlust and murderous intent radiated off of him in a steady stream. He launched himself off of his spear and tried to deliver a kick to my head but I was able to block it, yet the force behind it still launched me a fair distance away.

Allen continued with a relentless barage of attacks. I kept looking for an opening to attack but there were none. His attacks started to break through, until he finally jumped back.

"Looks like you're more resilient than then brat. Guess that means I can let loose a little more."

Once again, he charged but this time was brandishing the spear towards me. There wasn't enough time to dodge the strike. I could feel the steel pierce through my stomach. I fell to the ground gripping my wound.

"Well, well, well, looks like this is where our time together ends."

He raised the spear. I was ready to meet my fate, the only regret I have was all the trouble I ended up causing Bell. At the sametime I just wished I got to spend more time with him sooner.

I watched as Allen thrusted the spear down towards me but a hand grabbed his arm and stopped the strike. It was the captain of the Freya Familia, [The King] Ottar.

"Enough Allen. It's time to go."

"What? Come on! The fun is just starting, besides who gave you orders to stop me?"

"Lady Freya gave me the authority. As your captain I advise you to come back with me now, Allen."

"Tsk, fine. If Lady Freya wishes it then I guess I have to go with you."

I watched as the two walked away from the alley but before they did Ottar splashed a potion on me. My wound started to heal, it wasn't much but it was enough to help me stand at least.

I trudged over to where Bell was laying. He was beaten, bloodied, and bruised. He had two wounds on his chest, one that seemed to just break the skin and the other that was much deeper. I knelt down next to him and put my hands on his shoulders.

"Bell? Bell, come on wake up! Come on Bell, don't do this to me, everything will be okay I'm going to get you help."

I threw his arm around my shoulder and attempted to get up but I suddenly felt dizzy from the loss of blood. Even if the potion just healed my wound it still hurt like hell. I fell over after just walking a few steps with Bell.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit! Come on I don't have time for this. One more time!"

I once again tried to get up and I managed to get to my feet. I knew that I wasn't going to last long in the condition I was in. Traveler's Inn was too far away to walk to. There was only one place that I was close enough where I could get Bell help and where the two of us would be safe.

The Hostess of Fertility.

As I walked towards the one place where I knew we were safe I could feel my mind slipping from me. People stared as I dragged Bell through the streets. I didn't care about what they thought, all I cared about was Bell.

I shoved open the door to the Hostess of Fertility. We were met by everyone in the building looking at us.

"Andromeda? What happened to the two of you?"

Lion shouted at me as she ran over to where we were.

"Lion, I need you to take Bell."

Finally my exhaustion caught up to me and everything went to black.

Asfi fainted still hanging on to Bell. All the waitresses and even some of the adventurer's surrounded them.

"Ryu? What happened?"

Syr asked as she squeezed her way through the crowd and approached her friend. What she saw horrified her. It was the state that Bell was in. He looked like he was knocking on death's door and she knew exactly who was responsible for it.

"They're alright for now. It seems Andromeda was healed with a potion but she pushed herself to bring Cranel here and her wounds are starting to open again. As for Cranel he is still alive but he's in very bad condition. Anya, I need you to take Andromeda, I'll take Cranel."

"Yes ma'am, nya!"

The two waitresses picked up the adventurer's and headed upstairs to try and help them the best they could.

Syr, on the other hand, managed to slip out of the pub and go have a talk with a certain cat-person.

"Allen, would you care to remind me what I sent you out to do?"

Freya asked as she looked out her window that looked out towards the Hostess of Fertility.

"To observe Bell Cranel and the captain of the Hermes Familia."

"Then why did I see them both almost dead tonight when I told you to just observe?"

"Because that rabbit deserved it. You've given all of your love to someone who doesn't even deserve it. Why don't you pay attention to your actual Familia instead of some lowly brat."

"Allen, I'm not mad at you. I'm just disappointed in you."

She said as she faced her child.

"But that doesn't mean that you're leaving here without a punishment."

Freya then did something that Allen didn't expect. She hugged her child.

"Lady Freya?"

"Don't worry my child. It will all be over soon."

Allen then felt a burning sensation from his back, where his falna was. With the power as a god Freya removed her blessing from the cat-person.

He fell to his knees, dumbfounded about what just happened. He dedicated so much of his life to Freya and here she just took everything from him in a second. Though he didn't blame Freya, he blamed the white haired adventurer that Freya was infatuated with.

"Ottar, get this ungrateful brat out of my sights and while you're at it break his arm as well. I'll let you pick which one."

Ottar walked over to where Allen still sat on the floor. The boaz lifted him up by his right arm and swiftly broke with an audible crack, his screams echoed through the room.

In the matter of one night [Vana Freya] Allen Fromel, a level 6 adventurer and high ranking member of the Freya Familia lost everything he ever held close to him.