A new beast had been born in the dungeon, but it was not like any other. It had a sentient mind, though deluded. A humanoid body, but covered with deep red marks where injuries had not healed. Hands that could barely form fists, yet fought with all their might to protect something, someone.

In those determined hands lay the only viable weapon she had, the unicorn horn knife Hakugen. Even with a fractured arm and her unconscious familia captain stacking on her burden even more, she pushed onwards, upwards, to anywhere that represented a safer place in her fatigued mind.

She had lost count how many days it had been since they had been separated from the rest of their familia. Her weariness and the pain she tried so hard to ignore clouded her thoughts, causing her to be unable to recognise anything. All she could think of was to protect him with her life as he had done for her once and in doing so, warding off anything that came close.

Much to their surprise, Hestia Familia was greeted with the reception that she gave monsters.

"That… that can't be Haruhime, right? No… no, that can't be! Why?"

"Mikoto…"

"She looks like a rabid animal," Aisha could only say, choking on her words. She was almost never one to be speechless or emotional, but this occasion was one of the exceptions. "She… what an idiot."

Most of the party was unable to comprehend her last words, but Lilly's exceptional observation skills had told her everything that Aisha had deduced.

"In her hand. That's Bell's knife."

"Are you saying she fought off every monster that approached them?"

"Yes," Lilly said simply. She didn't like people who competed with her for Bell's attention, let alone affection, but she could not help but feel saddened at the sight of a half-dead renart fighting in a style she was not used to or suited to.

Making up her mind, Aisha walked forward with no hesitation and reached out to her as if taming a feral animal, stopping midway to catch her wrist and stop the incoming slash. She gingerly took the knife out of her hand, placing it on the floor while keeping her eyes on the girl she considered her younger sister.

"You're safe now, Haruhime. Rest."

"Who… no! He… he saved… me… and hurt… himself."

"Listen to me. You will both be alright. You'll both be fine, I promise."

She could no longer keep up her brave act, holding Haruhime close as she sobbed at the mess she had become in protecting Bell, falling to her knees and taking Haruhime with her. But the renart girl's empty and soulless eyes had already shut. Somewhere in her brain, she had finally registered the words Aisha had spoken.

"You're such an idiot. Look at me. You've made me cry in front of others."

To her surprise, Aisha felt a hand on her own shoulder, light and graceful.

"Antianeira… if anything, I think having people around to empathise with you and to find feelings of sorrow within themselves just as you have… that is far better than mourning alone."

"It doesn't help when that comes from you, Lion!"

"I fell to that dark path because I had nobody to support me. To have friends who understand how you feel would truly be a blessing. Now, we should be on our way. It's impossible to achieve anything by staying down here and crying. It may simply make their situation worse."

Ryuu's meaningful words struck sense into her, prompting Aisha to wipe her tears away and once more pretend like nothing had happened and picked Haruhime up. Takemikazuchi Familia, though not as emotionally stable yet were also able to understand a logical point.

"Let me carry her," Ouka offered, handing his axe to Chigusa. "If you leave the fighting to us, when the hell do you think we'll make it up there?"

The Amazoness didn't know the group from the Far East very well, but she knew that they were childhood friends of Haruhime. They would take care of her as well as she could, but she wasn't about to let them have the last word.

"If I see her anywhere but in your arms for one second… she and the bunny won't be the only ones who need serious recovery."

Joking or not, the glare she shot afterwards was more than enough to scare Ouka into submission.

"Yes ma'am!"

The feeling of being alive. He couldn't call it a joy, for all his limbs hurt more than the previous time he had found himself in the medical ward of Babel. But it was no disappointment either. Not for the first few seconds, at least. Not until he remembered who was responsible for his being there.

His legs felt weightless as he bounded through the hallways, alarming members of Dian Cecht familia who were assigned to be assistants in the facility. It wasn't long before he quite literally collided with a familiar face.

"Goddess! Where is she? Where is Haruhime?"

"Bell, you should go back to your room. You're still far from recovered."

"I have to see her. I owe her my life to her and I have no way to repay that but to be by her side."

Seeing the usual determination in his eyes, Hestia relented knowing how much he cared for their familia members and his friends. Ignoring his own recuperation wouldn't be the worst thing he had ever done.

"Follow me."

Why do I still live?

But if I'm alive… perhaps that means Master Bell lives too. If not, then… I have no wish to wake from this state. I have no desire to. No reason to, but to feel shame and suffer.

What pathetic thoughts. Master Bell would surely chide me if he knew of them.

"Haruhime!"

Just like that time, in the garden atop Ishtar's palace… he calls my name as if it were something worth using his breath on, treating one such as I as a valuable companion and friend.

"Come on, wake up for me. I want to see you smile just one more time, at the very least."

...This is not an illusion. He is here, beside me, wherever I am.

"You've done a lot already, but I ask you to reach beyond your limits once more."

He is calling me. I have to wake up. I have to do it, for the person who gave me the freedom and compassion I never had. If I were to fail in fulfilling this simple request, I would be nothing short of worthless.

Wake, wake to embrace the one you love.

Her heart did not waver in making a decision. There was no need for hesitation. She had no reason to hesitate, after all. If it was for her saviour, she was prepared to endure any pain that would befall her.

And to her pleasure, the only pain she felt was from the overly tight grip her hand was in.

"Good morning, Master Bell. Or is it afternoon?"

Bell's face flashed with delight as he heard her voice and felt her squeeze his hands in return.

"Truly a good morning. I'm so glad that I'm able to look you in the eyes again, Haruhime."

"I'm glad, too… I'm so happy that everything paid off, everything…"

The tears of joy that she rarely ever experienced blessed her eyes, but Bell didn't notice. Instead, he had turned to a corner of the room, a question in his eyes for their goddess who lurked there.

Hestia swallowed nervously before answering, unsure of what Bell's reaction would be. But he was her most loyal familia member, her first ever, and he deserved the truth.

"She had your knife in her hand. She was gravely injured because she tried to protect you. How difficult it must have been, to do that in the Water City as a level one, being used to playing a supporting role at that… Of course she would've been on the brink of death, if not already gone."

"Haruhime… why would you take such risks?

"It would seem that in the end… I was able to be of use to Master Bell after all."

"Be of use? Don't speak so lowly of yourself," he whispered disappointedly, bringing himself closer to her. Hestia left the room, conscious that it was turning into a sensitive and private conversation. Bell bowed his head after her appreciatively before turning back to face Haruhime. "You saved my life. That is more than anyone could ever imagine, and unfortunately, it will be far beyond most people's comprehension."

"What are you doing?"

Haruhime frowned at Hestia's show of disappointment. She didn't know what she had done to offend her. She opened her mouth in the hopes of satisfying her curiosity, but she was unable to even speak a word before Hestia provided the answer she wanted.

"You looked like you had one foot in the grave, but you managed to protect Bell. That's not only impressive, but it's moving as well, to know that you'd go to such lengths to make sure he's safe."

"It really wasn't-"

"As much as it pains me to admit it, I owe you a debt greater than you can imagine, and for that reason… I have to do the best that I can to repay you."

"Whatever do you mean by that, Goddess Hestia?"

"Oh, how dense can you be? What I'm trying to say is, stop cleaning and get some rest! You're off duty for the rest of the week! Go visit your friends and Take! Play some board games with Mikoto! Hell, go on a date with Bell! Quit overworking yourself!"

Haruhime dropped the broom, realising that her goddess had had an apparent change of heart. She had never heard her goddess shout at her out of concern before, and she was shocked that it had just happened. She had never expected her goddess to approve of a relationship between her and Bell, either, but that, too, had just happened.

"Goddess Hestia, are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure! Now go!"

The renard would find herself strolling down the hallway, unsure of which of her options she should take. It was difficult to decide, knowing it was her best opportunity to take Bell for herself. He had been banned from entering the Dungeon for at least a week by Hestia, and now was a better time than ever - yet she would feel as if she were stealing him from others, and what others they were.

There was Lilly, who she had come to view as a close friend. A valuable member of their familia, a girl born into the lowest castes of their society but still managed to find her voice in the toughest of situations and lead like she was always meant to fulfill such a role. She and Bell worked as if they were adjacent gears in a machine, either one failing leading to the collapse of the whole.

Then there was the girl from The Benevolent Mistress, the beautiful human waitress Syr. She had heard that in the days when Hestia Familia had been solely composed of Bell, the girl had always made him lunch every day. The name of her workplace suited her perfectly - she was kind to all and could never do anyone harm.

The elf Ryuu, who he had formed a special bond with during their experience in the Deep Floors. Someone he had been prepared to die for, she knew, having heard of his suicidal but successful attempt to save her in the Colosseum. They had placed their lives in each other's hands numerous times. He had been the reason she was finally able to forgive herself for her past and move on, and needed him far more than Haruhime did.

Not to mention her best friend and metaphorical sister, Aisha. While she showed no real conviction and would most likely give him up easily to Haruhime, she was still someone to consider.

But if there was anything she had learned in the months since she had joined Hestia Familia, it would be that in times like these, all members of the familia would tell her to not sell herself short. She, too, was unique. Just like everyone else, she had achievements to be proud of.

Certain words from Bell himself came to mind.

The truly shameful thing is standing still because you can't make up your mind!

That was it. She would find him and tell him about her affections without any further indecision. It was a better time than any on the back of their perilous adventure - and luckily for her, she did not need to set aside any time to look for him.

"Master Bell!"

The one she was after had just left his room, turning towards the staircase, but having heard her call, he stopped to look back.

"Miss Haruhime."

"Are you… going somewhere?"

"I thought I would drop by The Benevolent Mistress. For some reason, Syr's still delivering me food, and it makes me guilty. I really need her to stop."

"Perhaps she won't stop until you eat at the tavern?" she joked, knowing it was better if he did no such thing for the sake of their familia's funds. The winnings from the War Game were long spent and with Bell unable to lead them into the Dungeon, they had had no stable income for several weeks.

"I hope not…"

His laugh was shaky as he scratched the back of his head. He was unsure of Syr's motive, but he wasn't completely oblivious. Her reason would probably be something along the lines of "to help you get better quicker", and she'd undoubtedly invite him to eat at the tavern if he felt that he needed to repay her in any way. There was no way he could take it all for free, but there was no way he could pay it back, either. As the rumours said, she was a witch, in a way.

"If you don't mind… may I accompany you, Master Bell? I am still forbidden to do my regular chores, after all. There isn't much else I can do at the moment."

Perhaps taking a girl - and therefore a contender for his love by default - to the Benevolent Mistress to meet Syr wasn't a great idea, but there wasn't much that could happen that would surpass the events of the previous month in terms of insanity. And so, with little to no more hesitation, he took her by the hand and led her out of the house, not letting go even as they neared the Benevolent Mistress. His face burned the same shade of red as his eyes as the townspeople of Orario whispered among themselves, having recognised who he was, but he did not break the grasp he had on her hand for even one moment.

It was only when they had reached the doorstep of the tavern that Haruhime gently pulled her hand away from his.

"Master Bell, maybe… maybe it's best you go inside on your own."

"Miss Haruhime, don't do this to me. I need someone to protect me while I'm in there."

"Don't be silly, Master Bell. I'm not a hero like you are. Besides, I'm sure it'll all be fine. Syr won't do anything bad to you… I think. You're a level four adventurer, after all!"

"It's not her strength I'm worried about, it's her charisma among the other waitresses. She may not have a falna, but the other girls definitely do. And it doesn't take much convincing from Syr for others to do her bidding."

"Beginning to believe the rumours of her being a witch, Master Bell?"

"Of course not! But she's still scary. Come on, Miss Haruhime, help me out here."

Haruhime giggled like a young child. It was always funny how her friend rarely ever showed fear in the face of true danger and even death but often found himself terrified of women.

"Alright, Master Bell. I'll join you."

Together, they pushed open the door to the uncharacteristically empty tavern. There were a few patrons here and there, but unlike usual, it was void of customers otherwise.

"Bell!"

Immediately, he felt the impact of Syr practically crashing into him, only barely managing to stay standing. It was a few seconds later that he was saved from asphyxiation by Ryuu, who had begun pulling her friend off him.

"Come, stay for lunch! Mia's come up with a new special and it's delicious, I promise!"

"Actually, Syr, I'm just-"

"If you're here to ask me to stop sending food, then my reply is 'not a chance'."

"Syr-"

"Sit," she said, waving him to a table.

There was just something about that direction that made it sound more like an order if anything, and Bell found himself very compelled to follow it.

"You too, Miss Haruhime. Don't be shy."

"It's not that, Lady Syr, while I'd love to try out this new dish, it's just that we're running a little low on valis since we haven't been able to go into the Dungeon recently, and-"

"On the house then, how about that? Well, not that anything's ever on the house with Mia. I'll pay for it, in that case."

"Oh, we couldn't possibly-"

"I'll pay for it," Syr stated very definitively, not leaving room for negotiation nor argument.

And so, Bell and Haruhime found themselves seated at one of the many available tables in The Benevolent Mistress, and despite their initial reluctance, found their meal rather fulfilling and, as one would expect of Mia Grand's food, delicious.

"Syr, I don't know how I'll ever pay you back."

"Hmm, just make sure to come back and eat a lot when you do have the valis to pay for it all, okay?"

The wink that came with the request seemed innocent enough, but Bell knew better than that. Yet, he realised that his response would've been the same regardless of whether he caught that dangerous flicker of the eye at all.

"U-um. Yes. Of course."

He hurriedly led Haruhime out of the tavern just as he had taken her there, hand locked with hers - but rather than going straight home to the Hestia familia mansion, he turned north, and he didn't stop walking until he reached the wall of Orario.

"Master Bell?"

Still he did not speak, taking Haruhime to the very top of that wall. It was only then when they had left behind the bustle of Orario on the ground and all they heard was the rustling of the wind that he finally broke the silence, letting go of her hand and facing her.

"This is where Miss Ais trained me."

So this is a special spot to him.

"It's been a while since I've been here."

Is he going to say anything else?

"I never thought the person I had most wanted to catch up to when I first arrived in Orario would end up teaching me. The same person who influenced me so much that apparently, my main skill ended up centred around her. Or so the goddess has told me, but…"

Yes, the reason you were able to grow and mature so quickly was because…

"That is no longer the case."

"What do you mean, Master Bell?"

"Goddess Hestia's most recent update told her that my skill, Realis Freese, has changed. It no longer responds to my drive to overtake Ais. Instead…it responds to my commitment to being with you."

"Pardon?"

"Miss Haruhime, you've… become the new centre, the new focus of my Realis Freese. And before you say anything strange about how it's a bad thing… I don't think it's bad at all."

"How, Master Bell? How is this a good thing? How is your desire to improve yourself diminishing a good thing? Don't you still want to become worthy of the Sword Princess?" she cried, tears beginning to stream down her face at the thought of Bell's potential collapsing because of her.

"Do you remember what I said in the Dungeon on our most recent trip? About our familia?"

"Y-yes. Y-you said everyone's here for-"

"A reason. Everyone in our familia is part of it because they've done something to prove themselves worthy. And this… I believe, is the greatest feat of them all, Miss Haruhime. You've managed to sway my heart. My love. Such a feat is the most solid proof of all that you belong in our familia more than anyone else out there."

"Your… love?"

"That aphrodisiac incident taught me much about you. You're an amazing person, Miss Haruhime. Resisting your desires, artificial or not, to try and help me, even though I was the one who was responsible in the first place. Denying help even as we went into the Dungeon, and only freeing yourself when there were few options left. That sort of resolve, that perseverance… is something many can only dream of."

"Master Bell…"

Bell raised a hand to stop her, shaking his head disapprovingly.

"Between us, from now on, no more titles. No honorifics. I'm just Bell, and you're just… Haruhime. Is that... alright?"

Haruhime swallowed her nervousness, nodding confidently in response to this. It would be rather nice to be able to call him by his name only, she thought.

"Good. You're the one now, Haruhime."

"Yes," she affirmed, a small smile forming on her lips again. Maybe there wasn't anything so wrong about taking him for herself after all.

"I hope you'll continue to stay by my side, always."

"I will. Forever and always."

Bell returned the smile as he extended his hand towards her once more.

"Let's go home."

"Yes, Bell," she agreed, liking the sound of her voice speaking his name and only his name for once. "Let's."

A/N - Anyone ever wondered, "damn, where'd that writer go, I wanted to read a proper ending so bad!"? Well, while I'm not certain it's the case with this story, I've finally decided to make some time and come finish it off. If anyone was still stuffed to read this, anyway. It's been a lengthy amount of time since I last read DanMachi myself, so characters MIGHT be OOC, unfortunately. Anyway, that's it for this story. It's finally come to an end. Thank you to everyone who's stuck around, and I'm sorry it took so long. I hope you enjoyed nonetheless!

And as always, don't forget, all rights to DanMachi and its characters belong to the original author Fujino Omori!