Like a Fairy

by Ventanus

After surviving the horrors of the 37th floor and returning to the surface things are about to change a bit between Bell and Ryuu. And a certain grey haired woman is also interested. This is a "what if" story focussed on Bell and Ryuu. Rated M for later chapters. Contains spoilers up to LN 15 and a special one in chapter 1, avoid it with skipping "at Babel". Hope you like it

41. Summer Special

Authors Note1: Hey everyone, have fun with the summer special and please don´t take it too seriously, the special are meant to be a bit off^^. I wanted to reach 20.000 Words but just got 18.000 *sob*

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"Hestia, what kind of quest is this?" Miach leaned back on the couch.

"I got a message from the guild, that they wanted to talk with us, but four gods were too much so they asked me to come alone. You can imagine how glad I was that it wasn't about a punishment...ehehehe."

"And what did they tell you?"

"They have a quest for us to investigate something that was discovered recentely, an old temple...at the beach!" She looked really excited.

"A temple at the beach? And no one saw it before? Sounds suspicious." Lily crossed her arms.

"Well ahm...the temple is under water..."

"Under water? How are we supposed to get there?"

"The guild will provide us with special undine cloth, we shall make equipment out of it, so we can breath under water...with we I mean you children...we gods are forbidden to go down there...but we will come with you to the beach." She grinned.

"But why us?"

"Well ahm for, they said our alliance got a good reputation due to the incident, and that Ryuu and Bell saved the city."

Ryuu looked thoughtful. "So it is most likely a reward from the guild for us? Like a tiny vacation as a thank?"

Hestia averted her eyes lightly. "Well ahm...most of that..."

"Goddess?" Bell still had trouble with his old habit of calling her.

"N-Nothing!"

"Lady Hestia..." Lily looked grim. "You are hiding something..."

"Well...actually it is a two part quest.."

"And the other part is?"

"We shall investigate strange noises that come from the ocean...a big form was seen in the water...and something else at the beach...and according to the legend about the temple, it is protected by three mighty seals so it would be nice if we have someone who understands magic...but the guild will give us special magic items in case we have to break the seals."

"But why us then?"

"They...couldn´t tell me the truth but...they have informations that the form in the sea...might be too much for a level six adventurer...or more of them...they would need at least...one level seven..." Her voice grew more and more silent.

"Haaaa?! This is ridiculous! Yes master Bell is level seven, and with Ms. Lyon we have a level six adventurer...and we have Haruhime...but a job that needs a level seven must be ridiculousely dangerous! Why don´t they send the Freya Familia and the Emperor?"

"Well...they said Freya isn´t in the mood to go to the beach..."

Officially Freya wasn´t allowed to leave the city due to her oath...but it was an open secret that she took small vacation from time to time.

"And if we decline?"

"They said we can´t...the quest is too urgent for that..."

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Lily sighed...it was her job to be the No-sayer...which means whatever quest they took or what their plans for the dungeon were, and it was Lily´s job to investigate and look for mistakes and dangers. When everyone cheered and was joyfull for an idea, she would play the straight man. That saved party members more time than once. Also it was a new habit of her to wear glasses when she explained something...and when she revealed her big plan or showed her genius, she pushed up the glasses and they flashed lightly.

Sometimes they heard her mumble. "All acording to plan..."

"Ahm Lady Hestia." Mikoto raised her hand. "Even if under water, how is it possible that the people living there didn´t noticed a huge temple?"

"Who knows? Maybe some sort of illusion spell?" Hestia shrugged her shoulders.

"It might be the work of an enemy Stand." Ryuu tapped her chin as she said that.

"What?"

"Huh?"

"What does that mean?"

Everyone looked at her, after a second Astrea´s eyes became big. "That was-"

"Oh ahm." She smirked bashful. "Sorry...that was something that someone from my Familia used to say whenever something happened that was hard or not possible to explain."

Astrea giggled. "Celty used to say that often...and also covering one of her eyes with her open hand while she did that..."

"And what does that mean?"

Astrea and Ryuu looked at each other for a moment before they chuckled. ""We have no idea.""

Now Welf leaned forward. "Lady Hestia, how much cloth will they provide us with?"

"About seven bales."

He let out a low whistle. "That is not a little...but not much enough for everyone...except..." Welf sighed.

"Welf?" Bell looked at him.

"I guess...we can use the cloth to make...swimwear...you know? Trunks and Bikini´s, for whole swimsuits for the ladies we don´t have enough cloth and enchanted undine cloth is expensive. But even then we don´t have enough for the whole party."

"Ahm..." Haruhime raised her hand. "I would like to stay at the beach...someone has to look out for the children..." Haruhime held the sleeping Fina on her lap so she didn´t fall down.

"M-M-Me too." Chigusa raised her hand, her main reason was, she didn´t want someone to see her wearing a bikini...well...mostly Ouka.

"I will stay at the beach too." Asuka nodded.

"The beach...the ocean...I never saw that." Rye´s eyes shined.

"Might be nice." Roux smiled calmly...as always.

"Bell has to go, so much is clear."

"Hm." Bell nodded.

"And me too, if the temple really is dangerous I will go down there too." Ryuu looked at Bell from the side.

After a short discussion it was clear who would go.

"So..." Welf sighed. "Now for an unpleasant question."

They looked at him.

"For our ladies...I will need your measurements..."

Most of the girls blushed, it was clear that he needed them, because Welf would make their equipment, one after another, the girls wrote down numbers on sheets and gave them Welf, until only Ryuu´s was missing.

"Mr. Crozzo, it´s not that I don´t trust you, but I would prefer to ask Andromeda to make my gear." Ryuu looked at him serious. "Only one man is allowed to know the measurements of my body."

"No problem here."

Also I have a few extra wishes...I won´t let anyone see me in a bikini, except Bell...or mother...

"That reminds me...when will we start?"

Hestia smiled bashful. "Ahm...in a...week..."

"Huh?!"

"What?!"

"No way!"

"That´s to soon!"

"Who will watch the house?!"

"Relax, relax all of you. I talked to Ganesha, he will send some of his children to watch over our home. He said Shakti swore an oath to protect it until we return, she is indebted to Ryuu or something like that."

"But still Hestia." Takemikazuchi frowned. "This is much to prepare in just a week."

"Lady Hestia?"

"Ryuu?"

"Where exactly is this place?"

After she got the name, Ryuu looked releaved. "That might work."

"Ryuu?" Bell looked at her.

"I have to talk to Mama Mia, I have to work around the time we are away."

"Oh oh..."

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She smiled. "Don´t worry, if that is the place we are going, I might have something to bargain with her."

"What do you mean?"

"That place is famous for the smoked sea salt. If I buy something for the pub, I´m sure she will let me g-." For a second Ryuu made a face.

"Ryuu?"

"Nothing...everything okay." She smiled. "Just a small cramp."

Ryuu stretched out her leg, rubbed her thigh and sighed. "Ah..better.."

"Hm.."

"What? Even an adventurer can get a cramp."

But...Ryuu haven´t told Bell that the "cramp" wasn´t in her leg.

"So with that, everyone knows what is to do." Hestia clapped her hands grinning. "Onto the beach!"

"Lady Hestia...this is a serious quest...by the way, where will we stay?"

"The guild said there will be three rentable houses that are meant for tourists...and they will cover all our expenses."

"That sounds good...how big are these houses?"

"Two with a first floor, one with a second."

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After the talk was over, everyone went to work on the preparations. Bell went to the guild to get the cloth, they surprised him as he received a small bundle and a note together with the cloth, Astrea accompanied Ryuu on her way to the Hermes Familia and the pub...but only after Bell gave Ryuu a goodbye kiss in the hallway...and even took her hand in brought daylight...while Astrea watched them.

"B-Bell...not in front of...my mother.." Her cheeks burned.

"Ehehe, don´t mind me you two, I´ll wait outside."

"Take care yeah?"

"Bell...I´m okay, don´t worry."

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"Ryuu?"

"Yes?"

Astrea looked at her worried. "Is really everything okay with you?...Back then you.."

"It was just a light cramp."

"Where?"

"Ahm.." She placed a hand on her stomach.

Astrea clapped her hands over her mouth. "Don´t tell me you are-!"

"No...I...used that item...nothing happened."

"Oh..."

Astrea had gifted Ryuu a special magic item, that looked like a tiny rod with a crystal ball on top. She could place it on her lower stomach and wait...if the crystal changed it´s color...that meant she was pregnant...but nothing happened.

"I guess it will happen when it happens."

"Mhm." Astrea smiled. "But then...don´t get sick on me okay?"

"I won´t...Bell had the same guess."

"Oooh..thats why he was so loving."

"Yes."

"Hmm...Oh Ryuu?"

"Hm?"

When we are done...I need a swimsuit for the beach...will you accompany me?"

"Sure." Ryuu smiled all over her face.

That was what Ryuu had longed for, doing peaceful daily things with goddess.

"Oh and a hat...and sunglasses...and lotion of course...and a spare bikini...and a new towel...and a spare hat...a dress for the evenings...and."

"Ahm mother...this isn´t meant as a vacation."

"Oh my sweet little Ryuu, of course it is a vacation! You will finish this quest fast and then we all enjoy the beach together."

"I am not so sure."

"Just imagine it...you sitting with Mr. Bell on a balcony in the evening, enjoying the sound of the waves while you two cuddle...covered by a blanket, wouldn´t that be nice?"

Shyly Ryuu looked to the side. "Yes..."

"Now then come, come and onwards! We have much to do and you need a bikini too!"

"Mother, I won´t wear a bikini."

"Of course not with the others around you...you need one when you are alone with Mr. Bell. Enjoying the sunset while you two walk along the beach...you have to experience it! So you have to choose something that you both will like.
Oh and of course a beach dress...maybe white or green?"

Ryuu had rarely seen her goddess so...excited.

"Come come now!"

"Y-Yes! Ah please don´t pull on my hand!"

Personality aside, Astrea was still a goddess and they really enjoyed things like this.

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After she had talked to Asfi, who agreed to make the swimsuit for her, Ryuu and Astrea walked to the pub. When Mama Mia heard about the destination, she was surprisingly easy to persuade.

"I want at least ten kilogram of that smoked sea salt."

"Ten kilogram?"

"Not one gram less."

"Okay..."

"Ryuu?" Syr came to her, looking bashful.

"Syr?"

"So you are traveling with Mr. Bell again...everytime you do that something big happens so...I have something for you."

"Oh?"

"Here."

It was a long, thin leather cord with a pendant with a green gemstone inside.

"Syr? What is this."

The gray haired girl smiled cute. "A lucky charm, and it will suit you."

"The cord might be too long to put it around my neck."

"Not your neck Ryuu." Syr pointed down. "This is meant to wear it on your waist, so that the pendant hangs under your belly button."

"I don´t know."

"Oh Ryuu trust me, it will look beautfiul, it will be perfect with a bikini and..." Syr leaned closer and whispered into Ryuu´s ear. "It is a lucky charm for fertility."

Ryuu´s cheek turned pink. "Syr?"

Her smile changed lightly to the more teasing side of Syr. "It´s just a charm, but I hope it will help you...I want to see some tiny Ryuu´s someday too you know?"

Ryuu smiled. "Thank you, Syr."

"Aaaawww come here you." Syr grabbed the surprised Ryuu and rubbed her cheek against her ear.

"Ah S-Syr!"

Astrea giggle happy as she saw how well Ryuu did with her friends, the first time she had met Syr, she had thanked her over and over again, crying from releave that Ryuu was saved by her.

When her emotions boiled over, Astrea had pulled the squealing from surprise Syr into a hug, crying and saying. "Thank you...thank you so much..." Over and over again.

Syr had returned the hug carefully.

A god couldn´t see through the lies of another god, but Syr...or Freya...had met enough people in her life to see that Astrea was absolutely honest. For her Syr was the reason why she still had someone she could call daughter.

Freya had thought for a while about Astrea, would she take Ryuu away from her? That would be "problematic"...but she didn´t. Astrea had sworn to never forget what Syr had done and that she wished Ryuu and Syr would have this close relationship forever.
And that Astrea would never try to take Syr´s place.

"I can´t say with words how important you are to her."

And so Freya decided that Astrea really was just what she looked like, a loving mother.

That to say, Astrea managed to do one thing to Freya that was really rare...surprise and touch her deeply.

"Ms. Syr...can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Lady Astrea, Syr is fine."

"Thank you, Syr."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"It is something important...Ryuu and I had a talk...about...when they have time for a real wedding."

"Okay...?"

"Ryuu told me without you it wouldn´t be what she wished for...you are aware of the custom that a god or goddess leads their child to the altar?"

"Of course." In her mind Syr had squinted her eyes. Are you planning to take the spot that is mine?

"I asked Ryuu if she would like it more if you would lead her instead of me."

"Oh?" Syr looked surprised.

Astrea gave Ryuu a signal.

"Syr."

"Ryuu?"

"I...I wanted to ask if you both would lead me to the alter...but you being my maid of honor?..."

To be honest, both women together really surprised Syr...or rather Freya.

That pure maiden-like innocence on Ryuu´s face...the hope in Astrea´s...it really touched her. Astrea gave up her important place voluntary, because she thought it was Syr´s right to do that.
Without knowing who Syr really was...that was unexpected from a god. And what surprised Freya more, that Astrea was completely honest and fine with it, not one spark of jealousy was in her.

Alright...Astrea gets a free pass from me, if it were different...it would be problematic to eliminate her without making Ryuu sad...maybe I can play a bit with her...

Freya had something in mind she wanted to try with Astrea, it would probably take some time to get her to the point...but it would be entertaining...and conquering the goddess of justice...and make her whimper and moan under Freya´s...or Syr´s hands...that would be a big achievement as a "mortal".

Astrea...so that we both will have a lot of fun together ...! In her mind Freya licked her lips seductively.

At this point Freya couldn´t know that she would never achieve that goal...Astrea was as pure as someone could be...but she still had fun trying over the years...

"Ryuu...it would be an honor to me...and my greatest joy." Syr beamed all over her face. "I´m so happy!"

It didn´t happen often, but this time Ryuu pulled Syr into a hug. "Thank you, Syr."

"Oh Ryuu, are you two having plans right now? I will start my break soon."

"We need to buy some things and clothes."

She could see Syr´s eyes flash.

"A girls shopping tour? I´m in! Please let me join!"

"Ah eh..."

Astrea giggled. "Why not? The more the merrier."

Shopping for clothes with Syr and her goddess...was both for Ryuu, a joy and...exhausting...but she had to say she got some cute and pretty clothes for the summer.

I wonder how Bell will react.

It was nice for Ryuu just to be girlish sometimes, around noon they took a break in a street cafe, putting down the shopping bags and eat something light. Ryuu enjoyed the warm sun and couldn´t stop smiling the whole time.

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The big Familia had much to do over the week, but Bell found time to visit the Loki Familia, thanking them again for what they had done for him. He had a talk with Finn, Riveria and Gareth. From the black snake he had defeated, the skull remained and they could make some very strong equipment out if it.

"Please use it, to be honest I don´t want to see that thing again, and I´m sure Orario will need this equipment in case some other beast attacks."

Finn nodded. "You have my thank, Bell Cranel."

Gareth grinned. "You are a good one."

"Very mature of you, Bell Cranel." Riveria smiled lightly.

"Oh ehm..y-you are welcome..." He smiled embarrassed.

"Oh and Bell Cranel...there is something I wanted to ask of you." Now Finn looked serious.

"Ahm..y-yeah? What is it?"

"Would you fight me?"

"Huh?"

"A sparring fight." Finn glanced down. "You have your weapons with you."

It became a habit for Bell to wear his weapons in Orario, not that he ever needed them, but for many adventurer was the rule. "Better have it and don´t need, than need it and don´t have."

"B-But why?"

"I´m curious about your strength now...and I would like to show you something."

"Okay...I guess?"

"Would it be okay to you, if I call the others?"

Fighting in front of the whole Loki Familia? Hmmm..

"I promise you I have no unfair motives."

Bell nodded with a serious face. "Okay then, I trust you."

Riveria was impressed.

"Oh and one more thing Bell Cranel."

"Yes?"

"I would like Tiona and Ais to join."

"Wh-Wh-What? I alone against you three?!"

Finn nodded.

"N-N-No way!"

"Trust me...and wait."

It went different than Bell had imagined.

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"Owie..." Tiona lied down on the grass, rubbing her head.

"Hngh..." Finn knelt exhausted on the gras.

"B-B-Bell?!" And Ais was blushing fiercly, Bell had pinned her down on the gras, their faces way too close for Ais´ taste.

"Wh-wh-what is he doing to Ms. Ais?!"

What just happened?

Bell could only look the squealing Ais into the eyes. He was nervous when the fight started, they came from three sides and Bell was sure he would lose in a few seconds. But somehow all three were so...slow?
Like it was the easiest thing to do, Bell had deflected Tiona´s Urga with Fairy´s Dawn and blocked Finn´s spear with the Hestia Knife...two level six adventurers at once. When he had used strength to push them back, they staggered.
Ais´ eyes had widened as Bell jumped forward, way faster than she anticipated.

Not even five minutes later, all three were down. Ais had bent one of her legs slightly, one of his legs between hers, his knee near her lap, while she lied under him, squealing in her mind...and she was so happy right now. That she lost didn´t matter to Ais, she just wanted to lose herself in those beautiful eyes and strong arms...

B-B-Bell pushed me down! Hauuuuu...what is he going to do?! Everyone is watching! Did I brush my teeth? Did I eat something with garlic?

Lefiya grinded her teeth by the sight of the squirming, blushing Ais.

"Impossible..."

"The captain...Tiona...and Ais?" Tione looked shocked.

As did everyone else of the Loki Familia, the only one that wasn´t present was Bete, he was still in the hospital and got used to his new silver arm and leg, he didn´t remember what had happened in the night of the incident, he got visited everyday by a certain amazoness named Lena, that took care of him.

Riveria could see that Ais was extremely embarrassed and even started to purse her lips, she had to do something before Ais would embarass herself. "I think we should stop here, thank you Bell Cranel."

"Eh? Oh..y-yes." Slowly Bell got up, offered Ais a hand and pulled her up.

"That huuuurt, Argo!" Tiona rubbed her head as she walked over, she called Bell "Argo" now, since she was the first to call him Argonaut, she wanted a new nickname for him.

"Uff.." Finn got up with the help of Tione.

"Wow..." Ais looked surprised...and would have loved so much to being pinned down by Bell for a while longer...alone...

Finn smiled as he brushed off the dust from his clothes. "As I thought."

"Mr. Finn?"

"This is how strong you are now, Bell Cranel. This is the strength of a level seven adventurer. You are no longer a mere human, just like Ottar you are on your way to become a "demi-god" or "hero"."

A hero...

Riveria walked over to Bell and Ais, looking into his eyes.

"Ms. Riveria?"

Don´t tell me he seduced lady Riveria too?! Lefiya looked shocked, she had intended to challenge Bell to a duell to regain the honor he had defiled...but now...

Riveria eyed him for a while, Bell got nervous and averted his eyes, that let Riveria chuckle. "The look in your eyes is still the same, Bell Cranel."

"What do you mean?"

Riveria smirked. "Stay who you are Bell Cranel, you are a good boy. Some people get drunk from power...I doubt that will happen to you, you have a pure heart."

Before he could say something...

"Bell Cranel! Fight me! I have to beat you for what you did to me!" Lefiya stormed forward.

"M-Ms. Lefiya? Wh-Why?"

"You did "that" to me! Don´t you dare play dumb!"

Bell sighed. "Can´t we just d-"

"No! Fight me!"

Bell looked to Riveria who nodded, smiling wryly. She looked to the other Familia members. "That was all we wanted to show you, please let us alone for Lefiya´s honor duel."

Gareth had a guess what would happen soon and went inside, Tione helpe Finn to go inside as well.

Only Tiona, Ais and Riveria remained on the grass field were the angry Lefiya took her position.

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About one minute later...

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"Wuuuääääh! He did it again! Bell Cranel defiled me agaaaaaain! And he saw my skiiiin!" Lefiya sank down to her knees, her arms crossed in front of her bare breasts, sobbing.

Bell had underestimated his strength and speed, he had countered Lefiya´s attack way too fast...and slashed her top in half, revealing her naked skin to the eyes of the few people here. Being a gentleman Bell had averted his face immediately, Lefiya who didn´t realized what just happened had attacked Bell and managed to hit him, the condition for her victory. She had jumped around cheering.

"M-Ms. Lefiya! P-Please cover yourself!" Bell hid his eyes behind his face, blushing fiercly.

"Huh?" She had looked down. "Eeeeeeeep!"

"Impressive Lefiya! You beat him!" Tiona walked over grinning.

"*Hic* *sob* Now..."

"Now?" Ais leaned down with a questioning face.

"Now I have to marry Bell Craaaneeel! *Hic* He defiled me twice! I can´t be a bride anymooooore!"

"Eh?!" Bell staggered back. "M-Ms. Lefiya that is too much!"

She shot him a glare and pointed with her right hand towards him, the other hand on her hip. "Don´t you dare run away now, Mister!"

Riveria came over sighing and bonked her lightly on the head. "Lefiya...you are wide open again."

"Huh? Eeeek!" She covered herself again.

"L-Lefiya! Y-You c-can´t marry B-Bell!" Ais looked shocked. "I w-" She clapped her hands over her mouth before she could say more.

"Marrying Argo hm? I would also like too!" Tiona grinned.

"Wh-What?!"

"I mean you are so strong! And handsome! And a nice guy!" Tiona winked to him.

Ais blushed fiercly but didn´t dare to say what she wanted to say to Bell right now.

"I-I have someone..."

"But there are no laws that you can´t have more than one wife right?"

"Wh-Wh-What?!"

"I would love to have your children." Her smile widened and her eyes sparkled, she even tried to look...seductive...but it remained a try.

Bell just couldn´t deal with that honest amazoness, being surrounded by three young woman...one of them half naked and glaring at him...was too much for the innocent boy. Bell was just glad he hadn't completely exposed the young elf.

"Tiona..." Riveria sighed. "Bell Cranel, thank you for your time today, I think it is better if you go now...I have to give these three growing girls a lecture. And as you saw with Lefiya just now, you should get used to your new strength or it could be dangerous. Finn said you can come to train as much as you like."

"R-Right...Th-Thank you...and goodbye then everyone..." He fled..more or less.

"Ah, Bell." Ais raised a hand and wanted to go after him.

She stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "You too, young lady."

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And like that Bell Cranel discovered how much stronger he was now...and how appealing he seemed to be now...that poor boy. He was a bit ashamed, but when he saw Lefiya´s naked breasts jiggle, a thought flashed through his mind, that Ryuu´s were a bit bigger and had the nicer shape...he was really in shame after that.

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At the same time Ryuu sneezed in the café and suddenly...she felt that her body was very womanly...for a moment.

Where did this thought come from?

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But even after Riveria´s scolding, what Bell had done to Ais gave her wonderful dreams for the next weeks...about Bell slamming the wall next to her and leaning closer to her face, while she shyly averted her blushing face, until he gently grabbed her chin and closed the distance to her lips. "Ais...kiss me..."

Since she had no experience, the kiss with Bell in her dream tasted like a potato snack...

Bell...Hiiiiii!

Her poor pillow got strangled the whole time.

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She wasn´t the only one that dreamed of Bell, Lefiya had many dreams about being pushed down or into a corner and an evil laughing Bell ripping her clothes. "Fuahahaha! I have seen your skin! You are mine now and part of my personal elven harem! Lady Riveria and your dear Filvis are the next! Fuahahah!"

In the most dreams Ais would come as Lefiya´s knight to save her or Lefiya blew him away with her "Arcs Ray"...only in one dream Lefiya closed her eyes and pursed her lips while she raised her face as Bell leaned closer.

"B-B-But what about M-M-Ms Ais?"

"Oh don´t worry my cute one...she will be part of the harem too..."

"You fiend!"

"Lefiya...I´m sorry for exposing your beautiful body...I will take responsibility...marry me...bear my children..."

Before he could kiss her Lefiya woke up with a squeak and blushed fiercly.

She punched her pillow. "That damn elf slayer...Womanizer...fiend..." But then oh so quietly. "But he...is a gentleman...and so handsome...aaaah wait wait! I only have eyes for Ms. Ais!"

"Lefiya I´m trying to sleep here!" Not everyone in the Loki Familia had a room for themself...

Still if she wanted it or not...after that Lefiya had a dream about some small half elves...some with white hair or red eyes...

Tiona mostly dreamed about fighting against Bell.

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"Ms. Shakti, thank you for watching over our home."

"It is the least I can do to repay what Lyon had done for me, lady Hestia." Shakti bowed her head to the small goddess, and nodded to Ryuu.

"Good to see you are healthy again." Ryuu smiled.

The Familia´s had packed up all the stuff they would take with them, Asfi had delivered Ryuu´s clothes this morning, Welf had worked the whole week to check all the equipment and making the special Undine clothes. The women of the Familia´s were not so happy to try them on...some needed light changes...it was in their mind all the time that Welf knew their measurements.

Welf had sighed as he saw their faces. "You don´t need to be ashamed...I´m only interested in another woman you know?"

Syr had come to wish them goodbye. "Ryuu take care of you yes? And make sure to wear the pendant!"

"I will Syr, thank you."

"Now then, bye bye everyone!"

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They used Horse-drawn carriages to travel to the seaside, from there they took a ship to reach their destination and from the port, carriages again. After two days they arrived...it was just beautiful.

"The oceaaaaan!"

"The beaaaach!"

Hestia was as excited as the kids.

The road led over a hill and from the top they could see their destination, it was a long curved beach, almost like a crescent moon, between them and the beach was a small town, containing about fifty houses, and a few smaller houses to the beachside, the town looked really peaceful.
The beach went on really long, on one side they saw something like a cliff jutting out onto the water, the beach continued behind the cliff for about a hundred meters, going over into a forest. And then the ocean...most of the Familia members had never seen the ocean before...water, water and even more water...stretched endlessly to the horizon.

"Wow."

"Impressive."

"Magnificent."

They had seen monsters, the tower of Babel, the wonders of the dungeon...but this endless mass of water...let them feel small.

"Hm?" Ryuu turned her head as she saw something in the corner of her eye.

"Ryuu?" Astrea looked in the same direction.

"Nothing...must have been my imagination..."

"Please sit down, we will continue." The driver of the first carriage called out to them.

Down at the edge of the forest something looked up to the carriages...something that made clicking sounds...

.

.

"Welcome adventurers from Orario! Welcome to our lovely town!" The mayor of the small town was smiling. "And welcome dear gods." He bowed his head to the four gods.

"You really have a lovely town here." Takemikazuchi looked around, his children at his side.

"It´s really pretty here." Miach looked around, smiling.

A few women that passed near the group, looked at the handsome god, some of them blushing. Nahza demonstratively hooked herself up to him, looked at each woman with raised eyebrows, "marking" her territory.

"We got the information that you will reside in our tourist houses, we have prepared it for your stay, if you are ready you can bring in your luggage."

"Thank you very much." Hestia smiled calmly. "But we need to discuss something."

"I will come to you in about an hour if that is okay? We shouldn´t talk out here."

"Okay."

Ryuu stepped to the mayor. "Excuse me."

"Yes? How can I help you?"

"I heard that this town is selling special salt."

"Ah yes!" The mayor beamed. "We are kinda famous for it, we have five different shops that sell this salt, each with another special smoking technique."

He handed her a flyer. "The shops are marked on this map, every tourist group gets one for free."

The mayor seemed to be what he looked like, a friendly elderly human.

I guess Mama Mia would be most pleased when I get her two kilogram of every variant.

The easiest way to divide the group into the houses was by Familia. When the three houses came into view, Miach went into the left, Takemikazuchi in the right, Hestia and Astrea in the middle one with the extra floor on top.
The houses were behind a dune with gras all around them, from the side with the balconies they could see the beach and the ocean, from the front windows on the upper floors they could see the town. The houses were built like this so that tourists would have as much privacy as possible, each house had three rooms on each floor, as well as a big living room and kitchen in the ground floor, and a bathroom of course.
Apparently not every member wanted a room on the upper floors, Lily and Welf each took a room in the ground floor, Hestia, Astrea and Haruhime with Fina took three rooms in the first floor. So Bell and Ryuu had the second floor alone for themself.

All the windows were opened beforehand by the townspeople, the houses were really lovely and comfy.

"It smells so nice...and the sound of the waves...I like this." Ryuu leaned on the balustrade of the balcony of her and Bell´s room, her eyes closed.

Bell joined her after they had put away their clothes. "It is really beautiful here...but not as much as you."

"Ehehe...Thank you, my love."

Ryuu turned her head to Bell, nudging her shoulder against his and kissed him lovingly with the ocean in the backround.

For a few days now, Ryuu wanted to cuddle with Bell more than normal, she didn´t do that because she wanted to make love, just wanted to cuddle with Bell. Sometimes he saw her sighing with a lovely smile on her face, while she looked out of the window in their room...but that might just have been Bell´s imagination.
But Bell was used to Ryuu being very cuddly, there was a time each month where she got into that mood. Syr had explained to Bell after he and Ryuu became a couple, that there is a delicate time for a woman each month, where Bell had to take care of Ryuu, in that time even the strongest female adventurers couldn´t help herself.
Also in that time Ryuu never got into the dungeon, Bell got the idea that that may be the reason why the others women of the Familia´s also had days where they didn´t go into the dungeon.

No one noticed the giant shadow that moved under the water...

.

.

.
"As far as we know, this sunken temple is down in the water where the cliff is, but no one was ever down there."

The mayor came as he had promised, everyone was sitting or standing in the big living room of the main house. Except for Haruhime, she went to the beach with the children, all four wanted to see the ocean so badly.
He also brought a huge basket with fresh fruits as a welcome gift, the main house had a magic stone fridge in the kitchen, the other houses were too small for that, out here there just weren´t enough magic stones for every house.

"Are there monsters or dangerous animals in the area?"

"No, we wouldn´t have guests here if that were the case. There may be a few sharks wide out in the water, but they never come near the coast, we don´t know why."

"And in the forest?"

"As far as we know, no. The only thing is the red figure that was spotted, one of the reasons we sent message to Orario."

"Red figure?"

"Yes, a fisher that went to the cliff in the morning saw some bulky red figure running to the forest, it was red from head to toe."

"Hmmm.." Hestia tapped her chin. "Could that be a monster?"

"No one was ever harmed."

"Well it´s our job to investigate...now for..the sounds?"

"Ah yes, when the sun starts to set...and sometimes at sunrise, you can hear strange noises from the ocean...like a howling? Or a cry...a few people talked about seing a shadow in the water...or something when it was foggy, I´m sorry we don´t have any more informations."

"Are there strong currents here? Or other things to watch out for when we go into the water?" Lily had a notebook with things she wanted to ask.

"Not really, this town wouldn´t be here if that was the case...one time a few years ago there was a tsunami, but it broke before it reached the coast, we don´t know why."

After a few minutes the mayor had given them all the informations he had and returned to the town, wishing them a pleasant evening, it was late afternoon and the sun was on her way to sink. One of the best things in the town was that the sun sunk down over the water, in the last minutes before she vanished the whole ocean would become like liquid gold.

"We won´t do anything today anymore, and use the time tomorrow to relax and play at the beach or visit the town. Before we go to work we have to get used to the environment here." Hestia looked into the round.

"But Lady Hestia.."

"No, little supporter...think of it like that. Some of us never saw the ocean before, it is beautiful and stunning...but also unfamiliar, give us the chance to acclimatize."

Lily looked shocked, not because Hestia had interrupted her...but that she was right and thought of a thing that Lily had forgotten.

"Ahm gode-..lady Hestia, there is something I have to do right now."

"What is it Bell?"

Bell pulled a small bundle and a note out of his pocket.

"I have to use this."

"What is that?"

Everyone looked curious as Bell unwrapped the bundle and took out a black "stone", it was more like a cube with twenty sides, each engraved with a different rune.

"I got this from the guild together with the cloth and that note, they didn´t knew what was inside but had the order to give it to me."

"And what does the note say?"

"Ahem..."Bell Cranel, I will give you this portal-focus for your journey. I would like you to test out if it works, please use it on the evening of the first day when your Familia´s are alone...Fels."

"Fels wants you to test out magic items for him again?"

"Ahm yes...he wrote me a note when I leveled up, he wrote now that I´m stronger it is more likely I will survive even if they go out of control..."

The four gods could understand Fels´ behaviour somehow, being immortal let some people search for...strange hobbies.

"Okay...but what is a portal-focus?"

"I have no idea, he just wrote what I have to do, not what it does. The message just says that nobody should be within a three meter radius around me when I activate it."

"Well then...I guess..."

Everyone stepped back and Bell went to the free place in the living room. Bell placed the cube onto the floor and stepped back, reading the instructions on the note.

Blushing, he thrusted a hand forward, pointed at the cube. "Sesame, open up!"

Eh? More than one member thought that this pose was...weird.

The runes on the cube began to glow, it wobbled slightly and slowly began to float upwards until it stopped at a height of about one meter. There the cube started to rotate faster and faster, the runes shone in bright light.

"What is happening?!"

"So bright!"

"What is this?!"

"Is that safe?!"

"Is it meant to be like this?!"

Darkness came out of the cube, flowing into every direction and formed a portal.

Astrea was a bit frightened and took a step back, hugging Ryuu protectively.

ore!

"Huh?"

Push more!

"Do you hear something?"

Fear, you have to push more!

"I hear a voice."

Your wing is stuck.

"Is that..."

Something moved inside the portal...a form.

Hnnngh!

A blue claw came out of the portal and grabbed the edge...a second claw joined, something was pulling itself out of the portal.

This can´t be! This is...! Bell´s eyes widened.

"Buha!" With a victorious yell, a small figure pulled herself out of the portal and jumped down to the ground...a figure that wore a dark robe.

"Wiene!" Bell was more than shocked.

The tiny dragon-girl looked up, her eyes sparkled. "Bell!"

Have fun Wiene! We will see you in a few days! Oy little Bell! Hello!

He definetely heard the voice of Lyd...then the portal started to flicker and ... squeaked...it shrunk more and more and finally vanished, the cube returned to it´s normal status without glowing.

.

.

Everyone was stunned and looked at the small monster girl, who jumped onto Bell right now and put her arms around him, smiling bright.

"Bell! It had been too long! Ehehehe!" Her laughter was pure happiness.

At first surprised, Bell returned Wiene´s hug, smiling. "Wh-What are you doing here...how?"

"Fels said he wanted to test something. That I can go with you on a vacation...what´s a vacation, Bell?"

"Well ahm...we are at the beach now...I guess that counts?"

"Beach?...Oh oh oh you told me about that, that means the ocean is here? I want to see it!" Her eyes beamed...literally.

"Little Wiene? How? Isn´t it dangerous for you to be here?" Hestia came forward, still surprised.

"Ah auntie Hestia!" Wiene´s smile only widened.

Hnnngh! Hestia grabbed her heart, Wiene was just too cute.

"Fels said the cube will send me back in about a week, that I can only be here for a short time."

"Everyone! What was that lig-..Wiene!" Haruhime came running in.

"Haruhime!" Wiene jumped up and ran towards Haruhime, jumping into her arms.

The renard was surprised at first, but she put her arms around Haruhime, hugging her lovingly.

"Who ist that?"

"Is that a wing?"

"Hello there.."

Fina, Rye and Roux came in after Haruhime.

Everyone stopped...the kids didn´t know about the Xenos...

"Woah so cool! These claws and wings! Awesome!" Well Rye was fascinated.

"What a friendly monster-girl." Roux smiled...not one bit frightened.

"H-Hello...are you...Wiene?" Fina looked shyly at the dragon-girl.

"Hello!" Wiene grinned.

Haruhime waved with one hand to Fina. "Fina...this is your big sister."

What Haruhime just said might have shocked everyone more than the portal. Haruhime always had this motherly side on her and had threated Wiene like a daughter.

Wiene beamed even more. "You are Fina?! I wanted to meet you so badly!"

Fina looked a bit shy as she came closer, but not frightened. "Mama told me about you, I wanted to see you too."

"Mama?" Wiene tilted her head, looked at Fina and Haruhime.

Fina nodded and grabbed Haruhime´s sleeve. "Because she is my mother."

"I like that." Wiene smiled to Haruhime. "Mama!"

Hnnngh!

More than one member of the Familia´s...and the gods...grabbed their hearts as they saw this child-like joy. Both girls seemed to accept the other as her sister on the spot.

"Woah, your wing looks so cool." Rye looked excited.

"Can I..touch your scales?" Roux looked more curious.

"Wait wait waaaaaait! Haruhime did you tell the kids about the Xenos?!" Hestia was still shocked.

"Of course I did...Fina has to know about her sister."

"Aha..."

No one dared to argument with that logic.

"Mother, this is one of the Xenos I told you about." Ryuu leaned to Astrea.

"Is that so?" Astrea took a step forward, crouched down and smiled to Wiene. "Hello my dear."

"Woah so pretty! Are you Ryuu´s Mama?" Wiene smiled.

Astrea chuckled. "Yes I am."

.

.

Ryuu had met Wiene and the Xenos once in the dungeon, she wanted to thank them personally for saving her and Bell on the 37th Floor. She had brought them special food bundles from the pub and three jars of honey as a gift. The Xenos immediately liked her, especially Wiene, Fear and Ray after they tasted the honey.

"You smell like Bell." Lyd had looked at her.

Ryuu had smiled, blushing lightely. "Well...I am Bell´s wife."

It took some time to explain to the Xenos what a wife was.

"Can I be Bell´s wife too?" Wiene had looked so innocent.

"I´m sorry Wiene, only one girl can be my wife."

"Mou.." She had pouted.

"But you are very special to me too, you know?"

"That is enough for me!" .

.

.
"Woah Ryuu´s Mama...so pretty."

"Ehehe...thank you little one." Without any fear, Astrea patted Wiene´s head.

"We have to be wary so that no one sees her." Lily looked into the round.

"Where will she sleep?" Mikoto sat down on the couch again.

"I want to sleep with Haruhime and Fina!"

Haruhime looked at Fina, who nodded enthusiastic, smiling. "Of course."

"But first...little Wiene." Welf pulled something out of his belt...a file...why carried he tools with him all the time?

"Ah Welf! Thank you." Wiene jumped to the couch and the children watched in awe as Welf filed down Wiene´s claws.

It might be a strange sight, but the people here were already used to this kind of stuff.

.

And like that, Wiene joined the four Familia´s on their vacation. Wiene, Haruhime and Fina slept together, cuddling like a small family every night. It may have been due to the children´s innocence or that they never were attacked by monsters, that they accepted Wiene.

But before the night came, Haruhime and Mikoto occupied the kitchen with little help from Chigusa and they had a big dinner all together.

.

.

And after that...

.

"Bell, can I open my eyes now?"

"Just a bit more Wiene."

Bell led her carefully by the hands along the dune towards the ocean, Wiene had her eyes closed. They had calmed down after Wiene´s sudden appearance and Bell got an idea, something he wanted to show her.

It was already dark outside, but Welf had prepared a small campfire for him, Wiene wanted to spend some time alone with Bell, so he came up with that idea. Carefully he led Wiene to a tree stump where she could sit down.

"Now Wiene, open your eyes."

"Hm?...ah..." She was at a loss for words.

Wiene´s eyes wandered along the dunes, over the black mass of the ocean, her ears twitched to the sound of the waves and the wind.

"So pretty..."

Bell smiled. "Look up."

Her eyes widened, he could see the reflection of the stars in them. He enjoyed seeing Wiene´s astonished face, all those things she had never seen before.

"Bell, what is that sound?"

A silent sound came from the main house, Ryuu sat on the balcony of their room and played on her spirit harp...it was a beautiful sound. When she was alone with Bell, sometimes she even sung silently, when Bell had heard her singing voice the first time,
he started to cry. Now she practiced often...or played for Astrea. Bell didn´t understood all of what she sung, some of it were in her mother tongue...it was just beautiful but Bell didn´t understood elvish, Ryuu told him when the day came that they would have children, she wanted to sing for them the old songs of her race.
Like her real mother had done for her in the past. Bell never asked about Ryuu´s parents, because she didn´t want to talk about that topic.

"That´s Ryuu, she is playing for you."

"That sounds so beautiful."

"Ehe...I will tell her that."

He fiddled with a small jug that stood near the embers and poured something for her into a cup.

Wiene sniffed the air. "What is this?"

"Here...try it." Carefully, Bell gave her the cup.

She smelled the steaming cup, brought it carefully to her lips and took a small sip, her eyes widened and he could hear her squeak with joy.

"What is this?! It´s so tasty!"

"It´s called "hot chocolate"."

Wiene drank more of it, she had to be careful not getting anything on the scarf that Haruhime led her, she also had a wool hat in case it would get cold.

The small fire burned down to embers, Welf had used some coal that glowed for a long time. Like that Bell and Wiene sat side by side, looked at the stars and listened to the silent music that Ryuu made. It was a wonderful evening.

.

.

After taking a short sower to get rid of the smoke smell, Bell went upstairs were Ryuu sat on the balcony and looked up to the stars, the harp back in it´s cloth.

"That was beautiful Ryuu, Wiene thought so too."

She smiled. "I´m glad you liked it."

"Have I ever told you how beautiful your voice is?"

"A few times." Ryuu yawned lightly.

"Come, my love." Bell held his hand out to her.

"Thank you, my love." Ryuu took his hand and let him help her up, it was something they liked to do, she didn´t need his help but...they enjoyed it.

They laid down into the big bed, she only wore her underwear and that special white shirt she got from Syr...but she would never tell her that is was very pleasant to sleep like this...that would be too embarrassing. This way she could feel Bell´s bare chest against hers, it was a pleasant feeling. Ryuu put her cheek on Bell´s chest, raised her chin and both kissed.

"Good night, Bell."

"Good night, Ryuu."

Both listened to the sound of the waves while they fell asleep, they enjoyed nothing more than sleeping in each others arms.

.

In the night, Ryuu woke up in Bell´s arms as her ears twitched, she heard a light...howling?...from the ocean.

.

Right after breakfast the next morning, everyone went to the beach and down to the ocean, they didn´t have to be wary because of Wiene, it was rare for the townspeople to come down here because they had this sight all year.
The sky was clear, the sun shone bright and it was warm, a perfect day. Everyone had put on their swimsuits, Welf even managed to make something for Wiene at the last evening. Most of the males wore trunks in different colors, the only exception was Ouka who wore a fundoshi. But what caught the eyes of the men were the women...or rather their swimsuits.

Daphne, Chigusa, Haruhime, Cassandra, Asuka and Lily wore simple swimsuits in different bright colors. Hestia wore a bright blue bikini and grinned happily, again she had beaten every women out here...at least until her eyes fell on Astrea.

No...way...

It was not like Astrea had a giant rack or something like that...it was the strong feminine aura that came from her. Astrea used the bikini she bought as she was shopping with Ryuu, the design was simple and not too flashy, together with the large white head and her sunglasses...she was just stunning, even more with the shyness she showed, whenever a man looked at her.

Ryuu´s swimsuit, who walked beside her goddess, was much more noticeable. In the broadest sense it was a bikini, but it covered a lot more than a normal one. It had a light blue color, since it was made out of the Undine cloth...at least what was visible from the cloth. Around her hips, to cover the bottom part, Ryuu wore a skirt made from special leaves, that reached halfway to her knees, her right leg was mostly covered with a long light blue stocking that left the foot free. Her stomach was free, but she wore a long leather cord around her waist with a green pendant under her belly button. Her chest was covered by a bikini top made from Undine cloth, hidden under two big leaves, they were held in place by a string that went up behind Ryuu´s neck. All in all it was made in a way that it looked like Ryuu´s naked body was just covered with parts of plants.
It made Ryuu a bit happy, that Bell got a tiny nosebleed after seeing her like that for the first time. She had a real bikini in her bag in the house, but that one was only meant for Bell´s eyes...when he would see her in that one...Bell nearly fainted. Not because it was lewd or too daring, but the sight of Ryuu in a green bikini made out of nothing but leaves, covering not more than a normal bikini...and averting her eyes shyly while blushing as Bell looked at her...was a sight to die for...for Bell at least.

Mikoto wanted to use her old-style swimsuit, but Chigusa had rememberred her that maybe Takemikazuchi would like to see her in a bikini, so she wore one, but hid the biggest part of her body under a long white shirt, blushing whenever Takemikazuchi looked into her direction.

Naza had linked her free arm with Miach, she also wore a bikini because she wanted to make sure that Miach was enchanted by her appearance...and not that of the other women. Her right arm was covered by a special sleeve with glove to cover up the silver arm. She had heard that a new custom appeared in Orario, some artists that would tattoo a silver made body part with special ink, to cover the color and gave it an appearance the owner wanted. Be it a piece of art...or just the skin-color, right now Naza was saving money for that.

.

.

It was a wonderful first day at the beach, everyone enjoyed the sun, playing and swimming in the water. They had a big lunch together, prepared by Mikoto and Haruhime. Later Miach and Naza went for walk, they wanted to be alone for a while, so that Naza could take of the sleeve, Miach was the only one allowed to see her arm.

.

Bell had his problems to convince Hestia, Haruhime and Lily that we wouldn´t dare to put suncream on them, he didn´t want to touch the skin of another woman except his lovely wife. But Ryuu told him it would be okay, he shouldn´t skip the skinship with his friends and Familia members only because of her, she knew he loved her and that he didn´t had any lewd thoughts about the others.
But that wasn´t Bell´s problem...his problem was touching the bare skin of any other woman than Ryuu. Even with her he had needed a long time to touch her skin without blushing or squealing all the time. To make it only worse, as Astrea saw how much the three enjoyed it, she asked him to put suncream on her too, she was really curious about that feeling...and the strong hands of a man doing it.

Astrea even went so far, that she took off her bikini top and laid down on her stomach, but only after every male except Bell had turned around. "You are my son-in-law, so it is okay Mr. Bell."

That Astrea shivered comfortably under Bell´s hands, and that her hips jerked lightly upwards when his hands came near to that area, didn´t made it easier for him, and that she mumbled. "Ryuu is right...your hands are magical Mr. Bell..."

Stay calm, me. This is the goddess of justice! Ryuu´s mother! She is so beautiful...Aaaah..wait wait! Did she just...moan?! Someone help meeeee!

It may have been Bell´s imagination, but he felt nearly a dozen judgmental looks on him...from above. A-Astrea Familia in heaven, I don´t have any lewd thoughts about your goddess, I swear!

Bell had no lewd thoughts...but a woman...Ryuu´s mother...moving like that...it was just too much for the pure boy.

Ryuu wasn´t jealous of her goddess, in her eyes Astrea should have the skinship with a man she was so curious about, also Bell was the safest man for that...even if he was her husband.

At least Bell could convince them, that he wouldn´t do the front no matter what they said...that was also something that Ryuu wouldn´t allow...

Finally Bell was done and cleaned his hands.

"Mother?"

"Yes?" Astrea layed down in the big special chair they had brought from the house, designed for the beach, with a small table on the side for her drink, and put the sunglasses on her eyes.

"I´m going to swim a bit with Bell."

"Have fun you two."

Smiling, Astrea watched Ryuu jogging with Bell to the water. It´s so nice to see you like that...my little angel.

The goddess closed her eyes and enjoyed the warm sun, hearing the waves and the laughter of the others.

.

After a while...

.

A voice appeared. "Excuse me."

Without opening her eyes, she answered. "Yes?"

"I will start to cook a few hundred meters away from here, would that disturb anyone of your group?"

Your group?

Astrea turned her head to the voice and opened her eyes, towering over her was a red creature. At least two meters tall, extremely muscular...at least it looked like that with the shell...it was ... a lobster-man. Standing on two strong legs, with a tender hip going over into a massive upper body, his two arms ended in giant claws, on his right upper arm was a white bandana. And he wore blue swim shorts.

Oh that has to be one of Ryuu´s Xenos friends.

The goddess smiled. "No no, of course not, feel free."

The lobster-man bowed lightly and clicked with his claws. "Thank you very much, lady goddess."

"My, what a polite young man you are." Astrea giggled.

Only now Astrea noticed that it had become quiet on the beach, except for the waves. When she looked up, everyone was watching her and the lobster talking.

"MOTHER!" Ryuu dashed towards Astrea, Bell right behind her.

"Ryuuuu!" Astrea waved happily.

The lobster didn´t moved until Bell and Ryuu arrived at them, going into fighting stance in case he would be dangerous...but...

"Greetings travelers." He bowed his upper body since he had no real neck. He didn´t even raised his claws.

"Eh?" Bell stopped perplexed.

"Mother, is everything alright?" Ryuu knelt beside her goddess and looked worried.

"Of course, I just had a talk with your Xenos friend here."

Their eyes widened. "Xenos?"

Slowly the others came towards them.

"Xenos? Xenos...ah thats what that skeleton said." The upper body of the lobster wobbled lightly.

"Fels?! You met Fels?"

"Fels! Yes that was the name!" He...smiled.

"So you are a Xenos? What are you doing here?"

"I guess I´m a Xenos...names Ebi-ya. Well I live here." He raised his right claw and pointed to the forest. "In the forest, so that I don´t frighten the soft bellies."

"Soft...bellies?"

"Well you people." He knocked his hard shell.

"He said he wanted to start cooking a bit away, he wanted to make sure it doesn´t disturb us."

Slowly...slowly Ryuu was getting used to the things that happened when she was on a journey with Bell...Syr was right.

"Oh ehm...I guess it wouldn´t disturb us...wait a moment!"

"Hm?"

"The towns people told us about an unknown figure they had seen."

"Oh yeah, that could have been me or Levi."

"Levi?"

"A friend of mine."

"Okay..."

"I will cook for us two if you want to meet her."

Haruhime came with the children and Wiene, all of them made big eyes.

Wiene came forward. "Are you Ebi-ya?"

"Yes I am little one."

Wiene beamed over her face. "Fels told us about you!"

"A pleasure to meet you."

.

.

It was a strange scene as the group of people and gods followd the big lobster away from the beach to the big cliff. Unnoticed by them, the Lobster had brought a huge amount of fish and vegetables to that long stone path. He had created a twenty meters long line of wood for a campfire. And he had pans ... many pans ... many very, very large pans ...

"Are you planing to light all that up?" Welf looked curious.

"Of course, or else it would take too long."

"Shall I help you?" Bell looked to the lobster.

"If you want to."

Bell adjusted the firepower of his spell and ignited the wood.

"Oooh a magic user, how convenient, do you want to work as my side cook here?"

"Ah no..thanks."

"Hmm, your choice."

The lobster pulled the white bandana from his upper arm and bound it around his forehead, the moment he pulled it tight, his facial expression changed and he started to...chant.

"I am...the bone of my claw..."

The group was stunned, a monster that could chant?

"Shell is my body...red is my blood..."

The chant went on for a while.

"So as I pray...Unlimited...Claw Works!"

At the end of his chant his body glowed, his right claw turned white with a black dot in the middle, the left turned black with a white dot in the middle...and two additional arms grew on each side of his torso, each ending in a claw but in the normal red color.

"Mr. Ebi-ya...what exactly are you?"

The huge lobster used his six arms to work with four pans at once, two of his arms claws cut down fish and vegetables. "I´m a proud Limrix! Please don´t confuse this with a Lorix, they look much different!"

He was like a whirlwind...a storm as he handled a huge amount of pans and ingredients without even looking.

Bell didn´t even had words for his confusion...did that really happen right now?

From somewhere the lobster took out eggs and a bowl, two of his arms worked to crack the eggs and mix them with a wooden spoon, it was amazing to see how fine he could work with six arms..and massiv claws instead of hands...

Rye, Roux, Fina and Wiene followed the show with sparkling eyes.

Mikoto crossed her arms in front of her chest. "He is good."

The eyes of the lobster flashed to Mikoto. "Hoo...you are a good cook too...I feel it."

Mikoto raised an eyebrow and looked at him...challenging. "And if that were the case?"

"Have a cook-off with me later."

"Hmmm.." She squinted her eyes, her honor as a cook and a woman was on the table, Mikoto would not lose something like that with her god around. "Allright, when we are done with our job I will face you."

Both eyed another...recognized the other as a worthy opponent.

What is happening here?! Bell wasn´t sure if he was dreaming or not.

But the food smelled good.

.

.

Ryuu was even more perplexed than Bell since she didn´t know the Xenos for such a long time as Bell did.

"Would one of you be so kind and throw that rock over there from the end of the cliff into the water?" He pointed with one of his claws for a moment to a huge rock that was lying a few meters away.

"Okay." Ouka went to the rock, crouched down and pulled it up...Chigusa wasn´t the only woman in the group that appreciated Ouka´s behind in that fundoshi.

"Hngh!" Reaching the end of the cliff he threw the rock.

The end of the cliff was about twenty meters above the water's surface and about thirty from the shore, the rock smashed with a loud splash into the ocean.

"What was that for?"

"A message." The lobster continued to cook like a whirlind.

For a while they watched him and listened to the sound he and the waves made, the sun was about to set.

Ryuu saw something in the corner of her eyes. "Over there!"

All eyes, except from the lobster, followed her arm...a shadow was moving under the water...a giant shadow...slowly a huge dorsal fin came out of the water.

"What is that?!"

"Oh that´s my friend, Levi."

The shadow became bigger and longer, they had seen only the tip of the fin so far. The more it came to the surface, the clearer the form got, with a titanic roar and a huge explosion of water the head of the figure came out of the water.

A shadow fell over the group as the giant head towered over them. It was a giant sea snake...or sea dragon? No...it was..

.

"LEVIATHAAAAN!" Lily screamed in horror as she backed away.

.

It was a Leviathan...the so called "dragons" of the sea, from head to the tip of the tail it measured easily seventy meters or more. The skin had a pretty sea green color, the fins on the side and head were from the same blue as Astrea´s eyes.
The eyes of the Leviathan looked more human-like than that of a fish. Frightening or not, this monster could only be described as beautiful.

More than one of the group was frightened by the sight before them, it was indeed a giant Leviathan, the children of the group stared with open mouths.

Before anyone of the group could flee, the Leviathan opened it´s giant maw, the head had similarity to that of a dragon, but with fins on the side instead of bone combs or horns.

"Heeeeey! Hello everyone it´s your beloved idol of the sea! The queen of the waves and beauty of the deeps. The cute and lovely Levia-tan! *wink wink*"

The titanic sea-monster...winked cutely...at least she tried.

Ah...

Ah...

Oh...

Ahm...

I give up...

Yep...I´m done...

All that happened today was just a bit too much for some of the group.

.

.

"Ah Levi, right on time as always, I just finished the meal."

"Oh my! You are so nice as always Ebi! But I hope not too much calories?"

"Of course not, many fish and vegetables that are good for your skin...scales...you know. And some eggs as a delicacy."

"Aaaawww you sweety! I could kiss you if that wouldn´t crush you to death."

"Ah don´t worry, after all monsters only die if they are killed."

"You are so wise little one! Oh...do you have guests?"

The head came down slowly and one giant eye stared at the group.

Ryuu was beyond surprised about the first person who spoke.

"Oh my! What a beautiful scale color, and those fins! Beautiful!" It was...her mother.

"Oh a lady-god, welcome small one!" The Leviathan owered her head to the level of the cliff. "That´s my second time I see a god."

"Second time?"

"Yes small one, a few years ago I met this charming old man with grey hair and a beard, he never told me his name but he complimented my beauty. He was a really charming guy." The huge monster...blushed?

"And he was the first god to ever talk to you?"

"Yes, at first I wanted to eat him, but he stopped me and said at least he wanted to burn my beauty into his mind before I eat him, so that he could die a happy man."

"You wanted to eat him?"

"Yeah...I was pretty strange until that time...alot like my dad. But he opened my eyes to the world, said with a beauty like mine I could become an idol, loved by the whole world."

"An idol?"

"Yes, he said everyone loves idols...and that if we weren´t from different species we would have beautiful kids together."

"Kids?!" What kind of god would think about seducing different species and monsters?

"Y-Yeah...but I´m not ready for kids! I´m still a young maiden, you see?"

Astrea chuckled. "That is obvious. But with one thing he was right."

"Oh?"

"Your scales indeed have a beautiful color."

"Thank you ehehe! Wow...your eyes look like the deep sea..are you a sea goddess?"

"No, I´m the goddess of justice."

"What a nice title!"

"And did you have other visitors?"

"Yeah last year came my first group of fans! Can you believe that?!"

"Fans?"

"Yes, a group of small people like you, one of them had a bright hair color and smelled like wind, two of them smelled like the forest."

"And they came to see you?"

"They danced on the beach, threw gifts to me, so I started to sing. They were really nice, those two that smelled like forest even did a light show for my concert!"

"A light show?" Astrea tilted her head.

"Yeah the one with green hair threw fire into the air, the other one rays of light...it sparkled so nicely...I will never forget this concert...it was my first." Her eyes sparkled.

Bell´s face became pale. Was that..the Loki Familia trying to kill her? And she didn´t even noticed what they were doing? How strong is she?!

"Oh and the one that smelled like wind was afraid of water."

Ms. Ais?!

"Of water?"

"Yeah, she screamed like a little girl when she tried to jump on me to dance her, slipped and fell into the water. I pulled her out with my tail tip before she would drown...that poor small one, she was crying."

Poor Ais...

"So you saved her?"

"I can´t let my most enthusiastic fans drown. But when I brought her to the shore, the small one with the light rays wanted to prank me and blind me, so..."

"So?"

"I blew her away by blowing water onto her, but don´t worry she didn´t got hurt...it was only a prank after all."

"How long did they atta-...dance with you?"

"About three hours, then I had to end my concert, I can´t sing all the time or I´ll damage my voice. I hope they will come again with more fans...it was so funny."

Bell gulped. She talks about how she just casually defeated the Loki Familia without even noticing that it was an all out raid...

.

Ryuu looked shocked as her mother talked so friendly with a titan-class monster...

"Say Ms. Levia."

"It´s Levia-tan."

"Ms. Levia-tan."

"Only Levia-tan."

"Okay, Levia-tan, I have a question."

"Go ahead little one."

"Are you the Leviathan? The one from the legends?"

"Ah no no, that was my dad, pretty grumpy guy...always about rampaging and destroying things...soooo boooooring I tell you. I don´t miss him to be honest."

"That means you are..."

"Yep! The one and only daughter of the king of the deeps, the idol of the sea, your lovely and cute Levia-tan!" The giant Leviathan...smiled.

Carefully, Ryuu walked towards her goddes.

"Who we have here? Hmm. *sniff sniff* You smell like forest too, small one."

Astrea smiled and put her hand on Ryuu´s shoulder. "This is my daughter...and over there her husband and all of our friends."

"So many friends...must be nic-..wait...who is that?" The eyes of the Leviathan fell onto Wiene.

"Woah you´re so big! Even bigger than Gros or Asterios!" Wiene´s eyes shone, amazed.

"You smell like dragon."

"Well I am a dragon!"

"Can you fly?"

"No, I only have one wing for now."

"Ah you will get there, I´m sure."

Ryuu cleared her throat. "Excuse me Ms. Levia-tan."

"Le-vi-a-tan!"

"I´m sorry...Levia-tan." Ryuu looked depressed being scolded by a titan.

"What do you want, small one?"

"We heard in the town that there was a tsunami a while ago, was that you?"

"Me? No no no, I was the one who smashed it."

"Smashed...it?"

The Leviathan rolled her eyes. "Yeah d´uh? I can´t let a small wave hurt all of my fans in that town. I sing for them every evening and night...sometimes in the morning."

Did she just casually told us she smashed a natural disaster like it was nothing? Bell´s brain started to give up, that monster was ridiculously strong...

What hurt Bell Cranel´s brain right now was indeed a monster so strong, all adventurers of Orario together wouldn´t stand a chance against her. That was the strength of a level nine monster...and she wasn´t even as strong as her father was. She was more or less the god among all monsters of the sea.

"Excuse me, Levia-tan." Bell walked forward slowly.

"Hm?" She looked at him, chewing, Ebi-ya had brought the food for her to the end of the cliff.

"Are there other such strong ones as you in the ocean?"

"*Gulp* Like me? No, I´m unique in the whole wide world, there aren´t even good males out there...but I must say you are pretty cute."

"Ehm.."

"Ah don´t worry, I´m not interested in your small, wrinkly worm."

EH! CURSIVE! Bell Cranel´s pride just took a huge blow from her casual words.

"The only one that is a bit strong is...that guy..." She looked grumpy.

"That guy?"

"Yeah, that guy... The enemy of all women, the one with all those tentacles, he tried to grope me once, can you believe that?! Me! An idol!"

Tentacles? Don´t tell me..

"That guy...I think you small ones call him, "The Kraken"...a really nasty guy."

"What did you do with him?"

"Oh I slapped him with my tail, then I dumped this temple over there on his head." She pointed to the ocean with the tip of her tail while she continued eating.

Everyone immediately noticed.

"Temple? That one in the water?!"

"Well obviously in the water." She rolled her eyes again, her eyes wandered to Ryuu. "Your male is not the brightest."

"My male?"

"Yes, you two smell like each other, he´s obviously your male."

.

For a moment the Leviathan´s head vanished as she ducked down into the water to make her scales wet again. "Where were I...Oh yeah the temple, do you guys want to see it?"

"Can you lift it up?" Bell looked at her.

"Lifting up a temple? Are you nuts?" Her eyes wandered to Ryuu again. "I feel sorry for you..."

Ryuu couldn´t help but giggle over Bell´s sad face, she nudged her shoulder against his and smiled at him. "You don´t have to, he is a good one, the best I could wish for."

"Is that so? Well if that´s your taste." If she had some, the Leviathan would have shrugged her shoulders now.

"Could you...bring us to the temple?"

"Hm? Wouldn´t be a problem, but not today anymore, it gets dark and I need my beauty sleep." She gulped down the rest of the food. "Thank you Ebi, it was delicous as always!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Well then small ones, good night and until tomorrow, I will wait here, bring me a souvenir if you find something nice in the temple yes?"

"So then soft bellies, I have to clean up and want to sleep too, until tomorrow then." The lobster started to clean up his tools.

On their way back to the houses, most of the group had the same question in their heads.

Did that really just happen?

.

.

.

After they had breakfast in the morning, everyone that would go down in the temple got their equipment. Ryuu would only use Justice Lumina as her weapon, Bell carried Fairy´s Dawn and the Hestia Knife.
They would be accompanied by Welf, Ouka, Cassandra and Mikoto.

"I never thought we would ride on a Leviathan to the temple." Bell sighed as they walked to the beach.

Ryuu smirked. "The world is full of wonders."

"By the way Ryuu, what is that pendant? It looks really good on you."

"Oh that? A gift from Syr, she said it is a lucky charm." It might have been Ryuu´s imagination, but her belly felt a bit warm where the pendant touched her skin...maybe the sun?

They went out early, but they could already see the form of Levia-tan waiting at the shore together with Ebi-ya.

"I hope the water won´t be too could for you all."

"Are you coming with us?"

"No, I have to prepare myself for the battle with your friend over there." Which meant he looked through his cooking stuff...wherever he got those.

"Now then small ones, hop on...but for you males...watch where you put your hands...especially the one with white hair...you look cute but also as if you make many women cry...similar to the god that visited me."

Riding on the back of a monster was a new experience for them, everyone grabbed onto the fins and tried to not slip away, Bell only hold himself with one hand, the other around Ryuu´s waist, he just had the urge to help her.

"Now then, up...I mean down we go!"

"Stay saaaafe!" Hestia waved from the beach, as well as the others.

With a loud crash the head of the Leviathan dived underwater, she got slower as the water reached her passengers so they won´t get washed away. They arrived at their destination pretty fast, after all the temple wasn´t even below fifty meters...and Levia-tan was at least seventy long, she only had to swim a few hundred meters.

Her passengers watched amazed as they dived into the water...the sound changed completely but they could still breath, the Undine clohtes were amazing. The temple looked a bit like the one´s from Hestia´s religion, and the entrance was...glowing.

A thin wand of...light...blocked the water from entering the temple itself. Also the temple was huge...at least two hundred meters long and a hundred wide...with three floors.

By the gods! How did she lift up something that huge?! Bell was more than glad, that the Leviathan under him was so friendly...

I-I can feel your eyes on m-me cute one...i-if you s-stare at me l-l-like this, y-you will f-fertilize my e-eggs!

Bell didn´t know how to react as they all heard the voice of the Leviathan in their heads, Ryuu´s eyes wandered to Bell with an raised eyebrow.

He wanted to yell. "I didn´t do anything!"

But Ryuu was Ryuu, so she only smiled and gave him a small kiss on the cheek, she never doubted him.

The giant monster turned to the side and gave them the chance to swim the last meters to the entrance, the undine clothes even helped with the cold down here.

For a moment they hesitaded swiming in front of the barrier, then they moved forward and entered the temple.

.

.

It didn´t looked very dangerous and completely different than what they would have expected in an underwater temple. There was no water here, no plants or bad smells, no fish. Just an old stone temple.

"I wonder wh-"

Bell was interrupted as magic stone lamps activated themself, one on each stone pillar that supported the ceiling.

"It doesn´t looke like someone did this." Ryuu walked at Bell´s side and brushed a strand of wet hair from her face.

He couldn´t help but glance to her, even completely wet like this she was beyond beautiful for him.

"I have a bad feeling, something dark and dangerous is lurking down there..." Cassandra was pale, what wasn´t something new for her.

"Ms. Cassandra?"

"Ah Mr. Bell...please don´t look at me.." Cassandra was extremely shy...and walking around in a bikini under the eyes of the guy she liked...was only worse. "But I can feel it...something evil awaits us.."

"Mr. Cranel, Mikoto and I will take the rear guard." Ouka gave Mikoto a wink and both fell back.

"Yo brother, I will take the middle with Ms. Cassandra."

For now they didn´t drew their weapons, just in case whatever was in the temple wasn´t dangerous, so they wouldn´t anger it.

"The sound is strange." Ryuu´s ears twitched lightly.

"Perhaps due to the water?"

"I th-"

Something under Ryuu´s foot clicked lightly.

It happened too fast for her to react, she saw a sheme moving than she heard two soft clings.

Bell had drawn his weapons faster than she had noticed and blocked two tiny arrows that were shot towards Ryuu.

"A trap!"

What no one had seen, a third arrow had followed the two first ones, one that was enchanted with an invisibility spell. It shot straight towards Ryuu´s stomach, but before it could hit, the gem in the pendant around her waist flashed lightly and blocked the arrow.

"Huh?" Ryuu looked down and patted her stomach.

"Ryuu?"

"No..nothing." Did it just got warmer for a second?

"Be wary, there are traps here!"

But that remained the only trap they encountered. They passed through an open gate and down a stair, the second floor was as empty as the first one.

"Hmm..nothing here."

From time to time they heard some soft grumbling.

After ten minutes careful walking, they stood in front of the last gate on the third floor...the only one that was closed so far.

"I can feel it, we are close!"

Bell had enough experience with Cassandra to not take what she said lightly.

"Everyone...ready?"

One after another they nodded, all had drawn their weapons.

Only a light push was needed to open the gate, what awaited them was some kind of throne room. Except for a throne there was a huge fresco at the other end, with three statues imbedded in it.

Slowly and carefully they went inside, except for the fresco and pillars with lamps, there was nothing in this room.

Who dares to disturb our slumber!

"Wha-!"

"Who?!"

They readied their weapons and looked around.

"Over there! The statue!" Cassandra pointed forward.

Now they could see the statues better, it were...seals...or seal-men. Huge muscular men with little to no clothes on their bodies and the heads of...seals. And the eyes of the middle statue had just opened.

What is this? Ryuu touched her ears, she heard a sound...or a song?

Like a faint whisper she definetely heard someone singing. "Ayayayaya!"

The sound of drums joined the song.

.

The middle statue started to shake, cracks appeared around it and then...it broke free and jumped forward...in a fabulous pose. The left leg pulled up, the right stretched backwards, the arms crossed in front of the chest with the hands on the upper arms as if he was hugging himself. The head tilted backwards with closed eyes.
He only wore some light underwear and a loincloth, together with a light west and golden ornaments on his body. Eventually he landed on the ground with his left foot first, the right arm stretched out downwards, the left pulled up nearly touching his chin with his hand. Finally he straightened up his body, opened his eyes, leaned his head to one side and then to the other.

"Ou ou ou ou ou ou ou ou." (I can tell from the sight of these weaklings before me how the world has changed.)

"What?"

"Did it talk?"

"What is he saying?"

"Why is he nearly naked?!" Cassandra couldn´t deal with such a sight before her.

"Ou arf ou ou arf ou." (You dare stand before the might of Wham?!)

He didn´t attack them, he literally danced through their rank, moving to fast to see. Everyone of the group got punched with the palm of his hands in the stomach and send flying, the only ones who didn´t take the full force were Bell and Ryuu. Bell due to his status and Ryuu because the gem flashed again and protected her.

After he had sent them flying, he walked with swining hips back to the other statues and turned around.

"Ou!" (Wham!)

He raised his hands and tapped the cheek of the other statues with his index fingers.

The song in Ryuu´s ears got louder.

"Awaken, my masters!" This time they could understand them.

.

The stone fresco cracked and shattered, the other statues awakened to life, their skincolor changed from stone to some a bit brighter than amazones had, the seal head was grey, all three were acutally made out of flesh, a monster type they didn´t know.
As it was the most natural thing in the world, they landed while making a pose. The first seal-man landed on his right knee, the right hand pressed on his thigh, the left arm stretched out to the side. The second crouched, had his arms crossed in front of his chest and helt a gem with his left hand, while looking at them. And the last one had turned his back to them, the right leg pulled up and was flexing his enormous muscles.

The adventurers pulled themself up and rushed together in the middle to defend themself.

One of the leader seals came forward.

"You dare coming to our sacred temple?! You want to steal our treasure?! Where it you who crashed it?!"

"Ah eh no, we...we just wanted to see what is with this temple." Bell wasn´t sure how to react.

The seal raised an "eyebrow". "You poor weight, you are not even half of a man, stand aside! Send me a real man!"

His eyes wandered around the group...and stopped at Ouka. Out of the party he was the most muscular guy, and only wore his fundoshi and battle-axe right now.

"You there! You have the body of an atlas! Make poses with me!"

"What?!"

"Make poses with me!" The seal stepped towards him.

"Sir Ouka, please do it, don´t anger the seal." Mikoto backed away from him.

The seal had taken the right target, one of the things Ouka was proud of was his muscular body.

The seal threw his body forward, flexing his arms and chest, meanwhile Ouka stretched out his left arm and flexed the muscle in his bent right arm.
Next both slammed their fists together in front of their bodies, looking at each other while flexing their chest and arm muscles. After that the put their hands behind their heads and flexed even more...than they thrusted their hips back and forth.

"Bodyslam!"

Both jumped forward and slammed their muscular chest against that of the other.

Everyone else could just watch, stunned.

.

.

Back on the beach Chigusa blushed fiercly and quieked.

"Chigusa?" Takemikazuchi looked at her.

"I-I have the feeling...I´m missing something very important right now..."

"Hm?"

.

.

Back in the temple.

"You pass, I will hear you out!" The seal laughed.

They all looked at each other, apparently they thought Ouka was their leader.

"We are just here to investigate this place, it suddenly appeared and we were worried."

"So you don´t want to steal our treasures?"

"Well the temple is empty anyway."

"WHAT?!"

"OU?!"

"ARF?!"

All three had a strong reaction to what Ouka said.

"Who could ha-!"

A sudden tremor went through the temple...the whole building shook."

"It´s coming back! Why did that stupid fat snake dropp our temple on that thing?! The seals are broken."

The whole situation was quite ridiculous, the temple itself was a giant seal that was protected by three mighty magical seals...and those seals were protected by those living seals...

"What thing?!"

Before they could answer Bell, a huge tentacle broke through the ground and grabbed one of the seal man.

"Kars!" While making a fabulous pose, the two other seals jumped into the hole to save their fellow seal.

The building started to crack. "We should run."

That wasn´t something Bell had to say twice, as fast as they could they ran through the temple. Unfortunaley Cassandra wasn´t the best runner.

"Ms. Cassandra! Hold tight!" Bell jumped behind her and lifted the squealing girl in a princess carry.

Soon they arrived at the gate...but the Leviathan was gone.

"Where is she?!"

"It doesn´t matter now! Swim!" Mikoto was the first one that jumped into the water.

Bell dared to look back as they swum to the surface...he wished he hadn´t done it...giant tentacles were all around the temple and started to crush it...and he saw an eye flashing upwards to them...a giant eye.

The Kraken!

One of the tentacles shot upwards...right into Ryuu´s direction.

"Looooooooobsteeeeer Puuuuuuuuunch!" A six armed Lobster shot through the water and used the black and white claw together to punch the tentacle out of the way.

"Hurry!"

Why can he talk under water? And why do we understand him?!

"Grab my claws!"

Each one of them did as they were told and grabbed onto a claw, Ebi-ya was way faster than them under water.

Everyone at the beach looked up as with a huge splash the Lobster man came out of the water, all six of their friends clinging onto his arms.

"Bring the kids away! He is coming!"

"Who is coming?!

"The destroyer of dignity! The Kraken!"

Hestia and Astrea didn´t wait long, they got Roux, Rya and Fina and ran towards the houses.

"Mama!" Fina yelled while she ran.

"Don´t worry Fina! Mama wil be fine!" Haruhime waved to her, then she turned towards the water.

It was a good thing everyone had their weapons with them.

.

.

A giant shadow appeared below the water...growing bigger and bigger...a big round head pushed himself out of the waves...it was bigger than the house with the second floor. Two red eyes appeared that eyed them.
They heard a deep growl.

"Is that "THE" Kraken?!"

"Yes he is! The enemy of all women and dignity!" Ebi-ya joined the Familia´s as they prepared for battle, Wiene took the rear guard with Haruhime.

"How strong is he?!"

"I don´t know! But not as strong as Levi!"

"Where is she?!"

"I don´t know! She does what she wants!"

Slowly one by one, the tentacles of the Kraken appeared...way more than eight.

"Watch ou-"

With a loud growl, a steam of boiling hot water shot into the air...soon dissolving into fog...everything got foggy in an instant and the sound got weird. They couldn´t see the gods anymore, nor the house, it was as if the whole world contained only the beach and the water with the Kraken in it.

"Rrrrru Rrrrru Ruuuu!"

"Look at his eyes! Is he...smiling?!" Lily was about to give up at his point, the whole journey was a giant joke...but not one she could laugh about.

The eyes of the Kraken flashed and his tentacles swayed back and forth.

"What is he doing?!"

"Iiiiiyaaaaaah!" Haruhime screeched.

"Ms. Haruhime?!" Bell was about to turn around but...

"PLEASE, DON`T LOOK AT ME!"

For a splitsecond before he stopped his movement, he caught the sight of the crouching Haruhime...who had to cover herself with her tail. She wasn´t naked...but her swimsuit had changed it´s color.

"Kyaaah!"

"Aaaah!" Naza was the only one that was slightly happy about the situation, due to the illusion her right arm looked like skin again...

"Noooo!"

"Whhyyyy?!"

Every single women on the beach...except Wiene and Ryuu...crouched down and covered themself with their hands...the Kraken used some kind of illusion and turned their bikinis and swimsuits into their skincolor.

For some reason he spared Wiene...and Ryuu was so lucky that she wore all those leaves over her bikini, they kept their color, now it only looked as if she was only wearing those leaves.

"Hnnngh!" Her face and ears got deep red. "Don´t you dare look at me!"

She shouted to every man...except Bell.

"What is this?! This is ridiculous and shameful!" Ouka wanted to help Chigusa.

"Ouka, please don´t look this way!"

The Kraken could have done the same with the males, but their swim trunks weren´t skin tight as the swimsuits of the women, so it would still look like they had clothes on their bodies.

"This pervert beast!" Daphne cried on the sand.

"I don´t like thiiis!" Cassandra was also about to cry.

None of them was acutally naked but moving around and looking like that from afar...was a shame to big to bear. Plus most of them were so lucky that no guy actually tried to peek. Welf was only interested in Hephaistos, Ouka shielded Chigusa with his body...and Bell wasn´t just the type for that.

"Bell! We have to defeat it quickly!"

"Ry-..uu!" He couldn´t help but blush as he saw her just covered by leaves.

"Bell! Now is not the time for that!"

"Gruuuu!" The Kraken wobbled from one side to the other, then he attacked with his tentacles.

"Watch out! He targets pure things! Like virgins!"

The girls backed away...but he wasn´t aiming for them...he targeted the men in the group.

"Oh no!" A voice they shouldn´t hear rose up.

"Lord Takemikazuchi!" Mikoto yelled in horror as she saw her god and love getting caught by tentacles, he wasn´t supposed to be here.

"Lord Miach!" Naza looked horrified.

The tentacles rolled towards Miach...then they stopped in front of him...and searched for something else.

"Oh my." Miach smiled lightly blushing.

"Huh? But...Hiii!" Naza was confused...then it came to her...Miach wasn´t a virgin anymore. And it was extremely embarassing for her that it was revealed so openly.

"Hey let me go!" Welf was the next that was caught.

"Bell watch out!" Ryuu´s yell came too late.

Four tentacles grabbed Bell´s arms and legs.

What?! But...Bell isn´t a vir...Ryuu was beyond confused.

.

Bell Cranel may not be a virgin anymore, but he was as pure as someone could get. Even after sharing the bed with Ryuu, he never fell to lust...all he ever felt was love. And he was still unable to bear with the sight of naked skin of any other woman than Ryuu...and even seeing her let him blush.
Bell Cranel was purity incarnate...and that´s why the Kraken targeted him.

"Ooooukaaaa!" Chigusa tried to warn him but...

The tentacles stopped a few centimeters in front of him...then crouched away.

Mikoto looked confused. "But Sir Ouka is a v-..." She stopped as she noticed Chigusa´s deeply red face.

"Mikoto, please don´t look at me!" Chigusa squealed embarrassed.

So I was right about hearing noises in the first night in her room...

She was easily as embarassed as Chigusa.

The Kraken didn´t really looked evil...more as he was enjoying a prank. Happily he waved his prey from one side to the other.

"Takee!" Mikoto didn´t cared for embarassement anymore, she even used the nickname of her love.

The brave girl readied her weapons and jumped, slashing after the tentacles. Nevertheless her ears burned, she was fully aware how it had to look what she did.

"Gruuuu!" The Kraken didn´t want to let go of his prey, he tried to slap Mikoto away.

"Take that!" Whirling around, Mikoto used her sword to slash a tentacle apart in the middle.

"Bell! I´m coming!" Ryuu raised Justice Lumina and attacked the tentacles too.

"Ryuu, be careful!"

She blocked and evaded the tentacles whenever possible, one time she was nearly hit in the stomach, but the stone reacted again and protected that area. A tentacle she hadn´t seen was suddenly hit by an arrow.

"You will pay!" No one had ever seen Naza this angry...and embarassed. She held her longbow in hands and shot at the monster.

Only the feeling of anger and embarassement, together with her distance to the monster, kept Naza sane and didn´t let her scream and cry in terror from her trauma.

Whenever one of the women on the beach tried to get up to help them fight, the Kraken turned his prey around so that they had to look in the direction...and he moved his tentacles over their bodies towards spots where no tentacle was supposed to be.

"Nooooo!"

And every single one of them sunk back down on the sand.

"Let him go!" Mikoto attacked fiercly again and again.

No matter how often the Kraken turned Takemikazuchi towards her, she continued to save her god.

"Gruuu..." The Kraken sounded...annoyed.

And just as Mikoto wanted to attack again...the Kraken pulled down Takemikazuchi´s trunks...

"Ah! Ah...IYAAAAAAAH!" Mikoto blushed stronger than ever before in her life, lost her balance and fell back to the beach.

"Mikoootooo!" Takemikazuchi yelled helpless...at least the Kraken pulled his trunks back up.

"Dance with me, wind fellow traveler..."

.

Ryuu started to sing while she attacked, the Kraken had way more problems blocking her, since she was so much stronger than Mikoto. But her chant was a feint, she used the confusion of the Kraken to cut off the tentacles that held Bell, in the last second before they could touch something improper at her husband.
Normally someone would think a Kraken or tentacles would go after women...but this monster had...other interests...he just didn´t wanted to be a cliché monster.

"I can´t see anything!" Wiene cried as Haruhime covered her eyes with her tail.

"Please lady Wiene, this isn´t something you should see!" The question was, did Haruhime mean the whole situation...or that she was almost drooling about the sight what the tentacles were about to do to Bell...

The flow of the fight changed as Bell was free.

"Ryuu!"

"Coming!"

Together they hacked and sliced their way through the tentacles, first saving Welf since he was closer, after that they rescued Takemikazuchi. As soon as he touched the ground, Mikoto hugged her god and brought him away from the shore, pleading him to close his eyes and not look at her.

There was a hissing sound...and slowly all tentacles started to grow back.

"Gruuu..." Now the Kraken looked...angry...the time for play was over for him.

He raised all of his tentacles at once, wanting to crush those who had interefered with his prank.

"Fabulous Kiiiiick!"

"Fabulous Puuuuunch!"

"Fabulous Striiiike!"

With a fierce warcry, the three seals returned from the water and attacked the Kraken´s head.

"Everyone! Together!"

But even with the Seals, Ebi-ya and all of them working together the Kraken was stronger. Bell just couldn´t use one of his skills, the Kraken didn´t let him.

.

.

"Ah..."

"Ow.."

"Ugh..."

With his tentacles he had pounded them to the ground, the only ones left standing were Bell, Ryuu and the Lobster. Ryuu only stood because Bell had defended her with everything he had, no Kraken was allowed to defile or attack his Ryuu.

"What do we do..."

Just as the Kraken wanted so smash them to mush...the water beside him exploded and with a titanic scream...and a dreadful facial expression, Levia-tan burst out of the waves and buried her many teeth in the side of the Kraken´s head.

"Gruuuu!"

"Enemy of womankind! Leecher! Destroyer of Dignity! Fiend! Pervert!"

For the first time they caught a glimpse of the rage of such a monster.

"Bell! Now!"

"Yes!" He raised his sword and started to chant.

Gong...

"This is my territory!" The Leviathan attacked the Kraken and never let go.

Gong...

"You will pay for what you did to the innocent me!"

Gong...

"Die you old man! Fiend! Defiler of idols!"

Gong...

"Levia-tan! Out of the way!" Ryuu yelled on the top of her lungs.

Maybe she felt what Bell was about to do, with one last jerk she shoved the heavily wounded Kraken towards the beach and ducked down under the water.

"Deeeeeeyaaaaaaaah!"

Bell swung Fairy´s Dawn downwards, using his Argonaut skill and every magical charge in his blade.

At the same time Ryuu finished her chant.

"Luminous Vortex!"

The enormous stream of fire that broke out of Bell´s sword combined with the pointed tornado of Ryuu´s spell.

""BLAZING VORTEX!""

.

The Kraken had no chance to escape the burning tornado, one by one his tentacles were burned away, he shrieked fiercly but...the magic worked long enough to...roast him until he was crispy...

.

"Ah..." Ryuu staggered, she had used too much magic.

"Ryuu!" Bell jumped to her, opened a flask from his belt and poured the contents into his mouth.

He caught Ryuu before she could fall down.

"Be-mf!" She couldn´t finish her word before Bell pressed his lips onto hers, opening his mouth slightly so that she did the same.

Bell could have just given Ryuu the potion, but he was in panic and didn´t thought straight.

Ah Bell...the others are watching...nooo... Ryuu still sighed because of the "kiss".

"That looks delicous!" The Leviathan got sparkling eyes and...

All of them turned around as she started to devour the Kraken on the spot...

.

With the death of the Kraken, his illusions dissolved into nothing, everyone returned to their normal state, the seal-men however were nowhere to be seen.

"Beeeeelll!" Hestia came running down the beach, followed by Astrea and the children. "Thank goodness you are all safe!"

The whole situation felt surreal...since they dived down with the Leviathan, six hours went by...

"I´m beat..." Bell fell down on the sand and couldn´t move anymore.

"You did well..." Ryuu sank down on her knees beside him. "I´m tired.."

"Ryuuuu!" Astrea came running, jumped down to her knees and hugged her daughter gently.

"Mother...everything is okay..."

"My little girl! Did that thing touch you somewhere improper?!"

"No no...it went after the men."

"Oh?"

"I´m so tired..."

.

.

At this point Ryuu and Bell fell asleep and didn´t remember how they got back into the house and their bed. They did not notice how the cooking contest was taking place, Mikoto had put on a special ninja-style outfit and used all of her cooking knowledge. To counter the six arms of her opponent, after he chanted again, Mikoto took her sandals off, balanced on her left foot and used her bare right foot to hold pans in place...of course she had washed her feet beforehand. It was a fierce cook-off and both together made tons of food, but Bell and Ryuu just slept in their bed until the next morning dawned.

With everything that had happened, their job was done. The problem about the temple was solved, they had beaten the monster from the shore...at least one of them.

All they had to do now was...enjoy the rest of their vacation!

Five whole days they spent at the beach, the forest or the town, everyday Mikoto had a duel with the Lobster in cooking...something that he called a Shoku****.

Out of all the things that happened, two burned themself into Bell´s mind forever...how Ryuu looked as she got a tan...and her tan lines when she took her bikini off...pure or not, Bell couldn´t help to be fascinated of his wife. Every evening until late into the night, Bell and Ryuu sat on their balcony, Ryuu in Bell´s arms, both covered by a blanket and cuddled while they watched the stars and listened to the waves.

They weren´t even sad when Wiene had to return on the last day, she was really happy about the vacation and brought many souvenirs and food back with her through the portal. The only sad thing was, the cube broke in half after the second portal was closed.

.

.

.

About one month later.

.

.

It was a beautiful morning in Orario...the late summer was still very warm, so Bell took a morning shower right after he woke up, letting Ryuu sleep...but...

"Mhhh!" Ryuu didn´t woke up gently, a sudden urge came to her. She jumped out of the bed, her hands clasped over her mouth...and she just managed in time to ran into her and Bell´s small bathroom, without a shower, before she vomitted into the toilet.

"Urgh!...Uäh...not again..." Ryuu shuddered, spat out and really hated the taste in her mouth. "What is wrong with me? Am I getting sick?"

It was the fourth day in a row that Ryuu felt sick in the morning...

"It can´t be...I tested it..."

Weakly Ryuu sat on the ground next to the toilet and took the small magic rod in her hand...the result was the same...no reaction.

Ryuu wiped her mouth and gurgled with water to get the taste out of her mouth.

"I mean-..." She just noticed something.

The crystal ball on top of the rod...sat loose.

What?

Ryuu put her hand on the crystal ball and pushed lightly, she heard a click and the ball stopped moving.

No way!

She looked down on herself.

"Could it be..."

Slowly...a bit frightened...Ryuu moved the rod down on her body.

.

.

"That was refreshing..." Bell sighed as he walked back into their room. "Oh Ryuu, good mor-..Ryuu?!"

She was crying...Ryuu sat on the bed and was crying.

"Ryuu?! What happened."

"Bell..."

He ran over to her, as she raised her head. A wide smile was on Ryuu´s face while she cried, she raised a tiny rod with a crytal ball on top.

.

.

The crystal ball shone bright pink.

.

.

"I´m pregnant."

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Authors Note2: Again if you read CURSIVE! I will fix that soon, the next chapters will have the normal length of about 5-6k words. Finally I reached the point in the story I was burning for, see you sooooon!