—
A cool breeze ruffled his hair as he remained lying down. Far above him, the midnight sky loomed over Orario, wrapping over the city in a velvety embrace. Stars blinked and shimmered like dots of sugar spilled out over an endless sea of black marble. The boy's rubellite eyes were lost in the ethereal darkness, his mission momentarily forgotten. The sounds of the city below him no longer reached him. The voices that had previously filled his ears seemed so far away now, drowned out by the silence of the vast skies above.
But that fleeting tranquil moment was gone as soon as it came. Bell turned his eyes back down with a sigh, hearing a satisfying crack as he finished stretching his neck.
Back to work…
He remained perfectly still, lying atop a rooftop obscured from the lights of the city. He tilted his head slowly, his eyes sweeping over the city as the pinching feeling of the gravelly tiles dug into his aching body.
How long have I been here? Two hours? Three?
It seemed like so long ago that he had snuck out from the Twilight Manor and made his way through the darkened city. His destination was one that would've earned him a good scolding from pretty much everyone he knew, thus the need for secrecy.
The entertainment district.
Pink and red lights were everywhere. They lit up every road, every street, and every alley. Even as he tucked himself away under his Goliath's robe and crept along the shadows, there was still no escaping the fluorescent glow.
In the center of the district was his target. A row of three buildings encircled by a two layers of walls with a moat between. They were each built like a spire, with a round base that tapered off to a thin tower that stretched into the sky. Pink and red spotlights lit up the buildings, painting them with even more of that sultry glow.
But Bell's eyes weren't focused on the buildings, at least not right away. Despite his best attempts to not look, he ended up looking down.
He could almost hear Hestia screaming at him as his eyes washed over the crowds of women that stood out in the streets. Women, mostly amazons, stood with gleaming eyes and lascivious smiles on their faces. He also noticed that none of them seemed to be wearing any more clothes than absolutely necessary, with the majority donning clothing that made Tiona and Tione's outfits look modest.
Before Bell's flushed gaze, it would've made no difference if they were naked.
No! Stop it! Look over there!
He kicked himself mentally, doing his best to drag his attention to the center structures.
The Ishtar Familia home - the Belit Babili. The two buildings on the sides fell short of the one in the center by quite the long shot. The center compound reached far above the city, as if trying to compete with the Tower of Babel itself.
That's where Mis— Lady Ishtar probably is… so that means…
Bell glanced at the two smaller buildings on the sides.
That's where—
His train of thought came to a crashing halt as the sound of voices sent a jolt through his body.
—she probably is…
He blushed and closed his eyes, trying his best to block out the sounds that drifted out of a nearby open window.
"You **** I'm gonna ***** so **** **** I'll make you ***** in the **** ****** ********* ********* ******!"
"Oh really? Why don't you ***** and ***** *** ***** and find out?"
…?!
He didn't even see the two people who were talking, and yet he still felt embarrassed. A red hot fire spread over his face, burning his cheeks and turning him the same hue as the lights below. Never before had he heard such vulgar language, not even coming out of Bete's mouth.
"Boo~"
"—Ah!"
Bell stifled a scream, doing his best to leap up to his feet before failing miserably and falling straight back down.
"I-I wasn't peeking I swe—!"
Huh?
He found himself sitting down, looking up into the smiling face of a familiar messenger god.
"Lord Hermes!?"
The god grinned and swept his arm out in a lazy bow.
"At your service."
"Uh, ah…"
"So…. Bellll…."
Oh no.
Hermes crouched down next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
"I'm surprised to see you of all people here… see anyone you like?"
"Wait—! Well, I..!"
Words! Speak!
"Hmm… by the way, I wonder, does the Sword Princess know you're here, eh?"
"—!"
Ais...?
"Huh…? Bell?"
The mention of her name was the final push. Bell had been sitting in a cloud of his own shame and guilt for a quite some time now, simply stewing in misery as he tried to focus on the task on hand.
"Sorry Bell, you're gross now, bye…"
In his mind, she appeared before him. He was only able to catch a glimpse of her pitying, disgusted expression as she turned her back and walked away.
AGHHHHH!
"Um… Bell?"
The boy remained sitting, a shocked expression still frozen over his deathly pale face. Hermes' voice was distant, muffled and murky even, barely registering in his mind. Hermes' teasing smile was gone, replaced by an uneasy, confused, and half hearted grin.
However, what Bell saw and heard in this moment of pure panic was completely different.
"I'm gonna tell the Sword Princess what you were up tooooo~"
Blaring alarms and flashing lights sounded off in his head at the disillusioned prospect of the god's (nonexistent) threat.
"Ah…ah…AHHHHH!"
"H-Hey—!"
He lunged forward, grasping Hermes' collar and shaking him back and forth with trembling hands.
"AHHHHH!"
He screamed aloud, his words still lost somewhere in the back of his mind.
"Bell! Calm down, you're freaking me out!"
"I'MSOSORRYAIS!"
Hermes reached up and grasped his hat, holding it in place as Bell shook him around like a rag doll. His sobbing words came spilling out like a broken fountain, his eyes mere seconds away from tears.
"I…! Ah…"
Hermes' head dropped back, hanging loosely as Bell slowly stopped his panic induced attack.
"…Bell…gah…I was….just…joking…"
"…huh…?"
—
"…so you're here scoping out the Ishtar Familia?"
Bell sat on his knees, nodding feverishly as he finished explaining and apologizing.
"Yeah…"
"…because another pretty blonde gave you a tingly feeling?"
"W-Wait! It's not like that!"
He fiddled restlessly, tapping his pointer fingers together nervously.
"…Well, I mean, when you say it like that…it sounds…"
Hermes smiled as he sat next to the boy. Bell really was still just a kid after all, but in the time the god had 'looked after' him, he'd come to understand the string of misunderstandings and misfortunes that seemed to follow the boy around.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it."
The god waved his hand lazily. He of all people knew that Bell had a knack for finding all sorts of trouble.
But he really hit the nail on the head this time.
But that was what made him so interesting to the deity. His heroic, borderline foolish, ideals and act first think later mentality meant that he often dove headfirst into the most complex situations - all without caring about future consequences. Even as the boy sat there, that same innocent and naive look in his eyes, Hermes couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement.
Bell may have been too young, too inexperienced, to see it, but Hermes was different. While Bell's mind swarmed with thoughts of how much trouble he might get into, Hermes was busy with the bigger picture.
A feud between deities… a damsel in distress… a ticking clock… and a hero.
He fought back a growing smile as visions of what was to come caused his immortal soul to dance in anticipation.
It was the perfect stage, the perfect setting, he was sure of it. Should he play his cards right, he was sure that something amazing was bound to happen.
It all depended on what he said, right here and now.
"How did you find me, anyways? I thought I was pretty well hidden."
Hah. I can't really say that I've marked him and have been keeping an eye out for him, now can I?
Hermes shrugged.
"Eh, the eyes of a deity are pretty awesome."
It was the perfect response for the boy. Hermes genuinely smiled as he looked into Bell's awe filled eyes.
Of course he'd buy that.
"…say, Bell…"
The god sat on the edge of the roof, his feet dangling off the edge.
"I just got back from the Ishtar Familia myself."
"Really?"
Nope.
Bell's eyes widened, and he sat forward, a curious gleam in his eyes.
"Yeah, Lady Ishtar requested I bring her a rather strange object you see…"
Sorry Bell…
He stretched his shoulders back, nonchalantly shifting his messenger bag to the other side of his body - out of view from the young adventurer. Inside his bag, Hermes felt that very object shift along the bottom of the bag.
But this is too good of an opportunity to let slip by…
"I don't know the exact details of the object…"
Lies came easily to the messenger god; it was simply second nature for him.
"…but based off of how she was talking, it seemed to be something of great value - a weapon, perhaps…"
Hermes shrugged, lifting his shoulders casually as he spoke.
"…I dunno, maybe it's something you should be aware of before you get involved with the Ishtar Familia."
"Huh… and what is the thingy called?"
Hermes brought a hand to his chin, furrowing his brow as he did his best to be lost in thought.
"Ah, uh… it was… kindling…? No…"
Sorry Hestia… please don't kill me when I see you next…
"Oh yes, the Killing Stone."
Bell's eyes widened at the name.
"Killing… Stone…? That sounds pretty dangerous… but kinda cool…"
Oh…?
Hermes didn't catch the last few words that Bell muttered. Instead, his attention was drawn elsewhere. It was almost nothing, just a slight shift in the air, a tiny tingling feeling on the back of his head. But that was enough.
Haha… wow, this is getting dangerous…
He turned his head slightly, lifting his eyes towards the dark form of the Tower of Babel looming in the distance. He stared wordlessly towards the top floor, before tipping his hat slightly and moving to his feet.
"—Lord Hermes?"
"Sorry Bell, its been fun, but I gotta get going."
He brushed off his pants and stretched his arms out to his sides.
"And by the way, that girl you're looking for…?"
He raised a hand over his eyes and looked out into the streets below.
"She's right over… uh… right over… there."
He pointed to a certain building between them and the main Familia hall.
"Wha— wait, huh? How do you know that?"
Hermes stopped in his tracks, for once, his silver tongue frozen in place.
"Oh! I… well… I…"
He turned to look away, hiding his panicked face.
"I… I just happen to remember seeing someone who looked like you described while I was… passing through…"
"I-I see…"
The god remained facing away, but he didn't need to see him to know that Bell had seen through his hastily put together lie.
"Ahem. Anyways! I'm off!"
Before Bell could respond, Hermes stepped off the rooftop and disappeared into the night, moving quickly to hide his embarrassed face.
A small price to pay…
As Hermes' figure melted into the crowds and shadows below, he began to make his way through winding alleys and twisted streets, slowly getting closer and closer to the Ishtar Familia hall.
I wish you luck, Bell…
With each step, the stone in his bag weighed heavier and heavier on his shoulder. But nevertheless, he raised his head with a smile.
…as if you need it…
—
"I see…"
Bell blushed as he read between the lines of Hermes' response.
So does that mean he—
He slapped his cheeks a couple times and shook his head, brushing those thoughts away.
No! Stop thinking about that! Bad!
He sighed. The rooftop was silent once more. But now, Bell had a lead to follow.
Shff.
His robe shifted slightly, just barely brushing over the ground as took a few steps back.
"Whew… okay…"
Here we go…!
He ran forward, pushing his legs to carry him faster and faster with each heavy step digging into the roof, leaving behind a slight imprint of his boots.
"Hup!"
In an instant, he was airborne. With a final step, he pushed off the edge of the roof and leapt into the air.
Woah…
Air whistled through his hair and past his ears as he found himself falling through the night sky.
Tap.
His foot touched down awkwardly on an adjacent building, causing him to stumble a few steps upon landing, but he continued on and renewed his momentum.
Voices and lights passed him in a blur as he moved from roof top to roof top. Without realizing it, a smile had crept onto his face. Despite his questionable and uneasy surroundings, the feeling of his body skipping from building to building was exhilarating. It was as if he was floating in the air, only rarely touching down just to push off once again.
Ahead of him, that building in the distance that Hermes had pointed out was rapidly getting closer and closer.
Wait…
That good feeling was gone, replaced by a creeping uneasiness that sent a nervous bead of sweat to fall down his back.
…what am I going to say again…?
His mouth suddenly felt so very dry as the question he'd neglected finally forced itself to the front of his mind.
"—gh!"
He stumbled, distracted, and fell into a tumble along the roof of a building.
"—ah!"
The world was sent into a dizzying spiral as he rolled out of control.
Oh.
For a brief second, he stopped. He no longer felt the rooftop beneath him, only air. His heart plummeted, falling through his chest as his stomach did a sickening flip.
Oh no.
His body spun midair as he rolled off the edge of the rooftop, desperately trying to right itself with little to no success.
Thump.
"…O-Ow…"
He groaned weakly as he soon found himself lying on his back, staring up at the night sky. The stars above slowly halted their circling motions as the world evened out once more.
Ow. Ow. Ow…
He pulled himself to his feet, leaning against the alley wall where he had fallen.
"Oh gross…"
He kicked a couple bags of trash away and brushed off his cloak, shaking a few pieces of debris free from the dark fabric.
Where am I…? Did I mak—!
He jumped back, pressing against the wall as he ducked away from a nearby window. It was only a brief glimpse, but he never would've been able to mistake a pair of such striking colors like her flowing golden hair and sharp green eyes. But at the same time, at the sight of that marvelous spark of gold, he felt a sharp pang of guilt.
It's not like… I'm doing anything wrong… right?
His heart beat hastily against his chest, thumping insistently and nervously as he remained hidden from view.
I'm just going to ask —
"Hello, sir…"
Bell covered his mouth and crouched down in a flash.
"—Eep!"
Oh no...
He barely managed to hear the girl's muffled voice through the window, but it still sent a bolt of panic through his chest.
She didn't see me, right…?
He listened intently, still covering his mouth and breathing.
"Thank you for choosing me…"
His eyes widened as she continued to speak.
OH NO.
He lifted head and peeked inside just a little bit, only to nearly shriek in panic. Inside, the girl had seated herself on a bed, her back to the window. In front of her, a man had stepped in front of her. His upper body was hidden from view, but he could see from a slight glimpse that the man had removed his shirt and dropped it on the floor.
Thump.
Red heat covered his face as he shot back into hiding, crouching out of view. Silently, his mind was screaming.
Ohmygodsohmygodsohmy—
He squeezed his eyes shut and clutched his hands together.
I'm sorry Ais...! I'll never leave the mansion again!
"…this is too easy…"
Huh…?
He opened his eyes and lifted his head.
That voice… wait a minute…!
Bell turned back to look through the window. The girl had fallen back out of view, leaving her legs still hanging off the bed.
She's… unconscious…?
But that wasn't what was worrying him. The man turned and bent away to pick his shirt off the ground before slipping it back on. As he turned back, Bell's eyes widened as he recognized the shining form of a small silver knife in his hands.
Why is he—!?
In an instant, Bell moved. He darted forward, jumping forward and planting a foot on the opposite alley wall. In a blur of black and silver, he raised his robe over his head and kicked off.
Kshh.
"What the fu—!"
The sound of glass shattering filled his ears as he broke through the window, cutting off the man's startled voice.
"—gh!"
Bell slammed a hand down on the window sill, wincing in pain as a shard of glass cut through his skin. But he simply pushed through the pain and continued to move.
Quick…!
Without wasting a single move, he swung his body and vaulted through the window, lashing out with a kick while landing on his knee next to the girl. His robe flared out with his leg, covering his body and obscuring his face with the dark cloth.
"Tch — you little shit!"
The man swore as he leaned back, reacting with extraordinary reflexes and narrowly avoiding Bell's attack. His heart skipped a beat as he felt the man's hand reach out and brush through his robe, grasping blindly for his body.
Now!
He wrapped his free hand around the girl's waist, pulling her up and tucking her close to his body, before reversing his direction and leaping back out into the darkness.
His foot landed on the alley wall once more, and he kicked off with all his strength, bouncing off and jumping between the walls, making his way up towards the roof.
Behind him, the man's fist closed on thin air, with Bell's wavering robe just barely slipping away from his grasp.
Upon reaching the rooftop, he didn't stop moving. Instead, he scooped the girl into his arms and began sprinting across the nearby buildings as fast as he could.
"Huff…huff…ah…haa!"
He breathed out heavily as he moved in a blur, fear and adrenaline still gripping his heart. He didn't dare turn around - he was too scared to even think about looking to check if the man had pursued him.
Where…! Where is safe…!?
His eyes swept over the glowing red district before falling upon the three spires of the Ishtar Familia hall.
There…!
He kicked up his speed into another gear, tearing over the city in a flash. In just mere moments, he had leapt off the buildings and skidded to a halt in an alleyway just around the corner from the main entrance.
In the slight distance, he could see several armed Ishtar Familia members guarding the bridge.
Good… he wouldn't follow us here…
He fell back against the wall, gasping for air.
"…hah… oh my gods… I… I can't breath…"
"…nnh.."
In his arms, the girl began to stir, murmuring lightly as she lifted her head and opened her eyes.
"W-wha…"
"Ah!"
Bell set her down slowly, gently leaning her against the wall.
"…uh…"
She opened her eyes, looking up to him with a sleepy, dazed look. Her long golden hair spilled over her shoulders, messy and disheveled from the previous sprint.
"…you…!"
Her green eyes widened as she recognized him.
"H-Hey, uhm, I'm… Bell…"
She didn't reply.
"Oh, right, uh… so… don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you…"
He sighed and sat down across from her, kneeling as he did his best to keep a respectable distance in the tight alleyway.
Of course she's confused… anyone would be…
And so, he began to speak. He explained how she'd collapsed, and how he burst into the room just in the nick of time and carried her here.
But he left out the details of how she had mildly managed to occupy his thoughts the past few days, as well as how Hermes had helped him find her.
"…Haruhime…"
She gently murmured her name. He wouldn't forget it.
"Okay, so Haruhime…"
She looked at him expectantly.
"…why does Freya Familia want you dead…?"
—
