Bell opened his eyes.
He was in a very familiar whitewashed room, the smell of potions and elixirs blunted by cleaning agents. Shadows moved behind the white linen curtain surrounding his bed. Dian Cecht Clinic. Bell nestled his head into the soft pillow. This place was beginning to feel like a second home. Though considerably quieter since his goddess wasn't...
"Where is he?! Where is my Bell-kun!"
The boy sighed.
The curtain flew open with a flash of black ponytails, slender arms wrapping around his neck before he knew what was happening. He hugged the tiny goddes back as well as he could with one arm. "Good to see you too, Kami-sama."
She had barely lifted her face to smile at him before others entered the room. "How are you able to move so fast without using arcanum?" Lili demanded. Still reveling in her Level 2 status, the Prum hooked under the goddess' arms, pulling her aside before quickly composing herself and stepping into Hestia's place. "How are you feeling, Master Bell?"
Bell looked at his right arm. It was encased in a thick cast; his head spun a little at the high-quality materials used in its construction. Medical equipment was already costly, but for adventurers Level 3 and above they had to be made almost weapons-grade so as to keep the wearers limb immobile. The amount of adamantine on his arm could pay his familia's yearly taxes. Aside from a dull throbbing in the cast arm and a mild headache Bell felt fine. He reported as much.
"Great!" Welf moved closer and thumped Bell on the head. "Never leave your party like that again," he said. He looked satisfied at Bell's chagrined face while Lili nodded emphatically beside him. Mikoto and Haruhime looked on sadly. "What in Gekai were you thinking? We were told Loki Familia carried you to the surface, but they were gone before we got here and their goddess hasn't responded to any of Hestia's messages." Bell followed the smith's glance to a box next to his bed where the pieces of Pyonkichi lay. "What happened to you?"
This was not the first time he had woken up since the adventure on the fifty-first floor. Finn had ordered a mind potion to force him awake over Airmid's recommendations. He had been reluctant to wake Bell in the dungeon again and potions in Rivira were expensive, but he had to talk to Hestia Familia's captain. They had brokered a deal. It was simple: each had seen things considered proprietary knowledge to their respective familias. If Bell kept his mouth shut about the demi-spirit and Ais's wind, they wouldn't say anything about Bell's outrageous attack ability or how deep he had gone. Finn hadn't gone into more detail when the boy asked what a demi-spirit was, but promised to discuss it further in private when he felt up to it. Now, with his familia staring down at him, Bell thought specifically about the insanely powerful creature—the demi-spirit. Even without the promise to Finn, he didn't feel comfortable scaring his friends with knowledge of what lurked in the depths of the dungeon. What they had faced in Knossos was bad enough; the thing he defeated was on a different level entirely. Forcing a smile, he said "Something came up."
The others were incredulous. They began to berate him for carelessness, thoughtlessness and being deliberately vague before Airmid came to his rescue. She had them in the hallway before Bell found his voice again. "Hey," he called. They stared at him as Airmid held the curtain open. It hurt looking at them like that, but Bell made the words come out. "I'm sorry. I can't say what happened. Just, please believe I didn't want to leave you. Something important came to me, and I had to take care of it. I'm sorry."
Nobody spoke, but Hestia slowly began to push her children down the hallway. "It will be okay, Bell-kun," she said. Her godly intuition knew he was speaking the truth. "They'll forgive you in time. They're just worried about you. We all are." Airmid closed the curtain as Hestia walked away, emphasis on her last words. Bell felt ashamed for putting them through so much worry, but knew he'd do it again if necessary.
"Well," Airmid said as she checked Bell over. "It doesn't seem like your familia injured you any worse." She took his vitals and efficiently ran him through a guantlet of tests. After telling her in great detail how his headaches felt, she nodded. "You should be able to go home in a few hours. I want to monitor you while you're conscious before releasing you." She tilted her head. "You should have been far more damaged by the Valgang Dragon's acid. For an adventurer who has never been exposed to such material before, it is amazing your Abnormal Resistance was able to handle it so well." She leaned in, bursting with professional curiosity. "How were you able to train your body to withstand such extremes?"
Her patient had no idea; he had been told that only a little hair and a few patches of skin had been melted away. The only harsh thing he was regularly exposed to was Syr's food. The greatest healer in Orario was not amused by Bell's answer. Still, the boy had somehow survived. Airmid thought she saw part of the reason why Riveria insisted on handling the bill for his medical care personally. The high elf had asked for privacy, however, so Airmid told the boy his care had been handled by Loki Familia as she made to leave.
Bell asked her to leave the curtain open as she left. The clinic was right across the plaza from the dungeon entrance so anybody coming up needing care could be seen as fast as possible. Across the hall from Bell's room was a window looking onto the plaza. He thought back to the conversation with Finn. In hindsight, the Prum had been more insistent he not mention Ais' magic than knowledge about the demi-spirit. Watching adventurers enter and exit the dungeon, he thought about the mysteries in its depths and wondered if Ais was a mystery he'd ever truly understand.
Across town, Loki sprawled on Ais' bed as its owner paced restlessly. "Well, ya don't look sick."
The knight stopped pacing and sat down across from her goddess. The slight upturn of her lips would have looked like mild amusement to an outsider, but it was a big, goofy grin to Loki. "I'm not sick," Ais said. She tucked her knees into her chest and held them close, trying to hide as much embarrassment as possible. It had the opposite effect. "I feel differently, not ill. When Bell woke up on the fifty-first floor...it was like a weight lifted." Ais struggled to express her feelings properly. She wanted to say she felt light, like before the loss of her parents. She wanted to say she felt something in her being shift the moment the boy opened his eyes. The young girl felt all these things, but a lifetime of disciplined vengeance left a deep pool of unexplored emotions she was not equipped to wade into.
Despite her struggles, her goddess seemed to understand enough. "Ya connected, huh?" She watched the girl's eyes widen as she nodded. Loki grunted. "Figures. Had to be Itty Bitty's kid." She sighed as Ais got lost in her head again. It was happening more and more lately. "I know what'll cheer ya up! You've not had a status update since ya came back! Shirt off, Ais!" The mischievous goddess flexed her fingers. She had a predilection for beautiful women and Ais was her favorite...but at this point, her perversion was geared more towards being a comfortable familiar to the emotionally unstable child before her.
"I'll cut you if your hands 'slip'."
Loki smiled. That's her girl.
Drawing a droplet of blood, Loki quickly unlocked Ais' back and updated her status. Ais thought she paused for a moment, but a sheet of paper was soon pressed against her skin as Loki finished the update. Sitting up, Ais was putting her shirt on when Loki surprised her with a question.
"Do ya think ya could share your story with the others?"
Ais whipped around at this unexpected question. Loki remained calm, idly playing with the paper in her hands. Loki continued, unperturbed. "Ya know, the others would accept ya if ya told them what ya really are." She leaned in. "How 'bout it, Ais? Willing to put yourself out there, accept your true nature?"
Loki waited with bated breath. This was the third time in nine years they had broached this topic...and it was the first time Ais seriously contemplated the answer. Her hopes were dashed a minute later.
"No," Ais said. "The others...I understand how things are right now. If things were to change, if the others didn't like it...I wouldn't be able to reach my goal." In other words, Ais was comfortable with the status quo and thought changing things up might endanger her goal. She wanted to be honest with her friends—her family—but her goal had been emblazoned on her heart long before knowing any of them. She could not—would not—abandon her quest. She reached for her status sheet, accustomed to burning them after reading to prevent any possibility of her information getting outside her familia. This time, however, Loki held it out of reach.
"If ya don't mind, Ais, I'll hold onto this for a little bit," she said. "You went up about one hundred twenty points. Not bad for a Level 6." She flashed a wide smile as Ais frowned, then nodded, leaving the room. Loki stared at the paper in her hands and called out for Carmilia. Riveria had instituted a policy that Loki should have a guard at all times...though the person chosen was low-leveled and tended to report when Loki had smuggled in alcohol rather than actually protect her from threats. Camilia quickly entered and Loki bade her tell the gate guards not to hassle the next person to come up. When asked who she was expecting, Loki replied "If I know her, a certain Loli Goddess is going to want some answers about her child." As her child left with the message, Loki pulled back a hidden panel to reveal a very expensive bottle of wine. Riveria was good, but she was the Goddess of Mischief.
In the Hearthfire Mansion, Bell left the others behind as Hestia called him into her room. True to her word, the others had forgiven Bell after a few more rounds of ribbing and expressing their discontent with his actions, but they trusted he would not have endangered or abandoned them without good cause. They had asked repeatedly what it was, stopping only when Bell said he had promised not to reveal anything. Despite their burning curiosity, they knew Bell would never go back on his word.
Closing the door behind him, Bell immediately wished he were back with the others. The happy goddess who had greeted him in the clinic and welcomed him home earlier was replaced with icy glares and cold fury. Incredibly upset at his actions, she demanded to know where he went and what happened to him, insistent that as his patron deity she had the right to know what he faced if she were to take care of him. Bell believed the gods had to be honored and he respected Hestia more than anyone. But he refused to break his promise.
"I got involved in an irregular situation," he finally said. "I can't tell you too much—I promised to stay quiet. And there are things you don't want to know." He scratched the back of his head. "If it got out to the Guild how deep I went our familia would be taxed into oblivion because we'd never be able to pull off an expedition to surpass it." He struggled, wanting to say more before clamping his mouth firmly shut.
He thinks he's protecting me, protecting them, Hestia thought. It was sweet...and annoying. But after covering up his skill she couldn't really come down on him too hard for withholding information. To think, she didn't believe he could keep a secret...she cleared her throat.
"Bell," she began, "I am very happy everyone came back alive. But you are their captain. They rely on you for leadership in the dungeon. You cannot abandon them like that again, okay?" Bell nodded solemnly. She perked up. "Now! Let's check out your status, shall we?"
Hestia rather enjoyed Bell in a cast. She had to help him with his shirt before he lay down. Airmid had done a wonderful job, but Hestia could see a few spots of waxy flesh that hadn't been there before. Wherever he had been, he had been burned. Carefully straddling him, Hestia pricked her finger and began updating his status. Bell thought she went slower than normal, but eventually she finished, asking "What did you get up to, Child?"
She dangled the sheet in front of his face. "Almost four hundred points, all in speed and magic. Did you just run around throwing fireballs until you passed out?" She remembered him crawling back home after his first Mind Down. "I thought you had learnt your lesson?"
Despite himself, Bell grinned. "Well, that's not surprising. I didn't really fight anything...but, yeah." He carefully rolled over and sat up, reaching for his shirt. "I ran a lot and used a lot of magic."
Hestia helped him with his shirt, but didn't enjoy it as much as before. Too many thoughts plagued her mind. As soon as he was dressed, she told him to take some time with the others. She had an errand to run.
Twilight Manor was imposing to Hestia. It seemed to very much resemble the goddess who resided there, tall and lithe. She did not slow down as she approached the gate; if she was right, the way would be clear. Sure enough the guard opened the gate with a cordial greeting. An escort took her inside and before she knew it she was shown into Finn's office, where the vermilion-haired goddess sat at the desk. Hestia slid Bell's status sheet onto its surface where it rested next to an identical paper. "You too, huh?"
"Obviously." Loki's grunt matched Hestia's tone perfectly.
Both papers had a new item in the Developmental Abilities section.
Loki knew far more about what had transpired on the Deep Floors than Hestia, but even the shrimp wasn't so stupid she wouldn't know something was up. And whatever her flaws, Loki knew she cared for her children...particularly the bunny boy. Both goddesses were thinking along the same lines as they ran it through their minds.
Level-ups required excelia. Excelia was gained from adventures. Adventures were for gaining experience. Experience was how one grew as a person. The greater, more impactful, or more noteworthy the experience, the greater quality of excelia earned. Quality excelia meant better material for a patron deity to craft their child's skills and abilities with upon level-up, which happened when the child's current vessel, or level, could hold no more excelia. Their vessel was increased and everything they earned was written into the falna on their back. That included Developmental Abilities, which, as the name implied, meant their child had developed in some additional way that required high-quality excelia. Only a god or goddess was able to interpret excelia and write their advancement into their falna. In short, gods enhanced their children based off of their growth.
So how had both of these mortals have a Developmental Ability appear without their goddess' hands writing it into being? And the real question for these goddesses: what had happened that was so impactful to their child it inspired this level of growth?
"Wallenwhatsit."
"Your pet rabbit."
They spoke at the same time. Neither glared; instead, they turned their attention to the papers before them.
Spirit Connection.
There was no description and it confused Hestia very much. Whenever she was confused she would either rely on her divine instincts or go to Hephaestus...if she were really in a jam she was also fond of reading and could find out answers on her own, but that was generally too much effort and took away from her enjoyment. She tried to remember everything she knew about Spirits.
The Spirits in the world now—Gnomes, Undine, etc.—mostly lived in isolated communities. Very few were represented in Orario and Bell didn't have contact with any she was aware of. Besides, those were Lesser Spirits—blessed with longevity and a handful of other gifts, but nothing that could be bestowed upon a person. Some Spirits, like the Undine and Salamanders, traded with their hair or shed skin—the source of the powerful elemental protection garments. Gnomes had the ability to see through enchantments and detect falsehood and sold their skills to royal courts where such abilities were needed on a regular basis. The gift of Spirit blood could manifest in some sort of magical way, but Hestia knew Bell had no such blood.
Then there were the Great Spirits. The First Children of the Gods, Great Spirits moved amongst Man and gave them enhanced strength and abilities to fight monsters before the gods came and bestowed falna. Great Spirits connected with the heroes of old...Dungeon Oratoria featured hundreds of heroes, each with a Great Spirit tied to them. But the last of them had perished long ago, their time cut short by the dungeon. Hestia was saddened by that. She had only interacted with a handful of the First, but she remembered their beauty, grace, and power. It was easy to see how their aid allowed ancient peoples to rise against the monster hordes. But it was impossible for that to affect Bell. They were all a thousand years gone.
Hestia was stumbling and she knew it. Still she ventured to speak.
"A Developmental Ability...I suppose it doesn't take a level-up for a person to grow, in a sense. Whatever it was, how could it have been powerful enough to encourage that kind of growth...and in both of them? Spirits..?" She frowned. "What happened on the Deep Floors?"
Loki shot her a quick look before regaining her placid demeanor. Finn said he had sworn the boy to silence, but she hadn't honestly believed he could keep anything from his goddess. She was both impressed and irritated. Either way, this conversation was not as productive as she hoped and she had no desire to bring the shrimp into this. She shrugged before telling Hestia the conversation was over. "And don't be talkin' to anyone about my Ais, ya hear?" The tiny goddess didn't argue, but calmly took her child's status sheet before leaving with a thoughtful expression. Loki grunted to herself. Maybe she wasn't entirely boobs for brains. Leaning back to stare idly at the ceiling, Loki's thoughts were not dissimilar to Hestia's...though far more informed.
"Looks like you're already willin' to put yourself out there, Ais. At least parts of ya." She sighed. "This hero race just got a lot more interesting."
Far removed from her familia, Ais waited for the gates of Folkvangr to open. Training under Ottar had helped immeasurably during her fight with Revis and she felt he deserved to hear thanks in person. As she was let in, she did not have to look far to see the Warlord. Standing head and shoulders above Riveria and wider than Gareth, the strongest adventurer in Orario stared her down as she approached. Ais never lost sight of him as she offered a small bow. She was under no illusion they were friends. At best he was a temporary mentor...but one who had saved her life, hence her visit. He made a disinterested noise as she offered her thanks.
"I know the creature is dead," he said. Ais cocked her head. "You're standing here."
Ais nodded, unsure what more to say. Deciding all that was necessary had already been said, she bowed again before making her way to the exit. She stopped short at his next words.
"What happened to you?"
Confused, Ais looked down at herself. Everything seemed fine. She looked askance at him, and Ottar continued.
"You seem...muted. Less. You are a first-class adventurer, burning with lethal intent...or you were. The aura around you is lessened. The pressure associated with your level...I trained you to become stronger. What happened, Sword Princess?"
Ais thought about the lightness she felt, the shift within her. When Bell had arrived on the battlefield she had been so happy, and when she overheard him tell Riveria how he wanted to be her hero Little Ais had done so many cartwheels she thought she might pass out. But...would accepting him as her hero take away from her own accomplishments? Her own sword arm had been enough only a few days ago; was she already overrelying on Bell? She was so confused. This new lightness of spirit, the clean, pure feelings Bell inspired...she felt closer to her parents, her reason for taking up the sword, than she had in years, yet here was the strongest adventurer in Orario saying she was weaker. Had sentiment broken her resolve? Did she not still long to take her mother back?
Had she lost her edge? A weight pressed down on her, the newfound feelings compressed beneath it.
Freya watched the exchange from a balcony above the training yard. She was amazed how a few words from Ottar affected the Kenki. She watched her brilliant golden glow tarnish as doubt set in. She grinned to herself. The Kenki's faded luster was her golden opportunity. "Sword Princess. A moment."
Freya doubted the girl even heard her, lost in her head as she was. That didn't matter; Freya could see doubts eating away at her. The longer she stayed like that, the more susceptible she would be. She took her time walking down the steps to the yard. Ais' eyes widened to find the Goddess of Beauty before her. She bowed, partly out of respect for a goddess but mostly to avoid the pull of her eyes. "Lady Freya," she muttered.
Freya smiled warmly as she placed a hand on the knight's shoulder. A warm sensation shot down Ais' arm and across her chest. She forced herself to pay attention as the goddess kept speaking. "It seems you are having difficulties. Please, allow me to help."
Moving carefully to ensure she did not provoke the goddess or any of the dozens of familia members around her, Ais disentangled herself from Freya's grasp and made sure the warmth she imparted was gone before speaking. She wanted to make very sure her words were her own. "You are very kind, Goddess," she started, "but I can handle my personal affairs."
"Of course, of course, child," Ais had to look away again as Freya smiled radiantly. "Still, it pains me to see any of the children distraught such as you. Tell me..." Freya had to press on the sorest spot she knew. "Are you strong enough to accomplish your goal?"
Eyes wide, the golden knight clamped her mouth shut. Freya was now smiling so brilliantly it was hard to keep a blush from forming. "I...I am...I will accomplish my goal."
Ottar came forward at her gesture. "I know his aid was invaluable to you before. I am willing to help you again...you may train with my captain and grow as strong as you wish for as long as you wish. I will aid you in any way you require." Freya leaned close. "In return, I will collect the favor you owe me."
Little Ais raised a red flag in the back of her mind, but Ais was in no state to recognize it fully. Listless over the thought of having stumbled in her quest to take her mother back she was on uncertain footing, mentally speaking. "What favor?"
Freya smiled lasciviously. "Bring Bell Cranel to me at my home in Babel and walk away."
Ais was stunned. Why would Freya want Bell? Whatever the reason, it was not an idea she would entertain.
"I won't do it."
Freya giggled. "Of course you will, knight. You gave your word. A promise might be an easy thing to make and easier to break...for most people. But you aren't most people, are you, knight?" She giggled again. "Besides, breaking promises to gods or their..." she ran her fingers lightly over Ottar's heavily muscled arm "...powerful followers is not good policy. For individuals or familias."
Ais froze. Her paying the price for a broken promise was one thing, but if it led to all-out war between Freya and her familia..? She regained some of her composure. "No," she said. "We agreed this was a personal debt—my familia has nothing to do with it."
Freya shrugged. "True. But if you decide not to abide by our agreement, why should I?" Freya moved close and wrapped an arm around Ais as the girl sagged. "Everything I offered you is still on the table. Strength, my aid in attaining your goal...I will provide anything you need. You will repay the favor one way or another. Profit from it while I am making the offer."
Ais struggled as Freya's charm tried to worm its way through their contact. "Why do you want Bell?"
Freya thought an honest answer would put the girl at ease...well, a mostly honest answer. "Being a goddess of beauty can be problematic," she explained. "Going out in public causes mayhem; just seeing my face can cause accidents and my smile has ruined kingdoms." Ais knew she was not joking. "Bell Cranel is an interesting adventurer. Every other god in the city is free to wander and approach, to ask questions and fulfill their curiosity. I am restricted." Her eyes flashed. "He is a curiosity and I am a goddess. I desire to speak with him. No more."
Ais frowned and made no pretense of politeness when it came to brushing away the arm around her. "You could visit his home, or find some other way. There's no need for him to be brought to you."
Freya hid her irritation well. She had extracted what she desired from countless marks over the centuries...and just as she was about to snag what she desired the most, she met one unusually resistant to her charm. She would have to be careful. "Calling on him personally would involve not only a public appearance, but Hestia is sure to constantly interfere in the conversation. The same is true with other public venues—it would be impossible to speak. I want a peaceful conversation with the curiosity that enthralls the gods." Freya smiled with everything she had, short of outright charming the poor girl into submission. She was so favored by Loki it might provoke a war. Despite her threat to Ais that was the last thing she wanted...for now. "I swear to you, Sword Princess. No harm will befall Bell."
Still Ais hesitated. "You promise he will come back?"
"Of course."
A thundering series of shattering glassware sounded from the kitchen of the Hostess of Fertility. Momma Mia followed the noise in a rage, threatening hours of painful chores for the one clumsy enough to break Hostess property when she entered to find Syr standing over a pile of broken plates. Eyeing her dazed expression, Momma Mia lowered her voice as she grabbed a broom and began cleaning the mess. "What happened?"
Syr slowly looked over at the half-dwarf. "She made her move."
Bell Cranel strode happily into the Miach Familia Clinic, feeling all was right with the world. He was a bit curious about the sudden errand Hestia had to run, but otherwise he felt a peaceful lightness had welled up from within as he made up with his familia members and set about his day. They had plans to meet later on, but for now he had some errands of his own. He already spoken to Welf about the leg holster situation; now he wanted to ask Naaza about the curdled potions. He had never really asked questions about items before, just assuming they would work when he needed them. He knew now that was a dangerous attitude. Greeting her as he walked in, he laid the vials of health and mind potions on the counter and asked what she thought. Naaza raised an eyebrow.
"Wow! You said this was caused by heat?" She shook her head. "I have no idea what kind of fire you were exposed to in the dungeon, but potions should most definitely not do this!" She turned the vials over and over in her hands, staring intently. She nodded. "We have to show this to Lord Miach! He might have an idea of what happened."
As she showed Bell into the back, new customers entered the shop. "Agh!" Naaza exclaimed. "Make sure Miach is prepared to explain everything to me later, okay? I want to know what he thinks!" She returned to the desk.
Continuing on to the back fo the shop, he saw Lord Miach hunched over a small table. Diagrams of bodies from every species littered the area, most with notes scribbled across them in Koine and hieroglyphs. Looking closer, Bell noted that most of them centered on the arms. Approaching the busy god, Bell waited until he finished writing something before clearing his throat.
"Ah, Bell!" Miach turned with a small, genuine smile. "I have not seen you for some time." He examined the cast. "I see you continue to be hurt on a regular basis."
Bell couldn't help but grin. "If I had been conscious, I would have asked to see you and Naaza."
A soft chuckle came from the poor god. "Dian Cecht has always been a more powerful businessman...but good at his craft. So long as you are hearty and hale, there are no hard feelings."
Bell motioned to the diagrams Miach had been poring over. "What are you working on?"
Miach carefully looked around the room before speaking. "I believe I am close to finding a way to restore Naaza's arm."
Bell was stunned. "But...she has a prosthetic. A nice one, too. Doesn't she have complete function with it..?"
Miach shook his head. "Range of movement does not equate to full function." He looked at Bell thoughtfully. "Bell, did you know that once this was a mid-tier familia that rivaled Dian Cecht's?"
Bell nodded. "Hestia-sama told me...and Naaza. They said you sacrificed everything you had to finance Naaza's prosthetic. All your followers abandoned you because of the debt incurred."
Nodding along with Bell's words, Miach continued. "Yes, exactly right. Except the word 'sacrifice'." The god rose and placed a chair in front of his, directing Bell to sit. Facing each other comfortably, Miach began examining the cast arm and shoulder as he continued. "When Naaza was carried back from the dungeon, I could see the damage done to her. Not just physically," Miach touched his heart, then his temple, "but mentally. I could feel my child slipping away. The terror of the experience was the more debilitating wound by far and was getting worse. She needed help immediately...a speed I could not provide, but Dian Cecht could. He saw it as a business opportunity and took everything." He finished the examination with a warm smile. Airmid always did good work. "Sacrifice implies you gave up something you'd rather not lose. If I had been unwilling to part with money or status for the sake of my child, I would not be a healer...and I certainly would not be a god. Bell, my followers left because of money—none were dedicated to healing and none wished to stay behind when their familia member needed them most." Miach gave a small smile. "I lost nothing the day Naaza came back home. She remained, not out of guilt or a sense of duty but for love. I answer that love," Miach waved an arm at the diagrams around the room, "with my own. After halting her deterioration I could have focused on rebuilding, on paying down our debt and making money. Instead, I choose to focus on healing. Naaza is my most precious child, and while that prosthetic has aided her tremendously it is only a stop-gap measure." Bell was gaping slightly as Miach again looked around at all the hard work posted around the room. "I have always accepted Naaza as she is. Arm, fears; nothing makes her less precious to me. But she has trouble accepting the wound in herself. I feel that if I help make her physically whole again then her spirit will heal and she will be truly whole." Bell was stunned as Miach flashed a radiant smile he had not seen before. "In the end, healing is an act of love and the most powerful expression of love is acceptance. I will do everything in my power to bring peace to Naaza's heart."
Bell reflected on Miach's speech. He thought about the flight from his friends when Ais called him. The idea of being willing to give up so much for the sake of one person didn't sound crazy to him. He felt there was more there but was interrupted before he could think for too long.
"Apologies for speaking too much. What brings you back here, Bell?"
Bell sputtered he enjoyed hearing the god's story as he handed over the vials. Miach looked on curiously. "Fascinating," he said. "I will wait for further examination until Naaza is available. I know she would like to be part of it." He set them on the desk. "I will make sure to let you know everything we discover. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"
Bell shook his head, thanking the god again before heading to the front. Naaza was just concluding a deal with the other customers, the two smiling at each other over their heads as Bell left with a small wave and a quirky smile. He didn't think he'd ever be able to wrap his mind fully around the concept of romantic love between a god and a mortal, but he respected those who could. On the street, his feet moved on their own. His next stop had to be the Hostess of Fertility. He knew Hestia had made a fuss about his disappearance and wanted to let his friends there know he was okay.
The lunch rush was just ending as Bell walked in. In-between shooing their last customers out the door and clearing tables the girls alternated between happily chatting with and rebuking Bell, glad he was alright. Ryuu's eyes were sharper than the others; she saw the scarred burn marks under his collar. Walking close, she quietly asked "Deeper than our adventure?"
When the boy nodded, whispering "By fourteen," the elf felt faint. Even when she was in a party with Alise and the others they had never gone past the forty-first floor. Worried to the point of anger, she insisted on weekly training early in the morning. They had tried before, though Ryuu's lack of restraint and Syr's protection of Bell had cut their sessions short. The air cracked as Ryuu brought her hand down, brooking no counterargument. She claimed he was strong enough she wouldn't need to hold back and the more training he received the more likely it would be he'd survive and not worry her so much. Blushing that she may have said too much, she watched Bell sweat as she promised to push him extra hard when they met. She hurriedly walked away, saying she expected to see him early the next day.
"You shouldn't take advantage of Ryuu, Bell."
Bell yelped at the voice behind him. "Advantage..?! She was threatening me!"
Syr narrowed her eyes at the thickheaded boy in her sights. She poked his chest, and Bell felt himself pushed back despite her lack of falna. "Seriously, Bell!" And she stormed off to the kitchen.
Confused about what just happened, Bell suddenly felt very sick. It was like every meal Syr ever made hit his stomach at once; no, it was more vicious than that. It was like a wild animal had sunk its teeth into his core and was savaging it mercilessly. It was a strange, alien experience...almost like it wasn't coming from him at all. Feelings of doubt gnawed at the pit of his stomach, but he had no idea what there was to doubt about. He was fine just a moment ago...he felt weighed down, like an iron blanket had covered his happy mood. The sound of many plates shattering and Momma Mia yelling brought his attention back to the present.
Syr came back into the dining area, blue-grey eyes darker than usual as she strode purposefully towards Bell. She spoke without preamble. "You should seek as much help as possible. Ryuu is expecting you tomorrow; do not be late."
The mysterious waitress stalked back to the kitchen to take over cleaning up her mess before the others saw Momma Mia. The Goddess of Love and Beauty was a strange and wonderful being; Syr owed her everything. Freya had provided for the past nine years—half her life. An involuntary shudder shook her body. The only half she cared to remember. Peeking around the doorway she saw Bell leave with a final wave to the other girls. For the first time, she thought she might regret the deal she made.
Bell wanted to spend the rest of the evening home with his familia...but there was one place he wanted to be more. He blushed, thinking about the fifty-first floor. His last memory of Ais was lying in her arms as she cradled him. He remembered speaking with Riveria and, on the surface, with Finn...but he had not seen or spoken to Ais since that moment. He had to go see her, to make sure the rest of her party had returned safely.
His senses jumped into overdrive as he felt watching eyes...somewhere...he turned and was surprised to meet the gaze of Ais Wallenstein. He waved happily as he approached. "Hey, Ais! I was just on my way to check on..." He stopped abruptly at her expression. Perfectly placid, she might have been carved from stone for all the emotion he could divine. "Ais? What's wrong?"
He was talking to the Sword Princess.
"I..." uncertainty cracked her rocky veneer, but the black flame quickly took back over. "I was asked to fulfill a request. Lady Freya wants to speak with you."
Freya..? "But...why are you telling me this?" Freya had plenty of followers; how did a Loki Familia executive become a messenger for a rival goddess?
She saw the confusion in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, she said "I owe Lady Freya a favor. I asked for her help and, as payment, she asked for me to bring you to her." Bell listened as Ais explained everything. He thought it amazing she had trained under Ottar—what she must have learned!—but only half paid attention to the details of how she made sure the goddess only wanted to talk to him and that he would be fine. He felt the gods should be honored; besides, if Ais trusted the situation then there shouldn't be a problem. He agreed to follow, though mostly because he wanted to walk with her and try to raise her spirits.
Along the way, however, Bell found his companion resistant to conversation and jokes. In their few times alone he quite enjoyed talking with her; he still found her engaging even whenever there weren't weapons or looming danger involved. Now, though, she seemed locked down. He was concerned with the distance Ais held herself at. He knew nothing about the anguish now behind her stoic face, but he did know something was affecting her to act like this. He thought of what he told Riveria—there was a weight on her heart, but he didn't know what it was. He wanted to do everything he could to help. While thinking of what t do, they had reached Babel and were taking a magic stone lift to the apartment levels. Ais had said she would take him to the top and he would be escorted into Freya's chambers. Figuring he did not have much time before the lift reached its destination, Bell steeled himself.
"After this...if you're not busy, you would like to get a jagamarukun? Take-sama told me they opened a stand with some new flavors to try to compete with Hestia...Ais?"
The girl's mask cracked and the Sword princess was having a difficult time composing herself. Jagamarukun or no, she wanted to spend the day with Bell...from the time Bell asked until her answer was just a few seconds, and she hated herself for taking that long to remember her quest. Her mother.
"No."
She hated herself just as much for lying.
"I can't today..." Why had she kept speaking? Little Ais was pushing words out her mouth while the black flame raged, reminding her of her purpose. Still, Little Ais prevailed. "Bell...be careful with Freya, okay? I think she meant it when she said no harm would come to you..." she flushed, out of words. "Please, be careful."
The doors opened as the lift stopped. Warlord Ottar towering over Bell as he stepped out, gut-wrenching nausea gripping his core. With a final glance back at Ais, he said "I'll see you later."
Ottar led Bell up winding stairs that seemed to go all the way to the heavens. Finally they leveled off into a wide entrance hall. Guiding Bell through a series of sitting rooms and what looked like trophy rooms of disturbing content, Ottar left Bell in a room on the outer edge of the tower. The three surrounding walls were tastefully adorned with the richest fabrics and the rugs were soft and luxurious. Bell sweat at the large, pure white bed veiled with thin white curtains that took most of the left side of the room. Just the sight of it imparted a sense of softness, comfort...and other, darker promise. The boy focused straight ahead. A throne was set at the back of the room, but looking outward over a large balcony where a fourth wall should have been. His mouth fell open as he walked to the railing. This view of the city was spectacular.
"You have fine taste. As expected."
Bell jumped, spinning to find the Goddess of Love and Beauty immediately behind him, hand perfectly placed to caress his cheek as he faced her. Rooted to the spot, his mind went blank as she pressed a light kiss onto his cheek. With a sly wink, Freya flowed around him to look over the cityscape. Bell came to his senses and turned as well. Rubbing his cheek, he asked why she wanted to speak in private.
The goddess waved her arm over the city far below them. "Most children believe beauty is subjective...it is not. Some is absolute." Her silver eyes flashed. "Certain individuals cannot see it—the fault lies with them." Bell followed her gaze to the Pleasure Quarter.
"You..." Freya looked at Bell expectantly, slowly inching forwards in a way that worked every curve to best advantage. He gulped. "You were the one standing on the tower. The night Ishtar fell."
There was nothing bashful or regretful in her nod. "Of course. I have had to deal with the jealousies of the heavens and lower world for an eternity; Ishtar was only the latest to hold a grudge. She was...inelegant in her ploys." Freya leaned her luscious body into Bell, looking up through long lashes. "I suffer nobody playing with my mate."
"Mate?!"
Bell was extremely alarmed.
Freya giggled. "Of course. I have searched for you longer than a mortal can comprehend. The gods are numbered; it did not take long to work my way through them. There was not a man among them worthy of my time or interest...beyond what they could do for me in the moment. But here!" Freya disengaged herself from Bell, opening her arms to the world. A large mirror sprang into being and through it he saw images from all over the world. People in strange dress walked along streets with buildings the likes of which he had never seen. A myriad of color and activity—life—flashed in the mirror before the goddess closed it.
"One of the few uses of arcanum allowed...if you get permission. Easy enough for me." Her tongue played suggestively with her upper lip. "From here I view the souls of mortals to determine their interest to me. The most appealing, I take. I add them to my familia or..." She cleared her throat. A moment later a young man entered bearing a tray of wine. "Thank you, Tammuz."
Bell watched as the man scampered away. He seemed different than the others he had seen in her familia. He almost seemed...
"Bewitched." Freya finished his thought. "Like I said. Some beauty is absolute, and if others cannot see it..." She trailed off. Bell gulped again. "But for you," Freya licked her lips again, "I have something entirely different in mind." She sat on her throne. "I have sought my destined partner for eons. Finally, my search is ended."
Bell stood there with his mouth open. "Umm...destined partner? I...I'm sorry, but...I think you have the wrong person."
Freya waved a hand. "There is very little in this city that escapes my notice—particularly your exploits. Putting aside your personal accomplishments, including your series of record-shattering level-ups, you have affected the two most powerful adventurers in Orario. Finn Diemne and my Ottar; you changed Finn's path. He became a heretic to his own creed. You inspired a change that brought out a noble beauty in his soul...and potentially damaged the prospects of my most dangerous ally's strongest child. For Ottar...he had stopped surprising me until you came along. He is my most faithful child...but faith gets dull if everything becomes commonplace. You inflamed Ottar's sense of adventure and brought his soul to a shine that pleases me greatly."
She waved a hand. More servants entered and Bell was overwhelmed by heavy, musky scents as incense wafted across the room. Two people carefully pulled back the curtains surrounding the bed. The atmosphere was increasingly more...inviting. Freya gently laughed as Bell pulled his collar. "You bring about changes in others in a way I have never seen. Your soul is unique." Her arms wrapped around him. Bell struggled to remember when she had left her throne...this was not divine charm. He was just horrible with women. "I have found my destined mate. Stay with me, and be Consort to the Goddess of Love and Beauty."
Bell swayed on the spot. This was too much. He carefully pulled her arms from his shoulders. "I do not believe mortals should be with deities. The potential for pain..." he thought of Hestia holding him in Edas village after Caam died, and of Artemis. "I recognize your feelings. Thank you. But...I can't be your destined partner. I already love someone."
The scantily clad goddess scoffed. "Your puppy love for the Kenki? That was infatuation born of proximity and chance. I have seen you on a level deeper than you can imagine. You are mine." She flicked her fingers casually. "With a few slight alterations you will be perfect."
Frowning, Bell thought of Miach's words as he worked solely for Naaza. "Love is accepting a person as they are and doing everything in your power to make them whole, complete." He thought about Naaza staying with her near-destitute god, working and caring for him without knowing the project he was working on for her. "It's mutual. It's a partnership. Its about them making you complete." He looked the grinning goddess directly in the eye. "I am not your partner. Sorry."
The grin remained. "You really are silly. You think to tell a goddess of love she is wrong about her own heart?" Brushing off his words, she said. "There's really only one major alteration anyway—getting rid of your infatuation."
Alarm fired through every nerve in his body. "What do you mean by that?"
At the base of Babel, Ais waited for Ottar to descend. She had prevented a war between Orario's most powerful familias, no longer had a debt to a goddess hanging over her head, and would receive training from the best in the city to make her goal reality. She had told Bell everything she knew about the situation...but that didn't make her feel better. She had thought that after Bell was out of sight she would be able to focus solely on her quest, but she was turning into even more of a wreck. It felt like Daedalus Street all over again, staring down at herself, thinking she knew herself better. Why was she having so much trouble understanding her traitorous self?
Ottar emerged from the lift. Heading straight for her, Ais was too caught up in her head to demand confirmation that Bell would not be harmed. The giant Baoz paused for a moment before heading towards Folkvangr. "If you wish to begin, follow me." Hoping training would sort her out, she followed.
The courtyard of Folkvangr was still full, Freya's adventurers clashing madly for strength in an effort to be more appealing to their goddess. Spending more time in her head, however, numbed her situational awareness. The dozens of armed people around her were not truly focused on their opponents, but on her. As they reached the center of the courtyard, alarms blared in Ais' skull as she sensed the attack from behind. Desperate flew into her hand as she spun, deflecting Ottar's surprise blow. The battle begun, the others dropped all pretense, forming a ring of steel around the dueling elites. Like before, Ottar used only his basic speed and strength; still, it took her entire concentration to stay alive, steel missing flesh by the barest margin as attacks and blocks moved faster than the eye could see. Too late to do anything about it, Ais realized her mistake.
She had walked into the lion's den.
The Sword Princess brought out all her strength to fight the Warlord, but nothing enabled her to break through for a counterattack. She knew from experience that even Lil' Rafaga could not overcome his basic stats...and even if she tried a more powerful version of it with her Level 6 stats, she'd be too slow to conjure the attack let alone use it. Ottar would cut her in half if she tried. He could already have killed her, if that was their goal. Judging from the hungry auras of those surrounding them, she had to say it was. She didn't think it was like Ottar to play with his food, so to speak, especially if his Lady had given an order. What was going on?
In case it gave her an advantage, she ran through everything in the back of her mind. Freya had set her up, ordered her death...why? And how did Bell fit into this? She was the Goddess of Beauty and Love. What had Loki said about her at that cafe the morning of Monsterphilia? That she'd do anything for a new man, young or old...she had seen Bell rush by in the crowd and Freya had left immediately after...and the sense she and her goddess shared about the hidden hand moving events as the monsters escaped...yet, nobody was hurt...and, at the end, Bell facing that silverback...and the masked adventurers who gave me a warning; it was to stay away from Bell...
Oh.
Lightning struck the poor girl and her defenses slipped, Ottar's blade drawing a line of scarlet down her arm as the onlookers cheered. The Warlord's eyes narrowed. Ais had lost her motivation. Laying on the ground where the force of the blow had sent her, the girl did not get up. Ottar had only inflicted a shallow wound; it was the crushing realization of what she had done that kept her own. Freya loved Bell. Ais had been used as a prop for the Goddess of Beauty to get what she wanted. She had sold Bell out to advance her own agenda, her parents used as a lure to make her sacrifice the boy she cared about. And now she was going to die.
At the height of Babel, Bell was frantic. The servants, after setting up what could only be described as a love nest, had barred the doors from the other side. Even using all his strength Bell couldn't break through them. He had looked over the balcony as well—there were no other balconies in sight, nor any sort of outcroppings or decorations for him to descend onto. And the slope was sheer—it didn't matter how good his speed and agility were. Even if he could move fast enough to keep his feet firmly on the side of the tower, he'd only smack flat into the ground running instead of falling.
The worst part was the sense of alarm he felt. He had been plenty alarmed on his own when Freya had mentioned getting rid of Ais, but an entirely new sense of alarm had struck him moments later. It had come from the same place the lightness from earlier in the morning had come from...and that heavy, oppressive blanket and the nauseous feeling from the magic stone lift. He had thought maybe he was sick, but now, with his focus on Ais' safety, he recognized the source as external—somehow, if they were strong enough, he could feel her emotions.
And she was hurt.
"Stop the attack!"
Ignoring his plea, Freya paraded in front of Bell, claiming the last thing of note keeping his attention from her would soon be gone. Flaunting her salacious attire, she tried to draw interest back to herself. It was exciting to her—she had never had to work this hard before. It was fortunate for her the young boy did not have experience with women; trying too hard did not look good on the usually elegant goddess. "Aren't I beautiful, Mate?"
Fists clenched, body shaking in rage and fear, Bell shouted at the goddess.
"No!"
Shocked as if slapped, Freya pulled back as Bell continued.
"No, you're not! You have a pretty face, but what you're doing is wrong! Murdering the woman I love, keeping me against my will..! Nothing about that is beautiful!"
Freya glared at the pure soul before her. How dare he..? She could not ever recall being truly angry before. She had no experience marshaling such a foreign emotion. Lashing out for the first time, she screamed. "I am absolute!" She took a moment, doing her best to calm down. Finally, she looked at Bell with bright silver eyes. "You don't see it. Hah, to think my destined would be flawed in such a way...but there is a fix for that as well..."
Bell clung to her words. "I am flawed! We cannot accept each other for who we are; there is no way I can ever be your destined partner!"
"No." Freya's voice was ice. "I know your soul is the one meant to be paired with mine forever. I have watched you for too long, invested too much for you not to be. If you will not stay as my willing Consort, you will stay as my adoring slave!" She smiled sadly. "I am sorry, Love, but your soul is too beautiful for me not to have." Her eyes glowed bright silver with otherworldly light as she blasted Bell with her Charm. "I take what I want, and love all I take equally. You are mine."
Bell stood there blinking. Freya extended a hand, willing him to take it. She smiled widely as he did...but he looked on her with pity.
"I love another."
Her Charm..?! Ishtar said he was resistant, but she assumed he had only been able to resist that cut-rate goddess...never her. So, this is what it's like. She had sunk to her knees. To be seen as ugly, to be rejected...how many people had she hurt or passed over simply because she had no concept of this feeling? To be a goddess of love, of beauty, and to not even recognize how the lack of those things affected the children of this world..? She felt ashamed. Wallowing in self-pity, she did not hear the boy's repeated requests for her to stop the attack on the Kenki.
She vaguely registered surprise in the young man's voice and that there was more light in the room—someone had opened the doors. A hand gently cupped her cheek. It seemed familiar. Blinking away tears, she saw Syr kneeling before her. "Goddess," she breathed.
Freya slunk even lower. She felt even more pitiful that Syr, the precious child, had seen her like this. She had nothing to say...but Syr did.
"Lady Freya..." There were tears in the young woman's eyes as well and she did nothing to hide them. "Lady Freya, you found me as a little girl. I was nine years old, do you remember? You found me starving, broken and dying in the snow. I didn't know what love was, never had anybody care for me. You took me from there and offered me a future—and for the next nine years you gave me the love of a mother I never had. You let Momma Mia leave your familia to start the Hostess, for me. It has become a place where women like me can find refuge, a place of kinship and healing." She gently brushed her goddess' hair. "The Hostess is the place that spreads your love throughout Orario. Nothing about you is ugly, my Lady." Syr took a deep breath. "Just lonely, and misguided."
Freya looked up sharply. Syr smiled.
"It's not an insult," Syr said. "I worry about you. I know how long you've searched to find your partner; it's part of why we made our deal—in exchange for my new life, I would help you find him." Syr looked down sadly at the goddess she adored, continuing to brush her hair. "But it's not Bell. You know it's not; you just wanted your search to be over. And that's okay. Just know that as long as your search takes, you'll always have people like me to help you."
Sniffing, the goddess rose with the aid of the young waitress. Carefully composing herself, she wore a cloak of elegance once more. "Quickly," she said. "Take word to Folkvangr. Let Ais Wallenstein go. I pray it is not too late."
Without wasting a second, Bell picked up Syr and ran.
"On your feet."
Ottar verbally prodded the blonde knight on the ground. She had been knocked down four times and gotten up three. The pauses where she lay on the ground were getting longer; several times he had to glare at familia members who moved to attack the broken girl. Freya had charged him with the task; she was his prey. Considering his goddess, he spoke. "You have weighed yourself down. It is a mess of your own making; only you can clean it up. You will never be fast or strong enough if you only seek vengeance."
Weighed...myself down? Yes. She had betrayed Bell for the sake of her...
...goal.
Mother.
Wounded, kneeling with her back to the Warlord, Ais' eyes snapped open as the wind lightly played with her hair. Had she been so consumed by hatred she never considered what she was becoming? She had come to terms with being a weapon, being ugly. But...there were those who did not think so. It had been a shock to her, finding a level of comfort in her comrades. Even though she had known them for years, it was only in the past few months she fully appreciated that the change they brought about was for the better. Left to pursue vengeance on her own, she would have died before becoming Level 2. It was Riveria, Finn, and Gareth who saved her then, and later the others all came together to create a safe atmosphere—a home. By finding respite from vengeance, she had become stronger and reached closer to her goal. Tsubaki had said it—she was still a weapon, she had just found a sheath.
And then there was Bell. She had seen herself in him the first time they met, saw his drive and dedication. Their time together—even the stolen moments when he lay unconscious on her lap—was a pure, cleansing experience. He brought back memories of her parents, times left behind as she only thought about attaining the strength to take her mother back. Her black flame would have been the end of her in Knossos but for Bell. He had pulled her from the brink, cleansed her soul...and she had not only lived, but overcame the deadliest rival she had ever encountered. She smiled. And she had come out not feeling empty.
Bell.
She recalled the conversation overheard between he and Riveria. Every word was etched into her heart. The things he had said about everything within her waiting to come out from behind her black flame...all of that was from her mother. Questing to save her while repressing her greatest qualities was not strength. Embracing her goal, her mother's memory, in a new way, Ais stood. She no longer wanted to be the Sword Princess. She wanted to be Ais Wallenstein. When she freed her mother, she wanted to meet her as a daughter she would be proud of.
"I'm sorry, Mom," she whispered. "I'm coming for you. But...there's other things I need to take care of, too."
The sense of lightness came back as the girl came to a conclusion. At the same time, from the same place she felt the shift within her, she knew she was not alone. Bell was coming. But she would settle things with him after—she felt the air split as Ottar unleashed an attack at her exposed back. Ottar was right; she could and would clean up her own mess. Spinning with unbelievable speed, Ais caught his blade with Desperate, using his own momentum to force the sword into the earth before applying all her strength to the side of the blade.
The Warlord's sword snapped with a painful scream as Desperate whipped towards its unarmed owner. His speed was enough to avoid the first attack, but the second, third, and fourth connected. She smacked him hard with the flat of her blade—a fencer's touch, she refused to cut an unarmed opponent. Feeling the hunger in the watching crowd turn to shock, she lowered her weapon. She did not fear any adventurer there.
Despite having a second sword strapped to his back, Ottar did not draw. Instead, he slowly looked at the welt rising on his arm where her first score landed. He nodded. "Well done." He nodded to the gate. "There is nothing more you can learn from me."
Ais also turned to the gate, knowing who was about to come through. Moments later the gates flew open as Bell entered carrying a blue-grey haired young woman in a waitress outfit. Ais recognized her from somewhere...from the Hostess of Fertility? She raised an eyebrow; wasn't this also the one who had goaded her a handful of weeks ago? The one who had been given a lap pillow from Bell? What was the word she had used to describe it...'passionate'?
The ring of adventurers around them now faced outwards, barring the newcomers entrance. Ais saw the girl in Bell's arms whisper in his ear and he set her down before carefully stepping back. She approached as closely as drawn steel would allow before speaking. "Your Lady demands you release the Sword Princess at once."
Some of the upper-class adventurers recognized Syr as a favored agent of their patron goddess and sheathed their weapons, but most only saw a young waitress. "Our Lady issued a command," Ottar said. When only a handful of guards reluctantly put their weapons away, the Warlord growled. The pressure of the Level 7 adventurer lay heavily on his familia members as they quickly stepped aside. Ais offered another short bow to Freya's captain before she, Bell, and Syr departed Folkvangr.
Syr took the lead. Stopping in the courtyard before the dungeon's entrance, she turned to the two adventurers behind her. "Miss Wallenstein, on behalf of Lady Freya, I offer sincerest apologies for the attack on your person. I cannot explain what happened, but I assure you—you have nothing to fear from Freya Familia moving forwards." She turned to Bell. "Bell-san, I would take it as a personal kindness if you did not share what happened in Babel with anyone—particularly about me and the Hostess. I don't want anybody to treat me or the other girls differently."
Bell nodded rapidly. Ais was not happy, but nodded as well. She knew Ottar had held back; she could classify this as 'intensive training'. Smiling that an understanding had been reached, Syr perked up as she asked them both to continue patronizing the Hostess. "Come spend lots of money!" She called as she walked away. "I'll still have sandwiches for you, Bell!"
Alone, Ais mustered all the courage she had. In a rush, she apologized for everything, for being weak. And, for the first time to anyone outside of Loki, Riveria, Finn and Gareth, she told Bell her goal.
"My mother...she was taken," she said. "A long time ago. Nobody came to help; I took up the sword myself, decided to be my own hero so I could save her. That's why I have to get stronger." She hung her head. "I lost sight of a lot of things trying to get her back. When Freya said she could help me...I lost sight of everything except for her." She looked in Bell's eyes. "You wanted to know what was weighing on my heart. That's most of it."
The boy's eyes widened as he took in her words. "Oh. Umm...you, uh...you know about...that..?" Ais nodded. "Oh. I wanted to tell you those things myself."
She raised her hands. "Don't blame Riveria. I was outside the tent and happened to overhear." She shuffled her fingers, shy. "I liked what you said."
Beet-red, Bell nodded. "Yeah. Well, I meant it." Embarrassed and unsure where to go from here, Bell asked "So...you said that was most of it? What else is troubling you?"
Looking to the ground she shook her head. "I want to tell you...but I need to speak to my family first." She looked at Bell again. "Thank you for saving us, Bell. In the Deep Floors...you were incredible."
Thinking he might pass out if any more blood rushed to his head, Bell calmed down as much as possible before answering. "Oh, no! You and your familia have saved my life and my entire familia several times!" He shuffled his feet. "You're welcome." Seeing her smile, he decided to ask something that had been bothering him. "Have you been feeling anything strange today?" She cocked her head. "I mean, all day I've been getting flashes of emotion...and I'm pretty sure they're not coming from me." He looked at her meaningfully.
Ais blushed. "Thats part of what I want to talk to my family about...but, yes." She thought about the conversation Loki brought up that morning. She got the feeling her goddess knew a lot more than she had shared—there would be more than one conversation tonight. "If you can come by Twilight Manor tomorrow afternoon...I think that would be the perfect time to tell you everything."
Bell called as she turned to go. "May I walk you home?" Receiving a shy nod, Bell fell into step beside her. Feeling lucky, Bell said "You know, that jagamarukun stand I mentioned is only a few streets away from here—not far out of the way at all, if you're interested?"
Smiling warmly, Ais accepted as they went down a different path. Then she asked "That girl you were carrying..." Why did the muscles in Bell's neck feel so tense all of a sudden? "...sandwiches?"
"They're probably the reason I can eat Valgang Dragon acid," Bell said. Bell shuddered a little at seeing her eyebrow raised. It was very Riveria-esque. "My familia used to be very poor. One day, going into the dungeon, I didn't have any food. Syr introduced herself and gave me her lunch for the day and it kind of became a thing after that." He shuddered. "They really are horrible, but...I guess accepting her sandwiches helps keep me grounded, you know? They're just part of my roots as an adventurer."
Ais nodded. Roots were important. She'd still keep an eye on the older girl, though.
Freya watched a renewed Ais Wallenstein walk with a clear soul. Syr had been right about her loneliness; thanks to the days events, however, she had learned she was searching too narrowly. She would continue her own quest. Following the radiantly gold soul, she said "You did very well, Ottar."
The large Baoz had entered the room, silently waiting at the ready near his Lady's throne. "I hoped you might be pleased."
Not at all upset, she continued staring out the window. "I gave you orders to kill her." She waited, but there was no reply. Unexpected. "Why is she alive, Ottar?"
Her most faithful was respectful, reverent of his Lady...and spoke without bashfulness. "I believed you would change your mind."
She spun on the spot, eyes wide. "What?"
Ottar took a step towards her. "I have and will always follow your orders, Lady. Had the girl had a misstep or made a foolish mistake, she would have perished. However, until she forced my hand I thought it best to keep her alive." He saw the question in her eyes and something else he had never seen before—vulnerability. "You are the Goddess of Love and Beauty. You would recognize your nature and rectify any doings you may have cause to regret. I am a warrior, a tool. I left the talking to Syr while I kept your word to train and give strength to the Sword Princess."
The goddess blinked a tear away. She had never seen a more beautiful soul.
Across the city Hestia was fuming. Only partly because her jagamarukun rival, Take, had created a new range of flavors that resulted in his gleeful message that the infamous enemy of jagamarukun Ais Wallenstein had bought two of everything at his new stand—the sword god had graciously neglected to mention that Bell had been with her—but mainly because of the other god in front of her. Loki leaned casually on the cart with her other arm carelessly resting on her hip, the two arguing ferociously to the point that everyone around gave the cart a wide berth. If any paid closer attention to their faces, they would have been hard-pressed to tell if they were grimacing or smiling at one another.
Satisfied there were no interested ears around, Loki dropped the argument and spoke normally. "So, wha'd'ya think, Shrimp? Let 'em be for now?"
Hestia grumbled to herself. She was not fond of the idea of her Bell being with anyone other than her...but ultimately, she was his patron deity and he was her child. Besides, she was the goddess of family—she took care of her own. "Children should be free to walk their own paths," she said, "and we are meant to help them achieve their goals."
She and Loki shared a frown. "Damn responsibilities..." they glared at each as they spoke at the same time.
Loki shrugged. "Have you ever heard of the race of heroes?"
The tiny goddess thought. "I've never heard that term before, but Zeus used to speak passionately about the return of the Age of Heroes. I never really thought about it seriously, though—he only brought it up when trying to seduce women." She waved a hand indifferently. "I always thought it was a cheesy pick-up line."
Loki grunted and turned to go. "Do you like to read, Itty Bitty?"
"Sure, why?"
"You might want to get a gods-approved version of Dungeon Oratoria."
"Wait, why?"
Loki was already several feet away as she waved over her shoulder, not looking back. "Might be relevant!"