"I see."

Bell bowed his head as his familia members finished their tales. Scant hours had passed since their return to the surface. Bell and Haruhime faithfully relayed everything that had happened during their expedition. In return, the others shared their experiences. Lili had noticed the odd behavior of the remaining adventurers above ground and realized Finn left them behind for a purpose–she realized he had forseen the possibility that monsters could spill out of the dungeon. With Hestia's permission, Welf and Mikoto joined with Takemikazuchi's followers and helped fortify Babel Plaza. They had been in the heart of the surface battle when Cel overcame the last of Ouranos' strength. Lili, meanwhile, had been asked to escort Hestia to Maria's Orphanage on Daedalus Street. They made it halfway to the Hostess as the first monsters broke past the defenders in the plaza, but Lili had been able to protect them long enough to reach the lights coming from the Hostess of Fertility's windows. Any monster that fell within that light was almost instantly obliterated by Momma Mia; the Level 6 dwarf suffered nothing to live that might prey upon those within her sphere of protection. They lowered their eyes as they finished their stories, Welf crossing his arms as he leant against the wall, sporting a scar down his right cheek and favoring his leg.

Thinking to the terrible flow of monsters streaming towards the surface with a fury sent a shiver down Bell's spine. There had been something in the air at that instant; he could feel the moment the old god Ouranos lost his grip on the dungeon as Cel unleashed her anger. He remembered the body bags lining the plaza, the rubble and blood and ash, the screaming of the wounded and the face of the man who had lost his daughter. They had all been through so much, everyone. He had wanted so badly to protect them, to protect everyone by helping Finn and the others end Cel. Yet, everyone had been drawn into the fight anyway. Despite knowing he had followed orders, he felt like a failure. Finn had been very specific with Bell about his role in the invasion. Against Cel and her Corrupted Spirit, Bell's strong, flashy attack was meant to take out the Spirit and serve as a distraction–he had never been expected to deliver the killing blow on the goddess. However, the Spirit, Gugalanna, had split herself into hundreds of demi-spirit seeds that spread across the room; by the time he had charged his skill, there hadn't been a single target to destroy, only the ones directly before him. For his second objective...

Bell frowned, still staring at the floor. Finn had failed. Unleashing everything he had into distracting the insane goddess, Bell had been elated at the sight of the Fortia Spear piercing her heart...and then it wasn't. If Finn hadn't missed, so much suffering could have been avoided. Still, Bell did not blame him. It was an extraordinary situation and that strike would have killed anything else in the dungeon. His frown deepened. But Finn had missed twice. The second time, Bell had been shocked at the savage bloodlust in the tiny prum's eyes as he wasted a second opportunity. He, too, had cried out when Tione was wounded, but even Bell knew that their mission had to take priority–there was too much at stake, yet Finn made it personal, had placed his desire for revenge above the goal of the expedition, above the lives of his party, above the lives of every person in the world. Bell thought about his admiration towards the legendary pallum. He had sacrificed his greatest attribute–intelligence–to blindly rage against the one who had wounded his heart. One one hand, Bell sympathized; what would he do if Ais had been the one so grievously hurt? On the other hand, Finn's rage had made him enough a target and a distraction that the others had been given room to maneuver and Tiona had been able to finally kill her. Did he still admire Finn? Was he still a hero? Or was he just a man? Bell was afraid he was watching one of his idols fall and he wasn't sure how it made him feel. It certainly made him rethink the kind of hero he wanted to be. But none of that mattered now. He clenched his knees in a white-knuckled grip. His familia had suffered...but the job wasn't done.

"Guys..." Bell took a moment to make sure his voice was normal. It took longer than expected to work the lump out of his throat. "I'm sorry. Our victory came too late and at an incredibly high cost. None of you, none of them," he gestured to a window looking into the city, "should have had to pay for our failure. We were too slow." He bowed his head again. "I'm sorry."

Small, soft fingers cradled his chin, gently raising his head up. Bell opened his eyes as his goddess left a soft, warming kiss on his forehead. Smiling down at him, she sat on the couch between he and Haruhime, dragging each of them into her for a hug. Disengaging, she rose to gather Welf, Mikoto, and Lili whom she also embraced before leading them to site around her in a semi circle as she resumed her seat beside Bell.

"It's okay," she said softly. She placed a finger under Bell's chin as his head began to dip again. "It's okay," she repeated, taking his hand. "This is a blessed day, not only for the Lower World, but for our familia. All of you stood for the good of others; you are all heroes this day. And because of your bravery, tonight we are a whole family. There are not many who can make that claim." She squeezed Bell's hand. "So don't you think you failed down there. Orario was built to stop monsters, and last night it was called upon to fulfill its duty. Above ground and in the dungeon, the adventurers of Orario made the world proud."

"The job's not done yet." The others looked at Bell as their captain spoke wearily. This was not a topic he was eager to pursue, but one that was best brought up sooner than later. "Killing Cel was only half the job. Her last, greatest creation is still out there. The One-Eyed Black Dragon. Somehow, some way, we need to find and kill it." Bell flexed his fingers around his Hestia's, looking his goddess in the eye. "I made a promise. It's not just fulfilling the Great Quests; I promised to help restore Ais' family. That includes Miss Tione, now." He placed his other hand atop Hestia's, holding her hands between his as he pleaded. "Please, kami-sama. I know this makes you unhappy, but I ask you understand and help me. When Loki Familia calls, I must go with them. Please, goddess."

Hestia softly smiled down at her first child. He was not asking for permission; his look was identical to when he was preparing to face Asterius. His decision had been made; he only asked for them to not stand in his way. "That won't be a problem," she said gently. "We've already discussed it. We're coming with you."

Bell looked at them sharply, but Welf quickly cut him off. "Ah, don't even think about trying to talk us out of it, Bell." Despite his injuries, the redheaded smith had the familiar mischievous glint in his eye. The others, too, smiled with the resolve of adventurers as they looked at their friend and captain. "We've already discussed it. You've left us behind too many times. Level difference be damned, we say." He clapped a hand to Bell's shoulder. "This time, we're all going."

Their determination hardening his own, Bell didn't even think of rejecting his family. "Alright, then. Let's get to training."

Ais thoroughly inspected Desperate. Satisfied, she sheathed her sword and stowed away her cleaning cloth and sharpening stone. This wing of the manor was quiet. The familia was in the main hall listening to Riveria's debriefing. Finn had yet to return from Miach Familia's clinic; Tiona, too, remained at her sisters side. Ais had stopped by briefly before being turned away for lack of room. She intended to go to Bell, but upon arriving outside his home she had seen him through the window. Emotionally stunted as she was, she still recognized the healing words of a concerned goddess. She would have gotten in the way. Deciding her time was best spent preparing for the battle ahead, she went to her room to see to her gear. The Black Dragon was next. Her desire to fight the beast ignited her soul, the glyphs in her skill slot, Avenger, burning fiercely into her back. Closing her eyes, she sought out her connection with Bell. He had been calmed; she knew his goddess had soothed away most of his distress. She borrowed some of that calm now, fortifying herself, allowing their strange connection to fill her with the sense of cleansing peace she always felt in his presence. She grinned slightly as she rose to set Desperate on her desk. She wouldn't be lost again. Deciding to go help tend the wounded in their infirmary, Ais reminded herself that they would get her mother back, and when they did she would be a daughter to be proud of.

Down in the main hall of Twilight Manor, Loki sat at the periphery of the room, idly playing with her fingers as Riveria briefed everyone. Calmly slipping away, she made her way to the cellar. Expertly finding her way through the dark, she reached the last vault a few minutes later. Striking a match, she lit the small oil lamp hanging in the vault archway. The light glinted off of dusty bottles racked around the room's three walls. Marks in the dust showed a table had recently been removed, leaving two chairs facing each other. Loki casually straddled the empty chair, leaning forward on two legs to grin at the occupant chained to the second. Even divine beauty was difficult to see through the matted hair plastered with blood and sweat to a swollen face. Dian Cecht remained immobile, only moving his eyes to avoid direct contact with the goddess in front of him. Loki had trained him well.

"Ya know, I never really liked ya, ya know? Ya were always such a pompous, selfish ass, even in heaven. But, ya managed to make a name for yerself here. The people of the Lower World believe in ya; trust ya. And ya betrayed them. No, no!" She put a finger to the god's lips as he rose his head to defend himself. "Ya don't get to pretend to be some noble voice of the people protestin' against my familia's foolish invasion. Yer sworn to heal and provide, yet ya harmed and took away from this city. This city of adventurers, tasked with destroyin' the threat of the dungeon; ya killed over thirty of them and put at risk almost seventy more."

Through Finn's oculus, Loki immediately knew what had happened. She had ordered her remaining, low-leveled followers to raid Dian Cecht Clinic and warehouses. Most of his familia's supplies were now spread across the city's other healing oriented familia's and those who were part of his designs apprehended, handed over to Astrea Familia for justice. The god himself, however...Loki wanted him all to herself.

"But, our time is comin' to an end. Oh," she said to the sudden gleam of hope in his eyes. "Don't think yer gettin' off so..." she smacked him hard across the most swollen part of his face, "easily. I got some people here who want a word with ya."

At her beckoning, a dozen men an women filed into the room. All wore Dian Cecht's emblem on their collar. Loki motioned for the leader to step forward. Lowering her hood, Airmid looked pitifully down at her god. Pulling a potion from her robes she splashed its contents across his brow. As his injuries faded, they were finally able to recognize their patron deity. Not one shied away as they let their Saint take the lead.

Airmid explained how she had never held Miach Familia in very high regard–after all, her only interactions with them had been through supply contracts that Naaza had, by necessity, been vicious about–until recently. Experiencing the warm, dedicated environment Miach provided and the lengths they went to in order to provide for those around them despite their poverty moved her. She felt every memory of her time in Dian Cecht Clinic grow cold. She felt despair at the thought that so many years of her life had been wasted following a god more concerned with gold than good. He had broken her faith beyond repair when he chose gold over life in the dungeon; it was only Miach's honest nature that had saved the Saint in her moment of greatest doubt. She demanded Conversion.

Knife in hand, Loki pounced as Dian Cecht struggled in sudden fury at his followers words. "Now, now," she hissed, grabbing his wrist. With a sharp twist eliciting a cry of pain, she turned his hand palm up and slashed the exposed flesh. Blood dripping steadily to the floor, she locked eyes with the chained deity. "I'll have none of that. One way or another, yer leavin' Orario. Either ya refuse to release yer people and I send ya back to Tenkai..." she wiggled the blood-soaked knife in front of his face, "and all yer people are free to convert, or ya release yer most talented and famous kids and take the rest with ya. Try to start again outside the city. Yer choice."

It didn't take long for Dian Cecht to break eye contact. Head bowed, he asked Airmid to turn around. In moments, all his follower's Status' were unlocked. Airmid leading the way, they all left without a backwards glance. Leaning forward, Loki unlatched the chains restraining the beaten god. "One last thing," she said, twirling a pair of manacles between them. "Yer gonna turn yerself in to Astrea Familia." She raised an eyebrow as he started to open his mouth. She smiled as he wisely refrained from speaking. "Ya broke the trust of the people and yer gonna answer for it. I expect a report that ya've admitted yer crimes to Astrea personally within the next couple hours."

Watching him go, shoulders slumped and eyes downcast, she knew there wouldn't be any problems. Just one more left, she thought as the man disappeared from view. Issuing a sharp whistle, there was a brief pause before a loud thump came from behind her. Turning, she saw Asfi al Andromeda lying on the cellar floor.

"Hey there!" Loki was surprised. "Finn said ya took a helluva hit down there; I'm surprised to see ya on yer feet so soon." Something dark flashed across the young woman's eyes; she wasn't completely over the experience. Inwardly, Loki scowled at Hermes. He must have something up his sleeve to make this poor kid take on such a dangerous mission so soon after the invasion. Watching the horror play through her eyes, she decided to relent. "Let her up, yeah? It's okay."

One of Loki's children, the Level 4 cat-person Anakitty, came into view perched atop Asfi. Two Hades Head caps were clutched in her fist; hers, and the one she had removed from her captive. "These things are pretty neat," Loki said, nodding at Andromeda's inventions. "Ya've really helped out a lotta people with your gizmos...but yer not so great at accountability. How much have ya given out that ya never got back?" She waved a hand at the young woman's chagrined face. "No matter. Yer not in trouble. Not so long as ya deliver a message to Hermes for me."

Accepting Anakitty's hand, she stood tall before Loki. "What message?"

"I don't want him interferin' in this business with Dian Cecht. He might think the quickest way to provide stability is to keep the public's trust in him, use him as a puppet to help guide the people back to a sense of normalcy."

Asfi frowned. "That doesn't sound so bad. Why not pursue that path?"

Loki's frown matched Asfi's. "Because comin' clean and lettin' people see what's wrong will be better for the children of this world in the long run. They need to learn to figure things out for themselves. That's the message I want ya to pass on." Loki turned and head down the dark passageway Dian Cecht had shambled down. A quick gesture to Anakitty and the cat-person tossed a Hades Head cap to Asfi before falling into step behind her goddess. Loki didn't look back as she said "The age of gods is coming to an end."

The muffled scrape of straw on stone mixed unpleasantly with wails from the wounded and bereaved. Workers swept ash from monster corpses and tended those who could be tended; others pressed merchant wagons into service as funeral carts, pairs of men working to stack bodies as respectfully as possible. Still others ran to fight fires or provide some sort of other emergency relief work. In the midst of all of it stood a man in nondescript clothing, clutching a scarf to his face to keep the ash out of his mouth as he surveyed the scene around him. The wind shifted, his feathered cap slightly lifting off his head to reveal a tasseled mop of orange hair. He spoke as a young human woman came into view behind him.

"What do you think, Asfi?" She had never heard his voice so leaden. He waved a heavy hand at the scene before them. "What do you think the songs and legends of today will sound like in a thousand years? Will they remember the pain and suffering? The cries of terror and anger? The confusion, frustration, and hurt that permeates the air?" Hermes scoffed. "Does any legend paint a realistic picture of what heroes actually had to face, accurately describe what heroes had to overcome?"

Asfi was silent. Unsure how to respond, she decided to report on her mission. "Hermes, Lady Loki requests that..."

"I have no intention of stepping in." Asfi looked shocked at the sudden response. Hermes continued. "She's right. The age of gods is ending." Eyes narrowed, he tipped his hat low before striding purposefully towards the heart of the city. "But there are still things we can do."

Two days after the invasion force returned the city had largely been cleaned up. The fires had been put out and the dead had been disposed of with dignity. Still, there was a lot of damage to be repaired and the spirit of the people would take far longer to heal. Orario was a city in mourning, unready for another adventure. Despite the monumental nature of their goal, those who were known to be venturing forth to battle the One-Eyed Black Dragon were treated with scorn. It was under this foreign atmosphere of thinly veiled contempt that Ais carried a crate from her home to the Hearthfire Manor. She had never borne the ill-will of the common folk before; it was a relief when Haruhime welcomed her inside with a smile. Setting the crate on the living room floor, she opened it to pull out a deep red cloak.

"Salamander Wool," she said. "I know you already have some in stock, but considering the information Finn and Loki got, they want everybody involved to be as well-provisioned as possible. This is leftover from our expedition to the fifty ninth floor. We were expecting blizzard-like terrain...but the Corrupted Spirit had altered everything, so we never used it." She stepped back, allowing everyone to pick through the crate for items that might fit.

"What information did Finn and Loki get?" Lili was in Commander mode as she held a woolen undershirt up to size against her chest. "You make it seem like we're headed into a blizzard."

Ais nodded. "Yes." The others stopped digging around, looking at her in mild alarm. None of them had fought in blizzard conditions before. "Ouranos told us that the dragon is located far to the north in a place where the air is supposed to be so heavy with cold that merely breathing can stun the most stubborn of adventurers."

"Wonderful," Welf said. He noticed the others looking at him. He shrugged and tested the fit of a long jacket. "Well. I'm always up for trying new things."

Ais continued like Welf hadn't interfered. "Ouranos theorizes the dragon flew north to find a place like its original home in the dungeon. We have no idea what challenges the terrain will impose nor do we know the full extent of the capabilities of the beast we're facing."

"Sounds pretty bad," Hestia said. She had worked her way between Lili and Bell and was rummaging through the box. She began playing with a sweater, saying she liked the color but was disappointed at the lack of room of in the chest region.

"Stop messing around, Lady Hestia!" Lili chided as the tiny goddess tossed the sweater haphazardly across the room. "This is serious business and will you please stop messing with our inventory!?"

Hestia squealed with delight as she pulled out a silver headband set with a small, elegant ruby. It reminded her of her Bell-kun's eyes. "Hey, Wallenwhatsit!" Ais turned, accustomed to Hestia's unusual manner of address. "What's this thing do?"

"The ruby is enchanted to have the same effects as Salamander Wool. It should help the wearer resist both flame and extreme cold temperatures."

Hestia exclaimed happily as she thread the band through her hair. It fit perfectly. Lili was not amused. "Seriously, Lady Hestia! Please leave these things alone so that people who really need these items can get at them!"

"But I do need them, Miss Supporter," Hestia said calmly. Making one final adjustment she turned to face everyone. Along with the headband she had also discovered a pair of pants and a shirt that, miraculously, fit. "How else would I be able to accompany you?"

The uproar was immediate, but quieted down after a few tense minutes. The journey to face the dragon would take months, at least. She could not–would not–be apart from her family for so long. Everyone was surprised when Ais weighed in.

"I respect that." She blushed slightly as everybody looked at her. "Loki is coming, too. Of course, our familia's are the only ones devoting the whole of our strength against this foe." She bowed her head. "Loki Familia is bad news right now; despite what we accomplished together, Finn doesn't command the same respect as before. Our recruiting has fetched us few allies. We had over a hundred adventurers when we left to kill Cel; nearly a hundred fifty with the Xenos. Now, including deities..? We have twenty."

That news marinated for several uncomfortable moments. Nobody said anything, but it was clear they were all thinking the same thing. Considering their numbers–minus the goddesses–and the levels of each adventurer there, their combat strength was less than one half of what Zeus alone had when he and Hera had both been wiped out. That meant their fighting strength was only a quarter of that which had failed so spectacularly last time. Even Ais knew how bleak the odds were. For her it didn't matter–her goal demanded the attempt be made regardless of their chances of success. She was incredibly relieved and happy to discover, however, that the one closest to her also did not feel despair. Through their link she felt his calm, reassuring presence–she knew, beyond a doubt, his confidence was unshakable.

Bell came beside Ais to squeeze her hand. He addressed his familia. "It doesn't matter. Others before us have failed, but they aren't us. And we have something they didn't."

"What's that?" Haruhime was wide-eyed. She loved when Bell looked like that; the resolute demeanor, the poise–it was the image of a hero taken straight from her favorite tales.

"Need." The others looked askance at their captain. "Need," Bell repeated. He squeezed Ais' hand again. "Zeus and Hera didn't need to destroy the dragon. We do. We helped kill an insane goddess...but her power is still out there, absorbed by the dragon." The others nodded. Given their level of cooperation, Finn had given them regular intelligence updates. Hestia, too, was involved in the planning with Loki and Ouranos. They knew everything that was known or suspected about their target. "Our job isn't done until we destroy the last vestige of Ouranos' mistake." And I need to help Ais save her family; Bell kept his final thought hidden. "We need to end the threat to the Lower World. And we will."

Warmth slowly spread through the room at Bell's confidence, breaking the icy hold on the others. Uncertainty melting away, they resumed their search through the gifted Salamander Wool. Looking on, Ais and Bell remained holding hands. They didn't need words to convey comfort or support. Holding each other in their hearts, they were prepared for whatever may come.

Across the city, stones skipped across the surface of Orario's curtain wall. In the forgotten place that played host to Ais and Bell's secret training sessions, a lone elf despondently kicked loose pebbles as she shambled aimlessly.

"I was...a mistake?"

With a gentle crackle like thunder in the distance, the storm cloud that entered her in the deepest part of the dungeon left her body, twisting to take the form of a wizened old man. The ancient Great Spirit Jupiter was still inside Lefiya, technically. He said it was part of the bonding process that they would always be together, unless he chose to leave. He had the ability, however, to project himself in such a way that he seemed a separate entity, like now, as he fell into step beside the saddened mage. "That's a pretty harsh way of looking at it," he said playfully. "It was a case of mistaken identity...but bonding with such a beautiful maiden could never be called a mistake!"

"Ugh!" Creepy old man, she thought for the thousandth time. An image of the old man winking, saying "You know it!" came unbidden to her mind. "Hey!" She whipped around. "I told you to stop that! Besides, Loki ordered you to stay hidden. Go away."

Jupiter shrugged and raised his upturned palms. "Can't. All part and parcel, Milady. I'm a part of you, now. And don't we make a great team! I mean, come one! I've never worked with a mage before and how awesome were we? Besides," he leaned over and bumped shoulders with his partner; an arc of electricity snuggled warmly into her body. "I thought you came to this secret place because you needed to talk."

Lefiya sunk lower into her sadness. "Yeah. That's what makes it even worse. I really like part–part!–of this partnership. But it was never meant for me. You were meant for the supposed 'hero' sent by Zeus. You were meant for Bell." Lefiya had come to terms with Bell and Ais' relationship; she had thought she had lost her jealousy and come into an honest rivalry with the human boy. But this, sharing such intimate space with a powerful being that increased her power and usefulness to such an insane degree...and knowing it was a mistake. That it had been meant for him. She couldn't help but feel jealous. "Now...we're out of danger now, but we're headed towards the fight you say you were meant for. The Living End. You can go to him, you know. That human." She carefully avoided meeting his eyes.

You can't really hide anything from me, Beautiful! Jupiter's voice sang in her head. His physical body reached out to lift her chin. Finally able to clearly see her face, he said "And I don't want you to try. I may not have made the choice expected of me, but I refuse to believe I made the wrong one. You're stuck with me, beautiful maiden."

"R-really? You really mean that?"

"Oh, yeah!" Jupiter clapped her back like an old comrade."You're totally hot."

"Not what I meant, and you know it!"

"Haha! Yep, you're stuck with me. We're awesome together! Besides..." a lecherous grin flashed through her mind. "I've never experienced such an amazing bath time!"

"Ugh!" Lefiya knew she'd never stop being revolted by her new personal poltergeist. Even though her natural elven sensibilities concerning personal space and perversion were constantly, intimately affronted, she knew Jupiter wasn't really a bad guy. He just needed a strong hand. "That's it!" She said with finality. "From now on, I will always bathe alone." Jupiter groaned before pointing out that other women were a distraction anyway–after all, who could possibly be better than Lefiya herself? "Blindfolded!" Lefiya screamed, fighting the terrible blush that warmed her cheeks.

Chuckling as he let go of his human form to return to the elf, Lefiya walked away fighting a small smile of her own. She wasn't a mistake. She and Jupiter were partners. Looking at the paper in her hands, the small grin widened to a full smile. Her status sheet featured a surprise–a new developmental ability.

Spirit Connection.

Tossing the paper in the air, she watched it play in the breeze for a moment before casting firebolt to incinerate it. "Show off," she grumbled to Jupiter. The lightning aspect of the spell glistened with extraordinary power that a short-cast spell should never have. It was the signature of that lightning in the spells Lefiya cast in the dungeon that drew his attention in the first place; he told her it was 'of Zeus.' Inside, Jupiter grinned at her pleasure. Rejuvenated, she head back towards home. Bell Cranel had given her two gifts when he gave her his spell. She had the partner she never knew she needed.

The next day was set for their departure. Gathered by the city's north gate, Bell counted the adventurers with them. The whole fighting force of Loki and Hestia Familia's were there, but only a smattering of other deities were represented. Miach had supplied Airmid, who was sitting in the seat of one of three supply carriages. Freya had supplied her two most powerful followers, Ottar and Allen Fromel, but none others had come. Hermes was there chatting with Hestia and Loki, Asfi at his side. Bell raised a hand in warm greeting to Ryuu, busy talking with a handful of other elves–fellow members of Astrea Familia who were staying behind to keep the peace in the city. And that was it. Three wagons, three deities, and fewer than twenty adventurers. This is it, Bell thought to himself. This is what mortalkind has to offer against the greatest threat it has ever known. Clutching the Hestia Knife, he steeled himself. It would have to be enough.

"It's the only one you have, right?" Bell turned to find Welf beside him. The smith nodded to the black blade. "You lost the others, yeah?"

Bell nodded. "When Cel died, everything connected to living things in the dungeon was destroyed with her. Not just magic stones and the Xenos; even drop items." Hakugen and Ushiwakamarunishiki, being made from the horns of a unicorn and a minotaur, had disintegrated. Many of the adventurers present had weapons, armor, or components that had been lost permanently or that had lost some utility. Many had been unable to replace them with suitable items. "It's not just our numbers. We have fewer and lower quality supplies than we're used to. It's going to be rough."

Welf nodded. "Don't worry too much. We'll be traveling for months; plenty of time for me to whip up a few things. I've got a little mobile forge, courtesy of Lady Hephaestus."

Bell wasn't sure what emotion was on his face at saying the goddess of the forge's name. "Welf?"

The smith shook himself. "It's nothing. Just a few things she said to me before we left." Looking away in the direction of Hephaestus Familia's home, he waved at hand at the city around them. "Know where we are, Bell?" He continued when the white haired boy shook his head. "This is the Industrial District. My old shop is just a few streets away, remember? Remember how loud this part of the city was? Couldn't even hear yourself think half the time. Listen now."

Bell cocked his head. He hadn't considered the silence. "It's dead."

Welf pointed a finger at his friend. "Right in one. This place produced thousands of magic stone products every day. This place made goods that were shipped all over the world. Now it's dead. We killed it. I don't resent what you did," Welf said hastily to Bell's shocked face. "No, killing her was necessary. It's just...this city, the world, was made the way it was after Ouranos' example. The gods came down and helped structure everything the way we know today." Looking around at the empty buildings and destroyed livelihoods, he asked "Do you think we rely on the gods too much?"

Bell was quiet. His devotion to Hestia was beyond question. Faith in his deity aside, he knew from experience how fickle and capricious gods and goddesses could be. "I don't know," he finally said. "But...they always separate the Lower and Upper Worlds very clearly when they speak. Maybe they have been reminding us that this is our world, not theirs. Maybe we just haven't listened well enough."

"An astute observation."

Hermes appeared behind the two young men. "This isn't our world." He leaned in, orange eyes more serious than any time Bell had seen them. "I want you to remember something, Bell. The gods weren't always here on Gekai. And we won't always be." Leaning back, he pushed his hat up as he slowly walked away. "Sometimes, a person just has to push with everything they have against overwhelming odds, even if everything else seems lost. Like the heroes of ancient times did."

Before Bell could call after the retreating god, Finn jumped atop a carriage and took command of the group. There were no grand speeches. The few adventurers there knew what they were about and there were no crowds to see them off. Just a handful of low-leveled familia members wishing individuals well mixed with a few relatives saying their goodbyes. It was without fanfare they departed, Asfi–the most well-versed in terrain outside the city–leading the way.

Bell noticed immediately they were not heading due north. He turned to Ais, walking beside him. "Finn didn't say anything about a detour. Where are we headed?" All the blonde knight could do was shake her head.

The light had begun to shift when they saw the roofs of several large buildings poking through the treetops. The land had begun to rise; there were in the foothills of a mountain range. Following the road around a hill, the war party was met with a gate. Two guards nervously watched the group of adventurers as Finn approached.

"Greetings!" the prum called. "We're here to collect our supplies."

The guards shook and stuttered as they said that Finn and his group wasn't expected. Weapons trembled in their hands as Finn's voice grew dark.

"Where is Demeter?"

"Our Lady isn't here!" One guard squeezed out. He raised his spear against the group. "Th-there is nothing for you here, Braver! These warehouses store emergency famine relief supplies for Orario! They aren't meant to be taken."

Finn could have been made of stone for the emotion he showed. "Demeter owes us. She owes Hermes and she owes me...personally. She promised us a portion of the contents of these warehouses and I will collect."

Though terrified, the other guard joined the first. Raising his spear, he pleaded with the angry pallum. "P-Please, Sir! We haven't received any such orders! These stores are meant for Orario! Things are already bad enough, if there's another emergency..!"

The two men were on the ground an instant later, Finn standing between them. "Stay down," he said. Directing his attention to the party, he quickly ordered their two wagons be brought to the nearest warehouse and filled. Accompanied by adventurers, several dull thumps sounded as whatever Demeter Familia guards posted there were quickly overcome, the locks busted, and bags of food laid into the wagon beds.

"What is going on, Ais?!" Bell was incredibly agitated. "How did this turn into a raid against a farming familia?"

"Let's ask," Ais looked equally as troubled. Raiding was not their way.

Finn observed the work being carried out. The first wagon was already half full; if they continued to make good time, they'd stay right on track. His neck hairs raised at the presence behind him. Turning to meet Ais and Bell, he bit back the irritated response playing on the tip of his tongue. He raised a hand. "I know. This wasn't supposed to happen. Demeter is, apparently, trying to go back on a promise. I'm simply not letting her. I am taking what we're owed. Nothing more."

Ais, having lived with and even been partially raised by the man, slowly fell back into line. Though she didn't like how things were playing out, she trusted Finn as a person that he–and they–were in the right. Bell was not so convinced. Seeing Finn as a hero, a living legend, and already harboring doubts about how a hero should behave, Bell wanted more.

"We don't have to do things this way!" Bell said. Meeting Finn's darkened eyes, he did his best not to flinch. "I mean, you said you had an agreement with Lady Demeter, right? We could just send a messenger and clear everything up without fighting."

"I already asked if Demeter was here. She wasn't. Or the guards weren't willing to fetch her. Either way, it amounts to the same thing. See this?" Finn walked to the second wagon and lifted the canvas back. It was empty. "That's it. That is what I was able to gather for provisions from the city. We took so much for our last invasion and the people suffered. Most of what we took was poisoned by that..." Finn bit his lip, "...Dian Cecht. I'm sure you observed the lack of support as we left Orario. If they don't care to say goodbye to us, what makes you think they'd care to feed us? We're on our own, so I leveraged what I had over Demeter to get her to promise these supplies."

"Leveraged...blackmail?" Despite seeing where Finn was coming from, this did not sit well with him. "You blackmailed a goddess?"

"She was part of Evilus, Bell. Well, partially," he appended to Bell's shock. "Demeter was drawn into an Evilus plot a few months ago and tried to provide cover for their operations. She agreed to outfit our war party in exchange for me forgetting that part of her history."

"Still..." Bell tried to find the words. "Even if that was the agreement, we didn't have to attack these people. We'll be traveling for months and Orario isn't far behind us. We could have waited a day for a peaceful resolution."

Finn lost his temper. Grabbing Bell roughly by the arm, the boy found himself rushed to the carriage Airmid drove. Checking nobody else was around, Finn took a deep breath before parting the canvas. Donated by Miach and driven by Airmid, Bell had assumed it was full of medicine and healing items. This was true...but they weren't supplies for the expedition force. Nestled securely on a makeshift cot, laying as if in the deepest sleep, Tione rested. Dropping the canvas, Finn turned to Bell and Ais, who had followed and seen the wounded Amazon.

"There is no time to argue or debate." Finn tried his best to calm down. He recognized, after all, how questionable this whole affair may seem to an outsider. A raid like this was not how he liked to operate. But he refused to waste time, even a single afternoon, if it meant Tione being held captive that much longer. Still, Bell was part of his war party and he would not allow dissent. "You don't have to like it, Bell. But you're a part of it." Bell wasn't sure if he imagined it or not, but he thought a hint of real emotion tinted the prum's voice. He was desperate. "Will you help me?"

Staring at the canvas covering the woman who sacrificed herself for love of her captain, Bell nodded wordlessly as he moved to help those loading the wagons.

They pushed hard the rest of the day, stopping to set up camp just before sunset. Accustomed to sharing a tent during the dungeon invasion, Ais and Bell worked companionably setting up their tent, much to the shock of the rest of Hestia Familia. Mumbling that at least he'd have more room to spread out, Welf set to raising his own tent while the girls grumbled that coed tents weren't fair. Nobody raised any serious complaints, however–after getting to know Ais during her many visits to their home and seeing how she and their friend interacted, they knew there had never been a battle for his heart. It had always been hers. Campfire discussion that night wasn't particularly lively; the days events and the rough pace Finn set pushed the lower-level adventurers pretty hard. Finishing a spartan meal, they quickly said their goodnight's and went to their tents.

"Ais..." Laying down together, Bell found her hand in the dark and pulled her closer. Snuggling into into him, she asked if everything was okay. He frowned. "I'm not sure. Did Finn seem...off...to you today?"

Blonde hair assaulted his nose as she nodded against his chest. "Yes. But I think it's to be expected. Orario is against us. I think he's upset at the city; not that he's lost fame or status, but in the people themselves. He believed in the city, their adventuring spirit. He's been the strongest, most influential voice pushing for adventurers to complete the mission Orario tasked them with...and they lost their spirit. He brought us all here and he's doing it almost alone. That pressure is hard on anyone." She hugged Bell tightly. "And that doesn't even get to Tione. She was far more important to him than he ever let on. I think...I think her getting hurt broke something in him. He's not the same. But he's still Finn. He's still our leader."

Thinking of Aria and Ais, Bell thought he had an inkling of what Finn might be feeling. The difference between Ais and Finn was time–she had nine years or training and instruction, plus she had been gradually fortified with companions. For Finn, everything was still fresh. Was he acting out now as badly as Ais had when she was little?

"No." Bell hadn't realized he'd asked the last question aloud. During their time together on the surface before the invasion they had discussed a great number of things; her childhood and start in the Loki Familia among them. He was a little surprised at her frank admission of being a troublesome brat–her words–but was brought to smiles at seeing her evolution into the woman she became. "Finn is way more together than I was. I shed myself of everything nonessential to my goal. Finn has at least a veneer of being civilized." Bell felt her spirits dip. "But he's close."

Ducking his chin, Bell pressed a kiss onto her crown as he held her closer. There were a lot of unknowns in their journey; many in their own party. He didn't know how things would pan out, but there was one thing he knew for sure.

"Everything will be fine, Ais." He gently pushed himself back to look into her eyes. "We'll get your mother back. And Tione." He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers for a moment before dipping in for a kiss. "I'll do everything in my power to help get your family back."

Drawing him back in for a long kiss, Ais finally broke off to bury her face in his chest. She felt his certainty, his resolve not just through their connection, but in his voice and the way he held her. "I love you," she whispered. She was so happy to have found her hero.

The next several days were uneventful. Asfi led them steadily north at a sustainable pace. At Welf's request Finn began stopping for camp earlier in the day so the smith would have time to craft weapons and armor for the party. Welf worked hard to ensure everybody would be properly kitted by the time they reached their destination. Most of the adventurers trained or spent the evening wandering the area around camp. Finn disappeared every night; it wasn't long before Bell and Ais discovered his destination. Waiting until the others occupied themselves, he slipped off to Airmid's cart. He spent every night in vigil over Tione.

The deities were mostly well-behaved. Hestia and Loki took advantage of being outside Orario to gleefully wander their surroundings. Despite the fact the party had not seen a wild monster–killing Cel apparently killed all the surface monsters, too–their familia's insisted they still went with a guard. Equally drawn to explore, Mikoto and Haruhime often accompanied Hestia while Loki went with Riveria. That made Ais smile. She knew Riveria was driven to explore and see new things. It was why she had left her home all those years ago. Since then, however, she hard scarcely left the dungeon city. It made her happy to see the contented smile that made her adopted mother's face glow.

Hermes, having spent lifetimes outside Orario's walls, wasn't inclined to wander once camp was set. Mostly because he seemed tired; the poor god rested every chance he got. But also a little because Hestia and Loki's squabbles immediately ceased when he was around as they teamed up to berate any small thing they perceived he did wrong. Perhaps there was a reason he was tired.

One day, boisterous and full of vigor, Gareth Landrock set about on a mission to keep morale high. Various games of skill and chance made their rounds of the camp. The dwarf's favorite game, however, was the test of strength–arm wrestling. It was great fun for the adventurers, seeing famous adventurers test themselves against the strongest dwarf in the world. One by one, Gareth yawned and laughed his way to victory. His one defeat came at the hands of Ottar. A level higher and having attained S-rank strength at every previous level, it wasn't much of a challenge, but the show was good. The assembled adventurers guffawed at Gareth's red face as he strained to push the Boaz warrior back even a fraction of an inch. Losing gracefully, Gareth rubbed his wrist as he called on Bell, the last adventurer in line.

Ais rubbed his back reassuringly as Bell took his place across the table. Locking hands, Bell pushed with all his might. Gareth's arm twisted suddenly, getting dangerously close to the table as his eyes widened in shock. Taking his opponent more seriously, Gareth began to take on an light red hue as he pushed back to center. "Not bad, boy!" He blustered. "We've not really had a chance to chat, eh? So, you're the one Ais chose." He looked down his nose at the skinny human. "Not much to look at, but you've got a little something in there, eh?" Pushing Bell's arm down steadily, he grinned. "Oh, come on now, boy! I thought Ais had better taste than this!" Lowering his voice as he leaned in, Gareth whispered "How do you expect to be her hero if this is all you can provide?"

Rubellite eyes burning behind narrowed lids, the air around the two adventurers grew heavy as Bell put his entire will into their battle. Slowly, he fought back to center, each staring at each other over their clenched fists. Both straining, they decided to push at the same time. With a mighty crack, the table they rested on split in two, dwarf and human toppling forward to land in a confused dogpile. Gareth laughed merrily as the crowd around them applauded the show. "Aye, aye! Not at all bad! Good show, lad!" Clapping him on the shoulder as they stood, Bell returned the gesture and offered a crooked smile of his own. He thought he might really like Gareth. In the background, Ais giggled as she watched Riveria roll her eyes.

Eventually, they came to the first village along their route. The villagers were confused, but joyous. New construction projects were evident along the edge of the village and there were signs of new fields being cut out of the wilds. The monsters that preyed on them had gone. They weren't sure they believed the adventurer's story about being the group responsible for ending the threat. Killing an insane goddess, after all, seemed a rather tall tale. Regardless, they were offered a place to kip for the night.

And so they fell into a routine. Weeks stretched into months without incident. It seemed the surface monsters had indeed been eliminated. Welf cranked out goods at an impressive rate; each customer seemed happier than the last. Lili had, to nobody's complaint, taken over camp responsibilities in Finn's absence. The other girls and the goddesses happily ventured around, Mikoto occasionally bringing back game to supplement their dry food stores. Her cooking skills quickly gained a host of admirers amongst the war party.

Bell and Ais grew closer as well. They spent more time together alone than the entirety of the time they'd known each other before. Their new feelings were strange and exciting, but they agreed to hold off advancing the physical aspect of their relationship. They decided they were too young. Besides, discussing the future, they decided they really wanted their life together to fully begin in the safer world they were helping to create. Ais never said anything, but Bell knew she wondered if they would even be on this mission if her parents had waited. It was strange, Bell thought, as they held each other that night. He thought discussing his future with a woman would be terrifying, that he wouldn't be able to string two words together. But with Ais, it was natural. He fell asleep fully aware how lucky he was.

They awoke the next day with mist on every breath. The nights were getting colder and the days shorter. Game became more scarce as they continued, and Finn ordered the Salamander Wool be equipped.

"This is it," Hermes announced as they approached a tiny snow-covered village. "This is the last bit of civilization before entering the northern mountain range. The people that live here are hard, but honorable." Bell noticed this village, unlike other settlements they passed, had no wall or defenses in place. Hermes noticed Bell looking. "Indeed, they've never needed walls or falna to defend their homes. Any wild monster that threatened them would draw out the strength of the entire village."

Examining their supplies, Finn ordered them to pull into the village. The people there knew Hermes; with his aid, they were quickly granted an audience with the village chieftain. A large Boaz woman in furs greeted them. Finn asked about possible trade for food, but their response was less than encouraging. Impatience getting the better of him, the prum stormed out of the room. Following, Bell found their leader leaning against a post not far removed from the village's main thoroughfare.

"Finn?"

Bell moved closer, unsure how the unstable prum would react.

"We need supplies, Bell."

His voice haunting. This was not the same man who led them in the dungeon, the one who encouraged and led the strength of Orario not so long ago. Ais was right, Bell could hear it in his voice. Finn was broken.

"We have weeks of travel left," Finn continued. "It's only going to get colder. Do you know what cold does to a body? You grew up in the mountains, you ought to. But this is a cold like you've never experienced. Your body will shut down long before we even see our opponent if you don't carefully provide for your body's needs. You'll need to eat more just to keep your core body temperature from dropping, and even more to keep you moving forward. And even more if you want to be able to fight!" The thick wooden post shattered in his grip. He turned to face Bell, eyes wide. "We don't have enough. These people do. Before we leave, we'll have enough. Is my meaning clear?"

"Yes," Bell said simply. "But you're not." He gulped at the sudden stillness in the air. Finn was barely keeping it together. If Bell had a misstep, he'd be the one on the ground. "Finn...these are good people. They've done nothing to deserve being stolen from." Feeling the tension rise, Bell raised his hands. "Just, please give me a couple hours. Let me see if I can help. We can't..." Bell straightened his back. He may have idolized the legendary Braver, but Finn was a hurting man with tunnel vision. "We can't do things your way."

Finn moved so fast Bell barely saw a blur. He raised his arms, preparing to get grabbed or knocked to the side. Instead, he found himself gripping palms with the man. "Bell Cranel," Finn said softly. Shame laced the desperate tone Bell heard before. "You are a better man than I. Go," he pushed himself backwards, turning to walk back to Tione's hospital bed. "See that you get what we need. We'll all die if you don't."

Charged with that responsibility, Bell prayed Hermes smooth tongue worked on the people here. He had asked the god to speak to the chieftain while he chased after Finn. Coming back to the room they were in, Bell saw nothing much had changed. The Boaz woman was incredulous that Finn was the one responsible for leading the party that resulted in the annihilation of surface monsters. Not that it mattered to her; her people had dealt with them just fine since time immemorial.

"You too," the Boaz said to Bell as she dismissed Hermes. "Get back to your camp. Our people fought to claim everything we have; there is nothing to spare for you."

"I understand." Bell moved forward, looking up at the tall Boaz woman. "You know our quest?"

She nodded. "The old beast of the mountain. The one that orange-haired man claims destroyed the strength of the south." She leaned down, nose-to-nose with Bell. "What's that to do with my people? The old beast has never bothered us."

"Maybe not," Bell said. "But that's not why you're not helping us."

"Oh?" The chieftain stood up crossing her arms. "Please, what are my true motives, pray tell?"

Reaching in the pouch around his waist, Bell pulled out the familia emblem he took from Asterius' ashes. He heaved a sigh of relief that he was right when he saw the Boaz's eyes widen. "This." Examining it thoroughly after picking it up from Asterius' remains, Bell had at first thought the etching on the back was simply a bunch of scratch marks acquired over time. Approaching the village, however, he recognized it matched the mark symbolizing the home of the village chieftain. Flipping it over to show the mark, Bell said "The people from your village believe in completing the Great Quests. You don't have a problem with our goal. You just don't believe we're going to succeed."

"And why waste resources on a doomed venture?" The large woman didn't shy away from admitting Bell was right. "We have observed your party for the past few days. You have less than a quarter the fighting strength of Zeus and Hera. You have no hope." Sniffing, she waved a hand at the emblem Bell held. "Where did you get that anyway?"

He decided to be honest. To his thinking, these people practically living in the shadow of the black dragon probably knew more about it than any other people alive. And if they stayed here out of a connection to Zeus, judging those who came to fight the beast, then maybe they knew about Zeus' trump card. "We have Jupiter."

The reaction was immediate. Within moments the chieftain had gripped her heart while reached forward to hold Bell's collar. Breathing heavily, she demanded he prove it. Fetching Lefiya-Jupiter, Loki and Hestia following in their wake, Jupiter came out to a grand reception he thoroughly enjoyed.

"Don't get too cocky," Lefiya snorted at the old man. She directed her attention to the bowing Boaz. "Please, do not inflate his ego. He's already plenty troublesome enough."

Standing, the tall woman took a few moments to gather herself before issuing orders to resupply the party. Though she didn't know how they hoped to prevail, she was not going to second guess the will of the Great Spirit. Leaving the room in the rush of sudden activity, Bell met Finn's eyes as the prum stuck his head out of Tione's carriage. Watching the villagers load their wagons, Finn nodded thanks. Bell return the nod as Finn ducked back in the carriage, heaving a sigh of relief that Finn hadn't pressed the issue. Stealing to provide for his people wasn't the kind of hero–wasn't the kind of man–Bell wanted to be. He would be lying if he said he wasn't also relieved to avoid a stain on Finn's reputation. However strained his emotional state may be right now, Bell didn't want a few rash actions tainting the memory of the man. Asking a passing villager what bags were to be loaded, he shouldered a load and got to work, this time with a smile.

The village hosted them with a celebration that night. Though every person there would have said they didn't need the adoration of Orario when they left, it was undoubtedly good for morale to have such support. The villagers also opened their homes to the weary travelers, providing warm beds for the first time in months. For the first time since their journey began, Bell bid Ais goodnight as they went to separate beds. She went peacefully, proud her love had found a solution and provided for their party. He went with questions on his mind. The chieftain had come to him during dinner–him, not Finn–to tell him that there would be help for them at the end of the road. She didn't elaborate on who or in what way that help would take form. Wondering what exactly they were going to find in the coming weeks, Bell pushed through the door to his room.

"Been awhile!" Bell started at Welf's voice. He hadn't realized they were sharing a room tonight. "I may be pretty, but if you try to cuddle with me like your previous roommate, we're going to have problems."

Bell cracked a smile. "No worries." He looked around the room. Welf's gear was stowed away and his bag still tightly packed. Only a red smithing hammer lay across his lap as Welf sat cross-legged on the bed. "What are you up to?"

The smith ran his fingers down the shaft of the hammer, eyes reflecting the red of the hammerhead. "Thinking," he said. Longing filled his voice. "The last things Hephaestus said to me..." he closed his eyes. A tear trembled at the corner of his eye before falling, following the scar running the length of his right cheek. "I miss her."

"Yeah." Bell sat down beside his friend. "You said things were going great between you." Knowing that Welf would never in good conscience let his familia go into danger without him, Bell said "I'm sure she's proud of you for being here. We all are, and grateful."

He waved a hand. "Of course. It's just...I haven't been able to do it."

Bell cocked his head. "Do what?"

Raising the hammer, Welf asked if he knew what it was. When he casually said 'a hammer,' Welf grinned wryly. "Ha! Not just a hammer. This is a gift from Lady Hephaestus's personal selection." He caressed the head. "It matches her hair." Taking a deep breath, he set the hammer to the side. "She gave that to me when I asked to leave her familia. Using it, I have created one piece that pleased her. Just one."

Reaching behind him, he pulled out a sheathed sword Bell had only caught glimpses of before. "This," Welf said, drawing the blade. White light softly emanated from its length; Bell felt a wave of emotion come when it was bared. It felt all too familiar–it was exactly what he felt when he thought of Ais.

It was love.

"I see," Bell breathed. Welf cocked his head at him. "I think I get your relationship with Lady Hephaestus a lot better now. No wonder you miss her so much."

Welf's jaw dropped slightly before his lips turned into a grin. "You get that too?" At Bell's nod, Welf's smile grew. "Haha! Well, I guess it's proof this isn't a sham." He sheathed the weapon and returned it to its place. "The thing is...I made that for me. I had something very specific in mind...or, rather, I had nothing in mind." He frowned. "I haven't been able to replicate the results. That's what we talked about before I left."

"Smithing?"

"Being a true Master Smith. Do you know how smiths are chosen to join Hephaestus Familia?" He continued when Bell shook his head. "We're shown a sword. A simple blade–nothing magical or particularly special about it. It was crafted by Hephaestus herself with human hands the moment she descended to Gekai. It was made without the use of arcanum or any sort of divine guidance. It is simply a testament to human skill and devotion. The only things that went into that sword are sweat, skill, and dedication. And it is...perfect. It is the lure that draws every able smith in to her familia. We all want to top her creation. That's why I was so eager to party with you when we first met–I wanted to rank up faster, to get more skills and abilities to forge better items, hoping I would be able to reach closer to her."

Welf's chin sank to his chest. "But even with everything I have accomplished, I cannot deliberately find my way there. The sword I just showed you? It was an accident. I have no idea how to create such things at will. I'm not a smith. I'm a joker." Gazing longingly at the hammer he set aside, he said "That's why I'm thinking so hard about what she told me on our last evening together. I know the clue is in there somewhere, but I don't see it."

"What did she tell you?"

Clenching red hair in tight fists, Welf squeezed his eyes shut. Her words were burned into him. "She said that every smith crafted with a vision in mind; something of theirs that they would then pass on to others. She said there was a disconnect between the creator and the buyer that only the creator could bridge. She said this disconnect was the original, ancient source of modern smithing contracts, exclusive business between smith and adventurer." His brows crinkled. "She also said to remember how she was when she created her perfect sword." He leaned back onto the wall behind the bed. "I just don't get it, Bell. What disconnect am I supposed to be bridging? People ask me for things and I make them–they're happy, I'm happy. I don't understand why I can't make things like this," he slapped the handle of the white sword. "And remember how she was? She's a goddess! She's unchanging, immutable...eternal. Was she different when she first descended? I have no way of knowing. I don't understand, and trying to figure it out is driving me nuts. You get it?"

Bell shook his head. Though not as immature as he once was, the mysteries of gods and women were still beyond him. "No. But it kind of sounds like something I'm dealing with." Welf raised an eyebrow in question. "I've been thinking about heroes–who they really were, as people, not storybook versions. And I've been thinking about who I am, the kind of hero I want to be." He stayed open and honest with Welf. The older male knew his desire to become a hero and supported him. He knew Welf was too good to laugh it off. "I think your talk with Lady Hephaestus is the same. I'm looking at Finn and wondering about the kind of man I am and want to be; she seems to be telling you more about the road to being the best version of yourself." Bell laughed. "We're both thinking about the future and have no idea what most of this stuff means."

They shared a laugh. It was nice, Bell thought, being with Welf like this. He thought of something else. "You know, it almost seems like she's trying to show you the road not only to being the best smith you can be, but also the path leading back to her side." He favored Welf with a big smile. "She believes in you, loves you. She wants you back. Even if you can't recreate what you've only done once, at least you know you're loved and supported."

"Sappy," Welf quipped, but he was fighting a quirky grin as he said it. "Ah, shut up!" He smacked Bell's shoulder. Grabbing the hammer and rolling over as he asked Bell to blow out the light, his frown returned. He wanted to be back with his love, but he couldn't appear before her without understanding her words. He thought on them with everything he had as sleep claimed him.

The snow began to fall more and heavily as they went on, the landscape quickly becoming painful to behold in its harsh brightness. The wind picked up, hurling slurries of winter hell at the adventurers with relentless fury. Days of this passed before the mountains came into view. "Don't trust your eyes," the Boaz chieftain had told them. "They are much further away than they appear. When you first make them out, at least two weeks of travel still remain." Every day they grew larger on the horizon and the days grew even shorter, the sun hiding behind its rocky face, burning the mountain's profile into their eyes with its waning rays.

"It's kind of odd, isn't it?" Lili asked, her tiny frame bundled in three layers of Salamander Wool. The cold had begun to affect even the first class adventurers; Lili, Welf and the others were far worse off. "The shape of the mountain. See how the peak is hooked there? I asked Lefiya. Did you know she spent a couple years in Orario's Education District? She said that they were probably carved by water at some point, or possibly wind erosion and landslides. She said there's a lot of possibilities, but still. Odd shape."

"There a point to this, Lil' E?" Welf coughed.

"Not really," Lili hugged her wool tighter. "Just something interesting. And talking helps keep my face from freezing."

Evidently Welf agreed that talking was a survival necessity as they began bickering for the rest of the day. That night, jewel shining brightly in her silver headband, a heavily bundled Hestia mushed through the snow to Bell and Ais' tent. "Excuse me, Wallenwhatsit, but I need my Bell for a moment!" Rolling her eyes at the blonde girl's sad expression, she added "Fine! You're welcome too. Just hurry up!"

She led them to the larger tent she shared with the women of her familia. Inside, Welf and Ryuu had also been gathered alongside Lili, Mikoto, and Haruhime. A small fire burned under a grate with a little tin on top. Carefully removing the lid, Hestia revealed a cake. "Happy anniversary, Bell!"

"...what?" Bell was confused.

"Honestly!" Hestia put her hands on her hips and puffed her cheeks. "Today marks one year since we found each other. Today, it's been one year since the Hestia Familia formed!"

Ais clapped with the rest as recognition dawned on Bell's face. "Oh! Well...thank you, goddess. Happy anniversary." He turned to offer a respectful bow to Ryuu. "I'm very happy you're here as well, Miss Ryuu. We wouldn't even have a familia if not for you."

"It has always been a pleasure." Ryuu graced the group with a rare smile. She had been smiling more and more often lately.

Mikoto cut and served the tiny cake. "I apologize it's not more, Bell-dono," she said shyly. "With rations being what they are, we were lucky to get this."

"It's more than fine! It's great!" Mikoto flushed at Bell's praise. He took a bite. "Excellent!" The ninja bowed her head to hide her blush.

The small group stayed together for the next few hours until Hestia suggested they all stay together for the night since it was so late and cold. They agreed, laughing at Welf's bluster when Lili agreed only after demanding he didn't do anything weird in the girl's tent.

The mountains continued growing larger until one day Finn stopped them earlier than usual. "We're here," he announced. He ground the butt of his new spear into the snow. He was standing just before the land began to rise. "These are the foothills. From here, it will be a few days before we reach that plateau," he pointed with his spear, "where I hope to bait the dragon. We have..."

The most terrible sound Bell ever heard bent the air, turning the air around the war party into a wall of pure pressure that brought them to their knees. Even Ottar, the strongest man in the world, could not stand at the sudden attack. Bell felt the snow rise around him as his body was pushed down. Beside him, Ais and Hestia were also sinking, the shorter women both in more imminent danger of drowning or being crushed in snow than he. Reaching to either side, he managed to push the both of them up and out of immediate danger at the expense of his face slipping below the surface of the snow.

"Bell!"

"Bell, no!"

Ais and Hestia managed to scream their worry, but Bell, completely submerged in the thick snow, couldn't hear them as he used his strength to try to keep the two most important women in his life alive as long as possible. As he was about to run out of oxygen, light flashed red against his eyelids and he felt fingers frantically brushing against his face. Opening his mouth, he sucked frigid air into starved lungs–it was the most excruciating pain he'd ever felt. On his right arm, Ais used her superior reach to dig his face out of the snow. Even as they sank, she and Hestia dug frantically to keep them all alive.

Green light fell on the party. One person had managed to keep their feet. Lefiya-Jupiter cast a protection spell that put Riveria's work to shame. Getting to their feet, the party looked around warily before following Finn's gaze to the top of the mountain.

It moved.

The odd shaped hook Lili noted several days before from dozens and dozens of miles away–what they thought was simply the mountain's peak–moved. An unbelievable portion of the white-hell sky turned deepest black as the dragon unfurled its wings, shaking off the snow that had accumulated as it rested. Rising to stretch to its full height, the party felt a heavy weight bear down on their minds, inciting feelings of panic even in the first class adventurers. The pressure wasn't magic and so Lefiya's magic couldn't protect against it. Bell recognized what it was an instant later–a natural monster ability, unique to the Black Dragon. A psychological attack designed to disorient its prey.

It was looking at them.

That was it. The dragon had noticed them, and even from miles away its gaze was enough to nearly paralyze all those gathered with fear. Unseen in the white-hell, Airmid finished chanting her healing aura, banishing the effects. A few adventurers shook their heads as if to make sure their terror had really gone. Some didn't look convinced. Atop the mountain, the great beast threw its head back and roared, jaws open in terrifying profile, teeth clearly distinguishable even from miles away. The sound wave from its roar crashed against Lefiya-Jupiter's barrier.

It cracked. Then it shattered.

The entire war party was blown backwards, carriages and supplies scattered haphazardly. Before he hit a snowbank, Bell saw Finn stab his spear through the front of Airmid's carriage and deep into the ground, holding it still with all his strength. Clawing his way back to the surface as quickly as possible, he looked up just in time to see the dragon turn and crawl away to the other side of the mountain. They were not decent prey; it was done with them.

Calling out for his goddess, Ais, and familia members, Bell quickly helped dig them out, sighing when all were accounted for. They were shaken, but alive. There were no casualties, but there was also very little hope.

"What the hell was that!" Allen Fromel of Freya Familia hollered. He stomped angrily towards Finn, the tiny prum still clutching his spear and staring hard at where Tione lay. "Well?"

Slowly, Finn stood. "If I had to guess, it was a sonic attack from its roar, followed by a psychological attack from its gaze, and then another sonic attack."

"No shit," Allen spat. He raised his weapon to the mountaintop. "How do you expect us to fight this thing? We just got our asses handed to us and all it did was look at us and make some noise! You hear me, you damned stubborn pallum? We just lost our first battle from miles away, and it didn't even attack us!"

Nobody said a word. Finn twisted the grip on his weapon, staring hard at his thumb. "Make camp," he finally decided. "The dragon is gone; it's decided we're not worthy. We'll be safe here for the night. We'll take this information into account and come up with a plan."

Muttering about the bull plans of fallen legends, Allen pushed his way through the others to dig in the snow for their scattered supplies. The others joined in, eager to set up tents and get warm and safe, even if, in this case, safety was simply hiding behind a piece of cloth and hoping that if they couldn't see the monster, the monster couldn't see them. They quickly froze, joints becoming stiff as they dug through snow and ice to retrieve their gear. Eventually, they were able to settle down before fires in their own tents, but only for a brief time. They knew Finn would want to press on, so they all made their way to his command tent to discuss the coming battle.

It was chaos. Arguments broke out between everyone, most saying that this was a fools quest and should be abandoned. Though they didn't say anything, even Riveria and Gareth, Finn's left and right hand, looked grim. Behind them, Loki, Hestia and Hermes calmly observed the proceedings. Bell was the only only to see Hermes smile as a tendril of cold wind brushed against his neck. Turning, he saw a person enter the tent, casually shaking off snow and kicking boots near the tent flap. Turning, the person lowered his hood and unwrapped the thick scarf keeping his face obscured. A thick grey beard tumbled out, its tangled mass not concealing a hearty smile as he looked at Bell, who felt somewhat faint.

"Hello, Grandfather."