'So Bell Cranel… are thou ready to answer my question.'
The figure which looked like me said with a smile on its face, I could do nothing but gulp.
"What questions," Bell.
'Here is the first one, what is Love?' Bell?
"Love… it is a feeling," Bell.
'What kind of feeling is love, can you express it?' Bell?
"It… if you ask me to express… even I don't know how to," Bell.
'Very well I like your honesty," Bell? Smiled to his reply.
"…" Bell.
'Now then… tell me. Is it wrong to fall in love with a god?' Bell?
"Excuse me?" Bell.
'Tell me, is it wrong to fall in love with a god?' Bell? Looked at him eagerly as he waits for his reply.
The rabbit really doesn't know what the answer is, or does he?
"I… I don't know," Bell.
The figure suddenly dropped the smile making Bell shiver.
'Lie… you know the answer," Bell?
"I really don't!" Bell.
'Perhaps… you are hesitating to accept the answer yourself,' Bell?
"Why would I hesitate for a thing like that?" Bell.
Slowly, a faint light falls on both.
'Seems like this was it for our conversation, we shall meet again,' said the figure as it is slowly blinded by the light.
Bell tried to reach him and grab his hand to stop him.
Ask him what he is doing to his body, his consciousness.
…
My hand felt grabbing something soft and… squishy. I pressed it a number of times but can't tell what is was.
'A cushion?'
The first thought came in my mind but then I could hear a sweet voice moaning to the reaction.
"B-Bell… what are you doing?"
The voice was faint to be heard, I finally wake my eyes up just to see my hand grabbing my goddess's giant melon.
As realization took over, my face got redder, and I threw myself off the bed.
"AAHHHH!"
*BHAM*
I sat up straight and looked at my goddess who covered her bust with her arms; her face was now replaced with the color of tomato with a tear forming near her eyes.
"Ah… G-Goddess I didn't mean to—"
She quickly ran away outside the room before I even get to complete my statement. And all of this just made my dignity crush into pieces.
Everyone assembled to have their breakfast, Lily notices something off between Hestia and Bell as they were having hard time meeting their eyes. A suspicious aura took over her as her eyes narrowed at the elfess who just entered the dining hall with dark circles under her eyes, privately discussing Lauren for something.
The supporter had her eyes on the elfess while Welf casually asks about Bell's night which took her ear's attention.
"You good Bell? Did you have good sleep?" Welf.
Hearing that both the god and the child looked at each other for few seconds then disconnected their eye contact as they flustered.
"H-Hey? You slept well right?" Welf ask with a worrisome look.
'This is unusual…'
Thought the supporter as she eyed the rabbit. As everyone finished, Lily dragged Welf for few moments to clear her doubt.
"Master Welf, I thought you were with him," Lily.
"Oh… well no Bell was not with me last night, it was a small room fit for one person, so they decided to give him a new room," said the smith as he makes his way out of the room.
The reply made Lily even more curious, before the smith left she decided to ask one last question.
"So… were you with Master Bell when he took a dip the day before?" Lily.
"No… I already told him that I am going to sleep, is something wrong Lil'E?" Welf.
"OH… its nothing just a supporter's curiosity," Lily smiled sheepishly.
"… something is on your mind," Welf.
"…" Lily.
"Well I am not going to force you if you don't want to share," Welf.
"T-Thanks Master Welf… its just I need solid evidence," Lily whispered the last part to herself.
"Okay then, today we are in search for that Adepti, we better get going. Don't drag us down Lil'E," Welf.
"Sure master Welf I will be there soon," Lily.
Even if there was no evidence now, Lily was sure that something is off and seems like Bell and Hestia are into something.
The conclusion was drawn as Hestia was said to be given a separate room for last night and also, the same was said when she decided to take a bath in the bath house. Also, she had already noticed Hestia and Bell are awkward from the past two days.
"Lily better get in dept for more proof, for now all Lily can do is search for that mortal god," with that said the prum left the hall.
While the familia was waiting for Lauren, the elfess and her follower were discussing about their progress with the boy and his goddess.
"The meter shot high up all night my lady," Lyra said as her eyes started to gain some weight.
"Sorry for making you do this Lyra, you may take some rest," Lauren.
"I-It's fine my lady, after all I am tasked to record Mr. Cranel's behavior," Lyra.
"Thank you for holding on, we don't have much time left," Lauren said as her expression becomes serious making her followers eyes all wide open.
"Another vision?" Lyra.
"And a dangerous one, we better make it shot up again," Lauren.
"… I understand, I will do my best to get them together," Lyra.
The party finally departs from the church, they decided to make a team of two.
Lily, Welf, Mikoto and Haruhime were teamed up with one of Lauren's followers (Team A) while Bell and Hestia were teamed up with Lauren and Lyra (Team B).
This again made Lily uncomfortable. The two teams got dispatched to two opposite directions.
Team A side
The group progressed through the forest, the follower who accompanied them was awfully silent. For Welf, Haruhime and Mikoto it didn't matter but Lily still had her worries.
Yet again they are separated from Bell and Hestia.
'Just why do they keep doing this?' Thought the prum as she just met her eyes to the ground wondering.
"Uhm… we are roaming aimlessly," Welf started to liven up the silent.
"You can't say that we are roaming aimlessly, its just we are just finding any trace for that adepti," Follower A.
"…" Lily.
"Miss Lily, you seem to be bothered by something, is everything okay?" Mikoto.
"I am fine but… something feels off," Lily.
"What is it?" Mikoto.
"It's master Bell and lady Hestia, don't you feel like they are awkward around each other lately?" Lily.
The statement was heard by the follower but she kept her mum.
"Now that I think about it, they did seem to be awkward with each other," Mikoto.
"Did something happened, I don't recall anything that could've happened between them," Haruhime.
"I think its better we ask the one's who are trying to hide something from us," Lily shots an eye on the follower who just kept marching on her track.
"Hey Lil'E why do you think she might know something?" Welf.
Lily suddenly crossed the elfess and then demanded to look for traces where Bell and Hestia went. She really can't let her sight off of Bell. What it… these elves are doing something behind their backs.
As the prum stood on her ground, the follower calmly tried to distract from the thought but failed as she lost her temper and yelled at her.
This made the gang sure of one thing… They really are hiding something from them.
"I am afraid I can't let you around freely now," Follower A.
"Lily knew it! What are you elves up to," Lily yelled back.
"This is kind of getting out of… what the," Welf stopped as they were surrounded by a group of followers.
"Our orders are to keep you away from sir Bell and Lady Hestia," Follower A.
"Oh, is it now? Lily now really needs to confront master Bell and Lady Hestia," Lily.
"Then you have to get through us first," Follower B.
Just like a group of ants trapped by the walls, the group took their fighting stance, Lily and Haruhime were guarded by Welf and Mikoto.
"If they are going far to even fight us off… then that means whatever Bell and Lady Hestia are going through right now…" Welf.
"Something that they don't want us to know… guess we have to show them what we are made of," Mikoto.
The elves started their chant as few came in forward for melee attack but were easily fended off with Mikoto's counter.
Welf used his Will-O-Wisp and made their magic explode on their side.
"As expected," Follower A shrugged, "Adventurers of Orario really got skills."
The follower closed in on Mikoto with her wooden sword.
The steel and the wood clashed as sparks emitted by the collision.
'This is not any normal wood; how can it easily withstand my Kotetsu?' Mikoto.
"It's pointless," she knocked samurai's sword off her grip and the edge of the wood gracing the girl's neck, "give it up, please it is for our own good."
"What good? Does that mean you are doing something behind our backs to sir Bell and Lady Hestia?" Mikoto.
"Please understand, we can't…" Follower A.
"TAKE THIS!"
Lily released a smoke screen bomb on the field blinding the sight of the elves, as the smoke cleared itself the familia members went missing.
"Oh no… FIND THEM QUICK!" Follower A.
"Y-YES MAAM!" Followers.
…
"Phew… did we lose them?" Lily said taking a break from the running.
"I… I think so," Haruhime.
"Just what is going on here?" Welf.
"Lily was right… the elves are up to something that involves Master Bell and Lady Hestia," Lily thought for the moment and recollected the information she knew.
At first night Hestia was given a different bath and Welf didn't bath with Bell, on second day morning the two started to act a bit strange.
Now then there is the time when Welf was given a single bedroom and the girls got three bedrooms, but there was nothing said about Bell and Hestia and again the two were awkward around each other at morning.
"W-Wait Lily… what do you mean to say?" Welf sweat dropped.
"Lily thinks… those elves played with us. I am sure to conclude that Lady Hestia was forced to bath with Master Bell… and possibly," Lily's face gets red as she got madder.
"T-T-They s-s-slept together!?" Haruhime almost faints imagining the scenario.
"It's just an assumption, right? we still need a solid proof," Welf.
"Y-You are right…" Mikoto; "Lets' find them!"
"YES!" Lily, Haruhime and Welf.
Team B side
Hestia and Bell were still feeling awkward getting together, the four continued on the thick forest, at a point they decided to split into two group. Of course, they paired both the goddess and the child and handed them a bag which was said to be with needed supplies at times.
She also did warn that the place sometimes get cold so they better have a warm coat or salamander wool with them.
The two teams dispersed, Bell and Hestia made through the thick forest while the two elves followed them without them noticing it.
All that could be heard was the sound of the dry leaves that were being stepped on, both the god and the child had it hard to look in the eye and talk it out.
"Goddess..." Bell started, still having his nerve wrecked he decided to just end this unusual awkwardness between him and his goddess.
"H-Hm… what is it Bell?" Hestia.
"About what happened in the morning… I am sorry I… I really didn't mean to just," Bell had it even more hard to kick out his words.
Hestia just sighed and a small giggle escape, she turns around and continues; "No need to make that a fuss, I forgot you sometimes change positions."
"Huh? How would you know?" Bell asked as he was a bit surprised.
"A-Ah well… I usually wake up to drink some water so I sometimes see you switching position, nothing much hehe," Hestia just rubbed her hair.
"I… see." A heavy sigh is let out by the young man, "I was worried that you were mad at me for that," Bell.
"Huh? What made you think of that?" Hestia.
"W-Well… you ran away crying so… I am sorry again," he quickly takes Dogeza and apologises again, seeing this the goddess could only laugh for his action.
"You really took it seriously Bell?" Hestia.
"Ah… you finally smiled, that is good," Bell.
"Well… things did happen making us awkward but… I think it's fine—" before Hestia could complete as she turned back to walk forward, her foot slipped off the edge, "Ahhhh!"
"G-Goddess!"
*SPLASH*
"Ah— goddess are you!—"
*SPLASH*
Both of them slipped off and fell in the pond, completely getting soaked they got out from the pond.
"Ah… how did I fell?" Hestia.
"It almost felt like the ground slipped on me," Bell.
"Aaaachoooo—"
Hestia sneezed as it suddenly starts to cool up for some unknown reason, both the god and the child were shivering in the cold.
"N-N-Now h-how did it get sooo cold here?" Bell trying to cover his body with arms for getting heat.
"W-Why is this place soo unusual," Hestia.
Some dry wood was found, Bell decided to use his magic and make it as a bonfire to dry their clothes but it wasn't good. The cool wind kept pressing on their bodies making them colder.
Remembering that Lauren gave them supplies, they hope that there would be a salamander wool, and there was but again it was only for one person.
"W-What is this? Lady Lauren just kept salamander wool for one person?" Bell.
"…" Hestia.
"N-No worries goddess you can take the clothes off and wear it to keep yourself warm," Bell dragging the wool upfront towards Hestia.
"What about you Bell? You will get cold," Hestia.
"I… I will be fine yeah, don't worry about—achoo!" Bell.
"No, you are not," she gave him a cute pout, "Ahh… what should we do now?" Hestia.
The situation made Bell remember something embarrassing at that time but, he had no other choice but to apply it. If the two were left out with soaked clothes they were sure to get cold.
"Uhm… I might be crossing the boundaries but… goddess this is the only way we can survive this cold," Bell said as his face turns crimson red.
"Huh?" Hestia tilted her head cluelessly.
…
A/N: I don't know if Bell mentioned the incident with Ryu in deeper floors so I am just gonna make it that Hestia learns about it now.
…
The clothes were hung up for drying over the bonfire, the god and the child covered themselves with the salamander wool and made a body contact to keep themselves warm. Of course, it would be even more awkward for them in this spot but they didn't have any other choice or way.
Both of them shoed their skin, Hestia sat showing her back to Bell's thigh and Bell sat in a way that Hestia won't be disturbed, nor can't be seen.
"B-Bell… may I know how you got this outrageous idea?" Hestia trying to kick the words out from her mouth.
"Well… when I and Ryu were trapped in the dungeon, our clothes were soaked so we used her robe to cover and heat ourselves with our bodies," Bell said with a tint on his face.
"Wait… warm bodies? You and that elf?" Hestia paled.
"G-Goddess?!" Bell.
"…" Hestia.
She quickly faced him and neared her face close to him.
"THAT KIND OF THING HAPPENED AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME!" Hestia just said as she got mad by the fact that Bell had to do something that might've caused some sexual problem. Of course, her blood boiled on hearing this that he had already been in this state with another girl.
"G-Goddess! Your b-b-body!" Bell.
"Answer me! Forget the body," she went in and pressed her body with his, Bell's eyes had already formed swirls.
After few seconds Hestia also came to her sense and dug her face on his chest.
'UWAAAA IT'S EVEN MORE EMBARRISING!'
Few tear drops formed near her eyes, unusually. For a virgin goddess to fall deeply in love with a human is almost willingly giving up on her virginity. For some reason, her heart raced even more.
Competing with her was the boy who was almost out but didn't dare to look his goddess in the eye.
"This… is weird," Hestia spoke to get his attention.
"Why… why is this kind of thing happening with us from past 2 days?" Hestia.
"I… don't know," Bell.
"Hey Bell," Hestia.
"W-What is it goddess?" Bell asked still having hard time to look at his goddess.
"I am worried… I don't know why but… I am scared," Hestia's hands started to shiver.
"Goddess?..."
*BA-DUMP*
"!—"
A strong sensation was stung inside Bell, his eyes widened. Suddenly his surrounding started to glitch between reality and the place in deep depths of his mind.
'Ah… quite interesting.'
The mysterious figure appeared again in front of him showing its back.
"Y-You!"
Bell called then found himself in the realm he visited during night, Hestia disappeared from there. It was only him and that figure.
'You really are a stubborn one are you not," Bell? Looked at Bell with pathetic eyes, 'even though you hate to admit it… you have to admit it otherwise it will be hard for us to move on.'
"For the last time… who are you?" Bell screamed out his question only to get scoffed by the figure.
The flames surrounding him started to close its gaps with him.
"W-What is going on!?" Bell freaked out by the phase the flames were closing in on him.
'You have left me no other choice but to make it forcefully admit the fact.'
"AHHHHH!—"
The flame started to spread on his body and end on his heart, it wasn't a visible burn but it killed the albino from inside, the burns were too much for him to handle.
All he could do was scream in pain and hold on his tears inside, pressing himself with his bare arms in effort to ease the burn but it was of no use.
The figure narrowed its eyes as it leaves with its final words.
'I hope… this burn will make you realize…What you were supposed to admit long time ago…'
Hestia hold's on to her child's chest as she started to shed some tears.
"Bell… I am scared to fall in love with you even more… I don't know why but," the tears poured out, "I am scared that if I keep loving you, I might lose you forever."
"…"
"Bell are you lis—"
Hestia stopped as she suddenly felt Bell's heartbeat pacing. Was it because she was over him with bare body?
…
No, it was something else.
Gaining the courage to look up she saw her child in fear.
"B-Bell?" Hestia panicked from inside.
His eyes spread around his face displaying the fear, the fear to die from something. Suddenly he pulled Hestia and holds on to her tightly squeezing her body with his own.
"B-Bell!?" Hestia again lost it as the temperature finally reached its peak but she did notice Bell was scared about something.
His breathing paced as he held on to her. Hestia also holds him for giving him comfort.
"Bell are you okay?" Hestia asked as she was getting even more worried. This was the very first time she saw her child this scared.
"No…" Bell.
"What?" Hestia.
"I… I am not fine Goddess," Hestia's eyes widens as he continues, "my heart… it feels like its burning… burning a lot," Bell starts to let lose of the tears he had been holding for long.
…
"Goddess… something is severely wrong with me," Bell said out as his body shook in fear.
Hestia tried to comfort him but she herself was bit scared to even do so.
Ever since they arrived in Alfheim, she was having this feeling of losing her child. Her heart was confused, scared and coward. She herself does not know why but she felt that her only child will be taken away from him.
Hestia hugged Bell, not knowing that the salamander wool they covered now slightly dropped.
Angry noises came from the bushes to which Hestia shot an eye.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MASTER BELL! LADY HESTIAAAA!" Lily launched on Hestia and tried to separate the goddess from Bell.
"AH! S-S-SUPPORTER AND EVERYONE!" Hestia face turns red in embarrassment.
"Sir Welf you can't see!" Mikoto quickly closed the smith's eyes.
Haruhime just fainted on spot seeing Bell and Hestia in the current state.
The situation could've gotten even worst if Lauren and Lyra didn't step in revealing themselves from the bushes nearby.
"Lady Lauren…" Lily.
"This is enough… Lyra provide them with their clothes," Lauren.
"Yes my lady," Lyra said as she dried the clothes and handed it over to both of them.
Lauren gave a heavy sigh and explained what they have been up to and hearing the story didn't please Lily at all.
"Why? Lady Lauren! Lily demands for an explanation why you made Master Bell sleep with Lady Hestia!" Lily lashes out in range.
"Calm down Lil'E, there must be a reason," Welf.
"Even I don't get it… what would all of you achieve getting sir Bell and Lady Hestia closer together," Mikoto said.
As the person in the statement mentioned still didn't hear them as he was trying to calm himself down.
"W-What happened to him Lady Hestia?" Mikoto.
Lauren just looked the boy from the corner of her eye and murmured some words which made a magic circle glow around him. After the usage of her magic Bell returned back to his old self.
"Bell!" the familia quickly checks on their captain who seemed to calm his nerves for the moment. After assuring his wellbeing they starred at the elfess.
"We need a damned explanation now lady Lauren!" Welf demanded gaining a nod from Lily.
The old lady sighed and carried on.
"You do remember that I mentioned there was a second method to awaken the adepti," Lauren.
"Yes you did… what does it have to do with Master Bell and Lady Hestia?" Lily.
"my apologies… I had to lie to you," Lauren.
"Lie? About what?" Mikoto.
"The truth is… I had already found the adepti," Lauren.
"W-W-WHAT?!" Hestia familia.
"S-So… who is the adepti?" Welf.
"The adepti… or soon to be adepti is right in front of your eyes," Lauren said after she sighed.
Her eyes pointed towards Bell which made the familia members even Hestia and Bell drop jaws.
"The mortal god of Salvation… is OUR BELL!?" Welf.
"M-Me? A god?" Bell.
"W-Wait… there must be some kind of mistake," Lily.
"There is no mistake, Bell Cranel is indeed the Adepti of salvation," Lauren.
"D-Do you have any evidence for that," Mikoto.
"Yes… I do," Lauren gestures Lyra to show the round item.
"This here is called the Adepti seeker, it measures the power compatibility of one who can be an adepti," Lyra.
"Such a device exists? This is news to me," Hestia.
"This was given to me by lord Ouranos, he thought I won't be able to use it as it is hard for a mortal to reach the level of gods but now this happened," Lauren.
"Lady Lauren… we are running out of time," Lyra.
"Oh yes we are… Lady Hestia, the item has successfully read that your child is ready to share your power," Lauren.
"Wait… share?" Hestia.
It is said that the method to acquire the power of God is to either work hard and earn it or just sacrifice them for their power. But most of them didn't know that there is a way that the child can share the power of their gods. If a common bond between the child and a god is strong then the transfer of godly power is possible, So there is no loss in both side.
Vesta is counterpart of Hestia, and Hestia is the goddess of heart. If Bell's love for Hestia is strong then he could borrow her power for a limited period of time.
But to the familia… they felt Lauren hid something in that context.
She decided to fully tell them the truth. Like in first case the god is sacrificed, if the god uses the second method and horribly fails on power transfer, the child will disappear as if they didn't exist in the very first place and other than the god of the child… no one would remember them at all.
The whole familia shook, Bell especially paled out on hearing this.
"No…"
Hestia finally said it out after hearing that part, there is no way she would be willing to lose Bell.
"But lady Hestia… if you wouldn't do it then the adepti of salvation woul—" Lauren.
"I don't care! I am not risking my Bell's life… matter his whole existence for this stupid thing!" Hestia.
"Lady Hestia… please we beg you we are already out of time," Lauren.
"Like I said… I am not—" Hestia
"!?"
A sudden shock zapped through both of them, Hestia looked as if she saw a monster and Lauren seemed like something worse is happening.
"T-This p-power… Impossible," Hestia paled out.
"G-Goddess!" Bell.
"Just as feared," Lauren.
The ground beneath them shook hard as if it was a massive earthquake after hearing a huge bang on the ground.
"W-What the hell was that!?" Welf.
"The god who is the embodiment of strength… Kratos is using his arcanum?" Hestia.
"Wait… that is against the rule isn't it?" Mikoto.
"Then that means," Haruhime.
"an Adepti…. And an evil one," Lauren.
An elven soldier came running with a number of wounds on his body.
"L-Lady… our village!" Soldier.
"Rest easy, Hestia familia I might need assistance," Lauren.
"We are coming for sure even if you don't call us," Welf.
The group quickly left towards village while Hestia's heart felt weighted.
'Why am I afraid? Bell…'
She though but no… now is not the time to gawk. As a god she has to check on the mess other god is making.
The group arrived to the village which was now completely destroyed, Lauren's eyes couldn't believe the sight, same goes for the familia.
"Ah… Lauren… it's been a while," a floating dark elf meets the eye, Lauren bit her teeth, "Zerek… so it was you."
"hahahah…. My my… a worthwhile reunion aren't I right?" Zerek said with his evil grin.
"H-How is this guy floating in air?" Welf.
Hestia finally makes her appearance and her face showed fear for first time.
"Ah… the flame goddess eh…" Zerek decides to descend from the skies to the ground.
Bell quickly stood in front of her drawing his knife followed with his familia.
"Fools… you are coming in way of a god," Zerek.
"God you say, you seem like a normal dark elf," Welf said but he stuttered on his words.
The person in front of them was really an intimidating one. A small mistake and they are done for good.
The tension increased as the elf started his menacing laughter.
"Seeing the flame goddess here… perhaps… she is here for the adepti of salvation," Zerek.
"!?" Lauren.
"Get close to her I dare you," Bell said yet his hands were shaking.
"Keh," the elf scoffed, "I am a god… as if you pipsqueaks can beat me."
"We will see about that!" Welf takes charge first with his magic sword unleashing a streak of swings but Zerek avoids them with ease, finally giving a slight blow on Welf, which for him was equivalent a meteor hitting at high speed and throwing him afar.
"AHHHHH!"
Welf got knocked out, Mikoto used her gravity magic but it also failed, the elf quickly teleported behind her and slapped her cheek dislocating her lower jaw and breaking it making her unconscious in result the impact slammed her through trees.
"Mikoto! Master Welf!" Haruhime called worried, she got paralyzed the moment Zerek showed up near her. Her body shook in fear as the evil grin was ready to hit the Renard, Bell pushed her away before he could even put a devastating blow.
As Bell pushed Haruhime along with him, they avoided the attack but the attack itself cut through air. If it were Haruhime she would've been split into two halves… or maybe even more.
"Not bad… you got reflex," Zerek said as he quickly ducked Bell's slash.
As Bell consecutively attacked him in an attempt to at least land a hit, but it was of no use. For Zerek it was playing with a kid, instantly he kicked Bell making him throw out a big amount of blood and slam on the destroyed building.
The boy shook as the blood kept flowing out from his mouth as if there is no stop to it, feeling as if he is barely hanging onto his dear life on the edge of the cliff with few fingers. His breathing increased because of the sheer impact of that attack.
"BELL"
Hestia tried to make her way to Bell but before she could Zerek walked upto her and grabbed her by the neck.
"You are the counter part of the goddess of salvation… I must end you otherwise you will be a big trouble," the elf said as his grip slowly tightens.
Hestia tries to get rid of the hand choking her but she couldn't. her tiny body is not strong enough and besides… the child has the power that represents strength.
'So… I am dying after all…'
A tear drop trailed from her eyes to her chin.
"Bell..."
In an instant Zerek felt a scratch making him let go of Hestia and took steps back. Looking at his arm the cut was deeper, the man looks at the boy who is still trying his best to stand on his feet.
"Why you…" Zerek now gets hot headed.
"Goddess… run…" Bell.
"B-Bell, I can't leave you!" Hestia.
"You must stay alive! Go! Run!" Bell.
"Oh my, what a love between a god and her child," Zerek smiled menacingly, "I will feel sorry for you goddess of flame."
"W-What?" Hestia.
Zerek quickly flew towards Bell and grabbed him by his neck and ascended high on sky.
"MASTER BELL!" Lily and Haruhime.
"Oh no… don't tell me he," Lauren paled out.
In the sky Bell still coughed out blood, Zerek takes his knife and examines.
"A living knife… and source is connected to the host eh… I wonder," he holds it in a stabbing position, Bell's eyes widen, "What would happen to it if I kill its master with it."
"!?"
*CLICH*
In that moment everything blacked out for Bell as the knife pierced in his heart. Lily, Haruhime, Lauren and mostly Hestia was terrified to look the scene.
"No…" Lily.
"It… it is not real… this must be a dream…" Haruhime.
The goddess falls on her knees as tears flow out, the blessing she gave to her beloved child was slowly dissipating from him.
"Hahahaha!"
With sheer enjoyment of power, the elf strongly kneed the near dead boy and forcefully threw him in the deep lake in the city.
"Now that interruptions are over, I can finish you off now," Zerek.
"No, you won't! not while I am still Alive… ZEREK!" Lauren lashed out her strongest magic attack followed by her were the followers who stalled the time for Hestia.
"Lady Hestia," Lyra got her attention, "the power transfer is done in one way, if you try now, you can save him…"
"But…" Hestia.
"Are you doubting his love for you?" Lyra said to which Hestia said nothing but stood up and started to run towards the lake.
"L-Lady Hestia!" Lily called her goddess who just dove inside the lake.
Everything seems….
Light…
Am I dead?...
Asked the albino who was still in his slumbers.
'No, you are not.'
The same familiar voice but this time it's even more clear.
"You?" Bell opened his eyes just to see the person who is just like him but different.
'Answer…'
Bell paused; his mind was still hazy but he decided to answer.
"I think… its kind of wrong to fall in love with a goddess… or gods in general," Bell.
'Are you sure about that?' Bell?
"I…" Bell.
'Then let me ask you. Why did you accept Artemis Love for you?' Bell?
"W-What?" Bell.
'You and I know it… making a promise for thousand years and you say its wrong to fall in love with the god?' Bell?
"…" Bell.
'Be honest… at some point, you wondered if Artemis were here what would your relation be like? Will you see her all the time or would you have joined her familia or… fallen in love with her?' Bell?
"Stop…" Bell.
'You did… didn't you?' Bell?
"Stop!" Bell.
'And yet still… your heart accepts that there is nothing wrong in falling in love with a god but your words are still contradicting it,' Bell?
"…I… I don't want to make anything uncomfortable," Bell.
'So… you admit that falling in love with a goddess is not wrong?' Bell?
"Yes… after all… they are also girls who might need someone… right?" Bell.
'Kueh… Bahahaha' Bell?
"W-What," Bell.
'You have someone who wants you to stay alive and yet you are chasing after other woman, and now that you admitted it its better to see who is risking her life to save you,' Bell?
His voice started to disappear as Bell slowly felt something soft touching his lips, as he opened his eyes slowly, he saw Hestia holding and giving him a kiss on his lips. Normally Bell would freak out but for some reason he felt warmth.
He felt as if his body was getting fixed.
'It is time to become one… Bell Cranel…'
A sudden shock ran inside of his mind, his eyes slowly glowing as a flame, a portion of body started to boil the water as an outline of red line formed.
'I am thou…'
His body slowly enveloped itself in flames.
'Thou art I…'
He closed his eyes and held his goddess close to him.
'Thou who is born to bring thy world Salvation.'
A quick snap as crimson red eyes gain its luster back and his whole body regenerating at the godly speed.
'From now… world shall know thy as Adepti Of Salvation!'
The steams started to form as the pressure created lifted both of them to the surface.
The elves made sure to buy as much time they could for Hestia. Welf and Mikoto were healed but were kept on safe side.
The divine barrier created by the elves stopped that menacing adepti at one place but it couldn't hold it for that long.
"Keh… its useless Lauren!" Zerek said with his evil laughter.
"No… we can still go on," Lauren.
"Give it up there is no way you—"
Another streak of sharp light passed through the minds of the elves, their eyes slowly moving towards the lake where the boy and the goddess were dropped.
Following their eyes Hestia familia also starred at the lake which now was boiling.
"What the… is the lake getting boiled?" Welf.
"Wait… this power," Lauren.
Zerek's evil smile turned into a worrisome look as he sweat dropped.
"What is this power?" Zerek.
*SPLASH*
The water flew out along with two figures, Hestia was unconscious in Bell's arms while Bell seemed to be different.
"M-Master Bell!" Lily and Haruhime cheered but looking at his face Welf and Mikoto judged it, "he is not our Bell."
"huh?" Lily.
"You… prum and red hair, take care of her for me," Bell?
"Master Bell?" Lily.
Bell dropped Hestia and looks at his opponent from the corner of the eye. He then ascends to the sky leveling his foe.
"W-Wait he can fly?" Welf.
"He is here," Lauren said with a smile, "Our Adepti of salvation… THE CHILD OF VESTA!"
-: Next Chapter Preview :-
"Salvation? Who cares? I am the god who embodies strength," Zerek.
"Huh… overconfident I see, I am not half-ass myself," Bell.
"How can someone who just got the powers of the god can use it to this extent!?" Zerek.
"The body… still hasn't been prepared to handle the basic phase eh…" Bell
"Next time: Strength Vs Flames"