A/N: my apologies for the late update, I have to deal with my 3rd year semester exam for the coming month so I might not able to update. Anyway, here is the following chapter, hope you all love it.

P.S: I am still not good at writing fighting scenes but I tried, didn't I?

Bell and Zerek starred each other in the eye while the live audience was trying to predict what is going to happen now.

This is a fight between two gods, sure something is bound to be destroyed. Even though no one had ever witnessed the power of gods, except those who had already been through one to save them.

"Is that… Bell?" Welf kicked his words as the shock had already taken over him.

"No… this isn't master Bell… it can't be!" Lily.

"You are right."

From the right, Lauren took their attention.

"That over there is your captain but its not him. It's the Adepti who took over his body," Lauren explains as she saw magnificent view from the ground of the new born god.

"T-Took over!?" Lily and Welf.

"Worry not. It's for a temporary time period," the lady assured, "Seems like lady Hestia only gave a fraction of arcana just to awaken him."

"Lady Lauren, can you please clearly explain to us what is going on?" Haruhime, taking her concern look at her goddess asked with pleading eyes.

…

"Impossible… how can someone ascend to the realm of gods that easily?" Zerek grumped for which Bell said nothing.

"What makes you special? How come you got this power quickly while your god is staying alive?" Zerek.

"Well… it turns out that there is a second method to do so," Bell?

"Wait a minute… you are not him. Who are you?" Zerek.

"Someone who is destined to bring this uncalled calamity a salvation," Bell?

"Salvation," Zerek gave a mocking laugh but Bell remained expressionless, "you really think you are trying to bring salvation? Salvation for what?"

"The answer," he slowly points at him, "is right in front of me," drops his arm free.

Hearing this, the dark elf felt frustrated, more than frustrated that he just wanted to finish his opponent off in instant. His anger is expressed in form by changing the environment in the surroundings as a thunderous sound cracked the sky as the bright flash of the light simmers through the now formed dark clouds.

"So… you are saying that you are going to end me… eh?" Zerek.

"Precisely," Bell?

"keh… I will show you who ends whom," Zerek.

The elf quickly bolted towards his opponent and threw the fist, the fellow god didn't hesitate and grabbed his fist taking the strong impact almost pushing everything around them.

The uncalled move took him by surprise, the flame god grinned which seemed mocking to the elf. Taking back his fist he unleashed a barrage of strikes in an attempt to get a critical hit on any of his body parts but all of his attacks were either stopped or had been redirected along with the momentum.

Bell was being pushed back but he still didn't seem to use his strength at all. Instead, the adepti was eagerly waiting for an opening to strike the man back.

The barrage carried on and soon it made Zerek lose some breath which the rabbit noticed. As another punch was on its way, Bell slapped his hand and then give a front flip kick slamming the elf on his head to the ground.

The impact made him groan as he lifted himself up from the ground with his hands, feeling the drip of blood escaping from his mount, the man gave a furious look at the person who descend back to the ground this time taking a stance to taunt him for a fight.

"You dare mock me?!"

He got no replies for his statement which made him even angrier, again he rushed with multiple punches and Bell just redirected them away. As his attacks fail him, Zerek loses his cool and wildly attacks his opponent, which was the only moment Bell waited for.

Finally getting an opening, the flame god dragged his fist out igniting it with flame and gave a strong thrust on the elf's gut.

The impact made his opponent numb for the moment, connecting with the thrust he gave a right hook followed by a left one and finally gave a blow strong enough to crush him on the tree behind him.

The elf's body pained, he didn't expect to be overpowered by some other god, after all he is the embodiment of strength… is he not?

Getting back on his foot, he grabbed a tree's trunk and threw the uprooted tree at the adepti. Clapping his hands pointing towards the tree, he generated a beam of flame splitting it into two halves. Taking the bait blind spot Zerek didn't waste time and give a strong thrust on Bell's gut this time.

Compared to the god of flames, the god of strength has the advantage of strength, his blow was strong enough to make Bell cough and spit out blood as he crashed with one of the destroyed houses.

"Just because you gave me an excuse of a beating doesn't mean that I am going to lose," said the elf as he was getting a hold of his burnt gut. Bell also put some strength in his muscle to stand up.

'He is damned strong, one more blow and I am done for.'

The elf again charged towards him, Bell quickly decides to take this battle back in the air as he ascends above, Zerek following him behind.

…

"Lady Lauren, will goddess Hestia be, okay? She is still unconscious," Haruhime.

"Worry not, it is probably because of the transfer of arcana, she collapsed after sharing it," Lauren.

"For a fraction of sharing her power, she is collapsed?" Welf.

"It's a bit hard to understand it myself, but I am sure to say she will be fine. Firstly, we better evacuate people to a safe place," Lauren.

"What about master Bell?" Lily.

"He can handle himself, besides this is—"

A wave of wind pushed them back, as their eyes moved towards their captain who seemed to have blocked his opponent's attack stood in amazement.

"Was that the impact from the collision?" Welf.

"We are talking about the battle between two gods here, we can't help him. This is something he has to do himself," Lauren explained, "Hurry we better take everyone else to safe place."

"In the end, we are not needed," Mikoto scoffed at herself.

"Lady Lauren, the arcana clash will soon be increasing, we better hurry and evacuate people from this place," Lyra alerts as the adeptal meter starts beeping high.

The familia members can't help but just do what they can, in any way possible to assist their captain. Haruhime took Hestia and Mikoto to a safe place while Welf and Lily helped in evacuation.

Out of nowhere a half of the tree came flying in, Welf took his magic sword and burned it away to save the elf villagers from it, his eyes rolled over to his friend who was fighting the dark elf. His eyes widen as he saw Bell taking a strong blow and crashing on the destroyed building.

He tsked at himself, he feels so weak to not be able to help his friend as he sees him took off in the air yet again with the elf following him.

"Am I really not that useful in this fight," he asks himself as he gritted his teeth.

Lily had already moved the children to the safe place and came back to check on Welf who just had burned the tree to protect the elves. The elves panicking left at the moment when he did that passing by the supporter who then looked at the smith then at her captain.

Seeing the smith frustrated, she couldn't help but agree that she is totally useless in her captain's fight. All the two could do was to pray for his safety and wish for him to be victorious.

"Master Welf, we better get going, this place is not right for us to be for now," Lily pulled onto his sleeve.

"Yeah," Welf said as he gave a last look to his friend then left the field with supporter.

…

The melee battle carried on between the gods, as their fists clashed, numerous wind pressured waves formed affecting the nearby land beneath them.

'I have to take him away from the island,' Bell? Thought as he could sense that the land beneath them had already been destroyed half by the heat of their battle.

The flame god made his retreat while the elf chased him.

"Running away now, are we?" Zerek.

"Try saying that again," Bell?

Zerek threw his punches again as Bell backed of redirecting or blocking his attacks. At a point he used his flames to keep distances.

There is no way he would take risk of getting another hit from his enemy or he is done for good. The damage inflicted already was giving him pain but he can't focus on that right now.

Bell used his flames in an extensive way, more like the adepti controlling his body knew the way with the flames, he used it as the shield as Zerek was about to pound, burning his fist and making him groan in pain, in the next instant, the large flames took shape of a whip which he wrapped around his foe and spun around throwing him towards the sea.

The minor jerk didn't affect the elf that much as he hovered before touching the water, but again Bell quickly gave a strong flame jab on his face, forcing him to drown in the sea.

After slamming him further below the sea, the flame god ascended above and just took a clear look around the sea.

"Why you!"

Zerek appeared from behind, already to give a right hook, thankfully Bell reduced the damage by using his flames and arms to guard against the strike, the impact pushed him off balance.

Zerek decided to stay away from Bell, he was almost at his limits… and so was he.

Bell looked at his right hand which slowly had the flaming outline flickering.

"The body isn't ready yet to even use the first phase?"

"Tsk… seems like I can't beat you at the moment. I thought it would be easy to get the map and leave. It's your lucky day." Zerek scoffed.

"Map?" Bell?

"Not today but the next time we cross path, one of us is going down for sure," Zerek said as he quickly flew away as he said his last words.

Bell? Stood there in midair looking at him departing for good.

"No… now is not the time to chase him," his aura slowly dissipates, "you still have a long road ahead to walk in."

The adepti's control over the body was finally over and Bell fell in the water, all unconscious. The elven sister who saw the adepti fall quickly took their boat to save him.

…

…

"So… how was it? The feeling of wielding the power of the god,"?

A familiar voice spoke up, I opened my eyes as I saw my other self having a smile on his face.

"Now, go on don't hesitate, how did you feel?" Bell?

"How can I put it," I hesitated at the moment. I was well aware whatever happened out there wasn't under mine control, it was all his. But yet I felt a great power surging through my body, in all honesty…

"It felt… great."

Hearing my answer, he seemed pleased.

"Just what happened right now?" I asked as I was still having a clouded memory.

"Well, nothing much we swapped places for time being, I just got awaked and I know how to use this power," he says as he creates small fame on his palm in a way to show me.

"So… do we need to swap places often?"

"No… I just came here only once to help you out with the situation. Everything escalated quickly so there wasn't much time to explain."

"So… what am I supposed to do if I need this power."

The figure looked at me in disbelief, did I ask something wrong?

"Are you seriously asking me that? You are the one who is supposed to master it. I won't come all the time to lend you a hand."

"But… how?"

"You have your goddess. She will guide you on how to use your power."

A strip of light pierced through the void.

"Seems like your body is waking. This might be the last time we meet."

"W-Wait! What if I need something from you? How can I call you?"

"Kid… you won't be needing my assistance. But if you did… just close your eyes and focus on gathering the aracana energy. I will be there for you."

As he said the light blinded my view.

…

Slowly waking my eyes which met the roof of the room, then a voice called me.

"Ma…er Be… Master Bell!"

Hearing the voice I was finally awake.

"Lily?"

I looked the purm who seemed to be happy and crying at the same time.

"Thank goodness you are finally awake!" Lily said as she hugged me by my waist.

"Huh?"

It was the only word that could escape from my lips. Later on I saw Welf, Haruhime, and Mikoto having smiling teary faces when they saw me awake.

"What happened? Is everyone alright?" Bell.

"It is alright now, you made us worried sick," Welf yelled at him when he said the second part.

"W-What?" Bell.

"Master Bell, you were unconscious for a whole month," Haruhime.

"A MONTH?!" I sat up straight immediately but was quick to grunt in surprise when a sharp sensation of pain went through my right arm and chest,"Argh-"

"Hey calm down, you still haven't recovered yet," Welf said as he held onto him.

"Master Bell, that previous battle took a lot of toll in your body, you still have to take rest," Lily said with concern.

"Ugh… Previous battle…"

I slowly regain the memory of fighting a certain dark elf. Then suddenly I remember an important thing.

"W-Were is goddess?"

The familia member looked a bit hesitant.

"She is… still unconscious," Mikoto.

"What? How and from when," Bell.

"A month, just like you. You woke up but she still didn't wake up yet," Mikoto.

I could just sit tight and hope that she is fine. I had many things in mind that were to be answered but it would be best if she wakes up first. I was pretty sure she collapsed when she gave me her power but still this worries me.

Lauren finally entered greeting me, she was hesitating but she had to ask me on what Zerek was talking about or why he was here if he did intend to say.

I told her everything that I could remember, the map part caught her attention.

"So you are saying he was here for the 'map'?" Lauren said as she narrowed her eyes.

"Yes but… I am not sure of what map he was talking about," Bell.

Lauren and Lyra exchanged gazes as the familia members eagerly looked at them. A sister enters the room informing them that Hestia finally woke up. Hearing this the familia members rushed to check up on her, of course Bell clanged onto Welf for support.

"Goddess Hestia!" Lily basically rammed through the door, as she saw her goddess, she was relieved.

"Thank god, now both of them are fine," Mikoto said as she saw her goddess sitting alright.

Even if she seemed to be normal, something was off and only Bell could catch the part.

Hestia looked him in the eye as Bell stand up by himself reliving Welf from supporting him.

"You have a lot of questions in mind… don't you?" Hestia sounded a bit mature and serious which took her familia off-trail, Bell just nodded to her.

"Uh… goddess Hestia, are you okay? You seem a bit mature for your own good," Lily joked.

"Yeah… you seem a bit different," Welf.

"Why is it weird?" Hestia.

"It is weird! Where is our childlike whining goddess?" Lily.

"Lily stay quiet," hearing their captain saying this directly on her face surprised the members.

Hestia looked at him, "you seem to have caught the fact… Bell."

"Yes… Lady Vesta."

Hearing Vesta made them widen their eyes, how is this even possible? She is still Hestia but why is their captain calling her Vesta.

"Wait… Vesta?" Mikoto paused.

"Indeed, since we are the same person and I gave him my power, I am active now," Hestia said calmly.

"I have a lot to ask," Bell.

Hestia smiled and replied back; "I know, it would be better if we take things slowly now," she looks at the elven maiden, "Lauren was it?"

"A pleasure to talk to the counter side… lady Vesta," Lauren.

"You know what to do right? So better make arrangements," she gets off from her bed and makes her way to Bell, "we better start the basics from now itself."

"Understood, give us fifteen minutes the preparations will be done," Lauren said as she gestured the sisters to get on with the preparation.

Bell and Hestia just starred at each other while familia was having a hard time thinking about the whole situation.

…

Everyone assembled in a small room where random scrolls were hung with some ancient paintings, probably something that was a supposed theory.

One can see the start of the story represented by the pictures on the scroll, a mortal bowing to a god and getting the blessings, later the mortal acquires a graceful aura of the god. Later it was shown that the mortal was using arcanum to protect and bring balance to the world.

Lauren narrated a conceptual story of an Adepti who used the power of the god for good and another one who just used it of themselves.

Since it was just a made and said theory, an incident like this never happened in reality… as far one could say at that time.

Later then Hestia stood up and explained how her flames work.

Initially, and Adepti is only known after he masters all the phases or say levels to reach the god's true strength. Each of these phases are unique and different. The gods with higher phases are said to be stronger and to reach the phase, it would be a hard journey for a growing Adepti.

In Hestia's or Vesta's case, she had a total of five phases. First phase is basic awakening and using of flames in a controlled manner, the second phase is the ascended form of basic awakening, the adepti can freely mend the flames in any way possible. The first two phases could be acquired easily as it is just boosting the flame's strength and ability to control it.

When reached the third phase, the Adepti would get abilities like healing and the ability to use a vast amount of holy flame, even in separating the flames and controlling it at free will, by this stage it is said that the eyes will start to look similar as that of Goddess Vesta.

The fourth phase for an Adepti, is the strongest phase which just rivals the final phase. In the fourth phase, the Adepti's body enhance its skin color and beautiful flames surround them as if it is dancing with the rhythm. The air tone becomes pink and the eyes represent fire itself.

Coming to the fifth and final phase, it is the only phase which once achieved makes one a true adepti. The skin tone brightens and holy flames of the heavens surround to protect them. Their flames will be strongest in the whole universe, or say even stronger than the god who gave them their power. The hair and eye color change to beautiful crimson red as the flame dances around. A magnificent but the hardest phase to reach.

As the explanation process went on, her children were left baffled to imagine how Bell would be like once he achieved all five phases.

"I have to say, the fifth phase is almost next to impossible to achieve, so we better climb till four for now," Hestia said as she placed her hands on her waist.

"He said my body isn't ready to even use the first phase… how am I supposed to make my body prepare for it," Bell.

"It would be hard at first, I want to ask you if you are willing to not give up?" Hestia asked sincerely to which he strongly replied; "there is something only I can do, and it can be done only with this power. I won't give up."

Hearing this made her smile.

"May I have attention here?" Lauren called taking their eyes.

She opens up a dirty map and places it on the desk, the familia looked at the ragged map.

"What is this miss Lauren?" Bell.

"The map that he was probably after," Lauren.

"What is this map about?" Lily asked gaining approval from others.

"This map holds the route to a hidden artifact that can magnify the arcanum's power in never before seen heights," Lauren.

"Severed stone," Hestia hummed taking their attention, "Why did they even bother creating this thing."

"Do you know about this Goddess?" Bell.

"The Severed stone is a power source left by one of our own, since we are restricted to use our powers in lower realm, one of the idiots decided to make this and leave for heavens," Hestia.

"What does this stone do?" Welf.

"The stone had the ability to boost one's arcana, we made sure to hide it if a situation like 'this one' occurred if it falls on wrong hands… Gekai is doomed."

The words made them lose their footing, was Zerek planning to destroy the world?

"Whatever it is, he is up to no good. Even without the map there is a chance he might be able to find it," Lauren.

"How can you be so sure?" Haruhime.

Her question was not replied instead Hestia started her own; "We must destroy it before he gets his hands on it."

"Wait does that mean our adventure still isn't over?" Welf.

"No Welf," Bell's tone became serious, "this is just the beginning."

All the familia members took a good look at the change both Bell and Hestia had.

Yes this has become a matter that they have to face strongly.

It was almost time so everyone called it a night. This time no tricks were pulled by the elves as they achieved what that want. Hestia slept with the girls while Bell and Welf made their way to their room. In an uncalled moment Lauren called for Bell and decided to talk something serious with him.

"Sorry to call you at this time."

"No… it's fine, you probably had something important to talk."

"Yes, I do have… what do you think about goddess Hestia?"

"Huh?"

The elf didn't made eye contact but can tell he had a confused look.

"How do you feel about her?"

"Well… I… honestly I still don't know," Bell replied as he dropped his head.

"At that moment, I don't know what happened. Everything happened so quick and I—"

"It's fine," she cuts him off and gives him a smile, "I just wanted to tell you something about using her power."

"Huh?"

"The risk she took for you to be an Adepti was high but somehow we succeeded in it. Now it is your turn to make sure that she is safe."

"I don't get it."

"I meant to say… use your power wisely," she looks up to the stars in sky above; "as the goddess of salvation, her power should be only used to stop any wrongdoings in this world; if the power is misused, there is a chance."

"A chance for what?"

"A chance that Lady Hestia will disappear forever and you, who wields her power will lose it forever, and just like the first case… when a god fails in making the mortal adepti… same goes for you as an adepti… you will be the only one to remember her and for the world even among gods… Hestia will be a nobody who had ever existed."

Hearing this made me afraid of even using the power, what if the things I did were right for me and wrong for the world? What if my innocent mistake cost my Goddess's existence?

Seeing me panic Lauren assured me that everything will be fine in my case, it is just a beforehand warning she gave me.

"Bell Cranel, your fate has already changed and redirected from its original path, so you better act wisely."

"Hmm?"

"I mean… you are basically a god now… so there is no need for you to judge yourself falling in love with a god."

I still didn't catch what she meant to say. We separated our ways but the same thought circled around my mind. And so, my night went half asleep.

…

The morning arrives and the elves were preparing a small ship for six of us, by taking the map and starting my training as an adepti, we will be on our way to destroy the hidden artifact.

The said map had marked location for the reminiscent orbs of the entry gate which had the artifact sealed shut in so that no one could easily take it.

Our mission now switched from finding the Adepti to destroying the Severed stone.

A long journey awaits both for my adeptus training and our mission to save the world from Zerek.

…

"So… we are here in this Island… Narukami was it?" Lily.

"I don't know why something feels off about this island," Welf.

"I… I heard that there is a possibility that g-g-ghost exist here…" Mikoto.

"W-what?!" Haruhime.

"Chill out those are just rumors," Welf.

"Wait… look! there is a volcano here! I think the heat here might get my body to adapt the flames," Bell

"Training around volcano, you will be adapted to heat soon Bell!" Hestia cheered.

"Next Time: Ghost Island Narukami."