A/N
Aye! I'm back! Nice to see you all, how's the family?
Okay! Okay! Straight to the point I see, well then let's get into it!
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I didn't mention it in the last chapter, but if you were curious about what happened between the Mord fight and Bell waking up mid battle, just go watch Episode 13 of the anime.
I didn't go into specifics cause it's just the same as that. I didn't want to bog the story down with endless combat descriptions, since to me, that's boring to read.
To clarify, from the moment the Mord fight ends, to right before Bell uses Argonaut is what I skipped over.
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5,091 Words in total.
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His eyes opened.
Groggily, Bell slowly turned his head. He looked all around, trying to find anything which might clue him in to where he was.
'Beige grey.' Bell's thoughts slipped out. "You've got to be kidding me…"
As he sat up, he felt shifting, the five- no, six blankets which had been atop of him. Trying, and failing to catch them before they landed on the ground.
Tossing them away onto the neighboring cot, Bell made his attempt at standing.
He planted both feet on the ground, flexing his toes. He noticed the warm sensation that enveloped him, almost as though his whole body was flush.
He planted his hands beside himself, using them to slowly push his body up. It wasn't until he raised himself to full height, that the sudden light headed feeling set in, causing him to stumble and fall back down to the cot.
He took a better inventory of his seat, feeling now just how cold he really was, regardless of the warm feeling under his skin.
He looked over to the discarded blankets, resting lazily on the other cot.
He readied again, and successfully stood up, he took a half step. He leaned forward as much as he dared, snagging the top blanket with his finger, pulling it up and around himself.
He stood still for more than a brief moment, basking in the added warmth surrounding him.
He took his first shaky steps towards the tent opening, not caring to look for his boots. Eventually reaching it, peeling open the fabric, and revealing the bright, nearly barren field, showing no sign of life besides the smoldering fire thirty or fourty feet ahead.
He reached out of the blanket, pushing the 'hood' off his head so he could see better.
He continued forward, taking a slightly curved path, looking around him in all directions. It was as though the floor had been abandoned just minutes ago, seeing the silent armaments on the hill, the side of him closest to the wall.
Turning the opposite direction, Bell walked over to the hills horizon, now able to see into the valley where to his knowledge, the battle had just taken place.
Bell looked over towards one of the farther walls, seeing tall smoke plumes.
He thought for a moment, figuring that was his best chance at encountering someone. He took his first step forward, but stopped, recalling his lack of footwear.
He looked down at his feet, then back at the plumes, turning back swiftly and reentering the tent.
He quickly found his boots, sliding them on with minimal, but notable effort because of his shoulders feeling stiff.
He quickly raised back up, not getting light headed anymore, and setting off towards the flaps for the second time, reaffirming his grip on the blanket draped over him.
As his hand pulled the fabric open, he became face to face with Welf.
They stood silently staring at each other.
"Hello." He spoke out, Bell nearly falling over in shock.
"Welf?!" He called out, stepping about a pace back.
"That is my name." He smiled.
"Ah." Bell opened his mouth to talk but found nothing to retort with.
He stepped in past him leaning over and opening a small bag, confusing Bell.
"Come on, we're gonna go take a dip." Welf called out, smiling, while standing back up with two towels.
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"So I got frostbite?" Bell asked while Welf helped him walk.
"Not quite, it was a lot like it, but the symptoms seem to not be very bad, at the most it was like a severe freeze, you just needed to be thawed out." Welf spoke, eyes set to the path ahead.
"Okay then, I guess that explains why you're taking me for a bath." Bell noticed Welf grin.
"Well, I also wanted to get out of work for a little while."
Bell sighed. "Naturally."
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They both lay eyes closed, their backs against the rocks, taking in the hot steam.
Welf spoke softly. "This is nice."
"Mh." Bell responded.
There was silence for a good few minutes, Bell slowly feeling his body temperature rise, though he wondered how long would be enough.
"So then." Welf started, Bell opening his eyes slightly. "We gonna talk about what that was yesterday?"
Bell sighed quietly. "It was a spell."
"..."
"..."
"Is that all?!" Welf spoke sarcastically, earning a chuckle from Bell.
"It was an old spell, one I never thought I'd need to use, and I hope to never again."
"Alright…"
"..."
"..."
"So…" Welf spoke quietly, not really having much to talk about. "You're an Elf, huh." Welf cringed, resisting the urge to smack himself.
Bell broke out into a hearty laugh. "Y-Yeah, what about it?" He giggled a little more.
Welf felt a little better at his reaction. "Well… You don't hate me I oh-so boldly assume?"
"I have no reason to, so no." Bell responded, closing his eyes and leaning back again with a smile.
"..Thanks…"
"No problem, repay me with armor." Bell spoke calmly.
Welf nearly sank the whole way in.
Before a new set of footsteps arrived, Bell turning to greet the newcomer. "Hello?"
"Sup, newbie." Bete spoke passively.
Bell turned back as he set a third towel down, and started striping for a bath.
"Didn't know you were still down here." Bell responded, surprise crossing him.
"Oh yeah, me, the hag and Senki are all down here, came running after the tremors, caught your little light show when we arrived."
He stepped down into the water, sitting down several feet away, the three now all sitting in silence a minimum of five feet apart. Because this is not a yaoi story, and they in fact are not gay.
"You got quite the collection." Bete spoke up, confusing the other two.
"What?" Asked Bell.
"The scars." Bete motioned at Bell.
Bell looked down at himself, seeing the notable few across him, Welf taking a glance over as well, not having noticed earlier.
"And?" Asked Bell.
Bete still leaned back, eyes closed. "I can respect it, there's not one on your back after all."
Bell's eyes widened, not having expected that. "Thanks."
"Mh."
Not another word crossed the three before getting out.
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As they made their way back to come, a party of three instead of two now, Bell spoke up.
"Hey, can we swing by that hill I casted from yesterday?"
"Hm? Why?" Asked Bete, Welf almost speaking the same.
"There's something there, I needed it to figure out what happened." Bell got straight to the point.
They both thought for a second.
" 'What happened' ?" Welf repeated Bell.
"I think there was more to the attack with Mord… It's just a theory though, without evidence."
After a second, Bete spoke up. "I think I remember where that was, I can go look." He turned to Welf.
"I'll get him to camp." Welf finished for him.
They nodded to each other, Bete turning back to Bell. "What am I looking for?"
Bell thought for a second. "A black helmet."
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Welf and Bell stumbled into camp, finding everyone else setting up for dinner.
Hestia and Lili were the first to spot them. "Master Bell/Bell!" Both running up to him, wrapping him in an embrace that nearly toppled them over.
He huffed in amusement. "Hey!"
"You look better." Ais commented from beside the fire, the four of them coming closer.
Bell smiled at her, hunkering down by the fire. "So, what's on the menu?"
Riveria piped up. "Just what we could muster, what little of the town got damaged is already repaired, but until more supplies can get down here from the surface, there's probably not going to be a buffet every night."
Bell looked up to her, the obvious question in his eyes.
"Potato and beef stew." She answered, Bell smiling just after.
As the conversations from before picked back up, everyone sat around the fire. Bell couldn't help but notice Asfi talking with Ryuu on the side, Hermes sitting and looking no more interested in the goings on than usual.
Bell couldn't help but let his 'Second Sight' flare up.
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The stew was now being served as a Wolf man trudged up to the fire.
Most people, busy stuffing their faces, looked at him from the lack of conversation.
He approached Bell, who stood to meet him.
Bete held his hand out. "This it?"
Bell smiled weakly, taking the black as he nodded.
For a short moment, he sized it up, looking it over from all angles.
"So, Hermes." Bell called, still inspecting it.
He turned to Hermes, whose smile disappeared instantaneously. "What do you suppose would happen if I put this on?"
Bell smiled as they made eye contact, everyone now looking at the god.
"I don't-'' Hermes was cut off by Bell placing it on himself, disappearing before their eyes.
Everyone jumped in surprise, not expecting… That.
"Well then." Bell spoke from seemingly nowhere, his voice distorted and wavy, clear yet far away. "How interesting."
The helmet came off, Bell several steps closer to Hermes.
Hermes tried to defend himself. "Bell, I know this seems bad!-"
"BAD!" Bell spoke loudly, turning back to Bete in a sarcastic manner. "He-he thinks this is just bad!" He laughed.
Bell breathed deep, before looked over to Ais
His expression dropped to one of dead seriousness, knowing she wouldn't sugar coat her answer. "How many people died fighting yesterday?"
Everyone's blood turned cold, as Ais spoke instantly. "Twelve bodies were found, seven more still missing."
Bell looked from her, slowly turning back to Hermes, everyone there doing the same if they could.
Bell spoke slowly. "Explain."
Hermes sat in silence, scared but in his own twisted way, confident. "How did you come to this conclusion, Bell?"
"Asfi." He spoke suddenly, turning slightly to her, who was looking like she'd puke any time now. "Did you give the helmet to Mord?"
She looked at him, trembling, and at the same time, felt the daunting gaze of Hermes behind her. She was a good person at heart, Bell could feel it, and the few times he'd actually talked with her, she was always filled with worry and concern for him.
"How is Asfi related to this?!" Hermes stood, challenging Bell.
"I can see souls." He spoke bluntly, surprising most. "This helmet is covered with the essence of her soul, I'll let you figure the rest out."
They all were silent, Hermes' eyes were open wide.
"Asfi?" Bell called. "Yes, or no." She was shaking violently at this point, but he needed an answer.
She mustered all her courage, and shook her head no.
"I need you to say it, please." Bell spoke calmly, Hermes' eyes bulging out at her.
"No, I didn't" Tears slid down her cheeks.
Bell turned to Hestia, Hermes seeing this, but knowing he couldn't stop it.
Hestia nodded a silent 'She's telling the truth' to Bell, who looked back to Asfi.
"Asfi?" He called again, her tear stained face lifting to meet him. "Did Hermes?"
More tears fell. "Y-Yes." She was almost silent.
Again Bell turned back to Hestia, She nodded again.
Bell sighed, knowing what was coming, Hermes as well, but regardless, the god was still sickly confident.
"So then 'Little Rookie'. What now?" Hermes' asked with an unfazed swagger about him.
"We arrest you for murder." He spoke coldly.
Hermes chuckled. "You think your rinky dink Familia has that kind of power? Do you even realize who I am?!" Hermes grinned back maniacally.
"No I don't." Hermes was caught off guard by Bell's quick response.
He turned around, making eye contact with both Riveria and Horn.
"I would like both Freya and Loki Familia's to aid me in this endeavor, both Familia's having been witness to these events and Asfi's testimony."
Hermes smiled again, though a bit nervous. "You really think they'll-"
Horn stood up, speaking confidently. "Freya Familia will happily assist you."
Hermes froze.
Riveria stood up, speaking calmly. "Loki Familia has heard your request and sees it as justified." She looked to Ais who nodded her agreement, Bete looking ready to kill Hermes, so his vote wasn't needed.
Hermes couldn't believe this, not speaking a word, then he saw it.
Now the two strongest Familia's, both previously at odds with each other, teamed up against him at the call of Bell.
He smiled, soon laughing.
Bell looked at the god, a frown crossing him.
"HAHA- You-you really think I lost don't you!"
Bell stepped forward.
"You've united two of the most powerful groups in Orario! You really are the-" Bell slammed his jaw back, knocking the god out.
After a moment, he turned back to the stunned group, even Asfi watching in shock.
"Anyone have a problem with that?" He called.
After a moment, nobody responded. So he walked back to the fire, sitting close, and began eating again, and as time passed, everyone else did too.
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The next day came, Bell had used his new healing spell for the second time, hoping, and succeeding in forcing a, from what they could tell, full recovery.
Before they started their way up however, Bell's presence was needed elsewhere, a place where he felt he could make a new ally.
.
He entered the tavern, looking around before approaching the bar, sitting beside the person he'd wanted to talk to.
"Hello." He spoke calmly, as Mord turned, becoming surprised from Bell's sudden appearance.
"L-Little Rookie?" Mord was justifiably afraid.
Both from their 'fight' yesterday, and then later watching him instantly kill the Goliath, can do that to a person.
Mord was very nervous.
"What's up!"
He regretted speaking immediately.
"Did Hermes." Bell stopped himself not truly knowing if Hermes had used his real name or not. "Did a blond haired man have you kidnap... 'her' yesterday?"
He was hesitant, but too afraid to lie. "Yes, he had a funny hat and scarf too, the girl with him was freaked out about it though..."
Bell nodded. "Good, then I know one thing for certain." Bell turned to Mord fully. "You were deceived into doing what you did, whether you knew it or not."
Mord was a little surprised by his words.
Bell extended his hand to him, smiling. "Would you like to put it all behind us?"
Mord hesitated, but was overall egger to do just that. "Yes! Deal!" He clasped onto Bell's hand.
Bell was genuine in his offer, but also had a bone to pick. He began to squeeze Mords hand without mercy, putting all his max level one strength to the grindstone. Bell's 'handshake' was more like a vice grip at this point.
Mord was trying not to show his pain as Bell leaned in. "I would recommend not kidnapping people in the future though."
Bell grinned, as Mord attempted to meet his iron grip with one of his own. "Understood."
They both reached a new understanding with each other, Bell took the chance to order Mord another drink, attempting to do the same for Bell, he turned Mord down, due to his disliking for alcohol, the only type of drink available.
"See you around." Bell commented, turning back towards the door
He simply raised his glass in response.
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Bell soon arrived back at the minicamp, now set to climb out of this hell called Floor Eighteen.
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They slowly made their way up hill, the hill in question? All of Floor Fourteen.
Bell along with Ais lead the pack, shortly behind them was Bete, followed by Hestia and Lili. Further back was Ryuu and Riveria, the latter of whom was all but dragging Hermes, and finally, Horn and the Take Familia.
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All was going well, especially after muzzling Hermes, a good deal of the conversations had gained a lighter tone, though everyone was still on edge (except the first class adventurers).
"Are you sure you should be fighting up front?" Ais asked, concerned about Bell who's shoulder was still a bit stiff from the cold.
"Yes, I should be. The more I use it, the looser it'll become, I'm sure." He smiled.
Ais didn't say anything as she sensed incoming monsters.
Everyone readied, though as per usual, Bell and Ais were the only ones who'd be fighting.
Hellhounds and Hard-Armors appeared though either the path or the walls. Ais stepped up first, going head on, having fought more of these monsters than anyone could count.
Bell followed up behind, cutting through anything that was left behind, though he theorized that Ais was leaving one or two for him even if she could simply wipe them out herself.
While this was going on, the party simply marched on, not having to stop because of the speed those two had.
Everything went as planned.
They moved swiftly, making excellent time for the size of the party, though not having seen real light for more than half a week can do that to people.
.
Eventually, they came to a small, narrow valley, one which the Loki Familia had been down hundreds of times. There was one small issue which held them up though. That being the mysterious appearance of a tunnel in the rock.
Ais, Bete and Riveria all stood side by side, blankly staring into the tunnel, all lost on how it was there, and wondering if they just hadn't noticed it before.
Suffice to say, they were all stumped.
"So what do we do?" asked Bete.
Riveria answered. "We keep going towards the surface- '' But was cut off as Mikoto leaped over all three of them, sending them into another deadpan.
She lowered herself to the ground, Bete hearing her sniffing, bewildered beyond belief. She suddenly raised her head, staring intensely forward, before taking off in an all out sprint.
Bell and Ryuu suddenly passed the three of them giving chase. "We can't just let her go off alone!" The entire party now passing by.
The Loki executives sighed in unison, before following.
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There Mikoto stood, staring on in her own euphoric state.
Hestia walked up to the pond, watching as it seemed to glow, providing the only light in the cave chamber, and dipping her hand in.
Bell quickly pulled her back. "Wha-? Bell?!" She questioned.
"Goddess! This is the dungeon, you can't just do things like that!" He moved to kneel beside her. "What if it was poisonous? Or corrosive?!"
Hestia wasn't paying much attention, though she did hear him.
"Goddess!" He shouted.
Instead of reacting, she simply raised her finger to the side, ushering him to look where she did.
What he found was Mikoto with her head submerged in the pond.
She suddenly picked her head up towards the ceiling. "Haah!-" She took in a large breath, before lowering her seemingly crazed eyes forward once more.
"It's perfect!" She announced.
"What…" Riveria spoke quietly, though in the now silent room, it was hard to miss.
"The water! It's perfect in temperature and minerals!-" She turned to the High Elf. "It's a hotspring!"
Everyone simply looked to her, then slowly, one by one, towards the now declared hotspring
"So?" Bete snarled.
"I must take a bath!" She shouted, not caring as she began at her clothes.
Mikoto was swiftly brought back to reality as Riveria grabbed onto her shoulders, immobilizing her simply by the Level difference.
"DON'T" She shouted to the easterner, a slight blush present.
Mikoto turned, and soon, one of the most unexpected battles of Riveria's life began. She stared down the younger girl who was being held tightly by the arms, as she gave one of the most innocent and hurt expressions seen to date on Genkai.
Riviera looked on with a stone expression.
Mikoto's eyes widened, a tear appearing.
Riveria faltered and Mikoto saw this, pressing her advance by allowing her lip to quiver in sadness.
Riveria's brow twitched as her front cracked. "A-alright…"
Mikoto felt her excitement skyrocketed again, the joyous moments today seeming everlasting.
"BUT." Riveria swiftly scared the smile from her, even Ais of in the distance flinching by reflex. "You will wait till we decide how this will go, understand?"
Mikoto slowly nodded, sweating bullets under the glare of the Nine-Hells.
She was released, Riveria turning back to the group. "So then, how are we doing this?" She planted her hands on her hips.
"Well…" Asfi spoke, hoping inspiration would take hold, though it didn't.
"Swimsuits?" Asuka spoke quietly, more to herself than anyone.
"But where would we find some?" Hestia asked.
Hermes, currently laying on the floor in the back of the room, squirmed with an enthusiasm unheard of, however, a knot created by a Level Six was a foe most unwavering.
"There's a simple solution here." Bell spoke matter of factly, everyone turning to him. "There's two ponds…"
Everyone looked over to them, realizing that he was right.
"I won't be bathing, so I'll keep watch." Ryuu spoke up.
"Perfect!" Mikoto shouted, clapping her hands together.
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As Bell, Bete, Welf and Ouka sat, they couldn't help but realize how little they all had in common.
For Bell and Welf, it wasn't too bad, they were able to discuss their party's going ons in the dungeon, as well as anything Bell wants to note about gear.
But for Bete and Ouka… Well that was a bag yet opened.
"Sooo… What do you guys like to do for fun?" Welf asked, getting only looks for an answer.
Bell chuckled awkwardly, though his shoulder felt better, so there was that.
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Mikoto was currently floating face down in the bath, the others not exactly knowing if this was normal, but Asuka seemed to be embarrassed but unconcerned by her behavior, so they were going to assume so.
Ais and Riveria sat beside each other, Riveria not being as uncomfortable about bathing around others for Elf standards, but regardless, word one of the towels.
"This is… nice." She spoke to Ais, and everyone in general.
"Mh." Ais responded with a nod, slightly dozing, the same as Asfi at Riveria's other side.
The tied up bun of green hair shifted as she turned. "Are you doing alright?"
Asfi didn't answer, both drowsy from the bath, and exhausted from her own turmoil.
"It's alright, you did the right thing." Asfi turned slightly to her senior.
"The gods agreed to go by our rules when they came down. That didn't stop at hunger, thirst and illness, they also agreed to abide by our laws." Asfi looked back down, but held her head a touch higher.
"He broke those laws, he needs to pay for that." Riveria turned back forward. "Just stay with us, you'll be out of the cross fire."
She spoke softly. "What of the others? I'm their captain after all."
Riveria sighed. "We'll do our best, and protect as many of them as possible, but we'll need your help."
Asfi nodded, now having the strength to hold her head just below level.
Riveria smiled, looking towards the others.
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Bell sat silently nodding along as Bete recounted the time he'd run from Riveria, apparently having been behind her and seeing the whole thing.
Bell simply nodded along, inciting Bete to talk all he wanted, knowing how fragile the average tsundere's ego was. One wrong word and their relationship was ruined, he needed to give him time, soon enough they'll be gripping on each other, rather than just Bell.
He sighed.
"Bell!" He heard Hestia call out.
His eyes shot open, seeing her stand before him, noticing how she wore a bathing suit made of both fabric and vegetation.
Quickly he turned to his side, seeing not only Welf and Ouka, but instead Hermes in the place of Bete.
Bell's heart ran, only after a few seconds of staring, did he blink.
Now finding Bete, Welf and Ouka looking at him, having sat up suddenly, heart threatening to burst out of his chest.
"You good Bell?" Welf asked.
Bell hesitated. "Y-Yeah, I… Yeah." He slowly leaned back to the rocks below.
"If you say so…"
Bete looked at Bell, though giving the impression of dropping what had happened, his instincts were throwing him left and right without any seeming rhyme or reason. Especially having been the one to see into his eyes before he came back to reality.
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Eventually, the men called over the various rock features and agreed to end their break, finding Hermes still laying on the same rocks from before.
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After some trudging, the group of eleven people reached Floor Twelve, a sigh of relief washing over everyone, now back in their normal hunting grounds.
They passed numerous adventurers, all of which watched in interest as a party ranging from Level One to Six marched on, looking a combination of no worse for wear, and dragged through hell.
Both Bell's and the Take party couldn't help but notice a lack of monsters on the way up from Twelve.
"Ais?" Bell spoke, looking the other way.
"Hm?" Ais turned to him, Bell meeting her after a moment.
"There's a lack of monsters around… Right?"
The corners of Ais' mouth raised up. "This high in the dungeon, monsters know they can't compete with us, being Level Sixes, so they don't risk a fight."
Bell raised an eyebrow at this. "Hm! That's definitely interesting."
"Yes."
.
After a lot more walking, they reached the surface.
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A general smile crossed the large party of adventurers, all of which had not seen the sun, which was currently setting, in either four days, or several weeks.
.
The elevator climbed and climbed, the occupants being Horn, Asfi and Hermes, who was still gagged and bound.
A soft clink was heard, as the elevator came to a soft, but noticeable halt.
Hermes' heart was pounding but he had a plan, knowing the in and outs of the high up familia's, he was going to resort to black mail in necessary, though he hoped not to need it.
They were met by Ottar, of whom still had a bandage across his cheek.
Horn stared for a second, never before having seen Ottar with bandaging, but quickly set that thought aside, moving Hermes, and Asfi by extensions towards the apartment entrance.
Horn wrapped her knuckles against the oak door, of which, a soft affirmation was heard through. She turned the knob, and pushed it open with only as much power needed.
Dragging in Hermes, Horn was somewhat annoyed with how willing he was to follow, behind him was Asfi, then Ottar.
Horn was surprised, but also pleased that all the executives of Freya Familia were in the room waiting. Hermes nearly soiled himself at the sight of the seven Level Six executives waiting for him, Asfi not faring much better.
"Welcome Hermes." A soothing voice came from across the room, everything seeming to stop.
The gag was removed by Horn. "F-Freya! How wonderful to see you, in fact I think we may have an important topic to discuss!"
Freya chuckled, smiling, uncomfortably calm. "Yes, I do believe that is true, how rude to keep me waiting all this time."
Hermes broke a sweat. "It seems your Familia member beside me" He shrugged his shoulder to Horn. "Made a commitment for your Familia that she wasn't in the position to make!" He smiled.
"Oh? And what might that be?" Freya tilted her head, something that made Hermes irrationally nervous.
"W-Well you see, she said that your Familia wanted to involve yourselves in a case of the Little Rookies word against mine. Now, I suggest-"
"What makes you think that view is unsupported here?" Freya smiled sweetly, a dangerous look in her eye.
Hermes froze, looking left and right at the executives, seeing them all stare at him with malice filled hearts.
He leaned forward, though a distance between them, he spoke in a hushed voice, like someone would overhear. "I know enough to ruin your little collection you call a Familia, Freya, don't test me."
Though trying to come off as intimidating, all of his hopes were dashed as Freya smiled further, even going as far as to begin laughing, eventually falling into a full blown belly laugh.
Hermes was shaking in his boots.
"Your-" She wiped a tear. "Right Hermes, she did make a mistake down there!" Though curious, none of her children turned for an explanation.
He smiled weakly.
Her tone dropped, chilling the room. "She should have simply cut you down where you stood."
Hermes' eyes widened, fumbling over his thought, not able to understand what it was she just said, being so overly important in his own mind, he couldn't understand how this was happening.
Hermes began to shout. "Why?!- Why are you siding with that kid, that damned brat of a kid?!"
Freya simply looked at him, allowing a shift in her eyes as they exchanged a glare.
"That 'brat' is more important to this world than you'll ever be..."
Hermes' mind stopped.
"Take him to Folkvangr, lock him up, and report his arrest first thing in the morning."
Hermes' mind ran wild as the Gulliver brothers all stood, the first two walking past for the door, and the last two harshly latching onto his arms forcibly dragging him away.
"You-You can't do this. I'm-!"
The doors slammed closed, leaving the room filled with what remained of the Freya executives, their goddess and Asfi.
Asfi, speaking of, was now the center of attention, shaking where she stood.
"I would like to be alone with her." Freya spoke smoothly and without malice.
The remaining executives left her and Horn with Freya. As they left through the same door, Horn made her way to Freya's side, helping her stand.
Freya spoke passively to Asfi. "Sit."
Asfi did just that, landing herself on one of the couches, facing Freya directly across the coffee table, sitting again but now level with herself.
"I am aware of your actions and what you did on Floor Eighteen." Asfi's heart pounded, head down.
"Do not worry, I also know that you sided with telling Bell of that lowlife's actions."
Asfi dared to look up to the goddess of beauty, finding her having a much more worried and somewhat… caring expression.
"By doing what you have, and I'm sure it wasn't easy, you have helped in protecting Bell from a possible and likely future threat, thankyou."
Asfi had gone from shaking to bewildered, expecting to have been taken prisoner or worse, but instead, this?
"I did what felt right." Asfi spoke with a strained voice.
Freya nodded. "What can I do to help?"
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That evening. A very confused Lili would hold up what remained of the towels used on Floor Fourteen.
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Fun Facts!
Important! - There will from now on be only 1-2 facts here, due to the potential length of this story, and the amount of stuff I'd need to have for all three slots. So, I will have one hearty fact, or two fairly good ones, I will do my best to make them good!
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After the battle over for the dungeon, Bell and Albert ventured down as far as level 2. Until the Falna came about, any more attempts to clear the dungeon were forbidden.
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A/N
Okay, really quick, this was the first time I came into a chapter with this little material prepared for the outline.
As the story has been written, I slowly have shifted or outright retconned certain things, actions and events, culminating into this blob of a chapter.
So, I do apologize if this felt a little sub par, and I will be setting aside an extra hour or so to adjust the overall outline regarding major and smaller scale events to fit with where the story is now.
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The next thing is that, yes, there were two bath scenes, I do apologize. I didn't even notice this until tonight, while reviewing and fixing some things.
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The reason I have chosen for Bell to reconcile with Mord and befriend Bete is that…
For Mord, he is a generally well known person in a notable group of Level Two adventurers, so he is a good ally to have. Also he's a good source to learn how the general public may feel about something, giving a perspective those around Bell won't see from.
For Bete, I think he and Bell would get along well. I also think he could be a valuable asset to the overall story by Bell's side, or, perhaps across the street, willing to come over if he felt he could help in some way. (We all know he's a softy inside. ;] )
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To reiterate, I don't like Hermes. But Asfi is in fact a blue haired cinnamon roll.
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I'm excited to write a more casual Bell, and not the Bell we've been seeing for four chapters now.
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I really do hope you all enjoyed this, and the story as a whole so far!
Thank you all again for reading, I hope you all have a good and decent week! Thank you for reading!