Super sorry about the late chapter. I won't spend my time making excuses. (Proceeds to make an excuse in 3...2...1!) I got a bit lazy during the weeks before Spring Break. I just couldn't find the time to put a lot into the chapter. Because I wasn't feeling up to the task, I didn't write much as I believe the writer's feelings toward a work definitely affect its quality. Its no fun to read if the writer doesn't put any passion into it. Life's fun if it has meaning and is valued, much like stories.

About Bell fighting last chapter, I wanted to build tension and wipe most of Loki Familia under the rug. If I wanted Bell's fight to be of quality without making Loki Familia weak, the chapter would have taken much longer to write (which nobody wants).

Also slight LN 16 spoilers at the beginning though I'm sure many of you can guess as to what I'm referring too.

Enjoy! :)

Posted 03/31/2021

Chapter 8- Rematch

Orario- Babel

Several floors up the Tower of Babel far above the scum of the mortal world, sat a certain goddess of beauty. Freya, however, felt anything but beautiful as she watched her Odr return to Orario.

Freya frowned as she watched the soul she had been so enchanted with mingle among his former familia members. It used to be so…so pure. Practically transparent. Other souls glittered, but Bell's soul, it used to shine. Her frown deepened when the half-elf asked if he was okay and he had to search for the words, as if "okay" was foreign to him. She was so concerned that had she not been so refined, she would have yelped when Bell turned his steely gaze upward. Her heart started beating faster and she was feeling a little flushed as his gaze seemed to bore straight through her. She was conflicted as to whether to be turned on or concerned.

Ottar tensed behind her, hand already moving to the sword on his back before he paused. Seemingly remembering that they aren't in any real danger. Freya didn't seem to notice as she was recollecting herself, Ottar intended to keep it that way. Though he would heed caution around Bell Cranel.

'Oh my Bell what could have happened to taint the very innocence that you were. He doesn't seem to hold that same….purity. My Odr, what ever happened to you?' she thought concernedly.

As strong as he has grown and as great the confidence he exudes Freya didn't want to think that her Odr had been tainted. She thought that Bell's exile would help him clear his mind, maybe he could explore the world and see its many wonders, like she had done previously. It truly was a beautiful place and from a goddess of beauty that's saying something. But as a goddess of beauty, had she not seen the horrors that fill the mortal world as well. Had she, in her ignorance and overconfidence in her own beauty, sent the one precious and pure soul she had seen in centuries off to be tainted by the mortal realm's horrors? She didn't want to think that she did. Perhaps that is something both she and the Kenki share, pushing away the ones they love, even if the Kenki's "love" is little more than a minor infatuation compared to hers.

Her Odr was her fated lover yet could Bell still hold that place in her heart? Deep down she knew she cared for him immensely, dare she say even love him. During her time getting to know him as Syr, even if only for a few months, she had fallen for him to a degree. His bravery, determination, and innocence molded him into a man she could deem worthy of her.

But what is she to do with a soul burdened by the blood of those he killed. Red and black streaks like embers burning the edge of his soul, his innocence clouded, not transparent. Freya does not know what is going on in his mind but she could tell he is conflicted. Bell by nature, as shown by his soul, is pure and innocent, yet he has had to kill. While some like her Ottar and Allen have killed many a people, they are not burdened by it, therefore they are not tainted by it. But if Bell's soul is tainted by it, his purity clouded, then he has taken all those he has killed to heart and it is dragging him down and consuming him. Much like the flame consuming the Kenki, for she too has taken her anger to heart and has been tainted by it.

She sighed thoughtfully as she watched him clear several buildings with ease, her eyes never leaving him as she watched the small speck of burning white run toward the fight. Perhaps, she will fall for this side of him too. She might as well continue to watch him.

"Come Ottar, we will be getting front row seats" Freya stood up, placing her wine glass on the table beside her. She walked toward her room in a purposeful stride.

"Will you be going as Syr my lady?" Ottar asked. The answer should be obvious, but with his lady you never know.

"Of course…can't have him getting distracted~" Freya purred, wondering for a second if she should go in her 'comfort clothes' (if you can call them clothes). She shook her head to dispel the thought, it would bring too much unwanted attention.

"Be careful, the battlefield is a dangerous place" Ottar reminded, knowing that his goddess likes to get very close to the action, the barbarian and silverback incident flashing through his mind.

"You don't think I know that Ottar" Freya laughed, however Ottar's mind was elsewhere. 'If I think Bell Cranel is as strong as it seems, the battlefield may be very dangerous indeed.'

''Come now, we must not be late."

"Of course"

At the twelfth toll of the clock tower both Ais and the bull charged one another.

Activating Aerial, Ais sent a large slash of wind toward her opponent. The bull, seeing the massive blade of wind coming, quickly jumped over it as the blade continued past, slicing nearby pillars in half. Ais met him in the air, using Aerial to hover for a second as her Desparate moved at speeds unseen. Slash after slash was sent toward the bull, who could only raise his arms to block, pain flaring from both the shallow cuts now coating his arms and the amount of effort to raise his arms against such an onslaught dealt by Ais.

The bull's momentum carried through as he sent his left arm down toward the floating Kenki. As she brought Desparate up to block she was pushed down toward the ground as the force and weight of the monster barreled down on top of her, overpowering Aerial's minimal flight power. She brought a knee to the ground and her left arm up to support her blade as the bull pushed against her. Suddenly she could feel her opponent's weight shifting as they used her as a spring board, pushing off her Desparate and bringing his other axe down as he practically backflipped over her.

Aerial flared again pushing her forward and the bull axe back slightly. She knew her back, much like her opponent's was a weak spot covered by minimal armor. She pivoted, practically spinning on her knee and tried to bring her Desparate around to block. However, even with Aerial aiding her spin and pushing her forward she was still caught by the blade as it sliced cleanly through her left shoulder pad and nicked her skin. It wasn't deep by any means as her now shattered shoulder pad took the brunt of the impact, and it was by no means worse than her first fight, but it would still hinder her. Ais took a breath through grit teeth as she leaned forward before pushing off in a front flip, turning toward her opponent in midair to land facing the beast. The bull stood there for a moment, panting. Blood coated the tips of its axes as more blood matted what little fur it had, the feral grin still plastered to its face. Considering the bull's demeanor when she cut its left arm off last time, the damage may be less this time but the fight was much longer.

"You truly are a worthy opponent Kenki." The Xenos stated as it slammed one of his axes down. Half of the blade lost within the ground as only a small part of the blade and handle stuck out. The bull tossed the remaining axe between his hands as if it weighed nothing. Ais tensed, it may seem foolish to toss his second weapon, however it was a threat that he is confident enough in his speed with one axe to match her. And if her confrontation with Ottar the last few times have told her anything. A strong opponent with a big blade can easily match her Desparate. If the Bull could match her before with two, his blade and swing speed may now exceed hers.

She managed to back-step just in time to dodge an overhead swing from the bull as it leaped toward her. As soon as she landed she was going to go in for a thrust, as an overhead swing would usually leave one's opponent open for an attack. Usually. Right as she lunged, the bull's blade swung horizontally, ready to meet her in the air.

With her momentum continuing forward and nothing to push off of, she barely had time to pull her outstretched arm back in an awkward attempt to block from a thrusting position. The bull's blade met hers closer to her handle than she would have preferred. Because she had to bring her arms back, close to her body, and had nothing to push off of, she was sent rocketing back into one of the few standing walls.

She groaned as the dust settled around her. She was faintly aware of the bull panting in the middle of crater they were fighting in. She tried to pull herself up. A sharp stinging sensation stopping her. She tried shifting her body to better assess herself when it hit again. It felt like thousand little shocks of electricity arcing through her body originating from her left shoulder. She turned to looked at it, wincing as she saw the nails piercing her shoulder. She grit her teeth as she hauled herself up, a small wooden board practically nailed to her shoulder. She leaned on her Desparate as she slowly hobbled out of the destruction, carefully pulling the three nails and wooden board from her shoulder.

She was really starting to hate this monster. First it attacked the festival and Ganesha Familia. Then it attacked and took out her familia, her family. And on top of it all she was finally going to see Bell after so long. This Xenos, this monster ruined that and it would pay!

The wind picked up around Ais as she started toward the monster, which has picked up on her condition and readied itself again. The grin still on its face, though a bit more…tired and on edge. This would be the last bout. She willed the winds to bend to her, igniting her darkest and strongest skill. Avenger. The winds circling her body darkened, a storm promising pain and death. The black flames within her heart surged forth in a wave of hate, practically dancing across her body.

The bull lowered itself to all fours as it slowly morphed into the scarred body of the OEBD. The Bull's grinning face shifted into the amused snout of the OEBD. The face from her nightmares, the one memory that haunts her to this very day. She let go of all her control and prepared to lunge toward her opponent, one strike to finish it off. She will kill the OEBD, she will avenge her father, and she will save her mother. She readied herself as the dragon in front of her opened its bloodstained maw, a faint glow in its throat indicating oncoming fire, her neurons fired, muscles tensed and she lunged.

Only to collapse to the ground. Her mind having been drained from excessive use of Aerial. She willed herself to keep conscious as she watched the dragon stalk up to her. Its grin amused. It whispered something to her, a taunt. Telling her she failed and that she may meet her mother once it takes her magic.

She doesn't want to go. She doesn't want to die. She feels as if she is a helpless kid once again as its claws slowly reach toward her. She failed her parents. Her mother and father both turn their backs to her. 'No!' she screams at them as they walk away, she begs them to come back, 'Don't leave me please….please…Mother? Father?' She's a kid again curled up into a ball with her knees to her chest as the dragon opens its mouth. She doesn't perceive the yell of her name as she closes her eyes, flames of red and white engulfing her.

A few minutes earlier.

Bell bounded across rooftops as he made his way to the battle field. He feels the magical energy getting stronger. He drops down into an alleyway and turns a corner, only to get blasted by an intense field of magical energy. He shakes his head as he stops focusing on the magic around him. When he finally gets his bearings he's looking upon what seems to be a makeshift medical area. The source of the magical energy coming from the strongest mage in Orario, Riveria or Nine Hells. He walks up to her as she she tends to the injured lying on robes and wooden planks, some are even sat up against the alley walls. Without even looking toward him or pausing in her healing she addresses him.

"It's good to see you again Mister Cranel, though I do wish it were on better terms."

Bell smirks slightly, 'Still not good enough to sneak past a level 7 mage huh?' Shaking his head he's about to ask when she sensed him when she answers for him, still not looking back to him.

"I sensed you a few blocks away, you must have certainly gotten stronger to have magical power rivaling any mage above level 5, maybe even level 6"

"Yes, still the reverse veil should have masked my magic output from that far away" Bell muttered, looking down at the robe in mock betrayal.

Riveria merely chuckled not wanting to tell him she only sensed him when he dropped down from the alleyway, but no harm done in letting him believe she is still stronger, if only he becomes an enemy. She internally grimaced at the thought as she finished up healing another person's wounds.

Bell was about to ask what was happening when both Finn and Gareth stumbled into the alleyway looking worse for wear. Finn and Gareth looked at Bell in slight shock before off loading the three unconscious bodies of the Loki Familia executives that they had managed to procure on the way here. Riveria sighed behind Bell as he quickly side stepped the magical powerhouse, letting her go over to her familia members. Bell shadowed behind her, now he really wanted to know what was going on and where Ais was.

As Riveria softly chants a healing spell on Gareth's broken and bloody arm, Bell asks Finn what he's been dying to know.

"Finn" Bell nods to the Loki Familia captain, as he nods back in return, "Bell"

"What happened here?" Bell asks as he gestures to the countless bodies lining the alleyway, most unconscious, others aren't as lucky.

Finn takes a deep breath, wincing slightly as he shifts his weight around his leg, "An Irregular escaped the dungeon. A Black Rhino, really just a stronger deeper level variant of a minotaur," Finn explains knowing that Bell hasn't travelled all that deep in the dungeon, "It's the same one that was rampaging the night of the Xenos incident."

Bell scowls slightly at the reminder of that night, he also doesn't know how to feel about Loki Familia knowing of the Xenos in such a way, perhaps things did change in Orario but they could still see them as monsters.

"Is it acting alone?"

"As far as we can tell, yes."

"Can you ta-"

Bell doesn't get to finish his question as a young elf bursts into the alleyway looking slightly panicked.

"Captain!" She yelled out breathlessly, looking for Finn only to run into Bell. Bell didn't even move as Lefiya literally ran into him, resulting in her on the ground rubbing her head.

"Oww," she whined as she looked up, her eyes quickly scanning Bell, "You..."

Bell internally rolled his eyes, ready for the onslaught of insults, except it never came.

"Help miss Ais...please the monster is matching her blow for blow." Lefiya pleaded, not bothering to get herself off the ground. She knew Ais is strong but the Bull monster somewhat easily dealt with the rest of the executives she would need help and her magic isn't enough unless she wants to wipe out a quarter of Deadelus street.

Bell's expression hardened as he repeated his earlier question, only this time it was a command, "Take me there."

As Lefiya got up, a determined fire igniting in her eyes. She turned to lead the way before several figures stumbled into the alley.

"Hey watch it."

"Hurry up I wanna see the ex-Captain fight"

"Shut u-ohhh"

"What's going ohhh"

The figures, Hestia Familia's Lexi, Maisy, and Aradia stumbled into the alleyway, quieting as they looked upon the countless persons lining the makeshift medical area. The rest of Hestia Familia followed behind them, quieting as they took in the tense atmosphere. Bell simply strode past them, Lefiya scrambling to catch up with Hestia and Take Familia following not far behind. Riveria stayed to finish healing the injured while Finn and Gareth would join Hestia Familia after wrapping their wounds.

They walked a few blocks in silence before a deafening crash was heard nearby. Bell tensed and before anyone could react, ran forward bouncing between the alleyway walls and vaulted over the last few buildings. Ryuu was quick to follow taking several more jumps to reach the same distance covered as Bell had.

"Why does he always do that?" Welf jokingly whined as he and the others started running to catch up to the two…assassins(?)

Bell quickly landed on a rooftop over looking the desecrated plaza below. He quickly took stock of what was happening below, he noticed Ais lying against a nearby wall as her opponent, 'A Xenos,' his mind helpfully supplied, stood in the center panting, back facing Bell and now Ryuu. Bell noticed Ais was still alive courtesy of her groaning slightly and trying to get up. The bull looked almost worse than her with a massive gash cutting diagonally down its back, a single axe in its hand and a second axe buried in the ground behind it.

Ryuu was about to jump down and attack the Bull in the back as it recovered but Bell was quick to stop her by putting a hand on her shoulder. Ryuu shot a questioning look to Bell who simply nodded toward Ais, his red eyes never leaving her. Ryuu quickly understood the hidden message, this was still her fight and it wasn't over. They stood there in silence for a second before hearing several footsteps coming up to them from behind. Lefiya led the group to where Bell and Ryuu were standing. As soon as she took stock of the scene below she raised her staff preparing to chant before Bell lowered her staff, Ryuu quietly explaining why she shouldn't interfere.

The newer members of Hestia Familia were shocked to see the scene in front of them, they went into the dungeon a few times with the executives and had traveled farther down than most adventurers of their level but they were still low enough to see level sixes and low level sevens as untouchable. And while that may have been the case several years ago and in most occasions they still are, there will always be something stronger.

Most of the group watched in horror as the Kenki walked out of smoke and fire holding her sword in her left hand while she pulled a wooden board and several nails out of her left shoulder. They were rendered speechless as they looked into her eyes, the warmth Hestia Familia saw previously was gone, replaced by the dark, steel gaze of the harden warrior, the Sword Princess. Bell and Ryuu simply lowered their heads a small amount at seeing the amount of rage burning within her eyes, Lefiya teared up seeing her sister's condition while Hestia Familia and Takemikazuchi Familia watched in utter horror.

They watched as the wind picked up, blowing the dust around the plaza obscuring their vision slightly before it was quickly blasted away from the center, that being Ais. Bell watched as the woman he loved stepped toward her opponent, black wind whipping around close to her body, a strong wave of hate and bloodlust emanating from her form. He watched her eyes dull as she let her hatred take over. He recalled one of the many conversations he held with her on the wall so many years ago when she compared herself to a monster. His younger, naive self being quick to defend her, not that he agrees with her in saying she is a monster because if she is a monster, he is a demon. He's killed and taken without pity or mercy, while she is a strong, beautiful light in the dark caverns of the dungeon as she carves through monsters. Besides she is his hero and he would be lying if he still didn't want to be hers.

He was pulled from his thoughts as Ais lunged toward her opponent, her blade outstretched to meet the now charging bull. He heard Lefiya scream Ais' name as Ais collapsed from either mind-down, blood-loss, exhaustion, or a combination of them all. The bull, however, didn't stop in its charge and Bell jumped into action faster than the others could.

He quickly brought up his hand trying to charge Argonaut. He found that over the past year or so when his kill count rose and he became burdened with his victims death, even if he always tried to justify them, it became increasingly difficult to charge up Argonaut. He thinks it's because he doesn't think of himself as a hero anymore and he is, therefore, unable to fully tap into the literal heroic skill that allows a hero to turn the tables. Of which he is not. He isn't sure but as the bull charged the collapsed Ais, one thought ran through his mind, 'Protect her!'

He felt the boost of power flow through him as soon as he willed Argonaut to aid him. He quickly cut it off as any more than a second could easily put Ais in the line of fire. He only used Argonaut so he wouldn't hit Ais with a wide burst of flame and instead hit or cut the bull off with a more precise shot similar to Arcs Ray. He quickly aimed between the bull and Ais and uttered a single word to complete his spell.

"Firebolt!" He yelled, pouring a small bit of mind in the spell to push the fire away from him faster.

The plaza was glazed with a beautiful red and white as the fire crackled and flared. It traveled quickly, still appearing as a flame despite the use of Argonaut, which usually let it out in a beam of pure white. As soon as his spell hit the ground it blocked the bull from Ais, carving a wide arc around her body. Bell jumped through the remnants of his spell, practically jumping through the flames that just left his palm. He landed gracefully and turned to face his new opponent, Ais laying just a bit behind him.

She opened her eyes slightly, perhaps in surprise that she wasn't actually burned alive. She watched the remaining flames dissipate as the figure in front of her pulled out a beautifully carved spear from his cloak. It's colored a beautiful blue and grey, with a point almost like that of an arrow rather than a spear. It holds a beautiful blue opal as its center piece and almost feels divine. She watches as he turns slightly to look at her, a small smile on his face to see she is alright. He turns back to his opponent, his spear facing down. Before he goes he whispers to her.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you now."

She can't help but smile softly at the words despite the pain. The same words she uttered to the boy who stole her heart when he went on his first adventure, when he became her hero. She watched as his figure walked away from her, not unlike when her father went to fight a creature that took his life. However, this time she knows her hero will come back to her. She knows she will be safe. She finally lets her body rest and succumbs to her exhaustion, not before whispering the one name that she will never forget, "Bell…"

"Oh Lord Hermes, what a pleasant surprise!" A kind and chipper voice sounded from behind. However, Hermes, being the master of sarcasm himself could easily note the almost scathing annoyance laced within it. The voice belong to a young waitress, or witch depending on who you ask, named Syr.

"Oh hello Freya, or are you going by Syr these days?" Hermes asked lazily. Try as he might he never really understood why Freya went out like that. Well actually he could easily understand why, he just didn't care much. It also freaked him out to meet the "happy and playful" side of Freya, considering she was one of the more elegant deities in Gekai. Imagine his surprise when he learned about her little alter ego a few years ago. Syr was always a mystery to him but seeing her meet up with both Allen and Ottar on separate occasions when he totally wasn't following her because she, as Syr, had somehow managed to know a little too much for a waitress. He was also glad Ottar didn't wring his neck when he caught him sneaking around Freya as Syr.

Syr's eye twitched in annoyance, breaking her façade slightly, before a blindingly bright smile overtook her face once more making Hermes flinch in return. In his mind the smile was too innocent to belong to Freya.

"I just heard about the fight happening and you know me~"

"I'm sure and I don't really feel like I do…" Hermes replied off handedly, Freya was always a mystery.

Syr simply ignored Hermes comment and continued, "I also heard that Bell was coming back and I couldn't get off work to greet him, however, with the evacuation order I was able to sneak by Mama Mia!" She cheered slightly with a sweet but mischievous smile adorning her face, one that shouldn't belong to a goddess of beauty, disguise or not. "Though I do wonder how the bull monster knew escaped the dungeon and knew of the the events on the surface?" She pondered as she raised a finger to her cheek in a faux contemplative gesture, "I certainly didn't have anything to do with it, would you know how Lord Hermes?"

Hermes internally grimaced but hid it underneath his famous poker face, "I do wonder that, but that's all in the past, for now we can only watch as the hero saves the princess"

It was Syr's turn to hide the irritation at Hermes' statement. She already saw the soft smile on the Sword Princess's face and could guess what Bell had whispered to her. She was ticked off already that Hermes' little stunt already messed up her plan to get the main familias to fight over Bell, as now they are all joining together to fight a common enemy. "Yes, all we can do is watch."

And watch they did. Hermes' eyes widening as Bell took out the spear from beneath his cloak, 'Is that….No it couldn't be! I thought it was destroyed!' Hermes may have met Bell outside of Orario several time already but Bell never revealed what weapons he was carrying on him. Hermes always assumed it was just a bunch of standard issue knives and the dull Hestia Knife but to see the Spear of Orion, which is arguably Bell's spear, is unreal.

Syr watched as Bell spun the spear around experimentally, he was by no means better than Braver or her Allen but he was obviously well versed in using the weapon. What she was confused about however was why it was so…short. It appeared to be little more than five feet in length which in spear standards is quite short, as both Allen's and Braver's spears reached well over six feet. What also confused her was that the sides of the spear appeared rather dull. The points of the spear were obviously quite sharp but the parts surrounding the spear tip were rounded despite looking like a weird, double-sided halberd. It didn't match any description of a spear she had ever heard or seen and despite only be the goddess of her familia, she had seen quite a few spears.

She turned to ask Hermes but stopped upon seeing some sort of recognition flash across his face, she made a note to do some research on the spear and Hermes connection to it. He always did have a thing for powerful magical items, it's why his familia and his captain especially often use them. 'So many things to think about~ Oh well, problems for later, I came down here to watch Bell.' With that she pushed her curious nature aside, something she is quite use to doing in her true form and almost always indulges in while as Syr, and went back to watch the start of the fight.

Asterius grinned as he watched his opponent, his rival, walk out of the fire, wind rustling his dirty white hair. Ash and embers falling around them, the bloodied and dirty gold lying behind his opponent's feet as he stands in front of her protectively, a laughable excuse for a spear held in one arm. He felt a second wind move through him, 'Finally he is here!' He let out a triumphant roar, before properly greeting his rival.

"Yes, finally you've come to fight me. Let our battle be glorious, Bell Cranel." He greeted in a low tone.

Bell for his part didn't look all that surprised, he merely rose an eyebrow as he replied, "So you are a Xenos, I thought so. You of course know of me but I can't say the same of you…" he paused to let his opponent fill it in for him.

"Asterius. A name derived from my last encounter with the very same spell that you just used to protect her," The bull replied nodding to the now unconscious form behind Bell. "Our fight was glorious, a battle of two beasts, a battle relying on nothing but our own desire to win. I lost that round, however, the need to fight again brought me back stronger than I was before, but nowhere near as strong as I am today. I came up that fateful day several years ago to challenge you again, unfortunately you were…unavailable. So I trained everyday, waiting for the moment we meet again. I only beg of you to allow me this fight once more."

"I see no reason to decline granted she," he pointed to Ais, "and any injured are removed from the battlefield."

"Of course, you could not go all out while protecting someone."

Bell nodded before scooping up Ais in a princess carry and jumping back up to the rooftop where his…companions were watching from. He gently laid her against the wall, wiping the blood from her cheek with his finger before standing up, nodding to those watching and jumping back into the cratered plaza below.

"We all saw that right? Or am I going crazy?" Hugo asked after a second, the other new members of Hestia family nodding in agreement while the executives merely signed, even Lefiya just shook her head before chanting the same healing spell Riveria used by chanting Elf Ring.

"So the ex-captain and the Sword Princess, huh? I ship it!" Maisy yelled out excitedly, the others merely sweat-dropped.

"So he still cares for her, I can't say I wouldn't approve of it. Ais would kill us if we did that. Right Gareth?" Finn stated as he hobbled over to the group, using his spear as a crutch. His wound was healed but due to bloodless, as Pallum's don't have as much blood due to their smaller size, and the fact that it was just healed left Finn a little wobbly.

"Indeed the little lass would have our heads," Gareth chuckled from behind Finn, his arm healed slightly though still sporting a sling as to not jostle the bones. Riveria couldn't heal the bones until they were set properly which would have to wait until they could get to Dian Cecht's clinic.

"Well at least we didn't miss the main event." Finn commented as he came to stand by the edge of the roof, Gareth nodding beside him.

Back with Bell, he landed back into the impromptu arena. He smiled internally at hearing Finn and Gareth giving him their approval, not that Ais would care much for it. Though to him, as nice as it was to know Ais cared about him, was he worthy of her. Three years ago he would be practically jumping in joy to hear those words, or faint in a stuttering, blushing mess but semantics. Either way he would be overjoyed to hear that, but now Ais and the rest of them don't know what he's become. He quickly pushed the thought away before he started to spiral, he kinda needed to focus on the deadly bull rhino, monster, Xenos named Asterius staring at him with a hungry grin.

He pulled his spear out once more, having sheathed(?) it while carrying Ais. Now they would fight. He spent no time trying to chat as he learned over the years, it is often best to just finish it. He leapt forward, his spear extended. Asterius was taken aback to see the spear point mere inches away from his face. He shifted to let the three points move past him, thankful the parts surrounding the spar were dull as they too ran along his face. However, as he was too preoccupied with dodging the spear tip he didn't notice Bell following it up with a massive punch to gut.

Asterius was rocketed back, his injured back colliding with the stone wall behind him. He grunted in pain before pushing off the wall, tearing his second axe from the ground as he passed. He raised one axe, intent on snapping Bell's spear in half as he put all his strength in to it.

Bell instinctively rose the spear to block, Asterius's axe came down fast, catching fire momentarily as it moved through the air, the friction heating it up. It impacted Bell's spear with a might crack, the impact kicking up dust and ash, as well as fanning the nearby fires. In the center of the now bigger crater stood two figures.

The Spear of Orion held firm, a slight burn mark from where the axe had impacted. Asterius's axe held a nice circular dent where it impacted the spear, burn marks flowing along both sides of the blade. The users stood and kneeled respectively, both panting. Asterius stood, both axes hanging limply at his side as he was pushed away from the shockwave of the hit. Bell had to take a kneeling position to better hold up the weight of the attack. A level 8 equivalent attack backed with nearly a ton of pure muscle was not a very easy thing to take standing up. He was still a level six after all, though he could assume his stats far exceeded any of the level 7s in Orario.

He lowered the spear, his arms were trembling, having had all the kinetic energy bounced through him. He let out a shaky breath as he regained his bearings. He rose from the ground as he let loose a peal of laughter, not a sad laugh or a maniacal one, though it could definitely be seen as either considering the circumstances. It was a genuine laugh. The onlookers looked confused, many wondering if he had finally broke while others like Welf smiled softly at seeing the person he sees as a brother laugh so genuinely.

It was a soft laugh that contrasted heavily with the context of which it was achieved. It was a laugh in which one doesn't know why they laughed exactly, but just felt like it was the right thing to do. It calmed him, burning away his worries. A small spark of innocence reigniting in his soul, nowhere near as strong as it was before, but it was there. A small ember drifting in burning black. Perhaps it was the context of almost dying or meeting a worthy opponent, or perhaps the knowledge that he was back in Orario, the place where it all started. As he faced his first true opponent, his first adventure again, he wouldn't know. Just something about it all just felt, freeing.

The tension leaving his body as he looked upon his opponent, Asterius seemed amused as he sported a mirthful grin. It was infectious as Bell turned to sport a lopsided grin filled with joy and excitement. They readied themselves once more.

They charged again, their blades meeting in a shower of sparks. As they danced around their blades left gouges in the earth. The grins never leaving their faces. The fight itself, despite the fighters heavy breathing, blood, sweat, and pain, it was pure. Small cuts adorned their bodies as they nicked away at each other's defenses.

Their spectators watched in awe, other adventures, civilians, and deities joining them. To the now awakened Loki executives, sans Ais, they watched as man versus beast fought each other in a beautiful display of will power and skill. Even Ottar emerged from the shadows, a good distance from his lady to avoid suspicion, to watch the fight. It was an adventure in its purest form. It embodied aspects of it, though the tug of war over life and death, the hardship of fighting, as well as the camaraderie and respect of a worthy opponent.

The fighters paced themselves, the tempo was slow, or slow for first-class adventurers. They took turns attacking, neither looking to end the fight as quickly as possible but still looking to harm their opponent. It wasn't the merciless killing and attacking seen in the dungeon these days by adventurer and monster alike. There was a mutual respect of two rivals. They held each other in high regard despite both having ways to overpower the other. No tricks were used, it was simple, bloody and beautiful.

Unfortunately beauty doesn't last.

To the more experienced and higher leveled adventurers it was clear as day, both combatants were tiring. To be honest it was a miracle Asterius was still standing after so many injuries from his previous fights but most could tell he was slowing down significantly. Bell kept up his attacks, sprinting around Asterius, taking pot shots from various angles. It worked incredibly well with his high agility but it also was very draining. Asterius stood whipping around to block as many hits as he could. Occasionally he would retaliate and nick Bell who use his agility to dance out of the way of a devastating hit. However, the fight would soon end, yet no side had a particular advantage over the other.

Bell knowing this, finally revealed his trump card. Argonaut. He jumped back with a quick Firebolt to distract Asterius. He then started to charge Argonaut. White flakes that glowed like miniature stars floated toward him and his weapon. An almost melancholic sound filled the air. The grand bells tolled.

The Hestia Familia executives were both excited and really confused. They were excited to see how Bell's power, but were confused as to why the bells sounded so…sad. They were usually a sign of victory, of hope but theses bells were somber as if they too did not want the fight to end. It only cemented the same question that they had been asking themselves since he came back, 'What happened to him?'

Asterius seemed to catch on to what Bell was planning and quickly took action, leaping after him with both axes drawn. However, his injuries were easily getting the better of him and slowed him down immensely. The game of cat and mouse continued for a few minutes as Bell danced out of the way of each and every strike, the particles gathering around him glowing brighter as he glow too.

Finally as every part of Bell sans his eyes started to glow pure white, he held his spear as he transferred his power into it. The surface of the spear stared to flake away as it was replaced by a golden glow. It quickly enveloped the spear as Bell now held a beautiful golden spear, divinity and power radiating off of it. Bell quickly held the spear in a throwing stance and launched the spear at his opponent. Asterius, luckily had the foresight to cross his axes over his chest as he took the full brunt of the spear's power. The spear having been thrown so fast and so hard that a shockwave was produced from its sheer speed. As it flew a magic circle encircled the tip of the spear focusing its power forward.

Asterius held the blocked the spear with his axes for a few seconds as the magic circle grew larger around the spear tip, until it eventually shattered his axes. It continued to travel forward as it sank into his chest. It embedded itself several inches deep, just stopping at the curve of the rounded spear tips. The very tip of the spear just left of both his heart and his magic stone.

He stood there with the spear, now returning to its original color, embedded within his chest. He wavered slightly, dropping his axes before he fell to his knees. He chuckled hoarsely as blood dripped from his mouth.

The surrounding audience was eerily quiet as Bell approached him. His cloak torn to shreds, the only part remaining was what was wrapped around his neck and the hood. His armor was littered with cuts, a massive slash running down his chest plate. He was missing an arm guard and shoulder pad. A cut ran along his thigh, several more smaller cuts littered the spaces in between his armor where bits of debris and sprained were able to hit him. Blood dripped from his gauntlet-ed hand where the leather was burned away from the heat of his spell and what was ripped away as he threw the spear.

Bell ran his fingers along the spear even as blood started to run down the grooves along the shaft. He frowned as he looked on the blood on his finger tips. As many lives as he has taken, he really didn't want to take Asterius' life. This time he would listen to the little, innocent, naive voice in his head telling him to spare his opponent. He had heard it before every kill and before every kill he had never listened to it, perhaps this time he would. He looked up from his bloodied fingers as Asterius spoke.

"It was a good fight and I lost. So why do you spare me from a quick death?" Bell hummed as he thought over it, "Would you believe me if I said I heard a voice telling me not to kill you?"

Asterius laughed hoarsely, before going back into a coughing fit. "At this rate I will die anyway, Bell Cranel."

He smiled somberly before taking a potion out of his satchel. "Say hello to Weine for me." Bell pulled the spear out of Asterius' chest and quickly poured the potion onto him. Asterius finally backed out from shock as the object was wretched from his body. Bell barely perceived or cared about the gasps of shock from the crowd around him, very few would understand anyway. He looked up to see Finn and Hestia Familia looking down at him, they seemed to understand though Finn and the newer members seemed apprehensive. He then looked over to Ottar. If the Boaz was surprised that he knew where he was hiding he didn't show it, Ottar merely needed in respect. To the fight or to his actions toward a worthy opponent, a rival, Bell wouldn't know.

Bell scooped up Asterius's body and jumped away. He was heavy and Bell's injuries didn't help. He arrived at the closest door to the Knossos and laid Asterius body at its feet. He knew Fels was watching, having spotted the bird trailing him as he jumped away. Of course Fels would monitor him, it only made sense. He turned to leave as the owl perched on a nearby sign. Bell nodded to it before going back to either lead the mob away or deal with his familia. Bell would honestly rather fight the mob than deal with his familia and a certain golden-haired adventurer.

He sighed, 'Might as well get this over with.' As he ran toward the still smoking arena, he couldn't help but think, 'So much for hoping things settled down during my absence.' Then again, he wouldn't have it any other way.

I hope you guys enjoyed.

Also about the Bell V Asterius fight...

Some of you may have noticed that I went for a more open fighting format which focused on the fight in general as opposed to every action made to emphasize that it was indeed different from the earlier fights.

I really took a lot of inspiration for Ais' parts and the battle between Bell and Asterius from the SO manga, as you probably noticed with all the references to the first fight. As this is parallel to Bell's first adventure. Same opponent and his debut in a way. I also just really love the scene. And the main focus of it wasn't the fight itself, but the emotions and meaning of it, which is what makes it such a memorable and important fight in the first place. So I really hope that makes sense and I achieved it through that fight.

Also super side-bar but Pallums have it rough. Due to their smaller body size they would probably be more susceptible to blood loss than other races. Their metabolism could also theoretically be higher as most smaller mammals have higher metabolisms which means they would gain and use energy really quickly. That would mean that first, they would need to eat a lot more than other races, two, they can't hold their alcohol but they wouldn't stay drunk very long, and finally, their base agility stats would be amazing but their endurance even at S rank would suck. But then again, fictional world with anime logic.

Sorry again for the late chapter.

Anyway, until next time!

See Ya! :)