Hello its been a while. I will keep this short and sweet this chapter is going to seem like a large jump from the last one. There is a reason for this but I don't intend to explain it at this time due to certain spoilers to the story. I ask you keep an open mind as I will be returning to this at a later date. Sorry for taking a moment of your time please enjoy.
The guild had finally settled down. Royman had finished another long and headache inducing meeting with Apollo, despite Hesita's insistence she be allowed to see her children she was little more than an ant compared to the shit storm that was Apollo. The fat elf rubbed his head and fanned his face as he looked at growing mountains of paperwork and complaints.
Despite putting a ban on all Apollo's activities that didn't stop the god from exerting his influence on the guild and its many supporters. His children went about starting fights in local taverns and shops. Harassing trade caravans that entered in areas of his protection and bribing other gods to stop the gathering of low-class magical stones. That was just the known problems and Royman couldn't even lift a finger to punish him while the wargames results remained contested.
"Ughhh how can one god be such a pain in my ass!" He groaned loudly as he picked up a piece of paper. "Disrupting trade, A lack of low-class magic stones, nobles refusing alternative familiars for protection! How many areas of everyday life can one person have his fingers in!"
The fat elfs stomach growled as he let out a sad sigh. "No! NO! He thinks putting a little pressure on the guild will make us crack but I won't be broken!"
He started furiously looking through the complaints trying to find anything that he could use to punish the upstart god.
"Lord Royman Is this a bad time?" The elf shivered as his hands dropped to his side and he fixed his tie. "N-No come in!"
The door opened and the tall red haired werewolf Rose walked in. Holding a small file in her right hand as she closed the door behind her. "Are you alright sir? You look like you're under a lot of stress?" She looked down and muttered. "For once." Under her breath.
"Stressed? Stressed! Of course, I'm stressed one god is being the biggest pain in my side and I haven't got a single scrap of proof that he's responsible. It's always his Familiar did it, one of his children started the fight. I can punish them but it doesn't affect him, he just gets another person to do his dirty work!"
Rose had longed to enjoy watching her boss suffer under increased workloads but nothing brought her more joy and headaches than having to listen to the fat elf moaning about the gods screwing him over.
"Sir the guilds healers warned you about getting to worked up. You'll collapse and be unable to do anything at all." 'Ohhh how nice that would be for all of us…'
Royman groaned knowing the werewolf had a point. "Yes… Your right Rose…" He coughed loudly before looking at the file at her side.
Royman sighed. "Ughh not more paperwork! I'm already behind on more important matters. J-Just tell me what it says and make it quick!"
Rose nodded as she opened the file. "Yes sir." She read through it taking a couple of minutes before closing it. "It's an update on Riveria's report. She believes Artemis is fit for combat but recommends another day or two to let her have her…"
"FINALLY!" He jumped to his feet with a small smile on his face as he pushed the stack of papers off his desk and rummaged through his draws as he tried to find something.
"Ahhh there it is." He quickly slammed two pieces of paper down on the desk as he scribbled his signature on both. "Get a guild courier to deliver these to both Hestia and Apollo. Have Genisha clear the colosseum for tomorrow! I want this wargame back on and over with! No crowds. Only the gods can be present for this!"
Rose watched her boss do more work in a couple of minutes than he had in the last two days. "Y-Yes sir, but on such short notice shouldn't we at least give everyone a day or…"
Royman took a deep breath but shook his head as he cut her off. "Rose, you've seen what troubles this last week have brought. The sooner one of these gods wins the better. If it's Apollo he can go back to being the self-centered narcissist of a god. If it's Hestia then I can imagine Apollo being run out of Orario faster than I can eat a cheesecake!"
Rose raised an eyebrow. "Really that's pretty fast?"
Royman was about to continue but stopped as his eyes narrowed at the small smug smile on the werewolf's face. "I'll pretend like I didn't hear that Rose! Now go do as I've asked!"
She groaned under her breath but nodded as she took the two orders from his desk. Slipping them to the top of her pile as she turned and left. As soon as the door shut her first thought was to sigh. "Honestly he hasn't even begun to see the carnage downstairs!"
She made her way downstairs where several of the guilds workers began sprinting left and right. Stacks of paper in hand as they dodged lines of angry civilians and adventures that had become even worse each passing day.
"I'm sorry sir but I only deal with new adventures and their respective familiars you'll have to see…"
"I've been waiting in line for 2 hours! My business has been ransacked by looters TWICE! And you're telling me I have to wait even longer for justice!"
Eina could feel the growing annoyance from the adventures standing behind him. Last thing the poor half-elf needed now was them kicking off with the locals.
"Please sir if you'll just be patient I'll have one of my colleagues come over and take your complaint but as you can see we are pretty stretched thin as is." She looked around seeing Misha being swarmed by five traveling merchants who were trying to collect an order for magic stones.
"Useless all of you!" He slammed his fist down on the counter before a hand reached over and grabbed his shoulder. "What the?!"
He turned around to find a small prum girl staring up at him. Her tired and annoyed eyes stared deep into his as she moved the spit around in her mouth. "Would you mind stepping aside? Some of us have work to get to!"
The man groaned before swiping away her hand and snorting loudly. "Shove off pipsqueak, I'm not moving until I get justice! Why don't you adventures run along and do some real work and clean up the streets instead of feeding the needs of your gods!"
"Pipsqueak?!" The blonde long haired female prum holding a long spear cried out. She gritted her teeth, holding on to her resentment as a prum and being looked down on despite being an adventurer. She held in her frustration, noticing the man seemed unblessed and not worth her time.
"Yeah Pipsqueak! You Prum's are all the same, always acting in your own self interest! pah! I bet it was one of your race that robbed my store! You lot are good at that after all."
She spat before looking at him with fierce blue eyes. "You're lucky you're a civilian, I obey the guild."
"Like a good little pup too! Sitting on the sidelines until your master's call you to action Bah, it just goes to show how pathetic you all are! No wonder your race were used as slaves for so long!" He smiled, taking joy in pissing off the otherwise high and mighty adventures.
Eina and Rose watched the scene, not sure what to do.
Rose leaned into Eina's ear. "I'm not comfortable about this Eina, things are getting pretty tense."
The half elf nodded. "I just hope it doesn't get any worse. This place is already a powder keg waiting to explode."
However agitated voices began to rise in the guild as scared and uncertain adventures began to ask more questions.
"Miss Eina, if I may can't you have someone deal with this rude gentleman a lot of us have been waiting patiently to see you."
The man low on his patience turned and pushed her back. "Piss off!"
"Ohhh no." Rose muttered as Prum spat on his shoes and slapped him in the face.
"You little bitch!" He retaliated by throwing a punch which was swiftly dodged. But resulted in him hitting the werewolf behind her. Something the other man was not happy with.
Rose and Eina had little time to move as the man was thrown over the desk and all hell broke loose between the adventurers and civilians.
Both of them ducked under their desks as the little prum grabbed her agitator and threw him over their counter.. Eina looked back to see the man who had started arguing laying on his back between two smashed desks, groaning in pain; she peeked over her desk to see the little prum with a happy grin.
Yet that wasn't the end as another fight started near Misha before escalating to the nearby lines as civilians and adventurers began to fight in earnest. Despite the guild's no fighting rules things quickly got out of hand as guild property was smashed and used as weapons the few adventurers who kept a cool head helped the workers to safety while a courier was dispatched for the Ganesha familiar.
With the extra support, the guild was quickly cleared and the fighting quelled in the streets as many adventurers and Civilians were taken into custody. The guild was closed for the day while the damage to the interior was cleaned up and the staff had a chance to recover from the experience.
Rose, Eina and Misha were all waiting in the staff room. Despite everything they had been punished for not stopping the problem before it escalated and spent what little free time they had sorting out the end of the wargame.
"Honestly what does that fat-bellied elf expect us to do? Throw ourselves between civilians and adventures?!" Misha groaned as she lay back in her chair and looked over towards her colleagues.
Eina sighed. "He doesn't understand anything bar the political problems that come with any given situation. A fight in the guild halls is bad enough. But involving citizens is catastrophic."
Rose threw one folder after another into a bin as she groaned. "Half this shit is because of Apollo right? I hope your little crush wipes the floor with these assholes tomorrow."
Eina grabbed her arm. "He's not my…" She bit her lip. "Y-yeah…She looked away for a moment… "Fuck, please, let Bell win."
Misha giggled as she noticed the half-elfs ears going a tint of pink. "Don't worry Eina Bell has pulled off the impossible multiple times now. Fufu I mean that boy got more luck in him than a rabbit's foot."
Eina smiled as she played with one of her pens. "Yeah he has… I just have a bad feeling is all."
Rose and Misha looked and smiled at one another. "Sure you do. It's only natural that when he wins that blue-haired girl will become his new girlfriend. That's some stiff competition you've got."
Eina slammed the desk. "I do not have romantic feelings for Bell Cranel!"
"Fufu who said anything about romantic feelings." The redhead began to laugh. "We were on about your support role to him!" She couldn't help but smirk at her. Eina tried to ignore her, but her perked ears and confident tail just annoyed her.
Back at the Loki House.
"Are you sure it's a good idea, Riviera? Surely it would have been wiser to hold off telling the guild?" Tione said, sipping her tea as she and Riviera looked out into the garden. Her sister Tiona was making Bell do push-ups while she casually threw sandbags onto his back every time he did ten.
Her vice captain sighed. "The guild would only punish us if they find out and besides."
Turning her head to one side she could see sparks clashing in the distance. A small smile on her face as she placed her hand on her cheek. "They've both come a long way in the last few days haven't they?"
Tione knew who she was referring to as she smiled walking towards the back door. "Ahhh well I wouldn't be too sure about that, but..." She opened it and lent against the frame as she watched blue and gold dance around the training field.
Aiz and Artemis had found a great ways to settle their differences early on. Despite their joint annoyance to one another they found a joint hatred at the flat-chested amazon who often took the role as Bell's trainer. Though most of the time she would overstep her boundaries leading to the two girls pranking her or fighting with her. When that wasn't the case, sparing became the next big distraction.
Artemis wasn't the best with a sword but was even worse with daggers, in the end she went for the short sword. She was somewhat comfortable with her old one but having lost most of her gear she had to settle with whatever they could find.
Aiz was relentless in her training. Just like Bell before her she made sure to strike every opening she noticed. For the goddess, it was like being countered perfectly every attempt she made to fight back was met with kicks, strikes and her least favorite, the pool push. Luckily she managed to predict those particular attacks but in the heat of the moment she often forgot and one way or another Aiz knocked her down.
"Ughhh…" Artemis groaned looking up towards the sun covering her eyes as the rays of light blinded her for a second.
Aiz meanwhile sighed and moved away taking a sip of ice cold water as she waited for Artemis to get back to her feet. The Archer goddess took her time. She knew as soon as she was up Aiz would begin another assault.
"C-Can we just take a small break?" She pleaded only to receive a shake of the head.
Aiz placed the cup down and lifted her sword. "I don't remember you having a break in the wargame?" She said almost sarcastically as she moved over and pushed her back down onto the ground. "You lose…Again."
The blue haired goddess glared up at her. She flicked the sword away and tried to get up only to be pushed down again over and over.
"Whats wrong with you?!" Artemis growled and hit the floor for a fourth consecutive time.
"Me? You're the one that wanted to rest! You think monsters in the dungeon will care? You think just because you were a goddess the adventures of other familia's will go easy on you?! You're not an adventurer, you're just a burden!"
Instead of getting up Artemis rolled out the way grabbing her knife she quickly got to her feet and attempted to strike. Aiz wasted no time in disarming her. The knife flying into the pool, Aiz lowered her sword but was not expecting the sudden slap to her cheek making her gasp.
The sound of the slap seemed to echo as everyone looked up Riveria and Tione stepped out seeing the young sword princess holding her cheek as annoyed looking Artemis seemed to to take a step back.
"Ohhh no…" Tione whispered as she looked to Riviera for permission. The green haired elf just watched silently.
Aiz retaliated, dropping her sword and tackling the blue haired goddess to the ground. Her hands raised as she prepared to slap her but Artemis fought back throwing her body from side to side, hands raised up. Despite Aiz's superior level and strength she didn't want to seriously injure her less she invoked the wrath of Riveria.
Bell watched from afar; he was worried that for a while the two were close to the boiling point and something like this would happen. He had hoped like Riveria that the two girls would find some common ground but it seems what little they did always turned sour shortly after. "I have to stop them!"
He tried to rush in to break up the fight but Riveria stepped in his way using her staff to block his path. He looked to her with confusion as she simply shook her head.
"Don't Bell. If they have a problem let them get it out of their system."
"B-But…" He looked on knowing she was probably right but still watching the two girls he cared about fighting made his heart ache.
Artemis screamed loudly as Aiz pinned her down on the stone near to the pool. Pushing her shoulder into the hard stone as she let out her annoyance and anger towards her.
"Why do you always have to be a problem!' she cried clenching her fist before slapping the girl's face.
"It was peaceful, I had something to look forward to every day! I finally found someone that interested me and you took him away!"
Artemis could do little to stop her. The searing pain on her cheeks outweighed the words the girl was speaking. Still in that moment she couldn't help but understand her frustrations even as petty as they were. 'I can understand just wanting a quiet life…'
But as the girl persisted and her cheek began to swell, Artemis made a last ditch effort to get up. Aiz lifted her leg just enough when she went to slap that Artemis could free her arm. As soon as she did, she scrambled to get to her feet. Aiz lunged at her making her stumble causing he two to fall to the side. Aiz realised too late that they were next to the pool as the two girls fell head first into the water.
"Shit!" Riviera shouted as she rushed to the side of the pool. Tione reacted quickly jumping in after them. Bell followed suit as they both rushed to help.
Aiz panicked moments before hitting the water. Gripping onto Artemis as she panicked and tried to pull herself up as they hit the water. A struggle began as both girls found themselves unable to get any air. Artemis was closest to the surface but Aiz's panicked state made her pull on the girl, stopping her from getting out.
Artemis quickly began to lose control as her body scrambled to get out forcing her limited oxygen to run out her lungs screaming for relief, unable to take a breath only for water to start filling her lungs. Aiz meanwhile was used to holding her breath but that didn't stop her from panicking. Tione quickly grabbed Aiz pulling her up to the surface however Artemis was unable to remain conscious and slowly began to sink. Bell swam with all his life to get to her, charging Argonaut in his feet. Once he had her he released the built up strength to reach the surface. Tione was there to help them out. As Riviera helped Tiona and Aiz. Bell quickly pulled Artemis out, checking her pulse before pumping her chest. It didn't take long for Artemis to begin coughing up water and slowly regaining her breath.
Bell let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the gods."
Riviera rubbed her forehead. "Why do I always make bad decisions when It comes to Aiz…"
Tiona rushed to grab everyone a towel, Bell giving up his to make sure Artemis stayed warm, an act that got a grumble from Aiz, only for her intern to get a slap over the head by Riviera.
"If you had just been a little nicer this wouldn't have happened!"
Aiz turned her head and glared at the ground. "If you hadn't given her to me to train and look after it wouldn't have happened either."
Tiona stepped in as she grabbed Riveria's shoulder. "There's a messenger from the guild at the door."
The elf nodded, getting to her feet as she turned to the door looking to the small amazon girl.
"Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
Tiona nodded and sat next to Aiz poking her cheek.
"Wow Aiz i didn't know you could get like that. What's going on?"
Aiz turned her head. "I just don't like her…"
Tiona chuckled, "Why not? She's nice if you get to know her? Bell like's her so that's gotta count for something?"
"I don't like her!" She said this time with a little more annoyance in her voice.
However the flat chested girl didn't like the answer and wouldn't stop until she got the truth.
"Okay but why? Is it because she's prettier than you? Because Bell is spending more time with her? Are you jealous of her?"
Aiz turned to Tiona and covered her mouth shaking her head. "S-She just reminds me of a younger me…" She looked down. 'She lost her family, her friends, everyone she cared about… So why? Why is she so optimistic?!'
Tiona could see something was bothering Aiz deep down. She only knew bits about her past but not enough to understand the current situation. Instead the two just remained quiet while her sister checked over Artemis.
Riviera returned soon after letter in hand as she took a deep sigh. "Bell I have some bad news…It seems my latest report has sparked some problems. My suggestion for giving Artemis another week to recover has been denied. I'm sorry but as of tomorrow the wargame is to continue."
Bell gulped as he looked down at Artemis who just regained consciousness. He was fearful of her reaction to the news but to his surprise she seemed calm. She held his hand gently as she tried to smile. "It's okay Bell…This time we'll win…Together."
He gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand. "Yeah together."
Riviera and Tione smiled. "Well it's good to see you haven't lost all hope to fight. Still are you sure you'll be okay Artemis. What happened was very traumatic."
Artemis looked up at the elf and nodded. "I know…I still have nightmares over that moment…But I need to face my demons sometime right. I failed Hestia and the others. I won't sleep peacefully until I see Apollo groveling in the dirt."
Tione smiled and leaned over to Riviera. "Guess there's nothing else we can do for them. I'm going to go shopping. Can't have them fighting on an empty stomach…"
Riviera nodded. "I will come to… There's something I want to get…"
Hestia familia
"Lady Hestia! A message has arrived from the guild!" Syr said, holding out the letter which Hestia quickly snatched from her hands. Everyone including Hermes and Aphrodite gathered round as Hestia quickly glanced over.
"Artemis has made a full recovery!" She said with a great amount of relief but her face slowly darkened as she continued to read on. "Wait? tomorrow! They can't be serious?!"
Hermes looked over her shoulder and read through the letter. "Ughh just like Royman to be impatient. Looks like we don't have much of a choice Hestia… Best we can do is help them in what little ways we can."
Aphrodite read the letter as well. "Any preparations need to be made beforehand as well as any changes to gear must be submitted to the guild before the final match begins. The gods are able to perform a Falna check on their children before the match begins but not allow a level up to occur. Only one magic item is allowed to be used per combatant." She sighed. "Well at least it gives us a little more wiggle room to help Artemis."
Hestia looked to Welf. "I know it's against your policy but…"
Welf smiled. "No it's fine this is important I'll make an exception."
Hermes coughed. "There won't be any need for that Welf… I already went through the trouble of preparing them both."
"Hermes, what do you mean?" Hestia asked as Hermes looked at Aphrodite."You remembered I had been working on something with Hephaestus… Well…" He went to the back of the hostess returning with two covered cases and a small box.
Welf looked closer at the covers and noticed his familias logo. "Wait, you got these from my familia?"
Hermes rubbed his head. "Not exactly… Hephaestus made them as part of the gods compensation for Bell saving us. They were supposed to be gifts for after the wargame but given the current situation it might be best to give them now."
He lifted the covers to reveal a dark silverish short sword, the blade wasn't as wide as most blades but the edge was unparalleled with a gold swirl running throughout. Welf observed it closely and looked to Hermes. "Wait what did you make this from?"
Hermes rubbed the back of his head. "After the battle with Antares I had my familiar scour the ruins to find the pieces of the arrow. What you see before you is them being reforged."
Welf looked even more confused. "T-The arrow? But I thought it was a divine construct? A part of Artemis? Shouldn't it have disappeared?"
Hermes rubbed the back of his head. "Normally yes though I can't say why it would retain a physical form after her return to heaven."
Welf looked it over again and smiled. "This is Durandal isn't it?"
Hermes nodded. "Yes it is. The blade is surprisingly versatile. It's strong, light and amplifies the uses of magic. But more than that like the Hestia knife it's a living blade. Though this differs slightly. You see the blade isn't the only thing made by the arrow. Four items were created.
He pulled back the other covers revealing an elegant wooden bow and a quiver of ten arrows.
"The bow is based on the design of the one she had in heaven. Though Hephaestus and I added a couple of changes such as the handle and tips. In theory Artemis will be able to infuse her arrows with magic though that depends on her. As for her arrows they are something very special. Due to their inert link to Artemis's soul. They have the ability to be called back to her quiver and like the knife they all have the Durandal trait and are highly conductive of magic.
"Impressive these are sure to give them both a boost in the wargame! You got to give it to one eye, she still has her touch." Aphrodite smiled as she sat back in her chair.
Hermes shared a look with Hestia. "We have until the match starts to give them over. I'll make sure you get enough time to speak with them both. I just hope everything goes right this time."
Hestia smiled, "It will Hermes, I'm sure of it!"
Apollo threw the letter in the fire glaring at its words with hate. "Have we found out who made the leak?!"
He turned to Hyakinthos who stood silently in the corner quietly examining his blade. "No sir, though I have my suspicions…"
Apollo let out a sigh as he relaxed into his chair pondering over his next move. 'It doesn't matter once I win this match I'll have all the time in the world to weed them out!'
The god stood his imposing aura making his captain look up sharply. "I'd rather not have to fight the Cranel boy!" He started causing Hyakinthos to stop his inspection and stand up as well. "My lord he's only just turned level 3 I can handle him!"
Apollo laughed a little though quickly shook his head. "Don't take this the wrong way Hyakinthos but I made it clear before. That boy is on a whole different level, Hestia's child has managed to climb the ranks so quickly it begs the question what's his secret."
"He's inexperienced, my lord! Anyone can defeat a few strong monsters with a little luck and time."
Apollo slammed his fist into the table. "Do not underestimate his abilities! I've read the reports, I've heard the rumors! He's a force of nature in the dungeon, he defeated a minotaur at level 1, brought down the goliath with a single swing! Even Artemis the goddess who hated love choice him as her champion, He defeated a monster with the power of a god and lived to see another day!"
He turned, gripping his hands. "You have your chances to fight Hyakinthos, failure is not an option! Get your heads out of the clouds and accept the fact you might actually lose!"
Hyakinthos scowled as he lowered his head. "Yes my lord…"
Apollo sighed "Go get me Laurus I need to have a discussion with both of you how I want this to go down! Ohhh and Hyakinthos put this shit you two have between you to bed!"
Hyakinthos clenched his fist before slamming the door behind him.
"Petulant children!
Bell sighed as he went back into the garden to train. Aiz and Artemis quietly went their separate ways. Aiz upstairs to take a warm shower while Artemis to relax on the sofa wrapped in a warm blanket. Tiona was insistent on continuing his training while he still had a chance.
"Come on Bell, just three more push ups."
Bell groaned as he felt his biceps on fire. The amazon girl had thrown multiple heavy sandbags atop of him, he thought at one point she would run out but to his horror she decided to add herself to the pile. She kept count of his slow pace while reading one of her books occasionally kicking him to move faster.
"Two more Bell, come on. Once this is done you get to have a nice long swim…" She giggled, flipping the page of her book.
Bell suffered through the last two collapsing shortly after as he wished for Lefiya to come and ease his pain. Unfortunately for him she had been given dungeon duty and wouldn't be back for a few hours.
"Mmm Bell-kun are you tired?" She slowly got off of him and leaned down to his face smiling as she playfully poked him.
'Yes…" He groaned as he tried to get up but found himself just wanting a moment to relax on the soft grass. "I know you care Tiona, but I don't think I can take much more of this."
"Fufu ohhh I forgot whenever Aiz pummeled you in training she would always give you a lap pillow right?" The girl tapped her lap and smiled. "It won't be as nice but feel free to relax. Would you like me to read to you as well?"
Bell laughed lightly knowing he would only get her in trouble but to his surprise he wasn't really given a choice as she lifted his head up before placing it on her flat lap. Her smile as she gently poked his cheek.
"You don't have to worry Bell…" Tiona said quietly, making him look up, confused.
"Huh?"
She looked down. "The wargame, you guys are going to be fine. Fufu I've seen you take on a Minotaur at level 1 and heard tales of your heroic actions against the Goliath and…" She went silent realising she was about to bring up Antares. She shook her head and looked over at the window.
"Even Artemis, I felt bad watching her fight. It's clear she was being targeted. They knew how to get under her skin and shake her game."
Bell closed his eyes, nodding. He had talked to her over the course of her recovery. Her time with Aiz really had helped distract her despite the constant fighting Riveria made the right choice. "Aiz has helped her so much."
Tiona giggled. "You know if it wasn't for you I'm sure the two of them would have been the best of friends. Maybe they still can be with a little time."
"Yeah…" He had seen glimpses of them getting along. Laughing together as they played a prank on Tiona or the moments of concern from Aiz as she hit Artemis a little too hard. Even during their training it showed Aiz cared a little about what happens to her. She wasn't pushing her out of malice but a genuine desire to help her improve.
"These weeks have gone so quickly, I just hope it isn't all for nought" He said fearing deep down something bad was going to happen. Though a flick from Tiona broke that train of thought.
Her smiling face reassured him as she playfully. "I'll have none of that talk Bell. I know that even should you be put against the wall you'll find a way to overcome it. You're good at that after all."
He nodded letting a small smile form as he closed his eyes and relaxed. Listening to the Amazon speak.
"We are all going to be there for you. Riviera might act like we don't take sides but fufu If Loki was here I'm sure she'd like to be the one to put Hestia in her place."
Bell looked away into the distance past the rows of houses in the direction of the hostess . He hadn't seen his goddess or any of his friends in weeks. He occasionally received messages asking how he was but he could tell Hestia was worried for them both. "Tiona? Your goddess and Familia are missing right? Aren't you worried about them?"
The amazon looked to the sky and nodded. "Of course we all are. But they aren't in the dungeon and no bodies have been found in the rubble. I don't know where they could be but I know if Finn is with her then we have nothing to fear."
"B-But don't you want to go find them?" He was trying to make conversation but it wasn't the best of topics.
"We don't have the manpower to do a wider scale search. Plus we have to maintain our presence in the city. It would be bad if we all suddenly just upped and left. Freya familia has taken on the responsibility of searching for her."
The two went quiet for a moment as she chuckled. "It's funny isn't it two familias at the brink of falling apart and here we are helping one another get through it. Fufu our goddess might not get along but at least we can all laugh about it."
Bell chuckled "Yeah… When this is all over and we've won. I give you my word we shall help you find Loki and the others. To repay you for all the help."
He felt it was the least he could do. After all Aiz had been helping him long before this and even now they had no reason to help them train. Riviera was instructed to heal Artemis and keep himself out of trouble. They went above and beyond to help them prepare for the last fight and probably the most important of their lives.
Tiona smiled. "Fufu you should be telling that to Riveria not me but I'm sure she won't turn down the offer."
The door flew open as Tione and Riveria holding two large bags. Riviera smiling as she placed them down. "Okay Tiona thats enough fun for one day. Would you two come in and give us a hand with dinner?"
"Ohhh but Riveria I just got him to settle on my lap." The small girl pouted as she reluctantly got up after receiving one of Riviera's death smiles.
The two headed inside Riveria got everyone involved including Aiz and Artemis who were put on veg prep. Which quickly devolved into a competition of who could peel the most veg. Tiona prepared the meat while Tione went about baking some fresh bread and cakes for dessert. Bell and Riveria were off to the side preparing and cooking the dishes. Bell kept an eye on the sauce and gravy but was often pulled away to try something.
Once Aiz and Artemis had peeled and chopped every vegetable in sight they went to help Tione with her baking. The two girls were useless, lacking the patience or teamwork that was required as they fought over space, flour flew up into the air in large clouds as Tione scolded the two girls for fighting in her little corner. As their clothes were coated white. They looked at one another and shared a giggle as they noticed the flour handprint on the amazon's face.
Bell couldn't help but laugh as they all slowly found jobs that suited them. It took a few hours but everything was in and cooking. Bell just began to set the table as Lefiya walked in.
"Mmm something smells good." She said, placing down her staff and walking into the dinning room. "Ohh good evening Bell. Where is everyone?"
Bell laughed "Ohhh well Aiz and Artemis got into a flour fight with Tione in the middle so they all went upstairs to have a bath…Tiona felt left out so she joined them as well. Riviera is in the kitchen."
The small elf giggled "Wow, it seems I've missed an interesting day huh?"
"Is that Lefiya?" Riviera stuck her head through the doorway.
Lefiya nodded and made her way over to her. "Yes master d-do you need some help?"
"Yes, we are doing a last meal for Bell and Artemis. The wargame is going ahead tomorrow. Would you mind helping me get everything ready?"
Meanwhile upstairs.
"Mmm okay you two don't take too long…" Tiona and Tione stood up as they slowly dried themselves as they left the two other girls to quietly continue their bath. The entire time Artemis and Aiz had remained silent as they didn't really know what to say to one another.
As soon as the door closed Aiz sank back a little in the water keeping her head above it as she quietly looked over at Artemis who was washing her hair. Each minute that passed caused her to feel bad for their earlier scuffle.
"I… I-I'm sorry…" She said quietly, grabbing Artemis's attention as she lifted her head from the water.
"What?" She asked not hearing her properly moving a little closer. Aiz looked down at the water before repeating herself.
"I said I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did okay. It was wrong and I regret it."
Artemis remained silent, she lost the ability to tell if someone was lying to her but why would Aiz apologize to her at all? Riviera clearly hadn't told her to do it and even if she had Aiz was never one to do it openly.
"I know you and Bell have it rough at the moment, I shouldn't be letting my own feelings get in the way of your training… I know it doesn't matter now but I do hope you both win tomorrow."
Artemis lifted her head in a small amount of surprise as she heard the girl that had barely spoken more than a few sentences to her started to attempt a conversation and appologise.
Artemis looked away and rubbed her arm. "No, I was also to blame, I should control my emotions more…"
The two went silent as Artemis took a deep breath and stood up. She and Aiz weren't like oil and water like she first thought but they still had their differences and when it came to Bell they were mortal enemies. She held out her hand towards her.
"I suppose a truce at least till the wargame is over."
Aiz stared into her eyes. "A truce?"
Artemis nodded. "Just for tonight, we've both caused enough trouble for everyone this last week and I'm sure everyone would just like a peaceful night. After the wargame is over we can go back to squabbling over who gets Bell to our hearts content."
Aiz couldn't help but smile as she took her hand. "Fine… But I won't lose, you do know that right?"
Artemis smiled smugly. "Mmm I'll try to remember that when I snuggle with him all to myself."
There was a twitch in Aiz's eye as she smiled back. "Our truce doesn't start till we get out right?"
Artemis nodded as both girls narrowed their eyes and lunged at one another.
"Nghhh stop pulling my hair!"
"Ahhhh stop, that's cold!"
"Why is it so slippy!"
Tiona and Tione were waiting outside smiling as they listened to the girls heart to heart though they couldn't help but laugh hearing them instantly starting a bath fight moments later. Tiona stuck her head in to break them up only to blush as she found the two on the floor, a bar of soap in each hand as they battled on the floor. Their bodies rubbed together as they began to giggle.
'Mmm I bet Bell-kun would love to see this…Fufu I'm gonna paint him a glorious picture.'
The two Amazoness left the girls to their play fight as they went to get dressed and join the other downstairs.
The rest of the night went by peacefully just as the girls had agreed. Each one on either side of Bell as they both feed him different things. Even being rewarded with him spoon feeding them back. Tione and Tiona teased the two girls from afar hinting at their talk in the bath and play fight making both girls blush.
Bell tried to picture it. The two beautiful girls, their golden and blue hair spread out as their soapy naked bodies rubbed against one another. His image slowly became perverted as the girls gave up the soap and began touching one another, their hands squeezing the others behinds as their breasts and nipples rubbed together and the two girls began to make out.
'Ohhh why can't that be real.' Bell thought as Artemis and Aiz noticed his blushing face. Lefiya watched from the side with Riviera enjoying the rare moment the two girls finally put their differences aside.
Once everyone had eaten their fill they all retired to the living room to relax. It was a sense of calm that had been lost over the few weeks and something Bell hoped would return to his life after the wargame. He sat on the sofa both Artemis and Aiz taking up a position next to him, Artemis snuggling into his neck while Aiz rested her head in his lap. Bell smiled as he closed his eyes, resting his head against Artemis's and slowly drifting off to sleep knowing in the morning they would finally have the chance to finish all this mess once and for all.
Authors notes
Hello everyone its been a long time since i last updated and I am sorry. I have taken on a new role at work and just not had time to sit down and write. Sometimes I have to focus on my career and life but I do try to keep on top of things but I'm afraid this is one of those occasions where I just got overwhelmed. No this story is not dead I promise its just finding time to update it on a consistent basis. No I have not given up because people keep complaining about little details. I want to write a story from beginning to end and that's what I've set out to do. I don't care if its another 80 chapters with a million words If needs be done I will do it.
As always please comment on what you liked, disliked. Just don't keep repeating the same shit like a broken record. I know my grammar is shit, I know the characters don't act like they are supposed to. Ohh and if your going to lecture me on my grammar check your spellings its Sifficult to read thanks. ;)
I hope you are all well and good staying safe in these strange times. I hope you enjoyed and look forward to the next chapter.