Chapter 59 - Going Fishing
After Bell returned from the moon, he found out that Ais was having a long lunch with her Loki familia girlfriends. So he headed there with the fresh orders from Hestia. When he got there, he saw everyone chatting except Tiona, who was gagged and hung upside down...
Tione and Riveria were really really happy to see Bell, but Ais was a bit embarrassed. They got up and made sure Bell got the seat next to Ais and were asked if he was hungry. A bit surprised by the special treatment, Bell just said that he already ate on the moon. He then told them what was learned from Revis.
Riveria's head ached from the situation. The only gods left were either in the depths of the ocean, flying somewhere and next to a volcano with no civilization nearby. Agreeing that those areas must be searched, Bell and Ais sat off to find Wiene. First, they stopped by the dungeon entrance to check on Asterius and updated him. They then found Wiene who was patrolling in the air above the city. Thus, Wiene headed towards the volcano, while Bell and Ais flew to the location 15 miles from Melen.
Ais and Bell first stopped at Melen. Njord's familia was back but without any falna power and very puzzled. Bell explained the situation and told them they were doing everything they could. They then asked if there was a village 15 miles away, but the familia did not think so, though they thought some hermits did live there. Perhaps the god is one of the hermits... So they headed off again to look from the air. They did see some shacks on the way, and stopped by each one to check. By the time they flew about 15 miles, they saw one more shack. When they checked, no one was there but it appears some type of hermit fishman lived there with all the fishing equipment. After that, they searched for another hour before heading back to Orario.
Wiene headed towards the general direction given to find the volcano. After about an hour, she did see a volcano, but no one was near it. There were also no villages nearby so she circle some more to keep looking. After searching for an hour, she still did not find any civilization or any person on the ground. At that point, the sun was getting close to setting so she turned back towards home.
While Welf had to patrol, Bell, Ais and Wiene had dinner with Mikoto, the Miach familia and the Takemikazuchi familia. Conversation over dinner primarily involved the search for the remaining gods. At that point, Riveria and Tiona dropped by. To accelerate the search, they suggested staying at those locations to see if the gods return. Thus the next day, Tiona would travel with Wiene to the volcano, while Bell and Ais would go to the empty shack by the ocean...
That night, Bell and Ais were enjoying lap pillowing outside under the stars. Ais fell asleep so Bell carried her back to their room. When he left her on the bed, she woke up.
Bell's heart started thumping...
Then Ais finally broke the ice and said "Bell, I don't think you were finished telling me how you felt the other night..."
Bell "Well gosh, I just meant to say that I always was thankful you saved me so many times and I wanted to be worthy of standing next to you..."
Ais "What are you really trying to say? Standing next to me. You stand next to me all the time. So does Mikoto, Wiene, Finn, Riveria, Bete, Tiona, Tione,..."
Bell "Well I always did not feel worthy before, but now it is better"
Ais was disappointed "So it is ok now? Is that all you have to say"
Bell "Well, no..."
Ais "Tell me what you really want to say then"
Bell "Well, you know I like you, right?"
Ais fainted...