Hephaestus POV

I watched in horror as a fist was driven through Rengoku one of Hestia's first children. The look on her face broke my heart as I could see tears welling up in her eyes. I brought her into a side hug to comfort her which she happily accepted.

What worried me most though was Bell who sat there in a state of shock and confusion and what looked to be tears gathering in his eyes.

Rengoku even though he had an arm going through his stomach still swung his sword that was in the demon's neck. The demon seemed to panic as Rengoku was somehow able to catch the demon's wrist with his free hand stopping the punch headed his way. He also somehow was able to keep the demon's arm trapped in his stomach as his blade went deeper and deeper into his neck.

I then watched in disbelief as the demon willingly sacrificed both of its arms just to get away from him and just like that Rengoku had failed at killing the demon and fell to his knees.

Bell who was still in a state of shock stumbled over to him tears rolling down his face as he kneeled right in front of Rengoku.

"R-Rengoku why why did you do that," Bell asked his voice shaky no doubt trying to hold back tears.

"To protect you young Bell" Rengoku wheezed out.

"It's alright you're gonna be ok we just...we just need to get you a potion then you'll be fine" Bell stuttered.

"Bell you and I both know that won't work not unless we had a healer which we don't," Rengoku said before coughing up some blood.

"Then I'll find one you just gotta hold on the rescue team shouldn't be too far away you just...you just gotta hang in there," Bell said his whole body shaking.

"Bell" Rengoku said calmly. "We both know I'm not walking out of this alive so just stop ok I protected you and I'm not scared of dying. I'm just sad that I won't be able to see you grow up anymore" Rengoku said tears rolling down his cheeks.

Bell said nothing but with his trembling body, I could tell he was close to crying as well.

"Bell I'm so glad I met you. I found you when you were just nine years old and now I'm proud of the man you've become. Don't go back to your old ways of trying to be alone you have people who care about you now. So many people who are right now on their way to come and save us and it's all thanks to you" Rengoku said his breathing getting heavier and heavier.

Bell said nothing and it scared me how quiet he was but he was still shaking.

"Bell after I die don't shut yourself off from everyone. The flow of time stops for no one, not even me. The world will keep going even after I die but remember this. If you feel like you're inadequate or not enough. Just remember to set your heart ablaze" Rengoku said as his breathing became quieter and quieter.

"I will Rengoku I will," Bell said his voice broken and quiet.

"You're a good kid Bell don't let my death lead you down a dark path because that would break me the most. Oh and one more thing look at your parent's records for me I do want you to know who they were"

"But I don't want to you're my dad Rengoku and I don't want you to die"

Rengoku chuckled before he spoke. "If I were to have had a child Bell I would've wanted him to be like you so I guess I do see you as a son" Rengoku then took a deep breath or tried to at least before coughing again. "Take care of the others for me Bell I know you might not think you're ready but you are I've seen it multiple times," Rengoku said a smile on his face"

After he said that Rengoku looked behind Bell almost as if he saw something behind him. He smiled and then took one last breath closed his eyes and died with a smile on his face.

"R-Rengoku wake up" Bell cried as he started shaking him. "Come on Rengoku you gotta wake up help is almost here so please please Rengoku wake up" Bell cried tears flowing freely down his face.

"Well now that all that sappy shit is over time to die, kid," Akaza said as he charged Bell. I heard Hestia cry out begging him not to kill Bell.

Bell didn't even move it's like he was in a world of his own so he didn't react at all to the attack. But the attack never came as a wave of fire cut Akaza off from his target.

"If you want to kill Bell you're gonna have to go through me," Welf said holding multiple magic swords.

"Oh, a Crozzo didn't exact to see one, and especially one that can make magic swords at that" Akaza playfully said.

"No what are you doing there Welf get out of there," I thought to myself not wanting to see him die.

"And I didn't expect to see an upper moon here in such a lowly battlefield but I guess life's full of surprises," Welf said one of his swords resting on his shoulder.

"You do know you can't beat me right," Akaza said.

"Yeah but hey there's always that sliver of a chance that I'll get a good hit or two" Welf replied.

"Oh you're an optimist I see," Akaza said as he charged at Welf.

Welf expecting this swung his swords unleashing a torrent of fire and wind causing a massive wall of fire. But after these swings, the swords were destroyed causing Welf to unsheathe his final one.

"Oh already down to your last one and here I thought you were good at making them" Akaza teased.

"I will admit they're not my best work but hey desperate times call for desperate measures," Welf said getting into a stance.

Akaza then charged and Welf swung his sword causing a stream of lightning to hit Akaza. However, that wasn't enough to deter Akaza as he took the hit full force and let loose and torrent of blows all over his body.

"And just like that the Crozzo lost," Akaza said standing behind Welf"

"NO" I shouted seeing Welf fall to the ground his sword breaking as he did so.

"Now where was I? Oh yeah killing the kid" Akaza said as he turned his attention towards Bell who had not moved at all from Rengoku's corpse.

Akaza charged at Bell but was stopped when two arrows hit him in the shoulder and another one hit him in the eye.

"Tch another annoyance," Akaza said.

"Get away from master Bell," the young prum Liliruca said tears streaming down her face as she reloaded her crossbow that was under her wrist.

Gonna cut it off here as Lili will have her own chapter to shine as well since I want everyone to have a moment to shine if different places and not just focus on how cool Bell is

Anyway writing Rengoku's death teared me up a little bit so I hope it did that to you as well.

Also still in the hospital but things are looking up but it's a slow and boring game process trying to get out so writing helps pass the time.

Anyway hoped you enjoyed see ya next time.