"I'm sorry we have to leave your and Bells side at this time."

Hestia was seeing off the other members of the group this being Hermes, Asfi and Ryu who all had business back in Orario.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stay however I'm expected back at the hostess of fertility and I don't want to annoy mama Mia, she will have my head if I don't get back soon. Give my regards to Cranel and tell him to stop by the Hostess at some point."

Hestia nodded

"I will and what about you Hermes what's your reasoning for disappearing at this point in time?"

Hermes merely placed his hand on his chin and looked to the sky.

"Like I said I'm required back in Orario I'm meeting with someone to discuss a very important matter however as much as I'd like to schedule it for another time I'm afraid the person in question doesn't like to be kept waiting."

Hestia was curious but decided if he wasn't going to tell her out right then there was no point trying to pry it out of him. He was good at avoiding questions.

"Fine however when I get back I expect to have a proper apology."

Hermes nodded his head, before mounting one of the horses.

"A word of warning Hestia, keep the boy close he may be in good hands but that doesn't mean he's safe."

Hestia nodded she was sure he had his reasoning and she knew that it wasn't out of nowhere, still she was planning to keep an eye on him and would only intervene if required.

"Ill assume well meet in a few days, send word for me when you return Ill make sure to pay you a visit."

And just like that the three quickly disappeared into the distance and Hestia made her way back to Welf and Lili who were sat eating some breakfast. Despite Hestia's continued suggestions that they should have joined the rest in going back to the city. However, that wasn't ever going to happen.

"So what now I mean I know you want us to stay out of the way of the Loki Familia but what exactly are we supposed to do?"

Hestia slammed down into one of the chairs beside them. Sighing into one arm.

"Nothing, just waiting"

"OK and how long is that going to be?"

"Look wasn't it you that said you weren't going to take a step out of this town until you saw Bell with your own to eyes?"

Welf shrugged of the goddess comment and simply went about finishing his food.

"I think what master Welf is saying is what do we plan to do in the meantime. Surely sitting around waiting wasn't your only plan now was it?"

Hestia wasn't one for agreeing with Lili but she was right they couldn't just sit around waiting. However, this town wasn't known for much besides its hot springs and that wasn't going pass the time any faster.

Despite the three's lack of agreement on what they should do next they all ended up doing their own thing. Welf went about repairing most of the gear from the weeks, Lili went about looking at the shops, but didn't say what she was after and for the most part Hestia didn't really care. Hestia, on the other hand, had taken to walking the streets taking in the local sights and views that the little town had to offer.

After about an hour of walking around, she got this weird feeling that someone was following her. But she couldn't get a good idea who it was without giving away that she knew.

"OK, I know you're following me come out."

Despite her sudden accusation, it didn't seem like anyone paid attention to her but she felt like she had scared whoever it was away. At least she hoped she did. Looking around once more she made her way back to Welf.

"That was weird I'm sure I felt someone watching me, was I imagining it? Don't be daft Hestia your just worrying yourself for no reason."

It didn't take long for Bell to finally wake up from his slumber but he wasn't expecting to wake up the way he did.

"Where am I?"

He took a good look round the room despite there being very little light. He could somewhat make out the layout. Taking the time to get his bearings. The first thing he noticed was that he wasn't wearing his shirt and his body had a slight pain to it but it was nothing he wasn't used to at this point.

"Hmmm, I suppose I owe someone a great deal of thanks."

He soon sighed as he realised just what had happened and why has probably here.

"Damn it why am I so weak, I can't even protect myself."

However, his train of thought was soon interrupted when he a loud knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

To his surprise instead of getting an answer-back, he soon found the door open and a green haired elf entering the room.

"Ahh, good you're awake I was wondering if you'd wake up at some point. Still, you look better than when you arrived that's for sure."

Bell knew this person she was part of the Loki Familia, in fact, now that he thought about it she often travelled with Ais. Not knowing the reason for him being in her care he was more than a bit curious to ask questions but thought it rude.

"I'm sure you have a great many questions and while I'm sure you'd like them answering I'm sure you're hungry."

Bell had to admit he was pretty hungry he hadn't eaten anything yesterday. He simply nodded in agreement and followed the Elf. They entered a large open room despite the size there were very few people. But it was obvious where he'd be sitting.

"Ahh, finally awake I see, bout time we thought you'd spend all day in there."

Despite bell already meeting them beforehand and being formally introduced he couldn't help but remain quiet. Tione and Tiona picked up on this and pounced on it like a cat seeing a fish wide open.

"Whats wrong Argonaut you seem awfully quiet come on don't be shy we won't bite."

Ais hit the two of them over the head, giving them both a look knowing this the two seemed to be slightly disappointed.

"Soo Cranel."

"Please call me Bell."

Riveria was merely being formal but since he insisted.

"Of course now Bell I'm sure you're wondering why it is you managed to get here and for the most part I can answer that question but I do have one question first what exactly happened for you to get into that state."

"I ended up getting into a scuffle with a bunch of muggers between them they were able to get the better of me."

Rivera didn't seem that convinced with his story. She didn't think he was lying but she didn't know how much of it was the truth or what he wasn't telling them. Tiona was the first to speak up on the matter.

"I doubt that the entire truth, I've seen you when you were a level one rookie take on a Minotaur single handed and heard stories about your fight against the Goliath you surely could have beaten a few thieves armed or not."

Bell wasn't going to let up that easily sticking to his story but the more he said it the less they seemed to believe it.

"I'm telling you that's the truth, I can't give you an answer I don't have."

"We know you're not giving us the whole story so stop trying to avoid it and tell us already something's happened since you left with Hermes."

Bell ignored their assumptions and merely went silent hoping they'd soon get bored of asking. However, what happened next surprised everyone.

"Outside now!

Before Bell could even react he found himself being dragged outside by Ais. He wasn't sure what was going on but he knew one thing it wasn't going to be good.

"Tione give him a sword".

She nodded picking one of the many swords from the side before throwing it at bells feat. It took bell awhile to understand what was going on but it wasn't going to take much longer.

"Ready."

Bell didn't have time to react he soon found Ais in front of him without thinking he moved to the side it was a good call she didn't seem bothered by the fact she was actually trying to stab him.

"Your movements are slow and you full of openings."

"Wait Ais why are you doing this?

Ais didn't answer his question she merely continued her endless attempts to strike him. Bell wasn't sure why this was happening but he knew it wasn't going to end well. He looked to the floor seeing the sword he did his best to dodge the swords princess's onslaught of attacks. However, the moment he went to pick up the sword would be his last. He Ais had hit him on the side knocking him to the ground and placing the sword above his throat.

"You've given up haven't you."

Bells eyes widened and despite his best efforts, he was speechless.

"No that's not it, I just wasn't rea..."

Ais wasn't going to listen to his excuses passing the sword back to Tione she made her way back inside.

"When did you get so weak?

That last line from her hit Bell harder than any monster. He laid there his mind taunting him as tried to get a hold of his emotions. But it was too late for that now. He couldn't deny it any longer he failed.

"You wanted to know what was wrong Riveria well there's your answer."

Riveria didn't understand why Ais had done what she did but one thing was clear it was effective. Looking around the fight had seemed to have brought a crowd and they all started to whisper.

"What did you think he did? I'm not sure but he deserved it. Punk got what was coming to him."

Despite there hushed tones, it was still clear what they were talking about. Even without knowing the whole story people always assumed something and make that assumption none to others.

"Tiona, Tione get rid of this crowd and bring him inside the last thing we need is to start bringing unwanted attention to ourselves."

The two simply nodded and went about dispersing the crowd. Meanwhile, Riveria went inside to speak with Ais.

"Don't you think that was a little much you could have gone about it a different way?"

Ais shook her head before turning to look out the door.

"He's lost the will to fight. It might not look like it but something happened while he was on that quest for the gods."

Riveria wasn't sure what she was getting at. She knew Ais had somewhat of an interest in the boy before this but she seemed to care about this more than most things.

"What are you saying that something happened while he was on the quest?"

Ais shook her head.

"I'm not sure but the more he tries to hide it the quicker it's going to eat away at him.

Riveria couldn't help but agree with that statement. At this point, the two sisters returned inside.

"Ahhh good you've finished up I see good, good. Wait a minute where's the Cranel boy?"

The two looked at each other and simply shrugged.

"He ran off. Don't give us that look were just as surprised we tried to give chase but he's faster then he looks. ended up losing him in the crowd."

Riveria simply rubbed her forehead before looking back at the two of them.

"Was it such a hard task or are you to as dumb as you look. Now we've got an emotional runaway to chase after you two best be pre..."

Ais held up her hand in front of Riveria which cut her off mid-sentence.

"Don't even bother. All of you just stay here I'll be back soon."

All three looked to one another not sure why Ais had told them to stay. Riveria didn't know why but she could have sworn she saw Ais was smiling.

"Don't worry I'm just going to hunt me a rabbit."