Curses, This was what Aiz wanted to say however this wasn't the situation she wanted to be in. No wait, it was, she just didn't know what she was meant to do now. She needed to say something it was becoming awkward but what?

"Why don't we take a walk, we can talk on the way." Bell had made the first attempt of moving the conversation forward.

"No point standing here all night".

She nodded in agreement and the two of them made their way back into the town square. They had been walking for only a few minutes, but the silence was still ever-present. Despite the current time being close to midnight, the streets were filled with street stalls and crowds of people, examining the wears on sale and being mesmerised by the lights and sounds of the town.

However, Aiz couldn't help but notice that a large part of people in the crowds were couples. It seemed that she couldn't look anywhere without seeing someone making a big show trying to impress there partner. Yet somehow she couldn't help but be interested at their attempts, part of wished that she'd get that kind of attention.

'Wait what am I thinking this isn't the time for these thoughts.'

She shook her head in an attempt to rid her mind of unnecessary thoughts, turning to face the boy who didn't seem to notice. She couldn't help but stare at his face, something about him had an effect on her. Part of her wanted to get to know him more, for the two of them to spend more time together maybe even...

'No!' She thought to herself.

Her mind was wandering away from her she was thinking of things she shouldn't and she didn't know why. She barely knew the boy, between their training sessions and their odd encounters in and out the dungeons, she couldn't say she really knew anything about him. But he still had the ability to grab her interest besides she was curious about learning more about him with every achievement he earned.

"Are you hungry Bell?" Her question was a little out of nowhere but she needed to break the silence.

"Yeah, I am what were you thinking?" He replied looking around the different stalls selling a viarity of different snacks and treats.

They ended up at a small stall specialising in fish foods, not the most healthy but, certainly did have the most appeal at that moment. The stall had a small seating area for customers and while Bell got the food Ais took no time in acquiring them a small table.

"Here you go." He handed her her food and the two of them sat and ate in silence.

Ais was one of the few people that knew Artemis had died and she knew fully well what Bell had to be going through. She wanted to get him to open up, to let her help him.

"Wow this is really good." she had made an attempt to act surprised however, in reality, it was more of an attempt to get him talking.

Bell nodded "I know, it's surprising what over two weeks away from civilization will do to you."

This was her chance she thought.

"You must have some interesting stories to tell?" She asked looking him with a curious expression on her face.

Bell couldn't help but smile rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah you could say I've had some interesting experiences" he laid back into his chair and looked to the sky.

"You know I can remember when we had just set out on our journey, we were making great progress and were about to reach our next camping spot." He began to reminisce.

"Then suddenly we heard this mother and child in need of help they were being chased by this weird new monster that none of us had seen before." He continued to tell the event in full making sure not to leave out any details.

He spoke with such passion and pride that Ais couldn't help but get drawn into the story. She admired his and the goddess's bravery. Oh, how she wished she could have gone with them.

"And then she gave away all the food which while generous and noble of her, had left us in a bit of a predicament." He smiled at that memory and Ais took full notice of it.

"She sounded like a truly wonderful person," Ais said she couldn't help but admire her.

Heck how could she not, the way he spoke about her would make anyone come to the same conclusion. You could hear the passion in his voice and it told a thousand words. Ais couldn't help but imagine what kind of person she was but somehow part of her felt that was more than just admiration in his voice. There was something more, but what?

"What about you Aiz I'm sure you did something interesting while I was away". Bell took that moment to finish his food it seemed that he got a bit distracted telling his story.

Aiz shook her head "I'm afraid not, we had planned to head to the ports for a mission however we soon found the city in lockdown. No one was allowed in or out?"

Bell looked up from his plate as he finished the last bite of his food. He was surprised to hear this, surely this wasn't as a direct result of what was happening at the time, he thought to himself.

"Wow, that's some bad luck there so what did you end up doing instead? I doubt you're the type to stand around and do nothing." He said jokingly however it didn't have its desired effect.

"No we had our work cut out for us, the monster in the dungeon had become agitated and were trying to make an escape." She didn't even make an attempt to spice up the story she preferred to get back to learning about his journey.

"Ohh, well I suppose that would be a handful but I'm sure you had it under control right?"

He gave her a quick smile as if to say, he knew the answer.

Despite her best efforts to bore him with her story she found it had the opposite effect. It just made him more curious. Before long she had listed ever monster she killed, every problem they met, heck, even the surprise help from Ottar managed to slip its way into the story.

"Wow I'd expects no less from the Loki Familia, Or you Aiz you were really brave." Bell just like Ais had been enveloped into the story and he admired her strength and courage.

Aiz, on the other hand, had a slight blush on her face from his compliment, even though she had gotten used to such praise for being the sword princess. However, when it came to his compliments she felt her heart flutter.

'Damn it' she thought to herself 'I'm the sword princess, a level six one of the strongest in Orario and yet why does he have such an effect on me?'

Bell had his hands behind his head, looking towards the moon."Now that I think about it she was just like you back then."

Aiz broke out of her thoughts at the sound of his voice. She saw the deep look of joy and sadness in his face. Aiz didn't know if she should press him or let him speak when the latter wasn't going to happen she took the chances.

"I know this is hard for you but I have a question." She tried no attempts to had her try motives she knew it wasn't fair to him.

He brought his face to meet with hers he could see she was worried for him. Bell sighed he knew what she wanted to her but he didn't want to open up about it. and yet...

"Promise me Aiz that you'll keep this to yourself!" he spoke quietly but with a serious tone.

Ais looked into his eyes he was serious. Aiz had no intention to tell anyone and while she was about to nod she knew that wasn't going to fly in this situation.

"I promise."

Bell placed his hands together 'where to begin?' he thought to himself.

"We had just reached the temple, despite the preparations we made none of us were ready for what we were about to face." He paused for a moment and looked up to Aiz.

"When we entered we soon found the temple infested with monsters and while we did our best to fight them off they seemed to evolve and become more and more difficult as we got further in".

Contrast to his previous story this was bone-chilling for Aiz. His voice wasn't filled with pride and admiration. No. His voice was filled with despair and fear. However, the painful look on his face as he continued told her the worst was yet to come.

"When we finally reach the chamber that held Antares all became clear she wasn't coming back." Bell stopped, tears started to form in his eyes.

Aiz could see the pain in his eyes and part of her knew she had pushed him too far. Placing her hand on his she made an attempt to comfort him. He made an attempt to move his hand away but chose not to.

"I wish I could just forget the sight I saw. The horror of seeing her trapped, helplessly, unable to do anything." His voice was filled with sadness and pain and his face was the same.

"You don't have to continue Bell" she couldn't bare to see him like this, she wanted to see the strong energetic boy she met in the dungeon that she helped train she wanted to see his smile.

"Yet the worst bit the part that Ill never live down." He paused the tears rushing from his face. "Was the moment I had to kill her, in order to set her free I had to kill her."

Aiz eyes went wide she knew she had died but this. She never would have thought that he would have to kill someone, let alone a god of heaven. The burden he was carrying was far grater then she ever imagined.

'No wonder he made me promise to keep this secret'.

She now understood. Understood why he had been in such a state. She stood up and moved around towards him. He looked away from her, did he think she was mad at him? In that moment seeing him at his most weakest she ever has seen. She could only do one thing,

"huh" Bell let out as he soon felt something no someone wraps their arms around him. He turned around to see Aiz had wrapped her arms around him similar to Hestia. It was comforting, loving and it eased his pain.

"Its OK" Aiz began."I may not know the burden but I know what it's like to lose someone close to you". She tightened her hold around him as tears began to form in her eyes. "You had no choice that was clear but you still saved her. She is free from captivity because of you." She felt the tears run down her face she was glad no one was here to see her. But who could blame her for crying?

Bell felt could fell something dripping onto his back. He was surprised to see Aiz was crying. He had never seen her show any real emotion other than a passing smile. He stood up causing Aiz to step back.

"I'm sorry I just..." she was suddenly cut off. Without warning, Bell had brought her into a hug.

"Thank you Aiz".

She didn't know what to do, she was still slightly in shock. "For what"?

"For being here for me".

Aiz smiled and returned the hug. Part of her was glad. But Riveria? God knows what she'd say.

After the little heart to heart, the two made their way back to the hotel, despite Bell originally planning to return to the company of his Familia he soon remembered that both his gear and clothes were still with the Loki Familia.

"You're more than welcome to spend the night you know?" Ais looked to him still worried about the night's events she hoped he'd see reason and wait till morning to return to his friends.

Bell rubbed the back of his head. "I don't want to be a burden and besides Hestia would be worried if she found out I hadn't returned."

She didn't find enough reasoning in his words and at this point wouldn't take no for an answer. However, she knew she'd have to give a convincing reason for him to stay the night but what?

"Wait do you even know were it is they're staying?" She asked out of curiosity but soon realised it would make an excellent excuse for both of them.

Bell soon stopped in his tracks and thought for a moment.

"Crap I didn't ask" he shouted allowed. turning towards her he soon realised he didn't have a choice in the matter. He just prayed the goddess didn't get too worried by his absences.

"It's OK there's plenty of spare rooms I'm sure you'll prefer a warm bed and a good nights sleep over wandering the streets for hours.

He nodded in agreement."Yeah your probably right, oww what was that for?"

She had hit him on the top of the head and turned to face him with a playful smile.

"I am right." she said as she turned back around, they had reached the inn.

After finding their way into the main room they found that the others had gone to bed. Bell let out a loud yawn and Aiz couldn't help but laugh.

"Tired are we?" She looked to him and he nodded."Well you best get some sleep its been a long day."

They both moved to each other's rooms however Aiz looked back at the young boy.

"Goodnight bell," She said quietly as not to wake anyone, but be loud enough for him to hear.

Bell nodded "Goodnight Aiz"