A day has passed since the group returned to Orario. Despite the uneventful journey back, the same couldn't be said when they arrived.

Without warning, Bell was summoned to report to the guild. Welf was called to see Hephaestus and Lili well Lili just disappeared leaving Hestia alone.

However, while they were dealing with been gone for weeks, the Loki Familia were summoned back to the twilight manor.

Aiz, Riveria, Tiona and Tione were all stood in a straight line. Loki was sitting at her desk holding the report that Finn had given her the day before. She was not happy.

"So which one of you would like to explain why I have a complaint formal complaint against you four. Or better yet why I'm being forced to pay for repairs to local hot springs?"

Loki's voice was calm and collected; however; she was, without a doubt, extremely pissed off.

"But goddess-sama it wasn't our fault..."

"Don't say anything! You will listen, and you will listen well, Tiona!"

Loki had cut her off, her stern voice sent chills down the girl's spine.

"This is the third time this has happened, and I'm not going to be the one to cover your ass. You and your sister are going to work this debt off one way or another."

Both Tiona and Tione's mouths hit the floor.

"That's, that's not fair."

Tione slammed her hands down on the desk.

"Why do I have to pay for her mistakes?"

Loki gave her a piercing stare.

"Don't question my decision, you did little to stop her before she went on her rampage and while it wasn't directly your fault you failed in minimizing damage."

Tione was about to interject but stopped knowing it was only going to make matters worse. No one could escape Loki's wrath.

"Riviera make sure they don't slack off until they have managed to repay their debt. You start today."

Riviera nodded and motioned for the other to follow her which with a defeated look on both of them.

"I don't know what you two look down about. I'm the one having to babysit you."

Aiz turned to follow them.

"Wait I have a job for you Aiz."

Loki had stopped Aiz before she left. Aiz was curious at the assignment that her goddess had for her. She sat down on one of the chairs and made sure to pay close attention to her words.

"Before I explain what your about to do I want you to know something. And let's be clear your not to tell anyone outside this Familia."

Aiz nodded in agreement. However, she was now more curious then ever normally Loki wasn't normally the type to swear secrecy especially to the closest in her Familia.

"First of all while you were gone I received a visit from Hermes. Now I'm sworn to not tell anyone what we discussed however that doesn't mean I'm not going to take action. Every contract has a loophole."

Aiz just stood there confused nothing Loki said made any sense.

"I'm getting off track. Anyway I believe Hermes is planning something in one of the ruins to the north of here and despite my best efforts to persuade him against it I fear he's gone ahead anyway."

Again without any context, Aiz was completely confused and her face said as much. However, Loki placed her head into her hands, her face was full of concern.

"Ive sent Finn to intercept Hermes before he can do anything however I'm going to tell you something that I didn't tell him."

Loki closed her eyes and wondered if this was the right thing to do or was it the best time.

"I fear that he's planning to try to forcefully revive the goddess Artemis."

Aiz's eyes widened at the mention of the name. While she didn't know the whole story she knew her fate and better the effect it had on a specific person. Why she was shocked at this revelation she didn't know, however she felt strange at the news.

"I fear that even with my quick actions we will be too late. I'm certain Hermes already made plans ahead of time however I can't confirm that is his actual motive."

Loki looked back to Aiz. Confused to see her with such a conflicted look on her face it wasn't like her to show any emotion that didn't directly affect her. Loki wondered if it was something she said.

"No doubt that Hestia had some part to play in this. She was her best friend after all."

Loki wasn't giving her usual hate speech towards Hestia which was unlike the goddess. Which made Aiz wonder. Did she take pity on the goddess loss?

"I know Hestia she may be many things but she's not reckless, I don't think she would directly put him up to this. However, that's not to say she didn't implant the idea in his head."

Why did this concern her? Why did she need to know all this?

"Now the reason I'm telling you all this despite my better judgement I'm sending you to keep an eye on her Familia."

Aiz just stood there in shock. 'Did she just say what say what I think she said?' Aiz thought no doubt taken aback by the goddess request.

"I know I'm going to regret this. However, you have my permission to interact with the Hestia Familia. I know for a fact that the Cranel boy of hers has taken an interest in you so he's probably your best bet."

Aiz couldn't believe her ears this was like a dream come true not only was she allowed to see Bell she was able to do so at her own pleasure and this was coming from the one person that despised Hestia and her Familia more than anyone.

"I don't like the idea of sending my precious sword princess out especially when it concerns getting close to one of her children. and..."

Aiz couldn't care less what her goddess was saying she was in her own little world at this point. Normally they would be limited to meeting in secret however now she had more options.

"So yes I'm allowing you to mingle with that boy, however, remember that the main objective here is to find out Hestia roll in all this. I care little for the affairs of her children."

Aiz shot up she had paid somewhat attention to the goddess's words but she cared little for them. She got her mission she knew what she had to do but she was going to take her time with it. You know to be thoroughly sure with her findings.

"I will Goddess, please excuse me."

Loki nodded and let her leave. She sighed she knew full well she had been seeing the boy behind her back and despite this, it was better for her to use this to her advantage rather than squander the opportunity to her petty pride.

"If that girl wants to waste her time with that boy then I can do little to stop her, at least this way I get something out of it. If Hestia does have a part in this I'm going to find out what it is."

After Aiz had left Loki went back to her business.

As if feeling a mysterious presence she turned to look at the window. She was certain that she felt a presence coming from that direction. Shaking her head she left the room.

It was just past midday and Bell had the rest of the day to himself. Literally to himself. Welf and Lili had taken the day to deal with personal stuff and Hestia was working one of her Part-time jobs. Bell decided to head to the meeting spot where he agreed to meet Aiz.

Walking the many streets and back alleys He pondered on why Aiz had asked to meet him. Sure he wanted to see her but it was strange normally he would ask her for help when it came to training nothing more.

'Does she think I need to get in some practice?' He pondered on his thought before remembering when she had beaten him with little effort in the streets.

"When did you become so weak?" that question still cut deep. He had fights with Aiz before, true it was for training but even then he should have been able to at least block her attacks.

"Still her request seemed almost innocent like she wanted to see me just to see me?"

Bell stopped and thought on those words. He remembered how the two had bonded over the past few days. He hadn't thought of her as anything more than a friend and teacher. However, if one thing was clear. That wasn't the case any more.

'Why now, why when I look at her do I feel like I'm melting. Her smile, her real smile, the real her was something else. But why? What changed? Why does it feel like how I was with Arte...'

He stopped his mind soon wandered from the blond haired girl to a blue haired one. Artemis, even the mere thought of her could bring Bell to his deepest low. The picture in his head one of Aiz soon turned to resemble the blue haired beauty Artemis.

'No I don't want to remember.'

Bell tried to shake the image clear from his head but he couldn't lie to himself. He didn't want to. With each passing second, the picture became more clear. Her emerald green eyes were hypnotising to look at and Bell couldn't help but get lost in them when he had been with her. Her smile one that he wanted her to keep, the one he wished he had seen more of it was what brought a tear to his eyes. He hated himself for what he had to do. Accepting that was hard. Accepting she was gone was even harder.

'I know we'll meet again but I know in my heart it won't be in this lifetime'.

Bell admitted this to himself it had been the first time he truly accepted that he or at least the current him wasn't going to see her again.

It then clicked in his head. Was his heart trying to move on? It had been over a week and a half since it happened but he couldn't deny that he was becoming more and more attracted to Aiz again.

"Perhaps it's for the best. Maybe she knew that".

Bell had been stood still for a good while looking around he shook his head off as many thoughts as he could this wasn't the time for memories.

Bell had finally climbed to the top of the wall and to his surprise he had forgotten how high up it was. He thought that it might never end. Gods know how he did it every other day.

'It's obvious why you did it. You wanted to see her.'

Bell shook his head of the thought which were becoming more and more persistent.

To his surprise, she was waiting for him in the usual spot however one thing was clear. She wasn't dressed for sparring. She wore a light blue top a gold-ish trim and dark blueish skirt. Couple that with her beautiful face and you have a speechless Bell. And Bell was speechless.

He really didn't know what to say. Heck, he didn't even know what to do at this point. Here he was with all his adventuring gear, expecting her to be the same and low and behold she dressed to impress.

"Well, I suppose I can't be blamed for this, not as if she gave me any clue."

Bell hung his head in defeat and walked out to meet her.

Aiz soon turned to face him as she realised he was approaching and she couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of him.

"Expecting a fight were you?"

Aiz words made Bell blush with embarrassment, but Bell blushed even harder when he saw her smile and her laugh was so cute.

"Well at least someone looks nice, could have told me beforehand."

Bell had chosen his words carefully he didn't want to show he was embarrassed by the situation but also wanted to compliment her appearance.

Aiz simply looked at him with a confused look on her face.

"I did I said I wanted to talk to you, I don't remember anything about training."

Now Bell felt stupid, He had was so caught up in his thoughts he had forgotten the whole reason she wanted to meet. Interpreting it as something else.

"I'm sorry Ive been kinda distracted I forgot and just went into auto mode."

Bell was telling the truth however he wasn't going to tell her that she was the reason.

"Hmmm?"

Aiz looked at him she knew he was telling the truth. Just not the whole truth what could he be hiding from her?

"Fine how about we play a little game?" Bell looked up at her he was curious by what she was about to propose.

"What do you have in mind?" Bell had taken the bait for both personal curiosity and to get out of his awkward situation.

Aiz smiled and it wasn't the great smile it was the 'I'm gonna enjoy this smile'. Which made Bell instantly regret his curiosity.

"Simply if you're able to knock me off my feet ill spend the whole day with you tomorrow and we'll do whatever you want to do."

Bell was taken aback by her proposal he wouldn't lie. It was tempting. Getting to spend the entire day with the sword princess was many peoples dream. And he could decide what they did was the icing on top of the cake. However, when has cake ever been so free?

"But if I should be able to do the same then you have to answer just one of my questions. So do we have a deal?"

"Of course".

Bell didn't stand a chance. He didn't realise how outmatched he really was. forgetting that he was in his full gear which meant he was somewhat restricted in his movements and that she was casually dressed and could move around freely.

Aiz couldn't help but smile at her brilliance while she danced around him waiting for and opening he was to busy trying to follow her to watch his own defences and Aiz knew how to exploit them.

Bell took a moment to compose himself and predicted were she was going to move next he made for her, attempting to knock her into a different stance, one that he was better equipped for.

He moves one of his hands out to strike her but she quickly dodged it and in swift action swept her leg for his. Bell realised this and moved out of the way to dodge her. However, in doing so he had done exactly what he had planned to do to her and left himself open.

She didn't hesitate to counter, in one swift move, she grabbed his arm, pulled him forward and knocked him off his feet pushing him back to land on his back. However, through instinct or pure accident, he grabbed her arm and pulled her down with him.

The moment Bell had realised what happened he was left without words. He was laying flat on his back with the sword princess laying on top of him. Was he in heaven? Part of him just wanted to stay there and take in the moment and admire her. The other wanted to defuse the situation as quickly as possible. He didn't realise that he just lost the bet.

"Looks like I win". Aiz lookup not completely sure of their current predicament she was just happy she won. However, she soon realised the position she was in and a blush started to form on her face. She looked over the defeated boy. She had to say she enjoyed their current position.

"Now if I remember correctly you agreed to answer one of my questions, did you not?"

Bell nodded in agreement however he couldn't help but feel awkward in the position he was in.

"Sure but could you let me at least move first". Bell didn't want to but he couldn't keep his mind wandering to different thoughts.

Aiz shook her head and instead of getting up she moved forward made sure he wasn't able to get up.

"Answer my question and then Ill let you up, don't want you to chicken out last minute". Aiz had an innocent smile on her face and curious look in her eyes.

Bell nodded in defeat there was nothing he could do in this situation all he could do was admit defeat.

"Fine so tell me what's been bothering you?"

"Huh." Bell was confused by her question partly because it had very little context but also because he thought he had told her this back at the hot springs.

"Ive already told you what's been bothering m..." He soon found she had moved closer but this time she was putting pressure on his arms.

"No, I want to know what's been bothering you today so much so you forgot why we agreed to meet."

Bell gulped at the question which was a dead give away he couldn't lie. She'd know. Bell turned his head and looked to his side he face was nearly fully red.

"I was thinking of you." Bell's words were a whisper his embarrassment sinking in.

"I didn't hear you," Aiz said again moving closer this time she was directly above Bell her face was staring down at him.

"I was thinking about you OK!" Bell's sudden outburst came as a shock to him and her resulting in a heavy blush from both of them. Bell looked up to see Aiz staring down at him he looked into her golden eyes and soon found himself getting lost in them as did she in his.

Aiz soon found herself lowering her head. Her body seemed to move on its own and she couldn't stop it.

'What am I doing? Why am I doing this?' Aiz stopped herself her face mere inches from his.

"Why?" was all she could muster.

"Ummm". Bell was still trying to get a hand on the situation what was going on? why were they in this position? When did they get so close?

Bell shut his eyes this was a dream it had to be a dream.

Suddenly before Aiz could move any closer she felt a presence pass by her face. In that instant, she moved away getting off Bell and looking in the direction she thought it come from. There was nothing but the open fields and blue sky.

'It must just be my imagination' she thought turning back around only to be left shocked. They're embedded into the wall was an arrow.