Aiz was still in shock at what just happened. However made the shot was fast to get away, it was a good thing they had missed who knows what would have happened? Bell for what ever reason hadn't realised what had happened he seemed to be in his own little daze.
'Damn my plan was going so well' She didn't want to stick around for another shot she decided that it was probably best to move locations. It wasn't like they had to stay there it was just quieter.
Besides if anyone was going to follow them she would be sure to spot them.
"Bell I'm kinda hungry, do you mind if we go get something to eat?" she tried to make it seem like nothing was going on. Bell, on the other hand, had just come to his senses.
"Huuu, oh yeah, sure." Bell had just seen the current predicament he was in mainly because he was laying under her and was trying to not look at the view above him. But it was hard.
"Umm... Aiz" Bell was finding it hard to say anything.
Aiz had remembered their current situation. She carefully got off of him making sure to keep the arrow covered last thing she need right now was for him to panic.
"Let's go." she motioned for him to lead and quickly followed behind. She wanted to keep him from suspecting anything was wrong so she had to be careful.
"Umm Aiz, you seem kind of off today is something wrong?" Bell was still trying to get a grip of what the hell just happened. 'She was about to do something I'm sure of it.' his mind had a million questions but that one stood out the most.
Aiz continued to walk ahead of Bell making sure to keep her back to him so he couldn't see her face.
"I'm fine Bell, it's just been busy these last few days I guess I'm trying to catch up to myself." Her answer was cool and collected but she knew that wasn't enough to hide behind.
Aiz knew this wasn't going to end well. She was trying to hide the fact that they had been attacked while also playing off what happened as something else.
'Maybe I was just seeing things back there was there really an arrow or did I just think that as an excuse to stop?'
Aiz's thoughts were not helping her. She knew full well what she was doing. She wanted to show him exactly how she felt.
Meanwhile, Bell was still wondering behind her. He knew there was something else up.
"Aiz what happened back there?"
Aiz stopped. She was worried this would happen. Bell was naive sometimes but he wasn't stupid.
'Damn I was hoping he wouldn't catch on. OK crunch time Aiz do you tell him the truth or the embarrassing truth? Or Do you just tell him everything?'
Bell at this point had stopped just behind waiting for her to reply.
Aiz turned, her mind was still at odds but she knew that there was only one way out of this situation.
"Bell I...
"Ahhh"
The two turned to there side a black hooded figure approached from a nearby street. Bell didn't know why but he was certainly felt this presence before.
"Can we help you?" Bell was keeping his guard up, no one would walk these streets cloaked unless they had something to hide.
"Ohh nobody in particular. I just happened to be passing by."
Aiz was certain she knew that voice she heard it before it. But where?
Her mind was just starting to catch up. Before before Bell grabbed her hand.
"I wish we could stay but it's getting late and we need to be somewhere. Right Aiz?"
Aiz was confused by the situation but she got the message and nodded.
"Ohhh and where might the Argonaut and sword princess be going at a time like this?"
The two decide it was best to just ignore the figure but somehow that wasn't going to be easy.
"Now now, I thought you had more manners then that."
The two stopped and we're shocked.
Standing in front of them was the same hooded figure. Looking back Bell made sure he was seeing things. But no it was the same person.
"What? But? how?"
Without a second to react Bell soon found himself knocked of his feet. The force of which sent him crashing to the ground.
"Pathetic. I hope you will be more of a challenge my dear."
Aiz's eyes grew wide. It soon clicked were she heard the voice how could she be so forgetful?
"So it is you. I hoped I scared you off but this time ill make sure you won't get away."
She quickly drew desperate and lunged towards the hooded figure.
He quickly dodged her strike and rather the strike back stood there as if he was waiting for someone to pass.
Aiz attempted a swing again the stranger dodged it with ease.
Aiz was not letting up, she continued to press the assault. However the hooded figure danced around her dodging all her attacks.
"Hmm how disappointing I was hoping you'd be better then this."
Aiz noticed Bell had gotten to his feet, this was it, time to get some answers.
The two had made ready to take him off guard however.
"It's pointless."
Before ever of them could react it was to late. Bell soon felt a sharp jab to his stomach. It's speed and precision we're effective knocking the air out of Bell and sending him to the ground in pain.
Bell laid on the floor clenching his side. He was struggling to breath and he began to cough up blood.
Aiz on the other had was distracted seeing him in such pain was hard to watch she need to help him.
However she had forgotten there current situation.
"You let your guard down.
She turned to late she had little time to react. She tried to block her side from an oncoming kick but it did little to help.
She two soon found herself on the floor while she wasn't in total pain she dropped desperate in the attempted block.
"Hmm, I suppose it's about that time."
The hooded figure dropped his hood, revealing a white and black mask with no eye holes. The only distinguishable feature was his brown hair which had been tide back into a top not.
Aiz was shocked; she was sure that this the same person she meets back near the statue, but she distinctly remembered him having white hair.
"Who are you?"
The person shook his head.
"That is of little importance to you. Just know that soon everything is going to change."
"What do you mean? Why did you attack us, what could you possibly hope to gain?
The man laughed.
"Ha-ha oh, no reason I just wanted to see if you put up a better fight than those in your Familia."
Aiz's eyes widened in horror.
"What do you mean those in my Familia?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm sure he's finished his part about now."
He turned to the twilight manor and raised his hand to the sky, pressing his figure and thumb together.
"Let's say the Loki Familia will have a hard time recovering from this."
•snap•
Suddenly the entire twilight manor exploded. Glass, bricks and ash soon shot in every direction followed by a fire which engulfed the surrounding area.
Aiz laid there her face in horror.
"No, it can't be it can't possibly be."
The man turned and laughed.
"Ha-ha-ha oh how I've waited for the day. To see the revered Loki Familia be brought down in Flames."
"You should be grateful I've spared your life. You maybe the only member left standing."
Aiz couldn't believe she just couldn't, please let this be a bad dream she thought.
"Oh but I'm not done there's still one thing I need to take care of first."
He moved past Aiz and to a now Bell.
"A pity twice you find yourself face down in the dirt. I saved your life last time however this time ill be taking your life."
He grabbed Bell by the throat, he slowly started to begin to crush it while ever so slightly increasing the pressure.
"Hmmm I'll admit your damn stubborn and I'm surprised your still conscious. I'll allow you to say your final words."
Bell looked to Aiz who was on the brink of collapse. Bell wanted to comfort her, seeing her at her lowest he'd ever seen.
"Aiz. Run".
Aiz looked up. She was confused why tell her to run now what good would it do? And then she saw it. A faint bright light appearing from behind his back.
She didn't know his plan or what he was about to do but as she looked into his face. He gave a last-ditch smile. She was now in tears, getting to her feet she ran for it.
"Is that it? why bother? I thought you'd admit your feelings for her. If not that then anything else, but you asked her to run."
Bell looked into the mask the still keeping the same smile on his face he knew he was about to lose consciousness. But that wasn't how he wanted to die.
'This is for you Aiz.' Bell attempted to take take a final breath.
"Goodbye Argonaut, your death will be the second warning".
Just as he was about to clamp down he felt something against his chest. He looked down but it was to late.
"Firrrrrreeeeee Bolt!"
Aiz had soon reached another main street upon which she collapsed in pain. Looking around she tried to find someone. However nearly all were looking at the burning remains of the twilight Manor.
"Sword princess." Aiz turned to the voice. It was Ryuu from the hostess of fertility holding a bag of groceries.
"What happened, are you hurt?" Ryu looked at her she was shocked to see the shape she was in. Tears and blood we're never a good sign so she rushed to her side.
"What happened I saw the Twilight Manor explode. I couldn't believe it, here let me help you."
Aiz turned to her she knew she was a friend of Bell she had seen them in the hostess sitting and talking together.
"Bell he... needs help. Please help Bell."
Ryu's eyes grew in horror as she realised the situation.
"Where is he is he hurt?"
Ryu wasn't one to show her emotions, but she had come to admire the young adventurer and secretly had a crush towards him but hid her true feelings in front of him.
*Bang*
The two looked in the direction that the explosion came from. Aiz looked in horror and Ryu soon caught on to why.
"Ohhh no."
Ryu helped Aiz to her feet and they quickly raced back to Bell. At this point the streets became a panic as people ran and screamed from every direction while local adventures tried to calm them down.
Aiz and Ryu didn't waste a moment the two did everything in there power to get to Bell.
It didn't help that the area was quite populated which meant that all the residents were fleeing to safety.
"Gods damn it, please hold on Bell were almost there."
The two of them finally reached the street. To there shock it was a mess of burning buildings, rubble and smoke. Whatever caused the explosion took a toll on the local area.
"Quickly we have to find him, search the area."
Aiz's voice was shaken and worried, she knew time was of the essence and that they would have to be quick.
Ryu only nodded and began to search the area from above while Aiz search the destroyed houses and area surrounding them.
"Bell, Bell CAN YOU HERE ME?". Aiz shouted with all that she had.
'Please be alright, please be alive.' She wanted to find him, she needed to find him.
"Aiz there's something in that building over there." Ryu pointed to a small house that had slightly collapsed.
Aiz could just barley make out the shadowy figure, but she was sure she could only see one.
She didn't bother to check if it was safe. She didn't bother to wait for Ryu. She didn't care that danger might be waiting for her.
"Bell, Bell."
She made her way into the smokey ruins. She was covering her face with her arm trying her best not to breathe in the smoke.
She looked around, trying to get an idea of the surrounding area. However, she soon got her answer.
"Bell." Her voice was filled with joy; however, it soon turned fear.
She found Bell underneath a pile of wood. She began to move the majority of it out the way and soon saw the seriousness of the situation.
Most of Bells right side burnt to a crisp. Not to mention that his arm was complete bent back.
Aiz checked his pulse and to relief he was still alive but he had lost consciousness. Without a second thought she pull his left arm over her shoulder and made sure he secure.
Suddenly a huge gust of wind came past her blowing away the smoke and dust clearing her vision and allowing her to breath.
"Did you find him?" Ryu had finally caught up to her and she didn't need her to answer the question.
"He's lost consciousness but he's still got a pulse. We need to get him to a healer quick."
Ryu nodded in agreement she knew that there would be healers close by but they need to get Bell to safety.
"Damn you. You just had to come back didn't you."
Both of them turned around. The figure had appeared out of nowhere but it was obvious who it was.
His arm was burned to hell. And looked to have sustained a nasty break while the rest of him seemed mostly intact. However the bottom half of his mask began to break away revealing the lower half of his face.
"I shouldn't have been so careless. If I hadn't taken the necessary precautions before I'd be almost certainly dead."
Ryu stood ready to fight. She wasn't prepared in the slightest but she would do everything within her power.
"You are not part of this elf leave now and I shall spare your life. Stand against me and I'll make you wish for a quick death."
Ryu stood firm. Unfazed by his words.
"I'm well prepared to die if it means I can save him." She turned to look at Aiz and Bell. "Get him out of here, I can hold him off long enough for you to reach safety."
The man soon grew angry a scowl could be seen from broken part of the mask.
"No you all die here now."
He raised his hand above his head. A sword soon appeared above his head. Its blade was pitch black with a red haze around it. The hilt was battered and the guard had but gone.
"May you find comfort in the void."
He swung the blade down both Ryu and Aiz senses kicked in the two of them jumped out the way.
Lucky that they did, it was as if an invisible blade had sliced the area. Buildings and even the floor for streets over had been cut.
"I'm not used to using my left arm however that doesn't mean your safe."
Without any chance to breath he disappeared and reappeared in front Aiz. He quickly punched her in the stomach causing her to lose her breath.
She fell to the ground in agony and dropped Bell to her side. However, before she had a moment to breath she was kicked to the side.
Ryu let out a blast of wind magic but it did little to stop him. She took the hand to hand approach, she needed to get him away from Bell.
She lunged forwards only to find that he had disappeared.
"Where did you go?"
She turned to her side but it was to late. He swung his fist into he side.
"Damn it." Ryu said in great pain.
Turning to her side she looked up but again was surprised by the man's speed.
He grabbed hold of her neck and forced her to the ground. He placed a leg on one of her arms and held the other with his free hand.
"Such a waste." The man looked down at the restrained elf. He smiled
"Perhaps ill leave you alive. Restrained of course. I'm sure the locals would love a piece of you.
His voice was ridged and cold and ryu could tell he was enjoying this.
"Hmmm such a cold look. I'm sure you give that to everyone. It doesn't suit you."
He let go of one of he arms reaching behind him he pull out a knife compared its blade was jagged and the hilt curved outwards in a crescent.
He stabbed it into he restrained hand, causing Ryu to scream in pain.
"Hmm yes that suits you much better. Shame I bet you'd look much better with a smile on your face but this will do."
He got off of her and picked up the sword next to him. He slowly walked over towards Bell.
Aiz was unable to stand and Ryu was restrained. Both looked onwards unable to stop him from reaching the one they loved.
"SOMEONE PLEASE STOP HIM." In a last-ditch effort, Aiz shouted as best she could, but it was no good.
He reached his target raised his sword above his shoulder. And swung down.
Aiz shut her eyes; she didn't want to see it.
*Clang*
The sound of metal hitting metal could be heard and then silence Aiz opened her eyes only to find Bell untouched and his attacker confused.
"What is the meaning of this?"
He turned back to the boy.
"What do I have to do to kill you?"
He quickly gripped his sword raised the tip to Bells chest.
However before he had a chance to thrust he sensed something coming towards him.
He attempted to dodge an on coming arrow but was surprised when it connected with his shoulder causing him to step back in shock.
"I will not let you lay another finger on him."
Aiz looked up she couldn't see the person but could her the voice.
Ryu also heard it and like Aiz looked to find its owner but something was weird.
'I'm certain I've heard that voice, in fact I'm sure it was recently too?'
"All that attempt to hurt him will face my wrath."
The masked man looked up from his target. His grew angry and he looked to the sky which had started to turn to night.
"Damn it I'm out of time. The blade began to disappear from his hand. And he placed a hand to his mask.
"Just you wait. Soon you'll all know death." In the end his voice disappeared into the wind as he vanished.
At this point both Aiz and Ryu breathed a sigh of relief. The two of them looked towards the shadowy figure that moved forwards towards Bell.
At this point he'd soon regained some consciousness. If only to see his attacker vanish. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He was in pain. Lots and lots of pain. He couldn't move his right arm.
He imagined it was because he used a charged fireball attack at point blank range. He had also lost feeling in his legs.
'Guess I'm not attempting that again anytime soon.' He soon felt himself feeling very, very tired.
He suddenly felt a warm touch on his cheek. It was strangely familiar and comforting. He made one last attempt to open his eyes.
He looked to see a pair of emerald green eyes and smiling face staring back at him.
'It, it can't be...'
His vision faded and his head fell into a warm embrace. His final thoughts were a single word a name.
Her name.
Artemis.