'She's alive.' Bell's mind couldn't seem to believe those words, hell how could he it's been less then two weeks since he killed her and yet here was Ryu telling him out of the blue that she was alive and he couldn't believe it. No matter how much he wanted to.

"Don't" Bell blurted out it was blunt and to the point which confused Ryu.

"Bell I don't understand." She was confused that was for sure but more so by Bell's reaction.

"What you expect me to believe that?"

Ryu stood in shock

"What reason would I have to lie?" Even though she was staying calm she was more than a little annoyed.

Bell simply looked away.

"If you think I'd believe such a blatant lie then you don't know me at all."

"Why you..."

She didn't even bother to finish. Getting up and leaving without another word. She tried not to slam the door but that wasn't not gonna happen.

"No, you just don't want to believe."

She moved back downstairs getting one or two looks on the way down.

"What!" She gave a quick glare.

The two cats turned their attention back to their work not wanting to piss her off more.

"What's her problem?"

Ryu undeniable pissed of. At everything, she's done for him everything she's risked and he didn't give a second thought to speak to her with some respect.

She turned a corner and entered the back room. Deciding that work was the best thing to take her mind off this.

'I know it's a touchy subject around him and I know I'm throwing out what seems like false hope.' she thought to continue to wash the dishes from this mornings breakfast.

'Perhaps I should have gone at it a different way... Nah that would never work.' She sighed in defeat.

'There's no easy way to tell someone that someone they cared deeply for could be alive. Could be the part Bell's not getting'.

By the time Ryu had finished the dishes, she had contemplated the day before. 'I know what I saw it was her but the only other person that knows this is Aiz and somehow I doubt she wants to believe it.'

"Don't lose hope Bell I promise that she is alive."

Bell's p.o.v.

'Damn these people why don't they understand that I just want to drop this subject.'

Bell sighed he missed Artemis he couldn't deny that he wanted her back. But he knew that wasn't a possibility not after seeing her disappear in his arms.

That very memory gave him nightmares but her last words gave him hope.

"It may not be in this life but I'll keep our promise. I will see you again."

Tears started to flow from his eyes he clenched the covers of his bed and brought them close.

"Damn it"!

He hated the thought that he was so weak, he hated never having a choice in that situation. He hated the god's that sat back did nothing knowing that they'd get someone else to fix their problems.

"I need to get stronger." Bell proclaimed to himself.

He threw the covers aside a got to his feet. He didn't care if he needs to stay and rest. His body healed surprisingly quick. No point staying here.

He moved to the small wash bucket at the end of his bed, giving himself a quick wash. When that was done he inspected his equipment it was damaged in areas but it still seemed useable.

"I'll have to get Welf to look this over, it needs some maintenance but that will have to be another day."

He remembered that none of his party or even his goddess knew where he was and are probably dead worried.

But he needed to be alone right now. So they would have to wait.

He had to think on his feet to get out of here without getting spotted. He knew that if Aiz or Syr found him out of bed they'd quickly drag him back and tie him down.

He looked outside his window the streets we're partially empty and he knows from Syr that no one heads out till later in the day.

'If I'm gonna do this it's got to be now.'

Without a second thought he opened his window a jumped to the ground below. Making a solid landing he looked to make sure the coast was clear and hurried to the dungeon.

It didn't take long before he found himself on the all so familiar floors that he used to explore knowing full well he wasn't prepared for the floors that he, Welf and lily would explore, he stuck to the upper floors. Killing anything that got in his way. It was good practice he sometimes forgot how tricky monsters can be. Some just don't know when to quit.

But it wasn't just monsters that we're the problems down here.

"Hey look what we've got here another sorry rookie."

Bell stopped and looked around a corner. He spotted a small party likely from the Soma Familia. He was positive he'd seen them when dealing with Lili and surprise surprise they were harassing a new adventurer.

"Please I don't know what you want just leave me alone." The poor girl was a backed into a corner and surrounded by the much bigger party.

"Look just give us everything you have and well leave you alone. If you don't well be happy to take them and leave you for the monsters the guild won't think twice about looking into your death."

The stronger of the bunch had spoken up no doubt the leader of the group probably a level two and judging by their gear the rest were level one.

"Now are you going to make this easy or hard?" He stretched his hand out waiting for her response.

"Neither."

The five men turned around to see who just interrupted them.

"And who the hell do you think..."

He didn't finish his sentence heck at this point his eyes showed enough of his fear.

"Hey boss I know it's not my place or anything but isn't that guy everyone's been talking about?"

The four men turned to look at their leader and his face told the answer.

"Yeah the little rookie that travelled to the far ends of the map. Defeated a dark beast that threatened the world. Why do I have the shitest luck?"

Bell walked forward he was slightly surprised that the details of his latest adventure had gotten out at all. The guild was quite secretive on matters involving that sort of thing.

"Hey look now we don't want no trouble we were just joking it's not what it looks like."

Bell continued to walk forward "It looked like you were threatening this girl and no doubt would have left her with nothing but the clothes on her back."

He stopped just a few feet away from them a couple stepped back but one seemed jumpier then the rest.

Bell was quick to realise this as the man snapped and ran towards him with a knife. He lunged towards him attempting a quick strike. Bell easily dodged it, his higher speed made him basically untouchable to lower levels.

'I suppose I should set an example.'

Bell quickly turned again he was coming back this time looking to get in close and stab him. Bell grabbed his arm twisting it, kicking his legs of the ground and throwing him over his shoulder.

He hit the ground with a great deal of force dropping his weapon which Bell confiscated. He held him down with his arm twisted behind his back.

"I suggest you get out of here before you all meet a similar fate. But first I want you to give that girl a sack of coins each and express your deepest sorrows."

The group gulped in fear and nodded, before too long they all dispersed running for the exit.

"Are you alright?" He looked to the young adventurer no doubt she was still shook up by the whole ordeal, however judging by the coin sacks on the ground she would be set for the near future.

"I'm fine thank you I don't know what else to say, but I can say but you saved me just now. I'm in your debt."

Bell just smiled and waved it off, it was the least he could do. Before too long he had guided her to the quickest route back.

"Well I guess I should get back to work."

He slowly walked down the way he came before coming to a dead end.

"Hmm I'm sure this leads to the next floor did I take a wrong turn?"

*footsteps*

Bell turned behind him to see who was coming.

*clap* *clap*

"Ever the hero I see. No doubt you got a good feeling from helping the weak."

Bell was curious he couldn't see them but he knew someone was there and had been watching him for awhile.

"Come now why so on edge? I just want to talk.". The person soon stepped out the shadows and Bell quickly reached for his knife.

A black hooded figure stepped out from the shadows and Bell quickly stepped back forgetting that he was blocked off.

'Damn it at a time like this.'

"What do you want another fight?"

The person simply shook their head.

"Forgive my subordinate he was told to observe you and nothing more. I did not think that he would be so bold as to attack you in the streets."

Bell was curious now, why where they watching him?

"Please Orion I simply wish to meet on equal ground. My intentions for coming today are nothing violent."

Bell couldn't tell if this person was speaking the truth but he wasn't in any real danger so he eased of a little still keeping his weapon close.

"Carry on." Bell spoke.

The figure stepped forward.

"Good I'm glad we could come to an agreement."

"Like I said I'm sorry for the trouble my subordinates caused you and your friends and I'd like to repay you for my carelessness."

Stepping closer he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small mark. Tossing it to the boys feet.

"This marker will mean you are to be left alone I didn't want to involve you in my problems. Secondly it's a something as a free favour should you ever need it."

"Finally as a show of no hard feelings..."

He took off his mask revealing a very familiar face. Bell's eyes recognised him from hot springs.

"You, you're from that day."

The man laughed "Yes it's true I may have lied to you before but I ask you trust me. To that end."

He clicked his fingers and a second pair of footsteps could be heard coming.

"My final gift to you Bell is one I'm sure you'll like."

Bell looked to who ever was coming, he didn't like this situation he readied himself for the worst.

A foot came out of the shadows and was slowly followed by a thin pale leg. A women Bell thought.

A moment later a strand of blue hair appeared and as if by second instinct Bell dropped his guard, his weapon even his knees gave out.

"A...a... Artemis." his eyes widened his voice disappeared as his words became lost in a sea of emotions.

To his surprise she simply fell into his arms he could see that she had fallen asleep no doubt from the man standing behind him.

"It's amazing what love does to a man. It can drive them to do terrible things." his face became stoic and be turned around.

"One more thing Bell Cranel this gift comes with a price. You'll soon find that it can be easily taken away as it has been given. To that end; head my warning do not attempt to cross me. Stay to yourself, and live your life to the fullest with her. And if you do happen to run into me remember this moment."

He suddenly disappeared into the darkness leaving an emotional Bell sat to ponder what just happened. But more then that.

He looked down to see the what was one of the most beautiful sights he could ever have seen.

Artemis was sleeping soundly in his arms. His heart warmed him in the cold dark corridor. Her sleeping features brought a smile to his face and tears to his eyes. In that moment he didn't care about the price, he didn't care the trouble it might bring. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him, embracing her like he had longed to do. And the tears soon flowed down his face and he cried tears of joy.