Bell had laid back down on the bench, staring up his mind pondering his current predicament.

'Maybe I should speak to Welf or Lili about this.' He pondered the thought they were his friends, and they had been through so much.

"No, it's not their problem to bear I'm sure they'd have other thing going on."

'I suppose Hestia was right, it was wrong of me. I barely know her and I may have caused trouble for her.'

While he pondered on his goddess words, he decided to have a quick nap he had gotten up early, and he knew he'd need the rest.

'I'm sure she'll wake me when she needs me.'

Bell closed his eyes, moved to get comfortable and let himself drift off.

He could feel the darkness take him sounds turned to silence; the cold faded into nothing his mind was the only thing at work.

It was strange for him normally he'd drift off, and that be it he'd wake up the next morning none the wiser. But this was different.

"Am I dreaming right now or is my brain playing tricks on me?"

He assumed he could hear his thoughts, but in reality, he was speaking them. Almost as if he was there with nobody.

"Well, as far as dreams go this has got to be the weirdest one yet."

"Hmmmmm"

'What was that.'

Bell listened a sound echoed through the emptiness. Maybe a sound wasn't right, a voice perhaps.

He moved towards the direction it was coming from, which was hard he couldn't see or feel only listen.

He trusted that he was getting closer until finally an image formed from the darkness a white light that slowly pushed its way through.

Bell looked up in surprise while the light beamed out from the source it didn't illuminate the area instead the light turned and spun back on its self as it formed a sphere-like object.

'What the hell is going on?'

He watched the light give shape to itself before eventually morphing into a familiar moon.

Bell gazed up, or at least he thought he was, it was strange he had regained his sight and hearing, but it felt wrong.

"Promise."

The voice became much clearer, pushing its way through. It was muffled and distorted, but he could hear the words all the same. 'Promise me.'

Unknowingly a single drop of water hit darkness below and like the light before it pushed itself out, forming a large puddle below and the light from above shined on its surface and reflected its image.

The water stood still like a mirror. It reflected the image perfectly—untouched beauty like none other.

"Will you join me?"

The water began to ripple and distorted the perfect image. Once untouchable beauty now disappeared into the ripples of water.

Bell looked at the sight watching the ripples move back and forth he watched as one moved past the other as they danced around.

His attention soon returned and became fixed on the moon. He didn't know when it happened, but it did. It's pure white surface turned a crimson red, and it bled into its light. Slowly the rays turned red, and the lake below was now still once again. However, its colour changed like the moon above; it's was the same crimson red, and no reflection could be seen in it's surface.

"Please... Forgive me."

The voice spoke again, but it was different, it wasn't the same.

Bell watched as the image before him darkened again as the darkness took it back.

*Bang*

Bell found his eyes shoot open and his body followed suit as he shoot up a cold sweat all over his body. He shook his head in an attempt to adjust properly.

'What the hell was that? What a weird dream.' He held his head wondering what he had just seen. He tried to think back, but besides a few minor details, the thought left him as soon as it came.

'A better question what was that sound just now?'

He looked around only to notice someone leaving the church.

"Probably the goddess no doubt she's of to meet someone."

He got to his feet and stretched his body. He had a quick walk around before returning to his position. He looked towards the door and realised something was up.

'Hmm, why are Hestia's shoes still here?'

"Bell?"

As if to confirm his fears, a voice echoed from downstairs. It was Hestia.

Her voice was full of sadness he could tell by her tone.

"Bell, please go after her."

It didn't take long for Bell to put two and two together and rushed towards the entrance. He grabbed the cloak off the bench and rushed after Artemis.

"She's right I have to go after her I can't let her wander around alone what if she gets attacked."

Bell looked around but there was no sign of her, he would have to hurry she couldn't have gotten far, but this place was like a maze at times.

Artemis found herself in a furious temper. She cared little for small details she just wanted to get out and breath some fresh air. However, she soon regretted that thought when the cold hit her. It was colder than normal or so she thought.

"Hmm, doesn't matter now, where would be a quiet spot?"

She looked around. The surrounding area was quiet and not a lot around. But it was too cramped, not what she was wanting.

"Uhhh even this city seeks to annoy me."

She kicked a nearby stone, watching it skip along the cobble path. After it stopped, she looked up and noticed the surrounding wall, which gave her an idea.

'Perfect.'

Bell was running around in every direction it had been half an hour or at least he thought it had been. He took a moment to get his bearings and think of possible areas she could have gone.

"Okay I'm a Goddess in an unknown city were would I go?"

Bell asked the question to himself, but he came up short. This was probably all new for her; she was probably wandering.

"Okay Bell stay calm and think about this. She left for a reason and judging by the sound I heard she was angry, which is not good. Which means she wanted to get as far away as possible. My guess she will be looking for somewhere quiet and out the way."

Once again, Bell thought but came back to the same answer as before.

This was not what he intended to wake up to find. Gods know Hestia was probably worried sick.

"I should need to hurry." he sighed realising it was going to take forever to search the streets.

"Seriously she can't have just gone wandering she'd get lost in minutes."

Bell looked up to the wall and had a eureka moment.

"But of course."

Bell rushed to the wall at breakneck speed.

"Ahhh peace and quiet just what I needed."

Artemis looked across the vast areas outside the city. However, not a lot could be seen, and she tried to picture what little she could make out.

'Curse Hestia, curse this city and curse that Boy!'

She kept repeating the sentence in her head. Each time she grew angrier and angrier.

'Why did I bother trusting him? Oh I know because Hestia told me he was trustworthy. Yeah he showed that in the first few minutes of me waking up.'

She walked along the wall, making a note of the surrounding area as she did so.

'He didn't even have to decency to hide until he was caught and I let him get away with it.'

She stopped at one of the checkpoints to head down. As her instinct kicked in, she slammed her fist into the side of the wall. Her body fell to its side, and she slid down the wall until she was sat resting against it.

Finally, alone with her thoughts, she gave up, holding back her frustration.

Tears trickled down her face and to the floor below.

"I hate him, I hate his appearance, I hate his voice, I hate his kindness...!"

She began listing her frustration towards Bell, one by one, each one fuelling the fire for the next.

"I hate that I believed he could be different. Why was I so stupid?"

She brought her hands to her face letting the tears trickle down them as she cried.

'My friend made me feel like a fool and couldn't even see that it hurt me, I thought she knew me knew my hatred towards them instead she leaves me alone with him and what happens...'

She hit the ground her fist was still hurting from the first hit, but now it throbbed with pain, and she grabbed it.

"DAMMIT, FUCK THIS!"

She screamed out in pain, cursing to herself as she continued.

"IT'S ALL HIS FAULT!"

She screamed this at the top of her voice. Her tears were gone now; all she felt was anger.

"NEXT TIME I SEE HIM I'LL DO WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE FROM THE START!"

She began to calm herself down, taking deep breaths it was a good thing she was high up, and nobody should have been able to hear her.

"Hello, Artemis are you up here?"

As she was just calming down, she heard a voice in the distance and realised it was him.

"Fuck sake!"

She didn't need this right now. She was just getting it all out her system, and he just had to show up.

'Of all the times why him, why now?'

She attempted to get to her feet but forgot about her hand.

"Ouch."

She said out loud, which subsequently alerted Bell to her location.

"Hello is someone there?"

Bell spoke up hearing the voice from were he was stood he couldn't make out if it was Artemis or not, but he looked to see the general direction of came from.

"Artemis, is that you?"

Artemis placed her head back to the wall. She was found out she could make for the stairs, but Bell would surely give chase.

"GO AWAY!"

She shouted her voice carried her anger. It was apparent she didn't want to see him.

Bell, on the other hand, tried to edge closer but keep her from running off.

"Artemis please I just want to talk."

He voiced his intention but was met with the same response.

"I SAID LEAVE!"

He stopped he wasn't sure if this was the best way to go about this he knew she was angry, but he didn't understand why? He just wanted to make sure she was safe.

"Please I just want to..."

"I DON'T CARE JUST GO AWAY."

She turned the corner, picking up a stone and throwing it at him.

Bell was taken by surprise not expecting retaliation he tried to move out the way but was hit in the side which caused him to clench his side in pain.

"Damn that hurt."

He looked up to see Artemis holding a bigger stone and rock to be precise bigger than before, and he wasn't going to wait for her to throw it.

He quickly rushed towards her in an attempt to spook her. It worked. She throw the rock and thanks to Bell increase in speed he promptly dodged it.

"Artemis, there's no need to get violent."

Artemis, on the other hand, realised she had missed and made an attempt for the stairs.

"Artemis please."

He reached out and grabbed her arm in an attempt to stop her.

Artemis now caught turned to see her arm being held back.

"HOW DARE YOU!"

She turned back around and faced Bell who was now stood before her; however, she wasn't happy being held in such a manner.

She raised her free hand and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed far, and Bell released his grip as he stepped back in shock.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT. YOU HEAR ME NO RIGHT TO TOUCH ME!"

She was furious her once beautiful features became a fearful picture as she glared back at him.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean..."

Artemis wasn't going to let him finish.

"SHUT UP. BECAUSE NO IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOUR SORRY YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THEN PERVERTED SCUM. YOU'RE LIKE ALL THE OTHERS.!"

Bell didn't even have a chance to retaliate before he found her making another attempt at striking him.

She had wanted to slap him again but in her angered state had gone with a more violent option instead.

Her fist made contact with Bell who seemed shocked at first but allowed her to continue putting up little if not no resistance. The latter of which explains why he was soon knocked to the ground.

He hit the floor hard, he was used to physical pain, but he felt each punches full force. He remained silent as the enraged Goddess took out her frustrations on him.

She made sure he couldn't get up by putting her weight onto him holding him down as she confined to punch him. Strike after strike once after another both his face and body we're beaten.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT, YOU, YOU..."

Artemis assault slowed down her punches became fewer and fewer.

"Why did I trust you?"

"I believed you were different?"

"Why why does everything..."

She had finally stopped altogether she just held her hand which was now bloody, and she let her emotions out.

Bell laid in pain he didn't try to defend himself. He felt he deserved it, but more than that she needed it the most. She needs to let out her anger, that built-up frustration and if he was to be her punching bag, then so be it.

"I trusted you. I trusted her. So I why, why does everyone betray my trust?"

Her anger turned to sadness as she started to cry the sudden emotion overtook her.

Bell watched in silence. He knew little about her even less about her personality. In their first meeting, he imagined her to be strong and not let her emotions get the better of her. But this. This was the girl behind the Goddess. The part she hid from public eyes.

Her tears flowed down her face and onto his shirt she didn't try to hide it, and she couldn't care less if he saw.

She was tired, in pain and just wanted to let it all out.

"Why does everything feel wrong. Why...".

She went silent, unable to speak. Bell didn't know what he should do, but he suddenly found his body moving on its own.

He reached round to the back of her head, closing his arms, resting his hand at the top her head and back and brought her closer.

"I'm sorry. I've caused you discomfort. Ive grabbed you without thinking. But most of all I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise. You have every right to be angry with me."

Bell spoke gently he was to blame for a lot of this, and she wasn't wrong to be angry with him. She was out of her comfort zone, not doubting that this was confusing to her. But at that moment he was just glad she was safe.

Minutes passed. The two remained sat in silence. Bell allowed her to take as much time as she needed.

Bell wanted to say something, but he felt something land atop his head.

'Hmm, what was that?'

Bell looked up as if the heavens themselves had seen the whole ordeal and they too started to weep. Raindrops began to fall slowly at first, but Bell could tell that wasn't going to be the case for long.

He didn't want to have to force her to move, but he didn't have much choice.

"Look like the weather is taking a turn for the worse, we should get under some cover."

She didn't speak only nodding in agreement. He moved her aside while getting to his feet and quickly helped her up. She turned away from him no doubt she didn't want him to see her face.

The two went inside the tower on the wall, Bell sat down on the stairs and Artemis moved to corner away from him.

She had her back turned to him. The outburst from before subsided but it wasn't like she was ready to forgive him. She clenched her right hand it was hurting far more than before. However, the sudden quiet made her far more obvious of the pain.

'Great just what I needed. First this now I'm stuck in here with him, and I let myself show my emotions in front of him.'

That very thought should have been enough to set her off again, but she didn't.

She turned her head just enough to see him. She looked at him, seeing the bruises on his face. She felt it might have been a tad overboard. Heck, even the pain in her hand made that point obvious.

'He didn't even attempt to fight back. He could have at least defended at little, but he just took it.'

"Idiot." she spoke under her breath before getting to her feet.

Bell just watched as she got to her feet and moved closer towards him.

*slap*

He moved his hand towards his face once again he was surprised by the sudden strike, but he looked up only to see her holding her hand with the slightest of worried look on her face.

"Are you hurt?"

She just looked at him.

'Really. I've just slapped him and his first reaction is to ask that?'

"It's none of your concern." She looked down at her hand. She could still move it, but she must have sprained it.

"You're in pain at least let me have a look?"

"It's nothing, and I told you it's none of your concern" she moved back getting some more distance between them.

"Why do you care anyway? I just beat you senseless, heck I've just slapped you, and you didn't even react!"

Bell just looked at her he understood her being angry at him but he didn't know why she was bothered that he did nothing back.

"Ive wronged you and I'm making amends if that means I need to be beaten to a pulp then so be it. I deserve it. Look I care because I can see you're in pain and if I can't help a girl in pain then what good am I to anyone?"

She just looked at him. His answer seemed so stupid but at the same time compelling.

"Not everyone can be helped so easily, and others would rather be left alone."

She was speaking about herself but decided to use it in the general context to prove a point. But Bell wasn't convinced.

"Perhaps but it also correct to say they do this because they're scared to let others help them."

Both made a valid point to the other.

Bell held out his hand "Please let me help you."

She looked at him. She knew one thing from today. He cared far too much about other people.

She let go of her hand and allowed him to check it. She reminded silent, turning her head away.

Bell quickly looked it over. Besides the bloody knuckles, be couldn't see any noticeable damage. However, he wasn't sure if she had any underlying damage.

He quickly ripped part of his shirt of and moved to the entrance to wet it.

"What are you doing". She asked.

"At least let me clean it and bandage it up for you".

She pulled her hand away again.

"I can do that myself." She didn't want his help.

"You can probably clean it by yourself, but how are you going to bandage it up?"

Once again, he made to good a point to argue, she decided that it would be easier to let him help her.

"Fine but be quick about it."

She allowed him to take her hand as he progressed to clean the blood off.

Bell took a moment to see if there were any more problems he missed but was careful not to make it visible.

As he cleaned, he made sure to press down harder in places to see if she displayed any extra pain.

'Hmm seems okay.' He was content that it was nothing, but as he moved to bandage her hand, he noticed her wince in pain.

"Is something wrong?" He couldn't continue with her on the defensive at least need her to admit there was a problem.

'Damn he noticed is it really worth all this hassle over a hand.'

She pondered for a moment.

"Just do whatever you need to do."

He wasn't able to use healing magic, and he didn't have anything to ease the pain. He left all his supplies at home.

"You may have broken something I can't help you if you have."

He knew this wasn't going to be good news to her. But he couldn't be sure if it was or wasn't a break.

"Great just what I need. A headache, A pervert and a broken hand what's next!"

She started to kick up a storm but stopped suddenly as she felt her hand being grabbed.

"I haven't finished now be quiet and stay still until I've finished."

He spoke up before she could argue, and he made sure to start before she could move away.

She was taken aback for the first time he was telling her to be quiet, hell he was ordering her about like she was a child.

He looked up to see her face. Her cheeks were puffed out, and she didn't look impressed.

'She doesn't half act like a child.'

Bell chuckled.

"What's funny?" She had noticed.

"Nothing, there all done." He let go of her hand. She was so focused she didn't even feel any pain.

"Thank you." She thanked him, looking at the makeshift bandaged hand.

She was still in pain due to the pressure applied by it, but she at least felt she needed to thank him.

"I'm sorry I can't do more for the pain when we get back I'll give you something for it".

He got up to his feet and looked to see what the state if the weather was. It wasn't getting any better.

"I can't."

Bell looked back to her seeing her begin to tear up again and he knew exactly the problem.

"She won't be mad at you."

She shook her head "You don't know that."

"I know my Goddess she's not going to hold this against you."

She wanted to believe him, but she just couldn't not after what she's done.

"I said something's that a friend should never have said. I can't go back and act like it didn't happen."

Bell still wasn't sure what happened between those two, and he could only guess at this point, but he knew Hestia was willing to forgive those she cared about.

"Then don't, if you care about your friendship then go apologize. Even if she doesn't forgive you, you at least owe it to her."

She just nodded, he was right no matter what she thought she was still her friend and it was the only right thing to do.

"Your right I should." She moved next to him, but before he could turn around to head out, she sat down on the stairs.

"Umm what are you doing?"

He wasn't sure what she was doing. She had just agreed with him, but she seemed to do the opposite.

She turned her head away from him as she felt her face heat up.

"It's not going to help if I'm still on bad terms with her Familia sooo."

Bell got the idea even if she didn't say it. He sat down next to her.

"Forgive and forget." he said.

"Ohh no your not getting off that easily." She said in a somewhat sarcastic voice.

"But, what about that beating I just got?"

Artemis shrugged her shoulders.

"A spur of the moment, if anything you got of easy."

Bell felt himself sweat "That was getting off easy?"

Knowing that, he was scared to know what could have happened.

Artemis, on the other hand, started laughing.

"Ha-ha if you want I could just break your arm and call us even?"

Bell moved back afraid that she might do it anyway.

"Nah I'd like to keep my arms intact."

Artemis just laughed harder she couldn't help it seeing him take her answer seriously.

She went quiet closing her eyes, and she remembered everything that happened that day into account.

She also remembered her friends words before their argument.

*"Find some way to thank properly for the meal."*

"Bell can I ask you something?"

Bell just nodded not paying attention to her using his name.

"If Hestia hadn't made you stay to look after me today, what would you have done?"

Bell smiled at least they were back on talking terms.

"In truth I'd have done my normal day meet my friend, gone to the dungeon and return to see if I had improved."

She just nodded her head.

"So in some ways me being here is holding you back." She was regretful that this probably wouldn't have happened if things were different.

Bell, on the other hand, got what she meant and knew as much as he loved to train it wasn't everything he thought about.

"If your trying to imply that I regret agreeing to it you'd be wrong."

She looked at him and he knew that she was paying attention. He continued.

"If I had to go back and make a choice again knowing the outcome I'd still agree".

Shocked would be an understatement. 'Surely he's just saying that to appease me.'

"And I should believe you because?"

"Because I enjoyed getting to know you the good and the bad."

Bell just sat looking at her. He wasn't lying to her; he was serious.

Artemis just took in his words. How does she reply to that call him a liar? Say he doesn't know what he is talking about?

"Do you mean that Bell?"

She asked, still finding it hard to believe his words but at the sight of his face, as she looked into his eyes, she knew.

"I do, and I know for a fact I have a lot more to do before I earn back your trust".

This time it was Bell who started to tear up without a shadow of a doubt he knew he had wronged her and that he deserved what punishment came with it.

"Your not wrong Bell."

Artemis moved she wasn't fully letting him off he needed to earn her trust back. But he had redeemed himself somewhat that night.

Bell wasn't sure what to do; he just went quiet not knowing what he should say.

"We should get-go..."

He was cut off abruptly as he felt his body pulled to one side and a tight grip around him. It took him a moment to realise what had happened.

Artemis had was hugging him for what reason he couldn't say.

"What are you doing?"

Artemis just looked at him. Realising what she was doing, she blushed slightly at her sudden action but didn't let go.

"This doesn't mean I forgive you, but... Thank you".

She didn't need to say anything else. She didn't have to. She did it because she wanted to.

Bell was speechless. He wasn't going to argue it felt nice. He just closed his eyes and agreed.

"Don't get too comfy we've got to head back soon."

Bell nodded, opening his eyes as she let go. The two of them got to their feet.

"I'll let you lead since I'm not sure how to get back."

Bell nodded to her, but before the two left, he remembered the cloak and hood.

Bell handed her the cloak and hood Artemis

"Here it doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon so you should put this on."

Artemis nodded, Bell turned quickly taking the lead downstairs as the two made their way back home. But Bell was still hiding his embarrassment from her early embrace.

'Just don't think about it Bell.'

Meanwhile nearby.

"Well, that could have gone better."

The person was sat down on one of the many checkpoints around the wall, examine the events that took place.

"What are you doing?"

He turned to find a new person had joined him.

"What can't a man enjoy the show? it isn't often I get the chance."

He spoke in a sarcastic but well-mannered tone. Which seemed to have the effect he wanted.

"Your orders were to watch him from a distance."

He turned back looking around and spread his hands out to make his point.

"This isn't what he asked. You could have been spotted."

Despite the warning, the man just waved his hand behind his head.

"Yeah well I didn't, and you can tell that to the boss."

He got to his feet and moved to his comrade's side.

"Besides you should worry about your own skin if he finds out you let her get away then."

Without warning, he found himself pushed to the edge of the wall. His feet just barely touching the ground. He looked back seeing the immense drop below.

"Okay, okay, you made your point."

His shirt was holding him, but he knew one wrong word, and he was going for a long fall.

"Think yourself lucky."

He was pulled back onto the structure.

"He's asked that you put your efforts into tracking down the rest of the Loki Familia".

He raised an eyebrow.

"Ohh well as it soo happens I know where one is."

"The sword princess does not count." The voice seemed to be angry at his suggestion. He turned to look back at them, but it became obvious why.

"What you can't be serious she's a problem. You seriously can't believe she won't cause problems for us in the future?"

The hooded figure turned away and made their way to exit.

"Maybe but 'he' is dealing with her, so don't even think about it."

With that final warning, they went their separate ways.

"Hmm, I won't."

He took one more look around and turned his sights to the city.

"I wonder what you're going to do next?"

Hestia continued to pace back and forth in the main entrance. They had been gone for hours, and the weather had taken a turn for the worse.

"Please be safe." She turned to head back inside.

"Bell should surely be able to calm her down. I hope."

Hestia came to the realisation that this wasn't the Artemis she hoped Bell could get to know.

"She's just like she was back then. If Bell has offended her, then he needs to be careful, as she won't hesitate."

She sat on the bench closest to the door; her nerves were going wild. She knew the risks and yet she didn't think once that they'd end up in this situation.

"She's probably going to hate me for a while."

She wanted to cry, but all her tears had gone. She spent a large of time regretting what she had done to her and Bell.

"Everything is wrong why, why does a simple act of kindness have to end in this?"

She felt tired she wanted to sleep and hope she'd wake up to everything being okay, but she knew that wouldn't happen.

She got to her feet, deciding that she just wanted to lie down and face whatever problems she'd have to wake up to.

She made her way down to the secret entrance but stopped.

*knock**Knock*

She turned to hear, knocking. Realising that someone was at the door, she could only guess who it was.

"It's obviously not Bell he'd just let himself in."

She made her way to the entrance once again, part of her didn't need this right now, but she couldn't leave them waiting in the rain.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Okay, okay, I'm here what do you want?"

Hestia took a step back.

"Hello, Hestia. I heard you've been looking for me?"

Hestia didn't know what to say or do. But she knew one thing.

"I never thought I'd say this but its good to see you Hermes."

Authors notes

Soo Chapter 20 done finished and it didn't take a month. I'm pleased with myself but I suppose having a large portion of time myself probably helps. Again not a great deal happens in this chapter. Well, progression wise at least. Bell and Artemis are back on even ground even if its still little rocky. But with the return of Hermes what's gonna happen next.

As always please let me know what you think. Feedback is always good. Was it good, bad what could have been done better or differently? It helps me improve my writing. If you haven't already fallow to now when new chapters are posted as I don't have schedule. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks

/pCGVwnWNgA