Hermes entered the church, taking his soaked cloak off and placing it on the nearby bench. Once he got himself comfy, he turned his attention back to Hestia.

"So, where to begin?" He sat back on the bench, knowing this was probably going to take a while. Hestia didn't wait for him to start talking before throwing questions at him.

"First things first – care to tell me where on earth you've been for the past few days?"

Hermes shook his head, which ticked Hestia off. She hated it when he did that.

"Don't give me that, Asfi's been worried sick and not a single person has seen you. I ran around most of this maze of a city looking for you. So you owe me. Now talk!"

"Its not that simple, Hestia. For better or for worse I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to."

"And why not?" Hestia was not convinced. He was trying to hide the truth from her.

"I made a deal with Loki, and one of the conditions I swore was to not to speak about the details." He opened his palm to reveal a small coin one that Loki used as a sort of I.O.U.

"Wait, when did you make a deal with Loki?" Hestia thought that it was a far fetched but if Hermes knew where Loki was then that would ease a lot of tension in the city.

"The day before the attack, I was shocked to hear the news. Loki has lots of enemies, but none of them would be so brave as to attack her head-on."

Hestia nodded. 'I guess he doesn't know were she is'.

"You're taking an interest in Loki, that's unlike you Hestia. What caused the change of heart?"

Hermes spoke in his usual jokey tone but Hestia just brushed it off.

"No. But her disappearance has left a huge power gap. And with her Familia all but scattered you have to admit it's a scary time."

While she never got along with Loki, Hestia had a small amount of respect for her Familia and seeing it so easily torn apart was unsettling.

"Your not wrong Hestia, but there will be a time and place to deal with that matter."

Hestia nodded in agreement. No one knew what was going to happen and a few whispers hoped she'd return soon. Before in fighting began for her place amongst the top.

Hermes looked around the church.

"No Bell?"

Hestia realised she hadn't mentioned the current situation but how the hell was she meant to go about it?

"No..He's.."

Hestia tried to think of a good reason for Bell not being here it wasn't like she could say he was in the dungeon or doing an errand not this late and he would be back soon.

"Hermes, there's been a complication."

Hermes looked at the Goddess; something told him that this was important. But part of him couldn't help but joke.

"What, finally got sick of him and threw him out?"

While he couldn't help but joke about it, he knew he should be careful, especially with current events.

"No... I don't even know how to explain this."

Hermes just leaned forward his attention and curiosity were now listening.

"Take your time. If it's the reason you ran around the city looking for me, I can't say it's not important."

Hestia nodded, thinking that it was probably best to start from the beginning.

"Look I'm not sure of the specifics. Heck, you may not even believe me, but..."

She took a deep breath.

"When we arrived back, Bell went missing. I had a large group searching the city, dungeon and anywhere else he might have gone. But I soon found him and well..."

"What?" Hermes knew Bell was unstable at this point but he didn't expect him to have gotten into any trouble. So what was the problem?

"It was Artemis."

Three words. Words he had himself tried the answer for when he went to Loki. Hestia wasn't lying. Her tone, her body movement and even her eyes told Hermes that it was the truth.

"Please tell me you are joking." Hermes spoke, his voice in disbelief. This was turn of events that even he couldn't have predicted.

Hestia just shook her head but didn't speak, Hermes just sat back taking the information in.

"It's not possible." he spoke under his breath, but Hestia picked up on it.

"What was that?"

Hermes didn't speak; he remained quiet while remembering the last few days.

Flashback

"So this is the place, huh."

Hermes had followed Loki's directions but wasn't sure what he had to find. Loki described it as a temple. But he looked out along the open plain and found nothing.

"She couldn't have been lying, which means it's hidden by magic or destroyed."

He looked for any signs of ruined building or anomalies that would indicate something was missing.

"Hmm seriously. I knew this place is forbidden, but how do you hide something so important?"

He continued to wander, marking the areas he covered to not go round in circles.

"Uhhh... it's no use. If he couldn't find it what chance have I got?"

He stamped his foot in anger but felt the ground give way slightly. His attention soon turned to the small hole his foot had created.

"Why on.."

He started to move away the dirt and while he did so it became more and more clear to him what the cause was.

"Soo. That's how you hid it." He smiled as he looked down below.

The light was now able to shine down the hole revealing a huge underground cavern. While Hermes wasn't able to get a clear picture, he could just about make out the carved stone slabs and pillars below.

'Damn that's some drop. Guess I'm not getting down today.'

He looked back at his mount.

'Its a days ride here. I suppose it would be safe to head back and get Asfi to help.'

"I'd best keep this close to my chest. No telling what they'll do if they find this".

*Rustle*

Hermes turned around quickly. The faint, rustling sound spooked him. He looked to the floor seeing a few leaves amongst the ground.

"Guess it was my imagination."

He moved towards his horse, none the wiser. But something was off. A gut feeling. No, he thought there was something wrong, but he dared not turn back.

'There's no tree's for miles.'.

He didn't stop. Not until he reached his horse. Taking a moment to asses the situation, it became apparent he had been followed.

"Well girl, looks like we're heading back early."

He started to talk to his horse, he knew it would be unwise to draw attention to himself. The less they believed he knew, the better.

He mounted the steed and made his way back to Orario.

'This is going to cause some problems.'

Hermes, who had been quiet for a while now, had been too concerned with the matter to notice Hestia shaking him.

"Hey come on Hermes, snap out of it. Don't make me hit you."

Hermes regained his usual composure and pushed Hestia away.

"I apologize, something had crossed my mind and I may have thought too long on it. You were saying?"

"Seriously, I mention Artemis and you blank out on me. Are you sure you're okay?"

Hermes just shook his head.

"To tell you the truth Hestia, I find it a little hard to believe."

He spoke the truth. He couldn't think of a way that she could have come back this soon. Reincarnation was out and the method he knew couldn't have been found, let alone used.

"You think I'd lie about something like this?"

Hestia knew it was a long shot but only Asfi could tell.

"You haven't been to see Asfi, I take it."

Hermes just looked up to her despite his confusion, thinking it best to humour her.

"No, why should I?"

Hestia sighed. It was too late to get her to confirm, she might as well try to keep him here till Bell returns.

"Well Hestia, if you have nothing important to tell me I'll be taking my leave."

"Wait. At least stay until Bell returns, he will..."

Hermes just stood up ignoring her. He continued to do so until he reached the doors.

"Hermes why don't you believe it?"

She was cut off by a sudden slam of the door.

"For heaven's sake, Hestia, just think about what you're telling me? I get it your upset, she's gone but please don't delude yourself with false hope."

Hestia just stood in shook.

"What about her Aura? Surely you can feel it."

"Hestia she's dead. But don't you think that would be the first thing I'd feel upon returning?"

Hestia closed her eyes and felt out across the city. She could make out each of the gods by their auras but it wasn't right.

"Do you finally get it, Hestia. Who or whatever you saw it wasn't her."

Hermes left the church. Making his way back to Familia.

'I don't believe her. Why would she cling to such a false hope?'

The weather hadn't improved much, but the sound of rain helped keep him think.

"You're overthinking things, Hermes. You just need a drink."

He finally reached the corner of the road and happened upon a white-haired boy walking his way. What surprised him was the hooded girl that was with him.

"Ahh Bell, good to see you. How are you holding up?"

Bell looked over to the passing god slightly confused by his phrasing, but he assumed he just making conversation.

"I'm fine thanks. Umm might I ask why you're wandering about in this weather?"

Artemis who had been hiding from Hermes had turned away from him not wanting him to notice her.

"I could ask you the same question, Bell. You look beat. What happened? No wait don't tell me."

He looked over to the hooded figure. Despite hiding her face, Hermes quickly deduced it was a female.

"Look at you Bell, being the gentlemen you are and escorting the young lady home after a saving her like the hero you are."

Hermes moved to Bells side and patted him on the back. He did, however, think something was off with the boys overall normality.

"Umm Bell, are you sure you're okay?"

Bell just nodded with a smile.

Hermes shrugged his shoulder and continued.

"Okay well take care. Oh and when you get back you might want to cheer up Hestia she seemed a little down."

Bell nodded but found himself being pulled along before he could say anything. He turned to see Artemis holding his hand a pulling him down the street. He didn't say anything. She probably just wanted to get back.

Asfi had once again been waiting at the entrance for Hermes to return. Between the bad weather and the late hour, she didn't think it was likely he would return tonight.

"Hurry back." She sighed, leaving the entrance and heading inside.

She knew he'd return at some point but the fact nobody had seen him for days left her on edge more than usual. The fact that he didn't even mention his departure was even more reason to worry.

"The least you could do is say bye." She sat down onto a free chair. She felt the tiredness start to take over rubbing her eyes.

"What, missed me that much?"

The sudden voice caused her to jump. She turns her head to see a familiar face.

"You're back." She jumped to her feet the moment she saw his face, rushing towards him. Hermes opened his arms for an embrace, but one didn't come.

"YOU IDIOT!" She punched him in the stomach.

"Yeah, I deserved that." He clenched his side but quickly recovered.

'This isn't going to go well.' He thought.

He made his way over to the table were she had been sitting. He laid back in the chair and relaxed – he barely had any rest on his trip and he was in dire need of a drink.

"So, are you going to tell me were you've been?"

Hermes looked at her. He trusted her, but with everything that's going on, he didn't think it wise.

"What? Am I not allowed to go exploring from time to time?"

He tried to play it off as nothing, but he knew she was smart, waiting for her to try and worm the information out of him.

"You know what? I don't care." Asfi sat down and joined him but her god had a confused look on his face.

"I'm sorry, did I just hear that right? You don't want to know were I've been?"

Hermes was surprised. Hell, for once he didn't need to come up with a stupid excuse. Asfi just shook her head.

"Ohh believe me I do, but right now I'm tired and I'm just glad you're okay."

Hermes rubbed his head. Taking his hat off and placing on the table. He took a moment to think about the strange events that had been going on the last week.

"Any word of the Loki Familia?" He looked up but he got his answer when she shook her head.

'We've gone from one problem to the another, at least this one isn't world-ending'.

As he stared up at the wooden floor, his mind seemed to wander back to Bell. Something seemed odd, but he couldn't place his finger on it.

'Well it doesn't matter... like he said he was fine...Wait, fine?'

He brought his head back Asfi looked at him confused. No doubt she couldn't understand why he had such a look on his face.

"Is something wrong? You look troubled."

He just sat in silence, repeating Bell's word in his head over and over. It hit him.

"He doesn't remember."

'There was no other explanation. Bell was strong but he was emotional as well. In a few days, he's gone from being crying alone and down on the world to...'

"Who doesn't remember?"

He broke his train of thought, his gaze meets Asfi's, and he let a little smile out, letting her know it was nothing.

"Don't worry, it's nothing. So what have you been up to? You know, besides worrying about me." He wanted to laugh, but she didn't look impressed.

"Not much, but you could say I got a shock of shocks today."

Hermes raised a brow. 'This should be good'.

"Hestia arrived looking for you?"

Hermes curiosity took a nosedive as he tried hard not to roll his eyes.

"Yeah I knew about that, in fact, that's where I've just come from." He wasn't that surprised she came here, but after their conversation, he couldn't be bothered with her right now.

Asfi just shrugged her shoulders she thought he be a bit happier with the news.

"So I take it you've seen her then?" Asfi spoke up but getting a confused look of Hermes.

"Yeah. I've just said I've come from their place."

Asfi shook her head.

"No, not Hestia."

"Then who, Asfi?"

Asfi was surprised that he didn't know.

"Artemis."

Hermes's eyes widened. This wasn't the first time today this had happened, heck not even the first time this hour. That one name seemed to be popping up way too much.

"Asfi, you need to be super clear with me here. What do you mean Artemis?"

"Wait you didn't see her? And why didn't Hestia tell you?"

Hermes just sat in horror. He didn't need her to answer. He knew. He knew the next words that would come out of her mouth, he couldn't believe them before but hearing them from someone as smart as Asfi would be the nail in the coffin.

"She's alive."

The next few minutes seemed to pass by. Hermes didn't speak, didn't move, he had no thoughts at that moment.

"Asfi?"

She nodded.

"Did you see her?"

Hermes looked at her. He needs her to tell him that she was real.

"Umm yes, I did."

Hermes just got up from the table and moved to the entrance.

"I owe her an apology but more than that I'm going to need to have another chat with her."

'But more importantly, I've got to find out why I couldn't sense her.'

Meanwhile, somewhere in Orario.

A cloaked figure entered the dimly lit room. A small round table was positioned in the middle and five dusty old chairs sat around it. The man chuckled. He was taking his place at the seat, looking onward at the door.

It opened, and three more people joined him. They entered the room and nodded. Just like him, they wore black cloaks and their faces covered. The didn't waste anytime sitting down.

"It seems we're missing a person?"

The gentlemen closest to the door spoke up looking toward the empty chair in the room. He let down his hood revealing a white mask covering most his face but not his mouth, with several cracks dotted around with a few that looked like they had been attempted to be repaired.

The other three joined him. The two to the right and left of him had black masks that, just like him, covered most their faces. The masks themselves had little to no detail besides the noticeable white crosses over the eye holes. The fourth and final member had an elegant red mask, that covered his whole face. What was surprising was the lack of any eye holes.

"Seriously, why do we have to wear these masks all the time? I mean I get it while we're out and about. But we're working together so why all the secrecy?

The man with the white mask spoke his comment seemed to garner attention from the two besides him.

"He's got a point, only we can get in and out of here, why take such precautions?" The man to left spoke up agreeing with his white-masked counter part.

"The reason for this is to keep our identities secret. Less risk if you get captured to point us out in public."

He spoke firmly. His voice was noticeably older than the other two and more mature.

"But..."

"There is nothing else to discuss on the topic besides the masks are enchanted so I'll know if you take them off."

He raised his voice, causing the younger man to go silent.

"Now, back to the matter of our missing member. She is looking into a small issue for me. Besides that, she'll be brought up to speed when she returns".

The three nodded and gave him their full attention.

"Whisper, tell us how goes your search for the missing Loki adventurers?"

Whisper just shook her head, not attempting to hid the fact she hadn't made any new progress.

"Not well, I'm afraid. they've covered their tracks well. Besides the sword princess, the only lead I have is out of the city."

The other black-masked individual just laid his head back.

"And thanks to your lack of progress, I'm being forced to help you."

His comment was ignored, but he noticed her clenching her fist. The comment, however, got a small laugh out of the white masked man.

"Reaver that's enough. Do I need to remind you that you've caused me no end of problems these last few days?"

Reaver looked forward. Despite no visible signs of anger, he could tell that he should back down.

"Look, I get it you're not happy I attacked the boy but seriously why does it matter?"

"That doesn't concern you, just do as you're told!"

The man's voice grew angrier he ordered him like a master a dog.

"Seer, I'm not judging your tactics, but we've been left in the dark on most of the details".

Seer nodded.

"That's the point, for now just do as I say, you'll get your chance Void, I promise."

The final man, Void, just nodded. The four didn't get along, and silence settled in.

"Well if there's nothing else to report, I'm going to be giving you new jobs."

Reaver, Whisper and Void looked to him, confused.

"What about our current tasks?" Whisper was the first to speak up.

"It doesn't matter. Her Familia is scattered; we can deal with any members that pop up from time to time."

"Now whisper, you and Void are going to be keeping an eye on the Argonaut and the sword princess. You are to watch them, and nothing more. I don't care if they spot you, attempt to fight you or make conversation."

He stopped, making sure they had a chance to take in that point.

"Do I make myself clear?"

The two nodded.

"Reaver you'll be joining me. I think it's about time we give Freya a visit".

Reaver nodded, and three of them stood up.

"You have your orders. We meet back here, same time. Good luck."

The three nodded and made their exit.

'It's all going along smoothly.'

When Bell and Artemis finally got back to the church it was very late. The moon was just visible through the clouds, but the rain covered it.

"Uhh, Why didn't we wait until it stopped raining?" Artemis was, for lack of a better word, soaked. The cloak barely kept her top half dry. I didn't take long before water started seeping through.

"At the rate, it's going we could have been there all night." Bell answered. He was beaten and worn out. He just wanted to get some rest, and sadly that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

"Least you had a cloak." Looking himself over, not bringing one for himself was a stupid move. Still, he was glad he left when he did even if this was the outcome.

"You gave it to me so you can't complain."

She took off the soaked cloak letting it drop to the floor and sighed.

"It did little to stop the rain."

She turned towards him letting him see that she was in the same predicament as him.

"Ohh."

Bell looked at the soaked goddess. He took the time to examine her, the once loose-fitting top now clung to her, giving him a great look at her form. He tried his best to not gawk, but damn did she look good at that moment. His eyes became locked on her breasts, the thin clothing wasn't helping as it clung to them. His mind was starting to fail him. He knew he shouldn't but the little voice in his head kept telling him it was okay. He hated that little voice.

'Why does it have to be her of all people?' Bell's first instinct was to look up, which was perhaps not a great idea ever.

'Oh, goddess.'

Rarely was he lost for words but this was something else.

Bell gulped as he stared at the innocent beauty before him. Droplets of water dripped down onto her face. She moved her hand to wipe her face. She took a moment to undo her ponytail, her hair falling down on her shoulders.

Bell couldn't tell if it was the moonlight or his mind playing tricks with him but it seemed to add to her beauty.

'Now isn't the time Bell, just ignore her.' His thoughts and his actions, however, were two different things.

Just like her hair, the facial features seemed to also shine from the tiny droplets. However, at that moment his eyes meet hers. The emerald green colour was oddly hypnotising, and he felt he could stare into them for days and part of him wanted to.

*'Compliment her, Bell.'*

Just like that Bell sighed, He thought he had cast that voice from his head, but still, it persisted.

'Curse you old man.' Bell shouted at the voice in his head, but like a pest, it didn't care.

*'You're lying if you say she's not beautiful.'* The voice of his grandpa persisted.

'I do not deny the fact now just leave you're not helping.'

*'What's wrong, distracting you from the view?'*

Bell tried to ignore the voice but found that he was doing exactly what he didn't want to do.

Artemis had quickly caught on to him staring, in fact, it had been a good few minutes of just that.

'Seriously…?' She sighed inside as she thought about what to do.

'I suppose I should get used to this, it's not like I can force him to stop looking.' She could, but part of her felt it wasn't his fault.

She looked at him his innocent expression seemed to melt her anger. Why? She wondered.

'Those eye's... why do they have to stare?' She felt a faint blush hit her cheeks. Trying to forgive him was one thing but admiring him was something else.

'Don't tell me I like the thought of him staring?' She cast the thought from her head. She was just tired, not thinking straight. This had gone on far too long.

"Bell! You're staring." She raised her voice to catch his attention. He quickly broke eye contact and faced away, his face becoming a deep red of embarrassment.

"Have you got anything to say for yourself?" Artemis tone didn't change she tried to sound angry with him, but a small part of her felt betrayed.

Bell's embarrassment was becoming hard to handle and the voice of his dead grandfather continued to annoy him.

*'Well, you've been caught Bell, no point in trying to hide the truth.'*

Bell just wanted to die. He was arguing with a voice in his head, and it was winning.

*'You know you want to say it.'*

'Shut up!' Bell shouted at the voice.

"She wants an explanation, so tell her the truth."

Bell felt Artemis gaze upon him. Even when she was angry, she seemed to catch his eye.

"Do you have nothing to say?" She asked for a final time.

*'Best answer to her Bell.'*

Bell turned to her. He attempted an apology, but he couldn't get his words out.

*'Say it, Bell.'* The voice egged him on more.

"I...I'm." His words failed him. His mind was betraying him, and his body started to feel funny.

*'SAY IT!'*

Artemis sighed.

"I'm sorry, you just look so beautiful."

Artemis didn't know what to say. She was taken aback expecting an apology but not expecting him to say that. She didn't notice the faint blush on her face but the more she thought about what he said the redder it got.

'This is stupid. Why am I even getting like this over a comment?' She tried to calm herself, but her mind continued to hold onto the matter.

Bell realising what he just said and hid his face in embarrassment. He was probably in for a scolding or worse.

"Why did I say that. I'm such an idiot and fuck, you old man." He spoke under his voice trying not to draw more attention.

"Forgive me Artemis it was just a..."

Bell just stopped. He looked at her face and it said a thousand words, but also showed a variety of emotions. Anger, joy, pain and relief. He couldn't explain it but he could tell she was having a hard time processing the situation.

"Umm, Artemis, are you okay?" He asked softly he wasn't sure if he should be afraid or thankful.

Artemis managed to calm her thoughts and anger. The latter of which she was the cause. She looked into his eyes. Before she believed she could get lost in them, that the secrets they held would be an endless journey, yet still, she looked.

'Your eyes tell no lies, Bell. Such curious eyes. Troublesome, to say the least.'

"Thank you Bell, now come on, let's get the talk with Hestia over and then I can finally get out of these soaked clothes."

She pulled the shirt in an attempt to get it to stop sticking to her chest, her mind filled the thoughts of a warm bath.

Bell, on the other hand, was just confused.

'Why wasn't she mad? She should be mad? Why is she not mad at me?'

Questions kept coming one after another.

'Perhaps she didn't take offence, but still.'

Bell looked to the goddess walking away from him. He didn't ponder on the thought for too long. He followed behind her watching her as she moved ahead. Yet as he watched her walk away a new image filled his head. One created by his imagination. His grandfather words had planted a seed in his head and the image of her naked started to sprout from it.

Authors Notes

Wow finally got this chapter done. I'd like to thank Orion-Sacred Arrow for taking the time to read through and fixing a few things for me. If you haven't already check him out. Second If you'd like to join our discord for whatever reason feel free, we post updates and other such subjects. Look forward to talking to you.

Now on to the chapter, Things are going to start picking up speed from this point its been quite slow the last 20 chapters and I feel it needs a little kick. But like always let me know what you think. Feedback is always useful and reviews let me know what people like and dislike. If you have any questions please feel free to pm me or if you're in the discord message feel free to ask me there to. Thanks for reading and look forward to the next chapter.

/pCGVwnWNgA