Passing through the tangle of streets, Bell and Ryuu crossed a bridge spanning a canal and then climbed a back-alley stairway, finally emerging onto a hilltop that overlooked western Orario. When they arrived, it was nighttime and the city below was illuminated.

This was their spot. The spot they came to whenever they wanted to spend time with one another in private. The place Alise had shown Ryuu all those years ago. A place Ryuu now shared with Bell.

"It's beautiful up here tonight, don't you think Ryuu?

"Yeah...it really is." Ryuu had a distant gaze in her eye as she looked out across the city.

"Ryuu, are you gonna tell me what happened with Syr today?" Wanting to support her in any way he could, Bell took a hold of Ryuu's hand.

Ryuu sighed. She really wanted to just enjoy her time up here with Bell. But she knew he wanted to know what happened with Syr. Ryuu began recounting the events of this morning, everything leading up to when Syr stormed out of her room, leaving her there all alone.

"I'm so sorry Ryuu. I wish I had been there to help explain everything. Maybe she would have taken it better from me..." Bell trailed off, contemplating on all the different ways they could have handled this situation differently. Syr was their friend, neither of them wanted to see her hurt.

"I doubt it. I just wish I never had to explain it to Syr in the first place." Ryuu elven pride continued to torutre her over what she had done to her best friend.

"Well I can talk with Syr later, try and work things out. Maybe I can convince her not to be so upset with you." Bell was fine if Syr hated him forever, so long as she and Ryuu could make up. Seeing Ryuu in such distress over Syr put daggers into Bell's heart, he hated being the source of conflict for those two.

"This does remind me though, there is something I wanted to talk to you about Ryuu."

"What is it?"

"I was thinking about telling my familia about us, and wanted to know if you would come with me when I tell them?"

Ryuu hesitated. After the day she had just had explaining the situation to Syr, she wasn't sure if she could handle that again, especially with multiple people.

"I don't know Bell...do you really want me there? What about your goddess?"

"It will be ok Ryuu, as long as you're there with me, everything will be okay. I know my goddess will understand. She wants me to be happy to be happy more than anything else. And you make me happy." Bell stood there, smiling at the beautiful elf.

Ryuu's heart fluttered when she heard Bell say how happy she made him. All hesitation was gone now. She couldn't help but give into his wonderful smile and pure, loving words.

"In that case…count me in. We'll do it together."

Bell was relieved. They were finally going to tell his familia. Ryuu really was the best. This huge, guilty weight that had been on his chest since he returned from Floor 37 would finally be gone.

"Thank you so much Ryu-"

Bell stopped, in the blink of an eye, a cloaked figure had appeared behind Ryuu. Before he could react, the assailant bludgeoned Ryuu in the back of the head with his fist, causing her to fall forward. Before she could hit the ground however, he grabbed her by the neck and held her up in the air, choking her.

"RYUU! Let her go!" Bell raised his hand up, ready to cast his Firebolt at the mysterious man.

"FIREBOL-"

Bell canceled his spell quickly before it fired off, horrified to see what the assaulter was doing.

He was holding the elf between himself and Bell. Using her to deter Bell from making a move.

Basically, Ryuu was his human shield.

Bell tried to find another angle, but the man was quick and just moved Ryuu to wherever Bell went next.

Ryuu was flailing, doing everything she could to try and get out of his grip. Kicking and punching were all she could do though, and it was barely phasing him.. He was obviously a higher level than either of them. All she could do was pull his hood back. Her eyes widened a bit as she saw the face beneath the hood.

"Freya...familia?" Ryuu managed to barely whisper as Allen held onto her neck tight.

Allen punched Ryuu right in the ribs, breaking 2 of them on impact.

"Achh..." Ryuu gasped from the pain. She started clawing at her neck, trying desperately to free herself from his grip.

Allen was too strong though. Even the mighty "Gale Wind" had no chance of breaking free from the Level 6 choking her. Ryuu started to pass out, the lack of air taking its toll on her body. She was losing consciousness.

" Bell…you need to...run..." Ryuu passed out, her body swaying like a broken doll, still tightly held by Allen from the neck.

"That was easy," Allen thought to himself.

Bell was furious. He needed to help Ryuu, and he needed to help her now. But Allen was still using Ryuu as a shield, and no matter the angle Bell tried, Allen was too fast and always had her ready to absorb any blow Bell could make.

"What do you want? Please just let her go!" Bell begged, now panicking at the sight of Ryuu's unconscious figure.

"It's simple really. I'm here with a message..." Allen continued

"The members of Freya familia send their regar-AHHHH!" Allen screamed as he let go of Ryuu's neck and began cradling his own arm. No longer being held up by Allen, Ryuu fell to the ground, hitting her head. She laid motionless on the ground, bleeding and unconscious.

There, protruding from Allen's Forearm, was a golden tipped spear.

"Hello brother." Anya called out from her hiding place where she had executed the surprise attack on the vice captain of Freya Famillia.

The wielder of the golden spear jumped down from her vantage point and stood in between Allen and her friends. She was still in her work attire and was looking at her estranged brother with both fear and resolve.

"Bell, take Ryuu and get out of here. I'll buy you as much time as I can."

"But Anya…" Bell hesitated to leave the cat girl all by herself with the angered Level 6.

"Go Bell, I'll be ok. Focus on Ryuu."

"Thank you so much Anya. Be safe."

Without a moment's delay, Bell picked Ryuu up in his arms and ran as far away from the conflict with her as he could.

Allen removed the spear from his arm and tossed it to the side. He may be level 6, but a blow like that still hurt like hell. It was a miracle his arm was still attached to the rest of him. He couldn't move any muscle in his hand, and he was losing a considerable amount of blood. He was pissed at himself for not noticing the spear coming straight for him, but he was slightly more pissed off at the one who threw it.

"What do you think you're doing Anya?" Allen looked at his sister, a look of hate and disgust in his eyes.

"I could ask you the same question Allen. Why did you attack them?"

"You don't get to ask the questions Anya, I do."

Anya was terrified of her brother. Even though she was a Level 4, and Allen was injured, she knew he could crush her in an instant. She just couldn't make up that 2 level difference. But she could stall him long enough for Bell to get Ryuu to safety.

"Did Freya tell you to do this?"

Anya continued to question her brother. She just had to know the truth. Knowing first hand the extremes the goddess of beauty would take, if she so desired. If Freya was behind this, then Bell and Ryuu would need to leave the city as quickly as possible and go far, far away.

Allen said nothing, his face a blank portrait that Anya couldn't read. But this whole situation felt off to her. Something else was going on here, she could tell. Perks of being with Freya familia and her brother for over 16 years.

"Enough of this, I don't have to explain myself or my orders to anyone. Least of all you. Now… get out of my way."

"No, I'm not letting you get near them again Allen." Anya stood her ground, readying herself for the battle she was about to have with her brother.

Allen sighed. Even in his current state, they both knew she had no hope against him.

"You really are such a child." Allen thought as he launched himself towards his sister.

Anya never stood a chance.

Bell held Ryuu tight as he sprinted at his top speed towards Hearth Mansion. He needed to get her there as fast as possible. Ryuu was still alive, but she was unconscious and was bleeding from where Allen had struck her on the head.

"Please, please be ok Ryuu. I'm so sorry. I wasn't strong enough to protect you, and now I.. "

Bell choked back tears looking at the beaten elf in his arms. He couldn't focus on his failings right now. Anya had done everything in her power to buy him some time to save Ryuu, and he intended to use it.

Bell arrived on the steps of his home and busted the door down. He sped through the manor, appearing like a blur to anyone who saw him. Bringing Ryuu to his bedroom and laying her down on his bed, he went to his medicine cabinet and pulled out all of the potions he had recently purchased from Lord Miach. Uncapping an Elixir, he came back over to where Ryuu lay and used it on her. The Elixir was a special potion that could heal almost anything. It had cost him over 500,000 valis. He had planned to save it for his next expedition, but this was way more important.

He held tightly onto Ryuu's hand praying that the medicine would work. He saw the cut on her head close up and some color return to her face. Slowly, she began to open her eyes.

"Bell... what…..where are we?"

"We are at my familia''s home. Anya bought us some time and we were able to escape. I rushed you here and used an Elixir on you... Are you feeling ok?"

"Yes...I feel great. Thank you for saving me Bell."

"Don't thank me. You should thank Anya, she saved you. I didn't save you, I failed you. You could have died tonight. And all because i'm still not strong enou- "

Bell was cut off as the elf brought her lips up to his. She was so happy to be with Bell again. When she was being choked by Allen, all Ryuu could think about was how she might never get to hold Bell again. Ryuu ended the kiss and slowly pulled away so that she could look Bell in the eyes.

"Bell Cranel. You have saved me. You're my hero. Never forget that. "

Ryuu and Bell looked at each other. Both so grateful that the other was alive and well. They leaned in, ready to embrace each other in a passionate kiss once again. That is until they heard a certain goddess behind them.

"What do you think you're doing Bell?"

Hestia was standing there with her arms crossed. Looking quite displeased with Bell. Lili, Mikoto, Haruhime, and Welf were all there as well.

In Bell's desperate attempt to get Ryuu healed up as soon as possible, he had neglected to remain quiet, and thus had pulled the attention of every single person living in the mansion, including his goddess.

"Well?" Hestia continued to pressure Bell for an answer.

Bell and Ryuu looked at each other, both blushing, accepting that their secret was finally out and they were gonna have to tell everyone, everything.

"Well everyone here is the thing. Ryuu and I...are a couple!"

Authors Note:

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Last one for a little while, gonna take a break for a few days, you know, holidays and all that. But I promise at least 1, maybe 2 more chapters before 2021, but don't expect any new chapters till at the very earliest the 29th.

Thank you as well too everyone wishing me well. It means a lot. Slowly but surely I am recovering. I do not recommend getting COVID. 1 star, would not try again.

Lots of great predictions and theories and words of encouragement that I have received from you guys. So keep it up! Feedback is always welcomed and you all have been very kind and respectful. So thank you.

If you're wondering how Anya was able to injure Allen like that, or how Allen didn't see it coming because he is the fastest in the city….. Well to quote Darth Sideous and Syndrome "Your arrogance blinds you" and "You caught me monologuing." He didn't think the two level 4s in front of him could do anything, and he had no clue Anya had tailed him. We have seen lower level adventurers hurt and even kill higher level monsters and adventures, so it's well within cannon to imagine Anya being able to sneak attack her brother with success.

Anyways, you all have a wonderful week. Spend time with your families, enjoy life, and stay safe.

Happy Holidays!