Chapter 136

Bell winced as he tried to raise his body, feeling the aching and burning sensation of his muscles screaming at him. He exhaled with frustration, blinking the tears away before trying to see where he was. All he could make out however was that he was within a cave of all things. And yet, here he was, in a bed. His mind connected the dots. He had to be in Rivira. It was the only place where there were actual sleeping quarters in a cave like this. The question was how he got here to begin with. He had no memories after he passed out, the hound about to tear his head off. Did his body move on its own? Or…no, it was more likely someone saved him, at the last second. But who could've-

The door opened. He tensed up, the Firebolt loaded in his mind already, his hand twitching under the blanket. His eyes opened wide when he saw who it was, gently closing the entrance behind her. She showed a small smile as she brushed her hair back.

"Hello, Bell."

"...Aiz…?"

The Wind Princess took a nearby chair and shoved it closer to his bed. He could barely comprehend why such a high tier adventurer bothered to come down here. Yet whatever the reason…he realized it. That Aiz was here because of him. He couldn't help but let out a weak laugh. He wasn't exactly subtle with his…breakdown. People must have seen him, including her. He really was a terrible person, making others worry so much. Closing his eyes, he nodded at her with a slow exhale.

"...Thank you…"

"You have to thank…Mord, I believe?" Bell's eyes widened at the revelation. Aiz nodded in confirmation. "He went after you, with fellow adventurers. I only arrived near the end of it." She smiled, almost teasingly. "You are quite popular."

He could barely imagine it in his mind. But then…the middle aged man seemed to be a good person deep down, despite his rough demeanor. Not to mention…way back in the old days, he did fight alongside Bell, when they fought against the irregular Minotaur…Asterius' first life…He could imagine it. Him having passed out, about to die, with Mord and his comrades jumping in, fighting in an area they had no right to fight. Getting injured for his sake, pulling his body across the ground, screaming expletives at each other, only for Aiz to arrive as a sudden storm, cutting down all opposition. Guilt gnawed at his heart, self loathing-

'You're the fucking captain now.'

He flinched before letting out a shaking breath. It was as if his soul was slapped by the image of Solaris, glaring at him, displeased that he already forgot their conversation. He couldn't help but smile a little bit. Right. There was feeling bad but then there was beating himself up too much. Aiz blinked at him, seemingly surprised at his uplifted mood. He scratched the back of his head, looking at her with a tilted head.

"Then…why are you here?"

"Lefiya told me."

Bell flinched as Aiz narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. She didn't give any further admonishment, but…he could feel the disappointment and disapproval radiating from her like actual cold. Given how devastated the elf looked…he shuddered, summoning forth his inner flame to burn down the growing darkness in his heart.

"Is she alright?" He asked carefully. In response, she made a hand chop motion with a small nod.

"I knocked her out. She needs the rest."

Bell blinked before biting his lip, raising his eyebrow.

"I don't think being knocked out counts as rest."

"For her, it does."

Well, what could he say to that? He knew she looked rather tired but…the way Aiz looked away, as if in shame herself…how far was Lefiya pushing herself? Before he could wonder, the Wind Princess took a deep breath and shook her head.

"You are hurt. I understand. But…" She narrowed her eyes. "You have to apologize to her. Or I'll get mad."

"Y-Yes, of course. Sure…sure…" His mind was already racing how to apologize. But how? The things he said…He slowly rose up, pushing his back against the wall as he bit his lip. He definitely had to come up with the proper words. Just going with his heart might work, but…He shook his head. He'd have to figure it out when it came to it. He was never the type to prepare speeches or the like.

"Do you…want to talk about it?" Aiz asked, hesitating.

"About what?" He asked quietly, feeling the weight in his stomach grow heavier as he looked away. She let out a sigh, clutching her left arm.

"This is the first time you lost someone close to you, right?" She whispered, causing him to stiffen up. He tried to force out a laugh, waving his hand dismissively.

"No, I…I also lost grandpa. This isn't…"

Before he could finish his words, he trailed off, as he saw her. The Solaris in his head, pressing her lips together, pointing at her own wide eyes before pointing those fingers at him, daring him to play it off. He lowered his head.

Right…he promised to try, didn't he? To let it all out…in order to get back up again. He sniffed, wiping his eyes on his sleeve, eyes focused on the blanket on his legs.

"...No, this was the first time…I had someone die in my arms…after…I did everything I could…"

He truly did. And for the first time, in his heart…he could accept it. That it was not his fault. Because claiming such a thing was beyond arrogance. Everyone made their decisions, their actions, across their lives. He alone wasn't the only one worthy of affecting the world around him. Yet voicing out the truth truly hurt.

That by the end of the day…he couldn't change Solaris' fate. Aiz reached out, squeezing his hand. He stiffened up for a moment, before relaxing a bit, squeezing her hand back. The Wind Princess smiled softly, nodding at him.

"Do you want a hug?"

Bell choked out a laugh. Heavens, that sounded exactly what he needed. Just allow himself to melt away in the arms of a cute girl like her. And yet…He shook his head, taking a deep, shivering breath. He remembered.

Remembered what awaited him back where he belonged. The people that cared for him, that worried for him…that needed him to be there.

"Can I go home…?" He whispered quietly, feeling so small. "They…I worried them too much as it is, so…and-and if you hugged me, I don't know if I…y'know…"

Could keep it together. Aiz nodded as if hearing those last words, tightening her hand around his just a bit more for reassurance.

"Of course."

/

Mord couldn't have kicked him out of Rivira faster than he did. With a hearty laugh, he waved off any concerns about their injuries, his arm in a sling, others bandaged up. Bell didn't owe them anything, he said, for he saved them plenty of times with his actions. Thus, time moved forward, with him pondering over what happened. Even with people he barely interacted…they respected him. He truly was blessed, and in his breakdown…he ignored the world around him. Ignored the ones reaching out to him, in order to wallow in his own darkness.

He really needed to show his gratitude to Solaris, wherever she was. Her image saved him. And that very same image got him back home. He let out a weak laugh. Even in death, even as a dream, Solaris Crozzo personified the Familia creed.

To return home, no matter what. A home he stood in front of, gulping nervously, with the moonlight shining down on it. He tightened his hold on Aiz' hand, just as she was about to step away. She glanced at him with surprise, eyes wide. Bell pressed his lips together and lowered his head.

"Please…"

Her hand holding his this entire time, it should've felt awkward. Instead, he held onto her warmth, her presence, like a lifeline. Their connection was what gave him the strength to keep moving forward, to this point. And he knew, he needed all the support he could get to face his Familia after such a long time. Raising his head, he cleared his throat when he saw Aiz' faint blush on her face, feeling he creep up in his own body.

"A-Alright…"

Ah, she really was a great girl. Still, fawning over her later perhaps, for now…he had to face the heat. He imagined Solaris pushing his back as he opened the door. Immediately, movement occurred rapidly, chairs moving backwards across the floor, followed by swift steps.

Hestia was the first to appear, sliding across the floor, her eyes zeroing in on Bell immediately. Her leap at him was followed by Haruhime blurring into motion, her arms wrapping around him at the same time.

""Bell!""

They almost squeezed his lungs out, but all he could do was laugh lightly at their warmth. He saw how disheveled they looked, especially Haruhime with her puffy eye. He leaned into their embrace, hoping that this would soothe their worries just a bit. He felt a knuckle hit his shoulder, causing him to look at Kojiro, giving him an encouraging nod.

"Thank you for bringing him home," Kojiro said to Aiz, who smiled ever so slightly at the girls hugging Bell.

"No need. I just…did what was right."

"And that is worthy of gratitude."

Soon enough, they managed to untangle themselves, finding their places on the couches in the living room. Aiz was seated next to him, her hand still grasping his right. The others gave them a look, but Bell ignored it, instead lowering his head.

"I'm sorry for my behavior."

As expected, they all shook their heads at the same time. The goddess put a hand on her chest, a sad shine in her eyes despite her smile.

"No, I am sorry. I thought you just needed some time alone. To process it yourself…but I was wrong." She ruffled his hair with a giggle. "It was hard for you, wasn't it?"

He sniffed, at his goddess' warmth and strength. As expected, she managed to shrug off Solaris' death the best. Or rather…she accepted it the best. It had to be the perspective of godhood that helped. And yet, despite her omniscience, she was as compassionate as ever. He truly lucked out with her.

"I apologize too…" Haruhime cleared her throat, scratching at her eye patch before pumping her fist up. "I-I should've been better…but-but at least now…I'm fine enough to support you!"

His first friend allowed grief to swallow her too. But she was strong enough to confide in their goddess, their Familia, unlike him. Thus, her encouraging smile was genuine. Beaten down, exhausted, but ready to face the future nonetheless. He never gave her the respect she deserved…but he could start now.

"I do not feel grief as you do. Thus, I felt I was the least suitable person for…comfort." Kojiro let out a slow breath as he crossed his arms. "A mistake I shall not repeat again. Even if I am incapable, if nothing else, I have a shoulder for you to lean on."

A genius swordsmaster. Even if he was not the most social person, Bell still considered him family since a young age. No matter what, he was a monument, a mountain, that was always there to exude wisdom and stability. So what if he was weird? So what if he didn't break down like them? Everyone was different, and that difference made Bell the type of person he was today.

His Familia…they were truly all wonderful, alive and dead. Thus…he had the duty to show them the truth. Of what he felt, so that they could understand…and be with him, at his side. He clenched his eyes shut, feeling the comforting warmth of Aiz. His idol, someone he put on a pedestal. But then, that changed. He got to know her as a person. An awkward person, an airhead sometimes. Yet someone who genuinely cared a lot for the people around her.

Someone he aspired to be, in a way. To be as strong as she was. Thus, he found the strength within to speak his mind.

"I thought we were always going to win… I thought I wouldn't have to lose anyone ever…" He swallowed saliva, feeling his eyes tear up. "I knew…that sometimes bad things happen in the dungeon but…at some point… I thought we were all exceptions. So…my heart was never ready for this. To lose someone I love once again…"

He wasn't delusional. He knew he grew faster than everyone else. That his abilities were too high for his caliber. Was it any wonder then, that he came to believe he was some sort of protagonist from the story books? Someone who would face impossible odds and win again and again and again? Yet he forgot, that the more often one rolled the dice…eventually, no matter how lucky one was, how skilled, duds would appear.

"I was arrogant… I was…I was so many things but good enough…" He forced his back straight. He smiled weakly, despite his tears, surprising his Familia. For they saw a genuine smile, however weak it was. "But…I'm…going to be okay now."

"R-Really?" Haruhime asked, hesitant about this change of demeanor from him. He chuckled, scratching his left cheek .

"Yeah…After all…" He closed his eyes and put a hand against his chest, feeling the beating warmth within him. "I'm the captain now."

Hestia covered her mouth, eyes proud. Haruhime nodded, her own tears forming in her eye. Kojiro hummed thoughtfully, filled with approval.

"You must have discovered something in the dungeon. Your eyes are strong once more."

"I wouldn't say that…" He shrugged, almost nonchalantly. "And I have to thank Solaris for it. She 'visited' me in my dreams, you know?"

"Did she now?" Haruhime closed her eye, almost wistfully. "Hehe…I knew she liked you the most."

"I'm sure she'll show up in your dreams too!" Bell joked, imagining Solaris haunting the Renard as well. Haruhime giggled, nodding slowly.

"Maybe…"

Before they could say anything more, someone knocked on the door. They all blinked in confusion, wondering who would visit at such an hour. Kojiro rose up to his feet, opening the door. Bell choked, seeing who it was.

Covered in sweat and dirt, the young man entered the building. Despite the bags under his eyes, he looked positively relaxed as he waved at Bell with a smirk.

"Heh. Lucky me. Managed to catch you here after all."

"W-w-welf?"

The blacksmith rolled his shoulders, two wrapped up packages in his hands. He nodded at him, giving Bell a lookover.

"I heard about you. Good thing the rumors were overblown as always."

"Not exactly…" Bell trailed off. He felt the growing guilt once more. The brother of the woman he failed. Yet that very same image of the young woman was essentially beating his dark thoughts with a stick, yelling at them to go away. His mouth twitched in amusement at the imagery, causing Welf to chuckle.

"You are fine now, aren't you?" Before he allowed Bell to answer, Welf knelt down without hesitation. "Good enough for me."

He pressed his forehead against the ground before anyone could stop him.

"I forgot to thank you for what you did."

The raw gratitude exuding from Welf was unmistakable. He was unmoving, no hesitation whatsoever. Bell's mouth was half open, barely able to comprehend what he was seeing.

"Thank me…?" He muttered quietly, causing Welf to look up, a tired smile on his face.

"You got my sis home. She didn't become food in the dungeon. She…She got to leave on her terms, thanks to you. So…" He scratched the back of his head in frustration, straightening up his back. "Aagh, I'm not good at this…" He threw the two packages at him. Bell felt a shiver down his spine when he heard…metal rattling from the action itself. He and Aiz caught one each, their fingers still interlocked. "Just take them back. They missed you."

Unwrapping them on the table, Bell felt himself choke.

"You…"

Homebringer. His two blades, utterly pristine now. Not only that…he saw the chains attached to them, through rings newly forged to the eastern weaponry. He looked back at Welf, who rose to his feet with his arms crossed.

"I didn't go through all that effort to let those weapons remain broken. Maybe I got ahead of myself…but I think they deserve to move on with the Hestia Familia."

He recycled Kira Kusari. For him. For Solaris. His lips quivered at the thought, of Welf working with the last memory of his sister. How much it must have hurt, how strong he was for pushing through regardless.

"I'm…not the best at using chains…"

"And I ain't asking you to change your style. Just consider it something extra for appearance sake." He hit his chest with his fist. "Sorry if it's too much…but I think Sol would've wanted to keep up with your journey, no matter what."

She would. He could see it in his mind's eye. Her rolling her eyes in exasperation at how sappy Welf was being…before raising her thumb in approval. Bell sniffed before exhaling slowly with a nod.

"Alright…I already decided to take on her share…what's a bit more?"

He just had to learn how to use those chains then. He might never be as good as Solaris at them…but it was the effort that counted, didn't it?

A sudden clap of hands made him jump. They all turned to Hestia, who giggled before pointing down on the couch.

"Okay, lie down, Bell!"

They all blinked in confusion before Hestia pointed her thumb at her own back.

"We put it off long enough. Chop chop, down you go."

Ah. Right. His Falna. He completely forgot about it. Welf whistled before waving his hand.

"Whoops, better take my leave."

"I should go as we-"

"W-wait!"

The two visitors looked at him. He felt himself blush, looking away awkwardly.

"It's already late so…how about staying the night?"

It felt childish, voicing it out. But…he really didn't want them to leave just yet. After everything they have done for him…he wanted them closeby. Welf laughed, slapping his shoulder playfully.

"Heck, why not, buddy?"

"My Familia will know that we got back safely…" Aiz nodded with a small blush, smiling a bit. "Very well."

Bell very much did not a squeal of excitement, but he did let out some giddy noises, causing everyone else to chuckle at his antics. With that, he lied down, face first, onto the couch, and waited. Hestia however did not move, instead crossing her arms with a frown.

"Oi, can you let go of your hands now?"

He glanced at his right hand, seeing Aiz' still holding it. The Wind Princess cleared her throat awkwardly…while Bell pouted just a bit.

"Does she have to?"

Hestia put her hand on her chest as if she was having a heart attack for some reason. With a long suffering sigh, she shook her head.

"Ugh, fine. At least take your shirt off before…'reengaging'. Geh." She pointed a finger at Aiz. "Just don't peak!"

"...Of course."

"You hesitated!"

Aiz frowned at the goddess.

"Can you fault me?"

Said goddess bit her lip before throwing her arms up in the air.

"Fair enough, but still!"

"Uhm, Kojiro, this development…"

"Hoho, even at his lowest point, he wins."

"What are you two talking about?" Bell asked with curiosity, causing the two Far Eastern individuals to wave their hands in front of their faces without hesitation.

""Nothing.""

"Ah, gotta love the comedy hours…"

What could Welf possibly mean by that. Oh well. With his shirt taken off, he grasped Aiz' hand again, feeling warmer than before for some reason. Then, Hestia got to work, with the visitors pointedly looking away.

Then, silence stretched itself out in the room…followed by a sob from their goddess. Bell almost shot up in a panic, if she wouldn't have been sitting on him.

"L-Lady Hestia? What's wrong?"

"S-Sorry, it's just…I…" She covered her mouth, staring at the paper in her hand. "I'm glad, you know…?"

She presented it to Bell. Seeing his own status, Bell felt his own throat choke up.

"Ah…"

He really was going to be her legacy, wasn't he…?

/

New Abilities:

Bell Cranel:

Ability: Magic Resistance

Skill: Inferno Legatum - Grants Evolution of Fire Based Magic. Fire Based Magic further empowered by the status of one's emotions. Resistance against Fire Based Attacks increased immensely.

Sakamoto Haruhime:

Ability: Mage

Skill: Mikuzumenohou - Increases the effects of Haruhime's magic and improves mind usage.

Sasaki Kojiro:

Ability: Magic Resistance