Part VI

"I-.. I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from.." Bell said with a sniffle as he withdrew himself from Ryuu's embrace. His face blushed a bright red not just from the passing of tears, but from burrowing himself upon her. She didn't seem to mind as her expression was as it primarily is, sharp and always concentrated. But within her eyes he found a warmth. It felt strange. Her eyes, himself taking such an impulsive action, all of it. Yet at the same time it felt comforting. It felt close. Something he didn't know whether he felt before or not. Before he could ponder that thought, he sat himself down before her on the floor.

"Don't be sorry for the things that have been taking its toll on you." Ryuu said calming, compassionately in her own way. As the words reached him, he could feel the weight of them lower his head down. Not out of shame, nor grief, but from trying to understand. "You haven't had anyone to talk it have you, Bell?"

Knowing that ever since they both were rescued from the thirty-seventh floor, he never once was able to talk about anything they experienced up until just a bit ago with Mama Mia. Not even his own Familia knew. And while he knew that his familia was aware that trauma was inflicted and felt, it was a weight that he felt rested solely on his shoulders. For if he were to tell them that such a monster existed, would they ever want to go back in?

If he didn't, would it be for his own desires to meet and surpass Aiz, or to protect them from the horrible truth that lays in wait?

Bell sighed deeply not knowing what to do other than to look out for his familia the best he could. Guessing that maybe that was all he could do for now. Like Mama Mia said, you won't know 'till you get down there.

"No.." He said quietly. "I thought I could get over it on my own, I guess."

Slowly he shifted himself off the ground and onto his feet, careful to keep his gaze away.

"Being alone-.. Feeling like you have to go through it alone is a painful thing. Trust me."

Ryuu's eyes shifted from his eyes to his hand closest and most available to her. At first she could a flutter within her. A desire to reach out to that hand and to say 'you don't have to feel alone.' Internally fighting a battle within in herself, debating. One side fought with the other, but slowly she raised her hand up and out to him.

"You're right.." Bell said as he raised his head his eyes meeting hers. The words she were about to say, stuck in her throat. "I think I know what to do.. I gotta go. Thank you, Ryuu."

He left with a determined gaze, a newfound realization of his own. Oblivious of her hand reaching out to him. And there she sat with her own as the door closed behind him. Even after summoning the courage to reach out for him, it was now that she realized how she missed her chance. Her hand flopped down onto her legs and the words of Alise came to the forefront of her mind.

"Don't let him get away."

Hunching forward, she groaned in frustration. Occasionally peeking through the crack in her fingers to the floor below. Her legs ached with the desire to stand but for the moment she just wanted to sit. Then after not too long she stood, the aching in her legs won. Beginning her process of changing into a new attire. Ever since the Gale Wind was reported to have sacrificed herself in taking out the remaining Evilus, she had come up with a new persona if she were to ever venture into the Dungeon.

As she reached into her dresser she pulled out a black fabric sack. Kept tightly closed with wrapped string. This was a new beginning for Ryuu. With the Gale Wind behind her, it's as if its propelling her forward. Blowing at her back, as if it were eagerly ushering her

"I won't." Ryuu said to Alise's words. Releasing herself from her work clothes she began to don her new attire. Leaving the carefully wrapped pack for last atop of the dresser. "And I won't let him go at this alone.."

She didn't know whether anyone knew how to summon the Juggernaut. And just like Bell, she didn't know why someone would. In the event that it was their worst fear come to fruition once more, then she swore to herself that she wouldn't let him face it without her by his side. Though as much as she has begun to yearn for that, she found herself wishing that they were wrong. Terribly and foolishly wrong so that way she nor anyone else would have to face that same despair.

Halfway through there came a knock at the door. It seemed nervous, reluctant to make it's existence known. Her head quickly pointed to the door, surprised by the characteristic of such a sound. With light footsteps she approached the door and gently opened it. Attempting to be mindful not to make too much noise to startle the already seemingly nervous guest.

On the other side, a woman with blue-ish grey hair faced away. Frivolously playing with her hands in a nervous fit. The opened with a creak, sending a jolt through the girl.

"Eeek!" She jumped and faced the door. Before her a girl with silver eyes. A girl so beautiful, with eyes that looked as if they could see right through you

"It's Syr…" Her heart stopped and her mouth dried up. "Oh no, it's Syr.."

With the door opened, Ryuu hid half of her body behind the door like a shield. Admittedly, she may have rushed into changing. Her shorts hung unevenly at her hips without the aid of her belt, and she had just gotten the t-shirt on. In other words, Syr's eyes could see something very different just from this alone.

"What is it Syr?.."

"Uhh… Hey Ryuu.." Syr began without looking at her, poking her two index fingers against each other. "I heard Bell stopped by and didn't say 'hello' to me. He didn't pick up his lunch today. Is everything ok?"

"He's just gone through a lot. I'm sure it's nothing." Ryuu attempted to sound as calm as possible, yet her voice quivered for she knew the girl before her had her eyes set on the him. Internally she screamed at herself, putting her own selfish desires ahead of Syr's. The girl who practically saved her.

"I heard from everyone in the kitchen that Bell swept you off your feet. I didn't believe them at first until I saw him coming down the stairs from your room." Syr stopped while looking at her bare shoulder as the shirt fell to one side on her frame. Immediately her mouth shut and eyes locked onto Ryuu's. "Is it nothing?"

Ryuu felt shivers crawl down her spine as Syr spoke. Her gaze pierced her, invading her. Her skin shivered and crawled as the goosebumps rose.

"I've never known such a girl could do a thing like this!"

"It's nothing, he didn't do anything. I didn't-.." Ryuu attempted to speak, but she stumbled with her words in a panic, desperate to stay calm as Syr silently gazed upon her. Suddenly stopping herself, she spoke quickly and succinctly. "We'll talk about this later when I get back."

Ryuu said abruptly and swung the door shut. Her heart raced as she darted to her dresser in a panic and grabbed her remaining items. Boots, belt, swords and her black pack. Hopping atop of her bed she slid the window open, she grabbed and pulled a single string as she threw the pack into the air. The string unties, and the black fabric opens. A gust of air opens the fabric hidden inside and in a flash she was gone without a trace.

Like old habits that won't die, she was gone with the wind.

Standing at Ryuu's closed door, the steady glare of Syr remained unflinching. And on one corner of her mouth drew up into a devilish smile. Turning away from the door, she walked down the hall with light footsteps, surely to return to work. In some way satisfied by the events that just happened before her.

Part VII

The southside of the Central Park that surrounded the tower of Babel was quiet aside from the soft murmur of the three Familia's talking amongst themselves. Spaced apart unevenly, they stayed in their own little bubbles as they waited for the operation to begin. In the spaces between them Guild staff members walked through doing a head count of the teams going in. But also to serve as a reminder that they are being watched and to be mindful of their comments and actions if they so chose to interact with another familia. Though the familia's in attendance knew that on a day such as today, there was no reason to fight over bad blood.

The Ganesha familia stood at the back, their eyes resting firmly on the entrance to the dungeon. With no words being spoken, they stood in silence waiting for whatever may come. Across from them and closest to the entrance stood the Loki Familia and not too far away the Hestia Familia.

"Hey it's Bell!" Welf shouted with a welcoming grin as he spotted the white-haired boy running down Main street.

"I'm sorry I'm late!" Bell shouted with a wave as he slowed down to a jog, joining his familia.

"Where'd ya run off to anyway? Haven't seen you dart off like that in a while."

"Uhh-.." Bell nervously chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "I just had to take care of something."

A mischievous grin appeared on Welf's face, like an older brother giving an approving nod to his younger brother.

"What was it that you needed to take care of? Hmm?" Lili chimed in as she approached Bell with her hands on her hips. Immediately Welf plants his hand atop of Lili's head, scruffing her hair all the while chuckling proudly.

"A man's gotta have some secrets, Lil'E."

"Agh! Quit it!" Lili shouted as she tried to escape from Welf's grasp. Bell on the other hand was already desperate to change the subject.

"Anyway, I hope I didn't make you guys wait too long for me."

"Nah, we just got here." Welf said warmly as Lili finally escaped from Welf with a grunt.

"That's not technically inaccurate. But as our captain, Mr. Bell, perhaps it would look best if you arrived already equipped."

She set down the backpack that was nearly the size of three of her, she rustled through its contents. Peering over her shoulder, Bell saw a glistening orb as Lili reached within. Finding what she was searching for, she pulled out the Salamander Wool robe.

"Oh thanks.." Bell said as she handed him the robe, but before she could close the backpack he gestured for her to stop. "Was that an Occulus?"

Lili gave him a confused look and then dug back into the backpack.

"Yeah that." Bell said as her hand drew close, then she pulled it out. The orb shining as the day's light enveloped it.

"Huh?.. I don't remember ever putting it in there." Lili said dumbfounded.

"Oh!" Haruhime whelped, "I thought I saw Lady Hestia holding something just like that while we were getting ready."

"She put it in there? I wonder why?" Welf said aloud, equally as dumbfounded.

Bell held his hand out to Lili, where she gently placed it upon his open hand.

"I think I know why.."

With what happened last time, how they got separated, both Bell and Ryuu were unable to call for help while they were stranded. This must've been her way of trying to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Though Bell thoroughly decided that he wasn't going to allow himself to be carried away from his team, his familia. The risk was too great. He'd do whatever it took to stay by their side. To keep them safe.

"Thank you, Goddess." He thought to himself.

With one Occulus already embedded on his gauntlet, his eyes drifted over to the team just a short distance away from them. The Loki Familia. Amongst them, he spotted Aiz, her eyes were intently focused on the entrance. Then as if she felt his eyes upon her, she turned her plain gaze to him. His grip grew tight around the Occulus.

He knew what he needed to do.

His foot took a step forward but before they did, he noticed Aiz' eyes point up just above them, as if tracing something incoming. He turned, following her line of sight, and peered up. As he looked up, a stranger landed just on the outside of their group with an elegance that couldn't be matched. The figure crouched low.

Dressed in a white robe that faded to a light grey towards the bottom, the figure slowly rose from their landing. Their face partially hidden from view with their hood and a black mask that covered the lower half. The arrival of such a guest took everyone by surprise as all eyes drew themselves upon this particular person. Raising their head, sky blue eyes met crimson eyes. Reaching for their hood, they revealed their blonde hair, and then their mask.

"Nice landing, something." Welf joked with a grin who stepped aside for Bell. Apparently happy with his own inside joke. The elf gave him a dismissive glance and returned her eyes to Bell.

"Ryuu..?" Bell silently exclaimed at her sudden appearance.

"You'd think I'd let you go just like that?" Ryuu said calmly.

"Uhhh.." Bell stuttered and fell short of words. He didn't know what she meant, or what she was supposed to mean. His mind was in a flurry, having absolutely forgotten what it was that he was thinking of just a second ago.

"What are you doing? You don't think you're going on this operation with us, do you? You've got to be a part of the familia to do that." Lili began to shout. Her voice piercing the air.

"I believe that I have experience necessary and relevant for this operation. Does your captain have any qualms with myself joining?"

Lili turned to Bell, making it evident of her views upon the guest. "Mr. Bell?"

His eyes switch from Lili's skeptical gaze to Ryuu's calm blue eyes.

"It's fine. I'm thinking that we're all going to need to work together on this one." Bell turned to face the Loki familia. "All of us."

He turned back to look at them. "Does anyone have any concerns about that?"

From left to right, they all seemed to share the same sentiment. Mikoto's blue-violet eyes already have seemed to recognize the person before them. Recalling the help they've been in the past. Haruhime, nodded affirmatively. Agreeing with Bell. Taking in his every word. Welf, well he already had his assumptions about Ryuu, and knowing her capabilities he couldn't say no. Leaving Lili. Her eyes danced around, looking at the opposition that she was alone in her dispute.

"Fine." She grumbled.

"Alright. How much time do we have left before the operation starts?" Bell asked as he took a step back.

Lili checked the time. "About five more minutes.."

"Got it, thank you. I'll be right back."

Turning away from the group he jogged over to the Loki Familia.

"Nice get up." Welf quipped as he looked at the new robe that's draped over Ryuu's body. "You got a new sword too?"

The stitch work between the two layers of fabric seemed like fine work. Done by hands with a real knowledge and experience. The white outer fabric itself seemed to glisten, as if it were a layer of snow. As for the inside it seemed much like the Salamander Wool that the Hestia familia adorns themselves with.

"Not yet. There wasn't much time to find a reliable smith once my mind was made up." Ryuu said plainly.

"Well you're looking at one. I'll make you up a nice one with a discount when we get back. How does that sound?" Welf confidently offered his sales pitch, knowing all too well that his work spoke for itself after being the familia's smith.

"It'll require some thought." Ryuu said as her eyes followed Bell over to the Loki Familia.

"You know where to find me. Or at least I'm sure I'll find out from Bell." Welf joked meaning well, but Ryuu fell silent. In an attempt to hide her blushing face, she raised the collar of her robe as she turned away.

"I don't know what you think you know, but I assure you it's wrong."

"Sure. Sure." Welf said as he walked back to the group but stopped once he realized that she wasn't following. "What are you doing? Come on."

She stood just a few feet from the edge of the group where Welf waved for her to be a part of their circle.

"Right." She said under her breath as she joined them.

"Hey look! Here comes Argonaut!" Tiona shouted excitedly, waving to the white-haired boy. "Who was that with the grand entrance? Looked pretty neat!"

"Oh, she's a friend.." Bell blushed, caught off guard by the sudden question, glancing over to them, then finally to Finn. "C-can I talk to you for a second about the operation?"

Standing just at the edge of the Loki familia, he asked. He didn't know why he felt uneasy about approaching them. Maybe it was the operation, or the battle on Daedalus street with the Xenos. Ever since he made a fool of himself doing what he believed, he couldn't help but think that one way or another he was always being scrutinized by the Loki familia.

"Sure. Come with me." Finn said, waving him with his free hand along through their circle.

"Thanks.."

It may have been only a few steps through but it felt like a trial in it's own right as he felt the stares of every one of them upon him. Truthfully he didn't know what they thought of him. All except for Aiz. But that was only one of the team. Finally a short distance away Finn stopped and they stood facing each other.

"What's on your mind, Rabbit Foot?" Finn asked with no sense of hostility between them as he held his spear away at his side.

"Aiz told me about your letter. Did she happen to tell of ours?" Bell started.

"Indeed she did. We're to travel to the thirty-seventh floor on reconnaissance, you and your team to follow up to thirty minutes down to the twenty-seventh and hold. Is that right?" Finn reiterated.

"Ye-Yeah that's right." Bell stuttered.

It was something that Finn noticed right away. The stutter, the nervousness. It would be a long conversation if the boy couldn't get over it. So it left Finn with little to no choice.

"You can relax, Bell. You don't have to worry about any hostilities between our familias today. So speak as you would with one of your own. Is that alright with you?"

Bell sighed, his eyes fluttering as he tried to compose himself.

"Yes, no. What I mean is, that's not what I'm worried about entirely." Bell rambled as he held out his hand. "I wanted to lend you this."

In his open hand was the Occulus. Finn looked at it curiously and turned his attention to Bell.

"It's an Occulus, it'll help us communicate as teams on different floors. I already have one here. All you have to do is speak into it and I'll hear you."

Finn held out his hand and held it, studying it intently.

"So this is what you used on Daedalus street. Interesting.." Finn said, the words gave Bell a shuddered. "No wonder you were so coordinated.. I must hand it to you, you and your familia truly are an ingenious bunch. But why, after all of that, why would you lend me and my familia such a thing?"

Bell gulped, there was a lot that he wanted to say, but he knew they were short on time. The temptation to say it all at once wrestled with his conscious. As his conscious raced, he had to stop and take a breath. After a few seconds he opened his mouth. Even then, he felt like that second didn't help. On the outside, Bell look composed but the words he spoke seemed to jump as if to fit as much as possible in with how little time they had before the operation started.

"Aiz said that with how our teams will be set up, it'll be like a barricade. If my team is to hold it that might mean we'll have to coordinate and create a pincer maneuver with yours driving whatever it is up to us. And if it's what I think is down there, then we'll need to do anything we can. Even if it means setting aside the pride of our familia's and working with one another. So if you see something that looks like a large skeleton, magic won't work on it. It doesn't need any defensive capabilities because it's all offensive. But that doesn't mean it'll be easy to get in to attack. It's fast. Really fast. And strong. It only needs to hit once. I believe what your goddess said is right. Run. If you can make it up to us, do it. If not, get to the next safety point as fast as you can."

Bell tried to remain calm as he recalled everything he could that could help them.

Finn stood there in silence.

"That doesn't sound like anything I've known to be in the Dungeon, and I've seen a lot of things, Bell.." Finn said with a lingering sense of skepticism.

Bell leaned in close after waiting for the passing Guild staff to clear earshot, and there Finn heard the shiver of fear in Bell's voice. "That's because no one is supposed to know about it.. It's the thing that destroyed the Astraea Familia.."

Drawing himself back, Bell looked into his eyes and saw Finn give a curious glance over to the robed elf.

"I want to be wrong. But if it's down there, I don't want you, Aiz or anyone in your familia to walk into that with no idea of what you're up against. That's why-.."

Bell held out his hand as he firmly looked Finn in his eyes with a resolve that he hasn't seen before.

"That's why I want to work together on this mission.. So that way we all can go home."

Not once did Bell break eye contact, but the trembling in his hand was obvious at least from this distance. But neither did Finn. Smiling, Finn reached out and shook Bell's.

"Sounds like an ideal I can agree with. Consider this a joint operation between the Loki familia and Hestia familia."

Finn announced just loud enough that his own familia could hear.

Bell felt the grip of Finn's hand around his. Bell nodded.

"Thank you.."

"Of course. We'll think of something on the way down to the first safety point. Until then, good luck to you and your familia."

Finn smiled as Bell nodded.

"The same to you."

Just as Bell was about to leave, Finn called out to him.

"Ahh, Bell. Just one more thing. The Occulus, I just speak into it, yes?"

"Mhm. Just like this." Bell raised his gauntlet that house his own Occulus and spoke. Thought just a few feet away, Bell's voice was carried over to Finn's Occulus. Finn eyes held a contained sense of wonder as he witnessed it work. And happily looked upon the boy.

"Got it. Thank you."

"Though please be careful with it. I'm not sure many exist for us to find a replacement after the mission." Bell faintly pleaded. Whether it was a gift from Fels or temporary

"We'll keep it safe."

Bell left, returning to his familia, passing by Aiz who gave him a silent yet gentle gaze. As Finn would return to his familia, he couldn't help but be captivated by the magical device that was lent to him.

"Breaking bread with the competition ehh?" Bete mumbled, cleary displeased with some thorn in his side. Whether that was Bell, working with the Hestia familia, or something else remained entirely unknown. Not that he would ever give any indication of what actually was bugging him. So long as it didn't affect his role in the team, Finn would disregard it.

"Our interests align. Besides this isn't a competition. We are surveying the Dungeon. We are to maintain clear communication with one another. If you have a hunch, a feeling, I want to know about it. Any information despite how small can be vital for this team as well as his. Communication is vital. Do I make myself clear?" Finn said firmly.

He didn't want to give them any leeway. As he understood the fear that dwelled within Bell. And while he was confident in his ability to lead his team to victory as well as the abilities of his comrades, he couldn't rule out the possibility that such a thing didn't exist. Not when the boy was willing to hand him such a precious item, a key component of his success in the events that took place on Daedalus street. And to reach out to a familia that is sometimes considered direct competition to every other. Bell's words and actions held weight and that alone he could not dismiss the boy's concern. After all, if what Bell said to be true, it wouldn't be the first time that the Dungeon surprised him with something. Nor would he want his familia to share the same fate as the Astraea familia.

In response to Finn, they nodded.

"Yes my Captain!" Tione shouted, absolutely enthralled and as loyal as ever.

"I guess I don't see a reason why not?" Tiona said humbly as if there was no real reason to object in the first place.

"No complaints over here." Gareth said as he stood as stoic as ever.

Riveria simply nodded.

"Bete?" Finn asked.

"Like you have to ask." Bete said not in a growl, rather irritated at the redundancy of it all. "It's clear."

"Very well then. It's settled." Finn said confidently. As he finished a staff member from the Guild approached them. "Ahh it appears to be time. Let's go."

Before Finn and his team left, it was him and Aiz who gaze Bell and his team one last glance.

"We'll see you at Rivira." Finn said with a smile. And they marched into a territory so familiar that it has been ingrained into their psyche. Who they are. For they are adventurers. And there was task that the Loki Familia couldn't handle.

Writer's note: Thank you for your patience. I put a little extra work into this addition for you all, and I hope you enjoy.