Bell awoke with a start. It was that same dream again. Dreams of darkness and cold. He focused on his breathing to stop his racing heart. The dreams didn't bother him much, but this was the body's reaction to being woken up like this.

Once he got his nerves under control, he could hear Cruz snoring from his bed. Raul was dead asleep on his bed, his right arm hanging from the side.

Bell yawned and looked out the window. It looked to be noon, but everyone had been up all night fighting, so a huge majority of the Loki familia in Melen was asleep.

"Man, I'm thirsty," Bell thought, feeling his dry throat. He couldn't remember the last time he had a drink of water.

Wanting to quench his thirst, he got out of bed, careful not to wake anyone up. He silently shut the door and, went to the kitchen and got himself a glass of water.

He took a sip, feeling the cool water refresh his dry throat. Once the glass was empty, he put it in the sink as to be a good guest.

He was about to head back to his room to get some more sleep but heard soft cries coming from the common room.

He went to investigate and arrived at the common room. It wasn't anything grand or lavish but had a more homey feel to it.

It was littered with multiple couches and chairs. There were tables with chess or checkers. There was even a poker game set up as well. In the back of the room was a couch by the fireplace.

Sitting on a red couch was Alicia curled in on herself. To Bell, it looked like she was trying to make herself as small as possible. Like she wanted to hide from something. Or someone.

He slowly approached her and gently called out her name. "Alicia. What's wrong?"

Alicia jumped, startled by Bell's presence. She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned to face them.

"N-nothing, I'm fine," She sniffled.

Tear stains marked her cheeks, and her hair was messy. Her clothes were wrinkled, and her eyes were red and puffy. She was anything but fine.

Bell calmly made his way over, noticing a small look of apprehension in her eyes. He sat next to her but made sure he was far enough away so she would have her space.

"You crying tells me otherwise. What happened?"

Alicia scooted away from him, trying to keep as much space possible between them. Bell frowned and sighed but didn't move.

"The blood on Met's jaw. Who did it come from?" Bell asked.

"Where were you?" Alicia deflected.

Bell knew what she was doing. She didn't want to talk about what happened, and that was alright. It was clear to him she didn't want his help.

He simply didn't care.

"I was on a secret mission to go and find Kali's ship. My job was to locate it, sabotage it. Then signal where I was so backup could get to me."

"So, those fireworks?"

"Yes, those were me. Although I didn't need them in the end, it didn't hurt to have them. It was a good thing I did what I did. Or else you would've lost three friends."

Alicia didn't fail to pick up on his choice of words. But Bell kept talking, so she didn't have a chance to point it out.

"So I answered your question. Can you answer mine? Whose blood was on Met's jaw."

Alicia shakily sighed as she remembered the previous night. How that amazon had her pinned. How no matter how hard she tried or struggled, she couldn't break free. How that amazon would've raped her had it not been for Met.

Alicia took another shaky breath as she started crying again. "It was an amazon. She tried to *hic* she tried *hic* she-

Alicia couldn't finish her sentence, but he knew what she was gonna say. Bell didn't move to hold her. He remained where he was, not knowing what to do.

He knew Alicia didn't want anyone touching her. Most likely because she feels dirty and tainted. He also felt bad because he made her remember things she probably didn't want to remember.

He hoped someone would come by. He was way out of his league here. His Grandpa's advice of holding a girl while she crying didn't work here. But he still wanted to help her.

He just didn't know how.

Alicia's sobs were quiet, and she further closed in on herself. Her body was shaking and shivering.

"Do you want me to go and get Loki?" Bell asked.

"No," Alicia sniffled.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"No"

"Do you want me to leave?"

Alicia didn't respond right away.

"No"

"Alright. Is there anything else you wanna talk about?"

Alicia sniffled again as she wiped the fresh tears away. "Yeah. Why is Bache with us now? What's the story there?"

"Well. When I was out on my own by the docks, I was keeping an eye on their ship. She approached me, and we got to talking. At the time, she thought I was a child, so she didn't tell me much about what happened in Telskyura. But when I looked into her eyes, I could tell she didn't want to be there."

"So you beat her in a fight and claimed her? Isn't that how those things work?" Alicia asked.

Bell could tell she was making a joke. Or she was trying to, at least.

He chuckled. "No, not with her. I just talked with her. I told her she didn't have to live her life under Kali if she didn't want to. End of the day, it's her life and her choices to make. End of the day, she made her own decision."

Alicia nodded, understanding the full story. But part of her was still nervous that Bache was around.

"And she won't-

"No, she won't. Besides, if she were going to do that to someone, she'd do it to me. I lied to her face a bunch, and she was pretty pissed about that"

Alicia calmed down a little, knowing she wouldn't have to worry about Bache.

Silence filled the air as neither knew what to say. Bell still kept his distance, but Alicia had uncurled a bit. Last nights memories were still racing through he head, making her feel weak, vulnerable, and tainted.

She wondered how Bell saw her now that he knew. He hasn't said anything that told her he was disgusted by her. But maybe he did?

Alicia swallowed the lump in her throat before asking.

"Bell, are you disgusted by me?"

Bell raised an eyebrow. "No? Why would you think that?"

"It's just...I'm unclean now...I'm tainted."

"What? Alicia, I'm confused. What are you talking about?"

"I'm not pure anymore. She touched me in places no one has touched me before. That means I'm dirty."

Everything was starting to fall into place for Bell a little more.

"So because she forced you to do something you didn't want done to you. You're dirty?"

Alicia nodded.

"Ok. But the thing I'm having trouble understanding is why you think that. You were forced into something you said no to. You're not at fault, so why blame yourself?"

Alicia sniffled and had a slight smile. Bell was trying to help her. He really was. But he just couldn't understand what happened. He couldn't understand how she felt.

"You wouldn't understand, Bell. You wouldn't understand how it feels to be trapped and alone. You don't know how it feels that no matter what you could do or could've done, nothing will change. To feel so small and insignificant to everything. So I can't expect you to understand how I feel."

"Oh. I know how that feels."

Alicia turned and faced him. Her green eyes were glassed over. Her hand was on her chin, and her elbow on her knee.

"How do you know how that feels?" She softly asked.

Bell was quiet for a moment. When she explained it like he knew how she felt. Every time he had those dreams. The dreams of the cold and dark. He felt so insignificant. So small. Like a strong gust of wind would blow him away.

But over time, he learned to live with that feeling. He hadn't overcome it. He probably wouldn't until the Long Night finally came. But he knew what it felt like to mean nothing in the grand scheme of things.

But should he tell Alicia what he sees? Raul is the only one, plus Loki, who knows about his dreams. He hadn't told anyone else for fear they'd mock him and call him crazy.

Would Alicia do that? Would she forget her troubles for a moment and mock him for his so-called dreams of the dead? Bell didn't know. But right now, he has the chance to tell her.

No one else was around. It was just the two of them. She was opening up a little to him about what happened last night. But her situation was different than his.

He also wanted to help her. They didn't need to talk about him. But maybe if he told her, he could help her in a different way? He didn't know.

But he knew he had to answer Alicia, so he did.

"We're not here to talk about me. But I know how it feels. All I want to do is help you. Or get someone who can help you better than me."

Alicia sighed. She felt weird around Bell. She didn't feel sick or anything. She just didn't feel normal around him.

Here she was, degrading herself and calling herself tainted. Dirty. Impure. But Bell didn't accept that.

All he wanted to do was help her.

He shot down the negative things she said about herself and used logic and reasoning. He kept his distance so he didn't make her have a panic attack accidentally.

It was clear to Alicia that Bell didn't know what he was doing. But he was trying his best, and for that, she was thankful.

"Thank you, Bell," Alicia sniffled.

"But I haven't done anything," He said, tilting his head.

"You have"

"Oh. Do you want me to go and get Loki?"

"No"

"Oh. Uh, what do you want me to do then?"

"Stay?" Alicia softly asked.

"Ok"

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In the depths of the dungeons where, the monsters lie. Was an organization set on destroying the world. They wanted to bring an era of chaos for generations to come.

To hear the harmony of terror and anguish. To hear the cries and begs of the dying as they took their last breaths. It would all sound so beautiful.

Evilus had been steadily growing in power since Zeus and Hera left. Staying in the shadows and easily gathering their strength. It was quite easy with someone like Finn around.

He thinks he's smarter than he actually is. He was more concerned with his ego and reputation than actually doing what was right. Made it easy to run circles around him and keep all of this a secret. But with Alfia returning, things might get tricky.

She was smart, good at fighting, and knew how to scare an enemy. Even the higher-ups of the organization didn't want to run into her.

Because with Finn he was incompetent, and one of the first rules of war is never stop your enemy from making a mistake.

But with Alfia around things could be trickier. Especially with her nephew around. He was practically untouchable less Evilus wanted to experience the full wrath of Alfia.

Valletta wasn't so lucky when she ran into her. Neither was the Mountain but at least he was alive. Or as close to alive as he could be.

Had they known he was Alfia's nephew the order for them to retreat would've been issued from the beginning.

But life often has a way of giving you an opportunity to turn an obstacle into a way forward. All you had to do was wait. Lucky for Evilus they wouldn't have to wait long.

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Alfia sat at a desk in the library in the Twilight Manor. She was going over some details for arranging enough supplies for the stone masons to have to make the trip to Hearthome.

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She hated paperwork and the duties that came with it. But if it helped keep her and Bell's home safe she'd put up with it.

"Wonder how Bell's doing in Melen? Hopefully, he's just enjoying himself by the beach. Wait if he is then that means he's seeing all those girls in bathing suits"

Alifa imagined Bell sitting on the beach. His jaw dropped and eyes wide with joy. The girls were doing sexy poses in front of him frying his brain in happiness.

Alfia shook her head. "No, I'm sure he's being responsible and respectful. He's probably just hanging out with Raul and Cruz"

Another image of the three boys sitting in beach chairs as the girls took off their tops.

"No! No! That's not happening! Bell's a good boy I raised him well. But his Grandfather on the other hand" Alfia growled.

Alfia shook her head and continued filling out the paperwork. She raised Bell better than that. He wouldn't mindlessly stare at a woman's bare chest.

He was too polite for that.

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Bell was sitting in the common room. At his left was Cruz. His right was Raul, and across from him was Gareth.

The four were sat around a table playing a game of poker. They were playing seven-card stud with aces as wilds.

At another table, Aki, Narvi, and Alicia were playing Go Fish. Alicia was looking much better than earlier before. Although Bell could tell she was still deeply disturbed by what happened.

Tione and Tione were in their room talking with Bache most likely. Bete was out at a pub drinking and no one knew where Finn was. Riviera was with Loki talking about familial matters.

"Alright read 'em and weep," Cruz said. He threw his card down showing a straight.

Raul and Bell threw their cards down and groaned as they couldn't beat it. Gareth just smiled and laid his cards out for all to see.

"Royal flush. I win you little shits" Gareth chuckled.

Cruz smacked his hand on the table. "Damnit he does this every time"

"Old man's holding cards in his sleeves I'm calling it" Bell muttered.

Raul remained quiet as he began shuffling. All the while Gareth heartily laughed as he took the child away.

"You boys are lucky we aren't playing for real money. Else you'd be broke"

Gareth laughed again causing the boys to roll their eyes and groan. Raul dealt out another hand this time with twos and fours as wilds.

Bell looked at his two hidden cards seeing two aces. He kept a straight face and looked at his face-up card seeing another ace.

"Looks like I got the high card," Bell said.

He tossed in a chip worth five valis before sending it off to the next person. Once the pot was evened out Raul dealt another card.

It was a three.

Gareth had the high card with two jacks and placed in two chips worth ten Valis. Once the pot was even Raul dealt again.

It was a two.

Bell now had two aces with two more in his face-down cards. Keeping a straight face he bet a ten Valis chip and waited for the pot to even.

Gareth threw in a 100 Valis chip causing Cruz and Raul to fold. Bell evened the pot.

"Oh. Got something up your sleeve Bell?" Gareth asked.

"Perhaps. Why don't you throw more money in the pot so you can find out"

"Haha. You're on kid"

Raul dealt another card which was a four.

Gareth had the high card with three jacks. He put another big bet in of 200 valis. Bell evened the pot.

Gareth grinned as Raul placed the last card down. It was another two. Bell kept his poker face and didn't let anyone know about the five aces.

Gareth grumbled under his breath while Bell smirked. "Something wrong old timer? Feeling nervous?"

Gareth clicked his tongue. "Oh, no young one. You won't get under my skin."

Gareth placed down a big bet of 1,000 valis. Bell evened the pot. Once the betting was done Gareth revealed his cards.

He had four jacks and a pair of threes.

Bell smirked and revealed his five aces. Gareth slammed his fist on the table as Bell took the chips away.

"Man, it's a really good thing we aren't playing for money. Isn't it Gareth?"

"Eh shut up," The dwarf said waving him off.

Cruz and Raul laughed as Raul handed the deck to Gareth to shuffle.

"Bell. Can you come with me for a moment?"

Bell turned around in his chair and saw Bache standing behind him her scarf wasn't covering her face. Tiona and Tione had entered as well and were with the other girls playing Go Fish.

"Yeah, sure. One second"

Bell turned his attention back toward the group as he stood up.

"None of you touch my chips or I'll kick your ass"

"Heh heh, good luck lad. Make sure to keep the noise down" Gareth laughed.

Bell rolled his eyes as he got out of his chair and walked with Bache. She had been getting along with everyone somewhat well. She mostly hung around Tiona and Tione the most, however.

Loki had already done her transfer and was praising Bell for getting her another level six. All that was left to do was the paperwork and Bache would officially be a member of the Loki familia.

Bache led him into the room she was sharing with Tiona and Tione. The moon was shining up in the sky but the lights inside the room were on.

Bell looked around the room and noticed one side was clean while the other was messy. He assumed the messy side was Tiona's half.

"So what'd you want to talk to me about?" Bell asked.

"I just wanted to thank you. You helped me leave Kali and that miserable life behind" Bache said.

Bell scratched the back of his head. "Oh, you don't have to do that."

"But I do. Growing up with Argana she always scared me. I never saw her as my sister. Just some sick woman who got off on the pain of others. One day that would've been me in Kali's pursuit for a level seven. I was always scared of ending up in a death match with her"

Bache grabbed Bell's hand with both of hers confusing the boy a little. "But now I don't because of you. I don't have to worry about a death match with Argana, and I don't have to worry about my life in Telskyura anymore. So let me thank you"

Bache moved his hand to her breast and held it there. Bell's eyes widened as he looked up and down. His mind was freezing from the soft and wonderful sensation in his hand.

To the entire situation as a whole. He knew that amazons had no shame and wanted to produce strong children. But he didn't think it would happen to him.

His mouth was open as Bache kept his hand on her breast. She stepped forward and grabbed his face. She pulled it to hers and kissed him.

Bell stumbled back a little and was pressed into a wall. Bache grabbed his hands and put them on her ass which he subconsciously squeezed.

She moaned into the kiss when Bell did that. But that moan seemed to snap him out of it and he gently pushed Bache away.

Bell's face was flushed and his cheeks were a little red. Bache mistook this signal and took off her shirt letting her bare breasts take up Bell's view.

They were big and her nipples were hard. She was aroused that much Bell could tell. He nervously swallowed as the amazon hungrily stared at him.

Bell didn't know how to react. He did like what she was doing. Her tan skin with smooth and soft to the touch. Her breasts were the perfect size. Although he'd say that about any pair. He liked how his fingers sunk into the flesh of her ass. It was firm yet soft.

But on the other hand, he barely knew Bache. He also didn't want to take advantage of her in this way. In a way, he saved her life that much he knew. But he didn't really know Bache as a person, and if he had sex with her right now without really knowing much about her it'd feel wrong.

Bache walked to him again and kissed him once more. Bell liked the way her lips tasted. It was like honey.

He gently pushed her off him again and held her in place. His face was flushed and his shirt was wrinkly. Bache stared at him her face flushed as well. Her hair was a mess and her eyes stared hungrily at him.

"Bache. You don't need to do this" Bell said.

"I want to. You saved me I need to reward you" She panted.

"Ok I get that but I don't want you to do that"

Bache looked at him confused. "Why? Am I not pretty enough? Am I too much of a manly woman?"

"No no, it's not that. I just, I was raised to get to know a woman better before doing all this stuff. Believe me, I'm flattered you're doing this honestly. But Bache we barely know each other. It wouldn't feel right for me to do this with a woman I barely know."

Bache looked down at the ground. "Oh okay. I understand"

Bell sighed before wrapping her in a hug. He could feel her breasts pressing into his chest. "Bache I find you attractive I really do, and I'm not saying no to this as a whole. I'd just like to get to know you better beforehand. Alright"

Bache nodded. "And it's not because you find me too manly?"

Bell chuckled. "That doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I quite like your muscles"

Bache felt her heartbeat pick up a little. Someone found her muscular figure attractive. No one ever had before.

"Now once we get to know each other a little better. I'll make sure Raul is out of the room when we pick up where we left off. Ok?"

Bache nodded her head not trusting her words. Bell let go of her and Bache immediately missed the warmth he gave.

Bell reached down and picked up his discarded shirt handing it back to her.

"Thanks," She said taking it back.

"You're welcome, oh and Bache"

"Yes?"

"I truly am flattered you think you need to repay me in that way."

Bache nodded as she put her shirt back on. "Y-yeah no problem"

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When the sun rose on the next morning the Loki familia headed back to Orario. They took carriages again but this time Bell was with his friends and as far away from Ais as Loki could get him.

She didn't need Ais to lose an arm because of her stupidity and quest for revenge. Bache rode with Tiona and Tione feeling a little uncomfortable with all these new people who used to be her enemies.

Tiona was helping a little though as she kept a conversation going with Bache. She wondered how Bell was doing.

"Ok, would you rather box a bear or a lion" Cruz asked.

"I'd say a bear. I mean they're apex predators so the fight would be more fun" Bell said.

"Yeah, but a lion is the king of the jungle. They have more tenacity than a bear" Raul said.

"Yeah, but a bear is like 600 pounds. They would absolutely knock the shit out of a lion"

"Alright, I see your point there. But I'm still going with a lion. Just think you could wear their mane as a coat or something"

"Well yeah, but I could turn the beat into a rug. Oh holy shit Raul how cool would it be to have a bearskin rug in our room"

Raul's eyes widened in excitement. "That would be sweet. Just have it in the middle of our room right between the beds"

"Aw man now I wanna go fight a bear" Bel excitedly added.

Aki rolled her eyes. "Boys. Can get distracted by the simplest of things"

"Yeah but Raul didn't get distracted because you were in a bikini" Cruz joked.

Bell held back his laughter while Aki glared at Cruz. Narvi shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose while Alicia smiled at the scene. Raul's face was a blushing mess as he tried to hide it behind his hands.

The atmosphere in the carriage was friendly and warm. Bell couldn't remember the last time he had fun with friends. He was glad he met these people. They were his friends now and he'd protect them. He vowed to himself that he would.

But that promise would soon be broken for one of them.

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When the group arrived back at the Twilight Manor Bell noticed Mikoto standing at the gate. He told everyone else to go on ahead. That'd he catch up.

"Hey, Mikoto. What're you doing here?" Bell asked looking around the street. She seemed to be alone.

"Hello Sir Bell. I just want to thank you again for your help in the dungeon with those robed figures. However, I must ask for your help again. I'll beg if I have to"

"Alright calm down. No need to do that. Just tell me what you need" Bell asked.

Mikoto took a deep breath and bowed before Bell. "I humbly request your assistance in helping me locate a missing friend. For your assistance, I will do whatever you ask of me in return"

Bell held his hands up trying to calm Mikoto down. "Mikoto I said there's no need for that. Just tell me what you need and I'll do my best."

Mikoto raised her head and looked at Bell in his eyes. "A couple of days ago I found a childhood friend of mine that went missing in the Far East. She is with the Ishtar familia and I believe she is being held against her will"

Bell nodded and crossed his arms. "Alright what's her name and what does she look like"

"Her name is Haruhime. She's a Renard with-

"Golden hair and emerald eyes?" Bell asked finishing her sentence.

"Yes. How did you know?" Mikoto asked surprised.

"Ran into her momentarily in Melen. Don't ask about Melen it'll take too long to explain. But it was weird that a Renard girl was with Ishtar's Berbera"

"That's why I believe that Lady Haruhime is there against her will. Will you please help me, Sir Bell?" Mikoto pleaded.

"I already said yes. But we need to be careful. The pleasure district is a big area and it'll be a lot of ground to cover with the two of us. We also don't know what Ishtar is planning either. We'd be walking in there blind with no idea what's going on. I suggest we wait a little bit. I'll get some more information before we rush headfirst into things"

Mikoto nodded. Her eyes then widened as she remembered something. "I have this old doll Lady Haruhime used to own. I don't know if it'll be useful but I know dogs have better noses than humans. Maybe your dire wolf could help us locate her quicker?"

Bell grabbed the doll made from straw and examined it. It was dressed as a shrine maiden from the Far East. Its hair was red and made from yarn with two black buttons for eyes.

"Hmm, it could work. When was the last time you saw Haruhime?" Bell asked.

"About six years ago"

Bell nodded. Met's nose was strong but even then it'd be a long shot. "Alright I won't like to you it'll be a long shot for this scent trick to work. But if that doesn't work we'll try something else"

Mikoto nodded and thanked Bell. The Far Eastern beauty reminded Bell of an annoying captain of the Poseidon familia. She was really into Far Eastern culture. Her weapons and fighting style were completely based on that culture. As well as her diet and mannerisms when fighting. Bell hoped he didn't have to see her anytime soon. He liked the quiet.

"Alright, Mikoto can you wait while I get some more information? I don't want the two of us heading in there blind, and if we get separated it's best to know how we can get out quickly if needed. You especially"

Mikoto nodded and felt a little touched that Bell was worried about her safety. The truth was Bell didn't want what happened to Alicia to happen to Mikoto as well.

With the plan set, Mikoto went back home and waited for Bell to pick her up. Later that night they would infiltrate the pleasure district, and Bell would get his first taste of nightlife in the pleasure district. All thanks to his Uncle Hermes.

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"Lord Poseidon. It's time for maintenance again" A blonde woman said.

Poseidon pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. He had hoped they could go just a few more months without it. But alas such is life.

"Very well Beatrix inform Baldur we are heading back to Orario. Let him know that our combat classes are having some training in the dungeon."

"Yes, my Lord. Should we make a pit stop to Hearthome on our way? See if Lady Alfia will allow Sir Bell to join?"

Poseidon chuckled as he looked at the letter in his hand again. He handed it to Beatrix for her to read. "No need my dear"

Beatrix looked at the letter and giggled. "Lord Zeus does have a way with words"

Poseidon chuckled as well. "Well, he is my brother after all. He's allowed to talk to me like that"

Dear Brother

I don't regret to inform you that Bell has finally left the coop. He and Alfia have left Hearthome in turn for Orario. So if you want to bug him go there and stop flying that big ass ship over this village. Hera will beat your ass next time you do and I won't stop her.

Anyway, I guess I love you or whatever. Even though you can be an annoying ass sometimes.

Sincerely

Zeus

"So just a straight shot for Orario them my Lord?"

"Yes, Beatrix. Oh and inform Leon of Bell's presence in Orario. It's always fun watching him annoying my nephew"

Beatrix bowed. "It will be done, my lord"

Once the blonde-haired captain left Poseidon looked out the window seeing the clouds fly past him. A small but happy smile appeared on his face.

"Well nephew let's see how much you've grown now"

I have a quick announcement I want to make before I get into my usual goodbye. I've decided that I want to have my stories be in different languages so more people will be able to read them.

If anyone can speak a different language and wouldn't mind translating my stories DM me so we can discuss the details.

Well, that concludes another chapter. Next up is the Haruhime arc and maybe another arc after before the expedition.

Anyway hope you enjoyed almost sexy time and I'll see ya later.