Chapter 16

1 day later

Bell is walking down the streets heading to his destination. The Hostess of Fertility. Today is his last rented day so he had to go there to gather his things. While he was walking his way there he could already feel the stares he was getting. He knew why, so he wouldn't blame them. He also didn't feel a bother to it for some apparent reason. So he let the civilians keeping staring at him, with full curiosity and concern.

Bell was still wearing his tattered clothes with the bandages under them. Loki familia had forgotten to bring extra set of clothes for him and Finn. Reason why Finn rushed and sprinted to the manor with full speed. So he wouldn't be seen by anyone. The others followed behind, leaving Bell there.

The only thing that wasn't a mess or destroyed was the dark red scarf on him. Bell was happy that it didn't get caught on fire from the sparing. As if the fire knew it isn't supposed to be. Like it had a mind on its own.

Whatever the case he's content that it's perfectly fine and still and feels like the day he first wore it. Glad that the surprise present from his first friend is not in ruin. Gently caressing it while the scarf was hiding his small smile, not noticing it either.

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When he walked inside he was surprised that it was a bit full. It's around 9 in the morning so he really shouldn't be surprised he thought. He kept on walking to the stairs thanking the waitress for not greeting him or the owner. They had guessed he didn't want to since the condition he looked in.

'Did he get mugged?' Some of the customers including the waitress thought when he walked by.

Walking down the hallways he sighed in relief, content that nobody is questioning him and leaving him be since he does enjoy his own bubble of space. Sadly it didn't went like that.

"Hello Bell!" Looking onwards he saw her. Syr.

'Well.… here we go..… I guess.'

"Hi Syr." He greeted back with a wave.

She had a big smile on her face until it instantly faded away when she saw his clothes and bandages underneath them. She ran towards him stopping his tracks.

"W-What happened to you!"

"Nothing really."

"What do you mean nothing!"

".… Well.… like I said.… nothing really. I don't know why your worrying about me."

Him not knowing his situation had only made it worse for himself. Without saying anything she grabbed his arm and dragged him with her.

"Syr what are you doing?" Any normal person would've had at least had a confused expression on their face if they were in Bell's situation however he didn't. He only had a confused tone but no expression.

"Going to clean you that's what I'm doing."

"Ok.… but do you even know where I sleep at?"

She stopped. A few seconds passed before she let go and turned her head back with pleading eyes.

"Can you show me." Bell would say no if it weren't for her eyes looking as if it were about to burst into small tears. So he sighed and silently leaded the way. She was following behind him, smiling to herself. Happy that her plan had worked.

'Ah, I wonder how you look like under those clothes, Bell.' She smiled seductively inside of her mind. She held back a giggle by pinching herself.

Now in front of Bell's door. He took the keys out of his pocket and putted in the keyhole, she couldn't wait to see his body, doesn't matter if it's fit or not. Her plans is slowly succeeding. Soon she'll have him wrapped around her finger. Nobody will have him.

Now the door being opened they both walked inside, she inhaled the air in the room only to be disappointed that it smells the same like any room that hasn't been used. She isn't surprised though since he hadn't spend time in here. 'I do wonder what happened to him.'

"Well.… were here." Bell said he dropped the keys at the counter already starting to gather his things in his bag.

Syr being alarmed by this asked "Are you going somewhere again?" Bell didn't say anything but he nodded yes. Syr frowned. She didn't think he would leave in such a hurry. So she just had to ask, "Why are you in such a hurry?" She asked in the most sincere tone she could make. Bell stopped what he was doing and just stayed there completely still. He didn't know what to say at first but almost immediately found an answer. He stood up and turned around to face Syr with a small smile answering,

"Someone is waiting for me. I can't let her wait any longer." Aria had suffered enough. Now that he's here in Orario, in the Loki Familia, and had finally found Ais. Literally just a few more steps and he'll achieve his promise to his mother and to.……

Syr internally was surprised to say the least. No she was.… astonished. This is the second time Bell had showed a smile to her. However with her this is the first time. She can't see what he's feeling from deep inside but the smile on his face and the calm chilling voice is already showing her the answer. She decided it's best for today, however

"Aww. (sighs) Since you can't let this someone wait any longer," she said sarcastically with hand gestures, "I guess we have to let you go. But (gets close to his face) can you at least come back to me." Bell backed away, not comfortable with the her being close to him like that and answered, "Sure."

"Yay!" She hugged him tightly, surprising Bell.

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"Um Syr."

"Yes."

"Can you let me go."

"A NEW MEMBER!"

"ARE THEY STRONG!?"

"WHERE ARE THEY FROM!?"

"WHEN IS HE/SHE COMING HERE!?"

"WHAT LEVEL ARE THEY!?"

"ARE THEY COMIMG HERE!?"

"WHO IS SHE/HE!"

The whole Loki Manor were shouting and asking Finn, Loki, and the whole executives the questions they want answers to. They hadn't expected the familia to react like this. They were expecting the total opposite but this, this is something they couldn't foresee.

"Now now. I think all of us should calm down right Finn?" Loki couldn't help but smirk at Finn's slightly gaped mouth.

Finn shook his head slowly and began talking again. "Yes let us all calm down. As for your questions I will only answer the ones I can, as for others you guys want, I'am sorry but that will have to wait or you can ask him nicely yourselves." He scanned the room to see any obligations and smiled to found none. The others behind were content as well.

"First, he is from the unknown regions." Gasps and muttering could be herd, the unknown regions are one of the biggest continents in the world. So for one to come here is a bit of a semi-surprise to them. "Second, he should be coming here as we speak, if not then later today." More muttering could be herd.

"I wonder how he looks like?"

"Nah I wonder if he acts like an ass."

"Man I hope he doesn't act like Bete."

"I hope he's friendly."

"What does he look like."

Loki couldn't help but smile down at her familia. Even Ais had a small smile. The only one that wasn't smiling was Bete. He's just irritated that he had to be here since this was a waste of his time. He would in the dungeon right now if it wasn't for Riveria yelling at him while he was in his room sleeping.

"Third, he is a level 6." There was silence in the room until it started to get a tad louder. They couldn't believe it. Someone outside of Orario… is a level 6! Something that should be impossible but it isn't, if you put your dedication to it at least.

Loki and Finn were relieved that they hadn't went overboard and demanded them how he did it. They want to know it themselves but that's something they'll ask on another time.

"And Finally, his name," everyone stopped talking and were now full on ears open. They were on the edges of their feet, wanting to know this very individual's name.

"His name is–"

"Sir."

A guard had walked in the cafeteria, stopping Finn and gaining the attention of everyone. Finn looked at the guard and asked.

"Yes, what is it?"

"We have a someone in the front entrance stating that their a new member to the familia."

"!"

In an instant everyone looked back at Finn knowing that it had to be him. If not they'll be a bit disappointed for ruining the moment.

Finn chuckled before asking, "Who is it?"

"He says his name is Bell Cranel."

As soon as Bell entered the cafeteria he was instantly greeted by all lower levels of the familia. He was backing away due to many people in front of him until he met a wall. Bell was getting nervous by the second and he didn't like it so just as he was going to release his bloodlust Bete saved him.

"Alright back off! Clearly the guy doesn't like being bothered like that right?" Bete raised his voice high so that everyone in the room could hear. Bell was thankful for the wolf man.

"Thanks."

"Tch. Maybe don't get attention next time." Bete returned to his spot where all the executives were waiting for him.

As he was making his way up there he could hear the others mutter things about him.

"It's him."

"Why is here?"

"I thought he was in a familia."

"So that's the new member."

"Doesn't he look to young to be an adventurer?"

He didn't mind them talking about him whether their good or bad. Aria had told him before, 'Never let anyone or even me, strike you down. Always rise up and do you.'

Although there was one comment that would always irk him. Even with Aria.

He walked up the few steps towards the stage where the rest of the executives are. He kept on following Bete behind until he reached to Finn. Finn offered a hand and Bell took it.

"I see you've recovered fine." Finn

"I could say the same." Bell

Finn chuckled, both ignoring the confused reactions from the lower levels. "Well, introduce yourself to them." Finn said. It took a few seconds before Bell looked to the audience, then to Finn, audience, Finn, audience, then right back to Finn.

"Huh?"

"Introduce yourself to them. (smiles) They want to know about you." Finn

".… Well…" Bell looked back and saw them looking at him with warm welcoming smiles. Especially from the girls. The guys were of course jealous about it but nonetheless it's a greeting.

"Ok. I-I'll try my best." Bell felt a weird feeling in his stomach. Nothing painful but, it was almost as if his father was right here and asking him to drink his blood again.

Nervousness

"Um Finn you think he can handle that?" Gareth asked from behind his right shoulder,

"He looks like he isn't to good at talking." and Riveria from his left shoulder.

"Well, it's just talking. Nothing could go–"

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Every single lower member below Bell and all the higher ups have completely bombed Bell.

All of them raised they're hands high, jumping, yelling, asking or even demanding him questions. Bell became so overwhelmed that he was starting to back up.

'Aria never told me people could be scary!' He thought frantically.… although he didn't show it really.

"Uhhhhhh (turns around to see Finn).… a little help?" Bell asked if not pleading from the look in his eyes.

"Yeah sure!" Finn couldn't believe this was actually happening.

"Pfff–HAHAHAHA! T-The kid is h-having trouble with t-talking!" Bete was rolling on the ground laughing his butt off.

Tiona would've too if it weren't for the glare she revived from her big sister and the stern look from Riveria.

'Seriously why is it happening with him?' Riveria sighed tiredly. 'Literally it's 11:5– oh! Never mind, it just hit 12:00.'

After an hour of answering questions from the familia, personal and non personal, Bell is now being showed around the manor. None other by Gareth himself.

He showed him the cafeteria, library, auditorium, bathrooms, bathing rooms, training yards, Loki's room for statues updates although it was pretty much pointless, Finn's office, and lastly the bedrooms.

As Bell was walking down the hallways he was looking out the window seeing many people training by themselves or with others. The main person who caught his eye though was Ais.

She was in a far corner all by herself swinging her sword left to right, practicing her sword strikes.

"Um Gareth." Bell

"Yes?" Gareth

"Why is Ais training by herself?" He asked. This brought more trouble to him.

'If she's acting like this.… then that..…' he didn't finish it since he didn't want to think about it.

However the more he's paying attention to her, the more he noticed how she's acting completely differently then others. How normal people should act.

Something he wished he could be

Gareth frowned. Not at Bell's question but at Ais. "Ah well you see lad she doesn't like talking that much. Heh. I guess she's a bit like you."

"…"

"She had a rough childhood and because of that she's became distant to people. That's all I have to say."

"…"

"I advise you to not confront her about her past though, she also doesn't like talking about it."

"…"

Bell.… wasn't surprised at all. If he were to be honest with himself he knew this would happen. She did lost her only family.

Her father

Her mother

Everything taken away by his father

Bell wished he could just tell her that her mother is out there. Wanting to hug her, comfort her, tell her that she loves her again but it has to wait.

Night time

(AN: cringe I know. Move on with it.)

After a whole day of being introduced and showed around by the familia, he finally had a chance to relax in his room right after eating dinner with them. He had surprised them yet again by eating 10 full plates of meat…… with no beverage.

"Man that was some good stuff!" One of the rare moments was happening right now.

Bell had a big smile on his face. Something Aria would cry for. She would've laughed too. Jeanne.

Thinking about her Bell caress his scarf again. The big smile turned into a small one after a few seconds. Before he let the darkness take over his eyes he muttered a few words.….

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I'll come for you

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Ais was laying on her bed curled into a ball. Everytime Bell kept glancing at her mad her wonder if he had a grudge against her. His lips would twitch downwards. But the eyes however, their a different story. It looks so familiar to her, something that she knows but doesn't at the same time. It almost looked like.… her eyes.

A goal.

Before she let darkness overtake her eyes she muttered a few a words.…

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Are you.… really like me?

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Deep into the dungeon there were numerous of people searching for something. An orb of some sort. Something that would help them when they come down again.

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A corrupted spirit

AN:

I am deeply sorry for not updating this story sooner. Gotten into a writers block again but gotten out of it. Although not fully I think since this chapter isn't my best. I hope you guys understand. I'm sorry if this chapter was sloppy as well. Again not my best. I rewrote this so many times that I lost count.

I have been kept being busy with family and other crap. And gaming too. I finished ff7 remake part 1 and bro.… shit is fire no question. That ending was crazy. It's my first time playing a ff game and me seeing Zack just walk by Aerith like that is a big OH to me.

"That's the person she's in love with." Literally blowed my mind. Good job to them.

Now onto the story.

Looks like Bell greeting was great. Better than anything but still. From the looks of it Evilus is finally moving along with their plans. Let's see what changes I'll make hehehehe.

Well really don't know what to say other than tell me if there are any grammar errors and I'll fix them as fast as I can.

Is this chapter good? Bad? Great? Horrible? Let me know what you guys think.

See you guys next time! Peace!