All was quiet in the city of Orario. As shocking as that statement was, Bell was experiencing it firsthand. The dichotomy of the city's streets between when the sun shone upon the city or when the moon did was truly astounding. The bustling streets of Orario all hushed themselves to be, along with their occupants. It all seemed so surreal, the solidarity of the streets. But then again, ever since the Ishtar familia had been decimated, it wasn't all too surprising that the nightly hours would be quiet.

Bell felt his unkempt hair blow with the cool nightly summer breeze as he walked the cobblestone streets. The headache that had been formulating in his cortex back in the manor had quelled itself as he continued his walk. Though, why he even had a headache, to begin with, still eluded him. He had already tried to rattle his mind to sputter out any kind of information in regards to the source of his vexation, but it was all in vain. So ultimately, there was no point in dwelling upon it. And yet, his mind seemed to linger on the subject, forgoing rational thought.

Why? Why can't I remember anything? Why can't I let it go?

This wasn't like Bell Cranel. He was an adventurer, a hero even to some—he was a young boy characterized by his remarkable bravery, sheer willpower, and (quite unfortunately) nativity. Doubt and confusion weren't commonly associated with the aspiring child.

But before his mind could further formulate more questions to baffle him, a chipper voice called out to him, quickly snapping him back to reality.

"Hi there, Bell. Nice to see you." The voice belonged to one of the most infamous gods in Orario, Hermes.

Hermes had always been a chaotic and mischievous god. But he wasn't a fool (though he was a pervert, just to be sure). To think of the messenger god as a fool would ironically be foolish in and of itself. He may have hidden it with acts of inanity. But beneath the brim of his feathered hat and glint in his eye lay a cold, clever god—one who was not bound by the constraints of morality or humanity. It was shown much to Bell's horror during the Xenos incident. Bell's acts of selfless sacrifice were to only be conflicted by Hermes' selfish desires.

Call it a duty; call it an obligation, or daresay righteous. It was a betrayal nonetheless.

Though, it could be supposed that the end does justify the means. And yet, Bell couldn't find a reason to spite the god, as strange as that may have seemed.

Bell's facial expression immediately changed to better greet the god. "Ah, Hermes-sama. Nice to see you too", he said, now sporting a casual, friendly smile.

"Fancy seeing my favorite adventurer out and about."

Bell's hand moved to the back of his head, his typical bashful smile sprouting on his face. He had always been a humble child, never one to let arrogance corrupt him.

"Pardon me, but what are you doing up so early? The sun isn't even up."

Bell's smile curled into a frown as he glanced to the side, avoiding eye contact.

"You're going to head to the dungeon later today with your familia, are you not?"

Bell knew better than to lie to a god. But then again, his ability to lie even to strangers, god or not, was a futile endeavor. His purity wouldn't allow it.

"I—I just wanted to get some fresh air," Bell replied. He paused; he stuttered; he hesitated. That wouldn't go unnoticed.

"Really, is that so?" Hermes said, his voice playfully skeptical.

Bell wasn't lying, though he wasn't exactly telling the truth. Though, he didn't know what else to say to the god. Something was bothering him, yes, but he had no idea what it could have been. How could he express that to Hermes, or how could Hermes even begin to help him? Bell's frown deepened as he considered his options. Noticing that his "friend's" mood had entirely been soured by sudden dismay, Hermes changed the subject.

"Hm, well since you're here, why don't we go take a walk? Just the two of us."

Bell froze like a deer (or more fitting, a rabbit) in the sights of a hunter. The last time he trusted following the god, he was led astray and became an accomplice in a pervert's scheme. That day he accidentally peeked at his goddess, his friends, and acquaintances. But most traumatizing of all, his idol—Ais Wallenstein. The thought of him participating in a scheme that involved "just two of them" sent shivers down Bell's spine.

"Sorry Hermes-sama, I think I'll pass—"

"Nonsense! I can't let you sulk around Orario alone now, can I?! What sort of cruel god would I be if I did that sort of thing?" Hermes triumphantly declared, consequently interrupting and silencing Bell.

"Haha..." Bell merely laughed pathetically, knowing full well that he was practically wrapped around the god's little finger.

The two began making their way around Orario, Hermes taking the liberty of waking a few paces ahead of Bell. Fifteen minutes passed, and much to Hermes' dismay, Bell's mood hadn't brightened. Despite Hermes' best efforts to chat and cheer up Bell, Bell's eyes remained unfocused, as if he were dazed by his thoughts. It felt too rude to try and attempt to pry into Bell's affairs, even to a god, like Hermes.

Once again, Bell was considering his opinions. If only it were so easy to try and smother out the bothersome feeling in the company of others. But no, it refused to leave the boy's mind—constantly gnawing at the back of it. Finally resolving within himself that he could no longer cope with it, Bell decided to tell Hermes.

"Hermes-sama, have you ever had the feeling where you forgot something...?"

Hermes turned to the boy with a raised brow. "Of course Bell, all the time. That's why I have my lovely Asfi, keeping me in touch with the world on a daily basis!" Hermes said, a glint of pride in his eyes as he professed the astounding capabilities of his beloved captain. (If only that feeling was mutual...)

"No—no I mean. It's like have you ever forgotten something just so important to you that you wouldn't try to forget it. Something so important that it changed your life. And yet, when you do forget it, it just haunts you, begging you to remember again. And yet, in that thing you forgot, there is something so terrifying about it that you can't bring yourself to remember it. So you're just trapped between trying to remember it, and forget it. Does that make sense..?"

"I—I'm sorry Bell, but what?" Hermes stuttered.

There were very few times in Genkai where Hermes was perplexed; less so in Tenkai. Being a rather intelligent and cunning god, he could formulate some kind of answer without fail. Though whether it was factual or not did not matter. He did so either out of obligation or entertainment. But this, he was genuinely taken aback by Bell's question.

"I'm sorry Hermes-sama, forgive me. I'm just rambling," Bell quickly said, his modest nature showing.

Hermes just stared at Bell with wide eyes. Never before had he heard something so ridiculous yet profound from the boy. It couldn't just be something one could chalk up to as ramblings.

"Bell, where is this question coming from exactly?" Hermes asked, his eyes narrowing as he inquired about the question at hand.

Bell opened his mouth but stopped any words from coming out. What exactly was he supposed to say? Even he didn't know where the question came from; or why he was choosing to seek assistance from a god. He paused and began sifting through his memories. He was walking with Hermes for a short bit. Before, he was walking alone for a short while. He had exited from the Hearth Mansion; after walking up in his bed—

"Just a dream, Hermes-sama," Bell murmured frankly. He had no other plausible explanation.

Once again, Hermes stared at Bell in utter disbelief. A... dream? The boy wasn't lying; that much was certain. And even if he could betray his nature and somehow deceive a god from Tenkai, a dream was the best excuse he could come up with?

"Oh, I see," Hermes said. Unable to say or do anything more for the aspiring adventurer, Hermes decided it best to try and change the subject and overall mood. Patting him on the back, Hermes gestured towards a quant, little dessert shop that was still open. Though not one for sugars or sweets, Bell politely declined and departed from the company of the god. Hermes let out a heavy sigh as he watched Bell slowly disappear down the street, a frown on his face deepening as the distance grew greater.

A dream he said. How curious. The lower world truly was a place of infinite possibilities and endless amusement.

Out in the distance in the darkened sky, across the cosmos, beyond the nebulas, and amongst the celestial bodies of the night—a star began to flicker into existence once again.