Here is the final part to the BellxMarie's story. Bell and Marie deserve a happy ending, I've been reading too many angst and dark stories honestly. I plan to write the Enslaved one right now, but I do apologize for being addicted to HSR which reduced the amount of time I'm spending on writing.

Thank you confusingpancakes, Lucifer's Remnants, dijma, opavskylukas, Guest 23, Comteqfr and everyone who read this, hopefully you enjoyed this little series.

Lucifer's Remnants: Srry for the confusion it's 2 years in the dungeon, during which Bell was unconscious for one year and recovering in the second one. Had to change it, hopefully it's clear, if I did make a mistake please do tell me so I can fix it.

Guest23: For story sake we're saying that their connection grew so thin that she couldn't tell that it was still there. While when his connection grew she believed her depression was just playing tricks on her mind. As for Ryuu canon wise yes, but it's not going to be covered in this fanfic.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Third Part – Return To The Surface

I desperately gasped for air as I was sent flying by a hit of the black monster's tail. It cracked my ribs as it left the chest piece dented, it's hard tail coming back to whip me a final time. I could see Aki running towards me but the instant before I met the gates to Tenkai, someone's ferocious battle cry cut through the battlefield.

"HAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Someone's fist smashed into the side of the monster's skull with enough strength that the bony surface shattered and small shards shot out. In a screeching mess the mass of the black monster went flying off and standing in front of me in its stead was a sight that caused me to freeze. My breath hitched as I watched the familiar figure.

"T-that can't be …"

A man wearing a blue outfit and silver armor while wielding a black knife. It's messy white hair, now longer than when I last saw him, swayed in the air. I couldn't see his face but I could already imagine his rubellite red eyes. His bright smile, that according to Riveria lit Ais' world alight. One which was but a painful memory now. I had watched him smile one final time as he vanished in the dungeon as usual of any typical day, only for him to never return.

His disappearance and eventual death had ripped Orario in half. The Loki's Familia executives were shocked by the news but none more so than Ais and Tiona who cherished his presence dearly. Hestia Familia was completely broken, staying together only in his honor and to grieve together. Me, Lefiya and Aki had just befriended him the week before the expedition and were left devastated when he was suddenly announced dead. Those who had been saved by him directly or indirectly had all come together before Babel to pay respects.

"Bell?"

Yet now he stood before me, defending me from the monster that the dungeon had sent after us. It was too much, had my mind gone crazy and was now making me see things?

"Get out Raul. Run."

His voice was unmistakable, there was no doubt in my mind that person standing front of me was the rising star of Orario. I wanted to reach out to him, make sure this was all real but before I could the black monster was back and the fight resumed.

"Leave while you still can."

.

-A Week After Hestia Familia Expedition Failed-

Loki was in the main hall with rest of her Familia. All members were currently present as Finn prepared them for their next expedition. From the highest ranking executive to the newest addition to the Familia, they all listened to the plan their captain came up with. All until someone rushed into the room panting and sweating as if they had ran across half the city.

"What is it, Matthew? You know we are busy planning for the next expedition."

"I'm terribly sorry Finn, but it's about Hestia Familia. I believe you had to hear about the news today. No, you need to hear it. Particularly Ais-san and Tiona-san."

"I did say that I wanted to be kept updated about their progress and state but why the urgency?"

"Well first of all Hestia Familia's expedition failed."

That came as surprising news to everyone. They weren't incredibly strong but they weren't weak either, certainly not with their captain being level four.

"Hmm, that certainly is surprising to hear."

"But there is some bad news I have to deliver."

"If this isn't bad news then what is?"

Finn wondered with a raised eyebrow, but at the same time he couldn't help but worry as he felt his thumb throb extremely painfully. Then again what worse news could there be? Did Bell join Freya? That would have certainly be bad for them.

"Um … uh."

"Well? Out with it already!"

Bete and Loki hurried the man who with a sad look hesitantly decided to deliver the news.

"Rabbit's foot, the captain of Hestia Familia … passed away two days ago."

That silenced the room and every head even the ones who hadn't been interested so far snapped to him. The reactions were all a mixture of shock and horror, having witnessed on multiple occasions how powerful the rising star was. Rejection of the matter came immediately from several people.

"The fuck you talking about? If you're going to make things up, then make them believable!"

"There's no way the Little Rookie got done in the dungeon!"

"That's right Argonaut-kun is super strong!"

Loki slammed the bottle down on the desk causing everyone to go quiet.

"Look Matthew, the boy is strong, we've seen that. As you know there are quite a few people here who have taken a liking to him so don't go saying stuff like that without verifying the inf-"

"Loki-sama, Hestia-sama herself came this morning and confirmed his death."

That put a break on the Goddess' speech as her eyes opened and she stared at him incredulously.

'No way. Chibi's child died? But nothing on the thirtieth floor could harm him much less kill him. Certainly not on the twenty fourth floor.'

However, her eyes then trailed over to Ais and Tiona knowing the two were the closest to him and she could immediately spot their despair over the news. Tiona was frozen with a surprised face but the tears strolled down her face clearly. As for Ais, she couldn't see her eyes, covered by her bangs, but her hands tightly clenched on her skirt and the trembling of her body was evident.

'Ais. Tiona.'

"We will only know if it's true by asking Hestia-sama directly!"

Tiona loudly declared before launching herself out, tears staining her usually bright face, before anyone could stop her or react, followed immediately after by Ais. Riveria was about to give chase but Loki stopped her.

"I want to know too. Let's follow them. If it's true it will be terribly painful to the two of them, particularly Ais."

Loki solemnly stated and had the executives and the second string follow her to Hestia Familia's home. Though she was jealous of the attention he got from Ais, she had come to appreciate the kid, particularly for the positive changes he brought to Ais. She knew his death would be a horrible blow to Ais' recovering mental state. Tiona would likely fare no better.

.

A tired and dispirited renard walked to the gate as she heard the bell ringing. When she arrived at the gate she was surprised to see the Sword Princess and the Amazon begging to see Hestia. Luckily the Goddess herself came out hearing the commotion having long expected this to happen. Haruhime sadly made way for Hestia to welcome their guests, who launched themselves to her feet.

"Hestia-sama, is it true Argo-kun is … dead?"

"It's a lie, right? Bell isn't dead, there's no way, right?"

The Goddess looked at the two of them and felt her heart clench. It had been painful for her and she knew it would be for them. She had always detested them for taking his attention away but she never truly hated them. Seeing them now she understood that they had truly cared for him and having to break the news to them broke her heart even furhter. It wasn't, as a Goddess of the Hearth, something easy to do.

"I'm sorry … but it's no lie. Bell-kun … sob … didn't make it."

She tried to fight back the tears as she told them with a grieving smile the truth. The look of hope in their eyes was torn to shreds and with delicate hands the Goddess brought them in an embrace, gently caressing their backs as they shared their anguish. Tiona and Ais didn't hold their screams or tears as their hero was confirmed to be gone.

Loki arrived shortly after but didn't have the heart to speak up when she saw the scene, only frowning as her fears turned to reality. Finn, Riveria and Gareth silently paid their respects while Tione and Bete were too shocked by the sudden development. Behind them the second string shared a similar reaction to Bete and Tione having just recently befriended the fellow adventurer, his jovial smile still clearly imprinted in their minds.

"T-that can't be …"

"Bell-san is really gone?"

.

From then on, they would see a constant decay of Ais' temperament. Though Tiona managed to recover after a few months, stating that she would keep fighting and smiling in his name, albeit a terribly sad painful smile, Ais took a turn for the worse, worrying the others. At the start she cried, then her sadness turned to anger and for months she terrified people as she devastated the dungeon.

However, after five months depression hit her as her hatred ran dry. In the face of his death, she couldn't help but fall into despair. Even her hatred for the One Eyed Black Dragon couldn't fuel her desire to get stronger. She had been too weak to save him, yet again she lost it all. Now she spent the days doing nothing but thinking back on her time with her desired hero. This continued with no signs of change until one day someone brought news that woke the Sword Princess up. News that seemed improbable after nearly two years, but it brought hope to get back a future she had missed her chance to have. The return of a hero.

.

Bell ordered them to run before clashing against the Juggernaut again, this time sending it through a wall and dragging it to the floor below. It was time to bring justice to Ryuu and overcome his fear. That or he would die. He knew that since there was neither Marie nor Asterius to save him this time.

"HRRRRIII!"

The monster screeched aggressively before raising its claw and surprising Bell as it began shooting at him with long boney needles. It seemed like it had upgraded itself by eating magic stones of other monsters, just like the last time. Except this time it had more upgrades than before as shown when it suddenly shot a fireball from its mouth right at him.

"What?!"

Bell just barely managed to dodge the blazing attack. The monster had a variety of different attacks but the minotaurus' howl proved fatal. The roar from the monster paralyzed Bell. It wouldn't have affected him normally but the fear that seeped in his heart caused him to stop and that was a grave mistake. The next instant he was sent flying into the wall, rapidly forced to struggle to get up lest he wished to be crushed by the Destroyer.

Luckily someone came to his rescue. Marie was right in front of him, just now realizing that there was a small river in the room. Yet the image felt awfully familiar to Bell, like it had happened before. A different monster, a different savior but the same situation where he was pathetically saved. But just like then he felt the same anger at having to be saved and just like then he decided to stand.

Marie saw him stand and smiled but she could still feel the fear in him. That wouldn't do, so begrudgingly following Fels' suggestion, she would act her defeat. She hated it, worrying Bell when he was already suffering, but she knew it was the best choice.

She blocked a few hits and parried a couple others before deciding it was time to put the final act together. She let one of the attacks sail past. Bell saw that and felt his heart freeze. Marie closed her eyes and waited. There was no way this attack would land but she had to pretend it would. Of course if Bell couldn't muster his courage, then at the very last moment she would fight back. She wasn't going to die, but more importantly she wouldn't allow herself to die in front of Bell.

He was suffering every day for months from this but having her die in front of him would just reset all the work done so far and crush him beyond repair. It would make no sense and of course as a girl who is in love with said boy there was no way she would allow herself to harm Bell anymore. She already knew he was suffering unbearably just by watching this happen and it twisted at her heart but it was for his sake.

Through all this thought process the claw came dangerously close and just as she thought she'd have to intervene she felt a slight shift in pressure coming from behind her. With a smile she was glad that she wasn't disappointed when Bell's raven knife clashed against the monster's hideous hand.

'Never again.'

Bell's heart was beating crazily in his chest like thunder amidst a storm. When he saw Marie's impending death, a flash of all his memories raced into him, completing the rest of his journey. They all returned in one go, his experience, joy and grief. Yes, the idea of innocent people being harmed was horrible, being a hero was his desire, but seeing his friends in danger was what terrified him. However, as he discovered with Ryuu seeing and watching your loved ones, the ones he truly loved with all his heart, dying was even more traumatizing.

It was that very feeling of impotence that instead of despair gave birth to desire, an unbreakable will, an immortal devotion to his heroic path. That devotion inspired bravery. With bravery came his actions and those actions in turn led to sacrifice. What made him a hero in the eyes of all of those who had witnessed his kindness and purity, the virtues that started this path.

His memory lane over, his mind and body now synchronized, a new warrior was born. Breaking through to the realm of a level six, he rippled across the room as his speed broke the sound barrier. Once again, he stood defiantly, against all odds, like the hero he was.

"Time to end this."

Marie retreated into the water and watched with joy as he rose from the ashes of his defeat. Fels, Asterius and the rest of the Xenos soon arrived and watched in awe as Bell fought a monster that was equivalent to a low level six head on.

"He needs help."

Marie, however, stopped Asterius from intervening.

"No, he needs to do this himself. Though I'm surprised you'd offer help."

"That is natural. He is my rival. He cannot die to anyone other than me. But as we agreed last time we fought, it is better to keep fighting each other continuously than to have one duel to the death. It is more fun and it allows us to attain even greater heights. My goal now, is to keep growing stronger and reach the heavens themselves. The pinnacle of a warrior's might."

"It is good to see you have changed, but Fels, what's with the Juggernaut this time?"

Marie having been the one who killed the Juggernaut last time noticed several differences.

"It spawned on the fortieth floor. Not only that but it consumed a whole batch of monsters that Evilus was storing. They thought they could control it and ended up getting wiped … just like last time. Then it began making its way up, slaughtering everything and everyone. It absorbed many different monsters so it's far more dangerous than the one Bell initially fought."

"Then he won't be able to beat it. Even if he trained hard, he won't be able to fully utilize that strength since he needs his Goddess to update his blessing."

"That is indeed true, that is why we have called her here."

"In the dungeon?!"

"That's right. For Bell to heal he must face the Juggernaut and to do so he requires his deity."

"Oh dear dungeon. We'll just have to see how this goes."

.

Bell charged forwards and clashed against the Juggernaut, their collision shattering the room. The long deadly claws screeched against the metal of his sword, sending sparks all over the place as their red eyes bore into each other.

It had only been a few brief clashes but already a nasty gash tore through his arm, making him gasp in pain. It was then that someone called his name. A woman's voice. A high pitched yet soft voice. A voice that belonged to someone he loved dearly and had painfully missed for the past year.

"Bell!"

Asterius in front of him clashing against the Destroyer allowing him the break to look back and be greeted by the bouncing black pigtails of a tiny girl with teary blue eyes. She was crying a waterfall as she ran towards him. Knowing that the bull had things covered he allowed himself the time to rush forwards and meet his beloved Goddess halfway.

"Kami-sama!"

"Bell! Is it really you?!"

She didn't know whether to scold him or to laugh, whether she was smiling or crying. Or perhaps she was doing both?

"I-I'm so glad … I'm so glad you're okay Bell."

She tightly wrapped her arms around his chest, while he burried his face on top of her head. A screech from the Destroyer however, pulled them out of their reverie, reminding them of the current situation. Though Hestia hated the idea of having to separate from Bell after so long, she pushed his head away.

"I guess now is not the time. Come on Bell, it's time for a status update, then go kick that nasty monster's butt!"

Bell smiled and turned around allowing his Goddess to have access to his back. With a drop of her blood her falna was displayed and the black lines glowed blue. He felt the changes as his body was strengthened to levels unlike any before. Hestia was shocked to see his values rise then go to zero then rise then go back to zero before rising one final time. An unprecedented event that when Hestia thought about it, made sense. In less than a year the boy had reached level four so what happens when he spends two years in the dungeon being trained by a level seven? Of course, he grows incredibly powerful, his skill never having ceased to work for even a second.

Bell Cranel

Age: 16

Familia: Hestia

Race: Human

Alias: Rabbit's Foot

Level: 4 – 5 – 6

Strength: SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499

Endurance: SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499

Dexterity: SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499

Agility: SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499

Magic: SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499 – SSSSSS1499

Skill:

Liaris Freese – Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings. It makes user immune to charms and allows him to overcome the gap of levels

A Mermaid's Love – Blessing of a lovestruck mermaid that grants a boost in strength and magic the closer the user is to the said mermaid. Grants the special ability to breath and communicate underwater

Magic:

Firebolt – chantless fire magic

Siren's Melody – short chant magic that upon a snap of the user's finger releases a melody that harms enemies and heals allies within range

A maiden's tune of love

A songstress' song of death

A benevolent miracle for its allies

An ominous doom for its enemies

Bell's progress was astounding and there was no doubt in Hestia's mind that if he defeated the Juggernaut, not only would he be the first person in history to go through a double level up but the first to go through a triple level up. If there was one thing that she could trust about Bell, it was his perseverance. She had absolute faith in his ability to triumph over the accursed Destroyer.

"Go Bell-kun. Spread your wings, be a hero and defeat the monster that stands in your way."

Bell put his jacket back on and strapped on his armor. It was time to put an end to all of this. To bring justice to Ryuu, so that she could rest in peace from where she was looking from heaven. She was likely looking over him, somehow of that he could be sure, more now than ever before as he prepared to take on his nightmare.

Bell stood up and stared down the Destroyer, which as if feeling the challenging gaze, stopped fighting Asterius. The bull felt the tension between the two and backed off, he himself deterred as he witnessed the predatory gaze of the Juggernaut and the determined glare of the adventurer. Marie and Fels both hoped this would be enough to put them on even grounds.

This wasn't going to be a long fight, it wasn't Bell's plan to prolong the battle but to give it all and end it rapidly. Surprising all, Bell's new power was far beyond everyone's initial expectations. He brought up his two knives and dashed forwards with blinding speed. The Juggernaut could only raise its claws to block the first two strikes. First left then right, Bell used the swing of his knife to carry him as he spun around in the air and landed the tip of the blade into the collarbone of the monster, right between its skeletal body and the magic reflective armor.

The attack only left a few scratches on the armor, and it certainly didn't help that this version had plenty of flesh and skin compared to the one he had initially fought, making it harder to defeat. All the muscles and meat that covered its defensive layer kept the armor bound tighter than ever before. Unlike other beings the Juggernaut, having been born with its reactive armor, it didn't wear it over its fleshy body but under it, only directly protecting its original skeletal structure.

Bell frowned but was quick to block a swipe of its claws, twirling mid air before landing on his feet. He reacted rapidly to the incoming tail, jumping to the right then to the left before rapidly leaning back and limboing a low swipe of the monster's razor sharp tail. Knowing what was about to come next he performed a somersault backwards and swinging his knives as a rain of bone needles descended upon him. With extreme accuracy and speed he cut and deflected all of the incoming spikes.

As soon as the wave relented Bell gripped the knife by its blade and with a quick spin of his body he launched the weapon hitting the exposed joint of the tail severing a third of the limb. The monster screeched ominously in both pain and anger as it blasted a wave of fire, forcing the white haired adventurer back. The Juggernaut followed it with a howl but to its dismay it was a move didn't work on opponents of the same level, which Bell knew well thanks to all the minotaurus' he fought as well as Asterius incessantly using it.

It tried shooting another ball of fire expect this time Bell intercepted it with his own spell, giving him a smokescreen from the resulting explosion to use to his advantage and close in. Emerging out of the smoke this time he instead decided to start ripping at the flesh to expose its original skeletal structure, returning it to the same state as it should have when it first spawned.

Bell propelled himself forwards, striking right through the monster's flesh and reaching all the way down to its bones before pushing down with everything he had. The sword sliced down the heart of the Juggernaut, tearing open its chest. The Destroyer screeched in rage and pain, glaring furiously at him with eyes that promised a long and painful death. Bell then threw his hand into its chest and chanted his new spell.

"A maiden's tune of love, a songstress' song of death. A benevolent miracle for its allies, an ominous doom for its enemies. Siren's Melody!"

A shockwave, followed by a ring of gold light shot out as Bell's fingers snapped. The sound rebounded off the magic reflecting armor back into the insides of the monsters, causing a the Juggernaut to be bombarded again and again by Bell's magic. It screeched in pain as its body cracked and before long it turned into dust vanishing as if it had never existed.

"Bell!"

The cheers rang out as the Xenos all celebrated for him with Marie swimming closer to him, calling out to him with arms spread. Bell met her halfway, returning the embrace. He wanted to tell her he did it and that all the hard work had paid off but couldn't as Marie grabbed his face and brought him in for a kiss. She no longer cared about being in front of the other Xenos and his Goddess she just wanted to share the love she felt for him. The heroic scene of his fight had captured her heart, making her unable to hold back anymore.

She had initially been willing to wait for his response, to let him go back to the surface without knowing if he would return for her but when she watched the battle she knew she had to make her move Her arms wrapped around him as Bell returned the kiss his own hands finding her waist and gently caressing her warm skin. Marie felt her heart soar as the two continued their passionate exchange while hearing the shocked responses of the other members behind them. Hestia in particular being dumbfounded but happy that despite everything that happened Bell had found happiness, no longer wanting to be the petty Goddess she used to be.

"I love you, Bell."

"I love you too, Marie."

.

Bell took a deep breath in as he stood in the brown hallways of the fifth floor. Memories of when he was chased by a minotaurus coming back to him, though it quickly switched to the endless tunnel ahead of him. He was finally going back to the surface, where all his friends would surely be waiting for him. He wondered how things had changed since then. After all, it had been two years since he had vanished and was presumed dead. In that time he had raised from level four to level seven, breaking all known rules and common sense, with his lost memories having also come back. Despite it all, he couldn't help the nervousness he felt as he was about to step into the light of the sun for the first time since his untimely death.

Hestia herself had returned beforehand to avoid people going crazy over the deity's presence in the dungeon while he himself carried Ryuu's wrapped body in his hand. He wondered what the Hostess's staff would think and how they'd react, but he promised that he wouldn't shy away from them. No, he would face them head on for Ryuu's sake. Knowing he had avenged her, at least gave him a little solace. With that in mind, he took the steps that eventually brought him to the stairs that led to the entrance of the dungeon, just a step away from his home.

He supposed it should have been expected, but he was surprised by the number of people that awaiting his return when he emerged from the dungeon there was a crowd surrounding Babel. Anyone who knew or had heard of Bell's exploits wanted to see the rebirth of a hero. Civilians and adventurers had all come together after the Guild was stormed by Hestia and told them that her favored child was coming back. Eina had neither hesitated nor wasted time before jumping over her desk and rushing to the tower with the Goddess. The news didn't disappoint as soon enough a mop of white hair was engulfed by the warm rays of the sun.

Bell, now two years older, had matured a lot particularly after his constant training with Marie. He had grown much taller now, standing at an impressive six feet. His face had become more defined, showing the sharper features of a handsome man that had girls swooning just by laying their eyes on him. A small vertical cut that had turned into a scar under his right eye gave him a rather intimidating yet impactful look. His famous white hair having grown much longer all the while he still had no facial hair, maintaining his cute look that many had come to adore. The only thing that hadn't changed despite all the maturity he exuded were his bright rubellite eyes and his beaming smile albeit a little apprehensive.

"BELL!"

A bunch of people were quick to run up to him and embrace him in a hug. Lili, Welf, Haruhime and Mikoto hadn't let the crowd stop them, toppling some adventurers in the way, not that any of them blamed them. Tears ran down their faces as they tightly held on their captain fearing he'd disappear the moment they let go. Hestia watched with a smile at the touching reunion. Their bodies trembled as they released all their pent up emotions and grief, thanking the heavens for allowing him to return safely to them. Bell was equally moved, though his hands were busy, he gladly returned their joy. His look however, then focused on something else. Another group of people. The staff of the Hostess of Fertility. Upon noticing them, his Familia moved away.

"W-White hair … nya. I-it really is y-you?"

"Hey Anya. It's been a while."

"I'm so glad … sniff … then Ryuu?"

Bell's heart clenched but the shake of his head crushed the cat's hopes.

"Chloe. Lunoire. May. Mama Mia."

"Boy … it's good to have you back."

The owner's eyes however, then turned to the body clad in white in his hands. He could see the pain flash in her eyes as her jaw clenched as she had clearly heard her useless elf's grim fate. Bell walked forwards and got down to his knees before gently laying Ryuu down. Anya was the first to rush to him before stopping in front of the wrapped body. With shaky hands she grabbed the hem and with a slight hesitation she lifted it just barely, just enough to confirm with her eyes the truth. What she saw shattered her heart and the sniffs turned to sobs and finally into a waterwork. Finding the closest source of comfort her arms wrapped around Bell who shared her pain and returned the embrace.

"I'm sorry … I couldn't protect her."

"What of the monster who did this?"

His eyes looked up at Mia with the same sorrow her words bled with.

"My savior killed it."

"And?"

She knew he didn't take two years simply to heal. If he wanted to come back she had the feeling that he would have done so sooner.

"I trained so that I could defeat the same monster."

"And did you?"

"Yes, the same monster appeared recently. And I managed to kill it … so that Ryuu may rest in peace."

There was a moment of silence before Mia huffed satisfied with his answer.

"Then it's good. That's all I needed to hear. You avenged my girl … it is all I can ask for."

The girls all gathered for a group hug, pulling Bell and Anya into it as they mourned their long departed friend. No one dared to interrupt their peace, none except two people who couldn't resist once their eyes landed on his figure. Just as he had left the group hug to let them mourn he only had a second before he was tackled by two girls.

"Argonaut-kun!"

"Bell!"

Their arms wrapped around him and once again he was tightly hugged. Smothering the poor boy they didn't allow a moment of respite. Their faces nuzzled into his hair, never having felt more relieved or happy than they were feeling in that moment.

"It's good to see you too Tiona, Ais."

He felt their tears staining his hair as they mindlessly hugged him, refusing to let go of him.

"Bell … there is something … I have to tell you."

Knowing what the blonde knight wanted to say Tiona backed off, joining the rest of her Familia who had been watching from the side lines. Ais pulled back, placing her hands on his shoulders while staring intently into his eyes. She seemed to be trying to calm down though Bell had to say that it was weird seeing Ais blush bright red.

"I-I love you Bell!"

Without even waiting for his answer, she cupped his face and kissed him. Gasps could be heard all around while Bell's eyes shot wide open in shock. It took him a moment to realize what was going on, but as soon as he regained his bearing, he immediately pushed Ais away, leaving everyone even more flabbergasted than before, particularly the half spirit herself.

"B-Bell?"

"Ais … I really appreciate your feelings, Ais. Ever since you saved me from the minotaurus on the fifth floor I have always admired you. You trained me and protected me. When you asked me how I was growing so fast and I said I wanted to catch up to someone, that person was you. I've been in love with you ever since then. If I had heard this back then I would've been really happy."

"But?"

The heartbroken look on Ais made it difficult for Bell to say this but he knew she deserved the truth.

"But that changed after spending time with Ryuu. She has been helping me just as much as you, always risking everything for my sake, training me like you did. I realized that my feelings towards you were not as sincere as I thought them to be. They were admiration and a crush. With Ryuu however, the more time I spent with her, the more I realized that she was the one I loved. When we were stuck on the thirty seventh floor, we were there for one another. I was so happy when she confessed to me, but now … she's gone … because I couldn't protect her."

It tore at the young maiden's heart. Just as she realized she loved Bell, just as he returned from his death and she felt like she could have a chance, it was all taken away from her. She cursed her past self for not being aware, for not trying to keep Bell closer for not being there for him. If she had been down there with him when it all happened, would she be the one who would be on the receiving end of his love. She felt horrible yet with the Gale dead she felt like she had another chance. To take over the place and be there to fill the hole in his heart. But that was not to be.

"I thought it was going to be the end, when she died. But then … someone saved me. Someone who was just as bright … so … beautiful. For two years she cared for me, looking after my unconscious body then helping me recover the year after that. Emotional support, training to defeat that monster and the company that I needed when there was no one else in my life. I owe her my life and the one after. I promised to go back to her … so I'm sorry Ais … I … I'm happy to hear that but I can't accept your proposal."

As his monologue came to an end his eyes fell on her own, not wanting to shy away or appear as insincere.

"I-I see."

Hestia knowing of Marie wasn't surprised but everyone else had been completely blown away by the turn of events. Loki and Hestia Familia couldn't believe their eyes, they had never dreamt of seeing the rabbit rejecting Ais. Riveria felt bad for her surrogate daughter and knew it would be a hard blow to her emotional state but was glad that Bell had been honest and didn't take advantage of her. Some girls were also visibly hurt by the confession, the droop of a golden tail, the hurt across a half elf's face and the bangs covering the eyes of a prum were all noticed but wisely not mentioned.

After that, festivities resumed with a celebration beginning to commemorate the return of a hero. Ais participated yet despite being happy about his return was visibly reeling from the rejection. Acquaintances all came around to exchange pleasantries and congratulate him for making it back. It was a joyous moment for Bell, finally being reunited with his friends and family. Wanting to make the most out of it, he stayed for a week, making sure to spend as much time with the others as he could, playing games and doing any other activity for the sake of fun. Of course, he sparred with Tiona and Ais who despite the heartbreak wanted to desperately be close to Bell even if she couldn't be his girlfriend. But by the end of the week, he made his desire known to his Familia. To live in the dungeon.

Bell-sama have you gone bonkers?!"

"Lili, I understand your concerns, but we should respect his decisions. He is more than aware of the dungeon's dangers, so I have full faith in him if this is his decision."

Of course, he had told them all about his situation with Marie and told them the truth about the Xenos. To hear that they were shocked was an understatement but as a man and his brother, Welf understood and respected his wish. Hestia had also been weirdly accepting much to the dismay of Haruhime and Lili but with their endorsement, they had no choice but to let him go. Of course, he would remain a member of Hestia Familia and come back every once in a while, treating the Manor as more of a holiday home, but from now, he decided to live in the dungeon. So he dove down into the abyss and returned where he belonged … with Marie.

"Hey Marie."

"Bell?!"

"I did promise I'd come back … to stay."

Tears formed in her eyes, but she happily accepted his embrace, refusing to ever let go of him again. It had only been week, but she had missed him dearly. This time he had returned to be with her. Together for as long as life allowed. They looked to the future with hope ... towards a happily ever after. This was not the end of their tale but the beginning of a new chapter of his legend. The new beginning of his tale as the Hero of the Xenos.

"Welcome back Bell."

~The End

I hope you enjoyed it, though I apologize since I rushed the end, not knowing how to exactly bring the story to a close. That's it for this fanfic. Have a nice day and see you next time =)