The Return Of The Monsters' Hero
By : Ashkar44
...
Summary
Three years have gone by, it is finally time for Bell Cranel and his Familia to return to Orario. They were sent away under the guise of a 'quest' from the Guild after the Xenos incident. Now, Orario will come to realize that nothing will ever be the same after the return of Bell Cranel. One-Shot! Another idea I had I needed to get out! You know me! I don't do canon fools!
Chapter 01: The Return
For Bell Cranel, walking through the gates of Orario again did not bring him the sense of adventure and excitement he had experienced the first time. He knows it had a lot to do with it not being his first time, but he knew it was more because of what he went through in his two years of exile.
The Guild and everyone from Orario could call it whatever they liked, a mission, a quest, it didn't really matter to Bell. He knew what it was, temporary banishment for the Hestia Familia. Judging by the looks he was getting as he walked down the main street, it didn't have the desired effect the Guild told him it was for.
The bullshit about giving everyone time to forget about the incident with the Xenos and Bell's involvement obviously hadn't worked. Every person stared at Bell as he walked down the street, and most of them looked scared of him.
He even heard some people whispering 'King of the Monsters has returned' under their breath. He couldn't wait to hear what they thought when the guild posted their return for the public to see when they were finished there.
Bell's looks may have changed a bit since he had last been here, but it was plain to see that everyone remembered the Rabbit's Foot or King of the Monsters as he heard most people call him.
Bell was almost seventeen now. His birthday was in only a few days, and those two years had changed Bell significantly. It had just as much to do with how his mind worked now as it did his appearance. He had matured, and by much more than just two years, in his opinion.
Bell was now a little over six feet tall instead of the five and a half feet tall he was when he left. He certainly still had his signature white hair and ruby eyes, but most of the baby fat on his face was now gone. Bell was always cute when he was here before, but you could call him handsome now.
However, that certainly wasn't what stood out the most. Bell certainly looked better in the physical sense, but it didn't compare to the different adventurer look he had. Of course, the gear he was wearing and carrying would be the reason for the drastic change in his look.
Bell still had his twin daggers in the small of his back. The Hestia Knife and a new one in their holsters, but he also had two swords across his back in an X and a large spear that was set in the middle of his swords poking out from the top of his head.
His armor was no longer white with some black and red highlights. He had chosen to go all black for his armor with details of red and white instead. It was also the best armor Bell had ever worn. Welf had grown into an even finer smith during their banishment than he had been before they were forced to leave Orario.
Bell was also incredibly confident and it showed in how he walked and regarded everyone. It didn't matter how many people called him King of the Monsters under their breath, the smile never left his face. He could care less what these people thought of him.
Bell Cranel had never had a reason to smile as much as he did now.
Tragedy had plagued them while exiled, but Bell had learned to move forward. He had plenty of reasons to frown but mainly thought of nothing but what made him happy now. Everyone in Orario was so focused on Bell, they didn't even pay attention to the others following behind him.
It would have been hard to see who or what was truly following him anyway as he was leading three covered wagons down the street. Most people didn't even notice them until they had passed them, and it didn't give them time to notice anyone or anything in the wagons.
Bell was surprised how calm he was as he led everyone to the Guild. He expected to be angry when seeing Orario again, but it never came. He knew he had matured plenty, but it was still surprising he only felt calm and nothing else. He could only think of one person who could ruin that, but Bell doubted he would see him.
At least, not yet.
They needed to head to the Guild anyway upon their arrival to let them know they were back, but he needed to do more than just that. There was plenty to do at the Guild, and he was sure Ryuu would also want to stop by to see the staff at the Hostess of Fertility as well. He wasn't sure when though.
Bell knew today would probably be a long day. They all had plenty to do at the Guild, and he knew it would take some time to get settled into Hearthfire Manor as well. Lord Ouranos had kept the place clean for them, but it would take some time to settle everyone once they did get there. Bell is pretty certain they wouldn't be stepping into the dungeon for a few days, at minimum, since they all needed to get settled.
Bell was a little surprised he didn't run into anyone he recognized on his journey toward the Guild. He supposed it was still early in the morning and not many people would be awake except those that ventured into the dungeon around sunrise.
The few that were outside the Guild stopped and stared at him. Not only at Bell Cranel returning to Orario, but also the number of people getting out of wagons he was greeting and waving in.
The first was an elf, and anyone who had been to the Hostess of Fertility would know her as the waitress Ryuu, but she was dressed as an adventurer now, not a waitress. Her hair was blonde now instead of green, but the same blue eyes.
Her outfit was green and looked to armor most of her upper body. Only her shoulders and upper arms were exposed while the rest was covered in a green leather looking material.
She had long brown boots on that came up past her knees, and tight green shorts on. Ryuu had three weapons on her hip and a surprising smile on her face as she walked past Bell.
Next was a male dark elf. He had white hair like Bell did, but it went down past his shoulders, unlike Bell's short hair. His eyes were Silver and his skin had a dark grey hue to it.
He also wore leather armor, but it was all black with silver details. Two scimitars hung from his hips, and he had on black leather leggings and greaves that covered his entire lower body. He acknowledged Bell with a nod as he walked by.
Then came an extremely beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed human woman. She was a little over five feet tall and drew every eye the moment she stepped out. Her blonde hair hung down to her waist with two beaded ties forming two tails in front of her below her shoulder.
She had on a blue dress with a brown border with runes etched in them. The dress was shoulder less and showed off the considerable assets the woman had. Just under the middle of the bust, the dress opened like a shirt with the top button still done.
The brown border with runes went down at an angle from there and it continued down until almost the bottom of the dress just above her knees. A ruffled white fabric took the place of the blue to fill in the rest of the dress and stuck out from the hem of the border a few inches at the bottom. She gave Bell a warm smile before walking past him.
Another woman came out after, and she was just as beautiful although she looked nothing like the blonde before her. She had short, black hair that barely went past her ears, but her green eyes were so light they looked yellow in the sunlight.
She wore a black mask that hung loosely from her face that covered from her nose down. Even if her skin tone didn't give it away, the way she was dressed would give a good idea she was an Amazon.
She had a tight gold choker around her neck, but a larger purple one made of a different material around her neck as well. Two thin straps of black silk material came from the purple choker and went down over her breasts.
The material was barely more than covering up her nipples before it continued down and connected to another purple belt around her upper waist. The black material did continue, but only from the back of the purple belt to form a small cape.
The cape was shaped like a pedal and the tip barely went down to her knees. The only thing it truly covered was most of her butt. The only other material besides the gold ring around her lower waist was a pair of skimpy black underwear.
It would be like the normal bottoms to a two-piece swimsuit, but it had gold rings on each hip. They had gold chains going down her thighs that attached to another ring just above her knees.
The same black material was on either side of her thighs and wound down around her thighs and calf until it attached to a gold ring around her upper ankle. She was wearing what most Amazons would consider footwear.
Another purple ring was around her lower ankle and the same black material came from the back, covered her heel, and ran along the sole of her foot before attaching to a ring around her second toe.
She had two curved daggers on her hips. Each hilt was made with finger slots in the hilt. Spikes came off the end of each finger slot, and the weapons looked dangerous to any who could see them. She gave Bell a nod and a small smile as she walked by.
The next woman that came out many of them recognized. Her purple outfit and long boots gave her away if her katana didn't. Most knew her as Mikoto, the Eternal Shadow, who used her gravity magic in the War Game.
Person after person walked by Bell as those near stared at them. It was mostly women and girls, but there were a few men. The only other male any of them recognized besides Bell was Welf. The smith had been well talked about before they left, and he was sure the magic sword requests would come back to him in droves after he got settled.
There were two things they all noticed was most of them were women and all of them were beautiful and/or cute. They could tell some were younger, but many of them were in their late teens or early twenties.
The other was they all gave off an aura of an adventurer and that gave them pause. How Bell had been gone for two years and returned with a Familia of adventurers they couldn't figure out.
They were so puzzled at that, they never stopped to think that many other things were different, but it wouldn't be long before everyone knew things would never be the same.
The usual Loki Familia member party consisting of Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya were coming up out of the dungeon. They went earlier than their usual time today. None of them questioned Ais as to why, but they all knew why.
Even if they hadn't come back early because Ais couldn't focus enough, none of them needed to know why she wanted to go early and come back early. Today was the day Bell Cranel was supposed to return to Orario.
Each of them had their own personal reactions to that. Tione didn't really care. She admired his strength as an Amazon, but that was as far as it went with her and Bell Cranel.
Tiona was excited to see the Argonaut again. She had missed him in the two years he had been away. She wondered what he had been up to and hoped he would tell her all about his adventure.
Lefiya was stuck between angry at the rabbit's return and smug at what he'd find when he got here. It had been two years since she'd seen him. Two years of her getting to go into the dungeon with Ais, Tiona, Tione, and sometimes Bête. Not to mention training with Riveria.
She was no longer just a level 3 waiting to take 4. Now, she was a level 4 building up her stats before taking level 5. She would soon be even or above the rabbit in level. There was no way he had grown much in two years without the dungeon. Lefiya guessed he was level 5 if he got lucky.
Ais is certain she's never felt so many emotions at once. She was incredibly happy Bell was returning, and she wanted to wait at the gate to welcome him. However, she felt terrible about what happened between them now and didn't know if she could face him.
Two years had been a long time to sort out her feelings on the matter, but it hadn't helped much. She never had these problems before. It was still overwhelming two years later and she was no closer now than she had been two years ago.
Ais had no idea if he would actually arrive today, but it was the day the Guild said his 'mission' ended. Ais was under no illusion what his 'mission' really was, and it made her feel worse. Plus, she didn't even know if he would come back at all, or if he was alive. It wasn't like she had any way to know.
They had all grown much in the two years since Bell left. Other than Lefiya, none of them had leveled, but they were all top-notch level 6 adventurers now. They knew they were still a while away from level 7, but it was closer than it had ever been for all of them. Most of them could even hang with Finn and Gareth now.
Ais wondered how much Bell had grown away from Orario. He had gained four levels at a completely unnatural pace, in only a few months. There was no dungeon outside Orario, but Ais knew there were entrances outside to the dungeon.
She probably would have heard if he tried to use one of those entrances though since they were guarded by Loki and Freya Familia members. She can't imagine even him growing farther than level 5 without a dungeon to enter.
She was so conflicted on what to do, she couldn't concentrate in the dungeon. They may all be first-class adventurers, but even they didn't make it past Floor 18 before turning around because of Ais.
Ais knew they all knew why she was distracted but was grateful they said nothing. She was still only comfortable talking to Riveria about any of this, and even that wasn't for very long.
When they had reached the surface, Ais breathed a sigh of relief, but it only lasts for a few moments. She didn't even need to strain to hear more than one person saying to another.
"Did you hear the King of Monsters returned?"
Tione didn't have a reaction to hearing it. Lefiya had a small smile on her face at hearing it. Tiona frowned like Ais and had the same thought.
'I should smash you into the ground for saying that!'
Ais and Tiona were both tempted to go to Hearthfire Manor, albeit, for different reasons. However, there were places they needed to stop and neither could justify it to Tione and Lefiya so they stuck to their routine for now.
They would go to the Guild and exchange the stones they did collect before heading to the Goibniu Familia to pay off some more of their debt. Then they'd hit the Jargamarukun stand before heading home to the Twilight Manor.
It was still before lunch so they would time their snack break perfectly before lunch at the Twilight Manor. Neither said anything, but both decided they would find a way to make it to Hearthfire Manor at some point.
However, when they arrived at the Guild, neither needed a reason to find an excuse. That's because Bell Cranel was standing right outside the entrance to the Guild as they walked up.
Tiona always enjoyed talking to, or with, the Argonaut. Now, she felt a very new sensation at seeing him again. He still looked cheerful with that charming smile on his face, but he looked powerful and, dare she say, handsome.
Ais had much the same reaction to seeing Bell. She thought he looked more mature, and it was the first time she noticed the way his eyes shined or the way his hair moved in the wind, even how muscular he had gotten.
He wasn't big by any stretch, but she guessed he was plenty strong while still keeping all that speed she remembered so well. He had the perfect body for it now where a combination of the two would be a lot to deal with. She even sensed he was stronger than he was when he left.
Tione did think he looked better, but it didn't matter to her. He wasn't her Captain so he'd always just be another adventurer to her. Lefiya, on the other hand, was turning red in anger.
She could sense he was stronger, and she was almost certain he was stronger than she would be even if she took level 5. She couldn't believe he could do that without access to the dungeon.
'He has to be cheating somehow! I'm going to find out how and expose him!'
Lefiya vowed that to herself if she found it to be true. She knew he had to re-register his Familia, and as captain, his level would be public knowledge soon. She had to know how much farther she needed to push herself to surpass her rival.
"Argonaut!"
Of course, it was Tiona who drew Bell's attention. Bell doesn't recall a single moment the Amazon wasn't energetic or excited. The fact she loved hero stories like he did helped him to remember her well, even without her training him for the War Game.
"Ms. Tiona, it is good to see you. I see you are with your usual gang. How is everyone? Ms. Ais? Ms. Tione? Ms. Lefiya?"
"It is none of your concern how I have been, human!"
"It is good to see some things never change. It is nice to see you too, Ms. Lefiya."
Bell chuckles as he answers the elf. One of these days he's going to have to ask how he offended her. He really doesn't care, but he is curious.
"Mr. Cranel. Welcome back to Orario."
"It is good to be back Tione, thank you."
"I'm so excited you're back Argonaut! You gotta tell me all about your adventures outside Orario! I bet you got new stories I've never heard! We had some scary arrow thing in the sky not long after you left! Nothing happened, but it felt like it was going to!"
"Yes, perhaps I'll tell you some of my stories sometime, Ms. Tiona."
Not even Ais missed that Bell seemed a little darker when he said that. Not only did the air around him change, but he looked it as well.
"Bell, I..." Ais really didn't know what to say. She said the only thing that felt somewhat right. "I'm sorry, Bell."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Ms. Ais. That day, you taught me the most valuable lesson I've ever received."
Ais didn't like the sound of that at all. She certainly didn't expect Bell to be so calm right now. She thought he would at least be a little angry with her. Now, she was concerned.
"W-What... lesson?..."
"The only ones you can trust completely are your family."
Ais was speechless. She wanted to say something but couldn't think of anything. What happened next froze everyone standing there, especially those from the Loki Familia, and they could only watch the scene unfold in shock.
"Daddy!"
They all turned to see three women standing there. The ones on the left and right were easy to identify for all four of them. The one on the left was Ryuu, one of the waitresses from the Hostess of Fertility. The one on the right was Haruhime. She was a Renart who had joined the Hestia Familia not long before they were sent away.
The one in the middle though, none of them recognized. She had long, silky blue hair and piercing emerald green eyes. She was wearing hunting gear, but it didn't take away from her beauty.
She had a bow slung around her back and they could all see a quiver poking up from behind her. Although the woman was beyond beautiful, what truly drew everyone's eyes was what she was holding in each arm and resting on her hips.
In her left arm was a small Renart that looked exactly like a tiny version of Haruhime. The only difference they could see was the little girl had a white stripe down the middle of her fur and she had ruby red eyes.
In her right arm was a tiny version of what they all believed Bell would look like as a child. He had the same style of hair, but it was blonde instead of white. One eye was emerald, a perfect match to Haruhime's eyes. The other was ruby-red just like Bell's.
They watched the blue-haired woman smile and set the kids down. They both looked to be around 1 year old, but they hustled their way quickly over to Bell. He bent down and scooped them up in each arm when they got close and smiled brightly at both of them.
"Did you enjoy your first trip to the Guild, little ones?"
"It was so cool, dada! I didn't know mama was an adventurer too!"
"Ya! Mama is totally an adventurer too!"
They were both excited, but it seemed Bell's daughter was quicker to her excitement. Not that his son wasn't right behind her saying how awesome their mother was.
"That's because your mother is a mage, little ones. Her strength is different than mine."
"She's still cool!"
Bell's daughter reaches for Haruhime and Bell chuckles. Haruhime walks over with a smile on her face and takes her daughter from Bell. She puts her on her hip as Bell is doing and kisses Bell before smiling at her daughter again.
"You think your mama's cool, Ellia?"
"Of course I do mama!"
Bell looks to his son who is still clinging to his shoulder. He figured he'd be going to his hero adventurer mother next.
"You still my little man? Or are you going to jump ship to your mother too?"
Bell's son looks him right in the eye and Bell's glad to see him not reaching for Haruhime. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long as he looks behind him and reaches toward Ryuu. Bell can't help but sigh in defeat.
"Come on Ryli, not you too. Now Mama Ryuu stole you from me. I knew it was a bad idea to name you after her and tell you stories about Lili."
Ryuu walked right over to Bell and only increased everyone's shock. She kissed him right on the lips and took Ryli from Bell before setting him on her hip and bouncing him. It was then the blue-haired woman giggled and stepped forward. None could think anymore when she stepped into Bell's arms and they wrapped themselves up in each other.
"I hope your Goddess's love is a good substitute for your children abandoning you, my love."
"Mmm, I could think of nothing else that might fill the void, Artemis." Bell leaned down and kissed her in front of everyone. "Let's head home and spend some time together after we get settled."
They could only watch as Bell and nearly twenty other people filed past them toward Hearthfire Manor. It wasn't until they heard something being put up on the events board that their attention was on something other than the retreating form of Bell and his companions.
They all looked as Eina stepped away from hanging something and a big gasp was heard when they all read what it said. Pinned right in the middle read a new event in Orario.
FAMILIA REGISTERS IN ORARIO FOR FIRST TIME GOING FROM HUNTING TO EXPLORATION
THE ARTEMIS FAMILIA: EXPLORATION
GODDESS: ARTEMIS, GODDESS OF THE HUNT
CAPTAIN: BELL CRANEL, LEVEL 7
VICE-CAPTAIN: RYUU LION, LEVEL 6
EXECUTIVE: ELMINA GAROF, LEVEL 6
EXECUTIVE: WELF CROZZO, LEVEL 4
RANK: B
Everyone knew, nothing would ever be the same again in Orario.
.
.
.
Chapter 02: First Day Back in Orario
Ais Wallenstein had never been good with surprises or emotions. It was rare she was surprised by anyone or anything being as strong as she was. It isn't very easy to catch the Sword Princess by surprise.
Emotions though, those were tricky. It wasn't that she didn't have any, she simply had little experience with them. When she was a little girl, her father was killed, and her mother was captured.
She never got a chance to deal with any of that. She had been in a daze and then suddenly was in the Loki Familia. The only thing she could think to do was get stronger to rescue her mother, and no one ever told her it was only one way to deal with her problems.
The only person who she even felt comfortable talking to any of that about was Riveria. Ais had spoken more over the last two years about her emotions to Riveria than she had the previous 9 years she'd been in the Loki Familia.
Even if she had the last two years to talk about it a little, that didn't mean she was good at dealing with them yet. When it finally sunk in what Bell said and what she just witnessed, a tear came down her cheek.
Ais turned right toward Twilight Manor and took off like she was in the dungeon entering combat. She knocked over a few people in her rush to get home, but she didn't slow down. Instead, she heard Tiona and Lefiya calling out to her.
*TEMPEST*
Ais couldn't stop, and she couldn't let them catch up to her. She needed to think and she needed to do it alone. She sped right into Twilight Manor faster than most could see, and it wasn't long until she was away from everyone and hidden.
Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya had tried to catch up to Ais, but she was too fast. She was nearly impossible to catch normally. When she turned on Tempest, they had no chance.
All three stopped in the hallway of Twilight Manor realizing they had no idea where she went. It didn't take long until the racket was noticed by one of the higher-ups though.
"What's going on?"
It was Finn who stepped into the hall after he heard all the racket. Of course, it was Tione who answered as quickly as she could with a smile on her face.
"We were trying to catch Ais, Captain!"
Finn tilted his head and raised his eyebrow at them. Tione thought it was the cutest thing she'd ever seen. She was too lost staring at him now to explain the situation further so Finn said.
"Well play somewhere else. You can't be wrecking our home."
"We weren't playing! Ais saw Mr. Argonaut and got all emotional and stuff! She ran away and we were trying to talk to her! I've never seen her like that!"
"So Bell Cranel is back?"
Tiona was as excited as always. She'd probably be this energetic arranging a funeral. Finn, on the other hand, wanted information. He knew it was a possibility Bell would return today, it must have just happened if no one else had heard about it.
"Back! Back! Back doesn't begin to describe it! Mr. Argonaut, he's Level 7!"
"He's what?!"
Even cool, calm, collected Finn was surprised by that news. The boy was Level 4 when he left two years ago. He had no idea how Bell Cranel gained 3 Levels in two years, let alone how in the world he did it outside of Orario.
"Although she acts like a fool, Tiona is correct. It said on the guild post that Bell Cranel is Level 7 now, Captain."
"How in the world?..."
Finn was curious now, and his thumb was throbbing something fierce. Tione kept explaining to her beloved Captain. If she didn't, her too excited sister would make a fool of both of them.
"That's probably not the most interesting thing we learned when we ran into him, Captain."
"There's more?"
"Quite a bit actually. Bell's Vice-Captain is the elf from the Hostess of Fertility, Ryuu. She's Level 6. They also posted two other executives. The smith, Welf Crozzo's, he's Level 4, and there was a name I never heard as the second, Elmina Garof. I have no idea who that is, but she is Level 6 as well."
"That's..."
Finn was having trouble processing how strong Bell Cranel's Familia now was, but he never got to start because Tione wasn't done.
"I'm not finished, Captain." Tione rather liked his wide-eyed look. He was very cute like that. "There were also about twenty or thirty more people in his Familia, and we have no idea what Levels they are."
"Gods! How in the-"
"I'm still not done, Captain." Tione is loving interrupting Finn. "Bell also happens to have two children. It looks like they are from Haruhime. I'm sure you're wondering why I said it like that?"
Finn just nodded his head, this was a lot to take in.
"Well, it appears he's in a relationship with Haruhime, Ryuu, and his Goddess. And before you interrupt again, his Goddess isn't Goddess Hestia. Bell Cranel registered as the Captain of the Artemis Familia."
Finn not only felt his head spinning from all this information, his thumb was throbbing so bad it felt like it was going to explode.
"Raul!" Finn only waits five seconds after not seeing him appear. "Raul!"
Raul did finally appear right as Finn was about to shout again.
"I need you to go to the Guild and get every piece of information you can about the Artemis Familia."
Raul was never one to question orders from Finn. He bowed and ran out of Twilight Manor quickly. Finn turned and headed toward his office. There was a lot of work to be done.
Between Bell, Haruhime, Ryuu, Welf, and Mikoto, they had managed to get everyone settled relatively quickly into Hearth Manor. Ryli and Ellia had worn themselves out already with their excitement of arriving in Orario and going to the guild. Artemis had gone to see to them, and now Bell stood in an open doorway.
He didn't know how long he had been standing there, but he couldn't bring himself to enter the room. Bell had thought he got over this a long time ago, but it still hurt staring into Hestia's room.
Perhaps it was because they were keeping it as it was, and no one would ever live in it again. However, the memory of Goddess Hestia leaving him kept playing over and over again in his mind.
x
Bell had just hit Antares with the Arrow of the Orion and killed him. Now, there was only one thing left to do to end this. Bell pulled out the Hestia Knife and approach the remains of Antares. There was nothing he could do to stop the tears streaming down his face.
The closer he got to the crystal, the more his heart broke. Bell had finally realized, only a month ago, what love truly meant. He had mistaken so many things for love since he arrived in Orario.
Now, he knew what love truly felt like. Bell had known before, but he couldn't see it. It was hidden behind a perfect picture Bell had created of his own doing. He had mistaken admiration and drive as love, but now he knew better.
As he approaches the crystal and a woman he had grown to love in a very short time, Bell couldn't help but feel the other side of love he hadn't had to deal with yet. The pain of losing someone you love.
Bell had been lucky. When he confessed to Haruhime and Ryuu that he loved them both, but didn't know how to chose between them, he had gotten lucky. They had told him he didn't need to choose, they both loved him as well and they could make it work.
They both had different reasons for it. Haruhime went the route of not being worthy again, and it was then Bell realized he never told her what he knew of her time in the Ishtar Familia. Even after she finally believed him, it didn't change her mind about sharing him with Ryuu.
Ryuu, on the other hand, had her own reasons. Bell thought they were ridiculous, but she wouldn't be swayed no matter what he said. She not only didn't think herself pretty enough, which was completely insane. She also didn't think she could show him the kind of love she wanted to as Haruhime could.
Bell assured both of them they didn't have to do this, but they agreed anyway even after they spoke. When they had met Artemis a few days later, and Bell had felt a connection with her, Ryuu and Haruhime actually encouraged him to spend time with her.
It was a very different thing for Bell. He never believed he'd love a Goddess, but what he felt for Artemis couldn't be helped. Now that Bell knew what it was, he fell in love with her quickly.
Now that he stood in front of the crystal she was trapped in with the Hestia Knife in hand, Bell could only think back to how he failed her. He promised to protect her, and now he had to kill her. He doubts he'd ever feel this useless again.
"I'm... sorry... love."
Bell could barely get those words out as he drew the Hestia Knife back to break the crystal and pierce her heart. When it started to go forward, Bell froze right before he broke it as a voice yelled out from behind him.
"STOP!"
Bell turned to see his Goddess right behind him. Hestia put her hand on his holding the knife and made Bell drop it to his side. She looked him right in the eye, and Bell can't remember ever seeing his Goddess smile so bright.
"I'll take care of this Bell. Please, go wait with the others."
Bell looked at his Goddess and shook his head. He couldn't let her do this. Artemis was her best friend and there was no way he'd allow her to be the one to take her life.
"It has to be... me, Goddess."
Hestia grabbed both sides of his face and made Bell look right at her. He had no idea how she could still be smiling like that in this situation.
"It doesn't, Bell. I know I... don't express my love for you in the best ways, but I won't let you be the one to do this Bell. I love you too much."
"Goddess, I..."
Hestia cut him off before he could continue.
"I know Bell, and it is alright. I wish you loved me as I do you, but I know it is not meant to be." her smile got brighter somehow. "Not yet."
Hestia laughed at him, and it made Bell laugh as well. It had been the hardest thing he had ever done to tell her he didn't love her as she did him. His Goddess got over it though and still loved him.
"I will handle this Bell, and who knows, perhaps our ten thousand years of love will begin sooner than we think."
Bell had been confused by her words. So confused in fact, she caught him off guard. Hestia shoved Bell and he fell off the Antares body.
The next thing Bell knew, a bright white column of light ascended to the heavens. Bell hadn't needed for the light to go away before he realized what happened, he felt it.
When the light cleared, the crystal was broken, Artemis stood there naked, and Hestia was gone. The fact Bell could feel his Falna missing told him everything he needed to know about what Hestia had just done.
x
Bell had never cried harder than he did that day. He was grateful others had some of their wits about them or Artemis would have been naked for hours if it had been up to Bell to cover her.
As he stood outside her room, he felt tears wanting to start again. He had pushed those memories in the back of his mind to deal with them, but now they were hitting him full force.
Bell would have been lost in those memories for much longer until he felt a pair of arms wrap around him. He looked down to see Artemis staring up at him, and he could see the concern on her face.
"Are you alright, my love?"
"Yes, I..." Bell blew out a breath. "I didn't think it would be this hard seeing her room again. I suppose I simply pushed those thoughts away, but I can't do that now standing here."
He watched Artemis turn to look at the room too. He could tell she was struggling as well so he wrapped her up in his arms. She relaxed a lot quicker than he did.
"I'll never be able to repay my friend for what she did. I wish she didn't have to. Plus..." Artemis giggled and Bell loved to hear it. It lifted his mood considerably. "She's never going to let me live this down when we meet again. I bet I'll be paying her back for this for a very, very long time."
They both laughed and Bell turned to Artemis fully to wrap her up in his arms. She felt so small against him now when he did this. When they first met, they were the exact same height.
Now, Artemis was still the same height, but Bell had grown seven inches in the last two years to stand at an even six feet tall. Her head was buried in his chest instead of resting on his shoulder.
Bell felt two more pairs of arms wrap around him and saw Ryuu and Haruhime hugging each of his sides. It felt good to be so loved and it made the pain of being at Hestia's room lessen to almost nonexistent levels.
Bell didn't know if that made him happy or sad though, he never wanted to forget Hestia or what she did for him. Haruhime finally broke the silence after they all gave Bell some comfort.
"We should have lunch while Ryli and Ellia are napping. There is no doubt they'll want to run all around the city once they awaken."
Bell nodded and they all headed down to eat. All of them were starved after having to spend all morning at the Guild without eating. It was also the first time they ever ate in the Dining Hall.
Hestia Familia had been small enough that they ate around the small table near the kitchen. Now, the Artemis Familia was much larger than five people and they ate with everyone.
Bell enjoyed lunch with his Familia. He knew the rest of the day would be hectic. Once Ryli and Ellia woke up, he'd need to show them as much of Orario as he could in one day. With that in mind, Bell stood at the end of lunch to address his Familia.
"I am glad to see all of you have gotten settled quickly. For any who wish to come to see some of Orario, we will be leaving to show Ryli and Ellia much of the city in an hour. Dyzex and Ari have already volunteered to stay behind to guard our home if all of you wish to join us."
Bell motioned to the dark elf and pretty blonde human girl as he said that last part.
"Today shall not be the only opportunity you have to explore if you wish to get settled into your rooms more instead of touring the city. I want to give everyone a few days to get used to being in Orario before we head into the dungeon."
Bell looked around making sure everyone was listening. They all heard tales of Orario no matter where they were from, but he needed to remind them to stick together.
"If you wish to explore the city on your own, that is also fine. I ask that you please, at least, have one other from our Familia with you if you do wish to explore different parts of the city. We will be back in time for dinner or you may stay out to explore at your leisure. Thank you, everyone, for joining us in Orario."
Bell was met with cheers and whistles from the rest of his Familia. He never thought in a million years he'd be the Captain of a Familia with this many people. Even if it wasn't called the Hestia Familia anymore, he hoped she was looking down on him and was proud.
"A very fine speech, Captain."
Bell looked down to see Ari looking up at him from across the table. She had become a good friend since he left Orario and they met her and Elmina on the road. Bell shrugged his shoulders before he answered his friend.
"It's easy to talk to family, Ari. I wouldn't really call that a speech either."
"It was still good no matter what you call it, Captain."
Bell's eyes are drawn to the Amazon next to the blonde girl who spoke up. Never in his life did Bell believe he'd have so much trust and faith in an assassin as he did her.
"Well, thank you, Elmina. How did the both of you settle into your rooms?"
"I love it. It is nice and comfy and much nicer than I thought it would be! I'm still surprised how big this place is!"
Ari was excited, obviously, Elmina was to the point as always.
"I like it. I'm going to skip the tour and get to work setting up my network. Is that alright, Captain?"
Bell eyed her up. Elmina loved working and he needed to get her to relax more every once in a while.
"That's fine with me, Elmina. Please take someone with you, Avyx ideally." He smirked when she rolled her eyes. "What? He's your 'successor', he needs to learn the ropes."
"I'm sure that's why you're sending him..."
Elmina muttered that under her breath, but Bell heard her. He did have the senses of a Level 7.
"Oh, don't be like that. I'm sure he'll stop challenging you one of these days, Elmina."
Bell smiled at her, but she scowled and got up from the table. Bell couldn't hold back the laugh when Ari started laughing herself.
Pretty soon they were all laughing as Elmina made her way out of the Dining Hall. Avyx trailing behind her like a lost puppy. He wished the Dark Elf good luck on his pursuit.
Bell had then left and made his way to his children's room while everyone else got ready to tour the city. No matter Bell's mood, it always made him happy to lay eyes upon his children.
They were both still napping when he entered. Bell only managed to stare at their cute, sleeping, little bodies for a few minutes before both of them had stirred. It was as if they could sense him in the room and just wanted to be awake to spend time with their daddy.
Once he had gotten them ready, he made his way downstairs to meet up with everyone. Ryli and Ellia were each in an arm and had their heads buried in the crook of his neck. He thought they didn't sleep enough and were still tired until they met up with everyone else.
The moment Ryli and Ellia were around the entire Familia, they both wanted to be set down and talk to everyone. It worried Bell and made him happy that his children loved being around other people.
When the entire Familia, except for a few members, was ready to go, Bell and everyone set off to explore Orario. Ryli and Ellia had wormed their ways into being carried by Rose and Rosarya.
It would probably look strange to most that two elves were carrying children that obviously weren't theirs, but everyone in the Artemis Familia had seen it enough to not even react to it.
Bell knew he wouldn't be able to show everyone the whole city in one day, but he'd show them the important things first. When they left Hearth Manor, they went toward Babel then went north.
First, Bell took them to the clothing shops in the northern part of Orario. Everyone seemed enamored with everything they saw, and most of them bought a few items here and there.
After that, he showed them the Goibniu Familia shops. No one bought anything here, but he wanted to show them what to aim for in the future and where to go for repairs. Welf was an amazing smith, but the man could only handle so much. He was only one man.
Next, they went to the Dian Cecht Familia shops. He wanted to show them where the 'hospital' was. Bell and everyone else still planned on getting their potions and other dungeon needs from the Miach Familia.
Bell led everyone to the Blue Pharmacy after he showed them where the Dian Cecht Familia was. Lord Miach and Naaza were thrilled when he showed up and informed them the whole Familia intended to keep coming to them for their business.
After that, he led them to the market area. Most of them just browsed, but a few of them bought some items they wished to have. Bell was surprised they didn't spend more time there, but everyone seemed to want to move on.
The last two places Bell took everyone were Amor Square and then Café Wishe. Bell wanted them to know where the square was as it was a good meeting spot. Café Wishe happened to be very close to Hearth Manor so he wanted them to have someplace to go eat or have tea that was close to home.
After those last two places, they were right next to Hearth Manor and the giant circle tour had been completed. There was still plenty of Orario to cover, but it was a good first day.
They also made it back with an hour to spare for dinner. That left only one thing to do, and Bell wasn't looking forward to this. Bell knew this wasn't really goodbye, but it felt like it to him.
It didn't hit him fully until he was standing in her doorway and saw the room completely empty except for the furniture that came with it and her packed-up belongings. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to do without her, but she had repaid the debt she believed she owed a hundred times over in Bell's eyes.
"You ready?"
Mikoto snapped back to reality at the sound of Bell's voice. She had been remembering everything that happened in this room before he showed up.
There were so many memories she had with Haruhime in this room, it was hard to remember every single one of them. She blew out a breath and turned to face her Captain.
"Not as ready as I thought I'd be, Captain."
Mikoto had a seriousness to her voice Bell didn't expect, but it didn't stop him from laughing at what she said. Mikoto tilted her head cutely to the side and didn't even have to ask the question.
"I've known you almost three years Mikoto, and you still can't bring yourself to call me Bell. Are you going to be calling me Mr. Cranel when I'm no longer your Captain?"
Mikoto let out a small laugh. It was true she always called him Captain, but it was because of how much she respected Bell. Mikoto had gotten very close to Bell over the last two years.
It was no mystery to Mikoto why Haruhime, Ryuu, and Goddess Artemis loved Bell. Ari as well, no matter how much the woman denied it. If she hadn't fallen in love with Lord Take before she met Bell, she could easily see herself loving him as well.
She did love him, just not the way the others did. Mikoto didn't know how anyone couldn't love Bell in some way. He was the best man Mikoto had ever met.
"I suppose someone will have to call you that now that Ryuu has stopped doing it." They both share a small laugh. "For my friend though. I think I can find someone else to call you that... Bell."
The smile on Bell's face made Mikoto smile. His smile was always infectious. When he suddenly stepped forward and hugged her, it did catch her off guard.
"I'm going to miss you, Mikoto. Thank you for everything you did."
While Bell had grown considerably taller during their two years away, Mikoto had only grown two more inches to make her five foot, four inches now. She would have thought hugging Bell with her head in his chest would be awkward, but when she finally wrapped her arms around him, it didn't feel awkward at all.
"It was an honor, Bell. Thank you for making me stronger than I ever thought I'd be."
They stood there for a few more seconds saying goodbye just holding one another before they both stepped back. Bell was surprised to see a single tear streak down Mikoto's face.
It wasn't until he needed to sniffle that he realized he had shed a tear as well. Both smiled at the other and wiped away the evidence before they headed off to the home of the Takemikazuchi Familia.
The walk was filled with talk from Artemis, Welf, and Haruhime toward Mikoto. Ryuu stayed to get the kids ready for dinner and it wouldn't take them long. They were soon knocking and being let in. Lord Take was surprised to see them, and especially Lady Artemis. It wasn't long until she explained the short reason why she was here, the other, it could wait.
"I didn't want Mikoto walking around without a Falna in case something happened. Also..." Take didn't recall ever seeing Artemis smirk before, but she was doing it. "I wanted to see your reaction."
Take, Artemis, and Mikoto was soon disappearing behind a door to transfer Mikoto back to the Takemikazuchi Familia.
It was no surprise to anyone what reaction Artemis meant. Half of Orario probably heard Lord Take when he shouted out.
"What! You're Level 5!"
After that, Bell and everyone said goodbye to the Takemikazuchi Familia so they could have their own private reunion with Mikoto. When they were near Babel, Bell sent everyone else back to Hearth Manor as he went to the last place he needed to for the day.
Ryuu didn't need to say it to him, but he knew she volunteered to stay behind because he would be stopping here after they left Mikoto with her old Familia. Bell knew that even after all this time, she was still processing this information.
Bell blew out a breath and steeled himself as he entered the Hostess of Fertility. He should have known to expect what happened, but it was nothing but awkward now.
"Bell!"
Syr launched herself into him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Bell had no idea how to respond to this anymore. He couldn't manage to do anything but awkwardly pat her on the back a few times until Syr stepped back.
"Where's everyone else?"
"They are... still getting settled again. I wanted to let you know we were back. Do you want to talk now or later?"
"I'm working now, but I made sure we would have plenty of time tomorrow to catch up and talk, Bell. I also wanted to give you this." Syr held out an envelope to Bell and he took it. He was going to open it, but Syr stopped him from doing that. "Open it at home, it is for all of your Familia."
"Alright... I'll do that..."
"Why are you acting so strange, Bell?"
The smirk on Syr's face was not something Bell was used to, and now that he sees it, he can't believe he never figured this out earlier. He supposed he should give her some credit for telling them who she really was and helping them during their exile.
"I'm not really sure... what to call you anymore..."
Syr's giggle did nothing to answer his question, and it made him a bit uncomfortable.
"I'm Syr, silly." Syr got very close to Bell so she could whisper in his ear. "But come by Folkvangr tomorrow. You can call me Freya then, my rabbit."
Bell nodded his head and shared another awkward hug with Syr/Freya then departed back to Hearth Manor. While she had helped them a lot during their exile, Bell knew she wanted something from it, and it wasn't very hard to figure out what. The only question Bell really needed to answer was...
Was he strong enough to beat back the Freya Familia if he denied whatever she was going to ask of them?
THE END