Bell helped Aisha walk as he and the rest of his group left the pleasure district. The top half of Aisha's sword was buried into her thigh and had yet to be removed.
Her legs were also still weak from Bell's final strike against her. But Aisha enjoyed the fight nonetheless.
"You really gave me a beating there. You have a vendetta against women or something?" Aisha teased.
"No, I just learned to not hold back while fighting," Bell responded.
"Oh? Does that translate to other things?" Aisha cooed.
"Wouldn't know." Bell absentmindedly responded.
He adjusted Aisha's arm as there was a considerable height difference between the two. Making it rather difficult for him to help her walk.
As they left the pleasure district more and more people from the Ganesha familia and a few from the Astraea familia arrived to help with rescue efforts.
Walking for a little while longer the group eventually arrived at the Stardust Garden. Bell lightly kicked the gate and waited.
"You think anyone's home?" Regis asked.
"Yeah, the lights are on," Bell said.
Haruhime and Aisha remained quiet. The two didn't really know what to say now. They were free, and the prospect of freedom was liberating. As well as scary.
A second later the front door opened and Kaguya approached the gate. Her eyes widened briefly in shock before she hurriedly opened the door.
"Gods Bell what happened?" She asked helping Aisha walk.
"Long story," Bell responded.
The two escorted the injured Aisha inside to the living room where Miach and Nazha were sitting. They sat in chairs next to a fireplace that wasn't lit.
Scattered around were tables and couches with board games and plants as well. It had a very homey feel to it but Bell wasn't focused on that.
When they entered the room Astraea's eyes widened in shock. It was then Miach and Nazha turned around and Miach simply quirked an eyebrow.
"Guessing you tripped?" He calmly asked standing up.
"Yeah...let's go with that." Aisha and Bell responded.
Kaguya and Bell then sat Aisha down on the chair Miach had previously sat in. Nazha got up as well and took two potions out of her pocket.
Miach crouched down by Aisha's leg and examined it while Regis guided Haruhime to where Nazha had sat. The Renard took the chair slightly worried for her sister figure but knew she was in good hands.
"So Bell." Astraea began. "What did you do?"
Bell turned to face Astraea. His face still bleeding from the cuts in his cheek. "Uh, if I tell you the truth will I be in trouble?"
Astraea straightened herself. "No, well depends on what you did. You didn't break the law did you?"
Bell looked to Regis. "Uh, I don't think so. Hey Regis is freeing slaves illegal?"
"I don't know. It if is that's a dumbass law." Regis said.
Astraea sighed as she knew Bell was telling the truth. While yes freeing slaves wasn't illegal she could tell that these two girls were from the Ishtar familia. Kaguya quickly pieced this together too.
"You went to the pleasure district!" Kaguya gasped.
Bell pointed at Kaguya."Yes, but not for the reason you're thinking, and I also got caught up in the war there on complete accident."
"Kids telling the truth. He had no idea what was about to go down." Regis answered.
Nazha handed Miach a potion as he took the blade out of Aisha's thigh. Aisha winced while Haruhime felt a little queasy.
Miach was quick to pour the potion on the wound afterward and then bandage it up. "It should be fine within a few days. It'll probably scar but there's nothing I can do about that."
Aisha smiled. "It's fine, I'm used to a little pain."
Nazha then walked over to Bell and lightly grabbed his face. Bell winced as she looked at the cuts on his cheek.
"Hmm, those are pretty deep. Luckily for you, you know two amazing doctors." Nazha teased. She uncorked the reaming potion bottle and poured the contents on Bell's face.
The boy winced again as the wounds began to close. Once done Bell had two noticeable scars perpendicular to each other on his right cheek.
"Oh looks like these will scar." Nazha winced.
"Aw, and you had such a pretty face," Kaguya grumbled.
"Agreed," Aisha added.
"Hear that playboy. You had a pretty face." Regis sarcastically cooed.
Bell rolled his eyes and turned back to Astraea. "Well, there you have it. I was at the pleasure district, got caught up in a war, and rescued two slaves in the process."
Astraea nodded as Bell told no lie. "Very well, but I do have one question. How come you didn't come to me for help? You said it yourself you didn't expect a war to happen."
Bell grimaced and looked away. "Because I don't want to rely on you."
Astraea sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Bell, if you have a problem you can come to me. This was Ishtar you were going up against."
"I know and I'm very stupid for doing this. Now can we drop it, there are things I'd rather not talk about in the open." Bell replied.
Bell glanced at Haruhime and Aisha then back to Astraea. The goddess got the message loud and clear. Bell didn't want those two knowing about his past.
"Very well we'll leave this matter for another time. You of course are welcome to stay here for the night. All of you." Astraea accented.
Bell'a body seemed to relax as he sat down. He didn't realize how tired his body was until just now. The fight with Aisha had taken a lot out of him.
That's what he got for picking a fight with a level three while he was a level one.
"Tired old friend," Regis asked.
Bell nodded. "A little."
"You could always sleep with me." Kaguya sang.
"No thanks." Bell deadpanned.
"Virgin powers activate," Regis said through their mental link.
Bell flicked him off through their link.
"Well, I have a few spare rooms you all can sleep in. It is a mansion after all." Astraea said.
"Do you have a doggy bed for Regis?" Bell asked.
"Shut up Prince Charming."
Haruhime giggled at the banter between the two. She could tell they were close despite the demeaning nicknames.
"Alright, I'll have Kaguya show you to your rooms. You're also welcome to join us for breakfast in the morning as well." Astraea spoke.
Miach gave the goddess a curt bow. "Thank you, Astraea. Your hospitality is very kind."
Astraea stood and smiled. "Well, of course, I will always help those in need. Especially those that really need it."
Astraea looked at Bell when she said that last part. But the boy didn't pick up on that as he stood.
Aisha and Haruhime stood as well and the group followed Kaguya throughout the house as she led them to the guest rooms. Miach was the first to enter one. Followed by Nazha and then Haruhime and Aisha. The Amazon wanted to keep an eye on her so-called little sister. Even without having a Falna.
The last was Bell who had a room at the end of the hallway. He went to open the door but Kaguya placed her hand on his shoulder. Bell closed his eyes and was expecting more of Kaguya acting like herself.
However, when he opened his eyes and looked at her he saw her gaze full of worry.
"Bell, you know you can come to me if you need help with anything, and I mean anything," Kaguya said.
Bell averted his gaze. "I know, but I can't grow as a person if I let someone fight my battles for me."
Kaguya clicked her tongue. "So stubborn, guess you really are Silver's son."
Bell chuckled. "Wouldn't know, never met him." He shrugged.
Kaguya cringed. "Bell I'm sorry I didn't mean it to come out that way."
"It's fine Kaguya, but if you'll excuse me I'm a lot more tired than I thought I was," Bell said.
Kaguya looked like she wanted to protest. But kept her mouth shut and let go of Bell.
"Of course don't let me keep you. Goodnight Bell."
"Goodnight Kaguya."
Kaguya then left walking back down the hallway as Bell opened the door. It was a simple room with a bed, nightstand, and a dresser. No decorations or anything since no one occupied the room.
Bell didn't really care however as he shuffled over to the bed and plopped down on it. His eyes were already shut once the head hit the pillow. He felt the bed shift slightly as Regis added his weight to it.
"Long night huh?" The dog asked.
"Yup."
"So you have a pretty fox and a busty Amazon indebted to you. The old man would be proud."
"Just trying to be a hero Regis."
The dog chuckled. "I know, that's why he'd be proud. The women would just be the cherry on top."
Bell allowed a small smirk to grace his tired lips. "We both know he'd be raving about the women."
Regis chuckled as he lay down. "Oh most definitely."
Bell let out a tired sigh as he sunk deeper into the mattress. He felt himself slip away into the land of dreams as he went to sleep.
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Bell awoke many hours later to the sun peeking in through the window. He sat up and realized that he wasn't under the covers but above them.
"Wow, such a nice house guest. Not even the covers are disturbed." Regis joked. He hopped on the bed and onto the ground and waited for Bell.
"Ugh, what time is it?" Bell yawned.
Regis thought for a second. "Around nine in the morning."
Bell yawned again and stretched as he stood up. He looked down at his canine companion who stared back up at him.
"Breakfast?"
"Breakfast."
Bell then walked to the door and opened it. Regis followed behind him as he shut the door and began to walk down the hallway.
"Mind showing me where the dining room is?" Bell asked.
"Why of course master Bell. Tell me would your palate consist of green eggs and ham?" Regis asked with a cockney accent.
Bell rolled his eyes as he followed Regis. "Shut up dog."
"Hmm, I don't believe that is on the menu today. Maybe you should try I'll bite you if you call me a dog again."
Bell chuckled as the two walked past the living room. Inside was a pink hair prum and pink eyes. She was sitting at a small round table making bombs when she heard talking coming from down the hall.
She perked her head up and looked to the door just as Bell and Regis walked past. A sense of familiarity passed through her mind seeing the dog. Yet she couldn't remember where.
But the boy, oh she knew the boy was Silver's son just by taking a look at him. He had his eyes and also some of his mannerisms. Mostly the chuckle.
Silver always loved to chuckle.
The prum was quick to stop what she was doing and ran after the two. Bell heard her tiny little footsteps and turned to see her catching up to them.
"Wait up Sleeping Beauty!" Lyra called out.
"What is it with everyone and calling me fairy tale names," Bell muttered to himself.
Lyra stopped in front of him and looked up. Bell definitely had Silver's eyes. Yet that dog, Lyra couldn't quite figure out why he felt familiar to her.
"You heading to the dining room?" She asked.
Bell nodded. "Yeah, at least I think so." He played ignorant.
Bell had to lest Lyra get suspicious of him knowing where to dining room was. He had only been here once after all and that was to drop off a letter to Astraea.
Lyra took the bait and chuckled. "Alright, Sleeping Beauty follow me. I also want to ask you some questions."
Lyra strode in front of Bell placing her hands on the back of her head. Bell closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Again with the names." He thought.
Bell followed Lyra with Regis close behind him. The pinkette glanced back at Bell as the boy caught up to her.
"So tell me...what's a level one thinking of taking on the entire Ishtar familia? Takes a lot of balls to do that." Lyra asked.
Bell shrugged. "Simple really, I wasn't thinking. I just saw someone that needed help and helped them."
"Well, you're an idiot for thinking that way. It's going to be hard for us to keep an eye on you if you keep doing things like that." Lyra told him.
Regis held back a snicker at the comment. The prum glanced at the dog and quirked an eyebrow. She wondered what was so funny.
"Yes, I'm well aware that my line of thinking was dumb. But I don't want to rely on people the entire time I'm here. Can't grow that way." Bell responded.
Lyra clicked her tongue. "Great you're stubborn too."
"Her name's Lyra by the way," Regis told him through their mental link.
Bell nodded but didn't respond as he kept following the prum. Eventually after another 30 seconds or so they arrived at the dining room.
It was just one giant table with around 20 or so chairs. Off to the right was the kitchen where everyone was getting their food. In front of Bell was an array of windows allowing a view into the outside world and allowing sunlight to peek in.
Everyone else seemed to be milling about with many members Bell hadn't seen before. But he could see Kaguya and Alise talking off to the side.
Ryu and Ardee were sitting at the table along with Haruhime, Miach, Nazha, and Aisha. It seemed like Bell was the last to wake up. Something he didn't like.
"Well, here we are. Go in and eat or talk with your familia. Like Astraea said you're welcome to stay here." Lyra said.
Bell looked down at her and nodded before walking over to Miach and Nazha. The two looked up and smiled at him as he sat down.
"Slept well?" Miach asked.
Bell nodded. "Yeah, but how come you didn't wake me?"
"You had a long night. Thought you should sleep in a little bit." Nazha replied.
"Thanks...I guess." Bell responded.
Nazha and Miach looked at Bell confused and Regis took this chance to speak up.
"Forgive him, Bell likes to wake up early and sees any time he's slept away as wasted time." The dog explained.
Miach chuckled and patted Bell on the back. "Resting properly is not wasting time. Take it from me I'm a doctor."
Bell smirked finding the joke slightly funny. "Alright, I'm hungry. What's for breakfast?"
"Me," Aisha whispered into his ear.
"Ah! Where did you come from?!" Bell jumped.
"Just down the table." She cooed.
Bell calmed down as Aisha placed her hand on his shoulder. He felt like there was a predator staring right at him.
"So for breakfast Nazha and I saved you a plate of bacon and scrambled eggs. Here's some juice as well." Miach passed the plate along to Bell.
Bell took the objects and set them in front of him. Aisha removed her hand from his shoulder after giving it a squeeze and moving back to Haruhime.
Bell silently ate his breakfast. He didn't realize how hungry he was until just now. He ate slowly though. He had manners after all.
Bell had to hold back his laughter when he heard Regis's and Ardee's conversation.
"Um...Regis...can I pet you again?" Ardee shyly asked.
Regis sighed and nodded his head. He could hear Bell poking fun at him for being petted again but he ignored him. He had a soft spot for kids and those who were severely traumatized. Which he could tell Ardee was.
Regis sighed feeling Ardee's hand run through his fur. He didn't like being pet. It made him feel like an animal and he wasn't one. He was just a weapon who took the form of a dog.
"Hey, no negative thoughts. You're not just a weapon." Bell chided through their link.
"What are you my shrink?"
"Gods no. Could you imagine me being able to sit still?"
Regis chuckled. "No, not for a while. But it's the truth Bell. I was made to be a weapon."
"Eh screw the truth. You're my dog first and foremost and a weapon second."
Regis rolled his eyes. He really should bite the boy. Yet he didn't feel like it right now.
"I'm biting you later."
"Oh, I'm so scared."
Bell continued to eat his breakfast while Ardee kept petting Regis. To his dismay, Miach and Nazha had snuck off leaving Alise and Kaguya to take their spots next to Bell.
"Why do I feel like I'm not gonna like this conversation?" Bell asked.
Kaguya grabbed him and pulled him close."Because Alise is mad at you. But don't worry your big sis Kaguya will protect you."
Bell sighed and let it happen. "And why is she mad at me? I didn't do anything."
Alise grabbed his chin and pointed at his new scars. "These say otherwise!"
Bell groaned and rolled his eyes. "They're not that bad, and besides I find them cool."
Alise let go of his chin and frowned at him. "You know we can't keep an eye on you if you don't come to us for help. Especially against someone like Ishtar."
Bell sighed. "Alright fine I'll come to you for help next time. Happy?"
Alise flicked his forehead causing Bell to deadpan. "I'm less angry at you now."
"Great, now can I go back to eating my breakfast, please? I need to toss Regis a piece."
"You give Regis some of your food?" Kaguya asked.
"Yeah isn't that unsafe for him? Pretty sure they make food specifically for dogs." Alise added.
Bell had to bite his tongue to not bust out laughing. He could hear Regis grumbling behind him yet still letting Ardee pet him.
"Well, Regis is a magic dog. So he doesn't really need to eat food. Or sleep for that matter. I've just been giving him a part of my food since I was little, and it's kind of a habit that hasn't gone away." Bell explained.
It wasn't exactly a lie nor was it the full truth. But the two women didn't need a reminder about Regis when they were made to forget him. Bell didn't know how the memory wiping worked so he was going to keep as many details about Regis a secret if he could.
"Which reminds me. Regis catch!"
Bell tossed the dog a piece of bacon. It soared through the air and Regis jumped up to catch it. He easily did so and landed on the ground eating it.
Ardee looked at the scene with stars in her eyes. To her, that trick was one of the coolest things she had ever seen. How Bell knew where to aim despite looking at Regis for less than a second, and how he jumped up and caught it so seamlessly.
"Looks like you just scored some brownie points with Ardee here."
"What how?"
"I did a cool trick." Regis bragged.
Bell sighed and shook his head. He then turned to Kaguya who still held him. "You can let go of me now."
"No. You're cuddly and warm."
Bell sighed again. He had no doubt that his Grandfather was cheering at him from heaven right now.
No doubt at all.
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In a cabin deep in the woods on the other side of the world, a man awoke. He took in a deep breath of air and grabbed his chest.
He could've sworn he was dead. He remembered the sword buried in his stomach and him breathing his final breath.
So how was he alive and in this abandoned cabin?
He pushed that thought aside and pushed himself to his feet. There was a pouch with what he assumed to be filled with Valis on a dresser as well as a letter.
He walked over to it and read it. It told him how he was still alive and that the pouch he saw was indeed full of Valis. Right now he was in the woods to the south-west of Babylon and was supposed to take a boat to Orario.
His deeds had been forgotten and his mission was to watch over a kid named Bell.
So after getting his mission the man grabbed the pouch and started heading for a port.
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Night had fallen in Orario and Bell once again laid on the couch in the Blue Pharmacy. Haruhime and Aisha were taking Nazha's bed while Nazha shared a bed with Miach.
Regis and Bell obviously took the opportunity to tease the poor woman until she was a blushing and stuttering mess.
Aisha and Haruhime had also joined the familia as well which was nice. It meant Bell wouldn't be going into the dungeon with just Regis now.
But as Bell laid on the couch his mind wandered to Freya and her familia. It was obvious to him and Regis that Freya was after him.
To what extent he didn't know but he did have some tricks up his sleeve should the need arise.
"You also have me. Your glorious savior from the goddess of beauty who wants to devour you whole." Regis goaded.
Bell felt a chill run down his spine at that last part. He knew it was true and that's what unsettled him.
But his mind wandered to other things. Mainly where the people he wanted to see were. He didn't know if Demeter was back in town.
Nor Hermes. But he knew that Anya, Allen, and Heith should be somewhere.
"Wanna know the easier way to find them?" Regis asked.
Bell perked up slightly. "Of course."
"Make a big name for yourself. That'll make it easier for them to find you."
Bell put his head back down and groaned. "Got my hopes up for nothing."
"No, I'm serious. A million people live in this city. The chances of you bumping into them on the street are very low. That's why you need to make waves and a lot of noise to draw attention to you. That's how they'll find you."
Bell was quiet for a second as Regis's plan made quite a lot of sense. He was naive for thinking he'd just be able to find them in this massive city.
But naivety comes with age and Bell still had a lot of growing to do. He sat up and reached over to his bag taking out pictures of Alfia and Zeus.
He looked longingly at the two. His eyes and body filling with a deep sadness. He let out a sigh and pressed the pictures to his chest.
Regis seeing this began to tell him a story.
"I ever tell you about the time your dad outsmarted Alfia?"
Bell perked his head up. His right eyebrow raised in curiosity and confusion. "He outsmarted Alfia? Alfia of all people?"
"Oh yeah, your dad did it a few more times. Each time he'd always brag about it to her face. Safe to say it pissed her off a lot."
Bell chuckled and laid back down. "No, you've never told me that story."
"Alright well get ready for this. So what had happened that day was Silver wanted to see your mom. But Alfia didn't really like your dad so she did a lot to keep him away. Didn't work of course you're proof of that."
Bell let out a small laugh as Regis continued.
"Anyway, your dad was head over heels in love with your mom and nothing was going to stop him. So what he did was he snuck into your mom's room through the window but made sure to be loud. Your mother of course was happy to see him as she loved him too. Alfia heard him come in of course and so stormed into your mother's room and confronted him."
"Wait he snuck into my mom's room? Isn't that kind of creepy?"
"In normal circumstances yes but you have to remember your mom could barely walk with how sick she was. Also, they were in two different familia's so they didn't see each other much."
"Oh, I see."
"Alright now no more interrupting. So when she busted into the room Silver gave her a moving wave and jumped out. Alfia of course chased after him to beat his ass and that's what Silver was counting on. So Silver had been planning this plot for a while. He always ran slower than he actually could when Alfia was watching. But now that she was chasing him he used his full speed to shoot forward leaving Alfia in the dust. Then circled back around and spent the rest of the day with your mother while Alfia scoured the city looking for him."
"How come Alfia didn't go back to the house?"
"Because she really wanted to kick Silver's ass. But this only worked once because she caught onto what he did after the first time."
Bell let out another chuckle. "Huh, looks like Alfia is human too. Well, I know one big mistake she made."
"Let's not talk about that. I'm making fun of her and you're laughing. Let's just leave it at that."
"Alright, but where were you during that story?"
"Peeping on girls in the bath with Zeus. You should try it sometime."
Bell rolled his eyes and yawned. "Alright, I'm going to get some sleep now. Make sure I'm protected from Aisha."
Regis sent an image of a mock salute. "Aye aye, captain. I shall protect your virginity as it is the source of your power. Goodnight captain."
Bell let out another tiny laugh as he shut his eyes. His thoughts were filled with memories of Alfia and Zeus. With the time they had on the mountain, he missed it.
But he was trying to move on. What he needed was to see Demeter. He wanted to see her. He just hoped she would come back soon.
Well, I'm gonna end it here. Not much happened really other than the aftermath and a mysterious stranger making his way to Bell. Those who read the original know who this is and those who didn't probably have a guess.
Anaya, I'll catch you guys later and I hope you enjoyed.