Bell's cursed blade whistled through the air, an unnatural sound as he aimed at Enoch's neck. It was quickly parried by a punch, and then a kick to Bell's stomach sent him away.
Bell slid back, his boots dragging against the ground as Enoch pressed his attack. Bell couldn't react in time and took a blow to his chest, then another to his face.
Bell felt blood fill his mouth as he stumbled back. Enoch was much stronger than he anticipated. Two jabs hit Bell's chestplate, the metal creaking and groaning as it dented. He followed up with a high kick to Bell's face which caused the boy to stumble.
It was followed with a right hook to the face and an uppercut to the chestplate.
Bell gave a wild swing with his swords causing Enoch to retreat.
"AGARIS ALVESYNTH!"
White flames blanketed Bell's body making him seem like a light in the darkness for those still standing.
Enoch didn't care as his fist met Bell's face. Blood trickled down his nose and Enoch kicked his leg. Bell's knee buckled but he stood tall and parried one of Enoch's blows.
He sidestepped Enoch and went to trip him. Not getting an elbow to the face for his efforts. Bell ducked and Enoch's fist went over his head. The wind seemed to break over him.
Bell shot up, his short sword aimed at Enoch's throat.
Enoch punched down and hit Bell in the cheek before kicking him aside. Bell rolled along the ground and stopped as Enoch jumped at him.
Bell was quick to move out of the way as Enoch's brass-knuckled fist met the ground. Cracks formed as Bell shot back to his feet. Looking at Enoch while trying to catch his breath.
"Come on Bell. Where's all that strength you're supposed to have? I mean you broke through a wall of adamantine, where's that strength now you little shit?" Enoch sneered.
His fist met Bell's face again at lightning speeds. Faster than Bell could normally react to. The white flames of his magic still burned hot. But it wasn't enough to stand up to Enoch's overwhelming might.
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Welf winced in pain as he lifted his head. He saw Bell engaged in combat with Enoch. The two were in a fierce dance of life and death. One which Bell was losing.
He looked over to his friends, blood and gore were all that met his sight. Some were dead, and Karen was most likely going to die. Everyone else he didn't know.
'I'm so useless.'
The battlefield had turned into a slaughterhouse. And to the one who had walked in were the cattle.
Welf felt blood trickle down his head and roll down his chin. He reached up and touched his wound, his fingers coming back wet with blood.
An idea formed in Welf's mind. With his body shaking he pushed himself up and leaned against a wall. Using the blood dripping down from his forehead to write a self-destruct rune on his chest.
Panting he looked around and grabbed a brick. Holding it in the palm of his hand as his breathing picked up.
'Last resort Welf. Last resort.'
His heart thundered in his chest watching Bell fight. He knew what he would have to do if Bell was to lose.
'You can do this. You can do this. Don't be scared.'
But he was, he could feel an icy hand holding his heart. Its grip suffocating and painful, but he had to be brave. He had to, he had to.
'I won't let him take Emma.'
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Bell flew across the room. Bouncing on the floor before slamming into a wall. Air escaped his lungs as he collapsed, Enoch came up and kicked him in the gut.
"Look at you." Another kick. "Didn't you say you were going to kill me?" A kick to Bell's face. "Weren't your exact words I'm going to kill you now?"
He grabbed Bell's collar and lifted him up. Slamming him against the wall a few times before throwing him back down.
"All bark and no bite, that's what you-
"Gospel."
Enoch went flying back and lost his footing. He fell on his back as Bell pushed himself to his feet. Activating his aura to give him that extra boost in power. Added with him breaking the stat ceiling, plus Alise's magic and skills. It had pushed him past what was normal for a level three.
Blue mixed with white to give an indescribable glow to Bell's body. His heart burned with rage as Enoch pushed himself back up.
"You have her magic. I bet-
Bell shot forward, not letting Enoch finish his sentence as his cursed sword dragged down his body.
Enoch yelled out a curse as blood spurted out from the wound. Bell stabbed him in the thigh with his short sword. Then delivered a high kick to his ribs.
Enoch didn't budge and responded with a punch to Bell's nose. His eyes watered and vision became blurry as Enoch swiped his legs out from under him.
Bell landed on his side and Enoch kicked him away. Bell slid across the ground before quickly standing himself up.
"Little bastard...you actually cut me." Enoch panted.
"I told you I was going to kill you."
Bell ran forward, both blades whistling by his side. He swung the cursed blade up, aiming for Enoch's throat.
The man moved to block it, his wrist blocking one of his eyes. Bell took this chance and thrusted with his short sword.
He stabbed Enoch in the shin before pulling the blade and spinning on his heel. He ended up behind Enoch and left a deep gash on his back from the cursed sword.
Enoch responded by holding his ring and causing a bright light be appear. Bell closed his eyes but wasn't perturbed as he gave another deep cut to Enoch's hip.
"What! How can you still see?!" The man roared.
Bell gave another cut down his stomach, and another to his ankle. Enoch's leg buckled and he took a knee.
Bell's own met his face and knocked Enoch on his back. Leaving him wide open for Bell to stab him in the sternum.
A surprised gasp of air left Enoch's mouth, and soon he was choking on his own blood. Bell looked down at him silently. Eyes filled with the deepest loathing he had ever felt in his life.
He twisted his short sword before pulling it out and watched as the blood oozed around Enoch. Enoch choked and sputtered like a fish as Bell walked away.
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Bell felt a heavy weight on his shoulders as he made his way to Karen. The wound on her neck was healed, leaving only a small scar. But she was still deathly pale and barely breathing.
It hurt him to see his friend like that. To see the state his familia and friends were left in because of his absence.
'It's my fault, I should've been here.'
Lefiya kept her hold on Karen's body. It felt so cold and lifeless. But Lefiya knew that wasn't true.
Hearing footsteps Lefiya looked up and saw Bell approaching. His face was bloodied and bruised and his chestplate had dents in it from where Enoch struck.
"How is-
"A-Akio." Enoch gasped out.
Bell quickly turned around as a bright golden glow surrounded Enoch. It was like the heavens themselves were blessing him.
Bell immediately jumped back into action. Running as fast as he could toward Enoch. Praying, hoping he would arrive in time to stop whatever it was he was doing.
But Bell was too late. Enoch was fully healed and on his feet. His fist already meeting Bell's face causing the boy to clothesline.
Bell landed on his back hard. Dropping his swords as Enoch got atop him and grabbed his collar.
Hard brass met his face multiple times. Hurting more and more each time. But Bell didn't let a scream leave his lips.
"You really are an annoying little bastard!" Another punch. "Just one big fucking annoyance."
He threw Bell into the air and kicked him away. Enoch appeared behind Bell before he could land and punched him in the head.
"Causing one setback after another."
He grabbed Bell by the hair and slammed him into the wall. Then threw him to the ground.
"It's time I do what the higher up were to chicken shit to do."
He got on top of Bell and wrapped his hands around his throat. Bell's eyes widened as he struggled. Punching Enoch's arms but they refused to budge.
Enoch didn't even seem to care.
"G-g-
Enoch squeezed harder. "Oh no, no bullshit magic this time."
Bell could see darkness in the corner of his vision. His lungs were on fire, begging for air that wouldn't come.
Enoch's eyes were filled with malice and sadistic glee. Knowing he would get to be the one who killed Orario's rising star. To deprive them of this light brought him the greatest pleasure.
Bell's legs kicked out. But Enoch wouldn't budge. He stayed firmly atop of Bell choking the life from him.
"Hey, asshole!" Welf yelled.
A brick flew into Enoch's face hitting him square in the nose. His grip loosened slightly and Bell thought of an idea.
His hands shot up and grabbed Enoch's head and started to dig his thumbs into his eyes. Enoch screamed and let go of Bell's neck as the boy dug his fingers in deeper.
Enoch delivered two punches to Bell's side which forced him to let go. Enoch rolled off him and held his face. His eyes screaming in pain as he groaned.
Bell took in deep lungfuls of air as he pushed himself to his knees. He let out a deep wheezing cough before looking at Enoch.
His eyes were bleeding but weren't gouged out. It was painful, the worst thing Enoch had ever felt. He glared at Bell and the two pushed themselves to their feet.
Bell threw the first punch.
"Arvelia."
An explosion hit Enoch's stomach at the same time as Bell's fist."
"Arvelia, Arvelia, Arvelia, Arvelia."
Explosion after explosion impacted Enoch's stomach burning away small pieces of his cloak.
"Arve-
Enoch held up his hand and a second ring glowed causing an Ignis Fatus to ignite in Bell's face. He flew back and slid on the ground. The left side of his face had second-degree burns.
Bell let out a groan of pain. His face felt hot and sticky. But he pushed himself back up, only to get a knee to the face.
Bell grabbed it and threw Enoch to the ground. Then got atop him and grabbed his collar. He punched him over and over again.
Enoch punched his side before moving his legs under him and kicking Bell off. He was forced off him and stumbled back.
Enoch got to his, face bloodied and bruised much like Bell's own. Eyes bleeding and screaming in pain. His necklace only had one gem glowing. But he wasn't focused on that for the moment.
The two stared each other down. Hatred filled both of their eyes. One of them had to die, that was the only way this would end.
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The sound of a broken horn filled the room. The sound filled those in the room with dread. Like a calamity was coming and they would be powerless to stop it.
All except for Bell.
A dark red glowed from his right hand. He didn't know what it was, or what it was doing there. But he was pouring the last bit of his strength into this.
Enoch narrowed his eyes, his legs shook as he got ready to end this. One cut to Bell's throat and he'd been down. Just one cut.
The broken horn grew louder and louder. Its presence making the adventurer's heart race with fear. Only death could make a sound so terrifying.
A drop of blood dripped from Bell's nose and landed on the floor.
The two ran at each other, the horn growing in volume. Fists raised and backs straight.
Enoch was the first to throw his punch. The small blade on his brass knuckles aimed for Bell's neck. Bell saw this and moved his neck. Watching as the blade harmlessly flew past him.
Leaving Enoch's stomach wide open.
His fist drew closer and closer. The horn grew louder and louder and louder. Bell focused everything he had into this last punch.
His mind flashed back to when he broke the wall. He knew how he did it but couldn't replicate the punch until right now. His use of Arvelia made it clear to him.
'I understand it now.'
"Gospel." Bell softly chanted.
The magic went from his lips down to his arm and to his fist. The dark red glow mixed with black and the horn reached its crescendo.
His fist met Enoch's stomach and an explosion of energy exploded out. Enoch hunched over, the worst pain he had ever felt coursed through his stomach and up his body.
He coughed up blood and Bell put more force into the punch and sent him flying back to the very door the man entered from.
His entire ribcage was shattered into tiny pieces. His kidneys ruptured and one of his lungs were collapsed. Blood pooled in his eyes and both of his arms were broken along with both legs. The bone poking out of the skin.
Bell fell to his knees, panting and trying to keep his eyes open. That last attack had used up the last of his energy. But it had devastated Enoch beyond repair.
He was more flesh than bone now. A useless sack that would bleed out and die a painful and agonizing death.
Bell did it. He had won.
"A-A-Akio." Enoch chanted.
Bell's eyes shot open as the golden glow surrounded Enoch once more. He pushed himself back to his feet. Legs shaky and eyes unfocused.
He knew he would lose this fight. But he would still damn well try to win if it meant saving his familia. Or what was left of them.
"You really are an annoying little shit!" Enoch hissed as he stood. The gems in his necklace were now all dark and Bell had finally pieced it together.
The necklace was what was healing him.
"This fight is no longer worth my time. Next time we meet I will make sure you pay in blood!"
Enoch then stepped through the door and using his key turned it into a wall. Leaving Bell to collapse to his knees knowing the fight was now over.
'Coward.'
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Bell looked over to Cassandra. She had now moved on to healing Daphne and Mikoto. Welf was crawling over to them. His legs refusing to work. Lefiya still held Karen in her arms. Her breathing had returned to somewhat normal, but she was still deathly pale.
'I should've been here.' Bell lamented.
He stood up and made his way over to Welf. Grabbing his arm and lifting the man up to drape it over his neck.
He noticed the self-destruct rune on Welf's chest. His eyes filled with fear as he looked back up at Welf.
"In case you lost." Welf winced.
Bell looked away in shame as Welf wiped away the rune. "Let's not tell anyone else."
Bell agreed and dragged Welf over to Cassandra. She had moved on to Lili and Emma, beginning to heal their wounds after drinking a mind potion.
"Rethusa's stuck in the wall. Can you go and pull her out?"
Bell nodded and made his way to the wall. He grabbed Rethusa's arms and yanked her out. She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around Bell. Her eyes half lidded and filled with exhaustion.
"That you Bell?" She asked.
Bell threw her arm around his neck. "Yeah."
He dragged her over to Cassandra who was now healing those still alive. He set her down next to Welf and she immediately laid her head on his shoulder.
Has this been any other time Welf would've felt weirded out. But after the battle and their subsequent defeat. Welf was just glad to feel the warmth of his friend. She was still alive and that made him happy.
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Cassandra let out a sigh as she finished healing everyone. They were still heavily injured and most were still unconscious. But they were ripped away from the jaws of death for now.
She timidly made her way over to Bell. Gripping her staff tightly as she shuffled over. He was sitting away from everyone else. Eyes glued to the door now wall that Enoch had retreated behind.
"I-I f-finished healing everyone."
"How many dead?"
"O-only the three from the Takemikazuchi familia."
"And Karen?"
Cassandra was silent for a minute. "I was able to fix the wound on her neck. But she's lost so much blood...we need to get her to a clinic if she's going to survive."
"Who are the ones that can walk?"
"You, Welf, Rethusa, me, and Lefiya. Everyone else is unconscious."
"Can we move them all out of here?"
"I-I don't think so, there's just too many wounded, and Welf and Rethusa are in no position to carry anyone."
Bell sighed and looked down. "Ok, thank you, Cassandra. Go take a break."
"But you're injured."
"I'll be fine."
"But your face, at least let me heal that."
Bell didn't protest and Cassandra crouched down next to him. Her hand hovered over his burnt cheek, and her soft chanting brought a slight comfort to his mind.
It was a whirlwind of emotions. He was still having trouble believing his fight with the man named Enoch was over. He had almost lost, if not for his circumstances he would've been killed along with most of his familia.
'If only I had gotten here sooner. I could have saved them.'
Cassandra finished healing Bell's face and let out a tired sigh. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and felt the effects of a mind down coming.
"Drink a mind potion. Get your strength back. I'll try and figure out how to get everyone back."
Cassandra nodded and reached into her satchel. She pulled out one of the vials Bell had looted when the two were separated from everyone else.
She drank it and felt her head start to clear up. She reached down and drank a second one to help speed along the process. She then stood up and made her way back to the others.
Bell watched her leave before closing his eyes. He took in a deep breath as he tried to figure out how to get everyone back.
His mind drifted back to the battle, thinking about all the things he did wrong and how he could've been better. If he had been stronger or faster, maybe if he was just a little bit smarter.
But as it stood right now he was none of those things. He was still a boy, a boy who had his head filled with overconfidence and cockiness. A boy who had one every single fight he was in until now.
He was so naive.
So stupid.
Evilus, what the hell was he thinking agreeing to this? Familia of justice or not he didn't care. His familia is what mattered. Not his sense of self-importance to prove he was better than the Loki familia. The Freya familia.
He had been so blinded that he didn't even realize it. Acting all cocky and snarky, when he was just a small fry in the grand scheme of things.
Now people were dead, his familia was crippled, and he had no idea how to get everyone out safely.
'You never taught me what to do if this happened Grandpa.'
Bell opened his eyes and looked around. Evilus members dressed in their white cloaks lay everywhere. There had to be at least 20 of them.
That's when it clicked in Bell's head. He stood and walked over to one of the corpses. Grabbing the cloak and tugging at it.
The material was basic, nothing too special. But it could be tied together to make it longer.
Bell allowed a smile to grace his face. It was a small one, but a smile nonetheless.
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Ryu parried one of Dina's Stiletto's before being kicked into a wall. She slammed into it and quickly had to block a stab aimed at her side.
Dina looked at Ryu with wide sadistic eyes filled with lust. "Come on, I want to hear you scream!"
She aimed her second one at Ryu's eye and the elf was quick to move her head. The Stiletto stabbed into the wall and left tiny cracks.
Ryu's eyes were wide with fear as Dina kneed her in the gut before slamming the bottom of her Stiletto into her nose.
It broke and blood ran down her face as Dina stabbed Ryu in the hip. The elf screamed as Dina twisted her blade.
"There's that scream." Dina cooed twisting her Stiletto more.
Ryu had enough and pushed Dina away from her. Dina eloquently jumped back and landed a few feet away from Ryu. Her Stiletto dripping with Ryu's blood.
She lifted it up to her lips and licked the blood. A small moan escaped her lips as she savored the taste.
"Mhmm, your blood tastes so good Gale Wind. Just like I imagined it would be. So much elegance and skill~. Makes me wonder how that little boy toy who cleared your bounty would taste. Oh, I can already hear his delicious screams as he begs me to stop."
Ryu grew furious and charged at Dina. Swinging Alf's Lumina wildly.
Dina laughed and parried her sword. She stabbed her Stiletto into Ryu's leg and forced the elf to fall. She then kicked her in the side and sent her back into the wall.
"You should learn to control that temper of yours." Dina cooed twirling her Stiletto's. "Don't let some little boy toy get you killed."
Ryu stood up and cracked Alf's Lumina across her face. Dina smirked and stabbed Ryu in the stomach this time.
"Aw, do you not like it when I talk about him like that?"
Dina's face had a medium-sized bruise from where Ryu had hit her. She pulled out her Stiletto and stabbed Ryu again and again. Each stan causing more and more red blood to stain her pure white shirt.
"I think after I'm done here I'll go pay a little visit to your boy toy." Another stab. "He has a kill of sight order you know." Another stab. "Maybe he could already be dead? Would that make you sad?"
Dina stabbed Ryu again. Watching in sadistic glee as the elf slid down the wall. She sat atop Ryu's lap. Taking her Stiletto out of her and wiping her blood and her face.
"But from what I've heard maybe not. I hear he's like a cockroach. Which will make it so much more fun to tear him apart. I've always wanted a toy that was tough."
Dina stabbed Ryu again. Leaving the elf to have heavy ragged breathing. The bottom half of her shirt was blood red and she had lost count of the number of times Dina had stabbed her.
"Hey, Gale Wind. Before you do you wanna see something cool?"
Ryu didn't respond and Dina didn't seem to care. She raised her hand and flicked her Stiletto down. Three of her fingers flew off leaving Ryu's eyes to widen in horror and confusion.
"Wait for it."
A second later her fingers regrew leaving Ryu horrified.
"Ah, there's the face I wanted to see."
Another stab and Dina leaned forward. "Jura sends his regards." She whispered into her ear.
Ryu felt rage bubble in her chest at the name. She didn't care for her wounds anymore. She reached down to her hip and pulled out one of Kaguya's short swords.
She stabbed Dina right in the kidney. But the blonde elf only seemed to laugh at this.
"Ha! Did you think that would do something? After what I just showed you did you think you could hurt me?! How stupid are you Gale Wind?"
Dina raised her Stiletto and aimed it at Ryu's chest. "Here let me send you to your familia. Maybe then you can be useful."
She drove down aiming for Ryu's heart and the killing blow. But was stopped when the wall behind her shattered and a massive hand grabbed her head.
"Get off the lass ya sadistic elf!" Gareth yelled tossing Dina down the hallway. He then uppercutted Vena away from Riveria who had been struggling against her this whole time.
Both elves rolled along the ground before grinding to a halt and getting on their feet. They looked up and saw a giant hole in the wall on the left of the hallway.
Flooding through it were more Loki familia members. Ready to fight and overwhelm the Dis Sisters with their sheer numbers alone.
"Aw, the fun's over," Dina complained.
"Oh well, we can always kill the Princess and Gale Wind later," Vena added.
Dina held up her hand and a pink sphere glowed for a second before the wall blocked off the rest of the passage.
Gareth clicked his tongue and turned his attention to Riveria. "You alright hag?"
"I'm fine, I was able to keep her off if only barely. She wasn't so lucky." Riveria said.
Gareth turned his head and looked at Ryu. She had two healers at her side giving her potions and wrapping her stab wounds with bandages.
Gareth then looked back at Riveria, the high elf keeping her attention on the newly formed wall. Gareth looked as well knowing who had just retreated behind it.
"Any idea how those two are still alive?" Gareth asked.
"No, but they could be like that Revis woman."
"Aye her, Finn and I ran into her. She cut his hand off."
Riveria's eyes widened as her gaze shot to Gareth. "What?! Is he ok?"
"Aye he's fine, but he's signaled the retreat. Sent me to come find you and give ya the word."
"And everyone else?"
"He sent runners to let everyone know. We're to fall back and regroup at camp."
Riveria felt a wave of guilt and frustration. But nodded nonetheless. "Once the injured get patched up we'll fall back. Do you know the way out of here?"
"Aye, I made sure to mark my way down here. Follow me and I'll lead you all out."
"And the other runners?"
"They're doing the same."
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Bell's body strained with effort as he pulled all the injured behind him. His body was weak and shaky covered in cuts and bruises from head to toe.
He had used the robes Evilis wore to make a giant rope and then tied the injured together to drag them out of Knossos.
Was it risky? Yes. Was it stupid? Also yes. But it was the only choice he had to get everyone out. There just simply weren't enough hands to carry everyone.
He took another step and felt his knees shake. His teeth gritted and sweat poured down his forehead.
'I'm tired and hungry, and I want to go back to the surface. Crawl into my bed and sleep.'
He took another step. His body straining with effort. Welf and Rethusa were being supported by Lefiya and Cassandra. No one else but him could do this.
'But I can't, I won't my friends down here. Come on Bell, one foot in front of the other.'
Bell panted heavily and he felt like the walls around him were closing. Spot danced in the corner of his vision. But he gritted his teeth and took another step.
The exit felt like it was a thousand miles away. But he didn't care, he would keep walking. If his legs gave out he would crawl.
'I'm getting these people out of here.'
"Tsk, weaklings like you guys have no place down here." Someone snarled.
Bell ignored the werewolf and walked past him. The werewolf clicked his tongue again and started walking in stride with Bell.
"Give me that." He said taking the makeshift rope from Bell's hand and throwing it over his own shoulder.
"Hey, I can do it!" Bell protested.
"No, you can't. Fall in line with the rest of the weaklings and follow me out."
Bell yanked the cloth from the Werewolf's hand and continued walking.
"Shut up! Acting like you're better than all of us when there's not a scratch on you. These people went through hell and it's my responsibility to get them out! I won't let someone like you diminish their efforts when they went through hell. Now if you're going to lead us out then lead!" Bell yelled.
The werewolf stood there and watched as Bell took another step. He could tell the boy was close to passing out. It looked like a stray breeze could blow him if he wasn't careful.
'Damn kid has a bite that's for sure.'
The werewolf approached Bell again and grabbed the cloth again. Bell went to protest but the werewolf simply poked him and Bell fell over.
"See, you can't walk. Now put your pride aside and have someone help you. Let me take the burden from here on." He said, sounding almost understanding of Bell's responsibility.
Bell didn't protest this time. Part of him wanted to. To argue these were his people and he needed to be the one to save them.
But he kept his mouth shut.
"You can lean on me if you need to Bell." Cassandra offered.
"I'm fine, besides you already have Welf. I can use the wall for support." He mumbed.
Bell pushed himself up, using the wall to prop himself as he continued walking toward the exit.
A sense of melancholy filled the air as everyone knew they had lost. No one wanted to admit to it though. No one wanted to admit how utterly unprepared they were because it would further hammer home their defeat.
So everyone kept their mouth shut as they left the battlefield.
Well, I think I left you guys on a cliffhanger for long enough. It's been like a month I think?
Anyway, Bell lost his fight, and Ryu absolutely lost hers. The Dis Sisters are alive somehow and stronger to boot. Which could lead to other possibilities as well.
Enoch escaped and nearly everyone from Bell's familia and his friend's familia is either dead or severely injured. Not a good time for Bell it seems.
And you know what that means?
Character development. That's right you heard it here first. Bell is going to come for a cocky little shit to something else. You guys don't know how long I've been waiting to write this chapter to knock Bell off his high horse.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you later.