Astraea couldn't help the tears that ran down her cheeks. Sadness had once more gripped her chest like a vice. So agonizing and painful it was that she didn't dare move.
Bell was gone.
Or at least he soon would be. And there was nothing she could do about it. With her power sealed, she was a mere normal woman while Bell was a level three adventurer halfway to level four.
Her words also fell on deaf ears. She could tell from just a single glance his rage-filled mind was made up. There would be no changing it.
She sniffled, her mind going back to all those years ago. When Ryu had begged and pleaded for Astraea to leave after the death of their familia.
Oh, how similar Ryu and Bell were. Both had come to the city with hopes and dreams. Ryu hand wanted to experience the world away from elven culture. While Bell had come to the city wanting to be a hero. To emulate his Grandfather's familia.
But both had been met with tragedy and ground down by the city's cruelty. Ryu experienced the Dark Age at its beginning, peak, and end. Only to then lose her familia almost directly after an era of peace should have ensued. Which then led to her infamous rampage against the remnants of Evilus.
Astraea still remembered the day Bell had come home covered in blood. Blood that was human and clearly not his own. How small he seemed to look as he dispelled the contents of his stomach on the floor.
She remembers gently taking his hand a leading him to the baths so she could clean the blood off of him. It reminded her of how young he truly was.
Still only a 17-year-old boy.
She knew that day changed Bell. It was probably the day that had started him on this path. What had warped his mind into what it was now.
It was a slow descent. She could see that now. A slow descent where killing was easier for him than upholding justice. Sometimes they were one and the same but not always.
Not like he believed now.
Astraea sniffled again as she tried to wipe the tears from her face. What was she doing standing here? Bell couldn't have gotten far. She had to stop him. But she didn't know where he was going.
How could she? Bell of course didn't tell her. He didn't want to be stopped from what he was about to do.
But that's when it hit her. Bell wasn't the type to just leave without some form of goodbye. It might not be a verbal one like she had forced out of him. But it would be a goodbye nonetheless.
Wiping her tears once more Astraea made her way to Bell's room. A quickness in her steps that she had never felt before.
She opened the door to his room. Taking a single glance around before noticing two pieces of paper neatly folded.
'Letters.' She correctly guessed. She knew where Bell was headed.
Astraea pushed herself off the doorframe. Not bothering to close the door as time was of the essence. She couldn't waste any more time than she already had.
The front door of the Stardust Garden flew open and she quickly shut it behind her. She all but flew down the streets in her haste.
Luckily for her, the streets were practically empty. Only a few passed-out drunks and late-night workers were the only souls there.
Astraea could hardly tell if her feet were even touching the ground. She hadn't unleashed some of her arcana on accident had she?
No that was a ridiculous thought. But one that crossed her mind nonetheless with her haste. A haste that allowed her to arrive at the hospital. She could hardly believe she had arrived as quickly as she did.
Her legs burned and ached. But that didn't stop her from ascending the stairs in a quick manner. Although when she reached the top her lungs burned.
She stopped, much to her chagrin to catch her breath. Hunched over with her hands on her knees as she sucked in deep lungfuls of air in an attempt to catch her breath.
When was the last time she had run? When was the last time she had run that fast? Astraea didn't know and pushed the thought out of her mind.
It wasn't important. Finding Bell and stopping him was. It was the only thing that mattered to her at this moment.
"Lady Astraea, are you alright." A small voice asked.
Astraea looked up and saw Airmid staring at him. The young woman looked confused and concerned at the goddess's disheveled appearance. Added the fact she was out of breath as well and that caused her eyebrow to be raised.
"Be-Bell, where's Bell?" Astraea huffed.
Airmid raised her brow higher. "Headed home? He said he wanted to check up on everyone before he headed to bed."
"When did he leave?! Did you see what direction he was headed?!" Astraea frantically asked.
Airmid's face slowly started to morph into one of concern. "About five minutes ago. But I didn't follow him out, I assumed he was heading home. Lady Astraea what's wrong?"
Astraea let a shuddering breath leave her lips. She was too late, and five minutes in this city would make it near impossible for the goddess to start to look for him.
He could've gone any direction. Made any and all types of twists and turns in the amount of time it took her to get here.
What had she been doing just standing at the doorway? Had that been Bell's plan when she surprised him? To hurt her so he could make his clean getaway?
Astraea quickly banished the thought from her mind. Bell wasn't like that, she knew he wasn't. Why else would he hesitate if his plan was to cripple her with his words?
"Lady Astraea," Airmid called out again.
This snapped the goddess from her thoughts as she fully stood up. Having caught her breath but her chest still felt tight. Still hurting and stinging.
"Bell's gone," Astraea said.
She couldn't stop the tears from starting to fall once more.
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Bell entered the hospital with quiet almost guiding footsteps. But he couldn't sneak past Airmid who was sitting at the front desk. Staring at the front door in a trance before he appeared.
She gave him a small smile and a wave. Which he promptly returned before making his way deeper into the hospital.
The first room he visited was Ryu's. He didn't know why, but he did. Only upon reaching her door did he realize a slight possibility as to why.
Knowing he would be leaving for a while and doing the same as she did so long ago gave him a stark realization of how close the two truly were.
Their relationship has started rocky. Ryu had kept him at arm's length for the longest time at first. He couldn't blame her, he never did.
She had watched her entire familia die right in front of her eyes. Such a thing would make anyone hesitate to call someone friend.
Then the two became friends after that night at the bar. When he had massacred all of the mercenaries that were waiting to kill her once she tired herself out.
Bell still remembered the day fondly of when she had used his name. Not Mr Cranel. But Bell. Just Bell. And all it had taken was him nearly dying for it to happen.
From there the two grew closer. Ryu didn't talk much. Rather wanting to keep herself isolated from everyone else. Yet she always talked with Bell when the opportunity arose.
He then helped her with the casino and soon after cleared her bounty. Bell remembered how happy and relieved she seemed to be when he told her the news.
Then the two went and got married so Ryu could adventure again. Something that still made him slightly blush and laugh whenever Anya brought it up.
Bell knew now that Ryu was probably his closest friend. The two had been through so much together without him even realizing it.
Which made his rage burn all the more hotter when he remembered what Dina Dis had done to her. Someone who was supposed to be dead had done this to his friend.
But Bell couldn't do anything to her. Not at this time. No, he would wait and grow stronger before he enacted revenge on her as well.
But that meant finding Enoch and killing him first.
With his thoughts finished Bell pushed the door to Ryu's room open. The moonlight shone in from a window. Bathing both Ryu and Syr in a pale light.
Both were sleeping. Ryu's was to be expected. But Bell would have assumed that Syr would have left by now. Instead, she was laying her head on her arms which rested on the side of Ryu's bed.
Bell couldn't help but softly smile at the sight. This was good, Ryu had someone to stay by her bedside.
He made his way closer to the two. Absentmindedly noting how beautiful Ryu seemed in the pale moonlight.
He reached into his cloak's pocket and grabbed the letters addressed to Ryu and Syr. The gray-haired woman was his friend as well after all. Not as close as he was with Ryu. But still a friend nonetheless.
The letters were placed on the bedside table. A place where they were easily visible and not easily missed.
Bell took one last look at Ryu. Reaching out to brush the hair out of her face. The elf responded to his touch. Seeming to smile in her sleep as she pressed herself into the warmth of Bell's hand.
A warmth that was soon gone as Bell pulled back and walked away. Only sparing a single glance back before he left.
Two letters were all he left behind.
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The next room he visited was Welf's. The red-haired man was asleep with Hephaestus sitting by his bedside.
Her soft hands ran through Welf's hair as the boy slept. A soft gentle hum escaped her lips. Bell remembered when his Grandpa did this to him after a nightmare. She hummed a similar tune as well.
Bell froze for a moment. He had hoped she wouldn't be here. That way he could sneak in and out without a problem.
But there she was. Her back facing him and whether she knew if he was there or she didn't mind his presence was unknown to him.
The question was answered shortly after as the goddess turned her head and her one good eye focused on Bell.
"You're visiting awfully late."
Bell stepped forward until he was next to Welf's bed. "I just needed to drop something off."
Hephaestus glanced at his hand. Noticing the letter he held within it. Her eyebrow rose in a questioning manner. But if she had anything to say she didn't.
Bell took the chance to leave the letter on the bedside table. He didn't say a word but did spare a final glance at the man he saw as a brother.
Something Bell had never had. Something he always wondered what it would be like to have one. He didn't have to wonder anymore because Welf had filled that gap.
But Welf seemed to be broken. His mind was shrouded in guilt and self-hatred for what he did. Something Bell had inadvertently made him do when he made everyone go on the raid.
How foolish he had been.
Bell stepped back and made his way to the door. He opened and closed it without any protest from Hephaestus. Whether she knew or didn't know what he was doing he didn't know.
But if she did she made no move to stop him.
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The next room Bell entered was Lili's. Bell's eyes couldn't help but soften as her name crossed through his mind.
The prum was somehow managing to somehow look even smaller than her race normally allowed. She looked so small and pitiful.
Bell had to close his eyes and to steel himself. He couldn't help but have a soft spot for the prum. She was the first person he had ever saved. The first person he had ever been a hero to.
She looked up to him as a friend and a teacher. He taught her well. Or at least he thought he did. She knew how to use the spear somewhat decently.
But her trust in him had landed her here. A spear, her own spear had impaled her through the gut. The spear he had bought her. Was that not him stabbing her as well?
Bell didn't know.
But he knew Lili wouldn't blame him. No one seemed to blame him when they should. It was his fault they were down there. His fault Enoch nearly killed them.
Why was no one blaming him?
Cassandra didn't, Welf didn't, Astraea didn't, Syr didn't, Anya didn't. Did none of them realize this was all his fault? Why weren't they angry at him? Why didn't they berate him?
Why were they giving him love and support?
He didn't deserve any of it. What he deserved was hatred and scorn. Was that why he was leaving? So his familia could finally hate him?
Bell shook his head. No that wasn't the reason. Enoch needed to die and Bell needed to kill him.
It was that simple.
A sigh escaped Bell's lips as he approached the bed. He took another look at Lili. His friend and his supporter. Before taking the letter and placing it on her bedside table.
Then without another glance back, he walked out the door.
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Emma's room was the one he visited next. Much like Lili's the pink-haired girl was the only occupant. Had Karen or Lili been awake he knew they would be at her side.
But neither were and wouldn't be. Not for a while. Emma was more likely to sit at their bedside than there hers.
He couldn't help but feel immense sorrow for the girl. Her own sister had led her into a trap. The very trap was had led to her being in this bed.
How awful of a person did Emma's sister have to be to do something like this to her own flesh and blood? Did their familial tie mean nothing to her?
Should her sister be put on his list as well? Someone who willingly put their own sister in the hospital deserved consequences. But was that truly wanted Emma wanted for her sister?
Bell shook his head. It wasn't up to him to decide what was to be done with Emma's sister. Only she could make that decision. But not as she was right now.
So with a sigh, he placed the letter on the bedside table before making his way out the door.
Emma's eyes opened only mere seconds later. Darting around the room in fear and confusion.
Where was she? Did Evilus get her? Were all her friends dead? Did she get them all killed?
No, the ceiling didn't look like the stone from Knossos. It didn't even look like stone at all. It was wood, and it was painted white.
She tried to sit up but her legs heavily protested. They were itchy and it felt like fire was spreading through her veins.
She laid back down. Feeling fresh tears sting her eyes from the pain. Emma knew that she wouldn't be able to move. She was trapped, alone, crippled, slightly delirious, and afraid.
But her fear was kept in check by the one thing she knew for certain. One thing she knew would be absolute.
'Bell will come for me.'
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The boy opened to the door Daphne's room and wasn't surprised when he saw Cassandra sitting by her bedside awake.
She had only left her friend's bedside once the entire time she had been here. Bell had to give Cassandra credit where credit was due.
The girl was fiercely loyal to her friend. It made Bell feel proud. That his mistake had left one thing unscathed when it came to his familia.
Unlucky for him Cassandra was still awake. Whether it was because she wasn't tired or because she had taken a nap earlier he wasn't sure.
But he knew there was no sneaking past her. She was already staring at him when she heard the door open. How he wished the damned things didn't creak when opened.
"Bell? I thought you were back at the house."
Bell sighed as he approached the girl. Part of him wanted to lie to her. A big part, but the part who had gone through hell with Cassandra knew she didn't deserve that.
Bell felt the two were close. In the way that neither was with anyone else. It was odd yet comforting how two people who share a similar experience can bond.
Bell certainly felt so since he had only known Cassandra for a little more than a month. If he recalled correctly one of the first times they met was when he choked her out during the war game.
She had once been an enemy. Now she was a friend. It was funny how things like that could happen.
"I was," Bell replied to Cassandra's earlier question.
The shy girl couldn't help but furrow her brow in confusion as to why Bell was there. But then she smiled in the brightest smile Bell had seen from the girl.
"Oh well, that just means I can tell you that I leveled up. I'm a level three now can you believe it?" She jovially asked.
Bell couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face. Despite his best efforts to be cold Bell found it to be difficult when it came to those he cared for.
"Good job," Bell said.
Cassandra looked down at her lap and fidgeted with her hands. "I-I also got a development ability that can be useful to everyone."
Bell's brow raised in intrigue. "Oh, are you comfortable telling me what it is?"
Cassandra nodded, her blue hair flowing from the motion. "It allows me to imbue magic into clothes I make. S-so I can make it to where many things won't even be a danger to us anymore."
"I didn't know you liked to sew."
Cassandra turned and looked back at Daphne. "I haven't done it in a while. But now with this new development ability, I'm going to get back into it. So that way even our clothing will keep us protected."
Cassandra turned her head feeling Bell at her left. He had approached behind her when she had looked back at Daphne. Her eyes drifted down to his hand where she noticed he was holding two letters.
It caused her brow to furrow in confusion. "What are those?"
Bell took in a deep breath before setting them down on the bedside table. Cassandra saw her name on one of the letters and her eyes widened in realization.
"No, no you can't!"
Bell grimaced and stepped back. "I have to."
Cassandra pushed the chair back and stood up. "Why? Why does it have to be you?"
Bell pointed to Daphne. "Because I'm the only one left standing who can actually do anything! What do you think the Loki familia cares enough about is to do something? Half of Takemikazuchi's familia is dead while the other is in this very hospital. Artemis lost all but one of hers. While all our friends are either in comas or horrified at what they have done! That leaves only me Cassandra! Only me!" He yelled.
Cassandra took a hesitant step back at Bell's tone of voice. It startled her and Bell could see that much. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. A wave of guilt washing over him.
Why couldn't people just let him do what needed to be done?
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just…this bastard Enoch gets to walk around while all our friends are half-dead. Either that or they're too weak or in Loki familia's case they simply have their own problems. That means it's up to me to give him what is due."
Cassandra straightened herself, standing at her full height as her light green eyes stared directly into his ruby red ones.
"Take me with you then." She said.
Bell couldn't help the modicum of surprise that plastered his face. He had expected more protests or at least pleading to not do this.
But Cassandra seemed to find her spine once more and Bell couldn't help but respect her for it. But then his face morphed into one of guilt once more as he spoke.
"No, you need to stay here?"
Cassandra did something that actually surprised Bell once more. She scoffed and clicked her tongue.
"Why because I'm a woman?"
Bell shook his head. "No, it isn't a reason as easy as that would be. It completely does away with your self-worth as a person by limiting you to a mere object."
"Then why?" She growled. "Why won't you let me go with you?"
Bell sighed and steeled himself. "Because you don't know how to fight properly. I gave you lessons sure. But you're still a healer more than anything, and I can't split my focus on protecting you again. Not when I'm hunting down the man that brought so much hurt."
"And what do you think your departure will do? Do you think that they'll gingerly wait for you to return? Do you think nobody else will be mad if not outright furious at you like I am now?"
"I've already accepted that they will be mad. But if they're mad at me and alive rather than content and dead then that's fine with me. But I'm also not taking you with me because Astraea is going to need you. Now more than ever after I'm gone."
Cassandra rolled her eyes. The backbone of the girl was surprising Bell immensely but he had to keep his face stoic. "Stop trying to act like some tragic hero when you're the one that leaving."
Bell clicked his tongue as he made his way to the door. "I don't think I was ever a hero in the first place."
He opened the door and then closed it behind him. Cassandra then sat back down in her chair and shook her head.
'You damned fool. Let someone help you. You should've let me help you.'
Cassandra shook her head. The sting of rejection hitting her hard. 'Even after leveling up, I'm still a burden. Why can't I be different? Why do I have to be so pathetic.'
Cassandra lamented over her weakness. Not bothering to go after Bell because she knew it would be useless. She couldn't convince him to stay and she knew she couldn't overpower him and restrain him.
He'd simply buck her off if that was the case.
So for the second time within a week, Cassandra was helpless once more. Helpless and afraid just as she had always been.
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Bell opened the door to the last member of his familia. He wasn't surprised to see Lefiya still by Karen's side. He couldn't even recall if the elf had left Karen's side at all.
She probably did to eat and bathe. But other than that she seemed to spend all her time in the hospital.
Lefiya simply glanced back once. Her eyes glanced down to the letter in Bell's hand. Her eyes flicked back up to his face and state of dress and she knew why he was here.
"You're leaving." She stated.
Bell nodded. "I am."
He approached Karen's bedside table. Watching over the girl for a few seconds before placing it down. Part of him wondered if Karen would even need it since there was a chance she might not wake up at all.
"Are you going to make him pay?" Lefiya asked.
"Yes."
"Will you make it painful?"
"Yes."
"Good. Make him suffer."
Bell looked from Karen to Lefiya. Noticing old tear marks on her eyes that had long since dried up. It would seem Lefiya would have no more tears to cry.
Bell couldn't help but sigh as the question escaped his lips. "How are you holding up."
He didn't know why he asked. But he felt like Lefiya needed someone to talk to about this. Had none of her familia bothered to check up on her? Or could none of them get through to her?
"She protected me you know." Lefiya began. "When Enoch was tearing through everyone she stood in front of me while I chanted. Shielding my body with hers to keep me out of his sight."
Lefiya took a shuddering breath and Bell let her take a moment as she recalled that day.
"My spells barely left a scratch on him. He even bragged about how I was too busy chanting to help anyone."
Lefiya sniffled but kept her tears at bay. "Karen was able to cut his robe. Her blade didn't do anything to his skin. But she cut that damned robe of his that he loved so much. In return, he sliced her throat open like it was nothing. Like the act of killing someone didn't bother him."
Lefiya took another shuddering breath to calm herself. Bell didn't know if he should touch her to offer her a form of comfort. He didn't know if she would allow it. So he stayed by her side and listened.
"Even then Karen didn't care about herself. She pushed me to the exit and told me to run. That she would stay behind and hold him off. But me, I just froze. Enoch took her down right after, barely even giving her the time of day even while she fought. What happened next was hazy, words I'd never heard before came rushing to my mind. It was a chant and the next thing I knew Enoch was trying to stop me. But Karen-
Lefiya sniffled once more. Her voice broke slightly.
"Even on the brink of death Karen still protected me. She bought me enough time to cast the spell and take him down. Oh gods I thought it was over. I wanted it to be over so I could let Karen die in peace. But he healed, the bastard healed and it was hopeless."
Lefiya then finally turned to Bell. Her blue eyes filled with gratitude and relief. Despite the tears that filled her eyes.
"But then you showed up. You showed up with Cassandra, and she was able to stabilize Karen while you protected all of us. I don't think I ever thanked you for saving me. For saving Karen."
Bell sighed and hesitantly placed his hand on her shoulder. Lefiya didn't seem to mind. She seemed to welcome it even.
"Can you do me a favor while I'm gone? I know this is selfish to ask with what I'm about to do, and I will understand if you say no-
"I'll do it." Lefiya cut him off.
Bell lightly chuckled at her eagerness. "If you could keep an eye on my familia for me. I would appreciate that very much. I know my leaving will hurt them. But it has to be done. There's no other way Enoch will face what's coming to him if I don't leave, and I can't risk anyone else. Not after what has happened."
Lefiya didn't hesitate to nod. "Of course, just make him suffer Bell." She said.
Bell removed his hand. "I will."
He stepped back and made his way to the door. Stopping before he opened it.
"One more thing Lefiya." He began.
The elf turned her head back to Bell. Watching his back as he seemed to prepare himself to say something.
"I know how you look at her. Make sure to take care of yourself in these coming months. Karen would fuss over you if she knew you weren't taking proper care of yourself while you were at her side."
With that Bell exited the room. Leaving Lefiya to have her mouth open in shock. With a tiny blush on her face.
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The moonlit sky looked extra beautiful tonight. Bell wondered why it always did when he felt melancholy. Like the sky seemed to change based on how he felt.
But he knew that was ridiculous. The sky, much less the heavens would answer to one such as him.
His footsteps took him to the outside of the Hostess of Fertility. Where the big glass pane window allowed the light from inside to shine out.
The place seemed to be packed with the nighttime crowd. Adventurers and late-night workers alike seemed to enjoy the merriment the place provided.
That was when Bell saw her.
Her brown cat ears and hair seemed to bob up and down as she carried a tray of food to a table. He couldn't help but smile when he was her.
Part of him wanted to go inside. But he knew that would be foolish. If he did he knew he wouldn't be able to do what needed to be done. Anya would somehow know how to talk him down.
Astraea had almost made him stay and she only stood there and let herself be berated by him. What an ass he was for throwing Astraea's kindness back in her face.
She had taken a chance on him when he was but a nobody. When no one else would she did. But to carry out his task he couldn't be Bell Cranel. Nor could he be Alexiares.
No, to do what he set out to do he once more had to become nobody. He had a plan and for it to work nothing could weigh him down.
So with one last look at Anya. Taking and savoring her appearance one last time. Bell turned on his heel and left.
Alright, this might be my last chapter of the year or it might not be. I'm not sure anymore.
But I do think this is a good place to end Act One of Sword Astraea and go into Act Two.
Anyway, I do hope you have enjoyed the story so far and I do hope you decide to stick around as it goes onward.
But that's all from me so I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you all later.