Chapter 16: The Price He Paid
A/N: Sorry for any grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors I'm pretty shite at using those.
Beta/ Proof read by: Nexus.
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"...up."
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"...ake…up…"
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"You insolent bastard! How much longer does my Goddess need to keep calling for you?!"
Bell's eyes shot open, his head instinctively shifting to the side to dodge the blade coming down onto his skull.
"...You attack a sleeping man and then call yourself a warrior of justice, Rethusa?"
The captain of the Artemis Familia gave him a stink eye, a frown plastered on her face. "There's nothing wrong with me ending the life of a man, who's trying to defile the chastity of my Goddess."
She grabbed the hilt of her sword before sheathing her blade.
"She has been calling you for quite some time, yet here you are dozing off without a care in the world."
Bell sighed, getting up from the rather comfortable bed he had been lent. "She called for me once, and that was ten seconds ago," he replied before giving the woman a questioning look. "Are you sure you're not doing this so you have an excuse to attack me?"
"Oh whatever could you be implying? You're like a cockroach; it's not like you'll stop even if I cut your head off, so why do you care?"
"I like having my head attached to my neck, thank you very much!" He snapped back, before exhaling his frustration. "Where is she?"
"Same place as always."
She really likes the view from there huh…
"Alright, thanks for not ending my life today I guess."
Despite her blatant murder attempt, her shouting had served as a warning. Though it may not have seemed to be enough, having a second class status sure does amplify one's hearing.
Especially when it's the angry growls of a goblin in human skin.
"Also tell Zeus-sama to stop peeping in the women's bath!"
Bell paused, craning his head backwards before grinning maliciously. "...No."
He quickly made his exit, hearing the rear end of a chain of expletives the crude woman had dashed out.
The Artemis Familia were known to be one of the very few active familias that fought for justice through Gekai.
Their members had been described as opulent priestesses, who had the appearance of resplendent lilies but the fighting abilities of indomitable knights.
Beauty and might were both in their grasps, as they went from place to place helping those in need.
Rumour was that they hated men.
Priestesses my ass.
Bell is pretty sure that every member of the familia had tried to kill him at least thrice so far.
It wasn't as though they exactly hated men, rather quite the opposite. A few of them were even awfully romantic, however…
Bell was a different topic.
It seemed as though all of them turned into bloodthirsty bats at the sight of him, looking to end his life and drain him of his existence.
They weren't man haters.
They were Bell haters.
All because I love their Goddess. What a bunch of brutes.
Approaching the cliff that overlooked the village, Bell looked up to see the dangling legs of the woman that awaited him.
He went around, approaching her from behind.
A smile blossomed on his face.
Then, a surge of warmth spread in his chest.
Followed by the butterflies that fluttered in his belly.
How he adored the sight of her blue locks.
Unique and elegant, they danced in the soft breeze.
Bell knelt behind her back, his arms looping around her figure.
Warmth seeped into him as he let out a sigh of bliss.
"B…ell…"
"Yes?"
"Why…" she muttered, her voice concerningly weak, "why…"
"!"
"Why didn't you save me?"
"Artemis?!" Bell immediately jumped back, his eyes widening in shock as his surroundings changed.
Before his eyes, it was no longer the peaceful expanse with the quaint little village that they had sworn to protect, but rather, the nightmarish cove where he had sacrificed her…for the world.
"A-Artemis?!" He looked around the grounds that had become unholy from long before, ignoring the shattered sentinels of the temple in an attempt to find her.
"You…"
His heart raced as he turned to the voice, freezing in place as he felt his body run cold.
There she was.
Standing before him.
"You let me die…"
"A-Ar…" his voice died in his throat, his breath hitching as he was once more forced to take in her broken visage.
Her ethereal beauty, tainted by the curse of mortality; crimson stained her favourite blue dress.
The pale skin of her legs looked garishly white, as though all the blood had been drained from her.
Her body remained a grotesque tableau of devastation, her divinity all but gone, replaced by the arrow of light that pierced through her.
"A-Artemis, I-"
"You had sworn…to protect me!" Artemis bellowed, her voice muddled with a gurgling noise. "You ended me with your own hands!" Her shrill cries paralysed him.
Unable to think.
Unable to speak.
Unable to move.
He did the one thing that he could muster at that moment…He cried.
Aisha didn't remember the last time she woke up in an empty bed.
Let alone one covered with tears.
Oh no she did, because she has been doing the same thing for the last week.
Though, perhaps she realised now that's what it's like to sleep with a grieving man.
A man who would rather go off into the dungeon than to speak with someone about things.
Not like I'm much better…
She knew how to 'comfort' men…and all the customers that had chosen her, but to try and mend a broken heart… that was not something in her job description.
It was out of her area of expertise. Her body, too used to being abused by the filthy desires of men, that the purity of his issues were bewildering to her.
She felt frustrated.
Morals she didn't know she had were shackling her—binding her with invisible manacles that only served to hold her back.
Ah, how she needed relief.
The rough embraces of a male, fiery and passionate—they would surely be able to override the presence of purposeless guilt.
Alas, she would not go to anyone else. For she had made a promise.
Flippant it may have been, but she didn't feel like going back on them.
Who knew perhaps he would eventually do it with her again, though she held little hope of it even helping him.
So, she'd be patient and support him.
A harlot she was; heartless she was not.
Even if that heart had long since been corrupted by dark sins.
"Man…I am just too kind for my own good." She muttered to herself, scratching at her scalp before getting up from the bed.
Bell hacked away at the barbarian until it fell to the ground, dead.
He glanced towards the companion of this monster, watching its frightened iris shake, before magical hatred overtook its desire to survive-
"RAHHH!"
-and led it to a futile charge towards its death, his blade meeting its maw before it could even comprehend what was going on.
A low growl was the only remnant of its existence, alongside a single gem.
Bell picked up the stone and pocketed it without much thought.
His eyes glassy from a nightmare that had yet to finish, despite the sun having risen well beyond its edge, he was passively carrying on with his tasks.
Why was he trying to get stronger? He didn't know anymore. His thoughts were clouded, even as the monster in front of him roared-
"Zap!"
-A mindless spell was the only thing to make it out of him. He fought without reason, like a knight without a queen to dedicate his blade too.
Aimless and lost, he couldn't identify the purpose that had once been so clear to him.
"Don't forsake this world."
What reason did he have to slay the beings in this overgrown cave, besides the sheer hatred that spawned in his heart when he glanced upon one of its creations?
Normal adventurers would typically struggle to keep up pace, with how often he was using his magic.
Even mages would question just how large his mana pools were, but he kept going.
His blade shimmering in one hand, magic buzzing in the other.
Bell unleashed an indiscriminate slaughter upon the beasts that emerged from the walls, not that he needed to consider them much.
Monsters…mindless creatures born with the sole instinct of killing.
Perhaps that was why he was in the dungeon.
Here, it was simply killers against each other. There was no need for neither love nor hesitation.
It was to kill, or be killed.
Perhaps the only place where he could turn away from even himself…and simply be.
He was probably what one could consider a veteran, given how even barbarians only nicked his skin every now and then. Despite every drop of blood reminded him of the attack he had unleashed upon her, he would thankfully be able to turn to the next monster.
His focus had never truly been there, but he didn't care if all he was doing was simply dumping his mind and half-heartedly using his divine gift.
Bell needed peace and he surprisingly found a trace of it in this place.
Paradise at last.
Concurrent chanting was one of the most advanced techniques for a mage to learn.
Spell chanting required immense focus, as one had to gather the mind from within to utilise spellcasting.
For the majority, that required mages to do the bare minimum only.
They remained stationary and chanted words to create an effect. They had no need for agility or strength, because they could produce deadly effects simply with their voice.
"That logic puts the mages at a drastic disadvantage." Riveria shifted her weight as she looked at her chosen successor. "Monsters in the deeper floors are smarter; perhaps not intelligent but they certainly possess sharper instincts."
"I see." Lefiya noted diligently. "So that means that they are able to detect the threat that mages stand."
"Precisely, the exact way they do it is something we don't know; we would have to ask them that but it's not like monsters can talk, so that question unfortunately remains unanswered."
Riveria walked towards the table, closing the book that she had been using as a reference to teach her student.
She didn't particularly need them, considering that she was a magical genius that appeared once in a thousand years.
Magic was her domain.
However, referencing for her student to use later on wasn't a bad choice. After all, she may have become an encyclopedia, but illustrations and texts sometimes stuck more for certain people.
In the path of knowledge, she would not judge anyone's method of education. Some learnt from simply reading, others from active demonstration. It did not lead to any differences in their potential, but it was completely fine to keep multiple paths of education open.
Especially when she was teaching them things necessary for them to survive the hellish environment that was the dungeon.
"I understand that you tried to have Ais and Tiona help you out before?"
Lefiya's eyes shot open as she began flailing her hands. "That- I meant no offence-"
"Relax, Lefiya." She replied in a firm yet motherly tone. "It's natural for you to reach out to your friends before others, I am not angry."
Riveria exhaled, moving loose strands of her emerald hair behind her ear, "It is commendable that you took an active approach to improve on your shortcomings. I may be your teacher but that does not mean I'm the only one you can come to." She praised, watching Lefiya's expression noticeably morph.
"Y-yes, Riveria sama!"
"...Now then, I'll take you to a good place to get started. Don't tell Ais, I showed you one of her favourite spots." She smiled, putting a finger against her lip.
Lefiya beamed, her crush on the woman becoming apparent. "Y-Yes!"
"Stop zoning out!" Ouka screamed, jumping into the air to initiate his assault…only to be flung away.
He had avoided being attacked…and yet, his heart ached.
As though Ouka's dull blade had managed to pierce him. Although Bell wished for nothing than to fight something that actually gave him some level of stimulation, he couldn't simply avoid training his vassals so easily.
"Capitalise on me zoning out then," he muttered.
His eyes swept a glance towards the shy bow-woman of their team…the frail looking girl shaking with her arrow notched straight at him. Her hair covered eyes quaked with fright, as though she had seen something truly horrific.
Him.
"Hesitation kills, Chigusa-san."
He would know.
After all, he was the reason…
The woman let her arrow loose, her fear of his current state being suppressed by the words he spoke.
His expression worried her. The distant gaze of his eyes and the twitch of his lips into a semi-frown spoke of many thoughts his turbulent mind generated. Concerns that she didn't feel like she was privy to asking about.
He kept silent, caging the solitude within his body and allowing himself to grow cold. He felt frigid, his soul ached for her warm divine embrace.
When tragedy had struck him before, she had been his solace, but only now did he realise he had taken her for granted.
She was a deity, immortal and timeless. How was he to know that he would bring her end using his own hands?
Even with the arrow flying towards him, he looked around the almost grey world, searching for her resplendence– her light that could outshine the Gekai itself.
What was he to do now?
His eyes glanced over his dark skinned companion…her aura that had always glowed with ferocity and feral lust…looked just a bit dimmer now.
As though she had been worried for him.
I'm probably thinking too much.
Aisha possessed no reason to worry for him, as long as he protected Haruhime, their deal was being kept.
Sure, she may have robbed him of his chastity…but as a prostitute it was far from her first time. What reason would she have to care for him?
Though he was stricken with guilt, he would not be so foolish as to try to use her to replace what he had lost.
For nothing could replace her uniqueness.
He redirected his attention to Chigusa, seeing her collapse to the ground, perhaps having caught a glimpse of his hatred…or perhaps, intimidated by him.
He wondered why she behaved in such a way, she didn't even know anything.
But she didn't need to know the story to see his bloody visage.
"Bell-dono, you should at least drink a potion." Mikoto cut in, her katana swinging towards the side of his arm.
An attack he responded to within a moment.
"You need to aim for vitals against stationary opponents, Mikoto." Bell responded dryly, his fingers pinching her blade- bringing it to a halt, "never show unnecessary mercy."
"With all due respect, you are bleeding profusely, Bell dono!"
"My wounds are non lethal," Bell shrugged, ignoring the small jets of pain shooting through his body. "They will close in due time."
"Chigusa san, you possess a good aim, but your hesitation makes your arrow waver." Bell jumped over Mikoto, approaching the woman. "I understand your target is primarily monsters, but enemies are not restricted to being monsters. Always be ready at heart to take that step."
He had come to train the Takemikazuchi familia as he had promised.
'I promise to experience a Ten Thousand Years romance.'
The blood of his opponents caked his clothes, but he had not paid it much attention. The shallow cuts and scrapes that littered his body were not of urgency. As such, he had allowed himself to run a little late…if only to kill the additional goblin on his way out.
Blind hatred will lead me nowhere.
He knew that, but directing his swirling mess pool of rage, bitterness and guilt had felt…somewhat relieving.
The smallest part of him feeling eased.
Was this what loss felt like?
He wondered if this was what his grandfather had felt when the entire familia was decimated…
It was but a moment to an eternal being like him.
So why had it lasted so long for him? He raised an eyebrow.
How long has it truly been?
The world had continued to spin, the day's sun sunk across the horizon and had risen anew many times, yet, he couldn't tell how many days had truly passed.
His instincts flared, if momentarily. He spun on his heel, the back of his other foot being driven square into the jaw of the Takemikazuchi Familia captain.
"Ah." He looked down, seeing Ouka sprawled out and very evidently knocked out.
"Shit," Aisha cursed from where she was sitting by the wall. "You're a fucking mess."
He chuckled wryly at her comment, wiping his unruly hair off his forehead. "Tell me about it."
"Switch with me. At this rate, you'll kill one of them," Aisha almost ordered with a tone of finality. "And for the sake of Zeus, get a fucking grip."
Kill?
Would that give him reprieve from the self imposed hell he had created for himself?
Never lose yourself, Bell.
He shook his head, gathering his bearings. He could not think to cross that line with his own people.
What line? I killed a literal deity.
"Bell-dono…" Mikoto came towards him, offering a cloth. "Please wipe some blood at least."
He looked towards her, mistaking her obsidian irises for blue ones.
The concern within them intensified the pain in his core, as he accepted the cloth with shaking hands.
"Thank you, Mikoto san." He smiled, though it didn't fully reach his ears.
He sat by where Aisha had been, switching places with the woman—who very openly gave him the stink eye—before she went to train the people who should've been his responsibility.
God this is pathetic…
He glanced down, the clean cloth he was given had seemingly turned quite a bit redder than before.
I must be bleeding worse than I thought…
He scrubbed his hands against it, trying to rid his hands of the blood it had.
He scrubbed…
And scrubbed…
And scrubbed…
And scrubbed…
And scrubbed…
The cloth had turned crimson, mirroring his eyes and yet…the blood would not leave his hands.
Frustration grew in his mind, a growl escaping his mouth.
"Fuck!" He flung the damp cloth towards the entrance behind him, not realising the presence of an Elven Princess.
He watched in awkward silence as the bloodied cloth sat right on the woman's face…before she removed it with a frown.
His eyes trailed behind her, seeing a progressively reddening elf parrot behind her.
…Oh man.
"You filthy human!"
"Well not the way I expected to see you after a while, Bell Cranel," Riveria spoke, momentarily glaring at her disciple to be silent. "I take it you have not been well."
Bell snorted, finding humour in her words, "What makes you say that?"
"Well the blood is one sign at least. Why did you throw the cloth like that?" She sighed, not particularly offended.
"It's not cleaning the blood on my hands."
Riveria raised an eyebrow, glancing towards his hands. "...There's no blood on your hands."
He froze, checking for himself…
What the-
His hand looked clear, despite the rest of his body being a mess.
But he had seen blood up until a moment ago…
Oh just fantastic, now I'm seeing things!
He felt anger boil inside him, despite the small occurrence. His patience wore thinner than usual.
Perhaps his lack of rest was an issue he needed to address.
"Is everything alright, Bell?" Riveria asked, a familiar warmth about her voice.
He grunted, getting up and taking a deep breath to calm himself. "Apologies for that Riveri-"
"Do not address her so casually, human!" Lefiya piped up.
Before that breath was quickly exhaled, he felt his frustration burst as he looked towards the other elf. Her impertinent eyes glared at him with unjustified annoyance.
Why did she look at him in such a manner? As if he was the dirt that stuck to her boots.
Was this what he had protected?
This woman, who didn't even know the price he paid so that she could sleep another night in her bed…
He shook a bit, trying and failing to contain himself.
"Apologise to her!" She barked, moving ahead despite her mentor waving it off.
Had he really sacrificed the very essence of what tied him down to Gekai, so this…bitch could scream at him?
"Shut up, you inane elf."
"Wha- how dare you?!" Lefiya seethed, her hand reaching for her wand.
"Grab your wand; see what happens," Bell threatened, his hand already on one of his falcatas, "I'm sure you saw that the last person who threatened me didn't turn out so well…what makes you think you will?"
He unleashed his animosity that had so far been held back by the thinnest of threads.
'Do not forsake this world.'
Screw this world!
"Do you think she, a mage, would be able to protect you from me?"
In some twisted manner he rejoiced in the change in her expression.
Fear.
With just his words, he had sent enough malice towards the orange haired elf to make her reconsider opening her mouth.
His oppressive aura encompassed her.
Enough to constraint her lungs of oxygen, and from touching her weapon.
Despite his eyes meeting her trembling ones, he did not see Lefiya…in her place, was Rethusa.
The two had quite a similarity, not just in their defensive treatment of putting their superiors on a pedestal…but also their frankly annoying one liners.
Why is that angering me so much?
His mood had waned, having shot up and down with no indication of wanting to stick somewhere.
Was he perhaps redirecting his frustration of Rethusa failing to protect Artemis towards her?
Was it perhaps because she behaved so ungratefully despite the sacrifice Artemis made?
"You and her are just the same." he muttered, not noticing his vassals having stopped their training to watch him.
"Always ready to speak when not supposed to." Bell narrowed his crimson glare at her, "Cutting into a conversation that was never on a playing field you have reached."
His harsh words felt like a slab of bricks being weighed down her shoulders, sweat gathering on her back as her body urged her to run from the sheer rage the man before her was releasing.
He would not kill her, because Rethusa was…innocent. She was a victim, not one he wanted to hold responsible.
But this uncontrollable bubbling sensation in him seeked freedom. And so, he would give her his undivided attention. To let her feel a microscopic quantity of fury that he felt.
"You behave with such undeserved arrogance…" He gnashed his teeth violently. "Was this what she had to sacrifice herself to protect?! The likes of you?!"
Her eyes, which were gifted by nature, looked around him, widening in shock as the very spirits in the air began dispersing from him. As if nature itself was running away.
His fury feeding into itself from a seemingly minor issue, quickly spiralling out, his allies behind him trying to calm him down but their words didn't register.
"You speak as though you were ever superior to me. Tell me, elf." Visible sparks flew from him before disappearing into the air, "...do you feel fear right now?"
She couldn't respond.
She couldn't think of it.
Even so, she knew.
Every part of her body knew.
"That's enough," Riveria spoke up, standing in between him and Lefiya, a nervous bead of sweat going down her chin. "I admit that Lefiya has spoken out of turn…even so, as her tutor I cannot allow you to continue making obvious threats towards her."
"R-Riveria sama…"
Bell redirected his attention to the elven princess, "...and what can you do to me? Will you declare war?"
"That- I…"
Riveria paused in shock at the words he so abruptly threw her way, even if she hadn't insinuated to them.
The oddity in his behaviour became far more evident.
This was not the level headed and playful behaviour he usually displayed. No, something that was wrong with Bell…
She stiffened visibly, aware of the repercussions of her answer here, though she couldn't help but wonder what made Bell turn so hostile in such a short time.
Despite his aggression towards them as a whole, she hadn't expected him to take things so far.
"You do realise that would be the end of your familia right? My anger towards your familia is not so small that I would rest before laying waste to your family…what do you think Freya will do with the opportunity?" Bell asked, the dark bags under his eyes creasing.
He left the rest of his words unsaid, though the connotation did not need to be spelled out. Although Bell wasn't even a level 6, his abilities were certainly estimated to be able to deal certain damage to them should he wish, even if that was by allying with Freya.
Although she believed that he wouldn't do that, his current behaviour suggested that rationality may no longer be a priority to him.
The rivalry between Freya and Loki Familia had always been present, from when they took over the city after Zeus and Hera familia.
While Freya would not attack without probable cause, if the situation was favourable enough…
If Freya were to attack them while they were weakened…it would spell their doom.
'What has gotten into him?' Riveria wondered concernedly, not willing to test the waters with his words.
She had not missed the tiredness in his expression, the bags under his eyes. They continued to look into each other's eyes, despite their words coming to a seeming halt, Riveria could still sense the anger flowing from him.
Yet, she couldn't really put a finger to it…it didn't really feel directed towards them.
In spite of the fact of him grabbing his weapon against Lefiya, she could tell he was holding back.
Simple malice without intent meant that he would not actually attack.
After an uncomfortable stare off she decided to speak, "...You need to calm down, Bell. I apologise for her words. This isn't like you."
The atmosphere cooled, her words somehow defusing the situation.
Bell sighed, letting go of his weapon as he looked away. His body slouched as though he was exhausted from weeks of effort.
"...I'm going to the dungeon."
Shocked by his words, Mikoto immediately moved to intercept him but he had disappeared before she could even get to him…
"Leave him be, Mikoto."
"But Aisha-dono!" Mikoto turned to the dark skinned woman, "he has finally come out after 2 days, and he is gruesomely injured too!"
The woman in response simply shook her head, as Riveria watched the interaction with keenful eyes.
"What has happened to him?" Riveria couldn't help but ask, seeing all the people present flinch in response to her words.
Aisha turned towards the elven princess. "Don't take what he said to you literally, Nine Hells. He isn't in the right mindset right now."
"Yes I got that but…" Riveria paused, looking at the urging expression before sighing. "Very well."
"Come on, we need a bit more space, let's go to your yard. And bring your captain, he probably needs a potion." Aisha pinched the bridge of her nose, hauling Ouka up from the ground.
Wordlessly they bowed to Riveria and left in haste.
For a moment or two, Riveria looked into the ground in a daze before turning to her student. "Lefiya, are you okay?"
The girl looked extremely shaken, despondent for a moment…though she gave a weak nod.
"Haaa…looks like we will be unable to continue our session today."
That seemed to get a response out of her chosen successor, as she gasped to speak up…but no words left her mouth.
"Don't bother Lefiya." Riveria shook her head before softly smiling. "You are not at fault here and with what happened I doubt you'll be able to speak so swiftly. Besides, I have always urged for efficiency anyways, we will continue another day."
The woman teared up before nodding wordlessly, undoubtedly feeling ashamed with thoughts that she did not need to concern herself with.
Riveria pat her students head gently, her motherly affection coming out unbeknownst to her.
She held her pupil, giving her the much needed comfort until she calmed down enough to walk.
Riveria began to take her down the tower by hand, though she sporadically looked back to see Lefiya's state.
"Lefiya, you must not tell anyone what happened here today. Especially not to Finn or Tione."
"B-But…"
"What he said about the war was true. Even if we all choose to act before he moves…something tells me that Bell Cranel would make true to his words." Riveria gripped her hand just a bit tighter, "...Something wasn't right today. He wouldn't ever respond with such hostility."
"Why do you hold such a strong faith in him, R-Riveria sama." She asked in between shaky breaths.
"Because I am aware of what Zeus Familia members are like. You've spoken to him before, and he never behaved the way he did today, did he?" Riveria replied without turning back. "Something big has happened, and we are not aware of it. For now, we should do our best to not poke the hornet's nest."
Lefiya nodded, understanding what her mentor's words were implying.
"Be that as it may," Riveria smiled, "make sure to never forget what you felt today. The paralysing fear, it's something you will have to combat when you go to the deeper floors."
Lefiya continued following Riveria down in silence, walking through the city and taking in its ambiance to calm herself down.
Having been in the back lines of mages, Lefiya had always been sure of herself and her power, especially since she had tried to train and work with the likes of Ais Wallenstein.
Yet today…for the first time…
Her security in her ability was crushed.
All by a domineering feeling of death.
In the form of a human she had believed to be inferior to her.
A being, who apparently posed a big enough threat to her whole familia.
No.
A human, which her mentor had managed to disarm with words alone…
She slowly regained the admiring glow in her eyes, though her heart was occupied by a single question. A question that gnawed at her because she felt a similarity to her teacher.
One of the similarities in faith she had seen herself given to Ais.
"Umm…Riveria-sama?"
"Hm?"
"Do you…do you perhaps happen to favour Bell Cranel?"
"Wha-"
"Mistress, have you called for me?" A woman asked, kneeling down to one knee.
"How has the recovery of Haruhime progressed?"
"...I regret to say, we have not been successful. She has not stepped a single foot outside the Olympian's Manor." She gulped, fearing the consequences her words may bring about. "Every attempt we have made has been thwarted by Bell Cranel."
She held her breath for a second, too tense to exhale.
"I see…"
SNAP.
"That pesky little man!" Her mistress seethed, her divine arcanum leaking and nearly knocking her out. "How have you failed to catch him off guard even once?! Are you all a bunch of failures?"
She shuddered, her heart pounding with her fear peaking. "I-I assure my mistress, we will work har-"
"Do not bother."
Her jaw clicked shut, the charm that has been enforced onto her making her submit to her mistress's will.
"If we cannot take care of a single level 5, what hope do we have against the Freya familia?" she sneered, before crossing her arms. "...You know what? No matter."
She looked up to see the woman smiling.
"Tell Phryne to go after Aisha instead."
"W-What?"
"Did I stutter?"
She immediately lowered her gaze. "N-No Mistress."
She quivered as her mistress let out a tyrannical hymn of laughter, pure evil overflowing from her.
"If we cannot get to Haruhime, we need to simply draw her out. Besides, I'll simply charm Spades and make him one of my own little slaves! No, in fact, I'll drag Zeus out here and make him watch Phryne wring that boy out."
She nodded, unable to say anything in return.
What could she even say?
Excuses had no purpose.
Future promises meant nothing.
It was all futile, in front of divine ambition.
Asfi felt guilt grow in her heart as she watched the boy enter the dungeon once more.
He had detected her presence rather quickly, though this time he had offered her nothing more than a hostile sneer.
And she couldn't say she expected less than that.
His entire behaviour set had completely morphed, all the typical signs of grief showing up once more.
She knew she was partially responsible for this. However, she too was under constraints.
For no matter how much she detested her own deity, she could not defy him.
The Gods were fickle beings, but even they should have understood what it meant to love someone.
Or so she had thought.
"Asfi, stay near him at all times."
She raised an eyebrow, turning towards her selfish idiot of a deity, "You do realise that if my presence angers him…he very well may attack me."
The possibilities weren't slim, especially with the level of hostility he had shown to the Loki Familia just prior.
"Bell has always been good at holding himself back, and with his friendliness with you he may very well even let you get close to him."
That was a bold assumption to make.
One she didn't particularly want to weigh her chances on. Had he still been level 3, she would have accepted the chances but with his status as a level 5 now…she was pretty sure she would lose.
"Hermes-sama, how about giving him some space," she glared at him, "for once in the poor boy's life?"
Hermes chuckled, his nonchalant attitude irritating Asfi to no end. "My dear Asfi, he has a destiny to fulfi-"
"Cut the destiny crap for now," she interrupted. "He has lost his lover, by his own hands! Do you comprehend that? He was this close to throwing everything away with Antares, do you think now is a good time to be stalking him?"
"That is precisely why you need to keep a tighter watch on him. If he were to actually snap and use that, then everyone here dies y'know."
Though his words made some notion of sense, Asfi seethed nonetheless.
The audacity for him to suggest such a thing…it was as though he was treating Bell like a ticking time bomb.
It was dehumanising.
She grit her teeth. "He is just a teen! He's lost someone important in his life, and you care about some foolish mission?"
"Do you truly think it's foolish? He's the last of our hopes. Do you really think we have the ease of access to really let him slip now?"
"...You're unbelievable."
"He's getting away Asfi, even you'll have a hard time finding him if he gets too deep in the dungeon."
Asfi grit her teeth in vexation.
"Damn it!" She grunted before chasing behind Bell, leaving Hermes by himself.
"...We do not have time to care for his mental state, Asfi. He has to keep going…for the sake of all of us," he turned around, adjusting his hat.
"And if it's your presence that is required to replace Artemis…so be it."
For the divine, wishes were a matter of time.
Any choice, any dream they had would eventually lead to their desired result.
Perhaps in 10 years time.
Perhaps in 100 years time.
Perhaps…in 10,000 years time.
However long it may have taken, it would surely pass…like the past, which was outgrown by the modern mind. Their relevance shrinking as the eras changed.
That did not mean much to deities. A gift, which they were bestowed, meant that in their infinite lifespans, their wishes would eventually come true.
In fact, many preferred for it to come as late as possible.
Patience.
That was what Freya possessed a lot of.
Throughout her existence, from the moment she opened her eyes…she had everything she wished for.
Foolish men, who would constantly fawn over her delicate beauty.
Ravening wenches, who's expression would twist in jealousy.
As she continued to exist…she had everything she wanted.
While Tenkai was certainly the domain of her true freedom…the Gekai had also yielded itself to her.
The feebleness of the mortals allowed to pick and choose any person she so wished; certainly, the children she had picked out had their uses.
Strong and even cute, she enjoyed watching them rush to achieve her affection.
Even the ones—who possessed hearts frozen over by the most tragic pasts—would gladly rip open their chests, and offer their beating existence to her.
This was the difference between her and the others, who shared her root of existence.
She had EVERYTHING both in the infinite expanse of Tenkai…and the finite plains of the Gekai.
'Abso-fucking-lutely not.'
Yet him…
She shifted in her throne, taking the opportunity to cross her legs and rub her inner thighs to tease herself.
Wicked arousal, which was unbefitting for one with such elegant beauty.
Not that it mattered.
No one would dare shame her for it.
"...Is something the matter, mistress?" Her most loyal child, Ottar, spoke up. His attentiveness, proven in his understanding of her most subtle movements.
"He's sad," she replied, rubbing her palm against her perfect cheek. "...His soul burns with an amalgamation of emotions…the very soul, which I could not comprehend before."
"..."
"Ah, the sheer madness that he is containing…" She gasped, her hands shifted to her breasts, "the rage, the fury! So ferocious and yet he's hiding it all."
"It is…commendable."
Oh my…he's jealous.
While Ottar was her most loyal subject, he was also the most fiercely wanting. Desire that he always subdues to serve her.
"I wonder, if I offered myself to him right now…would he take his frustrations out on me?" She wondered aloud, steaming moans escaping her soft lips. "He certainly is the one! He had tried to hide it, but I can tell, my Odr!"
"...Do you wish for me to get him now?" Ottar asked, his body tensing almost as though he was ready to dash at the moment of affirmation.
"No." She shook her head. "There would be no use for me to even try and charm him anyways. Though it does please me that he is pushing the women in his life away."
Artemis, I hope you do not mind, friend. You and your futile promise would never be enough to satisfy him…
She wanted him. She could satisfy his intensity, no one else!
She felt as though she could run her fingers down his muscular arms right this moment…
Yet it was not the time.
Bell was vibrant to her in his current state, his guilt and mortal grief seemed simply delectable to her. However, she knew that he would simply burn brighter when he bounced back.
Mortals were quick to change; deities were not.
She could wait, and for what is a minute to her—he would blossom like the most alluring rose.
"Ottar dear…" She stood, stripping herself of the only clothes fitting to cover her exalted figure, "would you kindly satisfy me a little?"
She felt a bit sorry for the boaz, asking him to please her while she desired another.
However, she quickly threw that sentiment out.
It wasn't as though anyone would even judge her.
She was perfect.
Bell huffed as he returned back to his home, brushing his fingers through his hair.
He had tried to find some semblance of peace within the harrowing confines of the dungeon, but the persistent gaze of Asfi on his back had annoyed him enough that he simply opted to return.
He took a look at his own hand, seeing the blood he had drawn to stop himself from slashing her head off right there and then. As tempting as it was, he was not blind enough to not realise that killing her would do nothing for him.
It certainly wouldn't bring Artemis back…
His mood soured from his own train of thoughts, which he quickly got rid off as he met eyes with Zeus.
"Bell."
"Yes?"
"You have not been home for 3 days." He stated as a matter of fact.
"I have been in the dungeon."
"...Forget it. There is some dinner ready for you to eat."
"I'm not hungry," Bell replied, walking past Zeus…only for him to grab ahold of his arm.
"Bell." Zeus addressed with a bit more force in his voice. "You will eat your food." He commanded, not caring if that served to only further worsen Bell's mood.
"...Very well."
He hated hearing his own grandson talk to him in such a way but he could not fault him for doing so.
After all, Zeus had been the one to order Bell to go and deal with Antares.
He had indirectly played a role in something that scarred his grandson once more, and though he had no control over the situation, it didn't mean Bell was unjustified to be angry.
It was a bitter pill for both of them to swallow, but there was very little Zeus could have done to begin with. It was not as though he wished for Artemis to die.
Even Bell knew that.
His standoffish behaviour was not something the deity could empathise with, but he knew what it felt like to lose everything one valued…
He watched Bell go up the stairs almost robotically, the boy's posture reduced to such a state that one could believe him to be a puppet doll.
'...Oh Meteria. Forgive me for the harm I've allowed to come to him.' Zeus thought wistfully, remembering the promise he had made to the boy's late mother.
As Bell entered his room, he was met with the nude figure of Aisha standing in front of him.
"..."
"Do I need to leave while you change?"
"No." Aisha replied, approaching him as he stood straight.
His eyes tracked hers, but never bothered to gaze lower, despite her being nude.
She circled him, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck, staring into his expressionless visage.
"Nothing to say?" She tempted, pressing her plump breasts into his chest, his heart beating as consistently as it had always done.
"...Right it has been a while for you huh." his balled up fists flattened, as he laid a gloved hand on her back. "Sorry, but can you take the lead this time?"
Aisha snorted in response, putting her hand under his shirt, her soft lips meeting his…
Their clothes flew off in lightning quick speeds, as Aisha pulled Bell towards the bed, his manhood rising at the tantalising showmanship of hers.
She had been somewhat afraid that he would not be able to rise, but the male physiology did not discriminate even when wallowing in guilt.
Aisha's normal schedule had always been one filled with sex; after all, it was her job. Though she had managed to suppress herself with recent troubles…her body inevitably craved more.
Now, having the opportunity, the wetness between her legs had burst forth like a broken faucet, drenching her and his rising member.
"Well look at you…seems like you were pent up too." Aisha gave him a sultry grin, though it was almost dissolved as she felt his dull gaze on her chest, as though he was merely staring through her.
She felt her heart ache a little and she knew not why it did and frankly…she didn't want to.
"Mnn!" She moaned, as she straddled him and pushed his thickness into her pussy.
She shook her hips, feeling the heat soar within her, excitement bubbling through her every orifice as she tightened her hold on him.
His arms wrapped around her to support her, as he moved in synchrony to press his head against the entrance to her womb.
Her ever growing lust felt sated, as though it was being met in rate by her joy of feeling a male inside her once more!
…
…
...Or rather that's what it should have felt like.
Aisha's momentum was interrupted by her own doubts.
She had finally gotten what she wanted…
She was finally within the arms of an undoubtedly strong male once more…
…So why did she feel so empty?
Her entrance was filled, yet she felt hollow.
Her womb was aching with heat, desperate for the piping hot seed of a virile man…Bell's seed!
But she felt as though she wasn't fulfilling what she had wanted. The blinding lust was not taking over her.
Aisha glanced down, despite his activity…Bell did not truly embrace her.
His hands did not wander like they had once done; he did not seek pleasure within her.
Bell Cranel, did not have the urge that she possessed to mate…
He looked up, staring at her with the barest hints of wonder.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
Aisha grit her teeth, grinding her hips against his thighs.
'So what?! What's it matter if he doesn't want it? It's not the first time I'm doing it with a man who doesn't want it!'
He was mourning, but that didn't allow him to shirk his responsibilities- ones that he had claimed himself.
She buried his face between her breasts, not wanting to stare into his despondent gaze any longer.
Sex…was just about their bodies.
It didn't matter he was not feeling joy from it.
Sure it hurt her questionable pride as a harlot, but it was far from being the only time she was simply doing it for an one sided act, it was hardly different from when Ishtar would command her to rape a prisoner!
…
In spite of that…it was different.
'Why?! Why don't I feel anything from him?' She wondered frustratedly.
Her hands clenched down on his shoulder, her nails digging into his skin…yet, he did not even give her the slightest of movements.
She panted, each breath being drawn through a sieve of frustration as she questioned herself.
Her mind rattled like a window under a storm, questions floating in her mind as to why she cared so much about his part of this debacle she would not call sex. Her core tensed.
She was a harlot for God's sake!
Her job was to fuck and get money, and when she had left that behind, it was for this man who refused to even recognise her?!
"Ah for fuck's sake!" Aisha cursed, standing up and moving away from him. Her juices trickled down her leg but she didn't even bother to wipe it away.
Her change in position had at the very least drawn his attention, but she bit her lip drawing blood.
"...What's wrong?"
Her fist clenched, as she desperately held herself back.
The audacity he possessed to ask her such a question again…
Was he not aware of his own faults?
She looked at him for a moment before kissing her teeth in irritation.
"...I'm sleepy." She hissed out, lying down on the bed and turning her back to him.
"Aisha?"
She took a deep, shuddering breath, convinced that he was trying to anger her but then she remembered what he looked like, and let out a low growl.
Was this…pity that she felt?
"I'm fine." She muttered, knowing it was false even as she replied.
Choosing to ignore his presence, she willed herself to sleep, however, it would not come to her. Thoughts churned in her mind, recalling his tense expression and his vacant touch.
She would question his masculinity.
She could berate him.
However, she held herself back…because she knew it was of no use.
Fierceness.
Confidence.
Wittiness.
Strength.
Desire.
He lacked all of them.
Perhaps not lost, but certainly suppressed by his grief. What a troublesome thing it was, to reduce such a specimen of mankind to a cold hardness that brought her less satisfaction than a toy.
He was not the man she had sex with before and though all she would have required before was for him to be erect…she felt unfulfilled this time.
As though mere sex was not what she wanted.
What else could it have been though?
The aching of her womb?
The restlessness that stole her sleep?
The concern she felt, when she looked at his downcast face.
Her questions ran rampant. Her need for sexual stimulation was shaped by her life thus far and her nature as an Amazoness.
She had grown up with two things only; combat and sex. Feelings, never matter. She almost let out a bitter chortle even thinking about that word.
Why did it feel so empty?
Why did she find it so…wrong?
His rubellite eyes that had lost all glimmer, heavy cloak like clouds that she could not clear away, chaining him to a fate that he did not deserve.
She knew of his plight; despite not wanting to forge some pointless bond of love, she understood him and his fractured mind.
Because she too had been broken.
She, by the twisted charms of an evil deity; he, by the sin of killing his own lover.
But she could finally somewhat comprehend the scale of his emotions.
The all consuming guilt that must have been playing tricks within him.
It wasn't as though she felt anything like that, her moral compass long since distorted. And with quiet streaks of tears going down her face, she tried to sleep. Seeking value not within him…but herself.
Her fitful soul searched for a way to reach him, in her stead. Though she'd never want to admit it. She wanted him to be at peace for some odd reason.
Her desires for mere carnal satisfaction morphed into something she wished to dedicate solely to him.
However it was no use.
Because try as she might, she knew very well…
That the gaping void of emptiness within his heart, was not something she could fill.
Because love was not something she knew.
A/N: and that's a wrap.
Look, I'm aware there are many things that could have been improved here, in fact, there was a lot I wanted to do. But I was getting tired of redoing this chapter again and again, modding things and then regretting those alterations.
I really do care and love writing, but at this point at a solid 04:31, I'm *this* close to solving the death sequence to just end myself, so I'm posting this.
Bless.