Hey everybody,

So here is the next chapter. I request that whoever reads this leave a comment. About half the time I try to view Chapter 9 it disappears. Now a couple of things going forward.

As some of you can probably guess the upcoming chapters are going to move quickly. So I had to sit down and write them all at once so as to make sure everything goes smoothly. The next 10 or so chapters happen in the course of only 24 hours so it was a lot to get through.

Also I need to focus another things for a while(real life is rough) going forward so rather than leave waiting for a couple of month i got ahead of the story. Given how far head i got I should be able to reliable publish a chapter for this story every two weeks for while. So look forward to more reliable chapter updates from now on.

And the end of this series. I expect that we will be at the conclusion of Act 1: Founding of the Erebus Familia ( I just made the title up. Like it?)

Alright So that is everything administrative this time.

Author's Note: If you would like to support me please consider supporting my Pat reon (zscreatorstudio) or remove the spaces below for the link:

w w w . pat reon . c o m (/) zscreatorstudio

You get first look at upcoming chapters and some "art" made using AI.

Feel free to message me with questions.

Any support is much appreciated. All my stories will continue to be published for everyone's enjoyment. I will NEVER EVER hold these stories behind a paywall. So feel free to simply enjoy them.

As a warning this story is for Mature audiences only.

After their explosive argument, Ais stormed off from the Dungeon, followed shortly after by Bell and the rest of the group.

Aki made her way back to her familia's quarters, her steps quick and determined. She had been assigned a patrol route with other members of her familia today and didn't want to be late. But beneath her haste, there was a sense of worry lingering in her mind. She couldn't shake off Bell's words about hating Loki familia and wondered if she would still be welcomed there.

As the remaining group returned to their home, Bell practically bolted up to his room as soon as they entered. His thoughts began to spiral as he replayed everything he had said and done during the fight with Ais. He couldn't shake off the guilt and regret that consumed him, wondering if he had irreparably damaged their relationship.

DAMN it.

Damn it.

How could I be so stupid!

DAMN IT.

I KNOW AIS DIDN'T Have anything to do with it…

So why…

can't my heart understand that if my head does?

A sharp knock on the door jolts Bell out of his dark thoughts.

"Go away!" He shouted as his voice trembled.

But despite his protests, the door opened and in walked Alfia.

"I don't want to talk right now, Auntie," Bell said, avoiding her gaze.

"Too bad. We are going to talk," Alfia replied firmly, though despite the tone of her voice, her eyes were compassionate.

She made her way over to the bed where Bell lay curled up, and gently lifted his head until it was resting in her lap. With delicate hands, she began to run her fingers through his hair, soothing him with her touch.

As Bell's breathing slowed and he started to relax, Alfia's eyes softened even more. She knew how much he was hurting and all she wanted to do was comfort him. In that moment, their was only their bond as aunt and nephew.

Alfia ran her fingers delicately through Bell's hair, trying to comfort him as she listened to his troubled thoughts. The soft, soothing touch of her fingertips against his scalp was a welcomed distraction from the turmoil in his mind.

"So tell me what happened," she prodded gently, her voice laced with concern. "Amid said you and blondie got into a fight."

Bell let out a shuddering sigh, his body trembling as he tried to find the right words to explain himself.

"I... just... why...can't my heart understand?" he choked out, his words broken by sobs. "I know...I was wrong...but I just can't get my heart to understand..."

"I see," Alfia replied softly, her expression filled with understanding. "And what were you wrong about?"

"Ais said I sound like Riveria," Bell explained, his voice heavy with shame. "And I lost my temper at being compared to her. I said things I didn't truly mean... I said that I hate everyone in Loki familia including Ais and Aki."

He trailed off, overcome with remorse and self-loathing. Alfia continued to run her fingers through his hair in a comforting gesture, offering silent support as Bell laid there, lost in his own thoughts.

A resigned sigh escaped Alfia's lips as she looked at Bell. Her expression was one of understanding, but also a tinge of sadness.

"I see. You always act so mature, it's easy to forget that you're only thirteen." Her words were gentle, but they struck a chord with Bell.

"I'm almost fourteen now." He pouted, not wanting to be seen as a child.

"Ah, yes. Just three more months until your birthday." Alfia chuckled softly, her smile still kind and warm.

"Uhmp." Bell continued to pout, feeling slightly annoyed at being treated like a child.

"Bell, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now. I just never found the right time." Alfia's tone became serious as she prompted Bell to sit up on the bed.

"Given your relationship with blondie, I think it's best if I tell you now." She paused before continuing. "It is only the BRAVER and that wretched goddess LOKIthat are responsible. Riveria and Gareth are not responsible."

Bell's heart practically stopped at hearing what Alfia said, his body going cold with shock.

"How?"Bell asked

"How do I know?" Alfia asked to which Bell nodded

"Hermes told me everything," Alfia said, her voice heavy with sorrow and regret. "After what happened he came and told us survivors of what happened. He said that he knew Zeus and Hera had escaped but he didn't know where to. He also explained who was responsible. He likely feared what I would do if I thought Riveria, in particular, had participated."

Bell couldn't believe what he was hearing. All this time he had been harboring hatred towards Riveria, blaming her for participating in downfall of his familia.

"Then..." he asked, his voice trembling with emotion.

"You do not have to hate Riveria or Gareth, Bell," Alfia said solemnly. "They have done nothing wrong."

Tears welled up in Bell's eyes as he finally let go of all the emotions that had been weighing on him. In that moment, he felt a sense of relief and understanding wash over him as a sob escaped his lips and then another:

WAIL

Alfia simply sat there and hugged her nephew tightly, offering whatever comfort she could.

After a while, Bell's sobs quieted and he sniffled softly.

"Did you consider acting against them? " he finally inquired.

"Yes, I did." Alfia replied. "Even with my disease, I would have been victorious against them. And once I had killed the executives, taking down the rest of the trash would have been just as easy as crushing ants. Or, I could have thrown their deities into the Dungeon to suffer and then eliminated them one by one as they lost their status. I even thought about making that pathetic prum watch as I destroyed his entire legacy, ensuring that he would be nothing more than a soon-forgotten footnote."

Bell shivered at the coldness in his aunt's voice.

"Why? What stopped you from acting against them? How do I deal it the anger in me" Bell asked meekly.

Alfia's sharp gaze softened as she turned to face him. "You want to know why we haven't sought revenge against those who wronged us?"

Bell nodded, unable to look away from her intense stare.

"The reason is simple," she continued. "The dragon is the true threat. But you are not yet ready to hear the full story. Just know that it was able to toy with us despite our strength and power. I refuse to risk the lives of others for my own selfish revenge. If I were to act on it, I would likely bring about the apocalypse on this world." Alfia took a deep breath and closed her eyes, remembering the horrors of the past.

There was a long pause before Alfia finally spoke up again. "So, what are your plans now?" she asked.

"I need some fresh air and time to clear my head. Then I'm going to apologize to Ais and Aki," Bell replied.

"Good. But make sure you bring Amid and Lili with you. After what that hyena said this morning, I don't want you wandering off alone. Understood?" Alfia's stern gaze fell upon Bell, who nervously nodded in agreement.

"Great, now get moving. And I expect you back home before dark. Is that clear?" Alfia gave one final instruction before dismissing Bell to go find Amid and Lili.

"Yes, Auntie," Bell muttered before quickly scurrying off to find his friends and set out on his mission.

Bell found Lili and Amid at their usual spot in the library. He greeted them with a forced smile, still feeling ashamed about his actions from earlier.

"Can we talk?" Bell asked, gesturing for them to step away from the books.

Lili and Amid nodded and stopped what they were doing. Bell took a deep breath before beginning his apology as he bowed his head.

"I'm really sorry for what I said earlier. I let my emotions get the best of me and I did not act as a captain should."

Lili's expression softened as she replied, "It's okay Bell. We understand that you were upset." She paused for a moment before adding, "But we need to talk about what happened today."

"While I have no know you long Bell, I know that was out of character for you. Could you please tell us what is going on?" Amid as tenderly.

Bell nodded in agreement. "I know. And I promise I'll make it up to both of you somehow. However, I would like to find Ais and Aki to in order to apologize to them first. Then I will explain everything to you. Is that okay?"

Both girls nod in agreement and hastily gather their belongings before leaving.