Hello my dear peeps. I hope you are all doing well. It's that time again. Time for another chapter of Heroes and this time we're finally going to have our meeting with a certain goddess of beauty.

Before we get there however, there's a few questions that were sent my way that I'd like to answer. So let's just go down the list.

- Will Artemis be appearing in this story?

A lot of people have asked about this and well, I'm not sure. I have yet to see the Danmachi film, so I don't know her character or her connection to Bell well enough to add her. Also, as far as I'm aware, she returned to Heaven, which would make her appearance a bit questionable. However, it's not out of the question, especially if I finally get to see the film and like her and/or her connection to Bell.

- Are we going to be seeing more members of the Zeus and Hera familias?

Well, this one has already sort of been answered with the appearance of Dido at the end of chapter 23, however, since it's not really spoilers, I will say we will be seeing more members of both familias in one form or another. People have also been mentioning the addition to the Danmachi fan page of members of both familias: Alfia and Zald. I will probably mention them at some point, but they won't be level sevens here given the canon of this story has Achilles as the first level seven.

- Will Kronos and the gods' secrets be returning as a plot point?

Yes. In fact this is tied with the main plot. The secret or secrets that the gods are hiding will directly affect Bell and bring him into conflict with numerous individuals and force him to make a great choice in the end. However, beyond that major admittance, I will say no more.

- Will Patroclus be making an appearance?

Possibly. But not as Achilles's lover. Achilles is straight in this story (though, if anyone's curious I am planning to have some LGBT love in the story). If he does appear he'll probably appear as one of Achilles's siblings should we ever meet Achilles's pre-Orario family.

- Will Aisha become a member of the Hestia familia?

As far as I'm aware, she can't. She just joined the Hermes familia, meaning she has to wait a year before switching familias, and though a few months have passed since then, it will still be some time until she has the option should she want it. But remember, she would have to get past Hestia, Lili, Ryuu, and perhaps most importantly, Achilles, who wasn't exactly pleased with her the last time he saw her.

- Will Hestia/everyone learn about Bell's training with Aisha?

(Blinks)...(Blinks again)...Um...I honestly don't know. I've been asking myself that question since I first wrote the chapter with their first meeting, and I feel like I should, but...I don't know, I could never plan the scene out in a way I was satisfied with. However, Freya knows and with this being the meeting chapter, maybe she'll bring it up (shrug).

Finally, the last question I wish to answer, and my final, sort of spoiler for today.

- Will there be lemons in this story?

Hell yes. In fact, I already have seven roughly or near-completely planned out (though I'm not going to tell who they're all with and I think at least one of them is going to surprise you). I have been a lemony writer since my beginnings in Fanfiction, but have backed off my more lemon-focused trash stories and will add them only when appropriate. If that's not your cup of tea then consider this your warning. It will still be some time before we reach them as quite a few things have to occur before I can create the scenes, but most emphatically yes, there will be lemons in the pages of this story, and plenty of them.

Now, with my little spoilers and teasers out of the way, let's get to the story, shall we?

I do not own Danmachi

"You sure about this kid?" Loki asked Bell.

Bell felt everyone's eyes on him and knew they were all thinking the same. No one knew how this meeting would go, but all knew that there was danger within it. None of them would blame him if he wanted to pull out, in fact many would be relieved or pleased by that outcome, and would happily tell Freya the meeting was off. However, Bell was not the kind of person to back down from a challenge, especially not one he had agreed to.

"Yes," he answered firmly.

The goddess nodded.

"Alright, then let's get this over with. The sooner we get this over with the sooner I can go back to ogling the girls in the bath."

For once no one groaned at her for that statement, they all knew she was simply trying to lighten the mood.

Both familias made their way down the halls towards the main hall where the meeting was taking place. There was no sign of any of the other members of the Loki familia as Loki had warned her familia of what was transpiring and told them to steer clear, both to protect them from a potential Charming by Freya, and in case things went south during the talks. As such, most were either held up in their rooms, spending a day out on the town, or in the Dungeon, leaving the Twilight Manor as silent as a tomb.

Arriving at their destination, they all took a deep breath and entered.

"Thanks for waiting, Freya," Loki said.

"Oh, it was no problem. Thank you for having us," the second goddess replied.

The 'us' was the goddess of beauty herself and all her highest ranking members. They each sat on one side of the table, flanking their goddess, except for Ottar who stood behind his goddess, ready to guard her, as always.

The Hestia and Loki familia began to file in. They began to sit, but where one might have suspected that the Hestia and Loki familia would stick with their own familias, they instead intermingled, with Loki members sitting next to Hestia members and vice versa. This was to ensure that, should things turn out badly, that the higher ranked adventurers could jump in to resist the Freya leaders, for even if it had been agreed that no one would bring weapons, that didn't mean a fight couldn't still occur.

Naturally, Bell, being the focus of the meeting, took the seat directly across from Freya, with Haruhime and Achilles taking either side of him, the latter making sure to be across from Ottar, though that did leave Haruhime directly across from a still irate Allen.

Once everyone was seated, Freya began.

"Thank you for doing this, Bell. I know you must be anxious, but I hope by the end of this meeting, I'll have put your mind at ease," her eyes shifted to her two other beloveds. "All your minds at ease."

Fat chance, Achilles thought.

"I hope so too, Freya-sama," Haruhime said, still nervous, but allowed her kind nature to instill her with optimism.

"We shall see, Freya-sama," Bell replied.

Freya continued to smile, completely unperturbed by the suspicion.

"Where would you like to begin?" she asked with even more seduction in her tone than usual.

"Why don't we start with what you were talking to Ouranos-sama and Ganesha-sama about yesterday," Bell suggested.

"Of course," Freya said, completely unshaken, and, if Achilles's eyes were correct, even pleased.

Why would she be happy about this? he wondered, concerned.

"I was speaking to the two of them about a little idea I had. That idea was to have a large, city-wide tournament where every familia was invited to participate."

No one was expecting that, and had the other goddesses in the room not been experts at catching lies, they would have called her a liar. However, as far as they could tell, she was telling the honest truth.

"Why would you request a tournament?" Bell asked.

Freya's smile widened just enough to be noticeable and many within the room felt as if they had fallen into a trap.

"To protect you," she said, her voice dripping with powerful affection.

"I don't understand. Protect me from what?" Bell asked, confused.

Freya's smile returned to its usual state, but those who knew her could tell there was a touch of anger present now.

"I'm sure you've noticed the new kind of attention you've been receiving," the goddess replied.

Instantly Bell, Achilles, and the Loki familia knew what she meant, though the Hestia familia was in the dark and confused.

"New kind of attention?" Hestia questioned, looking at Bell.

The young captain didn't wish to answer, afraid of worrying his familia all over again, but he was saved from having to do so by Freya herself.

"Ever since Bell's display a few days ago, many within the city have been on edge. Some are jealous of his rapid growth and great power, but others," her smile finally dropped. "Have deemed him to be a threat." The Hestia familia was instantly alarmed. Unfortunately, Freya wasn't done. "There have been whispers, no, not whispers, I swore to be completely honest," she said. "There have been plans to attack and kill Bell. Many within the city now deem him a threat after hearing the rumors of Achilles's wounding and potential death, alongside the explosion over the city. They have decided that it would be in their interest, and even in the interest of Orario itself for him to be removed. Permanently."

Fear now burst from the Hestia familia's eyes and each looked ready, at that very moment, to jump from their seats and take up defensive positions around their captain. They weren't the only ones, as Aiz looked both furious and terrified after the reminder that there was a plot to kill the man she loved and she felt herself going back and forth between wanting to wrap Bell up in her arms to protect him, and going to hunt for the plotters and give them a taste of what she gave Phryne.

"Bell-kun's innocent!" Hestia cried, being the first to actually jump from her chair. "He's a good boy who would never hurt someone without good reason! How could they possibly ever-!"

"Peace, Hestia. Peace," Freya said gently. "I completely agree with you. Bell did absolutely nothing wrong. He's one of the most patient, kindest, and perhaps the single most heroic person in all of Orario. He does not deserve the jealousy or scorn in the least."

Being in agreement with Freya for once, Hestia calmed down, but turned her gaze to Bell, who gave her the best smile he could.

"It's alright, Hestia-sama. Nothing bad is going to happen," he vowed.

"No, it's not alright," she replied forcefully. "But you are right. Nothing bad is going to happen. I won't let it."

"Neither will Lili!" the prum added, jumping to her feet.

"No one's touching my little brother," Welf stated firmly.

"We won't let anyone hurt you, Bell-dono," Mikoto swore.

"They'd be fools to even try," Ryuu growled.

"We'll protect you," Haruhime said, smiling gently at Bell.

"Yes we will," Achilles reinforced.

Everyone appreciated the display, except for most of the Freya familia, especially Allen who thought it nauseous. Even Ottar seemed to approve of the display, content at seeing his lady's beloved surrounded by people so adamant in ensuring his good will. Freya herself was smiling pleasantly as the display finished.

"Of course you have my solemn vow as well," she added, bringing everyone back to the conversation. "And that's what the tournament's for. I realized I wouldn't be able to snuff out all the fear and rage directed at you, Bell, and so decided on a different approach. I figured that if everyone was given a proper distraction, something that would lift their spirits and evaporate this cloud of worry over the city, then you would be safe again. Or as safe as you could be."

Everyone thought about this for a few moments and realized it wasn't a terrible idea. Things had been on edge within the city for some time and giving everyone a spectacle would give them something pleasant to focus on and probably get rid of at least some of their concern with regards to Bell.

"I see. Then I suppose it's only right I thank you, Freya-sama," Bell said, standing up. "Thank you very much," he said with a bow.

A touch of anxiety crept up the Hestia and Loki familia's spines. They knew that any benevolent sign or emotion that Bell sent the goddess's way would only hook her all the more on him. Their fears were proven both correct, and amplified, when the goddess of beauty stood up from her chair, reached across the table, and lifted his gaze to look him in the eye.

"You don't have to thank me, Bell-kun. It is my greatest pleasure to help you."

The intensity of the desire in both her voice and eyes struck Bell dumb. Her eyes, like gleaming gemstones, were practically overflowing with desire and affection for him, to the point it was actually intimidating. However, that was not all it was. It was also, dare he think it, flattering.

This is why Dad fell in love with her. She feels so intensely, and loves even more so, that it's like you're drowning in everything she feels for you. I...I thought I understood it before, but I didn't. I couldn't. I had to see it. See what she feels, to understand what it feels like to be loved by her, and to understand why one would fall in love with her.

All this he felt and thought in mere moments as everything Freya had washed over him and, before he knew it, before any modicum of consciousness could recognize what he was doing, he began to lean in.

Freya's eyes widened. Her breath began heavier and hotter, and her desire threatened to burst from her to the point she felt the tell-tale sign of it dripping down her leg.

Yes! Come to me, Bell. Come and be mine!

A hand on Bell's shoulder snapped them both back to reality.

Achilles had seen it all. He knew what was happening because he had faced it as well. The intoxication of Freya's adoration. The sweetest, most delightful drug that one could ever experience and which had taken him years, and some of the worst experiences of his life, to even begin to break free from. There was no way he was going to let the addiction begin with his son. Not while he was there and not while those who actually held Bell's heart or who deserved to, were right there.

Bell blinked and turned, seeing the hand on his shoulder before following it to see Achilles's overwhelmingly concerned eyes.

Realizing what had happened and feeling a shame so deep it shook him to his core, his eyes widened, before his head fell and he all but threw himself back into his seat, unable to look at anyone.

Achilles sighed before glaring at Freya, who had returned to her seat and simply smiled as she set a silent message back at him.

Tease.

Everyone else, meanwhile, tried to figure out what had just happened. They instinctively understood that a disaster had been averted, but they didn't know what the disaster was or how it had been stopped. They couldn't. They hadn't been on the end of what Achilles and Bell had faced and so, anxious and confused, they eventually dropped the matter, deciding to just be grateful that whatever could have happened, didn't.

"That doesn't seem like something you would need to keep secret," Achilles said angrily, refusing to relent on glaring at his former beloved.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Freya replied, still smiling. "Besides, everyone has their secrets, Achilles-kun."

"That's not true."

Everyone's eyes shifted back to Bell who, at hearing that statement, had managed to get over his mortification at what he had almost done.

"We promised to not keep secrets in our familia," he said firmly.

Every member of the Hestia familia smiled, along with most of the Loki familia, ready to back them up with an affirmation of their own vow.

However, Freya had an ace in the hole.

"So your familia knows about your visits to the Pleasure District?"

Bell and Achilles tensed as everything went silent.

"Fuck," the ex-captain said out loud.

"Bell-kun." The terrified captain turned to his goddess. "What does she mean?" Hestia asked.

"Um...well you see...I…" Bell didn't know how to answer. More importantly he really didn't want to answer. He really really really didn't want to answer.

"It's my fault."

Everyone shifted to Achilles.

"When I found out Freya was after Bell I decided to try giving him the same training that Zeus gave me."

"What training takes place in the Pleasure District?" Lili asked, her eyes and tone turning venomous.

"Seduction training, of course," Achilles replied simply, hoping to get things over with like ripping a band-aid.

Things fell silent for a moment before Hestia, her eyes wide and hostility radiating off her, tilted her head and asked.

"What?"

Well I'm in deep shit, Achilles thought.

"Back when I first fell in love with Freya, Zeus decided to take me to the Pleasure District in order so I could learn to recognize when a woman was trying to seduce me and maybe snap me out of my adoration."

"Didn't work," Freya teased.

Achilles growled.

"No it didn't," he admitted. "To be fair though, I was already smitten by the time he took me. Bell was and is not," he bit back. Freya continued to smile despite this. "So I thought it might do some good."

"Some good!" Hestia and Lili roared, sending Allen and Bete aback as their ears began ringing.

"Yes," Achilles said after his own ears stopped ringing. "Bell, to put it bluntly, has garnered the affections of many women, young ladies, and goddesses. Hell, Apollo proved that even some men were interested in him."

That did not please either Hestia or Lili, nor most of the other ladies of Hestia familia, however the hardest hit was a certain bladed royalty.

There are others who want Bell? Then how could I ever be the one he chooses? Aiz said, falling into misery.

Riveria, who was standing next to her, saw this, and quickly acted.

"Don't give up hope. You don't know his own feelings and it may be that his heart already belongs to you," she whispered.

It was a bit much, she knew. It was as close to admitting Bell's feelings as she could get without doing the actual confession, however, Riveria deemed that it was worth it when she saw Aiz look up and stare at her with eyes full of hope.

"You think I stand a chance?"

Riveria almost rolled her eyes.

Bless you child, I love you to death, but goodness are you dense, she thought as she smiled.

"I'm sure you have a chance," she replied.

Aiz, now reassured, smiled and turned back Achilles as he continued to explain.

"As such," the Olympian continued, oblivious to what was happening between Aiz and Riveria. "I thought it wise that he not turn into a blushing mess whenever a lady shows him any amount of affection. Adorable though it is, it could lead him to trouble in the future."

"What about trouble in the past?!" Hestia demanded. "Those are the same people who attacked Bell!" she pointed out.

"A fact which I was initially unaware of. The moment that I was, I immediately cancelled his training with them while also threatening them with destruction, as I'm sure you all can remember," Achilles countered.

This, in no way placated or calmed the ladies of Hestia familia, who were far from too livid to drop it.

"I thought you were better than this, Bell-sama! I didn't think you really were a philanderer," Lili cried.

Off to the side, Freya, now all but forgotten, smiled happily at the scene before her.

If they turn on him, he'll have fewer routes to take and fewer safe harbors to go to, turning him in my direction, she thought, more and more glad with each passing moment that she had agreed to this meeting.

However, Freya forgot one important thing. When the chips were down, Bell tended to find a way to surprise everyone.

"Lili."

The firm, but not unkind tone stopped the rantings, snapped Freya out of her pleased thoughts, and dragged everyone's eyes towards the Rabbit Foot.

"I'm not a philanderer. I will never be a philanderer. That's not why I did that training," Bell stated.

Lili, and indeed everyone was a bit dumbstruck by the power in Bell's voice. Gone was the previous embarrassment and timidity, in its place was a strong, confident, and resolute voice from a man that looked upon his familia member with conviction, but also tenderness. He wasn't angry at her, he simply wanted something understood.

"I went because I understood it was valuable. And it was. Aisha helped me not only get more comfortable around women, but she also helped me understand a few things. She reminded me that a man doesn't let others lead him around. She helped me to understand that desiring a woman is not necessarily the same as being lecherous. And she helped me reaffirm my dedication to my goals by comforting me during a point of weakness. She didn't do anything inappropriate. She pushed me only as much as I needed to grow, and she was a friend to me when I needed one. For that I am grateful to her. In fact, I actually planned to go and visit her, in spite of Achilles's cancelling of the training, both to receive more training and to apologize for what happened."

That surprised the older captain, but not necessarily in a bad way.

He's forging his own path. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. He was doing that long before I got here, Achilles thought with a smile.

"This doesn't mean I'm a womanizer. I'm not, and will never be. The only reason I will ever do any act like that will be because I love the woman I'm doing it with. So please, don't call me me a philanderer or womanizer. I'm not. I'm sorry I kept it a secret, I truly am, but I knew how you'd react and sometimes I need to do things that I know you won't approve of. This is one of those times. I can only apologize and hope you'll forgive me."

No one, not a single person in any of the three familias knew how to reply to that. None of them had quite seen Bell like this. Cool, yes. Heroic, definitely. But, putting his foot down, and doing so in such a way that was both so Bell, yet so new? Well, one could understand why numerous ladies with certain affections found themselves stuck between being mad at him and being absolutely star-struck.

Clapping saved everyone from the silence and they shifted their attention to Freya, who was positively beaming.

"Well said, Bell. Very well said," she put her hands down. "And you're absolutely right. You must forge your path ahead, doing what you think is right, even if others may disagree. However," she turned to Hestia. "If it makes you feel better, Hestia, I can vow that neither Bell, nor Achilles ever did anything during their trips to the Pleasure District. Both remain completely innocent."

The room fell silent again.

Really Freya? Really? Achilles internally growled as he glared at the goddess.

"Both remain innocent?" Hestia cocked her head, then turned her eyes to Achilles, confused.

Soon, all eyes shifted to Achilles who looked increasingly displeased.

"What does she mean by that, Dad?" Bell asked, feeling like he was missing something.

Achilles did not answer, instead growling in annoyance.

Riveria thought on the words she had just heard and, after a moment, her eyes widened.

No. He can't still be….

Finally, Haruhime leaned over and asked the question.

"Achilles. Are you an innocent?"

The Olympian growled again, before shifting his eyes back to the goddess of beauty, who was smiling smugly.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked.

Her answer was instant.

"Absolutely."

Annoyed beyond reason, and feeling everyone's eyes boring into with enough intensity to start a fire, he finally threw his hands up in the air.

"Oh for the love of Heaven, fine! I'm a fifty-five, going on fifty-six year-old virgin. Fucking sue me!"

No one had been prepared for that declaration, and the room fell silent as they tried to figure out how to respond to that information.

There was one person, however, who was having an abnormal and, to put it nicely, interesting reaction.

Achilles has never been with a woman, Riveria thought. After all these years he remains innocent. Untouched. Unclaimed. Before she knew it a delighted tingle passed up her spine as a possessive side of her that she didn't know she had roared one thing. Claim him.

She blushed as her heart began to beat erratically.

Oh my, the elf thought.

Freya laughed, completely unaware of her elven competition.

"Achilles has always been a bit old-fashioned. No sex before marriage, and all that. And since we never married he has remained innocent all these years," she explained.

Achilles growled.

"Some of us have standards. Now, can we get back to the discussion at hand and stop discussing my sex life or lack thereof."

Freya seemed fine with this, even if she continued to smile teasingly at him, and everyone else was happy to change the subject, Riveria especially as she wanted to distract herself from these new feelings that were wracking through her body.

"Um, Freya-sama," Bell called, bringing the goddess's attention back to him. "I have a few more questions I'd like to ask."

"Of course, Bell-kun," she replied pleasantly.

"I was told that the grimoire I was given by Syr was actually provided by you. Is that true?"

That brought everyone back to the conversation as everyone awaited confirmation of Freya's involvement in Bell's life.

"I did indeed, it was to help your growth," she explained.

Sheesh, she really is obsessed with the kid. She's really trying to dig her claws into him, Loki thought as everyone took in the confirmation they had been hoping they wouldn't receive.

"I see," Bell said, holding back on making a judgement until he asked his next question. "I was also told you provided me with a charm that saved me from Hyakinthos's Aro Zephyros. Is that also true?"

Everyone knew this was coming, but was still anxious about the answer. If Freya had indeed provided a protective charm then she might very well have prevented Bell's defeat in the War Games and thus ensured that Bell wasn't taken by Apollo and that Hestia wasn't banished.

Freya's smile grew just a bit.

"I did," she replied. "I will admit that for a moment I was tempted not to as, if Apollo had won, that would have provided me the opportunity to take you for myself while at the same time being able to portray myself as your savior. But, I knew then as I know now, how much Hestia means to you and how devastated you would have been had she been banished. Also, I did not want to risk you becoming a victim of Apollo's appetite."

A few people shivered at that, perhaps none greater than Aiz.

"I see," Bell repeated. "Then I must once again thank you, Freya-sama. You have helped me tremendously, and I'll never be able to express in words how grateful I am for your help."

Freya shivered.

Then don't express it in words. Show me with action, she barely managed to keep herself from saying.

"It was my pleasure. It truly was. Seeing how much you've accomplished and how far you've come, is a reward by itself. Besides, had I not stepped in you wouldn't have rescued Haruhime, thus bringing her to my attention, and also protecting me from a plot by Ishtar. So, as far as I'm concerned, we're even," she said.

Seeing Bell smile at that, she knew she had said the right thing.

A bit of generosity is a small price to pay to win his heart, she thought.

Once more worry began to eat away at the Hestia and Loki familia as they saw the doorway towards Bell being opened for Freya and with little resistance. However, perhaps in her self-assurance or perhaps with the aid of Bell's Luck skill, the goddess of beauty was about to make a fatal mistake.

"Is there anything else you've done for me that I should be aware of?" Bell asked innocently as he wondered if there was more he should be thanking the goddess for.

Freya continued to smile.

"There is," she said, and her opposing familias tensed as their concern grew. "I have provided you challenges since your arrival in Orario to help with your growth."

"Challenges?" Bell questioned.

She nodded.

"Yes. You remember the Silverback and the Minotaur you fought?"

Bell's expression turned cold.

"What?"

Freya did not notice the shift in tone.

"I Charmed the Silverback and Ottar found and trained the Minotaur you fought. These challenges were to help you grow and to help you overcome your fear."

And just like that, the board was flipped.

Bell's fists slammed into the table hard enough to break it, and everyone jumped as the young man suddenly jumped to his feet.

"You put Hestia and Lili in harm's way?!" he roared.

The Freya familia was instantly around their goddess, prepared to fight the enraged Hestia captain to the death if he dared try anything.

Freya was surprised by the reaction, or at least the sudden shift in attitude, but after taking a moment to collect herself, and realizing she should have expected it, she proceeded.

"I sought to help you grow. Unfortunately, that entailed the involvement of the two of them."

"Unfortunately? Unfortunately?! Hestia collapsed from exhaustion! Lili was bleeding in my arms! You call that unfortunate?! Hitting your toe on furniture is unfortunate. A bakery not having your favorite sweets is unfortunate. You put them in danger!"

The Freya familia, minus Ottar, looked ready to tear Bell's throat out for his tirade, not that they would have gotten the chance as Bell's own familia and the Loki familia were fully prepared to jump in if Freya's pets dared to try and stop his justified rant.

Bell was about ready to explode. Learning that Freya had put people he cared about in harm's way again was destroying any calm and good will he previously had. Indeed, he felt disgusted at himself that he even considered opening himself up to the goddess. That he might be open to her in the same way he was open to Aiz. To Haruhime, and maybe even to the other women in his life who were so much kinder and better than the goddess of beauty. However, he was stopped when a hand, once again, found its way to his shoulder, causing him to stop and turn.

"I'll handle it from here Bell. Take a moment to breathe and calm down," Achilles said.

Bell was ready to deny him. To say that he wanted to continue his attack against the goddess, but seeing the firm, but calm eyes of his father and recognizing the silent plea for him to not be overcome by his anger, he eventually relented, but only just barely.

The Rabbit Foot did not sit down as one would have expected. Instead he made his way over to Hestia and Lili, where he then proceeded to pull the two into his arms, and wrap them up in a very protective manner, while also silently saying to the goddess across the table: I dare you to try and take them from me.

The two ladies, having gone from worry, to shock, then to embarrassment, eventually, after sharing a look, decided to simply return the gesture and wrapped their arms around him and bask in his fierce and protective warmth.

"Well, Freya," Achilles said, after watching the scene for a moment. "It looks like you've screwed up."

Freya maintained her outward calm, though Achilles did not fail to notice that her fist had tightened once Bell had taken the two in his arms. She knew things had taken a turn, and she was not pleased.

"I wouldn't say so," she replied, her voice her usual seductive tone. "Bell asked me to be honest, and I was. Besides, had I not intervened, he would not have come as far as he has. As such, I cannot see my actions as anything but successful, even if it might not be a flawless victory," she replied.

The room was silent for a moment as Achilles stared down the goddess. Their footing was equal now as, no matter how Freya played it up, she had lost a lot of progress with her dear rabbit with her confession. However, she was far from out of the game, and Achilles meant to give her an unquestionable loss.

"Then perhaps you can answer a question for me."

"Of course," she replied with a smile.

"What would you have done if Bell had died?"

Instantly, everyone's eyes were on the goddess, wanting this answer more than all the others combined. Unfortunately, and to their shock, her smile grew.

"I would have followed him to Heaven."

Only the Freya familia were unsurprised by her answer. They knew this already. She had made herself perfectly clear to them, and that was the greatest reason for their hate for Bell. That he was so important to her that she would abandon them for him. Only Ottar, who's love and loyalty to his goddess was beyond total, did not share this contempt. If his goddess wished to depart the mortal world, that was her right to do, and he would support her fully.

"You would follow me to Heaven?"

Everyone turned to Bell, who, though still holding onto Hestia and Lili, now directed his gaze at the goddess of beauty.

"Immediately," she answered instantly.

"You would abandon your familia to follow me?" he pressed, a noticeable trace of disbelief in his voice.

"Yes, Bell. You're that important to me. And I'm sure they would manage without me," she said signally to her familia. "They're the strongest in Orario. I'm sure even without me watching over them they would overcome whatever challenge faced them, even if they would never love their new god or goddess as much as me."

A deep pain and hatred filled the eyes of the Freya familia. Pain from the thought of losing their goddess, and hatred towards the one who might steal her away from them.

Bell was silent for a time, every second dragging on longer and longer as everyone waited for his response.

The young captain squeezed Hestia and Lili as he stared down Freya, causing them both to look at him with even more worried eyes.

Bell-kun.

Bell-sama.

Finally, he spoke.

"If you are trying to win my heart you are going about it the worst possible way."

"And what would win your heart, my dearest Bell?" Freya asked, seeing an opportunity to regain the ground she had lost.

Bell finally pulled himself away from the two ladies of his familia, both instantly missing his warmth, even if the moment that just had would be one they would treasure forever.

"If you want to have any hope of ever winning my heart, of even having the lowest chance of me opening myself up to your affections, Freya-san." The Freya familia nearly jumped over the table at that blatant disrespect. "Then there's two things you need to do."

"And those two things are?" she said, her voice a tad desperate at not only the perceived chance, but also at hearing the power in his voice.

"First. Never, Never, put my familia or anyone I care about in danger again," Bell stated, his voice somewhere between a growl and a roar.

"Done," Freya replied instantly. "I only ever did so in order to see you grow, but I do not see it as necessary anymore. Not only have you already reached level five, but, far more importantly, you have gained confidence. Confidence strong enough to stand up for yourself and confront others when you think they're in the wrong. Allen," she signaled to the catman who growled. "Achilles," she turned to the captain. "And now you're even willing to defend yourself against Hestia and myself. As such I see no reason to concoct challenges from you. They will come naturally and in time. So, I swear, I will never intentionally put your familia or anyone you hold dear in harm's way again," she vowed.

Intentionally, Achilles scornfully noted.

"Now what is the second request?" Freya inquired.

Instead of answering her, Bell began to retell a story.

"A few months ago, Hestia and I were in a village outside of Orario. While we were there we talked about a fear I have." Everyone was suddenly more invested. "The fear of being left behind or of leaving someone behind," he explained. "At the time I thought my grandfather had died and the hole his death left in my heart hurt me like nothing up to that point had. I missed him so much. Hestia saw this and understood that that was why I was so afraid of ever getting close to her. She understood that I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her behind like I had been. Of giving her that same hole in her heart. And do you know what she said?" Bell smiled, a few happy tears coming to his eyes. "She said that no matter how long it took, she would always find me. That's why she is, and will always be, my goddess."

The other members of the Hestia familia all turned their eyes to their goddess whose eyes were now filled with happy tears as she smiled at her captain with blinding joy as she found herself falling in love with him all over again..

"So," Bell continued, finally getting to the point. "If you want to have any hope of earning my affection, I want you to make that same promise. I want you here and now, to swear that you will never inflict the pain of being left behind on your familia. I can't say that they and I are ever going to be friends, but I can tell them love you just as much as I love Hestia, thus if you abandoned them, even for me, I would never be able to forgive you. So, promise, here and now, that, should I die, you will look for me, just like Hestia promised, and ask me to join your familia. Do that, Freya, and there's a chance, just a chance, that I might, one day, return your feelings."

Achilles listened to his son's words and while he couldn't say that he was happy that Bell was providing an opportunity for Freya to claim his heart, he both understood that this was, ironically, Bell's kind heart at work and was impressed with the firmness he put down his deal.

Now let's see if she accepts and, more importantly, if she can actually uphold it this time, the Olympian thought.

Achilles was not the only one impressed by Bell. Everyone was amazed by what they had just bore witness to. Even the Freya familia was stunned. Given their hatred and displayed animosity to the young man, they never would have expected him to come to the defense of their feelings. They had, after all, actively sought to hinder, humble, and even hurt him, yet here he was, effectively defending them and their affection for their goddess. It wasn't enough to make them like him, their scorn and jealousy with regards to the young man was too profound, but even they could not help but feel a modicum of appreciation for him after his proclamation.

The most impressed, however, was Freya herself. Indeed, at this very moment, she was having to restrain herself from jumping the boy after the display of confidence, power, and inner strength he had just given her. It was titillating to the point of mind-numbing bliss.

Once more he challenges me. Directly and without fear. Gods, no one has so thoroughly captured my attention or heart and I doubt anyone else will.

"I accept your deal, Bell. Happily and unreservedly," she said.

The Hestia captain nodded.

"Alright. Then there's a chance. A small one, but it does exist," he said.

"I understand," she replied, overjoyed that she had regained some of the lost ground.

And it wasn't even difficult to agree to. If this gives him some comfort, I'll happily accept. A little white lie never hurt anyone. Besides, should he die, and I follow him to Heaven, I'll have all eternity to win him over and enjoy the fruits of his adoration, she thought contently.

The deal made and calm having returned to the room, it was Haruhime who now came forward.

"May I ask a question of you, Freya-sama?" the sun-kissed renard asked.

Suddenly being addressed by the newest object of her affections, Freya turned and smiled at the fox girl.

"Of course, my dear."

Blushing at the affectionate display, Haruhime nonetheless pressed forward.

"What exactly is it that you wish from us? What is the, I believe the term is, endgame?" she inquired.

"What a lovely question, Haruhime. I'm happy you asked," Freya replied, eager to answer. "My dream or 'the endgame' as you put it, as I envision it, is the four of us, all together in bed, blissful and warm, so delightfully warm, without a shred of pain or worry, beyond what to do about our exhaustion."

Haruhime blushed terribly at the vision presented and its suggestive nature, with a few others joining her with their own red cheeks as the idea filled their minds. A few were outraged at the idea, namely Hestia who looked ready to tear Freya's hair out for what she said, barely being restrained by a blushing Mikoto, while a blushing Welf restrained an equally upset Lili.

However, one person noticed there was a suggestion in her words. A silent implication. One that he did not like one bit.

"Freya," Achilles said lowly, his brow scrunched and eyes lowered in a glare. "What precisely are you suggesting? Because it sounds like you're suggesting that the three of us, me, my son, and the girl I think of like a daughter, will be romantically involved."

The whole room stopped, except for one goddess and her growing smiling.

"Well, I know very well that you and Bell don't, 'swing that way' as the saying goes, but I see no reason that you and Haruhime couldn't be intimate."

Jaws dropped, eyes widened, and a sick feeling entered numerous guts.

"What?" Achilles threw back, not believing his ears.

"Oh come now, Achilles, don't tell me you've never thought about it. Those beautiful emeralds looking up lovingly at you as she gasps out, 'Daddy.'"

Haruhime fainted instantly, and nearly half the room was on the verge of losing the contents of their stomachs as Freya spelled it out.

"That's…! That's…!" Hestia tried.

"Nasty even for you," Loki finished for her.

"Why? Surely such a loving and passionate display as would surely be created would be a wonderful spectacle."

"There's kinks, Freya, and then there's that!" Loki threw back.

Everyone in the Hestia and Loki familia were in agreement with her on that, at least the ones that were still conscious. Bell was barely holding on himself as the suggestion had smacked right into his remaining innocence and sent a wave of horrified disgust through him.

She wants the two of them to…

He couldn't even finish the thought.

Oh gods, Dad! he realized and shot his head around.

Snap!

Everyone blinked and slowly turned to the noise. The moment they did so, they found Achilles, sitting at the table, looking calm and unmoved as a statue. For a few seconds, they all wondered what they had just heard, until they looked down and found the fingers of his left hand bent at an angle they definitely weren't supposed to be bent at.

He broke his own fingers! Riveria thought horrified.

"Sorry about that," Achilles replied calmly. "I needed to distract myself from the image in my head and this seemed like the most direct way to do that."

"Is it really such a horrible idea to you, Achilles-kun?" Freya questioned, more amused than anything.

Achilles didn't answer her, instead he turned to Bell.

"Bell, if there's ever even a suggestion that I will lay a hand on Haruhime in a lewd or lascivious manner, I want you to cut off that hand. Okay?"

Shocked by the request, it took a moment for Bell to reply.

"Um...o-okay," Bell agreed, not sure how else to respond.

"Thank you," Achilles said. "Now, given how much we've discussed, the fact that Haruhime's unconscious, and half of us are at risk of vomiting, myself included, I think I should call this meeting to a close."

Freya laughed.

"Very well. I believe we've discussed all we've needed to anyway."

"Needed to and most certainly did not need to," Achilles growled.

While the meeting's end was sudden, no one could find any need to argue for continuing, with most being happy to be getting some distance between them and the lecherous goddess that had made them all feel like they needed a very long bath.

"What's this about?" Revis demanded.

"Always so ferocious. We simply must teach you manners one of these days," Enyo replied.

"Get to the point," she threw back.

"Very well," the masked figure replied. "A meeting has been called for all the gods tomorrow."

"So?" the redhead asked.

"A meeting of such magnitude is not just called, my dear. Something is happening and it's of some importance."

"I'm still not following."

"That's why you are a follower and should keep your mouth shut and listen," Ein cut in.

The redhead glared at her, but made no move besides that.

"There is potential here. An opportunity to advance our goals," Enyo explained. "We don't know yet what this meeting is about, but depending on the situation we may be able to gain something from it. At the very least, all the gods and many of their adventurers are sure to be distracted by this meeting, meaning we may be able to take advantage to advance our plans."

Now understanding, Revis asked the obvious question.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Make your way to the middle floors and wait for instructions. Deal with any threats you need to, but keep a low profile otherwise. Should the situation develop in our favor we will proceed to the next phase."

"That being?"

She could tell he was smiling behind the mask.

"For you to leave the Dungeon and head to Hearthfire Manor to find out where the Olympian hid our treasures."

And complete.

Another one bites the dust and we're moving right along into the next part of our story. Bell grows more confident; the tournament's on its way; Enyo's on the move; and Freya's nasty! Not that that's really all that surprising (especially given that I control this fic, but details details).

Anyway, please tell me what you thought. Did I miss anything? Does anyone/everyone seem out of character? I know that I sometimes miss things, even if it's just a small grammatical mistake or character detail, but I do want to improve, so please fill me in if I missed something.

With that said, thank you all for reading and I will see you all next time. So, until then, bye for now.