Sword Astraea

Hello again

Astraea sat by Bell's bedside as the boy's chest rose and fell. She held his hand tightly, fearing if she let go, he would disappear and die.

His breathing was steady, and his body was healed. He even had a new pair of clothes on, and the blood was washed off thanks to the dwarf Mia Grande since Ryu and Astraea both blushed uncontrollably once his clothes were taken off.

Now Bell was dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans. His chestplate and sword were left at the side of his bed, along with his coin pouch and dagger.

Astraea had started to doze off before feeling Bell stir. Her head shot up as Bell's eyes opened once more, and she saw those red rubies again.

He groaned in discomfort before sitting up and looking at Astraea. "Where are we?" Bell asked.

Astraea didn't answer. Instead, she wrapped her arms around the boy, causing him to wince. Astraea quickly pulled back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." She apologized.

"It's ok; the Minotaur just hit me really hard. Still feel some discomfort in my chest, but I should be fine," Bell said.

Astraea nodded and went back to holding his hand. Bell was a little caught off guard and confused about why she was so worried. He was a nobody she should be more worried about her lost child than him.

"Are you ok?" Bell asked.

Astraea furrowed her brow. "Why would you ask me that? I'm not the one who was unconscious."

"But you were almost killed by a Minotaur. That must've been scary." Bell said.

Now Astraea grew more worried. Did he not care that he was the one hurt? "Bell, I'm fine, but you were the one who almost died. Not me."

Bell looked over to his chestplate, not seeing a single dent in it. "I would've if it weren't for that chestplate. Took the majority of the blow for me. Now, where are we?"

"The Hostess, Ryu, led us here," Astraea answered.

"Ryu, who's that?" Bell asked.

Astraea's face dropped as she looked toward the ground. "My lost child, she's the elven waitress here. Said you two have met before."

Bell's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, I'm sorry, Astraea. If I had known that was her, I would've brought you here."

Astraea sniffled and wiped her eyes. "It's not your fault. I never told you her name or what she looked like."

Bell looked at his bedsheets and sighed. "Have you talked to her yet?"

"Only a few words. She was the one to carry you back, and I haven't said anything else to her yet."

"Why haven't you?" Bell asked, meeting her gaze.

"Because I was worried about you," Astraea answered.

Bell swallowed a lump in his throat. "I see, how long was I out?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Only a few hours, words spread fast of what you did, and the Ganesha familia is giving us a reward. So good job completing your first quest." She joked.

Bell smiled, but the room was quiet. Astraea had one question she really needed to ask Bell.

"Bell, can I ask you something?" She softly asked.

Bell, noticing her tone, nodded. "Yeah, sure, go ahead."

"That magic you used, how did you get it." Astraea hesitantly asked.