It had been a few days since Bell talked with Hermes. In that time, Bell had still not yet found a familia to join. The ones that were recruiting were interested in him, but he was able to tell that their intentions were not good. All of them were just in it for the fame, and Bell didn't want to trouble himself with that. Today was a different one for the boy, as a certain goddess was coming to Orario for the first time. He was walking in the streets and he could hear everyone talk about her.
Civilian A: You heard right? Goddess Artemis is coming to Orario!
Civilian B: Yeah, I know. I heard her beauty rivals even Freya and Ishtar, and that she is fiercer than most monsters.
Civilian C: I heard that she was coming here to rebuild her familia after she lost them in a mission. I think she still has a grudge with the guild for requesting that mission to her.
Civilian B: Well, another pretty goddess is fine with me.
Bell heard this, but paid it little mind as he had more important things to do. Mia had asked him to buy groceries for the week and gave some money for him to buy them. At another place, a blue haired goddess was making her way into Orario for the first time.
Guard: What is you business in Orario.
He was too busy looking at the paper in front of him to see the goddess who was next in line.
Artemis: That's some tone to be taking in the presence of a goddess.
The guard looked up and jolted when he saw the goddess in front of him. Many have heard the stories of her and her attitude when it comes to men.
Guard: L-L-Lady Artemis! I-I am so sorry, please right this way.
He quickly let the goddess in as he knew what that woman was capable of with a bow. After her security check, she walked through the streets and towards the guild to rebuild her familia. She was about to turn a corner when-
*Bam*
*Thud*
Artemis: Owww...
She looked up and saw paper bags filled with food.
Bell: I'm sorry, it's hard to see with all these.
He put a bag down and gave the woman his hand.
Artemis: That's alri-
Her eyes were still closed when she grabbed his hand, but was in shock when she saw who knocked her down. The white hair was odd, but her mind had processed enough that a man had down this. She was about to give him a piece of her mind, but decided against that as she saw the bags and knew there wasn't much he could do.
Artemis: Ehem, well, thank you for the help. If you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way.
Bell: Right, sorry again.
The two went their separate ways, but felt a connection in their short interaction.
Artemis and Bell: (Who was that? I should have at least asked for their name.) *Looking at their hand*
Back with Artemis, she had finally found the guild. When she entered, everyone stopped and looked at her before turning back, not wanting to annoy the goddess. She approached a brown haired half elf.
Eina: Hello, my name is Eina Tulle, how may I help you miss?
Artemis: I am the goddess Artemis. I'm here to restart my familia in Orario.
Eina: Sure thing, if you could fill out these papers for me.
She handed the goddess papers to fill out for the registration. After a few minutes, she finished and handed them back.
Artemis: Here you are.
Eina: Thank you, let's see, Lady Artemis... a dungeon exploration familia... no members?
Artemis: Is that a problem?
Eina: For now, yes. Unfortunately, you need at least one member to complete this registration.
The goddess slumped at this.
Artemis: Oh, I see.
Eina: I can put this on hold until you find one.
Artemis: I would appreciate that, thank you.
With that, she left the guild in search of worthy members to rebuild her familia.
Artemis: (Everyone sacrificed too much for me. I have to make the most of it and live for all of them here.)
With Bell...
Bell was now making his way back to the Hostess. He went through the door with his newly acquired goods.
Bell: I'm back!
Mia: Alright kid, just leave those in the kitchen and you can go for the day.
Bell: Right.
So he did what was asked and left to find a familia to join. As he was leaving, he ran into Finn who greeted him.
Finn: Ah, young man.
Bell: Bell is fine. Good morning Mr. Finn.
Finn: Where are you running off to?
Bell: I'm just doing rounds for the day, searching for a familia to join. O have to say that most of the gods here disappointed me.
Finn: Well, to be fair, they only came down to solve their boredom. Finding a god who isn't in it for the fame and fortune is near impossible.
Bell: Haha, that's a good point.
Finn: Do you want to come with me back to my familia house. I'd like to make up for what happened with Bete.
Bell: (I hope he doesn't try to recruit me. I don't need that kind of trouble, but this is a new me and I should give people a chance to right their wrongs.) I guess I can join you.
And so, the two went to Twilight Manor. When the guards at the front gates asked who the boy was, Finn told them he was a guest. Finn assumed that the executives were in his office waiting for him so he brought Bell inside to introduce him.
Finn: I'm back, and I've brought a guest with me.
Tione: Welcome back, captain!
They then saw Bell with the prum and the boy got a little uncomfortable from the stares.
Gareth: Oi, ain't that the boy from the bar fight?
Tiona: Woah, it is him! Is he joining us after all?!
Finn: No, I just brought him to apologize for that and to hopefully make good relations with a strong adventurer.
Riveria: So, let's get introductions done.
Bell: That's alright, I already familiar with most of you before I came to Orario. My friends at the Hostess also gave me more details too.
Tione: Well, that solves that problem.
As they continued talking, Bete, Lefiya and Ais hadn't said a word. The wolf was angry at how the boy who beat him was here. The orange haired elf was annoyed at how the boy had so easily gotten the attention and praise of mostly everyone in the room. The blonde swordswoman was staring at the boy and wondering how he got so strong without a falna. The boy noticed the stare and asked her about it.
Bell: Is there something on my face?
Riveria: What is it, Ais?
Ais: I just... I just want to ask how you got that strong.
Bell: You're mistaken, I'm not all that strong.
Tiona: What do you mean? We saw you're plenty strong.
Gareth: Aye, your sellin yourself short, boy.
Bell: No, I've just been using a trick of mine to make up for my lack of strength.
Riveria: Trick?
Bell: Just a magic spell, nothing more.
Lefiya: That can't be right! If that was true then you should have gone mind down a long time ago!
Bell: Well, I can say that I've gotten used to using it a lot.
Finn: That still doesn't exactly explain how you could beat a first class.
Bell was silent as they didn't leave much room for him to talk his way out.
Finn: Well no matter. If you aren't in the mood to talk about it, that's fine. We won't push you to explain yourself as long as we can bury the hatchet and start fresh.
He held his hand out to Bell who looked at him before taking it.
Bell: Thank you, and it's my pleasure.
The mood lightened greatly at this and everyone was glad that the boy wasn't holding a grudge with them.
Bell: It's nice to know that we can move on, but I need to get back to the Hostess before my boss has my head.
Before he left he looked at Ais and told her something of interest.
Bell: I don't have much in terms of power, but if you want to see more of how I fight, meet me on top of the wall tomorrow.
With that he left everyone there and went back to start his shift. Meanwhile, Ais was left wondering about his request.
Riveria: Ais?
Ais: Can I go?
Finn, Gareth and Riveria smiled and nodded at her which cause a smile to appear on the girl's face. Everyone was able to move past the mistakes from that night and were on a clean slate. Although, two goddesses were hatching their own schemes.
Freya: (This is an interesting one.)
Artemis: (Now, where should I start looking for new members?)
AN: And that's all for this one. Sorry if I've spoiled some dreams but the path for Bell is more or less set now. All that's left is to see how events turn out for the ex assassin.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this and I will see you in the next one.