Rinni's POV
The day of the War Games finally came. Bell and I went home to see everyone waiting for us. I smiled as everyone was ready, with Bell's cue, we all began to run where we needed to go. Bell and I got in the same cart while the others rode a different one.
"Now you two be very extra careful out there, okay Bell and Rinni?" Hestia said
"We will, we promise" Bell responded
"We'll have each other's backs so don't worry too much goddess." The cart begins to move
"Please tell everyone else the same too! And let them know I'll be waiting patiently for your triumphant return!"
"We'll be back soon! Just hang tight!"
"We'll win this! See ya later!"
After Hestia was no longer in sight, I sat in silence with Bell. It's easy to tell, we're both nervous about this. Yes, we trained but you can't help but be nervous about this. We already have a plan of attack, we just need to be sure that it works all the way. I was snapped out of my thoughts when the ones we were riding with began talking to Bell and me. They gave us their support too and we thanked them for it.
"Mister Bell! Miss Rinni!" Bell and I looked behind us when we suddenly heard our names being mentioned.
"Oh, Miss Syr! Don't hurt yourself." Bell said as he properly faced her
"Be careful!" I said as I properly faced her as well
"Take this!" she said while running and handing out something to Bell
Bell grabbed it but I couldn't help but feel a familiar intimidating aura. I can't seem to pinpoint who but I know I've felt this before.
"It's a good luck charm an adventurer at work gave me! It's supposed to protect you-" she trips
"Miss Syr!" Bell said in a concerned tone
"I said be careful!" I said in a slightly frustrated tone
"Do your best out there! I'll have lunch waiting for you both! Just like I always do!" Syr screamed out
"Thanks!" both Bell and I said in unison
Bell gave me a necklace that had a gray marble-like pendant. I put it on and Bell puts on a similar-looking one except for the color which is green. That night Lili infiltrates the castle, as we patiently wait for the time to pass by. Before I knew it, it was already noon. We set our plan into action and everyone got into position. Once the enemy was distracted I went with Bell and Welf to the front gate, and Lili opened it.
"Yo, nice disguise" Said Welf
"Thanks for all your hard work, Lili"
"Good job, the war's not over yet, but we can do this. We'll win" I said as I patted Lili's head
"Please, you go on ahead, I'm going to stir up a little more trouble" she said in a mischievous tone
"Be sure to be safe because after this we're gonna celebrate big time!"
The three of us ran ahead inside, ready to fight. Upon reaching the end of the tunnel Welf used his magic causing the crystal balls that the mages up top to explode. Bell ran past everyone with me behind him while Welf stayed behind to fight. I stood guard as Bell charged up his ability. He fired a firebolt with the mix of his ability upwards, causing the tower to fall down. Bell charged at Hyakinth and I stood as a backup.
When I saw Cassandra charge toward Bell, I immediately ran to her. I grabbed her by the back of her collar and pinned her against a standing piece of rubble. I grabbed my ax and hit it on the rubble behind her. The handle of it had trapped her as it was close to her neck. I then grabbed her left hand and used a hatchet that Welf forged to trap it as well.
"That should take care of you. Sorry for that but we gotta win. See ya" I said as I left to go help Bell
I see Bell getting attacked by Hyakinth's magic. He jumps away as I jump up.
"Bell! Give me a knife!"
He tosses the one made out of the minotaur horn toward me and I catch it. This is gonna hurt but it's gonna be worth it. I took the hit as Bell charged at Hyakinth, but the ring blew up and I was flung toward Bell. We both lay on the rubble heavily injured. I groaned a bit as I forced myself to get up. Bell and I stood, we couldn't really hold on to our weapons so it fell to the floor. Hyakinth began to charge at us with a short sword before him. Bell bends as the attack almost collides with him.
I punch him right below the ribs to prevent him from moving. Bell does a one-hand backspring before immediately delivering the final blow to Hyakinth, one powerful punch. Hyakinth falls to the ground, clearly knocked out. I grabbed Bell's wrist and raised it up, signifying that he did it and he won. I yelled in excitement and celebration as we won. Hey, can't help it. I mean you would do this if you won. Lili and Bell decided to help me out by supporting me to meet up with the others, after all, I did take most of the damage from that explosion.
"I can barely believe it but we really pulled it off" Mikoto said
"Yeah we did, I know we had to get a little creative but I think we should be proud"
"Yeah"
"I'm sorry but I think you're missing the enthusiasm there Bell. It should be "hell yeah!"" Everyone laughed at my comment
It took us a good minute or two to calm down.
"Welf... Miss Mikoto... Ryuu... thank you all so much, and you too Lili" Bell said
"We wouldn't have done this without you guys. So thank you" I added
"Master Bell... Rinni... do you two actually think I was that helpful to you both?" Lili questioned
"Yeah, we get to go back home. And it's all thanks to you"
"This plan wouldn't have worked without you Lili, so don't you dare doubt yourself" I said as I pat her head once more
Soon enough, our ride back to Orario came and we all got in. It was a little rough seeing out of all of us I was the most injured. I'd be lucky if I didn't break any ribs, but who would I be kidding if so? After some potions and days of rest Hestia decides to bring us to our new home.
"Tada! What'd ya think? This little thing will be our new home from now on!" Hestia said as she points out the old Apollo Famillia house
"So I'm guessing you decided to take the Apollo Familia's mansion then" Bell said
"Listen, they're the ones who choose to blow up our old home. It's kinda hard to feel bad for them"
"Seems fair to me, we can't be living on the streets when we've already made a huge name out of the Hestia Familia"
"Right"
"Well we have quite a bit to get done around here, but, first thing's first."
Hestia began to draw on the paper she had. I already knew what she was drawing, a symbol that represents her and Bell so I didn't really pay much attention. Soon she showed it to us but I was shocked to see an ax there. It was like the flame was coming from the ax and it was hitting the bell.
I was confused but I didn't really have time to question things as Hestia opened the gates and ushered us inside to choose our rooms. We then all began to unpack as Hestia and Lili left to talk to Lord Soma. I didn't notice that days passed because of all the work until we were completely done. The next morning we were all sitting at the dining room table ready to eat breakfast.
"So what do you guys think? How about we kick off things with a toast" Hestia said as she raised her glass
"Um... uh... a toast about what exactly?" Bell asked confused
"Yeah, what's the toast about?" I asked, confused as well
"Winning the war game, duh!"
"Or is Lady Lili officially joining us?" Mikoto added
"It's about the finished renovations, right?" Welf asked
"Yeah, all of that is important" Hestia placed down her glass
"Are we not forgetting something else?" she continued before raising her glass again
I was completely confused but then Lili and Mikoto gasped in realization while Welf nodded in agreement. All of them were staring at Bell and me, okay I'm still confused. What is the toast about?
"Uh... us?" Bell asked
"Of course! Congrats on reaching Level 3, Bell, and congrats on reaching Level 4, Rinni."
Everyone else clapped. Oh yeah, I forgot about that.
"That's our captain and commander for ya" Welf said
"What?! Your captain/commander?!" Bell and I said in unison
"We all decided on Master Bell to be captain and Rinni to be the commander" Lili said excitedly
"Bell, you were Lady Hestia's very first recruit after all. That would make you the most qualified to become captain. And with Rinni, it was only right to do so, seeing as she is the second recruit. As well as the matter of doing nothing but supporting everyone, and letting them grow at their own pace." Mikoto said
Welf once again nods in agreement. Hestia soon tells Bell to lead the toast and I follow after. I grab my glass, listening to Bell's speech.
"Um... I keep thinking to myself about... How lucky and grateful I am that our friends decided to join our familia." He nods to me and I stand up
"You know, Hestia and Bell found me injured right in front of our old home. They could have asked me to leave when I was well but as you can see, I'm still here. And... for that... I can never be more thankful... I met amazing people all because of this familia. Nothing can change the fact that I'm proud to be a part of it." I nod to Bell and the two of us raise our glasses
"Here's to the new Hestia Familia!" we both said
Everyone gently collided their glasses saying cheers. But the happiness quickly changed when a bright white light suddenly emerged from the center of that collision.
Bell's POV
I covered my eyes when the white light came. Is this the light that Rinni was talking about? Does that mean she'll be gone when we open our eyes again? The light soon disappeared and I looked in front of me, where Rinni was sitting to the left side of Goddess Hestia. Rinni wasn't there, in fact, the glass she held was on the table, spilling its contents.
"What the hell?! Where's Rinni?!"
"Are we under attack?!"
"It must be the rest of the Apollo Familia!"
"E-everyone calm down!" I said and they all fell silent
"I guess we never really explained who Rinni is." Hestia said
That breakfast Hestia and I told everyone about who Rinni really was, where she was from, and all that. They didn't really believe it, much like Goddess didn't before. We all ate in silence. Rinni, wherever you are, please be safe.