Bell and Hestia were having a time of it to be sure. They went to see street performers such as jugglers and fire eaters, they browsed stalls selling trinkets from exotic places, and visited stalls selling unique snack foods. They decided to rest and enjoy some parfait together. Hestia offered some of hers if she could have some of Bell's but the young adventurer held off on accepting the offer given he had already eaten into his.
He nearly blushed out steam when Hestia said she didn't mind and offered her treat up to him again, showing the fresh bite she made into her treat.
Despite the suddenness of the offer and the inevitable pouting by the hearth Goddess on his refusal. They were both having a great time together.
Hestia then decided to start up a new conversation, "So Bell," she began, "you curious about what happened at the party I went to?"
It was a start and a buildup that Hestia was aiming for, wanting to surprise her first child with the gift she brought when he was least expecting it and most excited for the surprise.
Bell thought for a moment before replying, "I won't lie and say I'm not curious," he said, "you were gone for the whole night and most of the morning today. It had to be important if it kept you out that long."
'You have no idea," thought Hestia.
"We'll all in all it wasn't anything special," she said, taking a bite of her snack and waving a hand in nonchalance, "it was typical God stuff. What kind of shenanigans they got into, who's got the juiciest gossip, and the occasional drunken argument."
Bell didn't want to picture a room full of drunken Gods arguing amongst themselves. He felt it ruined the image of divinity he usually attributed to them.
Though he admits that most Gods and Goddesses he has met hardly seem… 'heavenly' at times.
Goibniu certainly wouldn't seem out of place as a regular elder blacksmith from what Bell remembers.
Even his own Goddess has acted less than a divine figure on occasion. Though there was a charm to that and Bell appreciated it, given that it made him smile now and again.
Hestia continued, "But while I was there, I met an old friend of mine. One I've known since my days in Heaven."
Bell kept listening, focusing his attention on his Goddess.
"After she and I caught up for a bit," she continued, "I asked her a favor."
Hestia looked at her child, taking note of his reaction. Bell was a curious boy by nature and it was plain to see now. He was curious to know what his Goddess asked and if maybe it was some boon for the familia.
"It wasn't easy," she went on, "and it took all night and most of the morning to accomplish."
Bell listened all the more. Where was this going? Did it have something to do with the package she had wrapped around her back?
"But it's finally ready," she smiled at him and pointed at her back, "your ne-"
A crash and a great many screams cut Hestia off. Out of the corner of her and Bell's eyes, she could see what looked like a game stand rolling past them. Its contents scattered across the ground. A saving grace is that they didn't see the owner rolling along with it.
For he wasn't there, he was already running and screaming when the monster appeared.
Bell and Hestia turned to stare at where the stand was thrown and saw the crowds of people running from that direction. What took their attention was what they saw above the crowd.
A silverback roared in the distance, its snarling head looking around itself for something to destroy, something to kill.
Bell had never seen one in his journeys into the dungeon. They existed a few floors below where he ventured, he didn't think he would run into one this soon.
Let alone during a festival.
Eventually the creature stopped looking around when its eyes landed on something in particular. Or someone as it were.
Bell found himself looking into the red glowing eyes of the beast, his nerves aflame with sudden tension. As the crowd around them grew smaller and the panicking noise grew less and less, Bell could now faintly hear something that put a chill down his spine.
He could faintly hear the deep gurgling growl emanating from the creature's throat.
And it was directed at him and the Goddess
The Monster moved then, when enough space was available to it, making a direct path to Bell and Hestia.
Bell acted quickly, scooping Hestia in his arms he made to run. He could outpace the monster easy enough. Its strides were long but it was still slow enough to get away from.
Bell looked around for a safe path away from the monster. He saw crowds of people huddled and squeezing through exit routes into wider portions of the area, where most adventurers could be.
Though the crowds of people unintentionally had the effect of clogging entry ways, preventing adventurers from entering the area and dealing with the beast.
Bell found an option to escape then, it was risky but it couldn't be anymore dangerous than staying behind to get killed.
His mind set and his Goddess in his arms, Bell ran into a wide alleyway with a plan in mind.
Lose the beast in the area called the 'Other Dungeon'.
Daedalus Street
Chitoge had to get this off her chest, this was probably the best time to do so.
"I'm so sick and tired of Goblins!!!"
She ended her exclamation by dropping her raised leg down, dropping her heel into the head of an approaching goblin. It burst into ash before its head hit the ground.
Chitoge gave a huff and looked around her. Monsters were making a wreck of the shopping stalls; her and her familia friends were just browsing.
She gave a wince at seeing some had some nice clothes that were either torn apart by the monsters or trampled on by fleeing people.
'And the day started out so nice,' she groaned in her head.
She saw a shadow suddenly cast over her, she turned around to meet an orc. Its fat frame and height easily overtook her, though intimidated she was not. Simply surprised that something that fat could move so quietly.
She got ready to fight this beast but before she could move to attack, she heard a loud cracking sound split the air and before she realized it, the orc was suddenly missing a chunk of its head. It seemed puzzled too and made a bleary attempt to touch its head, only for another 'crack!' to split the air. This time, half of the orc's head was gone as well as a few fingers from its raised hand.
It burst into ash and particles and Chitoge saw Koukin standing a good distance behind where the creature stood, a black whip held in her hand.
"This is getting out of hand," Koukin said, looking around once before noticing a kobold running at them. She snapped her whip out sharply and split the creature's throat, bringing it to its end. "We have to find Bell and Hestia," she continued, "any ideas where they could be?"
Chitoge thought for a moment, before remembering something, "I think I saw them out by the other market area, near the park. I'm not too sure though"
Koukin nodded, it was the best guess they had right now, "It's worth a look in any case. Let's head there first. Most of the monsters are being dealt with by other adventurers and the guards. Not to mention Takeru taking more of them down then I'd care to count."
Takeru wasted no time in her actions at dispatching the monsters the moment they appeared. Koukin would almost say it was scary how fast she went from passive observer of the shops, to a quick and cold warrior of the battlefield.
It reminded her of a few she knew in her other life.
"Excuse me!" a voice broke in between them. Koukin and Chitoge both turned to see one of Ganesha familia's guards approaching them. He looked haggard and his clothes had cuts as well as fresh blood on them.
They assumed monster blood, given he didn't look injured.
The man stopped near them and took in a breath, his exhaustion evident. "I'm sorry but I'd like to ask a favor of you," he said, "Can you please help in dispatching the monsters in the other areas? We have other adventures helping us but this problem is widespread and we could use all the help we could get."
Koukin wanted to rebuke the man and tell them they had their Goddess to worry about and their captain but Chitoge beat her to the punch, "Hey! You seen a white haired guy with red eyes around lately?"
The guard looked puzzled before answering, "Ah. I don't know."
Chitoge continued, "He'd be with a short woman, dark hair in long pigtails."
The guard thought for a moment, that did sound familiar.
"She also had a big chest," finished Chitoge.
The guard smacked a fist into a palm in realization, "Yeah I did see someone like that," he said, "they were down south of the colosseum I think."
Koukin looked stunned at Chitoge's descriptors before sighing, at least their Goddess had traits easy to identify.
"Then that's where we must go," Koukin said. She noticed the guard about to say something and quickly added, "I'm sorry but our Goddess is potentially at risk and we can't spare ourselves to aid you."
She genuinely meant it, they had too few numbers to spare for any decent aid.
Something to bring up to the Goddess when the chance arrives. Provided the Goddess was safe and whole.
"Not necessarily," a familiar voice cut in. Koukin and the guard turned to see Takeru walking up to them. She had just sheathed her blade, having finished the last of the monsters she could find in the area.
She continued, "I can go and aid in disposing of the remaining monsters. Chitoge and yourself can go seek out Bell and Lady Hestia."
Koukin thought about it for a moment. It was a sound strategy all together and better for everyone involved in this…debacle.
"Very well," she said, "Chitoge and I will go find Bell and Hestia. I'll leave the monsters here for your discretion."
Takeru smiled, happy with the arrangement, "Thank you. I wish you luck in finding our familia members."
"And I you, in vanquishing the remaining monsters," Koukin replied.
Takeru nodded to the guard and together they ran off to where she was needed.
Koukin turned to look at her other comrade, "Ready Chitoge?"
Chitoge smiled and banged the knuckles of the gauntlets together, "Let's go!"
Together they went south, in pursuit to aid their summoner and Goddess.
They only hoped they weren't too late.
Bell and Hestia had been running for quite some time. Ducking and turning in what felt like countless alleyways and side-passages.
This area definitely earned the title of 'Other Dungeon'. Bell honestly lost track of where he was by now but that wasn't the main problem right now.
The sound of stone and pavement breaking beneath something large rang from behind him. He didn't have to look to know what it was.
Besides, the loud growling gave it away as well.
Despite Bell's speed, the silverback was gaining on him. He and his Goddess both. No thanks to the layout of the street.
Though he could outrun the beast, his speed was rendered moot by the twists and turns he had to maneuver around.
The monster had no such problem, given how it could just smash its way to him. Walls and narrow alleyways were inconveniences at best to the creature.
They may have just pissed it off more in truth.
Desperation finally forced Bell's hand. Finding a small rusted-gated pathway, Bell acted quickly. He stopped and finally let his Goddess back on her feet. She looked vaguely disappointed at having left his arms but now wasn't the time to think about that.
"Goddess here! This way," Bell urged, gesturing to the path.
His Goddess went through the gate and Bell shut it behind her before breaking the rusted handle off. Separating him and his Goddess.
Hestia was flabbergasted before being distraught, "Bell! What are you doing?!"
Her first child smiled at her behind the gate, a smile of reticence, "You need to get to safety Goddess. I'll hold off the monster and lead it away from you."
Hestia wanted to cry. She didn't want this. She wanted both herself and Bell to be safe, "Bell don't! It's too dangerous!" she exclaimed. She could already feel tears brimming at her eyes.
They both heard the monster roar again, followed by more stone breaking. It sounded close by.
Bell turned away from her and faced down where the beast would arrive. He did that to both face where it was coming from and to not look at his Goddess right now.
He didn't want to see her cry, even if it was for him. His heart couldn't take it.
"Thank you for having me as your first child Hestia. I'll always be grateful."
With that piece said, Bell ran down the path to where the monster would be. Determined to buy time for his Goddess to escape.
Hestia felt fear and despair grip her chest as her child ran to face certain death. She felt helpless and hopeless then. Her child was about to give his life for her sake. Her first child, the only one that gave a hopeless Goddess like her a chance at starting a familia.
She didn't want him to die like this, not this soon. He was still so young and with so much left to experience in this world and she wanted to be there with him to experience it with him.
There had to be something she could do. Something at all.
As she leaned down in frustration, she felt the travel cloth tighten around her at the action.
Hestia felt like an absolute fool then but found a fire of determination burning itself inside her breast.
She could still help Bell, it wasn't over for him just yet.
A goal in mind and a defiance of fate that only a Goddess could possess, Hestia ran down the pathway to circle around and meet back up with Bell.
Before it was too late.
Bell dodged the next strike that would have pulped him. He rolled across the ground and found himself in a vast courtyard of some kind. He rose to his feet and stared at where he came from.
The silverback was behind him, though now obstructed in entering the courtyard, given the large buildings it was trying to squeeze through.
And with time and effort it will succeed.
For the time being, Bell had a moment to catch his breath. Perhaps even his last few.
Despite the circumstances he was in right now he couldn't help but smile a little, he was terrified that's for sure but at least his Goddess was safe.
The silverback finally pushed itself past the buildings and was now entering the courtyard with a roar. Shaking the ground.
Bell took out his guild knife and readied himself. If this was it? He was gonna go down fighting.
'Here I thought I'd die in the dungeon, not in the streets.'
The beast took long strides towards him, chains from its manacles dragging across the stonework.
Bell readied himself to dodge at the first sign of attack, a part of him hoping he might get lucky in felling the beast. Unlikely though that was.
It rose a meaty arm up high and was about to bring it down upon him, before that though a noise cut through the air.
"Toryaaa!!"
Something impacted the silverback's head, right at its jaw. Making it stumble in its attack.
Bell saw it wasn't something but rather someone.
Chitoge had seemed to have come from nowhere and drop-kicked the monster. Her greaves even digging into its flesh with their metal.
Chitoge did a flip from where she impacted and landed an equidistant away from where Bell was, her face stern and serious.
"Chitoge," Bell cried in relief and happiness, "you're here!"
Chitoge glanced at Bell and gave a smile in his direction. Relief plain on her features.
"Glad I got here in time," she said, directing her gaze back at the monster, which was gathering itself up from the sudden attack, "Where's Hestia? Wasn't she with you?"
Bell focused his attention as well on the recovering silverback before replying, "I set her down somewhere safe and lured it here."
Chitoge gave an approving nod, "Good idea. We can fight this thing a lot better without worrying about the Goddess in addition."
They both stared at the silverback as it regained its focus. It seemed more surprised by the attack from Chitoge than hurt.
Which didn't surprise her much. She knew she didn't do hardly any damage to this monster. It felt like she kicked a wall to be honest.
This thing had to be abnormal. Its massive size is already a tell.
Before it could go on the attack again, Bell and Chitoge moved. They dashed to the beast at a synchronized speed. Bell reached it first and went for the legs, attempting to cut at the muscles at the beast' thighs.
His knife, though, proved to be too delicate for the task. He made it about an inch through flesh and fur before the cheap blade shattered. Bell felt his heart jump into his throat but knew now wasn't the time to freeze up. He continued his charge and ended up behind the beast and out of its reach.
The Silverback gave a growl as it failed to catch Bell in its claws but found his focus distracted by a new sensation of pain just now. It just noticed a sharp sensation in its hand and looked to see Chitoge with her hair dancing in the effort and the wind and with a greave planted into one of its fingers.
As Bell was focused on taking out the beast's trunk like legs, Chitoge went for its hands. After dashing at full speed, she launched herself up and gave a sharp spin-kick to one of its hands. More accurately, a finger, in the hope to break it. She knew she wasn't strong enough to kill this thing with the usual stratagem she used against other monsters but she could at least take this thing apart one piece at a time.
Granted it looked like her attack wasn't as effective as she hoped. She jumped from her area of impact before the silverback could give her a retaliatory swing.
It then made its way towards her, its objective was the white-haired one and this interloper was getting in the way of that. Best to snuff out this distraction before it becomes more irritable.
Chitoge saw the beast begin to focus on her now and made to move back further from it.
But before the creature could make it a few steps towards her, another distraction came to be.
It heard a sharp crack that rang through the air and the next thing it knew, half its vision was gone and there was a stinging pain in its now useless eye.
"Chitoge! Maneuver around and strike at its blind spot! Bell! Find a weapon and rejoin the fray, fast!"
The command came from atop a nearby building. Bell looked and saw it was Koukin standing there, her features focused on the fight before them and her whip held taught in her hands.
She swung it around herself in an impressive display of control before lashing it out against the silverback, aiming for its other eye. This time though, the beast was smart enough to dodge the incoming strike, though not without losing a few hairs off its back for the the attempt.
Bell and Chitoge felt themselves surge with some microcosm of power just then and Bell recalls that it was due to a skill that Koukin possessed.
Chitoge was quick to follow through and moved to attack at the monster's blind side.
Bell in contrast looked around for anything he could otherwise use as a weapon. A pipe, a piece of wood, or even the broken bits of stone from the monster's entrance into the courtyard would do, but they wouldn't be enough.
He looked at the broken guild blade in his hands, frustration building in his chest.
He needed a proper weapon.
"Bell!"
A familiar voice cried out to him, a familiar voice. One he thought he placed the wielder down safely earlier. He turned his gaze to see his Goddess, Hestia, running out from another entrance into the courtyard, holding what she had on her back in her arms now.
Before he could voice outrage and concern at his Goddess's sudden arrival, she spoke first.
"I have a weapon for you!"
It was probably the best news Bell heard all day.
He glanced at Koukin and asked an unspoken question with his eyes. She met his gaze firmly and gave a nod in confirmation but also with an urge.
'Hurry.' Her gaze said.
Bell ran towards his Goddess, ready to receive this new weapon. They both ducked behind a previously broken fountain of some kind and Hestia revealed her gift to her first child.
A black knife of amazing beauty with an edge that gleamed in the light.
It was a wonderful gift and Bell wasn't sure, but he felt some kind of pull towards the blade, as if it was something he was missing from himself.
He didn't dwell on the feeling for very long, in fact it nary lasted a second before reality came crashing in on him again. Literally in this case as Bell and Hestia both jumped as the ground shook as the silverback smashed the ground in an attempt to crush Chitoge, who flipped back from the strike with a cry of effort.
Koukin's whip snapping through the air at the beast drew more cries from it as well as splashes of blood from its body.
Bell had a weapon in his hands now, a great weapon at that. Before he could rejoin the fray, Hestia had one last thing to do.
"Let me update your status Bell," she said, nearly ordering, "Let me give you some more help for your battle."
Bell could hardly refuse, he may need all the strength he could bring out. He turned his back to her and lifted his shirt enough for her to work. Hestia worked fast and Bell felt some newfound strength infused inside of him.
Hestia placed a hand on Bell's bare back and spoke in a whisper, though Bell could hear her as if she was speaking right in his ear.
"Win."
Bell rose and ran back into the battle, determined to grant his Goddess's wish with blade in hand.
He couldn't have come at a better time. Chitoge just jumped back from another strike of the beast's claws and followed up with strikes of her own. Only for the beast to surprise her with turning its swipe into a powerful backhand. It hit her midair at the prime of her counterattack, knocking her across the ground and drawing a pained cry from the aggressive blonde.
Bell had to hurry.
With speed he didn't know he had, Bell dashed to the beast's legs, his knife held in a reverse grip and raised high.
He cut at the silverback's legs, this time though, he made it bleed. Even made it cry out in pain. Bell continued his assault, making deep cuts and slashes across its legs, making it kneel down from the assault.
It reached out to Bell with claws splayed but Bell dodged them with ease thanks to his Goddess updating his status. Bell finally had a chance to go after the beast's torso and maybe a chance at its core. He ran headlong into the silverback, hoping for a quick strike and finish. But the beast was far from helpless, half blinded though it was.
With a roar, it swung its arm and caught Bell in its strike, who had just enough time to stab his knife into its arm. As the swing reached its apex, it tossed Bell into the air, knife dislodging from its arm with the adventurer.
As Bell began to fall back towards the silverback, it reached up with its hand, hoping to grab and crush Bell before he even landed.
The crack of a whip and its remaining vision going dark as well as another flash of pain, put that plan to rest.
It reared its hand back to clutch at its now destroyed eye with a howl, pain and frustration clear in its wailing roar.
As he fell, Bell saw now the beast's chest was visible and open to attack. He adjusted his position in the air as quickly as he could and fell the rest of the way towards the monster.
His knife made contact with its chest and Bell drove as much force as he could alongside his momentum from the fall.
The silverback grew suddenly silent and still and without warning, it burst into a large cloud of ash and dust. Remnants that too, were disappearing into nothing.
Bell landed with a thud on the ground on his backside. He looked around for a moment at the disappearing ash in apparent disbelief before reality settled itself in his shoulders.
He won…he actually won.
Koukin jumped down from the roof she was on, her whip was looped and back at her side. She walked where the monster stood and looked along the ground before finally spotting something. She reached down and plucked a good sized magic stone from it. It sported a crack across it, signifying damage.
Koukin stared at it for a moment before turning her gaze to Bell, a smile on her face.
"Well done captain," she said, "that was well done."
Bell had to correct himself, he didn't win.
They had one…his familia had won.
He felt someone slap his shoulder and turned to see Chitoge back on her feet, bruised and a bit bloody but sporting a smile.
"We sure showed that overgrown gorilla! Didn't we Bell?" she said.
He found himself smiling with her. They did. They certainly did.
It was that moment that Hestia made herself known and tackled Bell to the ground with a hug and a cry of, "Bell!"
Bell stared down at his Goddess, the one who brought him his new weapon, the one who updated his status that aided him in combat.
The one who came back to help him, despite the danger.
"You did it Bell! You did it!" she exclaimed with a smile.
As she said that, it was as if the floodgates opened and suddenly the courtyard became suddenly flooded with noise from all around them.
People, citizens of Orario were poking their heads out their windows or coming out into the streets now that the danger had passed.
There were exclamations everywhere from what just happened. The crowd in disbelief at what happened and ecstatic for witnessing such a spectacle.
"Holy shit! Did you see the size of that thing?!"
"I've never seen a monster from the dungeon before. Still can't believe it now if I'm honest."
"You see that kid though? He was practically sent flying but got the kill shot in anyway."
"That woman with the whip cut that thing up good. Practically blinded the beast."
"The blonde one was impressive. She met that thing head-on and was just punching and kicking it. Girl is braver than most men I know."
All around them, compliments rained down. Commenting on them or the fight. Disbelief and amazement, the primary emotions.
Bell felt the praise rained upon him with wide eyes. Never in his life did he think this would happen to him. Sure he imagined it but reality and imagination are vastly different things.
So it made it all the sweeter that imagination became real here and now.
And what made what happened next bittersweet.
Before he knew it, Bell saw his Goddess suddenly lean to her side and fall unconscious. He swiftly acted and caught her before she hit the ground.
His joy was suddenly replaced with fear and worry. What had just happened? Was his Goddess alright?
Why did this have to happen during a time of jubilation?
Why?
He could vaguely hear Koukin's sudden shouts, calling for someone to get aid. He sees Chitoge at his side looking down at their Goddess, concern on her features.
His worry somewhat lessens with the knowledge that she was at least breathing.
Nevertheless, he had to get her somewhere safe.
"Bell?"
A new voice broke him from his worry. A familiar voice. He looks up and sees the form of Syr coming up to him, worry written on her features.
Bell explained the situation the best he could, with Koukin adding any information he otherwise missed. Chitoge threw her own words here and there as a good means of emphasis.
Once Syr heard enough, she told them to follow her to the Hostess of Fertility. There, they could let their Goddess rest once it became clear it was exhaustion that was affecting her.
Bell took his Goddess in his arms and with Koukin and Chitoge beside him, acting as buffers against the crowd. They went off to the pub.
Quite some time had passed when they arrived at the pub. By the time they arrived, it was nearly dusk.
When they entered the pub with an unconscious Hestia in Bell's arms, Syr took it upon herself to explain what happened. After hearing her tale, Mia pointed up some stairs at the back of the pub, saying they could use one of the extra beds for their Goddess.
With bows and words of thanks that Mama Mia accepted nonchalantly, they found a room and had Hestia in a bed, tucked in.
For a while they waited, up to an hour before Hestia began to wake up. Bell was at her side at the time. His other two familia members were down at the pub, enjoying some much needed food and drink.
Hestia looked around the room she was in before landing her eyes on Bell. A smile graced her features, one of happiness and exhaustion.
"Hey Bell," she began, "you look tired. Don't tell me you didn't rest after that crazy battle."
Bell had to let out a laugh at that. Even now, she was worried about him.
"Sorry Goddess," he replied, "I couldn't rest without knowing you were alright," he reached out and held her hand in his own, "and I'm glad I did. Now I can tell the others you're alright."
Hestia remembered the others and their own feats against the monster, "How are they?" she asked, "they're not too hurt I hope?"
Bell shook his head, "No, they're fine," he said, "Koukin kept her distance and wasn't attacked. Chitoge got a few scratches and bruises but she says it was next to nothing for her."
Bell tried to tell the blonde to at least take a minor healing potion but the blonde bruiser wouldn't have it. He tried to emphasize it more but she had an answer to give him.
"I've been told I got the strength of a gorilla. A few bumps ain't gonna break me. Wanna try me, bro?"
Bell thought it best to drop the matter after that. For his safety more than anything.
He brought his attention back to his Goddess and remembered something important he noticed.
"Goddess Hestia," he began, reaching behind him, "there is something I wanted to ask."
He brought out the knife she gave him, sheath and all. After removing the blade, he held it out to her.
"I noticed this inscription on the blade. Is this real?"
On one side of the knife was a name engraved in red on it, so small he didn't notice at first.
Hephaestus
Bell was aware of who wielded that name. Only one person, nay, a Goddess held that name.
And Bell knew that this knife had to cost his Goddess something fierce.
Hestia nodded at Bell's question, "Yep! That's a genuine blade straight from Hephaestus herself," she sounded proud and smug in equal measure.
Bell was agape in disbelief. His Goddess got him this blade. A blade forged by a Goddess of the forge herself.
He almost collapsed by the weight of reality then.
Hestia saw his expression and decided to relieve him a bit of his worries, "You don't have to worry Bell. I worked out a deal with her to make you that knife. She and I found terms to agree upon easily enough. She is an old friend of mine after all."
Oh, they worked out a deal alright and Hestia was determined not to let Bell or anyone in the familia see the receipt of such a deal.
Bell found his worries lifted off him somewhat. Not completely but enough for him not to worry so much.
"Well," he began, "If you're sure, Goddess."
He was still apprehensive about this great gift he received. It honestly felt too great for him.
Hestia thought it was the best possible gift for him.
"I'm sure Bell and you're worth it and more, a thousand times over."
Hearing her sincere words nearly brought Bell into a crying mess. He tried his best to hold back his tears of gratitude but even still, a few slipped out and down his cheeks.
Hestia smiled and wiped away at the few tears that escaped Bell before cupping his cheek, "And that right there is why you're worth it Bell. I don't know many who are as sincerely grateful as you are and I'm always going to be grateful for you in return."
She gave a yawn then stretched a bit, her exhaustion coming back to her.
Bell thought it best now to leave so she could get some rest.
"You should sleep, Goddess. The owner gave us permission to rest here for as long as we can after the day we had," he was getting tired himself if he were honest.
Hestia nodded and layed back down, her eyelids getting too heavy to keep open, "That sounds like the best idea I heard all day."
Eventually the Goddess closed her eyes and was softly breathing shortly after, finally sleeping after a long day.
Bell sheathed his new knife and got up to leave the room as quietly as he could.
Once out into the hallway, he made his way back downstairs to the pub. Where his familia members were at.
Upon arriving in the pub-proper, he looks around before finding his familia members sitting by the bar.
He went up to them and told them about Hestia's condition.
"That's a relief," Chitoge said with a sigh, "glad she was just plain exhausted instead of sick or somethin."
A sentiment that Bell shared.
Koukin smiled in evident relief, "She was very brave today. Given all that happened," she leaned back and stretched out a bit to loosen some muscles, her tiredness showing itself, "I think we all could take a lesson from her and rest ourselves."
Bell and Chitoge couldn't argue against that. They were exhausted after exploring monsterphilia, running around, fighting monsters, and especially fighting an abnormal silverback.
Thinking back on it now, it just seemed to make them more tired. With Chitoge putting her head on the table as emphasis, a droning hum coming from her to emphasize her state.
Koukin thought that a bit much and tapped her on the head, by her ribbons, "Now that's enough of that. If you're really that tired, then go upstairs and rest."
Chitoge gave a groan of frustration and exhaustion before doing so. She gave Bell a pat on the shoulder, "That was some good fighting, Bell," and continued on her way to find a vacant guest bed.
"It really was a good fight Bell," Koukin's words brought his focus on her, she continued, "you handled yourself remarkably well against that monster, even before Chitoge and myself arrived to aid you."
Bell thought what he did wasn't much, especially since he didn't do any fighting until the two arrived, "Thanks but I didn't really do much until you all showed up. All I did was run away until I couldn't anymore."
It may have been a bit self deprecating but to Bell it was the honest truth.
Koukin wouldn't have any of it though.
"You maneuvered around one of the craziest streets in the city," she said in a plain-factual tone, "you managed to get our Goddess to relative safety, you lured the beast out into open and favorable terrain, and you were the one who put the creature down in the end."
Bell was silent for a moment, feeling the words sink into him. He couldn't deny that it was true but he had to mention both her's and Chitoge's parts in slaying the beast.
Koukin read it on Bell's face and brought a hand up to stall him, "Don't think Chitoge and myself are blind to our own contributions to the battle," she lowered her hand when he wasn't going to interrupt her, "I just want you to be aware of your efforts involved."
Bell thought for a moment and focused primarily on his own achievements today, he dare say he felt happy for all he did.
"It's nice to be modest on occasion," Koukin went on, "but too modest to the point you lessen your accomplishments is fatalism. A trait no leader should possess," she stared at Bell with intensity, a gaze that he couldn't turn away from. He was locked in by her green-eyed gaze.
"Stand proud captain. You were strong today."
Those words she spoke. They were words Bell never imagined anyone directing towards him. He was a rookie, a greenhorn, a beginner, and as a certain werewolf said, a weakling.
He didn't think anyone would call him strong. Even from his own familia. When he thought of that for a bit, maybe he was too fatalistic to himself.
Bell let the emotions generated by Koukin's words sink into him. He felt joy and happiness at being recognized as such.
So much so that it shouldn't come to a surprise that his eyes began misting with unshed tears.
He really was a sensitive soul in the end.
Koukin acted quickly and gave him a napkin on the table, "Now that cannot happen captain," she said, "I don't know any leaders who cry at being complimented."
Not necessarily true. She knew of one who might have cried. Especially if she were the one to compliment her but that, and her, were neither here nor there.
Bell dabbed at his eyes before his tears shed, a blush on his face.
"By the way," he started, wanting to move on to something else before he embarrassed himself again, "where is Takeru? Is she alright?"
"She volunteered to aid the Ganesha familia in dealing with the other escaped monsters. I wouldn't worry too much, by and large we had to deal with the bigger threat with the silverback, the remaining monsters shouldn't pose much of a challenge for her."
Bell didn't have anything to say to that. Frankly if he were honest, he felt someone like Takeru could have made quick work of the silverback, nevermind any minor monsters.
Still though, he hoped she was alright.
As if fate decided to answer his question, the pub doors opened and the person who walked through looked around before spotting Bell and Koukin.
"Ah! There you are. I was told you all were making your way here. Sorry I'm late."
The voice was Takeru's and Bell and Koukin turned to face their arriving comrade.
Before doing a double-take and nearly a spit-take at what she came in wearing.
Takeru was making her way towards them in the usual wears she donned at the start of the day. Only this time she had an extra accessory. On her face was a golden elephant mask that covered the top half of it.
She appeared to be wearing a very glamorous gold version of the Ganesha familia mask.
"Bell! I'm glad to see you're alright," she began, " I trust that there weren't any issues on your end of the festival?"
Bell needed a moment to reply, the mask throwing him off, "We ran into some trouble but Koukin and Chitoge arrived, so it wasn't so bad."
"Good to hear," she turned her attention to Koukin who was equally staring at her in absolute astonishment, "I'm glad you were successful in reuniting with Bell and Hestia. I admit to feeling regretful that I wasn't there to lend aid myself."
Bell and Koukin stared at her for a good deal, without saying anything. Until finally they couldn't bear it any longer and had to ask together.
"Where did you get the mask?"
Takeru raised a hand and touched it with a smile, "Interesting isn't it?"
Not the words they would ever use to describe it.
"After aiding the Ganesha familia in either capturing or killing the monsters," she continued, "I happened to be in a location that their God was in and he was impressed and thankful enough for my skills that he gave this mask as a reward. Said it was rare and incredibly limited. I was happy to accept it after all the effort of the day.
'Happy to accept?' Were the thoughts of Bell and Koukin. As well as a few patrons and waitresses.
Bell decided that now wasn't a good time to comment on it. Especially since it had been a long day already.
"Well it's good to have you back," he said, "the Goddess wore herself out today, so we're staying here for the night thanks to a friend."
Takeru nodded and Bell told her of the guest rooms upstairs. With a small bow of thanks, she made her way to one of the rooms.
Bell and Koukin watched her go, still bewildered by the mask such an otherwise serious person would choose to wear.
They looked at each other then, a plan decided with just looks alone.
'We won't tell her how weird that mask looks!'
'Agreed captain.'
Not long after, the two decided to finally retire and put this whole crazy day behind them.
At least until the next one happens that is.