Despite the previous threat disappeared both Aiz and Ryu were still on guard. Whoever this new person was could still be a threat. Ryu moved to help Aiz seeing that her leg had been injured in the fight.

"We got to make sure bells ok. However, we need to be careful this person could be trouble". Ryu spoke in a whisper she was badly beaten up but not as badly as Aiz without proper caution they might not make it.

Aiz could barely walk on her own. Her leg was in tremendous pain and she was finding it hard to breathe but she agreed with the elf that it's wasn't a time to relax. She turned to look at Bell how seemed to have passed out. She needed to get him help.

Ryu helped Aiz to her feet however she could see the constant pain she was in. There was no way she was going to be able to fight. Ryu wasn't in much better shape while she could still move she couldn't use her magic. She prayed to the gods that this wasn't a threat.

"We owe you our thanks, you saved not only our lives but that of our friend as well." Ryu looked at the hooded figure curious to see her thanks completely ignored. Perhaps they didn't hear her.

The two moved closer however upon doing so the person turned towards them. Drawing the bow back and aiming it at the two. Two arrows were aimed directly at them Ryu stopped moving and held her hand up.

"Please don't we don't want to fight you. We only want to help our friend." Ryu was on edge one wrong move and it was over for the both of them.

"Forgive me I wasn't sure who it was." The person apologised women her voice was calm, stern but somehow a slight cheeriness to it. But that wasn't what stomped Ryu.

Ryu has heard that voice before.

"Who are you"? Aiz spoke up not as calm as Ryu she wasn't going to relax until got the proper help. Bells safety was her main priority.

The figure dropped the hood revealing her face to the two. While Aiz was waiting for a response Ryu took a step back getting her a confused look from Aiz. It was so unlike the elf she seemed calm and cool a moment ago now she seemed taken aback by this women's appearance. Just who was this women? Nothing about her stood out to Aiz. Besides being quite beautiful she seemed like any other adventure.

At the same time, Ryu just stood in shock. She couldn't believe her eyes, the events of recent had been troubling her as of late however she never forgets a face and now she understands why she recognised her voice.

"It can't be. It's not possible. I saw you die I watched you fade into nothing." Ryus voice was trembling at this point her mind was finding it hard to process the information.

"Ryu who is this person?" Ais was curious at this point whoever she is she was someone Ryu knew. But more then anything that did she mean saw her die?

"Sword princess you may have heard this name before but this is the Goddess Artemis."

Aiz eyes widened at the name. 'So this is the goddess that bell failed to save'.

"Now is not the time for introductions we need to get him to a healer"

...

It wasn't long before Bell woke up. His body was completely in pain. He could barely move his muscles and was just able to move his head. Despite this, he got a feel for where he was. He knew the room and could hear the many voices below him. He was in the hostess of fertility. Damn this was the second time now he had been saved he clearly remembered Aiz and Ryu coming to his aid.

"Damn it she saved my ass again." The thought of being saved by Aiz left a sour taste in his mouth. However, he remembered a hooded fugue just before he passed out. However, that was all he could remember but he knew he was going to have to thank Aiz and Ryu properly and he still wanted to speak with Aiz privately.

He knew full well he wasn't getting up anytime soon. But for sure when he does he going to train harder.

Meanwhile downstairs. Mama Mia, Ryu and Syr were all sat at one of the many tables. They had closed the hostess early and we're waiting for the rest of the drunks to disappear.

"I don't need to tell you what you did was stupid, dangerous and you could have gotten found out," Mia spoke coldly to the young elf taking her in possessed many risks but she felt confident that she could do it. She didn't think Ryu would be so reckless when it came to a certain boy.

"She's right Ryu you need to be more careful but you did save bell so I'm not going to give you a hard time" Ryu turned to the grey-haired friend. Suprise it to say her reaction to seeing bell was quite something. It was no secret that Syr was smitten with the young adventure and always tried to grab his attention any moment she could.

"All in all you got lucky. I'm sure the sword princess will stay quiet about this and we now the rookie is trustworthy. I'm not saying what you did was wrong you saved that boy's life but you not only put yourself on show you nearly got killed."

Ryus head feels to her feet in shame.

"Still I feel sorry for the sword princess." Ryu's voice was filled with sorrow.

Syr and Mia both nodded in agreement.

"The twighlight manor goes up in flames, the Loki familia no were to be found and Loki has disappeared. Knowing everyone you knew your friends, family all gone in a single moment."

"In one day the second strongest familia is all but in ruins. Not only that they were targeted along with the little rookie. It's a bit hard to believe." Mia had stood up and moved to the bar.

"There's going to be a power struggle now I'm certain one of the other larger familia' swill attempt to take the mantle that's been left. Syr also stood up and moved to the back room.

Ryu was left alone at the table. Everything had happened so fast after finding out Artemis was alive. The fact that she was alive still shocked her. Despite this fact, the goddess had asked to keep her return a secret for the time being. Which she agreed to keep. She helped them get the hostess, under the hood of course and disappeared soon after.

'How am I going to be able to keep this secret from him' Ryu thoughts drifted to Bell. She knew full well what he was going through before she left him, the sword princess had done wonders in getting him back to himself.

'He has the right to know but what should I tell him. Hey, bell glad you're okay ohh by the way the goddess you killed yeah she's alive yeah like that was going to work.

she got to her feet and followed Syr into the back to help with the washing up. 'I'll tell him the truth and hope he understands it's only fair.

It wasn't long before Aiz to had woken up despite her previous condition she was in far better shape than before. She stretched her arms and drew back the cover. She looked out the window.

She examined every little detail that she could something she couldn't help but do.

"I wonder if they're all ok?"

Aiz took her time getting dressed most of her armour was damaged in the previous days fight and being unable to return to the twighlight manor meant she had to wear what wasn't damaged.

Meaning her top and blue long boots this was fine but she felt somewhat exposed without the armour.

After she got dressed she made her way to the door. She closed the door on her way out and made her way to the stairs. While walking down the hallway she passed Bells room and came to a stop.

'I wonder if he's awake'

She turned back and came to his door. She knocked once waiting for a response when it never came she knocked again this time a little louder.

Again no response. At this point, she turned her head to stairs and then back to the door.

'I'm sure he wouldn't mind'

She slowly and quietly opened the door and slipped in quickly to not get noticed.

The curtains we're shut meaning there was very little light in the room. However, she could make out bells bed and the white-haired boy sleeping soundly.

Making her way to his bed while grabbing a small stool and sat at his side. She placed her hand on top of his and sat quietly listing to his light breathing.

She sat for a few minutes and began to contemplate her thoughts.

'I never understood how you grew so fast. That young scared boy I saved that day and now look at you you can take down the very thing you scared weeks before and you were able to bring down the Goliath a feat unheard of at your level.'

She moved closer to him still holding his hand.

'When I saw you after your quest I couldn't believe what I had seen you weren't that cheerful boy you weren't even that scared boy. You looked like you gave up.'

She gripped his hand remembering their conversation after the hot springs incident.

'Why do you have this effect on me why is it I care. Why do I care for your achievements? Why do I care for your well being? Why do you have this effect on me?

Ais wanted to admit that it was just curiosity and nothing more. That he was a curiosity that she wanted to succeed. And yet.

"And yet no matter how I play it off I care for you more then I should."

She let go of his hand and moved to his see his face. She took in the little details of his sleeping form. She placed a hand on his cheek and held his head for a moment.

"I heard from Ryu about what happened on the quest and told me everything about her."

Her slight smile turned sad and she remembered her conversation with Ryu.

"She told me how close you to had become. I didn't want to believe it I didn't want to believe you had gotten so close to her."

She stood up and moved onto the side of his bed her body was sitting on the side and she moved above him.

"You fell in love with her and you had to give her up. I know it was hard for you and when you wake up you'll find something out that will change your world."

She began to tear up she knew this but she allowed her self this one time.

"Part of me enjoyed this last week I got to get close to you and know you more then I ever could have hoped. And yet. And yet I nearly lost you to death and I don't want to let that happen again."

She moved her head closer to his so she could see his face better the tears we're now falling just under his neck.

"I know this is selfish of me but knowing you'll never look at me like her makes me sad but knowing we'll never get this time again breaks my heart.

She closed her eyes and moved her head closer to his and slowly closed the distance between them.

Ryuu had made her way upstairs to the rooms and was slightly surprised when she saw bell's room door open.

She was even more surprised to see Aiz leaving.

"Oh aiz I wasn't expecting to see you is everything ok."

Aiz knew she had been caught but quickly calmed herself.

"Oh, Ryu it's you. Yes, everything is fine I thought I heard something why passing and wanted to make sure he was okay."

Ryu looked at the sword princess and she didn't believe she was lying so she allowed her to pass.

Entering bells room she made her way over to his side. Opening the curtains letting in the light she noticed him steering awake.

"Hmmm oh, it's you Ryu I must have fallen back asleep".

Ryu turned back to him. Her face was in thought but she soon let out a deep breath.

"Bell you might want to brace yourself for what I'm about to tell you.

" Why what's wrong Ryu".

Ryu paused for much longer then she wanted to.

'Is now the best time. Am I the best person to tell him.'

"Bell... Artemis is alive."

Those three words 'Artemis is alive' sent bells emotions into overload.

Authors notes

Hey, surprise I'm not dead. I feel like I had but I didn't and this story isnt dead. Yet... Just kidding so yeah Ive been meaning to continue this for weeks now however life being life made things difficult. I'm not gonna lie when I say this story is gonna be updated on and off but seeing as more and more people are reading and letting me know that they're enjoying the story I had to get a chapter up so dont worry this story will continue.

Comments help me improve and let me know your thoughts. if you have any questions Pm Ill try to get back to you as soon as possible.

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