3 [3] Heart to Heart

--- Chapter 3 ---

To create a big harem was always Bell's dream since young. It wasn't due to his own volition, really. But simply due to the constant hammering of his grandfather, that just wouldn't stop yappering about how: "All great men, always have many women beside them!"

However, that dream may simply just turn into dust...due to the new addition of a voice, that surely wasn't his, within his mind.

Ever since he had left the Guild, after his talk with Eina and exchange of Vali's, Bell had immediately went to seek his Goddess - Hestia - to present his loot for the day.

It was then, when a voice he had never heard before, rang in his head. It wasn't the usual voices of joy, or perhaps sadness he heard from others. Nor the smoothness, or perhaps tiredness from different people.

It was unique. Rough, almost as if it had an edge to it, whilst also being quite pleasing to hear. The contrasting qualities set Bell to think for himself.

When the voice had first spoken, it did definitely take Bell out in surprise. Causing the boy to yank suddenly in the middle of a crowd.

It was without a doubt quite a memorable experience he was sure not to forget.

[...You are telling me, Gods - Beings of great power - descended from something called, The Upper World, and decided to help you in exchange for destroying the first Babel?]

Bell sat silently on a weathered-down bench. His eyes, analysing the ring of ivy that had been attached to his finger unknowingly. His slow, rhythmic beats of breath turned into mist as he tilted his head backwards. Recollecting his thoughts.

He had been conversing with the spirit that lay within the tattered ring for quite a large amount of time already. His eyes fluttering as he fiddled with his dagger.

'A soul within a ring?'

Curiosity, endless curiosity filled his mind as he dished out answers to know this - person? a bit more.

From what he knew so far, the soul was a being that came from a time without Gods. Fighting toe to toe, tirelessly day and night, against the Dungeon which had been here since the memorial of time. All without the help of a Falna.

It was a given that Bell would initially be filled with giddiness. After all, this was a being who fought monsters without the help of Gods, just like those heroes in Dungeon Oratoria. Saviours, who helped people in need before the current Age of Gods.

However, his giddiness was soon replaced by interest that threatened to cloud his mind fully. Queries, such as: Why was the person in a ring? How was he alive? Why did he survive? Most importantly, how it wrapped itself around his finger rang, and rang like a bell.

Needlessly important questions, that he couldn't voice out for some reason, kept appearing in his mind as the conversation lingered.

It was to the extent, where he didn't even know he was unconsciously walking toward the church where their home lay. His feet creating light taps, on the hard concrete as he opened the door with a: "I'm home!" His mind still occupied by the incongruity of the situation.

The only thing that pulled him together was the appearance of his Goddess. The person who not only took him in when he had nowhere to go, but also the chance of becoming stronger so he could catch up to 'her'.

An expression of fondess etched itself on Bell's face as he saw the running figure of the woman approaching him.

A beautiful but petite woman. Cerulean eyes that glistened slightly, even under the dim light of the church. Her black, flowing hair split into twin tails, swaying as she barged into me.

"Welcome back, Bell!"

The white-haired boy let out a gasp of pain at the sudden impact, the result of running all this time finally settling into his body. His face morphed as he powerlessness tried to move the woman.

"Urgh-"

However, it was all for nought. Hestia gripped tightly onto the boy's torso, akin to a vice as she smiled mischievously.

"Why'd you come back late today?"

Although it was said kindly, for Bell it seemed anything but nice. His neck tingled slightly as he felt his lip quiver, not knowing how to answer the question -

...and the cause of that was certainly not helping him that much either.

[So that's a Goddess? The structure is the same, but the flow of mana is completely different, almost as it was stopped forcefully alongside the brightly burning flame...]

Under assault of Hestia, and the muttering from the soul, Bell had no other choice but to make an excuse in hopes of appeasing the Goddess. After all, who would dare to believe that he suddenly gained a talking friend inside his mind?

* * *

"Ouch, please be a little more gentler Goddess?!"

"Yes, yes, just hold it in, you wouldn't want to be delayed from seeing how much you've improved this time, right?"

Under the constant groans, and chattering, Bell and Hestia could be seen on the only bed within the church. The bed constantly creaking in pain, almost as if it had to bear witness to something disgraceful.

He had long told her about how he nearly died, and the the appearance of the woman who saved him. Everything, but the man within the ring. Needless to say, Hestia wasn't impressed and immediately turned the once relaxing session into torture.

Bell scrunched his eyebrows, his arms numb as Hestia let a drop of her blood fall on his Falna. Her mark.

She let out a satisfied smile when she her blessing light up brightly, taking solace that only she could do something like this for him, in return for him feeding her. However, those thoughts melted as she let her hair cover her eyes.

"I'm sorry that you have to work so hard for me, Bell..."

The woman's once giddy, and joyous tone suddenly turned solemn when the realisation hit her. She could do nothing to help him but update his Falna, and provide a roof above him.

She can't give him the support, and help that stronger families have. Nor the money to buy good equipment, so that he doesn't fear to lose his life each time he dives headfirst into the treacherous dungeon.

Bell immediately picked up on why she was suddenly being self-decepricating. Painfully, he tilted his head slightly to look at Hestia's sapphire eyes, opposite of his ruby ones. Regardless of the stiffness that overwhelmed him.

"Even though we are a small Familia, it still feels like home to me, Goddess." Bell let out a smile as he let out a whisper. "Regardless of whether there are more Familia's stronger, or better-"

Hestia felt a sharp ache hit her heart when she heard her only member phrase it like that. She knew he wasn't wrong, but it still did hurt her quite harshly.

"-I would still pick yours, even if other Gods and Godesses wanted me for themselves."

The Godesses' eyes that had long been darting everywhere but Bell's face, froze still. Her eyes, rapidly connected with Bell's as he let out a pure chuckle. He knew that lots of Gods and Godesses aren't as kind as her, and for that he'll always be grateful.

"Although I do envy them a bit, it still doesn't change you were the one that helped me at my lowest, Goddess. This is the only place I can call my own, and that is only because of you. Son don't be upset, Goddess. For as long as I have you, I'll always be hap-"

The youth's heartfelt words sent Hestia's heart into a frenzy. Making it beat so rapidly she couldn't hold herself back anymore. She felt herself tear up slightly, but she quickly hid it with her overflowing joy.

She hugged the boy tightly, throwing the piece of paper - that she had just finished writing - to the side as she rapidly erased the fact he was injured from her mind.

"Aw, Bell. You are so adorable!"

Bell let out a strangled scream as the woman squished her cheeks with his own, rubbing them roughly. Her abnormally large, rabbits, pressing onto the boy's body as he suddenly felt like dying was perhaps a better option.

Alas, Bell quickly accepted the situation and let her do her thing. Just this once. A soft smile plastered on his face, as he glanced onto his status.

That smile, quickly freezing when he saw two lines under the [Skills] section. One blurred, almost as if done purposefully. To hide something.

Whilst the other was clear. Showing to the world, that he - Bell Cranell - had finally obtained a skill.

---

[A/N: Finally done with the preparations, only took 3 Chapters before I can shift the story differently. After all I don't want it to be done quickly, or else it would simple be wish-fulfillment.

Well, all I can say is be ready. From now on, Bell will experience many things, and not all will be for the best.]