Chapter 146: Chapter 128 Bell's resolve
"What a mess," Ozwald sighed as he plopped himself into the seat, his face exhausted. The other members of the familia all looked worse for wear; they did not expect an attack, especially from multiple familias.
"Tell me about it, everything's a mess," Jogu answered with a dry voice. "Bell wouldn't be happy when he wakes up."
"Why wouldn't I be happy?" A voice made the two jump, and they found Bell limping down the stairs, looking at them with an innocent confusion that made them gulp. "By the way, where is everyone?"
"Bell, you're awake?!" Jogu couldn't believe it; the healer said that it would take at least a week for him to wake up after the beating he received, much less walk. But here he is, awake and on his own two feet.
Ozwald stood quickly and ran beside Bell, wanting to help him stand straight; he was still on shaky legs, after all. "You shouldn't get out of bed yet!"
Bell scratched his head awkwardly and chuckled. "Well, I was thirsty. And besides, I feel restless and all cooped up just lying there."
Ozwald cursed at the timing of things, and Jogu was restlessly fidgeting, looking back at Heracles' office where the gods - Hestia and Heracles - as well as the newly appointed executives - August, Denki, Helga - were having a meeting about what happened today and what to do moving forward.
Bell noticed the fidgeting of Jogu but didn't want to comment on it, though he still wondered where everyone is. Especially his goddess Hestia. "So where are the others?"
Ozwald shared a look with Jogu; the two of them were at a loss on what to tell the young man. But a voice suddenly joined in on the conversation.
"Lady Hestia and Lord Heracles are at the office, along with the captain, Denki, and Helga." They turned to see Eira with her usual cold look standing at the entrance of the living room.
"Oh, how about Welf and Lili?" Bell nodded as Ozwald guided him to sit down on one of the vacant seats.
"Welf had gone back to the Hephaestus familia; he said that he'll be doing something. As for Lili..." Jogu answered, his eyes looking at his two comrades, asking for help on this one.
Eira sighed and answered straight to the point. "Lili has been taken by her familia."
Bell's eyes widened, while Jogu and Ozwald looked at Eira with a blank expression.
"W-what do you mean taken?" Bell had clenched his fist; Lili had told him all about her situation inside the Soma familia. He quickly stood up. "We need to get her ba-" Bell grimaced; the pain in his abdomen shot up when he tensed his body to move quickly.
"You are in no condition to do so." Ozwald gently pushed him back down to the seat. "Look at yourself; your wounds aren't even healed yet."
"I'm fine!" Bell bit his lips; his voice was more aggressive than what he wanted it to be.
"Kid, you need to rest." Jogu sighed while placing a hand on Bell's shoulder.
Bell looked at Jogu, seeing the blonde looking at him seriously, something that is rare for the resident goofball. He nodded as he gazed down on the ground, clenching his fist and biting his lips.
"What happened?" Bell asked, his voice shaking.
Jogu gave Ozwald a look; he really wasn't sure how to tell Bell. Ozwald had a look that seemed to say "Hey, don't look at me."
The two of them then moved their eyes toward the female mage, but she wasn't there anymore.
Ozwald sighed; he then sat beside Bell and started recalling everything that happened after he was rendered unconscious.
How a war game is set between Heracles and Apollo familia, how they attack the manor, and using Lili and her connection to the Soma familia as a reason for their attack, and how Lili voluntarily gave herself up to not escalate the conflict further.
Bell listened to all of this while glaring at the ground, ridiculing himself at how weak he was. Because as all of that was happening, he was in bed, unconscious.
'I couldn't even protect her, after I promised that I will.' He thought to himself, and the two could see that the boy was beating himself up at something he couldn't control.
"Bell, don't worry, I'm sure the higher-ups are already forming a plan on how to retrieve Lili." Jogu, ever the optimist, cheered Bell up. But even he didn't believe what he was saying. By now he knew how August is; Lili is practically a stranger to their captain, so the chance of August prioritizing her over the war games is slim to none. But Hope is all that Jogu can give Bell right now.
Jogu elbowed Ozwald and gave him a look, the chubby mage also nodded and smiled, reading what Jogu wanted to do. "Yes, I'm sure the captain and the others are forming a plan as we speak."
Bell looked at the two of them and smiled; he nodded, and held on to their words. "Yes, I'm sure the goddess is also bringing up Lili as well!"
The two wanted to sigh in relief; they thanked the gods for making Bell a naive and innocent boy. But deep down, they knew that Lili's rescue would not be a primary priority right now. Not with the war games coming in.
Still, seeing Bell with renewed energy made them not want to burst his bubble. Hope is a powerful tool, and right now it was the only thing that they got.
"I'm a captain as well, right? And my goddess is present at that meeting. I like to say my piece as well." Bell spoke with determination.
The two looked at each other; they scratched their heads and sighed. What Bell said was right; he is the captain of Hestia familia, and the goddess is present at said meeting. He has all the right to be there as well.
"Very well." Jogu extended his hand towards Bell. "Let me help you go to Lord Heracles' office."
Bell bowed and reached for Jogu's hand. "Thank you."
.
.
.
.
.
-At Heracles' Office.
Heracles is fuming, and everyone in the room could sense it. The god wanted nothing more than to march at every familia involved in the attack and personally send the gods of said familia back to heaven.
He glared at the window, watching the night sky as he tapped his feet on the floor. "He's getting bolder," he snarls. "He's playing all his cards to get the upper hand." He turned around and stared at the three mortals standing in front of his table.
"He got us; even I have to admit, I didn't expect him to attack us, especially after the approval of the war games." Heracles ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "But I think that it was a good thing."
Denki tilted his head in confusion. "With all due respect, Lord Heracles, how was that a good thing?"
"I believe he now had played all his cards; last time I checked, young Lili is the only mortal in this household that belongs to a familia outside of our two respective ones. And with her coming with them, they are now out of cards to play," Heracles answered straight.
"How about Froke?" Helga inquired.
"Froke is considered to be untouchable until the end of the wargames." Heracles' answer made August and Denki sigh in relief.
Denki then realized something. "Wait, untouchable, you say... So that means..."
Heracles nodded and finished Denki's words. "She isn't allowed to join in the wargames, be it on ours or Apollo's side."
"Hmmm..." August nodded; honestly, this was the best thing he could have hoped for. He was scared for a moment that Apollo would force her to fight in the wargames on his side, but it looks like Heracles had pulled some strings to not allow it.
"How about Lili?" Hestia hesitated before asking.
"As much as I want to save that poor girl, I can't." Heracles shook his head. "The wargames would be held three days from now, and we need all the rest and members we have if we want to win this thing."
"But-"
"Lady Hestia, I understand your concern, but right now, our hands are tied," August politely cut Hestia off. "What Lili did was something of her own volition, and I am thankful for what she did in order to protect us, but as Lord Heracles said, we have our hands full with the upcoming wargames."
"Then I will be the one who'll rescue her." A voice made everyone turn towards the door as it suddenly opened. And they saw Bell, leaning on Jogu's shoulder, facing them with a determined expression.
"Bell?!" Hestia ran up towards her child, a look of worry plastered on her face. "What are you doing up? You should be resting!"
"I'm fine, goddess." Bell smiled at her and faced the others inside the room with seriousness. "Like you said, your hands are full for the upcoming war games; then I would be the one who will rescue Lili from the Soma familia."
Heracles ignored Bell and looked at Jogu instead. "I thought I made myself clear that we would not be disturbed here?"
Jogu flinched as he received the stare of Heracles, but before he could answer, Bell took a step forward, his face laced with his determination. "I was the one who made him bring me here. I am a captain as well; I am the captain of Hestia familia. I deserve to be here as well."
Heracles glared at Bell, but the mortal did not back down. He stared right back at the god of strength, with fire in his eyes.
"He's right, old man." August's voice cut through the tension, making the others release the breath they didn't know they were holding. "He is also a captain; he has every right to be here."
"This is Heracles familia business." Heracles' eyes moved towards August.
"And yet Lady Hestia is here as well," August shrugged. "And besides, Lili is his responsibility."
A tense silence formed inside of Heracles' office. The god of strength continued to scowl, August's pragmatic stance seemed to bring a temporary calm to the room.
But the event of what happened earlier played back at the minds of everyone inside the room. - except Bell who was still unconscious at that time - they worried that something like earlier will happened once again.
"Lord Heracles, I understand the importance of the war games, but I considered Lili to be a member of Hestia familia. I cannot stand idly by while she's in trouble," Bell asserted, his eyes unwavering.
Heracles sighed, realizing the resolve in Bell's gaze. "Fine, you can go, but don't expect us to divert resources from the war games for this. You're on your own."
"Oh he isn't alone." August voice once again cuts through the room.
Heracles glared at August. "I'm warning you, this is final, we will not be cutting our resources for this."
"I'm not talking about our resources old man." August chuckled. "Well, since she won't be joining in on the wargames, I supposed she could do something else then."
Denki caught on what August was trying to say. A lightbulb then shine inside his head. "Of course."
Bell tilted his head, he started at the two who was now sharing a smile between them. "Uhmm..?"
"Bell as thanks for what Lili did, I'm gonna lend you MY supporter to rescue your supporter, it's up to you to gather the rest of your party, but I'm pretty sure you only need one or two more members to get the job done."
Bell beamed a smile, he bowed his head and with a greatful voice, he thanked August. "Thank you. I won't forget this!"
Hestia also put two and two together, she realized what August is planning, and for her, having her with Bell was the something that assures her. After all, she had witnessed first hand what she is capable of doing with her bow. Honestly, she was shock at why Apollo was wasting someone as amazing as her.
"that's acceptable right, Old man?" August chuckled towards Heracles, the god could only sigh at what his child is planning. "After all, Froke isn't a part of our familia... yet."
Heracles face remains stoic, but deep down, he was quiet happy with that August came up with. 'Looks like he could act as a captain once in a while.' he thought as he released a sigh. "Fine."
"Well there you go, Bell take Froke with you, but only go on the attack after you recover. Three days would suffice. And in those three days, I want you to gather enough member to join you in your attack"
Hestia then stepped forward. "I believe I can help with that. Takemikazuchi still owes me a favor."
Bell happily nods, he was grateful for what August did, and he'll make sure to return the favor when the time comes.
"Good, now I want you to rest and gather your strength, you'll need it." August's smile turned sinister, making Bell gulp. "In three days time, we'll be having our payback. A war on two fronts."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Chapter 128 is now complete. How are you all enjoying the story so far?
Question of the day.
Who else should be on Bell's team when he rescue Lili?
Anyway...
Please leave a comment, review, and feedback to help me improve this fanfic. Every little thing helps me understand your preferences and will contribute to writing a better fanfic for you all to enjoy.
Thank you for following this fanfic. I hope you're enjoying it.
Have a good day, everyone. Love y'all.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone