The battlefield was still, the sun rising on the aftermath of Bell Cranel's clash with the god Ares. The remnants of the Rakia army had already begun retreating, their spirits broken and their ranks decimated. Bell and his companions had finished the fight with no casualties, and now, as the war came to a close, they began packing their things for the journey back to Orario.
Bell looked around at his Familia, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. Everyone had fought well, even Hestia herself had held her own, showing strength beyond anyone's expectations. Freya's group, including Ottar, Allen, and Hedin, remained silent but respectful, having witnessed firsthand the overwhelming power Bell possessed.
As they started their return, Bell took a deep breath, allowing the relief of their victory to settle in. No one was hurt. We did it.
When they arrived at Orario, the news of their victory spread like wildfire. Bells rang out from the city towers as people cheered, gathering in the streets to greet the returning heroes. Hestia Familia had not only survived the invasion, but they had also won decisively, cementing their status as legends in the eyes of the people.
"Heroes!" someone shouted from the crowd. "They defeated Ares!"
The people hailed them as symbols of hope and strength, and Bell found himself at the center of attention. For the first time in a long while, life felt... peaceful. The war was over, and for now, Orario could breathe.
Back at their newly renovated home, Hearth Manor, Bell found solace in the routine of training his Familia. He had put them through hellish regimens before, but now, with the peace that followed their victory, their training was more focused on refining skills, building teamwork, and making sure they remained ready for anything that might come.
The days passed uneventfully, though Bell couldn't help but feel grateful for the relative calm. His mind occasionally wandered back to the battlefield, but mostly, he focused on the present—on his Familia and their growth.
One afternoon, as he sat on the terrace enjoying the breeze, Haruhime approached him, her fox ears twitching nervously. Her long, silky tails swayed behind her as she walked up, her green eyes shining with determination.
"Bell-sama," she began softly, fidgeting with her hands, "I... I want to grow stronger."
Bell raised an eyebrow, turning to look at her fully. "Haruhime? You're already strong. You've come so far."
"I know," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "but I want to grow even stronger. You once told me you liked my tails..." she paused, blushing furiously, "and I want to gain more of them. I want to be someone you can rely on in battle."
Bell's expression softened, and he stood, walking over to her. Gently, he placed his hand on one of her tails, running his fingers through the soft, fluffy fur. Haruhime shivered under his touch, letting out a soft, involuntary mewl, her blush deepening.
"They are really fluffy," Bell said with a smile. "And if you're serious about growing stronger, then I'll help you."
Haruhime's eyes widened in delight. "R-Really?"
Bell nodded, still gently patting her tail. "But be warned," he said with a grin, "this won't be easy. High-intensity training with me can be... well, it's not something everyone can handle."
Haruhime's tails swayed excitedly behind her. "I don't care! I'll endure anything if it means getting stronger and staying by your side, Bell-sama!"
Bell chuckled softly. "Alright, Haruhime. Let's go."
The next day, Bell and Haruhime ventured into the dungeon alone. The others had politely declined the invitation to join, knowing full well what "high-intensity training" with Bell meant. They had experienced it before, and though it had made them all stronger, none of them were eager to endure that level of rigor again so soon.
But Haruhime? She was eager. She wanted this—both to grow as an adventurer and to spend time with Bell. The idea of being alone with him, training side by side, filled her with excitement.
As they descended into the deeper floors of the dungeon, the air grew heavy with danger. Monsters lurked around every corner, but Bell remained calm, his senses sharp. Haruhime stayed close to him, her three tails swaying as she prepared herself for the trials ahead.
"Alright," Bell said, stopping at a large clearing. "This will be our training ground."
Haruhime glanced around nervously, but she steeled herself. "I'm ready, Bell-sama."
Bell gave her a reassuring nod. "We're going to focus on pushing your limits today. Your magic is powerful, but you need to strengthen your physical abilities as well if you want to gain more tails."
He raised his sword, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "I'm going to come at you with everything I've got. Don't hold back."
Haruhime swallowed hard, her heart racing, but she nodded. "Yes, Bell-sama."
The training began, and Bell didn't go easy on her. He moved swiftly, attacking with precise strikes that Haruhime struggled to dodge. But she was determined. Her movements became sharper, her reflexes quicker as the hours wore on. She tapped into her innate powers as a yokai fox, channeling her magic to enhance her agility and strength.
Bell watched her progress closely, giving pointers when necessary but mostly letting her find her own rhythm. He could see her determination, the fierce desire to improve, and it made him proud.
They fought until the sun began to set, and Haruhime, though exhausted, had never felt more alive. Her magic flared stronger than ever before, and she felt the first stirrings of new power within her—a sign that her growth as a yokai was accelerating.
As they took a break, Haruhime panted heavily, sitting beside Bell. "That... was intense," she said with a tired smile.
Bell chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "You did great, Haruhime. You're already stronger than when we started."
Haruhime's tails swayed happily behind her as she leaned against Bell, closing her eyes for a moment of rest. "Thank you, Bell-sama... for believing in me."
Bell patted her head gently, smiling down at her. "Always."
As the night fell and the two of them made camp in the dungeon, Haruhime curled up beside Bell, her heart full of contentment. She knew that with Bell by her side, she could continue to grow—both as an adventurer and as someone worthy of standing beside him.
And she was more than happy to have him all to herself, at least for now.