The Deadly Temptress

Warning: some spoilers for volume 18 of the Light Novel!

Medusa walked through the bustling streets of Orario, her eyes scanning the crowd for her target. She had taken on the guise of a beautiful young woman, with long, flowing hair and piercing green eyes. Her dress clung to her curves, accentuating her figure in all the right places.

She spotted him then, the boy with the white hair and the innocent face. Bell Cranel. He was walking with his familia, laughing and joking as they made their way through the market, including his goddess, Hestia, who was already back on her feet, and seemingly back to her old self and was in good spirits.

Medusa was amazed by the goddess' resilience. After all, the mortal shell she now occupied had barely survived the ordeal.

Medusa smiled to herself, a predatory gleam in her eye. She moved through the crowd with ease, her steps graceful and purposeful. As she drew closer to Bell, she stumbled, falling forward as if she had tripped.

Bell reacted instantly, catching her in his arms before she could hit the ground. "Are you alright, miss?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Medusa looked up at him, her eyes wide and innocent. "Yes, all thanks to you," she breathed, her voice soft and sultry. "I shall give you a very special reward."

Bell blushed, his cheeks turning a bright red. "Uh, that's not necessary, miss..." he stammered, helping her to her feet, but Medusa was already leaning forward, her lips brushing against his ear.

"It is no trouble," she whispered, her hand sliding down his chest. "Please, allow me to treat you to a drink, it's on me," she said, her voice low and inviting. "And then I'll make a man out of you."

"Bell-kun, get away from that vamp!" Hestia shouted at Bell's ear, tuguring on his shirt. The white hair boy snapped back to reality and stared at the seductive woman with the green eyes and the most tantalizing body he had ever seen.

"Master Bell, I can't believe you," Lily said in an injured tone. "I take my eyes of you for just a moment, and you're already all over a green-eyed seductress!"

"I'm injured, Bell-kun, I'm the only girl you should be paying attention to!" Hestia complained, tugging at Bell's shirt harder. "You promised me a date when I was well enough!"

"No, Master Bell promised a date with me!"

"My, aren't you popular with the ladies!" Medusa said. "Looks like I have some heavy lifting to do." She flashed Bell a brilliant smile, and before he knew what was happening, she had captured his lips with her own.

Bell gasped, his eyes widening in shock as he felt her lips against his. Her kiss was hot and passionate, igniting a fire deep within him. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, tasting him, exploring him, before breaking the kiss with a mischievous wink.

"Don't worry, Bell, I won't bite...until you want me to."

Bell stared at her, dumbstruck, unable to form a coherent response. He could still taste her on his lips, feel her tongue in his mouth, and it sent a shiver of anticipation through him.

Hestia and Lily could not believe their eyes.

"Is she...kissing him?!" Hestia yelped, her voice a mixture of disbelief and outrage. "WHAT. THE. HEEEEEEEEEELL!!!!"

"This is the worst day of my life!" Lily exclaimed. "Master Bell, you lech!"

"Oh no, I've done it now, haven't I?" Medusa chuckled. "We better make an exit. Come along, Bell, this snake won't let go of her rabbit prey that easily."

She took his hand in hers, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through him. She led him away from his familia, deeper into the crowded streets of Orario, leaving Hestia and Lily fuming in their wake.

"After them!" Hestia yelled. "Don't lose them, Lily!"

But it was too late. Medusa had already led him away from the crowd, to the Flaming Wasp. They sat at a table in the corner, Medusa leaning in close as she ordered their drinks.

As they talked, Medusa wove her web of seduction, her words dripping with honey and poison. She complimented him on his strength, his bravery, his kindness. She listened attentively as he spoke of his dreams and his fears, nodding in understanding and offering words of encouragement.

But all the while, she was slowly poisoning his mind, planting seeds of doubt and insecurity. She spoke of the gods and their fickleness, of the cruelty of fate and the inevitability of suffering.

Bell listened, his eyes growing distant and unfocused. He felt a strange heaviness in his limbs, a fog settling over his mind. He wanted to resist, but Medusa's voice was like a siren's song, lulling him into a trance.

"I can help you, Bell," she whispered, her lips brushing against his ear once more. "Let me show you how a woman can make you feel. Let me unleash your true potential. Let me set you free."

Her hand slid up his thigh, and Bell felt a wave of heat rising in his core.

***

"Where's Bell-kun? I'm going to teach him a lesson he will never forget!" Hestia muttered furiously.

"I'm going to make Master Bell wish he were never born!" Lily chimed in.

"What's wrong, ladies?" a voice called from behind them. They turned to see Riveria, her green hair and elven ears catching the eye of every male who passed by.

"Riveria-san! Please help us!" Hestia begged, tugging on the elf's robes. "Bell has been kidnapped by a green-eyed succubus!"

Riveria raised an eyebrow. "Kidnapped?"

"Not literally," Lily sighed. "She's seduced him with her evil charms."

"It's true," Hestia added. "We were walking through the market, and this woman literally tripped into him, and then she kissed him and led him away like a lamb to the slaughter."

"!!" Riveria turned to stone like as if she had met Medusa's gaze. "Did you say k-k-kissed?"

"And we've been looking for him ever since," Lily said, her eyes welling with tears. "I don't know what I'll do if I can't find him."

Riveria frowned. "Where did they go?" she asked, her voice serious.

"We've been scouring the city, but we haven't had any luck." Hestia replied. "Lily and I tried to follow them, but they disappeared into the crowd."

"Well, we must not lose hope. We will find him." Riveria said firmly. "That boy's chastity is at stake here. Whoever this woman is, she had better not underestimate me."

Hestia and Lily looked at each other, their eyes filled with determination. "We're going to save Bell-kun!" they declared, their voices echoing through the streets of Orario.

"I don't know what we'll do without you," Lily sobbed. "You're our only hope, Riveria-san."

"Quickly, we have no time to lose!" Riveria exclaimed. "I won't let the snake devour the rabbit. Not on my watch. Honestly, Bell Cranel, I'll box your ears for letting yourself be kissed by a strange woman."

"Let's get one thing straight, Miss High Elf," Hestia interrupted, her voice hardening. "You aren't thinking of pulling the moves on my Bell yourself, are you?"

"Lady Hestia, I am a High Elf, and I am above such things." Riveria said with disdain.

"Promise?"

"On my honor as a High Elf."

"That's a lie, Miss High Elf!" Hestia said in a shrill voice. "You think you can hide your indecent feelings about my Bell from his goddess?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Riveria cried. "I...I...I...I am merely concerned about his well-being," she stammered.

"I knew it," Hestia muttered. "I can't trust anyone with my Bell."

"He's not yours," Lily muttered.

"Lily!" Hestia gasped.

"It's true!" Lily protested. "Just because you're his goddess doesn't mean he's yours, Lady Hestia!"

"Now, now, let's not fight," Riveria interjected. "We're all on the same side here. We all want to find Bell Cranel and rescue him from this...woman."

"Hmph. I'll hold you to your word, Riveria," Hestia said. "If I catch you trying anything, you'll be sorry."

"It is not I whom you must worry about," Riveria said solemnly. "At least, not right now."

"Good," Hestia replied. "Now let's find my Bell and bring him home safely."

***

Bell felt a strange sensation coursing through his veins as he sipped the drink Medusa had ordered for him. It was sweet, almost too sweet, with a bitter aftertaste that lingered on his tongue.

He shook his head, trying to clear the fog that seemed to be settling over his mind. Across the table, Medusa smiled, her eyes glinting with a malevolent light.

"Are you feeling all right, my love?" she asked, her voice dripping with false concern. "You don't look so good."

Bell blinked, his vision blurring for a moment. "I... I don't know," he mumbled, his words slurring slightly. "I feel strange."

Medusa leaned in closer, her hand brushing against his. "Perhaps you should lie down for a moment," she suggested, her voice low and seductive. "I have a room prepared especially for you."

Bell nodded, his head feeling heavy. He stood, swaying slightly on his feet. Medusa wrapped an arm around his waist, guiding him towards the stairs.

As they climbed, Bell's mind began to wander. He thought of his friends, of Hestia and Welf and Lily. But their faces seemed distant, almost unreal.

Medusa pushed open the door to her room, leading Bell inside. She sat him down on the bed, her hands running over his shoulders.

"You poor thing," she cooed, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "You've been through so much, haven't you? All the gods and goddesses using you as their pawn..."

"I... I guess so," Bell murmured, his voice barely audible.

"They don't deserve you, you know," Medusa continued. "Not a kind, handsome boy like you. You deserve someone who will love and appreciate you for who you are."

Bell looked up at her, his eyes glassy and unfocused. "You... you think so?"

"Of course," she replied, her hands roaming over his chest. "You're a rare find, Bell Cranel. And I'm going to make you mine."

She leaned in, capturing his lips in a searing kiss. Bell responded instantly, his body reacting to her touch, despite his mind's protests.

But it was too late. Whatever she had put in that drink, it was too powerful for him to resist.

Medusa leaned in closer, her breath hot against his ear. "Have no fear, my love," she whispered, her voice low and seductive. "I will show you pleasures like you have never known. I will unleash the true potential that lies within you. And together, we will rise to the top, unstoppable and invincible."

Bell felt a strange warmth spreading through his body, a tingling sensation that made his skin feel alive. He looked up at Medusa, his eyes wide and unfocused.

"Y-yes," he breathed, his voice barely audible. "Take me... Make me yours..."

Medusa grinned, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "Oh, I will, Bell Cranel. I will devour you whole."

Medusa smiled, her eyes glinting with triumph. She had him now, under her spell. Soon, he would be hers completely, a willing slave to her every desire.

She leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear. "Sleep now, my darling," she whispered, her voice low and hypnotic. "When you wake, you will see the world through new eyes. You will forget your friends, your goddess. You will forget Gale Wind and the Sword Princess. And most of all, you will forget Nine Hell, the High Elf who dared to interfere. When you awake, I will be your past, present and future. I am your entire life now."

Bell's eyes fluttered closed, his body going limp as he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. Medusa smiled, her hand running through his hair. Everything was going according to plan.

***

Aiz stood in the shadows, her heart shattering as she watched Bell being led away by the beautiful stranger. She had seen the way Medusa had approached him, the way she had woven her web of seduction around him. She had seen the way Bell had succumbed to her charms, unable to resist.

And now she was watching as Medusa took him away, knowing that there was nothing she could do to stop it.

She turned away, her eyes brimming with tears. She had always known that Bell was special, that he had a destiny greater than any of them could imagine. But she had never thought that destiny would lead him away from her.

As she walked through the streets of Orario, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She was angry, jealous, and frustrated. But most of all, she was hurt. Hurt that Bell had chosen to follow this other woman, this stranger with the green eyes and the seductive smile.

Aiz was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Riveria until the elf was standing right in front of her. The Loki Familia's second-in-command had a grim expression on her face, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Where is he?" she demanded, her voice tight with barely contained rage.

Aiz blinked, taken aback by Riveria's intensity. "I... I don't know," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "He left with a woman. I think she was..."

"Medusa," Riveria finished, her voice dripping with venom. "It is as I feared."

Aiz stared at Riveria, confusion and concern written plainly across her face. "What are you talking about?"

Riveria sighed, her shoulders slumping as the fire seemed to go out of her. "The woman with the green eyes and the seductive smile, it is Medusa. You must tell me where they went, Aiz!"

Aiz led Riveria through the streets of Orario, her heart racing as they neared the Flaming Wasp. She had never seen the elf so upset, so desperate to save Bell from Medusa's clutches.

As they entered the tavern, Riveria's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of the boy. When she found none, she turned to Aiz, her expression fierce.

"Tell me everything," she commanded. "Leave nothing out."

As Aiz finished recounting the events of the day, Riveria's eyes narrowed with fury.

"That snake," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "She has no idea who she's dealing with."

"I've never seen you like this before, Riveria."

As they made their way through the crowded streets of Orario, Aiz was struck by Riveria's single-minded determination to save Bell. It was clear that the elf cared for him deeply, and it warmed Aiz's heart to see it.

They searched ceaselessly, checking every tavern and inn in the city, but there was no sign of Bell or Medusa. It was as if they had vanished into thin air.

Aiz could see the frustration and despair building in Riveria, and she wanted to do anything to ease the elf's burden. Then, they finally got a lead.

Aiz overheard the whispers in the dark alleys of the city and caught the name of the place Bell and Medusa were headed to: the Cursed Rock Inn.

As they made their way to the inn, Riveria was filled with dread.

Medusa was reclining on the bed, her eyes glittering with triumph as she saw Aiz and Riveria burst into the room. She had been expecting them, of course. She had seen the way they looked at Bell, and she knew that they would stop at nothing to get him back

"Well, what an unpleasant surprise," she purred, her voice low and seductive. "If it isn't the great Riveria Ljos Alf, Nine Hell herself. And Kenki. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Aiz remained silent, looking stony-faced and her hand gripping tightly the hilt of her sword.

Riveria's eyes narrowed, her hand tightening around her staff. "Where is Bell Cranel?" she demanded, her voice cold as ice.

"What interest do you have in the boy, Princess of the High Elves?" Medusa countered, her eyes glittering with malice.

Riveria leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "He is my friend," she hissed, her eyes flashing with anger. "And I know who you are, Medusa. I know what you've done."

Medusa smiled, a cruel, twisted smile. "Oh, I'm so afraid!" she taunted, her voice dripping with venom. "Are you going to turn me in? Take me to the Guild? Tell them what I've done?"

Riveria was silent, her gaze unwavering. Medusa's smile faded, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the elf. "I didn't think so," she sneered.

Riveria's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing to slits. "You will give me back Bell Cranel," she growled. "Or I will take him from you."

Medusa laughed, a low, mocking laugh. "And you think he'll be better off with you two? Two women colder than ice?" she taunted, her voice dripping with scorn. "You're the same as I am, Riveria Ljos Alf. In fact, you're worse."

Aiz stared at Medusa in shock, her eyes widening as the meaning of the words sank in.

Riveria's gaze never wavered as she stared down Medusa, her eyes blazing with fury. "I am nothing like you," she hissed through gritted teeth. "Bell Cranel is pure. I will not let you ruin him."

"You are mistaken. We are the same. You are the Queen of the Elves, I am the Queen of the Monsters. We are both ruthless and cold for the sake of what's needed to be done."

"My heart is warm and alive thanks to Bell Cranel. That makes us very different indeed."

Riveria's hand tightened around her staff, a dark aura forming around her as she prepared to unleash her magic. "Return Bell Cranel to me," she said, her voice low and dangerous.

Medusa's smile faded, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the elf and Aiz in disbelief. "You're not seriously going to fight me for him?" she scoffed. "Perhaps you have some maternal feelings towards the boy. Or perhaps something more?" Medusa mused.

Riveria's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing a deep red. "Y-you're wrong," she stammered, her voice betraying her emotions.

Medusa grinned, her eyes glinting with malice. "Am I?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Tell me then, why else are you so determined to save him from me?"

Riveria fell silent, unable to find the words to answer.

"As I thought." Medusa's smile grew wider. "Perhaps you see Bell as a chance to experience something you've never had," Medusa taunted, her words cutting deep. "Poor little princess, trapped in your ivory tower."

"You know nothing of my life," Riveria snapped, her anger boiling over.

"I know all about you. The High Elf princess who fled from her duty and kingdom for her own selfish desires. But you're not getting any younger, Riveria," Medusa continued, her voice taking on a cruel edge. "Soon enough, your chance to find love will dry up like a desert spring. And you'll be left with nothing but bitterness and regret."

"Shut up," Riveria growled, her voice dangerously low.

Medusa chuckled, her eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "Oh, scary," she taunted, her voice dripping with challenge. "Did I hit a nerve?"

Riveria lunged forward, grabbing Medusa by the throat and slamming her against the wall.

"Careful, Ljos Alf, if I were forced to use my powers here, it would be a bloodbath."

Medusa's eyes flashed with fury and Riveria snarled, pressing her staff against the Gorgon's throat. "Let me kill you, you will regret the day you laid your filthy hands on Bell Cranel."

"Why did you and your familia stay neutral in the last war game?" Medusa asked. "If you really do care for the boy as you so claim, why did you just sit back and watch him be destroyed?"

"There was no point in us being involved," Riveria replied, her voice cold and hard. "But that was then, and this is now. So here we are. Bell Cranel needs my help. And I will not abandon him to you."

Medusa grinned, her eyes glittering with malice. "You abandoned, no, betrayed him long ago. Just continue with your pathetic non-interventionism."

Riveria's face flushed with anger, but she refused to back down. "You know nothing," she hissed, her grip tightening around Medusa's throat. "I care about Bell Cranel. And I will do whatever it takes to protect him."

Medusa's eyes flashed, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Then why did you not come to his aid when he needed you the most? You are a queen among hypocrites, Nine Hell."

Riveria's eyes widened, her heart hammering in her chest. She knew that what Medusa was saying was true, but she had never thought of it in those terms before. She had abandoned Bell when he needed her most, leaving him to face the Freya Familia on his own.

"It was different," Riveria insisted, though her voice lacked conviction. "I did what I had to do for the sake of my familia. We needed to know the secrets of the Dungeon that the Guild kept hidden from us."

"What if I said I knew all that there is to know about the Dungeon. I have seen things beyond your comprehension. I am willing to share my knowledge with you."

"!"

"Piqued your interest now, have I? Face it, Ljos Alf, you're just using Bell Cranel to further your own ambitions. The old you would have happily traded that boy for Braver. You always viewed him as expendable."

Medusa's words hit Riveria like a knife in the gut, the truth of them cutting her to the core. She had never viewed Bell as expendable, but she had always seen him as a tool to be used in her quest to unlock the secrets of the Dungeon.

"And you call me a monster! The High Elf needs to get off her high horse."

Medusa's eyes flashed with triumph, knowing that she had hit a nerve. Riveria's grip on her throat loosened, and the Gorgon smirked.

"So, what would you like to know about the Dungeon? I am the undisputed ruler of that place."

"!!"

Riveria hesitated, torn between her desire for knowledge and her loyalty to Bell.

Medusa smiled, a wicked smile that sent a chill down Riveria's spine. "Do you have nothing to say?" she asked, her voice low and mocking.

"Not if it means sacrificing Bell Cranel," she growled, her voice filled with resolve.

"We both know that's a lie."

"Tell me one thing. Why are you so obsessed with Bell Cranel?" Riveria asked, her voice laced with anger and frustration.

"I wanted to ask you the same thing." Medusa replied, her eyes flashing with amusement.

"!!"

Riveria's mind was reeling, her heart hammering in her chest.

"I expect the boy touched your heart, didn't he? But we both know you're not capable of love."

Riveria's hand trembled as she fought to control her anger, her staff digging into Medusa's throat. "Don't make me kill you here," she hissed through clenched teeth. "There are innocents around us."

"Kill me? You poor, deluded little fairy. Your Falna has no chance against me."

Riveria released her hold on Medusa's throat, stepping back and raising her staff in warning. "Tell me the truth. Why Bell Cranel?" she demanded once more.

Medusa grinned, her eyes glittering with malicious amusement. "Do you really not know why? Perhaps you're not so wise after all. I am here to rob the world of its hero. If Bell Cranel falls, then this world will fall into despair."

"Bell Cranel has a destiny bigger than you or I could ever imagine."

Medusa's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "I am here to destroy his destiny."

"Then why not kill him already? What do you have planned for Bell Cranel?" Riveria growled, her hand tightening around her staff.

Medusa laughed, a low, mocking laugh.

"Kill him? The Bell Cranel you know is already dead." Medusa sneered, her eyes flashing with cruel amusement.

"No... that can't be..." Riveria murmured, her eyes wide with shock and horror.

"Isn't that right, Bell my dear?" Medusa crooned, her voice dripping with false affection.

Bell stepped forward, his eyes cold and empty. "That's right," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "I belong to Medusa now."

Riveria's heart sank as she stared at Bell's blank expression, at the emptiness in his eyes.

"As you can see, I have won, you have lost. Now be a good girl and walk away."

She stood, her body shimmering as she began to change form. Her hair writhed and twisted, transforming into a mass of hissing serpents. Her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and her skin took on a sickly, greenish hue.

Riveria stood tall, her staff glowing with power as she faced down the monstrous form of Medusa. "You underestimate the strength of Orario's heroes," she said, her voice ringing with conviction. "We will not let you destroy this city or the people who call it home."

Aiz stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock and horror. She watched as Bell knelt before Medusa, his body trembling with fear and adoration.

She knew that something had gone horribly wrong. She stepped forward, her sword drawn and her eyes flashing with determination. "We will not let you have him," she said, her voice steady despite the fear that gripped her heart. "Bell is stronger than you think. He will fight your control, and we will be there to help him every step of the way."

Medusa's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. "Say goodbye to your friends, Bell. You'll never see them again."

Bell turned to Aiz, his eyes dark and empty. "Goodbye, Aiz," he whispered, his voice hollow. "I'm sorry."

Medusa smirked, wrapping an arm around Bell's shoulders. "Come along, Bell," she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. "I have very special plans for you."

Bell followed obediently, his gaze fixed on the floor. Riveria and Aiz watched helplessly as Medusa led him away, their hearts breaking at the sight of their friend's empty expression.

Bell was gone, and there was nothing they could do to save him.

Riveria stood motionless, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Medusa's words echoed in her mind, each syllable a dagger to her heart. She had always prided herself on her strength, on her ability to make the tough decisions for the sake of her familia. But now, faced with the consequences of her actions, she felt nothing but shame and regret. The weight of her choices bore down upon her like an oppressive force, threatening to crush her spirit entirely.

Aiz watched as Riveria's shoulders slumped, her head bowed in defeat. She had never seen the elf so broken, so utterly devastated. It was as if all the light had gone out of her, leaving only a hollow shell behind. The once proud and indomitable Riveria now seemed fragile and vulnerable, a mere shadow of her former self.

"Riveria," Aiz said softly, reaching out to place a hand on the elf's shoulder. "We can't give up. Bell needs us now more than ever." Her voice was gentle yet firm, a beacon of hope amidst the despair that threatened to engulf them all.

Riveria didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the floor. Aiz felt a surge of anger rise within her, a burning desire to make Medusa pay for what she had done. But she knew that revenge would have to wait. Right now, they needed to focus on saving Bell. The young adventurer's life hung in the balance, and every moment they delayed brought him closer to being lost forever.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the tavern, and Aiz turned to see Ryuu approaching, her face set in a grim expression. "There's no time for regrets," she said, her voice clear and steady. "We need to take action."

Aiz nodded, feeling a sense of determination welling up within her. Ryuu was right, they couldn't afford to waste any more time wallowing in their grief and anger. They needed to put their emotions aside and focus on rescuing Bell from Medusa's clutches.

"Lady Hestia told me everything, Lady Riveria," Ryuu said, her voice firm but gentle. "I know how you feel. The weight of our actions can be a heavy burden to bear. But we cannot let it crush us. We must fight on, for the sake of those we love." Her words were a rallying cry, a call to arms that stirred something deep within Riveria's soul.

Riveria looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "How can I face him?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "After what I've done?" The guilt and shame threatened to overwhelm her, a tidal wave of emotion that she feared would drown her entirely.

"By being there for him," Ryuu replied, her gaze unwavering. "By showing him that we will never give up on him, no matter what. Bell is strong, Riveria. He will fight Medusa's control, and we will be there to help him every step of the way." Her words were a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in the darkness that had consumed Riveria's heart.

Aiz nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "She's right," she said, her voice ringing with conviction. "We cannot let Medusa win. We will find a way to save Bell, no matter what it takes." Her resolve was infectious, a fire that spread through the room and ignited the hearts of all who heard her.

Riveria took a deep breath, her shoulders straightening as she met Aiz's gaze. "Yes," she said, her voice quiet but determined. "We must do everything in our power to bring him back." She had made mistakes, terrible mistakes, but she would not let that stop her from doing what was right. Bell needed them, and they would not let him down. Not again. "He has to come back. I'm not letting him go this easily."

"We will get him back," Aiz said, her voice laced with an underlying sadness that went much deeper than losing Bell.

Together, the three women turned to face the door, their hearts filled with a newfound sense of purpose. They knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, but they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For Bell's sake, they would fight to the very end. No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice, they would not rest until he was safe and Medusa was defeated once and for all.