Amalgam

Sand

Pov-

Bell slowly woke up and looked to see he was in a tent. He quickly woke up to see both of his party members Lili and Welf safe and sound.

"Are you alright?"

Bell looked over to see Ais sitting next to him.

"Huuuuuuuuh M-Miss Ais, what are you doing here!"

Bell blushed and stuttered over his words.

"You are currently on the 18th floor. We're currently camping here from our expedition." Ais told him.

"I-I see..."

Bell then remembered Sophia and looked around.

"What about Miss Sophia? My friends? Are they okay?"

"After helping you guys out, the girl with black hair has been sitting outside the camp."

"That's nice. I need to thank her when I see her. Oh, and also thank you for saving us back there!"

"It's not a problem. Can you stand?"

Ais said as she stood up.

"Uuuh yeah..."

"Well then, you might as well come with me to give a report to the party leader."

"Ah, O-okay."

Bell said as he stood up. Suddenly, he looked down and noticed a bracelet on his wrist with a green gem in it.

"Huh, who gave me this?"

As Bell was inspecting it, Ais called out to him.

"Are you coming?"

"Ah yes!"

Soon, Bell followed Ais, wondering about the bracelet on his wrist.

Somewhere else in the forest, Sophia was smoking another cigarette to calm her nerves. For some reason, she felt annoyed after seeing the boy. She couldn't figure out why, so Sophia decided to just dull the emotion away with a bit of smoke.

As she was, she felt someone watching as she looked behind her only to see no one, but she felt the life force of someone other than plants here.

"I know you're out there. If you don't come out, I will hurt you."

Making another puff of smoke come out from her mouth. Soon, the person came out to reveal themselves, and it was.....Riveria.

Sophia raised an eyebrow at why she was here but just gave her the usual business smile.

"Well, Hello Nine Hell, it's nice to see you again. How may I help you?"

She was silent but then spoke.

"You know smoking is bad for you."

"I know, but it doesn't affect me too much."

"That's your choice, I guess. Anyway, I would like to ask you some questions."

Sophia took the cigarette that was burnt out and stomped it out. Looking at Rivera with her usual smile.

"Oh, course, what would you like to ask?"

Rivera was silent for

"Are you......Ladon"

A few moments passed, and Sophia stayed silent. She seemed to be thinking. Rivera couldn't help but feel as though she had a connection with her. The only familiar face she can think of is that maid many years ago. Soon, Sophia opened her mouth...

"Who....?"

Sophia looked at Rivera, who raised an eyebrow confused. Rivera only sighed a response.

"Sorry, I thought I recognized you from the past."

Sophia stood silently only to smile at Riveria. Then Riveria spoke again.

"So why are you here? I don't think people working at the Guild would go into the dungeon. "

"Correct, we don't go into the dungeon since they don't possess a blessing from the Gods."

"So does that mean you are someone that was blessed to have Falna?"

Sophia didn't say anything and moved on to the next question.

"As for why I'm here... I'm just here to confirm something."

"Confirm Something?"

Sophia only nodded and smiled. Riveria could only feel a slight chill creep up her spine as she looked at that smile. Something about it just wasn't.....normal.
 
"Will that be all Hell Nine? I would like to check on my company that I brought with you if you wouldn't mind?"

Sophia said as Riveria nodded. Sophia left Riveria and went back to Loki Familias camp. Sophia looked around and saw the comradery with everyone. She had no real feelings toward it, although it kind of reminded her of her time with the Xenos. She wondered what they were doing as she moved to the tent with Bell and his team. She opened the curtain to see both the redhead and the Pallum still there, starting to stir awake. The one with red hair then spoke, rubbing his head.

"Ugh, what happened?"

"You guys both got knocked out while in the dungeon, and Bell had to carry you guys to the 18th floor. If I hadn't come, the  monsters might have already turned you guys into a bloody mess."

They both looked down at their lack of strength. Unable to help Bell. Sophia only looked at them with a smile when suddenly the curtain opened and in came Bell. Bell looked to see Sophia and his friends awake as he smiled, making his way past Sophia to the both of them.

"Lilli, Welf, you guys are alright!!"

As Bell rushed to them, Sophia only stood to the side as they interacted with one another. Sophia only stared at Bell with cold eyes seeing him smile. Bell then turned to Sophia and bowed.

"I almost forgot, but thank you so much for saving my friends!!"

Sophia put her smile up and nodded.

"Well, as I said before, it's your Goddess you should be thanking she's the one that put up a request."

Sophia said, and Bell smiled as he turned to his companions.

"Welf, Lilli, this is Sophia she saved and helped carry you guys to the 18th floor."

Sophia smiled as the one with red hair spoke.

"Thank you again for saving us. If only we weren't so weak..."

"It's fine. You're just lucky, and you'll need all the luck you can get to survive the dungeon."

He only nodded when suddenly Ais walked into the tent. Both Lilli and Welf looked up, shocked.

"The Sword Princess!!"

They both whispered in shock as Ais only waved to them before speaking.

"The foods ready when you're ready to come out."

Ais said with those few words and left. They all looked at each other and agreed to eat. Sophia went somewhere else as Bell noticed her leaving.

"Ms. Sophia, where are you going? Aren't you coming to eat with us?"

"No thanks, I'm not really hungry. You go enjoy yourselves."

Sophia said as she smiled. Bell couldn't help but worry but shook off the feeling.

"Alright then, but I'll be sure to save you some food when you're ready."

Sophia only nodded and walked off. As Bell was making his way to the people, he couldn't help but feel a bit sad like he wanted to eat with her. Bell only shook it off and went to where the rest of the group was eating.

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It's a bit late, but that's fine. Hope you all enjoyed this small chapter and until the next one.....I guess.