Sword Astraea

Training

The backyard of the Stardust Garden was very noisy as the familia minus Bell fought against Ryu. The group was getting used to their level-ups.

Ryu enjoyed her new strength as a level five while Lili, Emma, and Karen got used to being a level two.

Astraea stood next to Bell in the corner of the garden and watched as Bell fished a red ball from his pocket. She wondered what he planned to do with it only to have her question answered right after.

Welf and Karen had jumped back to avoid a slash from Ryu. The two were next to each other, all sweaty and panting as Ryu was easily kicking everyone's ass.

"Hey, Welf!" Bell called out.

Welf turned his head only to be hit in the face with the ball. "Ow, the hell was that for?"

"You and Karen are dead." Bell simply said.

Both Welf and Karen looked at Bell confused as Ryu tossed Daphne away. She bounced and then landed on the ground with a thud before rolling to a stop.

"What, how are we dead?" Welf asked.

Bell pointed at the ball on the ground. "That's a bomb. It hit you, went boom and now you and Karen are dead."

"Well, that's not entirely fair. Our attention was focused on Ryu. Besides you're not even in this fight." Karen protested.

"I know, but do you really think Evilus will play fair when we raid their base? Because by then a bomb will be the least of your worries."

Welf and Karen remained silent as Bell picked up the ball. "When we're down there rules won't exist. It's kill or be killed and Evilus will use any method they can to kill you. Be it swords, knives, bombs. Anything you can think of they will use."

The two nervously gulped now realizing how serious Bell was. There was nothing playful in his eyes nor his voice.

He was dead serious.

Bell seeing he got his point across whistled to get everyone's attention. The training exercise stopped as everyone turned their attention to him.

"Alright, from now on I'm going to be throwing this ball at you at random intervals! If it hits you you're dead since this will be a bomb! Anyone closer than ten feet will also be dead as well! Keep an eye out for it because if it hits you you're out of the exercise!"

He then turned his attention back to Ryu and nodded. "You can continue your training. Cassandra, you're coming with me for one one-on-one lessons."

Cassandra looked around and pointed at herself. "Me? Why me?"

"Because you're a healer. You're the lifeline of the party so I'm going to teach you how to fight in close quarters."

"But I can just use my bow?" She protested. Training one one-on-one with Bell scared her.

"A bow won't matter when someone's right in your face. Now come on this'll keep you alive." Bell ordered.

Cassandra gulped and looked at Daphne who gestured her to follow. "He's right, you need to learn how to fight close quarters."

Cassandra felt her shoulders sink as she timidly began to walk to Bell. Astraea stopped her before she could reach him, however.

"You don't need to be scared of Bell. He'll make sure not to push you too hard. But listen to him because he does want to keep you alive."

Cassandra gulped and shyly nodded. "Ok, I will." She then followed after Bell as they went to another more private section of the garden.

When they arrived Bell grabbed another short sword he had placed there beforehand. It was a short sword very similar to his own. Yet not made from the same material.