Bell opened his eyes as his consciousness grudgingly returned to him. His head rang, his whole body ached, and his stomach felt like it was trying to eat him from the inside out. All in all it was not a nice way to wake up.
Sitting up even as his body wished otherwise, he glanced around the room to find it well furnished. A wooden floor and ceiling, soft colored walls, a simple and comfortable bed and a simple desk and chair. The room was simple and cozy, but the unknown man sitting in the chair was not.
He was tall, well-built and tough looking with a handful of scars in his arms and one on his face. His Short dull black hair covered hard yet open brown eyes that when they noticed Bell sitting up, caused him to smile. "Ah, you're awake! How are you feeling boy?"
"Uh, I'm fine, I think," Bell said unsurely as he glanced around the room again, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. He remembered going up Babel with Ikari and Lady Lath and then starting to speak with the gods, but as soon as another god appeared everything had become hazy. "Um, where am I?"
"Don't worry, you are safe. This is the home of our Familia," the man said simply as he stood up and stretched his arms up above his head. "It would be better for my God and your Goddess, sorry, potential Goddess, to explain the situation. Can you stand?"
Bell shifted his body a bit until he could kick his legs over the side of the bed. His balance was off for a second, but it quickly came back and he was easily standing beside the bed. "Yeah, I'm fine I think,"
"Good, then let's go," the man said as he turned to the door and then stopped. "Ah, forgive me. My name is Hashana Dorlia!"
"B-Bell, Bell Cranel,"
"A good name! Now then, follow me!" Hashana said as he walked right out of the room, forcing Bell to run to catch up.
The hallways they were in were simple yet elegant. White walls with columns every few meters, magic lamps embedded in the ceiling at regular intervals, and a red, blue and purple carpet down the center of the halls.
As they went they passed a couple people, adventurers probably, all of whom bowed to Hashana as they passed. Some few also glared at Bell very obviously, making him nervous and anxious. Before he could speak up about it though, they came to a large set of double doors painted crimson and Hashana rapped on it twice. "Sir, I am here with the Cranel boy."
"Hashana! Please enter as you will!" came a loud boisterous cry that made Bell wince.
Hashana immediately opened the doors and gestured for bell to enter. What greeted him was a simple but nice looking room with a fireplace on the right wall, a pair of doors on the left wall, and a large table in the room center with a couch to its left and right. In the right hand couch sat a god with an elephant mask over his face, while on the left couch Laid Lady lath, who was on her belly and looked like the perfect image of boredom.
"Finally woke up huh?" Nyarlathotep muttered as Hashana came in and closed the door behind Bell and then took up a position to the doors right.
"Um yes, I'm sorry but, did I pass out again?" Bell asked recalling the morning after saving Ikari.
"Not your fault," Nyarlathotep said with a wave of one hand while her legs casually waved about. "The old shit wasn't holding back his power enough and his aura essentially overloaded both of you by the end."
"Oh, I guess that, wait, both of us. Is Ikari alright?!" Bell asked instantly.
"She is fine. Like you she is simply asleep and when awake shall be brought here by one of my Familia,"
"Oh, thank you mister, uh-"
"Ah, your memory is in a jumble then. Allow me to introduce myself!" the masked man boisterously said, just as a knock came from the door behind Bell.
"Sir, I have brought the girl," came a curt and to the point woman's voice from the other side of the door.
"Ah Shakti! Please come in!" the man replied, still as loud as before. As he sat forward on the couch. "We were about to begin introductions all around!"
The door opened just as Hashana pulled Bell a bit out of the way, allowing him to see the two women enter. The woman likely named Shakti was older with dark azure hair, an orange outfit, and an expression somewhere between alert and bored. She quickly took a position beside the door across from Hashana, allowing Ikari to enter into the room. Much to Bells silent thanks she was no longer wearing tattered rags and was instead wearing a sleeveless black top, a grey knee length skirt and black shoes. Her hair and skin both looked clean and cared for, and her hair had been cut down a couple inches as well. She looked far healthier as well, her skin now with a bit more color to it, though that did made her dark metal and crystal left arm all the more obvious.
"Ikari, are you, uh, feeling better now?" Bell asked nervously, not sure what else to say.
"Yes, I am," Ikari said with a small but noticeable smile. "Miss Shakti was kind enough to lend me some clothing and the use of their bath when I woke up a few hours ago. It feels like ages since I felt this clean."
The masked man stood up with a smile on his face, suddenly garnering all attention in the room. "Excellent! We cannot have anyone left in such a state after all. Now please allow me the honour of introductions! I am Ganesha, God of the masses! The lovely woman is Shakti Varna, a level five adventurer and my Familia's captain, while the man is another of my Familia, Hashana Dorlia, a level four!"
"Ah, um, I'm Bell Cranel, hoping to become an adventurer," Bell said nervously, suddenly very conscious about how strong their levels meant Hashana and Shakti were.
"My name is Ikari," Ikari said simply, seeming not even close to as unnerved as Bell was. If anything she seemed confident as she spoke. "I also am aiming to become an adventurer,"
"Excellent introductions!" Ganesha declared before he turned to stare at Nyarlathotep for a few seconds before sighing lightly. "Shakti, Hashana, this is the Goddess Nyarlathotep. She will be staying with us for the foreseeable future, as will Ikari and Bell if they decide to join her Familia."
"What do you mean, if we decide to join her Familia?" Ikari asked, a dangerous tone in her voice as she glared at Ganesha.
"Allow me to explain," Ganesha said as he sat down. "Us, the gods of Orario, have agreed that due to Nyarlathotep's existence, one of us should keep watch of her to stop any problems, and that any who wish to join her Familia must be made aware of her existence in full to the best of their ability. As such, you may reconsider your intention of joining her Familia once you understand what she is."
"You are saying she is staying here not out of goodness, but to protect the masses then?" Shakti asked calmly as she eyed Nyarlathotep.
"That is correct," Ganesha admitted.
"Nyarlathotep had my arm replaced and gave Bell a weapon to break myself and others out of a slaver camp. How is she any different than what a god is supposed to be?" Ikari asked incredulously, causing Hashana to stare at her in surprise.
"That is what she must explain to you before you decide if you want to join her Familia. If you still wish to, I will teach her how we impart a Falna, as her existence makes it not automatic knowledge as it is for most Gods.
" . . . .So, you are not a Goddess then? Or are you?" Bell asked in confusion.
"Haaaah, I can't use any power to try to help explain it, can I?" Nyarlathotep asked Ganesha with a sigh as she still lay on the couch.
"Not any more than what we discussed earlier, no," Ganesha replied, making Hashana and Shakti share a glance to each other, clearly not having known about said prior conversation.
"Damn, that makes this a hassle. Words only for now I guess," Nyarlathotep grumbled as she pushed herself up and shifted to a sitting position so she could look at both Bell and Ikari without craning her neck. "Ganesha here and the other Gods you know are, for the sake of this explanation, what my kind call Local Gods. They are local to this world, hence their name. My kind, in contrast, are called Outer Gods."
"Outer, so meaning outside," Shakti muttered. "Outside of what though?"
"Of mortal existence and dimensions," Nyarlathotep said simply before seeing confusion on everyone but Ganesha's faces. "Ugh, this is what sucks about low technology worlds! Okay. You know the sun and the stars right? The stars are just distant suns, understand?"
"Well yeah, that's what scholars have figured for a long time. What does that have to do with what you are?" Hashana asked.
"The sun provides light and life to this planet, so think about, if there are other suns, there may be other planets. The big question however is what separates them?" Nyarlathotep asked, and after a few seconds of no one having an answer, continued. "Outer gods like myself are beings that exist outside of planets, outside of worlds like your own; we exist in the void between planets, planes, worlds, dimensions, and everything in between. We are not gods formed by the beliefs, hopes, or ideals of mortals, but by far more primal concepts that were born with the creation of all existence itself!"
"So . . . you're just a really old goddess from another place?" Bell asked after a few seconds of silence.
"Yes, but no," Nyarlathotep said with a sigh as she leaned back on the couch and crossed her legs. "Outer gods exist differently than Local gods do, and as such we, normally, follow different rules and have a very different set of abilities and morals. The only reason I am not trying everything to break free of the seal on my power just to be free of it is is that as a messenger for many other Outer gods, and a being of chaos who has traveled to many different worlds, I have a basic understanding of mortal morals. That and I realize that with the strength of the seal on my power, obeying the rules of the local gods and not getting turned into one is in my best interest."
"So your different power is why the other gods are fearful of you then," Ikari stated, making Shakti scowl for a second before turning her gaze to Ganesha.
"Sir, may I ask a question?"
"Oh course Shakti, what is it you would like to ask?"
"If what Lady Nyarlathotep says is true, would I be correct in the assumption that it is not her powers but its possible effects on people that the gods are afraid of?"
"Wow, you're smarter than you look!" Nyarlathotep said with a chuckle, earning a flare from Shakti.
"Yes Shakti, that is the truth of the matter. Some of us have had dealings with outer gods, Nyarlathotep and others, in the far past. Their power, when effecting or used by those without the will to resist its otherworldly nature, is a horrific thing. Though we believe a Falna should protect any child, it was decided that they must know what they would possibly be getting into for their own safety."
"And what exactly would it do to people that makes the gods so afraid? " Ikari asked without a hint of fear in her slightly angry tone.
Hashana and Shakti looked like they were about to speak up, and even Bell looked shocked at Ikari's words. But when Nyarlathotep raised a hand, and her fingers began morphing into long twisting tentacles covered in barbs, and the palm of her hand grew a monstrous mouth that dripped acid onto the table, no one said a word and could only stare in horror and revulsion. "The energy of Outer gods tends to mutate other material when it makes contact. All Outer Gods have some madness to them that can drive mortal minds to the breaking point, but our individual powers manifest and mutate things in different ways. As I am The Crawling Chaos, chaos is my power. The effect it would have on mortals when uncontrolled or not held in check could be unfathomable in both its variety and dangers," Nyarlathotep explained as her fingers and hand were suddenly normal again, as if they hadn't been anything but. "Admittedly their concern is warranted with some things I have done in the past, but I promised I would follow their rules to the best of my ability."
"Yes you did indeed!" Ganesha exclaimed loudly. "And because of that I am able to keep you here and you are given some semblance of freedom, including having these two join your Familia, if they so choose to do so even after hearing, and seeing, what you are. So children, Bell Cranel, Ikari, I Ganesha, God of the masses ask you if you still wish to join the outer Goddess's Familia!"
"Yes!" Ikari answered immediately, a solid look of determination on her face.
"You have made your decision it seems, " Ganesha said simply. "But are you sure you do not require additional time to think on it? A cursed sword grants power, but it may also disfigure the soul when used."
"My decision is my own," Ikari responded to Ganesha's council.
Ganesha looked at Ikari and sighed before looking to Bell with a soft smile. "And what of you, child? You have no dark desire for power that I can see. What will you choose?"
"Accept it! Power, prestige, blood!"
Bell inwardly shook his head and tried to think, ignoring the odd voice he could hear at the back of his mind. He had once heard that some Familia would take anyone, but he had also heard others were picky in who they would take. The most important thing he had heard though, was the one thing he needed to confirm. "All blessings are the same, right?"
"Normally yes, however Nyarlathotep being an Outer God may make the Falna less powerful possibly," Ganesha answered.
"Or more powerful," Nyarlathotep then piped up with a smirk. "Honestly it could go either way as most things touched by my power tend to."
"Then . . . if all Falna are supposed to be the same, yes. You gave me a chance to do something right, so if you'll have me, please let me join your Familia, Lady Lath!"
Nyarlathotep looked at Ganesha and smiled. "You heard them both. So, going to spill that info or are you going to go back on the deal?"
"I, Ganesha, would never go back on my word! " Ganesha exclaimed as he leaned over and pulled out a small hard covered book out of a hidden alcove on his side of the table and placed it in front of Nyarlathotep. "I have written the order of actions, as well as terms, and capabilities normal to Falna within. You will want to read the first three pages to give them your Blessing."
Nyarlathotep picked up the book and opened it with one hand, looking at it for a second and scowling before her eyes began to glow with an ominous haze. "Just had to write it in Hindi, didn't you?"
Ganesah said nothing but nodded, confusing the other four.
Nyarlathotep shook her head and continued looking over the book for a few moments before she put it down on the table and, using her feet, pushed the couch backwards a good couple feet much to Hashana's surprise. "Alright, let's give this a try, both of you get over here and kneel down with your backs to me!"
Both Bell and Ikari took a step forward instantly, but stopped when Shakti suddenly was standing between them and Nyarlathotep.
"Shakti," Ganesha said warrily, in a tone that was also slightly nervous sounding. "They have made their choice."
"I know that. Giving of a Falna, or updating, should not be done like this," Shakti replied coolly as she glanced at Ikari, then at Bell.
"Ah, she does have a point you are forgetting Nyarlathotep, " Ganesha then said, understanding Shakti's intention."
"Ah, yes. You'll need to take your shirts off too; I need to see your backs bare after all!" Nyarlathotep then said, making Hashana and Ganesha both sigh, and Shakti turn and state at her.
"Do them one at a time! The girl will not be taking anything off in front of any man here!" Shakti declared angrily. For a woman to bare her back to a god to receive a Falna was one thing. To undress in front of other men was completely another, and something she would not allow!
Nyarlathotep was silent for a few moments before she smirked. "Is that what this is about? You're worried for her showing some skin in front of a few men?" She asked with a chuckle. "We have a god, who likely doesn't even see mortal women that way or at the most simply respects their beauty. A man who looks twice her age, and Bell who wanted to be a hero! Do you honestly think any of them will be anything but respectful, or entirely too nervous, to try anything?"
"It does not matter," Shakti declared. "A woman should only be seen without clothing by other women, or her partner!"
"Then I am hardly a woman," Ikari stated as she walked around Shakti and up to Nyarlathotep and then proceeded to pull her top off over her head, showing of her back of scars to all who would see. Tossing her shirt onto the table she then turned around and knelt down with her back toward Nyarlathotep, using an arm to cover her breasts from sight. "I have been seen, and used, by more men than I can count from when I was a slave against my will. I don't care if a little skin is showing."
"You heard her," Nyarlathotep said in an almost mocking tone as she looked past Shakti at Bell. "So, going to come over here, or leave the room? It's ultimately your choice as she seems to not care."
Bell swallowed and felt like he was suddenly under the eyes of more than just those in the room. He was being given a choice, but it felt like neither was good. He could stay, but it felt like if he did he'd be looked down upon by Shakti and Hashana and maybe even branded a pervert. Not something good by any stretch. Yet it felt like if he left and let Ikari get her Falna first, she and Lady Lath would think less of him instead. Also bad as Lady lath was likely to become his Goddess, and Ikari his fellow Familia member.
Then he recalled hearing once that a Familia was very much like a family, and his choice was made. "Alright," he said he walked around the table, doing his best to not look toward Ikari, and took up a position on the floor on Lady Lath's other side opposite Ikari.
"Excellent! Take off your shirt and I'll begin then!" Nyarlathotep exclaimed with a grin as she began stretching and wiggling her fingers in a way that made Hashana and Shakti look visibly disturbed.
"Would you like a needle?" Ganesha asked as Bell took off his shirt, seeming unaffected by Nyarlathotep's action.
"No, it wouldn't pierce my skin sufficiently for this," Nyarlathotep said as if it was fact as she bent over and held out an open hand beside Bell in his peripheral vision. "Bell, please hand me the dagger for a moment."
Bell nodded and handed it to her, Hashana audibly reeling at the sight as she stabbed it into her palm and through, and then left it there. With blood slowly oozing out from around the blade she coated her free hand in the ichor and then began using her fingers to draw shapes on Bell and Ikari's backs.
Both of them began squirming in discomfort at Nyarlathotep's touch. While it never turned to pain, the discomfort did make them both pale and their eyes water, making Ganesha look on in worry. After a few more seconds the discomfort seemed to disappear as a soft yet odd glow shone from their backs for a last second. "There!" Nyarlathotep said as she leaned back in the couch and yanked the dagger out of her hand, the wound closing so fast that no blood fell away. "I believe it is done!"
"Then let us see," Ganesha declared as he stood up with a few pieces of paper in hand and walked around to the back of the couch and looked over Nyarlathotep's shoulder at Bell and Ikari's backs. "It looks good, but you should give them proof of it," Ganesha said as he handed Nyarlathotep two pieces of light brown paper.
"Yes, I was getting there. This is going to become painfully repetitive fast," she grumbled as she placed the paper on each of their backs and traced a couple of circles on them. A dull glow appeared for a few seconds, and soon as it stopped she took the pieces of paper off their backs. "There, put your shirts back on and you can see the proof!"
Both Bell and Ikari did so with surprising speed and then turned around to face Nyarlathotep expectantly. She said simply smiled as she hander them the pages their faces lighting up immediately.
"We both have a skill?!" Bell exclaimed in both confusion and interest.
"What are these scribbles under mine?" Ikari asked a second after Bell."
"The skills would appear to be an augmentation of the Falna due to Nyarlathoteps nature, it would seem," Ganesha spoke up as he walked around the couch and table, returning to his seat. "I do not know what those marks on yours are however girl,"
"Oh, I know what they are," Nyarlathotep said as she looked at Ikari. "Abilities that are part of your replacement arm. They are just inactive until you learn how to activate and use them."
Ikari looked at her arm and flexed her crystalline and metal fingers with a grin before looking up at Nyarlathotep. "I'd like to go register at the guild now!"
"That's a good idea, why don't you both go do that and start your rise to fame?" Nyarlathotep suggested with a smirk as she waved her hand like she was telling them together going.
"R-right," Bell replied as both he and Ikari turned for the door. He however turned back to Nyarlathotep instantly. "Uh, where is the Guild? Is it in Babel with the dungeon?"
"There is a small area that the guild has there to deal with stone transfers, but you will need to go to their main building to register, " Hashana said as he smiled and opened the door. "I'll take you both there."
"Thank you very much!" Bell replied as he and Ikari followed him out, leaving only Ganesha, Nyarlathotep and Shakti in the room.
"Now to see just how they go!" Nyarlathotep suddenly said with a snicker.
"Nyarlathotep. You never told any of us what her arm had been made with to give it such an unnerving appearance. You only said it had been made by an entity from another place that worships you."
"That's true," Nyarlathotep said simply.
"Will you?"
"If she cannot control it and the worst comes to pass. Maybe."
Shakti scowled but said nothing to Nyarlathotep and turned to Ganesha. "Sir, it may not be my place to ask, but can we truly trust this Goddess?"
"I'm right here you know," Nyarlathotep spoke up with a grin. "And you can to some extent. You can trust me follow your rules, but like most gods, you cannot trust me to act in a mortals best interest."
Shakti continued to look at Ganesha, seeming to refuse to acknowledge Nyarlathoteps words. Finally he sighed. "It is as she says. While I, Ganesha, am the god of the masses and live for the people, many other gods live only for their own entertainment, as you know."
"Very well . . . . . the two of them have a skill due to your power, correct?" Shakti asked as she turned to Nyarlathotep.
"Yes. It appears my power adds an augmenting skill to a Falna."
"I would like to see this skill to judge its danger."
Nyarlathotep looked at Shakti for a few seconds before shrugging and picking up the papers that Bell and Ikari forgot, and handed them to her. "Sure, have a look."
Bell Cranel
Familia: Nyarlathotep
Nickname: None
Level: 1
Strength: I - 0
Endurance: I – 0
Dexterity: I – 0
Utility: I – 0
Magic: I – 0
Psyche: H – 87
Skills –
Alien Tutelage – Chaos –
May boost ability point gain. Augments/alters other received abilities and spells.
Spells –
None
Xxxxx
Ikari
Familia: Nyarlathotep
Nickname: None
Level: 1
Strength: I - 0
Endurance: I – 0
Dexterity: I – 0
Utility: I – 0
Magic: I – 0
Psyche: H – 123
Skills –
Alien Tutelage – Chaos –
May boost ability point gain. Augments/alters other received abilities and spells.
Dimensional movement –
Pushes user(And those in contact) out of phase of local reality allowing spatial movement.
Dimensional release –
Releases dimensional energy from containment allowing altered form for various purpose.
Spells –
None
Xxxxx
"These stats. The formatting is strange, and there is an extra stat," Shakti said in concern as she looked at Nyarlathotep and Ganesha.
"The formatting being different is not so major," Ganesha said as he looked at Nyarlathotep. "I am worried about the extra stat, as well as the starting skills they both have. If you know anything about them, I would ask you to explain."
"And if I refuse?" Nyarlathotep asked coyly.
"I am hosting your presence. I could simply make things uncomfortable for you. Or have Shakti deal with you, an act that would likely end with you dying, and becoming one of us, permanently," Ganesha said in a very deep and serious tone that actually made Shakti look at him in surprise. She had never heard him speak in such a way.
Nyarlathotep looked at Ganesha for a few se ones before smiling. "Relax, I have no intention of letting myself be undone and broken into one of your kind. I'm playing by the rules!"
"Then tell me what the extra statistic and those abilities mean," Ganesha said seriously.
"Psyche, as in a mortals soul, mind, or spirit. In this case it is referencing their mind and its stability," Nyarlathotep began to explain in simple terms. "You saw how much power our presences have even when willingly weakened to not destroy a mortals very existence as with the old codger, Nodens. In large doses our powers can destroy an entire existence, but our power is actually more dangerous in small doses over time, as it can not only destroy a mind, but warp it to madness that is usually dependent upon the God in question. I believe the Psyche stat is to show the strength of their minds. The higher the stat, the more madness they can resist."
"You mean it is to protect them from the bloodshed they may see?" Shakti asked curiously, only to receive a shake of Nyarlathoteps head in response.
"No, it's to protect them from my power!" Nyarlathotep stated with a smirk. "That first skill that they share is clearly my power manifesting in the Falna. It may alter other skills they get to be more . . . in line with my own power I suppose would be the best explanation. For such a thing they would need greater defense mentally. That is what their Psyche statistic is. Protection from the power based upon my own that they may end up wielding."
"In essence, protection from the skill they share made into a stat," Shakti muttered to herself, clearly understanding the gist of it. "Would it do anything else?"
"Oh yes!" Nyarlathotep said, suddenly oddly happy and energetic. "At the very least it would allow them to get over things that would mentally scar others for a long period, and even protect them from horrible sights that would cause fits of hysteria, insanity or fear. Something that many who have encountered such power have desperately needed, or already had. Might even counter PTSD."
"So neither the stat, nor the skill they share are a direct danger, good. What of the other two skills, the unreadable ones the girl had?" Ganesha asked carefully.
"As I had said, they are sealed and will unlock when she is ready," Nyarlathotep began, looking was if she was going to continue speaking. "Those skills are from her replacement arm, or more precisely, from the material that makes up its core."
"And what is that material?" Shakti asked warily.
"The arm bone of an inter-dimensional beast that is considered one of the most dangerous to mortals by many of my kin and those that serve us. Should she master the abilities she will become a true terror on the field of battle. But should she fall to it, she will likely become a different sort of terror!" Nyarlathotep stated with an insane smile on her face while her eyes looked so dark it was as if something could crawl out of them.
"Do you mean she could turn into whatever beast the arm was taken from?!" Shakti demanded to know, her tone angry and filled with hate.
"No, the mortal form would not command the amount of energy needed to fully turn into one. She would simply turn into a mindless killing machine," Nyarlathotep said with a shrug before her smile broke the constrains of her face. "Worst case scenario is that her repeated use acts as a lure and brings one or more of the beasts here to this city, or more likely the dungeon below!"
"What is it?" Ganesha suddenly said, making Nyarlathotep look at him in confusion. He let out a sigh. "The creature that her arms was made from, and whose uncontrolled use could bring here. If that could happen I need to make preparation just in case, so I need to know what it is!"
"Oh, I thought it was obvious!" Nyarlathotep said casually as she shifted and laid down on the couch and smiled impossibly again. "A Dimensional Shambler."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Can I help who is next?" A guild employee called out, causing Bell to shiver in anxiousness.
"R-right, Hashana said to wait until called, so let's go," Bell said as he glanced to Ikari.
"Obviously. I'm not waiting another moment to register!" Ikari stated as she walked toward the counter with surety in each step. A half second later Bell ran to follow and the two of them came up to the counter where an old looking human stood in a solid and clean uniform.
"Good morning, what can I do to help you today?" the guild attendant said with a smile to Ikari and Bell as they stepped up. "Do you perhaps need to put up a quest for-"
"We are here to register as Adventurers!" Ikari suddenly said, interrupting the guild worker with her words.
He looked at them both for a moment before nodding in understanding. "Very well. Just to be sure, you do realize that delving into the dungeon is a dangerous job, yes? You will get injured and may even die if you are not careful."
"We know! " Ikari replied impatiently. "Are you going to register us or not?"
"Yes, I will not disallow you unless you do not have a Falna. You are part of a Familia, yes?" he asked in response, his friendly tone shrinking to one that was barely cordial.
"Y-yes, and I'm sorry for-" Bell tried to apologize for Ikari, only for the guild attendant to wave him off.
"Head over to the first door on the left side of the hill over there. Someone will come to speak with you, and they will become your advisor. Don't be rude to them!" the attendant said as he pointed toward the door in question, then called for the next person in line, making it clear to Bell and Ikari they had to move.
Walking across the hall Bell took a moment to let his eyes wander as both he and Ikari had went straight up to the deal when they had entered. On the large rooms right side was a number of tables and chairs as well as the large area of counters where adventurers could speak to guild members or, Bell guessed, their advisors. The other side of the room was a bit busier, with private booths, a number of doors and curtained stalls that he had no idea what they could be for. The tiled floor was very clean, and tapestries of many colors hung from the walls between windows.
Entering the room they were pointed to, Bell found it drab in comparison. A small square room with a small table and four stools around it. There were no windows, and the room was lit only by a pair of magic stone lamps that were cranked up in their brightness, making it nearly as bright as the midday sun in the small room.
"This is, not what I expected," Ikari said after a few seconds of the two of them standing in the doorway looking at the empty room.
"Well, they have to call someone, right? " Bell suggested as he walked in and took a seat. "So whoever comes will end up being our advisor. I wonder what they will be like?"
"As long as they let me go into the dungeon and start getting stronger, I don't care," Ikari said as she sat down beside Bell. She looked calm and ready, while in comparison Bells face was covered in worry for her. She was so focused it was worrisome, and considering what she wanted to do, it made Bell unsure if he should tell someone. Like maybe Hashana or Ganesha, as Lady Lath seemed to not consider it a problem. "What's wrong?" Ikari suddenly asked, making Bell realize she was looking straight at him.
Bell swallowed, deciding he needed to tell her what he thought as they were now fellow Familia member, and opened his mouth to speak. Only for the door to open and a female half elf walk in and close the door behind her.
"Sorry I was held up helping another guild Advisor, "she said as she placed a folder of papers in the table and sat down across from Ikari and Bell. She was very easily a couple of years older than either of them, and her short brown hair accented her bright green eyes well, making her feel very academic. "My name is Eina Tulle, and I'll be both of Yours Guild Advisor from this day forward if all goes well. It's a pleasure to meet you both!"
"L-likewise," Bell stuttered as he stood up and gaze a bow, surprising Eina quite a bit. "My name is Bell Cranel!"
Eina looked at him for a second and then smiled softly. "Well it's a pleasure to meet you Bell," She said before looking to Ikari. "And you are?"
"Ikari."
" . . . Just Ikari?
"Yes."
"I see," Eina said as she slid a bunch of papers in front of her and began writing on them. After a few seconds she looked back up at Bell and Ikari. "So, you both are wanting to become adventurers, correct?" as both of them nodding she kept going, asking question and giving explanations about various things such as types of adventurers, rules and the like. She even explained how the guilds loaning of equipment worked, and how magic stones gotten from monsters would be cashed in. Right when it seemed like she was finally done though, she brought up two final points. "Lastly, I'd like you both to cone meet me regularly for lessons about the dungeon; after all, knowledge will keep you alive, sound good?"
"Yes!" Bell replied instantly, seeming to like the idea of learning.
Ikari however was more resistant to the idea. "Only if we can still enter the dungeon while you are forcing them on us."
"These lessons are to give you the knowledge to stay alive," Eina said stoically to Ikari. However Ikari just stared at her in response, making it clear she was intent on entering the dungeon sooner rather than later. "But, I suppose that being able to test the information I teach you would be useful," She finally caved partly. "We can begin the first of these lessons once all your paperwork is submitted. Ah yes, one thing I forgot. You have Falna you said, but what Familia are you both a part of?"
"Lady Laths," Bell said instantly, not noticing Ikari's irked expression.
"Who? I am not Familiar with that name."
"Our Goddess is called Nyarlathotep," Ikari said, sighing when she saw Eina's expression of shock. "She allows herself to be called Lady Lath if people have difficulty pronouncing her name."
"I- I see, that makes sense," Eina said uncomfortably as she wrote on the papers before her.
"Is, something wrong? " Bell asked, seeing how uncomfortable Eina was, but not connecting the dots.
"Ah, no I just had heard my boss mention your goddess earlier today and . . . . . No, it's nothing," Eina said as she shook her head and began gathering up the two stacks of paper.
"So, are we good? Can we start delving into the dungeon already?" Ikari asked Impatiently.
Eina let out a sigh. "You are both now registered as adventurers, and tommorow we will meet, go over getting you equipment and what you can expect on the first floor, and maybe enter the dungeon. Do you have any other questions for today?"
"I don't," Bell said as he looked to Ikari, who simply shook her head.
"Then that is all for today. You are registered, and tomorrow I will guide you through the rest of what you need to know. Please be here as early as possible, as there is a lot to go over," Eina said as she picked up the stacks of paper and walked to the door, opening it for Bell and Ikari to go through.
"Okay, we'll be here!" Bell said as he and Ikari exited, and waited for Eina to follow.
"Good, I'll be giving you tips and information as you slowly delve deeper into the dungeon, so make sure not to miss out," Eina said with a smile as she watched the two of them head off, with Bell giving her a wave as they left.
Once she watched them leave, led off by a member of the Ganesha Familia surprisingly, Eina walked to the back room to file the papers only to find her section chief standing there expectantly, clearly waiting on her.
"So, what do you think of them, Eina?" He asked quicker than she could speak up, catching her a bit off guard.
"You mean the two that just registered?"
"Yes, the two from 'that' new Goddesses Familia," the chief said, clearly holding back from saying something else. "What are your thoughts on them?"
"Well, mister Cranel seems nice, very nice and polite if a bit naïve about the dungeon. Ikari is the opposite, prickly and unfriendly, but less naïve about the dungeon and its danger."
"I see. May I?" the chief asked as he held out a hand. Eina nodded and handed him the small stack of papers which he immediately began flipping through. "The girl has no family name?"
"Not that she was willing to give," Eina answered.
"Strange."
"We get many who want to start new lives though sir. Adventurers not giving their family names is not unheard of."
"No, it is strange, she is from the east, is she not?" The chief asked curiously.
"She has the looks, yes, but she is a half elf, though one of her ears is, cut."
"Do you believe her raised by elves then?"
"No sir, she did not strike me as one who knew much about the elves, or other half elves for that matter. She would have spoken to me a bit differently if she was."
"I see, very well, I shall trust your judgment then," the chief said as he glanced around as if looking for others, then stepped a bit closer to Eina. "Lord Oranos has requested to see their information, he also wants us to keep track of their growth."
"What? Why? We do keep track of an adventurers levels but-,"
"No, he wants us to somehow keep track of their stat growth as well if possible," The chief spoke up, stopping Eina from continuing for a second.
"But, that is not normal! If they give it is one thing, but . . ."
"I know. It seems something about their goddess has Oranos, and other gods as well, Spooked. Did you see her when they came to Babel yesterday?"
"No sir, I did not, I have litel reason to go to Babel itself."
"Good, you don't want to. If you meet her, you will know. Something about her is, wrong. I think the gods wanting to keep an eye on those under her is not a bad idea honestly, but we have to keep it hidden regardless. Understood?"
"Yes sir. But how are we supposed to find their stats without it seeming odd?" Eina asked.
"That I am not sure. We'll have to figure out something, and if it comes to it the guild may have to implement a new rule. Something along the lines of keeping tabs on adventurers by staying notified of their alphabetic stat growth maybe."
"I can see some adventurers being resentful of that."
"So can I, but well leave that as a last resort," the chief said as she flipped the pages and held them under his arm. "I'll bring these to Oranos now, but tell me, did you see the blade the boy carried?"
"I did not, should I have?"
"Look for it when you next see him. What about the girls arm?"
Eina nodded as she suddenly looked a bit queasy. "Yes it . . . . I'm not sure but it felt, irregular, like-"
"Like it was something that shouldn't exist," the chief finished much to Eina's surprise.
"How-?"
"Because that is what their goddess felt like when I happened to see her, and what that boys blade probably feels like as well," The chief said as he turned to leaves but stopped at the door. "Be careful of those two, Eina. Their goddess is as irregular as that arm and blade. It feels like the start of something terrible."