AN:
Chapter Title: Beatdown bar brawl
"Hey Bell, where's the big guy?" Welf asked his friend as they slowly made their way down to the fifth level.
"Oh he's around- he said he could become in-incorporeal and wouldn't step in unless we were in over our heads and I asked for it." Bell responded, getting an understanding nod from his two friends and a somewhat confused expression from their tag along.
"Who are you talking about?" Mikoto asked, having joined the party to apologize for what had happened that forced the party down to the 18th floor.
"He's a new member of the Hestia familia." Welf answered the girl for his white haired friend who was distracted with an imp as it came out of the wall.
"Was he the man who we traveled with out of the dungeon with us the other day?" The red haired blacksmith nodded in response. "I see." not quite understanding the rest of what she heard relating to the man.
For the next four hours the party of Bell, Mikoto, Welf and Lily traveled through the dungeon making their way to the middle floors carving a path at a speed none of them were quite used to with the efficiency of their movements and power. It wasn't until they were around the 14th floor where they had cleared a pair of Minotaurs from a room that they stopped and took a small break admiring the strength of their four man party. During their break Alcides talked with Bell through their link briefly about something Hestia had said to them through her side of the link- she had informed the Servant about Gil finding a potential new property for them to move into when they save up enough.
Happy to hear his Servant had been successful and noticing the others were a little worn out, Bell talked with the others about heading back to the top and cashing in for the day. With everyone deciding it was for the best they headed back to the surface defeating anything that attacked them and leaving other parties to fight on their own as they made it back to the entrance of the Dungeon and the share of the Valis earned was split evenly among the group. Mikoto bid farewell saying she had something to attend to before Welf asked Lily and Bell out to eat at a Tavern to celebrate another successful trip into the dungeon.
After an hour of traveling found the group seated at a table in an unfamiliar Tavern to Lily and Bell as Welf had suggested the place, as they chatted away about the day and the recent events the conversation eventually landed itself on leveling. Welf discussed his recently reaching level 2 and complained as he pried Bell for information regarding his status to which the boy shyly dismissed his being halfway to level 3. This caused a ruckus from Welf as he bemoaned his luck.
"I guess you won't be joining us anymore then?" Lily said, causing some confusion for Bell as the red head the question was aimed at shook his head. "Since you were only traveling with master Bell and I to unlock some smithing skills..."
"Don't worry short stack I won't be going nowhere anytime soon! You can count on me to continue fighting alongside you both!" Welf chuckled as he ruffled Lily's hair.
The girl cursed at him, making him laugh harder as Bell smiled, thankful that he wasn't about to lose his good friend's help.
It was at this point that a pallum with large, green round eyes and rough unkempt dark hair wearing an far from pristine outfit that was patched all over and worn out from extensive use embolized with a red crest displaying a bow and arrow over a sun, took to the stage of the Taverns floor and started directing abuse at Bell and his companions, as he rocked back and forth in the chair at his table with four other familia members.
"Tch!" he spat in their direction. "That Rookie really has some guts becoming famous overnight! What a load of crap- regardless of whether any of his achievements are even real I can't imagine people believing crap like this!"
Welf and Lily both ignored the comments as Bell was reminded of something Hestia told him about avoiding a fight with another Familia because of the issues it could lead to.
"What a load of shit! I hear that kid ran into a minotaur and ran until he collapsed crying the 'hole time!" the Pallum laughed. " 'Ow 'dis rabbit is hanging 'round with a failure of a blacksmith and some runt of a supporter!"
"Not to mention that filthy bitch of a goddess who ain't even worth a lick of respect from no one with half a brain cel-" the Pallum was cut short.
"YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Bell yelled seethed with a venom unlike he was normally capable of as he glared at the Pallum who had fallen out of their chair and stood up to meet Bell who was now standing over him with a face full of raw emotion.
"There he is! He can't even stand the shame of his whore goddess!"
Lily wasn't able to stop Bell in time before he went to strike, watching in horror as a foot smashed into the antagonizer's face sending him back into the table.
Only she and Bell both realised it wasn't him who hit the boy but Welf who had his leg outstretched as a roar of cheer went up around the tavern when a fight broke out with Bell and Welf taking on the others from the table.
Several minutes of fighting passed where it looked as though Bell and his party were about to come out the victors when a man dressed in a pristinely kept suit with the same emblem as the initial antagonizer stepped in and struck Welf to the ground saying something too fast for the man to catch before attempting to strike the White haired boy with his fist-
Appearing from a wisp of magical particles as he formed from thin air the two and a half meter tall form of Alcides blocked the path of the stike causing the attacker to adjust as his knuckle bounced off the solid muscle of the man before him and he attempted another punch but on the Servant who snatched the fist out of the air and tightened his grip before twisting until there was an audible snap and crack heard all throughout the building.
"You will find a Goddess of the Hearth and Home is most certainly not a 'Whore Goddess' please refer yourselves elsewhere lest I defend my Goddess further." the man said with a face distorted with a great deal of hatred seeping through his expression and tone.
The group quickly rushed away as the attacker with the now broken wrist and arm clawed his way to his feet going after the others, Alcides taking the moment to help Welf to his feet as well as making sure his Master and Lily were both unharmed. After this the trio disbanded for the day, Welf retreating home and Lily disappearing, wishing them both well, hoping nothing would come of what happened.
Worried about the fight with the other Familia, but still needing to go to a meeting with his guild advisor Eina Tulle, Bell left for the guild. On the way he thanked his Servant for the help.
[Not so level headed decision]
A blonde haired red eyed boy walked the streets of Oriario's Entertainment District without the notice of all those around as he traversed with ease that could not be afforded to any individual but himself. A blatant smirk crossed his face as he passed by one of the hundreds of brothels throughout the District. He achieved anonymity through his wearing of a particular favourite treasure- that being Hades' Cap Of Invisibility.
It was such a useful item and allowed him to pass through the adventurer full city without issue, in the particular case he was using it to dodge the patrols of the Ishtar Familia who had some of their more capable members patrolling the streets to keep order and kick out any unwanted people.
Gil saw this as a great opportunity to traverse the District and test out the strength of one of his treasures all the while he could also investigate the Familia itself. Having proven that it could fool even a 3rd level adventurer he passed it made him wonder whether he could make it all the way to the very room the Goddess was in to snatch away any of the information he was looking for.
He had already been in this city for nearly two days now and thought it would be best to find out as much as he could about this world and its history. So who better to ask than those who would hear the most in their days but those with one of the oldest professions in history.
He may not have been completely as powerful as his adult self but he had to say that high-jacking someone's summoning ritual was one of his better ideas. It was going to provide him a great deal of fun and entertainment if his Master was anything to go by so far.
After all, not only had the Little Rookie summoned the greatest Greek hero but also his best friend Enkidu who Gil was looking forward to spending time with for as long as they were in this world. Who could he summon next? Surely his master had already summoned too many Servants with connections to the gods for it to be safe for any of them should they find out that they have counterparts here in Oriario.
It didn't matter right now though, so he wasn't bothered and maybe their versions here would be interesting.
He'd have to wait and see.
[Adventure awaits]
"I apologise to Lady Hestia for this indiscretion." Alcides said remorsefully as he kneeled in front of the woman who had been distracted by hugging her first child for defending her.
"Oh! Don't worry about it, you can just make it up to me. Sometimes I'll deal with Apollo if he tries to make anything come from this after all there were witnesses." The goddess said as she let go of the white haired boy. "I'm glad you did that much for me as well!" she squealed with joy hugging the servant as well thanking him.
"Actually goddess, I have this letter for you." Bell said finally able to stand on his own without the woman wrapped around him, handing her the letter.
Her expression dimmed for a moment before brightening back up."That sly god… he wants us to bring one of our children!" she said in cheer words not matching her actions.
"I do not understand Lady Hestia?" the large servant probed for an answer confused about the letter.
"Right! I forget you don't know much about our world still do you? I've been invited to the Apollo familia home where the next meeting of the gods is going to be held- since its being hosted by Apollo he can set the rules and he wants us to bring one of our children along."
"I see..." he said, not quite understanding. "So you wish to make good on the situation by clearing the air with Lord Apollo at this event?" he asked.
"Not exactly..." the goddess said, having been too distracted by the idea of showing off her Bell to all the other gods and gloating.
"Hm then Goddess Hestia allow me to accompany you to this event as your child- I do not believe this to be a coincidence that Apollo's familia would draw out Master into a confrontation unless to make you seem weak in front of the others that might have heard about it before arriving." Alcides stood to his full height with a look of determination. "I would like to repay my debt to you by keeping your company at this event, but also so that Lancer may be able to train with Master in the meantime should he get into a confrontation with another person like these men again."
"Ugh! I hate that you make a good argument..." she said with a furrowed brow trying to think of a reason why she could just take Bell but couldn't come up with one. "Alright, I'll take you with me- but I'll need you to take a message to Miach and Takemikazuchi, since we have the money I'd like to treat them for all the help they've given Bell and I." The goddess said sincerely.
The Servant nodded, understanding the sentiment.
"Here Alcides, before you leave-" she handed him a note. "When you're done telling the others, meet me here and I can get us a dress and suit made up for the event."
As they were talking Enkidu walked into the underground living space of the church greeting their Master and Goddess asking Bell along with them. Joining the servant he asked the Lancer what they'd be doing.
"I would like to spar with you Master and find out what your ability level is so that I can fine tune my skill to be the perfect adversary to help improve your skill."
"Okay, but wouldn't it be better for us to do it in the morning when I'm rested?" Bell asked as they made their way out into the courtyard behind the church's main building.
"Yes, however you may not always fight when you're at your best and Archer wanted to make sure you could handle something he has planned for you." The green haired Servant said.
"What does he have planned for me?" Bell watched as the Servant shrugged not knowing the answer.
"Are you ready to begin Master?" The white haired boy nodded, raising his Minotaur horn knife and getting into the stance he had developed with Ais.
His Servant stood across from him with a very relaxed posture waiting for the boy to strike. Enkidu gave a heartfelt smile before moving so fast that Bell could barely keep up as they appeared behind him keeping him from making the first strike as he was forced to block a kick with his forearms. The white dress of the Servant flailed around in the air as they continued to strike out at their Master forcing Bell on the offensive as he tried to find an opening.
The spar continued on for another ten minutes before Enkidu stopped it as Bell started to reach his limit, the Servant was quite happy with the skill and power his master displayed having not really been able to expect much, without any prior experience up against the warriors of this world.
"You did well Master, I believe you are quite the strong individual." The Servant said with a pleased smile that made Bell smile back.
"A-ah thanks!" the white haired boy responded in earnest. "I hope everything is going well with Alcides and the Goddess." he pondered aloud as they walked back inside.
"They're probably having a blast!" a voice cut in with cheer. "How about it Master, I could get us into the party if you want?" Gil asked, appearing as if from thin air causing Enkidu no small amount of confusion before realising what had likely happened for the child form of his friend to appear the way he had.
"We aren't allowed to go unless we're invited though." Bell replied with a somber expression somewhat wishing he had been able to go so that he could hopefully talk to Ais again.
"C'mon don't be a downer Master! Where there's a will there's a way! And I have a guaranteed way for us in, that won't cause any trouble and no one will even know that we're there!" Bell wasn't sure how to respond to his servant's bright mood and confidence.
"How would we do that?" he asked the younger boy who grinned like someone with a scheme hidden up their sleeve.
"Well master, with this!" The golden haired boy held out his hand as a shimmering golden ripple formed in the air above his hand before he reached in and pulled out a long dark silk scarf that looked like the night sky as it sparkled in the light.
"What's this?" Bell asked, confused.
"It's what'll help us get in, you see Master if we wrap it around all three of us and walk in together with it around us we'll be invisible."
"Invisible?" Bell questioned with a spark of excitement in his eyes as he wondered how it worked, he was used to magic items coming with a catch and this seemed like an exceptionally powerful item not to come with one like Lily's knife.
"Don't worry Master, it's foolproof- heck it's God proof! No one will notice we're there!" Gil argued with more confidence, finally winning his Master over.
"Okay let's go." The white haired boy said.
Off to the side the Lancer already seeing the mess his master was about to get into by following the charismatic childs whims and decided that they had best be with them at least when things went wrong. As he didn't recall the scarf ever being used by his friend against any gods or at all for that matter finding the idea of walking the streets of strong walled Uruk without meeting and greeting the people at almost every stop was abhorrent. His friend always made time for Uruk and never time for himself, because he was their protector and king. Though he didn't quite get to experience his friend's days as The Sage King Gilgamesh he knew that's what became of him after his journey and revenge on the Goddess.
One day Enkidu hoped for the chance to meet with their friend from that part of his life.
Bell wasn't sure what to expect when Gil took the lead and tied up the end of the scarf which seemed to magically get longer to fit around them walking in a line together. The blonde servant was in the front, Bell was in the middle and Enkidu at the back, the scarf was being held up by each of them and Gill wasted no time and started jogging with the other two trailing behind him heading in the direction of the Apollo familia home.
Bell could help but ask as they were heading down a street that was filled with people heading home from taverns or work.
"Gil, do you even know where the Gods get together is even happening?" When he asked, the golden haired boy looked back at him with a big bright smile.
"Of course Master, but one thing I forgot to mention is that just because people can't see us while we're like this doesn't mean they can't hear us so just keep that in mind that we need to be quiet once we get there."
Bell felt a bead of sweat fall down from his brow, he was beginning to wonder if this was really the best course.
[Party crashing]
"Hey Miach, Take!" Hestia called out to her friends as she watched them step out from the carriages she had arranged for them seeing their plus ones dressed in gorgeous dresses.
"Ah Hestia, thank you for all this." Miach said, bowing his head as did the cleinthrope woman next to him.
"No worries Miach, I had to repay you somehow for all the help you've given me and Bell." Hestia replied.
"Let us thank you as well Hestia." Takemikazuchi bowed his head with Mikoto as well, making Hestia rush to make her friends raise their heads.
"This is one of your new members then Hestia?" Take asked looking up at the enormous man before all of them.
"That he is! Guys this-" The goddess stopped for a moment not sure whether she should say the servants name or class.
"My name is Alcides of Thebes, Lord Miach and Lord Takemikazuchi it's my pleasure to meet you both and your Familia members properly.'' Having cut the goddess off it was the Servant's turn to bow his head briefly before raising it as he didn't want to test the limits of the suit the goddess had paid for.
After a brief bout of small talk between the gods and goddess admiring each other and their childrens outfits they decided to make their way in after Hermes appeared and admired everyone's dress as well.
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