"Spoken"

"..." Audible silence

'Thought'

*Sound Effect*

Timeline: Before Bell returned from the dungeon. I.e. Hestia is alive.

"It has stirred." The elder god's soft-spoken words echoed through the darkness.

Fels—who at the moment was accompanying the Xenos in the fight to capture the man-made dungeon Knossos—was frightened.

"Stirred? Surely you don't mean...the Juggernaut?"

The face of the wizened god, who was mockingly called the "immovable one" by the other deities, twisted into an unmistakable grimace.

"What will you do, Ouranos?"

"...Send reinforcements to the Water Capital. Even if they are unable to resolve the situation, we need to know what is happening."

"We are still fighting to capture Knossos. The few forces are available to The Loki Familia. Even if you order a mission and the regular procedures are followed, they'll never make it in time!"

The voice emanating from the crystal was filled with anxiety. Ouranos realized that when Fels said the troops wouldn't make it in time, the immortal Mage was talking about the safety of Hestia Familia. Ever since the incident with the Xenos, Fels had been willing to risk everything for the sake of Bell Cranel, but now he was powerless.

The same was true of Ouranos himself.

"Then, I will do all I can… I will pray with utmost intensity."

The four torches surrounding the altar swallowed up the will of the deity.

From his throne, Ouranos turned his blue eyes toward the darkness above.

"The rest depends on whether there is anyone besides us who will take action..."

A letter had passed through the dungeon. It had only a single word.

Help

The letter was arranged to be delivered to a single person, a goddess named Hestia.

Hestia sat holding the letter that her famillia sent from the eighteenth floor...

She was still in The Hostess of Fertility after asking aid from the waitresses that worked here but.. she feared it wouldn't be enough.

So Hestia looked for the only people she knows that could help.

The Loki familia.

Hestia was sprinting towards the Twilight Manor. Her frustrations were said out loud.

"Damnit, Dammit I can't do anything."

She arrived at the gates of the twilight manor where the guards were giving her a hard time.

"Please, please let me in."

The guard kept their distance.

"Goddess, we can't let anyone in."

"Hey, chibi!"

"Loki"

Loki waved off the guards to let Hestia through. They stood in the garden.

"Loki please help. I need your familia to save Bell."

Loki eyes widened and showed frustration.

"That is not possible."

"Why? They aren't in the dungeon right? There was no mention of a Loki Famillia expedition."

Loki thinks to herself.

'Can I tell her?'

'Does it matter if she knows?'

'Hermes will probably get Bell involved somehow.'

Loki shook her head in dissapointment and explained to Hestia.

"Look... Hestia, my familia is fighting the evil remnants."

"Evils? But they were wiped out."

"They were."

Loki continued

"Anyway, for now, that's not your problem. My familia can't help you. Can't your own familia save him?"

"No, they are stuck in the dungeon,"

"I'm sorry but I can't help you. Have you put a quest up already?"

"Yes but no one is willing to go to the lower floors with all the irregular activities. Damnit Loki, please."

"I'm sorry. Hestia, Maybe Freya?"

"She won't help me"

"She will help everyone for a reward."

"Dammit... I guess I have no choice..."

The sun was high. Hestia had reached Orario's southern area in the Fifth District.

Rising before her was a towering gate and four walls that were a bit too solid to call a fence. Despite being in the middle of Orario's most lively and varied Shopping District, it boasted the appearance of a castle wall. There was no guard at the gate, just a tense atmosphere, like the calm before a storm. It was probably a warning. Hestia had never been scared for her own safety, here? Her nervousness was rising. She came to a halt, looking up and walking in front of the gate. As if she was expected, the doors opened with a weighty creak.

"..."

With a fast pace, Hestia walked forward and through the gate. She found green wilderness spreading before her eyes. Small white and golden rings of flowers rippled in a beautiful field that one would not expect to see in the middle of a city. The field was covered by flowers that could be crushed by a single step, while the land was lush. In the middle of the field, at the heart of the estate, was a hill. Atop that was a giant manner that could be mistaken for a temple or palace. The magnificent sight carefully isolated from the complex cityscape around it could almost be a painting. Hestia was indifferent, why would someone want such a large house? She stepped into the place that she had never been in before, while the gate groaned loudly again, shutting behind her.

"!"

A voice was heard

"—Marching in here by yourself, huh? You looking to die or something?"

The voice ringed through the garden. The rough voice, that made no attempt to hide its malice. A single animal person spoke to her: a male cat person with black and silver fur, incredibly intimidating despite being barely taller than Hestia. Hestia did not know of him. His title was Vana Freya and his name was Allen Fromel. The very model of a first-tier adventurer.

"What do you want?"

The name of that place was Folkvangr.

Home of Freya Familia.

"If you have something to say, you've got two seconds. If you just want to die, then keep standing there with your mouth shut."

"I need to speak to Freya."

Hestia didn't understand the hostility, she hadn't expected it.

Allen's sharp gaze pierced through Hestia, who was hemmed in by a thick curtain of tension that was completely at odds with the clear blue sky and sunlight streaming in from above.

'Loki? I hope you're right' Hestia thought to herself.

A cold sweat beaded on her cheek. Hestia had no idea what she should do, she opened her mouth but wasn't able to say anything in response. So she repeated her question.

"Please, I need to speak to Freya"

Just before he could respond, a sonorous voice echoed across the field like the strumming of a harp. Hestia's eyes focused on the source—directly ahead of her, atop the hill. She looked at the figure descending the white stairs extending from the manor. Though they were some distance away from each other, the owner of the voice exuded the gravitas of a queen as she came around the corner into view. Allen was the only one who didn't move, Hestia, sprinted towards Freya causing Allen and Freya's attendance to get tense.

"I thought it seemed a bit noisy, but... if a rare guest has paid us a visit, I suppose it's only natural."

Hestia who was sprinting across the garden towards the white stair wailed.

"Freya please help me, my children are in danger, my Bell is in danger," Hestia begged.

As if she was ignoring Hestia's pleas Freya spoke to her famillia member.

"Allen."

"..."

Freya smiled as she spoke his name. That was all it took for the rabid dog —er, cat to keep away from Hestia as he was just about to refrain Hestia from coming closer. Possessing incredible charisma, Freya was revered by her followers as though she were a queen—an idol that must be protected at all costs. Her orders were absolute. Freya turned her gaze to Hestia, ignoring the cat person who was clearly venting his displeasure.

"Oh, Hestia.."

"Please Freya, I will do anything, please save Bell," Hestia said while smearing her tears on Freya's dress.

Freya looked genuinely curious. The smile of a child crossed her face.

"Heh...hee-hee-hee! Anything you say?"

Though she covered her mouth, a giggle slipped past her fingers, sounding like a songbird's chirps.

Hestia raised her head, spilling the feelings in her heart.

"My famillia is stuck in the dungeon, I... can't lose Bell. If I lose Bell I lose everything."

"..."

"Please, you are the last person that can help."

"..."

"..."

Freya smiled

"Sure but... I want him"

Allen's cheek twitched.

"I want... Bell" Freya clarified.

Hestia's face was moving. She knew full well that she was asking for a huge favour, but that by doing this, she would lose Bell.

Hestia looked angry,

"WHAAAAAAT, HOW DARE YOU!"

Freya's turned her head feigning childlike ignorance.

"What is wrong? You did say, anything, didn't you?" Freya said with a smug smirk.

"WHAT'S THE POINT IF I LOSE HIM ANYWAY!?" Hestia screamed.

"What's the point? What's the point?" Freya repeated while faking a little anger "He'll live. He'll survive!"

It was silent, Hestia slowly started understanding what she said.

Freya saw Hestia's face and knew she got her, she had been thinking about how she would get Bell from Hestia. She had learned that the best way to get someone to give up — give themselves over, is by guilt. Guilt is mainly felt for other people, she was lucky Hestia caused it herself.

'I am not the goddess of war for nothing.' Freya thought.

Hestia was pondering.

'I have to save him, I have to' she repeated that to herself.

'She had returned to her starting point, embracing the idea that she will lose Bell,'

Hestia shook her head.

"No, I'll find another way, goodbye."

"—Very well. Allen, bring her inside."

Hestia was confused.

"Huh? Freya, I said no,"

Freya had already turned around and was walking up the stairs towards the manor.

Allen's eyes flashed. Of course, they did. The Freya Famillia members and Bell were each other's greatest rivals. And Freya was forcing them to help that rival.

"I'd rather die."

Allen had raised his voice not in simple agitation—but in open anger and confusion. But Freya paid his pointed glare no mind as she looked into Allen's eyes. Freya turned around her gaze towards Allen was enough for him to listen to her previous request.

That shut him up, though he was visibly angry, showing the signs of an ill-tempered cat who might someday turn his claws on his master. However, in the end, Allen did not say anything and went on his way.

'Dumb goddess if only she knew Ottarl is already there.' Allen smirked as he dragged the goddess inside.

Freya seemed satisfied by his response as she nodded. Hestia watched with bated breath as she was dragged inside by a level 6 monster.

Hestia was shaken by the unexpected response as Freya's face loomed closer to hers.

Hestia did not know what Freya was thinking.

However, it was an acceptable trade. Or at least, it should have been. Hestia gritted her teeth as fear was brewing and returned Freya's gaze.

'I'm sorry Hestia I tried, but it seems your death will be the most convenient. For me to acquire my Odyr.'

Hestia asks, for one thing, to write a letter.

Freya agrees, However, she says she will read it.

Freya was alone in the carriage that was riding towards her room at the top of Babel. She couldn't help but ponder over what just had happened. She recalls Hestia's reaction when she told her that she will be sent to Tenkai.

The screams, the tears, the pledges, the begging, the screeches, the pure despair, sadness, sorrow and helplessness that was pouring out of Hestia normally wouldn't affect her. She had experienced it many times, most of those were also her fault to begin with. Her philosophy was always that death was an honour and her infinite experiences as a goddess of war had made her numb for the pain.

I feel weird, I didn't expect to have any reaction towards the idea of killing Hestia, we didn't live in the same Tenkai nor has Hestia been long enough in Gekai for us to get associated. But I feel unusual.

'As if a part of me wishes for a different solution.'

"Finally, after months of watching him, I am getting Bell."

Freya's heart started beating faster and harder.

"He will be part of my familia. My Odyr will be finally mine."

It was like a child that was bursting with excitement, so much that it couldn't be contained, even the elegant Freya couldn't help but get moved.

Freya's excitement forced her on her feet.

"He will be part of me!"

With her hand towards the ceiling, while her gaze went through it.

"I should feel... I should feel joyful.. thrilled.. ecstatic.. exhilarated.. but I ended up feeling dissatisfied." Freya pulled her hands toward her chest. She sat back down in the carrage and questioned herself.

'What is happening?'

'Could I have Bell without hurting Hestia?' Freya pondered.

'My emotions are enigmatic, I don't understand them I am getting what I have desired for so long, why do I not feel content?'

Freya felt what we can only call a little bit of guilt.

A lot of volume rip-offs very sorry I just struggled to get through this chapter. I didn't care much for why Hestia died so I struggled writing this.

Today I will clean up my previous chapters and (fingers crossed) release the next chapter.