Damachi and all related characters are the property of Fujino Omori. Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World is the property of Kei Sazane. This is purely a non-profit fan created story for entertainment.

They had finally made their way out of the dungeon. Aliceliese could only gasp in awe and shock at all the people and buildings she was seeing.

"This is clearly a very old city. The buildings, the technology. It's all so primitive even compared to the Sovereignty." She said. "And the people... I have never seen people with so many inhuman features at once."

"Do demihumans not exist in Nebulis?" Bell asked with a bit of confusion and concern.

"As far as I know, they don't. The only real person with such features that I know of is the Emperor of the neighboring Empire." She said before looking at the ground sadly memories of Iska flying through her mind.

"Alice?" Bell asked confused. She snapped out of it fast enough.

"Nothing, I was just lost in thought." She said following along.

The eastern woman named Mikoto spoke up. "If I may make a suggestion. Perhaps one of us head for the guild to turn in our stones, while the rest finish escoring Miss Nebulis to Hestia.

"Guild? Stones?" Alice asked. Welf in turn looked at her with an expression that said. "We'll explain in a bit."

"Not a bad idea. I take it you're volunteering?" Bell asked as Mikoto nodded. "Okay, everyone, hand over the spoils to Mikoto. We have to get home soon."

Lily nodded as she took the lion's share of the stones and items out of her bag and handed them to Mikoto. The others handing over what they were carrying in Lily's stead.

"The Guild is basically the government of Orario. They take the magic stones, and items we obtain from monsters defeated in the dungeon and give us money in exchange." Haruhime, the fox girl explained.

"Ah, I see. That makes sense." Alice said wondering more about these stones but remaining silent for now.

"Okay everyone. Let us return to Hestia." Bell said leading them along as Mikoto split off from the group.

From the top of the Tower looming over the dungeon a woman watched closely as Bell and his group left. "Who is that woman?" She asked with a hint of interest, and even jealousy. She could see that whoever she was, her soul was unique, and there was a certain air of power and authority among her. The grip on her wine glass tightened a bit just barely below the threshold to crack it. "I'll be watching you."

"This is your home?" Aliceliese asked as they arrived at the manor. "You didn't strike me as that wealthy."

Lily scoffed. "Don't let the house fool you. We barely make enough to get by."

Alice was a bit shocked hearing that. "Really? Why is that?" She asked as they entered the front door.

"Ask Hestia." Lily said pointing at a dark-haired woman with twintails lounging on a sofa. Scantily clad in a simple white dress, and gloves with a blue ribbon. She was unshod and sporting an impressive bust almost as impressive as Alice's own. She was also significantly shorter even if Alice was to remove her high heels.

"BELL CRANEL!" The Goddess roared as she began throttling the boy as she saw the new woman. "Stop bringing strange new women into our house! How can you constantly do this to me! After everything I have done for you, why do you have to toy with me like this!"

"Goddess Hestia. It is not like that I swear. She appeared lost in the dungeon and knew nothing of this city." Bell cried in a dizzy manner as he was thrashed about.

Alice was perplexed. This little girl throwing a childish tantrum was supposed to be a Goddess. "Unhand the boy, if you are indeed divine this is conduct unbecoming of your station!" She declared.

Hestia looked at the girl in anger. "Mind your own-" She began only to freeze and shiver as she felt the temperature drop many degrees both figuratively and literally.

"That boy escorted and protected me on my way out of that Labyrinth. I will not allow you to mistreat him without getting his side of the story." Ice crystals began to sprout from Alice's feet slowly inching towards Hestia. "Stand down now, or I will use my Astral power to freeze you until you calm down." She warned.

The others prepared to draw their weapons in defense of their goddess, but Hestia raised her hand. "Okay, okay. You proved your point. This is no time to fight." She said trying to defuse the situation. "I'm sorry Bell, I got the wrong idea, and let me emotions out of control." Hestia said with a slight bow.

"It's alright Goddess." Bell said quickly. A bit too quickly for Alice's preference, but she made the ice she generated vanish.

"So, you're saying there is no Nebulis Sovereignty?" Alice asked concerned.

"Not that I know of. I can have some world maps brought over, but I never have heard of that nation, or recall seeing it on any maps in the past." Hestia explained. "And you're positive there is no Orario where you come from? No gods, no adventurers?"

"No. Not at all. The closest there are astral mages like me." She explained.

"Astral mages? What is that?" Lily asked.

"People with a special crest that grants them a certain magic power." She explained. "Mine allows me to create ice." The blonde explained. "I think by now it's very clear. I am somehow not in my world. At least not in my time period anymore." She said. It seemed ludicrous, but what other explanation was there?

"This is... I have no real words to explain how unusual this is." Hestia said. "I'll have to look into this later... Now we have another question... What will you do now?"

"I do not know... I want to find a way back to my home." Alice said. "I don't know how likely that is to happen, but I feel I have to try."

Hestia nodded. "Fair enough. So, what will you do in the meantime? You need a place to stay, right?"

"I... do not know." She admitted.

"Maybe she can stay with-" Bell began only for Hestia to glare at him.

"She is pretty powerful from what Bell says." Welf argued. "And we don't exactly have the luxury of being picky with new recruits." He reminded Hestia.

"Welf is right." Lily admitted. "Lily thinks it better she be with us, than some other Familia."

Hestia sighed. "Fine. You're welcome to join us for the time being Aliceliese." Hestia offered extending her hand.

Alice looked at the hand. "I do not have many other options do I, and you did get me out of that dungeon, so very well." She said taking the hand and shaking it.

"Excellent." Hestia said. "Let us proceed with your falna." She spoke. Bell, Welf, could both of you please leave the room.

"Alright. Come on Bell, we got to give the ladies their privacy." Welf said as he and Bell got up and left the room.

"Welcome to the family Aliceliese... I promise you won't regret this." Bell said.

"Thank you for the kind words, Bell." Alice said. Bell for his part nodded and left the room.

"Okay, I need your back exposed for this." Hestia said. "Lower your dress and lie face down on the couch. Shoes off too." She added.

"Very well." Alice said slipping out of her heels. Even in bare feet, she was noticeably taller than any of the other girls. She slowly undid the top of her dress and lowered it around her waist.

"Oh wow. That tattoo is so pretty." Hestia said in awe at the massive blue runic pattern covering her entire back.

"It's not a tattoo. It is my astral crest." Alice said laying down on the couch as instructed. "It is the source of my powers."

"Lily has concerns." Lily began. "Won't the crest get in the way of your Falna, can your stats even be read with that huge marking there?"

Hestia shook her head. "Any obscurement of her stats should not be visible once they are transferred to paper." Hestia said straddling her waist. "This may feel a bit odd, but I promise it won't hurt." With a needle Hestia pricked her finger and allowed a small drop of blood to splash on Alice's back.

For a moment there was nothing... Then Alice felt an oddly comforting warming sensation... Then it got hotter, and hotter... Her eyes snapped wide open.

Alice's screams permeated the mansion grounds.

Another chapter done. Is Alice going to be okay? Did she gain any blessing out of this? I'm going to leave that in part up to you. Visit my profile and vote in the soon to be up poll to help decide what comes next. Only one person voted in my last poll, but that was my fault for not advertising it better. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas everyone.