The sun lay high above the dungeon city of Orario. The smooth yellow rays gently shining down on the lively city of adventures, deities, normal people, and many other races and experiences. The bright blue sky spotted by the occasional puffy white cloud that slowly floated across its seemingly endless blue void. It was a normal day, for all intents and purposes. A trickster goddess' familia laughs in merriment as they return from a successful dungeon dive, a queen observes the progress of the world from her golden cage, an old man with many regrets buries his guilt under prayers, and a certain hearth goddess' familia is split all around the city.
The Hestia familia is a familia of unique people with all sorts of creeds and backgrounds. A refined prum who was once a street rat, a noble blacksmith related to warmongers, a virgin prostitute once a fox princess, a ninja in love with her own master, an elf who's killed that once was a symbol of law, a young man who wishes to be a hero with all of his heart, and a Goddess who works harder than her former lazy self could imagine.
Yes, this was the Hestia familia.
It's almost insane to think that these people could all be united under one banner. But, the close relationships and teamwork proves that it's possible. For a group so diverse, they have one thing in common. Something that holds them all together and drives them in a likeminded goal.
"Kamisama... I want to get stronger!"
Today was a rare day for the usually hardworking familia. Due to their familia's captain, Bell Cranel, being in bedrest after suffering egregious injuries within the deep confines of the dungeon, the familia had some time off. Many of the familia members had agreed to watch over Bell in different rotations. Sanjouno Haruhime, the virgin fox princess, had been on first watch. Liliruca Arde, the refined prum, had been on second watch. Now, on third watch in the middle of the day, sat the hardworking Goddess.
Hestia had always worried for her captain. She worries for her entire familia. Everyday she fears the unbearable pain that comes with losing a child of their familia. But, like clockwork, her fears evaporate when she returns from work to see the smiles of all her children.
That was, until Bell had gotten hurt.
Of course, the boy had been injured many times. But, this was different. He had almost lost two limbs, his lower digestive system just barely being contained within his badly burned abdominal wall, his neck had been broken at some point, and numerous bruises and gashes. In a world of magic and gods, they could only do so much. Injuries still needed healing. And while healing potions worked, time was always the best medication. Hestia had cried when she saw him, she was sure everyone did. She didn't leave his side for days until Hephaestus and even Loki came and pried her off Bell. Needless to say, she was a mess.
Hestia sat and chatted with her captain. They talked about nothing important. There were no discussions of future plans, dungeon dives, or even the future at all.
No, they were discussing their pasts.
"Hestia-sama, did I ever tell you about some of the things I brought from home?" A bandaged Bell said sat on his bed, supported by pillows.
"You've told me about some books. Other than that, not really. We were always busy I guess!" Hestia chuckled.
"Well, how about I show you some of the things my grandpa had?" Bell's question was met by an interested nod from Hestia.
Hestia was always interested in Bell's family, as Bell didn't mention them much. It didn't take Hestia long to figure out that he was essentially an orphan. His last surviving family, his grandfather, had died shortly before he left for Orario. Bell didn't like talking about it, which Hestia could kind of understand. However, from what little stories she heard, she couldn't help but feel like she knew him.
"Alright. But, no getting out of bed buster! Just tell me where they are and I'll get them for you." Hestia got up from a chair she had put next to Bell's bed.
"Alright, Hestia-sama. Now, they should be in that little chest beside my bed by the window." Bell nodded his head to a small wooden chest tucked in the corner of the room.
Hestia nodded and moved over to the chest. When she opened it, she had expected dust. But, she was pleasantly surprised to see that Bell had taken meticulous care of the items stored inside. And boy, what a collection. For a poor farmer, Bell's grandfather sure had a lot. Within the chest laid many books, hero stories from the short glances Hestia had given them. But, that's what she wasn't primarily focused on.
A big wooden box sat, taking up about half of the chest. Within the box, Hestia could make out metal pieces of some kind. On the top laid a place to insert a large circular object and a needle. On top of the contraption laid many little folders that had numerous works of art on their covers.
"A record player!?" Hestia voiced her shock as she whipped her head over to Bell, who nodded dumbly in confirmation.
"Yes, Hestia-sama, why so surprised?" Bell asked in slight nervousness.
"Bell-kun, this kind of device shouldn't exist here." Hestia said seriously, Bell's eyes only widened.
"What do you mean?" Bell asked nervously as he began to sweat.
"Listen, record players do exist. But they're magic stone powered. This one is electrically powered. There's only one god I know who can make that and only one very isolated country who has them, and that's Pahmontet and and his familia (AN: read my other Danmachi story for context). Wait a minute..." Hestia turned to the folders and pulled on out.
Hestia turned the cover around and read the title.
The Division Bell
The cover had a picture of two statues that look like the respective side of a human face talking with one another. In the background was a massive field with a castle in the far distance. The sky was clouded except for the foreground, where it was blue. Hestia turned the folder around and found what she was looking for.
"I knew it." Hestia said as she put the cover back in the chest.
"What do you know Hestia-sama?" Bell was more than confused now.
"Bell-kun, do you think your grandpa was a God?" Hestia bluntly asked Bell, hoping to rip it off like a bandaid.
"Actually, yes, I do. He seemed to have this aura about him. And from what I've seen and heard, I'm very sure he was Zeus." Bell said thoughtfully as Hestia stared in mild surprise.
"Well, you're correct." Hestia confirmed Bell's suspicions as she pulled out the record player and a record holder. "Zeus is Pahmontet's best friend. They did a lot together up in Tenkai. Pahmontet had always made music, he had lived so many lives. These albums in particular are super rare in Gekai Bell-kun. Music made by Pahmontet himself is generally for other deities he knows well. There's no reasonable explanation other than your grandfather being Zeus, because he would be the first to get these." Hestia explained as she held up another record holder, this one had a cover with a picture of a well dressed man on fire while shaking another well dressed man's hand.
"I see, Hestia-sama." Bell, in all honesty, was not too surprised. He always felt something was weird about his grandpa, now he knows the full picture. Then, Bell realized something that made him jolt in excitement.
"Bell-kun, sit down, don't stress your body!" Hestia ushered Bell back down on his bed, who had calmed down at her command.
"Can you turn it on? I want to hear it again!" Bell had asked, desperation and hope in his voice.
"I can, Pahmontet gave me a record player up in Tenkai." Hestia had set up the record player using a small magic stone electrical generator that she had quickly retrieved from the familia's storage room.
When Hestia finished the record player, Bell remembered an odd thing Hestia had done while searching the record holders.
"Hestia-sama, what exactly did you find in the holder that made you realize?" Bell asked in confusion.
"Ahh... yes. Well, it's a letter for you. It's from Zeus." Hestia said with mild surprise as she handed the letter to Bell, who stared at the envelope with wide eyes.
Bell, however, sat and simply fiddled with the player, which was now on his lap.
"Aren't you going to read it Bell-kun?" Hestia asked, confusion evident in her voice.
"I'll read it after we listen to some music. Dark Side of The Moon was always my favorite." Bell smiled brightly, making Hestia blush slightly.
"O-okay!" Hestia responded.
Bell finished setting the record down and put the needle on the vinyl record. The record player started to output a sound. A sound which Hestia and Bell had to strain themselves to hear.
Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump...
The heartbeat that introduced the album brought tears to Bell's eyes. After two years of grief and frustration, he finally had a break. Hestia, who had never heard Pink Floyd, the name Pahmontet had called this particular band, before was simply contempt to listen.
It was a relaxing and beautiful day of music that eventually the whole familia joined in on. Never even hearing the style of music before, the rest of Hestia familia was blown away by the odd sounds yet incredible playing by the band. They had all eagerly listened to each and every album in the chest. They had finished The Division Bell before realizing that the sun had set and a beautiful new moon has risen. Calling it a night, and to let Bell rest, the Hestia familia went to their respective rooms to sleep.
Once Bell sat in enjoyment from a good day. He finally turned his attention to the unopened letter on his nightstand. Turning on a magic stone light, he grabbed the letter. With shaking hands, Bell gently opened the letter. Bell prepared himself before beginning to read:
Bell,
It's me, your grandpa! If you're reading this, then I've most likely passed away. I have many things to tell you Bell. But first, I know you've probably gone to Orario. And due to that fact, I need to tell you this: Bell, you need a harem my boy! It's a true man's ROMANCE. Now that my sagely wisdom has been shared, I need to seriously tell you some things.
First off, I am a God. Bell, if you haven't found out already, I am Zeus. This means something important. If you're reading this I haven't truly passed away. No, I am doing something very important. I still roam Gekai, but I am essentially trapped protecting it. Naturally, this is probably going to have you question your lineage. Don't worry, I will address that now.
Bell, while you're not my grandson through blood, you are and will forever be MY grandson. You see, your father was a member of my familia. He was a supporter, he knew when to run. But, when your father stood up and fought, it was brilliant to see. His name was Clayedes, nobody really knew him except your mother. Oh... you're mother. She was beautiful, Bell. Your mother's name was Meteria, and she was a member of Hera familia. She was the sister of Alfia, the 'Monster of Talent'. Your mother was talented in her own way: her kindness. Much like you, she was the kindest woman you could ever meet. But, she knew her way around magic.
Now, to explain what I've been doing. Bell, as you can probably infer, your father was killed by the One-Eyed Black Dragon. He was among the numerous casualties of my familia. Meanwhile, Meteria was very sick. Meteria and Alfia were both affected with a disease that slowly causes them to become weaker and die. I would always use my familia's influence to gather a holy branch from the Alv forest. But, when we were banished, I wasn't allowed into the forest. Since Riveria Ljos Alf was a member of Loki Familia, the familia that had been primarily responsible for our banishment, the elves treated me and my familia as hostiles. Meteria passed away shortly after you were born. Bell, she loved you with every fiber of her being.
Sorry, I got offtrack there. Bell, I had to leave you. Not for a selfish reason, if I could I would've come with you on your adventure. I want to, still, but I simply cannot. The Black Dragon has awoken Bell, and I'mdoing everything I can to stop it. You have limited time Bell, get strong. Remember: get strong, get the girl, be the hero! I believe in you Bell.
Included in your chest I had planted is all of Uncle Pahmontet's Pink Floyd albums. He loves that band, and I know you do too. Gods, how I wish I could listen to that music with you still. I'm truly sorry for abandoning you Bell, I really am. But, I am waiting for you. And, when you find the dragon and face him down. I'll be waiting to see you.
I'll see you someday, You Crazy Diamond.
Love,
Zeus