Chapter 12 - Soma
The Prince, hearing the uproar, looked around the room, where everyone's gaze was directed at him
"That's my cue." whispered Zeg, and placed a measured amount of valis on the table.
"Maybe next time you will be able to win" laughed the prince totally ignoring the tense atmosphere around him
"Until next time 'Syr'" said the prince leaving the tavern and probably heading towards Soma's residence.
It is him!" shouted Lefiya again, red in the face. She would recognise those eyes anywhere. It was because of him that she had been ridiculed today and her family had not been able to make the trip to the dungeon.
Loki, without fooling herself, was delighted by the sight. She managed to count 5 reddened faces in the girls.
Lefiya - who was probably embarrassed by the earlier incident.
Riveria - which the goddess did not understand, irritated at the suggestion of being able to use her charms to access Soma's supplies.
Mia - annoyed that someone was picking on her girls
Ryuu - curiously with an expression like she wanted to murder someone.
And Syr, although she couldn't find her anywhere with her eyes right now
She definitely couldn't let him get away. She got up from the chair and put her foot on it. " I the mighty goddess Loki..." stopped in mid-sentence 'where did he go?
"Buhaha…Mighty…" Hestia's giggle could be heard. Immediately Loki's attention as well as her ire found another target.
Zagreus continued his way through the streets of Orario, fully unaware of the chaos he had caused. Achilles, on the other hand, would say that the prince always had an underrated talent for sowing confusion and havoc, bringing some life into the chambers of Hades.
From the recorded directions, it appeared that Soma's residence was located between Dedalus street and Pleasure District. Which meant that the prince was originally headed literally in the opposite direction.
From his impressions so far Zagreus enjoyed the city, unlike the corridors of Tartarus it was bustling with life. The only thing that bothered him was the ubiquitous presence of the gods at the index records, it can be said that more than a hundred of them lived in the town.
On his way he looked at the empty stalls, which must have been bustling in the daytime. Passing the entrance to the dungeon again, this time unhurriedly, he began to admire the tower that peaked into the clouds.
Zegrus remembered a parable about a certain city built by people, he didn't know how much truth there was in it but looking at the tower only one word came to his mind - "Babel"
He took a piece of parchment left over from his work in the archive of damned souls and began to write.
["...Many mortals strive for greatness throughout their lives, never realising that there is no existing formula for it. Not even a specific definition for it. Babel is one of the most elaborate designs of mortals, a city and a tower whose top reaches to the sky. Built to make a sign for them not to scatter themselves all over the earth, to unite…"]
However, a rather important detail that differed from what he remembered was that the city should be a ruin and the tower itself should be scattered to pieces.
" Remarkably interesting" whispers Zagreus
He kept walking, he was sure that he would see this place more than once. For now, he had promises to keep. Whatever bad things mortals might say about the gods, they could not deny one thing - they held true to their word. It was therefore wise to avoid their ire
Despite some minor problems, the prince finally arrived at his destination. Two or three times he got the direction wrong and almost ended up in the pleasure district, which in the prince's personal opinion did not seem to be the worst choice.
Zagreus stood in front of the gate and saw a half-drunken guard.
"Is this the residence of Lord Soma?" he asked for formality.
"Lord Soma does not sell liquor directly... hic... Zanis takes care of that" the guard replied wobbly.
"Looking at you like that you look pretty scary... hic... someone gave you a black eye that it's all black?" continued the guard, apparently absorbed in Dionysus' embrace.
"No I did not come for the wine," said Zagreus. "Tell your god that I have come to meet the moon god."
"What moon god... hic... "replied the guard "You know... hic... theoretically I should not leave my post... hic…" extending his hand towards Zagreus
The prince took out a thousand vallis from his slowly drying purse and threw it to him.
The guard grabbed the money, his eyes became clearer but you could also see the greed in them.
"So milord... hic... I'll take you to meet your moon god or whatever it was you were talking about."
Zagreus followed his new 'companion'
"You look strong, you've been in town a long time... hic..." asked his new companion
"You could say I have only just arrived here" smiled the prince
"If you are thinking of actually joining the familia then we can help each other out sometimes... Hic..." smiled the guard ominously. "with looks like yours, you probably keep people nervous all the time"
"Is that so?" Asked the surprised prince. The prince knew that appearances were usually deceiving of which Cerberus was a prime example, provided of course that someone wasn't trying to get out of the underworld.
"So I assume I have come across a true veteran in this profession" asked the prince
"Of course, the role of a gatekeeper is one of the most sought after... hic..." he replied "All you have to do is stand and you can enjoy wine all day... hic... of course, if you have the money for it"
" Glad to meet you then, I am Zagreus, I understand that you must have been lucky" replied the prince without much interest
"My name is Joel... hic... you could say we've been lucky lately and don't have to worry about wine funds... hic..." he shook his head "Try not to make too much noise"
Zagreus and Joel entered the floor together. "Hello Zanic... hic..."
The silhouette of a thin man with grey hair wearing glasses emerged from the doorway.
"...Yes hello Joel... Who did you manage to bring here?" Asked the question interested familia's capitan.
"...This here noble... hic... gentlemen would like to speak with the moon god" replied the guard with a giggle
Zanic turned his gaze towards Zagrus "And for what purpose if I may ask?"
"I see no reason why not" replied the prince "to discuss one matter and to join the family" replied Zagreus
A smile appeared on Zanic's face "But of course I see no obstacle to you meeting Lord Soma" looking at the future acquisition of his familia
"Follow me" he said to the prince and waved his hand at Joel.
Zagreus together with Zanic entered Lord Soma's room who was brewing a decoction by moonlight.
"Excuse me Lord Soma, but this person would like to join your familia and ..."
"That is enough," Zagreus interrupted him. "Lord Soma, I have come to discuss the matter of one of your children" he concentrated his eyes "I have come to speak with the moon god"
Soma looked towards Zagreus, holding up two glasses offering him one
Zanic left the room as he didn't want to complicate the situation, especially since he knew he would soon have another toy for his collection. Everyone who tried Soma succumbed to it. At this point it didn't matter why anyone came here, after tasting the drink the only reason left was why they stayed.
Zagreus looked into Soma's eyes and downed the drink