Standard Disclaimer: Really now. Every single time. But as always I own nothing here. I intend to make no money off any of this. So yeah. Everything is still owned by their respectful owners who have it all copyrighted.

Ave Princeps, Fili Rhomée!

Prologue

Many, Many Years Ago

XXXX

"GRAHHHAHH!"

The scream of the man drew no sympathy as he was physically dragged and then thrown before the gathered forum.

He was beaten and bloodied, but otherwise whole. Such had been the command, though, not out of sympathy. Concern that those who would break him, would kill him, and not by accident and thus, stain their hands with his blood.

Blood as tarnished as any at this point.

As the man began to regain his senses and rising to kneel, but then favoring one leg, he rolled his head to look up at the aged, often jovial face only to see that it was the controlled rage of a God before him.

A smirk, though, appeared on the man's face, "Enjoying the view Benton," the man laughed darkly, not at the God, but at his brother beside him, "The better now?"

"SILENCE!" The God roars abruptly with the strength of thunder cracking and a pressure wave expands out with the command, freezing the man still as dust and dirt are kicked up with leaves and twigs as women and girls hold their skirts down as they and the men and boys around them shield themselves from the overpressure that threatens to topple them.

Gods and Goddesses stand immune to explosion of power as they observe, quietly, some even seething.

"Kale Cranel, you realize the charges against you, correct?" the God spoke evenly, yet with command that the elder Kale brother could only acknowledge.

"I do," the man responded, though, with gritted teeth, "And before you ask, I know I am already guilty, with death as my punishment. My only regret…" suddenly shaking his head, "Regret? No, forget that. I will not sound so cliche. Have my head and be done with it! We all know the crimes I have done. We all know that compared to that one crime, they all pale, severe as they are! SO BE DONE WITH IT!"

A sword was drawn, but the God put his hand on his Captain's hand and forced him to put the blade back in its sheath.

"You accept your punishment, knowing no redemption awaits," the punishment was severe after all and the God did not phrase it as a question.

A smirk, a dark smirk, "Oh yes," was the reply, "I cannot tell a lie. Just as you know, like any fool here, I would not have done that one crime if I had been in my right mind."

"Indeed," another God appeared and the temperature, despite being blazing hot at the height of Summer, was already cold, people were now seeing their breaths as Time itself began to feel as if it would stop, "Fortunately, you stopped short."

Kale Cranel tried to swallow, but he could not. The freezing cold did not chill him so much as the eyes of the Gods before him.

'Truly,' Kale thought with some reflection, 'Deities are not one to trifle their true depths of anger. Damn you! I had it perfect! If you had not interfered, none of this would have happened!'

"I will not pay his price!" Kale declared, "I am Condemned, but I shall take that fool with me!"

"Ah," the second God stepped slightly away, "He has escaped and he is different from you, but in time, he will indeed pay his price."

"Different?" Kale suddenly looked very panicked, red eyes widening, "He was Mortal, was he not? He wasn't a God? I could tell he wasn't a God!"

"He wasn't a God," the second God assured loudly before turning to walk away, but speaking in that way only the Deities could, "But nor was he a Mortal or Monster."

Kale was no fool. He and Benton had grown up on the stories. They had played as their favorites.

"A-" but suddenly an overwhelming sense of pain hits senses, he let's out a wordless, soundless scream as he doubles over.

"Your punishment is to have your Falna stripped from you," the first God declares as he glowed that rainbow riot of colors that Deities do when they use their Arcanum, "You shall be exiled from the Zeus Familia, marked for your crimes, and sent into exile as a laborer, to toil until you have atoned."

Kale let out another piercing cry that went unheard as it made no sound.

"Only then," Zeus began to finish, "Will you-"

An explosion of light and energy. Zeus and the other Deities of Orario immediately shielded themselves. Some, caring for the mortals around them, even shielded them, with Ganesha leading the effort.

"I AM GANESHA!" the Elephant God declares as he glows, ready to fight a power battle far above Mortal understanding, "COME FORTH AND CHALLENGE ME!"

But as the smoke disappears, all that is left is the twitching body of Kale surrounded by debris.

And he's unmarked. Only stripped of his Falna. Which coupled with his injuries, have left him unable to move and even robbed him of consciousness.

"Damn whoever did that," Zeus declares as he rolls Kale onto his back, though with care and caution, he isn't getting off that easily, "If I try again, he'll die for sure."

"So be it," Ouranos shows his own irritation, "So be it. We know more now, but that is all we know. For now."

With gritted teeth, "Zard, Benton, see Kale into a medical ward," Zeus orders before turning and asking his friend, "Ganesha, if I may borrow some of your most able followers for a short term."

"Of course," the God of the Masses nods to the God of Thunder before sighing, "What a mess."

"Understatement, I say," Loki, the Trickster Goddess declares from her perch, near the still recovering Hephaestus, the Blacksmith Goddess who can only look on as Kale was put on a stretcher and carried away under the watchful eyes of his brother and their superior.

Well… One's superior.

The other was no longer even an ex-Adventurer. He was so stripped of his Falna that he would never be able to access the remnant benefits of it. As if it had been Sealed.

'Only Hestia would grant him another chance and that is only if he's honest with himself,' the one eyed Goddess, though, doubted it.

Even Hestia had standards. She was caring and forgiving. But not a fool.

As things ended, everyone began to go their separate ways. Though the Goddess Hera did observe one of her followers slip away unnoticed to follow her lover. Hera ignored their tryst for now. She had sympathy for the man caught in the middle and aftermath of his brother's actions.

Only the fact that they had tried to kill one another publicly, had saved the younger brother's reputation and life.

XXXX

"That him?"

"Yeah it is."

"No way!"

"Heard something happened."

"He got lucky in two ways, man."

"How lucky?"

"First, he didn't kill a Deity. Second, someone kept him from suffering the punishment for that."

"That is lucky, compared to what we're all going to now, that's Hell itself!"

"There's a terrifying thought."

"I don't even want to know."

"Alright, quiet all of you! A storm's approaching and we're trying to keep an even keel. So listen well for any leaks unless you enjoy drowning."

"I have a feeling they'd just raise me from the dead just because," Kale responded with his twitchy humor, "At least you'll be on your way," he chuckled half mad at his own so-called little joke.

"Yeah, let's not give that nutjob anything to talk about," another prisoner responded even as the first wave stuck their prison bark, "Is this thing even meant for those waves?"

"That wasn't a wave," the guard responded before the ship suddenly was jolted as a wooden broke and splintered as a metal ram entered the prisoners' holding area, "We're under attack!"

"We're going to die!" a prisoner screamed as she watched water flood in.

"TO ARMS!" shouted someone else, "GIVE THE PRISONERS ARMS! IT'S RAIDERS!"

"Oh Hells no!" an Elf shouted in fear.

"You heard the shout, arm up!" The guard opened cells and undid the chains, while others handed out weapons and shields with bits of armor meant for the guards of the prison they were heading towards, "You fight and you survive."

"Even I'm not that mad yet," Kale took his helmet and put it on with a sword and shield soon in hand, "Let's go show those Raiders we die on our own terms!"

Despite what they said before, the other prisoners gave something of a cheer and soon were following the gray haired, red eyed man into the fight for their very lives.

A crewman trying to keep the way to the cells safe exploded through the grating, his body tearing to pieces as a Raider followed through.

Even though he was Human, he was massively tall. As tall as Ottar of the Freyja Familia. And perhaps half again as broad at the shoulders. Though Ottar had the decency to at least bath and not revelle in blood.

"RAAGHHHH!" the giant of a man roared at the gathered prisoners and few guards before him, but a dance of flame stuck him in the face with a liquid and instead he roared in pain before his throat was stabbed through and then violently torn open, ending his life in a single bloody spray.

Turning to the others, "Weren't we going to show them we die on our own terms?" Kale challenged the rest, who let out a real battlecry and followed him for real this time out onto the chaotic decks.

"I've seen worse on Floor One," a Dwarf declared as he swung his sword up between the legs of another of the massive Raiders, causing the man to howl as everything important was either cut or sliced as the Dwarf drew his sword back, causing the Raider to drop to the deck and the Crewman fighting him to take advantage to stab with his spear through one of the large eyes and out the back of the skull.

"You and me both, Dwarf," a Dark Elf agreed before deflecting a chunk of their bark's decking with his shield and hurling his ax back at the offender right in the face, killing the Raider instantly, "And who says only Dwarves can use axes."

"Hah!" the Dwarf laughs before Kale calls them to action.

"Our ship is not yet lost, but will sink!" Kale points to the Raiders' ship, "We take theirs and we live! But only over their dead bodies, so grant it to them!"

A roar of defiance fills the air as the battle for their lives begins.

Even as a storm begins to roll over their heads.

XXXX

"You interfered?" the tone was angry, "Why? There is nothing wrong."

"You framed an innocent man for your crimes and failed to hide them," the response was.

"Hah! Hardly innocent," there was mockery, "Shall we make another bet?"

"No," the second response, "As witnessed by our Kind, our deal shall remain as is. Who you choose and who I choose are not of either concern."

A dark growl resonated.

"Do not think you can strike and go unnoticed. For now."

There was no response

XXXX

"I wish I was Condemned now," Kale coughed up more seawater and vomited, "Damn it all!"

Kale cursed his luck once more. As well as his actions.

"I just had to stay and help the others off," Kale coughed up more seawater, but thankfully, in his opinion, no more vomit, "Most be Benton's fault somehow. Always stopping to grab and pull others along. If he weren't not my brother, I'd have left him for dead long ago."

Still, an attack by Raiders and a death at their hands he would wish on no one. Well… Maybe a few, but that's beside the point.

Raiders were the few seagoing versions of the most feared threat in many corners, the Savages.

No one was quite sure where they sprang up from. The Deities likely had some clue, but it would take time to review the details. But the Savages were aptly named.

They were savage, no other way to describe it. Barbarians followed codes of conduct and traditions far more than Savages did. Even the Amazon Motherland was described as having nothing on Savages.

They were just big brutes with weapons. But they also had incredible strength and were often taller and broader than most Humans. Though they themselves were Human.

That meant they still retained a Human's mind. Both cunning and intellect. Adaptable and learning.

Savages were pure destruction.

Word had it, they were even uncaring of the Deities and would slay them as readily as any other.

Of course, they kidnapped the women and girls. Forcing them to have children. It was said for every child born, at least six or seven women died from their maltreatment, to understate no doubt.

The vivid memory of how that sailor died.

No Human did that.

His racial pride exploded within him at that moment. That's why he showed his dominance like that over the Raider. While the Raider never knew it, the others did.

Every race had racial pride in some way. Humans took great pride in their ability to adapt and learn. Other races were more keen to keep to their own ways. Elves at first used solely wood for example in conjunction with their magic.

But Humans taught them what Metal could do with its strength and resilience.

Just as Dwarves believed strictly in rock and iron. How they shape and refine them. All that mattered was a shine.

But Humans taught them how useful wood was and how adaptable it could be.

Animal types had valued their own unique attributes. From claws to ears to sense of smell. They relied on them heavily.

But Humans taught them how a knife could open a hard fruit so easily. Humans taught them to rely on more than traits and instincts. Experience and tools as well as foreplanning could save much energy and exert greater strength.

Humanity had none of the special traits other races did. Humans had been the lowest, but now it was Human Realms that had the most power. Everyone knew it. Because Humanity had been born with nothing and had to adapt to survive and that meant learning.

Elves were startled when Humans used Magic with Metal. Dwarves were dumbfounded when Human woodwork withstood them. Animal types were defeated by the use of clever ploys and devices that turned their strengths into weaknesses.

And yet, Humans broke into several camps.

Each is different from the last.

But it was no different from the other races. Though they had at first mocked Humans until it was brought up about themselves. They had not like that, but they had not gone to war over it as Humans were adaptable.

Amazons and Prums had their own thing. Barbarians too. But in the end, no one could really care.

But Savages are different.

Any Human would feel their racial pride rankled. These were the very things they were often described as. Only many times worse.

And to think, there was once upon a time he never thought of that.

Of course, Zeus and Hera and many other Deities squashed Racial Tensions in their Familias. There was a reason for that after all. It bred disaster, but they truly wanted their Children to get along.

Kale had given it a good go. But… Huh… When did he stop?

Oh, his head was starting to hurt now. Too much thinking in this moment.

Moving from being bent over on all fours, Kale turned and sat on his butt, knees up to rest his arms on as he observed the sea before.

He looked like death warmed over. He certainly felt like it.

And where did it all go wrong?

He had it made. He had been a Level 3 of the Zeus Familia. He had scraped up a living from being another-

Kale shook his head. He wasn't going to even think about that. Not after what had happened.

"I had a great racket going," Kale chuckled self-deprecatingly as he thought about it, "I controlled several gangs, a mafia, two smuggling operations and dens, and had damn near control of an entire district," he slammed a fist into the sand.

And he had women. Not just Human women either. He had his pick of races. He especially liked how Elf women would finally break down and scream in so much pleasure and lust. Down from their mighty high places or how he could make a Werewoman beg for his touch. To be fondled and played with like she was just some damn dog.

He had money. More money than he could ever spend. Hell, he even put some aside for that idiot brother of his to retire on. Especially with his woman and no doubt a family.

A family…

Collapsing onto his back, his arms and legs spread out, Kale knew that neither knew what a real family was like.

Sure their mother had been there. As had their father. But they were often- NO!

He wasn't going there.

That's one of the reasons they had joined up with the Zeus Familia. Even though they had always been outliers, they still found others to get along with. Things had just changed when they got older.

Was it when he took control of his first gang or won that first casino? Kale couldn't remember. But he had built himself a nice little criminal empire. Sure he was on the wrong side of the law, but he kept things in line.

Honestly, he was one of the better criminal leaders.

If not the best one period.

He kept his forces in line. He kept them from taking more than what they should. Doing more than they should. He always came down hard on them when they broke the rules so severely he had to personally address them.

With Gods and Goddesses running around, he made it clear they had to keep their conduct presentable. Yeah, deal with trouble as it comes. Stop it before it could arise was a good way, but not always efficient. Especially with a Goddess of Justice always prowling.

Do no worse and she'd never be able to build a case.

He sold out a few of his people for that. Gave up some goods to keep her off him. Punished those that failed to stay out of her sight.

And she wasn't alone. Ganesha had been far too energetic.

He made it clear, reinforcing the rule, don't ever hurt the Deities. Leave them alone, otherwise they all pay.

Slavery, drugs, smuggled goods, racketeering, and a whole lot more. He was damn good at his business. Too damn good at it he felt sometimes.

Then in walked that one guy. That one guy walked in.

He felt uncertain with him. Like he should report the guy. He didn't for some reason.

By that time, he was divesting of his slave and drug trades. They were beginning to cost too much. A few independent operations could remain and some of the most harmless drugs would be kept in circulation. The more potent stuff had become bad for business as he had to keep things low.

He never sold folks outside of the city. That was bad for business and required more resources and effort than he was willing to invest. Plus, it required being closer to the Walls and those were patrolled heavily.

Nah, he kept it strictly by that point in the city or he had his people break off. Often to his advantage as those who did, more often than not, they were caught. Eventually, he kept it in his own district. His own slice of the city.

He told his people that if they push too much, the real Top Dogs of the City, the Deities would catch on. And he had no desire to be hung out to dry. He reminded them that the Deities ruled, not them. If any knew of their operation, they ignored because it was so small, unless one of Justice or Honor or something along those lines.

Grow too big and the Guild would see them for sure. That's what happened to other groups. They got too arrogant and paid. The Guild had power as did the Familias. Everyone had to lay low and keep themselves looking good.

But he had smiled and said, "Some day, though, I hope to own another district, ya know what I mean?"

That had mullified them. He wasn't weak. He wasn't scared. He was just waiting.

There were bigger dogs in the city. No matter how big they got, they would never be as big. As such, they had to play the long game. Others grasped for too much and never controlled much for long. They took so little each time and over time it would amount to much more and they would be the controllers, never the masters, but that was fine.

They had everything they wanted.

Kale had so much going for him. Especially as he still answered Zeus' call. He still went into the Dungeon. He brought back great finds, many worth far more on the black market, which he had a share in by that time, then on the open market.

With both sides of his life, he was making money, having strength and power, he had it all.

Kale had it all…

"Money, women, jewels, power, and strength," chuckling sardonically, "I even had skill and probably magic one day."

But it was now all gone. Simple as that. So what to do?

He stared at his reflection in a piece of reflective metal that had somehow survived to wash ashore.

His looks are a bit average. He wasn't much different from his brother in that regard. They weren't the best looking men out there. Easily forgettable. Even overlooked. They had always had trouble with women that way.

He had a gray beard growing and his gray hair was a mess. His red eyes were likely the only stand out trait about him. Like a pair of rubies.

But that seemed to make him and Benton less desirable. He couldn't figure out why. People didn't like them looking them down. Or looking into their eyes.

Which is good now.

"Change my name and rebuild my life," Kale sighed as he got up and then a thought came to him.

Ouranos' last words to him.

"Not Mortal or Monster, huh," that was when everything collapsed as things hit the bottom of the rapid downhill slide they went through.

But what if it wasn't?

What if… That bastard was responsible for everything?

"What's his angle then?" Kale mused turning to stand and observe the sea, "I highly doubt my downfall was his plan. Ouranous made that damnably clear."

Then it clicked.

"Benton's involvement," Kale breathed quietly, realizing his brother had inadvertently saved the Zeus Familia.

It made sense now. Well… Mostly. There was more there. There always was. But he'll find out. Or not.

'Then revenge will suffice,' Kale thought angrily, "I'll rebuild and be better than ever. I'll find a new Familia with a God who won't care. There's always a few. I'll find one and you'll learn your mistake for crossing me," Kale glared angrily out to sea before turning around collecting what few supplies and equipment had washed ashore with him.

He was going to salvage every piece he could. He knew he was going to need it. After all, there was not telling where he was and who and/or what he might run into.

Even without his Falna and its associated grants, Kale intends to prevail.

He's unaware of the eyes upon him.

Eyes with different plans for him, but as they stare, he begins to fidget and realize.

'I'm being observed,' he thinks as he prepares not only for his journey, but the battles he will face.

Intentionally… He ignores how his hands begin to shake…

In fear.

XXXX

New story idea, I know. But don't worry, this is going to be done at the same rate as Is It Wrong to be a Just Adventurer in a Dungeon?

If you can guess the name, you just may have an idea of where this story is going to head. Or not. I'm going to keep things close to my chest.

Oh and don't try to find me right now. I got the Covid. Fortunately, I got the Double Jab. So I'm at home, miserable, sleep pattern destroyed, needing Tylenol for this massive headache. So far, I'm thinking I got lucky, but we'll know more once I'm free to go out.

Going to get a final check up and then hopefully resume living beyond the doorway that marks the boundary to the world beyond.

For God's Sakes, if you haven't gotten the vaccine, GIT IT!

I've heard the BS. Like Gene Therapy and here I'm like, WTF do you even know what the word 'Therapy' means?! It means going back repeatedly for treatment. Two doses, a booster, and you're done? That's about as Therupic as taking cough medicine!

People tossing out crazy crap with bits of pseudoscience are not unknown. Quite the opposite, there are terms for them. More than Liar, Con Artist, Delusional, and such. Although I prefer the way such people are described in the TV series Adam-12.

How they take a little bit of goodness in the world and corrupt for their own ill-intentioned means.

Want real Police shows, look no further Adam-12, Dragnet (except the 2003 reboot, Geez Louise, that is why Corporate Pigs should stay in their pens), and CHiPs, just not the recent movie… What was that monstrosity anyways? That was as stiff and bad as the botched Ghostbusters reboot. The actors and actresses weren't bad, but they were intentionally kept so wooden and subpar!

If they had been allowed to actually, I don't know, play the parts! The movie would have been just fine. Felt like an hour plus long commercial and frankly, those are having better directors and scriptwriters than most movies these days and that's just pathetic.

If you're into CSI, I recommend Quincy, M.D. and if you're into Chicago Fire, I recommend Emergency.

Anyways… You can tell what I've been doing. Yeah… Climbing walls ain't fun. But not impossible, especially if they're not even half baked and are more of a political ploy. Then otherwise, climbing them to prove a point is fun!

Well… I got time to burn right now, so I'm going to be typing away. Playing a few games too. Taking something for this fever that is now starting to crop up too. I've had the flu a lot growing up.

This ain't no flu.

So read and enjoy.