Danmachi 8
Hestia didn't like being alone. It reminded her too much of the time before she met Bell. It reminded her of a time when she felt worthless and lonely. But that's in the past now, Hestia sees a smiling little golem as he sits on her shoulder. Pebble has been a joy to the goddess, he's been running around and getting all kinds of attention to the old man Finch store as she hangs out with Nike for a bit. Then Hestia took Pebble to her job and it was a massive success, Pebble kept getting more attention and people kept buying her potatoes after seeing Pebble eat them.
So when she returned home, she smiled to herself. Not only would she return to her adorable children, but tonight was the night that her Familia of two worked and fought together. They could probably celebrate together in that bar or whatever, but now they would have a proper celebration! As a real Familia!
The toast Magnus made was amazing, perfectly cooked bread with sweet butter on top was too good not to finish, what else could she add to it. When Magnus and Bell left she quickly finished up all the leftovers.
Shame it didn't last long, but she could simply buy something else. Of course, it might not have been as nice as the food Magnus made, but that was beside the point. It was the thought that counted!
But the unexpected extra Valis certainly made it easier.
"You think Magnus would like this Pebble? I know Bell will but I'm not sure with Magnus" Hestia asked the small golem, resting on her shoulder, seeing the little guy nod with a big smile filled her with joy.
She can't help it, seeing the little golem just as cute as Bell, she can't decide who's cuter, the dilemma.
Holding the gift that she bought with her Familia's budding fortune, The Goddess of Hearth slowly opened the door that led down to her Familia's comfortably cramped home. No longer hearing the normal creaking sounds shes used to as she looked around the place that's their home. She frowned as she realised she didn't hear anything down in the basement.
"They must be asleep" she realised with a smile saying to Pebble as he looked around for them as well.
"It's late at night and they've worked hard," Hestia told Pebble, smiling as he looked at her with his rock-like eyes.
A perfect moment for a surprise.
Tip-toeing down the stairs, Hestia's smile grew bit by bit. The cake in her hands was a luxury they normally wouldn't be able to afford, but the Valis that her two children brought home changed that. And it would only get better from here.
Slowly, the Goddess opened the door. Even now she didn't hear anything, but simply chalked it up to Bell and Magnus already sleeping. Although Pebble frowns not seeing anyone here, Hestia will put a smile on Pebble soon.
Her smile froze when she saw the empty room. She couldn't even pretend that they were hiding or some such nonsense as their home was too small for something like that and the bed's cover was just as she left them.
Her shoulders slumped and her smile was drained away by the sudden tired feeling that came over her. She dragged her feet across the cold stone floor and placed the suddenly heavy cake on the table and turned on the lamps. The light that flooded into the room only made it feel bigger for the small Goddess.
"They aren't here," Hestia said, sitting on a chair with Pebble as he looked around.
They hadn't come back. Not even Bell, who had simply left to get a meal. She didn't know what was worse; that something happened to Bell, that something happened to Magnus or, worst of all, that something happened to both of them.
Hestia slumped down onto the now clean and soft sofa, ignoring the feeling of the sofa not having those springs in them as her mind was already occupied with heavy thoughts.
What should she do?
What could she do?
Should she wait for them? It was already past midnight, way later than Bell has ever been out. She couldn't speak for Magnus, but that didn't lessen her worry a single bit.
She was the Goddess of the Familia. Wasn't she supposed to do more than just sit home and worry her head off about her stupid children?
And yet, she couldn't decide on what to do. If she stayed, the gnawing feeling in the back of her mind would only grow until she couldn't bear it any longer. But if she left to find them, she could miss the moment they returned home and she knew what it was like not having anyone to return home to.
And so Hestia sat in that all too big room, alone with her thoughts with no one to share them with once again.
Hestia stops her though in surprise when something jumps on her lap; see Pebble smiling at her as he reaches up to her. Hestia smiles before hugging him.
"At least your here Pebble, didn't think I feel love from a golem of all things but thank you Pebble" Hestia smiles as Pebble pushes her down on the sofa, before sitting on her.
"What are you doing Pebble?" Hestia asked following my not reaction as Pebble looked at her before putting his arms on his head and laying down, pretending to sleep as Hestia smiles at how cute he is. Pebble gets up and points at her before laying down again.
"You want me to sleep?" Hestia guesses as Pebble nods happily but Hestia shakes her head.
"But I have to wait for my Familia Pebble, I can't just sleep" Hestia said but Pebble shakes his head, pointing at himself and pointing at the door, looking at the door Pebble points at it before pointing at her, laying down and taping himself to wake up and look happy at the door.
Hestia would have found the display adorable if she was trying to figure it out.
"You'll stay up to watch for them?" Hestia guesses as Pebble nods, happy she understands.
"But don't you need to sleep, wait do you need to sleep?" Hestia asks, not sure if a golem needs sleep as Pebble shakes his head, standing up tall and looking right out the door, Hestia smiles at the act.
"Ok but wake me when they get here ok?" Hestia said as Pebble nodded before looking right at the door with a determined look. Hestia smiles before laying down, slowly looking at the door until her eyes close for exhaustion, her last thoughts were of her familia all together again.
Pebble smiles seeing Hestia as calm now and is now resting; having spent time with her as she went to get a cake to celebrate the familia success, but Magnus isn't here, Pebble frowns.
He knows thanks to the connection they have, Pebble can sense his best friend still in the dungeon, it is very rude of him. Pebble focuses on Magnus, getting into a meditation position he learns from Tressa, feeling deep in the Dungeon as he tries to find Magnus.
Pebble feel Magnus in the dungeon, he feel him running something, some big and powerful,
RAWWWWWWW
Pebble stands in shock, Magnus is in trouble, and he needs help right now, Bell! Pebble has to find Bell, getting up from the sofa he ran to the door, opening it as he ran outside. Using the same connection to Magnus now used to find Bell.
Pebble doesn't know how he can feel Bell and Hestia but doesn't question it, he needs to get Bell and save Magnus.
LINE
"Please be asleep" I said to myself as I slowly opened the door that leads down to the underground abode that was basically my home. I cringed at the sound of the door scraping against the stone floor.
I was holding Bell on my back, soundly asleep with Pebble on top of him. Our voyage back to the surface was supremely quiet compared to before, only a few monsters, nothing big like before. But it is nearly morning and Bell and Pebble are exhausted. While walking into the place I kept thinking to myself.
How did Bell even make it to the Seventh Floor? How did it get there so fast? I know Pebble knows his way better than I do but to lead Bell? Did the status update give him such a boost that allowed him to make his way down to the Seventh Floor when he got exhausted at the Fifth Floor with me helping him?
Did he have a Skill like me? Maybe, but Bell would've told me. Hestia would know for certain, but it's very possible she knows and didn't tell me because of a lack of trust. That's a feeling I could understand well enough.
I crept my way downstairs like a kid on Christmas morning, except the anticipation was of utter dread. Why wouldn't it be?
I could feel Bell's chest rise up and down in a steady pattern on my back as he slept. It was rather comforting actually, at least his breathing. I tried to strain my ears to hear Hestia, but I heard nothing.
Oh this is bad.
Making my way down, I came to our single room and it was a weird feeling seeing Hestia on the couch, curled up and sleeping. But on the table was a frosted cake. Plated and all ready to be sliced open. It was fairly big, dotted with little bits of chocolate. Seeing it made me feel like shit.
Letting out a tired sigh, I tiptoed into our home and shifted the sleeping kid and sleeping golem on my back a bit when I walked towards the only bed.
Putting them down on the bed, I gave him one more look over to make sure he was alright. I need to experiment with my spells and other stuff I got from this familia.
"Status," I whispered.
Alias: Magnus
Level: 1
Max Health: 60
Max Armor: 0
Max Mana: 55 / 110
Run Speed: 28.7
Excellia: 974
Not much change, given the way my status works it doesn't really show my strength or anything. Not without the familia crest to show, can't see it without Hestia.
My excellia was interesting though. I gained loads from my expedition down to the Seventh Floor but when we started fighting against the weaker monsters, it was a drip. Hopeful all that stupid stunts actually worked. We won't see any boom until Bell and I really pushed ourselves.
But that's the point of being an Adventurer. Work hard, play hard, or die trying.
"Inventory."
As usual, a bunch of cobalt blue boxes flared to life in front of me. At the top of my inventory was the usual flair of magic stones and valis of which I don't bother counting. I'll hand in my magic stones and drop items I managed to pick up tomorrow, see what my payout is.
Looking at a few items in particular.
[Bone Gauntlets of Wind]
[Bones collect for many wind type monster fused together to create a gantlet that amplifies wind magic]
[Increase Wind magic by 40%]
[Increase resistance by 20%]
[Decrease Wind magic by 10%]
Looks like gauntlets designed to match my own, the lizardmen kill other monsters to create this.
[Skull of a Triceratons]
[The skull of a strong monster, killed by an elite lizardman and took his skull as a trophy]
[Resist damage by 30%]
[Increase melee attack by 20%]
Tricerations, never heard of them, would be interesting to see. This type of items I can't sell in the common market, monster bones fused together to make weapons and a skull of a monster no one has heard of will get unwanted attention.
I should see Ulthane about this, maybe he can make something out of this and the other items I have for the monsters from downstairs. Goanna needs to make a trip.
Dismissing the screens, I turned my attention to the sleeping Goddess. My sleeping Goddess, I suppose now.
I was going to let her sleep and explain it in the morning. But when I made my way to sit down on the couch and get some sleep, I noticed something about Hestia.
Her eyes were red and irritated. She was sleeping without the blanket and her face was wrought and twisted into a pitiful expression like she was having a nightmare but was too afraid to make any noise.
With a sigh, I decided to do something really fucken stupid. Walking over to Hestia, I knelt down in front of her and gently placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Hestia," I whispered to the mini Goddess and she mumbled something out, "Hestia, wake up."
I rocked her gently a few times for good measure and just as I thought, Hestia awoke. Slowly and incredibly ungraceful as she let out a tired throaty groan. Her hair was dishevelled and messy and when her big round eyes opened, she rubbed them with the back of her hand.
"Magnus? Don't you know what time…!" She spoke groggily at first, blinking away the sleep and eventually trailing off. She looked at me with slowly widening eyes and I gave a half-hearted smile.
"Hey Hestiaa" Before I could finish speaking, I was cut off by Hestia's hands going for my throat.
And her arms going around the back of my head, her small frame stronger than you would expect as she basically forced me into a tight hug. The whole thing kind of threw me off, honestly and I froze when it happened.
I was expecting a lot of things. But not a hug. A lump formed in my throat before I forced it back down forcefully when Hestia removed herself from me.
"Magnus, where were you!? Do you know how late it is!?" Hestia whispered-yell at me and I couldn't really find it in myself to respond straight away before,
"Do you know how worried I was!? Y-You and Bell didn't come home and-!" I saw Hestia's face just fall when she talked about Bell and her eyes started to brim with tears.
This whole day has just been a gigantic gut punch to me. Jesus Christ.
"Bell is fine, Hestia," I spoke softly, grabbing a hold of her shaking shoulders and staring at her wide, scared eyes,
"He's on the bed, sleeping with Pebble. Look for yourself."
Before I even finished speaking, Hestia was practically climbing over the couch and to see behind her. And as she saw Bell, sleeping peacefully with Pebble on his chest, I could almost physically see the worry just seep out of her body as she let out a heavy and relieved sigh. Sitting on the couch, she looked exhausted and tired.
"Thank goodness. W-When you two didn't show up, I got really worried and scared and Pebble wasn't here..." I cut her off.
"Hestia, look at me. We're fine, all three of us," I spoke softly as I knelt down in front of her, "We'll still be here when you wake up. I promise."
"...You better," She mumbled out and I smiled at the somewhat bratty tone. She didn't say anything for a second as she wiped her eyes yet again and gave me a look filled to the brim with worry and concern.
"Magnus, what happened?" she asked as I let out a slow breath at the question, my shoulders rising and dropping,
"It's...long. And hard to explain, I was going to wait until morning to tell you, but when I saw you sleeping, I just felt like you would feel better if you knew we were back." I said, trying to make her feel better after the shit I pulled.
"But if you really want to know, let's go upstairs. I don't want to wake them up." referring to Bell and Pebble, Hestia nodded firmly and the two of us walked back upstairs to the semi-fixed church. When we made it up to above ground, silver moonlight poured in through some of the holes and the cracks as the gems of the night sky twinkled. It was a warm temperature, but you could feel the air nip at your skin.
I sat down on one of the now restored pews and Hestia sat down next to me, her worry-filled expression still staring at me. I let out a huff and hung my head, my hands clasping together.
"I want to start this off by saying everything is my fault," I said bluntly to Hestia,
"It's my fault that Bell got himself hurt. And it's my fault why we didn't turn up until now." I admitted.
"Magnus…" Hestia said my name in a low, concerned voice and from that, the dam broke.
I told her everything that happened. What I did, what Bell did. How far I made it into the Dungeon, why I was doing this and the conversation between me and Bell. How we had to run for our lives, how Bell nearly dies facing a very strong monster.
The only thing I left out was the specific legends of Zeus and Pan skewing over mortals. Instead, I told her about how I felt the relationship between Gods and mortals were too unbalanced to ever allow for trust and that's why I never went into a Familia until now. I didn't really want to smack talk about other Gods to a Goddess, but my point was still made clear.
When I was done, I felt like I had run a thousand miles and let out a breath. I went silent as Hestia simply stared at me for a good long while, her expression indiscernible to me. Her big eyes were dropped and any sign of tiredness had seemingly disappeared. When she spoke, it was with deliberate slowness.
"And you can't go back home until you reach the bottom of the Dungeon?" Hestia said and it was the way she phrased that question that made me think. In truth, I had no actual evidence beyond this whole system that I've been 'blessed' with to actually think that.
This could all be a fucken joke and I'm the punchline, dammit Sammy. I let out a sigh, running my hand through my hair,
"How do I explain this...my homeland is the sort of place that you don't leave easily. I've never heard of anyone leaving or returning and talking about a place like this. Hell I don't even know if I will ever return home, could be a joke for all I know to get me killed" I said, being somewhat honest and not lying to her.
"What's the name?"
"Huh?" I said dumbly as the question caught me off guard.
"The name of your homeland," Hestia asked softly as she stared up at me, "What is it?"
"You wouldn't know it," I gave a shrug and Hestia stared at me when I said that. It felt weird as the excitable mini Goddess went into a thoughtful silence.
"So," I spoke up and caught Hestia's attention,
"What's the verdict?" I asked her.
"Eh?"
"Well. I did almost get Bell killed and I have hurt the both of you, got Pebble upset too" I pointed out somewhere awkwardly, grimacing as I did so,
"So I guess what I'm asking is if you're keeping me or kicking me out" I asked.
"Wh-What?! What kind of question is that!?"
"I liked to think of it as a fair one, honestly." I said, after screwing it up you would think that would be the topic of my bean.
"Magnus, you," Hestia lets out an exasperated breath, shaking her head from side to side, sends out her long twin-tails to viciously attack me. I almost wonder if that was on purpose.
"You also hurt yourself, right?" It was hard to look Hestia in the eye when she said that,
"Did you really think I was going to just abandon you? After all that?" Hestia said,
"Not abandon per say, more like cutting off loose ends, I believe," I said more quietly than intended. Hestia shook her head at me and gave me a tired, but warm smile,
"We're a Familia, Magnus. What kind of Familia just abandons one of its members because of a mistake?" Hestia said sincerely,
I have no words for that, so I just nodded numbly. A part of me was relieved that Hestia wasn't as furious as I thought she was going to be. That part of me also hated it somewhat as it just felt like I hurt the three people I trusted the most because of what I did and I didn't even get punished for it. Makes me feel like more of a shit person.
"But...there are some Familias that would do that," Hestia spoke up slowly, "Led by Gods that don't care about their children. So I can't really fault you for not trusting those ones."
She just agrees with me about not trusting other Gods? That's new.
"But you must have loads of questions, right?" Hell I still have questions at this point. Hestia shook her head at me, flashing me a smile,
"I'm just glad that you three are okay. That's what matters most right now." Hestia said,
I gave a nod, not really knowing what to say after that. We just sat there in silence for a while. It was both comfortable and slightly awkward. The kind that made me want to laugh at how silly it was.
"Hey Magnus," Hestia said out of the blue, "What Floor did you reach?"
"I managed to get to the Seventh Floor today" I said bluntly to Hestia who seemed...not unfazed but not really surprised at my answer,
"Didn't really have time to gather the magic stones and missed a few things. But it's not further than the bean." I said,
"You know, a lot of Adventurers would be really proud to reach that level in the time you've been here, but you, further down without a familiar is insane" Hestia said to me but my shoulders lifted and dropped in an uncaring shrug.
"I don't care about that, Hestia. I sort of gave up on any sanity at this point, can't give up until I get to the bottom" I said honestly to the mini Goddess,
"Well the skill you gave me helps and Bell by my side are more helpful and fun so I thank you for that" I said smiling at her.
"And don't you forget it," Hestia let out a little 'umph' as she poked my arm, making me smirk a little bit,
"So don't just go off on your own again, okay?"
"I promise," I said to Hestia with all the honesty I could muster and the smile she gave me could've lit up the room,
"Hey Hestia? Can I ask a favour?"
"Hm? What's the matter?"
"With what I told you and Bell," I said slowly, thinking about what to say, "Could we just keep it between us three? Even if we get new Familia members?"
"If you're sure." Hestia frowned at my request, but gave a nod anyway,
"Thank you, Hestia," I said, worry draining from me,
"We should probably go back downstairs and get some sleep. Today has been a bit hard on all of us, I think."
"Mhm," Hestia gave a tired nod and we stood up from the rotting pew. I was making my way down when I felt a small hand suddenly grab a hold of my arm. Turning my head, I looked down to see Hestia looking up at me.
"Thank you, Magnus. For trusting me." She smiles at me, I let out a huff, shaking my head,
"Well, trust has to start somewhere, you know? And I owe you, Hestia. So don't worry about it, alright?" I said,
Hestia just smiled cutely at me as I spoke to her,
"Come on. Let's get some rest."
Don't have to tell me twice.
LINE
Magnus
Strength: I-0 - H-243
Endurance: I-0 - H-204
Dexterity: I-0 – G-141
Agility: I-0 - I-98
Magic: I-0 - H-204
"Not bad," I frowned at the sheet Hestia wrote up for me and my Goddess who was sitting next to me on the bed just shook her head ruefully at me,
"And two points off of G rank Agility? Need to exercise that somehow" I think of ways to increase the agility
"Magnus, you went up by like 700-"
"900, actually." I met Hestia's adorable glare with a smirk,
"You grow fast, Magnus, but don't get too greedy?" Hestia said to me,
"You say that like it's a bad thing," I quipped as I stood, stretching. I clenched my hand into a fist and threw it into the air, frowning.
It was the morning and despite waking up at the same time as always, I decided to just go back to sleep. I just didn't feel like getting up yet and honestly, I was happy to snooze for once.
Hestia and I took the couch but when I woke up, she had crawled in with Bell and Pebble, which was fine by me as that meant I had the whole couch to myself. After the morning fiasco and eating a continental breakfast of cake, Hestia decided she wanted to update our Falnas before we shot off for the Dungeon with me going first.
"I don't feel any stronger though. Does this Falna thing really work?" I said, trying to feel if there are any differences then before.
"Hmph! What's that supposed to mean?" Hestia puffed her cheeks at me and all I gave was a lop-sided smirk.
"It's the sort of thing you only really notice when you fight in the Dungeon," Bell said to me, looking at my sheet with wide eyes,
"But still, you got really strong, Magnus."
"Yeah, but not as fast as you though," I said bluntly and Hestia sticks her tongue out at the tease,
"I didn't expect Magic to be my second highest though"
I would honestly think that my Endurance of all things would be higher but come to think of it, fighting those monsters barehanded should have levelled it up, excellia worked as a solidified experience, meaning the more I experience the more excellia I get.
Need to work on that though.
"Right, let's see yours, kid. Considering everything that happened yesterday, I'm expecting a Level Up." I said as Pebble clapped after seeing my paper.
"I'll try my best," Bell said in a unique way that sounded almost joking and yet completely genuine in a way. I put back on my shirt while Bell took off his; I looked at my skills on the paper, not seeing any changes to my many skills.
"And done!" I heard Hestia chirp up and my attention was torn from the paper. I watched as Hestia dismounted from Bel with a sheet in hand. Bell sat back up and I saw his eyes bulge when he looked at the sheet of paper while Hestia, in turn, seemed somewhat stiff.
"Did you get a Skill?" I asked, Bell shook his head at me, still staring numbly at his sheet, Pebble looked at him concerned.
"Well, what's up then? You didn't catch anything, did you?" I asked, Pebble jumped to the bed looking at him.
"Uhh, no?" Bell said with some uncertainty at Pebble, "I'm fine Pebble, but this doesn't seem right. Goddess?"
"Hmph," Hestia pouted, crossing her arms like some sort of toddler, "You still don't trust me?"
"N-No, that's not what I meant!"
"Children, please," I said with a roll of my eyes, Hestia giving me the stink eye as Pebble looks confused at what's happening, I'm not far behind buddy,
"Come on, let's see." I said,
Bell handed over the sheet and I gave it a look over. As I did so, my brows knitted into a frown, Pebble jumped on my shoulder looking at it too.
Bell Cranel.
Strength: H-160 - G-243
Endurance: I-87 - H-171
Dexterity: H-172 - G-260
Agility: G-259 - F-331
Magic: I-0 - I-0
Curiously, there was a small smudge on the Skill section. Probably just slipped her finger, but they're writing on it? Could be nothing.
"Wait a minute. Bell, did you have these before or after our trip to the Fifth Floor yesterday?" I asked him and he shook his head.
"No, they were a lot lower back then. But between then and now, I've hit a growth spurt, I guess?" Bell seemed unsure and I let out a low hum as I did some quick maths in my head.
"333 increase across the board, huh? Is this considered normal?" I asked, waving the sheet with Bell and Pebble looking over to the pouting Goddess, a confused look on his face. And the upset Goddess seemingly melted under our stars, letting out a sigh.
"Not really, no. I can understand Magnus' stats because he went down to the Seventh Floor by himself and is insane at this point," Hestia glanced at me pointedly and I gave an unsure nod.
Insane really? Honestly, I don't know anything anymore.
"While you managed to fight your way down to the Seventh Floor. Just like Bell said, I'd call it a growth spurt. You two, especially Bell, are growing at an abnormal rate." Hestia explains.
"And that's fine. I'll support and cheer you two on as best as I can and I know you two want to get even stronger. I admire that kind of determination in my two children." Hestia said as Pebble pouted a little, Hestia gave him a hug.
"And I'll give you all the hugs and affection I have for Pebble" Hesta hugs and kisses Pebble cheering him up.
Hestia seemed almost pleading as she carried on looking at me and Bell was dead focused on her, "Just promise you two will come back home. Please don't repeat what happened last night."
Bell didn't say anything for a while as silence filled the room. I wondered what I would've said if she asked me this before the whole fiasco. I probably would've lied or twisted my words.
But no, this is important.
"Despite how it may look, I don't plan on dying any time soon," I said with a somewhat airy tone, but my words were anything but,
"Don't worry, Hestia. We'll make sure you're sick of us in no time."
She giggled at that and it was a good sound to hear. Bell gave a soft smile and held onto Hestia's hand with his own, "Don't worry, Goddess. We'll work hard but we'll always come back. We promise."
Well, I didn't quite promise but I agreed with it all the same. Pebble jumps on from Hestia and salutes to her, promising to do the same, to everyone's joy.
Hestia smiled, relieved at what we did. Then I saw something flash across her big blue eyes.
"Thank you, you three. In that case, I'll be gone for today...make that the next few days. Is that okay with you two?" Hestia asked us all of a sudden
"Oh, sure! Something to do with work?" Bell asked her, but our Goddess shook her head and got to her feet, walking towards the kitchen.
"No, I was invited to a banquet by another God," I could hear rather than see the shuffle as Hestia looked through a drawer and what sounded like multiple sheets of paper being shuffled about,
"I wasn't thinking of going originally, but some of my close friends are going to go. I haven't seen them in a while, so I was thinking about it plus Nike is there and I should help her out." Hestia explains
A banquet of the Gods huh? Wonder what those are like.
"Sure, we'll be fine. Go out and enjoy yourself," I said to Hestia who smiled at my response,
"Out of curiosity, who's holding the banquet?" curious about who's hosting it.
"Eh? That would be Ganesha. Why do you want to know?" Hestia gave me a slightly confused look and all of a sudden, my mind raced for information about Ganesha and what I knew about him.
He was a Hindu God, I think. Which is concerning itself as Hindu legends can get pretty out there in how you view them. Ganesha himself got his head cut off and replaced with an elephant by his father, Shiva because Parvati made him out of dirt and told him to guard her while taking a bath. Or he ate a bunch of cakes, fell on his stomach and used a snake to patch up the gaping wound.
So one thing or another.
"Just curious is all," I said with a shrug, "I didn't realise you knew Ganesha."
"Oh, it's not like we're friends or anything. He usually does this sort of thing and invites every God. Most usually come because it's all free and paid for," Hestia explained to me and it was at that moment, I didn't know any more annoying things to do.
I myself love late night parties with drinking and dancing but this sounds more like a polite gathering then anything, with deities interacting and messing with each other, sounds like a hell of a party.
"Right, I need to get ready!" Hestia dashed to our single closest and started rummaging through it, dragging out a large bag and going through her dresses which mostly consisted of white and blue gowns.
And boob strings. Can't help but look at it, how doesn't it work?
Looking back at Bell's sheet, my brow furrowed deeply as I thought about the implications.
If we're this much stronger, how will our dungeon run go today? We stopped at the Fifth Floor last time but with us being that much stronger, why should we stop there.
"I still don't get how you have higher Strength and Endurance than me by the way," I said to Bell who rubbed the back of his head with an awkward laugh.
"Well, Bell's more fragile than you," Hestia said to me as stuffed a dress in the bag and pushing her finger into my stomach, feeling it give way,
"If I hit you, you'd barely even feel it." Hestia said as Pebble stepped on my shoulder a bit, I looked at him as he shrugged, trying to test something?
"Ah, but my heart would break in two as my Goddess turned out to be an abusive partner," I said as seriously as I could, Hestia's face going red slightly even as I forced the twitching of my lips down,
"The pain you give me will shatter my core, leaving me nothing but a husk before you my Goddess." Holding my heart as Pebble looks around swaying back and forth hugging himself, copying me.
"You-! You're just trying to make me embarrassed! You two"
"You wound me with your barbed words, my Goddess," I said with a painfully fake wounded expression before it burst into a shit-eating grin, Pebble smiles at well
"And yes, I am." I smirked as Hestia's foot smacked into my shin and as she said, not feeling anything as she predicated. Even so, I could tell she wasn't really putting her full weight behind it. Bell covered his mouth with a hand, coughing into it when Hestia turned her attention to him.
"A-Anyway, when are you leaving, Goddess?" Bell asked, trying and failing to hide his amusement.
"It starts tonight, so I'll be going now to get ready," Hestia told us before frowning slightly, "I guess you three will be going to the Dungeon today?"
It wasn't asked like a loaded question, but it sure as hell sounded like one.
"Yes we are," I said to Hestia, "I still have my magic stones and drop items, but there's no reason not to earn more before the day is over."
I still planned to split the cash up as we agreed upon but this is exactly the sort of scenario that the rainy day fund can help with.
"We'll be fine, Goddess, really," Bell said with a small smile, Pebble gave a rocky thumbs up and Hestia gave a reluctant nod, flashing us a look before sighing.
"I don't mind, but be extra careful, okay? Take some valis out of our savings if you have to. Just no repeats of last night." Hestia warns,
"Heard ya loud and clear, Hestia. Have fun stuffing your cheeks." I said, Hestia gave me a cute little pout before all of us bade her goodbye, the mini Goddess hopping up the stone steps. Up above, we heard the door to our home open and close.
"You shouldn't tease her like that," Bell admonished me softly but I grinned back at the kid.
"Can't help it, it's funny and you know it. Plus, it's how I show my affection for you three," I said to Bell who seemed conflicted about my answer before sighing in defeat.
"I suppose our first stop is the Hostess then?" I said to Bell who gave a nod with a wrought expression on his face, putting back on his shirt as he climbed off of the bed. Pebble jumps up and down when going to the Hostess.
"Don't worry about it too much, kid. As long as you apologise and pay what you owe, Mama Mia won't be mad. Or Syr, if you're that worried about her. Pebble is love by everyone there, hold on to him if you're scared." Handing Pebble to Bell as Pebble jumps on his head.
"It's still embarrassing to think about. Pebble was the one who drag me out without a word after we were personally invited," Bell mumbled out,
"Then you good, Pebble get a free pass there" I said, everyone loves Pebble to get away with anything.
"Uhm, Magnus. What are you going to tell Syr if she asks where you were last night?" Bell asked as I shrugged.
"Well, not the truth for starters," I said bluntly, thinking with a frown as I leaned on a wall, "I guess we'll say I just lost track time in the Dungeon which is technically not a lie. Used to happen all the time while I was living there, so they'll believe it, and Pebble was worried for me so he dragged you out to get me" not a lie as I spent a long time in the dungeon killing monsters and collecting items.
That reminds me I should check on Paracelsus, see how he's doing.
Bell nodded at me, giving me a curious look as we walked towards the stairs of our home,
"What was it like? Living there?"
"I didn't sleep with any of the girls, if that's what you're wondering," My dry tone was followed by Bell's face flushing red once again,
"If anything Pebble gets more action than anyone does" I smiles pointing at Pebble as he does a strong man pose, making us chuckle.
"But honestly, it wasn't that bad. Sure as hell beats sleeping on a clinic bed with a groaning patent, they're a bit nosy, but they're not bad people." I explained as we left the church above ground. Hestia wouldn't be back tonight, she said so herself. So it would just be me and Bell until she came back.
"Clinic?" Bell asked as we walked to the Hostess.
"I work as a part-time apothecary, a healer really" I explained to Bell awe.
"You're a healer too" Bell said in awe as I raised an eye at him.
"Told you this yesterday" I said with a grin as he looks sheepish,
"Sorry forgot" Bell rubs his head as Pebble gives him a pat on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about it" I waved it off, and we continued walking.
"So... you don't have any bad memories?" Bell asked me out of the blue and I felt my lips twitch up at the question, bad memories. I turned my head to look over to Bell, meeting his stare.
"Hey kid, how about we go there tonight? My treat," I said to Bell and his ruby-red eyes grew bright at my offer.
"R-Really? Are you sure?" he questioned.
"I'm pretty sure Syr and Ryu are going to kill me, but whatever," I said with a shrug as we walked in the streets,
"Think of it as my apology for last night." Pebble claps his hands.
"See Pebble wants to go" I pointed out as Bell smiled at how happy Pebble was.
"You don't have to do that, Magnus," Bell told me with a surprising amount of surety in his tone.
"I don't have to but I want to," I admitted to Bell honestly and with my other hand, I patted Bell on the back, causing him to stumble slightly and he looked back up at me.
"So come on, today's a new day. We're gonna get suited up, go down into the Dungeon and ruin some unlucky monster's day. And after that, we'll have a meal cooked and served by some pretty girls. For someone like you, isn't that the dream?" I smiled as his Bell's face turned bright red as I grinned and he gave me a glare so ineffective that a chuckle escaped through my lips all by itself,
"...I never should've told you that." Pebble gives a laugh as we smile with him.
"Yes you shouldn't have, come on now" I gave him a light hit on the shoulder pushing him forward as we made our way.
LINE
We made it to the place; we walked to the closed heavy doors of the Hostess of Fertility. Bell, bless the kid, seemed like he was walking into a teacher's office after being called. That sort of nervous energy that made me smirks as he held Pebble like a teddy bear, who in turn is holding flowers for them.
"Excuse me…" Bell said as he slowly opened the closed doors. Setting up tables and mopping the floor just in front of us were two figures I recognized pretty much instantly. The one mopping had short brown hair and wide slitted eyes. From under her long skirt was a tail of a cat to complement her cat ears which Anya proudly displays. Setting up the tables was the pointed eared pain in the ass known as Ryu.
Almost as soon as we entered, I could feel Ryu's pointed glare go on me and Anya swished her head between the sheepish looking Bell, Pebble and I.
"Morning," I waved at the two waitresses,
"Glad to see you're still going strong without me or Pebble" Pebble waves at the two.
"You! You're the kid that Pebble knocked around and dashed nya!" Anya pointed a finger at an embarrassed Bell before snapping to me.
"And Magnus! You're still alive, nya!"
"Sorry to disappoint you, Anya," I dryly said to the catgirl and looked towards Bell, "Bell, this is Anya and Ryu. Ryu, Anya. This is Bell Cranel, my Familia member. Bell?"
"O-Oh! Uhm, is Syr in at all? And the owner as well?" Bell asked the two maids, Anya tilting her head while Ryu looked between us.
"Oooh, feeling sorry, are y-nyagh!?"
"Anya, be silent and go get Mama Mia and Syr," Ryu moved faster than I thought she could and chopped the catgirl on her head, sending the whimpering cat girl slinking off, The catgirl then smiles taking a flower from Pebble as she left, leaving Ryu looking at me with a cool stare.
"Magnus. Took my advice for once." Ryu said,
"Eh? What advice?" Bell asked me, looking up at me. A chuckle escaped my throat as I rolled my eyes at the pointy eared elf.
"Well, when we were on our date-"
"Excuse me?" Ryu interrupted me with what could be called surprise if you stretched your ears and Bell's head looked like it was going to come off with how fast he snapped it around, Pebble smiles remembering that night
"Have you suffered some sort of brain damage while in the Dungeon? Pebble I told you to keep an eye on him" Ryu said to Pebble, he shakes his head while shrugging his shoulders.
"You wound me, dear Ryu. I recall you graced my table with your...charming presence and dined with me? Only to leave me at the mercies of another woman? Isn't that right Pebble?" I asked him, as he nodded fast to Ryu's looks.
"W-What?"
"I am sorry, Mr Cranel," Ryu bowed to Bell all of a sudden, "It seems my suggestion to find a better Familia has incidentally burdened you with an utterly hopeless individual such as Magnus. Please accept my deepest apologies."
"It part of the charm" I said with a smirk
"As charming as the rest of you." She replies back,
Bloody elves. What prudes they are, can't take a little joke.
Bell looked between me and Ryu, a smirk locked on my face and her expression cool and collected. He looked between us, seemingly stunned into silence before he shook his head.
"I-It's not like that. I'm glad that Magnus joined my Familia," Bell said entirely without shame and my grin was wiped off with nothing but those words. Letting out a sigh, I placed my hand on his fluffy white hair, scuffing it up. His cute face scrunched up and he pushed my hand off, frowning up at me.
"You, my friend, are far too precious. We need to watch for you otherwise anyone could snatch you up," I said to Bell who was trying a bit too hard to fix his scruffy hair. Pebble joins at well copying me.
At that point, I noticed Ryu staring through me with a razor-sharp stare. It is rather unnerving to say the least. I glanced at her and for a moment, I think I saw her face twitch.
"Bell?! Magnus!? Pebble!? Are you all here?!" A familiar voice called out and Bell froze slightly as the sounds of rushing feet descending down the stairs could be heard. Just from behind Ryu, Syr jumped down from the stairs, her face full of relieved worry as she noticed us.
"Here we go," I muttered under my breath as Syr rushed towards us, Ryu nimbly stepping out of the way.
"I-I'm sorry for running out like that last night," Bell bowed deeply to the point where Syr was looking down at him, "I forgot to pay and-"
Syr simply shook her head, giggling as she gave a blushing Bell a soft smile, "No, it's okay. I'm just glad that you three are alright." Pebble holds out flowers for her, giving her one.
"Oh Pebble you shouldn't have" Syr giggles at the flowers he was holding, taking one.
"And Magnus, you should be more mindful about what you do," Syr turned to me, a serious but calm expression on her young face,
"It isn't just about you now, you know?"
I stared down at the silver-grey haired girl without saying a word as I am once again reminded how devious she really is. Focusing on Bell instead of the invitation or anything like that, but striking where it hurts.
Truly, what a devious girl.
"Yeah, I know," I said honestly to the waitress who blinked a few times at my words as Ryu stared wordlessly behind her, "Sorry for worrying you, Syr."
"Ehhh? I didn't actually expect you to say sorry so earnestly, Magnus," Syr said, holding her petite hands to her chest as she glanced at Bell knowingly, a smile playing at her lips,
"Could it be that Bell is the one that'll make an honest man out of you yet?"
"yeah yeah, Come on kid, the sooner we get to the Guild, the shorter the queues to the exchange will be." Grabbing a bag of valis to give to him.
"Magnus, I still need to pay for the meal, not you."
"It's on me" I told Bell but he remained steadfast with a shake of his head. I rolled my eyes but relented.
I admire Bell, but Jesus Christ. You and your bleeding heart
Bell gave a smiling Syr the valis in a small pouch
"Here, this should cover everything. I can pay a bit more if-"
Syr met my stare for instance with an amused smile and I liked to think that I wasn't so much as glaring as I was just being a silent observer. I don't think she would swindle money out of Bell but well, you never know.
Syr giggled and it could've been at me, Bell or both of us honestly but she shook her head,
"It's fine, Bell. I'm just happy to know that the three of you are alright And I'm sorry as well..."
Smooth, I thought to myself dryly as Bell shook his head, cheeks flushing red under the womanly charms of Syr, Pebble looked confused at the interaction.
"No, you don't have to apologise, really…"
We're doing this again, aren't we?
Syr giggles and her grey eyes suddenly light up, "Oh, that reminds me! I have something to give you three!"
She rushed into the kitchen and I could hardly keep my exasperation a secret.
"She's getting food, isn't she?" I asked Ryu who simply stared back, her ears twitching.
"Syr said you, Pebble and Mr Cranel would come back," Ryu answered in a way that didn't tell me anything and looked towards Bell, "I'm glad that she was correct. I would've disliked having to come after you two." Then Ryu smiles while taking a flower Pebble was offering her.
Bell laughed nervously, but I simply shrugged,
"That would be a fun chase down, it won't be easy though."
"Oh I know that," She repeats dryly just as Syr rushed out of the kitchen, clutching a basket once again. She approached us, smiling brightly as she handed a confused Bell the basket.
"You're going to the Dungeon soon, right? It's just some leftovers, but there should be enough for the two of you," Syr told Bell who looked supremely uncomfortable while she smiled with her eyes at the kid.
"Eh? A-Are you sure?"
"It's no worry. Our chief cooked it this morning so they're still fresh."
"Freshly laced with aphrodisiacs," I said to Syr whose warm smile was wiped away, her cheeks slightly tinted,
"Wait, you actually did?" I raised a brow at her.
"No, you pervert! What kind of woman do you take me for!?"
"That a really hard question, give me a minute to think"
"Magnus," Bell said and pleaded all at once, making me grin slightly, Pebble looks confused as the talking.
"It's gotten real lively here, huh?" A rough voice spoke out as the doors behind the bar were roughly pushed open. A towering specimen of rough and tumble femininity showed itself in the form of Mama Mia. Bell gulped besides me and to be honest, I didn't really blame him.
Mama Mia was scary in a way that no monster really was. She just had this way of taking up an entire room when she entered it and it wasn't because she was a giant of a woman.
"Still alive, are you Magnus?" Mama Mia questioned me to which I simply gave a shrug.
"Sorry to disappoint you. Can't get rid of your favourite customer now can you" I smirked as Mama Mia snorted but smiled at the flowers Pebble offered to her.
"Now this one my favourite customer, thank you Pebble I hang it up for everyone" Mama Mia smiles as Pebble claps and gave an aside glance to Ryu and Syr,
"Get back to work, girls. I don't pay ya to flirt." Mama Mia orders.
Much to Syr's massive displeasure, I'm sure.
"See you later, Bell! Don't let Magnus bully you! Pebble keep an eye of them both" Pebble gave a salute to their giggles,
Bully? Really?
I'm not going to say anything, settling for rolling my eyes as Syr and Ryu disappeared into the back, leaving me Bell and Pebble alone with the towering woman whose arms were crossed as she looked down at me with a bold smirk.
"You have some guts comin' back here, Magnus. 'Specially after what you pulled."
"What did I pull?" I repeated with a confused frown, thinking back to what I actually did. I know it didn't do anything to the girls; I never even gave much of a second look, never harassed them or anything. What is she?
"Wait, are you talking about me moving out? I left the key and the valis on the bar." I said, thinking it over.
"Aye, but ya didn' even have the common decency to say goodbye,'' Mama Mia told me bluntly, jerking her head towards Bell and Pebble, "Ryu wasn' happy about it. Almost tracked you down before I got her cooled down."
"That's not a funny joke," I said dryly to Mama Mia who shook her head at me, "Anyway, I assume you already know Bell? Considering you told him some pretty mean stuff about me."
Mama Mia grunted and turned to look down at a scared Bell, "Hmph, so you came back to pay, eh? After seeing Pebble force you out was a funny sight, But good on ya, kid. Shame, I was almost hopin' to hear the screams of my prey again."
"...Sorry?" Bell said in such a confused way that it almost made me smirk.
"She's only joking, Bell," I told the kid, glancing at him before going back on Mama Mia.
She better be, anyway.
"Hey, Syr!" Mama Mia called out all of a sudden, her voice easily making Bell jump, "You sure about giving away your lunch?"
"W-what?" Bell said in shock. I raise my eyebrow.
"It's fine, Mama Mia!" Syr's voice called out and I saw Bell's cheeks flush red as Mama Mia shrugged.
Leftovers, huh?
Mama Mia let out another snort, looking at the three of us with a weird gleam in her eyes, "Bein' an Adventurer ain't all it's cracked up to be. It ain't glorious and it ain't sure as hell like a fairy tale."
"But it gets easier when you have someone you trust covering your back and all that matters is that you three are the last ones standin'. That's how the winners are decided."
I'm pretty sure I've had this conversation before, but I don't recall when. I met Bell's hopeful glance up at me and I scratched the back of my head, struggling to think of anything to say.
"Well, that should be obvious, isn't it?" I ignored Mama Mia's snort and a peeking Syr from behind her, "In any case, since we're here, is it possible to make a reservation for tonight? For three"
"Sure," Mama Mia told me coarsely with a rough grin, "And if ya don't show up this time, I'm gonna hunt you down, break ya legs and force ya to sit down."
"Sounds like a good time to me" I smirked at her.
"Still got a smart arse mouth," Mama Mia shook her head at me, "Now that ya made me say all of that, don't go dyin' on me and get to the Dungeon already."
"T-Thank you for last night, Mama Mia!" Bell said all of a sudden, bowing to the towering woman who let out a little huff.
"Don't give me that weird face, kid. Just help Pebble keep an eye on Magnus here or he'll slink back to his old ways before you know it." Pebble salutes as he nudges Bell, who smiles a little.
"Yeah, yeah," I said with a roll of my eyes, patting Bell on the back, "Come on Bell. We got a long day ahead of us."
"Goodbye you three!" Syr called out, waving to us. Bell waved back while I just lazily lifted my hand in a gesture that could be called a wave, Pebble jumped up and down Bell shoulder waving bye. Mama Mia saw us off as we all left the Hostess and once again back into the busy and bustling streets of Orario.
"What was all that about? Thanking Mama Mia all of a sudden?" I asked Bell who glanced up at me. He scratched his cheek as he looked to the side, smiling.
"I just understood what she was trying to tell me last night, that's all." Bell mention as I brow corked up at that,
"Is that so? Well, I won't dig too deep in it then. Come on, open the basket. Let's see what Syr gave up to guilt trip you again." I asked as Pebble looked at the basket.
"You make it sound so evil," Bell muttered but uncovered the basket's cover. It was much the same as yesterday; warm bread, cheeses, apples and some slices of meat. It did look actually quite appetising and smelt just as good as the scents mingled together.
And then I heard Bell's stomach rumble. He let out an embarrassed laugh, going red.
"Right, have a light snack. I'll go ahead to the Guild and get our stuff exchanged, Pebble watch out for him" I said to him as he nodded his head.
"But what about you?" Bell asked me.
"What about me?" I asked Bell who stared up at me with a worried frown.
"Shouldn't you eat something too? There's enough for both of us here." Bells asked,
"I'm fine, kid. I'm not really that hung-"
I stopped when I saw Bell's ruby red eyes staring up at me, his brow knitted and his jaw set. At that moment, I felt the argument just leave me with a sigh. Reaching into the basket, I stole a slice of cheese and chewed off a piece of it in my mouth.
Bell smiled at me, relieved as Pebble jumped in the basket, eating the food as well, I shook my head, "Wipe that grin off of your face. Let's find somewhere to sit down and eat."
"Okay!" Bell said happily as Pebble nodded, eating the cheese as we looked around for a place. We found an empty bench near the Guild and got to eating. Normally I don't like wasting time, time could be used to get stronger or go deeper but this is fine.
I sit down making a small sandwich with the bread, ham and cheese.
"What are you making?" Bell asked, watching me put the bread together.
"It's a sandwich" I said, holding the bread, ham and cheese in-between.
"Is it good?" Bell asks as I gave it to him, to his surprise.
"Take it I'll make another one for me and Pebble" I took the food to make two ore sandwiches as Pebble takes a bit of the ham cheese sandwich.
"This is amazing," Bell said, munching on the sandwich as Pebble nodded, eating the sandwich as well.
This was nice, having a sandwich on the bench; we needed to go to the dungeon but there was no rush, the dungeon not going anywhere. Not yet at least.