The Argonaut and The Child of Light

Chapter 1: The Red Spear

Red. Red was all Cian could see. He didn't know who looked at him, or what they were whispering, all he could see was red in his eyes, and the red of the spear that clinked against the ground with each step he took. It was a head taller then him, the spear, and each time it hit the stones beneath him his head erupted like a barrel of explosives.

Why… why can't I remember anything, he thought, as clouds began to roll in over the sun.

The red spear in his hands… this… was Chu's weapon, wasn't it? Why did he have it?

"Wha…. What… Ms... Scathach…" He said, his voice hoarse as pain shot through his chest. He stumbled in the street, the red spear the only thing keeping him on his knees. "Where… are… you… Chu… D… Goddess…"

The roar, the flames, it was all he could see. Even the rain that came after a clap of thunder couldn't quench the fire he saw. His legs finally gave out, a million tiny daggers plunging into him at once. The rain slammed down on the back of his head, the red spear clattered to the ground, and again he heard the shouting and murmuring of people as the light of day gave way to only the light of the moon. He could see people's feet pass him by, while some stayed and only pointed. His black hair spilled out over him… when did it get so long? Why was it so long? He never kept it this long… did he?

Th…that's right, goddess… she… she used to cut my hair, but… but where is she?

"And… Chu… D… wha…" The words slowly came, as the people continued to pass by. "H…help… g…goddess… someone…"

The pain, the burning, the eruption that was happening across his chest, it made each thump of his heart feel like it would be the one to rip it open. But… why couldn't he remember what had happened? Why couldn't he remember anything?

All he did know… was that he needed to pick up the red spear… what was it called again?

"I… I… I need… Ch…Chu…" He said, but before he could say anything, something erupted inside of him, his chest burned like the pit of a volcano. "No… no I… I can't I… I need… Please… he-."

"Guys! Out here, someone's hurt!" A voice said, and it was followed by rapid footfalls. "Hey, are you alright?!"

The voice was echoing in his ears, but before Cian could even think of anything else, pain erupted in chest again, the shirt he once wore nothing but loose tattered rags. When the person grabbed him however… he screamed.

"GAHHHH! ARGHHH STOP!" He screamed, his hands covering his chest where he felt the wound spreading.

"Woah! I'm sorry what… oh man that looks bad," The voice said, concerned and worried, and when Cian could finally open his eyes, he saw a pair of red eyes speak. "We'll get you help! Guys! Where are you, he's-."

"We're here Master Bell, what's-. Oh gods!" Another squeakier voice said, and that was when Cian saw another blurry figure come into view, this one was smaller. "That wound on his chest, it's a massive burn! We need to-."

"Mama Mia wishes to know what's going on," A calm voice came, and out of all the voices so far, this one was the one that drew his attention the most. Sloshing footsteps followed… and then the voice came again. "A wound like that… it needs healing, Mr. Cranel, we'll help him to his feet."

"Oh, alright, Lillie clear the way!" The one with red eyes said, before he reached under his arm again.

"No… NO! NO! SP…SPEAR!" The pain was unbearable, but the only thing he saw was the red spear getting further from his reach. He let his weight fall forward, trying to reach for it and fell out of the person's arm. "GAHHH!"

"Easy! You're gonna hurt yourself!" The squeaky voice said as Cian hit the ground.

He slammed into ground, his face falling into a puddle, but his fingers only grazed the red spear. It rolled to the right just out of reach and with everything he had he tried to reach and grab it, but each action, each movement of his arm erupted more pain throughout his body.

"I… I need…. The spear…" He whispered, trying to reach for it… but then a hand reached out and grabbed his.

The hand… it was warm, a beautiful, pleasant warmth, which sent a tingle up his arm. That persons second hand reached over and grabbed the red spear, slipping it into his hand, and wrapping Cian's hand around it. He squeezed and the hand left him, which he was upset about… he missed it the minute it went away.

But then, that soft, soothing voice spoke again, and he was helped to his feet.

"Don't strain yourself, your wounds will only get worse," The voice said… it was a girl's voice, and it was beautiful. "Mr. Cranel and I will support you, we'll get you to a room and see to your injuries."

He saw her, his vision finally became clear… and that was when he really stopped breathing. Her eyes were a pale blue, her hair short and blonde falling around her pointed ears… an elf. He… could remember stories about elves.

The one about how beautiful they were… it was true. She didn't smile, but when she looked at him, a calm, serene peace fell over him, as he gripped the spear, and she lifted his arm over her shoulder. Before he could try to say anything, his other arm was lifted.

"She's right, we'll help you out!" The next voice said… a boy, with white hair and red eyes.

"Come on, this way! Master Welf! Get off your ass and help us!" The squeaky voice said from in front of a door with a bright light.

"What? I'm coming little bit, calm down," A deeper voice said from inside, sounding slightly slurred.

"Are you drunk already?!" The squeaky voice said, and he saw as the elf and white-haired one dragged him and the red spear along.

Wh…where… where am I, who… why…are they… he thought, as the door to a tavern came into view… and warmth flooded over him.

"Who… wha… Sc…Ch…" He tried saying, as his feet dragged across the cobblestone.

"Try not to speak," The elf's calm, beautiful voice said, as he saw her look at him from the side. "We'll make sure your injuries are healed."

"I… I need… the… spear…"

It was all he could say, before a clap of thunder belted out overhead, and he fell unconscious.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Flames. Fire. A massive shadow. The screams. That was all he remembered.

That, and his familia dying around him.

"CHU! GET CIAN AWAY!" Diarmuid yelled, his spear and sword swinging like a madman.

"D! YOU CAN'T-." Chu tried to yell, but D turned and leapt away from the flaming blade.

"DAMMIT LISTEN TO ME CHU! YOU'RE OUR LEADER NOW SO ACT LIKE ONE! EVERYONE'S DEAD, GET YOURSELVES OUT AND-."

"D!" Chu yelled, as a wall of flames erupted and send Diarmuid smashing into a nearby rock.

"CHU LOOK OUT!" Cian tried to yell, as the flames came again, erupting along the chamber and smashing towards them.

Chu turned, his massive form stepping in front of Cian and shoving him back. The red spear flashed and spun in his hands trying to dispel the flames, but they eventually knocked him back and into Cian, sending them flying towards the wall.

He slammed into the wall, his meager little spear dropping to the ground, he screamed as flames seared across his chest. Pain washed over him like he was taking a bath, his entire body shook as he could vaguely hear Chu screaming him name, pulling him up into his lap. His blue eyes looked down at Cian, his red hair stood straight up as his mentor and familia leaders anger rose.

But… what was Cian doing there again? And… and what had happened to everyone? Why… why was everyone on the ground? Why was everyone bleeding?! And… and goddess Scathach, where was goddess Scathach and goddess Aife?!

And… why wouldn't anyone move? Ferdiad's stomach was ripped open, Uathach, her body was twisted around and lifeless next to him, a massive black shadow lumbering over them. Diarmuid, Finn, both were knocked into the wall, but Cian could vaguely see them trying to dart towards the shadows, the shadows of giants, and the flames they breathed, along with a few other people… he felt he should remember, they were charging at the shadows as the spewed forth and took form in front of the giant eye, the giant eye of fire which was all he could see.

"CIAN!" Chu yelled, shaking his shoulders. "You need to get it together! I'm going to bust open a way out for you, you need to run!"

"Wh…wh…Chu where… Lady… Lady Scathach… where…" He said, vaguely looking around the room, his chest burning as the shadows looked to devour his friends.

"Goddess Scathach is dead, you need to run Cian listen to me," He said, looking at him with his wide blue eyes, gripping his shoulders in a vice. "Go east, find the labyrinth city, Orario, tell them what's happened! Find the goddess-."

His voice was cut off… Cian couldn't hear it… why did his head feel so fuzzy? And… and what were those things, why were they attacking his friends… and why did that eye bring so much destruction?

Diarmuid launched himself up with his spear in one hand sword in the other towards the eye, but a shadowy hand reached out and constricted around his waist.

"D!" Finn yelled, tossing his spear into the shadows hand, before rushing forward and up the shadows black body… why could Cian only see shadows?

The shadow squeezed, and Diarmuid choked out blood, just as Finn leapt to grab and wrench his spear out of shadows hand. Something laughed… the shadow laughed.

"You are worthless… children of a phony goddess… where is the blood of Lugh."

It was followed by a massive ball of fire coming from the eye. Finn had gotten Diarmuid away and drug him to the side of the cavern. The fire came, but a wall of ice shot upwards, as more figures darted towards the shadow… only to be intercepted by more people… who was that they were fighting? Were… they goddess Aife's children? Who were they fighting along with the shadows?

"And never forget Cian, remember the name of your spear! Your spear is what will save you, save all of us, never let it go, do you understand?!" He said, as for a moment his face softened, and Chu's signature smirk returned as he messed up Cian's hair. "You'll do great things Cian, now go! Live! Live for your familia and your goddess! But first…"

He leaned Cian up against the wall of the cavern, close to a running stream… had that been the stream they swam and walked through? The one that led outside? What… what had they been doing here again? Everything was a jumble of shadows, flames and pain… what was Chu doing?

"Goddess… I pass on your gift to our youngest…" He said, standing up from Cian, but not before reaching to the ground and picking up the red spear. Carefully, while the battle raged, he pricked his finger with its red tip. "Complete transfer of magical item… previous owner, Setanta Mac Ness, complete transfer to Cian Mac Gallagher."

"Ch…Chu… wh…what?" Cian said, as Chu turned, and grabbed his hand, pricking Cian's finger with the spear.

His blood spread across the tip, and the entire spear, which reached up to Chu's shoulder glowed red.

"Oh great spear of the goddess Scathach, spear of mortal death, transfer your curse and magic power to Cian Mac Gallagher," He said, as his eyes flared open. "I call upon your name, transfer power OH MIGHTY-."

His words fizzled out, as another eruption shook the cavern and Cian almost fell into the stream.

"FINN!" He heard Diarmuid yell, and Cian turned a silent scream leaving him.

A massive shadowy sword wrapped in flames had impaled Diarmuid. Blood spilled from Cian's friend, as Finn tried to rush to his rescue, only to be intercepted by more massive shadows.

Chu's eyes widened. "FINN! DON'T-."

He was cut off, as a spear zipped through the air, and it would have impaled Cian's neck is Chu hadn't knocked it out of the air with the red spear.

"What?!" Chu yelled, turning and pulling a sword from his side. "Who the hell… you…"

"Hello… Chu Chulainn…" A voice said, as Cian turned to see a tall figure walk towards them both, a sword in one hand, a spear in the other. "You know what I'm after."

"Connla… I should have guessed it was you who leaked the plans to that witch," Chu said with spitting anger, his hair sticking straight up. He showed the man the spear. "You'll never own this spear kid… you know that."

The man got angry, his black long coat was covered in blood. "GIVE IT TO ME OLD MAN!"

Chu scoffed. "Who you calling old? You may be level what, six now? But you're still no match for me…"

"You underestimate my power, GIVE ME THAT SPEAR!" He yelled back at Chu.

Chu shook his head. "You still haven't learned Connla… that witch will betray you in the end."

Connla… why did that name sound familiar?

Chu turned and thrust the spear into Cian's hands. "Go Cian… Orario, never forget the name of your spear."

"Ch…Chu…" Cian said, trying to get up, but he didn't get the chance.

Because Chu pushed him into the flowing water.

"NO! GIVE IT TO ME YOU BASTARD!"

"Chu…Chu…. CHU!"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"NO CHU!" Cian screamed as his eyes shot open, his body darting upwards, but the minute he did pain erupted in his chest. "ARGHHHHHH!"

He fell to the left, the sun streaming through the window burning his eyes. After he hit the wooden floor, he realized he had been on a bed, wet bandages were wrapped around his chest, stuck to some parts of his legs with another wrapped around his forehead. He blinked away the crust in his eyes and fell onto his back before curling up at the pain running through his stomach, up his chest, his head and every other part of his body ached as if sleeping had been just as taxing as whatever fight he had just been a part of… how many days ago was it? What… what were they fighting? Why couldn't he remember?

"Wha…where am I?" He asked himself, looking over at the window, the bright sun of day streaming through it.

With great difficulty he pushed himself upwards with the windowsill and looked outside. The heat that radiated off the window soothed his bare upper half as all he had on was pants and socks.

"Woah… I… don't think I've ever seen that many people," He said, as he tried to study each face that passed him by. He could vaguely remember dragging himself into the city, but now that he was finally seeing it… it slowly came to him. "O…Orario… the Labyrinth City, wow… I made it."

He… thought he remembered Chu saying something about Orario, but when he tried to remember all, he got was an even worse headache.

"Gahh…" He complained, rubbing his head, the sun hurting his eyes. "What happened to me? I… think I remember…"

It came back to him. A pair of beautiful eyes, an elf, and a few other people helping him off the street. He got red faced thinking about that face, it was implanted into his memory like a brand. Quickly he squealed and smacked his cheeks.

"You have more important things to remember Cian," He told himself, before sighing. "Okay… now try to remember. Get to Orario… what else did Chu say… find… who was it? Find…. Gah I-."

"Oh! You're awake, thank the gods, Ryuu is gonna be so relieved!" A cheerful voice said.

Cian turned around and noticed a girl with grey hair and eyes, she was incredibly cute in her green maid outfit, holding a bundle of clothes in her hand.

But when Cian saw her friendly grey eyes looking at him, he was suddenly able to remember he had no shirt on.

"GAH!" He yelled trying to cover himself. "I'm sorry! I… I did have a shirt I just don't know what happened to it, I wasn't trying to-."

"Hahaha, don't worry! Your shirt was in pieces when Ryuu and Bell dragged you in here anyway, so it's not like I haven't seen it all," She said giggling.

"It all?!" Cian asked horrified, covering everything now, even what was covered by clothes.

The girl laughed again and came over. "Haha, just kidding. We did treat you though, your colors come back you were pale as a ghost last night!" She thrust the clothes into my hand. "Here, put these on, your old shirt and everything was… well destroyed, but Bell ran back to his home and got these for you last night for when you woke up!"

"B…Bell?" Cian asked, still not knowing the name.

The girl nodded and smiled as Cian pulled the shirt on. "Yup, he and his party spotted you in the street last night. He and Ryuu are the ones who brought you in here!"

Cian slowly nodded, this Bell must've been the kid with the red eyes he remembered getting him up off the ground. That must have meant this Ryuu person…

"I… think I remember, so Ryuu is… the elf?" Cian asked carefully.

The girl giggled with a sly smile. "Oh, it's awfully cute you remember her distinctly!"

"No! I… I just well… I…only-."

His red face and stuttering made her laugh even more. Cian deflated and looked down at the white shirt the guy Bell had given for him, and then a pair of black pants on the bed. He certainly wasn't going to change his pants with a cute girl in the room, but the shirt fit well.

I'll have to find this Bell and thank him, Lady Scathach always said you should repay your debts, he thought as the girl finished laughing, which reminded him why he was so embarrassed.

"Hahaha… yeah she's the elf who helped you, she acts all stoic but she's a sweetheart," The girl said, her hands folded in front of her. "She stayed up all night helping you! It's odd, I've never seen her get so worked up before."

That didn't help him either.

He nervously laughed it off. "Ha… well I'll have to thank her, and you? What's your name and… well, where am I?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! My names Syr Flover," She said with a bow and cute smile. "You're at the Hostess of Fertility, Mama Mia's! We're a tavern and inn… Mama Mia let you stay because Ryuu and Bell asked but um… you may have to pay her back eventually."

"Of course! I'll work if I have too, thank you," He said, remembering his goddess's words again about repaying debts. "My names Cian Mac Gallagher, it's nice to… hey… my hair."

His hair didn't float in front of his face… he could have sworn it was longer just last night. He reached up and felt it was falling just over his ear in a black mess. It was normally cut this way, but as small chunks of his memory came back to him, he could remember how long it had gotten in his familia's long trek to… where was it? What had goddess Scathach said they were going to fight? He… could remember her being stone faced, determined, even more so then usual.

"Oh! Me and Ryuu cut it for you last night, well, Ryuu did most of the work," Syr said with a wink. "She tended to you alllll night. It was getting in the way of us treating that chest wound."

"Oh! Um… well… I should thank her again," He said, remembering how blue the elf's eyes were.

"Mhm…." Syr said, suddenly taking a step closer to him looking up with those giant grey eyes and her cute smile. "So… where exactly did you receive a wound like that? It must have been something serious, are you an adventurer, do you belong to a familia?"

A sharp pain ran across Cian's chest… as small bits kept coming back. Fire, screams, death, shadows… and everyone dead.

His legs started to shake, as he looked at his hands. "I… I… used to be… I… I think… gahhh…"

The throbbing in his legs became unbearable, and he stumbled back onto the bed, his eyes started to sting as well.

All… all of that really happened…. Finn, Diarmuid, Ferdiad, Uathach, Lady Scathach… Chu, they're all dead… he thought, looking down at his hands.

Syr's eyes went wide. "You… used to be? Which familia was it? Do you-."

"Syr, it's no polite to pry," A calm voice said, and both our heads spun around to the door.

The pain in Cian's chest was replaced by a loud rhythmic thumping, as the elf, Ryuu and her blue eyes stood at the door. He tried to say something, but words failed him, he stuttered, as the elf wore the same green barmaid outfit Syr did. She wore a neutral expression which troubled him a bit. Was she annoyed she had to watch after him all night to keep him from dying? Was she not happy with him wasting her resources?

They were all crippling questions.

Syr giggled and looked back at me. "Ryuu's right I'm sorry! Please forgive me."

She bowed and right away Cian's face went red as he shook his head. "No, no it's okay! I just… really don't remember, all I know now it I'm eternally grateful to you all."

I bowed, and I saw Syr look over towards Ryuu and smile, before moving over to the elf and gesturing towards him.

"Haha, see he's alright Ryuu, and you were doubting your own skill," She told the elf, as Cian slowly looked up.

Ryuu still had a neutral, stoic look on her face, but before Cian could say anything to embarrass himself further the elf turned to Syr.

"Syr, Mama Mia wants to see you, we're about to open," She said, before looking back at Cian. "I'll look after him from here."

That didn't help Cian form words at all. He stuttered with a red face and just bowed again.

Syr giggled and smiled over at him. "No problem! I'm sure we'll talk soon Cian! I bet we'll be seeing a lot of each other!"

Syr ran off down the steps and Cian remembered her saying something about working off a debt at this tavern. He'd worked plenty of manual labor jobs for Goddess Scathach, but the idea of working in a tavern was a bit horrifying.

"I'm happy to see you up, you look much better then last night," The elf said, and Cian's head shot up.

He saw the slightest smile on her face.

A nervous, pathetic sounding laugh left him. "Aha… um, thank you! You, must be Ryuu, Syr told me you were the one looking after me last night… I'm sorry you had to go through so much trouble, I greatly appreciate all of your help."

He bowed again, and while he didn't hear her say anything, he heard her footsteps. Looking up, he saw her only a step or to from him, and that made him stiffen.

But still, that small smile stayed for a minute, before it returned to her stoic expression.

"Please, don't apologize, you should also thank Mr. Cranel and his party they found you out on the street first," Ryuu said, sitting down on the bed and patting the spot next to her. "Please, sit. I need to check on your wounds."

Cian choked on his words. "Are… are you sure? I…. I mean you really don't have to!"

"Why wouldn't I?" Ryuu asked, her hands on her lap as she looked at me with those stoic but beautiful sky-blue eyes. "I already dressed your wounds, you shouldn't be embarrassed for me seeing your body."

Easy for you to say… he thought, realizing how embarrassing this really would be.

Eventually however, he sighed and say down next to her, looking down at the floor.

He did manage to speak eventually. "I… I'm Cian Mac Gallagher, thank you, for helping me, Ryuu."

It happened again, he saw the faintest smile as she grabbed at the bandages on his chest.

"It's my pleasure, Mr. Gallagher," She said, as she went to untie them. "Mr. Cranel and his party should be by soon before their trip to the dungeon, you should see them, and Mama Mia."

Cian's chest pounded. "Ha… you really don't have to call me Mr. Gallagher, Cian's fine, really, there's no need for formalities."

She stopped for a minute and met his eyes… the smile came again. "Alright then… Cian."

"Ha, awesome, you've seen me half-dead, you don't gotta be formal!" He said, words vomiting out of his mouth which made him only go redder.

Ryu's smiled lasted for another few seconds, before her head disappeared from Cian's view. He felt her warm, soft and gentle hands tug at the bandages. They fell from his body and the two of them remained silent, but Cian couldn't stop thinking about how close her hands were to him. He gripped his tattered pants as she worked. The silence was palpable, and Cian thought for a minute again she was annoyed she had to do this to him… but she didn't complain, not once.

A girl you think is pretty has her hands on your back… gah what did Diarmuid always say to do?! Say something witty? Grab her hand? GAH, all he ever had to do was show them that stupid mole that he had, he thought, his face getting redder with each thought.

But one thought lingered. Diarmuid had a mole… had, he wasn't alive anymore.

"Mr… Cian," Ryuu said, correcting herself. She finished taking the bandage off his head and poked her face over his shoulder. "Can I ask you, what gave you these wounds? I've never seen anything like them."

Fire. Shadows. One eye.

Why was that all he could remember? How had he got the wounds? He could remember it had been in a fight, Chu had stopped it from killing him… whatever it was.

Cian chewed at the inside of his cheek. "You… really haven't?"

Ryu shook her head and stood up in front of him, her hands held in front of her. "I haven't. The burn marks… they don't look significant, but I can tell how much damage they did to you, you were as pale as a ghost, sapped of your strength."

Cian wrung his hands together, for once, he didn't want to look up at her. "I… the truth is… well I don't remember. My memories they… they're spotty."

"You must've been struck in the head, that causes memory loss," Ryuu said. "Do you remember what level you were? Or your familia? The falna on your back, I don't recognize it."

Cian tried to look at his back in vein, but on the tips of his back shoulder blades. He could remember that at least. It was only up until they entered that cavern through the river he couldn't remember… and it infuriated him.

"The last time my goddess read me my status… I was still level 1, but my stats were pretty high. My familia, I was the youngest so they… never really put me near the front, I've trained but never really had the chance to perform a feat to level up," He said, not looking up at her. "I… I was a member of the Scathach familia."

"Scathach… I've heard of her, she's a member of the new generation Tuatha Danann," Ryuu said, her voice slightly curious. "Her familia is from outside of Orario… or… was, as you said. I'm sorry."

His hand wrung together again. He could remember only a few… days? Weeks? How long had it been? Either way, he could remember being around the table with them only a small time ago. Diarmuid would boast and sing about his deeds with Finn while Uathach chastised them. Ferdiad would be in the corner whistling while cleaning his massive sword, smiling at the scene.

All the while Chu would sit with Lady Scathach, watching over us like they always did.

How could that only have been such a short time ago in reality, but feel like years?

"They… they're all gone," He said, his voice shaking. "We… we weren't a big familia but… but we were strong. I… I wanted to be like them, like all of them. They took me in, they plucked an orphan out of some village, right off the streets."

"The new generation of the Tuatha Danann and their familias protect us from some of the worst monsters outside Orario," Ryuu said, her voice calm and soothing. "They sounded as if they lived up to that reputation."

"They did… and even more then that, they were kind, I wanted to do something for them. Goddess Scathach she… she was everything, Chu he… he…" He started, before looking up to see Ryu's pale blue eyes. Realizing what he was doing, he wiped his eyes and shook his head. "I… I'm sorry, we just met I shouldn't be dumping my problems like this on you, please accept my apologies."

He had shot up to his feet standing in front of her, before bowing and trying to wipe away the tears again.

After a moment, she spoke. "There's… no need to apologize. I'm sorry, you had to experience all of this. I… know how you feel."

He looked up at her… and saw a look in her eyes he hadn't seen yet. Her eyes were still so, so beautiful, but I could see something dark in them.

"Th… thank you," Cian said, his face getting red.

"You're welcome, now we should go and see Mama Mia, plus Mr. Cranel and his friends should be by soon, you can speak with them," She said, walking towards a closet on the other side of the room. "Before that though, here, I thought I should give you this. You were desperate to reach for it last night."

Cian's chest nearly exploded when he heard the clanging of metal. He turned and Ryuu held out the red spear. Just the point of the spear was above Ryuu's head, and Cian realized he was a good head taller then her. The spear was about as long as he was, it was red from top to bottom, the jagged layered point was clean, as down the spear a small coil wrapped around it to the bottom.

It started coming back now… small bits.

Chu he… he gave that to me, he transferred its power to me, his spear…

"And never forget Cian, remember the name of the spear." Those had been the last words Chu said to him.

Then… he heard Lady Scathach. "Remember Cian, your spear will always protect you, always remember the spears name."

"The… the spear!" He said, the tears unable to be stopped now, he rushed over towards Ryu and grabbed hold of it, his hand covering over Ryuu's. "You picked it up! Thank you, thank you, thank you Ryu! This… this is all I have left of… of…."

Ryuu stiffened. "Mr. Gal… Cian… can… can you please… stop…"

He looked and realized he was grabbing her hand as well, and he almost fell back onto the bed.

"I… I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" He said, bowing to her while keeping hold of the spear tight in his hands. "I… I just can't lose this spear. My… my captain, he told me to remember its name, to take it, and… and well… it's all I have left of him, and my goddess…"

The spear had originally belonged to goddess Scathach herself, before she had given it to Chu when he grew to level 2, Cian could remember Chu telling him. Chu had used to be called Setanta Mac Ness, but he had earned the name Chu Chulainn when he first leveled up, and Goddess Scathach had given him the spear. The spear was special, it had power, it was magic and was bonded to a single user with a special spell, it was all he could remember… and it helped more shame wash over him.

The last thing they asked of him, was to remember the spears name… and he couldn't.

It was just a red spear.

But… but I'm going to remember, I'll use this spear and I'll become strong like you Chu! And… and I'll do what you said… I'll become strong like you and everyone else…

That was his silent promise as he looked up at the spear.

But then he remembered he had just basically held Ryuu's hand, and his face went red again, all thoughts of the red spear out of his mind.

The elf didn't say anything, only looking down at her hand, then back to Cian. It was a few awkward moments before she let it fall to her side and she turned to the door.

"It's alright, come on, let's go and get you some food," She said, walking out the door.

Cian deflated, the spear still in hand. "Oh man… I bungled that, maybe I should have listened to Diarmuid's advice."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Cian waited outside the Hostess of Fertility for the boy Bell Cranel and his party. Ryuu had introduced him to Mama Mia and the rest of the servers, and while they were all kind Mama Mia included, he did feel a bit terrified when Mama Mia told him about the debt he owed now. He agreed that he would pay her back everything of course, somehow. She was kind, nice enough to even offer him the room her was recovering in until he found a permanent place of residence. He would pay to rent the room and pay back the tavern for the medicine Ryuu had to use to heal him.

He was a bit terrified at first at the prospect of finding the money, but then he remembered he was in Orario, there were plenty of opportunities to make valis.

There's the dungeon… that would be the quickest but… how far could I even go? I… I don't have everyone to back me up now, he thought, the spear laying between his crossed arms as he leaned against the tavern outside, watching people walk by.

It wasn't that he was a bad fighter, but he wasn't necessarily the greatest, he could seriously use work. He was with his familia for a year and while Chu had tried to train him along with the others… he always felt overshadowed by how strong the other members of the familia were. Chu had been one of three level 7 adventurers in the world, Diarmuid and Finn were both level six, Uathach and Ferdiad level five, but he knew they'd been close to level six.

And then there was him, struggling to get passed level 1. His stats were high for a level 1… but he just hadn't been able to get over the hump, too perform a great feat or notable deed to level up. What hope would he have in the dungeon of Orario?

He couldn't even remember the name of the spear he held. He knew Chu's spear had great power, it was magic with a powerful curse… but how did he activate it? He was sure he'd seen him do it hundreds of times, why couldn't he remember?!

And… why can't I remember what happened?! What we fought, and most importantly what Chu wanted me to do in Orario, who to find… why?!

Go to the guild in Orario, find a goddess… but what was he supposed to tell them? And what goddess was he supposed to find?

He sighed and looked at the passing people. "I'll just focus on getting money first after I talk to the guild… maybe it'll all come back… including your name."

The red spear glistened in the daylight, and Cian sighed again as he truly couldn't remember.

"Hey! There you are, you're looking a lot better now," A friendly voice yelled out, and Cian spun to see three people rushing for him.

He realized that the kid with white hair had to be Bell Cranel, the guy who'd effectively helped Ryuu save him. Even if he hadn't had distinct white hair and red eyes, Cian realized he had on almost the same outfit as the guy. Now the white-haired kid wore some really nice-looking light armor over a black shirt and pants, two knives were strapped at his waist one looked normal, but the other had a bright red hilt. Cian probably was wearing the guys normal clothes, a white shirt with a brown jacket and long black pants.

The two others who I assumed were either members of his familia or his party lagged behind him. A hooded prum had on one of the large backpacks I've seen before. Lady Scathach never employed any supporters, saying that in her familia we all carried our own weight quite literally. Still, other familias who were apart of the new generation of Tuatha Danann used supporters and his familia used to pair up with them for expeditions to fight monsters all the time.

Used to… it still doesn't sound real, he thought, as he heard some yelling from the tiny hooded prum. She seemed to be dragging along another taller guy with red hair who seemed a bit hungover.

Cian stepped off the inn, the red spear still in hand. "Ha… thanks to you I am. Ryuu tells me you were the one who found me."

Bell stopped I front of him before his party with a smile. "Oh, it was nothing really, I just did what I hope someone would've done for me."

"You don't see that a lot nowadays," Cian said, managing to smile for the first time in a while, holding the red spear in one hand he bowed. "But I wanted to say, thank you for helping me. My names Cian Mac Gallagher."

The kid only had to be a year or two younger then me maybe, but he carried himself with a lot more honor then he'd seen from other familias Cian had seen. Lady Scathach and Chu always made sure they're familia fought with honor and grace. Helping someone who was near dead on the street like Bell had, he liked to think Chu and Lady Scathach would have liked him and then smacked Cian to make sure he thanked them.

"Oh, please you don't have to apologize, Mr. Gallagher!" Bell said, holding out his hand. "I'm Bell Cranel, it's nice to meet you properly!"

Cian laughed and looked at the hand. "Are all you people in Orario so formal? Ryuu did the same thing, please, you only have to call me Cian, I'm no Mr that's for sure."

He reached out and grabbed the white-haired boy's hand. Bell smiled and shook his hand, before his two friends came up behind him.

"Master Bell, Master Welf is hungover!" The little prum said coming up next to Bell.

The red-haired guy-Welf-groaned and rubbed his head. "That's what happens the morning after you drink little bit… Hey, you're the guy that was half-dead."

Cian laughed nervously. "Ha… yeah that's me. I have you guys to thank too, I'm Cian Mac Gallagher, thank you for your help."

Welf smirked. "Ha, no problem at all friend. Welf Crozzo Hephaistos familia and blacksmith at your service."

The tiny prum scoffed beneath me. "What are you saying no problem for, you were too drunk the whole time we were helping him!"

Welf rolled his eyes. "You're just a ray of sunshine today aren't you?"

The prum scoffed again before looking up at me. "Ignore Master Welf, it's nice to meet you, I'm Liliruca Arde, supporter!"

"It's nice to meet you," I said, bowing to the three again. "Thank you, very much all three of you for your help. Not many people would have helped someone off the street."

The three of them smiled, and Cian finally felt a tiny bit better as he leaned the red spear up against his shoulder.

"We're happy we could help," Bell said with a smile. "So, are you an adventurer yourself Mr. G…Cian?"

Cian appreciated him trying, although he could see how hard it was for Bell not to be formal. He chuckled, as people strolled by, adventurers going to the dungeon early in the morning, civilians going about their job. Cian felt out of place, he had never seen so many people in one place at once. Chu and Lady Scathach would go to Orario themselves sometimes to trade for goods and get everyone presents or new equipment. He'd never been here himself, but he'd heard plenty.

He heard both amazing and horror stories about adventurers in Orario, he was glad to see not all the horror stories were true.

Cian nodded. "Yeah… you could say that, although I've never been to the dungeon. This is actually my first time in Orario, my familia fought monsters and bandits to the west."

A smile came to Bell's face. "I've never met an adventurer from a familia outside of Orario! What familia were you apart of?"

"Master Bell… you shouldn't pressure him to talk," Lily said a tiny elbow jutting into Bell's side.

Bell stammered. "Oh… right, sorry, you were in pretty bad shape, and I shouldn't be asking you so many questions now."

Welf chuckled. "That's our Bell. Hey, Cian, mind if I ask about that spear? Never seen one like it before."

Cian stiffened for a minute, looking at the red spear laying on his shoulder. He wanted to tell Welf the name of the spear… but still, he couldn't remember, and it still frustrated him.

One of the things they asked me… remember the spears name, but why can't I?

He cleared his mind and held the spear out for Bell and his friends. "Sure, it's a magic spear, it belonged first to the goddess of my familia, before she gave it to our captain. They… well, they're both gone now. My captain, he… gave it to me before he died."

The faces of the three of them fell, I could tell they weren't stupid, they could guess what happened to my familia from how they found me. Nobody would just waltz into Orario half dead with a bloody spear in his hands.

"I'm sorry to hear about that… but at least you're okay now," Bell said, his smile returning. Cian guessed he did that often.

Welf nodded as well. "Yeah, he's right, all you can do now is live. Back to the spear though… a magic one? Never heard of that, what's it do?"

Cian sighed and looked up at the tip of the spear. "Well, it's not like a magic sword it doesn't break. It has a curse in it, it activates when you chant the incantation, call out its name and throw it."

"Woah, I've never heard of a weapon like that!" Bell said excitedly. "What's its name?!"

Cian stammered, a shameful feeling washing over him. "I… can't remember. My memory is a bit spotty, I… I remember my familia heading out for a fight against… something, and then being wounded, getting the spear but… that's it."

"I didn't recognize the falna on your back last night… if you want, can you tell us what familia you were apart of?" Lily asked, her hands holding up her large pack.

Cian managed a small smile, remembering how Lily had just asked Bell not to pressure him for information, but the little prum's curiosity got the best of her.

"I'm a member of the Scathach familia," He told them, before he couldn't stop his face from falling. "Well… I used to be. I… I think I'm the only one left."

A tense silence fell over them for a minute. For a second Cian was worried he'd creeped them out with his grief. He considered retreating back into Mama Mia's and just working as a bus boy cleaning tables and dishes until he paid off what he owed… but he didn't know what he'd do after that.

He only had one thing he knew he needed to do now, go to the guild, and then, find some goddess he didn't know the name of.

And then of course, remember the name of the spear he held.

"The Scathach familia…?" Lily said, breaking the silence, looking up at me. "I remember now, I heard about them! Goddess Scathach was a member of the new generation of Tuatha Danann!"

Bell looked confused. "Huh? Tuatha Danann? What is that?"

Welf snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah, they're that elite group of familias to the west, they guard that monster infested forest and mountain range."

"Huh? Infested forest?" Bell asked.

I nodded to Lily and Welf. "They're right, the new generation of Tuatha Danann and their familias guard a forest and mountain range to the west. Lady Scathach always said that hundreds of years ago a bunch of high-level monsters escaped from the dungeon, and the original Tuatha Danann chased them and battled them. But still, they multiplied and to this day, the new generation of Tuatha Danann protect the forest."

Bell looked like he had stars in his eyes. "That's so cool! It's like the old heroes from the stories, those familias must have been top notch."

Cian nodded. "We were… I'm only level 1 but, everyone else was level five or higher. I felt like such a weakling compared to them."

Bell looked at me with sympathetic eyes. "I remember feeling like that… but who knows, now that you're in Orario in the dungeon anything can happen, why don't you come down with us!"

Cian's eyes widened, but Lily spoke and said exactly what he was thinking.

"Master Bell! Are you sure, I mean we just met him after all," Lily said, looking at Cian. "No offense."

Cian shook his head. "None taken… but Lily's right, are… you sure you could trust me?"

Bell smiled. "Of course! If you go around not trusting everyone you meet right away you won't make many friends, right?"

Welf shrugged his shoulders. "Bell's got a point, why not let him tag along. I think it'd be cool to see that spear in action too."

Cian stuttered again, he knew he needed money of course and going down into the dungeon was going to be the quickest way. He looked back behind him for a moment, a part of him didn't think the idea of being a bus boy was such a bad idea. Inside he saw Ryuu walking between tables, until Syr came up to eagerly talk to her. For a moment the elf looked out into the street and met my eyes, she didn't have time to smile or anything because Syr took her attention.

He was afraid to admit the beating in his chest, his red face, it sounded like a really great idea spending the day talking with Ryuu and Syr. It wasn't that combat scared him, he would fight if he needed too, he was the child of the warrior goddess Scathach.

But… am I even worthy of the falna on my back? Of… this spear when I can't even do what Lady Scathach asked and remember its name?

"Sitting and feeling sorry for yourself won't do you any good Cian. The only way to get what you want is to reach out and take it. Never let anyone tell you, that you're not strong enough for somethin, not even yourself."

His eyes drifted to the sun glistening off the red spear of his captain as he remembered the man's words, Chu… I'll remember that, forever! I'll become strong for you, Lady Scathach and everyone else.

He tightened his grip on the spear and looked at Bell and his friends. "Well… I did kind of work up a debt with Mama Mia from last night, plus it can be my way of paying you all back for helping me! Alright, I'll do it, please, take me with you to the dungeon and I'll watch your back."

He bowed to them, and Lily sighed. "Well… if Master Bell says it's alright and trusts you."

Welf laughed and punched Cian's arm. "Ha, look at that, little bit isn't being the wet blanket for once. Good to have you on board Cian."

Bell smiled at his party then held a hand to me again. "Alright then it's settled, let's get going Cian! Do you have anything you need to do first?"

Cian looked at Bell's hand and shook it again. "Well, I do need to go to the guild. I… don't remember what they needed me to do there, but my captain told me to come go there, and then… find a goddess."

"Huh? A goddess?" Lily asked.

I nodded at them. "Yeah… like I said my memories are spotty right now, but whatever it is we fought I… need to tell the guild about it. And, to see if I can remember what goddess I need to find…"

"And I also don't think it'd be a good idea do go into the dungeon without armor. If we stop back by my shop, I can get you something," Welf said.

My eyes widened. "I… I couldn't ask you to do that. I… I'm kind of broke and have a debt now."

Welf scoffed it off. "Bah don't worry. You can pay me back after you're all settled, I won't be having one of my party members running into the dungeon without armor."

"Wow, thank you, I'll pay you back every valis I swear!" Cian said excitedly.

Bell smiled and stepped next to me. "And to go into the dungeon, you'll need to register with the guild. So, if you need to go there, we can head over now! I'll introduce you to my advisor Ms. Eina!"

Cian smiled and looked at the party he had been lucky enough to join. "I owe you all again, thank you so much. Come on, let's get moving!"

I… don't remember much about what happened, but I know that I still wanna make you proud Chu… Lady Scathach. I'll become an adventurer worthy of having been in your familia!

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Eina Toole tapped the papers on her desk, huh… I wonder where Bell-

"Miss Einaaaaaaa!" The boy in question's voice came to almost make her drop the papers she had.

"Gah!" She jumped, turning to see Bell rushing towards her with that same smile he always had. She had expected him to be alone, he normally came before going to the dungeon, however, it wasn't the case this time.

Bell wore his normal grin, but behind him, she saw another boy with a long red spear about a head taller then him following behind. He was about a bit taller than Bell and had to be around the same age, and despite the smile, Eina had seen enough nervous adventurers coming into the guild during the day to see how worried he was beneath the smile.

He had black hair in a messy inoffensive style with bangs just reaching over his eyes, those eyes being a bright blue color as he looked from the back of Bell's head to the ground walking behind him. Despite seeming to be a novice adventurer he wore very nice-looking light armor, which looked just like Bell's except instead of being silver, it was black with red accents. Bracers, a chest piece and straps down the sides and boots. He seemed like any old high level one or two adventurer… so why did he seem so nervous?

"Ms. Eina! Sorry I was late, I got held up," Bell said breathing heavy as the new mystery adventurer came up behind him.

Eina chuckled. "Aha, it's no problem, Bell," she looked to the new boy who went red under her gaze. "I'm guessing you coming with this young man is why?"

The boy seemed to shrivel up for a moment, getting redder in the face. He looked like he was going to say something, but Bell answered for him.

"Yeah, this is my friend Cian Ms. Eina," Bell said, gesturing to him. "Cian, this is my guild advisor Ms. Eina."

Finally, the boy spoke softly, bowing while holding onto the red spear. "It's very nice to meet you Ms. Eina. My name's Cian Mac Gallagher, I… just arrived here in Orario, I'd be dead if not for Bell and his friends."

Eina was shocked for a minute but seeing how nervous the boy was she smiled. "Well, that certainly sounds on par for you Bell. It's very nice to meet you Cian, I'm guildswoman Eina Tulle. So Bell, what are you and Cian here for today other then your normal check in?"

Bell smiled and nodded, gesturing to Cian. "Well, Cian said that he needed to talk to the guild."

"That's… right," Cian said, sucking in a breath and standing up straight, looking into Eina's eyes. "Ms. Eina, I… I need to report the… the death of my familia."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"I see… this is troubling news," Eina said, a feeling of dread running through her. "Now you're certain Cian that both Goddess Scathach and Goddess Aife were both defeated?"

Eina only sat across from the boy now, the red spear leaned against the couch next to him, while Bell sat looking upset next to him. Eina knew the guild had very little contact with the New Generation of Tuatha Danann out west. She'd met the goddess Scathach on one occasion and knew senior guild members who had met her more times. The warrior goddess would come to give updates on the west and their progress defeating monsters, and to resupply.

Cian slowly nodded. "Yes… they were. I… don't remember how, I don't remember much at all, not even what we fought, what the threat was. All I remember… was Chu giving me the spear and… after that… you know."

"Chu Chulainn, the name of Setanta Mac Ness, one of only three level 7 adventurers in the world at the moment," Eina said slowly, trying to remember the man's imposing figure. "If he was defeated… I'll need to speak more with the other members of the guild, to decide what to do, are the other gods and familias of the New Tuatha Danann still active?"

"Yes, only Goddess Scathach and Goddess Aife were sent. I… I remember how urgently we had to leave for the mountains," Cian said, a dejected look on his face. "I'm sorry I can't remember more than that Ms. Eina… Goddess Scathach and Chu would be disappointed."

Eina felt a piece of her heart shatter, she remembered seeing that dejected look on Bell's face multiple times. She'd seen in on the face of dozens of adventurers coming through the door to see her after tragedies in the dungeon.

However, this boy Cian was different, not just for his circumstances. Yet, his circumstances were very troubling. Still, it was Eina's job, and her passion to help these young people who wanted to be heroes.

She smiled and shook her head. "Getting here on your own from the west with your wounds is very impressive. I'm sure Goddess Scathach and your captain would be very proud of you."

"She's right Cian!" Bell said, smiling as he gripped his friend's shoulder. "You didn't tell me your captain was a level 7, he must have been incredible!"

Cian chuckled despite frowning. "Ha… yeah, he was. He trained me this last year, but well, I still have a lot of work to do."

"I see," Eina said interjecting. "So, is that what you wish to do now Cian? Grow stronger like your old Captain?"

Cian looked up, a more determined look in his eye. "I… I want to recover my memories, I want to get stronger like Chu and Goddess Scathach always wanted! And when I do… I'll go and fight whatever it was that we fought that day."

"Alright!" Bell said excitedly. "Ms. Eina, I was going to have Cian come into the dungeon with me and my party today, is… that allowed?"

Eina wanted to share in Bell's enthusiasm and try to cheer up the new boy in front of her. However, the news of two familias of extremely high-level adventurers being wiped out… it was something that sent a terrifying chill down her chest. It would be best for her to bring this news to the senior guild members soon.

So, she smiled and stood up. "We can make an exception for the next few weeks given your circumstances, but after that you'll need to join up with another familia to have your status updated and level up."

Cian's eyes widened and nodded. "Of course, thank you Ms. Eina. Bell… you told me you were a member of the Hestia familia right?"

Bell smiled and nodded. "Yeah, on our way to the dungeon we can stop and see her, Welf and Lily should be there soon too."

Cian nodded and gripped tighter to the red spear. "Alright… but I would like to know what my stats are now, Ms. Eina, could you read it for me?"

"Of course," Eina said, coming over to the boy as he knelt down and pulled up the back of his shirt.

The falna on his back was in the shape of a raven, and something pinged in Eina's chest… this boy really was a member of one of the most powerful familias in the world. What Goddess Scathach's familia lacked in numbers, they made up for in extreme skill. If Eina remembered correctly, they had Chu Chulainn and level seven and four others at level 5 or 6. Goddess Scathach only accepted the best of the best into her familia. If she was defeated… whatever it was Cian and his familia fought had to be extremely dangerous.

She traced along his back and looked at the numbers. The numbers were easy enough to read, but the skills and magic would only be seen by a new god or goddess.

"Okay… let's see, Bell hand me a quill and paper please," Eina said, holding out her hand until Bell handed her a piece of paper and quill.

She settled the paper on the table and started reading. "Okay now your stats… my god… Cian, your stats are incredibly high! You have an S rank, and even an SS skill, I've only ever read of that before!"

Cian Mac Gallagher

Level: 1

Strength: A 823

Endurance: B 789

Dexterity: S 965

Agility: SS 1067

Magic: A 867

"Woah…" Bell said, his eyes going wide. "Cian you didn't tell me your stats were so high!"

Eina stuttered as well. "I… I've never seen anything like this, Cian, do you have any skills or magic? Something perhaps that boosts skills or growth?!"

Cian stammered, he went red faced again as he stood and pulled his shirt down. Like it was a source of comfort, Eina saw him grab onto the red spear. He couldn't look at either Eina or Bell for a moment, both hands holding onto that spear. Sighing he chewed at his lip and shook his head.

"I… I don't know, all my experience, it really comes from Chu training me," He said, looking at the spear in his hand. "During expeditions, I only ever fought lower leveled monsters, I was more support. As for skills… well I have one, and some magic but nothing that could accelerate growth."

Bell shook his head. "So… you haven't done anything to level up yet?"

Cian nodded. "Yeah, I know you need some great feat to level up but well… I'm not really brave enough for that."

"Don't say that you made it all the way to Orario," Bell said encouragingly, before holding up an excited fist. "And once we get into the dungeon who knows, we'll find a way for you to level up!"

Cian laughed nervously. "Ha… maybe you're right. It's like Chu always said, anything's possible with enough nerve."

Eina took the opportunity to intervene again. "That sounds like a plan. Cian, after you leave I'll put your stats out as a free adventurer, and see if any familias are willing to take you in."

Cian bowed again. "Thank you, Ms. Eina for all your help. But… I wanted to ask something else."

"Yes?" Eina said curiously.

Cian sighed. "I… I can't remember again, but the other thing I was told to do in Orario was find a goddess. Do, you know of anyone who maybe my goddess was close too? I'm trying to figure it out."

Eina was still recovering from the shock of the stats she saw but shook her head. "I'm not sure, Lady Scathach only came occasionally. Perhaps Bell and you can ask Goddess Hestia, she may know better than I do."

"Alright, I'm sure my goddess will help you!" Bell said, looking over to Eina now. "Thanks for all your help, Ms. Eina we really appreciate it."

Cian spun back and bowed at her again. "Yes, thank you so much Ms. Eina. I promise to repay you somehow!"

"Of course, I'll add you to my roster of adventurers. Come and see me whenever you need help or have questions," Eina said, smiling at the two. "The two of you be careful, I'll be sure to give your report to the rest of the guild."

She watched as the two enthusiastic boys smiled and ran out of the guild, undoubtedly excited for the adventurers ahead.

But Eina went weak at the knees and turned to hurry towards the rest of her co-workers. She had played it down to Bell and Cian… but what she heard shook her to the core.

If two familias in the New Tuatha Danann had been defeated… whatever defeated them could wipe out all of Orario.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Hestia leaned against the potato stand, work dragged on far to long for her liking most times. People walked by during the slow hours of the day, and the only thing she wanted to do was head back home and see-.

"Goddess Hestiaaaa!" That same voice she'd just been wishing for yelled.

"Huh? Oh Bell!" She said excitedly, as her child ran towards her with that normal excited look on her face. "Oh, how sweet of you Bell to come and visit me at work!"

Hestia's normally excited mood turned to a curious one, looking over and seeing that behind Bell another boy was running with him. He was cute while not nearly being as cute as Bell of course and held a red spear while running behind him. Hestia looked curiously noticing that he wore armor that looked like Bell's. Had Welf given it to him too? She was suddenly struck with the realization that she'd only seen Bell off an hour or so ago, he should have been in the dungeon now.

"Ha, it's nice to see you goddess, how's work?" Bell said, smiling in front of the stand. "I haven't been into the dungeon yet, I was busy, I ran into Cian here, he's the one we helped last night."

"Oh!" She said, smiling and looking at the boy. "Bell said you were in quite bad shape last night, he came rushing for clothes like a madman."

The boy-Cian-smiled and bowed to her. "Yes, I'd be dead if not for Bell. It's very nice to meet you, Goddess Hestia. My name's Cian Mac Gallagher, I'm… I was a member of the Scathach familia."

Hestia's blood went cold.

"Sc…Scathach?" She asked, her voice trembling. "And… you said was so… so…"

"Hestia, if anything were to ever happen to me my dear friend, please, do me this one favor. I have a child I wish to see survive to reach his destiny more then anything. I will send him too you should anything ever happen to me or Chu… please, look after him if you would."

Not many things made Hestia speechless, so she felt horrible then, when the name of the boy's goddess made her stammer then. Luckily no customers were in line and few people wanted potatoes so early in the morning. Hestia didn't want to believe what she'd just heard, she couldn't believe it, refused to believe it. The very notion wasn't even possible, she'd just seen Scathach a month prior, that had been when she said those words to Hestia.

A horrible thought ran through her mind, did… did Scathach know? Did she guess something would happen to her soon?

She didn't know a single god or goddess as powerful, as amazing a fighter as Scathach. However like Hestia, she had always been a bit of an outcast back in Heaven. Hestia had met her through Brigid and Miach, she had been one of the greatest friends she had. Scathach cared only for the content of a person's character, she had been one of the greatest goddess's Hestia had ever met. She had told Hestia before, that if she didn't live such a harsh, dangerous life with the New Tuatha Danann she would've let Hestia come stay with her when she was at her lowest.

She had shown what it truly meant to be a divine being, but she was an even better friend.

"Y…yes," Cian said, both of his hand tightening around the red spear he held. He looked down, a look of shame plastered over his face. "Lady Scathach… she's gone."

"Setanta?" Hestia asked, blinking her eyes rapidly. "Diarmuid, Finn, Uathach, Fergus?"

Cian's mouth fell open, he couldn't speak. Bell next to him looked at her wide eyed, she'd never told him about Scathach before, she never thought she'd have too.

"Goddess?" Bell asked, mystified. "You knew lady Scathach's familia?! Cian maybe-."

"They're all gone… dead," Cian said, the tears coming now, holding onto the red spear as if I was his only source of safety. "Chu and Lady Scathach their… their last order was for me to come here, come here and find a goddess but…but I can't remember who, my memories are gone. And they said to remember this spears name and I can't even do that! I'm failing both of them… all of my familia, I was always the weakest… holding everyone back the entire year I was with them, and now they're all gone. I can't remember anything… anything at all!

Those eyes… they're like the ones Bell had when I first found him, Hestia thought, looking at the tears falling down the poor boy's face. It wasn't just Bell he looked like either.

No, he reminded Hestia of herself, back up in Heaven so many times, before she had friends like Scathach there for her. Hestia wasn't a fighter, she wasn't a warrior goddess like Scathach was, she couldn't craft weapons like Hephaestus or brew potions like Miach. No, deep downs he knew how limited she was... but that wouldn't stop her, not from helping Bell realize his dream, helping him grow like she knew he could within her heart.

And it wouldn't stop her from helping fulfill the one wish, the one thing her dear friend had ever asked her.

"Cian…" Bell said, putting a hand on the shoulder of the boy wearing his clothes. Like Bell always did, he tried for a reassuring smile. "You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself. If your goddess was anything like mine, I know she has to be proud of you for even getting here! I'll do all I can to help you, you'll get your memories back, join a familia we'll help you, right goddess?"

Oh my sweet Bell… you really are one of a kind, Hestia thought, taking off the potato stand hat and walking around the stall.

Cian held the spear with one hand, wiped his eyes with the other. He looked at Bell, his mouth agape, a distraught look still in his blue eyes.

"B…Bell, I can't ask you to do that," He said, looking down again, at the beautiful red spear he held. "It's my fault for forgetting the name of the spear… I failed that, and I failed in finding whatever goddess it was Chu told me to find. I… I don't-."

"You're wrong Cian," Hestia told him, pushing away her own grief enough to smile with her hands on her hips, as she looked up at the boy. "You know, you even kind of look like Scathach yourself… she was really important to me."

"You knew everyone in my familia…" Cian said through his wet eyes. "How?"

Hestia giggled and cracked a smile. "Well, it's because Scathach would always talk about you all whenever she visited Orario! Yes, I even knew Setanta before he was named Chu Chulainn, before Scathach and he first set out to join the Tuatha Danann!"

"Wow Goddess!" Bell said, absolutely amazed with his wide-eyed innocence. "I had no idea you knew the goddess from such a powerful familia! Cian said his captain was level seven!"

"He was!" Hestia said, trying to raise the mood, winking over at Cian. "Oh, but I remember when Setanta was just a little lad, no older then you Cian! He was certainly getting up there in age when I saw him last month!"

"You saw him last month?! Did you see him and Goddess Scathach when they came to Orario?" Cian asked, his cheek still red from crying, but Hestia smiled seeing that he didn't seem as distraught.

He seemed like an incredibly intelligent, and kind young boy, like Bell, and exactly like Hestia remembered Setanta being before he left with Scathach all those years ago.

Hestia smiled at him, nodding and holding out her hand. "I did… and the last thing she asked me… was that if anything happened to her, I would look after the child she sent me here in Orario. You see… you didn't fail. I was the goddess Scathach sent you to find, and I'm sure she'd be very proud of you, same with Setanta as well. It's nice to meet you Cian Mac Gallagher."

And very few times in her life, had Hestia been so happy to see someone cry. Because Cian didn't cry tears of sadness then. As he fell to one knee, still holding the red spear, he laughed, and cried… but he was smiling, unable to not look at Hestia.

Bell, like Bell always did, smiled. "Cian this is great! Who would've guessed it was my goddess you needed to find, maybe it was fate I ran into you when I did!"

"I believe it was Bell," Hestia said, smiling down at Cian.

Cian wiped his tears one more time, and still on his knee, reached out and grabbed Hestia's hand. "I… I think maybe it was, thank you, Bell, and you Goddess Hestia."

"You don't need to thank us Cian," Hestia said, smiling and helping the boy to his feet, trying to exhume her usual confidence as he stood. "Now! Why don't the three of us go have a little chat before sending you off to the dungeon!"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Um, Goddess? Aren't you well… supposed to be working a shift now?" Bell asked his goddess hesitantly.

Hestia smirked and turned at him with a wink. "Oh Bell, you silly adorable boy. I may be an employee, but I am also a goddess you know. When something important like this comes up, they'll let me take a few minutes to settle it."

Cian couldn't describe the feeling in his chest then. He leaned the red spear against the building in the alleyway Goddess Hestia had taken them down. He actually had done it. He was fully aware of course it was mostly dumb luck, pure luck he'd run into the goddess he was supposed to be looking for in Orario. However, he liked to think back to something Diarmuid always said.

"You see Cian, sometimes you just gotta accept what life gives you! Who cares if you get something done a stupid or lucky way, just be glad it's done!"

Diarmuid had been a bit more of a free spirit then the others, along with Finn the two were Lady Scathach's most experienced adventurers outside of Chu. However, his words rang true. All Cian had to focus on was the fact he found the goddess he was supposed to find. And if Goddess Hestia continued being so helpful, and was as kind as Bell said, he knew he was in good hands. If Goddess Scathach trusted her, Cian trusted her, and Bell in turn.

It was a bit odd however, her calling Chu Setanta. Goddess Scathach was the only one who ever called Chu by his real name, instead of the one he was give by the council of the new Tuatha Danann.

But that's one thing down… now I just need the rest of my memory to come back, he thought, as Hestia smiled and plopped herself down on an old crate, sitting in front of Bell and Cian.

Cian had found the goddess he needed to, now he just needed to remember the spears name, and the magic chant to activate it. After that, he needed to remember what it was that his familia were fighting, or who. For that, he had to trust that Eina at the guild would figure something out.

For now, he had debt to pay off, and he wouldn't be able to do much else unless he got significantly stronger.

'Power resides where men believe it resides Cian. Everyone has in them the inherent ability to be a great hero, to be powerful. It's just a matter of how determined they are to bring it out of them, if their belief is strong enough.'

Those were the words Goddess Scathach always spoke to her, when Cian worried about growing stronger. He had to take that to heart now, it was the only chance he had.

And one day… he'd find whatever or whoever it was that destroyed his familia, and he'd stop that same fate from befalling anyone else.

"Okay Cian!" Hestia said, holding out her finger and smiling at him, "Before I let you off into the dungeon with my precious Bell, why don't you tell me everything you do remember leading up to… the incident?"

Cian looked at Bell who smiled reassuringly and nodded. Somehow, it gave Cian the confidence he needed. Letting out a shaky sigh he crossed his arms, the armor Welf had given him perfectly built for how he liked to move and fight. The black and red trim was also not to flashy, and ironically enough matched Cian's spear.

"Well, one day Goddess's Scathach and Aife received orders from the Tuatha Danann council," Cian said, recounting all he could remember. "Another member's familia had been attacked near Mt. Wicklow. So, they sent our two familias to the area to investigate."

Hestia snorted. "BAH, Aife and Scathach worked together? I know they're sisters, but they can barely stand each other. They bicker every time they're together."

"Not this time…" Cian said, remembering how off he odd he his familia found it as well. "They normally did argue a lot yeah, but this time… they didn't have any problems. Whatever it was we were going to fight, I could tell it was serious. I'd never seen Goddess Scathach so serious."

Hestia paled for a minute. "If it's enough to make those two-play nice… and you had no idea what it was you were walking into before you entered the mountain?"

Cian shook his head again. "No… all they said was they heard rumors from the council about what it could be, but they weren't confirmed. Other then Chu and Lady Aife's captain, I don't think any of us were told what they thought it was."

"I see… and after that?" Hestia asked again.

Cian looked down ashamed. "And… that's it. I remember fighting a few normal monsters at first but… after that it's blank. I remember small bits, massive fights, giant shadows, fire… fire everywhere," Cian said, grabbing at his chest, his burn aching. "I remember… Chu transferring the spears power to me. I'd hit my head so I was really out of it. He said, to find a goddess in Orario, and remember my spear. Also, to tell the guild what happened."

"I already took him to see Ms. Eina Goddess," Bell told the tiny goddess.

Hestia seemed to exude a rather eccentric confidence, which Cian thought probably went well with Bell. She calmly stood up off the crate and nodded, seeming to understand.

"It's good that they know…" She said, pacing for a moment, holding her chin, before stopping in front of Cian with a small smile up at him. "Cian, you should know, when I saw Scathach a month ago, she told me about you."

His eyes widened. "She… she did?!"

Chu and Lady Scathach made a monthly trip to Orario. They'd bring back presents, supplies, new weapons and other things, most important was news about the goings on in the largest city there was. Cian would have been lying if he said he hadn't always wanted to see Babel Tower and the dungeon. Fergus had apparently been down in the dungeon before, and described monsters falling from the walls, and millions of valis to be made.

But… Lady Scathach had mentioned him? It made no sense.

Hestia nodded. "It's… odd she didn't give me your name! Still, I never thought anything would come of it. I never imagined Scathach would…. No, we have to worry about what's happening now. Cian, tell me, what is it you want to do now?"

"N…now?" Cian said hesitantly.

Hestia nodded, hands on her hips as she looked at him. "Yes, you see as far as I see it you're stuck in a way. Until your memories come back, and we learn more, there's not much too do."

Cian chewed at his lip, at least she's honest… well, I did make a promise.

Cian sighed and looked at Bell. "Well… I promised Bell as thanks for helping me I'd go into the dungeon with him to watch his and his parties back! Also well… I owe Mama Mia, so I'll need to make money to pay her back somehow," He said, before shakily sighing and looking down at his hands.

Fergus, Uathach, Finn, Diarmuid… Chu… Goddess Scathach, I'll repay all the trust you put in me, I'll be as strong as you all knew I could be, that I know I can be!

Cian let out a deep breath, and his eyes shot to the goddess. "Goddess Hestia… I want to grow stronger! A lot stronger! As strong as Chu was, even stronger then that! I want to be as strong as Lady Scathach knew I could be, I want to prove to myself I was worthy to be in her familia! And then one day… I'll stop whatever it was we fought that day. Please, Goddess Hestia, Bell… I'll do anything to make that happen, and as thanks for saving my life, I'll do anything for you as well!"

He pounded his fist to his chest and bowed, just like his familia had always done to Lady Scathach before a battle, after she'd told them how they would win. She always had the utmost confidence in them. She could be cold at times, Goddess Scathach… but Cian had seen her as more then a goddess, more then the mother he never had.

She had been his savior, Chu had been his savior, and he'd do anything to make them proud, to live the life that they had given to him.

He'd be the hero they knew he could be.

"You'll see, one day Cian. One day, you will be one of the greatest of the Tuatha Danann, the world has ever seen. I know you will reach that one day."

She'd said that to him, only a day before they left for the mountain, when he couldn't sleep and had taken to looking out over the lake they always camped near. His head had ended up in his goddess's lap, and that was how he'd fallen asleep. He had been so bogged down by his own feelings of uselessness and weakness… but his goddess had always been there, Chu, his familia had always been there.

He felt a soft hand on his shoulder, and then a soft voice. "Cian… please stand."

Cian looked back up, to see Hestia's blue eyes smiling at him, Bell doing the same next to her. The small goddess bowed her head and shook it. "Cian… I don't know why Scathach suddenly asked me to look after you. I don't know if she knew something would happen…"

Hestia turned and sucked in a breath. "I'm not a warrior goddess… I don't have any money to spare, or a large familia. Bell is too sweet to say it, but I'm a pretty pathetic goddess overall."

Bell stepped forward right away. "Don't say that Goddess! I wouldn't want to be with anyone else but you, you're the only one who took me in! You're my hero!"

Hestia turned with a smile. "You're sweet Bell… it makes me so happy to hear you say that," she looked at Cian now. "But Cian, what I said is mostly true. I don't know how much help I could be to you."

Cian wanted to protest, saying just having the calming presence of someone who knew Lady Scathach was enough. However, Hestia didn't give him a chance.

She balled her hands into fists and let out a breath, her eyes narrowing at Cian. "But… but I will not fail Scathach. She was one of my closest friends, she did so much for me, and I want to do this for her now," she said, looking to Bell. "Bell, this may come as a shock, I'm sorry."

Bell tilted his head. "Huh? What do you mean Goddess?"

Cian's heart shot up in his chest, as Hestia turned and held out her hand.

She smiled and met his eyes. "Cian… will you join my familia?"

"What?!" Cian spat out, so blown away he couldn't say anything else. His eyes shot first to Bell, who looked a mixture of excited and shocked. "B…Bell, I couldn't do that! You were telling me how much you loved it being just you and your goddess!"

"Oh Bell you really said that!" Hestia said, a bit more flirtatious then Cian expected.

Bell laughed, but smiled as his face went red. "Ha… I did, but Cian," he said, meeting his eyes, "what you said just now…. Wanting to be stronger, wanting to honor your goddess, the one who took you in. Hearing all of that well… I really do think we were meant to meet like this, because that's exactly what I want too!"

"You… you mean it?" Cian said, still unsure, the last thing he wanted to do was weigh down another familia.

Bell nodded, looking more determined now, and held out his own hand. "Yeah… and if Goddess Hestia trusts you, then I do too! You… reminded me of myself. Cian, let's get stronger together!"

Cian looked down at the now two outstretched hands and felt his heart pound.

It was so similar to the two hands he saw outstretched to him just over a year ago.

"Join up with us and it won't be easy… but I like you kid. I think you got what it takes, what do you say, wanna come reach your full potential?"

"I believe that you will do great things Cian Mac Gallagher, and a goddess is normally never wrong you know."

Chu… Lady Scathach… this is for you.

He didn't like the idea of losing the raven on his back… but it was how he would achieve his goal

I won't be dead weight for another familia… I won't let this one down, I'll grow strong, not just for Lady Scathach, Chu and the others, he met the eyes of Hestia and Bell Cranel, but now… for you goddess Hestia, and you Bell.

"Okay…" he said, grabbing Bell's hand, and managing to smile himself. "I won't let you down, either of you. Goddess Hestia… please, let me join your familia!"

Hestia smirked and snickered taking hold of Cian's hand. "Alright! Between you Cian and my precious Bell, we're going to take the Hestia Familia right to the top!"

Cian smiled at her enthusiasm… and found himself believing her.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"See Bell! I told you they'd listen to a goddess," Hestia winked, before taking up her spot right behind Cian, who knelt with his shirt up.

Bell chuckled. "Ha… well I guess you were right Goddess. Ms. Eina said Cian's stats were super high! He even has an SS skill!"

"It… really isn't that much," Cian said, not turning around, clearly nervous.

Hestia couldn't blame him. She looked down at Scathach's raven falna and felt guilty getting rid of it… but knew it was for the best now.

"Okay Cian, before I do it, did you have any skills at your last status update? Any magic? Scathach had a knack for it back in Heaven," She told the young boy, getting ready to prick her finger.

Cian shook his head. "Lady Scathach said I only have one skill. I have some magic… but that's really it."

"Oh, stop doubting yourself so much silly boy!" Hestia chastised him, activating the spell, letting a drop of her blood fall onto Cian's back. "Scathach only took the best of the best. You have to be good if you even got into her familia."

"That's what she said…" The boy spoke, as the bright light of the transfer took over his back. It spread, and Cian shook his head again. "But I never really fought at the front. I took on extra monsters, and really just got knocked around by Chu training most of the time."

Hestia tilted her head, that's odd, Scathach usually throws new recruits right into the action… I wonder what was different here.

"Okay… the transfer is done," Hestia said, as the sight of her scared flame, the same falna on Bell's back took its place on Cian's. She felt the boy tense up as she drug blood down his spine.

Bell did his best to encourage him. "It's official now Cian! Ha, welcome to the Hestia familia!"

"Thanks…" Cian said, and Hestia could see him smile, before his stats started appearing in the air, the afternoon sun beating down on their back. "I… hope I'm worthy of it."

He's upset about losing the raven, Hestia thought, as she red his stats, which were just as high as Bell described. She'd be shocked, if she hadn't seen similarly high stats on Bell before he grew to level two. He's grown… probably from his trip here, almost S across the board except for endurance which is an A… and strength which is almost S. He really is good at magic… hold on, what? That… that….

Hestia saw a second skill written at the bottom. She doubted he suddenly got one on his trip to Orario but… how did he not know? Had Scathach not told him?

Bell and Cian continued to talk, as she pushed the paper over it, but kept her finger off the skill, she'd read it in a bit, like she did when Bell's had first shown up. If Scathach hadn't told Cian about his second skill, she knew she'd have a reason.

"Today in the dungeon, I'll show you all the tricks!" Bell said, seemingly more and more excited at the idea of another familia member already. "How to collect magic stones, which monsters are good o gather from, how to exchange them! Welf will keep our armor and weapons good, and Lillie is the best supporter you can ask for!"

"Ha… I actually think it'll be a good time," Cian said, as he pulled down his shirt and went to put his armor back on. "I… I'm pretty good with a spear, and a sword if I need."

"And you said you can do magic too!" Bell said. "I can't wait to see the kind of magic you can do!"

Cian seemed sheepish. Hestia was starting to realize that about the bow. As opposed to Bell, he was a bit more reserved and nervous. She liked to think they would be a good pair. It may have been a bit childish, but she always dreamed of when she had a familia of her own, intermingling them with Scathach's, introducing them, so she could see her old friend again.

That wouldn't be the case now… but I will look after him for you Scathach, I promise you.

"Okay all done!" Hestia said, holding the paper out for Cian. "Welcome the Hestia Familia Cian! I'm… sorry but I don't exactly have room for you to sleep," an idea popped into her head. She turned to Bell. "Unless! You of course Bell my dear want to share the bed with me, while Cian gets the couch-."

"Oh, that's okay Lady Hestia," Cian said, smiling politely. "Mama Mia's given me a room at the Hostess of Fertility. She said if I'm working there or in the dungeon, I can stay until I pay off my debt to her!"

Dammit…Hestia thought, as Bell and Cian both looked at his status.

"Woah Cian! All your skills except two are S now!" Bell said looking down the page. "And the magic! You know a lot don't you? Is that 'Lightning Spear?!'"

Cian chuckled, looking embarrassed. "Yeah, it's a quick spell. All I have to do is say Lightning Spear and I can throw it that way! I have that, and the runes Lady Scathach and Uathach taught me!"

Hestia smiled, he seems a bit more excited.

Bell was practically jumping up and down. "Oh man, we'll be able to go so far now! We'll make tons of valis!"

"Then you better get going!" Hestia said, shooting them a thumbs up. "After you guys return, let's all of us have a big dinner at Mama Mia's to celebrate!"

"Oh, you don't have to celebrate for me!" Cian protested. "I'm not important enough to spend money like that-."

"Nonsense!" Hestia cut him off, smiling over at Bell. "What do you think Bell?"

"I think that's a great idea!" Bell said, turning and rushing over to the red spear. He picked it up and handed it over to Cian. "Let's get moving, Welf and Lillie are probably waiting!"

"O…okay!" Cian said.

Bell started rushing down the alley, waving at Hestia as he did. "I'll see you later Goddess! Come on Cian!"

"C…coming!" Cian said, bowing to Hestia again and handing her back the paper with his status on it. "I won't let you down Lady Hestia, I promise you I'll reward your faith in me."

Hestia smiled, taking the paper. "I know you will Cian. Now go! I'll see you later!"

The black-haired, blue-eyed boy smiled, a real genuine smile, before taking up his red spear and rushing off after Bell.

Hestia waited until they were both gone, before looking down at the paper, and making out the smudges she'd purposely put there. A cold chill ran up her spine… it said exactly what she had feared it said.

It all made sense now, everything Scathach did made complete sense. Why she hadn't mentioned Cian's name, why she came to her of all people. Hestia had told Scathach the last time she saw her about Bell's special skill. Realis Fraise: accelerated growth.

Cian's stats were too high, way higher then they should have been for any level 1 adventurer to achieve in only one year, even if they trained with the legendary Chu Chulainn.

"Oh Scathach… I'm sorry," She said, finally letting tears fall onto the paper, as she remembered one of her best friends. "What happened? What was it that could possibly beat you? No… it doesn't matter, I'll look after him for you… I promise."

More tears came now, as Hestia read the new member of her familia's status over and over again.

Cian Mac Gallagher

Level: 1

Strength: A 823 A 895

Endurance: B 789 A 853

Dexterity: S 965 S 997

Agility: SS 1067 SS 1098

Magic: A 867 S 945

Magic: Lighting Spear, Rune Tracking, Elemental Rune Weapons

Skills: Lighting Rod, agility is doubled when in contact with lighting.

Child of Light, accelerated growth of skills, for them to reach their great destiny.

Hestia read the skill over and over again. It was the same as Bell's, the same accelerated growth. And just like Bell, if other gods or goddesses knew of such a skill… it could lead to them coming after the boy.

Still, despite it all Hestia smiled, and looked at where the two had run off.

"So… the Argonaut, and the Child of Light," She said, letting out the breath she'd been holding. "What does all this mean… Scathach, what is happening out west?"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Connla's spear tapped against the ground as he moved across the hill. Their base had been ransacked by the few of those filthy creatures that had gotten out of the seal, and with each passing day, he was growing more and more agitated with having to clean up the mess. His Goddess's tent stood at the top of the hill, which was now full of blackened grass and dead animal carcasses they'd brought up for the creatures. The toad had been the worst, slurping up everything they brought, not to mention the horrible smell.

But it'll be worth it… I'll find that spear old man, I will have it, he seethed as he entered the tent. As he expected, everyone was there. His familia wasn't large, it was the reason they had to slink around in the dark before finally taking action against the old judgmental fools of the Tuatha Danann.

No longer, they wouldn't have to hide and crawl in the shadows anymore. He didn't have to hide his skills, now he would be able to show why that spear belonged to him.

I'll show you old man, you and that ridiculous goddess, Connla thought, groaning at the beasts around their camp. They were deformed massive creatures, and Connla had no idea how they'd managed to slip through the cracks in the mountains seal. They were mixes between a cyclops and disgusting ogres, some were other deformed animal shapes, one laughed around a massive bonfire. Roasting on a spit were severed human limbs, they drank out of the skulls of their own dead, that Aife and Scathach's familia had managed to kill. A twisted ritual, but Connla wouldn't complain.

So long as they helped him get the spear, he didn't care what they did.

He threw open the flap of the tent and gagged right away at the smell.

"Oh, Connla, you're late," The soothing voice said, and Connla could only spit.

"You're late captain!" Mebd said, rushing up to him, holding a tray in front of him, she looked up at him with wide excited eyes. "A drink?!"

"No," Connla spat at her. "How many times did I tell you, you aren't a servant. You're a member of this familia, you shouldn't be serving anyone."

Mebd had been with them the shortest amount of time. Connla had been against bringing her in two years ago, Even going on two years now she still didn't have the stomach for what needed to be done, he could tell. It had been the case then and was now. She was a smaller girl, only seventeen, with blood red hair, and sparkly green eyes that didn't belong anywhere near what the type of life their familia lived. No, she belonged in Orario, but for some reason had insisted to be with them.

Besides, she was only a level 2, a high level 2, but still only level two. She also had followed Connla around like a stray dog since he'd saved her, before she joined them. Something like that made her weak, connections like that made you weak, Connla had learned that long ago.

"I… I'm sorry captain," She said, falling back to the corner of the room, setting the drink back down on the table.

Across from her, Leanan clicked her tongue and patted stood. The seductress walked behind her and stroked Mebd's hair. "Oh, you are always no fun Connla! Why are you always so mean to little Mebd? She's just trying to show her appreciation!"

"I'm not mean, I'm realistic," He spat, gripping his spear tighter.

Leanan tossed her long, curly brown hair behind her. "Do you always have to be such a stick in the mud?"

"With what's come into our camp, I think I have good reason."

"True," She said, walking behind him, reaching up to trail her fingers along his shoulder, her mouth next to his head. "Feel free to take me next time you take a trip like you just did."

Ugh… damn Amazon, Connla thought. She winked as she walked back to the discouraged Mebd. It may seem like she was a sweet thing, but Connla knew better, had for years. Get a knife in her hands, and she'd move like no woman you ever saw, yes, at Level 4, Leanan was the perfect assassin, much more useful then Mebd would be.

Connla also wouldn't feel as bad for her kicking the bucket, as opposed to Mebd, who didn't belong there in the first place.

He ran his hands through his now wet and messy flaming red hair. The last thing he needed now was to get bogged down in this meeting. He wanted to get to bed, before getting ready for the next phases of their plan. He knew exactly what it should be, but they had to move carefully.

Connla knew exactly where the old man had sent the brat with the spear. He wanted to go to Orario himself, but they needed to stick to the plan outlined by the goddess. She hadn't steered Connla wrong yet. He knew she would eventually, eventually she'd try to kill him, trick him. The old man had been right in a way, but the difference was Connla was prepared for the betrayal.

The raven-haired goddess sat laying in her bed in the back of the tent. Incense burned, and Connla groaned as he walked towards her.

"More grapes goddess?!" Sluagh said knelt next to her, a bowl of fruit in one hand, her wine in the other.

The goddess only nodded and opened her mouth. Like the trained dog he was, Sluagh gently dropped grapes into their goddess's mouth.

All of them all had their own reason for following the witch of retribution, the goddess of magic and death. Connla wanted the spear, Leanan wanted the power to bewitch men and rule over all the amazons one day, Mebd wanted to repay her debt to Connla, the twins sought immortality, and Dullahan was there because he was the only person that world Connla trusted completely.

Sluagh on the other hand, only seemed to desire serving the goddess. He was strong yes, a high level 3. He was a tall and muscular, pale and blue eyes with brown hair, able to wield a spear like few others Connla had scene. And he was completely subservient to the witches will.

"Don't you have any shame man," Connla spat, crossing his arms as he looked at the scene, Medb and Leanan coming up next to him.

Sluagh stood, setting the fruit down and glaring at Connla. "I am only doing as our goddess commands!"

Leanan scoffed. "If she told you to suck Connla off would you?"

Sluagh glared at Connla. "If it was what my lady-."

"Finish that sentence I'll cut your balls of you dog," Connla said.

"Show the Captain some respect!" Mebd said, only to be quiet when Connla looked at her.

Sluagh stood shirtless, with his hands behind his back, turning up his nose. "I take orders from no one except my great lady! You should all be on your knees-."

"That is quite alright Sluagh, you know I adore your devotion," The witch said, sitting up cross legged in nothing but her black silk robe, crossing her legs she grabbed the cup of wine on the table next to her and down what was left, before handing it to her dog.

For all Scathach's faults, at least she didn't act like this, Connla couldn't help but think.

Their goddess's bright red eyes contrasted her raven black hair. Her long-toned legs would have made any man swoon, especially as she were now, in nothing but a revealing black robe, along with her natural powers of seduction and magic, along with her natural beauty she was deadly. She was tall, powerful, imposing and only played by a single set of rules. It was the reason Connla was there, had been there for so long, their interests aligned, that was all.

Still, some like Sluagh-who joined them in front of her and knelt to one knee- couldn't resist the charms of the witch of retribution.

"My life will always me yours my lady!" Sluagh stated. "Your words do me-."

"Ugh, can we get on with it?!" Leanan complained. "I'm not getting any younger."

"She's right," Connla said, eyeing the goddess. "Where's Dullahan, and the twins?"

The goddess shifted in her bed, smirking at him. "Oh Connla, why the sour face my captain? Are our new guests not to your liking?"

"You call those beasts guests?" Connla said.

"Connla may be a sour puss," Leanan complained, her hands behind her head, her massive chest bouncing purposefully, "but he is right. I can't stand these creatures, we spent months planning, nearly died in the ambush for them?"

"They're right," Mebd said, a rare moment of confidence from her. "We're barely able to keep feeding them! They're horrid, I'd never even heard of Fomroians before."

Oh Mebd… you brave fool, Connla thought, glaring at the witch again.

Still, their goddess only smiled. "I believe you should all be a tad bit more grateful. Particularly you Connla. You would never have defeated Chu Chulainn-even without his spear- if not for these 'beasts' as you call them."

Connla's fingernails dug into his palms. Next to him Mebd looked like she was going to try and touch his arm, but Connla stepped away, towards the witch.

"He's dead, that's all that matters for now," He said, seething as he spoke. "You didn't answer my question."

The goddess clicked her tongue. "No fun are we Connla? Very well, Dullahan is out in the camps, someone of his stature is well suited to keeping our guests under control."

"Can't their leader do that?!" Mebd asked.

The witch looked at Mebd like she was addressing the child. "Mebd dear we've explained this. Balor cannot be released until the blood of Lugh is in our hands. Along with the other two sacred weapons. The twins are returning from their mission, we can begin the next phase of our plans now."

"We know that we could have days ago," Leanan complained. "I don't understand, let's just go to Orario and drag that brat back here, it's simple really."

"It really isn't, Leanan dear," The goddess said, leaning forward and pointing at the four of them. "As you know, our guests are quite rowdy. We need to keep some people here to keep them under control. Also, there's the other Tuatha Danann familias. We must be ready for a counterattack. Conquest takes time."

"Yes, so let me go and drag the boy back as Leanan said," Connla spat, his impatience growing. After he had the spear, he didn't care what happened next.

The witch tisked at him. "Oh so hasty as always Connla. You know that in that boys hands, if he unlocks the true power of that spear, and the power inside him, he'll be very dangerous."

"I defeated Chu Chulainn," Connla spat out again, stepping forward. "I'm not scared of a child."

"Better safe then sorry," The goddess said, waving her hand. "The bottom line is this, I need you here Connla. The twins… they have found it, the next key to our plan, you'll need to set out soon to retrieve the blade."

Connla's eyes widened, his heart rate quickening.

"Caladbolg…." Connla said, not wanting to believe it. "The twins really found its location?"

Caladbolg, along with the spear, it was one of the two sacred weapons of the Tuatha Danann, one of the three things they needed to break the seal. Not to mention what a powerful weapon it was, a sword with powerful magic inside it, like the spear. The spear was all Connla desired, but the sword could help him get that.

He had trained with both.

"Yes… they have, I promised you didn't I?" She said in that honeyed voice. She leaned her legs over the side of her bed and looked at all of us. Smiling she pointed at us individually. "Connla, when the twins return, you will go with Dullahan and retrieve the sword," she looked to Sluagh and Leanan. "Meanwhile, Sluagh you will assist me in keeping our guests calm, while Leanan, you will ride out and visit a series of locations and scout out the remaining Tuatha Danann, without Scathach and Aife, they will be very weakened."

Leanan rolled her eyes. "Couldn't we just use one of our old contacts in Evilus to do such a mundane task? What did we even fight with them for if not to use them."

"Evilus was a means to an end, this end, my children," The goddess said, waving her hand again. "I hear they're still skulking in Orario, we have no need of them anymore. Soon all of you will have what you desire and more."

"Um… My Lady," Mebd said bowing as she spoke. "What do we do about the boy? Cian Mac Gallagher, you say he's the Child of Light? Are we certain? Captain?"

Connla looked to see Mebd looking at him and nodded. "He is. Scathach and that old man wouldn't have bothered if he wasn't. Mebd's right," he looked at the witch. "Do you plan to just let him run free, growing stronger? It's already been a week since he escaped."

The goddess smirked and looked to Mebd. "Of course, I have a plan. Mebd dear, you will travel to just outside Orario. There, Cian Mac Gallagher will travel to you, you will kill or capture him."

"WHAT?!" Leanan and Connla said at the same time.

Mebd was too shocked to speak. Her red hair falling past her face as she looked at the ground, seeming to be wondering what she just heard.

Connla's heart raced as he glared at the witch. "Are you insane?! You want her to go by herself?!"

"You dare question our lady?!" Sluagh screeched, stepping in front of Connla. "You should be on your knees thanking-."

A loud crash sounded, when Connla grabbed him and threw him into a nearby table. Connla's bright red hair stood straight up, he could feel his blue eyes practically on fire as he glared at the goddess.

"Orario has the strongest adventurers in the world you crazy hag!" He yelled, inches from the goddess's face. "How do you even know the kid will find her?! You think he'll just show up?"

"That is exactly what I think, I will make it so," She said, unfazed by his closeness. She even laughed, gently stroking his cheek. "Oh Connla, I knew you were fond of sweet Mebd deep down-."

"Don't touch me," Connla said, smacking her hand away. "You'll get her killed."

"She will not be, as you said, the boy is a level 1, Mebd hear is near level 3," She said, as they both looked at the girl who still hadn't looked up. The goddess continued. "Besides, she will not be alone. One of our guests, Mog will be traveling with her. They will raid the outskirts of Orario, and the boy will come, Orario will issue a quest, I shall send young Cian visions to persuade him. See Connla? She will have protection, and she will kill the boy."

"It doesn't matter you crazy witch!" Leanan shouted from behind Connla. "She's still a-."

"I won't need protection!" Mebd's voice cut her off. Everyone spun around to see the girl had stood up, and pounded her fist against her chest, her eyes full of fire. "I'll accomplish this mission goddess! I'll kill Cian Mac Gallagher, and earn yours, the captains, and everyone's respect!"

"Shut your mouth, idiot girl," Connla hissed, walking over to her. "Do you have any idea what those creatures-."

"Splendid Mebd!" The witch said, cutting him off. "Come, let us update your status before you set out. As for your protection, I must insist on it. Fear not, Mog is one of the well-behaved ones!"

"Of course Goddess!" Mebd said, stepping forward, and looking at Connla as she passed him. "Don't worry Captain, I'll be fine! I'll make you proud I promise!"

Connla's fist shook. Leanan met his eyes. They didn't get along, but one thing they both did was make sure the girl didn't do anything stupid. Connla knew Mebd was extremely skilled, but she didn't have any idea what could await her in Orario. Even with one of those beasts with her.

"Do you… have any objections, Connla?" The witch said with that infuriating honey sweet voice.

Connla spun, seeing all of them looking at him. That infuriated him, he hated the eyes on him. He saw Mebd next to the witch, trying to fake a confident look.

Idiot girl… he thought, before meeting the goddess's eyes.

"No… none, Goddess Morrigan."

With that he exited the tent to a loud crackle of thunder. The monsters, these Fomorians still laughed and drank over massive fires. It repulsed Connla, but he'd do it, he'd do it until his thirst for vengeance was satisfied.

"Connla," Dullahan's calm voice said.

Connla turned, and the massive Level 5 warrior lumbered towards him. He towered over Connla, with arms as thick as boulders, nothing but a bushy read beard on his pale head. His massive axe was in his left hand, and while he scared most, Connla knew unless provoked, he was harmless.

The only person he trusted fully.

"Dullahan," He said, walking past him and gesturing to follow. "Come on, we got work to do."

A/N: WELCOME, to my first every DanMachi or Is It Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Fanfiction! Now, I am an absolute freak about DanMachi for real I love every single episode of this show. I never expected to love a show with such a title, and as a veteran writer of fanfiction since I was young, I decided to pen this story. The Argonaut and The Child of Light!

Now, if any of you are history buffs, you'll see the major inspiration I have in this story is Celtic Mythology! From the Tuatha Danann, to Chu Chulainn and Scathach, Morrigan, Formorians, a 'red spear'. *If anyone watched the Fate series ya'll probably know what the spear is*

Now I KNOW, there's differing accounts on if Scathach was a goddess or not, but for the sake of this story, I'm going with the fact she was. For those who don't know Celtic Mythology, Scathach was Chu Chulainn's (The greatest hero in Celtic Mythological history) teacher and mentor, who gifted him the 'red spear' which would become his greatest weapon.

NOW, as for our OC, young Cian Mac Gallagher, he is going to be the main character alongside our beloved Bell-kun. After joining the Hestia familia, Cian is going to have his own story one of my creation with the Morrigan Familia. The plot and scheming of the Morrigan Familia, will take place alongside the normal plot of DanMachi and I am VERY excited to do so.

SO, let's talk about pairings for this story, which is really what I'm sure brings most people here xD Now, as for Bell I'm honestly not sure, im waiting to catch up on the LNs to decide, but for Cian… I can't really decide.

It's either going to be Cian x Ryuu, OR Cian x Mikoto. Cian and Ryuu seem like the obvious choice, but I just feel like she gets sooooo much love already. It comes from me too, I LOVE Ryuu like seriously… but Mikoto is just someone I feel doesn't get nearly enough love. She's a sexy samurai waifu with a badass design, who's honorable, goofy, kind and dedicated, I LOVE her. I'm leaning towards her, but tell me what you all think, just don't be mad if I choose the opposite xD

As for the timeline, this chapter takes place right before the last four or so episodes of S1 of DanMachi, before Bell, Lillie and Welf are Pass Paraded and have to get to floor 18. We're gonna have two chapters more developing Cian and everyone taking place over a few weeks, before we get back to the main timeline of DanMachi!

Okay now THAT should be it! I hope you all enjoy, please let me know if you enjoyed and leave a review if you can : )