I seriously don't own Danmachi, but i wish i did ngl.
Chapter introduces Nathan to everyone else woooo and also his backstory,
Talk to at the bottom of teh chapter. SUUIIIIIII
The eve of the battle has finally arrived. The noise emanating from Orario dwarfs what was heard during Monsterphilia only 2 months prior. The dungeon is overcrowded with adventurers as none of them wish to be down there the following day, only an idiot would miss the upcoming wargame, as some of them put it. The pubs that lined the streets were dealing with reservations throughout the day with people trying to book a table at their favourite place to drink. Others were busy setting out signs illustrating the wargame, most putting up signs of the Apollo symbol of a bow and arrow against the logo of the Hestia Familia, a white rabbit.
The gods were the loudest and busiest of the bunch though. Scrambling about, making sure everyone and their grandma knew of what was happening tomorrow. The excitement and suspense that was emanating of the deities would be very catchy, if it weren't so fanatical, distorted, and creepy. Not their fault that they haven't had any solid entertainment in a while.
The one thing the gods provided that was welcomed by all though was their divine mirrors that they had set up literally everywhere. You couldn't walk into a place without seeing at least three and the one provided just outside the guild and the Tower of babel were massive, not a spot of detail would be missed in this battle.
However, because the wargame hadn't officially started yet, the only scenes being portrayed were the Apollo Familia setting up and fortifying the Castle that had been picked as the stage for the battle. But people noticed and questioned that only the Defending side was being shown, leaving many to speculate what was being done on the other side.
"Let's go over the plan once more, ok" A young female voice exclaimed.
A unanimous nod was shared with the rest of the group gathered around a small campsite, about five miles away from the Castle that they would soon be attacking.
The person speaking was a Prum girl, with frilly, thick brown hair. Surprisingly, she was wearing the uniform of their enemy but that meant she had succeeded in the first main part of the operation.
"Lili will wait in the Castle in an open space ready to give orders to the Apollo Familia"
"Are sure you will be ok Lili" A young boy with recognisable white hair and red eyes asked nervously.
"Lili will be fine Master Bell, don't you worry. Lili is a specialist in trickery"
"Yeah, I thought you knew from first-hand experienced Bell" A tall red-haired man joked with a grin.
"Lili apologises again for that as well, Master Bell" Lili quickly states will looking down.
"We've been over this Lili, don't worry about it anymore" Bell frantically replies, trying to not let his supporter feel down again about their past.
"Thank you, anyway Master Welf are those magic swords ready" Lili asks, directing her question to the Red-headed man.
"Yeah they are good to go, sorry I could only make two though. I'm still not good enough" Welf replied with an annoyed tone while clenching his fist.
"Don't worry Sir Welf, the fact that you can make these is astonishing to say the least" A far eastern woman proclaims.
"Yeah, Miss Mikoto is right. The plan wouldn't work without you, isn't that right Lili" Bell also adds.
"Master Bell is correct, so don't put the rest of us down with your sour mood" Lili says
"Aah, thanks lil Lili. Its much appreciated" Welf Laughs.
"Anyway back to the plan, Master Nathan?" Lili says, directing the conversation towards the remaining member of the party. All the others follow suit and turn to look at their quiet comrade.
"Yeah" the half-elf replies in his usual quiet tone, but an almost unnoticeable twitch just after Lili had finished
"Do you remember what your main objectives are?" Lili asks, all be it a bit hesitantly. She still doesn't trust this guy and is even a bit scared of him especially after hearing of his status and even more so because of where he came from, mainly that she had no idea where that was.
"My job is to use the Crozzo swords to make break down the walls of the castle and make a massive distraction. This is to allow Mikoto to be able to enter the castle and do it undetected as well. When you give out your command, I will take on the people that you sent out to face me and stall them for as long as possible. The distraction me and Mikoto will cause will allow Bell and Welf to enter the castle when you open up the gate. After I have defeated them, I will rush into the castle to help you, Welf and Mikoto take on the rest of the Apollo Familia while Bell fights Hyacinthus." Nathan Calmly explains, without changing his tone of voice or sitting posture.
Everyone looks at Nathan for a bit, not knowing what to say as he had completely summarised their strategy in a small minute explanation, not even questioning that he so casaully said he will defeat the mass amount of people he will face.
"Th-that is correct Master Nathan. Your battling and Mikoto using her gravity magic as a distraction is a major part that will allow Lili to allow Master Bell and Master Welf to enter the castle." Lili says, breaking the awkward silence that always seems to linger whenever the Half elf speaks.
"Is that everything then?" Bell asks.
"Pretty much, Master Bell" Lili responds.
"Could I ask about something" Nathan interjects, surprising everyone. "Please" he quickly adds one.
"Wh-what is it, Sir Nathan" Mikoto hesitantly asks. This was the first time Nathan had even spoken up without being talked to, let alone asking for something.
"It's that" he says back.
"It's what?" Mikoto asks.
"Calling me Sir and Master or Mr. I-I don't like it. Makes me feel uncomfortable." Nathan replies while rubbing his arm gently.
This shocked everyone as not only had they heard Nathan Stutter and look a bit agitated but also because of the request.
"I mean you guys have known each other for a few months now, and yet you are still using the terms master and miss and sir."
"I agree to be honest" Welf exclaims. "I'm not a huge fan of it either, used to be called it a lot back when I lived with my family. Kinda irks me."
"I don't know, I've always been brought up to be polite" Bell explains.
"I've always addressed people as sorts because of who I am, I even called my old Familia with the honorifics" Mikoto adds
"Lili has been a supporter her entire life, I guess its just natural for me" Lili says.
"Well we are all in the same Familia here, and we are all friends here so why not just drop it for us" Welf proclaims.
"I don't mind, I guess I can try it Welf" Bell sheepishly says.
"I mean I can try it too, but it just comes natural" Mikoto states
"Yeah same for me, I'm so used to just saying it I'm not sure I can just switch it" Lili quietly remarks.
"Don't worry about it, just try to do it less day by day and I'm sure you will become use to it, besides doesn't it mean we are closer together" Welf says.
"I can see it like that, yeah it will show how we are friends and a close Familia. I'd like to try it" Bells states with a big smile. When Mikoto and Lili see that smile, they cave to it and simply agree to try.
"There we go, nice one Nathan. Good suggestion I'd say, makes life easier." Welf says with a smile while slapping Nathan on the shoulder.
However Nathan doesn't respond, and with his eyes covered it makes it hard to see if his even awake.
"Mr Na.. I mean Nathan, you all right?" Bell asks.
Welf gives him another pat on the shoulder which does the trick as he jolts a bit and moves his head left and right to presumably look at the rest of them.
"You alright mate?" Welf asks again.
After a second, Nathan composes himself, internally, and says "Yeah I'm fine, sorry just thought of something. I appreciate you taking my request into account."
A small smile on his lips that lasts only a second before straightening out again was not missed by the others who simply smile back and carry on talking about the plans for tomorrow.
However, Nathan spaces back out again.
'He said that we are all friends, does that include me. I just wanted to not be reminded of those dickheads who use to call me Master, but we are in the same Familia now. Why did Welf have to say it as well, that just brings up worse memories for god's sake'
Night has descended now and while the Newly formed Hestia Familia try to sleep they all think back to a few days ago when they all met up together.
"Bell's hear Hestia-sama, who are we waiting for?" Lili asks Hestia
"Hermes says he was going to give one of his children to help us"
"Why would lord Hermes do that Goddess?" Bells asks, again directed at Hestia
"I'm not entirely sure but remember how I told you he tried to get us help in the wargame meeting, well afterwards he said that he would transfer his most recent child to me" Hestia replied.
"Why would this person leave?" Welf asks.
"Well apparently he didn't fit in with the rest of Hermes' children. Also apparently he wants a second chance" Hestia explains.
"Second chance at what?" Mikoto asks
"Not sure but I don't turn people away and I'm waiting so I can judge him for myself" Hestia says while rubbing her head, a small headache forming because of all the questions.
"Well I won't turn anyone away either Goddess, I will give him another chance if he wants one" Bells states confidently
Hestia turns to her first child with pride, already knowing Bell would agree with her on it.
"I see someone coming" Mikoto exclaims while pointing in front of them.
And as she had said, a figure could be seen walking towards them. When the figure finally came into view, the people present locked their eyes on three features. One was the Dark navy-blue mask he wore covering up his eyes and most of his top face. The second were his two pointed but slightly rounded ears, showing he was a half elf. The final place, or should I say objects, were the two swords he had strapped to his waist. Something about them, all of them could feel something coming off of them for some reason.
"Are you Hermes' child?" Hestia says to the newcomer
The now to be seen boy, who was about the height in-between Welf and Bell, nodded.
"Well I'm the Goddess Hestia and these are my children" Hestia says while starting to point and introduce each of the others present. Whenever Hestia introduced a person, that person could feel the eyes of the boy on them, knowing that behind the mask he was examining them.
"Could we ask for you name" Hestia says.
"I'm Nathan" the now dubbed Nathan Says in a quiet voice.
"Nathan…" Hestia says trying to ask for a last name.
"Just Nathan" Nathan again replies in his monotone quiet voice.
An awkward silence descended over the group.
"Well hello Mr Nathan, as my Goddess said I'm Bell Cranel, eerm captain of the Hestia Familia" Bell states while holding out his hand. However, looking back at the guys ears he realises he made a mistake.
"Oh eerm sorry, forgot you don't like to be touched and all and yeah and sorry and eerm.." Bell frantically tries to explain. However instead of Nathan getting upset like Bell thought he would be, the boy raises an eyebrow, the same colour as his hair, shrugs his shoulders, grabs Bells hand, and shakes it.
"Hello Bell, nice to meet you."
This shocked everyone present, especially Bell who had dealt with other elves like Ryu and Eina who don't like to be touched by most people. Bell assumed he must be someone like Lefiya and didn't mind being touched. Bell was glad his new Familia member was all right with this stuff.
"Well Nathan, now that you have been introduced, would you like to join us and have me put my falna on your back?" Hesta asks
"Wait, weren't you meant to be judging me?" Nathan quickly asks back.
Nathan thinks back to when Hermes had explained to him about what was happening
'"As you have heard, a war game has been announced between the Hestia and Apollo Familia."
Nathan Responds with a nod.
"Well you see I tried to help the Hestia Familia, but it was turned down, however something came up and I started to think about what I could.."
"Get on with it" Nathan interrupts, knowing the God would ramble and just wanting to get to the point.
"Fine, how would you like to join the Hestia Familia?" Hermes declares, arms spread outwards.
This took Nathan by surprise, not expecting this. After a minute he responded "Why would they want me"
"Well they need help in defeating the Apollo Familia and at your level and experience you would probably be able to take them all on by yourself"
"But why would they want… me?"
Hermes understood what he was saying and gently responded "They don't actually know about you; this is what I mean by a second chance. Hestia is known for not turning anyone away and Bell Cranel will always try to help people as well. She said she will judge you if you see her so just try your best." Hermes adopts a gentler smile. "I know you have had it rough over this year in my Familia but give this a go and you never know what could happen. They are a very accepting bunch. Anway if you want to do it, meet them at their abandoned church, you know the one that I sent you to look at." Hermes finishes.
Nathan doesn't know what to say or do at this point, so he simply nods, says thank you and leaves to go back to his house and think.
After a minute, Asfi drops down next to her God.
"Are sure this is wise, letting him go. This will make it harder to control and watch over him"
"My dear Asfi, this was never about watching over him and let's be honest, if anyone could control and tame that boy, trust me it will be Hestia." 'We wouldn't stand a chance' Hermes thought.
Asfi just gave her God a puzzled look, but her mind was still clouded with worry as they started to walk in the opposite direction her biggest problem went.
"I've already judged you" Hestia quickly pulls him out of his memories
"And?" Nathan asks.
"And would you like me to put my falna on your back"
Nathan, instead of responding, nodded his head slowly after a few seconds.
"Ok but before that, I should say and show something?" Nathan suggests.
"Sure" Hestia replies with a smile
"Infront of everyone would be best" Nathan says, even more quietly than usual.
This got everyone's full attention on Nathan again.
"What is it?" Hestia cautiously asked.
Instead of talking Nathan started taking off his top half of clothes. This caused the girls to blush and cover their faces and made the boys ask what he was doing. However, after the layers had been removed, no one could talk or take their eyes off of him. What they saw was a well-built young man with a decent amount of muscle but that isn't what grabbed their attention.
"I thought the falna stopped people from sustaining permanent scars?" Bell quietly asks.
What everyone was looking at were the mass number of scars that littered the boy's chest and when they saw the back it was even worse. What looked like sword marks etched into his abdomen and whip marks were plastered on his back.
"How long have you had them for?" Mikoto asks, just as quietly as Bell.
"I got my first one when I was about 8, maybe 9" Nathan replied.
That made them all shiver at the thought that he was going through this at an early age, but what got to them more was how nonchalontly and calmly Nathan had said it, like he didn't care about it.
"How did you get them?" This time it was Welf who asked a question.
This was when Nathan was beginning to regret what he had done, thinking he had to talk about this as he knew Hestia would bring up his scars when applying the falna, just like Hermes had done. However, for some reason Nathan felt like he could talk about it.
"The Familia I was in before Hermes use to punish me sometimes if I failed a… task… and they had a way to acquire cursed weapons. These weapons couldn't be healed by normal magic either and I had to just bandage or use fire to close the wounds, and because it was a cursed weapon that inflicted them, the scars stayed." Nathan Explained.
'So this is what Hermes said about him not having a good experience in Orario meant' Hestia thought.
"Where did your old Familia get these cursed weapons, no blacksmith I know is able to make them" Welf stated.
"That's because a blacksmith didn't make them" Nathan responded, his monotone voice being dropped to a more somewhat frightened voice, something they all noticed.
This made everyone even more confused, however Lili then asked a question.
"Wait, you said you got your first scar at the age of 8, how long have you had a falna for?"
"I'm on my 8th year currently" Nathan said.
This made everyone have different thoughts. Hestia and Bell thought of how someone so young could have started going into the dungeon and dealing with such brutality. Mikoto thought of how he still didn't seem to care about his body being stained with all the scars, Welf was still caught up on the cursed weapons and how a blacksmith didn't create them. However it was still Lili who asked the next and final question of the day. "What Level are you, Master Nathan?"
"I'm level 4, with my highest status being my dexterity at B and my lowest being magic at D" Nathan again replied, back in his original voice.
This was the biggest shock to them all, as they now had access to someone who was ready to become a first-tier adventurer.
It was Hestia that made the first move though and brought Nathan into a gently hug. "Well I look forward to having you as my newest child, welcome to the Hestia Familia Nathan." Nathan slowly returned the hug in an almost comedic awkward fashion. This woke everyone else up from their thought trance and all started to speak normally again back to Nathan and congratulating him and saying how they can't wait to see what he can do, especially Mikoto and Bell who wanted training from him after the wargame. And if you were to remove the mask, you would be able to see a very small amount of water in one corner of Nathan's eye.
Back to the present, and everyone is left with one thought before they drift off to sleep.
'I wonder what Familia he was in before Hermes and where them scars came from'
Well Nathan had a different thought. 'Why could I talk to so easily to them, especially Hestia-sama. I haven't felt I could talk to someone about stuff like that for a while. The last person was… Mom.' Just before he finally went into the land of sleep, one last thought lingered in his mind.
'How do I tell them I was a part of Evilus'
And Chapter 2 done (not counting prologue sssh). Do you like shocking reveal at end mwuhahah. Yeah this guy has gone through some serious SHIT. My mind is fucked for thinking about it and as the story goes on you will understand why its rated M.
Had a lot of fun writing this one, even though it is almost 5 times longer than the prologue oww my hands, as I like to write interactions and can't wait to write other interactions like with the loki familia.
Thank you for the follows and Favs, two chapters amde and ive almost got 10 follows, like how, why who, what, when and especially where.
As there were a few flashbacks and jumping back and forth incepction style, I would add the line breaks to make it easier to see when a scene/flashback began and ended.
The conversation on the Mr master and Sir stuff was added becasue it is a thing that kinda nags me as you know they are all close friends so why tf they still calling eachother this crap. Ik its japan culture and all but im Bri'ish and im gonna do waht we do best, steal their culture and force it to comply with my own (Also cause its a bugger to keep writing that stuff and i cba with it so yeay, only a small bit of ot will remain for Hestia and when talking to people outside familia apart from nathan who will only uses sams for his current deity).
Also I made a few changes to the last chapter when descrobong Nathan, I'd recommend re-reading as im annyoed that I had missed out somethings like that
Anyway onto the reviews:
wyatt(Im calling u this cause your name long my guy, but wait its longer to type this out than just your actual name.) Thanks, and yeah my gramar is like this cause I was raised by a grammar Nazi so SUUII. Also *for ;)
Jank7457: He will be quite collected most of the time, a bit blunt at times because he cba to deal with long drawn out conversations, he also hates misunderstandings, guys i promise this isnt a self insert. Keep reading to find out his personalitly along the way as he becomes a bit more expressive as he spends time with Bell and the others.
See ya in next chapter lads and lasses, peace.