Time had begun moving forward for everyone. In the Hera Familia, spirits were in a record high when everyone found out about the twins. Whether it was said aloud or not, most had felt bad knowing the conditions of the girls and the ultimate fate they had, Meteria especially. The looks on their faces when finding out that they would be able to make a full recovery in only a few months was nothing but pure joy. Hera herself was overjoyed to have her favorite daughter walking around with her and the rest of the Familia. She was also glad Alfia would be able to have an easier life without the burden of her own illness or her self loathing about Meteria. Those three months were interesting to say the least. After the first two, Meteria was eager to begin physical therapy and learn to walk again. Alfia was also feeling better than she ever had before. She was still forced to take it easy, but the lingering pain in her body was gone. Meteria was quick to pick up her walking skills again, much to the nervousness of everyone when she almost tripped. With Silver, he still did his supporter job, but was also keeping up with his own training. Brioche did his best to help when he could, but Silver tried his best to work on his own. The first two months saw some improvement, but his technique still needed work. Fortunately, that meant he could defend himself better. After the last month passed, both girls were fully recovered. Hera and her Familia held a grand celebration in their name with many of Orario's Familias attending. Since it was so big, Meteria was able to have a moment alone with Silver who congratulated her. They had a quick meal before he had to sneak out again. Several days after, in the present, Meteria was ready to take her first steps as an adventurer, much to the disappointment and worry of her Familia.
Meteria: I'll be strong like everyone else here! I'll show the world why our Familia is the greatest in this city!
As anxious as they were for her, they also felt proud of her desire to prove herself. Right now, she was standing outside of her Familia's home with some basic armor on: a breastplate, some pads for her elbows and knees along with greaves and vambraces. Last were a pair of leather gloves and boots On her back she carried a basic, medium length sword that was light enough for her to carry and swing around. In the time prior, Alfia and many others gave her basic combat lessons so she could fight. Much to their surprise, she absorbed it like a sponge and was able to replicate their techniques after a few tries. She didn't quite copy it as fast as Alfia, but it was fast enough to show they were sisters. Even with all of that, Hera was still standing next to her acting like a worried mother.
Hera: And you're sure you will be fine?
Meteria: I swear. I'm only going to the first floor. At the very most Floor 2, but no deeper. Alfia said she would teach me more about the dungeon when she had time.
Hera: O-Okay, be safe.
Meteria: I will, be back soon, Goddess!!!
She waved before running out of the gates to their home. With Hera, she watched her precious daughter leave with a bright smile as she ran. Her worry turned into a stern glare as she snapped her fingers, causing one of the previous maids to appear in light armor.
Hera: June dear?
The maid, June, knelt before her and spoke up immediately.
June: I understand; I will follow her and make sure she is safe.
Hera nodded with a smile as the maid vanished into this air.
Hera: I suppose a level 5 on the Upper Floors is a bit overkill, but I won't be taking any chances.
With Meteria...
The girl was exploring the depths of Floor 1. The caverns she walked through looked nearly liked what she imagined when she heard everyone talk about their humble beginnings. She traveled the corridors with a smile while being oblivious to June following her, but was taken out of her world when she heard the growling of a goblin near her. Getting on guard, she drew her sword and prepared to fight.
Meteria: (My first battle. Remember what everyone taught you.)
The two stared each other down as June readied herself to eradicate the monster should it try to harm the young lady.
Meteria: HYAAAA!!!
Splatter*
With an overhead swing, she the monster clean in half and covering herself in blood in the process.
Meteria: YEAH, I DID IT!!!
She jumped for joy while June sighed in relief that the girl was unharmed. What she didn't expect to happen next was for Meteria to grab the stone that fell from the goblin and rush out of the dungeon.
June: What the- where is she going?!
She quickly followed her and saw she was actually running back home. The guards at the gates screamed in horror as Hera had rushed outside to see her favorite child covered in blood.
Meteria: Goddess, look, I killed a goblin!!
Thud*
Hera and many others fell to the ground unconscious.
Meteria: Goddess!!!
???: What's with all the screaming?
Meteria turned and saw a woman of nearly six feet walk up to her. She had long, dark pink hair tied to a pony tail and purple eyes. Her outfit consisted of a grey cape that hung on her back and a black, sleeveless shirt and shorts leaving her midriff exposed.. On her back was an enormous great sword with a serrated side.
Meteria: Callisto, Captain!! *Salutes*
She woman laughed to herself before lightly flicking her forehead.
Callisto: Stop taking that formal tone with me. You already know how to address me.
Meteria: I know, I'm sorry, Calli.
AN: No, not the vtuber.
Callisto: *Smiling* That's more like it. Now, care to explain what happened here? Our Goddess and both guards on duty are down and you're covered in blood.
Meteria: Maybe we should wake them up first?
Callisto: Alright, some gentle coaxing should do.
She knelt to their bodies before-
Callisto: WAKE!!! UP!!!
Slap* *Slap* *Bonk*
All three: AAAAAAHH!!!
Callisto: That should do it.
Hera: Callisto, that's no way to treat your Goddess!
Meteria: I thought you said you'd be gentle?!
Callisto: I did, that's why you don't have a concussion.
Hera: Well, thank you for waking me up. I had the most horrible dream; my dear Meteria was covered in blood and-
She turned to said girl who had an innocent smile on her face and was still bloody.
Hera: GYAAAHH! *Holding her shoulders* What happened to you?! My precious girl is covered in blood!!
Meteria: That's because I killed a goblin today!
That made them pause for a moment.
Callisto: Wait, you killed a goblin?
Meteria: Yup!
Callisto: Just one?
Meteria: Yeah? *Tilts head*
Hera: The weakest monster in the dungeon, and you ran back here after?
The reality had sunk in for the girl as her face exploded in red.
Meteria: Forgive me, Goddess!! I'll bring back more stones later!! *Bowing*
Callisto: Relax girl, no one's expecting you to go on a rampage on your first day. Just take it one step at a time.
Her blush faded and she nodded.
Meteria: Yes, Ma'am!!!
With that, she ran back to the dungeon leaving the two there before the guards closed the gates again.
Callisto: So, the time is coming. Did you notify the Zeus Familia yet?
Hera: Yes, the pervert agreed to a meeting with our executives within the next few days. We will begin our discussions regarding our joint expedition to Floor 65 then.
Callisto: *Cracking her knuckles* Great, my blood's boiling!
Hera: Yes, gather the executives for a brief meeting. I will announce this to them so they know of our plans moving forward.
Callisto: Gotcha.
With Meteria...
The girl was running back to the dungeon, but ran into a familiar face near the entrance.
Meteria: *Waving* Silver!!!
The boy turned and a blush crept up his face when he saw her.
Silver: Meteria?!
Meteria: Hi, you going in the dungeon now?
Silver: Y-Yeah, we were just about to.
Meteria: Cool, so who's your friend?
She turned to Brioche who introduced himself.
Brioche: The name's Brioche, and I've been this guy's partner in the dungeon for a year now. *Holds out hand* It's a pleasure to meet the girl he gushes about face to face.
A slight blush now crept up Meteria's face as she took the hand for a shake.
Meteria: Likewise, and Silver has talked about you quite a bit too.
Brioche: That right? Well, if you're all on your own, why not join us? We'd be a lot better off with a third joining.
Meteria: I'd love to!
Silver: Let's get going then.
Meanwhile, June was still tailing the girl. A scowl grew on her face after seeing how she and that boy interacted. She knew full well about the weak supporter from the Zeus Familia. There was nothing she could yet say about him as a person, but being from the Zeus Familia was more that enough to earn her ire, especially if he has any ideas about the young lady. Back in the dungeon, the three were on the fourth floor cleaning up after an encounter with some dungeon lizards. Meteria was watching Silver work after cleaning her sword of blood.
Meteria: You gonna grab the stone?
Silver: Yeah, I learned a trick to finding these things quickly so I don't get myself smeared in blood. It's usually around the same spot, so all I need to do is let the blood drain out before going inside.
Meteria: Wow, I always thought you just had to cut it open and reach inside.
Silver: That's the simple way of putting it, but it can be more complicated than that.
Brioche: It definitely explains why you want us to slit their stomachs open while we fight.
Silver: Makes us move a lot faster. I'll grab the rest of these, then we can move on.
Meteria: Oh, I'll help!!
Silver: Wait, you don't have gloves!!
The girl already shoved her hands inside the abdomen of one of the lizards while Silver frantically searched for a spare set for her to wear. Brioche just laughed at their antics and June was observing the three off in the distance.
June: (I'll inform Lady Hera and Alfia about this later.)
On Floor 17...
Crushing a minotaur head*
Alfia: (I feel... a disturbance.)
Back with the three, they were able to handle themselves well. The war shadows on Floor 6 began to give them some trouble though.
Slash*
Meteria: Gah!!
Silver: Meteria!!
Slash*
Poof*
He saw she had suffered a cut on her arm that wasn't protected. He quickly grabbed a potion from his bag and poured it over the wound as it quickly healed.
Meteria: Thanks, sorry about that.
Silver: No, I should be the one who's sorry.
Brioche: I got held up near the front. Guess we bit off a little more than we could chew.
Meteria: I guess having my stats a G weren't good enough.
Silver: The cut was shallow, but we may as well head up for the day.
Brioche: I won't argue with that.
Meteria: Yeah, same here.
With that, the three made their way up before splitting their earnings.
Brioche: And that makes around 8,000 valis for each of us.
Meteria: I can't wait to tell everyone about this! Oh, but I'll keep that part about me getting hurt a secret. I don't want you getting hunted down.
Silver: Thanks for that.
Brioche: So, should we expect you tomorrow too?
Meteria: Sure, I hope so!!
Silver: I'll see you guys around.
Brioche: Later.
Meteria: Bye!
Back at the Hera side of Olympus...
Hera: And that about sums up the upcoming events for us. I'll be taking Callisto, Io and Europa with me. I assume the old coot is bring his Captain and some executives with him while we discuss this. We'll go more in depth about the details when the meeting arrives and I will inform you all of them after it has concluded. That is all, you're dismissed.
Everyone: Yes, Goddess!
They all left the room and allowed Hera a moment of silence before the door burst open again revealing Meteria slightly dirty from her time in the dungeon.
Meteria: Goddess, I'm back!!
Hera: Welcome home, my dear! How was your first dive in the dungeon? Wait, actually, don't tell me yet! Go on and get yourself cleaned first and then you can tell everyone during dinner.
The girl nodded and rushed to the bathroom while everyone prepared for dinner. Alfia had returned as well and entered Hera's office with June.
June: My Lady, I will give you the report for today.
Hera: Proceed.
Alfia just closed her eyes and listened. The maid told her of what happend shortly after she left. Alfia and Hera had scowls upon learning Meteria was partying with that Zeus boy.
Hera: Grr... that boy never learns.
June: Yes well, after that she was cut on the arm by a war shadows.
Hera: He let her get hurt?! I have to do more to keep them apart!
June: Goddess, please, he quickly killed the monster that harmed her and immediately used a potion on her wound.
Hera: *Sigh*
Alfia: (At least he has the decency to fix his mistakes.)
June: From what I've heard, they plan to dive together for the foreseeable future.
Hera: *Biting her thumbnail* As much as I despise that boy, I don't wish to make her upset by forcing them apart. June, keep monitoring them and file the reports to me.
June: As you wish.
Hera: Good, that is all.
She nodded and left the room.
Hera: Can't you try to convince her, Alfia?
Alfia: I've tried enough times already. She's decided that they will be friends and spend time together.
Hera: Yes, well let's see how long they stay "friends." I swear I'm going to strangle that old coot.
Alfia: Let's just meet everyone in the dining area.
Hera: Okay then. I'm sure you're also curious about Meteria's first day in the dungeon.
Alfia said nothing, but she had a smile of her face as she left. During dinner, many listened to the girl as she spun her tale of her first dungeon dive. More than a few had trouble containing their laughter after hearing about what happened after her goblin kill. Getting past that embarrassing memory, she arrived to how she met with some friends and formed a party with them. They would make it official tomorrow and would begin working together immediately. She left out who they were, but many were worried since none from their Familia would be with her. After her story, it was Hera's turn to speak.
Hera: Everyone!!! Whether word has spread or not, I want to inform all of you that we and the Zeus Familia are making plans to break past our previous record in the dungeon. In a few days, I and Zeus along with several other executives will have a meeting to discuss the finer details, but know that our end goal will be Floor 65.
Everyone: YEAAAAAH!!!
Hera: As such, I want everyone to prepare for it. Once we have a date set, I will relay the rest if the details, so for now I want everyone one of you to train your hardest. I refuse to bend to the knee to Zeus, so all of you give it your maximum effort. Show once more the might of the Hera Familia.
Everyone: YES, GODDESS!!!
After that, she let everyone resume their meals. Many of the members were eager for another expedition. It was times like this where the opportunity to level up was greatest.
Callisto: Maybe we'll break past the Zeus Familia if I level up?
Her friend, Io who was sitting across from her, was a woman of blonde hair and green eyes. She wore a light blue blouse with brown leggings. The executives were all curious about who might level up this time. The other with them, Europa, was one of blue hair and darker blue eyes. She wore a grey robe since she was a spell caster for the Familia.
Io: You're just one feat away from level 9, aren't you? We would be making history here.
Hera: Yes, but remember the guild doesn't know about our true strength. Zeus and I agreed to hide our record, so the city thinks we could only handle floor 55. This time let's make it floor 58.
Io: Wait, why did you want to do this?
Callisto: Hehe. You'll have to ask her. *Motions to Hera*
The Goddess had an amused smirk, though her lips quivered, trying to hold her laughter.
Hera: *cough* Excuse me. You see, Loki and Freya are still looking to surpass us one day. Really, it's just a prank Zeus and I are playing to make them think that they're close to us when in reality, we are actually leagues apart.
Callisto: *Laughing* It's so wrong, yet so funny! At best they have a few level 4s and 5s. Though, Freya has that promising level 4 with them.
Europa: You mean that boaz child that keeps challenging some of us?
Io: He does have potential.
Callisto: Yeah, the potential to be a punching bag like the rest of his Familia. Honestly, the only one who doesn't act like a puppet is their Captain.
Io: That's true. Sometimes I feel bad for what she has to deal with.
Hera: At this point, she's only there to make sure Freya doesn't do something stupid.
With Meteria...
Alfia: You're going to keep diving with them?
Meteria: Yes.
Alfia: *Sigh* Please, at the very least, be careful. You're still new to this, so I don't want you biting off more that you can manage.
Meteria: I know, that's why I have you. You can help me when I'm here.
Alfia: *Smiling* Yeah, I'll teach you more about the Upper Floors after eating.
Meteria: Okay!!
She took another slice of cake back to her table before eating it. The night went by for the Hera Familia as they prepared themselves for another test of their might.
Meanwhile with the Zeus Familia...
Zeus was currently informing some of his executives as well. With him was his Captain, Maxim, along with two others being Chiron, Zald and Alexander.
AN: So, I'm just gonna borrow the appearance of Chiron from the fate series because I like that one a lot.
Zeus: ...and we'll overall try to make it to Floor 65 in the near future.
The captain was a tall man, over 6 feet in height, who was well built much like the others with him. His hair was a messy brown with a pair of hazel eyes. Alexander was a man of dark brown hair and silver eyes. Both men wore simple black shirts and loose fitting brown pants for the night. While listening to their God, they too were eager to push themselves.
Maxim: That woman is definitely going to try for a level up this time. If I don't make the most out of this trip she'll make the gap between us too large for me to close.
Zald: All I'm hoping for is a level up to 7. I've been stuck at level 6 for long enough.
Chiron: We'll all do our best to grow. Now then, we should find a close date to set the meeting for.
Alexander: Perhaps, in four days?
Zeus: Does that work for you all?
Chiron: I have no objections.
The others nodded and Zeus put his hands together.
Zeus: Then it's all settled! I'll go tell Hera!
He got up and left the others in the meeting room.
Alexander: 1,000 valis we hear him scream in 5 minutes.
Zald: Bet.
To no one's surprise, he did tell Hera about the date they set, but was also beaten and thrown out when he tried something on one of the women there. While all this was happening, Silver was in an empty courtyard, alone and practicing his sword swings.
Silver: 998... 999... 1000.
Zald had seen the boy practicing and walked over to him.
Zald: Hey, it's getting late. You might to clean yourself and head inside for bed.
Silver: Hah... alright.
Zald: It's good to see you training like this, but knowing when to rest is just as important.
Silver: Yes, sir!
Zald: Good.
The boy washed himself before heading to his room for the night. He felt like he would pass out at any moment, but was able to see Zeus peering outside a window with a telescope.
Silver: Dad... what's going on?
Zeus: Hehehe. Just doing a man's job. I'll teach you more about it soon.
The boy had little idea about what he was talking about. He arrived at his room and collapsed on his bed as sleep overtook him. With their plans for the future set, the time to prepare was upon the two Familias. They would show once more why they were the top of Orario.
AN: And cuuut! So, I kinda just got bored and decided to put together another chapter for this. Now there are more introductions to the elites of Zeus and Hera.
A thing to keep in mind: I am a licensed dumbass. I'm not the most well versed in mythology so the names won't need much digging into. I literally just borrowed the names of some of the moons near Jupiter for the Hera executives because they lived next to the Zeus Familia. To anyone who has in depth ideas for names or anything else from mythology, I will say now that I likely have no idea what you're talking about and I'll have to do some research for the future. On the topic of names, I must inform you that I am also a dragon ball fan so the names that aren't from mythology will be simple and silly at the same time. That may not be that apparent now, but you'll see it in the future as well as in some of my other stories and possibly hate me for that (sorry).
As always, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you thought and I'll see you in the next one.