The next several days went fine after that worrying encounter in the Dungeon. Thankfully, Hestia, Artemis and Eina were able to relax a but after seeing that nothing bad happened. Speaking for her, Artemis and Bell sometimes snuck out and had a side date around the city where the boy would show her around. They enjoyed themselves and made use of their alone time, though it wouldn't last for long. Come later that evening, Bell and the others would encounter trouble at a bar. He, Lili and Welf were minding their own business when a short, brown haired prum started making fun of Bell. He mocked his achievements, but Lili just asked Bell to ignore him. Easier said than done when he began insulting Hestia and his Familia. That would have been more than enough, but the prum went too far and brought Artemis in. However, before Bell could lift a finger, Welf had already threw his beer mug at him.
Welf: Ah, my bad. I've got some butterfingers. *Smirking*
The others who were with the prum were Apollo Familia and they didn't take kindly to seeing one of their own being treated like that. Eventually, their Captain stepped in and easily dealt with Bell and Welf, only to be stopped by Bete who happened to be drinking there. When they got home, the girls gave their lecture to the silly boys who were too busy fighting. Hestia was happy to know that Bell wanted to defend her honor and Artemis was fidgeting with a bright red face from hearing how Bell defended her.
Hestia: I'm so proud of you, Bell!
Artemis: *Blushing* T-Thank you, Orion.
Hestia: Say, who'd you pick a fight with anyway?
Lili: Lili saw their emblem. It was the Apollo Familia.
Hestia: Ah, it just had to be them. We were doing so well too. There's no telling what might happen now, so all three of you should be careful.
They nodded and Lili left with Welf. Still feeling anxious, Hestia updated Bell's status and saw he was ready for a level up. Tempting as it was, Albert and the others convinced her to wait. Also, they said they wouldn't be able to help them with this problem. Hestia cried out in protest, but Ardi assured her that they could handle it even if it escalated further, which they hoped it didn't. Of course, that wasn't the case as the following morning, Bell was greeted by numerous Apollo members looking ready to attack him and his home. He was already geared up, but today wouldn't be for the Dungeon. He rushed inside and grabbed Hestia and Artemis before running out the back door.
Boom*
All of Orario was woken by the commotion.
At the Hostess...
Anya: What's with all the noise so early, nya?
Lunoire: Woah, over there!
She pointed to a column of smoke in the distance.
Anya: Wait, isn't that in white hair's direction, nya?
The waitresses talked about what was happening, but one silver haired girl looked on with worry about the boy.
Back with Bell, he and the goddess with him did their best to escape. Meanwhile, Albert and the others watched it all happen.
Albert: So, remember when I said we wouldn't help them?
Masako: I believe it would be wise to retract that. This attack looks to be far more ferocious than in our time.
Albert: Well, change of plans then. Keep the two out of harms way and try to stay out of sight. Eileen won't be able to to help out here, but she'll do what she can in the Guild.
Ardi: Hopefully nothing bad happens.
Back with Bell, a large explosion separated him from Hestia and Artemis for a moment until he found them again and led them to an alley with Ardi.
Ardi: Bell, I can lead them to safety. You're going to have to lead the Apollo Familia away. I think you're their main target.
Bell: I understand. Goddess, Artemis, stay safe.
Hestia: You too, Bell.
Artemis: We'll be fine, but take care of yourself.
With that, they took the alley out while Bell jumped onto a rooftop.
Bell: HEY! I'M OVER HERE!!!
Apollo Member A: There! It's the Little Rookie!
Apollo Member B: Get him!
Bell: Woah!!
He jumped down and dodged more spells before stumbling across another blockade of Apollo members. He fired a firebolt at them and blew them aside while the blue haired healer went to help them.
Bell: I have to lose them somehow!
The entire city was in a state of confusion as to why there were explosions going off around the city. The Ganesha Familia quickly mobilized to stabilize the condition. Meanwhile, Bell found himself running through a tight set of streets that were empty for some reason. Knowing his pursuers were still hot on his heels, he quickly went into a building to hide which had a strange Far Eastern design. Shooting past the doors, he ran down the halls, still looking behind him to make sure he lost the Apollo Familia which resulted in him bumping into someone.
Bell: Ah!
???: Hya!
Thud*
Bell: I-I'm so sorry, I-
He got up slowly and saw that he knocked a blonde Renard to the floor. He was also stunned by how beautiful she was.
???: Are you ok? My apologies, I should have looked where I was going.
Bell: No, I'm the one who should be apologizing, Miss...
Haruhime: Haruhime, and I apologize also, but I'm afraid we aren't open at this time, sir.
She looked apologetic, but also a bit doubtful that a boy his age was around here looking for her services.
Bell: Open? For what? Actually, nevermind that, I just needed somewhere to hide right now.
Haruhime: Hide from what?
Bell: I'm not entirely sure why, but some Familia just attacked me while I was getting ready to go to the Dungeon. I had to separate from my Goddess to escape.
Haruhime: That's awful! Here, come with me. I can give you some shelter until the chaos dies down.
Bell: Thank you very much Miss Haruhime. By the way, my name is Bell Cranel.
Haruhime: Nice to meet you, but if only it were under better circumstances.
Bell: If only.
He followed her into a private room that had Far East designs inside as well.
Bell: Wow, this place looks amazing!
Haruhime: *Giggle* Thank you.
Bell: Hiding here just makes me feel bad. I should be out there looking out for my Goddess, but I'm just going to make it harder for her.
Haruhime: You said she was safe, correct?
Bell: Y-Yes, some other friends of mine are helping to look after her. I just wish I could do more for her.
Haruhime: If she's fine, then there is no use worrying yourself. Why not think about something else? Perhaps your favorite hobby?
Bell: *Thinking* Hm...
He went deep into thought before rubbing his head with a sheepish smile.
Bell: All I can think about are the hero stories I've read as a kid. I mean, they were a big part of why I came to Orario in the first place.
Haruhime: *Excited* Really?! So, you've read Dungeon Oratoria?
Bell: I have along with lots of other ones.
Time flew by as they listed one story after another. As they did, a subtle connection was made between the two of them. Sadly, that peace was short lived as they were found again. Some Apollo members spotted them through the window and Bell overheard their voices.
Bell: Oh no!
Haruhime: Master Cranel?
Bell: Sorry about this.
He grabbed her arm and dragged her out as they flooded inside the building.
Haruhime: UWAAAAH!
Bell: Sorry, but I'll try to find somewhere safe!
After some more running, he finally stumbled into the familiar faces of Welf and Lili and some others a bit behind them in an alley, though the latter looking a bit down.
Bell: Welf, Lili! I finally found you guys!
Welf: Yeah, we got worried when you didn't show.
Lili: Mm...
Bell: What's wrong with her?
Welf: We sorta ran into some jerks from her Familia. Mikoto helped me drive them off, but she's still upset about it.
Lili: You should've just let me go with them. I'll only bring you more trouble.
Mikoto: *Running up to them* There you all are. When we heard you were being attacked we-
She froze when she saw Haruhime, who was equally shocked. Ouka and Chigusa also caught up with them and the four childhood friends were at a loss for words at seeing each other after so long.
Mikoto: L-Lady Haruhime?
The renard flinched a bit which Bell caught.
Bell: You know each other?
Haruhime: *Sad* No, we do not. I'm afraid I don't know you, Miss.
Mikoto: W-What? *Disbelief* D-Don't play jokes like this. It's Mikoto, Lady Chigusa and Sir Ouka. We're your friends.
Ouka: Haruhime, you know us.
Haruhime: I apologize, but I do not.
Bell: Miss Haruhime, I'm sure that's a lie. This is clearly bothering you more than it should. Is there a reason you're doing this?
Mikoto: Please, if you're in trouble, you can come to us for help!
Haruhime: Thank you for your concern, but I'm perfectly fine.
Chigusa: Why do you keep dodging the question? You already know it's us, your friends!
Bell: Miss Haruhime, you couldn't have forgotten about them.
The renard tried to push them away, but they just pushed back harder than before. Enough back and forth bantering eventually broke through the girl. She broke down into tears and confessed she was their friend. After a brief and heartfelt reunion, they got back into business.
Mikoto: What happened to you?
Haruhime: My past actions had gotten on my father's last nerves and he disowned me. One thing led to another then I found myself here in the Ishtar Familia.
Bell: (Ishtar?)
The boy recalled that name as one of the ones he had to avoid.
Chigusa: *Blushing* Ishtar Familia?! S-S-So, y-you...
The blonde look at the ground in shame as her night job was slowly being exposed.
Mikoto: Your job changes nothing about what you mean to us! Just come back! We'll all welcome you again!
Haruhime: No, I can't.
Bell: Why not?
Haruhime: I won't be here for much longer.
Chigusa: What?
Welf: I'm not liking the sound of that.
Crash*
They were all blown away when a giant sword slammed the ground around them. When they all got their bearings, they saw Haruhime on top of a roof being grabbed by an amazon with large assets and several others with her.
Haruhime: Lady Aisha!
Aisha: Don't go spilling secrets you shouldn't be, girl.
Bell: Hey, what do you think you're doing?!
Loud stomps followed and a large amazon bearing the resemblance of a frog came forward.
Haruhime: Captain Phryne...
Phryne: Lady Ishtar was worried about you when you disappeared. *Looking at Bell and licking her lips* Looks like the Little Rookie thought he could use a hostage to get away from the Apollo Familia. How low.
Aisha: You'll pay for trifling with our Familia, boy!
Bell: What?!
???: There you are!!!
The boy turned behind him and saw Hyacinthos along with a party of his Familia behind him as well as his god.
Hyacinthos: Nowhere left to run, Bell Cranel.
Apollo: There's my sweet Bell.
Bell: (Damn!)
Mikoto: It's ok, Sir Bell!
Welf: We got your back!
Lili gave a nod and readied her crossbow as they prepared to face of two different fronts.
Hestia: Bell!
As luck would have it, Ardi brought Hestia with them to help settle the score after dropping off Artemis with Albert and the others.
Hestia: Apollo, enough with this fighting! The both of us will settle this as the gods of our Familias!
Apollo: Oh? You say that like I had any say in this. My children are simply seeking justice for the assault your children caused on several of mine.
Welf: Don't give us that crap! You're the ones who started it!
Lissos: Silence, Crozzo! Regardless of who you are, we will repay those who wrong us tenfold!
Apollo: You see? This was a decision they came to. I saw no reason to deny them since your children were the once to resort to violence first.
Hestia grit her teeth knowing the god wasn't exactly wrong. Verbal insults aside, Bell and his group were the ones who struck first and now that was biting back at them.
Apollo: Since you have no room to disagree, I will deliver my decision on this. My Familia challenges yours to a Wargame!
Hestia: You what?!
Apollo: I think you heard right! This is the best and most honorable way to settle this.
???: If that's the case, then I think I will join.
On the roof, another tanned skinned woman was being let down by a equally tan man with a collar around his neck.
Hestia: Ishtar... *Scared*
Ishtar: I heard everything from Phryne and Aisha. Supposedly, your child kidnapped someone of great importance to me.
Haruhime's ears drooped from hearing this.
Hestia: Bell?! What is she talking about?
Bell: This is a misunderstanding! I was trying to make sure she didn't turn into collateral damage! The Apollo Familia was attacking everyone in the streets!
Ishtar: Enough of your nonsense, boy! I won't settle for a simple slap on the wrist! As such, I also challenge Hestia to a Wargame as payment!
The tiny goddess paled along with Bell after seeing to back to back challenges from well known Familias in Orario. Contrary to them, several gods came out of hiding and cheered for the new development.
Filler God A: Finally! It's been forever since the last Wargame!
Later that day, an emergency Denatus was being held to decide the detail of the game. In the stands, Hermes was sweating bullets at the turn of events.
Hermes: (Good gods, how could this happen? Bell won't be able to beat Apollo and Ishtar even if all his friends join!)
The god was frantically brainstorming ways to help Hestia while the tiny Goddess was having a meltdown from the two challenges she received. She sat across from Apollo and Ishtar as the first decided on the spoils.
Ishtar: Our decision is that Bell Cranel will convert to Apollo should we win. (Not like it matters anyway. Orario will be under my foot within the the end of the month.) *Smirking*
Apollo: On top of that, you will be banished from Orario- no, the Lower World forever!
Hestia was trembling in her seat while Artemis was fuming. With all their power and prestige, they still resorted to such underhanded tactics.
Ishtar: Of course, should Hestia win, she can request anything from the both of us.
Apollo: Scribes, make sure you're getting all of this.
The worker sent to record the details was frantically working to make sure he didn't miss anything.
Apollo: Now that that's been taken care of, we can move on to how our Familias will fight it out. A duel won't suffice, so what to do?
They thought for a while before one god proposed they just choose one at random.
Hermes: Do I really have to choose?
Apollo: You can be neutral with your choice.
Hestia: I'm counting on you!
Hermes: *Nervous* Oh, boy.
He reached inside the box with all the ideas and pulled out a paper before reading out what it said.
Hermes: Urgh! *Holding it up* C-C-Castle Siege...
Hestia: *Slamming the table* HUUUH?!
Apollo: *Shrugging* Well, I guess it's decided. Since you can't defend a castle with your numbers, you can go on the offensive.
Hestia: Grrrr...
Hermes: Not to intrude, but might I request some extra help for Hestia? You know, to make it more fair.
Apollo: Of course not! This is a matter between our Familias!
Ishtar: Exactly. Outsider will not be permitted.
Freya: Does the idea of help scare you?
Ishtar: Hm?! *Angry*
A scowl appeared on her face as she turned to the other Goddess of Beauty.
Freya: It's already two on one, so why should that bother you?
One by one, the other gods pressured the two to allow Hestia help from outside. In the end, she was permitted only three extra additions from outside her Familia and they had to be level 5 or below. Apart from that, the game would take place ten days from today. The Guild would use that time to find and prepare the best possible arena for the game.
As for how the two even dared to try this on Hestia knowing the level 8s and 9s she has, the events of the last must be observed.
Flashback...
Apollo: This is our plan: you simply have to find a way to provoke Bell Cranel into attacking. We will use that as the reason for declaring the game, then I can claim the boy.
Hyacinthos: We will see to it that the plan goes smoothly.
Apollo: You have my thanks, my beloved.
The man nodded and left the room. Apollo breathed a sigh of relief before he was overwhelmed by a sense of dread.
Masako: An interesting plan you came up with. Almost fool-proof too.
Apollo: W-Wha- how did you get in here?!
Masako: I wonder? The better question is: What will I and my friends do to you for daring to try this against our Goddess?
Apollo was sweating bullets at being caught red handed by a potential level 9 from Hestia.
Masako: The answer is: nothing.
Apollo: What?
Masako: We won't do anything. We won't even try to stop you.
Apollo: You won't? *confused*
Masako: No, because no matter what happens, none of your schemes will work.
Apollo: Is that what you think? *Annoyed*
Masako: Yes. Do your worst, you'll fail in the end.
With that, he vanished from sight as Apollo growled.
Apollo: Look down on me will you? We'll see who has the last laugh, brat!
End of Flashback...
Ishtar had no idea about the visit and completely forgot about Hestia's new children from the heat of the moment. Even before the Denatus, words had spread that the First Classes of Hestia were not participating in the Wargame. Apollo had also informed Ishtar about the news and the two overflowed with confidence. Even with three extra people, it would be enough to overcome their combined might. At least, that's what they thought.
AN: This was supposed to be longer, but I decided to cut this into separate parts. The next chapter will be dedicated to how Hestia prepares for the Wargame which is still heavily against her. I've already decided on who's joining, but feel free to take some guesses.
As always, thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed and I'llsee you in the next one.