I do not own Familia Myth or any of the characters.
Trap
"Sorry," Ethan said as his advisor stared at him blankly.
"You're sorry?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Really? You? When was the last time you were sorry for making my job hard? Do you realize how much paperwork I have to do every time you go into the dungeon just because you go deeper than you're supposed to?"
"I'm going to guess a lot," Ethan said.
"I think it would be easier to get a place in the Freya Familia," the advisor said.
"So...a lot," Ethan said.
She sighed irritably. "Yes, Ethan. A lot."
"Right," Ethan nodded. "Well...like I said, I'm sorry."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure."
"I mean it," Ethan said. "I don't mean to make your job hard. I just needed to get as strong as I could as fast as I could."
"And did you get strong enough to be satisfied?" she asked.
"Not really, no," Ethan said. "But I got strong enough to protect my family, so I suppose I can live with it. For now, at least."
She sighed, nodding. "Then can you do me a favor and actually listen to me for a bit? Lay low. You know what Apollo's like, so just try to lay low until this blows over."
"It won't just blow over," Ethan said.
"Even still," she said. "Just try. Please."
"I'll try," Ethan said. "Unless he threatens someone I care about. The moment that happens, I'm going to defend them."
"Okay," she nodded. "I can live with that."
Ethan returned the nod and stood, leaving the Guild and going shopping for a few hours for some new armor, though he came up empty, as well as some healing potions, before heading back to the church a little before sunset, only to stop inside as he saw Hestia wearing a beautiful purple dress with black frills spiraling down it and Bell wearing a full suit.
"What's going on?" Ethan asked.
"Oh, there you are!" Hestia said. "Apollo invited us to a banquet. He was very specific that every Familia attending should bring one of their children."
"Which is why Bell is in a suit," Ethan nodded.
"Yes," Hestia nodded. "However, since there's only the two of you, and since you were in his Familia as well, he invited you, too. By name, even. Your suit's in your room, change quickly, please."
Ethan frowned, but nodded, changing quickly. He had worn suits before as a part of the Apollo Familia, so it didn't take him long to get dressed, however, the fact that Apollo wanted him there, enough to invite him by name, worried him. A god inviting an adventurer they banished to a party at their house was not normal. With it being Apollo, that meant one thing. It was a trap. However, when he brought it up to Hestia on the carriage ride over, which Apollo arranged for them, she said that it was fine, and that she had invited Miach and Takemikazuchi so that they could all go together in order to keep Apollo from trying anything.
"That won't stop him, Goddess," Ethan said. "If Apollo wants to pull something on us, which he will, he'll do it regardless of who's there."
Hestia nodded. "We'll deal with it if it happens."
Ethan nodded, falling silent but still trying to think of what Apollo had planned. He couldn't strip Ethan of his statuses again, because Ethan wasn't his. He couldn't hurt Hestia without incurring the wrath of the Guild. Ethan frowned. He couldn't think of anything Apollo would be able to do. Except for a War Game. But Apollo wouldn't go that far just to punish Ethan, he didn't think. Ambush him in a dungeon, yes. Ambush him in the city, sure. But he doubted Apollo would go to the trouble of declaring a War Game in order to steal Ethan just to banish him again.
Finally, the carriage rolled to a stop and they got out, all of them heading for the door, meeting Miach on the way, Miach being accompanied by a Chienthrope, dog-human hybrid, girl named Naaza, who long, wavy brown hair, a pair of dog ears sticking up from her hair, and a scarlet dress with her right arm covered, and her hand covered by a white glove.
"Thank you Hestia," Miach said. "You even got the carriages and clothes for us."
"Oh, it's fine," Hestia smiled. "I was just doing it for Naaza. You need something fancy in your life, don't you?"
"You have my thanks, Lady Hestia," Naaza said.
"Take's group should be here already," Hestia said. "Come on!"
She led them all inside, and as they walked, Ethan glanced at Miach, who gave him a knowing look.
"You'd best be on your guard," Miach said.
Ethan nodded, resolving himself to not eat or drink anything. As they walked in, Hermes greeted them all, smiling happily.
"You're as loud as ever, Hermes," Hestia said as Hermes and Asfi walked over with Take and Mikoto. "I'm surprised to see you with Take, though."
Mikoto wore an elegant purple dress and her hair in a bun with a loose strand tucked behind her ear. She looked beautiful, but also looked a bit annoyed by Hermes's presence.
"We're not together because I wanted us to be," Take said, only for Hermes to drape an arm around his shoulders.
"Aw, don't be that way, Takemikazuchi," Hermes smiled. "We both worked to save Bell together, right?"
"Get off me!" Take growled, pushing Hermes away.
Hermes darted over to Bell and Naaza. "Mikoto looks wonderful, but so do you two. But check this!" He gestured dramatically at Asfi, who blushed bright red. "My Asfi is pretty good, too, huh?
She wore a pale yellow dress with white frills at the top, white bicep-length gloves, and looked extremely uncomfortable being the center of attention.
"I'll hit you," Asfi warned unconvincingly. "I mean it."
"You're cute when you blush, Asfi," Hermes smiled, leaning in next to her, only for her to elbow him and send him flying across the room.
"Everyone, thank you for coming!" Apollo called out suddenly, wearing a white and red suit and with a green wreath of laurels in his orange hair as he stood at the top of the stairs.
Ethan swallowed hard as Apollo's gaze instantly found him.
"So that's Apollo?" Bell asked.
"Yeah," Ethan said, wishing he had been allowed to at least bring a knife, even if not the saber he still had from the end of the fight against the Black Goliath.
"You were in his Familia before, right?" Mikoto asked.
"Sure was," Ethan said. "He banished me."
As Apollo smiled out at the crowd, eyes moving from Ethan to Bell and back again, Cassandra, a girl with long blue hair covering her right eye, and Daphne, her best friend who was always at her side and who had short red hair, stepped up to either side of Apollo, and Hyakinthos stepped up to Daphne's other side. His eyes instantly locked with Ethan's and hatred filled them.
"Today, I decided to hold a slightly different banquet than usual," Apollo continued. "Are you enjoying it? Dressing up the children you love so much and bringing them to a banquet like this is quite the change of pace, isn't it?"
Cheers rang out instantly.
"Good job, Apollo!" someone shouted. "Brilliant!"
Apollo nodded approvingly, Ethan seeing the smug satisfaction and superiority practically shining from his eyes like a floodlight.
"I'm glad to see so many of my fellow gods and goddesses here with their children," Apollo said. "Tonight will be a night for new meetings, and reunions." His eyes found Ethan and Bell again. "I just have a feeling." After a moment, he looked around, raising his arms. "Now, the night is long! Everyone, have a good time!"
People began to mingle instantly, and Cody made a beeline for the nearest balcony, only for Hyakinthos's hand to land on his shoulder within moments.
"Take your hand off of me, or you'll be seen beating a guest who was invited to this banquet by name," Ethan warned. "How would that look for your precious Apollo?"
Hyakinthos's hand squeezed painfully and he leaned in to whisper. "If you think you're welcome here, you're sorely mistaken. You should remember that we hold something near and dear to your heart in our hands, and the next time you anger us, we may not be able to guarantee her safety."
Ethan's eyes turned red as he glared back at him. "You lay a hand on Anya, and I'll shove that hand up your ass."
Hyakinthos grinned wickedly. "Perhaps you'll have a chance to back up those words soon. Though, based on what happened at the bar, I doubt it'll be nearly as entertaining as he assume."
"Oh, it'll be plenty entertaining for me," Ethan said, eyes returning to brown before he batted Hyakinthos's hand away. "Now get the fuck away from me before he both ruin Apollo's name."
"Your goddess's name would be dragged through the mud as well," Hyakinthos said.
"Not when you're the only one landing hits," Ethan said. "I hold all the cards right now."
"Is that what you think?" Hyakinthos asked.
He chuckled, then turned and walked away. Ethan grit his teeth and walked quickly to the balcony, leaning on the railing and gritting his teeth, swallowing his scream of rage. He hated Hyakinthos. Truly. Everything he was screamed for him to tear him apart. But he couldn't. If he threw the first punch, he'd be punished, and Hestia would be shamed even more than when she had taken him in. She had hidden it well, but he knew most of the gods had separated themselves from her further. Only her close friends, Hephaestus, and Hermes had still been willing to talk to her.
"You still don't like him, do you?" Anya's voice asked.
"Can you blame me?" He asked, turning and seeing her in a black dress that contrasted her silver hair and made it stand out even better. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you," Anya smiled. "You clean up pretty well too, big bro. Hungry?" She offered him a plate with his favorite meat and sweets on it.
"I don't trust him enough not to try to poison me," Ethan said.
"Well, do you trust me?" Anya asked.
"Of course I do," Ethan said.
"Good," she smiled. "Because I made your food personally since I knew you wouldn't trust him enough to eat."
He smiled, accepting the plate and beginning to eat, his smile growing. "It's as amazing as always."
Anya smiled proudly. "So, your goddess is very pretty."
Ethan rolled his eyes instantly. "Why do you always assume that any pretty girl I talk to is the love of my life?"
Anya raised her eyebrow.
"Just because you happen to be correct this time doesn't change the fact that you can't just assume that," Ethan said.
Anya's grin grew rapidly, but he shook his head.
"She's in love with Bell," Ethan said. "Completely. Not only did she sneak into the dungeon for him, but she also unleashed her divine power inside the dungeon in order to save him from a battle he was winning. We ended up having to fight a Level Five Floor Boss on the Eighteenth Floor when the Dungeon tried to kill her, but that's not her fault. She was just trying to help the person she loves."
"The person she loves should be you," Anya said.
Ethan smiled, shaking his head. "I can see why she loves him. It's fair."
"You're too soft and kind," Anya said. "You should be trying to steal her."
"I couldn't if I tried," Ethan said. "She's chosen him. That's all there is to it."
Anya nodded. "Well, is there a plan B?"
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Anya."
"What?" Anya asked. "This is the first person you've ever loved. It's a fair question."
"No, there's no plan B," Ethan said, then glanced up at Hyakinthos, seeing him watching them. "You're not safe here."
"They won't hurt me," Anya said. "I'm one of Apollo's favorites."
"He'd hurt you if it was to get to me," Ethan said. "You know that."
Anya sighed and nodded. "Yes. He probably would. But it's okay. I can take care of myself."
Ethan gave her a skeptical look.
"I can!" Anya said, hands on her hips. "Just because I'm a supporter doesn't mean I can't defend myself!"
"Anya, you run away from a normal spider," Ethan said.
"So?" Anya asked. "You had a panic attack from a normal wasp."
"Hey, that's a perfectly legitimate thing to be afraid of.!" Ethan defended himself.
Anya laughed as Ethan finished the last of his food, setting the plate on the railing. As he looked into the ball room, he saw Bell dancing with Ais. He was horrible. However, after some words of encouragement from Take and Mikoto, and likely pointers about dancing, Bell began to get the hang of it, Ais actually smiling. She looked beautiful in her light green dress with dark green bicep-length green gloves and a dark green choker necklace with a four-sided green gemstone hanging from the bottom in a silver backing. Ethan could see why Bell had such a monumental crush on her. Ethan's gaze swept left across the room, finding both Hestia and Loki, who despite being a female was dressed in a red suit, being held by Asfi, both of them throwing a fit about the pair dancing.
"Seems like you're not the only one in love with someone who has eyes only for someone else," Anya said.
"It's not only for someone else," Ethan said. "Not with Bell. He's got a giant crush on Ais, but he's not so in love with her that Hestia's feelings could never get through to him."
"I see," Anya said.
"Are you all enjoying the party?" Apollo asked suddenly, striding through the room with Cassandra and Daphne just behind him.
Suddenly, all of the lights went out, save for a spotlight on Ais and Bell, who stepped away from each other instantly. Ethan cursed, pushing through the crowd, Anya following. Hestia stepped in between Apollo and Bell, glaring at the god.
"Hello Hestia," Apollo said with a sneer plastered to his face. "I'm told my children had some trouble with your Familia the other day."
"O-Oh, sorry about that," Hestia stammered.
"My children were badly hurt by yours," Apollo said.
Ethan grimaced. He should have known hurting that little runt Luan so bad was going to bite him in the ass.
"I want sufficient compensation," Apollo continued.
"What are you talking about!?" Hestia demanded. "Bell came home hurt too! And Ethan! It wasn't just our fault!"
Apollo's eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second at Ethan's name, but his borderline sneer simply grew. Ethan opened his mouth, only for Take and Miach to catch him by the arms, covering his mouth.
"It's too late," Miach said. "You can't help. He's trapped you three. The best you can do is let it play out and deal with the aftermath."
Ethan grit his teeth, but as Apollo claimed to have proof, he understood how right they were. Another spotlight turned on and shone down on Luan, bandages covering his face, torso, both arms and legs, his left arm in a cast and sling, and his right foot in a cast, his right hand holding a crutch.
"It hurts!" Luan wailed dramatically. "It hurts so much!"
Ethan frowned. He didn't remember hurting him that badly. Though he could very well have. Luan was pathetically weak, and he had been under the effects of his skill.
"Bell, did you really..." Hestia trailed off.
"I did not!" Bell said. "I did not!"
"I'm told you threw the first punch," Apollo said.
"No," Ethan said, unable to let Apollo continue slandering them without at least trying to help. "I did." He pulled his arms free of Take and Miach and joined the rest of his Familia in the spotlight. "I threw the first punch, and on Luan." He gestured to the faking runt. "However, I didn't do it for no reason. Yes, I was wrong to attack him, but he had been belittling my friends, and my goddess. Among other things, he called her a disgrace, and hinted at calling her a whore, who's only able to freeload, and who only managed to get Bell and myself into her Familia by trying to seduce us." He felt a little bad about lying, but he'd get over it. "Honestly, Lord Apollo, if that's the kind of people you're proud to have in your Familia, weaklings who belittle others and insult goddesses as though they believe themselves to be better than them, then who get angry and whine when they get punished for doing so, I'm glad I'm no longer a part of your Familia. A Familia that includes people like that is a disgrace to Familias."
Apollo openly glared at him. "So you confess to attacking my children over a few insults? It seems I was right to banish you, filth."
"Yeah, because my sister bumped her head when we fell, then I almost died on the way out making sure she didn't receive another scratch, much less any other wounds," Ethan said. "Amazingly fair grounds for zeroing an adventurer out and banishing them."
Apollo's glare intensified, then morphed into a wicked grin. "Does this boy speak for you, Hestia?"
"No!" Hestia snapped. "We have nothing to repay you for! Come on Bell, we're leaving!"
Ethan swallowed his emotions. He could be hurt that she would essentially refuse to stick up for him and leave him on his own later. For now, he was more concerned with Apollo's victorious smile.
"Very well!" Apollo shouted, hands in the air. "The Apollo Familia challenges you to a War Game!"
Ethan's gut dropped as Apollo's eyes riveted themselves to Bell. So that was it. He was there because the War Game would allow Apollo to zero him out again after his Familia won and took Ethan and Bell. And then Bell would be Apollo's. Ethan recognized the look in Apollo's eyes. He wanted Bell even more than he wanted to punish Ethan. Ethan looked around the room as people began to cheer and call for Hestia to accept.
"If we win, I'm taking your child, Bell Cranel!" Apollo shouted, pointing at him and licking his lips hungrily, before turning a wicked sneer to Ethan. "If he does well enough, I'll even accept Ethan back into my Familia!"
Ethan swallowed the insults he wanted to say. Now wasn't the time for that.
"You're not taking Bell!" Hestia spat.
"You can't keep a cutie like him all to yourself, Hestia!" Apollo said, blushing and again licking his lips.
"Is that what you were after from the start, pervert!?" Hestia spat.
"How mean,"Apollo said. "And you and I were so deeply in love in Heaven." He winked at her.
"Liar!" Hestia spat. "I turned you down and never looked back!" She calmed herself and turned to leave. "Anyway, this is a waste of time. We have no reason to accept a War Game."
Ethan turned to follow, only for both to stop as Apollo spoke again.
"You're regret it," Apollo warned.
"I will not!" Hestia said. "Let's go Bell."
"R-Right!" Bell stammered, following her.
Ethan looked back at Apollo, seeing the wicked glee on his face, then turned back to the front, following Hestia, Anya joining him at the door and walking out with him, her pack already on her back.
"You need to go to the Guild to hide," Ethan said. "Even Apollo can't touch you there."
"I'll be safe with you," Anya said.
"Anya, please," Ethan said. "Do this for me."
Anya hesitated before nodding. "Okay. Be careful."
"I will," Ethan said.
As they reached the carriages, Ethan let Hestia know he was going to escort Anya to the Guild and the four of them split up between two carriages. After a long, silent ride to the Guild, he said goodbye to his sister and headed for the church. As he reached it, he walked to his room, changing into a plain black Tee-shirt and jeans, then grabbed his saber and sat in a chair in front of the front door. Apollo was going to have his War Game, with or without rules. It was only a matter of time.
"What are you doing?" Bell asked.
"Waiting for the Apollo Familia to attack us," Ethan said. "When they do, I'll keep them busy while you and our goddess get away. You're faster, so it's better if you escape with her."
"I'm also stronger," Bell pointed out.
"Not when I'm defending her, you're not," Ethan said. "For her, there's no one that I won't kill, or won't be able to. Except Ais."
Bell sighed. "Alright. But...don't kill anyone."
"Anyone who attempts to harm my goddess will be given no mercy," Ethan said. "If they attack, they die."
Bell sighed, turning and heading back through the concealed door to his and Hestia's rooms. As he walked away, Ethan sank into his thoughts, mind drifting back to the party. To Hestia all but hanging him out to dry. To Hestia refusing to allow Apollo to take Bell. Not her children. Just Bell. He sighed. He should have known that would be the case. He had already known that he didn't even register to her when compared to Bell. He shouldn't be surprised that things would go that way. And yet, it still hurt. His heart felt like it was in a vice, and his chest felt cold. He smiled humorlessly. Just another reminder of his true purpose in life. He existed to protect. To sacrifice everything he had for others, and yet be given nothing in return. That was all he could do. And even then he failed. He couldn't keep his sister safe. He couldn't protect Hestia well enough and ended up broken for it. He couldn't defeat the Black Goliath no matter how hard he tried. He hadn't been able to protect his friends from the Black Goliath, resulting in Ryuu and Asfi both being hurt when it caught them, Ouka was severely wounded when he was slapped, Bell was blasted by Howl. He'd failed everyone. He'd fought wounded and still wasn't good enough. And yet, still his only purpose seemed to be to sacrifice for those around him. He sighed. At least he had a place in Hestia's Familia, even if it was to shield her and Bell.
He looked up at the door again, He wished Hyakinthos would show up, or Luan. Or basically any of the other Apollo Familia members. Well, anyone but Cassandra and Daphne. He'd always liked them. He sighed, settling in. It was going to be a very long night.
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