SUP!
FOLLOWER HERE!
And today I bring you the second chapter for this story.
This follows a line similar to the eighth volume of the Light Novel, as in it serves as a more setup kind of read.
Since I did introduce a new Familia last chapter and it was majorly focused on fighting, I had to break the momentum so it doesn't get too rushed.
Anyways, I think I've talked long enough.
I hope you enjoy this chapter and, if you want, post a review so I can see what you thought about it!
See ya!
AVANTI!
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Bell awoke with a start.
His body drenched in sweat, the boy looked feverishly for his companions, only to come up empty.
He reckoned he was at a room much like the ones at the Hostess of Fertility. A single bed, a dresser...but with no signs of Lily and Welf.
A cold grip started to squeeze his throat, the pain of losing his friends, his Familia, was too much to bear.
He tried standing up by propping his arms, but he found out that they were almost useless. Not being able to maintain even a fraction of his body upright, Bell started to twist and tense the muscles in his legs to see if they were as spent as the ones in his arms.
He found out they were worse.
So he couldn't get up and he also couldn't walk.
Wonderful.
But maybe he wasn't in trouble.
He wasn't tied or anything, his armor and weapons were by his side in a chair, there were potions stacked right next to him...
All in all, the Little Rookie didn't feel much threatened by this place.
"You up, Rook?", asked a voice from the other side of the door.
Bell got a bit agitated when he didn't recognize the voice, but rationalized that maybe he should give whoever it was the benefit of the doubt after taking care of him.
"Yes, I am", he responded.
The door opened to show an alburn haired girl. Her age and height about the same as Aisha's.
And so was her beauty.
Bell was transfixed.
Her eyes had the color of ambar, and her face had the regal air of royalty, from the thin lips to her pointed ears.
'A High-Elf, huh', Bell figured.
"If you're done staring, how about we start trying to patch you up?", she quipped.
"OH, I-I'M SO VERY, VERY SORRY!", Bell almost yelled, embarrassed.
"Relax, Rook, just messing with you", she said, smiling, "pardon me if this sounds convinced, but I'm quite used to this reaction".
"Right...but still, sorry about that, miss...".
"Faye. And it's fine".
"So, miss Faye...".
"Just call me Faye. Adding that miss makes me feel a bit old".
Now, being a High-Elf, it was a very possible scenario that she was hundreds of years old.
'Best not to say that', Bell decided.
"So, mi...I mean, Faye", he corrected upon seeing her frown, "how long have I been unconscious?".
"About a week".
"A WEEK?", he screamed.
"Dammit, my hearing is sensible, no need to yell", she said, flinching from the outburst, "and yes, a week. You were lucky to be alive, for that matter. That battle really did a number on you".
"Battle...", he whispered.
That's right, the war against Rakia.
Wait...
The war!
"WHERE IS MY FAMILIA? IS EVERYONE OKAY?", he exploded again.
"Again, sensitive hearing, no need to destroy my eardrums", she reprimanded him, who shrunk under her gaze, "they are fine. Worried, of course, but no one was as injured as you".
"I'm glad".
"You really love them, don't you?", she smiles.
"I do", he smiles back.
"I'm like that with my Familia too. We are all one big, disfunctional family".
"From which Familia are you? I don't remember seeing you around Orario before".
"That's because we barely stop by here. We're busy with excursions so we don't stick around. Oh, and we're Artemis Familia, by the way".
"Artemis...", he repeated.
Somewhere in his mind, Bell was sure that he remembered someone else saying that was his or hers Familia too, but he let it go.
The goddess of the moon. Of the hunt. Of wildlife.
And because of yesterday, probably a goddess of victory as well
"Oh, I didn't even know lady Artemis had a Familia".
"Oh, she has. A ridiculously big one. We often separate so we can take care of all our jobs and contracts".
"Contracts?".
"Yes, we are not your usual Familia, you see", Faye laughed, "we are a surface hunting Familia".
"Surface hunting?".
"You really do ask a lot, don't you, Rook?".
"Sorry...".
"It's fine, it's only natural to be confused given your circumstances. I heard you've began your career as an adventurer not so long ago. You have an impressive record, if I may say so".
"T-Thank you, but I haven't done anything so extraordinary".
"It's good to have humility, Rook, but you must also learn to be more proud. There is no sin in being proud in your achievements".
Faye sits down on the edge of Bell's bed.
"Well, surface hunting means that we take jobs hunting down monsters or wanted criminals outside of the dungeon. We're probably the best Familia there is in this business. We do it in the dungeon as well but for the most part we stay above ground".
"Oh, so you're bounty hunters?".
Faye's eye's darken.
"Don't clump us with those degenerates. We go after only those who need and or deserve being apprehended. Bounty hunters are just hired guns with no moral compass".
"Oh, forgive me, I didn't know the difference", Bell apologizes again.
"It's fine, I overreacted a bit. It just gets on my nerves".
A minute passes.
"So, Faye, where exactly am I?".
"Oh, right, forgot you were unconscious before arriving", she laughs, embarrassed, "we are in a bar called Hostess of Fertility, in Orario".
"We are in Mia's bar?".
"Oh, you know her?".
"Yes, I come here often with my Familia. It's like a second home to me".
Faye smiles.
"Well, I'm glad you say that, because the feeling seems to be mutual".
Bell cocks his head to the side, confused.
"What do you mean?".
"Well, the staff has been operating with one less person ever since you were admitted. Apparently, Mia asked her staff to always have someone caring for the wounded, but even though you're the only one still bedridden she kept letting one girl around you all the time, for when you woke up".
"Really? She did that for me?".
"Well, when I asked her she denied it, but about five minutes later she sent someone to wait in your room so my guess is that she's just too proud to admit it".
Bell felt really happy.
He never denied how much they meant to him, but he also never gave much thought about the degree at which they reciprocated his friendship.
To him, it didn't matter much if they didn't greet him on the streets as long as they were happy.
To know that they cared as much about him a he did for them made him feel truly blessed.
"I don't even know how to start thanking them...".
"Don't worry, Mia said that she would consider it even if you spent a lot of money next time you stopped for dinner with your Familia".
Bell sweatdropped.
"Of course she did", he laughs a bit.
"But I also need to thank you, Faye".
Bell then used all the strength he had to prop himself up enough so that he could bow his head to the elf.
"Thank you for caring for my Familia and me. I am in your debt, so if there is anything you'd like, please, ask away".
"H-hey, stop that, lift your head".
Bell did.
Faye had an extremely flustered face.
'Even though it happens all the time, I think she doesn't deal well with the attention'.
"But to be honest, your Familia already offered her mansion for us to stay in, so there's no need for you to do anything".
"Oh, so you're staying with us?".
"Yep".
"Wait, why didn't I go to my Familia's home, then? If everyone is fine and there's such a strong Familia with us, then why am I still in the Hostess?".
"Well, two waitresses here were really adamant in keeping you around in case anyone tried to take you out. Goddess Hestia wasn't at all thrilled about it, but she was eventually won over by god Miach, god Takemikazuchi and goddess Artemis".
"Two waitresses?".
"Yes, I believe their names were Ryuu and...Sylvia, I think?".
"Sylvia? Do you mean Syr?".
"Yes, that's the one".
"They've done so much for me...".
"Of course they did, you are a close friend of them. Also, having you around has done wonders for the bar's publicity".
"It has?".
"Yeah. Apparently, this and the battle with the Apollo Familia made you a superstar who clutches the win at the last moment".
"But I didn't give us a win, I passed out...you guys are the real heroes".
"You nearly gave your life for this city, you saved I don't even know how many people and you were possibly the most fundamental reason as to why we didn't lose Orario before my Familia came".
Faye gets up and goes for the door.
"Perhaps you weren't the one responsible for the victory in the end", she says, opening the door, "but you definitely were the one that made us persist. Never forget that".
Faye then closes the door, and Bell's arms give out, making him fall in his pillow.
The white haired boy then falls asleep again, but this time, with a smile on his face.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-
"How did this happen?", asked Finn.
"We don't know. All three gods in this alliance of Ares aren't really on the radar. No connections or attempts to establish communications with other Familias. This is as shocking to us as it is to you", answered Loki.
This whole debacle was the talk of all Orario.
Ares is, or was, someone predictable. He may be one hell of a general, but his army never put up much of a fight because of the difference in level.
But this time they were leveled, and it showed something quite unsettling to Finn.
If both armies were leveled, Ares had the upper hand.
Finn bit his thumb.
"All the gods are discussing a counterattack on Ares", started Loki, "but personally, I think it's the wrong move".
"Yes, Ares would have plans for this instance. Please do try to repel this, Loki".
"I'm working on it. I can't go all out now, after Itty-Bitty's tantrum".
At the Denatus
"ARE YOU INSANE?", Hestia screamed.
"Hestia, please have the appropriate decorum. We are at session".
There is an expression that says that gods are fickle creatures.
Whoever said that was completely right.
How all this deities were able to go from bullies when choosing nicknames, to scared cats when being invaded to cold generals in a war council were beyond Hestia.
"No, I won't. This is insane! If we do this, we have no idea what the repercussions will be!".
"What repercussions? If we burn Rakia to the ground, there'll be no one to try and do something".
"Your answer to this is genocide?!".
"We prefer purge".
"Syntax doesn't change the rivers of blood that will be spilled! Ours and theirs!".
"We can live with that".
"Of course you can, you aren't the ones who'll get their hands bloodied. They'll be our children, who tainted their souls for the whims of idiotic gods!".
"That's enough, Hestia!".
Hestia glares coldly at the god, who shrinks under her gaze.
"This will backfire greatly. Best case scenario, someone survived and seeks revenge, spilling some innocent blood. Worst case scenario, they become a martir. We'll be safe for a few generations, but every empire whose foundations are tragedy and fear always falls. Always".
Hestia gets up and goes for the door.
"If you are to continue this plan, then be advised that Hestia Familia will take no part in it. I won't make my children murderers just because the gods they so respect are self absorbed jackasses".
"You don't have a choice in the matter, Hestia. The council demands your assistance".
"I don't remember signing anything that forced my participation".
"Even so...".
Loki stands up.
"Oh, come on, let her go! It's not like her Familia would make a great difference anyways", Loki said, "let me deal with this little annoyance here and you all continue discussing this invasion thing".
"Very well, in that case we shall continue our talks...".
Loki pushes Hestia out.
"The hell is your problem!?", Loki almost yells.
"We both know that things are different this time, Loki. You saw their eyes, they're scared. This was too close of a call".
"Yet another reason for us to take it slow".
"I know them enough to predict their next moves. They will act rashly, they will get innocent adventurers and supporters killed and, even though it is very likely that we win this battle, no good will come of this".
Loki suddenly smiles.
"Okay, they're not listening to us anymore, we can talk freely".
Hestia's expression then softened.
"I underestimated you, Hestia", Loki started, "you actually have a great grasp of the situation".
"I noticed the looks you were giving me to do something. This way, you have a scapegoat and their favor, am I correct?".
"You sure are. Now I can move freely. You spooked them just enough to make my life a bit easier".
"Happy to help. Now, I have to go back, but do steer those idiots in the right direction, please".
"When have I ever disappointed you, Itty-Bitty?", Loki says, and Hestia glares, "okay, too soon, got it. But relax, this maestro will guide the orchestra just right".
Hestia nods.
"You better. They won't have Bell to save their asses this time", she says as she walks aways, her steps somehow sounding more powerful.
Loki watches the diminite goddess walk away and turn back to the door.
"Well", she says, taking a deep breath and smiling a devious smile, "let's do this".
She enters back into the room.
Back at present time
"I have to say, she truly shined this time".
"So now we just wait?", Finn asks.
"Yes. Do as you normally do. Go to the dungeon to clear you mind if you'd like, just remember to act natural".
"As you wish".
Finn leaves the room.
Loki exhales.
"I'm getting too old for this shit".
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
"How you doing, Bell?", Welf asks.
Two of the members of Hestia's Familia were at the Hostess of Fertility, visiting their recovering friend.
"I'm good. A little sore, but it doesn't hurt as bad as when I woke up".
"You were lucky, Bell. That stunt you pulled lmost killed you", Lili says.
"I'm really glad it only almost did that", Bell laughs.
Lili's frown deepens.
"Dammit, this isn't funny. Look at you, you can barely move. A little more could have paralyzed you!".
"Lili, if I haven't done this you would've die. All of you. I'm sorry, but I don't regret it".
"I know, it's just... this was too close, ok? We almost lost you", she says, tears forming in her eyes, "I don't even want to think about what would have happened if-if you...".
Bell's eyes widen.
'Damn...'.
He really had no idea why his Familia loved him so much. But he'd be damned if he let them cry because of him.
Bell puts his hand on her head.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry I made you cry, so in return I promise to be a bit more careful, okay?", he asks with a smile.
"You mean it?", she asks, eyes watery.
"Of course".
A moment passes.
"But if another nation attacks I'll do it all again, though".
Lili slaps his hand away.
"YOU JUST SAID YOU'D BE MORE CAREFUL!".
"I said I'd be a bit more careful, not a lot".
"YOU JERK!", Lili starts punching him lightly in the chest.
Bell laughs heartily, and at the sound of it, everyone inside starts laughing too.
'Now that's more like it', thinks Welf.
Things weren't the same without the white haired boy around. He had an easy-going aura that made things lighter.
"So, all ready to go back home?".
"Sure, I can finish recovering at the manor".
"I wouldn't advise it", said a voice.
It was Chloe, one of the waitresses at the Hostess of Fertility.
"Why? Is he not good enough to be moved yet?".
"Oh, he is. Matter of fact, he could've left a few days ago even, while he was still down".
"Then why are you against him leaving?".
"Because if he did, Syr and Ryuu would stop being wi-", she was cut short by a chair being violently thrown through the door and on her back.
"OOOUCH!", she yells.
"Oh my, Chloe, we didn't see you there, sorry", Syr says, entering through the space in which a door previously resided.
"Even so, this is too gratuitous...", Chloe mumbles.
Syr bends down to Chloe in the ground and whispers in her ear.
"Quite a tongue you got there, young lady. That's a big no-no around here", the waitress said, with a dangerous, borderline sadistic tone.
Chloe was terrified.
"I wonder what should I do to make you understand how much I did not appreciate what you almost did. How about...", Syr's hand stop right in front of Chloe's face the moment a certain voice appears.
"Hey Syr...", Bell starts.
Chloe is saved.
"Is Chloe okay?".
Syr gets up instantly, with a pure smile plastered on her face.
"Yes, she's a tough girl, this isn't enough to hurt her".
"Oh, I'm glad".
Chloe sighs in relief.
'Saved by the Bell'.
But another chill goes down her spine.
She looks up to see both Syr and Ryuu with an evil glint on their eyes.
Chloe immediately picks up the message.
This ain't over.
"So what's this about you two making Bell stay over?", Lili asks, a bit ticked off.
"It's nothing, Chloe was just kidding. We love having you around, Bell, but you don't think I would keep you here against your will, do you?", Syr asks, fluttering her eyelashes.
"No, I don't think so".
If you were to have the reaction time and reflexes of Ryuu, you would have seen a grin start to form on Syr's face when Bell answered.
But since mostly no one had that, it went unnoticed.
"I'm so glad! I was starting to think that you didn't trust me...even after all we've been through...".
"No, no! I trust you, Syr! Actually, I can honestly say that everyone here at the Hostess of Fertility is someone I completely trust!".
This time, Syr didn't fight back the smile.
"That's wonderful!".
"That's dangerous", Ryuu said.
"Why? It's not like we hate the rookie. Even Mia seems to like him".
"I mean that it is dangerous to trust completely in people that you have no idea how they are outside of work. We're amicable and helpful here, but you know not about us on our free time".
"Ryuu...".
"She's right, Bell. Even if I agree that everyone at this establishment is very nice and kind to us, you shouldn't be so trustful of people you know very little about".
"But I do know Syr and Ryuu. Mia too, a bit".
"But that's not everyone, is it? How many times have you hung out with Chloe here?".
"I mean, I could ask her".
"Ohhh, asking me out, are ya? Well, I gladly woul-", she's stopped by a stomp on her hand.
"OOOOWWWWW!".
"Oh no, what an unfortunate accident!", Syr exclaims, a bit of extra flair than usual, "Ryuu, let's take her to the kitchen and check out this and her other wounds".
"WHAT OTHER WOUNDS, YOU LUNATIC?!".
"You were hit with a chair. You could have lots of bruises that maybe you didn't notice yet".
"Exactly. And you even fell down afterwards. So many possibilities for different wounds go through my head that I think we should actually take you to a reserved room".
"I agree. It's best if we don't disturb anyone while aiding you".
Chloe is dragged out, crying and clawing at the floor.
"Man, I really do not envy you in the slightest, Bell", Welf sighes.
"What do you mean?".
Lili just shakes her head.
"Nothing, Bell", the supporter answers, sighing, "nothing at all".
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
In another part of Orario, a lone smith was checking out her latest work.
'Needs refining', said the Cyclops to herself.
Tsubaki was really critic of her work.
Where people saw styled and enormous swords, she saw unneeded weight. Where they saw bulk, she saw imprecise distribution. Where they saw perfection, she only looked at the flaws.
Some might say that's a great thing. Some might not.
What was undisputable was the fact that Tsubaki wasn't a settler. She strived for the perfection she knew humans couldn't reach.
For that, she was cursed. To always run towards something she'd never reach.
'Add it to the pile', she sighed, throwing the pristine weapon on the ground as if it was garbage.
She had a great demand.
Perhaps the best smith in Orario, she was only second to the gods, according to a great number of customers.
And that made her creations expensive.
So it was a truth that, at the very least, 85% of the weapons she forged were going to be primary weapons for adventurers and supporters.
If they weren't the perfect weight, if the handle wasn't ergonomic, if the sharpness wasn't fine tuned...
All that could lead to possible problems.
Now, her weapons, even on an uninspired day, never were wrong by such a margin. So the chances of even a seasoned adventurer not realizing slight errors were close to absolute.
Even so, that was unacceptable for the level 5.
A smith's job is to create the best possible weapon for the client. It's to ensure the safety of the user and whoever is around. It's to sharpen a blade so much that certain death becomes easily preventable.
Bottom line, a smith's job is to make equipment that can shield from or cut fate itself.
And that's why she gave her all and made sure she wasn't just delivering faulty equipment.
On her mind, either she did all she could or she failed. There was not a middle ground.
The faulty weapon joined with axes, swords and pieces of armor on the floor.
A bell then rings, signifying the presence of someone entering her shop.
"Good afternoon, how may I...", she stops as soon as the person comes into view.
Red hair. A vivid, scarlet cascade flowed down her shoulders.
Red eyes. A quick look would intimidate you, but if you were to really look into her eyes, you would feel a very strange mixture of utter admiration and breaking fear.
Her features were stoic, further increasing the complete dominance she commanded without even opening her mouth.
Yes, this was a person who you would not want to cross at any circumstances.
Most people would be paralyzed by all this.
But as we have established...
Tsubaki wasn't most people.
"SCARLET!", she yelled, arms open for a hug and a huge smile on her face.
"I told you, smith, that is not my name", the woman said, voice sounding tired.
"I know, but it just fits so well!".
"I would prefer if you used my real name, please".
"Fine, fine", Tsubaki sighes.
A moment passes.
"What's your name again?", she asks coily.
"My name is-".
"Just, before you continue", Tsubaki interrupts, "you do know that I will just keep calling you Scarlet, right?".
"But as I have just told you, I would much prefer...".
"BORING! Scarlet, you weren't this boring last time, you know?".
"I was boring last time?", the woman says, a little upset at that.
"Painfully so, but NO MATTER!", Tsubaki grins, "because I assume you're bringing me an order, am I right?".
Scarlet sobers.
"Yes, I have come with a request".
"Cool, lay it on me. The designs from your Familia are always fun to do, they're very simple, but personal at the same time".
"I'd like an upgrade on my knife", she says, handing the weapon to her.
The knife wasn't anything spectacular to see. It's as bland as it could be.
It was entirely silver, and both the handle and blade were identical, with the only difference being a curve in the blade.
It was a very low quality kitchen knife, that did not match the presence of the user at all.
At seeing such disparity, Tsubaki just stared incredulously.
"This is some kind of sick joke, right?".
"I don't follow".
"WHAT IS THIS...THIS GARBAGE?! WHERE'S THE KNIFE I MADE YOU?".
"It broke a few years ago".
"So what, you just took a kitchen knife as you primary instead?".
"Yes".
Not many times had Tsubaki wanted so badly to stab a customer.
"WHY?".
"Well, it...cuts. Just like that knife", the red haired woman said, not understand the smith's commotion.
The Level 5's state was deteriorating with every answer.
"I don't understand your reaction, this knife cut explendidly the first time I used it".
'Oh, then perhaps it's a hidden gem', Tsubaki rationalized.
Tsubaki knew lots of cases of it.
Household objects made by rare or unusual materials were sometimes found.
Perhaps heirlooms from rich lineages or just mistakenly made, pawn shops across the world had tons of treasures just waiting to be found.
"So from what is it made?".
"I don't know".
"Is it enchanted?".
"Not that I know of".
"Previous user?".
"A nice lady who makes delicious sandwiches".
'Sandwiches? Oh no'.
"Just...what creature did you cut?".
"Bread".
Tsubaki felt like she had a stroke.
"...bread?".
"Yes".
"Like...like a bread monster?".
"No, the food".
"BREAD, bread, right?".
"Yes".
"As in the food made out of wheat? That bread?".
"Correct".
"SANDWICH bread?".
"I don't remember the nature of the bread. Is it relevant?".
"OF COURSE NOT! WHY WOULD IT BE RELEVANT?".
"I don't know, you're the one that keeps wanting to know more about it. Are you perhaps hungry?".
"I actually am a bit BUT THAT IS SO NOT THE POINT! Why are you fighting with a subpar kitchen knife?".
"Because it works".
"But why not buy another one?".
"Why? It cuts well enough".
Tsubaki felt like screaming.
All of her being was incredibly stressed.
To a smith, for someone to switch from using your weapon to a bad kitchen knife was almost like a spit in the face.
Actually, that might extend to poeple who aren't smiths as well.
Of course, she knew it wasn't intentional.
'But even so...may the gods damn Scarlet for this. Damn her to hell!'.
"Well, I do have to acknowledge that you kept it in a great condition".
Such a normal knife normally wouldn't survive regular bouts, so to still be standing is very impressive.
"I mostly just use it to cut the throats and ligaments, I don't parry with it".
"Either way, it shows great care. You know your way around weapons".
Scarlet blushes a bit at the compliment.
"Thank you", she says bashfully, "so, could you upgrade it?".
The Cyclops grins amicably.
"No way in hell".
"Why?", the woman questions, crestfallen.
"I refuse to tinker with that. A kitchen knife can't be much bettered, and seeing as I made you previous knife, I will not make anything inferior to it".
"Are you forcing me to buy your weapons?".
"No, I'm merely pointing out that I can make you a knife so perfect that even Lady Artemis will want one equal".
Scarlet smiles.
"You seem very sure of yourself".
"I am. In fact, I will even say this: if the knife is not to your liking, I'll forge knives for free to your whole Familia. A pair each, even".
"I like you, smith. You have conviction".
"I appreciate the compliment, hunter. So now", Tsubaki says,picking pencil and paper, "tell me a bit about what you want. I need some info so I can knock your socks off with my weapon".
"Well, I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that it has to be able to cut things...".
Tsubaki sweatdropped.
'This might take a while'.
But as soon as she thought that, a smile appeared on her face.
To craft something new, with so much on the line, was thrilling to her.
Just thinking about everything she could do, all the things she could try...
She couldn't wait to start making the perfect blade for her.
Her ambition flared.
Yes, Tsubaki was cursed to strive for only the best of her abilities, and that often made her put heavy expectation on herself.
But in all honesty, at least in her own opinion, there were way worse curses out there to have.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-
In Rakia, a man sat alone by a gigantic fireplace.
Even with the raging red fire billowing and reaching new heights every second, the man didn't seem to care, preferring to observe his own closed fists.
'So damn close...', Ares said to himself.
This time, he nearly had them.
He outsmarted the Braver. He outgunned Orario. He had victory in his grasp.
He opens his closed hands, and stares at his palms.
It escaped at the last minute.
Just as he had brought in the unexpected as a weapon, so had the unexpected purged him.
'Artemis really couldn't have picked a worse time to come...her timing was too perfect...'.
Now, Ares wasn't about to discard the idea of being backstabbed by his acquaintances. If they betrayed one nation, there was no certainty that they couldn't have done that twice.
Probably wasn't the case, though. Ares made sure to have spies and ears everywhere around them, and nothing suggested them turning.
'Still', he closed his hands again, making a fist, 'am I supposed to believe that she just had that much of an intuition?'.
"My king", a voice belonging to a soldier calls, "all of the allied gods are reunited on the hall. Shall I ask them to wait?".
"No", Ares says, getting up and towering over the man, "we have a very important meeting now".
The soldier nervously looks at his feet before looking at the deity again.
"If you forgive me asking, my king, are we going to invade Orario again?", he asks with a stuttering voice.
'Please don't figure me out, please don't figure me out...', the man thought.
When Hermes was drafting members to extend his web of informants, this man was one of the chosen ones.
He wasn't exactly good at lying, so Hermes put him in a low-threatening position. Basically, scour bars and listen to every whisper, filtrating what might be useful.
For a few months he did just that. Stayed low and biting only what he could chew.
But then he got cocky.
He thought that he deserved a higher post than just eavesdropper. He thought he was ready to go undercover.
Being undercover is taxing, in every way possible. Your morale is bent and you start to forget who you are little by little.
Not many people are cut to it.
But this man was sure of himself.
So he talked with Hermes about going to Rakia, seeing as Ares seemed like a blockhead.
No danger at all.
He won't even see me coming.
I can take him.
Hubris exaled from the boy, and the god saw it. So, thinking about the kid's well being, Hermes denied him from doing that.
The deity made up some story about how he was needed in another assignment and couldn't compromise already made plans by changing pivotal players at the last moment.
It was a colossal lie, of course. So big that not even a god who's known for lying made it truly believable.
And that angered the soldier.
I'll show him, he said.
So that day, the boy made his way to Rakia, leaving a letter with very crude language for the god and his whole Familia.
I'll fix that when I arrive with Ares head on a plate.
So he commenced his plan.
Little by little, he rose through the king's ranks, until becoming important enough so that he lived at the castle, but not important enough as to have his name remembered.
He was playing a dangerous game here, and attention was the last thing he needed.
It began as simple information gathering, but as he rose, he craved more.
So now, he wanted all there was to know.
And he couldn't wait anymore.
Ares doesn't even look at him as he answers.
"Not now. Although it'd be ideal to attack while they are still shaken, we haven't got the numbers for an offensive. For now, we will enjoy this moment of peace to structure a new plan. Who knows, maybe they attack and make things easy for us".
'Lord Hermes will enjoy knowing this', the soldier thought.
He got it. Nice and clean info straight from the King himself.
The man was on cloud nine on the inside.
But on the outside, he only nodded, sweat dripping from his face.
One might have thought that the sweat was because of the fire behind him, but in actuality it was because of the immense pressure that the god exerted.
Ares had never even risen his voice below a raspy tone, but the soldier couldn't even breath properly while the god spoke.
Ares puts a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't seem to handle the heat too well, son. How about we get out of this room so you won't sweat even more on my carpet?".
"O-of course, my king! My deepest apologies!".
"Think nothing of it. Now", he says moving his hand from the soldiers shoulder back to his side, "there's people waiting for us".
Both exited the room, and the fire stayed illuminating the now lone place.
If you were to look inside the fire, you'd see a myriad of materials.
Diaries, weapons, armors...all from soldiers from outside nations and Familias, of all different colors.
Red, blue, green...Ares swore that the fire changed colors depending on whose Familias the corpses belonged to.
All this...was from people who tried to spy back on him.
"Say, soldier...".
"Albus, sir".
"Albus, don't you think that the fire on my fireplace would look better with a bit of yellow on it?".
The soldier forgets how to breath for a moment.
'Oh no'.
"I...I think so, sir".
'Please no'.
He pales.
'God Hermes...'.
Ares grins.
'Help me'.
The door closes.
