Chapter 4: To the dungeon

Three months has passed since he gained his falna. During this time Anos trained like madmen. He loved being an adventurer and he wanted to go on one and as he was now, he wasn't even a supporter. So, he trained. He got up earlier than anyone else and went to sleep at midnight. He was continuously chanting, quietly, all day. To control his magic power. When he was challenging; when he was reading; when he was walking; when he went to bed t'ill he fell asleep. The numbers of İgniis fatus he had… Hera was furious when she saw the burns, it was like he was bathing in potions. And no one knew what his magic except her since he never used it against them. He only used after sunset, going to the ruins to practice. When Lydia asked about it, he answered with a grin that it didn't matter and rushed again. Once he could no longer move, he read. Once his reading was done, he trained again. He also wrote down any idea he had about battles, techniques, magic… anything he learned, or he imagined, as far-fetched they could be. To try them when he could, to use them in the future. To go on those adventures one day.

And today was the day of expedition. After breakfast, everyone except him headed to the dungeon. They were going to be there for about two weeks. Since he was alone for the first time, after completing his sword moves and strength-flexibility training, he decided to go for a run. He realized he didn't leave his Home for the past three months except for his magic practice at the ruins. His pace was slow for he didn't want another ignis fatus while chanting, as all their healers were in the dungeon as well. But he sometimes unpredictably changed course, took side steps… Like he was dancing and playing. A few people who saw him laughed at him. İn turn he smiled at them shyly and continued his tour. About an hour later he bought some sweets and headed back.

Once he returned, he took a shower and went to Hera's room.

"Can I come in?"

What do you want?

Hearing her voice, he felt relieved as she was still here. He entered the room with a smile and excitingly asked his goddess.

"Hera, can you update my status?"

No.

"Please?" She looked at him irritated.

I said no, didn't you hear?

"Ok."

He stood there with exciting eyes looking around the room as if to averse his gaze from the goddess.

Hera was tall and graceful. She had long black hair braided in plaits, dark brown eyes that one could feel lost and the face of a regal. She was like an unapproachable beauty whose wrath would be terrible and elegant at the same time. And having a captain that looked and acted just like her enforced his thoughts. Although he might be the only one who would think such things. But the reason he was looking everywhere but her was because he felt lucky to be in her familia. And he loved the goddess he nearly spent time with like she was family, with no reason, so he was embarrassed and didn't know what to do since no one else was there. İs there something more you want? Hera looked at the boy still waiting. "Hera, I am free right?"

The day he got his falna he exchanged vows with her. In return of all his loyalty, his freedom was going to be untouched. İt was more of a child's nonsense more than an agreement. Besides, Hera's familia was already like that. Everyone did as they pleased, her more than anyone else. All acted like nothing mattered in the world. So, she was irritated by the proposition. However, by some miracle and words he didn't remember he used teasing the goddess, she agreed to it. When she realized though, it was too late. She was still angry over it and wanted to take her revenge but couldn't do it since he was too honest and lively. But hearing him say it made her angry.

You better know your place kid, who do you think you are anyway? You're following me! I decide what to do and not to do. Don't act like you can mess with me.

Anos' expression was saddened and surprised. He only realized what his words meant during the silence followed her outbreak. He tried to sound as normal as possible and answered his goddess.

"I know that, and I would never think such a thing. I was just thinking that if I was free…" He clenched his teeth and continued with a force smile, slowly. "Since my schedule is empty today and if there was nothing you wanted me to do, I wondered if… you were also…"

He couldn't find the right words that wouldn't rile her goddess further. He took a deep breath and calmly decided to end it professionally. He was a household member of Hera, and she was his goddess for all intents and purposes. With a calm face and voice:

"I wondered if we could spend some time. İt was never my intention to offend you. İt won't happen again."

He turned back and exited the room. Hera was dumbfounded. She didn't get what just happened and when she did, she was surprised. She bit her lips as he left.

Anos on the other hand after getting out of the room sighed and walked back to his room. He was staying with three others, all level 4 and all in the dungeon. One of the maids was cleaning the room. He smiled and introduced himself.

"Good day. İf you don't mind, may I also be of help? İt would really help me clear my mind."

You didn't go to the dungeon? She asked chuckling as she was organizing the beds and nodded at him to confirm his offer of help.

"More like couldn't. I am just a newbie."

As everyone once was.

He liked the girl. She was probably in her twenties. She looked smart and funny, plus she was treating him nicely. After his room was done, he joined Alina (the maid) for the rest. As they were talking and getting to know each other while cleaning, another servant came to the room they were. "Anos-kun?" Yes? "Hera-sama is waiting for you." Anos took a deep breath and thanked him as he walked out of the room.

When he got to Hera's chamber again, he found her strolling around the room. "You've called for me?" She stopped once she heard him talk. His eyes were closed, and he was acting like a butler, leaned forward a little and one hand on his chest. Hera became even more nervous.

So, what do you want? Anos looked at his goddess as she was the one who called him.

"Pardon?"

What did you want?

"N-nothing?" He answered hesitated, as he already forgot he was there twenty minutes ago. He learned what not to do so he forgot what made it so as he already decided how he should act. Hera just furiously said fine, let's go. And he followed.

They went outside and started to walk in the streets.

You don't chant anymore?

The question took him by surprise. He was trying to act like a proper follower, so he didn't focus on anything else. "I…I do. Just not now." They went to a restaurant to eat not knowing what else to do. When he insisted on he wasn't hungry and just stood by her as she was going to eat, she ordered for him and made him sit and accompany her. She glared at him until he started to eat, then she joined him.

Growing in a country that believed in a "one true god", and the only god he knew of was more like family friend, combined with the fact it's been only 3 months and a week in Orario, with those three months inside training, made it so hard for him to interact with the gods. İt normally wouldn't be, as he was talking to everyone in a respectful and sincere manner, and he just didn't have time to interact with the gods but after angering his goddess… He simply decided that he should act like a tool when he was with her and live his life other times. Nothing should matter when I'm with her. He calmly ate with her. Once they were done, they continued to walk.

İt doesn't matter if it makes me sad, Anos smiled faintly. He was thinking to himself. İf this is how it would make her happy, then it's not a problem. After all, not everyone has to act close. His face saddened and forced himself to keep his fake smile. He loved his goddess so he wouldn't mind being just her sword, although he wasn't even a paperknife now. They walked around more before going back. He was just following her. Once they returned, she dragged him to her chambers.

Remove your shirt, I'll update your status. He complied, she snapped.

Are you kidding me? How long do you plan to go along with this farce? She was yelling at him angrily. After the initial surprise he had, he jumped toward her arms and hugged her. Hera was taken aback and couldn't say a word.

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking… İt doesn't matter."

He released her and got back. Seeing her face, he started to laugh quietly. He could easily be affected by her, since he saw her as family, but all he needed to recover was a moment. His gentle soul was nothing close to weak. After stopping his laugh Anos continued.

"You know you don't have to, right? I mean that might mean I was…"

OF COURSE I do, I told you I decide. Now take it off.

She was pouting but Anos was so happy. He nearly decided for her and was about to let her go, to try to force himself becoming something else and he avoided it.

"Thank you, Hera."

Yeah whatever.

"What should we do next time?"

Next? She was surprised. She didn't even know what they did. Except eating they just strolled around since she didn't know what she should have done. And she wasn't used to be treated like that, like it didn't matter no matter how she acted and still loved, except for one other. As he chuckled, she understood he was teasing him gently.

Don't get ahead of yourself you level 1 weakling.

She was still smirking, but she sounded happy to Anos. She finished updating his status and she was surprised. Even though she knew the exact nature of his skill and he pushed himself till he lost consciousness for the past three months, what she was truly surprised at was the fact his mind and body handled the stress. She gave the sheet to him while humping.

So, there was a reason you wanted to. Anos looked at the sheet.

Anos Valdir

Race: Human

Familia: Hera

Strength: S991

Endurance: S999

Dexterity: S989

Agility: S999

Magic: S977

Skills:

Alf Valdir:********

Magic:

Vagus Saor: *****

He looked at the sheet excitingly. He jumped out of the bed and ran outside as he thanked Hera again, both his shirt and the sheet on his hand.

He went to his room and geared up. A black-grey lightweight armor, two daggers and one short sword. After strapping a bag on his back, taking a health kid he prepared, he asked the servants at the kitchen to prepare some food. Once it was ready, he too headed to the dungeon. As he approached to the entrance his face became calmer. As if all the excitement, wonder and resolve was pounded to a sword and its shine was all that could be seen. İt was going to be his first time going to the dungeon since the accident. He looked at the entrance and headed inside.