20 Chapters down, and we're only at the War Game... and I still have more to write for it. I will say the War Game isn't slated until at least Chapter 23, because I have other matters that have to be taken care of first.
Nevertheless, enjoy! As always:
"Speaking"
Individual thoughts/Mindscape talk with the twins
*Ability/Spell*
...
On the inside of Dia's Complex, Bell watched as the Apollo Familia members drop like flies. They didn't even know what was hitting them. "What?"
"It looks like Riveria's tutoring for Irene is paying off. A stealth spell like that, they don't stand a chance," Dia replied with a hint of pride in her voice. While the situation she's in is less than ideal, she couldn't be prouder.
"Aren't you worried that they're going to kill them?" Hestia asked, clinging to Bell like her very life depended on it. In this case, it very much did.
Dia had a knowing smile, but it was a hurt one, "My children do not kill because of what they went through. As for injuring them… that's taking out their repressed anger on them. It built up over the years, so I am not surprised." The Goddess watched as more members fell by some unknown force. With versatility like that, expeditions would flock to her, and she won't go anywhere without him, not unless they agree, but with what happened on the eighteenth floor…
"Shouldn't we leave?" Hestia asked. She had to admit, she was a little disturbed, but she couldn't blame them. They just attacked their home, so in retrospect, they were defending their home. They were just being… extremely violent about it.
"That will be unnecessary, Lady Hestia," Irene's disembodied voice was heard, making the Goddess leap into Bell's arms. A lamp in the corner of the room turned on by itself and with no shadows except the one projected by Irene herself, she looked like a ghost. "After all, we've taken care of most of them, they received minor injuries.
"Now now sister, I wouldn't call a shuriken to the leg a 'minor injury' but then again, I probably broke their arms or a leg on at least four of them, but I helped set them before giving them a potion. So they'll be fine… probably," Isaac's voice floated behind them.
"So what now?" Bell asked, he clearly did not like what they did, but that wasn't going to change their stance. He didn't have to like it, as they needed to keep themselves alive.
That put everyone in a pensive state. Isaac chimed in with an idea and left the Complex. Irene chirped up, "Well, let's go ask one of them while he goes and fetches him." The female quarter elf walked outside and saw some of the members of the Apollo Familia scrape themselves off the floor. "You there!"
The human flinched and tried to run away, but Irene was faster, "I know they called you a bitch, but it's not meant to be negative. It means that you're strong, confident, and absolutely fucking terrifying, please don't kill me!" The adventurer whimpered as they felt her glare.
"Oh? I'm a bitch now?" Irene asked calmly. Too calmly. The adventurer in her grasp shuddered, and she was pretty sure they just pissed their pants.
"I never said that, that's what they were calling you!" they defended, their flight instincts in overdrive.
"Well… now you can do this 'bitch' a favor, and I'll let you go…"
"Really?" Hope sparked in their eyes. Dia, Hestia, and Bell watched on uncomfortably.
Dia gladly provided an explanation, as she wasn't surprised, "Little known fact about my children. They hate being called names like that."
"Why?" Bell asked uncertainly.
Dia eyed the rabbit, "Because they take that personally, so what better way to show them than to act like the things they say? Does that mean I approve? Actually no, I don't. However, I know they aren't like this. The genuine nice, and supportive people that you've come to know are real. This is just what happens when you throw them over the edge. Everyone has a limit to their 'nice' factor, Bell. I just hope that the day you stop being who you are will never come. Orario will not be ready for that."
Hestia found herself agreeing with her fellow Goddess. "Bell," he turned towards his Goddess, "Think about all the people you've met, and what effect you've had on their lives. Sure, it may be a small portion, but some of your actions have proved that you are willing to extend that olive branch to others, like Miss Supporter." Hestia's usual tone for saying Lili's title is genuine—not mocking. "Then, there's Welf, I'm sure Hephaistos is thrilled that her hidden treasure is slowly getting by his pride. Then, there are the twins. Dia, what you've said is true. They only show this side of them when pushed far enough. With that being said…"
Back to the conversation with Irene and the human adventurer, "How about you confess your plan to the two lovely Goddesses over there, then, we'll go to Apollo's home and you'll say it all over again, and then… if I find your answer satisfactory, I'll let you go, deal?"
"Deal!" they screamed. "I'll tell you everything!"
Irene gave a thin smile, "Good." She turned back to the trio, "You should probably start heading to Apollo's Manor, we'll meet you there."
They left with gusto, feeling the intent rise in the area.
Meanwhile, Isaac was looking for a blond-haired God. He should be right around… here! A building came into sight, what looked like an old cabin but was actually the Hermes Familia home. He knocked on the door, and moments later, Asfi Al Andromeda answered the door, "Harpe… what are you doing here?" It wasn't accusatory, merely curiosity coating the Captain's tone. Thankfully, when out of range of Irene's spell, he became visible.
"So, Apollo Familia decided to attack us, and they learned not to tread on a Titan's feet, but however, we need a neutral force to ask questions when we go confront Apollo in about…" he checks an imaginary watch on his wrist, "five minutes. So, is Lord Hermes here?"
Asfi, to her credit, took the information in stride, but… "Wait, how many members attacked you?"
"Lost count after fifty, Irene gladly used a spell she learned… and it worked wonders," the grin on his face told a story. Of course, he wasn't going to say much more, but knowing that the Hermes Familia are information gatherers, Irene should expect some investigating done on her.
"Is that Isaac?" a voice came from inside. Lo and behold, it was Hermes in the flesh, having just put on his feathered hat. "What can I do for you?"
Isaac reached out, "I need to borrow you for fifteen minutes."
Hermes didn't expect to get pulled, "Woah, where are we going?" Asfi tried to protest, but they were already going down the street. Asfi, while annoyed, followed along if only to at least guard him.
"Apollo's place. We need a third party to ask questions and also a witness," Isaac said simply.
Hermes's curiosity piqued, "What do you plan on doing?"
"Simple," Isaac replied, "We're accepting his challenge to a War Game. Only because one of his children almost squashed Hestia under a bolder, said bolder ruined the front door, and I need an excuse to beat the hell out their arrogant Captain."
Asfi commented, "That's… descriptive."
The God's eyes glinted with a feeling that he was going to like this outcome, "Alright Isaac, you've got yourself a third party." He paused on his next words as he watched an adventurer flailing their arms throughout the air.
What was that? Isaac asked his sister.
Irene's calm voice betrayed her anger, They kept calling me a bitch.
Isaac laughed aloud, confusing Hermes and Asfi. "Lord Hermes, some free advice and information… Never, ever, call my sister a bitch."
The flying adventurer suddenly made sense… "Wait, wasn't that…"
"A decent distance across Orario? Yes. We hate being called names like that because then we'll live up to that, out of spite. So please, never call us anything explicative, or you'll find yourself on the receiving end," Isaac said. The implication mollified Hermes. Asfi eyed Isaac again, he certainly didn't feel like a level three adventurer right then, but that feeling was gone now.
"I knew there was something special about you two," Hermes said, lowering his hat as they traveled to meet up with the rest of the party.
Bell slipped away under the guidance of the two Goddesses, where they were attempting to escape. When Irene cast her magic, they were not included in it. So, they had to leave, and that's when their troubles began.
"Where should we go?" Hestia asked her fellow Goddess.
"Anywhere that doesn't have Apollo's familia crawling all over us," Dia said.
"Oh, but it's too late for that, Little Rookie," a cool voice said, heightening Bell's senses.
At the end of the road, stood Hyakinthos, a cloak draped over his shoulders, a blade was hidden underneath it.
"Goddess, Lady Dia, you need to leave," Bell said, drawing Hestia Knife and Ushiwakamaru, facing the man who beat him in mere seconds. I want to win.
"Bell, are you crazy?!" Hestia screamed as her twin tails jumped like they were responding as well.
Dia had to be the sensible one. Obviously, they couldn't face Hyakinthos, nor could he do any harm to them. If he did, then he would condemn his soul to an eternity of torment. She grabbed Hestia and started moving, "You gotta be sensible. Bell is an adventurer, and he needs to regain his pride."
"His pride?" They were whispering to each other while the two combatants faced off.
"Isaac told me about how guys work when it comes to fighting. If one loses, they do anything to come back and win. It's how one settles the score," Dia explained. She pulled Hestia away as the two began circling each other.
Bell lunged forward with his knives, but Hyakinthos was faster, easily dodging out of the way before bringing the pommel of his sword to Bell's temple, sending him flying into the wall. "Don't tell me that's all you got, Rookie," Hyakinthos spat.
Bell felt that strike. Why am I so weak? Was it not enough? Bell groaned as he sat up, but Hyakinthos was already on him, mercilessly beating him into the ground. Dia looked away at the gruesome scene while Hestia was frozen in fear.
"You're lucky that Master Apollo wants you alive," he looked to Dia, "And he wants the Titans too."
"That will never happen," Dia stated resolutely.
"...aaaaaaaahhhhhh….." they heard the sound of someone screaming fly overhead. Hyakinthos seemed to recognize them.
"How hard is it to fight two people?" he questioned to himself. The Apollo Familia Captain turned back to the beaten, bloodied form of the rabbit. He stalked towards him like a wolf to his prey. The sword was raised and the Goddesses watched helplessly before a flash appeared from a roof within line of sight. Hyakinthos dodged back as three arrows flew by. "Ugh, a sniper."
That sniper happened to be Nahza, using a bow and arrow to defend Bell, "Run Bell," she whispered, not that he could hear her anyway.
Thankfully, the Goddesses took initiative and gently carried him away while Nahza continued to fire barrage after barrage at Hyakinthos, allowing them time to escape. Along the way, they met up with Welf, Ouka, Mikoto, and Chigusa. "Sir Bell," Mikoto said, doing her best to not grimace. Chigusa did not have such a reaction.
Welf was angry because someone hurt the guy whom he considers a little brother. To be fair, Bell has broken a set of armor already, and Welf has to make new sets for it. Like a younger brother breaking an older brother's toy, except this time, there were no parents to blame it on.
"We need to get him out of here," Hestia said, on the verge of panicking.
Mikoto gazed at Bell, I need to repay him somehow. She still felt guilty for the Pass Parade, so she needed to find some way to help.
"Oh, you guys are fine," a new voice said…
...except there was no one there.
"Irene?" Dia exclaimed.
A short giggle, "The one and only."
"Did anyone hear about the flying adventurer?" Ouka asked, considering he heard the scream from their home.
Irene's giggle turned into a full-on maddening cackle, "Never call me a bitch." The fact that she was still under her spell's effect made that statement send a shiver up everyone's spine. Dia was no exception, and she began to wonder just how far it got under her skin, "That one just so happened to be one who survived the onslaught."
"Did you kill them?!" Welf asked before remembering that he has to bring up something very uncomfortable later.
"Nope, but if that was Lord Apollo's power, it was pitiful. None of them were over level two. The only one who is is their Captain, who I assume that Bell just got into another fight with?" Irene poked Bell's cheek—which was weird to view when she was basically invisible.
"Well, let's meet up by Amor Square and wait for Isaac to bring our third party," Irene's voice said as her steps echoed in the street.
"Who is he bringing?"
"The most neutral party in all of Orario."
Isaac quickly brought Hermes and Asfi to them, but once they heard the sounds of voice, he pushed himself against the wall. The info God raised an eyebrow at the behavior, but when even Asfi silenced herself and listened, he did as well. After all, as much as he is a shifty bastard, he is able to read the room—irony aside.
Is it alright to reveal our company? Isaac asked his sister.
Sure, bring them around. "Okay, now."
Isaac rounded the corner with a Hermes and Asfi, "By the way, how far do you think you threw that guy?"
"I was aiming for Babel," Irene pouted.
"You think he landed yet?"
"Probably."
Dia walked over to them, hugging Isaac just because she could, and then looked directly into Hermes's eyes. "Are you going to cooperate?" Isaac went to Bell's side, and uncapped a potion, making him drink it.
Where's Lili?
Haven't seen her. The question that was on the twins' mind, and Welf seemed to notice Isaac observing.
Welf leaned down, "There's an explanation for that, but now isn't the time."
Isaac nodded before locking eyes with Mikoto, a small blush coming to his face as he recalled the night of the Ball. Mikoto blushed scarlet as well, but quickly composed herself. Isaac did the same. Irene rolled her eyes, Go on a date already.
We have more pressing concerns, but yes, the idea's been in my head for a while.
"When have I-" Hermes started, but was cut off.
"Two hundred and fifty-three years, eleven months, two weeks, five days, thirty-six minutes, and forty-four seconds and counting. I remember when you went off and did your own thing the last time someone asked you this very question. So please, do me the favor of actually complying this time," Dia rattled off a specific date, long before their time, to which Hermes winced. Something that the Hermes Familia Captain took notice of.
"Can you tell me more of this so I can keep him in line?" Asfi asked, her calm tone betraying the excitement in her eyes.
Dia smirked, "Certainly. Now, onto more important matters. We need to get to Apollo's Manor because right now, I have an urge to slap him." As if on cue, her wrist twitched.
Irene snickered, "I don't believe I've ever seen you like this, Lady Dia."
Dia hmphed at her invisible child, "Only a few Gods and Goddesses irk me enough to warrant this."
Isaac crossed his arms, "Should we be on our way? I'm feeling eyes on me." In between one of his fingers, there were knives.
"Let's not dilly dally then," Irene said before repeating her spell, masking everyone into the shadows. They had to walk in a line with one hand on their shoulders. Of course, they can walk just fine, but they had to be careful and not bump into anyone on the side streets as they emerged onto the street.
The group then walked to Apollo's Manor located close by the Complex. The Manor itself was large, stretching at least five hundred meders in each direction. The lawn was immaculate with a central fountain and walkway. A statue of Apollo could be seen, which served to paint the God as a narcissist and an egomaniac.
However, their cover forced another problem, "How do we become visible?"
Irene laughed, "You really thought I would learn an illusion spell and not know the cancelation phrase? What do you take me for, an amateur?"
The silence was deafening. That or they lost everyone since they were in all intents and purposes, invisible.
"Hurtful!" She shouted. Isaac, you really thought I didn't know how to reverse a spell?
No, I trust that you were thorough enough to consider learning the ins and outs of every spell you learn, Isaac replied."We all here?"
Multiple voices overlapped, confirming that they were just being rude.
"For the job is done, let us escape the Great Beyond!" With those words, everyone became visible, making the guards at the gate jump at their sudden appearance.
Dia took the lead, "We're here to see Apollo, bring him out here."
One of the guards murmured, "What happened to the rest of our familia?"
"Currently incapacitated outside our home after one of you dinguses decided to put a boulder through the door and almost killed Lady Hestia, so you should be happy that I am not-"
Dia cut in, "Enough Isaac." She sent a look to him that signified him to bite his tongue on this one. The last thing he needed to do was take on the entire Apollo Familia because he wanted to. It would be seen as payback.
The guard was unwavering though, "No one is allowed to see-"
They were cut off as the doors to the Manor opened, and the remaining members of the Apollo Familia lined up on the path, including the Prum who was talking shit the other day. The twins shifted themselves to flank Dia's sides, their expressions dulled, but their eyes glinted in mischief.
"Ah, Dia, Hestia, what brings you to my home?" Apollo asked like he didn't bring his familia to crush the Complex.
Isaac couldn't help but retort, "Maybe you should be worried about half your members passed out on our front lawn." Most of the members there were shocked that he addressed their patron god with such crass. "You'll be paying for the damages."
"Isaac, zip it," Dia ordered. "Irene, hit him if he speaks."
Isaac took that in stride, while Irene rolled her eyes. She didn't say I couldn't use you as a mouthpiece.
Like hell I'll speak for you, Ani, Irene thought back.
Hestia then spoke, "You, give me your glove." The one in question was Luan. Confused, he slid off his white glove and put it in Hestia's awaiting hand. She then turned to Apollo and whipped the glove directly at him. To his merit, he kept the smile on his face, while all of Apollo's familia was shocked. "We accept your challenge." Both Dia and Hestia were in agreement.
"Even though we know your story is a lie, my children are just waiting to get a chance to show you what happens when you tread where you should not." The twins cracked grins that made the Apollo Familia feel uneasy. The rest of the group watched in trepidation.
"We shall discuss the terms of this War Game at an emergency Denatus," Hestia continued. "But first…" Dia stepped forward and slapped Apollo clean across the face. Of course, it wasn't enough to hurt, but Apollo could feel the red mark forming. As calm as Dia was looking right now, her eyes told a very different story. She wanted to hurt him.
With a look from Hestia, Hermes stepped forward, "I need to ask about the incident that occurred at the bar, with everyone involved. At least, the ones that are here. Since if they were the ones to ask and then report it, you'd accuse them of lying, so Harpe asked me to come along and play the neutral party."
"What of my children?" Apollo asked, motioning to all of them, not even surprised Hermes is here. The God of Archery, music and dance, and a lot of other things wanted to know what would happen.
Isaac thankfully kept his mouth shut, but he really wanted to say something. Irene, however, took that liberty, "The ones still standing or the ones defiling our home?" It was clear that neither of the Vlahos twins cared for the Apollo Familia. "I also don't appreciate being called a 'bitch' so you should go find the member who probably crashed into Babel."
Chigusa raised her eyebrows, still hidden by her hair, "Note to self, do not make her mad."
Perseus nodded, fixing her glasses, "Indeed. Do not make either of them mad. A lesson that the Apollo Familia will soon learn." She whispered the latter of her statement under her breath.
With that being said, the one who needed to talk did so in private while the twins led the Apollo Familia members back to their home where they found the ones who were sent to destroy the Complex still lying there. As the members looked on in fear, Isaac turned around and eyed them, "Do you understand how fucked you all are?"
Irene did not chide him for his language. After all, she was going to say it if he wasn't going to.
The Denatus took place three days after the street incident. It's also been three days since the War Game challenge was accepted, and that was all anyone in Orario could talk about. Some passerby conversations were all sorts of wrong. Some thought that the Titans were going to lose, but then those with actual sense in their brains believed that the Titans were going to absolutely demolish Apollo Familia. Those in the former category also forgot about the Little Rookie. He was nothing to scoff at either.
On the thirtieth floor of Babel, all the Gods—who wanted to participate—were assembled. In the middle of the room, Apollo sat with his head resting on his knuckles. He was waiting for the two Goddesses that accepted his challenge. He wanted the three children. Something about all of them sent tingles down Apollo's spine.
"At this point, we might as well call it a forfeit," Apollo joked to his fellow deities. After all, most of them were here for entertainment. A War Game was uncommon nowadays. The last one was between Zeus and Hera thirty years ago.
Correction, the last major War Game was thirty years ago. There have been other War Games since then, but none of them were as entertaining or hyping up the Gods like this. Apollo, who had well over one hundred members, was challenging two—count them, two—familias that had a combined total of three members. Of course, the Gods were not as stupid as the mortals of Gekai. They knew that Little Rookie had ways of surprising and surpassing them, even if they didn't have a full view of it. The record-breaking level up was the reason why they had watched in earnest. The second reason was, of course, the Titans. Two descendants of the Great Mage. They obviously wanted to see them in action.
Unfortunately, for them, Apollo had a plan, and he was certain that it was going to work. Just as he was about to speak again, the door was opened, and in strode Dia and Hestia. "Sorry we're late, we had to make sure our children weren't going to get ambushed again." Hestia leveled an accusation at Apollo.
Brushing it off, "About time. I was worried you weren't taking this seriously."
Dia smiled, and only a select few recognized the shift in Dia's demeanor, "Believe us, we're serious… serious that you made a huge mistake."
Apollo appeared unfazed, but internally, he sweatdropped. How can she act with such brazen confidence?
"Now, since we're the ones being challenged, we have demands to make if we win, but I want to hear yours first," Hestia said. The two Goddesses recently allianced, and they discussed a lot over the past three days. Unfortunately, the children weren't allowed in. They even made them go to the Dungeon to blow off steam. Dia may have also probably maybe told Isaac to get on with it with Mikoto. Set up a date, or something. However, with the looming presence of a War Game, that might not be possible.
The God across from them immediately said, "Your children. I want them in my familia if I win."
"Hestia, you owe me a Jagamarukun, I told you he would say that," Dia said, interrupting Apollo. Hestia just nodded at Dia's statement. Other Gods snickered at the casual banter.
"Ahem. The second thing is that you are to be banned from Orario and return to Tenkai," Apollo said.
Dia's wrist twitched again, something that Hermes noticed and thankfully kept his laughter in check, "That last condition is too far. Need I remind you and everyone that your familia instigated in the bar. Hermes had gotten the truth out of your familia member. There was no way he could lie to a God. So, rethink your words quickly."
Apollo tensed, feeling the glare that Dia was leveling. She was pissed, as she should be. Apollo was trying to poach her children. Of course, this was not poaching in a literal sense, but a legitimate sense. He was also attempting to bar her from Gekai, which was a steep condition that no deity would ever go through with. War Games are like high-stakes games that have ulterior motives. Sure, adventurers in Orario can bet on the outcome, but the implications and terms laid out here have a far greater weight attached to them.
"Then, only the banishment. You'll be free to do as you please outside of Orario, but the former term applies. I win, I get the three of them."
Dia quickly countered, "If you do win, you have to allow them to convert if they so choose because after all, they will quickly establish dominance if push comes to shove." The twins discussed the possibility of them losing. Not that they were going to lose, but if it does come up, they wanted a say on what happens to them. However, there was some building stress in her children. Dia wondered how long it would build until it collapsed.
Some Gods treat their familias like poker chips, they bet, they win or lose, and do it all over again. So, Dia was making an incentive. Hestia also said that she wanted the same thing for Bell.
"If you refuse, there's a certain elf who may just want her family with her and not a leech such as yourself," Dia insulted Apollo. Was it obvious that she had her distaste for him? Freya was on top of this list but with beauty like hers, she couldn't really do much to insult her, because it would be untrue. Except maybe the leech comment applies to both of them. No doubt that Freya is waiting for an opportunity to annihilate Apollo at the first mistake. So she could say that she was their 'savior' and bring them into her Familia. The aforementioned Goddess was actually here in attendance, but she stayed silent for the time being.
Loki, also in attendance, was not surprised at the comment, and it was something that her elven princess had actually confronted her about. The Trickster had to admit, she underestimated a familial bond—when it comes to elves. Riveria would go to great lengths to make sure her Godchildren were safe and sound, but a part of Loki believes that it wasn't just for Sofia anymore. Apollo Familia was not safe for them, even if they could establish themselves as top of the familia.
The deities watching were seeing a whole new side to Dia. Vicious, protective, and sassy. She had them in her familia for a decade. Not a long time for Gods and Goddesses, but for them, it was more than half their life.
Apollo realized this, and he added, "If that is the case, then they will have to stay in my familia for two years, minimum." Doubling the time for them to convert was something that would hopefully secure a more powerful position. According to Hyakinthos, they felt like level fours, which meant they were close to ranking up, and if Apollo had two level fours—the Titans no less—he would be at least the fourth or fifth most powerful familia in all of Orario. Adding in Little Rookie, who was growing at an exponential rate it seemed, would further secure Apollo a spot in the upper echelons of power.
For reference, Apollo was ranked C as a Familia. Freya at S, Loki at A, and so on and so forth. These rankings are determined by the Guild and the higher the ranking, the higher the tax bracket.
"And if we win?" Hestia asked.
Apollo scoffed, arrogant, "I'll give you whatever you desire. Scribe, make sure you write that down." Loki immediately winced, he'll come to regret this I'm sure. Dia simply raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me what it is," Apollo waved them off.
Wow, he's so arrogant that he doesn't know he's signing his own bill of execution, Hestia thought.
"I do have another request, and this one is mostly for you, Dia," Apollo started. A raised eyebrow from her, prompting him to continue, "Only one of your children will be allowed to participate and I reserve the right to choose which one days before. That way, we can make this a spectacle."
"How does this benefit me? More importantly, this benefits you more, and you already have the advantage, so why should I handicap myself, further putting them in danger?"
"My dearest Dia, if you recall, your children did repel mine when they-"
"When you threw a boulder at my front door," Dia finished. "Let's not forget you attacked my home, which I'm still waiting for the appropriate amount of valis to repair the front door." Dia's stare was not one to be trifled with.
Clearing his throat, Apollo continued with the attention of other deities on him, "Yes. Your children could easily take on my Familia because according to them, they don't feel like level threes."
Dia narrowed her eyes, "If you're assuming that I've used Arcanum on my children's statuses, you can just leave now. Had I used it, I would have been in Tenkai already. Lord Ouranos would have known. So why don't you go ask him when we're done here? I gain nothing if my children were forcefully ranked up. Like every other adventurer level three or higher, they've spent years, possibly decades, trying to get that high. To add on that my children leveled outside of Orario is a feat in itself."
Apollo almost faltered under the glare she dogpiled on him. Still, he persisted, not wanting to show weakness, "Nevertheless, do you accept the condition?"
"There needs to be a week minimum before the game starts so that they can train. I assure you that this benefits you as well," Dia said. Hestia remained silent as this was not about Bell. This was about the twins.
"That is acceptable. Now, onto the important point: What game shall we be playing?"
Hestia sighed, "During these past three days, we've tried to come up with something, and everything we came up with did not bear fruit as we wanted. If we told you some of our suggestions, they would be shot down for being too boring. Obviously, much to my displeasure and lamenting, we have to pick a game that everyone will enjoy."
The Gods observing quickly had to rethink their opinions on Hestia. She's gotten… better than before like she's standing up for her Familia and friends. Hephaistos especially noticed with a small smile on her face. Dia was still cute and innocent to the mortals of Gekai, but with the Gods, she was much more stern, strong-willed, and ready to bear her fangs.
Apollo tapped his fingers on the table, "Why don't we get suggestions from our fellow deities? Hmm? That way, there will not be a preference for a 'one-sided' match." The suggestion did not turn out as negatively as they thought.
Hermes would be the one to draw the card. So everyone present, except for the ones who are participating in the War Game, wrote down a suggestion and put it in a box. This process took around five minutes. Every deity wanted their specific game to be chosen, and some even suggested the same thing. In a game of probability, that was bound to happen.
"Alright, here goes," Hermes whispered to himself as he reached into the pile and pulled out a single card. The anticipation was high. He opened the card with squinted eyes, "Castle Siege."
There were mixed reactions to this. We'll leave it to the smart ones who figured it out.
However, there were two more matters to discuss. "You know, your familia outnumbers them by over one hundred times, Apollo, can you at least allow them some backup? I'm talking like one or two more people." Hermes was the one to suggest this, and based on the game chosen, it was illogical for the three to defend against one hundred.
"Absolutely not!" Apollo shouted.
"What's the matter, Apollo? Are you scared of three members? You're already getting the option to pick only one of the Titans, making it a two on one hundred," Freya spoke for the first time during the entire discussion. To which most deities voiced their agreement, but because Freya spoke was one reason, the other was because it was a valid point. As entertaining as three, well, two vs. one hundred sounds, it is one-sided.
Apollo had to quickly recover, lest he lose the support he has, "Fine, but it has to be someone from outside Orario with no connections to your familia."
Hermes nodded, "Done. Scribe, please write that in bold." He clapped his hands together, "With that being said, when shall this War Game be?"
Suggestions were thrown out, some demanding now, some demanding tomorrow, but some sensible ones suggested next week or week and a half. To which the response was, "It gives them time to prepare." A week and a half was the agreed time, the setting an old castle two days outside of Orario. Apollo defending, Dia & Hestia attacking. Apollo will leave a message to Dia on which child is chosen four days prior to the game.
Hermes grinned at the result, "I can therefore bring this meeting to a close!" Dia and Hestia slumped in their seats, being some of the last to leave. Other Gods and Goddesses who were close to the petite duo—Hephaistos, Miach, Takemikazuchi, and most notably, Loki—stayed as they watched them slump in their chairs.
"I'm not allowed to 'help' you Dee-Dee, but if your girlie happened to ask for a favor from her Godmother…" Loki trailed off, gaining looks from the other deities. "... she'll be fine. As for your boy… that may be more difficult. Better hope Apollo is as arrogant and sexist that he picks her over him."
"Even if he does, Isaac is more than capable. He may not be your Sword Princess, but his skill with weapons is nothing to sneeze at," Dia said. Truth be told, the last time he went all-out was when he first leveled up to level three. He wanted to get used to his power boost as fast as possible.
"Even so, you need to watch out for Freya, and that goes for the three of you as well," Loki said as she addressed Miach, Takemikazuchi, and Hephaistos. "She's got a plan, and your familias are close, thanks to a certain courtship, she may do something." With that warning/advice, Loki left the room before reaching out to the side and dragging a red-handed Hermes off the scene.
Hephaistos was the first to speak, "What was that about 'Godmother?'"
Dia turned to the red-headed smithing Goddess, "Oh, you aren't aware? Riveria is my children's Godmother. The Great Mage made it so, with permission from the parents. In other words, mine and Loki's familia are closely related."
"I still can't believe that," Hestia joked, trying to restore her cheerful self.
Dia snorted, "Yeah, neither can I. I was surprised when I found out. It makes me wonder how much she predicted that this would happen…"
"You believe that the Great Mage had this planned from the beginning, them and Riveria?" Miach asked, his gentle voice calming to the room itself.
"I got a feeling," was all that Dia said and left it at that. "Well, we should probably go tell our children the result of this. Something tells me that Isaac is going to be upset and worried if he doesn't get picked."
"How so?"
"I'd need at least five years to tell you the whole story… maybe someday."
"You can start over a drink sometime," Hephaistos offered as she headed for the door.
Takemikazuchi bowed before leaving, Miach following Take's action. All that was left in the room were Hestia and Dia. "You think they have a chance?"
Dia scoffed, "With Isaac's skill, and Irene's spell. They could easily level their familia, but this is also important to Bell. They'll hold back, after all, you witnessed their prowess mere days ago."
Hestia clicked her tongue, "That I did, Dia. That I did…"