Orario and the Ghost of Sparta
Chapter 2
"Festival of Monsters"
Deep in the abandoned church, Hestia was in disbelief at what she saw as she updated the status of her lone familia member, Bell Cranell. "Is there something wrong, goddess Hestia?" he asked. "No, not at all." she responded, though she knew deep down what was going on and what was causing it. 'He's growing too quickly. I know what happened the day he went to the Hostess Fertility was out of the ordinary, but, that's not enough to explain this. So it must be, this new skill I've never heard of. Liaris Freese. I bet it spawned from his feelings towards Wallenstein. This skill will cause a rapid increase in his growth rate as long as he maintains his feelings towards her. and it accelerates depending on how strong they are. Well, at least Bell's the one who profits from this in terms of experience. Still, I wonder if I should tell him about all this. The other gods will have their eyes on him if they find out. He wouldn't believe me if I told him.' she thought as she placed his stats back into this familia insignia tattoo and got off his calves.
"Bell, do you mind tell you your status and explain why they suddenly started increasing so rapidly recently?" she asked. "Okay." Bell responded before standing up. 'Well, I may not be able to tell him about this new skill, but at least I can give him the push he needs to be stronger like he wanted when he returned home.' Hestia thought as she looked towards Bell. In no time, Bell gained a look of disbelief on this face upon hearing the news. "What?! You mean to tell me that my status really went up by that much?!" he asked. "Yes. Right now, you're improving at an incredible pace. It's, almost like a growth spurt in a child." Hestia confirmed. "Okay." Bell said, still unsure, but understanding. "Understand that this is nothing more than my personal opinion, but I think you have a natural talent for being an adventurer. You're getting stronger, faster than any other level one adventurer in Orario. And you have a serious desire to get stronger as well." Hestia continued. "I do." Bell confirmed.
"I respect your wishes, okay, Bell? Whatever I can do to help you, I'll do it. But, don't push it too hard. Please promise me you won't. I'm begging you, Bell, do not leave me all alone." Hestia said, worried that Bell would just forget about her in his quest for strength. "Okay. I promise you, I'm going to work really hard to get stronger, but I will never leave you alone, goddess. You don't have to worry about that." Bell responded. "Well, that makes me feel a whole lot better. Oh, and just so you know, I'll be gone for the next two or three days, okay?" Hestia said as she stood up. "Gone where?" Bell asked. But Hestia just giggled.
Meanwhile, Kratos was updating Mordecai's status, while the warrior told him what happened. "So, this boy, Bell, heard the Loki Familia speaking at the local tavern, learned that it was them who accidentally let that minotaur run rampant on the fifth floor and was embarrassed when one of the familia, a wolfman named Bete, putting him down as if he was the weakest child brought into the initial training of the Spartan army?" he asked. "Yes, lord Kratos. He ran out and I believe he headed down into the Dungeon by himself to blow off some steam." Mordecai confirmed as Kratos engraved his stats on a piece of paper.
"Well, if this has anything to do with that unique skill of his, then perhaps he has a motive behind his actions." Kratos rationalized before handing Mordecai his stats. "Yes, he's determined to stand next to Ais Wallenstein and won't stop at anything until he does." Mordecai pointed out. "Well, perhaps you can assist him in achieving that goal. Because it appears the more you journey with him, the more experience you get, possibly due to this new skill you just acquired." Kratos proposed. "You're right. Experience share. If I remember correctly, it allows you to gain experience equal to half the total gained experience of one of your party members. This will prove useful as long as I join up with Bell." Mordecai agreed before heading off to meet with Bell.
Later, he did meet up with Bell, but the first thing that Bell had to do was go to the Hostess Fertility and pay what he owed for the dinner. "I'm so, so, so sorry! I promise, I never went to run off without paying the other night. Here, this is what I owe." Bell said as he handed his 1,500 Valis to Mama Mia. "Well, I do appreciate you going through so much trouble to bring me this. Because if you hadn't I would've had to go find you and collect the payment myself." the tough-as-nails owner stated, worrying Bell. "Guess I'm glad I paid my bill before I went off to look for Bell that night. Because to hear you talk, Mama Mia, you're not one to be messed with." Mordecai said. "You got that right, pal." Mama Mia replied. "Again, I really am sorry." Bell said, bowing his head.
"You can stop apologizing now, Bell. I'm glad you and Mordecai stopped by. It's nice to see you both again. I take it you're both off to the Dungeon today? Take this. Its lunch." Syr said before handing Bell a bento box. "After you giving us your breakfast yesterday, Syr? We just couldn't." Mordecai said kindly. "Don't worry, I already had breakfast. I want you two to have it, and split it." Syr responded. "Well, okay, if you insist. Thanks." Bell said as he took the bento box before Syr headed into the kitchen, happily. "You're lucky that Syr likes you two. And you should know, kid, the only reason me and the others forgave your little indiscretion, is because she begged and begged us to." Mama Mia pointed out, looking directly at Bell.
"She begged? She doesn't look like the begging sort." Mordecai said in surprise. "She really did that?" Bell asked. "You listen here, boys. Adventurers don't get far in life trying to act cool and stuff. Focus on staying alive. Do that before you start getting fancy. Even if an adventurer looks weak and people like that Bete jerk make fun of them, its the ones that come back in one piece that are the real winners." Mama Mia advised before turning them both around. "So be careful. I won't nag you both too much, but if you go and get yourselves killed, I'll be very disappointed." she added. "I agree. Disappointing you is the last thing on my mind, Mama Mia." Mordecai concurred. "Good. Now, hop on out there. You're both just getting in the way anyway." she concluded as she gently pushed them forward.
Soon, the two warriors left the tavern. "Well, see ya later! Hope to eat here again soon!" Mordecai called out as he ran alongside Bell, while inside, Mama Mia and most of her waitresses all smiled. 'Come back soon.' Syr thought with a blush. "You know, Mordecai. That felt like, we were just leaving home or something." Bell said with a smile. "I know what you mean, pal." Mordecai said with a chuckle.
Elsewhere in Orario, a grand party was underway. "Hello, and welcome! Thank you all for attending! It is I, Lord Ganesha! Seeing so many of my dearest acquaintances and colleagues at this gathering tonight fills me with the deepest gratitude." called out the host, Ganesha, god of beginnings. The other deities looked around and saw their fellows, be they male or female. Among them Hermes, said to be the god of trade, wealth, luck, fertility, animal husbandry, sleep, language, thieves and travel, Takemikazuchi, god of the sword and Freya, goddess of beauty, who quickly spotted Hestia grabbing some of the party food to go.
"Good evening to you, Hestia." she said, spooking Hestia silly. "Oh, Freya." Hestia said, with her mouth full of dumpling. "I'm sorry, are you busy?" Freya apologized. "I'm always too busy to deal with you." Hestia responded, though Freya just chuckled. "That's the kind of thing that makes me like you so much." she said. "Well, at least you're not quite as unbearable as some people." Hestia said, looking at just who was coming their way, that being Loki. "Well, if it isn't Freya and short-stuff Hestia." said the goddess of mischief.
"Great, what are you doing here?" Hestia asked. "Sweetie, you know me, I'm doing whatever I please, much like the fabled Ghost of Sparta would do." Loki responded. "Well, actually, your timing is perfect. I want to ask you something." Hestia said upon clearing her throat. "Do you, now? What is it, pee-wee?" Loki asked. "The strongest member of your familia, the Sword Princess, she saved the life of my familia member, and now he's looking to impress her someway." Hestia answered. "Oh, really? Well, she is very nice and she's my favorite human, but if I were anything like Aphrodite, any guy that looks at her the wrong way, would be torn to shreds!" Loki stated.
"It's nice to see you two getting along." Freya said. "No, we aren't!" both mad goddesses shouted. "Loki, I couldn't help but notice that you look more different than usual. Normally you'd wear much more glamorous attire." Freya pointed out. "Oh, well, I heard that a certain itsy-bitsy guest was going to be here tonight, so wanted to show her what a real dress looks like." Loki explained. "That's real funny, Loki. But don't you think your jokes are getting a bit stale?" Hestia said. "Don't go where I think you're going." Loki warned. "Seriously, your lame jokes were what made Thor dump you!" Hestia declared before laughing pompously.
Meanwhile, Bell and Mordecai were returning to the surface from the Dungeon. As they walked, they saw a large number of other adventurers carrying amazing gear and wearing incredible armor. "Everyone here has such expensive equipment." Bell said, amazed. "Well, they say you can never be too prepared, but there's a fine line between preparedness and showing off. Like Lord Kratos always says, the man makes the weapon, not the other way around." Mordecai pointed out. They soon reached the entrance floor and saw some adventurers hoisting crates up from the dungeon while hearing others talk about a yearly event called Monsterphilia. Meanwhile, Loki had left, having had enough of hearing Hestia insult her about her failed relationship with the god of thunder.
"You two are at it again, I see." said a voice before Hestia looked back and saw who it belonged to. "Hephaestus! Oh, I'm so glad you're here! How I missed you!" she declared. "You missed me? Let me be blunt, if it's money you're after, you're not getting a single Valis from me." Hephaestus stated. "Excuse me? Do I look the kind of goddess who would stoop so low as to go fishing for handouts from her best friend?" Hestia asked, offended. "You've got a lot of nerve to say that after you freeloaded off of my familia and then you came to me crying about how you were broke and had no family left after I had to kick you out. Do you honestly wonder why I would assume you would want something?" Hephaestus responded.
"Okay, so maybe I used to do that, but not anymore. Because now I have my own familia!" Hestia declared. "Oh, yes, of course. That Bell person right? Silly little boy, white hair, red eyes? Well, I guess deities change when they get their own familia." Hephaestus responded as someone whispered something into Freya's ear. "Hephaestus, Hestia, I'm sorry, but I must be going." the goddess of beauty said. "Leaving so soon?" Hephaestus asked. "Afraid so. I was going to check on something, but, there's no time for that now. Plus, I think the single men have had enough time to take me all in. Toodaloo." Freya responded before taking her leave.
"Okay. So, what was it you wanted to talk with me about? And keep in mind, depending on what it is, I may never speak to you again." Hephaestus said. "Yeah, I get it." Hestia said before quickly dropping to her hands and knees. "I need you to make a weapon for Bell, please." she added. Elsewhere in town, Bell and Mordecai were eyeing some weapons in a shop, one of which was a knife that Bell had his eye on, though the price was 800,000 Valis, far out of his price range. "Hello, Bell, Mordecai." said a voice behind them. Both boys turned and saw none other than Miach, lord of healing herbs. "Lord Miach. I'm sorry, I can't actually buy one." Bell said, apologetically. "Bell, I told you, it's not the weapon that makes the man." Mordecai pointed out. "He's right. Plus, there's no need for you to apologize." Miach said.
"Lord Miach, shouldn't you be at that banquet with all the other deities? I know my familia head, Lord Kratos, ad no intentions to go, since he doesn't do big gatherings or banquets among deities." Mordecai said. "I did get an invitation and I was actually planning to go, but I'm afraid I'm far too busy. Have to support my familia, after all. Anyway, here, take one of each." Miach replied before handing the boys each a potion. "A potion for each of us? But we can't take those." Bell said. "Just consider them a small token of my many thanks, and an open door to keep doing business with my familia." Miach rebutted. "Well, you did save me from being killed by mistletoe poisoning, so I guess it's repayment for me to accept your offer." Mordecai said with a smile.
"Thanks a lot." Bell said as both boys each took a potion. "You take care, boys." Miach said before taking his leave. 'Guess Kratos was right, choosing your allies wisely can be a benefit.' Mordecai thought as he and Bell went on their way. Meanwhile, at Hephaestus' office, Hestia was still on her hands and knees with her forehead pressed against the floor. "How long do you plan to keep doing that? I'm busy, and to be quite honest with you, you being here is a rather annoying distraction." Hephaestus said, remembering the moment when Hestia asked for a weapon from the goddess of metalworks. "Listen, Hestia, I don't know what you're doing exactly, but could you please knock it off?" she asked. "It's called groveling. Takemikazuchi told me it's the ultimate strategy for asking a favor." Hestia explained.
"He's always getting into things where he doesn't belong. Tell me, why do you want this so badly, Hestia?" Hephaestus asked, clearly not so thrilled to hear that Takemikazuchi was the one who taught Hestia groveling. "I'm trying to help Bell, okay? He's been acting so different lately, he's got a single goal on his mind, he's running straight towards it and will stop at absolutely nothing till he reaches it. And it's a dangerous path, that's why I want to give him strength. He needs a weapon that can clear his path. All I want to do is help him and do whatever I can to support him. Even though I'm his goddess, I haven't been able to do one godly thing for him. I feel so useless. I hate it." Hestia explained, tearing up a bit.
"Guess you have changed. Well, alright then. In that case, if it truly means that much to you." Hephaestus said with a smile. "Thank you so much, Hephaestus!" Hestia said with glee as she sat up and tried to walk towards her friend for a hug, only to stumble before Hephaestus caught her. "But I will warn you, you are going to pay me back for this, no matter how many eternities it takes. Understand." the goddess of metalworks stated. "I promise." Hestia said before Hephaestus picked up one of her hammers.
"So, what kind of weapon does he prefer?" Hephaestus asked. "Well, a knife. He puts speed over power. Wait, are you going to hammer it out yourself?" Hestia responded. "Of course I am. But this is just between us, okay? I don't want my familia getting involved in this." Hephaestus stated. "Awesome! The one and only Divine Artisan is going to craft a weapon for me!" Hestia said with glee. "What, you didn't forget, did you? We're not in Heaven anymore, Hestia, that means I'm not going to use my divine powers for any reason." Hephaestus said. "Who cares? You're the one making it, so that's all that matters to me." Hestia responded excitedly. Soon, Hephaestus pulled a book on her shelf, opening a secret door to a smithing room.
"You'll need to be my assistant, so get ready to get your hands dirty." Hephaestus said. "Sure! Whatever you need!" Hestia responded. 'I'm making a first-class weapon for some boy who's only been adventuring for half a month.' Hephaestus thought with a shrug. "Alright, let's get started." she said aloud before she and Hestia set to work. Meanwhile, Mordecai was at home eating dinner with Kratos. "So, you heard of this Monsterphilia festival, Lord Kratos?" he asked. "Yes, and I think it's just reckless entertainment." Kratos answered. "Reckless?" Mordecai asked, puzzled. "Yes, it's not easy to tame a beast, let alone one that's been living in a labyrinth under a city for who knows how long." Kratos replied. "You're worried that the monsters may try to escape their confines?" Mordecai asked, somewhat concerned. "Yes. If they do, someone will need to control the chaos, so that's where you and I come in. If any monsters escape, it'll be our job to hunt them down and destroy them." Kratos confirmed.
Mordecai nodded, knowing what had to be done. The next day, Bell was walking along on his way to the Dungeon. 'She said she'd be gone for two or three days, so maybe she'll be coming back today.' Bell thought before Mordecai and Kratos showed up. "Bell, allow me to introduce, Lord Kratos." Mordecai said. "Oh, it's an honor to meet you." Bell said. "So, you're this boy Mordecai spoke so highly of." Kratos said, looking over the boy. 'This boy... There's something about him, I can sense it.' he thought. "Hey! I've been waiting for you, nyan! I need a favor." called a voice, the three turned and saw it was the cat waitress from the Hostess of Fertility.
"Are you talking to us, ma'am?" Mordecai asked. "Yeah. Oh, good nyorning." she said. "Good morning to you, too." Bell said before the girl handed him a coin purse. "Nyanyway, could you, like, you know, take this purse to that silly Syr person-nyan?" she asked. "Yeah, sorry, but we don't really understand cat language all that great." Mordecai said before another waitress, the elf, came out from the alley next to the tavern. "You should really work on your communication skills, Anyan. I think you're confusing Mr. Cranell, Mr. Mákho and Lord Kratos." she said. "Oh, come on, Ryuu. I just told them to take this purse to Syr-nyan, because she scurried off to Monsterphilia so fast that she totally forgot it-nyan. What's nyot to understand?" Anyan responded.
"Did you get all that?" Ryuu asked. "Oh, sure." Bell replied. "Syr took the day off so she could go see the festival. In fact, she was so excited about going, I doubt if she's even noticed she doesn't have it." Ryuu explained. "Anyway, we really appreciate this." she added. "Uh huh! Nyan." Anyan confirmed. "I'm afraid that I can't help you with this, Bell, me and Lord Kratos have business to tend to today." Mordecai said. "Not a problem, just leave it to me. But, what is this Monsterphilia thing?" Bell replied. "Monsterphilia is a huge festival. It's put on by the Ganesha Familia every year-nyan. It's really something special." Anyan explained.
"They take over the arena for the entire day and train and tame monster they've captured in the Dungeon. Thousands come to see it." Ryuu added. "That's what I consider reckless. Beasts like those in the Dungeon should not be tamed, let alone captured." Kratos stated. "Reckless or not, it's a purrrety impurrrresive purrrformance! Nyan." Anyan said. Elsewhere, a meeting was taking place. Between Loki and a hooded figure. "What are you up to this time? Some kid from another familia caught your fancy and you're trying to steal him for yourself." Loki asked. "You could say." the figure responded. "Gee. You seem to stir up trouble everywhere you go. You're definitely one messed up goddess, Freya." Loki said, though Freya just smiled.
Meanwhile, in Hephaestus' workshop, Hestia was engraving some hieroglyphs upon the blade of the knife for Bell, which was completely jet black from tip to handle. "That'll do it." Hephaestus said, causing Hestia to beam with pride. "Alright! We did it!" she shouted before Hephaestus put the knife in a cloth and tied it around Hestia. "There you go." said the goddess of metalworks. "Thank you so much. Is it okay if I give it to him right away?" Hestia asked. "Give it to him whenever you want, as long as you don't forget about what you owe me." Hephaestus responded, to which Hestia agreed.
Elsewhere, Loki and Freya continued to talk. "So, this kid you're after, what exactly is he like anyway? Loki asked. "Currently, weak and unreliable, as well as an easy crier. But he does have a pretty face, and his aura is transparent, a color like I've never seen before. Finding him was quite the coincidence. He vanished from my sight just as quickly as he appeared." Freya explained as Ais looked down and saw Bell, Mordecai and Kratos going through the crowd on their way to the stadium before Freya stood up. "What's wrong?" Loki asked. "I'm sorry, but there's a little emergency that just came up." Freya responded. "What? You can't just walk out..." Loki began to say. "We shall meet again, my dear." Freya interrupted before walking out.
"What was that all about?" Loki pondered before realizing something. "Hey! She just left me with the check!" she shouted before turning her attention to Ais. "What's eating you?" she asked. "It's nothing." Ais answered. Meanwhile, Bell was alone and looking for Syr while Mordecai and Kratos had headed on to the stadium. "Wow, it's just like Ryuu and Anya said it would be. Which means finding Syr, is going to be next to impossible." he said as he looked around and through the crowd walking to the stadium until a familiar voice called his name.
He turned to his right and saw Hestia next to him. "Goddess Hestia. You're back." he said. "That's right. I missed you so stinking much. What about you?" Hestia replied. "Of course. I missed you too, it's just that..." Bell began to say. "I'm so glad. I always knew you and I shared an unbreakable bond." Hestia stated before taking him by the hand. "Goddess Hestia? What are you...?" Bell began to ask. "How about we go to the festival? You know, as a date." Hestia suggested. "A date? Wait a second, goddess, I'm supposed to be looking for someone." Bell said. "Well, we can look for them during our date, okay? Two birds, one stone." Hestia replied.
"I don't know, that might be a bad idea." Bell said, but Hestia wouldn't listen as she stopped at a food cart. "Two crepes, please, sir." she said to the vendor. "Goddess, are you sure this is necessary?" Bell asked as the vendor prepared the first crepe. Later, both of them were sitting near the stadium with their crepes in hand. "Take a bite, Bell. I bet it's good." Hestia said. "Well, it's rather..." Bell began to say. "What is it, Bell? Is it not what you wanted?" Hestia asked. "No, it just seems wrong to eat something before a goddess does. Here, you have a bite of mine." Bell responded. "That's kind of silly, but if you insist." Hestia said before taking a bite from Bell's crepe, but afterwards, he immediately turned red when he saw some cream on her left cheek. "Could you get that for me?" she asked. "Uh... okay." Bell responded before doing so, making Hestia happy.
Meanwhile, Kratos and Mordecai were keeping a sharp eye out for any sign of trouble. But little did they know that down underneath the stadium, trouble was beginning to brew as Freya did something to the guards protecting the caged monsters to knock them all out before she started to look and see each of the beasts in their cages before stopping in front of a Silverback Gorilla that was wearing armor on its arms and its face. "I think you'll do." she said as she opened the cage. "What a shame. I would've preferred to observe his progress a while longer, but this will have to do." she added as she touched the Silverback's face. Meanwhile, up on the surface and outside the stadium, Bell had explained the situation to Hestia. "So, one of the waitresses at the Hostess of Fertility asked you to return the purse of one of her coworkers because she forgot about it? Oh, Bell, you're quite a considerate young man as well as a sly dog." Hestia said, cheekily.
"I get the considerate part, but what's that last part supposed to mean?" Bell asked. "Nothing." Hestia responded, seemingly understanding. "Well, I'd appreciate..." Bell began to say before someone began to run out of the stadium, followed by the Silverback Freya let loose. "Bell?" Hestia asked, worried. 'Capture the one with the hair like mine, please.' Freya told the beast, telepathically, as it eyed Hestia. "Call me crazy, but is that thing looking at me? It kind of looks like it is." Hestia said, worried before Bell took her by the hand and ran for their lives as the Silverback gave chase with many other civilians watching from afar.
"Goddess Hestia, why is that gorilla after you? Have you ever seen it before?" Bell asked as they ran into an alleyway. "No, never!" Hestia answered. Soon, they reached a different street in town. "Wait, this is Daedalus Street." Bell said before the gorilla spotted them once more by climbing over the buildings. "Come on!" he added before starting to run again. As they ran through the street, going through all the back alleys, people who were residing in the homes on the street shut themselves in, so as not to let the gorilla spot them. But regardless, Hestia ended up getting cornered by the big ape. "Bell!" she shouted. "Goddess!" Bell shouted back. When the Silverback looked at him, the memories of the minotaur on the fifth floor from days before came rushing back to him, causing him to freeze up.
'I'm scared. I'm so scared. But, I'm a man, aren't I? Get a grip, Bell. Do it! You can't run away from a girl who's in trouble!' he thought before charging right at the beast, leaping onto and off of its knee and preparing to land a killing blow, but the knife he carried shattered upon impact with the creature's armor, shocking Bell before he got sent flying into a wall with an open palm strike from the big ape, which caused a lamp to fall upon impact. "Bell!" Hestia shouted, worried more about him than herself. But as the Silverback approached, Bell grabbed the lamp that was on the ground and threw it at the beast's face, blinding it long enough for both Bell and Hestia to escape.
'It's no use. I'm not strong enough. I don't have what it takes to protect her. Or even anyone else. It's just going to keep chasing us. What am I supposed to do?' Bell thought before he and Hestia exited an alley. After considering running through a nearby iron door, Bell pushed Hestia further in and locked the door behind her. "Bell, what are you doing?" Hestia asked. "I'm sorry about this, but I'm buying you some time. Get out of here and save yourself." Bell responded. "Bell, what are you talking about? Open this door right now!" Hestia demanded. But Bell just turned away. "Listen to me. No matter what happens, I'm not going to lose anymore family." he said before running off. "Bell, please! Come back! BELL!" Hestia shouted, but her cries fell on deaf ears as Bell ran off, determined not to let the only family he had left perish.