To see a member of the Round Table was a shock for Hakuno, especially for Lady Gareth of all people to be brought home by Haruhime. So, on the walls of Orario, the two conversed in private. "Lady Gareth, what are you doing here?" Hakuno asked while the female knight merely smiled.
"Easy my adorable relative, to see how you were doing in this Lost World!" she beamed as Hakuno tilted her head in quizzical confusion of the term 'Lost World', which caused Gareth to do a double take and try to regain her composure from the cuteness.
"I've heard the term once in the Moon Cell before it sent me here…but what's a Lost World?" she asked.
"Ah…" Gareth realized, looking troubled before carefully looking around for any potential eavesdroppers before clearing her throat and explaining the situation that led to her being here.
Grand Order. An incident that had incinerated human history and rewrite the world itself by a being called Goetia. Gareth herself wasn't involved in fighting during that incident, just learning of it from the Throne of Heroes before partaking in the next incident known as the Human Order Revision. Doomed timelines that could not prosper and were culled from existence were pulled back into battle to replace Proper Human History.
There was one incident that caused a Lostbelt to become a Lost World that her own counterpart partook in.
A Lost World, a timeline that diverges from Proper Human History and rivals it in strength as a new proper history. There was a key anchor that keeps this world they were in a Lost World instead of a Lostbelt to prevent it from ceasing to exist. Anything that left this world, can live and interact with Proper Human History. But what was the divergence that created this Lost World? What was the keystone of this lost history that kept it afloat? Why was she sent here in the first place?
The Regalia did not answer her questions, leaving her frustrated because now she must fish for information to find out what is going on with this world. Wait, there was one thing she recalled the Moon Cell saying before it decided to send her here.
"Did Velber ever invade this version of Earth?"
[Negative. Timeline free of Velber interference.]
That was the key divergence. Velber never came to this planet in this timeline and sent the White Titan to destroy it, weakening gods and allowing humanity to prosper. This Lost World happened because somehow…Velber never discovered Earth. That explained why Bell had magic circuits in the first place.
If this was a different Quantum World Tree, a tree with a world of different rules than her own then her magic and this world's magic would be at odds with that one. Her powers would either be a hinderance or too dangerous depending on the circumstances so why…?
"So, tell me cousin, how'd you become a Servant?" Gareth asked, breaking Hakuno out of her thoughts.
"Wait, what?" Hakuno blinked before looking at the Lancer class Servant with baffled confusion. She could let the cousin thing slide since they were related due to Morgan being Hakuno's ancestor and Gareth's mother, but what did the girl just say about her being a Servant?
"Eh? You don't know?" Gareth asked scratching the back of her head in confusion. "In this city, a lot of people are bearing something like Saint Graphs of different qualities to them. I thought this place was a city for Servants of this Lost World when I came here." She explained while Hakuno's mind was reeling in and trying to compute everything.
Gareth said that a lot of people were bearing Saint Graphs, the kind that represents a Heroic Spirit. The Falna is a blessing of a god that records the deeds of a person and unlocks the powers within them. Can it be that the Falna is some sort of artificial Saint Graph for the denizens of this world to be on par with Servants? Then there were the aliases the gods give out in Denatus, some being cringe inducing to completely chuunibyou sounding ones. Something from Proper Human History must have lingered in this timeline if possible.
But then the Falna and Servant summoning had something in common, a contract of sorts. Mortals joining a Familia would be blessed with a Falna and agree to serve that deity unless converted to another Familia. The Falna on her back is like a Command Seal yet different. It symbolized the 'contract' with Hestia, but it never forces her against her will like a Command Seal would. If anything, it would seal off the powers she acquired with the Falna if Hestia was inclined to do so.
Then there were the monsters in the Dungeon. Several of them based off and named after figures and creatures of myths and legends they shouldn't have survived in current Proper Human History. Goliath was based off the tales of King David yet how did a Monster Rex like that have the name when Goliath never existed in the first place when the original was never born?
"…Gareth, something is very wrong with this world." Hakuno told the Servant who nodded her head.
"I agree, I just pray this isn't like the Britain Lostbelt…" Gareth replied with a rather sad expression on her usually lively face. Hakuno didn't know of what went down in that Lostbelt and it was best if she didn't know.
But Hakuno heard her and decided not to ask, feeling that there was something akin to regret in the girl's voice that could never be healed and decided to go on from there, all while a strange bird observed the two with its unusual eyes.
/Guild, Next Day\
"Oi Hakuno, what did you do this time?" her advisor, Rose Fannet demanded with an irritated expression when Hakuno walked up to her. The bemused expression the witch had only caused the female werewolf to sigh and show her a letter of summons by the Guild and to be escorted to someone named Ouranos. She was escorted to a passageway by the elf Royman Mardeel
Ouranos, in Proper Human History was a primordial god of the skies, preceding Zeus in Greek mythology over that domain in his prime before his death. Here? Head of the Guild and a complete enigma as she stood alone with the ancient god sitting on his throne in the massive chamber lit by torchlight.
"Welcome child of Pan-Human History. I believe you came seeking for answers?" the deity asked while Hakuno looked around with wary. Caution as this God knew whom she was and then summoning her here alone in this chamber. She sensed something unusual in the darkness, a hidden presence that wasn't malicious in nature, but cautious. She paid it some mind as she returned her focus to Ouranos. She'll start with something that shouldn't exist in the first place.
"What is the origin of the Dungeon?"
Ouranos looked calmly at her and sighed, looking older and more tired than he appeared to be. "I do not know." He admitted, looking at her eyes with a distant gaze as if somewhere else. "It predates the rise of the pantheon I belong to, but the many gods of time and fate say the same thing…a Grudge of Denial. What that means even I do not know. They were very cryptic of it, but perhaps you can help shed light on that." He answered her while Hakuno bit her lip and tried recalling the rules of time and space, the pros and cons of altering it…and the consequences (sins) of tampering them on purpose if the lessons from them were worth any Saint Quartz.
Then she recalled the Pruning Phenomenon, the moment when doomed timelines were purged from existence, and natures of grudges being powerful enough to affect space-time if left unchecked. Grudge of Denial…Pruning Phenomenon…Lostbelts…Alternate History (Lost World) …Gods of Time and Fate…
Oh no.
"The grudge from being erased out of history…" Hakuno muttered softly to herself, hoping that was the case. Realization as she slowly looked at Ouranos, "Can it be…these monsters and the Dungeon are the result of this world denying Pan-Human History to the point it became a living grudge?" she asked while Ouranos blinked and cupped his chin in thought.
There was wisdom in what she said, but he needed to double check with something. "Tell me Holy Witch, how did the monsters in your world come to existence?" he requested politely. Hakuno quietly requested the Regalia to help her explain since even she didn't know all of them and the Moon Cell replied.
"Usually from the actions of a God or Goddess being petty or angry with a mortal that they were turned into monsters as a form of punishment, rarely out of pity. But some are naturally born into this world by the World's influence or by the whims of a god. But there are some cases that are caused by the actions of mortals themselves at certain times and left an impact on the world. Even things like rumors and false myths can be given form if belief in them is strong enough." Hakuno responded with the answers she was given.
"I see…" Ouranos muttered, resting a hand against his face as he recalled the antics of Zeus and Hera when they were in Orario and inwardly grimaced if they were allowed to use their Arcanum in the lower world. With Zeus' womanizing antics and Hera's jealous fury, a lot of lives would have suffered. He could already picture Hera turning some poor girl into a hideous monster out of spite already…
Quickly he cleared his throat and tried to focus on the present. Given what he felt whenever he pacified the Dungeon ever since he sealed it off long ago, it was a hateful grudge alright. It specifically hated deities for a particular reason and had clearly expressed it when it unleashed the three mightiest monsters onto the surface. Behemoth the King of the Land, Leviathan the Overlord of Seas and the Black Dragon, Emperor of the Skies. The Three Calamities that came to be when Ouranos and a few others first descended onto the world after the brave actions of the hero Argonaut made his mark on history.
If these monsters were connected to something from Pan-Human History, then Hakuno's knowledge could help bring clues on defeating the One-Eyed Black Dragon once and for all. Before the promised day arrived.
"Hakuno Kishinami…" he began, looking at the young girl who in his eyes had suffered and endured much but kept moving forward like a star in the night sky. "I will permit you access to certain things I know of, in order to help secure the future of this…Lost World your friend described. Please understand that I want this world to prosper and thrive on its own, but if this were to be reverted to what is called a Lostbelt, then everything I've worked for, all the lives that were sacrificed to bring about a peaceful time will be for nothing."
Hakuno lowered her head, some form of trouble stirring in her as she was in internal conflict. Right now, she was in a timeline that technically shouldn't exist and needed to be erased. But was it the right thing to do? Who was she to decide who has the right to exist or not? Then she recalled Gareth said there was a group intent on returning Proper Human History by erasing other worlds and was hit with a memory.
It was the Hestia Familia, all smiling and laughing together as they turned to look at her, the warm days of a family doing things together and enjoying the simplest gift of 'living'. If this group Gareth had been part of one time came here, then without a doubt they would destroy the friends and family she had here, and the countless lives already lost be made worthless.
She clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth in frustration before calming herself. She needed time to find answers behind the origin of this Lost World besides the fact the Umbral Star has not found Earth yet in this timeline. Something here caused that divergence, and it created the Dungeon as a byproduct of their actions. She needed to investigate the three Great Quests themselves for answers.
She looked at Ouranos and gave him her answer.
*Hestia Familia Church*
"Eh!?" Hestia cried out at the letter from the Guild Hakuno took with her as she read it. "Is this that serious that they're asking you Hakuno?" she asked while the Holy Witch nodded her head.
"They needed my expertise with something I have knowledge of. I'll still come back in emergency situations or if another War Game happens. But other than that, I will be gone for a month at most." Hakuno explained while Hestia reread the request from the Guild. To go investigate something in Melen and a certain desert for some clues. It was a high wage pay and Hakuno was allowed to take others not from the Hestia Familia with her on her journey.
"I've already found some companions willing to aid me. I just needed to make sure that the others can handle themselves while I'm gone." Hakuno said while Hestia bit her lip and looked to the side in thought. She didn't like this. Her daughter, her first member of the Hestia Familia was going out there on her own and leaving the others behind for this quest. "I have a week until I leave, which will give me plenty of time to help Bell use his skills and magic…and before I leave on that final day. I'd like to level up."
Now that reassured Hestia the minute those words came out. Which means Hakuno will be harder to kill and be stronger for it.
*One Week Later*
Hakuno made way to the gates, Gareth and Lucius there as the two were having a glaring contest with each other before composing themselves in front of her. While she may not be a Master, she was still someone important to both. One out of mad devotion and twisted love, the other of old promises, loyalty, and kinship. "Let's begin our quest, for the truth behind this world." She told them as she began to make her first step out of the city.
"Hakuno!" Bell's voice called out, causing Hakuno to pause and turned and see the Hestia Familia and numerous civilians from the slums gathering there with a matching look to their faces.
"Do your best mom!" Primo called out with a wave.
"Take care of yourself out there Lady Hakuno!" Haruhime told her with concern and faith in her voice.
"You better take care of yourself out there Hakuno! And no boys!" Hestia called out as Hakuno's cheeks turned dusty red while Lucius looked amused by his Violet's embarrassment.
"I'll get stronger Captain! I'll show the world what a hero is!" Bell declared with a resolve in his rubellite eyes as Hakuno felt relieved in it while Gareth believed Bell had promise in him and inwardly prayed for his success.
"Thanks for everything! We'll do our best while your away big sis!" Cleo, one of the orphans she played with shouted. Everyone was wishing her well on the journey ahead and she smiled and waved as she and her companions began their journey.
Their mission, find the dark truths of this world and prevent the Chaldeans that Gareth-chan had spoken of destroy this world. A race against the clock had begun, between a witch fighting for a future, against those who decide the future of others. A battle of Fate had slowly begun, and only one victor will remain.
Stats Update! [After Hakuno's Departure]
Primo (Libera) Kishinami [Hakuno's sweet daughter! Good bed buddy! ─Hestia]
Level 1
Strength: I 67
Endurance: I 32
Dexterity: I 62
Agility: I 85
Magic: I 90
Magic:
Lumine Pleiades: Wide range bombardment spell. Fires beams of light that rain down on targets. Effective against 'evil' alignments. [Given how she suffered to slavers, this 'evil' alignment must have been part of her desire for justice. ─Hestia]
Radiant stars traveling the obsidian night sky.
Listen to my innocent prayers and guide these descending lights.
Come, tears of the stars!
Smite the sinners with righteous fury!
Lumine Pleiades!
Development Skills:
Protection of the Fae Rank I: a blessing of fairies that improves one's luck in any crisis. [A rather unusual skill to acquire. Maybe a fairy is looking out for her? ─Hestia]
Gear:
Oaken Staff: A staff created with oak wood and bronze metal to help channel magic. Ideal for beginners and is a good club.
Lightweight Robes: Simple robes with light pieces of armor attached so it doesn't' restrict movement. Custom made by Riveria.
Veil of Moonlight: A gift from Hakuno. A Mystic Code she personally made that absorbs light to help recover depleted magic energy. [As expected of my daughter, spoiling her sweet little girl with a veil of her own. Both are trying to take after me! ─Hestia]
Sanjouno Haruhime
[A sweet girl. How could her father do this to her!? ─Hestia]
Level 1
Strength: I 64
Endurance: I 30
Dexterity: I 90
Agility: I 89
Magic: H 181
Magic:
Uchide no Kozuchi: A rare level boosting magic reflecting Haruhime's desire to support heroes in her fairytales she grew up reading, any ally she selects gains a level with it, but she cannot use it on herself. [Yeah, better keep this spell hidden from others. Who knows what greedy gods out there would love to abuse this skill to make themselves famous? ─Hestia]
Skills:
Mikuzumenohou: Increases the effects of magic and Mind usage.
Ais Wallenstein
[New to the Familia but a good girl. Bit of an airhead though. ─Hestia]
Level 5
[Needs to prove herself for another Level Up. Fight on Ais! ─Hestia]
Strength: D 577
Endurance: D 562
Dexterity: A 843
Agility: A 832
Magic: S 909
Magic:
Ariel: Wind Enchantment Magic that increases offensive and defensive capabilities. [Ais loves the wind, given how her Magic stat is one of the highest of the three. ─Hestia]
Skills
Avenger: Embodiment of a deep-seated hatred etched to the soul. Drastically increases user's attack power against monsters, most effectively against dragon types. Stronger hatred yields devastating results. [Poor girl, what did she go through to have such an abhorrent skill? I'd better get her a Hestia Special Jagamaru-kun and have a talk about having this skill be forbidden to use. ─Hestia]
Hunter: G-Improves one's abilities against previously fought monsters and gained excelia from.
Abnormal Resistance: G-Negates negative ailments like poison.
Swordsman: I-? [No information on this skill but I guess it involves improving one's skill with a sword on certain conditions ─Hestia]
Hakuno Kishinami
[My first child and precious daughter! ─Hestia]
Level 1 ─» 2
[So proud of you Hakuno! ─Hestia]
Strength: C 702 ─» I 0
Endurance: D 657─» I 0
[I guess that duel with Ais made it go up a bit…]
Dexterity: D 637─» I 0
Agility: F 382─» I 0
[I made a mistake by writing it as G one time in Agility, the Guild was not amused by that. ─Hestia]
Magic: EX 1500 ─» I 0
[How absurd of a stat! What did she go through for it to be like that?! ─Hestia]
Skills:
Memoria Freese: Accelerated growth of oneself and others by important memoires. Due to her Amnesia Syndrome in the past, this skill manifested as her desire for precious memories to cherish with loved ones. The more beloved memoires she has cherished, the stronger the growth rates become.
[Similar to Bell-kun's Liaris Freese but is meant to help others grow. She wants everyone in the Familia to become stronger, but the memories so far aren't exactly positive. When you get back Hakuno we'll make new memories! Forget improving the Familia, you deserve the happiness that was robbed from you! ─Hestia]
Legacy of Albion: A skill that is the manifestation of Hakuno's bloodline. A black mana said to be the symbol of kingship to a certain land, it inherits certain memories of previous wielders to the black mana. Strengthens curses and hexes.
[A power from a bloodline…I take it Hakuno was descended from a royalty no longer existing. This must be from one associated with the witches in fables Bell-kun talked about. I hope she's not associated with the one called the Witch Queen. ─Hestia]
*New Skill*
?
[…Okay, this skill won't be on the paper for the Guild to see. Hakuno…why must you bring trouble with you even when leveling up?! ─Hestia]
Magic
Spiritron Boost: Support spell that specializes in refining magical energy to be more precise and powerful in spells and improve fighting technique when using melee weapons. Can be only used one at a time with a fifteen-minute cool down before reapplying.
[This is a strategic spell. When used at the right moment one attack can have devastating power behind it if used properly. Knowing my daughter, she'll have it figured out. ─Hestia]
Gear:
Merlin-Murderer MK I: A spear forged for Hakuno by Welf Crozzo by request. Good quality steel was used in it and several monster parts to help channel magic through it as a staff.
[No idea why the name though. Hakuno said it was to kill a certain white-haired nightmare that pestered her in her dreams from time to time. ─Hestia]
Witch's Initiation Dress: A custom dress Hakuno made for herself. Symbolizing her beginnings as a witch with a black veil that covers her eyes and reaches to her waist in length from the back.
[Its simple design was rather cute! Her upper back is exposed for the purpose of updating her stats without stripping. And the veil! She and Primo sure love that fashion accessory, even I wore one when I was still living in Tenkai! ─Hestia]
Regalia-A ring that is the symbol of Hakuno's Sovereignty of the Moon Cell Automaton, currently hidden under her gloved fingers.
[She told me that it was the symbol of her reign, but I have no clue what the Moon Cell is or why Hakuno is away from her kingdom. I'd wish she'd open a little about it. ─Hestia]
[Snap, I forgot Bell-kun's update but its so late. I'll do it later when I'm better rested. ─Hestia]
…I blame Nasu for making the Britain Lostbelt my personal favorite in wanting to play. And yes, to those who know of how horrible it was in the many emotional ways I feel you. Danmachi is a positive fairytale land with a few dark moments here and there, in contrast to Type Moon being dark, depressing, realistic, numerous bad endings and nightmare fuel but it has its moments of joy and humor.
So yeah…instead of making it an isekai fic…it's an alternate timeline with the Depth Value of EX. And of course, the humans in this one isn't the dominate species thanks to a certain star and a certain Destroyer-Not-Appearing-in-this-Fic not destroying Earth's ancient civilizations. In this alternate timeline, what caused the Dungeon to exist? What is the Grudge of Denial truly representing?
Will the world of Danmachi face the inevitable Cosmos Denial?
So, for now, Hakuno is taking a break and we're letting Hestia the Bestia, and her Familia try to take care of things without Hakuno for a bit. Although I wonder if I should do the Apollo War Game or not. I'll figure it out after I work on some other fics. It's been a refreshing change of pace, but I still have others to still write. Maybe after I finish a few other chapters for my other stories I'll focus on this one. For now, I'm on break, Ciassou!