A/N: Since there are two characters named Gareth, dwarf adventurer with san honorific and chan for the Knight of the Round. Just a quick update so you don't get confused.
Hestia looked at Bell's old stat sheet when he was Level One, glaring at it like it was the biggest thorn to her side and who can blame her. Bell's stats were SSS, with Magic at S and Agility at EX.
Death.
Both Bell and Hakuno were going to be the death of her these days with their absurd stats and that eyesore of EX rank. Bell was speed and Hakuno was magic, what's next on who's gonna get an EX-rank stat of strength, dexterity, or endurance?
Hestia slumped before glaring at an empty space in the air and spoke. "I know you're there Deadwalker, reveal yourself." She ordered; her tone was that of a goddess declaring judgment as Lucius Tiberius manifested before her.
She knew of him, of what Bell had spoken of and how on edge Hakuno was whenever she asked her daughter about the man.
"…You're the one that hounds my daughter with honeyed words of promised luxury and pleasure. What caused you to appear before me alone? To end my life?" Hestia demanded as Lucius shook his head.
"I dare not attempt to harm the Hearth, Lady Vesta" Lucius answered her. "I merely wish to ask for you to remove your blessings from Hakuno, free her from servitude."
"She is no servant of mine or a follower of my coven. She is my daughter, adopted by her own will." Hestia answered before narrowing her eyes. "I do not know why you bear a fragmented core of a god within you, but that alone tells me you are distorted…But now I understand why you view Hakuno as Flora…God of Spring's Wind, Zephyrus." She accused. She knew the fool's divinity anywhere, abducting and marrying a young goddess that was now renamed as Flora. Calling Hakuno that was a major giveaway of the man's identity.
The man was quiet, before a chuckle began to grow into full-blown laughter. "So, you know! I am indeed that god's reincarnation! And like any good husband, I know that Hakuno is in fact the reincarnation of my beloved Flora. Her gentle nature, way of speaking and the way flowers compliment her are all the signs of her." He admitted with a grin and eyes of longing.
Oh great, a delusional maniac, one that thinks that he's a full-on God and that Hakuno is the reincarnation of his wife. Hestia's dealt with tales of women being said to be reincarnations of someone's wife but to claim to be a god was something altogether.
Zephyrus' divine core had been shattered long ago and pieces of it were missing. Somehow such a piece was implanted in this former human and influenced his mentality violently. He was a warrior for sure, but Zephyrus wasn't exactly ideal husband material. He had several other wives, and this piece must be devoted to Flora and saw resemblance of her in Hakuno.
Gods do not reincarnate into humans, but this absurd Deadwalker here was an anomaly because some idiot thought it's a good idea to transplant a fragment of a Divine Core into a mortal's body, probably to harness the god's power within. All it did was warp the mind into something this…twisted monster.
This man was bloodthirsty and cruel for sure, a side effect of both the core's influence and of his culture he was raised in, but the love and devotion for Flora was all that remained of this piece of Zephyrus, that was turned into an obsession. The man before her would do anything to have Hakuno by his side no matter what.
This, Hestia will not allow.
"Gods do not reincarnate into humans Zephyrus, nor is Hakuno Flora. She might bear resemblance to her, but she's her own person, not your wife. Hakuno Kishinami is my daughter, and she will not be with you." Hestia told him right then and there as the enraged emperor had his demonic sword Florent aimed at Hestia's throat as she stared him down hard. "Go ahead and do it, anger the other gods of my pantheon and ruin any little trust Hakuno had of you this instant." She challenged him. She will not back down from this living ghost when Hakuno's own happiness was threatened by this arrogant false god's selfishness.
Lucius glared hard before breathing in and out in a steady pace before sighing and sheathing his sword. "It does me ill to lose my temper like that…" the emperor admitted before looking at her. "But Flora will be mine one day, and she will be my goddess once again." He left, fading into astral form as Hestia felt his presence leave the church.
A fragment of Zephyrus had mistaken Hakuno as Flora and is obsessed with having her. Since Hakuno is bound by Hestia's Falna, she could sense her daughter anywhere and this man wanted the blessings erased so he can take her and have her be his wife without interruptions.
Foolishness, Hakuno once told Hestia of both her husband and betrothed when they started the Familia and how they are like. They wouldn't allow the god pretender to have his way with Hakuno. It would be a one-sided slaughter if they found out this man was after Hakuno. She was rooting for Hakuno's spouses to teach this man a lesson and to destroy that fragment of Zephyrus for good.
At the same time, Hestia was proud that she stood up to the living ghost like that despite not being able to use her powers. She didn't even flinch when the ghost pointed his sword at her throat as she stared him down and challenged him to go through with his actions. In the end, Hestia is the Bestia!
As the Hestia Familia walked towards the entryway of the Dungeon, they noticed the Loki Familia were there, going through some plans if Finn, Gareth-san, and Riveria were conversing and looking at an unfamiliar map. It was Riveria who took notice of them when she saw Primo wave at her.
"Ah, Hestia Familia, what brings you here?" Finn asked while noticing Hakuno carrying a case of some sort.
"We're here to help out with culling the monsters in the Dungeon. It's important to get the first floor back under control with the new layout the Dungeon created." Hakuno explained while Gareth-san laughed at the girl's spirit.
"I like it! But even with your magic, I doubt your Familia can handle an entire army of monsters ranking from levels one and two at once." The dwarf commented while Hakuno merely lifted the case she was holding up.
"How about fighting an army with an army?" Hakuno reasoned while the three top members of the Loki Familia looked at the case, then to Hakuno and then back at the case.
"That magic item, can it…?" Riveria asked. Hakuno only replied with a coy, smug smile that her ancestor Morgan le Fae could pull off as that was her answer.
Hakuno activated the case as she set it down and it opened, revealing a strange device that began altering the landscape of the Dungeon entryway into some sort of command room with resting spots and several hearths. Then, Attack Programs began appearing in small numbers and gather into formation.
Other Familia groups dropped their jaws at the display of power while Bell was awestruck, Primo was cheering her mom, Haruhime was beaming in delight of another miracle and Ais widened her eyes in childish amazement. Yup, they were prepared with an army of their own.
*Dungeon-First Sphere, First Floor*
Hakuno stood at the sector, holographic maps and charts appearing before here as she began running through the data and imputing proper commands as she began her work on the situation and nodding her head in understanding. "I've got the map set, there are twelve sectors on this floor." Hakuno explained as members of both Loki Familia and Hestia Familia. "There are twelve crystals in each sector that are infusing the Dungeon's walls with enough magical energy to birth monsters at an accelerated pace. Please secure them as quickly as possible to minimize the number of monsters and prevent any future outbreaks in the future expeditions."
Several holographic screens appeared, displaying the map layout of the Dungeon floor and the highlights of where the crystals were located.
"My Attack Programs will assist in any way possible, but they have limits and there is only enough magic energy to generate more unless we capture those crystals and increase our influence on the Dungeon." Hakuno said as Tiona raised a hand.
"What do you mean by that Holy Witch?" the Amazoness inquired.
"If you can secure the crystal and attach one of my special devices on it, I can use it to create more of my Attack Programs to help turn the tide against this horde, that way they can even push down further and keep the monsters on the next floor occupied until we are ready to investigate it another day." She answered.
"I see. This endless army against another endless army. A stalemate." Riveria noted.
"Hestia Familia, you know what to do with those rings I made right?" Hakuno asked while her Familia nodded their heads in understanding as Finn noticed that they were wearing rings on their right hands.
"We understand, Captain. We went through countless training simulations to use them properly for this occasion." Bell answered with a serious expression on his face while Ais walked up and stood by Hakuno's side.
"Since Lady Hakuno isn't able to defend herself while focusing on maintaining the army and checking everyone's status, I'll remain here to defend her." The Sword Princess spoke up as Bete snorted at that.
"You need to defend someone like her? Did you forget what she did in that duel Ais?" the werewolf demanded.
"I did not, but this is a more delicate situation for her since she's focusing her mind on the battlefield to guide us to victory." Ais answered calmly as usual before Hakuno began typing something.
"Get ready, I'm detecting an incredible amount of magical energy from the sectors. The monsters are beginning to make their move!" the Holy Witch warned as the twelve fighters: Bell, Primo, Haruhime, Bete, Riveria, Finn, Gareth, Raul, Alicia, Tione and Tiona, and Lefiya prepared for what Bete would call 'The Biggest Dungeon Sweep of Orario'.
*?*
She felt it, the Goddess felt the child who discovered the lost truth led these warriors to combat her creations and wrestling control of the Dungeon's upper floors from her. She smiled, knowing that girl's caring heart was intent on finding her and free her from this prison she has suffered from for countless eons towards eternity. She can wait a bit longer; she had all the time in the world as a Goddess. But…it wouldn't do her any good if they left empty handed now can she?
The girl, Hakuno. She had the blessing of Hestia of the Hearth.
Nostalgic. She remembered Hestia. Good friend to chat with when it comes to family matters back then. Always exchanging words of advice on how to keep a healthy and loving relationship with her late husband. Only one of the few rare responsible gods of Tenkai she can trust.
Share the truth with Hestia, send a message that she's still alive. Have her help secure a haven above for her children that regained their wills in their new bodies.
The Forgotten Goddess willed the Dungeon, her extension to her body to heed her commands. They will be done shorty, so rewards to the children of other gods is required. It may not be much to them, but for the ones touched by Hestia will enjoy it. A thank you for giving her a glimpse of hope after so many years in darkness.