I'm back with a new chapter. Rejoice.
Vote poll for Apocrypha crossover is out now. Depending on how many votes, I'll write it. I wanna see Hakuno see her sibling Mordred and how they'd interact. What'd you think their relationship would be like?
Arsur3215Loki: I see you're a person of culture.
Lance Eterna: Got a vote poll out, cast your vote for it.
Shen1412-Formerly Enigma95: You're sus! (lol) Now you know. Look up Yui Ishikawa, the VA of Hakuno Kishinami, Violet Evergarden, and Morgan (Lostbelt).
Misaka Phenex: You're the imposter, aren't you?
ImaginarySora: The Olga thing was an omake. I won't be expanding on it anytime soon because I got a lot of work to deal with.
One Happy Birb: Cast your vote on the poll.
Have a Little Faith: You too? DST is annoying but glad you had a good laugh from that.
anon: Quit overreacting, you've reviewed quite a bit so it's fair that I respond to you.
MereC55: Ah, new reviewer! Glad you like my story. Yeah, I tried to make sure Bell gets spotlight in certain parts. In fact, getting others spotlight is the challenge because Omori-sensei gave these characters quite the development in his works that I have to try and catch up with the others, so they don't get left behind. Look forward to more!
The gods were curious, curious of the story of Hakuno Kishinami and how she became the one to give the Hestia Familia the strength and reputation it had as Haruhime began reciting the tale.
What BB was doing to their Divine Mirrors was reflected across the world to all, so they may know the story behind the Holy Witch.
What they saw of the beginning was Hakuno herself, floating in water of a deep blue, that of an ocean as her eyes were closed and a muffled noise from far away. Red marks on her left hand had flashed before disappearing and Hakuno's body enveloped in a bright light.
"Oi, oi, oi, what's happening?" Loki asked while it was Artemis that answered next.
"She's descending…descending from the moon several months ago!" she answered. Everyone looked at her with confusion as the scene changed.
It was a moonlit night and a bright star fell from the moon, carefully landing in a forest to reveal it to be Hakuno, who slowly opened her eyes. Artemis pumped her fist in pride at how accurate she was.
Then another shooting star, one symbolizing a deity descending to Genkai had caught Hakuno's attention.
Hestia knew this moment anywhere; it was that fateful night where she and Hakuno began their Familia Myth.
Hakuno approached and conversed with the yet to be identified Hestia about why the goddess descended and explained why she did so. It was there that Hakuno requested to join the Hestia Familia, becoming the first member and the start of the first chapter of their story.
"That is a bit too coincidental for my liking, but it is interesting that young Hakuno was floating in some sort of ocean in the moon." Freya noted amused
"She came from the Lunar Sea, parts of the moon that have been filled with oceans over the eons in the spare time amongst fellow lunar gods like me." Artemis explained as several others nodded in a knowing way while Apollo frowned at that.
In a way, Hakuno was the equivalent of being Artemis' daughter by right of her birth.
The scene became one during the day, of Hakuno and Hestia conversing and the yet to be named 'Holy Witch' holding a grimoire of sorts, reading it and checking through certain pages here and there with dog ear tips as they made their way to Hephaistos. And there, the duo were introduced to it.
The Universal Genius Food Jagamaru-kun!
Every god gave Hestia an amused look as the loli goddess only beamed at the memory, even if she was blushing a storm inside at the same time because of the way they were looking at her. Jagamaru-kuns were a delectable dish that can't be beat, and she wouldn't budge on it.
Meanwhile, outside on his Vimana overlooking where the War Game was at, Gilgamesh sported a chuckle at his Queen's reaction to such a simple dish while Nero who had tagged alone wondered how it tasted.
Ais was looking at Hakuno with look appreciation for the expression the recording had of Hakuno enjoying the Jagamaru-kun for the first time while Morgan looked thoroughly amused by her daughter's embarrassment of the scene.
BB was taking quick screenshots of her beloved Senpai's happy expression of eating the Jagamaru-kun while Passionlip was already planning on cooking a jumbo sized Jagamaru-kun…after she studied how it's made of course.
Then it came, Hakuno's first expedition into the Dungeon as a Supporter was with her. Armed with only a Guild issued spear the two ventured into the Dungeon.
"Oh boy…" Hestia sighed tiredly as everyone in Orario knew of what was coming next.
"Hm? She's using a spear like a beginner." Takemikazuchi pointed out as he cupped his chin in thought. "Earlier she had a katana, so why did she change her preferred weapon?" he asked.
"Come now Take," Freya spoke up, "It's obvious the young girl is trying to improve herself since it's obvious with her mastery with a sword. Or have you forgotten?" she asked in a teasingly way.
No one could forget that. The duel with Ais Wallenstein was a reminder of the girl's skill with the blade. She cut through reality itself when she attacked, and it made several gods wonder what kind of being she was.
They watched as she and the Supporter she hired ventured into the Dungeon, killing monsters with only her spear before asking the Supporter a question. The mention of Goliath spurred Hakuno to descend deeper into the Dungeon. Then, it happened. Like a storm of darkness, Hakuno's magic sprung to life, destroying anything in its wake as minotaurs, monsters known to give even Level 2 adventurers problems were consumed in the gnawing darkness.
Brutality at its finest.
"Wow…This is the way you and grandmother fight?" Primo asked, her eyes glowing with awe as Hakuno meekly nodded her head. This kind of attention wasn't her kind of thing. She's used to being in the background all the time and Morgan merely smirked in response to her adopted granddaughter's question.
"It goes without saying, this is how we do it in Britain." Morgan answered with confidence. Everyone in the Hestia Familia looked at both Morgan and Hakuno with wide eyes. This was the norm for their mages?
As Hakuno witness the Goliath spawn, she used her spear and stabbed mid-air to cast her spell. It was instant, as a magical construction of the spearhead appeared and impaled the Goliath, reaching into its magic stone and caused it to dissipate into black ash in an instant.
Lefiya, the Thousand Elf openly gapped in utter shock, Alicia was stunned and Riveria raised a brow with interest. Elves were known for their variety of magic even without the Falna, but to cast a spell without chanting was something they didn't comprehend. Some of the Loki Familia had seen it before, but watching it again reminded them of how Hakuno violated the rules of magic that they grew up knowing.
"She-how, why?" Lefiya's brain had short-circuited from what she saw and Riveria cupped her chin in thought.
"It seems there are things out there we have yet to know about." The high elf mused as a small smile was on her face when she saw Primo practically get overhyped of that one attack. The young elf child had wormed her way into Riveria's heart with her honest opinions and dedication, the curiosity and resolve the girl had been something her current protégée Lefiya was currently lacking at the moment. But seeing said elf right now clenching her fists, the Thousand Elf had found a rival in Hakuno.
"Oi, oi, oi! Is that even legal?!" Loki shouted in shock as her eyes were wide open when Hakuno one-shot the Floor Boss like that.
"She is the Queen of Britain's daughter, said woman who doesn't even have the Falna. Do the math." Hestia answered immediately.
The other gods were silent, realizing that if a human girl like Hakuno could be that powerful of a mage before she just received a Falna, then what would she be like when she reaches higher levels? It caused several gods to shudder, realizing it was a bad idea to make an enemy of the Hestia Familia.
The next episode had begun.
Hakuno was on the walls looking over the city, swinging, thrusting, twirling. She was honing her skills with the spear as she paused, taking a break from her training when she heard footsteps. The one who came here was none other than…
"Ais-san!" Lefiya exclaimed in surprise as the Loki Familia had their attention focused now. They were going to see how the Holy Witch befriended the Sword Princess herself from this memory.
Said duo in the current time at the War Game only exchanged knowing looks and fond smiles of nostalgia.
The two stared at each other silently. Hakuno blinked once while Ais studied the girl, taking in details to determine why she was here. "Training?" Ais asked.
"Training." Hakuno confirmed.
This caused Riveria to face-palm while the dwarf Gareth laughed merrily at the one interaction defining how they talk all the time whenever they meet up. Lefiya merely blinked owlishly at the simple question and answer.
Hakuno looked at the sword at Ais' side and then at the Sword Princess herself. "Spar?" she asked.
"Spar." Ais agreed as she used the sheath of her sword as the weapon as Hakuno removed the spearhead from her weapon and spun it before getting into combat position. The two were silent as they took a deep breath. Ais was the first to charge in while Hakuno waited. Her eyes gleaming with insight as she narrowly dodged the sheath's tip before quickly striking at a weak spot in Ais' stance.
"There are four weaknesses in that move that if countered, could be fatal." Hakuno stated in a perfect sentence as Ais took a step back and pressed a hand where the girl landed a hit and examining it.
"That's impossible, there's no way Ais-san's─!" Lefiya began, only to be cut off by Finn.
"No, Kishinami-san has a point." The captain immediately told her, looking at the Holy Witch's movement in the memory. "She observed in great detail of her opponent's movements and instantly figured out how to counter those moves instantly. From that single attack, Hakuno landed a blow against Ais." There was admiration in his tone, because what Hakuno did was an impressive just by itself.
"It also explains how the young lass had improved in her combat capabilities the last few months she was still with us. That Hakuno lass had helped Ais improve herself." Gareth commented while he cupped his bearded chin in deep thought.
The spar continued, while Hakuno for sure had sported several bruises from the spar, Ais had acquired deep insight of her combat technique and where she had to work on. "You're not used to fighting people, are you?" Hakuno asked. Ais merely shook her head and Hakuno sighed. "That'll be a weakness in the future. When the day the Dungeon is no more, there are still another type of monster still out there that need to be slain…people."
The gods shared a knowing look. Their children were capable of great evil if they chose to do so to the point, they became members of Evilus and brought forth a dark moment in history. Parts of Orario still bare the scars of the past.
"People…are monsters?" Ais asked while Hakuno saw the look in her eyes.
"Let me tell you of someone I knew. It was a woman who was born with an illness that affects their mind. She cannot eat anything unless she loves it." Hakuno began, getting Ais' attention as she wondered where this was going. "She ate her pet first, one of the things she loved. Then it escalated to eating her own parents to satisfy that hunger." Suddenly Ais' eyes widened in shock as Hakuno continued the story. "Then finally, her own baby, cradled in her arms…" she gave Ais a look and the Sword Princess had for once genuine horror on her face as she imagined it.
Everyone else did the same. Bell was crying uncontrollably, Welf gritted his teeth and looked away with disgust, Haruhime was horrified, Morgan closed her eyes as she clenched a shaking fist while Barghest frowned in shame as she had the similar hunger in the past. Primo was frozen in shock at the notion of a mother devouring her own child like that and looked at her own adopted mother that was lost in her own recollection of the woman told in the tale.
Hestia felt despair, for her domain in that of family could not stop that nightmare Hakuno had told. She wasn't lying either, she actually knew that woman and it made her wonder how and why. Bete could only grit his teeth in contempt of such a thing, feeling disgusted by such a person existed. Tione and Tiona held each other close, a fear of losing the other sweeping them while Alicia felt complete and utter disgust.
"Some people in this world are capable of being monsters. Some due to the way they were born with conditions that forced them to become one, and the other is by choice. The former deserves some pity depending on their circumstances and actions, while the others…none at all." Hakuno told the Sword Princess as she left, leaving a stunned Ais to ponder on the tale and sudden speech about what a monster was.
Unaware of it, several members of Evilus' remnants had heard Hakuno's tale from the Divine Mirror their god had provided them and suddenly felt an epiphany inside them. While they had newfound respect for the Holy Witch, they will still carry out their goals but with a level of standard now thanks to her. Because there was a chance there was someone out there who could possibly accept them for whom they were.
Days had past and Ais wandered the streets of Orario. Looking for the girl she sparred with, hoping for advice on how to improve herself when she heard a voice inside a shop.
"Thank you, Naza-san! I'll be sure to come back next week for lessons!" Hakuno's voice rang out. It came from the Blue Pharmacy, a small humble shop for healing potions. When Hakuno walked out, Ais was there and the two looked each other down silently.
"Advice, please?" the Sword Princess asked. Hakuno blinked at the odd request and merely chuckled.
"Very well then. The place on the wall?" the witch asked. Ais nodded in agreement.
"This is interesting. Ais never asked anyone for advice or opinions before. But it seems that Miss Hakuno has some way of getting her attention." Riveria noted with interest in her voice while Bete looked bored out of his mind. He's not, he's wondering how the girl he's interested in was drawn in to that witch. Lefiya, not so much as she wished she could challenge Hakuno to a duel right now for Ais' attention.
The Amazoness twins merely smiled at how this was how Ais was opening up to them during those few months before being converted to the Hestia Familia. Gareth himself nodded his head in a knowing way, Finn merely smiled in an amused way while Raul noted something minor throughout the interactions between the two girls. Neither one of them have introduced themselves by names at all.
Glimpses of Hakuno talking with Ais on the wall as they look out at the sunset. Of them exploring shops and Hakuno gesturing Ais to come along. Then there was of them walking through some of the poorer areas of Orario as Hakuno greeted a few people that waved back.
"Oh! Those people are the ones she's helped in the past!" Hestia noted fondly. Due to all of the commotion going on, both Hestia and Hakuno haven't been able to visit the poorer districts of Orario to provide aid. But they did know that everyone was doing well and were rather concerned for Hakuno when she was in a coma. It was nice to have a community like that there for them that they could trust.
Freya smiled in recollection during her time in disguise. She saw that starlit soul luminate other souls when she drew near, and it was beautiful. She always savored the performance Hakuno does when she goes out to help people.
"Have you seen the Witch around anywhere?"
"I heard she rarely appears in public."
"Which Familia is she in?"
"Bet you she's in Freya's."
Hestia snorted at that last one while Freya pouted. The goddess of beauty wished she had Hakuno in her familia, but she didn't. Several of the other gods chuckled.
"Did you hear about Ishtar?"
"More like saw it. Pleasure District shut down for investigations of illicit activities."
Ais heard many things going on about the pleasure district. Who hadn't? The Holy Witch Hakuno Kishinami had single-handedly decimated the Ishtar Familia and sent their goddess back up while exposing of illegal activities that had the Guild in a frenzy.
"Such a useless goddess…" Hestia sighed in exasperation. Between Freya and Ishtar amongst the goddess of love and beauty in Orario, Freya was the more tolerable one. Ishtar is shameless and hungry for more than she can handle at times, so she tends to screw herself over when she bets everything on a whole pot and gets a bad hand the next instant. Hestia would know personally; she one time won a game of cards back in Tenkai when Ishtar was sure to win and got all the goddess' valuables as a prize.
Several gods, including Freya chuckled at that comment while mentioned goddess back on Tenkai was cursing up a storm of profanities for the insults.
Ais made her way to the wall again and this time, the girl she was well acquainted with was dressed in a black dress and veil as she overlooked the view.
"Undine cloth?" Morgan asked, noticing the fabric anywhere.
"It's good against flames and is water resistant. It helps that they come in variety of colors." Hakuno explained while Bell and Haruhime looked at her oddly. "What?" she asked.
"Um, Captain…isn't Undine cloth expensive?" Bell asked nervously.
"Eh?" Hakuno asked, tilting her head quizzically as Ais, Primo, Bell, Haruhime, Barghest, Welf, and everyone around the world thanks to the Divine Mirror got to experience the Legendary Head-Tilt, Ranked EX and an Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm she unwittingly created. "I thought the prices were fare when I got them from the gnome Lili introduced to me…" she muttered in deep thought while everyone minus Morgan were recovering from the Holy Witch's attack.
Morgan raised that girl herself and had developed an immunity to her child's innocent charm even if she still found it cute still. "It's probably because the gnome knows you're my daughter. They sought to aid you because of that is the highest honor amongst the fairy folk." She explained as Hakuno blinked before giving an "oh" and nodding her head in understanding.
Hestia had to resist going down there just to glomp Hakuno. No matter what, her daughter was too cute right now! And she wasn't the only goddess that wanted to do that.
"It's been a while…" Hakuno in the memory spoke, looking towards Ais fondly. "Have you been getting along with your Familia? Socializing a bit more with them?" she asked while Ais nodded her head.
"I have. I've gotten clothes for times outside of the Dungeon." Ais smiled.
"My Aizu-tan is smiling?! And I never got to see such an expression!?" Loki wailed in childish despair while Hestia decided to not say anything to add fuel to the fire. Loki had become more tolerable after the whole duel. If Loki found out Ais smiled more in her own familia, the can of worms that'll pop out would be disastrous.
"It looks like things are settling down after what happened last night." Hakuno noted while Ais nodded.
"It was surprising. The Holy Witch killed a goddess." Ais commented while failing to notice the amused smile on Hakuno's face. "Come to think of it," Ais realized while looking at Hakuno. "We never properly introduced each other the whole time we've seen each other."
Hakuno blinked, slowly nodding her head in realization at that fact herself.
"I am from the Loki Familia, Ais Wallenstein." The Sword Princess introduced herself, looking at Hakuno expectantly. "And you are?" she asked.
Hakuno grabbed the edges of her dress and began to bow formally like a noble lady. "If is your wish, I will travel anywhere to meet you." She began, the wind slowly picking up as she ended the bow and looked at Ais gently in the eyes "I am an adventurer from the Hestia Familia. My name is...Hakuno Kishinami." She introduced herself, the wind dancing around her, making her look ethereal in nature as the Sword Princess was left captivated.
She wasn't the only one. Bell had seen this one time when she found him, and it was magical, as if he saw an actual fairy for the first time. Morgan was smiling because her daughter had pulled off the charm of an elegant lady so naturally even after the whole Amnesia Syndrome infected her. Barghest nodded her head in approval of the noble elegance the young Fairy Princess performed, while Welf rolled his eyes at another nobility thing.
Primo was left awestruck at her mother's grace in the memory, captivated even and felt partially embarrassed she couldn't pull it off herself. Haruhime found the scene beautiful and felt like a portrait was needed to preserve that scene alone if anyone could pull it off.
Hestia was left stunned, not just her, but other gods as well. Freya smiled at the scene, entranced that the starlit soul was shining beautifully in that memory. She saw its gentle warmth and brightness akin to a hearth on a cold winter night, soothing all the troubles away. Loki was downright regretting not getting Hakuno to join her familia at the time, but she could do nothing about it. But still, Hakuno was a cutie despite her plain looks and that was good in her books.
Boys watching this from Divine Mirrors were gazing at the image of Hakuno, some blushing as if their hearts were taken, while some girls were doing the same as well. Both genders entranced by Hakuno's introduction.
Nero was downright giddy and was gushing about her beloved Praetor winning hearts over while Gilgamesh was in thought, frowning. You know things are bad when Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes was frowning. In his mind, he knew that lesser mongrels would be interested in courting his Queen with paltry offerings that would make the king scoff at.
He permitted his Queen to have multiple lovers, but they had to meet his expectations and standards if they even want to have a chance with her. He was judge, jury and executioner to any that try to win his Queen's favor. That abomination of a human Lucius Tiberius was one such fool that faced the executioner's block.
He permitted Ais to be by Hakuno's side since she reminded him of a certain King of Knights to a degree and found it fitting that she'd be tied to him indirectly through Hakuno.
But it seems that Gilgamesh was going to be busy gauging any of Hakuno's potential lovers in the coming days, much to his own displeasure. He swears, his only Master and Queen knew how to draw in the affections of boys and girls. Vexing, truly vexing.
Then the next episode began, but from a different perspective.
Now this caught the eye of Hestia, Freya and Apollo, for the protagonist of this memory was none other than Bell Cranel.
I'm planning an arc involving my Project Cypher that Hakuno is involved with. Here's the brief summary:
An ancient threat returns to threaten the Multiverse. Face the challenge that defeated the Round Table.
