D/D Chapter 5 : First Dive.
Fact of the Day: Nyx is often shown riding a chariot pulled by dark horses, representing her association with night.
"Speech."
"Thoughts."
"You know…" Al started, pausing as he gave the building in front of him a long, hard look. "This isn't what I had in mind when you asked me to join your familia."
Al stood in front of a dilapidated building, brow furrowing. This church was a wreck—crumbling walls, shattered stained glass windows, and a crooked steeple that looked like it had given up on life. The peeling paint clung desperately to the rotting wood, as if even it knew there was no saving this place.
Beside him, Hestia flushed slightly, her face a mix of embarrassment and hope. "W-Well, it's a bit… rustic, I'll give you that! But don't worry! The inside isn't that bad!" Her stuttering reassurance only added to the awkwardness, though her genuine warmth shone through.
Al shot her a suspicious glance, weighing the absurdity of the situation before sighing. "Well, I guess beggars can't be choosers," he muttered, resignation settling in as he followed her toward the creaky entrance.
The doors groaned in protest as they stepped inside, and Al blinked in mild surprise. The basement, while worn and small, wasn't the disaster he'd expected. A threadbare bed, sagging couch, and a small kitchen greeted him, all well past their prime, but there was homeliness to the space that caught him off guard. Despite everything, it felt... cozy.
"Yeah," Al murmured under his breath, "I could work with that."
Hestia clapped her hands together, her excitement bubbling over as she broke the silence. "Let's get you started, Al! Go ahead and take off your shirt, then lie on the bed—on your belly. I'll give you my blessing!"
He raised an eyebrow, hesitating for a moment. The request was odd, but then again, nothing about this whole experience had been particularly normal. With a shrug, he pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside, lying down on the bed with a creak of springs beneath him.
"Is this really how it works?" he wondered, skepticism swirling as he adjusted himself on the mattress.
Hestia, however, was already focused, moving with quiet determination. She straddled his lower back with ease, pricking her finger to let a drop of divine blood fall onto his skin. The moment it touched him, a soft glow radiated outward, filling the dim room with ethereal light.
As she traced the emerging symbols of his falna, Hestia's lighthearted demeanor shifted into something more reverent. Her divine power wove into Al, solidifying their bond as God and adventurer.
When the symbols finished forming, Hestia paused, her eyes widening as she glanced over the status sheet materializing before her. "Wait... He already has skills?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "Ah! The first one's just Nyx's curse, no big deal..." she thought, trying to steady herself.
Osculum Noxis:
Curse granted by Nyx, goddess of the night. The bearer must slay the one-eyed Black Dragon within one year. Failure to do so will result in the bearer's death.
Time remaining: 364:11:59:54.
A chill ran through her. "Could he… could he really do it?" The thought lingered, but she quickly moved on.
Her eyes scanned the second entry.
Curse Resistance:
Grants the user high resistance to curses, with the potential to nullify them.
Hestia frowned slightly. "That makes sense… His body's adapting to Nyx's curse. But it's still unusual. Will he develop more curse-related skills as time goes on?" Before she could dwell on it, her gaze fell on the final skill.
Crescendo Vitae:
Change begets strength. Each transformation—whether from love, loss, joy, or sorrow—threads into the fabric of the bearer's growth. As they evolve through life's experiences, their power flourishes, accelerating the acquisition of new skills.
Only through genuine change does the soul rise, and so does strength.
Hestia blinked, her heart racing as realization dawned on her. "W-What?! Change begets strength?! The more he changes, the stronger he gets?!" Her eyes widened in shock. "And he gets an increased skill appearance rate? This is… too powerful!"
Her thoughts spiraled into a whirlwind of panic. "If he finds out, he might try to force it! And if he does… it won't work! Change has to come naturally!" Heart racing, she quickly resolved, "I can't let him know about this… not now. It's too risky!"
With a small, nervous smile, she finished applying the blessing. "Maybe, just maybe, with this skill, he'll be able to lift his curse!"
Straightening up, Hestia's expression cleared from her previous nervousness. "You're all set, Al! Here's your status sheet—and look, you've already got a skill!"
Al took the sheet, curiosity piqued. His eyes skimmed over the details, noticing the zeros across his stats.
"Zero in all stats... that's normal, I'm just starting out," he muttered. "She mentioned a skill though… wonder what it is.", His gaze then fell on the curse.
Osculum Noxis. Time remaining: 364:11:59:58.
"Well, at least that witch gave me some time before kicking the clock," he thought, shaking his head before moving on.
"Curse Resistance?" Al raised an eyebrow, glancing at Hestia. "Oi, Lady Hestia, what's the deal with this?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Hestia hesitated for a moment before responding. "To be honest, I don't really know either. But from what I can remember, Nyx's curses are... different—really different. They dig into your soul and become part of you. I wouldn't be surprised if you start developing more curse-related skills as time goes on."
"Really?" Al replied, processing her words. "So it's like they're a permanent part of me now…"
He paused, curiosity getting the better of him. "By the way, how come she could curse me? Aren't you guys forbidden from using your divine powers?"
Hestia nodded, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Heh, not totally. For example, goddesses of beauty can still use their charms, and smith gods can still forge divine weapons. As for Nyx, well… she can curse anyone she wants."
She paused a thought creeping into her mind. "Wait, how come she cursed you anyway? As scary as Nyx is, she doesn't go around cursing people—at least not in the Upper World."
Al sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, she was traveling, and I hosted her for a night. We got into a debate of sorts… things got heated, she cursed me. And now I'm here."
Hestia's brow furrowed in curiosity. "What was the debate about, anyway?"
"Don't… Don't worry about it," Al said, brushing it off with a wave of his hand.
The conversation hung in the air, but Al couldn't dwell on it for long. A strange lightness washed over him, as if a weight had been lifted. The blessing was now engraved into him, marking a profound change he could sense within. As he got up and began dressing, Hestia patted his back with an approving smile.
"You're surprisingly fit!" she said playfully.
"Heh, thanks. Being a hunter and fighting monsters in the forest does that to you." He paused, glancing around the room thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, lady Hestia, is it just you and me in the familia?"
Hestia blinked, then smiled wide. "Oh! I almost forgot! You're actually my second child! Bell should be back from the dungeon soon—I'll introduce you two when he gets home."
Al's spirits lifted slightly at the news. "So, I'm not alone. I wonder what kind of person this Bell guy is..."
Just as he thought that, the sound of the door creaking open echoed through the basement. Hestia's eyes lit up. "Ah, that must be him now!"
Outside, Bell's heart raced as he descended the stairs, eager to share the day's earnings with his goddess. "She's going to be so happy with all the money I made today!" he thought. But when he reached the bottom, he froze in his tracks.
Standing beside Hestia was someone unfamiliar. The moment Bell's eyes landed on Al, a cold wave of panic washed over him.
"W-Who is that?!" Bell stammered, fear creeping into his chest as instinct screamed that the man was dangerous. His hand instinctively reached for his knives, the unsettling feeling in his gut telling him something was very, very wrong.
"G-Goddess, g-get away from him! That man is dangerous!" Bell stammered, his voice cracking with urgency.
Al turned to Hestia, raising a brow. "Oi, what's his deal?"
Hestia chuckled softly. "Must be the miasma coming from you."
"Miasma?" Al echoed, confused.
"Yep. tainted mana basically. Mortals like Bell sense it as a threat, but for gods like me, well… you kind of reek," she teased, playfully pinching her nose.
Al winced, feeling the sting of her words. "Hrk!" he muttered, dismayed.
"Is this the first time someone's been scared of you though?" Hestia asked, curious.
"Nah, this shit happened before. I knew it was because of the curse, but no one ever really explained it to me," Al admitted with a sigh.
Hestia shot him a disapproving look. "Language, Al." Then, turning to Bell, her voice softened, reassuring. "Don't worry, Bell. Al's harmless. Come down and I'll explain everything."
With a cautious breath, Bell stepped down the final stairs, his eyes darting between Hestia and Al, unsure of what to expect. The silence in the room felt thick, the air heavy with curiosity and unease.
Breaking the quiet, Hestia spoke up, trying to sound casual but careful. "Bell, I need to explain something. Al's cursed, which is why he might seem a bit intimidating at first. But don't worry—he's a good guy," she assured him, her voice light but with a protective edge. "In fact, he's the newest member of our familia!"
Bell swallowed hard, glancing at Al, whose presence indeed felt imposing. Sensing the lingering tension, Hestia clapped her hands together, her smile widening. "Okay, let's start over! Al, introduce yourself to Bell. Bell, you do the same!"
Al sighed, the weight of the awkwardness pressing down on him. "Alright, I'll go first," he said, stepping forward slightly. "I'm Alistair Altirias, but you can call me Al. I've spent most of my life living alone in the forest, so I'm not really used to, uhm... people. Nice to meet you though, hope we can get along." He extended his hand toward Bell, hoping to bridge the gap.
Bell, still trembling slightly, hesitated but managed to stammer, "I-I'm Bell Cranel. I'm a... um, a-adventurer." After a brief pause, he took Al's hand in a tentative shake, his grip unsure but trying to be polite.
The atmosphere remained thick for a moment before Hestia burst in, her energy breaking the tension. "Now that's out of the way, let's have dinner! I got some leftover jagamaarukun from the stand!" she announced, her voice filled with excitement as she rushed to set the food on the table.
Hestia served them both three generous portions of the jagamaarukun, placing the plates in front of them with a bright smile. "Three for you, and three for you too!" she said, her enthusiasm bubbling over.
Al grinned as he took a bite, the taste familiar and comforting. "These are just as good as when you gave them to me earlier," he commented, savoring the food, hoping to steer the conversation to something lighter.
Bell, still wary, picked up his own portion and took a small bite. "Y-Yeah, it's great," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.
As they ate, Hestia filled the space with cheerful chatter about her day, her excitement keeping the mood lively. Al listened, nodding occasionally and adding a comment here and there, though he couldn't shake the sense that Bell was still uncomfortable.
After a few more bites, the conversation fell into a lull. Hestia leaned back in her chair, grinning at Al. "So, Al, what do you think of your first night with us?"
Al glanced around the small space, feeling a warmth he wasn't used to. "It's... different," he admitted, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "But I think I could get used to it."
Just as the mood began to relax, Hestia clapped her hands together again, her voice breaking the moment. "Alright, let's go to bed! I'm sorry, Al, but we don't have an extra bed yet..."
Al waved off her concern with a shrug. "No worries, I've got my sleeping bag. I'll manage just fine for now."
Hestia settled into her bed, fluffing her pillows while Bell shifted nervously on the couch, looking a little more at ease after the meal. Al unrolled his sleeping bag, finding a comfortable spot on the floor.
With everyone settled, Hestia's voice softened. "Goodnight, Al, Bell. Sleep well."
Al yawned, already feeling the weight of exhaustion. "Yeah, goodnight."
Bell's muffled voice came from the couch. "Goodnight, G-Goddess…"
Al closed his eyes, lulled to sleep by Hestia's soft breathing. The night passed quietly, the creaks of the old building barely noticeable, until dawn's light began creeping in.
Birds chirped, and sunlight filtered through the cracks, dust motes floating lazily. Al blinked awake, savoring the calm and warmth of the morning. He stretched in his sleeping bag, noticing Bell mumbling in his sleep and Hestia resting peacefully. Standing up, Al felt a sense of contentment wash over him as sunlight spilled into the room.
Hestia stirred, yawning softly. "Morning, Al," she said, still sleepy.
"Morning," Al replied, feeling more at ease.
Just then, Bell slowly pushed himself up from the couch, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Mornin'…" he mumbled, his hair sticking out in odd directions as he tried to fully wake up.
With a shift in energy, Hestia hopped out of bed, her earlier drowsiness fading. "Alright, let's get breakfast going!" she announced with a hint of enthusiasm. "Can't start the day on an empty stomach!"
Al nodded, helping Hestia set up for breakfast as Bell sluggishly joined in. Despite the lingering tension between him and Bell, the shared meal smoothed over the rough edges, making the atmosphere feel lighter.
As they sat together, sharing simple yet hearty food, Hestia turned to Al with a spark of excitement in her eyes. "You know, Al, today's the day you register with the guild! Bell can take you there and show you around."
Al nodded in acknowledgment, but he noticed Bell stiffening at the mention of it. The younger adventurer's nerves were clearly still on edge. "The kid's still freaked out by me," Al thought, suppressing a sigh. "Guess he'll just have to get used to it."
"Y-Yeah, I'll show him the way," Bell stammered, trying his best to sound confident. He offered a weak smile, but it was clear that the idea of spending the day with Al made him more than a little uneasy.
Hestia, oblivious to the tension, clapped her hands together. "Great! And Al, do you have everything you need for the dungeon? If not, you can pick up some gear from the guild when you register."
"I've got my spear," Al replied simply, "but I could use some armor."
"Perfect!" Hestia beamed at them both. "It's going to be an exciting day!"
Once breakfast was finished, Al and Bell gathered their gear. Al strapped on his spear, while Bell fidgeted with his light armor, clearly still flustered. Hestia stood by the door, waving them off with her usual enthusiasm.
"Good luck, you two! Be safe, and make sure to come back in one piece!" she called out, her voice full of energy as always.
"Will do," Al replied with a wave, while Bell muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
Stepping out into the bustling streets of Orario, the early morning air was crisp, and the hum of the city surrounded them as adventurers and merchants moved about, ready for another day. Al glanced over at Bell, noticing how the younger adventurer seemed on edge, walking with his shoulders hunched and eyes darting around nervously.
"The kid's acting like I'm about to eat him or something," Al thought with a sigh. Seeking to break the awkward silence that had settled between them, he decided to try some small talk. "So, Bell… how long have you been an adventurer?"
Bell's entire body jolted, as if someone had just dumped a bucket of cold water over his head. "T-Two weeks!" he yelled, his voice echoing far too loudly for casual conversation. A couple of passersby gave him strange looks as they hurried past.
"Two weeks, huh," Al replied, trying to maintain his composure despite Bell's reaction. "Great way to start the day," he thought, rolling his eyes internally.
An uncomfortable silence fell between them, more awkward than before. Al glanced around at the bustling streets, trying to shake off the tension in the air.
Eventually, they approached the guild, its large wooden doors welcoming them into the heart of Orario's adventurer community. Al steeled himself, knowing he would be the center of attention. As they stepped inside, he tried to ignore the stares he was getting from the other adventurers, some of whom whispered to one another while eyeing him curiously.
"Um, I-I'll go f-fetch Miss Eina!" Bell stuttered, clearly feeling the weight of the moment. "Sh-She's my dungeon advisor, and she'll help you r-register!" Without waiting for a response, he hurried off, leaving Al alone in the crowd.
A few moments later, Bell returned with a half-elf woman beside him. Eina Tulle stood confidently, her brown hair falling neatly into a bob, and her striking green eyes assessed Al with both curiosity and caution.
Bell leaned in, quickly explaining Al's situation to her, gesturing animatedly. Al caught snippets of Bell's words as he reassured Eina that any apprehension she felt about Al was completely normal since he was cursed. She nodded, her expression shifting to one of understanding.
Eina approached Al, maintaining a professional demeanor despite the subtle flicker of uncertainty in her gaze. "H-Hello, I'm Eina Tulle, Bell's dungeon advisor. I-I'll help you with the registration process," she said, her voice steady yet slightly wavering. "L-Let's get started, shall we?"
After an awkward registration process filled with hesitant questions and a few stutters on both sides, Al found himself ready to embark on his adventure. He secured a light chestplate from the guild, feeling the comforting weight settle on his shoulders. The armor was functional yet sleek, a perfect fit for someone just starting out.
Now, standing alongside Bell on the third floor of the dungeon, Al took a deep breath, the air charged with anticipation.
As they ventured deeper into the dimly lit corridor, the atmosphere thickened with the scent of damp stone and something foul lurking in the shadows. Al's senses heightened, every creak and whisper echoing in his ears. Suddenly, a rustling noise broke the tense silence, and two goblins lunged at them from around a corner, snarling viciously. A kobold followed closely behind, its face wrinkled in malice.
"Al, l-look out!" Bell shouted, his voice trembling as he stepped back, clutching his knives tightly.
Instinct kicked in. Al readied his spear, feeling the familiar weight in his hands. "This is it," he thought, adrenaline igniting a fire in his chest. "I got this!" He tried to sound confident, but the rush of excitement made his heart race.
The first goblin charged, its beady eyes locked onto Al. With a swift thrust, he aimed his spear, the tip slicing through the air. The spear pierced through the goblin's chest, turning it into a plume of black ash that scattered into the air.
Before he could catch his breath, the second goblin lunged forward, its claws aimed for Al's midsection. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike, and slashed his spear across the goblin's chest. "Come on, keep it together!"
"Y-you can handle it?" Bell stuttered, watching with wide eyes, his body tense as he kept a cautious distance, ready to react at a moment's notice.
"Yeah, I can handle it!" Al replied, gritting his teeth against the surge of adrenaline. He felt powerful in that moment, but the situation was escalating. The kobold was eyeing him with malicious intent, preparing to pounce.
Al narrowed his focus on the second goblin, his breath steadying as he prepared for its next move. The creature lunged again, and this time, Al pivoted, using the momentum to swing his spear in a wide arc. The blade connected with the goblin, sending it sprawling backward and killing.
"That's it! One more to go!" He turned his attention to the kobold, which had closed the distance, its claws glinting in the dim light. It lunged, snapping its jaws.
"Al, w-watch out!" Bell shouted, his voice strained with worry.
Al barely had time to react. He thrust his spear forward just as the kobold jumped, the tip piercing its side. The creature yelped, twisting in mid-air, but Al held firm, using his strength to throw the kobold off balance.
"Keep moving! Don't stop now!" He released his grip just enough to spin the spear and thrust it forward again, stabbing the kobold in the head. The creature crumpled to the ground, lifeless and disoriented.
Breathing heavily, Al glanced over at Bell, whose jaw was slightly agape. "S-See? Not so bad," he said, trying to downplay the rush of adrenaline coursing through him. Just as he caught his breath, another rustling echoed from the shadows, and a new group of monsters emerged, their snarls filling the air.
"I-I'll leave them to you!" Al said with a casual shrug, stepping back as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You've got this, right? Can't hog all the glory, can I?"
"Y-yes!" Bell stuttered, trying to regain his composure. "I-I can do it!
After Bell swiftly disposed of the monsters, they continued their grind through the third and fourth levels of the dungeon. They moved quickly, collecting loot and honing their skills, the thrill of adventure pulsing in their veins.
As they began to leave the dungeon, Al glanced at Bell, who seemed lost in thought. "Hey, did you notice how aggressive those monsters were toward me?" Al asked.
Bell nodded, stuttering slightly. "Y-yeah, they w-were way more aggressive t-toward you!"
Al's expression tightened as a thought crossed his mind. "Must be because of that damn curse."
With the exit in sight, Al reflected on the day's challenges. "Well, that wasn't so bad for my first dive. Guess I'll keep grinding until I can square up against that damn dragon."