Normally I'd save this for the after words but I want this to be said before the chapter. It was pointed out to me that Meteria, Perseus and Bell's mom, actually has blue eys, which the wiki backs up. Now, I thought she had green eyes due to one of Alfia's being green and that I had heard or maybe even read it from somehwere. So I gave it some thought and I've decided to not change the eyes and instead just go with that Meteria's eyes are green in this story. It's not something big like getting Bell's or some other major characters eyes wrong so it is something that I'm sure we can look past. The main reason is that blue eyes wouldn't work in my story, with green eyes being better when it comes to some story plots.
So I apologies if the eye colour of an already dead but still somewhat important character is too important for you to continue to read but I shall be standing by mistake.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy. It's a long one.
Also, FYI. Don't own Danmachi or any other characters except my own. :)
5 years after the Zeus and Hera Familia were banished from Orario:
"I'll pay you!"
The deity looked down at the child. Confusion spread across their face in disbelief.
This… boy? Girl? The deity decided they didn't care what IT was, only that it was an annoyance.
"What did ya say, brat!"
The boy's body cowered a bit at the harsh tone, taking a small step back. However, the deity did not see any of the resolve that resided in his green eyes fade, not in even the slightest.
'Huh, I'll give the brat that.' The deity thought, mildly impressed rather.
"I-I-I s-s-said…" The boy's closed his eyes, gathering the remainder of this courage.
"I said I'll pay you if you give me a falna."
"Happy birthday Percy!"
A fairly young middle-aged woman opened up a worn-down wooden door. As she made her way into the room her eyes went straight for the bed, though calling it a bed was rather generous. A small mattress lay on the hard wooden floor. Small tufts of thin wool stuck out of the side, the fabric only providing a broken zipper. A pillow stuffed with yellow, stiff and very cheap straw was placed at one end of the mattress. At least the pillowcase and the bedclothes were relatively clean. However, the most important function was that they provided enough warmth for the cold chills that ran through Daedalus Street at night, especially in the winter. And they were a step up from sleeping on the harsh floor.
The young boy that used the furniture didn't complain. He knew how long it had taken for his 'mother' to find even this. He was forever grateful to Mother Marie for taking him in, she knew this and her heart squeezed when she thought about how lucky she was to have such a nice boy. Marie couldn't hide the fact that she wasn't his birth mother, she wouldn't lie to the boy as that would be setting a bad example. What surprised her was that he didn't seem that fazed when she told him, it was a year ago now today. She didn't tell him further. Not about who his true family was and her own connections to them. They were sad times but from it birthed a relationship she would treasure.
The boy had always called her Mother Marie. Both had excepted their relationship. Close enough to consider each other family but Marie knew that boy never fully saw her as his true mother. She was ok with that; what they had was happiness, which was important.
As Marie made her way over to the boy's bed, the black-haired, now, 5-year-old had not stirred at the sound of her voice. She was upset that he had to sleep in such poor conditions. It was also a year ago today when Marie found two other children at her doorstep that had led to this development.
Marie, after celebrating Percy's 4th birthday, had set out to do some small shopping. The celebration hadn't lasted long as she could either give the boy a present or a cake. Last year she had gotten him a small chocolate cake so this year she decided he would get a present.
Whenever Marie had gone out shopping, she always took Percy with her. On one occasion, she decided to treat him by taking him out of Daedalus Street and into the main part of Orario. While she was attempting to find some cheap vegetables and fruit for a growing child, she noticed that Percy had let go of her hand.
Panicking she quickly turned around, only to find the 3-year-old staring through a window.
"OI BOY! Get ya hands off my window!"
Out stood the shopkeeper, ready to berate a child for simply looking through a window. Marie would not stand for it, especially as she watched the fully grown man lift the boy by the scruff of his already tattered shirt.
"Who's little brat is this, aye!" The man said, his large, tattooed-covered arm holding the child that was even a tenth of his weight.
"He is mine!"
The people had turned to look at what was happening but before anyone could step in for the poor child, a mother bear was preparing to protect her cub.
With a stern voice as hard as steel and as cold as ice, Marie walked up to the over 6ft tall man. To all those that watched, it would have been a comical sight. Seeing a burly man being berated and pushed back by a woman barely reaching his shoulders. Though all snickering had stopped as all had frozen at the icy stare the woman had thrown their way.
As the woman picked up her child and began to walk back to the stall she was defiantly still at the front of the queue for, she looked at Percy. He seemingly didn't care too much about what had happened as he hadn't even shed one tear or cried out, though the clenching of her dress was proof that he had been rattled. Though his eyes were still firmly looking at the window. Marie followed the child's look and began peering into the shop.
"Hmm, that man has a horrible personality for a librarian."
Marie shook her head from side to side, her long brown hair wafting in the air,
'Stop getting distracted reminiscing Marie, it's Percy's birthday and… where was I, oh yes.'
Marie made her way over to the bed. She once again saw the state it was. It was basically flat after almost a year of use. They had gotten it when Carla and Jacob had arrived. Apparently, it had somehow gotten out that Marie had an orphanage, which she certainly did not have. She was only looking after one child, how can that be considered an orphanage? However, Marie was one of the kindest women in the whole city and she didn't have the heart to turn the pair away, not at the sight she saw. A shabby, black-furred cat girl clutching a very small child in her arms. At first, Marie thought that Jacob had only just been born but it turned out that boy was actually a Prum.
When Marie confronted the two, after taking them in and providing them with a warm meal first, she wanted to know how they had come to be at their door.
"Our mommy and daddy's part of - Familia. They died few days ago. - Familia kicked us out, seeing us as wasted money on feeding useless mouths."
Marie couldn't believe the words that were coming out of the 3-year-old's mouth like it was nothing. The young cat girl was very pale and the baby, even for a Prum, was worryingly light.
"H-how did you end up here then dear?"
"Nice man brought us here then left."
"Who was the nice man?" Marie asked as she carefully fed another warm spoonful of soup into Jacob's mouth, earning a happy gurgle and small burp after he obviously enjoyed the mushy substance.
"Don't *slurp* know," Carla said through a mouthful of food.
"Did he not give you a name?" Marie asked another question, wondering why a stranger would just drop two children at her doorstep and how they knew where she even lived.
For her question, she got a shake of a fluffy head as the cat girl was too preoccupied with eating the first warm meal she had eaten in 3 days.
On that day three lessons were learnt.
Marie truly understood that this was probably happening in other places in the city and from that point she would always be a shelter for those like Carla, Jacob and Percy. Marie's orphanage was born as the baby Jacob nuzzled into her bosom and gave a slight giggle.
The boy who had listened to all of what was said from behind a door learnt that the outside was not like the one Marie had provided for him. Percy understood that the world of Adventurers, Gods and the city of Orario was cruel and unforgiving and the other lesson he learnt was that if you wanted to get somewhere, you had to be useful and not be a hindrance to others.
That thought festered itself in the young boy as he clutched the book Mother Marie had bought him. He had wanted to wait for Marie to return from shopping before he began to read/before she taught him how to read. But he couldn't help himself, something in him just wanted to read it.
Just like a white-haired boy sitting in a quiet village somewhere in the world who had been given the same book for his birthday as well, both opened it and pulled back the front cover first.
"I don't know what the title says," Both boys said as they quickly looked at the first page that displayed the title of the book in a large font.
"It's called the Dungeon Oratoria Bell! It's a tale of brave heroes throughout history."
"Thanks, Grandpa!" The happy boy chirped as he beamed at the thought of more hero stories.
The boy in the slums simply skipped past the page, not knowing what it said. He had to wait until Marie would have time to read with him.
"Grandpa, what's this word?" Bell asked.
"Oh, that's courageous!" His grandpa replied, happy that his grandson was trying to learn to read.
"What's that mean?" The rubellite boy asked.
"It's a different kind of bravery. Being brave means where you can stand up against anything no matter how strong with unshakeable bravery. Courage is when you are willing to venture into the unknown without being scared and with a smile on your face."
"LIKE THOSE ADVENTURERS THAT GO IN THE DUNGEON!" Bell shouted, excited he had found a new word he wanted to be.
"Exactly my boy! It will also help you get all the beautiful women when you Courageously save them. It is a cornerstone in a man's romance!"
"Grandpa!"
"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCEEEEE!"
Percy made it past the first two sentences, they were easy enough. Though he stopped when he hit a word.
'Just say it out, Marie says that helps.'
"Cour...corr…age…gee…"
Percy spent over a minute trying. He knew it was wrong to give up straight away but when he realised he wasn't getting anywhere, he finally stopped. The black-haired boy quickly skimmed the rest of the page, seeing even more tricky words he had no chance of saying or understanding what they meant, he knew he would have to wait.
His patience lasted when he heard Mother Marie ask the young girl what family she came from, exactly ten seconds from when he said he would wait. So he did the next logical thing his 4-year-old mind could think of. Skim through and look for any pictures.
Bell always loved looking at the pictures his grandpa drew for him. So full of life and colour that brilliantly showed how the world looked back then and how the heroes he loved reading about would've looked like.
Percy closed the book. He placed it back down on the bed and began his wait again. He would be lying if Marie came in and asked if he was all right and he said yes. It upset the boy when he realised there were no pictures in the book. He remembered a kid a bit older than him asking his dad for a picture book once. Ever since then, he had wanted to see one of these picture books. When Marie had given him this book for his present, even though he didn't show much of it, the boy was giddy inside.
'Why couldn't I forget it?' The boy asked himself but he already knew the answer. He could never forget anything, ever since the day he was born.
Bell had already read through the book 5 times that day, choosing to spend all his birthday sitting in his living room. He didn't even stop to eat and when his grandpa forced him to, he simply brought the book to the dinner table. His grandpa just chuckled and allowed it since it was the boy's birthday.
Percy had been forced to leave his book in the bedroom as Marie had asked him to come to help her with the two new arrivals. After he had greeted them and told them his name, well told the cat girl anyway as he was sure the baby couldn't understand them as he remembered he couldn't understand what Marie had said when she used to baby-talk to him when he was that age.
She had asked him to watch over them while she went out shopping. He heard her quietly sigh as she looked at her money bag, though she quickly recovered as she put a smile on her face as she turned to face her family of now 3 children.
Percy knew what his mother had thought. That she thought it was worth the money if it meant that the three children would be happy. That was just who Marie was and Percy couldn't have asked for a better person to raise him. But his heart sank as he knew what the outcome would be.
Every time they were short on money, even shorter than usual, Marie sacrificed her well-being for the sake of Percy. She would go days without food and even while it poured down with rain, she would still go out and ask around for any charitable donations or look for any work. That's how she phrased it but he knew what it was. He had lived in Daedalus Street long enough to know what it really was. Begging, and he hated how it was his fault. That if he hadn't come into her life, she wouldn't have to do horrible, low-paying jobs or ask people for any spare change. All for his sake.
At this time, the boy didn't even realise that a small part of his self-loathing went into a part of his mind. It would reside there for almost 15 years, steadily growing. Its only purpose was hatred and loathing of one thing. His old Family and the Goddess that gave him away.
When Marie got back from her small shop, she saw a sight that warmed her heart. It showed her that all her efforts were worth every hardship. She quietly put down the food on the floor next to the singular cupboard and the, fortunately, working gas hob. Then she turned around and sat down next to a pile of sleeping children.
Percy was hunched over in the middle, with his back against the wall opposite the door. With her head placed in his lap and her tiny body curled up in a ball, Carla cutely slept as her tail had managed to wrap itself around Percy's hand. In between them was Jacob, soundly sleeping in the middle of his two new siblings.
Marie carefully picked up the children, somehow managing all of them at once, and carried them off to the only bedroom in the small bungalow. While she knew they would struggle, she was happy and that was all that mattered.
When Percy awoke, he felt his new brother and sister clinging to him. Carla was on his left, huddled onto his leg. Jacob was basically strangling him, latching around his throat, though the baby's strength was nothing that the boy couldn't handle. He looked around and saw that the sun was close to setting. As he slowly peeled the two children off of his small body, he saw his book on the counter table next to him. But as he began to get out of the single bed he was stopped by a voice.
"Oh Percy, you've finally woken up. I thought for a moment you would've slept forever you three looked so cosy and cute cuddling together." Marie said, a small giggle followed as she brought her hand to cover the small noise.
'Wh-why?'
"I was thinking of waking you but I just couldn't bring myself to disturb you lot, it would be a crime."
"Why are… you… there?" Percy asked, his eyes wide in shock.
"Hmmm? Oh, I suppose I must've gotten sleepy when I saw how comfy you three looked." Marie said as she rubbed her eyes. She herself had woken up by the sound of Percy waking up.
"But… why there?" Percy asked as he looked down at his mother who was leaning up against the hard wooden wall.
"Oh don't worry about it. There wasn't enough space in the bed with you three hogging it all," She said in a joking tone.
Percy did not think it was a joke as he clenched his fists and looked down at his knees.
'Every time, she only thinks of other people...'
"I guess with our new arrivals, we are going to have to sort something else out."
'…and never about herself.'
"Ow te-te-te-te."
Percy looked up as Marie winced in pain while she tried to stand up, rubbing a part of her back.
"Seriously Percy, I don't know how you can sleep like that sometimes and still be able to jump around."
'I can't…'
"Hah, I might have to get used to it until we figure something out."
'I won't allow it.'
"Oh gosh, I'm sorry I forgot," Marie said as she reached her arm out to the bedside table.
"We'll get to reading your book tomorrow. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get round to it today but you know mister if you hadn't fallen asleep so early, we might've had time."
The smile that Marie wore was not fake as she placed the book back down. It was filled with happiness and purpose. It almost made Percy cry.
"Mother Marie?"
For the first time, Percy finally asked something of his mother and for the first time, he was ready to argue with her. He would not back down and his voice managed to wake up Carla and stirred Jacob enough to make him cry. As Marie cradled the crying baby, she could only smile at the boy. At her son.
'I really am blessed to have a boy like him.'
I missed sleeping with Marie after that but it was worth it. The bed we found wasn't too bad anyway. After we got Carla and Jacob, Marie found it easier to get money from people showing her sympathy and we got my mattress, bed case and pillowcase from a friendly neighbour who was kind enough to donate them to us. The straw was cheap enough to not even hurt us.
Carla's sleeping patterns were weird afterwards though. It seemed she didn't know who to sleep with after we got my bed. Sometimes she came to sleep with me but if it ever got cold, she went to Marie. Though there were occasions she would come into my room and sleep next to me. Apparently, she could hear me shivering from the other room. Cat ears are really good if they could hear that. I'm glad I got her as my sister. I'm happy with my whole Family. That's why I have to leave them. As Carla said before…
"…wasted money on feeding useless mouths."
He could see his breath in the cold, morning, autumn air and with his determination set, the 5-year-old Perseus set off into the real world. He knew what he was leaving behind. He hoped his mother wouldn't worry too much when she found his bed empty, with only the book that he read every night for the past year sitting beneath his quilt. His hopes would not be met.
He knew that he was leaving a loving mother, a caring sister and a younger brother that had just recently learnt how to say his name. He knew that if he didn't leave today and they had celebrated his birthday, then his plan that he had been developing the past year would be for nothing as he wouldn't have been able to leave them.
He believed by leaving them, he would be protecting them, something the book of foolish heroes had inspired him to think. They would spend less money feeding 3 mouths instead of 4.
As he set off into Orario's man-made labyrinth, he had one goal in mind. He knew for his plan to succeed he had to find 'them'. It shouldn't be too hard right? He remembered that feeling those types of people gave off and he knew he would be able to identify it easily. The person he was looking for was the same as the person who abandoned him 5 years ago.
Perseus went looking for a God.
In this past year, I've forced myself to be better.
Each time I read the Dungeon Oratorio; I did my best to see how each hero succeeded but also why they or the bad guys they beat, failed. I'm almost glad there were no pictures as they would've distracted me too much.
One story was about how a young man who had no strength beat a strong villain through his brain and being smart. I tried to do this by becoming aware of my surroundings. Doing my best to take inspiration from Carla, I always tried to focus on my hearing whenever I went outside to help Marie go shopping or try and get some extra money.
This became really helpful one day when I heard something just over a month ago. This new bit of information was what made me decide on what I was going to do.
There was a deity in Daedalus Street and apparently, they weren't that hard to find either. That was what I was doing now that I had left the home I had lived in for the past 5 years.
The only clues I had going for me were that it was a female god, so a Goddess.
'What if it is the same Goddess as before?'
This thought always came to mind whenever I thought of tracking down this Goddess but I always found logic and realised that it can't be the same one. I don't even know the name of this Goddess and I'm sure people would be able to recognise the Goddess Hera.
I've heard her name being thrown around alongside the other God's name that left me, Zeus. Talks about how they failed something called the great quests and how they were kicked out. That did explain why there aren't in Orario but it didn't tell me why I was left behind.
Shaking my head to try and forget about the one who abandoned me, for now, I focused on my task. I quickly take a sip of water from my small satchel as I dash through a quick double left. I only took a small bit of water and barely enough food that might pass for a small breakfast in most households.
Even though I've lived here for 5 years, Daedalus still confuses me. This is the only time I'm grateful for my strong memory as if it wasn't for that combined with all the times Marie carried me around on her back through the maze, I would have gotten lost within seconds.
I knew where I was, kind of. If I headed in the way of sunrise, I would make it to the exit of Daedalus Street and enter the main west street into Orario. If I hugged the wall that constantly turned right I'd make it to that big wall that has a lot of noise and lights behind it. Marie has told me to stay far away from that place and I'm going to listen to her. I also knew that if I turned around now I would end up back where I started and into the worrying arms of my mother. That was something I couldn't do now, I had to do this, for her.
"Mommy, what's for breakfast?!"
I look up at one of the weirdly shaped houses just in front of me. I hear the sound of a girl; she could be my age but I don't know. I choose to ignore her and the louder voice in my mind telling me to turn back.
The last place I heard this Goddess to be was near the large open square. Apparently, she goes there almost every morning, I don't know why though. So I quickly make my way over to the place as I begin to chew on the biscuits I took. I had saved them for this morning anyway but they were a bit stale. Nothing I wasn't used to.
I finally make it to the square. I remember that being a lot quicker before but that was when Marie carried me and she does have longer legs than me so that's probably it.
As I look around, I see the small market stalls of the people that live here starting to set up. I recognise some of them as Marie has brought from them before.
I try and stay out of their eyesight so as not to get caught. I know that if I'm caught, they'll probably take me back home… the building that used to be my home. I can't think of it as my home anymore. But what if I can do both? I'd never really thought about it.
'I know Marie wouldn't like me getting a falna but surely if it helps out then she wouldn't mind. But I've already run away so I can't go back now. That would be giving up and that's how so many of those people in the book failed, the ones beaten by the heroes that never gave up.'
"Hey, you're Marie's kid ain't ya? What you doin' 'ere on your own?
"Ehhh?!"
'I was too busy thinking that I forgot to hide.'
"Well, come on then. Spit it out would ya."
In front of me stood a burly woman. She wore a large black coat but with no hood on the back. A red scarf wrapped around her forehead but it did little to cover her brown hair with strands of grey, from spilling out, though it was confined to a bun. From what I remember her name was Frieda. She owned a stall that sold firewood and she was like Marie in that she looked after a group of kids as well.
"Eerrmmm… I-I… c-came here cause Mar… Mother Marie asked me."
This was the only thing I could plan beforehand if I was ever caught, make it seem like I hadn't run away. I noticed that Frieda was looking at me, especially at my poorly stitched-together string bag.
"Ohh, an' what is it ya mother wanted ya to come collect that was so urgent you came on ya own so early, aye?"
"W-w-well actually, uhm, it was… uhm…f-firewood?"
"Firewood, is that right?" Frieda said as she crossed her arms.
"Y-yes. Yes, it's firewood she wants me to come collect. We ran out." I did my best to put on a fake smile. Judging by the raised eyebrow from the middle-aged woman, it was clearly an area I needed to work on.
"Well ain't that mighty convenient ya ran into me just now. How bout ya follow me and I'll go get ya some."
I nodded and followed along. It was ok to wing it a bit, right? That's what the argonaut did a few times and he managed to survive… barely.
On the way to her stall, I saw the place was starting to get busier. I quickly darted my eyes around, doing my best to see if I could spot the Goddess.
'Surely if she was around here, it would be obvious with all the people making noise over her.'
Speaking of noise, because it was getting busier, it was also getting louder. For my entire life, I've always hated going to loud places. Me and loud noises and loud people don't go well together from what I've gathered.
"What ya looking for lad?"
"h-huh?"
"Don' think I can't see ya lookin 'round..."
'She reminds me of Marie in a way.'
"… I'm a mama ya know, I can tell when you kids are up to no good."
I gulped as I looked up at the stern gaze she was giving me. A familiar chill ran up my back, one that I had gotten only a few times on the rare occasions I made Marie mad.
"N-nothing."
"If you're looking for nothing, ya should've stayed home. But you ain't lookin' nothing, or for a something. It's a someone ain't it?"
My widened eyes were a dead giveaway, telling Frieda that she had hit the nail on the head.
"I know you ain't here for firewood."
"W-what?"
"Marie said you have a good memory, apparently not."
"I don't get it."
I didn't like being beaten so effortlessly like this.
"Marie came here with that cat girl only a few days ago and brought a stockpile that should last you lot for the 'hole month."
"-oh."
She had seen right through me from the very start. Was my plan going to fail at the first step?
"Kids your age think ya can lie and get away with anythin' but us mama's can see right through it. So kid, tell me why ya 'ere?"
"Fine," I say with a defeated look.
'I can still get through this.'
"Marie actually sent me here to see someone but told me to keep it a secret."
Frieda once again crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed but willing to listen. So I took the stab in the dark that I hoped would work. I looked down at my feet, struggling to hold Frieda's gaze.
"I'm looking for a Goddess."
Frieda's expression changed drastically, though the boy couldn't see as he was too busy studying the ground beneath his feet. This was something she was not expecting and to say she was shocked would be an understatement.
"W-what did ya say, lad?"
"You know, the Goddess that lives around Daedalus Street."
Before Percy could explain himself anymore, he felt a strong grip latch itself onto his left arm. Frieda then began to quickly drag the boy through the market area, not looking back at the boy.
"Hey! Let go."
Frieda ignored the boy. She was too busy trying to figure out why the boy would want to do something so stupid. But she knew, she had experienced it before, one too many times for her liking.
"You're hurting me, let go. Please!"
The pleading of the boy did little for the veteran mother. She never liked punishing her kids but she knew when it was necessary. This situation was in definite need of it.
The others who were currently doing their morning shopping looked over at the sound of loud trudging on the cobble and the noisy sound of a child being dragged through. Most knew Frieda though and laughed it off at another mischievous child getting a good scolding. Some playfully acted scared at the scary look Frieda had on her face, jokingly saying how the boy was in for some hell.
Frieda did not view what the boy said as a joke. Finally, they reached her stall and she forcefully placed the boy onto her chair. The boy squirmed as much as he could but he couldn't release himself from the woman's iron grip.
"Oi lad, listen to me." Frieda shook the boy, not violently but just enough force to override his annoying fidgeting. It worked as his green eyes looked up at her brown ones.
"Boy, you listen and you listen closely. You are going to tell me exactly what it is you're planning, understood."
Frieda had dropped her usual casual accent, instead using her stern and clear mama voice.
"Why on the God's and Goddess' earth do you want a falna?"
The boy's eyes widened once again, realising she had completely figured him out. His only response was his repeated action of looking down at the ground.
Frieda knew the answer already. He knew Marie had bought him a book about heroes and this had probably inspired him. She knew he wanted to go on grand adventures and become a famous hero. He probably thought of earning mass amounts of wealth that he would send back to Marie and the other kids there.
Frieda had seen and dealt with it before. She had been in the raising kids business for almost 35 years now and it never got easier when they grew up and raced off to die in the dungeon. She, as a mother, could not allow another, one especially so young and fragile, to chuck his life away so carelessly.
"Percy?"
Frieda got the boy's attention by speaking his name, slightly surprised that she even knew it at all. She slowly knelt at the boy's eye level. She loosened her grip on the boy's arms and slowly rubbed them, showing that she meant no harm and only cared for the boy's wellbeing.
"Please, tell me why you want a falna."
The boy struggled with his answer. Gulping and struggling to hold eye contact for more than a second, he clearly was having a hard time coming up with an answer.
'Marie never lied to me…'
This was the thought that allowed him to speak.
"I'm a waste of money, aren't I?" He said in a quiet voice.
"Huh?"
This was not the answer Frieda was expecting but she let the black-haired boy continue.
"Marie will probably find more children to house and then that's even more mouths to feed."
'So it is about money, I knew it was one of them.'
"So you want to go into the dungeon and get money to help support your family."
The boy nodded.
Frieda sighed.
"Percy, that is very kind and thoughtful of you but you know your Mother wouldn't want you risking your life."
The boy gave a smaller nod this time. Frieda smiled at the boy as she reached up her left arm and began ruffling the boy's hair.
"Don't you worry, your mother is an amazing woman, I'm sure she'll find a way."
Frieda stood up and turned away, stretching her old back from crouching for too long. A few satisfying cracks and a relaxed sigh formed a bit of mist in the condensed air.
"And I'm sure you will help her, want you?"
"…yes."
The quiet response got another smile from the middle-aged woman.
"Oi Eric, get over 'ere."
Frieda was able to fall back into her usual speech pattern as she called over a 14-year-old she paid to help her collect firewood to sell.
"Can ya take this lil one back, he's one of Maries. Ya know where that is, don' ya?"
"Uhm, yeah I think so."
"Good, ok Percy. This is Eric and he's…"
Frieda froze as she turned back around. Facing her was an empty chair.
"…Impossible."
It was the only thing she was able to murmur. She had only been turned around for 10 seconds and she had not heard the boy get off the chair or runoff. What she was seeing must've been impossible. Well, she didn't waste time figuring out what was possible or not.
"ERIC! Lost child, go look! Black hair, Green eyes, has a brown leather string bag. Young. GO!"
Eric had no time to question what was going on, he hadn't seen his mother like this in a while and it frightened him. The panicked look in her eyes and her immediate frantic searching around their stall was enough for the young boy to want to ask questions.
"DID YOU NOT HEAR ME BOY, GO NOW!"
Eric yelped out a quick "Yes Ma'am" before scurrying off down the nearest alleyway. Considering he hadn't seen the boy at all must mean he had escaped down the nearest escape route.
'I Lied.'
That was all I could think about as I ran for my life down a random street.
Not the fact that I was probably being hunted and chased or the fact that I had actually managed to escape.
'How could I lie; I'd never done it before. It was… it was… so easy."
"So you want to go into the dungeon and get money to help support your family."
Yeah, that's one reason but I also have another reason.
I knew I couldn't tell her the other main reason why and so I knew I had to lie. I had to betray all the trust my mother had put in me. I couldn't look Frieda in the eyes when I nodded.
"And I'm sure you will help her, want you?"
'Of course I want to help her but there is something just as important I need to do.'
I focused my mind back on escaping and back on finding that Goddess. It was the only way I could think of what I wanted happening. I had to make this work, especially now I can never look Marie in the eye again.
Who knew looking for a singular person in Daedalus Street would be so hard? I mean I know Daedalus is massive, especially for a kid like me but it's not like I'm looking for just a normal person, it's a Goddess for Pete's sake. She should stand out a mile off. A beautiful, elegant, divine woman should stand out so obviously in the slums of Orario.
Now that I was thinking about it, what exactly was a Goddess doing living here? Surely she would want to live in a nice house in a nice part of the city. Maybe she was a really nice Goddess who helped out the poor. That would make things easier when I ask her for a falna.
But on the other hand, if she is nice like Frieda and Marie, then she might not want to grant me a blessing as she might also perceive allowing a 5-year-old to go into the deadly dungeon as wrong.
So I need her to be nice enough to give me a falna but uncaring enough so as not to stop me from going into the dungeon.
How long have I been looking for? I ran out of my biscuits and water hours ago. I sometimes can't see the sun when I get behind taller buildings.
'I need to sit down… again' I thought, agitated. This is the fifth time now that I've had to take a break. It's probably because of my hunger but I've been hungry before and thirsty so it's not like I'm not used to it, so why? I've never felt this tired. I have been running and walking around since I escaped earlier. That's something I'm definitely not used to.
As I sit down, I give my lungs another rest break along with my aching legs. I had ditched my string bag hours ago, having used everything in it.
As I slide down a building, using it to rest, I quickly look around. I seem to be in the more isolated part of Daedalus as there wasn't much here. Abandoned buildings were scattered around the street, with a small courtyard just up ahead, overgrown with vegetation and weeds. Across from me is a bench and lying on top of it is the only other person I'm sharing this place with. They are wearing a ragged black coat, I think. They seem to be asleep, probably with help from the empty bottle that they are holding with their hanging arm, small drips of liquor drip out and drop onto the broken floor.
"Hey, Percy! Where are you?" A woman's voice bounced off the street I'd just come from.
'Oh no. They are still looking for me, really?'
Ever since my escape from Frieda, it's felt like she has summoned the entire population of Daedalus Street to come looking for me. I've managed to evade them pretty well, using my small body to squeeze down tight Jitty's and under low wooden carts. I'd have thought by now they would've called it off. I'm not that important that they would continue to look for me for this long.
As I quickly look around, I can really only see one hiding spot. The place I've chosen to hide is a wrecked building. From what I can tell, it seems to be deserted. I've seen many before but not as destroyed as this. As I look at it some more, the glint of the sun setting hits my eyes as it bounces off a nearby window. I squeeze through the tight gap in between the two wooden doors that have slightly fallen off their hinges.
I continue to run down an aisle, with sets of benches on either side of me as I look for a place to hide. Finding one behind one of the large benches near the front, I crouch down. I make sure my body can't be seen as I catch glimpses of two shadows outside the nearby window.
"Hey kid, you around here? Come on out, your Mama is worried sick." I hear the woman's voice speak. Hearing that Marie is worried about me hurts but I've come this far now, I can't turn back.
"Come on out lad, there's no need for this." A man's voice this time. I know he's right. I've had all day to think about this. I know I've come about this the wrong way. I'm sure I could have convinced Marie about letting me do this. I know I've made a mistake but now I have to deal with it and continue. The heroes didn't turn around when they made a mistake, instead, they pushed forward.
"What's that?" The man asked. I don't know what he was referring to.
"Oh, I think that used to be a church."
'What's a church' I think to myself. I've never heard of one before.
"Really?" He said, sounding startled. "It looks really rundown; I can't imagine this ever being church."
'Wait… Oh, please no.'
"Yeah, I know what you mean," The woman says. " Let's go take a look, just in case." She says I hear the wooden door that I had squeezed through being opened with a large creak.
'This is a church! They're definitely gonna find me now.' I think as I realise I've basically walked into a dead end with no escape.
"Oi, wha' are ya children doin 'ere makin' all this noise?"
This was the third voice now. I was totally screwed now that there were three of them. The voice sounded rough and nasally. I think it was a woman's but if it was a woman, she was not young, that I could tell.
"Oh sorry if we disturbed you, ma'am. We are just out looking for…"
"I didn' ask wha' ya are doin', did I?" The old woman interrupted the younger one.
'She did though.'
"Excuse me, there's no need to be rude." The man said coming to his friend's defence.
"You lots bein' the rude ones, coming in and talking so loud, givin' me a headache."
'Why does she sound like that, can't she speak properly?' I thought as I listened to the confrontation. I would later learn that kind of speaking is known as slurring your words.
"Look, we don't want any trouble lady." The man started with a bit of irritation in his voice. "We are just looking for a young boy who went missin'. Have you happened to see one anywhere near here?"
'I should be good, I didn't see an old woman anywhere, the only person I've seen near here was the person asleep on the bench. Wait, I should be using this opportunity to escape.'
As I start to get up, I peer over the large bench. I can see the light peeking through the opened door. I don't see any of the seekers looking in. I start to quietly get up and move back into the aisle. As I looked around, the conversation outside continues.
"I thought I said I didn' ask what ya doin' and how dare ya talk to me like this. Don' ya know who I am!"
"Just some drunken old lady from what I can tell!"
The man had clearly had enough of dealing with the old woman. I don't blame him for snapping, she sounds like a not-nice person. I wouldn't want to deal with them.
"Come on Darren, calm down." The woman says, revealing the man's name while trying to defuse the situation.
I continue my escape as I see one of the windows was broken. I knew I could get through that gap; I don't mind getting cut if it happens.
"Ha, you insolent fools! How dare you talk to a Goddess that way!"
I froze.
The conversation outside died. It felt like the whole world stood still at those words.
'…huh' Was all I could think.
"What? Yo-you're lying!" The man said, not believing what the old woman said. I was inclined to agree with him until we felt it.
The pressure was nothing but everything at the same time. It ran my blood cold and stopped any thought of escaping or even questioning the woman. It was so much the only thing my body wanted to do was get down on its knees. This was the power of a being from Heaven and it terrified me.
"Pray to the Gods! I'm sorry Lady Goddess!"
"I humbly ask your forgiveness for my brother's blasphemous tongue!"
It seemed the pair outside were also in the same state of fear as me as I clearly heard them get down on their own knees as the sound of their bodies hitting against the stone floor. I could see the shadows prostrated on the floor.
"Heh, that's more like it. Hmm, for your sin, how should I punish you."
I could hear the smile in the Goddess' voice. It sounded sinister and vicious.
"Oh please Lady Goddess, I did not mean to insult you. My blind eyes couldn't tell."
"Please forgive us, your Holiness!"
The pair had been fully struck with the Goddess' arcanum and could do nothing but beg for forgiveness, their mind not fully in control of their actions.
"As I am a merciful Goddess, I only ask that you pay a tribute to me and I shall consider that enough."
I hear the hurried actions of coins jingling as the brother and sister begin to hand over their money to the Goddess all the while apologising and thanking her for her mercy.
"Now, begone my children and continue on your quest."
"We shall, Goddess. Thank you!" The man said as I hear him get up and see his shadow bow.
"Let's go, Darren. Let's not bother the Goddess anymore."
I hear the siblings hurriedly make their escape from the Goddess that had just obviously robbed them. They had finally gone and in front of me was my target. The one I had been looking for all this time. So why was I not moving? Simple, the overbearing power of the deity only 15 metres ahead was still on me, with it not fading in the slightest.
"So, child… are you goin to come out now."
I feel a horrible cold shiver run through my whole body.
'She…knew?'
This was the second time I had been in the presence of a deity. The first I thought would be the worst but immediately this new one topped that experience. I could only shake in fear as my feet obeyed the Goddess' command.
As I slowly walk out, the setting sun blinded me for a second. As I bring up my hand to shield my eyes, I get my first real glimpse of a deity.
In front of me stood a divine being. Her arcanum rolled off her. Dressed in a black robe with grey frills on the collar that went down all the way to her pointed black shoes. Her shaggy grey hair only hung past her ears. In one hand she held two bags of coins and in the other was a bottle of… liquor, and it was empty. I could make out only one thing behind her, which was the bench that I saw being occupied by that sleeping person… that was no longer there.
'Huh… it was… her?'
I instantly got over the overwhelming feeling as I quickly realised that the passed-out drunk on the bench was actually the Goddess I had been looking for. I hadn't felt her power at the time when I saw her. But how…
"Ya really think I didn' notice ya? Did ya not hear wha' I just told those Blasphemers, I'm a Goddess."
I hear her talk to me, still baffled but can do nothing but accept that as the only logical reason.
"So… I 'eard you've been lookin' for me. Care to explain ya'self."
I struggled to speak; my throat dry as I can't find any words to answer. I don't know how she knew I was looking for her as the two before hadn't specified that but I just put it down, again, to her being a Goddess.
"Oi, when a divine being asks ya a question, it's incredibly rude to not answer." The deity speaks, her unrelenting gaze burrowing into my soul.
"Lemme guess, ya 'eard of me and now ya want to worship me." She said through slurred words.
I can't even manage to shake my head in response as my mind is having an internal meltdown.
"I'm gettin' an answer out of ya, and ya know ya can't lie to a Goddess."
As she reaches out her wrinkly hands towards me, I realise it's now or never.
The Goddess watches as the young boy took a step back and bowed, creating a perfect 90-degree angle.
"I wish for you to give me a blessing."
She freezes. Out of all the answers she expected, this was the last.
'A blessing, what the hell is he on about? Does he even know what he's asking?'
"Do I need to remind you again, brat? Do not make fun of me!"
"N-no...I…I'm not."
"Stop pissin' about and leave. If all you've come to do is say ridiculous stuff like that then piss off!"
The Deity was not happy with the child with their absurd statement. The kid had no idea what they were even asking for.
"N-no, wait. Please I'll…"
"Tch, are ya deaf as well as sinful? Piss off I said!"
Percy was panicking now. This was the last hurdle and it was all falling apart. But the boy's mind was a lot more skilful for others his age. Having grown up in such a rough area and having to constantly be aware of his surroundings, he was able to come up with the only solution he could think of.
"I'll pay you!"
The deity looked down at the child. Confusion spread across their face in disbelief.
This… boy? Girl? The deity decided they didn't care what IT was, only that it was an annoyance.
"What did ya say, brat!"
The boy's body cowered a bit at the harsh tone, taking a small step back. However, the deity did not see any of the resolve that resided in his green eyes fade, not in even the slightest.
'Huh, I'll give the brat that.' The deity thought, mildly impressed but still in confusion.
"I-I-I s-s-said…" The boy's closed his eyes, gathering the remainder of this courage.
"I said I'll pay you if you give me a falna."
"And how do you plan on doin' that, then?"
"W-with the money I get from the dungeon, I'll give you it!"
'This kid has no idea, does he… but.'
A sinister smile grew on the Goddess' face as she came up with a small plan.
'… and anyway, I've been bored recently. This might be something for a small bit of time.'
"How about this." The Goddess spoke, gaining the boy's attention.
"As I am such a merciful Goddess, I shall grant you my blessing, under one condition. Since you understand that such things are not given freely, I shall give you one week to give me a reasonable offering."
The Goddess in her drunken mind was enjoying this, seeing the rays of hope in the boy's green eyes as she gave him something to cling to.
"How about only a thousand Valis within let us say… a week."
"A thousand!" Percy said startled, he hadn't seen that much money in one bag.
"That is more than generous. Adventurers earn a lot more than that if they try hard enough."
The boy thought about it for a second. This was his chance, the one he had been planning for almost a year and here it was, within his grasp. And he took it.
"Ok, I'll do it. I'll get you money and more."
"That is wonderful to hear." The deity was enjoying this a lot more than she thought she would.
"Now then, let me formally introduce myself as you shall become the first follower and worshipper of me."
Percy looked up. He didn't know if this was the right decision to make. He didn't know if he could find a better deity as he had only met two and both were not shining examples of divinity in his eyes. But it didn't matter which blessing he had on his back. He would become an adventurer, earn enough money to keep his falna and help Mother Marie. He would become strong enough so that one day he could accomplish his main driving force.
"My divine name is Penia, the Goddess that watches over the poor and beggars."
Percy bowed once again to his Goddess. He knew he couldn't lie but if anyone would hold a secret, surely his Goddess would hold it.
"I am Perseus, I'm here to serve you."
He will overtake the family that left him and do what they could not. Not out of revenge for them but instead against them. To show them and the world that he didn't need them and make a name for himself.
'I defeat the One-Eyed Black Dragon and do what the ones that abandoned me couldn't'
And woo, that's a wrap. This is basically the prologue now fully completed. Now we get Persues starting his story in the next chapter.
I wonder how many of you knew I was going with Penia. Even though we only get like a really small part in Sword Oratoria (the LN), I think she could be really interesting. She is not a nice deity and will happily take advantage of people, no matter the age. She will be one of the main side characters so we gonna be seeing her a far bit, she is Perseus' Goddess after all.
This chapter is quite long. I don't think most chapters will be this long but I might do it. I'll see how long a certain plot line is going and see if I can fit it in one chap or make it in like 2-3, obviously some will need even more but they will done over the course of the story.
Reviews:
Guest 1: Pairngs? This early, the guys only 5 my guy. Errm, I guess with Bell he won't change much so he will still be after Ais. As for Perseus, not even I know. I might not even give him a pairng. The way I like to write is see hwo teh story develops and see what works. I see how relationships are formed and then I see how they can progress, then I see if I like it or not. He will defiently be meetin with Ryu and the rest of the Astrea Familia, so it's a possibilty. I will probably give him someone and I've got rough ideas but that's spoiler so you'll have to wait and see as there are more important relationships to focus on with Perseus atm.
Guest 2: Your review is what I mentioned at the top. I took no offence from your review and I should thank you for correcting me so... cheers. Also, if it seemed the way I worded made it sound like you are being too picky, then you are not, don't worry. That is what reviews should be for and now you've made me more aware that I need to make sure I get each character that i'll be introducing correct.
Anyway, with that, thanks for reading. I'll see ya next time and Peace!