Nighttime at Orario arrived, the time was peaceful for the city yet it was bustling at the pubs and bars that are filled with adventurers while the Underworld Castle floats in the sky as it hovers around the city and remains in such a way for who knows how long.
In the domain of the Kaiser Familia, Helios can be seen walking in a fast pace upon an empty hallway. The white haired half elf wearing his king outfit, but has a very serious look on his face.
"Helios!" Thalia appears from a corner hallway as she joined Helios who is heading for somewhere. "is it true that Bell nearly got Charmed by that slut!?"
"I just heard about it." Helios said in retort as he is focused on his path. 'for crying out loud, I was busy with the Athens' diplomatic meeting when Kenji told me about it!' he gritted his teeth and growls a bit. "that Medallion I gave Bell should've protected him!"
"did someone steal it from Bell?" Thalia replied
"no, anyone who steals it won't be dumb enough considering the symbol I made on that Medallion." Helios said as he shakes his head before he and Thalia turns a corner and went straight for a large metal gate that began to open when the half elf waves a hand to the side. "my guess, Bell took it off without knowing what would happen if he did."
"that does sound like a possibility…" Thalia said as she cups her chin before she looks at the opened gate that she and Helios entered through, the gate leading to a large circular chamber with 8 thrones but there are chatters focused to a large table at the center where Baku, Miwa, Kenji, and Takeshi are in a talk with the other current Kaisers of Orario who have gathered for the little meeting.
"like I said to you guys before!" Baku said in a loud voice before he stops when Helios came and patted his back to get his attention. "Uncle Helios?!"
"I want someone to give me a clear explanation on what the heck happened at the Ganesha Familia's Colosseum." Helios said as he went and sat to one of the thrones with the other Kaisers doing the same. "every single detail from who were at the Colosseum to when does it all occur."
Baku and the others looked at each other before to Helios.
"I'll begin when we left the party of Bell's success on his exam." Baku said as he spoke out first in retelling how he, Kenji, and Bell went for the Ganesha Familia's Battle Colosseum to the point of Hades making an appearance.
It took nearly an hour for a detail explanation to be given to the Kaisers who shared a glance at each other when something piqued their interest.
"afterwards, The Goddess Hades ordered that the Tryouts for Bell's participation in the Colosseum to be canceled and then left a few moments later." Baku said as he crossed his arms. "to be honest, I think it was a good thing that she came and intervene."
"True." Thalia said as she cups her chin and ponders in her mind. "if what you say is what had occurred. Bell nearly got Charmed but was saved when Hades appeared."
"but it's weird on why she made an appearance." Ploutos said as he leans forward on his throne, he placed his elbows to his knees and looks at his fellow Kaisers. 'out of all the gods in Orario, Hades has never made much an appearance in the daily year after what happened those years ago.' He then looks at Helios. "you think she appeared because she knew what was about to happen?"
"I can't really tell" Helios said as he cups his chin and scratches it a few times. "the only one closest to her would be Zagreus and…" his eyes widen before he chuckles and laughs a bit while placing a hand to his head. "for crying out loud, why the heck are we having this meeting when it was obvious how it had all occurred?"
"What do you mean?" Makaria asked with a confused face.
"I don't know if he predicted it or not, but I have a feeling that Zagreus had asked Hades for help some time ago." Helios said while pointing a finger out. "that guy never showed up to Bell before he left for Athens, right?"
"now that you mention it…" Polemos cups his chin and looks down while leaning against his seat. "it would make sense how it all happened if Zagreus predicted it as he departed for Athens."
"that would mean he knew this was going to happen and didn't bother to tell us about it.." Melinoe said as she crosses her arms under her chest, she looks up and then down while sighing. "can't never tell what he plans to do…" she then glance at Helios. "shouldn't you have predicted it, Helios? You're his twin for crying out loud."
"hey, just because we're twins doesn't mean that we share a twin mind link." Helios said in retort before he sighs and looks at Baku and the others. 'for now, let's keep Bell here until we can decide if we should get him a random Familia or one that is in an alliance with us.' He then gets off his seat. "I'm going to find Hades-san and ask her some stuff."
"got it" Baku nods.
"by the way, where is Bell now?" Melinoe asked while raising an eyebrow as she gets off her throne and placing a hand to her waist. "is he in the Underworld Castle?"
"he's currently at his room." Miwa told the red haired elf. "we told what had happened to Meteria and asked her to teach him some important things about his Medallion."
"better add in Alfia into the group." Polemos said as he got of his throne and walks to the opened gate. "she can make him learn to never let it go no matter what."
"hey, you want him to learn with the use of fear?" Ploutos sweatdropped to Polemos.
Meanwhile at Bell's room, the young man sat on his bed as he is in conversation with his mother who is beside him.
"this Medallion protects me?" Bell asked as he holds the Medallion in his right hand's grasp while looking a bit confused to his mother. "what do you mean?"
"this Medallion is actually a person's proof that they are related to a Kaiser. It's enchanted with special magic that keeps the wearer safe from harm" Meteria said as she gently takes the Medallion from her son's grasp and then holds it up for him to directly see it. 'it's an heirloom of the Kaiser Familia that each and every descendant of the original Kaisers possess and passed on to their descendants.' She held a hand under the piece of jewelry and smiles to the reflection of its shininess. "and this one once belonged to Zagreus."
"it once belonged to Dad?" Bell asked a bit surprised as Meteria nods before she went and wore it around his neck. "why he gave it away?"
"because its tradition to do so when a descendant of a Kaiser has a child." Meteria said with a giggle as she caresses her son's head. 'when you were born, Zagreus decided to present you his Medallion when it was time for you to choose the path that you wish to take. Because of what was occurring in Orario at the time, Zagreus had made that decision after taking you away from Orario when you were still very little.' She smiles a bit while caressing a thumb to her son's cheek. "I'm sure you can already understand from seeing how busy Helios-san and the others, right?"
"but i don't understand what the dangers are?" Bell said as he blinks his eyes and looks confused. "I mean, everything in Orario is peaceful and there's no trouble at all."
"in plain sight, that is true." Meteria said as she nods before she turns and looks to the window nearby then to the dark night sky that has the moon slightly covered in passing clouds. 'but in the shadows, there is danger lurking around every corner of Orario.' She then closed her eyes and tilts her head down. "this danger continues to spread even with the Kaisers' efforts in trying to reduce it. there is no telling when it will stop."
"just what danger is it?" Bell asked as Meteria looks at her son before to the window and sighs softly.
"I can't tell you about it, Bell." the white haired woman spoke out softly as she frowns a bit. "only that the danger I mention… it took the lives of the people who were my friends and family."
Bell looks at his mother and sees how her frown is a sad frown that he doesn't usually see her make.
Meteria looks at the moon that is now cleared of clouds before to Bell who she gently pulls into a hug.
"Bell, listen to my words carefully alright?" Meteria whispers while holding her son close. 'the dangers in Orario lurks unknowingly even to the Kaisers. You must be careful and cautious whether you are in the city or in the Dungeon. Do not be near danger that could take your life.' She caresses his back and strokes his hair. "I know you wish to be a hero like the Kaisers… but remember to always prioritize your life. You're my precious son and I don't know what I would do if I were to lose you in the future."
"Mom….." Bell whispers as he looks at his mother who separates from the hug and cups his cheeks while caressing the skin under his eyes.
"Bell, promise me that you'll be safe when I go back home" Meteria said in a loving and gentle voice. 'promise me that you'll stay away from the bad people lurking in Orario and you'll always do what is right. I support your wish to be a hero, but I also wish for you to be safe from harm.' She then strokes his head before giving him a peck on the forehead. "can you do that for me?"
Bell looks at Meteria for a moment before he nods his head slowly.
"I promise, mom." Bell spoke out as Meteria smiles before giving him another hug while pecking his head.
"do your best as an adventurer of Orario, Bell." Meteria said in a whisper. "remember that if you are in trouble, it's alright to ask your father and family members for help. Alright?"
"alright." Bell nods in the hug as Meteria separates and kisses his forehead then smiles.
"okay now, it's time for you to rest." Meteria said as she strokes her son's head several times. "tomorrow, you have to learn a lot about the Dungeon from your guild advisor, right?"
"yes" Bell nods. "Eina-san said that since I'm a rookie, I should learn a lot of the Dungeon's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors where I can venture into."
"I see. Be careful when you venture the Dungeon and always wear the medallion, ok?" Meteria said as Bell nods his head again.
Meteria soon leaves the room as she closed the door behind her and turns around to walk away but stops when she sees Hades come walking out from a corner hallway at front.
"Hades-sama.." Meteria spoke out in seeing the black haired goddess who glanced at her for a moment before motioning her to follow.
A few moments later, Meteria is walking beside Hades who has been silent.
"thank you very much for saving Bell from getting charmed by the Goddess Freyja, Hades-sama." Meteria said with a nod to the dark haired goddess. She then looks down with a small frown. "I was worried what would've happened if you didn't stop her in time."
"do not thank me." Hades spoke out as she glance at Meteria. "the one who should receive your gratitude is your husband who had asked me to participate in the tryouts held by the Ganesha Familia."
"Zagreus asked you?" Meteria asked with a rather surprised expression. "when?"
"from the moment your child arrived upon Orario." Hades said as she looks to the front and closed her eyes while crossing her arms under her chest. 'in my lifetime, I've seen and met many fools. Your husband is one of them.' She then scoffs a bit. "both him and you are fools to bring your child to the city. the tragedy that occurred 15 years ago still lingers by the scars that littered the land." She opens her eyes and glance at Meteria. "and I can assume that it also lingers in your heart as well."
"yes…" Meteria whispers as she placed a hand to her chest, right to where her heart is. "yes, it does."
"if you do not wish for that tragedy to terrorize your heart, I suggest that you take your child along with the child of Melinoe along with you upon the day of your departure." Hades said as she looks to the front. "her child has born another who is as fragile as your child was once was. Allowing them to linger upon this city will lead to terrible consequences."
"I shall take note of that, Hades-sama." Meteria said with a nod before she grasped her hands together by her stomach. "but I do not think I will wish to do such action with my child."
"why not?" Hades replied with a glance at the white haired woman. "do you really wish to experience the fear of losing your child to death once again?"
"no…" Meteria said as she shakes her head to disperse a flashback of her crying while holding a lifeless infant in her arms. "no, I do not wish for that."
"then why reject my proposal that would ensure your child's safety?" Hades said. "what comes for him in his life as an adventurer of Orario is certain death after all."
"it is because he wishes to be an adventurer that I do not wish to obstruct him." Meteria spoke out as she looks forward and smiles a bit when she sees a flashback of Bell as a child running around while waving a wooden toy sword and wears a towel as a cape. "his dream, and his wish….they are his strongly desired yet fragile ambitions that I do not wish to shatter."
Hades looks at Meteria before she looks to the front and closed her eyes while sighing once.
"You are truly unique as Hera once told me." Hades said as she huffs a bit before she opens her eyes to look at Meteria again. "do you act in such way to your child as a former adventurer of Hera? Or as his mother?"
"both." Meteria said with a smile as she and Hades continues walking in the hallway while not knowing that Zagreus appears from a back corner. The half elf having heard their entire conversation with a rather emotionless expression on his face.
Zagreus looks at Meteria from behind as he sees her small smile that made him turn and lean against the wall beside him.
"dream….wish…..ambition…." Zagreus whispers as he looks down with his eyes slightly squinted. "they don't mean anything to anyone in this wretched era."
Zagreus turns and walks into the back corner where he disappears into the shadows.
On the next day, Bell is at the guild as he is meeting with Eina who brought him to a private box room where the guild advisor is currently teaching the young Rookie on how to become an adventurer of Orario.
"from the 1-3 floor are designated as Rookie floor levels." Eina said as she holds a book with the pages opened to reveal the drawing of monsters, a map, and other information regarding the Dungeon's lower floors. "for a Rookie like you, these three floor levels are the only areas that you are allowed to roam."
"just three?" Bell asked while taking notes. "does that mean that the floors below them are only for experienced adventurers?"
"indeed." Eina said with a nod before pointing a finger up. 'remember this very well, Bell-kun. You are not allowed to venture into the deeper levels without my permission.' She then looks sternly with her finger pointed at the young man. "if you try to enter without permission, I will know."
"h-how?" Bell asked a bit curiously.
"that's a secret for only the guild to know." Eina said in reply while winking once. "you just have to make sure that you don't do it, okay? The guild's rules are strictly made by the Kaisers of the past and have deep consequences if broken."
"y-yes…." Bell nods.
"now then, let's move on to the Monster criteria." Eina said as she continues the lesson with another book that has biography of Monsters.
In the passing moments, Bell spent the next 3 hours learning about the Dungeon's lower floors as Eina strictly teaches him every important detail about what he can do and what he cannot do when in the Underground Labyrinth.
"that should be the last of today's lesson." Eina said as she closed a book and put it aside while Bell is still writing down his notes. The half elf advisor folding her arms on the table while watching her entrusted rookie. "be sure to remember every detail of the rules set in the Dungeon, ok?"
"yes." Bell nods as he writes his notes before looking at Eina. "but I still have a question, Eina-san."
"What is it?" Eina asks while raising an eyebrow.
"in the ranking system that is made in Orario during its first creation, how does one get their Familia to be classified in it?" Bell asked as Eina had taught him of a system that differentiate the level of classes for many Familias in Orario. "I mean I can't quite understand how when a god formed a pact with an adventurer then makes a Familia would lead to them becoming nobles and such."
"ah, that…" Eina said as she checks the books with her and picks one up before she flips through the pages. 'you see, that system was made to ensure a stable hierarchy of the Familia in Orario to not allow a level of conflict in the city. this system was first made and resolved in creation by the ancestors of the Kaisers.' She reaches a page and then turns the book around to show Bell a drawing of a pyramid that has names of many Familias written in column. "back before the system was made, I heard that there were conflicts between many adventurers who just fight each other for superiority. This is why the system was made in order to make a stability in Orario."
"I see…." Bell said as he checks out the drawing of the pyramid. 'so the Familias were differentiated into nobles of different ranks to ensure order….' He then points to a table with the letter F at the bottom and slowly increases up to the letter S. "then this is?"
"it's the Ranking system." Eina said in explanation. 'in Orario, each Familia will be given a rank by the King of Orario, Helios Kaiser who will decide how the ranking of a Familia would be after a year of its contribution to the city.' she then points a finger up to an imaginary bubble appearing above her head that shows her explanation by cartoons. "for example, if Bell-kun joins or start a rookie level Familia. that Familia will be ranked as an F-rank that is the lowest. All Rookie Familia starts as an F-Rank Familia."
"then to increase their rank is to…?" Bell spoke out.
"they must do contribution work for Orario." Eina replied while nodding. 'for Familias, they have been given ranks of classes like Exploration, Business, and etc. the Familias with those specific classes must do their jobs by contribution of their classes. If it's a Business Familia, they must make money or trade that can benefit Orario's economy, if it's an Agriculture Familia, they must make produce that can be used as product for the city or a source of outside income by trade. This goes on.' The half elf then points to the name of every Familia written in the drawn pyramid in the book's pages. "each Familia's work is counted by the guild and sent to the King who will evaluate their work then decide which level will they get to be ranked up in the system."
"I see…" Bell said as he starts to take some notes of Eina's words before looking a bit confused. "then… why the noble status is used for?"
"it is to allow relations to be established between comrade Familias." Eina explained while waving a hand to the side. 'you see, Familias can't get along to well enough to allow a collaboration with one another just by agreeing to contracts and stuff. It is the reason why they are given noble status to do collaboration and joint operation by the use of noble rules.' She flips the pages of the book and shows a set of rules that is made into a list of 30 rules. "there are rules made in the Familias's noble status and rank, but there is also rule that are used in allowing the collaboration to be acted."
"like how?" Bell asked while getting more confused. "I don't understand how the rules work at all."
"hmmm, for an example…" Eina hums as she cups her chin and leans against her seat, she glance up and then to the side before she looks at Bell and points a finger out. "for an example, take Baku-san from the Saint Kaiser Familia."
"Baku?" Bell asked while the image of the big bald man appears above his head.
"I'm sure Bell-kun learned that he is of the Saint Kaiser's descendant, correct?" Eina asks while leaning forward. "and that his Home, the Saint Sanctuary is affiliated with 5-6 Familias as well?"
"ah, Kenji once mentioned that before." Bell said while remembering his tour with the son of the Iron God Kaiser. He then nods. "he did say that Baku's place has Familias that make potions, antidotes and other stuff."
"yes." Eina nods. 'the affiliation of the many Familias to the Saint Kaiser Familia is done by contract of agreement between the two or intermarriage between a representative members.' She waves a hand to the side. "both work very well in establishing the relations that can only be broken when one side terminates the made agreement."
"I see…." Bell said. "so basically, if they want to cooperate; they have to offer something to one another or they won't be able to work together, right?"
"that's close but correct." Eina nods while pointing a finger up. "it is also worth noting that each Familias that are affiliated with one House of the Kaiser Familia has done contract agreements with one another to allow their membership with one another."
"so that's how…." Bell makes more notes as he writes down everything that they had spoken about before he realized something and looks at Eina. "would that also mean that this works along with the Kaiser Familia itself? Like if a Familia makes a pact agreement with the Kaiser Familia, they would need to do a contract agreement like so?"
"not really." Eina replies while shaking a hand side to side. She flips some pages to the book and shows a list of hierarchy that has the Kaiser Familia on top. 'you see, Bell-kun. The Kaiser Familia has never been affiliated with other Familias unless through the houses of its members. This one Familia is the ruling Familia of Orario and therefore never make an alliance to any Familias directly.' she then motions a hand to the side. "even if for example, the King of Orario; Helios Kaiser wedded with someone of another Familia. it won't be nothing more than a relationship that has no benefits for both Familias."
"so it means that there won't be anything good coming out of the agreement… is that it?" Bell asks as Eina nods.
"exactly." Eina nods. 'if you wish to see it a bit better, take Shakti Varma of the Ganesha Familia who is married with Hayate Kaiser of the Blade Kaiser Familia.' she imagines Shakti who is with a silhouetted figure. "both having engaged to each other instantly allows a pact of an agreement in the collaboration between the two Familias that will last as long as both stay true to the pact or become permanent if the two creates a heir."
"ah, right…" Bell said in remembering how a cousin of his married the blue haired adventurer from the Ganesha Familia. "I heard of that from Baku and Kenji."
Eina soon looks at Bell a bit interestingly as the young man looks a bit flustered.
"w-what's wrong, Eina-san?" Bell asked the half elf who shakes her head with a smile.
"nothing, I just thought of how close you are to Baku-san and Kenji-san." Eina said as she folds her hands on the table. 'you see, not many people are close to the next heirs and members of the Kaiser Familia.' she held a hand to her chest. "even I kept the relation between us in my job only." she then points a finger at Bell. "yet here is you who can speak their names without an honorifics and know much of them than anyone else."
"w-well… I met them many times when I was young and all…" Bell said while scratching the back of his head. "I just got to know them so well that I feel rather… relax when I'm with them?"
"you must be one of the lucky few to be seen as a close friend by the Kaisers, huh?" Eina said while smiling. "whoever your parents are, they must be very good and close friends with the Kaisers if you know so much about their descendants and everything."
"y-yeah…" Bell replied as he is actually telling a lie because he was told to keep his relationship with the Kaiser Familia a strict secret.
Flashback
Bell is meeting with his family members as it was only Helios along with the Kaisers minus Zagreus who is not with the group. The young man meeting with them in the dining room as they were just having breakfast together.
"I'm not allow to tell anyone that I'm a descendant of the Kaisers?" Bell spoke out as he was just told to do such action by Helios who nodded to him. "why?"
"It's because the dangers lurking in Orario." Helios said as he crosses his arms on his chest and leans against his seat. 'you see, if people find out that you're the descendent of the Kaisers and the son of Zagreus, the man who had revoked his lineage to be King.' He then points a finger at Bell. "They will go after you not just because you're a Kaiser, but also because they want to use you against us. This is why you have to keep it a secret on how you're related to us."
"this wouldn't be a problem if you choose to become a Kaiser instead." Melinoe added in with a hand raised and waved to the side. "we would make an announcement of your relation to us but keeping the part of you being Zagreus' son a secret. Doing it this way will allow a level of security to be given to your wellbeing."
"no one will dare harm you cause everyone in Orario knows the rule of the Kaiser Familia." Polemos stated with a small smirk.
"those who dare harm a member of the Kaiser Familia will receive the tormenting wrath of the Kaisers." Thalia said as she had raised her hands and shrugs her shoulders. "many dared to try and attack us or our kids when they were young."
"all getting tortured to death in the result." Makaria added in while nodding.
"r-really?" Bell asked a bit stutteringly.
"Bell, you need to remember to keep this relation in the family a secret from outsiders, alright?" Ploutos spoke to Bell while leaning forward on his seat. "sure there are some people in Orario who knows your relation with us but they keep it a secret to not draw attention to you."
"especially unwanted attention." Helios stated as he place his elbows on the table and folds his hand together while leaning his mouth against it. the half elf having a serious look on his face. 'there are many Familias in Orario who wishes to overthrow the Kaiser Familia in order to gain power as they will try any method to gain it.' he then lowers his hand and points a finger at Bell. "one of those methods would be to use you as a hostage."
"so never tell anyone about the relations in the Family, ok?" Melinoe said as she waves a hand up. "just keep the relation as simple like telling them that you're close to us because your parents are old friends of ours. Like that."
"do understand that this is for our Familia's sake as well as yours, Bell." Helios said. "do not reveal this secret, no matter the cost. Understood?"
Bell looks at Helios and the others before he nods.
Flashback
'it's really hard to keep this a secret…' Bell thought as he awkwardly chuckles to Eina who just smiles.
Afterwards, Bell and Eina left the private room as they had done all the basics things for the young man to learn on being an adventurer in the Dungeon.
"since Bell-kun's Familia hasn't been decided, it is wise to check on the roster of Familias with available spots." Eina told Bell regarding his lack of Familia background. "perhaps you should come back to the Guild tomorrow, so that I can show you the list and background of each Familia in order to make it easier for you to choose."
"yes, Eina-san." Bell said before he scratches his cheeks with a rather awkward smile. "but after what happened in the Ganesha Familia's Colosseum, I'm under probation with the Kaiser Familia for the moment."
"right…." Eina nods before she crosses her arms under her chest and looks up. "it was such a shocker when I heard that the Goddess Freyja tried to use her Charm on you. That use of power was prohibited by the Kaisers years and years ago too."
"Eina-san. what is Charm?" Bell asked as he looks confused.
"ah, right… Bell-kun doesn't know that.." Eina said as she went to her counter with Bell standing at the other side. 'you see, thousands of years ago when the Gods descended from the heavens to aid the people of the Lower World. They sealed away their Arcanum or in other words their divine and magical power in order to live amongst us.' She raise a hand and waves it to the side. "although they still retain some of their divinity in the likes of giving Falna, their blessings to the adventurers of their Familia. some gods have certain powers that still remain with them even when their Arcanum is sealed." She then points a finger up. "one of those powers is Charm that all gods possess. Especially goddess of beauties like Freya-sama."
"so it's like a special ability?" Bell asked as Eina nods.
"the use of Charms is prohibited in Orario as there was a time in the past when dozens of people charmed by a goddess nearly waged war against the Kaiser Familia who put a halt to it." Eina continues her explanation before having a strict face with a finger pointed at Bell. "it is nearly like a taboo for any gods to use their Charm ability on a person. If caught using it, the suspected God will be imprisoned, banished, or even worse… executed."
"e-executed…?" Bell spoke out before he gulps a bit nervously. "really?"
"really" Eina nods. "all gods were put to follow this rule no matter what because if they don't they would get killed by the Kaisers."
"r-really? But I thought that gods are.." Bell spoke out as he is referring to how the gods who descended from the Heavens are immortal and killing them would be impossible.
"I know what you mean, Bell-kun. I first thought that it was impossible, but history proved it wrong." Eina said with a nod before she reaches down and takes out a book that has the title 'ORARIO HISTORIA' written on the cover. She laid it on the counter and flips through the pages. 'there was once a story of the past that occurred nearly 900 years ago. It begins with how the gods had descended from the heavens and soon roamed the land of the Lower World.' She stops through the pages and landed on one that shows a drawing of Orario that was in flames. "the gods who watch over us in the heavens roamed the land but it was a known fact that not all of them were kind beings. Some were evil incarnated who wished for chaos as their source of entertainment. One of those evil gods was named Lucifer who had tried to cause utter destruction upon the very land." The page was flipped and showed another drawing of a woman laughing while watching a battlefield where beings of all races are killing each other. "the chaos created by the evil goddess Lucifer spread throughout the world as it was just utter destruction."
"how cruel…" Bell spoke as he never knew of such story.
"indeed." Eina nodded before she flips a page that shows the laughing goddess now crying and pleading in fear to a dark silhouetted figure with glowing red eyes who wields a black demonic sword in a dual handed stance. "but that terror was stopped by a Kaiser."
"is that sword?" Bell spoke as he looks closer and could see a red glowing eye on the cross guard of the demonic sword. "is that… the Devil's Bane?"
"yes. Yes, it is." Eina said with a nod as she flips the next page that shows the goddess now lying dead with the sword impaled through her chest. 'in the story, it has been said that the Goddess Lucifer was slayed by the wielder of the Devil's Bane. Her life extinguished and her existence turned nothing but a memory.' She flips the pages and closed the book. "this is one of the many reasons why the people in Orario respect and fear the Kaiser Familia for they have the power and authority to rule over the gods."
"would this mean… the Missing Kaiser still exist?" Bell said as he looks at the book. "that was the Devil's Bane and someone who could wield it would be…"
"I know what you're thinking, Bell-kun. But it hasn't been proven if the wielder was the Missing Kaiser or his descendants." Eina said as she takes the book and puts it away. 'this was a story written centuries ago and hasn't been proven to be real.' She raises a hand and waves it to the side. "there are many other stories that says that one of the current Kaiser's ancestors was the one who done the deed. Not many know which one is real."
"really?" Bell asked as he looks a bit surprised at Eina before he looks down while cupping his chin. "so it still remains a mystery on the existence of the Missing Kaiser's descendants, huh?"
"yes." Eina nods before she leans forward on the counter while smiling. "but there has been rumors about his existence by the Devil's Bane."
"eh? Rumors?" Bell asks.
"lots of them." Eina nodded. 'there has been certain rumors and talks for centuries regarding the Devil's Bane that has been reported to have gone missing from its resting place in the Kaiser Garden.' She raises a hand and points a finger out. "some say that they see someone go near the ancient weapon and pulls it out of the stone pedestal, while some say that the sword would disappear for a moment and then reappears to return to where it was. There have been dozens of other rumors over the decades, each one pointing out that someone in fact wielded the sword in his/her grasp." she then smiles while imagining Orario under siege but was saved by an unknown armored figure whose eyes glows red and blue while wielding the Devil's Bane that glows darkly. "but the prominent rumor is that the wielder would always appear during Orario's moment of crisis. It happens so many times over the years too."
"wow…." Bell looks amazed for a moment before he begins to think. "this mean that the Missing Kaiser really has descendants who are lying in secret…"
"that's a possibility." Eina said with a nod.
After some more talk with his guild advisor, Bell leaves the guild.
The young man is now just walking around in the street while looking at the pubs, bars, stalls, and anything that can get his attention.
"thanks for your purchase!" a kebab stall owner thanked Bell who had purchased a kebab after paying.
"thank you." Bell said in reply as he walks away while taking bites of his kebab.
'I wonder what I should do after the guild?' Bell thought as he think of what he should do for the rest of the day. 'Mom already went home and dad and the others must be busy with their work as Kaisers… for me..' he takes a bite of his kebab and begins to hum in thinking what he should be doing now. 'what should I do now?'
As Bell wanders around the streets while pondering in his thoughts and taking bites of his kebab, someone hollered out his name from behind.
"hey~! Bell~!" a cheerful voice called out as Bell turns and gets engulfed in a big hug by Ardee who appeared behind him. "gotcha~!"
"A-Ardee-san!?" Bell cried out in surprise to see her while his face gets smooshed against her chest. "w-why are you!?"
"I was trying to find you this whole day!" Ardee said with a big smile to the young man. "you have no idea how hard I was trying in getting to you!"
"eh? Why?" Bell asked after separating from the hug.
"it's obviously to give you a tour of every Familia on the good side!" Ardee said.
"eh?" Bell replied with a raised eyebrow.
A few minutes later, Bell with Ardee are on a horse carriage as the enthusiastic Ganesha Familia adventurer has been asked by the Kaiser Familia to give the young man an inside tour of every ally Familia's Home so that he may choose one of his likings.
Currently, the blue haired adventurer brought the white haired young man to the Home of the Astraea Familia and the Justice Kaiser; the Stardust Garden.
"here we are at our first choice." Ardee said as she leads Bell into the Home, both walking straight through a door that is opened by two knights stationed at front. "The Astraea Familia."
"wow…." Bell let out a silent amazed noise as he enters the Home and finds himself inside the mansion that has incredible and luxurious furniture and ornaments, from beautiful and soft looking cushions to large marble statues of the Goddess Astraea who wears her dress yet is blindfolded and holds up a scale in her right hand while her left hand wielded a sheathed sword, and another statue of the original Justice Kaiser who wielded her sword that has its blade face downwards. Both statues faced each other while the white haired young man walks in between and sees them one by one. "so big!"
Ardee smiles to see how Bell is amazed by the interior of the Home before she looks front and smiles even more when she sees someone coming.
"Ardee~!" the red haired female adventurer who was beside the Goddess Astraea on the day of the tryouts, came running down from some stairs as she jumps and got into a spinning hug with Ardee. "welcome~!"
"Alise~!" Ardee squeals as both girls giggles to each other before they stopped spinning and faced each other. "sorry to bother you at such time!"
"it's fine! It's fine!" Alise said with a grin before she notices Bell who looks a bit awkward in the background, she smiles to him and then looks at Ardee. "so he's the boy from the cancelled tryouts?"
"yes" Ardee nodded before motioning a hand towards Bell who came forward. "as you know, he is Bell Cranel and he is a rookie adventurer without a Familia."
"I see." Said the enthusiastic red hair who smiles before reaching out a hand to Bell. "nice to meet you! My name is Alise Lovell, the Scarlet Harnel and the Captain of the Astraea Familia!"
"y-yes!" Bell replied as he held her reached out hand and shakes it once. "my name is Bell Cranel! Nice to meet you too!"
"well then, I heard about your current situation by Sotares-san and I willingly volunteer to be your guide for this beautiful Home of ours!" Alise said with a big smile while pulling back her hand from the handshake that she soon places to her chest. "I'm sure by the end of the tour, you'll be begging to join my Familia!"
"y-yes?" Bell spoke a bit weirded out as he felt that something was off about Alise.
"come on!" Alise grabs Bell's hand and drags him right into her Familia's Home.
"w-wait!" Bell cried out as he was rushed right into the interior of the building.
"my my." Ardee giggles with a smile as she watches Alise drag Bell all over the Home, to every part that she could show him.
A few minutes later, Bell is now in a large living room as he is with Ardee and Alise. The Scarlet Harnel introducing him to the current members of the Astraea Familia.
"here are my currently Home present comrades in arms." Alise said as she waves a hand to the three members of the Astraea Familia that starts with a black haired kimono wearing young girl who looks to be in the same age as the red hair. "here is our vice Captain, Gojouno Kaguya; The Yamato Rindou. A former princess of the Far East"
"pleasure to meet you." the far eastern looking girl spoke after doing a quick head bow. She then raises her right hand's sleeve near her face that smiles a bit "please do not use honorifics for my name, for I have discarded by noble lineage years ago."
"y-yes!" Bell replied before bowing his head. "pleasure to meet you!"
"next we have our trusted tracker, and trapper, Lyra; the Thrail. She's our deputy of tracking." Alise continued to introduce the next person in line who is a pallum who has pink short hair and wears a fitting adventurer gear. "if you want to learn to make a trap or track your prey, she is your go to girl."
"yo!" Lyra did a two finger salute to Bell who bowed his head in return.
"and lastly, is Neze. Another tracker who is more skilled than Lyra." Alise said in introducing the next person in line who is a tan skinned werewolf with light gray hair and wears a rather revealing outfit. "but I can guess you can tell considering she has a wolf's senses and everything."
"nice to meet you." Neze greeted Bell with a smile as the young man returned it with a bow while blushing a bit.
"what's wrong?" Ardee asked seeing Bell's reddened cheeks. "are you not feeling well?"
"n-no… it's just!" Bell replied with a stutter before he shakingly points a finger at Neze. "c-could she… wear something to cover herself?"
"eh? Me?" Neze asked as she points at herself before she looks down at herself and then back to Bell. "why?"
"i-it's embarrassing for me to talk to a person wearing such… such…" Bell spoke out before his face went red as he puts his hands over his face. "j-just please cover yourself!"
"ohh~! I see~!" Lyra spoke out as she looks a bit teasingly at Bell's reaction. She goes near and pokes her elbow at his side. "looks like this boy here is a rather late bloomer, huh!?"
"what can you expect since he is only 14 years of age?" Kaguya asked before chuckling. "but it is rather amusing to meet such an innocent child, no?"
"fufufu~! Seems that he is just too embarrassed by Neze's revealing outfit, huh!?" Alise said as she went near Neze and drapes a towel around her shoulders. "for Bell's sake, I shall give you my towel so that Bell won't focus on you, but to my beauty!"
"do you really think you're that pretty?" Neze asked a bit annoyed to Alise.
"hey, you guys. Let's focus on Bell who really needs a Familia?" Ardee spoke out as she patted Bell's back, the young boy looking blushing red with his face being covered by his hands. "let's put aside the whole late bloomer thing later."
"alright, alright!" Alise chuckles as she went near and crosses her arms under her chest. She looks at Bell with a grin. "so, Bell? what do you think?"
"w-what?" Bell asked while slowly pulling down his hands from his face and looks at Alise a bit confused. "Think of what?"
"My Familia, of course!" Alise said with a hand to her chest. "I shown you every part of the Stardust Garden, right?! What do you think of my Familia now!?"
"e-eh… um… well.." Bell spoke out as he scratches his cheeks while still having an embarrassed face. "i-it's a wonderful Familia with an amazing duty…" he then looks at Alise and then to the members of the Astraea Familia. "I mean, you all work hard in ensuring that there would always be justice and peace in Orario. Even with the Kaiser Familia being around, you all ensure that everyone would be safe no matter the cost…" he then blushes a bit more and scratches the back of his head. "b-but I feel like this isn't the right Familia for me."
"May we ask the reason?" Kaguya asked while tilting her head to the side.
"w-well…" Bell replied as he stutters and scratches his cheek while looking his head down. "i-it's because…"
"because?" Lyra asked while raising an eyebrow.
"because you're all women and I'm a boy…" Bell replied with his face going red. "if there is such a young boy in the presence of mature and beautiful women in a Familia. I would be ashamed to call myself a male or an adventurer."
"my my~! So honest you are, Bell~!" Alise said as she looks a bit proud. "to call myself mature and beautiful! What a praise and compliment worthy only to me!"
"your ear full of wax or something?" Lyra stated with a monotone face. "he said all of us, not just you."
"all matters aside, it doesn't matter much, right?" Neze spoke out while looking at Bell with a hand raised and waved to the side. "I mean, the Astraea Familia will start to have boys in the group. You can be the first one and it'll be alright with passing time."
"i-I can't!" Bell said while shaking his head as his face is very red. "My Mother once told me that a boy and a girl can't be near each other until they are 18 above! I'm still 14 and I'm… so… I'm just…" the young man began to fidget around all embarrassingly as he looks to be very redder than Alise's hair. "i just can't do so…"
"my, this boy is really innocent…" Kaguya said with a giggle. "I like him."
"yeah, me too." Lyra said with a grin. "having him in the Familia would make every day all fun~!"
"come on, you guys. Don't be so mean." Ardee told the two. "it can't be helped since Bell here is young and all."
"still, it's fine, isn't it?" Alise asked as she went near Bell and patted his shoulder a few times. 'it doesn't matter if we here are all women and you're just the boy around here. We're here all a Familia and we treat each other equally no matter what.' she then grins. "you'll get used to it if you join us, Bell~!"
"i-I'm sorry..i just can't.." Bell replied while getting more flustered.
"oh come on~!" Alise began to push Bell against her chest as the young man squeals in shock from her action. "come on~! Come on~! It's going to be fine if you join us~!"
"p-please stop!" Bell cried out for help as Ardee responded to his call by separating the two.
"come now, Alise. That is no way to treat a guest." A voice spoke as the group in the room turns to see a door opened as the Goddess of the Familia, Astraea entered. "he has made his choice and we cannot force him to change his mind."
"Aun— I mean Astraea-sama." Bell said in seeing the long walnut brown haired goddess who only wears a simple white kirtle and a long white blue skirt.
"hello, Bell." Astraea said who smiles while doing a quick curtsy to him. She giggles while going to Bell and pat his head. "it's nice to meet you again. You've grown up so much from the little adorable boy years ago."
"A-Astraea-sama! Please don't tease me!" Bell cried out all embarrassed.
"ara ara~. Still adorable as always." Astraea giggles. The goddess then tilts her head to the side while smiling to Bell. "It's alright you know? You can still call me Aunt Astry like you used to."
"i-I wasn't little! I was five!" Bell cried out as Astraea stroke and pats his head. "please stop patting my head! It's embarrassing now that I'm 14 and all!"
"Aunt Astry? A nickname for you, Astraea-sama?" Neze asks.
"Yes." Astraea nodded before giggling. "when I first met Bell, he had a hard time pronouncing my name. so I give him a shorter nickname of a version that sticks until he was ten." She giggles again. "it's so nostalgic to remember how the little boy would be all happy to see me and asked me to tell him stories of heroes in his mother's place."
"Astraea-sama! Stop telling them such old stories!" Bell cried out with a red embarrassed face.
"but I was under the impression that you like it?" Astraea replied with a little mischievous smile forming on her lips. "you would fall asleep on my lap so fast when I tell you a story and you would not ever want me to go when I needed to." She giggles again. "there's even a time when you accidently called me Mama before, right?"
"AUNT ASTRY!" Bell cried out before he covers his mouth with his hand with a baffled face.
"ara? There we go." Astraea said with a bigger smile. "see? It was much more comfortable to call me that, right?"
Bell began to let out a noise of pure embarrassment that is covered under his hands as Alise and the others looks all amused and teasingly at the young boy.
Ardee was the only one who smiles while sighing.
"I guess I can understand why Bell doesn't want to join this Familia." Ardee said before giggling a bit when she sees Astraea just stroking Bell's head while the young man keeps on going redder.
Meanwhile, in the Underworld Castle.
Helios is found walking in a hallway as the King of Orario turns a corner and went to a nearby opened balcony door that has wind coming in and causing the red curtains to flail around.
"for goodness sake." Helios said as he sighs while making his way to the balcony door, he pushes away the curtains and had a tired smile to someone standing in the balcony. "hey, if you want to be alone while watching the view from above. Remember to tidy the curtains, will you?"
"noted." The person at the balcony spoke as he is Zagreus who is just looking down at Orario from his point of view.
"you say that, but you still don't do it." Helios stated with a sigh as he goes and stands beside Zagreus while leaning against the railings. The white haired half elf gazing down upon Orario with his twin. "you say that Bell has more alikeness with Meteria, but you are so much like him."
"I take that as a compliment." Zagreus replied as his sight is upon Orario but his attention isn't to the city; rather to Bell. the black haired half elf's eyes are glowing as his sight enhanced and focus on his son who is being given a tour to the Hephaestus Familia with the help of Ardee and Hephaestus herself. "but you're wrong, he is more alike with his mother than myself."
"again with those words?" Helios asked as his eyes slowly glows and the white haired half elf sees Bell as well, the young boy flustered as he is meeting with a one eyed tanned black haired woman who is only wearing a sarashi covering her revealing chest and a red hakama with sandals, the nearly indecent looking woman just went and hugs the young boy whose face goes red. The King of Orario chuckles as he smirks a bit. "but seeing how Bell is meeting with Tsubaki right now. I guess he has more of Meteria's innocence than your stoic personality."
Zagreus remains silent from his brother's sentence as he just continue to watch over Bell from his position before he hardens his gaze when he spotted something near his son's location.
"you see what I'm seeing?" Helios asked as he is seeing the movement of several black armored and cloaked individuals who are stealthily going close to Bell who is chattering with Hephaestus and the others in the Home.
"that slut's pathetic maggot minions." Zagreus growls angrily as he raises a hand that he leans straight down that has black fire igniting upon the palm that rages uncontrollably. "that bitch never learns."
The black fire grew before it dissipated when Helios snaps his fingers with his right hand while his left hand had grab Natsu's outstretched hand.
"as much as I want you to teach those pathetic maggots a lesson…" Helios said as he lowers Zagreus' hand. 'we have to do it in a way that won't make too much of a trouble in Orario.' He turns and just looks back at the black suited adventurers going closer to Bell's location. "especially when they are so near to my wife's Home."
Zagreus looks at his brother before to his son who is walking around in the hallway of the Hephaestus Familia's Home while given the tour of the place.
"I shall take the three going near my son." Zagreus said as his eyes glows menacingly to the point that his red left eye turned reptilian while his blue eye became dark and emotionless. "you take the rest."
"hey, leaving me with the small fries like always?" Helios chuckles as Zagreus suddenly disappears in a black blur. The white haired half elf sighs while shaking his head before he shrug his shoulders. "oh well, I might as well visit Hephie while I'm down there."
Helios turns around before he disappears in a white blur.
In the Hephaestus Familia's Home; the Grand Forge. Bell is being given a showcase of the many weapons that the Blacksmith Familia had made over the years.
"so many….." Bell wowed a bit as he sees all the majestic and powerful looking weapons that are hanged on a wall and inside a glass casing. "they're strong looking."
"most of these were made by Ploutos and Kenji." Hephaestus said while standing near the white haired young man. She then waves a hand to a very large broad sword that looks powerful and majestic at the same time. "but this one right here was made by Tsubaki."
"it took me an entire year to make that bad boy!" Tsubaki said with a grin while rubbing a finger under her nose. The woman is a half dwarf and the vice captain of the Hephaestus Familia. "Ploutos-sensei and Kenji are gifted and all, but I'm catching up to them in no time!"
"say that when you actually make more weapons than they do." Ardee giggles with a smile while Tsubaki huffs at her.
Meanwhile Bell still looks amazed by the many weapons in the glass showcase.
"you do know that you can hurt your eyes if you don't blink, Bell?" Hephaestus said to Bell. she crosses her arms under her chest and looks at the weapons. "you must be really amazed by them, huh?"
"I am." Bell said with a nod. "I mean, I seen the Devil's Bane at the Kaiser Garden and it was somewhat evil looking yet radiates with power." The young man place a hand to the glass and gently caresses the smooth surface. "I can feel the same thing from these weapons as well. They're very powerful."
"I see…" Hephaestus said with a smile and a nod as she looks at the weapons before to Bell. "if you like, you can pick a weapon from here."
"is it okay?" Bell asked the red haired goddess who nods.
"Ploutos and Kenji always make so much weapons that it's such a hassle to sell them all to the right buyers." Hephaestus said while raising her hands up and shrugging her shoulders. The goddess chuckles with a smile. "I have to get a new storage facility to store them every time those two knuckle heads make more of them." She then waves a hand up. "besides, they told me that if Bell wants to have one of them. He can have them for free." she then place her hands on her waist and tilts her head a bit. "so? you like one of them?"
Bell looks at Hephaestus for a moment before to the weapons in the glass showcase.
He gaze at each one before he sensed something that made him look at a nearby window.
"what's wrong?" Ardee asked in seeing Bell's reaction.
"I just felt…" Bell spoke out as he senses a familiar presence. "Dad?"
Hephaestus and the others look at where Bell is looking as they could see something causing a bright light from below.
"what's that?" Tsubaki asked as she checks the window and opens it before screaming in surprise when Helios appears out of nowhere. "H-HELIOS-SAN!?"
"yo!" Helios greeted everyone with a quick two finger salute before he goes in. "sorry for the little interruption!"
"good grief! when will you learn to enter the Home through the door?!" Hephaestus sighs and huffs at her husband while placing her hands on her waist. "you nearly frightened us all!"
"sorry! Sorry!" Helios laughs while scratching the back of his head and going near his Goddess wife. "I just finished my work as King that I just had to stop by for a trip!"
"that doesn't give you an excuse just to come barging in all surprisingly." Hephaestus said while crossing her arms under her chest and giving the half elf an accusing yet interrogating expression. "and I have a hard time believing that you finished those 3 months' worth of paperwork in just a single day."
"oh come on, Hephie~! I always finish my work for the chance of snuggle time with you!" Helios said with a smile as he went and grabs Hephaestus close by the waist and then gives her a kiss on the forehead before to her lips. "that's the promise I made for you when I became King those years ago, right?"
Hephaestus blushes to Helios who chuckles and started giving smooches to the goddess' face.
"man, do you guys always have to be sappy at times?" Tsubaki asked with a tired looking face, her reaction was just normal like she already seen how the two are with each other.
"I think it's cute." Ardee giggles to see the love shared by the King of Orario and the Goddess of Smiths.
"u-um..Uncle Helios?" Bell calls out to the white haired half elf who made a noise while stopping his smooching with Hephaestus to look at his nephew. "was… was dad with you?"
"Zagreus? No." Helios replied while shaking his head. "why you ask?"
"I just… I just felt him nearby before you appeared." Bell said as he points to the opened window. "by there."
"seriously, Bell?" Helios asked a bit confused. 'Zagreus is still away at Athens for the moment and hasn't gone back yet.' The white haired half elf smiles with chuckles before he went and ruffles his nephew's hair. "you must be missing him so much that you think you can sense him, huh? Hahahahaha! Don't worry! I'll let him know that you miss your Papa when he comes back, Bell. maybe he'll take you to a park nearby!"
"U-Uncle Helios!" Bell cried out in embarrassment. "I'm not a kid anymore!"
"you still are to me!" Helios grins and laughs at Bell's reaction as he just ruffles the boy's hair even more.
While Bell is trying to hold his embarrassment with Helios who continues to tease him. the young man is oblivious on the fact that his father is leaning against the wall near the opened window as he hears what is occurring inside without making his presence known.
Zagreus stays quiet as he raises his right hand that holds black ash like dust that he pours to the roof tiles below him. the particles flows down the tiles and into an alley that is filled with dead corpses of the black armored and cloaked individuals who are revealed to be ordinary people wearing attires that has the symbol of a Valkyrie that represents a Familia.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye