3 Chapter 3-The Great Labyrinth City of Orario

Orario.

Where fame and glory are found deep in the mysterious Dungeon; and the Gods walk amongst humans.

A place filled with fear and darkness, where that darkness takes the shape of monsters and the fear takes the shape of the horrors that lay deep within.

From Dead Snowy Forests where Frost Giants walk; to caves where Giant Ants and Goblins

The dungeon was a cacophony of darkness and fear, where only those who have the bravery and Strength can earn their way up to the top of he food chain of the city.

The Gods of the upper world came down a thousand years ago and helped the humans by giving them the Falna, The Blessing, which gave the humans the ability to fight the monster hordes of the lower world.

This was not all I knew of Orario, I knew facts about the Familias that call he city home, as I know that out of all of hem the Loki Familia would be the best to join, but also the hardest to get into.

I also knew that I would probably draw the attention of a certain Goddess if I wasn't careful and that if I were to enter her gaze, I would be doomed.

But I would burn that bridge when I cross it, for now zi wanted to explore the city.

After making it through the City gates, my senses were assaulted by the sounds and smells of the busy city.

In all honesty, it reminded me a lot of New York, the busy city streets that we're bustling with noise and people of all colours and races, the smells of food vendors and the occasional alleyway that reeked of a foul smell, almost like rat poop.

I had entered the city with Damnation in its Third form: Living Vine, having it tied around my waist and shoulders like a harness, mostly covered by my cloak.

As I explored he city I came across a few notable places.

The Guild was one of them, I entered, looked around, asked a few questions about any Familiar that wanted new members and hen left with noth8ng interesting happening.

Another location was the Hostess of Fertility, but because I didn't have any Valis on me, I couldn't really go in and try anything.

And third was the Dungeons Entrance, which was packed with Adventures and Supporters of all shapes, sizes, colours and races.

I could also feel a bunch of emotions.

That was something I noticed when arriving in the city.

Heart reading was like a passive skill most of the time, and only when I concentrated could I read minds.

I could feel both excitement and anxiety in the air. The air was thick with both of them, to the point that it was almost suffocating to me.

As I was looking for a sustainable place to lay my head for the night, I came across a very interesting scene.

At a food cart stood a beautiful woman seemingly closing up shop for the day, she was short and had long brown, almost chocolate coloured, hair and glistening blue eyes that looked as if they matched the sky.

I immediately recognized this woman as the Goddess Hestia, Goddess of the Hestia Familia and Goddess of Faily and the Home.

I was about to pass her by when she suddenly called out to me.

"Hey, you with the orange eyes, stop right there!"

I turned to see her stopping up to me.

"Y-Yes Ma'm?"

She gave me a stern look and looked at me with appraising eyes.

She grabbed my hand and closed her eyes, I could feel a warmth spreading out from her hand and into my arm.

'Is this a Goddesses Divinity?!' I shouted in my mind.

But soon I felt a pushing sensation coming from deep within me, it was as if something was trying to fight back the warmth.

Hestia seemed to notice this and gripped my hand harder and a more powerful warmth pushed through my arm and up into my shoulder.

In response, the pushing sensation that came from within me seemed to grow just as, or if not stronger than the warmth of Hestia's Divinity.

Her eyes snapped open and she let go of my wrist.

"What Are You?!"

"I-I don't know what you are talking about"

"That just then... That was a reaction a Spirit would give to a Gods Divinity, Are You A Spirit?!"

I was a little shocked by her statement at first, but then I remembered a certain bit of information that I got from the Spirit Spear.

'As a reborn with the blessing of a True Goddess, You will be recognized as a 'Child favoured by the Gods' in the world of Danmachi that will make you a Spirit'

As I looked into Hestia's suspicious eyes, I panicked and instead of Saying no, trying to preserve my identity as a 'human', I said Yes.

We stood there as if surprised at my answer, like it wasn't what she expected me to say.

We looked around, seeing if anyone was looking at them; no one was.

"come with me!" she said as she dragged me towards broken down District of the City.

This was where she lived with Bell.

As she continued to half drag; half lead me towards her home.

She started to ask me questions.

"Where are you from?"

"What's your name?"

"How old are you?"

"What's with the rope you have tied around your waist?"

I did my best to answer her, but the more I did the more suspicious she became of me.

I had said I was raised in the forest by my older sister and that one day a week ago she left andbpnever came back, I also told her my name was Harlequin, no last name, I was going to say King, by hta sounded a little weird. I said I relatively Young, despite my appearance.

And as for the rope, I said it was a secret that my sister said to never tell anyone that I couldn't trust with my life.

She stopped asking questions after that, but once we arrived at what I presumed was the abandoned church where she lived with bell.

"Im sorry for not introducing myself, my name is Hestia, I am the Goddess of the Hestia Familia" she said with a slightly pink face, realising that she had yet to introduce her self to me.

"Well Goddess Hestia, I am Harlequin, A Spirit from the forest just outside of this City" I said as she lead me to the back of the church and down a pair of hidden stairs.

Once we were down there she sat me down and began to explain her actions.