12 Rivira/GaneshaAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
[Make sure to read the Authors note at the end of the chapter :)]
[3rd POV]
Hestia could be seen humming a tune as she walked down the streets of Orario. She wasn't wearing her white goddess garb today, but instead a blue dress with a cut down the left leg, which showed off her thigh, not to mention the generous cleavage that was presented. She had bought this dress using the money that Al acquired after selling the golden egg, it was made from a queen arachnids silk, and was very high quality, perfect for the Denatus.
Hestia's humming abruptly stopped as she looked up at the 'building' that the Denatus was to be hosted in. The building was just the God Ganesha, sitting in the lotus position, with the doorway located in his crotch...
Hestia gave a sigh of resignation, she had to do this, if she didn't go inside it would take longer to get in touch with Hephaestus and board with her until the remodeling was done. With slumped shoulders, she took the walk of shame up to the young man collecting invitations, to which she handed it to him with a weak smile, which he returned one of understanding and waved her through.
The inside was much better than the outside appearance, Hestia noted that the statue of Ganesha was just built around the original building, and wasn't the building itself. She...Wasn't sure if that made it better or worse. Once inside the second building, she entered into the extravagant ballroom, full of chairs and tables, silk tablecloths, diamond chandeliers, and golden plates and cutlery. Truly extravagant. But this was expected of Ganesha, he was nothing if narcissistic, but he was not a bad God, he was actually very selfless and generous, as long as you agreed he was the best.
Hestia accepted a glass of champagne from a waitress before looking around for Hephaestus, who she spotted standing off to a corner accompanied by Freya of all people. Hestia gave a slight shiver at being near her but bit the blade and walked over with a large smile and announced her presence with a loud, "Hephaestus-Chan!" The Goddess of the forge looked away from her conversation with a smile as she saw her best friend, one of the few that didn't make fun of her for her deformity. "Hestia! I'm glad you could make it, I love the dress." Hestia gave her a large smile and returned the compliment before glancing to Freya and giving a nod of acknowledgment, Freya didn't seem to mind that and remarked, "Well, Hepahstus, I believe you understand the order I wish, so I will excuse myself to enjoy the festivities." Before excusing herself.
"Hmmm? What's the slut want from you, Heph-chan?~" Hestia questioned her friend while looking at Freya's back. Hephaestus just sighed and explained, "She wants me to build a living weapon for her to bless and give to a 'White Rabbit' as she explained it. I didn't really want to deal with her and threw out a huge price tag, but she agreed without a second thought. I'm honestly worried for whatever kid she's got her sights on." Hestia hummed with slight apprehension at the mention of a 'White Rabbit'. She hoped she was wrong, "How much did you charge her?" Hephaestus gave a slight smile at the mention of the money, "600 million Valis" Hestia sputtered in shock at this. "I know right? Well, enough about me, how have you been Hestia? I heard you have some pretty impressive children."
Hestia couldn't help but smile at the mention of her Familia, "Umu, I've got Alistair, who is just like a knight," She leaned in and beckoned Hephaestus closer, which she obliged, "He's level.....Seven." Hephaestus gasped in shock and mouthed, 'Really?' to which Hestia nodded vigorously while bouncing on the balls of her feet. "But that's not all, Bell, he leveled up to level 2 in only one week!" Hephaestus had heard about this rumor, but she was surprised, all the same, it took the Sword Princess a year after all. "And then there is Lili, she's only level one and a supporter, but she's really good at it." Hephaestus smiled while resting her hand on Hestia's shoulder, "I'm truly glad that you found them, I was worried for you for a while there."
Hestia laughed and then remembered her reason for coming here, "Can I ask you for a favor?" Hephaestus's demeanor immediately changed and stated, "No loans." Hestia gave a look of mock shock, "I would never!" The two of them then began giggling before Hestia got to the meat of the matter, "Can I stay at your place until the church is remodeled? I refuse to stay at Loki's mansion..." Hephaestus took on a look of thinking before nodding and said, "Sure, it's been too long since we've had a girls' night out." Hestia grabbed Hephaestus's hand with a bright smile and said, "There is one more thing!" Hephaestus nodded and Hestia explained, "Can you help me push for Al and Bell's Alias's?" To which Hephaestus agreed easily.
"Umu! I love you Heph-Chan!"
[Floor 18]
[City of Rivira]
[Al POV]
I let my feet rest in the water while Tsubaki leaned against my shoulder, my arm around her waist. "It's hard to believe we're sandwiched between floors of monsters ready to rip our throats out..." Tsubaki commented while drawing figure 8's in the water with her foot. "Indeed, it's my blessing that I have a fair maiden to keep my mind off them, it seems." To which she flung some water at my face while giggling, "Your silver tongue is getting more and more out of hand..." she said while I looked down at her face.
Today was the second day of our expedition, and we were taking a day off in Rivira, the 'Undercity', letting everyone get nice and drunk and relaxed so they won't complain from constant fighting in the next month or so. Smart really, and I wasn't complaining. I leaned down still locking eyes with Tsubaki, who blushed, noticing what I was doing, but didn't back away as I locked lips with her, pulling her closer to me. We stayed like that for a few moments before breaking the connection, her muttering, "We've been gone for hours, we should get to the city soon....." Though she didn't make a move to leave, instead, she was the one to take my lips this time around. "I think they can wait a few minutes longer...." I said when we broke apart again. She gave a smile of her own, more predatory than the bashful one from a moment ago. "Your right, their big kids, they can look after themselves." Before pushing me down to the ground and straddling my abdomen, and assaulting my lips, as we lost ourselves in time.
[1 hour later]
[Al POV]
We walked back into the camp, bathing suits replaced for our combat gear, nearly as soon as we returned, a teen boy from the Loki Familia told us that Finn was looking for us, and to meet him in the meeting tent. After acknowledging the kid, we made our way to the tent, and we heard many voices from inside, after parting the sheet and entering, I was able to identify the voices. They belonged to, Finn, Gareth, Riveria, Tiona and Tione and finally Ais.
"Ah! Mister Knight and Tsu's here!" Tiona shouted when we entered, revealing her unique nicknames for us. Finn glanced up and gave a nod before gesturing to an empty spot in the circle, big enough for the two of us to squeeze into. Once we were in position Finn spoke, "Alright, now that we are all present, we have received a credible source from a member of the Hermes Familia, that there is a Vouivre on floor 21, we are assembling a small group to go and capture it, so that we can harvest the materials from it. Do we have any volunteers?" The only one to instantly put their hand up was Ais, after shrugging I raised my hand also, Tsubaki following soon after and finally Riveria. When no one else raised their hands, Finn clapped and commented, "Alright, since we will be heading out in the morning, I suggest you four head out soon, by the time you catch it, we should be caught up to you. There is a chest outside that has a specially crafted net and tranquilizer, good luck. Meeting adjourned."
At his dismissal, we all prepared for our duties, except Tione, who instantly began to bug Finn. "Ever fought a Vouivre before, Al?" Tsubaki asked me as we exited and prepared to move out. "Not that I recall, but I look forward to it," I remarked with a smile, though she couldn't see it under my helmet, she smiled as well as if she sensed it.
[3rd POV]
Bell ducked around another alleyway, dodging a throwing knife. He had been heading to the Twighlight Manor, with a basket of food from the Hostess of Fertility, when someone had said his name. He turned around to address them but was stabbed in the hand. His quick reflexes keeping it from impacting his unprotected gut. Without his gear, Bell had no choice but to run from the unknown assassin, who was chasing him relentlessly. Without realizing it, he ended up in the Red Light district. Panicking again, for a different reason, he picked a random direction and ran, but was stopped in his tracks and yanked off the street by a strong grip, "Well aren't you just a little snack, why don't you let big sis here show you a good time, boy?" He glanced back at the woman addressing him and saw a large Amazoness holding onto-wait, he knew this woman from somewhere... "Oya? Aren't you the boy that was with the Knight? What are you doing around her- What happened to your hand?" She said in surprise before noticing the hole in Bell's palm.
Right at that moment, the black-clothed Assasin rounded the corner, knife in hand, but his eyes widened at the sight of the Amazoness holding his mark. Aisha didn't hesitate to draw her weapon and launched it like a knife, striking the man in the throat, he fell where he stood, gurgling. "Why was he chasing you, boy?" She asked Bell who shook his head and stuttered out, "I-I don't know, I was just bringing food home from a tavern and I heard my name being called, when I turned around, he stabbed me." He winced slightly when he presented his hand. Aisha gave a nod and retrieved her weapon before grabbing him and guiding him into the building she was standing in front of. "I can't help you right now, but my friend Haruhime can patch your hand up. But don't you dare try to fuck her, If you do ill cut your dick off." Bell squeaked and nodded vigorously, neither of them noticing the body of the Assassin turning into dust, an invisible force leaving the body and rushing off into the night.
[AN: So, this is voting time, go back to chapter 10 and comment whether you want this Assassin to be from the Apolo Familia or a special secret faction Ive been thinking about adding. When I go to write the next chapter I'll tally them up.]
