Ouranos' Descent

The celestial halls of the gods buzzed with anticipation. For eons, the gods had watched, debated, and waited, confined to their heavenly domains, their immense power restricted by the Divine Sealing Pact Bell had forced them into. But now, the time had come. They were to choose who among them would be the first to descend to the mortal world, to experience the realm they had only observed from above.

A massive table carved from celestial stone stood in the center of the hall, surrounded by the most powerful deities of various pantheons. Zeus, Odin, Freya, Shiva, and others all sat, their faces marked with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. At the head of the table stood a tall figure, his presence commanding respect without need for words—Ouranos, the God of the Skies, was a natural leader, as ancient as the heavens themselves.

The gods had spent hours discussing who among them would be the best candidate to make the first descent. The debates were fierce, for this was no small matter. The god they chose would represent their kind, the first to interact directly with mortals under the new rules of the Divine Sealing Pact. Finally, the discussion had boiled down to one question: Who could guide the mortals with both wisdom and strength, shaping the future while respecting the new balance Bell had forged?

The answer had been unanimous: Ouranos.

Zeus, his booming voice loudest among the gods, declared, "There is no one better. Ouranos, you have watched over us all for millennia. You understand both the divine and mortal realms. You are wise and steady, the perfect one to lead."

Odin nodded, his one eye gleaming with ancient wisdom. "We trust you to pave the way for us, Ouranos. The mortals will respect you, and you will uphold the balance."

Freya, the goddess of beauty and war, smiled softly. "Perhaps this will also teach us humility. We have watched them for so long... it's time we learn to live among them."

Ouranos listened to their words in silence, his gaze firm. He had seen the arrogance that had festered within the gods over time. Bell Cranel had been a necessary force to humble them, and now it was up to him to ensure that their descent into the mortal world would be smooth and just. The weight of the gods' expectations lay heavy on his shoulders, but Ouranos was no stranger to responsibility. He had ruled from the heavens, and now he would guide mortals and gods alike from the earth.

"I accept this task," Ouranos finally said, his deep voice resonating through the hall like thunder. "I will descend and work with Bell Cranel to shape the future of this world. But remember, we are not infallible here. The Pact binds us all. If we misuse our power, our very existence is at risk. This is no longer the realm where we are absolute."

And with that, the decision was made.

The air shimmered as Ouranos touched down upon the mortal soil. His form, no longer wrapped in the divine aura that once marked him as a god, appeared almost human—tall, regal, and powerful, yet lacking the overwhelming, crushing presence the gods once wielded freely. He looked up at the skies, his domain, now distant, and felt the weight of the mortal realm settle upon him. It was humbling, in a way, and oddly exhilarating.

Bell Cranel stood waiting for him, flanked by his students. They welcomed the god with open arms, their eyes gleaming with admiration and respect. Bell approached with a warm smile, a firm hand extended in greeting. "Welcome, Ouranos."

The god took Bell's hand, his grip strong but restrained. "It is strange," Ouranos said, his voice quieter than usual. "To be here, to walk among mortals without the veil of divinity… I can feel the pulse of the earth beneath my feet."

Bell nodded. "You'll get used to it. There's a beauty in the simplicity of this world. It's raw, untamed. And in some ways, more powerful than anything we've known."

They led Ouranos through the growing city of Orario, showing him the bustling streets, the newly constructed buildings, and the foundations of what would become the infamous Dungeon. Bell introduced him to mortals—ordinary men and women who now worked to build a future for themselves in this evolving world. Ouranos observed them carefully, admiring their determination and spirit. It was a side of mortals that few gods had ever truly appreciated.

At the end of the tour, Bell and his students brought Ouranos to the main square, where a platform had been set for his introduction to the people. The crowd gathered in excited whispers as Bell took the stage.

"People of Orario," Bell began, his voice ringing out over the crowd. "We stand on the brink of a new era. For too long, we mortals have lived under the watchful eyes of gods, but now, they walk among us. And today, we are honored to welcome the first of those gods, the wise and powerful Ouranos, God of the Skies."

The crowd cheered as Ouranos stepped forward, his calm and regal presence quieting them.

"Mortals," Ouranos spoke, his voice carrying an authority that commanded attention. "I am not here to rule over you, but to guide you. The world is changing, and it is your will, your determination, that will shape its future. I will work alongside Bell Cranel and his students to create a just and prosperous land. Together, we will protect you from the dangers that lurk below."

Ouranos turned to Bell, and together they outlined the new plans for the city's governance. They devised a structured government body, one that would respect both the gods' wisdom and the mortals' needs. It was a system that would balance divine influence with mortal independence, ensuring that no one—god or mortal—held absolute power.

As they spoke, they also addressed the pressing issue of the Dungeon and its multiple entrances. Not only did Orario house an entrance, but there was another in Melen, deep beneath the sea.

"This world is filled with dangers," Ouranos said, "and we must prepare for them. The Dungeon is but one of those dangers. But with careful planning, we can keep these threats at bay."

Bell nodded in agreement. "We'll send people to Melen to close off the entrance there. We can't allow monsters to pour into the world unchecked. And here, in Orario, we'll create the foundation of something great."

After many days of planning, Ouranos returned to the heavens to bring more gods to the mortal realm. This time, the descent was different. The gods knew their powers were sealed, but they came willingly, eager to experience the world that Bell and Ouranos were shaping. Among those who descended were Zeus and Hera, both powerful gods with grand ambitions, but who, for now, would play by the rules set forth by Bell.

When they arrived, Bell met them, smiling as he extended his hand. "Welcome to the mortal realm. You know the rules."

Zeus grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I wouldn't dream of breaking them. But this new system you're putting in place... I have to say, I'm intrigued."

It was then that Bell and Ouranos introduced the gods to the concept of Falna—a way for gods to share a fraction of their power with mortals without breaking the Divine Sealing Pact. By creating a bond between the gods and mortals, they could foster stronger, braver heroes to fight the evils of the world. It was a delicate balance, but it would allow mortals to rise to new heights without tipping the scales of power.

"This," Bell said, addressing the gods and the mortals alike, "is the beginning of something new. Families formed under the gods—Familias—will protect this world and explore the dangers below. It is through your bond with your gods that you will grow stronger."

And so, the first Familias were born. Zeus, Hera, and others created their houses, inviting mortals into their fold. It was a partnership built on trust and mutual respect, and soon, the once ordinary men and women of Orario began to rise as powerful adventurers. The city grew, its walls reaching higher, its influence spreading across the land.

As Bell watched, a sense of satisfaction settled over him. This was the world he had helped shape—a world where mortals and gods worked together for the first time in history. It was a new era, and Bell was ready for the challenges that would come.