Gods Face-Off (Revised and expanded)

The Jigoku clan ate their breakfast feast in peace, then introduced themselves to Jiutian Xuannü.

"I'm Naruto Jigoku. This is my wife Fuu and our servant Shuren."

"And you must be a Renard?" Jiutian Xuannü asked.

"Tsk...I prefer Kitsune. I'm much better than those fox people." Naruto countered.

"I'm Akira Jigoku, and this is my daughter, Karin."

"Pleasure to meet you." Jiutian Xuannü replied.

"I'm Rock Jigoku and this is my Wife, Sakura."

"I am Orochimaru Jigoku."

"And I am Seiichi Jigoku. These are my women, Ino, Pakura, Yakumo, Hinata and her servant Natsu. We are all Jigoku, even the servants. That is what family is." 

"Hmm, I see. And the mark between the brow? Is that a trait of your clan?" Jiutian Xuannü asked.

"It is," Seiichi replied.

"And the horns that you and  Hinata  have?" 

"They are also a trait of our clan."

"And I assume the...Kitsune and draconic man are also traits of the clan?"

"Precisely," said Seiichi.

"Haha, your background is as deep as I first imagined. A clan of oddities." Said the Goddess. "Good. I, myself, am an oddity in heaven, and it is why I hide in the mortal world as the owner of this quaint little Inn."

"So why take a chance on this lowly clan?" Ino asked.

"I see greatness in your clan. Now tell me, when would you like to receive my blessing?"

"Not just yet. If you want us to be a part of your familia, you have to give your blessing to our mounts as well. Back home, the Behemoths are no less than the human race. They deserve a chance to climb to the top." Seiichi explained.

Jiutian Xuannü was at a loss for words. To her, the Behemoths were like tamed monsters, to grant them her blessing...

"Damn it all… Why not?" Jiutian proclaimed.

That afternoon Jiutian Xuannü gave her blessings to the Jigoku clan and each of the Behemoths. With a single drop of blood upon their backs and a momentary episode of stinging pain, everyone was finally granted the key to a higher power.

According to Skynet, the world was locked by the ruling deities. Only allowing the divine power, Falna, as a way to transcend mortal limitations. Though Seiichi and a few others were granted grimoires from an ancient time, the divine blessing was the dominant and only present cultivation method.

'This power… So this is the full extent of Falna. The sliver of Falna within us is nothing compared to what Jiutian Xuannü has just gifted us.' Seiichi thought to himself as he examined his refined body, now brimming with the strength of a level two adventure.

'Ahh. My Grimoire.' Seiichi thought as he retrieved the black book and watched as everyone's stats and skills became more detailed. As the leader, his grimoire evolved to his status.

'Hmm. It seems our past abilities are now our skills. Isn't that a bit tyrannical?'

'No, Sir. The Jutsu that you all once used is your natural abilities. As you grow well versed in this world's energy. You will naturally recreate your jutsu with magic as a base. Because of that, it will naturally be seen as skill or spell by the world's natives.' Skynet explained. 

'So our skills are truly what we make them?'

'Yes. While others will be granted powers by a wheel of fortune. You and your people aren't limited by such things. And that's not considering the spells that the world will grant you through your grimoire, generated by the trials of life, death, and blood.'

'I see. Then let us go forth and conquer.'

--------------------------------------------------

To define a deity, one can compare them to Heavenly Laws. Deities are the heavenly laws made manifest. They are war, sex, debauchery, fire, lightning, the sky. Within those domains, Deities are the peak existence. 

Jiutian Xuannu. Goddess of war, sex, longevity, and martial magic. Her four domains made her the perfect match for the Jigoku Family. As such, she happily strolled into the City of Orario. She treated every second like war. The slightest hesitation meant death unless that hesitation was part of the plan to win the war.

The Jigoku clan now rode into the City of Orario on the backs of their Behemoths. Jiutian Xuannu and Seiichi rode in a carriage together pulled by a behemoth chief, Lord Sigurd. The show was spectacular. All of Orario stopped and watched their arrival, the beauty of the Jigoku women outshined the sun. The men were portrayed as goliaths, and their mounts were massive beasts never before seen.

But above all, everyone wondered who rode in the carriage.

"Mortal!" Orochimaru pointed to an elven woman with long auburn locks and fair skin.

"M-mortal? Me?" the woman asked.

"Where is the Adventurer's Guild?" he asked.

The woman stammered through her response and tried her best to maintain eye contact with the handsome Orochimaru. 

"Tsk…" Orochimaru couldn't wait. He quickly swooped the woman up from her place on the street and continued to lead the clan per the woman's nervous directions.

"That Orochimaru. That snake is sensitive to potential. And like the Sharingan, I think he just found his new obsession." Seiichi spoke his thoughts aloud.

"You mean the elf?" Jiutian Xuannu asked.

"Yes, the elf. When I bought the slaves, Orochimaru was keen on their beauty and intrigued that most of the slaves were elves with strong Yin energy. He believes the race is special."

"Will the girl be safe?"

Seiichi chuckled. "A stupid question to ask as the Goddess of this profane demonic familia. Don't worry, that old snake is a professional who knows what he is doing." Seiichi replied.

Seiichi continued to stare at the bustling city. All of its colorful joy made him sick. 

"I wonder what horrors this place actually hides. Deities, power-drunk humans, spineless worms all in one place. This should be fun."

The Goddess watched him with a satisfied smile. 'Exactly like the bone scriptures… You've chosen well Jiutian Xuannu.'

Sometime later, Seiichi and his clan dismounted. The moment the world saw Seiichi, everyone had their thoughts. But none more prominent than the Amazonian race. With Seiichi's tanned skin, they all assumed that he was an amazonian himself. 

But what really turned the Amazonian women on was his robust bearing and cold eyes. They knew he was the one in charge. The moment the beautiful Goddess stepped out of the carriage behind him and followed on his heels. The Amazonian women began to boil like liquid magma. Their nether regions stirred, and the hearts fluttered along with their will to fight him.

Seiichi suddenly stopped at the door of the Guildhall once he felt the battle intent. Every amazonian was shaken by his murderous aura delivered with a few quick glances.

Seiichi produced a hearty laugh. "And here I thought I was about to have a little fun!" 

In the crowd, A group of adventurers had arrived. Within this group, two sisters could sense the discomfort within the Amazonians. They then focused on the foreign beasts and Seiichi's brief profile as he disappeared into the Guildhall.

The main building of the Guild is called the Pantheon. It is a vast space with counters for adventurers to talk with their advisors and an exchange area for material collected in the dungeon. There are also small meeting boxes where adventurers can speak one-on-one with their advisors without anyone else hearing them. Aside from that, there are back conference halls usually used for large families gathered for in-depth meetings and a Library area.

  Seiichi and Jiutian approached the window. Jiutian introduced herself and asked to register her adventures. Naturally, the advisors gave her respect and anxiously ushered her away with her family. Taken to a large room, enough to accommodate the entire Familia, the advisor, Selene, introduced herself.

The Guild worker was gorgeous, with a few boyish features steaming from her time as a lone survivor in the depths of the dungeon. "All of you will have to fill out separate forms. And the beasts you rode in on must be registered as well. I assume they are monsters."

"Easy, Kid. If they hear you, you're a goner. Give me the forms." Seiichi ordered. 

Going through the series of forms that took nearly ten minutes, Selene began to ask for everyone's rank as it was the only box unfilled across every form, even Seiichi's. They looked at Jiutian, and she facepalmed herself as she giggled.

"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. This is my first time, and I was so excited I forgot to make it official." Jiutian rambled.

"Wait." said Seiichi, "It wasn't marked as required."

"For the first two levels, it is." Selene replied, "You have to be at least level one to enter the dungeon and at least level two to accept quests. After that, your rank is your business."

Jiutian tapped Seiichi's shoulder to calm him, then moved behind Rock and pulled up his shirt. Without any killing Intent focused on him, Rock didn't move a muscle. Jiutian swiped her thumb across her finger, allowing the crimson glob to drop on his back.

In an instant, light shinned, and a cool, almost near the point of burning, sensation filled his body.

"All stats SSS. Level 2" Jiutian sang. "Rock Jigoku."

The advisor was gobsmacked for two reasons. The first is that the Goddess wasn't the least bit ceremonial when bestowing her blessing. Secondly, she had met many adventures with SSS level stats, but for Rock to have all his stats caped was mind-boggling.

"Sakura Jigoku, Level 2"

"Naruto Jigoku, Level 2"

"Fu Jigoku, Level 2"

"Shuren, Level 2"

"Natsu Hyuga, Level 2"

Jiutian went on, and everyone, including the Behemoths, was reported as level 2. Though the advisor found it odd that only Rock's stats were announced, she kept her thoughts to herself. 

"Seiichi Jigoku. Level 2," Seiichi spoke to himself as he was the only one to be gifted the Goddess's blessing before entering the city.

"Can we get a meeting room and a single advisor for the entire familia?" Jiutian asked. It had been a long time since she entered the city, but she remembered a few fundamental rights that wouldn't have changed unless the sky was overturned.

In a meeting room,  A golden-haired man stood in front of the room and delivered a deep and lingering bow.

"My name is Dimitri Rosefinch! I will be your advisor!" He shouted.

Dimitri was present because Selene couldn't handle an entire familia on her own. Such a task took grit. Grit that she didn't have. 

Seiichi silently nodded, and his family took their leave. The clan first stopped at the exchange and exchanged all of the unused resources for money. They gave the exchange everything they had accumulated since the start of their journey, except for the rarest and unknown items. The payout was so large that money was added to Jiutain's bank vault. The familia then waited with the mounts.

In the meeting room, Seiichi got straight to the point. "First, You will not distribute any mission to my Familia. They come straight to the Goddess or me. I don't care who issued the mission. You will pay if you break this rule. Finally, I would like to know if your library has information on the dungeon, its monsters, and the Familias in the city?"

Dimitri smirked. He had dealt with many familias, and one thing he learned was that the east and Familias of African descent were strict about manners.

"Of course, my lord. The first two can be prepared, or you can explore yourself. As for the third, I have something not available in the Guild. It will cost you as we aren't allowed to provide dossiers on other familias."

"Price." Jiutian Spoke. She was interested in seeing who ran the city and who had fallen from glory. Most importantly, she wanted to know if any of her enemies were in the city.

As time passed, Seiichi scanned the books in the guild library. It was better than purchasing them, as Skynet would automatically store information for him. After some time, the dossier on the familias in the city was given to Jiutian, then the pair left the Guild.

As the Jiutian Familia left the Guild, Jiutian sensed multiple pairs of eyes on her. She suddenly laughed hysterically as she shouted, "I'm back, bitches!"

Shivers rolled down the spine of many spectators, and only a few of them dawned smiles. Not smiles of happiness but more battle-crazed than anything.

"Hey!" Seiichi's voice rumbled, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Huhu, just saying 'hello.' Let's find someplace quiet." Said Jiutian.

Sometime later, the Familia was sitting in a quiet pub called Hostess of Fertility.

"Allow me to find us a place to lay our head. You lot should gear up and head to the dungeon immediately." Jiutian was a serious as she had ever been.

"Who was watching us?" Seiichi finally asked.

"Huh?" Jiutian was shocked.

"Why so shocked? We all felt it, and Seiichi was most likely the first." Naruto spoke nonchalantly.

"Mmm." Rock hummed in agreement, "He's the most splendid Ninja of our generation."

Jiutian was genuinely surprised by everyone's reactions. "Let's just say I wasn't the best Goddess. I terrorized the heavens. Stole boyfriends and husbands. And to some, I was the perfect whetstone for their blade. For now, we should be cautious of anyone from the Freya Familia, Current or former."

"Why former?" Hinata asked.

"Because that woman has a dangerously obsessive, and once a target is gained, a possessive personality. She doesn't know the meaning of letting go." Jiutian explained with deep eyes that seemed to be looking back into the past. "She can fool the universe but not me. Her smile is just a mask."

"You all heard the lady. Freya Familia is out of bounds." Seiichi spoke out, and the family agreed without any resistance. "However, We need to replenish our stock before hitting the dungeon. And you need to apply for a loan."

"Loan?" Jiutian was appalled.

"First lesson of a shinobi, Deceit. No one needs to know our financial capabilities. The facade of struggle will draw out our hidden enemies better than any plan you can concoct. And based on the number of eyes that landed on us, I assume that 'you' have many enemies that are now 'our' enemies." Seiichi explained.

After a much-needed meal, the clan found a temporary home. It wasn't an inn, more like a manor for rent.

After arriving at the rented Manor, Seiichi and Ino showered and dressed. With multiple wives, keeping them happy was a full-time job, if not part-time. Bit never was it to be neglected. It was Ino's and Seiichi's turn to have a date night, and no life-threatening event had occurred to stop them.

Seiichi and Ino strolled through the bustling night market, holding each other, lightly chatting. They weren't alone, as many couples were out enjoying the night, adding to the warm ambiance.

Ino suddenly pulled away and ran to a stall that sold flowers. Seiichi watched as her eyes lit up and her heaven-defying smile illuminated the night. 

Sometime later, Seiichi and Ino walked into a lively restaurant as they were greeted by a hostess. Seiichi saw the boy once more. He wasn't much of a note when Seiichi spotted him during his entry into the city, but a second encounter was leading towards destiny. He was a white-haired boy with eyes as red as the Sharingan. As everyone looked towards the door to watch the boy dash away without paying for his meal, their eyes settled on the unusual couple. 

Though, Seiichi and Ino were in a new world. They kept their style. Ino kept her long blonde hair that now reached her ankles, and beautiful banes draped over the right side of her face. She wore mesh metal armor underneath a fitted violet crop top that showed her tone, slim stomach, and a violet dress with a slit up the right side that highlighted her curves, fell to her ankles, and brought attention to her heels. On her waist was the Eight-Sided Dragon Han Wu Sword.

Next to the 172 cm tall girl, Seiichi towered over her and most of the people in the restaurant. He wore tan ninja pants, a black mesh armor shirt, with a tan sash. Upon his back was the Chaotic Trident of the Archsage.

The room looked the couple over a few times then returned to their meals. Once they found their seats, Ino ordered food for them both. When she was finished, she softly smiled as she watched Seiichi. 

He was quietly sitting with his eyes closed as he sensed the room. It was the first skill they converted from chakra to the world's energy. If a shinobi couldn't sense their enemy, it only meant death.

Seiichi slowly opened his eyes, and Ino asked, "What did you find, my love?"

"They're powerful, the table behind us, the barkeeper, and the waitress. They hold the crown. But the ones beneath them are no joke either. Like the shinobi world, the energy they emit is clearly defined. We have to get stronger."

"Hehehe, look at you," Ino replied. "I almost thought the quiet life would become you. Hinata knew better. But I liked to hope."

"Haa. Ino, we can live quietly again in the next world. But it was fun while it lasted." said Seiichi.

"It was… and for a moment I could sell flowers...." Ino stopped for a moment. "Seiichi, this place is very different. Do you think special flowers exist here?"

"Of course. In that dungeon, countless flowers are waiting for you."

Ino nodded. "So how are we going to do this? We're barely reclaiming our power, and we've been resting for a year."

"Simple. We're seasoned shinobi who conquered a realm and broke into the higher plane. We will continue to make our jutsu compatible with this plane as it doesn't have chakra or natural energy. But we will also work on gaining developmental abilities, Skills, Magic, and Curses."

"Then we should get our gear in order and enter the dungeon as soon as possible. Once there, we can temper and refine ourselves. Based on our abilities that we have, the world laws will grant us supporting features, Skills, magic, curses, that aid our way of fighting."

The next day, Seiichi rose early to speak to the Gnomes. Pulling Jiutian Xuannu from bed, he took her along with him. Gnomes were the money keepers of the world. They owned banks across the continents and weren't to be taken lightly. 

A loan of one Million Valis was granted to Jiutian. More than enough to outfit everyone in the familia and dress Jiutian for her upcoming Meeting of the Gods. Seiichi's next stop was to visit the Heaphestus familia workshop. He gave them the designs for wire, Shurkens, Kunai, senbo, and makibishi spikes. Using simple black iron and apprentice smiths, Seiichi spent 200,000 Valis before leaving.

The rest of the loan went towards provisions. Food, water, and camping gear. Everything that was leftover was given to Jiutian Xuannu. But it wasn't like she needed it. It was all a show. 

The Jigoku clan spent an entire day preparing, and once the order arrived from the Hephaestus familia, Seiichi mounted his Behemoth and led his clan to the dungeon under the cloak of night. 

----------------------------

It was now midday in the city of Orario when Jiutian Xuannu walked through the main room dressed in her most pleasing clothing for the meeting of the gods.

As she walked down the steps of the rented manor, Jiutian was shocked to see a mirage waiting for her. In an instant, her body relaxed, and she tittered at the thought of Seiichi caring for her even when he was away.

Whether she was considered a valued resource or a genuine worshiped Goddess. She dared not ask the question. 

Meanwhile, in the dungeon, each Jigoku member was dressed in their personal shinobi attire. They sat upon their behemoths as they looked on to the newbie road – the first passage within the infinite dungeon.

A nostalgic feeling washed over them as they remembered the first missions, fresh out of the shinobi academy. 

"The first floor…." Pakura spoke.

Seichi dismounted his Behemoth and faced his clan. "Shuren, Natsu. If you excel in this world, you two will become full members of the Jigoku clan, free to do as you wish. Do well. Everyone dismount. Chief Sigurd, I would like you and your clan to participate, though you can not wonder. Many think you are all monsters, and they will kill you if you wonder."

Lord Sigurd replied respectfully, "You know best, Lord Jigoku. Please take care of us."

"One day, you will take human form, and more freedom will be granted to all of you. I look forward to seeing such achievements. We will clear every floor and collect every drop before moving on to the next floor. This expedition is about learning about yourself and understanding this new power within us. It is not a showcase of strength. Be self-aware, vigilant, and flexible. Let's begin." Seiichi turned around and proceeded to lead his party on a new adventure.

-------------------------------

After a short ride, the sky darkened, and Jiutian Xuannu stepped out of the carriage and took a deep breath to calm her anxiety. She had finally created a familia, and for the first time since she descended, she was joining a convening of deities.

  Jiutian Xuannu made her way down a grand staircase into a ballroom filled with food and other deities that took residence within the cities and across the mortal continents. 

The moment she entered the room, her beauty stopped everything. Eyes were fixed on her as they compared her beauty to Ishtar and Freya's. Until one God spoke up to reveal her identity.

"The cursed Goddess... Jiutian Xuannu." he gasped

"The Goddes of sex, war, and longevity."

"And Martial magic!" A god dressed in kimono spoke loud and clear. "The Dark Lady of the Nine Heavens has returned!"

She could hear their words of fear, awe, lust, and outright shock.

The sky rumbled, and lightning struck. A wave so fierce it caused the souls of the mortals to quake. The deities present looked towards the sky and knew the chief God Ouranos had acknowledged her return.

All of the anxiety that Jiutian Xuannu felt was incinerated in a moment. She put on a dazzling smile and walked over to her friend. "Takemikazuchi the Sword God." 

Takemikazuchi smiled. "Jiutian, where have you been hiding?"

"And I thought you were in the Far East. You've come to reclaim your grandeur?" Jiutian then leaned close and whispered in his ear, "Kashima-no-kami." 

"Hohoho. I just might have some fun here, after all. It's nice to have you back." Takemikazuchi replied and took his leave.

For the most part, no one had expected Jiutian to descend to the mortal, yet here she was in front of them. 

Jiutian smiled and planned to mingle when a lustful aura washed over her. Then a burst of killing intent.

"Thanatos, Ares," Jiutian spoke, and her voice was like a sweet song that could stir emotions of even the disciplined God. 

The two Gods stared each other down for a second longer before turning their attention back to Jiutian. 

"I heard you were back," said Thanatos.

"I felt your presence. After all, soulmates share such a connection." Ares added, and Thanatos frowned.

"Huhu, Ares, how's what's her name doing? You know, the married one. Aphrodite, wasn't it?" 

Ares' face paled. "It wasn't like--"

"Enough... I have no interest in it. No interest in... you." Jiutian shooed Ares off as Thanatos laughed. Jiutian then held her arm out, and Thanatos moved to take it.

"I thought you had no interest in this mortal world." Said Thanatos.

"I thought so too." Jiutian sighed. "I also thought you were moving on. I've had many partners, and I hate to watch you twiddle your thumbs as I live my life."

"I have moved on. But your beauty has this effect on me, Jiutian." Thanatos replied, "So what do you need? I know you didn't come here for these people."

"I need you. I have a Familia now. And we need a place. Something large, open area, off the beaten path, preferably the entertainment district." Jiutian explained.

"Hmmm. I might have something. But it'll need a little work."

"Anything helps..." Jiutian's voice trailed off as she heard a small voice carry out the name of just the person she had come to meet.

Jiutian looked over and saw a red-haired woman wearing an eye patch.

Jiutian didn't know all of the Jigoku's secrets. But she knew they were fighters and appeared to be self-sufficient. So, even though she sent them to find weapons, she knew it wouldn't be enough for them.

When she approached the one-eyed Goddess, she was being clung to by a short woman with brunette ponytails and large healthy breasts. Jiutian internally applauded the little Goddess for endowments. 

"Hephaestus." Said Jiutian as she appeared before the woman with Thanatos still on her arm.

"Hephaestus…" Jiutian spoke.

Hephaestus and the little Goddess, Hestia, stopped and turned their attention to Jiutian.

Hephaestus had a slight frown. "You need something made as well. But like I told Hestia here, I don't forge anymore. I leave that work to my children."

"That's all I wanted. To be more specific, I wanted Volcan, but the man is stubborn and refuses to come down to the mortal world."

"Volcan…"

"Yes… He's very friendly. If I were to ask to borrow a top smith to train a child of mine, he would give me one for free until he began to charge tutoring fees. He's considerate that way."

"Haa. Jiutian Xuannu…"

"Hephaestus is the greatest Goddess in the mortal world. Hephaestus took care of me for three months when I first descended!" Hestia idiotically came to Heaphestus' defense but only made the problem worse.

Hephaestus sighed because of her dim-witted friend.

Jiutian chuckled, "You might be as considerate as Volcan after all. But I'm not down and out like Hestia. I'll pay you after my children return from their expedition. And I'll allow you to take a look at one of their weapons, and I promise you won't be disappointed."

Hephaestus's interest was piqued. Unlike many deities, Heapheastus was well aware of the relationship Jiutian had with her rival, Volcan. Jiutian knew the quality of weapons and material. To think a mortal weapon would be a gift to look at was a very high compliment for the weapon and its crafter. Hephaestus also wanted to know what was so special about their expedition?

"Isn't it a little too early for level one adventures to go on an expedition, considering it's their first time in the dungeon city?"

"Oh, you haven't heard? All of my children are level two." Jiutian whispered with pride.

"So you poached your children from another familia?" Hephaestus exclaimed.

"Oh, I'm their first Goddess. I met them a few days ago, if I'm being completely honest. They're just special like that."

Jiutian's words broke the minds of the deities present. The onI'llxplanation could be that her whole familia skipped level one entirely. 

"One smith. One week. Two million vyou'llAnd if the weapon doesn't intrigue me, the piece goes up to forty million. That's still a good discount." Hephaestus spoke.

"Deal. But I want experience, and don't cheat me on this." Jiutian warned the one-eyed woman.

'New species of tamed monsters, special children that skip an entire level. Whoever gave this woman the title of Cursed Goddess was a fool. I might as well send Tsubaki to gather information.' Hephaestus thought as she felt another rival emerging to threaten her position in the city.

"I have just the person, and I'll send her over when your children return." Hephaestus spoke aloud, "One condition. Don't go picking fights in the city. We gain status through the dungeon, and challenges in the city are only when a dispute irreconcilable."

"Please, she wouldn't start a fight without me." A silver-haired woman interjected.

"Freya likes to talk big because her familia's strong, but we all know the truth." A tall, thin woman spoke up.

"Loki? You're here too?" Jiutian asked.

"It's almost the old rumble party. We're just missing Poseidon, Hades, Amaterasu, and...Thor." Loki's face became sad, and her eyes foggy, causing the ladies to groan. They weren't friends, but a connection was almost inevitably formed after the number of fights they had together.

"Still hung up on that guy?" Jiutian asked with a disgusted expression.

"Yes, she is." Freya rolled her eyes. 

"Okay, then," Said Jiutian before facing Hephaestus once more. "I need a list of all the ore you've encountered with their locations. Preferably high-grade ones, and I'll pay, of course."

Hephaestus shrugged. "Why not? Hopefully, your children die trying to collect material, and you'll return to whatever hole you crawled out of."

Freya and Loki sounded their agreement.

"No one dies without my permission." Thanatos finally spoke, "I have a feeling my Jiutian will be around for a long, long time."

"Alliances should be made lightly, Thanatos." Loki threatened him.

"Bring it on, flat-chested bitch. I've never been scared of you." Thanatos growled, and the temperature in the room dropped tens of degrees as the spectating deities backed away towards the walls of the Ball Room.

Jiutian laughed as she craked her bones. She reached for her headdress, and the deities around her similarly reached for random items on their person.

'No, this isn't why I came. My aspirations are greater than my pride. Jiutian...Relax.' Jiutian thought, then placed her delicate hand on Thantos's arm. She then pulled him away to leave the Ball Room.

"Hephaestus!" She sang as she walked up the stairs, " I'll see you tomorrow!"