'Deep breathes in, deep breaths out, deep breaths in, deep breathes out.'
Hestia stared ahead as she walked on, traveling the mighty height of the Tower of Babel. She had all of the morning to get ready for this and now, at the midday point, it was time to truly push herself. For her first child, for her familia.
When being awakened for the day, her precious children gave her a generous breakfast and their own kind words of encouragement. With even Koukin, in a better state than yesterday, rousing her up with a speech.
'I don't have to express the importance of this, Goddess Hestia. Our captain's alias is not just a name but a starting moniker for our familia as a whole. If this were to go well, it would help solidify our familia's reputation in the times to come. I've taught you what I could, in handling an event like the one you are about to walk into. I have faith that you will do well for both yourself and the familia…now please hand me the headache medicine.'
That last part wasn't necessary but Hestia found it touching that Koukin still put the strength forward despite her hungover state.
She recalls the last warning she gave her before departing. Just a reminder that there may be more to this meeting than just picking names for our favorite children.
'In addition, do not forget the rumor of a deity releasing their power in the dungeon. We both know who it was but it is imperative that none of the other Gods or Goddesses suspect a thing. I doubt the subject was willfully dropped and imagine the topic might pop up in the meeting. If it does, give nothing away.'
"Don't have to tell me twice," Hestia said quietly, walking up the spiral stairs to the meeting room, "I know what we stand to lose if the blessing gets out."
Hestia familia would undeniably become the target of every power hungry God and Goddess in the city. A conflict that Hestia could not see herself surviving at worst. At best, her familia would be consumed and herself having to serve whatever deity that had her in their sights. Completely taking over her children's lives and with her unable to do anything about it.
A nightmare scenario in either case, no question about that.
That thought only fueled her determination to do her best in this meeting. Many of the deities here only knew her as a potato puff salesperson who lived in a run down church. Not anymore! She now had an actual home to live in a big one at that…the potato puff stand was a work in progress.
"You're looking awfully focused today, Hestia," a familiar voice said from behind her, "I shouldn't be surprised. This is a big event for you."
Hestia looked over her shoulder and smiled at the sight of one of her dear friends, Takemikazuchi.
She gave the war God a nod, "It is," she began, "to be honest, I still can't believe I'm up here right now. Still feels…surreal."
Takemikazuchi smiled, "An understandable reaction. I was the same when Ouka leveled up but I learned quickly not to underestimate myself or my children after that. I can only advise you to do the same."
Hestia nodded, "I never doubted my Bell in any case. Myself?" she shrugged, "Well, you know me."
"I do," agreed Take, "which is why you should be all the more proud of yourself as well. Very few Gods have made the kinda progress that you have."
'Understatement of the year,' Hestia thought , 'most didn't have the crazy events I and my children had to face.'
"Regardless," he continued, "we both have to fight for our children's futures in there," he cracked his neck and flexed his hands, "It'll be a tough battle ahead of us."
Hestia looked at her friend curiously before remembering, "Oh! That's right, one of your other children leveled up too, didn't they?"
Take nodded with a smile, "Yes. Precious Makoto just reached level two," he raised his head higher, like a father that is perhaps too proud of his child that it gives him an ego, "she grew so fast. I still remember when I could bounce her on my knee."
Hestia smiled at her friend, "Careful there, Take. You're sounding a little much like a doting father," she said, her voice mirthful.
Takemikazuchi just huffed and crossed his arms, "I'm just very very proud is all. There's nothing wrong with that," he replied, not heatedly, taking Hestia's words in jest.
Both eventually reached their destination, an area that existed above the clouds visible from the city below and lightened by the heavens above.
A bit of a dramatic place, if Hestia were honest, but one she knew had special meaning to her fellow Gods and Goddesses.
Without another word, both Hestia and Takemikazuchi walked into the area and found their seats. Waiting as more Gods came and took seats themselves. Soon, the meeting would begin.
Hestia watched as the final few Gods made their way in and sat down. When the doors to the area finally shut, the meeting began.
She saw some familiar faces here and there. Take of course, Miach, Hephaestus, and Demeter to name a few friendly ones. Then she spotted the ones she wished she didn't see. Loki especially, who stuck her tongue out at Hestia upon first sight of her. Hestia replied in kind, of course. Apollo was another but Hestia didn't give him a second glance since spotting him first.
It was someone else that made Hestia tense and worried the moment she saw her.
Freya walked into the area as if it were there for her amusement and use. A beatific smile on her face that had every God and a few Goddesses swoon over her, many gifting their seats in apparent offering. Freya did not pay those groveling or flirting her way any mind and simply found an empty seat a good distance away from Hestia. Violet eyes met her blue ones and Hestia did her best not to shiver under that stare.
Hestia wasn't affected by Freya's beauty or her charm like so many were. Her status as a Virgin Goddess granted her a great deal of protection from such things. What made Hestia nearly shiver was what Freya was compared to her. A mighty Goddess who had one of the strongest familias in the city and had the strongest adventurer in the city as well.
Adding all that and comparing that to Hestia, and the hearth Goddess was under no illusions on what would happen if Freya decided to take Bell now.
Nonetheless, Hestia was here for a reason and she wouldn't be deterred from her mission.
She met Freya's gaze with one of her own, one that was neutral as opposed to charming as Freya's. Hestia gave nothing away as the locked eyes for a few moments. Freya eventually dipped her head and looked away, finding polite conversation with the Goddess next to her.
Hestia gave a slow sigh, keeping her nerves steady. She was glad that little standoff didn't last long. Though, the way Freya dipped her head reminded Hestia of a dualist bow. Which wasn't the best comparison to calm her nerves.
Loud clapping filled the air and everyone turned to look at who it was. Loki clapped her hands a few more times to get everyone's attention.
"Alright everybody," she began aloud, sitting down, "we got a lot to go over before we get to the part we all want, so strap in and listen cause I'm chairman of the meeting this time."
Loki went on to describe the events that were happening in the city. Hestia was completely lost during this period. Loki went on to discuss the strange events like the mysterious monster sightings that have emerged from the city, literally emerging in some cases. As well as suspected Evilus activity that her familia was spearheading an operation to take them down even as she spoke. It was a whole lot to take in and Hestia found herself lost in the conversation before long.
'Ahhh! What is this? When did all this happen? Where was I when all this happened?' Hestia thought confusingly.
Some of her fellow Gods watched her reaction to the information shared. A few found some great amusement at seeing the hearth Goddess looking around so confused, wondering what was going on. Others, like Loki, were just unsurprised by her reactions. Given how dramatic she could be at the best of times.
After Loki wrapped up her explanation to the strange events happening and Ganesha jumping onto the table crying his sorrows at losing a child of his. Though the tears that fell from the elephant mask swiftly turned to envy as he went to decry how unfair that one of his children died during sex and not him. Causing a few deities to look at Ganesha with pity and disbelief.
"Now for the real reason we're all here," Loki said, opening her eyes enough to reveal her red eyes and the mischief within them, "time to discuss our children's aliases."
A roar of applause and shouts of joy rang through the air at her words. Hestia visibly shook from the insane fervor that swept the room.
"I know this is a big deal to some of us," Hestia said aloud, "but this kinda reaction is a bit crazy, isn't it?"
Hephaestus, who sat by her side, gave her a chuckle, "I couldn't agree more," she said, "but it is an important event for us. Given how fond many of us are for our children, naturally we'd want only the best alias for our children and if we can get a great majority vote for a name, then we succeeded," her smile became more cunning and there was a wicked gleam in her eye now, "of course, this is also an opportunity to get back at rival Gods by giving their children a ridiculous name that they would have to carry with them for who knows how long," she shrugs, "it's one or the other in these meetings."
…Hestia sincerely wished she had prepared much more for this than she did.
As Loki spoke the names of promising children who leveled up, various deities spoke out potential names that fit the adventurer in question based on their deeds and experience.
Hestia heard some names that were very good but she also heard some that were just plain awful.
'Poor Take,' she thought, looking at her dejected friend. He was reeling from the name that Dionysus suggested and was unilaterally approved, much to the wine God's mirth and the war God's sorrow. 'Maybe your child will like the name…that actually might not make you feel any better.'
"Now for the big one," Loki said, "Kid managed to get to level two in just over a month being an adventurer," she slapped a piece of paper down and let it be passed around, on it was a familiar face to Hestia, "Bell Cranel. Hestia familia."
Gasps and sharp intakes of breath were heard around the table and already many Gods were split in picking a name or talking about how Bell boosted his way to level two. Hestia heard the more out loud discussions and it was a mess to hear.
"Kid had to put himself through hell for that kinda boost, no question."
"He's got a cute face! We should call him 'Sweetie'."
"Too hella generic. White hair, red eyes hmmm…maybe 'Rabbit Head'?"
"Kinda sounds creepy. How about 'Snow Rabbit'?"
"Off season! We're approaching summer soon. Oh! How about 'Hot Hare'?"
"Not bad. I think we could do better though. Hermes, you've been quiet over there, got any ideas?"
"…'Record Breaker'…"
"Not bad! Hey wait, who was the last record holder for getting to level two? Wasn't that one of Loki's kids?"
"Yeah, the 'Sword Princess'! Man, tough break Loki. This kid just comes out of the woodwork and beats your favorite child by a-"
"Finish that sentence ya bastard and I'll kill ya."
"Ah! Loki's old face came back!"
This was enough but before Hestia could even raise her voice, a loud bang rang through the room, silencing all discussions. All eyes turned to Loki, who was standing now with her hand held flat on the table.
"Everyone of ya are too excited over this," she began, "you're forgetting to ask the important question, how?" she directed her gaze to Hestia and said Goddess did her best to remain calm in the face of an irate trickster Goddess, "Well? Spit it out shortie! How the hell did your kid power level up in just a month and a half? You didn't use your arcanum, dud you?"
That was a strong accusation, a ridiculously strong accusation, and Hestia had no problem fighting it, "How the hell would I?" she argued, "Because, if I did, how would I be here arguing with you?"
A common bit of knowledge is that if a God used their arcanum, their divine power like which they possessed in Heaven, they would immediately be sent back up and never be able to return to the mortal world. It was practically a taboo for any Deity to do such a thing.
Though some could harness small slivers of their power, depending on what they are. Such as the infamous charm of Freya or Ishtar, or Soma in his wine crafting.
Loki wasn't done arguing the case though, "Okay, maybe ya didn't use your arcanum," she opened her eyes more, giving Hestia a look at the intense red orbs that were barely seen, "but this still is suspicious as hell, ain't no one denying that."
Hestia just huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, unintentionally emphasizing them in front of the trickster's eyes. Causing Loki to feel like she was physically struck by the action, "My Bell works hard almost everyday since becoming an adventurer," Hestia said, "I've actually tried to tell him to slow down but he's determined to get stronger and better despite the risks. This is just the result of that, a child more determined unlike any other."
The room was silent after Hestia finished and the hearth Goddess fought the urge to smile. This was another thing Koukin taught her. Since Hestia couldn't really lie ,even if she were a rug, she could still hide a truth with another truth. In this case, avoid anything that leads to the discovery of Bell's skill by mentioning his determined nature instead.
"Even if the kid was that determined," Loki said, "I still find it hard to believe he grew up that quickly with pluck alone."
"He also killed a silverback a few weeks ago," Hestia said, trying not to sound hasty, "at Monsterphilia, he killed a silverback when it broke out and rampaged. That definitely contributed to his growth as well."
Loki was silent for a moment and crossed her arms in thought. What Hestia said was true because Loki followed up with an investigation about the incident, considering it happened when her kids got attacked by these flower monsters that sprouted from the ground. What she found out about the incident were that the guards for the monsters were in a daze like state and had no memory of what happened, some purple haired samurai helped quell most of the escaped monsters, and that a lone silverback found its way into Daedalus Street were it met its end by a white haired kid, an angry blonde, and a bewitching stern faced beauty.
Loki looked down at Bell Cranel's profile picture , 'Definitely the 'white haired kid' from the reports. Killing a silverback as a rookie would definitely give the kid a spike in his status,' again Loki contemplated it, her heart wasn't really in this interrogation in any case, this was just an act to fool any would-be allies of the threat she and her familia were fighting.
But her curiosity still flared something fierce, especially since the shrimpy Goddess was at the center of it.
'To go from silverback to minotaur,' Loki thought , 'that's still a helluva-'
"Is this really so important to you Loki?" a melodious and calm voice said, drawing the trickster's attention, "it's unseemly to be so focused on someone else's child, he has talent and has just simply come to realize it, that's all."
Loki stared at Freya, seeing her with that casual and carefree smile never ceased in pissing her off, but right now that wasn't the focus. She was surprised to find the usually passive and aloof Goddess actually come to Hestia's defense. Then she remembered the last time they spoke with one another, at a restaurant amidst the hustle and bustle of Monsterphilia.
And how Freya mentioned that someone caught her eye and peaked her interest.
Loki didn't need long to figure out who it was but neither would she say it either, "What? You coming to pipsqueak's back all the sudden? Don't tell me you're not curious about it too, like the rest of us."
Murmurs and sounds of agreement breathed into the room but another brilliant smile from Freya silenced those voices, foolish Gods so easily swayed by a pretty face.
Loki made sure to remember their faces later, payback for taking out her momentum while it was going.
"Nothing like that," Freya said, "It's simply ridiculous to draw this out any longer, isn't it? We all have more important things to do in any case," her smile turned more mischievous, "like granting Hestia's child a name worthy of his efforts."
Loki just blinked at Freya, she wanted to argue more and see about getting more information out about Hestia's brat, if only for her own satisfaction, but she knew she already pushed the envelope on this too much in any case.
Even still, Loki expected more argument from the short Goddess but looking over at her, Loki was surprised that Hestia kept her demeanor the same for the most part, though with an exception. She was looking directly at Freya now as if trying to see through the beauty and find what's underneath the smile.
'Good luck with that,' Loki thought sardonically , 'Ain't that easy, shorty. Still, at least you know enough to know Freya doesn't usually come to her fellow deitie's aid unless she wants something,' again her gaze went down to the paper and to the profile picture of Bell Cranel , 'ain't hard to figure out what that is either.'
With a deep sigh, she just rolled her hand towards the short Goddess, "Fine," she began, "I'll drop it for now. It's like Freya said," she smiled again, all teeth and menace, "we got to give ya kid a good alias now, don't we?"
Hestia realized that now it was her turn to endure this baptism by fire and could only ask for one thing.
"Mercy?" she asked.
"I refuse!!!" was the collective response.
After a long back and forth with several Gods and Goddesses, Hestia collapsed forward and rested her head on the table, feeling the gentle pat on the back by her dear friend Hephaestus.
It was a long battle and one she earnestly did her absolute best to come out the winner, but it was worth it. She has obtained a good alias for her first child, for her precious Bell.
'Hmph! It wasn't easy but I did it Bell,' Hestia thought with a grin, 'I got you a good name you'd be proud of.'
She could hardly wait to tell the others when she returned home. She could barely wait to tell Bell just to see his reaction. Hopefully the Denatus will wrap up before too much longer.
"Alright," Loki said, "If there's nothing else, then this Denatus is now-", she cut herself off, noticing something. She sighed and asked, "What is it Hermes? Put your hand down, ya ain't in school!"
A laugh escaped the messenger God at Loki's words and he did so. Hestia heard his laugh and thought it felt a bit forced and awkward. Looking closer, she could see his face was a mask of worry and nervousness and that made her concerned.
Hermes was always one to wear a smile, a trademark if you will. Even during the worst of time, Hermes had kept that smile on his face. Hestia always thought it was kinda creepy that he smiled so much but she gradually just accepted it. Annoying though it could be on occasion.
Which was why she thought it was concerning that his smile was more nervous and panicky than any other time she saw it. It made her wonder just what was going through his head that made him so nervous.
"Well, Loki," Hermes began, looking around him as if trying to find someone that should've been here, "There is another matter that needed to be discussed. But not by me!" he added hastily, "It's just that…someone else was supposed to attend the meeting as well and I was asked to…help them," he shrugged and Hestia saw his smile brightening a bit, "but I guess if they're not here and haven't said anything. Then I'm off the hook-,"
"My apologies, Hermes, for the late arrival."
A new and powerful voice rang through the room, through the very air itself. It had no origin, it didn't come from above, below, near, or far. It came from everywhere and nowhere all at once and every deity heard it and recognized it, recognized who it was that spoke.
Ouranos. Head of the Guild and watcher of the dungeon. Who's divine power and prayers keep the dungeon in its suppressed state for adventurers to go down into it.
"Events prevented me from attending earlier. As always, the dungeon can occupy a great amount of my attention."
For a few moments, no one said anything. Shock and surprise were the reactions of every God and Goddess in attendance. Even Freya's eyes were wide in surprise at this development, though she concealed it well with an amused smile, this was a curious development.
Loki was first to break the silence, "Well this is new," she said, "Never imagined you'd decide to join in one of these meetings," again, she opened her eyes wider, exposing red orbs that shone with curiosity and surprise, "makes a girl wonder why the sudden interest."
"The Denatus is not my concern," Ouranos's booming voice replied , "I am here to hear an explanation. On the one who released divine power into the dungeon."
Every deity in the room suddenly burst with noise, at least from those who were unaware of this. Those like Loki, Freya, and Hermes were silent while they waited for the conversations to die down. Hestia too, was silent, but she was looking around and gauging everyone's reaction to the news, inadvertently looking as clueless as some of the Gods she was looking at.
Soon the conversations died down as they realized that the only way they'd get more information is if they shut up and listened. When the last sound died down, Ouranos continued.
"To those who did not know, I sensed a divine force within the dungeon. Naturally, I feared the ramifications such an action would bring, but to my surprise, the dungeon did not react in an adverse way. Regardless, someone risked the lives of every soul in the dungeon with that action and I called an investigation. Headed by the Hermes familia, of course."
Hermes smiled and chuckled at the attention he was receiving from Ouranos's words. He wasn't shocked by the mix of reactions he was receiving, given how he has a bit of a reputation for snooping around. Oftentimes where he shouldn't.
"Nothing came of it in the end, which only raised more questions. If no God in the city, or outside it, was in the dungeon when the event happened, where could that power come from? Only one answer remained."
Every deity in the room automatically knew what that meant and their shock only grew as a result.
"Someone in Heaven has forfeited their chance of going to the mortal realm by giving someone a gift from up on high. A divine gift if you will."
Silence, there was only silence at Ouranos's words. What the old God said was…unimaginable. Sure, there were Gods that preferred to remain in Heaven and continue to perform their duties but even they wouldn't just throw away their chance at coming to the mortal realm, it was just…impossible.
Yet, by one of the first Gods to descend words, it happened, and everyone in that room knew the old man wouldn't lie about something like this.
"So? Who was it?" Loki asked, her demeanor was calm and stern but Hestia knew that she was curious about who the God was just like everyone else.
"You will find out shortly. Hermes, I give you permission to use your power, only for the duration of the meeting, however."
Hermes nodded and took a deep breath, preparing himself for the task he was set out to do.
Hestia watched, doing her best to keep her face as neutral as possible in the face of what is about to happen. They had found out, they had found 'him'. Hestia felt the cold taste of fear rise in her gorge. Hermes was getting ready to contact Eros, the creator of Bell's unique magic and clearly the one responsible for the divine power surge Ouranos sensed.
She thought about what to do, what could she do? Run from the room? Be realistic Hestia! Never more than any moment did she wish she was half the strategist that her vice-captain Koukin was. She was sure she would have a more technical and practical plan for this situation.
'Give nothing away.'
Hestia remembered her words, simple though they were, they were true. Hestia took a deep breath and schooled her features, her expression wasn't neutral but it was calmer than how she really felt and that would have to do. At this point, there was very little she could do to stop this, she could only hope for one thing.
That Eros wouldn't expose Bell as the recipient of his 'gift' and paint a giant target on his and the familia's back.
"Alright," Hermes said, raising a hand, "just to warn everyone. I've been told who to contact and if I'm totally honest," he gave everyone an awkward smile, "it was not who I expected at all."
With that, he gave a loud clap of his hands and suddenly a pillar of light manifested right in the middle of the round table where they all sat. Everybody waited with bated breath, their curiosity all the more ignited from Hermes's words.
Soon, an image was becoming more visible. It could be seen by all and head on thanks to Hermes's power. It wouldn't matter where one looked, no matter where, they would still see the image as if they were facing it.
Soon, a figure could be seen in the light, a familiar and absolutely unexpected one.
"Well well well," the figure began, flashing a smile, "Nice to see you all again, it's been-," he laughed suddenly as if amused by a joke, "heh heh well, it's been some time since I've seen many of you."
Lounging in some kind of throne with pillows and blankets draped upon it was a man. Handsome as his nature made him, with chocolate dark hair that draped around his head in a messy but managed way, his olive skin contrasted nicely with the rich silks and cloths of exotic colors he wore, and his physique seemed to border between powerful and lithe simultaneously. His eyes are what really drew the most attention, their colors changed with each blink of the eyes and when one looked away and looked back they would change again.
This man's entire being was to entice and seduce, to charm and flatter, to sway and embrace. He was the embodiment of sex and love.
The Passion maker, The Mood Setter, and the best wingman any God or Goddess could ask for.
He ruled his domain with care and indulgence and none have ever entered it came out the same, save for a few.
He was Eros, God of love and sex, and with him, the nights are always young and long lasting.
"You have got to be shitting me," Loki said in disbelief, her eyes wide at the completely unexpected figure.
"Now this is unexpected indeed," Freya muttered, a curious gleam in her eye at these developments. She hadn't seen Eros in years and to find out he was responsible for the hubbub over a month ago surprised Freya greatly.
Hermes reeled at seeing his old friend again. He was well acquainted with the Love God, him and many others. Having spent countless times enjoying his garden of beauties he kept about his domain, with his permission of course and the okay by any beauty they seemed to court. He and everyone followed Eros's rules whenever they entered, violating them meant…consequences.
Many other deities had a mix of reactions, with some laughing out loud at seeing an old friend again, and some more reserved types whispering curses or looking away at what they saw as the embodiment of great sin.
Eros saw all of their reactions and it just made him smile all the more. He was enjoying himself greatly right now, as if he was at the center of a festival. Everyone's reactions were everything he expected and more, and as this little meeting continued, he imagined the reactions he would see later would just tickle him silly.
Granted…it wasn't the positive reactions he was looking for and soon enough…he wouldn't be smiling for so long.
"Enough."
Ouranos's voice rang out, silencing and stilling any more reactions.
Hestia was glad for it. It was staggering to see Eros again after so long, it had to be…maybe over a hundred years since they last spoke and that ended with her drop kicking him from her domain.
'Maybe I could have been more…civil?' she thought with a tinge of regret.
"Back to the matter at hand. Eros, I did as you asked, now you will answer my questions while you have the time to do so."
Eros nodded, "Of course old friend," he said, "my word is my truth. I am not one to take back something the moment I say it. You have delivered on what I asked and I thank you," he looked around, seeing his fellow deities' faces', "I will answer any questions honestly and with no falsehoods," he paused, looking up in thought, "with the exception of a few things, of course."
Hestia did not like the sound of that. She didn't like the sound of that at all.
"Then I will ask again, like I did last we spoke. Why?"
Eros shrugged, "Why I decided to grant some lucky child a boon of my own making? Or, why did I give up my one and only opportunity to venture down to the mortal world to join all of you?" he shrugged, "There are plenty of 'why's' for what so did. Too many to count, if I'm honest. Care to specify, old sky God?"
He paused then as if recalling something, "Though you all know why I gave up my chance to descend down there with you all," he said, "too many love Gods, oh sorry, love Goddess," he corrected, "couldn't risk overflowing the pot with my charming personality with all of you down there."
If Ouranos was annoyed by Eros's ramblings, it didn't show in his voice. Again he asked a question, more specific this time, "Why did you risk the lives of those in the dungeon with your actions? The divine power I felt could have awakened a response from the dungeon that would have spelled disaster for the souls within."
Eros smiled, "Great! A good question and one I have an answer for. To tell you the truth, it was an accident."
His answer caused the Gods in the meeting to mutter amongst themselves but it was Ganesha who asked the next question, "I am Ganesha!" right after his exclamation that is, "An accident, old friend? You risk the lives of our children and call it an accident? Tell me this isn't so my dear friend!"
Ganesha ended his spiel with tears trailing down his elephant mask, hurt with the thought of his old friend risking the lives of mortals adventuring below.
Eros raised a hand to forestall the God's cries, a sympathetic look on his face, "Accident may have been too strong of a word," he said, "but the dungeon wouldn't have reacted to the gift I dropped down. I had it made with that contingency in mind, though I was surprised it landed down there in the first place, I had thought, with how big the world was, it would have landed anywhere else."
"You 'had it made with that contingency in mind'?" Loki quotes, "you have an accomplice to this little event?" she asked.
Loki neither liked or disliked Eros. Though she couldn't blame him if he disliked her. Untold centuries ago, she set out on a warpath across Heaven and tried to take up as many domains as she could. When she reached the sex God's domain, she was stopped still by what lurked and laid about his domain. In this case, beautiful women that made her mouth water and handsome men that were too hot for her to ignore. She was soon invited by an amused Eros to have fun in his 'Garden of Pleasure'. Needless to say, Loki fell back and left that domain alone…after about ten days…she had fun.
Regardless of that, she wouldn't be surprised if Eros was at least a little bit miffed with her for trespassing and potentially taking over his domain. There were still plenty of Gods and Goddesses that still held a grudge against her.
Eros looked at the trickster Goddess with a smile, an honest one with no ill meaning behind it, "I do indeed but he would rather remain anonymous. Needless to say, it was thanks to him that my gift was made into something more…compact for me to drop upon the mortal world," he shook his head and got back on track, "regardless, we made it with a plan in mind of what could happen if it made it into the dungeon. No divine power would be sensed by it," he smile turned a bit rueful, "though perhaps we should have taken into account a mighty God sensing the gift."
"It would not have availed you in any case, I'm afraid. I would have sensed it anywhere in the world just as well as I could any God or Goddess descending from Heaven."
Eros didn't seem troubled by this but just gave a sigh of acknowledgement, "I know and so does my partner in crime. Hell,he warned me there was little he could do to stop you from sensing it the moment it landed."
Svarog had warned him quite too often about it, if Eros was honest. It was one of a good number of conversations they had during the creation process.
"Enough of that," Eros said, waving a hand in finality, "any more questions to ask? Perhaps some from my dear circle of friends here," he looked about the room, frowning slightly, "well most of them at least. I see no sight of Aphrodite or Soma. Pity, I would have liked to have spoken to them."
Ignoring his last words, Loki stood up, a gleam in her red eyes, "Well I'm gonna ask what everyone wants to know," she began, "what gift did you decide to drop on some hapless mortal down here?"
Many of the deities at the table perked up at this, including Hestia, but while most of the Gods were simply curious and amused by the developments, Hestia was internally nervous at what could potentially be revealed.
'Please Eros,' Hestia thought , 'don't reveal anything that could hurt my family.'
"What I gave some 'hapless' mortal, was a gift," replied Eros.
A moment passed and everyone waited for him to continue. Whenever he didn't, Loki pressed on, "I know it was a gift. What kind?"
"A good one," Eros answered.
"Okay, but what kind of 'good' gift is it?"
"One that I gave. I suppose that makes it a great gift instead."
"Answer the question!"
"But I did."
"Answer the question right!"
"But I didn't answer it wrong."
"You didn't answer at all, you bastard!"
"No, I did. It's just not one you'll accept."
"Just tell us what the gift was, you whimsical, sarcastic, perverted asshole!"
"Perverted? I know I am but you shouldn't throw stones from your own glass house, Loki."
Hermes watched as the trickster Goddess seemed to want to pull her own hair out at the responses Eros was giving her. He let out a sigh at the display, Eros would never say it and even outright deny it, but he was quite capable at playing mind games with others and getting them to dance to his tune. Even better than he could, if Hermes was honest.
Though he remembered the last time he told Eros about this and paid the price. The sex God was so insulted, he banned Hermes from his domain for three decades. A great time of regret in the messenger God's life and a mistake he would never voice again.
"If I may," Hermes interrupted, "I think we would all appreciate it if you told us what blessing you decided to gift the mortals down here with," he made sure to make eye contact with the image of his old friend, "it certainly caused a considerable stir when it happened."
Eros looked at Hermes and the messenger God saw something flash in his eyes. Normally, Hermes was very good at reading people and even other Gods, but Eros was one of the few that were more difficult to read and get a feel of, and Hermes can't recall a time he ever caught the love and sex God off guard with actions or words.
Except now, for Hermes swears that a flash of anger passed over the usually lackadaisical God's visage and that unnerved him.
Eros just smiled at Hermes's words and nodded his agreement, "Very well, my friend," he said, before looking back at Loki, "apologies Loki. It's just been so long since I've seen any of you that I couldn't help myself with a little teasing," he wiggled his eyebrows at her, "something I think I recall you enjoying quite often, my red haired weasel."
Loki's face burst into a nuclear scarlet at the nickname she hadn't heard in centuries and was completely speechless at hearing it again.
Eros chuckled before getting back on topic, "Okay that is enough games, I think," his face lost his smile and replaced it with a more stern expression, "to answer your question, the gift I decided to give the mortals below was a magical ability."
Hestia did her best not to react and give any nervousness away. She was nervous at what Eros would say next, or worse, if he would say who exactly he gave his gift to.
"What kind of magical ability?" Hermes asked, his curiosity peaked all the more.
Eros just stared at the messenger God, silent for just a moment, "A very powerful magical ability. One that could raise a lowly familia into a potential powerhouse. One that I've spent the last thousand years making alongside my friend. One that was painstakingly difficult to craft from just the concept alone. One that no magic upon the mortal realm could even come close to matching," he spread his arms wide, like a lead performer upon a stage, "The magic I have gifted a mortal down below is called 'The Drop of Eros'!"
Silence dominated the room at the announcement and everyone had their own reaction to the news. To the surprise of no one, one voice spoke louder and summed up the feeling in the crowd.
"And what the hell is 'The Drop of Eros'?!" Loki yelled, frustrated at being both told something but also nothing at all.
"My friend, perhaps specifics are in order?" Hermes sighed.
"Always the entertainer," Freya said aloud.
More than a few Gods and Goddesses, again, voiced their displeasure. Though quite a few laughed and even applauded Eros for his entertaining performance and presentation.
Hestia wasn't in the later group, having dreaded this reveal since first seeing the magic on Bell's back and the more Eros said, the more dread she felt, but it was too late to stop now.
She had to endure.
"The drop of Eros, my audience," Eros said with a flourish, "is a unique magical ability that transcends space and time. It allows the user to…call upon allies from distant worlds and realities and have them fight by their summoner's side."
Everyone was silent at this, smiles were forgotten, laughs died, and everyone was now looking at Eros with no small amount of horror at what he said.
Then the air roared.
"Do you have any idea what you've done, fool!"
Ouranos voice was a hurricane of rage, literally, the air itself was winding and whirling about in the room. Gods braced against the wind from where they sat, trying to remain in place less they be picked up and thrown from the tower by the gale.
"You tampered with souls outside our reality and dared to take them from their own?! I know you are not a fool Eros, you know the damage that can cause to reality itself! Both to ours and others!!"
Hestia covered her ears and held her head down when the whistles of the wind became too deafening to hear. She felt a warm presence embrace her and knew it was Hephaestus, trying to protect her dear friend.
"Calm yourself, sky God," Eros said calmly, "my mistake. Please allow me to clarify."
It wasn't immediate but gradually the wind began to calm. When the last whisper of wind was still, every deity raised their heads from where they huddled.
Takemikazuchi's clothes were torn in several places and the knot he had his hair tied was lost, leaving his long hair draped messily about him.
Miach was little better, his own clothes were torn but thankfully he liked thick wears so the damage was minimal.
Ishtar was completely topless after the sudden storm and seemed irate at losing one of her more expensive silk coverings but she otherwise seemed un-bothered at being literally half naked.
Freya's hair was a mess but her clothes were intact. Her expression was one of annoyance at the situation she found herself in.
Hermes peaked from under his hat as he had it pressed down over his head when the wind started. He seemed mostly fine but a careful inspection of his hat revealed he lost his iconic feather in it, causing the messenger God to groan at the loss.
"You bastard," Loki seethed at Eros, holding a hand across her shoulder to keep her own damaged dress from falling off, "I don't believe for a second you didn't know Ouranos would react like that. You just wanted to cause trouble, didn't you?"
Eros didn't respond to the accusation and simply continued, "I suppose it's incorrect to say the magic 'calls upon allies from distant worlds and realities.' For breaching another universe outside our own is a taboo no one is foolish enough to do. But there is nothing wrong about 'looking' at those realities and what unique characters live within them."
Takemikazuchi asked, "Then how is it that this magic can summon allies from other worlds, if it is taboo to do such a thing?"
Eros clapped his hands, another showman gesture, "Simple," he began, "I simply recreated the soul and installed it inside the blessing," he hummed in thought, trying to explain it better, "like a gardener who spots a unique flower he couldn't get. Instead of taking it, the gardener works tirelessly to breed and raise a flower that is similar to the one he admired," Eros smiled, more for himself than anyone else, "I always fancied myself a gardener in my time outside my bedroom. Some of you can attest to that, at least those that visited my domain."
This…this was already too much to take in and this was just the beginning. All Gods turned in as Eros explained it more and more.
"It took myself nearly a thousand years," Eros said, "looking out into other realities, seeing those with potential, recreating their being, and adding it to my soon to be blessing," he sighed and leaned back in his throne, "I haven't had to work that hard since…well, since ever really," he leaned forward again, "but that was only the start, I had to call upon a friend to complete the catalyst to make the blessing stable, given it is a magical ability and all. Didn't want it to blow up the poor mortal on contact."
Hestia didn't like that visual imagery. She imagined Bell walking along in the dungeon, only to suddenly burst into stardust when Eros's blessing landed on him, the thought nearly made her groan aloud, but she kept it down, thankfully.
"Okay, to summarize," Loki said, "You made a magic blessing," Eros nodded, "a blessing that allows the recipient to summon allies across other universes," another nod, and Loki had to fight the urge to laugh at ridiculousness of what she was saying, "is there anything else about it we should be aware of?"
Eros thought for a moment, then replied, "Yes, the summoning is tailored to the user's preference. Fairly simple concept."
"Nothing about this is simple, damn you!" Loki exclaimed before calming down, "What do you mean by 'preference'?"
Eros just smiled and replied, "If the user prefers a fine lady or handsome man of course. Or did I not make that clear."
"You didn't make it clear at all you-," Loki paused, remembering something. Something that she had forgotten so many years ago, before she even descended upon the mortal realm, "what the hell?" she asked, "Why does this feel so damn familiar?"
Eros' smile broadened. This was a moment he waited for for a long long time. He was already ready to save the trickster God's reaction to memory at what he was about to tell her.
"Why Loki, I'm surprised," Eros said in faux shock, "you were the one who gave me the idea so long ago. Before even Zeus and Hera descended. I only tailored the magic this way thanks to you," he tapped a finger on his chin in remembrance, "I believe you called it the 'Wife Summoner'."
Loki's mouth dropped open and the hand that held up the strap of her damaged dress fell down, revealing one half of the trickster's chest, but Loki's mind was somewhere else right now.
"Clearly I added my own spin on it," Eros said, shrugging his shoulders, "my preferences are more vast than yours in any case."
Loki said nothing.
"If it makes you feel any better. Who it landed on prefers the fairer sex, much like you do. So there's a chance of you meeting them…somewhere."
Again, Loki said nothing.
"Loki? Little weasel? Are you alright?"
Loki slammed her hands on the table, drawing surprised shouts from neighboring Gods at the sudden action.
"Tell me who has it?" Loki demanded, "Tell me who has it right now?!"
Eros blinked at this sudden change. He knows Loki could be aggressive, even at the best of times, but this was something else. She looked positively rabid right now.
"My goodness, Loki. Where did this come from?" Eros asked.
"It came from the depths of my shattered soul and heart, you monster!"
Hestia watched with wide eyes as Loki devolved practically into a frothing mess. She didn't like Loki all that much but even she was surprised to see this side of her. This crazy side of her. He heard a sigh from behind and off to the side of her and looked to see Hermes there.
"I was afraid of this," he said, adjusting his hat, "I thought something sounded familiar to what Eros said. Didn't think he'd actually pull it off though. Especially since it was little better than a joke at the time."
"What was?" Hestia asked.
Hermes answered, "A long time ago, Eros was hosting a party in his domain. Invited a lot of Gods and Goddesses. Had great wine, great food, great company," his smile turned a bit perverse at the memory, drawing a flat look from Hestia, "great 'activities' too. But I seem to recall a talk I overheard with Loki and Eros. Loki was lamenting not being too lucky with the ladies up in Heaven and wished she had some kind of magic that could summon beautiful women out of thin air. Eros laughed about it but added his own twists to it, something about tiers or something and having to do tasks?" Hermes sighed and scratched the back of his head, "I can't recall the rest, I believe I was…preoccupied with someone and lost interest in the conversation."
…Hestia could not believe what she just heard. Was…was that the origin of Bell's unique magic? Something that was said as a joke but turned into the Sex God's secret project.
Hestia silently vowed to not tell Bell about his summoning magic's origin, it might break his spirit.
"Tell me, who has my dreams made manifest!"
Hestia returned her attention to the display between Loki and Eros. Many of her fellow deities around her were looking at the scene with rapt attention, which surprised her, given the storm they all experienced thanks to Ouranos. She supposed that was just the nature of some Gods, one moment panicking, the next laughing about it or attaching their focus to the next interesting subject.
Eros hummed aloud in thought and Hestia suddenly realized something in horror. Last she checked, a bonus task that Bell completed was something to do with amusing the God of love and sex, that only meant one thing.
'You've been watching Bell,' Hestia thought , 'You know it's Bell!'
And Eros could reveal that on a whim and Hestia had no doubt that he would. Why would he not? She and him hardly ever got along. She even drop kicked him in the face when he barged into her domain with tales of his voyeur habits.
"Before I reveal anyone," Eros said to an irate Loki, "I feel like I should clarify the potency of my gift. Just so you all are aware of its capabilities in the hand of its wielder," he smiled again, more apologetically this time, "forgive me for this but I just wanted to clarify some things. This is my…masterwork as you could call it, and regardless of which child has it," he swept his gaze around the room and met every deity's eyes, "or whose familia they are with. I want everyone here to know what exactly my gift is," his gaze sharpened and Hestia shivered at the sudden shift in his emotions, "and why exactly I made it in the first place."
All were silent at his words, not for what he said, but for how he said it. There was no mistaking it, Eros, a God who was the life of any party, who was charming to everyone and anyone.
Was mad. It didn't last too long however.
"For starters," he began, "Despite the nature of the magic, I didn't make it easy for the user to summon allies across space and time. If they want to do that, they'll have to earn it by completing certain tasks I have pre-installed in the magic. These tasks can be seen when checking a status," he gave a cunning smile, "completing them are what rewards the user with summons."
Murmurs rang through the assembled deities. Some who were already excited, struggled to stay still when they heard about the magic. Comparing it to a role-playing game of sorts. They grew silent quickly, eager to hear more.
"Though, if you were hoping to summon someone at the level of 'Braver' or even 'King', I'm afraid such mighty individuals aren't so easily acquired."
"Completing the tasks garners more summons," Hermes interrupted, looking at Eros with a knowing smile, as if he figured out a secret, "but I assume those summons are limited in a way. So the child doesn't spoil themselves with powerful allies."
Rather than being annoyed at being interrupted or frustrated by Hermes' accurate answer, Eros smiled at him, "Right on the money, old friend. Yes, there are limits in place that prevent the child from just summoning a grand and legendary figure, day one. I employed a Tier system, where I divided the summons created by me into separate groups. Each Tier group represents the overall abilities and talents of the individual to be summoned," Eros suddenly sighed, losing his smile, as if he were remembering something arduous, "though, that was only after I tampered with the souls so they could more comfortably fit in with the mold of this world."
At this, a question came from one of the Gods, a Goddess actually, "What do you mean, 'fit in the mold of our world'?"
Eros waved a hand and answered, "I mean I had to painstakingly make each individual so that they could better fit in our own world," he shrugs, "in some cases, should they be summoned, they will notice a great lack of strength that they otherwise had in their own world. Unfortunate though it is, it was a balancing decision for the safety of the world you're on. I doubt any of you fancy a short green haired telekinetic that could toss hundreds of buildings about with contemptuous ease as healthy for yourselves, let alone the world."
Hestia thought that example was far far too specific. It made her worry about what manner of characters Bell could summon in the future.
Hearing no argument with his example, Eros continued, "To simplify things further, the Tier system I made for the magic is relatively simple. The lower the Tier, the weaker the ally, the higher the Tier, the stronger the ally," he reached over at a table no one could see and brought out a glass of wine, "simple really," he finished with a sip of his drink.
"Not simple!" Loki cried, "Not simple at all! Just how powerful can these summoned souls be?"
Eros sighed, "Testy, but if you must know, the Tiers go from one to eight. As for the strength of them, well," he trailed off to take another drink, savoring it with a smack of his lips, "It's pretty standard, a Tier one is just like a normal person getting a blessing, a level one at day one. At Tier two, that changes, they are a level two basically at level one when they receive their blessing," he waved a hand in a rolling gesture, "Tier three is level three, Tier four is level four, Tier five is level five, Tier six is-well you get the point by now. Like I said, simple."
A chorus of "Like hell is that simple!" came from most of the deities in the room. Though, they would admit, it actually was pretty simple, but still crazy.
Hestia had already theorized that some time ago. Hearing from her Bell at how amazing and powerful some of their summoned allies were. Arue tossing powerful spells around and not looking tired in the least, Takeru's combat prowess, Ibuki's stealth capabilities, whenever she bothered to actually be a ninja, and the others with their amazing abilities.
Hestia felt a nervous drop of sweat trail down her back, sending a chill up her spine. She just remembered something important.
'And Bell can summon three Tier fives. Three level five adventurers after they receive my blessing…at level one!"
"Moving on," Eros continued, "Unless the lucky child with my gift does something absolutely outrageous, which would let them earn summons ahead of the system," he waves a free hand and moves the other to take a drink, "then there's no worries of them summoning someone outrageously strong," he finished with a sip of wine and a sly smile.
His words did little to calm the surrounding deities, least of all Hestia, who fretted to conceal her reaction to the news. Though she blended in quite well with the other Gods who were fretting in a similar manner.
'Ahhh!" Hestia internally screamed, 'Bell! Why do you have to be an overachiever! You're so awesome and amazing but troublesome, you wonderful wonderful child!'
"I get the feeling that there's still much you're not telling us," Hermes said, earning a cunning smile from the sex God, "mind if I guess at a few?"
Eros swirled his glass of wine with a thoughtful hum, "I don't see why not," he said eventually, "I'm just enjoying my time talking to you all," he smiled and Hestia could already tell it wasn't a kind one, "though I will have questions of my own that I hope you'll answer."
Hermes dipped his head in thanks, "Of course, old friend," he said, "but back to my own questions. Is it possible that you found parallel worlds to our own and created souls from there for here?"
Eros blinked at the question before and understanding light shone in his eyes, "Ah! Good question. To answer you, yes. I found parallel worlds not too dissimilar to our own, but no, I did not recreate any souls from them."
Hermes was actually surprised at this news, "Why not?" he asked, "Surely you've seen the many great and powerful heroes this world has produced. Why not bring them forth again from a parallel world?"
Eros was silent, contemplating the answer. Eventually he replied, "To make a long answer short, I didn't want to. I didn't want to bring back legends from this world that have already lived and passed, tempting though it was. I wanted to bring new faces and characters to our world and witness what legends they could carve out themselves."
"A romantic as always," Hermes muttered, loud enough for the love God to hear.
Eros laughed, full of chest and mirth, "Hahahaha! Do you expect anything less from me?" he replied, "You've spent too long in this world, Hermes. You should know better."
Hermes didn't have a reply to that, in truth, he was frustrated by the God's answer to his question. He didn't find the answer dissatisfying, no. But it was the dismissal that Hermes felt frustrated at. How Eros could dismiss the feats and legends of heroes that have passed in this world. Surely he's seen the feats that have been pulled off from the likes of Albert and his cohorts or nearly every first rate adventurer in Zeus and Hera's familias'.
Hermes didn't raise another question, still stewing in the answer he received.
"I have a question. If that is not a problem?"
Eyes turned to Freya, who had a hand raised politely with a smile. Looking like a favored student in a classroom, confident she would be picked.
Eros nodded politely at her and said, "Go ahead, Freya. It's been too long since I've last heard your melodious voice caress my ears. By all means, ask away."
Freya smiled at the flattery but knew this game of flirting all too well, "I must ask, how?" she said, "I had no knowledge you were a God capable of creating life. I would think that crafting souls fell into the hands of those of fertility or life attributes. Not someone famed for his debauchery and passion."
Eros actually leaned back and held and expression of hurt on his face, "Oh Freya, how you wound me so," he held a hand to his chest, "I thought, as a fellow deity of love, you would understand. Of course creation is in my nature. If anything, it's absolutely fundamental to my existence."
Freya blinked in surprise but composed quickly and asked, "How so?"
With a sigh of disappointment, Eros elaborated, "While yes, I am a God of sex and that is my mainstay. I am also a God of love and that is a title I would argue I carry with the same weight as sex."
Everyone tuned in to this explanation, wondering where it was heading.
Eros continued, "Love is not an instantaneous thing. It is something that sparks and can only grow into a passionate fire with those that experience it. Those fires burn steadily, gradually building more and more over time. Encompassing those that feel it in their hearts. What started as friends, turned to lovers, what turned to lovers, turned to unity through marriage," he smiled, recalling fond sights he'd seen from his place up above, "and at some point, whether early or late in the relationship, they embrace one another in a loving grasp and share a passionate night, and that is where the greatest act of love can form."
He leaned forward, a gentle smile on his lips, "The creation of life. An action decided by love and made with passionate sex. That is how creation falls into my domain. That is where the ultimate expressions of love and sex are at," he eyes glowed with a rainbow of lights that stimulated the senses, "That is my domain."
Freya was speechless at the answer she received and all the more with the speech the otherwise lackadaisical God gave her.
Eros closed his eyes and leaned back, ceasing the display he briefly showed, "but it's too my regret that I was unable to implement this in the blessing I dropped, the magic I created," he breathed a sigh, one full of old stress, "indeed, those summoned forth, the females, are unable to produce life themselves," his eyes opened, revealing sorrowful yellow this time, "it is something I had to scrap, for the sake of expediency."
Hestia watched the God's expression, seeing his sorrow. She never imagined Eros would feel this strongly about something like this. She always saw him so carefree and a little too flirty for her liking back upon Heaven. Seeing him now, Hestia realizes that there is more to this perverted God.
But there was something he said at the end. Something that Hestia couldn't help but voice.
"You said 'for the sake of expediency'," Hestia said before asking, "what could have made you rush your work?"
No small amount of Gods and Goddesses looked her way, surprised she voiced anything at all. Eros looked at her too and both God if sex and Goddess of the hearth made eye contact, before Eros replied.
"It is as I said, Hestia," he began, "I rushed my project towards the end of its creation and as a result I had to leave out a few things," he took another sip of wine and continued, "reproduction was just one, another was the Tier limit. It was originally to go up to Tier nine, but events that happened nearly seventeen years ago forced my hand," his visage darkened, "I, of course, am talking about the 'Dark Age' of Orario."
The time where, after exiling Zeus and Hera familias from the city for failing to kill the One Eyed Black Dragon, a surge of Gods and their radical familias wreaked havoc upon the adventurers, the city, and even the civilians. There were times where streets would become bloody battlefields in just moments, where Gods and mortals alike could barely trust each other, it was one of the worst periods in Orario's history. It was only put to a stop several years later from when it started, where thanks to the sacrifices of a good chunk of the city's senior adventurers and the iron will of the most promising adventurers, including the likes of Finn and Ottar, did the renegade familias and their Gods, called 'Evilus', meet their defeat and were forced to scatter or be destroyed.
Hestia had heard only scant tales of that time. She had asked her friend Hephaestus about it but the forge Goddess would just look at her sadly and say it was best not to remember such terrible times. Hestia stopped asking after that, seeing the pain in her friend's eye.
Eros continued, "While I sought to complete my gift, I found my focus taken away from me. Anytime I drifted my eyes to the world at that time, I saw tragedy and sorrow. I saw young and promising lives snuffed out. I saw old souls break at the horror they were witnessing," he took a deep breath and let it out, chilling his nerves. Hestia saw the hand that held the wine glass was shaking so slightly, threatening to spill over, "I saw partners, lovers, husbands, wives, and more perish from the world by hands full of hate, spite, and malice."
He took his drink to his lips, this time drinking it all down in one strong pull. When he was done, the love and sex God just sat on his throne, staring off into nothing. It unnerved quite a few Gods and Goddesses in attendance.
"If this is too much for you. We can end the meeting now. You do not have to talk if the subject is too painful to recall."
Ouranos' powerful voice rang through the air, reminding everyone that he was still listening in.
Eros just waved a hand and put on a smile. One that Hestia felt was as fragile as sugar glass, "The offer is appreciated, old friend, but there is still much I wish to say," he rose up on his throne, back straight, "where was I? Oh yes. As you can imagine, the tragedy unfolding down here was enough to distract me from finishing my gift properly. I had to rush and finish it quickly. Once I did, I handed it over to a friend for him to do some fine tuning and then released it upon the world," he sighed, finally finished, "you know the rest."
For another moment, no one said anything. Hestia was honestly getting tired of these sudden silences, they weren't good for her nerves.
"Yeah, we know," Loki began, looking more somber and professional than how she was when Eros revealed his gift, "what we don't know is what child is currently walking around with a magic summoning ability that could call forth an army of fem-fatales at their command," she looked into Ero's eyes, her red orbs meeting his lightning blue, "So. Who's the lucky bastard? No more distractions or diversions this time. Cut to the chase."
Hestia was back to feeling nervous, doing her absolute best not to show it. She knew this couldn't last, she wasn't that fortunate, and Eros had absolutely no reason to-
"No. I don't think I will," Eros said with a straight face.
-completely cover her and Bell's asses. Hestia blinked in surprise, having not seen this outcome coming.
Neither did Loki, who stood up and glared at Eros, "The hell you mean, 'I don't think I will'? You dropped this big of a bomb on us, explained your process, and decided not to tell us?" she slammed her hands on the table, "You're fucking with me! No way you can just drop something so powerful and wonderful on some luckless child's back and not tell us! Not when we already have important shit to worry about here already!"
Eros hummed, taking on Loki's ranting with the stability of a mountain facing a gale, "Oh, but I can," he replied, "like right now. I decided not to tell you. There."
"And why the hell not!" Loki exclaimed, furious.
Hermes stepped up, waving a hand in a placating gesture, "Easy there Loki," he began, "let's hear his reasoning with calm minds and hearts, okay?"
His words did little to pacify the trickster Goddess but Loki did reign in her temper at the very least. Though she did not lose her frustrated expression.
Hermes directed his attention to Eros, "Please, old friend," Hermes began, his voice calm and diplomatic, "why don't you tell us, or at the very least, why you won't tell us?"
Eros stared at the messenger God, his expression unreadable, "Alright then," Eros agreed, "I'll tell you why I won't say who my gift fell upon. It's actually in part why I rushed its creation, among other things," he took a deep breath and let it out, "it's because of every last one of you. Every single God and Goddess that had descended upon the mortal world."
A moment of silence passed, a moment of bewildered and confused silence.
Eros continued, "I suppose you're wondering what I mean. It's so painful that I have to actually spell it out," he looked around him, seeing familiar divine faces that he knew, "what I mean is that all of you have forgotten your responsibilities to the mortals. You all have forgotten why we went and descended in the first place. It was to help the mortals with the terrors that roamed the earth. To aid in vanquishing the nightmares that prowled in shadows. To help the mortals," he clenched his hands and held them to his chest, "be more than they imagined, more than the legends that came before them," he loosened his hands letting them fall to his sides, "now it seems that is no longer the case. Now it seems you all are just there for the sake of amusing yourselves, at the mortals expense."
"Well yeah," a God from the crowd agreed, "why else would we leave heaven? We were bored and wanted entertainment."
"We walk with our children to see how their lives grow," a Goddess said, "it's far better than watching up above."
"Ain't that the point of them," another, more crass God said, "they're here for our benefit. Not us for them."
So it went. With a good number of Gods and Goddesses commenting on why they descended upon the mortal world. With reasonings going from the simple to the selfish. From the sympathetic to the cruel. Hestia listened to quite a few of the explanations and some nearly wanted to make her ill.
A good number of deities didn't comment on this. Loki, Freya, Hermes, Ganesha, and Hephaestus were a part of this crowd, as well as Hestia's friends Miach and Takemikazuchi, which she was glad for.
Eventually the voices grew quite on their own when the last of the Gods explained themselves. Attention once again returned to Eros and what everyone saw shocked them.
Eros's eyes were wide on a neutral face but his eyes were a storm of colors. Twisting and changing in frightening and dazzling displays. Though he remained tight lipped, his corona of colors burning across his eyes told an honest truth.
He was livid.
"I know and expected these answers," he said, his voice flat with forced effort, "but to hear them is still quite…stimulating."
He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly and with care. His eyes opened and Hestia saw that they were an ocean blue now.
"When Zeus and Hera descended," Eros began, changing the subject, "along with the handful of Gods that followed them, their reasoning was not one of indulgence, boredom, or any selfish reason. It was out of care and love for the mortals below. They knew that, with their aid, they could push back the threats emerging from what is now the dungeon. With their aid, mortals could vanquish the trio of apocalyptic beasts running amok in the world," he sighed as he continued, as if the truth of what he was to say next was painful, "in the end it wasn't enough. They were defeated by the last beast. Their familia's reduced to paltry numbers."
Eros looked to Loki and Freya, giving them both a glare, "That left the successors to drive them out and take over. And though I frown on it, I can accept it for what it was. A way to replace old and tired rulers with young and refreshed ones. Accept it wasn't that easy, was it? Loki, Freya?" Eros asked the two Goddesses, who didn't reply, "Instead of cooperation, like Zeus and Hera, rivalry was the fuel for the two of you. Neither one of you could stand to be beneath the other and as a result, conflict was inevitable. The only time you two seemed to cooperate was only after Zeus and Hera left and Evilus rose to power and even then, calling it an alliance was far-fetched at best."
Neither of the two Goddesses replied to what was said, mostly because it was true. Since kicking out two of the longest lasting familias in the city, there had been nothing short of a rivalry between the two Goddesses, with only the occasional cooperation when neither deities' reputations were on the line. It was selfish and both would admit to that, but call it pride or what have you. Neither would accept a true alliance unless one or the other was in charge of it.
"Since then, you two, as well as every other God and Goddess upon this world has stagnated and as a result, are further behind than you otherwise would be," Eros said with just a bit of heat in his voice, "that is why I cannot tell you who has the gift. You two, as well as every other deity out there, would tear this poor soul a part just to get this gift for yourselves. Heedless of the person's beliefs and safety. It would just be another conflict for you all to fight over," his eyes narrowed, "one I doubt would be bloodless."
He leaned back again and rubbed his face, looking tired, "I honestly hope that won't be the case, should you find them," he said, quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear, "damn myself, there is still a part of me that wants to believe you all can cooperate and work together. At least with the threats coming about. Not sit aside and watch like it was a spectator sport," he took his hand down and gave a tired smile, "call me a romantic. I still have hope for some of you, if not all of you."
Hestia felt touched by those words. After hearing Eros's diatribe, she found a whole new respect for this God. Who she now saw was far more complicated than he acted and appeared.
"I've talked long enough," Eros said, giving everyone a smile, "I believe I've explained enough and it's time for me to go," he looked at Hermes, "you can stop, Hermes. Sorry if this was difficult for you. I didn't intend to be here so long."
Hermes gave Eros an honest smile, "Think nothing of it. I enjoyed using my powers like this. It's been too long since I've…cut loose with my might."
Hermes prepared to close the pillar of light the revealed Eros, before he left, the God of love and sex had a few final words.
"If you ever find the person with the gift," Eros said, "I ask you to cooperate and work with them, rather than fighting over them, or with them. For the coming times, you all will need all the help you can get. From far and wide," he nodded to them, "I wish you luck in the days to come."
Slowly the pillar of light closed upon itself and the image of Eros slowly disappeared.
When the last visages of light were gone, Hermes let out a deep breath and fell back in his seat. He never gave any signs of it but he was honestly struggling to keep up the communication between here and Heaven. Never before had he used his Godly abilities like that. It was far easier sending images across the world then just one from the mortal world and Heaven.
It wasn't something he wanted to do again.
"Okay," Loki said, "I think that after all of this and all of," she waved at where Eros's form once was, "that. Safe to say we all are just ready to go home. If there's no objections?" she waited for any deity to raise their voice, none did, "Then I declare this Denatus over. Let's all go home."
Soon enough, every God and Goddess stood, some still holding their clothing together after Ouranos's display of power, and left the table and shortly, the room.
Hestia joined the crowd, neither her or any of her fellow deities talking or making a sound as they left. Everyone's minds were focused on what was revealed today.
A blessing from one of the most unexpected Gods, a lecture by him in addition. The ability to summon allies from other worlds, a 'Wife Summoner' according to Eros and Loki, which sparked those Gods and Goddesses of the more lustful nature to greater heights of excitement.
Nonetheless, Something was on Hestia's mind as she traveled down the tower and back onto the streets of the city. It was when Eros left. As the God of love and sex departed, Hestia could swear she saw him looking directly and winked at her just as his eyes changed colors again.
Resembling a pair of ruby reds she was all too familiar with.
'That at least confirmed what I know,' she thought , 'you know it's Bell who obtained your gift and now I know you're watching over us ,' subtly she turned her head to the sky , 'don't know if I should feel unnerved or grateful that you are…perverted voyeur.'
Hestia reached the bottom of the tower and made her way down the street towards her home. She had a lot to share with her familia and she was craving a nice shower followed by a nice midday nap.
As she traveled on, she thought back on the last few things Eros had said.
'If you ever find the person with the gift. I ask you to cooperate and work with them, rather than fighting over them, or with them. For the coming times, you all will need all the help you can get. From far and wide. I wish you luck in the days to come.'
'We will need all the help we can get?" Hestia thought with frustrated realization , 'you didn't tell us everything, did you Eros?'
Hestia did not want to dwell on this right now, they'll have plenty of time for that with Koukin and the rest. For now, the Goddess of the hearth walked on the road back home. Enjoying the crisp spring day the best she could.
After all of that stress, she should really enjoy the little things right now.