Hestia, worried as always, made sure to update my status. Fussing over me and making certain I didn't have any small wounds that could get infected without my notice.
It was nice to have someone take care of you, and I'd make sure to return the favor by making absolutely certain that tomorrow morning I got in contact with those contractors Rose was talking about!
I could tell my companions weren't exactly the biggest fan of our current amenities, so we had to work to fix that now that we had the chance!
Level 1
Strength: 384 G -> 408 E
Endurance: 460 F -> 472 E
Dexterity: 321 G -> 330 F
Agility: 452 F -> 470 E
Magic: 311 G -> 340 F
Skills:
μακρινός ταξιδιώτης: Increases Excilia gained.
Magic:
"Looks like you didn't get up to anything crazy today."
"Didn't Belle tell you what happened?"
"She did, but I half expected you to run back into the Dungeon without a plan."
I pondered her words for a moment, considering the idea, but Hestia gently bonked me on the top of my head with an open hand.
"Don't get any ideas Andrew!" She let out a heavy sigh as she handed me back my status, allowing me to get a look at the improvements I'd received. It wasn't the massive boost I'd gotten from the Hunter, but it was still a decent boost all around.
"Ah, did Belle tell you about the contractors coming tomorrow?"
"She did . . ." Hestia looked down and too the side as her face took on a saddened expression. "My children are so amazing, I really feel like I'm not doing even close to as much as you two. I can't even pay for our home on my own."
I gave her a soft smile as I leaned down, positioning my head so that I was staring into her eyes.
"Hestia. You don't need to think too hard about it. We care about you, and want to do something nice for all of us. It's as simple as that."
"It's not as simple as that, Andrew. I really want to help you two to the best of my ability, but I don't even know where to start. I can't go in the Dungeon without immense risk, and I certainly can't help in any of your battle without going back to Heaven."
She twiddled her thumbs lightly as her gaze met mine.
"If you ever need anything, please, don't hesitate to ask. As a matter of fact, I'll handle the contract workers Belle told me about. You two just focus on enjoying yourself, okay?"
I gave her a bright smile in response, Hestia really was great!
"Thank you, and of course! Though don't beat yourself up about it, everyone does what they can, and in the end, that's all we can ask of them. Either way seeing you comfort the two of us whenever we get back, and making sure we're doing alright is more than enough."
That's not even including her inborn ability to give us the Falna, but bringing that up wouldn't help at all as other gods could easily give that as well.
Honestly though, I didn't think those other gods were as awesome as Hestia. She certainly was special, at least to Belle and I!
"As I'm not great with negotiations I really do appreciate you handling the workers as well."
When someone asks me for a price, I tend not to haggle at all and just pay it! Or if I can't afford it, I don't get it at all . . . unless I do a favor for them!
"Alright, Alright." She let out a small huff as she opened the trapdoor next to us. "I know it's impossible to feel down whenever I'm talking to you, so let's get to bed for now."
Belle was of course already down there, fast asleep as she rested. I could only wonder how many stats she'd gained earlier, but I knew I wouldn't know until she showed them off!
She'd certainly put in a lot of work, and I couldn't be more proud of her.
. . .
My exhausted eyes stared over the horizon as my home came into view. It had been so long since I'd seen it, that for a brief moment I wondered if this was just another cruel trick the gods were playing on me.
I shook away the thought. Even if it was a trick, tears still began to pool in my eyes.
My home. This wonderful jewel, possessed my most important treasures of which I would sacrifice the world for.
Now all that stood between us was the gentle waves, and as I realized that simple fact, my heart began to fill with impending dread.
The waves slowed, then they stalled. With the action my raft had ceased its movement, and the wind behind me ceased to flow.
"There you are. . ." I could feel the cold gaze of the depths staring over me as I clutched the small bag at my side like a lifeline. As though it could protect me from what would come next. "Coward."
I only hoped it could, but for now, I needed a plan.
Nothing would stop me from reaching those I loved.
. . .
More weird dreams? Could I possibly be on the cusp of awakening another Persona?
For a moment I wondered who it could be, but decided to bury the train of thought for the moment.
Crawling out of bed, much to my surprise, Hestia was missing! I also heard chatter upstairs . . . Wow!
These fellows had arrived very early in the morning! Most likely around five, as any earlier than that was borderline farmer hours!
Unless they secretly were farmers, then it was definitely possible. Or maybe they just got up really early . . . I had no idea. Only one way to find out.
Throwing on some clothes, I made my way up the ladder while being careful not to wake Belle from her slumber.
To awaken the rabbit was to invite doom upon yourself! Well, hopefully she could be sated, but she'd probably be annoyed so I wouldn't wake her up unless it was important.
Cracking open the trapdoor, I slowly moved my gaze around the room.
Four figures stood in the room, a shorter man in well fitting overalls with a sunhat at his hip, another person about his size with a large beard and covered in tools, and a large fellow with a blue shirt and somehow even bluer hair with a large bag at his hip! Lastly, but most importantly, was Hestia, my radiant Sun Goddess looked a little bit sleepy as she sent a wave of 'good morning' my way.
"Good morning to all of you, I assume you three are the contractors Rose sent our way?"
"Got it in one kiddo." Spoke the largest of the bunch, he was actually about my height! Not that he would know as I was still poking my head out of a hole in the ground. He reached into the bag and pulled out a letter, passing it to Hestia with a grin as he did so. "Ms. Fannet told me to give this to ya, apparently it's important."
Hestia accepted it with a small frown, before walking over and handing it to me as I crawled out of the floor and onto the church grounds.
"You go ahead and read this Andrew, I'll handle things here."
I gave a gentle sideways hug to Hestia, making sure to avoid crumpling the precious letter she just gave me!
"Thank you Goddess, I'll handle this right now." Nodding to myself I took a seat at the table while the group of four began discussing the renovations that would be done to the building.
Staring down at the letter in my hands I looked over it for a brief moment, the Rose seal over the letter certainly signified its importance, and I couldn't help but let out a forlorn sigh as I knew I would have to destroy the cute wax seal in order to get to the juicy contents inside.
Forgive me!
I opened the letter, and the slow ripping sound slightly hurt my soul, but also kindled the wonder in me for what could possibly lay within! Unfolding the piece of paper I gave it a once over, my eyes widening in surprise.
This seemed really official!
Regards to the Hestia Familia,
In light of recent achievements, the Hestia Familia qualifies for a private meeting involving the advisor partnered with the Familia in question.
The subject matter of the following meeting relates to descending further into the Dungeon and the proper precautions needed to do so.
Please send up to three individuals to the Guild where further instruction will be relayed.
Best Regards,
Rose Fannet
Orario Sealer's Guild
I folded up the letter, and put it in my pocket as I glanced back up at the group of four. There conversation suddenly pulled my attention as my thoughts finished analyzing the paper in front of me.
"-you'll need a place to stay temporarily while we fix up this building. Should be done in a few days."
"Alright, we'll get back to you once we get our temporary living arrangements in order. Thank you again for doing this on such short notice."
"I know a place we can stay." I decided to jump in the conversation, as I had an answer that perfectly matched our current situation.
My mind flicked back to a certain game loving Irish old man, I knew exactly where we could spend the next few days!
Updated Belle Sheet:
Isabelle Cranel
Level 1
Strength: 312 F
Endurance: 297 G
Dexterity: 343 F
Agility: 401 E
Magic:118 H
Skills:
Χίλια Πρόσωπα (Thousand Faces): You may have an additional Development Ability that you qualify for. This Development Ability may be changed at will. You must be aware of the Ability you are copying. Current Face: None
Αργοναύτης (Argonaut): Allows a charge for an active action. It can be used for any type of attack but the effects will dissipate when the user is attacked or they lose focus.
Ολόψυχη Φιλοδοξία(Wholehearted Aspiration): Increases Growth as long as feelings remain. Growth is further increased with strength of feelings.
Magic:
Αόρατο πρόσωπο (Invisible Face): Suppresses presence. Chant - Σιωπή (Hush)
Δεκατρία Δαχτυλίδια της Ασημένιας Καμπάνας (Thirteen Rings of the Silver Bell): Generates a magical silver ring and an increasingly loud Bell sound. Each Ring requires an increasing amount of Mind and another line of the chant. Each Ring increases the power of an attack based on the original attack potency, and must be used before the Rings dissipate. Usage of Argonaut increases the duration of the Rings without costing additional Mind. This Spell may be cast without completing the chant if the End of the chant is used after any of the lines.
Chant -
I - I was born as a single chime, with a single purpose recalled by the inky shadow that surrounded my soul with her abducting hands, each tendril corroding my heart to become just like her.
II - A mold, and a rot needed to be excised as I was taught, through a flood of blood that would cause the Labyrinth City to fall unto Ruin.
III - From Ruin would come something beautiful, from our Hate, Love would be born and dawn a new era once thought erased.
IV - Twin Stars were stolen from my infantile hands before I could see them shine for even a moment, the Loveless Heart I held corroded ever deeper.
V - For I am the rightful heir, chosen as a shade of vengeance so that my silver spear may break the Heart of those who have wronged us.
VI - Sent by the Heavenly Queen, whose gaze is cold and heart is a gaol, one of self fueled arrogance and hate I descended with arrogance and malice.
VII - I who has arrived in the Labyrinth City shall carve it apart with my bleeding fingers and melting blood.
VIII - I met a companion, a Fool who blinded me with his Emerald Heart, Breaking and Unbreaking the task I had set out to accomplish with his morphotic words.
IX - Prepare, and Prepare we did, we who sought the Hearth who glowed with Sunlight and through her compassion the fires began to light underneath my feet with a soft warmth.
X - Each exchanged breath and smile warmed my cold flesh and peeled away the skin that clung to my face like a vice, the Mask falling away to reveal my black heart.
XI - Yet still I was not turned away by the Fool, his face had shifted and I realized I did not stare into the eyes of a Fool, but a Hero, My Hero.
XII - The Heart of which I had worn had broken, and from it a new face was born, one that had chosen its path of its own volition, not at the will of another.
XIII - I was Filled with Love, a new feeling I could not comprehend, yet through it I sought the happiness and joy in this world with a smile on my Face rather than Hatred tearing apart my Heart.
End - Sealed Silver of the distant past, Rapture and Break Free, Unleash the Havoc of my Pure Heart turned Black, and Pure again, thus declares I, Argonaut.
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