Hyena Werks, A proud Orario Company.
DanmachiXDnD Nonhuman semi SI
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Chapter Three:
Squeaking Past The Divine Border Patrol
(Jailhouse Blues Part Two)
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Record scratch.
Freeze Frame.
Utterly dead silence.
Over two dozen faces looked back at me, frozen in a fascinating mix of horror, awe, and even excitement in a few of them. The five original guards that were with Steve looked like someone had just tap-danced over their collective graves as they white-knuckled their weapons.
I could actually hear the collective heartbeats of everyone in the room skyrocket at the word ‘eight’. And a bitterly pungent smell that Max’s memory told me was fear filled my nose.
One of the few exceptions was a newcomer who had been hovering behind Freya the whole time. Almost as tall as I was, he also had a pair of triangular furry ears perched on top of his head. He was built like a brick house, and armed with a comically large single edged sword.
While his face was entirely blank, an unmistakable spark of anticipation shone in his russet colored eyes.
Tearing my eyes from the stranger, I addressed the room. “Why are you all looking at me like that?” I huffed, feeling a bit unnerved at all the attention. “Level eight isn’t that high, is it?”
Someone in the crowd audibly choked, and Dian Cecht looked like he’d swallowed his tongue.
“What level do your people consider high, then, Max?” Ganesha asked, and while what little I could see of his face was expressionless, the intensity of his voice took me off guard.
Realizing I might have just majorly fucked up some how, I tripped over my words to answer. “W-well, most people agree that one becomes world class at around level twelve to fifteen, but level twenty is believed to be the peak of mortal achievement.”
“Max.” The Elephant masked God of Wisdom and luck breathed out, his shock coloring his words. “The highest level ever recorded in our history is nine… The highest level adventure alive...” He gave a nod over his shoulder to the man behind Freya. “Is Ottar here at level seven.”
A small ‘Oh’ slipped out of my mouth at the information.
Oh, I fucked up bad.
There's no God damned way that we’re using a similar leveling system, because I know that some of the characters here were able to do your standard anime bullshit; Like running so fast that they vanish, or cut someone so quickly that all they do is put their hand on their sword and the bad guy falls apart at the seams in an explosion of blood.
Either I had outed myself as far more alien then they can imagine or…
Or maybe… Maybe I can use this.
As long as I never, ever, correct their misconception… Who's to say I’m not a level eight super gnoll capable of bending their strongest fighter over my digitigrade knee and beating his ass like he owes me money.
I took the chance to gauge how the other Gods were taking this information. Dian Cecht looked like he’d just lost at cards with Death himself, and he’d had come to collect; Hephaestus was biting her lip, looking as though she was physically holding herself back from asking a million and one questions; Loki was looking at me like her next ten birthdays had all come at once, with me as the sole gift; And Freya had a calculative gleam in her eye, like some business mogul eyeing up their next less-than-legal business acquisition.
Or perhaps like how a lion looks at a particularly juicy gazelle.
Ganesha himself was simply staring at me, his eyes inscrutable behind the orange lenses of his mask. The only clue I had to his thoughts was the firm set to his jaw.
It wasn’t until they started moving that I remembered that Fels in the black cloak was there at all. Their cloak seemed to blow in a non-existent breeze as they walked up to the bars of my cell.
In an ethereal voice that echoed with a strange timber, they spoke. I would have liked to say they sounded appropriately spooky for someone wearing the Grim Reapers cloak, but unfortunately, they sounded like a robot speaking into a desk fan.
“You didn’t hurt anyone.”
I quirked a brow at the complete non-sequitur, at my voiceless request for elaboration they continued.
“For all your power, you didn’t fight back when threatened by those travelers; You just surrendered and let yourself be led away in chains?”
“Yes?” I questioned, wondering where they were going with this. “I wasn’t about to fight a bunch of random merchants without a damned good reason. All I wanted was to do was ask them where we were and what the name of this city was.” With a mirthless chuckle I added. “Not to mention surrendering seemed to have worked out just fine for me, I got to skip that big fuck-off line out there, after all.”
“Or at least it would have been perfect.” I amended, making sure to shoot Cecht a dirty look as I did. “if someone didn’t go and muck around with things that did not belong to them.”
And, as it turns out, a hyena man roughly the size of a grizzly bear has one mean looking glare.
While Dian, the already light skinned Irish man, paled even further, somehow and took a big step back- Fels, for their part simply nodded, apparently satisfied with my answer because they simply stepped back behind the rest of the Gods and remained silent.
Ganesha opened his mouth, no doubt to continue the interrogation, but the registrar spoke up before he could. “Um, Lord Ganesha?” Tivra held up his broken quill and now thoroughly soaked parchment. “I uh- broke my Blood Pen…”
While Ganesha released a small sigh, I took a closer look at the now ruined writing instrument.
What I thought was a mundane quill was actually an intricately crafted feather pen, with beautiful silver filigree trailing up and down its length. Scarlet ink ran from its reservoir and all across the man's hand in a small river.
Well, it would be a crying shame to leave such a gorgeous stylograph in such a state.
I stuck my open palm through the bars. “Pass it here, I'll take a look.”
At Ganesha’s reassuring nod, Tivra placed the broken halves of his pen in my paw before scurrying back. Hephaestus on the other hand had pressed herself up against the bars to take a better look, much to the dismay of her familia.
With the quill in hand, it was clear to see that the break was almost perfectly clean, so this should be an easy enough fix. I carefully nudged the pieces across my palm until they were lined up, and closed my fist to hold them in place. My other hand went to the cord wrapped around my neck.
My necklace was one of the only things the guards let me keep (the other being my pants) when they dragged me in here; And that was under the snarled threat that I would bite the hand off of any man that tried.
At a glance, it was nothing but a bunch of tribal trinkets woven onto a strap of thick leather into some crude jewelry.
A pair of fangs and claws, yellowed with age; Stones and chunks of metal of various types, such as a couple of lodestones and a small scrap of iron; The contour feathers of several species of birds; There was even a small strip of pork rind tied into a knot and looped through the middle.
Most people would dismiss it as nothing other than sentimental baubles.
Others would call it a bunch of trash.
But anyone from any of the multiverses of DnD would know exactly what they’re looking at.
With my hand on the lodestones, and with a subtly breathed ‘Mend’, I could feel it in my belly as a small pinch of my mana was burned to fuel the spell, altering reality itself.
The magic manipulated the very molecules of the pen. Forcing them to merge with their fellows until what was once broken was made whole.
I opened my fist to reveal a perfectly repaired pen.
The Goddess of the Forge audibly gasped and snatched up the pen from my hand before Tivra could even take a step forward.
Her rapid fire muttering filled the room as she held it up, but even with my big-ass ears I could only catch one word in ten. I did hear something about a ‘perfect atomic bond’ but other than that it was mostly technobabble that even Maedmux was having trouble following.
While Hephaestus freaked out over a pen, I waved to get Tivra’s attention, and gestured for him to pass over the ruined transcript. After only a moment, he acquiesced and handed it to me.
One pass of prestidigitation later and the excess ink sloughed off (right on to the ground, whoops), leaving behind the already written words untouched. All I had to do was focus on the idea that only the puddle of ink was the problem, but not the ink used on the words, and the spell did the rest.
As I gave the scroll back to a thankful Tivra, Ganesha started speaking with a sigh. “You know Max, you aren’t making this easy on me.” At my questioning look he continued. “On one hand, you haven’t done anything wrong; In fact, you’ve been nothing but cooperative, helpful even.” He added after another glance at the pristine pen and scroll.
“On the other hand… I’m not sure I have the authority to make such a decision alone. Granting access to even a lone level four or five is one thing.” He barks a humorless laugh at the mere thought of a solo first class adventure running around outside of Orario unchecked. “But a level eight? That would have to go through the council I’m afraid.”
I scratched my chin in thought as he and the rest watched uneasily, gauging how I would take the news no doubt.
“Alright, but answer me truthfully.” I said and crouched down slightly until we were eye level. “Would you be so reluctant to let me in if I was a level eight human?”
“No.” He said after a moment of thought. “You would have most likely been granted access after a short debate, but it wouldn’t have been a case that needed to be put before the Denatus.”
With a nod I stood up fully. “I appreciate your honesty. Do you have any more questions or are you ready to give your verdict?”
“I think we’ve all had enough world shattering answers for today, so I’ll save the rest of my questions for another time.” He said with a sigh. “Instead, I’m only going to ask you two more and then we’ll go from there.”
He leaned forward and put his hands on the bars as he stared me down. “Firstly, how did you end up outside of Orario?”
Even with the gravitas of the question, and knowing how my answer would directly shape my future with these people, the only answer I could offer him was a shrug. “I wish I knew. Last night I went to sleep, and when I woke up I was in some random glade a couple of miles out of town. There were no tracks or trails of any kind leading to or from the clearing, so I have no Idea how I ended up there. I followed my nose until I found a road, which took me to your city. I decided to go down and ask the locals some questions, and you know the rest.”
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Gashesha groaned with a muttered “Truth” just under his breath, before he collected himself. “The others won’t like it when all I can report is that you have no idea how you ended up here, but if you don’t know then you don’t know.
But the question I must have an answer for however, is: Do you bear any ill will or hostile intent towards Orario or her people?”
My eyes widened in shock. “God no! I just wanted to ask some questions, and maybe find an inn or something to stay the night! I mean, I’d defend myself if I had absolutely no choice, but I’m not here to cause trouble or anything…”
Time passed, either a moment or an hour I couldn’t say. Just me staring into the opaque lens of his mask. Begging, imploring him to understand without words that I wasn’t dangerous.
With a sigh of relief the spell was broken, and Guardian of Orario leaned back and let some of the tension drain from his body.
“Then I am ready to make my verdict, I have already heard the opinions and recommendations by my fellow Gods before the interview, so unless any of them would like to change their opinion?..” When all four of them shook their heads in the negative, Ganesha continued. “Then with the power invested in me by my fellow Gods, and the people of Orario, I hereby grant you probationary admittance to the city. You will have to wait until the official hearing during the Denatus as to whether or not a more permanent offer, such as citizenship, is extended to you.”
He then waved up Steve, who took out a key and opened my cell door without ceremony.
That's it? These people meet what should be an individual from a completely new species of basically unknown strength, power, or allegiance and they just… Welcome them into their home? I expected to be cooling my heels in this cell for days at best, but only an hour or so later and a few questions and its ‘Come on in!’?
The Gods must put a lot of faith into their ability to discern truth from lies…
Damnit, After the absolute roller coaster of a day I’ve been having, I don’t really feel like organizing my already spent emotions too much. So I’ll just settle on optimistically grateful.
I still haven’t really had a chance to just sit and… Decompress yet. To mourn my lost humanity, taken without warning or reason.
From trying to find shelter, to the mortal terror of staring down a fantasy firing squad, and then straight to an interrogation…
Up till now, momentum, and the slim hope that this is nothing but some crazy dream have been the only things keeping me going.
I’m self aware enough to know that writing this whole thing off as just a dream is ludicrous. From the second I opened my eyes in that clearing, I knew this was no hallucination, but what else could I believe?
No God descended and told me of some epic destiny I must fulfill. No ROB sauntered into my life and told me I was its new plaything.
For all I know, Maedmux hit his head and I’m only the hallucinated alter ego created by brain damage and an overactive imagination.
But, fuck is it a weight off my shoulders too hear those words. If only because I can take shelter off the list of problems I’m facing.
Only like a billion to go.
I gave a respectful nod and a small smile to Ganesha as I ducked under the door frame to stand in the hallway. “Then I thank you for your mercy and hospitality, Pack Lord.”
As Steve worked to remove my shackles; Ganesha beamed a smile back, his serious demeanor vanishing with the wind now that the interrogation was done. “Don’t mention it, Max, I’m sure the rest of the Gods will see reason. Then you’ll be welcome to live here if you so wish.”
“I’ll want to be able to see a map first, but if I can’t figure out where I am or how to get back home… I might just take you up on that.”
The God reached up and clapped a hand on my shoulder with a smile. “We’ll do what we can to help you; In the meantime, let's get you your things back from lockup.”
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Ganesha quietly led me through a chaotic mess of corridors and staircases, clearly lost in thought as he navigated the passages with practices ease; I could hear murmurs from the group as they following behind at a slight distance, but I couldn’t be bothered to listen in as I focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
Eventually we passed through a steel grate flanked by two guards, arriving at a large antechamber. At the center of the room were rows upon rows of wooden tables stacked high with all manner of confiscated goods and contraband.
And there, on the table closest to the door, was my gear. Dark leather bandoliers and belts heaped in a messy pile, while all of my potions and tools were lined up in neat rows in front of them.
Trotting past Ganesha and up to the table, I let Max’s muscle memory take the lead. With practiced ease, I started pulling on my equipment and In less than a couple of minutes I was slotting the last heath potion into its holster. Seeing the four empty spots where my stolen potions used to be rekindled a small spark of anger in my heart. So while shooting Cecht another look, I popped open the Arcane Lock on my custom hip-Bag Of Holding with a snap of my fingers, and stuck my arm up to the elbow into the seemingly empty pouch.
Thanks to Max’s memories I knew that all I needed to do was simply visualize what I wanted to pull out and- there we go. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, I withdrew my paw grasping a fist full of potions; Two vials Health, one of Fire-Giant Strength, and a Psionic Fortitude.
After I tucked the vials away and locked my bag back up, I turned back to the crowd to see them once again gapping at me, or more specifically, the bag on my hip.
Alright, this bit was kinda funny at first but it's getting old fast. How the hell am I going to blend in if something as innocuous as a Bag of Holding was mind boggling to them? What are they going to say when I finally build a homunculus? A Steel Defender?
And God help me if they find out about the magical WMD I’m packing in this little satchel.
“Let me guess, you guys don’t have Bags of Holding around here?” As one, the group just mutely shook their heads, getting an amused snort out of me. “Then I guess that's an untapped market I can make some gold in… provided I’m allowed to stay in your fine city, of course.” I added with a cheeky grin and a wink, not bothering with subtlety at this point in my day.
“We checked that bag, several times, for hidden pockets or a false bottom. The only thing noticeable about it was its suspicious weight, but I know for a fact it was empty.” Ganesha trailed off, his unasked question hanging in the air.
I pulled the bag in question off my hip and held it up to the crowd, might as well hawk my future wares while I have the attention of some of the most powerful people in the city. “These are fairly common back home, they’re enchanted items connected to a pocket dimension in an alternate plane. They vary, naturally, in quality- which affects how much one can safely carry, but my bag here can hold about five-hundred pounds worth of goods without ever weighing more than fifteen. I made this one myself, and had it locked with magic, so only I could access its contents.”
The Gods were obviously impressed.
But the adventurers standing behind them?
They were practically salivating.
I could see the want, the greed, in their eyes. Even Dead Eye’d Ais was looking at the bag with interest.
I could very well imagine why. If I remember correctly, then Danmachi was basically about ‘adventures’ who go down into the Big Bad Dungeon day after day to kill monsters and collect their riches to bring back up to the surface. Like glorified miners who just happened to be digging up particularly hostile rocks.
A bag that could increase the amount of loot they could carry out by an order of magnitude would be a complete game changer.
I shot another smirk at the Gods as I clipped my bag back onto my belt; Knowing that if nothing else, I had made prospective customers out of five of the most powerful people in the city.
People who will be more than willing to fight for me in this ‘Denatus’ of theirs, which I can only assume to be a governing body of some kind.
“So…” I started, drawing out the ‘o’. “What exactly does probationary admittance entail? And am I officially free to go?”
Ganesha nodded with a hum. “You can leave here and enter the city whenever you wish. Probationary status simply means that technically, you are only a visitor to the city. So, any crimes you possibly commit would be investigated far more critically, and judged even more harshly, than a citizen who is in good standing might otherwise be.”
With a breath he continued. “Other than that? Public services which are normally free to use such as access to The Great Library and the various bath houses will require a modest fee. And entry to other places like Babel or the Dungeon itself would be out-right denied to you. You lucked out with the timing of your arrival, though, because the next Denatus is only next week.”
Nothing too unreasonable then, I simply have to keep my nose clean for a week and I should be fine. “Then I guess that's it then, If you guys have nothing else you need from me, I’ll just be on my way….”
The elephant masked God flinched. “That might be a problem- While you are legally allowed in the city, if the people of Orario saw you just wandering around… They might, well, take offense per say. Before we came down here to meet you, it was decided that the best way to avoid any panic or bloodshed, is to have either Loki or Freya here take temporary-” He strains the last word, looking at the Goddesses in question as he does. “-Custody of you, just until the Denatus. Then we can officially introduce you to the populace at large.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he continues before I could interrupt. “I know it's unfair, but If the people see you in the company of one of our strongest familias, they’ll feel a lot safer, and less likely to attack out of fear.”
Damnit.
I shut my mouth with a click and huff out my nose in frustration.
As much as I hate the idea of being stuck with one of these Gods, Ganeshas right… If the reactions of the people at the gate is any indication, then the folks in the city will probably just try to kill me on sight.
“All right.” I muttered with a sigh, already resigned to dealing with walking neurosis in front of me for the foreseeable future; Causing Ganesha to beam at my easy acceptance. “I get to choose though?”
At his nod, I eyed my two options up.
On one hand, I have Loki, the Goddess of Mischief and trickery, infamous for her (his?) desire to spread chaos across the world. They are also known for their predisposition to banging animals and giants alike; Spawning children destined to eat the sun and moon… Or something, I don’t fucking know. Norse mythology is weird.
Now, I seriously doubt that that last part made it into Danmachi, but the being in front of me was inspired by the original tale, so it's probably safe to assume that her overall personality will match.
On the other hand, I have Freya. Who is also from Norse mythology, which is about the sum total knowledge I have on her. I want to say she’s the wife of Odin, as well as the Goddess of conflict and fertility- but I’m not sure if that's right.
The choice should be easy, either I go with silk-stockings over here, who probably bleed blue if I bit her; Or I go with the degenerate dressed, as Freya put it, ‘incongruously’.
By all accounts, Freya would be a perfectly fine choice for a temporary host. Clearly respected, wealthy, and with a strong familia; An excellent shield to put between myself and the bloodthirsty masses.
But then why am I so hesitant to go with her? I couldn’t quite articulate exactly what I was feeling, but some animal instinct within me was absolutely screaming danger when I looked into her silver eyes.
Something about those apathetic, glassy orbs just raised my hackles like nothing else.
I looked back and forth between the Goddesses as I absently scratched my chin. “And you two are ok with putting me up for a week?”
Freya answered with a titter. “I was the one who suggested allowing one of us to host you. It was contingent on Ganesha allowing you in, of course. But we all know that letting you wander free after the debacle at the gate would be disastrous.”
I gave a non-committal hum, still none too pleased to hear that they had already planned this out. The part that I was really hung up on though, was what the hell their stake in all of this? I get why Ganesha, and to an extent, the other Gods are worried about a potential danger like myself enough to give me all this special attention. But to care enough to take responsibility of a complete stranger? I just couldn’t figure out what their game was.
“If it makes ya’ choice any easier-” Loki spoke up, a grin clear in her voice. “-My familia and I were plannin’ on going out for drinks after this…”
Damnit… Hearing those magic words after the day I’ve had?
“I could go for a drink.” I admitted, causing Loki’s smirk to grow even more smug. But even mentioning something food adjacent had my stomach making its displeasure at still being empty known to all.
My blush would have been atomic if my fur didn’t completely hide it.
"-And maybe we can grab a bite to eat as well, my treat." Loki amended with a snicker, driving my mortification to new heights.
“Oh Please.” Freya sneered, shooting a dispassionate glare at Loki before refocusing on me. “You don’t have to settle for whatever tavern swill she’ll slap in front of you. I have Orario’s finest cooks under my employ, as well as a fully stocked wine cellar with the finest vintages from all across Gekai.”
I huffed a fake laugh, but internally I could feel an unease that bordered on pure panic curling in my belly. Why the hell did they want to host me so badly? Shouldn’t they be more nervous if they think I’m such a high level?
Something in me is already howling at the mere thought of being in close contact with these self-proclaimed Gods. Their insistence on having me stay with them is only giving credence to that nameless thing’s fears.
The fear that the attention of Deities can only bring suffering.
I gave the haughty woman a long look before speaking. “I'm sure your cellar is filled with fancy drinks with fancier names that I can't even pronounce, much less afford. I’m a simple gnoll with simple needs, Freya, I just want a cold beer and warm food.”
I turned back to Loki, eager to get away from the Goddess of War, and even more excited at the prospect of food. “To be honest, some bar food sounds pretty damn good to me. So if it’s truly no trouble, then I would prefer to stay with you for the time being.”
“No trouble at all, mister Maddic, my home is your home.” The trickster Goddess said with a triumphant smile as she stuck out her hand to me.
I took her hand and gave it a single shake. “Then I am in your care, Pack Lord Loki.”
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