Adama didn’t spend as long as he normally would have in the Dungeon that night. Even with his new magic and the amplification granted by his new abilities, he was still threatened by the ferocity and the plenitude of the enemies on the 13th floor. His Level 2 stats were still at rock bottom, and he was still getting used to the physical changes brought about by the Level up as well. After a few hours of brutal, regular fighting, he had definitely gotten used to his new abilities. But he was also heaving like a whipped plow horse, so he decided to call it a night.
The next day, he didn’t have morning practice with Aiz so he had planned to go right into the Dungeon with Lilli that morning, but he was waylaid by Hestia yet again after they had eaten a quick breakfast together. She stopped him as he got up to retrieve his gear, waving her hands to placate her scowling Familia captain, who was unhappy at being prohibited from his normal work yet again. Even so, Hestia knew he would like what she had in mind:
“Wait a second, Tim. I know you’re eager to get back to work and all, but I wanted you to meet someone before you do. I’d meant to introduce the two of you beforehand, but things have been pretty hectic.”
Tim raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms:
“What’s so important about this joker that I need to meet him so badly? He some kind of great Sage?”
Now Hestia looked a bit amused, as well as kind of sheepish, as she played with a lock of her hair when responding:
“No, I don’t think you could call him that exactly, but he might be respected as a Sage, or even more than a Sage, in some things. You and he have quite a bit in common. I promise that you won’t regret meeting him. Also, I promised him I would introduce the two of you. Just speak with him for an hour or so, please?”
He could be as sardonic or as cynical as he liked, refusing Hestia outright was a difficult task. Nodding reluctantly, he followed her out the door and through backstreets toward the Northeastern district of Orario. As a compromise, he brought his gear as well as a fully equipped Lilli with him. He would take a single detour here, see what this mysterious stranger had to say to him, then leave immediately for the Dungeon.
Adama’s expectations for this meeting sunk lower when Hestia led him to a ramshackle housing complex slumped in one of Orario’s non-descript alleyways. Chipped gray paint and a slightly sinking roof did not inspire confidence that the residents of this home were particularly capable or well known. Hestia knocked, and the door was answer by a timid young girl with long black bangs that covered her eyes. She wore a strange lavender robe with a crimson rope for a belt and she stuttered a bit when greeting the strangers on her doorstep:
“G-good morning, L-lady Hestia. The Lord told us to expect you. R-right this way please.”
She then led Hestia and co through the brown hallways of the dilapidated townhouse, finally stopping at another dark wooden door. Knocking softly, she waited for a calm masculine voice to echo out a simple “Come in” from within, before opening the door and showing the visitors inside. Sitting at a central round table was a dark haired and dark eyed man of average height and build. He looked to be chiseled out of stone, with a handsomely defined chin that led down to a well-muscled neck and shoulders. His skin was the same tan as Hestia’s while his garb was also a similar beige. Despite having the build and affect of a noble aristocrat, he had gone largely without adornment and was instead dressed in the plain robes of a laborer. The only decorative aspect of his appearance was his hair, which had been tied into long loops by a purple band. Adama didn’t recognize the style.
Simple dress or otherwise, the man’s exceptionally handsome features and powerful build seemingly marked him as being of the same breed as Hestia. One of her god-friends, then. Tim fought the urge to sigh, as most of his interactions with divinities not named Miach or Hestia indicated that they were selfish and unreasonable creatures. He would have to hope that this fellow was different. His hopes were improved when the man flashed them a genuine and warm smile and got up to greet them:
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Hestia, my old friend. It’s good to see you.” The man’s voice tumbled easily out like flowing silver.
“Hello, Take, I’m glad to see you again as well. It’s been too long. This is Tim, my Familia captain, and his supporter Lilli.”
‘Take’ greeted Tim and Lilli warmly, indicating that he was happy to see that Hestia was building such a nice Familia already. As Lilli clarified that she wasn’t an official member of the Familia yet, something about this strange divinity caught Adama’s eye. He began tracking the man’s movements with a careful gaze. Take offered them all to take a seat, and had the girl, whose name was Chigusa, fetch them all some drinks. They sat while Take and Hestia did some catching up and Tim and Lilli continued to sit in vigilant silence.
Sensing Tim’s impatience, Hestia brought their conversation to a point rather quickly:
“So, Take, you said that there was something you wanted to ask us about?”
He nodded seriously, “Indeed there is. I’ve heard stories of the meteoric rise of this young swordsman here and I want to ask a favor. My children are strong, but all of them are still Level 1. They want to make a name for themselves so they can better support the orphanage that they grew up in. We left that place about a year ago to come to Orario to do that, but as you can see, we can’t even afford great accommodations for ourselves. We send back what we can, but I can see that they are all impatient to reach for more. I train them as well as I can, but I cannot help them grow faster in the Dungeon. I was wondering if Tim would consider taking them under his wing and training them in Dungeon combat.”
Both girls turned to look at Adama, who glowered in suspicion at this new petitioner:
“What makes you think I would be so good at that? Meteoric rise or no, I’ve only been an adventurer for two months or so. There must be someone more qualified.”
Take, on the other hand, was smiling knowingly as he responded:
“Oh, I think you underestimate yourself, Tim. Breaking the Level 2 record by as much as you have qualifies you as a once-in-a-generation talent. Also, I can see by the way you move and by how you assess things that your skill and experience far surpass any normal veteran adventurer, though I couldn’t say for certain exactly why. Besides, it’s not as though I have a plethora of friends in Orario with talented warriors like you under their wings. You are one of the best choices out there to guide them.”
Now Adama gave Take his sarcastic half grin, “That so? Well, then why should I? My time is valuable, and I don’t want to waste it watching over a few baby hatchlings.”
“A perfectly reasonable response. If you were to do this, we would be very much within your debt. The aid and friendship of Takemikazuchi Familia is not to be underestimated, especially if you can train my children well. We could also discuss monetary payment, or I could help you with anything you desired as well.”
Now Adama’s grin had taken on a bellicose flavor, “Oh really? Anything I desired? If that’s the case, then why don’t we have a nice and friendly sparring match, Mr. Takemikazuchi?”
“Tim?!” Lilli exclaimed from his right, “What are you saying? He isn’t even an adventurer!”
Hestia, on the other hand, was simply trying to cover a knowing smile, while Takemikazuchi was decidedly unphased by the adventurer’s combative challenge. Tim had taken notice of how the man moved. He possesed the grace of a natural predator, a warrior whose confidence and poise were absolute and well founded. This Takemikazuchi was no ordinary god, Adama could see that clearly. He did follow his challenge with a stipulation, though:
“Of course, I won’t use any magic against an opponent with no magic. I’ll also hold back in terms of physical strength, too. I just want to cross swords with a new and capable opponent. Iron sharpens iron, after all.”
The god’s smile hadn’t waved whatsoever before he responded:
“Of course, I understand. I would be happy to cross blades with such an accomplished young person, especially if it means that he would be more willing to help train my children. I, Takemikazuchi, the god of war, accept your challenge!”
…
Atop the ramparts of Orario, a small group of adventurers stood shivering in the early morning cold. Lilli, of course, was among the spectators, alongside Hestia, but 4 others had also come out to witness this midmorning duel. One of them was Chigusa, who seemed to be doing her best to blend in with her Familia members as she shyly looked onward. The others were a heavyset man by the name of Ouka and two women by the name of Mikoto and Asuka. Ouka, Mikoto, and Chigusa all wore lavender clothing of similar stylings, while Asuka alone opted for a yellow robe with a red belt. They were the strongest members of Takemikazuchi Familia and had been called out by their god to watch this match.
These Familia members had brushed off the snow and cleared away the ice from the top of the ramparts to give clean footing to the two men who now faced each other down upon its evenly cut stones. Both Adama and Takemikazuchi held normal iron swords, Tim unwilling to take an advantage in the weapons department either. Both held their blades at the ready, gazing at each other with unwavering focus, attempting to suss out any weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Takemikazuchi’s jovial grin had been replaced with an iron mask of total sobriety, the visage of a warrior who took his opponent totally seriously.
As a light sprinkling of snow drifted down around the two sword masters, the world itself seemed to hold its breath. Each man tested the other silently, patiently. They held that tension for a handful of endless seconds until, in harmony, they stepped forward and went on the attack.