Beginning where we left off last time. Bell stood at the entrance to the hestia familia with Orion right in front of him.
"Relax little one, what are you doing here?" Even though he knew full well what Bell was doing there.
"I-I am bell cranel and i would like to join the Hestia familia." Bell said with a slight nervous stutter and fear and alarm in his eyes at the intimidating form of Orion. Orion just gave a small smile. And patted bell on the shoulder with his massive gauntlet hand. "Well then little one follow me i will guide you to Hestia."
Bell was surprised since he was expecting to be rejected like he heard about adventurers who tried to join other families. Moving inside guided by Orion he could help but wonder. 'I wonder if I will ever see the person that is being called the gods chosen.' Bell thought this, not realizing he was walking with said person.
Only hearing rumors and not knowing what Orion looks like. Orion never told him his name. Bell sees so many that look like the description given to him. He doesn't know and can't tell who is the legendary captain of the Hestia familia. Moving through the halls of the massive mansion Orion starts up a conversation with Bell.
"So little one, what made you want to join this familia?" Orion asked curious about his reason to want to join this familia. Wondering if it will be different from the original. "Oh I was told this familia was a good familia to ask to join by the guild."
Bell answered slightly more relaxed though still rigid but with a happy smile on his face. As they walked through the hall's bell couldn't help but ask, never seeing something this grand before. "Did the hestia familia build this?" Orion began looking around at what he helped build. "Yes, we all had in the hestia familia had a hand in building our magnificent home."
Bell stared at the massive pillars and ornamental walls depicting the slaying and conquering of dragons. White and black marble intertwined perfectly with gold. Awe and wonder clear to see on his face.
Finally after a while of walking they reached Hestia's door. Orion then knocked on the door. "WHO IS IT!?" a yell asking who it was came from the room. "It is me Orion, lady hestia."
With that bell's eyes widened. 'Orion? Wait thee orion? The one that all the adventures are talking about like a myth from legends.' Thinking this bell couldn't help but turn his head slowly and slightly to Orion. Before Bell could get a word out Hestia opened the door and ran to Orion giving him a big hug. "Orion! Your back I thought you would be gone for a couple days or a week."
Hestia who loves all her children couldn't help but play favorite with her first and captain of her familia. Looking up to Orion she stepped back and looked at him beaming with a bright smile. "So Orion, what brings you back so soon. You're usually gone for weeks. Did you forget something?" Hestia then noticed Bell to her right. "Oh who is this?"
Orion was quick to answer. "I came back to grab something I forgot and saw him on my way back. I decided to bring him along with me since I learned he wanted to join the familia."
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Inside Hestia's office the three of them could be seen. Orion near the door in a guard position and pose. Bell sitting on the guest chair in front of Hestia's desk. Then Hestia took her seat on her chair. "So what made you want to join us Bell cranel?" Hestia asked as she swayed her chair side to side. Seeing this bell couldn't help but wonder if all gods are like this. So human, Bell however was no fool he heard the stories and tales of those that angered a god and rightfully got a well smiting.
"Well I didn't know what familias i should ask to join so I asked the guild. They recommended that I try joining your familia first." Hestia perked up and showed a smile. "Thank you for choosing the Hestia familia to join. Would you like to do the ceremony to join the familia?" Bell was then confused. "That easy? Don't familias have tests or do something to have people join?"
Bell's question was met with slight laughter from Hestia. "No, we don't do that here. There will be tests but not now. First we do the ritual to have you be part of the familia. I must warn you bell cranel. After you do this you won't be able to switch familias after you accept for a year. So i will ask you, bell cranel are you sure you want to join our familia?" Bell, who wasn't told this at the guild now had a choice between him. Picking the familia offering to take him in right now. Or try looking for another one. Bell didn't get rejected by a whole bunch of familia's like in the original story.
So right now. He is questioning what to do However due bells nature this would be his first and final attempt to join a familia. The reason? Before in the story nobody wanted to take a chance on a random person. The hestia familia however are different. They are the beacons of hope. Where all light is dim their flames shall burn bright.
Why am I telling you this? Simple because in this moment the first beacon of hope will be born.
With a steading gasp of air for the choice he is about to make. Bell looked at hestia with determination in his eyes and a fire in his soul. "I wish to join your familia!" He exclaimed with both determination and excitement at his future.
Hestia lost the somewhat serious face she made when offering him to leave to go join another familia. Seeing his resolve and eagerness to join her family she perked right back up. Her first familia member that wasn't from Orion's special power or from the system.
After Bell's decision he and hestia went into the small room with a table and light coming from a hole in the roof area leading to a roof lantern that held mirrors inside to allow more light to shine through.
"Please take off your shirt and lay on the table." Hestia then pointed to the table in the middle of the room with light shining on it like it was a holy shrine.
"Wha-What?" Bell got confused, he looked at hestia with confusion on his face and was dumbfounded by the request.
"Oh you don't know? I need to put a drop of my blood on your back to put the familia crest on your back." Hestia explained to the nervous but now steadily calming down Bell.
"Oh ok." Bell then took off his shirt and then moved to the table laying on his chest.
Hestia then walked up to the table with a needle in her hand. She pricked her finger till a drop of blood came out.
Putting her finger over his back, her blood dropped. Then the bell felt it. A new feeling came out and a slight tingle went up his back. Throughout his body like lightning and fire his body was now new.
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Orion, who was outside the room standing near the door, could feel it. Bell has joined the Hestia familia. Meanwhile inside hestia was happy she finally got her first family member that wasn't from the system. Don't get her wrong, she was grateful for the system. It allowed her to build a familia without even trying to.
But thanks to it being other worldly it never felt right to her. She loved Orion as if he was her own son and child but she couldn't for the life of her be ok or feel right with Orion and how he and his sons treated everyone. With indifference. They care for and take good care of the children but they don't really show empathy or that much kindness to others.
In the middle of her stupor she then realized that something was happening. The system was reacting to the bell.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Due to Getting your first familia member that is not given from the system or Orion. You are given the chance to give a permanent buff to your child. Please pick one of the three buffs to give your child.
"Beacon of hope": In dire situations your child will have a temporary boost to his stats. Bringing it to its fullest potential for 15 mins. After the 15 mins are up they will not be able to move for 24 hours.
"Child of the White Flame": For 20 mins your child can manipulate the holy flame to burn their enemies and heal their allies. After the 20 mins are up their mana will be permanently at 10% for 24 hours. The holy flame of Prometheus is capable of burning most things. It also has the power to heal any injury or wound.
"Hestia's Chosen": The longer this child serves you the more EX he will earn and get. On the 12th day of him being in your familia. The EX he earns that day will be doubled.
The end for now.