(Hiatus) Danmachi Crimson Wine

Chapter 3

Adventurers, the so-called fake heroes with statuses, explore the labyrinth below Orario for personal gain. Not just anyone can become one; the life of adventurers is cruel and dishonest. For this same reason, Bell has been turned down—weak, kind, straightforward, and naive, although somewhat amicable. "This was not the place for it," is what most, if not all, gods who rejected the boy up to this point think.

Hence, the fourth day became the day Bell never found the goddess of hearth. As if meant to be, he had been kicked out of his temporary home, the inn in Orario, due to a lack of money. What would his next step be? Leave Orario and give up on being a hero? Sure, but Bell couldn't do that. Whether it took months or even a year, he'd still keep pushing for someone to accept him.

Bell's POV:

"Ah..." It was cold. My hands were on the verge of frostbite, my hair soaking wet from the heavy downpour, my stomach growling once more—this was all too familiar.

I was thankful to Ryu for helping me these past few months, but I couldn't possibly have asked more from her. I didn't want to freeload off her and everyone else at the tavern.

Until now, I didn't realize how much I relied on them. I'll probably freeze or starve to death. Should I leave Orario, give up being a hero? What will happen then? I... I don't know what to do. Please help me, Grandpa...

"Child."

As if answering my calls, a voice called out to me and snapped me out of my daze—an aura unlike any other person I met. It had to be a god. I lifted my head and was met with long, dark hair with bangs long enough to cover the god's eyes and his expression, which I couldn't make sense of. Analyzing further, he looked to be of average height with slender limbs hanging by his side. He wore a loose robe with its sleeves and hem dirtied with soil.

Upon noticing my gaze, his mouth opened to unveil his concerns. "It isn't good to stare at people like that." "Ah, sorry!" Instinctively, I got up, even when it pained me, I bowed before the deity—a few moments passed, and he said nothing. "Do you want to join a familia?"

[!]

It took me a second, but I understood what he—no, what this god was asking from me. It shouldn't have taken but a second to accept, yet I hesitated. I remembered the very words a certain person had told me: to be careful. They were right. Why, after all these months in Orario, would this god ask me to join their familia? It pained me—I was naive, and I knew that. But even then, I wanted to believe that this deity truly had no ill intentions. I wanted to join a familia, no matter what. Was it so much to ask for?

3rd POV:

The god could see through the child, despite not being his patron god. He could tell that this person in front of him had suffered a great deal. That's why, despite his cold-natured attitude towards even his own children, he wanted to give him a chance—a chance to prove to the great god of wine making that he was worth his love and attention.

And so he did—an act no other god would do to get a child in their familia. "I want you." The black-haired deity extended his arm towards the helpless rabbit. Finishing his sentence, he uttered, "to follow me..."

No matter how much he wanted to understand, the red-eyed boy couldn't. A god's actions, thoughts, etc., made no sense to a mere mortal like him. These deities were omnipotent, and even with their arcanum—the source of their power—sealed, they were still a force to be reckoned with. No mortal could ever touch them, that is if they cared about seeing the afterlife.

And so, the child did only what he, in that moment, could. He shifted, and even when it pained his legs, he walked towards the god—his red eyes covered by his white locks of hair. No words were said, but the wine god understood. And so, he led the way.

"Zanis." The words were so silent the rigid child Soma brought could all but hear it. Nevertheless, a mere moment later, a person knocked on the door. This was Soma's chamber or, in other words, the place where he made his wine and spent 24 hours a day. The room was fairly average; the walls, ceiling, and floor were made of medium-quality marble. Inside the room was placid, with a few bookshelves, decorations, and last but not least, the huge pot in which Soma made his wine.

The door creaked open, and a thin face with glasses atop them came in. "Yes, Soma? What is it that you require?" While continuously stirring the wine pot and never taking his eyes off it, Soma pointed at the rabbit. "Clean him and give him new clothes." Zanis quickly looked between his god and the child left alone standing with mud water dripping from him. 'Tsk, what a bother, another child.' While he was annoyed, he kept his opinions in and proceeded to do what his master asked of him.

"Bring him later." 'Even more bothersome.' Shortly after taking Bell outside the room, the level 2 captain of the familia appointed a rather certain female Pallum to deal with the meager tasks. "Lili." Upon hearing her name called, the Prum who happened to be nearby rushed before the grinning captain. She wouldn't dare make eye contact without his permission, as the last time it ended with her getting beaten severely. Now, every time he called upon her, she would only kneel down with her head low.

"Take him to the shower area. After that, take him to Master Soma's room." Turning away, the captain left ahead, leaving the Prum and rabbit stationary. "*sigh." Looking at the white hair, she irritably voiced, "What are you doing? Hurry up and follow me."

"Oh, right..." Quickly moving ahead, giving no chance for Bell to slow down, they crossed several rooms and eventually made it to the shower area. The walls were covered with moss, the ceiling cracked—unlike the wine god's chamber, that would be heaven compared to this. As Bell looked around, he could only wonder why the difference was so huge between the last room he had been in. "What did you expect?" Sensing his dismay, she once again uttered, hoping to answer his curiosity. "We aren't exactly a rich familia, y'know, so quit it with the obnoxious face." Looking back at her, all he could respond was, "Ah, it's not like that, it was well..."

"Never mind that, I'll be waiting outside. Once you're done, change into those clothes." Pointing her index finger in his opposite direction, there was a set of simple clothes next to the rusted shower head.

Before Bell could thank her, he was met with a small thud on the wooden door.

                                                                              End!