Danateus is a meeting of the Gods that's usually held once every three months, but because of the Evilius running around, it had been postponed too many times, and now that the Evilius reign has ended, the gods decided to hold Danateus just before the Elgia festival. Many things are discussed in this meeting, and aliases are given to adventurers that ranked up.
But this time, the gods were too excited, and why wouldn't they be? Today, they had two major players whose aliases would be decided: one who had achieved Level 7 by defeating the Glutton, and another who was perhaps even more intriguing—the being from beyond, the sole member of his species, the record holder himself.
The being who has come from beyond, the sole member of his species, the record holder, Arin Kael.
Loki, Astraea, and Hermes were also present in the big open hall, sitting on their respective chair, and looking over the gods who were debating as to what Alias would be better for the new Level 7 adventurer, Ottarl.
"Big Boar! Big Boar I say!" one god shouted, raising his fist triumphantly. Several others are voicing their support.
"Silence, fool! 'Big Bear' is far superior!" a goddess shot back, her supporters rallying behind her.
The patron goddess of the subject concerned was quietly observing the crowd of gods shouting at each other. Of course, she wouldn't let anyone give that kind of stupid name to her Ottarl, but there is no harm in basking in some vanity.
"Uwaaa! Everyone is fired up, huh?" stated Loki, stretching her back like a cat.
"Of course, it's not every day that they get to part in such an entertaining activity." Observed Hermes, putting his hand on his hat.
"Don't get distracted, you two, remember we have our thing to do," Astraea spoke. "And Loki, have you thought of an Alias for Arin?" She asked Loki who was sitting beside her.
Hearing her words, Loki just averted her eyes, indicating she hadn't thought about anything.
"This is going to be difficult," Astraea sighed, though her determination remained firm. Arin was practically an honorary member of her familia even before their alliance—she wouldn't let him receive anything inappropriate.
Just as Astraea was thinking of telling them the Alias she had come up with, she heard the goddess of beauty speak, silencing the whole commotion.
"Now, if all of you have stated your opinion, I have already decided what his Alias will be."
Everyone present put their ears up, even Loki, who was putting her head on the table and lazing around, turned her attention towards Freya.
"Oh? And what is it?" Hermes voiced the question everyone present had.
"King," replied Freya. "After all, he has defeated an opponent that far outclasses him in every way, but my Ottarl never bent his knees and triumphed against the impossible."
"King…" "I like that." "At least it's better than a bear and boar." "Oye! You picking a fight?!"
Several gods voiced their agreement. Those who disagreed wisely kept their opinions to themselves—who in their right mind would challenge Freya, patron of one of Orario's two strongest familias?
"Oh my, what a lovely alias," Demeter said, clapping her hands together as the meeting's host. "Now that's settled, let's move on to our next candidate—the one everyone's truly excited about. Yes, Arin Kael himself."
"OHHH!" "Finally, the high human!" "Have you seen him? Absolutely striking." "His performance has been remarkable."
"Yes, he constantly fought against opponents stronger than him."
"My children told me he saved them a lot of times during the great conflict," said one god.
"Mine as well—my familia members received tremendous help from him," Another goddess supported his claim.
"I also heard that wherever he fought, the death toll of that place was significantly less," said another god.
"Yes, he used his flame magic to keep all his enemies at bay."
The gods again started chattering like small kids in a kindergarten, but one sentence was enough to bring them to silence.
"But what Alias would be suitable for him?" a goddess posed the question, bringing everyone to silence.
Loki also stood up straight, as it concerned her familia member.
The silence stretched for exactly three seconds before chaos erupted.
"Flame Walker!" "Fire Bringer!" "The Crimson Guardian!" "Soul Saver!" "Multi-Killer!" "Record Breaker!"
"Wait, wait!" an older god interjected. "What about 'Otherworld Hero'?"
"Too long!" several voices protested.
"Then 'Otherworlder'!"
"Boring!"
"How about 'Soul Flame'?" suggested a goddess.
"Ooh, that's not bad," murmured some supporters.
"'The Unbound'!" shouted another. "Since he's not tied to any world!"
"'Crimson Reaper'!" "Too edgy!" "'The Wanderer'!" "Cliché!"
Loki banged her fist on her chair's armrest. "You idiots! None of those are good!"
"Oh?" Hermes raised an eyebrow. "And what would you suggest, oh wise Loki?"
Loki started sweating, her eyes going this way and that, until an idea seemed to strike.
"'Charmer'!" Loki declared proudly.
The hall went dead silent.
"...Seriously?" a god finally asked.
"How about I suggest one?" Seeing that things were going nowhere, Astraea decided to take things into her own hands.
"Oh? And what would that be?" Asked Freya, clearly interested.
"Astralis." Astraea declared.
"Of the stars, huh?" mumbled several gods.
"I think it goes well with his star-like magic." Agreed, one god.
"Yes, remember when he threw his sword at Erebus? It truly looked like a shooting star."
"I was thinking more along the lines of 'Herald,'" spoke Freya, "But Astralis is also good."
"Oh! I also like it," Spoke Loki with enthusiasm, forgetting the blunder she made, "Good job, Astraea! And you, too useless, Hermes."
"Why am I useless?" Hermes argued.
"Maybe because you didn't suggest anything good, and neither did you support my suggestion?" Answered Loki.
"I agree on me not suggesting a good name, but Loki, the name you suggested, was just too bad. I am positive that if Arin heard it, He would die because of shame."
"Now that the main event is out of the way, let's move on to our next topic…."
And the meeting of gods continued.
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After the meeting, Freya approached the trio of gods, making their way to the exit.
"Loki, Astraea, and Hermes, it's been a while since we met, haven't it?" Freya called them out, crossing her hands.
"Hm, Freya?" Loki turned to face her and answered. "Well, you were the one who remained secluded in the tower. But anyway, what do you need?"
"You are really cold, Loki, making an alliance among yourselves and not inviting me?" Freya replied with a mock hurt expression.
"Even if we had invited you, you would not have joined, have you?" Astraea asked.
"Hmm… well, you are right on that part, Astraea." Freya has no intention of allying permanently with a familia. "So, Loki, when are you going to introduce Astralis and me?"
Loki looked at Freya with her narrow eyes, "And why do you want to meet him?"
"Is it that strange if I want to meet a High Human, who comes from the world beyond?" Freya spoke her reasoning, but didn't stop there, "And who knows, he might want to change his Affiliation after our meeting?"
"Ah, meeting him is fine and all, but I doubt even your beauty will be able to charm him, Lady Freya," Hermes spoke from the side.
"Oh? Now you made me more interested in him." Freya spoke, remembering Arin's soul that she gazed upon when she was acting as Syr, and while his own soul was ordinary but she was more interested in the other color that his soul was enveloping protectively. "I wonder if that statement will hold true when we actually meet."
After all, Freya had another weapon at her sleeve that was far more dangerous than her beauty.
"Freya, I recommend you not to do anything reckless." Astraea's words stopped Freya in the midst of the plan she was cooking.
Freya looked at the goddess of justice. Freya had to admit that Astraea was a smart woman, and she was sure Loki and Hermes had caught on to her as well.
"Do not worry, I don't intend to harm him in any way. After all, he has saved Ottarl from the Glutton. I just wanted to show my appreciation to him."
"Yes, sure, later then." Loki turns on her heels and starts walking towards the exit, with Hermes following behind her. Astraea gave Freya a nod and started to make her way towards the exit as well, only to be stopped by Freya.
"And Astraea, you have some truly amazing familia members as well." Astraea looked back at Freya. There was no hostility in her eyes or her voice as she replied.
"Thank you for the compliment, but I believe they still have much to learn."
"They always do," replied Freya, "Anyway, see you later, Astraea, hope we meet soon."
"Yes, until next time." This time, Astraea didn't look back and joined up with her fellow gods.
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It was late in the evening, and I was sitting on the sofa in Loki's office, waiting eagerly and with a little uncertainty for the three gods to come back.
"They are here, Arin," Asfi called out, looking outside the window. I got up as well, and certainly all three gods were walking towards the entrance to the manor.
I turned on my heels and started making my way towards the entrance gate as well.
"He looks really excited," Commented Riveria, following behind me with the others.
"I think it's natural, getting your first Alias is always an exciting moment," replied Ryuu.
"Yes, I still remember how Ryuu was walking back and forth in the hall that day, until Lady Astraea arrived and told her," Alise commented.
"Al-Alise! Stop bringing up my past self's shameful moment!" Alise just laughed at her protest.
I took the last turn and made my way down the stairs when I saw Loki, Hermes, and Astraea entering as well.
"Oh! Arin, you will be glad to know that I got you a cool Alias!" Loki spoke with clear enthusiasm.
"More like Astraea got it," Hermes explained, only to earn a glare from Loki.
"I also came up with a good one!" Loki protested.
"No, Charmer as an Alias is too bad, even I would hesitate to use that name."
Sh*t, I am really glad I asked Hermes and Astraea to be careful and not get me some weird Alias.
"So, …what is it?" Ais asked, and I also motioned towards them to get on with it.
"The Alias that is decided for you is…."
"Astralis."
Loki stretched her words, trying to build up tension, but before she could speak, Astraea beat her to it.
"Of the Stars…" Ryuu spoke quietly, explaining the meaning of the name.
"Oh! That's a cool Alias! Though not as cool as mine obviously." Alise added a narcissistic comment, like always.
"It goes well with your star magic Element." Spoke Riveria.
"Um. It's cool," said Ais quietly.
As for me, I was also pretty happy with it; it was not anything grand, but still conveyed my characteristics.
"Thanks, Astarea. You really got me a good name." I addressed her.
"Don't mention it." She replied. "As for the rest of you," she looked towards the other and continued, "Your aliases are the same."
The girls nodded when suddenly Loki declared loudly.
"Now let's party!" All of us gave her a deadpan look and started walking away, ignoring Loki, who started whining like a kid.
"C'mon! Arin, you at least need to buy a good bottle of wine. I got you such a good name; I at least deserve that much."
"It was Astraea, not you! Also, stop clinging to my legs!" I looked at others to help me, but they just shook their heads. It looks like Loki is not going to stop anytime soon.
"Okay, fine!" Seeing that Loki was not going to release my legs, I caved in to her demands.
"Really! Then let's go now!" She stood up at the speed of light and started pulling me towards the door.
"Slow down a little, the wine bottles are not going anywhere!" I said, still being pulled by her as both of us exited the manor.
Although I was using my money sparingly since I wanted to be debt-free as soon as possible but seeing Loki so excited, I didn't have it in me to stop her.
Oh well, it's just wine, how expensive could it be?
I thought as we started walking on the street, making our way toward the wine shop.