The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, painting the streets of Orario in hues of gold. The morning bustle was barely stirring in the city as the Hestia Familia gathered in the main hall of the crumbling church they called home. The air was charged with a mix of tension, anticipation, and a hint of excitement.
Tomorrow was the War Game.
Bell paced nervously, rubbing his hands together, while Hestia watched him tenderly from a corner, perched atop a fallen beam.
Welf was sharpening his sword with an oily rag, occasionally glancing curiously at Enkidu, who stood by the wall, observing his new companions with his usual serenity.
Mikoto stepped forward, her gaze steady and respectful.
"Enkidu, would you mind sparring with me?" she asked, her tone polite yet tinged with a slight nervousness. "Knowing your abilities is essential for improving our strategy."
Enkidu inclined his head, his expression calm and composed.
"Of course. It would be an honor," he replied, his voice as gentle as a breeze through leaves.
Bell held his breath, looking at Mikoto with a mix of admiration and anxiety.
"Be careful, Mikoto," he whispered, though his voice betrayed his excitement.
The two of them stepped out into the backyard, where the fresh air carried the scent of damp earth. The rest of the familia gathered around, curiosity sparking in their eyes like tiny embers.
Mikoto took a defensive stance, her sword at the ready, while Enkidu remained motionless, eyes closed. He knelt slowly, his hand pressing to the ground with a gesture that seemed almost reverent.
A golden glow emerged from the earth, illuminating the yard, and a shimmering portal opened at his feet. With a faint tremor in the air, a radiant golden spear emerged.
The onlookers were stunned. Liliruca let out a choked gasp, and Welf cursed under his breath.
"What the hell was that?" Welf exclaimed, his eyes wide as saucers.
"Where did he pull that spear from?" Liliruca asked, clinging to Bell's arm.
Hestia and Bell exchanged a look of pure astonishment.
"Incredible…" Hestia murmured, her eyes sparkling. "It's like the earth itself handed him that weapon…"
Enkidu held the spear with grace, his posture tall and dignified. His eyes, calm as a still lake, settled on Mikoto.
"I'm ready," he announced, his voice as steady as the ground beneath them.
The battle began.
Enkidu moved like a whisper on the wind. Every step flowed with a harmony that seemed almost otherworldly. His golden spear danced through the air as Mikoto, sword firm in hand, struggled to keep up. Her eyes burned with determination, yet each clash of metal forced her back another step.
"Haa!" Mikoto shouted, swinging a downward slash with all her might.
But Enkidu deflected her blade with an almost imperceptible twist of his spear, and with a light push, disarmed her weapon, sending it skittering aside.
Mikoto gasped, falling to her knees. Her breath was ragged, her eyes shining with a mix of awe and frustration.
"Ah…" she gasped, sweat running down her forehead.
Enkidu stopped. His breathing was calm, barely disturbed. He stepped closer and extended his hand, his eyes soft in a way that was hard to describe.
"It was an honor to fight you," he said, a faint smile on his lips.
Mikoto looked up at him, astonished, and took his hand gratefully.
"Thank you…" she whispered, trying to catch her breath. "You're… incredible."
Welf stepped forward, disbelief in his eyes.
"I can't believe what I just saw," he muttered. "He fights like a demon… but with the grace of a spirit."
Liliruca shook her head, a mix of fear and admiration in her expression.
"How can someone at level 1 defeat a level 2 expert like that?" she asked.
Bell swallowed hard, a slight tremor in his hands. Is he even human? How can I ever match up to someone like that…?
Hestia, moved, ran to Enkidu and hugged him warmly, her eyes damp with emotion.
"Enkidu… you're a blessing to our familia," she whispered, her voice trembling with feeling.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Mikoto's eyes lingered on Enkidu, a small smile playing on her lips. Her gaze burned with a fire she thought long extinguished—a flame even the monsters of the Dungeon had failed to ignite.
---
Meanwhile, at the top of Babel Tower, in an elegant room, a goddess watched the horizon with moonlit eyes full of desire and ambition. Beside her, a tall, imposing man stood silent, like a living statue.
"That new adventurer… Enkidu." Her lips curled into a pale, almost imperceptible smile. "His soul… or the absence of it. I sense no desire, no ambition… just pure emptiness."
She spoke more to herself than to the man beside her, eyes fixed on a mirror that reflected the battle between Enkidu and Mikoto.
"He's like a puppet, hollow, soulless. But that's impossible—otherwise, he wouldn't have that aura of nature around him," she murmured, her voice tinged with curiosity and intrigue rather than her usual desire.
The muscular man inclined his head attentively at every word.
"Do you wish us to keep an eye on him, my Goddess?" he asked in a deep voice.
Freya narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as a blade.
"Yes, Ottar. Watch him closely. Something about him might change the game…" she whispered, her voice a seductive purr.
"Understood, Lady Freya."
Ottar left the room, while Freya stared into the mirror—only to see Enkidu's eyes staring right back at her, piercing straight through.
A shiver ran down Freya's spine. Her lips curled into a restrained smile, a strange fire dancing in her silver eyes. Oh… what an intriguing being…
—
The next day…
Today, the War Game would begin. The city buzzed with excitement as everyone prepared to watch the match wherever they could.
At the Hostess of Fertility, Alfia, dressed in her waitress uniform, was cleaning the tables where customers would soon gather.
After asking Enkidu to join the Hestia Familia, Alfia had realized that the Hostess of Fertility was a place that attracted many adventurers and travelers alike. It was a perfect hiding place.
She had asked Mama Mia for a job, and after proving she could handle it—and with a bit of help from the other girls—Mama Mia had reluctantly agreed.
Of course, the girls had helped mainly because it meant less work for them, which equated to more slacking off.
Lost in thought, Alfia noticed Mama Mia emerging from the kitchen and walked over to her.
"Mama Mia, where can we watch the War Game between the Hestia Familia and the Apollo Familia?"
At her question, Mama Mia stopped what she was doing and looked at her.
"Lord Uranus allows the Divine Mirror to be projected in the city during the War Games. Among the permitted locations is my tavern—so people can watch it here."
Alfia's face lit up with a smile as she nodded.
"Thank you, Mama Mia."
"Mhm, why so interested, girl? Worried about the green-haired one? Enkidu, was it? I heard he joined the Hestia Familia to help them out. Not sure why though, they're going to lose anyway."
Although Mama Mia's words were true, they still stung Alfia a bit. She knew firsthand Enkidu's strength and skill—even she couldn't beat him in raw power. As for his Noble Phantasms? He'd never shown them.
"I'm sure the Hestia Familia will defeat the Apollo Familia," she retorted with a stubborn smile at Mama Mia, who just laughed heartily and got back to work before the tavern filled up.
Alfia let out a deep sigh, questioning whether she had made a mistake by allowing Enkidu to step into the spotlight so soon. "I just hope he doesn't draw too much attention…" she thought quietly, a mixture of concern and curiosity flickering in her eyes.
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Author's Note: Enkidu retains all of his personal, class, and NP abilities. He just prevented some from appearing in the falna, otherwise, it would reveal his divinity, his true power, and what he really is.