Chapter 122: The Hearth


    I woke up inside a cave. What was surprising was that it was the same cave my family and I used to live in Liada. But then it suddenly flickered and it changed into a familiar yet unfamiliar house (I know, crazy right?). It flickered yet again and it changed into the living room of the Celestine Manor in the Celestine Territory, and once again in the interior of my cottage in Avalon Isles.


    A headache pounded my head and I couldnt help but clutch it and hold it because of the pain.


    All of a sudden, I felt a hand on my shoulder and the pain stopped. The flickering images also stopped and I found myself inside a pavilion surrounded by darkness. I traced the hand on my shoulder and was met with a girl about thirteen or fourteen whose head was covered by a brown shawl. She had fair skin and a pair of chocte brown eyes that seemed to be so warm andfortable, like her touch.


    Hi. Would you like to join us?


    Now usually, I wasnt the kind of person that would willingly trust a stranger, unless my instinct tells me so, but at that moment, my instinct was telling me that I could trust the girl.


    While on the way to what looks like a hearth, and a young man decked in ck clothing, I was wondering where I was and what happened. I mean, thest thing I remembered before waking up in that ce was passing out in Zeus arms.


    -Oh my gods! I passed out in Zeus arms!


    Would you like some hot chocte? asked the girl again and handed me a cup.


    I shakily epted the cup and took a sip. It was delicious, something I had never tasted before.


    Where am I? And who are you guys? I finally managed to ask after getting my bearings.


    Youre in the hidden a hundred and first floor of the Pagoda Tower. answered the young man, and started stroking the cs inside the hearth. As for your second question, this is Hestia and I am Anubis.


    I just stared at them skeptically. I heard about Hestia from Athena like a bunch of times. In fact, most gods from the same pantheon as Athena and Ares talked about Hestia a lot. She used to be the goddess of the hearth and she symbolized hope in their pantheon. I was a little surprised shed take the form of a thirteen year old girl. But she did fit the description I had heard.


    As for Anubis


    Anubis is a death god with a jackal for a head. I stated tly.


    All of a sudden, the young man morphed into another form. Gone were his form of a young man and was changed into a taller being with the head of a jackal, his upper body bare and was wearing what seemed to be a white skirt-like thing with a golden belt.


    Right. The Egyptian pantheon has two forms. Imented, and took another sip from my cup.


    Would you like me to stay this way? Or


    Totally up to you.


    His jackal head did a nod and he returned to his human form.


    I like this one more. he replied and took his own cup from his side.


    Now then


    So, where exactly am I again? I asked again.


    The hidden a hundred and first floor, also known as the pocket dimension where the rewards of those who challenged the tower, are distributed. Anubis exined, still stoking the fire.


    I just nodded my head as a response.


    So I passed all task of the Pagoda Tower? All one hundred of them?


    Yes. Hestia replied. Before we do that, I think you need rest.


    No kidding. Ive been fighting nonstop for thest few weeks.


    Exactly.


    So what was that a while ago? I mean, its this space cant decide what view to take.


    That would be your fault. Anubis responded.


    I beg your pardon?


    He stared at me and our gazes locked. His dark brown eyes looked very interesting to me.


    This space is supposed to have the view of the ce you consider your home. Apparently, your mind could not decide which to consider as one, so the space was confused what view to set.


    I see. I sighed. Well, it made sense. The ces I saw were the ces I considered home. Well maybe apart from that unfamiliar yet familiar house.


    -I dont think I know where that ce is.


    Uh another question. Why is a death god hanging out with Hestia?


    I looked at Anubis who only shrugged and looked away. Hestia had a sad smile on her face which made me regret why I asked such a question in the first ce.


    You dont have to answer that. I mean, just forget I asked. I immediately said to diffuse the sudden tension in the atmosphere.


    Its fine. Im just a little reluctant. Lets just say, as one of the only two death gods that arrived in this world, I dont really fit in, you know? And Hestias the only person whos willing to actually spend time with me. Not even my cousin Horus bothers with me.


    I see. I guess you can hang out with me too? I suggested but he only looked at me skeptically again. What?


    Im a death god and I have a jackal for a head, are you sure?


    Im a fox. I have tails and fox ears. I can also transform fully into a fox, were not that different.


    Anubis was only silent but he looked like he was considering my suggestion. Meanwhile, Hestia had this weird look on her face. I couldnt really tell what it was.


    Uhm Thanks, I guess.


    Youre wee.


    A few more minutes passed and we just talked random things, like likes and dislikes, or what is my opinion regarding the challenges inside Pagoda Tower, etc. it was quite fun to be honest.


    Now then, time to give you your rewards forpleting all the task of the Pagoda Tower. We have a total of four rewards for you. Hestia announced and stood up.


    She suddenly handed me a map abel that said:


    Fox Tail


    Red Moon Castle


    Ind of the Giants


    That map will show its bearer most important things they need. Its a magical map but it takes time to actually work. And as you can see, its now showing you where to find one of your tails.


    Oh wow. This is this is actually really helpful.


    I know. The second reward is this. she handed me a red hooded long coat with ck linings on it. This one is a brainchild of Hephaestus, Odin, Athena and Amaterasu. The coat is made of a special material only found in Avalon Isles which makes it durable and in tune with magic. Of course, it is chanted with a few things. See the ck lines? Imagine the coat to have that color.


    I did and I was surprised that the colors became inverted; the ck suddenly dominated the entire coat while the red became the lines.


    Wow.


    Yeah. When its a ck coat, it prioritizes mobility and stealth, and when its red it focuses on defense and enhances your strength. Of course, its not invincible but its a good thing to have. Uhm, its also enchanted to adjust to whatever temperature you desire.


    -Cool.


    The third reward is this; a pair of short swords created by Hephaestus with a few inputs from a few other of our brethren. You did break your sword on the fight with my brother, so now you have new ones. Its made from orichalcum, which is a rare metal that is durable and conductive to magic or even the mystic arts. Of course, its been tweaked to be even stronger than most swords made by the same metal. Something only a former god of the forge and patron of cksmiths can achieve. Hestia exined, pride in her voice.


    Well, Hephaestus is her nephew so I guess she was proud?


    Andstly, this.


    She handed me a white mask with what seems to be ears on top of it.


    Its something I suggested as a reward. Anubis inserted. I mean, its cool to have a mask you know so not everyone can actually know who you are.


    Am I supposed to design it? I mean, Im up for that.


    Put three drops of your blood on it and youll see.


    I bit my index finger, enough for it to bleed, and put three drops on the max. Momentster, the inside of the ears, the outline of the eyes, the tip of the nose and the part where the mouth should be were dyes with red. The area where the cheeks were had three thin red horizontal lines which went slightly upward, and the part of the forehead had my symbol; an inverted half of a heart-shape on the upper part met with the upright other half of a heart-shape on the lower part.


    Its magical, of course. It hides your real power so others cannot use it to identify you or gauge your abilities. It will also note off unless its you or someone you gave permission to. Anubis exined. I got the idea from this thing called anime back in my world. Hope you like it.


    I couldnt help but let out a smile.


    I love it! I love all of the rewards! Theyre something I really needed for whats about toe! Thank you!


    You deserve it. Hestia replied with a smile. Now, I think its time to return. You have a surprise waiting for you.


    Before I could even ask, my surroundings went ck and I drifted into a good sleep.