The Spear, the goddess and the quest

"Alright," Enki huffed and began pulling on the spear.

"Oh, will our esteemed alchemist be the one to pull the spear out?" Hermes spoke to the crowd.

Enki grunted, "this thing is stuck in here," he breathed out trying to put more force into it but he sighed and let go.

"Guess I'm no hero then," he sighed and moved off the stage.

"Haha, I knew would not pull it. I bet Bell Cranel can't either." Lefiya held her nose high.

"Alright, Bell, on you go," Enki smiled, patting his back.

"Are you sure?" Bell asked.

"If anyone can do it, it's you, Bell!" Hestia cheered him on.

The little rookie walked up to the stage, bowing to Hermes and up to the spear. 'Here we go,' Enki watched with expected eyes.

The spear glowed with runes appearing before the crystal cracked, and the spear was set free.

"Ah, I did it!" Bell was stunned at the result.

"Well done, Bell!" Hestia cheered.

"I can't believe it," Lefiya groaned as the crowd erupted in cheers. Even Ais clapped her hand with a small smile.

It was a surprise for sure, but for Hermes and Enki, it was just as expected.

"Congratulations Bell, now then let us introduce our sponsor," Hermes said, looking beyond the crowd.

Not far from them in the crowd, a woman walked with green eyes and long blue hair with two long bangs, two strands on the sides, and a partly braided tail in the back.

She wore a white and pale blue outfit, long brown boots with a light brown design, and a belt in which she kept a piece of white cloth and a dagger.

"No way Artemis!?" Hestia beamed, recalling her friend.

"You know her goddess?" Bell asked.

"Uh, duh, she's a friend of mine from heaven, Artemis!" She called running to her friends.

Artemis smiled and began running. The rows split, letting the two run to each other. Hestia leapt, only to fall flat on the ground, with Artemis running past her.

"I found you! My Orion!" She ran, hugging Bell.

"Eh?" Hestia lifted her head looking back, "what the hell is going on!?"

...

[Hestia's Church]

"So can someone tell me what's going on, Artemis, why did you jump on Bell like that?" Hestia demanded.

"Sorry, Hestia, I was just too excited with Orion found now we have a chance at stopping a great threat," Artemis said with a small smile.

"I'm sorry, but we haven't met before, have we? I'm sorry if I forgot, but I don't remember meeting you," Bell asked.

"Yeah, what's going on here? Hermes." Hestia turned to the god who sat idly.

"What do you mean, she's the same as always. Maybe she just got used to life in the lower world," Hermes answered with little care.

"Um, excuse me, but what kind of goddess is she?" Lilly turned to Hermes.

Hestia turned to Bell, Lilly and Enki and explained Artemis as one of the virgin goddesses, a goddess of chastity that values purity, which is the moral authority against impure relationships.

"In short terms, she's an enemy against romance," Hermes muttered, putting on his hat.

"Can you go into detail about this threat? I'm assuming that's why she hosted the event for that spear, which I'm going to guess isn't normal, considering you have to be chosen to wield it." Enki asked, though he already knew some he didn't know every detail.

"Of course, the truth of the matter is a monster has appeared outside of Orario and the Artemis familial is having a hard time subjugating the beast. We only need a little extra muscle to help us," Hermes answered with that half-truth.

'I expected much,' Enki sighed. "So the reward is because we're going to leave Orario for a while."

"So we're helping in capturing a monster? That's it? Doesn't sound so bad," Lilly commented.

"Very sharp of you as expected," Hermes said, tipping his hat.

"So you chose me to help you. Why?" Bell looked at Artemis.

The goddess smiled and walked up with her spear, "because what I need is only you have a pure soul untouched by malice and ill intentions. I've been waiting for so long for you, Bell, my Orion."

Artemis spoke with a resolute look as she walked up to Bell. Everyone shared the same looks as if having agreed mentally.

"Well, if you put it like that then, we'll gladly help you Artemis how can I turn down my best friend!" Hestia smiled, and the others nodded as well.

"We'll help you, Goddess Artemis," Bell said, grabbing hold of the spear.

"Thank you, Hestia it means a lot." Artemis smiled at them, 'I wish I could stay longer though.'

She raised her hand towards Bell. He wasn't sure what to do until Hermes told him and he bowed, kissing the goddess's hand.

Enki could tell by the look in Lilly's eyes that she wanted to kiss next and pushed her forward. She did so, sending a look to Hestia and the goddess huffed, rolling her eyes.

And last was Enki, who did so easily.

-Clap

"Now that everything is decided, let us begin, but before that to go on such a journey, we must be well equipped, no?" Hermes said with a mysterious smile.

Before things continued, Enki raised his hand and spoke.

"You guys go ahead. I need to say goodbye to Rose first since this quest will take a while and I don't want to worry her. You guys go ahead. I'll catch up." Enki said.

He bid goodbyes after Hermes told him where they'll be. It was rather late at night, which meant Rose would be at home.

Enki made his way to her house, thinking about how he would explain they summoned him to a mission.

-Knock -Knock

The door fumbled slightly, and the locks turned it opened, revealing Rose, her body wet and covered in a towel barely blocking her naked body.

'God damn it, I'm going to miss this to fight a crab monster!?' Enki cursed.

"Hi sorry I was in the shower. Come in," she welcomed him with a smile.

Enki waited on the couch moments later. She came down in a black night dress cleaning the last bits of her hair.

"So what do I owe the surprise visit? I wouldn't mind going back in the shower if that's what you came here for," she said with a soft giggle.

"Haha, I want to but sadly no I came here, to say I'll be leaving Orario on a mission set by the Hermes and Artemis familia." He said, giving her a moment to take it in.

"I'm not sure how long it'll take maybe a month, considering the journey to and from the location outside Orario. I came here to tell you so it won't seem I just up and disappeared."

Rose looked at him for a few seconds before giggling, "I appreciate it, and it's fine. You can go. I won't be that bothered besides your my lifeline," she bitterly laughed treating to cry.

Rose didn't want this. Of all the things she feared, this was the most terrifying reality for her.

"I won't die, Rose," Enki moved to her, wrapping her in a hug.

Rose sniffed, hugging back and shaking slightly, "I hope you live because if you die if I am cursed then I can't love again, I'd be too afraid to open my heart only for it to be crushed by life."

Every word that came out of her was filled with her years of loneliness. Enki didn't know what to say. A promise was nothing but a delayed action waiting to happen, but it seemed like all he could say.

"When I come back, Rose, I'll tell you everything about my adventure and I'll come back with a gift for you," he said, every word filled with affection as he kissed her forehead and rubbed her head.

He wanted to stay like this and hold her and comfort her, but he had to go.

"See you later, Rose."

"See you Enki, I love you." She smiled.

"I love you more." He grinned back with a smile.

...

[Orario walls]

After a while, Enki arrived at the destined walls and found the new gear Hermes got for them.

"Crafted by Hephaestus herself and supervised by yours truly the materials I picked myself, have embedded fragments of rare metals and are 30% more durable than others, they're as strong as some of the toughest armour around and flexible for you to move in freely. "

Hermes went on talking about himself and everyone's new gear. Enki especially loved his new gear, all except.

"Why do I have a neck belt? Did I say that right? What's this for?" Enki asked.

"Oh that," Hermes said, looking at it, "help you in situations you end up getting choked."

"... Alright then," Enki shrugged and put it on.

"So, how are we getting to this place?" Lilly asked, all eyes turned to Artemis, who knew nothing and shrugged.

"Ah, there finally here," Hermes said, looking up.

Shadows flew past everyone as the wind picked up. They all stared up in awe as three dragons descended from the night sky, and on top of one of them, a well-built muscular man with an elephant mask leapt forth.

"Ganesha?" Hestia called the god.

Ganesha descended with a bright smile. "I already contacted him for his aid," Hermes said.

"It is me! Ganesha," the god laughed.

"By land, it would take us a month to arrive at the destination, but with these fine beasts, it'll take us 10 days. Also, I have to get back quickly or Asfi will be angry," Hermes said.

The dragon moved toward Lilly, sniffing her hair. The Pallum girl froze and ran behind Enki's tall frame.

"Hahaha, don't worry as soon these dragons left their eggs they were domesticated with a spell they've very submissive," Ganesha said.

Everyone nodded and double-checked everything has been brought. They got on the dragons, two riding on one, Enki with Lilly, Hermes with Hestia despite her clear discomfort, and Bell with Artemis.