Paths of Creation

Akasha was chatting with Bell when Yara's scream cut through the air. He turned just in time to catch her as she collided with his chest, feeling his robe dampen slowly from her tears.

Without a word, Akasha held back Bell and Hestia—who had rushed out of the room—with his free hand, signaling that all was under control.

His attention returned to Yara, who clung to him fiercely. After a moment's hesitation, he ran a soothing hand through her hair, calming her trembling frame.

Eventually, Yara pulled away, wiping her runny nose. Her eyes were red and watery, but her smile radiated neither sadness nor pain—only pure joy.

Akasha frowned. Humans cry from suffering… so why is she smiling through tears?

"You were crying," he stated flatly, earning a look from Yara as if he'd stated the obvious. She nodded, confusing him further.

"Then why smile? Humans weep from pain, do they not?" His bewilderment seeped into his voice, drawing curious glances from the others.

Yara planted a hand on her hip and pointed accusingly. "I cried from happiness! My parents always said I had the potential to be a hero—even when our village mocked me."

Her voice rose with conviction. "Now that I have these special magics, I can fulfill their wish! That's why I cried!" She finished with a toothy grin.

Before she could say more, Yara was yanked into a pair of "giant pillows"—Hestia's bosom. Flushing crimson, she squirmed helplessly.

"Don't worry, Yara!" Hestia declared, fist pumping. "With my Bell and Akasha, you'll grow into a fine heroine!" She then whispered mischievously, "Bell dreams of being a hero too, you know~."

Akasha and Bell watched the exchange with differing thoughts. Akasha noted this human quirk in his ever-present journal, while Bell turned beet-red at his goddess's blabbing.

---

Later, it was Akasha's turn to receive his Falna.

He and Hestia entered the room, where he bared his torso. His skin was flawless—pale and pristine, with newly defined muscles that hinted at recent growth. Hestia blinked, momentarily struck by his beauty, then shook herself.

"Heh, with that robe on, it's hard to tell if you're a man or woman!" she joked nervously, straddling his back to begin the ritual.

Akasha grunted in reply, making Hestia sigh.

"Not much of a talker, huh? Better than those arrogant adventurers who think they're invincible."

"Unnecessary words waste breath," he said, ignoring the tingling sensation on his back.

"True, but opening up helps others understand you. Maybe… smile more?" she suggested, finishing the ritual. "Done!"

Akasha dressed silently and moved to leave, pausing at the door to meet Hestia's gaze.

She tensed, fearing she'd offended him—until he spoke.

"I appreciate your concern, Goddess of the Hearth. Thank you." He exited, leaving Hestia stunned.

He meant it, she realized, smiling. No mortal could lie to a god. Curious, she reviewed his status:

Status:

Strength: I-10

Agility: I-10

Endurance: I-10

Magic: Dawn's Light · Golden Shield

Skills:

Age of Babylon: [ERROR]

"Error?" Hestia muttered. "Never heard of this… I'll ask Hephaestus later." She burned the parchment and left.

---

The Next Morning

Akasha, Yara, and Bell headed to the Guild to finalize registrations before dungeon diving. As they passed the Hostess of Fertility, Syr intercepted them, holding a bento.

"Akasha! Yara! Bell! Good morning!" She shoved the lunchbox at Bell before he could protest.

"Uh, M-Miss Flo—"

"Call me Syr," she chided, smile sharp. "Flova makes me sound old."

An elf waitress—Ryuu—yanked Syr back by the collar. "Apologies. Syr gets… excitable."

Bell stared at the bento, then at Yara's puppy-dog eyes. "We'll share," he relented.

Yara beamed. "Yay! Let's hurry before we're late!"

Akasha watched silently, gaze lingering on Syr. "A god in mortal flesh… intriguing," he murmured.

"Did you say something, Mr. Akasha?" Bell asked.

"Nothing. Let's proceed."

---

Eina was organizing paperwork when the Guild doors creaked open. She glanced up, and her heart lifted at the sight of Bell, Akasha, and Yara entering.

"Welcome back, Bell, Akasha, Yara," she greeted warmly.

"Good morning, Miss Eina," Akasha replied with a nod.

Yara waved. "Morning, Eina! How's today treating you?"

Bell stepped forward, eager. "We're here to officially register Akasha and Yara with my familia!"

Eina smiled. "Of course. Let me fetch the documents." She slipped into the back office briefly.

Bell blinked, turning to Akasha. "Wait… you two already started the registration?"

Akasha nodded. "Yesterday. Efficiency saves time."

Eina returned with the papers, and the group finalized the process swiftly.

---

"Eina said we should stick to the first five floors until we're stronger," Bell explained, pulling out a chipped, rusted dagger.

Akasha eyed the weapon. "You fight with that?"

Bell flushed. "The Guild lent it to me. Even the cheapest daggers are… pricey."

Akasha said nothing. A golden ripple shimmered across the floor, and from it rose a dagger—gleaming gold, etched with intricate patterns, its edge sharpened to an otherworldly keenness.

Bell and Yara stared, mesmerized. Bell reached out but hesitated.

"Take it," Akasha said. "Use it until you find a blade worthy of your growth."

Bell gulped. "B-but this is priceless! If I lose it, I could never repay—"

Akasha cut him off with a faint smile. "Don't worry. It means nothing to me. Just don't die quickly." He strode deeper into the dungeon, Yara trailing him with questions about the weapon.

Bell stared at the hovering dagger, resolve hardening. He gripped its hilt, and the golden light vanished as if it had never existed.

"Whoa… it's beautiful," he whispered, sprinting after Akasha and Yara. "Wait up!"

——————————————————————————

Status Sheets

Yara Bellemere

Strength: I-10

Agility: I-10

Endurance: I-10

Magic: Light Magic · Spatial Magic

Skills:

Protection of 「 」: Grants immunity to external interference.

Note: Given Akasha's true nature, this skill's implications for Yara's growth are… intriguing.

---

Akasha

Strength: I-10

Agility: I-10

Endurance: I-10

Magic: Dawn's Light · Golden Shield

Skills:

Age of Babylon: Summons countless peerless human-crafted weapons from the earth and launches them skyward.

(Yes, it's a simplified take. For details, google "Fate's Age of Babylon".)