Denatus....the bi-seasonal meeting of gods, where everything related to Orario was discussed. The Familias on the rise. Adventurers on the rise. The new nicknames of adventurers. And many other things.
But this Denatus was special.
It came after the great success of the Hestia-Loki joint expedition that had achieved a great feat by defeating a Great Quest level enemy. Many adventurers were about to be rewarded with new titles and the reveal of new levels.
Adventurers of Loki Familia especially shone. Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Bete had all risen to Level Six, becoming a force to be reckoned with. Lefiya had also risen, finally becoming a Level Five.
In the Hestia Familia, Ryuu and Samira had risen as well. Ryuu became a Level Five, while Samira finally crossed to Level Four.
However, the person most talked about was, of course, Damien Ardent. A person who was being praised by every participant of the expedition as the reason for their success. Rumors had not stopped since. People saw what he did to Ares and his army, and the rumors started to feel less like rumors and more like reality.
People had no idea what to believe now. Did a Level Four really solo Balor....the same Monster Rex all big Familias had been trying to solo since the beginning of dungeon history? Did he truly cause the collapse of the entirety of Floor Sixty? Did he really defeat Ottar and the Freya Familia easily?
And the scariest rumor of them all...the one that shook all of Orario. Did he, or did he not, achieve the current highest known level? Level Nine.
The people were excited about this Denatus. They awaited the news as the gods finally started their meeting.
.....
Many of the gods attending already knew something was up. Especially when Loki, Hestia, and Freya the current strongest Familias sat together for the first time in history.
Ouranos finally sat on his massive seat. The gods who were waiting for the news leaned in attentively.
"There is much to be discussed today." Ouranos's voice echoed through the chamber. "I have not felt the need to attend a Denatus more than today. A grand event is about to unfold. The greatest news I have heard since I started this city. It, of course, all comes from the great success of the most recent expedition and the achievements of a single adventurer who has graced our city less than six months ago."
The gods paid close attention to his words.
"But before we reach the main event, we will first discuss some of our children's greatest successes. Level increases and new titles."
The Denatus finally started. Children were praised. Some were named. Those reaching Level Two were given mockery names as usual to motivate them to be better. Those finally entering Level Five achieved new titles.
This list was actually a surprise to many, because it only included two children: Ryuu and Lefiya. That all but confirmed to the other gods that Damien was not becoming a Level Five. Something higher.
"For Lefiya, what do you suggest, Loki?" Ouranos asked.
The gods all shook slightly. Usually, the naming was universal and voted upon. Seeing Ouranos hand the choice to Loki annoyed some of them.
Loki's grin was sharp. "She would like to keep her original alias: Thousand Elf." She looked down at the other gods, challenging them to speak against it.
None did.
"What about you, Hestia? What would you like your child Ryuu to be called?"
Hestia smiled warmly. "I believe we should call her Hearth's Hurricane. She is my child now....It only fits, That i name her something related to our Famillia"
Ouranos nodded. "Then it is done. With this, we have confirmed all the children's new aliases. Now we move onto our main point."
Plenty of gods looked at each other in shock. One of them raised his hand.
"Speak, Njord."
"Are we not forgetting an adventurer here?" Njord's voice was incredulous. "You cannot possibly have us believe that the great Damien Ardent, Captain of the Hestia Familia, Hero of the Expedition and the recent war, has yet to level up?"
Ouranos smiled.
That smile made all the gods shocked. Njord opened his eyes wide and sat down instantly.
"A good question, Njord. A very good one." Ouranos's voice carried across the chamber. "The adventurer you speak of is a child I personally will name and give an alias."
The other gods were even more shocked. Not once in all of his history, not even with his former children...had Ouranos ever named a child.
Murmurs increased. Some discussed whether the rumor of Damien reaching Level Nine was true. But Ouranos silenced them with his words.
"Damien Ardent has achieved something no one has ever done in the history of Orario. He has achieved a level yet to ever be seen. Even the Empress or Maxim have not reached this level." He paused. "Yes. It is without doubt that I announce with you today that Damien Ardent has achieved... Level Ten."
The gods screamed in shock. Murmurs increased. Loud talks started between them. Hestia and Loki smiled. So did all in the alliance.
"Order!" Ouranos called.
Usually, this would silence them all. Even still, they kept hushed talking.
"I said ORDER!"
The gods finally settled down. Ouranos looked at them and raised a paper in his hand.
"This here is the adventurer Damien Ardent's stat sheet, taken this morning by Hestia. The Guild has confirmed this to be true. We have allowed Hestia to censor some of the information in order to protect Damien. But the stats here are true. Verified by me." He lowered the paper. "Damien Ardent is truly the highest level adventurer this city....and this world has ever seen. Not only that, he has achieved it in six months." He paused. "As such, I shall name him myself."
The chamber held its breath.
"His alias will be... The Shadow Monarch."
The Shadow Monarch. A monarch. An alias yet to be seen since the Empress. An alias that asserted Damien's position as a leader. A king. A ruler of all other adventurers.
Ouranos continued. "And if you are all shocked by this information, prepare to be shocked even further. Damien did not just become the greatest adventurer we have ever seen. No. He has also achieved something even more impressive."
He looked across the room.
"Yesterday, with the agreement of the Guild, Damien Ardent started a god alliance. The most unified alliance since Zeus and Hera. This alliance comprises the following Familias:
Hestia Familia, Loki Familia, Freya Familia, Hephaestus Familia, Aphrodite Familia, Takemikazuchi Familia, Demeter Familia, and Miach Familia."
He paused.
"This alliance has been approved by the Guild and will be led by Damien Ardent. This alliance is this city's hope. With the goal of reaching the end of the dungeon... and the defeat of the One-Eyed Black Dragon."
The gods exploded. Some in shock. Some in anger. Some in support.
The loud voices of the gods were heard all around, even outside the arena.
The people of Orario eagerly awaited the news of this Denatus.
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