Book 5. Chapter 42: Hestia - Ascension

Book 5. Chapter 42: Hestia - Ascension

On the tip.

O-On the cheek!

Fhesiah grinned and Ophelia blushed, as everyone accepted the tease as normal and instead turned and focused on Ophelias minor sign of jealousy, looking at her in question.

Hestia smiled impassively in response. She loved how much fun this family had together.

W-What, since shes a goddessits like, different to me somehow! Ophelia turned to Fhesiah with a scowl. A-And, dont you think your joke was too rude? To everyone?

Fhesiah shrugged. I was half-joking, and I know Hestia is no blushing maiden. If we get to pick, Im going all out. Thats just how I am. If she got mad at me for it, its like being mad at water for being wet. She hears our thoughts, theres about ten more each minute where that one came from.

Tanda laughed, and It seemed Ophelia and Fhesiah were about to devolve into an argument at this point. Berri was about to throw more fuel on the fire by asking what the big deal was, but Jake cleared his throat and smiled, tapping on his forehead.

Here please, Hestia. I appreciate your help.

Her champion knew how to cut to the heart of it, making most parties satisfied. It appeared Jake was in fact interested in experiencing a kiss from a goddess, but if Ophelia was worried about it, he was fine with missing out on it. Then, it wasnt like Hestia needed to kiss himher fingers would work just as well for transferring essence.

She smiled at him. It is my pleasure, my Champion. Of course, I asked my question knowing just what kind of response I might receive, and knew it would be fun. Now, this will affect you all, and you will be out for a few daysexcept Fhesiah. She can handle finishing up your plans.

Worry blossomed in the family, a deep concern for her being left out of their ascension. Hestia decided to head off these concerns.

Not to worry, she is still joining you for this special moment. Its just that her benefit will have her waking up much before you, as she will receive the rest of it when she Tiers up. Now, huddle up around your dear husband and sit on the ground.

The family mollified, each girl and Jake gave happy or resolute smiles to Hestia as they joined around him.

Hestia began, by returning to her Origin.

Her body blazed with golden flames, as she became living fire. The Divine Hearth of the Refuge swelled along with her, matching her, being drawn to her. Tampering down and shielding the family from her Presence, she floated over to her Champion.

Hestia then cradled his head with her flaming hands, her lips forming within the flame.

Kissing Jakes forehead, she sent a portion of her Eternal Essence into him, along with all her care and sincerity, gratitude, hope, and compassion for this young man. Her spark of Origin joined along with it, entering through his body and into his Divine Hearth.

The loss was miniscule for Hestia, but she was still lesser now. She had just now spent a portion of her eternal essence. Her love would continue to live on within her people forever, and now, along with Jake and his wonderful family.

Jake and his wives would now be true Hearthians, having reached the necessary threshold for ascending their race to the third Tier. A unique set of circumstances allowed them to start with a mana core or hearth vines, upgrade them with divine sparks or by becoming clergy and gathering enough faith, and then upgrade them a final time before they even fully reached the second Tier. And of course, their powerful hearth was a significant portion of what made this possible, fueling the powerful requirements of their higher race.

Fhesiah had her own set of special circumstances, but thanks to the Divines influence, she would also be well beyond what a normal cultivator of her Tier could achieve.

Normally, this achievement would be impossible for anyone but those borne from a unique race, or those with immense knowledge. In the Core Sectors this knowledge was supposed to be common, but Frontier Sector 87 was young, with many of the higher Tier worlds lacking capability in accomplishing this.

Few Hearthians existed now, but the Hart family would join them, their Origins combined in a unique way.

Jakes divine hearth blazed as it burned brighter, the golden light spreading through his body and soul as it was purified in a plume of flames at Hestias direction.

Already having a divine hearth, Jakes flame had been working to purify his body and soul all this time, and his soul was now pure. A man with a clear soul, the good-hearted orphan lacked any major taint of character.

Ensconced in the void, his soul should find no resonance, show no heroic strength of spirit.

And yet, a noble desire to be better, to seek knowledge, love, and connections, persisted despite an unhappy upbringing. Instead of being angry at the world, he sought to rise above. An intrinsic desire to be needed and wanted, a need to be loved.

And loved he was. The golden flame spread down his bonds, as Hestia baptized the family in the Hearthian Origin. Using her skill of Hearth Forging, she would apply their reward up to the limits the Framework would allow. They had earned one minute minus the five seconds she used to create Jakes weapon, and she would use it.

Not every Divine created their own Origin, but many dabbled. The cost was significant, and many believed it not worth it, even doubly so ever since the Framework became involved.

Many would share their Origin with others for creating races that fit in their image, to reduce the cost. This had its ups and downs, creating a people who resonated with multiple Divine. But Hestia being one of the eldest, she had long since created her Race of Origin, combining hers with the Olympian Origin of her ancestry.

The golden light of the Framework joined hers, and Hestia smiled as Jake and the rest of the girls fell unconscious from the immense amount of energy assaulting their bodies and minds. All except for Fhesiah, who watched as her spiritual temple was filled with the same.

Fhesiahs hearth within was baptized in the golden flames within her spiritual temple. Her divine scripts lit up and shifted, growing Hestias influence on her vessel.

Holding on with her powerful will, Fhesiah used her Divine Sense to track all the changes, seeking any sort of enlightenment for keeping both her bloodlines once more as she formed her core.

Bastet and Hestia had planned and worked hard in their simulations and predictions, and they thought they had given the dragon the best chance she could have. It was all in Fhesiahs hands now, for her to grasp her fate.

Fhesiah would either ascend beyond even her own origins and become more, or she must make sacrifices for her failure. Either way, she would be cradled in the love of her family, and she would heal, and find acceptance and greatness.

It was better to suffer the failure early, should it come to pass.

Since joining one another, the Hart Family were undefeated. Unbroken and untainted, the familys bond was strong. Their pasts all filled with loss and pain, they rose above it with selflessness and compassion. Forged in the crucible of conflict, their bonds filled to the brim with love and affection.

Their connections shifted from golden flames, to forming a crystalline substance. It started from Jakes hearth, as if freezing and following lines through the air. A gem-like cocoon formed around each of them where they lay on the ground unconscious, the material similar to the orb within Jakes Champion Vestments.

Fhesiahs draconic eyes gleamed, defiantly watching Hestia as she reached for Jakes chest. Her eyes held a threat, an unspoken promise. That at any sight of harm or wrongdoing to her lover and friends at their weakest moment, and she would shatter her prison and defend them at any cost to herself.

Hestia knew that Fhesiah trusted her, that this was merely a verification, an instinct overwhelming her thoughts as her senses were bombarded. Likely, she barely understood which way was up, at the moment.

Hestia froze in her approach, and gave Fhesiah a motherly smile. Hold on to that feeling. A dragons superiority is evident, but that instinct will serve you much better than pride and arrogance. Rest assured, I would defend your family with just as much fervor.

Assured, Fhesiahs eyes closed as she continued monitoring with her divine sense. Barely holding on to her consciousness, unfortunately, this is where it would be lost. It was time for Hestia to insert their hard-won Divine Sparks.

Rights won from the clash of champions, they would benefit from earning additional potential. The divine sparks from their respective deities shot through her finger and into Jakes core, before branching out and entering each of the girls, including Fhesiahs.

Fhesiahs hearth shifted ever so slightly, as her divine spark lied in wait within. She passed out as the energies within her temple overwhelmed her spirit, the mysterious scripts from the meddling divine and demonic runes from Jakes Hearth Enchantments within brightening. Her hearth bond would increase and evolve, but she would not become a true Hearthian until she achieved the next Tier.

The remaining cores of Jake and each shifted much more significantly, taking on or enhancing the things that made them special. The Hearth Enchantments of the Hart family were filled with brilliance, a genius and instinct that could not be taught.

While a child of the Core Sector could have done better, all too often they ended up entitled and disconnected from duty and purpose. Then, like a greenhouse flower, they would wither at any signs of struggle and conflict.

When it would be time to forge their connections, their advanced bonds, their weakness in character among them and their bonds would create cracks. Blemishes would mar their surface, their doubts in themselves and one another creating imperfections.

Tandas heart beat powerfully, drawing auril from the Heart of the World. To Hestias surprise, the connection to the Heart improved, as her race continued to evolve. Her connection choice was applied, and auril and nethril were dragged into the bond, to equalize all the energies.

The Heart of the World was helping, aiding them with correcting the energy imbalance. Her song caused the energy to swirl, to establish a proper cycle within their bodies. Once again, the luck of the Celts could not be underestimated.

But the structures twisted further, and Hestia moved on to the next part of her plan. At her direction, Ira, within Jakes cocoon, stirred Jakes void energy along with its own. The blackish-purple energy ran along the crystalline structure and enveloped each of the hearths, as Jakes void lungs drew in more energy from the void.

The terror railing against the Refuges barrier receded, unsure of what it was looking for. The void had hidden the family once again from its sight, protecting them from even more terrible plots.

Hestias Hearthians were often targeted and slain. Tartarus hated her golden flames and special connection, and would cheat and find many ways to ensure her people suffered torment and agony.

When the Hart family reached the dungeon proper, the void would continue to serve them well in protecting them from these dangers. Hestia knew Tartarus was already frustrated with its inability to predict what they were doing, or measure their capabilities properly.

The imbalance of energies was mediated by the void, helping maintain the balance between them. Like a glue that held everything together, the void was everything and nothing at the same time, allowing it to mesh the energies in a harmonious balance.

Hestia had almost called her Hearth Forging complete, when an ancient stillness enveloped her and the rest of the room. A noble air was exuded from Jake, as his bloodline stirred further. Odins second seal began to fray, and Hestia was worried. This was catastrophic because she was nearly out of time.

The void drew all the energy in the room, thirsting for all the exotic energies of the Refuge. A gaslike void grew as tentacle-like limbs grew from Jakes chest, reaching and consuming portions of the crystalline structure. It even drew on all the bonds, and if Hestia did nothing, the family would be harmed at this critical moment.

Just as Hestia was about to pay a Price to aid, Jakes voidwyrm familiar roared, and wrapped around the seal. Drawing all of its void energy, Ira restricted and shoved the bloodline back into its prison, before any more harm to its family could be done.

The bloodline railed against the voidwyrm, its tentacles raking against it painfully. Ira cried out, and Hestia forced herself to hurry.

Using her final moments of Hearth Forging, she added onto Odins seal, restricting the bloodline once again with additional divine script. The gaslike tentacles receded, and the feeling of ancient nobility disappeared.

She wasnt sure it would last through the entirety of the next Tier, but perhaps they could find a way to add onto it secretly.

It was far too early. It seems they had either underestimated the void, or underestimated theirdual cultivation technique. The dao and heavenly energy were mysterious, a profound purity and power that was capable of things well beyond its Tier.

Then, all the chaotic energies contained in their method produced results difficult to measure and predict, even for the Divine.

Ira whimpered, utterly exhausted and hurt. Hestia gave the creature a sad smile, but one filled with gratitude. Thank you, little one. You are truly a wonderful guardian, risking yourself like that. You spared me a significant Price. For that, you deserve a lot more than the reward you are about to receive. Ill do my best to make it up to you, in the future.

Using the Hart Familys remaining RP, she purchased another treasure. For those finding the strange object in the list, it didnt seem like something the creature needed, but it would help. Hestia shifted some of the Hart familys remaining Merit, enabling her to choose this reward on their behalf.

The Divines machinations had a cost, the right words at the right time or the right reward causing a butterfly effect that must always be paid for.

[Chunk of Netherite - 567 RP]

Hestia sent the chunk into the Hearth of the Refuge where it began to melt, and aided the voidwyrm into it. Forming a crystal around itself once more, Ira entered a deep slumber to heal and consume the treasure.

The voidwyrm taken care of, Hestia returned her gaze back to the Hart family. She looked on with satisfaction, seeing no cracks or blemishes on the surface of the crystalline structure. The void bloodline had consumed some energy, but what remained was more than sufficientthanks to the Divine Hearth of the Refuge, truly infusing this room with more than enough energies to spare. Then, Ira had acted just in time.

The lack of taint in their spirit, combined with their impossible set of circumstances for a Frontier Sector, blossomed into something bordering perfection. The bonds bent, but they didnt break. She couldnt be happier with the results.

The Hart family had fears, and they had doubts. Each of them had troubled pasts, but this, along with their trials and tribulations suffered together, had helped forge them toward their strong characters.

Any weaknesses were overwhelmed with faith in each other, a pervasive love that resonated deeply in their spirits. Their love for one another meshed their connections and energies together just as the void did, making this moment possible.

Looking over their cocoons, she had just barely succeeded in time. She should be happy, but instead, her heart wavered. Would her actions be enough for the dangers that come? Ownership of this Sector was beyond important. It was crucial to their survival.

Tartarus was slowly dismantling the Framework, fraying the Divines authority over it. It had not been able to accomplish what it did during the Highlands Raid Prime Instance, when the war first began.

But it targeted the eldest of gods along with some of the younger or weaker ones, unraveling their hold over the Framework. Divine of Order, Dominion, Authority, Justice, and Law were heavily targeted, some being outright killed and consumed, others just being weakened.

Tyr was now in dire straights, being attacked from both sidesfrom Alliance idiots and terrible Tartarus plots. Themis was targeted and consumed, Mitra and Ammit are near the point of breaking as well.

And with Tartarus driving hard on this Sector, its investment in going after Athena was obvious. Her authority over Wisdom and Strategy aided the Framework in its war decisions, along with its intelligence in advancing many warriors of varying paths. It was as if by consuming her, Tartarus would be strengthening itself, but also reducing the Frameworks capability.

If the Alliances win percentage was just under fifty percent before she was weakened or consumed, Hestia dreaded what it would be once that happened.

Their loss would be inevitable, a near certainty as one by one, each Sector was lost and Tartarus was strengthened, and even more Divine were consumed. Its intelligence had only increased since the game began, its plots becoming more successful.

Things already werent looking good. The multiverse would be full of darkness and despair if they lost her dear friend.

The Framework gave strict limitations on Core Sectors influencing the Frontier Sectors meta game, and the Divine did what they could to push the boundaries. Unfortunately, for each winning strategy Hestia and her pantheon came up with, the infighting of Alliance members ruined any advantage they had gained.

But all wasnt lost. There was a shining beacon of hope in Highlands. Through luck and genius both, a special set of circumstances had aligned for what she knew was a successful strategy. A culture for a people that were not just warriorsthey were paragons of strength and heroism.

With her Champion leading them, they would be the tide that raises all ships. Any of those from the Core Sectors that tried to interfere would be crushed by insurmountable strength, and instead just fuel their ascension.

Those from Core Sectors could come to the Frontier Sector, but they were heavily limited. They must earn their own equipment and resources, and their challenges were heavily balanced by Tartarus getting many advantages. They would be forced to face challenges like Greater Rifts, requiring a powerful party and many allies.

People from Core Sectors were stronger with advanced races, skills, techniques, and perfect builds, but they faced strict rules on empowering allies with their knowledge. Often, their lack of numbers would result in them not having enough effective allies for their difficulty increaseafter all, even entering the Frontier Sector to participate in the battle for its ownership had a Price.

Hestia had every confidence that Jake could stand up to any of them, not limited by the circumstances of his birth. He had fought and sacrificed for everything he ever earned, and while they had bent the rules with him discovering Fhesiah, the rules were not broken.

If Jake defeated some child from the Core Sectors, the Sector Councils would likely complain he lacked the same restrictionsbut find nothing amiss in their investigation.

Hestia turned her gaze to the Yggdrasil, as she dispersed her avatar and returned to her home. Battles waged across the multiverse, the suffering of people at the hands of Tartarus endless. She would continue to prepare her pieces, to ease the suffering and create a chance for victory.

The Hart family was just one of many. While the need for victory within Frontier Sector 87 was significant, it would only be a minor victory in the overall conflict, staving off inevitable failure. But it would hardly change the overall flow of the war, by itself.

Hestia contacted her clergy in Frontier Sector 87, providing subtle hints to look into Hearthtribe by sharing the information readily available about their victory. After all, each Dungeon Raid Prime Instance was recorded for viewing, and this would be a double-edged sword.

Enemies like War, Glory, and Profit would be able to see this recording, and gain information about their inevitable enemy. They will want to crush it in its infancy, before it can grow into something that can challenge them. Fortunately, Hestia had already set them up for successHighlands was already a Tier 2 world, and the two Tier 1 worlds she grabbed were both close enough that they might as well be. Then, she had confidence in Jake and his people to have already gotten past the point of no return.

She wasnt able to outright tell her people to copy or join Hearthtribe. But if they came to that conclusion on their own, Hestia wouldnt have broken any rules or be forced to pay for knowledge she gave out as a divine.

After all, she had only told the Hart family to make their guild like themselves, not how to accomplish it. She couldnt have been happier with what they built.

If she was lucky, her clergy from many worlds could eventually meet with Hearthtribe. Just what could they accomplish then? Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)