The divine hall of the gods was a place of power and pride. Today, however, there was a palpable tension in the air as the gods of Orario gathered to witness the conclusion of the War Game. At the front of the hall, Hestia stood alongside Bell Cranel, her chest held high with pride. The outcome had been decisive. The Apollo Familia had been thoroughly defeated, and now it was time for the official declaration of the victor's demands.
The gods in attendance sat in silence, many of them exchanging whispers as they eyed Apollo, who stood further back, his expression furious but resigned. His Familia Captain, Hyacinthus, was nursing his wounds beside him, head down in shame. They had lost everything.
Apollo had little choice but to face the consequences of his hubris.
Hestia held a piece of parchment in her delicate hands, the paper almost glowing under the divine light of the hall. Standing next to her, Bell was stoic, his crimson eyes surveying the room, waiting for the final moment of closure. His aura was calm, but there was a quiet intensity about him, one that made even the gods in the room sit a little straighter.
With a soft smile, Hestia cleared her throat, bringing the attention of everyone to her. She unfolded the paper slowly, her movements precise and deliberate, drawing out the moment. All eyes were on her, the room holding its collective breath.
"By the terms of the War Game, as dictated by the rules and divine law, the Hestia Familia—victorious beyond dispute—hereby declares the following terms for the defeated Apollo Familia." Her voice was clear, ringing through the hall.
Apollo's jaw clenched, but he didn't dare interrupt. This was the moment of his disgrace, and he could do nothing to change it.
Hestia's eyes scanned the paper before she began reading aloud:
"First," Hestia began, her tone becoming slightly more formal. "Apollo and his Familia are to forfeit all their possessions within the city of Orario to the Hestia Familia."
The gods shifted in their seats, murmuring to each other. This was a bold demand, but completely within the victor's rights.
"Second," she continued, her voice unwavering, "Apollo Familia is to disband immediately and forever. From this day forward, no member of Apollo Familia may reside within the city of Orario."
A ripple of surprise ran through the room. The total disbandment of an entire Familia was rare, but given the extent of Apollo's defeat, it wasn't unprecedented.
Apollo's face darkened further, his fists trembling at his sides, but he remained silent.
"Third and final," Hestia said, her voice growing sweet and almost playful, "the estate of Apollo Familia—including the grand mansion itself—will now become the property of the Hestia Familia, effective immediately."
The gods were stunned into silence. They had expected a thorough punishment for Apollo, but the complete annexation of his mansion and belongings? This was more ruthless than most had anticipated.
But it wasn't just the declaration that shocked them. It was the way Hestia chose to finish it off.
With a sudden, playful tone, she grinned widely, placing one hand behind her head and sticking her tongue out between her lips in a cheeky, childish gesture.
"That's it, Apollo!" she chirped, her voice as innocent as ever. "You can give us all you got... and leave. Teehee!"
The sheer contrast between the gravity of the moment and Hestia's cute, almost mischievous delivery left the room stunned for a heartbeat. And then the gods erupted into laughter.
Hermes wiped a tear from his eye, chuckling at the sight. Ganesha, always the loud one, roared with laughter, slapping his thigh. Even Loki, seated in her office watching from a distance, smirked at the display.
Apollo, on the other hand, was livid. His face burned red with humiliation, veins popping out on his forehead, but his defeat was absolute. He could do nothing but bow his head in shame.
"Fine," Apollo spat bitterly, his voice shaking with rage. "I'll leave. But this isn't the last time we'll meet, Hestia!"
He stormed out of the room, his Captain and the remnants of his Familia trailing behind him like broken shadows. The gods, while amused, couldn't help but be glad. Apollo's constant meddling and schemes had grown tiresome. His removal from the city was almost a relief to many of them.
As Apollo exited, the divine hall began to disperse, gods chatting with one another about the spectacle that had just occurred. Hestia, meanwhile, was feeling quite pleased with herself.
Back at their new mansion, the Hestia Familia stood at the gates of the once grand Apollo Mansion. It was enormous, far too big for their small group. But now, it was theirs.
Bell glanced around, surveying the estate. The architecture was elegant but pompous, reflecting Apollo's self-centered nature. Golden accents adorned the walls, and the entire structure seemed designed to boast wealth rather than comfort.
Hestia grinned, her eyes wide with excitement as she walked through the front gate. "Look at this, Bell! It's huge! Our Familia is going to grow so much in here!"
Lili and Haruhime followed behind, still awed by the size of the property. Welf walked beside them, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's a bit much, isn't it?"
Ryuu, ever composed, nodded in agreement. "It's certainly more extravagant than what we're used to."
Bell scratched his head, taking in the opulent surroundings. "Yeah... we need to redesign this. ASAP."
The others all nodded in unison. The mansion may have been theirs now, but it certainly didn't feel like home just yet. They would have to make it their own—strip away the gaudy decorations and transform it into a place that truly reflected the spirit of the Hestia Familia.
For now, though, they were content to stand together in front of their new home, their bond stronger than ever after the war game.
As the group entered the mansion, their minds already racing with ideas for how to remodel the space, Bell couldn't help but think of what was ahead. The war game had proven that they were strong—but it was just the beginning.
He could feel it.
The dungeon called to him. There were still battles to be fought, challenges to be faced. And with this new home, with his Familia growing stronger by the day, Bell knew that the real journey was only just beginning.
But for now, they had earned this victory.
And Apollo? He was gone from Orario—forever.