First-person narration:
The fall into the mortal world was not even remotely like I had imagined. There were no flashes, no epic music, none of the things you expect when you're falling into the "real world." All I felt was a weird emptiness, like someone was dragging me through the sky. It was a strange pressure, like I was being crushed and, at the same time, pushed forward. I was so lost that it took me a couple of minutes to understand what the hell was going on. I was so used to not doing shit for millennia that any action, no matter how simple, had me completely disoriented.
When it was finally over, I found myself in the middle of a huge field, full of tall grass and a few scattered trees. There was no one around, but there was something strange about the air. It was cool, yes, but with a density as if everything was waiting for something. I looked around for a moment and that's when I saw it: Orario, way in the distance. A city that looked so alive, full of movement, like a damned hive of activity. I could feel it, that distant murmur of people, the ordered chaos coming from within.
But of course, there was a long way to go between me and the city. My plan was simple: get there as quickly as possible. It wasn't that I was afraid of getting lost or anything, it was more like the world didn't have time to waste on me. So I took a deep breath, armed myself with patience, and set off.
The distance was long and the first few hours were a problem. I walked along country roads, saw peaceful landscapes, but all I could think about was getting to Orario, seeing how dirty the city was, how many people were actually doing something worthwhile, and how quickly I could find something interesting to do. And maybe set up a family.
As I got closer, things started to change. The countryside was no longer so vast, small settlements appeared everywhere, and what really caught my attention was the noise. I started to hear shouts, laughter, the characteristic bustle of a living city. I was approaching Orario, and every step lifted my spirits a little. I hadn't expected something so... alive.
Finally, the city appeared before me, clearly visible. The walls of Orario stood tall as if they were there to impress, but what really amazed me were the towers within the city. They looked like symbols of power and chaos, a perfect reflection of what I imagined all of that to be like.
The line in front of the entrance was as full as ever. The guards were doing their routine job of checking everyone, and I couldn't help but think that it all smelled like boredom. But just when I thought I was going to go unnoticed, a giant guy appeared. A huge man with a red and yellow elephant mask, covered in golden jewels that sparkled as if he didn't care that everyone was staring at him. This guy wasn't ordinary, and my instinct told me that I was in front of a god. And indeed, he was: Ganesha, the god of the masses.
The guy walked as calmly as possible, but as soon as he got close to the guards, he interrupted them without thinking twice.
"I am Ganesha! Come on, don't just stand there! This is not a parade, get moving!" he shouted, giving orders with an energy I had not expected from a god.
The guards stood straight as a board upon seeing who it was, but Ganesha seemed to have sensed something amiss. His gaze fell on me, and I felt his presence change the atmosphere, as if something about me had caught his attention. He was soon walking over to where I was.
"Hmm, a new god, huh?" said Ganesha, with his huge smile and booming voice. "How are you, my friend? I haven't seen you around here before."
I stayed silent for a moment, observing his relaxed attitude. "New? Well, not exactly… I just don't come here every day."
"Hahaha, I like that answer! I am Ganesha, and I welcome you to Orario, if you are new around here. What brings you here?" he asked, already in friend mode.
I looked at him for a moment, seeing that friendly and good-natured attitude. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Just exploring the world a bit, you know how it is."
"Of course! It's the best! Here in Orario there is everything, and I make sure everything is under control. If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me. I am Ganesha! I always help my friends, always!"
He laughed out loud as he patted me on the shoulder. He wasn't mean, on the contrary, he seemed like the kind of god who is willing to offer his help without much thought.
"Thank you, Ganesha. I'll keep that in mind," I replied, smiling back.
"That's good to hear! Enjoy the city! And remember, if you need anything, I'm here!"
With that, he gestured for me to pass through without any problem. As I walked away, I heard his laughter and conversations with the guards, and it was clear to me that this guy was nothing to worry about.
Third Person Narration:
Xander began to walk through the streets of Orario, letting the hustle and bustle of the city wash over him. The streets were fairly wide, with multi-story buildings lining the sides. There were people everywhere: merchants shouting out their wares, children running around, adventurers with their weapons slung down looking at the ground, as if the world was a normal, ordinary place. Well, at least it seemed that way to them.
The first thing he noticed was how full of life everything was, but also the strange air, as if the city had something hidden within its walls. He didn't know if it was filled with magic or just strange people. He stayed away from the noisiest groups, not wanting to draw anyone's attention. His appearance wasn't something that stood out among mortals, at least not for now, but he didn't feel like interacting with anyone right away.
Suddenly, a shop caught his eye. It had a large sign on the front that read "Tavio's Armory: Equipment for Adventurers," with a shining sword on the sign. Xander stopped and watched the hustle and bustle of the place for a moment. Adventurers came and went, some with exhausted faces, others with confident looks, as if they were already used to fighting.
He walked along the street, looking at the various shops. There was a bakery with a delicious smell that made his mouth water, and a small bookstore that seemed to be filled with books about magic and creatures of all kinds. He even came across a shop that sold curiosities, things that seemed more decorative than useful, but had a hint of mystery to them. Xander walked a little closer, looking through the glass, wondering if any of those things could have any use. But then he thought it was best not to get distracted by useless objects. He didn't know yet if he should care about what was going on in this world.
A thought was floating through his head: Should he be looking for something beyond this? Is there something else to do? But for now, he just watched, hoping something would snap him out of this little trance. The air was cool, and even though the place felt vibrant, Xander felt like he was floating in some sort of limbo, aimlessly.
Xander was walking calmly down one of the main streets when, without warning, he felt the impact of a body colliding with him. He almost lost his balance, but quickly recovered, looking at the person responsible for the impact.
Xander paused, watching as the girl who had just collided with him quickly recomposed herself. Her energy was contagious, making Xander smile at her carefree attitude. He decided to make a comment to lighten the situation.
"Well, it seems I'm not the only one who's distracted," he said, with a relaxed smile. "It seems the ground in Orario is especially dangerous today."
The girl, with a curious look on her face, gave him a wide smile. "Hahaha! No, don't worry, it was my fault. The ground here is very naughty," she replied, shaking her head in an exaggerated manner as if the world was to blame for her stumble.
Xander laughed softly. "I guess that makes sense, then. The world always has funny ways of tripping us up."
Alise, smiling more confidently now, stared at him. "You're not from around here, are you? Did you get lost or something?"
"Uh, sort of," Xander said, slightly amused. "I'm new in town, and honestly, I'm trying to figure out how things work here."
Alise gave him an interested look, not losing her playful smile. "New? And where do you come from, then? If you're not from Orario, how did you end up here?"
Xander shrugged casually. "Let's just say my journey started somewhere else... somewhere beyond what ordinary people could imagine," he said with a joking, yet somewhat enigmatic tone. "Now I'm here, trying to see how the whole city works."
Alise tilted her head, clearly intrigued, but she didn't let her curiosity become too obvious. "Interesting… well, the truth is, there are all kinds of people in Orario. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Although I'm not one to give out free advice, I might be able to help you out if I like you."
Xander looked at her, amused by her bluntness. "So you're a little selective about who you give your help to?"
"Of course!" Alise said with a mischievous laugh. "I'm very careful with my favors. But, well, I find you interesting. You know, there's something about the way you talk that tells me you're not someone ordinary."
Xander stared at her, assessing how she said that. He hadn't expected the conversation to take that turn so quickly. "Interesting, you say? I guess that's okay… though, I'm actually a pretty ordinary guy, if you knew me a little better."
Alise grinned playfully. "Oh, don't be so humble. My name's Alise, by the way. It's not often I meet someone who piques my curiosity like you."
Xander smiled, amused by her directness. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Alise. But really, I'm just a regular guy."
"Common?" Alise raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "I find that hard to believe. Most of the people I meet on the streets of Orario don't speak like you. Maybe you're one of the adventurers, or maybe something more…" Her tone softened, giving her an air of curiosity rather than suspicion.
Xander let out a small laugh, enjoying the game. "If I told you, you'd be surprised."
Alise looked at him playfully. "I dare you to tell me. I'm good at guessing."
"Maybe you can guess, huh?" Xander watched her for a moment. "Well, if I told you, it wouldn't be as fun. I guess I'll just leave it to your imagination."
"Oh, yeah?" Alise frowned, not willing to let his challenge go so easily. "Well, I'd like to know how big that imagination of yours is. Though… I hope you're not hiding from me that you're some kind of weird magical criminal or something."
Xander smiled softly, making a decision. "Well, I'm not exactly what I seem…"
Alise watched him, a little more attentively now. "What do you mean by that? What are you then?"
Xander, his expression more serious, finally decided to take the next step. "The truth is, I'm a god, and I'm here out of curiosity… out of adventure. The god of heroes, to be exact."
Alise was silent for a moment, processing what she had just heard. Then, with a glint in her eyes, she let out a light laugh. "A god… so that's why I thought you were weird? Although you didn't give me any signs, that's still unexpected. I didn't expect to run into a new god today."
Xander nodded slowly, amused by her reaction. "It's weird for everyone involved. But it seems the rules in this world apply to everyone, even the gods."
Alise looked at him more closely, noticing that something still seemed strange to her. "Hmm… wait, if you're a newly arrived god, have you already registered with the adventurer's guild? It's a requirement for all gods arriving in Orario."
Xander blinked, surprised by the question, and smiled slightly. "Ah, no, I haven't yet."
Alise nodded with a knowing smile. "Hey! That's the first thing you need to do. Don't be fooled by appearances, here in Orario even the gods must follow the rules. You're not going to get anything without being registered!"
Xander laughed and nodded, making a mental note. "Looks like I have some work to do, then."
Xander and Alise continued to walk through the streets of Orario, the bustle of the city surrounding them. As they walked forward, the atmosphere remained vibrant, with the sound of people, the hustle and bustle of shops, and the echoes of adventurers on their daily journeys. Xander, still processing the rhythm of the city, couldn't help but comment.
"So, is this really all it is? A city full of adventurers looking for something exciting?" he asked with a somewhat wry smile. "It's funny... when you're in the divine plane, all you do is watch mortals. But here... everything seems so... mundane."
Alise let out a small laugh as she continued walking beside him. "Mundane, huh? Well, yes, if you compare it to the heavens, even though I've never been there, not even my goddess likes to mention anything about it. But there is something here that has its charm. Every day is different. You don't know what it will bring. And that's what many, including the gods, look for here: something to take away the boredom."
Xander nodded thoughtfully. "I guess that makes sense... Most gods end up here, don't they? Tired of the routine, looking for something to keep them... busy." His tone held a hint of thoughtfulness.
Xander smiled, understanding what she meant. "Well, I guess that's why I'm here. I'm not looking for anything big... just a change of scenery. Boredom can be an enemy to overcome for the gods too, right?"
Alise stared at him for a moment, surprised by his honesty. "So, you're coming to a place full of chaos for fun?"
"It seems so. Sometimes chaos is the only thing that offers some... excitement," Xander replied with a shrug.
"I guess there's nothing wrong with that. In the end, we're all looking for something to break the monotony. Maybe this place is more interesting than it seems," Alise commented with a smile.
As they walked, Xander felt more relaxed. Even though the place was hectic, conversation flowed effortlessly. He was beginning to understand why so many gods, mortals, and adventurers chose Orario as their destination. In the end, it wasn't about what they found, but what they sought.
"Well, I guess this will be an interesting adventure after all," Xander said, looking at the massive guild building in the distance.
"It will be," Alise replied, smiling confidently. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, and to your new home in Orario."
As they walked through the streets of Orario, Xander glanced around. The city had a chaotic yet vibrant energy. Adventurers and merchants filled the streets, each minding their own business. Some warriors in worn armor walked confidently, while others, in practically brand new equipment, seemed still oblivious to the dangers of the dungeon.
The atmosphere wasn't bad. For a place that revolved around adventurers, Xander expected more tension in the air, but the city seemed accustomed to the constant mix of danger and everyday life.
Alise walked beside him, and for a moment, she seemed to debate whether to say something or not. In the end, she let out a sigh and looked at him a little more seriously.
"I'll tell you something, Xander. I know the gods do what they want down here, but that doesn't mean they're completely safe."
Xander raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? As far as I know, no one would dare raise a hand to a god."
Alise nodded, but her expression didn't change. "Yes, it is taboo. But that doesn't mean there aren't crazy people willing to challenge it. Evilus, for example."
Xander let the name hang in the air for a moment. "Evilus… sounds like a group that didn't put much thought into the name, huh? Like they pulled it from a random villain name generator."
Alise snorted. "Don't joke about it. They're still out there, in the shadows. There aren't as many of them as before, but they're still doing their thing. To them, chaos is all that matters. And while no one in their right mind would kill a god, that doesn't mean they won't try to use you in some way."
Xander smiled slightly. "Interesting."
Alise crossed her arms as they walked forward. "I'm just saying, don't get too confident. I know this all seems like a game to the gods, but to us adventurers, this is real. If you mess with the wrong people, you could end up in trouble."
Xander nodded, amused. "I'll keep that in mind. Although, if the danger is as real as you say, maybe this will be even more interesting."
Alise shook her head, half exasperated and half amused. "Gods… Well, you'll see. But when things get serious, don't say I didn't warn you."
"Well, here we are," Alise said, pointing to the entrance. "Your first step into Orario. Ready to see what this is all about?"
Xander smiled confidently. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."...…"But I wasn't ready for that."
As soon as he walked through the doors of the guild, Xander was confronted with something much worse than he expected: paperwork. And not just any paperwork, no. There were piles of forms, records, statements, and who knows how many other documents that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
Xander looked at the stack of papers in front of him with an expression of utter disinterest. "Is all of this really necessary?"
Across the counter, the receptionist, a woman with glasses, a bun up her back, and a sharp gaze, looked at him without a hint of sympathy. "Yes. All of this is necessary. Every god who comes to Orario must officially register with the guild. We need to know their name, their divine title, their purpose in the city, and confirm that they understand the basic rules of coexistence."
Xander sighed and picked up a pen. "You remind me why I preferred to stay in heaven."
Alise, who was standing next to him, tried to hold back a laugh. "Come on, it's not that bad. You just have to write your name and sign in several places. Easy."
Xander looked at her skeptically. "Easy? There are at least ten sheets here. What is this, a slavery contract?"
Xander considered his thoughts for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "What if I don't sign?"
"Then you cannot establish a family in Orario, nor participate in any events related to the city."
Xander stared at her for a moment, then looked down at the papers. "You're right. It's not that bad." And he began to write.
Alise leaned an elbow on the counter as she watched him fill out the paperwork. "So tell me, Xander, now that you're officially a part of the city, what's next for you?"
Xander smiled, not looking away from his papers. "I don't know. I joined Orario out of boredom, so I guess finding something interesting to do will be my priority."
"Well, if you're looking for excitement, Orario never disappoints," Alise commented with a confident smile. "Though I doubt you're expecting anything that will really surprise you."
Xander finished signing the last document and stretched in relief. "I guess we'll see. But first of all… how fast do they approve this registration? Don't tell me I have to wait days."
The receptionist took the papers and looked through them with the efficiency of someone who did this on a daily basis. "Confirmation will take a few hours. In the meantime, you are free to explore the city, but you cannot establish a family until everything is approved."
Xander clicked his tongue. "Well, that's something."
Alise tapped him on the arm. "So, what do you say? Do you want me to keep showing you around Orario while you wait, or would you rather get lost on your own?"
Xander glanced at her and smiled. "You seem to know the city well. I think I'll take you up on the offer."
Alise smiled with satisfaction. "Wise decision. Come on, there's plenty to see before you get bored again."
And with that, they left the guild, Orario spread out before them, ready to show Xander that, perhaps, this world held more than he bargained for.
As soon as they left the guild, Xander felt something was off. As they walked through the streets of Orario, he noticed the food stalls, the armories, the bustling taverns… and something hit him like a bucket of cold water.
"Wait a minute," he said, stopping abruptly.
Alise, who was a few steps ahead, turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"
Xander crossed his arms and frowned. "I just realized I don't have a single valis to my name."
Alise blinked. Then she burst out laughing. "Really?! Not even a coin?"
Xander sighed and looked up at the sky, as if waiting for the universe to give him an answer. "When I came down from the heavens, I didn't get a welcome fund, okay? I didn't think about the basics. I have no money, I have nowhere to stay… in other words, I'm completely broke."
Alise put a hand on her hip and smiled in amusement. "Wow, not even the gods are spared from misery in Orario. I guess that makes you more… relatable."
Xander gave him a look. "Do you know what this means?"
"Are you going to have to sleep on the street?"
"No!" Xander shook his head. "It means I need to get money as soon as possible. Any quick ideas?"
Alise put a hand to her chin, thoughtful. "Well, there are options. You could look for work in a tavern or a shop, but I doubt anyone would want to hire a rookie god without references."
Xander sighed. "Great. Any other options that don't involve bussing tables or taking orders?"
Alise snapped her fingers. "You could bet at the Colosseum! There are fights almost every day, and some allow quick bets. That is, if you're lucky."
Xander narrowed his eyes. "Do I look like someone who's lucky?"
Alise looked him up and down. "Honestly… no."
Xander snorted. "I need a better plan."
Alise thought about it for a moment and then snapped her fingers. "Well, there is one last option. You could ask someone with money for a loan."
Xander looked at her skeptically. "And who in their right mind would lend money to a god who just arrived and has no guarantee of payment?"
Alise smirked. "Ah… well, I have an idea. But you might not like it."
Xander raised an eyebrow. "Just tell me."
Alise patted him on the back. "We're going to visit someone who might be willing to help you. Although… I'm not promising anything."
Xander sighed, knowing this was only going to get more complicated. But, well, it couldn't be any worse than it already was... or could it?
He didn't really have much of a choice, so he simply followed Alise as they walked through the streets of Orario. Although their situation was a mess, at least the city had some charm. The bustle of adventurers, merchants shouting their offers, and the aroma of food wafting through the air made everything feel more alive.
"So who are we going to see?" Xander asked, as he dodged a group of kids running around with wooden swords.
Alise smiled in amusement. "To a moneylender."
Xander looked at her with a mix of surprise and distrust. "A loan shark? Great. Nothing like starting my time in the mortal world with debts."
"Well, if you'd rather sleep outside, we can find a nice spot," Alise joked.
Xander sighed. "Fine, fine. But if you're making me pay ridiculous interest, I'll be sure to return the favor somehow."
Alise laughed. "Don't worry, this guy is… peculiar, but if he likes you, he might give you a decent deal."
After a few minutes of walking, they came to a quieter street, away from the main bustle of Orario. The houses here were more modest, but the building they were heading to looked fairly well kept. A sign hanging at the entrance said Ganesha Bank and Loans.
Xander blinked. "Are you serious? Ganesha runs a bank?"
Alise shook her head. "No, but a retired member of his family did. And believe me, this guy has helped many a novice adventurer get started."
She pushed the door open without hesitation and walked in, with Xander following close behind.
The interior of the place was spotless. Tidy tables, shelves of account books, and a counter with a man sitting behind it, going through paperwork. He was a guy with dark hair, glasses, and a cold, calculating expression.
"Vienna, it's been a long time!" Alise said with a carefree smile.
The man looked up, adjusted his glasses, and sighed. "Alise… how many times have I told you not to interrupt my accounts without warning?"
"I lost count," she replied with a cheeky grin. "But this time it's not me you're coming for. This is Xander, a newly arrived god. And he's… well, he's broke."
Vienna looked at Xander with a raised eyebrow. Then she settled back in her seat and laced her fingers together. "A bankrupt god? It's not something I see every day. And why should I lend you money?"
Xander crossed his arms. "Because if you don't, I'm going to sleep outside your bank until you kick me out."
Vienna watched him in silence for a few seconds. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled. "Interesting answer."
He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Fine, we can do business. But on one condition."
Xander eyed him warily. "Which one?"
Vienna placed a piece of paper on the counter. "I need a guarantee that you will pay your debt. Do you have anything of value?"
Xander smirked. "If I had anything of value, I wouldn't be asking for a loan."
Alise interrupted, leaning an elbow on the counter. "Come on, Vienna, really? How about a favor in the future?"
Vienna stared at her, then looked back at Xander. "A favor from a god… hmm. Depending on how much you need, we might be able to negotiate something."
Xander leaned against the counter with a confident smile. "Let's talk numbers then."
Vienna smiled back. "Perfect. Let's see what we can do."
…
Xander left the bank with a mixture of relief and resignation. He had gotten the loan, but the price to pay was not inconsiderable. Not only did he owe Vienna a favor—which was dangerous enough in itself—but he also owed Alise a moral debt.
"Well, at least now I don't have to sleep on the streets," Xander commented, tucking Valis's bag into his robes.
Alise smiled, clearly amused. "Yes, but now you have to work to pay off that debt. Do you know how quickly money is spent in Orario?"
Xander sighed. "Let me guess: ridiculously fast."
"Exact."
As they walked, Alise explained the basics. Life in Orario was expensive, especially for adventurers. Between equipment, repairs, potions, food, and lodging, the expenses added up in no time. With what Vienna lent him, Xander had just enough to live comfortably in a decent inn for two months. But the problem wasn't just time...
"The interest is 50%," Alise said casually.
Xander stopped dead in his tracks. "What!? 50%?!"
Alise shrugged. "Hey, that's low for Vienna. Believe me, people have done worse. Plus, you have two years to get the money together. It doesn't seem that hard, does it?"
Xander ran a hand over his face. "Great… Not only do I have to get enough money to pay off the debt, but I also have to make a profit to survive."
"Welcome to life in Orario," Alise said with a mocking smile.
Xander was still digesting the absurd interest rate when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Alise was smiling at him with far too much amusement for his liking.
"Well, you know, if you don't pay on time… I can always take you to jail," he said casually.
Xander looked at her in disbelief. "Are you threatening to arrest me?"
"Of course!" she replied with a laugh. "The Astrea Familia is in charge of maintaining justice in Orario. And, technically, an unpaid debt could be construed as an attempt at fraud…"
Xander let out a theatrical sigh. "Great. Not only am I in debt to a ruthless loan shark, but I also have a vigilante watching me. Anything else?"
Alise pretended to think about it for a moment and then snapped her fingers. "Ah, yes. If you end up in jail, I'll bring you hard bread and water every day. Hopefully, you won't starve to death."
"How kind," Xander muttered, setting off again.
"You're welcome," Alise replied with a beaming smile as she followed him.
As they made their way through the busy streets of Orario, Xander sighed, feeling the weight of his new reality. Not only did he have to find a way to pay off his debt, but he also had to make sure he didn't end up living on the streets. The bustle of the city was constant, with adventurers and merchants everywhere, each with their own problems and ambitions. Alise walked beside him with a light step, clearly enjoying his torment. Xander glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and frowned.
"I'm going to get through this, you know?" she said determinedly.
Alise smiled, amused. "Oh, I don't doubt that. But the question is how you'll do it."
Xander could only let out a dry laugh. "Yeah… I wonder that too."