A Paladin's Quest [Aria]

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”That’s because the fated aren’t the most welcome, at a certain point earlier this year they were even being hunted. There are a few sympathizers however we remain a controversy and a symbol of the unknown.”

As this Dante seemed completely and utterly confused to as why she found his sense of wording off putting, Aria slowly came to the horrifying conclusion that Creo and the others had corrupted her sense of innocence…. She ran a hand over her face; she supposed she wasn’t that innocent now considering circumstances. But it was disturbing to realize how altered ones direction of thought could become. As he continued on it would seem this Dante was a curious fellow, she thought for a while as she walked before answering.

”Those are some specific questions, with some complicated answers. What makes me, me, is what makes anybody themselves. I am me as the result of my experiences and choices in life. As for where I was born here, a thousand years from now…and considering the time jump would I have a normal age right now? Or am I suddenly younger considering I don’t exist yet?”

Ahhh vague unhelpful answers, a necessity in every god or goddess skill set. It also clearly gave the answer she was indeed a smart ass. However she would at least give the poor guy one straight answer.

”My favorite treat however are honey drops, I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I have a few fond memories attached to the sweet”

Aria looked and the amour curiously, it was interesting how the illusion was able to change with the will of the user. Usually things she made of that nature for others only had one choice and the spell was manipulated by her and not the user.

”A lot of effort must have gone into making that”

The time and effort to weave a spell to make such armor must have been considerable. Aria listened as he continued on about how the armor had saved his life more then once. Once again making it sound like mages, witches, ect were a scourge of enemies one would be proud to defeat. It was an odd list with an odd exception. She caught him eying her strangely out of the corner of her eye, right after he had mentioned succubi. Aria sharpened her gaze, he wasn’t thinking she was one of those….

”Relax succubus bait, I’m not after your loins. First things first, do you have a place to stay yet? And or have you found any work. Also do you plan on still fallowing your goddess even though she does not exist here? Or do you plan to find a new one to serve?”

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Dante listened to her words, which seemed purposely vague, except for the honey drops. He decided to let this slide, if she did not wish to talk about herself he would not force the subject.  His eyes perked up as she spoke about the effort that went into creating his armor. 

"Yes, In fact a massive amount of work was required to infuse this armor with its attributes. The armor itself is worth, about 10 farmers wages for a lifetime. However, the infused magic.. This armor could buy yourself a castle, many plots of land, a very large ship, and furniture to house both your galleon and your castle.." Dante couldn't remember the exact gold price, but it was through the roof. He was able to afford it by selling magical items, and of course with his reward money from both saving the continent, and slaying dragons. 

"I'm not quite sure it's worth here, considering it seems to be lacking some of it's qualities." 

"Sadly, I could never sell this suit. From what you've told me, something like this in this world would be rare, if made at all in this world." 

"Succubus bait?" Dante laughed loudly.

"I have no place to stay, and I was hoping to get some work from the king. I can only work with my blade, it is all I have to offer. 

"Aria, you said "We" When you were speaking of the fated. This means you are also someone from another world?"  

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Aria listened to his explanation about the amour with interest. The illusionary qualities had intrigued her to begin with, but it also had other capabilities? In her mind she was thinking of how to make something similar, it definitely was within her capabilities to recreate the illusionary qualities of it. It would just take some tweaking and experimenting. Perhaps she might add some tweaks to her own armor, just to see if she could do it. She really wasn’t that impressed by the cost, money wasn’t something that ever interested her much. It was for food….however she had learned her own trick….besides for robbing people, which could make her more than enough to survive. That and she could hunt for everything she needed, when it came to surviving Aria pretty much had things figured out. Even without her powers she’d do fine, after all first sixteen years of her life was lived as a mortal. When he began to wonder what it was worth here Aria thought for a bit….technically she never charged for her enchantments, though technically she could probably charge a hefty amount since her magic wasn’t one commonly studied.

”Well I suppose it would depend on the amount of spells and time it took, plus the risk to the magic user when casting such a spell. I suppose it would still cost quite a hefty amount if the armor had multiple enchantments and needed more than one caster to make it. What other abilities did this armor have? And yes armor with that level of magic and ability would be rare here. Plus I’m sure it has its sentimental value. Personally I wouldn’t be one to sell armor, never know when one would need it.”

Aria nodded when he said he had no place to stay, she could at least set him up with Calix for the time being. He could act as a bouncer or what not for the inn to make at least a couple coins. Then perhaps she would introduce him to the guard.

”I’m sure Calix would offer you a job as a bouncer if I asked of it, at least as a temporary situation. It’s not in the best parts of town however the place isn’t bad. I’ll ask the captain of the civilian guard if they are accepting fated still….or….I’m actually down one man.”

Aria looked at the man and tilted her head…..Silas would probably let her replace someone in the flight….but would he be able to not attack her drakes. She did have the extra mount that she borrowed as her drake, at least until Noky matured. She would have to introduce him to the drake to see how he got along with it, if he managed not to attack and or kill it they would have something then. Her line of thought was diverted when he asked if she was fated as well. Aria was made a duchess for her work to help the fated, so really it was no secret that she was one, even if it caused some complications for her.

”Yes and once again no, while there are fated from different worlds I am not one of them however I am fated. I was fated from an alternate timeline set at a different period in time. My time would roughly start around a thousand years from now; however the events that have fallowed my arrival are not a part of my times history. The fated have been coming to his world for a bit now, however it seemed the flow of new arrivals have been increased dramatically in the past year. Which is concerning. Out of curiosity would you be able to locate the cavern you came out of? It seems the location of the fated arriving has changed since I arrived. I’ve been here for almost a year now.”
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Dante stopped walking for a moment reaching his hand out to grab Aria's shoulder, to stop her for a moment. "Hold on Aria." 

"I apologize but I can not work as a bouncer, you can put me to work on a farm, but I ask for no money. The men on the fields need all the help they can get. You can put me to work as a bouncer, but it will to be help the owner of the establishment, not for money. The only work that I get paid for.. It's bloody work, work that I can do that a farmer can not, that a simple bouncer can not. The work I do is dangerous, and I can not so easily jump to something I was not created for." 

Dante removed his hand, his arms moving up to his head. Dante never removed his helmet, but also never allowed it to be visible. Removing the invisible helmet allowed it to take physical shape, and as he removed it and it became visible. He held it at his side. "Aria, I am not meant for regular work, and you can not place me into a regular job." 

"If you would like a test of my skills, I can surely provide one, perhaps you would know of someone who would have proper use of me then?" 

"I am not foolish, I realize I am a tool. I'm a tool used for destruction, all in the name of my..." Dante refrained from saying Goddess. 

"A hammer can not screw in a screw, nor can a screwdriver drive a nail into a plank of wood. I am a specialized tool, and I prefer my field of work"

"Civilian Guard? Perhaps, but I want to be a part of something bigger Aria... I can not allow my talents to be wasted."  

Different timelines? Dante couldn't really respond to that. A part of him wanted to ask how one could travel through time, through space, through dimensions, but it was much easier to accept this world was his own now, then to go crazy trying to return himself to his old world. He could be returned thousands of years in the past, in the future, it was worthless to try so hard for something like that. Dante could make a family here one day, but first he had to make use of himself. 

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Aria raised an eyebrow as she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder, she restrained herself from reacting in a way that would likely end up tossing the man a good few feet. Instead she calmly picked on finger off her shoulder and removed the hand. She didn’t very much care to have someone she just met lay hands on her. While she fully understood where he came from when it came to not taking paying positions in which others who needed them could perform, he was being slightly unreasonable. Technically Aria had done something similar when being fated over, choosing to live off the land rather than take jobs. She also had lent her hand to famers during the harvesting and planting seasons. She had added some of her magic to increase the crop yields in order to help make up for the increased population. Course the farmers didn’t know that….she understood some were tweaky about magic.

Aria frowned, Dante really was being too rigid with his form of work. Did he not understand to get to where he wanted he had to take stepping stones first? He saw the end goals just not the path leading up to it. She rubbed the bridge of her nose as he continued on, holding up a hand when he went onto his whole tool analogy.

”A hammer can still hammer in a screw and get results just as much as a nail can be hammered in by a screw driver; if you use the right end and angle. It just is not as easy or efficient as it could be, but it is not impossible.”

Her frown only grew as he went on to look down at the guard, her eyes narrowing…really he was being quite hypocritical for one who wanted to help those in need.

”I did not realize that the common people were ones that are not worthy enough to be considered not a waste of your time.”

The civilian guard was put there to help keep order, and protect the town’s people. Yes maybe they were protected from petty things now and then but for someone on the streets the little things could be life changing. This was why she was disgusted by many nobles, so often the less fortunate were forgotten. She turned on her heel and continued walking, if she had been warming up to the crazy man that statement alone probably lost him progress. Perhaps she didn’t want him in her flight, after all if she had caught ANY of her soldiers with such an attitude they’d be on latrine duty for the entire lower city for a week.

”My suggestion for you is to reevaluate what would be considered a good use of your talents. Along with understanding that once again your titles and past contributions to your world are meaningless in this one. They might as well be a child’s fantasy. So at the moment I would consider the phrase beggars can’t be choosers. Like every one of the other fated you are at square one.”

Aria spoke just as she would to any of her trainees that were put under her, especially ones that thought they could jump before they could stand.

”If you want a place to stay you will have to take work that’s available, don’t expect handouts.”

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Dante couldn't help but laugh as this woman spoke. It made complete sense, her words. However, she seemed to misunderstand what Dante was after. "If you hammer in a screw, it leaves damage. Does it not?" "A screw that is hammered into place does not grip. It sits in place around the destruction of the strength that forced it into position. Sooner or later that 'screw' will fall out of it's place. I can not work as a farmer, because I will not be accepted as one. I can not work as a Guard, because.." Dante refrained from continuing his speech, perhaps he was speaking too much about himself know. Their was something to speak about yourself in a great light, to show off his accolades. However, Dante refrained from speaking about the stepping stones he had faced on his way to the top. 

"I apologize Aria, I simply wish to leave the 'stepping stones' of this country intact. I do not wish to tarnish them with my footprints." 

Dante's stepping stones, each one, to him could only be considered blood. Each battle that he has fought, was not alone. He commanded troops, thousands. Each and every one gave their life to him for the good of the land, for the good of the Gods. To attain status like he had before meant risking lives, Guard's lives, Farmer's lives, Children. Dante's hand shook slightly as an old memory filtered through his head, thankfully the gauntlets kept any visible sign of distress hidden. Dante quickly brought his helmet back atop of his head, using the illusion to hide the expression upon his face.  

A Guard was important, a Guard was the embodiment of protection, in which Dante strives to be. There however is difference in what a man chose to protect, chose to guard. If Dante was a Guard of a city, then every day he would fail at his job. Being the guard of a city meant protecting every civilian, and that was just impossible. Not every man had food to return to, not every child had a safe place to sleep. Dante could not be a Guard of a city, because Dante could never consider himself able to protect all of the civilians. Protecting the ideals of a God, of a person, that was much easier than protecting civilians of a city. Dante could never save them all, he could never stop a person dying from hunger, from the cold, because as low as crime rates may be, as low as poverty may be, their is always going to be someone he can not help, perhaps Dante hid from this insecurity, but Aria's words only made him feel less significant. Dante understood what he said earlier undermined the position, and he did believe that sometimes the Guard's job was insignificant. However, for Dante that job was more than he could ever handle. 

"Where are we headed again, Aria?" 

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”I did say it was not as efficient, my point was it may not be the best but it could be used as a quick fix. You need something to do right now, I did not say it would be your life’s career. You cannot set out to do the things you wish to accomplish without the means to be able to do so.”

Aria stopped and let out a sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she warded off an oncoming headache. Out of all the fated she helped this one was already proving to be the most difficult to place. She was silent for a few moments as she gathered her thoughts.

”What is it exactly you want to do Dante? And how do you think to accomplish it? Do you have a clear direction or are you at a crossroad in life?”

Aria was of the full opinion not leaving a foot print was by far impossible in anyone’s walk in life. Whether it was a small one or a large one, you still left footprints…. She had given her word to help him at least on his feet, however it seemed that was going to be difficult. She looked up when he asked where they were headed.

”Well….we are going to Gallows inn, in the city Calix will at least give you a bed for tonight and a meal for free. I can at least make some introductions and establish some ties for you to at least open up doors of opportunity for you. Further then that I do not have an immediate plan, further then understanding you wish to regain a title of nobility I do not know what you wish to accomplish. Furthermore you wish to do so without leaving a footprint…”

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Dante sighed heavily, raising his arm as if almost to face palm himself. It seemed that this Aria took him for some sort of charity case. "Aria, this is not my first night in this world. I have my own supplies, food, portable shelter. I understand how to cook meals, set a fire. I can survive on my own.." 

That was really how Dante had always lived, only with the companies of others. Dante has never really settled down somewhere for too long, and when he did, he was somehow brought to this place. "Aria, I may not have any titles in this world, but I still retain all of the knowledge in my previous one. The concept of survival does not change between worlds." 

Dante yawned, feeling a little tired. "Of course, this does not mean I am not thankful for what your trying to do. I apologize if that's what you take out of this. I simply asked for help obtaining a title of nobility, and perhaps someone to serve. I can make my own meal, and get my own shelter. I do not wish to burden you with such things, and If this is a pain you can walk away at any time you like. After all, you have no real reason to stick around..." 

Dante shrugged. "The only thing you offer me is opportunities." The mere walking was getting a little cumbersome. In fact, the metal was cooling off his skin now very rapidly. Of course Dante would never complain, but he should start moving at a faster pace to keep his body heat up. 

"Aria, I am a Holy Knight, not a helpless civilian. You may not believe me, and you may even refuse my claim to that title. However, being a Paladin is all that I have ever known. I can not do anything else. I will search for my Goddess, and if I can not find her I will have to align myself with one of this world's God's. If they are anything like the Gods and Goddesses of my land then they will be wise enough to put my loyalty to good use.. And I will use their strength to cast judgement with each step I take. They will accept me for I have accepted them." Dante looked back at her briefly. "If you wish to leave me I have no objections.. You seem quite distraught while speaking with me" Dante wasn't quite sure why but Aria seemed to treat him almost like a child, which he certainly was not. 

Dante knew how to survive, how to find work. He could make it to the city, knowing it's direction. Dante wasn't worried about surviving, or finding a path to nobility. Dante wasn't going to explain his goals either. He could not lie to her, but he could always refrain from speaking. 

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Well it was good to hear he wasn’t at a completely loss as some of the other fated were, however he had asked her if she could help him gain nobility and a land for himself. However he shot down all the options she had been trying to give him to get him started on that path.

”What do you think I’m trying to do? You ask me to help you obtain a title and nobility however you snub your nose at the paths that will take you there. So yes I am getting frustrated, you’re like a pampered house cat who can’t make up its mind to whether it wants to be outside or not! Stop and think of the logical ways one can go about obtaining a title.”

Yep, there it was…..that nice throbbing ache between her eyes.

”Going along another logical path would you really want to serve someone whom you knew little to nothing about? Or a god or goddess who’s motives to which you are not familiar with? Yes all I have to offer you at the moment are opportunities, opportunities to gather more knowledge that will help point you on a path to fallow. Serving a god or goddess in this world means you will leave foot prints, and they won’t be no small ones either. If you want to remain in a state of indecision you do not need to fallow me, but like you said you decided to rely on me for guidance. I will not force you to take. I do know of someone who is ….in a godessless sate such as yourself. Perhaps she will be more helpful then I in that matter. ”

She did note he had specifically avoided speaking out his goals.

”Plus in good consciousness I can’t leave someone out in the middle of the forest dressed as you are in the middle of winter.”

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Dante looked at Aria, confused. He always hated when people looked down on him. Was this woman doing that? Dante, despite all his quirks had made a name for himself. People looked up to him, no matter what his personality was. This was what allowed Dante to be himself, he was a little odd, but people accepted him. This woman, and the people of this land, they wouldn't be so accepting. 

Dante yawned. "Fine, Aria. You are correct, in everything that you speak. Perhaps I am being stubborn. We will do things your way, no questions asked, no complaints, if that is what will satisfy you." Dante looked at her, mentioning of his attire in this situation. The metal plates certainly didn't make him feel warm, at least when he wasn't moving. In fact they helped freeze him. 

"The armor isn't really designed to make the wearer warm. I'm sure you understand that already. If we do not find shelter soon I may have to remove it, and that my friend is a two person job." Dante of course wore garments under the armor about 75% of the time, so he had no issue with it, of course had he been nude he wouldn't have an issue either. Aria was a pretty looking girl, he didn't mind that. However, he wasn't really that enticed quite yet. She had the goods, but he wasn't really attracted by her personality thus far. Perhaps there was more to her, and Dante could change his mind. However, if not at least he would have someone that could be called an acquaintance in this world.

"Aria, Do the Gods here have servants? Are they treated well? Are their any Paladins in this land?" Dante was only asking questions to pass the time now. 

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”Yes your being stubborn…as for being satisfied, I’m a hard person to satisfy so nope not yet. In my opinion, one shouldn’t stop asking questions but when doing so keep an open mind to the answers that are given.”

At this point she was being just as difficult as he was. But at least it was some form of entertainment. Dante at least finally consented into fallowing her plan of action. Aria nodded when he admitted the metal plates were not really the best thing to be wearing at the moment.

”An ice box in the winter, and an oven in the summer. I don’t envy those that wear plate. Though in the summer I suppose you just need to sit on an enemy and they get the bonus burns.”

Her eyebrow quirked up when he mentioned that it would take two people to remove his armor….now that certainly was a task. Why would anyone want to wear something that took more than one person to help wear….then again she met several noble ladies with dresses that required assistance as well…It just seemed very unpractical… at least with plate it had its uses. Her train of thought was derailed when he went back to asking more about the gods.

”Some of them are treated well, others are little known or recognized. Then you have the whole family dynamics amongst themselves. So depending how you go about it the answer for that question could differ. As for fallowers most gods have a fallowing and a priesthood….and I suppose they would have paladins as well. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities. You’re the first paladin that identifies as one that I have met though.”

Tres would be able to answer more about being a servant of a god better then Aria could….she wasn’t brought up to serve a god…she knew how to be a good pain in the ass to one. But that wasn’t helpful to him. Hopefully they would be at the city soon; but while they were walking Aria did silently contact a nearby crow to go see if it could fetch Tres for her.

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"Regardless of how practical my armor may be, I would be dead right now had I decided not to wear it." Dante's armor was a symbol of protection, and safety. He felt safe within it, and others felt safe just by the sight of the glorious armor. At least others of his world. "If I decide to serve any God of this land then they must be on equal terms of my own. Or my old God I suppose.." Dante looked at Aria curiously. "They must have the beauty of Iomede, with the raw natural compassion she also embodied. I haven't been without her long, but I really do miss Iomede." Dante remembered back to the 'god' old days. "I almost became mythological, and I was getting ready to take my seat beside her.. I know she would have treated me with respect! I would have finally had my dream realized!" Dante groaned with sadness. "But, for whatever reason I am here."

"I know nothing of the Gods of this land, but if I can find one that shines as brightly as her, then I would be more than willing to dedicate my life to them." Dante yawned, his feet feeling the hefty weight of the full plate armor. "Do you know any Gods like that?" Dante asked her, knowing that she wouldn't really be able to answer.

"Aria, do you like dried apples? I fear all I have on me is a few dried rations. I'm starving, and it would be rude not to share." Just a few leftover rations from his journeys before this world. In fact thinking about just how much of those things he ate made him nostalgic of those adventures.

"I miss Kail, and Zazra, Aria. They were the only mortals I could call my friend." Dante of course was mortal himself, and he didn't say that to put down anyone that wasn't a God. Dante said that because he felt they were the only ones that accepted him. In fact, they were his family.

"SO, which heaven will I go to when I die? This world's. Or my own?"  

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”Never said it wasn’t useful.”

Aria listened as he went on about whom he’d like to serve, from the sounds of it he wanted to serve another goddess….that and it’d likely be someone like AI or Ven…Ven was currently cast out….considering Aria was the one carrying the key to her seat. Though so far Garrett was the only one who knew about the fact she had Vennessa’s weapons. Caster was out too….Aria quirked an eyebrow when he mentioned he was in line to become a god as well. However it seemed Dante and her had quite opposite opinions on such a position. Although she looked at the path ahead, Aria could not hide the bit of sadness that crept into her gaze.

”A seat of a god I would imagine would be a very painful roll to take on…I do not envy the ones who sit there.”

It was that fact alone that the gods had Arias respect, their roles were not easy nor were they glorious. At least for the most part. She was thankful that her father had given her the chance to live a mortal life…In a way her childhood could have been a lot worse off. The most she had to worry about…at least the most she knew she had to worry about back then, was finding her next meal, or where to sleep. She supposed for a god or goddess she had an easy childhood compared to what the others probably were facing. Alas that was the realizations of age….she wondered how much more her feelings would change as she passed through the ages. She was still young after all. When Dante asked her whether there was a goddess or god that sounded like his old one.

”They all shine in their own way; however Ai the goddess of love, and her daughter Vennessa the goddess of passion sound like they would be the most similar to your old goddess….however would you be able to serve someone similar without comparing?”

She still had a somber look on her face as she thought about it. She had kept her distance for the most part from the other gods for a few reasons. Knowing she would not be able to help but compare was one of them.

”I think it would make me sad to be compared to someone else all the time. You may take my advice or leave it, but I would suggest taking your time to gain knowledge of each one before making a decision. Get opinions of others who have served and fallowed them, I’m hoping when we get to the city that we will run into someone who can give you another opinion then just my own.”

A look of interest, akin to a puppy just offered a treat, crept across her face when he asked if she like dried apples. Aria very much liked apples they were one of her favorite treats.
”Yes please!”

She felt a little guilty for taking some of the rations, but she would at least replace that and then some when they got to the city. Plus this way at least he didn’t feel like she would be giving him handouts. Seeing how they would be stopping Aria looked around.

”If we are going to be stopping I can at least get a fire going so your metal suit there doesn’t freeze into one position.”

Aria started to gather some sticks and brush and such and pile it all together. It was wet and damp due to the snow but that wouldn’t get in the way much, she was a fire mage after all. Once everything was all piled in the center she held her palm over the brush. Slow at first, steam began to rise from the brush, until suddenly a flame began to spread. While she could have just blasted it with flames, drying the wood out first made it so the fire would burn easier. As she worked she listened to Dante go on about missing his friends….her opinion of him changing slightly. It seemed his enthusiasm was somewhat of an act; a coping mechanism perhaps?

”I’m sorry for your loss….if it makes you feel any better I threw a shoe in the gods face who brought us here….made me feel a little better”

Aria tilted her head when he asked about the afterlife….it was a good question.

”That is a very good question…a lot of fated have been killed recently. I’m not sure where their souls are going…. I’m sorry I don’t have an answer for you at this point…But tell me more about your world. What is it like where you are from?”

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Dante looked at Aria with a hint of sadness within his eyes. "I was not seated to be a God Aria, I was seated to be a God's right hand." Dante's dream was never to be a God, although that would certainly be amazing. Dante didn't want the responsibility of protecting his followers. Aria was right, being a God had it's downs. However it was also true that the position came with a positive side as well. 

"That being said, being a God comes with it's own benefits. Having the chance, and the power to change things for the better for example. Of course, more people would like to change things in their own image, rather than for the better. However I like to believe one day the world will be filled with more peace than hatred. I believe the Gods also aim towards that cause, at least most of them. As childish as that belief is, I really wish one day it would be possible." 

"It's getting hard to even stop comparing worlds. I only wish to serve like I did before, but I wish to serve someone who deserves it. I had helped many Kings, Lords. Those men, some earned every fiber of my respect, and I would die for each of them five times over. The others however only held titles, they did not respect me at all for what I have accomplished. They ignored their own settlers, and all their causes were unjust. Greedy men  lead greedy lives." 

Dante sighed lightly pulling out two ration from his invisible quiver. He tossed one over to Aria assuming she'd be able to catch it. "If you'd like I could also make you apple sauce. We have plenty of water, " Dante could make apple sauce out of the snow, melting it of course, and then with the apples. Adding a bit of sugar and heating it all to break it down. It was simple, and he learned to make this on the road. 

He helped gather a bit of firewood for Aria, and pulled out a larger log to sit on nearby the fire. 

"You threw something at a God and lived? Perhaps the Gods here are much more kind." Dante thought curiously.

"My world?" Dante thought to himself. 

"Well, my world was cruel. There was constant fighting, wars based upon religion, race, or even sexual orientation. It wasn't until Lord Marshal started taking lands did things start to get better. It was especially difficult for me to find my calling, considering I am neither full elf, or human. But, please, keep that to yourself." Dante felt comfortable in trusting her with this information, because he hoped it would spawn a mutual trust. However, had she decided to hurt him with that information, and spawn distrust, Dante wouldn't really know how to react. 

"In my world Magic can not be cast without an allegiance to a God. They're Gods of chaos, good, evil, etc. The churches are always the strongest of the Organizations. I served the church of Iomede. In my world, seeing a God, even once, would make any man a legend. I have never seen my God, but I have heard her, spoken to her, received a gift that no Paladin has ever been given. Tears of a Marytdom Saint." Dante groaned remembering the painful memories those tears gave him. 

"I was in line to become a Saint, before heading onto my path to join Iomede's side at the table of the 12 Paladins. It was all that I have ever lived for in that world." Dante sat by the fire letting the warmth hit his armor. 

"The world was dangerous, yet fulfilling. Adventure around every corner.  However, I was unable to finish my latest quest. In fact, I was brought here. Sadly to say, it was a very personal one. I was finally going to bring my father to Justice, and stop the slavery in Calradia. However, I suppose he got to me before I got to his dragon I suppose." Dante wasn't really sure if his father brought him here at all. 

"I suppose if that God brought me here, It was not his doing after all. That makes things a bit easier, but I can't help but feel like I have failed leaving without sending him back to the afterlife.. In fact, I was planning to break my Paladin code to do so..." Why was Dante admitting so much? Perhaps It was best to tell someone of his story here, if he was to die at least one person could carry on his memory. At least that was what he told himself. 

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That wasn’t much better, a right hand of a god…gods tended to complicate things. But alas that seemed to be there nature. However he was right about the benefits; in a way… but accomplishing that was…once again complicated. Complicated in ways that she was still too young and unexperienced to fully contemplate. As he spoke more openly and without the airs he had previously put on, she found he became more tolerable to be around. Aria nodded when he went on to say he just wanted to serve; and to go on about the men he had served around.

”There are people like that here as well; unfortunate but true. However I’ve been blessed to meet some of the former rather than the later in this world. In the time I came from I found things were much more corrupt...growing up I received many beatings from the ones whom saw themselves better than the ones they led.”

Aria frowned; while she missed the simplicity; she did not miss having to put up with those stuck up assholes. She thought about what he said about his accomplishments and not being respected for them; she could understand and relate to them. She scratched the back of her head a bit sheepishly.

”I apologize for before; I did not mean to belittle your previous life’s accomplishments…..it just rubs me in the wrong way when someone immediately starts bragging about what they’ve accomplished as a way to impress others.”

Aria wasn’t so full of herself not to be able to admit when she had acted rashly. While his accomplishments would mean little for a lot of the inhabitants in this world, she hadn’t needed to word it so harshly. Aria caught the dried apple, however she really didn’t feel like having it dried. Slowly the apple suddenly began to rehydrate. It certainly was a lot slower than creating the fire, mainly because she was still figuring out water manipulation. But in the end she had a fully rehydrated apple which she happily bit into…..and it didn’t taste as good as a fresh one. She pouted….apparently that idea wasn’t her most brilliant. Her face brightened when he mentioned making apple sauce and nodded, that did sound tastier.

When he commented about the gods being nicer she shrugged, was not true in the least. Her eyes hardening slightly.

”…..living sometimes is worse than death. Death is a release from the consequences of your actions…they are not afraid to teach you that if you misstep.”

But that was only one side of the coin.

”But that is only a part of them; they each can be kind, and loving in their own ways….complicated is the best way to describe any of them. But yes they can be very kind when they chose to be. However its their definition of kind…which doesn’t always match up with ours.”

She listened quietly and closely when he went on to describe what his land was like. Even admitting it was only half elf…was that an issue? She had only met a few elves in her life time, both Lilith and Melda didn’t seem to snub their noses at Halflings….in fact she couldn’t even picture them doing so. When he described magic in his world, Aria couldn’t help but wonder if that was how it was like before Caster had given nova magic…if it was it certainly would have been harder to hide amongst mortals if Caster hadn’t done what she had done. She listened to the rest of his story, and about a personal quest to end slavery in his word…and it sounded like his father was on the wrong end of it…her eyes softened knowing that had to be difficult.

”Sometimes the greatest things we have accomplished in others eyes, are often seen as the worst in our own.’

There really was no judgment in Arias eyes, only understanding.

”You know I don’t care if you’re a halfling or not…. As for magic, magic was given to mortals here by Caster. She was cast out of the pantheon for it. But if one is born with the capabilities and manna channels they are able to use it. But like your world our gods are the embodiment of different aspects. …As for seeing them, they do show up at champions calling every year…and their champions can call on them… so I suppose champions would be paladins in this world…”

She scratched her head in thought, with how he described paladins there were definitely similarity’s.

”Each year fighters fight for the position of champion of one of the gods. Last year I fought to become Sadens champion…well actually not really fought….I was the only one who talked my away into the position…However by the time that I am born a thousand years from now the gods went away from the public eye, much like how you described your gods. However their presence was a lot less…..noticeable. ”

That was until she dug up every single lost god that there was….