Destiny's Reshaping: A Danmachi Reincarnation Tale

(Important notes: This will be mentioned in the following chapters, but the period they are currently in is following the event with the Black Goliath of the dungeon. This means that Bell is already level 2.)

"Hostess of Fertility?" – Mark raised his gaze towards the sign of the tavern Astrea had led them to, a slight note of doubt creasing his brow.

"That's a... very, um, peculiar name, don't you think?" – Zoe tried to find the right words, looking at the carved name on the wooden sign with a puzzled expression. Mark nodded, sharing her skepticism.

"Don't be fooled by the name, it's just a title. In reality, it's the most popular tavern in Orario." – Astrea replied with a smile, waving her hand to dispel doubts.

Mark paused for a moment, taking a better look at the building. He had to admit that, at first glance, the exterior was quite welcoming. The dark wooden walls, adorned with small hanging lanterns casting a warm and reassuring glow, invited them inside. But what caught his attention was the delicious scent lingering in the air, a mix of roasted meat, spices, and freshly baked bread. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him that, despite his initial reservations, he was hungry.

Zoe, by his side, chuckled at the sound. – "I guess the food isn't that bad in here."

Additionally, laughter and joyful voices from the customers inside could be heard through the open windows. A lively atmosphere that conveyed a sense of conviviality and well-being. This gave him a good opinion of the place, erasing any lingering doubts he had due to the unusual name.

"Maybe we should trust your judgment." – Mark finally said to Astrea, his eyes gleaming at the thought of a good meal.

The three stepped through the tavern's threshold, immediately greeted by a wave of warmth and the delightful smell of freshly cooked dishes. The interior was crowded but not chaotic: adventurers of all kinds and races were scattered around the tables, chatting with each other or enjoying generous portions of food. The thick wooden beams on the ceiling gave the place a rustic yet cozy atmosphere, while the hanging lamps spread a warm and relaxing light.

"Welcome-nya!"

They were greeted by a cat-person waitress with green eyes and black hair, from which two pointed ears emerged.

'Did she just say nya?' – Mark wondered, perplexed.

[From what I know, some animal-person races tend to add their sound when they talk.]

'Hah... so they do it on purpose?'

[Yes.]

After that strange exchange, the waitress continued. – "I'm Chloe and I'll be your waitress tonight-nya! A table for three, I suppose-nya?"

"Exactly." – Astrea nodded.

"I'll take you to your table right away-nya!"

Chloe skillfully led them through the crowded tavern tables, gracefully dodging customers and fellow waitstaff who were constantly on the move. Her cheerful demeanor and the repeated "nya" in every sentence brought a smile to Zoe and Mark's faces, though the latter was still slightly puzzled by the oddness of it all.

They arrived at a corner table near a window overlooking the bustling streets of Orario, a strategic spot that allowed them to watch the comings and goings without being too disturbed by the noise inside. The lantern light on the wall created a pleasant, intimate atmosphere.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable-nya!" – Chloe said, gesturing warmly as she placed the menus in front of them. – "Would you like to order right away, or do you need some time-nya?"

"Shall we go for the house specialty?" – Astrea asked.

Mark and Zoe nodded at Astrea's suggestion, as neither of them was too picky when it came to food.

"Three specialties coming right up-nya!" – Chloe took their order and left, not before giving a noticeable wink at Mark.

"You've already made an impression." – Zoe teased him.

"You're one to talk. As soon as we walked in, I saw several people with their mouths so wide open that their jaws nearly hit the floor." – Mark retorted.

The three began chatting while waiting for their food, and in the meantime, Mark also used his 'insight' ability, both as a form of training and out of curiosity.

He could sense the auras of many strong adventurers, surprising him. – 'Level 3? No, I think some of them might even be level 4.'

With his ability, he could only get a rough idea of others' strength, and since he hadn't encountered many high-level individuals yet, he still struggled to categorize them. However, some people deeply shocked him.

'What kind of waitresses are even stronger than some muscular adventurers?' – Mark wondered speechlessly, sensing the strength of the cheerful waitresses working around.

Chloe quickly returned with their dishes, moving with enviable grace and a swiftness that couldn't go unnoticed. – "Here you go, three house specialties, hot and ready to be enjoyed-nya!" – She exclaimed, skillfully placing the plates in front of each of them without making anything wobble.

'Another monster.' – Mark thought as he analyzed her.

The three of them curiously eyed the dish in front of them: a steaming stew with tender meat, flavorful vegetables, and a thick, fragrant sauce that seemed to melt on the plate. Alongside it, was a piece of crunchy bread, perfect for dipping in the stew.

"This looks fantastic." – Zoe exclaimed, immediately grabbing her spoon.

Mark took a bite and remained momentarily silent, letting the flavors spread across his palate. – "This is... delicious." – He finally said with a satisfied smile.

"I told you so." – Astrea replied with a smug grin. – "This place is famous for a reason."

The three of them ate happily, savoring every bite, when Mark asked a question that had been on his mind.

"You said you knew someone here, have you seen her yet?"

"Yes, she's right over there."

Looking where Astrea was pointing, Mark could see a beautiful elf girl serving food to some customers. She had sky-blue eyes and slightly wavy greenish hair, with snow-white skin, but Mark wasn't fooled by her appearance alone. With his ability, he could sense that she was one of the strongest there, and her stoic expression kept anyone from approaching her.

Feeling eyes on her, Ryuu turned, seeing three people watching her. She was particularly surprised by the beauty of the two young people, but strangely, her gaze lingered on the woman. It was odd; she had never seen her before, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from hers, and when she saw her smile, Ryuu's eyes widened in shock.

"Goddess... Astrea..."

For a moment, she stood frozen, but soon she regained composure, and she whispered something in Chloe's ear. The latter looked at her with a perplexed expression but nodded. Shortly after, Ryuu left the room.

Once Ryuu had gone, Chloe approached their table, briefly observing Astrea before speaking. – "Hmm, sorry to disturb you, but one of my colleagues would like to talk to you-nya."

"I understand, thank you very much." – Astrea nodded, standing up to follow her.

Left alone, Mark opened his mouth to ask for explanations, but Zoe beat him to it.

"You know." - Zoe began. -"Once, my mother lived here with her Familia." - Her tone became slightly melancholic. -"They were well-known for their good deeds and the strength of their members. Unfortunately, there was a tragic accident, and the only survivor was the girl you just saw."

"Wow... are you sure it was okay to tell me this?" - Mark asked, worried. This seemed much more personal than he had imagined.

"She asked me to. She told me if you were curious, I should tell you everything, as she trusts you." - Zoe said, smiling, making Mark feel slightly embarrassed.

"Besides, what happened to the Astrea Familia isn't a secret. You would have found out sooner or later." - Zoe explained.

"I see, but why were they separated?" - Mark asked.

"From what my mother told me, after the incident, Ryuu changed, and many of her decisions went against her principles. In the end, the two of them parted ways, not out of hate, mind you, but to avoid being judged by each other, I think." - Zoe said with a sigh.

She knew how much her mother cared about her Familia and how hard it had been for her to leave Ryuu, the last member of her Familia. She just hoped they could reunite one day.

(Perspective change.)

Inside one of the private rooms of the tavern, Ryuu was pacing back and forth, unable to calm down. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to control the agitation consuming her.

*Click.

The sound of the door opening suddenly startled her, freezing her in place.

Astrea calmly entered the room, closing the door behind her, and looking affectionately at Ryuu's fragile figure. The silence was almost tangible, broken only by the irregular breathing of the girl, visibly shaken, trying to calm down. With a sweet smile, Astrea took the first step. 

"It's been many years, hasn't it, Ryuu?" - Her voice was warm, like a gentle touch trying to soothe the pain.

With those words, she gently touched the artifact she was wearing, deactivating it. Her true form was revealed in an instant: a goddess with a serene and loving face, the face Ryuu had known and worshipped for so long.

"My... goddess..." -Ryuu whispered in disbelief, unable to fully process what she was seeing in front of her. Her mind was torn between relief and shock.

Astrea took a step forward, her hand extended, ready to offer comfort. -"You've grown so much, Ryuu, and I'm so proud of you-"

She couldn't finish the sentence. Ryuu threw herself into her arms, embracing her desperately, her body shaking with sobs. The tears fell silently, soaking the fabric of the goddess's clothes. 

"Please... forgive me, my goddess! For everything I said... for everything I did!" - The words poured out like a flood, heavy with guilt and remorse.

Astrea, always with that loving calm, placed her hand on Ryuu's head, gently stroking her, just as she had when Ryuu was younger. 

-"There is nothing to forgive, Ryuu." -Her voice was a balm trying to heal the invisible wounds the girl had carried for years.

"Yes, there is!" - Ryuu cried out, her voice broken by suffering. Her embrace tightened as if she feared letting her go again. -"I blamed you for their deaths, and I broke your promise for my revenge... I can't be forgiven!"

Astrea's fingers continued to move gently through the girl's hair, trying to calm her. 

"I know, Ryuu. I know you pushed me away to hide your pain, your anger. I have to admit I was disappointed by your choice at the time, but..." - Astrea paused, searching for the right words. -"Over time, I realized it wasn't you who failed. It was me. As a goddess, I left you alone when you needed me most."

Astrea's words made Ryuu's body tremble, but she kept denying it, her mind unable to accept that truth. -"No... it was I who failed! I disappointed you!" - Her gaze was filled with despair, seeking comfort in Astrea's eyes, a comfort she believed she didn't deserve.

Astrea slowly shook her head, tears beginning to fill her eyes. -"No, Ryuu. I should have stayed by your side. I should have helped you not to feel guilty for surviving, but instead... I let you drown in your pain. I saw only your desire for revenge when I should have seen the girl who was suffering, who felt lost."

Astrea held Ryuu tighter, her tears now flowing freely. -"My failure was not seeing you for who you truly were. There's no need for you to apologize. If anyone should, it's me."

Ryuu stammered, unable to form coherent words. -"N-No, you... you didn't do anything wrong... I... I..."

Astrea cradled her in her arms, comforting her pain like a mother would her child. -"It's okay, Ryuu. It's all okay now. The important thing is that you're here, that you're safe."

In that embrace, for the first time in years, Ryuu felt lighter. It was as if the unbearable weight she had carried on her shoulders for so long had finally eased. Astrea was there, her goddess, her guide, offering forgiveness and love without asking for anything in return.

When the moment calmed down, Astrea spoke again, her tone sweet and inviting. -"Tell me about yourself, Ryuu. What have you been through these years? I would love to know."

Ryuu nodded and began to talk about everything she had faced. From her path of revenge, which had consumed her, to the emptiness she had felt once it was all over.

"I had nothing left." - Her voice was weak, almost a whisper. -"My home, my friends, and... you." - Ryuu lowered her gaze, the pain evident. -"I had become just a shadow, lost in my desire for revenge. I hid in the darkness, wounded, waiting for my life to end."

Astrea took Ryuu's hand, holding it gently. Ryuu continued. -"I was saved by a girl... she dyed my hair green to hide me. At first, I just wanted to repay my debt, but over time..." - Her lips curled into a faint smile. -"I grew fond of those people at the Hostess of Fertility."

"I'm glad you managed to connect with other people." - Astrea smiled softly, with a hint of relief in her eyes.

Ryuu, however, lowered her gaze, her voice becoming more uncertain. "But do you think it's right? Do you think I have the right to move on? Do you think they would forgive me?" - Her words were filled with pain and doubt as if each syllable weighed on her heart.

Astrea, with her disarming calm, answered gently. -"Ryuu, we both knew them very well. Deep in your heart, you already know what their answer would be. But the real question is: can you forgive yourself? You need to start there. Only by learning to love yourself will you find the peace you're seeking and, with it, the answer to your doubts."

Ryuu reflected for a moment, then slowly nodded, as if trying to embrace her goddess's words. -"Hmm." - A small sound, almost a sign of acceptance. But soon her curiosity took over. -"And you... how did you spend all this time? Besides knowing you were away, I never knew much else."

Astrea's expression shifted slightly, a shadow of guilt crossing her face before she spoke again. -"At first, I wandered, trying to rediscover myself. I traveled from village to village, until one day... in a small village, I met her."

Ryuu raised an eyebrow, confused. -"Her?"

Astrea nodded, with a nostalgic smile. -"The girl I decided to take as my adopted daughter."

The words left Ryuu stunned. She would never have imagined that Astrea, the goddess of justice and order, could make such a decision. But her astonishment didn't interrupt the story.

"I found her unconscious in a forest, an almost fairytale-like scene... but the reality was much sadder. She remembered nothing: neither her name nor her past. She was like an empty shell, without identity, without hope." - Astrea sighed softly, as the weight of the memories became evident. -"At first, my only purpose was to help her, to wait for someone to come looking for her. But months went by, and no one came. No news, no trace."

Ryuu, still surprised, asked in a doubtful tone. -"Is it possible that no one was looking for her?"

Astrea shrugged, her expression tinged with sadness. -"I don't know. Maybe there was a mistake, or maybe the truth is that no one was looking for her. But, in the end, after all that time spent together, something changed inside me. I began to feel a responsibility toward her, a bond. And in the end... I decided to adopt her. What initially was just a gesture of responsibility, over time turned into something deeper. I watched her grow, and saw her blossom, shining with emotions she didn't have before... I couldn't help but love her as if she were truly my daughter."

Ryuu looked at Astrea, seeing for the first time a different shade in her: that of a mother who had found a new reason for living, not only as the goddess of justice but as a loving figure who brought life and warmth to those she met.

"Tell me, Ryuu, am I guilty of having found a little happiness while knowing your pain?" - Astrea asked, feeling guilty.

"My goddess, whatever decision I made, it was my responsibility, there's no reason for you to feel guilty. I'm glad someone was with you." - Ryuu smiled at her serenely.

The two smiled at each other, finally able to resolve the rift that had formed between them.

(Change of perspective.)

At the table, Mark and Zoe had finished their meal a while ago, exchanging some small talk as they waited for Astrea to return.

"Do you think they'll take long?" - Zoe asked.

"Hard to say, I think they have a lot to talk about." - Mark replied, but contrary to their expectations, Astrea and Ryuu returned shortly after.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, there was a lot I wanted to talk about." - Astrea said, having returned to her usual self.

"Not at all, I hope it was a good conversation." - Mark smiled.

"It was, but I think it's time for general introductions." - Astrea said, gesturing to Ryuu.

"P-Pleased to meet you, I'm Ryuu Lion." - Her tone was slightly uneasy as she bowed deeply.

'I'd say that's a complete change of personality.' - Mark thought, speechless, seeing her transform from a stoic person to someone who seemed embarrassed.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Ryuu, I'm Mark Tormeto, and you can be more relaxed with us." - Mark tried to reassure her.

"...Okay" - Ryuu nodded.

"...You're really beautiful. My mother had already mentioned it, but in person, you're even more so than I imagined." - Zoe said with stars in her eyes.

"O-Oh, thank you, I also think you're a lovely girl." - Ryuu said, slightly embarrassed.

She wanted to make a good impression on the people Astrea had brought, but she was more nervous than expected.

"I think you should introduce Zoe first." - Mark said, sighing.

"R-Right." - Zoe had to nod, realizing her reaction. -"Sorry for the delay, I'm Zoe Elpis. My mother spoke of you often, and I've been looking forward to meeting you, Ryuu." - Zoe smiled at her.

"Me too." - Ryuu smiled as well.

'I think it's time for me to go.' - Seeing the three women, Mark thought it was right to leave them to talk in peace.

"Then I'll retire for the night, it's been quite a full day." - Mark said, standing up.

Zoe and Astrea smiled at him, understanding it was his way of being considerate.

"Ah, Mr. Mark."

"Yes?" - Mark asked, hearing Ryuu call him.

"Thank you for the help you gave them during the journey."

Hearing her words, Mark looked at Astrea, who smiled slyly, making him shake his head.

"Don't mention it. I fear without their presence it would have been quite a boring journey."

With those words, he bid the trio farewell, leaving them to talk freely.