The ride to 'Orario', the capital city of this place we were now trapped in, was interesting, to say the least.

We saw hundreds of those tiny green people that seemed to always want to kill someone, which Sadie informed me were called 'Goblins', (which seemed relatively obvious, but it was good to know for sure,) and were plentiful above ground, one of the only 'Monster Species' that was born in large numbers outside of the 'Dungeon'.

The Dungeon, I was informed, was a massive structure that descended an unknown amount into the earth, and served as a sort of Prison/Hunting Safari for monsters of all kinds, sorted into levels.

The upper levels were about as easy as the Tunnels we'd accidentally explored, meaning we weren't skilled enough to go there yet. The mid- and Lower levels were even worse, but the Deep Floors were the only place that Sadie adamantly demanded that we swear we visited.

"What's so different between the other horrible places?" I asked easily, chewing on a long stalk of mint-grass, which was Mint Herbs, but it grew in the same size as Wheat, massive stalks of it, and was used for some flours. It also tasted very good on its own.

She sighed. "The Deep Floors... They are like a war zone, while the other floors, in comparison, are simply a bar-fight between four drunken sailors."

I chuckled. "No kiddy gloves, huh? That's what you're saying?"

"Yes. And you need to find a Familia, and soon. Very soon. Don't even think of entering the Dungeon without a God's blessing." She poked my chest.

I hummed. "So what, these gods give blessings that are like super-powers?"

"No, silly. They just amplify your natural Gifts. Also, it allows your God to make you stronger, once you've gained the experience necessary to enhance your skills." She shrugged.

"I see... and who would be the best?"

"All blessings are equal, of course. You're not a doctor of any sort, so the medical gods are out... you're a warrior who practices an art from Thailand, right? The Hindu gods might be receptive to you." She hummed.

I blinked. "You know what Thailand is?"

She nodded. "Of course. You're from Midgard, the place that the Gods abandoned a couple thousand years ago, without starting an Apocalypse to end it. They argue about it all the time, you just have to ask. But they can't use their Godly powers, so they can't send you home, sorry."

I hummed. "I see... that explains why I think Magic is fake. The gods left our realm, and took their gifts with them. That's why we're so... hmph. I understand. What about which familia trains its people the best? Or has the best access to weapons and armor?"

She smirked. "That would be the Hephaestus and Loki familia's. They're the biggest, the richest, and they have the best stuff, that's for sure. And the Loki familia has Finn, the strongest person in the City, a Lvl 8 Hobbit."

I grinned. "I see... Hephaestus... the Forge Familia, right? And Loki the Trickster... hmm... wait... what's with the Levels?"

"Oh! Right. Once you gain enough experience, you complete a task that gets the gods' attention, and you gain a level. When you gain a level, your stats reset, at base levels, and you can continue getting stronger! That way, we're not restricted by human limitations anymore. I'm Lvl 2, and Papa is Lvl 4." She smirked happily.

I smiled. "That seems interesting... surpassing the Human limitations... that explains how you can run a mile in a minute..."

She grinned. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Mr. Dorian."

A set of white walls, stretching across the skyline, started appearing, blocking the sun. "Whoa." I said softly.

Johnny, who was sitting against a stack of empty burlap sacks, nodded slowly. "Whoa indeed." He mumbled.

I spotted trebuchets on the walls at equal intervals, along which what looked like Cannons, and hummed. "What's with the Trebuchets and Cannons... they get attacked a lot?"

"The odd monster attack." Sadie shrugged.

Doctor Pickett spoke from the front of the giant wagon. "Welcome to Orario, the home of Babel."

It took almost four more hours to reach the walls, and by that time, it felt like night, as almost all sunlight was blocked by the wall.

The main gates were open, and the guards simply checked the empty sacks quickly, then sent us through.

I grinned when I saw the interior of the city, some minutes later, (after passing through the tunnel under the wall, which was about 300 feet thick, from my quick estimates,) which was built almost like a medieval metropolis.

Tall buildings were closely pushed together like townhouses, businesses and Inn's were all around. I could tell some were shadier than we wanted to get attached to, but so be it, all cities had that aspect as well.

We stopped in front of a three-story building that smelled overpoweringly of herbs, and I chuckled. "Let me guess. Your Familia's headquarters."

Sadie grinned. "Got it in one! Our God is Apollo, God of medicine, archery-"

"And poetry, yeah. I know. He's also a massive player, from the myths..." I chuckled, nudging Johnny.

He grinned. "I feel like I'll like this guy already! Let's go, huh?" He struggled to his feet, setting his crutch under his arm.

I stopped Sadie from helping him with a glance, and then hopped out of the cart, setting my duffel bag on my shoulder.

He sat down slowly on the edge, and set his crutch down, gently standing on his feet, before setting the crutch under his arm again.

I looked away before he finished, and grabbed the empty sacks. "These are getting filled and brought back out?"

"Yes." Dr. Pickett nodded, and led the horse that was pulling the cart into a stable, cleverly hidden in the 'alley' between the two buildings.

We entered the building, me making sure that Sadie didn't baby Johnny, or make him feel like an invalid. He hated feeling like an invalid.

She caught on, soon enough, and thanked me quietly, before we moved on, entering a bustling nerve center of a room, filled with people shouting, talking prices and exchange rates as fast as auctioneers or stock brokers.

Johnny chuckled and gripped my shoulder, almost shouting so I could hear him. "It's just like the Mess Hall!"

I laughed and nodded, following Sadie and her father into a back room, where we met a tall blonde man, doing paperwork while a woman who shared his features spun in a chair nearby, spinning an arrow on her fingertips.

"Lord Apollo, Lady Artemis-" Dr. Pickett started.

"Jacob! So wonderful to see you again! What's it been, Six months?!?" The man launched himself over the desk, hugging Dr. Picket and then Sadie.

"Only two, Sir. This is Jonathon Gyllenhaal and-"

The man held out his hand to shake. "Xavier Dorian. Yes, I read the report. Terrible thing, to be lost from your home. I hope you find someone to take you in. I'd love to, I've heard your poetry is quite good, but my Familia is... well, full to bursting, basically, and Artemis won't-"

I shook his hand. "Because I'm male, yeah. I figured not. Thanks for the thought, though." I shrugged.

She hummed, eyeing me. "Interesting... I accept males into my Familia, boy. I don't want you because you've no talent for the bow, and I hate poetry, ever since my brother started spouting it left and right."

I chuckled. "Well that's one myth that's busted, eh? I thought you killed most males that came near you."

"I used to." She raised an eyebrow, and looked sharply at Johnny. "And I might still... you're in the presence of two gods, who can read you like a , Jonathon Gyllenhaal. Keep your thoughts on the matter at hand."

He grinned guiltlessly. "Sorry." He shrugged.

Apollo looked at his stomach. "Hmm... a nasty wound to be sure... you've done a good job, though, Jacob, as good as I could without my magic. He'll be fine within a week, if he doesn't strain himself."

I hummed. "Good to know. Now where do we go about filling these bags? I'd like to explore the city a bit." I grinned widely at the prospect.

Jacob took the bags. "I was thinking about that myself, Sir. And my request for supplies?"

He chuckled. "I like you more and more... yes, Jacob, your request for extra supplies went through, by the grace of me, so take your pick of the lot in the Warehouse. Oh! And Jonathon Gyllenhaal... I'm told that you are a trainer of Warriors?"

"Aye, sir, me 'n Xavier worked together to train little ones. Not so much adults, children absorb the knowledge better. And it's a better foundation that they can build on in the years to come." Johnny responded.

Apollo nodded slowly. "Hmm... I may have a proposition for you in a few weeks, once you've healed. In the meantime, you're free to stay here until Jacob leaves for his outpost."

He sat back down, and then looked up. "Jacob and Sadie, stay, visitors, this next bit isn't for outsiders."

I nodded. "Yes sir. Thank you for your hospitality." I walked out with Johnny, and then leaned against the closed door. "Jesus..."

"Nope, don't think He exists here." He picked his teeth easily, as unfazed as always.

"Don't blaspheme, Jon." I sighed and started walking forward down the little hallway.

He shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe these gods left our place because God kicked them out? So that means God isn't here, and neither is Jesus or Saint Mary." He hummed.

I sighed. "Doesn't matter anyway. If they were exiled, or not, that doesn't matter."

"We weren't exiled. We left of our own accord." Artemis spoke suddenly, standing directly behind us.

I turned, and hummed. "And... Him?"

She shook her head. "No. An invention of Men, when we left." She spoke coldly, then seemed to contemplate something. "Sorry, I guess is the word."

I blinked slowly. "So... wow... that kinda makes sense... but belief created gods before, right? Who's to say it didn't again?"

She smiled. "Perhaps you're right. I won't tell you what to believe in. But in this realm? Your God can't help you, and neither can we. Rely only on yourself."

I nodded. "Uhm... thank you, ma'am."

She nodded and walked forward, slipping between us like a wisp of smoke on the breeze, and disappearing just as fast.

I shivered. "Great. We're in a Godless realm, but also a Not-Godless realm..."

"A Pagan realm." Johnny offered, smiling. "Wonder if they like the old Pagans, huh?" He wiggled his eyebrows, chuckling.

I sighed. "What am I going to do with you? Hopeless."

"Hey, you still owe me pretty nurses, man."

"You got your hot nurse with cat ears, I held up my end of the bargain in Spades." I poked his nose, and walking outside.

He followed, crutching quickly. "Okay, that's true, but what about the Martial Arts tournament?"

"We're not even in the same dimension, man." I chuckled.

He huffed. "Damn. Ah well... I guess. Let's go see what there is to see here, eh?"

I nodded, and set off walking at a leisurely pace, and he kept up easily. "So that's the Tower of Babel, huh...?" I grinned up at the tower that loomed over us, even though we weren't near the city's center.

Johnny hummed slowly. "Looks pretty solid... wonder if anyone's climbed it before."

"Probably not. Might be illegal." I shrugged.

"Tsk... you're probably right. No fun. What's that smell?" He sniffed loudly, and I followed suit.

"Smells like frying oil? And salt. That's all I'm getting. Maybe pretzels?" I asked.

He pointed to a small vendor selling baskets of dumplings. "Potatoes. Not pretzels."

He started towards it, and I caught his arm. "We have no money, Jon. Let's find some funds before we get ahead of ourselves." I said slowly, so he heard everything I said.

He nodded slowly, and grinned. "Should I beg with a bowl?"

I chuckled. "We're not that desperate. Let's see if there's any place around here that's offering money for hard labor."

"Sounds like a plan. You work, I eat... I like." He laughed heartily, and didn't have to clutch his stomach from pain, which I saw as a good sign.

I grumbled, and nodded. "Figures."