"You simply cannot waltz into our home and demand a search based on mere suspicion."
Hestia's voice rang through the council chamber, small body standing tall as flame burned behind her eyes.
"My Familia has served this Guild since the day it was founded. We have bled, labored, and upheld its laws without fail. Have we not earned a shred of respect among our peers? Or is that only reserved for those who rule the Red Light District?"
A murmur rippled among the gathered gods.
"And let us not pretend this accusation exists in a vacuum," Hestia continued, pointing directly at Ishtar. "Ishtar's anger toward us began with her desire for my child. We all witnessed it. She attempted to seize Damien by force in front of every god here. Had fate leaned even slightly against us, he would have died beneath her children's blades. Is it not obvious she carries an agenda against my Familia?"
Ishtar slammed her hand against the table.
"You dare!" she shouted. "I have not spoken that boy's name since that incident. I apologized. I moved on. It is he who has wronged me now. Working with that necromancer. Stealing my child. My Renard! He must pay!"
The chamber fell silent as Ouranos opened his eyes.
"Enough."
His voice carried weight older than the dungeon itself.
"This matter will be settled without bloodshed or rage. Ishtar, what proof do you present of Damien Ardent's crimes?"
"As I stated, the werewolf from Set's Familia has—"
"No."
Ouranos cut her off, his tone absolute.
"I require evidence, not suspicion. Not scent. Not conjecture. I will not permit the search of another god's home without proper grounds. You are abusing your authority, and I will not allow it."
Ishtar's face twisted in fury.
"If she has nothing to hide, why refuse the search? My children surround her manor even now, watching for the Renard to escape. My Renard!"
"Enough," Hestia snapped back. "You will not bully me into submission. I will not allow my home to be violated because you cannot accept losing what you never owned."
"Then I declare a War Game!" Ishtar shouted. "If I win, the manor will be searched. If you win, I will compensate you for these so-called false accusations."
"I refuse."
The word landed clean and cold.
"There is no reason for me to indulge your obsession," Hestia said. "You gain everything. I gain nothing. Keep your compensation."
"You cannot refuse a War Game!" Ishtar snarled. "This is cowardice! She is clearly protecting a criminal!"
"There is no law that forces a War Game," Ouranos said calmly. "It requires mutual consent and balanced stakes. You must convince her. Not me."
Ishtar turned fully toward Hestia, venom dripping from her voice.
"You dare steal from me and hide behind Loki's shadow?"
"I am not hiding," Hestia replied evenly. "War is where the victor claims everything and the defeated loses everything. If you wish to gamble, then bring everything you have. Otherwise, stop wasting my time."
Ishtar clenched her fists.
"Then what do you want? Name your wager!"
Hestia smiled.
"If my Familia wins, I take everything. Your assets. Your wealth. The Red Light District. Every last holding under your name. And you return to Heaven."
The chamber erupted.
"And if you win," Hestia continued without pause, "Damien will publicly confess to all alleged crimes. You may search my manor. You will take Damien as your child, exactly as you desire. And I will return to Heaven."
Ishtar stared at her in disbelief.
"You expect me to risk everything I have built for that? This is madness!"
"Let me finish."
Hestia's eyes gleamed.
"This War Game will be fought under a single condition. You may deploy your entire Familia. Every child. Every weapon. Every tactic."
The room went still.
"My side will consist of only one participant. Damien Ardent alone. No aid from me. No assistance from Takemikazuchi. No Miach. No Loki. No allies. I will not recruit a single new member until the War Game ends."
She tilted her head, smiling sweetly.
"So tell me, Ishtar. Are you afraid of Hestia and her one child?"
Ishtar's thoughts churned violently.
Victory would return her Renard. Victory would give her Damien. Victory would crush Hestia utterly.
"I will accept," Ishtar said at last, "on one additional condition. I am allowed allies. I will not walk blindly into your tricks."
"Two Familias only," Hestia replied instantly. "Not a single extra member beyond that."
Ishtar smirked.
"Then it is settled. Ishtar Familia, aided by Apollo and Set, will face Hestia Familia. Your sole combatant shall be Damien Ardent. Agreed?"
Hestia nodded once.
"Agreed."
Ouranos rose.
"Then it is decided. The War Game will commence in one week. Ganesha Familia will oversee its execution. The Guild will formalize the rules."
He paused, letting the weight sink in.
"The stakes are as follows. Ishtar and all her holdings, including the Red Light District, versus Hestia and all her assets, alongside full control over Damien Ardent. The defeated god shall return to Heaven."
Silence.
"Any interference before the War Game will be met with Guild punishment," Ouranos finished. "You are dismissed."
And with that, the war was sealed.
"So?" Damien asked, waiting at the stone steps outside the coliseum where the gods held their councils. His posture was relaxed, hands in his pockets, as if he were expecting nothing less.
Hestia emerged moments later, the tension already gone from her shoulders. She smiled, tired but satisfied.
"Exactly as you predicted," she said. "In front of all those gods, she could not refuse a challenge where one adventurer faces her entire Familia. Even with her own existence on the line."
Damien exhaled softly, amused.
"Ishtar values her reputation more than her survival," Hestia continued. "She could not endure the shame of backing down. So yes. The war is on."
"Good," Damien replied calmly. "Then we can finally erase Ishtar from this city."
Hestia slowed, her expression softening as worry crept back in.
"I trusted your plan. I still do," she said quietly. "But please, Damien… be careful."
He turned to her, eyes steady, not arrogant, not reckless. Certain.
"Don't worry about me," he said. "Every step up to this moment was intentional. I accounted for her pride, her allies, her desperation."
He took her hand, squeezing it gently.
"I will win. Absolutely."
Hestia nodded, reassured despite herself, and together they turned away from the coliseum, walking back towards home
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