Tet sat at the bar, resting one elbow against the polished wood while everyone waited on their first customer. The girls had gathered around one of the tables, chatting animatedly as they got to know Asia better.
Lefiya leaned forward with wide eyes and said, "That's amazing. So you can perform healing without chanting?"
Asia nodded enthusiastically, her smile bright and a little bashful as she replied, "Yes, but it's not anywhere near as amazing as you, Miss Lefiya."
Tiona scoffed loudly, slapping the table and grinning. "Like hell it isn't! You've got to come to the dungeon with us, Asia!"
Tione crossed her arms but nodded in agreement. "Yes. Having a healer would be a big help."
Asia hesitated, clasping her hands together as she said softly, "But healing is all I can do. I'm not a fighter."
Tiona waved that concern away without hesitation. "We can protect you, no problem."
Asia smiled appreciatively but shook her head slightly. "I appreciate that, Tiona, but I'd still rather wait until I have a means to fight back."
Lefiya smiled warmly and said, "Hey, no problem. We'll adventure together when you're ready."
At that moment, the bell above the door rang.
The first customer stepped inside, and Tet froze mid-thought, genuinely shocked by who he saw. A small, green, elderly alien with pointy ears stood just inside the entrance, wearing a beige robe and leaning heavily on an old wooden cane. He slowly looked around the room, eyes sharp despite his age, and said, "Mysterious, this place is. Ended up where, have I?"
Tet straightened slightly on his stool and said, "Welcome. You're currently in my familia's guild hall and restaurant. Here, you can eat some good food and place a request on our board."
The old alien nodded thoughtfully. "Intriguing, this is. But my manners, where are they? Yoda, my name is."
Tet smiled faintly and said, "I'm Tet. The girls over at the table are my daughters. Tione, Tiona, Lefiya, and Asia. Say hello, girls."
All the girls waved enthusiastically.
Tet gestured behind the counter and added, "Behind the counter is Vesta, and in the kitchen is my fiancée, Hestia."
Vesta smiled brightly and said, "Hello and welcome! Order anything you like off the menu."
Yoda hopped onto a barstool with surprising ease and said, "Interesting. The venison stew with water to drink, I will have."
Vesta nodded cheerfully. "Coming right up."
Yoda closed his eyes briefly, as if listening to something unseen, and said, "The Force… feel it strongly here, I do."
Tet tilted his head slightly and replied, "I suppose you would. There are many spiritual and divine beings gathered here. I doubt any of them have midichlorians, but they still put off high amounts of energy."
Yoda's ears twitched as he turned his gaze fully toward Tet. "A god, are you?"
Tet raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why would you think that?"
"Only explanation for the power in you, I sense," Yoda replied calmly.
Tet nodded once. "Yes, I am a god, but not of your universe. In fact, I don't know if yours has a god or if it's just governed entirely by the Force."
"The Force, closest thing to a god we have," Yoda said.
Vesta soon returned with the food, setting it in front of him. Yoda inclined his head. "Thank you, I do."
He began eating, and once the old man took his first bite, he couldn't stop. Within minutes, the bowl was completely empty. He downed his water, exhaled in deep satisfaction, and said, "Delicious, it was. Compliments to the chef, I give."
Hestia stepped out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, and said, "Thank you very much."
Yoda smiled warmly. "Welcome. Thanking you, I should be."
He turned back to Tet, his expression thoughtful and serious. "Lord God, your opinion on the Jedi, I ask."
Tet didn't hesitate. "You have all made a huge mistake."
Yoda frowned deeply. "An explanation, I require."
Tet leaned back slightly and said, "By avoiding emotion, how can your Jedi resist fear, sadness, and hatred if they don't experience it? Avoiding attachment is almost completely impossible. And finally, you're all already afraid. You fear falling to the dark side so much that you've taken the route that will ultimately allow it to prosper."
Yoda closed his eyes, clearly troubled. "Much to think about, I now have. But convinced, I am not."
Tet nodded calmly. "What if I have someone who is highly emotional learn the ways of the Force? And if they do not fall into darkness, will you need my words then?"
Yoda considered this carefully before nodding. "Agree, I do. My request, It shall be."
Tet snapped his fingers, and Yoda's request appeared on the board in a shimmer of light.
Yoda stood and turned toward the door. As he walked out, he paused and said, "Be back soon, I shall," before disappearing into the light.
Hestia exhaled softly, folding her arms as she looked toward the door and said, "Well, that was an interesting first customer."
Tet leaned back against the bar, rubbing the back of his neck as he replied, "Yeah, but now I've gotta teach someone the ways of the Force, and they have to be highly emotional and have lots of attachments."
Tiona's eyes widened, and she pointed at herself in disbelief as she said, "Wait, you aren't gonna have one of us do it.Aren't we supposed to be handling the guild requests?"
Tet hesitated for half a second before answering, "I mean… yeah, but—"
Lefiya cut in immediately, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "No buts, Lord Tet. We won't get anywhere if you're overprotective."
Tione nodded firmly in agreement. "Yeah. Trust us. We won't fail."
Tet let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose before finally relenting. "Okay. Tiona, you're the most emotionally expressive. This one is your job."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a gold key, placing it carefully into Tiona's hand. As he did, he explained its use and said, "That key is to a game called Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. You'll be replacing the game's protagonist and learning his abilities, growing as he did. I've gone ahead and included the sequel. You're going to be gone for what'll probably feel like months, but for us it'll only be a few days."
Tiona grinned confidently, gripping the key tight. "No problem. I've got this."
She activated the key, and in a flash of light, she vanished.
Tet watched the space she'd disappeared from for a moment before saying calmly, "Well… she'll be fine."
The group settled back into waiting, the atmosphere returning to its earlier calm. After a short while, Tione tilted her head and said, "We're a little slow, aren't we?"
Tet snorted lightly and replied, "We just opened. Come on, cut me some slack."
The door opened once more, the bell chiming softly as two young women stepped inside, both dressed in school uniforms. One had neck-length black hair and calm gray eyes, while the other wore her long brown hair tied into a ponytail, brown eyes bright with curiosity as they scanned the room.
Asia immediately perked up, offering them a warm smile as she stepped forward and said, "Hello and welcome to our restaurant and guild. I'm Asia. Over there are Tione and Lefiya, and there's Lady Vesta and Lady Hestia, goddesses of the hearth and home. And finally, Lord Tet—"
Her words faltered as she turned to gesture toward Tet, only to freeze.
Tet was on the opposite side of the room, as far away from the new arrivals as physically possible. He had barricaded himself behind a hastily constructed wall made of tables and chairs, holding a cross out in front of him like a shield, his expression one of absolute distrust.
Hestia blinked, looking between him and the girls before asking cautiously, "Um… darling? What are you doing?"
Tet leaned forward from behind his barricade, eyes narrowed as he demanded, "You two. What are your names?"
The girls exchanged confused glances. After a moment, the black-haired one spoke hesitantly. "I'm Honjou Kaede."
The other followed, tilting her head. "And I'm Shiramine Risa. Are you all really gods?"
Tet's grip on the cross tightened. "I knew it. You two devils, stay away from me."
Asia blinked, startled. "While I don't know what that's about, only Lord Tet and Ladies Hestia and Vesta are gods. I'm human. Lefiya is an elf, and Tione is an Amazon."
Risa frowned slightly and leaned closer to Kaede. "So why is he acting afraid of us? And what's he supposed to be the god of?"
Asia hesitated before answering honestly. "I'm not sure why he's acting that way, but he's the god of games."
At that, Risa's expression shifted instantly into a massive, mischievous grin. "Oh. I get it now."
She strolled casually toward Tet, who immediately tried to shuffle farther back despite already being cornered. With a teasing tone, she said, "Me and Kaede must be your worst nightmares, huh?"
Tet scowled. "More like devils that break every game you touch."
Risa raised her chin proudly. "Don't hate the player—"
Tet cut in sharply. "Finish that sentence and I'll trap you in Alien: Isolation."
Risa immediately threw her hands up, backing away. "Whoa, let's not get crazy here. I was just messing around."
She clasped her hands together excitedly. "I'd actually like to become one of your followers. I love games."
Tet let out a tired sigh. "Alright. Let's talk. Just keep your friend a fair distance away from me."
Kaede blinked. "What did I do?"
Risa groaned. "What did you not do?"
Tet lowered the cross slightly and said, "So tell me, what do you two want? I programmed my door to only call on people that want or need something. It also keeps out anyone malicious."
Risa rubbed the back of her neck. "Well… the two of us kind of died recently."
Tet stiffened. "I beg your pardon?"
Kaede nodded. "Yeah. We got hit by a bus, and the next thing we know, we're in this place."
Tet frowned deeply. "Well, you two were gamers, so I suppose it makes sense your souls might come to me. But the god of your world should have taken care of you."
He paused, checking something unseen, and his expression darkened. "Oh. No wonder. Your universe has that idiot as the god of reincarnation. I wouldn't even be surprised if you two weren't supposed to die yet. She's always drinking on the job."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Oh well. Guess I'm taking her universe sooner than planned."
He looked back at the girls. "As for you two, I ain't sending you home. I'm afraid you're already dead and buried over there."
Both girls looked down sadly.
Tet softened slightly. "So instead, I'll just resurrect you right here."
He snapped his fingers, and in a flash of divine light, the two girls became flesh and blood once more.
"You can join my familia," Tet continued, "or I can find you a peaceful place to live. Your choice."
The two looked at each other, shared a nod, and Risa said, "We'll join you."
Tet nodded. "Great. Please follow Vesta to the back for the ritual."
Vesta smiled gently. "Right this way, girls."
As they walked off, Tet muttered, "I really need to get some boys in this familia. Having cute daughters is nice, but I'm all alone here."
Lefiya shrugged. "Personally, I'm fine with it being only girls."
Tione crossed her arms. "I'm good either way."
Asia smiled softly. "I'm fine with how things are."
Tet sighed. "I'll vent my frustration on the idiot later. But for now, another customer is coming."
The door opened again, and a mysterious individual stepped inside, wearing an all-white robe and hood. His shadowed face was illuminated by glowing eyes, a crucifix hanging from his neck. As he entered, he asked, "Is it true I can have a request granted here?"
Tet muttered, "So glad I automated the door. Makes things more convenient. Less work."
Louder, he said, "Yes. What do you need?"
The man bowed slightly. "Greetings, Lord Tet. I am Mikogami, and I find myself in need of someone to replace the young man I had originally planned to bridge the gap between humans and yokai."
Tet raised an eyebrow. "What happened to the boy you chose?"
Mikogami answered calmly, "He died after being hit by a truck."
Tet groaned. "Seriously? What the hell is going on lately? That kid wasn't supposed to die."
Mikogami nodded. "Yes. Well, the fact is he did, and now I need someone to replace him within the next week, before classes start."
Tet considered this. "Well, I'm sure one of my daughters could—"
Mikogami shook his head. "No. I need a young man for this."
Tet frowned. "That's a little messed up to say. Why does it have to be a guy?"
The girls immediately stared daggers at Mikogami.
He cleared his throat. "Oh, you know… because of reasons."
Tet crossed his arms. "Oh yeah. Reasons. Like seducing your old friend's daughter, right?"
Mikogami stiffened. "I'm not confirming a damn thing."
Tet waved him off. "Yeah, whatever. I can send someone, but I gotta make a call real quick."
He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Hey, Ares. So here's what's going on—"
After explaining the situation, Ares responded, "Yeah, that's fine. I recommend my boy Marcus. He's tough but level-headed. Do me a favor and make him a bit stronger before sending him to that place."
Tet nodded. "Will do."
He turned back to Mikogami. "You realize I'm taking your universe, right?"
Mikogami sighed. "Do you have to?"
Tet smirked. "Yep. And I'm giving it to my subordinate Mina, goddess of vampires and werewolves and too much other shit to name."
Mikogami sighed again. "Nonetheless, I thank you, and I expect the arrival of the young man you chose by the end of the week."
As Mikogami disappeared, Tet rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said, "Now… what can I give a child of Ares that will guarantee his survival in that world?"
(Authors Note: at this point I just enjoy placing my thoughts at the end also for those of you that didn't get it Rosario + Vampire is where this new Oc is going and also feel free to leave suggestions on who should be a customer at tet's familia I'll be doing chapters like that often but not every time so there's a good chance your suggestion will be featured)