Tet watched Thalia, pleased with her progress. Out loud to himself, he said, "Good. By the time the quest for the Fleece happens, she should be strong enough to at least smack a minor god through a mountain." He said it mischievously.
His observation was interrupted by the presence of his Hunter. It respectfully kneeled before him. It didn't speak, but Tet understood its intentions.
He said, "Oh yeah, I guess asking you to cut down the entire monster population of North America was a bit of an ask. I'll get you some help."
After saying that, Tet summoned nineteen more Hunters, each with different weapons and armor, then re-dispatched them. He watched the Hunters descend into the city, scattering across the United States, sending out tireless immortal constructs to cut down the monster population—enough to increase the demigods' chances of survival, but not enough to alert Zeus.
"That's quite kind of you," a voice said from behind.
Tet turned to see Hestia approaching. She walked up and took a seat next to him. Tet pulled his hat slightly over his eyes and, with a smile, said, "Not really. It's entirely selfish. I'm just trying to keep my players on the board."
Hestia giggled and said, "Sure, whatever you say." Then she grew a bit more serious and added, "Zeus might not notice, but Artemis definitely will."
Tet frowned. "She'll notice what? That I'm doing her job? She's the goddess of childbirth. The young fall in her domain—girls and boys. Yet she only puts real effort into protecting the girls, and even then, she does a half-assed job."
Hestia sighed. "True. But that's still more than most of my family."
Then she turned to Tet and asked, "So these constructs you make… why are they soulless?"
Tet replied, "I could give them souls, but then we'd have several people with the power to bring down mountains—and the minds of newborns—just running around. I'm afraid that's not a good idea."
Hestia blinked. "Yes, perhaps not."
Then she smiled and said, "What are your plans for the rest of the evening?"
Tet said, "I'm free. Why?"
She replied, "Then come hang out with me. It's not often I get to spend time with my friends.
Tet smiled. "Sure, why not? I could use a break. Where we going?"
She replied, "You pick. Surprise me."
Tet chuckled. "Okay, give me a sec."
He put a hand to his chin, thinking for a moment. Then he snapped his fingers. "I know! Ever watched anime?"
Hestia tilted her head thoughtfully. "Apollo suggested it once, but I never got around to it. Everyone I wanted to watch with was too busy."
Tet looked at her dryly. "They blew you off? What dicks."
Hestia chuckled nervously. "Oh, I'm sure they had important stuff to do."
"Sure," Tet said, clearly unconvinced, but choosing to change the subject. With a playful grin, he snapped his fingers.
In a flash, the two of them were transported to Tet's private movie theater—a cozy, surreal space nestled inside his palace. The room was softly lit by floating orbs that shimmered with pastel colors. Plush, oversized cushions were scattered across the floor like an elaborate nest, and a massive screen was embedded into one of the floating walls, framed by drifting puzzle pieces that slowly rotated. The ceiling looked like a starlit sky, complete with constellations that occasionally winked or shifted into new shapes. The air smelled faintly of buttered popcorn and vanilla, and an ornate concession table stood nearby, stacked with every snack imaginable—some from Earth, others from far stranger places.
Tet plopped down onto one of the larger cushions and patted the spot next to him. "Welcome to the Theater of the One True God of Games," he said with a grin. "Now, let's get you started on anime the right way."
She sat down next to him, and he floated some popcorn and drinks over to them. She took the snacks happily and said, "So, what are we watching?"
Tet snickered and replied, "It's called Danmachi."
Hestia looked confused. "Why is that funny?"
Tet smirked. "You'll see."
Then the show started.
As the first episode progressed, Hestia smiled happily. "Gods living amongst mortals? That sounds nice! And I like the concept of Familias," she said with a warm smile. "Though I'm not sure about sending them to their potential doom in a dungeon."
As the episode continued, the smile slowly left her face. Her jaw dropped.
She pointed a shaking hand at the girl on screen and exclaimed, "That's supposed to be me?! Her boobs are as big as my head! What pervert drew me like that?!"
Then she pouted. "I need to go have a stern conversation with Amaterasu if this is how her people see me!"
Tet laughed. "You sure you're not just jealous?"
At that, Hestia slowly turned to him, her gaze narrowed and a smile that didn't reach her eyes forming. "What was that? I didn't hear you clearly."
She grabbed his cheek and roughly pulled him closer. "Care to repeat that?"
Tet wisely stammered, "Oh—yeah—I said the real Hestia is much prettier."
With a satisfied smirk, she replied, "That's what I thought you said." Crossing her arms, she turned her attention back to the screen.
As the show continued, she really started enjoying herself. She did an actual spit take when Hephaestus was introduced, then fell out of her seat laughing.
"Oh, by Olympus! If he ever finds out, he might make Mount Fuji erupt!"
Clutching her sides, she laughed harder. "I can't! It's too much! My sides hurt—Tet, help!"
Tet gently patted her back. "There, there. Calm down. We've got more to watch."
The show continued, and by the end, Hestia was completely hooked on anime. She was thrilled by the fight scenes, laughed at the jokes, and loved the music and scenery. But she had one major complaint.
"Why, in the name of the gods, did they make me so thirsty?" she huffed. "I'm a maiden goddess, for goodness' sake!" she pouted.
Tet chuckled. "That's probably the main reason people want you—because they can't have you."
"I suppose that's true..." she muttered, then smiled. "This was fun. Can we do it again sometime?"
Tet smiled and said, "Absolutely. Just drop by whenever."
Then he handed her a small key. "This will get you in anytime you want."
She beamed. "Thank you so much, my friend. Well, I need to get back before my absence is noticed."
And in a flash of flames, she teleported back to Olympus—right into yet another argument her family was currently having.
She sighed.
"Back to our regularly scheduled program…"
After Hestia departed, Tet created an ornate key with the letters R.P.D. engraved on it. As the key floated gently above his palm, he grinned and said,
"About time I use this… but who to give it to—that's the question."