《[NaNoWriMo] The Mortal God's Melancholy》


 Prologue+chapter 1: The feast commences, again!

    "How has it gotten so dark all of a sudden?"


    Thunder flashes from the clouds, creating a crackling sound that ripples forth the ears of the unwary and easy to terrify youth.


    After just having finished doing homework and other representative duties, I found myself dozing off after a hard day of school.


    " *Sigh* some people just can''t understand that shut-ins are fragile and easily tired out."


    Looking down at the stone pavement, ignoring the impending thunder and threatening rain to come, I kick a pebble on my way back, doing my best in forgetting all these things that ruin my life of being at peace, by myself, and so on.


    But, it''s not such a bad thing. After all, I have friends to share those experiences with, despite being the weakest one, heck even the smartest bookworm in our school far exceeds me in physical attributes.


    I guess some people aren''t just blessed with the things. Can''t ask for things that will never be there for you, Kael.


    Walking at a faster pace, I begin to become queasy, that feeling that you might throw up at any minute comes up in the most unpleasant time in the world.


    Suddenly, my thoughts are cut off by a strong clad of thunder and lighting, forcing me to cover my ears and cower to the ground as to not get shocked.


    Looking around me, the dark night sky looms over, decorated by palely dark clouds, covering the brightness the moon has to offer.


    The winds ravage the area, sweeping leaves and other clutter everywhere. Including the very trees themselves, which look like they might pop off the soil with a bit more pressure.


    Again, my ears are bombarded by what sounds like an explosion of epic proportions, similar to an atomic bomb, except there''s no visual proof to say that at least.


    From a distance away from mine, smoke flares out, rubble is scattered everywhere. The sound should have been enough to wake the entire country, but no one seems to notice as the lights present in the windows are still open.


    "What''s happening now? Don''t tell me I''m still dreaming."


    Or maybe, that''s still a good idea.


    Curiosity, slowly getting the better of me, moves my body, forcing me forward as to survey the area.


    The neighborhood is covered by walls from both sides, concealing the houses within.


    This time, silence, nothing else could be heard other than my footsteps. Not even the sound of a cricket nor an owl''s is present.


    From above, my attention is taken once more, flashing in the clouds is a wave a light.


    "I wonder if this is a bad omen for me."


    Ignoring my own remark, I continue forth, shifting from a walk to a run, looking both ways for another soul, but none can be seen. It''s as if I''m the only person in the world.


    "That just can''t be true, right?"


    Nevertheless, I trudge on, wracking my brain as to make some sense of what I might get myself into. Not dismissing the thought that I might be abducted by aliens or anything else, like a being with tentacles, which is enough to send shivers down my spine.


    Finally, I arrive, and it all comes into full view. A crater, massive that anything I''ve ever seen off of the internet.


    "What the hell is this?"


    I step back, when suddenly, a figure emerges from the seemingly bottomless hole in the earth.


    Unable to control my footing, I fall on my behind with a loud thud, closing my mouth with my hand as to avoid shrieking like someone that I''m not, namely a girl.


    Instead, I push myself back with my legs, desperately trying to catch my breath as a bloody arm rises, taking hold of the ground that is only meters away from me.


    I hear a voice, a voice that petrifies all my movements. I can''t move anymore. Why? What''s happening. It''s as if I''m Perseus against Medusa, except I''m losing the battle.


    -Wait, please, help me.


    A figure finally come into full view, presenting itself as a bloodied body wearing an ancient garb from the period of ancient Greece.


    Long dark hair and green eyes, tall and lanky, wha- who is this!?


    Coming towards me, it blinks, opening its emerald eyes that glow in the dark.


    -Please, help me.


    I can''t answer, but I have one in my head. All logic has been thrown out from my brain, and is being replaced by a blank slate that remains blank whatever you put in it.


    But, finally, my jaw and lips seem to quiver, indicating that my mouth can move.


    "Wh-who are you? Are you God?"


    Without an answer, the person falls flat on the ground, spilling a velvet liquid onto the stone pavement.


    What the hell is happening? I''ve never taken any drugs of the sort, and I don''t think anyone can ever pull this off as a prank. Heck, why me although? I''ve never been interesting in my entire life, so I kind of made it career of some sort.


    But, why am I talking like this right now? maybe it''s because I''m dismissing this thought in front of me, one defying all logic and sense.


    Being freed from control, I launch myself backwards, forgetting the force I was exerting as to get away from this person.


    Quickly rising up, I look at the person I suspected to be after me, but instead all I see is a silhouette of someone lying unconscious on the floor.


    Looking everywhere, I try to find someone who can at least help me understand this.


    But instead, without thinking, I approach the body, hesitating whether I should leave or not.


    It did ask for help, but it''s not normal, whatever it is.


    Behind it is a crater that, if you look at it from a satellite''s perspective, you''d see a hole in the earth.


    Brimming with one measly Idea, one that never works usually. I take out my phone, hoping to get a hold of anyone at all, but just as I suspected, and anticipated quite anxiously, there''s no signal... And, my battery dies in that moment, blinking thrice before shutting off.


    I return my phone into my pocket, looking past me, forward at the glistening city sight filled with light and energy. Yet, beside my surrounding area, is a world filled with nothing but silence, not even a spec of life other that I, remains here.


    Shaking my head, I kneel down, despite the feeling of dread that overcame me the moment this person emerged from the massive crater, I trudge through, thinking that my heroism for helping someone might pay off, and hopefully benefit me in a way.


    It feels like it''s drawing me in as well. A strange allure one might call, like a siren''s.


    Or, I might just be making reasons. But that''s beside the point. I need to help this person first, putting everything that happened before, past me.


    It might not be possible, but i''ll see what I can do.


    I nudge the person''s back with my finger, staying safely away from it as much as possible.


    No response, not even a slight movement or jerk. A thought of death comes to mind, giving me another possibility that this person might be dead judging from the blood splattered about the surroundings.


    " *sigh* why am I still here anyway? I should''ve been long gone by now."


    I cautiously reach out to the person for one more attempt at waking it.


    With a strong sense of urgency, my hand is gripped tightly. In an attempt to back away, terrified, I pull until I feel my arms dislocating from my shoulder, cracking the joint in my arm.


    "Gh, Ah! Get away from me!"


    Blood runs to my head, adrenaline drowns my body, as if a being chased by his prey, merely seconds from dying.


    Instead of a bloodthirsty monster, the person grabbing my arm begins to glow, four orbs of different colors orbit around me.


    One is of a faint red hue, giving off warmth, the other is white with a mixture of faint blue, one that seems to emit a cold presence, and beside it is one of a lush green color, calming me, but the fear remains nonetheless. And lastly is one of a bright gold color.


    Forgetting that I was tugging on my own arm, a voice beckons to me, softly but coarsely saying, "Please, help me, I can''t hold on any longer."


    Orbs of white light dissipates from the person, latching on to me and disappearing once making contact with each other.


    Then and there, the white light implodes, wrapping the entirety of the area in an embrace of purity.


    And in that instance as well, the light vanish, as if it was never there in the first place. Including that crater that was supposed to be in front of me.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Now, it''s gone, a mirage, but it looked too real to be one.


    That person, the one who gripped my arm. Where is...


    "What just happened? This is one bizarre day."


    Blinking once, thrice, four times, my vision begins to fade, my body weakens. That vitality that I had kept in me had now disappeared, it is the same feeling of being drained from a hard day''s work, but in this instance, my energy has spilt out.


    My knees give way, hitting the hard ground loudly. My eyelids feel heavier all of a sudden, forcing its weight to close my eyes.


    The last thing I see before they fully shut, is the beautiful view of the city bustling with lights and loud noises.


    As my eyes close, my other senses feel sensitive, mostly the air, which breezes by, touching my skin as if naked and bare in a garden of tranquility.


    What''s even more strange is the fact that I could say words like this calmly. Have I accepted what has happened? No, of course not. I haven''t even understood what had transpired.


    Or rather, I can''t begin to fathom what it was. An anomaly, that''s one way to describe it.


    It just feels, tiring all of a sudden, like sleeping is the best thing to do right now.


    And maybe, that''s what I''ll do...


    I''ll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.


    *Yawn* "I feel so tired. I can''t believe what happened yesterday. I guess it was all just a dream."


    I smile wryly to myself, looking around, confirming whether it truly is my room or not.


    I see the posters taped to the wall, the secret stash, check. clothes, check, all mine for sure. I guess there''s really nothing to worry about.


    I got worked up for nothing. I''m sure a worrier.


    Stretching one last time, I approach the door, turning the knob, pulling it, and to my surprise, a bird chirps past my door, the wind brushes past me, and the clouds drift on by...


    Quickly closing it, It put my back to the wall, breathing in and out as calmly as I can.


    "Oh no... No, wait, this can''t be real. Maybe I''m just hallucinating, yeah, maybe it''s just a case of morning sickness. I know that if I walk out this door, I will be walking on a hardwood floor, safely and not flying in the air."


    Closing my eyes, brimming with a newfound confidence, I open the door, walking with great faith to prove myself wrong.


    It is almost suddenly when someone grabs my arm again, the same feeling as before washes over me.


    "What are you doing? You do know that it''s going to be a hard fall from here to there, right?"


    A voice, another person''s voice, in my room. Great, just fantastic.


    Still with my eyes closed, I listen intently, trying to stuff the fear down the deepest depths of my mind.


    "Kael? Can you hear me?"


    That voice, whoever it is, also knows my name. Taking a deep breath in, I open my eyes.


    My arms and legs grow limp, my brain turns to mush, and I dangle from my death of a high fall, but instead, the voice from earlier pulls me back, plopping me on the floor as the door closes.


    The man with the strong, masculine voice sits in front of me, crossing his legs.


    "Are you, alright?"


    "Define alright. It seems that the vocabulary doesn''t exist in my life anymore."


    "Aha~ So that means no, right?"


    I try not raising my voice, keeping things to a minimum as I stand on the border of tearing up from pure terror.


    I can''t even muster up the energy to be surprised anymore. I just woke up, and now look at what has happened. Nothing good of course, but that''s already a given in some cases.


    "Please let me explain, Kael. This will be pivotal I assure you."


    The voice urges me on, waking my trembling soul, losing heart at every second.


    "Tell me. Do you have anything to do with the man I met last night?"


    I begin asking, piecing everything together, in hopes of finding an answer before I''m bewildered.


    "Yes... I''m afraid so."


    "So, that thing that happened last night, it wasn''t a dream?"


    "Unfortunately, no."


    "Were you the one who brought me in my room as well?"


    "Your room? Oh, yes... I was the one as well."


    A slight pause, it gives off a terrible vibe, as if there''s something concealed within the words.


    "Wait, how would you know where I live?"


    "I do not have a better explanation for it, but... You are not at your home, but at the same time you are at it as well."


    "Stop sugarcoating it. I don''t think anything else can surprise me anymore. I''ve lost the will"


    "... V-very well then. I will explain."


    I sit upright, the man clears his throat, clenching his fist as to cough in front of it.


    "I replicated this room from the same one in your memories. So, it is safe to assume that this is your place, but at the same time, it is not."


    "My mind? Wait, let''s put this in order first. Who are you?"


    "My name is Vixalis, I am a minor god that is in charge of shifting the seasons, the four seasons to be specific."


    "Straight to the point, eh? Well, It doesn''t surprise me at all right now, so tell me where am I exactly?"


    "Right now, you are in our world, Corderan. The realm where Gods hold their annual feast, the one that will decide the leader for the millennia. A place where mortals also live below. I created your home so that you will have some place to stay."


    "Hmm, alright. It doesn''t make sense, but if I nod, maybe he''ll think that I''m listening."


    "Uhmm, I don''t think you realize, but you''re talking loudly, and I can hear you."


    "Oh, don''t let me interrupt you. Please go on."


    "O-okay then. That very night, when you touched me, my powers drifted to the very source, a vessel to be exact. That would be you, the only person close enough to receive my powers at the time. If you were not there, then I might have faded in the mortal world forever. So you have my thanks, since I am alive, but in spirit, which means that I can still resurrect after the feast."


    Exhaling, the timid man named Vixalis casts his eyes down, his emotions slowly affect me, bringing me to reason.


    "So, what does that make me now?"


    "You are now me, I suppose. You are the new God of the seasons."


    "Seasons? Sounds pretty lame to me."


    "What? That''s pretty harsh for someone you just met. Can''t you world it more properly?"


    "Don''t think there''s a way around it. I think I realized this from experience, but, the only way to help out someone who''s timid, is to be harsh with them, but still letting them know that you are his or her friend."


    "Well, I''m happy that you consider me as your friend, despite meeting now only."


    "Don''t sweat it. I should be quaking in bed by now, crying my heart out, but it won''t help me at all. So it''s useless."


    I stand up, walking towards the small fridge that I keep in the corner of my room.


    If what Vixalis says is correct about this being a complete replica of my room, then there must be some, "Aha! I knew it."


    I take out a bottle of soda, two cups, and set it down between us, sitting the same way as the man in front of me.


    "Here, have some. So, you''re a god. Have you ever had this kind of beverage before?"


    He holds up the plastic cup containing a bubbling sugar filled root beer, analyzing it.


    "I don''t think I''ve had one, nor seen anything like it. I''ve had wine, but only one for the minor gods."


    "Then don''t be shy, take a sip and tell me what you think."


    He raises the cup, bringing it close to his mouth. His eyes open wide in surprise, he downs the entire cups, emptying it without delay.


    "What is this amazing cup of fizzing grandeur. It may even rival the soma of which the gods speak of in the temple of Aether, the gathering place."


    "That''s good and all, but I think we still have many more details to cover. So tell me, why bring me here? You could have just remained on earth, a pretty mundane place, but still quite lively."


    "I have to. I must fight for something that I long for, one of which is a place where the great Gods roam, such as Zeus, Odin, Ra, and many others so to speak."


    "How do you decide how to do that?"


    As I ask, I pour both of us a cup of root beer, in which Vixalis takes greedily.


    "We battle with each other, with the world as our battle ground. I should''ve lost, but you have brought me back, or rather I forced you back here. Forgive me."


    He bows, prostrating his entire body towards me.


    "Calm down. So, was that the reason as to why you came crashing down to earth?"


    "Yes, I was miserably defeated, mocked, for I had not the prowess to fight. You cannot deny a challenge that a god offers you. You must take it on with your pride on the line. And so, Thor shamed me in front of all the gods, stripping me of my dignity, sending me off into the mortal world to die."


    Sympathizing with him, I feel anger welling up, but not pointed at the God Thor, since that might not be such a great idea. So I stick to sympathizing alone.


    He continues.


    "But, I am still eligible to win. I will do all I can. The prize for winning is a wish, one that can grant anything, without penalty."


    "Oh, that''s pretty tempting, but how do you plan on winning. I''ve studied history, and I know that there are some Gods out there with really crazy strong powers. Plus, I''ve never even heard of you."


    "Wha-that''s terrible. Can''t you say it with a bit more finesse in it?"


    "Nope, sorry, we timid people have to help each other, but in your case, you''re a god, but it doesn''t count you out as a timid being, right?"


    "I guess, you are correct. I guess we are much more alike than we think we are."


    "What do you mean?"


    Puzzled, and somewhat doubtful, I ready myself for what he is about to say.


    "I think I remember seeing in your mind a time when you had been rejected after confessing your love through a parchment paper-"


    "Ahh! Stop right there! No need to go past that, alright. jeez, you have no mercy, don''t you?"


    "Oh, was it a terrible memory. Forgive me, I must have brought about some recurring nightmares."


    "Now, I don''t know whether you''re mocking me or not."


    "Oh, did It come off as a mockery? Forgive me, those were not my intentions."


    "Moving on once more, tell me, how do you intend on winning?"


    "I don''t. It is up to you now, my friend."


    Freezing all actions, I hear the words echo in my mind, and resonate in my ears.


    Standing up in surprise, and in clear agitation, I voice my complaints.


    "Wait, what!? What do you mean I have to win?"


    "But, you are in my body now. Your body is in possession of my soul, so in technicality, you are me, while I can create an image of myself with my own powers, similar to what you see now, but nothing more than that, I''m afraid."


    "Why me? I don''t even know how to fight, let alone beat a god, or think of even beating one."


    "Yes, I know that you are not the best when it comes to physical strength as well, Kael. Being beaten up by an old woman for mistaking you as a burglar-"


    "Ah! Stop right there! Nothing more than that, alright? You''re ruthless. But, I can just stay here where it''s safe and not participate, right?"


    "That''s not the case. All the participant''s names are written in a stone slab inside the temple of Aether. Your name will only disappear when you are declared defeated, or you concede. In some cases, the higher gods take on the weaker ones for practice, and eliminating competition."


    "Well, I don''t think anyone will come and find us here. It''s safe to say that this is a secure hiding place, right?"


    Vixalis goes silent, looking at me with scorn.


    "You do know that gods are omnipotent beings with limitless potential, correct?"


    "Yes, of course."


    "Then you must know that they can easily find our location wherever that may be."


    *Sigh* Just more trouble then I originally imagined. The degree of severity is much more than I could ever anticipate. Think about it. Defeating a god without knowledge of fighting, nor knowing that the power of the mighty four season god has. It''s suicide to say the least.


    In the midst of my reconciling, Vixalis interrupts me.


    "Don''t worry too much on how to use my powers. I can teach you. You have a lot of potential, as my partners, the deities of the seasons, tell me."


    "That''s reassuring and all, but how about you? Don''t you think I can do it?"


    He takes his time, drawing up ten seconds before responding again.


    "I know you might be able to accomplish something great!"


    Such a long pause! And plus, he''s sugarcoating too much of his words. He doesn''t believe in me at all.


    "I need some assurance. Tell me, I''m immortal now, right?"


    "Yes and no, but I don''t know how that''s a source of assurance for you. The feast has just begun, and the battle between Thor and I was the first to start it. There might still be a lot of gods near my rank that you might stand a chance against."


    "Thanks for the vote of confidence. It just means that I can''t die if I lose, right?"


    "Sadly, that''s not how it goes."


    "Oh, God. Please, enlighten me."


    "Very well. Immortality is only a gift given to gods. In your case, you are half mortal and half god. The only way a god can become immortal, is if he is birthed from two parent gods, or had gone through the birthing ritual that makes a child mortal, specifically dropping you in a river of immortality. So, you will die if you are defeated, giving me full control of your body as your soul fades from this world, where it is not from. The feast cannot end until there is only one contestant left."


    "So I have no choice other than to win or die, correct?"


    "Spot on!"


    I''m starting to lose faith in a god, which is highly unbelievable from another person''s perspective, but in my case, it''s all real and too good to be true.


    The long dark haired god smiles weakly, giving me the thumbs up, which serves no real motivation other than comic relief.


    I wonder how this''ll turn out. I''ve lost almost every emotion normal person should have.


    From what I''ve pieced together, I am now a god of the four changing seasons, in the middle of a battle that will decide who will become the great god of all gods.


    I''m immortal, but only to an extent where injuries made by gods are tolerable, but still painful because I''m half mortal.


    The feast cannot end until a winner can be named, God of all gods.


    That''s the gist of it...


    "Well said, but with a few missing parts here and there, but leave that to me. I''ll fill you in as the days go by."


    "Wait! How did you know what I was thinking?"


    "Don''t you remember, Kael? The one in front of you is just an image I created as to not make the conversation awkward. I am still within your soul, looking from what you see, and everywhere else."


    "That''s pretty unnerving."


    "Try not to worry too much. Think of me as a voice inside your head."


    "Fitting actually. I''m slowly starting to become insane, so kind of a good call."

 Chapter 2: An unlikely fate for an unlikely God.

    "Oh, that reminds me. We need to head to the temple of Aether. Before the start of every day of the feast, the gods who are still in participation must be in attendance."


    Vixalis urges me, standing with suddenness.


    He starts to fade, dispersing in the form of orbs of light, floating towards me.


    A soft spoken, gentle voice echoes to my ears.


    -Let us set out to see our fortune then, shall we?"


    I guess this is how he''s going to talk inside my head? Weird, I thought I''d be more terrified of having someone else inside my head.


    No more dirty thoughts now, huh? How unlucky. Can this day just get worse and worse?


    I pick up the cup, throwing them to the empty bin as if this were my real home, I feel rather at ease.


    "Vixalis, tell me about this world. If I recall correctly, you said that mortals also resided in this world, right?"


    -Yes, but in fact, they are quite concerned and deathly fearful every time the gods battle with one another. Those are the times when what you mortals call natural calamities happen. Earthquakes, lighting, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and many more.


    "Why? Don''t the gods care about the lives that they might take in the process?"


    Inside my head, the voice is silent, but aware. Taking his time to answer, as if to word it properly first, Vixlalis speaks in a reserved manner.


    -The reality of gods is that; they care little to none about mortal existence. After all, they created them, so they are at their disposal at any moment. The only time when a god will defend a mortal is if that is his or her son or daughter, or a champion.


    "That''s terrible. It''s making me ashamed of being a god, even though just a replacement one. But you, how do you feel about this. You must have known for a long time, right?"


    -I have. But I can do nothing against the gods and their benevolent powers. Even in what''s supposed to be a friendly feast became death to me. I can never truly understand what the higher gods think about, yet I am one. I am merely a lower god, near a deity, so I have no say in anything that the gods decide.


    I approach the closet, picking from my usual clothes to the ones that I rarely wear. But, Vixalis suggests an alternative.


    -I can provide you your own set of clothes, rather one fit for the god of the shifting seasons.


    "Really? It still sounds pretty lame to me. I mean, I''ve never even heard of you, yet you''re in charge of something as large as the shifting seasons. I know I said it''s lame, but you basically make the world rotate, right?"


    -Your words pains me so. But what you say of rotating the earth? I''ve never heard of anything like that before.


    "Oh, right. Science doesn''t apply to gods. Or that''s what I think. Anyway, I''ll be treating this just like one of my games. It''s getting me quite riled up, the idea of me being a god, a transcendent being."


    -Just snap your fingers, the garb might just form for you on the first try.


    "Wait... So you don''t think I''ll be able to get it on my first attempt?"


    -Oh, no, it''s not like that. What I meant is that you might need a lot of practice to get better used to my powers. And treating this as a game might prove fatal. Your life is on the line after all. you should be concerned all the more.


    "Well, you have a point there. There''s no use in worrying about it. Hopefully I''ll come through when it''s time. For now, I''ll enjoy these remaining moments for as long as I can."


    I snap my fingers, and from the tip of my thumb and index finger comes a spark of light, but nothing more than that.


    Quite disappointed, I try snapping once more, then again, then again, failing time after time.


    -Ah, Kael? I don''t think you can do it yet.


    "All it takes is a bit of time and perseverance. It will work if I put a bit more faith in to it."


    -It- but, it doesn''t work that way, though.


    Giving up after many failed attempts, I flop back on my bed, closing my eyes as to try and relax for a while, preventing the anxiety from affecting me.


    I can''t keep putting up a brave front. I''m scared on the inside. I don''t know what to do, and I am forced into dueling the strongest gods of mythology, all for the sake of living and staying alive.


    I can''t do anything to stop it since there''s no way other than to finish the feast, meaning that I have to die in the future, or win so that I can live and hopefully get my freedom back.


    My strength feels like it''ll crumble at any time. I can feel my hands trembling at the immense pressure that I''m in right now.


    Does this mean, that I''ll die no matter what? After all, I''m just mortal. I can never think of amounting to anything like a god.


    Plus, have I truly accepted this delusion? I can''t be nonchalant about this, I''m not, for sure. I don''t know what''s keeping me sane either.


    Maybe I already broke my sanity last night, and that this is me, a walking hollow husk containing the soul of a god.


    I can''t pray to god for redemption or a saving grace anymore, right? Basically, it turns out that gods from the myths actually exist. I don''t know what to believe anymore.


    My cheeks feel a bit drenched. Opening my eyes, I feel tears have streamed down, uncontrollably.


    -Don''t worry about it too much, Kael. I know I''m very unreliable, timid, but trust my word that I won''t let you die. I may be a minor god that is unknown to you, but I will succeed at making you remember me in a new light, a favorable one. Have faith in me. After all, we are friends now, right?


    *Hic* "You''re right. Thanks, Vixalis. You''re making me wish that I had known you even without having met you last night."


    -That''s very reassuring. I''m glad that you trust me. Now, let us be on our way. We shall figure out sometime in the future how you will be able to use my powers. I believe that you will be able to achieve that.


    A bright smile appears on the face of the person in my consciousness.


    Wiping off my tears with my arm, I take deep breaths, circulating the air in my body so that I don''t panic as much, or hyperventilate.


    I approach the door, turning the knob and pulling it.


    As a strong gust of wind blows past me, I almost fall to my doom. Remembering that beyond that door lies the air from which I reside in from a floating house in the vast sky.


    I quickly close the door, backing myself to a wall, just to comfort myself in any way.


    -Forgive me, I had forgotten that we still levitate in the air. We will have another means for descending.


    I sigh in relief, but in the same time, a feeling of prejudice wells over me. He sure is incompetent, but if he says to believe in him, then I will do that.


    I don''t think I''ve ever thought a god to ask for someone''s forgiveness, nor their faith in them. This truly changes my perspective on gods, both high and minor. A newfound respect as some might call it.


    "So, how are we getting down anyway? Please don''t suggest that we jump out, leaving my fate and safety in the belief that your powers might work that way."


    -... I guess we can try another way then.


    "Wait, you actually thought about that? And to think that I put my faith in you."


    -No, you are mistaken. I had no ulterior motives, it was merely a thought, but nothing I would put into practice.


    "You''re one shady god for sure. But, putting that aside for now, how do you plan on getting to the temple?"


    -We will walk there. We still have enough time for a scenic walk by the neighboring towns. You might find them to your liking as they are fellow humans.


    "You''re right. That makes clear sense. The walking part sits well with me, but I don''t think we can walk from the air to the ground, not unless I know how to use your power."


    -Worry not, I will send us to the ground with my powers.


    "How are you going to do that? You don''t have a corporeal body to make use of."


    -That is where you are mistaken once again, my friend. A god is capable of many things. Simply believe in me, and will do all in my power to fulfill.


    "Wait! Before we go, I need to think something though."


    I interrupt Vixalis'' channeling of power, having another plan in my disposal, one that makes me grin from ear to ear, forgetting my past sadness of being unable to do anything but cry.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    I don''t know if this only applies to games, but, this is a fantasy world if I''m not mistaken. So there must be some kind of artifacts that might help me be stronger, and have a chance against a god.


    -Uhm, I do not want to reign on your optimistic thinking, but-


    "Don''t cut me off right now. I''m on the verge of an idea that will make our success rate, skyrocket! There''s no doubt about it, we might just succeed if my plans hold true."


    -*sigh* I can''t tell whether you''re jesting or not. I just can''t seem to predict your character. But, if you think that your plan will work, then I will support you in any way I can. I do not know much about this world as well, so this will be my first time roaming freely.


    "That''s the spirit! Don''t you worry about a thing. Just pray to god that my plan comes through... Oh, wait. You''re a god, and so am I... Forget about it. You can send us down now."


    From inside my head, I hear a snap of a finger echoing, getting louder and louder as the sound fades.


    Without my noticing, my eyes close, giving me the sense that I am floating on air, unable to move my limbs.


    A sharp screeching sound fills my eardrums, clearing out almost instantly as I open my eyes, blinking a few times as to adjust my eyes to the sunlight, as if I were dragged out from my man cave back home, devoid of light as the curtains are shut, and the doors are barred from the inside. The only light present is the one from the console. But this time, it''s a different case.


    Feeling dizzy, and unbalanced, I fall to my knees as my head spins, almost as if I could vomit at any moment, losing myself to the experience that dreads me.


    -I predicted that this might happen. Unfortunately, it is unavoidable for a mortal. It will happen again and again as we fade and reappear from nothingness. Not unless you use my powers instead, to fly of course.


    I can''t even make the words out. The motion sickness slowly dies down, miraculously. Who would have known that there are very ungracious moments in a god''s life, his beginning to be precise?


    Forcing myself up, I look around me, captivated by the pristine sight that surrounds me.


    A lush field that is being combed by the wind''s air, flowers growing colorfully, the sky, which is almost clear and blue, lastly but not the least, the sun, which shines gleefully in the sky, its warmth bathing me, giving off a comfortable presence.


    No other life in sight except me. I could just lay down here and rest, but that would just make my chances of having a chance to win, smaller than it already is.


    "So, where do you think we should go now, Vixalis?"


    -Judging from the air, and the deities'' suggestions, I recommend traveling northeast from where you are facing It should bring us somewhere interesting.


    Without responding, I walk towards the way of which the god inside my head had suggested, which is a forest in the said direction.


    Letting the peace and tranquility take over my mind for a bit, I begin hatching my emergency plan, just in the case of a surprise encounter with a god. But from what I recall, the feast where battles start, won''t be held not unless the ceremony begins, which is in about four hours. Don''t ask me how I know, I guessed as well.


    Now that I am here, free for the taking of any god, away from my replicated abode, the anxiety returns, but not as harsh as it was previously. What I need to focus on the most was how I would be able to put Vixalis'' powers to good use, that is if I can figure out what his powers are in the first place.


    What can the four seasons bring you? All I can think of is changing seasons, period. Why would he enter anyway, and with such useless powers? I think Thor did him a favor by taking him out first, making him realize that there are some things that can''t be grasped even when you are a god, that or Thor might just be a jerk, not a forthright hammer wielding god of strange vocabulary.


    -You do know that I can hear all your ramblings, right?


    "Oh, yeah I forgot. Sorry about that. But, there''s no other way around it. Tell me, if you were to battle a god, then how would you do it? What would be your powers, the ones that are useful."


    -I can''t disprove my weakness and lack of conviction, but I do have powers to boast of. Think of what kind of power does each season pertain to? I''ll give you a hint. For example, winter is to snow...


    "Hmm, alright. I seem to be slowly understanding what you want to convey. Correct me if I¡¯m wrong, but you have four powers that are rather significant to the seasons?"


    -Correct. I''m glad that you guessed it right on the first try.


    "But how would you use each one? I don''t understand, but at the same time I do."


    -Very well, I will explain in a way that you might best understand. Having four strengths, I can use only one at a time. Say I use winter''s power. Then only that power would be active. But since there is a vessel in use of my powers, it would manifest itself in a different way from how it would manifest in mine.


    "... Still quite complicated, but I have the gist of it. But it seems that you have a much more interesting power than I first thought. What about the deities that I heard you talk about earlier?"


    -Oh, they are the guardians of the seasons. They aid me in maintaining control over each one. They are quite powerful, and friendly. They seem to see some potential in you as well. This is quite odd to me since this is the first time they have spoken of anything other than their duties as guardians.


    "So, you don''t converse with them very often?"


    -No, they''re quite the stickler for their duties. They would only speak if it became of concern. But, through it all, they are wise. I know that they boast great intellect-.


    A faint rustling of shrubbery interrupts us, taking our full attention as I stand idle, waiting for something to happen.


    A loud roar escapes the shadows of the overgrowth, housing a massive bear, twice the size it normally should be in my world. A brown grizzly with its fangs protruding, its claws uncut but sharp.


    It eyes me down, taking a cautious approach, slowly crawling towards me.


    -You should start running now, Kael. This is a Bear, but if it takes you down and tears at your flesh, then you might die this very moment.


    "Hush, staying idle is the best strategy for this. If you stay idle for long, then it''ll leave you alone."


    -I''m no pacifist, but I worry about where you find your ideas from. Those thoughts of yours are filled with superstition.


    The Bear begins closing in, shortening the gap that separates us.


    "Do you think this would be a great time to help me bring out your powers?"


    -It is plausible that it might emerge through fear, but you only have one chance. Are you willing to risk it on this one test?


    "I don''t think we have an option anymore."


    My voice disappears until only a faint murmur is heard. The Bear stands on two legs, displaying its length and massive body, petrifying me even more.


    I can''t hesitate. I need to bring out my powers in any way possible. I won''t let any god take away my life, even if this is just a game!


    -Wait, Kael! Don''t do it!


    With a loud cry, I clench my fists, gritting my teeth as I charge forward, winding my arm to hit the Bear''s stomach.


    It connects, a soft and furry texture wraps around my fist as it remains there, without recoiling back to me, or even any sign of sending my enemy back.


    Quaking in fear as I am unable to retract my fist, I slowly look up at the puzzled Bear turning hostile with the flip of a switch, roaring loudly at me as its saliva drenches me.


    Raising an arm high in the sky, covering the beam of sunlight on my eyes, it brings it down, hard, knocking me back to a tree with a loud thud. The air is knocked out of me, making me take a sharp breath in, just to not suffocate.


    My body limps, my arms don''t move at all. I feel a hot liquid drenching my chest. It hurts, it seethes, like putting alcohol on a wound.


    I can¡¯t speak, yet I can hear a voice, one that I can''t respond to. The only thing I see with my one open eye is the Bear going back on all fours, crawling towards me once again.


    -Stay awake, Kael. I''ll do something. Don''t let the pain take you away.


    I can hear the voice, reaching out to me. The wound starts to feel a bit more painful, like a sting turning to a puncture.


    I think I''ve broken my back as well, I can''t move my spine, and every time I try, I feel all my nerves break down, killing me with the mere pain of one attack.


    I don''t feel like I''m dying, but it feels too unbearable, the pain, to keep going. It feels like I could sleep forever if I closed my eyes.


    Too bad I''m immortal though. It does no good when you''re in a mortal''s body. It''s practically useless, after all, a bear attacked me with enough force to kill me. Don''t tell me that''s not embarrassing.


    The bear begins to charge, and in that moment, I resign myself to my fate.


    -I won''t let you! Spring, flourish, ravage the barren world of your-


    The voice in my head is cut off, as it had been for the past few hours. Honestly, I feel bad for him, having never finished all of his sentences, as if intentionally.


    I could barely make it out, but I see a lone arrow fly like a bullet, driving into the Bear''s head from the side, forcing it silent.


    A volley of arrows follows, accurately hitting the bear on the head, not missing a single one.


    I then hear a high pitch yell. Not one of fear, but that of fervor and strength. It emerges from my sight, a hair as brown as the purest grain of sand in the desert. The rest of her features are covered by the sun, flaring brightly at me.


    The mysterious person rushes the bear riddles with arrows, with a spear, one whose tip reflects the beam of light piercing the forest.


    The person skewers the beast, striking the spear straight without like a disciplined fighter.


    The Bear, unmoving, makes faint roaring sounds before going down, flopping on the floor, sending dust flying in every direction.


    My eyelids finally give, getting heavier, I reach my limit. The last thing I see is the person with pure blue eyes, like that of the ocean, kneeling in front of me.


    I could have sworn that I felt a warm presence hold my cheek. It was quite pleasant, but I think this is it. Nothing else left for me but to fade away, like the disgraceful god that I am.


    I don¡¯t even think I deserve the title of God.


    The first god to ever live and die on the same day. Quite hilarious now that you think of it.


    Now all I can see is darkness. Nothing else but that.


    I haven''t even had the chance to meet a god... Wait, I have met one, and one that goes by the name of Vixalis.


    Even in a dire time, I still manage to downgrade him. I truly am sorry, if you are listening. You might have faded away, awaiting reincarnation as you are in a world where gods reside.


    Meanwhile, I''ll wait for what comes next. Maybe reincarnation myself if I¡¯m lucky, or staying dead for good.


    I''m terrified. I don''t want to die. I never listened to Vixalis, treating this like a game when it was not, it was clearly nothing like a game, yet look at what happened now.


    This is a cause of my own impudence...


    But, I thought the afterlife was supposed to feel warm, inviting, and pleasant. Why is it cold suddenly?


    It feels like I''m being bathed with ice.


    There''s weight on different parts of my body, and it tickles. Should the afterlife be like this?


    My eyes twitch, a bright light drapes over it. Does this mean I''ll be meeting God? The one who''ll send me to the true after life? Oh, wait. I know a god, and he doesn''t look like the type to be able to do anything like that at all.


    My eyes are greeted by a bright light, blinding me for a few seconds before showing me the reality of my delusions.


    I see a girl beside me, brown haired, blue eyes, quite tanned in color, quite cute as well, just like a secretly kept beauty, hidden from mortal eyes, but that''s not the point.


    I sit, looking around me. I seem to be lying on a bed made of cotton, a blanket made of leather taken from different animals, then sown together to make an alluring pattern.


    I look back at the girl, puzzled as we lock gazes.


    Realizing that this is the longest I''ve ever locked gazes with a girl without her hitting me back without warning.


    It feels, pretty great to be alive.


    She speaks with the sweetest, and in a soft spoken gentle tone, fitting for a girl just like her.


    "Are you, alright? I don''t think you should be sitting upright although."


    An awkward response to someone admiring her presence alone. I''m fine with that actually. I''m just ecstatic that I get the chance to even be in an approximate distance of a girl who¡¯s not disgusted of me. I mean, you can''t monopolize air, so the phrase, "I don''t want to even breathe the same air as you," does not apply whatsoever.


    But, why am I ranting anyway? Have all my frustrations come out of the closet? Wait, never mind ranting, I need to speak. I don''t want to make this first encounter a bad one. Trust me, there''s already a plethora of that hanging on the wall of fame in my mind.


    "Where am I?"


    Starting with the most generic answer in history might be a good idea.


    "You are in Vajra, in a house near a newfound settlement."


    She answers curtly, fixing her posture as she presents herself in a rather dignified way.


    "I have yet to introduce myself. I am Svanvhit. What might yours be?"


    "My name is Kaellum. What happened? How did I get here?"


    "Don''t you remember? You were knocked out and covered in blood. I managed to save you in time, but I thought that you would not make it because of the severity of the wound."


    ... My mind crumbles. Thinking back, I remember seeing someone approach me before I got knocked out. Don''t tell me it''s her...


    So does this mean, I embarrassed myself by being beaten by a bear? But she defeated it so easily too. Oh, the agony!


    I close my eyes, flopping back down on the soft bed.


    I hear her voice, clearly calling out to me with confusion as ''to why I''m lied down so suddenly'' that might be it.


    I already ruined our first meeting by being rescued. I became a damsel on the verge of death, rescued by a beauty, when it should be the other way around.


    Could I get any unluckier than I already am!?

 Chapter 3: Home in another world.

    "What''s wrong? Are you in pain?"


    The gentle voice that could render me helpless at any time, speaks out in concern.


    I could feel hear voice getting louder, indicating that she must be close.


    Oh, how I am blessed to have someone such as her nurse me back to health.


    But, I can''t keep playing the victim. I need to impress her somehow.


    Intentionally deviating from my task, I focus my mind on how I could improve my image with Svanvhit, thinking that this is a once in a lifetime chance to have someone like her to like me.


    A childish idea, but one that I''ve never experienced in my entire life.


    Of course, the thought of the feast still remains in my mind, constantly harassing me that my life is in danger.


    I slowly open my eyes, the view of Svanvhit shows up, quite captivating as she casts herself over me, as to her concern.


    "I''m fine, thank you for asking. I just had to think about something, nothing to be concerned about."


    With my response, she backs down, exhaling what seems to be a sigh of relief.


    "That was very surprising. But, you do not seem to be disturbed about your wound. Does it not pain you?"


    Now that you think of it, I still remember that time, excluding the one when I was rescued by her. I can still clearly imagine and remember the pain I felt when I received my wound from the bear.


    That was no normal bear for sure. I know that they are fearful, for sure. That is a given in our world. But in this one, this is a threat to be reckoned with, especially if you are a mortal living in this world filled with gods.


    If I weren''t a god, then I would have died as its claws impacted me, yet I lived and saw how it was defeated.


    Checking my bare body for scars and signs of pain, I feel a bruise on my back, near the center of my spinal cord, making me arch outward in slight pain.


    What''s even more surprising is the fact that no wound is present, but only that of a faded scar imprinted on my chest, the same place from where I was struck.


    After having examined myself, I breathe a sigh of content, looking at Svanvhit as sternly as possible, trying my best at a serious expression.


    "Thank you, for saving my life. I never thought that I''d get through that."


    With a slight giggle and a smile, she replies, "You''re welcome, but there is no need for that. What I am curious about is how you managed to bear such pain and live through long enough to heal instantly?"


    I tilt my head to the side, and my mind comes up blank. Now that you say it, how did I heal instantly? I know how it felt, the pain, I even felt my flesh stinging with pain as I touched it lightly with my bloodied hands, smelling like iron and copper, as fresh as it was created.


    Maybe it has something to do with me being immortal. Hopefully that''s the case.


    But, what should I tell her? If she is a mortal of this world, then she must know or not know that gods exist, and that they use this world as a battle grounds.


    I think I''ll just keep it anonymous until I can piece things together. I wouldn''t want to make things even more awkward than it already is when I tell her about gods and all, then know nothing about it. She''ll see me as a lunatic, casting me away like a lost cause. It''s quite convenient as well that we share the same language. I always thought that I¡¯d be different.


    "I think I may just be lucky. Or, it might be thanks to your expertise in nursing me back to health. I may owe this all to you."


    Yes, I think that''s the right response, plus it''s kind of chivalric in a sense. I''m quite the poet when I get the chance.


    "Oh, you flatter me. I have nothing to do with that. I merely cleaned your wounds, but you seem to have already healed even before I brought you here, which is quite odd."


    Shot down and ignored, the fate of a cursed man. Well, I guess there''s no escaping this loop. Might as well keep going any way. I''ve got nothing to lose.


    "I don''t feel any pain, so moving around shouldn¡¯t pose a problem. I''d like to look around the place if you''ll guide me around. I''m quite new."


    "I have nothing more to do, so I will oblige, Kaellum. If you won''t mind."


    "Of course not! I''d be more than happy to have you with me."


    I push the leather blanket, folding it neatly, similar to how I do mine at home, placing it on the center of the bed afterwards.


    "What an odd way of arranging things."


    "Why is that so?"


    "Usually, the people would align it with the bed''s frame, setting it down that way."


    "Is that so?"


    Remembering that my habits have come with me despite being in a new world. Weirdly, I''m too accustomed to the place. I haven''t seen most of it, yet why do I feel no fear nor any concern about how things will be, other than if I¡¯ll live through this or not.


    I can''t forget that I''m forced into this battle, and that I can''t leave until I die, or I win. What a heavy circumstance.


    Taking a brief moment to look around, her quarters seem to be made of all wood, no metal other than nails hammered on the sections of the house.


    I guess this world and ours, isn''t too different. Maybe that''s the reason as to why I feel comfortable. Seems too farfetched to say, but I can''t find any other answer for now.


    Noticing the chills of the morning weather, I look around for something resembling a purple shirt, one that I assume is shredded because of my previous encounter with the wild.


    Svanvhit seems to notice, voicing my words exactly.


    "If you are looking for your clothes, then I''m afraid that it is not fit to be worn anymore. I have brought out some clothes that might fit you. My brother''s garments."


    Looking at the neatly sown together vest, paired with a white shirt, with three buttons near the center collar, that should be worm underneath, I presume.


    I take it reluctantly as she presents them to me, finding that it fits too perfectly on me.


    "Well, shall we go then?"


    She leads, walking towards the door, opening it to introduce a quaint atmosphere, the radiance of the sun, the sound of people conversing, quite the lively settlement. It''s too good to be true that someone from modern day society can see something like this... Or just parts of it.


    I follow her, anxious to see what a settlement from another world looks like.


    I''ve played a lot of games where you need to make things from scratch, just like building a new settlement, growing in civilization, then getting to modern day time to conquer everything around you.


    I find myself walking out to an adequately bustling settlement with children running around, adults wearing the unique peasantry garb from the medieval age, walking to and fro.


    Of course, there are some curious glances pointed my way, curious gazes.


    Svanvhit looks at me from my left, "You caused quite the commotion when you arrived here. After I carried you, the townspeople helped, but cautiously."


    "How about you? Are you not cautious, being around me and all?¡±


    "I don''t feel anything in particular that I should be worried about from you rather, I feel safe and calm somewhat."


    My heart skips a beat, thumping fast as I am overcome with emotions unlike anything I''ve ever felt before in my life. Just like when I first entered puberty yet, that too is quite different from this.


    I avoid looking at her, but she simply chuckles softly, continuing to walk towards somewhere, motioning to follow her once she distances herself from me, in which I follow along, running.


    We walk to a makeshift market formed by caravans merged together, filled with bundles of rations and foreign looking objects.


    People come in droves, crowding around it as they yell their price, the clerk gives out the items of desire.


    The horses are tied to a sturdy looking tree, near the outskirts of the settlement, full of lush foliage surrounding the area, much like a secret dwelling away from civilization.


    "I''d like you to meet my grandmother, the elder of the village, and my little sister."


    She says as she walks, looking at a rather large hut propped up on a hilltop.


    But what I take into account right away is the fact that she is introducing me to her family. Frankly, I''m quite excited. This is becoming better and better.


    We engage in small-talk, and Svanvhit begins questioning me.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Where are you from? The name Kaellum is quite uncommon in these lands. You must come from a faraway land, beyond the vast waters I assume"


    "You could say that. I do come from somewhere far away, but maybe much more than that. I can''t quite tell how far, but it would be impossible to get back the way things are right now."


    "You seem troubled, is something wrong?"


    "Well, you see, I can''t quite go home. I can''t return, not unless I achieve success."


    "Is that so? I envy you... You know where your home lies."


    Her eyes are downcast, having spilled her emotions this very moment, it looks like she has some sort of trauma to her past. I mean, I''d like to ask, but it''s not like I''m oblivious to these kinds of things.


    Sometimes you just need to let your curiosity rest. And this would be a great time to do so.


    But before I could come up with words of comfort, she speaks, "Please forgive me, I must have said something very nonsensical. Don''t mind me. We are close, come, they eagerly await your arrival!"


    It seems like she''s forcing herself. I wonder what is that burden she carries. It looks pretty heavy from how she acts. I don''t want to pry, but I hope I''ll be able to find out somewhere in the future.


    A speed along, sprinting as to keep up with her pace.


    Knocking on the door, a perky child greets us, running up to Svanvhit, hugging her leg as she giggles, yelling, "Grandma! Big sis Svan is here!"


    Svan? A nickname huh? It sounds foreign, but nothing I know of for sure.


    A rather old woman steps out of the door with a smile, walking the rest of the way with her cane, coming in to embrace Svanvhit despite her arched-back posture.


    "Grandmother, I''ve returned with our guest. His name is Kaellum," she presents me, receiving the embrace of her grandmother beforehand," she faces me, introducing me, "Kaellum, meet my grandmother, Parsha, and my little sister, Elisha."


    With a trembling hand, her grandmother reaches out, in which I kneel in front of her in response.


    She touches my face, her rough fingers trace the outline of my face, then smiling as she retracts her arm saying, "You are a man who can change fate. You are special."


    I seem to open my eyes in surprise, thinking that she knows what I am, just like reading a book.


    The words ''man of fate'' and ''special'' sticks to me.


    At least someone thinks I''m useful. Back home, no one would even notice me. Quite like a ghost in some cases.


    But, I don''t let it bother me. Otherwise I''d be drowning in depression all the time.


    Svanvhit''s grandmother enters the door, gesturing for us to come inside, in which we do, Svanvhit looking at me with a smile, and her sister looking at me with curiosity.


    We sit on a wooden made chair while the elder sits on a rickety rocking chair, swinging back and forth for a small white, then settling down.


    Beside me, Svanvhit sits with her little sister on her lap. They both look at me with anticipation as Parsha speaks.


    "I am glad that you are safe, child. When I first saw you, I thought that it would be your time to go, but it seems that the spirits in the sky favors you. I see two paths in your future."


    I look to Svanvhit in confusion, not knowing the reason the elder has in saying all of this.


    "Grandmother is a sage, or a seer. She can see the fortunes of people, and read people''s fate. I have never seen her foresee anything wrong with the future. Many people seek her out, wanting to know their future, whether good or bad."


    I look back at her in amazement, thinking that someone who can read my future is here.


    That might explain her words earlier.


    But, she is not finished. She takes a deep breath and continues.


    "You are faced with a conflict that will greatly balance your life on the tip of a scale, and it will be up to you on where the scales move to. Be careful, the spirits are restless around you, including I, who sees you being one who might alter the fate of this world, and your own."


    My own world!? What is this? She knows a lot more than I anticipated.


    But, it all does makes sense. I can''t escape this fate rather; I am bound to it. Maybe I can ask what I should do.


    "Uhm, excuse me, elder? Please tell me which path I should take. I don''t know what to do at this point. I''m lost..."


    My heart sinks as I speak, giving me quick flashbacks of the world that I once knew. One that still exists, yet so far away from me.


    Who knew a god still had worries?


    With a hoarse voice, the elder struggles to speak, but still manages to do so, "Pardon me, child, but only you can decide how your fate will take you. This is quite a rare occurrence. You are one that has rejected fate, using it as you please. You can change the outcome of anything you desire, but not in your current state."


    Svanvhit interrupts once Parsha ceases, asking her own questions.


    "Grandmother, what are you speaking of? I''m afraid that I do not know what you two are conversing about."


    Parsha laughs, giving me the image that she is quite a teasing grandmother.


    "I am afraid that I too do not understand. I can only convey what I see in him, but not understand it."


    As she finishes, she looks to me from the corner of her eye, winking suspiciously, in which I return with an awkward nod and a stiff face.


    But form inside my head, I hear a faint yawning noise, as if someone just woke up.


    -Kaellum? You''re awake, finally! Oh how I was so worried! You never awoke despite me trying my hardest at giving you life.


    Vixalis, a god that I had forgotten was with me all along. That''s why it was so quiet.


    I look at the people present here, thinking that If I start talking to myself, they might think I''ve become a fully-fledged lunatic.


    I think in my head a message to convey to Vixalis, one that might make him understand the situation.


    -Hmm, very well. I understand your predicament. I will wait until after you are finished. But do not forget, we have an hour to get to the temple of Aether.


    He also reminds me of something that I had forgotten myself.


    A short panic runs through me, thinking of the consequences of being tardy, or unable to show up at all. Maybe they''ll tie me to a rock and have a giant hawk tear at my liver, only to have it grow back the next day, repeating the cycle for all of eternity.


    That is quite frightening, sending a shiver down my spine.


    "Do you have anywhere to stay?" Parsha asks, surprising me once more.


    "I don''t. But I think I will make do with what I can in the wilderness."


    I can''t let them know that I have a house floating in the sky. That''d be downright delusional.


    "Then I ask that you stay here until you like. We''d be more than happy to oblige, right?" she looks at Svanvhit, who gives me a bright and lively smile saying, "Of course, we''d be more than happy to."


    Her smile always seems to make me feel a certain emotion. Maybe happiness, or something more than that. But, I need to get going. I can''t be late, but I don''t know where that place is either. Maybe I''ll just ask Vixalis.


    "Excuse me, Parsha. I have to leave right now. I need to go somewhere."


    "Ahh, so the fates finally call, eh? Very well. Please escort Kaellum to the entrance, Svanvhit," she gestures for her granddaughter, who in return stands up, carrying her sister with her arms, setting her down on the wooden chair.


    "You''re leaving?" Elisha says with a downcast expression.


    "No, I''ll just be seeing our friend off. I''ll be back to play with you later," she gives him her famous smile, affecting her greatly as she is instantly filled with vitality.


    Svanvhit heads to the door, opening it eagerly.


    But before I could leave, Parsha tugs on my shirt, signaling that she wants to say something.


    I bring me ear closer as I kneel.


    "Come back here if you''d like. I think you would be able to have my stubborn granddaughter experience what it feels like to be young."


    Almost instantly, feeling my face go red in embarrassment.


    Parsha laughs internally, continuing, "She''s too uptight with her duties. See seems to have fun being around you despite doing nothing but walking. Maybe there''s something about you that I have yet to know about."


    "Oh, so it''s about that..."


    "Why do you sound ashamed and disgruntled, boy? Don''t worry about that. It seems that you fancy her. Take it slow. Youth is something to be experienced together, but don''t rush it. Now go, don''t let the fates wait."


    She sees us off along with Elisha, looking through the open doorway as we leave from the foothills and back onto the settlement grounds.


    Svanvhit looks at me as our shoulders touch, making me quite conscious of her presence.


    "What were you and grandmother talking about?"


    I fumble for answers, thinking of which one she was asking about. The one pertaining to me and the fates, or that one about befriending her to make her experience ''the joys of youth''


    "Uh, uhmm, it''s nothing really. Just some small talk between us, nothing too important."


    She pouts childishly, showing me a side of her that I never thought she would have naturally. But I wonder why she speaks so formally.


    "Where are you heading off to now? It seems quite important from your tone."


    Svanvhit glances from her side as we walk casually under the shade of the clouds and the morning sun, a faint breeze passes us by.


    Something in me wants to see that pout from her. A teasing nature to be exact. Even I didn''t know that I was this sadistic on the inside.


    "I''ll be going to a place where gods roam freely, indulging themselves in wine and food."


    Except, it wasn''t the response that I expected. Instead, I am met with a silent tone, and one absent minded Svanvhit, looking off into the distance, as if in a trance.


    I wave my hand in front of her, receiving nothing but a blank stare.


    I call out her name, making her blink, then shaking her head in utter confusion.


    "Oh, did I freeze for a moment? Forgive me, I was thinking of something. It''s not that important to speak of. Come, let us hurry. You would not want to miss that, right?"


    He hurries forth, leaving me in the dust as I stare quizzically at what had just happened.


    -It seems that something is bothering her with what you said.


    "Vixalis... Hmm, I have that same feeling, yet what did I say. I wouldn''t want to pry into her personal life as she might shove me aside because of that, but what can I do?"


    -The best thing to do for now is to let things take is course. There will always be a time and place for everything, I assure you.


    "Well, you are a god, and that makes sense. I''ll follow what you say then. Thank you."


    -Don''t worry about it too much. You''re still young as well, so it''s quite natural to go through these kinds of things gradually.


    From a distance, I hear Svanvhit call out, waving from far away.


    I raise my hand to alert her that I can see her, then running as fast as I can, putting this behind me until I can figure things out clearly.


    "Are you sure that you can be on your own already? I know your wound has healed, but I worry of what might come next."


    "Oh, me? Don''t worry about it too much. I''ll be back soon to show you how well I''m doing," i flash her a bright smile, one that might rival hers, but a genuine one nonetheless.


    After reaching the exit of the village, I head out on my own, promising to return when I can.


    We are once again out and about inside the forest. The very same one that I was attacked in.


    -It seems taht you have grown cautious of your surroundings. Quite the change from yuor nonchalant self.


    "Well, I shouldn''t be this concerened if I only knew how to use your powers. I''m not blaming you, but I''d be nice to know some.


    -... I agree. I will teach you along the way, but for now let us discuss what will be happening when we reach the halls of Aether.


    "Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, but you remember the way, correct?"


    -Not exactly, but one of the deities are telling me to go this direction, so it would be wise to follow.


    The forest begins to get thicker every step of the way. The overgrowth has taken hold of the soil, ravaging it with lush greenery.


    "I''m not doubting the deity, but are you sure that we should be going this direction? I don''t think there should be anything through all this forest and trees."


    -Well, you will have to believe and see for yourself. So returning to what we were talking about earlier. upon reaching the temple of Aether, you will be greeted by many gods of many different faiths. Any one of those may be your opponents, so be wary of who you antagonize.


    "Will Thor still be able to fight you? He defeated you after all, right?"


    -No need to remind me of my failures. The stone slab should still have my name there since I am still alive, so we are still eligible.


    "How will this battle go anyway? What''s with that stone slab containing the names of the participant gods?"


    -The stone slab is the one the records the competitors and those who are still participating. in your world, you would call it a ''bracket'', but to us, it is a piece of Gaia, the earth mother, who records the names of the gods. The record stone matches a god to another god if no duel is issued, so be careful of that. This is a holy feast that should never be taken lightly since it will decide the great god of existence.


    "When you say it like that, my chances look pretty close to slim to none. Are you sure that we have a chance at this? I mean, we''re going to the temple despite me knowing nothing that I can defend myself with. I don''t like taking things lying down, so I want to have a fighting chance-."


    -And trust me, you will have a chance. I also do not want to take this lying down on the ground. I do not want to remain forgotten forever. I need to attain victory no matter what... I just need to.


    Vixalis'' tone become pained, slowly shrinking.


    There''s no need to know what he wants. His tone, and the emotion that I feel inside me coming from him, it''s sad, but I don''t know the cause. It''s a gut feeling that I will choose to act upon.


    Besides, I need to win in order to keep living.


    "I''ll do my best to win this for both of us, Vixalis. We''ll see where it goes from there."


    -Thank you.


    "Don''t worry about it. We''re one and the same now, so there''s no reason to be divided."


    Now, enough self deprication. Time to worry about actually winning, or getting through this day alive.

 Chapter 4: The time of reckoning begins

    "So you plan on disrupting the sacred feast? How bold... But a very captivating plan."


    "Are you with me, or against me? I plan on succeeding no matter what. I will not fail."


    "How would a mere mortal hope to stand up against a god?"


    "If he becomes a god himself, then the scales are even."


    Two men, nefariously planning within the shroud of darkness covering their identities.


    One is of a tall, well-built stature. A human tower to behold.


    The other is a one of a smaller height, but one would say the norm compared to the giant in the same room as him.


    The air feels suffocating, their auras denote that of a grave animosity towards something.


    "When do you think it will be ready?"


    The giant man speaks with a low morose tone, his voice echoes from wall to wall.


    "Patience. The feast has just begun. We shall arrive at an opportune time, and soon, our very own legion of gods will reign, banishing the very bane of this world. We have no need for gods any longer..."


    The man beside him speaks with a more erudite attitude, displaying his confidence.


    "Your overconfidence will be your undoing soon. Take that as a friendly reminder, or a warning."


    The giant man leaves, making clanking sounds of metal boots as he slams the door shut.


    The confident man is now alone, but not pleased rather, he seems scornful of something.


    "I shall show them all someday to never underestimate me. Including that man. Soon, it will be your undoing. Not mine."


    He closes a cluttered book, wrapping it with a white dusty linen cloth, putting it aside in his satchel bag.


    He then approaches the only source of light in the room, dousing it as he nears the entrance, leaving as well.


    *Sigh* "How long till we get there?"


    Kaellum speaks, sweating profusely as he tries to catch his breath from all the trudging.


    -It hasn''t even been that long since you left the settlement village. Have you really no stamina at all?


    "I thought you would''ve read my mind long ago to find out why."


    -Well, true, but I don''t think I''ll find anything that will benefit or interest me in any way.


    "Jeez, way to be harsh. What happened to you so suddenly."


    -Oh, pardon me, I did not mean to harm your self-esteem, merely point out the more obvious facts.


    "You know what? Let''s just change the subject. I feel really uncomfortable at this moment.


    He continues struggling forward despite his condition, impressing the god that resides within his mind.


    "I think it''s time to start talking about using your powers. We had that talk of enthusiasm, but I don''t think it''s going to help me physically."


    -Well, I''m still trying to find a way to connect the deities with your soul. The only way you''ll be able to use my strength is to form a bond with the guardians.


    "Well, shouldn''t that be easy since I''m you now?"


    -It should be, but you would need a guardian to acknowledge you, allowing you to have access to their powers.


    "Wait, I think I clearly remember you saying something along the lines of, ''they believe that you have potential,'' am I mistaken?"


    -... You''re not, but... I must confess, I only told you that so you would be more reluctant to accept your new role. It was not my intention to lie, but I was desperate.


    Kaellum stays silent, not at all surprised, rather, he anticipated something like this to happen. He became skeptical once hours passed, thinking that there was really nothing to worry about, except his premonitions became true, oh so painfully true.


    "So, how am I going to fight then?"


    -I can''t believe you took it without a witty remark- I mean; I''ll find a way. I will keep my promise for sure. For now, your best hope is trying to improve your physical fortitude.


    "What''s that?"


    -Remember, you are immortal. You need to be able to withstand attacks that could shatter the earth, which is the norm for gods.


    "I don''t think I''m ready to commit to that, plus, how will I be able to practice something like that? Asking a god to punch me to oblivion?"


    -Of course not, you''re part mortal, so that would be a death wish. What I was meaning to say is that there is an alternative to doing just that.


    "Don''t hold back on me. Just spill it already. I need something to heal my trust, hopefully something helpful."


    -Very well. This is quite easy. Since I am the god of seasons, all you need to do is gather in energy around you, the nature''s to be more specific. My powers are strengthened depending on the season, so it is quite logical to use the corresponding one more often than the rest.


    "Oh, pretty interesting. But, what power did you use against Thor?"


    -I used winter''s power, just to nullify his lighting and thunder, but unfortunately I could not overcome his raw fervor.


    "I''d like to avoid fighting him if possible."


    Kael feels a powerful sense of unease as he imagines his duel against Thor, a cold sweat forms on his brow.


    What''s more is that there is no fresh air inside the damp confines of the forest, turning his breath into a musky, thick one.


    Almost drenched in sweat, he calms down to stop in his tracks, attempting to absorb the energy of the nature around him, just like what his ally had told him to do.


    He breaks his own concentration, collapsing on the soil, flat on his back, looking at the beam of light passing through the trees and leaves.


    "How do I gain your deities'' favor? Can''t you just ask them to help me?"


    -Their quite stubborn, just like what I''ve said earlier. They will deliberate, and sometimes they will act on their own, but if it will benefit them as a whole.


    "Quite the complicated group you have there. I wonder how you met them, starting out and all that."


    -It''s quite the long story, so I will tell you only a fraction of the beginning.


    Right beside where Kael lies, Vixalis creates an image of him, similar to the one he had seen from his replica of a house.


    He clears his throat, crossing his legs as if this were a campfire story to be gathered around to.


    -They were quite the rascals when I first met them, all small and quite adorable. Yet, they grew up quickly. Before all that, they were playful, and was not that uptight. Even I''m confused as to why they suddenly became too worked up about their duties.


    "Yes, that tells a lot, but how did you meet them?"


    -A predecessor of mine had given them to me. He''s gone now, but they are what reminds me of him.


    After closing his eyes while listening to Vixalis, he springs upright, stretching with renewed vigor.


    Feeling a strange sensation filling him up after having heard the sounds of the tranquil forest, feeling the thick air, and almost being one with it, he stands with a stern look to his face.


    Vixalis looks up at him with a puzzled expression, still remaining seated as he lets a yawn escape from his mouth.


    Approaching a sturdy, but old looking tree, placing his hand on it, hearing a faint grumbling resonating to him.


    Vixalis, who is still connected to Kael''s mind, changes his face to a serious looking one, looking intently to what his partner is attempting to do.


    Retracting his hand, he winds his right fist, backing the right side of his body backwards.


    He takes a deep breath in, circulating a cycle to his lungs. He closes his eyes, clenching his fist as hard as he can as everything begins to slow down around him.


    He exhales, opening his eyes with suddenness, striking the body of the tree with enough force to destroy its exterior, exposing the very heartwood of the tree.


    Leaves and pebbles are blown aside by the massive pulse of air that came from the collision.


    Kael backs away, his knees give, and he falls to the ground, as if all his energy had been siphoned away, with only a drop remaining.


    Vixalis, who had been watching the entire time, has his mouth open wide in surprise, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight, nor say anything at all.


    The only sound present is a strong draft of air pulsating through the entire forest, sweeping away the leaves that have come from the now barren trees. That, and the sound of Kael, desperately gasping for air.


    Finally, Vixalis manages to find the words and speaks.


    -Was that really you, Kael?


    Purely amazed, Vixalis is unable to believe what he had just seen, thinking hard about what might have caused this sudden burst of power to emerge immediately.


    Except, there''s no reply at all. Kael could barely even move a muscle as he lies down on the ground, breathing, nothing else but that.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Vixalis once again shifts his sights to the tree that Kael had left a mark upon with his fist, engraved on the middle of it, along with the bare interior of protruding on the outer side.


    Yet, with a stubborn attitude, Kael speaks despite his constant fight for air.


    "I don''t know what happened, but my body moved on its own, and I just followed through, thinking what I was doing was going somewhere, *cough* But after that, I felt all the energy in my body leak out with that punch."


    -This is amazing! An alternative in storing energy, attacking using that. Even I''ve never known that you could use the power gathered from nature like that.


    "Does this mean that I can defeat a god?"


    -No, but you have gained something of which to fight with, except you will need to have defeated your opponent with one punch since you might pass out of exhaustion just like right now.


    *Sigh* "Still have a long way to go, but this is a good start-"


    A loud baritone horn sounds, echoing through the land like a signal to Armageddon¡¯s coming.


    Vixalis and Kael turn their attentions to the sky, listening as the sound forces its way in to their ears.


    -This, this is the calling horn. We must hurry! The feast is beginning without us. We have to hurry.


    "Why the hurry?"


    -Would you like to receive a smite from Zeus himself, or be punished for being too tardy? We are gods, so there can be no reason for being tardy for an auspicious occasion.


    Kael yells loudly at the sky, not out of anger, but as something to give him a push.


    He succeeds, getting up on his two feet, wobbling to a tree for support.


    "So, it is just forward from where I''m facing, right?"


    -Yes, you won''t miss it. But, how are you going to get by without falling down, or resting?


    "I have ways. I always do this when I''m running late for school. Watch me."


    Kael heaves a breath inward, exhaling with a shout that launches him running towards the vast green obscuring his way.


    He ignores the terrain, brushing away the branches and leaves with his weak and heavy arms, almost tumbling forward and falling down in many cases, but miraculously keeping his momentum up.


    As he runs, a bright light appears, getting bigger as he nears what seems to be the end of the forest.


    Staring at the grand temple perched on top of a mountain that extends up to the heavens, passing the clouds. The only thing present stair case containing millions of steps, maybe more. The sight shows that the mountain housing the temple seems to extend farther than what his eyes can see, and the temple, as large as that.


    All of Kael''s fatigue disappears as he stares at the beauty of the sight before him. Not a tree in sight, but rather a plain of lush grass, then the mountain where a temple looking to be made of gold, sits on top of it.


    The clear blue sky gives him a strange sense of freedom unlike any has ever felt before. Something along the lines of, ''I can run through these fields forever without feeling tired,'' kind of feeling.


    -It truly is a marvel to behold isn''t it? Larger than Mount Olympus, grander than the halls of Valhalla. I was captivated as well when I first came here. I didn''t want to leave.


    "You''re right about that. So we''re finally here, huh? I wonder how I''m going to get through those steps without stopping?"


    -I think there may be a Pegasus chariot waiting at the base of the mountain. Run, let us not waste any more time dawdling to ourselves. You must see for yourself, the greatness of the temple of Aether.


    Exhilarated, Kael runs down the forest''s mountain, and through the fields, feeling an eternal amount of energy with every step of the way.


    In his sight, a white object comes into view, slowly getting more and more identifiable as he closes in on the temple''s base.


    It grazes the field, shaking its head as its pure white mane brushes the air. It flaps its wings, fluttering feathers across the land.


    "Amazing! So this a Pegasus. I''ve only ever seen one on the internet. Everyone thinks that they''re a myth, but here I am in front of one."


    Kael examines the mighty horse, changing angles to see every feature in its ardor.


    -Don''t get too sidetracked, Kael. This is Hercules'' Pegasus, so it is best to not make it too uncomfortable.


    Kael freezes at the name. Another mighty force to be reckoned with. Hercules, the son of Zeus, and a man of limitless strength, overcoming the trials given to him to become immortal.


    -Just step on the chariot and whip the reigns, and he should know what to do next. Just hold on tightly, you wouldn''t want to fall down from a great height.


    Kael does just as he is ordered to, feeling unease as the chariot rocks with his mounting.


    Afraid of heights, he quickly takes the reigns, lashing them lightly, then kneeling as to avoid seeing the ground below.


    Pegasus takes to the air almost instantly, flapping its wings the beats the air, like a heartbeat.


    The air ruffles Kael''s hair without him noticing the beauty that the sky has to offer.


    -Kael! Open your eyes and look at this. You''ll never see anything like it!


    Vixalis urges on, edging Kael''s curiosity as he takes a small peek, inching them open.


    The sight instantly takes his breath away, forcing his eyes open, removing the fear constricting him for this very moment. It feels like a painting on a canvas, something too good to be true, yet here he is, riding on a chariot that is being pulled by a Pegasus. What more could one ask for?


    The sky smothered the scene with a thickly threaded blanket, melting over the corners of the horizon, seemingly limitless as it extended infinitely.


    The great temple looms before it, stealing Kael''s attention as the intricately designed temple is bare to the eyes, built to be admired by the lucky few called gods, and a half mortal in this instance.


    The great toll of emotions end with a landing on the polished granite looking floor of the temple, adorned by pillars far larger than any building in the earth''s existence.


    "Is this all real, or am I dreaming?"


    -Oh believe me, this is all real.


    Pegasus neighs from behind them, running for a start, then flapping its wings, descending back to the base of the mountain.


    "It''s quite envious that he can go back and forth to see that sight again and again until he tires of it."


    -Don''t worry. Soon, you''ll learn to fly yourself, and you will be able to see it for as long as you want.


    Vixalis'' words give Kael heart, making him smile radiantly.


    -Come, I wouldn''t want you to miss the festivities.


    Kael walks towards the massive open gate the matches the size of the temple, making everyone else look like an ant despite them being godly beings.


    Beyond that open door, the sounds of lively people, or gods in this case, bustling with energy, and with constant yells of satisfaction and enthusiasm are overflowing.


    Before entering, he is halted by guards wearing golden armor that gleams brightly as the light shines upon them.


    They hold their spears to the side, nor permitting him entrance. Yet they speak with a stern voice.


    "Halt, stranger. You are not familiar. State your name."


    They suspiciously glare as the one guard asks a question.


    Kael thinks of the appropriate response, thinking of exerting a bit of authority.


    "My name is Vixalis, the god of the four seasons. I require that you let me through."


    Unimpressed, the guards look him over, getting suspicious at every second that passes.


    "I don''t know who that is. Are you certain, or are you lying?"


    A cold sweat forms on Kael''s back, not because of failed, but because he was embarrassed that even the guards did not know who he was.


    -It is truly disappointing, isn''t it?


    "Wait, I recognize that presence anywhere! Is that you, Vixalis?"


    A voice loudly interrupts the guards, forcing them aside as the gracious man with large, toned belly and a bald head embraced Kael.


    -Hotei! It''s really you! Oh wait, he can''t hear me anymore, right?


    From inside, Vixalis wonders about his presence to anyone other than Kael, who is unable to reply as he does not recognize the man wearing a brightly patterned vest with a protruding chest, laughing heartily to himself, too glad to have met Kael, who houses Vixalis'' soul.


    "You look different. Why is that? Thor might have overdone it. You look much uglier that you were. I can''t believe the brutality of the Norse, no finesse whatsoever."


    Kael simply sighs and looks at the gracious man with little contempt, feeling a certain animosity.


    "Don''t just stand there, come! We can talk about this inside."


    Ignoring the guards, the man called Hotei pushes Kael into the temple''s front halls, which is already something to behold.


    Decorated with beautiful gemstones that shines brighter as the sun graces them with its presence.


    All around there are gods and goddesses drinking, eating, socializing, overwhelming the newly initiated Kael, who simply stares in awe of the auspicious occasion.


    All look different however, by the way they dress, the way they look, the way they act. Some even look similar to an animal, as if they were transformed into human-like beings.


    Music plays in the background, headed by creatures that are called fawns, nymphs, and other strange looking beings holding instruments creating a harmonious melody that seems to lift the weary spirit and fatigue from any one person that might hear it.


    He follows Hotei, who takes a mug filled with wine, gulping it down in seconds, throwing it away somewhere as he finishes.


    "What I am amazed of, is that you are still alive. Your name did disappear from the stone, yet it reappeared. You should have seen Thor''s face of dissatisfaction; it was of epic proportions I say!"


    Not knowing what he is speaking of, nor knowing who he is, Kael absentmindedly follows, listening to take in all the information that he can.


    -He is Hotei, one of the seven Shinto gods of luck. A god residing in the east, Japan as you mortals might call it. It is safe to tell him of our secret, though I don''t think this is much of a secret. He is also quite a close friend of mine that I met while traveling the world.


    Kael takes in the information, surprised that he even has friends to begin with.


    But finally, he manages to speak up despite the roaring noise that makes any sort of whisper, null.


    "Hotei, I must speak with you privately. Can we do that?"


    "Oh, this seems a bit dramatic, but I will do as you say. You are my friend after all."


    Hotei leads, heading to a secluded place where the noise is still loud, but bearable.


    He tells of what had happened, who he is now, and what he will be doing.


    Each word surprises and interests Hotei, unlike what Kael predicted.


    "So you can still hear me in there, right, Vixalis?"


    "Yes," Kael replies, acting as the mediator between them, speaking as Vixalis chooses the words to say.


    "Hmm, this will be quite difficult. A mortal in Aether? The gods will be outraged if they hear this. Better keep this a secret between us then."


    A grand bell rings, coming from inside the temple, rallying the attention of all those that can hear it.


    "Oh, it is time for the selection. No one has challenged any one, so the stone will choose the participants, fairly of course. Has Vixalis told you about anything pertaining to the feast?"


    Hotei explains, walking towards the entrance with Kael following.


    "He has, but I don''t know much more about the specifics. I wonder if there are more that you can tell me."


    "Oh, it will be my pleasure. A friend of my friend is a friend of mine," he laughs to himself.


    Hotei continues, "If you are not picked for this bout, meaning that you are very lucky, then you will be able to witness a battle between gods. Quite lucky, aren''t you? Come, let us join the gathering!"


    They both hurry as the gods become silent, gathering around a tall altar where one stands above all, brandishing his white locks of hair, and his superfluous white beard. One whom I recognized right away as the lightning wielding god of the Greeks, Zeus.


    "Greetings to all! We are once again gathered here to prove and see who will become the great ruler of the gods. It has been over a millennium ever since we last battled each other, but now, it is time to decide who will reign supreme. Will any of you be able to replace me, or will I stand firm in this throne."


    With a grand voice, Zeus speaks with benevolence, gracing his audience with his words of empowerment.


    "My mother, Gaia, will now choose the next ones who will test their might for a chance at becoming the one who will stand above all."


    Zeus motions to the stone on the base of the altar from where he stands, everyone else looks to that direction.


    "I thought there would be more names since there are more gods than I can count. Why is that?"


    I ask Hotei, curious about the number of names on the stone slab, which are quite legible to a mortal.


    "Only few capable gods, who think they have a chance at winning, have entered. Others are merely here to enjoy the event and witness this, unlike minor gods, where only some can be admitted here, while some are too weak of spirit to be of welcomed here. This is a feast where gods and goddesses of war are the most feared, and the god fathers are impossible trials to overcome. I still don''t know the reason as to why Vixalis joined, but I will support him, and you."


    Hotei smiles at me, shifting his attention to the stone, beginning to glow a faint white light, and a voice similar to that of a tranquil mother speaking the names, "Bellona, and Hou yi!"


    Once the names are called, the crowd retreats a few steps away, leaving two being standing near the altar, their names glow brightly.


    One is women clad in silver and gold armor, wearing a red cape behind her, carrying a golden shield which is a fraction of her size, and a polished, intricately designed sword made of materials unknown to me.


    She is short, dark haired, possessing beauty that surpasses all those girls that I''ve asked out on a date throughout my youth.


    The other is a male, possessing a long black hair that is tied back. A mask covering half his face, adorned with a glowing red feather, the same color as the vanes near the nock of his arrows.


    But what truly catches my attention is his left arm turned into a gauntlet of some sort, holding his long bow sideways, resembling that of a phoenix padded with strange metal resembling steel, but stronger looking.


    He too wears a red clothing, but a rather large scarf wrapped around his neck to be more specific. He wears dark leggings displaying some of his armor.


    Looking at both of them, this is quite the mismatch.


    If I base this on a game, fighting a swordsman with a bow will prove to be difficult, or impossible. The rest is more or less common sense to those who see it, but these are gods which are not to be underestimated.


    Both participants look serious, burning with anticipation.


    -Those two are not to be taken lightly. Bellona is a roman goddess of war, while Hou Yi is a skilled archer that was said to have shot down nine suns with one arrow each.


    Vixalis patronizes them, making me feel more unease as I think of myself going against someone like them in the future.


    Zeus whistles in the air, calling forth two Pegasus inside the temple.


    "The battle will take place behind the temple of Aether, in the mountains of Zarathris. There, only one will emerge victorious. Now, enter your chariot so that you may be sent to your destinations!"


    By his words, the two participants nod to each other, separating, taking the reins of their respective Pegasus, flying off into the mountains that Zeus had called for.


    "What happens now, Vixalis?"


    -There will be an orb that will appear as a project the battle from the safety of the temple.


    Just as Vixalis says, an orb made of pure water descends from the temple''s ceiling, showing an empty image of a peaceful, fog filled mountains.


    But, it is not empty anymore as two chariots come riding opposite of each other, riding around when their riders leap off, landing safely on the top of the mountains.


    A battle brews, the anticipation in me boils. Even though I''m not the one there, I feel myself getting nervous.


    I look intently at the orb, presenting two gods facing off each other. Hou Yi against, Bellona...

 Chapter 5: A motivation to keep living

    As the crowd stares attentively, still in a rowdy mood despite the fact that in mere seconds, these two gods will be fighting each other to the death, until one gives out, or is forced into reincarnation.


    But what of me?


    I watch in anticipation, hoping to get something out of this, anything at all that will benefit me in the long run.


    The vast clouds that are strewn across the battlefield almost seems like you could walk on it, their atmosphere is too perfect, but what worries me the most is the toll their battle will have on this land.


    I know from common sense that a battle between gods is a defining that will either end or begin a new world order, or something along those lines.


    Aren''t they concerned about what will happen to the land? There are people residing in this world, yet they choose this realm to be their grounds for battle.


    I cna''t really say anything out of the ordinary, but I can only watch as how this will transpire.


    Looking closely at the statistics, Bellona wields the warrior''s combination of a sword and shield.


    Named as a war goddess, that must mean that despite her looks, she will be the undoing of any wary foe, well, not unless I see what she truly is like.


    Hou Yi, on the other hand, wields a longbow attached to a gauntlet to his arm.


    Just by looking, there shouldn''t be any discussion about the victor, seeing as in all technicality, if Bellona does close in on Hou Yi, then he''s done for.


    Leaving my internal ramblings for later, Hou Yi is the first to make an action, nocking an arrow to his cheek, aiming from a faraway distance with a serious confidence on his face.


    He closes his eyes, looking to be breathing in and out.


    Bellona does not wait, running on the clouds, which were supposed to be hollow, but proven not to be as she dashes at break neck speed, her shield covering her left as her sword arm lingers near the sheath on her waist.


    Her short, appealing hair flutters as she continues to close the distance between her enemy, who is still aiming with his left arm extended, arrow still nocked, ready to be shot at any given moment.


    At that moment, when Bellona reaches a certain distance, still meters away from Hou Yi, the archer lets loose nine arrows in quick succession, all but one is directed straight at Bellona, who stops at her tracks, raising her shield to guard.


    His one draw releases nine arrows, and nine arrows are lost from his quiver.


    The arrows hit the shield dead center, a seething sound can be heard as each one seemingly hits the same place that the other had struck, forcing the war goddess back as her feet¡¯s grip on the clouds are lost for a few seconds.


    She continues her relentless charge, still remaining at ease after taking the brunt of Hou Yi''s attack.


    The master archer does not reach for his quiver, instead drawing his bow where a faint red light appears, forming into an arrow made of pure energy from the sun.


    He takes aim at the goddess, feeling the air as it breezes past his tied back hair and scarf.


    He fires, releasing the bowstring only to draw it once again at the same time he had released it, shooting what looks to be fifty arrows, hailing towards Bellona.


    Unhindered, the goddess finally makes her move, drawing her sword at just the right time to sweep away all the arrows heading towards her.


    She raises her sword to the bright sky, gleaming brightly as to intimidate her opponent.


    Hou Yi''s expression darkens, drawing his bowstring, releasing a large barrage of arrows towards Bellona, Intent on ending it at this moment.


    With a loud cry, empowering her, she rips forth the wave of arrows, slashing and cleaving at it as to make a way for herself, showing the bow wielder how powerless he is against such an adversary that can quickly decimate his only weapon.


    But he does not lose heart after all that, halting his barrage, pulling another arrow from his quiver, a sloid looking one, not the one created from energy alone.


    He heaves a heavy sigh, looking at the nearly approaching god in front of him, closing his eyes, not because he lost, but because he had a trick up his sleeve that would surely win him this bout.


    He bends one knee, drawing the bowstring with the special arrow in place, whereas Bellona raises her shield, ready to take whatever this god has to offer.


    In a puff of red cinders, without moving even an inch of muscle, Hou Yi manages to surprise Bellona, who stops at her charge, destroying the power she had built up with it.


    She begins looking everywhere for her opponent, walking towards the pace where he stood prior before disappearing.


    She senses an immense amount of heat behind her, in which she does, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of power lurking from her blind side.


    As soon as she turned around, a phoenix, ten times larger than her, was heading her direction, burning the sky as it flew past the winds, flapping its majestic wings that are of pure velvet in color.


    It cries out in a high pitch scream, breathing flames that scorched the very clouds the Bellona stood upon.


    Instead of cowering in fear of this massive titan in front of her, she stands her ground, a red aura begins to envelop her as she releases an even louder war cry, driving her legs to run and meet the phoenix head on, she raises her shield, glowing a new gold color, she points her sword from her side, gleaming brightly, like the shiniest metal in existence.


    They meet in the center, the phoenix explodes in a dazzling array of sparkling fire, showering the spectating crowd with applauses and howls of surprise.


    But amidst all that, the goddess emerges, sweeping the air and cinders with her sword and shield. Although not unscathed, she overcomes the epic of a myth, continuing her dash as she seems to know where her enemy hides.


    As the red sky returns to its natural blue color, her speed picks up, improving with every seconds, becoming faster than the wind itself.


    Hou Yi barrages her once again from a safe distance on the peak of a mountain, repeating the cycle that he had done earlier, except, some arrows are too much for Bellona to bear, making grit her teeth in agitation, but she keeps at it, bursting forth.


    Hou Yi, surprised by this sudden emergence of power from his enemy, in unable to move quickly enough as Bellona instantly closes the gap between them, leaping into the air, cleaving downwards with a rageful roar.


    Hou Yi manages to block the war goddesses earth shattering attack that manages to stir the skies and clouds into disarray.


    He blocks with his gauntlet arm, forcing his position as he holds up with one leg, the other bended.


    He takes an arrow from his quiver, throwing it at Bellona, only to have it land miserably behind her, like a twig from a tree branch.


    Bellona swats Hou''s gauntlet aside, kicking him down to the ground as she impales her sword at his bow arm, spilling blood that gushes out from his metal clad bicep, forcing him to yell in pain as she mercilessly drives her sword further through Hou Yi''s arm, ripping at his flesh, looking to pierce it with all her anger.


    The god, however manages to astonish his enemy once more with the same technique, disappearing from the ground where he was being held captive by a sword, leaving a pile of cinders and ashes in place of him.


    Not fast to react, Bellona feels her back being pushed, hearing words that are foreign to her and myself, yet the voice is audible enough for everyone, even those watching, to hear.


    "Kokonotsu no taiyo no tamashi ga arawaremasu!" he yells out after weakly striking Bellona''s back with his palm, marking her with a strange symbol.


    She draws her sword that is lodged on the mountain''s earth, slashing behind her, Hou Yi retreating in time with his bow arm limping from the side of his body, still bleeding profusely.


    Missing entirely, Bellona finds herself being pulled back by an unseen force, dragging her slowly to the air.


    Beyond the pristine sky are nine suns forming a circle, each one burning with enough heat for it to be felt inside the temple, yet I am the only one that seems to react to this, tugging on my collar inconspicuously as to let out some air.


    Bellona is pulled to the very center of the nine suns, unable to do anything as she helplessly struggles in the air, obviously not used to being afloat as she recklessly moves about, swinging her sword here and there.


    Hou Yi, on the other hand points his bleeding arm out towards Bellona, seeing her clearly as day despite the sun that should be obscuring his sights.


    At first, Hou gives in, his arm falls to his side due to the immense pain of his muscles cut apart, giving him less control over the weight of his weapon. Yet, he perseveres, yelling loudly once more as he forces his arm to point up.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    He slowly draws on the bowstring, the constant pain reminds him of his dwindling strength, making both arms tremble.


    Forcing the pain into submission, Hou draws the string with all his might, creating an arrow made of energy, one stronger than normal.


    As he points his bow and arrow at the war goddess, the suns begin to merge into one place, the center, where Bellona is held in place, unable to do anything as she is plunged into the core of the sun, having combined to create one massive star of dust, flaring with intense heat.


    Hou Yi releases the arrow that takes the form of a phoenix, one that is identical to the one he summoned earlier, creating a red trail of fire as it flies to the massive sun, piercing right through it.


    The sun explodes a strong pressure of air sweeps across the land, clearing the mountains of the clouds, showing an unkempt beauty hidden from the sky.


    A powerful explosion that can be heard all across this realm, and to many others.


    It could also be heard inside the temple, echoing loudly, enough to destroy my eardrums if it weren''t for me covering my ears, cowering on the floor as everyone else admired the sight to behold, applauding and laughing gaily for some.


    Hou Yi falls on one knee, breathing profusely as something falls from the sky, creating a dark trail of smoke, landing loudly on the ground, creating a crater that destroys one of the mountains in the area.


    "Such power... This is something else."


    -It truly is. This is quite different from my own battle with Thor, which lasted for about a few minutes.


    "Don''t be like that. Just forget about it, we''ll beat him for sure."


    My heart is thumping fast, I can feel the pressure that these two exerted with their powers, making me a tad nervous about my own state.


    Is this what I have to deal with?


    Gods who move at the speed of light, possessing powers that could destroy suns... Quite nerve wracking, but nevertheless exciting.


    -How can you find this exciting? I can barely hold my fear in.


    "I should be the terrified one. Didn''t you tell me that you gods reincarnate right after losing or dying in this world?"


    -Yes, that''s right, what of it?


    "Remember that I''m mortal, and that I''ll die if I take a beating, enough to take a mortal our, by godly standards of course."


    -Oh, yes, I remember now. I hope that we can at least match that kind of strength soon. I feel uneasy about how things are at the moment.


    "You''re not the only one."


    Keeping a fake cool and collected attitude as my heart beats strongly, I look around, staring at random gods and goddesses'' faces for no apparent reason, maybe to calm myself, maybe to just find something to distract my mind.


    "So, do you have a grasp at how the battle is supposed to go, or the ''gist'' of it?"


    Hotei, who had been watching closely, asks me, smiling widely at the festivities that continues to rile up the gods and goddesses in attendance.


    "Aren''t you concerned about that goddess that was defeated!? She was gravely injured, right?"


    Needing to get this off my chest, I let out a hushed angry tone at Hotei, who does not see my tone as a threat, instead he smiles at me, putting an arm on my shoulder, pointing at the orb of water still floating in midair.


    "We gods are reincarnated here, a world filled with many other gods. But in your case, it looks to be gravely complicated. I pity your situation, but strongly supporting your cause to continue living."


    He laughs, his large belly bounces as he takes a mug of wine from the wandering waiters, or attractive looking beings roaming about, holding trays of food and wine.


    "But for now, enjoy yourself, you never know when it''s going to be your last."


    I smile back wryly at his last remark, seeing it as a bad omen coming from a god of luck.


    I shake my head, removing all thoughts of death, replacing it with my growing passion to fight for my life, refusing to willingly give it up without a fight.


    "Don''t worry about it for now. There are more battles that will take place. At the very least one to two duels each day as to not end the feast too quickly."


    I nod to Hotei, leaving him to his business as I head off towards a quiet place in the temple, gathering my thoughts for today.


    "So, what do you think about all of this so far, Vixalis?"


    -Well, it seems that if we want to fight and emerge victorious, then we have our work cut out for us.


    I sigh, thinking of a way to have a chance at this feast.


    -Do you not think about your life back on earth?


    Vixalis interrupts my thoughts, surprising me with his sudden question, clearly not related to our previous subject.


    -I know I took you away from it, and I am truly sorry for that, but don''t you think of anyone back on earth? Like parents, friends, acquaintances?


    "Not much really. I mean, I can, but I don''t think I can spend that much leisure time instead of preparing myself for the inevitable future where I fight for my life. Though I am, or was mortal, there must be some things that I need to sacrifice, in my case, it is time."


    -I see... Why don''t we train then?


    "Train? How?"


    -I''ll teach you as best as I can, while we try to find a way for the deities to acknowledge you. What do you say?


    "I won''t reject the offer, but won''t we be punished for leaving so early while the feast is still ongoing for the day?"


    -Well, if we miss our battle, but not if we are not needed. All we need is to tell Hotei of our absence and reason, and surely he will make a way. He is the god of luck, so we will either get good luck or bad luck.


    "Might as well. We need all the time that we can get our hands on."


    Heading back into the temple, I try to find Hotei, which shouldn''t be too hard since he''s too big to hide himself even from a large crowd.


    I find him, trying to flirt with some of the goddesses, which catches my attention as well.


    Despite being a god of luck, he is turned down bluntly, destroying his morale completely as he hobbles his body towards me.


    I explain the situation, patting him on the back for good luck, in which he returns with a tearful nod.


    "Don''t be too hard on yourself. There are more of them out there, and they might be the one for you."


    *sniff* "If you say so."


    I leave the broken hearted god behind, rushing to the exit where a Pegasus and a chariot awaits me.


    I mount it almost too quickly, the thought of that view clouds my mind, wanting to be bombarded by the beauty of the scenery once more.


    The Pegasus cries out, whipping its mane from side to side, galloping on the polished floor where its footsteps echo.


    After getting the running start, the majestic horse flaps its wings taking to the sky, descending back to the natural earth with my fear of heights removed.


    From the shadows lurks a man clad in a black cloak, his face except his mouth is concealed, smiling deviously.


    "This is going to be quite an interesting feast. I wonder what more kinds of surprises are in store for these unaware gods."


    He laughs maniacly to himself, retreating back into the temple.


    Meanwhile, inside the same room illuminated by a lone torch, one man stands leaning on a wooden table, reading over a report that had been given to him.


    He applies pressure to his temple, breathing in the dusty air as to calm himself.


    Unable to hold his temper, he smashes the table with his fist.


    "I can''t believe this! How much damage must the land and its people bear for you unholy beings be satisfied?"


    He reads over the report once more, specifically the part the reads, ''seven settlements destroyed, two towns destroyed, three in ruins, the capital and its people feel great unease after these past few days.''


    "Damn them! Why must my people suffer without reason? I will not stand Idly by for these impudent beings to ransack this land. I must hurry the process. There can be no time to waste... Although it will take me a bit longer, the people of this land must endure for just a bit longer. I will secure our future, as your king, that I promise!"


    The man filled with rage takes out a parchment paper and some ink to go with his quill pen, writing out a long statement of some sort, pouring his feelings into it.


    "I cannot do anything for now. This is the only chance we have, and I cannot risk it for something that might fail. Soon, I will succeed most definitely, and finally my people will have their peace. As long as those gods will uphold their end of the bargain, there can be no room for error. But for good measure, I might just use them as well."


    He finishes, rolling it and wrapping a ribbon around it made of gold silk, dousing the fire that the lone torch wields, exiting the room with his letter in tow.


    In the forest, the same place where we came from to arrive at the temple of Aether, we decided to head on to the deeper parts, trying to find the ideal spot to train, a place where little to no damage can be done, no disturbance, and hopefully no wild animals.


    "Ah! Finally, a place that we can train at. But are you sure that it''s safe to stay here for the night? Svanvhit did offer us a place if we wanted to."


    -If we want some progress, then we might as well do it where danger is closest at, and a place where you might be able to handle the danger.


    "It''s already getting dark; I should start getting the firewood ready then."


    -Hold on... I thought you would say that. no firewood.


    "Are you crazy? I''ll freeze to death out here."


    -You''ll freeze, but not to death. Don''t worry too much, it''s part of the training. We''ll try strengthening your bond with the cold, and at the same time, the deity of winter.


    "Sounds too good to be true, plus, you seem a bit doubtful from what I can feel."


    -Well, this is the best way I can think of. Not if you have a better idea in mind.


    *Sigh* "No, I don''t. Fine, let''s just get this over with. Where do I sleep though?"


    -On the grass. I think that''ll suffice. For now, we will focus on harnessing the energy around you, just like that time when you knocked out a section of the forest with one punch.


    "How do I do that?"


    -Firstly, try and relax. Feel accustomed to the air, the cold, them tap into its energy, which should be a bit easy since you are a god of seasons.


    "How long do you think It''ll take?"


    -For as long as you need to. I will feel the energy as well, but I will not assist you so that you will grow to naturally be able to sense it. Are you ready?


    "As I''ll ever be."


    I sit down, the sunset disappears over the horizon, this world''s moon emerges from the east, signaling the creatures of the dark forest that it''s time to come out.


    A hooting sound could be heard echoing somewhere in the forest, taking my curiosity, disrupting my concentration.


    The cold air breezes through the forest, wrapping me in its embrace.


    I begin to shiver, my teeth rattle as I lose concentration all together, breaking down and huddling on the soil for warmth.


    "I can''t take this! Give me back my warmth!"


    -Calm down, you were almost there. Remember, forget about the cold, and it will ignore you. Tame it, mold it into you. That is one way to be acknowledged by winter.


    "B-but I''m freezing here. Can''t you just ask your friend to help me out?"


    -They won''t allow that. Their prides are too big for that. You must earn their trust. I believe in you, think about your fate if you don''t have a power when you are called to a duel. You''ll die miserably, forever lost in this world.


    "D-dying doesn''t look so bad, is it warm?"


    *sigh* -We have our work cut out for us.


    Morning arrives, having felt the experience of dying alive, I open my arms to the warm heat given by the sun.


    "Ah~ You know what? I should just focus on the deity of summer, it''s something that I can bear better than winter, I think."


    *yawn* -There''s no easy way of getting stronger, Kael. I thought it would be best to focus on winter since Hou Yi''s power with his flame arrows are quite something to behold. I want you to be able to match that in the future.


    "I don''t think that''ll happen any time soon. I don''t want it to take years to do either."


    -You can''t rush things. Good things come to those who wait, and persevere. Isn''t that a saying that some of you mortals follow?


    "True enough."


    -Well, let us practice your gathering energy again, but in a different atmosphere... Question, what do you think did that power of yours come from? Summer, spring, fall? Guess.


    "I think summer."


    -Wrong, it is spring. That power you harnessed it from was spring. Its deity is one who uses overwhelming strength to enforce spring''s growth, being one with the wilderness.


    "That makes sense, including the strength part. But does that mean that the deity of spring trusts me since I had connected to the energy?"


    -Well, yes and no. Yes, because you tapped into the energy around you, spring''s energy was rampant at the time. No, because you did that on your own, there was no connection, so it was quite weak from a god''s perspective.


    "So what should I do today? There should be no feast until after morning, right?"


    -There''s no feast the day after a duel had happened, but the temple is open for those who''d like to dine. I''d prefer it though if you could search for your own food here, as to be part of the wilderness.


    "We have time, so I''ll start gathering energy to train my powerful attack. I might even use that punch as a signature move."


    -It does not sound like a good idea, but it is your choice.


    And so begins my serious training to develop a connection with the deities of the seasons, hoping that I can succeed at attaining a power that can aid me in the case of duel.

 Chapter 6: Still hesitating? Well no more!

    As the early dawn passes by, innumerable amounts of trees are collapsed on the ground, and the forest is ravaged.


    Amongst all the mess stands Kael, breathing harshly as he faces yet another tree, but a much sturdier and taller one.


    After dismissing the fact that he can''t form a connection with winter right away, he focuses on tapping into spring''s power, one that requires a deep relationship with nature itself.


    -Is it truly necessary to knock all these trees down? I mean, you could just harvest the energy around while being idle, safely, and without having to harm the forest.


    "I need something to fall back on. Like I said, I''m not going down without a fight, so I''m improving this attack of mine, the one where you pour all your energy into one strike."


    -I still can''t believe you want to cultivate such a reckless technique. If you do not finish the enemy with that one attack, then you are most definitely finished, forever.


    "I''m not just striking them down for training. I know you can see those faint traces, but you''re just ignoring it."


    -You mean, that you were harvesting the energy from the trees themselves before knocking them down?


    "Precisely. I can take the energy around me instead of using up all of mine, replacing it with that to truly maximize my power."


    -I''ve never even thought about that. How clever.


    "Not that clever. I''m almost close to blacking out. I feel so tired, as if I''ve been doing this for months on end."


    -Why not take a break and try forming a connection. Spring''s deity might respond if you do.


    Without another word, Kael crosses his legs, sitting with his eyes closed, concentrating.


    In this state, there is only silence. One man, waiting quietly as he inches closer to being a fully-fledged god.


    Yet, there is silence. Still nothing, nor no one.


    It is dark, mist filled, cold and damp.


    Yet he remains calm and collected, not shivering not budging from his perfect posture.


    And then, a faint voice, one that disappears almost instantly, whispering until it reaches his ears.


    "You are the vessel of my master. Are you strong enough to bear my power? Are you one that can surpass my trials, proving me wrong?"


    Almost without hesitation, he answers willingly.


    "Yes. Show me my trial so that I may know my fate."


    The words are not his own, yet he speaks them naturally, refined in both grace and finesse.


    "I shall only give you one chance. I sense that your state is grave, so I shall not delay further. Fail, and there will be no second chance. The connection with spring that you desire will be lost forever. Are you prepared for that?"


    He replies fervently, not hesitating nor waving as much as he thought he would.


    "I am. Show me the way."


    He opens his eyes, worn out, as the sun greets him, blinding his view.


    He falls on his back, feeling the comfort of the grass behind him, such lush greenery and foliage, as if spring''s deity had arrived.


    -You managed to form an agreement! Amazing! Spring is no that that strict compared with the others, but this is still a feat that I had thought would take us months to succeed on.


    "Why did I just agree on that? I can''t even move my body at all, and I feel too tired to think about anything else."


    "Then does that mean you''ll concede this chance forever?"


    An unknown voice seems to rattle Kael, although not showing in his movement or his face, he clearly becomes aware, cautious even at the low, rough voice somewhere around him.


    He barely even manages to rise his upper body, forcing an excruciating pain upon his torso.


    He sees an image of a bear, a normal sized bear, different from the one he had encountered before.


    But, the fear of what had happened before with his encounter with the bear still lingered within his head, sending a rush of adrenaline to his head as he picks his feet up and running the opposite way for his life, yelling.


    -Wait, Kael! Go back, you''re making a grave mistake.


    "What do you mean I''m making a mistake? I don''t want to see another wild bear in my entire existence here!"


    -But you don''t understand. Don''t you remember the trial? Just stop for a second and think clearly.


    He does, not because he wanted to, but because his legs couldn''t take anymore.


    His breathing comes more ragged than it was earlier, becoming forced and almost suffocating for him to bear.


    After running a fair distance, he looks behind him for any signs of the bear, in which he does, but he sees it standing on its two legs, idle, unmoving at all.


    "Why isn''t chasing me?"


    -Like I said, try and remember your trial, then piece everything together. It should be obvious by now.


    "Don''t tell me, my trial is to fight a bear? I don''t think I like that idea. If you clearly remember what had happened list time, then you''ll agree with me on this."


    *sigh* -You sure are hopeless. He is the guardian of spring, the deity Gastor, the Ursa of the wilds. He will be the one to give you your trial. Now approach him and speak.


    "Is that so? I can''t believe I just embarrassed myself in front of one of the deities..."


    With downcast eyes, Kael heads back to his training grounds, scratching his head in embarrassment.


    He looks up at the brown bear with a scar over his left eyes who stands tall despite being of a normal size, one he is familiar of.


    "Are you Gastor, the guardian of spring?"


    "Indeed I am! Are you Kaellum, the one who will be receiving my trial!?"


    Gastor responds with a heartening energy, boasting of his fervor, burning with passion.


    "Yes, that is me. What do I have to do to prove myself worthy?"


    "It is simple. Defeat me in battle."


    "Defeat you? But how? I barely even have anything to fight you with, other than the technique that I am training."


    "Then you are beneath me. If you want to prove your worth, then fight me with what you have. There should be no reason for you to decline, nor be terrified of your fate."


    Kael shifts his head from side to side, thinking about the consequences of accepting and refusing.


    If he would accept, then there''s a high chance of him dying ultimately at the hand of a bear if he makes even a simple mistake.


    If he would refuse, then that''s one less deity to help him, and one less chance of him actually standing a chance against the strongest of gods, that is if he wants to survive this feast.


    -Do not fear, Kael, I will help you however I can. Although I cannot influence you directly, I have entice the nature surrounding you to lend you energy, powering your so-called ''devastating attack¡¯. We can succeed, together.


    Vixalis'' voice and suggestion goes well with Kael, filling his mind with a chance that he cannot possibly pass up now.


    He looks up at Gastor with eyes of burning will and desire, impressing him even if only by a small margin.


    "I will take on your trial head on!"


    "That is what I had hoped for. Excellent! This will be a test of might, overpower me, and defeat me! I will not use my heavenly weapon, instead I will substitute it with my fists, which are of equal strength in some ways, but is not to be underestimated."


    Gastor backs away a fair amount, standing on the center of the forest''s clearing, glowing as green as the forest around him.


    He is covered by a veil of green, kneeling down, changing into something entirely different, alerting Kael as he backs away, assuming his battle stance.


    The bear behind the veil changes form, emerging as a towering tall, brown haired, bearded man with largely toned muscles that are unobscured on his naked torso, wearing what seems to be leather paddings on his left shoulder, all the way to his hand. He wears a traditional looking long skirt with leather leggings beneath it, boots pairing his look.


    Surprising Kael, whose eyes are open in shock and disbelief, despite already having seen gods, this is much different than what he has already seen before.


    A bear, or the deity of spring, transforming into a grown, well-built man twice his size, but much more convincing to call him ''human'' on a technical level.


    The grizzly looking man feels his beard with his hand, looking at Kael, who seems to be too impressed with his sudden transformation. But he, nevertheless continues with the trial, speaking with a loud voice that would echo through the forest.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    "Well then, are you ready? There are no boundaries in this forest. You may go wherever you please, as long as you continue fighting me. The trial will end when a victor is declared. Do you have any other questions?"


    Kael simply shakes his head, indicating no other doubts in which to block him from concentrating. Except, he asks a question inside his mind, baffling him.


    ... Will he be holding back? Or will he give his all?


    Probably the latter, since he seems to be a bear, or man rather, of honor.


    He barrels forward fearlessly, like a train heading straight towards me.


    I run to the side as fast as my legs could take me while I converse with Vixalis on our plan.


    -I will be charging you with energy from nature since you didn''t have time to rest. But remember, you consume more power than I can give, so take note of that and conserve your energy.


    I look back at Gastor, keeping an eye on his so that no surprises with damage me.


    He stops, looking at me as I continue running away from his, using the trees to my advantage.


    -The wisest thing to do for now is to put some distance between you to, then recover as much energy as you can. A hand to hand fight will be inevitable, so defend as few as you can, and dodge the majority of his attacks.


    "Got it!"


    I can feel a constant flow of energy around me, connecting into a thread-like mist only to be siphoned to me.


    The only way that I can defeat him is if I use the only attack I have that can actually damage a godly being, namely my mortal smite.


    -Wait, so you named it ''mortal smite?''


    "Don''t kill the excitement in it. I feels lacking the way it is now.


    I stop after having ran a mile almost, breathing in the energy and the air surrounding me.


    Suddenly, the earth shakes, rumbling softly, then becoming a strong magnitude as something closes in on me from the shadows of the forest.


    Gastor emerges, knocking aside the sturdy trees in his way with a simple brush of his arm, sending barks flying into the air as if it was the most natural thing in the world.


    -No time to be dazed, Kael. Keep your guard up and dodge at the right time, then strike him and make a run for it.


    Nodding in agreement, I try calming my nerves of the fear of being trampled by this beast of a man that''s shortening the distance between us.


    He reaches striking distance, I ascertain my position, the movement around me slows down as I concentrate my all into this pivotal attack.


    Gastor slowly raises his hand, bringing it down like a hammer.


    I move forward, meeting the surprised Gastor, twisting my body to the side even before we collide.


    Gastor slams his arm down, creating a strong tremor in the earth that destroys everything in front of him, bringing soil up from the ground, rippling the soil as I quake from the aftershock, making me lose my chance.


    Yet, I persevere, forcing my body to move forward despite the strain that the shaking ground is sending me.


    Closing my eyes, I channel forth all my power into my fist, which I start winding to my side.


    I sharpen my breathing, narrowing my sights to the left part of his back, releasing it with a stomp to the ground.


    The attack connects, but the strong body that Gastor possesses makes the damage less than what I wanted it to be.


    My fist doesn''t drive through fully, as if I just struck a boulder, or something stronger entirely.


    I retract my fist, thinking back on the plan, running away once again to recuperate.


    I feel my body sink in weakness after having released all my power into that one attack.


    I should be lying on the ground right about now, but thanks to Vixalis'' assistance, I was able to replenish a fraction of my lost energy right away, though the heavy feeling remains each time I use it.


    "I don''t think I dealt him any sort of damage, and It''ll take a while before I can use this again."


    -I say you did just fine. This is a good start. I predict that the next time you meet it will be a hand to hand combat type of battle, so I think it''s best to find a fitting arena for that.


    "What do you suggest? I feel worn out already, it¡¯s a miracle that I can still keep running."


    -You are part god, so it makes much more sense. About the location, I suggest either a denser part in the forest, the lake with the waterfall, or the base of a mountain. You decide.


    "... Let''s go with the dense part of the forest. The waterfall will serve me no defense, and I doubt that the water will even obscure his inhuman strength. The base of a mountain will be just his cup of tea, seeing as it''s a wide plain before heading straight into a field of rubble and craggy earth formations."


    -Very well. From where you are facing, turn left and keep going, you''ll be heading straight into the dense forest. A quick question, why do you choose the forest? You saw how he can just toss away trees with no problem, so why?


    "Well, I think it''s better to have cover than none. I just can''t hope to fight him face to face the way I am now. I need to think clearly since my life depends on this. We''ll see how this goes."


    -Good luck. I will keep supplying you with more energy as fast as I can.


    As a moment passes, the trees start becoming denser, the leaves cover the sky, preventing any light from piercing through.


    There are branches, shrubs, thick foliage everywhere.


    As a few more seconds pass, the earth shakes once again, indicating only one obvious thing to me, and that is Gastor.


    Without even looking back, I quicken my pace, finding a spot as to where I can start plotting out my next objective.


    I can feel enough energy in me to send off another mortal smite, but it won''t be enough to keep me going, so I have to save it until I can replenish even more energy from the forest.


    In my head, I hear Vixalis yell out, ''Get down, now!'' in which I do reflexively, but unprofessionally, stumbling forward only to injure myself.


    I stop briefly, looking forward at the very reason as to why Vixalis yelled out.


    A bundle of trees has been sent flying past me, rolling to the place where I was supposed to be, but was luckily saved by Vixalis.


    I get up quickly, feeling Gastor''s presence behind me, bursting into a run as I feel a massive tremor explode behind me, launching me forward once more as I slam onto a tree.


    "Is this it, boy? Maybe I just expected too much from you. I will now end your misery even before you feel the pain."


    -Kael! Move quickly, now''s your chance!


    My body moves instinctively at Vixalis'' words, the energy forms on my fist, strangely not being channeled manually by my own.


    In a rush of panic, I meet Gastor head on as he strikes with his fist, breaking the air.


    I barely stand properly, my left leg still bent as I struggle getting up, sending a vertical strike to counter Gastor''s... Or rather, that''s what I originally intended.


    My arm''s weight makes me miss my mark, instead brining my entire body down, with Gastor also missing me by a hair''s inch.


    Although, my strike does not miss, it instead connects with Gastor''s chest, knocking him back as he is too late to steel himself.


    On instinct alone I stand up, barraging him with punches all over his body like a child making a tantrum.


    It looks to have no effect on Gastor at all as he just continues backing away.


    He strikes me from the side, sending me flying to a tree like nothing.


    I lose my breath, coughing as the air in my lungs burst out, and I land on the ground with a thud, hurting much more than I thought it would.


    -Get up, Kael. He''s closing in on you.


    "I-I don''t have any energy left, Vixalis. I don''t think I can overrun him anymore, plus my side hurts like crazy. I think He broke a rib bone."


    I feel empty, after having poured out all my strength just moments ago, I¡¯m unable to flee due to the exhaustion wrapping around me, that is to say, replenishing energy and striking once more this instant isn''t possible.


    "Is this it?"


    I look up, faintly seeing Gastor''s body towering over me


    "You''re either a tricky one, or a lucky bastard, but we''ll see here whether luck still favors you, or has abandoned you entirely."


    Gastor glows with the same lush green light that enveloped him when he transformed, only this time he won''t be transforming, instead he seems to be empowering himself.


    I feel an immense amount of pressure emanating from Gastor as he grins from ear to ear, further strengthening himself, exceeding the bounds from which I can handle.


    -Counter him! I''ll lend you my power!


    "But I thought that was impossible since I wield your power now."


    -Don''t worry, just leave it to me. I can''t let this be the end of us. Gastor will see this through no matter what, be it your death or my reincarnation in the next life.


    "Fine, I''ll put all my trust in you. Let''s do this!"


    My body heats up, my very soul seems to vibrate as I feel power being poured into me at a different rate, not like the energy, but something much purer than that.


    My resolve skyrockets along with the power given to me, and I begin winding my fist against Gastor, who is fast approaching.


    "It seems that you have a little more fight in you. Excellent! This is what it truly means to rival strength, with even more strength!"


    Like a maniac, he storms forward, laughing loudly with his fist wound up, waiting to be brought down.


    I stand, wobbling left and right as the pain on my side resonates, but despite that, I force my body up once again, defying my limits as I would have already given up if it were not for Vixalis'' aid.


    -I''ve supplied you with more than enough, now all that''s left is to gather all the remaining energy from the wilderness around you and add it to what you have stored.


    I look at my fist, wrapped around a static light, brimming with energy, trembling with excitement.


    I start limping forward, using the momentum of my body to shift into a run, meeting Gastor in the center.


    Everything lies on this one last punch, my fate, my future, my everything.


    The power of the wilderness, Vixalis'', and my own, which really doesn''t amount to anything, is merged into one build up.


    I release my fist, flying straight towards Gastor, who also releases his in time to meet mine.


    The area is enveloped by a white light, erupting to form a pillar of power, destroying everything in its surrounding as the energy gathered into one place, disperses, spreading everywhere the light and darkness touches.


    The owls hoot, the crickets sing, those two combinations signal that the evening has come, and the stars are gleaming brightly on the uncovered sky.


    The moon shines upon a plot of land where a quite peaceful settlement is placed, with all its people already indoors, taking refuge in the warmth that the hearth brings, the comfort that their beds and blankets give.


    A loud, hard knock is heard on the wooden door, a girl frantically gets up, placing her tools to the side, taking a quick break from her hobby of sewing fabrics together, creating an array of designs in which she fancies, giving it to the less fortunate in the settlement.


    She takes her spear, which she carries for emergencies, since being in the wilderness where the settlement is located is quite a danger for everyone who is unprepared for anything.


    She opens the door cautiously, peeking through at first, only to be surprised as the door opens to the view of a large man carrying someone smaller than him on his shoulder, unconscious.


    She points her weapon at him, backing away slowly, but stopping as the presumed unconscious person on the giant''s shoulder awakens, greeting her with familiarity.


    "Sorry to intrude this late, Svanvhit."


    He laughs as he dangles helplessly on the giant''s shoulder.


    The giant of a man walks inside the house, squatting as to not hit the beams and hinges of the house.


    "Pardon our intrusion. Kaellum here had told me to come here since he can''t move his body, saying that you could do something about this."


    The giant man speaks formally, crossing his legs as to sit down, creating a small quake in the area.


    The puzzled Svanvhit looks at both of them, still unable to process what''s going on, until the giant sets down the man on his shoulder, laying him flat on his back.


    "Don''t you remember me? It me, Kael, and it''s just as my buddy here says. I need help. I can''t move my body, and I feel really weak. I don''t think he''s capable of taking care of me, so I thought you might be able to.


    "Uh, no-It''s alright... Wait, what happened to you!?"


    She approaches him, kneeling to examine further, unknowingly pitching their heads closely with each other, only the man noticing this, turning a faint red color as he turns his face to the side, avoiding her gaze.


    "Ha ha! Youth, it is fresh in the air!"


    The giant man teases them, laughing to himself as he puts an arm on one of his crossed legs


    The girl however is unable to catch on with what the elder looking giant speaks of, making himself stand out awkwardly.


    After preparing some leftovers and some brewed berry juice, they converse on the floor, since they won''t fit the dining table of the wooden house that only contains furniture for the normal sized ones, not designed for people exceeding that.


    "So, who is this man?"


    Svanvhit asks, looking at the brown haired man in question intently, eating away at the served meal.


    "Uhm, he''s a friend I had made in my travels. He''s quite reliable, ha ha ha."


    he laughs awkwardly, choosing his words carefully as to not say anything about him being a god with godly acquaintances.


    "Is that so? I still am curious of what you are traveling for. I was hoping you''d tell me."


    "Oh, about that. Don''t worry about it too much, It''s nothing really."


    "... Is that so, well I guess I won''t pry if you don''t want to."


    It pains him to see her frown like that, but he''ll risk this relationship with her if he starts spouting nonsense about gods and thing relating to them.


    "You shouldn''t keep secrets from women like that, my friend. Their hearts are sometimes confused with their minds, so they act upon it as they would by instinct."


    Gastor preaches, making sense to both of them, but Kael chooses to persist, looking at Gastor with a face that says, ''Are-you-not-on-my-side?''


    "That reminds me, did you feel that tremor from yesterday? It was quite terrifying, how the sky turned red for a moment, but cleared up right away."


    A cold sweat forms on Kael''s brow as he tries to find the right words.


    "Yes, it was. Were you, Elisha, and Parsha alright? That must have been a real shock for you."


    "It truly was. I wonder what is the world coming to. I sure hope that this is not an omen for bad beginnings."


    "Well, if it is, I''ll be sure to keep you safe no matter what!"


    his words come off as a shock to her, but she nevertheless smiles at his remark, giggling.


    "I''ll be sure to hold you to that. But first, you need to get yourself healed up, and I just have the thing for that."

 Chapter 7: Progress and growth, steady progress and growth.

    Waking up as the rooster crows, I rise from the bed, removing the comfy blanket that I had remembered using from two days ago.


    The light enters from the window, shining brightly on Gastor, who sleeps on the floor, taking most of the space in the house with his large frame, with one pillow behind his head.


    He snores loudly, maybe also being a part of the reason as to why I feel so groggy in the morning, waking up so early even though I''m still dead tired from yesterday''s ''activities''.


    *Yawn* "But, there''s no reason not to enjoy the morning instead, right?"


    -Right!


    "Oh, Vixalis, you''re awake?"


    -It was excruciating! I had been awake for the past hour, forced to stay awake because of this unbearable snoring! It''s just the start of the day, yet I feel tired.


    "You and me the same, huh? Well, let''s just leave him to rest."


    I stretch out my body, feeling the morning warmth wash over me, something that I''m starting to look forward to, the morning, a new tomorrow. Sounds pretty clich¨¦, but, in this world where I know nothing at all.


    It''s quite sad and fulfilling at times.


    Sad, because I had friends and family back home, but I''m not there with them... Well, I don''t think they care either way, I think they''d be more than happy to get rid of me, seeing as they are only my foster parents, namely aunt and his deadbeat boyfriend...


    Fulfilling, because it feels as if a great weight that I''ve carried all my life is gone now, and It feels that I have nothing to bear, other than my own life that is, but when aren''t you careful with your life.


    Well, don''t really like recalling things from the past, but I already expected these kinds of things to come back to me, but it doesn''t seem to affect me as much.


    -You seem to have had quite a bad childhood.


    "I''m more surprised that you haven''t looked into it like the rest of my memories."


    -Well, I wouldn''t like to see something that would ruin this bond between us. I''d rather you give me permission, or ask me to leave it alone.


    "Don''t worry about it, it''s all in the past now. I should be thanking you for giving me a new chance at life, despite it being accidental and all."


    -... You''re welcome, Kael. I don''t know much about you, but I''m glad to have helped someone.


    I take my vest that I had hung the midnight before I slept, wearing it then heading outside.


    The sight of people going in different directions greet me, some are chatting amongst themselves, some are seem to be letting their children play with the rest as the wives gossip and giggle in a small group.


    There are also men and women shouting out everywhere with hearty voices saying, "Come get your fruits here at the best prices!"


    "Leather and the brand new collection from the capital city!"


    "Get yer fresh meat here! Get yer fill while the prices are low!"


    The bustling settlement is lively, everyone has smiles on their faces, a place that I won''t mind living in for sure.


    Suddenly, a girl that I am rather familiar with crosses my path, carrying what seems to be a heavy load for someone of her stature, and with a bad stroke of luck, she trips, dropping the assortment of fruits one the ground, of course she flops to the ground as well.


    "Are you alright!?"


    I run up to her, searching for any signs of wounds of scratches.


    She looks at me in shock, shifting her arms in front of her defensively.


    "Well, it''s not much of a wound rather, It''s just a small graze. Here, I''ll help you. Your name''s Elisha, right?"


    I flash her a smile after having picked her up from the ground.


    I then take the basket she had been carrying, filling it with the assortment of fruits and vegetables that had been spilt on the floor.


    "My name''s Kael, remember me? I was the one that went to your place with Svanvhit once."


    She timidly nods, standing a few meters away from me.


    After having picked up all the things she had dropped on the ground, I fall on one knee, extending my hand out to her as she tries to act brave, hiding the pain she feels on her wound.


    Shyly coming forward and backward, she seems to be in conflict with herself, thinking if I might be a good person or a bad one.


    I don''t really have that much experience with children, so I''ve been improvising the entire time, seeing how things might play out if I play this kind of card.


    After much resisting, she finally takes my hand with her small one.


    "Where were you heading to?"


    She points at the lone house on the top of the hill, or Parsha''s house.


    We begin walking, but she stays silent the entire time, looking away from me, but still clutching my hand.


    Just like the little sister that I never had.


    As we walk, I notice her bumping frequently with the people meeting us from the opposite side, shoving her aside as they are unable to see her due to her small size.


    "Hey, wouldn''t you like to sit on my shoulders? The view''s pretty great, plus the wind''s really gentle."


    I urge her, seeing as this might be the only way to calm her nerves of me, and to avoid getting her trampled by the crowds of people heading our way, two birds with one stone.


    She looks hesitant, which says that my plan of befriending her backfired already.


    "Well, I won''t force you if you don''t like-"


    Surprisingly, she shakes her head at my words, looking at me, and at my own conscience from the looks of it.


    "So, you''d like to?"


    She nods.


    I temporarily drop the basket on the ground, raising her up with my two arms, similar to those father and son, or daughter combinations I saw at the park back home, carrying them to the air as they laugh.


    Well, I''m no father for sure, but I disregard all that, simply placing her behind my back.


    She doesn''t weigh that much at all, making it easier on my shoulders, and the strain I have on my body.


    I take it slow, bending to take the basket from the ground.


    "Hold on tightly alright?"


    She seems to know what she''s doing as she takes hold of my hair, tugging on it which causes quite a stir on my scalp, but not something that I can''t bear.


    As we continue our small trek to Parsha''s house, Elisha seems to go silent seconds after having sat on my shoulders.


    I hear her say faintly, "Wow, this is, really pretty..."


    "It is, isn''t it? I had the same reaction the day I first saw this lively place."


    "Really?"


    "Really."


    She goes silent, but my curiosity does not.


    "Say, how old are you, Elisha?"


    The itching pain from my head seems to disappear after I had asked her that question.


    Concerned as to what might be wrong with her, I stop for a moment, looking up to see two small hands extended out enough for me to get a good look without the sun flashing in my eyes, and I see her left hand raising five fingers while the other raises two.


    "So, you''re seven years old?"


    "Y-yes."


    "I see."


    It quickly gets awkward as I run out of ideas to talk about, just like with every other conversation in my life so far, except the ones with Svanvhit.


    An idea pops inside my head, one very idiotic, but one that might work this atmosphere out.


    "Hey, Elisha, have you ever heard of a Pegasus?"


    "No, what''s that?"


    "Have you ever seen a horse?"


    "Yes."


    "Well, a Pegasus has wings, white beautiful ones with feathers of the purest white. Its mane is as comfortable as cotton, but sways with the wind."


    "R-really? Amazing!"


    In an instant, her interests are piqued, just like how I envisioned it, for the most part at least.


    "They can take you up to the air, and you''ll be able to see the sky and feel the clouds with your hands, and the warmth of the sun, it''s unlike anything you''ve known."


    "Woah! I want to ride Pegasus! Let''s go meet one and fly!"


    -Are you sure that''s it''s alright to tell her such things, some might be threatening to the so called relationship you have with her sister?


    "Don''t sweat it, she opened up to me just fine. It was just a small case of timidness, just like you."


    "Who''re you talking to?"


    "Oh, don''t mind me, you were saying something about riding a Pegasus?"This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    We continue until we finally reach the elder''s house.


    I quite enjoyed it, sadly it has to end here.


    I knock on the door, and Parsha greets me with a puzzled look on her face.


    "Oh, is that you, Kael? You''re here already?"


    "Well there wasn''t much to do, just some adventuring here and there."


    "Don''t just stand there, come on in. And, thank you for heling Elisha, you''re such a kind soul."


    "Wait, how''d you know I helped her out?"


    "There''s a light gash on her elbow the fruits look quite dirty, but not inedible, plus it looks like she''s grown on you even if just a bit."


    Remembering the passenger on my shoulders, I take her the same way I did in placing her there, kneeling to gently place her on the ground.


    She looks at me, quite sad it seems, puzzled even as she blankly stares at me.


    "Come Elisha, help grandma prepare some fresh berry juice. You have the time don''t you, Kael?"


    "Of course!"


    I enter, quite relieved that all went well for now.


    It''s the same place, same furniture, just like when I first came here, quite nostalgic despite it only being two days apart.


    I sit on the same wooden chair that I sat on before, thinking about what else I have to do for today.


    -Don''t forget that you have to be at the temple of Aether in a few hours, other than that, you have until that time for yourself. We can''t afford to be complacent even if you''ve won over Gastor''s trust and companionship.


    "I know, I know. Don''t worry, I''ll need to keep on improving if I want to win this, this is just the first of many things that I have to go through."


    I whisper as to not incite some curiosity upon the unwary pair of grandmother and niece making some refreshments in the next room.


    Now that you think of it, it was quite a shock that I managed to win over Gastor.


    Truth be told, I was prepared to lose at that moment, but kind of blacked out since I poured in everything except a percentage of the energy I''ve drawn from nature, including the one that Vixalis had given me, which was the deciding factor in my opinion.


    Maybe I should thank him for not using his heavenly weapon, or whatever that is.


    As I think to myself, the pair enters the room carrying a wooden tray with three cups filled to the brim.


    "Here, have some. It''s a made with a special recipe in mind. Though I hadn''t had an idea that you were coming here, it was still quite a pleasant surprise."


    Parsha sits on her rocking chair, and Elisha on her own, sipping the cup of berry juice.


    I take the one I was served and drink it, feeling a burst of flavor overcome my senses, I gulp it all on one go, finding myself unsated as I crave for more.


    Parsha laughs, seeing something amusing as if she had expected this to happen.


    "I remember my own reaction to that when my mother had made it for me for the first time. It''s the same, but now that I look at it,I seemed to have made quite a silly face."


    Her memories flash back to a time when she was just a little girl, similar to Elisha, maybe a few years older than that.


    I refrain asking her how old she is, instead focusing on the other surroundings within the area.


    "Grandma, Grandma, I want to ride a Pegasus."


    I freeze after hearing those words come out of the toddler''s mouth, simply being a bad scenario, and one situation that I had hope to not happen.


    "Oh my, what is that dearie? A Pegasus?"


    "Yeah! He told me all about it!"


    She points to me, and I inconspicuously avoid her sight, wracking my brains on what I should say, or should I simply a lie that would sate their imaginations.


    Instead, Parsha does the opposite of what I thought she would do, laughing at it as, agreeing completely without questioning me.


    I breathe a sigh of relief as she lets this pass, another thought in my head pops up.


    "Parsha, would you know where Svanvhit is this early in the morning? I haven''t seen her yet."


    "Oh, if you want to find her, then head to the settlement gates, take a left, then head forward, you might find a clearing where she may be."


    She smiles deviously with her eyes closed as she says this, dispelling all suspicion.


    I cast my eyes down on the cup I was offered, thinking of what I should do now.


    "Go, youth does not wait for anyone."


    "What do you mean youth? It doesn''t have anything to do with that, I assure you."


    "Well, if you say so. Now, go on and find her. You must be very busy today as well, are you not?"


    It feels like she''s reading my mind. The way she looks at me, it looks as if she''s been reading a book this entire time.


    Am I really that predictable?


    Nevertheless, I get up to head to the door, opening it and heading outside, except I am abruptly halted with a tug on my shirt.


    "Hey, you''re coming back right? I want to play."


    I kneel in front of her, placing my hand on her head, fitting just perfectly, "I''ll be back soon, then let''s play," smiling at her before leaving.


    I run, not wasting the time I have left in meeting Svanvhit.


    I pass by the bustle of the settlement markets, attracting curious gazes to me, yet I persevere, not feeling fatigue when I should have been already.


    Quite the improvement if you ask me.


    I pass by Svanvhit''s house, not needing to enter as I hear a loud snore coming from inside, terrifying the townspeople that are passing through, yet piquing the interest of the children.


    I continue running, reaching the entrance within a few minutes.


    I look to the left, remembering what Parsha had said about the directions.


    -You look too forward in meeting her, is something the matter?


    "Nothing really. I just want to see her before going to the temple. We have time, right?"


    -Yes, but I do not see what benefit this will do for us.


    Ignoring Vixalis, I finally reach the clearing that I was told, hearing a sound of air being cut, and a voice shouting out briefly.


    I crouch down to the level of the shrubs, hiding behind them as I see the person that I was trying to find.


    Svanvhit, wearing black and white dress, with leggings underneath, wields her spear, swinging here and there skillfully, connecting a chain of combinations that I''ve only seen in games, but here she is proving it.


    She closes in on a tree, swinging at the air with a twist if her body, then doing a graceful, and awe inspiring backflip only to throw her spear like a javelin, sticking to the tree, unmoving.


    She then puts her fists close to her, tightening them as she assumes an impressive stance, one that puts mine to shame.


    She jabs at the air with her right a few times, making a swooshing sound that seems to meld with the air.


    She then proceeds to combine a few kicks and punches together, creating a devastating combination of technique and movements that I can only dream of doing.


    Graceful and captivating, I find myself unable to turn my eyes away from her.


    She takes the spear that is lodged on the bark of the tree, twirling it like a baton, then pointing it towards me as she strikes a fierce gaze that could send an unwary enemy into a short state of shock.


    "Show yourself, whoever you are!"


    She yells, unable to discern that it''s me.


    Not willing to play around with her after seeing that display of raw skill for myself, I emerge from the bushes with my hands up in the air, surrendering with a playful laugh, hoping to ease the hostility surrounding the air.


    "Kael!? What were you doing, hiding there? You should have just come out immediately."


    "Uh, well, I thought that I might never see that again if I interrupted you."


    "See what? You mean my practice? Oh, it''s nothing impressing really."


    "Really now, but it''s unlike anything that I''ve ever seen in my entire life. Are you sure you''re not hiding any secrets from me?"


    "Well, I don''t think I can call this a secret seeing as almost everyone in the settlement knows about it."


    My face freezes in surprise as she says that with a nonchalant face, not seeming to mind that.


    *sigh* I thought what I saw was something special, yet it turned out to be nothing more than a town shared gossip, how tragic.


    "What''s wrong? Why do you look so sad all of a sudden?"


    She approaches me, placing the spear by a nearby tree.


    "Nothing, don''t worry about me, I just thought about something, but it''s nothing really."


    "Hmm, are you sure? It seems like you want me to pry further, but I won''t since it might agitate you further."


    *sigh* Well, we can''t all be perfect. She seems to be dense to romance, of any type of romantic setting at all.


    Though, I myself don''t have any experience with that, but I''ll save it for another time.


    An idea enlightens me, one that might save me in the long run.


    "Hey, Svanvhit, can I ask you something?"


    "Well, if it''s something that I can answer, then go ahead."


    I look her straight in the eye, hoping to see some reaction that a girl is said to possess, the embarrassment of having someone stare at you face to face.


    "Would you mind training me? I won''t force you if you don''t have time but-"


    "Sure, I''ll train you, but why ask all of a sudden?''


    "Oh, okay, I just thought that I might- wait... You will?"


    "Of course I will. You''re my closest friend, so there''s nothing to worry about between us."


    My mind shatters into a million pieces as she shoots me down without even intending to do it.


    I seem to lose energy all of a sudden, but reminding myself that nothing in life comes easy.


    Especially if you''re trying to win a girl''s heart, then you''ll have to start somewhere.


    A true man must overcome any trial presented to him, no matter the difficulty, and that is just what I''ll do.


    "Hello... Kael? Are you alright? You were staring a blank, are you sure that you are okay? You don''t seem well at all."


    I wave my hand, dispelling this dread that seems to latch on to me like a curse.


    "How about starting right now for training, you know, the basics of hand to hand combat, like sparring."


    She starts walking, speaking with her back to me.


    "Well, I have no objections, I''ll teach only what I can, but keep in mind that I''m no expert at this, but don''t hold back no matter what as I will be taking this seriously for the benefit of training you."


    "Don''t worry, I know you''ll do really great in teaching me."


    Without delay, she assumes her stance, displaying that fearlessness and power that I gazed upon earlier.


    I myself take a stance, one that I''m familiar of using against a certain deity.


    -Just so you know, I won''t be helping you at all, but you''re free do to as you please.


    I whisper to myself, "That''s just fine. This is training anyway, what could possibly go wrong?"


    Steeling myself, I attack first, winding my fist backward, reaching striking position within no time at all.


    Svanvhit, who stands idly, looking me over, tightens her stance further.


    Without using my power, or ''mortal smite'' as I like to call it, I release a straight punch right at her raised arms, confident that I''ll be able to break her defenses, but hoping as to not injure her too much.


    Her arms, sturdier than it looks to be, blocks my attack completely, and Svanvhit herself is unperturbed by my frivolous attempt at an attack.


    She opens up as I forget to retract my fist in time to defend, squatting to send a powerful one, two, three combination to my stomach, immobilizing me as I fall to my knees, clutching my stomach.


    She seems to change entirely, taking on the persona of someone else, different from the Svanvhit that I know of, simply demon like as I''d say it.


    Not ceasing, she continues, twisting her body to send one attack that might end up killing me if I don''t dodge or defend, except the pain that she dealt my stomach aches, forcing me to block, or take the brunt of the attack.


    -Kael, watch out!


    Without any time to decide, I surge all my energy forth to my left arm, taking in as much energy from nature that I can as to further increase my chances of defending and living through this.


    She rotates, swinging her leg to my left side like an axle.


    I swear I could almost feel my arm bone breaking at that time I defended.


    Sent flying to the right, hitting a tree, I manage to defend at the expense of my left arm, now dangling to my side as I prop myself up using the tree behind me.


    unable to do anything else except stare at my imminent demise, I channel forth more energy from my surroundings, replenishing as much as I have lost.


    Svanvhit dashes to me in an inhuman speed, reaching striking distance within seconds, then leaping in to strike me with her fist, yelling loudly.


    I muster all my remaining strength to my right arm, desperate to defend with all I have left in me.


    -I''ll channel forth some energy, just wait.


    "No, it won''t matter. Leave this to me, this is a test for me, and me alone!"


    Instead of replenishing my energy, I directly send it to my right arm, serving as a station for energy.


    Although I feel drained, I can''t lose consciousness here, otherwise I''d be dead for sure.


    With a loud roar, I challenge her attack with my own, my eyes beginning to fade in sight of the quickly descending Svanvhit.


    Suddenly, a tall dark figure obscures my path, whoever it is, is at risk of taking a powerful hit.


    Instead of that, I head a thud, then silence as the person in front of me breathes in, then roaring loudly like an animal, or a bear to be more precise.


    The loud roar overflows, echoing throughout the forest, and maybe the entire land, deafening me for sure.


    I give in, bending my knee as to rest, making out the image of the person who defended me.


    "Gastor! What are you doing here?"


    "Helping you obviously. What are you doing here? Is my question. Shouldn''t you be heading to the temple by now?"


    I look at Gastor''s captive, dangling by her arm as she is unconscious, sleeping almost.


    "What''d you do to her?"


    "I merely put her out of her misery. Hmph, I never took her to be someone like that. What a large change in how I see women, truly fascinating, but terrifying subjects."


    He lays her down on the soft looking grass, approaching me, picking me up with one hand, placing me on one of his shoulders.


    "I''ll carry you so that you¡¯re not late. I can''t tolerate tardy beings, be it god or not. Plus, I bet you''ll just faint since you used up most of your energy, am I right?"


    "How did you know?"


    "I can sense your energy. I am one guardian that is connected to you now, so that comes naturally."


    He begins walking the opposite direction from Svanvhit.


    "Wait, you''re just going to leave her there?"


    "She''ll come to eventually. Don''t worry about any wild animal that might come her way, rather, I worry for the safety of any wild animal unfortunate enough to run into her. Take a rest, I''ll wake you when we get there."


    Unable to refuse due to the truth that stands, I agree to his offer, blacking out almost instantly.


    Meanwhile, inside the temple of Aether, in the Greek god''s part of the heavenly homes, a god of white beard and hair paces around the room, thinking quite agitatedly.


    "Where could Poseidon be at this time!? Does he not realize that only shame will befall the Greeks if he fails to show at the allotted time?"


    "Calm yourself my brother, I''m sure that he will show."


    "It is not enough to believe in one being my brother Hades, this is unusual for him to be late, nor not be in attendance. I wonder what has become of him."


    In a dark room, an old man is bound in chains, desolate and tormented, looking at the man in front of him with scorn and anger.


    "Look at how pitiful you are, a god, but now a mere mortal old man, bound and tortured. It seems that it is true that you have weaknesses. I never believed in the possibility up until now. Just think of the possibilities."


    His captor laughs manically, looking down on the helpless old man.


    "You will truly regret the day of which you crossed the god of the oceans. That I swear!"


    "But what can you do? I took away your powers, and now you are nothing. And it will stay that way. Now, my plans are set. It is time to put everything into motion. Just you wait, you''ll have the best seat in the house!"

 Chapter 8: A spear and a hammer

    "Wake up! We''re almost there."


    I wake up, realizing that I had been riding on Gastor''s back, which is rather uncomfortable as his entire body moves along with him.


    It seems he''s reverted back to being a bear at some point in time that I am unaware of.


    Looking at the bright light above us, it seems that not a lot of time had passes since I fell asleep.


    The last thing I remember was fighting Svanvhit and getting beaten up badly...


    -It was quite disgraceful, but do not take it personally. You still have ways to go, and defeats are good teachers.


    "Whatever you say Vixalis. You''ll see, I''ll be up there soon, to be the god of gods."


    "Even I wonder how such a thing might come true, well, I can''t predict the future, so I can''t really say anything for sure."


    Gastor interjects, making sly comments and ridiculing me with cautious words.


    "You''ll train me, right?"


    "Is that an order, or a request?"


    "Which one would you prefer?"


    "It''s up to you. You''re the one that gets to decide, just like how Vixalis governed us four guardians, justly."


    "Well then, can you train me, Gastor?"


    "I have no reason not to, nor do I have anything to do in my leisure."


    Having come to an agreement, I turn my body, facing the sky as I lie on the moving bear''s back, quite uncomfortable because of his constant movement, but his warm and cozy fur makes up for that.


    "How can you be calm at this time? Aren''t you nervous that you might be selected?"


    "Well, there''s no use worrying about something right now. But, it''s not like I''m not thinking of a way to get by if I ever do get chosen."


    "I can never understand how a human mind works. You, are by far the first I have encountered."


    Gastor goes silent as I do not respond, taking his words as a compliment rather than ridiculing.


    Needless to say that I already have a plan if I ever get chosen.


    It''s not the best, but I''m quite proud of myself for thinking something like that out.


    -How diligent, you''re gathering the energy from the nature around you.


    "Oh, so you''ve realized, huh? It''s become a habit now, plus I''m starting to get used to being worn out so much that I can exceed my limits further."


    I start thinking about my next plan of action, not about the feast, but about making a bond with another deity.


    The more the merrier as they say, but in my case, I''ll need all the help I can get, plus, what''s the use of being called the god of the four seasons if you only have one season in your arsenal?


    Not that it''s bad of course, but you have to have a plethora of options to choose from, just like those mmorpg games that I played with my friends back home.


    We had to prepare for raids by going on quests for money, upgrading our skills, stocking up on potions and other necessities, buying up good equipment, the works, and much more.


    It was fun, and I thought about how great it would be if you lived in a place like that instead of the real world, oh do I regret my words... But, I won''t back down this far in the game.


    Though I haven''t really fought anyone, I don''t really have a choice, so might as well stick with it, right?


    -Your mind is truly complex at times. I wonder where you get these kinds of ideas from.


    "Well, I have a lot of worries, so the best place to be at is inside my mind, where I can talk freely to myself, and to you as well."


    -It seems that you''ve adjusted quite well despite the being thrown into the fray.


    "Well, to survive is to adapt. So, do what you can and do it skillfully as I say, you''ll probably get through it."


    -What a strange philosophy.


    "I have a question that''s been bothering me."


    Gastor once again speaks up.


    "Shoot."


    "Doesn''t it bother you about how that girl turned into something else entirely? Well, not transforming into something, but rather, a sudden change in her aura, it perturbed me strangely, feeling a strong sense of bloodlust."


    "Well, I won''t let it bother me now, since we''re heading to the temple, so I can''t really think of anything else other than the task at hand. When we do get back though, it''ll bother me to no end until I figure out the answer."


    "I understand."


    "Also, don''t forget to call me Vixalis when we reach the temple. No one knows a god named Kael, so it''s for the best."


    I add, remembering that I have to keep my profile as Vixalis when with the gods, except Hotei, who knows of our little secret.


    We reach the base of the temple in no time, and there on the base is a Pegasus, relaxing on the field like no one''s business.


    "Hey, I have an idea, Gastor."


    "What is it? Not something too obscure I hope."


    "Oh no, just a little challenge. Let''s see who can get up to the top first. Me riding the Pegasus, or you, running up the stairs."


    I offer a little test for my new ally, wanting to see how strong and lean he truly is, and if it seems that he might defy all odds.


    -That doesn''t sound fair at all.


    "I accept, let us begin right away," Gastor says, stretching his arms and legs out, showing his brimming confidence.


    I walk towards the Pegasus with a smile on my face, thinking that I had already won the challenge seeing as how fast these things can go, plus, I get to see the wondrous view once again, something that''ll ease my mind off of my worries even if for a little bit.


    Taking the reins, disturbing the peaceful creature form his rest, I look to Gastor, "Are you ready? You can start as soon as we take to the sky."


    He doesn''t reply, nodding instead as he faces forward, smiling from the looks of it.


    I whip the reigns, signaling the Pegasus to flap its wings without delay, incidentally, Gastor makes a run for it, dashing without hesitation as per the agreement.


    However, the Pegasus ascends instantly, reaching half the height of the temple in mere seconds, closing in on the entrance above, raised by pillars of great height.


    "Ahh~ The sky and the sun are just perfect today. I believe I already won just by this."


    I close my eyes, feeling the warm rays flood all over me, the wind mixing to form a comfortable atmosphere, almost a miracle that I get to experience this every time I ride the Pegasus down and back the mountain.


    Without another seconds'' wait, we arrive to the top, the Pegasus'' hooves echo and clap on the temple''s well-polished floor, where I can even see my reflection in if you focus hard enough.


    Laughing heartily to myself as I puff out my chest, I look around seeing no trace of Gastor anywhere at all, meaning that I''ve won, but the prize being bragging rights, even though it was the Pegasus that raced him, not me.


    "Well, I won''t laugh at him for losing, but I won''t wait for him."


    I start heading inside without Gastor, thinking he might need a bit more time seeing how many steps there were when I took my first glance at it.


    It would be impossible to do that, not unless you were a god of speed, which he isn''t.


    -You''re cruel at times, do you know that?


    "I''m not cruel, just crafty, but I don''t know how those two words go together, so let''s just leave it at that."


    Walking inside the temple without being hindered by the guards as they seem to remember who I was, I head on in to a hall filled with much noise, gods and goddesses feasting as usual.


    Except, a surprise was waiting for me, and that one was Gastor, drinking wine and laughing his heart out with Hotei, seeming to be familiar with him.


    "Hey, Kael! What took you so long? I almost got bored waiting for you?"


    I go silent, feeling embarrassed about what I had remarked earlier about him being slow, and me being cunning; the words come biting me right back.


    -Well, this is humiliating. Don''t worry, I won''t remind you of this.


    "Thank you, Vixalis, thank you."


    With my head downcast, I walk towards the triumphant drunkard, sitting beside him on a long table with connected chairs, and on the table are appetizing food of many varieties.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Replacing my recent failure with food, I stuff myself, switching between the main course and a cup of water, I manage successfully doing what I had intended.


    "May I have the halls'' attention?"


    A loud voice of roaring thunder calls out, taking everyone''s attention instantly as if it were the most natural thing to do.


    "The time has come once more for us to witness a momentous battle between two gods that will compete for the throne."


    He holds his hand over the stone slab at the base of his altar.


    The stone tablet glows brightly, lighting the names of the various gods that will have a chance at battling one another.


    "Now, mother Gaia will present us with the competitors of this day''s sacred feast!"


    The stone glows brighter as Zeus calls out the name of Gaia, and a voice follows, a motherly tone to be exact.


    "Let us be graced by the presence of these two great gods as they face each other in a battle that will decide the outcome of this Millennia. I call out, the name of Anhur, the Egyptian God of War!"


    The crowds roar out in a raging applause as the god in question appears, a lion walking on its two legs, wielding a velvet red spear and sharp claws and piercing gaze.


    "An animal''s image huh? I expected something like that to pop up, but who would¡¯ve thought that it would me from Egypt."


    As I finish my sentence, the god Anhur seems to face me, seething with rage as his yellow glowing eyes pressure me greatly.


    I don''t back away as I am petrified by his gaze, yet he approaches me, dragging his spear on the ground, the people turning their attentions to me with quizzical looks.


    He snarls as he gets closer, roaring out his words that are directed to me, "Did I hear you refer to me as an animal!?"


    He intimidates me further, our faces are as close as it can be to each other¡¯s, yet I still don''t move, nor respond at all, maybe my senses died that very moment because of fear and nervousness.


    Anhur raises his spear high up to the air, bringing it down with great speed piercing the air, but coming to an abrupt halt as a hand seems to tightly grip Anhur''s arm.


    Gastor seem to have noticed as well, having taken a battle stance, his fist raised in my defense, his smile disappears as he stares at Anhur without fear.


    The one holding on to the war god''s arm speaks out, calming both parties.


    "Well aren''t we lively today. Remember to refrain from starting a duel within the temple halls. Only the sacred battles are to be held here and blessed with the presence of the gods, not a mere grudge to your pride."


    Overflowing with confidence, the one who says that smiles, ignoring Anhur''s snarls of intimidation.


    He retreats his arm at once, seeming to calm down, but it does not show on his face as his teeth protrude.


    He turns to face me, "Consider your life forfeit if you are to be ever matched with me," and he turns around to leave, approaching the altar where Zeus stands, looking at me from the corner of his eyes.


    "Nothing to see here, everyone, please direct your attentions back to mother Gaia as she still has yet to introduce the second competitor."


    They follow as he says, murmuring to each other instead, curiosity getting the better of them.


    "Are you alright, Vixalis?"


    Gastor asks, returning to his relaxed state, combing over his long brown beard.


    "I''m fine, nothing happened, yet, which was quite lucky of me."


    Wait, I know of that name, that aura, Is that you, Vixalis?"


    The man who had saved me seems to know Vixalis, the one in my head rather.


    -Oh no, t-that''s T-Thor!


    My senses awaken as I hear the name said from within me.


    "I see that you have returned. It was a shame that you are still here, but I applaud your tenacity in coming back to fight me once more."


    I merely look, not replying, or not knowing what to say rather.


    He strikes me as a very confident god, carrying immense power, but not boasting it.


    "But, needless to say that I will emerge victorious, and this time, I will see it through that you are eliminated. I hope you remembered our talk back then about how you are not as worthy to be here. Keep that in mind, will you?"


    Thor walks away with a smile, thinking that he had won the argument, which there was none at all.


    "I remember that man. I still have grudges waiting to be repaid after what he had done to us."


    Gastor says angrily, his expression changes drastically as he clenches his fists in anger, looking grimly at the back of the Norse, hammer wielding thunder god.


    The voice continues, announcing the other competitor.


    "I call forth, Poseidon, the Greek god of the oceans!"


    An even louder roaring applause fills the temple, not dying down even after passing thirty seconds, which is already too much for a simple applause.


    Yet, I don''t see anyone approaching the altar, inciting suspicion among the crowd as their roars die down, becoming estranged murmurs.


    "In the case of an absence, another god will take the stand... I call forth, Thor, the Nordic god of thunder!"


    They celebrate the man, making him out to be the popular being in this feast as the gods and goddesses crowd around him, shouting good luck and other encouragements.


    "How convenient..."


    What truly boggles my mind is the absence of Poseidon. Isn''t he an important god, one of the big three of Greek mythos?


    -It truly is odd, that you are correct on. There must be a reason, but someone as respectable as him should not be late nor absent in this sacred feast. This must bring Zeus to shame as it stains the image of the Greeks.


    I look to the man in white sitting atop the only altar in the temple, massaging his temple aggravated, shaking his head slowly.


    "I wonder what reason he has. Zeus is acting as if he already knows about Poseidon''s absence, merely waiting for the people to judge him and the rest of the Greeks, maybe?"


    -Whatever the reason, the battle continues, but surprisingly, it''s between two very obnoxious gods. I do pray that Thor loses as I''d rather take my chances with Anhur than that god.


    "Is he truly that fearful?"


    -Oh, you don''t know the first of it. Not even the combined power of the deities could overcome him. It was a devastating loss of epic proportions. He looked to wipe me off the pace of the pantheon.


    "He told me about something he told you ''back then'' what was that?"


    -Well, it''s nothing that important, just a squabble between gods, nothing else.


    "You can''t start hiding things from me now. Come on, out with it."


    -Very well then. It was about me entering the feast being a minor god and all.


    "Well, what''s wrong with that?"


    -Firstly, my powers were never meant to be used for violence or any sort of battle. My only use for them was for, well the seasons themselves, shifting them in and out just as I was born to do, yet I entered anyway.


    "You still haven''t told me about your reason for coming to the feast. Does it have anything to do with that?"


    -Yes, actually, that has everything to do with my reason, yet I cannot tell you of it, please let me tell you when the right time comes.


    "Fine, but don''t hold back on the important stuff too much. This has a lot to do with me now, so we''re one mind, and we have to work like that, alright?"


    -I-I understand.


    I return my sights to the celebrates gods, two fearful ones with the title of war god, and the other being the right hand of the Aesir, Odin.


    If I were to fight either of them, then I would surely come out defeated.


    I better keep a good eye at these two, any one of them that emerges victorious I will have a chance at fighting, which in my state is truly unfortunate.


    As Thor stands in front of the alter, parallel Anhur, two chariots drawn by two Pegasus'' come flying from the left and right entrance of the temple, where they are to be whisked away to their battlefield.


    Gaia''s voice speaks, telling of their duel''s location.


    "You two are to fight in the desolate and barren lands of the great canyon Evirethus, go at once!"


    And with that send off, they ride their chariots into the morning sky, the orb made of water descends from the ceiling of once again, landing a few meters from the ground, gushing and bubbling as it settles down, slowly revealing the image of a deserted and empty plot of land where cliffs and other land formations are located.


    "Quite the grand battlefield. It seems that they want to see them wreak havoc upon the land. And if they were to do so, then it would still reach the temple, that is just how powerful these two are, maybe more."


    Gastor explains his views, whereas I all the more focus on the massive orb of water that will serve as the ''eye'' in this grand scale battle.


    After waiting for what seemed to be five minutes in time, they arrive at the site, landing, crashing the ground as they do.


    They look to each other as the sky under Thor darkens, rumbling and curdling.


    Anhur, however does not seem at all bothered by this.


    I will have to repay you in force for stopping me in my judgement."


    Anhur speaks, threatening Thor right away.


    "Oh, that farce? I see that you do not let grudges go at all, rather, you seek to finish them all no matter how ancient it may be. I applaud your persistence, but it will serve you no good here in this sacred battle. Discard all grudges and honor the tradition, or face my wrath in soiling this feast with your petty pride."


    Anhur''s teeth show as he snarls, not taking too lightly of Thor''s speech, which was on point, and maybe what I could have said to him, but much better.


    The god of war brandishes his spear cutting at the air easily with a light cleave.


    His claws emerge, sharp and deadly.


    Thor raises into the air the weapon he is most famously known for, Mjolnir, the thunder hammer.


    As the hammer and the air meets, the clouds cast overhead roar in rejoice, echoing a powerful clap of lightning.


    Wearing a sturdy looking, dark blue armor set, his golden strands of hair and his blue cape flutters in the air as a storm becomes inevitable.


    Anhur moves first, using his legs to run at breakneck speed.


    Thor meets him in the middle, their fists collide, destroying a fraction of the canyon around them.


    Anhur quickly attacks with his spear, skillfully, thrusting at a speed that cannot be seen, to me of course.


    Thor sees this quite clearly from his demeanor, dodging each one as he sidesteps with ease despite the weight on his armor.


    Thor counters, smashing Anhur''s spear down to the ground, like hammering down a nail on a piece of wood, slamming down on the ground, impaling the canyon soil.


    Anhur, anticipated this, starts clawing at Thor, dealing him damage as he surprises his enemy with a guerilla tactic in fighting, intentionally improvising with his weapon to catch the enemy off guard.


    Thor takes to the air as he is dealt a considerable amount of damage, the skies above him forks lighting, ready to strike down any enemy.


    Anhur backflips to the spot where his weapon is, pulling it out with ease, looking up at Thor, whose eyes glow a strong blue shade.


    The war god goes down on three limbs, his right hand holds his spear.


    Thor aims his hammer down, instantly shooting bolts of lightning down, ravaging the land as more of them descends from the heavens in a dazzling white and blue flash.


    Skillfully, the war god does not take any damage, running past the place where the bolts are supposed to strike, leaving not target to be struck by it.


    He begins to near Thor, still casting his hammer down as more bolts of lighting, each one getting larger than the last.


    Anhur stops in his tracks, a combined force of lighting, stronger than anything else quickly flashes from the clouds, nearing Anhur, who winds his arm up, throwing his spear unto the sky where the deadly bolt of lightning is supposed to hit, intercepting it.


    As he is given a time to breathe, he prepares for a devastating attack, drawing breath as if his lungs drew in an infinite amount of air.


    After filling his body and mouth with air, Anhur roars loudly, strong enough to shatter the clouds behind Thor, dispersing them into nothing as the blue sky emerges, the brightness of the sun beaming forth, seemingly giving the god of war strength as he opens his arms out to embrace its warmth.


    Unimpressed, Thor, like a jet, speeds downwards Anhur, crashing into him, taking him by his neck, beating at the god with his hammer, striking a current of lighting into Anhur with each smash.


    The war god claws Thor, forcing him to rage his hammer upon the unfortunate war god who had injured his face, smashing him to the ground, creating a crater to go along with it, Thor remains floating as he levitates.


    Thor''s face bleeds, seething with pain.


    He then commences to throw Mjolnir towards the fog where lies the war god inside, further deepening the crater to no end as a loud crashing noise ripples through the air, sending enough vibrations to be felt in the temple.


    Without his hammer, he descends to the ground, turning his back to the crater, going somewhere.


    He picks up Anhur''s spear, coursing with the lighting''s energy.


    Thor approaches the crater, sliding down to the war god, shamefully being smashed under the weight of the mystic hammer as it sits on his chest, unable to lift it diespite his efforts.


    A faint cracking noise could be heard, indicating that his bones are being broken due to the heavy hammer.


    "I must repay you for what you have done to my face, but my approach will be slightly different."


    Losing his smile, Thor brandishes his enemy''s spear in front of him, displaying his face, still bleeding due to the deep cut his enemy had inflicted upon him.


    Thor takes his enemy by his neck, mercilessly impaling his enemy''s eye socket, a fountain of blood spills out, and a roar of anger and pain ravages the sky.


    The crowds'' reactions are mixed, some turning their backs on this heinous display of rage, some watch intently with smiles on their faces.


    I myself can''t seem to tell what I should be feeling right now.


    Thor, not finished, twists the spear lodged into Anhur.


    The war god, not taking this lying down, carves his claws into Thor''s neck, spilling more blood.


    Anhur then raises his left hand towards Thor, shifting the barren soil inside the crater, turning it into sand.


    With a forced roar, countless spears, all looking similar to the one piercing Anhur, emerges, skewering Thor from many angles as they mysteriously rise from the sands.


    As Thor further deepens the spear that he holds, so does the ones stuck to him, more than one impales him, some through his leg, some through his torso, and many other different places.


    The two are in an utter stalemate, both bloodied and battered, they look far from finished, intent on winning, yet only one of them will emerge victorious from this.

 Chapter 9: A power to be feared or fought

    Anhur''s chest deepens as he takes a breath inwards, managing to hold off the pain stinging him on his left eye.


    He roars loudly, with enough power to send Thor flying back, landing a few meters away from the crater.


    Surrounded by sand, Anhur is absorbed by it, slowly descending, merging with the shifting sands.


    Thor quickly stands up, holding his hand out as he closes his eyes.


    With great speed, the hammer homes into Thor, placing itself in his hand, surging with electricity.


    He tries to move, but the pain he had taken from the spears linger, having crippled his legs as the bleeding does not stop.


    However, the sand pit inside the crater begins to spread, taking over the barren landscape, turning it into a vast sea of sand.


    Without delay, he takes to the air, searching for his enemy who seems to have disappeared mysteriously without a trace left behind.


    The sands right under Thor begins to rumble, where several stone built obelisks rise from the ground, filling the land with pillars of Egyptian justice.


    One more pillar rises from the sand, a few meters away from Thor, and from that obelisk, Anhur stands on top of it, wielding two spears in his hands, with one eye closed.


    He breathes raggedly, showing how worn out he is just by looking, while his enemy is similar, yet does not show any signs of fatigue and exhaustion.


    "What''s wrong, god of war? Have you exhausted all your options?"


    Thor taunts Anhur, thinking that he can now be defeated easily having been severely weakened by him.


    "Speak for yourself, Norse. Arrogance has always been the downfall of your people, and in this battle, I shall prove just that."


    Anhur returns with a remark, seemingly irritating Thor a bit as his brow twitches, his plan for intimidation backfiring.


    The Egyptian raises his arm to the sky, elevating the pillars to be the same height as Thor''s height in the sky.


    Without delay, Anhur moves skillfully using the pillars as ledges to move from pillar to pillar to, closing in on Thor in a second''s notice, surprising the god of thunder with a sudden burst of energy and power.


    Anhur barrages his enemy by launching himself from a pillar, jetting towards Thor, then piercing him with his spears, landing on another pillar only to find another blind spot of his enemy, who desperately tries to find his enemy, swinging his hammer aimlessly.


    Even with one eye, Anhur clearly sees the next pillar that he has to land on, clearly having a vison of his enemy, if his muscles contract, meaning that he''s preparing for an attack.


    Bleeding more almost everywhere on his body, Thor calls the clouds of darkness to fill the sky once more, stirring the rage of the elements within them.


    He brings his hammer down with prejudice, sending down a fierce bolt of lightning down on his position.


    Little did Thor know that Anhur had a plan in store for that, raising a lone pillar to intercept the lightning bolt, nullifying the attack as a spear is stuck on the very top of the obelisk, giving a clear reason as to why the lightning was dispelled.


    Anhur continues his quick succession of barrages, injuring his enemy who is unable to move anywhere as the pillars surround the battle field.


    Except, he throws his hammer in one direction, destroying the tall pillars from their middle foundation, collapsing on the ground only to create a dust of sand and dirt to make a faint fog in the ground.


    Thor quickly repeats this as Anhur stays grounded on one pillar, staring at his enemy with an enhanced animosity.


    Breaking down pillar after pillar, soon the ground is replaced by a ruin of stone, reverting it back to his world, one devoid of any obstruction to defy his power, his lightning.


    "It is time to end this. Feel the wrath of Ragnarock upon you!"


    Thor ascends to the air, beyond the clouds, disappearing as Anhur merely stares at the blackened sky, wondering instead of thinking of a way to fight back.


    But, after finally suing most of his remaining energy to injure Thor, he has run dry, falling on one knee as he grasps for air.


    A loud voice echoes through the horizon, waking the those who rest, making their hearts beat to the drums of a grand coming.


    Lightning roars, thunder booms, and under it, is fear, uncertainty, hopelessness.


    "When the age of gods has come to an end, a war shall be waged, and the Norse will be crushed, cursed to repeat the cycle in our rebirth, but at our peak, we are undefeatable, unparalleled, unchallenged. I, am Thor, son of Odin, wielder of the Mjolnir, and here at the end of the world, I stand as the cusp of my power, ready to battle for all eternity!"


    Thor descends from the clouds, emerging as a colossal titan whose head still hides within the clouds, but his body covers the rest of the ground beneath them, and more.


    The clouds clear in his presence, showing the omnipotence in his face, revealing an unpleased god, seeking vengeance as his casts his eyes down to the earth, looking at the weakened Anhur from above.


    They lock gazes, but the war god ignores his enemy''s newfound power, roaring to empower his body, forcing himself up as he brandishes the two spears on his hands.


    "Your persistence, it is heartening, yet feeble. Cast down your weapons and I will accept your defeat."


    He negotiates with him, his aura being benevolent, yet too arrogant still.


    "I''d rather die with my pride rather than submit to you!"


    Anhur yells out, his eye glows with a bright, gold gleam.


    "The sands are filled with the victims of my spear, I call to you, give to me your wandering souls, and I will give you everlasting purgatory!"


    Anhur begins to grow, taking a size of a colossus, yet still insignificant to Thor''s size and raw power.


    As the air begins to move, so does Anhur, thrusting his spear forward, punching a hold through the gale of wind.


    In front of Thor, not moving a muscle, a large bolt of lightning strikes the ground that divides them, stopping Anhur from his attack.


    With a mind of its own, the fierce element of nature strikes down Anhur continuously; his spear is unable to even contain the power held within every bolt of lightning anymore as he is struck down mercilessly, forcing his him to bend his knee in the presence of another god.


    But, the torment does not stop, rather, the currents of lightning strike Anhur until his large frame is imprinted on the ground, as a sign of his humiliating defeat by the hand of the Norse.


    Without any sign of movement nor breathing, the trumpets ring from the temple, sounding off into the distance, reaching Thor''s ears signaling his victory.


    He slowly returns to his normal size, landing softly on the ground as his feet reaches it.


    A chariot soon emerges from a distance, formally ending this battle.


    The orb then ceases from showing anything else, ascending one more to the ceiling in the sky, resuming the festivities as the Nordic looking people celebrate their victory while the Egyptian looking people look down in sadness and defeat.


    "Now do you see his strength?"


    Gastor asks, drinking a large mug of wine as he asks me soberly.


    "I can see, but I can''t gauge that, rather, I don''t think I can even begin to comprehend his power''s extent."


    "Don''t lose heart, if you train hard enough by the time that you face a god, you''ll hopefully have all four of us aiding you. It won''t be the same as last time, I will get my revenge."


    He takes another swig after finishing his sentence, his voice slurs.


    "Don''t drink too much, alright? We have training after This."


    I turn silent almost instantly, the sight of Thor''s immense power makes me shrink within my mind.


    I try to find some reason as to not be disturbed by this, but nothing comes to mind, rather, I don''t think I can find anything to calm my nerves.


    -So, you''ve seen what I have been alluding to?


    "Unfortunately, yes. I can understand your pain better now. But, no way will I lose. Although I don''t have the means to be as confident, but I will find a way to win, there has to be a way."


    -I''m sure you will find it, and I will help you as best as I can, and together we might just do the unthinkable.


    As I sit on the hall bench, facing the opposite way from the table, I sigh to myself as I worry about the imminent future.


    I hear footsteps and wood tapping on the polished floor near me.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Knowing they''re there, I ignore it and return to my thoughts, absentminded, but I don''t really have anything worth thinking about right now, especially because of the disheartened mood that''s brooding over me, canceling out any idea that I might have in mind.


    A slight weight shifts over to my side, and a sigh escapes from the person''s mouth.


    I look to my side, seeing a familiar face, not one that I am on friendly terms with, but someone I''ve seen before, wearing clothing that seemed to be present from underneath her armor.


    She is bandaged on different parts of her body, namely, head, limbs, body, and she carries crutches with her, eyes downcast as she sits the same way as me, facing away from the table.


    Curious about many things upon seeing her in personal, I begin to ask questions.


    "Uhm, excuse me but, you are Bellona, aren''t you?"


    She looks to me quizzically, but not in a friendly manner, much more of a suddenly annoyed one.


    "If the bandages and the aura of disgrace, depression, and defeat do not seem to reach you, then must be awfully oblivious," she says harshly, casting her eyes on her hands, bandaged in front of her.


    She sighs once more, as if enough sighs have been had already, then looking at me once again.


    "Forgive me, I let my emotions go once again. The answer to your question in yes, I am Bellona, might I inquire yours?"


    She looks at me like an officer would look at a cadet, with strong stern eyes despite being injured.


    "My name is Vixalis."


    "Vixalis... I''ve never heard of that name before. Maybe... Wait, are you the one that lost the very first duel against Thor? What are you the god of?"


    "I govern the four seasons, but I did not lose, rather, I narrowly escaped death by returning here, nullifying the battle."


    "I see, but what of your allegiance? Of what pantheon do you hail from?"


    The question strikes me as something I''ve never considered asking Vixalis himself this entire time, rather, even I do not know of his allegiance, if he has any.


    -Tell her that I am unaffiliated.


    I repeat what Vixalis says from inside my mind, the answer seems to surprise Bellona as she further looks at me.


    "Unaffiliated... So you are one of those kinds of gods, are you? Well, no matter. I won''t pry where I am not wanted. But, why have you joined this sacred feast?"


    "I come to be known, and many other things that I¡¯ve come for, but still have not thought about much, but what is wrong with being unaffiliated?¡±


    She looks at me with a renewed hostility, though not that severe


    ¡°You are unaffiliated, yet you know not of the rules and reasons for that? I truly wonder of whose life you¡¯ve taken to be a god. Has the god not taught you anything? *sigh* I will explain it to you then.¡±


    She looks up the ceiling, reclining a bit as she relaxed her posture.


    ¡°Being unaffiliated is much like a disgrace, meaning that you¡¯ve been cast away by your godfather or mother, with your memories erased, you have no recollection of who you are. In this feast, it is quite shameful for entering by yourself since it is seen as an act of selfishness more than an act of being honored to compete.¡±


    I take all the information in, trying to see what I can link to Vixalis, seeing as he is supposed to be one of those who have no recollection of their past.


    I¡¯ll ask him later, but for now, I think I¡¯ll converse with Bellona.


    ¡°Putting that all aside, how are your injuries? Healing, I hope.¡±


    ¡°It will take more than just that to keep a war goddess down, but there seems to be lingering pain in various spots of my body.¡±


    I look at her body, despite being bandaged, there still remains the charms in her looks, her short dark hair, her sharp gaze, a well-toned and fit body, a goddess by her own right, and image in my perspective.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let your eyes wander where they are not wanted.¡±


    She says this with authority, bringing me to my senses immediately, returning my gaze to my hands.


    I hear her silently giggle to herself as I turn around, cautious of what to do now since I might have made her quite angry.


    Someone puts his hand on my shoulders, the weight shifts as if being applied pressure by.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting too cozy there, Vixalis. It¡¯s time to go, we have much to prepare still.¡±


    Gastor greets me, walking off after delivering his words, trying his best to look sober.


    ¡°Well, unfortunately I have to go. Thank you for your time, Bellona.¡±


    I curtly bow, acting as properly as I can to a well-respected war goddess, or to maybe just get a good image through to her.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite odd despite being an unaffiliated. I will look forward to talking with you some more in the future.¡±


    She sees me off with a smile, one that captivates my senses.


    Gods and their charms truly are terrifying.


    I make my way to the entrance, meeting up with Gastor who is passed out, snoring as he leans on a pillar.


    A guard scratches his head as he looks at the drunkard disturbing the peace and image of the temple.


    ¡°Hey, you! Do you know this person?¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, he seems to have fallen tired.¡±


    I shake Gastor, hoping to wake him up as quickly as I can before I receive the unwarranted attention of all the guards in the temple.


    Looking at my side, I hatch an idea, immediately pulling Gastor from his arm towards the empty chariot.


    I have tie the reins to his arm, propping him to the side as to not fall off, and we descend back to the earth, where all are unaware of the presence above them.


    But, the ordeal continues as I must find a way to drag Gastor back to the settlement.


    Instead, I use all my strength in pulling him under a tree where he sleeps peacefully.


    Meanwhile, I use this time to rest as well, questioning Vixalis about all the information that I¡¯ve been given by Bellona.


    ¡°Is what she said true? Vixalis? Do you now remember anything about your past?¡±


    -I¡¯m not sure¡­ I do know one thing, it is that before I became a fully-fledged god, I was under a man whom told me of who I am and what I do. That is the only thing I know.


    ¡°Strange, everything is too vague to make sense of right now, but I don¡¯t think we have to worry about that for now. I guess I¡¯ll start training by myself then.¡±


    -Why not start making a pact with winter¡¯s deity. I think that it would be best to challenge it since you have the power spring.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that that¡¯s a great idea right now. My ally is knocked out cold, plus, I¡¯m still quite depressed over the display of strength that Thor had shown us, but I will try to gather some more energy around me.¡±


    Thinking about it, how do I use Gastor¡¯s powers specifically.


    -You bond with them, specifically speaking that you are to merge with them and become one and the same.


    ¡°How does that happen?¡±


    -Well, one deity must be conscious for one. Otherwise, you¡¯ll just be granted his power with limits, not the very extent, do you understand?


    ¡°Vaguely, but I do know what needs to happen now. But, honestly, I need to learn how to do some basic hand to hand combat. Thinking of Svanvhit might get me killed, I could ask Bellona, but she¡¯s injured, plus we just met recently, and as for Gastor, he could do, but he is indisposed at the moment.¡±


    *sigh* ¡°Will I even be prepared in time for my battle?¡±


    -You will have to manage training yourself in the meantime.


    ¡°I guess I will have to. I don¡¯t have a choice lest I give myself to desperation.¡±


    Beginning my self-training, I practice punching and kicking the air as an amateur, failing miserably at any attempt at a flashy move or combination.


    In a dark room, illuminated by a torch and a glowing purple orb, two people converse.


    One is bound, and the other hold the orb, presenting some sort of image within it.


    ¡°It truly is unfortunate that you have to miss such an event. It pains my heart as well, but not enough to heal my pain and anger towards you lot!¡±


    The angered man paced around the room, his boots echo as the candle flickers.


    ¡°Soon, soon I will have my revenge. It is close, I can feel it. I cannot wait, and you will play a very large role in that whether you like it or not.¡±


    ¡°That is what you¡¯ve delusional yourself in thinking. If you think you can defeat the gods then think once more, for you are a lunatic!¡±


    The man bound in chains is struck by an iron fist, his cheek reddens, but is undiscernible under the light of the similarly red flame.


    ¡°That is what I have been speaking of. You gods have become immersed in the thought that you are all immortal, thus cannot be defeated, well I do not want to spoil any surprises, but I shall prove you all wrong, and in a very grand scale.¡±


    ¡°Mortals are born with limitations, yet you do not recognize yours. Awaken from your slumber, for you are dreaming of something that will never exist.¡±


    ¡°Always so stubborn. I grow weary of striking you. If you think we mortals are so insignificant, then ask yourself why you are bound in chains, degraded from a god to a normal human. We are capable of so much more, yet you are all in you prime, nothing to improve upon.¡±


    The man takes the torch, heading to the door with a grimace, but not before looking maliciously at the elder man ties with chains on his wrist.


    ¡°Try to realize for yourself what your flaws are, that will be the greatest torture you can give a god, telling him his imperfections when people are made to think that they do not have some.¡±


    He slams the door shut, leaving no light to remain for the man.


    In a bright hallway, just outside of a cellar leading to a stone built dungeon, a dark haired man emerges, wearing royal clothing to match his swagger.


    He is approached by a man wearing lesser attire than him, as some would call ''peasant''s clothing''


    he presents him a scroll, kneeling as he lowers his head.


    "My lord, a message come to you from the royal scholar."


    The man takes the scroll, examining it.


    "You are dismissed, good work, now spend the rest of your day to your leisure."


    "Many thanks and praises to you, my lord!"


    The peasant happily leaves, sprinting.


    The man reading the scroll mutters to himself, "Excellent, another step of my plan has been completed. I am now inches closer to my goal."


    He hurries to a chamber somewhere, ignoring the people around him with puzzled gazes, but not intentionally.


    He goes through what seems to be a maze of corridors, reaching a farther room, one tower away after flight of stairs that seemed to go on forever.


    Without hesitation, he opens the door, greeted by his ally, a man wearing a cloak over his identity, not reveling who he is, except the man who entered knew him already.


    ¡°I see that you are eager, a favorable trait, but one that cannot be managed at times.¡±


    The man wearing the cloak spears calmly, holding parchment papers on both hands, examining them as he speaks simultaneously.


    ¡°Spare me, I have quite a lot to deal with already, I can¡¯t have my progress being hindered stress. Now, tell me, what is it about our great capture.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, straight to the point. Very well, we have successfully caught the goddess of light, Amaterasu, and she is being kept in the holding below us, restrained of her powers just like with our other guest.¡±


    ¡°Is she the one with the mirror?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she is the one. There is no need to worry about anything else other than the time we have left, which is plentiful.¡±


    ¡°I advise that you make your runic stones more potent. Our ocean dwelling guest seems to be undisturbed by it.¡±


    ¡°It will take me a full day if I am diligent, two if I let time take its natural course.¡±


    ¡°Do as you will, I care less about your technique, all I focus on is the outcome.¡±


    ¡°That is a bad philosophy, I advise that you change it for your own good.¡±


    ¡°If there is nothing more than chatter, I will leave. I have matters to attend to.¡±


    ¡°By your leave then, my king. Have a wondrous day.¡±


    The man in the cloak smiles from under his hood, waving with the papers still in his hand.


    He is now left alone in the confides of his chambers, surrounded by books, papers, dust, and various treasures of which he calls his own.


    A purple stone glows from under his table, pulsating brightly as if detecting an anomaly.


    He takes it and proceeds down the chambers, just right below him.


    ¡°How is the goddess doing? Great I hope.¡±


    He is met with a strong and hostile gaze, yet she can¡¯t do anything as she is bound, surrounded by the same stone he has in his hand.


    ¡°What have you come here for, mortal?¡±


    ¡°Now now, no need to be so rage filled about all this. There has to be a tip in the balance of power someday, and that has come, so I hope that you do understand the circumstances.¡±


    ¡°What you hope to accomplish, it is a mirage that you believe to be true, like a bridge that you choose to tread upon knowing that a mist covers it, along with the road that you chose.¡±


    ¡°Quite philosophical. I feel enlightened already, but that is not for me to decide. It is for my employer. My task is to merely fulfill his requests.¡±


    ¡°What do you hope to gain from all this? You are able to pacify a god, yet you choose to work under someone, that I do not understand.¡±


    ¡°That is because you are gods. You are all missing an answer to an important question that you ask yourselves. I don¡¯t have as much hatred of the gods unlike my employer, rather, I do not have anything against you all in general, just so you know.¡±


    He turns to face the stairs from where he came from climbing the stairs, waving goodbye to the woman bound in chains.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be upstairs if you need me~¡±


    Two beings stand in a darkened forest.


    The leaves themselves seem to have been frozen, and the land seems mist filled and desolate.


    Kael pants, trying to grasp for air as he finds it too thick to breathe in.


    He is covered in wounds and scars that have been frozen into place, including both his legs.


    "What''s this? You haven''t even put up a fight yet, was all that talk earlier for nothing?"


    A spear wielding, white haired boy wearing thick nomadic clothing all over his body, stands opposite of Kael, taunting him with words, whereas Kael cannot find the means to strike back.


    He clenches his fist in frustration, trying to absorb some energy to power his smite.


    From a safe distance, Gastor yells out to Kael for moral support.


    "You can do this, Kael! Remember, you can''t fail no matter what, otherwise, It''ll severely hurt your chances and ambitions!"


    Keeping in mind that he has to be alert for a finally attack, which might me lethal, Kael prepares himself, having a plan in mind for subduing the winter deity.

 Chapter 10: The second test

    ¡°You seemed pretty strong from the beginning, but now, you¡¯re just pathetic.¡±


    A young boy grins as he teases Kael from a distance, brandishing his spear that emits a fog of white mist, obscuring his surroundings.


    But rather than being bothered by it, he seems to revel in it.


    His legs are frozen in place, preventing him from moving, dodging, or planning anything else to comeback with.


    ¡°What happened to all that arrogant talk? All bark but no bite?¡±


    He continues to intimidate him, but it doesn¡¯t bother Kael since his mind is fixated on trying to escape his bindings.


    With crossed arms, Gastor has a look of disappointment beginning to show on his face.


    He believed in his new master as well from the very beginning, but he seems embarrassed of his own thinking.


    -Kael, try absorbing the energy of the ice, then you might be able to wither it away, breaking it easily.


    In his mind, he is being advised by a former god, giving him his knowledge of dealing with his own subordinates, but to no extent is be shifting the balance of the scales.


    Yes, the replacement god, a vessel, Kael Wright, continues being optimistic in his own mind set, although edging to just surrender most of the time, he manages to pull through with his own with and melancholy.


    A trait best avoided in his opinion, but one that he possesses in irony.


    He does as he is told, closing his eyes as to tap into the energy flowing around him, never an abundance to give him an advantage given the abilities of this god.


    The ice seems to crack faintly, budging to its destruction.


    -Now!


    Kael punches the ice surrounding him, sprinting like a maniac towards the surprised boy, fumbling on how to hold his spear firmly in place.


    ¡°Wha-how did you break free?¡±


    ¡°Take this you arrogant kid! Mortal smite!¡±


    Kael winds his arm, retreating it beside his torso, continuously absorbing the energy around him, then transferring it to his fist; which glows a weak, white light, pulsating as it continues to get stronger.


    He releases his blow, smacking the young deity back with great force, breaking the trees that he collides against, freezing them as well.


    The mist around them does not disappear, rather it stays despite knocking away the source a few meters off his vicinity.


    ¡°What do you think, Vixalis? Is he finally done?¡±


    -I don¡¯t think so. The mist masks my senses, so I can¡¯t make out his presence and location.


    ¡°Keep your defenses up, you¡¯re far from over!¡±


    The man who presides over the battle gives Kael a friendly advice, and one that he must follow given the new surprise heading towards him at a great speed.


    He looks behind him after the warning, bewildered, but managing to roll to the side almost immediately.


    -Your reflexes are improving; this is quite a momentous change!


    ¡°I hope that was meant to be an encouragement, cause it sure doesn¡¯t feel like one.¡±


    -Don¡¯t worry about that too much, pay attention to your enemy first and foremost.


    He looks behind him, seeing crystalizes icicles stuck on the trees, casting a freezing environment in them, as if turning them into stone.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel like he¡¯s getting serious at all, rather, he still seems to be playing around with me.¡±


    -Well, he is a child after all, despite being a deity, his nature will come first no matter what.


    ¡°Do you have any other advices to give me other than being careful?¡±


    -Not particularly, if I were commanding this body, then I could possibly utilize my own powers, but it is not. This is your body, and I cannot intervene over a soul. That is a decree made by the gods. And, it is also a given that you might lose your life if I were to take control of it.


    ¡°Alright, forget that. I¡¯ll think of a way, but for now, how about I try wearing him out?¡±


    The young spear wielding deity emerges from the bushes, covered in leaves and twigs, he looks to the man who had done him grievances with scorn.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you pay for that!¡±


    Throwing a small tantrum, he twirls his spear in front of him, creating a fan that develops a fierce blizzard storm directly to the enemy he faces.


    Running as fast as he can, Kael uses the trees for cover, thinking of a way to disable the enemy¡¯s hold on his heavenly weapon, giving him a slight advantage.


    Having improved exponentially in absorbing energy of nature around him, Kael manages to keep moving, failing to lose consciousness as he would in the past.


    But now, he seems to have gauged how much energy he needs to use, and how much he needs to keep.


    ¡°Hey, Vixalis, I want to try something. Will you help me?¡±


    -By all means, I¡¯d be more than glad to be of service. What do you have in mind?


    ¡°I¡¯ll try using Gastor¡¯s power. That¡¯s valid in this duel, right?¡±


    -In all technicality, yes, it is allowed.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I need to know.¡±


    Kael¡¯s face turns serious, he then stops moving, hiding behind one tree that will serve as his defense while he connects with Gastor.


    I honestly don¡¯t have the faintest idea of what I should do to be able to use Gastor¡¯s power, but, it may just be the same as contacting them in the first place.


    -I believe I can help you with that. Now that you have his power in your disposal, you need only say the words that will invoke their spirits, giving you power over them.


    He closes his eyes, imagining the flow of energy around him, their minds connect in this moment, sharing one thought and one consciousness.


    -Repeat after me.


    ¡°Spring, come forth, fill the barren wasteland with your presence. Your strength, might, dignity, and above all, your wisdom.¡±


    Having said the incantation, he begins glowing a shade of green, wrapping around him.


    Incidentally, Gastor is wrapped in a green light as well, having the face that says, ¡°About time,¡± smiling in amusement.


    He then takes the form of a small ball of light, flying towards Kael with a great amount of speed, merging with his body, as if melting into him.


    -Do you hear my voice, Kael?


    A grizzly voice loudly calls out to him.


    ¡°I can feel your power as well. This is amazing, the amount, the limitless potential.¡±


    -Do not feel confident yet. This is just the first part of your trial. There are a few more that you need to pass, the next is to manifest my power into yours.


    ¡°Manifest? How does that work?¡±


    -It is simple, just like how I would transform into my feral image, a bear¡¯s to be exact, you will have to use my power, absorb mine just like you would to nature, and gradually, you will begin to take form of the god of spring!


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    However, Kael is disturbed, the tree behind him has been turned into an ice crystal, and the forest all around him is the same.


    Having nowhere else to go, he must act fast, and resolve this transformation at once.


    He closes his eyelids once more, placing a hand on his left chest, feeling the irregular beating of his heart.


    The process is being made difficult due to the intense pressure and thickness of the air surrounding him, almost as if it¡¯s suffocating him.


    ¡°Come out from hiding, you coward!


    The winter deity begins taunting him, readying his spear as to not be caught off guard as he was last time.


    Suddenly, a projectile takes to the dark starry night sky, launching like a stone thrown from below, seemingly to reach the heavens.


    The deity looks in awe as his eye is caught by the stars that glimmer.


    Unknowingly, the projectile begins to come down, breaking the barriers of wind that dare blockade its path.


    Within a second¡¯s time, the projectile is identified as a large being, bearing down with extreme power raging from him.


    The earth shook as the being landed, creating a wide crater around it, destroying the trees and the land.


    The deity had covered himself with an orb made of ice, keeping him safe inside as nothing penetrates the hard exterior of the glacial ball of cold.


    The fog created by the quake begins to waver, revealing Kael, but in a different light, one that wears bracers on his wrists, and leather leggings while his torso remains bare of any clothing, except looking more built than he was previously.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    He tightens the green bandana on his forehead, looking maliciously at his enemy.


    ¡°Time to settle this, right?¡±


    He asks, returning his intimidations with his.


    ¡°Keep talking, I bet you were just as weak as you were a while ago.¡±


    The deity grins widely, tightening his grip on his spear with two hands, enticing the shroud of winter around him to get stronger.


    He leaps forward, pointing his spear, while Kael stands defensively, using his braces as shields.


    He catches the tip of it, connecting with a devastating blow to the deity¡¯s face as he pulls the spear¡¯s hold, drawing him closer.


    Returning immediately, the deity sends a flurry of strikes, injuring Kael nearly at every part of his body, yet he defends in a steadfast manner, remaining calm while he assesses his enemy.


    The battle it out, returning blow for blow, strike for strike, becoming a heated battle between the two, destroying everything around them in the process.


    -Excellent, you¡¯re doing well, keep at it, Kael.


    Gastor speaks, encouraging him as Kael continues taking more power away from the deity of spring.


    Without responding, Kael¡¯s disposition intensifies, becoming faster stronger at the cost of his energy and stamina.


    Yet, the deity does not hold back, returning with a fierce array of attacks, nearly killing Kael due to his inexperience in battle in many instances.


    Finally, the two are exhausted, standing opposite of head other, desperately trying to catch their breaths for one last powerful blow that will decide the outcome of this duel.


    -Don¡¯t waver now, your body¡¯s wearing down, which is terrible. You need to finish this now before it gets worse for you. A deity¡¯s stamina is not like a mortal¡¯s; we are much more versatile than that.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ll finish this with my signature move. I¡¯ve gathered enough reserve energy for when this happens.¡±


    Kael smiles, standing upright as the green glow around him becomes stronger, brighter, illuminating the dark night with a lush radiance of calmness.


    ¡°Still not giving up? Well, I¡¯ll commend you for lasting this longs, but you¡¯re long overdue. This will end in my favor, so get ready!¡±


    The deity glows as well, matching Kael¡¯s with his own blue light, becoming much stronger and imposing.


    He takes to the sky, leaping a great unreachable height, looking to be as close to the moon.


    He stays there, afloat, raising his spear into the air where a small ball of ice forms, seemingly drawing in the energy around it as it begins to grow in size, taking shape of a boulder¡¯s within a second, a meteor in a minute, and now the fraction of the moon¡¯s size after a few more minutes.


    -So he¡¯s getting a bit serious now, figures, he¡¯s just like a kid, or rather, he is. An annoying one to boot, but one with great capabilities. Now, how will you overcome this, Kael?


    ¡°I don¡¯t know myself, but nothing will happen if I don¡¯t try. I¡¯m already pouring in everything that I¡¯ve got. So I¡¯ll probably faint after this.¡±


    -This¡¯ll be amusing then.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±


    Kael begins charging all his reserved power to his right arm, readying his ¡®smite¡¯ yet it feels lacking for some reason, as if there¡¯s not enough to supplement the amount of power that¡¯s floating in the sky.


    Nevertheless, he continues, drawing in as much energy as he can from the deity within him, and the nature around him.


    He roars out as to contain the power, exerting a great amount of pressure as it rampages, taking the size of a small orb surrounding Kael¡¯s fist, glowing that faint white light that he¡¯s used to seeing.


    The massive ball of ice is launched, growing larger, but not because of the energy being accumulated, rather, it starts to get closer to the ground, blasting through the air and the clouds.


    Without another word, Kael leaps to the air, using Gastor''s strength to launch himself to the air, with the intention of challenging this power with his own.


    The deity, confused by this act, something that he had not thought of happening.


    Without fear, or with fear, he draws closer.


    Though he had thought of this as a deranged plan, he went through with it.


    Does he enough power to overcome it, does he have, those are the questions he asked himself as his legs shook when grounded.


    But now, as he bullets through the air, all thoughts of hesitation are now out of the option, there''s no turning back.


    They collide, his fist, and the unbreakable sphere made from winter''s embrace.


    There they stop, challenging each other to a battle to see who will move first.


    "What the, how can he stop my northern descent? This can''t be possible for a mere mortal to accomplish!"


    He lies there, in awe of the act transpiring before him.


    An act that defies his logic.


    May it be the truth, or is he just oblivious?


    Yet, with all the damage and the injuries that he has received, Kael continues pushing forward, his very life energy is being pushed to the limits.


    His arm feels as if it''s being crushed under the weight of the planet itself, a bit more and it might snap, breaking without a chance of healing.


    ... I''ll help you out just this once. Next time, be stronger, then you won''t need petty help such as this. You might just stand above everyone else.


    Kael feels an incredible surge of energy pouring into him, an overwhelming feeling that gives you the feeling that you can do almost everything.


    and with that, his arm becomes stronger, his bracer cracks in the pressure, and so does the sphere.


    His eyes are replaced by a bright green glow, his aura changes, taking dorm of a different personality.


    He grits his teeth in rage, his muscles contract, and he shifts to fully face the sphere.


    With a loud shout, he lets loose the energy that had aided him, spreading everywhere, as Spring and Gastor would bring forth the emergence of new power, he has ascended his form of Spring, becoming a god that commands the season of new life.


    "Guardian''s rebirth, Nature''s vengeance!"


    Both of Kael''s hands glow, he strikes the sphere simultaneously, left and right, getting faster and faster with each passing second.


    He riddles the sphere with a barrage of punches, each one taking a chunk out of the sphere, breaking it as the entire body cracks under the might being exerted upon it.


    With one last punch, he sends of a shockwave that shatters the sphere from the inside, causing it to break into countless of pieces.


    Kael, with no more energy left in him, descends, falling back to the earth without consciousness.


    The shockwave passes through the broken sphere, heading towards the deity, blasting him with a strong concentrated energy towards the far reaches of the earth.


    As Kael falls, Gastor redoes the bond between them, separating himself, returning to the ground, and Kael reverts to his normal clothing, unscathed.


    He catches Kael just in time before he falls, and he sleeps, his body is limp, and the exhaustion has taken a large toll on him.


    "You did well, better than I could have hoped for."


    He begins walking as he carries him in his arms.


    "You''ve taken a lot out of me, which was unexpected. Mortals sure are interesting, aren''t they, Vixalis?"


    -Indeed, that is why I am grateful for you being here and helping him out.


    "But what of your wish, will you stick to it? I still doubt his ability to become the very strongest, but I know he can become one that might equal a god, just not those at the top."


    -Even I know nothing of the future. He has become hell bent on coming out on top, only time will tell if he has what it takes or not. As you have said, humans are unpredictable.


    "And that has been proven today, so I stand by my words."


    -Now now, let us return to the settlement for a while. Cuiv will come soon, I know that he is not of a prideful nature, so I am sure that he will formally concede defeat. And, Kael deserves the rest, including you, his savior.


    "Speak nothing of it to him. There''s no need. I just thought that it would be a waste to lose someone like him."


    -That is true.


    They leave under the light of the moon, having yet again destroyed the environment around them, Kael seems to have won over the deity of winter, who has been sent flying off into the distance of the unknown.


    Inside the temple, a ruckus is being caused, a man rouses the attention of everyone in attendance as he shouts the name of his sister.


    "Amaterasu! Where are you!"


    He shouts her name only to receive silence and awkward gazes.


    The temple guards emerge, taking charge of him, whereas he responds with malice, electrocuting the guards instantly incapacitating them.


    "Let go of me and tell me where my sister is!"


    He seethes with rage, creating a fierce current around him, yet not injuring the sacred and pristine grounds of the temple, seemingly alive.


    Two weapon wielding gods emerge to pacify the raging god of storms.


    "What is the meaning of this?"


    A giant of a god clad in golden armor emerges, wielding a massive sword that sits on his shoulder, wearing a centurion helmet, and a cape.


    He begins silencing the crowd with his presence, then proceeding to question him again, only to be met with an aggravated response.


    "Tell me where my sister is! She has been missing for two suns."


    "Calm down, tell us what ails you so that we may clearly understand the gravity of the situation."


    Wielding a massive Guan Dao, the man enters to calm the weary god down, serving as a mediator.


    The two convene as they see the god of storms off, his head cast down in shame and sadness as he returns.


    "This is a concern that should be taken notice of. There are now two gods missing. What have you say of this, Aries?"


    "I shall tighten the security of the temple. Tell the Japanese gods to not worry for I shall be sending one of the most reliable gods to search for the missing one, including ours."


    "I do hope that they are found. I sense a bad omen coming, don''t you?"


    "I do not try to believe in these kinds of things, Guan Yu, I believe that when something occurs or happens, it is because of ones actions that an event transpires, not because of some mysterious force."


    "Quite the philosophy given that we are gods, and that we are mysterious forces in a way."


    The god named Guan Yu laughs to himself, calming the harsh mood surrounding the temple.


    "That is quite true, but for now, it is best to not make things worse. I shall wait for the reports to come in before taking action."


    "Very well, I wish you great luck in your endeavors."


    "And to you as well, Great Saint."


    Aries sees the god off, then he goes his own way behind a wall away from anyone''s eyes and presence.


    There he loses his mask, revealing himself as a purple skinned god, possessing a smile deadly as any blade, a personality or a trait, rather, that would be called devious.


    He smiles, then laughs as he is unable to hold in his sinistry.


    "Things are going too well. No one has caught on, and it makes me question their abilities and inabilities as gods. Frankly, I¡¯m quite disgusted to be amongst those oblivious gods."


    He laughs sarcastically, trying his best to keep it to a minimum.


    "It is all just beginning. I can''t wait for the curtains to open!"


    He then fades into a dark black smoke, disappearing without a trace as the rest are caught in a net where a spider crawls around, waiting for the right time to take its just dues.


    Awakened by the sound of a rooster crowing, Kael gets up, his body aches with a slight movement, preventing him from making any excess actions.


    He looks around with his groggy eyes, trying to make out anyone in the room.


    "Wait... When did I get here? And where am I?"


    He wipes his tired eyes, stretching his body as much as he can.


    Then standing up to find out the answer to his own questions.


    Everything around him carries an air of familiarity, as if he''s been here before.


    The signal that finally reminds him is the lively, and bustling sound of people shouting outdoors, selling their wares, children playing around, all very familiar to him.


    "I must be in Vajra then. That explains that much. And I must have been brought back by Gastor, makes sense."


    The door opens, alerting him right away as he faces the door.


    "Oh, you''re awake, thank goodness."


    "S-Svanvhit?"


    He backs away as a painful memory comes to him.


    He backs himself to the wooden wall, doing his best not to cower in fear so much.


    "Why are you so far away, Kaellum? Is something wrong?"


    "Don''t give me that, don''t you remember?"


    "Remember?"


    She tilts her head to the side, unable to catch on, puzzled.


    "The training!? You don''t remember when you almost beat me to death?"


    "That time? I clearly remember that. But what do you mean by nearly beating you to death?"


    She returns a question, clearly not knowing what she had done.


    He begins reminding her, trying to suppress his anger and fear as they sit on the floor, opposite of each other.


    As he finishes, Svanvhit displays a sincere apologetic look, something that he thought wouldn''t have shown on her face, yet here it is.


    "I am terribly sorry. I did not mean to do that, it''s just that you told me not hold back, so I gave my all so that I could teach you a lot."


    She buries her face in her hands, holding her tears back.


    "Wait, don''t cry!"


    I comfort her immediately.


    Though I''m not the best at making someone feel better, I can still try my best to know how It''s done.


    She seems to have calmed down after minutes, then a thought occurs to me.


    Does that mean that it''s my fault for being too weak to fight her on even terms?


    What a shameful and an embarrassing way to make a girl cry, way to go, Kaellum.


    "Don''t worry about it too much, but I want to ask, are you okay?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "Was there a strong thunderstorm yesterday?"


    "Yes, but I am fine, except the settlement has taken a frightening blow, and the people are doing all they can in rebuilding. It was far stronger than anything we''ve ever seen before as well."


    "How is Parsha and Elisha?"


    "They are doing well. The village has almost finished in rebuilding most of the damages, so there is nothing to be worried about."


    She says with a smile, though I still am concerned about them, I think I''ll visit them after this.


    "How can you be so calm about things? Aren''t you terrified in the least when something like that happens? I''d be hiding under my covers if I were you."


    "Well, I guess we have grown used to it. We have to manage, otherwise the children of the future will have nothing left for them."


    She then stands, and I merely stare silently at her in amazement, seeing how strong she is, she is also a woman of good judgement.


    "Come, breakfast awaits you. You must be hungry, Gastor''s waiting for you in the hall."

 Chapter 11: Time to shine

    "Finally, you''re awake. Took you long enough."


    Gastor greets Kael, sitting with the local townspeople, drinking alcohol and eating a large quantity of meat like there''s no tomorrow.


    "Sit, get your fill, we need to leave early, there''s something urgent that''s happened in the temple."


    A girl holding a tray up with one hand comes over, looking rather seductive as she closes in on Gastor, feeling his muscles up for some reason.


    "Oh, you have to go?"


    With a sly smile, she comes in further, trying to entice him.


    "Grow up first, then we''ll talk, but for now, drink some milk, and you''ll thank me in the future."


    He laughs, heartily shouting out his remark.


    The townspeople seem to have taken a liking to him, laughing along with him as they burst out in laughter and joy.


    "What are you talking about earlier, about the temple?"


    "You''ll know when we get there, but first, like I said, eat up, you deserve it after last night''s victory!"


    I do as he says, taking in a lot more than I would''ve expected.


    Must mean that I''ve worked up quite the appetite from that battle.


    "Wait, did I win last night!? How?"


    "Oh, yeah, I forgot that you were out cold around the time that it happened. Pathetic, but I can''t blame you."


    He begins explaining the vague details as to not incite the curiosity of the others around him, making things complicated for them to understand.


    "And basically, that''s it. I don''t know where he is right now, but I know that he''ll turn up sometime soon. You knocked rather a far distance away, that in itself was pretty amazing."


    He takes another swig at his large mug, draining it in one go.


    He then stands, walking to the doorway without me.


    "I''ll meet you outside the house, you know the place. Don''t take too much of your time, and hurry."


    He leaves with a loud belch.


    Now I am left alone, well, not really, there are still people inside, but.


    -What concerns you? Your thoughts are not in order.


    "Let me finish this meal, then we can talk. I don''t really feel comfortable talking to myself with other people around."


    I whisper as slightly as possible, taking small glances on both sides.


    -I understand; I shall wait then.


    After having finished my meal, I head out, thinking to myself how badly this town was damaged.


    There were no debris lying around, the houses seemed stable enough, the people are quite happy with how things are going.


    Odd, maybe I''m just overthinking things.


    Maybe they really are already used to these kinds of things.


    "Hey, Vixalis, you there?"


    -Of course, as I was saying. You were having troubles, does something worry you?


    "Nothing specifically. Rather, I feel quite disturbed that there''s nothing wrong when there should be, if you understand what I mean."


    -I understand what you mean, but that is just how things go around here. This is quite a big world, so there might be people who are not pleased with the things going on around them, but here, it''s different.


    I begin walking toward Svanvhit''s house, trying to dismiss the worry filling my head, that needless worry that''s clouding my thoughts.


    From the horizon, as the sun shines overhead, I see Gastor waiting, leaning by the house.


    I wave to him, and I catch his attention quickly.


    "Ready to leave?"


    "Well, if there''s something about the temple, then it might be urgent for everyone to go, right?"


    "Yes, clearly."


    I look around, inside and outside the house.


    "Have you seen where Svanvhit is?"


    "Oh, her? She left for some duties a little while ago after I came back here. Best to just leave her be. We have our own matters to attend to."


    "Can you carry me on your back again? Of course it''s a given that you transform into a bear."


    "Your legs are fine, are they not?"


    With a slight scowl, we proceed to walk to our destination.


    The lush green forest still serves as our gateway towards the temple, where no mortal, except me, has gone into as to see the wonders inside, namely gods.


    The landmarks that I''ve grown to seeing are the destroyed parts of the forest, some of our doings and handiwork.


    Upon reaching the clearing of the forest where the great mountain carrying the temple lies, we are again greeted to the awe inspiring sight that never seems to cease in amazing me.


    "Come, we''ve no time to delay."


    Gastor hurries, taking the Pegasus instead of the stairs, which was unlikely of him to do.


    There must be something truly gave in the making for him to seem serious.


    With haste, we make for the entrance, and are greeted by the rowdy sounds of gods.


    But, not celebrating, rather, they are at unrest, some speak loudly while the others prattle on.


    "Will the feast still be proceeding, or will this go on? The gods are being relentless in their questions"


    "What are the high gods doing!? Are they not taking mind of the events that are transpiring?"


    Just then, a loud bolt of lightning enters the temple from the open ceiling, silencing them, and there enters Zeus, the god of gods.


    "Do not think that we are doing nothing in order to find those who have disappeared. I cannot tolerate those who become agitated, yet cannot do anything themselves except whine and complain!"


    His voice shatters their morale, and his words make utter sense, yet I have only gotten here, I have no knowledge of what is happening.


    I turn to face Gastor, someone who seems to know something but is only holding back for some reason.


    "Two gods have gone missing. Two different races, and no one knows why."


    He speaks in his usual grizzly voice, attempting to sound dark, and it works for the most part.


    "Two gods? What do you mean? I thought only Poseidon was missing at the time."


    "Well, one had disappeared at the same time, Amaterasu, the Japanese god, one of the high gods in the eastern pantheon."


    "What''s going to happen now? Is the feast going to be canceled?"


    "Of course not, this is too sacred of a gathering for the gods to put second to anything. The fate of the heavens, earth, and those below lie in the decision that is made after this. My guess is that the high gods will decide to continue while sending someone to search for the lost party. I suggest looking around for now, and waiting until they declare the next match."


    "Then I''ll do just that."


    I heed Gastor''s words, but not really knowing what to do, I wander aimlessly, admiring the design of the temple, or just looking in awe of the gods that are surrounding me.


    One god in particular catches my attention.


    She seems to not notice me, eating by herself, taking a gulp of something.


    I slowly walk up to her as to not give a surprise that she''ll find irritating, casually greeting her.


    "It''s a nice morning, isn''t it?"


    "Oh, it''s you. Yes, I guess it is. What do you need with me?"


    She releases a quite harsh remark for the expert introvert, damaging his morale by a significant amount.


    But, it''s not enough to halt his relentless assault for attention.


    "So, how are you? The wounds getting better?"


    "Barely, I can still feel a slight pain, but nothing I can''t handle. Why are you so concerned anyway? I don''t think this has anything to do with you, other than you being a competitor."


    "Well, I think it''s just natural to care for someone, right?"


    "Aren''t you charitable. I might even think that you''re a rare kind of god that still cares for mortals and those down there, despite being a lower god yourself."


    She then faces me, showing a radiating beauty, but with no smile.


    I stare unknowingly, and it catches her attention without a second''s delay as she looks at me quizzically.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Hello, are you there? It''s either you fell asleep in broad daylight, sitting upright, or your looking at my face for some reason, and I don''t like the latter."


    I snap to my senses, shaking my head as I try to change the topic as to not make anything awkward than it already is.


    "So, what do you think about what''s happening here? About the gods disappearing, namely."


    "Even I don''t know about that. I doubt any mortal down here can capture a god, and if they can, then we''re all in danger."


    She takes a sip of her beverage, and I run out of things to say at that point, as if all my experience comes to this, a state where I am at a standstill.


    "Am I disturbing you?"


    "What''s with the sudden change of heart? You came in confident, but now you sound like an animal pleading for help, and the answer''s no. I don''t mind the company, rather this is surprising that I even have someone to talk to."


    "Why is that? You seem more friendly than you look."


    "I''ll ignore that last part, and the reason is that I am a war god, and other gods are terrified of those, especially Aries, the one who started the whole fiasco of war gods being terrifying and deadly. Though, I don''t really mind."


    "Quite the predicament you here there."


    "Like I''ve said, I don''t mind at all, rather, it''s pretty uplifting to talk to someone, especially if it''s someone as persistent as you."


    She flashes me a smile from the side, making my heart race.


    Though bandaged, she manages to give off such a warm atmosphere, and being a war god at that is impressive to say.


    Just then, the loud thundering voice of the current god of gods shouts out, rallying the gods to his altar.


    "Come all, for we shall begin the sacred feast once more. The mother, Gaia, shall now announce the two competitors that will fight for a place in this auspicious ceremony!"


    He then sits back on his throne, signaling the stone slab to finally awaken, and that voice of a motherly tone speaks out once more, filling the temple with her resonating voice.


    "We are gathered once more to witness the choosing of a candidate, one of the many gods who seek to become the god of gods, one that will be worthy to govern the world, the universe, the heavens, and much more. I call out, Sun Wukong, of the Chinese pantheon!"


    A rather largely built god with the form of a monkey, wearing a golden heavy gauntlet on his left, a long spike edged cudgel that rests on his shoulder.


    With an imposing aura and a quite intimidating atmosphere around him, he walks forward without so much as a word, staring up at Zeus with malice, but no intentions to do harm, instead he stands upright.


    "Man, whoever he''ll be up against might have a hard time."


    I murmur to myself, looking over this god who seems unmovable and as strong as a mountain.


    "Of course he is, haven''t you heard of his exploits when it was an earth dwelling monkey, declaring himself as someone that he was not, and becoming one himself after achieving Buddhahood, which is considered impossible in itself."


    Bellona says, not paying any mind to her surroundings, continuing with her meal, yet listening.


    The voice of Gaia announces the other unlucky competitor that will have the honor of battling Sun Wukong, from those books I''ve read in the past about his eighty-one trials with the Buddhist monk.


    "The duelist that will stand against this god is, Vixalis! An unaffiliated god."


    A name so familiar, yet one that I did not want to hear at this time.


    It was loud and clear, concise even.


    Yet, I sat there, with an empty look, one that said, unlucky.


    But what people were more amazed about was the other title that came, that being the unaffiliated title, serving as a curse that reminded other gods that they belonged to no one, and that they are gods of their own, a minor one in my case.


    "What are you doing sitting around here for? Get up there, or did you not hear your name being called out loudly?"


    Bellona shoves me away, and all eyes are on me now, all suspicious eyes that seem to scorn me for a reason I know of.


    Then, I feel a weight on my right shoulder, where I face to see.


    "Come, Kael. It has now come to this, and we shall see it through, just as we have promised."


    Gastor looks forward with a stern and very reliable aura, giving me the ounce of strength I need to face this.


    After all, I''ve waited for this time, and now, I feel frantic about finally having the stage to myself, as if all that bragging was for nothing.


    Yet, Gastor takes the lead, walking ahead of me, facing Zeus''s altar.


    I steel myself, resolving to go through with everything that I''ve said before.


    I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, then releasing everything.


    I look back to Bellona, who waves me goodbye, giving me a great boost in strength.


    Time to go then...


    I stand before Zeus, just like everyone before me, but there''s this intense amount of pressure being applied, as if I''m being crushed under the weight of responsibility.


    Sun looks me down from the side, curious and fascinated, or may just dumbfounded.


    "Interesting, two people up against lonely old me. Well, I don''t object to the challenge, but I want to see how far I''ll have to go."


    Zeus intercedes.


    "Now, your battle field awaits! Mount your chariots and go forth!"


    As his voice passes, two chariots pulled by two Pegasus rides to the temple.


    Wukong, without looking back, head to his chariot, whipping the reins as he is spirited away in an instant, proving the speed of the great Pegasus.


    "Come now, Kael. There''s no more room for hesitating, now is the time to prove all those who think you''re wrong otherwise."


    I listen to Gastor, following him as he mounts the chariot.


    But before we could go, there was a voice that called to a halt.


    "Wait! Don''t go yet!"


    In the room was an animal, not just any animal, but a penguin, in the middle of civilization.


    People start glancing at each other, trying to find an answer to this, or just trying to find the owner of this animal.


    But, it starts walking towards us quickly, mumbling to itself as if cursing.


    "Hey you! I''m coming with you."


    He angrily states, pointing at me with his flippers.


    "... Do you have an answer for this, Gastor?"


    "I think so, but I may be mistaken. Where gods roam, there can be anything that might happen."


    Jumping in agitation, the penguin shouts.


    "Don''t you remember me!? It''s me, the deity, the guardian of winter, ring a bell?"


    Shocked, I reel back, almost falling off my chariot, but was caught by Gastor.


    "Wait, you''re him?"


    "What''s it matter to you? No more chatting, let''s go already before you make ol'' lightning bolts here angry."


    The remark catches the grand God''s attention, but chooses to turn a blind eye to it.


    "The name''s Cuiv, and there''s no need for me to keep repeating it, alright? So remember it."


    He rides on the chariot, and without any further ado, we went on our ways.


    Although, I wonder why they didn''t oppose to me bringing two other beings to the battle, or are spirits and deities that are under your control valid.


    Well, there''s no reason to dwell on it I guess, there''s nothing else I can do but look to the future for answers.


    As we soar through the sky, the clouds being pierced through, I begin questioning Cuiv.


    "So, you''re a penguin, huh?"


    "What a question to start off with. I thought you were going to ask why I came to you in the first place."


    "There''s no need to. I won, right? So it''s natural that you''d come to me sometime soon, but it was quite sooner than what I expected."


    "Hoe cocky, for a mortal."


    "Now, now, answer my question first, why a penguin?"


    "As if I could choose who to be the moment I was born, or are you stupid that you can''t figure that out for yourself."


    "You''re starting to get no my nerves, alright, so shut it."


    "You should be grateful that I came anyway, otherwise, you''d be beaten to a pulp by Sun Wukong."


    "The battle hasn''t even begun yet, so I can''t say if you''ll be of any help or not."


    "Quiet!"


    Gastor silences both of us with his voice that echoes through the skies, catching our attentions and bounding it to his judgement instantly.


    "There''s no need to quarrel amongst ourselves, there''s already so many flaws to begin with, so there''s no need to create more."


    "Alright, sorry about that, so how are we going to do this?"


    I begin planning things out while we have the time.


    "Well, the right strategy is to have one merge with this mortal, then the other will help take down the monkey."


    Cuiv suggests, looking at me with disgust, crossing himself out from merging with me from the looks of it.


    "I can probably take on Wukong by myself, so there might not be any need for you two to waste your time."


    He turns his back from us, his black feathers are being caressed by the wind, looking to be refreshing.


    I look to Gastor, shaking my head at what he had said, signaling to him to work together.


    Gastor speaks, serving as the mediator.


    "Well then, I will merge with Kael since I have experience, so we will be heavily depending on you, Cuiv, in keeping Wukong''s aggression to a minimum."


    "Naturally, that''ll be an easy task."


    "We''ll change our plans if something unpredicted happens, agreed?"


    "No objections here."


    "With me here, there''s nothing to worry about."


    We all agree to something, miraculously, but everything will be entirely different, it can''t be this easy to agree on something.


    In no time at all, we arrive to the site, an empty plot of land near a ruined fortress on a lush field, quite the setting.


    And there he stands, waiting on the open field, eyeing us over from below.


    The chariot lands, and we dismount, taking a cautious look at the battlefield.


    "So, are you ready? I don''t want you to hold back, alright?"


    He brandishes his cudgel, twirling it with an intense speed, creating a draft of wind in our direction, enough to blow me back a few meters, and Cuiv farther since he''s still in his animal form.


    "Great, how imposing."


    I look to my side, and it seems that Gastor and I are planning the same thing.


    "Spring, emerge from the barren wasteland and give life anew!"


    Gastor becomes a small green orb the size of a rock, speeding through the air, merging with me.


    Enveloped in a bright green light, one that is present despite the even brighter sun.


    I am armed with the bracers, the headband, and the energy.


    "Ohoho, this is truly amazing, merging with one another to converge a power into one. Just as I thought. I''ll be starting now if you have anything else to show, then do it now, otherwise stay silent."


    Sun takes the long pause as his cue, rushing in without any other preparation unlike ours.


    He raises his cudgel, smashing down with enough force to destroy the ground that we were standing on.


    Luckily for us, I was able to see Wukong''s movements before he could fully approach us, and I was able to step back, dodging his ferocious assault.


    He then sends his cudgel spinning towards me with a powerful throw on his part, in which I jump using Gastor''s powerful body constitution, evading it effectively.


    After landing, Wukong barrages forward with punches and after images of him, seemingly creating clones that are aiding him in the barrage.


    Using the training I''ve had, I block, using my arms and hands to swerve and deny him any chance of damaging, though the weight on his fists could be felt quite strongly.


    Unfortunately, I am unable to counterattack due to the speed and tenacity that Wukong is showing, preventing any type of retreat or other planning.


    -Kael, watch out from behind you!


    Vixalis''s voice alerts me, however, Wukong forces all my attention towards him.


    He then backs away in the nick of time, smiling at me as he lands a backflip.


    I feel the power drain from me as a large image of Gastor made out of a faint green light emerges from behind me, smacking something down to the ground.


    He then returns to my body, giving me the lost strength that I felt.


    "What was that?"


    I ask the deity inside my head, unknown of the power he had shown just in the nick of time to prevent the previously thrown cudgel from hitting me from behind.


    -I''ll tell you in length when we finish this, for now focus on your enemy and I will support you however I can.


    I shift my sights towards Wukog, who seems to be toying with me.


    "You''re just full of surprises, I like it! I haven''t had this much amusement ever since the last feast."


    Wukong moves fluidly, sending a fast stream of punches like the last time, but this time in much more numbers, and in increasing ferocity with each blow.


    As I cross my arms in defense of a strike unlike any other, Wukong sends me back with my feet still firmly planted on the ground.


    Though my arms feel quite numb from the blow, it doesn''t seem to hurt that much.


    He then casually walks towards his cudgel, bending over to pick it up.


    "Oh no you don''t, ape!"


    A voice from behind interjects, denying him of his weapon, sending a flurry of icicles his way.


    The god moves skillfully, dodging every attack, smashing some with his palm and fist.


    Cuiv emerges from my side, flapping his flippers frantically.


    "Why don''t you transform back to your human form?"


    "Don''t tell me what to do, alright?"


    Yet he does what I had just suggested, transforming into a thick leather wearing kid wielding a spear that''s taller than him.


    "You better watch your back, monkey, I''ll get you!"


    "Ha ha, better grow a pair first, kid. Then you can have a say at what others can do."


    He laughs at him, igniting Cuiv''s burning desire for revenge.


    Quite a petty thing to get mad at, being intimidated by your own insults.


    "Let''s put our differences aside for now, and let''s take this uneducated ape down."


    He points his spear at me with an angry expression enveloping his face.


    "Sure, just what I was thinking about."


    I charge in first, winding my fist up to strike the ground, planning on making him retreat for Cuiv''s attack.


    I succeed, and he backs away, sending rubble flying everywhere, creating a cloud of smoke that obscures my vision and masks the fresh air, making it musky and dirty.


    But as expected, Cuiv launches him icicles once more, then rushing in with his spear for a combination of attacks.


    I move in to help him, coming around the back, sprinting.


    Wukong blocks every attack including Cuiv''s spear, but it''s enough to have drawn his attention away from me.


    I surge forth my energy to my fists, including nature''s and Gastor''s energy to give it enough power to match a god''s


    I release my fist, sending it towards Wukong''s back, forcing his body to arch over.


    "Take this, Mortal Smite!"


    I send him flying towards Cuiv, colliding them together by accident.


    He lands on the ground multiple times, then flying up again, unable to stop the momentum in which I put in the attack.


    He then ascertains his feet, landing perfectly on the ground.


    The look on his face changes, turning to that of an angry god''s, one that might be ablt to turn this fertile and peaceful land to ruin.


    -Get ready, Kael. He''s getting serious.


    "Just as I thought."


    An intense aura vibrates around him, bending the very air to his will, his body becomes even more built, his muscles emerge, giving him the form of a bulky monkey god.


    "No more playing around then? I learned the hard way, now it''s time to repay the favor."

 Chapter 12: A new dawn

    Wukong grows immensely in size, equaling or possibly surpassing Gastor''s large body frame.


    An aura drifts from him, spreading to his surroundings, emanating from him like a strong mist.


    His eyes glow golden, much brighter than it was earlier.


    His aura alone is imposing enough, inducing fear to his enemies just by looking, or being there.


    -Don''t you falter now, Kael. This is just one more trial that you''ll have to face.


    "Easier said than done. But, I won''t give up for sure, that option''s been thrown out the door already."


    I look at Cuiv from my side, his spear and the hand that holds it trembles, feeling the full effect of Sun''s power.


    Naturally, a deity can''t really stand up to a god unless he has help with him, but this is just pushing it.


    Sun raises his cudgel to the air, slamming its butt end to the ground, causing a small quake to occur in our surroundings, destroying the lush environment that I''ve come to like.


    He begins taking small steps, each one creates a tremor in which we are forced to back away.


    -We wary of any movements of his, we''ll strike back only after his first move.


    I take a stance, taking energy from Gastor as I strengthen my body to its optimal limit.


    "You ready, Cuiv?"


    "I should be asking you that. You must be shaking in your boots right about now."


    "Still as cocky in the face of an enemy huh?"


    Feeling especially drained after having used my mortal smite, I begin gathering as much energy as I can from nature, but since we are surrounded by a vast lain, there''s not much to take from other than the fertile soil, and the deity merged with me.


    Wukong begins to close in, looking down on us as a tower does to the population below it.


    With one hand, he draws his cudgel, setting it to the side as the air flows by it, amassing a strong convergence of energy.


    "I have an idea, Gastor."


    -What is it? I have a feeling that it might be a bit too reckless.


    "Not at all, in fact, it''s quite innovative."


    -Well then, say it now while we have time.


    "He seems to be releasing a lot of energy, what if I can take that for my own, would that be possible?"


    Gastor seems to ponder for a bit as he thinks about my suggestion.


    -It might be possible, yet it cannot be.


    "Why? Isn''t it the same as what I''ve been doing for the past few days?"


    -It is, but, Nature''s energy and a god''s energy are two different things. The just cannot be compared to one another. If you even attempt to take a god''s power away from him, then you might be faced with consequences that are irreversible, such as being corrupted since two different energies are merged.


    "So it''s also my one downfall, huh?"


    -Yes, you may also lose if a god forcible passes his or her own energy to you, corrupting you from the inside, but that''s best left forgotten, you wouldn''t want anyone to find that out, right?


    "That''s pretty terrifying."


    -Not as terrifying as that simian beast closing in on you.


    Breaking the very wind restricting its speed, Wukong swings his cudgel form the side, blowing away anything in its path.


    "Cuiv!"


    The winter''s deity is unable to sense the fast approaching cudgel, nearing to be hit, I pull him by the collar, dodging to the side until we reach Wukong''s blind spot behind him.


    -Now, strike him!


    Impulsively, I rush forward, delivering a succession of blows that connect to Wukong''s back, the punches creates a faint ripple through the air, surging towards my target.


    Unperturbed and not even bothered by my attack, he swings his right arm towards me, sending a devastating impact on my face, knocking me back meters away on the open field.


    I manage to catch my own landing, taking a look at Cuiv, who still remained there, but is now facing Wukong head on.


    Unable to yell out his name due to my jaw and face hurting, he fights without getting any support from us, exchanging assaults between his spear and Wukong''s cudgel.


    Naturally, Cuiv is having a hard time, each swing turning pale in comparison to the monkey god''s raw strength.


    -We need to move now, Kael. We can''t let him take down Cuiv, otherwise we''ll be left to fight one on one, which is a terrible idea.


    Recklessly, I start barreling forward, disregarding the damage I''ve just been dealt, to save my ally from being brutally destroyed.


    Yet, he is sent back hard by the cudgel, but barely saving himself as he defends with his spear, looking to be unbreakable even if it looks as wide as a normal spear.


    I catch him using my body, being sent back again with the force from Cuiv.


    "Is this it? Did the fight in you disappear?"


    Sun begins to taunt, his voice turns to a grizzled low voice, different from how it was, as if this is an entirely different opponent from before.


    Suddenly, my heart begins to beat loudly, as if resounding to my very ears, the only thing I can hear right now.


    Then, a high pitch screech, like something blocking my hearing out, hurting my head.


    -Kael, are you alright?


    "I don''t know what that was, but it hurts like crazy."


    -I felt it as well. What was that.


    I shake my head due to the tingling feeling ravaging my mind.


    And at that moment, Wukong goes forth, delivering blow after blow, turning every part of my body numb with pain.


    Unable to move even a finger, he continues his relentless barrage, to air pulsates with each movement, stronger than steel.


    -You have to regain hold, Kael. You can''t let this continue, otherwise you''ll die. Remember that you''re mortal, so fight back!


    I can''t even say anything back to Gastor, my jaw might be dislocated already, plus, my throat hurts, or is it just that it''s numb with pain as well.


    My sight begins to darken, ever so slowly as it takes away the view of which I see, namely the monkey god who assaults me with his rage filled power.


    ... Maybe this is it. There''s nothing left I can do, I¡¯m just not fit for fighting a god, or even worthy enough for that matter.


    All seems awfully hopeless from day one, now reality slaps me into submission, reminding me of that very hopeless road I''ve walked.


    ... I won''t let you die, we promised to each other that we will make it, right?


    "Wh-who''s that?"


    ... It''s me, Vixalis.


    "Oh, sorry about what this came to be. I guess that this is as far as I can go. I haven''t really accomplished anything anyway, so there''s nothing to lose other than my life, the only thing binding me to this world."


    ... But there''s still a way. Won''t you keep believing in me as I had asked for you since our first meeting?


    "I want to, but it''ll probably just be disappointing you like every other thing I''ve done."


    ... But will you believe in me?


    "Hah, sure, do your worst, whatever that is."


    ... Then I will do just that.


    (Gastor, Cuiv, awaken for me. Please help this friend of mine overcome his destiny. Carry on your shoulders his burden, give him someone to lean on, and finally, to end his sufferings.)


    "Vixalis, you''re going, aren''t you?"


    (Just for a while.)


    "Why are you doing this for some mortal. There''s more like him out there, there will never be a shortage of weak idiots, plus, they''re human, there''s no need to help him."


    (But he''s not just some human, he is my friend, and he has given his trust to me, and I shall see that through.)


    "Hmph, fine, that''s your problem now."


    (Thank you, Cuiv.)


    "Leave him to us. There will be nothing to worry about."


    (Thank you, Gastor. Know that there are still two of them who lingers within him, waiting to be challenged. Aid him, and together, you five will become greater than what you already know.)


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    A bright glow of light, like a birth of a new star, the two guardians turn their sights to their menace, the monkey god.


    With furious eyes, they air to take control of the battle, relieving their god of the pain he is being dealt.


    Their new responsibility, their new master, he is now what binds them together as the seasons change like the oceans ebb and flow.


    Cuiv''s speed in enhanced as he rushes like a bullet through the air, with his spear pointed to his enemy''s back after jumping to Sun''s blind spot.


    He pierces his enemy''s back just barely, but that is enough for his power to manifest, as winter takes a light touch of those unfortunate enough to encounter her power.


    Winter begins to show her power through Cuiv''s spear, enveloping Wukong with a coat of ice, freezing him from the spot where the spear had struck, developing into a coat of winter''s embrace.


    "Take this you overgrown ape!"


    In that same instance, after retracting his spear from the beast''s back, he connects with a catastrophic flurry of his spear, accompanied with icicles being created out of thin air, homing into Wukong.


    His enemy''s blind spot is covered with ice, and his body is starting to feel the effects of Cuiv''s cold touch, the petrifying coat of ice covers Wukong''s torso, moving up to the other parts in his body.


    Now over encumbered, his barrage ceases, and his face is overcome by surprise as he notices the changes that have occurred within the span of a second.


    His so called helpless enemy looks at him fearlessly, his stance has changed as well, having crossed his arms, effectively blocking any further attack from being made.


    He had noticed that in a brief second during his attack, his enemy had begun defending himself, and that his attacks were becoming less effective with each punch, as if he had been completely read.


    That wasn''t the only surprise they had in store for him.


    He had noticed as well that his body''s movement was being restrained, and even his after destroying the encumbrance that is the coat of ice, it still reforms, becoming relentless in itself, as if having a life of its own.


    He struggles, moving and moving until his body could not overcome to ice despite his powerful build and constitution, struggling until finally losing control over his body.


    Kael lowers his arms, looking coldly at Wukong.


    His aura has changed, different from who he was, as if a different person now stands as his opponent.


    Clenching his fists, his amasses an insurmountable amount of power, just like how he had done with mortal smite, except this is a different form of power, stronger than anything Wukong has faced in this feast.


    A god has descended, and is now looking to end this.


    Taking a running start, Kael retreats his fists to his sides, filling with power from nature and his surroundings.


    Closing in instantly, returns the grudge of having received a barrage of attacks with his own, smiting every impact with his fist, causing a pulse of air to breach the ground they both stand on.


    With one last parting gift, he pours all his energy into one more attack, aimed square at Wukong''s face.


    Unable to dodge, he receives the brunt force of the attack head on, and he is launched towards the ruined fortress, fully ruining it as the rubble scatters everywhere.


    Kael bends one leg, breathing harshly, looking down with tired eyes.


    He begins to glow green, then they separate, Gastor emerging to his side, exhausted, not anything he has ever seen before.


    "You really took a lot from me. It seems that the awakening was effective, but not manifested fully."


    He murmurs to himself, but most of his words were pointed to Kael, who can''t seem to hear anything as he his head thumps like his heart, beating, denying any words from being audible.


    Cuiv runs up to them, quite upbeat as per the results from their victory.


    "We really kicked him out of here, huh?"


    "We can''t rest yet, don''t let your guard down!"


    Gastor says, his body weighs heavily, as if a metal plate rests behind him, forcing him to the ground.


    "Wow, this is the first I''ve ever seen you this exhausted."


    "This is the first I''ve ever felt exhausted as well. It doesn''t matter, we can''t let Vixalis'' sacrifice be in vain. We will win this no matter the cost!"


    From behind Cuiv, the ruined fortress explodes, bursting high up in the air is a smoke clad silhouette in broad daylight.


    They turn around, surprised and disturbed from their brief break.


    "Kael, we have to merge once again, this is far from over."


    Gastor says, barely even finishing his sentence.


    "Alright."


    He nods with an exhausted look, closing his eyes to tap into Gastor''s energy stream.


    He stops however, opening his eyes in surprise.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "I can''t, I mean I see your flow of energy, but I can''t do it anymore."


    "It''s as I expected. We''ve abused the pact too much, including the energy you''ve taken from me, and the energy that I''ve given to you."


    Gastor says, his words carrying gravity with it.


    "Then what can we do? I don''t think we can attack effectively without having been merged."


    Gastor looks to Cuiv, and Kael follows, thinking only one thing left for them to do, yet the one who''s being focused on looks hesitant, not looking interested in their propositions.


    "I already told you, I won''t do it, right?"


    "Now''s not the time to be like this, Cuiv. You promised that you would see this through, we can''t fail Vixalis."


    "Wait, what do you two mean by Vixalis and failing him?"


    Kael asks, his tone becomes low in curiosity and concern.


    "Don''t worry about that for now, all we need to think about is persuading Cuiv to merge with you, ending this threat immediately, as a drawn out battle will spell our end."


    A loud bang takes place in a field just a few meters before us, and a puff of smoke emerges.


    A howl emerges, rampaging through the air, releasing a burst of wind.


    "VIXALIS!"


    Wukong emerges, having removed the coat of ice, sweeping the smoke and dust away with his cudgel, covered with his own aura of heated madness.


    "We don''t have time, merge now!"


    Gastor yells on the top of his lungs, his eyes seethe with rage, never before seen by both parties as they back away in fear.


    Kael looks at Cuiv sternly, "Let''s put aside our differences. I want to win this, I made a promise that I would, no matter what."


    "Tch, fine! Let''s just get this over with."


    Kael closes his eyes tapping into Cuiv''s energy filled with winter''s cold embrace.


    From the hilltop where Wukong landed, he begins to run, burning with rage that can''t be measured.


    Gastor stands, stretching out his body, looking forward.


    "You better hurry. I''ll hold off the god for as long as I can."


    Without waiting for a reply, he begins charging forth the same way as Wukong is, hoping to meet in the middle.


    Cuiv is coated in a blue light, slowly turning into a blue ball of light.


    The same shroud begins enveloping Kael, giving him the power of winter.


    The blue ball merges with Kael''s body, transforming him into a white knight clad in strong metal, designed to look like the guardian of winter, steadfast and unfaltering.


    He stands, his white cape fluttering in the air, his spear creating a field of ice as it''s end touches the ground.


    His aura carries with him the cold touch of winter in the form of a raging blizzard, giving his allies protection, and his enemies its full wrath.


    Through his helmet, two blue gleaming lights stare daggers at the enemy, currently clashing with the weak Gastor.


    -Don''t mess up, alright?


    Cuiv speaks from inside his head, giving not so friendly advices.


    Nevertheless, Kael feels the great power that winter has bestow to him.


    Even with the faintest movement of his fingers the snow around him seems to follow him.


    In a moment of idleness, memories drift into Kael''s mind, not his, but someone else¡¯s'' using the power of winter to its full potential.


    -I remember this. What are they doing here anyway? Must have something to do with being awakened and all.


    With words, Kael focuses his breath, thinking to imitate all the actions being performed in the memories that are being shown in his mind.


    He looks up at the helpless Gastor, trying his best to hold back, Wukong, yet without his energy, he is nothing but fodder to him.


    Kael turns the field in front of him to ice, using it to skate through the with ease, denying the sun from melting it.


    He closes in on Wukong and Gastor within seconds after having used his new method of charging.


    With his spear pointed, he thrusts one, creating a barrier of ice from where the spear had struck, covering Wukong''s behind.


    With a gesture to pull, the pillars of ice that Wukong had neglected begins growing sharp spears made of ice, piercing through the enemy, stopping him from further attacking Gastor.


    "VIXALIS, I WILL TAKE YOU DOWN!"


    He yells, his breath and voice starts to diminish as the cold takes a strong grip on his neck, his entire body, and his soul.


    Without any other thought, Kael takes to the sky, miles away from below.


    He points his spear downwards, creating a small ball of ice, then turns into a sphere in a second, growing a fraction of the moon''s size.


    "Take this, heaven fall, winter''s bead!"


    With his cry for power, the sphere becomes stronger, developing more layers of ice as it further lowers itself to the ground, creating a draft of wind along with it, strengthening the ice that way.


    Gastor, with enough energy left, runs away from the place that Kael is aiming for.


    Wukong, trying to break the icicles of spears running through him, looks up in surprise, seeing a large object in the sky going down towards him.


    His fear turns genuine, reminding him of the time that he was imprisoned under a mountain for his false claims.


    The earth quakes as the sphere hits the ground, turning the very region into winter''s domain, spreading the cold chill everywhere, even disregarding the existence of the sun.


    His enemy, lost within the blizzard, his allies, safe an unharmed, that is winter''s strength, its benevolence.


    Kael descends from the sky, landing on the ground with a thus as Cuiv separates from him, the blue ball of light turns into the guardian.


    Gastor walks towards them, though battered and bruised, he manages to make his way to meet them both.


    Kael looks at them both.


    "Did we do it?"


    Gastor looks at both of them with stern and proud eyes.


    "Yes, we have. You two have done a great deed today."


    As Gastor takes his pause, the Pegasus drawn chariot closes in, but is being obscured by the raging blizzard storm that covers the land.


    But it successfully takes them, flying back to the temple at a great speed as to get away from the storm.


    Having been whisked away, he is met by awkward cheers while some are silent, looking awkwardly at Kael as he limps through the temple room, catching the said gazes.


    "What, no cheering? I thought we won."


    Cuiv says silently so that only Kael and Gastor may be able to hear it.


    "We did, but remember, no one here agrees to an unaffiliated god entering the feast for a chance at attaining victory."


    Gastor implies, but Kael remembers that from the beginning after it having been clearly stated to him.


    He knows that there is no glory, and that he deserves no glory.


    But, he has resolved to keep moving forward despite all that, bearing anything along the way.


    From behind him, a voice congratulates him with his great victory.


    "Congratulations, Vixalis, on your great victory over Sun Wukong. You have truly shown everyone a great battle, one that will be remembered as a hard fought one."


    He turns around, seeing Zeus standing, clapping at him with a proud smile.


    The crowd then follows suit, clapping as well, then follows the cheering and applause that they thought would not come.


    "This ends todays feast; you are now all free to enjoy the feast!"


    With a smile, he goes back, thinking that even with this kind of treatment, there''s still something to be had.


    he then starts limping towards someone who seems to be waiting for him, smiling as well as she taps on the open space near her.


    "That was quite the spectacle you put on. Even I didn''t expect that from you."


    He grits his teeth as he sits down, trying to not let the pain disturb him.


    "Thanks, even I didn''t know how it would turn out, but I''m just grateful for how it did in the end."


    "I don''t know if you''re being modest of sincere, but you''re really something else, huh? A benevolent god or something?"


    He laughs at her remark, closing his eyes and listening to the sound of people talking and enjoying the feast.


    "Well, whatever it is, you earned it."


    She passes him a cup filled with some sort of beverage.


    He takes it without any other words, gulping it all down.


    Gastor and Cuiv rest in another table, eating to their hearts content.


    In a dark room where two people converse, one is filled with anxiety, while the other is shrouded in mystery.


    "Tomorrow, tomorrow we strike."


    "Are you sure? Isn''t it too early for this?"


    "We will lose our chance if we take too much time. They''re beginning to press their search for the missing gods, and soon they will find them, and all we''ve worked for will be for naught."


    "Well, the results will be less effective in return, are you prepared for that?"


    "I am, and I will be seeing things through for myself."


    "Oh, the general on the forefront, how interesting."


    "How about you? What will you do?"


    "Whatever I am ordered to do. You have formed a contract with me, no? I think it''s still valid."


    "Then you are to join me tomorrow. We strike at the break of dawn, the men will be prepared by then, and so will our secret weapon."


    With a stern voice, he stresses the last words of his sentence, depending heavily upon it from just the tone.


    "This is an interesting revolution. I look forward to being a part of it."


    The cunning man smiles from under his cloak, and with it is his confidence.


    "How of the gods? Surely they too will see for themselves what will become of their beloved kin, right?"


    He asks, masking in ulterior motive, but his question is sincere.


    "They too shall be there. They have no power anymore, I have it. They can do no damage to us."


    "Then if that is all, I shall show myself out. I have much to prepare if I am to join you tomorrow."


    He does just that, walking to the door, waving goodbye.


    And the man is now left alone, thinking to himself if his strong judgement is right.


    "No, I can''t hesitate now. I won''t wait another millennium! I must avenge all those who have suffered under these oblivious gods and their tyranny over this world."


    He paces back and forth, looking over the various reports laid out on his desk.


    All the various changes that have happened, all the countless damage reports that clutter another table behind him.


    "I can''t let this stress me. Once I''ve eliminated the pests and become god myself, I will govern justly, and so no one will have to suffer after I''ve unified this world of ours. There will be a reign of peace once I''ve begun my reign."


    He approaches the lantern serving as the only source of light in the room, taking it, and placing it near his desk as he takes a seat.


    ¡°There is much to do if I am to truly reform this world. The gods still stand in my way, and I cannot underestimate them. The mirror will serve as the inducer, those who are stronger than her will not be affected, yes¡­ It is all prepared. Now we wait.¡±

 Chapter 13: A harsh lesson in reality

    "OW!"


    "Please don''t move too much, I can''t apply the medicine properly otherwise."


    "But it''s pretty painful still. Don''t you have any anesthetics that you can use?"


    "Anesthetics? What a strange word. You say the most interesting things sometimes."


    Svanvhit moves closer to relieve the recurring pain, using the specially brewed medicine on the bruises and sore spots, some of which stings ironically.


    "I thought medicine was supposed to make the afflicted feel better, but all I can feel is the stinging numbness all over my body."


    "Like I''ve said, the most interesting things."


    After having fed ourselves at the feast, I spent more time than I wanted talking with Bellona, which wasn''t that terrible.


    Gastor had to carry both of us back to the settlement despite being in a worse shape than us.


    The battle between Wukong and I didn''t really escalate into a large scale one, rather, it was about who can defeat whom the fastest, or something along those lines.


    But still, there''s something bothering my mind up until now about our battle, I just can''t seem to find out what that is.


    Moving on, we arrived at the settlement, greeting the drowsy headed Svanvhit with smiles and more problems on her part.


    As I was propped up on a bed beside hers, my mind went blank almost immediately, and my eyelids become heavy.


    I sleep with a strange comfort from having been triumphant at something, and that something is about me being alive still.


    It''s quite the miracle now that you think about it.


    The next morning, Svanvhit woke up early, coming back with a bundle of fresh medicine, leaves and other medical supplies.


    Needless to say that my face was heavily bruised and my body damaged.


    Being a god does not exempt you from pain, and much more if you''re half mortal.


    Nothing wrong about being one after all.


    It reminds me that I''m still flawed despite being a god.


    A good philosophy, but an ironic one at best.


    Then it brings us to now, where I am undergoing treatment.


    "Hello? Are you there, Kaellum?"


    "Uh, oh, I spaced out, sorry."


    "Yet another odd word. I wonder where it comes from."


    "I''m just full of surprises aren''t I- Ow!"


    "How stubborn, please bear the pain no matter what, or else the medicine won''t be able to work."


    sighing in surrender, I grit my teeth as she closes in on my back, placing a strange liquid on a bandage that''s supposed to go around my body, covering up the torso.


    "Where did you get these injuries from? I don''t think I''ve seen a case such as yours."


    "I can''t really remember. Even I''m a man of mystery to myself, ha ha."


    "It''s amazing that you can stay optimistic despite having these horrendous bruises. You seem to have fractured your rib cage."


    "Ow, ow! Don''t touch it, I get it already. How do you know so much about these things? Are you a doctor?"


    "I know as much as a mother would. I should know, I learned from mine."


    There''s a certain sadness in her voice that trembles as she says the word of ''mother'', piquing my interest as I debate whether to ask about her parents, which I denied myself days ago.


    With my back facing hers, I begin mustering up my courage to ask her about something sensitive from what I''ve observed from her.


    "S-Svanvhit, I want to ask you about something."


    "What is it? It doesn''t seem like you to lose that optimism suddenly."


    "Well, it''s about you and your parents, will you allow me to ask? I know it''s insensitive, but it feels like there''s something bothering you, and I don''t like it when you look like that... it''s just-"


    "Don''t worry, it''s nothing. If it''s about my parents, they have long been gone, living in the sky now, where the gods are said to revel in welcoming their sons and daughters."


    A faint smile appears on her face, it''s not one that I could call genuine, but it''s one more thing to worry about.


    "Thank you for worrying about me anyway."


    That faint smile becomes genuine as she says that, looking rather upbeat after the awkward atmosphere that I''ve created.


    I look to my side, noticing the beam of light from the sun entering the open window, telling me that the morning has truly begun.


    I face Svanvhit, wanting to at least remove that sadness in her, one that I blame myself for reminding her of.


    To my surprise, my face closely meets hers, our noses touching as we stare blankly into each other''s eyes.


    She makes an expression that I''ve never seen from her before, and one that I never expected a level-headed person like her would make.


    Her cheeks turn beet red, yet she does not move back, rather our stares feels like they''re bringing us closes for some reason.


    I myself could not find it in me to back away from this, as if I want this to happen.


    The room is filled with silence, no other sound other than the usual bustling sound of people going here and there, yet it is faint, masked by the silence taking over this room where only two people are alone.


    I move in closer, hoping that things would turn for the better.


    But just then, the door bursts open, revealing two silhouettes blocking the sun that enters the room.


    One is of a large build, while the other is of a childish one, smaller than him without question.


    "Rise and shine my friend, today is a great day! -"


    "I can''t believe that you''re this weak, still lying in bed-"


    Their voices stop as we back away from each other, seconds after they have come inside, Svanvhit becoming redder by the second.


    Their eyes open wide in surpirse, Cuiv covers his, looking awkwardly at me.


    "I think we came at a terrible time; we shall see ourselves out then."


    Gastor closes the door, shifting his head away from us as he leaves.


    Then the silence returns, this time becoming unbearable.


    I look down, avoiding Svanvhit''s gaze.


    A recovery from that would be shameless of me, but I wonder what I should do.


    "W-well, I think I am finished mending your wounds. Try not to move too much as it might react once more."


    She begins packing her supplies, avoiding eye contact, yet her cheeks are still showing a faint red sign.


    I try reaching out to her as her back moves further and further away from me, shrinking along with my chances of patching this bad memory up.


    "S-Svanvhit, wait!"


    As soon as I muster up the courage to ask her, she quickens her pace, slamming the door shut as she runs away from her own house.


    *Sigh* "I truly never am lucky, am I?"


    A knock then is heard through the same door she left from.


    Filled with hope that she has returned for some reason, I stand upright, taking deep breaths as I wait for the door to open.


    It creaks slightly, then opening wide to my dismay, the very people who seem to have ruined my chances enter, looking genuinely apologetic.


    Their first words do not surprise me, rather, I selfishly expected it.


    "Sorry, it seems that your chance had flown out of the window at our coming. It wasn''t our intention, believe me."


    Gastor speaks, coming in along with Cuiv, who munches at a fruit that looks like an apple.


    "Well, it was kind of Gastor''s fault for planning to come here anyway."


    With a one glance, Cuiv''s color turns to a pale white one as Gastor shifts his eyes to his side, amassing a bloodthirsty aura that sent a shiver down my spine.


    "I''m kidding, I''m kidding, jeez, beings these days can''t take a joke."


    Ignoring Cuiv, I look to Gastor, curious as to why he''d come here in the first place, and with news from the looks of it.


    "Nothing in particular. I just happen to be in high spirits today, even I don''t know of the reason, which is rather strange."


    "Maybe Wukong knocked too much sense in him to be able to comprehend anything anymore."


    Cuiv retorts, puffing his chest as he speaks with confidence.


    "You''ll be glad that you''re still alive when the sun goes down, do you understand?"


    Gastor responds with a clear threat, surrounding the area with dread.


    Before the situation could get out of hand, I think of a way to settle this dispute with a change of focus.


    "Ah, what do we have planned for today? There''s not supposed to be a feast planned after one, right?"


    "Yes, the gods are free to do what they like: feast, spend their leisure, whatever gods do."This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    "Well, since you two have already ruined my plans, I guess the next place to be is the temple, making allies and friends."


    "If that''s what you want to do, then we will come with you, but I suggest using the rest of the time you have left afterwards to try and persuade another deity to follow you. There are still two of them left, each one stubborner than the other."


    "But it feels like I''m forgetting something important, it''s bothering me greatly."


    "It''ll soon come to you. All you need is time."


    "You''re right, Gastor, maybe all it takes is a bit of time."


    I move carefully to the door as to not induce any pain from my recent injuries, making Svanvhit''s medicine in vain.


    "Are you sure that you''ll be alright moving like that? I suggest resting here for a while."


    "Nothing will get done if one procrastinates too much."


    I smile brightly despite the bandage wrapped around my body.


    Opening to the door, I am again greeted by the sight I¡¯m most familiar with, the bustling of people with smiles as they go by, carrying with them foodstuffs and other necessities.


    Some take glances at me, but rather than being awkward about it like always, I wave back with a smile, looking to have people change what they seem to think of me.


    What catches my attention are two gossiping wives, talking about something that I might have an answer to.


    "Hey, have you heard of what happened to that small province near Gaestulia?"


    "That small town where most of the farms are located? Do you mean Camarie? What of it?"


    "A blizzard suddenly wiped out any chance of them growing crops, crippling the economy. No one knows how it happened, but it might be because of an angry god."


    I turn to face Gastor and Cuiv, dismissing what I''ve just heard, wishing them sorry in my mind, feeling genuinely terrible for it.


    "Why don''t we visit Elisha and Parsha? They might have some of that brewed berry juice."


    "Brewed berry juice? Sounds sketchy, are you sure you''re alright?"


    Cuiv looks suspicious.


    "Just come with me and you''ll know. Gastor hasn¡¯t tried it, but you''ll come to love it, it''s really something else."


    We head on our way after much arguing with the doubtful, passing through the oddly dense populated area.


    From what I remember, there were only a few of them in the settlement, now it''s looking like a whole town with this may people roaming about.


    Upon finally reaching the hilltop where the elder''s house is perched on top of, we come to the sight of Parsha looking to be planting some crops beside her house.


    Elisha comes along tottering with a basket over her head, whistling with a smile on her face.


    She takes notice of me, pointing with one hand and alerting Parhsa.


    "Grandma, it''s the Pegasus big brother!"


    "Oho, will you look at that, more company than the last."


    She smiles with comfort as she sees us, stopping what she was doing, wiping her hands, and coming towards us.


    After the exchange of pleasantries, she ushers us inside, carrying Elisha on my shoulders as she asked.


    Parsha enters the room carrying a tray filled with cups of tea as she says.


    "It is quite refreshing for you to come here, these past few days have been a stressful one for me."


    She catches her breath as she sits on her rocking chair, looking exhausted and pale as a ghost.


    Surely enough my conscience tells me the same thing I want to hear, ask her about it.


    "What''s wrong? Did something bad happen?"


    I place Elisha from my shoulders to my lap, then looking at me with downcast expression.


    "Some bad people came and were yelling loudly at big sis Svan."


    My eyes narrow and my attention focuses solely on her words.


    "Please tell me what happened, Parsha, Elisha."


    I look to the elder for an explanation, something to ease this worry that''s slowly building up in my mind.


    "A general, bringing with him an army, from the capital had come here to recruit my granddaughter after having heard of her great skill in fighting."


    "What did she do?"


    I find myself being awfully oblivious after not sensing that from her, not that it would be easy, but still.


    I didn''t notice at all, but, what''s the main problem? I don''t think being recruited is a bad thing especially from her, but there has to be something else missing.


    "Naturally, as always, she declines the offer, enraging the general, who took a large fraction of his men who were defending this settlement in return."


    She cast her eyes down, looking to console Elisha with faint smile, seemingly having an opposite effect on her.


    "The general said that she should defend the settlement instead, seeing as she has to prowess to do so. But she won''t be able to do it, not unless she exhausts herself to the point that she might pass in the future."


    I clench in fists in aggravation, looking to point my rage towards that general, whoever he is.


    "Where is she now? I need to talk to her, if I can."


    "Dearie, sometimes you must leave a girl to her own personal time if she is to know how to stand by herself."


    I sigh, thinking that her words are correct.


    I can''t force myself into her matters, especially if it''s one that she does not want to tell me.


    But Parsha continues.


    "But, she does not have to be by herself necessarily. An important part of growing up is having someone to lean on when you are facing a tough time."


    She looks at me, as if granting permission to see her granddaughter.


    I take one more sip of the tea that Parsha has brewed for us, feeling that the sun entering the window from behind me is quite hotter than usual, nearly to a burning temperature.


    Suddenly, a sound echoed throughout the surrounding area, or the whole world from how I hear it.


    A loud crash of lightning, a rage filled roar from the thunder gods.


    Then, the fury of the sun, growing fiercer by the seconds, burning the lush green forests under it.


    Instinctively, I take Elisha, backing her away from safety as she cowers from the sudden explosion of sound.


    I look out the window, along with Gastor and Cuiv who jump in surprise.


    From the horizon, a bright crash of thunder blasts down the earth, creating an explosion of great proportions, then a wave of wind blows over the forest near the settlement, threatening the people inside as their cries for help can be heard from inside the house.


    The sky turns red, rumbling along with the waltz of lightning that continues to destroy the ground around it.


    I look to Gastor and Cuiv, not needing any words, we dash into action, thinking that this anomaly isn''t because of a mystic power, but one of a godly strength.


    "Parhsa, please gather all the populace and keep them safe somewhere, we''ll do something about this."


    Without waiting for a reply, we run outside, meeting the terrified people, running here and there, to their homes, to the open nearby establishments that are accommodating the cowering populace.


    Filled with a strange adrenaline and thoughts about a certain someone, I run a bit faster than the well-built Gastor and the agile Cuiv.


    Knowing that she can handle herself even in a state of panic puts my heart at ease, but this isn''t quite the panic I was wishing for.


    "Where are we going anyway?"


    Cuiv asks, running along with us frantically.


    "Our suspect would be at the temple."


    Gastor replies, briefly and with few words as to focus on running.


    "Do we really need to go there anyway? It might have nothing to do with us. We can help the people here for now, then go there after all this dies down even for a little while."


    I come to an abrubt stop, thinking seriously about Cuiv''s suggestion, making sense as it should.


    "Gastor, Cuiv, please help me evacuate these people to safety."


    Having made up my mind in a split second, I order them to help with the effort.


    We split up, taking a district to ourselves.


    From the skies come meteors, falling down as they trail a red flare of fire, making the current situation more out of hand than it already is.


    "Damn, now we''re in real trouble. Where''s Svanvhit?"


    I look around, seeing fleeing people instead of the one I seek.


    I call their attentions yelling on the top of my lungs, yet no one seems to notice.


    From behind me, someone yells, "Everyone, your attentions! Calm and follow me!"


    Carrying a long stick with a banner hanging on top of it, a girl yells, effectively rallying the people to her.


    The atmosphere around them comes to a calm, forming a scattered line as they sprint to the one holding the banner.


    "Follow me and you will be safe!"


    Looking through the crowd, I see the person of my worry, Svanvhit, leading the relief effort.


    My gaze is disturbed by the first meteor impacting the ground, causing a massive scale tremor that shook even the settlement''s foundation, miles and miles away from us.


    The people fall to their knees, unable to catch their footing as they become disoriented by the magnitude.


    I myself was unable to control my balance, falling to the ground as well, but rather than staring down I quickly get up to my feet, approaching Svanvhit with gust behind me.


    "Svanvhit, I''m glad you''re safe."


    I take her hand, lifting her up from the ground.


    "Kaellum, do you know what is happening here?"


    "I do not, none of us do. But we''ll have to worry about that later, we need to get these people to safety. I''ve already asked Parsha and Elisa to seek shelter along with the populace, somewhere safe. I''ve also had Gastor and Cuiv help out."


    "Alright, I will continue guiding them to safety, but where are you going? You seem like you''re in a hurry."


    I think quickly and desperately as I try to make it sound as inconspicuous as possible.


    "Just leave this to me. I''ll do everything I can to stop this."


    "But how? What are talking about, you need to seek shelter as well."


    "Trust me, it''ll be better this way. I''ll come find you when I''m done, I promise! Then we can fix things between us after that... Thing."


    I run back, trying to find Gastor and Cuiv, ready to leave as to find out why all this is happening. There wasn''t supposed to be a feast today, this is something else entirely.


    "Gastor! Cuiv! Where are you!?"


    Yelling from district to district, finding no sign of them, or any other settler in the area.


    "That must mean that they''ve evacuated the people. This is a good start."


    I murmur to myself, running towards the entrance of the settlement, hoping that they can catch on and find my flow of energy instead without needing to waste my energy which I might need.


    I was again proven wrong.


    As I reach the entrance, my two companions stand by the gate, waiting for me.


    "Hurry up, Kael! you''re too slow!"


    "Come, we must hurry at once!"


    They both wave to me, causing me the run faster and faster until I reach them.


    "Everyone''s safe, Svanvhit had rallied them, there''s nothing to worry about on my end. What about you two?"


    "I''ve done my part, getting all the people in my vicinity and leading them to Parsha."


    "I''m good too. Being a kid is really tough, no one listens to you, but I managed somehow."


    Without any other worries, I nod to them and start running once more, towards the forest, heading to the temple of Aether.


    As we swat away the leaves and branches decorating the overgrowth, the sound of explosions and other godly powers being used becomes louder, near deafening in fact.


    The forest is not as I recognized it, rather, the ground is destroyed, the area far from us are ravaged by small meteors that have struck the ground.


    Some parts of the forest are even on fire, spreading slowly, but surely becoming a widespread forest fire if left alone.


    "I know what you''re thinking, and it won''t work. You''ll need to merge with Cuiv to be able to quell this large fire."


    I close my eyes, chanting the cold words of winter.


    "Winter, come as the fall ends, come where the barren lands await to revel in your glory!"


    "Hey, I don''t remember giving you permission! -"


    Cuiv and I merge with quickly, taking form of the iron clad knight wielding the spear as sharp as a the emperor penguin''s beak.


    Holding my palm out in front of me, the area is enveloped by a blizzard, but one of a shorter proximity since I don''t want the settlement to face this cold spite.


    Instead of a red, burning forest, I''ve replaced it with a quiet, tranquil, frozen forest.


    We separate immediately, not because I wanted to, but because Cuiv separated himself from me.


    "Don''t think we''re done, alright. I know you want to save everything here, but I won''t allow it!"


    "No time to become selfish, Cuiv. This is a matter that won''t come to a close if we are stubborn. We must work together."


    Dejected, Cuiv nods, but nevertheless following us as we run through the forest, nearing our destination.


    After covering more ground, a faint sound of a crowd roaring in anger, like an army from the medieval ages forming up to take a fortress from the enemy, except this fortress is a great temple where the gods reside in.


    Rather than running recklessly to something we don''t even have a speck of knowledge, we hide behind the trees and bushes from a hilltop a few miles away from the temple that should not be a place where humans can go through, with me as an exception.


    From far away, we stare in awe at a massive army assembled neatly, some are laid out on the ground, dead or unconscious, but most of the already impressive army is charging through the stairs, fighting gods with... godly powers?


    "What''s this!? A joke? How can humans have strength that would be enough to bend a god''s knee?"


    Cuiv rages silently, curious, but in awe for the most part.


    "Yes, this is unheard of. Not unless they are in the same predicament as Kael here, it is not possible for them to have such powers."


    Some of them bombard the temple with fire coming from thin air as they point their fingers and palms to the temple, destroying its magnificence.


    The surrounding field burns, the sky possesses a shade of dark red.


    One man can be seen from the very top of the sky, glowing a triumphant yellow glow, like the sun.


    He speaks, the man''s words seem to echo in everyone''s ears.


    "Now is the time that the gods will bow down to us. There will no longer be a tyranny upon us mortals who live their lives fairly and just. Follow me, your king, and we shall conquer them all!"


    The man opens his arms in acceptance of the air, an air of seriousness surrounds him.


    As he finishes his speech, the army yells in cheer, bolstering their ranks as their charge strengthens.


    "Just what are the gods up there doing? Can''t they just strike these hapless monkeys down?"


    Cuiv rants on.


    "I don''t know why, but we must get inside the temple somehow without attracting the attention of the army here, otherwise we''d have to face their full wrath."


    "What do you suggest then, Gastor? I don''t have any ideas right now."


    Suddenly, a flash of light sparks tension in the ranks including us as someone challenges the so called king.


    The giant hammer can be seen from here, causing a shockwave to pulsate from their clash.


    "Is that Thor?"


    I focus my eyes, seeing the overconfident god flailing his hammer here and there, but failing to even budge the man who counters all his attacks with one swing of his blade.


    The man warps to Thor''s back in an instant, not even making a sound or a movement.


    Without Thor''s knowing, the man swings his blade from the left, sending Thor towards somewhere, opposite from where we''re facing, behind us.


    "Wait..."


    As I open my mouth the speak, a large scale explosion ruptures the ground, creating a fissure larger than anything we''ve ever felt even from the feast.


    We desperately cling to one of the trees as to not get sent forward due to the pulse of wind.


    It quickly dies down, disorienting us, as I black out for a few seconds.


    My body feels like it''s being shook hard by someone.


    "Kael, Kael! awaken! This is grave, I need for you to awaken!"


    "W-What''s wrong, Gastor?"


    "The settlement... It''s been hit, that''s where the man sent Thor crashing."


    Gastor''s words awaken me... It''s as if I''ve lost all understanding of the world.


    I stare at the sky, still burning red, the roars of the soldiers become louder as the act happens.


    It''s like my life is draining out from me, nature taking back its energy.


    "Svanvhit, please tell me you''re okay, everyone too. Please... don''t let it come to this."