"Why haven't you been able to contact Exile!" Bjorn frantically ran his hands over his bald head as he paced up and down in front of Ania. "Don't tell me we were too late!"

"No... I can still feel his presence. It's like something is stopping my prayers from reaching him..." Ania frowned as a bead of sweat ran down her forehead. 

"It's been nearly three weeks already! Is he angry with us?" Bjorn became breathless from his shouting. He was struggling to understand the meaning of Exile becoming silent.

"I don't know..." Ania felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was certain that Exile was still alive, but she could not make sense of the situation either. She would give anything to travel to the heavens and find out what was going on. 

'The followers are becoming tense. They're worried that they've been abandoned.' Ania sighed as she looked around the crowded temple. Everyone in Eraldsfen was seeking an answer, but she had none to give. They could only wait until Exile contacted them instead. Another two days passed with Ania walking around the village, feeling like a lost sheep. She had no sense of purpose, as she often found herself daydreaming. That was, until...

Static! Static suddenly filled Ania's mind! A broad smile crept across her face as she instantly reached out with her prayers to connect to the presence...

[Ania?]

'Yes Lord Exile!' Ania's excitement reached new levels as she recognised the voice. Exile had finally contacted her! Warm tears ran down her face as she dropped to her knees in the snow. A few of the nearby villagers spotted her odd behaviour and rushed to her side with excited expressions of their own.

[Gather everyone in the temple. I have something important to announce.]

Ania was stunned for a moment as she digested those words. 'Lord Exile... You're coming here?' 

[Hm... Yes. I'll explain everything when I arrive...]

Ania's eyes flew wide open as the connection was instantly cut off. Even if he was descending to punish them it was worth it to know that she would see him again! Her smile almost reached her eyes as she glanced around at the villagers.

"Everyone, we have to get ready..."

Meanwhile...

Exile heaved a sigh of relief as he sprinted through the streets of Valheim. 'Haha! Aeri must be pissed right now!' With the start of the open beta every player who logged in found themselves in the strange marble circle in Valheim where they first arrived after their ascension. 'It's probably to even the field with banned players being allowed to return. It basically stopped anyone from dying prematurely as soon as the open beta started.'

Exile could hardly believe his luck as he ducked into the side street that led towards the bar. This was where he had agreed to meet up with everyone. One, to complete their quest. Two, to return their orbs. As Exile banged on the door, it swung open to let him inside. It seemed that Clay had been ahead of him and found his way here first.

When the others filed in one by one and everyone had arrived, Clay nodded before turning in their quest. Exile's mind flickered to the notification that he had just received.

[Congratulations! Quest: Tomb of Jorgan has been completed. You have been awarded +5 Stat Points.]

Colt decided to shore up some of his weaknesses this time around. He dropped one point into strength for the sake of being able to pick up items that had a strength requirement. He put another point into endurance since it was his strongest stat so far anyway. The last three points he dropped into speed. After the recent events, he felt that he should be better at running just in case. He glanced over his new stats happily.

[Name: Exile]

[Title: God of the Hearth]

[Race: Local Deity (Human)]

[Tier: 0]

[Level: 4]

[HP: 75/75 (60+15)]

[DP: 10/10 (8+2)]

[Strength: 6]

[Endurance: 15 (12+3)]

[Speed: 10 (9+1)]

[Authority: 10 (8+2)]

'Strength is the only one not in double figures now...' Colt sighed. His character was starting to look more well rounded now. '5 points left until I hit Level 5.' A glint appeared in his eyes as he searched his inventory. He had already handed over everyone's orbs... But he still had Donna's to absorb, and the effect should not be small.

[Do you wish to absorb DonnaThaGreat's Divine Orb?]

'Yes...'

[You have permanently received +4 Strength, +6 Endurance, +4 Speed]

Exile felt a surge of power run through his body as the others turned to look at him with strange looks on their faces. There was a feeling of danger coming from Exile right now that seemed to be sending warnings to their brains. 

[Congratulations! More than 40 points of Divinity detected! You have reached Level 5!]

[Unlocking Aura of the Gods]

[Aura of the Gods (Tier 0): Your Divinity has reached a level where those below Level 5 will feel threatened in your presence. No effect on higher levels.]

Exile raised an eyebrow at the unexpected ability. It meant that those who harboured ill intentions towards him but were lower levelled would be less likely to act. 'That windfall puts me one point away from Level 6.' Exile grinned as he thought about how high in the rankings he would have shot up. 'As long as nothing's changed for the others, I should be number one or two now!'

Clay coughed as he wore an awkward expression while looking towards Exile. He was seeking an explanation for the sudden feeling that they all had. Exile chuckled lightly as he waved his hand in the air. 

"Sorry, that's my fault. It doesn't look like I can turn it off." Exile smiled apologetically at the others, who rolled their eyes in response.

"What exactly is it?" Clay asked with a curious tone.

"Just a little gift from the game for reaching Level 5..."