Hortin was a genius in his field. For his entire life he had been called a savior and life-changer. Everywhere he went monsters died and people were saved. It wouldn’t be for another millennia before the main population of Humans, Dwarves, and Elves got off the ground - but regardless, every person he saved was another potential for the future.

It was sad to say, but there just weren’t that many people like Hortin. He was just like the others, born into the world by some Godly power. Created rather than birthed, molded rather than gestated. That was life on early Nava. Divine experiments was what they would later be called.

Human on the outside, but so much more on the inside.

Hortin had power, real power. Power to kill and live life without fear of dying from a random hungry monster. Water – for some reason – was easy to control. That was his power – he was something the System called a… [Water Mage].

There were others like him, others with similar powers. But Hortin could heal, which set him as unique. This was important since life was not easy. Back-breaking work was a daily occurrence, farming vegetables or herding cattle. Sometimes the people would get a year off when a God noticed their struggles, but those were rare.

Hortin, however, was always around. Somehow, the man could appear when he was most needed. Almost like he could be in two places at once. It was a trait the man solely possessed at this point, one made out of necessity – teleportation. The others like Hortin were beginning to die or become bored, thus increasing the tasks he needed to do.

Some left the main groups and headed for the new lands the Gods created. Interesting races were slowly brought back, Dragons, Lich, Kepu, Naga, and many more. Each held different powers, each something new and needed.

Dragons could scare off low-leveled monsters, allowing the [Farmers] enough time for the harvest. Lich could change the lands, forging it for the groups. Kepu were able to teach others magic, creating more fighters. The Naga moved water ways and were creating new and stronger weapons.

The changes took a couple decades, but it was obvious. Survival was a group effort, not an individual. Hortin was needed less and less, giving him plenty of free time. He explored, he experimented, he loved, he cried. As the years went on, he evolved from a simple [Water Mage] into something far greater.

But… his power was unneeded. Walls were far better at protecting the start-up cities than a single man. Rows of [Archers] were better at handling mass monster waves while [Rogues] could assassinate the most powerful of enemies.

The others like Hortin abused their power, killing and murdering indiscriminately. They were barbarians – most of them at least.

Hortin hated having to kill the ones he used to call friends. But life on Nava was hard enough. Multiple [Tyrants] only hindered things further.

Eventually the people became afraid of him. Hortin was the last of his kind, Human – but not. Powerful, yes, but not immoral. He left, content with his new life while understanding the reasoning as well as the future. He returned a few times over the years, each time bringing smaller settlements out from the rain.

His legacy was set at this point – savior and guardian. A single man with the single goal of protecting everyone he could. Other large cities began to spring-up, each holding whispers of the man who could teleport and heal. The man who brought survivors living far off in the wilds, the man who left without payment or reward.

But, as the cities became stronger, as populations leveled, as the world became safer, Hortin was needed less and less. His level was too high to simply die of old age. He was an immortal, maybe even the oldest person alive.

The system didn’t like that very much. But to it, Hortin was a necessary mistake, one that was fixed right away. Stats were changed, but not for him.

But Hortin’s life was set - his stats were set. Stamina in the millions, kept him young and limber.

He was now bored and tired, so, he experimented. Teleportation was something that always fascinated him – why not figure out its secrets? He did just that. Years it took him but eventually he made the jump and arrived on another world.

Or… another Dimension.

Most of the worlds he visited were well established. They had their own guardians, their own Humans, their own civilizations, their own Gods. But Hortin found the beauty in that. Most of the worlds didn’t have the System, or at least, not in the same capacity. Without its help, people might only survive for a few dozen years.

But to them, that was natural.

Hortin settled down many times on many different worlds. Each time he found love, had kids, watched them die, and finally moved on. He would check on his descendants a few times, but with each passing generation he fell more distant-

“Wait, wait, wait.” Max said as he shook his head, “I’m not one of your descendants, am I?”

Tiodepth’s head dropped slightly. His eyes took a harsh edge for the interruption, but in all fairness the question was valid, “It is unlikely. Possible, but unlikely.”

“It’s just the water and space magic? Sounds very familiar to me… Did you ever visit Earth?”

The Leviathan exhaled, “Yes, but I didn’t stay long. I was treated as a heretic. I did have kids, however.”

“And I could be your descendant?”

“It is possible, but even if you were, nothing changes. You weren’t brought to Nava because of a potential legacy, if that is what you are asking.”

Max lowered his eyes, “Oh.”

“We will get to why you are here soon enough, but please, no more interruptions.”

The novelty of teleportation eventually faded and Hortin found himself back on his home world. Something pulled at him, however. A presence he later found out, his connection to the world – something only he had. It pulled him through the fabric of Nava, skipping over lands and past curtains. He merged through the margins and eventually entered a pocket.

It wasn’t a Pocket Dimension, not in the traditional sense, but the same principles could be applied. It was a tunnel between worlds – in this case, from Nava to the Water Dimension. It was scarcely populated besides from the occasional fish. But deep in the waters was a secret. A secret not even the Gods knew about.

The Mur.

They were reborn between worlds, their chrysalises finally hatching. Hortin found a purpose again, to protect. It was curious, however, the Mur retained memories from past lives. They held information Hortin didn’t know he longed for.

Like what he was, which God created him, his original purpose, and the horrors he would have faced if he had failed. Truth be told, the Mur scared him. They remembered a time before Hortin – Nava’s oldest citizen. They remembered only pain, only sorrow, something he was desperate to guard from.

But an issue arose, one that Hortin could not easily fix. The tunnel between the worlds was eventually given a guardian, one of Divine nature.

She was called Tiodepth and was the original Goddess of Water

But her new residence at the Gate of the Water Dimension removed her Divine status, crippled her power, and changed her title. She was now one of the original eight Leviathans.

At first, Tiodepth hated Hortin. She despised him for hiding the Mur – even though he was only respecting their wishes. She hated that a Human was allowed passage in to such a place. And she hated that he refused to leave.

When initially created, Leviathans were incredibly weak. They were all Gods stripped of their Divine powers for one reason or another. But they had grown accustomed to their power, so when it suddenly vanished, they felt the effect quite harshly.

The three parties soon found their roles. Tiodepth would protect the border between worlds, the Mur would live their lives, and Hortin would protect the Mur.

Millenia passed and feelings changed. Hortin and Tiodepth grew to love each other – something neither knew was possible. Two immortals that were not Gods was rare as it were, two immortals that could stand each other was even rarer.

But, as fate would have it, the System faltered again. A mistake, sure, but this one should have been caught. Having children was strictly prohibited between two immensely powerful beings… But Hortin was never supposed to get so powerful. He was supposed to have lived and died like any other Human.

A change that the System made because of Hortin.

Humans and Gods having offspring was no uncommon occurrence – but it was highly regulated. Demigods couldn’t simply be bred. There were criteria and stipulations all set in place by the System.

The same System that failed to limit the newly created Leviathan as well as the same System that forgot about the oldest being other than the Gods.

The System didn’t like this, however. It felt wronged. It felt abused. It felt the life it gave Hortin was taken for granted. Whoever controlled the System struck a vendetta against the immortal man. What was better than to kill his beloved? Forever to be cast in guilt, forever to walk Nava and know it was his own mistakes that caused Tiodepth’s downfall.

Tiodepth was killed and a new Leviathan was appointed for the Water Dimension. But not before she could enact her own revenge.

In the time she had been a Leviathan, Tiodepth didn’t lay idle waiting for trouble. She studied and researched – with Hortin’s help.

In the moments before she was murdered, Tiodepth was able to give Hortin her life. The two merged in the System’s eyes - she was killed in the process but gave her beloved amazing gifts.

Hortin’s race was changed to Leviathan, along with receiving the many boons the title gave – including her name. He retained his status as free and was never forced to protect the Dimension Gates. Magics were transferred, allowing the once Human even greater power.

But most importantly, he was gifted Tiodepth’s memories.

To the System, Tiodepth was killed… But also was reborn. Which was acceptable in its eyes. But he would be forever watched by the System. Every step he took, every decision he made, all categorized and tucked away. He was marked as the ninth Leviathan and stripped from history – both Hortin and Tiodepth.

There was only one issue, however. The Egg. Hortin – now Tiodepth – didn’t want the child to be taken, killed, used, or studied. So, he did as any loving father would, and hid the unborn child – an event that took the combined effort of both Tiodepth’s memories to solve.

The work bore fruit, it was possible to hide from the System for a short period of time.

Max and Emi both were leaned back against the stiff stalk of the cathedral pew. The last few hours were filled with revelations and many, many questions. But as Tiodepth – Hortin – ended the tale, they were simply left unfulfilled.

Learning about Emi’s background was supposed to be amazing, but the tone and subject matter of the history was unnerving. Was Emi doomed to be killed or experimented on by the System? Was her hatching a starting point for Hortin’s inevitable demise?

Max shook his head, “I guess my first question is… do we call you Tiodepth or Hortin?”

The fake Leviathan looked distant, “Tiodepth, please. Calling me by my birth name is only asking for trouble. There are still some who know of me.”

Max and Emi shared a glance, “Am I a Leviathan then?” she asked, her sparkling green eyes twinkling.

“Yes… or no…” Tiodepth sighed, “You are an enigma. Simple as that. In nature, when two separate – but compatible – races breed, the stronger of the two races is prevalent. There are some exceptions, like Goblins or Half-Elves, but usually that is the case, especially in the difference of power between Human and a Leviathan.”

“But…?” Max interpreted.

“But the System is not going to allow such a thing.”

Emi squinted, “So I’m a Human…”

“No. I suspect your race will remain blank, but you should retain the benefits of being a Leviathan. Such as a Dragon’s ability to change between a humanoid and natural form.”

Emi squinted again, “So I’m a Dragon?”

Tiodepth sighed, but with a smile, “Leviathans are a culmination of every race. What better way to create a perfect guardian than to mash every possible ingredient together?”

Max recoiled at this, “That means she can use every Racial Trait? Including Demigod?”

“No. Only innate abilities such as Dragon Transformation or Gnome intelligence. Every wonder why Emi was born incredibly smart? Well, because Gnomes are born the same way.”

Max’s eyes widened and he thought, Going to have to do some research on every known race, huh…

Meanwhile, Emi finally realized something. She inched closer to the Leviathan as rapid thoughts assaulted her mind. Standing on her hind legs, she slowly lowered herself to lean against her father’s arm and shoulder. He did not move, instead he intently watched. Emi carefully sniffed before snapping her tongue out for a lick against the man’s face.

She scurried to Max a moment later, as to hide her embarrassment. But they both saw her lighter colored scales.

Emi, you don’t have to be embarrassed here. No one is going to make fun of you, no one is going to laugh. Remember Celenia and Belopi? This is the same scenario. Max said through their shared bond.

Hesitantly, Emi stepped forward. Sniff the air, take a step, sniff the air, take a step. Tiodepth moved his hand and she darted back to Max. A few moments later she returned to the covering the distance of the pew.

This time, Tiodepth reached out slowly and scratched her scales. A single tear fell down his cheek as Emi purred.

“I’m glad Max found you.” Tiodepth whispered, “I know you will be loved.”

Emi craned her head in confusion, but her father was already leaning away. He scooted across the pew, away from his daughter.

“We can’t have a relationship,” He said, “Not anything more than a benefactor and beneficiary. Anything more will alert the System, not to mention our enemies.”

Max pulled Emi into a tight hug. They were both mature enough to understand Tiodepth’s meaning. It was a scenario they were both quite familiar with – secrets others would kill for. At least, until they were more powerful.

“Which enemies are you referring to?”

The Leviathan’s eyes went hollow, he looked distant and slowly shook his head, “The Divine are not all smiles and miracles. They are greedy, power hungry, selfish individuals all with their own goals and standings.”

Max nodded, “What about Ofes and Subuntu? I know Subuntu used me for his own goal, but the goal was a good one.”

“Subuntu is one of the few I might place my trust in. Ofes… she is two faced. I would stay as far away from her as you can.”

“What do you-“

“Why do you think…” Tiodepth interrupted, “Why do you think she was the first being you met when you first arrived on Nava?”

Max’s mouth gaped open and closed, Emi looked between her father and her partner, she spoke, “What do you mean?”

“Don’t tell me you never suspected it? After everything you have been through? Every event you have survived has had her hand involved.”

Max stayed silent.

“Then there is the case of Lester. His disappearance was sudden, which is especially concerning sense her Angelic was involved.”

“Burk?” Emi asked.

Tiodepth shook his head, “No the male one. One of a kind that Angelic – the only male of his entire race. A mistake, or the original… no one is sure, other than that he is loyal to Ofes.”

“Where is Lester?” Max asked.

A misty exhaust formed as Tiodepth exhaled, “I do not know. Even though I am powerful, I do not know the ins-and-outs of the Heavens. Rumors and whispers are all I receive down here, but… sometimes that is enough to form a conclusion.”

“And what conclusion is that?”

“Lester is either a prisoner held by Ofes or Ofes gave him a dangerous quest.”

This didn’t make sense to Max, there were others who knew about Lester, “Mallor Henbar knew Lester was in a prison. He wasn’t aligned with Ofes.”

“That is true… But Henbar’s Goddess loved to meddle. What better way to start a resurgence of the most feared terroristic organization than to declare the content of Salarin’s most powerful guardian dead or apprehended?”

A clank from the far cathedral door interrupted Max’s response. A Mur wearing pristine robes gasped and bowed out.

Tiodepth stood, “It seems the cathedral is going to be needed soon. You are welcome to stay, but I will not be.”

Max recoiled, “But you didn’t explain why I was brought to Nava!”

The Leviathan locked eyes with the Lost Lord, holding him in a battle of flinching, “I do not know the exact reason - as I have said, I only hear whispers. So, I cannot answer your question, not like you want. But listen and listen well Max Fowler. When you walk around Lesterwood or Salae, what do you notice?”

“What?” Max and Emi both said.

“When you walk around a city, what do you notice about the technology. At least compared to Earth.”

“It’s far behind…? Magic takes care of many of the-“

“No, no, no.” Tiodepth interrupted, “There is no plumbing spell. There is no mass printing like a newspaper. There is no widespread communication. There is no connectivity.”

“The Gate System-“

“Was created by a Lost Lady.”

“[Space Arch Mage] Zenn was a Lost Lady?” Max’s shoulders slumped, “What are you trying to say?”

“Technology and innovation on Nava is at a standstill besides for the genius work of Lost Lords and Ladies.” Tiodepth explained, “Someone – or something – is keeping Nava behind. In my entire life, I have not seen the level of innovation and creativity on Nava that I’ve seen on other worlds. Why?”

Max made a realization and ignored the direction question, “Someone else is trying to progress Nava?”

“Yes. But the question becomes… Who?”

“But why me? Why not a physicist or doctor? Why me? I’m just an average- Oh.”

Tiodepth nodded, “Because you can remain hidden. If you were too smart, someone would start to realize that the seemingly random Lost Lords and Ladies showing up on Nava aren’t so random.”

Max’s head fell into his hands, “I was chosen because I’m not special. But… why did you choose me for your blessing?”

Leviathan Tiodepth made an annoyed sound. He stepped away, walking from the pews before saying a few closing words, “Because I could.”