“Now just wait a mo…” Started the silver haired man.

“No.” I replied, not even looking at him while taking care to position the captain comfortably in my arms. “You can’t stop us.”

I nodded at Heimdal, who opened a portal to some planet in the direction of the Pantheon. He left it hanging there in the air, while our group and the silver-haired man stared each other down.

“If you take her away, it will be constituted as an act of desertion. You would be treated as accomplices.” Said the man.

“And?” I asked. “You tortured her.”

He smirked.

“And I was completely within my authority to do so. As soon as the Pantheon is involved, the military pulls out all limitations. It’s martial law. We don’t just extract information in such…violent ways unless there is protocol for it. And I do feel sorry for doing so, but my own superiors would punish us all had I not followed the protocol.”

I turned towards Jvorg. He nodded back at me.

Damn. I didn’t think that something like this would happen. Apparently, I had greatly underestimated the situation, and the vitriol associated with the Pantheon’s name. The Federation really doesn’t like them.

“I think we shall be leaving anyway.” Said Heimdal. “With the captain, of course. It seems her fate would be rather tragic should she be left here.”

“That it would be. Please, by all means, take her. I don’t want to look at her traitorous face any longer.”

“And her crew?” I asked.

The silver haired man regarded me frankly.

“Why would I do anything to them? The blame always is taken by the one commanding them. It’s the responsibility of authority. The captain’s crew is blameless.”

“And what about us?” Asked Athena, asking a question I approve of for once.

“Of course, I’ll be putting all of you on a watch list, to be observed by the Federation whenever seen, and if possible, to be brought in for crimes against the people. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible now, as your group is evidently more powerful than those of us on this base.”

Oh-ho, seems this guy has more depth than I had attributed to him.

No use dwelling on it, however. We’d better just get out of here first. Heimdal’s portal is stable, and just waiting for us to cross.

“Then, we shall be taking our leave.” Said Jvorg. “Thank your for your hospitality, but it would not do to impose on your people any further.”

“Please, just leave.” Sighed the man.

So we did, crossing through the portal to the nearest inhabited planet.

Of course, CZ Prime, being on the very outskirts of the Fringe, is kinda in the middle of nowhere. So, the options for nearby settlements are likewise limited to fairly backwater locations—the sort of places that you either just end up in, or are born to.

It seems this place is at least a cut above what I was expecting, as a complete planet, with greenery and it’s own ecosystem. From what I understand, most places out here are simple mining sites set up in particularly dense clusters of asteroids or debris. They aren’t anything more than temporary settlements, meant to afford only the basic necessities of survival.

This place, though, is a complete solar system, with a score of barren planets orbiting a small white star, and a single planet bursting with plant and animal life. That’s what the locals we encountered said, at least. They’re uncharacteristically helpful, and were completely willing to show us the way to a nearby hotel. The unconscious and beat-up captain in my arms drew some looks, but nobody really said anything about it. They just gave her some looks of pity, while other emotions swam in their eyes. No hostility though.

“Are you sure we’re near the Fringe?” Asks Athena in a tone of vague disbelief.

“I am certain. However, this is admittedly quite unusual.” Replied Heimdal. “This place must be special somehow.” He said, shrugging. We paid it no more attention, and set up our hotel rooms.

It would be Isis, the injured captain, and me in one room, Sabrina, Haven, and Athena in another, Jvorg and Heimdal in the third, while Godard, Ussen and Kormic shared the last.

Isis and I shared a room in order to look after the captain, while the others simply separated themselves in a way they were comfortable with.

~

“Need any help?” I asked, glancing towards the captain lain out in bed, bruises swelling what had been an authoritative and handsome face—if you could call a woman’s face handsome, that is.

“N-no, I have this.” Said the diminutive Isis. She walked over to Captain Farthings, and placed a hand on the wounded woman’s forehead. A soft glow extended from Isis, enveloping them both.

“T-t-this is good.” She said. “It’s only…surface wounds, n-no deep damage. Quick recovery, easy fix.”

“That is good to hear.” Said Heimdal, not bothering to knock as he came into the room. I nodded.

“Guilty?” I asked.

“Yes.” He admitted frankly. “That woman is only hurt because we stepped foot onto her ship, and because we are members of the Pantheon. The scales must be balanced.”

“Annoying, how divided we are.” I commented.

“I-it’s human nature, tribalism.” Replied Isis. “Our greatest…predator, or…rival, is fellow man. M-millenniums of fighting won’t change overnight, especially when…balance of power is involved.”

“Pantheon too?”

“Pantheon especially. T-that place needs change.”

“For certain.” Agreed Heimdal.

“How so?”

“Well, power is too well balanced in the Pantheon. One could say that the organization was built with a solid foundation of equality, and this has come to bite us now. For instance, look at the Great Families. I am sure that you, as an Al’Verath, know about the sort of power struggles which take place between families.”

I nodded. “I know a bit.”

“Ha, that is putting it mildly, no?” Called out Jvorg from the still open doorway. “I am willing to bet my own soul that you have something to do with the oddly uncharacteristic silence from the Al’Verath family. Maybe you were even involved in that purge they went through a while back.”

“…No comment.”

“Anyway, look at the chaotic relationship between the Great Families. There is much violence and backstabbing, as well as your usual power holders standing at top, but there is change present, right? Any family could stand above the others with enough determination, strength, luck, and resources. And, any at the top could fall without enough strength. If you wish to accomplish something, the only thing required is the ability to do so.

“This is not the case in the Pantheon. Every move we make must be taken as a whole. A single group dissenting would halt any momentum we had, and stall progress. And of course, like in any other big organization, there are always dissenting voices.”

“Difficult to get stuff done, then?”

“Yes. Many times, it seems that we must take two steps back in order to take one forward. And then, when it comes time to take risks, we face even greater backlash. It is one of the grand downfalls of democracy—everyone has a voice, but none of them agree.”

“N-no, worse…everyone has an idea, but only theirs is the best.” Added in Isis.

I sighed. It sounds like a right grand mess.

“Gripes due to fringe activity?”

“Exactly.” Winced Heimdal. “The Pantheon council has concrete evidence of non-human interference in various locations, and even some ideas on what is going on. However, they are frozen by indecision and will not make a move. Meanwhile, the Federation is only sending disposable units to probe the Fringe regions without much merit, while the big-wigs sit in the back and squabble over the ‘threat’ of the Great Families and the Pantheon. The Great Families themselves are divided by their very nature, and while a handful have launched investigations into various happenings, the others only eye everyone else suspiciously.”

“There is no unity.” Concluded Jvorg. “Even at this time, where all humans should at least present a somewhat unified front, no?”

“Then looking for Odin, for change?”

“I see you have already pretty much grasped the entire situation. Yes, we were looking for Odin—for you—in the hopes that the balance of power in the Pantheon would shift, on top of some difficulties the Norse camp has been facing in the past few decades. Otherwise, we would have to suffer through the politics of trying to get the council to move while still under the current power balance. To put things lightly, it would be hellish.”

~

I sat in thought for a moment, going over what this all means for me, and for my friends. Sighing again, I decisively decide on a course of action.

“Someone call for others?” I asked. Jvorg nodded, and left to grab everyone.

Moments later, we had all of our little group in the same room.

“What’s going on, Revy?” Asked Sabrina, correctly feeling like something has changed.

“I’ve decided to be the catalyst.” I responded, leaving them in only more confusion.

“Truly?” Asked Jvorg. “You are willing to accept the burden of doing so, to be the center of attention in the Pantheon?”

I nodded resolutely. “Already Odin, might as well.”

“Wait, what’s going on, exactly?” Asked Sabrina again.

“I-I think that Revian is…informing you that she will become a v-v-very important person in the coming weeks…or months, and that things will become chaotic around her.”

“Mh.” I nodded.

“O-oh.” Said Godard. “Like, how important are we talking here?”

“Top three. The Pantheon’s pillars are typically Zeus, Ra, and whichever community is strong at the moment. More than half the time, it is the Norse camp, while occasionally the Buddhists, Taoists, or Jews preside instead. With the addition of Revian as Odin, the Norse camp will get a massive strength boost.” Said Jvorg.

“Yes, and this is not even considering Revian’s own strength, and the influence I am sure she will have, as a full illusionist not hampered by artificial limitations placed due to the fear of those in power. She is very strong, and while everyone is to be considered equal in the Pantheon, power still lends a weight behind anyone’s words.” Continued Heimdal.

“So, basically, our friend is about to become very busy?” Asked Kormic, unknown and unreadable emotions flitting about in his eyes.

I nodded again.

“Right, good to know. Now, how far will we have to go, to stand with her?”

My gaze shot back to him.

Heimdal laughed. “Now that is a good attitude to be having! Youth needs to be like this, not like the doom and gloom Revian has had!” He said, thumping Kormic on the back, causing him to stumble despite his large stature.

I looked around at Godard, Sabrina, Haven, and Ussen; and saw Kormic’s sentiment mirrored in their eyes with determination and vigor.

“Well, the first step would obviously be to get more powerful, no? Arrive at Pantheon, and find your ideal Ascension. That boy already has his,” said Jvorg, pointing towards Godard, “and you all just have to find yours now. It would be something complimenting the core of your being, and your Awakened form. For instance, my Awakening is of a rather rare male Korrigan, which gave me some measure of precognition. Then, my Ascension was as Mimir, pushing all my existing abilities to their limits.”

“I-It’s very…helpful to have complimentary Awakenings and Ascensions.” Finished Isis.

I nodded along, seeing the usefulness in such a thing. Unfortunately, my motion drew Godard’s attention.

“Ah! That reminds me! We never could quite figure out what your Awakening is, Revy! I mean, we now know that you Ascended as Odin, but that’s separate from an Awakening, right?” He said, looking excited.

Damn, I was hoping nobody would have remembered.

I mean, sure, it’s not a big deal if they find out about it or anything, nor is it anything unusual—but it’s just somewhat embarrassing, right? I didn’t chose to take after Klein, that man which would claim to be my father, and don’t girls normally want to look cute and all?

I would have rather Awakened as a fairy or something, than some scaled lizard. It seems foolish, I know, but damn it all if there isn’t some little tiny corner of my heart which still wants to be read books about princesses being rescued or beautiful maidens and happy endings.

“Awakened as dragon.” I said, sighing.

Heimdal and Jvorg looked slightly taken aback, but not surprised, while my friends looked at me with wide eyes. Oh, so they’re more stunned about this than my being Odin? Figures.

“How many dragon-type awakenings are in the Pantheon?” Asked Heimdal, directing the question towards Jvorg.

“Hmm, when I left, there were around ten to a dozen. The power of a dragon aligns nicely with most Ascensions. In fact, some Ascensions have to be taken up by someone with a dragon Awakening, like Jormungand, Azazel, Apalala, or Tiamat.”

“Makes sense. I just did not quite expect our Odin to be one as well.” Said Heimdal.

“It is what it is.” I said, shrugging.

“Indeed. Though, you seem somewhat embarrassed by this.” Said Jvorg, looking at me teasingly. “You would not be deformed or anything in Awakened form, would you?”

I started shaking my head, then paused.

“Eh? You do not know? What does that mean?”

In truth, I’ve not going into my Awakened form at all. Like, ever.

For one, it was never needed at any point. The issues I came across were solvable through just my abilities as an illusionist or my Ascension as Odin.

Second, I’ve never felt the need to experiment with the form. All Awakenings impart a hereditary knowledge on their abilities and limits. I know what the form can do without ever using it.

I explained this to Jvorg, though it took a while.

“I would probably go into Awakened form anyway, as soon as possible.” He replied. “Just to avoid any surprises and to get used to it. Knowing what an Awakening can do is different from actually doing it.”

I nodded, reluctantly agreeing with the sentiment.

“I’ll try it at Pantheon.”

~

“Anyway, we have something else to talk about, right? No way I was called here just for this.” Asked Athena, slightly irately.

“Ah, yes. I believe we were also going to ask for opinions on what to do with Captain Farthings here.” Said Jvorg, looking towards her figure in the bed.

“Would ask her, but not awake.” I said.

“That bastard did a number on her, for sure. Who does he think he is, harming a subordinate so badly? I’ll bet he just sat and watched it as well.” Remarked Sabrina angrily.

“It is a common attitude in the Federation’s military, unfortunately. Many higher end officers are corrupt in one way or another, and hate the Pantheon to the bone. This man was likely no different. I would get used to this sort of treatment after joining the Pantheon.”

“T-take that back…” Called a voice, weakly. Everyone looked towards the captain in surprise, seeing her struggling to rise up out of bed.

Isis hurried over, trying to get her to lay back down.

“No, I will not, you all have it wrong—Vice Admiral Lützow is the best commander…on this side of the Fringe!” Yelled Farthings hoarsely.