Raymond leapt back, putting a little bit of distance between her and Edwin. After her dramatic statement, the act probably seemed a little cowardly but she didn’t want to be anywhere near the warrior for the next phase of the plan.

A quick glance told her both that the goblins were in position and that the Mountain Yeti had managed to run away after its arm had been broken. It did its job well, it deserved a break.

She felt her Regeneration doing its job as her face began to reform into its proper shape. She moved her jaw a bit, trying to relieve the stiffness caused by having the bones shattered and then put back together.

As she did so, she looked up. Several goblins were flying through the air over Edwin. In near-perfect sync, they released the flaps covering their butts and then a horrible stench filled the air. A rainbow of sparkles rained down in abundance on Edwin, covering him in the goblin’s characteristic glitter.

This was the main goal of Operation: Glitterfart. The goblins launched their comrades over the enemy, covering them in the glitter.

Raymond hadn’t personally experienced how powerful the illusionary properties were supposed to be since she was immune, but the goblins assured her that it would be enough to even incapacitate a silver ranker if they were covered in it. The glitter itself was easy enough to see coming and to avoid or blow away with wind magic, so Raymond’s job was to eliminate the spellcasters and then pin down the strongest enemy until the goblins were over the target.

The effect was immediate. Edwin fell to his knees, pounding his chest with his fist as he began to cough. His eyes were swimming with tears and filled with terror as his gaze settled on Raymond, seeing something different than her… something that only he could see.

Lexi came out from behind Raymond, rushing past the temporarily incapacitated Warrior to take on Jantzen and Jonathan. A group of twenty goblins followed her charge. Shaman came up beside Raymond as they observed Edwin for a moment. Now it was Og and his team's turn to see if they could deal the finishing blow. Raymond needed to sit back for a second and let her Regeneration take effect.

As she was thinking that, she heard a sound that she wasn’t expecting.

*ring, ring* *ring, ring*

***

It took me a few seconds to grasp exactly what was happening. The process was made easier by my ability to access Kelsey’s thoughts, emotions, and most recent memories. I could both see and feel the intent behind her decision, though I couldn’t see far back enough to find the initial trigger.

It wasn’t that hard to guess that Mort had something to do with it though.

Mort shifted, ruffling his wings a bit.

“Legion is present!” he announced.

Kelsey stiffened, looking around anxiously but, of course, she couldn’t see him. Eileen hid a smile as she observed Kelsey from her seat near the KAT.

“Wh..where is he? Why is he here?” Kelsey stuttered.

“Well, you are only his second follower, including his Tether. I’d say it makes sense that he’d come to see you,” Eileen stated. “Besides, this is your chance to speak to him. That raven there is a familiar of Miss Raymond, no? It’s a bit unorthodox, but it should work out just fine.”

Wait… that’s a brilliant idea! I hadn’t even thought of taking advantage of Raymond’s ability to communicate telepathically with Mort… this would definitely be amazing if we used it right.

Kelsey hesitated for a moment, steeling her mind with resolve before kneeling. Since she could neither see nor feel my presence, it didn’t really bother me that she was facing the wrong way… rather, I promptly moved to stand before her.

“My Lord Legion,” Kelsey started, her voice containing a note of reverence, “I would serve thee. What wouldst thou have me do?”

Dang. Some of those words are really old English… I’d rather these people just speak to me normally like Raymond does…

I thought about her request for a moment. I hadn’t yet really touched on my plans for when I obtained more followers because that day had seemed to still be quite distant. I looked around the room, searching for inspiration. As my eyes settled on the object in the corner, I smiled.

I focused on my connection to Raymond, observing her surroundings. She was still facing off against that Edwin guy. It seemed that Operation: Glitterfart went without a hitch, so I should have a brief window to communicate with her.

“Raymond.”

A small pause. “What?!” she replied, somewhat annoyed, “I don’t have time to talk right now…”

“You do. The next stage of the operation is starting any second now, right?”

“Right…?”

“I need you to open your telepathic link with Mort and then order him to repeat exactly what I say.”

“...What?” she asked, confusion transmitting through our mental connection.

“Just do it. If I tell you why then I’ll lose Holy Power.” I stated, a bit of impatience making its way into my voice.

“Even if you say that, I’m not exactly in a secure position…”

“Just do it,” I ordered.

There was a brief pause. “Okay. What do you want me to say?”

“Ask her to list the requirements to become a follower. Specifically, I want to know whether or not the individual actually has to be inside a Temple.”

“Sure thing.”

I turned my attention to Mort as he stiffened. Then he dutifully began to speak.

“Legion has spoken! He has an inquiry for High Priestess Eileen. What are the requirements to become a follower? Is there a distance requirement?”

Eileen tilted her head quizzically. “Distance? Not particularly. You have to be older than eight-years-old, state your desire, and, finally, have your name registered in the Kravelozonian Access Terminal. We usually don’t accept letter applications or requests through 3rd parties to prevent accidents.”

I smiled wickedly.

“Raymond, tell Mort that you are going to start giving them a list of names. Make sure to take note of and only send the names of those who state a ‘desire to be registered’.”

“So you actually need me to go and ask people?”

“Yes.”

“Did you forget that we’re in the middle of a battle? Despite the illusion, this guy is holding off Og’s entire group. They can only keep him occupied for so long…”

I looked at my Holy Power meter, which had grown in capacity since Kelsey became my follower. I had enough for a lesser miracle but I might be able to knock out two stones with one bird here. The goblins who become my followers will ‘respawn’ and if I get enough followers than maybe…

Maybe I might get enough power to turn the tide.

“Auto, run me through a crash course on using ‘greater miracles’.”

***

“Mort, where exactly are you?” Raymond asked, a bit frustrated at not understanding what was going on. She had faithfully relayed the instructions given to her but she was utterly confused.

“My Lady, I am currently in the High Priestess’ room of the Temple of Cairel with thy newest subordinate.”

If Mort was in the Temple, then…

A light went off in Raymond’s head and she began to laugh.

Shaman placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you… alright?” she asked.

Raymond had fluctuated between looking confused, frustrated and now excited in the space of a little over a minute, the entire time in complete silence. Naturally, Shaman was a little concerned.

Raymond nodded. “I have a way to register the goblins as followers of Legion. Anybody who accepts will ‘respawn’ after this fight.”

Shaman froze. “Oh?” she muttered with a mixed expression. “What do you need to do?”

“I just need verbal consent and a name,” Raymond said excitedly, her body shaking as she bounced on the tips of her toes. “Let’s go!”

Shaman smiled. “I will assist Og’s group in holding Edwin here then. You go and save as many of our brethren as desire this ‘salvation’ that you offer.

Raymond motioned as if to leave but then she stopped. “What about you? Do you desire this salvation?”

Shaman smiled, motioning Raymond to leave. “We will speak of this again after you have saved my family. Go.”

Raymond took off for the nearest group of goblins, one of the magical assault groups. They were taking advantage of the respite to regenerate the mana they’d used to fill the surrounding forest with fire.

“Hey!” she shouted, getting their attention, “Do you all want to become followers of Legion?”

They stared at her blankly as she stopped in front of them.

She felt a drop of sweat roll down her neck. She was still pretty new to this after all.

“We have cookies!” Legion’s supplied in Raymond’s mind.

“We have…” she almost repeated the statement before cutting herself off.

“Shut it!” she snarled.

“If you serve him, we will save you,” Raymond promised, looking each of the goblins in the eye.

They met her gaze, some of them seeming to be considering her offer while others were clearly opposed.

“How?” asked one of the ones who was wavering.

Raymond smiled coldly, baring her fangs in a snarl.

“With luck, miracles, and a whole lotta violence.”

***

Lexi charged with Vorg at her side. She had been assigned to work with the Gobber Goblins during the battle and the job they had been given before strategic command went silent was to secure the gate.

Seeing as Jantzen was one of the two holding the gate, Lexi was more than happy to follow this order.

The white-robed overweight Cleric stood behind and to the side of Jonathan. Lexi didn’t know too much about Jonathan but she’d heard that Raymond had killed him in his sleep. Thus, they had no idea what class he had beyond the fact that he was a Fighter-type. She would need to test the waters a little bit to get a better grasp of his capabilities.

The two of them saw the approaching force and prepared to receive the goblins. Jonathan raised his shield while holding his sword poised to strike. Jantzen activated a spell and then a small barrier appeared around the two of them, preventing ranged attacks.

Lexi released her aura, summoning fire to her hands. She charged straight at Jonathan with two goblins at her side while Vorg took 8 goblins to the right and another 9 goblins circled to the left.

As Lexi moved through the barrier, she lashed out with her claws, launching five flaming slashes at the Fighter. The fire sputtered against Jonathan’s raised shield, leaving scorch marks on the smooth metal surface.

“Is this the one you were talking about?” Jonathan called back to Jantzen.

The Cleric nodded. “That’s the slave that the vampire stole from me.”

Jonathan observed Lexi appraisingly as the goblins finished surrounding the two adventurers.

“Could she always use magic? It would cost a lot of money to keep her restrained now.”

Jantzen shrugged indifferently, “Doesn’t really matter. I don’t need goods that don’t know their place.”

Lexi’s ears stood on end. “You talk as if you think I can’t hear you.”

Jonathan waved it off. “She’s still worth money though. Should we take her alive?”

Lexi hissed, thoroughly irritated with the nonchalant attitude of the two adventurers. She stalked forward, gathering air into her right hand. As she moved forward, the goblin encirclement started to collapse inwards.

Jonathan met her wind claws with his shield, leaving small gashes in the metal. Lexi twisted, dodging the glowing sword by a hair's breadth as she raised her left hand, pulling a spike of earth out of the ground beneath him.

“Reinforce Armor.” Jonathan chanted.

He’s a Warrior… and at least level 18.

The earth spike shattered as it crashed against Jonathan’s armor which now had a faint glow surrounding it. As Lexi backed off, the ability ended and the glow subsided. She glanced at Jantzen to see how the goblin’s charge had fared. Two goblins fell in the charge, purged by Holy Fire but they now had the Cleric engaged in melee and he was quickly getting overwhelmed.

“Smite!” “Smite!” “Smite!” his continuous chanting sounded over the roar of the nearby goblins. Small flashes of bright light surged from his hands to cut into the green swarm. Arms were severed, weapons broke, heads rolled.

And yet, Jantzen was knocked to the ground by the wave of goblins who leaped onto him, tearing into them with their nails and teeth. The Cleric’s scream sounded as he desperately tried to pull the crawling goblins off of his fat body.

Lexi grinned, baring her canines. While she would have much preferred to be the one that took out Jantzen, she had no qualms about letting him get ripped apart by goblins instead.

She returned her attention to Jonathan just in time to duck under a wide swing. She thrust a hand out and a stone pillar burst from the ground, slamming into his chin. His head snapped back and he stumbled back, falling to his knees.

Lexi glared at his weakened form. She gathered mana into her claws and reached for his neck.

“You’re weak.” she spat as she sliced.

***

Within approximately fifteen minutes, Raymond had managed to circle the camp and present the offer to most, if not all, of the remaining goblins besides Shaman and Og’s assassin group. Ninety-three of the surviving goblins accepted the request. Another seventy-ish goblins were under the age of 8 and thus too young to accept and the remainder were either too stubborn to change, too angry against the gods to accept the idea of following one, or in the middle of some kind of fight.

Of note, every Gobber Goblin that she had asked had accepted the request and their group already accounted for about a third of the new followers. Vorg’s promise that the Gobber Goblins would follow Legion seemed to be true.

Raymond knew that Lexi would also accept the request but she was currently fighting against Jantzen and Jonathan with a group of twenty Gobber Goblins, including Vorg. The two were starting to be overwhelmed by the number of attackers, though five goblins had already lost their lives in the struggle.

She returned to her original position by Shaman, observing the battle. A master Illusionist and four assassins against a single, silver-ranked Warrior. Og, Trog, Urg, Jug were keeping Edwin pressured. Urg moved from structure to structure, firing arrows with pinpoint accuracy that weaved between Og, Trog, and Jug to strike at joints. Edwin had a single arrow jutting out from the back of his left knee, severely limiting his movement. He was taking extra care to deflect the arrows while holding off the three melee attackers.

Og, Trog, and Jug were like wraiths. Any time one of Edwin’s attacks seemed to hit one of the goblins, they would disappear, only to strike from a shadow, whether Edwin’s own shadow or those cast by the other two goblins. Og, with his twin daggers, Trog with his two-handed mace, and Jug with his sword.

The sight of the three goblins moving in and out of each other’s shadows looked to Raymond like they were performing a deadly dance. It was beautiful.

It was unclear to Raymond exactly how much Shaman was contributing to the flow of the combat before her. The old goblin was sweating profusely and looked to be in pain as she channeled some sort of spell. A trickle of blood ran from her nose, staining her robe. Since Raymond was immune to illusions, she couldn’t even see illusions cast by her allies. However, she did notice that Edwin occasionally flinched or moved to block an attack where none was coming.

“I finished.” Raymond declared.

Shaman grunted in response, canceling her illusion as she collapsed down to her onto her hands and feet, gasping for breath. Raymond pulled a piece of cloth out of her inventory and dropped to one knee beside Shaman, holding the cloth out to her.

The old goblin accepted the cloth, using it first to wipe the sweat off her forehead and then the blood from her nose.

“Have you seen the Rogue?” Shaman asked, swaying.

Raymond shook her head. “She got both Frog and Nag and then disappeared. She’s probably hanging around here somewhere waiting for the right opportunity.”

Shaman grimaced. “I’ve been standing here with my back wide open for fifteen minutes now and she hasn’t come for me.”

Raymond shrugged, feeling a hint of unease. “If we don’t know what she’s doing then we can’t do much about it. Let’s end this fight here and take care of whatever happens.”

Shaman coughed weakly. “You’ll have to finish this one without me.”

Raymond nodded, pulling a blue potion out of her inventory. She handed it to the old goblin while displaying a reassuring smile.

“Leave it to me.”

She stood up, glaring at Edwin. The Warrior was facing away from her, heavily occupied dealing with his four attackers. She took a second to calm her mind and then she rushed forward, her sword poised to strike.

The four assassins noticed her approach and adjusted their rhythm. Jug jumped forward, swinging his sword. Edwin caught the blow with his shield and deflected it. Trog rolled out of Jug’s shadow, ducking underneath the shield and striking at the Warrior’s knee with his mace. The Warrior took the blow, stumbling as the armor dented around his knee. He swept out with his own mace, but Trog disappeared.

Raymond activated Rend and her sword began to glow with a thin, red light. She ran in an arc, keeping to the man’s blind spot so as not to warn him of her approach. However, Edwin seemed to sense something as he quickly spun around. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in Raymond’s charging figure. The surprise quickly transformed into an annoyed expression as he turned to deflect an arrow coming from the right.

Trog and Jug pressed the attack from behind while Raymond shifted to the left. She activated Steel Skin over her left arm and intercepted the mace that swung at her. She grabbed the mace just below the head and held it in place.

Edwin grimaced, a line of sweat running down his face.

“Good, now disarm him!” Trog shouted from behind the Warrior.

Raymond swept her sword up, Rend easily tearing through the elbow joint. She jumped back, holding the mace in the air to display her bloody prize. Edwin stared at Raymond for a long moment, his eyes moving between her triumphant figure and his arm still grasping firmly onto the mace.

Edwin chuckled. “Hah.. haha. ‘Disarm’... that’s a good one!”

Raymond felt her spirit dampening somewhat.

“Are you even taking this seriously? I haven’t seen you use very many skills.”

His smile twitched. “It’s not fun if you take it too seriously.”

Raymond ground her teeth. “Are you implying that we’re not strong enough to make you get serious?”

He shrugged. “Thank whatever gods you worship that I didn’t, or you would have all died a long time ago.”

Raymond quivered, anger rising up inside of her as her vision tinted red. She took a step forward.

“If you won’t get serious then you’re going to die,” she warned.

Edwin sighed. “So be it.”

Raymond paused. “What?”

“If you want me to get serious, then… goodbye.”

“...”

“Leap!” The Warrior’s figure blurred and then he jumped impossibly high. He began to accelerate towards the ground unnaturally fast.

“Earthquake!” he shouted.

As he hit the ground it caved beneath his feet. A wave of cracks appeared around the Warrior as the ground seemed to roll away from the epicenter, flattening everything in its path. Every structure in the camp collapsed and many goblins fell to the ground.

Raymond stood dumbfounded. She could only watch as Edwin took a red vial out of his bag and drank it. Immediately, his arm regrew from the stump and then he pulled a two-handed mace out of his bag while storing his shield.

This mace was glowing with a faint blue… an enchanted weapon.

Raymond slapped herself, jolting her body into action.

She ran forward, covering her left arm in Steel Skin. Edwin casually swung the weapon down with one hand. Just before she intercepted it, he used two abilities.

“Power Strike.” “Crushing Blow.”

The mace took on a dark and eerie glow just before it smashed into Raymond’s arm. Her magic resistance nullified the effect of the abilities and her overwhelming strength repelled the blow.

“Devastate.” Edwin swung his glowing left gauntlet towards her face.

Raymond’s nose splattered against her face as her head snapped back. Her eyes filled with tears involuntarily as she stumbled away from the Warrior.

“Earthquake.” Edwin stomped a foot into the ground. This time, the ability moved in a cone. The same amount of destructive force that had leveled the camp was now all focused in a single direction.

Raymond was blown away. Cries of pain filled the air as dozens of goblins fell with shattered bones. She crashed into the ground, rolling uncontrollably as agony rolled through her body.

Her magic resistance had nullified the magical component but the raw force behind the skill had shattered her ribs.

She rolled over, coughing out blood as she pushed herself onto her hands and knees. She glared towards Edwin’s stationary form. He hadn’t moved after blasting her away.

“See?” Edwin called, “This isn’t any fun.”

Raymond chuckled weakly. “He’s a monster,” she muttered.

Og appeared beside her, crawling out of her shadow.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern in his eyes.

Raymond shook her head, motioning towards Edwin. “We… we have to get out of here. We can’t beat that.”

“My offer still stands little vampire!” Edwin shouted, “If you come with us, we’ll leave everyone else here alone.”

Raymond pushed herself to her feet. Og placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her. “Don’t do it. Adventurers never keep their word.”

She shook his hand off. “I know.”

Raymond pulled out a red potion and drank it in one gulp. Her face itched as her nose reformed. She felt the tooth that she spat out earlier regrow while a sharp pain in her chest told her that her ribs were moving back into place.

She let out a sigh of relief as the various sensations of pain that had been nagging her disappeared.

As she returned her attention to Edwin, she noted that he was now walking towards her. He had a hand outstretched as if expecting her to go with him.

What kind of idiot would believe his claim after all of this?

Raymond rushed forward, shouting with all of her might as she swung her sword.

Edwin shook his head sadly. He swung his enchanted mace, smashing the hilt of the sword and causing the blade to shatter.

“Oh…” Raymond unintentionally let out as she continued to fall forward. Edwin grabbed her by the back of the neck and lifted her into the air. He looked into her eyes and saw only defiance.

Edwin sighed. “So be it.”

He turned Raymond around, showing her the camp. She cried out as she saw a blur. The Rogue appeared behind Shaman, stabbed forward with her blades. Another blurry figure jumped out of Shaman’s shadow, intercepting the blade with their body. Urg fired the arrow on his bow into the Rogue’s chest as he fell to the ground, bleeding.

The Rogue stumbled. As she fell forward, she reached out with her dagger, scratching Shaman’s leg.

“Hmm,” Edwin muttered, “Though Samantha is pretty new to the assassination gig, I wasn’t expecting that.”

Edwin turned, noting that Lexi and her eleven remaining goblins had managed to take out Jantzen and Jonathan and were now watching him warily. From beside the destroyed gate.

He sighed wearily. “I really would rather not massacre everyone here. Perhaps I should just take my leave?”

He motioned as if to walk towards the gate but then stopped as the goblins took battle stances. Lexi raised her arms and summoned a ball of fire.

The Warrior looked back and saw Og, Trog, and Jug ready to attack.

The Mountain Yeti crawled out from under the ruins of a building, roaring as it glared at the only remaining human in the camp.

Edwin raised Raymond high into the sky. “This is in my way. I guess I don’t have to take her back alive…” he muttered.

He swapped his mace for a large sword. He threw her to the ground and placed a foot on her back to hold her in place as he raised the sword, poised to strike.

Lexi yelled in protest, rushing forward along with several dozen goblins as the sword descended, severing Raymond’s head.

“If I have to die, I’ll go down fighting. Come and get me!” Edwin challenged.

A brilliant, golden light filled the sky. The light descended, enveloping Raymond’s body, the goblins, Lexi, and the Mountain Yeti.

Injuries recovered at a rapid rate. Even the Mountain Yeti’s broken arm healed.

Edwin took a step back, staring in shock as Raymond’s headless body moved. It reached for the severed head and lifted it back up into place, the wound sealing.

“H...how…?!” Edwin spluttered, fear in his eyes.

Raymond placed a hand on her neck, feeling the space where it had reconnected. It was smooth as if there had never been an injury.

“The term is ‘mortally wounded’ for a reason. What did you think would happen if you cut off a true immortal’s head?” Raymond taunted, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation.

“W..what? ‘True’ immortal?” Edwin asked, confused and afraid. What was happening before his eyes was supposed to be impossible.

Then a voice rang out that Raymond immediately recognized.

“I am Legion! Those who would follow me, take this blessing which I bestow upon you and let our strength become one!”

Raymond felt a surge of energy fill her body.

You have received a blessing of Legion, the Great One!

- All stats increased by 2. -

- Health regeneration rate doubled. -

- While under the light of the Great One, your will is indomitable. -

“Legion…?” Edwin breathed out, his body shaking

“In the name of the almighty Legion, attack!” Raymond shouted. She pushed off the ground, launching herself forward faster than ever before.

“Power Strike!” she shouted, her right fist glowing. She smashed her fist into Edwin’s startled face, causing him to stumble back.

“Devastate!” her left fist hooked around, crashing into his side with devastating force.

Edwin barely recovered his footing when a huge creature slammed into him. The Mountain Yeti bull-rushed the Warrior and smashed into him, sending him flying. The Warrior bounced across the ground, gasping as the world spun around him. He rolled, avoiding the hail of arrows as he quickly pushed himself to his feet. He raised his sword to block the ball of fire flying towards him.

“Legion…?! What brings the newest Overseer to this place?” Edwin shouted, his voice trembling

“You dared to lay hands on my cute little True Vampire. You dared to cut her head off… you have earned my wrath!”

Edwin glanced at Raymond, she had taken a step back to avoid the yeti’s charge and was now observing the Warrior with a fierce gleam in her eyes.

“Well damn...” he muttered, “leave it to the top dogs to pick a fight with a fricken god.”

“Silence!”

Edwin stopped talking.

“Give me one reason that I shouldn’t smite you!” Legion demanded, his voice filled with rage.

A heavy pressure settled on Edwin’s frame, holding him in place.

Edwin fell to his knees as the strength left his body.

“I… I have none.”

Raymond, Lexi, and the goblins closed in, ready to finish him off. Edwin closed his eyes. He had been prepared to go down fighting before Legion had appeared, but now the chances of him doing any more significant damage were astronomically low. Also, his superiors said nothing about fighting a god. He didn’t sign up for that.

Edwin released his sword, which dropped to the ground with a thud.

“Hmm,” Legion said, seeing the Warrior’s clearly defeated form.

Raymond picked up the sword, raising it as if to strike. Her situation was almost perfectly reversed from just a minute ago.

“Stop,” Legion commanded.

Raymond paused, pulling the sword back mid-swing. She looked up at the light with confusion.

“Why?” she asked, annoyed.

A masculine humanoid figure descended from the light. Raymond couldn’t make out any distinct features, but she could feel that, without a doubt, this was Legion.

“Edwin,” the figure spoke, “I would have you deliver a message for me.”

“A message?” Edwin asked, confused.

“You will be a messenger… or perhaps a harbinger would sound cooler…?”

Legion made a sound as if clearing his throat.

“Anyways, you are to travel and bring word of my coming! Tell the world that Legion is here. Tell them that I am the god of those who stand against the current system! I am the god of those that are discriminated against because of their species!”

Edwin nodded furiously, showing his willingness.

Those killed directly by Overseers rarely came back, after all.

“I do not wish to destroy humanity, but they must not be allowed to oppress, enslave and kill as they please. Tell all who hear my call to come, for I am Legion, God of Monsters.”