Chapter 27: Pantheon

Arva’s green heels clicked on the pristine marble floor as she made her way to the viewing chamber. It was here that her fellow gods poured their power together to be able to sneak peeks at the mortals trapped in the boundary, a giant barrier that kept the inhabitants of Nia in Nia. Also allowing them to contact these mortals and gain a bit of worship from them. A slight chuckle escaped from her lips and the clack of her heels was the only other sound in the grand hall. Arriving at her destination. Arva gave a flash of irritation as someone was already occupying the chamber. She barged her way in regardless as a certain mortal had caught her interest just as one of the same bloodline caught the interest of her brother a few short centuries ago. Maybe a millennium? Arva didn’t know nor did she really care. He hadn’t been able to complete his mission anyway and had to recultivate to his former level not that it would be much of a problem with her supporting him. She was a Goddess of fertility after all.

***

I woke up refresh and ready. Last night the city lord insisted that I drink with him and whatever he had was high quality giving me some much-needed relief while also putting my mind in a state of ease. Today I would ascend the mountain. Today I would either be forged in the fires of Mt. Redcoomshi, or I would be lost. Would I rise to the challenge and become a hero or would I-

I didn’t even let the F word come and cross my thoughts there was no room for that. My brother and sister would not need this type of burden on them. I sat up and slowly equipped my gear. The armor had lasted through many battles even without the proper oils to maintain it. The leather armor still held strong and grew as my body grew. Actually, all my equipment grew to compensate my new size. Whoever created my items were very skilled and I was hoping I’d get the opportunity to thank them in person.

I looked myself over in the mirror before leaving my room. Dax had been staying with Ryna as she grew fond of the boy, and they did not know that I chose to immediately undergo my trials. I passed the room of the sleeping pair and made my way outside of the inn. A carriage was already waiting. When I entered Shadow was sitting inside hood down and waiting for me.

I guess now is a good as time as any to resolve any issues between us. We sat in silence for the first few minutes as Shadow gazed at me and I gazed at the bustling city. I watch as a boy rode around on a bicycle delivering papers to shops that were just opening for the morning. I wondered how the inner city was kept so clean, yet the outer city was dirty yet more lively. No starving children wandered the inner city, and my thoughts flew to the starving faces I saw in the outer. I would change that.

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice came out suddenly and I jerked in surprise.

“It was my duty to protect you and for two years I failed in that task. I can understand why you’d be upset with me.”

Is that what she thought this was about? My heart rate sped up and rage burned its way through my body, mind, and soul. Did she really think I was upset over something as small as that?

Sensing the fire in my eyes Shadow open her mouth to speak before I cut her off.

“Sorry? Sorry for leaving me? I don’t give a rat’s ass about that. I expected to walk this journey alone and you coming along just happen to give me a conversation partner.”

She looked at me confused and I started to calm down. She had no idea why I was angry and putting my mind in such a state where I didn’t know if I’d be alive to see the next day would not help me.

“I don’t like being treated like I’m some object. Those years ago, when I asked you to put me down. You should have listened.”

Realization dawned in her eyes and a fire lit itself before being smothered.

“I know the feeling very well. Being powerless. Do you know what happen to the Sun Elves? Do you know why I am so far from my lands working as a mercenary? Powerlessness.”

Shadow turned to look out of the carriage window now and her eyes drew a faraway look in them.

“The Sun Elves used to be one of the most powerful middle clans of the elf tribes until disaster struct. Part of the monster hordes from the Endless broke through the gnome defense and pierced so far it almost reached the heartland of the Forest of Life. Millions of lives were lost in that week those of my clan included. My mother…” her voice shook as she spoke, and tears appeared in her eyes as a sob escaped her throat. It took her a few moments to regain composure. My mother and the protectors of various middle clans fought off the monster horde for 3 days and 3 nights never stopping to rest to give a chance to the mortals to escape. I included. My father was right by her side the entire time. The last thing they said to me was to take care of myself and the clan.

I too know of the feeling of powerlessness, but you must not let it consume you. If there is a chance you must fight but neither you nor I can face a divine and just casually walk away. Almost everyone there that day had their souls consumed. If not for my cultivation I would have been the same. Hold on to that feeling. Keep it as a reminder, a token. But never let it consume you.” After saying those last words Shadow vanished just as the carriage driver halted and called out our arrival. A narrow pathway extended its way up the volcano. All manner of warriors and mages stood at the entrance none moving.

Thump.

I thanked the driver and moved towards the pathway only to see some of the warriors move to block my way.

Thump.

“This is no place for a child. Leave.” A weathered looking fellow who looked like he’d seen his fair share of battles said. His cultivation on the Path of the Body was tier 5 and I could feel how refined his will was. I walked through him. His body was incorporeal. He was dead a lingering spirit. My first time seeing one. I would not be joining them.

Thump.

As I passed stronger and stronger warriors called out each trying to deter me from ascending. It seems the trial already began. The moment before I made my way past the final warrior, I stopped sensing a familiar feeling from him. I took a closer look at him, and my eyes widen and for the first time I took a step back. This was a Kan! My bloodline was telling me so. He smiled at me and stepped aside showing the pathway. I bowed and paid my respects I didn’t know his name but even in death I could feel his connection to me. I took the first step.

Thump.

For a day my body did not, could not move. I felt as if I was holding the weight of a world and my body was more frozen in place than anything. If I did not move, I would die.

Thump.

Move, move, MOVE! My mind screamed and my body finally lurched forward. I looked back only to find that I had crossed a fourth of the distance yet as I looked back to the top of the volcano it seemed as if I barely moved.

Thump.

I took my second step and this time my body, my mind and my soul screamed.

***

Arva shoved Rionin out the way and quickly snatched the remote and changed the channel. He was only watching some mortals make love anyway, the pervert.

“HEY!”

She gave him a look and he shrink back.

“But it only just now got to the good part. Do you know how long I’ve been working my magic to make those two fuck? Just think about the story that would unfold. The daughter of a prominent city lord with a stable hand!”

Arva flipped the channel to her favorite site. The Redcoomshi volcano came into site and the challenger she wanted to see had already begun.

“You can watch the play back later I need to see this live.”

“Oh, the mighty Arva taking an interest in a mortal not of her following?” Rionin said in a slight mocking tone that Arva ignored.

This mortal had done something to one of her followers and she would be keeping a close eye on him. She couldn’t understand what he did or barely even see it and it even messed with a soul claimed by her. So yes, Arva was interested in a mortal not of her following. Very interested.

She waved her hand and a platter of food appeared instantly shutting up the noisy God and the smell attracted some of the other pantheon members who made their way over.

Rirrypha, Goddess of the Youth and Healing. She was tall and lanky with hair the color of a new spring growth. She wore a dress carved from the petals of flowers and her hair was done up in Viking style braids.

Gorrg, God of Crafts and Masterworks. He was a stocky man often mistaken for a dwarf. He had bronze colored skin and radiated a sweltering heat. He wore a blacksmiths apron and a enchanter’s monocle and his bald head glisten in the light.

Jarrgax, Goddess of Growth and Freedom. She was small appearing to be like a fairy and she rode in on Gorrg shoulder. Today she wore a vibrant red dress that dripped blood which instantly turned into smoke as it splattered on Gorrg.

A few where missing but otherwise the bulk of their pantheon was here. Arva groaned in irritation and returned her attention to the boy. Gorrg clapped his hands, and a powerful shockwave rang out and turned the image in a 3D model of the entire area.

“What’s gotten our fearless leader so worked up today?” Gorrg spoke up reaching for a platter full of meats while grabbing a pitch on ale.

“Someone who could fix the mess of a soul one of her followers had after running into Nar’nazak,” Rionin the God of Mischief and Secrets spilled the beans and even said Nar’nazak name with intent. A portal opened and an enormous eye appeared only to be zapped away by Jarrgax a moment later. A monstrous scream was heard before the portal closed.

“Yuck not one of those blood thirsty brutes. I can’t believe we have to work together with them.”

“You know better than to say a God’s name with intent Rionin but then again it’s in your nature.” Arva was the one who spoke before shushing everyone as the mortal she had taken an interest in finally stopped screaming before taking another step and moving forward.

“Do you think we made our test too hard on the humans?” Rirrypha voice came out almost in a purr as she drank from a bowl containing her favorite nectar. The various gods looked at one another before looking at Rirrypha and burst out laughing. Even Rirrypha joined in towards the end.

“We’re granting them bloodlines some even divine. Although in a lesser state. We have several of these trials to increase power available for every race yet with all this time they’ve yet to pop the barrier. To hard? I think we went to soft.”

A chorus of agreements rang out to Gorrg statement, and everyone settled down to watch the third step.

“What does this first part of the trial do again?” It was Jarrgax who spoke still sitting on Gorrg shoulder as she snatched food from his plate and stole sips of his ale. Her shark like teeth shredded anything she put in her maw.

Gorrg gave her a dubious look. “You designed the first steps for the humans? You forgot already?”

Jarrgax looked away blushing and Gorrg rolled his bronze eyes before explaining.

“The first trial, designed by you if I may add once again, is a test of that will put them halfway up the mountain and into the Temple of Judgment. They must have the will to pass threw the various fields of pain that you decided to make. At least you gave them the Freedom of death if they choose to go forward no longer and turn back. This pain however if passed will allow their Growth into a new height of power.

This one already has a bloodline so he’s experiencing twice the pain.”

Jarrgax nodded in understanding and gave a peck to Gorrg’s cheek. The stocky god just gave out a huff, but his bronze color deepens.

The second step was passed, then the third, and fourth and the boy only grew faster as the gods watched on in puzzlement.

“…did we make it too easy?”

***

I ascended the steps faster and faster. In the distance I could see a temple on a flat plate, and I steady made my way through it. All types of pain pressed their way into my mind and onto my body, yet nothing could compare to the feeling of having your body disintegrate on a cellular level. The first step just surprised me and reminded me of that pain. It was amazing that my mind wasn’t broken from the experience.

Faster and higher I climbed shrugging off the pain of imaginary daggers stabbing me or molten metal pouring into my throat. Eventually I ignored the feelings altogether and whatever was making the illusion of pain happened to disappear. I found myself in front of a massive temple in which I would appear to be an ant. The steps where not for human feet but giants and I looked around and found a smaller human size staircase that led up to the temples entrance.

The temple was in the Greek style like the Temple of Athena back home but scaled up for giants. There were no doors and only a small opening between two pillars outside of that opening everything else was covered in white light. I could feel the divine mana radiating from this place and I suddenly grew nervous.

‘System they can’t detect you right?’

‘No.’

The answer was short and simple, and I squared my shoulders and walked into the light.