“Finally! I get to meet you properly,” Tiberius shouted out in a jubilant tone.

Striding over to Vance, the god stood twelve feet tall, easily towering over Vance. By how he dressed he looked like Ares, donning the trappings of a Spartan hoplite, the bronzed plate giving off a clear sheen as it bounced the divine light off its surface. The cape draped over his shoulders was of the deepest crimson that looked more like fresh blood forming a waterfall. Everything about this man screamed war, with even his very aura exuding a powerful and frightening sensation that made the hairs on the back of Vance’s neck rise, his arms too had goosebumps. This being was death and war combined, and he knew it. Yet, despite all this, his tone was friendly, jubilant, and sounded more the way you’d talk to a trusted friend. It was an odd experience. Really, there was no need for fanfare, when he looked like this.

“The honour is mine, I-” Before Vance could say anything, Tiberius swiftly cut him off with a wave of his hand.

“None of that shit, you hear me? Anyone Julia trusts, is already worthy of my respect, more so one who remains humble, no matter how much their station in life changes.” He stated, his crimson eyes being the only discerning trait one could see of his face, as the rest was obscured by a strange shadow cast by his horse maned helmet, “I can tell you’ll complete the task my Sister has given you—and more.”

As he finished speaking, he looked down at Vance, tilting his head, studying the blonde, as though he were looking for something in him. A minute passed before eventually he seemed satisfied, “Mhm, good, seems the initial boon I gave you is working well.”

“Excuse me?” Vance asked quizzically.

“What, you haven’t found out yet?” Tiberius titlted his head again, then looked back to Julia, “You didn’t tell him?”

Julia shook her head as she sat comfortably on her chair, “I thought it best he learned from you, brother.”

Looking back at Vance, the god rested his hands on the leather belt of his armoured skirt, “Alright. Well, since no one’s told you yet, it wasn’t Julia that gifted you that emotion suppression boon, but rather, it was me.” He stated, “But, calling it emotional suppression isn’t exactly what it is. If you’d noticed, you still have all your emotions. You still get nervous, right?” He asked.

“Uh, yeah? I’ve noticed I felt nervous at times, even worried, but I can’t say I felt fearful of anything, but I just…” Vance paused, looking down to the ground, “I guess, I just never realized that it wasn’t fear of fighting, but rather, fear of myself.” He admitted.

“Exactly. I didn’t give you any such gift, and nor did my Sister. Instead, what I did give you, was the mindset and experience of a veteran warrior.” Tiberius said.

“A veteran warrior?” Vance looked confused.

“Yes. When we summoned you from your world, you weren’t a veteran, and nor had you been given any formal military training beyond some fencing and kendo classes. So, to ensure you actually stood a chance in Tavaria, I imparted the knowledge, skills, and mental fortune of a veteran soldier.” Tiberius explained, pausing to lead Vance to the table, where Julia and Mountainhelm both sat, “Essentially, you have the mindset of someone who’s been fighting in wars for… hmm… shit, what is it now? Oh, two centuries.”

Vance had to give his head a shake, “Two centuries?! How?!” He blurted out.

Tiberius just laughed, “You’re not the only high human who’s existed in Tavaria. Remember?”

“The First Emperor…” Vance mumbled.

“Exactly! That cheeky little brat had accumulated all the experience and knowledge that you now possess.” Tiberius stated, as he took a seat.

“But—why?”

“Because. If we didn’t, you’d have died in that trench. No matter how hard you are, seeing the twisted and mangled remains of those you called friends for the first time, without any sort of mental preparation, will fuck you up. You’d be a screaming quivering mess out there, even with all those boosted abilities of yours. Which is why we gave you his experience and knowledge.” Tiberius explained, plopping a piece of cake into the darkness where his mouth was located.

Vance found a chair appear under him as he fell backward, the weight of what was told to him finally hitting him. He was using the experience of the first. Already, he was starting to question what it was he was going through and if his ideas were really his or Julia’s first chosen. Vance didn’t know how to process all this knowledge, and he was afraid that the only genuine part of those abilities, was that creeping darkness that threatened to turn him into that which he hated. It was a scary thought and one that prompted him to look withdrawn.

Suddenly, just as he felt as though he were getting dragged down to the deep, Julia’s hand reached out. Her slender fingers caressing his cheek. Her skin was soft as it was smooth, and just the simple act of touch was enough to feel as though his sins and all that made him feel dirty were washed away. As her palm came to rest on his face, he found himself unable to resist the urge to fall into a state of pure relaxation.

“Don’t question yourself like that, Vance. My brother didn’t give you his ideas, merely the experience and fortitude. All you do, and all you come up with, are yours. While you may feel the darkness creeping up around you, know that the light of your soul is brighter than that which you fear.” She told him, her voice gentle as it was kind in tone.

Opening his eyes, Vance nodded, “Thanks.”

Julia smiled, her hand still on his cheek a moment longer, before Tiberius cleared his throat to get the two’s attention.

“She’s right Vance. Don’t question your own abilities and talents. None of us would’ve agreed to select you had we not thought you capable. If anything, we wanted to ensure your talents were able to flourish, and that’s exactly what they did.” Mountainhelm chimed in before Tiberius, who looked slightly dejected at not being able to say the line.

Vance smiled and shook his head, laughing inwardly, as he cast his gaze down absent mindedly. Their words had worked their magic, and he felt himself a little calmer than before. “Thank you. All of you.” He said, looking back at the trio.

“Bah! Enough of his sappy shit, come on now! You still got a job to do Vance, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re going to come up with next once I break that next seal holding back my gifts.” Tiberius blurted out.

Pushing himself up and away from the table, the giant reached out, placing his hand over Vance’s head, before a jolt of electricity ran though the blonde. Yet, no pain came to him, instead, only clarity. As his mind began to fill with thousands of strategies, ideas, and things he remembered reading from his time as a teacher. Things were clearer now, as though he had been looking at things through a smudged glasses, only for them to finally be cleaned. Standing in silence, he took a moment to think of a number of tactical situations, each designed to put his skills to the test. Within a second, he was already making counters, upon counters, fighting himself in a grand battle that took place in his head as though he were two different commanders.

“Incredible,” He worded soundlessly, prompting Tiberius to smirk.

“You’re now the greatest military mind in all of Tavaria,” The god started, pausing only to let Vance take in what was said, “You’ll need to rely on the skills of my son, however, if you hope to truly survive on the field of battle,” Tiberius warned, his tone foreboding as though he knew something no other did.

Yet, it seemed as though the other two deities understood what it was Tiberius was talking about, leaving only the blonde to look puzzled.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“You’ve gotten lucky. Now, I'm not saying your skills weren't able to handle the task at hand, they were! Only that you’re about to face people that are just as special as you and will be gunning after you and yours. It won't just be on the field of battle that you will be challenged, so don't get caught up in your new-found knowledge," he said.

Vance paused, looking to Julia who closed her eyes and nodded, “I’m afraid-” she looked aside, the look of worry slowly creeping across her beauty, “I’m afraid you’ll face the one you know as E. We know his name, but this is a battle you yourself will have to face,” She managed to say.

Tiberius spoke up this time, “We’ve given you all we can, and until you find the other Champions, there is little else we can do. Rely on your friends and those whom you’ve gathered around you, and you’ll get through the first of your great trials. Lose faith in yourself and in those you trust, and you will die.”

Mountainhelm coughed into his hand, trying to break the tense atmosphere, “Aye. There’s a great deal of work you have ahead of yourself young lad.”

Standing in thought, Vance felt the creeping dread of worry begin to grow roots in his gut, but looked up at the three before him, the look of determination clear for all to see. “I swore to unite Tavaria, and I intend to keep that oath. No matter who or what I face, I’ll stand tall. Defiant against those who’d see this world torn asunder.”

He couldn’t see it, but he was sure Tiberius was somehow… smiling? It was a sense those crimson eyes gave, and one that gave off the impression it was a proud father.

“Good.” Was all he said, and was all he needed to say.

Julia smiled as best she could muster, despite the worry she tried to mask. Mountainhelm smirked, “Bah, I’m sure you’ll do more than even the First given all those weapons you got my chosen building!” the god laughed.

Crossing his arms over his chest, the dwarven god stood as proud as those who bore his resemblance.

“Go on then, no point waiting around here talking. You got a war to win, and glory to be attained!” Tiberius announced, before thrusting his fist into Vance’s chest, sending their champion back to the mortal plain.

Coming back, Vance fell to the ground as though he had been pushed, causing Richard to raise a brow, slightly curious to know what had happened during his meeting with the gods. “Have fun?”

Pushing himself upright, he shook his head, collecting his thoughts before looking towards Richard, “Something like that,” he chuckled.

The dragon shrugged as he reached down to help Vance up, “Well, what was it Tiberius gave you? Hopefully it’s something that’ll help in the coming campaign.”

Nodding in reply as he took the aid up, “I think so.”

“Are you going to tell me, or just leave me to guess, come on! You know I’m not a patient person.” Richard growled.

Vance laughed, “Very true. You’re not patient.”

Richard tilted his head, giving off the look as though he were saying, “really?”

“Okay, okay. I was given the gift of military theory—is how I’d go about putting a name to what it is I was given.”

“And, how does that help us?”

“Makes me the greatest military mind in all of Tavaria.”

Brow raised, “I thought you already were?”

“Apparently not.” Vance shrugged.

Shaking his head, “Well, I guess we’ll see what this new gift does for us in the coming months.” Richard remarked as he walked past.

“Where you going?” Vance asked.

“Someone has to act as a buffer.”

Vance looked confused, “Buffer?”

“Yeah. Ami’s likely to keep trying for Estrid’s affection. Meaning one of us has to be there to make sure she doesn’t break his jaw.”

Vance laughed, it was extremely rare to see Richard make a joke, but a welcome one nonetheless. Running up beside his friend and guardian, he rested his arm on the red head’s shoulder.

“Come on then. Lets go prevent another civil war, shall we?”