Merlin felt as if he was floating in water. Though how he floated now felt different. It was without water or anything holding him. As he was thinking about this he heard a voice, “Awaken child.”

In that instant everything that happened in the temple flashed through his mind all at once before his eyes flew open. The first thing he noticed was that he was in a grand temple. One similar to the one he was just in too. Drawing his attention back down were the six figures that surrounded him.

Looking at the group Merlin could feel their power oozing out of them.

“Greetings, child.”

Merlin turned his head to look at the speaker and was met with an elf like him. Somewhere in the back of his mind he could feel a connection with this figure, one that almost impossible to ignore.

“Who are you?” Merlin asked, though he felt as though he already should know the answer.

Smiling at the question as though he was reminiscing the past the elf responded, “We are the gods.”

Towards any other person Merlin would have ridiculed them and brand them as mad, however he felt the certainty behind those words. Certainty that does not belong to those who try, this is one that is born in a person. A certainty rulers everywhere try to have when making decisions that impact everything.

Suddenly the feeling in the back his mind that had appeared when he arrived burst forth possessing a power that Merlin felt was similar to that of the priestess used during his awakening ceremony.

The people staring at him smiled, as though they felt that power bloom inside of him. Feeling that surge the elf spoke out softly, “It is happening sooner than expected. This will help greatly.”

Merlin barely hearing what he said asked, “What is happening sooner than expected? Also where is this and why am I here?”

Hearing the questions the man smiled before responding.

“Well to start with you are currently in the living area of Caeli, Queen of the Heavens. I am Vigilem, Advisor to the King. I have brought you here to ask for your help young Merlin. I wish for you to be my champion.”

Hearing the answer Merlin was not shocked by location or identity of the people. What shocked him was how the gods wanted help. The gods wanted help? From him? If not for the fact he was still floating in the air he would have sat down and try to get bearings before continuing onwards.

The elf, or rather Vigilem, gave a knowing smile to Merlin before continuing to talk. “Yes, we do need your help Merlin. As you likely heard in your favorite story, of which I approve very much by the way, we can not descend to the mortal world anymore. Only small bursts of power here and there to bless people and make champions is all we can do. However despite what I said about you being champion, you will not instantly become a champion.”

Hearing the last bit Merlin managed to shake himself from his stupor before showing a confused face, trying to process what was just said.

“A champion is not just given power. They must earn a large portion of it themselves. That way it will not corrupt them and turn them into existences similar to monsters. You will not be without benefits though. I will be able to grant you a portion of power to make a class for you.”

Hearing even more things that he does not understand Merlin grew to become confused. Each moment He tried harder to wrap his head around what he needed to do.

Vigilem not hesitating in his speech continued onward, “Now I know this is a lot to take in. Some adults would even be worse off than you. However, we are short on time right now, so bare with it please. Right now all I need from you is the answer to this question. Will you be my champion and carry out what I desire?”

Listening carefully to the the question while trying to put the rest of it to the back his mind, Merlin pondered on the question before asking one of his own back. “What is that you desire Advisor?”

Shock filled the other gods’ faces as no mortal had even considered asking before. The first to recover were Vigilem and Custos. They looked towards each other and shared a knowing look before turning back and responding.

“I desire that that you children no longer live in fear of monsters. Can play and grow to heights that I can not yet fathom. To not just survive in the world, but to live.”

Merlin watching Vigilem as he spoke those words watched as how his face slowly transformed from that of a stern person, like a guard of a town standing near the entrance of a town tolerating no crimes, to that of a caring father, one that would willing put his life on the line to save his children even if it meant his death.

It was not the words Merlin paid attention to. No it was the way he said it and how he acted as he said it. Seeing the sincerity and feeling on the god’s face Merlin simply nodded once.

Seeing the nod Vigilem completely broke his facade he was trying to keep and smiled largely, as though he had no other way to show his joy.

“I thank you Merlin. I truly do. Since you have said yes what I want you to do is train as much as you can for a mage class. I will tell you more in five years when you are bestowed a class. Until then just, just…. just please wait patiently.”

As Vigilem finished talking Merlin felt as though he was sinking downwards. Looking down to see what was going on, he was met with a glorious sight. Below him was the entire world from the view of a bird or maybe a cloud. Merlin could not decide which was true, he just knew one thing.

The world was beautiful.

As Merlin left the temple Vigilem felt like he was bursting full of joy. So much so that it did not even phase him as he went pale and almost collapsed if not for the fact Custos caught him.

The only thing going on his head was the fact he had a potential champion. He had a champion!

Seeing how little he cared about the spending of power, the other gods could only shake their heads.

Bringing himself back to focus Vigilem cleared his throat before speaking, “Now that we know he will accept begin your preparations immediately. Also Caeli I would like it if you could set a viewing point in my area so that I could view Merlin at all times. Now if you would excuse I need to go gather what power I can to give him my blessing and job in five years.”

Getting up on his own, Vigilem with slow, but confident, steps walked back to his own realm.

Merlin opening his eyes once more looked around. He found that he was in a large room that had many beds located throughout it. Some of the bed had occupants in the forms of warriors or civilians that had major injuries. Walking around were priest and priestess with a few of them sitting beside those on the beds using a white light to go over where they might have been injured at all.

Seeing him awake, priest told him to stay put as he ran out. Merlin concluded that it was likely to get Arwen and Diane as he did not see them around.

Trying to figure out why he was here took Merlin some time. Apart from a few fuzzy memories the last thing he remembered clearly was awakening his status and reading the stat descriptions.

As he was trying to piece together what happened afterwards Diane was talking to Arwen as they walked towards him from another room. Hearing shouts Merlin looked up to see what was going on and focused in on the two.

“What do you mean you will not tell me!” exclaimed Arwen.

Sighing for what felt like the hundredth time in the conversation Diane responded, “That is not what I am sayin. What I am trying to say is that I will only do it with Merlin present. He is the one that NEEDS to know. Even me knowing is unnecessary. Now will you calm down, see Merlin is awake.”

Turning in the direction indicated Arwen say Merlin sitting up and staring at the two of them. As she saw him Arwen soon forgot about the argument and rushed over to Merlin. “Merlin are you feeling alright? Does it hurt anywhere? Tell me quick!”

“I am fine Miss. Arwen. I feel perfectly fine.” replied the boy neither getting upset or panicked about how or why he was here.

Before Arwen could respond, Diane interjected, “He is at the temple’s medical hall why would he be hurt? I also doubt whether he was injured or not to begin with. However, shall we head to a more private area to discuss what happened?”

Nodding in agreement, Merlin hopped off the bed and walked over to the priestess with Arwen sitting there staring worriedly at him. Turning back to Arwen Merlin spoke once more. “I am fine Miss. Arwen. Thank you for worrying. However, shouldn’t we hurry for supper tonight?”

Snapping out of it Arwen felt what Merlin said made sense so she got up and started walking towards the two of them. Seeing her moving Diane turned around and indicated with hand to follow as she started walking.

Following her, Merlin and Arwen were lead to what appeared to be a smaller medical room, with a bed for one person in the center of the room.

“This is one of our private rooms we use for healing. It is for cases of sensitive people hurt or horrifying wounds not meant for the weaker minded. It has thicker walls to prevent sound so we should not be overheard here.”

Nodding in understanding Merlin walks over to the bed and hopes up on it sitting down with his feet on the side facing the doorway. Arwen follows and walks to stand behind him. Both of them now staring at Diane.

Diane starts closing the door before pausing and looking at Merlin.

“Are you sure you want Arwen to hear this Merlin? You can always tell her later if you want to. I just think that this is better told to only you directly.Please do not get mad at me I am just speaking what is best for you, Merlin.”

Arwen who was about to go off again at her words calmed down as she heard the last sentence before turning to look at Merlin.

Merlin having both of the ladies look at him glanced back and forth between the two of them and few times before deciding. He simply patted the bed beside him indicating she could stay. Smiling, Arwen took him up on that offer sitting down beside him.

Seeing that Diane nodded her head before closing the door completely. She then proceeded to sit down on the nearby stool that sat near the bed.

Neither side spoke as they sat there for a few minutes with Merlin and Arwen staring at Diane who was looking at the floor with a pensive look on her face. Deciding to break the silence Arwen spoke out.

“So what was that light around Merlin? I have been there for quite a few awakenings and that has never happened before. You seemed to know what is was Diane.”

Hearing her speak Diane nodded once before looking at Merlin and responding. “That is something every member of the temple are trained to recognize. However, all but a handful go their entire lives without even seeing it. That light were the gods wanting to talk to Merlin. That only ever happens on two occasions. The first is if a person in question has a high affinity to a god and wants them to do something specific with their lives. The other has implications much more profound.”

Turning her head down to the floor once more letting out a deep sigh, Diane turned back to Merlin once more. “Now Merlin do you know which it is? I can not tell by just seeing it happen.”

Hearing the question Merlin goes into deep thought as one part stands out to him amid the chaos that he remember while unconscious. “I do not remember much of what happened. I just know that someone said to be patient. They stressed that part very much.”

Hearing the answer Diane took a contemplative look on her face as she considered the implications of it. Questioningly she asks, “Do you know how many were there? Or which god talked to you?”

Shaking his head Merlin responded, “I do not really remember anything. I just know that only one talked to me for sure.”

Accepting what he said, Diane shrugged it off before responding. “I am not sure why your memory is hazy, that has never happened before as far as I know of. Nonetheless, you should do as you were asked. I do not think you should go out to learn skills or train stats at all, though an exception might be made for some physical stats. It is likely you need to wait until you get your class. That is most often the time when this happens. The only reason it happened this early is that they view you with high importance.”

Nodding in agreement Merlin looked towards Arwen to see if she had anything to say.

Feeling his gaze, Arwen broke off from looking at Diane and looked down on Merlin. “Don’t worry I understand. I was just really worried about you. If that is all Diane, I think we should get going. I got to get home so I can get the children feed and in bed on time.”

“That is indeed everything at the moment since Merlin does not remember much. Now follow me. I will lead you back to the main hall.”

Following her back they returned to main hall on the opposite side that they took for the awakening. Merlin was then come over with a sense of déjà vu and turned towards the center of the temple. There sat a round offering table with six statues standing around it. The statue Merlin could see the clearest was that of an elf.

Calling out to Diane he asked, “Which god is the elf statue for?”

Without even looking she responded, “That is Vigilem, Advisor to the King.”

Nodding in appreciation, Merlin along with Arwen said their farewells to her before heading out the doorway to return home.

No sooner did they leave did Diane turn around to face the entrance. Her face was full of shock. “How did he know those represented the gods? Everyone else assumes they represent the sentient races. Unless…”

Speaking those words the implications weighed heavily on her mind, however they were already gone and she had other duties to attend to.

Taking another look at the statues the priestess offered a quick prayer to the gods before resuming her duties.