Martyr’s Mercy

No one moved for ten long minutes after Anaranjado said his piece. We all just stood there stunned in silence at what we had just been told. To join the guild, we had to swear an oath of loyalty to our chosen God. This is an important decision, more importantly it’s one not to be taken lightly. The Gods will not forgive those who break an oath in their names. What is everyone else thinking about this? It can’t be an easy decision….

“Is that all? Swear an oath to our God and we get to fight in their name and get paid to do it. This must be paradise, cause it’s perfect for me.” Torgin said with gusto. “This is the best day of my life. I, Torgin Skec, swear to fight for the guild with all my might! I make this oath in the name of Anolis the Patient, God of Persistence and Cold-Blooded Terrors!”

I don’t know why I'm even surprised he did. Torgin has always, always, always sought out the biggest fight he could find. Being invited to become a dungeon delver and face ever stronger enemies as he explores is right up his shell. Well, my turn, not like I can leave this idiot alone.

“I, Rahzen Ouse, swear to fight for the guild with all of my might! I make this oath in the name of Anolis the Patient, God of Persistence and Cold-Blooded Terrors!” I repeated the same as Torgin since we worship the same God.

As I said my oath I felt a warm fuzzy feeling, washing over my body. It was nice. While this was happening the sound started to fade away. As it happened I somehow managed to barely hear three others take their oaths.

“...in the name of Faun Sway the Twilight Queen, the Fae Fiend, Goddess of Fairies, Nature, and Darkness I swear to fight for the guild.”

“By the power of Langston the Arbiter, God of Judgment, and Challenge, I swear to obey the guild's rules and fight.”

“For the glory of Feltza the Copious, Goddess of Wealth and Traps, I swear to heed the call of the guild.”

Those were the only voices I could hear before the world went silent, and quickly after that the world went black. The darkness didn’t last long, as it receded, I was greeted with the sight of a massive golden dragon. It had four wings, and its bulk was supported by six legs. Its huge head reminded me of a small lizard, called ironically a bearded dragon, since there were no horns atop its head but had a number of blackened spikes under its chin. This is without a doubt the biggest thing I have ever seen. Its piercing gaze drilled into my very being. It raised up one of its mighty front claws and reached for me.

The closer it got the more oppressive it’s very presence felt. I couldn’t run, couldn't fight. My only choice is to stand my ground and hope for the best. When the clawed limb was fully in front of me it stopped, and a single claw poked me in the head. I opened my eyes and gazed at the dragon, and at that moment a single word entered my mind ‘Worthy’.

At that word the dragon lay down in front of me and I saw a human, no it was a Herpton sitting on top of it. “No time for quessstionsss, Ssstroop hasss found you worthy Rahzen Oussse go forth and bring glory to me name.” With those words everything faded to black again. Wait a second was that Anolis?

“Alright, welcome back initiates. Since i’m sure all of you are a little confused about what just happened to you, it’s simple. Only 50 of you passed and get the honor of being part of the guild.” Anaranjado said.

What does he mean by only 50 of us passed? There were 100 people here. Where did they go… I didn’t get a chance to finish the rest of that idea, before the smell hit me. I was standing in the same space next to Torgin but there were a bunch of rotting bodies surrounding us now.

“Allow me to explain.” Anaranjado said to the assembled crowd of shakinginitiates. “The Guild sends out invitations once a year to the four corners of the world seeking only the most unique or gifted to be recruited. As you are aware, the Gods themselves hold great power over the Guild and as such those who are not truly dedicated to serving them and our world are killed when they attempt to lie during the oath. Every year there are those who only want to be part of the Guild for the freedom awarded to its members. Without going into too much detail I’ll just say that you all before me are the largest group still standing after the oaths. For that feat in and of itself I congratulate you. Now then your training can begin. Follow the path over there to the area, we will hold a test of some of your abilities, then you will be allowed to form your parties, and learn what you need. DISMISSED!”