Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Seven gods stood side by side. Each of them was dressed in their official god garb. They looked like a dazzling display of power and majesty, wearing the armor they had worn to defeat the tower. Each piece radiated with a power that none in this world yet could fathom.
On a small platform below them stood the five kings and queens from each kingdom. They too were dressed in fine clothes, weapons and jewelry on display.
Surrounding them all was a half-mile amphitheater of stone that Max had created for this moment. Every stone seat was filled with all the races of the world. For the most part the spaces were mixed. High above, over two hundred dragons soared, watching the scene below.
Five adventurers stood before the kings, queens, and gods.
Miranna stood there in a set of red dragon scale armor for this moment. Each scale was outlined in silver, creating a dazzling display of light when she moved. Two short swords were crossed across her back as her golden hair was braided, hanging over her shoulder.
Beside her, Shale Spark sparkled as well. Her red scales had been washed, polished, and a small sheen came from the extra attention given to her.
A hulking demon, nine feet tall, skin black as night, stood in the middle of the five gathered. Vraxion Keld was their main warrior and had a reputation of shrugging off blows that sometimes staggered other tanks. His two horns protruding from his head drew attention, each a ruby red. He also wore a set of red dragon armor crafted for him by Max.
Thergar Runehand was a dwarven healer picked by Fowl and Batrire. His blond hair and beard were braided, rings set within. His healer’s robe was simple but the staff he carried had a green gem set near the top that reflected the light anytime he moved the staff. A tall mage, a foot taller than the dwarf stood on the end. Vaelithrea was hand-picked by Cordellia, possessing elemental magic. Most parties would never be blessed to have a member with this ability, let alone two. Her red hair had silver leaves set amongst her braided hair, a dazzling silver robe shimmering in the sun.
Jazzjak wore a black suit with red embroidery and moved past the kings and queens.
A low hush rolled through the amphitheater when the vorpal rabbit lifted his hands.
“Today marks an auspicious day!” the herald proclaimed. “Today, our gods, our kings and queens, have chosen a group like no other! Today, we have selected five who will represent the unity that all races strive for. Behold your chosen champions!”
Thunderous roars came from within the stone area and above. Gouts of flame, bolts of lightning, and more filled the sky as dragons showed off their power beyond just making a lot of noise.
When enough time had passed, Jazzjak raised his hands again and the crowd quieted.
“Today we mark in stone, bark, obsidian, metal, and our hearts these five names. While many shall rise to new heights in the coming years, our hopes and prayers fall upon these five. May they rise to the top of the tower, showing a path for all who follow to mimic that which our gods have done for us!”
More applause came, and as the crowds shouted out in joy, each member of royalty moved to stand before the one selected from their kingdom. Each held a small box.
As one, they opened the box and showed what was inside.
Max smiled as the eyes of those five seemed to sparkle.
“They have no idea,” Tanila whispered. “I wonder what it will be like when they put it on.”
Max gave a small shrug and winked. “We can ask Miranna later.”
Vaelion was the only one who pulled out the ring, a massive arm band for most, and slid it onto Shale Spark’s front claw. The band shrank until it fit perfectly around the scaled claw, a slight trill of excitement coming from the red dragon.
Each member took the offered gift and slid it onto their finger, each of them gasping at what they were given.
“The five have been gifted with an item unique to them and that will most likely never be seen on this world again,” Jazzjak announced, his voice carried across the entire area via the magic he possessed. “Each ring is connected, letting the members know the status of their allies. It also shares a small portion of their stats with each other. As they grow, their gains will be their team’s as well.”
Oohs and ahs came from the crowd as the five glanced at each other, smiles on all of their faces.
Jazzjak held up his hand. Once more, the crowd was silent, waiting to hear what came next.
With some practiced work, the rabbit wove his hand and made motions, small balls of magical energy swirling around until he thrust it upward into the sky above.
Max let out a chuckle, having coached their helper on showmanship and seeing he had done it well.
A large display formed in the air for all to see.
“Vaelithrea, chosen one of Cordelia. The one selected to be the magic which binds their foes.”
Her name glowed and sparkled, staying where it had appeared as another set came into view.
“Thergar Runehand, chosen of Batrire and Fowl. Every party needs a healer to tend to wounds and mend heart and soul.”
Small pockets of applause kept popping up as the names appeared, each time falling silent when the next one was announced.
“Vraxion Keld, chosen one of Sog. A warrior carries the party, putting their life on the line to stop that which comes.”
Max felt himself choke up a little bit, sensing a small tear coming from Fowl. The weight of a warrior was sometimes so overwhelming. He knew, though, that Vraxion could endure that weight, based on what he had witnessed.
“Shale Spark, chosen one of Rakonath. A dragon protects and watches from above, burning all who threaten.”
The sky erupted with spells and roars again as the dragons above saw the name of their own appear.
Jazzjak waited a moment, holding his hand up, cutting off the celebration above.
Finally, the last line began to appear.
“Miranna Hoste, chosen one of Tanila and Max. The one who fills multiple roles understands the weight of them all.”
Max felt his wife’s hand squeeze his. She had a tear that had escaped, just as he had.
“Your champions!” Jazzjak shouted. “Let them know a world stands beside them!”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Unlike all the other times, the noise of the celebration was so overwhelming that it seemed to radiate through their bodies. Max could feel it even with his sonar turned off.
When almost a solid minute of celebration had taken place, Jazzjak held up his hands.
“Now, children of this world, your kings and queens along with your gods have set up a feast like no other kind. Go, mingle, form relationships, and prosper! A new age has come, and you are the ones who will be remembered in the thousands and ten thousands of years to follow.”
***
Max smiled as his daughter finished hugging her mother and came toward him. Arms open wide, he felt his heart pumping when she wrapped her arms around him.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I love you and will make you proud.”
Max squeezed and pulled her back slightly, his eyes fixed upon her golden ones. “I will always be proud of you, no matter what. Remember, Star, to shine brightly. And if you need, I am always here to answer questions. The path you are about to walk isn’t an easy one.”
She nodded and kissed his cheek before running off to join the other four, who were already celebrating.
“Makes me want to cry,” Fowl said as the dwarf joined him and Tanila. “Watching kids with that kind of excitement. Reminds me of when I left home.”
“Please,” Batrire snorted. “You were only that happy when you won that stupid drinking contest.”
A chuckle came from Fowl as his trophy appeared on his head, ruining the fine outfit he wore. Two gold tankards, each upgraded from what they had once been with tubes that ran to where his mouth was, sat in a silver hat.
“Did his hat change?” Cordellia asked as she joined the party. “I mean, I’ve drunk some wine, but that thing looks worse than the other.”
“Bah, go hump an ogre,” their dwarf grunted. “I’m a god! I deserve a proper drinking hat!”
Each of them laughed as Fowl emptied his current mug into one of the ones on his head and started sucking on the tube.
“Is this something all dwarves do?” Sog asked, arriving and clapping Max on the back. “Because I’d be happy to try one based on how happy Fowl looks.”
“Exactly—” Fowl started before a loud burp escaped.
Max laughed, rolling his eyes and nodding at Rakonath who was coming toward them. “How goes things with the party?”
“They’re good,” his dragon replied. “Each of them is ready for tomorrow. We all know they’re going to destroy the early dungeons. I think once they hit the thirty-level dungeons, they’ll start to slow down.”
He nodded and motioned to Sog. “You ready for next week?”
The demon laughed and summoned a giant wooden sword. “I cannot wait to crush them beneath this!”
“You’re not supposed to kill them,” Tanila groaned. “It’s training. Not killing.”
“I know,” Sog said. “It’s just been so long since I’ve had that kind of fun. To say I’m probably more excited than they are about our training sessions is putting it mildly.”
A wooden weapon appeared in each of the other gods’ hands, and everyone laughed.
“Seems we’re a weird group of gods,” Batrire said. “Nothing like trying to beat up the five you just chose to be the best.”
“Tom would say we’re doing it the right way,” Cordellia stated. “Still… every day I train others, I think about that old man and how much I sometimes hated him. Little did I know just how smart he was and how important those moments were.”
Grunts of affirmation came from the others.
As they stood there, watching the celebration of their champions, Max sensed Jazzjak coming toward them.
He turned and felt his eyebrow raise as he sensed the way the rabbit shook. Motioning with his head away from the others, Max felt his stomach tighten when their helper nodded. “I’ll be right back. Don’t tell too many stories about me while I’m gone.”
He waved off Tanila’s questioning look, heading to where the rabbit was standing.
“What’s up?” Max asked.
“Trouble… one of your worlds…” Jazzjak replied slowly, his eyes darting around as he tried to look composed. “It appears the gods on one of your worlds are wanting to overthrow you and take what is yours.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Max sputtered. “They can do that?”
“Yes… it does happen. Imagine if the two gods you know, Phaius and Ockrim, had defeated Thuyja and cast her from the world. They would be able to split the power she got. All it would take is killing off 95% of the elves of the world.”
Max felt his heart drop at hearing that. “You mean they’re committing genocide? Doesn’t that hurt them also?”
“Yes, but there’s a bonus for such a thing also. I’m not sure what’s going on, but you’re going to have to decide what you want to do. Either sacrifice the world, or fight to defend it. I know you. Neither option is good.”
“And fighting? That’s not a one-time thing, is it?”
Jazzjak shook his head. “Unless you can kill the gods, no. If they have other worlds, they can flee. Then you have to stay there and defend your people. Most don’t do what it appears they’re attempting to do unless they’re certain you won’t defend.”
“But why?!” Max asked, his frustration growing.
“They want to get stronger,” Jazzjak replied, his red eyes glowing. “And they think they can do it faster by removing you.”
This isn’t a fight we need right now. You know that.
Max grunted, knowing Bob was right and feeling frustrated at the same time that some kind of race was dying right now because he was their god . He felt a gaze upon him and turned to see Rakonath staring, those silver eyes narrowed.
What fight is Bob talking about?
Tonight. After this celebration, we’ll all talk. Everyone. Today won’t be ruined by whatever is taking place on one of my worlds. Our champions need this moment, as does our world.
Rakonath nodded once at him, turning back to the others, a smile having replaced the grim expression earlier.
“Max?” Jazzjak asked.
“Tonight. We’ll do it when the party is over. Find out whatever you can, and have it ready.” Max paused, reaching out and stopping their helper, who was starting to depart. “Wait… enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about it right now. We can find out together tonight. You deserve this celebration just as much as we do.”
Two red eyes blinked rapidly at him for a few seconds. “Thank you.”
Max nodded, having heard those words spoken so softly they were almost swallowed by the noise of the celebration around them.
“Don’t worry. Remember, Jazzjak. You’re our friend and family. We owe a lot of this to you. I’ll never forget that.”
A smile grew as the vorpal bunny’s head moved up and down.
Max let their helper go, turning back to join his friends.
I can sense your thoughts. Sometimes I’m not sure who’s more stubborn. You or Fowl.
Me. Definitely me.
As Max moved toward his friends, Rakonath suddenly burst into loud laughter, and a look of question appeared on all those around him.
“Forgive me,” the dragon said as Max arrived. “Sometimes I forget how funny Max can be.”