Chapter 82
Chapter 82
“This… arena is probably one of the greatest treasures you have ever given us,” Edward said as he stood next to Max watching a pair of adventurers fight. “Everyone who has had a chance to train cannot wait for the next opportunity that comes.”
“I’m glad,” Max replied, his eyes already reading the flow of the battle and knowing how it was going to end. “Trust me, in the year we’ve had this myself and the others have gotten just as much as you have from it.”
Edward let out a chuckle and shook his head. “I doubt that. I’ve felt the vibrations through the stone above this. I know there have been moments I wondered if what has taken place in here might ever destroy this place. What has surprised me even more is the way the others are acting. They carry themselves…. Differently.”
“In a good way or bad way?” Max asked, turning his attention to the conversation as the two men sat in the observation room.
“A good way,” the King of Sunreach replied. “It’s almost like… when a parent realizes that they are not their child's friend and has to be the parent. I know that you and the others enjoy the way you engage and interact with everyone, but I think the people of our kingdom and of the others are finally starting to see you all as… gods.”
“And we weren’t before?”
“Not like you are now,” Edward stated. “Now you all move with an assurance and confidence that you didn’t have before. While Miranna was here, you tried to live with us as one of us and as a god. That moment is gone and now you are all just filling the other role.” The man frowned and then stroked his beard. “Forgive me, I feel like I am not explaining this well.”
Max put a hand on the king’s shoulder and squeezed.
“You have explained it better than you can imagine,” Max replied. “I understand what you are saying and I also agree. We are trying to find a way to prepare for what is coming.” “Ahh, yes, I’ve read about that part,” Edward replied. “Still feels weird that we can’t speak about it around others, but I won’t argue with the System. How do you think that will go?”
Max blew a raspberry and shrugged. “I have no idea. I have hopes and desires but the truth is we won’t know until that moment comes.”
“And your other worlds? If I remember correctly, you’re supposed to be visiting one of them in the coming month.”
Nodding, Max heard a cry and turned to see that the mage had taken down the warrior as he had expected.
“Yes… I cannot imagine having dozens of worlds that I’m actively engaging with at the same time. Part of me would feel guilty for not being a part like I want to.”
“And yet, you have no choice but to entrust the ones you choose to lead as you require,” Edward replied. “I believe you mentioned your own world had problems with some of the ruling humans and how they acted. Did the god… Phaius, not let them work those things out?”
A chuckle echoed inside his head as Bob laughed.
Every time we discuss things with this one, I am still surprised at how fortunate you are to have found a man like him. He is correct, and you know it.
Just because he is right doesn’t mean I want to rule like Phaius did. I mean, he did try to kill me.
Ignoring the laughter from Bob that continued to grow, Max turned his focus back to Edward.
“He did. But I’m not him,” Max stated. “Still… you are wise, and I appreciate the advice. Perhaps I will eventually be able to trust the processes.”
“I’m sorry if I’m ruining everything by being as successful as I am,” Edward said. “And if I ever overstep, let me know.”
Max shook his head and motioned toward the pair who were waiting in the center of the underground arena. “No, you are fine. I enjoy the candid nature of our talks, and I find your opinion helpful in reminding me to see things from your perspective. Like you said, one day I may forget what it is like to be in your spot and I’ll need men and women who are willing and able to tell me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear.”
***
“You going to be okay?” Tanila asked, giving Max a quick kiss after asking a question they both knew the answer to.
“I should be,” he replied with a wink. “If it wasn’t for the fact the DP has been slowly decreasing on that world, I’d probably ignore it like I do all the others. Jazzjak pointed out I should be cultivating my relationships with each world that I own.”
“You did ask for his opinion, and he’s given it. I guess you’ll have to trust him,” she replied.
You’ve been receiving that kind of constant affirmation a lot lately. It would appear that you are on the right path now. A time to lead but not from the front line.
Which is a very different place for me to be. I didn’t want to be the king of Peltagow and I don’t want to be the king of anywhere else.
And yet you are a god and are required to act like one. Especially if you want to survive and reach the heights you hope to achieve.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Max winked at Tanila and tapped his forehead. “Getting a pep talk as I go. I love you, and I’ll be back soon. Remind Fowl not to complain when Sog beats him again.”
She laughed and nodded. “That has been a fun rematch to watch. Both of them have grown and yet Sog always finds a way to take out Fowl at the very end.”
Nodding, he took a step back and activated his ability.
[ Celestial Gate ]
A vast open plain appeared through the portal and Max stepped into it, waving at his wife before it vanished.
The breeze that washed over Max was warmer than it had been the previous time he had visited. A glance at the sky revealed the sun to be directly overhead, with not a single cloud in sight.
What had once been a thick, lush green area of grass was now dry. Gone was the view of land filled with life that extended forever. It was replaced with barren trees and dried-up roots.
What happened here?
It appears to be negligence or something worse. You can sense the thread to which you are bound, off to the southeast. Perhaps we can find answers there.
Max rose into the sky, his view of what was below him expanding and grimaced, seeing that the harsh conditions covered a large section of the space below. He had to fly for almost an hour, finally seeing enough green vegetation in the direction he was headed to believe there might be life down below.
A thread that told him those he was responsible for directed his path and as Max descended, he saw a small group of the centaurs he was the god of hunting on a grassy plain. They were trying to bring down a creature that was the size of a grown dragon.
Is that… a dinosaur?
From the looks of it, yes. But that is a plant-eating kind. Still, I am afraid that group might suffer some casualties trying to kill something like that.
Knowing that Bob was right, Max sped toward one of the three groups of centaurs that were surrounding and herding the creature toward some large trees far off.
As he drew close, one of the centaurs slowed down, an older one with silver hair compared to most of the others with darker hair.
The centaur froze mid-stride, almost tripping as he came to a quick stop, holding up both hands and whistling. The ones closest to him, and within range of hearing, turned to see why that whistle had come and they too stopped their chasing of the dinosaur.
“Father,” the older centaur said as Max came to land before them. “We… forgive me. It has been so long. I know not your name but I can feel the connection.”
“That has been my fault,” Max said. “Call me Max. Please. Tell me, do you all need help in slaying this beast?”
A look of surprise came upon the centaur and then he shook his head, bowing it low once again. “Oh… no, we are not looking to kill this one. It is a female. We are trying to push her back toward the forest so that she will find food and be able to survive and hopefully find a male.”
The sounds of hooves approaching caused the older centaur to pause. When the obviously younger ones stood, stamping their feet, he motioned for them to all bow.
“This is our Father… Max. Show him the honor he is due.”
One of the larger centaurs took a step forward, his black hair tied back in braids. The warrior spat to the side. “Honor? What honor is he due? Where has he been while we–”
“Silence, Talanos!” the older centaur snapped. “We will not speak to a god like this.”
“God?” Talanos scoffed. “Are your eyes and your teeth both bad, Aeacilles? This god doesn’t even have four legs. How can he be our Father? Has he ever ridden with us across the plains? Does he–”
The sound of thunder boomed from the sky and the younger centaur went silent as a bolt of lightning struck the ground about ten yards from his position.
“You may be correct about some things,” Max said, his voice having lost any hint of warmth. “But if you wish to question who or what I am, do not direct it to the elder before you.”
Max rose from the ground just enough that he could be a foot above Talanos’s head and flew slowly toward him, watching as the younger centaur glanced at the others who had all backed away, their heads lowered.
“Ask me those same questions and this time, try to remember who you are.”
A pair of black eyes shook and Max could see that they were not ones with fear. The bow in the centaur’s hand was shaking as Talanos glared at him.
“I would rather be struck down than to bend my neck to a god who has shown no love for his people, nor cared for them in their time of need. I have lost my running mate because of the sickness that has spread across the world.” Talanos spat once more to the side, his black eyes locked upon Max. “If I die, then I shall join her to race across the stars for eternity. Strike me down if you wish, but until you prove you are worthy of my worship and honor, there will be none from me.”
This one has quite the pair.
And yet he is right. I can imagine I might act like this if I were in his shoes… er hooves.
“Forgive him, Father. He–”
Max held up a hand, cutting off Aeacilles. “No. Let him speak. While some might find him disrespectful, I can find honor in one who cares for his people and his family. Tell me, what has befallen your plains and what can I do to help?”
For the first time since Talanos’s eyes had met his, the centaur blinked.
“You… would listen and try to help?” Talanos asked. “Why now?”
Keeping himself from making any noises or acting ungodly, Max motioned to the land around him. “I was only made aware of the plight of this world recently. That is why I am here. I cannot promise I can fix it immediately, but I will do what I can to help if it is within my power.”
The sounds of hundreds of hooves came and Max could see that the other two parties of centaurs were arriving.
You should not make a promise like that.
And yet I must, if we are to have a world that provides DP for another 200 years or more.