Gamaliel could only stare at the being standing in front of her, while she knew that differences in appearance would manifest as side effects of the improvements made with absorbing the essence of the fallen in the Training Grounds this drastic of a change warranted a talent for battle that was unprecedented, such outstanding trait meant that her plans of leisurely cruising along the ranks of Heaven were busted. What was once an average 17 year old now stood three men tall and was as broad as he was massive, the armor and greataxe still stained with blood and littered with scratches gave him the presence of a seasoned war angel, meanwhile the crimson cloak along the golds and purples decorating his body made him look every bit a lord. As she looked at him she swore she could hear the low rumbling of marching along faint war drums beating a steady rhythm.

“Are you alright?” came the voice of her partner, low and gravely, its sound was the rumbling of a charging army and the crumbling wall of a fortress.

“Yes, sorry I was caught off guard by your new appearance.” she responded more calmly than she felt, the shock at the situation putting her in a more automatic mode and making her training as a messenger come in “As you have completed your training and been reborn a powerful being your old name will have to be left behind, a Title based on your soul and deeds shall be given to you as a baptism. This does not mean you cannot use your old name if you wish to, also this Title is not permanent as it shall represent your very being and as such change with you.“ she quickly explained and began to exit the chamber, future dungeon lord in tow.

“The one who shall give you your Title is dependent on how much power you have acquired during your stay at the Training Grounds along with a broad look into your soul, this is due to there being a very taxing power requirement to giving a Title, usually only archangels and those of the upper courts have the ability to do it.” she further explained while they walked across the near unending halls of the holy palace they were in. Just in time they arrived upon a massive gate, decorated with engravings depicting the glory of the Heavens in gold and marble, that opened with no action from either of them and revealed a chamber that seemed to span forever.

Stepping into the chamber Gamaliel got the foreboding feeling that her hopes for a calm life were about to be extinguished in the most absolute of manners.

//

The soon-to-be dungeon lord studied the chamber he and Gamaliel were in, a vast space in which there appeared to be no walls or ceiling with only clouds and blue skies could be seen. Something deep in his soul was telling him that the swirling masses of clouds and bright sunlight hid a powerful being, yet he felt no sense of danger or threat upon the room.

“Welcome children.” a voice that was all encompassing spread throughout the chamber, the man and angel immediately kneeled, an instinct in their very souls told them that the being before them was of the highest standing and to show respect was an absolute must. “Please stand up, there is no need to kneel” when it spoke the voice of every man and woman resounded harmoniously, the power it wielded apparent to all who so much a heard but a whisper of its voice, yet the young man's heart was calm and, dare he say it, relaxed as he somehow knew that no harm or malice shall find its way to him as long as the mysterious voice was with him “now let me look upon your true self so that I may give an according Title.” Its attention was the feeling of unending eyes stripping bare his soul analyzing every detail and facet that was, is and will be him, and despite being judged he found himself fine with it, he would liken it to an old master inspecting a young disciples work approvingly.

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“God” he heard his guiding angel mutter as he remained still so as to not disturb the Maker of All’s inspection, and found himself unsurprised at the revelation. A mysterious being, appearing all powerful while they were in Heaven? He was a little disappointed he could not connect the dots sooner.

“Hmm, alright I think I have something good for you” just as suddenly as it appeared the sensation of being laid bare stopped, now a slight nervousness replaced it as the supreme being before him decided his Title, one that would represent him as a whole.

“You shall be A Lord of War” as the Title spilled from God’s mouth, wherever it may be, the now christened lord of war felt something in his very being shift as his soul accepted the moniker graciously given by the one above all.

“May your blade taste blood and your armor stop all blades, bring forth a mighty bastion from which armies and heroes fight. May the march of your armies shake the Realms they walk on and may their banners be ever shown with respect and fear. May the dungeon you build be a stronghold in which the weak and meek become warriors forever brave. And may those who stand against you be strong, for you shall need grinding stones to keep your axe’s edge sharp.” So continued the Almighty, and so the warlord felt as his very soul sang and rejoiced at every word said, each sentence he carved upon his mind as if they were commandments. “Tell me, oh young warlord, what would be your last request before you are taken to your duty.” His mouth moved before he even realized it and he found himself forever thankful to his subconscious for giving an answer.

“A name.” His response was short, he never liked to speak long sentences, but full of the gratefulness and gratitude of a son receiving a last gift from a loving father.

“If a name is all that you wish, then you shall be Maximus Bellatorum” Maximus merely nodded his head at his new name, there was no easy way to truly express his thanks and with how overwhelming everything has been he could not really do much more in response.

“Farewell children” And with that goodbye Maximus and Gamaliel suddenly found themselves in a new location.