Khalid sat, coiled, at the border of his gardens, staring at the God that cradled the unconscious human. The deity had taken the form of a human girl, small in stature and falsely presenting a young face darkened in shadows. Those very shadows had spread out throughout the garden like dark roots.
The air tasted of ozone, thick with traces of electric mana, it made his scales itch and his nose tickle.
“There was a shielding spell in place.” The mage declared. “His life was not at risk.”
“That’s a risk I was unwilling to take.” The Goddess spoke dryly.
Khalid flicked his tongue in annoyance, not deigning to answer the claim of his spell having been insufficient, as his gaze remained on the human. “He is my guest, I wouldn’t have permitted an untimely death.”
Her blazing ember-like eyes gained a twinkle of mischief. “For a mage so ready to have him bet his life, you seem to have placed a surprising amount of effort in keeping him alive.”
“Are you claiming I shouldn’t have cast the shielding?” His voice grew a degree colder.
“Had you invited me in, there wouldn’t have been any need for it.” The deity replied curtly.
“Strange you bring that up, I don’t remember inviting you into my home either.” Khalid crossed his arms, raising his chin. “But it’d be fruitless to kick you out now that you are here. I welcome you into my abode, for the time being.”
“How generous, mister al-Ashtar.” She chuckled airily. “I am sure it has nothing to do with having lost your bet to Liam, twice.”
With a scoff, the mage waved her off. “I will readily admit he has more determination and talent than I originally gave him credit for, but it would’ve been strange for a Goddess’ messenger not-”
“Not a shred of what he accomplished tonight was in any way, shape, or form, due to my intervention or influence.” She spoke with a voice that transcended sound and thought, it was a weight upon the world, a truth that seared itself into existence.
Khalid’s fangs wriggled inside his snout. The mere thought that she was lying was as aberrant to consider as the idea of the world flipping upside down and sending everyone plummeting into the sky. The mage had read of such things, when Gods imbued their words with divinity, something they’d do to remove all doubt as to speak with divinity was to speak devoid of falsehood.
Despite knowing this, the effect had far more of an impact than he’d thought it possible.
“He claimed you seek a Champion.”
“And I would’ve preferred if it were him.” The Goddess spoke softly, caressing the unconscious human’s cheek as she stood. “But he would not take my offer, suggesting I meet you instead.”
“Did he, now?” The mage’s eyes narrowed. “And why would he refuse, I wonder?” Flicking his tongue out, he gestured at the unconscious human. “Or could you not force him to?”
“Oh, I insisted, but a Champion must be willing. A deity that coerces or strong-arms this role upon a mortal is a God that is likely to see themselves weakened rather than empowered.” She stepped towards him, the shadows swallowing the human, making him vanish from sight. “As to his reasons, those are his own to divulge if he so wishes. Perhaps you will have a chance to ask him yourself.”
Khalid hissed, tongue flicking in irritation. “You seem to respect this mortal a great deal.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“I can’t help but notice he’s gained some begrudging respect from you as well. It is one of his most amusing and irritating traits.” She smiled, taking another step closer as she stared up at him. “I am rather curious as to why he recommended you. Seeing as I am your guest now, would you also intend to follow the second bet’s terms and become my ‘most devout follower’?”
“Nonsense.” The mage glared.
“But you do not deny my offer of Championship.”
“Seeing how much effort he put into arranging this meeting, it would be insulting not to at least hear out what this offer entails.” Tightening his jaw, he shook his head. “Though, if I am honest, even if you are a Goddess, I doubt there would be anything you could offer that I would wish for.”
“If we are being honest, I doubt you’d have much to offer me that I could not get from Liam… in due time.”
Khalid bristled, body tightening as he glared down at the coal-skinned humanoid woman. “If you are trying to convince me to join you-”
“I am being honest, Khalid al-Ashtar. You bore witness to what he did tonight.”
“Hardly impressive.” He shook his head. “A third-circle mage would’ve accomplished this much without placing their own life at risk.”
“Yet Liam did so despite the fact that the very first time he’s ever touched aether or manipulated mana to any degree was a few months ago.” She smiled, revealing serrated teeth that Khalid was mostly certain should not belong in a human’s mouth. “If that drive can be properly nurtured, and that potentially properly realized, why, I’d estimate it wouldn’t take him even a century to reach the seventh circle.”
“IF.” Khalid spoke flatly.
Inwardly, his thoughts were spinning. It was hard to believe the human had never so much as touched aether. The electric-mana in his arm had some aspects reminiscent of a God’s blessing, and even those carrying the more powerful blessings would take years to reach this level.
“But if your claims are true-”
“They are.” She chirped with a grin, those two words carrying divinity in them once more.
He glared, ignoring the slight headache. “-then I have little reason to agree to be your Champion. If he ever changes his mind, then it seems like you’d jump at the offer.”
“IF.” She replied with a cheeky smirk.
The glare intensified.
“You are not making a good case for yourself, miss Goddess of ruins.”
It was satisfying to see how the smirk died down and the deity’s amusement turned into an impassive stare. “Do not take my honesty as an insult, mister al-Ashtar. Were you to join my cause, you would’ve found out about these facts in time.” The seriousness vanished with a simple wave of her hand. “Much better to make clear that I do not appreciate a Champion that will rest in their laurels.”
“I have not agreed to anything.”
“Neither have you turned anything down.” She stepped closer still, close enough she needed to crane her neck to look upwards. “I can sense your curiosity, you know. That trickle of a question, wondering why your other guest would’ve risked so much.”
This time he frowned. “No. He put his pride on the line, that much was clear to me.” In the following silence, Khalid shook his head. “You appear unwilling to make a proper offer.”
“An offer would be meaningless seeing you have made up your mind already.” She leaned back, sitting upon an invisible chair as she crossed her legs, staring up at him with amusement. “Ask away, Khalid al-Ashtar, and know I have no need for tricks.”
Holding her burning gaze for a moment longer, the mage finally let out a sigh. “Amongst the many wild claims Liam Carter made, one of them was of death. He said this city would be engulfed in war, and its inhabitants slaughtered. Was any of it true? How is he so sure?”
“The red light is a meteor shower of immense scale. It is the reason why monsters have stirred and grown restless, and once it hits… mortals will have access to more aether in quantities never seen before.” She glanced up at him with a brittle smile. “This fort city’s purpose of existence is a military one in nature. Once the Caliphate has enough aether to effectively and cheaply multiply the number of mages it can use at any given time…”
“War.” Khalid became silent as he pondered.
“Are you certain you’d rather not ask for unfathomable power? Or long-lost golemancy secrets?”
“Skills gained through shortcuts make for poor foundations.” The mage shook his head. “At the same time, I cannot readily deny my limitations, and saving a city is not something I can do.” He eyed her. “Though if even a deity such as you cannot do so either, then perhaps I should reconsider this Champion business.”
She laughed. “I feel we will get along splendidly.” Standing up from her invisible chair, she reached out. “You may call me Maridah.”