EPISODE 141: SACRIFICE OF THREE 3

— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7291. SEASON: COLOR FADING.

“We have set the trap here,” General Yûah began, pointing to an area on the table in which tiny sand figures moved about. A thin mist covered the area, but it didn’t prevent the distinction between the figures. The magical table displayed the topography of Ro’Joan Rocks using sand nearly to perfection. However, the area around a large ruined mage tower, which was as big as some of the giant rocks within the area, was covered in a dense layer of mist that blocked the features from being seen.

“We’ve placed a massive ward formation that will activate the tier nine spell, (Life-Drain Chains), once the beast is in position. However, we face one problem that must be resolved before the operation can begin…”

Lawruthian listened quietly, curious about how the hunt for a calamity would take place. He sat with his two generals and stayed quiet in the small corner he’d occupied. A pondering expression was on his face as the members of the Six Great Houses found themselves in a large tent, undergoing a quick update of what was to come.

Sitting near him were the members of the Little Greats, who eagerly followed their parents to the battlefield in hopes of gaining experience.

“Who will do the honors of luring the Thunderwing Lord to this location,” General Yûah asked.

Immediately, several volunteers spoke up.

“That task is dangerous, and one must possess sufficient defense to do so. Allow me to be that vanguard, my Queen,” Liana Drumian stated confidently.

“Liana, you are as slow as a snail—defense is needed, but so is speed. I happen to possess both,” Ade Oni countered.

“Nonsense, when it comes to speed, there is no competition here. The roc’s wind will only boost my flames to become faster. None of us possess the necessary qualifications with the Earth element to resist any strike the beast may land, and my fire magic will surely anger the calamity. Extreme speed will be necessary, as the calamity, its mates, and their horde of minions will rise in pursuit. Allow me, my Queen, to break down the tower and pull the calamity into the trap,” Caimen declared passionately.

The room buzzed with discussion—each present held something to say. The Queen stayed silent but listened to the ongoing conversation, but eventually, she held a hand up for silence. Those present immediately simmered down, and Queen Titiana turned to her son before speaking.

“What do you think Lawruthian,” she asked, smiling.

Lawruthian stood, and he pointed at the area the Thunderwing Lord inhabited. “Zephyron, the Thunderwing Lord, specializes in wind and lightning. It holds a great understanding of fire to create such effects. Most likely, damage from these elements will have little staying power in hurting the calamity.”

The Queen nodded—so far, her son pointed out some cons in drawing the creature’s attention. His eyes swept the room.

“Most of you have reached the second stage of elemental understanding, but what’s to say Zephyron hasn’t as well? I think the best option would be to launch a powerful spell from a distance. Perhaps something flashy but not too mana-intensive—yet it must be powerful enough to bring down the tower.”

He gestured to the map, specifically a large rock that was near the trap, but close enough to the mage tower for any spell to hit.

“A meteor would collapse the place and inflict great damage to the horde of beasts in the area—soften them up as much as we can before they descend upon us. If anyone thinks otherwise, the floor is yours.”

The room fell silent, considering his words. Caimen spoke up, his eyes on those around the room. “Calamities are smart—much smarter than the average creature. If we allow Zephyron to focus on a sole target, it would create a greater chance of pulling it into the trap without complications.”

He paused, looking toward the Queen as he next spoke. “It may possess elemental understandings of fire and air to the point that it’s combined them into lightning, but that only requires an elementary understanding of each. Any who’s achieved a fifty percent understanding of both can combine them into a secondary element. I have comprehended True Fire and True Space —it will not be able to negate as much damage from me as you believe, Your Highness.”

“Then, since you possess the necessary confidence, I believe Lord Caimen should do the honors,” Lawruthian replied.

The bald man nodded in satisfaction—he’d achieved his desire. Now, his attention turned to the Queen for her approval. Perhaps he could not defeat her in a fair duel, but the mage hadn’t stopped his pursuit of the Queen’s affection.

The Queen nodded at her only son’s words before her gaze shifted to Caimen Lordstar. “I trust you will ensure the task is completed accordingly. Now, let’s discuss the battle formation and the initial strike once the roc has fallen into the (Life-Drain Chains)….”

***

Moona Gamal bowed before the Holy Son, and behind her, a thousand members of the church who chose to follow her did the same. The bow was not fully of their own accord; instead, the very divinity within the young man compelled them.

“The rumors do not disappoint,” Moona whispered to herself.

“Oh? And what do these rumors say?” The Chosen of Madris questioned. He held his hands behind his back as he approached. His two generals alongside a host of guards walked behind him. In the distance, another group followed. This one was composed of her sister and more of her peers from the Great Houses.

Once the meeting of the key figures ended, the [Chosen of Madris] and his followers made their way to the location where the Imperius Army was stationed. The young men and women barely received a day’s rest before they were marching once again. This time, their trip was far easier as they rode upon the military-purpose rails built alongside the civilian track.

Moona was surprised by Lawruthian’s words, not expecting anyone to hear her. She paused for a moment, contemplating her response before answering. “You hold… a presence that is nearly indistinguishable from that of our Goddess. I can feel Her here, watching… She is pleased with what is going on. Then… my decision is not an incorrect one.”

Moona paused and held her head up high as she gazed at the Holy Son of Edryan while still kneeling. Her next words were spoken with conviction, faith, trust, and more. It was not just her but the men and women behind her who spoke, their words nearly blending into one cohesive whole.

“ I pledge myself to thee—for you shall become the pillar of a new faith, and we, the lambs you guide within the Mortal and Astral. For our souls shall belong to you both in life and death. For our faith shall serve as the foundation of your divine kingdom as you ascend to your rightful place. I pledge myself to thee—to spread your word and guide those willing to worship you. To sacrifice our… EVERYTHING—should the need ever arise. To uphold your values, teach your principles, and spread your faith. I pledge myself to thee. ”

A thousand voices all uttered together. The magic in the air swirled, its effects vibrating the gravel underfoot. Above, the grey, cloudy sky grew intense, and the wind picked up. It blew harshly against those present. A storm was brewing. The Holy Son of Madris’s eyes were wide. His facial expressions were altered multiple times. The exact emotion was unreadable to those around him. Eventually, an indifferent expression won above all others—his face mirrored his mother’s only masculine. He glanced away from Moona for a moment, those behind him all staring in shock as he briefly read a notification.

“Are you so certain I will attain demigodhood—let alone rise to become a God?”

‎ Instead of immediately accepting their pledge, Lawruthian asked a question. What the small force of a thousand was doing became apparent as a notification displayed itself before him.

System Notification: Worship Request

A sufficient group of individuals has pledged their devotion and faith to you. However, you do not yet meet the requirements to fully accept this switch in faith. Such offers of allegiance will be delayed until the System Requirements are met.

Faith Energy Collection Update:

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

A majority of collected faith energy will be withheld until the System Requirements are fulfilled. You will attain a simplified version of the Prime God System until you achieve all requirements. Access the Prime God System by saying "God Sheet" or through mental communication.

System Requirements:

1. Find/Cultivate a Touch of Law.

2. Ignite Touch into a Seed of Law.

3. Attain level three hundred.

Fulfilling certain quests, achievements, or milestones may expedite the qualification process. Pledged followers will receive a notification once you achieve the required status, and their worship will be activated automatically at that time.

Lawruthian indifferently gazed upon Moona and those behind her waiting on their response. Behind him, many expressions flashed on the faces of those present.

Ade Oni eyes were wide with disbelief, and he gazed at the proceedings in shock. Next to him, Lorde Drumian eyes remained calm. This was something he didn’t expect, but the young man was much better at controlling his emotions than others. The Romus twins stood there. Helios remained at his sister side, and like Lorde, his expression remained calm. Selene, on the other hand, held eyes bright with passion, she recalled the meeting with Lawruthian yesterday and the agreement they made.

“We are falling behind,” she uttered. A spark lit in her eyes and she squeezed her fist together. “We are falling behind.”

Amaya and Madria expressions were both mixed. Madria was wide-eyed but remained calm. Her elder sister’s actions was beyond anything she’d expected. The second oldest of the Gamal children from Marna’s line had always been an outlier. An example of this was her belief in aura healing over direct healing. That, was weird, but— this, was far beyond. This was declaring Lawruthian would become a God. Her sister hadn’t even known Lawruthian more than a few seconds—far from the length Madria spent with him. Yet, upon their first meeting, she was willing to dedicate her… everything to him.

Amaya, on the other hand, felt a burden she carried release itself from her shoulders. A decision she’d been struggling with for the past few days was confirmed—just like that.

Just… Like… That.

Lawruthian’s head whipped around as did Madria’s—both, felt a surge, a connection to one another that was indescribable to anyone else. There was a change that wasn’t perceived by most. He quickly turned his attention back to Moona. The indifference on his face was nearly gone. There was far too much happening for him to remain calm.

“ Yes. ”

Lawruthian waited, but once Moona gave her short but promising response, nothing else was said.

“Yes,” Lawruthian repeated. The indifference of his face completely breaking to reveal a large smile. “Then…, I accept. If you believe I can rise to that status before me—then who am I to disappoint. You are willing to bet your life, your very soul upon me… Then who am I if I don’t rise to succeed those expectations.”

Lawruthian walked up to Moona Gamal. Like Madria she was short but her dark hair, with streaks of rustic gold, was long. The straight hair fell just past her shoulders. Lawruthian reach out a hand and hesitantly, unsure, Moona Gamal reached up. The [Chosen of Madris] didn’t hesitate to reach forward and grab her outstretched limb, pulling the woman to her feet in the process. She appeared startled, but kept quiet and watched Lawruthian.

He nodded at her as their eyes met, before stepping past her. “ Today, you were once [Priestess of Madris] or [Paladins of Madris]. You have served our Goddess well—diligent in your duties and responsibilities. Yet, if you are here, then you believed your calling to lie elsewhere, not out of disrespect for Her… but appreciation! For you believe within Her so much, that you are willing to be the first of Her Chosen’s followers—in body and soul. ”

He paused, his aura only increasing the more he spoke. Those who kneeled before him watched his every movement. They soaked in his every word. Many here were outliers—those who just… didn’t fit properly in the Church of Madris. Not out of a lack of trying, but a desire for more—a desire for different methods than what was standard. Thus, they gathered around Moona, and she led them in search for that desire for more. She watched him, only growing more certain in her decision.

“ You are willing to be my foundation and hold a belief in me even I lacked within myself. Know that when you rise, you will shed your previous lifestyle. When such a time comes that I too, achieve the path my mother — the Demigoddess of Love, Lady Romus — the Demigoddess of Battle-Magic, and Lady Musa — the Demigoddess of Spell-Crafting achieve—know that you will be the first of my [Messengers]. You will be the first to reside within my Promised Land. ”

Moona believed in a different path—a path guided by Wisdom and when the [Chosen of Madris] was born, she believed she found an opportunity—an outlet for that path. So, silently, she watched—she watched when he took his first actions in Edryan. When he outlawed slavery and demanded all children learn to read and write—to go to school and receive a public education. When he crafted the golem batteries and introduced a new form of work in the Edryan economy. Even now, his latest work, the rail system, it would change the country she saw. So, she came to a decision.

“ Rise now, not as [Priestess of Madris] and [Paladins of Madris], but rise as [Imperius Priestess] and [Imperius Paladins]. Make yourself known as the rising faction within Edryan and join a force that will be the leaders of change within our Great Edryan. Know that I, Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani—first of my line, will forever protect you—will forever guide you. Shall I stray, then it is up to you to return me to that path. Rise now, and become Imperius! ”

Moona glanced at the notification signifying a change in her class. It was not just her, but the thousand people who pledged to take Lawruthian as their future patron. A ripple spread through the crowd, and Moona glanced at the changes within her status sheet.

Faith: Goddess Madris (Lawruthian)

Her faith status hadn’t changed much, but now it included one significant word. Well, there was a second change—no longer did she hold affiliations, but now she found herself part of a faction.

Faction:

‎ Imperius

Before she could ponder anymore on the changes to her Status Sheet, Lawruthian spoke. This time his voice wasn’t projected for the members of her group to hear.

“We do not have much time, Lord Caimen has already set off to lure the Thunderwing Lord into the trap. Allow me to introduce you to my generals.”

He turned and gestured at the two women, who promptly walked forward. They gazed at Lawruthian with a mixture of emotions but held anything they wished to question back.

“Your Highness,” Alexandria answered.

“I assume you have already come up with a tentative plan? We are nearly five thousand if we include Moona’s forces, my [Hero Golems], and [Vanguard Golems]—let’s hope they can properly be used in this battle,” he said, smirking.

Alexandria responded with a rueful smile, but quickly grew serious. “It’s best Moona and her forces do not integrate with our army just yet. There are formations and more they do not know, and we have no time to integrate them now. Instead, they should focus on being supportive. What forces do you bring?”

The question was clearly directed at Moona who responded accordingly. “The majority of my followers are healers. Only two hundred paladins have chosen to follow. We can stay stationed close or farther, regardless we use an aura technique to heal—it would work well in tandem with any fighting forces, but as General Alexandria stated, we have no time to integrate.”

“Why not work as runners for now—set yourselves up in a fortified area using,” Ameri paused. She looked over to Lawruthian for a moment. “What’s that golem of yours? The same one that build the fortification during Starglow Valley.”

Lawruthian smiled, he recalled one of his first Hero Golems ever built. They’d seen action multiple times but never truly with him. Now…?

“That one is HECTOR—Hero Ego Construction and Terraforming Operative Responder – Model 1.”

Ameri rolled her eyes and Moona stared in shock at her display. “Yes, that one—you can assign them to Moona and her forces for greater protecti—”

“Is that how one speaks to the [Chosen of Madris],” Moona interrupted, her anger apparent.

“It’s fine Moona. I allow my generals to be causal with me when there are only those I trust present—and you, for your trust within me, are now included in that group.”

Moona swallowed back her next statements at the word of Lawruthian. Once he was certain the misunderstanding was taken care of, he continued.

“Then, if we all understand our roles, let’s begin—time is wasting. A calamity is coming.”