I looked at everyone around me. Than in a slow calming voice said. “Have any of you gone to the shrine? Ya know the one here. Did you not think to just ask?” The wide eyed response showed the answer. With no words being said.
Keith was the first to turn, and burn towards the shrine. Unfortunately he was now weighed down by a large amount of armor. He twisted badly falling face first. But with determination in his face he scrambled back up.
It was also very awkward to try running in. I found this out by walking next to him as he tried to find a comfortable running rhythm. I made sure I didn’t laugh too loudly everytime he tripped, and fell. But it was sooo hard. Katie, and Erica were a blur running ahead of us.
After only three more stumbles out of Keith, we arrived at the shrine. Both Erica, and Katie had their eyes closed standing near the shrines statue. Keith bumped me with his elbow, which actually hurt due to it being covered in plate armor, and his elbow literally being a spike. I scowled at him rubbing the spot saying. “Oww asshole that hurt. Maybe think about the metal point of your arm before you stab me next time.” Keith genuinely looked sheepish as he looked down at his elbow. Then turned his head to me saying. “Ya I fforgot that was there, meh. Grow a pair, and tell me what to do.”
I scowled harder deciding to get my own petty revenge. “First off you have to kneel down, raise your arms above your head. Than bow to the ground. Than rise up three times. Saying ‘I am unworthy’ each time. The girls must have already done so.”
Keith looked at me with suspicion, but my blank poker face wasn’t giving anything away. He audibly sighed starting to reach one hand down to kneel. Three choruses of “I am not worthy” later he closed his eyes for a full ten seconds. Than out of the side of his mouth he harshly whispered. “Nothings happening.” I replied in the same manner. “You need to mentally project the saying while you do it. Or nothing happens. Try again.”
Thankfully his eyes were closed so he didn’t see my hand covering up the smile, as I stifled my laughing. Another chorus of “I am not worthy” belted out, with Keith’s face scrunched up concentrating hard. After another ten count he whispered again. “Still nothing this better not be a prank or i’ll kick your ass.” I couldn’t hold back the laughter this time. Keith’s eyes flew open. He tried reaching for me.
Being on his knees allowed me to step just enough out of reach. He swivled his arms trying to keep his balance, but failed miserably. He face planted one arm luckily touching the pedestal the statue was on. As soon as he touched it he disappeared.
Keith slammed his hands on the ground rising up with a loud curse word on his tongue. He studdered to a stop as his eyes registered the change in scenery. He glanced around seeing what looked like the inside of an active volcano. The sharp vertical walls all around glowing a deep red color, from active flows of lava surrounding the circular platform he was standing on.
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“OK either someone slipped something into my drink, or I hit the ground harder than I thought.” He mumbled. A chuckling sound behind him caused Keith to whirl around to face the source.
Before him was a huge man easily sixty foot tall. He towered over Keith looking down upon him. He was olive complected, with scraggly brown hair to his shoulders. A long beard reaching mid chest, almost covered the hugely muscled bare chest. He looked like an Olympic wrestler. Given the fact he had a strange kind of metal kilt going on. Keith could not be sure what was going on. As Keith’s gaze took in the strange kilt, that’s when he noticed one of the giants legs was badly bent. Almost like a bad break that healed wrong.
Now Keith was not much of a books smart kind of guy, if it wasn’t an engine he had little time for it in the past. But he did remember his movie lore. And this guy sure as Hell screamed Greek God to him. If only he could remember the name. “Ahh damn it I know this… Gimme a sec, Apollo..no that was the dude on the chariot.. umm the smithing God i know that much.. this is going to bother me all day, why won’t it come?”
A voice nearly loud enough to cause Keith to tumble to the ground boomed out. “My name is Hephaestus, mortal.” Keith looked up yelling. “Half a what?” The God actually rolled his eyes sighing. “Just call me Forgemaster. I summoned you here. You have spent almost all your time since the emissaries message forging. You wear your work upon yourself. But you have not yet forged a weapon worthy, of the dangers you seek to crush.”
Slowly the God started to shrink in size until he stood eye to eye with Keith. He reached out a hand to Keith. “Take my hand, I will impart my blessing upon you. You will be a follower of mine, not a champion. That must be earned.” Keith didn’t need to think, he reached out a hand to shake the now not so terrifying God. As soon as their hands clasped a searing pain flooded Keith’s mind. His back arched in a silent scream. After an indeterminate amount of time Keith straightened up. Sweat covered his face dripping down. Keith took many deep shuddering breaths. “That hurt worse than when I got hit by the IED.”
The Forgemaster smiled proudly at his new disciple. “You took in more than expected, that is good. You should have a much easier time at the forge now. I have also given you a couple of spells to help you to protect your friends.” Keith unfocused his eyes looking for new spells. A tooltip popped up.
[You have learned a new spell. Consecrate. With this spell you blanket the ground around you in a large circle. This now holy land damages enemies all around you. It will cause a continuously high amount of threat. Causing enemies to focus on you. It lasts for thirty seconds. But does not move with you.]
[You have learned a new spell. Retribution. This spell covers your body in electric power. Any enemy that hits you takes a small amount of damage. But causes a large amount of threat. Keeping its attention on you. You may toggle this ability on, or off at will.]
Keith knew the importance of the two new spells he had received. With these both active. He would be able to control large swarms of enemies. The only downside was, that would mean he would be taking allot of hits soon. He turned to the Forgemaster. “Thank you for this, but umm… how do I get back home?” Hephaestus laughing hard, snapped his finger. Keith disappeared.