Talus and I had spent quite a bit of time discussing what I would be doing on the next several floors. As it turns out, the god that one chose on floor 25 had a lot say in how those floors could play out. This was information that the vast majority of people would never be privy to, but for whatever reason Talus decided to let me in on the secrets.

Floor 28: Sanctuary defense (Instanced)(Chain)

Defend the temple against invaders.

I appeared at the top of a temple very similar to a Mayan temple. It was pyramid shapes with a very blocky texture. The steps were steep and descended down all four sides. I was immediately on guard, knowing what was going to be coming.

Immediately, well over a hundred monsters of all kinds came pouring out of the forest that surrounded the temple. They began climbing the steps and jumping up the stone ledges, coming from all directions. Mana bolts appear above me, each splitting into several weaker versions. As they fire out, more appear above me.

The attacks are unleashed in waves, tearing through the horde of monsters. Every now and then I throw in a few mana spikes to act as grenades to deal with the packed crowds.

Talus had told me I’d be defending a temple on this floor, and had also told me that it was up to him how long I defended it for. That meant that he could choose to send out every single monster at the same time, which in his opinion I was unlikely to struggle with.

He was right. The various monsters died by the dozens, with none of them being able to put up much of a fight. The highest level monster I spotted was only level 83, which explained why this was so easy. The main challenge was probably supposed to be paying attention to the monsters for extended periods of time. When all the monsters showed up at once, that difficulty was eliminated.

The last monster died less than five minutes after they’d arrived, and soon I found myself on the next floor. This one could have several possible variations, but the core idea of this floor was that I would be dealing with another god, or at least the followers of one. It was up to Talus to decide what the exact interaction would be, and so he had picked the one that would likely end the quickest.

Floor 29: A Divine Duel (Instanced)(Chain)

Defeat the champion of a rival god on their home turf.

I was now in a green field that was absolutely brimming with color. The plants were all healthy and happy, some wildlife roamed around, and the entire place just smelled like a pleasant spring morning.

“Champion of the god of death!” I hear somebody shout from nearby. I look over and see a man wearing armor that appeared to be made of wood and leaves. He wielded a spear that looked like a tree branch and a shield that resembled the knot in a tree. “How dare you encroach upon this domain of life! For your foolishness, you shall die!”

The plants around me all mobilized at once, moving to restrain me as the champion rushed me with his spear. I could feel the mana in the area fill with the energy of life, and overall it just seemed like the perfect way to deal with somebody who wielded the power of death.

Too bad that I was not the kind of target these attacks were meant for.

My mana shield flared outwards as it pushed back the incoming vines and roots. The life mana in the air had no effect on me directly, so I didn’t have to worry about it too much. The champion’s spear met my mana shield, sliding off as it was unable to pierce through the defenses.

The champion wasn’t particularly strong. Sure he was strong for his level, but he wasn’t exactly a master of the spear or anything. If I had to estimate, I’d say he is about as strong as Flynn before the floor event we just finished.

The fight ended shortly after it started. The champion had fought valiantly to the end, but it wasn’t a very close fight. The vegetation all around us had been reduced to shrubs after I had used my arcane shatter spell to tear it apart, and I almost felt bad for the state I was leaving the place in.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I didn’t have time to feel bad though, as I once more found myself within Talus’ domain. The grey field and colorless landscape once more was all that was visible for a long distance, and after a few seconds I received the floor’s notification.

Floor 30: Divine Judgement (Instanced)(Chain)

Await the judgement of your god.

Talus had not told me what this floor would be about. He had mentioned wanting to keep it a surprise, though I already had a pretty good idea what that surprise was going to be. I’d talked with the god enough to know he enjoyed putting on a show.

The sky darkened to an even darker shade of gray than it had previously been, and clouds rolled in as an utterly massive figure appeared out of nowhere. Before me, a version of Talus that stood several kilometers tall looked down at me.

“For your final challenge,” The booming voice of the god calls down. “you must face me.”

I can feel the god’s aura pressing down on me. He had no energy infused into it, but the sheer power of his presence was enough to leave me feeling slightly unsettled. I quickly got over it though, knowing that the tower probably wouldn’t let the god kill me even if he wanted to.

“Yeah, not buying it.” I say, rolling my eyes at him. “Impressive trick though.”

The god frowns before the massive figure disappears. In front of me is a now normal sized Talus, though his aura is still as big as the giant he just was. I don’t even think he notices that, and I can only shake my head at the stupid level of control you need to have to forget that your aura was as tall as a skyscraper.

“You could have at least played along.” He says. “I can just decide you aren’t worthy of passing on to the next floor and make you do the previous couple of floors again until you do play along.”

“You couldn’t be that petty, right?” I ask.

“I can be as petty as I want. Unfortunately, no. I will not be doing that.” Talus raises a hand to the sky, speaking in a strong yet still disappointed sounding voice. “I hereby declare this individual worthy of passing on to the next floors.” He announces to the heavens.

A notification appears in front of me.

Floor complete!

As you have completed the floors dedicated to the gods, you may choose to still follow your chosen god, to switch which god you follow, or to not follow any god from this point forward.

“Don’t decide yet.” Talus says, appearing next to me and placing a hand on my shoulder. “Before you do, allow me to do this first.”

The screen in front of me disappears, and I suddenly feel the aura of Talus envelope me again. It doesn’t seem to be pressing down on me, but instead is... sinking into me? I can’t tell exactly what is happening, but after a few moments a new screen pops up.

Title Gained!

Mark of Talus

Until the day you die, you will be regarded as an individual held in the highest esteems by the Harvest of Souls, Talus. To stand against you is to stand against Talus. Provides a 5% resistance to the death aligned attacks. When this title is set as the display title, the mark of Talus appears on the back of your hand.

My eyes widen in surprise looking at the mark. I look over at the god, who is staring at me with deadly seriousness.

“Didn’t you say these were expensive to bestow?” I ask.

“I did, yes.” The god nods. “Very risky too. This is only the second mark I have ever bestowed upon somebody.”

“But why do this?”

The god pauses for a moment, speaking after collecting his thoughts. “I’ve told you before that the earlier in one’s life they are given a mark, the greater the benefits are for the bestower if they reach godhood. After seeing everything you have managed to accomplish in such a short amount of time, I believe your odds are not terrible at one day becoming a god. Even if you don’t, this mark will allow me to occasionally communicate with you while you are still within the tower.”

“But what if I do end up dying in the tower? I take a lot of risks that could very well get me killed.”

“That is true. Thing is, you don’t grow stronger without taking a few risks. This mark here is a symbol of the trust I place in you, and my confidence that you will at least not die in the tower. Even if you do, I am still trapped here. Any downsides to you dying would fix themselves long before I ever get a chance to escape again.”

“What do you mean escape? You could leave the tower?”

The god hesitates, but seems to regain his confidence a moment later. “Now that you have that mark, I can actually tell you these things. Yes, I am trapped in the tower. If you manage to complete the tutorial within the 180 days you have been given, I will be free from the tower. If not, well then you have the mark of a powerful god to carry with you for the rest of your life, free of the obligations involved with it.”

“This is a lot of pressure you are putting on me you know.”

“I know. Pressure is good though. It is what drives us to better ourselves.”

I sigh. “I guess I am choosing to keep you as my god for the rest of the tutorial. This better be worth it.”

“I promise you, it will be.”

With that, I reopen the notification that I had previously been given. I selected to keep Talus as my god for the remainder of the tutorial, fully completing the floor and solidifying him as my patron.

A staircase appeared in the ground nearby.

“Go now, and make more progress in the tower.” Talus says. “You can come back here at any time, even if right now there won’t be much reason to.”

“I’ll make sure to drop by from time to time.” I say. “I don’t want you getting lonely out here.”

As I descend the staircase to the next floor, I can see a faint hint of a smile on the gods face. The pressure I had been feeling is slightly alleviated seeing that, and I feel confident that following this god is not a decision that I will come to regret.