The high-rankers’… presence was so intense, it actually took me until Aerion hissed at me to realize they weren’t alone.

“What are you doing?” Aerion whispered. “Kneel!”

“Kneel? Why would I—oh fuck!”

Next to their Champions… were none other than Passion and Dominion. In the flesh. They exuded no aura of their own, not even a trace, which was why I missed them. But how could that be? Shouldn’t the gods have the most aura of anyone?

With the force of a Category V hurricane, a far more pressing concern wiped that curiosity from my head.

Gods were here. Physically here.

“You have got to be shitting me…”

Smooth, Greg. Real smooth. Goddammit! I should’ve realized the gods would be here to greet their victorious Champions once we got out. What the hell was I thinking, hiding my identity?

Speaking of, I glanced sidelong at Richard. Did he know? He had to at least suspect…

I dropped to my knees, but not because I wanted to. My legs fell out from under me. I hardly noticed.

The hell was I supposed to do now? I had no choice. I’d have to come clean about who I was. I couldn’t care less what Eskil thought about this, but Richard… My chest clenched. I didn’t want to tell him. Not like this. And how would the gods react, knowing Order has summoned a real Champion for the first time?

Dominion and Passion didn’t bother walking over—that was beneath the gods, it seemed. They teleported right up to us, leaving the high-rankers behind.

Their gazes swept over Richard and Eskil… and ended there. Not even the briefest glance our way.

Huh?

“Well done, my Champion!” Passion said, throwing herself upon Richard’s chest. She was, as one would expect, drop-dead gorgeous.

Her jet-black dress had slits that went all the way down her skirt and started a fair bit higher than her waist, almost halfway up her ribcage, showing off a tantalizing amount of pristine white skin. The V cut of her neck was exceedingly low, doing nothing to hide her prodigious chest, and her immaculate black hair flowed in such elegant waves down her back, I had to wonder if it was made of silk.

It all combined to take her far beyond risqué and well into the realm of downright scandalous, and while she wore no jewelry, she hardly needed it. Her perfect features looked like they could’ve been sculpted from a st—Ow!

I glanced at Aerion, who glared daggers back at me.

“You were staring,” she whispered.

“Sorry,” I whispered back, lowering my head. She had it wrong. I wasn’t ogling the goddess. I was trying to figure out just what the hell was going on here. Okay, and maybe ogling. But only a bit.

Aerion looked away, an oddly pouty expression on her face.

I didn’t have the time to clarify. Passion was coming onto Richard like a lover, and Dominion was showering Eskil with praises. I didn’t fail to notice the plentiful mentions of Valhalla and Ragnarok in his little speech. Seemed he was telling Eskil of their next destination, and Eskil being Eskil, was soaking it up with stars in his eyes.

Dominion looked much the same as he did during the parade. Huge, imposing, and regal. I had no doubt Eskil was seeing something very different from the rest of us. It didn’t take much of a stretch to guess at One-Eyed Odin’s appearance.

It sounded like they’d be heading off somewhere together, which suited me just fine. One less problem to worry about.

“Now, come, Richard,” Passion said. “Let us return to my territory. I’ve lined up fifty of the prettiest women in the world. Alllll for my handsome Richie.”

Okay… Awkward.

Passion’s advances aside, did she really not know who I was? A million questions erupted in my head. Did that mean the gods couldn’t detect other gods’ Champions? Why?

I thought back to the parade. Dominion hadn’t noticed me back then either, but I’d chalked that up to the crowd and our distance.

Distance was not a factor here. Her six-inch heels were just a couple of feet from my head.

Richard pushed her away, coughing awkwardly. “Thank you, Passion, I appreciate the sentiment. However, as I have mentioned repeatedly, I am married, and I’ve no intention of cheating on my wife.”

“Oh, come now, Richard. You’re worlds apart!” Passion cooed into his ear. “She’ll never have to know. Just our little secret. You and me, mmm? Or… are they not good enough for you? Do you need more? Do you need… me?”

I cringed. Oh, Richard, my poor friend. I swore then and there to never complain about Cosmo again. He was eccentric. But the others were total whack jobs. Whack jobs… Who didn’t know who I was.

How was that possible?

A chill ran down my spine. Could I really deceive a god?

I got my answer a moment later.

Passion broke her embrace and frowning, sniffing at the air like some dog.

“Something the matter?” Richard asked.

“Smells familiar,” Passion said. “Smells like… Order. You didn’t happen upon any strange rocks, did you?”

I froze. This was too dangerous. Maybe she couldn’t sense me outright, but she sensed something. I couldn't let her get close.

“None that I’m aware of,” Richard said. “Did you, Aerion? Greg? Ah, allow me to introduce my friends.”

No, Richard, don’t do this! I widened my eyes, trying to communicate nonverbally.

He didn’t get the message.

“Passion? These heroes saved my life more times than I can count. They’re the true Champions here, if you ask me.”

“Is that so?” Passion asked, finally turning to us. “Please, rise! I must thank the brave warriors who defended my Richie.”

Richie? The hell kind of a relationship did these two have?

Glancing at Richard, I found him awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

Yeah, you and me both, buddy. If Passion found out who I was…

Before my shy friend could react, Passion had embraced her in a deep hug.

“My, aren’t you just the cutest thing? What’s an elf doing all the way out here, hmm?” Passion squeezed Aerion like a doting mother… or a passionate lover. Aerion, for her part, turned beet red, flailing like a goldfish.

Passion held the hug for far too long, and when she released Aerion and stared deeply into her eyes, I knew the worst was yet to come.

Sensing an impending calamity, both Richard and I rushed to Aerion’s aid to pull her away from the goddess, but we were too late.

Passion moved in for the kill… and pecked Aerion on the lips, slowly tracing her tongue over the elf’s lips after. “Beautiful and delicious… How I wish to take you home and tie you up in my deepest, darkest dungeon. Oh, the fun we’d have…”

Hoooly shit. I knew this goddess had a screw loose, but this was something else.

I’d never seen Aerion so out of it before. Not that I could blame her. Richard and I stared in shock as Aerion stumbled back like a drunk and fell onto her ass.

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“I’m so sorry, Aerion, she—”

“And you!” Passion exclaimed, whirling at me. “I see you trying to wiggle away, sweet worm! I’m sorry, dearest, but I’m afraid that’s quite impossible.”

Despite there only being a few feet between us, Passion teleported to me, enveloping me in such an ironclad hug that it felt like not even a million points in Dominion would break through.

This was it. She was literally touching me now. She’d notice. My facade was up.

My brain spun out a dozen plans. We couldn’t return to Basecrest. Everyone around here hated Order. Aerion and I would flee south, to Order’s territory. Or maybe we’d wander on our own, finding Cataclysm Dungeons to—!?

Passion finally broke her embrace, and… Yep. She kissed me.

Except her kiss was nothing like the peck she’d given Aerion. She grabbed my head and went full French, violating my mouth with her tongue until I could barely breathe.

I tried worming away, but it was useless. Her grip was a vice. My brain froze, and for a moment, I thought this was the end. I was going to die.

It was only when Richard yelled and Aerion screamed that Passion finally broke away and I came back to my senses. She looked at me with a look of such carnal hunger, I felt like a rabbit in front of a lion. “My, you taste good,” she muttered, wiping her lip with a handkerchief she brought out of her cleavage. “I swear, what is it with this cycle? So many delectable treats just waiting to be gobbled. How will I ever resist?”

Please resist. That was about the most traumatic experience I’d ever had. Near-death experiences included. My heart beat like a hummingbird’s, and I was sure I was no less red than my elf friend, who stared off into the distance with unfocused eyes, her fingers idly touching her lips.

“What’s wrong with you, Passion?” Richard roared. “Is this how you treat my friends?”

The man was fuming. It was the angriest I'd ever seen the mild-mannered Brit. I had to admit, it was touching, seeing him get so angry for our sake.

Passion just smiled and waved away his concerns.

The Champion’s shoulders slumped, and he pressed his fingers to his forehead. “I apologize, Greg, Aerion,” Richard said. “Truly. If it’s any consolation, she’s this way with me, too.”

“No, it’s, uh…” I trailed off, my mind blank.

“Right. Now that you’ve had your fill molesting my friends, would you be so kind as to tell me where I should head next?”

Passion tilted her head, flicking open a hand fan she’d just conjured. “Whatever do you mean, Richard? Where would you like to go? Unless, well, my naughty Champion… If you wished to bed me, you needed only say so! Where would you like do it? In my chambers? In the dungeon, bound at your ankles and wrists? Or… Or perhaps, here? In the open? Does anything make your heart flutter quite like being watched?”

“Please, Passion,” Richard said, massaging his forehead. “This is wholly inappropriate! I speak of the next dungeon. Where is it? How far?”

“Oh, shush,” Passion said, brushing her fingers past Richard’s lips. “You, my dear Champion, need a break.”

“A… break,” Richard repeated.

“Mhm! I’ll not allow you to plunge yourself into another dungeon until you’re well rested. Women, booze, sleeping like a sloth… I allow it all!”

Dark aura from my right made me turn my head, only to find that Aerion was staring at me with narrowed eyes.

“Passion,” Richard pleaded. “As much as I appreciate your concern, I am fit to fight. Innocent lives are at risk. And… The faster we rid this world of the Cataclysm, the sooner I can go home.”

“I suppose.” Passion sighed, gently squeezing Richard’s shoulder. “I know how much your family means to you, Richard. Fret not. Soon, you will be reunited. Which is why I cannot allow you to rush headlong in to danger. For their sake.”

“I… I suppose I didn’t see it that way,” Richard said, taken aback, but nowhere nearly as much as me.

It was like Passion had flipped a switch. Her aura of sex disappeared, and what remained was a stern, concerned goddess. There wasn’t a shred of ulterior motive there. No lies to conceal.

She was telling the truth. About Richard going back to his family. Sure, it was possible I had it all wrong, and that she was the best damned actor in the world, but if so, her performance was good enough to make me question what I thought I’d known.

That there really was no going home.

I shook it off. This wasn’t the time or the place. I needed to get away from Passion, pronto.

“Er, if I may,” I said, slowly raising my hand.

Both Richard and Passion turned my way. “Yes?” the goddess said.

“What if Richard comes with us? We were planning on celebrating at Basecrest for a bit,” I said, cooking up a story on the spot. “Maybe knock back a few at an alehouse…”

Passion clapped her hands together. “Now that, is an excellent idea! Go on, Richie, why don’t you enjoy your well-earned victory with your friends in arms.”

“I, er…” Richard and I locked eyes, and I nodded. “I think I’d like that, actually,” he said.

“Very well!” Passion said. “Don’t be a stranger, now. Call for me when you wish to return, alright?”

“I will,” Richard said. “Then we’ll plan to depart at—”

Just when I thought we’d get out of this situation, he showed up.

“Shield Maiden!” Eskil thundered, pacing over to our group. “I’ve not forgotten!”

Aerion frowned in confusion, looking at me and Richard.

“Pretty sure he means you,” I said with a sigh. This was not going to end well.

“What business do you have with me?” Aerion asked, straightening up as the giant approached. As if it would somehow make her small frame any taller. She looked like an ant next to him, even when he went to his knees. We all did.

Eskil grabbed Aerion’s hand and cupped it in his.

“W-what are you doing?” Aerion asked, eyes going wide with shock. Shock… and fear. She didn’t make a single move. She didn’t even try to wrangle free from his grasp. She’d gone as silent as a terrified rabbit.

The hell was she doing? Where was the Reaver I knew?

“Honorable Shield Maiden,” Eskil said, lowering his voice. “You are the fiercest warrior I have met since entering Valhalla. Your courage in battle is unmatched. Your skill… A sight to behold. And…”

Eskil averted his eyes and scrunched his brows in anguish. Was he… embarrassed?

“Yes?” Aerion asked, her voice quivering.

“And we share the same curse,” Eskil said, glancing nervously at Dominion, who stood with crossed arms several yards away. “One that grants us immense power. Berserker!”

Aerion frowned. “You possess the same Blessing?”

Eskil nodded. “My blood runs hot, while yours is cold, yet we both give ourselves to the battle. We lose our minds and gain Odin’s power. Don’t you see, Shield Maiden? We are destined for each other. So marry me, and let us banish Fenrir. Let us drive back Ragnarok! Together! As one!”

For a long moment, Aerion just stared.

“I…”

“You’ve got to be shitting me,” I muttered. What was she doing? “Aerion!” I shouted. “Come on, tell him off!”

She glanced at me, eyes wide with panic. “I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes meeting mine.

My heart nearly stopped. What? Was she seriously considering accepting? A proposal from this brute? Why? Because he was a Champion? Well, so was I! What did she see in a guy like him? What about—!?

My thoughts stopped in their tracks. My heart pumped madly, and my forehead was covered in sweat.

What the hell was that? Why would I even think that? Aerion was an adult. Who she liked was none of my business.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated, this time looking at Eskil. “I cannot accept your generous offer, oh mighty Champion, though it pains me to say it. Please, understand.”

I froze. She was… trembling.

How stupid of me. I had it all wrong. She didn’t like Eskil. She was scared shitless he’d kill her if she refused!

And she did it anyway.

Well, Eskil had another thing coming if he thought he could get away with hurting my friend in front of me.

I got Richard’s attention, jerking my head at Eskil.

Richard looked at the giant, frowned, then nodded. He had my back. We’d move in on Eskil together. Between Richard’s power and my own strength, we ought to at least buy enough time for Aerion to escape. I just prayed that nobody else would interfere. Delusional, perhaps, but it was the only chance we had.

Richard crept slowly behind Eskil. A true friend, this guy. And he didn’t even know who I was. That would change. After this, I’d—

I froze in my tracks. What was it Eskil just said? He said he was a Berserker. Like Aerion.

But that made no sense. We hadn’t seen him lose himself to his fury even once in that dungeon. Was his control over it so great we never noticed? Or…

Or was he so strong he never even used his Blessing?

A terrifying thought came over me. What if Eskil wasn’t Foundation, or even Emergence? What if he’d already reached Divergence?

His insane strength… How he launched both Richard and me at the core with ease… His ability to fight hundreds of warriors on his own. It all made sense if he had.

And if he had, Aerion and I would die. Maybe Passion would protect Richard, but us?

“Aerion, run—!?”

I stared blankly at the scene unfolding before my eyes.

Eskil was now on the ground. Prostrating. In front of Aerion, who stood as still as a statue, stricken.

“I see now that I was wrong about you,” he said, looking up at Aerion in awe. “You are no Shield Maiden at all, and for that, a thousand apologies. No, I see you now for who you truly are, noble Valkyrie! Under the All-Father’s watchful gaze, I give you my heart and soul. Now and Forever!”

“Er, what’s a Val—” Aerion started, but was interrupted before she could finish.

“No!” Eskil said. “I understand. A Valkyrie’s heart is not so easily won. You do not find me worthy. I understand. But know this! Whether it takes a month or a decade, I shall prove my worth. So that one day, we might drink mead and feast on Sæhrímnir, together, under the great timbers of Odin’s palace. That one day we might fight side by side as brúðr and bóndi. As handle and blade of a single ax.”

Eskil rose from his position, took Aerion’s hand… and kissed it. “Fight well, my Valkyrie.”

Without another word, the Viking spun on his heel and stomped off, departing with Dominion to who-knew-where, and leaving us all speechless. The god had appeared patently disinterested in all the drama, like he’d seen it a thousand times.

I cleared my throat. “So, uh… What in the actual fuck?”