Callan was halfway up the tower when the first bolt struck. It just barely missed catching him on the shoulder, instead pinging off the tower’s smooth side and clattering away to the ground.

“The hell?” Callan glanced down, seeing the small wooden shaft lying in the dirt. It looked like an arrow, only it was too short and too thick. The tip had a small, rounded knob made of some silvery metal that caught and reflected the sunlight.

A crossbow bolt, Xeph confirmed, right as the second one struck Callan on the back of the leg.

“Augh!” Callan just barely managed to grab ahold of the step above him to keep from tumbling from the tower as his leg crumpled. With all his strength, he hauled himself back up again.

“Avatar, is everything alright up there?” A voice called from below. Callan glanced down and saw Higarth looking up at him curiously.

“I’ve been shot!” Another bolt struck somewhere near his ear, and he yelped. “Correction: I’m being shot at!”

“Oh dear. Are you seriously injured?”

“I—no, I don’t think so.” His leg stung like the dickens, but didn’t feel broken or anything. The arrow hadn’t even pierced his skin, just bounced off like the ones hitting the walls. Hurray for forty-one Fortitude, he supposed.

“If you aren’t seriously injured, then the contest shall continue,” Higarth said. Callan could swear he could hear a malicious grin in the man’s voice, though his actual expression remained neutral. “But please note that since you climbed that tower of your own will, should you fall, any injury you sustain will not be grounds for cancelling the contest.”

“Hey, Xeph, what is he babbling on about—Gah!” Another bolt struck just below his left foot. Entirely done with the situation, Callan scurried the rest of the way up the tower and dove behind one of the battlements.

The yeth is referring to the rules governing avatar duels, Xeph said as Callan peeked out, looking for the mystery shooter. All he saw was the crowd below. If I had to guess, Veritas coached his priest on what to say. So long as neither of you seriously injure each other, either directly or via your followers, then the contest is required to continue. Clever. It seems Veritas was more prepared for today than we expected.

“Seriously? You’re impressed they’re trying to kill us?” Callan scanned the crowd again, looking for the other avatar, but couldn’t spot them. Still, they had to be nearby.

I doubt they are trying to kill you, or even injure you, since as I just noted, that would end this contest in our favor. But if they keep you distracted and unable to work on your own artwork? There is nothing against doing so in the rules.

“Dangit, this is why that bastard said there were no other restrictions, didn’t they? This is how they’re getting us back for cheating at the tower building.”

Perhaps, or perhaps they would have done this, regardless. We’ll have to make the best of it and evade or strike back as we can.

“Oh, sure, Xeph, I’ll be sure to strike back without causing serious injury. Which of my abilities do you recommend? The one that hurls big-ass stones, or the whip that literally cuts through metal?”

Hmmph. No need to get irate, mortal, I’m merely letting you know the conditions we find ourselves in.

“Duly—ack!—noted.” Callan dove back as another crossbow bolt nearly hit him in the face. “Never mind the rules, you’d think Veritas wouldn’t want to affect his image with the villagers like this. After all, don’t the yeth supposedly abhor violence?”

Conditionally, yes. He must be doing it in such a way as to remove suspicion against him. Though I’m uncertain how...

“You dwell on that,” Callan said. “I’m going to try and put a stop to this.”

Pitching his voice, he yelled, “Veritas is shooting at me! How am I supposed to work under hostile conditions like this?”

“Would you care to elaborate, Avatar Callan?” The unmistakable rumble of Veritas’s mask came from below. “For I wish to know exactly how I am ‘attacking’ you from all the way down below. Please, enlighten us.”

Grimacing, Callan peered over the edge, and saw that Veritas was standing next to Belinda, hands hidden beneath the folds of their robes. The wolf-head mask stared back up at him.

“C’mon, Veritas, I know this is your doing.” Another bolt whizzed by Callan’s head, and he did his best not to flinch. “If not you, then one of your priests is hiding nearby.”

“I can assure you and all present that I have no priests ‘hiding nearby’, as Avatar Callan so eloquently put it. Feel free to look yourselves.” Several of the gathered yeth peered about, as if they might see a masked priest hiding in an alleyway. Veritas laughed. “You know what I think? I think Avatar Callan is doing this himself, as a way to create sympathy. After all, what yeth would willingly fire a weapon at another? Do you see what he accuses you all of?”

More muttering from the crowd. Callan ground his teeth. Where was Kivi? She could help with crowd control, since the mayor seemed unwilling or unable to take action.

He leaned out a bit further. Where had Kivi been before? Callan was sure he had seen—

Another bolt connected with him, right in the stomach. Callan doubled over and nearly pitched off the edge of the tower. Only a burst of quick reflexes saved him as he scrabbled at a crenellation, managing to pull himself to safety.

And teetering there on the edge, that’s when he saw it.

The roofs of the surrounding buildings were absolutely littered with crossbows.

Some were small, only slightly bigger than his hand. Others were large enough he doubted many of the yeth villagers would have been able to lift them, let alone wield them. They were pointed in all manner of directions, most not anywhere close to his location.

“Well, I guess, that answers that,” he noted, right as one of the crossbows shivered and turned in his direction.

“Oh crappity crap!” He heaved himself back behind the battlements, and a heartbeat later heard the bolt twang off the side of the tower.

“I guess we know why Veritas is keeping his hands hidden.”

Indeed. On a happier note, it is unlikely that they will be able to strike us so long as we remain hidden in the tower. Attacks have only come when we are visible.

As if to immediately disprove Xeph’s theory, the sound of another crossbow bolt striking the tower echoed just on the other side of the battlement.

Hmm. Xeph didn’t comment further.

“Hey, while we were leaning out, you didn’t happen to see Kivi, did you?”

No, our high priestess was nowhere nearby. With luck, she and the others have already begun to search for the source of these attacks, though with those weapons so high, it is unlikely they will be able to provide much assistance. Perhaps if you were to let the mayor know, she could relay the information.

“I dunno, I got the impression that Belinda isn’t exactly happy with us at the moment.” Callan frowned. “Not sure why, though.”

If I had to guess, it is likely something to do with how you favored her daughter earlier in your speech, while also casting her own actions into a less than favorable light. That is only a guess, however.

Callan winced. “Well gee, when you put it that way...”

For the moment, we must consider ourselves on our own. Xeph paused, then continued, If possible, you should begin whatever project you planned for up here. Every second wasted is simply another small victory for Veritas.

“I mean, I would, except the second I stand up I’m going to turn into a pincushion. Though I suppose I could start shaping from here. The angle might be a bit weird, but—”

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

He paused. Thought for a moment. Shook his head. “Actually, I just had a better idea.”

Turning, he activated Shape Stone and set to work.

Alert: 5% Apotheosis used.

Total Apotheosis is at 5%

Alert: 5% Apotheosis used.

Total Apotheosis is at 10%

Alert: 5% Apotheosis used.

Total Apotheosis is at 15%

Within a few minutes, the battlements around Callan had lost their shape and become something entirely less useful—and also more. Almost all the gaps were sealed shut, and the remaining stone had risen skyward, forming a near dome around him, with a hole about six feet across at the top to let in the light.

Thin as it now was, the modified battlements would never stand up to a true attack, but Callan suspected it would still be more than enough to repel the bolts. Or at the very least, slow them down.

This was confirmed a moment later when Callan heard another plinking noise outside—on the completely opposite side from where he stood. Callan grinned.

“Not such a good shot without line of sight, are you, bitch?”

Who are you talking to?

“You, Xeph, clearly.” He rolled his eyes and surveyed his setup. They were protected now, with plenty of light to work by. Perfect.

He made his way to one of the few openings he’d left. Cupping his hands, he asked, “How long do I have left?”

“A little over forty-five minutes, Avatar Callan,” Higarth called back. “Though I must say, whatever you’re doing, it is highly unorthodox. How are we judges supposed to monitor you?”

“You’re only judging my finished project. What I get up to in the meantime is my business. Is the mayor around?”

“Can you not tell yourself?” There was a smirk in Higarth’s voice. Callan ignored it.

“Hey, Mayor, if you see my high priestess, remind her that nobody ever thinks to look up. She’ll know what it means.” He’d just have to hope that Belinda was listening, and also inclined to help him. Regardless of any resentment, she was still on his side—if she wanted him to win, she needed to put her own pettiness aside for a bit.

Task accomplished, he sat down and leaned back against the battlement-turned-dome wall. Reaching into his pocket, he took out some of the adle bread he’d snagged from Belinda’s kitchen table and bit a chunk off.

Mortal? Why aren’t you starting?

“Can’t think on an empty stomach, Xeph. Besides, I need to bring down my Apotheosis. There should be enough time to accomplish what I want to do, but no sense taking any chances.”

That is... a reasonable position. Xeph settled back down in his mind, and Callan resumed eating. His apotheosis ticked steadily downward.

Soon as it was almost zero again, he stood up. “Okay, time to see if the climb up here was utterly pointless or not.”

He began working with Shape Stone, first building out four beams to connect in the center of the tower, then gradually siding more material along them to bulk up the middle. It was slow work, and he had to pause twice more to eat and let his apotheosis recover.

At first, Xeph pestered him with questions about what he was trying to do, but eventually the god fell silent and simply observed.

By the time he was almost complete, the tower walls had grown paper thin in a few places, enough that an errant bolt could probably punch through if it hit the right spot. Fortunately, most were now concentrated to the few openings he’d left near his feet. A small pile of them was currently growing on the floor at the bottom of the tower.

“Geez, how many of those things did Veritas leave up there?” Shaking his head, Callan moved to an opening. He knelt and waited for the next bolt to pass through, then ducked his head out. “What’s my remaining time?”

“About ten minutes, honored avatar. Will you be joining us down here any time soon?”

“That depends on my high priestess—” Callan’s words were interrupted by a loud crash from across the square. He glanced over and felt his heart surge. Kivi was standing on the roof of the trading post, laying into the crossbows arrayed there with her Wurmchain. Metal clanged and groaned as it was rent apart, or simply set skittering off the edge.

From the other side of the tower came similar noises. Callan imagined it was Paeral and Sworv performing a similar service.

Down below, Veritas gave a grunt, robes shifting as they manipulated their hands beneath their robes but found their weapons unresponsive. Beside them, Higarth glanced around.

“What is that noise?”

“Oh, I’m sure it’s unrelated to the contest.” Callan squeezed through the opening and onto the first step down. “Actually, I think I will join you all now. My work here is basically done.”

There were no errant bolts on the way down, and by the time Callan reached the bottom, he could see Kivi stepping out from between several buildings to make her way over. She gave a small nod as their eyes met that Callan returned.

“And where have you been, High Priestess?” Veritas asked as Kivi stopped next to Belinda. “Do you care so little for your avatar that you cannot even stand witness to his defeat?”

“Come on, man, even for you that was pretty weak sauce,” Callan said. When the avatar looked at him he gave a gormless smile.

“Five minutes remaining, Avatars,” Higarth noted.

“Actually, I’m all done with my work, so it’s just a matter of if Veritas needs more time...?”

“I too am done,” the other avatar conceded.

“Great. In that case, let’s get this over with.”

“If that is what you both wish.” Higarth waited until he got a confirming nod from his master before clearing his throat. “The art contest is now complete. Judges step forward.”

Alyssa and Dosoti drew closer, the latter grumbling and scowling at everyone. Once they’d made their way over, Higarth turned back to Callan.

“Who would like to present their... artwork first?”

Callan glanced at Veritas. “It’s your contest.”

“Indeed. Very well. I present for the judges’ consideration... my creation.”

They pulled back their robes. Underneath, they were holding a small statue of molded clay—Callan was so surprised by the fact that it wasn’t made of metal that it took him a moment before realized that he recognized it.

So, apparently, did Xeph. Isn’t that similar to the art piece you have back at the temple? The one the high priestess returned with from her first visit to this village?

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” Callan muttered as he stared at the object in Veritas’s hands.

In fact, it wasn’t just similar, Callan would have bet good money that it was identical to the one that he owned, down to the shades of red it was painted with. Had... had his own art piece originally come from Veritas?

The implications were uncomfortable, to say the least.

Callan realized the judges were staring at him. It took a moment to realize why. “Oh, right, you want to see my creation.”

“Indeed, Avatar Callan. Unless the modification to the tower is your artwork...?”

“Nope, not a chance. Um... Just a minute.” Callan raised his hands and activated Shape Stone.

Alert: 5% Apotheosis used.

Total Apotheosis is at 12%

Alert: 5% Apotheosis used.

Total Apotheosis is at 17%

Originally, Callan had been hoping to peel back the dome in a single dramatic gesture, but the quantity of stone and his own limited view from below prevented that. Instead, he did it piecemeal, jogging around the tower, pulling back the proverbial curtain, then repeating the process a little further on.

Alert: 5% Apotheosis used.

Total Apotheosis is at 22%

Alert: 5% Apotheosis used.

Total Apotheosis is at 27%

It left his Apotheosis completely maxed out, but he managed it. Finishing with the final layer, he turned to the watching crowd and gestured skyward.

“Behold, Xeph and my creation!”

Such a flair for the dramatic, Xeph quipped as the last section of the dome fell away. Though it would have been more inspiring if the yeth hadn’t already been able to see most of it.

“Yeah, well, it’s not like I planned this out or anything.” Callan stepped back to stand alongside Kivi, and together with everyone else they stared at the top of the tower.

Without the dome to hide it, Callan’s creation was plain for all to see. A stone sphere, with a single arrow piercing through its center.

“It’s a replacement for the weathervane you had in this spot before,” Callan noted. “I know stone isn’t usually the preferred medium, but Xeph and I tried to make it as hollow as we could to reduce the weight. Still, at some point you might want to replace it with the original, wherever it’s gotten to. In the meantime... I thought it might remind Aos of who you were—and who you are. Veritas wants to change everything about you all, but... I’m happy leaving this village the way it is, to decide its future for itself.”

He realized he was babbling and snapped his mouth shut. Around him the crowd had begun to murmur, but most of it sounded like pleased murmuring.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the crowd he needed to convince. Callan turned towards the judges.

Higarth was the first to speak. “Eloquent words, Avatar Callan. Unfortunately, it isn’t your words that needed to be eloquent, it was your art. And I find Veritas’s creation to be the more compelling of the two. It... speaks to me.”

Of course it does, Xeph groused. Callan ignored his head-mate. They’d never expected to succeed with Higarth. Instead, he watched Dosoti carefully.

After a moment, the older lud grunted. “It’s a waste of time and effort in both cases, but I do agree with the avatar Callan. I always liked that weathervane, and was sad to see it go. This is almost as good. I choose that, and wash my hands of any further participation in this whole ridiculous business..”

And without further ado, he stormed off through the crowd. Callan smirked at Veritas. The contest was won.

Veritas merely crossed his arms and stared sightlessly at Alyssa.

What is this? Callan wondered. We’ve won. So why is it that I suddenly have this sinking feeling in my stomach?

His eyes darted towards Alyssa. Their eyes met, and for a moment her face wore that same sad smile she’d had last night. Then she stepped back, stopping beside Veritas.

“I’m sorry, Callan, but I told you before. It’s not art if it serves a purpose.” Taking the other avatar’s hand, she lifted it into the air. “Veritas wins the contest.”