Oh fuck…he lost?!

“Damn, I didn’t realize she still had a blast left in her. Savvy…tread lightly around this warrior, Tom.”

Ignoring my Patron keeping my eyes glued to the projection, my mind was eschewed.

On one hand, him winning would’ve meant I’d never hear the end of it. Korbin having beat me before the finalist round was already bad enough. Especially considering I now knew his boost had a time-based limit of some sort, lest we ever spar with abilities again.

However, I found no joy watching my childhood friend's head get blown into pieces, even if he did disappear quickly. Especially at the hands of the blonde, who’s thoroughly deemed herself exponentially more dangerous than I’d imagined. No doubt the footage will make its way to him, meaning I won’t get to give him shit without defending myself for an unforeseeable future either.

“You seem troubled, do you know the loser personally?”

Perunious asked, his eyebrows arched angrily at the question. My mind was spinning seeing Korbin being defeated too much to even care to lie.

“Quite well, I didn’t expect him to lose. At least, not like that.”

“Feel no remorse, Tom. He felt none in striking you down, regardless of your previous ties. Do not be taken aback if he one day no longer shares your sense of concern for his old friend.”

Perunious spoke intensely, like a father seeing his son make his own mistakes. I knew how to deal with that sort’ve projecting already.

Lie.

“Of course, I’ll be sure to remain vigilant, Perunious.” The God appeared skeptical a moment, before grinning, his relaxed posture returned.

“Of course you will. You’re no good to me dead, after all.”

Nailed it.

“Well, she won, now what happens?” I asked, now standing and stretching after my pay-per-view watch party with a fucking God.

“Right now, she’s collecting her rewards as tournament champion in the winners circle. That also means our time is up soon, as the winner and loser’s Gods are given time to discuss their future with their respective Chosen going forward.”

The idea of Korbin losing his Patron crept into my mind, emboldening a newfound resentment towards the blonde, and these flimsy Gods.

“Okay, what then? My tone a bit less patient as my emotions began to slip from control.

“Calm yourself.” He snapped, his voice booming. Once more, he relaxed. I froze feeling the rise in electric energy that festered in the air around me for a moment, before settling.

“I was getting there, Tom.” I nodded in response, taking a deep breath.

“Apologies, Perunious.” I said, bowing my head a bit. He sighed in exasperation.

“You do not bow to anyone, Tom. You’re my Chosen, my extension, and I do not bow. Not even to my own rage. This is now your burden, and your boon.”

Considering his words for a moment, I smiled.

“Frankly, I prefer it that way.”

I’m not one to say I won’t ‘bow’ to myself, that seemed a bit…narcissistic. Then again, what could one expect from a trillion year-old God of Wrath?

“Good, very good. Now to answer your question, the Tutorial. As you know, you will be placed in a group, where you must select your Pylon to begin your Tutorial together.”

“Ri-wait…what exactly is a Pylon again? I only remember them from sports.”

The familiar creases in his beard formed as he grinned from ear to ear with narrowed eyes.

“Tom, you really didn’t do anything after you lost your match in the viewing area did you?”

Trying to retrace my steps, my voice rising as I spoke.

“Uhhh, I mean?…I studied the fight?”

He chuckled, only it came from a sense of pride rather than disparagement.

“My power hungry Chosen, Pylons are explained thoroughly by a hologram if you even approached the projection showing the fights. What else were you to do in between fights with no Patron, stare at the wall?”

That…makes sense.

“Damn, that’s the second time I’ve missed pertinent information right in fucking front of me.” My conscience streaming from my mouth.

“It matters not what you miss, only that you correct your aims, mortal. You will learn, with time.” He said, shuffling up my hair with his hand, electricity shuffled leaving my hair on end.

“Now for Pylons? Simple, you select one for your starting tutorial group to claim, where you’ll defend and, in your case, conquer other Pylons for power. That goes for your personal strength, yes, but your planet will be free game after your tutorial. Best claim the throne before another, if you wish for your planet to maintain any semblance of freedom.”

Bitter disappointment in myself magnified as my mind filled with regret for having been so full of myself to miss such blatant, vital details. Realizing how little good that does me, my self loathing extinguished.

“Alright, what decides our groups to start?”

“Location. You start with 10 others as per the minimum in your most immediate area when you are first taken in for your multiversal introduction.”

“…do babies count?” My mind drifted back to Korbin’s family.

“Yes, but your youth will grow exponentially quicker. They will not be much use anytime soon though.”

Great, and 7 other strangers confirmed to be MY problem. I should’ve made friends with our neighbors.

Sighing in frustration, I focused on the bigger picture in search of reprieve.

“And what exactly will the Tutorial be like?”

He chuckled a little at first, only it grew to a belly laugh as he clearly continued amusing himself internally. Still holding his stomach with a wide smile, he answered, sort of.

“Glorious, Tom. It shall be glorious to witness. You will battle the likes of which you’d never believed possible.”

He began walking ahead of me now towards where I’d first arrived, indicating I followed.

“You will see strength and power unlike any other your worlds seen, including that which you accrue yourself. That is, so long as you do not fail me, and pursue the opportunities to display gloriously why you are the Chosen of the Wrath God.”

Determination overcame me as we now stood in front of one another, my confidence to new heights while staring up at this force of nature incarnate. A concept of extreme anger, with lightning its medium for enforcing its will. This concept chose me, and while I don’t quite understand why he and not, well, his wife hadn’t, my conviction remains.

“I won’t let you down, Perunious. Your belief in my potential will not go to waste.”

He grinned.

“Oh, this much I know. Good luck.”

He snapped his fingers, and once more I was in my corner where the old man had left me.

Gathering my thoughts, I began heading towards the viewing area to see who still here befo-

Never mind.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

My ears were assaulted with the cacophonous rumble of confused humans attempting to gather around any faces I'd recognized. Families cried as they embraced, while others fought over who’s fault everything was. Stepping forward, my near sighted vision focused suddenly, revealing a clear wall of energy.

Waves of near-transparent energy rippled as I knocked.

“Where the hell did you two go?! Me and Anna have been in this cage with our neighbors for hours, Korbin?!”

Spinning around at the sound of a familiar voice, an unexpected sense of relief came over me seeing my friend now reunited with his family through a few less familiar peoples reunion. Kaitlyn’s scolding indicating they’re alright enough to be angry.

Did she say hours?

“Honestly I have no idea, but I’m just glad to be back with you two, seriously.” Korbin said, as he embraced his family, his ladies posture relaxing upon contact.

“But hey? I can glow now, so I think we’re gonna be fine.” Korbin added, causing Kaitlyn to pull her head from his shoulder to meet his eyes.

“I have no idea what that means but we better be.” Kaitlyn said, with a confused smirk.

“Hey, look Anna! The house cat stopped playing with the magic box like he’s younger than you!!” Korbin said, now holding Anna as I walked close enough to be noticed without speaking.

“Ha-ha, I wanted to let the family have their moment.”

I turned to address Kaitlyn.

“Hey you said you were here ‘only hours’?”

Korbin flashed the ‘shut the fuck up’ face, after ‘only’.

“Yeah, probably like 2. What do you mean by ‘only’?” Asked Kaitlyn. Korbin was now giving me the ‘figure it out on your own’ face.

“Oh well, I just…you know it felt longer but, I meditated the whole time so, probably that.” My hands gestured more active as I tried to physically make up for my vocal shakiness. She most certainly wasn’t buying it.

“Korbin? What is going o-“

Hello! You and your planet have been deemed worthy to undergo your interpolation into the multiverse, as members of the 29th universe’s official expansion! The familiar female voice from the tournament echoed, silencing the incalculable discussions.

Peering around, I noticed how many peoples faces between these strange cubes under a massive building of some sort had contorted into a sense of dread. It was hard to tell how tall the structure was, mainly due to the lack of light sources to reach that far. It made sense for folks who weren’t selected to fight before…fighting, would find this concerning.

“You’re currently arranged in groups of 10. When you hear beep, a holo-map will arise from the center of each of your Tutorial group waiting areas. Maximum of one group unification before Pylon selection. Disclaimer: Pylon selection is first come first serve! Good luck to all members of the human race, the multiverse will be watching!

Seriously? Can’t get creative at a-

“What the fuck did it mean by, ‘the multiverse is watching?” Kaitlyn asked aloud.

Oh, right. That’s new to folks.

There was a brief period of moderate noise levels. During that time, I considered the forewarning regarding the Pylon selection process. ‘First come first serve’, terribly crude for Soothing Lady Voice. Then again, the near robotic tone when saying ‘human’ indicated less care went into this portion of these things.

Korbin was conversing with our group members, giving them and Kaitlyn some context he’d accrued throughout the tournament when the beep sounded. Immediately, a projector arose from a circular space in the middle of our people box, accompanied by the sound of said shields powering off.

Shuffling by them quickly, my eyes locked on the now insanely large blue replica of Earth appeared, spinning slowly at the center of our containment box. This projection of Earth didn’t quite look like globes I’d seen in classes growing up having way too many continents, yet plenty of oceans between removing possibility of a major drought.

My eyes scanned as I circled the projection hastily before finding a glowing circle placed along a beach side, with plenty other pylons inland neighboring at relatively even distances. To the east, a massive ocean, assuring at least one side could be written off from attack. That, and I’ll get to work hands-on with some water concepts.

Due west, far greener biomes contrast to the sands by the ocean that allowed for diversity in both enemies and resources alike. The final selling point being the mountainous ones even further west, a place I assumed most no one would start unless intending to be in seclusion. Meaning, unwilling to fight off usurpation over their Pylons.

Can’t miss out on this.

My finger had already dotted the blue bubble, causing it to glow white in the center, when Korbin screaming “No TOM-“ had registered. Without warning my feet sank at uneven levels into soft sand, accompanied by the euphoric sounds of waves crashing to shore.

The taste of salt water danced in the air, along with the myriad of aromas of the woodlands west wafted across the beautiful beach side. I’d have appreciated it longer if not for the interrupting panicked chatter.

“Where the fuck are we?”

“Who picked already?!”

“Did anyone get to even look?”

Voices I didn’t recognize harmonized in wonderful disarray, as the realization I hadn’t even talked to Korbin about the pylon much le-

BAM

I crashed to the sand, moving my jaw to ensure it functioned.

“Why the fuck did you pick this fucking spot are you fucking dumb?” Korbin barked, stood over me after sucker-punching me in the mouth.

“What do you mean? We have nothing but room to grow around here?! Everyone Is equally far away from us, with the ocean at our ba-“ my thought process was interrupted by Korbin grabbing my armor by my collar and bringing me nearer as he spoke.

“Tom, look around this group.” He angrily whispered through clenched teeth. Looking about I saw his family, three other middle aged men, all a little overweight at different magnitudes. Two women accompanied, both middle aged appearing in decent shape and two children, one looked around 14 ish while the other closer to 8. They were both boys.

“Tell me, Tom, do you recognize any of them from the tournament?” He sneered, my ‘oh shit’ face now fully formed the byproduct.

“Uhhhh…no I do-“

“NO, no the fuck you don’t. Do me a favor; from now on, if you’re going to make group decisions, consult me at the very least. Matter of fact” Korbin angrily whispered, “just me, I’ll tell them.”, pushing his finger into my chest.

“Alright?! Alright I- I’m sorry.” I said, trying to defuse my innate need to defend myself. In fairness, I did fuck this one up a bit.

“FUCK your ‘sorry’, Tom. Just help protect my family and I won’t punish kill you for endangering them, got it?”

Fuck, I didn’t even consider them either.

“I will man, I promise. Let’s just focus on getting everyone caught up to spe-“

“Hey Korbin?! What’s with this rock, it’s pulsating?!”

Hollered Kaitlyn from a bit nearer up the beach.

“BELORIS DAMNIT GIVE ME A BREAK FOR TWO SECONDS!” Yelled Korbin to the silent heavens, kicking up unreal amounts of sand beneath his feet from the strength of each step.

She was already reaching for the rock when she called to him, only for his hand to clap down onto the strange glowing stone as he leaped forward, rolling closely by Kaitlyn with Ana in hand.

Korbin rolled to his feet, bouncing up with his hands in the air like a gymnast who knew they had stuck a perfect landing. His face contorted from that of triumph to a more serious curiosity, as he lowered his arm holding the luminous rock.

I’d made my way with a light jog to him by now, followed by the thumps of our group tailing me.

“What’s going on, is that the ‘Pylon’?” I asked, holding my arms out to my sides for the rest to stop, ensuring space in case Korbin needed it.

“Yeah, yeah it definitely is. I got a HUD here asking if I’d like to claim Pylon leader.”

Wow, that’s easy enough.

“Oh well, claim it then, the sooner the be-“

“Hold the fuck on?!” A voice shot from behind me as a hand shoved my left shoulder blade, turning me around slightly. Before me was one of our fellow group members, a middle aged man slightly balding.

“You’re the idiot who claimed a Pylon without even talking to us?! Why should you even have a say in wh-“

Water stepping, I grabbed the foolish man by the collar of his armor, my weapons sheathed to my sides leaving my fist the only thing to threaten with. Based on how long it took for him to realize I was upon him, my message was clear. However, I made it crystal, by Lightning Strike punching the air by his ear, sending a pop of electricity to manifest and swarm a moment by his head.

“Because you’ve only had that great sword on your back for a few hours. I’ve killed 90 of humanity's finest warriors before you ever heard that bitches soothing voice echo the halls. I have no issue with mutuality, but put your hands on me again and your fuckin-“

“TOM! Shut the fuck up!” Korbin yelled from behind me, his eyes glowing a familiar orange a moment before he relaxed.

“They don’t know what’s going on, and frankly neither do we. No ONE person will make every decision, however qualifications fucking matter, can we as a collective agree?”

By now, the majority of our little posse were shivering with fear, only a few including the asshole who shoved me were able to even answer a jumble of ‘yeah’s and ‘for sure’s.

“Alright, in that case, does anyone have any experience in leadership?” Said Korbin.

Crickets.

“Alright, well that honestly makes things easy. I’ve military experience, and served long enough to accrue leadership responsibilities myself. The details are boring, does anyone need them before I claim this?

The same guy who lost half his hair follicles in the divorce spoke once more, “yeah, why the hell should we believe you?”

What followed was Korbin giving an absolute lore dump, speaking of his credentials being a Sergeant at such a young age and whatnot. Kaitlyn and I had known him throughout this time period, leaving both of us finding other things to occupy ourselves with as he built his rapport.

After some meditation by the water, Korbin called for me to come back to the group, indicating a decision was made.

“After some pleasant discussion, a vote was put forth on who’s to be Pylon leader, and we didn’t need yours as it was unanimously agreed upon.”

Seriously? It took a vote?

Turning to Korbin, I noticed he had an exhausted look in his eye, implying he was quite tired of playing this affable leader role.

“We decided Korbin was indeed the best fit as Pylon leader.”

Whaaaat? No waay?

“I’m happy to hear, now can we claim this thing? I already know others have gotten a move on quicker than this.” I said, trying my best to be nice right now. My urgency to grow in strength had turned into restlessness by now.

“Sure, except we don’t know what will happen after. So, we should prepare for the worst, aka we get attacked from all around.” Korbin said.

“Everywhere but from the sea I assume?”My tone now a forced innocence.

“Hopefully, we don’t really know though, do we?”

Korbin replied, a sneering look directed my way at the final two words.

“Let’s just organize this, Tom, you take one other person and cover our south flank.”

Attempting to make some sort of an effort to assess their slight differences physically, I went with the mage. I figured she can cover putting ranged damage down while I handle the encroaching threats that may follow.

Korbin directed the other 5 to take position around him with tankier folks at the front and ranged fighters behind. They surrounded the center of where we’d make our stand. There wasn’t any actual structure, it just seemed as close to the center of the beach we could get. Simply put, less tree lines block our vision at the borders of the biomes, the better.

“Alright! Claiming the Pylon in 5”

Took them long enough.

“4”

“Hey uh, Tom, you think we’ll get attacked right out the gate?” My mage companion whispered, whimpering as she held back tears of fear.

“3”

“Just stay focused. Don’t let whatever happened rattle you, and trust your instincts.” I responded, hands on her shoulders as I maintained strong eye contact.

“2”

“I’m just so fucking scared!” She cried, holding her wooden staff hand and free hand to her face.

“1”

“Me too. Use it.”