Tripunctum

Millagua came to the Opal Colosseum to face certain death. Ziph was already there, lifting rocks over his head. Ziph’s physique was perfect. His body intimidated Millagua, who was soft, always more of a pleasure-seeker than a fighter. But it was too late for regret, so Ziph hardened his resolve.

This whole thing started because of his son. Siyn was ashamed of his deadbeat father and broken family. Millagua had decided to take responsibility. If seeing a duel would make Siyn feel better, fine.

As Millagua fitted a set of sapphire-studded gauntlets enchanted with impact protection, the god of static time wondered, what happens to gods when they die.

Becoming frozen in time had always been something similar to death, but he had not gone anywhere. He had only…stopped for a while. But now, today, what would become of him when Ziph killed him, as he surely would?

Millagua milled through a chest of armor. Two helms interested him: a dark blue one with a visor, and a green one that was exposed in the front.

I approached him then, for I was the squire who was chosen to aid Millagua that day.

“My lord,” I said, “you hold two interesting helms.”

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“Squire,” he said, “tell me about them.”

I pointed to the dark blue one with the visor. “This one is called The Blanket Helm. It prevents you from seeing false. If Ziph casts a trickery spell, your eyes will not deceive you, as long as you wear The Blanket Helm.”

Millagua nodded. “And this one?” he said, indicating the green one that was open in the front.

“That, my lord, is a helmet of my own design.”

“Try not to sound too proud,” said Millagua. Yet he seemed amused.

I said, “It is called the Tripunctum, lord. I am the deity of triangles, and triangles are the strongest shape. This helm is infused with the power of that shape.”

Millagua turned it over, observing its design. He frowned. “It is open in the front,” he said, “and I do not see a triangle shape. This seems like just an ordinary helmet.”

“It is an ordinary helmet,” I said, “until you press at the temples, here.” I pressed, to illustrate. “When you do, if you are wearing the Tripunctum, a protective field will appear in front of you in the shape of a triangle. It is an enchanted field into which you can manifest your thoughts during battle.”

“Manifest my thoughts,” Millagua said.

“Yes, my lord. If you are in trouble, you can summon a five-headed Oswolagus to protect you, an unthinking dimwit to fight on your behalf, or a stunning vision of beauty to distract your foe.”

“Anything I can think of,” Millagua said.

“Exactly, my lord.” Truthfully, I was very proud of the Tripunctum, and I guess it showed.

What happened next is a famous story. Everybody knows about it. Millagua should have chosen The Blanket Helm.