Levi and the group stood now in the middle of an endless sea of grasslands with his head hung low, mumbling profanities.
"Levi, what's happened? I wasn't too fond of the muddy, smelly cave, but where did it go?" Keenan said.
"I think we passed through some kind of gate or door that closed behind us."
"Can you use your Abyssal magic to get us pointed in the right direction?" Armorica said.
Levi once again entered meditation and tried to focus his attention in a few directions, but the whispers were quiet.
"No, it's not working."
So Levi came to the conclusion that without guidance from the abyss and no landmarks of note, it didn't matter which direction they went. Who or what brought them here would make themselves known in time.
"Let's go this way," he said, pointing randomly.
"You have no idea where we're going, do you?"
"Got a better idea?"
"At this point, if you told me the lava in a volcano was really a dimensional gateway, I'd jump into it to get out of this nightmare," Keenan said.
"Wait... dimensional gateway. Keenan, we might be in a dimension attached to our world," Levi said.
The two walked at the front, scanning around as they blazed a trail through the grass, sifting through the limited knowledge they both had on the many dimensions attached to their world.
"There are a lot of uncharted dimensions, some belonging to ancient orders and empires long passed, and some loaded with monsters the likes our world has never seen. That's what the book I read had to say and didn't go into much detail on how these encounters looked," Keenan said.
Levi had major gaps in a lot of generally common knowledge things for adventurers because he never finished his training and was never one to sit in a library and read old dusty books.
"Well, I guess this is one of those, but we haven't run into anything here, not that I'm complaining."
They walked for an hour more.
"Levi! We gotta figure this out. We're all on our last bit of mana and stamina," Armorica hollered.
"Let's get to the top of this hill and go through the packs and see what we have left and rest up," Levi responded.
It was then, as they came over the crest of the hill, he was struck by the sight of a long jet-black ornate table with ivory inlays. The grass was gone around the table. There was a beautiful red hardwood floor under the table and the chairs that matched the table. There were nineteen chairs, one tiny bed, and one larger adult-sized bed. After a quick head count, that was the same number of people present with the tiny bed for Char and the larger bed for Reginald. The table had the biggest banquet they've ever seen: large roasted boars, huge slabs of meat, and massive crustacean claws. There was a big keg with pints next to it. In front of each chair were plates and utensils. Levi looked back at everyone.
"This is almost one hundred percent a trap, but we're probably going to die anyway sooooo should we at least die with full bellies, right?" Levi joked.
Everyone looked at each other and nodded. Levi watched on guard as everyone took their seats. There was a chair at the head of the table more ornate and intricate than the rest. It was larger with gold and ivory inlays. The jet-black obsidian had swirling purple inside it. Nobody sat in this chair as they all could tell it was for Levi. Once everyone took their seats and nothing happened, Levi sat down still on guard. He waited, but nothing happened.
"Well... dig in everyone."
They ate and drank to their heart's content. The keg never ran dry. It was a miracle that Levi had a sneaking suspicion he would have to pay for soon, but for now, they had to rest and replenish. It was two hours into the meal when Levi's suspicions were confirmed. A pillar much like the chair Levi was sitting in rose from the ground. Then another rose next to it, creating a colonnade. At the end was a large double-door archway of truly amazing craftsmanship. Everyone was startled, but Levi and Armorica were not happy.
"I thought we told you I'd not be your pawn!" His chair rotated towards the entryway. Levi looked back to Armorica and Savine, then back to the door.
"Son of a bitch." He stood up, grabbed a fresh pint, and started walking towards the door. When he got there, he could hear the whispers. He could almost understand them; they were urging him to open the door and walk inside. As he reached for the handle, he stopped and looked back. Savine was up out of her chair, running towards him, but as she passed, Armorica grabbed her in a bear hug. At this point, Levi could hear nothing but the whispers. He grabbed ahold of the handle and turned it. The large door creaked open, and he stepped inside, the door slowly closing on its own behind him. What he saw when he entered and the door closed behind him was a staircase he couldn't see the end of and tall columns holding up a massive mural. All the construction was like the table and chairs outside, ornate obsidian with a swirling purple hue and ivory and gold inlays.
"Bit much," Levi said out loud as he started walking up the stairs. He looked at the mural as he climbed, and it depicted a race of large humans ascending to godhood and the people that followed them worshipping and loving them. Their civilization prospered, the people were happy, but when other races achieved godhood, they tried to overthrow the large humans but failed. After thousands of years, the other races made an alliance and attacked again, this time using magic Levi had never seen. Titans suffered and fell one by one in agony. Then more rifts than could be counted opened, and archdemons joined the fight. Eventually, the large gods either fell or were banished. The demons attached their dimensions to our world.
"Is this the history of our world? The demons' dimensions weren't always attached? Seems like the lesser gods made a deal with the literal devil to usurp the first gods," Levi thought to himself.
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He climbed the stairs for what felt like hours. When he finally reached the top, it opened up into a large circular shape lined with columns. This time the mural depicted one massive, pissed-off god standing against all the rifts in a final stand, archdemons on the frontlines. He held a huge hammer in one hand, lightning crackled from it. He raised it high and brought the world to its knees. "Son of a bitch was going to tear the planet in half."
"That was the plan," a deep, gravelly voice echoed. "Those lowly gods made a deal with the demons that ultimately backfired on everyone. They succeeded in wiping out the titans, but with us all but gone, nothing was left to stop the demon hordes. I was going to tear this world in half after what those miserable demons did," the voice echoed and almost made Levi buckle, but he stood tall with blood running from his ears. He turned around, and what he saw made his jaw drop. It was the massive humanoid man depicted in the mural—the last titan. He was slouched in a huge ornate throne that brimmed with swirling purple energy. The titan had one leg over the side, leaning on an armrest. He wore beautiful heavy plate armor that was etched with runes and studded with gems. Next to him was the hammer, giving off an aura much like a very, very angry monster. The hammer was the size of a house, with a square head on either side. In the center was a vortex of energy glowing white, blue, and purple. It caught Levi's eye more than the titan did... Levi was a sucker for a good hammer.
"So I guess you're the god that's been trying to make me his pawn. Not sure if you heard the lady, but the answer is no. If you're going to kill me, then so be it," Levi said with a trembling hand. He tried infusing magic into himself and his hammer.
"AHAHAHA! You really are fucking nuts! AHAHAHA! When faced with the first God titan, you tell me to kick rocks and prepare to strike me as a fresh Bronze ranker!?" At this point, the titan was doubled over laughing uncontrollably. "Levi, you fool, you aren't a pawn." He stopped laughing. "You are the hammer and the anvil, the forge and the flame! You think the race skill Cataclysm is something anyone just gets?" The titan bellowed. "You are a Cataclysm incarnate! You will bring about the destruction of this corrupted world and free me from my banishment! To make this world right again, a Cataclysm is needed."
The titan said, "What if I refuse?"
"It doesn't matter. You are on a path that ultimately will lead you where you belong. I can help you. In return, all I ask for is you kill the fuckers that ruined this world and killed my family!" The great being shouted.
In the moment Levi heard and felt the tone of the god's voice, the pain and the anger of losing loved ones. He thought about his family and their future. It didn't look good, him being a deserter, the war that is to come between Crainwall and Nefaria.
"I am nobody's pawn. I do not see myself on equal footing as a god, but in this deal, we are equals. You keep my family here and safe, have them train and learn all they can, allow me freedom to choose my path, fight who and how I want. I want a way to come and go from this dimension," Levi said confidently.
"You sure got a set on you! AHAHA! I'll do you one better!" In front of Levi floated a scroll—a contract scroll. They were system-made contracts that not even gods could tamper with or escape. The contract read as follows:
[ System contract ]
[ This contract is between Ignis and Levi Law. The conditions are: Ignis will keep Levi's family and group safe and offer guidance and training to those willing to learn. Ignis will provide Levi a means of dimensional travel to his realm. Ignis will guide and mentor Levi. Levi will attempt to grow in power and investigate the gods responsible for making the deal with the demons and bring them to justice. Levi will find the demons responsible for killing Ignis's kin. Failure to do any of the above by either party will result in death. As a show of good faith, Ignis will provide a blessing. ]
[ The god titan's blessing ]
Plus 200 to all stats.
Adds bonus damage to all lightning and Abyssal affinity attacks based on intelligence. Allows immunity to godly presences.
Levi was stunned after reading this, "So if you fail, betray me, or try to force me to do something, you will die?" Levi said.
"You underestimate how much I hate those responsible. What's the point of being a god if I'm trapped in my realm and everyone is dead? You are my only way of striking back. Even if you are only a Bronze ranker now, I see you reaching godhood someday. You will be the catalyst that will close the rifts and free the world of the demons. So yes, I am willing to stake my life on you. Plus, that Abyssal affinity is not something many know how to deal with. With training, you will be a true Cataclysm."
"How do you know about that and my race skill?"
"This is my realm, Levi! I know everything that happens here. I have complete control!" Ignis shouted.
"Okay, it's a deal, but you better keep my family safe, you hear!"
Just as he yelled out, the table with his family appeared in front of him, all accounted for and safe.
"What the fuck!?" Keenan yelled as he fell to the ground. The god reigned in his presence almost completely.
"Levi! Is this the fucker?!" Armorica shouted.
"AHAHAHAHA!" Ignis almost fell out of his throne at this point. "You are a tough one!" Levi and Ignis explained the situation in detail to everyone. Nobody was forced to stay or to fight; they could come and go as they pleased but were informed that leaving would make it impossible for Ignis to protect them and that he isn't liable for their death outside his realm. Armorica knew this wasn't exactly an ideal situation, but they had to make the best of it, and it meant carving out a future for Savine and Char. One they didn't have to fight endless wars in.
"Hey Iggy, can you do me a favor?" Levi said, pointing at Reginald's arm.
Ignis stared at Levi like he wanted to kill him for the nickname, then looked at the wounded man laying on the bed. He stood up and walked to Reginald. With each step, he got smaller and smaller until he was the same size as Levi. He reached out, grabbed the dirty severed arm, placed it near where it should be. As Ignis infused Reginald's arm with magic, the arm began to change into the same ornate material the building was made of, with intricate designs, gold and ivory inlays, and studded with gemstones.
"I am not a healer by trade. Even as a god, this is the best I can do. That arm will be unbreakable. With training, it could become the greatest weapon he will ever wield."
Reginald's mouth was wide open, looking at his new arm. "Holy shit! Th... thank you!" Reginald stuttered.
"Levi, is our contract acceptable?"
Looking back at everyone, then toward Ignis, Levi said, "Yeah, it's acceptable," reaching out and shaking the god's hand. With that, the god's presence pulsed out. He placed a hand on Levi's shoulder and gave him the blessing. Light shined out of Levi's eyes and mouth, his skin was almost see-through, and power pulsed through Levi like he'd never felt before. It was like getting a hundred buffs at the same time.
[You have received a blessing]
With that, the contract was done, and Levi was accepting the fact that he had to become the Cataclysm that tears the world down so it could be rebuilt better and stronger, protecting the innocent and bringing those responsible to justice. Armorica glared at the titan.
"I don't trust you. You want him to grow powerful and fight your battles for you while you sit here like a slouch, moping around. My husband has all the risk and none of the reward." Armorica stared down the titan, who came over to her and summoned two chairs. They both sat down. He raised his hand, gesturing to the murals.
"What you see painted on the ceiling is my failure. We titans were the first to obtain godhood in known history. We didn't hide how we did it; we shared our knowledge and blessings with the other races. But with power comes greed and jealousy. The other races grew jealous of how the titans prospered and our power. One titan could take on five gods from other races at the same time."
He continued, "The first uprising was surprising, to say the least. The other gods attacked the innocent; cities and nations were razed in an instant. The titan response was swift and merciful. Many attackers were spared, which only fueled the flames of hate."
Armorica listened intently; the fire that burned in her was slowly calming.
"Thousands of years later, the lesser gods made a deal with the demons. Consumed by hatred and lust for power, the demons and lesser gods used twisted magic never seen before on this world that left devastating scars. My family stood on the frontline. My wife and three sons were some of the first of the second battle to fall to this magic. It was like a poison that was alive. The more it drained, the hungrier it got until it completely consumed them. It was slow, it was painful, and it couldn't be stopped."
Armorica, Reginald, and Levi all listened quietly, thinking of their family and friends. Armorica opened her mouth to speak, "Ignis, I..."
He held his hand up, and after a moment, he spoke, pain in his voice, "After... I was forced to watch them suffer, I cut through a hundred gods like butter. Three entire races, Copper rank to gods, were wiped from existence. I was devastated. If the world was to be taken by the demons, I was going to split it in half. But before I could build up enough magic, the demons and remaining gods trapped me. Not being able to actually kill me, they banished me, trapping me here. I've been stuck in this realm under that fucking mountain for so, so long. This world will chew your family up if they find out what he can do. I will always support and protect the Law family. You have my word."
The titan knelt before Armorica with tears welling in his eyes. "I swear, if I am ever released from this banishment, the Laws will always be protected, no matter the enemy. My word is all I have left, Armorica, so that is what I give you. Allow me the chance for redemption."
The great god titan Ignis bowed his head while kneeling before Armorica, who had tears pouring down her face. She stood up and walked in front of the titan, bringing him to his feet and hugging him tightly. For a brief moment, the titan cried, finally mourning his wife and children after all these years.
"The Laws and Lockden will support you, Ignis. We will bring hope back to this world and make a new one in its place side by side," Armorica announced. She had a look in her teary eyes that gave Levi the chills. "Oh man, she's going to be up to no good in here," he sighed internally.
Savine leapt out of the shadows and grabbed Levi. "I'm not letting go!" she yelled.
"I'm not going anywhere for a little while! Stop, you're going to make us fall!" And with that, they both fell to the ground, which made Char giggle and laugh uncontrollably.
"AHAHAH, it's been a long, long time since these halls were graced by beauty and laughter like this. Please allow me to throw a feast. We will share stories of our dead and remember great battles!" Ignis bellowed.
"We really need to work on your inside voice," Savine said, shaking her head, which got another obnoxious laugh from the titan.