Walking down through the maze-like hallways of the Mountain Jewel, the two men finally arrived at the built-in chapel, wherein the visage of the Pantheon looked down with a caring gaze towards their worshippers via their stained glass windows marble statues left unpainted; or likely faded. Walking in, Vance couldn't help but marvel at the sight, noting how the chapel wasn't a chapel at all, but rather a cathedral by its interior, as it seemed similar in shape and style to that of Reims Cathedral in France. Vance found himself a little taken back by how much magic-filled this place to the point that what appeared to be a small chapel on the outside was actually a vast and ornate cathedral inside. The first thing he noted was the Nave, running from the west end to the transept, where the worship would take place, as it was likely one of the key features that immediately reminded him of the Reims Cathedral. It occupied about half the 'chapel' length and had the same exceptional size and style he could recall from when he had visited the historic church in his past life. It's somewhat narrower than the adjoining transept and apse; the rest seemed to be as though it was a four-part rib vaulted ceiling, prompting Vance to go slack jaw in awe at the construction. The clustered columns that acted as supports for the massive structure each had a capital that looked like some flowery vein he had never seen before, with the two largest cluster columns near the end of the room where the Nave was, appearing as though two dragons were trying to chase one another's tail before shooting flames up around the capital itself, giving it the feeling as though the stone flames were reaching towards the arch of the vaulted ceiling.

So extensive and enormous was this room that Vance could hardly believe his eyes while Richard just walked through the single narrow pathway large enough to fit three people shoulder to shoulder like it was no big deal. Vance took his time, observing the structure, noting all the artistic additions that adorned each of the walls and the gallery that showed long-dead mythical creatures at the feet of some great hero or some statue of the First Emperor. Vance wagered a guess that the First Emperor had been to the Reims like he had and had based the room's construction on that legendary cathedral.

"Hah... so, do I get a statue like that?" Vance joked, breaking the silence that had filled the space between the two.

Richard glanced back at Vance, then smirked, "It's already there." He said, nodding towards the end where under Julia stood the perfect statue of Vance holding his curved sabre as though he were standing watching before Julia's feet.

"What the fuck? How?!" Vance asked, rushing past to examine the lifelike statue of himself. "How did that get there!"

Richard shrugged, "You're still surprised despite all you've seen this palace do and hold?" He chuckled, prompting Vance to shoot him a glare.

"Ha~ shit... still, why am I wearing that old infantry outfit?" Vance asked, noting the clothes the statue wore were the same ones he had on when he arrived.

"Likely due to those being what you wore when you inherited the Emperor's sword," Richard noted.

"Huh..."

Waving Vance over, Richard came to the centre of the room where a small stone table rested with a purple cloth draped over it, the coat of arms of Tavaria. A red and gold dragon flanking either side of a shield, their claws wrapped around it, both looking towards a crowned Spanish horse helmet with a purple, white, and red plume that appeared to look outward, the shield itself held the continent in its centre overtop a laying dragon with a tricoloured coat of the same colours as the helmet plum. The coat of arms was sewn into the fabric's centre via a strange gold thread that radiated with mana. Vance wasn't quite sure what made that fabric so special to warrant such a powerful spell, but he figured he'd learn soon enough as Richard motioned for Vance to stand in front of him.

Standing silently now, the jokes and questions faded as the two stood face to face, Richard looking down at him from the top of the steps leading to the podium. Reaching out, Richard's hand and arm began to take the form of a scaled red claw, his dragonic form appearing partially for a moment as he began to mutter a spell under his breath, his lips moving too fast for Vance to understand what was being said, only that the spell was powerful and ancient. As the clawed hand rested against his chest, Vance suddenly felt a jolt of electricity course through him.

A gasp escaped from between his lips as he felt a deep-seated pain. Gritting his teeth, he stood motionless, standing straight, those sea-blue eyes of his locked on the timeless gold of Richard's.

*CRACK*

A sound echoed out in the room, forcing Vance to his knees before suddenly a door formed behind Richard, appearing with a flash of light. Slowly the heavy laden white doors braced in gold swung open, allowing Vance inside.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

On his knees, Vance looked around, noting how time froze all around him; the chapel was still, as was Richard. Pushing himself up to his feet, he stepped past his friend, whispering his thanks, before the gentle white light enveloped him.

Emerging through the other side, he saw Julia at the same table he had seen her sit at during their third meeting, this time joined by Mountainhelm, who grimaced at how tiny and fragile the cups appeared in his hands.

"So... I'm back? Miss me already?" Vance joked as he stepped further into the room.

Both gods turned to face Vance, beaming with pride at the one they had chosen-- Julia more so. "Welcome back, Vance." Julia greeted, offering a seat. "Please~"

Mountainhelm just sat silently watching Vance as he sat down, his frame barely fitting in the small metal chairs, which forced a small chuckle from Vance as he noted Mountainhelms size.

"You look uncomfortable." He commented.

Mountainhelm shrugged, "Ha! Yeah, I sometimes wonder why Julia here likes this style... it's skinny, flimsy, and just... fragile." He quipped with a toothy grin.

Julia ignored the quip, merely taking a sip of tea from her cup, regarding Vance with a gentle glare. "It is good to see you. I was worried when I saw you face those men in Anceburg." She said, her voice easily giving away just how true that statement was.

Vance felt the same pang of guilt in the pit of his stomach as he had before when confronted by his friends, "I... I'm sorry, as I promised the others, I won't do that again. Not if I can help it anyway." He promised, trying to reassure the Sky Goddess.

With a heavy sigh, she was about to add something before Mountainhelm interrupted with a cough, "But! There'll be a great number of perils you'll face on the road to unity, and as such, you'll need those seals broken, one of which you just broke." He noted, pointing to Vance's chest. "See, you might not have felt it, but you had indeed unlocked the boon I'd given you when we first summoned you, but due to it being sealed for so long, I'll need to activate it." He further explained, ignoring the pointed glare from Julia.

"Mhm, I was aware I'd need to come up with some means to use them, but I honestly thought the catalyst would be just them grabbing the sword?" Vance said.

Shaking her head, Julia spoke up this time, "Sadly, I didn't explain fully when we had that meeting in the ruined church." She started, pausing to let the words sink in, "Only with our help will you be able to actually use each boon."

"Ah, I see... so... what boon did you impart me with?" Vance asked, turning to face the Dwarven god.

"The ability to understand and draw up designs of anything manufactured... but! Saying that, given how many powers are stuffed into you, there's a bit of a wee limit there. You can draw up the schematics and understand the ins and outs of all engineering marvels, but you can't build them. For that, you'll require Lara." He paused, letting Vance take a moment to process what he was saying, "She's the only one who can take what you give her and make it a reality, and she's also the only one able to craft and put together the materials necessary to make what it is you have in that brain of yours."

Vance took a moment to put into perspective what it was he was saying, "I see... so... huh." Tilting his head, he began to think up a few ideas on how to build a steam engine. "I can... see that. Already have something popping up in my head... that I never actually read up on back on my world, but... I just know how to design one? If that makes sense?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't it? We are gods, you know? HAHA!" He laughed.

Julia rolled her eyes before leaning in close to focus on Vance, "As for what I can do, I can further improve your powers. To ensure that only those you trust can use those tools of war you make, I'll give you the means to use the basic runic magic."

"Lara will help actually impart them into the frame of each tool and weapon you make," Mountainhelm added.

"Oh... OH! So, something like a DNA lock? I'll be able to make it so that the weapon won't be firable by anyone that's not part of the Dragon Marines?" Vance thought aloud. "This... this will really make it more meaningful to complete the training I have in store for the troops!"

"HAHA! I like you, boy. You have quite the imagination, and I can see now why Julia favours you so. Keep that natural charm of yours strong and that brain of yours pumping with ideas, and you'll do fine." Mountainhelm said.

Julia smiled, "We have complete faith in you, Vance... just, don't be afraid to ask for our help if you ever feel lost."

He nodded, giving her a reassuring smile, "I will, I promise—both of you. And thank you, both of you, for these gifts. I won't squander them."

"Bah! Go on then; we already know you won't! Unlike the rest of our children, you're not driven by personal ego. Instead, you're guided by your moral compass. You do and act in the way you feel would benefit the people of the world. It's why we place so much faith in you. But, enough praise and gushing, let's get you back to the land of the living, shall we?" Pushing himself up and out of his chair, he walked over and tapped Vance's shoulder.

"Good luck, Vance," Julia said before it all faded, and Vance was once again in the chapel, this time standing behind Richard.

"Woah! That... was interesting." Vance commented, turning to face Richard who's hand had gone back to normal.

"I'm glad to see you're meeting with the Pantheon proved productive," Richard stated, rubbing his wrist.

"I'd say. If anything, they just helped give us a much-needed edge to further speed along with our goals." Vance replied, rushing past. "Come on, Richard! We've got to start training the Regiment. Six months, that's all we have, and I intend to use every minute training our Marines to be the best unit in Kendirewen, if not the world!" Vance announced as he rushed past his Dragonic friend.

"Oh?"

"Damn straight! I'll also see about bringing a few technologies and inventions from my world into this world. Things like antibiotics, for example?" He suggested.

"Don't know what that is."

"Figures, but not for long. Once I have a chat with Lara, I'll start drawing up a few things along with her. In the meantime, let's not keep Estrid and William waiting any longer than they already have."