Pip sat huddled in a corner of a dingy tavern, surrounded by shadows that concealed his face from view. He nursed a watery ale, the acrid scent of hops and malt mingling with the stench of unwashed bodies and stale alcohol.
The raucous clamor of drunken sailors and barmaids echoed around him, their slurred words and flirty banter punctuated by the clink of glasses and the thud of tankards on rough-hewn tables. Impatient sailors bellowed for service, their coarse voices jostling for attention as they waved their empty cups like battle standards.
But despite the chaos and noise, Pip's attention was drawn to a group of men gathered on the tavern floor. There, a once-nobleman from the fallen house of Lioran was playing dice with a group of sailors. The nobleman's feverish gaze tracked the tumbling dice as though they held the key to his salvation, his hollow cheeks and ragged clothing evidence of his family's decline.
Pip watched the men with a mixture of pity and fascination, sensing the weight of their collective desperation like a palpable force in the air. He felt the feint whispers of their prayers, channeling mana into his core. The flicker of candlelight danced across their faces, illuminating the hunger and hopelessness etched there.
Pip deftly flipped his gleaming gold coin, keeping his unwavering gaze locked onto the nobleman's sweaty face. The sailors erupted into triumphant shouts, their rough hands snatching up the paltry silver coins and greedily dividing them amongst themselves, their gap-toothed grins revealing their delight.
Undetected and unnoticed, Pip smirked, silently observing the nobleman's continuous losses. The nobleman's face contorted with discomfort, his once-confident face was now etched with worry and defeat. The first of his losses were his meager silver coins, followed quickly by the pitiful copper coins he had left. Desperation set in, and the nobleman's addiction resulted in the loss of his treasured family heirlooms, each one adorned with the image of a proud lion. Each flip of the coin took with it another priceless item; a silver pocket watch adorned with precious jewels, a gold ring showcasing a deep red ruby, an enchanted amulet. All slipping from his grasp with each passing moment.
Finally, after hours of relentless losses, the nobleman produced his most cherished possession, the very object of Pip's interest. A wolfish grin stretched Pip’s face as the sailors grumbled in disappointment, expecting a more valuable prize. The nobleman's hands trembled with trepidation as he gingerly produced a small, yellowed scroll that appeared to be on the verge of crumbling to dust.
Despite the nobleman's obvious reluctance, the sailors scoffed and attempted to haggle for a more valuable item. Pip seethed with frustration, his teeth clenched tightly as he observed the clueless, drunken men. They were utterly ignorant of the priceless value of the scroll that lay precariously against a spilled bottle. Pip resisted the urge to lash out at the sailors, realizing that the scroll's true value would only be apparent to someone with his discerning eye.
With just a few whispered words, the sailors ceased their boisterous shouting, and in unison, they settled into a reverent silence. A careful observer might have noticed a subtle shift in the rough men's demeanor, as their eyes glazed over and their mouths began to drool. However, not even the nobleman, lost in his eagerness for another round of dice, seemed to take notice. The greedy man took a swig of his cheap wine, and with a flick of his wrist, sent the dice clattering across the dirty floor.
The nobleman's cry of despair was music to Pip's ears. He had accomplished his task, and he celebrated his success with a swig of ale. One of the sailors quickly snatched up the ancient paper, concealing it within the folds of his shirt. Pip realized that he would need to act fast to retrieve his prize.
Before he could make his move, however, he was suddenly overtaken by a strange sensation, a call that he couldn't ignore. Despite the constant hum of prayers and calls that he was accustomed to, this one was different. His body tensed up in response, leaving him momentarily paralyzed. He had been dreading her call ever since he had met with the Blood mistress. He had hoped that their meeting had been kept secret, but She had agents everywhere, especially inside the Gilded City.
With a sense of resignation, Pip cast a final glance at the sailor who now held his prize, committing the man's face to memory. He left behind a single gold coin on the table as payment for his brief stay and made his way out of the dingy tavern. Outside, he inhaled a lungful of bitter air, taking in the noxious scent of decomposing garbage, the acrid stench of urine, and the sharp tang of saltwater that threatened to freeze one’s nose if he stayed outside for too long. The chaos of the city of Carwell invigorated him, filling him with a sense of energy.
Pip walked purposefully towards the narrow alleyway that lay between the tavern and the local whorehouse, a place where the sailors spent much of their hard-earned coin and where they could disappear from the prying eyes. Shrouded in the shadows, Pip prepared to make his escape. In the blink of an eye, he teleported away, leaving behind the noise and squalor of the city behind him.
Pip felt the chill of winter seep into his body, the frigid air stinging his skin and penetrating his bones. Snowflakes coated his modest cloak, causing it to flap wildly in the howling wind. The bitter gusts of the north slapped his face with such ferocity that, were he mortal, he would have only seconds before his body succumbed to hypothermia.
As he trudged through the snowdrifts, he heard the blasts of destruction and the chaotic clamor of battle carried on the screeching winds. Ahead of him, he saw a woman of absolute beauty, standing calmly amidst the chaos, like the starry sky above.
She was draped in a simple gown of midnight blue that rustled lazily in the wind, as if it could not be bothered by the earthy elements that deemed it beneath them. Her long, black hair was unbound and cascaded in waves down her exposed back.
Pip couldn't help but gaze at her lovely form for a moment, but only for a moment. The woman was mercurial to the point where it was impossible to predict whether her next glance would be one of affection or lethal intent.
As they stood there, a violent tremor shook the mountain and boulders rained down around them. A small avalanche began below their feet, blanketing the steep slopes and killing any creatures that had managed to survive the harsh climate.
As Pip finally arrived at the cliff's edge overlooking an immense city, his companion greeted him with a cool, airy voice. "You are late," she announced, a hint of amusement in her tone. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Pip couldn't help but smile at her playful rebuke.
But as he took in the scene before him, his smile quickly faded. The city below them was in ruins, consumed by fire and chaos. The once-grand buildings now lay in ruins, reduced to nothing but piles of rubble and debris.
Pip's eyes darted around, taking in the full extent of the devastation. He could hear the distant cries of terrified people as they swarmed the streets like ants, scrambling to escape the destruction that surrounded them.
The fools, the poor fools.
And in the sky above, two towering figures clashed, their magic and power creating a maelstrom of energy that crackled and surged through the air. Pip could feel the raw power of their conflict vibrating through the ground beneath his feet.
"I came as soon as I could," he replied breathlessly, his eyes locked on the two figures soaring high above the city.
The woman standing next to him grunted, her eyes never leaving the unfolding battle. The two men moved with a speed and agility that left the mortals below struggling to even follow their movements. Blurs of motion and flashes of energy lashed out from the combatants, striking buildings and homes with devastating force.
One of the men unleashed a beam of pure energy that tore through the air, hurtling towards his opponent with deadly intent. The other man responded with a flashing shield, a wall of light that crackled with power and thundered with the force of the impact. The beam lost some of its strength as it collided with the shield, but the remaining energy shot down towards the helpless people below, obliterating a section of the city and claiming the lives of hundreds.
"These fools are going to kill everyone!" Pip spat, his eyes blazing with anger. "A lot of Gods will be angry... Losing so many followers." The woman scoffed with a delicate cough.
"Maybe, for a day perhaps. The next day they will be drinking rose wine with these two as if nothing had happened," she mused, a note of bitter amusement in her voice.
As she spoke, another crash sounded in the distance, and Pip watched in horror as an axe made of green energy slammed into a section of the famous Argynian library. The impact left behind an angry scar of blighted earth, a wound that would take centuries to heal.
"Damn! I liked that library!" He exclaimed and the woman laughed, Pip felt a thrill of excitement course through his body. Despite the destruction and chaos around them, he couldn't help but feel drawn to this powerful, enigmatic woman.
Stolen novel; please report.
"I didn't know you dabbled in philosophy!" she retorted playfully, and Pip scratched his head in discomfort.
"A man has to pass his time somehow; eternity is boringly long," At his words a sigh escaped her lips, her breath enveloping him in a warm, heady scent. “It is indeed.”
Pip became aware of the other divine beings who were watching the battle from afar. He could sense their presence, their immense power radiating out like a palpable force. Some were silent, their thoughts and intentions inscrutable. Others were more vocal, shouting out encouragement or jeers as the combatants clashed in the sky.
It was as if the lives of the mortals below were nothing more than a game to be played, a spectacle to be observed and wagered upon. Pip could feel the weight of their indifference, their disregard for the countless souls who were being lost in the carnage.
He wanted to cry out, to demand that they intervene and put an end to this senseless violence. But he knew that such pleas would fall on deaf ears. The Gods and Goddesses had their own agendas, their own priorities, and the fate of mortals was rarely among them.
As he watched the battle continue to rage on, Pip couldn't help but wonder how long it would take until the divine beings grew tired of their entertainment and moved on to something else. How many more lives would be lost, how many more homes and buildings destroyed, before they deemed it no longer interesting or amusing?
He turned to the woman beside him, his voice heavy with confusion and disbelief.
"Why would they do this? What could possibly drive them to destroy so much?"
The woman chuckled, a cold and bitter sound that sent chills down Pip's spine.
"Men fight for many reasons, Tychos. For power, for glory, for revenge. But these two? They fight for a woman."
Pip's stomach churned at the thought. The lives of countless mortals were being lost, entire sections of the city were being destroyed, all for the sake of one mortal woman.
"How could anyone be worth all of this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The King of the Argynian empire, in his vain ambitions of conquest, promised his daughter to the God who would aid him against the Blood Dread of the Syccian Archipelagos," the woman explained with a hint of contempt. "Both Arih and Elkmon are patrons of the city and felt entitled to the mortal princess. Whoever wins gets to keep the Argynian empire. The undivided faith of an entire kingdom is incredibly enticing. "
Pip shook his head in disbelief, feeling a deep sense of disgust and anger at the Gods' callous disregard for the lives of mortals.
"If there is even an empire left after tonight," he muttered darkly.
The woman stood in contemplation, her head nodding thoughtfully as she observed the sky lighting up with an intense brightness, as if it were midday. Countless figures of snarling beasts had been conjured, causing a spectacle of chaos and destruction. Suddenly, Arih, the God of conquest, appeared, scoffing at the scene before him. His voice thundered like an angry wave, momentarily muffling the screaming wind. He resheathed his shining sword and conjured a small sphere that shone like a miniature sun. The sphere spun idly for a few moments as the Beasts of Koulanar attacked. Despite their efforts, few beasts managed to harm the angry God, who bellowed in rage as he felt for the first time in eons what it meant to bleed.
The innocuous orb continued to whirl harmlessly for a few more seconds before suddenly shooting into the sky with blinding brilliance. The blazing light covered the snow-blanketed metropolis, sending a wave of scorching power that eviscerated the beasts closest to the God. The air filled with a hair-raising symphony of howls as the remaining beasts were sucked into the miniature sun, disappearing without a trace.
Pip remarked, "That was quite a flashy display."
"Well, you know Arih, he enjoys showing off. Perhaps he should become the God of Arrogance," the woman quipped with a smirk.
"Or maybe the God of Pompousness. Is there even one of those?" Pip chuckled.
"I don't think so," the woman pondered. "Although, we do have a God of Elegance, Magnificence, and Exhibitionism."
"Ahh, Mnygi! What a lovely deity she is. We spent a few..." Pip trailed off as the woman interrupted.
"But how is our champion doing?" she inquired abruptly, cutting off his sentence.
"He's floundering around like a headless chicken, but miraculously still alive," he chuckled, amused by the mortal's desperate but hopeless acts of heroism that would have resulted in his demise if he hadn't intervened.
"That's good. Soon, he will encounter one of my disciples who will guide and assist him," she said, her gaze fixed on the ongoing battle.
"Father is growing impatient. We must all oblige to the powers of creation and act accordingly," she added. At the mention of the ominous being, Pip shivered and fidgeted nervously, unsure of whether to speak. But the woman, knowing him well, sensed that he was hiding something.
"Spit it out," the woman demanded, turning to face Pip. He watched as snowflakes settled on her silky hair but quickly melted away, unable to blemish her stunning beauty.
"I followed him as instructed, but one of his companions is a champion of Avass..." Pip trailed off as the woman froze in place.
"Were you detected?" Pip turned back to the ongoing battle, which had reached a deafening crescendo, leaving half the city in ruins, trying to avoid seeing the fury on the Goddess's face.
The single word "Yes" fell from Pip's lips like a lead weight, causing the world to momentarily dim. The stars vanished from the night sky, and an ominous atmosphere descended upon the Argynian capital. The woman's face twisted in anger and frustration, and she took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure.
All around them, numerous Gods lounged on floating recliners, eating and drinking together while they watched the ongoing battle unfold below. It was as if they had come to watch a play, enjoying the spectacle without any sense of concern for the destruction and chaos that was being wrought upon the city.
But when the woman's show of power drew their attention, they all turned to look at her. Even in the midst of such immense power, she remained stunningly beautiful, with snowflakes melting on her silky hair without leaving so much as a blemish. They watched her warily, uncertain what had caused her outburst.
Pip stood frozen under their scrutiny, desperate to avoid any more attention. He knew that the woman had cast a spell to shield them from eavesdropping, but he couldn't help but feel that every God present was watching them intently.
Once the other Gods realized who had exhibited that level of power, they averted their gazes, knowing her prickly nature and wanting to avoid her wrath.
Finally, the woman spoke, her words sharpened by a cold edge. "Avass may be a fool and a pompous peacock, but his sister is not," she said. "If she found out..." Pip interrupted her, trying to explain himself.
"Rest assured, I know how to cover my tracks. I provoked him enough to divert his attention and make him believe I was only seeking to earn favor with his champion. He never suspected my true intentions," Pip assured the woman. Leaving out the fact that the Blood mistress was already aware of Talax, by an unexpected twist of fate. He really had to pay her a visit...
The tension in the air dissipated slightly as the woman let out a sigh. Pip, however, remained vigilant, afraid of another outburst.
The woman said, her voice calm and measured. "We cannot delay too long. Time is of the essence, and the champion must be ready for what is to come. He needs to grow in power, and he needs to do it quickly"
Pip's agreement was accompanied by a sense of foreboding, as he could sense the turbulent undercurrents of fate, just as his fellow Gods did. The dangerous convergence of power had left them all unbalanced, with even the destructive display of power that reduced the Argynian capital to ruins being a byproduct of the impending conflict. For the first time in ages, they felt the specter of mortality looming over them, leaving them both unsettled and fiercely determined to secure any scrap of power they could.
"We were aware of the possibility of encountering other Gods when the champion's companions joined him, particularly the nobleman, whose lineage has earned the respect of the Gods over centuries of unwavering devotion from his followers. However, I believe the benefits outweigh the risks. He will assist the champion in his growth and introduce him to influential figures who will be of great assistance in the future." She paused to take a deep breath before continuing, "Nonetheless, we must exercise caution. We must remain vigilant. Avass is not one to be underestimated, and his sister even less so. We cannot afford to attract their attention before the appointed time."
Pip nodded in agreement, his eyes flickering towards the other Gods who still lingered around them. He could feel their curious gazes upon them, and he shifted uneasily.
"Understood," he murmured. "I'll make sure to keep a low profile."
The woman's lips curved into a small smile, and she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know I can count on you, Pip," she said softly. "We have come too far to let anything jeopardize our plans now."
Pip expressed agreement, fully aware that what they have planned will be risky and could result in their punishment, or death...
"I have left an avatar in my stead to monitor their progress and notify me when my presence is required," he explained. The use of avatars was a common practice among Gods, although it was a significant drain on their mana reserves. Nevertheless, it allowed them to care for their followers, dispensing blessings and justice as necessary.
Despite popular belief, Gods were not all-knowing or omnipresent. Therefore, avatars were employed to expand their reach, a necessary investment in their power. By expending mana to create avatars, they could absorb mana through the worship of their devotees. However, the cost of creating an avatar was astronomical, and only a few Gods possessed the ability to create more than a handful of these precious magical constructs.
He had managed to create nearly a hundred avatars, but with the latest addition, the mana drain felt like a roaring river leaking from his core, leaving him gasping for breath.
He couldn't fathom how the woman coped with millions of avatars scattered throughout the world. Her immense popularity and revered status among the Pantheon meant that she had far more followers than he did. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by her cold voice.
"His first trial is about to commence, and it is imperative that he is prepared," she stated.
"I was just about to retrieve the scroll, as you had instructed, when you summoned me," he replied.
She nodded and turned to face him. Her hands were delicately clasped, and a serene expression graced her face, a stark contrast to her earlier outburst of rage. However, her eyes remained otherworldly and unsettling, twin pools of black liquid with a few ethereal points of light that resembled stars. They pierced him with a cold conviction, a reminder of the feral creature that dwelled within her.
"Monitor him closely, intervene when necessary, and do not make any mistakes," she commanded, leaving Pip with no choice but to nod in agreement. Without saying goodbye, the woman was suddenly enveloped in a black shroud adorned with glittering stars and vanished into thin air.
Pip let out a sigh, feeling a mixture of exhilaration and terror after each meeting. Even as Gods, they had to abide by the rules of Creation, and bending them to their advantage came with consequences. They could be banished in an instant if they were not careful. Eventually, they would break the rules and be condemned to an eternity in the Veil.
The mere thought of that dreaded place sent shivers down Pip's spine, but he quickly regained his resolve. He would not falter. He was prepared to fight, steal, and deceive until he reached his goal.
Before teleporting away to retrieve the missing scroll, he watched the two warring Gods one last time. Despite the destruction and death they had caused, they continued their pointless battle over the affections of a mortal woman.
Pip shook his head in disappointment. They had to emerge victorious, no matter what the cost.